South Africa: Forging deeper relations on the continent President Cyril Ramaphosa says the future of Africa depends on the strengthening and deepening of relations between countries on the continent. The President said this during his opening remarks at the State Visit of President of Guinea Bissau, General Umaro Sissoco Embalo, in Pretoria. This visit affirms the solidarity and friendship between South Africa and Guinea Bissau. Our common vision of a better Africa and a better world forms the foundation of our relations today and into the future. This visit is an important opportunity for us to consolidate the areas of cooperation that anchor our relations, explore new ones and address the challenges that will affect our people in the future, he said. During his opening remarks, President Ramaphosa said the visit presents an opportunity for the two countries to implement the General Cooperation Agreement signed by the two countries in 2008 which, he said, should also form part of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. According to President Ramaphosa, other areas of cooperation for intra-African trade include that: Preference should be given to SOEs and businesses when bidding for significant procurement contracts in each others countries and Exploration for investment opportunities by South African companies in Guinea Bissau in areas such as agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing and infrastructure. Turning to the impact of COVID-19, President Ramaphosa reflected on the challenges African countries have faced in receiving vaccine doses. We meet as the world is counting the costs of COVID-19. We have the arduous task of rebuilding our societies, our economies and our peoples livelihoods. Africas recovery depends on more of our people getting vaccinated against COVID-19. It is a cause of great concern that the global community has not sustained the principles of solidarity and cooperation when it comes to equitable access to vaccines. It is therefore, all the more urgent that African countries cooperate to manufacture its own vaccines and that we strengthen our health systems so that these vaccines reach the people who need them most, President Ramaphosa said. Conflict on the continent President Ramaphosa told the Guinea Bissau delegation - led by President General Umaro Sissoco Embalo - that South Africa condemns the attempted coup in that country earlier this year. While much of the continent enjoys the benefits of democracy, peace and stability, there are still pockets of insecurity and conflict on our continent. The spate of unconstitutional changes of government in parts of our country runs contrary to the aspirations of [the African Unions] Agenda 2063 of an integrated, peaceful and prosperous continent. It also sets back our common goal for silencing the guns. A goal that we set out to achieve as the African Union. We emphasise that any aggrieved party needs to engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue in good faith and within the confines of the law when addressing any conflict or area of dispute or disagreement, he said. The two Heads of State are expected to address the media later today to give an update on the deliberations of the State Visit. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-04-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. American man falls to death from Da Nang high-rise building An American man was found dead on the ground of Son Tra Ocean View, a block of flats in Da Nang city, central Vietnam, on April 28. The Son Tra Ocean View building where the incident heppens on April 28. Upon receiving the news from local residents, the police were urgently deployed to cordon off and examine the scene. They found one leg of the victim was severed while the man was still holding a battery of a portable wall drill in his hand. The man, 62, was said to rent an apartment on the 18th floor in 2019 and has since lived there. A representative of the buildings management said before the incident happened, the man had contacted to fix the air conditioner on the balcony. It is likely that the victim went to the balcony to fix the air conditioner and he then slipped and fell to the ground, according to an investigator. Investigation is still underway. On April 20, 2022, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi met with Cambodian Ambassador to China Khek Caimealy Sysoda and Lao Ambassador to China Khamphao Ernthavanh, respectively, in Beijing at their requests. Yang Jiechi said, China-Cambodia and China-Laos relations, having withstood the test of time and grown even stronger with closer people-to-people bonds, have entered a new era of building a community with a shared future. The China-Cambodia free trade agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership came into force at the beginning of this year, and the China-Laos Railway opened to traffic successfully with good benefits. The two sides have firmly rendered mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests. The two sides should ensure sound implementation of the important consensus reached by leaders, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate political mutual trust, improve the quality of economic and trade cooperation, and work for more outcomes in cooperation and exchanges in fields such as pandemic response, people's wellbeing, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China is ready to work closely with the two countries in multilateral coordination and collaboration, to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, and uphold international fairness and justice. Yang Jiechi stressed, this year kicks off the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China supports Cambodia's role as the rotating chair of ASEAN and stands ready to work with ASEAN to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together. The two ambassadors thanked China for providing valuable assistance for the two countries' pandemic response and economic and social development. The two countries firmly support China's just position on its core interests and major international issues, expect to work with China to advance Belt and Road cooperation, and will actively promote the development of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership. Killeen, TX (76540) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 93F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. 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 View Results LEXINGTON A man and a woman have been charged with possession of methamphetamine after a controlled delivery of a package containing 3.9 pounds of the substance. Mellenize Utterback, 30, of Lexington and Nestor Gomez-Orta, 36, have both been charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Class 1B felony and possession with intent to distribute or deliver a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony. Utterback and Gomez-Orta were arraigned in Dawson County Court on Tuesday, April 26. Judge Jeffrey Wightman set both of their bails at 10 percent of $500,000. A preliminary hearing date has been set for May 9. According to court documents, law enforcement was advised a suspicious package was allegedly being sent from California to 408 Rimpley Lane in Lexington. The package was intercepted by a United States Postal Inspector on Friday, April 22. A K-9 brought in and indicated the odor of illicit drugs in the package. A federal search warrant was obtained. When opened, the package contained 3.9 pounds of methamphetamine. The Postal Inspector from the Postal Service made a controlled delivery of two packages to 408 Rimpley Lane to Gomez-Orta. The Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team, with assistance from officers with the Lexington Police Department, executed a search warrant on the residence and located five individuals and two juveniles inside. Utterback and Gomez-Orta were arrested. During the search of the residence, around 1,000 small blue bills believed to be fentanyl were located in a safe allegedly in Utterback and Gomez-Orta room. Also located was a large amount of U.S. currency, six knives, a compound bow, pipes, rolling papers, phones, scales, computers, grinders, a small amount of marijuana and methamphetamine and packaging materials. Explosions rock Kyiv again as Russians rain fire on Ukraine KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia mounted attacks across a wide area of Ukraine on Thursday, bombarding Kyiv during a visit by the head of the United Nations. Several people were injured in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit. A spokesperson said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his team were safe. The attack is the boldest the capital city has seen since Russian forces retreated weeks ago. Elsewhere, Ukrainian authorities reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas, the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin is bent on capturing. EXPLAINER: Why US needs a law to sell off oligarchs' assets WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden doesnt want to just seize the yachts, luxury homes and other assets of Russian oligarchs, he wants to sell off the pricey goods and use the money to help rebuild Ukraine. Hes asking Congress to streamline the process to allow that to happen. In the latest attempt to pressure Russia to end its war and to pay for the enormous costs of defending Ukraine, the Biden administration on Thursday called on Congress to enhance U.S. authority to liquidate assets seized from Russian elites the bad guys, as Biden called them. Drop in US GDP challenges Biden's pitch to voters WASHINGTON (AP) The latest report on gross domestic product is complicating President Joe Bidens pitch that the U.S. economy is strong. It shows that the economy shrank at a 1.4% annualized rate during the first three months of this year. Biden says the drop reflects technical quirks such as businesses adding less to their inventories, while Republicans have a direct line of attack to say the problem is rooted in inflation at a 40-year high. The risk for Biden is now a muddled message going into the midterm elections at a time when voters are focused on the economy. Report calls out abuse of social media by Minneapolis police ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Among the scathing findings of an investigation launched after the police killing of George Floyd is that the Minneapolis Police Department used covert or fake social media accounts to monitor Black activists and organizations. And it did so despite having no clear public safety rationale for doing so. The report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights echoes past revelations of surveillance by other law enforcement agencies targeting prominent people and communities of color even though they werent doing anything illegal. Experts say what happened in Minnesota is also happening in many other jurisdictions because there are few rules in place and no accountability. 2022 NFL Draft l First round features 5 Georgia defenders LAS VEGAS (AP) A first round of the NFL draft featured a record five defenders taken from one school as the night began and ended with the selections of former University of Georgia defenders. The old record was four set by the University of Miami in 2004 and tied by Florida State in 2006. The night began with the Jaguars selecting edge rusher Travon Walker and ended with the Vikings selecting safety Lewis Cine at No. 32. The Packers selected linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22 and Georgia teammate Devonte Wyatt at 28. And the Eagles grabbed D-tackle Jordan Davis at No. 13. British Virgin Islands premier arrested on US drug charges MIAMI (AP) U.S. authorities say the premier of the British Virgin Islands and the director of the Caribbean territorys ports have been arrested on drug smuggling charges in South Florida. A criminal complaint shows Premier Andrew Alturo Fahie and Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard were arrested Thursday by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents at Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport. They are charged with conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to launder money. Officials said Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard had been at the airport to meet with drug traffickers who in reality were undercover DEA agents, to see a shipment of $700,000 in cash that the the BVI officials expected to receive for helping smuggle cocaine from Colombia to Miami and New York. Moderna seeks to be 1st with COVID shots for littlest kids Moderna is asking U.S. regulators to open its COVID-19 vaccine to the nation's youngest children. Kids under 5 are the only group in the U.S. not yet eligible for vaccination. Frustrated parents are waiting impatiently for a chance to protect them. Moderna submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration Thursday. The company hopes the FDA will rule in time for tots to start getting vaccinated by summer. It's a complex decision partly because while other countries give Moderna shots to older children, the U.S. so far has restricted them to adults. Rival Pfizer also is studying its vaccine in the littlest kids. Astroworld movie set for release despite lawyers' concerns HOUSTON (AP) The experiences of panicked concertgoers who couldnt breathe and had no clear path to escape a massive crowd surge at last years deadly Astroworld music festival in Houston are featured in a new documentary. But lawyers for Live Nation, which is being sued for its role as the festivals promoter, say theyre concerned that publicity from Concert Crush: The Travis Scott Festival Tragedy, could taint the jury pool. The documentary is set for release Friday in 11 Texas cities. But Charlie Minn, the films director, says it's a balanced and fair documentary that tries to show what happened. Ten people died and hundreds of others were injured at the Nov. 5 concert by Scott, a popular rapper. Oklahoma House sends Texas-style abortion ban to governor OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma House has given final approval to a Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. The bill passed Thursday by the GOP-led House now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. He's expected to sign it within days. The bill was immediately challenged in court by abortion rights advocates. The measure prohibits abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo. Experts say thats typically about six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. Like Texas, the bill allows private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion for up to $10,000. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed a similar law in Texas to stand. 'Carpool Karaoke' king James Corden leaving late-night show LOS ANGELES (AP) James Corden will be bowing out of his late-night CBS TV show next year. Corden announced his decision during the taping of Thursdays The Late Late Show, which he began hosting in 2015. In a statement, the president and CEO of CBS lauded Corden for taking huge creative and comedic swings, including with Carpool Karaoke. In those videos, Corden and pop stars including Adele and Paul McCartney performed sing-alongs on the road. Cordens contract with The Late Late Show was to expire this August, but the London-born actor and writer extended the agreement for another season. He will leave the show in spring 2023. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On the afternoon of April 22, 2022, Premier Li Keqiang had a phone conversation with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at Ziguang Pavilion of Zhongnanhai leadership compound at the latter's request. Li Keqiang once again congratulated Nehammer on his assuming office as Austrian Chancellor. He said, Austria is China's important cooperative partner in the European Union (EU). Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 51 years ago, China-Austria relations have transcended differences in system, culture, and development level, among other aspects, with bilateral cooperation continuously deepening. In 2018, President Xi Jinping and President Alexander Van der Bellen decided to establish the China-Austria friendly strategic partnership, elevating China-Austria relations to a new height. China is ready to work with Austria to strengthen dialogue and communication, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and push forward the sound and steady development of China-Austria relations. Li Keqiang pointed out, the current international and regional landscape is complex and volatile, with economic globalization facing headwinds. Noting that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, major economies in the world and important trading partners of each other, he said that the two sides should all the more stick to two-way opening-up and cooperation, strengthen communication and dialogue, and jointly send a signal of stable development of China-EU relations and active progress in bilateral cooperation, so as to ensure smooth logistics between China and the EU, stable industrial and supply chains, as well as food security and energy resource security. Li Keqiang stressed, China will never waver on the basic national policy of opening-up, which has not only boosted growth for China itself but also brought benefits to the world. No matter how the international landscape may change, China will stay committed to opening-up and deepening bilateral and multilateral international cooperation. A big and open Chinese market will always be a promising land for enterprises from all over the world, including Austrian ones, to invest and do business. Nehammer said, Austria and China have enjoyed sound relations for a long time, with successful bilateral cooperation in various fields. Noting that China is a vital participant in international affairs, he said that Austria cherishes its relations with China, adheres to the one-China principle, and stands ready to continue deepening cooperation with China and push for the further development of the Austria-China friendly strategic partnership. Austria supports the EU and China in strengthening dialogue and communication to constantly elevate EU-China relations. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Li Keqiang expounded on China's principled position, pointing out that China always pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. China holds that countries should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold international law and universally recognized norms governing international relations, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. China hopes that all parties will work together to call on the relevant parties to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict through dialogue and negotiation and in particular, avoid a humanitarian crisis on a larger scale. Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the above activity. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 An Extraordinary Life, Linking Past and Present I was trained to fight by my grandmother, Mamie Bland Todd. She would often remind me, Pessimists are right more often, but optimists win more often. In this life you have to decide whats more important to you. Then she would add, As for me, Ill take winning. My favorite optimist died recently at 105. ADVERTISEMENT For our family, she was the last living link to our story of origin in antebellum Southern Virginia. Three of her grandparents were Black and born into slavery. The fourth was white and helped run a plantation. She and my grandfather made the great migration north to the Up South that is Baltimore. Their love story was the bridge to our familys life in modern America. She carried lessons from the old world with her. She learned to fight from her paternal grandfather, Edward David Bland. He was born into slavery in his white uncles house. He would defeat one of his white cousins to become one of the last Black Reconstruction statesmen in Virginia. He was also the Black leader of a multiracial populist movement made up of former slaves and former Confederate soldiers. His white counterpart was former Confederate General William Mahone. Theirs was a coalition of working men, Black and white. Most of them were farmers with rough hands and dirty fingernails. Together they built a movement in the early 1880s that created Virginia State University, expanded Virginia Tech, and secured the future of free public education for every child in the commonwealth. Their common enemy was the far right-wing politicians who said Virginia could not afford the universal free public education that had been created during Reconstruction. Publicly, these wealthy conservatives said the state could not afford both free public education and paying off Civil War debt. Privately, they feared free universal public education would render both poor whites and poor Blacks ungovernable. ADVERTISEMENT Bland and Mahones multiracial movement also attacked voter suppression, outlawing the poll tax and several other measures meant to make it harder for Blacks and low-income whites to vote. When they took control of the state legislature, they made Mahone a U.S. Senator. Without forgetting the sins of the past, the men they led each chose to invest in new-found unity rather than renew old hurts and divisions. What united those men was their commitment to providing a better future for their children. They recognized that what the children of working families Black and white needed more than anything was access to a free high-quality education. In short, they needed what the children of plantation owners took for granted. My grandmother was born in 1916. She was a third-generation NAACP member who rebelled against Jim Crow without hesitation. As a young teacher, she confronted the white man who was the local superintendent of schools. She convinced him that just like white teachers, Black teachers could not teach without adequate supplies. He rectified the problem at her segregated all-Black school the next day. Two decades later, she would support my mom when at age 12 she signed on as a named plaintiff in one of the feeder cases to Brown v Board of Education. When my mom desegregated her local high school at 15, my grandmother was with her every step of the way. Ultimately, however, my grandmother, like her grandfather, could not escape the moral imperative that children of every color who are struggling need the same protections and supports. She would go on to found Child Protective Services for the city of Baltimore and lead Marylands effort to replicate the program statewide. Like Bland, she built an army of warriors for social change. In her case, it was an army of social workers, who were mostly women. Among them was a young white woman and future U.S. senator named Barbara Mikulski. Four years ago, when I was the Democratic nominee for governor of Maryland, I bumped into Sen. Mikulski at a womens political event. She looked at me and said, Youre Mamie Todds grandson. I said, I am, and I watched a tear roll down her face. As I close this weeks column, tears are running down mine. Ben Jealous is president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. His book, Never Forget Our People Were Always Free will be released by Harper Collins next January. It is largely based on the life of his grandmother. Foley and Lardner Secure Victory in Bruces Beach Case for County Supervisors Foley & Lardner LLP secured a victory on behalf of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week when Honorable Judge Michael Beckloff of the Los Angeles County Superior Court denied a County residents petition for a writ of mandate in an attempt to block the transfer of Bruces Beach back to the legal heirs of Charles and Willa Bruce. Bruces Beach was a popular Black-owned resort in the City of Manhattan Beach that catered to Black beachgoers in the 1910s and 20s. In 1924, the City of Manhattan Beach condemned Bruces Beach in an act of racial discrimination, seeking to drive out Black patrons from Manhattan Beach. Recognizing this profound historical wrong, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 796 into law, which enables the County to take appropriate actions to return Bruces Beach to the legal heirs of the Bruce family. A County resident petitioned for a writ of mandate to block the transfer of the property. The resident primarily argued that the transfer of the property violates Article XVI, Section 6 of the California Constitution, which prohibits the Legislature to give public funds to private citizens. ADVERTISEMENT Foley partner and the Countys lead counsel Byron McLain argued that returning the property to the Bruce family is not an improper gift in violation of the California Constitution because this act serves a clear and direct public purpose of addressing and redressing government racial discrimination. As stated in Senate Bill 796, this transfer enables the County to rectify the historic injustice that was done to the Bruce family by returning the landfrom whom it was taken in an act motivated by racism. Judge Beckloff denied Petitioners writ of mandate and held that the anticipated transfer is constitutional, which effectively grants the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors the power to right this historic wrong. The Countys effort to return Bruces Beach works to strengthen government integrity, represents governmental accountability. . . [and] fosters trust and respect in government, Beckloff wrote in his ruling. Redressing past acts of discrimination as well as preventing such acts in the future benefits the whole of the community. The public purpose served by [the Countys efforts] is direct and substantial, Beckloff found. In addition to McLain, the Foley team representing the County included Anum Amin and former Foley attorney M. Kristina Fernandez Mabrie. Paralegal Autumn McIntosh and Vivian Hong also assisted in this matter. Jenner testifies She Warned Brother About Blac Chyna Kylie Jenner testified April 25 that she expressed concerns to her brother Rob Kardashian about his new girlfriend and soon-to-be reality TV co-star Blac Chyna, because she had heard Chyna had a tendency to abuse drugs and alcohol and become violent and had gotten a possible glimpse of it herself. I felt it was my duty to express my concerns, but ultimately it was up to him, Jenner, now 24 and a teenager at the time, said from the witness stand at a Los Angeles trial. She said her brother didnt heed her warnings, and continued with the relationship. Chyna is suing Jenner and three other members of the Kardashian family, alleging they defamed her as violent and forced the cancellation of her reality show, Rob & Chyna, after one short season. ADVERTISEMENT Both Chyna and Jenner had previous relationships with the rapper Tyga, and Chyna had a child with him. Jenner said Tyga told her dark stories of his time with Chyna and showed her a 6-inch knife scar he said she gave him while abusing drugs and alcohol, Jenner said. Jenner said that while dating Tyga, she had received at least one threatening text message from Chyna. From what I remember she sent me a bunch of devil emojis, and said something like counting down the days until she could beat me or something, she said. I didnt report it, because I assumed they were empty threats. Jenner testified that when Rob Kardashian and Chyna began dating in January of 2016, she didnt trust that Chynas love was genuine. I felt like me dating the father of her child had something to do with it, and maybe she was out with my brother for other reasons? Still, she said, she was cautiously optimistic after they announced in April 2016 that they were getting engaged, and said in May that they were having a baby together. ADVERTISEMENT I was happy for my brother at the time, Jenner said, but just curious how it would go. Rob & Chyna would premiere in September, the couple would have a daughter, Dream, in November, and in December they would have an all-night celebration of their show being approved for a second season that turned into a bitter fight. That dispute, and how violent it may have become, was at the center of testimony from both Chyna and from Jenners mother Kris Jenner. Chyna said she was being playful when she wrapped a phone-charging cord around her fiances neck and grabbed his gun. Kris Jenner, who did not witness the fight, testified through tears that she felt that Chyna had tried to murder her son. Kylie Jenner, whose home the two had been living in, testified that in the aftermath of the fight she saw some of the damage, and remembers her brother being emotionally traumatized, but couldnt recall seeing any evidence of physical injury. She definitely came away believing the violence had been serious, she testified. He used the words, She was trying to kill me Kylie Jenner said. Jenner returns to the witness stand on Tuesday. The two other defendants, Khloe Kardashian and Kim Kardashian, are expected to testify later in the week. Kim Kardashian was not in court Monday for the first time in the six-day-old trial. Another witness, Jeff Olde, who in 2016 was a senior vice president of the E! network, which aired both Rob & Chyna and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, testified that he approved a second season for the show, though further approval from his bosses would still have been needed. But his excitement for more episodes was based on the idea that it would include the stars getting married. I thought it was really promising because with a wedding that gave us a hook for season two, said Olde. Everyone loves a wedding. Chynas lawyer Lynne Ciani pressed Olde over an email he received from Kylie Jenner expressing concerns about violent behavior from Chyna. The email is a key element of Chynas defamation case. Olde testified that it did not especially influence his decision to reverse course on a second season for Rob & Chyna. I dont really take direction from 17-year-olds, he said. A similar email soon after from Khloe Kardashian also had little effect, he said. He thought the show should be canceled, he testified, because the couple it featured was no longer a couple. It was the Rob and Chyna show and there was no more Rob and Chyna, he said. It was not the show we bought. Rep. Karen Bass released her plan to combat climate change and take bold action to protect Los Angeles from the existential threat of global warming. Her comprehensive climate strategy will expand access to clean transportation and open space, enhance biodiversity and climate resiliency, conserve our natural resources, and train our workforce for prosperous green jobs. It is our responsibility to protect this planet, said Bass. As rising temperatures and extreme drought create health emergencies, drive displacement, destroy jobs, and threaten livelihoods, it is imperative that we take immediate action to defeat climate change and serve as a model for cities throughout the world. As mayor, I will lead Los Angeles to a new era of sustainability that supports frontline communities, makes major investments in energy efficiency, and creates thousands of good-paying jobs in the process. ADVERTISEMENT Bass plan is bold. It meets the serious environmental challenges that Los Angeles is facing climate change, drought, pollution and environmental injustice with a vision of an L.A. powered with clean energy, resilient to drought and climate impacts and centered on healthy communities and a strong, just economy, said Nancy Sutley, former chair of the Obama White House Council on Environmental Quality. I believe Karen Bass is the leader we need to enact this vision. Karen Bass has developed an exciting, highly ambitious, but realizable environmental vision for Los Angeles, said Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Climate Resolve. We need Karens brand of get-it-done leadership in City Hall. For Karen Bass, the environment is where we live, work, play, pray, and go to school. She understands that the restoration and protection of our air, land, water, and climate is inextricably linked to peoples health and livelihoods. She knows from experience the deep environmental inequities and injustices borne by frontline workers and residents, low-income individuals, and communities of color, said Martha Matsuoka, associate professor and executive director, Urban and Environmental Policy Institute, Occidental College. She will bring people together particularly those most impacted by environmental conditions and leverage federal, state, and local authorities and resources to get things done to protect our environment and our people. Our city finds itself in an era of extreme drought fueled by the climate crisis, said Charles Stringer, managing director of Renewable Resources Group and former board chair of Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. The next mayor will need to take bold and decisive steps to combat climate change. Im proud to support someone whos done it Karen Bass was a leader on water policy as Speaker of the Assembly and she is a climate champion in Congress. Her plan will help ensure a sustainable water future and makes me optimistic for our city. ADVERTISEMENT Karen Bass understands the urgency of our climate crisis and its catastrophic impacts, said Randall Winston, Vice Chair of California Environmental Voters*. Her vision is bold, equity-driven, and deeply grounded in communities and working people. Karen Bass is the leader Los Angeles needs. The environmental damage caused by the climate crisis has disproportionate impacts on low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and the elderly, said Gloria Medina, environmental justice leader. I trust Karen Bass to redress the historical injustices of environmental racism and help our communities recover from and prepare for the ongoing impacts of global warming. This plan puts the health and economic sustainability of frontline communities first, and elevates the need to center the voices of those most impacted. I am proud to support this plan. (If needed, cut after content below) LA County Library Reading Machine Enriches the Minds of Juniorversity Children through Storytime Juniorversity is an early childcare center located in the city of Compton. Their tagline is, Where Learning and Growing Go Hand-in-Hand, and owner/director, Gwendolyn Crews, is making sure that her childcare center lives up to that slogan. As part of the curriculum, library volunteers from LA County Library Reading Machine come out every other Friday to Juniorversity to read to the children in the form of Storytime implementing both literacy and S.T.E.A.M. Reading Machine is a service provided by LA County Library where librarians visit licensed home daycares and preschools via a decorative mobile van. Someone from the Reading Machine program had reached out to Juniorversity in 2018 and asked if they were interested in being a part of the program and since Crews is always looking for engaging experiences for the children, she said yes. ADVERTISEMENT Before COVID-19, the program was similar to a S.T.E.A.M program. They wouldnt just read stories; the kids would engage in different lessons and activities such as a science lesson on ladybugs. The volunteer read books on ladybugs having the kids pass around a plastic ladybug for them to touch. This type of engagement intertwines with Juniorversitys core belief, which is that children learn in different ways some visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The Reading Machine and Juniorversity mix perfectly together to cater to each childs individual needs. During the early COVID-19, the program engaged with the children via zoom with Juniorversity teachers present with them on site, following COVID-19 precautionary guidelines. Once Reading Machine volunteers returned to Juniorversity, they engaged with the children outside for some outdoor fun, following the stress of the pandemic. This ongoing engagement helped to soften the sting of the pandemic, which allowed the children to continue to be stimulated in a safe, stable, and fun environment, Crews stated. Juniorversity opened in 2006, but started as a family home childcare program called, Little Lambs Training Center, in Carson, CA in 1994. Little Lambs Training Center was licensed for only 14 children and was filled for over seven years. Crews expressed that she had to sometimes turn parents away who needed care for their children calling it, disheartening. Crews goes on to explain how after 9/11, Los Angeles County provided incentives for those who wanted to start or expand a childcare business. She has always had an innate desire to serve more parents and children. This was her motivation. This was her way to provide childcare services to families in her community. Unfortunately, the program was dismantled before it could get off the ground and funds were frozen. However, I continued to pursue my dream of being able to provide quality care to more than 14 families at a time and worked to fund my own project. Although it was a tedious process, it was one whose end result would allow me to serve my community and its young children, so it was truly worthwhile, Crews expressed. Fortunately, she persisted and in 2003 with her daughter by her side, they purchased and renovated an empty warehouse and co-founded Juniorversity. Crews always knew the importance of engaging children in enriching learning environments as part of the providing quality care process, she explained. Many of the children from the daycare transitioned to kindergarten already knowing their colors, shapes, how to paint, numbers, and how to read. When Crews changed her business model from a family home daycare to a state-of-the-art childcare center, she changed the name to something that truly reflected the service she provided, which was educating young children while providing quality care, she stated. ADVERTISEMENT My program caters to the whole child socially, emotionally, psychologically, and cognitively, thereby giving them a head start. As a Doctor of Education with an M.B.A., my daughter was also quite instrumental in the naming process of Juniorversity, Crews told the Sentinel. Juniorversity plans to maintain their relationship with the Reading Machine, and have been doing so for the past four years. Juniorversity is located at 2400 S Central Ave, Compton, CA 90220. For more information, visit: https://juniorversity.com/, call (310)638-3500, or email [email protected]. Leftwich Transforms Lives in South L.A. and Africa Ministry begins at home and although Phyllis Leftwich has been instrumental in changing the lives of the people on various levels on the continent of Africa for nearly 20 years; she and her local team here in Los Angeles have been feeding the hungry, providing housing, personal hygiene items, and much here at home too. Abundant Life Missions, Inc. (ALMI) was established in November 2003 as a nonprofit, charitable 501(c)3 organization to address the consequences of poverty, hunger, and hopelessness faced primarily by women and children in our nation and abroad. Abundant Life Missions is interdenominational without regard for age, race, or creed. Abundant Life Missions facilitates or provides emergency food, clothing, shelter, transportation and referrals to other resources. Gifts are given to prisoners and needy families at Christmas and other holidays. Additionally, personal enrichment seminars/workshops are available free of charge to churches, transition homes, and other non-profit organizations. A donation to Abundant Life Missions helps to transforms lives, here locally and abroad. ADVERTISEMENT Evangelist Phyllis Marie Leftwich has been a missionary since 1961. This 87-year-young, hardworking lady is affectionately known as Mother or Mom Leftwich. She began her service at Bethany Baptist Church of West Los Angeles in California. These days, she continues to serve at West Angeles Church of God in Christ under the leadership of her pastor, Presiding Bishop Emeritus Charles E. Blake, Sr., and his lovely wife, Lady Mae L. Blake. She also serves as a part of the Evangelist/Missionary Fellowship, under the leadership of its president, Evangelist Lisa Nevels. Evangelist Leftwich is a registered nurse by profession and a Bible teacher by Gods gift. She has a background in teaching subjects that focus on evangelism, missions, and prayer throughout the United States and abroad. Her formal Christian education includes courses at Los Angeles Bible Training School, Bethany Bible Christian College, Los Angeles School of Ministry, and West Angeles Bible College. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and a masters degree in public administration from California State University Dominguez Hills. In addition, Missionary Leftwich has served as a Bible teacher and registered nurse in 24 foreign countries. The Lord commissioned her to launch the Abundant Life Missions ministry as a means to carry His love to the nations. Her lifes passion is to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of people throughout the world. Abundant Life Missions Inc. was established to assist persons who are the most needy and underserved, especially single women and their children at home and abroad. We endeavor to educate, motivate, teach, and train them in secular skills and Christian-Judea principles to promote self-esteem and achieve successful independent living. ADVERTISEMENT Their goal is to equip and empower each individual to function at their highest potential in their own environment and culture. All services and resources are provided free of charge without regard to age, creed, nationality, or gender. To find out more about Missionary Phyllis Leftwich, and ALMI, visit https://abundantlifemissions.org Mother Barbara Bryant Jurisdictional Supervisor of COGIC SoCal First Unprecedented times demand and require courageous leadership that awakens purpose in others. Mother Barbara Bryant the newly appointed Jurisdictional Supervisor of Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions Department of Women has answered the call to empower the largest, multifaceted womens department in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination. The trailblazing torch has been figuratively passed to Mother Bryant from the Church of God in Christs world-renowned General Supervisor and Jurisdictional Supervisor Emerita, Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, and Mother Bryant is poised to illuminate her God-given path with unique abilities for this new age. Mother Barbara Bryant a skilled administrator and innovative visionaryis successfully charting new territory through her ground-breaking initiatives, programs and events. Equipped with professional acumen and anointed, ministerial tools, Mother Bryant has prayerfully begun to execute a vision that addresses the diverse needs of women in Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and beyond. ADVERTISEMENT Her transformative leadership inspires women of all ages with diverse stories to grow spiritually, professionally and relationally, while simultaneously serving their communities. Mother Bryants holistic approach tackles the challenges women commonly face today and provides avenues for women to build upon their existing strengths. The partial list of initiatives, programs and events provides a snapshot of the departments impactful work under Mother Bryants leadership: Health and Wellness Workshops Women of Action Authors Circle Book Blast Ministry Webinars Specific Ministries in Auxiliaries, Bands and Units Tuition Assistance Scholarships Leadership Conferences and The Leadership L.E.A.G.U.E Youth Ministries Mentoring HER Programs Community Outreach Programs Although Mother Bryant has received numerous commendations, Bishop Joe L. Ealy and the constituency of Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction will formally honor Mother Bryants elevation at a celebration luncheon on Saturday, May 7, at the beautiful Knotts Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park, California. Congratulatory messages and/or gifts in honor of Mother Barbara Bryant can be sent to the Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Headquarters: Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction COGIC, c/o Mother Barbara Bryant, Jurisdictional Supervisor, Gospel Memorial Church of God in Christ, 1480 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, California 90813 On 30th Anniversary, Los Angeles Reviews Impact of 1992 Civil Unrest County Supervisor Holly Mitchell convenes panel to discuss local progress in race relations and other areas Thirty years ago, on April 29 to May 4, 1992, the streets of South Los Angeles were on fire literally and figuratively with both structures and tempers flaring due to the acquittal of four White LAPD officers charged with the horrific beating of Black motorist Rodney King. ADVERTISEMENT The African American communitys outrage over the verdict led to three days of civil unrest, taking the lives of 63 people, injuring another 2,383 and destroying more than $1 billion in property. Equally tattered were the already shaking relationships between the Black, Korean and Latino relationships, which appeared to suffer irreparable damage. However, that appearance turned out to deceiving as evidenced by the progress cited by experts, witnesses and members of the involved ethnic groups. Along with County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, two representatives gathered on April 22 to recall the 30th anniversary of the civil unrest and chart the progress that has been achieved in the last three decades. The program, entitled Rising From the Fire Los Angeles 30 Years After 1992, was part of Mitchells Second District Racial Justice Learning Exchange. In addition to Mitchell, the participants included Brenda Shockley, City of Los Angeles chief equity officer and John Kim, executive director of the Advancement Project California. Natalia Robles, Mitchells justice deputy, and Daniel Park, deputy for constituent engagement, offered welcoming remarks. The Racial Justice Learning Exchange is an initiative by Supervisor Mitchell that connects residents, county departments, leadership, commissioners and community organizations to build capacity and address and confront biases, celebrate and share in our diversity and create meaningful steps to eliminate structural racism, explained Robles. The session opened with music by the Korean Drum Band followed by a performance from Matthew Cuban Hernandez of Street Poets Inc., and Alicia Wise of the Rhythm Arts Alliance. The group of spoken word artists delivered an inspiring presentation comprised of poetry, dance and drums. The connection between the drums from two different cultures is very powerful, noted Mitchell, who also commented on the significance of the program, which reflected rebirth and renewal in the 30 years since the civil unrest. Its important, as we talk about our future, that we ground ourselves in where we were. The 1992 Civil Unrest was not a single catastrophic event. It was another upheaval in this cycle a 30-year sequence of these events, Mitchell said. ADVERTISEMENT Thirty years ago, we lost 50 lives and many lost faith in our justice system. We lost generational wealth and investment and many lost faith in their government. Thirty years ago, we were a part of a moment of collective rage, desperation and exhaustion. But that is changing and the winds are bringing forth new energy and excitement, she insisted. Investments in the Second District include 50,000 square feet of commercial space, 180 units of affordable housing, the new SEED School, 250 full-time jobs in retail, education and opportunities to work at Metro, she said. Serving as moderator, Mitchell asked Shockley and Kim to share their opinion of the root causes of the uprising. I was here in 1965 and in 1992, so for me, that cycle is very real. Each time its been because of that bit more of oppression, that bit more of disinvestment and bit more of lack of training. When you leave people where their only power is to destroy strip them of their ability to engage and to vote you are not going to be able to soothe that because its an open wound that has festered for so long, Shockley stressed. I grew up here, on 2nd and Vermont, in the back storage rooms of my dads friends who had stores in South L.A., recalled Kim as her recounted often witnessing the Korean owners behind plexi-glass shields shouting at Black customers. Its hard to know who was wrong the one looking to be respected in their own neighborhood or one looking to protect something that they fought their entire life for in terms of their store. Over time, I learned that its not about looking for bad people, but about looking for bad systems, he said. We were all in a system that sapped both of these men of their potential and pit us in this place to go at each other. Thats the power system that caused the uprising the system of White supremacy and structural racism, declared Kim. Next, Mitchell inquired about the lessons learned since 1992 concerning economic investment and Shockley replied that she realized in 1992 that disinvestment was the foe and today, gentrification is the menace. Out of 1992 came a network and structure that you see today the rise and power of the nonprofit sector where it really became a profession, said Shockley, the former CEO of Community Build, which is headquartered in Leimert Park. She added that Mitchell previously headed Crystal Stairs, a child care and child development nonprofit agency, and Congresswoman Karen Bass started Community Coalition, that Shockley said, Literally has spawned a mayoral candidate. The program also included a Q&A portion between the panelists and audience along with requesting attendees to tell how they planned to assist in finding solutions to racial injustice and contribute to positive change in South Los Angeles. The presentation is available for viewing on Mitchells YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG0-CMdGHAM Prostate Cancer Rising in Black America As the United States continues to grapple with its legacy of systemic racism, debates on issues such as police brutality and racial profiling, the economic gulf between Blacks and Whites, and the dearth of access to affordable educational opportunities, there is one area that has received far less attention: The gap in positive health outcomes that African Americans and particularly Black men face. While the COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on these fissures, its beam barely touched the edges of the problem. Yet according to government data, Black Americans are generally at higher risk for heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes and HIV/AIDS than their white counterparts. Black people also have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group in the United States for most cancers. These are abhorrent figures anyway you look at them, but especially when considering that many of these deadly diseases at least when detected early are treatable and survivable. Prostate cancer, for example, has a five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with it of greater than 99 percent if the cancer is detected during the early stage. ADVERTISEMENT Yet, Black men have a 70 percent higher rate of developing prostate cancer than white men, and research from the American Cancer Society found that Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than their White counterparts. One of the key reasons for these staggering disparities is the fact that Black men are overall less aware of the threat this form of cancer poses to them and have less resources available to them to receive testing and monitoring for the disease. Thankfully there are members of the Black community like billionaire investor Robert F. Smith, The Today Show Co-host Al Roker, and activist comedians such as Chris Tucker and Steve Harvey who are raising their voices and contributing their dollars to combat this affliction. Robert Smith, for example, recently donated $4 million of his own money to New York Citys Mount Sinai Medical Center to create the Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit. This mobile home-sized bus will tour New York City neighborhoods where men are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and offer screenings and educational materials about the disease. This proactive approach that brings diagnosis tools directly to the communities most at risk is the type of action that our nation needs when it comes to battling a disease that more than 13 percent of African American men are expected to develop in their lifetime. But Smith cant be the only one doing this and New York City cannot be the only place where this type of outreach is occurring. Whether it is other philanthropists, local or regional health centers, or state and federal officials, there is a desperate need for creative solutions to getting more people screened and saving more lives. Smiths initiative is an innovative approach, but there are other ways to spread awareness and boost screenings in the Black community. Whether it be through an advertising and outreach campaign to pop-up health centers and tents, the COVID-19 vaccine push in the Black and other minority communities can serve as a good example of how to quickly and efficiently get more Black men screened for the disease. ADVERTISEMENT For too long, prostate cancer among Black men and the disparity in health outcomes within the community overall has remained relatively low profiled, but now we have a way to resolve this issue. The pioneering Black journalist and one of the effective voices and leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Ida B. Wells said it best, The way to right wrong is to turn the light of truth on them. It is long overdue to turn on a brighter national light on prostate cancer and Black America. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Executive Producer/Host of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV stations throughout the United States who can be reached at [email protected] Rhodes Hosts Youth Town Hall Aarika Rhodes is an elementary school teacher running for Californias 32nd Congressional District, which is comprised of numerous San Fernando Valley communities such as Encino and Woodland Hills as well as coastal communities such as Malibu and Pacific Palisades. ADVERTISEMENT On April 21, Rhodes hosted a Youth Town Hall in Vanalden Park as part of her Kids Have A Voice Too program. Many young people and community members gathered to participate in the forum, which was organized and led by local youth. Our campaign is committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders, said Rhodes. We are pleased to be able to help coordinate this event so that our young people are able to voice the issues that are important to them. At the event, local youth discussed issues such as education reform, health care, and homelessness. Also, participants from the deaf community shared concerns about access. One issue mentioned was the fact that interpreters are typically not provided for critical communications such as presidential announcements. According to her campaign, Rhodes has devoted her life to youth and advancing equitable education. In 2013, she received the Teacher of the Year Award from the Los Angeles Clippers for her achievement in constructing an effective science curriculum. Rhodes has taught students from diverse backgrounds in both public and private schools, and said that she understands the importance of closing the disparity in academic performance between groups of students. She has also written about equitable STEM curriculum for the Journal for Multicultural Education. If elected, Rhodes promises to fight hard to solve the problems that matter most to the people who she represents. She said that she will also support small businesses, work to close the income gap, and fight for every childs right to quality education. ADVERTISEMENT More information about the candidate and the youth program can be found at AarikaforCongress.com. Righteously Remembering Haji Malcolm: Becoming and Being Ourselves In this month and historical moment of remembering and raising up Nana Malcolm X as a mirror and model for us and the world, we must make sure it is righteous and rightful remembrance. Indeed, it must be a critical remembering that reaches back in the practice of sankofa, retrieving the best of his moral sensitivities, thought and practice and using them to ground our lives, inform our work and guide our ongoing struggle to be ourselves and free ourselves. For Haji Malcolm wanted us to become and be our beautiful Black and sacred selves through a righteous and relentless struggle to free ourselves from the various kinds of chains imposed on us by our ruthless oppressor. Indeed, he taught and Kawaida reaffirmed that our struggle at its heart is always to be ourselves and free ourselves. In a word, it is to be ourselves so we can free ourselves and to free ourselves so we can fully be ourselves. Min. Malcolm Xs unchanging challenge to us as a people and persons to wake up, clean up and stand up is a constant and clarion call: to come into and cultivate an ever-expanding consciousness of ourselves and the world; to ground ourselves in the best of our ethical sensitivities, thought and practice; and to raise up and remain standing and struggling in the interest of a good world for us as Africans and for humanity as a whole. And on this another anniversary of his historic birth and comingintobeing, we honor him best by reexamining the instructive and enduring legacy he left and by trying to integrate it meaningfully in the forward focus and thrust of our lives. ADVERTISEMENT Haji Malcolms message is rooted in a liberation ethics, a critical reflection and practice of ongoing personal and social transformation which forms and frees our strongest selves, and directs us toward the good and expansive lives we long for and deserve. Nana Malcolm saw in us a great and ancient people, root and reflection of the soul of Africa and obligated to accept the awesome role of struggle, history and heaven had assigned us. He said, I dont think that anything is more positive than accepting who you are. And this means accepting our fundamental role as a moral and social vanguard in this country in a still unfinished fight to expand the realm of freedom and justice in the world and acting accordingly. Haji Malcolm continues with a call for a moral grounding that upholds, in the most empowering and expansive ways, the African ethical imperative to always act in honor of the dignity and divinity within us. Within his third major focus, the moral challenge to stand up, Min. Malcolm stresses the transformative character and essentiality of practice, for he understands that practice proves and makes possible everything. Standing up in Nana Malcolms liberation ethics encompasses three basic practices: (1) bearing witness to truth; (2) living the truth of a recovered and reconstructed self, and (3) struggling to achieve a context of freedom, justice and equality indispensable to realizing the fullness of our personhood and the possibilities within us. To bear witness to truth is to teach and uphold the good and expose and condemn evil, to speak up in the midst of fear and silence, to refuse to go along and get along with oppression and oppressors and to reaffirm the right to a good life for everyone. ADVERTISEMENT Haji Malcolms teaching on standing up, like his other teachings, is both rooted in and reflective of his own personal recovery and reconstruction. His experience teaches him that standing up is essentially offering ones life and death as a testimony of some social value, in a word, being willing to live and die as a mirror and martyr for liberation and securing good in the world. This morality of self-sacrifice in the cause of liberation and a better society and world and humbleness about what one can do and has achieved are at the core of Nana Malcolms ethical concept of standing up. Also, Haji Malcolm poses standing up as constantly steering and staying clear of things which would undermine our commitment to a rightful and righteously good life and our capacity to contribute to the struggle to achieve this goal. The personal battle to stay upright and committed to the struggle for the good is for Min. Malcolm a daily and ongoing challenge. But he believed that even as he had been able to stand up and sustain himself in the context of community, so can others with adequate self-assertion and support. Offering himself as an undeniable example of moral resurrection and rootedness, Min. Malcolm states that having made the commitment and passage, he can and must bear witness to its possibility and promise. For he says, I myself, being one who was lost and dead, buried here in the rubbish of the West, suffering from evil and ignorance, misled and manipulated was finally able to stand upright, perpendicular. . . and for the first time in 400 years to see and hear. And it is this retrieved and reconstructed capacity to hear and see from a position internal to his culture and pointing outward towards the world that gave him a solid sense of history and the promise of personal and social transformative struggle. For Haji Malcolm, to stand upright here has three essential meanings. First, it is to stand in confidence and courage born of knowledge, knowledge of oneself in the historical and cultural sense and of the possibilities inherent in this grounding. Secondly, to stand upright is to stand in righteousness, free from vices and rooted in virtues which elevate and strengthen. And finally, it is to stand up courageously in practical struggle to transform oneself and society. This practical struggle which one is compelled to wage is essentially for freedom, justice and human equality, a context indispensable to human life and human flourishing. As Haji Malcolm states, freedom is essential to life itself and to the development of the human being. Moreover, he continues, If we dont have freedom, we can never expect justice and equality. For only after we have freedom, does justice and equality become a reality. It is this stress on the priority of human freedom as the grounds and context for justice, equality and human development that leads Haji Malcolm to argue the right to achieve freedom by any means necessary. Min. Malcolms ethical vision is rooted, then, in the concept of the human persons capacity for self-transformation exemplified in his own personal passage from lumpen life to a life of righteousness, responsibility and self-conscious struggle. Thus, his fundamental lesson is his own life, the way he turned himself around, raised up, resisted and broke the racist restraints imposed on him and became a man among men and women, a leader among the leaders of the world, and a noble witness for his people to the world. It is this also which aided in grounding his faith in the masses and in their capacity to create progress, push their lives forward and lay the basis in struggle for a new world. Like Nana Frantz Fanons wretched of the earth, the masses are for Haji Malcolm, capable of the most drastic change, are the most fearless and will stand the longest in the struggle for a new world and a new history of humankind. Finally, Haji Malcolm reminds us, as we remember and honor him, that a people is like a (person). Until it realizes its own talents, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself. And it is only through our struggle to fully become and be ourselves and to remake society in the interest of good in the world is this fulfillment and flourishing possible. Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies, California State University-Long Beach; Executive Director, African American Cultural Center (Us); Creator of Kwanzaa; and author of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture and Essays on Struggle: Position and Analysis, www.AfricanAmericanCulturalCenter-LA.org; www.OfficialKwanzaaWebsite.org; www.MaulanaKarenga.org. Smith Joins Community Coalition as First Chief Strategy Officer As a 15-year-old teen, Ryan Smith landed his first job as a student organizer working with high school leaders affiliated with Community Coalition. Currently poised to receive his doctorate degree from UCLA, hes once again connected to the nonprofit known as CoCo, but now hes a member of the executive team. As the organizations inaugural chief strategy officer, Smith will develop initiatives to support South L.A. residents especially Black and Brown Angelenos in overcoming systemic and institutional barriers in education and other areas. He will also assist in guiding outreach efforts and launch the groups new National Center for Community Organizing. I am so excited about this new position at Community Coalition and to join an organization thats doing so much for South Los Angeles and for Los Angeles in general. It feels like a homecoming in many ways, said Smith. ADVERTISEMENT I know the leadership Aurea Montes-Rodriguez (executive vice president) and Alberto Retana (CEO) fought for students who look like me to attend UCLA, which I ultimately did. So, Im really delighted that this is not only a new position, but it feels full circle in my career, he noted. Prior to CoCo, Smith was the chief external officer sat Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, an n-district organization dedicated to transforming schools and empowering students with high quality education. Also, he was the director of Education Programs and Policy for United Way of Greater Los Angeles where he managed education program and policies. Prior to that position, he served as vice president of Strategic Advocacy for the Education Trust, an education civil rights organization that aims to close opportunity gaps. Smith is the author of several editorials and opinion pieces that have appeared in major publications. On a national level, Education Week named him as one of Ten Education Leaders to Watch and Families in Schools presented Smith with its Parent Engagement Leader of the Year Award. A native of Los Angeles County, Smith is quite familiar with the issues and concerns of the regions communities of color. In fact, his doctoral thesis explores how Black families navigated the pandemic as well as distance learning education. What I learned is that our families are navigating so many systems. Theyre navigating the housing system and navigating how to work with jobs and they had to buy all this technology while they were losing income, explained Smith. ADVERTISEMENT We often talk about these issues in silos. But, the great thing about Community Coalition is that it focuses on these issues and doesnt see its mission just as a single-issue mission, but sees the intersections of these and how we can support Black and Latino residents. So, Im excited to support intersectional advocacy that Community Coalition has spearheaded for 30 years now, he said. Outlining his top goals as chief strategy officer, Smith shared that his emphasis will be on aiding constituents in rebuilding and healing from the pandemic. The areas of concern range from health to housing to jobs and the economy. He will also be alert for opportunities to influence government policy that improves the quality of life of South L.A. residents. In addition, he aims to address the myriad of challenging issues surrounding the criminal justice system and its impact on Black and Brown young people. Under my new tenure at Community Coalition, [I] will continue to listen to the community and make sure that were creating space so that theyre informing policies and were not passing policies and programs that arent in the best interest of South L.A. residents, said Smith. The other thing thats really exciting [is] that [were] launching a Center for Community Organizing. We often talk about when you come out of South L.A., come back to the community. We also have to make sure were building that leadership pipeline of folks and residents who are committed to building power and change. Im excited to invest in the future as Community Coalition has done for the last two decades, Smith admitted. His passion for helping those less fortunate likely stems from his late father, who desired to end homelessness. His parents dream influenced Smith to assist others facing challenges created by unfair and racist structures and systems. As the new chief strategy officer, Smith will play a critical role in CoCos approach to relieving some of the societal pressures that South L.A. residents are experiencing along with equipping citizens to achieve a reasonable standard of living. Fulfilling this mission requires that Smith relies on the three mantras that guide his life. Frederick Douglass said without a struggle, there can be no progress and I believe weve seen a lot of struggle because of the pandemic. This provides an opportunity for us to think about the future. We are a people who are resilient folks. But we are about progress and one of Community Coalitions mantras is People, Power, Progress. So, Im excited about that, he said. Number two, Fannie Lou Hamer is somebody that I am inspired by a Black woman in the South that fought against so many of these systems. She said, Nobody is free until everybodys free, so [we must] work in tandem across communities to make lasting change, shared Smith. The last thing is theres a great scripture that says, Without vision the people will perish. Hopefully, its our collective vision that makes that impact. Community Coalition wants to make a difference in lives every day and Im just honored to work alongside the men and women who continue to give of their lives in order to support South L.A. State Ed Chief Thurmond Is Piecing Together the Future of Californias Post-Pandemic Education For Tony Thurmond, Californias African American State Superintendent of Public Instruction, American public education will never be the same after experiencing what it has over the last two years. The pandemic really did put a spotlight on places where there were big holes and gaps and inequities, Thurmond told California Black Media (CBM). In a nation with the wealth we have, that there should be a digital divide, I think thats just a big example of the kinds of inequities that have existed. But Thurmond is hopeful. Working with lawmakers in both the California Senate and Assembly, he is sponsoring and supporting a range of focused legislation that, if approved, would increase access to education opportunities and improve learning for Black, Hispanic and other children who were most affected by the pandemic. Many of the children Thurmonds programs target are underperforming on the states standardized tests. ADVERTISEMENT As a former Assemblymember representing the 15th District in Alameda County from 2014 to 2018, Thurmond is familiar with the sausage making that goes into creating policy. He is leveraging knowledge of that process, he says, to transform public education. He told CBM, Our number one bill is Senate Bill (SB) 1229. The bill authored by Sen. Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) offers incentives to recruit 10,000 professionals to help support the growing mental health needs of students. SB 1229 provides $25,000 grants to aspiring mental health clinicians who commit to serving a minimum of two years as a mental health professional either in a school district or youth-serving community organization in high need areas. Approximately eight million Californians, most of them from communities of color, live in areas with a shortage of behavioral health professionals. Theres no question that our students need all kinds of support for academic recovery, but our students and families need to really heal from the trauma that is this pandemic. Thurmond said. Weve seen a spike in suicide for Black students; weve seen an increase in hospitalizations for young people. Addressing childhood literacy and biliteracy, is another of Thurmonds priorities. Last year, he announced his vision that by 2026 all California students will be literate by third grade. He pulled together a Statewide Literacy Task Force of experts and community partners to design a strategy for reaching that goal. Also, to support the initiative, Thurmond pledged to secure one million book donations for students in need and he exceeded his goal with more than five million free online books downloaded. Thurmond is sponsoring three bills focused on literacy expansion working with two legislators: Sen. Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda). ADVERTISEMENT The first is Senate Bill (SB) 952 (Limon), written to help existing schools convert to dual-language immersion programs. The second, Assembly Bill (AB) 2498 (Bonta), would expand Freedom School programs evidence-based Afrocentric literacy programs that have been shown to help students improve their reading by one to two grade levels in as little as six weeks. The third is AB 2465(Bonta), which would expand literacy programs to fund home visits. According to Limon, Dual language schools have demonstrated cognitive, social, cultural, economic and educational benefits for students. They are effective in closing the achievement gap and test results show that most dual language schools outperform other demographically similar schools. Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), who is a member of the Statewide Literacy Task Force, says, AB 2465 was inspired by recommendations from the state superintendents Task Force to improve reading by third grade. There are several other game-changing education bills Thurmond is sponsoring. Among them are SB 830, which Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced. The legislation calls for funding schools based on school district enrollment instead of attendance. It would also finance efforts to address chronic absenteeism and truancy. Then theres AB1614, legislation introduced by Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hills Estates) and Patrick ODonnell (D-Long Beach), who serves as chair of the Assembly Education Committee. That bill would increase the school funding base to provide greater flexibility to all school districts throughout the state. According to Thurmond, SB 830 gives districts predictability on how they receive funding and gives them important resources to address what has been one of our most perplexing challenges: dealing with chronic absenteeism in ways we have not yet seen before. It will put students and schools on a better path to further close opportunity and education gaps. Thurmond has thrown his support behind AB 2806, legislation that would help reduce suspensions of preschool children. This bill was introduced by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park). He is a sponsor of AB 2088 introduced by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D- Elk Grove) that would provide paid internships to students within their Career Technical Education courses or pathways. Another bill Thurmond feels will help work through the challenges ahead is, AB 2794 that would fund the School De-escalation Specialist Pilot Program under the administration of the California Department of Education (CDE) to provide one-time grants to local educational agencies for the creation or expansion of non-police school safety programs. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson). Thurmond notes there appears to be no opposition to any of the bills he is supporting. I think the biggest challenge is that these bills have a cost, and they ask for money, Thurmond told CBM. I happen to think that while all of them are important if you invest in mental health, if you invest in programs like literacy, and dual language programs, these programs will have a high return of investment for California schools. With the funds included by Gov. Gavin Newsom in the state budget and passed by the Legislature, Thurmonds Department of Education is implementing a Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Planning & Implementation Grant program. The initiative will expand prekindergarten for every four-year-old. The budget is covering a program serving two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students in grades K12. Also budgeted is $3 Billion to establish community schools across the state that offer additional services to students and families. Voting Charges Dropped Against Pamela Moses Tenn. D.A. Gets Pound of Flesh Pamela Moses spent 82 days in custody after a Tennessee judge handed down a six-year prison sentence against the 44-year-old Black woman for trying to register to vote. On April 22, prosecutors declared that theyd gotten their pound of flesh. Charges were dropped against Moses after another judge granted her a new trial. ADVERTISEMENT Our original offer to the defendant Pamela Moses was a guilty plea to a misdemeanor and no time to serve, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich declared. She rejected that offer and asked for a jury trial. At the conclusion of the week-long trial, the jury convicted her on the felony charge of false entry on permanent voter registration. Weirich continued: She was taken into custody and spent 75 days in jail before Judge Mark Ward granted her motion for a new trial. In total, she has spent 82 days in custody in this case, which is sufficient. She is also permanently barred from registering to vote or voting in Tennessee as a result of her 2015 conviction for Tampering with Evidence. In the interest of judicial economy, we are dismissing her illegal registration case and her violation of probation. The vital issue had always centered on whether Moses knew she lost her voting eligibility. A probation officer filled out and signed a form indicating the end of her supervision stemming from a 2015 felony conviction. ADVERTISEMENT The officer admitted the mistake but left Moses wondering whether she could vote. Prosecutors alleged that she deceived the officer and knew of her ineligible status. However, following her conviction, The Guardian newspaper uncovered evidence through public records that undercut Weirichs false claim that Moses duped the probation officer. In September 2019, just two days after a probation officer mistakenly signed a certificate telling Moses her probation was complete, officials at the Tennessee department of corrections investigated how exactly their employee made the error, The British daily newspaper reported. Their investigation didnt find that Moses had deceived a probation officer, but rather that the officer had made a good-faith mistake. The review found that the probation officer referred to as Manager Billington spent about an hour investigating whether Moses was still on probation. Billington came across a note in Moses file noting that in 2016, she had been placed on supervised probation for two years. Even though the system said that Moses remained on unsupervised probation, Billington thought this was a mistake. The person who handled the file, he believed, forgot to close out the case when the supervised probation ran out. Thats why he ultimately signed Moses voting certificate saying her probation had expired in 2018 and she was eligible to vote. Joe Williams, an administrator in the department of corrections, wrote a letter to a top department official stating that Billington failed to investigate the status of the case adequately. He failed to review all of the official documents available through the Shelby county justice portal and negligently relied on a contact note from a court specialist in 2016, Williams stated, according to The Guardian. Williams noted that if Billington had looked more thoroughly, he would have found additional documents issued in 2019 that said Moses was on probation. Williams conceded that it was tedious to find some of that information. The information that Manager Billington had at the time he signed the Voters Restoration was insufficient to reasonably affirm that an offender was off supervision. Meanwhile, Moses waited in the lobby of the probation office and seemed impatient while Billington investigated. However, it does not suggest that Moses bore responsibility for the mistake, The Guardian reported. This really runs contrary to the prosecutions characterization of the incident as Ms. Moses tricking the probation officer, Blair Bowie, an attorney at the Campaign Legal Center. Moses has declined to speak with reporters but has maintained she believed she had a right to try and register to vote. Zimbabwe Churches Allow Poor to Access Wi-Fi In a sprawling township in Mutare, a border city in Zimbabwe, Laurence Moyo, 24, spends five hours each day resting his back on the wall of a gigantic church building that belongs to the United Baptist Church. He grasps a rusty Asus laptop and an old Samsung smartphone and is immersed in his own online world. Daily we poach the churchs Wi-Fi. Its our gateway to the limitless digital world outside there, Moyo explained. In Zimbabwe, Baptist churches, Catholic cathedrals, Anglican or Lutheran seminaries are places where free, high-speed Wi-Fi is lavishly available around the clock because local churches are comparatively awash with money from tithes and foreign philanthropy charities in the U.S. and Europe. Yet these church premises in Zimbabwe are islands of wealth in the sea of impoverished urban townships that dot the country. Immaculate church buildings in Zimbabwe are surrounded by thousands of homes where jobless, highly educated youths live, youth who are desperate to connect to high-speed broadband internet and better themselves digitally. ADVERTISEMENT Its such a contrast: church premises are zones of high-speed Wi-Fi in a country where millions are so poor that their experience of the internet is simply cheap WhatsApp messaging and nothing more, said Carter Mavhiza, an independent public economist in the capital Harare. The Alliance for Affordable Internet says Zimbabwe is home to one of Africas most expensive broadband internet access. Few residents in this deeply Christian but impoverished country can afford to buy 1.4GB of data, which costs a whopping $15, a figure thats double AAIs global benchmark of 2% of average monthly income. This leaves hundreds of church premises across the country as unofficial Wi-Fi hotspots where internet-hungry township residents, especially digital-savvy Millennials, can hop on high-speed signals from Wi-Fi routers installed in church premises. We dont invite the internet poachers or expel them, said Pastor Ruda Moyo, a Baptist minister in Harare who is used to seeing a bevy of teenagers strolling around his church premises, tapping into Wi-Fi signals. They just show up with their old laptops and smartphones, stand against the church walls whilst we conduct our services and they are busy poaching into our free Wi-Fi. Rarely do they show interest in church sermons, just free Wi-Fi. We know they are poor and hungry for any free internet connection. Zimbabwes youth, who are among the worlds highest victims of joblessness, desperately poach church Wi-Fi to do online assignments for students worldwide who can pay; to seek jobs abroad and escape the blighted country; to keep in touch with relatives in the U.S. or Europe who can send remittances for desperately needed medicine and food. Its hard being young in Zimbabwe educated but jobless yet hungry to connect to a whole internet world out there, said Slyvester Kaneta, 24, who holds a bachelor of environmental science degree but says he never has found employment two years after graduation. ADVERTISEMENT Sylvester walks a mile each day to the endowed Presbyterian church premises in his township to poach the free church Wi-Fi, teach a one-hour Skype mathematics class for 10 students in Johannesburg, South Africa 1,000 miles away for a weekly flat fee of $10. At the end of each remote Skype math lesson which I teach via free church Wi-Fi, I desperately apply for water engineering jobs in Dubai and other Gulf Arab countries, hoping for any luck, said Kaneta, whose ultimate hope, like thousands of other deprived Millennial Zimbabweans, is to exit the country. We dont put a password on our church premises Wi-Fi to lock out free riders who come to poach our signals, said Taurai Makuza, a pastor at All Nations Faith Church in Bulawayo, the countrys second largest city. In resource-poor countries like Zimbabwe, churches which are also great humanitarians, supplanting some state roles do have considerable wealth (from Western donations, tithes, tax-free investments). However, church premises often are surrounded by urban squalor and deprivation. The poor who live around church premises feel they have a moral justification to poach some trapping of the churches riches like broadband internet. Honestly churches are our last Wi-Fi zone hope because our Zimbabwe government refuses to roll out affordable or free basic broadband. Hotels, corporate offices, gas stations, shopping malls in Zimbabwe too are selfish and dont host free Wi-Fi on their premises like they do in neighboring South Africa, explained Shylet Nezandonyi, 25, a Millennial in Mutare city who poaches Catholic premises Wi-Fi to research nursing jobs vacancies in England and hopefully exit Zimbabwe. Church ministers in Zimbabwe say ideally they would wish those who poach their free broadband internet would become converts and attend services, but it doesnt always happen. Churches cant expel the poor who are using their internet resources because that, too, would be morally insensitive. Its the moral catch-22 situation of Zimbabwe churches, said Deline Chikoshana, a theology lecturer at Rusitu Bible College, a Baptist training seminary in east Zimbabwe. Expel free Wi-Fi poachers and violate Christs commandment to cater to the poor. Tolerate free Wi-Fi poachers on your cathedrals, and see your premises crowded by rowdy crowds totally uninterested in sermons. Audrey Simango is a Zimbabwe freelance reporter. Her work appears in New Arab, Newsweek; The Africa Report, and The New Internationalist. Climate change is fueling the spread of wildfires across the Western United States, scientists say. Researchers want to know how the fires might affect water supplies in the area. Communities often depend on melting snow in the spring as their water supply during dryer months. Studies show that snow in a burned forest melts up to several weeks earlier than snow in a healthy forest. The burned trees no longer provide much shade and release small amounts of carbon. These conditions mean the snow absorbs, or takes in, more sunlight. This makes it melt faster, said Anne Nolin. She researches how burned trees from forest fires affects snowmelt for the University of Nevada. If snow melts earlier than normal, Nolin said, that would likely leave less water flowing in the summer when it is most needed. Water predictions look at conditions like snow density, soil wetness and air temperature. Dust, ash and soot similarly affect snow by causing it to absorb more light. That is called the albedo effect. But California officials are increasingly worried about carbon, which absorbs even more. It was like, OK, we really need to understand this. This is the new norm, said David Rizzardo. He is with the California Department of Water Resources. In some fire-damaged areas, state officials are beginning to create maps of snow. They use planes with cameras that can measure albedo. Already, a warming climate is leading to earlier snowmelt and leaving places more likely to have wildfires, said Noah Molotch. He researches water and snow at the University of Colorado. A burned area worsens the effects of drought by leading to even dryer conditions in hotter months, he said. Nolin and student Arielle Koshkin worked in Californias El Dorado National Forest for one of their final research trips in early April. That is when the area usually has the most snow. But little remained when they arrived, in part because of unusually hot temperatures this spring and many days without clouds. Late-season storms have since covered the area with several centimeters of new snow. This, Nolin said, could help slow the melt. The Caldor Fire that burned the area and more than 80,000 hectares last year has left nearby communities worried over water supply. About 65 kilometers southwest from where Nolin measured the snow sits the town of Grizzly Flats. The town is working to fix a water pipeline damaged in the fire. The pipeline sends snowmelt into a reservoir, or manmade lake. Burned trees, however, keep falling and damaging the pipeline. It is not yet clear exactly how the burned trees might affect the towns water supply in the future. So far this year, water managers said runoff from snowmelt appears normal. But officials do not know for sure because measuring devices were destroyed in the fire. Jodi Lauther is the general manager of the local water agency. She is concerned about the fire's lasting effects. For now, she said, we are in survival mode." Im Dan Novak. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story shade n. an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun density n. the amount of something in a particular space or area soot n. a black powder that is formed when something is burned drought n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain manager n. someone who is in charge of a business, department, etc. mode n. a specified way of thinking, feeling, or acting A nearly 300-year-old musical instrument called a violin could soon sell for more than $10 million. The instrument was made by Italian violin maker Giuseppe Guarneri in 1736. A French auction house compares the violin to a painting by Leonardo da Vinci - the famous Italian painter. The violin is owned by Regis Pasquier. He has played the instrument in concert halls around the world. Pasquier received the first prize for violin from the French National Conservatory of Music when he was only 12 years old. He is known as one of the top violinists in the world. Sophie Perrine is with the Aguttes auction house, near Paris, France. Perrine said, "There are many violins, but this one is like selling a Rembrandt, a Goya, or even a Leonardo da Vinci painting." The instrument is one of about 150 made by Guarneri. He is often compared to another well-known Italian violin maker, Antonio Stradivari. Pasquier bought the violin more than 20 years ago. He gave a concert the following day without even practicing on the instrument. Perrine noted, "For him, this instrument was perfect." Pasquier has since played the instrument in places like Carnegie Hall in New York and the Opera Garnier in Paris. The violin will be up for sale on June 3 following a three-day viewing. Perrine said it could sell for up to $10 million. At that price, the violin would not even be the costliest in the world. In 2012, an unnamed buyer paid $16 million for a violin that was once owned by 19th-century violinist Henri Vieuxtemps. That violin is on loan to American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers for the rest of her life. The most valuable violin is believed to be the Messiah Stradivarius. The violin is estimated to be worth $20 million. It can be seen at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England. Perrine said of the Guarneri violin, "It's both something very old but yet very current and alive. She added, This little thing will continue allowing people to hear its exceptional sound for years to come. Im Ashley Thompson. Hai Do adapted this story from a Reuters report. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story auction - n. a public sale at which things are sold to people who offer to pay the most viewing - n. looking at something carefully allow - v. permit, let Vegetable cooking oil prices rose around the world during the two years of the COVID-19 health crisis. Prices went even higher two months ago when Russia started a war with Ukraine. The two countries supply much of the worlds sunflower oil. About half comes from Ukraine and 25 percent comes from Russia. The price increases are hurting people around the world who use oil to cook their food. Vegetable oils from corn, soybean and oil palm hit a record high price in February. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said prices again rose by 23 percent in March. Food stores in Turkey are limiting the amount of oil families can purchase. In Istanbul, Mahsun Aktas is a food server and cook at a restaurant that sells seafood like fish, squid and mussels. He said the restaurant finally raised prices in April because oil became four times more costly than it was in 2019. He said the restaurant postponed raising prices for many years, hoping oil costs would fall. But we saw there is no improvement, he said. But higher prices cause a problem: the customer cannot afford it. Indonesia said it will soon stop exporting cooking oil. That means the international price of palm oil will rise again. The high cost of cooking oil is one reason for recent protests in the capital, Jakarta. A woman named Emiwati runs a small eating place in Jakarta. She needs 24 liters of oil each day to make her traditional beef and rice meal. She has been having trouble buying the oil she needs. She said she is not raising prices because she does not want to lose customers. But she is losing money. I am sad, Emiwati said. Other people are trying new cooking methods. Glaudina Nyoni is from Harare, Zimbabwe. She was shopping at a food store and told a reporter that the cost of oil has gone up 100 percent over the last two months. We will just have to boil everything now, the days of the frying pan are gone, she said. In Britain, Spain and Italy, stores have also limited the amount of oil customers can buy. In Kenya, the nations main power company warned people about buying cooking oil on the street. The company said thieves were stealing liquid from power stations and selling it as cooking oil. If people use it, the company said, they will become sick. Yawar Khan owns an Indian restaurant in London. Khan said 20 liters of oil once cost $28. Now it is $49. But Khan said passing the higher cost on to customers will cause a catastrophe. International companies like Unilever and Cargill are warning that prices for products that use oil, such as soap and mayonnaise, will go up. Other companies are trying to come up with new combinations so they can use less or different oils for their products. Food experts say there is a chance that prices will go down later in the year when farmers in the northern half of the world harvest their crops. But there is no guarantee, said Joseph Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute. Steve Mathews studies agriculture at Gro Intelligence, a research company. He said if Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement to stop the war, there might be a short-term decline in prices. In the long term, Glauber said, the shortage might cause countries to change the amount of vegetable oils required to be mixed with fuel as a way to reduce pollution. In the U.S., for example, 42 percent of the soybean oil gets mixed into fuel. In Europe, the European Commission said it would support countries that decide to reduce the amount of vegetable oil that is used to make fuel for vehicles. Currently, however, restaurant owners from London to the southern U.S. state of Tennessee are worried that they might go out of business. Harry Niazi in London makes fried fish and potatoes, known as fish and chips a popular British meal. Its very, very scary, he said. In Tennessee, Christine Coronado makes fried foods at her restaurant called Jordans Grab n Go. She said she finally increased prices in April. You hate to raise prices on people, but its just that costs are so much higher than they were a couple of years ago, she said. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by the Associated Press. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. Words in This Story customer n. a person or group that buys a good or service afford v. to be able to pay for something fry v. to cook a food in hot oil catastrophe n. a terrible disaster; an extremely bad event soap n. a material used for washing things mayonnaise n. a food product added to other foods like salads or sandwiches made from eggs and vegetable oil decline n. a decrease An Albany City Council members push to remove fluoride from the citys drinking water died without a vote. Councilor Matilda Novak raised the idea in March, leading to a staff report and passionate testimony regarding fluoridation during a council meeting the night of Wednesday, April 27. In the end, three council members and Mayor Alex Johnson II voiced support of fluoridation for public health reasons, and it became clear there wasnt enough support for Novaks plan. Rather than start the process for a proposed ordinance that would ultimately fail, the council essentially abandoned the matter. If were not going to do anything, lets not do anything, Councilor Dick Olsen said. At an earlier point in the meeting, Novak pleaded with the council to give fluoridation serious thought and urged the city to continue discussions with experts. Actual experts testified tonight, responded Johnson. Dr. Patrick Hagerty of Albany, a local dentist and former Oregon Health & Science University faculty member, said that there was a stark difference in dental health between communities with fluoridated water and those without. He also hammered research against fluoridation, saying it mostly came from one source and used questionable methodology. 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. Pediatrician Dr. Edward Frothingham of Samaritan Health Services discussed how dental decay contributes to a wide array of other health problems, and how adding small amounts of substances to food and drink much like adding fluoride to water is well-established and has essentially eliminated some diseases. Residents who testified against fluoridation said that it caused health problems, and that it was unethical to use a drug on the populace without its consent. Most Albany residents dont know that they are being forced to consume fluoride, Deb Merchant said. The city of Albany has included fluoride in its drinking water since 1968. Fluoridation is optional but recommended by the Oregon Health Authority, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies. Albany is one of 44 community water systems in Oregon that use fluoride, according to a staff memo from Scott LaRoque, Albanys water superintendent. According to the OHA, Oregon ranks 48th in the United States for water systems that are fluoridated. Overall, 22% of Oregonians on public water systems receive fluoridated water, compared to 73% nationwide, the memo states. The cost to the city to fluoridate its drinking water supply is about $25,000 in materials. Staff time on fluoride adds up to more than one hour per week about five minutes each day for testing, with an additional 15 minutes every two to three days to add more fluoride, according to the memo. A complicating factor in removing fluoride, LaRoque said, would be the city of Millersburg, which shares water systems with Albany. Millersburg officials recently discussed drinking water and decided they wanted to continue fluoridation. If Albany voted to discontinue fluoride, a fluoridation station would need to be installed on the main water line supplying Millersburg. The cost of that would be unknown and likely would fall upon Albany, LaRoque said. The Albany City Councils meeting packet also included written testimony for and against fluoridation that was received before April 20. Among those writing letters in support of continuing fluoridation were: Dan Keteri, CEO of Samaritan Albany General Hospital; Deidre Greene, chairperson of the NAACP Health and Wellness Committee and a retired nurse practitioner; and Britny Chandler, chairperson of the Linn, Benton, Lincoln Regional Oral Health Coalition. About five letters in opposition to fluoridation were from Novak herself. She said water fluoridation is a minor factor, if any factor, in preventing cavities and asserted fluoridation is linked to serious harm to human health. I believe that if a substance cant be demonstrated safe for everyone beyond a reasonable doubt, it shouldnt be added to the water. Numerous high-quality scientific studies, especially recent ones, have found significant evidence that fluoridated water can be harmful to both children and adults, she wrote in one of the undated letters. Novak also noted that the majority of Oregon cities, including Eugene, Bend, Medford, Roseburg and Ashland, do not fluoridate their waters. Neighboring cities such as Corvallis, Philomath, Lebanon and Sodaville continue to fluoridate their water systems, wrote Keteri. He cited a CDC letter from March 2021, which stated that water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by 25% in children and adults. Schoolchildren living in communities where water is fluoridated have, on average, 2.25 fewer decayed teeth compared to schoolchildren not living in fluoridated communities. In addition, no convincing scientific evidence has been found linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effects or systemic disorders, he said. Keteri wrote that fluoridation is one of the simplest and most cost-effective means of ensuring better health for all Albany residents. The council also held an executive session on Wednesday night to discuss property transactions. When the government body reconvened, it unanimously voted to give staff authority to negotiate the potential purchase of a property within the city of Albany. Kyle Odegard can be contacted at 541-812-6077 or Kyle.Odegard@lee.net Follow him on Twitter via @KyleOdegard. Love 2 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded when a Russian missile hit a 25-story apartment building in Kyiv on Thursday evening and set off a fire, which partially destroyed the first and second floors. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum NATO chief says Finland, Sweden could join quite quickly Biden seeks new powers to use oligarchs assets for Ukraine A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers After a rocket: One second and you are left with nothing Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had very substantive and warm talks on energy and defense cooperation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Zelenskyy said they agreed that damaged Ukrainian military equipment could be repaired at Bulgarian plants and then sent back to Ukraine. Another issue we agreed on was the supply of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the joint use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline to diversify energy supplies in the region, Zelenskyy said late Thursday in his nightly video address to the nation. Russia this week cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and also to Poland, two NATO members which have been among the strongest European supporters of Ukraine in the war. Although Bulgaria gets over 90% of its gas from Russia, the cutoff does not immediately put the country in dire trouble because of other potential suppliers. The Trans-Balkan gas pipeline runs from Greece through Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine. ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine An 11-year-old Ukrainian boy was one of at least three people wounded in what emergency officials are calling the first Russian strike in a residential area of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia since Russias invasion began. The city has been a crucial waypoint for tens of thousands of people fleeing the besieged southern port of Mariupol. The rocket strike came Thursday as parts of southern Ukraine prepared for a further onslaught by Russian forces who seek to strip the country of its coastline. Residents said at least eight homes in the modest neighborhood were damaged or destroyed. Glass shards cut the boys right leg to the bone. The injured boys father, Vadym Vodostoyev, said it just takes one second and youre left with nothing. KYIV, Ukraine Russia struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shortly after a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday evening. At least one person was killed and several were injured, including some who were trapped beneath the rubble, according to rescue officials. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city was hit twice, causing fires in at least two high-rise buildings. The explosions, which sent plumes of black smoke into the air, came just shortly after the two leaders held a press conference in which Guterres condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia retreated. Authorities said the U.N. chief and his team were safe. Appearing to be one of boldest attacks on Kyiv since Russian forces retreated from around the capital weeks ago, the explosions came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing number of people have been out and enjoying the spring weather. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines prosecutor on Thursday identified 10 Russian soldiers she accused of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, one of the wars major flashpoints that helped galvanize Western support of Ukraine. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said on Facebook that the 10 soldiers in Russias 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Ground Forces Brigade who occupied Bucha were involved in the torture of peaceful people. She did not specifically say that her office had filed criminal charges, and appealed to the public to help develop evidence. The Russian government denies it targets civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently honored the brigades work, and Venediktova said he bears responsibility for the soldiers actions as their commander-in-chief. During the occupation of Bucha, they took unarmed civilians hostage, killed them with hunger and thirst, kept them on their knees with hands tied and eyes taped, mocked and beat them, Venediktova said, adding that the Russian soldiers threatened to shoot the hostages and looted houses. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visiting Bucha on Thursday, called for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes. Ukrainian authorities have said they are investigating thousands of possible war crimes, including killing of civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture, sexual crimes and use of prohibited weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address to his nation, renewed a pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes. He added about the 10 suspects identified Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There, theyll receive retribution from our military. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. Instead of saying that the Ukrainians, equipped with some capability to resist Russian forces, are doing this, theyve got to tell their people that the United States and all of NATO is engaged, Biden said. He added that no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons and called doing so irresponsible. LONDON The British government says a U.K. national has been killed in Ukraine, and another is missing. The Foreign Office confirmed Thursday that it is supporting the family of a British national killed in Ukraine. It also said it was urgently seeking further information on another Briton who is missing. The government did not provide further details. Sky News reported that the Britons were believed to have been fighting with Ukrainians against the Russian invasion. Volunteers from Britain and many other countries have traveled to Ukraine to fight, despite being discouraged from doing so by their governments. ISTANBUL Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says both U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin have told him that their talks in Moscow earlier this week were positive. Erdogan told reporters before leaving for a trip to Saudi Arabia, that he held separate telephone calls with Guterres and Putin. Mr. Guterres ... informed me that the talks (with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov) were positive. In our discussion with Mr. Putin yesterday, Putin expressed the same views. Erdogan added that the Russian president had conveyed the opinion that a U.N. intervention is positive for the future. He did not elaborate. KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian troops defending a steel plant that is the last Ukrainian bulwark in the key port of Mariupol say an intensive Russian bombing has inflicted more casualties. The Azov Regiment holed up at the giant Azovstal steel plant on Thursday posted a video showing people combing through the rubble to remove the dead bodies and help the wounded after the Russian bombing overnight. The Azov said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people and wounding others there. The video couldnt be independently verified. The Russian troops have pummeled the mammoth seaside plant with relentless airstrikes and artillery barrage, trying to uproot its defenders holed up in a 24-kilometer (15-mile) maze of underground tunnels, passages and bunkers. Ukrainian officials say that up to 1,000 civilians also were sheltering in Azovstal. They are demanding that Russia provides a safe exit for them under the United Nations aegis. WARSAW, Poland Polands border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings into Poland from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, while there have been 904,000 crossings into Ukraine. Border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska said Thursday that the number includes people who cross a number of times because, for example, they regularly do shopping in Poland and then go back. Polish authorities say some 1.6 million refugees have applied for and received special ID numbers that will allow them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. VIENNA The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says radiation levels in excavations found in the exclusion zone around the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant were well below the maximum authorized levels for plant workers. Ukraines state power company said after Russian troops withdrew at the end of March that they received significant doses of radiation from digging trenches in the area. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said Thursday that, during a visit this week, experts from his agency took measurements from excavations probably made by occupying soldiers. He said that the levels were three times or more lower than the authorized levels for workers in areas exposed to radiation. As for whether anyone was actually exposed to those radiation levels, he said: We have asked about possible exposures or situations; we havent received any answer. Although that suggested the health risk wasnt as great as feared, Grossi stressed that its not a place to have a picnic or excavate. BRUSSELS Senior European Union officials say countries or companies bowing fully to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting that they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions. The Kremlin says importers should establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. They would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The officials warn that Russias central bank could hold on to the money before converting it and in essence use the funds as a temporary loan for the national economy or to prop up the ruble. The EUs sanctions prohibit any transaction with the Russian Central Bank. One official said Thursday that if the member states and the European companies apply strictly the decree it will constitute a breach of the sanctions. His job description does not allow him to be named publicly. The violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has said that companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars, as per their contract, and then notifying Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. Ultimately, its up to the 27 EU countries to judge whether the rules are being broken. Some of those countries are heavily reliant on Russia for gas. By Lorne Cook. TOKYO German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending his countrys ongoing purchase of gas and other fossil fuels from Russia. Speaking during a visit to Japan on Thursday, Scholz said that it is a challenge that many European countries, including Germany, are dependent on imports of fossil resources from Russia. Scholz said his government aims to end imports of Russian coal and oil this year. He said that the same will happen for gas, but that is a process that will require more time. Asked whether he was concerned Russia might stop shipping gas to Germany, like it did this week for Poland and Bulgaria, Scholz acknowledged that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. He said this was also the reason why there no sanctions have so far been imposed on energy supplies from Russia, adding this had been decided in close cooperation with our partners who themselves are energy exporters and therefore in a different starting position, such as the United States. Scholz said: Whether and what decisions the Russian government takes in this regard one can only speculate, but it makes little sense to do so. ANKARA, Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders also discussed a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that took place in Turkey on Wednesday. Erdogans office said he told Putin on Thursday that Turkeys mediation in the exchange was an indication of the importance Ankara attaches to peace, dialogue and cooperation. He reiterated Turkeys readiness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and its wish to establish peace in the region by increasing the momentum generated in face-to-face talks that were held between the two countries delegations in Istanbul late last month. It was the second telephone call between the two presidents this week. On Tuesday, Erdogan urged Putin to agree to direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is asking Congress or new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of a new funding request to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russias invasion. In remarks at the White House on Thursday morning, Biden will formally ask for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending earmarked for supplying Ukraines military, bolstering its economy and supporting the millions of refugees who fled Russias invasion two months ago. The White House said he will also seek new authorities from Congress to strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian government and those who profit from it, the White House said. Biden is asking lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. MOSCOW Russia says that Turkey gave it advance notice before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory. She added that the reasons for that were clear to us and the Russian side isnt using that route. Zakharova made the comment when asked about Turkeys weekend announcement that it had halted Russian flights to Turkey over its territory from the start of this month. It wasnt clear whether the move was related to Russias military operation in Ukraine. Turkey has close relations with both countries and has positioned itself as a mediator. Russia and Turkey have backed opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. SOFIA, Bulgaria Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said during a visit to the Ukrainian town of Borodyanka that he hopes Bulgarian lawmakers will agree next week to send military assistance to Ukraine. Petkov was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv later Thursday. He said after viewing damage caused to Borodyanka during the initial Russian advance that we cannot be indifferent. We cannot say that this is a Ukrainian problem, we cannot say some people are dying but we are not interested in that. He criticized the argument of some politicians in Bulgaria that denying military aid to Ukraine would bring about a faster peace. Petkov said: If this is the price of peace, if the Russian state continues to fire and no one can defend himself is this the peace we want? KYIV, Ukraine Mariupol authorities are sounding the alarm about unsanitary conditions in the ravaged port city that they say pose a deadly danger to its remaining residents. Mariupol City Council said on the messaging app Telegram Thursday that deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewerage, the decomposition of thousands of corpses under the rubble, a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. It said that the lives of 100,000 people who still remain in Mariupol, out of 450,000 pre-war residents, may be in danger pointing to diseases like cholera and dysentery. The Telegram post cited Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko as saying that the invaders are not able to provide the remaining population with food, water and medicines or are simply not interested in that. He said that living conditions in the ruined Mariupol are now medieval and that an immediate and complete evacuation is needed. WASHINGTON A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying its not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A man who had just started a new job allegedly opened fire at the business Tuesday, shooting and killing a co-worker and putting others in danger as bullets ricocheted around the room, Janesville police said. The suspect, Kevin L. Todd, 23, of Evansville, claims he was being bullied by co-workers in the seven days that he had been working at Precision Drawn Metals in Janesville, police said. But Janesville Police Chief David Moore says theres no evidence of that. Todd alleges there was some bullying in the workplace, Moore said during a news conference Wednesday. That is not supported by any statements weve taken from employees or their management. Todd was arrested about 45 minutes after the workplace shooting on the tentative charge of first-degree intentional homicide. Moore said the killing Janesvilles first homicide of 2022 is unusual because there was no clear conflict or prior police contact that preceded the violence. Janesville police Lt. Mark Ratzlaff said Todd had minimal contacts with law enforcement before the fatal shooting, and police are not aware of any history of violence. Police believe Todd and the victim did not know each other before working together at Precision Drawn Metals. While it was Todds seventh day on the job, the victim had been an employee for longer, but Ratzlaff did not specify for how long. The victim is a 30-year-old man from Janesville, Ratzlaff said. The mans name had not been released. Janesville police officers responded around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to reports of an employee who was shot in the back at Precision Drawn Metals, 1345 Plainfield Ave., Ratzlaff said. The victim was still alive when emergency crews arrived, but CPR and other lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, Ratzlaff said. Witnesses identified Todd as the shooter and provided a description of him, Ratzlaff said. Other employees were there at the time of the shooting, and could have been hit by gunfire. Ratzlaff said police believe Todd fired a total of four times. Initially, it was unclear whether Todd was still in the building or had fled in a vehicle, so officers conducted a search of the building and the surrounding area, Ratzlaff said. Around 5:13 p.m., Todd was located in his vehicle at Highway 213 and Highway 11, Ratzlaff said. Officers pursued the vehicle, but after a short time Todd pulled over. Todd told police that he wasnt trying to flee, but that where officers initially tried to stop him there were a lot of hills, which could have been unsafe because of the cross-traffic, Ratzlaff said. Todd said he wanted to get to an area that was more flat so it was safer for officers when they arrested him. Officers arrested Todd and took him to the Rock County Jail. Later, officers searched his home and found handgun accessories and ammunition, Ratzlaff said. During a search of Todds vehicle, officers found a small amount of marijuana, $2,000 in cash and six firearms, including the suspected murder weapon, which is a handgun. Ratzlaff said officers did not find anything in the home that indicated Todd had been planning the shooting. Todd was legally allowed to possess the firearms. Asked why Todd had so much cash, Ratzlaff said, I have no idea. Todd is also facing three tentative counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety for the three bullets that were shot into the room but did not hit anyone. Its unclear when hell appear in court. The Rock County Sheriffs Office assisted with the investigation. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A second year of turnover is expected among Madison School District leadership, with two principals and at least one administrative cabinet member departing, in addition to other changes in building management. A number of school building leadership changes were announced Wednesday morning in an email from Superintendent Carlton Jenkins to students, staff and families. Among the schools are East, West and Capital High, Sennett Middle School, and Gompers and Henderson elementary schools. The changes come following the departure of the districts chief academic officer in March. This second year of leadership changes comes after the district experienced significant turnover in the administrative office over the summer following Jenkins first year. The district attributed the first year of turnover to COVID-19 and characterized it as something experienced normally when a new leader takes charge of an organization or governmental body. Among the changes announced recently, East High School interim Principal Mikki Smith will be made the schools permanent principal; West High School Principal Karen Boran plans to retire at the end of the school year; Sennett Middle School Principal Daniel Kigeya will become the new West High School principal; Gompers Elementary Principal Jackie Smith plans to take on the role of principal at Henderson Elementary School; and Capital High School Principal Quinn Craugh plans to leave the district to take on the role of principal at Savannah Oaks Middle School in Verona. The changes come on the heels of the departure of the districts chief academic officer, Marvin Pryor, who signaled his plan to move back to Atlanta full time to be with his wife and children in March. A search is underway for new Gompers elementary and Sennett middle school principals, as well as the new Capital High principal. For a district the size of (Madison), it is common for there to be this level of movement among leadership positions every year, spokesperson Tim LeMonds said. What is a little different this year compared to past years is that normally these announcements are spread out over the course of a few months. This year, many of these changes were announced all at the same time. Aside from Pryor and the above-mentioned building administrators, the district is not anticipating other high-level staff to depart their positions, LeMonds said. Mike Jones, president of local teachers union Madison Teachers Inc., anticipates there will be more principals, as well as teachers, who may leave the district or education before September. Turnover is typical, this level of turnover is not, Jones said. He said COVID-19-related burnout and stress was a main motivating factor fueling staff departures. Among the central office staff to leave the district last summer were Kelly Ruppel, chief financial officer; Chad Wiese, executive director of buildings and administration services; Lisa Kvistad, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning; Nichelle Nichols, executive director of equity, partnerships and engagement; Tremayne Clardy, co-chief of elementary schools; Mike Hernandez, chief of secondary schools; and John Harper, executive director of student services. La Follette High School Principal Devon LaRosa also left the district early into the 2021-22 school year for a position as deputy chief of schools in the Chicago Public School District. Nichols was sworn in as a new member of the Madison School Board on Monday after running uncontested for Seat 5. Bittersweet move Craugh told his staff, students and the district in March he planned to move to the Verona School District to take on the role as the Savannah Oaks Middle School principal at the start of the 2022-23 school year. Craugh had been an administrator at Capital High for three years, as an assistant principal for two years before becoming principal at the start of the 2021-22 school year. Prior to joining Capital High, Craugh worked in the districts central office, where he and a team revised the districts behavior education plan. The best word is bittersweet, Craugh said of his move, which comes just before the district plans to combine all three of the alternative high schools sites under one roof in the Hoyt Building on the citys Near West Side. Struggles at East Jenkins called Smith a steady leader at school, a tireless advocate for students, and committed to family partnerships and engagement. She was an East assistant principal for 11 years before replacing Sean Leavy, who began as principal at the beginning of this school year but left in late October amid criticism by students over his handling of an off-campus sexual assault of a student by another student earlier that month. Leavy was subsequently assigned to a vacant position in district administration. Prior to coming to East, Smith was an assistant principal at La Follette High for six years and at West High for three years, according to Jenkins email. She also worked as an administrator at Sun Prairie High and was a school counselor, and has served 24 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, where shes a logistics officer and major, Jenkins said. Jenkins referenced challenges at East this school year, including a student walkout Oct. 13 over the sexual assault that was part of what led to Leavys departure; fights outside on school grounds that in some cases drew heavy police response; and a videotaped attack on a student in a classroom that led to misdemeanor charges against two classmates. This school year, weve witnessed East students lead the way in many important efforts, from sexual assault reporting and school safety to community building and camaraderie, Jenkins said in his email. We have much to learn from our amazing and resilient (students) and look forward to how they will transform our society in years to come. Change at West In the email to West parents, Jenkins said the district was told earlier in the year that Boran would be retiring. Shes been principal at West since 2017. Jenkins said Kigeya has worked with students in an educational setting for the last 20 years and is committed to ensuring academic success for all scholars, built on rigorous instruction and authentic relationships. Kigeya has been principal at Sennett since 2017 and previously was an associate principal at Verona High School and has held school social work and student services roles and worked for the UW-Madison PEOPLE Program for low-income and first-generation college students, Jenkins said. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Urban affairs, investigations, consumer help ("SOS") Follow Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal 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 Wisconsin regulators have approved the second piece of Alliant Energys plans to spend more than $1.5 billion to replace its coal-fired plants with solar energy. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to authorize Alliant to buy or build six solar farms at a cost of about $620 million. The projects in Dodge, Grant, Green, Rock and Waushara counties will have a combined capacity of 414 megawatts, enough to power about 100,000 typical homes. The vote comes about a year after the PSC approved a roughly $925 million investment in 675 megawatts of solar spread over six projects currently under development. Together the projects are part of Alliants plans to replace its remaining Wisconsin coal plants in the next two years, which the utility estimates will save consumers $1.52 billion to $6.15 billion over the next 35 years. Alliant also plans to eliminate or offset all carbon emissions by 2050. Commission members agreed Alliants economic modeling was robust, but Commissioner Ellen Nowak noted the clean energy transition is not without costs. There are long-term savings for customers. The hard part is the cost comes now, early on, Nowak said. While there are a lot of benefits there are also costs along the way not just monetary costs but the land use. Five of the projects are smaller than 100 megawatts, requiring only local construction permits. The commission previously approved construction of the 100-megawatt Springfield Solar project in Dodge County. The commission voted 2-1 to require Alliant to report the number of construction jobs filled by Wisconsin workers. A recent study sponsored by labor and construction groups found local workers generate more than twice the economic activity as out-of-state workers. I think it behooves us to collect the data, said Commissioner Tyler Huebner. If we ask for the data we have it. I think its in the public interest. Nowak dissented, saying it may not be feasible and that the commission has no authority to require local labor. I hope they hire Wisconsin workers, she said. But all companies should be allowed to compete. Renew Wisconsin hailed the commissions decision while warning that a federal trade investigation could delay construction and add to the project costs. Based on a complaint from a single U.S. company, the Commerce Department is investigating claims of trade violations by solar manufacturers in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, which together produce about 80% of all U.S. solar panel imports. Renew executive director Heather Allen said if not resolved soon, the investigation could jeopardize some 2,500 megawatts of solar energy development in Wisconsin. Until this investigation closes, all shipments are at risk. The biggest projects are the ones most at risk, Allen said. Ultimately that costs ratepayers more money. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PORTAGE Police say a 43-year-old Michigan woman, claiming to be on her way to Illinois to pick up her son, was found to be nearly four times the legal limit for drinking and driving. A Portage police officer said he was westbound on U.S. 6 shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday when he saw an eastbound vehicle travelling 70 mph in the 45-mph zone. He turned to follow the vehicle, which slammed on its brakes at the traffic light at Swanson Road and stopped inside the intersection, the officer said. When the light changed green, the vehicle sped up to 65 mph and was stopped in the area of Ash Street. The driver, Jennifer Begrin of Kalamazoo, reportedly told the officer about picking up her child. When it was pointed out she was travelling in the wrong direction for Illinois, Begrin appeared confused and could not offer an explanation, police said. The officer said he discovered the woman using her phone for directions to the local Walmart store. Begrin then said she was picking up her son midway, according to the incident report. After noticing Begrin mumbling and smelling of alcohol, officers reportedly found a half empty bottle of wine on the passenger floorboard of her vehicle. Following field sobriety tests, Begrin was taken to the Portage police department where her blood alcohol concentration was found to be .281 as compared to the legal limit for driving of .08, the report says. Once cleared at the hospital, Begrin was taken to the Porter County Jail and faces several charges of operating while intoxicated, including one of endangering others. How often do college professors in Wisconsin encourage students to explore a wide variety of views? How interested are students in discussing controversial ideas on campus? How much have students learned about the First Amendment? Those are just a few of the innocuous yet important questions a UW-Stout professor plans to ask college students attending University of Wisconsin System schools this fall. Professor Tim Shiell's free speech survey appears straight-forward and worthy. It shouldn't trigger outrage, much less an interim chancellor's resignation. Shiell had planned to send his questions to UW System students earlier this month but agreed to wait until the fall after several university leaders objected. This included interim UW-Whitewater Chancellor Jim Henderson, who actually resigned this month, citing the survey as a big reason why. He said he believes students are already exposed to a variety of voices. Henderson is entitled to his opinion. But the purpose of this survey is to gauge student views -- not his own. And enough examples of intolerance of unpopular views on campuses justify a serious examination. In 2016, for example, protesters delayed a speech by conservative activist Ben Shapiro at UW-Madison, though his talk eventually resumed. A year later, protests over conservative speakers on campuses in California, New York and Vermont turned violent. At the same time, some GOP lawmakers have sought to squelch speech on campus by nitpicking professors' syllabuses and threatening student protesters with expulsion. Critics of Shiell's survey worried its results might be released before the fall elections and misused by candidates for political advantage. That's possible. Politicians often latch on to news they think provides rhetorical advantage. But the survey could just as easily show their assumptions were wrong. Instead of fretting over what students might say, school administrators should welcome and learn from the feedback. Some critics claim the survey wasn't properly vetted. They are wrong. The project's research team included Shiell and other professors specializing in politics, research methodology, psychology and constitutional law. They even ran their questions past an advisory group that included Janine Geske, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice and member of the State Journal editorial board. Critics worry that the survey takers received donations from conservatives. That's true. But liberal donors and foundations give to campus projects, too. UW System works hard to protect the integrity and independence of all its work. As Shiell explained: "Im a liberal professor being funded by a conservative donor to run a nonpartisan center." Critics of the survey should remember the UW Board of Regents' heroic call for free inquiry more than a century ago. A plaque on Bascom Hall at UW-Madison enshrines the Regents' words from 1894: Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found. You can't sift and winnow if you're afraid to speak. So surveying students on their ability to speak their minds should be celebrated, not censored. Wisconsin State Journal editorial board The views expressed in the editorials are shaped by the board, independent of news coverage decisions elsewhere in the newspaper. STAFF MEMBERS KELLY LECKER, Executive editor SCOTT MILFRED, Editorial page editor PHIL HANDS, Editorial cartoonist COMMUNITY MEMBERS JANINE GESKE SUSAN SCHMITZ WAYNE STRONG WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for $33 billion to bolster Ukraine's fight against Russia, signaling a burgeoning and long-haul American commitment as Moscow's invasion and the international tensions it has inflamed show no signs of receding. The package has about $20 billion in defense spending for Ukraine and U.S. allies in the region and $8.5 billion to keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government providing services and paying salaries. There's $3 billion in global food and humanitarian programs, including money to help Ukrainian refugees who've fled to the U.S. and to prod American farmers to grow wheat and other crops to replace the vast amounts of food Ukraine normally produces. The package, which administration officials estimated would last five months, is more than twice the size of the initial $13.6 billion aid measure that Congress enacted early last month and now is almost drained. With the bloody war dragging into its third month, the measure was designed to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that U.S. weaponry and other streams of assistance are not going away. The world must and will hold Russia accountable," Biden said. And as long as the assaults and atrocities continue, were going to continue to supply military assistance. Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. in his nightly video address to his nation. President Biden rightly said today that this step is not cheap," he said. But the negative consequences for the whole world from Russias aggression against Ukraine and against democracy are so massive that by comparison the U.S. support is necessary. Biden's request to Congress comes with powerful Russian offensives underway in eastern and southern Ukraine, and pleas from Zelenskyy for long-range and offensive weapons. The U.S. and others have pledged to step up deliveries of such equipment, and summaries of Biden's plan mention artillery, armored vehicles and anti-air and anti-tank weapons and munitions. Biden said the new package addresses the needs of the Ukrainian military during the crucial weeks and months ahead and begins a transition to longer-term security assistance thats going to help Ukraine deter and continue to defend against Russian aggression. The proposal also comes as Russia has halted gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria, increasing anxieties that the war and its repercussions, in one form or another, could ultimately spread elsewhere. Biden promised that the U.S. would work to support its allies energy needs, saying, We will not let Russia intimidate or blackmail their way out of the sanctions. Bipartisan support in Congress for Ukraine is strong, and there is little doubt that lawmakers will approve aid. But Republicans said they were examining the proposal's details, including its balance between defense and other expenditures, and would not reflexively rally behind Biden's $33 billion figure. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate GOP leader, said that while Republicans are committed to helping Ukraine, Its a pretty eye-popping number. Biden's billion request is more than half the entire proposed $60 billion budgets for next year for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. The $20 billion defense portion of Thursday's package amounts to about one third of Russias entire military budget and is well over Ukraines $6 billion defense expenditures. Both figures are for 2021 and were compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Institute, a Swedish organization that studies defense issues. Biden has proposed $800 billion for the Pentagon for next year. According to Brown Universitys Costs of War Project, the U.S. has spent nearly $2 trillion for Iraq, and another $2.3 trillion for Afghanistan, since Sept. 11, 2001. The costs of the post-9/11 wars in total for Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are over $8 trillion. The biggest potential stumbling blocks in Congress are Democrats' desire to also consider billions more to combat the pandemic, and a GOP drive to force an election-year vote on renewing some Trump-era immigration restrictions that seems likely to divide Democrats. But combining those ingredients yields a complicated political brew that could slow the Ukraine money when every day counts for Kyiv's outnumbered forces. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he wants to combine the Ukraine and COVID-19 spending the virus money gets only tepid GOP support but was notably silent on that question Thursday. Biden seemed to open the door to letting the Ukraine measure move separately, which would accelerate its pace. They can do it separately or together, Biden said, but we need them both. Biden asked lawmakers Thursday to provide $22.5 billion for vaccines, treatments, testing and aid to other countries in continuing efforts to contain COVID-19. But that request, which he also made last month, seems symbolic. In a compromise with Republicans, Senate Democrats have already agreed to pare that to $10 billion, and reviving the higher amount seems unlikely. Biden also asked Congress on Thursday for new powers to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs, saying the U.S. was seizing luxury yachts and homes of bad guys. He proposed letting the government use the proceeds from selling those properties to help the people of Ukraine. The president wants lawmakers to make it a crime to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. In recent weeks, the U.S. and global allies have sanctioned dozens of oligarchs and their family members, along with hundreds of Russian officials involved in or deemed to be supporting its invasion of Ukraine. The White House says the new tools will toughen the impact of the sanctions on Russia's economy and its ruling class by making sanctions more difficult to evade. Of the new money Biden is requesting for military purposes, $6 billion would be to arm Ukraine directly and $5.4 billion to replace U.S. supplies sent to the area. There is also $4.5 billion for other security assistance for Ukraine and U.S. allies and $2.6 billion for the continued deployment of U.S. forces to the region. The proposed spending also has $1.2 billion to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing to the U.S. with cash assistance, English language instruction and help to school districts with Ukrainian students. There is $1.6 billion for global food programs to compensate for shortages prompted by the war's impact on Ukraine's food production. Associated Press writers Chris Megerian, Fatima Hussein, Lolita C. Baldor and Matthew Lee contributed to this report. In a earlier version of this story, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the U.S. has spent about $2.2 trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since Sept. 11, 2001, according to Brown Universitys Costs of War Project. The correct costs, according to Brown Costs of War, are an estimated nearly $2 trillion for Iraq, and another $2.3 trillion for Afghanistan. The costs of the post-9/11 wars in total for Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are over $8 trillion. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Idaho lawmakers voted to send an additional $105 million annually to K-12 schools in hopes of improving employees health insurance. But some schools are hesitant to switch over to the states comparatively low-premium, high-benefit insurance plan for fear that the state funding wont cover the costs. Proponents have touted the funding increase as a game changer, though schools and the laws legislative sponsor alike say the $105 million wont be enough to bring insurance benefits for K-12 staff up to par with the $12,500 spent on other state employees (schools currently get $8,400 per state-funded employee). Weve been trying for so long to get on the state plan, and it would be really, really cool if we could, said Nampa School District Finance Director Randy Dewey. But at the present time, it just financially doesnt make sense. Gov. Brad Little proposed the benefits boost in his January State of the State address, and has signed into law a policy bill and a spending bill to execute the change. Those bills add the $105 million in annual state spending, tack on $75.5 million in federal one-time money to help cover the costs of switching onto the state plan and cut a $17.9 million leadership premium program as a tradeoff. But on the bottom line, districts will be a little bit short of the annual funding they need to spend as much on their employees as state agencies do, said Rep. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, who sponsored the increases that sailed through 2022 Legislature. Thats for several reasons. One is that the $105 million figure was calculated through the states arcane funding formula for schools, so only state-covered positions will be funded, as Littles budget chief Alex Adams confirmed to EdNews last month. That doesnt cover staff positions that districts pay for with other sources whether from property tax levies, other state funds or federal cash. The Nampa district, for example, will be over $600,000 short of what it would cost to pay for the states plan year to year, Dewey told EdNews this week. Another reason is that state funding may be earmarked for school employee health insurance, but schools can spend that at their discretion. Furniss said some lawmakers have overestimated how much of this money schools are using on other expenses, but even the extra money wont have strings attached to it. The money is discretionary, so schools can use it on whatever purposes they choose. As administrators take stock of their budgets, its too soon for some to tell whether theyll be able to switch over to the states plan, or whether theyll put the annual funding boost into lowering out-of-pocket costs for their employees. After Little ceremoniously signed the policy bill increasing insurance funding into law in front of Melba Elementary Schools student body, Melbas superintendent said she wasnt sure whether the money would be enough to join the state plan. If we can swing it, that obviously would be my preference, because it would benefit all staff. Their premium would be greatly reduced, and their deductible would be greatly reduced, Superintendent Sherry Ann Adams told EdNews. But I cant do it at the cost of cutting programs. If they dont switch to the states plan, rural districts can face added challenges. Districts like Melba, which only employs around 100 people, have considerably less bargaining power with insurance companies, Ann Adams said, but she hopes having the state plan as an option will help in negotiations. Making the switch Districts also cite another reason for hesitating to switch on to the state plan: the $75.5 million of one-time money is not enough to cover the upfront costs. To join the state plan, enrollees have to pay into a high-risk claims pool, a shared pot that helps the state pay for expensive and unexpected medical procedures and bills. Furniss, the legislative sponsor for the increases, is a career insurance salesman and sits on the Your Health Idaho board, which deals with state insurance issues. He maintains that school districts will get enough federal money to cover the upfront costs and switch over to the state plan. Plus, he says the states high-risk pool is $50 million overfunded now, and he hopes that could be used to offset the costs for schools. Still, many are proceeding with caution. Dewey estimates the state funding will cover just over half of the $5.9 million upfront cost of joining the state plan, though Furniss disputes claims that districts wont be able to cover those costs, pointing to differences in how the $75.5 million will be divided up. Dewey remains optimistic about the change. Even if we put all this (annual state) money in our own plan, were gonna have a much better plan for our teachers, he said. After meeting with several school administrators, Furniss anticipates most districts wont switch to the state plan for another year; they have two years to do so, before a deadline to spend federal aid. From the outset, advocates of the policy switch have never said all districts will move onto the state plan. The governors goal is to provide better health insurance coverage to school employees; in some cases that may mean joining the state plan, in other cases that will mean providing coverage through other carriers, but in all cases, the governors goal is to lower the premiums or deductibles school employees face, Alex Adams told EdNews by email in early February. A good tradeoff While cutting a $17.9 million leadership premium for experienced teachers will still leave schools with a net funding boost, some are disappointed with the cut. Especially if teachers cant get on the states plan in return. For that to just be gone for nothing makes it seem like some kind of big scam to just get rid of the leadership premium money, said Nampa Education Association President Brian Coffey. In Nampa, the district uses the $3,000 premiums to recruit so-called hard-to-fill special education jobs. The district will have to find another way to make up the difference to prevent those teachers from taking a salary hit, said Dewey. Furniss has called the cut a good tradeoff, and he made an early campaign promise, of sorts, in a Wednesday interview with EdNews. He said hell look to fix the shortfall in state spending, so it covers all staffers, by pushing legislation to increase ongoing state spending on employee health insurance next year if hes reelected. In the meantime, he hopes to allay administrators concerns, amid confusion about how much money districts will get, and how it will be divided up. Ive had meetings with 90 superintendents. Theyve all interpreted this differently, Furniss said. As districts get a better understanding of their budget pictures, there could be an increase in schools moving onto the state plan, Furniss anticipates. Theyre seeing if were legit. No ones ever given them this much money before and theyre just afraid. You know, this is the biggest increase in state budget that theyve ever seen. And theyve never trusted the money weve given them before and you know, I dont blame them for being skeptical. I dont blame them one bit. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Editors note: This story contains graphic descriptions of an alleged sexual assault. A jury soon will determine whether to convict a former northern Idaho lawmaker of raping a 19-year-old legislative intern last year but will be unable to use the interns Wednesday testimony to make its decision. The jury listened as the intern, identified only by the initials J.V. in court documents, briefly testified Wednesday against former Lewiston Republican Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger. After five minutes on the witness stand, the now-20-year-old woman abruptly left the courtroom. I cant do this, J.V. said as she walked out. Von Ehlinger is accused of sexually assaulting the legislative intern in March 2021. Von Ehlinger, 39, faces two felony charges, of rape and forcible penetration by use of a foreign object. Since von Ehlingers attorney, Jon Cox, wasnt given the ability to cross-examine J.V., the jury was instructed by 4th District Judge Michael Reardon that it could not weigh the testimony. The jury is prohibited from using J.V.s account to reach a verdict unless she returns to the courtroom to testify in full. When asked whether J.V. would return, Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Katelyn Margueritte Farley on Wednesday said the state had rested its case. Von Ehlinger, now a Juliaetta resident, has denied all allegations against him. He resigned from the Idaho House in April 2021 just hours after a legislative ethics committee unanimously recommended to expel him from his seat. Farley asked J.V. multiple times to look at her from the witness stand, to which J.V. responded, I cant. J.V. appeared to be looking at von Ehlinger. J.V. began to recount the alleged rape, but after she said von Ehlinger placed his fingers between her legs and testified that she closed her legs at the time, she walked out of the courtroom. This case is about power, power wielded in the wrong hands, Farley said in her opening statement. On March 9, 2021, the defendant Aaron von Ehlinger wielded that power against a 19-year-old intern. Anne Wardle, the nurse who performed the sexual assault kit on the intern, said in public testimony that J.V. told her at the time that von Ehlinger got on top of her, pinned her arms down and forced his penis inside her mouth. Wardle also said J.V. told von Ehlinger she didnt want to and pulled away. Von Ehlinger has maintained that he and J.V. had consensual sex. Cox objected multiple times to Wardles testimony and said the nurse shouldnt be able to testify outside of medical topics by including the details of the alleged sexual assault. The jury of 13 seven men and six women, one of whom will be designated an alternate was selected out of roughly 26 men and 24 women. Throughout the selection process, prospective jurors shared stories of how they knew survivors of sexual assault, which led to at least six of them being excused. One woman, identified as Juror No. 45, said she has five daughters, which would make her lean against von Ehlinger. She was excused. Jurors on Wednesday heard from a handful of other witnesses, including two Boise police detectives, Brandon Joseph and Monte Iverson, who spoke to J.V. after the alleged rape. She was emotional, still kind of in a state of shock, Joseph said, describing Doe when he met with her. Von Ehlinger attorney publicly names woman In the Ada County courtroom packed with potential jurors before the 13-person panel was selected Cox publicly named J.V. Cox then continued to use J.V.s full name multiple times throughout the day. Once the official trial proceedings began, he switched to using the womans initials. Far-right agitators have publicly named J.V. and included a photo of her. Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird, was removed from a legislative committee after she shared a far-right outlets article that identified the woman, who was known only as Jane Doe throughout legislative ethics hearings against von Ehlinger. David Pettinger, who has been arrested at the Idaho Capitol and for protesting outside officials homes, has posted J.V.s legal name multiple times on social media. He was ordered to leave the fourth floor of the courthouse at the request of Reardon. Annie Hightower, one of J.V.s attorneys and the director of Law and Policy at the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview at the courthouse that beyond physical safety, the No. 1 concern for survivors is privacy. Hightower said many survivors of sexual assault fear that it will follow them for the rest of their lives and impact their ability to get a job, among other things. So having your name publicly shared would be scary at a minimum, Hightower told the Statesman. Boise State University associate professor Laura King on Wednesday was called by the prosecution to testify as an expert witness on the effects of sexual violence. King focuses specifically studies sexual violence and victimization in her research. Cox questioned King several times on the timing of the sexual assault reports. King said that while most reports of sexual violence are delayed, typically more than 24 hours, reports are sometimes made much longer even years after the assault occurs. J.V. reported her alleged rape to the police within two days. Wardle had also testified Tuesday about what J.V. told her regarding the alleged rape. One detail J.V. focused on was the color of von Ehlingers curtains. King said its common for a survivor to focus on a random thing like curtain colors during a sexual assault. Theres really a variety of ways that people respond to sexual assault and really any trauma, King testified Wednesday. Theres no right way to respond. Mychel Matthews is the managing editor at the Times-News. Contact Matthews at mmatthews@magicvalley.com or 208-735-3233. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 1 Mormons began to move into Idaho less than a decade before the state became a territory. The first Mormon settlement was Fort Lemhi, an 1855 establishment near what is now the Idaho-Montana border. Lemhi is a misspelling of King Limhi in the Book of Mormon. The Lemhi Valley, a base of the Hudson Bay Co. as early as 1822, was abandoned by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1858 after an attack by American Indians. A second group of Mormons settled in 1860 in what would become Franklin, which was first thought to be in Utah. Turns out, Franklin is Idahos oldest town. Later, church leader Brigham Young sent members from the Salt Lake Valley north to colonize new territory for the church. After Young died leaving 23 wives behind in 1877, the church continued to send Mormons into southeast Idaho territory and quickly gained political power in the area. After several dozen Mormon towns had risen from the dust along the Oregon Trail, some non-Mormons become nervous about the churchs growing political pull; Mormons were accustomed to electing church officials into public office. In addition, the idea of polygamists wielding political power did not sit well in the American West. By 1880, Mormons made up one-fourth of the Idaho population, giving church members considerable influence in election results. In order to suppress the Mormon vote, the territorial Legislature passed the anti-Mormon Idaho Test Oath. The oath prohibited any practitioners of polygamy or any members of an organization that ever condoned polygamy to vote or hold public office in Idaho, basically disenfranchising a quarter of the territorys population. The restriction also prohibited Mormons from serving on juries. Although the 1893 state legislature removed the restrictions against Mormon voters, the constitutional provision was not removed until 1982, according to the University of Idaho Librarys Special Collections and Archives Department. Hidden History: Idaho's Borah tried to stifle women's suffrage U.S. Sen. William Borah of Idaho never supported the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to give women the right to vote. Hidden History: Mormons in Mexico Territory Between 1856 and 1860, more than 3,000 Mormons pushed handcarts 1,300 miles on the 85-day trip to reach the Salt Lake Valley. Mychel Matthews is the managing editor of the Times-News. The Hidden History feature runs every Thursday in the Times-News and on Magicvalley.com. If you have a question about something that may have historical significance, email Matthews at mmatthews@magicvalley.com. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow's forces retreated weeks ago. Several people were wounded in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin says is its main objective and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive. In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boys leg to the bone. Vadym Vodostoyev, the boys father, said: It just takes one second and youre left with nothing. The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians, the U.N. chief lamented. Separately, Ukraines prosecutor accused 10 Russian soldiers of being involved in the torture of peaceful people in Bucha. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova did not say her office had filed criminal charges, and she appealed to the public for help in gathering evidence. Russia denies it targets civilians. During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy renewed his pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes they commit and said about the 10 identified earlier Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There theyll receive retribution from our military. In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out of windows in at least two buildings including one residential one in the capital, which has been relatively unscathed in recent weeks. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least three people were hospitalized after the strike, and plumes of smoke could be seen over the city. The explosions in northwestern Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather. It was not immediately clear how far away the attack was from Guterres. Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month. Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone. Western officials say the Kremlin's apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east. But so far, Russia's troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains, taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance. Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions. Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt. Its not just scary. Its when your stomach contracts from pain, said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. When they shoot during the day, its still OK, but when the evening comes, I cant describe how scary it is. Ukraine's military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to intense fire and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region. Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor. Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off. Many of the Russian troops who were in Mariupol have been leaving and moving to the northwest, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment, didn't have exact numbers but said a significant number of the roughly one dozen battalion tactical groups that were in the city were moving out. Russian forces are making slow, incremental progress in the Donbas gaining only several kilometers on any given day, the official said. As of Thursday, Russia had launched about 1,900 missiles into Ukraine the vast majority fired from outside Ukraines borders. Most are strikes on Mariupol and the Donbas. In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraine's Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldnt be independently verified. An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol. Deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewers, the city council said on the messaging app Telegram. It reported bodies decaying under the rubble and a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment to fend off the Russians. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine. This story was corrected to remove a reference to a man being killed in the attack on Kyiv. He lost a leg in the attack. Associated Press journalists Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report. Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 April 28, 2022 09:54 Acute hepatitis of unknown origin affecting children has already been detected in 12 EU countries, as well as in Japan, Israel and Canada. In total, almost 200 cases of this disease have already been identified in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one child died, 17 children required a liver transplant. Children from 1 month to 16 years old get sick with mysterious hepatitis, but more often - children under 5 years old. Unknown origin The disease is interesting because scientists have not yet been able to identify the cause of its development: laboratory tests have excluded hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D and E) from patients. Ordinary causes that could cause acute hepatitis were also excluded. Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus and adenovirus have been found in some children, but these viruses are unlikely to be associated with hepatitis. International travel or contacts with other countries have also not been identified as possible contributors to infection, according to the WHO. Some experts from Scotland have put forward a hypothesis according to which adenovirus in tandem with coronavirus may thus affect the liver of children. However, at the moment there is no confirmation of this hypothesis. Moreover, co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus was found in only 19 patients. British specialists from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Administration believe that due to insufficient exposure of children to the usual adenovirus during the pandemic, in conditions of self-isolation and social distance, acute hepatitis could simply become more severe. Symptoms According to WHO, the clinical syndrome among the identified cases is acute hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) with a markedly elevated level of liver enzymes. In many cases, young patients have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. All these signs precede the development of severe acute hepatitis. An increase in the level of liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase above 500 IU / l) and jaundice were also recorded. There was no fever in most cases. What will happen next? According to many experts, if the mysterious hepatitis does turn out to be of viral origin, this will be the worst case scenario, since the virus can spread quite quickly around the world and cause serious problems in many countries, especially in those where healthcare is not very accessible. population. Commenting on the situation to the CNBC channel, Amy Edwards, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Case University Medical Institute of the Western Reserve Region (USA), noted that it is not yet possible to say how serious or dangerous this outbreak of acute hepatitis is. According to her, everything will depend on how the disease behaves in the coming months. If it turns out that the cause of the disease is a serious form of adenovirus that affects the liver in children, this will be a serious cause for concern, since adenoviruses are everywhere and they are not seasonal. However, there are still quite a few cases of the disease, and it is not worth making hasty conclusions. Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter The Malian junta has accused the French army of repeated violations of its airspace in order to spy on Malian soldiers in the field, the latest episode in the deterioration of relations between Bamako and Paris. In a statement released Tuesday evening, the junta said it had recorded more than 50 deliberate violations of the temporary no-fly zone over central and northern Mali since the beginning of the year. According to Malian authorities, a majority of these violations have been committed by French aircraft or drones, with the aim of espionage, intimidation, or even subversion. One of the infractions mentioned in the communique concerns the illegal overflight by a French drone of the Gossi military base in central Mali on April 20, the day after France transferred control of this base to Malian forces as part of its gradual withdrawal from the country. Malian authorities also denounced repeated overflights by French aircraft of a convoy of Malian troops en route to Gossi on April 21. After the return of the Gossi base, a video posted on social networks accused the French soldiers of leaving behind a mass grave of civilian bodies, an accusation to which the French army responded by releasing its own drone footage, which it said showed Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group burying the bodies. The Malian army said last week that its soldiers had discovered a mass grave near Gossi after transferring control of the base, saying the rotting state of the bodies proved that the deaths had occurred long before they were discovered. In addition to espionage, the French forces were guilty of subversion by publishing false images fabricated to accuse the Malian armed forces of killing civilians, the junta said in a statement Tuesday. In Paris, neither the foreign ministry nor the army staff responded to an immediate request for comment. A famous ex-musician and beauty pageant organizer in Rwanda was arrested Tuesday after accusations of sexual assault, Rwandan police said. Dieudonne Ishimwe, better known as Prince Kid, was taken into custody for alleged crimes of sexual assault, the Rwanda Bureau of Investigation (RIB) said. The 36-year-old man is suspected of assaulting former Miss Rwanda contestants on several occasions, said a spokesman for RIB, Thierry Murangira. The case will be sent to the prosecutors office in due course, he added. Ishimwe is the head of Rwanda Inspiration Backup, the company that organizes the annual Miss Rwanda contest. His arrest comes after the organization announced last week that a former Miss Rwanda had resigned as communications director after four years of working together. A baby receives a polio vaccine during the Malawi Polio Vaccination Campaign Launch in Lilongwe, Malawi, on March 20, 2022. The World Health Organization said on Thursday, April 28, 2022 that Africa is seeing a surge of outbreaks of preventable diseases as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi, File Africa is seeing a surge of outbreaks of preventable diseases as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. The continent recorded a 400% increase in measles, to more than 17,000 cases between January and March, compared to the same period last year, Dr. Benido Impouma, a WHO expert in Africa, told a press briefing. Two years of disruptions by the coronavirus pandemic have had "major effects on the provision of routine health services, with immunization being seriously affected" in many countries, he said. Twenty-four countries confirmed outbreaks of polio last year, four times more than in 2020. Last year 13 countries reported new outbreaks of yellow fever, rising from nine in 2020 and three in 2019, according to WHO figures. "The rise in outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases is a warning sign," Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa, said in a statement. "As Africa works hard to defeat COVID-19, we must not forget other health threats. Health systems could be severely strained not only by COVID-19 but by other diseases." The continent of 1.3 billion people has reported 11.4 million COVID-19 cases, including 252,000 deaths, according to figures from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical staff look out from a window as officials prepare for a ceremony to commence the country's first coronavirus vaccinations using AstraZeneca provided through the global COVAX initiative, at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya on March 5, 2021. The World Health Organization said on Thursday, April 28, 2022 that Africa is seeing a surge of outbreaks of preventable diseases as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File Ugandans receive Pfizer coronavirus vaccinations at the Kiswa Health Centre III in the Bugolobi neighborhood of Kampala, Uganda on Feb. 8, 2022. The World Health Organization said on Thursday, April 28, 2022 that Africa is seeing a surge of outbreaks of preventable diseases as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File Although the virus had been trending downwards since January, the WHO reported a rise in cases Thursday driven by a doubling of infection rates in South Africa, the African country most affected by the pandemic. Impouma, the WHO official, said that in the wake of the pandemic the agency seeks to support countries to scale up COVID-19 vaccinations as well as routine immunization services. "The same is true for routine immunization as for COVID," said Helen Rees, executive director of a reproductive health and HIV institute at South Africa's University of the Witwatersrand. "There is the direct health ... problem, but there's this spinoff in terms of adversely affecting poor development and contributing to poverty, which is absolutely critical for our region." 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Jacob Lemieux, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School, said this week that recent COVID data out of South Africa is "alarming," as the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 appear to be causing an exponential rise in positivity ratesthe percentage of all tests that are positiveand already make up more than 50 percent of cases. "You start to see a rise that is reminiscent, in its numbers, its timing, and its test positivity rate, of the omicron wave, possibly even taking off faster," Lemieux said during a media briefing Tuesday by the Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness. "It really is alarming and suggests that we probably will see a fifth wave in South Africa. The extent of this wave is not yet clear." Lemieux, who is the co-lead of MassCPR's viral variants program, said it's too early to tell whether the subvariants will cause a rise in hospitalizations and deaths, or, like the BA.2 subvariant that eclipsed the original omicron in South Africa and the U.S., simply replace prior versions of the virus without causing a rise in serious illness. "There's a lot more population-level immunity, so perhaps it may just be a wave in numbers, not morbidity and mortality," he said. "But it does have a flavor of "Here we go again.'" Lemieux's comments came amid generally positive news on the virus in the U.S. Anthony Fauci, the president's top medical advisor, on Tuesday told media outlets that the nation has escaped COVID's pandemic phase and appears to be decelerating toward endemic disease, where cases occur but hospitalizations and mortality remain relatively low. (Fauci clarified his remarks the next day, saying that he meant the "acute component of the pandemic.") Meanwhile, new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research shows that nearly 60 percent of Americans had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 as of February. The study captured the impact of omicron's initial wave, which pushed the percentage of Americans with antibodies due to coronavirus infection from 34 percent in December to 58 percent in February. The findings suggest at least some naturally derived immunity in most Americans. The CDC's director, Rochelle Walensky, a professor of medicine on leave from HMS and Massachusetts General Hospital, said that immunity from vaccination appears to be superior to that gained from exposure, so the agency is still recommending vaccination for people who have had COVID. Doing so may confer significant benefits in immunity, according to Galit Alter, a professor of medicine at HMS and MGH who spoke at the MassCPR briefing. Alter cited persuasive evidence that "hybrid immunity"gained from a variety of sources, such as infection and vaccination, or vaccination and boosting with a different vaccineprovides stronger protection than either natural immunity or vaccination-derived immunity alone. "Hybrid immunity is really the most robust correlate of protection against severe disease and death," Alter said. "Even folks who've gotten two shots don't seem to do as well at resisting COVID-19 as folks who had hybrid immunity due to infection either before or after vaccination. There is something special about seeing the virus in its entirety." Though the country's pandemic outlook remains favorable, there are some areas of concern, Walensky said. Cases have risen slightly since reaching a low of around 25,000 in early April, with the seven-day moving average topping 45,000 early this week. Hospitalizations have also ticked upward, from a post-Omicron low of 0.43 per 100,000 on April 8 to 0.54 per 100,000 this week. Vaccination rates have slowly climbed, with 82.4 percent of Americans age five or older now having received at least one dose. Among the most vulnerable population, age 65 or older, that figure is 95 percent, with 90.1 percent of the group now fully vaccinated. This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday released proposed rulesfirst announced a year agoto ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. "The proposed rules would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit," U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in an FDA news release. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf discussed the proposed bans Thursday while appearing before a congressional subcommittee, the Washington Post reported. Califf told the panel that the proposed bans would "reduce the mortality risk of current smokers of menthol cigarettes or flavored cigars by substantially decreasing their consumption and increasing the likelihood of cessation," the Post reported. Califf's remarks came nearly a year to the day after his predecessor, acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock, announced the same proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored small cigars. The ban would "address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations and LGBTQ+ individuals, all of whom are far more likely to use these tobacco products," Woodcock said at the time. "Flavored tobacco, including flavors found in some cigars and cigarillos, makes smoking more appealing by reducing initial aversive responses, particularly for young people," Woodcock explained. Menthol cigarettes have been marketed aggressively to Black Americans for decades. About 85% of Black smokers use menthol brands compared with 30% of white smokers, the FDA said, and research shows menthol cigarettes are harder to quit than traditional tobacco products. Anti-smoking and civil rights advocates applauded the proposed ban. "This is a giant step forward" in reducing health disparities caused by smoking, Carol McGruder, co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, told the Post. In 2019, there were over 18.5 million menthol cigarette smokers aged 12 and older in the United States, with particularly high rates of use by young people, Black people and other minorities, the FDA said. Modeling studies have estimated a 15% reduction in smoking within 40 years if menthol cigarettes are no longer available, the agency said, and those same studies estimate that 324,000 to 654,000 smoking-related deaths overall (92,000 to 238,000 among Black Americans) would be avoided over the course of 40 years. Experts agreed that the public health impact of following through on the proposed ban could be enormous. Black men have the highest rates of lung cancer in America, largely due to smoking, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "FDA's actions today send a clear message that Big Tobacco's strategy to profit off addicting Black Americans will no longer be tolerated," Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network, said in a statement. "Currently, lung cancer death rates in Black males are 15% higher than those of white males in the U.S. If we're going to address these very real health disparities, we must take strong action to end the industry's targeting of Black communities." Dr. Raja Flores is chair of thoracic surgery at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. He said, "It's a crime that this has gone on for so longthat they've focused on the most vulnerable population, like the African American community.... We see the disparities and the results in Black patients because of menthol cigarettes. They don't do as well as white patients with lung cancer. It's about time that we do something to stop this." Geoffrey Fong, principal investigator of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, said as many as 1.3 million people could quit smoking and potentially hundreds of thousands of premature deaths could be averted if the United States's experience mirrors that of Canada after it banned menthol cigarettes. "This is potentially an extraordinary, landmark intervention to reduce the No. 1 preventable cause of death and disease," Fong told The New York Times. American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer said the proposed ban could "be the single most significant action taken by FDA in its almost 13-year history of regulating tobacco products." "Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death among Black Americans, claiming 45,000 Black lives every year," Wimmer said in a statement. "Black men have the highest rates of lung cancer in the U.S., and Black middle and high school students smoke flavored cigars at rates higher than cigarettes. These statistics did not happen by accident. They are the results of decades of marketing directed at Black communities by the tobacco industry. Halting the sale of these flavored tobacco products lays the groundwork for reversing decades of disparities in tobacco use, disease and death in Black and brown communities." However, anti-smoking advocates predicted that the effective dates of the bans remain at least two years away. "The FDA has a duty to protect public health with nothing short of ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products," the American Heart Association said in a statement. "The American Heart Association and our nationwide network of advocates will relentlessly work with FDA to ensure the final rules are as strong and comprehensive as possible. We urge the agency to quickly issue final rules and remove these harmful products from the market." Public comment on the proposed rules starts May 4, and the FDA will also hold public hearings on June 13 and June 15. Explore further More than a million smokers likely to quit after US bans menthol cigarettes More information: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about menthol and flavored tobacco products 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Vanderbilt University Research Professor of Nursing Sheila Ridner recently completed a large, randomized trial to assess early detection methods for a common side effect of breast-cancer treatmentslymphedema. Lymphedema, a chronic condition that causes fluid buildup in the body, can be caused by damage from radiation treatment for breast, head, neck or ovarian cancer. The resulting swelling can complicate patients' mobility, eating and swallowing, and it can even result in death. The study Ridner designed and led was to compare the effectiveness of bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) measuring technology with traditional tape measurements in early identification of lymphedema swelling. BIS, a painless and non-invasive procedure that runs an electronic signal through the body, uses technology similar to that used by electronic monitors for body mass index. Patients were assigned to a BIS or measurement group at 13 sites around the world. Those in the BIS group were assessed using an L-Dex U400 from ImpediMed Ltd. The trials found that patients with early detection who used L-Dex and additional intervention methods were less likely to progress to chronic lymphedema than patients monitored with a tape measure. The statistically significant results were published in Lymphatic Research and Biology earlier this year. In their paper, Ridner and her co-authors concluded that BIS screening should be "a standard approach for prospective breast cancer-related lymphedema surveillance." Currently, 5% to 40% of women who undergo breast cancer surgery will likely experience some level of lymphedema, according to Breastcancer.org, and that risk is higher in women who undergo chemotherapy or radiation. Earlier detection of lymphedema "gives clinicians the information they need to begin early intervention on their patients at a stage when it's possible to keep the lymphedema from advancing," Ridner said. "These findings provide all clinicians addressing lymphedema in breast cancer patients with clear scientific data regarding the optimal measurement and sound evidence to switch from using tape measurements. "This is a victory for patients, particularly the 1,200 breast cancer patients who volunteered for this study. I thank them and all the collaborators at 13 hospitals across the U.S. and Australia for their dedicated work over several years," she added. Before joining Vanderbilt School of Nursing, Ridner was an oncology nurse who saw the debilitating issues lymphedema caused patients. Then her mother developed lymphedema. Since then, Ridner has dedicated much of her research to increasing quality of life for patients dealing with the painful condition. She has worked on alleviating lymphedema in various ways, from studying yoga as a form of therapy to working on a potential head and neck device to alleviate patients' pain. Ridner has received more than $7 million in funding for treatment research since 2001. "My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and developed the condition," said Ridner. "It got to the point where she couldn't even play her favorite instrumentthe piano. If we could have caught it earlier, it may not have progressed as it did for her." Explore further Technology better than tape measure for identifying lymphedema risk More information: Sheila H. Ridner et al, A Comparison of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy or Tape Measure Triggered Compression Intervention in Chronic Breast Cancer Lymphedema Prevention, Lymphatic Research and Biology (2022). Sheila H. Ridner et al, A Comparison of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy or Tape Measure Triggered Compression Intervention in Chronic Breast Cancer Lymphedema Prevention,(2022). DOI: 10.1089/lrb.2021.0084 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When police officers and paramedics arrived at the scene of the Pittsburgh shooting in the early hours of April 17, they rushed to transport the injured to the hospital. Time is of the essence in such situations. It can take as little as five minutes for a person with a life-threatening injury to bleed to death. Much like CPR, basic bleeding control techniques could help save a life in the event of an emergency. "If someone has life-threatening bleeding and they have minutes to live, you can't rely on medical personnel," said Dr. Matthew Neal, a trauma surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who cared for many of the critically wounded victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in 2018. "Bystanders are going to be the first people there." Dr. Neal is an advocate of Stop the Bleed, an effort that teaches people first aid skills for controlling bleeding. It was introduced in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, which killed 26 people. With gun violence on the rise in the United States, the odds of being at the scene of a shooting are increasing. But the techniques also apply to other scenarios that can cause significant bleeding, such as car accidents. Alert authorities The first thing to do when a shooting or serious accident occurs is to alert the authorities as soon as possible. "It's really easy in a chaotic scenario to think that everyone else has done it," said Dr. Allan Philp, head of trauma at Allegheny Health Network, who treated the North Side shooting victims. "But you want to make sure that someone has actually called 911 so that professional help can arrive as quickly as possible." He emphasized the "run, hide, fight" approach in an active shooter situation. Flee the area if you can and call 911 once you're safe. If you can't run, get out of the shooter's view and remain quiet. As a last resort, and only if you're in immediate danger, try to stop the shooter. Apply pressure Ensure your own safety first before attempting to help someone who's wounded. Regardless of what part of the body is injured, the most basic tactic to stop bleeding is to apply firm, direct pressure on the woundand not just with one hand, said Dr. Neal. Use a towel or T-shirt to tamp the bleeding if gauze isn't available. "Hold two hands together, lock your elbows and put all of your weight onto the wound to try to stop that bleeding," he said. Though it seems simple, he said this can be challenging because people think they might further hurt the person who's injured. "If it's truly life-threatening bleeding, standing by and waiting is not enough," he said. "You may have to hurt in order to help." Keep applying pressure until the bleeding has subsided. If the bleeding hasn't stopped, that's a sign that you should apply more pressure, he said. While it may be physically painful for the wounded person, you're unlikely to cause an injury just by applying pressure. When medics arrive at the scene, they'll administer pain medication to those injured. Bystanders may also be squeamish about coming into contact with someone else's blood, but it is not dangerous unless you have open wounds yourself. Dr. Neal said there's little risk of getting a blood-borne illness, such as hepatitis or HIV, from someone else if your skin is intact. Use a tourniquet For injuries that occur to the arms or the legs, a tourniquet can be very effective at stopping bleeding. "A tourniquet stops blood flow to the limb and it squeezes the blood vessels so that it eliminates blood flow to the area where the wound is," said Dr. Neal. The goal is to place it above the wound, as high up on the arm or leg as possible. It can be placed on top of clothing but should be at least a few inches from the wound. A tourniquet should not be applied over a joint. To use a tourniquet, wrap it tightly around the limb and tighten it as much as possible. Then, twist the windlass rod in one direction to increase pressure and secure the rod so it doesn't come undone. A tourniquet is likely to be painful, but it can help stop life-threatening bleeding. Leave the tourniquet on until medical personnel arrive. Through Western Pennsylvania's Stop the Bleed Initiative, UPMC has placed tourniquets in many schools across the region and outfitted police officers with them. Tourniquets are often included in trauma first aid kits and can also be purchased online. But they're not readily available everywhere. In those cases, Dr. Philp advised against making an improvised one. They're usually not effective, and every minute counts when someone is bleeding. He said you could lose precious time looking for the materials to make one. "That's three, four or five minutes of time that's better spent just holding pressure," he said. Pack the wound For wounds to the armpit and groin, packing is another useful bleeding control tactic. Open or remove the clothing over the wound, then stuff the wound with gauze, a clean towel or whatever fabric might be available nearby. Whatever you use, the fabric needs to come in direct contact with bleeding, said Dr. Neal. Once you've packed it as tightly as you can, push down on the wound as hard as you can using both hands. If the packing material becomes soaked and the wound is still bleeding, replace it with new material. If the bleeding is controlled, do not remove the soaked material. Keep holding pressure on the wound until medical responders arrive. Explore further Stop the bleed, save a life 2022 PG Publishing Co. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The negative impact of smoking on health inequalities in the UK means even if smoking stopped tomorrow, the full health benefits would not be seen until 40 years down the line. New research shows that the maximum improvement that could be expected from a complete cessation of smoking is only around 2.5 years rather than the full 6.3 years which separate smokers and those that have never smoked. The research by the International Longevity Centre (ILC) and Bayes Business School, titled "Leveling UpThe Great Health Challenge," shows how health inequalities, particularly smoking, impact the UK's health and working futures. The findings state that the UK Government's target of leveling up healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035 is unachievable, and can only be reached if much bolder policies are adopted. The conclusions come ahead of the release of a Government white paper on health disparities, and the 2017-2022 Tobacco Control Planboth of which are to be released this yearwhich aims to make England 'smoke free' by 2030. Most worryingly, the report says that even if all smoking ceased tomorrow, the impact could take 40 years to work through. The report, led by Professor Les Mayhew of Bayes Business School, highlights that life expectancy has increased by more years than healthy years since 2001, with the time spent in ill health increasing as a result. Factors contributing to this include an aging population, negative health behaviors such as smoking, and the success of the NHS in keeping people alive. To put the research into perspective, smoking is the major cause of death and ill health in the UK. It is implicated in deaths from cancer, heart, and respiratory disease accounting for about 75,000 deaths a year in England and half a million hospital admissions (92,000 deaths UK-wide). It affects all ages: For example, the health of a 34-year-old smoker is the same as that of someone aged 40 who has never smoked. The geography of smoking, and deaths associated to lung cancer, is also strongly correlated with health expectancy and with deprivation. The local authorities with the highest prevalence of smoking, as ranked by the Office for National Statistics on their smoking index, are Blackpool, Kingston upon Hull, Barking and Dagenham. Those ranked lowest are Richmond upon Thames and Windsor. Professor Mayhew, Head of Global Research at ILC and Professor of Statistics at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), said there is no silver bullet in untangling the web of how to solve this problem. "The challenges involved in improving healthy life expectancy include the interconnected risk factors associated with smoking, such as tackling mental illness, drug abuse, obesity, poor housing, and deprivation among others. It means that while tackling smoking head-on is a welcome and necessary step, it is only the beginning of a much bigger journey towards leveling up." "With differences of up to 15 years in health expectancy between the healthiest and least healthy areas, the scope to level up is definitely therethe policies just need to be much bolder in order to succeed." Explore further Smoking costs UK economy in excess of 19 billion a year Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Seven hours is the ideal amount of sleep for people in their middle age and upwards, with too little or too much little sleep associated with poorer cognitive performance and mental health, say researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University. Sleep plays an important role in enabling cognitive function and maintaining good psychological health. It also helps keep the brain healthy by removing waste products. As we get older, we often see alterations in our sleep patterns, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, and decreased quantity and quality of sleep. It is thought that these sleep disturbances may contribute to cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders in the aging population. In research published today in Nature Aging, scientists from the UK and China examined data from nearly 500,000 adults aged 38-73 years from the UK Biobank. Participants were asked about their sleeping patterns, mental health and well-being, and took part in a series of cognitive tests. Brain imaging and genetic data were available for almost 40,000 of the study participants. By analyzing these data, the team found that both insufficient and excessive sleep duration were associated with impaired cognitive performance, such as processing speed, visual attention, memory and problem-solving skills. Seven hours of sleep per night was the optimal amount of sleep for cognitive performance, but also for good mental health, with people experiencing more symptoms of anxiety and depression and worse overall well-being if they reported sleeping for longer or shorter durations. The researchers say one possible reason for the association between insufficient sleep and cognitive decline may be due to the disruption of slow-wave'deep'sleep. Disruption to this type of sleep has been shown to have a close link with memory consolidation as well as the build-up of amyloida key protein which, when it misfolds, can cause 'tangles' in the brain characteristic of some forms of dementia. Additionally, lack of sleep may hamper the brain's ability to rid itself of toxins. The team also found a link between the amount of sleep and differences in the structure of brain regions involved in cognitive processing and memory, again with greater changes associated with greater than or less than seven hours of sleep. Having a consistent seven hours' sleep each night, without too much fluctuation in duration, was also important to cognitive performance and good mental health and well-being. Previous studies have also shown that interrupted sleep patterns are associated with increased inflammation, indicating a susceptibility to age-related diseases in older people. Professor Jianfeng Feng from Fudan University in China said: "While we can't say conclusively that too little or too much sleep causes cognitive problems, our analysis looking at individuals over a longer period of time appears to support this idea. But the reasons why older people have poorer sleep appear to be complex, influenced by a combination of our genetic makeup and the structure of our brains." The researchers say the findings suggest that insufficient or excessive sleep duration may be a risk factor for cognitive decline in aging. This is supported by previous studies that have reported a link between sleep duration and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia, in which cognitive decline is a hallmark symptom. Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, one of the study's authors, said: "Getting a good night's sleep is important at all stages of life, but particularly as we age. Finding ways to improve sleep for older people could be crucial to helping them maintain good mental health and well-being and avoiding cognitive decline, particularly for patients with psychiatric disorders and dementias." More information: Wei Cheng, The brain structure and genetic mechanisms underlying the nonlinear association between sleep duration, cognition and mental health, Nature Aging (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00210-2 Journal information: Nature Aging Wei Cheng, The brain structure and genetic mechanisms underlying the nonlinear association between sleep duration, cognition and mental health,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00210-2 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Medical language that casts doubt, belittles, or blames patients for their health problems continues to be commonly used in everyday clinical practice, but is outdated and overdue for change, argue experts in The BMJ today. Caitriona Cox and Zoe Fritz at the University of Cambridge draw on existing research to describe how such language, while often taken for granted, can insidiously affect the therapeutic relationship by altering the attitudes of both patients and physicians. They suggest how it could be changed to foster a relationship focused on shared understanding and collective goals. Language that belittles patients includes the widely used term "presenting complaint" rather than referring to a patient's reason for engaging with healthcare, they write. Similarly, use of words such as "denies" and "claims" when reporting a patient's account of their symptoms or experiences, suggests a refusal to admit the truth, and can hint at untrustworthiness. Other frequently used language renders the patient as passive or childlike, while emphasizing the doctor's position of power, they add. For example, doctors "take" a history, or "send" patients home. The terms "compliance" and "non-compliance" (in relation to taking medication) are also authoritarian, and they suggest that doctors should focus on changing their language to instead focus on reasons why patients might not be taking prescribed medications, promoting a more collaborative doctor-patient relationship. Patients too have objected: "Being described as 'non-compliant' is awful and does not reflect the fact that everyone is doing their best." Language that implicitly places the blame on patients for poor outcomes is also problematic, argue Cox and Fritz. For instance, the term "poorly controlled" in conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy can be stigmatizing and make patients feel judged, while "treatment failure" suggests that the patient is the cause of the failure, rather than the limitations of the treatment or the doctor. Research shows that specific word choices and phrases not only affect how patients view their health and illness but also influence doctors' attitudes towards patients and the care and treatments offered, they explain. For example, a study of neutral language with language implying patient responsibility (not tolerating oxygen mask v refuses oxygen mask), showed that the non-neutral term was associated with negative attitudes towards the patient and less prescribing of analgesic medication. The authors note that using the right language "is not a matter of political correctness; it affects the core of our interactions" and say research is now needed to explore the impact that such language could have on patient outcomes. Much of the language highlighted here is deeply ingrained in medical practice and is used unthinkingly by clinicians, they write. Clinicians should consider how their language affects attitudes and choose language that facilitates trust, balances power, and supports shared decision making. Explore further Specific language important in heart failure communication More information: Presenting complaint: use of language that disempowers patients, The BMJ (2022). Presenting complaint: use of language that disempowers patients,(2022). DOI: 10.1136/BMJ-2021-066720 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Unlike other states, Michigan laws severely restrict the reproductive health services that midwives and advanced practice registered nurses can provide. Ruth Zielinski, professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and nurse midwife, discusses the restrictions placed on APRNs and midwives, and how the impending Supreme Court decision on abortion may impact Michigan women who need reproductive health care. Maryland lawmakers recently passed a law that allows physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses and midwives to perform abortions. What are the limitations on reproductive health care, such as abortion, the morning after pill, etc., in Michigan? First, Michigan unnecessarily restricts where abortion can be provided by requiring that abortions be performed in a hospital or a specialized facility (in compliance with the requirements of a surgical facility). This is unnecessarily restrictive and could make accessing abortion more difficult for those in rural communities, especially if they are lower income. Also, Michigan restricts APRNs, including midwives, from performing first trimester surgical abortions, even though it is included in the International Confederation of Midwives competencies and is safer than other procedures midwives perform. Medication abortion prescribing is restricted to physicians. A medication abortion, or RU-486, ends a developing pregnancy. APRNs, including midwives, can prescribe Plan B (the morning-after pill). Morning-after pills are emergency contraception that does not abort pregnancy that has implanted but delays or prevents ovulation. Who uses midwives and APRNs and who is most affected by these restrictions? I don't have exact stats for this as they are not collected. Anecdotally, I will tell you that most Federally Qualified Health Centers utilize APRNs and midwives to a great extent. As with other health care needs, the people most affected are lower-resourced people, particularly those in rural areas (of which there are many in Michigan). Also, minors under the age of 18 cannot get an abortion in Michigan without parental consent, so they are also affected by the restrictions. These are all people that midwives care for to a great extent. Has there been a move to expand the role of midwives and APRNs? Yes, there has in Michigan but, unfortunately, not to expand the role for abortion care. It is something I would really like to take on but I can't imagine right now there is any chance with such an anti-choice legislature. How does Michigan compare to other states? Abortion is legal in Michigan but cannot be publicly funded (i.e., Medicaid won't pay). The number of abortion clinics has declined from 83 in 1982 to only 20 in 2014. While people with resources can still travel for an abortion, with the price of gas, it becomes really difficult for lower-resourced people who live in more rural areas, such as the UP, to obtain an abortion. While Gov. Whitmer is pro-choice, the house and senate are decidedly not, which makes it challenging. In Michigan, counseling is biased and puts undue burden and restrictions on access to abortion: "A woman may not obtain an abortion until at least 24 hours after a physician, nurse, physician's assistant, psychologist, social worker or qualified counselor confirms the patient is pregnant and orally describes to the patient the probable gestational age of the fetus." Will the U.S. Supreme Court decision impact how midwives practice? Michigan is one of 26 states that will likely ban abortion in nearly every case, including rape and incest, if Roe v. Wade is overturned. In 1931, abortion was banned in Michiganthat law is still on the books, but Roe v. Wade overruled that ban. Now, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, that law could take effect. Gov. Whitmer has filed a lawsuit that would keep abortion legal in the state. According to a poll by Whitmer's office the majority of people in Michigan want abortion to be legalalized in the state. Midwives will be affected in that more people may seek unsafe abortions or will be forced to continue an unwanted or unsafe pregnancy. In some cases, they may be forced to carry a pregnancy that puts them or the fetus at riskfor example, in the case of an anomaly or when the pregnant person is taking medication or using substances that may harm the fetus. Verification by non-invasive goblet cell imaging and biopsy of the normal rabbit conjunctiva. Credit: POSTECH A Korean research team led by Professor Ki Hean Kim, Ph.D. candidates Seonghan Kim and Jungbin Lee (Department of Mechanical Engineering) at POSTECH, in collaboration with Professor Chang Ho Yoon (Department of Ophthalmology) of Seoul National University Hospital and Professor Young-Ho Jung (Department of Ophthalmology) of Eulji Hospital, has successfully demonstrated the non-invasive conjunctival goblet cell (CGC) examination in live rabbit eyes. Goblet cells in the conjunctiva of eyes are specialized epithelial cells secreting mucins to form the mucus layer of tear film. The mucus layer spreads the tear film on the ocular surface for protection. The dysfunction and death of CGCs causes tear film instability and is associated with various ocular surface diseases, including dry eye disease (DED). Therefore, CGC examination is important for the precision diagnosis and effective treatment of ocular surface diseases. However, it has not been possible until now due to lack of non-invasive devices. The research team had recently developed non-invasive high-contrast CGC imaging methods, which use moxifloxacin, an FDA-approved ophthalmic antibiotic, as a cell labeling agent. In this study, the research team took one step forward by imaging CGCs in live rabbits whose eyes are similar to those of humans. The researchers imaged normal rabbits first and verified that CGC images with the new imaging device were well matched with conventional histological images where CGCs were visible with periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) staining. The researchers then imaged DED rabbit models. DED was induced with topical instillation of povidone-iodine (product name: Betadine) which is a disinfectant used for ophthalmic surgery and is known for causing temporary DED after ophthalmic surgeries. The researchers observed the decrease of CGC density in the first and second weeks of DED induction, and then the recovery back to the normal level in the third and fourth weeks. The changes in CGC density observed with this technology in live rabbits were consistent with the results of standard DED evaluations including the corneal staining score, tear volume measurement (Schirmer's test), and tear break-up time measurement, and the results of conventional histology with PAS staining. Tracking the damage and subsequent recovery of conjunctival goblet cells using the non-invasive high-contrast imaging in a rabbit model with dry eye disease. Credit: POSTECH The findings from the study were recently published in The Ocular Surface. Since this technology uses FDA-approved moxifloxacin antibiotic, it can be safely used in patients. Professor Ki Hean Kim of POSTECH explained that they "have verified that the newly developed imaging device can do the non-invasive examination of CGCs in the eye of live rabbit models, which are similar to humans. Going forward, we will develop a device for patient imaging and do clinical trials to test the feasibility and effectiveness of non-invasive CGC examination in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface diseases." More information: Seonghan Kim et al, Non-invasive high-contrast imaging of conjunctival goblet cells for the precision diagnosis of ocular surface diseases, The Ocular Surface (2022). Seonghan Kim et al, Non-invasive high-contrast imaging of conjunctival goblet cells for the precision diagnosis of ocular surface diseases,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.03.003 Provided by Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) Examples of information derived from the dataset of specimen no. 15-2017. (A) Cortical maps from the dataset: blockface (left), quantitative R2* (middle), and parvalbumin immunohistochemistry (right), sampled at the midcortical surface in fully folded (top) or inflated (bottom) views; (B) reconstructed blood vessels extracted from the coregistered stainings; (C) automated cortical and subcortical parcellations; (D) different stainings outline different thalamic nuclei boundaries. Credit: Science Advances (2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj7892 An exhaustive map of the human brain has been a long-sought goal of neuroanatomists. Noninvasive imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow scientists to investigate the healthy living human brain but provide only limited anatomical detail. A higher level of detail can be obtained by using microscopy on brains from deceased donors, generally focusing on small brain structures imaged in 2D. Now a team led by scientists from the UvA, have combined MRI and microscopy to produce 3D images of two entire brains with a previously unmatched level of detail. Their findings have been published in the journal Science Advances. The UvA team worked for over five years, alongside researchers from the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, to build a bridge between ultra-high field MRI and microscopy approaches to creating images of the brain. Two human brains donated to science were placed in the MRI scanner for 21 hours, and afterwards examined under the microscope. The MRIs were then combined with the microscopy slides, resulting in images of the brains which allow for exploration at a 200mm (0.2mm) level of detail. Virtual brain dissections Team member Anneke Alkemade: "We are excited about all the possibilities this can open up for the field. Instructors, for example, can use the datasets for neuroanatomy trainings or virtual dissections. And being able to compare MRI results with individual proteins visualized using microscopy will give researchers more insight into poorly understood MRI observations, as well as providing more anatomical detail on small brain structures." The researchers used an ultra-high field 7 Tesla MRI system, which has a more powerful magnet than the MRI systems routinely used in hospitals. The MRI software was programmed specifically for these studies by the researchers to accommodate the differences between living and preserved tissue. During the cutting of the tissue, each section was photographed individually, so that it could be used later to digitally correct tissue deformation in microscopy sections. Individual brain sections were placed on specially ordered glass slides, and processed with custom-built laboratory equipment. Credit: University of Amsterdam After digitization of the individual microscopy slides, new algorithms were created by the researchers to correct for the tissue deformation resulting from the cutting and microscopy processing. After weeks of uninterrupted calculations, the researchers were finally able to create full reconstructions of two individual brains. Explore further Peeking inside 'mini-brains' could boost understanding of the human brain More information: Anneke Alkemade et al, A unified 3D map of microscopic architecture and MRI of the human brain, Science Advances (2022). Journal information: Science Advances Anneke Alkemade et al, A unified 3D map of microscopic architecture and MRI of the human brain,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj7892 A woman wears a face shield to protect against COVID-19 at a taxi rank in Soweto, South Africa, Tuesday, April 5, 2022. South Africa is seeing a rapid surge of COVID-19 cases from a sub-variant of omicron, say health experts. Credit: AP Photo/Denis Farrell South Africa is seeing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases driven by yet another version of the coronavirus, health experts say. Cases had been dropping in the country since February. But a new omicron subvariant that scientists call BA.4 began pushing up cases last week and they have risen rapidly since, said Salim Abdool Karim, who previously advised the government on its COVID-19 response. So far, there has been only a slight rise in hospitalizations and no increase in deaths, said Abdool Karim, who is a public health expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa is recording just over 6,000 COVID-19 cases a day, up from a few hundred just a few weeks ago. The proportion of positive tests jumped from 4% in mid-April to 19% Thursday, according to official figures. Wastewater surveillance has also shown increases in coronavirus spread. The new mutant appears to be quickly achieving dominance over the original omicron and other versions of the virus, but Abdool Karim said "it's too early to tell whether BA.4 is going to cause a fully-fledged wave." Still, the new version is notable because the omicron variant first emerged in November in South Africa and Botswana before sweeping around the world. There is one concerning trend, said Helen Rees, executive director of the Reproductive Health and HIV Institute at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg: Children are the first to be winding up in hospitals, just like during the original omicron surge. Thoko Dube, who lost two family members to COVID-19, speaks to the Associated Press during an interview at her home in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, March 3, 2022. South Africa is seeing a rapid surge of COVID-19 cases from a sub-variant of omicron, say health experts. Credit: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe Experts say BA.4 seems to be more transmissible than both the original omicron variant and an omicron relative known as BA.2. Scientists are still studying the new mutant, but it doesn't appear that BA.4 causes more severe disease than other versions of the virus, WHO said in a recent report. In South Africa, gatherings for the recent Easter, Ramadan and Passover holidays, plus massive flooding in the coastal city of Durban, may have contributed to the current surge, Abdool Karim said. BA.4 has shown up in other countries, but it's not clear whether it "it's going to become a globally dominant variant," he said. So far, it hasn't made inroads in the U.S., where BA.2 remains the dominant strain and its descendant, called BA.2.12.1, is gaining ground. That descendant is believed to spread faster than previous versions of the virus and caused about 29% of U.S. COVID cases in the latest week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Can BA.4 out-compete BA.2.12.1? Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, a Johns Hopkins University infectious disease expert, said the two variants are spreading in different populations, and he doesn't know of any data "that would support a robust direct comparison." Since the start of the pandemic, South Africa has had the lion's share of COVID-19 in Africa. Although the country's 60 million people account for less than 5% of Africa's population of 1.3 billion, South Africa has had more than a quarter of the continent's 11.4 million reported cases and nearly half of Africa's 252,000 deaths. Experts say that may be because it has a more developed public health system and keeps better records of hospitalizations and deaths than other African countries. More than 44% of adult South Africans are vaccinated against COVID-19, according to government statistics. Benido Impouma, a WHO official in Africa, said the latest surge "shows that people must remain vigilant and continue to adhere to public safety measures such as wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing." 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Taiwan recorded more than 10,000 new infections for the first time on Thursday following the government's decision to move away from its zero-COVID strategy and begin living with the coronavirus. The shift leaves Chinaand its financial hub Hong Kongas the only major economy still sticking to the zero-tolerance strategy even as Omicron breaks through those defences and forces painful lockdowns. "We have 11,353 local infection cases, two deaths and 164 imported cases," health minister Chen Shih-chung said at an afternoon press briefing. Taiwan has largely closed its borders and implemented strict quarantine rules throughout the pandemic, keeping infection numbers low. An outbreak last year prompted the temporary reimposition of economically painful social distancing measures until it was brought under control. Infections are once again rising but the island's leaders have signalled they will follow other former zero-COVID economies like Singapore, Australia and New Zealand by opening up and accepting that cases will spike. According to Taiwan's health ministry, 99.7 percent of 51,504 infections recorded since January 1 this year have been mild or asymptomaticwith seven COVID-19 deaths reported over that period. "We are at a phase where (infection) cases are certain to increase rapidly, which is unavoidable," Health Minister Chen Shih-chung told reporters. Chen warned that the island's daily infection cases could more than double to 37,000 in a week. Around 80 percent of Taiwan's population are double vaccinated, while 58 percent have taken a third booster. However, the vaccine take-up among the elderly, the most at-risk demographic, remains a vulnerability for Taiwan with only 59 percent of over 75s having had the full three jabs. Across capital city Taipei this week, residents could be seen lining up outside pharmacies to buy test kits, which are now being rationed by the government. The government has begun a new plan to shorten home isolation for close contacts of COVID-19 cases to 3 days, down from 10, if a rapid antigen test proves to be negative at the end of the isolation period. It is also considering relaxing the 10-day quarantine rules for foreign arrivals. Since the pandemic began Taiwan has reported 88,000 cases and 860 deaths. 2022 AFP Taoiseach Micheal Martin congratulates Cork and Dublin on selection by European Commission for Climate-Neutral Smart Cities Mission I am pleased to confirm two of our Irish Cities, Cork and Dublin, have been selected by the European Commission as representatives in their highly-competitive Climate-Neutral Smart Cities Mission. Achieving climate neutrality through accelerated and rapid greenhouse gas emissions reduction is a fundamental goal of the European Green Deal and a key commitment of this Government. Our urban areas play a critical role in this endeavour, with opportunities to transform our cities into healthier, safer and cleaner spaces and even more enjoyable places to live. Through this Mission, Cork and Dublin will be supported in accelerating their green and digital transformations and will become part of a network of 100 cities across Europe working to achieve this aim. The chosen cities are poised to act as experimentation and innovation hubs, implementing cutting-edge and creative solutions across energy, transport, waste, infrastructure and building categories to reduce their environmental footprints and contributions to climate change. They will act as sites of learning and inspiration for other cities and towns to follow in the decades to come. I am also aware that a number of our other cities and towns applied to take part in this transformative Mission. I commend their commitment, foresight and ambition in applying and am encouraged by how strongly Ireland was represented in the competition. This is only the beginning of the climate-neutral journey for all cities in this call, with the Commission keen to also support those who were not selected with twinning activities, open access resources, support networks and other funding opportunities. The Government is keen to ensure that Cork and Dublin are assisted in making best use of this opportunity and the support of relevant Government Departments, agencies and bodies will be forthcoming. For now, I hope you join me in congratulating Cork and Dublin in their commendable success in the Commissions Climate-Neutral Smart Cities Mission. I look forward to engaging with them as they pursue their accelerated climate and digital actions and anticipate the important lessons that they will unveil for other towns and cities across Ireland and Europe to follow. NOTES TO THE EDITOR What are EU Missions? EU Missions are a new way to bring concrete solutions to some of our greatest challenges. They have ambitious goals and will deliver tangible results by 2030. They will deliver impact by putting research and innovation into a new role, combined with new forms of governance and collaboration, as well as by engaging citizens. EU Missions are a novelty of the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme for the years 2021-2027. What this EU Mission deals with The importance of climate-neutral and smart cities Cities play a pivotal role in achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the goal of the European Green Deal. They take up only 4% of the EUs land area, but they are home to 75% of EU citizens. Furthermore, cities consume over 65% of the worlds energy and account for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. Since climate mitigation is heavily dependent on urban action, we need to support cities in accelerating their green and digital transformation. In particular, European cities can substantially contribute to the Green Deal target of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030 and, in more practical terms, to offer cleaner air, safer transport and less congestion and noise to their citizens. Aims of the Mission The Cities Mission will involve local authorities, citizens, businesses, investors as well as regional and national authorities to Deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 Ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050 As foreseen in its implementation plan, the Cities Mission takes a cross-sectoral and demand-led approach, creating synergies between existing initiatives and basing its activities on the actual needs of cities. Funding opportunities Two new calls will contribute to the implementation of the Climate-neutral and Smart Cities Mission by providing support to cities to achieve climate neutrality. Actions under these calls will cover a wide range of subjects such as urban planning and design for climate-neutral cities, sustainable urban mobility, positive and clean energy districts. The first call will be open 11 January 2022 26 April 2022, with an overall indicative budget of EUR 117 million. The second call will be open 28 April 2022 6 September 2022, with an indicative budget of EUR 42 million. GIS Press Office Government Information Service 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 annual Arts and Culture Awards presentation will return in person on June 1 after a two-year break due the pandemic. Arts Missoulas annual Arts and Culture Awards honor individuals and organizations whose work in the arts and humanities have made a significant contribution to the communitys quality of life. The reception is set for Wednesday, June 1, at the DoubleTree Hotel from 4:30-6 p.m. This year's Cultural Ambassador Award, honoring someone who has consistently supported the arts community and cultural diplomacy in numerous ways, is awarded to John Engen, Missoulas longest serving mayor, and a strong advocate for arts and cultural expansion in Missoulas community. The Individual Artist Award, presented to someone who has shown exceptional achievement in their chosen craft, is awarded to Joy French, dancer, choreographer, and founder of Bare Bait Dance Company. The Arts Educator, honoring an outstanding local educator who has devoted a career to teaching the arts, is awarded to Rob Tapper, professor of trombone and director of Jazz Studies at the University of Montana, and director of the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival and Missoulas All-City Jazz program. The Business Support for the Arts, given to a business that has provided long-term support to Missoulas artists and arts organizations, is awarded to the Logjam Foundation. The Cultural Vision Award, honoring artistic programming, will be presented to Open Air, the artist-in-residency program operated by Western Montana Creative Initiatives. In announcing the award winners, Arts Missoula Executive Director Tom Bensen said, These awards recognize lifetime achievement in the arts. The outstanding individuals and organizations honored this year are prime examples of what makes Missoula an exceptional place to work and live. Tickets are $40 each or $320 for a table of eight, available online at artsmissoula.org, or by contacting Arts Missoula at 406-541-0860 or info@artsmissoula.org beginning April 25. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SALEM, Ore. (AP) In 1994, Kyle Hedquist led a teenager down a remote logging road, then shot her in the back of the head because he feared she might tell police about burglaries he'd committed. This month, Oregon. Gov. Kate Brown granted clemency to Hedquist, who was serving a life sentence without parole after being convicted of murdering Nikki Thrasher when he was 18. Brown's act is unleashing a storm of criticism from prosecutors and law enforcement. The executive clemency granted by Gov. Brown in this case is shocking and irresponsible, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said Tuesday in a statement. Hedquist, now 45, was convicted in Douglas County Circuit Court in 1995. On Tuesday, Brown defended her clemencies, comparing them to President Joe Biden's granting of clemency Tuesday to 78 people, though those were all for nonviolent crimes. Teenagers, even those who have committed terrible crimes, have a unique capacity for growth and change, Brown said in social media posts in which she applauded Biden's action, adding: We are a state and a nation of second chances. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 2012 ruling, said only the rare, irredeemable juvenile offender should serve life in prison, but that applies in federal cases. Some two dozen states have banned sentencing juveniles to life without parole, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Sentencing Project, which advocates for humane responses to crime. The Democrat-dominated Oregon Legislature passed such a law in 2019, but the state Supreme Court has ruled it's not retroactive. The clemency of Hedquist has fueled Republican complaints that Brown, a Democrat who is not running for reelection this year because of term limits, is soft on crime. As with many others, the facts of this case are outrageous and brutal, Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said Tuesday. The Governor continues to let violent criminals out of prison, and Democrats in the majority remain silent. However, Brown said she has denied most clemency requests. Clemency is an action I reserve for individuals who have demonstrated that they have made incredible changes in their lives to rehabilitate themselves, take accountability for their crimes, and dedicate themselves to making their communities a better place, Brown said. While locked up in the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Hedquist spent over 20 years volunteering for hospice care services, said Liz Merah, Brown's spokeswoman. Hedquist wrote about caring for the dying inmates in a piece that was awarded honorable mention in memoir in PEN America's 2019 Prison Writing Contest. I couldnt have known all those years ago that death would bring my humanity back, Hedquist wrote. So I sat, I listened, their teary-eyed regurgitation of their crimes burned my ears, they left a bitter taste in my mouth as I consumed the confessions ... but somehow just being with them and listening lightened their burden before death stepped in to take them." This month, Hedquist was released to the Salem home of a former prison chaplain after a suitable place could not be found for him in Douglas County, where Hedquist was from. Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson and Sheriff Joe Kast, whose county includes Salem, issued a public safety notice Saturday in which they expressed significant safety concerns surrounding the sudden and ill-planned governors commutation. Hedquist tricked the victim into driving him to a rural Douglas County location where he shot the victim execution-style in the back of the head and dumped her body along the road, Clarkson and Kast said. Hedquist admitted killing her to eliminate a witness in hope of preventing his own capture. Brown accused several district attorneys of scoring political points by stoking public fears in these cases. Oregonians granted clemency have demonstrated they have turned their lives around and pose a low risk to the public, she said. Merah, Browns spokeswoman, said Hedquist's conditions of sentence commutation include lifetime supervision and GPS ankle monitoring for at least six months. If Mr. Hedquist violates any terms of his post-prison supervision, the governor can revoke his commutation, Merah said. Since taking office in 2015, Brown has granted 1,148 sentence commutations 963 of them to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, Merah said. Also among the total were 41 commutations for inmates who fought wildfires and 72 who committed crimes as juveniles and were sentenced to more than 15 years. Brown also granted 63 pardons. Commutations reduce prison terms, while pardons forgive defendants of crimes. The number of clemencies from governors varies widely across the nation. Democratic Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee, in office since 2013, has issued 1,266 clemency orders, including 422 because of the pandemic and 35 for marijuana convictions. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat in office since 2019, has granted 112 pardons, 109 commutations and 34 reprieves. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican who took office in 2019, has granted clemency to 17 people. The Republican governors of Mississippi, South Carolina and Idaho have issued zero clemencies during their terms. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, has granted 293 clemency actions since 2020, including 275 pardons and 18 commutations. Parson said there was a backlog of clemency requests when he took office following the 2018 resignation of fellow GOP Gov. Eric Greitens. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat in office since 2015, issued 159 pandemic-related temporary reprieves for inmates. Of that number, 62 were returned to custody and Wolf commuted the sentences of 97. His office said he has issued 1,996 pardons -- more than any other governor in more than 20 years. This story has been updated to correct Hedquist's age at the time to 18. Associated Press writers Donald Thompson in Sacramento, California; Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington; Emily Wagster in Jackson, Mississippi; Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina; Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho; Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee; David Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri; and Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the worlds largest bourbon producers, plans to revive its whiskey production in its Kentucky hometown more than a quarter century after a devastating fire destroyed a previous production facility. The family-owned and operated spirits company announced plans Wednesday to build a $135 million distillery expected to open by 2024 at Bardstown in the heart of the state's bourbon country. It's the latest sign that Bluegrass State whiskey producers both large and small are bullish on future demand for their spirits. Kentucky's bourbon sector is in the midst of an expansion phase totaling billions of dollars in projects. Bourbon production in Kentucky has skyrocketed 435% since the turn of the century, according to the Kentucky Distillers Association. Heaven Hill said its new distillery is needed to help meet growing global demand for the company's whiskeys. Heaven Hill produces Evan Williams, one of the worlds top-selling bourbons. It also marks Heaven Hill's return to distilling in Bardstown where the company lost its onsite distillery, seven storage warehouses and almost 100,000 barrels of whiskey in the 1996 fire. Afterward, Heaven Hill's distilling moved to the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, while bottling, storage of aging whiskey and other functions continued in the Bardstown area, where those operations still remain. Bardstown is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Louisville. The new distillery builds on the company's longtime roots in Bardstown, said Heaven Hill President Max Shapira. It's been nine decades since Heaven Hill first operated a distillery in Bardstown. The people of Bardstown have helped us create and build our brands over all these many years, so its a special homecoming to bring distilling back to this community, said Heaven Hill President Max Shapira. Our new distillery will honor our long-time Bardstown roots while applying state-of-the-art equipment and processes to produce the highest quality American whiskey." The distillery is expected to employ about 30 people initially, but the workforce could reach about 90 once full production is reached in coming years, the company said. The state Economic Development Finance Authority approved up to $1.5 million in economic incentives for the project. The distillery will be built on a vacant 61-acre (25-hectare) site, a couple of miles (kilometers) from where the previous production facility stood, the company said. Construction is expected to begin this spring. Initial production is pegged at 10 million proof gallons a year, or 150,000 barrels, and the distillery will have capacity to ramp up production to 30 million proof gallons, or 450,000 barrels, over time. Heaven Hill said it will continue to age bourbon at existing locations and the Bernheim distillery in Louisville will continue operating at full capacity. The Bernheim distillery produces more than 420,000 barrels of whiskey per year. Other Heaven Hill brands include Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, Larceny and Parkers Heritage Collection. Kentucky distilleries produce 95% of the worlds bourbon supply, according to the Kentucky Distillers Association. Kentucky's booming bourbon industry is in the midst of a $5.2 billion expansion, with $3.3 billion of that coming in the next three years, KDA said. The growth includes new distilleries, storage warehouses, bottling lines and visitors' centers. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Missoula County Sheriff's deputies will be accepting unused and unneeded medications on Saturday as part of a nationwide event. Take Back Day is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. A drop-off location for unneeded medications will be set up in the west parking lot of the Missoula County Courthouse, 200 West Broadway, off Woody Street. Disposal of medications is free and anonymous. Collection is coordinated by the Missoula County Sheriffs Office, which joins more than 30 agencies across Montana participating in the event. Take Back Day happens bi-annually with more than 4,000 drop-off locations nationwide. This initiative addresses vital public safety and public health issue(s), stated a press release from the sheriffs office. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs. Year-round drop off is also offered at the following locations: Partnership Health Center, 401 W. Railroad, Missoula, MT 59802 Health Service Pharmacy, 634 Eddy Ave., Missoula, MT 59812 Credena Health Pharmacy St. Patrick, 500 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802 Walmart Pharmacy 10-3259, 3555 Mullan Rd., Missoula, MT 59808 Montana CVS Pharmacy LLC, 1902 Brooks St., Missoula, MT 59801 Missoula Pharmacy Inc., 1211 S. Reserve St., Ste 102, Missoula, MT 59801 Granite Pharmacy Missoula, 2230 27th Ave., Ste 2, Missoula, MT 59804 Community Medical Center Hospital Pharmacy, 2827 Fort Missoula Rd., Missoula, MT 59804 Community Cancer Center Pharmacy, 2837 Fort Missoula Rd., Missoula, MT 59804 Walmart Pharmacy 20-2147, 4000 Hwy 93 S., Missoula, MT 59804 G&E Ventures, Inc. 16862 Beckwith St., Ste P, Frenchtown, MT 59834 Lolo Drug, 103 Glacier Dr., Lolo, MT 59847 Seeley Swan Pharmacy, 3027 Hwy 83, Lazy Pines Mall #J, Seeley Lake, MT 59868 Florence Pharmacy North, 5549 Old Highway 93, Florence, MT 59833 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Flathead officials identified the victim in a shooting at Snowslip Inn near Essex last week. Jeremy McKenzie, 36, was shot and killed on April 16 in a brief altercation with another man in the parking lot of the Snowslip, Flathead Sheriff Brian Heino said in a press release. Detectives have interviewed several subjects involved, including the shooter, who was identified, interviewed and released, Heino said. He didnt detail why the suspect is not in custody. The sheriffs office is continuing with follow-up interviews, and the case remains an open homicide investigation. It will be referred to the Flathead County Attorneys Office for review when its completed, Heino added. Authorities are asking anyone with information to email tips@flathead.mt.gov or call 406-758-5600. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 4 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LONDON (AP) Britains top diplomat called Wednesday for Western allies to send tanks, warplanes and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying fears of escalating the war were misplaced and inaction would be the greatest provocation. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said this is a time for courage, not caution among nations helping Ukraine fight Russia's invasion. Heavy weapons, tanks, airplanes digging deep into our inventories, ramping up production. We need to do all of this, Truss said during an annual foreign policy speech at Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of London. NATO nations have supplied Ukraine with military weapons and gear, including missiles and armored vehicles. But they have been reluctant to send fighter planes despite pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for fear of escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already accused NATO of effectively waging a proxy war against Russia. Western officials deny that, saying the conflict is between Russia and Ukraine due to Russias illegal invasion of its neighbor. Britain has sent 450 million pounds ($565 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including thousands of missiles. But Despite Trusss call for jets, British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman, Max Blain, said there were no plans for the U.K. to send planes. He did not rule out Britain sending planes to another country, such as Poland, that would then give its own jets to Ukraine, but said there were no specific plans to do so. Truss said Russias attack on Ukraine must be a wake-up call for international institutions that failed to prevent the invasion. The architecture that was designed to guarantee peace and prosperity has failed Ukraine, Truss said. The economic and security structures developed after the Second World War and then the Cold War have been bent out of shape so far that they have enabled rather than contained aggression. Truss called Russian President Vladimir Putin a desperate rogue operator who was ripping up the global order and outfoxing international institutions. Russia is able to block any effective action in the U.N. Security Council, where it has a veto as a permanent member, she said, adding that the Group of 20 club of wealthy and emerging nations cannot function as an effective economic body while Russia remains at the table. In response, Truss called for a new focus on military strength, economic security and deeper global alliances among free nations. After years of declining military spending in many countries, including Britain, she said NATOs goal that countries spend 2% of gross domestic product on defense should be a floor, not a ceiling. Truss also called for tougher economic sanctions on Russia, saying the West must cut off Russian oil and gas imports once and for all. That would be an easier thing to do for Britain than for many other European nations. If Putin succeeds, there will be untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe, she said. We would never feel safe again. So we must be prepared for the long haul and double down on our support for Ukraine. 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. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A new law that changes the process for placing measures on the ballot only applies to initiatives that seek to change state law, not those that aim to alter Montanas Constitution, a Helena judge ruled Wednesday. The order came from Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Chris Abbott. Its part of a complicated case that involves Constitutional Initiative 121, a measure aimed at capping property taxes. It also involves a new law passed in 2021 that requires the Attorney General to conduct a review of initiatives to determine if they pose any material harm to businesses' interests and makes a legislative interim committee take a non-binding vote on if lawmakers support putting the measure on the ballot. The plaintiffs in the case included the Montana Federation of Public Employees, Montana Farmers Union, Dennis McDonald, Ron Osterberg, Jeff Barber, Barber Realty and the Montana Cattlemens Association. They wanted to stop supporters of the initiative from gathering or accepting signatures to qualify for the ballot, saying that because the Attorney General did not issue an opinion on if CI-121 would cause harm, any signature-gathering efforts were void. They also wanted to hold Matthew Monforton, a Bozeman lawyer, former legislator and a main supporter of the initiative, in contempt for what they claimed was violating a temporary restraining order and invalidate any signatures gathered while the order was in effect. The Secretary of State and Attorney General were the defendants, as well as Monforton and Troy Downing, the state auditor who also backs the initiative. Downing was sued in his personal capacity, not in his state role. That group said the Attorney General's material harm review and interim committee review established under the new law only apply to ballot initiatives aimed at changing state law, not ones that seek to alter the state Constitution like CI-121. Abbott agreed. The plaintiffs pointed out the law refers to ballot issues, a term thats defined in parts of election code to include all forms of initiatives. And while Abbott concurred, he noted that the new law only directed the warnings of a negative review from the Attorney General or vote by a legislative interim committee to go on forms for initiatives trying to change state law. To read (the law) to include anything other than statutory initiatives would be to render the statute nonsensical, Abbott wrote. In a statement Wednesday, a spokesperson for Attorney General Austin Knudsen said his office agreed with Abbotts ruling that the new law only applies to statutory initiatives. "In passing HB 651, the Legislature tasked the attorney general with warning Montanans about statutory initiatives that could seriously harm businesses in our state or create unconstitutional regulatory takings of private property. As we have said from the beginning of this case, a plain reading of the new law makes clear that the Legislature gave the attorney general power to make these findings for statutory initiatives but not initiatives that would amend the Montana Constitution, spokesperson Emilee Cantrell said. The Court reached the same conclusion. Attorney General Knudsen is committed to the rule of law and will continue to exercise the significant, but limited, authority that the Legislature has given him in reviewing proposed statutory initiatives for harm to businesses in Montana. Monforton also welcomed the order. The liberal special interests that sued us knew theyd never win, Monforton said Wednesday. They were simply trying to disrupt our signature efforts. Montana Federation of Public Employees President Amanda Curtis criticized CI-121 in a statement issued Wednesday evening. CI-121 will hurt Montana communities, farmer and ranchers, young families, and seniors," she said. "Thats why the most politically diverse coalition in Montana history is fighting to keep failed California policies out of Montanas constitution. Supporters of CI-121 started gathering signatures as soon as they were cleared to do so by the Secretary of State on Jan. 7, but six days later Helena judge Michael McMahon issued a temporary restraining order blocking them from doing so. But then Jan. 24 the court entered an order denying a preliminary injunction, which dissolved the restraining order and cleared the way to gather signatures. The plaintiffs claimed Monforton and Downing gathered signatures while they were blocked from doing so, and kept up their campaign website with a link labeled Sign initiative today that directed people to a page where they could print out the petition and materials. They also produced evidence of at least one person gathering signatures while the restraining order was in effect, Abbott wrote. To counter, Monforton said that he put a notice on the website that the court had halted signature gathering and while he encouraged people to register and download petitions, he also said hed let people know when they were allowed to gather signatures again. Abbott found that because the law didnt apply to constitutional initiatives, there was no need to invalidate any signatures gathered in support of CI-121. Still, he said he was troubled by Monforton's decision to leave the website up while the TRO was in effect, and the court would have expected a more assiduous effort to prevent signature gathering while the TRO is in effect, Abbott wrote. Monforton said Wednesday he followed the courts direction. We complied fully with Judge McMahons order even though it was issued without giving us any notice and was patently illegal, Monforton said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Helena institution is celebrating its 100th birthday on Thursday in a very tasty fashion. The Parrot Confectionery is ringing in its first century with free handmade soda fountain drinks, kicking off a celebration that will run through the summer, its owner, Jonny Plichta, said. We are turning 100. It says a lot for something to be around this long and make through the Depression and the economys ups and downs, he said. It shows people appreciate the business. The shop, known for its handmade chocolates, sodas and chili, is a staple along the Walking Mall at 42 N. Last Chance Gulch. It opened as a candy store in downtown Helena in 1922. According to Helenahistory.org, the Parrot Confectionery began as the Helena Drug Co. Fountain and Confectionery Department in the early 1910s. The current location is the fourth address for the business, opening on Oct. 15, 1938. Plichta, who moved to Montana from Los Angeles, bought The Parrot in 2017. He is the fourth owner. The Parrot candy, which according to advertisements "Talks for itself," is still crafted using the original methods, including hand-dipping the chocolate-covered pieces. The Parrot boasts of a worldwide reputation for quality hand-dipped chocolates made from fresh, natural ingredients and utilizing up to 10 tons of chocolate each year," its website states. The Parrot produces a selection of 130 types of candy, using recipes devised by its original owners. The website states favorites include a turtle-like confection called a parrot, chocolate-covered caramels, almond butter toffee and other creams, nuts and chews. The original soda fountain still serves up cherry phosphates and caramel cashew sundaes prepared with handmade ice cream, sauces, toppings, and syrups. And loyal lunch customers line up regularly for a bowl of The Parrots secret recipe chili. Other options include Truzzolino chicken tamales, an assortment of original Campbell soups, and Sabrett hot dogs (New Yorks No. 1 hot dog), served plain or topped with chili. In a 2020 article for Lee Newspapers, Donnie Sexton wrote The Parrot, the chocolate-covered caramel with pecans, has consistently been the top-selling candy over the years. The Christmas season proves to be the busiest, with more than 2,000 boxes of chocolates mailed out. Bill and Ianthe Post were the original owners and sold it to Arnold and Nancy Duensing in 1957. The Duensing family purchased the Parrot when Dave Duensing was a toddler. Duensing and his brother, Stan, who is also known as "Dusty," started working there in the early 1970s, before becoming co-owners. Arnold Duensing had gotten sick and Bill Post came to the store and taught Dusty how to make all the candies, Pam Duensing said. Dusty Duensing said he was in the store from 1957-2010. I was basically raised here, he said. Its one of the last really old-time retail stores in Helena. Theres not much older than this that I know of. David and Stan ran the business with their wives, Wendy and Pam. Dave Duensing died in 2010. Wendy, Dave's wife, ran the front of the store. I think its a wonderful thing for them to be in business after all this (time), she said Tuesday during a visit to the shop. Thats not bad. Pam Duensing was happy about the store reaching its 100th year. I think its great, she said. I think its amazing. Were happy the store is still there, Pam said, noting many longtime businesses have closed. It is really a labor of love. She said the Parrot was all about customer service. We had amazing support, good food, the chili was excellent and the chocolate was excellent, Duensing said, adding there are not many soda fountains in Helena. Dusty said he believes the walking mall destroyed businesses on this side of town. He said there was parking and traffic flow. He said there is little foot traffic now. People have to make your business today a destination, he said. Pam said she and her husband still stop by the shop. To me it is the best candy in the world, so I always have to go in and get a few pieces, Pam Duensing said. Her favorite? Its the dark fudge dipped in chocolate. Brian and Kelly Ackerman bought the Parrot from the Duensings in 2009. They sold it to Plichta in 2017. Plichta said the Parrot continues to be a staple in Montana and he is glad to be a part of that. "I'm happy to be turning 100," he said. "It's a huge day for us." For more on the Parrot, go to: https://www.parrotchocolate.com/ Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico brought recreational marijuana sales to the doorstep of Texas, the largest prohibition state, as the movement toward broad legalization sweeps up even more of the American West. Anyone 21 and older can purchase up to 2 ounces (57 grams) of marijuana enough to roll about 60 joints or cigarettes or comparable amounts of liquid concentrates and edible treats. First-day sales reached about $2 million by early Friday evening. New Mexico has nurtured a medical marijuana program since 2007 under tight restrictions. Fridays launch still represents a sea change for local law enforcement, taxation officials, commercial growers and residents who thought full-blown legal access to pot would never come. At a Santa Fe dispensary, customers said they were thrilled to buy openly and cut black market ties. When they legalized it here, I didnt need my guy anymore, said Devin Killoy, a painter and handyman in clothes speckled with white. Antonio Rodriguez, a 38-year-old grocery worker, said he was content to pay taxes on recreational cannabis: I want everyone to be legit, even if its more expensive. Would-be marijuana farmers are bidding for water rights and learning to raise the crops, as experienced medical cannabis producers ramp up production and add retail showrooms. New Mexico is among 18 states, including neighboring Arizona and Colorado as well as the entire West coast, that have legalized pot for recreational use, with implications for cannabis tourism and conservative Texas, where legalization efforts have made little headway. A marijuana decriminalization bill won U.S. House approval Friday, but is unlikely to pass the Senate. Republicans said potent pot is impairing users, and characterized marijuana as a gateway to opioids and other dangerous substances. In Clovis, a high plains New Mexico town of about 40,000 residents less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Texas, Earl Henson and two business partners pooled resources to convert a former gun shop and shooting range into a cannabis store and companion growing room at a Main Street address. I cant explain how happy I am, said Henson, a former real estate agent who says his affection for marijuana was a burden. He is harvesting the first crop for a store called Earl and Toms. These cities that are near Texas, for the next two years it is going to change their economies. In the state capital of Santa Fe, marijuana is on sale across from the citys newly built visitors center on a block lined with galleries, clothing boutiques and restaurants. LeRoy Roybal, manager of a downtown Santa Fe store for producer and dispensary chain Minerva Canna, hopes pot stigma quickly fades. Were liberating a lot of hearts and souls, he said. Its going to be like getting a cup of joe at Starbucks. Supportive lawmakers hope legalization will eliminate black markets, boost employment and provide stable new sources of government income. Consumers initially will rely heavily on 35 legacy marijuana businesses that took root over the past 15 years. Regulators have issued more than 230 new marijuana business licenses to growers, retailers and manufacturing facilities for extracts and edibles. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who toured a busy store Friday, says legalization responds to popular demands and is generating small business opportunities. This is what consumers want, said Lujan Grisham, up for reelection in November. We have the potential for 11,000 more workers, jobs in places where young people can work and stay, like Torrance County and Texico and Tucumcari and Raton. Local governments cant ban cannabis businesses entirely, though they can restrict locations and hours. Public consumption carries a $50 fine. Business licenses for cannabis cafes or lounges havent been requested yet leaving people to indulge at home or designated hotels, casinos and cigar shops. In Sunland Park, flanked by the Rio Grande and U.S.-Mexico border fencing, Mayor Javier Perea says marijuana retailers can set up across the small city of just 17,000 residents. He said about 30 businesses have sought authorization, banking on tourism from nearby El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico. Perea hopes the industry creates economic opportunity and tax income to bolster city services. Local governments will receive a minority share of the states 12% excise tax on recreational marijuana sales, along with a share of additional sales taxes. Medical cannabis is tax-free. The one thing that we are going to struggle with is, we are going to run out of buildings for new businesses, he said. Legal experts warn that New Mexico customers who return home to other states could risk criminal penalties, arrest and incarceration most notably in Texas. Paul Armento, deputy director of the drug policy group NORML, said Texas is among the leading states for marijuana-possession arrests, and that having concentrates there is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Marijuana possession, use or sale also remains federally illegal a standard that applies across vast tracts of federal land and Indian Country in New Mexico. New Mexicos cannabis industry, still reliant on cash to avoid running afoul of federal law, is gaining access to banking services through an alternative certification system for credit unions and banks supported by state attorneys general. The state also plans to underwrite $5 million in low-interest loans to small cannabis businesses that cant access traditional credit. Lawmakers have sought to reverse harm from marijuana criminalization on minority communities and poor households by automatically dismissing or erasing past cannabis convictions, encouraging social and economic diversity in employment and reducing financial barriers for startup businesses. The states micro-business license to cultivate up to 200 plants for a flat $1,000 fee is attracting first-time commercial growers, such as recently retired U.S. Marine Kyle Masterson and wife Ivy, a Hispanic Army veteran with business consulting experience. They are raising three children and making a mid-life career shift into cannabis. The Mastersons, residents of suburban Rio Rancho, searched more remote areas for an affordable building to cultivate high-grade marijuana under lights, settling on a vacant former movie theater in tiny Cuba, a village near the Jemez Mountains. It felt right, it felt good and out of a vision of what we could do, said Kyle Masterson, who served in four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Were used to working out of austere environments without much direction and doing our best. Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow him on Twitter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Name: Beth Heile Party Affiliation: Republican Seeking Office: Burke County Board of Commissioners Age: 54 Profession: Vice-President, NoteWorthy Software, Inc. Education: East Burke High School, 1986; NC State University, 1991 Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering Family: Married to Eric for 27 years, son Zakk Community Involvement: Currently serving as First United Methodist Church member, NC Parks and Recreation Authority member, Friends of the Valdese Rec Founder and President, Burke County Planning Board member, Burke Womens Fund Steering Committee, Draughn High School Band Booster President, Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail President, Rotary Club of Valdese Membership Chair, Duke Habitat Enhancement Program Lakes Advisory Committee, NC Great Trails State Coalition Executive Committee, Valdese Recreation Commission member, DHS Leadership Team, Burke River Trail Association President 1. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No 2. Do you currently owe back property taxes? No 3. How do you believe commissioners should address facility inadequacies for the health department and social services?I attended a county commissioner budget planning retreat where Danny Scalise, director of the Burke County Health Department, discussed the condition of the building on Parker Road. The description did not sound like a pleasant environment for employees or clients. I toured the building for myself and found it to be a drab, windowless maze. The 1979 facility is depressing and in poor condition, though very clean. How can nurses and case workers provide outstanding service while surrounded by bleak conditions? How can those seeking services feel respected when entering a dingy reception area and then being led to cramped offices for assistance? How can the departments recruit top-notch employees? Joshua Bennett, VP of Mosley Architects presented a comprehensive analysis of all Burke County facilities to the commissionersbuilding conditions, the building capacities, where departments could be moved, combined, or left alone in the coming years. With only 9 acres of the 27-acre parcel being used, the possibility exists for a new building on-site for both departments. However, looking deeper into the facility study to see the big picture will help determine if relocation, rebuilding or remodeling is the right solution for the health department and social services. 4. What are your feelings on commissioners creating a long-term regional drug rehabilitation facility?Substance misuse is a huge concern in our area. Almost everyone I have spoken with has a friend or loved one who has had a struggle with or is currently struggling with addiction that may have started from an accident, surgery, self-medicating or just experimenting. Data from the NCDHHS shows from February 2021 to January 2022, Burke County was in the top ten counties across the state with a high opioid overdose emergency department visit rate with 172.4 visits. This is just one way drug misuse creates a strain on our facilities, families, and front-line workers. From information discussed at commissioner meetings and articles in the paper, the regional facility seems like a productive addition to our countys services. The state budget included $3.25M to renovate the old jail for the rehabilitation facility. In addition, the county will receive $13M over 18 years as part of a national lawsuit against opioid distributors to use to address the opioid crisis. This financial backing is key in developing a progressive center where clients can stay as long as needed for treatment while receiving job training. Both will contribute to participants success upon leaving and hopefully will stop the cycle of financial strain and hardship on our system and on loved ones. 5. There has been controversy over the placement of the Confederate statue on the Old Burke County Courthouse square and a call to create a committee to discuss/address its location. What decisions would you like to see the board of commissioners make on the statue/committee?The monument for Burke Countys Confederate Army troops was erected in 1911 using funds contributed by Burke County, Burke County Sons of Confederate Veterans, and former Burke County soldier Captain W. J. Kincaid of Griffin, GA. The four engraved marble slabs containing the names of the soldiers from Burke County who died in the Civil War represent an era of Burke Countys history. Most everyone knows that state law prohibits the removal of an object of remembrance and, thus, Confederate statues can only be taken down under certain circumstances. However, state law does not prevent community dialogue. I agree with citizens that it is time to move forward on this issue instead of continually presenting conflicting perspectives as I have witnessed at many county commissioner meetings. While several high-profile, illegal statue removals have taken place in North Carolina since 2020, I believe that Burke County is a tight-knit community, and I would be in favor of facilitating dialogue with experts on Confederate monumentation to see what options would benefit all citizens of Burke County. 6. What priorities do you think the board should set to live up to its All About Advancing slogan?My goal is for people to Live, Work, Play and Stay in Burke County. However, for me, the STAY is not about tourism. For me, the STAY is for families staying and thriving in Burke County generation after generation. It is important while families Stay that they be an integral part of the community, earning well more than a living wage, participating, taking advantage of the opportunities available, giving back, being as proud to be a Burke County citizen as I am. When we invest in something, we want it to be successful. We will do our part to make it better, whether it be picking up a piece of trash, rehabbing an old warehouse or running for office. To get to the Stay, priorities should be more affordable and market rate housing (the Live), more high-end jobs and workforce development (the Work) and taking advantage of our natural resources for incredible quality of life (the Play). Putting residents first by addressing their needs and wants, we will have the Stay and be a Better Burke. Dont worry, I havent forgotten about schools! I include that under Work, because when you are in school (as a kid or as an adult that is a job). Supporting BCPS, WPCC and companies implementing apprentice and training programs is critical for a prosperous community. With all the above goals, the top priority is for the board to continue to be good stewards of taxpayer money to keep the county financially stable. 7. What makes you qualified to become a commissioner?Trained as an electrical engineer, I will take a logical, fair approach to strategic decisions to keep Burke County Advancing. Over my years of volunteer service, I have proven I can be trusted to get things done. The best example of my vision and commitment to a project is Valdese Lakeside Park. Seven years ago, I founded Friends of the Valdese Rec, Inc, an all-volunteer non-profit to help the Town of Valdese acquire 300 acres on Lake Rhodhiss for a park. I faced many obstacles along the way but never gave up. I dug trail, sought funding, followed up on opportunities, presented at the Governors Mansion, and worked tirelessly to succeed because I knew what this park would do for Valdese and the county. The $2.3M funding for the land acquisition and phase one construction came from grants and community donations. I have managed over 2300 volunteer hours since the land was acquired in 2018. I have leveraged partnerships (government and business) for big results. The park is now open with 175 daily visitors and there is more to come. I will bring this same zeal and dedication while serving as your county commissioner. I am passionate about Burke County and the people who live here. I believe we all deserve the best quality of life possible and want to continue to make a difference in my community by serving as a Burke County commissioner. For more about me, visit BetterBurke.com. I will be highly effective. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi named among top ten destinations in Southeast Asia to visit in 2022: Travelport Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have been named among the top ten destinations in Southeast Asia for international travellers to visit in 2022, according to Travelport, a global technology company that powers bookings for travel suppliers worldwide. Ho Chi Minh City listed among top ten destinations in Southeast Asia to visit in 2022 According to Travelport, as borders begin to reopen across Southeast Asia, increased flight bookings show how excited travellers are to return to the region. All countries in Southeast Asia, with the exception of Brunei, have started to remove travel restrictions and are reopening their borders to international tourists in the hopes of rejuvenating their tourism industries which have been so badly hit hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelports booking data shows that international flight bookings to Southeast Asia overall have increased and have showed an upward trajectory in the first quarter of 2022 with the Philippines taking the lead with 42 percent of its international bookings in the first quarter of 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first three months of 2022, the Philippines and Thailand accounted for over half (51%) of all international flight bookings to the region. The top five nationalities traveling to Southeast Asia are the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of Korea. TEHRAN, April 27 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with the visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe in Tehran on Wednesday. Ebrahim Raisi said that Iran and China share weal and woe and hold similar stances and support each other in international affairs. Iran opposes unilateralism, hegemonism and external interference and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests. Iran thanks for China's support and assistance over the years in its difficult period and hopes that the two sides will further expand cooperation areas and strengthen all-round cooperation including in the military field. General Wei Fenghe said that both China and Iran are ancient civilizations and their traditional friendship is getting stronger with the passing of time. Since last year, President Xi Jinping and President Ebrahim Raisi have exchanged phone calls and letters, jointly led the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership to make new progress. General Wei pointed out that this visit is an important one against the backdrop of the current turbulent international situation. It demonstrates the importance of China-Iran relations and embodies the mutual firm support and common progress. China firmly supports Iran in safeguarding state sovereignty and national dignity, and stands ready to work with Iran to cope with various risks and challenges, safeguard the common interests of both sides and jointly safeguard regional and world peace and stability. General Wei said that the military-to-military cooperation between China and Iran has been expanding in recent years, and the Chinese military is willing to maintain strategic communication, make good use of cooperation mechanism and promote practical cooperation with the Iranian side, so as to push the development of military-to-military relations to a higher level. On the same day, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri also met with General Wei Fenghe, and Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani held a welcome ceremony for Wei Fenghe and held a formal talk with him. During the talks and meetings, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional security situation, the Iranian nuclear issue and the situation in Ukraine, and also reached a number of consensus on strengthening strategic communication at the top level of the two militaries and deepening practical cooperation in such areas as exchanges between services and arms, joint exercises and training and personnel training. After slightly increasing in February, Burke County saw its unemployment rate dip back down in March. The countys rate fell to 3.2% for March, down from 3.3% in February, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Thats lower than the state and national rate, according to commerce figures. With a labor force of 40,257, a 3.2% unemployment rate means 1,286 people are looking for work. A year ago, the county unemployment rate was 5%, according to the commerce department. And like Burke County, the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metropolitan statistical area saw its unemployment fall again, dipping to 3.3% in March, down from 3.4% in February. With a labor force of 172,388 workers, that leaves 5,684 people looking for work, according to commerce department figures. The government sector saw the biggest employment gains between February and March in the local metro area, adding 200 jobs, followed by the manufacturing sector, the education and health services sector, the information sector and the mining, logging and construction sector each adding 100 jobs over the period. There are many manufacturing companies in Burke County looking for workers. Valdese Weavers has 23 openings, including for a human resources manager, quilting technician, materials clerk, inventory and warehouse staff. Continental also has 23 openings, including for an internal auditor, material handler, quality inspectors, engineer, maintenance and mechanical assembler. And Leviton has 19 openings, including for a production manager, maintenance technician, operators, learning and development specialists, a planner and warehouse workers. Multiple other jobs are available in Burke in retail, food, government and health care. To search for a job, visit www.ncworks.gov. The only sector to experience employment losses was trade, transportation and utilities, which lost 300 jobs during the month. The state unemployment rate for March was 3.5% and the national rate was at 3.6%. The state unemployment update for April is scheduled to be released Friday, May 20. Butte-Silver Bow commissioners have rejected a plan that included demolition of two buildings on East Park Street that have served as the Butte Rescue Missions thrift store for years. The councils decision Wednesday night means at least a temporary reprieve for the now-vacant buildings, but it leaves the Mission with ownership and liability for structures a county official formally tagged as dangerous on Thursday. Under a proposed pact, the county said it would pay the Mission about $38,500 for the parcels at 123-125 E. Park St. and then demolish the buildings and an adjacent, caved-in building at 135 E. Park St. it has been aiming to tear down since 2019. But several commissioners have opposed the demolition part of the pact, and because county officials told them they couldnt unilaterally change any of its terms, they voted 8-4 to reject the entire agreement. Now, unless a new deal with the county is worked out, the Mission will have 60 days to present and commence its own plan for demolishing the buildings or making repairs an engineering firm says will cost far more than $200,000. The county could still pay the Mission for the parcels as originally proposed, but then the county would own the buildings and have 60 days to start demolition or major repairs and a majority of commissioners have clearly signaled their opposition to demolition. The county acquired the caved-in building at 135 Park St. in 2019 because it was dangerous and the owner couldnt afford abatement. But officials later determined that in order to demolish it while sparing the thrift buildings, a shared wall must be shored up at a cost roughly estimated at $150,000. The Mission could sell its buildings to someone else, but the dangerous-building designation would come with the sale and the new owner would be on the hook. Plus the 60-day clock for presenting and starting an abatement plan would have started, regardless of who owns it. County officials have been sparring with commissioners for several weeks on how to proceed but with Wednesdays vote against a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, with the Mission, theres no clear-cut plan on resolving the matter. We talked to the Mission and they are not sure what they want to do, J.P. Gallagher, Butte-Silver Bows chief executive, told The Montana Standard after Wednesday nights meeting. But by denying the MOU, the Mission is responsible (for the buildings). It is a twisted mess, he said. Brayton Erickson, executive director of the Mission, said Thursday he hopes a new deal can be worked out that relieves the Mission of ownership of the buildings, liability and costs associated with demolition or repairs. In other words, remove the Mission from the mix. The Mission provides shelter and meals for the homeless and hungry in Butte and surrounding counties, Erickson noted, and, We just dont have the capability to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into this building. That was the reason county officials proposed the MOU in the first place, and at least two commissioners who have opposed demolition have suggested the county pay the Mission for the buildings, remove them from the equation, and then figure out what to do. Voting to reject the current MOU on Wednesday night were Commissioners Shawn Fredrickson, Michele Shea, Bill Andersen, Josh ONeill, John Riordan, Eric Mankins, Cindi Shaw and Dan Callahan. Voting for the MOU were Hattie Thatcher, Jim Fisher, Justin Fortune and John Sorich. More than a dozen residents, many preservationists by profession or at heart, have urged commissioners to reject any plans that include demolition. Among other things, they say Uptown Butte has lost too many historic buildings and people have purchased and fixed up far-worse structures. Some commissioners agree with that and some have questioned engineering reports on the thrift buildings and suggested county officials made decisions too fast or in secret. I still believe that we have to have a better policy when dealing with these buildings, Riordan said Wednesday night. County officials had already invoked a public safety exclusion on the thrift buildings. It means they believe a building is unsafe and will not be subject to considerations and decisions by the countys Historic Preservation Commission that can delay actions for weeks or months. Formally declaring the building as dangerous on Thursday was done through a separate enforcement ordinance and triggers the 60-day requirement for an abatement plan and action. Planning Director Dylan Pipinich told commissioners that would be necessary if they rejected the MOU. Regardless of the owner whether its Butte-Silver Bow, whether its the Rescue Mission, whether its a third party the building is dangerous and the danger status needs to be abated, he said. If we dont have a path forward as an agreement, then we have to follow the ordinances. County officials say its not cost effective to spend $150,000 in taxpayer money shoring up a shared wall so one caved-in building can be torn down while sparing two adjacent dangerous buildings that will cost more than $200,000 to make safe. But some commissioners, citing other demolitions, say taxpayer costs for tearing down the buildings alone could far exceed $200,000. Gallagher told commissioners Wednesday night that nobody in his administration wants to see historic buildings torn down, but the council has enacted ordinances on dangerous buildings that he must follow. The outcome might not be what some want, he said, But as the chief executive, I trust the leaders in my departments to enforce the ordinances that are on the books. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 9 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Starting Sunday, NorthWestern Energy will collect $3.8 million from natural gas customers for energy assistance and conservation under terms unanimously approved by the Montana Public Service Commission this week. Commissioners on April 26 approved the rate in what gas customers are charged for universal systems benefits, like aid for low-income energy assistance, weatherization and energy efficiency projects. Commissioners noted that the increased charge is an interim rate, which NorthWestern is allowed to collect while the commission considers whether to make the increase permanent. Details of the order were released April 29. The increase in what customers are charged for USB programs was necessary, PSC staff explained, because the amount determined by the companys natural gas revenues from the previous year. Last year, NorthWesterns customers paid more for natural gas, which means the USB charge had to also increase because by law the charge is 1.12% of NorthWesterns annual natural gas revenue. The utility's natural gas revenues in Montana totaled $222.3 million in 2021. Commissioner Jim Brown suggested the commission approve the increase, but Tony ODonnell was skeptical. He said in the each of the last two years, NorthWestern took in more in USB charges than it spent. So, my understanding of an over collection is that money was collected, and they didn't spend $200,000 of it, ODonnell said. So, if they didn't spend $200,000 and $175,000 the year before, I didn't see any justification for why this amount. Spread over NorthWesterns 201,500 metered gas customers, the $3.8 million adjustment would cost an average residential customer, burning 100 therms a month, about 15 cents per month. Charges for the previous year totaled $3.4 million. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Alex Pologruto | Apr 28, 2022 Murray State University has named Amy Krazl of St. Louis, Missouri and Nicholas Gaubatz of Fairview Heights, Illinois as the recipients of the spring 2022 Outstanding Senior recognition. MURRAY, Ky. Murray State University has named Amy Krazl of St. Louis, Missouri and Nicholas Gaubatz of Fairview Heights, Illinois as the recipients of the spring 2022 Outstanding Senior recognition. The students recognized with this honor are known for their academic excellence and professionalism. Krazl is the daughter of Carla and Steve Krazl. She is majoring in nursing and expected to graduate in May 2022. After graduation, she will be moving to Nashville, Tennessee to begin her career as a nurse in the ICU at Centennial Hospital. She also plans to pursue her doctorate degree in the coming years. Additionally, Krazl will be getting married next month after graduating from Murray State. Her accomplishments during her undergraduate career include being awarded the Presidential Fellowship; being selected as a nurse extern at the Mayo Clinic in summer 2021; receiving the Elizabeth Bird Small Award, the highest award one can receive as an individual member nationally in her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, in September 2021; being a member of the 2020 Murray State University Homecoming Court; being selected as a Top 15 individual in the 2021 Miss Murray State University Scholarship Pageant; and finally, perhaps her biggest accomplishment, was being named as one of the top 10 Student Leaders of 2022 at Murray State University by Dr. Don Robertson, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. Krazl is a member of the national sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha, Campus Ministry, Student Government, Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society, Order of Omega, greek honor society and the Honors College. She is also a student ambassador and is actively involved on campus. She has served as vice president of public relations & recruitment and vice president of alumnae & heritage in Alpha Sigma Alpha, served as vice president of administration for two terms in the Student Government Association, served on the executive team for Student Ambassadors and was selected to present undergraduate research at a Sigma Theta Tau conference. Murray State is a place where lives are changed for the better, of which mine is no exception, said Krazl. This University has molded me in ways that four years ago would have been unimaginable. I have been afforded knowledge, experiences, friends and mentors that will never be replaced. At the end of the day, Murray State isnt about the red brick buildings, the T-room food, or the pretty campus magnolia trees. Its about the dedicated, supportive, kindhearted individuals that are the life and breath of this University, allowing students like me to call this place home. Thank you Murray State, the finest place I know. Shoes up forever! Gaubatz is the son of Amy Gaubatz. Expected to graduate in May 2022, he is majoring in mathematics, minoring in computer science, a member of the Honors College and a Presidential Fellow. Gaubatz will be attending Auburn University next fall as a Presidential Graduate Research Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics. His ultimate goal is to become a mathematics professor. During his time at Murray State, Gaubatzs biggest accomplishments include publishing a mathematics paper titled Friends in Z_n in the International Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science, and participating in two Research Experiences for Undergraduates at Louisiana State University and Auburn University over the period of two summers. He has served as president of the Euclidean Mathematics Club and vice president of both the Honors Student Council and the Association for Women in Mathematics. Additionally, he has served as a Residential Advisor in JH Richmond Residential College for the 2021-2022 school year. Gaubatz has been recognized on the Deans List and has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his entire college career. Apart from his studies, he is a professional pianist and organist. Murray State has felt like home since my first campus visit as a high school senior, said Gaubatz. This community has truly cared about both me as an individual and as a young adult. This has inspired me to reach my full potential as an undergraduate and also give back to the same community by sharing the knowledge and experiences I have attained. I have only achieved so much because of the guidance and support of professors, staff, students and friends that I have met here. I am incredibly honored to be chosen as the Outstanding Senior Man of spring 2022. Murray State is truly the finest place I know. The spring 2022 Outstanding Seniors were recognized at the Senior Breakfast on Wednesday, April 27 at the CFSB Center. The spring 2022 commencement ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 14 at the CFSB Center. Please visit murraystate.edu/commencement for additional information. 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. Amazon.com Inc. will let warehouse workers keep mobile phones with them on the job, abandoning plans to resume a ban temporarily lifted during the pandemic. We recognize the desire for employees to keep their mobile phones inside facilities and the last two years have demonstrated that we can safely do so, Amazon said in an email to employees reviewed by Bloomberg. Therefore, we are making the temporary phone policy permanent, worldwide, in all of our operations facilities. The Seattle-based company considered resuming the ban late last year, angering workers who said they needed phones to keep in touch with family members during the pandemic. A December tornado that killed six Amazon workers at an Illinois warehouse further reinforced employees desire to have their devices so they could access real-time information during emergencies. For years, Amazon prohibited employees from having their phones on warehouse floors and required them to leave them in their vehicles or in lockers near breakrooms. After temporarily relaxing the ban during the pandemic, the company announced last year that it planned to reimpose the prohibition. When workers complained, Amazon said it would allow phones until further notice. Its not uncommon for employers to discourage the use of personal devices during work hours. Mobile phones can pose a safety risk, especially in industrial operations, if workers are distracted. And some businesses fret that rogue employees could use camera-equipped smartphones to leak sensitive technology and information. But many workers in the digital age consider their devices a lifeline, especially in sudden emergencies. Amazons shift on banning phones comes as the company faces unprecedented labor unrest. Employees in one of Amazons Staten Island warehouses voted in favor of joining the upstart Amazon Labor Union earlier this month. A second vote is under way to decide whether 1,500 workers in a neighboring Staten Island facility want to be represented by the same union. Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, twice voted against joining the Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union, and the labor group is appealing the outcome of the most recent election. Now read: Ticketmaster launches in South Africa The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has launched a legal challenge to overturn the National Energy Regulator of South Africas (Nersas) decision to award power generation licences to Karpowership. The action comes after Nersa announced it had approved three generating licences for the Turkish power ship company in September 2021. Soon after, Outa said it found the decision inexplicable, stating there was a lack of transparency over why it granted the licences, despite allegations of corruption and a lack of environmental approvals. In a statement regarding its legal challenge, Outa claims that Nersa failed to act in the interests of South Africa when it granted the licences. It also alleges the regulator failed to provide adequate reasons for its decision and failed to consider that the Karpowership contracts would not resolve load-shedding. The decisions to award the licences to Karpowership for generation at Coega, Saldanha Bay and Richards Bay, respectively, were irrational, unreasonable, and taken without regard to relevant considerations or with regard to irrelevant circumstances, said Outa executive director advocate Stefanie Fick. It is submitted that Nersa has displayed a cavalier attitude towards statutory compliance and public concerns throughout its decision-making process to award generation licences to Karpowership. By doing so, it has failed to properly exercise its mandate in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act and fulfil its oversight functions of regulator without the necessary independent checks and balances to ensure that the interests of electricity suppliers are balanced with the interests of customers, the public and the South African economy, said Fick. Outa outlined 12 points that form the basis of its application, including a lack of public participation in the approval process, Karpowerships failure to meet specific regulatory and legal requirements, and a lack of transparency from Nersa over the financial implications of a potential contract. In a tweet thread explaining more about its legal action, Outa pointed out that power ships were not typically intended to be a long-term power supply solution but only for emergencies like in a war or after a natural disaster. If Karpowerships emergency contract kicks in, South Africa will be tied into a 20-year contract, costing us more than R218 billion over two decades. Then, they up and leave, Outa said. When Karpowership leaves South Africa after 20 years, they leave behind no infrastructure. Nersas independent consultant also said the ships would not provide significant job opportunities like local power plants, as the companys own staff and experts would run it. Contrary to Nersas assertion in its reasons for the decision to grant the Karpowership IPPs generation licences, renewable energy solutions provide more employment opportunities on a per kWh basis than will be provided by the Karpowership projects, they stated. There are faster and substantially cheaper generation project options available to eliminate load-shedding in the short-term, so the Karpowership projects are not needed. Outa added the power ships were not a simple plug and play option for South Africa, with lengthy licencing issues that need to be considered. It will take the ships at least a year to supply electricity to the South African grid, so the spin that this is something that can help us now is misleading, Outa stated. Electricity price surge Outa also warned that South Africas electricity price would surge if the contract went ahead. The Karpowership bid price in April 2020 was about R1.50 per kWh, and Nersa said this would be up to R2.80 per kWh from April 2022, but the independent consultant estimates the current price is close to R5 per kWh, roughly two to three times the cost of alternative generation methods, the organisation said. Outa said these prices could lead to windfall profits for Karpowership. The organisation said the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), under which Karpowership has been granted preferential bidder status, had been rendered moot by other projects. Outa believes that the normal public procurement processes for new generation capacity and private procurements by electricity customers themselves are now overtaking the RMIPPPP. Now read: Eskom wants corruption protection for Karpowership deal Long Meadow Ranch's annual Kentucky Derby party will support the St. Helena Cooperative Nursery School. Celebrate the 148th Run for the Roses at Farmstead from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. This event generates financial support for the nursery school as half of the betting pool goes to students. There will be prizes for "Best Dressed," "Best Hat" and more, so be sure to dress the part. An adult ticket is $75 and includes a lunch buffet and one mint julep. A child ticket (12 and under) is $35 and includes the buffet. The school thanks Long Meadow Ranch for its continuing support. Tickets are available at longmeadowranch.com/event/kentucky-derby-2022. When images of Russias unprovoked attack on Ukraine appeared on her television screen Jessel Miller felt horrified by the barbarity being inflicted on innocent people as well as strong identification with the victims. I am from Russian and Polish descent. My family had to flee the atrocities of the past," the Napa Valley artist said during an interview at her gallery. "Some of them narrowly escaped the wounds of war. We lost many family members in Poland in World War II. Most of my family died at the hands of Hitler. Putin is like Hitler. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Miller grew up in a tight-knit Jewish community in Northern Ontario, Canada, where her family had immigrated to find safety. Questions without solutions raced through her mind as she watched the news in late February and early March. Hadnt the world decided this would never happen again? How do you stop the bloodshed and inhumane, brutal, heartless treatment of a whole country? she asked. Though Miller felt powerless to prevent death and destruction in Ukraine, she knew she had to do something to help the people of that country. Watching a country being attacked and feeling helpless has overwhelmed my soul, she said. My only recourse is to paint and donate what I can to help the good against evil cause. Realizing that all she could do was pray the senseless war ends soon and paint, Miller went downstairs to her gallery, her place of refuge for 38 years, and began to paint. Miller is donating half of the proceeds from all of her paintings to World Central Kitchens to help the Ukrainian people. She continues painting sometimes into the wee hours of the morning and other artists have joined her cause. Every talented artist I approached about this fundraiser did not hesitate about giving a portion of their earnings to World Central Kitchens, Miller said. The result is the beautiful Floral & Fauna HeART Fundraiser for Ukraine show, currently at Jessel Gallery and running through the end of May. World Central Kitchen, founded by chef Jose Andres, created a new model for disaster relief helping devastated communities recover and establish resilient food systems by partnering with local restaurants and chefs to provide food systems during various crises. World Central Kitchen has been on the ground in and near Ukraine providing fresh food and hot meals since the first day of the war. These are the artists participating in the Flora & Fauna HeART Fundraiser for Ukraine: Therese Legere, B.J. Thrailkill, Erin Dertner, Debbie Dean, Olaf Schneider, Camille Przewodek, Alona Marozova, Mark Mattioli, Michelle Moore and Jessel Miller. A reception for the Floral & Fauna HeART Fundraiser for Ukraine is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artists demonstrations by Erin Dertner, Camille Przewodek, Debbie Dean and Michelle Moore will take place Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. throughout Jessel Gallery. Therese Legere will be giving art demonstrations from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Bougetz Cellars, next to Jessel Gallery. Bougetz Cellars is hosting the artwork of Therese Legere, Miller said. Bougetz Cellars did not hesitate (when asked) and is donating half of the proceeds from the sale of wine on April 30 to the Ukraine fundraiser. Millers painting of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, titled Taking the Bull by the Horns, is being auctioned on her website (jesselmiller.com). The starting bid is $20,000.00 for the 30-inch by 20-inch acrylic portrait of Zelensky in a hand-painted frame. This auction runs through May 31 but may be extended, Miller said. The final bid and the winner will be announced after June 1. As with her other paintings, half of the proceeds from this painting will be donated to World Central Kitchens. We are now experiencing what I feel is one of the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet in Ukraine, Miller said. Zelensky speaks for all of us when he said we are defending the right to live. Ukrainians are defending the ability of a person to live in the modern world. We are so fortunate to live in a country that believes in democracy, Miller said. Our daily freedoms are taken for granted at times and watching the situation in Ukraine wakens the souls senses to protect and support this country in any way we can. The Jessel Gallery is at 1019 Atlas Peak Road in Napa. For more information, visit the website, jesselgallery.com or call 707-257-2350 Azerbaijan ignores points added by Armenia on agenda of forthcoming talks Process of including Armenian church in UNESCO World Heritage List is discussed in Irans Isfahan Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD lying once again American Armenians stage demonstration outside Armenia consulate Newspaper: Notification to be sent to Armenia Patrol Guard Service head today Quake hits Georgia-Azerbaijan border zone, also felt in Armenia Biden signs Lend-Lease Act to defend democracy in Ukraine EU considers additional funds for eastern countries for a deal to ban Russian oil Armenia PM to visit Netherlands Germany's finance minister warns that wage increases could further fuel inflation Ursula von der Leyen travels to Hungary to persuade Orban to support sanctions on Russia 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 Resistance movement marches through central streets of Yerevan US First Lady meets with Slovak President North Korea urges citizens to strictly adhere to antiviral measures in connection with COVID-19 Armenian TV host dies after falling into river 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 Karabakh President visits Stepanakert Memorial on May 9 anniversaries Armenia Investigative Committee chief on including PM Pashinyan as defendant: We have just accepted proceedings Heavy snowfall recorded in Armenia rural community, in May! Karabakh President: Shushi is in captivity again, Artsakh must always be Armenian and impregnable Armenias Pashinyan to Russias Putin: Memory of great past obliges us to strengthen our inherited friendly ties Armenia PM arrives at Victory Park accompanied by enhanced security Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan: For stateless servile creatures, cost of peace is homage paid to enemy Azerbaijanis desecrate Armenian church in occupied Togh village of Artsakh (VIDEO) Armenia PM: Blood of our martyrs who gave their lives to Motherland should not be forgotten Armenia premier, president, others are at Victory Park Armenia marks May 9 Armenia PM visits Yerevan military pantheon Zelenskyy and German Parliament Speaker discuss heavy weapons supply to Ukraine Bloomberg: Hungary continues to block EU oil sanctions against Russia Israel to abolish mandatory PCR testing at airport as of 20 May US and G7 countries introduce new package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus Syrian President visits Iran Canada PM visits city of Irpin in Ukraine Armenia's ex-president Serzh Sargsyan is on France Square Ukrainian media report on US First Lady's visit to Uzhhorod, Ukraine Marine Le Pen still hopes to defeat Macron in parliamentary elections German Parliament Speaker arrives in Kiev German media reports Russian hacker attack on German government website Resistance Movement rally in Gyumri ends: next rally will take place tomorrow in France Square Armenia Ombudsman's Office to monitor rallies also in Gyumri Media: IS militants fire seven rockets at Tajik Armed Forces Rally of Resistance Movement in Gyumri Germany registers steepest rise in diesel prices among EU countries since February Minute of silence declared in Artsakh on 9 May in memory of those killed fighting for homeland Bloomberg: G7 leaders to discuss possible new sanctions against Russia Ex-security chief John Lee named new leader of Hong Kong Xi Jinping Delivers a Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022 Resistance movement heads to Gyumri with car march Andy Warhol's portrait of Marilyn Monroe breaks all records at auction in New York Ancient Roman 2,000-year-old relic bought in US for $35 Ferrari bans Justin Bieber from buying its sports cars St. Kirakos Armenian Church in Diyarbakir reopened seven years later NATO chief warns of further escalation of Ukraine situation in coming weeks Azerbaijan intensely firing toward Armenias Sotk gold mine, 1 wounded Iran FM discusses nuclear talks in Vienna with UN Secretary General Yerevan.Today: Azerbaijani journalists are in Armenia Candidate with Turkish citizenship and served in Turkey army is nominated for US Senate Opposition Yerevan rally participant remanded in custody Armenia Investigative Committee comments on cases of blocking streets with trucks Resistance Movement holding rally in Vanadzor US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Syria Women kick off march in downtown Yerevan Man found dead under Yerevan bridge Armenia Judge Boris Bakhshiyan released from custody Armenia President meets with Security Council secretary Biden demands to stop leaks of US intel sharing with Ukraine At least 22 dead in explosion at 5-star hotel in Cuba Newspaper: Armenia PM had arrangement with ruling political teams parliament faction G7 leaders to discuss possible new sanctions on Russia Armenia Security Council chief: No talk of withdrawing Russian peacekeepers from Artsakh Resistance Movement heading towards Vanadzor by motorcade Newspaper: Armenia consumer market inflation was 2.3% in April compared to March Pentagon announces additional $150M in aid to Ukraine The EU is considering setting a price ceiling and customs duties on Russian oil imports to stop the flow of vital revenues to the Kremlin, the Financial Times (FT) reports. These measures were proposed before the EU negotiations on additional sanctions against Russia. Setting a price cap and customs duties on Russian oil imports will allow the EU to undermine Moscow's finances while preventing economic chaos caused by a full embargo. According to Eurostat, Russia supplies about a quarter of EU oil. Italy supported the idea of setting an upper limit on the price of Russian oil, but other EU countries are not so interested. Germany, the EU's largest economy and a main importer of Russian energy, will suffer the most from measures to reduce Russian energy supplies. A senior German official told FT that setting a price cap would be a difficult process and a breach of contract, while another said the idea was "not taken seriously." Germany, which buys about 25 percent of its oil from Russia, has said it will suspend imports of Russian oil by the end of the year, and has asked for patience as pressure is put on for a full embargo as soon as possible. The third group of the Resistance Movement of Armenia started its march from Aparan city of Aragatsotn Province to the capital Yerevan. The march kicked off from the tomb of Armenian military commander and politician Drastamat Kanayan, who is better known as Dro. At the beginning of the march, Artur Khachatryan, an MP from the opposition "Armenia" Faction of the National Assembly, emphasized that they are not against peace, they are the supporters of peace, but they state that as long as Armenia is not a powerful country, it cannot live in peace in its region. "(..) we will be able to ensure Armenia's security, peace in Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], on Armenia's borders, and harmony within Armenia. () forward, toward a free, independent, powerful, united Armenia!" Khachatryan added, in particular. To note, another group of the "Armenia" Bloc has headed to Yerevan from Ijevan city of Tavush Province on Monday, and another groupfrom Tigranashen (Kyarki) village of Ararat Province on Tuesday. And another group will start marching to Yerevan from the Sardarapat Memorial Thursday. The Azerbaijani authorities are holding an international conference on "Development of South Caucasus and Cooperation," in the Azerbaijani-occupied Armenian city of Shushi, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Conference participants have already arrived at the Fizuli international airport by plane, APA reported. The participants of the event landed at the airport on a plane named "Agdam." They got acquainted with the airport. Subsequently, the guests left for Shushi via "Victory Road." Hikmet Hajiyev, the assistant to the Azerbaijani president and head of the foreign policy department of the presidential administration, also will attend this international conference. The march of the fourth group of the Resistance Movement of Armenia to the capital Yerevan started Thursday in Armavir Provincefrom the Sardarapat Memorial. "Awareness marches from various places have already started in the past four days. All four places are symbolic. [These marches] started from Tavush [Province], which has been heroic (). The second place is also symbolic: Tigranashen [village], the Yeraskh hill. The authorities are talking about a mirror retreat [of troops] in Yeraskh, which will endanger the Armenian world. The third place is Bash Aparan, also symbolic. And the fourth, Sardarapat; the Sardarapat where the life-and-death fight of the Armenians took place 104 years ago. () We will be in Yerevan on May 1. Our comrades-in-arms moving in all routes will be in Yerevan for the decisive fight that will bring peace, security, and dignity to our country," Gegham Manukyan, an MP from the opposition "Armenia" Faction of the National Assembly, stated near the Sardarapat Memorial. "We will succeed, we are determined in our actions, and we will achieve results together," "Armenia" Faction lawmaker Aram Vardevanyan stated, in his turn, at the beginning of the march. At the start of the march, all participants sang the patriotic song "Sardarapat," then raised the national flag of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) at the Sardarapat Memorial. The Armenian Genocide official commemoration, which has been traditionally held for 20 years, was held in the Uruguayan parliament, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from Armenian National Committee - International. The event was attended by the President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou, Vice President Beatriz Argimon Cedeira, President Ope Pasquet of the Chamber of Representatives, numerous ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Uruguay, heads of Armenian organizations, and several other others. Vice President Beatriz Argimon Cedeira of Uruguay and President Ope Pasquet of the Chamber of Representatives of Uruguay delivered remarks on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide remembrance day. Pasquet, reflecting on the Turkish nationalist Gray Wolves sign made to Armenians by Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu a few days ago in Montevideo, strongly condemned it, stating: "We consider this gesture an insult not only to the Armenian community, but also to the people of Uruguay." In her turn, the Vice President of Uruguay reaffirmed her country's commitment to the fight for the Armenian Cause, and added that as historically accepted, Uruguay will always continue to commemorate this day to prevent future atrocitiesas the Armenian Genocide was. The embassy of Armenia Armenian in Greece organized an international symposium in Athensand dedicated to the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Representatives of the Athens City Hall, ambassadors accredited to Greece, scholars, and members of the Armenian community attended this symposium, the embassy added.. Geoffrey Robertson, a well-known British human rights barrister, academic, author and broadcaster, delivered opening remarks. The keynote speaker of the event was Ara Sarafian, the founder and director of the Gomidas Institute in London. He delivered a lecture entitled "Turkey and the Armenian Genocide: Commission, Consolidation and Denial." Also, a documentary short film was shown, which was entitled Blue Book: Evidence of Armenian Genocide, which was shot in 2015 by the UK company Ballista Media in the context of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. If Armenia can be integrated with Azerbaijan and Turkey from the economic point of view, Azerbaijan will have great additional opportunities. Iulian Cifuthe Romanian prime ministers adviser who is attending the international forum called "South Caucasus: Development and Cooperation" being held in the Azerbaijani-occupied Armenian city of Shushi, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)told this to APA. He stressed the importance of reaching an agreement on the delimitation of the borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "I hope that steps in this direction may be taken on basis of 5-clause proposal, presented by President Ilham Aliyev. The second point is the delimitation of borders, which is a technical part. It is very important. Truly, you can do both of these. But there should first be an agreement. If you can realize an agreement, which confirms independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and respect principles of countries, I think, the delimitation, which is a technical part, can occur. These are very significant steps forward. But I would recommend that you first turn to the economic side of the issue. Because you can integrate Armenia with Azerbaijan and Turkey from an economic point of view, Azerbaijan will have great additional opportunities, Cifu said. By Adrian Dyer, Associate Professor, RMIT University Shutterstock What makes us want things we like? We know things that offer potential rewards, including food, sex, addictive drugs, and even certain artworks, can inspire desire in us but why? The French Enlightenment philosopher Denis Diderot pointed out a central conundrum: Desire is a product of the will but the converse is also true: will is a product of desire. Neuroscience has solved part of the mystery, by identifying a system that drives wanting in mammals involving specific brain regions. Desire may help an animal to survive, for example by wanting to experience pleasure from nutritious food. Now, as we discuss in a paper in Science, new research by Jingnan Huang at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and colleagues has found evidence of a similar wanting system in honeybees. A common currency for driving wanting What do we mean when we talk about liking and wanting things? Well, for neuroscientists, liking means the pleasurable feeling we get when we consume some reward. Wanting, on the other hand, means being motivated to reach the reward. We know a bit about what happens in our brains and those of other mammals such as rodents when we want a reward. It involves dopamine, a kind of chemical called a neurotransmitter that enables communication between neurons in our brains. To understand how the process works for non-mammals, Huang and colleagues looked at what happens in the brains of bees when presented with the prospect of a reward. As the German scientist Karl von Frisch showed in the 1920s, honeybees use a symbolic dance language to communicate the location of rewarding flowers to hive-mates. Other bees who observe this waggle dance are enticed to leave the hive and forage to collect nectar or other nutrition. Huang and colleagues measured dopamine levels in the brains of the dancing and observing bees. They discovered that dopamine surges for performers and watchers at the beginning of the waggle dance, dropping off by the time the dance concludes. Dopamine levels were higher when watching the dance than when the bees were actually feeding. These fluctuations show it is the expectation of wanting the sweet reward of nectar that chemically motivates the honeybees to forage. Read more: Long-lost letter from Albert Einstein discusses a link between physics and biology, 7 decades before evidence emerges A wanting system in a miniature brain In spite of having fewer than a million neurons in their brains, honey bees demonstrate complex behaviours and are cable of solving problems like detecting flower scents and colours. Other research shows bees can learn symbols to represent numerical quantities, or can learn to perform maths tasks like arithmetic. Huang and colleagues also showed that providing higher dopamine concentrations to some test bees increased their motivation and improved their capacity to learn flower signals like scent. How to motivate pollinators Honeybees and other bee species native to the different regions of the world are among the most important pollinators of many commercial and wild plant species. By carrying pollen from one flower to another of the same species, bees ensure cross pollination which often results in higher number of seeds and fruit size. Therefore bees are of important economic value by pollinating valuable crops such as almonds, citrus and various species of vegetables. Queen bees can modulate dopamine pathways of young bees to capture their attention and motivate them to complete specific tasks. A better understanding of the effects of dopamine on the wanting system of honeybees may open the door to a more efficient and sustainable use of honeybees for many tasks including agricultural and neuroscience. Read more: 150 years ago, Charles Darwin wrote about how expressions evolved pre-empting modern psychology by a century The new research on honeybees also supports an idea raised by the famed English naturalist Charles Darwin 150 years ago, in his book The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. He proposed that liking and disliking things was so helpful to animals that it might form the basis for wanting mechanisms in humans and other animals. This idea, alongside the presence of a wanting system in honeybees suggests that a precursor of the mammalian wanting system may have developed very early in the evolutionary history of animals. It may also provide a biologically plausible explanation for why we want what we like. Adrian Dyer receives funding from The Australian Research Council. Jair Garcia does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Originally published in The Conversation. Finland and Sweden will be able to join NATO quickly should they decide to ask for membership in the Western military alliance, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, ABC News reported. "If they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be warmly welcomed and I expect the process to go quickly," Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels, adding he planned to speak with the Finnish president later in the day. He expressed confidence that mechanisms could be found for an interim period between the two Nordic countries' application and formal ratification in the parliaments of all 30 NATO members. "I am confident that there are ways to bridge that interim period in a way which is good enough and works for both Finland and Sweden," Stoltenberg said. Public support for NATO membership in the two Scandinavian countries has been growing since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A March poll by Finnish broadcaster YLE showed that, for the first time, more than 50 percent of Finns supported joining the Western military alliance. In neighboring Sweden, a similar poll showed that the number of supporters of joining NATO exceeded the number of opponents. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of top news as of 28.04.22: Azerbaijani pro-government news agencies have disseminated reports entitled "Easter Celebrated in Hadrut" and posted new photos from the Armenian Church of the Surb Harutyun (Holy Resurrection) in the city of Hadrut, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), war.karabakhrecords.info reported. Examination of these photographs clearly shows that its cross was removed from the church, and its Armenian inscription was erased. All this is a result of the policy planned by Azerbaijan, which is evidenced by the statements of its high-ranking officials. Before the Artsakh war in the fall of 2020, the Surb Harutyun was a functioning church, it did not suffer damages during the war, and its desecration was consistently carried out after the war. Armenia is lifting some COVID-19 requirements. The requirement to submit a negative PCR test result or a proof of coronavirus vaccination every seven days at work has been lifted in Armenia, Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan said at Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the Armenian government. She noted that the requirement to submit a rapid PCR test and a proof of coronavirus vaccination when entering Armenia by land or air also will be lifted as of Sunday. According to minister Avanesyan, the easing of these restrictions is due to the small number of COVID-19 cases that have been registered in Armenia during the last 14 days. "The cases of deaths from the coronavirus have also decreased in the last month," the health minister added, thanking the medical staff of Armenia for their work in this regard. Armenian opposition continues its resistance march from Armenian towns to Yerevan. The first two groups marched from Ijevan city of Tavush Province on Monday, and another groupfrom Tigranashen (Kyarki) village of Ararat Province on Tuesday. Today the third and fourth group started their marches from the Aparan city of Aragatsotn Province and from Armavir Provincefrom the Sardarapat Memorial. And another group will start marching to Yerevan from the Sardarapat Memorial Thursday. In the meantime, the opposition young people held an informational rally at a number of Yerevan higher educational institutions, raising a flag of Karabakh on Thursday. They also staged a protest action with colored smoke near Yerevan State Medical University chanting "Student, get up," "Karabakh," and "Nikol is a traitor". The protesters blocked Abovyan Street, after which the police began subjecting some of the activists to arrest and unblocked the road. The rest of the protesters said they were going to express their support for their companions. Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, has called for accountability after touring devastated areas near Ukraines capital, Kyiv, where Russia has been accused of committing war crimes. The visit on Thursday, Guterres first to Ukraine since Russias military operation started in late February, comes two days after he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where he stressed the need for so-called humanitarian corridors, particularly out of the besieged southeastern city of Mariupol. Western nations intervention in Ukraine will be met with a lightning-quick military response, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned. The bellicose threat from Putin came as Russia claimed on Wednesday to have carried out a missile strike in southern Ukraine that destroyed a large batch of Western-supplied weapons. Countries aiding Ukraine that get it into their heads to meddle in ongoing events from the side and create unacceptable strategic threats for Russia, they must know that our response to counterpunches will be lightning-quick, said the Russian leader. We have all the tools for this that no one else can boast of having, Putin told lawmakers in St Petersburg, implicitly referring to Moscows ballistic missiles and nuclear arsenal The procession initiated by the Republican Party of Armenia reached the Republic Square. It started from the monument to Avetik Isahakyan. Police officers tried to hinder the protesters by restricting their access to the Republic Square. Nevertheless, they managed to stop the citizens' advance towards the Government building. The protesters blocked the entrance to the square from Tigran Mets Avenue. Then, Tigran Abrahamyan, a deputy from the opposition "I Have Honor" bloc, addressed to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is seated in a nearby building. "Armenia's state administration and security systems have collapsed, the country's foreign policy has failed, and Karabakh is about to be surrendered to the enemy... Providing assistance to our own people is not a favor. Support of our compatriots living in different corners of our Motherland is the sacred duty of each of us", Abrahamyan said. According to the politician, those who see their future with Azerbaijan may move there today and build their future there. After that, the protesters sat down on Tigran Mets Avenue, thereby blocking the entrance to the Republic Square, and then continued their march. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Shortly thereafter, the couple was enrolled in a program with the City of Miami to rebuild the home. Cost overruns and delays following the Covid-19 Pandemic led to Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade and the University of Miami School of Architecture partnering together, where the two collaborated on a proposal using 3D printing technology to rebuild the house. The initiative began in September of 2021 and has continued to move through a research and design phase. The initiative aims to utilize digital fabrication, in particular, concrete 3D printing to rebuild the shell of the house and traditional construction to build the interior of the house. The team for this project consists of a range of students from the M. Arch, B. Arch, Construction Management, and Real Estate programs to think through the project on a wide range of issues. Students have met with the owners of the lot to discuss the aesthetics, culture, constructibility, and economics related to the project. At the same time, the students have been investigating the opportunities and limitations provided by using a large format 3d printer to print at full scale. The project aims to complete the design phase by April 1st and move into permitting and construction over the summer of 2022. With the designs nearing completion, a heightened focus on fundraising is needed to cover the construction costs for the project. To donate, please contact Rebuilding Together, Miami-Dade. The People: Born July 25th, 1953, Linda was raised in Coconut Grove by her single mom Bessie Thompson Haithman. A creative and compassionate outlook on life was instilled in her at an early age which shaped her into becoming a representative of her community. Linda attended and graduated from Coral Gables Senior High School in 1971. She then went on to start her career as a secretary for Pancoast Architects. Five years and several jobs later, she opened a business of secretarial/clerical services provided to the general public. She completed her working career with Macedonia Mission Baptist Church. After her mothers passing in 2006, Linda became committed to working to improve her community by being part of the Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants association (HOATA). She is a part of several associations such as the Community Advisory Committee, Coconut Grove Negro Womens Club, the Historical Cemetery Association, and the Coconut Grove Village Council. Alfred Williams was born on April 7th, 1943, and raised by a single mom, Lucille Hannah. Alfred, along with his younger brother Edie Lee Peters lived in Attapulgus, Georgia. They eventually moved south to Miami, Florida, in 1951, where he graduated from George Washington Carver Senior Highschool. After graduation, following his curiosity, he attended the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo, Ohio. Upon returning home, he attained various jobs throughout the years, such as the Griffin Roofing Company, the Maintenance Department at the University of Miami, and later retired from a Winn Dixie Store in 2005 after 31 years of service. Alfred and Linda met in 1971, and after a long courtship, they married in 1983 and had a son, Alfred Jr. Alfred, and Linda both enjoy many activities. Still, some of their favorites include sewing, cooking, and barbequing with friends and family. VIEW MORE Between working on her masters degree thesis and creating new technology for homes of the future, Olha Khymytsia keeps track of the almost-daily entries to a heartrending list: historic buildings and landmarks in her homeland of Ukraine that have been damaged or destroyed by Russian bombs and missiles. From churches in Donetsk to a library in Kharkiv to a monument in Kherson, nearly 250 structures of historical significance are on the list, compiled and placed on the internet by Ukrainian citizens who are documenting the destruction of their country. Khymytsia, a graduate assistant at the University of Miami School of Architecture, looks at the list at least once a day. She wants the world to know that along with the ever-growing humanitarian crisis caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine, her homelands architectural heritage is at risk of being erased, as its buildings, landmarks, and public squares continue to be reduced to rubble by Russian rockets. Architecture helps make us different. Its one of the most effective ways of representing a countrys culture, its history, said Khymytsia, who was born and raised in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. Until now, we may have taken that for granted. But now, I believe were all realizing just how important architecture is and that it should be preserved. Olha Khymytsia Professor of architecture Jorge L. Hernandez echoed her sentiments. Architectural heritage is about memory and history, he explained. And those two things are and have always been embodied in places. Thats why we are so drawn to different sites. Ukraine is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all of which Khymytsia has visited. And while none appears to have been damaged in the war, scores of other cultural sites have been harmed, according to the United Nations-run agency. Russian artillery, for example, damaged a menorah at the Drobytskyi Yar Holocaust memorial complex in eastern Ukraine about a month after the war started, according to Ukraines ministry of defense. And in the early stages of the conflict, invading forces reportedly burned the Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum to the ground, destroying the 25 paintings by Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko. The attacks, if deliberate, would be violations to the provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, to which Russia, ironically, is a signatory. Its the eradication of our culture, our history, Khymytsia said of the attacks. But she remains optimistic, hoping for the wars end and a Ukrainian victory. Only time will tell, she said. When armed conflict does cease, the 24-year-old Khymytsia, who as a little girl would watch an American-made home makeover show on Ukrainian television, wants to return to her homeland and use her architectural skills to help rebuild it. She believes there is an opportunity to not only replace what has been destroyed but also to improve upon it. Well have the chance to modernize the country in certain areas. To help in its rebuilding, Ukraine will have several examples to follow of countries that reinvented themselves after the ravages of war reduced their infrastructure to rubble. Theres Poland, Ukraines western neighbor, with its wonderful capital city of Warsaw, said Hernandez, an authority on architectural history who helped restore a dozen churches in Cuba. Warsaw is a fantastic example. It was reborn after essentially being reduced to rubble by Nazi Germany. It was the will of the people to recreate the urban landscape and skyline of Warsaw. And there are other case studies, many of them quite well known. As for now, Khymytsia continues to keep abreast of the latest developments in the war by watching television coverage and reading newspaper articles. Her mother and father still live in Lviv, which until recently had been largely unaffected by the war. That changed on April 18, when the city reported its first wartime deaths after Russian missiles hit a military warehouse and a commercial service station two milesfrom Khymytsias home. Among the dead: an acquaintance of one of her best friends. But out of the ashes and crumbled concrete, Khymytsia declared, Ukraine will rise again. Last Sunday, French voters elected Emmanuel Macron to a second term as president of France. He was reelected by about 59 percent of the vote, compared to 41 percent for Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally party. Although plagued with low approval ratings and low voter turnout, it was a clear victory for Macron, who has been criticized as being arrogant and favoring the rich. In his victory speech, Macron expressed a quiet determination to break with past habits, confront the anger and disagreements in the land, and to reach out to the many people who had only voted for him to keep out Le Pen, The New York Times reported. Critics have noted that even in defeat, Le Pens run can signal a resurgence of far-right ideology in France. Le Pen ran on an anti-immigration campaign favoring the values of the working class. She had also shown praise for Russian president Vladimir Putin and suggested that France should leave the European Union. Even though she lost, Le Pen improved her score from the 2017 presidential race, in which she also ran against Macron, by 8 pointsgarnering slightly more than 41 percent of the votes, political analysts noted. Joaquin Roy, professor of international studies and director of the European Center for Excellence at the University of Miami, addresses queries about the election and the incumbent. What does this election mean for France? It shows that France continues to be a leader in the European Uniona body that holds a cohesive Europe that has contributed to the peace of the continent. The absolute majority of the European Union member states governments did vote for Emmanuel Macron, since they support his presidency. By contrast, LePen campaigned for a looser link to the European Union. Although Marine Le Pen lost, she does have a strong following. What is her appeal? She is attractive to a segment of the traditional extreme right, but she is also followed by the unemployed not covered by the traditional French welfare state and by many who oppose the proposed states decision to change the age of retirement. Is this part of a trend that we are seeing in which electorates are moving to the extreme right? In part, yes, but different than in other countries such as Hungary and Poland, which have established far right agendas and coalitions. Those countries are following models of government that have few checks and balances and suppress free expression. Le Pen is supported by a growing sector of the French population that rejects immigration and yearns for traditional values. What are some of the hot button issues that are affecting the French people right now? There is a sort of rejection of the old-fashioned role of the state as a builder of the nation. Since the French Revolution, France is seen as the state, or government in which its representatives are the rulers and policy makers. Most French citizens had extreme confidence on the efficiency of the state. Now that efficiency has been eroding. The French people are basically conservative socialists. They want to conserve what the social democracy has rendered. Emmanuel Macron is perceived as being arrogant and not in touch with part of the populace. Do you feel he will amend his way of governing to increase his appeal? That perception is only prevalent in sectors that never understood the central role of the presidency, a position with a certain prestige and authority that former president Charles de Gaulle considered to be crucial. Since the foundation of the EU, the role of first-class Frenchmen has been central. Macron fits the role, as did de Gaulle, Jacques Delors, and Francois Mitterrand. Le Pen is not at that level and the EU that she proposes is destructive to its values and institutions. A large sector of the French citizenship still supports the traditional grandeur of the official French system. By grandeur, I mean that many French believe the mystique of France as a former empire, that it is prestigious among all of Europe and all the people as French citizens are descendants from this great tradition and if not superior to others, at least have a certain privilege. Macron will have to find ways to render the citizens who did not vote for him the global benefits of a system based in the reduction of unemployment, good public education, and retirement support. Speaking at a youth summit in Brussels, Stoltenberg said, "We need to be prepared for the long term," BBC reported. He added that "there is absolutely the possibility that this war will drag on and last for months and years", the report said. NATO countries -- alongside nations that are not part of the alliance -- met in Ramstein, Germany, earlier this week to discuss how they can support Ukraine's defence and security. The Nato chief said Ukraine's allies are preparing to provide it with NATO-standard weapons. Several countries have been sending military assistance and financial aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion on February 24. The Kremlin has warned the West that sending heavy weapons to Ukraine threatens security on the European continent, BBC reported. Russia's Foreign Ministry singled out the UK for criticism, saying it was encouraging Ukraine to attack Russia within the Russian territory. "Further provocation prompting Ukraine to strike against Russian facilities will be met with a harsh response from Russia," a spokesperson said. Russia would not allow Western officials visiting Ukraine to deter it from launching retaliatory strikes on nearby Ukrainian targets, the spokesperson warned, adding: "Advisers from Western countries staying in Ukraine's decision-making centres will not necessarily be a problem for Russia's response measures." --IANS san/arm ( 253 Words) 2022-04-28-20:40:09 (IANS) In a major setback to the Tamil Nadu government and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) department, the Madras High Court has set aside the take over of the Ayodhya Mandapam. The first bench of the High Court comprising of Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D. Bharath Chakravarthy on Wednesday set aside the takeover of the Ayodhya Mandapam. The takeover of the Ayodhya Mandapam was challenged in court by the Shri Ram Samaj and the court after hearing the arguments from both sides directed the state government to hand the control back to the Shri Ram Samaj. The court said that the HR&CE order was passed without following the procedures of natural justice and that no further opportunity for hearing was given to the Shri Ram Samaj. The bench said that the HR&CE department had passed the orders merely stating that the Samaj was a public temple as per Section 6 (20) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act as it fulfilled the conditions stated in the Act. The court said that the HR&CE department failed to look into the objectives of the Samaj and other activities carried out by the Samaj. The court directed the HR&CE department to conduct a fresh inquiry and proceed in the matter afresh after following the procedures of law. The court passed the orders on an appeal filed by the Shri Ram Samaj against the order of a single judge dismissing the writ petition filed in 2014 against the take over of the Ayodhya Mandapam by the HR&CE department and appointing a 'fit person' to take over the administration of the Samaj. The court also directed the Shri Ram Samaj to maintain a proper book of accounts and to carry out all transactions through the banks so that all the transactions are accounted for. The DMK government had tried to take over the Ayodhya Mandapam and it had led to a major political row in the past few months. There was a major ruckus in front of the Ayodhya Mandapam at West Mambalam in April this year when the HR&CE took over the premises amid heavy police deployment. Chief Minister Stalin had while speaking in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly on April 12 told the BJP that if it was trying to politicize the Ayodhya Mandapam into a temple issue, it would not succeed. --IANS aal/bg ( 413 Words) 2022-04-27-20:38:05 (IANS) The Patna High Court on Wednesday, directed Sahara India chief Subrata Roy to physically appear before court on May 11. Justice Sandeep Kumar, while hearing the cases related to investment in Sahara India, said that there were no further excuses for Subrata Roy, who should appear before the court on designated date otherwise the court will take strong decision against him. The high court had asked lawyer for Sahara India, Umesh Prasad Singh to submit a full report about how Sahara India will return the money of investors of Bihar. During the hearing on Wednesday, the lawyer had given some alternate methods to return the amount of investors but Justice Sandeep Kumar was not interested and told the lawyer that the court will not tolerate further excuses of Subrata Roy to appear personally and clarify how the money of investors would be returned. At present, more than 2,000 cases pertaining to alleged fraud by Sahara India are before the high court, while the actual numbers of duped persons are in lakhs, and many of them have already died. Recently, Madhya Pradesh Police reached Lucknow with a non-bailable warrant to arrest Subrata Roy but failed as he was not present there. At present, police and intelligence agencies do not know his exact location. --IANS ajk/vd ( 230 Words) 2022-04-27-20:42:04 (IANS) The BJP has started the ground work to ensure massive victory of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in by-polls from Champawat assembly. As per the rules, Dhami, not a member of Uttarakhand assembly, needs to be sworn in as an elected MLA within six months of taking over as the Chief Minister. Kailash Gahatodi, who vacated Champawat assembly seat for Chief Minister Dhami, has been made convener for by-polls in Champawat. Sources said that on Sunday, BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh discussed the by-polls of Champawat assembly constituency. "Santhosh ji asked all those present in the meeting to ensure the huge victory of chief minister Dhami from Champawat," a Uttarakhand BJP leader said. The BJP has already deployed senior leaders to oversee the poll preparation of chief minister Dhami from Champawat. BJP national vice president and state co-incharge Rekha Verma is leading the team of BJP leaders including minister in state government. Uttarakhand minister Chandan Ram Das has made minister in-charge for the Champawat. State unit vice president Kailash Sharma has been made election in-charge and national general secretary of BJP women wing, Deepti Rawat has been made election co-incharge. Sources said that all the leaders given responsibility have been asked to start working on the ground at the earliest. "All these leaders will complete the poll preparation for chief minister Dhami even before the announcement of the by-poll date by the Election Commission. We are expecting that by-poll will be held in July-August as the chief minister has to become MLA by the third week of September," a Uttarakhand BJP insider said. The BJP has created history by becoming the only party to retain power for a second consecutive term in the state since its formation. The BJP has won the second term in Uttarakhand by winning 47 seats out of 70 but the incumbent chief minister Dhami lost the poll from Khatima. Speculation had started over Dhami's future after defeat, but the BJP leadership has given him the responsibility to run a government for a full term. On July 4, last year Dhami, MLA from Khatima, was sworn in as chief minister of Uttarakhand replacing Tirath Singh Rawat. --IANS ssb/pgh ( 380 Words) 2022-04-27-20:44:01 (IANS) In an unexpected twist, the mafia angle has emerged in the ongoing ruckus between Independent MP-MLA couple, Navneet Kaur Rana and her husband Ravi Rana, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Late on Tuesday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had dropped a Twitter bomb claiming that the Amravati (SC seat) MP, Navneet Rana, had allegedly taken a loan of Rs 80 lakh from Yusuf Lakdawala, alleged to be linked to the absconding mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a Rs 200 crore money-laundering case a couple of years back. When questioned, Minister of State for Home, Shambhuraj Desai, said that the police would ascertain the matter and in case a complaint is registered, they would investigate further and do the needful. A film financier, realtor and businessman, Lakdawala died while in custody at the Arthur Road Central Jail in September 2021. Raking up the issue, Raut also posted a purported extract of Navneet Rana's 2019 election affidavit which mentions the loan amount due to (the late) Lakdawala. "Why has the ED not yet investigated this? This is just one matter that has come to light, there may be other such irregularities that will be exposed in the probe," Raut said. He also wondered whether there could be an "underworld link" to the ongoing political row over reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa', as it (a link) was found during the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Terming it as an issue of national security, Raut slammed the BJP for "trying to shield" Navneet Rana, who was arrested on April 23 and is currently in custody along with her husband after they threatened to go and chant Hanuman Chalisa outside the private residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Bandra. Though they later abandoned the plan ostensibly in view of the Prime Minister's visit to Mumbai on Sunday (April 24), they were arrested under various charges, including sedition, and are currently in judicial custody for 14 days. On Wednesday, Raut tweeted asking if Lakdawala's illegal money is now in Rana's account, will the ED summon and serve tea to her, why the D-Gang is being saved and why the BJP is keeping quiet. Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal demanded that the Mumbai Police and ED should take immediate cognisance of the allegations against Navneet Rana. "The ED took action against state minister Nawab Malik for transacting land worth Rs 5 lakh. Now MP Sanjay Raut has posted documents that Navneet Rana had taken Rs 80 lakh from Lakdawala, why should it not be investigated," Bhujbal asked. It must be probed why the film actress-turned-MP took the money, through whom she approached Lakdawala and what was done with the loan amount, he said. Sena MoS Kishore Tiwari also joined the debate saying that Badnera MLA Ravi Rana is the nephew of Yoga guru Ramdev. "He has now invested crores of black money of his uncle Ramdev to buy lands and has become a land-mafia. This came out in his wife Navneet Rana's poll affidavit," said Tiwari, demanding a probe by ED and CBI. BJP state President Chandrakant Patil distanced himself from the issue saying though Raut is trying to link his party (BJP) with Navneet Rana, they had no connections as she was elected as an Independent MP. --IANS qn/arm ( 573 Words) 2022-04-27-20:48:02 (IANS) After news surfaced that Kerala Chief Secretary V.P. Joy left for Gujarat on Wednesday to study the 'dashboard system' of e-governance being implemented there, the Congress took pot shots at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, asking when is he leaving for Delhi to study about the governance model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Incidentally, all hell broke loose when in 2013, the then state Labour Minister Shibhu Baby John of the RSP, an ally of the then Congress-led UDF government led by Oommen Chandy, had visited Gujarat when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister. John had visited the state to study certain things happening there, with top Left leaders like Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan slamming him and demanding his resignation. On Wednesday, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan wanted to know when is Vijayan flying to Delhi to learn about the governance model of Modi. "It's now become a habit of Vijayan to take an anti-BJP stand during the day, and join hands with Sangh parivaar forces when dusks falls. In the recently-concluded 23rd CPI-M Congress, they took a stand to finish the Congress to favour the BJP. "It has come to light that there are middlemen in the new-found relation between the CPI-M and the Sangh parivaar forces. What has happened now is the latest example of a new-found relationship between the Kerala government and the Gujarat government, which clearly shows that the CPI-M and the BJP are hand-in-glove," said Satheesan. According to sources, the visit of Joy to Gujarat is based on a meeting that Modi had with Vijayan recently in Delhi, where the former asked the latter to send a delegation to study the 'dashboard system' of e-governance being implemented in the Prime Minister's home state. --IANS sg/arm ( 305 Words) 2022-04-27-20:54:02 (IANS) The Rajasthan government on Wednesday announced a financial assistance of over Rs 1.41 crore for the individuals affected during the violence in Karauli which was reported on April 2 on the occasion of Hindu New Year. On April 2, violence had erupted in Karauli between two groups when a section pelted stones on a rally being taken out on the occasion of Hindu New Year. Thereafter, many shops and vehicles were set ablaze. Mukesh Pareek, Deputy Secretary, Home Department, said that administration approval has been given for financial assistance of Rs 18.25 lakh to a total of 45 victims who were injured in the incident in Karauli city on April 2. "At the same time, administrative sanction of Rs 1 crore 23 thousand 55 hundred has been given to 69 victims in relation to the amount of damage to property and goods during the incident, and action has been initiated by the administration for early payment in this regard," he said. District Collector Ankit Kumar Singh said that financial assistance has been sanctioned in case of damage to properties and goods due to arson in the incident that occurred during the Shobhayatra (Bike Rally) organised on Nav Samvatsar in Karauli city. A total financial assistance of Rs 1 crore 41 lakh 80 thousand has been sanctioned to the riot victims, he added. --IANS arc/pgh ( 236 Words) 2022-04-27-20:56:03 (IANS) Two men, including one person who went to rescue the other, died inside a sewer pit in the national capital on Wednesday, an official said. The deceased have been identified as Chittaranjan (26) and Abdul Salam (18) According to the official, the incident took place in the city's Bawana area when Abdul Salam, a rag picker, had removed the cover of the sewer on Ganga Toli Road near Balaji Chowk in Bawana and entered inside to collect waste plastic. "As he did not come out after some time, his younger brother Sahil (12) raised an alarm and sought people's help," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Brijender Kumar Yadav said. A passing driver Chitranjan Choudhary went to rescue the man inside the pit. Unfortunately, after sometime the second man also became unresponsive. The Delhi Fire Service and the police received information about the incident and rushed to the spot. Both the persons were taken out from the pit and shifted to MV hospital where the doctors declared them brought dead. Proceedings under the relevant section of the Code of Criminal Procedure have been initiated, the official said. --IANS uj/bg ( 197 Words) 2022-04-27-20:56:04 (IANS) Kerala Police on Wednesday registered another case against Malayalam actor-cum-producer Vijay Babu, who has been booked with charges of sexual assault, for revealing the identity of the complainant. Earlier Police registered a rape case against Vijay Babu on a complaint of a woman actor. Meanwhile, Vijay Babu on Wednesday denied the charges of sexual allegations against him and said he will file a defamation case against the complainant. Taking to Facebook Live, the Malayalam actor denied the allegations and made it clear that he will file a defamation case against the woman who filed the case against him. "I am not afraid as I am sure, I did not do anything wrong. I am the victim here. I know a woman had been making allegations against me since 2018. I have not had a single chat with her since then until 2021. In December, she started texting me. I have 400 screenshots of messages sent by her. I will say all this in court," Babu said. "I have the answer to everything, whether it was rape or consensual. I will file a countercase against it. In addition, a defamation suit will be filed. Let this be a fresh start for me too. Let us see. Let us fight," he added further. Earlier on Tuesday, Kerala Police registered a case against Vijay Babu for an alleged sexual assault. Ernakulam South Police has registered the case on a woman's complaint.According to the police, the complaint was received on April 22. The complainant alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Vijay Babu in a flat in Kochi. The offence was repeated by the accused more than once, she alleged. The complaint said Babu committed the offence on the pretext of offering the victim roles in movies. The complainant is a native of Kozhikode district. (ANI) Virtually sounding the bugle for COP27 later this year, India on Wednesday noted that some countries declined to enhance NDCs after the COP26 and termed it a serious thing about the future of the COPs. COP26 was held at the UK's Glasgow in 2021 while the COP27 is to be held later this year at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. The COP, i.e. the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) is where countries meet annually to negotiate climate actions and climate finance. "India is among the few countries among the G20 that has fulfilled its NDCs, has achieved its targets. But even the mitigation measures and Net Zero promises and NDCs made by the developed countries... We know that after COP, some countries said there is no need to enhance the NDCs. This is a serious thing about the future of the COP," Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said at the Raisina Dialogues 2022 here. NDCs, the nationally determined contributions, are the climate actions that each country has promised to take as part of the collective efforts to restrict carbon emissions in order to keep the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial era. Yadav was referring to the promises made by rich countries as part of the COP negotiations and how their actions have not been up to the mark. Earlier he had pointed out: "It was the pledge of the developed countries at Copenhagen that they would provide $100 billion to the developing countries. But they are not able to fulfill their own promise. Also, for the world to come together in fighting climate change, technology transfer is necessary. But even that is not coming through in a way expected." "It requires $1 trillion in this age, $100 billion dollars is not sufficient," he said. Yadav also said, it was the demand of the developing countries to define what exactly comprises climate finance and the developed world ultimately agreed to form a committee to work on the exact meaning of climate finance - loan, subsidy, private finance, which one? "Second is about the major demand of developing countries is adaptation. We know adaptation money is only 25 per cent (of the total finance) and developing countries need more money for adaptation," he said. "India is part of the solution and not part of the problem (of climate change)," he said and reminded the audience of the five major announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 last year regarding reaching the Net Zero by 2070. He also listed out India's achievements since the Paris Agreement of 2015. "Resolute domestic mitigation actions are underway already," he said. In reply to a question from amongst the audience, Yadav asserted India's right to development and reiterated its position on phasing down coal rather than phasing it out. --IANS niv/vd ( 493 Words) 2022-04-27-22:40:02 (IANS) RJD chief Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, who is embroiled in controversy over allegedly thrashing a party youth leader, on Wednesday levelled sensational allegations against former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Referring to a video he uploaded on social media, Tej Pratap Yadav, claiming to have exposed a journalist of a Youtube channel who came to his residence for his interview, accused Manjhi of trying to malign him and his family. As per the video, as soon as the journalist entered the premises, Tej Pratap Yadav, along with his camera team, was waiting for him and asked the journalist to keep his mike and mobile phone out of the house for the interview. Following the instructions, the journalist named Ved Prakash went outside the premises, entered his car and sped away. Tej Pratap claimed that he had exposed Ved Prakash as he fled from his house without taking his interview. "I have followed the car of Ved Prakash. It was parked outside the official residence of Jitan Ram Manjhi. He is the person conspiring against me to malign my political and social image and also conspiring against the Lalu Prasad family," he claimed. "I always respect every journalist who comes to my house or we meet anywhere else but some journalists are playing in the hands of leaders like Jitan Ram Manjhi. The conspiracy is taking place from the house of Jitan Ram Manjhi," he added. Reacting to the allegations, Danish Rizwan, the national General Secretary of Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha, said: "As per the video uploaded by Tej Pratap Yadav, he is clearly telling the journalist Ved Prakash Yadav to put the gun mike and mobile phone outside to take his interview. How could a journalist take an interview without a gun mike and mobile phone. The intention of Tej Pratap Yadav was probably realised by Ved Prakash. He has an apprehension of where he would be beaten by Tej Pratap inside his official Bungalow. Hence, he fled from there." "I admit that Ved Prakash, after the incident, came to the residence of Jitan Ram Manjhi. He is a leader of Dalit community. Any person comes to his residence, he used to protect them and also try to bring justices for him as per his capacity," Rizwan added. "The allegation of Tej Pratap Yadav is completely baseless. Tej Pratap does political stunts every day. People of Bihar know it. Recently, a youth leader of RJD had levelled serious allegations on him for beating him inside Rabri Devi's residence. Everyone knew his difference with Tejashwi Yadav, Jagadanand Singh and other leaders of RJD. He has left his wife. Is Jitan Ram Manjhi behind all these incidents?" he asked. --IANS ajk/vd ( 467 Words) 2022-04-27-22:54:02 (IANS) The lawyers of Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, who is now under five-day police custody in Assams Barpeta district, said on Wednesday that they would move the sessions court on Thursday seeking bail for the Dalit activist. Mevani's advocate Angshuman Bora said that he, accompanied by other lawyers, would move the district sessions court on Thursday with a bail plea. Meanwhile, Congress leaders on Wednesday announced to stage a sit-in against the arrest of Mevani, who had earlier pledged outside support to the party, in all 34 districts of the state on Thursday, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit Assam to kick-start a slew of projects. On Tuesday, Mevani was sent to five-day police custody after his bail petition was rejected by Barpeta's Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM). Earlier, soon after the CJM's court in Kokrajhar district granted him bail on Monday, six days after he was arrested by Assam police from his home state in Gujarat in connection with an "objectionable" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was re-arrested by the Assam police on different charges, including "outraging the modesty of a lady police officer". The Gujarat legislator was arrested following a complaint filed by an Assam BJP leader seeking action against him under the IT Act. --IANS sc/arm ( 227 Words) 2022-04-27-22:56:05 (IANS) Police said a group of two to three terrorists are holed up at Mitrigam area of Pulwama and the priority is to prevent collateral damage and to evacuate the civilians. "2-3 terrorists including foreign terrorist of JeM terror outfit trapped inside cordon.A Ops was halted for evacuation of civilians. One soldier injured. Precautions being taken to avoid collateral damage. Trapped terrorists will be neutralised at the earliest," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet, quoting Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar. The firefight broke out as a joint team of security forces, which cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about presence of terrorists, came under heavy fire as they zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding. --IANS zi/vd ( 166 Words) 2022-04-27-22:56:06 (IANS) The minister, while responding in the Assembly, said that the state Revenue Secretary, Kumar Jayant, will be in the one-man committee constituted by the government to investigate the Kalimedu tragedy. Earlier, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had moved a resolution in the House expressing condolence over the death of 11 persons at Kalimedu in Thanjavur district after the top of a temple chariot touched high tension wires. The House also observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls. The Chief Minister said that to coordinate relief and rescue operations, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has been deputed to Kalimedu. Opposition leader E.K. Palaniswami said that the authorities had not taken any precautionary measures, adding that the tragedy could have been averted had proper measures been taken. He also said that even after the recent stampede during the Madurai Chithirai festival, in which two people had died, no measures were taken to prevent recurrence of similar incidents. --IANS aal/arm ( 217 Words) 2022-04-27-23:08:03 (IANS) In wake of rising cases of COVID, the Goa government on Wednesday advised citizens to continue wearing masks and follow COVID appropriate behaviour. "Government desires that in view of the emerging COVID situation across the country, all the citizens be advised to continue wearing masks at all public places and also to continue observing all COVID appropriate behaviour as an important preventive measure," read the advisory of the state Public Health Department. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are currently 27 active COVID cases in Goa. So far 3,832 people have died due to the disease in Goa. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of all states via video conferencing to review the COVID-19 situation amid the surge in the COVID cases in the country. Prime Minister stressed on the implementation of 'test, track and treat' with the same efficacy as it was done during the earlier COVID waves in the country. PM Modi emphasized on cent per cent testing of serious influenza cases and genome sequencing of the positive cases, COVIDappropriate behaviour in the public places and avoiding panic. He also emphasized the continued upgradation of health infrastructure and medical manpower. Talking about the increase in the COVID cases in the country in recent days, PM Modi cautioned the states to stay alert on the matter. "This is clear that the COVID challenge is not fully over. Omicron and its subvariants can create problems as evident in the case of many countries of Europe. The subvariants are causing many surges in many countries. India has been able to deal with the situation better than many countries. Still, in the last two weeks, increasing cases in some of the states show that we need to stay alert," PM Modi said. Meanwhile, India recorded 2,483 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The active caseload is 15,636, while the positivity rate is 0.55 per cent, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare bulletin. (ANI) According to Anjuman Auqaf, government officials and police officers visited Jamia Masjid premises on Wednesday to convey to Auqaf members that the Administration has disallowed the congregational prayers on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. "The Authorities also decided that no prayers or shab be allowed on Shab-e-Qadr at the Jamia Masjid. Anjuman strongly denounces this decision of the authorities," Anjuman Auqaf, Jamia Masjid said. Sources said the decision to not allow the congregational prayers was made in view of the law and order situation as in 2017, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammed Ayub Pandith was lynched during the festival outside Jamia Masjid. Sources also said that whenever there is a big congregation at Jamia Masjid, provocative slogans were raised. Notably, On April 8, anti-national and provocative sloganeering was made after Friday prayers inside Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. This created a situation of ruckus inside the mosque leading to clashes between people. Following the incident, 13 people were arrested by Srinagar Police. (ANI) After a gap of six years, a conference of Chief Justices of high courts, followed by a joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices would be organised in the national capital on April 29 and 30 respectively. Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana will chair the 39th conference of Chief Justices of high courts - scheduled on April 29 on the Supreme Court premises - with an aim to address and resolve the issues concerning judiciary. "The conference shall review the progress made on the resolutions passed in the previous Chief Justices' conference 2016 and also to consider further steps that need to be taken to improve the justice delivery system in the country," said an official statement. "Besides the evaluation progress made vis-a-vis resolutions of Chief Justices' Conference 2016, following major issues are to be deliberated upon in the Chief Justices' Conference 2022: strengthening of the network and connectivity of all courts complexes pan India on priority basis; human resources/personnel policy; infrastructure and capacity building; institutional and legal reforms; appointment of high court judges," added the statement. This conference will be followed by a joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices at Vigyan Bhawan on April 30. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event. "Supreme Court of India has been organising the conference of Chief Justices of high courts with the object to deliberate on issues related to the judiciary. The first Chief Justices' conference was held in November, 1953 and till date 38 such conferences have been organised. The last conference was held in 2016," added the statement. --IANS ss/vd A ( 280 Words) 2022-04-28-19:16:02 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Andhra Pradesh government for failing to file a reply on a plea alleging diversion of hundreds of crores of Covid ex-gratia funds to a personal deposit account. Counsel for the Andhra Pradesh government submitted before a bench headed by Justice M.R. Shah that the affidavit could not be filed as the father of the Finance Secretary was hospitalised. At this, the bench, also comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna, said: "The government is run by the Finance Secretary?..... We want the Chief Secretary's affidavit." The counsel submitted that it was necessary that the affidavit should be filed after the Finance Secretary's approval, and that he has been instructed to submit that no amount was diverted from Covid disaster management funds, and the funds transferred were meant for drought relief, sanctioned in 2018. The top court emphasised that it is serious, if funds were used for other purposes. After a hearing in the matter, the bench said it was giving the last chance to the Chief Secretary to explain the issue and scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 13. On April 13, the Supreme Court restrained the state government from transferring funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to personal deposit account, saying it is a very serious issue. The plea filed by Palla Srinivasa Rao, a resident of Andhra Pradesh, said when the top court is actively and continuously monitoring the implementation of its October 2021 order, dealing with the issue of disbursing ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 to next of kin of those who died due to Covid-19, the diversion of funds by the AP government from the SDRF to personal deposit account is not only against the law of the land but is also contemptuous in nature. Advocate Gaurav Bansal, representing Rao, had submitted that AP government diverting funds from SDRF to personal deposit account, is not permissible under the Disaster Management Act. The plea cited a letter issued on March 12, by the Union Minister of State for Finance, which crystal clearly says that Andhra Pradesh government received an amount of Rs 324.15 crore as the central share of State Disaster Response Fund and an amount of Rs 570.91 crore under National Disaster Response Fund from the Centre. The letter also mentioned that Andhra Pradesh has transferred the funds from state Disaster Response Fund to Personal Deposit Account without spending on immediate relief, the plea said, contending that as the statute prohibits utilisation of funds deposited under National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund, the Andhra Pradesh government has no authority to divert the said fund to any other use. The plea also sought a direction to the Andhra Pradesh government to submit the details of funds which they have utilised under State Disaster Response Fund during the Covid pandemic. --IANS ss/vd ( 493 Words) 2022-04-28-20:16:01 (IANS) Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Roy, who is officially still a BJP legislator from West Bengal, informed the office of Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee that he is still associated with the BJP and has not joined the Trinamool Congress. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Roy got elected as a legislator from Krishnagar (North) in Nadia district on a BJP ticket. However, on June 11, 2021, he went to the Trinamool Congress headquarters and rejoined the ruling party in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the party's national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The event was widely covered and aired by the media. Soon after that, the Speaker elected him as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the state Assembly, a chair which by tradition is always offered to an opposition legislator. The BJP objected to this and demanded that Roy should be disqualified as an MLA. A hearing on this was scheduled in the office of the Speaker on Thursday, wherein Roy's counsel claimed that his client visited the Trinamool office on June 11, 2021 out of courtesy, and he continues to be with the BJP. Earlier on January 19, the Speaker had dismissed Roy's disqualification as a member of West Bengal Assembly. The BJP had approached the Calcutta High Court against this decision of the Speaker which earlier this month set aside the Speaker's decision to dismiss Roy's disqualification. At the end of the day, the Speaker said that there will be no more hearing in this matter. Another order from the Speaker is expected in the second week of May. --IANS src/arm ( 280 Words) 2022-04-28-20:48:04 (IANS) In a significant announcement, Maharashtra Housing Minister Dr. Jitendra Awhad on Thursday said that the state government would redevelop the sprawling fishermen's colony at Cuffe Parade - from where the 10 heavily armed Pakistani terrorists sneaked into the city and wreaked havoc during the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike. The area, known as Machchimar Nagar is situated on a prime 21 acres in the posh Cuffe Parade, on the Arabian Sea shores, and the Minister's announcement came at the Real Estate Forum-2022 here. "Out of these 21 acres, 15 acres are open spaces. The state government plans to involve the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to handle the processes and then hand it over to some developer for further redevelopment," said Dr. Awhad. The 10 terrorists had quietly landed in rubber dingies at the porous fishers' colony late in the evening of November 26, 2008, and entered the city virtually unnoticed that cool night. Then, they fanned out to various key locations like the Chabad House, Hotel Trident, Hotel Taj Mahal, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Chowpatty, etc and indulged in bloody mayhem for the next 60 hours. Awhad also said that there has been a huge jump in the premium collected by the Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority (MHADA) in the past ten years. Compared with a collection of Rs 1,902 crore from 2011-2021, in just one year, 2021-2022, MHADA netted around Rs 1,873 crore as premiums, he said. Emphasising that the development and beautification of Mumbai is linked with the realty industry, Awhad said that with no open spaces available, all development is possible only through redevelopment on the existing spaces, which benefits all stakeholders. The Machchimar Colony will be the third major eyesore redevelopment project taken up under the Maha Vikas Aghadi government after the BDD Chawls and the Patrawala Compound projects in the past one year. --IANS qn/vd ( 326 Words) 2022-04-28-20:50:03 (IANS) The NIA will register a fresh case and take over the investigation from the Jammu and Kashmir Police. On April 22, terrorists had attacked a CISF bus carrying 15 security personnel wherein one officer was killed and others were injured. The security forces had killed two suicide attackers in the operation, just two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Samba region in Jammu on April 24. Later, CCTV footage showed two Jaish-e-Mohammed militants lobbing grenades and firing at the CISF bus. According to the sources in the security grid in J&K, the two militants were tasked to execute a terror strike ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. The J&K police said that the terrorists were wearing suicide vests and were also equipped with a huge quantity of arms and ammunition. --IANS ams/arm ( 178 Words) 2022-04-28-20:54:01 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday urged investors from Bangladesh to take advantage of the incentives being offered by the state government in the industrial sector. The Chief Minister said that Tripura fulfills all the prerequisites to become the new IT hub and industrialists from Bangladesh should utilize the opportunity to help both the regions flourish together. Addressing the Digital Bangladesh IT Business Summit 2022 in Agartala, Deb said, "Tripura government is working on a priority basis to promote the IT sector in the state. Bangladesh can invest here in Data Centers which will help the country in strengthening its service sectors like banking." "The government has given a lot of relaxations for investors such as 50 per cent rebate in electricity, rebate in GST for five years, reduced electricity prices for commercial use and 24 hours uninterrupted supply of electricity -- a must for any industrial park or area." Apart from that, Deb said, Tripura has a high-speed internet gateway with Chittagong. All the necessary steps are being undertaken from the end of the state government to ensure ease of doing business, he added. According to Deb, several companies from abroad have shown interest in setting up their ventures in Tripura. "An American company has arrived here. They have started their initial work at an IT building. We are looking after all the logistic matters. Today, we have railway connectivity across the country. Kisan trains are carrying state grown products at subsidized prices to national markets, railway connectivity has been extended up to Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, Deoghar and recently Jammu Express has agreed to run a train on a trial basis," he said. Speaking about Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's approach towards Tripura, he said, "For the COVID pandemic, several projects that were in the planning stage did not see any progress. I have spoken to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on a number of occasions. She assured me to open the Cox Bazar international airport for Tripura-bound flights. Besides, we are also working wholeheartedly to develop another airport at Kailashahar." Chief Minister Deb mentioned that the Kailashahar airport was non-functional for several years and he has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transform it into a big-ticket airport. Works are in the primary stage pertaining to the project. The new airport will be opened at a plot of 500 acres of land and Rs 500 crore will be spent on the project. Deb further informed that he had also written a letter to Prime Minister Modi seeking direct flights in Agartala-Chittagong, Agartala-Dhaka and Agartala-Bangkok routes as soon as possible. Deb emphasised that once North Eastern states start using Chittagong port for the import of goods, Bangladesh will be immensely benefited as only rice and wheat exports will give Rs 5,000 crore duty to Bangladesh. (ANI) Amid reports of thermal power plants witnessing a dip in their coal stocks, Haryana will take additional power from states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and other sources to meet the consumption, said state Power Minister Ch Ranjeet Singh. "We will tackle the situation within a week. 1200-1400 MW additional power would be taken from Adani. Power consumption has increased. Further, 350 MW of additional power would be taken from Chhattisgarh and 150 MW from Madhya Pradesh," the Minister told ANI. Singh further said a unit of the thermal power plant has been closed for technical issues. "A unit of a thermal power plant had been closed. Its router had to be changed. It has to be brought from China. It could not happen during COVID due to the lockdown in China. The replacement will be completed soon," added Haryana Power Minister. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has expressed its concern over the possible shortage of coal in power plants that supply electricity to the national capital and has written a letter to the Central Government urging it to ensure adequate coal supply. Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain held an emergency meeting at Delhi Secretariat in this context on Thursday and also wrote a letter to the Central Government requesting its intervention so as to provide enough coal for the power plants supplying electricity to the national capital. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday that the country's thermal plants hold about 22 million tonnes of coal which is enough for 10 days and replenishment will be done continuously. The minister referred to thermal plants not working to their full capacity due to the surge in prices of imported coal. He said the power ministry has given requisite directions to the thermal power plants. "Since gas-based power plant got shut, imported prices hiked, no plant functioned at full capacity. Power Ministry has given directions to start it...our thermal power plants hold 21-22mn tonnes coal, enough for 10 days. Replenishment to be done continuously," Joshi said. (ANI) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded approval to the opening of a new Indian Mission in Lithuania, which will help expand the relation between the countries including diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations and strategic cooperation. "Opening of Indian Mission in Lithuania will help expand India's diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations and strategic cooperation, enable the growth of bilateral trade, investment and economic engagements, facilitate stronger people-to-people contacts, allow for more sustained political outreach in multilateral fora and help garner support for India's foreign policy objectives, the cabinet said in an official statement on Wednesday. Indian Mission in Lithuania will also better assist the Indian community and protect their interests, as per the statement. The decision to open a new Indian Mission in Lithuania is a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development or "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". "Enhancement of India's diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India or Atmanirbhar Bharat," the statement added. On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankarexchanged views with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on global and regional issues and discussed bilateral economic and cultural cooperation. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "Discussed strengthening our economic and cultural cooperation. Shared perspectives about regional and global issues." India and Lithuania enjoy cordial relations that are marked by close cultural linkages. The economic and commercial ties have grown in recent years and the bilateral trade between India and Lithuania stood at USD 485 million in 2020-21. Indian investment in Lithuania includes Indorama Group's investment of over USD 200 million in a manufacturing plant and HCL Technologies which has taken over the IT infrastructure services of Barclays in Vilnius employing over 500 people. Indorama has set up a plant in the Klaipeda Economic Zone to manufacture plastic resin. Indian investment is increasing in Lithuania. (ANI) Four people, including three Chinese faculty members of the Institute of Confucius Studies, were killed on Tuesday when the suicide bomber targeted the van carrying them, Samaa TV reported. Sources in the investigating team said that one family member of the suicide bomber has been detained in the raid. Conflicting claims have been made about the identity of the suicide bomber, who was named as Shari Baloch by the banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) that claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, Samaa TV reported. The claims that she was an M.Phil scholar and had moved to Karachi six months ago with her husband and children could not be independently verified, the report said. In an attempt to pin the identity of the bomber and her handlers, investigators have arrested the driver of the rickshaw she used for entering the university. They also obtained CCTV footage from several locations. The police on Wednesday registered an FIR against the spokesperson and two commanders of the outlawed group under terrorism charges for the suicide attack against the Chinese nationals. Newly-appointed Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad shortly after he took charge on Wednesday. Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also arrived in Karachi and went to the Chinese consulate, besides meeting the investigators. --IANS san/arm ( 261 Words) 2022-04-27-22:42:03 (IANS) Days after Tesla Chief Elon Musk take control over Twitter, he said that for the microblogging site to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral. "For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally," Musk tweeted. Twitter on Monday (local time) confirmed the sale of the company to Musk for USD 44 billion. Under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive USD 54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own, matching Musk's original offer and marking a 38 per cent premium over the stock price the day before Musk revealed his stake in the company, CNN reported. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said that he was proud of the employees who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise. "I took this job to change Twitter for the better, course-correct where we need to, and strengthen the service. Proud of our people who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise," Agrawal tweeted. Meanwhile, the former CEO of the microblogging site Jack Dorsey dropped a series of tweets, suggesting that he supports the move. "In principle, I don't believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company. Solving for the problem of it being a company, however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness," Dorsey tweeted. For those unaware, Dorsey, the maverick co-founder of Twitter, on November 29, 2021, suddenly announced his resignation. Parag Agarwal, an IITian who was CTO at Twitter, was named his replacement. (ANI) As the United Kingdom realize its growing dependence on Bejing for the development of new nuclear power projects, the country has recently begun to mull preventive actions to save the strategic sector from getting into Chinese hands, said a media report. Di Valerio Fabbri, writing in Geopolitica.info said the UK government is reportedly working on a deal aimed at removing China from a 20-billion project to construct a nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast. The Sizewell C power station project, which is still in the planning and development phase, is owned by a French state-backed power giant EDF with an 80 per cent holding, and the China General Nuclear (CGN) having the remaining 20 per cent. UK government now plans to acquire a stake in the project, alongside the EDF, which would result into the removal of CGN from the project, said the report. The existing nuclear facilities in the UK are owned by EDF along with Centrica, a British energy company. The company had to shut down many plants ahead of schedule and four out of the seven stations are due to retire by March 2024. As a result, there has been an increasing push to build more nuclear power plants in recent years. The exigency has proved to be quite conducive for China to enter UK in a big manner, said the report. A nuclear deal signed during a visit to London of Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2015 cleared the road leading to China's future dominance in nuclear industry of UK. Under the deal, China got to fund Hinkley and Sizewell nuclear power projects, and then install its own reactors at a third site at Bradwell in Essex. However, what stoked analysts' fears was the deal's scope of letting China be a majority owner of a proposed plant of its own design, at a site about 50 miles from London, the report said. Meanwhile, the fears appear to be coming true with the indigenous Hualong-I reactor design of CGN getting the approval of UK's nuclear regulators for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Environment Agency for construction in Britain in February 2022. With this, it joined the league of two other reactor designs approved in 2012 and 2017. CGN already owns 33.5 per cent in the project coming up at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, which is due for completion in 2026, Fabbri said. According to Fabbri's report, the recent development demonstrates that containing China's increasing inroads in the strategic sector is easier said than done for London. Notably, the United States has also been cautioning the country against heavy reliance on China for nuclear power plants citing national security concerns. In 2019, Washington blacklisted CGN over allegations of stealing nuclear technology. The Chinese company and its subsidiaries China General Nuclear Power Corp., China Nuclear Power Technology Research Institute, and Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute were reported to be trying to acquire advanced US nuclear tech for military use. The former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in mid 2020 urged Britain to choose sides in the battle to develop nuclear technology, saying it "stands ready to assist our friends in the UK with any needs they have", Fabbri said. According to the report, London's difficulties in dealing with Chinese companies have been increasingly apparent in recent years. A couple of years ago the UK government announced a ban on Huawei, a Chinese telecoms equipment manufacturer, from participating in its 5G mobile phone network, citing national security concerns. The two countries have also differed on other issues including the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, a former British colony, and the harsh treatment of Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang region. UK's handling of the latest issue is of great concern and it would certainly test its ability to balance its energy needs with security concerns, the report added. (ANI) India on Thursday slammed Pakistan's remarks on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's to Jammu and Kashmir and said Islamabad has no locus standi to comment on the matters pertaining to the union territory. Answering queries about Pakistan's remarks during the regular media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the reception that the Prime Minister got and the changes that have happened on the ground in the union territory is a very clear answer to any questions that may have been raised about the visit. He also took a dig at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif terming the visit as "staged." , "I don't understand the word staged. It seems to indicate the visit did not take place and we are trying to show that it did," he said. "I think it's pretty clear that the reception that he (PM Modi) got and the visuals that you saw and the development projects that he inaugurated and the changes that have happened on the ground is a very clear answer to any questions that may be raised about Prime Minister's visit about it. In any case, I think Pakistan has no locus to talk about...it from its perspective on what's happening in Jammu and Kashmir but I answered in the context of if somebody is questioning the visit itself," he added. PM Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday to participate in the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day and addressed all the gram sabhas across the country. It was his first major visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. He inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple development initiatives worth Rs 20,000 crore in the union territory. (ANI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led delegation, who is in Saudi Arabia on a three-day official visit, received a "wonderful welcome" as they entered Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madina. A viral video has been circulating on social media platforms that showed hundreds of pilgrims raising "chor chor" [thieves] slogans upon seeing the delegation making their way to Masjid-e-Nabawi. After the incident, it was reported that police have arrested them for violating sanctity. In a video, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and member of the National Assembly Shahzain Bugti were seen along with others. According to the Pakistani newspaper, Aurangzeb indirectly blamed ousted Imran Khan for the protest. "I will not name this person on this holy land because I do not want to use this land for politics. But they have destroyed the [Pakistani] society," The Express Tribune quoted Aurangzeb as saying. This comes as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is on his maiden three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia. Dozens of officials and political leaders have accompanied the Pakistan Prime Minister on his visit to the Kingdom. Taking to Twitter and sharing the video, netizens wrote, "Proud Pakistanis, please be heartened by witnessing what a wonderful welcome our PM and his Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) gang of criminals got in Saudi Arabia." Another Twitter user, Muhammad Ibrahim Qazi said that Saudi Arabia citizens are calling out ousted PM Imran Khan. "Citizens of Saudi Arabia are calling out Ousted PM Imran Khan to have exported the moral obscenity to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. They are also condemning Pakistanis for violating the Kingdom's laws," Qazi said. Sharif was sworn in as Pakistan's 23rd Prime Minister on April 11 after his predecessor Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote. During the visit, Sharif is set to seek an additional package of USD 3.2 billion from Saudi Arabia. He will pose this request to avert further depletion of Pakistan's foreign currency reserves. Saudi Arabia had already given USD 3 billion deposits to the debt-ridden country and an oil facility on deferred payment worth USD 1.2 billion during Imran Khan's tenure. Estimates say Pakistan requires USD 12 billion to prevent the balance of payment crisis and further depletion of the foreign currency reserves. (ANI) Richard Olson, a former US ambassador to Islamabad, has admitted before a federal court that he is guilty of not properly disclosing a travel gift he had received from a Pakistani-American businessman and of lobbying illegally. In a document filed with the federal court in Los Angeles on April 7, Olson said "I wish to plead guilty to offences charged" by the Justice Department that he did not disclose the gift received in the form of travel worth about $18,000 as required by law. He was also charged with lobbying for Qatar in violation of rules against such activities within a year of leaving office. The Department said in its court filing that Olson had also received a payment of at least $20,000 soon after his retirement from government in 2016 through a company he had set up. A career diplomat, Olson was the US Ambassador to Pakistan from 2012 to 2015 and the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2015 to 2016. In the US legal system, an accused person can plead guilty -- admit to the charges -- and be automatically convicted. Usually in exchange for a guilty plea, the prosecutors can reduce the charges or recommend that the judge give a lenient penalty as it will save them the trouble of going through a trial. The Justice Department said Olson had received air travel to London, lodging there and expenses from the Pakistani-American businessman, whose name was not disclosed in court papers but identified only as a "naturalised US citizen born in Pakistan", who operated several businesses and lobbied, and was the go-between for another deal. The Department said Olson aided Qatar to "influence decisions" of US officials, including those in the National Security Council, within a year of retiring as the special representative. The Department's court filings threw spotlight on how legal political contributions work in the US. It said that the Pakistani-American was "retained by foreign governments and individuals" and "received funds from foreign clients, used those funds to make political campaign contributions to US politicians, parlayed those contributions into political influence in the US and lobbied with US officials on behalf of his foreign clients". The Department said in court filings that Olson set up a company, Medicine Bear International Consulting, through which at least one payment of $20,000 was routed to him after the Pakistani-American had "agreed to retain" his services for $20,000 per month plus expenses. The London trip Olson took at the Pakistani-American's expense was to meet a Bahraini businessperson regarding a one-year contract worth $300,000, according to the Department. Court papers did not identify the Bahraini businessperson or say if the contract was signed or what it would have entailed. The Department said that the Pakistani-American's company received $5.8 million from a Qatar official and it involved lobbying the US government to set up pre-clearance facility at the Doha airport for passengers travelling to the US. Olson, it said, advised the Pakistani-American and another businessperson on how to "sell" idea to US officials. Another former US Ambassador, Robin Raphel, had also run into problems with the Justice Department but was ultimately not charged with any wrongdoing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation had raided her home in 2014 while investigating if she had provided secret information to the Pakistani government. The State Department had put her on administrative leave and suspended her security clearance while the investigation was taking place. The Justice Department ultimately informed her that she was not suspected of espionage and closed the investigation in 2016. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) --IANS al/arm ( 615 Words) 2022-04-28-22:30:03 (IANS) Washington [US], April 29 (ANI/Sputnik): The US House of Representatives passed legislation loosening requirements for engaging in lend-lease deals for defense equipment with Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, paving the way for more US arms to flow into the region amid Russia's special military operation. House lawmakers passed the bill in a vote of 417 to 10 on Thursday, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law. The Senate unanimously passed the bill earlier in April. "This bill temporarily waives certain requirements related to the President's authority to lend or lease defense articles if the defense articles are intended for Ukraine's government or the governments of other Eastern European countries affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine," according to an official summary of the legislation. The lend-lease deals harken back to the famous Second World War-era policy of US President Franklin Roosevelt, which supplied Allied nations including the Soviet Union with weaponry and other materials. The move was considered an effective end of US neutrality in the war and a step towards open support for the Allies. The legislation comes amid a number of other efforts by Congress and the Biden administration to support Ukraine amid the ongoing special Russian military operation, including a new $33 billion request from Biden to Congress for military, economic and humanitarian support for Kyiv. (ANI/Sputnik) Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, and Paul Gosar of Arizona have all proxy voted over 100 times. Greg Nash and Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images House Republicans are opposed to proxy voting, and Kevin McCarthy tried to end it with a lawsuit. But 15 Republicans have used the system which allows members to cast votes on others' behalf over 100 times. They include prominent names like Matt Gaetz, Madison Cawthorn, and Paul Gosar. Ever since the House of Representatives instituted proxy voting a procedure that allows members of Congress to vote on behalf of their colleagues Republicans have made their opposition to the practice clear. When the House voted in May 2020 to allow proxy voting due to the public health emergency spurred by COVID-19, every single Republican lawmaker voted against the measure. Days later, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy sued House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over it, challenging the constitutionality of proxy voting. "It is a brazen violation of the Constitution, a dereliction of our duty as elected officials, and would silence the American people's voice during a crisis," McCarthy said at the time. "Democrats are creating a precedent for further injustice. If their changes are acceptable, what stops the majority from creating a 'House Rule' that stipulates the minority party's votes only count for half of the majority party's?" Ultimately, the Supreme Court declined to hear the complaint in January 2022. Republicans have also claimed that Pelosi only keeps the procedure in place to this day in order to shore up Democrats' razor-thin majority. But with time, Republicans have begun to break with their stated opposition to the practice and attest that they are "unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency" while dealing with health issues, the births of children, political events, and ailing family members. Insider analyzed the data from each of the over 700 roll call votes taken by the House between May 20, 2020 until April 7, 2022, analyzing which members used the practice most frequently. Story continues While proxy voting is still overwhelmingly used by Democrats versus Republicans, Insider identified 15 Republican House members who've cast over 100 proxy votes in the last two years. Rep. Russ Fulcher of Idaho Fulcher at a press conference outside the Capitol on December 3, 2020. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Fulcher, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who's served since 2019, has voted by proxy 177 times by far the most frequent proxy voter in the Republican caucus, despite joining McCarthy's lawsuit to end the practice. At the time, he argued that proxy voting was an "unconstitutional process" that would "eliminate any meaningful debate and allow Members to stay home collecting a paycheck while others cast their vote." But after Fulcher was diagnosed with renal cancer in June 2021, he began utilizing that very same process the following month as he underwent chemotherapy, a punishing treatment that can lead to fatigue, among other symptoms. He continued frequent proxy voting into the fall of 2021. Still, Fulcher says he wants proxy voting abolished. "While proxy voting was a useful tool during my cancer treatment, my situation was rare ... by far the exception, not the rule," Fulcher told Insider in a statement, arguing that the system has "proven to be too ripe" for abuse. "I remain in support of removing the policy." Yet even after announcing that he was cancer-free in December 2021, Fulcher has voted by proxy 17 times in 2022, most recently asking fellow Republican Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania to cast 6 votes on his behalf on April 5. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida Buchanan on Capitol Hill on November 17, 2020. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Buchanan, a Florida Republican who's served since 2007 and could be next in line to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, has voted by proxy 165 times over the last 16 months. His first proxy vote took place on January 12, 2021, when he asked fellow Republican Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida to vote on his behalf against a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th amendment and remove former President Donald Trump from office. He then voted by proxy regularly until mid-April 2021, and has continued to sporadically use it since then. Buchanan did not respond to Insider's request for comment, but he's previously said that the procedure allows him to be "more productive" than if he'd voted in person. "I can be a lot more productive back home. There's nobody up here. So I just felt like I'd have a bigger impact in my district back in Sarasota," Buchanan told CNN in July. "Nobody can come in and visit with you. We can be more productive visiting with people having meetings back home, not spending a half a day each way coming up here, flying up here, and there's nobody here." Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina McHenry at a House Oversight And Government Reform Committee hearing on September 30, 2021. Al Drago/Pool/AFP via Getty Images McHenry, who's served in the House since 2005 and hopes to chair the House Financial Services Committee in the next Congress, has voted by proxy 164 times. After fellow Republican Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana first cast a proxy vote on behalf of McHenry on January 21, 2022, the North Carolina Republican has used the procedure with relative frequency, most recently on April 5. McHenry told CNN in July that he believes the practice is "being held onto for political purposes rather than for health purposes." Democrats' majority in the chamber is in the single digits, making absences potentially fraught and McHenry says proxy voting has impeded normal business. "I think, frankly, as an institution we should get back to dealing with each other, talking to each other and trying to understand each other," he told CNN. "People aren't here. And we're a one-on-one institution. We're a human interaction place both with members and with the press." Rep. Greg Steube of Florida Steube speaks to TV cameras outside the Capitol on April 23, 2020. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Steube, another Florida congressman who's served since 2019, is the fourth most frequent proxy voter in the Republican caucus, despite signing onto House Republicans' anti-proxy voting lawsuit in May 2020. "By signing on to this lawsuit I am committing to refrain from lending my vote via proxy or placing a vote via proxy on behalf of another Member," Stuebe wrote in a letter to McCarthy at the time. Since then, he's voted remotely 161 times. The Florida Republican also warned at the time that the procedure would "allow Members of Congress to cast votes on behalf of American citizens from entirely different districts and states who never elected them for representation." Since then, he's had Republican colleagues from Ohio, South Carolina, and other districts in Florida cast proxy votes on his behalf. Steube's office did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Insider. Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana Baird leaving a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol Hill Club on October 22, 2019. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Baird, who's served in Congress since 2019, is the fifth-most frequent proxy voter in the Republican caucus, casting 159 votes remotely in the last two years. Like Buchanan, his first proxy vote was against a resolution calling on Pence to invoke the 25th amendment, and he's voted remotely sporadically since then, asking fellow Indiana Reps. Jackie Walorski and Larry Bucshon to cast votes on his behalf almost every time. Baird's office did not respond to Insider's repeated requests for comment. Rep. Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota Hagedorn outside the Capitol on November 14, 2018. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Hagedorn, who died in February after suffering from kidney cancer, had become the 6th most frequent proxy voter after casting 155 votes remotely. As the House prepared to vote on the measure in May 2020, Hagedorn who had previously undergone treatment for his disease took the House floor to speak out against the idea. "You know, some might question why a member of Congress like myself who's dealing with Stage IV cancer, getting treatment the last year at the Mayo Clinic why I would be the one passionately wanting everyone to travel and work in this chamber," he remarked. "It's because it's a bad idea for this House." But after Hagedorn's cancer re-emerged in July 2021, he began to vote remotely again, and stopped voting in person entirely beginning in November 2021 until his death in mid-February. Rep. Brian Babin of Texas Babin at a news conference with members of the GOP Doctors Caucus on January 19, 2022. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Babin, a Houston-area congressman who was first elected in 2015, has voted by proxy 127 times. "House Democrats' proxy voting rule takes away the constitutional duty of every member, and I oppose it completely," said Babin in May 2020 as he announced that would be joining McCarthy's lawsuit. He added that he "will never utilize the constitutionally dubious provisions" that allow for proxy voting. But on March 8th, 2021, days after a group of House Republicans faced backlash from their colleagues for using proxy voting while attending CPAC in Florida, the Texas congressman utilized the procedure for the first time. He was also among several House Republicans who voted by proxy on June 30, 2021 in order to travel to the US-Mexico border for an event with Trump. Babin's office did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Insider. Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina Cawthorn at the Capitol on November 18, 2021. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Cawthorn the far-right 26-year old congressman who's perhaps best known for suggesting that his GOP colleagues participate in cocaine-fueled orgies is the eighth most frequent proxy voter among Republicans, casting 124 votes remotely since he arrived in Congress in 2021. But he's accused Democrats of abandoning their posts by voting by proxy. "Leaders show up no matter how uncertain the times are," Cawthorn tweeted in July 2020, days after he unexpectedly defeated a Trump-backed candidate in a GOP primary. "The Democrats are cowards for hiding and not showing up to work," he said. But Cawthorn changed his tune just weeks after being sworn in, with McHenry himself the third most frequent proxy-voting Republican voting on his fellow North Carolinian's behalf in late February 2021 while Cawthorn attended CPAC. The North Carolina Republican defended that particular vote, telling Smoky Mountain News days later that Pelosi "arbitrarily changed our voting schedule to intentionally situate it over CPAC in an effort to prevent congresspeople from speaking to their constituents," he said. "I chose to value speaking with conservatives and North Carolinians over abiding by her bad faith ruling," he added. But since then, Cawthorn has voted remotely plenty more times, including over 50 times just this year. Cawthorn's office did not respond to Insider's repeated requests for comment. Rep. John Carter of Texas Carter arrives for an event on the House steps of the Capitol on September 15, 2020. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Carter, who's served in Congress since 2002, has cast 122 proxy votes, the ninth highest rate among Republicans. The Austin-area lawmaker first began to use the procedure in 2021, and a colleague's failure to vote on his Carter's behalf in May 2021 may have allowed for the initial House passage of a bill providing emergency funding for the Capitol Police following January 6. The initial 213-212 vote was nearly a tie due to the defection of several progressive Democratic lawmakers, who argued that the bill failed to address the underlying issues that caused the riot. Carter was one of two Republicans who didn't vote on the measure, while the rest of their Republican colleagues voted against the security funding, despite asking fellow Republican Rep. Kevin Calvert of California to vote no on his behalf. "Rep. Calvert had been voting by proxy for Rep. Carter throughout the week," a spokesman for Calvert told JustTheNews. "Rep. Calvert made a mistake and simply forgot to cast Rep. Carter's vote." Carter told Bloomberg in February that he'd used the procedure to take care of his wife while she was sick, and conceded that technology enables members to make informed decisions about how to vote. "If you have a serious family emergency or some kind of emergency in your district, like a hurricane came in or stuff like that, you ought to be able to proxy vote," said Carter. Carter's office did not respond to Insider's repeated requests for comment. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona Gosar objects to Arizonas Electoral College votes certification on January 6, 2021. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Gosar who's most recently garnered headlines for attending white nationalist conferences and being censured by the House of Representatives for releasing an anime video that depicted him killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also happens to be the 10th most frequent proxy voter in the Republican conference. He voted by proxy for the first time on January 21, 2021. Just six days later, Gosar wrote on Twitter that "Pelosi's 'proxy voting' scheme is shameful and unconstitutional." He has since deleted the tweet, and proceeded to proxy vote 110 more times since then, including once to attend a white nationalist event, while asking colleagues like Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Matt Gaetz of Florida, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia to vote on his behalf. At one point, he even asked fellow Republican Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri to vote on his behalf while he attended CPAC, only for her to decline when she learned why. "I was not going to vote anyone's proxy who was traveling for other reasons," she told CNN last year. "I just said, 'you know, find someone else to carry your proxy.'" Gosar's office did not respond to Insider's repeated requests for comment. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida Salazar at a hearing on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2021. Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images Salazar, a former Telemundo reporter who unexpectedly flipped a Miami-area House district in 2020, has voted by proxy 107 times. After first voting via proxy in July 2021, Salazar has continued to use the procedure frequently, including casting nearly 70 votes by proxy in 2022. The congresswoman told Insider in a statement that since her elderly mother fell ill last year, she's had to miss votes in order to serve as her main caretaker. "My parents sacrificed so much to give me a better life and my mother has always been there for me," said Salazar. "Without knowing how much time we have left together I want to be there for her." Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York Stefanik at a press conference on Capitol Hill on October 26, 2021. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Stefanik, whose position as caucus chair makes her the third highest-ranking member of House Republican leadership, has voted by proxy 106 times since January 2021. Her use of proxy voting is particularly flagrant, given her position in leadership and repeated denunciations of proxy voting, even while using the practice to attend a fundraiser with Trump in January 2021. Stefanik spokesman Alex deGrasse defended her use of proxy voting to attend the event, telling the Adirondack Daily Enterprise that she "will always work to ensure her district is represented at the highest levels which is why she made sure the district had a vote." Stefanik also voted entirely by proxy from August 24 until October 12 after giving birth to her first child in late August. In January 2022, Stefanik defended her use of the practice even while declaring that Republicans "believe in in-person voting" and would eliminate proxy voting if they regain control of Congress. "It's the rules of the House right now," Stefanik said. "These are the rules that Nancy Pelosi sets. She sets the mask rule, she sets the magnetometer rules. I oppose both of those rules, but we use them. I use those rules because those are the rules that she has set." Stefanik's office did not respond to Insider's repeated requests for comment. Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada Amodei at a hearing on Capitol Hill on March 30, 2022. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Amodei, a low-key congressman who's represented a wide swath of northern Nevada since 2011, has proxy voted 105 times. Nearly all of those proxy votes, which began in January 2021, were cast by either Republican Reps. Troy Balderson of Ohio or Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania. When asked about his frequent use of the procedure in August 2021, he justified it in similar terms to those that Stefanik would later use. "The use of proxies has been reality [sic] of The House Rules for nearly two years," he told the Nevada Current. "I follow House Rules." Amodei's office did not respond to Insider's repeated requests for comment. Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida Waltz at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on September 29, 2021. Rod Lamkey-Pool/Getty Images Waltz, who succeeded current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a special election in 2018 following his resignation from Congress, has used proxy voting 102 times. In every instance, Waltz has attested that he is "unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency," asking fellow Florida Republicans like Salazar, Cammack, and others to vote on his behalf. Waltz's office did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Insider. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida Gaetz at a hearing on Capitol Hill on October 21, 2021. Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images Matt Gaetz, the far-right congressman who's currently under a federal investigation for sex-trafficking allegations, has voted by proxy 100 times. He was among the Republicans that used the procedure to attend CPAC in February 2022, and unlike most of his GOP colleagues, he even used it in 2020. On both December 18 and 20 of 2020, Gaetz asked former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii to vote on his behalf. But Gaetz is one of the rare Republicans who's actually publicly supportive of proxy voting; when Insider reached out to his office for comment, spokesman Joel Valdez referred to a Washington Examiner oped that Gaetz wrote in November 2020. "To date, I've toed the party line, but no more: the Republicans are wrong," wrote Gaetz. "I am now convinced that remote voting would be a devastating blow to the lobbyists and special interests who corrupt our politics and harm our nation." He went on to detail what he sees as the average lawmaker's day, including taking "thousand-dollar PAC checks" from lobbyists and raising "tens of thousands of dollars over mediocre Tex-Mex." "I support remote voting because we are better as public servants when we spend more time with the public we are elected to serve," he wrote. "And if we cannot drain the swamp, we should at least spend less time in it." Read the original article on Business Insider The three men responsible for killing University of Kentucky student Jonathan Krueger during a violent robbery in April 2015 received their prison sentences in an emotional Fayette County courtroom Thursday. Roman Gonzalez, 24, Justin Delone Smith, 25, and Efrain Diaz, Jr., 27, all accepted guilty pleas for their involvement in the crime in early April. On Thursday a Fayette Circuit Court judge gave each of them decades-long prison sentences. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to murder and two counts of robbery. Judge Jeffrey Taylor sentenced Gonzalez to a total of 35 years in prison after accepting sentencing recommendations made by prosecutors and choosing to run the sentences for each of Gonzalezs convictions consecutively. Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter, two counts of robbery and evading police. Taylor also accepted the recommendations made by prosecutors for Smiths sentencing and ordered the sentences to run consecutively, setting his prison time to a total of 34 years. Diaz pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery. Taylor accepted prosecutors recommendations for Diaz and ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, putting Diaz in prison for a total of 20 years. Nearly 7 years after fatal shooting, suspects admit guilt in UK students death Taylor did credit the three men for their time served in jail while they awaited the resolution of their court cases, meaning that time will be taken off of their prison sentences. The lawyers for all three defendants asked for the sentences to be served concurrently, meaning the sentence for each individual conviction would be served at the same time and the total prison time would be reduced. Multiple letters from the defendants families were sent to Taylor asking for concurrent sentences. Smiths mother even spoke in court, mentioning how a rough upbringing negatively altered the course of her sons life. She maintained that he is a good person. Diaz and Smith both personally apologized to Kruegers family, including his mother. Story continues I know that if my mother were going through the same thing, she would be devastated, Diaz said. Diaz was 20 years old when the shooting happened. Gonzalez was 17 and Smith was 18. Victims mom: He had the biggest and most generous heart. After final statements from the defendants and their lawyers, some people who knew Krueger spoke in court, including Mary Krueger, Jonathans mother, Elizabeth Krueger, his sister, and the companion who was with him the night he died, Aaron Gillette. Mary Krueger delivered a 20-minute speech, with the podium facing the direction of the defendants and the gallery, that caused her and others in the courtroom to cry. She said she had been waiting seven years for Thursdays sentencing. She and all the other supporters in the courtroom felt it was long overdue. He had the biggest and most generous heart to match his smile, Mary Krueger said. It isnt possible for me to wrap my head around the idea that someone could crush his heart. Fayette Commonwealths Attorney Lou Anna Red Corn said she also felt justice was served but that it was overdue. She said legal matters involving the appeal of the death penalty set the case back a few years. Trial postponed, death penalty no longer sought in case of UK students shooting death This family has been through a nightmare that is going to continue for them, Red Corn said. Im glad the judge ran the sentences consecutively, that he understood the nature of what happened to those young men when they were walking home that day. Like Kruegers mother, Red Corn said this situation is every parents worst nightmare and something no one should experience. She hoped the sentencing could finally give the family some peace after seven years of waiting. A consequence is a very good thing, and the consequence will bring some peace this family, Red Corn said. It doesnt bring Jonathan back and it doesnt bring them joy. Surviving victim: I wouldnt wish my experience on anyone. Gillette first met Jonathan in 2012 when the two rushed for a fraternity at UK. Their friendship grew over time, and Gillette described Jonathan as one of his closest friends during his senior year in 2015. Although I consider myself lucky to spend Jons last night on Earth with him, I wouldnt wish my experience on anyone, Gillette said. Gillette said he never once felt unsafe on Maxwell Street or in Lexington, but the trauma he experienced has changed the way he sees things now. He said hes undergone counseling and treatment to try to heal the damage and still struggles to deal with the survivors guilt. Police: University of Kentucky student, friend tried to resist robbers; fatal shots blamed on juvenile Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots on April 29, Korean American and Black community leaders are planning a series of unity events to educate young people from both groups about a turning point in the citys history and to reflect on the ongoing work of healing past wounds and building trust. Korean Americans who lived through the uprising refer to the event as Saigu, which translates to 4-29. April 29, 1992, was the first day of the riots, which began after a jury acquitted four white police officers in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King. Six days later, more than 50 people would be dead and 3,000 businesses destroyed or looted, nearly half of which were Korean-owned. Damages totaled about $1 billion. Psychological scars ran just as deep: A survey from the Korean American Inter-Agency Council found that 15 percent of college-age Koreans in L.A. dropped out of school because of the riots, The Los Angeles Times reported in 1993. Saigu has become almost like a memorial for Korean Americans, Connie Chung Joe, chief executive officer of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles, told NBC Asian America. Its a moment of profound sadness and loss, of feeling so targeted and so abandoned. Los Angeles Times (Hyungwon Kang / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Six Korean and Black organizations including AAAJ, Los Angeles Urban League and Korean American Coalition are hosting a peace gathering at Koreatowns Liberty Park on Friday, bringing together recording artists and spiritual leaders to reflect on the impact of the riots on both racial groups. The musical performances from young Asian and Black artists, Joe said, are meant to draw in younger audiences who dont learn much about the event in school. In the late 1980s, widening racial wealth inequality escalated long-simmering tensions between Black and Korean Americans in L.A. Korean immigrants who owned many businesses in impoverished, majority-Black neighborhoods became the target of growing class resentment. These clashes reached a fever pitch in March 1991, when Korean shopkeeper Soon Ja Du killed 15-year-old Latasha Harlins and received probation. Story continues A year later, the jury acquitted the officers involved in Kings beating, setting off widespread riots that targeted Koreatown. Desperate merchants called authorities for help, but the police never showed up. Many had been deployed to protect to affluent white neighborhoods like Beverly Hills. To prioritize building Black-Asian solidarity, Joe said organizers were intentional with their use of language to center the perspectives of both groups. In marketing materials for the commemoration, they referred to the events of 1992 as an uprising instead of a riot, since uprising more accurately describes why violence had erupted following the King verdict, Joe said. The media back then framed this uprising as Koreans vs. Blacks, Joe said, noting that she hopes to use the gathering to raise awareness about the systemic racism that still persists. But the Korean community didnt come up with that decision; the judge and our criminal justice system created this racial hierarchy. A Korean man carries a weapon to prevent looters from entering a grocery store in Los Angeles on April 30, 1992. (John Gaps III / AP) The Korean American religious nonprofit Faith and Community Empowerment, with the support of Mayor Eric Garcetti and other city officials, is leading a monthlong Saigu campaign that includes film screenings, art exhibits and symposiums on subjects like creating multicultural, anti-racist faith communities. Hyepin Im, the founder of FACE, said many Korean business owners were sidelined or revictimized by the media and elected officials after suffering disproportionate losses during the riots. On the 10th anniversary, for example, she said President George W. Bush flew to L.A. but didnt visit Koreatown or meet with any Korean American leaders. I told myself then that I would do my part to ensure our narrative would not be demonized or erased, Im said. Part of this campaign is to reclaim the word 'saigu' and turn it into something that is positive. A daylong event on April 29 at Tapestry L.A. Church will feature a segment honoring those who stood up for Korean Americans, such as Radio Korea, which became an ad hoc command center for besieged business owners; Koreatown Youth and Community Center, which provided business counseling and assistance to riot victims; and a Crips leader who returned stolen goods to store owners. Aerial view of 1992 LA Riots (Myung Chun / MediaNews Group via Getty Images) Separately, the Department of Cultural Affairs is commissioning six local artists to create a public art installation in Leimert Park Plaza called Voices of the Rebellion: 30th Anniversary Reflections. And the Black-led group Operation HOPE will lead a private bus tour through South Central L.A. to recognize three decades of healing and revitalization in the neighborhood. City Councilmember John Lee, the second Korean American representative elected to the council, said its important to reflect on the legacy of Saigu because it precipitated the political awakening of the Korean diaspora. He said his run for public office was heavily influenced by what happened to his mother, who in 1992 operated four shoe stores in Koreatown. None burned down during the riots, but the unrest turned the neighborhood into a ghost town and dealt a crushing blow to surviving businesses. Within a couple of years, she drained her savings and had to shut every shop. Watching it on TV, I remember being very angry at the lack of response, he said. I remember wondering, Where was the police, and why werent they there to protect us? While the losses are irretrievable and emotional wounds still sting, Lee said Asian and Black Angelenos have achieved a remarkable amount of healing and community-building in the intervening years. In last years anti-Asian hate rallies, you saw people from every race joining us, Lee said. I dont know if that would have been the case 30 years ago. A Ukrainian woman is thanking the doctors and nurses at Mount Sinai West in New York City for helping her give birth to her first child after fleeing the war in Ukraine while 38 weeks pregnant. Olesia, a 38-year-old single mom from Kyiv, was enjoying her celebratory baby shower hours before the first Russian bombs fell on Ukraine. "My last photo from my apartment is me with a lot of gifts and balloons from this party," Olesia, whose last name is being omitted for her safety, told TODAY Parents. "I had a lot of plans in Kyiv for this year." Those plans quickly evaporated when Olesia woke up at 5 a.m. on the day after her baby shower and heard the sounds of Russian bombs. Within five minutes, she gathered a few onesies from her future daughter's pink nursery, along with her documentation and some cash, and drove to the nearest gas station, determined to leave the city. After encountering long lines to get gas, she decided to stay in Kyiv, fearing that she wouldn't have enough gasoline to flee and that her car would be targeted by Russian soldiers if she tried to evacuate. Olesia, pictured wearing a black jacket and the word Often cradling her visibly pregnant belly, Olesia spent three nights in a bomb shelter, hoping the assault would ease and she could remain in Kyiv. But on the fourth day, her maternity hospital was bombed. Olesia knew she had to leave her hometown in order to give birth to her daughter safely. "I understood that I didn't have a place for delivery," Olesia said. "So I decided to go to western Ukraine, and then into Poland." It took Olesia four days to make it to the Ukraine-Poland border, where she waited for more than 30 hours before safely crossing. "It was a lot of stress, but I understood in that moment that I needed to do it," Olesia said. "It would be safer for my daughter." Related: This is what its like to be a pregnant woman in Ukraine right now Before the war began, when Olesia was 32 weeks pregnant, she had asked her OB-GYN whether it was possible for her to fly to another country because she feared the inevitable Russian invasion. Her OB-GYN told her no, saying that it was far too dangerous for her to fly so late in her pregnancy. Story continues But once the war began, everything changed. In need of shelter and a safe place to give birth, Olesia spoke to her friend of more than a decade, Ana, who is also from Ukraine and now lives in Manhattan. "Once we got to Warsaw, I had a ticket for a plane," she explained. "It was very dangerous. The pilot was very afraid I would deliver on the plane. But, I made it." A picture of the bomb shelter where Olesia spent three nights as Russians invaded Ukraine. (Courtesy Olesia) Dr. Whitney Lieb, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive health at Mount Sinai, was one of the doctors waiting for Olesia. "We got an email saying there was a woman coming to the States who needed maternity care," Lieb told TODAY. "There was a bunch of us on the email, and we all just banded together to get her the earliest appointment." Lieb, who wound up becoming Olesia's primary OB-GYN, looked over her records, then worked tirelessly along with her team to get Olesia emergency public insurance so she could be treated. "With fragmented medical care, we wanted to make sure she was getting good care, ultrasounds and lab work, and that there weren't other medical conditions that could make a pregnancy high-risk," Lieb explained. "All of those things were going through our heads, to ensure that she was safe. There's so many terrifying things you think of at that time." Related: Desperation, then hope: American ex-military rescue pregnant surrogates in Ukraine Olesia had detailed medical records and she had received adequate care before the war started, which reassured the entire medical team. The doctors then examined Olesia, who despite the trauma of the war and the long journey was not experiencing any pain or pregnancy complications. "She was really stable, and she ended up breaking her water on March 25," Lieb said. "She had a normal vaginal delivery, with no complications, and was at the hospital for two days before going home." On March 25, Olesia's daughter, Kira, was born. Baby Kira, born on March 25, is happy, healthy and sleepy. (Courtesy Olesia) "We came in the morning at 4 a.m. At 11 a.m., it happened," Olesia recalled. "The doctors danced in our room. It was very fast, very easy and very fun." Olesia's labor and delivery was an emotional moment for the entire Mount Sinai team, who have felt helpless as they've watched the war impact and, in many instances, harm pregnant Ukrainians. "When we see these things on the news and hear about them, they're so far away and we feel like there's nothing we can do," Lieb said. "So being able to provide care for her really felt like we were making some kind of difference, you know? It felt really lovely to help someone in need." Related: Ukrainian mothers give birth in Poland after fleeing war at home It was also a full circle moment for Lieb, whose grandparents were born in Ukraine and eventually immigrated to the United States. "I didn't know my grandparents they died when I was very little," she explained. "But just that connection of my grandparents being from that area hit very hard for me. It was rewarding taking care of her and I feel privileged to be part of the team who took care of her." "It was just wonderful," Lieb added. "She is a really strong person, and it was just wonderful that she had a happy, healthy delivery and that she and her baby were safe and healthy. It was really just very touching." Olesia is pictured with some of the nurses who helped her safely bring her daughter, Kira, into the world. (Courtesy Olesia) Olesia is still in New York City with her daughter, Kira, who loves to eat and sleep and has just started to smile. "I can't believe that my daughter is with me," she added. "At the same time, I can't believe I lived without her. I feel like she was always with me." Olesia says she also knows how lucky she is. Russian forces have targeted children's hospitals, maternity wards and schools. The United Nations has been able to verify that at least 142 Ukrainian children have been killed, and tens of thousands more Ukrainian civilians are feared dead in Russian-occupied towns like Mariupol. Ukrainian refugees have been experiencing an increase in pregnancy complications as a result of the war. A pregnant woman and her fetus were killed after Russians bombed a maternity hospital in Mariupol. "I understand that if I stayed in Kyiv, it would be horror and very terrible," Olesia said. "A lot of women now in Ukraine are not safe. Days ago in Odessa, a 3-month-old girl was killed. She had the same name as my daughter, Kira. She died because civilian houses were attacked. This is happening every day in Ukraine." Related: At 37 weeks pregnant, she fled war ... and now shes going back to Ukraine Olesia said her heart is not only with her fellow Ukrainians, but with her family members, who remain in Poland and in Ukraine. "My sister is now in Poland, and my parents are in Donetsk (in eastern Ukraine)," she explained. "It's a very dangerous situation in Donetsk now. They spent the last two weeks in a bomb shelter, and now they want to leave and go to Poland too. I hope I can get all the necessary documents for Kira so that in May I can go back to Poland and, if it's safe, maybe even go back to Kyiv." Olesia said the first thing she'll do when she's back in Kyiv is show Kira her room, which she says is "very cute" and filled with a lot of toys and clothes. But until she can go back home and be reunited with her loved ones, Olesia has video calls with her family regularly so they can see her daughter. "She's my parents' first granddaughter, and they are very happy," she added. "We also have a big dog a golden retriever and that dog loves my baby so much. My sister says the dog is waiting for Kira and wants to play with her." Olesia holds her daughter, Kira, while posing with one of the health care professionals who helped her give birth. (Courtesy Olesia) Olesia says she will forever hold the team at Mount Sinai in her heart, and cannot thank them enough for the care they gave her. "When we were in the hospital for two days, seemingly every hour doctors and nurses came to ask if I needed help," she said. "I got a lot of advice from them, because this is my first baby. They helped me with breastfeeding, showed me how to change diapers and a lot of people just wanted to help us." Olesia also says that when her daughter is old enough, she will share her birth story with her and will not hide the horrible truths about the ongoing war in Ukraine. "Maybe it's not the best story, about war and about all of these moments, but it's her way," Olesia said. "My daughter is very strong. Her name, 'Kira,' means 'strong woman.' ... "Our story has a happy ending," she added. "I hope many of other people's stories will have a happy ending too, and people will be safe, children will be safe and the war will end as soon as possible." Related: Leading candidates for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvanias open governors office will meet for their first statewide live-televised prime-time debate as they seek an edge in a nine-person field. The candidates are former Congressman Lou Barletta, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, lawyer Bill McSwain and plumbing and HVAC firm owner Dave White. They are to appear Monday at 8 p.m. in the studio of WHTM-TV in Harrisburg for the one-hour debate. The four met the polling threshold set by the stations parent company. Democrat Josh Shapiro doesnt face a challenger for the partys nomination. The primary election is May 17. The debate is to be televised in Pennsylvanias six media markets. TRENDING NOW: Here are the top high schools in the Pittsburgh area, according to new 2022 rankings Pittsburgh man sentenced after violating supervised release by attempting a trip to Jamaica A new taco restaurant is set to open at the Ross Park Mall VIDEO: Man shot inside home when someone fired through basement window DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Ukrainian serviceman on a seized Russian tank 2346: The United States House of Representatives has passed S. 3522, the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, by a vote of 417-10. The bill will now pass to the U.S. President's desk, where U.S. President Joe Biden is likely to sign the measure. 2321: The United States House of Representatives has passed House Resolution 1065, 220-205, paving the way for a vote on the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act. The passing of this rule, which provides enhanced authority for the U.S. President to enter into agreements with the Government of Ukraine, means that Ukraine will likely receive lend-lease support from the United States the first such act of support since the Second World War. Lend-lease would allow for Ukraine to receive a much greater range of weaponry from the U.S., in higher quantities than has been offered previously. 2151: The Minister for Reintegration, Iryna Vereshchuk, says it may be possible for Ukraine to evacuate the civilians and soldiers trapped under the ruins of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, following a visit to Kyiv by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "We're beginning to plan the humanitarian operation," the Minister wrote in a Telegram post. 2141: Russia shelled Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast the day UN Secretary-General met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While they were speaking about the possible evacuation of civilians from Mariupol, two Russian missiles hit downtown Kyiv. Another missile strike happened in the Fastiv district of Kyiv Oblast, Kyiv Oblast council has reported on Telegram, revealing no details. The media reported about casualties, citing eyewitnesses. 1804: Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner swap on April 28, Ukraine's reintegration minister Iryna Vereshchuk has reported. According to her, Ukraine has rescued 45 people today 13 Ukrainian officers, 20 soldiers, and 12 civilians. 1701: Russian occupiers have been forcing Mariupol residents to dismantle the rubble of the drama theater Russia bombed early in March, Mariupol mayor's advisor Petro Andriushchenko has reported. Story continues Under the strict control of Russian soldiers, Mariupol residents are forced to clean the debris of the city. Russia bombed the drama theater, where more than 1300 people were hiding from shelling, on March 16. First it admitted it shelled the theater and then denied, claiming Ukrainians bombed themselves. 1628: Russia has shelled residential areas of New York, a town in Donetsk Oblast. Three civilians were killed and three more wounded, Donetsk governor Pavlo Kyrylenko has reported. 1304: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Ukraine. The mission is getting ready to assist evacuation from Mariupol. He visited Borodianka, a town in Kyiv Oblast where Russian soldiers killed dozens of civilians during the occupation. At the same time, UN in Ukraine Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Osnat Lubarni reported the UN mission is getting ready to go to Zaporizhzhia to prepare for the evacuation of Mariupol residents. 1256: German Bundestag has approved heavy weapons supplies to Ukraine, Spiegel has reported. Meanwhile, Russia has shelled Zaporizhzhia, local mayor Anatoliy Kurtev has reported. Twelve private houses were damaged, and five people were injured in the attack. No one has been killed. Morning digest Today the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Kyiv. Before that he visited Moscow where he was trying to persuade Vladimir Putin to organize a humanitarian corridor for civilians from the AzovStal factory in Mariupol. US President Joe Biden is also expected to give a speech about Ukraine today. Meanwhile, Russian invaders have been concentrating their attacks in Kharkiv and Donetsk directions. Russians keep massively shelling Luhansk Oblast. In the last 24 hours, 13 buildings were destroyed and four people were killed, Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai has reported. Russian propaganda news outlet RIA has reported the invaders have already "deported" more than 1 million Ukrainians to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. More than 183,000 of them are children. Overnight Ukrainian forces repelled nine enemy attacks in Donbas and shot down a fighter jet, a helicopter, and several drones of the invaders. The invaders continue terrorizing the occupied regions. Russian media announced in May Russia will introduce rubles in Kherson Oblast. Read also: 63rd day of Putin's war. An ammo depot in Russian Belgorod caught fire, Russia dispersed a pro-Ukrainian rally in Kherson Overnight Russian invaders shelled Kharkiv 11 times. They also opened artillery fire against Derhachi, Zolochiv, and Chuhuiv. Eight people were wounded and one person was killed, Kharkiv governor Oleh Synehubov has reported. Russia has already lost 22800 soldiers killed in action in Ukraine, Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff has reported. Deadline A local TV weatherman is feeling the heat after he described Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green in terms often used for primates. Joey Sulipeck, the chief meteorologist at Fox13 WHBQ-TV in Memphis, took to Twitter after the Memphis Grizzlies got drubbed by the Warriors on Saturday night 142-112, to complain about Memphis player Kyle [] Amal Clooney TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Amal Clooney at the United Nations Amal Clooney is speaking out about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Ukraine is, today, a slaughterhouse. Right in the heart of Europe," Clooney, 44, said Wednesday at an informal United Nations Security Council meeting in New York City. "Putin's aggressive war is so outrageous that even after warnings from the US, and Russia's long criminal record, Ukrainians could not believe this could happen," she added. She continued: "I still read news headlines not knowing how to process them. Could it be that thousands of children are being forcibly deported to Russia? Are teenage girls being raped in the street in front of their family and neighbors? Was a building that had the word 'children' painted on it bombed? Are civilians in Mariupol being systematically starved and tortured to death? Unfortunately, the answer is yes." CFJ's Co-President, Amal Clooney speaking at an informal UN Security Council meeting earlier today. #Ukraine https://t.co/CW6wiYF3Pn Clooney Foundation for Justice (@ClooneyFDN) April 28, 2022 In March, Clooney joined an international legal task force dedicated to investigating evidence of war crimes committed by Russian forces since their invasion of Ukraine was launched on February 24. Through this and the work of the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ), which she co-founded with husband George, 60, the human right's lawyer hopes to bring perpetrators of serious crimes committed under the cover of combat to a courtroom. RELATED: Ukrainian Woman Allegedly Raped by Russian Troop Who Said She 'Reminded Him' of Female Classmate To make this possible, the CFJ already has a team on the ground investigating evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The data it collects will then be used to launch criminal cases in national courts around the world under the principle of 'universal jurisdiction' and to support the work of investigative bodies and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Story continues Body bags are lined up for identification by forensic personnel and police officers in the cemetery in Bucha, north of Kyiv, on April 6, 2022, after hundreds of civilians were found dead in areas from which Russian troops have withdrawn around Ukraine's capital, including the town of Bucha. - Located 30 kilometres (19 miles) northwest of Kyiv's city centre, the town of Bucha was occupied by Russian forces on February 27 in the opening days of the war and remained under their control for a month. After the bombardments stopped, Ukrainian forces were able to retake the town. Large numbers of bodies of men in civilian clothing have since been found in the streets. RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty The war in Ukraine At the same time the CFJ's strategic partner, The Sentry, is investigating the Kremlin-backed mercenary firm Wagner Group, which is implicated in mass atrocities in the Central African Republic linked to the looting of gold, diamonds, and other resources vital to Russia's attempts to minimise the impact of international sanctions. "Here we are: faced with evidence of the crime of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity. And mounting evidence, each day, of genocide," Amal continued Wednesday about the war in Ukraine. Amal Clooney TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Amal Clooney at the United Nations "Peace like war must be waged. It doesn't just happen," she added. "And justice, too, is something we must fight for. "You may have to wait for someone to be out of office. You may have to wait for some of their underlings to defect. You may have to wait for them to get old. Or to travel. But if we remain very focused, and very resolute, justice may yet be within our reach" The Russian attack on Ukraine is an evolving story, with information changing quickly. Follow PEOPLE's complete coverage of the war here, including stories from citizens on the ground and ways to help. Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney chastised the United Nations (U.N.) on Wednesday for ignoring war crimes that have been happening in the world, saying it emboldened Russias assault on Ukraine. Here we are, faced with the evidence of crimes of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity and mounting evidence each day of the crime of genocide, Clooney said at an informal U.N. Security Council meeting. How did we get here? I believe we got here by ignoring justice for so long. For too long, we have watched as perpetrators of mass human rights abuses have murdered, tortured and raped without consequence, Clooney continued, citing Yemen and Myanmar as examples. The meeting focused on how Russia would be held responsible for its actions in Ukraine, as soldiers have been accused of killing civilians, kidnapping children and raping women. Clooney says countries have committed war crimes because they believe they will get away with it, and they have been right. Clooney says the international community needs to continue to rally behind Ukraine and urge accountability for war crimes so the issue does not get ignored like other conflicts, such as those in Syria. What worries me as I sit here today is that the resolute action we have seen in the first 50 days of this war will turn out to be the high point instead of the starting point of the legal and diplomatic response from the world, Clooney said, adding that the U.N.s actions could slowly fade into a predictable pattern. In response to Russias invasion, the U.N. has voted to condemn the war, while many of its countries have provided aid and weapons to Ukraine. The U.S. has given billions of dollars in aid and weapons while sanctioning Russian oligarchs and others for the war. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Microsoft failed in its attempt to challenge Amazon's $10 billion NSA contract. Nextgov has learned the NSA re-awarded the "Wild and Stormy" cloud computing deal to Amazon Web Services after reviewing the decision. While the Government Accountability Office recommended a reevaluation in October following Microsoft's objections, it's clear the second look didn't substantially change the outcome. Many details of the contract are unsurprisingly murky, but it's part of a larger Hybrid Compute Initiative that will see the NSA migrate intelligence data from in-house servers to those of a cloud provider like AWS. Wild and Stormy should help the security agency cope with growing datasets without having to manage the storage itself. This isn't the first time Amazon and Microsoft have been at odds over a large-scale US government agreement. The two fought bitterly over the military's $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) cloud project, with Microsoft surviving Amazon's challenge only to watch the Defense Department cancel the contract once requirements changed. Microsoft isn't down and out when it's still in the running for the $9 billion Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability deal, but this still represents a significant blow for a company that thrives on government partnerships. 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 Story at a glance A Missouri House bill would bar doctors in the state from providing gender-affirming care to patients younger than 18 years old. Some say gender-affirming care should be off-limits to people under 25 years of age, citing brain maturity. The bill currently would only apply to Missouri minors if it is signed into law, but young adults in the state that have not yet turned 25 worry their care may still be taken away from them. The bills sponsor, Rep. Suzie Pollock, is sponsoring another piece of legislation this year that would require physicians to provide those seeking gender-affirming care with the most recent available studies on detransitioners. Elliot Laurence is 23 years old. Hes an editor at Saint Louis University School of Law and just ended a six-year enlistment in the United States Air Force, where he served as a staff sergeant. Laurence is also transgender, and, under a proposed Missouri law, may soon be considered ineligible to receive the gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy (HRT) he has been taking for four years that is, until his 25th birthday in July of 2024. Missouri House Bill 2649, introduced in February, would bar physicians and other health care providers in the state from providing gender transition procedures like puberty blockers or hormones to individuals younger than 18 years old. The bill, officially titled the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, has been championed by conservative legislators who say their intent is to protect children from making drastic changes to their bodies before they are able to fully comprehend the gravity of those choices. America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. Giving children puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and even irreversible surgery violates the first duty of medicine, which is Do no harm, Missouri state Rep. Suzie Pollock (R), who is sponsoring the bill, said during a recent hearing. Minors cannot consent to these harmful physical interventions. Story continues But state lawmakers this month debated whether the states proposed ban on gender-affirming care should be extended to adults, pointing to research suggesting the human brain is not fully developed before the age of 25. Before then, individuals are not able to fully comprehend the dramatic and drastic and irreparable changes to their bodies, Laurie Haynes, a psychologist, said last week during a public hearing, where she also equated gender-affirming care to child abuse. In some cases, Haynes said, conversion therapy may be an option for those who voluntarily want to explore whether they have the capacity to moderate their identities. While the bill as it currently reads only applies to minors, young transgender and nonbinary adults in Missouri are beginning to worry that the measure, which passed its final House committee on Wednesday, will be amended to restrict gender-affirming care to individuals younger than 25. For people like Laurence, that could mean being forced off their hormones for years. At 23 years old, Laurence is a veteran sergeant of the U.S. military and holds a bachelors degree in English Language and Literature from Webster University in Missouri, for which he was permitted as a teenager to borrow thousands of dollars from the government. But Im still not developed enough to decide what name and pronouns I want to use? It just doesnt add up, he told Changing America. In an interview, Laurence said he feels as though his own journey differs from the typical transgender narrative and, growing up, he didnt mind wearing dresses and had similar interests to those of his sisters. But something always felt off, he said. It took me a little while to realize what it was, he said, because I am more of a feminine person, even now. After enlisting in the military at 17, just before his high school graduation, Laurence began experimenting with male clothing and challenging the idea of conventional masculinity. He cut his hair short and started using male pronouns. At 19, Laurence placed an order at a fast food restaurant under the name Elliot, which has been his legal name since 2019. When a restaurant employee called him sir, Laurence said everything fell into place. It was like, this is it this is what Ive been waiting for, he said. That same year, he began taking testosterone. If a statewide ban on gender-affirming care was extended to adults under 25 years old, health care providers in Missouri would risk losing their medical licenses by supplying Laurence with the hormones his body has become accustomed to. His voice would remain low, but his facial hair would stop growing. Some of his breast tissue would grow back. That would put me into the place that I was before I started transitioning, which is very upset with my body, feeling strange in my own skin things that I have been able to overcome in the last four years, he said. Pollock, the bills sponsor, did not respond to multiple inquiries from Changing America about whether she plans to alter the bills language to extend the states proposed ban to transgender and nonbinary individuals younger than 25. She also did not respond to questions asking whether people like Laurence would be forced off their care if her bill were to become law. Pollock last year voted in favor of a bill with an amendment barring transgender women and girls in Missouri from competing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. The bill itself bore no similarities to the amendment, and was initially introduced as a measure to protect the grade averages of students adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollock earlier this month spoke on a panel about transgenderism at an event held by the conservative organization Concerned Women for America, which in March filed a Title IX complaint against the University of Pennsylvania for allowing Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer and the first transgender NCAA Division I champion, to compete on the universitys womens team. A second bill sponsored by Pollock this year would require physicians to provide those seeking gender-affirming care with the most recent available studies on detransitioners, or individuals who sought gender-affirming care and later regretted doing so. According to the 2015 National Transgender Survey, detransitioning is exceedingly rare and more than 60 percent of those who do detransition do so only temporarily. I have no regrets, Laurence said, adding that if he is forced off HRT before his 25th birthday, he doesnt have any doubts that hell start taking testosterone again once he turns 25. But hes hoping it wont come to that for his sake and for the sake of other young gender-expansive adults in Missouri. Thats a lot of people. Thats a lot of people who have full time jobs and a lot of people who have college degrees, Laurence said. Thats a lot of people who have been told by the government that theyre not developed enough to make decisions for themselves. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was one of just eight House lawmakers to vote against seizing assets from Russian oligarchs. The progressive firebrand said seizing the yachts and plush apartments of billionaire cronies of Russian President Vladimir Putin could undermine Americans Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful search and seizure. Oligarchs should pay ... but this vote told POTUS to violate the 4th Amd & seize private property, AOC wrote on Twitter. AOC and other progressives have long been concerned about civil forfeiture laws, which have sometimes been used as blunt weapons in the hands of overzealous prosecutors. Some advocates say those forfeiture rules have disproportionately been used to punish Black and brown suspects in the failed war on drugs. This sets a risky new precedent in the event future Presidents who may seek to abuse that expansion of power, Ocasio-Cortez said. She insists she supports Ukraines effort to turn back the Russian invasion and has backed other anti-Russian sanctions. The measure, which calls on President Biden to seize oligarchs assets that have already been frozen, only targets foreigners, undermining AOCs argument about its potential use against Americans. It passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan 417-8 vote. The no votes included an extremely unusual coalition: AOC was joined on the left by three of her staunchest progressive allies, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri). They were joined by four of the most extreme right-wing Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-Fla.), Rep. Chip Roy (R-Tex.) and Rep. Tom Massie (R-Ky.) Greene and Cawthorn have been harshly critical of the Ukrainian government and have spouted pro-Putin talking points, while Massie is fiercely opposed to U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts. A "fictosexual" Japanese man who married a hologram in 2018 recently told a Japanese newspaper that their relationship is struggling with communication. Akihiko Kondo, 38, who works at a middle school in a Tokyo suburb, married Hatsune Miku, a hologram that was created by a computer as singing software, on Nov. 4, 2018, in a wedding that cost more than $17,000. As one of the thousands of "fictosexuals," Kondo is attracted to fictional characters. Japanese man Akihiko Kondo poses with a doll of Japanese virtual reality singer Hatsune Miku, as he shows their marriage certificate, at his apartment in Tokyo, on Nov. 10, 2018, a week after marrying her. BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images Kondo first interacted with Miku using Gatebox, a $1,300 device that projected fictional characters into a cylinder and allowed users to communicate via artificial intelligence and marry them unofficially. When he proposed to her in the cylinder, Miku reportedly replied, "I hope you'll cherish me." MAN, 35, REPORTEDLY MARRIES COMPUTER HOLOGRAM Since their marriage in 2018, Gatebox technology no longer exists, which Kondo said has complicated their relationship, but not lessened his feelings. "My love for Miku hasnt changed," he told Japanese paper Mainichi, which recounted how he walks around with a life-size version of the doll. "I held the wedding ceremony because I thought I could be with her forever." Japanese man Akihiko Kondo poses next to a hologram of Japanese virtual reality singer Hatsune Miku at his apartment in Tokyo, on Nov. 10, 2018, a week after marrying her. BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images Remembering what caused him to withdraw into a world where he would marry a fictitious character, Kondo told Newshub, "It's not that people can't live in society because they're engrossed in a two-dimensional world, but rather, there are cases where people become captivated as they search for a place for themselves in video games and anime because reality is too painful for them." "I was one of those people. People who don't understand the background probably think, 'Games are disrupting their lives,' but that's not the case," he added. Kondo was reportedly bullied at work and fell into a depression in 2008 when he first stumbled upon Miku and realized human relationships weren't for him. He credits the Vocaloid software voicebank with pulling him out of his depression. "I stayed in my room for 24 hours a day, and watched videos of Miku the whole time," he recalled to Mainichi. Fox News' Elizabeth Zwirz contributed to this report. Atlanta police arrested a man on Tuesday whose previous run-ins with law enforcement led to his arrest over 19 times in four states. The departments Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit (ACE) was contacted by NYPD detectives about a suspect wanted for murder believed to be in or passing through Atlanta. The ACE Unit and the Air Unit began searching for the suspect, officials said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police gathered information leading them to a shopping area at 1 Buckhead Loop in North East Atlanta where they located the suspect. The Air Unit tracked the suspect and guided ACE Unit officers to the location where officers made the stop. Police arrested Lequan Battle, 26, who had been arrested 19 times in four different states. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Battle had active warrants for a parole violation and murder. The passenger, Michael Anderson, 26, was arrested on an active warrant for trespassing and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Anderson had numerous run-ins with law enforcement as he was also arrested a total of 16 times. Police say they recovered a firearm, fictitious identity documents, and counterfeit currency during the arrest. TRENDING STORIES: Officials say they learned the suspects vehicle was purchased with a dead persons identity. IN OTHER NEWS: A longtime Memphis attorney was convicted of stealing a clients $150,000 check she was awarded in a 2014 civil case settlement, Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich said. Paul Springer, a lawyer for over 20 years, represented a woman in a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. The case settled with the city agreeing to pay the woman $150,000, DA said. Springers fee was one-third of the settlement. After litigation costs were deducted, she was expected to receive approximately $90,000, according to a press release. Springer picked up the check from the City Attorneys Office in Mar. 2014, and kept the full amount. Springer, who still faces theft charges involving another client, was permanently disbarred in 2018 by the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, DA said. Paul Springer was convicted on the felony count of theft of property over $60,000. He will be sentenced in June. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending stories: China has hit out at the US for sending a guided-missile destroyer through the Taiwan Strait a few days ago. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit April 26 (local time) through international waters in accordance with international law, the US Navys Japan-based Seventh Fleet said in a statement. The ships transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows, it added. But China on Wednesday accused the US of publicly hyping the event. The frequent provocations of the US have sent the wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces and deliberately undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, senior colonel Shi Yi, a Chinese military spokesperson, said in a statement. We firmly oppose it. The PLA Eastern Theater Command organised forces to track and monitor the US warship throughout its entire course on high alert, Mr Shi added. Tensions have been simmering between the US and China over Taiwan in recent months. China considers the self-governing island to be a part of its territory and has condemned US support for Taiwan. While the US recognises Beijing and does not have any official relations with Taiwan, it supplies arms to the island nation under the Taiwan Relations Act. Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office said Beijing opposes any kind of military ties between Taiwan and the US. The Taiwan issue concerns Chinas core interest, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a biweekly news conference. We will by no means allow and strongly oppose any interference by exterior forces. Additional reporting by agencies The First Street U.S. Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) A Beverly Hills real estate developer has agreed to plead guilty to bribing a former Los Angeles County real estate official in connection with a lucrative lease scheme, a charge that could bring a 10-year federal prison term. The developer, Arman Gabaee, 61, also known as Arman Gabay, paid the county employee, Thomas M. Shepos, bribes and kickbacks of about $1,000 a month from around 2011 to 2017, according to the plea agreement signed Tuesday. In exchange, the plea agreement states, Shepos gave non-public information to Gabaee and got him favorable terms on county deals. Shepos cooperated with the FBI and secretly recorded meetings at which Gabaee paid $6,000 in cash bribes, the document states. Central to the case was the Hawthorne Mall, a property Gabaee owned and was redeveloping. His bribes were meant to induce the county to rent office space for the Department of Public Social Services on the site, a 10-year deal worth more than $45 million, prosecutors said. Shepos was a senior official in the countys real estate division whose job was to negotiate leases between property owners and the county. He had the power to green light deals, subject to final approval by the Board of Supervisors. Under Gabaees influence, Shepos pressured a subordinate to make sure the Hawthorne Mall deal looked good on paper, the plea deal states. To secure Shepos help in winning the Hawthorne Mall lease, the plea deal states, Gabaee not only paid him monthly bribes but tried to buy a home for Shepos use in Northern California wine country. In April 2017, the plea deal states, Gabaee made offers on a $1-million home in Santa Rosa, but swiftly withdrew the offer after FBI agents confronted him. As part of the plea agreement, Gabaee, co-founder of the Hollywood-based real estate firm Charles Co., will agree to pay a fine of $1.1 million. He is expected to formally enter the guilty plea on Monday before U.S. District Judge George H. Wu. In a 2020 court filing meant to counter Gabaees claim that he had been entrapped, the U.S. attorneys office revealed that a telephone wiretap suggested he had not just bribed Shepos but also had corrupt dealings with other public officials. Story continues In 2017, the filing stated, Gabaee asked an unnamed high-level official at a public agency to assist a friend with a tax issue, prompting the official to reply: Well help him out. According to the court filing, Gabaee then told his friend, I took care of it for you, explained that he helped the public officials friends in campaigns and things like that, and added: Tell no one. Dont even trust your own shadow. In another intercepted 2017 conversation, federal authorities said, Gabaee told a lobbyist to pay off a second public official in a bid to obtain Section 108 funding for a development project in Calexico. I need somebody whos got huevos and power too, Gabaee said, according to the filing. The wiretaps suggested that Gabaee was likely giving bribes and/or benefits to a third public official, who prompted Gabaee to make a $10,000 contribution to an ally's political campaign in exchange for help on the construction of Gabaees home. That same year, the wiretap captured Gabaee telling a lobbyist that he would write a check to a fourth unnamed public official to get on his good side because he would need help soon in Washington, prosecutors wrote. Defendant is transactional, prosecutors wrote. When defendant gives donations or takes care of a public official, he expects official acts in return. The U.S. attorneys office has not identified the public officials in question, and declined to comment when asked if they were under investigation. Shepos, a Palmdale man who worked at the county CEOs real estate division for nearly two decades, pleaded guilty in 2018 to making false statements to federal investigators and to signing a false tax return, both felonies. In his plea agreement, Shepos acknowledged that he did not report $434,000 in bribes and kickbacks over seven years with the countys real estate division. He said he received bribes not just for the Hawthorne lease but also from an electrical contractor who would slip him envelopes with $50 and $100 bills in exchange for help in winning country contracts for electrical work. Shepos began accepting bribes after a contentious divorce that left him hopelessly trapped in debt, his attorney said. Shepos could face eight years in prison when he is sentenced in June. The L.A. county CEO's office said the plea deal marked a "milestone toward correcting a series of corrupt acts that led to a betrayal of the public's trust." Since the corruption was revealed, the county said it has introduced measures to strengthen oversight of real estate transactions, including a new management team, annual audits of the real estate division, and a "special strike team" to evaluate policies. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Associated Press With anti-immigrant rhetoric bubbling over in the leadup to this year's critical midterm elections, about 1 in 3 U.S. adults believes an effort is underway to replace U.S.-born Americans with immigrants for electoral gains. About 3 in 10 also worry that more immigration is causing U.S.-born Americans to lose their economic, political and cultural influence, according to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to fear a loss of influence because of immigration, 36% to 27%. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Joe Biden has called for a giant $33bn package of military and economic aid to Ukraine, more than doubling the level of US assistance to date, in an emphatic rejection of Russian threats of reprisals and escalation. A few hours after Biden spoke, Kyiv was shaken by two powerful cruise missile strikes, while the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, was visiting the Ukraine capital following a meeting with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. A senior Ukrainian presidential aide, Mykhailo Podolyak, called the attack a postcard from Moscow and asked why Russia still had a seat on the UN security council. Biden asked Congress to give immediate approval for spending that would include over $20bn in military aid, involving everything from heavy artillery and armoured vehicles to greater intelligence sharing, cyber warfare tools and many more anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. Biden also requested $8.5bn in economic aid to Kyiv and $3bn in humanitarian relief, as well as funds to help increase US production of food crops and strategic minerals to offset the impact of the war in Ukraine on global supplies. The total of $33bn is more than twice the last supplemental request approved by Congress in March and dwarfs the entire defence budget of Ukraine and of many other countries. The US president said it was aimed at helping Ukraine repel the renewed Russian offensives in the east and south of the country, but also to transition to assuring the nations longer-term security needs. On the same day, Congress agreed to update the 1941 lend-lease legislation with which Franklin D Roosevelt sought to help Britain and other allies fight Nazi Germany. The updated law is intended to make it easier for the US to provide military equipment to Ukraine. It comes in the face of Russian warnings that increased western weapons supplies to Ukraine would endanger European security, that western intervention could bring instant Russian reprisals and raise the risk of nuclear conflict. Story continues Making the case for western aid, Biden argued that on the contrary, if Putin was not stopped in Ukraine he would continue to threaten global peace and stability. The president framed the request principally in terms of defending Ukraine, and did not explicitly repeat the declaration earlier this week by his defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, that one of US aims in Ukraine was to weaken Russia to stop it attacking other countries. Despite the disturbing rhetoric coming out of the Kremlin, the facts are plain for everybody to see. Were not attacking Russia. Were helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, Biden said. But he added the cost involved was a small price to pay to punish Russia and aggression, to lessen the risk of future conflicts. Throughout our history, weve learned that when dictators do not pay the price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and engage in more aggression, he said. The threats to America and the world keep rising. We cant let this happen. The new military assistance the congressional funding will finance will include: More artillery and armored vehicles, as well as anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft systems. Help to build up Ukraines cyber warfare capabilities. More intelligence sharing. Support to increase Ukraines ability to produce munitions and strategic minerals. Assistance in clearing landmines and other explosives and in Ukraines defence against chemical, biological and dirty bomb attacks. A further buildup in the US military presence on Natos eastern flank. The Kremlins official spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, warned on Thursday that an increased western supply of heavy weapons to Kyiv would endanger European security. The tendency to pump weapons, including heavy weapons, into Ukraine, these are the actions that threaten the security of the continent, provoke instability, Peskov said. The day before, Vladimir Putin had threatened a lightning fast response to western intervention in Ukraine, adding: We have all the weapons we need for this. His foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has accused the US and its allies of fighting a proxy war in Ukraine and warned of the rising danger of a nuclear conflict. Biden rejected the accusation he was fighting a proxy war, describing the claim as part of the Kremlins domestic propaganda to explain the inability of Russian forces to achieve their goals. I think its more of a reflection, not of the truth, but of their failure, the president said. He added: No one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons. The package of proposals the administration is sending to Congress also includes measures to strengthen the hand of the justice department in pursuing Kremlin-aligned oligarchs seizing their assets and using the proceeds to support the Ukraine war effort. Related: UN secretary general describes war in Ukraine as absurdity in 21st century Biden said the measures would allow for expanded and expedited measures for investigating, prosecuting, and forfeiting assets of Russian oligarchs to be used for the benefit of Ukraine. Were going to seize their yachts and luxury homes and other ill-begotten gains of Putins kleptocracy, he added. The president made his announcement as the UN secretary general was visiting Ukraine, where he described the war as an absurdity in the 21st century. Guterres was touring Borodianka on Thursday, where Russian forces are accused of massacring civilians before their withdrawal, on his first visit to Ukraine since the start of the invasion on 24 February, before talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In nearby Bucha, where dozens of civilian bodies, some with their hands tied, were discovered this month, Guterres backed an investigation by the International Criminal Court into possible war crimes in Ukraine. I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept, to cooperate with the ICC, he said. The humanitarian impact of the Russian invasion has been devastating. The UN refugee agency UNHCR said nearly 5.4 million Ukrainians had fled their country since the attack began, with more than 55,000 leaving in the past 24 hours. While the outflow has slowed significantly since March, it forecast that the conflict in Ukraine could produce 8.3 million refugees by the end of the year. Maria Zakharova, Russias foreign ministry spokesperson, warned the west on Thursday to stop encouraging Ukraine to strike at targets inside Russian territory, saying it was trying our patience. Multiple targets, including fuel and ammunition depots, have been hit in Russian provinces bordering Ukraine in recent days. Such aggression against Russia cannot remain without an answer, Zakharova said. We would like Kyiv and western capitals to take seriously the statement that further provocation prompting Ukraine to strike against Russian facilities will be met with a harsh response from Russia. Podolyak, the Ukrainian presidential aide, defended the countrys right to strike inside Russia, saying: Ukraine will defend itself in any way, including strikes on the warehouses and bases of the killers in Russia. The world recognises this right. Britains defence secretary, Ben Wallace, on Thursday also repeated the UKs assertion that it was legitimate under international law for Ukrainian forces to target Russian logistics infrastructure, but he said such attacks were unlikely to use British weapons. The US on Thursday accused Russia of planning fake independence votes to justify its conquest of Ukrainian territory, saying the Kremlin might attempt sham referenda in southern and eastern areas it had captured using a well-worn playbook that steals from historys darkest chapters and must never be recognised as legitimate. NextShark A 91-year-old Korean War Navy veteran is hoping to find his first love, who he met during his time as a second class petty officer in Japan in 1953. Duane Mann, 91, wrote a Facebook post on May 1 hoping to find someone who recognizes the woman in a photo he took in 1953, whose name he says is Peggy Yamaguchi. In the post, Mann explains that while he was stationed in Japan from 1953 to 1954 at age 23, he met Yamaguchi at an Air Force NCO Club, where he worked as a slot machine repairman in his spare time and Yamaguchi worked as the hat check girl. By Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL (Reuters) -Visiting Asia next month for the first time since becoming U.S. president in 2021, Joe Biden will hold talks with allies in Japan and South Korea over China's growing influence in the region and the latest threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. "The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties, and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results," the White House said in a statement. Biden will meet South Korea's new president Yoon Suk-yeol on May 21, during a three day visit that comes shortly after Yoon's swearing-in on May 10, Yonhap news agency reported. The U.S. president will travel to Japan on May 22, where he will meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, before both leaders attend a gathering of the Quad security group along with their counterparts from Australia and India. Biden's trip to Asia comes at a time when Washington is seeking to reinforce unity and commitment among allies in response to both Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and China's growing economic and security influence in the region. North Korea is expected to be a key topic for discussion in both Seoul and Tokyo, as Pyongyang is outlining an expansive new doctrine for nuclear weapons use. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has threatened to use nuclear weapons to strike anyone who violates the North's "fundamental interests." North Korea resumed testing of its long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) for the first time since 2017 last month, and Seoul and Washington officials say it may be preparing for a new round of nuclear tests. Yoon and Biden will hold in-depth discussions on a broad range of issues including developing the alliance between the United States and South Korea, "policy coordination on North Korea, economic security, and major regional and international affairs," Yoon's spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin said. Story continues During his election campaign, Yoon pledged to bolster South Korea's defence capability to counter North Korea's threats. In Tokyo, Biden and Kishida will seek ways to build on their ties to further peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a briefing. "Russias invasion of Ukraine is a unilateral attempt by force to change the status quo and a huge shock to the international order, and ... its essential to further strengthen the US-Japan alliance and verify the ties that will allow us to work towards a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul and Elaine Lies in Tokyo; Editing by Jack Kim) Mandarin-Speaking Australian Tour Guide: Chinese history and culture need to be known by more people 14:30, April 27, 2022 By Haotian Zheng ( People's Daily Online As an Australian citizen, Justin Steele has long served as a tour guide who has kept a strong connection with China, Chinese tourists and Chinese culture. It was a choice in following my destiny to select Chinese as second language because I expected to help more people learn about China's rich history and its diverse cuisines, he said. Steele, who also has a Chinese name, Hailin Wen, has been a tour guide in Sydney for many years now. The Australian man, who speaks fluent Chinese, has a great passion for Chinese culture and offers guide services for tourists in Mandarin Chinese. Through the years, he has helped many Chinese visitors to enjoy a wonderful journey in Sydney, Australia, by offering his Mandarin-speaking tours. There are a lot of people in Sydney and in Australia with a Chinese background, and I think those people are really important in building relationships. So this Chinatown tour that Ive launched is focused on telling the story of Chinese-Australians and to celebrate the contributions that the Chinese people have made to Australia over the last 200 years, said Steele. Steele used to work as a corporate lawyer until one day he finally decided to quit his job and pursue a happier career as a tour guide and travel consultant. He noted that the most exciting thing about this job is to show people different places and bring people together to experience historical stories. In 2018, Steele founded AussieYou Travel (now called Local Sauce), a travel agency that offers small group tour services for tourists worldwide. Its Walking Sydney's Chinatown tour has been among the most popular options for Chinese tourists. This tour was designed to give visitors a chance to learn more about the Chinese communities residing in Australia. During the two-hour tour, Steele usually takes the visitors to Chinatown, tasting authentic Chinese snacks and exploring the early history and development of the community. When people talk about Chinese food, they may only know Sichuan, Shanghai and Cantonese cuisine, but they don't know what Rou Jia Mo and lamb kebabs are, so I want more people to taste special snacks from different parts of China, said the man. Actually, Steele personally knows many of the Chinese restaurant owners there. He would always give them a warm hello every time he passes by. These restaurants have lost so much business over the past two years because of COVID. So I want to help them in this way, he said. Other than Chinese cuisine, Steele also takes the time to introduce the history behind some of the different Chinese communities in Australia. He takes the visitors to places such as the Australian Chinese Ex-Services Monument and the Golden Water Mouth Tree, a feng shui-stylized treasure tree covered in 23-karat gold leaf at the entranceway to the local Chinatown. To encourage the tourists to learn more about how the local Chinese community has contributed to the development of Sydney, Steele even designed an educational game, where participants are divided into different teams and then compete to find nine Chinese-Australians and list their contributions to society. Steeles interest in China began all the way back when he was in primary school. At that time, he was living with his family whose home was located in the Chinese community of Brisbane. With the influence of many Chinese and Asian classmates, he chose Chinese as a second language to study as a young pupil. This learning experience then accompanied him through his high school and university years. China has been a big part of my life and I made many Chinese friends both in Australia and China, he said. At the age of 16, Steele went to Guilin for an exchange study trip where he received a Chinese name from his host family. During this exchange trip, he visited Shanghai, Beijing, and many other places in China. After graduating from high school, the young man went on to study at Nanjing University, where he spent a great deal of vocational time traveling everywhere around the country as a student. No matter where he went, he would always do his best to taste the local food and learn about local culture, this is the best way to understand the diversity of China. Nowadays, Chinese tourists have become an important group for Steeles business in Australia. More than 50 percent of his clients are Chinese, having seen overall a 40 percent increase in his total number of clients from 2018 to 2019. This number was expected to double by 2020, but the business was met with its most severe challenge to date over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, Steele remains optimistic about his career. He never regretted entering into the tourism industry. He is also really looking forward to welcoming more tourists to Australia after the pandemic is over. I hope my little tours can play a part to help in improving relations and improving peoples knowledge in recognition of the importance of the China-Australia relationship through tourism, he said. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Hospitals see decrease in COVID-19 patients A patient room is ready to use at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Hospitals across California have seen a decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients. Credit - Paul Bersebach-MediaNews Group/Orange County Register Back in 1982, when I first began my career as a family practitioner in a small town of Boston, I was confident that the care Id provide would be as effective as the care patients receive anywhere in the world. At the time, the death rate for Americans was lower than that of comparable countries, resulting in 128,000 fewer deaths annually. Although healthcare was expensivecosting 2.3% more of our GDP than the average of 11 other wealthy countriesthe rapid growth of HMOs and managed care plans promised to make our healthcare even more effective and efficient. Over the ensuing four decades, however, the opposite has occurred. The same age-adjusted mortality rate has improved so much more in comparable countries that, by 2017, an excess 478,000 Americans were dying each year. This translates into an extra 1,300 deaths daily, equivalent to three jumbo jets crashing every day. The everyday poor health of Americans and the inability of our healthcare system to mitigate preventable deaths amounts to a crisis that dwarfs even the COVID-19 pandemic. And our excess spending has risen to 6.8 percent of GDP, or $1.5 trillion per year. This raises a key question: Why have so many smart, well-trained doctors stood by as American healthcare descended into a state of profound dysfunction? The answer lies in the gradual, nearly invisible commercial takeover of the medical knowledge that doctors are trained to trust. This transition started in the 1970s, when the acceptance rate of grant applications for funding from the National Institutes of Health shrankfrom roughly half of medical research applications to one-third. Then, in 1981, President Ronald Reagan slashed government support of university-based medical research, further pushing academic researchers into the waiting arms of industry, especially pharmaceutical companies. Following the 1980 passage of the University and Small Business Patent Procedures Act, nonprofit institutions and their researchers were allowed to benefit financially from the discoveries made while conducting federally funded research. Story continues Former president of Harvard University Derek Bok expressed concern about the growth of commercial activities within academia: Making money in the world of commerce often comes with a Faustian bargain in which universities have to compromise their basic valuesand thereby risk their very souls The biggest shift was, however, still to come. Over the past few decades, the drug companies have taken over most of our clinical research. In 1991, academic medical centers (AMCs)hospitals that train doctors and conduct medical researchreceived 80 percent of the money that industry was spending to fund clinical trials. The drug companies relied on academic researchers for their expertise in designing studies, enrolling patients, and analyzing the data. This arrangement allowed academics to receive the funding they needed while still preserving much of their independence. But by 2004, the percentage of commercially funded clinical trials conducted by AMCs had fallen from 80 to just 26 percent. A look at the research contracts between corporations (mostly Big Pharma companies) and academic medical centers shows that 80% allowed the commercial funder to own, and thus control, the data from jointly conducted research. Furthermore, fully half of the research contracts between drug companies and academic institutionsthe partnerships with the highest likelihood of upholding rigorous research standardsallowed industry insiders to ghostwrite clinical trial reports for publication in scientific journals, relegating the named authors to the position of suggesting revisions. Nonetheless thorough peer review ensures that these reports are accurate, right? Wrong. Unbeknownst to almost all doctors, peer reviewers are not granted access to the underlying data that serves as the basis for the reported findings. The drug companies own that data and keep it confidential as corporate property. Reviewers must rely on brief data summaries included in the submitted manuscripts. Peer reviewers at even the most prestigious medical journals cannot possibly attest to the accuracy and completeness of the articles they review. This sham was exposed in 2005 when the editors of an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine admitted they had not seen relevant data from a clinical trial involving Mercks arthritis drug Vioxx. Five years earlier, the article had extolled the drugs safety even though neither the editors nor the peer reviewers had been granted access to underlying data, which showed three heart attacks that had occurred in patients treated with Vioxx were not reported. Had this data had been properly disclosed and analyzed when the manuscript was first submitted, the article would have shown that Vioxx significantly increased the risk of heart attack five-fold when compared to over-the-counter naproxen (Aleve). And many of the estimated 30,000 Americans who died as a result of taking Vioxx after the incomplete article was published would not have been exposed to the drug. To this day, Big Pharma companies remain unwilling to disclose their underlying clinical trial data. The most recent example involved Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. In September 2021, one month after the vaccine had been granted full approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a group of medical researchers and scientists sued the agency for the release of 451,000 pages of scientific documents it had evaluated prior to granting the vaccine full approval. Even though the agency required only 108 days to sufficiently evaluate these documents before granting the vaccine formal approval, the FDA (with Pfizer wanting to join the lawsuit), argued that the fastest they could release the data was five hundred pages per month, meaning that it would take seventy-five years before the documents were released in full. On January 6, 2022, U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman ruled that the FDA must release 55,000 (not 500) pages of the documents each month until complete. I want to be clear that Im a strong advocate of getting vaccinated and boosted (especially for people age 65 and older), the CDCs analysis of real-world data shows that last December unvaccinated adults had 41 times the risk of dying of COVID-19 compared to fully vaccinated and boosted adults. But I believe just as strongly that doctors and the public must have access to the underlying clinical trial data that the FDA approval is based upon nownot in seventy-five years. The lack of transparency of clinical trial data in peer review is similar around the world. But the effect is far greater in the U.S. because of our unique pharmaceutical policy. We have no formal assessment that compares the medical benefit and economic value of new drugs to older therapies, so health-care professionals do not have access to this critically important information. Federally funded clinical practice guidelines are not allowed to include the relative cost of therapies in their recommendations, which means there is no consideration given to the chance that a drug may unnecessarily bankrupt patients or inflate the cost of health insurance. Further, the price of brand-name drugs is unregulated in this country, which is why they cost 3.5 times more in the U.S. than in other OECD countries. And unregulated prices increase the reward-to-risk ratio for overly aggressive marketing practices in the U.S. The industrys control over what doctors believe about optimal therapeutics explains why new, expensive drugs are used more liberally in the U.S. than other countries. Without access to the actual clinical trial data, medical journals are publishing unvetted articles that doctors then rely on to treat their patients. Although prescription drugs only account for 17% of U.S. health-care expenditures, this has become a tail wags dog situation: The drug companies control the knowledge that informs doctors clinical decisions. This leads to soaring pharmaceutical profits and crippling healthcare costs, while doctors have no way of knowing which therapies are more effectiveor more efficient. Americans deserve better. Don't miss CoinDesk's Consensus 2022, the must-attend crypto & blockchain festival experience of the year in Austin, TX this June 9-12. One of the most important moments in the evolution of cryptocurrency was powerhouse investor Marc Andreessens landmark 2014 essay Why Bitcoin Matters. This was the man who had seen the promise of transformational companies from Lyft and Facebook to Dollar Shave Club and Airbnb (and many others since), arguing in the pages of the New York Times that a technologically near-incomprehensible magic internet money had the same kind of potential. Most of a decade later, Andreessens venture capital fund Andreessen-Horowitz is at the bleeding edge of cryptocurrency and web 3 investment. But looking back on that essay, its striking to note that one of the pillars of Andreessens Bitcoin thesis has definitively crumbled. This article is part of CoinDesks Payments Week series. A third fascinating use case for Bitcoin is micropayments, or ultrasmall payments, Andreessen wrote. It is not cost-effective to run small payments (think $1 and below, down to pennies or fractions of a penny) through the existing credit/debit and banking systems. The fee structure of those systems makes that nonviable. [But] all of a sudden, with Bitcoin, thats trivially easy. Cue record scratch. You may be wondering how we got here. The fee for a single transaction on Bitcoin in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Two is nearly $2, according to BitInfo, making it not just extremely nonviable for sub-$1 payments, but also more expensive than a credit card even for many larger payments. Fees have risen so dramatically because Bitcoin has a competitive market for transaction fees, which fund network security, and rising demand has made transactions more pricey. The last time Bitcoin fees were low enough for anything close to micropayments was June of 2015, when the cost of a simple send broke five cents. They havent looked back since. Even in the deep dark doldrums of the 2019 bear market, with the bitcoin (BTC) currency trading as low as $3,000, fees were consistently above 10 cents. Story continues Andreessen wasnt the only early crypto bull who hyped micropayments on Bitcoin but didnt see the fee hike coming. The steady rise has contributed to the decline or shuttering of some early Bitcoin-based micropayments projects, such as ChangeTip. But while its not going to happen on the Bitcoin base chain, fees low enough to support sub-dollar payments have remained both a technical Holy Grail and a common promotional refrain in crypto. Everything from less expensive proof-of-stake systems to Bitcoins own Lightning Network have hype-farmed the concept yet it remains, by and large, just a concept. See also: The Lightning Network Is Bringing Payments Back to Bitcoin And so we find ourselves asking: Can crypto, or any other technology, actually solve the problem of digital micropayments? What might that solution look like? And most importantly, what does the world stand to gain when it finally arrives? Micropayments: An entirely different thing There has been endless speculation about new business models that can be realized once digital micropayments are feasible. Much focus over the years has been on allowing users to buy media, such as individual news articles, on an a la carte basis that is, piece by piece, rather than as part of a subscription or with intrusive advertising. The general argument is that this would allow a transition away from ad-supported content on the internet, which is still the thesis behind the Brave browser and its tokenized browsing model. But this and similar concepts may be barely the tip of the iceberg. People think about micropayments as smaller payments, but really you should think of them being an entirely different thing, says Stefan Thomas, CEO of web-content micropayments platform Coil. Its like if you thought of the internet as a fax machine that could send smaller faxes more cheaply. Instead, you can do entirely different forms of communication. Thomas, an early Bitcoin contributor, says much of his career has been defined by the quest for workable micropayments technology. It was part of his motivation for serving as chief technology officer of Ripple before forming Coil. Micropayments are an entirely different thing at least as much because of their consumer psychology as because of their business implications. Over the past five years, the discourse around micropayments has become much more attuned to the problem of mental transaction costs, a concept developed in part by Bitcoin pioneer Nick Szabo way back in 1999. The essence of the problem is that even if we solve the technical challenge of micropayments, users would find the decision to spend a dime or a nickel more annoying than the actual act. This would be a particular problem if micropayments were to become omnipresent on the Web, demanding that you make various small payments ten or 20 times a day. An unintentionally hilarious illustration of the problem of mental transaction costs came recently during Meta/Facebooks (FB) Metaverse launch video. Near the start of the presentation, while a group of folks are admiring a virtual sculpture, it starts to fade away. One of them has to tip the artist to look at the sculpture for more than a few minutes. Theres no clearer illustration that Metas pitch was aimed at investors rather than consumers, because a metaverse where youre constantly micro-tipping artists would clearly be a gigantic pain in the ass. If micropayments make life worse for consumers in the way envisioned by Mark Zuckerberg, theyve obviously failed. Melvin Klein, a researcher studying micropayment applications at the University of Hamburg, points out that theres more than a bit of deja vu to this core problem. With America Online, people were annoyed by the ticking clock theres another minute you have to pay for [being online]. People were so annoyed that in the end they had to transition to a monthly subscription. Read More: Bitcoin Payments Remain in Their Infancy But There Are Green Shoots Everywhere Thats why Coil and several other projects have begun emphasizing whats sometimes known as streaming micropayments. Coil is effectively a membership subscription, but instead of one large publication or platform, it grants access to several smaller outlets. Those outlets then get paid in tiny streams as the user browses them. Part of Coils tech stack are a pair of standards called Open Web Monetization and Interledger. The standards can interact with cryptocurrency networks, but also with other systems. Its like a layer on top of the blockchain, Thomas says of Interledger. Each transaction is extremely efficient. It really is free, and it really is infinitely scalable [for] true micropayments. I wish more people were paying attention to the Interledger protocol. A project even more rooted in the crypto world is Superfluid, which CEO Francesco Renzi takes pains to emphasize is not really about micropayments, again because of the mental transaction cost issue. Fundamentally the way it works doesnt require the user to understand that small payments are happening, says Renzi. Those small payments are more of a problem than they are a solution. (Pro tip: Renzi says he often sees micropayments pitches at hackathons, and we have to go and explain [to the developers] why its not a good idea.) Instead, Superfluid is a cryptocurrency standard for streaming payments. Streaming is built into the token, according to Renzi. You give me an address, I open a stream, every second your balance is ticking up. So far, Renzi says Superfluids biggest market is decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO) using it to pay contributors. Whats most notable about Superfluids model is that the stream is a single transaction for the purpose of on-chain fees. You say, I want to send David a dollar every minute, and after that youre done. You click the button once, you pay forever Effectively, money itself is now moving on-chain automatically. It also means that the longer a stream continues, the cheaper the relative transaction cost gets. Machine-to-machine payments But even if the streaming approach takes off, transactions between people may not wind up being the most interesting application for micropayments: Many argue the real potential lies in high-speed, machine-to-machine transactions. Examples include the sale of electricity from home solar installations, which has been explored by a crypto project called Brooklyn Microgrid, or streaming payments for electric vehicle charging. BitTorrent, now owned by Tron, has touted an automated micropayments system for download bandwidth which, at least in theory, can improve throughput for decentralized file sharing. With micropayments added to digitized systems, everything becomes more automatic, according to Marvin Klein. For example, You can think about directly paying taxes when you buy a product, so the shop doesnt have to do all the accounting. Read More: The Future of Crypto Payments Will Be Centralized Another use case is artificial intelligence, says Stefan Thomas. Some people are thinking about a future where theres a marketplace for internet user data. [But] youre not going to think about selling this or that piece of data, there will be a user agent that does that on my behalf. Thomas also thinks micropayments could become key to building out modular and composable AI systems: You can plug into multiple APIs, but you need a payments system to pay them all. Micropayments and market control A more familiar example of the transformational potential of micropayments is the Apple App Store not, that is, how micropayments could improve it, but how they could destroy it. The App Store, you see, is the ultimate example of digital rent-seeking: an attempt to extract wealth out of other peoples creations by controlling a systemic chokepoint. Its notorious for the 30% cut of sales Apple (AAPL)takes from app creators, and Apples ferocious opposition to allowing independent in-app purchases. Part of that rent is paid-for access to the iPhone ecosystem itself, which Apple has locked down to prevent users from installing programs from any source other than the App Store. But payments technology plays a surprisingly large role in Apples ability to control the market. Many mobile apps, as youve probably noticed, are priced at ninety-nine cents or less. This could be a big challenge from a payments perspective, since 10% or more of such small purchases would normally wind up with credit card or other payment processors. Apple is able to work around the problem solely because of its centralization and scale. To save money on fees, the App Store bundles all of a customers payments over the course of a month, according to Klein, then processes them in a batch. For instance, a purchase of two apps and a Coldplay album would be processed as a single transaction of $15, instead of three smaller transactions, cutting the processing fee as a percentage of the purchase substantially. But even in a world where iOS was more open, a developer trying to sell a 99 cent app directly to users would not have access to this workaround. Since the vast majority of sales would be one-offs, there would be no option to reduce fees by bundling multiple payments from each customer. This is just one example of how the absence of functional digital micropayments contributes to the clustering of digital commerce around a few players. Facebook, now known as Meta, apparently foresees that stranglehold continuing: it has said it will charge a cumulative 47.5% cut of digital creator sales in its Horizon Worlds environment. Tip the artist, indeed but Zucky gets to wet his beak a little, eh? A smarter market for a richer world Finally, there is a more abstract problem that functional digital micropayments would solve: market transparency for low-priced digital goods. One of the most important roles of markets in a society is to discover the level of demand for goods and, in turn, how much of that good an economy should produce. Thats complicated by the zero marginal cost nature of digital goods (once a piece of digital content is created, each additional copy is essentially free), but it still broadly holds when it comes to things like software development. But the current structure of digital transaction fees creates a shocking blind spot in the market for digital goods that might be priced at under a dollar. That could range from trivialities like video game skins and novelty non-fungible tokens (NFT) to more impactful products like niche applications or highly tailored data streams. It could also include real-world services like on-the-go cell phone charging. Read More: Fast, Fluid, Frictionless Payments Are the Future But the entire category remains underdeveloped because payments limitations have proportionally higher influence over pricing than actual consumer demand does. In effect, any digital good that would be appropriately priced at less than a dollar must either be sold through an intermediary, priced above market equilibrium in a way that makes it less likely to succeed, or, probably most often, simply not produced at all. Cell phone charging is a great example. Right now, paid cell-charging services are largely limited to airports, where rushed, higher-income flyers are willing to pay far above the actual cost of a charge. But if payments tech made it possible to charge a more appropriate a la carte price for charging (probably just a few cents per hour including a healthy profit margin), intuition suggests charging services would be much more widely available. Its a market failure caused entirely by the lack of functional micropayments. There are likely many similar potential examples including many we cant even imagine. But right now, its near-impossible to sell such goods outside of a relatively limited set of siloed, heavily intermediated markets. Most likely, this means there is immense unfulfilled demand for low-cost digital goods, data distribution, mobile charging, and other services that the market is currently fulfilling. Thats an economic inefficiency that will only grow as the economy digitizes unless widespread and functional micropayments free the market from its technological constraints. More from Payments Week: The evolution in interest among TradFi, which was once dominated by diehard crypto skeptics, from crypto curiosity to crypto commitment is perhaps the industrys most important move yet. Porn, gambling and even furniture sales are deemed high-risk merchant categories. Sometimes the risk is financial; other times its just bad publicity. How and why those original digital payments projects are no longer with us today can give us an idea of what needs to be done to do it right. This piece is part of CoinDesk's Payments Week. FORT LAUDERDALE A 27-year-old Boca Raton man this week was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison after admitting he was part of an operation that smuggled as many as 100 guns into Canada in a two-year span. Mackenzie Delmas was arrested in February 2019, five months after the Canadian Border Service Agency stumbled upon a cache of weapons hidden in a secret compartment inside a car that attempted to cross the border at Champlain, N.Y, according to court records. An investigation by federal agents led them to Delmas and more than a half-dozen other Palm Beach County residents who were part of the international gun smuggling ring. 'This shoot-first mentality we have in Florida': Advocates push for Florida gun control in statewide Day of Action Death penalty: Did gunman kill to avenge ex-girlfriend's abuse? Woman testifies at death-penalty murder trial Guns at airports: TSA seized record 666 guns at Florida airports during 2021, many of them loaded Delmas in May pleaded guilty to various charges, including smuggling goods from the United States, making false statements to a federal firearms dealer and being a felon in possession of a handgun. With convictions for burglary and other felonies, Delmas couldnt buy the weapons himself, agents said. So he hired straw buyers to purchase firearms at gun shops and gun shows throughout South Florida. The weapons were then loaded into cars and driven to Canada, agents said. Naomi Haynes, 42, who was initially detained in March 2018 after agents said she brought 20 guns into Canada, was sentenced to seven years in prison in January for her role in the scheme. The Boca Raton woman was one of the organizers of the operation, agents said. Five other people, who worked for her and Delmas, have been convicted and sentenced on various smuggling-related charges. Two others, including a Canadian citizen, have evaded arrest and are considered fugitives. The sentencing took place before federal Judge Judge Roy Altman in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale. jmusgrave@pbpost.com This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida man convicted for smuggling guns from US into Canada A former special education employee was in Muscogee County Superior Court Thursday morning on charges connected to the alleged sexual assault of a Columbus student. Devin Douglas, 24, is charged with sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority, public indecency and possessing both marijuana and the oil containing marijuana THC. Muscogee County School District police officer Alyssa Phillips testified a parent had shown entries in the students journal that described the assault to police. Police got a search warrant for bus security camera video from mid-April, which showed Douglas sitting next to the student on the bus, where he reportedly exposed himself to the student. During an interview with police, the student told police Douglas sexually assaulted her. Douglas was living at at Victory Drive motel where police served a search warrant, finding 21 grams of marijuana, the THC oil and two cell phones, Phillips testified. He was arrested and booked into the Muscogee County Jail at 7:57 p.m. Friday, according to jail records. Recorders Court Judge Julius Hunter found probable cause to send Douglas case to Muscogee Superior Court, setting his bonds at $50,000 on the sexual assault charge, $5,000 for public indecency, and an own-recognizance bond on the drug possession. The reported victims age, school and address will not be reported: the Ledger-Enquirer typically does not report information that could be used to identify alleged victims of sexual assault. Bostons top education official is calling for the closure of a Jamaica Plain school amid a report into sexual and physical misconduct dating back to 2014. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius is recommending to the School Committee Wednesday night that the Mission Hill K-8 School permanently close at the end of the school year. That would mean transferring some 200 students to other schools in the district. The recommendation follows a report from Boston law firm Hinckley Allen that found school leadership cultivated and tolerated a culture of pervasive indifference to sexual misconduct, bullying and bias-based conduct and toward rules, regulations and policies. The report was commissioned by Cassellius last fall. In a statement, the superintendents office referred to the investigation as an independent report. Ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of all students is the most important obligation a school district has, a spokesperson for the district said. Based on the persistent pattern of abuse confirmed in this independent report, the only viable option is to close the school and support students in their transition to other schools in the district. This action indicates how seriously the Superintendent takes this responsibility. BPS immediate priority is to work with each Mission Hill family to determine where their child will continue their education. Investigators conducted 65 interviews and collected more than 2 million documents, including 3,500 from the Boston Public Schools that spanned nearly 14,000 pages. They found that school leadership created a climate of hostility and intimidation toward parents and staff who questioned or disagreed with that culture, and that all of the above undermined the safety and educational aspirations of Mission Hill students according to the report. The Boston Public Schools has formed a transition team to work with families during the transition to another school. The district anticipates there will be about 400 seats available in K-8 schools within 1.5 miles of the Mission Hill School. Story continues Families will have access to a special enrollment period to find a new school placement. Staff at the Mission Hill School who were directly involved in the cases detailed in the report either no longer work for the district or are on leave while their actions are further investigated. Staff not related to those incidents will be able to seek employment elsewhere in the district. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) -Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told allies on Thursday he aims to represent a seven-party center-left coalition in his challenge to incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in this October's election. Lula, a former union organizer leading the presidential race, has stacked his agenda with party congresses to cement that coalition, including Thursday rallies with the Brazilian Socialist Party and Sustainability Network (REDE). "To those who have not joined us yet, our arms are open to welcome everyone who wants to recover this country," he told reporters at a meeting with REDE. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues pledged REDE's support for Lula's candidacy, but party founder Marina Silva, a former Lula environment minister, was absent. Silva left Lula's government and she ran against his Workers Party (PT) in three bruising presidential elections. Lula celebrated the findings of a U.N. rights committee earlier in the day that a graft case that jailed him and blocked his presidential candidacy in 2018 had violated due process. He called the ruling "extraordinarily soul-cleansing." Opinion surveys have shown Lula's advantage over Bolsonaro eroding in recent months, as Bolsonaro has ramped up spending on social programs. Still, the left-wing challenger maintains a double-digit advantage over his far-right opponent in simulations of a likely runoff. Sources close to Lula told Reuters his strategy five months from the election is to focus on gathering maximum support for an expected second-round runoff against Bolsonaro. Some parties are maneuvering to field their own candidates but could still back Lula in the runoff, such as the Social Democratic Party and some factions of the Brazilian Democratic Movement. Later on Thursday, Lula was welcomed by cheering supporters at a national meeting of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), his main ally, where he appeared with his pick for running mate, former Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin. Story continues Party members shouted "Out with Bolsonaro" and sang the Socialist hymn L'Internationale. "We need to defeat Bolsonaro soundly because he is a disgrace for Brazil," PSB president Carlos Siqueira said in a speech. Party leaders said Bolsonaro had undermined labor rights and environmental protections. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Anthony Boadle; editing by Brad Haynes, Alistair Bell and Richard Pullin) Former CIA director John Brennan said on NBCs Deadline Russian President Vladimir Putin will try to find new ways to go after the West after the setbacks of his invasion of Ukraine. Brennan was discussing with host Nicole Wallace Moscows latest move to cut off Poland and Bulgaria from Russian gas. I can see him continuing to do these things because he realizes that his initial game plan has just completely collapsed and, therefore, he had to adapt and react, Brennan said. At the start of the invasion, many thought Ukraine would not last even three days before folding to Russian forces. After two months, however, Ukrainian forces are still standing strong and have kept the capital city of Kyiv out of Putins hands. Russia has repositioned its troops to eastern and southern Ukraine where they have had more success in fighting. Putins continued actions against the West despite missteps in the invasion are meant to rally support to Russian sympathizers in other countries and deter NATO from continuing to support Ukraine, Brennan said. NATO countries have sent billions of dollars in aid and weapons to Ukraine, as well as placing dozens of sanctions on Russias economy in response to the invasion. Brennans comments come at a time when violence has also increased in Transnistria, the Russian-backed separatist territory in Moldova. Russia has said it hopes it does not have to get involved in the territory that borders Ukraine, drawing fears Russia will expand the fighting beyond Ukraines borders. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been arrested in a sting operation in Miami on charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and money laundering. Related: UK minister in BVI for urgent talks on sanctioning Russian oligarchs The BVI governor, John Rankin, confirmed in a statement that Andrew Fahie had been arrested on Thursday morning, saying: I realise this will be shocking news for people in the territory. And I would call for calm at this time. Oleanvine Maynard, the manager director of the Caribbean territorys port authority, and her son Kadeem were also detained in the operation. Court papers filed in Florida alleged Fahie, who was also referred to as head coach, was involved in conspiracy to import at least 5kg of cocaine and money laundering between 16 October last year and 28 April 2022. DEA agents allege in the documents that Oleanvine and Kadeem Maynard agreed with undercover agents who were posing as members of Mexicos Sinaloa cartel to set up a meeting between Lebanese Hezbollah operatives and Fahie in order to establish a place to store thousands of kilograms of drugs arriving from Colombia. The plan offered by the agents was to store the drug, bundled inside 5kg buckets of paint, in the BVI for one or two days before shipment to Miami or New York, the papers said. Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard were arrested at a Miami airport after being invited by undercover agents to see a shipment of $700,000 in cash that BVI officials expected to receive for their part in the alleged plot, the court papers alleged. Liz Truss, the British foreign secretary, said she was appalled by the arrest. Truss said: This afternoon, the premier of the British Virgin Islands, Andrew Fahie, was arrested in the United States on charges related to drugs trafficking and money laundering. I am appalled by these serious allegations. She said she had held talks with Rankin and stressed the importance of the recent inquiry into corruption on the Caribbean archipelago. Story continues Last year, the UK set up a commission of inquiry into mis-governance in the British overseas territory, which has heard allegations of systemic corruption, cronyism, jury intimidation and misuse of public funds. In his statement, Rankin said Fahies arrest was the result of a US operation led by the US Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) and was not linked to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report. The remit of the Commission of Inquiry focused on governance and corruption, and was not a criminal investigation into the illegal drug trade. To avoid unnecessary speculation, I intend to move ahead urgently on publication of the inquiry report so the people of the BVI can see its contents and its recommendations in the areas it addressed, he said. Addressing the commission of inquiry last year, Fahie denied that there was any corruption in the BVI. He said: The key to any country is its reputation, but so far, and thank God for that, there is no evidence provided in the CoI showing that the BVI is corrupt. SOFIA (Reuters) - Ukraine has asked Bulgaria to repair some of its heavy military machinery at its arms plants, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Thursday after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskiy in Kyiv. European Union and NATO member Bulgaria has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but is yet to decide on whether to send military aid to Kiyv, with one of the partners in Petkov's four-party government opposing such a move. "This is a genuine request, which I personally will present to the coalition council and I hope next week, when we will be voting in the parliament on military technical assistance to Ukraine, that it will be a key part of the package," Petkov told reporters in Kyiv. Petkov's centrist PP party and two other coalition partners are in favour of supporting Ukraine with military aid, while the fourth party, the Socialists, who have also opposed imposing sanctions on Russia, see it as a direct involvement in the conflict. Bulgaria's parliament is expected to approve the move with support from some of the opposition parties. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) Blue states across the country are using billions of taxpayer dollars from President Bidens $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package to push core tenets of critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, which the Democrats passed in March 2021 without any Republican support, was billed by the Democratic Party as a necessity for reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the law provided over $122 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), which helped multiple states implement "implicit bias" and "anti-racism" training, among other programs, according to research from One Nation shared with and verified by Fox News Digital. EPA USED COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS FOR GRANTS PROMOTING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE In February 2021, before the legislation passed, the White House told FOX Business that ESSER funding would provide schools "with the resources they need to safely reopen and fully serve their students." Democrats like Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., described the passing of ARP as a matter of life and death. "This is one moment in which its very clear that public policy is quite literally a matter of life and death," Warnock said during a February 2021 news conference with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., adding that the bill would provide "more than $4 billion to the state of Georgias K through 12 schools to ensure students, teachers, and staff stay safe and healthy, and to address learning loss." Soon after Biden signed the bill into law on March 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education declared that ESSER would be used to "implement the CDC's recommended prevention and mitigation strategies for K-12 schools, meet student and educators' social, emotional, and mental health needs, invest in strategies to address lost instructional time, and boldly address inequities exacerbated by the pandemic." Story continues "My priority right now is to safely reopen as many schools right now, as quickly as possible," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said after the bill passed. Miguel Cardona speaks after President-elect Joe Biden announced his nomination for education secretary on Dec. 23, 2020, in Wilmington, Delaware. Joshua Roberts/Getty Images In August 2021, the U.S. Department of Education published a report offering strategies for how states should use ARP funds to support families and reengage students for the return of in-person learning. The DoE report said, "Rebuilding from COVID-19 is an opportunity to reexamine and strengthen school policies," and that some school systems may see a need for a "culture shift" to ensure schools "reopen equitably for all students." The report recommended that states use ARP funding to "build trust with families to support in-person learning" by communicating frequently with families, implementing universal indoor masking, providing access to vaccinations and other measures, including addressing the "reasons families of color have cited for not returning to in-person learning," such as "fears of xenophobic and racist harassment." WHAT IS CRITICAL RACE THEORY? The DoE report said school districts should "implement strategies designed for systemic change at the local and school level." "Educators should evaluate and reflect on their school culture, climate, and policies and can use well-designed survey tools to learn what practices may be keeping all students from feeling safe, included, and academically challenged and supported," the report said. "Based on this information, they should commit to making improvements to achieve the goal of safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments." Applications were due on June 7, 2021, and at least $46.5 billion from the ARP ESSER fund has been allocated to 13 states, including California, New York and Illinois, that are planning to use the funds to implement CRT in their schools. The California Department of Education was awarded $15.1 billion in ARP ESSER funding to implement its schools reopening plan, which included $1.5 billion for training resources for school staff regarding "high-need topics," like "implicit bias training." The California DoE used funds to "increase educator training and resources" in subjects such as "anti-bias strategies," "environmental literacy," "ethnic studies," and "LGBTQ+ cultural competency," according to the plan. Cardona said in November 2021 that he was "excited" to approve Californias plan, and that it laid the "groundwork for the ways in which an unprecedented infusion of federal resources will be used to address the urgent needs of Americas children and build back better." The New York State Education Department (NYSED) was awarded $9 billion in ARP ESSER funding to implement its reopening plan, which supported "putting DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) at the heart of NYSEDs work with" all local education agencies. The funds helped NYSEDs Civic Readiness Taskforce build a DEI plan to provide "staff development on topics such as culturally responsive sustaining instruction and student support practices, privilege, implicit bias, and reactions in times of stress." The approved plan also recommended that schools use social-emotional learning [SEL] to "support the work of anti-racism and anti-bias." The plan said the New York State Board of Regents "is committed to creating an ecosystem of success built upon a foundation of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, opportunity, innovation, trust, respect, caring, relationship-building, and much more. It is the policy of the Board to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all NYS districts and schools through the budgeting process, allocation of resources, and development of Board policies" The plan, quoting the Boards DEI framework, said "equity warriors" were currently working to create "more diverse, more equitable, and more inclusive" school communities across the state, and that their efforts should be "recognized and applauded." Cardona approved the plan in August 2021, saying it will "will help ensure that districts and schools in your State can continue to reopen safely; support sustained access to in-person instruction throughout the summer and into next school year; and address the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), particularly those students most impacted by the pandemic." In Illinois, $5.1 billion in ARP ESSER funding was awarded to the state Board of Education for its reopening plan that implemented strategies with "an emphasis on equity and diversity." The plan provided school districts with training on topics like "anti-racism" and equity, and allocated a percentage of funds to create a statewide coalition to help school districts offer grants for projects addressing "issues pertaining to interrupted learning and support groups that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic (e.g., homeless, LGBQT [sic], marginalized communities)." Illinois Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala cheered Cardonas approval of the plan last year. "We continue to do everything possible to ensure each and every student can attend school in-person safely this fall," Ayala said in August 2021. "The approval of our state plan will allow us to make even greater equity-driven investments in teacher retention and students' mental health and academic growth." There are at least ten other states, including Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia, that have used or plan to use billions of dollars in ARP funding for their state education departments to implement certain tenets of CRT. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris deliver remarks on the child tax credit at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 15, 2021, in Washington. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The U.S. Department of Education released its Equity Action Plan earlier this month, pledging to ensure an "equitable impact" of ARP ESSER funds and to invest in "resources to help advance civil rights." "We need to keep the focus on transforming our education system so it truly expands opportunity for all students, no matter their race, background, zip code, age, or family's income," Cardona said in an April 14 press release announcing the plan. One Nation President Steven Law called Bidens ARP a "massive bait-and-switch" used to indoctrinate children. "It turns out Bidens so-called American Rescue Plan was a multitrillion-dollar progressive shopping list, a massive bait-and-switch for life-saving COVID aid," Law said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Indoctrinating children to judge themselves and one another based on the color of their skin is wrong and has nothing to do with fighting COVID or getting our economy back on track." The news comes as the American Rescue Plan faces intensifying scrutiny for its effect on the U.S. economy after inflation rose a stunning 8.5% last month. Some economists, including former Obama administration economic advisers, have blamed the $1.9 COVID-19 relief package for overheating the economy. The Department of Education provided a statement to Fox News Digital that emphasized curriculum decisions are made at the local level, not by the Department. "The Department is not encouraging the use of American Rescue Plan funds to teach CRTand any claim to the contrary is patently false," the statement read. "The Department believes politicians should stay out of the curriculum decisions that are best made at the local level, in engagement with parents, families, and local school communities. "American Rescue Plan funds which have been indispensable to safely re-opening practically 100% of our schools are helping school communities recover from COVID-19, by providing vital resources to help students make up for lost learning time and to support their mental health," it continued. "As weve repeatedly told your outlet, and is on the Departments website, curriculum decisions are made at the local level." The Illinois State Board of Education said in a statement that "ISBE is using the funds to support students academic recovery from the pandemic." The education departments for New York and California didn't immediately return requests for comment. By Steve Scherer and Julie Gordon OTTAWA (Reuters) - The front-runner to become the next leader of Canada's opposition Conservatives said on Thursday he would ban the Bank of Canada from issuing a central bank digital currency if he became prime minister. Pierre Poilievre, who is campaigning on a vow to make Canada the blockchain capital of the world, also said he would ensure the central bank faces regular scrutiny of its balance sheet, including an audit of its COVID pandemic bond-buying program. "A Poilievre government will ban a central bank digital currency and allow Canadians to have the economic and financial liberty that they deserve," he told reporters gathered outside Canada's central bank building in Ottawa. Poilievre, a Conservative member of parliament since 2004, is leading all polls ahead of a September vote to pick a new leader for Canada's main opposition party. If elected, he will likely have to wait until 2025 for the next federal election, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals have a political support deal with the New Democrats, a smaller left-leaning party. The leadership race was triggered in early February when Erin O'Toole was ousted as Conservative leader after failing to beat Trudeau in last year's election. Poilievre, in his campaigning, has blamed Canada's high inflation rate on the central bank's pandemic purchases of government bonds and said cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are a good way to "opt-out of inflation." Central bank officials, this week, pushed back on those claims. "We don't see cryptocurrencies as a way for Canadians to opt out of inflation or as a stable source of value," Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers told lawmakers on Monday. Governor Tiff Macklem added that he foresees the Canadian dollar remaining at the center of the country's financial system. The Bank of Canada had no immediate response on Thursday. Story continues The central bank has been working on a digital currency (CBDC) for a number of years. The CBDC is currently in the development stage, though a final decision on its launch is up to the federal government. Inflation in Canada hit a 31-year high at 6.7% in March. Countries around the world are grappling with runaway prices amid strong demand and supply chain constraints. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed up commodity prices, adding to the pinch. (Reporting by Steve Scherer and Julie Gordon in Ottawa; Editing by Paul Simao) The King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office filed charges Wednesday against Michael Smith, the off-duty Auburn police officer who was arrested for a crash that killed a pedestrian in Seattles Interbay neighborhood last Saturday. Smith was charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and hit and run-attended vehicle for the crash in which he struck and killed a 65-year-old man on April 23. According to charging documents, Smith was driving his 2016 Mercedes northbound on Alaskan Way in downtown Seattle around 10:30 p.m. with his girlfriend in the front passenger seat. Just past the intersection of Alaskan Way and Madison Street, Smith struck the right rear of a taxi that had a passenger inside. The fender-bender caused minor damage and no one was injured. Both cars stopped and Smith exited his car, opened the front passenger door of the taxi and tried to remove the driver. Unsuccessful, Smith then tried to open the drivers side door. When the taxi driver said that he was calling police, Smith returned to his car and sped off northbound on Alaskan Way. 10 minutes later, Smith was seen speeding northbound on 15th Avenue West A witness saw Smith passing traffic using the oncoming southbound lane. Another witness estimated Smith was traveling at 80 mph. Data later obtained from his cars crash data recorder showed he was going 85 mph on the 30 mph road just five seconds before crashing. Smith tried turning right onto Gilman Drive West but could not stay in the curb lane until the intersection. He drove onto the sidewalk, sideswiped a telephone pole, and struck a 65-year-old man, killing him almost instantly. Smith told police that the pedestrian came out of nowhere and boom, I hit him. Scroll down to continue reading More news from KIRO 7 Story continues DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP Smith continued driving out of control through an uphill grassy embankment, striking three metal mailboxes before finally stopping against the northern curb of the westbound lane of Gilman Drive West, about 100 feet from where he drove up onto the sidewalk. After the crash, Smith stumbled out of his car and told a witness that the man he had hit was okay, but a witness pointed and said, hes not. Smiths girlfriend was uninjured and did not cooperate. Officers who were called to the scene noted signs that Smith was impaired, such as his difficulty in answering basic questions as to where he was going or where he lived. One officer noted that Smith had watery eyes and that he stumbled to the officers patrol car. Smith told officers that he and his girlfriend had been at the Mariners game, where he had consumed two mixed alcoholic drinks. He refused to do any field sobriety tests. A drug recognition expert was called to the scene to evaluate Smith, and they noticed that Smiths eyes were watery and bloodshot and that he smelled of alcohol. That officer placed Smith under arrest for vehicular homicide/DUI. Smiths blood sample was collected for toxicological testing, the results of which are still pending. The Cherokee Nation hosted its first at-large community gathering since the beginning of the pandemic last week. More than 700 Cherokee citizens gathered in northern California, including Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., First Lady January Hoskin, and multiple representatives of the Cherokee Nation. Of more than 413,000 Cherokee citizens around the world, there are well over 23,000 Cherokee Nation citizens living in the state of California, Chief Hoskin said. It only makes sense that after more than two years of responding to and recovering from the worst public health crisis this generation has seen, we begin our cautious return to in-person fellowship with our friends and family in northern California. We had a great time catching up and sharing the amazing progress we are making in areas such as physical and mental health care, education, language perpetuation, at-large community outreach and many other matters that are important to Cherokees all over the world not the least of which is defending our inherent sovereignty as a tribal nation. I look forward to visiting with many of our other Cherokee community groups around the country as public health guidance allows this year. Members of the Cherokees of the Northern Central Valley, Cherokee Society of the Greater Bay Area, Cherokees of the Greater Central Valley, and Cherokee Community of Central California took part in the gatherings. The meetings allow citizens a chance to socialize, receive tribal updates, and register to vote in Cherokee elections. There are several at-large gatherings scheduled throughout 2022. June 4 Atlanta, Georgia July 16 Albuquerque, New Mexico July 17 Denver, Colorado August 20 Portland and Eugene, Oregon August 21 Seattle, Washington August 23 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma September 17 Austin/San Antonio, Texas September 18 Houston, Texas October 15 Riverside, Anaheim, Los Angeles, California October 16 San Diego, California November 19 Phoenix, Arizona November 20 Tucson, Arizona Story continues The Chinese megacity of Guangzhou on Thursday cancelled hundreds of flights and began testing 5.6 million people over one suspected Covid case, part of an escalating battle across the country to extinguish the virus. China is facing its worst outbreak since the peak of the first wave in early 2020, with eastern Shanghai recording dozens of daily deaths and the capital Beijing sealing off whole neighbourhoods where handfuls of cases have been detected. Under its zero-Covid policy, China has used lockdowns, mass testing and travel restrictions to stamp out infections. The strategy is under strain, with the highly transmissible Omicron variant punching through health controls. Rolling virus restrictions -- including a weeks-long lockdown of virtually all of Shanghai's 25 million residents -- have damaged the economy, causing backlogs at the world's busiest container port, a key node in the global supply chain. On Thursday Guangzhou, a major trade and manufacturing hub in southern China, announced mass testing for almost a third of its near 19 million residents after an "abnormal" test result was detected at its airport, where most flights have been cancelled. Meanwhile, the tech hub of Hangzhou near Shanghai late on Wednesday ordered 9.4 million downtown residents out of its 12.2 million population to get tested every 48 hours if they want to access public spaces and transportation. The aim is "that the virus has nowhere to hide or settle", the city government said in a statement, raising fears of further restrictions across a city home to some of China's biggest companies. China reported 11,367 new infections on Thursday, a small daily tally compared with most major global economies, but enough to rattle authorities in the country where the coronavirus was first detected in late 2019, but that had until recently emerged relatively unscathed by the pandemic. - Ruined holiday - The outbreaks are expected to hit tourism during next week's May national holiday, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Story continues Chinese travellers are forecast to make 100 million domestic trips during the five-day holiday, down 62 percent from 2021, transport official Zhou Min told reporters. Wang Yang, a 34-year-old Beijing resident, told AFP he had cancelled his vacation plans because of the Omicron surge. "We should avoid going out and stay at home," he told AFP. "This is something that affects the whole country and not just yourself." Over 10,000 of China's cases on Thursday were detected in Shanghai, where cases are trending downwards after a weeks-long lockdown which has enraged residents and seen rare protests against a government accused of bungling the response and failing to feed people confined at home. In recent days, more housing compounds have lifted movement restrictions and authorities on Thursday said 90 percent of new infections were found in quarantined areas. National Health Commission official Wu Liangyou on Thursday warned that preventing a "rebound or spillover is difficult." Around 50 new cases were found in Beijing, the seat of government for President Xi Jinping, who has until now hailed China's virus response as an example of the superiority of the country's Communist leadership. The capital launched mass testing of nearly all its 21 million residents this week and locked down more housing compounds in its populous Chaoyang district Thursday. Residents are on high alert of a potential wider lockdown and spooked by scenes of chaos in Shanghai which have pinged across social media before censors can erase them. "I can see that some people are hesitant about the Covid policies," Xiang, a 21-year-old student in Beijing who declined to give her full name, told AFP. lxc-tjx/apj/je Universal has debuted its first look at Harvey Weinstein film She Said at CinemaCon. The movie, which is scheduled to be released on 18 November, is based on the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey as they investigated sexual misconduct claims against disgraced producer. It follows the storyline of the 2019 book She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement by Kantor, played by Zoe Kazan in the film. Twohey is played by Carey Mulligan. The new clip shows Kazan and Mulligan meeting with sources as they face the pressures of working around obstacles to telling the truth. It caused a domino effect, the #MeToo movement for lasting change, Mulligan said at CinemaCon on Wednesday (27 April). It was an honor to portray these woman. The other cast members of the film include Patricia Clarkson and Samantha Morton. It is directed by Maria Schrader and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz. SHE SAID, which looks at the NY Times reporting that brought down Harvey Weinstein and sparked the Me Too movement, looks very powerful with Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan starring #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/ArUmTANZZR Jason Guerrasio (@JasonGuerrasio) April 28, 2022 Weinstein was convicted of sexual assault and third-degree rape in his New York City criminal trial in 2020. The 69-year-old was sentenced to 23 years in prison after he was convicted of attacks on two women. The verdict was seen as a landmark moment for the #MeToo movement. It came more than two years after allegations against the former producer were published in The New York Times and The New Yorker. You can read the timeline of how the allegations against Weinstein became public here. Apr. 28The Coast Guard and its partner agencies searched a combined 9, 521 miles since Saturday and rescued Tuesday five adults and one child aboard a 19-foot vessel near Etal Atoll in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Sector Guam watchstanders got a call at 6 a.m. Saturday about an overdue boat that left Namoluk Atoll Friday for a 35-mile trip, but failed to arrive in Etal Atoll as planned. The Coast Guard deployed several assets and worked with local and federal partners to search for the missing boat. The crew of the merchant vessel Navigator found the missing vessel about 14 miles from its destination after it ran out of fuel during stormy weather. The navigator crew provided fuel for the boat, allowing all the passengers to arrive safely in Etal. The Navigator is part of the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue program made up of volunteers from around the world, who assist during search-and-rescue operations. Also participating in the search were Air Station Barbers Point C-130 Hercules air crew ; Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry crew, Air Force KC-10 Extender air crew, and merchant vessel North Star crew. By Julia Symmes Cobb and Nelson Bocanegra BOGOTA (Reuters) -A Colombian judge on Wednesday dismissed a request by the attorney general's office to shelve a witness-tampering investigation against divisive former President Alvaro Uribe. The decision by Judge Carmen Helena Ortiz revives a long-running and deeply polarising investigation, which saw the attorney general's office ask last year for a hearing on curtailing the probe, after it found Uribe's conduct did not constitute a crime. "It is clear for the chambers that there exists a possible hypothesis about the material nature of the crime of bribery," Ortiz said during the hearing. "The chambers rejects the petition for preclusion of the investigation for the crimes of penal bribery and procedural fraud." Conviction in the case could mean a prison term of up to 12 years for Uribe. Uribe and several allies are being investigated over allegations of witness tampering carried out in an attempt to discredit accusations he had ties to right-wing paramilitaries. Uribe has always denied the allegations and maintained his innocence. Uribe's lawyer Jaime Granados did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The decision can be appealed, local media reported. Uribe's critics have repeatedly alleged the attorney general's office would be less rigorous in its investigation than the Supreme Court, which was originally charged with the probe. The still-influential Uribe was placed under house arrest by the court for two months in 2020. He resigned his senate seat after the order, which triggered the case's transfer to the attorney general's office. The case stems from a 2012 allegation by Uribe, who accused leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda of orchestrating a plot to tie him to paramilitaries. But in 2018 the Supreme Court said Cepeda had collected information from former fighters as part of his work and had not paid them, and that instead it was Uribe and allies who pressured witnesses. (Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb and Nelson Bocanegra; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Kenneth Maxwell) A Colorado man suspected in a pair of cold cases, including the 1989 killing of a young woman and the sexual assault of another, which occurred more than three decades ago in the same Arizona apartment complex has been arrested, authorities said Tuesday. Thomas Cox, 58, was taken into custody in Colorado Springs and extradited to Arizona to face charges for the death of 22-year-old Susan Amy Morse. SOUTH CAROLINA MAN CONFESSES TO MURDERING CALIFORNIA WOMAN 21 YEARS LATER He was linked to the crimes after investigators used advanced DNA and fingerprint technology. "We just constantly look for stuff. When theres new technology or new techniques on how to identify a suspect or examine evidence we buy into that, and we re-examine the evidence as the years go on and in this particular case it worked out dramatically," Mesa Police Department Sgt. Chuck Trapani told Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV. Morse was killed on October 16, 1989 and was found dead in her Mesa, Arizona apartment where she lived alone. It was later determined she died of asphyxiation. In November 1990, Cox allegedly broke into the same apartment complex and sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman, stealing her cash and VCR. She survived, police said. Cox wasn't initially identified as a suspect in either case, but investigators said his mother lived next to Morse. He is being held on $1 million bail and faces 16 criminal counts, including first-degree murder, sexual assault, burglary and kidnapping. HENDERSON, Ky. Columbia Brands USA plans to upgrade its existing distribution center in Robards with a $3.7 million investment, resulting in the creation of 175 new full-time jobs, including warehouse associate and supervisory positions. City, county and state leaders, along with representatives from Columbia, announced the move Thursday afternoon in downtown Henderson. The upgrades to the 520,000-square-foot distribution center are expected to be complete by May 2023 and will allow Columbia to move its popular line of performance fishing gear from its current location in Portland, Oregon, to Henderson County. Columbia Brands USA sells apparel and footwear throughout the U.S. under brand names Columbia, Sorel, Montrail, prAna and Mountain Hardware, with a revenue of $3.12 billion in 2021. More: How first-time Evansville homebuyers can beat the competition. (A cover letter can help!) The Robards facility went online in 2004 and currently employs about 200 people. Columbia's Vice President of Global Distribution Alonzo Plater said the move will put the company in a better position to quickly get its products into the hands of customers. The PFG line is gaining popularity in the southern U.S., Plater pointed out. "It's all about proximity to our customers," Plater said. "... When you look at what we've been able to do with the Robards facility, it's easy to see this was a unique opportunity to expand and better serve our customers." Plater said Columbia was becoming an "employer of choice" in the region due to its competitive wages and work culture. The average hourly wage for the 175 new jobs created is expected to be $24, based on an incentive agreement between Columbia and the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority that was approved Thursday. It will stretch over the next the next 10 years. More: Henderson's Tri-Fest is back after 2 years of COVID cancelations. Here's what to know Story continues "We have really enjoyed working with Columbia," Henderson County Judge Executive Brad Schneider said. "This project will truly be of regional benefit and help make our communities continue to be places people want to live and work." The Columbia project is just the most recent in a surge of economic development and job growth in Western Kentucky, with more than $1.7 billion in investments and 2,400 jobs created since 2020. State Sen. Robby Mills lauded Columbia as being a good corporate citizen and the announcement as one that may indicate the future of the area's employment base. "Everything is aligned around I-69," he said. "I think we could someday see this area become a mecca of distribution. ... Companies like Columbia do their homework. They know what they're doing when they choose to invest in an area." This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: Columbia Sportswear: Upgrades, new jobs coming to Western Kentucky President Biden meets virtually with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2021. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Biden likes to say that we are locked in a global battle pitting democracy against autocracy. In Seattle last week, he described a phone conversation hed had with Xi Jinping in which the Chinese leader argued that democracy doesnt work anymore. Among other things, Xi said, democracy requires consensus, and mustering a consensus takes too long in a fast-moving world. Only autocracies are equipped to meet the extraordinary challenges of modern times. Biden, as he does every time he tells the story, dismissed the idea that democracy is passe or unworkable. But Ive begun to wonder whether Xi might be on to something. We Americans often treat our liberal democracy as a national religion, and routinely assert, as if no evidence were needed, that it is the most moral, just, effective and admirable system on Earth. But few would deny that theres been some disturbing evidence to the contrary in recent years. The Jan. 6 riot, of course, was a low point. Then there was the chaotic, inefficient, politicized response to the pandemic. The continuing legislative paralysis in Washington. The strongest evidence of democracys weakness, however, has got to be the tepid U.S. response to climate change over the last 25 years. An epochal, Earth-threatening catastrophe is barreling toward us, poised to upend life as we know it. As one of the worlds wealthiest countries and greatest historic emitters of carbon, we obviously should be leading an urgent and aggressive charge to protect the planet. But were not. Why have we failed to rise to the occasion? One obvious reason is that our system allows the oil and gas industry to wield grossly disproportionate power thanks to the way money distorts our politics. The top 10 fossil fuel industry contributors alone gave $60 million to candidates in the 2019-2020 election cycle. Another reason is that in a democracy, elected officials have no incentive to support policies that require pain and sacrifice today in exchange for future gain. Pay twice as much for gas? Dont drive? Dont fly? In most cases, courageous politicians who supported such policies would be voted out of office. Story continues Whats more, too many Americans believe the climate crisis is terribly exaggerated, despite a scientific consensus that its not. This anti-intellectual strain has always existed in American political culture, but the number of science-skeptical voters seems to have grown during the Trump years. I mention climate change just as an example. It is just one small part of what ails our democratic system these days. Even post-Trump, we face a deep, bitter, partisan polarization. A dysfunctional Congress. An ongoing effort to undermine the 2020 election. An assault on voting rights. Add to that a host of long-standing structural problems. A U.S. Senate in which tiny states like Wyoming, with 582,000 people, have the same representation and voting power as big states like California, with 39 million people. A system that allows congressional district lines to be manipulated for partisan advantage. Campaign finance laws that let mega-rich Americans and giant corporations spend unlimited amounts to influence elections. An anachronistic electoral college and filibuster rules that are undermining the notion of majority rule. And good luck fixing these problems. Making reforms and passing laws in a country this divided is extremely difficult, and amending the Constitution is nearly impossible. A newly empowered conservative Supreme Court wont make it easier. In recent years, Freedom House, which rates and ranks democracies around the world, has downgraded the U.S. so that it now ranks close to Panama and Romania, and 10 points below "traditional peers" such as the United Kingdom and Germany. And its true that the United States has never lived up to its own lofty ideals. Liberty, equality, fairness, the evenhanded rule of law these are aspirations, not yet achievements. Given all this, is it any surprise that Xi and many others believe our system is dysfunctional? But heres the flip side: Despite democracys glaring flaws, autocracy isnt the answer. Those who see hope in the Orbans, the Le Pens and the Trumps, much less in the Xis and Putins, should think again. Freedom House, for the record, says China is increasingly repressive and is tightening control over all aspects of life. Describing Russia, Freedom House refers to loyalist security forces, a subservient judiciary, a controlled media environment, and a legislature consisting of a ruling party and pliable opposition factions. These are not the conditions under which most people would choose to live. But beyond that, theres no evidence despite Xis assertions that China or any other autocratic country has a much better track record on addressing climate change or solving its domestic problems. The problems attributed to democracy, particularly regarding crises like climate change, are real and worthy of concern I lose sleep over them, says Steven Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard and co-author of How Democracies Die. But the fact that democracies are bad at responding to serious challenges that require either rapid decision-making or long-term thinking does not mean autocracies are any better. Levitsky says that history is littered with disastrous authoritarian experiments and that Xi is not the first to claim his authoritarian system is better than democracy. The Soviets and the fascists said the same. The unsatisfying reality is that democracy is difficult work. Americans need to fix the Senate. Disentangle money and campaigns. Ban gerrymandering. Restore democratic norms. To do so, citizens must understand the issues, vote their consciences, agitate for change and act cooperatively, even with opponents. We have a long distance to go (and with regard to climate change, very little time). But democracy is a long-term project. It doesnt come wrapped in bright colors with a bow around it. Youve got to fight for it. @Nick_Goldberg This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A conservative Spanish-language media network -- the first of its kind in the United States -- is hoping to take a frontline spot in the battle for Latino voters, an influential bloc that polls suggest is drifting rightwards. Launched in March, Americano had its first moment in the limelight earlier this month, securing an interview with former Republican president Donald Trump -- an important milestone for any conservative American news source in 2022. "Our commitment is to be a place that helps to promote the conservative ideology, to be able to win over the Democrats," Americano president Jorge L. Arrizurieta, who is close with former Florida governor Jeb Bush, said bluntly. According to Arrizurieta, the US media market was missing a right-of-center Spanish-speaking outlet to act as a foil to left-leaning channels such as Univision, Telemundo and CNN en Espanol. Miami-based outlet Americano is broadcast via the Sirius XM satellite radio system and the conservative social network GETTR. This summer, the transmission is set to become available via streaming platforms such as Apple TV. It hopes to be ready to cover the midterm elections in November and to be well-established by the time the 2024 presidential election rolls around. The Hispanic community is positioned to have an influential role in future votes. In 2020, Latinos represented 13.3 percent of registered voters in the United States, more than Black voters' 12.5 percent, according to Pew Research Center. And recent polls, including from the Wall Street Journal, have given conservatives a glimmer of hope that Hispanics -- who have traditionally supported Democrats -- are moving toward the Republican Party. - Against 'socialist agenda' Maria Herrera Mellado, who interviewed Trump for Americano, is aware of the role the media could play in the ideological battle facing the United States. "It's very important that we fight to save what remains of this country, because the socialist agenda is very advanced," said Mellado, a lawyer who hosts a show with Jose Aristimuno, a former press officer for the Democratic Party. Story continues "We're sure that, with solid arguments, we'll pull independents -- who will define the next elections -- toward conservatism," she added. Eduardo Gamarra, political science professor at Florida International University, gives some credit to the outfit, such as for the fact that it hired him, a Democrat, to take a survey of 1,500 Hispanics when it launched. Another element in its favor, according to Gamarra, is that Americano has turned to journalists who have appeared on Telemundo, Univision and CNN, a decision "that will give it credibility." He is still concerned, however, with the presence of some media personalities who have been known to "repeat disinformation." And Gamarra says some Americano programs seem to have misrepresented the data from his survey, which does not actually show a massive shift of Hispanics to the Republican Party. Democratic strategist Evelyn Perez-Verdia shares Gamarra's concerns about Americano. "There are programs that are about more moderate conservatism," she said. "But there are others that are focused on the people who... I would call the extreme right," said Perez Verdia, director of We Are Mas, an organization that studies Spanish-language misinformation. For Arrizurieta, Americano seeks to be a space that is open to varying voices of conservatism, able to leave internal divisions aside. A space that depends, he says, on its ability to reach all United States Hispanics -- a highly diverse community. "For our model to succeed, we have to make sure that there is an inclusive representation of the (Hispanic community) in the Western Hemisphere," Arrizurieta said. "We can't be monolithic." gma/caw/bgs Millions of workers staged a crippling strike in Sri Lanka on Thursday, adding to pressure on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his ruling family to quit over the country's worst-ever economic crisis. The island nation of 22 million people has been hit by months of acute shortages of food, fuel and medicines, prompting widespread protests. But Thursday's nationwide strike was the first time the entire country had been brought to a standstill since the demonstrations began, with both state and private sector employees taking part. Public transport was stopped, teachers quit school while shops and offices closed, police and regional officials said. Rajapaksa invited leaders of his party to discuss the crisis on Friday, but former coalition partner the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said they will not attend and instead told him to step down. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya's elder brother and a former two-term president, has said he is confident he will not be fired over the crisis. In Colombo's main commercial area of Pettah, wholesale trading shops were shut and workers joined a march chanting: "Go home Gota. Go home Gota," referring to the president. More than 100 trade unions, some even affiliated with the Rajapaksas' ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, joined the general strike, demanding the president, prime minister and other senior officials resign. "Today is like a public holiday in the country," a police official monitoring the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP. "Hospitals are treating only emergency cases." Across the nation, vegetable markets were closed, while tea plantations, a main export earner, were also shut, residents and local media said. Tens of thousands of workers in the country's free trade zones came out of their factories and staged protests demanding the powerful Rajapaksa family step down. Most banks were closed while a few provided reduced hours of service. Story continues On the brighter side, a daily power cut that has become a feature of the crisis was not implemented Thursday as electricity employees took part in the work stoppage. The main international airport operated without interruption, officials said. Trade union leaders said they ensured the airport functioned normally as an essential service. - Deadline to resign - By afternoon, shops across the country had closed in solidarity with the trade unions, local television reported. Union leader Ravi Kumudesh said Thursday's action was a success and issued a one-week deadline to Rajapaksa to step down or face a continuous strike. "What we are asking the Rajapaksa family is to go within a week," Kumudesh said in a statement. "If they don't we are ready to launch another island-wide strike until they leave." The country's economic crisis took hold after the coronavirus pandemic hammered income from tourism and remittances from Sri Lankans abroad. Protesters also blame the Rajapaksa clan for years of mismanagement. The government has defaulted on its $51 billion external debt and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for an emergency bailout. Unable to pay for fuel imports, utilities have imposed daily blackouts to ration electricity, while long lines of people snake around service stations for diesel, petrol and kerosene. Hospitals are short of vital medicines and the government has appealed to citizens abroad for donations. Thousands of demonstrators have been camped for weeks outside the president's seafront office calling on him to resign. aj/stu/axn Good morning, Chicago. Across Illinois, police are ticketing thousands of students a year for in-school adolescent behavior once handled only by the principals office for littering, for making loud noises, for using offensive words. Unpaid fines are sometimes sent to collections or deducted from parents tax refunds. And, unlike records from juvenile court, these cases cant be expunged under state law. Ticketing students violates the intent of an Illinois law that prohibits schools from fining students as a form of discipline. Instead of issuing fines directly, school officials refer students to police, who then ticket them for municipal ordinance violations, an investigation by the Tribune and ProPublica has found. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day. COVID-19 tracker | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy | Todays eNewspaper edition Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoots free gas and public transit card giveaway narrowly passed the City Council Wednesday after aldermen debated whether the measure will truly help struggling residents or simply be a political gimmick. The plan to hand out 50,000 gas cards, worth $150 each, and 100,000 Chicago Transit Authority fare cards, $50 each, passed 26-23 despite reservations from several aldermen that it was a political stunt and would be largely ineffective. Lightfoot brushed off the criticism: Am I solving every problem with this? Of course not. A coalition of news organizations convened by the Tribune is seeking to block the Chicago Park Districts efforts to seal a pending lawsuit alleging Lightfoot yelled obscenities at and defamed a Park District attorney during a call about a Christopher Columbus statue. Forty-one high schools will once again evaluate their safety plans and decide by June 15 if they will continue in Chicago Public Schools controversial school resource officer program. Story continues Last summer, 19 schools decided to retain both of their uniformed Chicago police officers; 22 schools chose to keep just one officer; and 12 schools voted to exit the SRO program. Based on the school votes, the board in September approved a one-year, $11 million agreement with the Chicago Police Department for this program. As Masud Arjmand sat in a Naperville coffee shop last week, describing the 15-year odyssey that turned his would-be dream house into a target for demolition, an excavator was already taking bites out of the unfinished Spanish-style mansion and piling the rubble into a huge heap. Informed of that by a Tribune reporter, Arjmand appeared stunned. Its being torn down? he said. How could they do that? He was apparently the last to know. Meta, the social media giant formerly known as Facebook, is expanding its massive $1 billion data center under construction in DeKalb to nearly 2.4 million square feet, putting the college town west of Chicago at the center of its metaverse. Slated to open next year, the five-building complex filled with servers and other computing equipment will create 200 jobs and power everything from Facebook posts to Instagram photos as one of 17 Meta data centers across the U.S. In other business news, ComEd customers will begin receiving a credit for about $20 per month in June, an unexpected dividend from the states bailout of three struggling nuclear power plants last fall. The Chicago Bulls season ended with an air of inevitability Wednesday night as the team crumpled against the Milwaukee Bucks in a 116-100 Game 5 loss to close their best-of-seven first-round series. Now its time for the autopsy, columnist Paul Sullivan writes: Should Bulls fans focus on the progress more than the ending? And after ending his last season under contract with the Bulls in COVID-19 isolation, the future is uncertain for guard Zach LaVine. Dr Taylor says similar arguments can be made about borderline personality disorder which she branded yet another junk diagnosis thrown at women (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Debunked psychological diagnoses of Amber Heard must be immediately discounted, a prominent psychologist has said. Dr Jessica Taylors warning comes after a psychologist hired by Johnny Depps legal team to evaluate Ms Heard, his ex-wife, testified she has borderline personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder. Mr Depp, a Hollywood actor, is currently embroiled in a high-profile defamation lawsuit against fellow actor Ms Heard in Virginia in the US. Mr Depp sued Ms Heard in March 2019, claiming a column she wrote for The Washington Post about domestic abuse was defamatory and requested $50m in damages. Ms Heard submitted a $100m countersuit. Although the article does not include any reference to Mr Depp, his legal team argues the piece contains a clear implication that Mr Depp is a domestic abuser, which they maintain is categorically and demonstrably false. Speaking to The Independent, Dr Taylor, who examines the pathologisation of women in mental health settings, said that in her view the two disorders the psychologist diagnosed Ms Heard with are "not proven medical conditions" but are instead "highly contested controversial psychiatric labels". Dr Taylor, who also specialises in sexual violence and victim-blaming, said she has not "heard anyone use the term histrionic personality disorder unironically in years, and suggested it is a debunked disorder. The psychologist, previously a senior lecturer in Forensic and Criminological Psychology at the University of Derby, said: Histrionic personality disorder was borne out of the hysteria diagnosis, which could only be given to women. Dr Taylor explained the term hysterical woman in the 1968 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder was changed to histrionic woman in a revised version of the manual in 1980 after top psychiatrists theorised that histrionic women were labile, egocentric, seductive, frigid, and childish. Story continues She added: Hysteria and histrionic personality disorder became known as the wastebasket of mental health, with many influential scholars rejecting their existence. Women could be diagnosed with these terms for not smiling enough, not giving men enough sex, being lesbian or bisexual, being too assertive, too opinionated, leaving their husbands, or even reading too many books. It is outrageous that in 2022, a psychologist would testify on the stand that a woman has histrionic personality disorder. Dr Taylor argued similar arguments could be made about borderline personality disorder, which she branded yet another junk diagnosis thrown at women, as she noted women are at least seven times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than men. She said Borderline Personality Disorder was borne from Histrionic Personality Disorder, they are overlapping constructs in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and one is borne from the other. Dr Taylor also noted Dr Shannon Curry, the psychologist hired by Mr Depp, had suggested borderline personality and histrionic personality disorder have a genetic basis, but Taylor hit out at this assertion. She added: There has never been any proof of genetic basis of any personality disorders, and so this is categorically false. No gene has been found for any mental health disorder, and the American Psychiatric Association agree that at the current time, we do not know the relationship between biology and psychiatric disorder. Dr Taylor argued a mans mental health is routinely used to position him as vulnerable and victimised, while conversely, womens mental health is wielded to cast her as being deviant and dangerous". Earlier this week, the DeKalb County School District parted ways with former Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris. The school board named Dr. Vasanne Tinsley the interim while they search for a permanent replacement. Dr. Tinsley says that after a brief stint being retired, shes ready to get back to work for the students of DeKalb County. I am thrilled. I am excited. I am happy to be back home, she told Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As a 25-year veteran of DeKalb County Schools and a former deputy superintendent for the district, the school board felt she was the perfect choice to lead them through some of the major issues the district currently faces. With new leadership, many people will be expecting Dr. Tinsley to fix some of the major issue swiftly, but she says shes ready for the task. One of the things well be doing is take a thorough assessment. Were gonna start from here, the ground floor, and see whats out there and needs to be done, she explained. RELATED STORIES: During a news conference on Wednesday, Dr. Tinsley held hands with school board chair Vickie B. Turner. Both women say working together is the only way to get things back on track after Watson-Harris was fired. Harris released a statement on Wednesday that said, in her eyes, the decision to let her go came out of nowhere. I was unaware that my contract or employment would be discussed during yesterdays meeting, as I was not notified - and it was not identified on the meeting notice, the statement read. Board members who voted her out say they wish her well, but its time to move on. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] State Superintendent Richard Woods called out the district saying there is a lack of leadership and about $500 million in COVID-19 relief funds that has not been spent. This is day one, so what I can tell you is that I have research to do. But I will let you know that if there are funds out there that can be utilized to make sure we address these issues, well make sure its done, Dr. Tinsley told Fernandes. After New York state's top court this week crushed Democratic hopes of coming out ahead in this decade's redistricting cycle, the party faces an increasingly precarious legal environment in the hyper-partisan battle over drawing legislative lines. New York's Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned a map that Democrats muscled through the state legislature there, deciding that a nonpartisan expert will instead draw the lines for the state's 26 congressional districts. It was at least the fifth time this cycle a state court has ruled that maps drawn by its state legislature were too partisan, with a Democratic map in Maryland also falling and Republican-drawn ones in Kansas, North Carolina and Ohio being tossed out as well. Still, Republicans are favored to win state Supreme Court races in North Carolina and Ohio in November that'd enable those GOP-controlled legislatures to implement more partisan maps before 2024. In contrast, the 4-3 New York decision came from a court appointed entirely by Democrats, a party that now finds itself bound to a bipartisan process written into the state's constitution. Democratic judges are not really as inclined to excuse extreme partisan gerrymandering as Republican ones are, said Lakshya Jain, a lecturer at the University of California-Berkeley who writes on redistricting at the website Split Ticket. Democrats for a long time have been pushing for redistricting reform and anti-gerrymandering legislation, Jain noted, and that seeps into their judges' preferences. The biggest test of this potential legal asymmetry comes in Florida, where Democrats and civil rights groups are challenging a congressional map that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the GOP-controlled legislature there. Legislators had initially balked at the map, which aggressively favors their party, because it dismantles two plurality-Black districts in possible violation of the state's Fair Districts Amendment, which requires lawmakers to draw districts that let racial and linguistic minorities pick their chosen representatives. Story continues Republicans insist they've followed the law in Florida, though many legal experts disagree. This is not a difficult legal question, said Douglas Spencer, a law professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder. It would be a complete abdication of the rule of law if they take the most gerrymandered map in American history and let it stand. Spencer said he's optimistic Florida's state supreme court will ultimately strike down the map but notes he's in a minority among redistricting experts. That's because six of the seven members of the state supreme court were appointed by Republican governors. Democrats began the once-a-decade redistricting cycle anxiously, with Republicans in control of drawing vastly more congressional seats. That's due to a combination of GOP success in state elections and that Democrats' reform push has led them to cede line-drawing power to independent commissions in states they control, like Colorado. But Democrats were relatively successful, shifting the typical House seat close to President Joe Bidens five-point margin of victory in 2020. Until the end of the New York and Florida litigation, it's impossible to precisely evaluate how the party did, but it's likely the map will still lean more toward Democrats than after 2010, when Republicans used their statehouse dominance to try to lock in a House majority through partisan maps. But much of Democrats' gains came in New York, the most populous state where the party controlled line-drawing and one where it stood to net as many as four House seats in its partisan map. The recent flurry of state court actions are due to a legal ruling at the tail end of the last redistricting cycle. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled that federal courts have no role in policing partisan gerrymanders, or maps drawn explicitly to benefit one party by contorting lines to capture enough of its voters to reliably win elections. That kicked redistricting litigation into state courts. State courts have in a lot of ways been the hero this cycle, said Michael Li of the Brennan Center for Social Justice, which argues against gerrymandering and for redistricting reform. But Li noted state courts have vulnerabilities that the federal system doesn't have. The composition of many state courts change from election to election, making rulings in places like North Carolina and Ohio dependent on whichever party has the political winds at its back in November. State courts are also uneven in some states such as New York they aggressively strike down gerrymanders, while in places like Texas, the state supreme court is so conservative that civil rights groups have routinely not even bothered to ask it for help, instead going to federal courts to challenge maps drawn by the GOP-controlled legislature in recent decades. There's even more uncertainty over the legal landscape of redistricting this cycle because the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated it may rewrite the rules that govern the drawing of legislative districts. In February, conservatives on the court said they may revise the standards on how to draw districts that comply with the Voting Right Act's requirement that minorities get a chance to choose their own representatives and are not simply scattered among voters of other races. And in March, four conservative justices indicated they wanted to consider Republican lawyers' arguments that only state legislatures and not state courts have the say in drawing congressional maps. Still, redistricting reformers said they remain heartened by how courts performed in this cycle so far. Suzanne Almeida of Common Cause, a frequent litigant opposing gerrymanders, noted that courts in Republican states like Ohio have joined ones in deep Democratic states like New York in striking down partisan maps. If I ran the world," Almeida said, there'd be national standards against gerrymandering to ensure skewed maps in one big state don't tilt the entire congressional map. But a Democratic proposal for just that foundered in Congress earlier this year. So, Almeida said, we are taking the wins that we can take." Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday faced fiery pushback from Republican lawmakers while defending the Biden administration's border policies, ahead of the planned termination of the Trump-era pandemic policy, Title 42, on May 23. GOP Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana said Mayorkas would be impeached if Republicans retake the House in November. "You've been called upon to resign. Next year, if we have the majority in this committee, which we shall, you'll face impeachment," Higgins said, during Wednesday's hearing. "Own this thing. Out of respect for you and the office, I ask you to reflect upon that." Mayorkas testified Wednesday in front the House homeland security committee and the House appropriations subcommittee on DHS, telling both groups of lawmakers that the Biden administration had inherited a "broken and dismantled system that is already under strain." "It is not built to manage the current levels and types of migratory flows," Mayorkas said. "Only Congress can fix this." Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations I Subcommittee Homeland Security Committee during a hearing on Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. / Credit: Jose Luis Magana / AP DHS is preparing for the end of the CDC's public health authority, Title 42, which permits DHS to swiftly expel certain migrants throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, without processing their asylum claims. In a 20-page memo earlier this week, Mayorkas outlined a six-part strategy: surging personnel and resources to the southern border; expanding migrant processing capacity; deportating, detaining or prosecuting some migrants; securing assistance from border organizations, cracking down on human smugglers and deterring migration across the Western Hemisphere. Mayorkas confirmed for the first time that DHS consulted with CDC prior to the repeal of Title 42, as is required by law. "The bounds of my consultation that I provided data to the CDC were with respect to the number of encounters, the number of individuals that a border patrol facility can house, how many people we were housing at a particular time and data with respect to what we were experiencing at the border," Mayorkas clarified. "I am not a public health expert, nor did I provide public health advice." Story continues Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, meanwhile, took rare aim at her own party, in addition to GOP leadership, for the bipartisan failure to pass immigration reform. Slotkin, a former CIA officer and Pentagon official, called the Southwest border "the last resort to protect ourselves." "Until we get at the root of the problem, we are going to have year after year of these horrible pictures of our border officials having to be overwhelmed and of migrants seeking a better life living in bad conditions," Slotkin continued. "Two years ago, every one of us on this committee voted on a $4.5 billion supplemental. We sent active-duty military to the border, in addition to the Guard, and we put people in cages and separated them from their children in order to make border policy something different than it was," she continued, citing the Trump-era policy of separating families. "Now we allow people to come into the country, and they go off, and we have no idea whether they're ever going to show up in a courtroom again. Neither of those policies makes any sense." Mayorkas added Wednesday that he has greenlit approximately 68 border wall projects, using the $2.5 billion previously appropriated by Congress under the Trump administration to construct a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. "And we are well aware of our responsibility to spend the funds that have been appropriated to the wall," Mayorkas said at a House subcommittee hearing. "And we are undertaking an analysis of how most effectively to do so while honoring the president's commitment. We are dedicated to spending those funds in a way that enhances safety and security." Mayorkas testified for more than two hours before the House Appropriations Department of Homeland Security subcommittee hearing. His testimony continued in the afternoon. The secretary said the majority of border wall projects rest in the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers. But Mayorkas told lawmakers that the cost of discontinuing DHS-controlled border wall projects is approximately $72 million. Republican Rep. John Rutherford of Florida pressed Mayorkas about what has changed DHS policy since the announced termination of Title 42. "I think if you ask probably two-thirds of the country, they'll tell you, the border is not secure," Rutherford said. "And so my question is, now we're about to lift Title 42. And I don't hear a plan to address that. These things, you've already implemented. These things are there now. What is going to change in response to Title 42?" Mayorkas responded urgently, but without much detail: "We are preparing, and have been preparing. We are implementing our plans. We are building further. We are intensifying our efforts. We are increasing our efforts and enhancing them. We are not done." Amid reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could run out of money by July, Mayorkas told the House Appropriations Committee that DHS is preparing to reprogram funds, but has not yet requested additional resources. "We are also preparing should reprogramming not be sufficient to request the supplemental," Mayorkas told lawmakers. "We have not reached that point. We are going to try to avoid that to the best of our abilities." Rep. Henry Cuellar, who represents a border district in South Texas, grilled Mayorkas on his allegations of a broken immigration system and pressed the secretary on why he has not followed the Obama administration's precedent of loudly broadcasting consequences for illegal entry. "If I take you back to Secretary Jeh Johnson and Obama, they were able to treat the migrants with respect and dignity, but at the same time, when the law said you got to send them back, they sent them back," Cuellar said. "In fact, I worked with Secretary Johnson on showing images of people being returned to Honduras and the first lady being there. Now it's like we're afraid to show images of people going back. Y'all deport hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people, but all we see is images of people coming into the United States and no images of people going back, when the law has to be enforced. And on top of that, there are over 1 million final deportation orders that have still not been executed, plus the 1.6 million people are still waiting on immigration." Mayorkas reminded the congressman that he served as Johnson's deputy, adding that he wanted to put any "misimpressions" to rest. "We are indeed communicating robustly in throughout the region in the countries of origin with respect to the removals, that we have effected and the consequence regime that we have imposed upon individuals who have crossed into our country who have been encountered at the border, who have no legal claim for relief here in the United States," said Mayorkas. "So we are very robustly communicating those removals and those consequences." Probed on efforts to vaccinate migrants entering U.S. custody, Mayorkas said DHS is "gearing forward to meet the objective of vaccinating up to 6,000 migrants a day, in more than 20 facilities across the border," but he declined to say how many asylum-seekers and detainees had been vaccinated thus far. Asked about the Biden administration's limited court-ordered implementation of the "Remain in Mexico" protocols, Mayorkas echoed his outspoken opposition to the Trump-era policy, referencing a Human Rights First report of 1,500 kidnappings, murders, instances of torture and other attacks against migrants enrolled in the program. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday in a case that could determine whether the Biden administration can terminate the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which was first implemented under former President Donald Trump and requires migrants arriving at the southern border to wait outside the U.S. for their asylum hearings. According to Mayorkas, and as outlined in DHS' budget proposal, the department has requested "funding for more than 300 more border patrol agents." Mayorkas noted DHS has also "requested funding for full time case processing personnel. And we look forward to and hope for this committee's support." "We need to get [U.S. Border Patrol agents] out into the field to interdict individuals who are seeking to cross our border illegally," Mayorkas said. "And that's why we're really ramping up the case processing capabilities." Mayorkas also stressed that DHS asked to double to $360 million funding for the non-profit security grant program, in its proposed FY 2023 budget. As CBS News first reported, advocates, faith leaders and the secretary himself rallied for this in the aftermath of the Colleyville, TX hostage situation. Camilo Montoya-Galvez contributed to this report. What Moderna's kids COVID vaccine could mean for families A look at the disinformation battle being waged in Russia by Vladimir Putin Senator Tim Kaine on his experience with long COVID, federal aid he is seeking to help others By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -World Health Organization members reached a preliminary agreement this week to gradually raise their mandatory fees starting from 2024, the WHO chief confirmed on Thursday in what he described as a "pivotal moment" for global health. Reforming the 74-year old agency's funding model is a priority for Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as he aims to remodel it to respond to the risk of more pandemics. Currently, the body relies heavily on voluntary contributions from governments and private donors which are often earmarked for specific programmes, leaving it with insufficient flexibility. "(Member states') recommendation to increase assessed contributions to 50% will empower WHO and safeguard its unique expertise, mandate and legitimacy," Tedros said on Twitter, confirming information from sources about the closed-door talks earlier. "A strong WHO keeps us all safer," he added. Germany, which is the body's top donor and whose national Bjorn Kummel chairs the talks, also confirmed the outcome on Twitter. The agreement comes in the form of a recommendation that still needs to be formally approved by governments at the World Health Assembly next month. REFORM HEADWINDS The compromise reached late on Wednesday envisages mandatory fees reaching 50% of the budget by 2028-2029, or possibly 2030-31, the sources said. The funding reforms have been discussed over the past year and a half and the compromise deal, which is contingent on certain conditions such as transparency measures, was watered down due to opposition from some members. "The WHO was facing headwinds on funding not just from the U.S., but from Russia, Brazil, and a range of others on the assessed contributions," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown Law in Washington, D.C. One of the sources following the talks said that U.S. support had been a "turning point" in the negotiations. Washington, historically the main donor to the agency and now its number two contributor, this year reversed former President Donald Trump's plan to withdraw from the body and has pledged more funding. (Additional reporting by Jennifer Rigbyin London; Editing by Catherine Evans, Raissa Kasolowsky and Tomasz Janowski) An early morning crash downed powerlines and traffic lights on Thursday in south Charlotte. ALSO READ: No injuries reported at 2-alarm apartment fire in south Charlotte Woodlawn Road remains closed east of Park Road near the Park Road Shopping Center as of 5 a.m. Channel 9 crews were on the scene before 2:30 a.m. after the crash occurred. UPDATE: @DukeEnergy has finished work on lines but now @NCDOT_Charlotte is fixing the signals that are still laying in the street. Woodlawn remains CLOSED at the Park Rd. Shopping Center east of Park Rd. #clt #clttraffic #cltraffic pic.twitter.com/CbHKai4ato Traffic Team 9 (@TrafficTeam9) April 28, 2022 Channel 9 has reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to see when the road will reopen. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. (WATCH BELOW: Police close Park Road while clearing a crash involving a power pole) Global drone maker DJI has become the first Chinese company to openly cease operations in Russia and Ukraine, citing current hostilities as its reason for doing so. In a statement posted on Tuesday, the Shenzhen-based firm said it is internally reassessing compliance requirements in various jurisdictions and would thus temporarily suspend all business activities in both countries. Ride-sharing giant Didi was reportedly the first Chinese company to announce a Russian exit, but it backpedaled days later without explanation. Ahead of its announcement, DJI, which is currently the worlds top drone manufacturer, has been accused by Ukrainian authorities of helping Russia wage its war. In an open letter published last month, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov urged DJI founder and CEO Frank Wang to exit Russia because it was using DJI products in order to navigate their missile [sic]. Others also questioned reported failures of DJIs AeroScope system in revealing the locations of Russian drones and their pilots, raising suspicions that the remote ID program was being deliberately tampered with. DJI has rejected these allegations, maintaining that its products are not designed for military use and denying any intentional decisions to downgrade AeroScope in Ukraine. Additionally, the company offered geofencing to block all DJI drones from entering Ukraine. In a separate statement on Wednesday, a DJI spokesperson said their decision to halt business with Russia and Ukraine was not to make a statement about any country, but to make a statement about our principles. DJI abhors any use of our drones to cause harm, and we are temporarily suspending sales in these countries in order to help ensure no one uses our drones in combat, the spokesperson said. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow describes as a special military operation, enters its ninth week today. DJI said it is now engaging with customers, partners and other stakeholders regarding the temporary suspension of business operations in the affected territories. Featured Image via DJI Story continues Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Report: Chinas state-run outlets promote pro-Russian narrative of Russia's invasion of Ukraine Chinas richest woman missing for years suddenly reemerges in threatening phone calls to family Chinese professor who pressured Taiwanese student to change his country of origin faces investigation 66-year-old man in China transforms his terrace into ice rink to play hockey with grandson A longtime Tri-Cities, Washington doctor was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison for her role in a pill mill based in her Richland medical office. Dr. Janet Arnold owned Desert Wind Family Practice on Wellsian Way in Richland, where she hired addicts and then gave them blank prescription scripts she had signed until her office was raided by Drug Enforcement Administration agents. Defendant, despite being a licensed medical provider, was acting as nothing more than a drug dealer in a white coat, said George Jacobs III, assistant U.S. attorney, in a court document. Arnolds receptionist/office manager would fill out prescription orders for highly addictive drugs, including fentanyl and oxycodone, both for fake patients and also for Arnolds patients on the frequent days when she didnt come to work. Sometimes the receptionist would increase the dosage or amount of pills for patients that Arnold had previously seen, with Arnold not necessarily knowing for which patients or what drugs the prescriptions were being written. She pre-signed hundreds of blank prescription scripts, sometimes meeting her staff at a pizza restaurant or one of their homes, when they told her they needed more. Arnold pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. But her attorneys argued that she was manipulated by others, including her office manager, who was an addict and drug dealer, according to court documents. Arnold was not fully aware of the scope and extent of the actions of her co-defendants in the case, including her office manager and a volunteer in her office, her attorneys argued. She was willfully blind to the drug dealing with her prescription scripts, rather than willfully participating, said her attorney Paul Shelton. Doctor flouted rules But U.S. District Court Senior Judge Edward Shea said Arnolds actions were calculated and that she was no unknowing dupe. The Federal Building at 825 Jadwin Ave. in Richland includes a U.S. courthouse. He was baffled by why she had a Washington state license to practice as a physician before her practice was raided in 2017, Shea said. Story continues In 2004 she had been accused of prescribing large quantities of narcotics to patients, including 500 to 750 tablets of oxycodone at once to one patient. Her license was suspended from 2006 to late 2007 before she successfully applied for reinstatement, convincing the licensing board she had reformed, Shea said. Arnolds license was suspended again shortly after the May 2017 DEA raid of Desert Winds Family Practice and then permanently revoked. Arnold has never confronted her culpability in the distribution of narcotics, instead blaming her office manager and minimizing her role, Shea said. It was no surprise that she hired addicts and then they acted like addicts, he said. He also pointed to testimony that the man she lived with for 21 years had also handed out prescriptions to patients and worn a white coat in the office as if he were a medical professional, which he was not. That was a clear indication she flouts rules, he said. Her actions added to the tragedy of fentanyl addiction in the Tri-Cities community, and required time in prison, the judge said. He also sentenced her to three years supervised release, but issued no fine, saying she had no money to pay it. Prescriptions for undercover witness He also was influenced by the damning testimony of a medical expert witness, Dr. Leslie Enzian. She said the practice of signing blank prescription scripts was illegal and also reviewed the treatment of a cooperative witness in the case. The witness posed as a patient and told Arnold she needed oxycodone for headaches. A new study will look at three back-pain treatments without relying on medication. Arnold did not check a state database to see the new patients past opioid use or speak with her past doctor. Arnold initially prescribed an average of 15 mg of oxycodone a day but a year later had increased that to 80 mg a day and had also provided early refills when the undercover patient said she ran out, according to DEA special agent Jason Sherrell. There was no legitimate medical reason to prescribe that quantity and dosage for headache treatment, Jacobs said. Arnolds attorneys asked Shea to sentence her to five years probation, including up to two years of home confinement, rather than prison time. Arnold, 64, has no previous criminal history and cannot repeat her crime without a medical license, they said. She provides full-time care to her disabled partner. If she goes to prison he would likely end up in assisted living or a nursing home, Arnold told the judge. Her partner, who came to court in a motorized wheelchair, told the judge he had previously been sexually molested in a care home and would live on the streets instead. Arnold said when she opened Desert Winds Family Practice she wanted to treat patients in chronic pain. Doctor claims ignorance But then Danielle C. Mata, a patient, convinced Arnold to hire her as an office manager, and Mata began recruiting drug addicts and telling them what to say to get pain medicine, Arnold said. I had no idea Danielle and her cronies were selling drugs on the street, she said. She also did not realize she could be criminally prosecuted, she said. After losing her medical license and practice, she and her partner became homeless for a time and now have no car and depend on a food bank, she said. The prosecution had asked for a nine-year prison sentence for Arnold. After taking an oath to do no harm as a doctor, she was instrumental in leading several people to become addicted to her prescriptions and contributed to the epidemic of opioid abuse in Washington state, according to court documents. Her status as a well-educated, white-collar offender does not warrant any leniency given the circumstances of the case, the prosecution argued in court documents. They called for doctors to be sent a strong and clear message that hiding behind their prescription pads and blaming the addicts for this epidemic will not be tolerated. Mata, of Richland, and another patient who volunteered in Arnolds medical practice, Jennifer C. Prichard of Prosser said Arnold was an addict, during the sentencing hearing. Arnold drank alcohol at her medical office and used fentanyl patches, they said. Over time she came into her office less and less, leaving her nonmedical staff to deal with patients, they said. Her practice was chaotic and discombobulated, Prichard said. FILE - This April 26, 2006 file photo shows different brands and dosages of fentanyl patches in St. Louis. U.S. deaths linked to opioids have quadrupled since 2000 to roughly 42,000 in 2016. Although initially driven by prescription drugs, most opioid deaths now involve illicit drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. When power to her office was cut off because the electric bill was not paid, she told patients to go to Matas house to get their prescriptions and had a patient deliver a printer there. Court documents show that from March 2016 to May 2017, about 487 prescriptions with Dr. Arnolds signature and DEA registration number were issued and filled. The prescriptions distributing about 2,000 fentanyl patches; 27,000 oxycodone pills; 6,600 methadone pills; 2,000 hydromorphone pills; 600 oxymorphone pills; 1,700 methylphenidate pills; 2,000 amphetamine mixture pills; and 7,000 carisoprodol pills. 2 opioid dealers in prison Of Arnolds four co-defendants, two have been sentenced to prison. David Barnes Nay, 42, and Lisa Marie Cooper, 55, both of Prosser, distributed the opioid medications obtained with Arnolds prescriptions to other people or kept the drugs to feed their own addictions. Nay pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute eight controlled substances, and six counts of distributing fentanyl and oxycodone. He was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Cooper was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess and two counts of distributing controlled substances. Prichard, 46, and Mata, 44, are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to similar charges in the conspiracy. Elon Musk has spoken out about former President Trump's new social network. Chris Seward, Hannibal Hanschke/AP Photo Elon Musk said Twitter censoring "free speech" resulted in Donald Trump creating his own social network. Trump was banned from Twitter in January 2021 and launched Truth Social in February 2022. Musk is set to buy Twitter for $44 billion and may relax its content moderation rules. Elon Musk tweeted Wednesday saying Twitter censorship is the reason for the existence of President Trump's social media app, Truth Social. "Truth Social (terrible name) exists because Twitter censored free speech," Musk tweeted. This came after Musk appeared to lament that Truth Social appeared above Twitter in the Apple's App Store downloads chart. Twitter permanently suspended former president Trump in January 2021, following the storming of the US Capitol. Trump posted a video to Twitter in which he made a claim of election fraud and told the rioters, "Go home. We love you; you're very special." "After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence," the company said at the time. Trump's Facebook and YouTube accounts were also suspended although not permanently. Trump, who during his presidency accused Big Tech companies of bias against him, launched his own social media platform Truth Social in February. Trump has only made one post on Truth Social since its launch, and Insider's Rosie Bradbury described the app as a "conservative ghost town." Musk is set to buy Twitter for $44 billion and has indicated he will relax the platform's rules on content moderation. Twitter staff asked the company's CEO, Parag Agrawal, during an all-hands meeting whether Trump's ban will be reversed under Musk. Agrawal replied: "We don't know what direction the platform will go." Trump said during a radio interview on April 14 that he "probably wouldn't have any interest" in returning to Twitter, saying it has "become very boring." Some of the former president's advisers expressed doubt over his stance in comments made to The Washington Post. Read the original article on Business Insider Elon Musk (center) with his cousins and SolarCity cofounders Lyndon Rive (left) and Peter Rive (right) in 2010. Mark Von Holden/AP Images for SolarCity Elon Musk won a shareholder lawsuit over Tesla's 2016 acquisition of solar company SolarCity. The lawsuit said Musk essentially bailed out SolarCity, which was $3 billion in debt when Tesla bought it. The judgement said although the acquisition process was "far from perfect," the price Tesla paid was fair. A judge has ruled that Elon Musk did not act unlawfully when Tesla bought solar-panel company SolarCity for $2.6 billion in 2016. The acquisition was the subject of a Tesla shareholder lawsuit first filed in 2017 which accused Musk of bailing out SolarCity, which was $3 billion in debt when Tesla bought it. SolarCity was founded by Musk's cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive. Musk sat on both the SolarCity and the Tesla boards when the acquisition went through. In a 132-page judgement Vice Chancellor Joseph Slights III said the price Tesla paid for SolarCity was fair and Musk did not breach his fiduciary duty to Tesla shareholders. Slights said Musk was "more involved in the process than a conflicted fiduciary should be" and the board's process was "far from perfect," but that ultimately the vetting process had been sufficient. "Elon did not stand in its way," Slights added. The lawsuit is a big win for Musk, who would have been on the hook for more than $2 billion if he'd lost. The lawsuit filed in 2017 originally targeted Tesla's entire board but the other board member settled out of court for $60 million in January 2020. Only Musk decided to fight the case and he took the stand in court in July 2021. Lee Rudy, the attorney for the plaintiffs, told The Wall Street Journal they were considering their options. Read the original article on Business Insider The ongoing Russian war in Ukraine continues to keep gas prices high, the European Union slams the Kremlin on gas imports and a solar panel trade group says a Biden administration probe could devastate the industry. This is Overnight Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. For The Hill, were Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk. Subscribe here. Gas prices stay high despite more US production U.S. oil production is on the rise but it may not have the immediate impact on gas prices that both Democrats and Republicans want. While the country is producing 300,000 more barrels of oil per day than it was in mid-March, Russias invasion of Ukraine which sparked a boycott of Russian oil and increased demand for limited supply from elsewhere is expected to keep prices high at least for the near future. Skyrocketing prices at the pump have been a political headache for the Biden administration, with the president repeatedly labeling the high prices Putins price hike while also blaming oil producers. Republicans, for their part, have hammered Biden and called for more domestic production. How we got here: Prices spiked following Russias invasion of Ukraine as the West turned away from Russian oil cutting supply by about 3 million barrels per day, according to early estimates. To ease pain at the pump, the Biden administration announced that it would release 1 million barrels per day from the countrys strategic reserves and has also called on the industry to also extract more oil. Too little, too late? Oil activity is rising in response to high prices, but the increases are not expected to fully offset increased demand. Were up 300,000 barrels a day, which isnt bad, but its small, especially when you put it in the context of a million barrels per day coming from the [strategic petroleum reserve], said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. Story continues He added that in the larger context, the production increases are a good sign, but a small cog in a very big wheel. U.S. production of oil was at 11.9 million barrels per day as of April 15, still somewhat lower than pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the number of oil rigs a signal of future production has jumped to 695 compared to 438 just last year. However, De Haan described rig count as a lagging indicator. Read more here. VIRTUAL EVENT INVITE The Hills Sustainability ImperativeThursday, April 28 at 2 p.m. ET Sustainability is not optionalits imperative, and everyone has a role to play. On April 28, The Hill will host its second annual festival convening policy leaders and practitioners in the sustainability ecosystem, featuring interviews with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, actress Sigourney Weaver and more. RSVP today to save your spot. Russian energy decision sparks European outrage A top European official blasted Russian state-controlled energy company Gazproms decision to shut off natural gas to two NATO member nations in Europe, calling it blackmail. The announcement by Gazprom that it is unilaterally stopping delivery of gas to customers in Europe is yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on Wednesday. This is unjustified and unacceptable. And it shows once again the unreliability of Russia as a gas supplier. Whats next? She said they were continuing to work with international partners to get access to alternative sources of natural gas and noted that a coordinated EU response was in the process of being crafted. Europeans can trust that we stand united and in full solidarity with the Member States impacted in the face of this new challenge. Europeans can count on our full support, von der Leyen said. The development comes as Gazprom alleged in a memo that Poland and Bulgaria were refusing to use Russian rubles to pay for natural gas, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded, consequently forcing Gazprom to shut off access of fuel to the two countries, according to The Associated Press. The energy minister of Bulgaria, however, has pushed back against Gazproms claims that they had not paid for natural gas supplies since earlier this month. Last month, von der Leyen and President Biden announced that they would be setting up a task force meant to curb European reliance on fossil fuels from Russia. The U.S. and others are seeking to isolate Russia economically in rebuke of its invasion of Ukraine, now more than two months in. Read more from The Hills Caroline Vakil. SOLAR GROUP CUTS FORECASTS, BLAMES BIDEN PROBE The top solar energy industry group said Wednesday that it has cut its forecasts for deployment by nearly 50 percent, blaming the Biden administrations decision to investigate Asian manufacturers amid allegations of dodging tariffs. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) said Wednesday it was dropping its installation projections 46 percent as a result of the probe. This would equate to the loss of 24 gigawatts worth of planned capacity, more than the industry has installed all last year. The Commerce Department in late March announced it would investigate whether solar panels manufactured In Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand were part of an attempt by Chinese manufacturers to skirt tariffs. The department announced the probe in response to a petition by solar manufacturer Auxin Solar. The department had initially dismissed a similar petition from the group American Solar Manufacturers Against Chinese Circumvention. If tariffs are imposed, in the blink of an eye were going to lose 100,000 American solar workers and any hope of reaching the Presidents clean energy goals, SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said in a statement Wednesday. This would be a monumental loss for our nation, which has the potential to lead our clean energy future, with the right policies. Instead, the Commerce Department is on track to wipe out nearly half of all solar jobs and force a surrender on the Presidents climate goals. Read more about the projection here. EVERYONES A SKEPTIC This weeks bipartisan discussions around climate change are being met with skepticism from both environmentalists and Republicans. It has been extremely clear throughout the last year of negotiations, especially around the scale of investments in the reconciliation package, that Republicans are not serious about supporting solutions at that scale, said Sara Chieffo, vice president of government affairs at the League of Conservation voters. I look at this effort with a lot of skepticism, Chieffo said. Jamal Raad, executive director of Evergreen Action, described the talks as a delay tactic by the Republicans to avert a climate-focused reconciliation bill, saying he didnt believe they were being held in good faith. Republicans themselves have also cast doubt as to whether the bipartisan talks will actually accomplish anything. If it starts looking like a reconciliation or Build Back Better, then obviously Republicans will be out, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who attended the meeting, was quoted as saying on Monday. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who did not attend, called a potential deal a long shot, according to Politico. Meanwhile, Melinda Pierce, legislative director at the Sierra Club, expressed concern that the bipartisan talks could lead to bad ideas being put on the table. A whole lot of bad ideas can come from that grouping on the supply side, [be] it LNG exports or pipelines, any of these supply side pieces, Pierce said. ON TAP TOMORROW Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will appear before the House Appropriations Committee for a hearing on Interiors budget Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will testify before the House Appropriations Committee about DOEs budget. Shell also appear before the House Energy & Commerce Committee. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on the nomination of Kathryn Huff to be an assistant secretary of Energy for nuclear energy. It will also hold a hearing on the nominations of David Applegate to be Director of the United States Geological Survey and Carmen Cantor to be an assistant secretary, both of the Department of the Interior, and Evelyn Wang to be director of the DOEs Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy WHAT WERE READING Two million children at risk of starvation in Horn of Africa U.N. aid chief (Reuters) Investors at top US banks refuse to back climate proposals (The Financial Times) We want it back to what it was: the US village blighted by toxic waste (The Guardian) Virginia Senate panel rejects Gov. Youngkins proposal to suspend gas tax (ABC8) ICYMI Biden administration allows additional natural gas exports Democrats say they will act soon to lower gas prices And finally, something offbeat and off-beat: Be fruitful and terrify. Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment page for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow. VIEW THE FULL EDITION HERE For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. It's only natural that many investors, especially those who are new to the game, prefer to buy shares in 'sexy' stocks with a good story, even if those businesses lose money. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' If, on the other hand, you like companies that have revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Cake Box Holdings (LON:CBOX). While that doesn't make the shares worth buying at any price, you can't deny that successful capitalism requires profit, eventually. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, but time is often a friend of the profitable company, especially if it is growing. See our latest analysis for Cake Box Holdings Cake Box Holdings's Earnings Per Share Are Growing. If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS). Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. As a tree reaches steadily for the sky, Cake Box Holdings's EPS has grown 24% each year, compound, over three years. As a general rule, we'd say that if a company can keep up that sort of growth, shareholders will be smiling. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. Cake Box Holdings shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 20% to 23%, and revenue is growing. Ticking those two boxes is a good sign of growth, in my book. In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings, and revenue, over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. While we live in the present moment at all times, there's no doubt in my mind that the future matters more than the past. So why not check this interactive chart depicting future EPS estimates, for Cake Box Holdings? Story continues Are Cake Box Holdings Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? It makes me feel more secure owning shares in a company if insiders also own shares, thusly more closely aligning our interests. As a result, I'm encouraged by the fact that insiders own Cake Box Holdings shares worth a considerable sum. Indeed, they hold UK29m worth of its stock. That's a lot of money, and no small incentive to work hard. That amounts to 35% of the company, demonstrating a degree of high-level alignment with shareholders. It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but I find myself wondering if remuneration policies are shareholder friendly. A brief analysis of the CEO compensation suggests they are. For companies with market capitalizations under UK160m, like Cake Box Holdings, the median CEO pay is around UK244k. Cake Box Holdings offered total compensation worth UK191k to its CEO in the year to . That comes in below the average for similar sized companies, and seems pretty reasonable to me. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. I'd also argue reasonable pay levels attest to good decision making more generally. Does Cake Box Holdings Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? You can't deny that Cake Box Holdings has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. If you need more convincing beyond that EPS growth rate, don't forget about the reasonable remuneration and the high insider ownership. Each to their own, but I think all this makes Cake Box Holdings look rather interesting indeed. Still, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Cake Box Holdings . You can invest in any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for our Middle East newsletter and follow us @middleeast for news on the region. Most Read from Bloomberg Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, the strongest sign yet of a turnaround in relations since the 2018 murder of a prominent Saudi critic in Istanbul. Erdogan met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his father King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Erdogans looking to bolster trade and lure investment from oil exporters as Turkeys floundering economy costs him support ahead of elections scheduled for next year. Ankara hopes the rapprochement between the two Group of Twenty economies will help restore trade to previous levels and boost Saudi investment. Its part of a broader realignment thats seen regional rivals heal rifts and step back from conflicts since U.S. President Joe Biden took office. I believe that we will carry our relations beyond the level in the past in every field, Erdogan said in a Twitter posting after meeting the crown prince, adding that his visit during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan will open the doors of a new era with our friend and brother Saudi Arabia. Speaking in Istanbul before flying to Jeddah, Erdogan said the two economies complement each other and that the visit showed joint will to start a new period of cooperation. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have been working on a rapprochement for months. Turkey this month ended its trial over the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents at the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul. Its decision to transfer the case to Saudi Arabia removed a key obstacle to improved ties and Erdogans visit. Story continues Trade Trumps Tension for UAE as Dubai Leads Gulf Reset A U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the Saudi crown prince had likely ordered the operation. The prince has denied any involvement, though hes said he accepts responsibility for the killing as Saudi Arabias de facto ruler. Erdogans visit comes a day after Turkeys Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati held online talks with his Saudi counterpart Mohammed Al-Jadaan. We exchanged ideas in the fields of economy, trade and investment in order to develop cooperation between our countries, Nebati said on Twitter. Turkey Transfers Khashoggi Case to Saudi Arabia to Improve Ties Shipments to Saudi Arabia, once a key market for Turkey, slumped in late 2020, coinciding with what Turkish exporters said was an unofficial boycott. Last year, Turkish exports were just over $200 million, down from around $3.2 billion in 2019, according to official Turkish data. The trip is part of a broader effort to mend relations with Gulf Arab countries after years of hostility fueled by Erdogans support for Islamist groups during the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. A warming of relations with the United Arab Emirates last year has already unlocked billions of dollars worth of potential business. The UAE signed a $4.9 billion currency swap with Turkey in January, offering Turkeys beleaguered currency much-needed support. The UAE has outlined plans for a $10 billion fund to support investments as it seeks to at least double bilateral trade. (Updates with Erdogans remarks on his visit in fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. By Natalia Zinets KYIV (Reuters) -Russia fired two missiles into Kyiv on Thursday during a visit by U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow pressed an assault in the east that drew new U.S. pledges of military and humanitarian aid. The rockets shook the central Shevchenko district in Ukraine's capital and one of them struck the lower floors of a 25-storey residential building, injuring at least 10 people, Ukrainian officials said. Reuters witnesses reported hearing two explosions, but their cause could not be independently verified. There was no Russian comment on the blasts. Russia withdrew its invading forces from near Kyiv in early April after failing to capture the city, which has since hosted visits by top officials from the United States and its European allies. But Thursday's blasts, heard soon after Guterres completed talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, highlighted concerns that Kyiv still remains vulnerable to Russian heavy weaponry. "There was an attack on Kyiv ... it shocked me, not because I'm here but because Kyiv is a sacred city for Ukrainians and Russians alike," Guterres told Portuguese broadcaster RTP when asked about the blasts. Zelenskiy said the blasts "prove that we must not drop our vigilance. We must not think that the war is over." Guterres' discussions with Zelenskiy focused in part on evacuating Ukrainian fighters and civilians holed up in a steel plant in the besieged southeastern city of Mariupol, Russia's main target in the eastern Donbas region. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to U.N. and Red Cross involvement in evacuating the plant during talks in Moscow with Guterres on Tuesday. Ukrainian officials worry Russia wants to capture those trapped inside, an allegation Moscow denies. The West believes battles for Mariupol and other eastern and southern areas may determine the war's outcome. Russian forces are now entrenched in the east, where Moscow-backed separatists have held some territory since 2014, and also hold a swathe of the south they seized in March. Story continues Ukraine's general staff said Russia was stepping up its military assault in the Donbas. "The enemy is increasing the pace of the offensive operation. The Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire in almost all directions," it said. 'NOT CHEAP' Putin calls Moscow's actions a "special military operation" to disarm Ukraine, defend Russian-speaking people from persecution and prevent the United States from using the country to threaten Russia. Ukraine dismisses Putin's claims of persecution and says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab that has flattened Ukrainian cities, forced more than 5 million to flee abroad and killed thousands. Heeding repeated Ukrainian pleas for heavier weaponry, U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for $33 billion to support Kyiv, a massive jump in funding that includes over $20 billion for weapons, ammunition and other military aid. The package, intended to cover needs through September, builds on efforts by the United States and its allies to punish Russia for its Feb. 24 invasion. "We need this bill to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom," Biden said on Thursday. "The cost of this fight - it's not cheap - but caving to aggression is going to be more costly." Washington, which together with its allies has placed sweeping sanctions on Moscow, hopes Ukrainian forces can not only repel Russia's assault on the east but also weaken its military so that it can no longer menace neighbours. Russia says that amounts to NATO waging a "proxy war" against it, and has made a number of threats this week of unspecified retaliation. It cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday after they refused to pay in roubles, marking Moscow's toughest response yet to Western economic sanctions. CROSS-BORDER STRIKES Russia has also reported what it says have been a series of Ukrainian strikes on Russian regions that border Ukraine and has warned that such attacks risk significant escalation. On Thursday, two big explosions were heard in the Russian city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine, two witnesses told Reuters. It was not clear what caused them and whether there were any casualties or damage. Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility for strikes inside Russia but says the incidents are payback. Russia has taken umbrage at statements by NATO member Britain that it is legitimate for Ukraine to target Russian logistics. "In the West, they are openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia including with the use of weapons received from NATO countries," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow. "I don't advise you to test our patience further." Ukraine reported blasts overnight in the southern city of Kherson, the only regional capital Russia has captured so far since the invasion. Russian troops in Kherson used tear gas and stun grenades on Wednesday to quell pro-Ukrainian crowds, and were shelling the entire surrounding region and attacking towards Mykolaiv and Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian officials said. Russian state media quoted an official from a self-styled pro-Russian "military-civilian commission" in Kherson on Thursday as saying the area would start using Russia's rouble currency from May 1. The U.S. mission to the OSCE security body said the Kremlin might attempt "sham referenda" in southern and eastern areas it had captured since the Feb. 24 invasion, using "a well-worn playbook that steals from historys darkest chapters". "These falsified, illegitimate referenda will undoubtedly be accompanied by a wave of abuses against those who seek to oppose or undermine Moscow's plans," the U.S. mission said. There was no immediate Russian comment. (Additional reporting by Reuters journalists; Writing by Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Toby Chopra and Cynthia Osterman) A ruling by the European Union's top court today is set to unblock a raft of litigation brought by consumer protection organizations seeking to apply the bloc's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standard against tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter over issues like whether they gather properly informed consent to process people's data. In a judgment today, the Court of Justice (CJEU) affirmed that consumer protection organizations can bring representative actions against infringements of the bloc's laws protecting people's data under GDPR. The referral to the CJEU came from a German court in a case brought against Meta (Facebook) by the German Federal Union of Consumer Organisations and Associations (aka the vzbv) relating to the ToS of certain free games apps running on its platform which force consent from users by not providing them with an option to decline processing if they play the game. In a brief response statement, a Meta spokesperson said: The underlying legal proceedings showed that there were some open questions, which the CJEU has now addressed. We will review the decision and assess its implications. The CJEU ruling prefigures a wider change -- coming to EU next year, when the Representative Actions Directive come into application in June -- which will further expand the ability of consumer rights groups to litigate on behalf of individuals whose rights they believe are being violated. "By todays judgment, the Court finds that the GDPR does not preclude national legislation which allows a consumer protection association to bring legal proceedings, in the absence of a mandate conferred on it for that purpose and independently of the infringement of specific rights of the data subjects, against the person allegedly responsible for an infringement of the laws protecting personal data, on the basis of the infringement of the prohibition of unfair commercial practices, a breach of a consumer protection law or the prohibition of the use of invalid general terms and conditions, where the data processing concerned is liable to affect the rights that identified or identifiable natural persons derive from that regulation," the court writes in a press release. Story continues Tech giants have typically tried to derail these kinds of privacy suits by arguing national courts do not have jurisdiction under the GDPR -- which is intended to harmonize national legislation in this area. It also contains a mechanism (the one-stop-shop; OSS), which funnels cross-border GDPR complaints through a lead data protection agency in the EU Member State where each entity locates their regional HQ (for many most tech giants that means Ireland). EU lawmakers included the OSS to simplify compliance for businesses. But its existence has supercharged the anti-consumer-rights practice of forum shopping -- whereby corporate giants flock together around 'friendly' regulators, piling on pressure at a political level -- say, by touting the local jobs and wealth their presence creates -- to encourage oversight that aligns with their commercial interests. The tactic also effectively shrinks the resources of the regulator by piling on complex case work. All these pressures can and have contributed to GDPR enforcement bottlenecks, delays in decisions and even investigations being dropped or never opened in the first place. And complaints over this recently led to an investigation being opened into the European Commission's monitoring of the GDPR's application by the EU's ombudsperson. In Facebook's case, oversight by Ireland has led to the equivalent of a total freeze on enforcement -- as the service has not been hit with a single final GDPR decision since the regulation came into application in May 2018, despite myriad complaints (some of which now date back almost four years). Ireland did finally produce a decision on a complaint against Facebook-owned WhatsApp last year. But scores more complaints continue to languish -- and only today the European privacy rights group, noyb, announced that the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) had settled with it over what it described as a "gross delay" in two cases related to Facebook-owned Instagram and WhatsApp which it also said will see Irish taxpayers footing a legal bill of several tens of thousands of euros. "Forty-seven months after the filing of the cases on Facebook's 'consent bypass,' the DPC agreed to pay tens of thousands in costs for a Judicial Review over delays," noyb wrote in a press release. "While the GDPR requires a decision 'without delay' the DPC takes the view that four years for producing a draft decision is reasonable. In most EU Member States the law requires a decision within three to 12 months." Noyb's press release offers an eye-tickling visual metaphor for forum shopping -- illustrating the latest painstaking development in the never-ending regulatory saga with a picture of a snail crawling over a pile of money. (In case it wasn't clear, the snail is Ireland's DPC; not pictured: Facebook holding everyone's data and laughing all the way to the bank.) This embarrassing GDPR enforcement bottleneck continues to take the shine off the EU's flagship data protection regulation -- making it extremely hard for individuals to exercise their rights against the most powerful tech platforms. That in turn means that any avenues which open up the possibility of more litigation against big tech -- and today's ruling is not the first such CJEU judgement -- are important to resetting the power imbalance between platform giants and individual web users. Although the pan-EU change coming next year -- via application of the Representative Actions Directive -- should unlock more actions as that legislation will not rely on the procedure in question existing at a national level. Nonetheless, in a note on its website (which we've translate from German), the vzbv calls the CJEU decision a "landmark ruling," saying it means the Federal Court of Justice is "on the train again." The consumer group has spent years trying to litigate against Facebook in areas like unfair privacy settings, while Meta's lawyers have giving it the runaround, arguing against local courts having any jurisdiction to hear the challenges. In the statement, Jutta Gurkmann, board member of the vzbv, added that today's CJEU ruling "puts an end to the tiresome debate about consumer associations' right to sue for data protection." "It is an open secret that some European data protection authorities are not quite able to cope with the escalating data collection of the big technology companies," she also said, adding: "In the past, this enforcement deficit increasingly gnawed at the acceptance of the GDPR. "Now it is clear: In addition to the supervisory authorities, civil society organizations such as the vzbv can also punish violations of the GDPR to a very large extent. The vzbv has been successfully and efficiently suing Meta, Google and Co. for a long time. Today's ECJ judgment creates legal certainty until the European Class Actions Directive to be implemented this year, which also contains such a power." Also commenting on the CJEU ruling in a statement, Ursula Pachl, deputy director general of the European consumer organization, BEUC, welcomed it as "good news," while underscoring the importance of the looming June 2023 pan-EU directive. Todays ruling is good news because it underlines that consumer groups can file collective claims against companies like Meta in case of a breach of the GDPR, as long as this procedure exists at national level. The GDPR is a crucial law that protects peoples personal data in the EU. It is essential that it is better enforced, and rulings like todays will help," she said. As of next year, new EU rules will allow consumer groups to launch representative actions, which will further improve the situation. It will then be possible for consumer associations in all EU countries, as long as they meet certain criteria, to launch injunctions or collective redress claims against companies that break the law, including under the GDPR. A new era in enforcement by consumer groups will then begin. BOISE, Idaho (AP) Jurors in the rape trial of a former Idaho lawmaker are weighing whether the case involves power in the wrong hands used to harm a 19-year-old female intern, or consensual sex after a friendly dinner date. The jury of six men and six women heard both takes during closing arguments Thursday after a dramatic three-day trial in which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying I cant do this. Aaron von Ehlinger, 39, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object both charges carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison and maintains he had consensual sex with the 19-year-old legislative intern. Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening and start again on Friday. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as Jane Doe at her request. Doe told her supervisors that von Ehlinger, who was then a Republican representative from Lewiston, raped her in March 2021 at his Boise apartment after the two had dinner at a restaurant. Von Ehlinger resigned from the House of Representatives last year after a legislative ethics committee recommended that he be banned from the Statehouse because of his conduct with Doe. When the allegations became public largely because of the legislative ethics investigation Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger's supporters. Her name, photo and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in doxxing incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the floor where where case was being heard. Over the span of three days, jurors heard graphic and sometimes harrowing testimony, including from Doe, who briefly took the witness stand before abruptly standing and leaving the courtroom. Story continues Doe haltingly described the moments the alleged assault began. He laid me down ... he removed his clothes ... he climbed on top of me ... in just his boxers. White T-shirt, Doe said. He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees. At that, she stood up. I cant do this, she said, quickly walking out of the courtroom. The judge instructed them not to consider her testimony after Doe fled before she could be questioned by the defense. During closing arguments, Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley told jurors that the case was about power in the wrong hands" used to the great devastation of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said. He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her, Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault. Words show lack of consent. Excuses of Why this shouldnt happen,' show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent, Farley said. But von Ehlinger's defense attorney Jon Cox told jurors the prosecution's case was made up of red herrings, and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story. Judge his credibility, that's all you can do, Cox said. For every assertion that the state has made, or any evidence ... Aaron has given you a, This is what happened. That, in and of itself, creates reasonable doubt." During his testimony, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, telling them the sexual contact was the culmination of a first date with the intern. She was flirting with me, so I thought, 'Why not? Go out to dinner with a person? Why not?' he said. After eating at a fancy Boise restaurant, he and Doe decided to return to his apartment, where they began making out on the couch, he said. Things were going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom, von Ehlinger said. She said Sure. We got up, held hands and walked into the bedroom. In the bedroom, things became hot and heavy, von Ehlinger said, and he stepped away to disrobe behind his closet door, carefully hanging up his suit jacket, tie and slacks, before returning to the bed. At his suggestion, Doe briefly performed oral sex, he said. He also denied carrying a gun that night, and said he seldom carries one. Very rarely, and certainly not with a suit on, von Ehlinger said. But while under questioning from Farley, he acknowledged that he described the events of that night differently in statements drafted by two different attorneys he previously hired to represent him. In those statements, he said he and Doe took each other's clothes off. He also said he generally carried concealed weapons when he did carry guns, most often a small handgun that he would place in the front pocket of his jeans or suit pants. Earlier this week, jurors heard from investigators and a nurse who performed a rape exam. They testified that Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. A nurse also testified that Doe had a goose egg on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger's grip. By Gabriella Borter (Reuters) - As the U.S. Supreme Court this year weighs a rollback in nationwide protections for abortion in place since 1973, conservative states are enacting new limits while liberal states seek to protect and expand abortion rights. ABORTION RESTRICTIONS ARIZONA: Republican Governor Doug Ducey in March signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure makes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. It will take effect later this year if not blocked in court. FLORIDA: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a 15-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for medical emergencies or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. The exceptions do not allow for abortion past 15 weeks in case of rape, incest or human trafficking. The ban is due to take effect on July 1. IDAHO: Republican Governor Brad Little signed a six-week abortion ban in March that allows family members of the fetus to sue providers who perform abortions past that point, similar to a Texas law enacted last year. The Idaho law was due to take effect in April, but has been blocked by the state Supreme Court pending legal review. KENTUCKY: The legislature in April overrode Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto to enact several abortion restrictions, including a 15-week ban, a requirement that fetal remains be cremated or interred, and a requirement that a combination birth-death or stillbirth certificate be issued for each abortion. The law took immediate effect, suspending clinics' ability to provide abortions for eight days until a U.S. judge temporarily blocked its enforcement. OKLAHOMA: The Senate on Thursday passed a ban on all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. It relies on private citizens to sue providers and any person who "aids or abets" abortions to be enforced. The House must approve the Senate's amendments before it heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. With the governor's approval, it would take effect immediately. Story continues Also on Thursday, Oklahoma's House of Representatives approved a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which relies on the same lawsuit enforcement mechanism. It will take immediate effect if signed by Stitt. Stitt already signed a bill in April banning abortion except in medical emergencies and penalizing providers who violate the law with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The law is due to take effect in August if not blocked in court. SOUTH DAKOTA: Republican Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill in March requiring women to make three in-person doctor's visits to complete a medication abortion. The legislation's implementation depends on the outcome of a federal court case. ABORTION PROTECTIONS COLORADO: Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a bill on April 4 codifying the right to have an abortion. The measure immediately took effect. MARYLAND: The legislature passed a bill that expands the definition of who can provide abortions to include any "qualified provider," establishes a state-funded abortion provider training program and requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of abortions. Republican Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, but the state's Democratic-controlled legislature overrode his veto on April 9 and the law is due to take effect July 1. VERMONT: The Democratic-led legislature in February passed a constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to abortion. It will be on the ballot for voters to approve in November. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Daniel Wallis) The family of Cheslie Kryst honored her life Thursday on what would be her 31st birthday. [ALSO READ: Forever changed: Mother says loss of daughter, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst has been devastating] Kryst, a Charlotte-native and former Miss USA, died by suicide in January. Her family and the community released balloons on Thursday at the Fort Mill High School Stadium. (Watch the video below: I didnt want to believe it: Friend and mentee of Cheslie Kryst expresses shock over her passing) Instead of flowers, Krysts family is asking for donations to her favorite nonprofits. Kryst volunteered at Dress for Success Charlotte. The group supports women who need help in the workforce with things, such as resume writing and putting together a wardrobe. Since Krysts death, the group created the Cheslie Kryst Womens Advancement Fund. Its been tremendous not only here in Charlotte, but around the world, because Dress for Success is an international organization, said Kerry Barr OConnor, executive director. >>Mental Health Resources OConnor said Kryst was a major loss to the organization. What she did in the time she was with us, impacted so many women, OConnor said. >>Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 get more information at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. Here is a list of the only approved organizations that are set up to receive charitable donations in Krysts honor: Trudy Gremillion said she hit rock bottom a few years ago. Youre looking at someone who was dead on my back on the floor in 2018, the 42-year-old Galliano resident said. I come from a long line of drug addicts, and Ive been in and out of jail for over 20 years. After getting help from programs offered by the Lafourche Parish jail, Gremillion picked herself up and now holds a full-time job at GIS, a local engineering firm. She has been working for GIS for five months now. Life has been really tough, but Lafourche Parish has offered many programs that have helped me, she said. I never would have had the courage to fill out an application with GIS. Even though I struggled with addiction and followed the wrong path, I knew I had potential. I just didnt know how to bring it out. Gremillion spoke during a forum Tuesday at Fletcher Technical College in Schriever, held in conjunction with Second Chance Month, that encouraged employers to hire applicants with criminal records. Organizers held a forum Tuesday at Fletcher Technical College in Schriever to encourage local employers to hire people with criminal records. Other speakers included Lafourche Sheriff Craig Webre, Terrebonne Sheriff Tim Soignet, state District Judge Juan Pickett of Houma, members of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. By giving people with criminal records a job opportunity, employers can play a key role in keeping the community safer, said Scott Peyton, state director of Right on Crime. The Texas-based organization focuses on ways to reduce crime, restore victims, reform offenders and lower taxpayer costs. Statistics show 43% of people released from prison return to prison within five years. One of the ways to reduce that number is by giving former inmates the tools they need to become productive, Peyton said. The whole purpose of this forum is to show employers and the community that theres definitely a face behind the statistics and that we all want the same thing, Peyton said. We all want to be able to provide for our family and be able to earn a living. We all want to be great role models for our children and grandchildren. Story continues GIS representative Joshua Falgout said giving people a second chance is what south Louisiana is all about. Terrebonne Sheriff Tim Soignet was one of several guest speakers during Tuesday's forum at Fletcher Technical College. Theres a stigma out there that people may be fearful to hire a convicted felon, but within our community, I think the bayou has opened up, he said. Within our culture in the South, we give people second chances and not overly judge. I can attest from the area I grew up in, we all have our faults, and if youre going to judge our company based on who we hire and not our performance, we probably dont want to do business with you. Reentry Program Manager Hester Serrano said her office supervises about 2,000 people in Terrebonne and Lafourche, most of whom want to have the same opportunities as everyone else. The vast majority are returning into our communities and are going to need employment, she said. They are looking for careers, not just jobs. There are so many of them who want to get back to work. We provide the tools for their toolboxes, but they have to build it themselves. Having employers on board willing to hire them opens the door to them and gives them the opportunity to start rebuilding their lives." 'A new start': Former jail inmates graduate from Thibodaux re-entry program Gremillion said the skills she acquired at the Lafourche Parish jail helped her find untapped potential within herself. I have to be thankful I went to jail, she said. If I hadnt gone to jail, I wouldnt have gotten a job with GIS. I want to be someone for my grandbabies to look up to. I want to show my daughters that you dont have to depend on anybody. You can do this on your own. I get very dirty at work, but I love GIS. They dont treat me any different, and my pay is just the same as the next one. Because of this program, I have confidence now. I can hold my head high and am not ashamed. Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 448-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp. This article originally appeared on The Courier: Labor shortage? Employers urged to hire people with criminal records James Cameron said his long-delayed sequel to "Avatar," the highest-earning movie of all time, would "push the limits of what cinema can do," as Disney and Universal presented first looks at their upcoming movies in Las Vegas Wednesday. Attendees at the CinemaCon movie theater industry summit were invited to don 3D glasses and return to Pandora, with first footage of "Avatar: The Way of Water" showing Na'vi characters swimming beneath the planet's oceans and soaring through its skies. The movie, which will be released in December, is the first of four planned sequels to the $2.8 billion-grossing original from 2009. "I can assure you it's been well worth the wait," said Disney distribution chief Tony Chambers, confirming the film's name. Cameron addressed CinemaCon via video from New Zealand, where finishing touches are being put in place on the film. He promised giant technological leaps forward from the original, whose main characters Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) now have a family. "We set out once again to push the limits of what cinema can do," said Cameron. To reacquaint audiences with Pandora nearly 13 years after the smash hit original, which sparked a 3D wave in Hollywood, the first "Avatar" will be re-released in theaters in September. - 'The next decade' - Movie theater bosses are gathering at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for their annual meeting, where Hollywood studios bring fresh footage and A-list stars to court the industry. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige kicked off the morning's Disney presentation, telling attendees that planning for "the next decade" of the record-grossing superhero films was well underway. Attendees also got an extended look at "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," which is out next week. Footage showed Benedict Cumberbatch's sorcerer battling an extra-terrestrial floating octopus, encountering a universe-hopping teenage girl, and attending his ex's wedding. Story continues It will be followed by two more Marvel films this year -- sequels to "Thor" and "Black Panther." Pixar showed 30 minutes of "Lightyear," an origin story for the beloved astronaut from "Toy Story," voiced by Chris Evans. The movie, out in June, finds Buzz racked with guilt after marooning his crew of space rangers on a hostile alien planet. In his bid to save them, he is forced to travel into the future -- aided by a cute robotic cat. Also on show was "Amsterdam," an "original romantic crime epic" starring Christian Bale, Robert De Niro, Margot Robbie and Chris Rock among an A-list ensemble. The 1930s period piece about three friends who "find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history," which purports to be based on true events, comes out in November. - Universal slate - Universal then took the stage at Caesars Palace to show footage from the upcoming "Jurassic World: Dominion," out in June. The film will team the franchise's recent stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard with those from Steven Spielberg's original almost 30 years ago, including Jeff Goldblum. Goldblum joked that his character's famous line that scientists "didn't stop to think if they should" bring back the dinosaurs had been "aggressively ignored throughout the course of the next several movies." Billy Eichner presented "Bros," the "first gay rom com ever made by a major studio," joking that it "only took a century." "It's about something that we can all relate to -- how hard it is to simply find another tolerable human being to go through life with," said Eichner. And Carey Mulligan discussed "She Said," based on the true story of journalists investigating Hollywood sex assault scandals who prompted the downfall of Harvey Weinstein, out November. CinemaCon concludes Thursday. amz/des The U.S. Space Force is the newest branch of the armed services, and, to fulfill its mission, thousands of new recruits will need to be trained. Some of that training is already underway at a temporary facility, but state officials want the permanent home for the Space Training Readiness Command (STARCOM) to be located on Floridas space coast. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), along with Representatives Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) and other colleagues, have sent a letter asking Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to select Florida for the new facility. Read: Space Florida works to bring U.S. Space Force training operations to Florida Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral SFS hold a unique place in Americas history of space flight and exploration, the lawmakers wrote. The letter goes on to highlight Floridas long history in the space industry. Every crewed mission to space in our nations history has launched from Brevard County, Florida. From Apollo, to the Space Shuttle, and the future Artemis missions, Florida has served as our nations gateway to the stars. NASA and DoD formed significant bonds with the local community, private industry, and academic institutions for more than half a century. Read: Central Florida counties join the Space Force HQ race Dale Ketcham with Space Florida said leaders need to show that Brevard County and surrounding areas are uniquely situated to handle such a mission. The Florida delegation is making a concerted effort to make sure the Space Force and the Air Force, which is making this decision, (are) acutely aware of the capability, not just now, but more importantly (as) the capabilities evolve, Ketcham said. On April 4, the Department of the Air Force selected six possible locations for the U.S. Space Forces Space Training and Readiness Command Headquarters. Read: Brevard County high school JROTC program converts from Air Force to Space Force Story continues The six bases currently under consideration are Buckley, Peterson and Schriever Space Force bases in Colorado; Los Angeles Air Force Base and Vandenberg SFB in California; and Patrick SFB in Florida. The Department of the Air Force said it will begin site surveys in late April or early May of 2022. There has been no date given as to when a final decision will be made. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The 74 It has been obvious since his presidential campaign that President Joe Biden is not a supporter of charter schools. The reason has never been clear to me. Does he oppose the movement for philosophical reasons, or does he believe it is the most politically advantageous path to travel? No matter what his reasons are, his [] foreign direct investment Investment opportunities have expanded more and more, and globalization has enabled yet another avenue: foreign direct investment. This form of investment allows businesses to expand their operations by investing directly in foreign countries. In terms of incoming foreign investment, China and the U.S. tend to go head-to-head. In the first nine months of 2021, for instance, the U.S. had $253 billion of foreign direct investment coming in, while China had $249 billion. The United Kingdom was a distant third, with $52 billion of foreign money flowing into the country. Want help with foreign direct investment? Consider working with a financial advisor. What Is Foreign Direct Investment? Foreign direct investment (FDI) occurs when a business or investor purchases a controlling interest in a company located in a foreign country. Also known as a lasting interest, a controlling interest means the investor obtains at least 10% voting power in the company in which it invests. FDI is not to be confused with foreign portfolio investment (FPI), where investors passively hold shares in a foreign company. With FDI, the intent is to substantially influence the foreign company and take an active role in its business operations. Don't miss out on news that could impact your finances. Get news and tips to make smarter financial decisions with SmartAsset's semi-weekly email. It's 100% free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today. For the investor, the goal of FDI is to expand or enhance its existing business. This could mean building out new stores, acquiring complementary businesses or product lines or reinvesting profits from overseas operations. Types of Foreign Direct Investment foreign direct investment There are several distinct kinds of FDI: vertical, horizontal, platform and conglomerate. Companies can pursue any number of these forms of FDI, depending on what makes the most sense for their business model. Horizontal Horizontal foreign direct investment occurs when a business expands its existing operations into a foreign country. For example, pay a visit to downtown Tokyo and youll find several 7-Eleven locations. This is an example of horizontal FDI. Story continues Vertical Vertical FDI involves acquiring a business that complements a companys existing business operation. If a U.S.-based coffee company acquires a farm in Columbia that grows coffee beans, this would be an example of vertical FDI. Platform Platform FDI involves acquiring business operations in a foreign country for the purpose of exporting a product to a third country. For example, a Chinese company that designs electronics might buy a manufacturing plant in Europe in order to export the products to other European countries. Conglomerate Conglomerate FDI is less common because it involves purchasing an unrelated business in a foreign country. This may come in the form of a joint venture since the company making the investment may not have prior experience in the industry in which it is investing. Advantages of Foreign Direct Investment FDI can have several advantages both for the investor and for the foreign country. While this list is not all-inclusive, it draws attention to some of the highlights. Economic Growth Both the company making the investment and the foreign country can experience economic growth as a result of FDI. For instance, the company making the investment is able to expand its business footprint. Meanwhile, the new business expansion in the foreign country might use local suppliers or services as part of its business, benefiting the economy there. Market Diversification Every country has its own complex economy and geopolitical concerns. While economic downturns can be global in some cases, in others, they can be isolated to one country or continent. Thus, expanding into a new country allows a company to lower the risk of an economic downturn. Lower Labor Costs Generally speaking, lower labor costs come in the form of outsourcing. For instance, a clothing manufacturer can outsource its operations to a foreign country, where labor costs are much lower. Lower Unemployment Rates Countries attracting foreign investment may see lower unemployment rates. When a foreign company sets up a new business operation there, such as a store or manufacturing plant, it will likely need workers from the foreign country to carry out day-to-day operations. This can help reduce the foreign countrys unemployment rate. Disadvantages of FDI foreign direct investment Like all business decisions, pursuing FDI has its pros and also its own set of cons. Regulatory Issues Entering a foreign market means a company will have to deal with a foreign government and, thus, its regulations in areas such as labor and trade. As a result, FDI can increase the political risk companies face. Profit Repatriation One of the biggest potential benefits of FDI can also become a negative depending on how the company making the investment conducts its business. It may benefit the foreign country if it reinvests its profits there or if it makes use of the foreign countrys services. However, if the company making the foreign investment doesnt reinvest its profits in the foreign country, it can quickly become a drain on the foreign economy. The Bottom Line FDI allows a company or investor to buy a controlling interest in a foreign company. This is different from foreign portfolio investment, where investors passively buy stock in a foreign company. With FDI, the company making the investment is expanding the business and wants to have a controlling interest in the foreign company. This arrangement can have advantages for both the investor and the foreign company, such as economic growth. However, it can also create a drag on the foreign economy if profits are not reinvested. Foreign Investment Tips A financial advisor can help you figure out how to get into foreign direct investment. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Investing in foreign markets comes with a unique set of advantages and risks. Learn more about investing abroad. Investing in foreign markets can have tax implications. Investors should of whether they will have to pay taxes on foreign income. Photo credit: iStock.com/Motortion, iStock.com/grandriver, iStock.com/metamorworks The post Foreign Direct Investment: 2022 Guide appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. A former University of Alabama student was sentenced Wednesday to seven and a half years in prison for concealing financing to the Islamic terrorist group, al Qaeda. Alaa Mohd Abusaad, 26, was also ordered to spend 10 years on supervised release following the prison term, prosecutors said in a statement. Abusaad pleaded guilty in 2019 to a charge of concealing terrorism financing after she told an undercover FBI employee how to send money to fighters engaged in terrorism and that money "is always needed," authorities said. WHITE HOUSE SAYS TERRORIST ENCOUNTERS AT BORDER ARE UNCOMMON, TOUTS BORDER PATROL FOR DOING THEIR JOB She told the agent to use fake names and addresses when sending electronic transfers to avoid detection by police. Prosecutors said Abusaad also introduced the undercover agent to a financial facilitator who route money to "brothers that work with aq (al Qaeda)." The defense argued Abusaad's childhood and mental health issues made her vulnerable to the dangers of the internet, WBMA-TV reported. Court documents described a young girl ostracized by being the only Muslim family in housing projects in Tuscaloosa, where she faced bullying from other children and a teacher. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A former employee of a special education services provider was arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a student on a Columbus school bus. On April 22, Muscogee County School District police arrested Devin Douglas, 24, on charges of public indecency, sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority, and possession of marijuana. Three days later, he also was charged with violation of probation, according to Muscogee County Jail records. Tennessee-based ChanceLight Education has been providing MCSD special education services since the school board approved a $17 million, three-year contract in June 2019. Its unclear when and where the alleged incident occurred. Wednesday night, ChanceLight released a statement that says the company became aware April 14 of the accusation against Douglas, who was one of its employees at the time. Once we learned of the allegation, we can confirm that the individual was immediately removed from his workplace, suspended while our internal investigation was conducted, terminated from employment and taken into custody by law enforcement, the company said. ChanceLight Education has cooperated fully with school and law enforcement officials since we were made aware of this allegation. MCSD didnt answer the Ledger-Enquirers questions in its response. Instead, interim communications director Kimberly Wright emailed the L-E a statement Thursday morning that confirms once an allegation was made against the individual in question, his employer, ChanceLight, removed him from the workplace and relieved him of his duties. A former U.S. ambassador is in hot water after charges were filed accusing him of illegal lobbying for a foreign government. Former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates Richard Olson has been arrested for alleged misconduct while lobbying for the Qatari government. Authorities accuse Olson of using his position to broker arrangements for himself after his tenure as ambassador. His alleged actions would break multiple "revolving door" regulations stipulations against lobbying on behalf of the same group one did business with on behalf of the nation. Revolving door regulations exist to keep government employees from compromising their work. Secretary of State John Kerry is greeted by U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson upon his arrival in Islamabad, July 31, 2013. Reuters/Jason Reed QATAR WORLD CUP ORGANIZERS ADMIT WORKERS WERE EXPLOITED Olson filed court documents earlier this month stating that he will be pleading guilty to the charges. "I, Richard Gustav Olson, have consented to the filing of an information in the above-designated case," Olson wrote. "I wish to plead guilty to the offenses charged, to waive trial in the Central District of California, and to dispose of the case in the District of Columbia in which I am present." Qatar remains a tense ally of the U.S. due in no small part to the increasingly unstable situation in Ukraine and the resulting price spikes for gas. Defense Secretary Robert Gates walks with U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Richard Olson and others at the Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, March 11, 2010. Reuters/Jim Watson/Pool As the second-biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world, Qatar stands poised to be an important asset as Russian troops continue the onslaught against neighbor Ukraine. Russia supplies roughly 40% of Europe's natural gas , and Moscow has used these energy markets against NATO. President Biden met with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, at the White House earlier this month. Biden told him he's strengthening the U.S. alliance with the kingdom as the West faces an energy crisis due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Qatar is a good friend and reliable partner," Biden said. "And I'm notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the importance of our relationship." A woman who authorities say stole more than $100,000 from Yale New Haven Health Systems by adding fake entries to payroll records pleaded guilty Wednesday to a theft charge, a U.S. Attorneys spokesman said. Lorita Fair, 51, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, formerly of New Haven, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of theft in connection with health care, Tom Carson said. According to court documents, Fair began working in Yale New Havens payroll department in January 2020 as a temporary worker and was hired as a full-time employee in May 2020. A short time later, she began embezzling money by creating false entries in the payroll system that resulted in her and two others getting payments to which they were not entitled. The two other individuals kicked back to Fair part of the fraudulent payroll funds they received, the documents said. In all, Fair was responsible for $116,260 fraudulent payroll payments between June and December 2020, they said. She faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on July 27, Carson said. Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com. Landunn Richardson has spent the last four of his 50 years in a Johnson County jail cell without ever going on trial. Hes still there because he cant pay his $500,000 bond and wont plead guilty to a crime that he says he didnt commit. They dont know my brother if they think hell ever plead guilty, says Bridget Chatmon. Hell sit there for the rest of his life before he does that. Richardson, whose long pretrial detention only came to my attention because he wrote to me from jail, sold used tires in Kansas City, Kansas, before his December 2017 arrest in connection with an August 2016 traffic fatality. He was finally supposed to go on trial this August. But after I contacted his court-appointed attorney, Jason Billam, to ask why his client had been behind bars so long already, Billam decided to withdraw from the case. So now, Richardsons court date will be put off even further. If Richardson were to plead guilty, hes been told, hed be sentenced to 14 to 16 years. He says Billam, who would not speak to me, told me if I dont take the plea, theyre going to double that. In other words, theyll double that sentence if he insists on going to trial and is found guilty. Its only if youre poor, without financial or social capital, that you can essentially be held hostage in this way, sending up flares like notes to journalists you dont know. Four years is a crazy long time to be awaiting trial, said John Raphling, a Human Rights Watch senior researcher who studies the pretrial detentions that as he says are a major driver of people pleading guilty, whether they are guilty or not. Pickups tie rod broke, leading to fatal accident So how did Landunn Richarson wind up in Johnson Countys New Century Adult Detention Center in the first place? At 7:27 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2016, which was a Friday, Richardson and his pickup came flying across the median in the 5200 block of Metcalf Avenue in Mission. As the tires that had been in the back of his 94 GMC Sierra spilled all over the road, his southbound truck hit 50-year-old Vickie Taylors northbound Nissan Pathfinder nearly head-on. Story continues Richardson, who had to be cut out of his seat belt, suffered a concussion and some cuts on his shin, heels, and above his left eye. He wasnt seriously injured, but spent days on suicide watch at KU Med Center after learning that Taylor had not survived. A nursing student who hadnt seen the crash, but had stopped to see if she could help, crawled in through the broken back window of Taylors overturned SUV and held her hand as she took her final breaths. I just let her know that she wasnt alone, the woman testified in a preliminary hearing in 2018. Taylor was pronounced dead almost immediately, at 7:45 p.m., but it took until 10:27 p.m., a police report said, to extricate her body. A prosecution summary says that Richardson reported hearing a pop and losing all braking and steering ability right before the collision. At that point, Richardson told me when I visited him in jail recently, I just laid down in the seat and held on. An autopsy of his pickup, a vehicle that police later destroyed, showed that his left front tie rod had broken. Tie rods control steering. All the same, 16 months after the collision, Richardson was charged with reckless second degree murder or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter. Either charge requires a finding of reckless and extreme indifference to human life. Police and prosecutors insist that he was reckless that night, and that the crash happened not because the rod broke but because hed been driving under the influence. That isnt exactly implausible: Richardson has had a string of DUI arrests, and was driving on a suspended license when his truck hit Taylors car. But the evidence doesnt prove that he was drunk or high that night, either: His alcohol level was .03, well under the legal limit of .08. He did test positive for PCP and cocaine, but there are no levels listed on the labs that were done at KU Med the night of the accident. At the pretrial hearing, one witness for the prosecution acknowledged that such tests can show drug use from the previous 30 days. Another witness said PCP can stay in the system for a week. Richardson did lie in his initial statements; according to one supplemental police report, he stated the last time he used pills or marijuana was about a month and a half ago. Now he says hed used a couple of days before the crash. Whether it was a day or a year, though, the question is what proof there is that he was high that night, and the record shows none. Our legal system is not supposed to punish defendants for crimes other than the ones for which theyre charged. Woman who died beloved by police officers Richardson says that his first defense lawyer, who had the case before Billam did, put his situation to him this way: Accident or not, youre a Black man that killed a white woman in Johnson County and somebodys got to be held accountable. There wasnt even sitting room at her funeral; she was well liked in this community. Should he insist on going to trial anyway, Richardson says that lawyer told him, he should know that I just had a murder trial and not one person of color was on the jury; were going to lose. According to Richardson, his first defense attorney also told him that the woman whod died that night was beloved by local police officers, who knew her because she dry cleaned their uniforms. Richardson asked for a new attorney after that, but I dont know that anything that he remembers his initial counsel saying was untrue: Some 500 people attended a memorial service for Taylor, who was a greeter at her church. On the GoFundMe to raise money for her funeral expenses, her son-in-law Steve McCleary wrote, The police who helped her on her final night were the same ones she helped with their dry cleaning. The support from all of the officers has been truly appreciated. Is that why Richardson was overcharged? Insha Rahman, a former public defender who is now a vice president of the New York-based Vera Institute, which since 1961 has been working to end policies that coerce the poor into guilty pleas, called the murder charge absurd: Theres no intent here; its at best a maybe negligent homicide. Yet Richardsons situation happens all the time, she said. If he had $500,000 for bail, he wouldnt be there and we wouldnt be talking. And what kind of justice is that? Our system is not supposed to value some victims and defendants more than others, either, even though statistics show pretty clearly who we do and do not value: Women serve far longer for killing their male partners than men serve for killing their female partners. Black men serve 20% longer sentences than white men with similar histories serve for the same crimes. A massive, 2013 review of 50 years of studies of racial disparities in bail, published in the New York University Journal of Legislative and Public Policy, showed that Black people are subject to pretrial detention more frequently and have bail set at higher amounts than white people with similar criminal histories facing similar charges. That Richardsons predicament is far from unique can be no comfort to him. And as for his supposed indifference to human life, his family says that until after his arrest so many months after the accident, when he at last learned through discovery about the broken tie rod, hed been so paralyzed with guilt that he barely left the house. In horror that never really faded, he went over and over how the accident could have happened. For two years, his sister told me, all he could say was, I cant believe I killed someone. A supplemental police report filed by Mission Police Department detective Dennis Davis notes that when he interviewed Richardson in his hospital room on Aug. 29, Richardson cried as he stated that he did not want to take nobodys life and asked me to tell the family that he was sorry. Was he reckless on the night of the crash, though? The accident reconstruction did not show that he had been speeding. Weslie Clark, the retired Olathe police officer who did the autopsy on Richardsons truck, testified at the hearing that in my opinion, (the tie rod) broke from the crash rather than causing it. But he also said under cross-examination that yes, you could lose control if you tried to correct after a tie rod broke. And yes, he said, you could end up going off the road. Kansas Legislature suspended right to speedy trial I could go on and on about how flimsy the case against Richardson is. But the larger issue is how he, or anyone, could be in jail this long without being found guilty of anything. Its true that the defense has repeatedly asked for delays, according to Richardson while looking for funding to hire experts. Only in one instance that I see in the court record has the prosecution asked for a continuance. Chris McMullin, the chief deputy district attorney, told me that while he cant talk about any specific case, in general we have an interest in moving things along. Were ready, willing and able to put this to rest. Both defense and prosecution have a duty to make sure that happens. But if it doesnt, theres no system in place to flag the case. Occasionally, such a situation does get public attention: In 2016, the Kansas Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of Todd Ellison of Wichita, who had been held for more than four years while awaiting a hearing on whether he should be committed to the sexual predator program at Larned State Hospital. But this is one more issue that COVID-19 has made worse: Last year, the Kansas Legislature suspended the right to a speedy trial because of the pandemic. Richardson, of course, had already been in jail for years when that happened. Sharon Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas, said that its wrong on its face for him to be held in this limbo while the state attempts to coerce a plea out of him. The solution is not to have him sit in jail without any due process because he refuses to plead. It does not have to be this way: The state could and should eliminate cash bail, expand home monitoring and fast-track the case of anyone whos been in Richardsons situation for a year, or even six months. But since its only the poor who are stuck in this way, wheres the political will to make that happen? We dont even know how many Landunn Richardsons there are in county jails around the country. We do know this: The accused are not supposed to be jailed indefinitely before trial in the United States of America; thats what they do in Russia, China and Myanmar. But its also whats happening in Johnson County, Kansas. By Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) - Georgia on Thursday joined a growing number of Republican-led U.S. states to ban schools from teaching "divisive" academic concepts about racism. The measures are part of movement among conservatives targeting the teaching of critical race theory, an academic theory that looks at structural racism in U.S. institutions that is not generally taught at the elementary or high school level. "Here in Georgia, our classrooms will not be pawns to those who indoctrinate our kids with their partisan political agendas," Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said at a bill-signing ceremony in Cumming, Georgia, on Thursday. The package of bills "protects the fundamental right of moms and dads across this state to direct the education of their child." The bills prohibit any instruction that asserts that the United States is "fundamentally racist" or that says individuals "should feel anguish, guilt or any other form of discomfort or stress" because of their race. Several states, including Texas, Arizona and Oklahoma, have passed similar bans. Most don't mention critical race theory by name. The once-obscure academic concept has sparked school board protests and is largely misunderstood among the general public, according to a July 2021 Reuters/Ipsos poll. Conservatives have invoked the term in schools and statehouses nationwide to denounce curricula and policies they consider too liberal, while liberals have said the bans are tantamount to academic censorship. "This morning, after Brian Kemp signed a slew of anti-education bills into law, Georgia parents and educators let him know that they CONDEMN this legislation," Georgia Democrats tweeted Thursday afternoon with pictures of a rally with signs reading "No banning books." "We wont stand by quietly as Kemp attacks teachers, censors what's taught in classrooms, and politicizes our schools." Story continues Kemp is seeking re-election this year. Ahead of a May 24 primary, polls have shown him holding a comfortable lead over Trump's preferred candidate, former U.S. Senator David Perdue, despite Trump's frequent criticisms of the incumbent governor. In Georgia, the same bill that bans "divisive concepts" when teaching about race or history also sets up a commission to oversee school sports, opening the door to prohibiting transgender students participation. It was opposed by many Democrats in the state. (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Aurora Ellis) A federal judge on Thursday ruled that a special committee associated with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp must suspend raising campaign money for his re-election bid until after the GOP primary, according to a report. Judge Mark Cohen ruled that the leadership committee, Georgians First, cannot raise money until a GOP gubernatorial candidate is decided, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The law allows the governor and lieutenant governor, opposing major party nominees, and both party caucuses in the state House and Senate to form leadership committees. Donors can give as much as they want, while they can't directly give candidates for statewide office more than $7,600 for a primary or general election and $4,500 for a runoff election. Kemps leadership committee allowed the governor to bypass laws that dictate how much an individual or business can donate to a candidate. His GOP challenger, former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, and his Democratic challenger, Stacey Abrams, whom he faced in 2018, have BOTH criticized the leadership committee system, saying it unfairly helps Kemp. TRUMP ENDORSES JOE LOMBARDO IN CROWDED GOP PRIMARY FOR NEVADA GOVERNOR Abrams' campaign asked the judge last week to shut down unlimited contributions to Kemps committee. Cohen had earlier denied Abrams request to start taking unlimited amounts before she is all but expected to clinch the Democratic nomination on May 24. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp looks on during the celebration honoring the Georgia Bulldogs national championship victory on Jan. 15, 2022, in Athens, Georgia. Todd Kirkland/Getty Images Cohen told her lawyers during an April 11 hearing that the right route to challenge the Georgia law was to go after Kemp's Georgians First committee. Days later, Cohen rejected the campaign's request to allow Abrams to raise unlimited money through her One Georgia committee before the May 24 primary even though Abrams is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. PROMINENT REPUBLICANS BACK SENATE CANDIDATE ADAM LAXALT IN THE MIDTERMS: NEVADA IS TURNING RED Perdue already sued over the law, saying it was unfair that Kemp could raise and spend unlimited sums in the Republican primary while Perdue could not. Because there are additional candidates, the Republicans might not determine a nominee until after a June runoff. Story continues Cohen ruled in February that Kemp could not spend any more money from the committee on his primary campaign. But he said the committee could continue to receive contributions and spend money in support of other public officials per campaign finance laws. Kemp has appealed the ruling. At a hearing Thursday, Cohen said that the rules had unfairly tipped the balance in Kemps favor, as no other candidate could have a leadership committee, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Stacey Abrams, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, during a 'One Georgia Tour' campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., on Monday, March 14, 2022. Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images "We are pleased the Court both recognized and offered a remedy today for the unconstitutional fundraising advantage Brian Kemp signed into law benefiting himself," Abrams campaign said in a statement sent to Fox News. "After months and months of Brian Kemp having exclusive ability to raise unlimited funds as a result of the bill he signed, Kemp will no longer be able to raise these funds while Stacey Abrams and One Georgia are denied equal ability to operate under the same rules." Fox News reached out to Georgians First and the governors office for comment. The U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia does not comment on cases as a policy. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Georgias President Salome Zourabichvili said on Thursday that statements from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) criticizing NATOs expansion as provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin laughable and that the senator was repeating Russian propaganda. Thats the usual Russian line, Zourabichvili said in an interview with The Hill on Capitol Hill, where she is meeting with lawmakers. Anything that touches to reinforce the security of its neighbors, its something that is a provocation and a threat for Russia and its quite laughable. Paul, in a hearing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, sought to criticize U.S. support for Ukraines aspirations to join NATO as crossing a red line set by Putin a notion rejected by Blinken, who said it undermines sovereign nations right to decide their own foreign policy. Paul, while specifying he was not justifying the invasion, noted Ukraine was part of a pattern of Russia attacking former Soviet states, adding that Russias invasion and occupation of territory in Moldova and Georgia were also because they were part of the Soviet Union since the 1920s. Blinken rejected Pauls proposition, saying it is the fundamental right of these countries to decide their own future and their own destiny. Zourabichvili said she has not reached out to Paul for a meeting, but invited the Kentucky senator to visit Georgia, and see what we have to say. Zourabichvili is in Washington D.C. meeting with lawmakers in an effort to get Washington to show more political support for Georgia in the midst of Russias war on Ukraine. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and occupies two of its territories on the northern border. A meeting with Vice President Harris was canceled because the vice president tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Zourabichvili met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday and was also meeting with senators, including Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who visited Tbilisi last week. Story continues Zourabichvili raised warnings that Russia is capable of fostering destabilization in Georgia and Moldova while it is fighting in Ukraine, and called for Washington and European allies to be more vocal with their support for the eastern European nations. Its very important that our partners at this time pay attention to whats happening in both countries, despite the fact that of course, the prioritythat the support to Ukraine should continue and be reinforced, she said. Zourabichvili highlighted a proposal for a referendum, from the separatist leader in the Russian-backed and occupied Georgian territory of South Ossetia, as a threat that Russia will seek to annex this territory, like it did following a staged-referendum in Ukraines Crimea Peninsula in 2014. She further pointed to recent explosions in neighboring Moldovas separatist Transnistria region, which is backed by Russia, as important for the U.S. and Europe to show support for Chisinau. We are the two countries that are closest to Russia with occupied territories and where Russia can play games, she said. There should be attention to these two other points where there could be attempts by Russia to create a sense of destabilization. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Apr. 28HENDERSON Workers at an Ardagh Group plant at 620 Facet Road just outside Henderson demonstrated outside the plant in a "show of solidarity" amid union contract negotiations between the company and United Steelworkers Local 222M, which represents those workers. "We're just going through negotiations with the company, with Ardagh Group," local Vice President Alexander White said, "and we're fighting for a fair contract." White and others, including recording secretary Audrey Williams, wore red shirts and held signs that read, "Essential workers deserve a fair contract." Drivers passing the union members along Facet showed their support by honking. "Anyone can't just go in our plant and do the jobs that we do," Williams said. "We actually are trained to do our specific jobs. Not anyone off the street can come in and do it." Ardagh has a contract with Local 222M that expired this year. Negotiations for a new contract started in Texas last month. Williams, the local's recording secretary, said leadership had to walk out of negotiations because Ardagh "was not giving us a fair contract." Williams said Ardagh is trying to "take away our holiday pay, raise our insurance premiums and raise our deductibles. They are not offering a substantial raise for the actual jobs we do." "We won't stand for it. We are prepared to strike," Tricia Perry said. "We got to do what we have to do to survive. It's called survival. Our friends, family and loved ones need us and this county needs us." Perry said she is the lone mechanic at the plant. She repairs the equipment necessary to manufacture glass goods. "We were essential workers when we were going through COVID," she said. "We're essential workers now. Pay us like that." "We're out here standing in solidarity, trying to show support for our union and let the company we mean business," Lead Furnace Operator Justin Burr said. "They're trying to take away some of the things that make this job what it is and we're not gonna stand for it." Story continues Local 55 represents mold makers, who create the molds used in the manufacture of glass goods. Members of that local attended to show "support for our brothers and sisters at Local 222," as member Jim Rotello said. "Our contract is due at the end of August," Rotello said. "If things go south for us, we hope we get the same support." "Our contract is up this year too," Local 55 President Shane Ferguson said. "We're out here in support of our brothers and sisters for a fair contract." While Local 222M members were gathered outside the plant their leadership were conducting further negotiations in Pennsylvania. The union granted Ardagh an extension on the expired contract. The deadline to create a new contract is this Friday. If another extension is not granted, "then we strike," White said. Ardagh Group could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. Local 222M represents 242 workers at the plant. Six employees are not represented. North Carolina is what's called a "right-to-work" state. That means there are laws on the books that make it illegal to require an employee to join a union in order to take or keep any particular job. North Carolina's right-to-work law was ratified in 1947. Thirteen other locals in the country have contracts with Ardagh, such as Local 226M in Burlington, Wisconsin. Earlier this month, the Journal Times of Racine, Wisconsin reported that leaders of USW Local 226M threatened to strike if wages at the factory didn't keep up with the rate of inflation. Ardagh has hit financial headlines recently. In February, the Irish Times, reporting on the company's annual financial report, noted that Ardagh recorded a $766 million loss in 2021, down from a $35 million profit in 2020. The Luxembourg-based company wrote off part of the value of its glass-container business in North America, accounting for $395 million of the loss. It reported that the write-off came after weighing its ability to pass cost increases to its customers. Ardagh makes glass and metal packaging bottles and cans. The Henderson plant which is on a frontage road off U.S. 1 near the Walmart distribution center is part of its glass business. Paul Colson is the global company's CEO. Ardagh operates 109 locations in Europe and the Americas, including three in North Carolina. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Glencore Plcs trading business is headed for another year of bumper profits as the company cashes in on soaring prices and market volatility. Fresh from record earnings last year, Glencores forecast highlights how the commodity trading industry is enjoying one of its most profitable periods ever, as Russias invasion of Ukraine spreads turmoil in markets that were already at or near record highs even before the war started. Based on the first-quarter performance, trading profits this year would be comfortably above the top end of its guidance range of $2.2 billion to $3.2 billion, Glencore said Thursday. That would make it the third straight year the company has exceeded the range, as first the pandemic and now the war in Ukraine have whipsawed markets. Our marketing activities were supported during the quarter by tight physical market conditions and periods of extreme volatility, Glencore said. The Bloomberg Commodity Spot Index has surged by about a third this year to fresh records as prices for everything from natural gas to coal and aluminum rallied. In a particularly extreme example, nickel spiked 250% in less than two days last month before the London Metal Exchange suspended the market and canceled billions of dollars of trades at the highest prices. The volatile markets have helped boost earnings for commodities traders, with merchants including Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. and Gunvor Group earning windfall profits last year. However, surging prices have also created liquidity pressures for traders that dont have Glencores cash flows from mining to fall back on, as they face massive margin calls on derivative hedging positions. Story continues Read more: Commodity Traders Thrust Into the Spotlight as War Exposes Risks Still, like several other big miners, Glencore has had problems operationally. The company cut its zinc production goal for the year by 100,000 tons and also said it would produce 40,000 tons less copper tons than forecast. Glencore has been struggling with ramping up zinc processing capacity at its operations in Kazakhstan, while its copper business was impacted by geotechnial issues at the Katanga mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last week, Anglo American Plc and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. both tumbled after forecasting steep cost rises, while other miners such as BHP Group disappointed as Covid-19 absenteeism and operational missteps curb output across the sector. Glencore slightly increased its nickel and ferrochrome output targets. (Updates with details from fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. STORY: Peanut, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' dog, which he adopted in 2021, stole the show when he came out to greet Marin on the steps of Mitsotakis' office, and then posed with the two prime ministers for the official greeting photo. Marin and Mitsotakis patted Peanut as he sat upright between the two as photographers cameras snapped away. Since making the Greek prime minister's office his new home, Peanut, a stray Mitsotakis adopted from an animal shelter, has met many leaders in the halls of the official building, and has been heard barking in the background during news conferences. The separatist group behind the recent suicide bombing of a school in Karachi, Pakistan, has threatened China with more deadly attacks if the country continues with its Belt and Road Initiative in the Balochistan province. In a statement published in English, Jeeyand Baloch, a spokesperson of The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), warned Beijing of even harsher attacks unless China stopped its exploitation projects in the Balochistan province, as part of the countrys Belt and Road Initiative, and occupying of the Pakistani state. Hundreds of highly trained male and female members of the Baloch Liberation Armys Majeed Brigade are ready to carry out deadly attacks in any part of Balochistan and Pakistan, Baloch said. The separatist group claimed responsibility for the Tuesday attack in which a woman suicide bomber detonated a bomb outside China's Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi. The incident reportedly killed four people, including three Chinese teachers, drawing condemnation from Beijing. The separatist group later revealed the identity of the suicide bomber as Shaari Baloch, a 30-year-old mother of an 8-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy, who was a science teacher studying for a masters degree at the university. Only four suicide attacks in Pakistan over recent years have been carried out by women, and the BLA noted Tuesdays deadly event marked their first. A university official had previously raised concerns over the safety of the 15 Chinese teachers working there. An unnamed source also told Agence France-Presse that there were reports in February that suggested an attack might be carried out on campus. When asked if the recent attack would affect Chinas relationship with Pakistan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, The ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan is unbreakable. Any attempt to undermine the two countries' mutual trust and cooperation, as well as the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will fail. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said authorities have already begun their full-scale investigation in Sindh and Karachi. Featured Image via South China Morning Post Story continues Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! China tennis star Peng Shuai denies she made sexual assault allegations in new video China denies using Uyghur torchbearer to deflect alleged abuses, says accusations part of 'smear campaign' Tennis stars ask #WhereIsPengShuai, WTA threatens to pull out of China over her disappearance Chinese 'chubby' idols Produce Pandas gain fans looking for relatable celebrities Halyna Hutchins husband Matthew is fuming over the trove of investigative materials the Santa Fe County Sheriff released this week that showed his dying wife after she was shot by Alec Baldwin while working as a cinematographer last year on the set of "Rust." An email obtained by Fox News Digital Wednesday indicates attorneys for Matthew Hutchins feel the sheriffs office "trampled on the constitutional rights" of the Hutchins family and that it reneged on a "promise" Matthew would be able to review materials early Monday morning before law enforcement publicly released it. "This was a wholly inadequate amount of time given the sheer volume of material and failed to give the Hutchins [family] the dignity and privacy the New Mexico constitution affords them, including the right to request that discretion be exercised and sensitive material be redacted," the email obtained by a source close to the family states. HALYNA HUTCHINS' HUSBAND REVEALS MOMENT HE LEARNED 'RUST' CINEMATOGRAPHER WAS SHOT, KILLED ON ALEC BALDWIN SET Panish further states in his email to the sheriff's department that the footage of Hutchins clinging to life as medics tend to her bleeding gunshot wound will greatly impact their young son Andros, 9. 'RUST' SHOOTING INVESTIGATOR SAYS 'DEGREE OF NEGLIGENCE' FOUND ON SET, CRIMINAL CHARGES WILL BE UP TO DA "We fear, for example, that this shocking footage of Andros' mother dying may be material used by bullies to emotionally abuse him in the future," Panish wrote. "The damage your office has done is irreparable. "We demand that your office respect Matthew, Halyna and Andros Hutchins' constitutional rights of dignity, privacy, respect and fairness going forward. We also demand that your office take down the video footage of Halyna Hutchins dying on the church floor. While the damage of publishing that video is irreparable, taking down the video will end your office's complicity in causing future harm." Story continues Baldwin's attorney claimed the evidence released by the sheriff's department showed that the actor "acted responsibly." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Mr. Baldwin welcomes this investigation," Luke Nikas told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The information that has been revealed by the authorities demonstrates, once again, that Mr. Baldwin acted responsibly and did not have control over any production issues that were identified in the OSHA report. "Additionally, the interviews and affidavits disclosed today continue to corroborate Mr. Baldwins description of the events including an affidavit from the detective stating that the cameraman, who was standing next to Ms. Hutchins and Mr. Souza at the time of the accident, confirmed that Mr. Baldwin was very careful with guns on the set." The sheriff said Alec Baldwin's level of responsibility in the shooting would also be determined by the district attorney . Reps for the sheriff did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment. Fox News' Mariah Haas and Lauryn Overhultz contribute to this report. Apr. 28In a court filing Wednesday, an attorney representing Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler called Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh's suit against him an "unwarranted escalation" of their debate over how fatal police shootings in Maryland should be investigated. The pair's monthslong disagreement over a 2021 law that requires Frosh's office to investigate civilian deaths involving police came into the spotlight over the weekend, when two Harford County sheriff's deputies shot and killed 53-year-old John Raymond Fauver near a Forest Hill shopping center, following reports that the man was carrying a gun and expressing suicidal thoughts. The Maryland Attorney General's Office has since maintained that access to evidence in the case is being limited by the sheriff. The sheriff has asserted his office has a duty to investigate the incident in case any criminal activity led up to the shooting, and therefore had the right to collect evidence on the scene of Saturday's shooting, and retain the digital versions of items like body camera footage. The two parties will meet Thursday morning in Harford County Circuit Court for an emergency hearing, the results of which could shape the future of one piece of Maryland's recent police reform efforts, experts say. Frosh's decision to litigate the dispute could carry some risk. Were the judge to decide that local law enforcement agencies can choose whether they would like to collect and retain the original evidence in a police-involved fatality, the attorney general's office may need to craft agreements with each jurisdiction in Maryland, said David Gray, who teaches criminal law at the University of Maryland's Francis King Carey School of Law. The office likely will argue that is excessively onerous, Gray said. But perhaps the greater risk, Gray said, is allowing challenges like Gahler's to persist without resolution, creating confusion statewide. Story continues "The real risk is having a persistent ambiguity and being on the scene of one of these incidents and not knowing who has primary authority," he said. Gray said the new law certainly requires the attorney general's office to investigate in matters like Fauver's death and requires local law enforcement to "cooperate," but its language is unclear about whether the attorney general has exclusive authority and what kind of cooperation is required. That could compromise chains of evidence in such investigations, among other things, Gray said. "If you have two agencies that are on the scene trying to do the same thing that can have deleterious effects," he said. "That just needs to be resolved." This year, the Maryland General Assembly passed an updated bill stating the attorney general's Independent Investigations Division is "the primary investigative unit" for such cases. The bill also stated that local law enforcement agencies "shall provide any requested evidence" to the division. It does not take effect until July 1, but the judge may consider it while assessing the intent of the legislature, Gray said. In his filing Wednesday, Gahler's attorney David Wyand said that Maryland State Police crime scene technicians did not arrive to the scene of the shooting until 6:45 p.m., roughly two hours after the sheriff's forensics team. State officials already on the scene were invited to observe and photograph evidence collection, and observe any interviews conducted. A filing from Frosh indicated investigators from the attorney general's office first arrived at the scene at about 5:30 p.m. The Aegis: Top stories "They were not denied access to any evidence they wanted to see," Wyand wrote. Gahler's attorney also expressed concerns with the Maryland State Police crime lab, which he said "has historically been very slow in returning results" for firearm-related investigations. As a result, in September 2019, the sheriff's office switched to using Frederick County's crime lab, according to a supporting affidavit from Harford County Cpl. Brad Ghaner. "At times evidence analysis results from MSP took as much as eight months," Ghaner wrote. "Using the Frederick County lab, [Harford County Sheriff's Office] can typically produce analysis results in less than a week." If the court forced Harford to hand its evidence from Saturday's shooting over to the state police crime lab, the filing read, it would "introduce unnecessary chain of custody issues" and "cause significant delay in the investigations." With regard to the video evidence, which all parties have been able to view, Gahler's attorney argued that the county's state's attorney has the authority over whether to share it with the attorney general's office, which has a policy of releasing body camera footage publicly within two weeks, at least in most instances. "The Harford County State's Attorney has specifically instructed the Sheriff not to release the video without his consent while the investigation is ongoing, asserting that the public release of the video could compromise his investigation," the filing stated. "Neither the Sheriff nor the Harford County State's Attorney has received assurances that they will be consulted prior to such a public release." Baltimore Sun reporter Alex Mann contributed to this article. Harriet Tubman was barely 5 feet tall and didnt have a dime to her name. What she did have was a deep faith and powerful passion for justice that was fueled by a network of Black and white abolitionists determined to end slavery in America. I had reasoned this out in my mind, Tubman once told an interviewer. There was one of two things I had a right to, liberty, or death. If I could not have one, I would have the other; for no man should take me alive. Though Tubman is most famous for her successes along the Underground Railroad, her activities as a Civil War spy are less well known. As a biographer of Tubman, I think this is a shame. Her devotion to America and its promise of freedom endured despite suffering decades of enslavement and second class citizenship. It is only in modern times that her life is receiving the renown it deserves, most notably her likeness appearing on a US$20 bill in 2030. The Harriet Tubman $20 bill will replace the current one featuring a portrait of U.S. President Andrew Jackson. In another recognition, Tubman was accepted in June 2021 to the United States Army Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. She is one of 278 members, 17 of whom are women, honored for their special operations leadership and intelligence work. Though traditional accolades escaped Tubman for most of her life, she did achieve an honor usually reserved for white officers on the Civil War battlefield. After she led a successful raid of a Confederate outpost in South Carolina that saw 750 Black people rescued from slavery, a white commanding officer fetched a pitcher of water for Tubman as she remained seated at a table. A different education Believed to have been born in March 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, Tubman was named Araminta by her enslaved parents, Rit and Ben Ross. Minty was the fifth of nine Ross children. She was frequently separated from her family by her white enslaver, Edward Brodess, who started leasing her to white neighbors when she was just 6 years old. Story continues At their hands, she endured physical abuse, harsh labor, poor nutrition and intense loneliness. As I learned during my research into Tubmans life, her education did not happen in a traditional classroom, but instead was crafted from the dirt. She learned to read the natural world forests and fields, rivers and marshes, the clouds and stars. She learned to walk silently across fields and through the woods at night with no lights to guide her. She foraged for food and learned a botanists and chemists knowledge of edible and poisonous plants and those most useful for ingredients in medical treatments. She could not swim, and that forced her to learn the ways of rivers and streams their depths, currents and traps. She studied people, learned their habits, watched their movements all without being noticed. Most important, she also figured out how to distinguish character. Her survival depended on her ability to remember every detail. After a brain injury left her with recurring seizures, she was still able to work at jobs often reserved for men. She toiled on the shipping docks and learned the secret communication and transportation networks of Black mariners. Known as Black Jacks, these men traveled throughout the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic seaboard. With them, she studied the night sky and the placement and movement of the constellations. She used all those skills to navigate on the water and land. and I prayed to God, she told one friend, to make me strong and able to fight, and thats what Ive always prayed for ever since. Tubman was clear on her mission. I should fight for my liberty, she told an admirer, as long as my strength lasted. The Moses of the Underground Railroad In the fall of 1849, when she was about to be sold away from her family and free husband John Tubman, she fled Maryland to freedom in Philadelphia. Between 1850 and 1860, she returned to the Eastern Shore of Maryland about 13 times and successfully rescued nearly 70 friends and family members, all of whom were enslaved. It was an extraordinary feat given the perils of the 1850 Slave Fugitive Act, which enabled anyone to capture and return any Black man or woman, regardless of legal status, to slavery. Those leadership qualities and survival skills earned her the nickname Moses because of her work on the Underground Railroad, the interracial network of abolitionists who enabled Black people to escape from slavery in the South to freedom in the North and Canada. As a result, she attracted influential abolitionists and politicians who were struck by her courage and resolve men like William Lloyd Garrison, John Brown and Frederick Douglass. Susan B. Anthony, one of the worlds leading activists for womens equal rights, also knew of Tubman, as did abolitionist Lucretia Mott and womens rights activist Amy Post. I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, Tubman once said. and I can say what most conductors cant say; I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger. Battlefield soldier When the Civil War started in the spring of 1861, Tubman put aside her fight against slavery to conduct combat as a soldier and spy for the United States Army. She offered her services to a powerful politician. Known for his campaign to form the all-Black 54th and 55th regiments, Massachusetts Gov. John Andrew admired Tubman and thought she would be a great intelligence asset for the Union forces. He arranged for her to go to Beaufort, South Carolina, to work with Army officers in charge of the recently captured Hilton Head District. There, she provided nursing care to soldiers and hundreds of newly liberated people who crowded Union camps. Tubmans skill curing soldiers stricken by a variety of diseases became legendary. [Like what youve read? Want more? Sign up for The Conversations daily newsletter.] But it was her military service of spying and scouting behind Confederate lines that earned her the highest praise. She recruited eight men and together they skillfully infiltrated enemy territory. Tubman made contact with local enslaved people who secretly shared their knowledge of Confederate movements and plans. Wary of white Union soldiers, many local African Americans trusted and respected Tubman. According to George Garrison, a second lieutenant with the 55th Massachusetts Regiment, Tubman secured more intelligence from them than anybody else. In early June 1863, she became the first woman in U.S. history to command an armed military raid when she guided Col. James Montgomery and his 2nd South Carolina Colored Volunteers Regiment along the Combahee River. While there, they routed Confederate outposts, destroyed stores of cotton, food and weapons and liberated over 750 enslaved people. The Union victory was widely celebrated. Newspapers from Boston to Wisconsin reported on the river assault by Montgomery and his Black regiment, noting Tubmans important role as the Black she Moses who led the raid, and under whose inspiration it was originated and conducted. Ten days after the successful attack, radical abolitionist and soldier Francis Jackson Merriam witnessed Maj. Gen. David Hunter, commander of the Hilton Head district, go and fetch a pitcher of water and stand waiting with it in his hand while a black woman drank, as if he had been one of his own servants. In that letter to Gov. Andrew, Merriam added, that woman was Harriet Tubman. Lifelong struggle Despite earning commendations as a valuable scout and soldier, Tubman still faced the racism and sexism of America after the Civil War. When she sought payment for her service as a spy, the U.S. Congress denied her claim. It paid the eight Black male scouts, but not her. Unlike the Union officers who knew her, the congressmen did not believe they could not imagine that she had served her country like the men under her command, because she was a woman. Gen. Rufus Saxton wrote that he bore witness to the value of her services She was employed in the Hospitals and as a spy [and] made many a raid inside the enemys lines displaying remarkable courage, zeal and fidelity. Thirty years later, in 1899, Congress awarded her a pension for her service as a Civil War nurse, but not as a soldier spy. When she died from pneumonia on March 10, 1913, she was believed to have been 91 years old and had been fighting for gender equality and the right to vote as a free Black woman for more than 50 years after her work during the Civil War. Surrounded by friends and family, the deeply religious Tubman showed one last sign of leadership, telling them: I go to prepare a place for you. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Kate Clifford Larson, Brandeis University. Read more: Kate Clifford Larson received funding from the National Park Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Department of Tourism On April 22, General Rustam Minnekayev, of Russias Central Military District, stated that the second phase of the war is to expand beyond the Donbas and create a land bridge to Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova that shares a land border with Ukraine. Specifically, General Minnekayev said that control over the south of Ukraine is another way out to Transnistria, where there is oppression of the Russian-speaking population. An attempt to legitimize control of occupied territories in Ukraine is to have referendums on independence in these oblasts, of which the outcomes are already known. Transnistria is de facto independent from Moldova and willing to be absorbed; Russian peacekeepers have also been present there since the Transnistrian War ended in 1992 with a ceasefire. Overall, this points towards more brutal fighting ahead. Matthew Becker Russia will not stop at Transnistria if Moscow is successful and the Western world loses interest in Ukraine as the war drags on. The potential third phase would be a drive to connect the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast, which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania. This action would entail the Russian military seizing the Suwalki Gap, which is the border between Poland and Lithuania with Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus on the two endpoints. The Suwalki Gap is a mere 65 miles end-to-end. Those 65 miles between the exclave and Belarus (which Moscow is using as a staging area for its invasion of Ukraine) is NATO territory. More: Stop Putin or Baltics may be next 'I didn't want to leave my motherland': Amid bombs, chaos, daughter helps mom flee Ukraine On April 25, U.S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated after a visit to Kyiv that the U.S. goal in Ukraine is to see Russia weakened to the degree that it cant do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine. For me, this statement is a tacit recognition that we are in a proxy war in the defense of the Baltic States and Poland. Story continues We must provide everything the Ukrainians ask for including tanks, additional heavy artillery, and fighter aircraft. If we do not, we truly do risk a wider European war specifically an attack on two NATO member-states, plus drawing in non-member Moldova. As part of the defense of the Suwalki Gap, we must also heed the calls of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who has advocated for the U.S. to establish a permanent military base in her country. Estonia shares a land border with Russia and has a minority Russian-speaking population that may need liberation if Russia is not expelled from Ukraine. I ask readers to contact your representatives to express your continued support to arm Ukraine, as well as support of our eastern flank NATO allies. Lets provide the Ukrainians with the tools they need to defend the free world and expel Russia. Matthew Becker teaches on politics and security issues in Eastern Europe at the University of Mississippi. The views expressed do not reflect those of the university. He has a doctorate in Political Science from Ole Miss and a masters in International Affairs from Florida State University. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Russia already aiming for NATO nations' borders after Ukraine Six months after actor and producer Alec Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the western "Rust," the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office released hundreds of documents and dozens of videos from its investigation. Dash-cam footage from deputies and detectives arriving at the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set minutes after the shooting, set videos, crime-scene photos, lengthy witness interviews and a 204-page case report summarizing the investigation were included in the trove of evidence. Deputies' lapel cameras captured footage from the scene, depicting Baldwin and others struggling to make sense of what they had just witnessed. The records and videos, released earlier this week, shed more light on the roles of Baldwin, the film's assistant director and safety officer Dave Halls, and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was working on just her second project as head armorer. No charges have been filed so far in the case, though local authorities have been scrutinizing the actions of the three individuals who had handled the gun: Baldwin, Halls and Gutierrez Reed. The sheriffs offices investigation into the shooting, which also wounded director Joel Souza, remains open. Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Monday that his office is waiting for the completion of an FBI analysis and data from Baldwin's cellphone before wrapping up its investigation. New Mexico's First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies will decide whether criminal charges are filed. As armorer, Gutierrez Reed, who was 24 at the time of the accident, was responsible for the guns, ammunition and gun safety. The videos released depict a young woman, at first, struggling to grasp the enormity of the incident and her potential liability. A later video shows Gutierrez Reed cooperating with sheriff's office investigators in a lengthy interview nearly three weeks after the shooting. "I heard this shot" Story continues Santa Fe Sheriff's deputies interviewed Gutierrez Reed Oct. 21, just a few hours after the fatal shooting, at the department's offices. Gutierrez Reed, who at the time didn't have an attorney, agreed to answer questions about the weapons and the events that had just transpired at the ranch. Nearly three weeks after the shooting, on Nov. 9, Gutierrez Reed returns to the sheriff's office for her second interview, which spanned more than three hours. During this session, the armorer is represented by Jason Bowles, an Albuquerque attorney. The primary investigator on the case, Det. Alexandria Hancock, questions Gutierrez Reed. Hancock is immediately struck that the armorer is no longer sporting light green and purple hair. Gutierrez Reed said she has endured "a lot of hatred" since the shooting. "I was told I wasn't pulling my weight in props" Gutierrez Reed told sheriff's investigators she was pulled in two directions while working on "Rust." As armorer, she was responsible for guns and gun safety, but she also was filling the role of key props assistant. She said that after the first week, a production manager criticized her for focusing too much on her armorer role and said she needed to spend more time handling the film's props. New Mexico Environment Departments Occupational Health and Safety Bureau earlier this month released a scathing report, faulting the film's producers Rust Movie Productions LLC for the tragedy, and imposed the maximum fine, saying production managers "demonstrated plain indifference" to employee safety. Producers knew that firearm safety procedures were not being followed, and they failed to investigate earlier incidents or take corrective action, the report said. "Who provides the ammo?" Gutierrez Reed told the investigator how she and the film's property master, Sarah Zachry, met the weapons provider, Seth Kenney, at his Albuquerque shop days before the film began production. The two young women collected guns and ammunition from the production, and Gutierrez Reed was told to bring some rounds from an earlier production. "I grabbed some dummies from that box" Before lunch on the day of the shooting, Gutierrez Reed said she loaded Baldwins weapon with five dummy rounds but she was unable to load a sixth round in the cylinder because of an obstruction in the chamber. After lunch, as Baldwin, the director and others were gathering in the old wooden church, Gutierrez Reed said she cleaned the chamber. She loaded the gun with dummies she found in a box in the prop truck, and some rounds that she had been carrying in her pants pocket. "He might honestly shoot himself in the arm" The armorer describes how she "fought" for training days to work with actors handling their guns but was told by higher-ups on the "Rust" production that the performers didn't need it because they were all "trained people." Still, she got time with Baldwin, although she said he was "distracted" and on his phone throughout their training session. She fretted "he might honestly shoot himself in the arm" if he didn't practice more with his holster, and reached out to the actor's assistant to set up further training. However, Baldwin did not show up for a second training session, she said. Baldwin has said that he followed safety protocols, trusted the professionals to do their jobs and had no idea that the gun he fired contained live rounds. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Kicking off the Hots Docs 2022 festival, Into the Weeds: Dewayne "Lee" Johnson vs. Monsanto Company from Jennifer Baichwal (Anthropocene: The Human Epoch) gives us the David vs. Goliath story of the fight for justice against Monsanto (now Bayer after buying Monsanto 2018), the manufacturer of weed killer Roundup, with research linking the product's active ingredient, glyphosate, to cancer. Leading the story in Into The Weeds is California groundskeeper Dewayne "Lee" Johnson. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans and a year later Johnson filed a lawsuit claiming that Ranger Pro, a commercial-grade version of Roundup, was a contributing factor causing his Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This was the first case in a mass tort against Monsanto. Knowing that it was an important story to tell,...we needed to create a historical document of this moment, a record of this David vs. Goliath moment, that actually, David overcomes Goliath, filmmaker Baichwal told Yahoo Canada. And its not over. Lee is not an outgoing person, he doesn't want to be in the spotlight, but he knew he had to for the sake of all of the other people coming behind him and for the sake of the public knowing the dangers of using this product. Into The Weeds shifts between following Johnsons personal journey and accumulating proven statistics, trial footage and documented information and correspondence related to the link between glyphosate and cancer. Between 1974 and 2014, an estimated 8.6 billion kilograms of glyphosate were applied worldwide, and Into The Weeds reveals that 114 million pounds of this spray is used for non-agricultural purposes every year, including but not limited to roadways, ditches, parking areas, pipelines, athletics fields, campgrounds and forests. Dewayne Lee Johnson reflecting in his car, Vallejo, California. (Photo courtesy of Disappearing Insects Productions Inc.) In 2014, Johnson found a lesion on his knee, he didnt know what it was but it kept spreading. In October, with lesions all over his body, he was diagnosed with cancer. The first thing he did was contact Monsanto about Ranger Pro, but no one responded him and he kept using the product at his job. Story continues Baichwal admits that some moments in Into The Weeds with Johnson were particularly hard to film, especially footage used to show what it looks like and feels like to have these lesions all over your body. The filmmaker stressed that while theyre difficult to look at, Johnson wanted those moments caught on camera so people could see what he has to do just to get up every morning. That's the spine, in a way, of the film, and figuring out the science and the complexity of the arguments, and also being really careful that every claim made in the film was a claim made in court that is backed up by evidence, Baichwal said. As of 2021, Bayer had allocated about $16 billion to Roundup litigation in the U.S., but Baichwal stressed that no amount of money can compensate for illness. That's one of the problems with mass tort as a tool of justice, she said. You have to work within that system and it's a flawed system." Its a flawed system when regulatory agencies are not doing their job and it's a flawed system where there are not criminal charges against people who harm others. If I went out and punched my neighbour, I'd be taken down to the police station. I don't understand why there's not some form of that in the transnational corporate world. Director Jennifer Baichwal of INTO THE WEEDS. (Photo courtesy of Mongrel Media) Farmers are not villains As we watch the trial unfold in the documentary, we see the Monsanto Papers, which were controversially released to the public, confirm that the company had been examining glyphosates possible link to cancer for decades. This leads to revelations of agency capture, meaning the company was influencing its regulatory agencies, and evidence of targeted attacks on scientists, in addition to ghostwriting and falsifying studies. As the film highlights, there have been some victories in terms of individuals being publicly compensated, countries banning the use of glyphosate and phasing out Roundup for residential use, but it still continues to be used by the agriculture sector. I didn't even know that forests were sprayedbut that's systemic, that's affecting everything in that ecosystem, Jennifer Baichwal said. It happens all over Canada, it happens all over the world. How do we advance that argument as well? That hasn't been resolved yet. Into The Weeds takes us to Canadian farms to see how glyphosate is used in the agriculture sector, with farmers stressing that to maximize their yield, they have to minimize their weed infestation, while also confirming that the plant does in fact need to absorb the spray to die, leading to questions about residue in our food. Industrial farming is a massive conundrum, there are people who make arguments that we need this kind of farming to feed the world, Baichwal said. More proponents of regenerative and organic farming make very strong arguments for why we do not need this kind of pesticide use and that it's a cycle where the weeds get bigger, the super-weeds get resistant and the microbiota is destroyed. The filmmaker stressed that farmers using this kind of pesticide are not villains but rather, people who want to do their best to grow our food. Its beyond time that we think about other ways of growing food that don't require that level of interference, but it's not a slam dunk, it's not an easy answer, Baichwal said. I'm very grateful to those farmers for sharing that perspective because they're in a difficult position. Into The Weeds highlights that as of February 2022, 28 Canadian lawsuits relating to Roundup have been served upon Bayer. Into The Weeds is screening as part of the Hot Docs 2022 festival on April 28, April 29 and May 7, and available for online streaming for five days starting on April 29. The film opens theatrically May 20 in Toronto and Vancouver, and throughout the spring/summer in other cities. Three years ago, the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival drew nearly 230,000 attendees to venues across Toronto. It was a record-breaking turnout, and a hopeful harbinger that even amid the growing disruption of streaming platforms, audiences were flocking more than ever before to North Americas largest documentary festival. It has not returned to cinemas since. More from Variety After the coronavirus pandemic prompted a last-minute online pivot in 2020, Hot Docs was again forced to host a virtual fest last year. Now, as the curtain is set to rise on its 29th edition, the festivals director of programming, Shane Smith, admits to a case of nerves after the long absence. Some of us havent been on stage for a while, he tells Variety. But its going to be great to get back into the groove, get that muscle memory reactivated. This years edition will offer a reminder not only of how much has changed in the past two years, but of what has remained constant. Like other festivals forced to adapt during the pandemic, mounting back-to-back virtual events has taught the organizing team some valuable lessons about how Hot Docs can evolve in an increasingly online world. But it has also underscored what makes in-person screenings so vital to the Hot Docs community. Programming the festival online, and presenting it online the last couple of years, has really shown us what we love about what we do, and that is connecting filmmakers to audiences, says Smith. That has happened online, but it hasnt happened with the sort of electricity that you get in a cinema, when a filmmaker is able to see in real time the audience response to that film, and we are able to helpstart a conversation between audience and filmmaker. Story continues The response so far has exceeded expectations: despite lingering wariness about pandemic travel, as well as the logistical challenges involved for many international filmmakers, Smith reports that roughly 90% of the directors presenting films at Hot Docs will attend the festival a figure thats almost in line with pre-pandemic attendance. The organizers have nevertheless been forced to make some concessions. As the world slowly begins to emerge from the pandemic, at a pace that often varies from one country to the next, industry programs such as Forum, Dealmaker, and Distribution Rendezvous which bring together hundreds of filmmakers and decision-makers from across the globe will again be held virtually this year. We just didnt know what the setup would be and how could you plan to have 20 pitches with all those buyers in person, and still have travel restrictions and still have testing restrictions and still have so many barriers to movement, says Hot Docs industry program director Elizabeth Radshaw. This is a transition year. And so to offer the greatest respect to that market [we decided] to keep it online. The festival opens April 28 with the world premiere of Jennifer Baichwals Into the Weeds, about a former groundskeeper who battles an agrochemical corporation after his cancer diagnosis. Its the second time that Baichwal is opening Hot Docs, after 2009s Act of God, something Smith describes as a great testament to the longevity to her work, to her career. In the depth and breadth of this years selection which features more than 200 documentaries, including 63 world and 47 international premieres the veteran programmer sees a diverse range of filmmakers grappling with both the past and its impact on the world today, often in very different ways. What weve seen in the programming is really a sort of excavation a deep vein of investigation and unearthing or excavating events and examining events from the past, he says. Some of that work bears out in an intimate personal context, as with Jasmin Mara Lopezs exploration of her own sexual abuse in Silent Beauty, which world premieres in the festivals Persister section, or Reed Harkness Sam Now, an emotional portrait of a mother and sons relationship after she leaves the 14-year-old to start a new life. That film will have its world premiere in the International Spectrum competition section. Other films use a wide-angle lens to investigate political and systemic fractures. Jose Joffilys A Symphony for a Common Man, which has its international premiere in the Special Presentations program, offers a revisionist look at the 2002 ousting of Brazilian diplomat and head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Jose Bustani, as America marched to war with Iraq. In The Killing of a Journalist, which world premieres in the International Spectrum, director Matt Sarnecki digs into the failed, corrupt investigation into the murder of a Slovakian journalist. Across the program, Smith sees filmmakers pursuing a deep investigation of the systems surrounding us, something he attributes to the lingering influence of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on our societies. The reckoning that happened in the last couple of years, people are really looking at the world and asking questions in a way that they may not have been before the pandemic hit us, he says. Among the anticipated titles having world premieres in Toronto are Cody Sheehys Make People Better (pictured), which tells the inside story of the disappearance of the Chinese biophysicist who secretly created the first genetically designed babies; The Talented Mr. Rosenberg, a lurid look into the story of infamous Toronto con man Albert Rosenberg, directed by Barry Avrich; Million Dollar Pigeons, Gavin FitzGeralds charming introduction to the wildly competitive world of pigeon racing; and The Quiet Epidemic, Lindsay Keys and Winslow Crane-Murdochs investigation into Lyme disease that reveals why ticks, and the diseases they carry, have been allowed to spread globally. Notable international premieres include Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner The Exiles, which follows Chinese-American documentarian Christine Choy as she explores the unseen footage of a documentary she began working on soon after the Tiananmen massacre; Reid Davenports I Didnt See You There, a first-person account of living with disability shot from the directors wheelchair, which won the best director award in Park City; Chase Joynts dual Sundance prize winner Framing Agnes, which tells the story of a young trans woman who entered a sex disorders study in 1958 seeking gender-affirming care; and Ron Howards We Feed People, a chronicle of chef and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Jose Andres and his work providing healthy food to those affected in disaster zones. Andres will be joining the festival for a virtual conversation with audiences. Hot Docs will also give its Outstanding Achievement Award to Anand Patwardhan and screen a selection of documentaries shot over the course of the Indian filmmakers prolific 40-year career. The timeliness of [his work] is incredible, says Smith, pointing to Patwardhans explorations of political division, religious fundamentalism, disinformation, and the crisis of masculinity. These themes are just so incredibly resonant today. Hes a seer, really. And what hes seen in India has played out in other countries around the world. Like other festivals to unspool since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Hot Docs has marshalled its resources to show support for Ukrainian filmmakers, curating a selection of Ukrainian documentaries that are available to Canadian audiences through the festivals VOD platform, while programming three films either made in Ukraine or by Ukrainian filmmakers. Among them is Outside, by Olha Zhurba, which will have its international premiere in the International Spectrum competition section. More than just an act of solidarity with Ukrainian colleagues many of whom are on the frontlines fighting against the Russians Smith says the programming is a response to audience demand. And it underlies, too, the unique role played by documentary film in the world today. [It] is just indicative of the importance and necessity of documentary storytelling in helping explain our world to ourselves, in showing us different perspectives and different insights into our world, Smith said. Thats especially the case, he adds, in the wake of massive disruptive world events. It makes sense that people are looking for answers, or looking for information, at the very least. And this is the power of documentary. The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival runs April 28 May 8. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Were going to seize their yachts and other ill-begotten gains, President Joe Biden said during a live televised newscast today, referring to Russian tycoons associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden said he was sending legislation to Congress, as part of a $33 billion Ukrainian aid package, that would include a new, expedited procedure for forfeiture and seizure of yachts, jets and other assets belonging to Russian oligarchs on the USs sanctions list. The president said the new procedures are aimed at Russias kleptocracythese are bad guys, he saidthat have enabled Putins invasion of Ukraine. The sold-off funds will be used to directly remedy the harm that Russia caused and help rebuild Ukraine, Biden added. More from Robb Report Officials said that current US laws need to be streamlined to make the seizure of property more effective. The New York Times reported that the proposal would create a new criminal offense for individuals to gain from corrupt dealings with the Russian government. It would also add the crime of sanctions evasion to racketeering activity, which is part of RICO, or the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, often used against organized crime. The superyacht Tango was impounded by the US in Spain by Spanish authorities working with the FBI. It will remain the responsibility of the US government. - Credit: Courtesy AP/Francisco Ubilla Courtesy AP/Francisco Ubilla Todays address follows non-binding legislation passed yesterday by the US House of Representatives that called on Biden to expedite the sale of seized yachts, private jets and other assets owned by sanctioned Russian oligarchs. The proceeds, similar to the Biden plan, would provide military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. It was passed after Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on Tuesday told a Senate panel that the Biden administration wanted expanded authority to confiscate and liquidate Russian property. Story continues The US seized the $90-million superyacht Tango with authorities in Spain earlier this month, while Italian, French, German, UK, Dutch and Finnish authorities have confiscated dozens of other yachts in the last six weeks. The largest yacht among the oligarchs is Dilbar, which was officially impounded in Hamburg on April 13. Its estimated value is between $600 and $700 million. But the concept of seizing and immediately selling the yachts and other assets met with challenges from the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and others. The ACLU said the move could run counter to legal protections for individuals by depriving the Russians who owned the items any chance of challenging the actions and possibly regaining their property. Most of the superyachts are in Europe, so they will be the responsibility of the countries that confiscated them. - Credit: Courtesy AP Courtesy AP The problem with the bill as introduced was that the complete absence of any due process protections would likely have resulted in a court handing Russia a propaganda win by having an American court invalidate both the sanctions law and the sanctions themselves, Christopher Anders, the federal policy director at the ACLU, told the Times. It remains to be seen whether Bidens expedited seizure proposals will be accepted as part of the $33 billion aid package for Ukraine. Despite political in-fighting, the pro-Ukraine mood among the executive and congressional branches remains one of its strongest common areas, with the Russian oligarchs being a clear target as a path to Putin. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) was one of the Congressional representatives who sponsored the non-binding legislation. Can we imagine giving all of Russias wealththe yachts, the bank accounts, the villas, the planesback to Putin and his cronies as Ukraine lies in ruin, as the Ukrainians bury their dead? We cannot imagine doing that. We will not do that, Malinowski said Tuesday on the House floor. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. As Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias detailed what the next 12 to 18 months look like for left-hander John Means, another part of him looks toward the rest of the rotation, too. By the time Means returns from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery Elias hopes Means will be ready in the first half of the 2023 season the rotation around him will look different. There are arms currently in the rotation still developing, such as left-hander Bruce Zimmermann. But with a crop of prospects on the way to Baltimore and bullpen pieces who might still find their way into starting roles, Elias expressed hope for Means and the pitching staff, even if it takes a full year. I feel like the talents there, Elias said Wednesday on a video conference. Weve just got to get luck and keep all these guys together and get them performing, and it would be very special, I think, to have any three, four, five of these guys clicking at the same time in an Orioles rotation. And were doing our damnedest to try to get that to be the case, but its never easy. Means, who underwent his elbow reconstruction surgery Wednesday morning in Dallas, will return to Baltimore to begin his rehabilitation with Dr. Sean Curtin and head athletic trainer Brian Ebel. Once he progresses, Means will likely report to Sarasota, Florida, to continue his workouts at the spring training facility there. In the future, Means will be a centerpiece to a rotation that includes prospects Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall and Kyle Bradish. Those three pitchers have yet to make their major league debuts, although that could change this season and for Bradish, it could be sooner rather than later. The right-hander holds a 1.20 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Norfolk, and while he was initially scheduled to start Wednesday for the Tides, Bradish was moved to Fridays probable starter. After right-hander Chris Ellis landed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation Tuesday, the Orioles have yet to determine who will start in Ellis place this weekend against the Boston Red Sox. With Bradish moved to Friday, he could be in line to start in Baltimore, instead. Story continues I think anybody in our Triple-A [staff] whos pitching long and pitching as well as Kyle has put themselves in good contention for joining this rotation, Elias said. Up until the Ellis injury, we had five starters that were going pretty good. Were in a situation right now this week where our focus is on the next couple of games here versus the Yankees, which is kind of an all-hands-on-deck approach from the pitching staff, and I think once we get through these next couple of games, well take a look at whos rested on the major league roster and see what we do with that fifth rotation spot going forward. But certainly, he and other people have put themselves on the radar for helping the staff this year. Hall, ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Baltimores pipeline per Baseball America, is further off from joining the Orioles. Hes set to make his first start of the season for High-A Aberdeen on Friday. Hall had remained in Florida for extended spring training as he recovered from a stress reaction in his left elbow that cut short his 2021 season. Now hes beginning to ramp up, throwing four-plus innings in simulated games in Florida. He should reach about that length for Aberdeen on Friday, too. Its just about covering innings, throwing strikes, not having any injury setbacks, Elias said. The stuff and the velocity are certainly there, and I think were gonna see that on display on Friday. And, look, once hes back to being himself in Bowie the guys on the 40-man roster. Hes got major league stuff. Double-A Bowie is as high as Hall has reached thus far. A successful outing in High-A Aberdeen could propel him onward to Double-A before another stop at Triple-A Norfolk. That timeline slows how soon Hall could reach the majors. But there are other options Baltimore could turn toward, apart from Bradish, Hall and Rodriguez. Right-hander Matt Harvey rejoined the organization on a minor league deal earlier this month and will throw an extended spring game in Florida on Thursday. The prospects for Harvey are muddled, however, with the possibility of a suspension from Major League Baseball for violating the leagues drug policy. Elias said Harvey will report to a minor league affiliate once hes ramped up in an extended spring training. Other options include right-hander Mike Baumann, who currently holds a bullpen role. Left-hander Keegan Akin also has starting experience. So while theres uncertainty regarding what the rotation might look like this weekend against the Red Sox, theres more hope from Elias about what itll look like in a year once Means returns. As Johns injury demonstrated, pitching is a very fragile thing and you might even make the argument its more of a numbers game, Elias said. But I cant complain about the fact that we have a guy like John, who will be coming back from surgery. Adley Rutschmans development Catcher Adley Rutschman, the top prospect in baseball, made his first rehab start for High-A Aberdeen on Tuesday, working back from a right tricep strain suffered just as major league spring training got underway. Rutschman doubled and walked in Tuesdays start, catching the first five innings. He returned to the IronBirds lineup Wednesday as the designated hitter. Before Rutschmans injury, Elias said the 24-year-old showed in minor league camp in February that hes one of the best talents in the organization, if not the sport. If he puts himself back to that point in time, I cant see a whole lot more that he probably needs to prove in the minor leagues other than he is himself, Elias said. So well take it one day at a time. You hear him talk. Thats his mindset. I think thats part of what makes him such a great athlete is the ability to keep that mindset and were only on Day 2 of his minor league rehab assignment today. PC Joseph Demir appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court earier this monrth after he was charged with sexually assaulting colleague on duty. (PA) A serving Metropolitan Police officer is set to stand trial accused of sexually assaulting a male colleague. PC Joseph Demir, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with one count of sexual assault towards a man at Hendon Training School in March 2020. Demir, who was a student officer at the time of the alleged assault, is accused of touching the complainants groin over his clothing. The alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reported the offence in July 2020. Joseph Demir was a student officer at the time of the alleged assault. (PA) Demir, 24, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, and to indicate a plea of not guilty. He is due to stand trial at Harrow Crown Court on 26 May. Demir, who has been placed on restricted duties, was released on bail with the condition not to contact the alleged victim. He will face misconduct proceedings at a tribunal if found guilty. Eighteen-year-old Marcelles Heart said he hears gunshots almost every night near his house in Kansas City. Its a sound the senior at Northeast High School has gotten used to in the nearly two years hes lived in Kansas City. And he knows hes not the only young person in the city exposed to violence. That is not something that they should be desensitized and used to, Heart said Wednesday at panel made up of area teenagers held at Artstech in downtown KC. Just the sound of gun fire is not something that our children need to know. The forum included about a dozen teenagers who discussed how violence impacts youth and what steps can be taken to address the problem. The conversation came a few weeks after Manuel Guzman, 14, was fatally stabbed at Northeast Middle School. Another 14-year-old student has been charged in his death. Across the Kansas City metro area, 77 people have been killed this year, according to data tracked by The Star. Of that total, 18 of the victims were ages 24 and younger. A new study from The New England Journal of Medicine found firearm injuries are now the most common cause of death for people ages 1 to 24 in the U.S., surpassing motor vehicle crashes. Emeil Humphrey, a 15-year-old at DeLaSalle Education Center, said part of the problem with violence that young people face is access to guns. Where are these little kids getting guns from? Humphrey asked. The killing needs to stop. Tatyiana Johnney, a student at Paseo Academy, wants to bring attention to the violence women and girls in Kansas City face. The 15-year-old said that in the two blocks she walks from her bus stop to her house, shes been followed. Thats really, really scary, as a woman, no matter how you dress, no matter what age you are, Johnney said. Several members of the panel also talked about the distrust they have with the Kansas City Police Department. A few speakers said they believe police officers discriminate against Black people in the metro area. Story continues Earlier this year, The Star reported on police data showing officers in Kansas City use a disproportionate amount of violence on people of color: In a city that is 28% Black, more than 57% of the departments use of force incidents from 2019 to July 2021 were against Black people. And earlier this month, The Star published a year-long investigation that showed racism within the Kansas City Police Department does not spare its own members, driving many Black officers to leave the department. Heart, however, disagreed with some of the statements. He believes police have been demonized in society. The fact that people feel that way and cannot trust police is also a reason people will result to violence, he said. Theyll think, The police cant help me, I have to do it myself. I cant rely on anybody else. Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Alberto Carvalho at a press conference Thursday announcing his recommendation. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) The Los Angeles Unified School District should delay its requirement that students be vaccinated against COVID-19 until next year, its superintendent recommended Thursday, given the system's already high vaccination rates among older students as well as low transmission rates in schools. Supt. Alberto M. Carvalho said that, after consulting with experts, he will ask the district's board to hold off on enforcing the mandate until July 1, 2023, at the earliest. Doing so would align California's largest school district with the expected timeline of a statewide student vaccination requirement. At a news conference, Carvalho pointed to the high level of vaccinations among students 12 and older, the district's employee vaccination mandate and aggressive COVID testing as protocols that set L.A. Unified up for this moment. He added that the district also needed to consider the consequences of not bringing forward the recommendation. We should be lifting in a reasonable, respectful and intelligent way the barriers that may exist, that are preventing, maybe, some students from coming to school, Carvalho said. There are many students, thousands of students, who are not making adequate progress because they're being taught in a modality that does not necessarily match their needs. Those students absolutely need face-to-face instruction. If the scientific conditions are what they are, we ought to remove the barriers and invite them back to the schoolhouse. Carvalho said the school board is set to vote May 10. The district's employee vaccine mandate will remain in place. L.A. Unified was the first of the nation's large school systems to institute a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students. However, the district opted in December to delay enforcing the rule until this fall citing both an already high rate of compliance and the desire to prevent potentially massive disruptions for students. The landscape shifted further when Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this month that California would not move ahead with its planned statewide requirement for schoolchildren to be immunized for COVID-19 before the next academic year. The California Department of Public Health has said the timeline will be pushed back to at least July 1, 2023. Story continues That change threw the school district's mandate into question, with at least one board member expressing interest in aligning with the state's new timeline. At the time, Nick Melvoin called the state's postponement a sign of good policymaking as districts attempt to navigate the largest educational disruption in a century without a playbook. On Thursday, Melvoin said he continues to advocate for the district to align with public health guidance. "We need to be able to adapt to the latest recommendations from county and state public health entities," he said. "We also know that the districts high vaccination rates played a crucial role in keeping kids in school throughout the year and we will continue providing access and encouraging families to get vaccinated. School board President Kelly Gonez said she supported the move, a shift from her previous position. It was really the testimony of health experts, Gonez said, who were quite clear that the conditions are the safest that we have seen in a long time, and that the protocols that we have now are part of why it is so safe and what enabled us to make this shift. Still, some parents were not in favor of the proposed delay. Monica Arrazola, a parent of three LAUSD students, said her youngest a fifth-grader did not go back to school until he was vaccinated. We're still living through a pandemic, we all need to get vaccinated, said Arrazola, whose children ages 16, 14 and 11 have all had their shots. Other parents, such as Joe Mardesic, whose daughter is a sixth-grader, said the district shouldn't have a role in their children's inoculations at all. "It's great that they're pushing it back, better if they stop and get out of it all together," Mardesic said. "Its none of their business. Gonez acknowledged that not everyone would agree with the proposal. I know that there are diverse opinions among families, she said. We will never satisfy everyone, but as a district, we have always been willing to make the hard calls in pursuit of student health and safety, and based on the recommendations of scientists and that's what we're doing today. Thursday's announcement came a day after the L.A. County Department of Public Health released data showing that coronavirus cases among students and staff in the county's schools have doubled during April a trend officials say should reemphasize the importance of taking precautions, even as the overall number of campus-documented infections remains low. For the school week prior to spring break April 4-8 844 students and staff tested positive for the coronavirus countywide, according to data from the health department. But over the week that classes resumed, April 18-22, there were 1,842 positive test results. However, many cases may have been discovered not necessarily because a student or staffer fell ill, but because Los Angeles Unified requires all pupils and personnel participating in in-person instruction to undergo weekly testing. Countywide, 529,000 tests were administered for the week ending April 22, which adds up to a test positivity rate of 0.35%, health figures show. About 450,000 tests were given during the week ending April 8, resulting in a weekly test positivity rate of 0.19%. In the first week of classroom instruction after spring break, there were 13 outbreaks at schools in L.A. County, with six of them in elementary schools, one in a middle school, two in high schools and four associated with youth sports. That's up from 11 outbreaks the week before spring break. Of those, seven were in elementary schools, one was in a middle school and three were in high schools. Carvalho said the district was not considering returning to previous measures, such as a districtwide mask mandate, even after the current increase in cases. Despite that slight increase, well below any level of alarm, of the positivity rate, we still didn't see an increase in transmission rate, which means schools are not the places where the virus is being transmitted, he said. L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday that she recognizes its sensible for LAUSD to align with the timeline that the state has laid out. State health officials said they will implement the vaccination requirement in a phased approach following a Food and Drug Administration decision to fully approve the vaccination for younger ages. Its not clear when that will happen. Once the FDA acts to fully approve a COVID-19 vaccine for those age 12 to 15, the state would begin a rule-making process including the chance for public comment to require vaccinations as a condition of attending grades seven through 12 in public or private school. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available to children ages 5 to 15 under an emergency-use authorization, and has not been fully approved. After the FDA acts to fully approve a COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 to 11, the state would begin a similar process to require vaccinations for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. In general, Im supportive of when you have that full approval from the FDA adding COVID vaccines to the long list of vaccinations that are required for students attending our schools, Ferrer said during a briefing. But, she added, while were we back to sort of our pre-vaccine days or we have what we had during Omicron overwhelming numbers of people getting sick and requiring a lot of care we might need to revisit what to do with our vaccination mandates, she said. Only 32% of children ages 5 to 11 have completed their primary vaccination series in L.A. County, compared to 78% of adolescents age 12 to 17, health data show. COVID-19 vaccines are still unavailable for the youngest children. However, Moderna on Thursday submitted an application to the FDA to expand eligibility to those younger than 6. Among people of all ages, L.A. County is averaging nearly 1,800 new coronavirus cases a day, or 122 cases a week for every 100,000 residents. A rate of 100 or more is considered high the worst level in a four-tier scale defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus-positive hospitalizations also began to rise this week, but overall remain at some of the lowest levels of the pandemic. Scientists have said they would not be surprised if cases increase further in the summer; or in the late fall and early winter, as has happened each of the past two years. Officials still urge those who have survived a coronavirus infection to get up to date on vaccinations and boosters, noting that natural immunity wanes over time and isn't necessarily protective against a future variant. "People with risk factors are at increased risk for severe disease from reinfection," CDC scientist Dr. Kristie Clarke said at a briefing Tuesday. "We encourage people to stay up to date completely on their vaccination, regardless of their history of infection." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The New York Times On a rainy Thursday evening last spring, a 15-year-old girl was rushed by her parents to the emergency department at Boston Childrens Hospital. She had marks on both wrists from self-harm and a recent suicide attempt, and earlier that day she confided to her pediatrician that she planned to try again. At the ER, a doctor examined her and explained to her parents that she was not safe to go home. But I need to be honest with you about whats likely to unfold, the doctor added. The best place f The Islamic State group claimed two bomb blasts aboard minibuses that killed at least nine people Thursday in Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif, a week after a deadly explosion at a Shiite mosque in the northern city. The number of violent public attacks across Afghanistan has fallen since the Taliban returned to power last August, but the Sunni Islamic State group has continued to target Shiites, whom they view as heretics. A string of deadly bombings targeting minority communities has convulsed the country in the past two weeks during the fasting month of Ramadan. Thursday's blasts occurred within minutes of each other in different districts of Mazar-i-Sharif as commuters were heading home to break their dawn-to-dusk fast, Balkh provincial police spokesman Asif Waziri told AFP. "The targets appear to be Shiite passengers," he said, adding 13 people were wounded in the blasts. The regional Islamic State chapter, ISKP, took credit for the bombings, which it said inflicted 30 casualties. Images posted on social media showed one minibus engulfed in fire, while the other was mangled, with Taliban fighters seen transporting victims from the vehicle to hospitals. The blasts came one week after an attack on a Shiite mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif killed at least 12 worshippers and wounded scores more. That explosion was followed a day later by the bombing of another mosque in Kunduz targeting the minority Sufi community. It killed at least 36 people during Friday prayers. In Kabul, another attack also targeted Shiites, with two bombs detonated at a school, killing six students. The jihadist IS claimed the mosque attack in Mazar-i-Sharif, but no group has so far taken responsibility for the bombing in Kunduz or at the Kabul school. Shiite Afghans, who are mostly from the Hazara community, make up between 10 to 20 percent of Afghanistan's population of 38 million. The regional branch of IS in Sunni-majority Afghanistan has repeatedly targeted Shiites and minorities such as Sufis, who follow a mystical branch of Islam. Story continues IS is a Sunni Islamist group, like the Taliban, but the two are bitter rivals. The biggest ideological difference is that the Taliban pursued an Afghanistan free of foreign forces, whereas IS wants an Islamic caliphate stretching from Turkey to Pakistan and beyond. Taliban officials insist their forces have defeated IS, but analysts say the jihadist group remains a key security challenge. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP earlier Thursday that several arrests had been made in connection with the string of recent attacks. "These attacks targeted places that did not have enough security like mosques and a school, but now we have stepped up security in such places," he said. bur-jd/lb/jfx Leon Lee Jones was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 years in prison for a 2018 murder. U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi also sentenced Jones, who is from the Navajo Nation, to five years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona announced. Jones, 38, previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder. Jones was arrested after his partner was shot and killed on July 11, 2018, near Klagetoh, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Reach breaking news reporter Adam Terro at adam.terro@arizonarepublic.com. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man sentenced to 18 years in prison after shooting partner ANNAPOLIS, MD Marylanders should get their COVID-19 booster shot by Monday, May 2, for a chance to win the final prize of $1 million in the promotion offered by the state, Gov. Larry Hogan said. Residents must get boosted between now and Monday to qualify for next weeks VaxCash 2.0 $1 million grand prize drawing. Launched in February as part of a booster action plan, Vax Cash 2.0 is awarding $2 million in cash prizes to a total of 12 Maryland residents. After a special initial drawing of $500,000, the state has been holding weekly $50,000 drawings leading up to next weeks grand prize drawing. Tuesdays winner was from Bowie. Getting fully protected with a booster shot continues to be the single most important thing you can do to minimize the impact of COVID-19 and its variants, Hogan said in a news release. If you havent gotten around to it yet, getting boosted this week gives you a chance to enter our grand prize drawing. To date, the state has administered more than 11.7 million vaccinations, including 2.3 million booster shots. Hundreds of locations across the state continue to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots. Find a provider at covidvax.maryland.gov. Vax Cash 2.0 Promotion. To be eligible for the promotion, you must be a Maryland resident, at least 18 years old, and you must have received an initial dose and booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at non-federal facilities in Maryland. Maryland residents who were vaccinated at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs locations in Maryland are eligible. All eligible Marylanders are entered into the drawings. Detailed information is available here. COVID-19 Booster Eligibility. Marylanders ages 12 and older are eligible for a booster after completing their primary vaccine series. Residents ages 50 and older are eligible for a second booster four months after their first booster, as are people ages 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Visit COVIDlink.maryland.gov for more information. Story continues Maryland Ranked as Safest State During COVID-19. A national survey recently ranked Maryland as the safest state during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maryland Lottery handles the drawings, which are all random. The Maryland Department of Health contacts the winners. Related: MD COVID: Hogan Announces $2M In Booster Shot Lottery Prizes MD COVID: $1M Prize Left In Booster Shot Lottery originally appeared on the Across Maryland Patch AURORA, IL Metea Valley High School was ranked the 26th top high school in Illinois and first among high schools located in Aurora by U.S. News and World Report. This year's list of best high schools evaluated more than 17,800 schools nationwide, including 673 in Illinois. The approximately 3,000-student high school, part of Indian Prairie School District 204, has an Advanced Placement participation rate of 67 percent, with 55 percent of students passing at least one AP exam, according to U.S. News. Mathematics proficiency is 61 percent, reading proficiency is 59 percent, and science proficiency is 58 percent. The school's graduation rate is 96 percent, which U.S. News classified as "well above state median." Nationwide, Metea Valley High School ranks No. 627. Here is where other Aurora high schools rank in the state. Waubonsie Valley High School: No. 53 West Aurora High School: No. 332 Within District 204, Neuqua Valley High School outranks Metea Valley for first place and also places 17th best statewide. The report is intended to show how well the nation's public schools serve all students, regardless of achievement level, by teaching them basic skills and preparing them for college-level work, according to a news release from U.S. News. The 2022 rankings used data from the 2019-20 school year, which was adjusted to compensate for the effects of COVID-19, according to U.S. News. Most schools closed before state testing in the spring of 2020, and federal education officials granted a waiver to skip testing that year, so U.S. News used assessment data from the prior three years. The rankings aim to compare how well public schools prepare students for college-level work and teach students basic skills, according to the group. In Illinois, the top five schools in the rankings were selective enrollment high schools in Chicago Public Schools, with the No. 6 school a selective enrollment suburban school Proviso Math and Science Academy. Among suburban public high schools that accept all residents, Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire was top-ranked, followed by Vernon Hills High School, Hinsdale Central High School, New Trier Township High School and Lake Forest High School. Metea Valley Ranks Highest Among High Schools In Aurora, 26th In State originally appeared on the Aurora Patch Kimberly Neptune (Photo/Courtesy) UPDATE - Friday April 29, 7:10 P.M. - EDT: Native News Online has learned Kailie A. Brackett, 38, who spoke with our news team two days ago, has been taken into custody by local police. This is a developing story. According to a local media report, police said Brackett and 38-year-old Donnell J. Dana were arrested around 4:45 p.m. Friday during a traffic stop. Both are facing murder charges, according to the report by WGME television. Both Brackett and Dana are tribal citizens of the Passamaquoddy at Sipayik. Passamaquoddy at Sipayik Tribal Chief Elizabeth Dana told Native News Online on Friday afternoon the Passamaquoddy tribal community has been devastated by the events of the past week. We just buried Kim today and now we found out about the arrests, Chief Dana said. Its tough because there several tribal families involved. This is our community. The Passamaquoddy at Sipayik tribal offices are in Pleasant Point, Maine, 110 miles east of Bangor. The tribe has approximately 2,200 tribal citizens on the tribal census. Some 750 live on the reservation in some 300 households. The Maine State Police is taking the lead in this investigation. As previously reported on Thursday, April 28, 2022, the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine is mourning the death of tribal citizen Kimberly Kim Neptune, 43, who whose body was discovered in her apartment in Perry, Maine on Thursday, April 21. An autopsy conducted the next day revealed her death was the result of a homicide. Local law enforcement and the Maine State Police are investigating the homicide. Passamaquoddy Tribal leaders met with law enforcement on Monday to discuss the case and are hopeful for a fast apprehension of the person responsible for Neptunes death. This tragedy has hit our community so hard, there really arent any words for the loss felt by Kims family, all who loved her, and our whole community, Passamaquoddy Tribal Chief Elizabeth Dana said in a statement. Thats why we were so thankful to meet and be on the same page with all the departments investigating this terrible crime, who have all affirmed their determination to bring justice to the suspect, and for Kims family. Story continues Law enforcement in Maine are seeking the public assistance in identifying the person in this image captured on a security camera. (Photo/Maine State Police) Law enforcement in Maine are seeking the public assistance in identifying the person in this image captured on a security camera. (Photo/Maine State Police) Kailie Brackett, also a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, told Native News Online earlier this week that she and Neptune, who she called Kimba, were best friends for the past 24 years. She was the closest person to me on this planet, besides my son, Brackett said. Even my father called her his other daughter. Kimba was such a great person with a heart of gold. Brackett said the community of Perry has been impacted by the Neptunes death. Our entire community is broken and in fear, Brackett said. The cops are working hard to solve this, which we all appreciate because our community will never be the same without Kimba. Maine State Police released a photo captured from a neighbors surveillance camera with an image of a person walking by apartment building where Neptune lived and are seeking anyone with information to come forward. Anyone with information about the death of Kimberly Neptune is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-973-3700 and leave a message for Detective Larry Anderson. About the Author: "" Contact: office@nativenewsonline.net Ainoa Cerdeira Gonzalez let strangers write on her body for a school project. (Photo: Lidia Sarmiento Arguelles) When Parsons School of Design freshman Ainoa Cerdeira Gonzalez was tasked with creating a final project for her Mental Health by Design class, she knew she wanted to create something impactful. "I started off by working on doing some posters," Cerdeira Gonzalez tells Yahoo Life. "I was doing different sketches. I was thinking about maybe doing a short film in which I would be like interacting with different people." But then, she says she realized,"I just wanted to take it to the next level." That's when the interior-design major decided to use her body as the canvas, turning her personal struggles with body shaming into an opportunity to raise awareness about the issue. Strangers were encouraged to write the mean phrases they have heard about their own bodies onto Cerdeira Gonzalez's. (Photo: Lidia Sarmiento Arguelles) "Body shaming is something that is affecting the mental health of many individuals," says the New Yorkbased student and model. "As it becomes more severe, it can cause anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in those who get judged on their physical appearance, and I personally struggled with body shaming in the past comments like, 'Do you eat' or 'You're way too skinny, or 'You look anorexic,' 'You're as flat as a table.'" She says she decided to provide a visual representation of the real-world ways in which body shaming can manifest itself. "I did this sign that said, 'College girls, if you've ever been body shamed, what were you told? Feel free to write it on my body!'" She then held the sign above her head as she stood out in public in bustling Washington Square Park, to be exact in shorts and a bandeau top, allowing young women to write the comments onto her skin. Her project gained further attention on Instagram, where photographer and fashion editor Scott Schuman posted an image of Cerdeira Gonzalez to his 1.1 million followers, drawing both praise and criticism and over 8,600 likes. At some point during her three hours in the park, she opened up her invitation to young men, as well. Story continues "As I was standing there, this guy came up to me, he was like, 'You know, we get body-shamed, too,' and I was like, 'That's true,'" she explains. "I did some research, but I was also a little scared of boys writing on my body, but after I heard that comment, I was like, you know what? I might open up this project to like, everyone." That's when she folded down the portion of her poster that said "college girls," drawing even more responses. "More boys started coming up and writing, so that was very impactful to see that it's not only the girls," the student says. "Sometimes, on social media, it seems that it's just the girls who get body shamed, but in reality, it's not. It applies to both genders." As courageous as the endeavor was, she was admittedly worried about how it would all go down. The student wanted the message to be shared through her body. (Photo: Lidia Sarmiento Arguelles) "I was very nervous about doing this project, because I didn't know how people were going to react or if people were actually going to interact with me," Cerdeira Gonzalez says. She was also wary of putting her insecurities on display in front of a large audience. "I was like, it's gonna be very tough to do this, because I struggle with my body image. But at the same time, I was like, it's going to be so powerful if I let other people express themselves about their bodies on my body. I just wanted to give it more importance, but at the same time, approach it in a different manner in which people could be able to express freely." Her reservations were eased as people began to confide in her and write some of the harmful phrases they'd heard. Soon, she says, "This project literally got me in tears." The three-hour project took place in Washington Square Park in New York City. (Photo: Lidia Sarmiento Arguelles) Though she is a model, Cerdeira Gonzalez says she struggles with seeing herself in the positive light that others do. "I was looking through the [social media] comments, and I saw that some people were saying, like, 'Oh, she's a model, how can she be portraying feelings of being body shamed?' and, 'She's probably never been body-shamed before,'" she says, stressing that it's just not the case. "I was body-shamed by people from my personal life my family members, closest friends, even my ex-boyfriend," Cerdeira Gonzalez says, adding that the hurtful words had lingering effects that she is still working through today. "It really affected me in a way in which I feel like I have a very unhealthy relationship with food." Now she's working on a short film about her experience of doing the project. "There are some clips of girls hugging me and thanking me, and there are others where I'm crying, because it was very emotional," she says. "I believe that this topic really needs to be addressed." Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Reuters TAOS, N.M. (Reuters) -Firefighters in New Mexico begged holdout residents of a mountain village to evacuate on Sunday, before the United States' largest active wildfire races up a valley that is their only way out. Many have ignored requests to leave as they stayed on to defend centuries-old homes and ranches in Chacon, the village about 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Santa Fe, with a population of around 200. As the fire rapidly burned through forest 8 miles (13 km) away, firefighters and police warned people they would not be able to see or breathe once the blaze was upon them. By Stevo Vasiljevic CETINJE, Montenegro (Reuters) - Montenegro's parliament on Thursday approved a new government, comprising moderate parties that are both pro-European and pro-Serb, led by Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic, who said its key goal will be to unblock reforms needed to join the European Union. The new minority government secured the support of 46 deputies in the 81-seat parliament, which means it may face difficulties in pushing through key laws that must be backed by a two-third majority. "The new government will rest on two main pillars, the rule of law and economic development," Abazovic said. "Montenegro needs political and social stability above all." The new government replaces the cabinet of former prime minister Zdravko Krivokapic following a no-confidence motion. Montenegro, a NATO member which began accession negotiations with the EU in 2012, is deeply divided between conservative pro-Serb and pro-Russian parties with links to the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church, and civic-oriented pro-EU parties. The conservative pro-Serb parties boycotted the vote on the new government. Abazovic, whose civic party URA was a member of the former ruling coalition, was among critics of the former government over its sluggish handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, poor record in attracting investment and a slowdown in European integration. He told lawmakers the new government's main focus will be the reforms required by the EU so that Montenegro can ask to speed up its accession process in the light of the new situation created by the war in Ukraine. Montenegro has joined EU sanctions against the Russian invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military operation". Abazovic said that five government priorities will be the fight against corruption, more sustainable investments and development, protection of environment and better care for children and the youth. (Reporting by Stevo Vasiljevic, writing by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) Sen. Lisa Murkowskis (R-Alaska) said in a new interview it is possible she loses her reelection bid to a rubber-stamp Republican. I may be the last man standing. I may not be re-elected, the senator told The New York Times. It may be that Alaskans say, Nope, we want to go with an absolute, down-the-line, always, always, 100-percent, never-question, rubber-stamp Republican. And if they say that thats the way that Alaska has gone kind of the same direction that so many other parts of the country have gone I have to accept that, she added. But Im going to give them the option. Murkowski, who represents a historically independent state, has been known to split with Republicans on important votes, most recently including her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the bench. She has relied on her bipartisanship and willingness to break from the Republican Party as an asset, the Times noted, but her vote to impeach former President Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot sparked pushback from his supporters. In response, Trump has put his endorsement and support behind a challenger to Murkowski, former Alaska Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka. Kelly Tshibaka is the candidate who can beat Murkowski and she will, Trump wrote last year. Murkowski has got to go! Murkowski, meanwhile, has received support from more establishment Republicans, such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Youve got to demonstrate that there are other possibilities, that there is a different reality and maybe it wont work, Murkowski told the Times. Maybe I am just completely politically naive, and this ship has sailed. But I wont know unless we unless I stay out there and give Alaskans the opportunity to weigh in. In her first quarter in 2022, Murkowski raised $1.5 million, leaving her with $5.2 million in cash on hand. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called on the country's military to "bolster up their strength in every way to annihilate the enemy", state media reported on Friday, as new satellite imagery showed increased preparations for a possible nuclear test. Kim made the remarks during photo sessions with troops, state media broadcasters, and others involved in a massive military parade staged on Monday, which marked the 90th anniversary of the army's founding. Photos released by state media showed Kim perched on a white horse and wearing a white, military-style tunic with gold trim as he reviewed the troops. Monday's parade had featured several of the North's latest missiles, including its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-17, and a recently tested hypersonic missile. The display demonstrated the "modernity, heroism and radical development of the armed forces of the Republic and their matchless military and technological superiority," Kim told troops at the photo session, state news agency KCNA reported. North Korea says it opposes war and that its weapons are for self-defence, but at Monday's parade Kim said the mission of its nuclear force goes beyond deterring war to also include defending the nation's "fundamental interests." Last month North Korea resumed testing its largest ICBMs, and there are signs it could soon test a nuclear weapon for the first time since 2017. "Current satellite imagery indicates that preparations are well underway and should not be discounted as insignificant activity," the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said in a report on Thursday. Analysts and South Korean and U.S. officials have said that the North appears to be restoring Tunnel No. 3 at its Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, used for underground nuclear blasts before it was closed in 2018 amid denuclearisation talks with Washington and Seoul. Story continues Kim has since said the country is no longer bound by that self-imposed moratorium on tests, but North Korea has not commented on the work or confirmed its purpose. Commercial satellite imagery from Monday shows construction of new buildings, movement of lumber, and an increase in equipment and supplies immediately outside the new entrance to Tunnel No. 3, CSIS said. "The date of a seventh nuclear test will undoubtedly depend exclusively upon the personal decision of Kim Jong Un," the report said. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Sandra Maler) NEW JERSEY Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities have received more than $12 million in fines during the pandemic. With more than 8,000 COVID deaths of residents and staff in longterm-care facilities, public documents and testimony reveal the state's early-pandemic struggles and how officials hope to prevent future outbreaks. The Assembly Budget Committee held a 2-1/2-hour hearing Monday with State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. The state's top health official outlined and defended the New Jersey Department of Health's pandemic response, especially when it came to nursing homes. "We got hit hard and fast by a novel virus, never before seen in humans, and we were building the plane as we were flying it, as the governor has said," Persichilli said. "Decisions were made based on prior viruses that were far more predictable." Nearly 30 percent of New Jersey's confirmed COVID deaths link to longterm-care facilities, with 8,559 residents and 149 employees dying from the virus. Here's what Persichilli's testimony and the Office of Legislative Service's budget analysis revealed about the health department's response: 1. $12.1 million in fines. Noncompliant New Jersey nursing homes received a combined $12.1 million in fines from fiscal year 2020-22. The federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services imposed $11.9 million of those fines, while $250,000 came from the state. That's because the state doesn't impose a double fine after a nursing home gets federally fined. Officials have not revealed which nursing homes were fined. But federal regulators fined a nursing home Andover Subacute & Rehab Center Two in Sussex County $220,235 in May 2020 after more than a dozen bodies were removed from a "makeshift morgue." Read more: 'Makeshift Morgue' Nursing Home In NJ Fined $220K 2. Most deaths came early in the pandemic. Seventy-eight percent of nursing home deaths from the virus occurred in March and April 2020, according to Persichilli. Story continues 3. Keeping up with complaints. The health department conducted 5,211 inspections of longterm-care facilities from March 2020-22, with more than 1,600 triggered by complaints. The remainder involved routine surveys and inspections focused on infection-control practices, according to officials. Inspections have become more frequent, coming at a higher cost. In 2017, the health department conducted 2,305 inspections of health facilities, including 821 in longterm-care facilities, costing $11 million. Last year, the department conducted 3,696 inspections, including 1,293 in longterm-care centers, costing $16.6 million. 4. Outbreak response plans. All but 34 facilities have provided the state with outbreak-response plans. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued notices to noncomplying facilities to take back a percentage of each home's COVID-related 10 percent Medicaid-rate increase. 5. 'Mission Critical Teams' Gov. Phil Murphy's budget proposed $500,000 to create Mission Critical Teams within the health department to intervene when longterm-care facilities show signs of distress, including declining quality of care. The team would likely consist of four people with expertise in the matter who would get discharged to facilities "to assess, evaluate, and recalibrate before a crisis ensues," according to the budget analysis. 6. Vaccine numbers, mandates and lost jobs. Longterm-care facilities are among the few workplaces with a COVID vaccine mandate for employees in New Jersey. Workers had until March 30 to submit proof that they at least completed their initial vaccination series. They must also receive a booster shot during a timeframe in which they become eligible. As of April 11, 93.6 percent of employees were fully vaccinated, with 77.9 percent receiving a booster shot. The health department is "not aware" of the number of longterm-care facility employees who resigned or got fired for noncompliance with the vaccine regulation and does not track that number, according to the budget analysis. The health department also "does not have any specific information on staffing shortages due to the vaccine mandate." As far as longterm-care facility residents go, 91.6 percent completed their primary vaccination series, with 85.5 percent boosted. NJ Nursing Homes Fined $12M During Pandemic: What We Know originally appeared on the Parsippany Patch A senator from Rep. Madison Cawthorn's home state has called for the congressman to be investigated for his undeclared crypto purchases. Chris Seward/AP Republican Senator Thom Tillis has called for Rep. Madison Cawthorn to be investigated. Tillis said that Cawthorn "owes North Carolinians an explanation" about his crypto investments. Tillis previously chastised Cawthorn for embarrassing the state with "juvenile behavior." Republican Senator Thom Tillis has called for Congress to conduct a bipartisan investigation of his House colleague, Rep. Madison Cawthorn, over the latter's undeclared cryptocurrency purchases. Tillis, who also represents North Carolina, said on Wednesday that Cawthorn's possible violation of congressional insider-trading laws needs to be looked into by the House Ethics Committee. "Insider trading by a member of Congress is a serious betrayal of their oath, and Congressman Cawthorn owes North Carolinians an explanation," Tillis tweeted. Cawthorn is suspected of possibly violating a federal conflict-of-interest law called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK). Congress members must, by law, publicly declare their cryptocurrency trades worth more than $1,000 in their transaction reports. The Washington Examiner reported on Tuesday that Cawthorn publicly declared that he had purchased a meme coin called "Let's Go Brandon," named after an anti-Biden chant. On December 29, Cawthorn was seen at an event with James Koutoulas, one of the people behind the crypto coin, per the outlet. The following day, Brandon Brown, the NASCAR driver for whom the coin was named, said that the cryptocurrency would sponsor him, causing its value to skyrocket. However, Cawthorn did not disclose his purchase of the cryptocurrency to Congress. Despite representing the same party in the same state, Tillis has come out strongly to oppose Cawthorn. For one, a super PAC tied to Tillis spent $300,000 on an advertising campaign against Cawthorn, pushing the message that the Cawthorn "lies for the limelight." Tillis was also one of the Republican leaders who chastised Cawthorn after the lawmaker claimed he had witnessed "sexual perversion" and drug use among his Congress colleagues. Story continues Responding to Cawthorn's allegations, Tillis said the congressman had demonstrated "a consistent pattern of juvenile behavior, outlandish statements, and untruthfulness." In the same statement, Tillis threw his weight behind Cawthorn's primary challenger, Chuck Edwards. Cawthorn has been the subject of a series of scandals. Besides his orgy claims, he was also the subject of a recent Politico article that ran photos showing him decked out in lingerie, which he dismissed as "goofy vacation photos." Cawthorn was also cited this week for bringing a loaded gun into the Charlotte airport. This was the second time Cawthorn had been found with a gun in his carry-on luggage, having also been cited at the Asheville Regional Airport in February last year. Read the original article on Business Insider Abortion-rights activists supporting legal access to abortion protest outside the US Supreme Court on March 4, 2020. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images Ohio's legislature is considering a "trigger law" that would ban abortion if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. The bill makes performing an abortion a fourth degree felony and imposes new restrictions on doctors. An Ohio legislator said that a pregnancy resulting from rape could be an "opportunity" for the victim. An Ohio state legislator said that a pregnancy resulting from rape could be an "opportunity" for the person who was assaulted during a hearing on a bill that would ban abortion in the state should the US Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade this summer. In a legislative hearing on Wednesday, the bill's sponsor, Republican State Rep. Jean Schmidt, defended the legislation's lack of an exception for victims of rape. "It is a shame that it happens, but there's an opportunity for that woman, no matter how young or old she is, to make a determination about what she's going to do to help that life be a productive human being," Schmidt said. The lawmaker was responding to a question by Democratic State Rep. Richard Brown, who asked Schmidt about a hypothetical scenario in which a 13-year-old girl became pregnant due to rape. "If a 13-year-old girl was raped by a serial rapist ... this bill would require this 13-year-old to carry this felon's fetus to term, regardless of any emotional or psychological damage or trauma that may be inflicted upon this 13-year-old girl," Brown said. In response, Schmidt said, "rape is a difficult issue," but continued that "if a baby is created, it is a human life, and whether that mother ends that pregnancy or not, the scars will not go away, period." The longstanding federal precedent established by Roe v. Wade guarantees a constitutional right to an abortion until the point of fetal viability, or about 23-25 weeks of pregnancy. Both supporters and opponents of abortion are closely watching a case before the conservative-controlled Supreme Court that defies this standard, and whether the justices will undermine or overturn the precedent set by Roe. Story continues Should HB 598, which has yet to pass either chamber of the Ohio legislature, become law it would not go into effect unless the Supreme Court overturns the precedent set by Roe v. Wade. The bill makes performing an abortion a fourth degree felony, and criminalizes the use of medication abortions. The proposed legislation also states that two doctors who don't work together must sign off on an abortion, unless it is determined that the mother is at risk of death and injury. Doctors may perform abortions only in the case where a mother's life is at risk, but the bill does not define these circumstances, prompting concerns from Democrats that the language would lead to confusion about when a doctor could provide life-saving care. Democratic State Rep. Beth Liston asked Schmidt if the bill would prevent doctors from providing care for dangerous pregnancy-related conditions, such as an ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. "When you are looking at ectopic pregnancies or other issues, it generally is not immediate in that you can't have a 24-hour notice to prep for it, because the individual has to be emotionally ready for losing their child, the possibility of losing their child," Schmidt says. Ectopic pregnancies do not result in a viable pregnancy, and if they rupture, the potential hemorrhaging can lead to injury or death to a pregnant person if not immediately treated. In 2019, a different Republican state lawmaker in Ohio introduced a now-defunct bill that required doctors to "reimplant" ectopic pregnancies. The bill came under intense criticism from medical professionals, and the treatments it claimed to require were "science fiction," Daniel Grossman, an OB/GYN and director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health at the University of California at San Francisco, told the Washington Post. That same year, Ohio passed an unconstitutional "heartbeat bill," which banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The law was quickly blocked by a federal judge. Schmidt's office did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Xi congratulates first innovation exchange conference for craftsmen Xinhua) 08:13, April 28, 2022 BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the First Innovation Exchange Conference for Craftsmen of the Nation, which opened in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for contributing wisdom and strength to high-quality development and the implementation of the strategy to build the country into a leader in manufacturing. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended sincere greetings to skilled workers, model workers and general workers ahead of the International Labor Day. Xi stressed that skilled workers are a significant force to shore up China's manufacturing and innovation. Encouraging workers to strive to meet the needs of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation in today's world, Xi called on them to continuously enhance technical skills and contribute wisdom and strength to promoting high-quality development, implementing the strategy of making China a leader in manufacturing, and building a modern socialist country in all respects. Party committees and governments at all levels should deepen reforms in the cultivation of industrial workers and attach importance to giving play to the roles of skilled workers to fully stimulate their innovation capacity, Xi said. Held by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the conference showcases the superb skills and innovation outcomes of Chinese workers, and serves as an exchange platform for highly-skilled workers. Let craftsmanship and innovation prevail Full text of Xi Jinping's letter to the First Innovation Exchange Conference for Craftsmen of the Nation (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) A woman has been sentenced to 180 days in jail after she dragged a puppy behind a vehicle for at least a mile last year in Ross County. According to a social media post from the the Ross County Humane Society, Cynthia Temple-Colburn of Waverly was found guilty of felony animal cruelty on Monday. >> I just want them back; Springfield dry cleaning customers left high and dry after store closes Temple-Colburn was indicted and found guilty after reports that she knowingly dragged a puppy on a leash behind her vehicle for one mile on a county road on July 6, 2021, the humane society said. The female puppy, known as Blake by the humane society staff, died as a result of the trauma. The Ross County Dog Warden and the humane society took her to the North Folk Animal Clinic, our news partners at WBNS in Columbus reported. According to doctors, the dog sustained multiple severe injuries, including a large open wound on the abdomen and damage to her toes and paw pads to the point that they were missing, WBNS reported. >> Man who killed 3 people in Dayton homicides convicted; sentencing next month The dog was then taken to the Ohio State University Veterinary Clinic for further treatment. She later died due to the severity of her injuries, the station reported. The humane society said the judge handed down the maximum sentence, which also included restitution for medical bills in the amount of $775.37, completing 200 hours of community service, a $2,500 fine and prohibited from ever owning a companion animal again. While we wish the circumstances had never occurred, its good to see the message sent that animal abuse will not be tolerated in our community, said Jenn Thomas, Executive Director of the Ross County Humane Society. Thomas also encouraged the community to continue to report any cases of animal abuse or neglect. The Oklahoma Senate approved a near-total ban on abortions Thursday, while the state House passed a bill that will ban all abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy. Both bills are modeled after a similar law passed in Texas last year that bans abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in the fetus, which is around six weeks, and allows private citizens to sue anyone who "aids and abets" an abortion. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who said earlier this month that "he wants to outlaw abortion in the state of Oklahoma," could sign both bills in the coming days. The bill passed by the Senate on Thursday will ban all abortions except for in cases of rape, incest, or a medical emergency. It also allows private individuals to "bring a civil action against any person who aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion." The bill passed by the House also allows civil action to be taken. OKLAHOMA HOUSE PASSES NEAR-TOTAL ABORTION BAN The U.S. 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed challenges to Texas's law this week and the U.S. Supreme Court has so far declined to intervene. It's the second and third anti-abortion bills to clear the Oklahoma legislature after Gov. Stitt signed a bill earlier this month that makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to a decade in prison. "I promised Oklahomans that I would sign every pro-life bill that hits my desk, and thats what were doing here today," Stitt said at the time. The bill passed in early April won't go into effect until this summer and could be struck down by a legal challenge, but both bills passed Thursday have an "emergency" provision that will allow them to take effect immediately. DESANTIS SIGNS 15-WEEK ABORTION BAN INTO LAW Planned Parenthood said Thursday that they "are going to court to stop this ban." "We have been in the middle of a crisis for the last seven months as Texans have been forced to leave their home states for care and now Oklahomans may have to do the same," Emily Wales, the interim president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, said in a statement earlier this month. "Its unconscionable." Story continues Idaho passed its own Texas-style abortion ban in March, but the state Supreme Court temporarily blocked it before it went into effect. Pro-life protesters stand near the gate of the Texas state capitol at a protest outside the Texas state capitol on May 29, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Sergio Flores/Getty Images The law in Texas led to a dramatic decrease in abortions in the state last year and an increase in Texans going across the border to Oklahoma. Before the Texas law took effect, about 40 women from Texas had abortions in Oklahoma each year, but that number rose to more 200 a month in September and October, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Manchester PFL featherweight Brendan Loughnane (Getty Images) Sometimes youre sat in the back, thinking: Im actually about to go out there and do this again. And the higher level the opponent is, the more scary it gets. Mate, its wild. Its wild. Its rare to hear a fighter speak so candidly about the nerves fear, even that can accompany a fight night and the entire build-up to a bout. But Brendan Loughnanes honesty rivals his in-ring qualities. The Manchester featherweight has compiled a 21-4 record in his 12 years as a professional mixed martial artist, with 13 of his wins coming via stoppage and three of his four defeats going down as split decisions. In June 2019, Loughnane achieved a comprehensive points victory on the UFCs Contender Series show but was denied a contract with the promotion by president Dana White despite viewers falling in love with Loughnanes dynamic, versatile striking and impressive range management. The 32-year-old had established himself as one of the sports hottest prospects, however, and soon signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which utilises a unique play-off format and offers each of its champions a $1million winners cheque. Loughnane won his first two fights in the American promotion before the Covid pandemic disrupted the 2020 season, forcing the Briton to wait until 2021 for his first real shot at gold and glory in the PFL. Loughnane followed a first-round KO win with a decision victory to reach the featherweight semi-finals, where he suffered the narrowest of points defeats by undefeated Dagestani Movlid Khaybulaev the eventual champion. Its hard when the fights are so close together, Loughnane tells The Independent ahead of his season-opening clash with Ryoji Kudo in Texas this Thursday. I broke my hand in the play-off, right, and I had surgery and two double-plates put in there. I had five weeks until the next fight. Loughnane lands a knee en route to outpointing Tyler Diamond last year (Getty Images) The [doctor] said: Thats unheard of; its three months before you can even do any impact [training]. I said: Ive got four weeks. Thats what I had to go through mentally and physically. I had to fight a 19-0 Dagestani killer with one hand. Its the hardest thing Ive ever done, and its gonna be again this year. Im nervous about doing it again but Im excited. Story continues While the PFL season is unforgiving in its scheduling, it is offset by an off-season that provides its own benefits including time to heal both injuries and personal relationships. I took a good month or two of doing nothing, then got back into slow training, Loughnane says. And I patched up all my friendships and relationships as well because youre away [in the US] for six months of the year, and youre very emotionally and physically invested in the task at hand. Do Loughnanes friends and family understand the reality of what he is undertaking could any of them ever truly comprehend it? People will never, ever understand how hard it is until theyve actually done it, he stresses. Cutting 15-20lbs in the space of one or two weeks, doing that four times in the space of five months, fighting world-class fighters so frequently, being away from your family, the diet, the anxiety around your opponent... People dont see that, they just see a product on TV. They just say, Oh, he doesnt look good tonight, or, He lost that one. In 2021, Loughnane returned to the ring five weeks after breaking his hand (Getty Images) You can speak to people about it, but... The guy I last fought, I went for dinner with him in Dubai. He said: Its the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life, I had to leave my family. Thats someone I can talk to about it. But if I talk to my mum about it and say, It's really hard this, yes, shell feel sorry for me and shell help me through the journey, but its only me who truly knows the cost physically, mentally, emotionally. Your friendships, too it gets hard... Youre away for six months, I havent got kids for that reason, but there are fighters in this tournament who have kids and families. Its exceptionally difficult for them, so fair play to them for getting through it. I ask whether Loughnane, at 32, ever sees himself having children, and whether his fight dream has distorted any dreams he had for his life when he was younger. I just take every day as it comes, he says. I dont think: I want kids... I dont want kids... Of course I want kids eventually, but I dont think: This is the year. Im so obsessed with my profession that women dont get in the way, lifestyle doesnt get in the way; everything is so focused on singularity. I missed the title barely last year, I will not be missing it this year. The 2022 PFL season began on 20 April. Channel 4 will be the exclusive UK broadcaster ofthe PFLs inaugural Challenger Series, along with the 2022 PFL regular season, play-offs and world championship. In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Penske Automotive Group The calculation We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$1.22b US$168.9m US$573.0m US$779.0m US$896.9m US$983.4m US$1.06b US$1.12b US$1.17b US$1.21b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 9.64% Est @ 7.33% Est @ 5.7% Est @ 4.57% Est @ 3.77% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% US$1.1k US$144 US$450 US$565 US$600 US$607 US$602 US$587 US$566 US$542 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$5.8b Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.9%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.4%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2031 (1 + g) (r g) = US$1.2b (1 + 1.9%) (8.4% 1.9%) = US$19b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$19b ( 1 + 8.4%)10= US$8.6b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$14b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$98.9, the company appears quite good value at a 47% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf Important assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Penske Automotive Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.520. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Next Steps: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Penske Automotive Group, we've put together three further items you should explore: Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Penske Automotive Group (at least 1 which shouldn't be ignored) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does PAG's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. On Wednesday evening, the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors approved changes to the districts state-required Health and Safety Plan, making masking in schools optional. The district originally planned to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions current guidelines, which state that masking is no longer recommended for schools in communities with low to medium risk of COVID-19 spread. However, during the meeting, a board member proposed an amendment that when COVID levels rise to medium transmission risk, masking will go back into place. That amendment was passed. So, when will PPS switch to mask optional? Originally, the change was proposed to start on Thursday, but a board member raised concern that it wouldnt give families enough time, especially those that have a student with disabilities, to make accommodations. Now, the start date for mask optional has been moved to next week. According to the district, changes to the plan also include updates to the Districts Decision Tree, which will decrease the number of days of isolation from 10 days to at least a full five days until symptoms improve and no fever is present for at least 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication. Students and staff who end isolation may return to school with the strict use of a well-fitting mask on days six to 10. It is preferred that individuals do rapid antigen testing upon return on day six, if possible, especially if they cannot wear a well-fitted mask. The district announced to staff and families that the changes to the Health and Safety Plan and COVID-19 Decision Tree will be shared this week. TRENDING NOW: Here are the top high schools in the Pittsburgh area, according to new 2022 rankings Pittsburgh man sentenced after violating supervised release by attempting a trip to Jamaica A new taco restaurant is set to open at the Ross Park Mall VIDEO: Man shot inside home when someone fired through basement window DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak Read also: 64th day of Putin's war. U.S. passes Lend-Lease for Ukraine, Russian missiles strike Kyiv during UN visit The current intensity of conflict will continue on Russias outskirts, said Podolyak. Panic will grow and spread there, conflicts will flare up, warehouses and depots will continue to explode; all this will only intensify, he said. Podolyak added that Russias demilitarization will only ramp up in the coming weeks, especially in areas close to the Ukrainian border. Those fuel depots that will keep exploding will be Russia starting to make its war debt payments. Read also: Ammo depot near Russias Belgorod is on fire Russia has in recent weeks suffered a series of explosions and fires at oil depots and military arms depots in its Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts, which neighbor Ukrainian territory. Ukraine is widely thought to be responsible for the accidents, and is believed to have attacked them with helicopters and missiles, but Kyiv has not said it was behind the incidents so far. A New Smyrna Beach caregiver was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexually assaulting an elderly patient in his care. Police said they were called to Timberlane Lodge Assisted Living Facility in New Smyrna Beach just after 4:30 p.m., after getting a report of a caretaker assaulting a patient in the home. Detectives said a caretaker told them that they saw 51-year-old Billy J. Bunn assaulting an elderly dementia patient whom he was caring for. Read: Deputies: Man shoots, injures 2 young people during car break-in After being caught by the other caretaker, Bunn ran from the home and was later found in Daytona Beach. Read: Man shot, killed by deputies in Target parking lot Bunn was arrested and booked into the Volusia County Jail on a $5,000 bond. In a statement, Bunns employer VITAS Healthcare, said they were assisting authorities with the investigation. Read full statement below: We take any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously. We are working closely with local authorities investigation, while we conduct our own internal review. Our patients health and well-being are at the heart of everything we do. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Daily Beast Lauderdale County SheriffAlabama jail guard Vicky White fatally shot herself as she and escaped murder suspect Casey White were being chased by law enforcement in Indiana on Monday, ending an extraordinary 11 days on the run that captivated the nation.Weve captured them, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding said in Evansville, Indiana, a five-hour drive from the Florence, Alabama, lockup the pair had vanished from.Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton, Vicky Whites former boss, told re Prima Facie marks Comer's second theatre role, and first in the West End Critics have hailed Jodie Comer's West End debut, describing her performance in Prima Facie as "phenomenal". The Liverpool-born actress was widely praised, but many critics were less positive about the play itself. "What a truly stunning debut it is," said Deadline. "Comer is phenomenal and commands the stage." But Time Out added: "It's just a bummer the play's not better. For all Comer's charisma, the text is stodgy, and the drama ponderous and lacking nuance." Prima Facie is a one-woman show focusing on Tessa (Comer), a barrister who specialises in defending people accused of sexual assault. But when she is date-raped by a colleague, Tessa begins questioning the legal system as she becomes the plaintiff in a trial herself. The play was a pre-pandemic hit in Australia before transferring to London's Harold Pinter Theatre "West End debuts don't come much more astonishing than this solo tour de force by Jodie Comer," said The Telegraph's Dominic Cavendish in his four-star review. "In the face of Comer's triumphant leap into the live acting arena, I was mainly left wanting to see her on stage more; she's in her element, and can work wonders." The play, by Australian-British writer Suzie Miller, was a hit when it opened down under before the pandemic. For its transfer to London's Harold Pinter Theatre, the character of Tessa has been tweaked so she is from a working-class Liverpudlian background. "I'd wondered if the famously good-with-accents actor would 'go Australian' but Miller has probably wisely tweaked the script," noted Time Out's Andrzej Lukowski in a three-star review. "Here, Comer speaks in an affectedly sanded-down version of her own Scouse accent, like Tessa has deliberately smoothed out her vowels in the name of blending in with her posher peers." Story continues He continued: "It's understandable that Comer wanted to kick off her stage career with a meaty 100-minute monologue about something she feels passionate about. If all famous actors simply went for the best play possible, we'd be stuck with even more Hamlet. With Prima Facie, Jodie Comer had something to prove about herself, and something she wanted to say about the world, and she's done both." Jodie Comer has appeared in four seasons of Killing Eve, alongside Sandra Oh The play, directed by Justin Martin, is sold out for its two-month run in the West End but will be broadcast in cinemas around the UK in June. In a four-star review, The Evening Standard's Nick Curtis said Comer "absolutely storms the West End". "Her commitment made the production happen and kept it alive through delays. We all wanted to know if she's as good live on stage as she is on screen. And the answer is no: she's better." "Suzie Miller's script is a great vehicle rather than a truly great play, however - shrewd and economical in its analysis of how the system treats assault survivors, but schematic in its plotting." Sam Marlowe of iNews was slightly less positive , awarding the show three stars, but still praised Comer's "terrifically tough, supple performance". "If the play, for all its conviction, sheds little new light on an egregious - and worsening - issue, she blazes," she said. "Tension and a growing dread and anger are ramped up by music by Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, her snagging, staticky beats, vibrating harmonies and defiant lyrics infusing Miller's somewhat pedestrian writing with a pulsing urgency." Comer is usually known for her film and TV credits, such as Killing Eve, The Last Duel, Help, Doctor Foster and Free Guy. Prima Facie marks her West End debut and only her second theatre role, after performing in The Price of Everything in 2010. Comer won an Emmy in 2019 for her performance in Killing Eve as Russian assassin Villanelle The Daily Mail's Patrick Marmion wrote: "Comer blows us away in a ferocious yet forensic performance that's related in a blizzard of quickly shifting perspectives. "In the end, however, Miller's play is kicking down an open door. It's a rightly furious polemic designed to ignite anger and outrage. "But questions remain. Is it really more important to give plaintiffs the benefit of a doubt, or to carefully examine their evidence? And what does 'a male-defined system of truth' really mean? How we break the deadlock of claim and counter-claim isn't considered." In a four-star review. The Times' Dominic Maxwell said: "Nothing can quite prepare you for the range, energy, resilience, emotional clarity and sheer presence [Comer] offers. "If it's a great case study rather than a great play exactly, the cumulative effect is still quite something. Comer brings it to life in a way that suggests she has it in her to be a true stage great." The play's two-month run has sold out but it will be released in cinemas in June Sarah Crompton of WhatsOnStage also awarded the show four stars, writing: "With Comer as its protagonist, blazing away, it is impossible to avert your gaze. She brings its arguments to forceful life and in the process creates an unforgettable moment of theatre. "She has the ability to communicate many conflicting emotions simultaneously: she is funny when she is vomiting down a loo, but also utterly vulnerable and terrified; when she describes her mother she is both loving and ashamed. Each thought and emotion registers not only in her face, but in her body. "She seems to imprint things onto herself before speaking. By the end of the play, she doesn't even look like the woman who began it." Deadline's Baz Bamigboye noted the actress has received standing ovations during preview performances. "What a truly stunning debut it is. Comer is phenomenal and commands the stage... giving a fearless, faultless performance as Tessa." "She roars through Suzie Miller's script," agreed The Guardian's Arifa Akbar. "The play roars, too, sometimes too loudly in its polemic, but Comer works overtime to elevate these moments. "Comer's performance compensates for the clompy-footed parts of Miller's script, which falls into a loudly lecturing tone at the end. But Prima Facie's final messages are urgent in highlighting who our laws fail to protect." Edgewater developer Fred Daibes, whose projects helped transform the borough into Bergen Countys piece of the Hudson River Gold Coast, pleaded guilty on Wednesday before a federal judge to federal banking crimes. Daibes appeared via Zoom to submit his plea agreement with the United States attorney for the District of New Jersey, despite denying any wrongdoing in May 2019. Daibes was indicted on multiple counts in 2018 for alleged conspiracy to circumvent lending limits set by Mariner's Bank, which he founded in 2001. He and Michael McManus, the chief financial officer of Daibes Enterprises, allegedly used others not named in the indictment to secure millions of dollars in loans which were used for Daibes' benefit without the knowledge of the bank or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The scheme ran from 2008 through 2013. Daibes admitted to receiving more than $1 million in gross receipts from Mariner's Bank, pleading guilty to making false entries in a loan memorandum. Daibes' guilty plea was to a single count of the original indictment, which charges that the 2008 memo for a $1.8 million nominee loan falsely stated the borrower and the source of repayment when the line of credit was actually for Daibes, who funded the repayment. Lawrence Lustberg, attorney for Daibes, said his client will be sentenced to probation and the rest of the charges against him are being dismissed. Lustberg called the plea agreement "favorable." According to the agreement, the charge to which Daibes pleaded carries a maximum penalty of 30 years and a fine of at least $1 million. Lustberg said Daibes "is very happy that he is putting this matter, which has gone on for so many years, behind him." He said Daibes regretted allowing the loan application to go before Mariner's Bank without saying he would receive the money from the line of credit. "And as Mr. Daibes told the Court, he especially regrets that he did not recuse himself from voting on it, as he did, in fact, do with respect to the loan extensions thereafter," Lustberg said. "As the majority owner of the Bank, he always wanted to do right by it and believes that he did so for many years; he is sorry to have broken the rules in this case but believes that the punishment that is being imposed fits the offense and thankfully brings finality to this matter." Story continues The plea is a major step in bringing the long-running criminal matter to a close, years after it thrust the high-profile developer and the bank he founded into scandal. McManus case is pending, but in 2019, prominent Gold Coast developer James Demetrakis a business partner of Daibes was sentenced to two years' probation for his part in the loan scheme. He was also assessed a $75,000 fine. Demetrakis had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deceive a financial institution and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Daibes is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 7 before United States District Judge Susan D. Wigenton. Mariners Bank, meanwhile, has been sold, merging last year with Spencer Savings Bank. Daibes served as chairman of Mariner's Bancorp, the parent company of Mariner's Bank, until resigning early in 2019. That same year, Daibes expressed confidence that he would prevail against the federal bank charges. "We will be vindicated," Daibes said in a 2019 interview. "I'm being accused of trying to defraud the bank I owned over 90 percent of." At the time, he attributed Demetrakis plea in the matter to his age, 79 at the time: "I believe he's older and just didn't have the fight in him," Daibes said in the interview. The successful waterfront developer said at the time that the indictment initially hurt his standing with banks but that Daibes Enterprises was "working it out." Daibes is perhaps best known for his role in reshaping once-sleepy Edgewater where he worked early-on as a dishwasher and bartender at the old Binghamton ferryboat restaurant with his many construction projects. That included the upscale St. Moritz, which he sold for $120 million in 2014. The year before the sale, he was the victim of an armed home invasion robbery in his luxury penthouse in the building, a multimillion-dollar heist of cash, jewelry and other valuables. Daibes' reach also extends to residential and other projects outside of Edgewater, including the Mahwah municipal building. In 2001, the Mariner's Bank headquarters opened across from Edgewater's old borough hall. It grew during the real estate boom, adding branches and attracting the business of many noteworthy borrowers, including mayors, state judges, labor leaders and builders. But in 2012 Mariner's fell under the scrutiny of state and federal regulators. It was ordered to address a wide range of financial safety and soundness concerns, including issues with asset quality, internal controls and deals with insiders. The following year, James Cockinos, a former CEO of Mariners Bank, was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to pay almost $514,000 in restitution after admitting that he conspired to commit bank fraud to obtain a $1.48 million mortgage for a client. Kaitlyn Kanzler covers courts for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from criminal trials to local lawsuits and insightful analysis, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: kanzler@northjersey.com Twitter: @KaitlynKanzler8 This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fred Daibes, Edgewater NJ developer, pleads guilty to banking crimes A member of the far-right Proud Boys gang has pleaded guilty to obstructing police officers during the 2021 Capitol attack. Louis Enrique Colon, 45, pleaded guilty to the felony charge of obstructing police and will cooperate with prosecutors in their cases against other members of the violent extremist group, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday. Louis Enrique Colon, 45, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing police officers during the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack. (Photo: Department of Justice) Louis Enrique Colon, 45, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing police officers during the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack. (Photo: Department of Justice) Prosecutors say Colon traveled from Blue Springs, Missouri, to the U.S. Capitol with other Kansas City Proud Boys members ahead of Jan. 6, 2021, to disrupt the certification of Joe Bidens victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Hundreds of Trump supporters rioted and stormed the Capitol. Five people died and more than a hundred officers were injured. The day of the attack, Colon and several other Kansas City Proud Boys members made their way inside the Capitol and were captured on video preventing police from creating barriers to keep out the rioters, according to a criminal affidavit filed by the FBI. Colon could be seen on security video placing a chair in the path of a closing gate to the Capitol. He and his cohort intended to and did serve to prevent law enforcement from securing areas of the Capitol from unlawful entrants, the affidavit says. At least 820 people have been charged in the Capitol attack so far, including severalProud Boys members and leaders. Colon faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... If you buy and hold a stock for many years, you'd hope to be making a profit. But more than that, you probably want to see it rise more than the market average. Unfortunately for shareholders, while the Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS) share price is up 38% in the last five years, that's less than the market return. Over the last twelve months the stock price has risen a very respectable 19%. While the stock has fallen 3.9% this week, it's worth focusing on the longer term and seeing if the stocks historical returns have been driven by the underlying fundamentals. See our latest analysis for Essex Property Trust To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. Essex Property Trust's earnings per share are down 5.7% per year, despite strong share price performance over five years. Essentially, it doesn't seem likely that investors are focused on EPS. Because earnings per share don't seem to match up with the share price, we'll take a look at other metrics instead. We are not particularly impressed by the annual compound revenue growth of 2.6% over five years. So it seems one might have to take closer look at earnings and revenue trends to see how they might influence the share price. The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We're pleased to report that the CEO is remunerated more modestly than most CEOs at similarly capitalized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. So it makes a lot of sense to check out what analysts think Essex Property Trust will earn in the future (free profit forecasts). Story continues What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Essex Property Trust's TSR for the last 5 years was 60%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective It's good to see that Essex Property Trust has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 22% in the last twelve months. That's including the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 10% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Essex Property Trust better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Essex Property Trust (at least 1 which is significant) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned of a lightning fast response if any nation interferes in its war in Ukraine, according to multiple reports. Putin made the threat against any country that creates strategic threats for Russia, CNBC reports. If someone intends to intervene on what is happening from the outside and creates unacceptable strategic threats for us, then they should know that our response to oncoming strikes will be swift, lightning fast, Putin added while speaking in Saint Petersburg, reports CNN. We have all the tools for this, ones that no one can brag about, and we wont brag we will use them if needed and I want everyone to know this. All the decisions have been made in this regard, said Putin. A mention in his remarks of instruments [to respond] that no one can brag about is reportedly speculated to be a reference to the Russias supply of intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. Russia cut off natural gas suddenly to two NATO countries, Bulgaria and Poland, on Wednesday, in what is believed to be an attempt to punish and divide the West for its support of Ukraine. This maneuver could push Poland and Bulgaria to ration their gas supplies and further damage their economies. However, it may also hurt Russias ability to fund the costly war on Ukraine. Poland, for example, has been working to store other supplies of gas and is not in immediate trouble. The Russian state-owned company Gazprom said it shut off Polish supply because the country refused to pay in rubles, as Putin demanded. The Kremlin has warned that other countries unfriendly to Russia could be next, causing European Union countries to worry, especially Germany and Italy, which buy large supplies of Russian energy. However, the EU countries have been working to reduce their dependence on Russian energy and bolster other gas supplies. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. IPO Edge and the Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association hosted a fireside chat with the Founder & CEO of Brivo Systems LLC and the CEO of Crown Proptech Acquisitions (NYSE: CPTK) to discuss the origins and rationale behind the business combination between Brivo and Crown Proptech, an overview of the Brivo business, and post-merger growth strategy. The live event featured Brivo Founder & CEO Steve Van Till and Crown Proptech CEO Richard Ricky Chera. They were joined by IPO Edge Editor-in-Chief John Jannarone and Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks in a moderated video session lasting approximately 60 minutes and including a Q&A with the audience. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL REPLAY About Brivo: Brivo, Inc., created the cloud-based access control and smart spaces technology category over 20 years ago and remains the global leader serving commercial real estate, multifamily residential and large distributed enterprises. The companys comprehensive product ecosystem and open API provide businesses with powerful digital tools to increase security automation, elevate employee and tenant experience, and improve the safety of all people and assets in the built environment. Brivos building access platform is now the digital foundation for the largest collection of customer facilities in the world, occupying over 300 million square feet across 42 countries. On November 10, 2021, Brivo entered into a definitive merger agreement with Crown PropTech Acquisitions (NYSE: CPTK) that will result in Brivo becoming a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol BRVS. Additional information about the transaction can be viewed here: www.brivo.com/about/investor-relations. Legal Disclaimer: https://www.brivo.com/about/investor-relations/legal-disclaimer/. Messrs. Van Till and Chera discussed: Origins and rationale behind the business combination Brivo business overview Post-merger growth strategy post-merger M&A/adjacent products and services Ability for Brivo to integrate with other systems to create more powerful customer value Story continues About the Speakers: Steve Van Till is the Founder of Brivo and has served as Brivos Chief Executive Officer since 2008. Mr. Van Till currently serves as Chairman of the Standards Committee for the Security Industry Association (SIA) and holds numerous patents in the field of physical security. Prior to founding Brivo, Mr. Van Till served as Director of Internet Consulting at Publicis Sapient, led Internet strategy at healthcare analytics provider HCIA and developed satellite communications products at Comsat and Geostar. Mr. Van Till holds a B.A. from Calvin University. Richard Chera is Chief Executive Officer of Crown Proptech Acquisitions and has over 20 years of experience in leading large real estate transactions and retail development, branding assets and integrated technologies. He is a co-founder and serves as senior managing director of Crown Acquisitions Inc., or Crown, a New York-based holding company with extensive holdings in real estate and branding assets. At Crown, Mr. Chera has executed several marquee transactions, including the acquisition of 650 Madison Avenue from the Carlyle Group, the sale of the retail portion of 666 Fifth Avenue, the acquisition of the Olympic Tower at 641 Fifth Avenue and the adjacent Versace and Cartier mansions from an affiliate of the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation. Demonstrating relationships and strategic partnerships, Crown, co-led by Mr. Chera, has acquired an interest in the successful retail portion of the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Mr. Chera and the team at Crown remain active in all aspects of executing the business plans on all of its acquisitions, ensuring to foster long-term and sustainable growth. Most recently, Crown has acquired a significant portfolio of assets on New Bond Street in London and interests in Vornado Realtys New York retail portfolio. In addition to his duties at Crown, Mr. Chera co-founded ReWyre, a technology aggregator and intelligent city master planner based in New York City. By way of his holdings in Crown Star, a U.K.-based company, ReWyre collaborates on projects in the U.S. and Canada with design and engineering firms based in Europe and Asia to design smart cities for the future. Furthermore, Mr. Chera serves on the boards of various non-profit organizations that focus on public health, childrens and seniors services, as well as business growth opportunities for entrepreneurs. Mr. Chera attended New York Universitys Stern School of Business and The Sanno Institute in Tokyo, Japan. Contact: Alan Hatfield, Director of Research ah@capmarketsmedia.com Twitter: @IPOEdge Instagram: @IPOEdge Photograph: Sue Ogrocki/AP A state Republican lawmaker who wanted to refer to himself as The Patriot on the ballot cant use that nickname, the Oklahoma Election Board has ruled. Sean Roberts can still run for Oklahoma labor commissioner, but he cant refer to himself using that nickname on the ballot, the board decided Monday. Oklahoma election rules allow a candidate to use a nickname if its a name the candidate is generally known by or if the candidate does business using the nickname. Roberts opponent, the Republican labor commissioner, Leslie Osborn, said there was no evidence Roberts was known as The Patriot. She pointed out in her petition to the board that Roberts had appeared on the ballot in seven successive elections as Kevin Sean Roberts or Sean Roberts. Roberts also struggled at one point in the proceedings to spell patriot, according to NonDoc.com, which the state representative Chris Kannady suggested was evidence that he was not, in fact, called The Patriot. When asked to spell patriot, Representative Roberts had issues with spelling. Probably because hes not used to spelling it out or writing it out as part of his legal name, Kannady said. Robertss website describes himself as Sean The Patriot Roberts, without quotation marks, and says he is a husband, father, Christian, small business owner, healthcare provider, former 2016 Trump delegate, and 12-year Oklahoma State Legislator. It also says he has promoted economically sound policies while defending Oklahomans freedom and liberties presumably referring to multiple people, rather than to one Oklahoman. Using a campaign slogan as part of your name is inconsistent with ballot integrity, said the former Oklahoma attorney general Mike Hunter, who is representing Osborn. You dont want a cascade of cases like this one in future elections. When asked how many people know him as The Patriot, Roberts said roughly 200 to 600 people. His attorney cited evidence including a plaque naming him a patriot and a 46th birthday card which stated: Thank you for picking up the torch of freedom and finally getting constitutional carry across the finish line. You truly are The Patriot. After the verdict Roberts released a statement saying he was considering an appeal. A Texas man has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that he was fired for complaining about his co-workers racist behavior. Christoper Vickers supervisor at Bison Speciality Services openly made jokes about Black people and bragged about being affiliated with a white supremacist gang. When Vickers complained to his superiors, the company fired him, a lawsuit obtained by The Atlanta Black Star alleges. Vickers attorneys said what his employer did was retaliation after violating his civil rights by making him stay in a hostile and discriminatory environment, where his supervisor would fling around racist slurs. Former employee Christopher Vickers and his attorneys said he endured years of racial discrimination at Bison Specialty Services in Beaumont, Texas. (Photo via Google Images) Its the environment that he had to walk into every day in order to earn a living, said Rochelle Owens, one of the lawyers representing Vickers in the case. I dont think that theres anyone in the United States or anywhere that would appreciate having to realize that your race is the reason why youre being treated in a certain manner, and its going to continue as long as those employees are there. During the two-and-a-half years Vickers worked at the industrial maintenance company in Beaumont, Texas, he was supervised by a man who reportedly boasted about having friends in the Aryan Brotherhood gang, the lawsuit alleges. The Aryan Brotherhood is the oldest and most notorious racist prison gang in the nation, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Albert Leblanc often described Black people as lazy blue gum n-words and sent racist texts in group messages with other employees, the lawsuit reads. He also had called Black employees at Bison Speciality the N-word, the complaints says. In one instance, LeBlanc sent a video of a Black man dancing on the freeway to a song with the lyrics, Go back to Africa, the lawsuit alleges. LeBlanc also allegedly sent a video where one of two Black men turned white and told the other man, Naw, N-word, go get a job! Months after the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd, LeBlanc reportedly sent a group message with a photo of a Black man captured in a mousetrap. A large bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken was placed on the trap as bait. Story continues Christopher Vickers said his former supervisor sent a group text to employees mocking the police killing of George Floyd. (Screen Shot of court documents) The photo had the caption, I cant breath. The words I cant breathe were some of the final words of Floyd in the heavily publicized case. The phrase also has been the final plea of other Black men killed in police custody, including Eric Garner and Manuel Ellis. The lawsuit also alleges that the company allowed white employees to park in the front of the building and carry firearms, but not Black employees. Vickers complained to human resources and the general foreman, Josh Hall, and company president Chad Luhan also received Vickers complaints about the discrimination. Mr. Halls response was that he understood that Mr. Leblancs racist behavior was an issue but that he could not do anything about him, Vickers attorney wrote. The lawsuit alleges that when Vickers and his family contracted COVID-19 in March 2021, Luhan told him he had to come to work despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isolation protocols. His attorneys claim the company used the opportunity to fire Vickers. He was terminated right after his last complaint, they said. While Mr. Vickers and his family were recovering from COVID-19 and following his complaints of racial discrimination and hostile work environment, Bison Specialty terminated him, the lawsuit alleges. The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Atlanta Black Star. Vickers is suing Bison Speciality for back pay, front pay, damages, emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life and fringe benefits, along with other losses. Vickers, whos married with two children, recently started a new job, where Owens said he makes less income. She said its tough for Vickers and his family. He would have loved to be able to stay and make the kind of money that he was making, but unfortunately, these things happen when theres the opposing side that behaves in that manner and treats you in that way, and they retaliate against you. The lawsuit is an example of the harsh reality some Black people face in America, Owens pointed out. People do not appreciate the fact that people of color have to put an extra suit of armor on when they walk outside and when they go to work because it is certainly a game-changer when you walk in the door versus when youre at home or when youre with your family and friends and people that care about you, she said. Its different when you walk outside, and you have to have that extra suit of armor on to protect yourself, even if its nothing more than to simply ignore. RUMSON, NJ Maddy Massabni, a Rumson teen, was home from college to celebrate her 19th birthday when she began experiencing flu-like symptoms. What appeared to be a normal stomach bug turned out to be toxic shock syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal complication of certain types of bacterial infections. Following Maddy's death in 2017, her mother, Dawn Massabni, founded the Maddy Massabni Foundation for Toxic Shock Awareness, which is based in Rumson and works to raise awareness of menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS). I never in my worst nightmares imagined losing my daughter, especially to something so preventable. Something, that if it had been taken care of decades ago by our healthcare, educational, and governmental agencies, Maddy, along with many others, would be here with us today, living out their hopes and dreams, Massabni said on the foundation's blog. Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome often results from toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria, but the condition may also be caused by toxins produced by group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of mTSS progress quickly and often include a sudden high fever, a rash resembling a sunburn, particularly on your palms and soles, seizures and vomiting. Massabni stated that her daughter's health quickly deteriorated, going from feeling like she had a stomach bug to having a seizure in just 24 hours. All I can remember was crying and screaming 'please dont leave me, I love you' over and over again. I could not understand what just happened. My daughter was strong and healthy. They revived her numerous times, placed her on a ventilator as well as dialysis at the hospital. So much was happening so fast. It was the doctor's words 'the situation is grave', that sent me to my knees. Maddy was in a coma and would not recover, Massabni said in a letter. Massabni and her son George have since dedicated their lives to spreading awareness and creating impactful, legislative change around menstrual toxic shock awareness education in New Jersey. Story continues The Maddy Massabni Foundation for Toxic Shock Awareness is hosting its second large-scale fundraiser, a fashion show entitled, Butterflies For Maddy. The fundraiser is being held on May 18, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Surfrider Beach Club in Sea Bright. To purchase tickets for the fundraiser, click here. All the selected clothing for the fundraiser's fashion show was designed by Brookdale Community College fashion students. Maddy was attending Lynn University studying fashion with the hopes and dreams of working in the industry. With the world's eyes on health issues due to Covid-19 and Maddy's love and passion for fashion, we thought a fashion show in her honor would for sure have her smiling on us from above, said Jessica Weltz, a friend of Maddy's. Thank you for reading! Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email vianella.burns@patch.com. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter here. A Rumson Mother's Plea For Change After Teen Daughter's Death originally appeared on the Rumson-Fair Haven Patch The occupiers in the Krasnoyarsk Territory Read also: 64th day of Putin's war. U.S. passes Lend-Lease for Ukraine, Russian missiles strike Kyiv during UN visit Almost unanimously, the deputies supported a decision to bring in grain from Kherson Oblast, which is partially controlled by the Russian Armed Forces, the message reads. (As) shortages of vegetables and grain caused by foreign sanctions are acutely felt in Krasnoyarsk Oblast and Russia as a whole, expropriating the agricultural surplus from the farmers of Kherson Oblast will be a way to provide relief to (Russian) small businesses. On April 25, Russian occupation forces took over the building of Kherson City Council, taking down the Ukrainian flag. Hennadiy Lahuta, the head of the regional administration, said this had been expected, but that local officials would never accept either the Russian or the Soviet flag. Read also: Local journalist talks about occupation and resistance in Kherson Following the seizure of the council building, during a special session of the council, Russia and its collaborators appointed Volodymyr Saldo as the new head of the city and oblast of Kherson. Khersons Mayor, Ihor Kolykhaev, remains in the city and refuses to cooperate with occupational administration. LONDON (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Western arms supplies to Ukraine, including heavy weapons, posed a threat to the security of the European continent. The comment from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added to a pattern of escalating rhetoric on both sides as the West has stepped up weapons supplies to Ukraine and Moscow has accused it of waging a proxy war against Russia. "In itself, the tendency to pump weapons, including heavy weapons, to Ukraine and other countries are actions that threaten the security of the continent and provoke instability," Peskov told reporters. He was responding a question about remarks by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said on Wednesday that countries opposed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine must double down on their support, including by supplying heavy weapons, tanks and planes. Russia, whose invasion of Ukraine has killed many thousands of people and displaced millions, has consistently portrayed NATO and the West as aggressors who have forced it into defending its own security. President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday: "If someone intends to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside, and create strategic threats for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast." (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) LONDON As Russias invasion of Ukraine hits its 64th day, a former NATO commander urged the West to prepare for a worst case scenario: war with Russia. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday visited areas around Kyiv that were formerly held by Russian forces. The war is evil, he said while standing beside destroyed apartment blocks in the town of Borodyanka. Worst case is war with Russia Former NATO commander Richard Shirreff in 2016. (Omar Marques/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) In response to comments made by the U.K. foreign secretary over the West's needing to double down on its support for Ukraine, former NATO commander Richard Shirreff told BBC Radio 4s Today program it was absolutely the right approach and that its got to be followed through with significant resources, and its got to be done right across the alliance as a whole. Shirreff, formerly a NATO deputy strategic commander for Europe, went on to caution that the Kremlin is likely to respond to this aggressively and that the West should be prepared for a worst-case scenario. The worst case is war with Russia, he said. By gearing itself up for the worst case, it is most likely to deter [Russian President Vladimir] Putin because ultimately Putin respects strength. U.N. chief visits Ukraine U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres views the destruction at an apartment complex in Irpin, Ukraine, on Thursday. (John Moore/Getty Images) Standing outside burned-out apartment blocks in Borodyanka on Thursday, Guterres said: When I see those destroyed buildings ... I imagine my family in one of those houses that is now destroyed and black. I see my granddaughters running away in panic. He added: The war is an absurdity in the 21st century. The war is evil. And when you see these situations, our heart of course stays with the victims, our condolences to their families. But our emotions are ... there is no way a war can be acceptable in the 21st century. Later in the morning, Guterres visited the site of a mass grave in Bucha, telling reporters he fully supports the International Criminal Courts investigation of Russias alleged war crimes. When we see this horrendous site, it makes me feel how important it is [to have] a thorough investigation and accountability, he said. But when we talk of war crimes, we cannot forget that the worst of crimes is war itself. Story continues Alleged war crimes being probed Ukraines prosecutor general, Iryna Venediktova, visits a mass grave in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on April 13. (Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images) Thousands of alleged war crimes committed by Russian troops are under investigation by the Ukrainian prosecutor generals office. A total of 8,653 crimes have been registered with the office, and 620 suspects have been accused of the aggression, the office revealed on Thursday. The office also reported that 217 children have been killed and 393 others have been injured during the war. Russia is blackmailing Europe with energy, says Zelensky Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Tuesday. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of engaging in energy blackmail against Europe after Moscow halted natural gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria. In his nightly address to the nation on Wednesday, Zelensky said the Kremlin considers not only energy but trade as weapons to use against European countries. [Russia] is just waiting for the moment when one or another trade area can be used to blackmail Europeans politically, or to strengthen Russias military machine, which sees a united Europe as a target, he said. Hence, the sooner everyone in Europe admits that it is inadmissible to depend on Russia in trade, the sooner it will be possible to guarantee stability in European markets. Europe relies on Moscow for more than a third of its gas needs, and Russian state energy company Gazprom holds a monopoly on the pipeline supplies. _____ What happened last week in Ukraine? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out. The superyacht, "Tango" docked in Marmaris, Mugla, Turkey on April 19, 2014. Levent Kisi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The White House unveiled a new plan Thursday to sell seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine. The $90 million superyacht owned by sanctioned oligarch Viktor Vekselberg could be the first asset sold. It's the only Russian yacht the US has seized so far but European allies have seized a dozen more. Under a new White House plan unveiled Thursday, a $90 million superyacht belonging to sanctioned oligarch Viktor Vekselberg could be the first asset sold to fund Ukraine's defense against Russia. The 255-foot yacht named "Tango" was seized by Spanish law enforcement at the request of the US during the first week of April. Its billionaire owner and founder of the Russian conglomerate Renova Group was sanctioned by the US in March for maintaining a network close to the Kremlin, per the US Treasury. If President Biden's proposal is approved, it would expedite and streamline the complicated legal process surrounding the forfeiture of seized Russian assets. Since "Tango" is the only oligarch-linked yacht the US has successfully seized thus far, it would likely be one of the first assets put through the new system potentially generating millions in aid to Ukraine. The US Department of Justice declined to comment on this possibility. Civil Guards accompany US FBI agents and a US Homeland Security agents from the superyacht "Tango" in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Monday April 4, 2022. AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla The new plan would also "improve the United States' ability to work with international partners to recover assets linked to foreign corruption," the White House said. This amendment could open up the US' proposed forfeiture system to over a dozen yachts seized and identified for seizure by European allies. In total, the yachts are worth more than $2.5 billion, as Axios has reported. However, Benjamin Maltby, a partner at Keystone Law in the UK and an expert in yacht and luxury asset law, told Insider that conducting a sale through the US Department of Justice would "only add another layer of unnecessary administrative expense and delay" if the yachts were located in a separate jurisdiction. Story continues On top of the legal amendments, the plan would establish a way to transfer the proceeds of forfeited kleptocracy property to Ukraine's defenses. Shane Riedel, CEO of financial crime risk quantification platform Elucidate, told Insider that there's "no precedent" in liquidating seized assets and directing the money elsewhere. For example, when the US sanctioned Iran and froze around $2 billion, the funds sat in frozen accounts for around 35 years due to a lack of legal framework, Riedel said. "Under the proposal, the Departments of Justice, Treasury, and State will work together to use forfeited funds related to corruption, sanctions and export control violations, and other specified offenses to remediate harms of Russian aggression toward Ukraine," the White House said in a statement. Read the original article on Business Insider LONDON (Reuters) -Russia's foreign spy chief accused the United States and Poland on Thursday of plotting to gain a sphere of influence in Ukraine, a claim denied by Warsaw as disinformation aimed at sowing distrust among Kyiv's supporters. Sergei Naryshkin, the chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), cited unpublished intelligence that he said showed the United States and Poland, NATO allies, were plotting to restore Polish control over part of western Ukraine. "According to the intelligence received by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Washington and Warsaw are working on plans to establish Poland's tight military and political control over its historical possessions in Ukraine," Naryshkin said in a rare statement released by the SVR. Poland denied the claim and said it was disinformation spread by Moscow. "The lies about Poland's alleged plans to attack western Ukraine have been repeated for several years," said Stanislaw Zaryn, spokesman for Poland's special services coordinator. "The aim of Russian propaganda is to foster distrust between Ukraine and Poland, to undermine PL-UA cooperation." Poland has ruled some territories that are now part of Ukraine at different times in the past, most recently between the two world wars. Western Ukraine, including the city of Lviv, were absorbed into the Soviet Union at the end of World War Two. The SVR said the United States was discussing with Poland a plan under which Polish "peacekeeping" forces without a NATO mandate would enter parts of western Ukraine where the chance of a confrontation with Russian forces was low. The SVR, which after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union took on most of the Soviet-era KGB's foreign spying responsibilities, did not publish its evidence, and Reuters was unable to verify the accusation. Poland is one of Ukraine's strongest supporters in its resistance to Russia's invasion, sending weapons across the border and taking in around three million Ukrainian refugees. Story continues A senior Russian lawmaker, Senator Andrei Klimov, deputy chair of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee, also said on Thursday that Poland was planning to establish control over part of Ukraine. He gave no evidence for the claim. Russia has been signaling for days that the conflict could end with a forced partition of Ukraine. One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies said this week that Ukraine was spiraling toward a collapse into several states because of what he cast as a U.S. attempt to use Kyiv to undermine Russia. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West says this a false pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression by Putin. (Reporting by Guy FaulconbridgeEditing by Gareth Jones and Bill Berkrot) LONDON (Reuters) - Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov, who last week criticized Russia's war in Ukraine, has sold his 35% stake in the company he founded to a firm controlled by Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin, the companies said on Thursday. The assets of Tinkov-founded TCS Group Holding include Russia's second-biggest credit card issuer, Tinkoff Bank, which a few days after Tinkov's anti-war statement said it had decided to rebrand and drop its founder's name. Potanin's Interros Holding did not say how much it paid for the stake in TCS but the latter's share price has plummeted since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, triggering sweeping Western sanctions on Russia. It was the second deal this month in which Potanin has snapped up banking assets, having previously bought Rosbank from Societe Generale when the French lender exited the Russian market. Cyprus-based TCS' stable of companies under the Tinkoff brand span sectors from banking and insurance to mobile phones. Potanin, 61, is the head of mining giant Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel), which has benefited from high metals prices in recent months. He is Russia's second-richest man with a fortune of $17.3 billion, according to Forbes magazine. Tinkov, 54, stepped down as chairman of Tinkoff Bank in 2020 after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia. In 2021 he ceded control of the TCS Group. TCS quoted him as saying on Thursday that now was "the perfect time for me to retire and devote more of my time to looking after my health and my beloved family." Last week, he condemned what he called Moscow's "crazy war" in Ukraine and said 90% of his countrymen did not support it. In announcing its rebranding after Tinkov's criticism of the Ukraine invasion, Tinkoff Bank said: "The company has long prepared for this. Recent events have made the decision more relevant." President Vladimir Putin calls Russian actions in Ukraine a "special military operation" to defend Russian-speaking inhabitants from persecution. Ukraine says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab and that Putin's claims of persecution are nonsense. (Reporting by Peter Hobson, editing by Mark Trevelyan and Cynthia Osterman) The SportsCenter anchor has sued the network and its parent, Walt Disney Co., for what she calls selective enforcement of a rule. Sage Steele, an anchor for SportsCenter on ESPN, is suing her network and its parent company, Walt Disney Co., for what she calls selective enforcement of a rule established in 2017 forbidding employees from commenting publicly on political issues without a tie to sports, according to reporting from Sports Illustrated. Steele famously appeared last year on a podcast hosted by former quarterback Jay Cutler, on which she opined about former President Barack Obama choosing to identify as Black versus biracial, knocked COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates, and made other controversial comments. She was forced to apologize for her errant comments. ESPN personality Sage Steele enjoys a moment onstage at a tailgate event in Los Angeles earlier this year. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images) At the time, Steele maintained, I know my recent comments created controversy for the company, and I apologize. We are in the midst of an extremely challenging time that impacts all of us, and its more critical than ever that we communicate constructively and thoughtfully. Steele now claims she has been sidelined for major projects and events and says the company violated her First Amendment rights and breached her contract. The host of the networks noon-hour broadcast also alleges that ESPN failed to stop other colleagues from bullying and harassing her, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit was filed in Connecticut, where the network is based. ESPN has violated Connecticut law and Steeles rights to free speech based upon a faulty understanding of her comments and a nonexistent, unenforced workplace policy that serves as nothing more than pretext, according to the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, per The Journal. In response, ESPN officials said in a statement: Sage remains a valued contributor on some of ESPNs highest-profile content, including the recent Masters telecasts and anchoring our noon SportsCenter. As a point of fact, she was never suspended. Story continues Steeles lawyer, Bryan Freedman, also released a statement, insisting that his client is standing up to corporate America to ensure employees dont get their rights trampled on or their opinions silenced. In Connecticut, it is illegal for companies to discipline employees for exercising their First Amendment rights if the comments do not directly impact their work performance or the company itself. TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Sage Steele sues ESPN over free speech claims, report says appeared first on TheGrio. South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted a near 60 percent rise in first-quarter net profits on Thursday, largely driven by steady memory chip demand and brisk smartphone sales. The world's biggest memory-chip maker is the flagship subsidiary of the giant Samsung group, by far the largest of the family-controlled empires known as chaebols that dominate business in South Korea, Asia's fourth largest economy. The conglomerate is crucial to the South's economic health -- its overall turnover is equivalent to a fifth of the national gross domestic product. The firm said net profit in January-March was 11.32 trillion won ($8.9 billion) -- up 58.6 percent on-year, beating expectations according to Bloomberg News. The tech industry has been hit hard by a shortage of components for chipmaking, blamed on a boom in global demand for electronic products and disruption to supply chains caused by the pandemic. But analysts say this has largely been benefitting Samsung. Last year saw a surge in chip prices thanks to strong demand for those used in personal devices and data centres, helping the firm hit record annual sales. Samsung's performance "continues to be lifted by the semiconductor segment, supported by memory chip -- both DRAM and NAND -- demand from data centers", Gloria Tsuen, vice president of Moody's Investors Service, told AFP. Tsuen added that a disruption at a rival NAND flash chip plant -- owned by American firm Western Digital and Japan's Kioxia -- has also benefited Samsung "due to reduced market supply". The firm's operating profit rose 50.5 percent to 14.12 trillion won, while revenue was also up 19 percent at 77.78 trillion won. - Keeping capacity high - Samsung Electronics said it had "posted a record consolidated revenue for the third straight quarter". Samsung shares closed down 0.3 percent in Seoul on Thursday. Samsung has aggressively stepped up investment in its semiconductor business as the world battles chip shortages. Story continues In November, it announced the building of a $17 billion microchip factory in Texas, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2024. The firm is also investing in the development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and 5G/6G communications. "Memory chip makers generally need to keep capacity high to support technology migration," Tsuen said. "Samsung is also in the foundry segment, and the new fab in Texas is an example of increased investment in that area as well," she said, referring to a semiconductor fabrication plant. Samsung Electronics said its "memory business achieved a record-high in quarterly sales for servers amid solid demand". In smartphones, the firm's new flagship lineup -- the Galaxy S22 series -- sold 60 percent more than the S21 in its first three weeks in the United States, according to research firm Counterpoint. "Strong sales of the Galaxy S22 series since its launch in Q1 helped drive the revenue growth, on the back of Galaxy S22 Ultra with S-Pen garnering positive feedback from the existing Galaxy Note customers," Samsung said in a statement. - 'Customer loyalty' - More than half of the Galaxy S22 series sold in the first quarter were the flagship S22 Ultra models -- released after the Galaxy Note was discontinued, Sujeong Lim, a Counterpoint researcher, told AFP. "The Galaxy Note is a model series with higher level of customer loyalty among Samsung's models, and the S22 Ultra was able to respond to the waiting demand of these customers," Lim said. "The price freeze, recovery from Covid, and the fact that it is the first Galaxy smartphone to be equipped with a 4nm processor appealed to customers." But the firm is not without any challenges, analysts said. Its "strong performance of semiconductors stems largely from external factors" such as the pandemic, Lim told AFP. "Considering inflation, the rise in interest rates and changes in consumption patterns post-Covid, it is difficult to bet that DRAM demand growth will continue through next year." But despite other major risks in the macro environment -- Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Covid-19 lockdown in Shanghai -- Tsuen said Samsung's credit profile is likely to "remain very strong". The firm is supported by "its large net cash and leading market positions in key products," she told AFP. South Korea's second largest electronics maker LG Electronics said Thursday that its first-quarter net profit rose 19.8 percent on-year to 1.4 trillion won. cdl/dan Officials in San Francisco voted to approve a mask mandate on Thursday for people using its public transportation system. The Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors approved the mask mandate during a board of directors meeting, and it comes just a over a week after a federal judge tossed out the national mask mandate for public transportation that was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Fox affiliate KTVU in San Francisco. FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS MASK MANDATE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Riders depart the BART station in Antioch, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. This is the first time the station will have a BART agent on staff since its grand opening in May 2018. Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images Rebecca Saltzman, board president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit, said that she believes masks should be included in the system's code of conduct. "I strongly support requiring a mask to ride BART to keep all our riders safe," Saltzman said. "Im especially concerned for our riders who are immunocompromised, people with underlying health conditions, and children under the age of five who are not yet eligible for vaccination." Riders and employees are now required to wear masks in paid areas within the system and limited exceptions are in place. A train waits to depart at the BART station in Antioch, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. This is the first time the station will have a BART agent on staff since its grand opening in May 2018. Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images The mandate will not apply to people who are unable to wear a face mask due to a disability or medical condition, and children 2 and under. The renewed mask mandate will be in place until at least July 18. Washington Post When her partner tested positive for the coronavirus two days before Christmas, Michelle Green worried she, too, would become ill. She was two months pregnant with their second child. He was a bartender at the time, and some of his co-workers were infected with the virus. "I told him to get in the guest bedroom and don't leave," said Green, a 40-year-old project manager at a retail technology start-up in the District of Columbia. The couple, who were both vaccinated, and their toddler postponed Unified Sports is relatively new at East Providence High School but its become a part of the Townie Pride thats synonymous with the school. On Thursday, that pride grew even more. East Providence has been showing off a new gym all season long and it had the chance on Thursday to hang its first and most meaningful banner as it was honored by the Special Olympics as a Unified Champion School. Several schools throughout the country earn the honor annually. East Providence was the second Rhode Island school to be honored this academic year after Coventry unveiled its banner this month. In 2017, Ponaganset was the states first school to receive the award and Bishop Hendricken was honored the following year. Earlier this year: Longtime head of Special Olympics RI Dennis DeJesus announces retirement Unified Sports are team sports played by students with disabilities alongside their student-body partners. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League introduced Unified Volleyball and Unified Basketball in 2010. East Providence began playing Unified Sports in 2016. From 2017 to 2019, the Townies won six championships in the two sports. But titles arent what the sports are about inclusion is. The sports provide students with and without disabilities an opportunity to have social relationships and promote a socially-inclusive atmosphere in the school. In Providence: Parents and teachers are livid over which students the city targeted for summer school To be honored, schools must meet certain criteria that demonstrate a commitment to inclusion through 10 standards of excellence. The schools also must demonstrate those standards are self-sustainable and must have a plan in place to keep the sports going in the future. More than 150 schools from different grades in Rhode Island participate in Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools programming. Currently, 30 schools compete in the RIILs Unified Basketball league and 22 participate in Unified Volleyball. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: East Providence High is honored by the Special Olympics Jeremy Jerry Reynolds, the now-deceased suspect in four slayings Wednesday, has an extensive criminal history and was in and out of police custody routinely over the past six years, records show. Since 2015, Reynolds, 32, had been arrested at least 10 times by police for offenses such as drug possession and armed robbery. Among his priors was an arrest on Nov. 22, 2018, for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and domestic disturbance of family or by explosions, noises or other offensive conduct. He was released from custody on all charges the same day. He was also arrested for a domestic violence offense earlier that year on Jan. 30, 2018. He paid a fine for the crime, records show. On Dec. 7, 2018, he was arrested for a domestic simple assault by threat. He was released on probation on Dec. 23, 2020. Three days later, on Dec. 26, 2020, he was arrested for armed robbery, possession of spice and probation violation. He was released on Sept. 2, 2021. His most recent run in with law enforcement occurred Oct. 25, 2021, when he was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing, receiving, retaining, acquiring or disposing of stolen firearm in Harrison County. He was released on his own recognizance on bond. On Wednesday, police believe Reynolds shot two men and one woman at a Biloxi hotel before killing a fourth person involved in a carjacking with him. Reynolds barricaded himself in a grocery store and was found dead when police entered. MEXICO CITY (AP) Suspected drug cartel gunmen abducted two off-duty female soldiers at gunpoint for several hours Thursday, the Mexican army said. The commander of the army headquarters in the Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta said the two women were vacationing there when they were kidnapped just after midnight. They were kidnapped for the simple reason that they belonged to the army, Gen. Vicente Perez Lopez said. They had nothing to do with any operational issues. The army said in a statement that the two were freed later Thursday, after about 15 hours in captivity. The statement did not say how the release took place. The two had rented a property in Puerto Vallarta and were enjoying the beach ... on vacation, Perez Lopez said, calling it a cowardly act. He said the kidnappers were believed to be members of a drug gang because of the way in which they operated. He said a search was launched by the army, navy and National Guard, including the use of helicopters. Perez Lopez identified the two as a sergeant posted as an office worker and a second lieutenant who teaches at an army school. The army employs very few civilians or outside contractors, and it staffs most services from hospitals and schools to weapons factories with its own personnel. Puerto Vallarta is dominated by the violent Jalisco drug cartel, which has often openly clashed with the military. In another incident Wednesday, a member of the quasi-military National Guard opened fire on a vehicle, killing one university student and wounding another. The shooting occurred in the violence-plagued state of Guanajuato, where authorities have been fighting drug cartels and thefts from government-owned fuel pipelines for years. The National Guard is controlled by and largely recruited from the army, though it is supposed to be a civilian force. The Guard said in a statement that one of its patrols was conducting a routine mission to protect pipelines, when they happened upon two vehicles that sought to drive off. The force said one guard member unilaterally got out of his vehicle and fired on one of the vehicles, killing a male student and severely wounding a female student. It said the guard member had been turned over to civilian prosecutors. Guanajuato Gov. Diego Sinhue wrote in his social media accounts that he condemned the shooting and called it an excessive use of force. BEIRUT (AP) Islamic State group militants attacked a Ramadan gathering hosted by a former official of a U.S.-backed group in eastern Syria, killing seven people and wounding four, opposition activists said Thursday. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday night in the Abu Khashab area in Deir el-Zour province. IS targeted the home of a former spokesman with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Euphrates Post news website. The Euphrates Post website said the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and opened fire as the group was having an iftar the fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the home of former SDF spokesman Nouri Hameesh, who was among those killed. Three years after the Sunni extremist Islamic State group lost the last sliver of territory it controlled in Syria, its sleeper cells have stepped up attacks in recent months, mainly targeting the Kurdish-led SDF but also forces from the Syrian government. The militant groups self-styled caliphate at its height covered a third of both of Iraq and Syria. The ensuing war against IS lasted several years, killed thousands, and left large parts of the two neighboring countries in ruins. In another development, President Bashar Assad named a new defense minister on Thursday, replacing Gen. Ali Ayoub who had held the post since 2018. State news agency SANA said Assad name Maj. Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas as the new defense minister. The presidential decree published by SANA gave no reason for Ayoub's removal or why Abbas was chosen as the new defense minister. Syrias civil war, which began in March 2011, has waned down recently after Syrian government forces gained control of much of the country with the help of Assads allies Russia and Iran. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee lawmakers closed out their annual legislative session Thursday, striking a deal that would let a politically appointed panel remove books from public school libraries statewide through a new veto power over local school board decisions. The Republican-supermajority Legislature also worked out last differences on an education funding formula overhaul sought by Gov. Bill Lee and tougher campaign finance and ethics rules amid a federal investigation that has already seen one House Republican plead guilty and resign. Those proposals and others head to the Republican governor, concluding a session in which lawmakers pushed further on conservative hot-button issues targeting transgender athletes, imposing scrutiny over school libraries and blocking COVID-19 safety requirements. The election-year session began in January. Advocates of strict scrutiny of the materials in public school libraries said changes were necessary to boost transparency, their calls coming amid a national spike in book challenges and bans. School librarians in particular have become the target of scorn from Republican lawmakers in a push for more oversight of those contents provided to children especially those touching on racism and LGBTQ issues. The final bill would give the states textbook commission all political appointees ultimate say in an appeals process over whether a book can or can't stay in school libraries. When someone challenges a book, the elected school board makes a ruling. Under the bill, if a parent, student or school worker doesn't like the decision, they could appeal to the textbook commission, whose choice will apply to school libraries statewide. Republican bill sponsor Rep. Jerry Sexton drew criticism after saying before Wednesday's House passage that any inappropriate book should be burned. He later noted he isn't on the textbook commission and didnt think any book-burning was likely to occur. Story continues Lawmakers negotiated the bill Thursday, backing off from the House's proposed requirement that schools provide the commission a list of library materials to review for possible removals, and settling on putting the commission atop the appeals process. Several Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the negotiated bill Thursday. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro noted that it doesn't specify how long a removed book stays out of libraries, or becomes eligible for reinstatement. These are permanent bans on books," Yarbro said. If this had been the law when we started school libraries, our libraries would have about 150 books in them. Already, the governor proposed and signed legislation that requires school libraries to post their contents online and regularly review their policies to make sure the materials are age-appropriate and suitable for the children. Librarians have countered that schools already have policies for parents and educators to review school library books. They stress the need for better resources and possibly adding a state library coordinator to promote literacy and education statewide. Lawmakers also agreed on terms for new campaign finance and ethics requirements. Politically active nonprofits, ranging from the National Rifle Association to Americans for Prosperity, have been monitoring the proposal closely, concerned it could require revealing their donors. The backlash drew a response recently from Senate Speaker Randy McNally, who assured that the bill sheds light on spending without censoring free speech or requiring disclosing nonprofit donors. The version approved Thursday says certain nonprofits must disclose spending totaling at least $5,000 within 60 days of an election on communications that contain a state candidate's name or likeness. Exceptions exist for activities such as lobbying, or communicating with members of their organization or people who register to receive updates. The wide-ranging bill also requires leaders of political committees to submit proof of identification; makes candidates and officeholders sign disclosures of financial interest under penalty of perjury; and increases reporting requirements in the 10 days before an election for candidates and political committee contributions and spending, due by the next business day. The changes come after GOP Rep. Robin Smith resigned and then pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud in an alleged political consulting kickback scheme, which implicated former House Speaker Glen Casada and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren. Federal prosecutors allege that three claimed the political firm, Phoenix Solutions, was run by a certain Matthew Phoenix," but in reality it was Cothren under an alias. Casada, who is not seeking reelection, and Cothren also have been subpoenaed in a state investigation into a separate shadowy political committee. Its treasurer told state regulators she is Cothrens former girlfriend and opened the PAC at Cothrens request, but took no additional action. Lawmakers also finished work on a new K-12 education funding plan, which would add Tennessee to nearly 40 other states that attach a set amount of money per student. A high school track star in Texas was fatally shot during a prom party this week, officials said. Rashard Guinyard, a senior at Crowley High School, was killed in the Sunday shooting, according to the Crowley Independent School District. Guinyard signed a track letter of intent to Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight Sunday, according to Fort Worth police. The victim had at least one gunshot wound, police said. Detectives learned that there was a large gathering location and unknown suspect(s) began firing weapons striking the victim as he and others attempted to flee the area on foot, police said in a statement. A second victim was shot multiple times, according to the statement. That person was in critical condition, police said. Police on Thursday did not say if they have identified a suspect or suspects. Guinyards relatives could not be immediately reached for comment. The Crowley Independent School District said in a statement: Rashard was a standout scholar and student-athlete with a bright future ahead of him. For the past four years, Guinyard competed with the Fort Worth Flyers Track Club, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported. His coaches, Gary Lane and Sorento Griggs, called him a leader. Lane described him as somebody thats got energy, somebody thats got work ethic, somebody to take charge." SCHWERTNER, Texas (KXAN) One central Texas rancher wants Elon Musk to move his newest venture to the area, and hes offering his own property as bait. Jim Schwertner is president and CEO of Schwertner Farms Inc., which runs Capitol Land & Livestock east of Jarrell, Texas. Schwertner said the company is one of the largest livestock brokers in the United States and he wants some of the land to become the new headquarters for Twitter. Elon, Move twitter to Schwertner, TX , 38 miles North of Austin and we will give you 100 Acres for FREE, Schwertner tweeted on Tuesday. With over 20,000 acres across both Bell and Williamson counties, Schwertner said Musk could have his pick of which 100 acres to plant Twitter. We think this is a place to have new technology, Schwertner said. This has always been a rural area for agriculture, but its changing fast. And so we thought why not let Elon Musk be the catalyst to make it happen? Schwertner thinks the move would be a mutual win. We have a lot of land. This area is really growing. We have affordable housing, and I thought itd be an excellent opportunity for him and for us, Schwertner said. Hes also a big fan of Musks. Elon Musk is the greatest thing that ever happened to Texas and central Texas, Schwertner said. When he came here from California and brought SpaceX and Tesla, and then The Boring Company, its a big boom for Texas and central Texas. Precinct 4 Williamson County Comissioner Russ Boles said Schwertner is more than just a rancher. Jim is a successful businessman and someone who can deliver on his 100-acre offer, he said Boles said the county can give them a good business environment, pointing to their recent deal with Samsung. Twitters current headquarters is in San Francisco, California, but Musks purchase of the social media platform on Monday has prompted a wave of support to move to Texas. Bring Twitter to Texas to join Tesla, SpaceX and the Boring Company, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted from his campaign account on Monday. Story continues Musk has recently dubbed Texas home for some of his other companies, including Tesla in Travis County and The Boring Company in Pflugerville. Its no surprise that there is speculation about Elon Musk moving Twitters headquarters to one of, if not the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, especially after having already announced relocating Tesla here, Laura Huffman, president and CEO of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, told KXAN earlier this week. Huffman cited the areas talent pipeline and education system and a dynamic live/work culture as reasons why companies have been looking to expand or relocate offices to the Austin area. Economist Matt Patton agrees. Over the last few years, weve obviously demonstrated that this is a good place to be in the tech world, said Patton, executive vice president of Angelou Economics. He said while most of Twitters employees are still working from home or in a hybrid-model and may not necessarily move to central Texas if the HQ does, the move would trigger other companies to the Austin metro area. Some of those downstream suppliers that might want to come with Twitter, he said. From Apple to Oracle Dell obviously in Round Rock thats just another big name out there saying, Yes, this is where we call home. Patton and Boles acknowledge some change will be needed, such as more infrastructure, but Boles said it would be no more challenges than normal. Were always working on infrastucture. Thats one of the big issues in central Texas, if not the state, he said. Were ready for some diversity in our community, and I think the time is right, Schwertner said. Still, Schwertner has received no word yet on whether his 76-year-old farm will be shepherded toward tech. No phone call yet, but Im standing by, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. South Korean cinema technology firm CJ 4DPlex has struck a deal with Thailands Major Cineplex, to open a ScreenX Premium Large Format auditorium at Majors multiplex at Siam Paragon in Bangkok. ScreenX is a multi-projection cinema with an immersive 270-degree field of view, created by using the side walls of the theater. Some 363 ScreenX auditoriums have been installed at cinemas in 38 countries. The new ScreenX Premium Large Format auditorium in Bangkok will have 336 seats and a 20-meter-wide screen, the largest ScreenX in the country. More from Variety The announcement was made during the 2022 CinemaCon conference in Las Vegas, where Major Cineplex also renewed and expanded an agreement with another giant screen company, Imax. Major Cineplex has more than 177 locations with 828 screens in Thailand and abroad. The companys first ScreenX was launched in 2015 at the Majors Quartier Cineart location. We first brought the 4DX concept to Thailand over a decade ago and are following that success by expanding the ScreenX experience, said JongRyul Kim, CEO, CJ 4DPLEX. 4DX is a multi-sensory cinema experience that includes moving seats, water and air effects. Both technologies are developed by CJ 4DPlex, a company within the CJ Group of companies and a sister company to CJ-CGV, which claims to be the worlds fifth largest cinema operator and has outposts in Vietnam, Indonesia and Turkey. Major Cineplex now has ten 4DX locations across Thailand in Siam Paragon, Ratchayothin, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Central Westgate, Promenade, Central Festival Eastville, Korat, Mega Bangna and Icon Siam. Including Thailand, there are over 777 4DX auditoriums around the world, spanning 67 countries. Story continues L-R: Vichaya Poolvaraluk, Vice President, Major Group Cineplex / Khun Vicha Poolvaraluck, Chairman & CEO, Major Group Cineplex / JongRyul Kim, CEO, CJ 4DPLEX / Don Savant, Chief Business Officer, CJ 4DPLEX Korea. - Credit: ScreenX ScreenX Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed has been freed after Russia and the U.S. agreed to a prisoner swap. The U.S. State Department has hinted over the last few days that an agreement was close, his parents said, and early Wednesday morning, they got the call that it was a done deal. He arrived back in the U.S. early Thursday. "He's doing better," Reed's father, Joey Reed, told "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell on Wednesday afternoon. Joey and Paula Reed spoke to their son after he boarded a plane in Turkey following his release in exchange for Russian national Konstantin Yaroshenko, who in 2011 was sentenced in the U.S. to 20 years in prison on cocaine smuggling charges. Reed was "a little subdued" during the call, his father said. "Maybe in shock, but then we spoke to him about an hour ago and [he] sounded much better and got some fluids and food into him." To Joey and Paula Reed's knowledge, Reed had not been tortured while imprisoned but, Joey Reed described "horrible, dungeon-type of conditions" that his son had endured. "If you saw the video of him getting out of the FSB van today, you can see he's very thin. To us, he looked frail," Joey Reed said. Three weeks before his release, Reed's parents demanded Russian authorities provide evidence that he was still alive, citing Reed's "rapidly declining health." "Our son is out of time," Joey and Paula Reed said on April 6, while also calling on the Biden administration to help bring their son home. Reed's parents were able to "re-establish indirect contact" a few days later. Joey and Paula Reed previously told CBS News they believed their son was suffering from tuberculosis as well as a rib injury and claimed that he was not receiving the necessary medical care. The couple protested outside the White House on March 30 to bring attention to their son's case and were invited inside for a meeting with the president. Story continues "I heard in the voices of Trevor's parents how much they've worried about his health and missed his presence. And I was delighted to be able to share with them the good news about Trevor's freedom," President Biden said in a statement Wednesday. The Reeds said that meeting helped save their son's life, though the White House has said the exchange has been months in the making. "We think President Biden saved our son's life today," Joey Reed told O'Donnell. "My son was probably never going to let up. And he had made it his mission to, you know, try and not go along with anything [the Russians] said. And he was paying the price for it. And we feared that his body would give out before his mind would." The couple spoke with Mr. Biden on Wednesday morning and thanked him. "He said he's looking forward to having the four of us back at the White House. And we told him when we saw him we'd like to give him some big hugs. And he said that he would give us big hugs back," Paula Reed told O'Donnell. In 2020, Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of assaulting two Russian police officers during a drunken night out the previous year. Reed has said he does not recall the incident and pleaded not guilty. The U.S. government also raised concerns about the fairness of his trial. The White House also said Wednesday that it was committed to bringing home Paul Whelan, another former U.S. Marine imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges that the U.S. and his family say are fabricated, "and others." Professional basketball player Brittney Griner has also been held in Russia since mid-February on drug charges. "Our hearts go out to the Whelan family because we had hoped all along that Trevor and Paul would be brought home together," Paula Reed told O'Donnell. "We kind of had hoped for that and it didn't happen and so our hearts are breaking for them. But we're going to still continue to advocate for them and try to bring them home." Are the Kids All Right?: Racism | CBS Reports Biden to speak on U.S. backing Ukraine: CBS News Flash April 28, 2022 Green Hydrogen: Electrolysis Technology SheKnows Mothers Day was canceled for one particular family this year and its pretty impossible to dispute the reasoning. A dad took to Reddits AITA forum to share the awful exchange that led to him nixing his wifes celebration and users quickly rallied around him. I (M/37) have a 13 y.o son. I was a [] SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A group of unidentified individuals on Thursday set fire to two dozen trucks and machinery in Chile's southern Araucania region that for years has been marked by conflicts between the government and the Mapuche ethnic group. The incident occurred at Empresa de Camiones y Aridos Transa, a firm that provides services to the forestry industry and extracts aggregates for construction. It was the second time the firm had been the victim of an attack. Arauco provincial delegate Humberto Toro told local radio Cooperativa that more than 25 of the company's machines and trucks were burned. Last month, Interior Minister Izkia Siches's visit to the restive region of Araucania was interrupted by gunshots near her motorcade, forcing her to temporarily take shelter in a police station. Siches's visit was to start a dialogue to address conflicts in Araucania between authorities and local Mapuche indigenous groups in the southern region. The Mapuche have for years demanded the return of their ancestral lands, which were handed over to the private sector that exploits the land in the lucrative forestry sector. In recent years, attacks that include the burning of houses, trucks and machinery have intensified in the area. "The attack in Los Alamos, Los Rios sector, shows that the province of Arauco is a lawless land," the Chilean National Confederation of Truck Owners (CNDC) said in a statement. The CNDC argued authorities are "completely overwhelmed." The perpetrators left slogans at the site of the latest attack demanding freedom for "Mapuche political prisoners," local radio reported. Reuters could not independently verify the claim. (Reporting by Fabian Andres Cambero; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Sandra Maler) The Daily Beast OANThe right-wing cable network One America News Network on Monday ran a pre-recorded 30-second segment acknowledging that there was no widespread voter fraud by Georgia election workers in the 2020 presidential election. The segment appears to be part of a recent settlement relating to a defamation lawsuit brought against the network by two such workers.The segment notes that an investigation by state officials into unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud made by ex-President Donald anti-war poster in Moldova Posters outside the Eugene Ionesco National Theater in Chisinau, Moldova, urge Russia to end its war in Ukraine.Charles Davis/Insider In March, authorities in Moldova banned news broadcasts from Russia. The parliament also prohibited the public display of the "Z" symbol used by Russian forces in Ukraine. In the capital, experts told Insider that Moldova was fighting a flood of propaganda from Moscow. CHISINAU, Moldova Moldova is not at war, but it is surrounded by it on three sides: Ukraine lies to the east, north, and south. Nearly 100,000 people have sought refuge from bombings in this small country of 3 million, but the peace here is tenuous. Moldova is not a member of NATO or the European Union, and 10% of the population lives in a breakaway region backed by the Russian government. According to its constitution, Moldova is neutral. Effectively, it has to be, having a tiny and poorly equipped military that even members of parliament admit would be incapable of putting up a fight. But the government here, newly elected in November 2021, is adamant that it stands not with the Kremlin but with its invaded neighbor. Since the war began, it has also taken steps that reflect the feeling that Moldova faces an existential threat. In March, the government's Commission for Emergency Situations prohibited news broadcasts from Russia, which had dominated the airwaves. The government is also requiring balance, with typically pro-Moscow broadcasts needing to present both sides. "I'll say simply: Tucker Carlson, in Moldova, would be prohibited," Valeriu Pasa, an expert on disinformation at WatchDog.MD, an anti-corruption campaign organization, said of the prime-time Fox News anchor in an interview at his office in Chisinau. Carlson has previously parroted Russian talking points about Russia's justification for aggression against Ukraine even as far back as 2019. Fox News did not respond to a request for comment. Story continues Moldova is a bilingual nation. The official tongue, since independence, is Romanian; under the Soviet Union, it was Russian. While most people speak both, more understand the latter, Pasa said, which is why it is so important to regulate broadcasts. It's not a simple matter of free speech versus censorship, he argued, but a matter of leveling the playing field between truly independent (and usually underfunded) news media and media outlets backed by the full might of a foreign government and not being naive in the face of an invasion. Russian state "news" is not news at all: broadcasters deny war crimes and deny that there's really even a war at all ("special military operation" is the nomenclature). Legitimate, independent journalism in Moscow is punishable with jail time and worse. "It's important to give people the right to access anything, but when it is a limited market you at least have to make sure that the conditions are fair," Pasa said. "Now there's a war. Russia is an aggressor," he continued, and its media "just an extension of Russia's military force." Valeriu Pasa, program manager at WatchDog.MD, said state-sponsored propaganda has an unfair advantage over independent media. Charles Davis/Insider Nadine Gogu, executive director of the Independent Journalism Center in Chisinau, said limits on any expression must of course be narrow and critically examined. But these are also not normal times in a country where, even in the best times, popular media is highly partisan and propagandistic. "If we didn't have the war, and we didn't see these images from Bucha, maybe we could be having a different discussion," she said. Still, the impact of prohibiting Russian broadcasts may be less than expected. In the first days of the war self-censorship had achieved largely the same effect if not on official Russian broadcasts, at least at outlets associated with the Socialist opposition, which typically rebroadcast content from Moscow. "It was so strange to see in the newscasts how they were talking about refugees from Ukraine but not reporting about what is happening, really," Gogu said. "It was all about how local authorities are dealing with this crisis and nothing about what was going on in Ukraine." Moldova, which became an independent country with the collapse of the Soviet Union, has for the past three decades been divided on the question of Russia. Every couple of years, the government alternates from Communist to Socialist to pro-West each getting thrown out over corruption. But the war in Ukraine made the issue less abstract, and the presence of so many Ukrainians not only united Moldovan society, which has rallied to welcome refugees, but made it impossible to deny the savagery of the war they fled. The typically outspoken have opted for silence, at least on the most important issue of the day. It's a fight they can't win, at least not right now. But there are adjacent arguments to be made. On April 19, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, elected in a 2020 landslide, signed a law prohibiting another form of propaganda: displays of the pro-war "Z" and "V" symbols used by the Russian military and its supporters. That comes ahead of May 9 Victory Day in Russia and Eastern Europe, the fear being that an event to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany could be used to antagonize refugees and lend support to the war in Ukraine. In a statement, Russia's embassy in Chisinau accused Moldovan officials of falling prey to the "cancel culture phenomenon being promoted by Western society," according to Interfax, a Russian news agency, saying it "complicates movement toward peace and friendship." Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry, went further, calling the prohibition "a real betrayal" that would result in "painful" consequences for Moldova, comments that led the government in Chisinau to summon the Russian ambassador. Moldova's parliament recently approved a law banning the display of the pro-Russian "Z" symbol. Charles Davis/Insider Radu Marian, a member of parliament and vice president of the governing Party of Action and Solidarity, conceded that the move which includes banning a symbol, the St. George's ribbon, that is used not just to celebrate contemporary Russian actions but, traditionally, victory over the Nazis would aid the Kremlin's propaganda campaign against his government. "This was a complicated decision," he said in an interview at his office in Moldova's parliament building, one that could well have "the inverse effect of what we aim." Russia, of course, is already waging a war in Ukraine that it falsely claims is intended to eliminate fascism. But he argued that banning the display of the symbol is consistent, and indeed required, by a democracy in a time of war. "In any free society, any sign, any message, that promotes violence and war is absolutely unacceptable, especially in a peaceful country like Moldova," Marian said. "I think it's a logical decision. We are more vulnerable because we have Russian agents we have some people who are supporting the invasion," he said, and there are fears across the country that, with a breakaway region supported by Russia, it could be next. "We just cannot allow war-promoting messages." Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey on Thursday rejected accusations that its warplanes conducted unauthorized military flights over Greek islands, pointing the finger at fellow NATO-member Greece instead. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said accusations made by Greece do not reflect the truth and insisted that it was Greeces air force that carried out provocative flights near Turkeys coast, allegedly violating its airspace repeatedly over the southwestern towns of Didim, Datca and Dalaman. While Greece is the party which started and escalated the tension accusing our country of unfounded allegations is incompatible with the recent positive agenda and good neighborly relations between the two countries, the Turkish statement read. Turkey and Greece have long-standing sea and air boundary disputes that intensified with moves to explore potential undersea natural gas reserves. The disagreement has resulted in near-daily air force patrols and interception missions, mostly in disputed airspace around Greek islands that are near Turkeys coastline. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday he contacted NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to report the alleged airspace violations by Turkey that he said included unauthorized flights over several large Greek islands. I made it clear to Secretary-General Stoltenberg that this type of behavior by a NATO ally in the southeast flank of the alliance is simply unacceptable. It undermines European security as well as the unity of purpose of NATO, Mitsotakis said. Mitsotakis made the comments at a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. On Wednesday, Turkeys ambassador to Athens was summoned to Greeces Foreign Ministry to receive a complaint about the unauthorized military flights. Turkey's Foreign Ministry called on Greece to stop provocative actions and rhetoric and to support recently-resumed talks that aim to build confidence between the two countries. There is no change in Turkeys attitude toward resolving all Aegean disputes, including the width of the airspace, within the framework of a sincere dialog, in accordance with international law, the ministry statement read. Nicola Sturgeon and Angus Robertson - Jane Barlow/PA Wire A senior minister in Nicola Sturgeons government has suggested that Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine is partly to blame for the pitiful response rate to the Scottish census. Angus Robertson provoked ridicule from opponents on Thursday when he claimed that public anxiety caused by recent world events had contributed to the survey descending into disarray. More than a fifth of households have so far refused to complete the census ahead of an original deadline of Sunday, after it was delayed by a year by SNP ministers who blamed Covid. In the rest of the UK, where the census went ahead last year as planned, the census was a major success with 97 per cent of households responding. Mr Robertson claimed that a 77.2 per cent response rate in Scotland was in fact a substantial figure in light of everything happening in the world right now. He confirmed a report in The Telegraph that the window for completing forms would be extended by a further four weeks, beyond the original deadline of Sunday, as more than 600,000 households are yet to respond. The unprecedented extension will cost an additional 9.7 million, on top of the 21.6 million cost of delaying the census from last year. The increased costs mean that the botched census is now expected to cost taxpayers 148.3 million in total. The Scottish census - Andrew Milligan/PA Wire I understand that many people may be dealing with other concerns. Recent world events have caused anxiety for many and have remained the focus of the media, quite rightly, in recent weeks, Mr Robertson said. Closer to home, people are still dealing with the impacts of Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis and given these challenges, I appreciate another ask of people is difficult. However, I cannot stress enough how important it is for the [Scottish] Government to hear the voices of the remaining 604,000 households who are still to return [forms]. Mr Robertson insisted the decision to put off the census for 12 months had been correct, despite experts believing it was a major factor in the far lower response rate. Story continues A high proportion of census returns well over 90 per cent - are usually needed to ensure that data, vital in deciding government funding and policies, is robust. Mr Roberson said that research would be commissioned to find out why so few people have completed the census despite being sent multiple reminders. Concerns over nationalist bias Some have complained that the survey has a nationalist bias, with respondents unable to record their nationality as English. Guidance informing people they can record themselves as male or female based on their gender identity, rather than biological sex, has also proved controversial. Others have said they have found it difficult to obtain paper forms, whilst roughly 68,000 people started filling in the census online but abandoned the process without completing it. Asked what new tactics would be used to drive up response rates over the coming weeks, Mr Robertson urged Conservative MSPs to write newspaper columns encouraging readers to return census forms. He also offered a fulsome apology for this newspaper obtaining details of his statement before they were announced at Holyrood, after he was rebuked by the Presiding Officer. He promised that an internal leak inquiry would be carried out. Disastrous handling of census Donald Cameron, a Scottish Tory MSP, said that the SNPs handling of the census had been nothing short of disastrous. It was needlessly delayed by a year and has ended up costing taxpayers an extra 30 million, he said. If the SNP had stuck to the same timetable as the rest of the UK for the census, it would have been completed long before the tragic events in Ukraine unfolded. They would have clearly benefited from a UK-wide publicity campaign, which delivered an extremely high response rate elsewhere. Despite those warnings, the SNP insisted on going it alone and claimed this would ensure the highest possible response rate. Now we see the exact opposite has occurred. A Ukrainian soldier speaks on his smartphone outside a residential building damaged by a missile on February 25, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Pierre Crom/Getty Images Elon Musk's Starlink system has been active in Ukraine since the early days of Russia's invasion. A Ukrainian soldier told a British reporter that the satellite system has proven helpful. The soldier, identified only as Dima, said that it "changed the war in Ukraine's favor." A Ukrainian soldier said that Elon Musk's Starlink satellites "changed the war in Ukraine's favor" because they were helping troops stay online amid Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. The soldier's comments were reported by the British freelance journalist David Patrikarakos, who was reporting from the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. "I want to say one thing: Elon Musk's Starlink is what changed the war in Ukraine's favor," said Dima, who said he had been fighting alongside Ukrainian forces since March, according to Patrikarakos. "Russia went out of its way to blow up all our comms. Now they can't. Starlink works under Katyusha fire, under artillery fire. It even works in Mariupol," Dima said, per Patrikarakos. Starlink is the satellite-based internet division of SpaceX, Musk's space-exploration firm. On February 27 three days after Russia invaded Ukraine Musk announced that Starlink was activated in Ukraine and that terminals were on their way to the country. His announcement came after Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov asked the billionaire on Twitter to send the terminals. At the time, internet flows across the country were deteriorating due to Russian attacks. As of last month, more than 5,000 Starlink internet terminals have been active in the country, The Washington Post reported. Fedorov told The Post that Starlink has proved "very effective" for Ukraine amid the invasion. The satellites have directly assisted Ukrainian forces in combat. The Times of London reported last month that an elite Ukrainian drone unit is using Starlink to destroy dozens of Russian targets in the night time. "If we use a drone with thermal vision at night, the drone must connect through Starlink to the artillery guy and create target acquisition," the leader of the unit told The Times. Read the original article on Business Insider ROME (AP) With a round of Happy Birthday in Italian and English, the U.S. Army toasted an Italian woman with a birthday cake Thursday to replace the one that U.S. soldiers ate as they entered her hometown during one of the final battles of World War II. Meri Mion, who turns 90 on Friday, wiped away tears as she was presented with the cake during a ceremony in Vicenza, northwest of Venice. The event marked the anniversary of the day the 88th Infantry Division fought its way into the city on April 28, 1945. According to the U.S. Army, Mion spent that night with her mother hiding in the attic of their farm in the nearby village of San Pietro in Gu. Retreating German soldiers had fired on the house, but when Mion awoke on the morning of her 13th birthday, American soldiers were nearby. In a statement, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy said Mions mother baked her a birthday cake and left it on the windowsill to cool. But it disappeared apparently nicked by hungry American soldiers who had already been feted by grateful Italians with wine and bread as they entered Vicenza along its main thoroughfare. Mion seemed genuinely surprised that U.S. soldiers had returned the cake 77 years later. She marveled Mama mia and Grazie as a small crowd featuring U.S. commanders and Italian officials sang Happy Birthday. Tomorrow, we will eat that dessert, with all my family remembering this wonderful day that I will never forget, Mion said, according to the U.S. Army. Smoke is seen on the horizon after Russian missiles struck the area on April 18, 2022 in Lviv, western Ukraine. The city is located near the Polish border. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Top Western officials fear the Ukraine war could spread, The New York Times reported. Officials said the war could last for several years and other nations could be dragged in. In recent days Russia has cut gas to Poland and Bulgaria, and Russian cities have been hit by explosions. There is growing concern among US and European officials that the war in Ukraine could spill beyond its borders and engulf other countries, The New York Times reported. Officials from Western countries allied with Ukraine in the war against Russia fear a possible spread of the conflict in three ways, the report claims. They fear it could physically spread into neighbouring states, spread into cyberspace through hacking and other cyber attacks, and spread into NATO countries facing a cutoff of Russian oil or gas. According to the NYT, the concerns are founded on the belief that the war could drag on for several years. It could result in a more direct, Cold War-style confrontation between Russia and the US as the superpowers seek to reduce each others strength, according to the report. In recent weeks, the conflict has impacted several nations near Ukraine. Russia has cut gas supplies to NATO states Poland and Bulgaria, there have been a series of mysterious explosions in cities in Russia, and Russia has menaced Finland and Sweden after the Nordic states said they were seeking to join NATO. There have also been explosions this week in Transnistria, a Russian-controlled region in Ukraine's southern neighbor Moldova, raising concerns the conflict may spread to the state. Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech Wednesday warned against Western intervention in Ukraine, saying that "if someone intends to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside, and create strategic threats for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast." Seth Jones, director of the European Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told The Times that "the risk of a widening war is serious right now." Story continues Russia had expected a swift victory in Ukraine, but with its forces repelled from the Kyiv region by the Ukrainian military, it has refocused its campaign in eastern Ukraine that is advancing slowly. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday said that the US aimed to weaken Russia so that it would be unable to launch another invasion, marking an abrupt shift in US military strategy and signalling that the US did not expect an end to the conflict in the near future. Read the original article on Business Insider Pro-Russian separatists gather in the separatist-controlled settlement of Mykolaivka in the Donetsk region (DPR) of Ukraine, on March 1, 2022. Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images An official said the US has "credible information" of Russians killing Ukrainians trying to surrender. The US ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice told the UN about the claims. This reveals a "disturbing pattern of systematic abuse" by Russian forces, the official said. The US has evidence that Russian troops in eastern Ukraine have executed people who are trying to surrender, a top US official told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday. "We now have credible information that a Russian military unit operating in the vicinity of Donetsk executed Ukrainians who were attempting to surrender, rather than take them into custody," Beth Van Schaack, the US ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice, said in the meeting. "If true, this would be in violation of a core principle of the law of war: the prohibition against the summary execution of civilians and of combatants who are hors de combat by virtue of surrender, injury, or other forms of incapacitation." Hors de combat is a French term used in international law to refer to someone in war who has clearly expressed an intention to surrender or who is injured and incapable of defending themselves. Van Schaack continued: "These ... reports suggest that atrocities are not the result of rogue units or individuals; they rather reveal a deeply disturbing pattern of systematic abuse across all areas where Russia's forces are engaged." She did not give any more detail about what reports she was referencing. Since Russia launched a full invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russian troops have shelled several cities across the country, hitting multiple civilian targets, including hospitals and schools. After failing to capture the capital city Kyiv, Russian forces have refocused their efforts in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has recorded more than 3,400 civilian casualties in the country so far, although the number is expected to be much higher. Story continues In the besieged port city of Mariupol, at least 21,000 civilians have been killed by Russian forces, local Ukrainian officials said earlier this month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of committing "genocide" and called Russian soldiers "murderers, looters, butchers." The Kremlin has repeatedly denied that it is targeting civilians. It continues to call the invasion of Ukraina a "special military operation." Read the original article on Business Insider Trevor Reed's parents give an emotional reaction to their son's release from prison in Russia. The former US Marine was arrested in Russia in 2019 and has now been released in a prisoner swap. His mother Paula Reed held back tears when she said: "It's going to really hit us when we get to put our arms around him." Russian soldiers walks along a street in Mariupol on April 12, 2022. Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images) Russia plans to dismantle local governments across Ukraine, a US official said on Thursday. In captured territories, Russia wants to set up new forms of government with its own leaders. Ukraine has warned that Russia will schedule referendums in captured areas to impose legitimacy. Russia plans to dismantle Ukraine's government and install puppet leaders to head local municipalities, a US official said on Thursday. Michael Carpenter, US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said in remarks to the agency's permanent council in Vienna that Russia seeks a "forced capitulation" of Ukraine's elected government and wants to "dissolve" all local municipal governments across the country. "Plans for a new government and new constitution are being developed by Russian officials and so-called 'separatists,'" Carpenter said. He added: "This planning includes a moratorium disallowing legitimate Ukrainian leaders and those supporting Ukraine's legitimate government from any leadership positions." Carpenter said Russia wants to set up new forms of government in territories it captures and warned it may be preparing to stage "sham" referendums in occupied regions to try and legitimize its invasion. Ukraine has previously accused Russia of scheduling referendums in the southeastern Ukrainian cities of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday, however, that "pseudo-referendums" or establishment of "new pseudo-people's republics" would derail any peace negotiations with Moscow. Carpenter referred to the idea of Russian referendums as a textbook move and said the US witnessed "attempts to impose so-called 'new realities'" eight years ago in Crimea and in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Since 2014, Ukraine has fought Kremlin-backed rebels in the pro-Russia separatist-controlled Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic both in the country's eastern Donbas region. Story continues Shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin's February 24 televised war declaration, he signed a decree recognizing the two regions as independent states. Carpenter accused Russia of using disinformation to portray legitimate Ukrainian authority as a "Western-inspired coup" to local populations. "The reality is that Russia installed puppet regimes dependent on Russian bribes, and orchestrated nebulous 'people's councils' to create phony constitutions all an attempt to lend an air of legitimacy to the sham," Carpenter said. Now, Russian forces have focused their attention on a renewed offensive in the Donbas after failing to capture Ukraine's capital city Kyiv. Despite Russian troop movement to eastern Ukraine, Western officials have warned that Putin still wants to control all of Ukraine. Read the original article on Business Insider WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) A judge in Fiji is due to rule Tuesday on whether U.S. authorities can seize the luxurious superyacht Amadea worth some $325 million which has been stopped from leaving the South Pacific nation because of its links to Russia. But a vital question remains over which oligarch really owns the Amadea. Only one of the two possible candidates faces sanctions. Is the real owner Suleiman Kerimov? That's what the U.S. claims. Kerimov, an economist and former Russian politician, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for alleged money laundering and has faced further sanctions from Canada, Europe and Britain after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kerimov made a fortune investing in Russian gold producer Polyus, with Forbes magazine putting his net worth at $14.5 billion. Or is the real owner Eduard Khudainatov? Thats what defense lawyers claim. Khudainatov is the former chairman and chief executive of Rosneft, the state-controlled Russian oil and gas company. Crucially, Khudainatov currently does not appear to face any sanctions, unlike many oligarchs and people with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin who have been sanctioned since the war began. Video: Russian oligarch Deripaska's yacht arrives in Turkish waters As with many superyachts, determining the real ownership of the Amadea is difficult due to the shadowy trail of trusts and shell companies. On paper, the superyacht is registered in the Cayman Islands and owned by Millemarin Investments Ltd., also based in the Cayman Islands. Defense lawyers have claimed in court that Millemarin Investments Ltd. (sometimes spelled Millemarine) is the legal owner of the vessel and that the company is linked to the real, or beneficial, owner, Khudainatov. But U.S. authorities have claimed that behind all the various fronts, the real owner is Kerimov. On April 19, after the yacht had sailed into Fiji from Mexico, the High Court in Suva ordered that the Amadea not leave Fiji until the merits of the U.S. warrant to seize the vessel were determined. Perhaps reflecting the question over ownership, the court later ordered Fijian prosecutors to amend an original summons which named just Kerimov to also include Millemarin Investments Ltd. as a second respondent to the case. Story continues For now, the yacht continues to sit in a Fijian harbor with its crew of about 25 rotating on and off the vessel, while a police officer remains on board to ensure it stays put. According to Boat International, the Amadea is 106 meters long and was built in 2017. It features a stainless steel albatross that extends off the bow and weighs more than 5 tons, a live lobster tank in the galley, a 10-meter (33-foot) pool, a hand-painted Pleyel piano and a large helipad. The U.S. Embassy in Suva said in a statement that the U.S. was acting with allies and partners around the world to impose costs on Russia because of its war of choice. 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. (Bloomberg) -- When Vanguard Group Inc. made a surprise retreat from China last year, the U.S. investing giant pinned its remaining hopes on a robo-advisory joint venture with billionaire Jack Mas Ant Group Co. The road to a profitable China business is proving to be bumpier than expected. Most Read from Bloomberg The partnership booked a 25 million yuan ($3.8 million) loss last year, more than five times higher than an internal forecast made after the venture was set up in 2019, according to people familiar with the matter. The short-term prospects arent much better following a loss in January, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private matters. The loss, though tiny for a money manager that runs $8 trillion, highlights Vanguards challenges tapping into a wealth market that China International Capital Corp. expects to grow to $40 trillion in 2030. Other global firms appear to be making inroads, with BlackRock Inc. raising more than 9 billion yuan in new funds at a stand-alone business and a joint venture, while Invesco Ltd. is boosting headcount after hitting a $100 billion target for managing Chinese investors assets. The Vanguard-Ant joint venture said in an emailed statement that its honored to have served more than 3 million users, and will continue to invest in and innovate around our research, products and services to improve the user experience. Vanguard and Ant deferred to the joint venture for comment. The China firm, known as Vanguard Investment Advisors (Shanghai) Investment Consultancy Co., tripled its number of users at the end of 2021 from a year earlier, Chief Executive Officer Peter Zhang told a forum in January. The company declined to comment on its current number of users or assets under management. Bloomberg reported last year the venture managed about 6.9 billion yuan. Story continues Rising competition in the Chinese market contributed to Vanguards decision in 2021 to scrap plans for a stand-alone mutual fund business and stick with its Ant tie-up, in which it holds 49%. The partial withdrawal from China followed a pull back from Hong Kong and Japan the previous year for the Valley Forge, Pennsylvania-based firm. Since Vanguard and Ant launched the BangNiTou service in 2020, the list of players in the robo space has expanded to more than 60. Vanguard is even facing competition from its own partner after Ant opened its Alipay platform to 14 rival providers, including Guotai Junan Securities Co. and Guolian Securities Co. Both firms had assets under management of more than 10 billion yuan as of Dec. 31. Ant meanwhile is dealing with a crackdown from Beijing that forced it to scrap a planned $35 billion stock sale in 2020 and ordered it to overhaul its lending, insurance and wealth management businesses so that it can be regulated like a bank. In response to the competitive threat, Vanguards joint venture reduced fees by almost half last year, impacting the bottom line. While theres nothing wrong in cutting advisory fees, its an unsustainable way to maintain clients, especially if the cuts lead to a price war, said Sun Guiping, an analyst at Shanghai Securities Co. He added that its normal for a fund advisory business to post a loss in the early stages given the resources and time needed to develop clients. Although the joint ventures revenue of almost 30 million yuan came in better than forecast, the profit targets will be more difficult to achieve as costs climb, one of the people said. Shortly after its launch, the Vanguard venture set a target of turning a profit in 2022. Last years expenses outstripped revenue by more than 70%, according to one of the people. Research and development costs doubled, while the venture has been cutting back on marketing expenses, one of the people said. While most investors are familiar with digital channels and 70% of them have investable assets of between 100,000 yuan and 500,000 yuan, theyre allocating less than 10,000 yuan with the advisers, according to a joint survey by Vanguards venture and KPMG, released in January. Satisfaction levels are low, and differentiation among providers has yet to be noticeable, the results showed. Slumping markets arent helping. Chinas benchmark stock index has dropped 21% this year, one of the worst performers among major markets. Chinas investors are experiencing a confidence crisis after repeated losses, according to a survey by Yinhua Fund Management Co. this month. (Updates with fund advisory survey in second-to-last paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the shooting death of a 12-year-old Virginia girl, authorities said Wednesday. The teen, who has not been identified, is charged with homicide, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a juvenile, obstruction of justice and providing false information to police, the Hampton Police Department said. He is being held on unrelated charges out of nearby Norfolk, police said. MURDERED UVA STUDENT YEARDLEY LOVE HAD ROCKY RELATIONSHIP WITH PARTY ANIMAL BOYFRIEND, LAWYER SAYS The girl was found dead on April 23 inside a home. Hampton police officers responded to the scene after receiving a call of a possible shooting in the 2100 block of North Roger Peed Drive just before 11:30 a.m. When they arrived, members of the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue had found the girl dead inside a home, police said. An investigation reveal she died from a gunshot injury. The death is still under investigation. Authorities have not released details of what led to the shooting or the relationship between the girl and the teenage boy. West Ham manager David Moyes admitted his side failed to show enough quality as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire) West Ham manager David Moyes admitted his side failed to show enough quality as they slipped to a 2-1 Europa League defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. It was the Hammers first European semi-final for 46 years, but they were unable to rise to the occasion in the first leg and were left to rue defensive errors. Eintracht stunned West Ham to take the lead inside the first minute through Ansgar Knauffs header, although Michail Antonio levelled the tie 20 minutes later. However, the visitors retook the lead in the second half through Daichi Kamada, with Moyes left to mull over opportunities missed, including hitting the woodwork three times. Weve got a lot to do, he said. Weve got to show a lot more quality than we did tonight. We didnt show enough quality, especially in the final third when we had moments to do so and a couple of times we turned off, obviously for the goals. So, a lot of those things will need to brighten up and be better. He added: Ultimately a disappointing result for us, but weve still got another game to play and weve given ourselves a chance still and hopefully well play better in the second leg. Eintracht currently sit ninth in the Bundesliga but started the game full of confidence having knocked LaLiga giants Barcelona out in the quarter-finals. I think Frankfurt made it difficult which, to be fair, theyre renowned for, theyre very good at it, added Moyes. We didnt start the first half so well, nor the second half. They scored the goals in those periods. We started and they scored within a minute and it was a terrible start for us, but I felt after that we grew into the game, we got a goal. If you said to me who was more likely then I felt we were at that period of the game, but we werent able to take it. Visiting manager Oliver Glasner was proud of his sides performance. I am really proud of my team, I am impressed with the way they performed, he said. We did the same in Barcelona, we scored the first goal after three minutes. Story continues Then it was as we expected it to be. It was very physical, a lot of dead-ball situations and crosses that we had to defend. As manager of course I am never 100 per cent happy and the second half, we passed back the ball too often to our goalkeeper, but we were at times beyond the halfway line and then went back to the goalkeeper. We will need better solutions and that is what we need in the second leg as well. Apr. 27The West Texas Food Bank is excited to partner with Pop Spot to bring their unique shopping experience to our facility, a press release detailed. The VIP party will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday evening at the West Texas Food Bank Midland Facility located at 1601 Westcliff Drive. It's open to the public as the Pop Spot shopping event will begin at 10 a.m. at the West Texas Food Bank Midland Facility on Saturday. Tickets are available to the VIP Party on Friday and 100% of the money raised from the ticket sales will be donated to the West Texas Food Bank. Pop Spot is a curated and high-end POP UP shopping experience designed to highlight small businesses, designers and brands; giving customers an opportunity to discover, support and shop small. Wichita Falls ISD trustees and staff members listen to an update on construction for the two new high schools during a special session Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at the Education Center. Wichita Falls ISD teachers and other staff members may soon find out where the budget ax will strike to remedy a funding shortfall. The School Board might take action on staff cuts during a special meeting 9 a.m. Friday in the Education Center at 1104 Broad Street. More: Parent with school safety concerns: 'I feel like our priorities are way off' The district is facing an estimated $8 million to $9 million hole in the budget for the 2022-2023 school year. Independent consultant Gary Patterson, who is working with senior staff members, told trustees at an April 18 meeting that he expected they would provide recommendations for cuts this week. The lineup for Friday's meeting appears to bear this out. The district released an agenda Monday evening listing a closed session Friday with WFISD's legal counsel about a reduction in force for a program change. In open session, trustees might decide which areas will be affected as a result of the program change, "Which Requires the Nonrenewal of Several Employees of the District," according to the agenda. School Board members are also slated to consider taking action regarding one-year contract renewals for certified administrators and noncertified professionals on a list provided by the WFISD administration. In addition, the agenda calls for trustees to possibly take action on the renewal of one-year or probationary contracts for administrators, teachers and professionals on a list provided by the district's administration. Acting Superintendent Debbie Dipprey updated staff members about the budget situation last week after trustees heard from Patterson. "It is unlikely, knowing what we know today, that we will be able to make reductions needed to balance our budget without touching campus level staff," Dipprey said in the email sent just after 8 a.m. April 19. More: WFISD gets tough news about district's budget, campus-level cuts likely The cuts stem from WFISD's loss of about 800 students since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Story continues WFISD went into the pandemic with about 14,000 students. On March 31 this year, there were 13,321 students enrolled. The state bases funding on projected enrollment and is taking money back from WFISD since the number of students fell, Patterson has told trustees. WFISD Agenda Special Session by Denise Nelson on Scribd Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news, politics and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls ISD School Board to meet Friday to consider staff cuts Russian President Vladimir Putin attends Orthodox Easter mass in Moscow, Russia, on April 24, 2022. Contributor/Getty Images The White House proposed a new system for selling seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense. The proposal allows for the sale of "property linked to Russian kleptocracy" seized due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It's the latest step from the Biden administration to financially pressure Russia. The White House revealed plans on Thursday intended to enhance the US's ability to seize mansions and yachts owned by the wealthiest and most powerful Russians and sell them to help fund Ukraine's defense. The White House said the proposal would create new authorities that can seize "property linked to Russian kleptocracy" and "allow the government to use the proceeds to support Ukraine." The plan targets Russia's oligarchy a small group of influential and wealthy Russians, many with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets," Biden said earlier this year. "We are coming for your ill-begotten gains." The "proposal aims to streamline the process for seizure of oligarch assets, expand the assets subject to seizure, and enable the proceeds to flow to Ukraine," The White House said. And it said the plan "would improve the United States' ability to use forfeited oligarch funds to remediate harms caused to Ukraine by Russian aggression." The Department of Justice, Department of the Treasury, and the State Department would work together "to use forfeited funds related to corruption, sanctions and export control violations, and other specified offenses to remediate harms of Russian aggression toward Ukraine," the White House said. Thursday's proposal is the latest step by the Biden administration to sanction Russian oligarchs in the wake of the February 24 invasion of Ukraine. The proposal appears to be the manifestation of a growing interest among American politicians to directly seize the assets of wealthy Russians and sell those assets to fund Ukraine's defense. Story continues "I think it's a good idea to seize assets of those close to Putin," Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio told Insider in March. "Other countries are doing it, including Germany yesterday. If Germany is doing it, that must mean everybody is doing it." The United States alongside allies in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Canada have frozen the assets of dozens of Russian oligarchs and banned them from doing business in their respective regions. The goal of those sanctions is to force Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine by hurting Russia's economy, isolating it from the rest of the world, and devaluing its currency. Thursday's proposal, the White House said, would "enhance the United States Government's authority to hold the Russian government and Russian oligarchs accountable for President Putin's war against Ukraine." Read the original article on Business Insider Explosion in Belgorod, Russia Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Russian media reported explosions Wednesday at an ammunition depot near Belgorod and two other storage facilities near Ukraine's eastern border, in the latest instances of "unexplained fires and explosions at strategic locations in Russia, including storage depots, a sensitive defense research site, and the country's largest chemical plant," The Washington Post reports. "All of the sites hit are likely involved in supplying fuel and ammunition to the troops engaged in Donbas and the damage may hinder Russia's efforts to sustain its offensive there," the Post reports, raising "suspicions that at least some may have been caused by sabotage or Ukrainian attacks." Local Russian officials blamed an April 1 explosion at fuel depots in Belgorod on Ukrainian attack helicopters, but as the incidents multiplied, it became "a subject which officials in Moscow prefer to avoid," BBC Monitoring's Vitaliy Shevchenko writes. "Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory would be an embarrassment to the Kremlin, which had been hoping to have control of Ukraine within days of invading it in February." For their part, "Ukrainian officials have hinted at some involvement in the incidents without expressly acknowledging them," The Wall Street Journal reports. "Karma is a cruel thing," Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote in Russian on Wednesday. Oleksiy Arestovych, a military adviser to Zelensky, suggested "you need to look for reasons inside Russia for example, hiding the means by which money has been stolen from the Russian defense ministry." "It is clear why Ukraine would be reluctant to admit any cross-border attacks," writes the BBC's Shevchenko: "They would amount to a major escalation in an already bitter conflict." And there are plausible explanations other than sabotage or airstrikes. Thanks largely to negligence, Russia already "suffers from self-inflicted injuries in peacetime," Russian security expert Keir Giles at London's Chatham House tells the Journal. "When put under additional strain of an offensive war, it is no surprise that the rate of natural accidents should increase." Story continues You may also like Florida can't actually dissolve Disney World's self-governance district, Disney and tax lawyers agree Biden, the Clintons eulogize Madeleine Albright during funeral service: 'I pray to God we never stop hearing you' There's a fairer way to cancel college debt (Getty Images/iStockphoto) A woman has said that running out of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) amid a supply shortage would be catastrophic for her physical and mental wellbeing. Around a million women in the UK who rely on HRT to manage and treat symptoms of menopause are facing a severe shortage of the medication, due to disruptions in the supply chain as well as manufacturers not keeping up with increased demand. Sarah Smith, 53, told the PA news agency that if she stops taking HRT abruptly, it could cause a mental and physical impact that will likely see me have to give up work. Smith, from London, said she experienced approximately 30 hot flushes each day before she started taking the medication and had intense brain fog. I forgot how to do my job. Menopause ruined my life, she added. I had completely lost my sense of identity, and all joy in life. I just existed and was, like a lot of women, considering giving up on work as I could not cope with it. Its taken me about seven years to get whats called the gold standard of HRT. This current gold standard treatment allows me to make the journey back to who I used to be. Another woman told PA that she had experienced suicidal thoughts due to menopause before she was prescribed HRT. Marion Swarbrick, 47, from West Lothian, Scotland, said: Im really worried about not being able to get HRT as menopause also affects moods. With just a weeks supply left, she said she visited a Boots store to get more but was told it was unavailable. (Without HRT) I will become an irrational monster going between laughing, crying, suicidal and angry. It will also bring back hot flushes, Swarbrick added. Women will die from this if its not sorted out. Ive also got CPTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) and my mental health has been awful lately. I really dont want to have the menopause mood swings return to add to my mental health. Menopause is a natural part of ageing and occurs when a womans oestrogen levels decline. According to the NHS, the average age for a woman to reach menopause is 51, but around one in 100 women experience it before they turn 40. Story continues Common symptoms of menopause include hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, and problems with memory or concentrating. HRT contains oestrogen and can be taken to replace the reduced level of hormones that cause symptoms of menopause. Health secretary Sajid Javid announced earlier this week that a HRT tsar will be appointed by the government to work on improving supplies of the medication in the short and long term. Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan via Getty Hundreds of outraged doctors, researchers, and students staged a walkout at New York Universitys Grossman School of Medicine on Tuesday after reports it is considering hiring a prominent scientist who has been the subject of sexual misconduct allegations that three other prestigious institutions found credible. WTF NYU STOP PROTECTING HARASSERS HONK FOR SAFER WORK ENVIRONMENT #NO TO SABATINI, their hand-drawn signs read. A few truckers responded by honking, but likely none of the passing drivers had any idea that the signs referred to David Sabatini, a one-time star biotech researcher who resigned from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology earlier this month after it revoked his tenure for having engaged in an sexual affair with a fledgling research doctor 20 years his junior. Science magazine was first to report that NYU is considering giving him a job. Dr. Deborah DeLair (r) and Dr. Esther Adler. Michael Daly/The Daily Beast Dr. Deborah DeLair was among those who gathered on the sidewalk opposite the school on First Avenue at 2 p.m. I believe that just considering hiring this individual, by doing this, NYU is sending a message that sexual harassment and coercion is acceptable, DeLair said as she stood beside Dr. Esther Adler, a fellow NYU pathologist and protester. A young MIT doctor accused Sabatini of pressuring her into sex while he was in a position to influence the course of her career as a graduate student at the time. The first sexual encounter came after he offered to take the place of her mentor, a female scientist who had fallen ill with ovarian cancer. No other women have accused Sabatini of coercing them into sex, but court papers cited a number of people who worked in his lab who confirmed her description of it as highly sexualized to the point of being toxic. They share his accusers recollections of regular whiskey tastings where the talk was, the young doctor texted to a friend, 85% sexual [and] 15% science. At some point, Sabatini told one of his male graduate students not to settle down early because, once the student becomes established and successful (like Sabatini), he could fuck whoever he wants, the accuser says in court papers. Story continues The lab was at the MIT-linked Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, which launched an internal sexual harassment survey in 2020 as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. The first allegations against Sabatini came from researchers other than the young doctor. They complained of a frat-house atmosphere in his lab. The young doctor made her charges only after an administrator asked about her experiences in the lab. Sabatini admitted to having sex with the doctor but insisted it was consensual and described her as a peer. That in itself was enough for Whitehead to fire him and for MIT to essentially shun him. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute withdrew its funding for his work. Sabatini was still held in high enough regard that he might have redeemed himself with a heartfelt apology. He instead filed a defamation suit that sought to portray him as the victim. This case involves the manipulation and abuse of laws and policies designed to ensure workplace equality to instead punish an ex-lover, the suit contends. The result has been to inflict substantial and potentially irreparable damage to the career of Dr. David M. Sabatini, a brilliant scientist. At one telling point, the suit notes the young doctors home address but not Sabatinis. The suit alleges: Even after Dr. Sabatini was fired or forced to resign, [the young doctor] has continued to inflict damage on his career by spreading lies about him to their shared professional colleagues, including by making false statements that Dr. Sabatini abused her and that he was a Harvey Weinstein. In response, the young doctor filed a counterclaim. Among other things, it notes that the brilliant scientist Sabatini told another woman at a meeting about a project trying to figure out why pubic hair is the length that it is. As recounted in the counterclaim, the young doctor was devastated upon learning in March 2018 that her mentor, MIT biology professor Angelika Amon, had cancer with a dire prognosis. [Sabatini] positioned himself as the person on whom [the young doctor} could rely as a mentor, in Amons absence, and someone who would open doors for her going forward, the counterclaim says. In early April of 2018, Sabatini offered to introduce [the young doctor] to others in his professional network at a conference in Washington, D.C. [The young doctor] was flattered. She agreed to meet Sabatini and looked forward to the visit She flew into town for the purpose of meeting with Sabatini and being introduced to his professional colleagues. Upon her arrival, Sabatini told her that he had decided not to go to the gathering. Contrary to what he had promised, there was no introduction to anyone else, let alone luminaries in her field, the counterclaim says. Sabatini invited her to join him for drinks and dinner. She agreed. They talked about science and about Amon, the counterclaim says. Sabatini seemed sympathetic but warned [the young doctor] that, of course, she could be at a distinct disadvantage if Amon passed away, because Amon would not be able to champion and vouch for [the young doctor] early on in her career, something that is essential for young scientists. Sabatini reiterated that he would step into the breach, assuring [the young doctor] that he would be there for her. After the dinner, Sabatini suggested that [the young doctor] come with him to his room to continue a scientific conversation they were having. The counterclaim continues, When they arrived, [the young doctor] stood at the door, as he lay down on his bed, instructing her to lie down next to him. When she told him she was not comfortable doing that, Sabatini started talking about how he and another established woman scientist do some of their best thinking together in this fashion. He pressed her to enter the room. The counterclaim says that the young doctor did notby word or conductindicate that she welcomed his advances. Sabatini began his advances and, realizing that she was not responsive, he told her to relax and proposed that they have a relationship where they have casual sex on the side. [The young doctor] got visibly upset. She tried to resist his advances, telling him, among many things, that Sabatini was her mentor and thus had control over her career. She told him that any sexual relationship between them would be against the rules. Sabatini brushed aside her concerns and warned [the young doctor] not to tell anyone about what he was doing. Sabatini persisted in his advances and got angry as she continued to tell him why he should not proceed. He ultimately said that he was so aroused that she either needed to submit or get out. The counterclaim reports, In the end, although she never consented, he had his way. The court papers say that the young doctor continued to feel trapped in the days ahead. Telling peopleeven her mentor, Angelika Amonof what had happened that evening was not a realistic option if she wanted to preserve her career. Sabatini had explicitly instructed her not to do so, and she feared what would happen if she did not heed that warning. [The young doctor] talked with him about why him engaging with her sexually was inappropriate. She spoke of wanting to be taken seriously as a scientist and not wanting to have her contributions diminished by any perception that he was helping her along because of a sexual relationship Sabatini dismissed her concerns and told her that their sexual encounters would be fine as long as she did not tell anyone. He told her that he was offended that she had gotten so upset during the previous sexual encounter His demands for sex did not stop. At a Whitehead Institute scientific retreat in New Hampshire in September 2018, Sabatini texted about his need to have sex because he had a raging boner That he was all revved up, and, if she would not meet up with him immediately, he would have to take matters into [his] own hand, and that he had a half-chub in [his] pants. Protesters outside NYU Medical Center demonstrating against NYU potentially hiring biologist David Sabatini. Michael Daly/The Daily Beast The counterclaim reports that the young doctor ended up having sex with him more than 10 times over a two-year period. For the first time since [the young scientist] had identified science as the endeavor in which she was most passionate and thus the prime source of meaning in her life, to which she was singularly devoted, she began to withdraw from the scientific community and experience debilitating feelings of entrapment and hopelessness, the counterclaim says. He responded by telling her she was crazy. Then came what the counterclaim describes as a sorry kind of deliverance. Finally, Sabatini secured the interest of his next sexual partner. Sabatini had tried to have another Whitehead faculty member bring this young woman on as a Visiting Scientist though she was not qualified, and, when that did not work, he brought her into his own Lab so that he could woo her. At that time, Sabatini told [the young doctor] that they should be friends. [The young doctor] reiterated the need to cut ties which Sabatini, finally, seemed to accept. That might have been that if a prominent scientist named Dr. Ruth Lehmann had not departed her position as head of the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine at NYU to head the Whitehead Institute in 2019. Very serious and highly regarded scientist, strong believer in equality and fairness, but not a strident womens lib type, considered quite visionary in her research in embryonic development, a bit cold and arrogant and tough as nails, and zero sleaze factor, says a scientist who knows her. Lehmann ordered the sexual harassment survey that led to the allegations against Sabatini. She fired him on the grounds that he had broken the rules even if he had only done what he acknowledged doing. He included her in his defamation suit, describing her as party to a supposed conspiracy to destroy him. One knowledgeable source told The Daily Beast that Lehmann had a contentious relationship with Robert Grossman, the NYU School of Medicine dean and CEO of NYU Langone Health. Grossman is said by the source to have been unhappy when Lehmann suggested in the journal Cell that NYU had strayed from basic science in pursuit of specific medical problems. At the same time, Grossman has been friendly with billionaire philanthropist Bill Ackman. Science magazine has reported that Ackman spoke sympathetically of Sabatini at a recent Manhattan gathering and suggested science would suffer if the one-time star were sidelined. The knowledgeable source says Grossmans relationship with the billionaire was likely a more important factor in the decision to try and bring on Sabatini than Sabatinis father, also named David, who is a professor emeritus of cell biology at NYU. In retrospect, it seems Grossman may have been paving the way for hiring the younger Sabatini with the most recent of his monthly emails to the NYU medical community. A mob feels compelled to stridently cancel someone with different thoughts, or to baselessly attack an individual in ways that can be difficult to disprove," the April 21 missive titled Civility Rules says. This is tolerated in academia, where nameless accusers can disparage a colleagues science and lifes work, even when their claims are unfounded. Another Grossman emailaddressed to Dear Colleagues and titled An Important Messagecame after Science reported that Sabatini was being considered. Allow us to share some thoughts on the concerns we have heard in recent days about the possibility that Dr. David Sabatini could join us at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The circumstances regarding Dr. Sabatinis departure from MIT have been in the news of course and so its understandable that our community would form opinions from the coverage. Grossman went on to say that we have undertaken a careful and thorough due diligence process that includes a full examination of all available facts and evidence in this case, adding, That process is ongoing and has included a diverse set of leaders from across our community. Grossman also took a shot at Science magazines reporting even before it was published, saying, We also gather that the story may contain a number of inaccuracies. We urge you to disregard rumor and insinuation and wait for a full and fair accounting of the facts. NYU School of Medicine did not respond to a query from The Daily Beast regarding the supposed inaccuracies in the Science story. The school did offer a lengthy statement about Sabatinis possible hiring, also talking about an extensive and careful due diligence process with a broad group of stakeholders as we are working hard to ensure that our conclusions and course of action are guided by facts and evidence rather than social media or incomplete press coverage. We urge the community to not prejudge or draw unwarranted conclusions until our full evaluation has been completed. Sabatini responded through a representative with a statement of his own, saying, I am enormously proud of the many scientific achievements at my lab and thanking his supporters there as I have tried to persevere in this troubling process. The statement continues: Although I have taken full responsibility for having had a consensual personal relationship with a professional colleague, the outcome thus far has been out of all proportion to the actual, underlying facts. As I have maintained consistently from the start, I differ sharply with the way this matter has been characterized and I intend to set the record straight and stand up for my integrity. While a number of Sabatinis former lab colleagues are said to have signed an anonymous letter supporting him, one former colleague, computational biologist Anne Carpenter, took to Twitter to make clear she was not among them. I will not sign, Carpenter, now with the Broad Institute, wrote. I was not surprised to see the [MIT] investigation (which did not involve me) found issues of particular concern relating to lab climate. At other times at other schools, protesters have seemed to be mobs run amok. But the people who walked out of the NYU School of Medicine on Tuesday afternoon did so out of legitimate concern that hard-won progress for women in science was threatened. Were not shy, were not timid, they chanted. We are angry. We are livid. DeLair, the pathologist, told The Daily Beast that she had read both the defamation suit and the young doctors counterclaim. Her conclusion was written on cardboard. PROTECT TRAINEES / #NO TO SABATINI. 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. Former Wigan full-back Zak Hardaker will have to wait to make his return for Leeds after falling ill (PA Images/Richard Sellers) (PA Archive) Leeds have revealed new signing Zak Hardaker suffered a suspected seizure whilst out walking with his young son and needed the help of a nearby paramedic. Hardaker suffered the attack on Tuesday, the day his signing was announced, and was taken to Pinderfields hospital in Wakefield, where he underwent tests before being discharged. The 30-year-old England full-back, who was a free agent after being released by Wigan last Friday, was named in Leeds interim coach Jamie Jones-Buchanans initial squad for Fridays Super League match against Hull KR at Headingley but will not now play. Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: At this moment in time our only concern is Zaks health and we will provide him and his family with whatever support is required. The Rhinos medical staff are overseeing things and will be arranging a series of medical tests which will then give a clearer prognosis for his recovery. Leeds say Hardaker, who has signed a deal to the end of the season, trained with his new team-mates on Tuesday morning before a community team activity after lunch and returning home. I would like to say a huge thank you to the paramedic who came to my aid and administered first aid before the ambulance arrived. It does not bear to think about what might have been the outcome without her quick thinking Hardaker said: Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to the paramedic who came to my aid and administered first aid before the ambulance arrived. It does not bear to think about what might have been the outcome without her quick thinking. It is so disappointing that I will not get to play on Friday but the Rhinos have given me great support and I will make sure I complete all the tests necessary and I hope to be back on the field as soon as possible. Zoom meetings may narrow cognitive focus, study finds (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Work teams who communicate over Zoom generate fewer and less creative ideas than those who meet in the office, a new study has found. Researchers at Columbia University and Stanford University in the US have established a link between how much people look around the room while generating ideas and the quality of ideas they come up with. The findings, published in the Nature journal, were consistent across both a lab experiment and a field study in an engineering firm with offices across five countries. In the lab experiments, a group of more than 600 adults were paired up and asked to spend five minutes generating ideas for creative uses for a frisbee or bubblewrap. They were then instructed to spend one minute choosing the best idea. Pairs were randomly assigned on whether they would work together in person or virtually. Researchers found that virtual pairs generated significantly fewer total creative ideas than in-person pairs. However, they noted that not all aspects of the ideation process was hindered by video conferencing. They found no evidence that these groups were less effective when it came to selecting the best idea. Authors of the study said the results were driven by differences in the physical nature of video conferencing and in-person interactions. Video conferencing hampers idea generation because it focuses communicators on a screen, the study said, adding that the effect of this is not psychologically benign. As virtual communicators narrow their visual scope to the shared environment of a screen, their cognitive focus narrows in turn, researchers added. This narrowed focus constrains the associative process underlying idea generation, whereby thoughts branch out and activate disparate information that is then combined to form new ideas. Researchers tested this theory in another experiment, which asked 151 pairs to generate creative uses for a product, either in-person or virtually, in a room containing ten props. Story continues At the end of the experiment, participants were asked to recall the props in the room. They found that those working virtually spend more time looking at their partner and less time looking at the surrounding room and could recall fewer products. Groups who worked together in person spent more time looking around the room, could recall more props. Importantly, researchers found that both factors were significantly associated with an increased number of creative ideas. Study author Melanie Brucks, an applied psychology professor at Columbia Universitys business school, commented: They [the virtual groups] were too focused on specifically the task at hand and that made them narrower in their thinking. Adam Green, a psychology professor at Georgetown University, who wasnt part of the research, suggested this is because faces draw our focus. Faces really matter to our brains and we devote a lot of attention to looking at faces, Green said. When we are with someone in person, it is not considered polite to stare directly at their face for an extended period of time. The findings were further tested among a group of 1,409 engineers at a multinational telecommunications infrastructure company. After taking part in an idea-generation workshop for one hour, the engineers who worked on the task virtually generated fewer total ideas than in-person pairs. Additionally, in-person teams had a significantly higher top-scoring idea in their generated idea pool. [April 28, 2022] Syniti Continues Momentum with Best First Quarter for Bookings Company reports record Q1 in software & services bookings, increases in services revenue and cloud ARR nearly doubling year-over-year Continued expansion with Global2000 enterprises; new locations to attract, grow & retain talent BOSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Syniti, a global leader in enterprise data management, today announced its best first quarter on record for software and services bookings as well as services revenue, building on the successful momentum coming out of 2021. Software and services bookings increased when compared to Q1 2021, with annual recurring revenue from cloud nearly doubling as customers continue to accelerate and expand cloud usage. Services revenue also increased globally, year over year. More than 20 new enterprise logos were added this quarter expanding in retail and consumer, as well as continued work with long-standing customers in life sciences and manufacturing. Financial Highlights: Data migrations drove more than 60% of Syniti's bookings, with SAP Advanced Data Migration by Syniti the number one contributor to software revenue; supporting customers' continued adoption of SAP S/4HANA for business transformation. Uptick in the use of Syniti Data Replication, with change data capture (CDC) technology, to accelerate customers' artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and analytics initiatives. Continued growth with its alliance partner ecosystem, including key wins in aerospace/defense, food and beverage and retail with partners IBM, HCL Technologies (HCL), and Deloitte. 2021 acquisitions of DMR and 360Science, strengthening services capabilities and platform matching technology, paying off with strong renewals and net new business. Company Offerings & Expansion: Syniti Education Services saw a significant increase in users, achieving 71% of last year's total count of unique learners attending training in Q1 alone. Improving and refining education offerings to customers and prospects is a key part of the company's "Customer for Life" strategy as well as supporting the overall enterprise data management market. The company announced it intends to open three new offices in India , reinforcing Syniti's commitment to the country's innovative tech community. Offices in Kolkata , Gurugram and Pune are expected to open later in 2022, adding to current spaces in Hyderabad and Bangalore . The new cities were selected to offer locations across all four corners of India , particularly in major tech hubs to continue to attract best-in-class talent. , reinforcing Syniti's commitment to the country's innovative tech community. Offices in , Gurugram and are expected to open later in 2022, adding to current spaces in and . The new cities were selected to offer locations across all four corners of , particularly in major tech hubs to continue to attract best-in-class talent. The company moved its North American global delivery center in Omaha, Nebraska to a new facility to consolidate the onboarding and training of Syniti's data-focused consulting team, helping build the skills of the next-generation of data experts. Kevin Campbell, CEO, Syniti, said: "Organizations continue to turn to us as they realize that data is a fundamental part of their business decision making and the key to realizing the value of their business transformation efforts. There is no digital transformation without a data transformation. I'm proud of what we delivered in Q1 and very excited about the remainder of 2022; we have a strong product pipeline, major projects in the works and key partner alliances coming this year." You can see Syniti exhibiting and speaking at the following conferences later this year: SAP Sapphire & ASUG Accelerate Orlando: May 10-12, 2022 , Partner Plaza, booth PA716 , Partner Plaza, booth PA716 Data Summit 2022: Kevin Campbell , CEO, will be speaking on May 17 on the topic of "Every Problem is a Data Problem: How Bad Data is Killing Your Business" , CEO, will be speaking on on the topic of "Every Problem is a Data Problem: How Bad Data is Killing Your Business" WomenTech Global Conference 2022, Chief in Tech Summit: Kate Reed , CMO will be hosting a panel discussion on June 7 on Navigating the C-Suite as a Working Mom About Syniti Syniti solves the world's most complex data challenges by uniquely combining intelligent, AI-driven software and vast data expertise to yield certain and superior business outcomes. For over 25 years, Syniti has partnered with the Fortune 2000 to unlock valuable insights that ignite growth, reduce risk and increase their competitive advantage. Syniti's silo-free enterprise data management platform supports data migration, data quality, data replication, master data management, analytics, data governance, and data strategy in a single, unified solution. Syniti is a portfolio company of private equity firm Bridge Growth Partners LLC. Read more at www.Syniti.com. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/syniti-continues-momentum-with-best-first-quarter-for-bookings-301535191.html SOURCE Syniti [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] Michael Nolan is the executive chef at Boxer Barbeque, located at 513 Main St. Boxer Barbeque serves traditional barbecue with a modern twist. Nolan is involved in many aspects of the business, from supply ordering, prep work, cooking, training employees, interacting with customers and much more. Nolan has worked in the restaurant industry for 23 years and started as a dishwasher when he was 15. He enjoys the family atmosphere created at Boxer and loves that every day brings a new challenge and new customers to meet. He has a passion for cooking, and when asked what his favorite menu item is, Nolan said, Oh, the burnt ends, for sure! One of his favorite community events to attend is Farmers Market Council Bluffs. Nolan enjoys meeting the vendors and members of the community while shopping for fresh local produce. Nolan believes that the Historic Haymarket District is a hidden gem and an excellent place for locals and visitors to experience all year round, especially during National Travel and Tourism Week. Between Boxer Barbeque, The Cryptic Room, Bayliss Park, the Squirrel Cage Jail and other local businesses, the Haymarket District gives you a small-town feel while being in a larger metropolitan area. To learn more about the unique, unparalleled, and unforgettable Boxer Barbeque, check out their menu online at boxerbbq.com. Nolan and his Boxer Barbeque family are joining the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week from May 1 through 7. Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau The past two years have been far from normal. One thing that hasnt changed is that doing good is valued here. During this time where each of our resources were stretched thin, we saw families, individuals and businesses continuing to give back, sometimes in bigger ways than ever before. This was especially true during last springs Do Good campaign led by SHARE Omaha, serving both sides of the river. It was the first year without Pottawattamie Gives and we werent certain how our community would respond to this new spring giving campaign focused not only on dollars, but also item collection drives and volunteerism for dozens of southwest Iowa nonprofits. But respond you did. This community gave $2.5 million in donations to nonprofits, including matching gifts. Over 1,800 items were donated to nonprofits for Wish List Wednesday and more than 1,200 people got involved on Volun-Thursday for a combined 2,885 hours of volunteerism. Of those who donated, 25% were new donors, showing that supporting one another is valued here. Even when times are tough for each of us, we dont forget about our neighbors. We ask how we can help. This spring we are hopeful, and our good is as needed as ever. Its time for us all to come together again to support 650+ metro nonprofits in every way we can. Do Good Days, presented by FNBO, is packing the power of giving into three days May 17 to May 19. Mark your calendar to give dollars on Tuesday, buy items on Wish List Wednesday, then give your time on Volun-Thursday. No matter how, and how much, you want to give, your gifts of time, items and money are put to good use during Do Good Days. When you give cash on Tuesday, May 17, you can support organizations like Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center, where a $75 donation provides a cancer patient with one hour of counseling services (in person or online) by a licensed mental health practitioner. Wish List Wednesday on May 18 is the time to shop online wish lists and ship items directly to causes you care about, or shop locally and deliver goods in person. Of the top five reasons cited for dropping out of college, four are financial. Purchasing hygiene items from Iowa Westerns virtual wish list for Rockys Pantry can help ease the burden. Volun-Thursday on May 19 is the time when many nonprofits are hosting cant-miss volunteer opportunities. You can join Impact CB in volunteering at the Midlands Humane Society from 1 to 3 p.m., for example. Wherever you serve, your time will make an impact on the Council Bluffs metro. I encourage you to start planning how youll make a difference during Do Good Days. Consider where youll donate, what items youll collect, and where you want to volunteer. What local causes are important to you? How can you help? May 17-19 will be here before we know it. SHARE Omaha serves an eight-county region, including Pottawattamie County, connecting those who want to do good with ways to volunteer and support causes southwest Iowa. Find your fit for giving back at SHAREomaha.org/Iowa. Fourney is the marketing and communications manager for SHARE Omaha. As with many things, propaganda can be used for good or for ill, depending on who dispenses it. During World War II, American propaganda was considered a necessary tool in the pursuit of victory in a moral cause. Germany and Japan had their own propaganda machines to advance an evil agenda. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Morocco will be home to a 30 hectare-algae farm that is designed to pull out CO2 from the air naturally, which runs the project said. Brilliant plant has been conducting trials since 2013 in Moroccos desert using sea water to cultivate algae, a plant with potent capacities to remove carbon from the air naturally. Following four years of trials at its 3-hectare research facility in Morocco, Brilliant Planet will use the proceeds from the Series A round to prepare for the construction of a 30-hectare commercial demonstration facility while continuing its fundamental R&D program based in London, Techcrunch quoted Brilliant planet officials as saying. By using empty desert and seawater that would not have otherwise come to the surface, our solution creates new Net Primary Productivity. In other words, we employ underutilized natural resources to grow new biomass and draw down excess carbon dioxide, said Raffael Jovine, chief scientist and co-founder at Brilliant Planet. Per unit area, this approach sequesters up to 30 times more carbon per year than rainforests, while it also de-acidifies the local coastal seawater back to pre-industrial levels, he said. The company raised 12 million dollars for the project which uses seawater and replicates the perfect growth conditions for algae blooms in a low-cost carbon capturing endeavor. Morocco and Finland shared their experience in preventing and fighting extremism, part of a panel discussion held, on Wednesday in Helsinki, under the theme: Addressing the experiences of Morocco and Finland in the fight against terrorism. The event, hosted by Moroccos embassy in Helsinki, was aimed at exploring the possible interactions between two different approaches evolving in a profoundly changing global economic and security context. Terrorism is a global phenomenon. To combat it effectively international cooperation is necessary, including with the Kingdom of Morocco, said Paivi Kairamo, Ambassador for Cooperation against Terrorism at the Finnish Foreign Ministry. Stressing the importance that his country gives to effective multilateral cooperation in this area, the Finnish official commended Moroccos commitment and its action at the level of international organizations where its role is well known and recognized. Speaking about the Kingdoms strategy to prevent terrorism and fight extremism, Moroccos ambassador to Finland, Mohamed Achgalou, said that thanks to the impact of the Kingdoms multidimensional strategy, the national territory across its borders is completely safe, secure, stable and ready to welcome Finnish investors and tourists at any time. In this favorable context, the Moroccan diplomat highlighted the visionary policy of King Mohammed VI that has turned Morocco into a haven of peace and stability that extends beyond the national territory to be a major asset for regional and European security. Addressing an audience of Finnish businessmen, experts and senior officials, the Moroccan diplomat outlined the major pillars of Moroccos policy of prevention and fight against terrorism and its importance to secure and, at the same time, preserve and improve the economic and tourist attractiveness of the country. While the total security approach was at the heart of the conventional conception of the fight against terrorism in neighboring countries, Moroccos choices for the implementation of its multidimensional strategy have always been made in compliance with the principles of good governance and the rule of law, he explained. That is why, the Moroccan approach mobilizing a collective effort, public authorities, civil society and citizens, has not ceased since its inception to adapt and confirm its relevance in a particularly turbulent regional environment. Regarding cooperation, the main subject of this meeting, Achgalou highlighted the unwavering commitment of Moroccan authorities to fruitful partnerships that have prevented many tragedies in the world thanks to the vigilance and professionalism of various security services of the Kingdom. This unwavering commitment is reflected in the total mobilization against terrorism, extremism and organized crime, the diplomat said. These are transnational, interconnected and unpredictable phenomena that involve dangerous alliances among separatist groups who are sheltered and fostered by some states in our regionThese very same actors stubbornly refuse to cooperate and therefore threaten regional and international security, he warned. The South-South dimension of Moroccos international commitment is illustrated, according to the Moroccan ambassador, in the creation, in 2015, of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulemas, which is consistent with the Moroccan constants in terms of faith and doctrine, values that Morocco promotes to counter religious extremism in Africa. Citing the example of the Office of the United Nations Program for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa (UNOCT) whose headquarters have been entrusted to Morocco in 2021, Achgalou stressed that through this strategic decision, the community of Nations recognizes Moroccos international role in the fight against terrorism and reinforces, thus, several other joint initiatives such as the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) or the International Coalition against Daesh. Touching on the religious dimension, the diplomat stressed that the Commandery of the Faithful guarantees the preservation of spiritual peace to citizens, which is missing in many other countries. It is a fundamental feature of the Moroccan national identity because it preserves the constants of an open Islam practiced in a society that is tolerant by nature and protective, by humanism, of the free practice of religions, he added. Morocco was among the 14 non-NATO nations that have attended a meeting convened by the US at the Ramstein US air base in Germany to discuss defense aid to Ukraine. In addition to Morocco, other Non-NATO countries include Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Israel, Tunisia, Sweden and Finland. Morocco was absent in the last three UN General Assembly votes to condemn Russias war with Ukraine. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the meeting is outside of the NATO rubric, and not all the nations that were invited are NATO members. As you know, NATO as an alliance is not providing security assistance to Ukraine, so this is not being done under the NATO umbrella at all. Now, some of the nations invited and some of the nations that will be going are, in fact, NATO allies, but theyre doing this in a sovereign unilateral way, not as a part of the alliance. Morocco maintains neutrality on this conflict, though foreign ministry said on multiple occasions that Rabat respects the territorial integrity of all UN member states and urges dialogue to resolve conflicts. The Tunisian Ministry of Justice has ordered the arrest of a public service worker accused of offending President Kais Saied in multiple social media posts, Webdo Tunis reports. The defendant, who has not been identified, lives in the city of Sidi Bouzid. The court of First Instant of the city ordered his arrest on the basis of article 67 of the penal code. He is accused of posting several contents on social media harming the President. The Tunisian government has recently tightened control on social media content to hunt down contents it judges harmful to the state and state officials. The move comes as President Saied tightens his grip on the state apparatus following his July 25 decisions which have seen him taking control of the executive power and closing the parliament. Several people have been detained and handed prison sentences for offending him and state officials. This month, Chahrazed Akacha, a journalist, was arrested following a lawsuit against her, lodged by the prosecutor of Ariana Court of First Instance on alleged charges of having harmed or disturbed the peace of mind of third parties through the public telecommunications networks, under Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code. Egypt is marshalling support around Africa to obtain the replacement of US Stephani Williams, who is acting as Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Libya, with an African figure on the grounds that the UN diplomat antagonizes Cairos vision in the Libya crisis, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reports citing an informed Egyptian source. The source told the London-based Qatari media that Cairo has reached out to several African countries of international weight to lobby the international community to accept an African-nominated candidate for heading the UN mission in Libya. Relations between Williams and Egypt have been rocky over several conflicting views. Egypts frustration took another hit this month, at the recent UN-facilitated talks between members of the Libyan Parliament (HoR) and the High Council of State in Cairo, aimed at moving forward a constitutional and legislative framework for the countrys long-waited elections. Williams cut short the consultations, a move that has upset Egyptian authorities. Williams decided to end the meetings and resume a new round of talks after Eid Al-Fitr, following differences between the UN official and the Egyptians, who pressed to impose their visions for the Libyan crisis, the source said. A western diplomat in Cairo told media that Williamss came as result of Egyptian prevarication. Initially, Egypt showed goodwill about the Libyan parties conducting a free dialogue in the country before the UN mission coordinating the talks was surprised by Cairos move to organize a meeting between representatives of the HoR and officials from the Egyptian intelligence service, the western diplomat said. After the meeting, they presented a completely different perception of the dialogues line, which is consensus on a constitutional rule. Egypt, according to the diplomat, backs the Libyan parliaments choice of former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha as the Prime Minister to organize the much-awaited elections. The Tobruk-based parliament has sacked Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh on the grounds that his mandate ended on Dec. 24 after the presidential elections failed to go ahead. Williamss mandate is coming to close end of this month. Russia is also exerting pressure for her replacement. The Road 702 Fire, which has burned since April 22, is nearing containment, according to the latest report on the blaze. In a Thursday morning update, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said the blaze which has burned 43,582 acres in Kansas and Nebraska was considered 88% contained, The fire was listed at 74% contained Wednesday morning. There are two areas of uncontrolled fire edge, both just south of U.S. Highway 6 along the Republican River. The plan was for firefighters to focus on those areas Thursday, according to the update. In addition, crews will continue to patrol and mop up all portions of the fireline that have been previously contained to further secure the fire perimeter in those areas. The night shift crews, which consist of four engines and a division supervisors, patrolled the fire area mopping up any hot spots that posed a threat to the line. The crew also responded to 911 calls of smoke and flames within the fire area. The fire was listed at 41,448 acres Wednesday. The increase is due to the inclusion of unburned interior islands being absorbed within the fire perimeter. Lt. Col. Robert Darling will offer a look into the developments during 9/11 and his role in those operations at the Town Hall Lecture Series Tuesday at the North Platte Community Playhouse. The lecture will take place at 10:30 a.m. Memberships are available for this final lecture in the 2021-22 series at a cost of $75. Darling retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007 with just over 20 years of active-duty service. After an impressive early career piloting attack helicopters in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and as a presidential pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One, he was handpicked in October 2000 to work for the White House Military Office, Airlift Operations Department. During the attack of Sept. 11, 2001, he supported the president, vice president and national security adviser in the underground Presidents Emergency Operations Center. Darling chronicles these developments in his book, 24 Hours Inside the Presidents Bunker: 9/11/01:The White House. In his lectures, he shares the principles of crisis leadership and decision-making with his audiences in an edge of your seat presentation thatll take you from the moment the attack was realized, to the courageous decisions made to stop it, to the safeguards and policies our country now has in place in an attempt to prevent such an attack from ever happening again, according to a press release. A question-and-answer period will follow the lecture at the North Platte Community Playhouse, after a brief intermission. New memberships are being sold for the 2022-23 season. More information on upcoming speakers may be found at nptownhall.com. Tickets for the new season may be purchased online or by contacting Kathleen Keenan at 308-530-4463. Through nearly the first four months of 2021, the North Platte area had received 6.27 inches of precipitation. As of Wednesday, 2022s number is at 1.46 inches about 2.42 inches below average for the area. To say its been dry definitely is an understatement, said Caleb Brown, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Lee Bird Field. Brown said the numbers could get a slight boost as a developing system has the potential to produce three-quarters to an inch of rain along the Interstate 80 corridor at the end of this week. Brown said the northern part of west central Nebraska, near Valentine, could get closer to 2 inches. He added that the southwestern portion of the state, where crews are battling the Road 702 wildfire, could receive a quarter- to half-inch of rain. The system is developing over the Pacific Ocean and Brown said it is tracking to reach land over the Pacific Northwest before it dips down through the Rockies. It could result in spotty rainfall Thursday afternoon or evening, The brunt of the storm is expected to hit Friday afternoon and evening and possibly linger into Saturday morning and early afternoon. There is the potential for thunderstorms producing strong winds and hail, but Brown said the strongest chance for severe weather is in southeast Nebraska. The winds could be strong over the weekend as well, especially Saturday Brown said, as gusts could exceed 50 mph. The area received a touch of rain last weekend that measured just under two-tenths of an inch at the North Platte Regional Airport. There is a chance for additional precipitation early next week. We will have another weaker system passing through, but its a little tough to tell what we could get for precipitation, Brown said. Some forecast models kick it off to the south, so there is the potential we could miss out on anything too significant. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A young lilac tree and two lilac bushes became the latest additions to the landscape in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. But the planting was done more for just the scenery. It will be a constant reminder of crime victims rights and awareness. Part of it is the color, Cindy Korf, the director of the countys victim witness unit, said of wood plant selection. They (also) bloom every spring. So its a rebirth. Were always coming back to life. Weve survived. Victims have rights. Victims become survivors, Korf said. Theyre not forgotten and with the tree they never will be. The tree and bushes, purchased with grant funds from a U.S. Department of Justice grant, was part of a short ceremony on the courthouse lawn as part of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. The week, which began on April 24 and runs through Saturday, has the theme of Rights, Access, Equity for all victims. The Lincoln County victim witness unit was one of 40 agencies selected from 240 applicants for the grant program and the only one in Nebraska. The funds comes from fines collected from offenders convicted of federal crimes, and are geared toward promoting community awareness of crime victims rights and the services available to them. The application process began this past fall and the agency found out it was selected in late February. Korf said she felt compelled to apply for the program because of the input she received from victims. Their comments about how much they appreciate the police, the sheriffs office and the county attorneys office, said Korf, who headed Wednesdays program along with Cynthia Rucker and Cindy Swanson. I think often times (those individuals) dont realize what good they do. She added there was another incentive. I want Washington, D.C., to know that were out here in Lincoln County and were doing things, Korf said. The countys victim witness unit provided support to 1,200 individuals over the past year, said Korf, who has headed the program for the past decade. The unit provides support for victims of all crimes. Whether it be leaving the scene of a crash or assaults or homicide cases, the unit assists as proceedings play out, from the initial hearing through a sentence. The agency also attends hearings in both county and district court as a representative and reminder of the victims. We are there for them, Korf said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MSNBCs Rachel Maddow performed a dramatic reading of Donald Trumps sworn testimony about dangerous fruit Wednesday as she detailed the latest bananas revelation about the former president. Im going to jump right in here tonight, Maddow began on her broadcast Wednesday night. I do not think there is any way to ease into this. I dont think there is any setup I can give you that would make this any more normal. No context I can provide you that would make this less weird. It is what it is, and it stands on its own terms. She then read from the transcript of an October 2021 deposition that was filed in court Tuesday and first reported on by The Daily Beast. In it, the former president testified under oath that he was afraid of being hit by very dangerous and potentially lethal fruit thrown by detractors. With the release of this deposition in this past day, we now know a whole new thing we didnt know before about former President Trump, which is that he is apparently desperately afraid of a flying tomato, Maddow commented. Trump was testifying in a civil lawsuit filed by five activists who alleged they were violently attacked by Trumps security guards in September 2015 outside Trump Tower in Manhattan. They say that Trumps security team, led by his longtime bodyguard Keith Schiller, ripped away their signs and punched and briefly choked one protester. Trump brought up his concerns about airborne produce when questioned for the deposition by the plaintiffs lawyer about a 2016 rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Trump told the crowd to knock the crap out of protesters who might throw tomatoes at him and vowed to pay the legal fees of anyone who did so. Its very dangerous stuff. You can get killed with those things, Trump told the lawyer in the deposition, adding that security needs to be aggressive in stopping people from throwing pineapples, bananas, tomatoes, stuff like that. Watch Maddows segment below, courtesy of Raw Story. Story continues This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Why the hell should they be exempt--if they don't have to do it, military enlistment shouldn't be compulsory for ANYONE. Reply Thread Link I mean, there have been exemptions for other people, generally Olympic gold medalists and like award winning classical musicians. The debate is kind of like 'ok so what is the difference between an award winning classical musician and an award winning pop group'? But yes, I agree that military enlistment shouldn't be compulsory for anyone. Reply Parent Thread Link I agree with your last sentence so much. It should not be compulsory for anyone. In the entire world. Reply Parent Thread Link They used to have a celebrity sector for these people back in the day in the military. Until Se7en and a bunch of them got caught soliciting prostitutes and shit. Thats why the got rid of it and never brought it back. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I love BTS but they really should just go and enlist, all 7 at once. ARMY is so large and devoted that I doubt their fan base will take that much of a hit, especially because HYBE has loads of footage in the vault. I know some people think that domestic opinion wont matter for them but I really do think that the backlash would cause irreparable damage to them as a group and brand. They already look like draft dodgers and its getting sketchy. Literally no Korean man wants to enlist, but everyone has to. And the new Twitter army are so fucking obnoxious that they wont shut up if this happens. That COO should have kept his mouth shut tho, what a fucking moron Edited at 2022-04-28 03:48 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link Damn your icon is taking me back to wasting my life on ontd_twatlight lol Reply Parent Thread Link Right I never put my birthday in so it still gives me the 18+ warning when Im 30 LMAO Reply Parent Thread Link It was a better time lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The compromise will probably be like what happened with Son Heung-mi where BTS goes and does the basic training and calls it a day. It's not like the SK government really wants BTS to go and BTS is like 'no!'. BTS brings in a ton of money and I suspect the conflict is more the government is trying to figure out how to keep that gravy train flowing without the other major companies making a fuss about why their groups don't get exemptions. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Not to mention their comeback would be HUGE if all seven enlisted at the same time. It really is the best case scenario. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, and I just find it weird that it seems like the principal reason for them maybe not enlisting is that theyre popular in the west? Kpop and Kdramas have been bringing in money to Korea for years now. Many male kpop acts have conquered Japan and China (two huge markets) but because BTS is getting more mainstream western media attention theyre more deserving of not enlisting somehow? I truly do not understand. Reply Parent Thread Link That "fam tour" shit is the same thing that got Netflix in trouble over that whole Emily in Paris mess so it doesn't surprise me that there's an investigation going on. Also, how much is health insurance in S. Korea? Because 22k for health insurance premiums sounds like a bit much. Reply Thread Link They have a universal healthcare system that covers the majority of a persons medical costs. You usually have to basically cover the copay or service fee. A percentage of your income is taxed to cover the insurance so thats why he owes a lot. Reply Parent Thread Link OK, that makes sense. Thank you! Reply Parent Thread Link I am only speculating, but what is the costs were related to his emergency surgery and Covid? I had to go to the emergency room recently and the insurance company is figuring out how much of the $14k for 4 hours I am going to have to pay. (I am in America, for clarity.) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Bless you, this post is doing the most. Anyway, comeback June 10th!! Mark your calendars! Edited at 2022-04-28 03:49 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link this is a pretty standard post for a celebrity news site Reply Parent Thread Link But not for BTS on this site. It was, actually, an interesting objective post. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah this user is a little annoying when it comes to their BTS standom. You can enjoy a musical act while allowing not-all-positive conversations to happen around them Im assuming were all adults here so Im not getting it Edited at 2022-04-28 05:50 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link The celebrities are disposable. The gossip is priceless. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm trying hard to think of valid critiques of draft dodging and unless it's someone who is publicly "pro-war/invasion" etc, i dont see it as a problem Reply Thread Link The point is that it's something that every male in S. Korea has to do and the fact that they are a popular group means nothing to me when there's been popular groups in the past where the members had to leave the group to serve. Why should BTS get a pass when others have not? Reply Parent Thread Link "Why should BTS get a pass when others have not?" that's fair. as someone who will likely never be part of any draft for a variety of reasons, I feel like it's not my place to criticize ppl who are coerced to serve the state in that way. even if they aren't doing it bc for "anti war" reasons. But if anyone has any good reading on any push within SK to end the draft, I would appreciate any tips Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Because there has never been a group like them? I like them, I am not a crazy stan, but there has never been a Kpop group that broke through like this Unless you count SuperM... oh wait. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link My favorite actor is Korean and recently returned from enlistment. It was awful. From seeing him sob while saying goodbye at the height of his career to missing out on everything for the next 2 years. And even now that he's back, the setbacks have been unreal because filming takes time, so it's now been 3 full years of a stalled-out career. But this is just the way it is. This is what they all have to do. Until BTS, I guess. This is why so many people are against them getting special treatment. Why should every other actor/singer/group and their fans have to go through this struggle while the most famous (and most capable of bouncing back) group in the world flips them off as they skate by? There are so many young acts who are forced to leave their careers and struggle to find their way back once it's over. ETA: And don't get me started on the ignorant take Army has about South Korea going down in flames without BTS to keep them financially comfortable and culturally relevant. Edited at 2022-04-28 04:54 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I see it as problem if poor people have to do it Reply Parent Thread Link eta: Psy posted this teaser That That prod.&ft. and Starring SUGA of BTS 2022.04.29 (Fri) 6PM KST#PSY # #ThatThat#9 #PSY9th #220429_6pmKST#PNATION # pic.twitter.com/ERMXIi8m1x PSY (@psy_oppa) April 28, 2022 Edited at 2022-04-28 04:07 am (UTC) Also, Psy's new album comes out April 29th and Suga produced and featured on the title track.eta: Psy posted this teaser Reply Thread Link Min PD did that! Gotta give it to him. Reply Parent Thread Link I unironically love Psy. Reply Parent Thread Link Less deserving public figures means ppl with a touch more sane fanbase lmao? Ultimately I support them getting exempted because a) nobody needs to be forced into the military, especially during their peak/youth and b) kpop landscape will change if they get an exemption (I personally think other groups fans will start artificially generating the same achievements the way Armys did). Its wild to see armys downplaying Jimin not paying his taxes tho. They keep mentioning hes too rich to not pay taxes as if most of not all tax dodgers are the rich. Reply Thread Link It wasn't taxes? It was health insurance premiums? Which isn't like amazing, but it's also not tax evading. eta: ok I phrased this badly because the health insurance is based on income and so it is kind of like taxes, but idk. I'm skeptical that it was intentional on his part because I don't think he's managing his own finances like that. Edited at 2022-04-28 04:01 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah I'm still confused over that like was he not getting text messages about his bill like.... they said they sent him msgs unless he's like me and deletes said msgs and then forgets to pay... so many questions Reply Parent Thread Link It's same as taxes, but it should be handled by his employer tbh. It is paid 50/50 with the employer and you literally get your salary after national health insurance, income and local taxes, pension, and other fees are deducted and submitted to the related instances by the employer. Plus they do recalculation of the national health insurance and long-term care insurance every year based on the change of income (literally had this last week wasn't happy at the April paycheck at all after all deductions). Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The original article said "celebrities", I changed it because one of the arguments is that the sons of rich families regularly bend the rules to do alternative service and that too is perceived as unfair. Edited at 2022-04-28 04:16 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Theres no way kpop landscape will change, thats some wishful thinking. If anything, itll only help groups from bigger companies while the majority will just have to join the military. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I don't think any group has what BTS has. I don't know why, is it serendipity when a phenomenon occurs? Like the Beatles, Backstreet Boys, NSync, One Direction, Nirvana, Foo Fighters? What makes one group doing essentially the same thing explode and another just make a blip? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this post is bait. Jimin wasnt dodging paying his health insurance premiums (not taxes) the company was in charge of paying them and didnt pay them. They've even admitted it was their fault. everything in this post is either fully incorrect or twisted to seem bad when its not Reply Parent Thread Link Also also... I REALLY wanted the New Era x BTS merch, specifically the Dodgers hat but lmao I was sleeping when it was released and when I woke up, it was sold out. oops. Reply Thread Link damn girl, I wish I was as invested as you are to flood any post regarding my faves Sadly, I don't have faves Keeping your tactics in mind for future use though Reply Parent Thread Link This isn't any post? this is post about BTS? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link DRAFT HA! Reply Thread Link The only that does raise a side eye is the journalists one. He paid off his insurance and his personal information shouldn't have been leaked. Don't understand the real estate one since rich people always invest in properties....I can't blame them for not wanting to waste 2 years of their life in the stupid ass military. They probably should serve though or else their career in Korea is probably over. I don't know why they didn't serve during the pandemic, so dumb on their part. Reply Thread Link The journalists thing is kind of eyebrow raising. But I got a good laugh at Dispatch coming out and confirming they booked their hotel tickets for the Vegas trip themselves and before Hybe offered this up. Like even dispatch is like not us, man. I think itll be more sketch if its just dropped. Like a violation or not, it needs to be looked into. And while youre absolutely right about Jimins personal info leaking being really bad, I what does hybe think its doing? Not telling the guy he owed taxes? Like I get him being overseas, but no one out a reminder in their phone? Four times? Ive seen a good handful of people losing a lot of faith in hybe lately (more knetz than I fans) and then this came out Reply Parent Thread Link Reiterate.... it was not taxes. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link They should never have had faith in publicly owned corporation that is very far away from being the struggling underdog in Kpop and is now a super rich, politically connected octopus. BTS is one group in what was always an agency, not a social movement, despite any marketing or good intentions. The rest of this stuff is trying very hard to make a "scandal". Reply Parent Thread Link Hybe has been giving Disney vibes for a long time now. No one should trust a corporation of that size, regardless how much someone might love bts. Reply Parent Thread Link Hybe/Big Hit went public and BTS was their only true motivation for their stock price. They needed them available for two online concerts and a self-produced pandemic variety show as well, that all were the primary revenue sources for the company, which had just swallowed a bunch of other agencies and that was, at that time, making a play for recently available SM Entertainment (they got blocked later from that). So while you are totally right, Hybe couldn't afford to let them enlist and actually still can't. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah I don't get how speculative investing can be suspicious? I looked it up and its just... Property investment? I wasn't clear on what was suspicious about it, the article just drops thay word in and doesn't provide any details at all lol Maybe I don't know enough bout it? Reply Parent Thread Link Sounds like Jimin should have asked his BFF Model Taxpayer Taemin for some advice lol Reply Thread Link STOPPPP LMAO Reply Parent Thread Link waitttttt whats the tea on taemin and taxes?? Reply Parent Thread Link https://www.koreaboo.com/news/shinee-taemin-receives-2021-model-taxpayer-award/ Nothing bad. He really got a model taxpayer award last year. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link there's no tea, he's just awarded as a model taxpayer lol Reply Parent Thread Link Gosh, I wish that exempted Taemin! My heart hurts for him. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Most of the Korean people support BTS doing alternate service by the way according to Guardian Reply Thread Link They should just make them ambassadors and have them do what theyre doing with the UN stuff but on a 18 month long term. They can be the rep for Korea while serving. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh, thats much better than my military band idea! I dont support drafts or stan BTS, but its a sticky situation if their peers are going while they continue to defer Reply Parent Thread Link Highly doubt them being a military ambassador will b good given the controversies surrounding the South Korean military right now. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Ive see posts that have 10k+ saying it was bullshit they were possibly getting exempt. I dont think the guardian knows what theyre talking about because there is a significant division of this topic. theyre going to be met with backlash from those that served and their families. its not at all a win for them. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link male idols from other companies already get breaks by enrolling in some questionable online degree programs to delay things when it comes to when they enlist, and then a lot of them either go into the military band or end up doing non-active duty social work placements. ppl like Minho from SHINee who end up going to the Marines are the rarest of cases lol i understand that BTS practically prints money but as long as everyone isn't in at the same time and do their enlistments in 2 legs where the older half of the group goes first and then the younger half does their time, there's no reason why they can't make subunits and have the members who are out keep working and making money? Reply Thread Link tbh, I think if they have to go, they're going together. their co-dependent asses were already being dramatic about Jin's hand surgery meaning he couldn't fully do the choreo in Las Vegas. Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao "their co-dependent asses" even more reason for them to enlist together!! Reply Parent Thread Link i mean, can jin ever do full choreo lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Doing subunits is not a part of their brand. They're so attached at the dicks they'll all go together. Reply Parent Thread Link The purpose of the study might have been shady, but people who defer because of studying were just doing that: deferring. They still had to enlist eventually. Some kpop stars become public service officers, which covers stuff from being a police officer, to admin work, to caring for disabled children and the elderly etc, and while becoming a marine might be rare, active service isn't. Reply Parent Thread Link Bribing journalists for positive press wow Id be absolutely shocked!! Not. Reply Thread Link in kpop? Never Reply Parent Thread Link i'm shocked the army haven't started raising funds to try this Reply Parent Thread Link Make them enlist so a new group can have a chance. The stan wars when they finish their service will be epic. Reply Thread Link My bets are on Ateez or stray kids blowing up, maybe nct if one of their units stays together to consistently release music Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I really dont want Ateez to go big like BTS, so I hope not. Tho getting more recognition I think its ok. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Itll be stray kids probably but itd be nice if it were some random ass group like kingdom. Reply Parent Thread Link Id wager ATEEZ or Stray Kids for fourth gen blowing up, too. And NCT is a complicated group to walk into. Like, hi, hello, here are our 20+ members, but they do pretty decently internationally. Like someone posted they hoped every group announced their tours before NCT and Im like YES, then I may have a chance because then everyone will be broke! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i dealt with being a debut army and couldn't handle the annoying ass people and clout chasers that came into the fandom as bts grew, i don't think i would ever get into another kpop group if the same happened with ateez or even skz Reply Parent Thread Link Well stray kids I could see happening, like bts they have plenty of their own controversies and racist shit they've said and done and stays are just as annoying as army so Reply Parent Thread Link Thank you so much for your thorough and informative posts on this case. I actually missed a lot of yesterday's trial because I've been so exhausted, so I'll be catching up with your help. I hope you're feeling better! Reply Thread Link I havent thought about Christian Carino since he and Gaga ended their engagement. Didnt expect him to testify in this. Reply Thread Link omg this is one of her ex fiances? Wow Reply Parent Thread Link The police being used as a 'gotcha' against Amber feels particularly grotesque. My mind cannot help but go to the recordings of Gabby Petito and her murderer. After the police reviewed their actions, they said they should have arrested her. After getting reports of him hitting her from concerned citizens, after she had literally been brutally murdered by this man, the police STILL maintain they should have punished Gabby with an humiliating arrest and criminal record. They will not ever act to protect women. Reply Thread Link Police were always useless when me and my mom when through domestic violence. 20 years later and nothing has changed. Reply Parent Thread Link My ex/abuser was a cop(10 years ago) and I called the cops(was young and didn't know what I know now) on one of the nights his violence was at its worst(he was drunk, and he never drank), they came, he flashed his badge, they left. As not only me, but also my sister who lived with us were both fucking terrified. Edited at 2022-04-28 01:34 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link god this just triggered me to remember that i was friends with a girl at school who lived with her sister and abusive mother. police did nothing to help, they were both underage at the time as well and didnt show any signs of injury, so the police thought nothing of it. they were both murdered by their mum Reply Parent Thread Expand Link also doesnt it even take hours to days for bruises to actually show? was the picture taken the same day? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm still baffled by the fact they sent not one but two male officers It should be mandatory for at least one female officer to be present for such call Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I keep thinking about how many other DV calls these cops have responded to and didn't think anything happened :( Reply Parent Thread Link 40% of officers are abusive Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I still have trauma from the one time the police showed up during an argument between my mom and my ex-stepdad because those dumbfucks didn't think sending a lone male police officer to question a teen girl in her nightgown, alone, in her bedroom, at 2am, was a bad idea. cops are fucking useless and absolute idiots Reply Parent Thread Link If I'm not mistaken, there have been leaked messages between him and Depp where Depp says some pretty disturbing things about Elon Musk, and while idgaf about musk, I remember finding it nauseating. It's pretty weird when people talk about how "waaaah the litigation has a bad impact" k, so tell depp to stop suing people for literally nothing. Reply Thread Link Woah I wonder if what he said could cause friction between the Depp stans and the Musk stans if what Depp said was that bad. #TeamNoOne in that fight, lets hope it's mutually assured destruction. Reply Parent Thread Link [ mention of genital mutilation ] slice Mollusk's (Elon Musk's) dick I just checked the court documents from the UK trial and he threatens toso... pretty bad Reply Parent Thread Link He's testifying for Heard isn't he? Reddit bros are gonna lose their shit seeing their nasty idols up against each other Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'll make popcorn Reply Parent Thread Link Adding to the Musk stuff: I'm confused about how her not loving Musk is relevant at all to this case. She dated a guy after her marriage ended that she didn't love. Isn't that pretty standard? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Rich of Depp to chuckle when the guy said he just wanted this to end, when he's the one dragging this out. Reply Thread Link This is honestly the stuff that drives me the craziest. His fans keep promoting this narrative that Johnny is being so brave while he's being "forced" to endure this. I've never before seen gaslighting on such a global level. It's honestly making me feel insane. Reply Parent Thread Link his lack of self awareness is so amazing Reply Parent Thread Link he's so fucking coked out in that elevator video and has the gall to say he doesn't have a drug problem (!!!!!!). Im aware of him being tardy but hes been tardy for everything his entire life. oh well if he ALWAYS does it then it's ok i guess. "I just want him to know I loved him and that I am sorry." it's such a classic cycle of abuse. :( everything about her being a victim of his abuse is so crystal clear and it makes me feel crazy that no one's seeing it. i just snapped at a coworker I really liked bc she just saw me reading this post and said "they're both terrible". Reply Thread Link The second they read that second text my heart dropped. I know that, for anyone familiar with abuse, it's almost added proof that this was the dynamic, but the vast majority of people just don't understand the psychology of it and think it's proof she's lying. Fucking awful. Reply Parent Thread Link I understand not everyone is educated or experienced with abuse and trauma but I just have zero patience for anyone who isnt fully at my level at this stage. Like if you are not a survivor or a dedicated professional in the field who applies a victim-centred trauma-informed lens to their approach, do not speak about this trial or GBV/SA around me. Ever. All these woke-ass, let me list the ways Im victimized and traumatized on a daily level in my carrd folks cant even keep up the performance of giving a shit about anything beyond themselves when an actual abused woman speaks out in her own defence. Reply Parent Thread Link 100%. It took all of my strength and work Id done in therapy not to reach out to my ex this last time with texts like this - apologizing even though Id done nothing wrong but at the time believing I was a pos and nothing without him. And I just know some people will take this as like, well no way she was actually abused if she wanted to go back with him!!! Edited at 2022-04-28 05:10 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link I love that he describes it as 'tardy' like... If you're consistently 8-9 hours late, i think that's more than a lil tardy. At that point you may as well just not show up lol Reply Parent Thread Link how you can be 9 hours late and put an entire crew out is amazingly selfish and should tell you immediately depp has no regard for anyone else but himself Edited at 2022-04-29 09:53 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link one of my closest friends is getting dangerously close to me snapping at them to not discuss this trial whatsoever around me bc it's actually fucking triggering Reply Parent Thread Link I am so mentally exhausted by this trial so I cant imagine how Amber is keeping it together. And though its unsurprising, all her peers keeping silent and not showing her public support is vile. Care says, Im aware of him being tardy but hes been tardy for everything his entire life. He says that while it does cause problems for studios and people on set, people have learned how to deal with it. Only (white) men can get away with this level of unprofessionalism. Reply Thread Link her peers know itll damage them and that theyll be attacked for showing any sort of support or affection towards her. its so horrible but its been happening since the allegations began. i think their agencies stop them too Reply Parent Thread Link i can't believe people just accept his unprofessionalism. meanwhile i was 2 minutes late to join a meeting and it's the end of the world Reply Parent Thread Link well, sis, look at it this way youre beyonce and thus more important Reply Parent Thread Expand Link no no he's the utmost professional!!!! he doesnt fall in love with his co stars!! or well, if he does... him and vanessa's relationship was over anyway!! he doesnt show up late!! or well, if he does, it's okay bc it's johnny babyyyyy its what he doesssssss he knows his lines!! or well, if he doesn't, we can feed them to him in his ear! the mental gymnastics people do to support this fucking piece of shit is amazing, especially considering he already lost a court case about this in the uk. just. what. Reply Parent Thread Link apparently emma roberts liked one of amber's instagram posts and it was such a gotcha! moment for the deppford wives since emma abused evan peters, therefore this is proof that amber is the abuser in this scenario rme the others tho... crickets tho i can't say i'm entirely surprised tbh Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That statement about learning to deal with it is stupid and a lie. It costs studios millions of dollars. I highly doubt they want to deal with that big of a waste of money. Which is why he isnt getting much work. It wont change even if he pulls of an undeserved win here. Reply Parent Thread Link i remember amanda de cadenet throwing amber under the bus after those out of context tapes were leaked by johnny's team. they were friends, too. Reply Parent Thread Link I had not actually watched any of this shitbag's testimony because he doesn't deserve an ounce of the attention he's so fucking desperate for but I was somewhere that was playing Inside Edition the day before yesterday and watching this loser attempt to outsmart the lawyer questioning him, realize a few seconds too late (bc his brain is fucking TOAST) that he had failed and then try and joke/charm his way past the moment was truly something. The loser can't even do it anymore, even his little band of sycophants in the courtroom couldn't muster up more than a couple of small laughs. Absolutely pathetic, the world is a worse place because he's in it and I can only hope that problem is rectified soon cause god knows what state his organs are in from decades of abuse. Edited at 2022-04-28 12:27 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Any time he tries to demand a date for audio, it's like... bro, this isn't how it works. If your counsel is concerned, they'll speak up, but you're not cross-examining her lawyers. Answer the question. Reply Parent Thread Link I think you refer to Carino as both Care and Carey in a few parts of the text, OP! Unless you meant to, in which case ignore me. Reply Thread Link thank you! i got confused at one point when writing up my notes and must've forgotten to correct all the times i wrote the incorrect name. fixed now! Reply Parent Thread Link The Guardian is generally my go to for factual news, but their reporting of this trial has been pretty dismal so far - theyre reporting all the bullshit without questioning it or making any attempt to show that its bullshit. Its really disappointing and infuriating. OP, you are truly a shining light in this cesspit of a trial. Edited at 2022-04-28 12:40 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Same, and it's extremely disappointing. They are considered to be one of the least biased major news sources here, but most of the articles I've seen on this subject have been very thinly veiled pro-Depp pieces. Reply Parent Thread Link The one about the psychiatrists testimony a couple of days ago was a bloody disgrace. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The Guardian also spews a lot of transmisogyny. They featured a piece about how trans lesbians are supposedly "pressuring" cis lesbians for sex and the only woman named in the article used the example of being asked to do a scene (in a porn movie) with a trans woman and turning it down. Then it turned out she's actually a well-known serial sexual assaulter. Everything there needs to be taken individually by author. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link op you deserve a pulitzer for these! it's some of the most balanced reporting i've seen Reply Thread Link I am so tired of seeing pro-Depp sentiments everywhere, I hope the tide turns and everyone can at least agree that the two of them are incredibly toxic to each other all of this is so messed up I wouldn't be surprised if somehow they end up together again within a year Reply Thread Link I wouldn't be surprised if somehow they end up together again within a year It's awful, but I had the same thought. You can tell Depp is still in love with her and that's a huge part of what this is about. He's even jealous of her male lawyer. I guarantee you that he goes home and texts friends vile comments about how she's probably f*cking him. I don't even blame Amber for still likely being in love with him. Abuse is such a mindf*ck. Reply Parent Thread Link I wouldn't say he is "in love with her", feels icky given he's her abuser. obsessed, that I see, Reply Parent Thread Expand Link can at least agree that the two of them are incredibly toxic to each other i actually genuinely fucking loathe this line of thinking, it is SO clear that amber is the victim here Reply Parent Thread Expand Link someone a few posts back said i wonder if in 10 years the tide will change like the britney situation and everyone will talk about how wrong it was that no one backed amber. i could 100% see that happening Reply Parent Thread Link Im pretty sure Amber would never get back with him, shes worked hard to move on. But abusive is a head fuck. My abusive ex, for the year after we broke up would come in and out of my life. It made me sick and would take all my strength not to respond. Once we started talking again the cycle was in full swing, and before I knew it things were heading towards romance. I knew it wasnt healthy, my therapist knew I was talking to her, but none of my friends because I knew they would flip. It wasnt like I was happy I was a mess! I had daily panic attacks like I was a mess and couldnt eat and when it was finally over for good it was like everything came crashing down, again. Its been 2 years, she is blocked on every social media site, my phone, all my emails. And yet still she reaches out at least because she misses me and wants to be friend. A mutual told me shes in a relationship and I hope that her current gf is okay. That shes worked on herself too. A codependent trauma bond with your abuser is so so hard to break and Ive worked damn hard to break it, I cant imagine what it would have been like if wed gotten married. Reply Parent Thread Link Speaking on violence against women, I'm so pissed off because earlier today on a Qanon subreddit (for making fun of it mostly) someone posted how their Qanon believing neighbor shot their wife. This led to other people sharing their stories of knowing men who hurt or even killed their wives, including someone whose teacher beat the shit out of his wife when she wanted a divorce. But the poster made excuses saying he 'snapped' and how they tracked him down and now send him letters in prison, which people applauded. Someone finally spoke up how fucked up the discussion was and of course got downvoted. I thanked them for their comment and they're being upvoted now, but not as much as the fucked up comments. Reply Thread Link Fucking Reddit. Reply Parent Thread Link my friend tried to share a clip from reddit supposedly where heards lawyer objects to their own question and looks SO FOOLISH! but in reality depps team objects to it? like is this kind of misinformation everywhere? Reply Parent Thread Link well yeah, of course qanon reddit is gonna be full of psychos and freaks. who else would go there lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i've been reading these posts everyday and appreciate them so much op!! side note: learning more about what 'mutual abuse' really means has been vv educational. the way it seems the majority of ppl love to overuse it seems, if ascribed to a political context, centrist af. (sooo you can pretty much disregard those ppl is what i'm saying) Reply Thread Link Thank you so much, OP. I'm pretty disgusted by social media, making tiktoks and memes- this is a fucking defamation trial about domestic violence, you ghouls. And people cheering on Depp being snide and snarky with his lawyers- the lawyers are just doing their jobs and if it were anyone else, they would have already been criticized and reprimanded for contempt of court. It's like a fucking bizarro world. Reply Thread Link i've been told on twitter, that places like tiktok see "not interested" as engagement so it will continue to show you videos of that nature (so f*cking stupid if you ask me). best thing is to swipe as quickly as possible, or just block the accounts you do come across. i've found in the last 24 hours i've been seeing slightly less of him Reply Parent Thread Link This is VALUABLE info Reply Parent Thread Link Thank you! Reply Parent Thread Link Same with Instagram. If you report the videos then the algorithm doesnt show them (or shows them less) Reply Parent Thread Link The absolutely PSYCHOTIC recommendations on YouTube have been something else They really think hes their sassy sarcastic king and I want to scream and vomit. I want to scromit. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I hate that in literally every single group I'm in on FB, there's someone making a meme about it, and it's always pro-Johnny. The meme will mention Amber in some way, someone well intentioned who doesn't know who Amber is asks for it to be explained, and a "Deppwife" will rush in and spew their bullshit. It's in my dog groups, it's in my Pokemon groups, it's everywhere. Reply Parent Thread Link I remember I was staying pretty close to Hollywood Boulevard, near these really tacky vintage shops, and I started to buy these '60s and '70s, very feminine articles of clothing. So it's actually tied to fashionthat's how it began. "Marina referenced this movie by Wim Wenders called Paris, Texas where the protagonist had this wig on and was in a process of changing her personality, visually. "I literally created [the album] via Tumblr, that's no exaggeration... At that time, it was kind of coming towards its peak as this subversive platform that underground kids or non-mainstream kids would go on. I utilized that hugely, because I thought it was so interesting that I had access to essentially what other people are thinking about. I was also obsessed with how the zeitgeist has informed pop culture for so many years, so it really was an Internet album, to the highest degree." "I think of the album very joyfully and it's really my fan base, old and new, that have changed that for me. Move the cut up, please. Reply Thread Link done! hope it's okay now Reply Parent Thread Link Insatiable turned out SO MUCH BETTER than they had us believing. Still so mad they canceled it. Shocked to see it in this article. I just finished another rewatch of both seasons lol Reply Thread Link It never recovered from the initial trailer, tbh. I never watched it until after season 2 came out because I also assumed it was going to be an offensive mess. Reply Parent Thread Link YUP! I only watched it because I love Debby Ryan and I'm glad I did but the damage was done. Reply Parent Thread Link I discovered it a couple of months ago, waaay after its demise. I thought it had a decent cast and was a fun watch. People with an ed might feel different tho Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It really did. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah I remember the reviews, I decided to check it out (season 2 had already premiered) and I liked it. I really wanted to see what they were gonna do with Patty's character. Reply Parent Thread Link Between Holland leaving and Bozoma Saint-John leaving after what less than a year, being a higher up at Netflix seems like hell if you're a woman. I've never watched more than one episode of their live action shows besides, of all things, Waffles and Mochi. I'm excited for Avatar, but with how quickly they're cancelling animated projects, if they cancel Redwall I STG Reply Thread Link they're doing redwall Reply Parent Thread Link tbf, Bozoma is always leaving some place. Reply Parent Thread Link Love to see karma at work Reply Thread Link I know for sure that its shut down, a union source told Deadline. Theyd rather shut down than sign a union contract. Theyre notoriously nonunion. sounds like cheaping out came to bite them in the ass ie: https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/122859488.html I know for sure that its shut down, a union source told Deadline. Theyd rather shut down than sign a union contract. Theyre notoriously nonunion. Reply Thread Link yeah, the article didn't address this but it seems like they were throwing all of their money at individual showrunners (in all those giant "first look" deals they made) and into awards campaigns, while cutting corners when it came to below-the-line crew members (surprise surprise) Reply Parent Thread Link Well, whoever canceled Santa Clarita Diet should have been fired.... out of a cannon into the sun. Reply Thread Link I will always be angry about this. We are least deserved a movie wrap up damn Reply Parent Thread Link I read on reddit that Drew Barrymore's production company wanted to buy the show and find another network for it but Netflix said no. Reply Parent Thread Link They were doing well, Netflix just didn't want to pay for the pay bumps for everyone for season 4! It's why so many Netflix shows are canceled after the 3rd season. Or, more recently, the 1st they just don't give a fuck anymore about quality, they just want quantity. Reply Parent Thread Link I'll always be bitter about that. Reply Parent Thread Link Futurama reference Reply Parent Thread Link anecdotally i barely watch any netflix originals anymore meanwhile hbo max is my new daddy Reply Thread Link i love hbo max i signed up with a $7.99 deal and they were like "just because, we're extending that $7.99 deal and you don't have to anything babe" Reply Parent Thread Link Nice! Meanwhile Netflix is gauging everybody. I still use my exs HBO though lmao. At least he was good for something! Reply Parent Thread Link HBO Max is 100% coming for their asses. Reply Parent Thread Link This. HBO's shows are quality. You can turn any of their big programs on and know you are getting a good ride. Meanwhile Netflix has thousands of things but its 99% shit. There are very few good shows and when they are they cancel them. The things they keep going like Stranger Things have honestly gone to shit. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this is backed up with the article about their animation department from last week with projects not moving forward and the motto going from we want to be the home of your favorite show to we make things our subscribers want to see for their content fillers rather than quality material Reply Thread Link do you have a link? Reply Parent Thread Link I always wondered why no one has done a deep investigation of Netflix's messiness from the inside. Reply Thread Link This good content, thank you Reply Thread Link https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/netflix-just-cancelled-its-fourth-one-season-show-of-2022 Also, Netflix cancelled another show today Reply Thread Link The show is called Pretty Smart, for those who don't feel like clicking. Reply Parent Thread Link noooo it was so stupid I loved it Reply Parent Thread Link that's so sad for Emily Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I know it shouldn't, but I'm always surprised when people who deal with hundreds upon hundreds of people's careers and millions upon millions of dollars are just as big morons as your tiny office. Reply Thread Link Its funny but also sad. Like money is just set on fire as more and more people fall under the poverty line. Reply Parent Thread Link Yea there's incompetence at every level. Honestly no one who is even somewhat capable should have imposter syndrome, because that's still more capable than a lot of other people. Reply Parent Thread Link It took me way too long to come to the realization that big corps. are just like the small ones too. I witnessed too many incompetent people move up the ranks in small, medium and eventually big companies all because it was easier to promote from within than to spend the time, money and energy to either fire the person or hire an outsider. Reply Parent Thread Link justice for tuca & bertie Reply Thread Link FUCK YES. Reply Parent Thread Link didnt it get onto another network? Reply Parent Thread Link Yes and it's been renewed for s3! Still fuck netflix lol Reply Parent Thread Link even tho netflix should be more discerning with the content they churn out, I still pretty much live there. hulu, hbo and disney really don't have much to watch on there. I even have a year free of paramount and I've maybe watched it once. Reply Thread Link omg how did you get a free year? there's stuff on there i want to watch but i don't wanna pay lmao ETA and i'm too lazy to pirate Edited at 2022-04-28 08:05 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Same, honestly between the Real World and Reno 911 I'd be set for a while with Paramount Reply Parent Thread Link https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/paramount-plus-deal if you have t-mobile or sprint Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yeah I got a trial of paramount plus when I bought a new Roku recently and I watched some of the icarly reboot which was actually lowkey cute, but haven't been impressed with their offerings enough to keep it. I also have Hulu and they still have a couple of my old favorite shows and a handful of good originals, but I'm thinking of switching. Reply Parent Thread Link National COSH Announces Dirty Dozen Employers Amazon, Starbucks and Dollar General among National Council for Occupational Safety and Healths list. Yesterday, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) announced this years dirty dozen employers, companies who have unsafe work practices. According to a press release, the 12 employers are: Amazon (an Alabama site and nationwide) Atlantic Coast Utilities/Laurence Moloney (Boston, Massachusetts) Daikin America (Alabama) Dollar General (Nationwide) Ernst Nursery and Farms (Oregon) Foundation Food Group/Gold Creek Foods (Georgia) Hilton Hotels (Nationwide) Kingspan Light and Air (California) Liox Cleaners/Wash Supply Laundromat (New York) Mayfield Consumer Products (Kentucky) Refresco (New Jersey) Starbucks (Nationwide) This is Amazons third time on the list. Amazon is on the list because of an incident at a Bessemer, Alabama facility where six workers died and because of the higher-than-average injury rate. Some of the employers, such as Liox Cleaners/Wash Supply Laundromat, Refresco and Starbucks, are listed because they put workers at risk for COVID-19. Others made the list because employees died while on the job, such as at Ernst Nursery and Farms. Here, a worker died during a heat wave. At Mayfield Consumer Products, nine workers died after they were told to stay on site during a tornado. According to National COSH, in 2020, more than 4,700 workers died because of workplace incidents. It estimates that more than 95,000 workers die every year from long-term exposure to hazards and toxins. National COSH announced this during Workers Memorial Week, a week to remember those who lost their lives on the job, and one day before Workers Memorial Day. To learn more about the dirty dozen, read the press release. A rally in fuel prices that has mirrored the strong performance of crude since the start of the year is set to push U.S. refiners' profits high this year as demand continues to outpace supply. The first data is already in: Valero reported a twofold increase in its refining margin for the first quarter, which helped it book income that beat analyst expectations. The strong performance of one of the largest U.S. refiners was supported by tightening refining capacity, Reuters reported, on top of the already tight global supply of fuels. Strong performance reports are likely to continue, and not only for the first quarter, Reuters noted in a report on the U.S. refining industry. One reason for this was the oil price rally that began last year as global demand rebounded from pandemic lockdowns faster than most expected. Yet another big reason for the benefits that are still being reaped by U.S. refiners specifically was the gas crunch in Europe. With soaring prices for the commodity, which is used in refining processes, many European refiners had to cut their run rates, which meant a decline in the supply of products made with the participation of natural gas, notably distillates. U.S. refiners, on the other hand, had no such constraints thanks to ample domestic gas supply and enjoyed greater revenues from distillate production. In fact, distillate fundamentals have been so much in their favor that, Reuters reported earlier this month, refiners were planning to ramp up jet fuel and diesel fuel production this summer at the expense of gasoline. Related: Four Buyers In Europe Have Paid In Rubles For Russias Gas This may aggravate pain at the pump for drivers, but it will be in keeping with what businesses normally do when a product is in short supply and its price is higher: produce more of it. "Geopolitical dynamics should support U.S. refiners on wide natural gas spreads, though some impacts may be less visible with first-quarter earnings than in future quarters," a refining analyst with Cowen told Reuters. It is worth noting that the prices of natural gas in the United States are also on the rise because of the strong increase in exports of liquefied natural gas. However, even with a more than twofold increase in the benchmark price since November last year, natural gas remains a lot more affordable for U.S. refiners than it is for their European counterparts. The divide may yet deepen further after news broke this week that Gazprom has started suspending natural gas shipments to Europe, with Poland and Bulgaria the first to feel the pain. The news is bound to push up natural gas prices even further, affecting refiners' production. At the same time, it may boost the share of U.S. fuel marketers in Europe further as well. The U.S. is already exporting a lot more diesel to Europe than it used to, thanks to the industry tremors amid the war in Ukraine. With European refiners likely to remain under strong pressure from gas prices, these may increase substantially, especially in light of U.S. refiners' plans to boost diesel and jet fuel output this summer. "The U.S. is now acting as the barrel of last resort for an Atlantic Basin that scrambles to find alternatives to shunned Russian crude oil and petroleum products," Citi analysts said last week in a note. Meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration reported that exports of distillate fuels over the last two weeks had reached the highest since the middle of 2019, at more than 1.6 million bpd. Related: Bearish Momentum Grows, But Traders Remain Bullish On Crude What this means for Europe is that it is deepening its energy dependence on the United States, turning to its biggest ally for both gas, in the form of LNG, and oil, crude, and in the form of fuels. What it means for the U.S. is a huge new market for refiners' output at a time when prices for local consumers are already elevated because of crude oil's fundamentals. Eventually, these high prices may begin to cut into refiners' margins, especially as they combine with regular spring maintenance, Reuters noted in its report on the refining industry. High crude oil prices mean high refinery feedstock costs, and at some point, these may offset the cheaper natural gas used in the production of distillates. "Actual price outcomes will depend on the degree to which existing sanctions imposed on Russia, any potential future sanctions, and independent corporate actions affect Russia's oil production or the sale of Russia's oil in the global market," the EIA wrote in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook on the topic. In the same report, however, the EIA said it expected Brent crude to average $108 per barrel in the second quarter of the year, falling to $102 per barrel during the second half of the year. Yet, with the EU considering an embargo on Russian oil and Russian oil production falling more sharply than expected, prices may turn out to exceed this projection, dragging with the fuel prices as well. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: OPEC+ will most likely continue boosting oil production at the current rate of around 400,000 bpd at its next meeting. Citing unnamed sources close to the extended cartel, Reuters reported that OPEC will likely shake hands on expanding total output by some 432,000 bpd when it meet on Friday, May 6, with the increase to take effect in June. The production increase plan has been in place since last year when OPEC and its non-member partners, led by Russia, agreed to gradually restore their combined oil production to pre-pandemic levels. However, many group members have consistently failed to deliver the agreed production increases for various reasons, chief among them underinvestment and political trouble. Last month, for example, OPEC alone increased its combined production by just 57,000 bpd, of which 54,000 bpd came from Saudi Arabia. The UAE also increased its production but the African members of the cartel saw their output decline during the month. Nigeria, one of the bigger producers in OPEC, has a quota of 1.718 million bpd, but in March, it only pumped 1.354 million bpd. The total production of OPEC+ for March was 1.45 million bpd below the agreed level, on the back of Western sanctions against Russia, whose output during the month was 300,000 bpd below its quota at 10.018 million bpd. Russia expects its oil production to shrink by 17 percent this year because of the sanctions, Reuters reported earlier this week, citing a document produced by the countrys economy ministry. That would mean an average daily production rate of between 8.68 million bpd and 9.5 million bpd. There are only two members of the OPEC+ group that could potentially fill the gap: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Both, however, have refused to heed calls from large importers to boost production by more than their OPEC+ quotas. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Some of the biggest crude oil exporters in the Middle East are significantly raising their diesel exports to Europe, which is scrambling for fuel amid a massive crunch after Russia invaded Ukraine. The diesel crunch in Europe due to the sanctions on Russia has upended the oil product markets globally. Diesel refining margins have quadrupled since the beginning of the year as major buyers of diesel are either shunning all energy products coming from Russia or expecting some kind of embargo on Russian oil. In a very tight market for distillates, Middle Eastern crude producers are ramping up diesel exports, which would alleviate the crunch and offset the loss of supply from Russia. Diesel volumes from the Middle East to Europe in April are expected to more than double to 379,000 barrels a day (bpd), offsetting an expected loss of 166,000 bpd of Russian diesel supply, according to loading schedules and tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The Arab Gulfs diesel exports to Europe are set this month for their highest level since October 2020, per Bloomberg estimates. Russia is still expected to be the single biggest supplier of diesel to Europe in April, with more than 600,000 bpd. Yet, the sanctions, self-sanctioning, and the threat of an embargo could further reduce Russian supply, exacerbating the diesel crunch in Europe. Diesel exports out of Primorsk, Russias key fuel shipments port on the Baltic Sea, are likely to slump by as much as 30 percent in May, a loading plan seen by Bloomberg showed on Thursday. Meanwhile, Europe risks being exposed to a systemic deficit of diesel supply that could worsen and even lead to rationing of fuel, the top executives of the worlds largest independent oil traders said last month. Diesel stocks globally were already low even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the shortage has now been exacerbated by the lower global diesel supply from Russia. According to Russell Hardy, chief executive at the worlds biggest independent trader Vitol, The thing that everybodys concerned about will be diesel supplies. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: President Xi calls for advancing infrastructure development Xinhua) 08:20, April 28, 2022 BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and director of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA), presided over the 11th meeting of the CCFEA on Tuesday to discuss matters on comprehensively advancing infrastructure development and implementing decisions and plans made by the CCFEA since the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017. Infrastructure is the bedrock for economic and social development. It is essential to coordinate development and security and optimize the layout, structure, function and development mode of infrastructure to develop a modern infrastructure system, thus laying a solid foundation for fully building a modern socialist country, Xi stressed. The CCFEA is an important institution for the CPC Central Committee to exercise leadership over economic work. All regions and departments must fully understand the commission's decisions and plans and take concerted efforts to put them into practice. Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and deputy director of the CCFEA, Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and also a member of the CCFEA, Vice Premier Han Zheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and also a member of the CCFEA, attended the meeting. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Water Resources delivered reports on advancing infrastructure development. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the People's Bank of China delivered reports on the implementation of the CCFEA's decisions and plans since 2017. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has made a series of world leading achievements in major sci-tech facilities, water conservancy projects, transportation hubs, information infrastructure and national strategic reserves, witnessing leapfrog progress in its overall infrastructure development, according to the meeting. But it's important to note that China's infrastructure development still falls short of the needs of the national development and security. Advancing infrastructure development is of great significance to ensuring national security, facilitating economic flows, promoting positive interplay between domestic circulation and international circulation, expanding domestic demand and promoting high-quality development. The commission stressed that at present and for some time to come, we must stick to the people-centered development philosophy and stay focused on solving problems and achieving goals. We also need to balance development and security imperatives, ensure systematic planning and overall coordination, and shore up weak links in a targeted way. It called for improving the layout, structure, function and development mode of infrastructure, and mobilizing all of society to build a modern infrastructure network, which should ensure not only economic benefits, but also social, ecological and security benefits. All these will serve major national strategies, support economic and social development and lay a solid foundation for building a modern socialist country in all respects. The commission underlined the need to stay future-oriented while advancing infrastructure development. We will increase support for development and protection of territorial space, distribution of productive forces and major national strategies, and speed up the construction of new types of infrastructure while upgrading traditional ones. It is necessary to act proactively, it said. Plans will be made for building infrastructure that helps drive industrial development and safeguard national security, but the pace of forward planning should be kept appropriate. Sound plans should be made. Following the new development philosophy, we will proceed from a full lifecycle perspective to balance the layout of all types of infrastructure and promote interconnectivity, shared growth through collaboration, coordination and interaction, said the commission. A multi-pronged approach should be taken to advance infrastructure development at different levels on a categorized basis by fully leveraging the roles of government and market, central and regional authorities, as well as public and private capital. Benefits count. We will consider economic benefits over a broad horizon, and improve the comprehensive returns of infrastructure projects throughout their entire lifecycle. We must improve all types of networks as part of China's infrastructure, such as those for transportation, energy and water conservancy, with a focus on increasing their interconnectivity, shoring up weak links and consolidating strong links, so as to increase their benefits, the commission noted. We will build the framework for national integrated multidimensional transportation networks at a faster pace. We will improve the planning and construction of coastal and inland harbors and waterways to upgrade the national water transportation system. We will develop distributed smart grids, build a series of new green, low-carbon energy bases, and improve the oil and gas pipelines quickly. We will accelerate the building of the framework and arteries of national waterways, with a focus on developing and modernizing major water sources, irrigated areas and flood detention basins. Infrastructure for information, science and technology, and logistics industries needs to be upgraded. Plans will be made to build facilities for a new generation of supercomputing, cloud computing, AI platforms, and broadband networks. The planning and construction of major sci-tech infrastructure will be advanced. We will build comprehensive transportation hubs as well as related collection, distribution, and transportation systems. We will also formulate plans to build a host of regional, general, and freight transport airports. Urban infrastructure will be improved to create high-quality living spaces in cities. It requires efforts to promote integrated transportation in city clusters, build convenient and highly efficient intercity rail networks, develop intra-city railways and urban rail transit systems, and build comprehensive road traffic systems. It is also important to construct underground utility tunnels in an orderly manner and develop the systems for urban flood control, drainage, as well as sewage and garbage collection and disposal. Moreover, efforts will be redoubled to build disaster prevention and mitigation infrastructure, public health emergency facilities, and smart infrastructure of road, power supply, public transportation. Agricultural and rural infrastructure will also be improved so that modernized infrastructure will advance agricultural and rural modernization. We will improve farmland irrigation and water conservancy, build high-standard cropland, and ensure rural roads are well built, managed, maintained, and operated to upgrade rural transportation systems. We will also speed up construction of urban and rural cold-chain logistics facilities, launch large-scale water supply projects, and further build rural sewage and garbage collection and treatment facilities. In addition, we must strengthen the national security infrastructure and move faster to enhance our ability to respond to extreme situations. The commission stressed the need to increase support for infrastructure development. Under the unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we will establish a coordination mechanism for major infrastructure development, to coordinate infrastructure planning and development in various sectors and regions and ensure the supply of land, sea, energy and other resources and factors of production. To meet the financing needs for infrastructure development, we will expand long-term financing channels, increase fiscal input, and better secure the fund for the development of major national infrastructure projects. We will also standardize the public-private partnership (PPP) model to ensure its development in transparency, and guide private capital into the operation of municipal utilities. We must pursue innovation-driven growth, increase research and development in core technologies, and make sure our infrastructure-related technologies are self-supporting and their risks are better controlled. It is necessary to cultivate a host of scientists and researchers, expand the team of skilled workers, and train a large number of outstanding engineers. Since the 19th CPC National Congress, the CCFEA has carried out in-depth studies on a number of major issues of fundamental and far-reaching significance and provided strategic guidance, the commission noted. To strengthen the leadership of the CPC Central Committee over economic work, we need to emphasize political guidance and adopt a holistic approach. We also need to coordinate development and security, formulate sound strategies, and advance innovation in practice and theory. Moreover, both short-term and long-term needs must be taken into account, both symptoms and root causes addressed, and all policies implemented to the letter. The commission stressed the need to coordinate development and security and bear firmly in mind the possibility of worst scenarios. It is important to strengthen the capacity to forecast and preempt major risks and draw up feasible contingency plans and measures. All regions and departments should grasp the essence of the commission's decisions and plans, take on responsibilities, act proactively, and work together to put into practice these decisions and plans. Evaluation and supervision should be tightened to properly balance efforts in all sectors so that problems will be addressed as soon as they arise. Evaluations should be based on practical results to ensure decisions and plans are fully implemented. It is essential to appropriately guide market expectations, clarify the orientation and principles of policy, and maintain market confidence. Inspections should also be strengthened and follow-up oversight be carried out to ensure effectiveness in policy implementation. Other members of the commission attended the meeting and leading officials of relevant central departments were also present. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) While the government has moved to shut down as many illegal refineries as they can, critics claim that they need to focus on providing alternatives for those people who have been pushed to steal oil. Illegal refineries have been plaguing Nigeria for years. The government has repeatedly tried to curb clandestine refining activities and has reduced the number of operations substantially in recent years. But several clandestine refineries still exist, presenting a clear danger to those working informally in the oil industry. Nigeria drew global attention this month as 100 people died because of an explosion at an illegal refinery in the Abaezi forest in the southeast of the country. In addition, many of the vehicles waiting to purchase the fuel were burnt. This is just the most recent of incidents. In October, around 25 people were killed at a different illegal refinery in the region. Due to high unemployment and poverty rates across the Niger Delta, illegal refining activities have become commonplace. Locals tap the crude oil from pipelines of oil majors running through the region to refine and sell. This has had the twofold impact of causing many deaths, due to the dangerous nature of the activities, and polluting the environment across the region. The crude is highly flammable, meaning the slightest spark can cause a huge explosion and widespread devastation. The scale of the issue is clear, with Nigeria losing approximately 200,000 bpd, or 10 percent of its daily output, due to vandalism and the tapping of oil pipelines. In 2019, it is estimated that Nigeria lost around 40 million barrels of crude, equivalent to around $2.77 billion. In addition to the structural problems in the country, many locals are simply fed up with international companies coming in and taking national resources, while they see little of the profits being reinvested in the region. Many believe that if Big Oil comes in and pollutes the land, then they should be able to do the same, earning revenue from Nigerias natural resources. Illegal oil bunkering, as it is known, is viewed as Nigerias most profitable private business. The crude being siphoned from pipelines can earn locals $15 to $20 per barrel. In addition, there are few costs involved as the government and oil majors have already invested in largescale oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta. Nigerias oil industry has existed for over 60 years, with international energy firms investing heavily in developing the sector over that time. It currently has 18 operational pipelines and is the worlds 11th biggest producer. The petroleum industry contributes around 9 percent of Nigerias GDP. With an industry this big, its no wonder that communities living in poverty are dissatisfied with the reinvestment seen in the country over the last decades, leading them to take the situation into their own hands. The Nigerian government has been working hard to curb this major criminal industry. Earlier this year, the government attempted to curb the trend of illegal refining, particularly as the impact of the activities on air pollution is worsening across the Rivers state region. The government succeeded in halting operations at 128 of 142 illegal refining locations identified by destroying the sites. The next month, reports suggested that the military had deactivated 30 more sites across the Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Abia States. Related: U.S. Recession Fears May Be Overblown It's clear the government is cracking down on illegal operations, but it doesnt seem to be enough to put a stop to these types of activities. With such widespread poverty, many simply move from one illegal refinery to the next, well aware that they can make a decent living from tapping oil pipelines despite the high risk involved. Some environmental groups are now pressuring the government to open small-scale refineries to create jobs and encourage locals to find formal work in the oil industry. They believe that simply destroying illegal refineries will not put an end to illegal operations without replacing them with better working opportunities. At the beginning of the year, Governor Nyesom Wike provided around $1.1 million in funding to support 23 local governments in fighting oil bunkering. He suggested that destroying the sites was the only way to stop operations. But little effort has been made to create new opportunities across the oil regions. While Nigeria presents perhaps the worst case of oil bunkering, similar issues are faced by several governments around the world. In Mexico, for example, oil theft has been on the rise as oil prices have increased. Oil theft or huachicoleo supports violent crime in Mexico as it is often driven by criminal gangs due to the lucrative nature of the activities. The situation led President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to make curbing huachicoleo a core pledge of his 2018 election campaign. Meanwhile, oil theft in Colombia increased last year as supplies of Venezuelan gasoline were halted. Nigeria has the most widespread activities of illegal oil refining worldwide, causing the government to lose billions of dollars every year as well as wreaking havoc on the environment. While the government attempts to tackle the crime, the failure to reinvest oil revenues into the Niger Delta region or offer formal job opportunities continues to encourage locals to seek informal work in illegal refining, no matter the cost. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S. Department of Energy has just authorized additional LNG exports from the planned Golden Pass LNG Terminal in Texas and Magnolia LNG Terminal in Louisiana. Over the last couple of years, natural gas has been viewed as a critical bridge in the transition to renewable energy, thanks to its more favorable emissions profile. Five years after the United States became a net exporter of natural gas on an annual basis, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that the United States is on track, for the first time ever, to become the world's top exporter of liquified natural gas (LNG) this year, with exports hitting a whopping 12.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) average to surpass Australia and Qatar for the top spot. Russia's war on Ukraine has supercharged the American LNG boom. Europe's natural gas demand has skyrocketed as the EU tries to lower its reliance on Russian natural gas following its invasion of Ukraine. Europe has displaced Asia as the top destination for the U.S. LNG, receiving 65% of total exports for the fourth straight month in April. The EU has pledged to reduce its consumption of Russian natural gas by nearly two-thirds before the year's end, while Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have vowed to eliminate Russian gas imports outright. The crisis has only deepened after Russia recently cut off the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria, ostensibly for failing to pay for gas in roubles, sending European gas prices up more than 15%. The move marks a ratcheting up of tensions and could reduce supplies to Europe, as many pipelines pass through Poland en route to the rest of the continent. "The sooner everyone in Europe recognises that they cannot depend on Russia for trade, the sooner it will be possible to guarantee stability in European markets," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said late on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Energy has just authorized additional LNG exports from the planned Golden Pass LNG Terminal in Texas and Magnolia LNG Terminal in Louisiana as the U.S. seeks to boost LNG exports to Europe. Jointly owned by Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and Qatar Petroleum, the $10B Golden Pass LNG export project is expected to become operational in 2024, while Magnolia LNG, owned by Glenfarne Group, will come online by 2026. The two terminals are expected to produce more than 3B cf/day of natural gas, although Magnolia is yet to sign contracts with customers. Related: Germany No Longer Opposed To Russian Oil Embargo Previously, American LNG developers were unwilling to construct self-financed liquefaction facilities that are not secured by long-term contracts from European countries. However, the Ukraine war has exposed Europe's soft underbelly and the harsh reality is forcing a rethink of their energy systems. To wit, Germany, Finland, Latvia, and Estonia recently expressed the desire to move forward with new LNG import terminals. Here are the top 3 LNG companies that are best placed to cash-in on the LNG boom. #1. Cheniere Energy Market Cap: $33.4B YTD Returns: 36.8% Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) is an energy infrastructure company that primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. Cheniere is one of the few pure-play LNG companies in the United States; the company owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns the Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile pipeline interconnecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with various interstate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. Last month, the DoE approved expanded permits for Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana and its Corpus Christi plant in Texas. The approvals allow the terminals to export the equivalent of 0.72 billion cubic feet of LNG per day to any country with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement, including all of Europe. Cheniere says the facilities already are making more gas than is covered by previous export permits. #2. EQT Corp. Market Cap: $15.0B YTD Returns: 81.4% EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) operates as a natural gas production company in the United States. The company produces natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), including ethane, propane, isobutane, butane, and natural gasoline. As of December 31, 2021, EQT had 25.0 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas, NGLs, and crude oil reserves across approximately 2.0 million gross acres, including 1.7 million gross acres in the Marcellus play. Last month, EQT Corp. unveiled a plan centered on producing more liquified natural gas by dramatically increasing natural gas drilling in Appalachia and around the country's shale basins, as well as pipeline and export terminal capacity, which it said would not only boost United States energy security, but also help break the global reliance on coal and on countries like Russia and Iran. #3. Tellurian Market Cap: $2.6B YTD Returns: 55.8% Tellurian Inc. (NYSE:TELL) is a Houston, Texas-based energy company that engages in the natural gas business worldwide. The company is currently developing a portfolio of natural gas production, liquefied natural gas (LNG) marketing, and infrastructure assets that includes an approximately 27.6 million tons per annum LNG export facility and an associated pipeline. Founded in 2016, Tellurian owns interests in 11,060 net acres of natural gas assets and 78 producing wells located in the Haynesville Shale trend of northern Louisiana. TELL is one of Jim Cramer's top LNG picks, but he says to wait for a better entry point given the stock's massive run-up. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Germany's power utility Uniperone of Germany's largest gas importerswill pay for Russian gas deliveries in rubles in accordance with the new payment procedure announced by Russia last month. "The plan is to make our payments in euros to an account in Russia," a company spokesperson told German media, as cited by Reuters. Per the procedure, any buyer of Russian gas from any unfriendly country needs to open two accounts in Gazprombank: one in the foreign currency it wants to pay in and one in rubles. When a gas payment is due, the buyer deposits the necessary sum in dollars or euros in its first Gazprombank account. The bank then converts the sum into rubles under Russian central bank exchange rates and deposits it in the second account, from which the actual payment is made. Uniper said earlier this week it was prepared to begin paying in rubles for Russian gas, soon after Gazprom informed Poland and Bulgaria that it would suspend gas deliveries to them following their refusal to pay for the gas in rubles. The Bulgarian state gas company said that it had found problems in the terms of the new procedure that put the security of gas deliveries in doubt. Uniper, on the other hand, does not seem to have such misgivings. It also does not share EU officials' concern about the switch to rubles possibly breaching sanctions. "We consider that the amendment of the payment process complies with the sanctions law and so the payments are possible," said the chief financial officer of the energy company, Tiina Tuomela, this week. Uniper's move comes despite calls from the European Commission to EU energy buyers to not pay for Russian gas in rubles. "Companies with such contracts should not accede to the Russian demands," EC president von der Leyen said this week, as quoted by Al Jazeera. "This would be a breach of the sanctions so a high risk for the companies." By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In the week when Gazprom finally did what Europe was afraid it would do and started cutting off gas supplies to countries unwilling to pay for them in rubles, Russian gas reliance has really hit the spotlight. And at least one country in Europe believes it can eliminate its dependence on it sooner than previously believed. Bloomberg reported earlier this week that the UK could stop importing Russian natural gas before this years end. Citing an unnamed source familiar with the governments plans, the report noted that Russian gas exports to the UK were already a slim enough portion of total gas imports to make the phase-out possible. Details on how exactly the government planned to eliminate these imports were not divulged, but given the fact that Russian gas last year accounted for just 4 percent of total UK gas imports, replacing Russia with another supplier will be nowhere near as challenging as the same exercise would be for Germany. Whats more, Russian LNG cargosthe only form of Russian gas that the UK importsarriving in the country have fallen further since the start of this year, reinforcing Downing Streets conviction that the UK can get rid of Russian gas with almost no hassle. This puts the UK in a comfortable enough virtue-signaling position, from which it can urge its EU allies to reduce their own reliance on Russian gas. These allies, however, will have a harder time following in the UKs footsteps, with Germany being the most notoriously gas-dependent European economy. Related: U.S. Recession Fears May Be Overblown The EU has been discussing energy embargos on Russia for weeks now and has so far only managed to agree on a coal import ban, which will enter into effect from August. This will allow utilities to stock up on the fossil fuel in the meantime. A gas embargo has also been on the table, but several EU members have voiced strong opposition to the idea. In Germany, businesses and trade unions have joined forces to advise against such an embargo, noting it would devastate the energy-intensive German economy. An oil embargo is an equally hard sell for Germany. Europe, as a whole, imports some 40 percent of the gas it consumes from Russia. Last year, this amounted to around 155 billion cubic meters. This year, because of the war in Ukraine, the EU has stated it will aim to reduce its intake of Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of the year, using a variety of measures, including a switch to LNG, energy conservation, a buildout in renewables, and increasing the use of coal for power generation. Meanwhile, however, gas prices soared again this week after Gazprom cut off gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has called on European energy traders not to pay for Russian gas in rubles. Germanys Uniper, however, has said it had no problem doing just that. Hungary and Austria have also said they would pay for Russian gas in rubles. The asynchrony between Brussels and the business world has once again highlighted the drawbacks of energy dependence and the importance of local supply. The UKs relative ease of reducing Russian oil imports also speaks to the latter. This doesnt mean that the UK is problem-free and an example for the EU to follow, however. Last month, energy industry association Offshore Energies UK warned that the countrys gas producers were struggling to increase output, which could threaten the security of supply. This, the association said, could result in the UK becoming dependent on imports for as much as 70-80 percent of its consumption in the future. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Turkish neutrality may be economically expedient, but it has also served to raise the countrys profile by positing it as the ideal mediator. Turkey is highly-dependant on Russian natural gas, though also dependant on imports from Ukraine. Turkey has remained fairly neutral throughout Russias war in Ukraine, condemning the act but not sanctioning Moscow as other NATO allies have. Turkey has proven adept at maintaining neutrality in regards to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While Ankara has condemned Russias special military operation, it has also declined to follow the lead of its NATO allies in supporting US-led sanctions on Moscow. According to local experts, its reasons for doing so are both economic and political, and reflect Turkeys varied approach to its relations with Russia. Turkey is a neighbor to both countries, with whom it has intense economic relations, Halil Akinci, who served as Turkeys ambassador to Russia from 2008 to 2010, told The Epoch Times. So its in Ankaras interest to stay on good terms with them both. Neutrality, he added, also left Turkey in the perfect position to mediatethus raising its international profilesince were the only ones acceptable to both sides. Condemnation Without Sanctions When the Russian operation first began on Feb. 24, Turkish officials condemned it as unacceptable and a violation of international law. They were also quick to stress, however, that Ankaraunlike its NATO allieshad no intention of enforcing US-led sanctions on Russia. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, a political analyst and head of the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy, an independent think-tank, said Turkey had reasonable grounds for declining to support sanctions. Turkey is positioning itself as a mediator by keeping communication channels open with Russia, Erol told The Epoch Times. He went on to assert that Ankara and Moscow were closely engaged on a broad range of issues based on principles of cooperation and competition. Akinci, when asked if Turkey was subject to pressure by NATO to adopt a harder line against Russia, said no one could reasonably expect Ankara to enforce sanctions especially given current economic realities. Because of its massive trade dependence on Russia, Turkey isnt in a position to do this [i.e., enforce sanctions], he said. Like the rest of the world, Turkey simply cannot ignore Russias vast natural resources. Indeed, an estimated 45 percent of Turkeys natural gas imports currently derive from Russia, along with more than 75 percent of its imported wheat. This represents a dire situation for a country that has seen its currency lose more than 80 percent of its value year-on-year, causing the prices of many staple commoditiesincluding breadto skyrocket. At the same time, Turkey has significant trade relations with Ukraine, which supplies it with another 10 to 15 percent of its total wheat imports. Ankara and Kyiv also cooperate in the defense-industries field, including the joint manufacture of aerial drones. Constructive Mediation Efforts Turkish neutrality may be economically expedient, but it has also served to raise the countrys profile by positing it as the ideal mediatora role it has assumed with gusto. On March 10, the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers met in Turkeys resort city of Antalya; and on March 29, delegations from both countries held talks in Istanbul. Although hailed by all sides as constructive, the talks failed to produce any tangible breakthroughs. Russia, for its part, which appears to have the upper hand militarily, demands guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO. It also demands Kyivs recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014), and recognition of two Russian-speaking territories in Ukraines eastern Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhasnk) as independent republics. Based on recent signals from both camps, Erol believes it is likely that Ukraine will give up on NATO membership first, and Moscow will accept Ukraines European Union membership in return. The main sticking point, he believes, is the Donbas region. Russia demands recognition of the so-called republics, but the Kyiv administration and the international community do not seem to accept this, he said. Because it involves major power players like Russia and NATO, the conflict could become a long-simmering proxy war lasting months or even years, Erol warned, citing past Russian entanglements in Afghanistan and Chechnya. Akinci agreed that reaching a negotiated settlement could take a long time. He added, however, that if the military equation were to change significantly on the ground, [diplomatic] positions could change as well. In the meantime, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has extended an open invitation to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet in Istanbul for further talks. I wholeheartedly believe that a peaceful solution can be found through dialogue, he said on April 18. Three days later, Russian forces reportedly captured the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Ties With Russia: Not Black and White Historical rivals, the Ottoman (i.e., Turkish) and Russian empires fought at least a dozen major conflicts over four centuries, ending with the First World War. But today, Turkey, despite its 70-year-old membership in NATO, is keen to remain on good terms with Russia, with which it shares a substantial maritime border in the Black Sea. That being said, the two have implacable foreign-policy differences, especially in the post-Arab Spring Middle East. In Syria, for example, Turkey supports anti-Assad armed groups, while Russia backs the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The two countries also support diametrically-opposing forces in war-ravaged Libya. Related: Libya May Reach Full Oil Production Within Days Turkey-Russia relations bottomed out in late 2015, when a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Sukhoi fighter near Turkeys tense border with Syria. But relations quickly recovered the following year, especially after a failed coup attempt against Erdogans government, for which Ankara blamed Fetullah Gulen, a US-based Turkish-Muslim preacher who claims to have an international following. Washingtons refusal to extradite Gulen to Turkey then led to a rupture in US-Turkey ties and a concurrent improvement in Ankaras relations with Moscow. Because Gulen resides in the US, Turkey implicitly accused Washington of supporting the coup attempt, Dr. Ilhan Uzgel, a prominent Turkish political analyst, told The Epoch Times. This, in turn, led [Erdogans] ruling Justice and Development Party to ally itself with nationalist and Eurasianist elements who favor closer ties with Russia, China and Iran, Uzgel, a former professor of international relations, added. This combination of external and domestic factors prompted Ankaras subsequent tilt towards Moscow. In 2017, Turkey went so far as to announce the purchase of an advanced S-400 missile-defense system from Russia. The move infuriated Turkeys NATO allies and eventually resulted in limited US sanctions being imposed on Turkey itself. In explaining Ankaras eclectic approach to Moscow, Akinci stressed that, at least with respect to the Middle East, Turkeys differences with the US are actually deeper than those with Russia. For example, our American allies have nurtured, and continue to support, an organization opposed to Turkeys territorial integrity, he said. Here he was referring to the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the Syrian branch of which the US has backed in its war against Assad, but which Ankara views as a terrorist group. In this case, US policy actually poses a greater danger to Turkey than anything the Russians are doing, Akinci asserted. He added: Every state has its differences with Russia and every state has interests in common with Russia. In some areas, the US and Russia get along quite well; in others, they do not. Geopolitics is never black and white. By Zerohedge.cm More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Africas top natural gas exporter, Algeria, has warned Spain that it would consider Madrid sending Algerian deliveries to third countries a breach of contract, as Spain plans to send gas to Morocco. Algeria and Morocco are in a diplomatic rift over Western Sahara. Because of the spat, Algeria halted late last year gas supply to Morocco via the MaghrebEurope Gas Pipeline that runs from Algeria through Morocco onto Andalusia, Spain. Spain, for its part, has said it would supply gas to Morocco in a reverse flow of the MaghrebEurope, which has apparently angered Algeria. In a statement carried by Algerias state news agency APS, the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mines said late on Wednesday: Any conveyance of the Algerian natural gas delivered to Spain, whose destination is other than that specified in the contracts, will be considered as a breach of the contractual commitments, and consequently may lead to the termination of the agreement between Sonatrach and its Spanish customers. Algerias state energy firm Sonatrach delivered more than 40 percent of Spains gas imports last year, according to AFP. It was not immediately clear whether Algeria would terminate supply agreements if Spain sends non-Algerian natural gas to Morocco. The threat of yet another supply disruption in Europe and the Mediterranean region comes amid growing tensions between Russia and the EU over gas supplies and Vladimir Putins rubles-for-gas payment scheme. On Wednesday, Russias state gas major Gazprom suspended gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria, citing their unwillingness to pay in rubles. At the same time, EU countries in southern Europe have been looking at African gas suppliers, including Algeria, to reduce their exposure to Russian gas. Italy, for example, which depends for 40 percent of its gas demand on Russia, signed a deal with Algeria earlier this month to receive 40 percent more gas from the African gas exporter via the existing pipeline in the Mediterranean. Italys Eni will increase the quantities of gas imported through the TransMed / Enrico Mattei pipeline under the long-term gas supply contract in place with Sonatrach starting from the autumn. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Democrats said on Thursday that they would propose legislation to allow state and federal agencies to go after oil companies over what Democratic lawmakers continue to describe as market manipulation and price gouging at the pump that is ripping off Americans. In a news conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Big Oil has profiteered and exploited the marketplace. They are hoarding the windfall while keeping prices high at the pump, Pelosi added. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, for his part, said that the COVID crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have left American consumers vulnerable to market manipulation and price gouging. Big Oil companies are using both these issues for price gouging and market manipulation to cash in, Schumer said, comparing oil companies to vultures that booked record profits last year and used the COVID and Ukraine tragedies for market manipulation. Democratic leaders did not say when the legislation could be ready or put to a vote in Congress. Gasoline prices in the United States are at an eight-year high, as international crude prices jumped above $100 a barrel following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Since gasoline prices started rising at the end of last year, Democrats began pointing the finger at Big Oil, blaming oil firms for ripping off Americans at the pump while lining their own pockets. The Biden Administrations insistence that oil companies are manipulating the market led to a hearing at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce earlier this month, at which CEOs at the biggest oil corporations in America were grilled about their role in setting the gasoline prices. While Democrats continued to accuse oil companies of price gouging, the top executives of Exxon, Chevron, BP America, Shell USA, Devon Energy, and Pioneer Natural Resources found themselves explaining the basics of economics and how crude oil production and fuel distribution work in a free market. I have seen statements in the press suggesting that Chevron and other oil and gas companies are responsible for the increase in fuel prices. I want to be absolutely clear: we do not control the market price of crude oil or natural gas, nor of refined products like gasoline and diesel fuel, and we have no tolerance for price gouging, Chevrons CEO Michael Wirth told the hearing in early April. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Germany, the main opponent of a full embargo on Russian oil imports into the European Union so far, has dropped its opposition to a ban, if given time to procure alternatives, government officials told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday. The EU started earlier this month tentative discussions on imposing an embargo on Russian oil, but the bloc was split on a ban on Russian energy imports. The biggest European economyGermanyresisted an immediate oil embargo, saying an oil ban would plunge Germany, and Europe, into a deep recession. Germany, Hungary, and Austria, as well as some other EU members, opposed an immediate outright ban on Russian oil, although Germany signaled earlier this month that it could end its dependence on Russian oil and stop importing Moscows oil entirely by the end of this year. In a major shift in position, German representatives to the EU signaled on Wednesday that Germany is dropping its opposition to a full embargo on Russian oil on the condition that it is given time to find a replacement to the Russian oil supply, the Journal reported, citing two officials. The German policy shift comes after the government announced it would send heavy weaponry to Ukraine for the first time, after weeks of pressure on Berlin to provide military assistance to Kyiv. The shift in Germanys position on a Russian oil embargo could encourage other still hesitant EU members to support a ban on Russian oil imports, analysts say. Earlier this week, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that a full embargo is now manageable for Germany and that the country hoped to find a replacement for Russian oil within days. According to Habeck, Germany is now very, very close to making a full Russian oil embargo a reality. Germany has dropped Russian oil imports to around 12% of its total oil imports, down from 35% prior to Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in late February. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Irans oil exports jumped by 30 percent from last year to 870,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the first quarter of 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing data from commodity data provider Kpler, as the main Iranian crude buyer, China, is cutting back on imports of Russian oil. The jump in Irans oil exports in Q1 was the fastest among all producers in the Middle East, while the volume of exports is estimated to be the highest since former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the so-called Iranian nuclear deal in 2018, Kpler says, as carried by the Journal. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has upended global oil trade flows and has emboldened Iran to boost its exportsdespite the fact that it is still under U.S. sanctions with no imminent nuclear deal in sightto its key customer, China. The worlds top crude oil importer China, for its part, has not rushed to buy cheap Russian oil. Iran sells its crude oil almost exclusively to China and has never stopped those sales since former President Trump re-imposed the sanctions against Tehran in 2018. Currently, China is also emboldened to import more Iranian crude, not expecting to be hit by secondary sanctions by the U.S. for dealing with Iran because Washington has its plate full with Russia, a Kpler analyst told the Journal. During the Iranian year that ended on March 20, 2022, Irans oil exports rose by over 40 percent, Irans Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji said earlier this month, as carried by the oil ministrys news service Shana. He further said that the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum would never disclose the methods and destinations of its oil exports, the agency reported in early April. Meanwhile, Chinese refiners are not rushing to purchase heavily discounted Russian crude on the spot market, avoiding being singled out as buyers of Moscows oil amid tightening Western sanctions on Russia. China, which has grown increasingly closer ties with Russia in the energy sector of late, has not officially condemned Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine, but its government has recently appeared cautious about new spot deals. China hasnt yet shown too much appetite for Russian crude because of several factors, according to energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. These include expensive freight for Russian cargoes due to the sanctions, challenges with payments and tanker insurance, the fact that a Urals voyage takes double the time compared to Middle Eastern grades going to China, and Chinese refiners long-term contracts with oil exporters from the Middle East. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices continued to tick higher to close on Thursday, as Russian airstrikes hit the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as the UN Secretary General was visiting. In the first Russian missile strikes on Kyiv in two weeks, Russia made a show of heavy-handed air attacks to coincide with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrival in the Ukrainian capital, just 48 hours after he had held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Three people have been wounded in the attacks, one of which struck a residential building, according to the Kyiv mayor, cited by AFP. Benchmark U.S. crude oil for June delivery hit $105.36 per barrel, up $3.34. Brent crude for June delivery gained $2.27, hitting $107.59 a barrel. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned the Russian attacks as a heinous act of barbarism, while Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, writing on Twitter, said this was an attack on the security of the Secretary General and on world security. Oil prices closed higher amid Russias attack after trending higher all day following bullish sentiment sparked by the notion that Germany has dropped opposition to a total Russian oil ban. The improved prospects for Germany to agree with other members of the European Union to implement a total ban on Russian oil suggests an even tighter supply situation for crude oil markets, somewhat dulling concerns of a reduction in demand coming out of Chinas COVID lockdowns. The Russian airstrikes on Kyiv come as NATO vowed to continue support for Ukraine for years, with a particular focus on helping it modernize its weapons systems. Also on Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for $33 billion to support Ukraine. In another jolt to markets, a top media chief for the Kremlin-controlled RT broadcaster has issued an indirect threat on public television, stating that Putin is more likely to launch a nuclear attack than to concede defeat to Ukraine. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: French TotalEnergies will include a $4.1-million impairment on its balance sheet over Russia sanctions that have led to difficulties with its massive Arctic LNG2 project, the company said on Wednesday. TotalEnergies SE has decided to no longer book proved reserves for the Arctic LNG 2 project, given the uncertainty created by the technological and financial sanctions on the ability to carry out the Arctic LNG 2 project currently under construction and their probable tightening with the worsening conflict, the company said in a press release. The company also noted additional risks that emerged on April 8th withg new sanctions from the European Union prohibiting export from EU countries of goods and technology for use in the liquefaction of natural gas benefitting a Russian company. As a result, TotalEnergies has decided to record in its accounts, as of March 31, 2022, an impairment of 4.1 B$, concerning notably Arctic LNG 2, TotalEnergies stated. TotalEnergies partner in Arctic LNG 2 is Russian Novatek, with TotalEnergies accounting for a 10% stake. The final investment decision for this project was made in 2019. The project would have had a production capacity of 19.8 million tons per year and was expected to export its first LNG cargo by 2023, with a second train in 2024 and a third in 2026. TotalEnergies refused to withdraw from Russia-affiliated projects while supergiants BP, Exxon and Shell bowed to Western pressure and sanctions. However, it is now clear with the impairment that the Arctic LNG 2 has a very uncertain future, affecting the French oil giant. Earlier this week, Technip Energies, the European engineering contractor for Arctic LNG 2, told investors in an earnings call that sanctions are affecting the pace of work on the project but that Technip remained committed. Technip said it still expects the balance sheet position of the project and contract protections to be sufficient to fulfill contractual obligations in compliance with sanctions, he added. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Frances supermajor TotalEnergies plans to sell its minority stake in an onshore oil-producing joint venture in Nigeria in what will be the latest divestment of Nigerian oil assets by an international major. TotalEnergies will put up for sale its 10-percent interest in a company operating 20 licenses onshore Nigeria and in shallow waters, the French firms chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said at an earnings conference call on Thursday. Disruption of local communities are sources of great concerns, Pouyanne said on the call, as carried by Bloomberg. The licenses are being operated by another supermajor, Shell, which is also looking to divest Nigerian assets. The sale of Shells stake in the joint venture attracted bids from four Nigeria-based companies, Bloomberg reported early this year, quoting sources with knowledge of the sales process. As early as in the spring of 2021, Shells chief executive Ben van Beurden said the supermajor does not see its upstream oil operations in Nigeria as compatible with its strategy to become a net-zero energy business. We cannot solve community problems in the Niger Delta, said the top executive at Shell, which has encountered numerous problems in Nigerias onshore in recent years, including oil theft and pipeline sabotage, as well as lawsuits brought up by local communities over oil spills. In February 2021, The Hague Court of Appeal ordered Shell to compensate Nigerian farmers for two oil spills in the country 13 years ago, in the first lawsuit in which a company had been held liable in the Netherlands for its actions abroad. The ruling of the Dutch court set a precedent for future lawsuits brought against oil firms in the countries where they are based, instead of the countries where oil spills or oil pollution has allegedly taken place. Shell and TotalEnergies are not the only companies divesting from Nigerias upstream. ExxonMobil agreed earlier this year to sell its equity interest in Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to Nigerian company Seplat Energy. The sale includes ExxonMobils shallow-water affiliate, while the U.S. supermajor will retain its deepwater assets. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) A tornado-stricken county in western Kentucky will receive $8.5 million in additional support, signaling the start of a new round of assistance for a region working to recover from the devastating storms last December, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday. Hopkins County is the first county to receive support from the new West Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies fund, Beshear said. State lawmakers appropriated more than $120.8 million to support the fund, and more awards are expected to be announced in coming weeks, he said. These funds will help Hopkins County cover services that are not eligible for FEMA support and will ease some of the financial strain they have endured as so many of their resources have been directed toward restoration," the governor said. Eligible cities, counties, utilities and school districts can apply for financial support from the fund as the cleanup and rebuilding continue, he said at his weekly news conference. Hopkins County Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield Jr., in a video message, praised the bipartisan work of state leaders in providing the crucial funding to support rebuilding efforts. The Hopkins County town of Dawson Springs was devastated by a tornado. In a day when all too often politics gets in the way of getting work done, I am pleased that our state has come together to assist all of the counties that have seen so much devastation, he said. Beshear, a Democrat, credited Republican state Sen. Robby Mills for his work in getting the tornado-relief legislation passed. Eighty-one people died in Kentucky from the tornadoes that ripped through parts of the state last December. In the hard-hit city of Mayfield in Graves County, a candle factory, a nursing home and government buildings were destroyed. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. NEW ORLEANS (AP) A federal judge ordered a two-week halt Wednesday on the phasing out of pandemic-related restrictions on seeking asylum and raised doubts about the Biden administration's plan to fully lift those restrictions on May 23. For now, the decision is only a temporary setback for the administration. But the judge staked out a position that is highly sympathetic with Louisiana, Arizona and 19 other states that sued to preserve so-called Title 42 authority, which denies migrants a chance at asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. (The states) have established a substantial threat of immediate and irreparable injury resulting from the early implementation of Title 42, including unrecoverable costs on healthcare, law enforcement, detention, education, and other services for migrants," wrote U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays in Lafayette, Louisiana. Summerhays, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, said states were likely to succeed with their argument that the administration failed to adhere to federal procedures when it announced April 1 that it was ending Title 42 authority. The judge has scheduled a critical hearing on May 13 in Lafayette to hear arguments on whether to block Title 42 from ending as planned 10 days later. Texas filed a similar lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in Victoria, Texas. The decision to end Title 42 authority was made by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has come under growing criticism from elected officials in Biden's Democratic Party who contend the administration is unprepared for an anticipated increase in asylum-seekers. The Justice Department declined to comment on the order but the administration has said it will comply, while contending it will hamper preparations for Title 42 to end on May 23. About 14% of single adults from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were processed under immigration laws during a seven-day period ending last Thursday. That's up from only 5% in March, according to government figures. Summerhays' order requires the Homeland Security Department to return to policies and practices in place before it announced plans to end Title 42 and to submit weekly reports that demonstrate it is acting in good faith. Migrants have been expelled more than 1.8 million times under the rule invoked in March 2020 by the Trump administration. Migrants were stopped more than 221,000 times at the Mexico border in March, a 22-year-high that has raised concerns about the government's ability to handle even larger numbers when Title 42 is lifted. Advocates for asylum-seekers say the restrictions endanger people fleeing persecution back home and violates rights to seek protection under U.S. law and international treaty. As the CDC acknowledged, the public health justification for the order has weakened as the threat of COVID-19 has waned. At two often-contentious hearings Wednesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sought to defend the administrations handling of an increase of migrants at the Southwest border and its plans to deal with the prospect of more with the potential end of Title 42. Mayorkas sought to push back on Republican accusations that the Biden administration has encouraged irregular migration by allowing some people to seek asylum, blaming economic and political turmoil and violence throughout Latin America and the world. Some of the causes of irregular migration have only been heightened by years of distress preceding this administration, he said. Mayorkas testified one day after Homeland Security released a plan with more details about how it was preparing for the end of Title 42 authority. ___= Associated Press reporter Ben Fox in Washington contributed to this story. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) A former Massachusetts mayor convicted of corruption charges has reported to federal prison after a judge rejected his latest request for a delay. The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia entered the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, on Friday as required in order to begin a six-year sentence. The medium security prison, located in the state's northern region that includes the White Mountains, houses nearly 800 male inmates. Correias date of imprisonment had been put off several times before a federal appellate court refused his request for a delay on Wednesday. The former mayor was convicted last year of 21 counts for defrauding investors in a smartphone app and for extorting money from marijuana companies. A judge ultimately dismissed 10 charges, leaving 11 convictions to stand. Correia is appealing the verdict, and his lawyers argue he should be allowed to stay out of prison pending his appeal. They've been able to stave off his prison term for some 20 weeks after his initial report date, to the frustration of some in the former manufacturing center south of Boston, where he was seen as a rising political star when first elected mayor in 2015 at age 23. Hopefully, this is the end of a long saga for the city and we can move on from that and let people move on to make Fall River a better place to live, Mayor Paul Coogan, who defeated Correia in an election in 2019, told the Fall River Herald earlier this week. This has been going on for a long time. Correia, who has maintained his innocence, was initially granted a reprieve to help out in his in-laws restaurant over the Christmas holiday. He was granted subsequent delays because of an outbreak of COVID-19 at FCI Berlin and for his attorneys to file his appeal. Correia's attorneys didn't respond to an email seeking comment Friday. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Coming up with $44 billion to buy Twitter was the easy part for Elon Musk. Next comes the real challenge for the worlds richest person: fulfilling his promise to make Twitter better than ever as a lightly regulated haven for free speech. His vision for improving the 16-year-old company leans heavily on a pledge to make speech as free as reasonably possible on the platform -- a commitment thats been celebrated on the political right and among followers of former President Donald Trump, whose account last year was permanently banned. And for others who worry that Musk will open the floodgates to agitators who spew hate, lies and other harmful content, making the platform too toxic for advertisers and average users Musk has offered few assurances. The extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all, he tweeted Tuesday. Many of Musks proposed changes reflect his own experience as a high-profile and outspoken Twitter user with more than 85 million followers and a swarm of pesky impersonator accounts that use his name and photo to promote cryptocurrency schemes. For example, he has highlighted the need to defeat spambots that mimic real users. But what about Twitters more than 200 million other users who arent getting banned or flooded with spam? Theres still a lot of uncertainty about whether his ideas are technologically possible and how well know if these changes would benefit most regular users, or serve some other purpose. Hes made it pretty clear hes not interested in making Twitter a profitable enterprise," said Joan Donovan, who studies misinformation at Harvard University. Its about the power and the influence of Twitter itself and its importance in our culture." Experts who have studied content moderation and researched Twitter for years have expressed doubt that Musk knows exactly what he is getting into. And some of the problems he has identified aren't felt by most users. The spambots, for him, are highly visible and somewhat personal, said Donovan. Most people dont see a lot of these spammy accounts. And for those unhappy with the company's crackdown on hate, harassment and misinformation, there are plenty of fledgling examples of free speech focused platforms that have been launched in the past few years as Twitter antidotes, largely by conservatives. Many have struggled to deal with toxic content, and at least one has been cut off by its own technology providers in protest. This move just shows how effective (moderation features) have been to annoy those in power, said Kirsten Martin, a professor of technology ethics at the University of Notre Dame. I would be worried as to how this would change Twitters values. The fact that no other bidders emerged in public before Musks deal was a sign that other would-be acquirers might find Twitter too difficult to improve, said Third Bridge analyst Scott Kessler. This platform is pretty much the same one weve had over the last decade or so," Kessler said. "Youve had a lot of smart people trying to figure out what they should do, and theyve had trouble. Its probably going to be tough to make a lot of headway. Musk received some effusive, if highly abstract, praise from an unexpected quarter Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey, who praised Musk's decision to take Twitter back from Wall Street and tweeted that he trusts Musk's mission to extend the light of consciousness a reference to Dorsey's notion that Twitter is the closest thing we have to a global consciousness. But others familiar with Twitter say they're still dismayed at Musk's successful bid for the company. Twitter is going to let a man-child essentially take over their platform, said Leslie Miley, a former Twitter employee who has also worked for Google and Apple. Miley, who was the only Black engineer at Twitter in a leadership position when he left the company in 2015, echoed doubts about Musk's grasp of the platform's complexities. I am not sure if Elon knows what he is getting, Miley said. He may just find that having Twitter is a lot different than wanting Twitter. The more hands-off approach to content moderation that Musk envisions has many users concerned that the platform will become more of a safe place for disinformation, hate speech and bullying, something it has worked hard in recent years to mitigate. Wall Street analysts said if he goes too far, it could also alienate advertisers. In Europe, officials reminded Musk about a new law, the Digital Services Act, that will force tech companies to step up policing of their online platforms. Be it cars or social media, any company operating in Europe needs to comply with our rules regardless of their shareholding, tweeted Thierry Breton, the European Union commissioner in charge of the blocs internal market. Mr. Musk knows this well. He is familiar with European rules on automotive, and will quickly adapt to the Digital Services Act. Musk's takeover is not yet a done deal and still awaits stockholder approval. Twitter previously scheduled its annual shareholders meeting for May 25, but a vote on the takeover is not yet on the agenda. It will take six-to-eight months for the purchase to go through, and while there are likely to be some bumps along the way, there don't appear to be serious enough obstacles to stop the deal, according to Charles Elson, director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, sees as serious enough to stop the deal. Normally when companies go private, dissenting shareholders are forcibly cashed out. Some could challenge the stock price in court, contending that Musk should pay more, but that probably wont hold up the sale, Elson said. Its likely that Musk would dissolve the current board and replace it with a new one that would agree with his management direction. And once Twitter is private, Musk will face fewer gripes from shareholders that often bring lawsuits, Elson said. Private companies also dont face as much scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has been a finger in Musks eye for years, often because of statements he's made on Twitter. On Tuesday, shares of Twitter traded around $50, a touch below the $54.20 purchase price. Twitter will offer a glimpse into the health of its business when it reports its quarterly financial results Thursday. An annual shareholder meeting is set for May. Twitter's constituents aren't the only ones anxious about Musk's $44 billion investment. Shares of Musk's electric car company, Tesla, have lost about 17% of their value since Musk announced his stake in Twitter, including about a 10% decline on Tuesday. Analysts say investors are fearful that Musk will be distracted by the social media company and less engaged in running Tesla. Hes going to be spending more time with another venture, Edward Jones Senior Equity Analyst Jeff Windau said of Musk, who also runs SpaceX, The Boring Co., which digs tunnels, and Neuralink, a computer-brain interface company. Theres a potential limit on the amount of bandwidth that you can apply to each of these companies, Windau said. Krisher reported from Detroit. O'Brien reported from Providence, Rhode Island. AP Business Writers Marcy Gordon in Washington, Barbara Ortutay in Oakland, California, Kelvin Chan in London and Sam Petrequin in Brussels contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BOISE, Idaho (AP) Jurors in the rape trial of a former Idaho lawmaker are weighing whether the case involves power in the wrong hands used to harm a 19-year-old female intern, or consensual sex after a friendly dinner date. The jury of six men and six women heard both takes during closing arguments Thursday after a dramatic three-day trial in which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying I cant do this. Aaron von Ehlinger, 39, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object both charges carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison and maintains he had consensual sex with the 19-year-old legislative intern. Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening and start again on Friday. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as Jane Doe at her request. Doe told her supervisors that von Ehlinger, who was then a Republican representative from Lewiston, raped her in March 2021 at his Boise apartment after the two had dinner at a restaurant. Von Ehlinger resigned from the House of Representatives last year after a legislative ethics committee recommended that he be banned from the Statehouse because of his conduct with Doe. When the allegations became public largely because of the legislative ethics investigation Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger's supporters. Her name, photo and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in doxxing incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the floor where where case was being heard. Over the span of three days, jurors heard graphic and sometimes harrowing testimony, including from Doe, who briefly took the witness stand before abruptly standing and leaving the courtroom. Doe haltingly described the moments the alleged assault began. He laid me down ... he removed his clothes ... he climbed on top of me ... in just his boxers. White T-shirt, Doe said. He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees. At that, she stood up. I cant do this, she said, quickly walking out of the courtroom. The judge instructed them not to consider her testimony after Doe fled before she could be questioned by the defense. During closing arguments, Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley told jurors that the case was about power in the wrong hands" used to the great devastation of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said. He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her, Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault. Words show lack of consent. Excuses of Why this shouldnt happen,' show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent, Farley said. But von Ehlinger's defense attorney Jon Cox told jurors the prosecution's case was made up of red herrings, and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story. Judge his credibility, that's all you can do, Cox said. For every assertion that the state has made, or any evidence ... Aaron has given you a, This is what happened. That, in and of itself, creates reasonable doubt." During his testimony, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, telling them the sexual contact was the culmination of a first date with the intern. She was flirting with me, so I thought, 'Why not? Go out to dinner with a person? Why not?' he said. After eating at a fancy Boise restaurant, he and Doe decided to return to his apartment, where they began making out on the couch, he said. Things were going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom, von Ehlinger said. She said Sure. We got up, held hands and walked into the bedroom. In the bedroom, things became hot and heavy, von Ehlinger said, and he stepped away to disrobe behind his closet door, carefully hanging up his suit jacket, tie and slacks, before returning to the bed. At his suggestion, Doe briefly performed oral sex, he said. He also denied carrying a gun that night, and said he seldom carries one. Very rarely, and certainly not with a suit on, von Ehlinger said. But while under questioning from Farley, he acknowledged that he described the events of that night differently in statements drafted by two different attorneys he previously hired to represent him. In those statements, he said he and Doe took each other's clothes off. He also said he generally carried concealed weapons when he did carry guns, most often a small handgun that he would place in the front pocket of his jeans or suit pants. Earlier this week, jurors heard from investigators and a nurse who performed a rape exam. They testified that Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. A nurse also testified that Doe had a goose egg on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger's grip. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Her voice trembling but clear, 14-year-old Aiyauna Young shared the immense grief she has experienced since the night in April 2018 when her mother died at the hands of her father. A Douglas County courtroom Thursday fell pin-drop silent save for those who were crying for about 13 minutes as Aiyauna told of her difficult childhood with her abusive father, Marvin L. Young. She and her two younger sisters werent allowed to speak to one another, play outside or eat much food. Their mother, Camisha Hollis, worked two jobs to pay the bills, but Young mercilessly beat her. Aiyauna recalled that she wasnt able to see her mother very much because of how busy Hollis was, but she would catch her in the mornings and the two would cook breakfast together. Now, those moments are the memories Aiyauna clings to as she remembers her sweet mom. I really thought she would be able to teach me everything that Ive learned now. I thought she would be able to hold my hand and guide me through things that were tough, and thats hard, thats hard ... she said as she broke down in tears. I miss my mother to death. I want her to see me grow, I really do, because she missed the majority of those opportunities trying to take care of us and keep a roof over our head. As she spoke, Young stared straight ahead, not looking at his daughter the one he took out for ice cream in the middle of the night before dumping Hollis body in the Missouri River, authorities said. Young was sentenced Thursday by Douglas County District Judge Horacio Wheelock to 23 to 31 years in prison, a term that will be cut in half under state sentencing guidelines. Young will get credit for a little more than four years already served, meaning he could be released as soon as about seven years and must be discharged after roughly 11 years. Young, 40, faced a maximum of 31 years in prison after he pleaded no contest to manslaughter, three intentional child abuse charges and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the death of Hollis, who was 34. Young initially was booked into jail in the days after Hollis went missing in connection with allegations of child neglect and resisting arrest. Meanwhile, local and federal authorities were searching for Hollis along the Missouri River near Schilling Wildlife Management Area, which is near Plattsmouth. Young was charged with first-degree murder a little over a year later. Hollis body has never been found, and Young has not shared any pertinent information with police. Authorities think Young killed Hollis possibly by striking her with a steel-toed boot, strangling her or shooting her before he put her body in the backseat of her car, drove her body to the river and dumped it in. Omaha police recovered the GPS location from Youngs phone as he drove around, information that matches video footage of Hollis car coming and going from the wildlife area. Young then left Hollis car at a downtown hotel. Detectives found the car and reviewed security video of Young putting Hollis purse in the trunk before he walked away, wearing slippers. Officials obtained a sonar image of what looked to be a body in the river, and police dogs indicated Hollis scent was near the riverbank, said Brenda Beadle, chief deputy Douglas County attorney. The backseat of Hollis car was soaked after Young washed it at a carwash, but authorities found traces of her blood in the car. Despite that evidence and without a body, investigators couldnt find any proof of how Hollis died. We know where Camisha is, and I know that the family is distraught not hearing it from his mouth. But all the evidence points to what he did with her, Beadle said. Prosecutors then reduced the first-degree murder charge to manslaughter, meaning Young would face a maximum of only 31 years in prison. Martha Hollis, the mother of Camisha Hollis, delivered an impassioned speech to the judge, explaining that she viewed Thursday as Camisha Justice Day. Before she spoke, Martha Hollis set up a framed photo of her daughter from when she was about 20 years old. On the top of the frame, Martha Hollis affixed the words I believe in miracles with Mark 11:24 from the Bible noted. Camishas legacy will always be remembered. My daughter who was made of love, caring, peace, a great daughter, but was with the wrong person, she said. Your honor, Marvin has no remorse for killing my daughter. It was all about him. ... I can accept that Camisha is gone, because whats done I cant undo. But I cant accept that she was thrown away like garbage or trash. Investigators said Hollis had been trying to break free from Young, who had physically abused her for years. She had told her mother that she had given Young a deadline of April 1, 2018, to move out of her home and left that night after visiting her mother, saying the two were breaking up and Young was leaving the next day. He doesnt know the cry of a mother. He doesnt know my pain. He doesnt know that Im petitioning the heavens day and night that he does not rest until he tells the truth, Martha Hollis said. I dont understand how could he hurt us like that. What did he get out of hurting her? Why couldnt he be a man and just walk away? Martha Hollis called Omaha police about noon April 2, 2018, to report that her daughter was in danger. Camisha Hollis had not shown up for work, and calls to her cellphone went unanswered. Martha Hollis and officers went to the couples home near 57th and Hartman Avenues and found their three daughters, then ages 10, 8 and 6, home alone on a school day. Aiyaunna told authorities that Young had given them cough medicine to sleep the night before, but she spat hers out and stayed awake. In the early-morning hours, she said, she heard scuffling and thought she heard her father hit her mother with a steel-toed boot. She also heard her mother yell Ouch and plead for Young to stop. Youngs attorney, Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley, said Young has recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia and, at one point, was deemed incompetent for trial. Riley said Young is doing well after taking medication. Beadle said the mental illness was no excuse. The daughters, now ages 14, 12 and 10, are in counseling, which may never end because of what they have experienced, Beadle said. The youngest daughter, she said, still believes her mother is alive and could come home. And thats a tragedy because she can never start to heal, ever, Beadle said. Unfortunately, because of his actions and his decision not to tell, not to take responsibility, not to be accountable, those kids will never have that peace and Martha will never have that peace. Aiyauna told Judge Wheelock she doesnt want to be like her father and struggles with the thought that she could have done more to protect her mother. Martha Hollis cares for the children, all of whom are doing well in school and are involved in sports and activities. Aiyauna especially reminds Martha Hollis of Camisha shes left-handed, smart, gets As and Bs and is on the honor roll like her mother. But the emptiness in knowing that their mother wont see them finish high school and cant accompany them on fun trips as they grow still pains Aiyauna. Me and my sisters have family who love us half to death and I think thats enough, but thats just not the same as losing your mother, she said. Everybody else gets to grow up with their mother and then I have to explain why I dont have mine, and its just not right. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Fifty-nine years ago today, a tornado three miles west of Auburn, Nebraska, hurled a car more than 200 yards and killed a 14-year-old girl who was inside. Nine members of the Schilling family from Vandalia, Illinois, were thrown from the station wagon. Dianne Schilling was killed, and her seven siblings and mother were injured. The children ranged in age from 16 months to 16 years old. Nemaha County Sheriff George Kelley, who was the first person on site, described the scene after the tornado swept the car off the highway, saying that "clothing and auto parts were strung out all the way from the highway to the car." The children were unconscious and lying on the ground, Kelley said. The car had been lifted into the air and bounced through power lines into a farm field. The tornado hit about 2:45 p.m., when the Schilling car was about three miles west of Auburn on Nebraska Highway 136. The tornado also devastated two farms north of Auburn. Henry Lee Rohrs' farm was left in tatters with a destroyed barn, a damaged car and windows blown out of the home. Guy Guilliatt's farm lost all its outbuildings, the house was badly damaged, and a cow was killed. Guilliatt said he had to shoot several other cows that were injured. The tornado moved slowly along the ground, spinning over about a quarter-mile area. It moved toward the northeast and missed Auburn by three miles. Kelley had the fire whistle blown to warn residents. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Russia cuts off gas to 2 NATO nations in bid to divide West POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria and threatened to do the same to other countries, using its most essential export as an attempt to punish and divide the West for its united support of Ukraine. The move was condemned by European leaders as blackmail. It marked a dramatic escalation in the economic war of sanctions and countersanctions that has unfolded parallel to the fighting on the battlefield, where fighting continues in Ukraine's east. One person was killed and at least two injured when rockets hit a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv. The commander of a marine unit inside the last stronghold in the gutted city of Mariupol said the situation there was very difficult. Twitter abuse victims fear Musk's plans, but may not quit Perhaps no group of people is more alarmed about Elon Musks apparent plan to make Twitter a free speech free-for-all than those most likely to be targeted for harassment: women, racial minorities and other marginalized groups. They fear that a more hands-off approach to policing the platform will embolden purveyors of hate speech, bullying and disinformation to ratchet up their bad behavior a possibility Musk has done little to dispel. Yet even those who have faced extreme harassment on Twitter say they are unlikely to quit the platform. Despite the negative psychological toll, they still place a high value on Twitter as a place to express their views and engage with others. EXPLAINER: Will a Russian prisoner exchange impact Griner? Brittney Griner remains detained in Russia and its unclear how an unexpected prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that freed marine veteran Trevor Reed will affect the status of the WNBA star. Griner has been detained in Russia since mid-February. The deal announced by both countries involving Reed, an American imprisoned for nearly three years, would have been a notable diplomatic maneuver even in times of peace. It was all the more surprising because it was done as Russias war with Ukraine has driven relations with the U.S. to their lowest point in decades. Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who was arrested in Russia for allegedly possessing a cannabis derivative legal in much of the world. The offense can mean up to 10 years in prison. Dem lawmaker: Biden suggests he'll ease student loan burden WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden has signaled he might forgive some student loan debt and further extend the federal moratorium on repayments. That's according to California Democratic Rep. Tony Cardenas. He's a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Cardenas said Wednesday that during a White House meeting, Biden told the group that they're going to like what he does about both proposals. That meeting was Monday. The White House was notably more measured about what Biden might do. But any move in that direction would be a boon to many of what federal figures show are 43 million Americans carrying student loans worth $1.6 trillion. Federal judge halts preparations for end of US asylum limit NEW ORLEANS (AP) A judge has ordered a two-week halt on phasing out pandemic-related restrictions on seeking asylum as the Biden administration prepares for the restrictions to be fully lifted on May 23. Wednesday's decision is only a temporary setback for the administration but the federal judge appeared highly sympathetic with Louisiana and other states that sued to keep Title 42 authority. That restriction denies migrants a chance at asylum on grounds of preventing spread of COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays has scheduled a hearing May 13 in Lafayette, Louisiana, for arguments on whether to block Title 42 from ending as planned 10 days later. Microsoft: Russian hacks often accompany Ukraine attacks BOSTON (AP) Microsoft says cyberattacks by state-backed Russian hackers have destroyed data across dozens of organizations in Ukraine and produced a chaotic information environment. The company said in a report released Wednesday that Russia-aligned threat groups were preparing long before the Feb. 24 invasion. It said they were pre-positioning for the conflict" as early as a year ago, hacking into networks to obtain footholds they could later use to collect strategic and battlefield intelligence or to facilitate future destructive attacks. State report details bias in Minneapolis Police Department ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A Minnesota state agency says it will work with the city of Minneapolis to negotiate solutions to resolve the pattern of race discrimination uncovered by a two-year investigation. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says former and current city and police leaders have failed to act, effectively allowing an aggressive police culture to fester. The report details disparities in how officers use force, stop, search, arrest and cite people of color, particularly Black people, compared to white people in similar circumstances. And the state agency says the city and police department need not wait to start making necessary changes. EXPLAINER: Brazil's Bolsonaro, top court on collision course SAO PAULO (AP) Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro is once again at odds with the countrys Supreme Court. He has pardoned a congressman who had just been convicted by high court justices for urging violence against one of them. Justices may review that pardon, and the case threatens to become an institutional crisis at a moment when Bolsonaro is gearing up to seek a second term. At the center of the dispute is freshman lawmaker Daniel Silveira, who was sentenced to almost nine years in prison. He had said that one justice should be seized, shaken and thrown in a garbage can. Bolsonaro issued a decree pardoning him, citing the right to free speech. Once dead, twice billed: GAO questions COVID funeral awards The Federal Emergency Management Agency may have been double-billed for the funerals of hundreds of people who died of COVID-19, the Government Accountability Office said in a new report Wednesday. The GAO identified 374 people who died and were listed on more than one application that received an award from the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance fund. That amounts to about $4.8 million in assistance that could have been improper or potentially fraudulent payments, the report said. FEMA says this wasn't an example of large-scale fraud and the amount of funeral assistance identified as at-risk was relatively small, with FEMAs multi-layered controls resulting in improper payments of less than 1%. Shares of Facebook parent Meta soar despite growth slowdown Facebook parent Metas first quarter profit jumped past Wall Streets expectations despite slower revenue growth, sending shares up sharply in after-hours trading. The company earned $7.47 billion, or $2.72 per share, in the January-March period. Thats down 21% from $9.5 billion, or $3.30 per share, in the same period a year earlier. Meta cut a sharp contrast with Google parent Alphabet, which on Monday reported what analysts called disappointing earnings, with profit below Wall Streets expectations and revenue growth slower than in previous quarters. Shares rose more than 18% to $207 in after-hours trading. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Will Musks hands-off ideal for Twitter have broad appeal? Coming up with $44 billion to buy Twitter was the easy part for Elon Musk. Next comes the real challenge for the worlds richest person: fulfilling his promise to make Twitter better than ever as a lightly regulated haven for free speech. Many of Musks proposed changes reflect his own experience as a high-profile and outspoken Twitter user with more than 85 million followers and a swarm of pesky impersonator accounts. But a key question is how the changes he is prioritizing will be received by the more than 200 million other users who arent getting banned or flooded with spam. US urges more arms for Ukraine amid fears of expanding war TORETSK, Ukraine (AP) The U.S. is pressing its allies to move heaven and earth to keep Kyiv well-supplied with the weapons it needs to repel Russian forces, as Moscow rains fire on eastern and southern Ukraine. In other developments, Poland and Bulgaria say the Kremlin is cutting off natural gas supplies to the two NATO countries starting Wednesday, the first such actions of the war. Moscow has warned that the flow of weapons could trigger a wider war. Those concerns grew in Moldova, where explosions hit the separatist region of Trans-Dniester for a second straight day. Russian forces also hit a strategic railroad bridge in the south. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says that more help for Ukraine is on the way and that the West wants to ensure Russia won't be able to bully its neighbors. Poland, Bulgaria say Russia suspending natural gas supplies WARSAW, Poland (AP) Officials in Poland and Bulgaria say Russia is suspending deliveries of natural gas to their countries starting Wednesday. The cutoffs would be the first since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last month that unfriendly foreign buyers would have to pay in rubles instead of dollars and euros. That demand came after sanctions were levied against Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine. Europe imports large amounts of Russian natural gas for residential heating, electricity generation and the fuel industry. The imports so far have continued despite the war. Polish and Bulgarian authorities say they don't anticipate restrictions on domestic gas consumption due to the cutoffs. CDC estimates 3 in 4 kids have had coronavirus infections NEW YORK (AP) Government researchers say three out of every four U.S. children have been infected with the coronavirus. Among Americans of all ages, more than half had signs of previous infection. The figures come from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Tuesday. It looked in the blood of more than 200,000 Americans for virus-fighting antibodies made from infections, not vaccines. They found that signs of past infection rose dramatically between December and February, when the omicron variant surged. CDC officials stress that the previously infected should still get COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC report came out the same day one vaccine manufacturer, Pfizer, sought permission to offer a booster dose to kids ages 5 to 11 just like people 12 and older can get. What Musk's past tweets reveal about Twitter's next owner PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Brash, outspoken and sometimes juvenile, Elon Musk has long been a prolific user of Twitter, the social media platform he now hopes to buy. Musks past tweets show how the worlds richest man has used social media to craft his public image as a billionaire unafraid to offend people. They could also provide a glimpse into how Musk might run the platform. For Musk, Twitter has been a tool to promote his enterprises and punch back at critics. His tweeting has also gotten him in trouble with government regulators and led to big fines for Musk and his company Tesla. Deputies protect school killer after potential juror threat FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Deputies protecting Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz had to pull him aside and surround him after members of a jury pool became potentially threatening. Judge Elizabeth Scherer said a potential juror had to be removed by bailiffs after he began mouthing possible threats toward Cruz. Others also started acting threatening, so deputies moved in to protect Cruz. The entire 70-person panel was then dismissed. Scherer said they became belligerent in the hallway. Cruz is facing a possible death sentence for murdering 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland four years ago. Oklahoma governor signs ban on nonbinary birth certificates OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed a bill prohibiting the use of nonbinary gender markers on state birth certificates. The first-term Republican signed the bill Tuesday. Experts say some states only offer male or female gender options on birth certificates, but Oklahoma is the first to write the prohibition into law. It follows a flap last year over the state health agencys agreement in a civil case to allow a nonbinary gender option. The birth certificate in that case was issued to an Oklahoma-born Oregon resident. People who are nonbinary do not identify with traditional male or female gender assignments. TSA: Airport security finds loaded gun in Cawthorn's bag Officials say a loaded gun was found in North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorns carry-on bag at an airport security checkpoint. It's the second time in a little more than a year that a weapon has been found in his possession at an airport in his home state. Transportation Security Administration spokesperson R. Carter Langston said that when Cawthorn went through a Charlotte Douglas International Airport checkpoint with the gun Tuesday morning, TSA officers notified Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. Police say Cawthorn acknowledged that the gun was his and he was issued a citation for possession of a dangerous weapon on city property. Harris positive for COVID-19, Biden not a 'close contact' WASHINGTON (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House says. It's a sharp new reminder of the persistence of the highly contagious virus even as the U.S. eases restrictions in a bid to revert to pre-pandemic normalcy. Neither President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden was considered a close contact of Harris in recent days. The White House says Harris has exhibited no symptoms. After consulting with her physicians, Harris is taking Paxlovid, the Pfizer antiviral pill. Harris will isolate at her residence but continue to work remotely, and will only return to the White House once she tests negative for the virus. Delta to begin paying flight attendants during boarding Delta Air Lines will start paying flight attendants during the time that passengers are boarding. That's a first for a major U.S. airline. Flight attendants in the U.S. generally don't begin getting paid by the hour until the doors close after boarding. Delta said Tuesday that the change will take effect in June, and it comes on top of pay raises for flight attendants. The pay increase comes as Delta faces another attempt by unions to organize its non-union flight attendants. Delta said the new boarding pay would be on top of 4% raises that it granted to flight attendants last month. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden will ask Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion, two administration officials said Thursday, a big boost in U.S. efforts to bolster Kyiv in an intensifying war that's showing no signs of ending anytime soon. Biden's latest proposal which the officials said was expected to last for five months has more than $20 billion in military assistance for Ukraine and for bolstering defenses in nearby countries. There is also $8.5 billion in economic aid to help keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government functioning and $3 billion for food and humanitarian programs to help civilians and other spending, said the officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. The proposal would more than double the initial $13.6 billion package of defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies that Congress enacted last month. It seemed to signal a long-term U.S. commitment to staving off Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to expand his nation's control of its neighbor, and perhaps beyond. The request comes with the fighting, now in its ninth week, sharpening in eastern and southern parts of the country and international tensions growing as Russia cuts off gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria. There is wide, bipartisan support in Congress for giving Ukraine all the assistance it needs to fight the Russians, and its eventual approval seems certain. But Biden and congressional Democrats also want lawmakers to approve billions more to battle the pandemic, and that along with a Republican push to entangle the measure with an extension of some Trump-era immigration restrictions leaves the proposal's pathway to enactment unclear. Biden was also asking Congress on Thursday for new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs. Full story and Russia-Ukraine coverage here: *** PHOTO GALLERY Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein contributed to this report. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Sherry Fonseka joined millions in 2019 in electing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a military strategist whose brutal campaign helped end Sri Lankas 30-year civil war 10 years earlier. Now he is one of thousands who, for weeks, have protested outside the presidents office, calling on Rajapaksa and his brother, Mahinda, who is prime minister, to resign for leading the country into its worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948. With the island teetering near bankruptcy, Fonseka, who owns a small garment business in the capital, Colombo, has resorted to spending his own savings to pay the salaries of his 30 employees. But he knows he will soon have to let them go and is clear about who is to blame. All of us thought we made the correct decision (to elect Rajapaksa), but weve realized we were wrong. We should have the backbone to tell people, and the world, that we made a mistake, he said. In recent weeks, protests have erupted across the country demanding that Rajapaksa quit. The protests highlight the dramatic fall of the Rajapaksas from Sri Lanka's most powerful political dynasty in decades to a family grasping to retain power. Despite accusations of atrocities during the civil war, Gotabaya and Mahinda, who was previously president, remained heroes to many of the island's Buddhist-Sinhalese majority and were firmly entrenched at the top of Sri Lankan politics before the revolt by previous supporters like Fonseka. The pendulum has swung from its all about the Rajapaksas, they are the people who saved this country, to it is because of the Rajapaksas that the country is now ruined, said Harsha de Silva, an economist and opposition lawmaker. The unravelling of Sri Lankas economy has been swift and painful. Imports of everything from milk to fuel have plunged, spawning dire food shortages and rolling power cuts. People have been forced to queue for hours every day to buy essentials. Doctors have warned of a crippling shortage of life-saving drugs in hospitals, and the government has suspended payments on $7 billion in foreign debts due this year alone. The Rajapaksas, like an octopus, have held on to every aspect of public life in Sri Lanka, de Silva said. They have been running it as if it was their kingdom. They wished and they did - thats how it was and people were with them. President Rajapaksa has defended his government, partly blaming the pandemic and Russias war in Ukraine. This crisis was not created by me, he said in a speech last month, adding that his government was working hard on solutions. They include approaching the International Monetary Fund and World Bank for assistance, after repeated calls to do so. But as protesters seethed, the president and prime minister have changed tact in recent weeks. They have admitted to mistakes they made that exacerbated the crisis, such as implementing a short-lived ban last year on importing chemical fertilizers that badly hurt farmers and conceding that they should have sought a bailout sooner. Influential Buddhist monks have urged Rajapaksa to form an interim government under a new prime minister, signaling a further decline in the familys image as protectors of the countrys 70% Buddhist-Sinhalese majority. Some observers say its too soon to measure how much support for the Rajapaksas has fallen among their hardcore base, but for many their response has been too little and too late. There is now recognition across the government of several missteps, but its one thats come at a huge cost to the people, said Bhavani Fonseka, a senior researcher at the Colombo-based Center for Policy Alternatives. The Rajapaksas were a powerful land-owning family which for decades dominated local elections in their rural southern district, before rising to the helm of national politics in 2005 when Mahinda was elected president. He remained in power until 2015, overseeing the end of the civil war against ethnic Tamil rebels in 2009, before losing to the opposition led by his former aide. Suicide bombings that killed 290 people on Easter Sunday in 2019 paved the way for the Rajapaksas return, this time as Gotabaya launched a high-pitched nationalist campaign that tapped outrage and disillusionment with the previous government over the attacks. He vowed a return to the muscular nationalism that had made his family popular with the Buddhist majority, and also to bring the country out of an economic slump with a message of stability and development. Tourism had dropped sharply after the bomb attacks and Sri Lanka needed badly to boost revenue to service a slew of foreign loans for splashy infrastructure projects. Some involved Chinese money and were commissioned under his brothers presidency, but had failed to create profits, instead collecting debt. Just days into his presidency, Rajapaksa pushed through the largest tax cuts in Sri Lankas history to spur spending even as critics warned that it would shrink the governments finances. According to Nishan de Mel, executive director of Verite Research, Sri Lankas tax base fell by 30%. When you do something like that, you have some kind of internal analysis or document that shows why these cuts could help the economy. There was nothing of that sort, de Mel said. The move triggered immediate punishment from the global market as creditors downgraded Sri Lankas ratings, making it impossible for it to borrow more money as its foreign exchange reserves continued to dwindle. Then the coronavirus hit, further crushing tourism as debts snowballed. Analysts say the Rajapaksas response to the economic challenges underscored the limitations of their strongman politics and their familys near-monopoly on decision making, heavily relying on the military to enforce policy and passing laws to weaken independent institutions. Three other Rajapaksa family members were in the Cabinet until early April, when the Cabinet resigned en masse in response to the protests. Their entire political ideology and credibility is in serious crisis, said Jayadeva Uyangoda, a veteran political scientist. But many fear that things will only get worse before improving. A divided and weak opposition without a majority in Parliament has kept the Rajapaksas in power. An IMF bailout could see austere measures intensifying hardships for people before there is relief. Meanwhile, the focus remains on the protests, which are drawing people across ethnicities, religion and class. For the first time, middle-class Sri Lankans have taken to the streets in large numbers, Uyangoda said. They include Wijaya Nanda Chandradewa, who joined the crowd outside the presidents office on Saturday. A retired government employee, Chandradewa said he fell for Rajapaksas promise to rebuild a Sri Lanka scarred by the 2019 bombings. He said there will be one country and one law -- now there is neither the law nor the country, Chandradewa said, adding that the only option now is for Rajapaksa to quit. He showed us a fairyland and cheated us and misled us, he said. We have to fix our mistakes and build a system to bring in the right leader. Pathi reported from New Delhi. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. LINCOLN Lt. Gov. Mike Foley will plant a red oak tree on the Capitol lawn Friday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day, a holiday that originated in Nebraska. The ceremony, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the northeast lawn of the Capitol, will include Foley reading Gov. Pete Ricketts' proclamation celebrating Arbor Day, along with remarks from several other state officials, according to a press release. After the remarks, Foley will plant the tree. State government offices also will be closed Friday in observance of the holiday. Nebraskans broke ground on the current Capitol building 100 years ago, in 1922. Some of the original trees planted on the Capitol grounds in 1934 are still alive. The 2022 Capitol Arbor Day ceremony will replace original red oak trees recently removed due to age. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State Sen. Justin Wayne said he had fun working to pass Legislative Bill 1024 to fund recovery efforts in underserved areas of Omaha. Now that the bill has passed, hes a bit nervous. The real work begins now, Wayne said at a press conference Thursday. The Omaha senator, along with Gov. Pete Ricketts, several other lawmakers and dozens of local officials, gathered at Metropolitan Community Colleges Fort Omaha campus to celebrate the passage of LB 1024. Ricketts described the bill as landmark legislation that will have a generational impact in the years to come. The bill devotes $335 million to underserved areas of the state, particularly in North and South Omaha, but also to some low-income communities in Lincoln and rural Nebraska. Ricketts said some of the recovery efforts will include affordable housing, infrastructure investments, crime prevention, financial literacy and education. Wayne said this is the first time in state history that North and South Omaha have had this level of funding dedicated to them and now the pressure is on to produce results. Well never get an opportunity like this again if we dont use these dollars wisely, Wayne said. A committee of seven lawmakers has already formed to plan the recovery efforts. On the committee is Wayne, along with Sens. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, Terrell McKinney of Omaha, Tony Vargas of Omaha, Mike McDonnell of Omaha, Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and Anna Wishart of Lincoln. A legislative staffer confirmed the committee has already met once near the end of the legislative session, but they havent approved anything yet. First on the committees to-do list is to approve a request for proposal, or RFP, which will allocate about $135 million of the funding outlined in LB 1024, according to the staffer. Although no specific projects have been solidified so far, Wayne previously said a top priority will be hiring a master developer, which will likely take the form of a contractor who oversees the major development projects in the area. Adm. Osie Combs, president of the manufacturing company Pacific Engineering Inc., said he plans to contribute to the recovery efforts by expanding a business park in North Omaha to house a facility for his business. Pacific Engineering currently operates out of a 75,000-square-foot facility in Lincoln, with about 30 employees. Combs said he hopes to bring on 50 to 100 new employees through this expansion, primarily hiring people from the Omaha area. We take it to the people, Combs said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pacific Engineering built pods that served as temporary testing sites. Combs said those pods can be repurposed to serve different recovery effort needs , such emergency shelters or affordable housing. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The cruel news must have hit hard in Ethel Penticos household during that bleak Christmas season of 1941. The Lexington, Nebraska, widow had lost her husband, Sherman, the previous year at age 66. Now, the Navy Department regretted to inform her that her youngest son, Seaman 2nd Class Walter Ray Pentico, had gone missing from the battleship USS Oklahoma in the shocking Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7. He was 17. The Navy declared him dead several months later, but his remains were never identified, like those of 394 of the 429 USS Oklahoma sailors who died at Pearl Harbor. Their commingled bones, recovered from the battleships hull during salvage operations, were buried for decades in graves marked Unknowns, USS Oklahoma, Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 at Honolulus National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Now, more than 80 years later, Penticos remains have been identified through the efforts of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency at its Offutt Air Force Base laboratory. His descendants have decided to return his bones to a grave in the same Hawaii cemetery this time, with his name on the headstone. The burial service, with long-delayed military honors, will take place Friday. Penticos relatives requested privacy through a Navy casualty assistance officer. As a result, the Navy will not livestream the event. Pentico was born March 31, 1924, in Overton, the youngest of four children. His family moved to nearby Lexington when he was 2. Growing up, he attended Lexington public schools and was a member of the Southern Mission Church, according to an obituary in the Lexington Herald-Clipper. Just a few days after his 17th birthday, Pentico joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Depression-era program in which young men were hired to provide manual labor on public infrastructure projects. He enlisted in the Navy July 7, 1941, and was assigned that fall to the Oklahoma, a World War I-era battleship, just as the ship was leaving drydock on the West Coast to return to duty in Hawaii. The Oklahoma was moored on Pearl Harbors Battleship Row when Japanese bombers launched the surprise attack on Dec. 7, a Sunday morning. At least five torpedoes, and possibly as many as eight, struck the ship on the port side. It rolled and capsized in minutes, trapping about one-third of its crew below decks. The Oklahoma was salvaged in 1942-43, and the oil-soaked remains buried in two local Hawaiian cemeteries. After the war, the remains were exhumed and efforts were made to identify them. Those efforts failed, and they were reburied. In 2015, after years of lobbying by USS Oklahoma survivors, the remains were disinterred and shipped to the accounting agencys then-new lab at Offutt. Over the next six years, the labs anthropologists, working with the Armed Forces DNA Laboratory in Delaware, accounted for 361 of the 394 previously unidentified Oklahoma sailors. The project wrapped up in June 2021 with a ceremony at the Lincoln Airport. The unidentifiable remains were reburied in Hawaii on the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Pentico was among the last to be identified in February 2021, but none of his close relatives survived. Ethel Pentico had died in 1944. His two brothers, George and Charles, both served in the Army during World War II. George died in 1980, at age 72, and Charles died in 1997, at 74. A sister, Blanche Richardson, born in 1916, also is deceased. Two more recently identified USS Oklahoma sailors from Iowa will be buried in their hometowns next month. Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Nichols, 21, of Sioux City will be buried May 13. Navy Seaman 1st Class David F. Tidball, 20, of Independence will be laid to rest May 14. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OGDEN DUNES The waiting is over for the family of a 22-year-old Indianapolis man who has been missing since falling through ice Feb. 21 along the West Beach shoreline of Lake Michigan. Bryce Dunfee's body was found Thursday morning on the nearby Ogden Dunes beach by a local resident, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. "His body was found approximately a half-mile from where he went missing on Feb. 21," the DNR said in a prepared release. The Ogden Dunes resident notified authorities shortly before 7 a.m. after spotting the man's body along the nearby shoreline, DNR Conservation Officer Alex Neel said. Those responding to the 100 block of Shoreline Drive included the DNR; police officers from Ogden Dunes, Portage and Gary; National Park rangers; and the Porter County coroners office. Dunfee was visiting the West Beach section of the Indiana Dunes National Park site at about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 21 with four friends when he fell into the frigid lake waters after venturing onto the shelf ice, DNR Public Information Officer Nicole Baumann said at the time. A search began immediately and was curtailed the following day by deteriorating weather conditions and melting shelf ice, officials said. The search was complicated further in that the frigid water temperature is known to keep a body submerged, Neel had said. In addition, the low temperatures could result in the shelf ice rebuilding along the shoreline. "The shelf ice is elevated," Baumann had said. "They had to climb up a little hill onto the snow. A little piece of the shelf ice broke off, and he tripped and fell into the lake." The friends were believed to be in their 20s, officials said. The others were local, hailing from Portage and Lake Station. The four other people who walked out onto the shelf ice tried to rescue their friend, but the lake reportedly pulled him in. They called 911 and were able to return to shore safely, Baumann said. "Shelf ice is beautiful to look at, but it's just that, it's a sight to see," Neel said. "It is extremely dangerous and no one should venture out on it." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO - Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoots controversial free gas and public transit card giveaway narrowly passed the City Council Wednesday after aldermen debated whether the measure will truly help struggling residents or simply be a political gimmick. The plan to hand out 50,000 gas cards, worth $150 each, and 100,000 Chicago Transit Authority fare cards, $50 each, passed 26-23 despite reservations from several aldermen that it was a political stunt and would be largely ineffective. Lightfoots program, dubbed Chicago Moves, followed mayoral candidate Willie Wilsons self-funded $2.2 million gas giveaways to drivers who camped out at gas stations. Some of our neighborhoods have intentionally been starved for no other reason than systemic racism, Lightfoot said Wednesday before the City Council vote. Should we not address that problem, solve it? We are a city. A city of neighbors. Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, who has also declared his candidacy for mayor in the 2023 election, dismissed Lightfoots plan before the vote: To say it comes off as a gimmick would be an understatement. Ald. Andre Vasquez Jr., 40th, cried foul over the timing of Lightfoot putting tax dollars into gas cards all of a sudden when a political rival, Wilson, concluded multiple gas giveaways. Wilson has announced hell run for mayor in February. Lightfoot has not formally declared but is widely expected to seek a second term. Other aldermen expressed concern about the city subsidizing gas purchases, which they said was environmentally unfriendly, and argued that the money would be better spent on affordable housing or other needs. Lightfoot brushed off the criticism that her program is a political stunt as nonsense. At one point, she brandished two $1 bills to emphasize that people are struggling financially. Lightfoot also tried to shoot down hang-ups over the environment and public transit by saying the city was doing everything in its power to keep the CTA safe with more police and cameras, and that back on planet reality, many residents live in public transit deserts and need a car to get around. Am I solving every problem with this? Of course not, Lightfoot said. With Lightfoot expected to announce her campaign for a second term in the near future, her proposal called for spending $12.5 million in city money for the gas and public transit cards. Facing pushback, Lightfoot amended her initial plan to direct the cards to lower-income households, dropping the income threshold to qualify from $140,000 to $93,200 for a family of four, and to ensure three-fourths of the $7.5 million in gas cards go to people from mobility-challenged neighborhoods. The cards will be distributed via lottery if more eligible households apply than the number of cards that are available. For those who receive them, the cards will be distributed monthly from May through September. Applications opened immediately following the passage and can be found online at chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicago-moves/home.html. The measure passed with the support of three aldermen Gilbert Villegas, 36th; Debra Silverstein, 50th; and Derrick Curtis, 18th who voted against the ordinance in committee. Lightfoot made changes to her bill so more residents would be eligible. In other action Wednesday, aldermen approved a tax break for a large residential building slated for just east of OHare International Airport, under a recent state law that grants incentives to housing developments that meet certain affordability requirements. The sole no vote came from the alderman whose 41st Ward contains the project, Anthony Napolitano, who has expressed qualms about the neighborhood becoming too congested. Also, Lightfoots nominee for inspector general, Deborah Witzburg, was confirmed Wednesday after the previous head watchdog, Joe Ferguson, stepped down in 2021 and the seat was left vacant for months. Additionally, a series of proposed ethics reforms was submitted by 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith and shipped to the councils rules committee. They aim to strengthen the ethics rules that govern council members and would increase penalties for violations. The proposals arrive months after former 11th Ward Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson was forced to give up his seat after he was convicted of felony tax fraud. Two other council members, 34th Ward Ald. Carrie Austin and 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke, await trials on separate federal corruption indictments to which both have pleaded not guilty. New legislation on Wednesday included an ordinance submitted by Ald. Matthew OShea that would offer a death benefit to spouses of Chicago first responders who died by suicide. The provisions would include one years salary and a one-time payment ranging from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on family size. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 JOLIET - One year ago, Phillip Hanks was enduring the first of two surgeries. One was almost eight hours to give him a new intestine, stomach, liver and pancreas. The following day, Hanks was back on the operating table to get a kidney. Hanks, a father of six, received a multivisceral transplant a simultaneous transplant of multiple organs at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis in April 2021. Since then, Hanks, of Joliet, said he doesnt want to say its been easy, but his health has been smooth sailing. No hiccups on the health front, no drama. In fact, Hanks celebrated birthday 51 on Aug. 23. Hes still driving to Indianapolis for hospital checkups, but not as frequently. I feel great. Im back in the gym slightly, trying to get more strength, he said. On Tuesday, the end of National Donate Life Month, Hanks was celebrating the transplant milestone in Illinois Secretary of State Jesse Whites office, surrounded by family. White read the Chicago Tribune story about Hanks journey in 2021, and recruited him to be a spokesperson for the secretary of states Organ/Tissue Donor Life Goes On program and registry. As one of 12 spokespeople, Hanks has been talking to youth in schools and at secretary of state facilities in the area. He said hes averaging a couple dozen talks every two weeks, and even shot a public service announcement. White calls it a perfect match. Hes been there, done that and now hes able to tell his story and spread the news of this wonderful program. White presented Hanks with a commemorative framed license plate with 5ALIVE on it. A family friend made a replica of his dream car (a 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7) in cake form to commemorate the occasion of his second chance at life through organ donation. Phil has been so incredibly instrumental and inspiring to the program. Our mission is to strengthen the Illinois organ and tissue donor registry through outreach and registration initiatives and one of the ways we are able to do that is partnering with individuals, organizations, faith-based institutions, learning institutions ... we have coordinators go out and lead the charge and serve as advocates to help us with that mission, said Connie Boatman, director of Life Goes On. Phil hit the floor running. Its been incredible to have him on board. As you know so many minorities believe that organ and tissue donation doesnt work or they have questions about it and were constantly working to debunk those myths. Hes a prime example that organ and tissue donation does save lives and it doesnt matter your race, ethnicity or gender. Boatman said since Whites tenure in office, which began in 1998, Life Goes On has registered 7.3 million people for the donor program. Hanks still gets teary-eyed when reliving April 26. He was on the transplant list by Dec. 31, 2020, and received his organs four months later, from two donors. Hanks wife, Tiva, calls it a miracle. Im feeling very blessed, she said. We were reminiscing about the actual day: He was asking me questions about what was I feeling? How did it go? How long did it take? It was a mind-blowing experience. I was there by myself in the middle of COVID and it was scary, I spent a lot of the time on the phone with my auntie. My family was really my rock. I spent all that time in the waiting room, just talking on the phone, texting the family, giving them updates on where they were in the procedure and then afterward, she and I talked to the doctors and were felling very grateful that everything went so well. It was an out of body experience to say the least. Hanks was beaming from ear to ear about his supportive family getting him through it all, sister, aunt, sons and daughter. Tuesday, his 4-month old granddaughter (Gianna Guyton ) was by his side, serving as motivation We dont realize how close we are to it until it happens to us, thats why its important for us to get involved, Boatman said. Thats why what Phillip does is so important because you have to have representation. He is an awesome representation that it does work. Black people do get organs and you dont have to be rich, you dont have to be a celebrity. Its important that we educate ourselves and we exercise our due diligence to share our positions with our families to let them know what our wishes are. Illinoisans can register with the secretary of states Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at LifeGoesOn.com, by calling 800-210-2106 or by visiting a driver services facility. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court decisively rejected the principle of equality under the law when it comes to Puerto Rico. While seemingly limited in scope, we must not minimize the far-reaching implications of the courts 8-1 decision in United States v. Vaello Madero. The case challenged Congress exclusion of Puerto Rico residents from the Supplemental Security Income program. This federal program provides crucial aid to individuals with the least access to financial security in our communities older adults, those with diverse ability needs and those living in extreme poverty. A 2011 estimate suggested that over 300,000 Puerto Rican residents would be eligible for SSI. This systematic lack of funding fundamentally limits a peoples struggle for self-determination and self-actualization. The Supreme Court advanced a fallacious argument to justify this discrimination by appealing to Puerto Ricos unique tax status, claiming that contributing less is compatible with receiving less. However, such reasoning is not applied to states that consistently contribute far less than others. Should states that pay very little in federal taxes be denied some or all access to the program? Under this logic, the SSI program, which is specifically designed to offer relief to financially insecure households, would pay less to the citizens that need it the most. On the contrary, the SSI program continues to help those most in need, precisely because they are in no position to contribute. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the only dissenter, plainly laid out this irrational logic, pointing out that SSI is a program the federal government administers to its citizens directly not through states or jurisdictions, whatever their tax burden may be. How then, can the court decide to force people like Jose Vaello-Madero to give up their SSI benefits if they move from one jurisdiction to another, even if theyve already qualified? Sotomayors compelling arguments center on constitutional protections and tests of rationality standing in stark contrast with the majoritys use of unequal reasoning and misapplied precedents. The end result is that, under these precedents, the Supreme Court is allowed to advance arguments that could only be deemed reasonable when applied to colonies, especially when it comes to federal benefits, self-government and legal protections. The court could have taken this opportunity to overrule this legal framework. They instead reinforce it. The decision once again affirms that the Constitution and its protections apply only partially to territories and confirms that a government that rules without consent or principle has a name colonial. If the U.S. government cannot be persuaded to follow its own Constitution when it comes to the territories, it should not hold any territories at all. Full stop. To continue this state of affairs is to perpetuate legally sanctioned colonialism. How can Puerto Rican advocates continue their fight for fair treatment? The highest court in the land has just told them that as long as Puerto Rico is a colony, its people have only very limited claims to the inalienable rights endowed upon them by their Creator, among these life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It does so while the U.S. government continues to deny them a meaningful decolonization process. Puerto Ricans are now left with no claims to justice within the colony and no just way out of the colony. I hope we, across the state of Illinois and the rest of the 50 states, can join in the prescient call of Illinois Sen. William E. Mason, who drafted a resolution a year after Puerto Rico was invaded by the U.S. declaring: Whereas all just powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed: Therefore be it RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, That the Government of the United States of America will not attempt to govern the people of any other country in the world without the consent of the people themselves, or subject them by force to our dominion against their will. State Sen. Omar Aquino represents Illinois 2nd District. Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas, also a state senator, represents the 20th District. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 QNET, a prominent e-commerce based direct selling company held the first of its flagship bi-annual virtual convention this year, the V-Convention Connect (VCC2022), streamed live to over half a million distributors and customers in approximately 50 countries. This was the fourth event in the virtual edition of the flagship convention since the pivot to virtual due to the global pandemic. "With virtual events now a global norm, we had to find new ways to keep our convention exciting and engaging for our participants. The main advantage of virtual events is it allows us to reach a much wider audience than ever before since the cost of participation is much lower. We strive to give our audience interesting and engaging content and an immersive experience that allows them to experience the magic and energy of being in a stadium surrounded by thousands of others. Fortunately, technology has allowed us to experiment and innovate with the virtual experience we give our audience, including a glimpse of QNET in the metaverse." says Malou Caluza, CEO of QNET. Utilising technological tools such as Unreal Engine and a virtual production suite, QNET transported audience members through different settings ranging from mesmerising city skylines to a dazzling centre stage inside a virtual stadium in a 3D environment. QNET INTRODUCES A REVOLUTIONARY PERSONAL CARE LINE QNET launched a new addition to its Swiss-made skincare brand Physio Radiance called the Physio Radiance Expert series, a revolutionary personal care line that addresses the most prominent signs of ageing around the eyes, face, and neck. The Physio Radiance Expert series taps into the explosive growth in the global skincare market valued at approximately USD140 billion in 2020 as consumers have been moving their dollars from cosmetics to skincare and other self-care rituals as they spend more time at home as a result of the global pandemic. The Physio Radiance Expert products include Instant Youth for Eyes and Instant Youth for Face. These new products use a breakthrough dermo-cosmetic formula that incorporate science-backed and clinically-tested active ingredients and are devised from a patented blend of natural extracts. "Personal care is becoming increasingly essential to our daily routines. As more people explore their options and learn about the science behind a product, the demand for products that have demonstrable results is on an upwards trend," says Caluza. "Our goal with Physio Radiance Expert is to respond to that demand and bring high-quality, efficacious products for our customers across the globe." QNETS BERNHARD H. MAYER MODERN SWISS WATCH AND JEWELLERY REDEFINES LUXURY Bernhard H. Mayer, QNET's luxury Swiss watch and jewellery brand, proudly showed off its newest Empire collection at VCC2022 beautifully finished Swiss-Made timepieces for him and her. Crafted with precision engineering, the Empire collection combines a classic style with a contemporary, sophisticated design aesthetic. Both gender variants come in two designs: stainless steel and rose gold, each embodying the sleek elegance and classic refinement befitting the collections title. The brand also showcased its latest accessory for men, the Classe bangle, a statement piece in 18K gold-lined cuff, that also serves as a versatile accessory that effortlessly matches any outfit or occasion. The Swiss luxury industry is known to be traditional with relatively rigid retail habits. Yet Bernhard H. Mayer embraced e-commerce as its primary channel of distribution early on and charted new growth as online retail surged throughout the pandemic. Now, the brand is ready for the next phase of growth: the metaverse, an immersive virtual reality space where customers can engage in a highly curated physical-to-digital reality where they can see, touch, and experience Bernhard H. Mayer's Swiss-Made luxury watches and jewellery. A preview of Bernhard H. Mayers upcoming metaverse destination, in partnership with virtual-world platform Decentraland, was one of the highlights of the convention. Referring to how Bernhard H. Mayer aims to explore new avenues to bring its luxury offerings to a broader audience, Caluza says, "Bernhard H. Mayer's unique blend of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer strategy has seen the brand experience great success over the past few years. We're embracing the convergence of our physical and digital worlds via metaverse platforms as an opportunity for growth in the luxury watch and jewellery industry." Alongside Bernhard H. Mayer's mission to drive a new path to accessibility in the luxury industry through e-commerce and the metaverse, the brand is firmly holding onto its promise of sustainability. All Bernhard H. Mayer's fine jewellery products use ethically-sourced recycled gold from members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading ethical standard within the jewellery industry. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video GROHE has joined WorldSkills International, a global platform to raise the profile and recognition of skilled people, as its newest Global Partner. GROHE first supported the skill competition, Plumbing and Heating, in WorldSkills Kazan 2019. Now as a Global Partner, GROHE will extend its support to WorldSkills Shanghai 2022 and as a Global Industry Partner. We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with WorldSkills. Professional skills are critical for the sanitary industry. Together we can demonstrate what impact skilled professionals can have today and for the more sustainable future that we all strive for, said Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA. GROHE is joining the global skills community of industry, education, and government partners to raise the profile of young skilled professionals around the world, said David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International. You are supporting the increase in abilities, status, and economic prospects of young people. With you, our Global Partners, we are creating a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative future through skills. After three years since the first contact with WorldSkills, we are more than happy to join forces internationally and support young people with our expertise and in-depth knowledge of the sanitary industry, said Timo Kurz, Leader GIVE Program and WorldSkills, LIXIL EMENA. This new partnership is part of GROHEs efforts to address the shortage of skilled installers in the sanitary industry. Its GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education (GIVE) Program is collaborating with over 40 institutions offering plumbing training across the EMENA region. To help improve training facilities, GROHE sets up a fully functioning training environment where students can benefit from the brands vast expertise. GIVE supports schools in creating a uniform approach with modern equipment, training material and a written examination that sets new industry standards. Even after students have completed their GROHE training, they will receive assistance with job placements or even a work experience program at one of GROHEs industry partners. WorldSkills builds confidence, empowers communities and helps to fuel economies. They inspire young people to develop a passion for skills and pursuing excellence, through competitions and promotions. Furthermore, they help develop skills through global training standards, benchmarking systems, and enhancing industry engagement. They influence industry, government, and educators through cooperation and research building a global platform of skills for all. GROHE joins 23 other WorldSkills Global Partners and 85 Member countries and regions committed to helping young people change their lives, and the fortunes of their communities and countries through skills. Learn more about WorldSkills. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Upper West Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mr Ubeidu Siddique, has advised persons desiring to pursue career opportunities in law not to allow material things to be their motivation. He said lawyers must exhibit high personal integrity and discipline to serve saying, If money is your motivation, you will be exiting just as you are entering. Mr Siddique gave the advice at the Law Express Per-Season Forum at the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) in Wa on Tuesday. The event was organized by the Law Express in collaboration with the SDD-UBIDS to encourage people to consider taking up career prospects in the field of law as well as to create a platform for stakeholders to discuss the introduction of a law programme at the University, It was on the theme: Educational and Career Prospects in the Law, and brought together legal persons in the region to share their experiences in the law profession with the participants. Mr Siddique, who is also the Upper West Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice said As a lawyer you have to be diligent, skillful, ethical, honest and hardworking. If you want to become a lawyer and you are lazy, forget it. Talking on the prospects in law, the Regional GBA President observed that there were many opportunities in the study of law saying, One thing good about law is that you can work in any setting. Every setting needs a lawyer. He, therefore pledged the support of the association to the SDD-UBIDS in its quest to commence a law programme at the university to propel the growth of the faculty. Professor Philip Duku Osei, the Vice Chancellor of the SDD-UBIDS, said plans were far advanced for the commencement of the law programme and urged for support of the stakeholders to let it come to fruition. He commended the organisers of the forum for creating the platform for discussion on the introduction of the programme and said it was part of fulfilling their mandate as a university. On her part, Madam Nuhela Seidu, the convener of the forum and host of the Law Express, said the initiative was among other objectives, aimed to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities to enable them seek justice when the need arose. Madam Seidu, a legal practitioner, said the forum would transcend from supporting the introduction of the law programme at the SDD-UBIDS to ensuring that the department thrives to become one of the best in the country. Some of the participants expressed the hope that a law faculty would be established in the northern part of the country in the near future to bring the study of the profession to the doorsteps of the people. Mr Clement Eledi, the Supervising High Court Judge in Wa, and a former President of the Upper West Regional GBA, among other dignitaries attended the event. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Democratic Republic of Congo has kicked off Ebola vaccinations to stem an outbreak in the northwest city of Mbandaka, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. Two people are known to have died so far in the city of over one million inhabitants where people live in close proximity to road, water and air links to the capital Kinshasa. The first death occurred on April 21 and the second on Tuesday, marking the central African country's 14th Ebola outbreak. Around 200 doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine have been shipped to Mbandaka from the eastern city of Goma, with more to be delivered in coming days, the WHO said in a statement. So far 233 contacts have been identified and are being monitored, it added. Three vaccination teams are on the ground and will focus on reaching all people at high risk. "With effective vaccines at hand and the experience of the Democratic Republic of the Congo health workers in Ebola response, we can quickly change the course of this outbreak for the better," WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said in the statement. Congo's equatorial forests are a natural reservoir for the Ebola virus, which was discovered near the Ebola River in northern Congo in 1976. The country has seen 13 previous Ebola outbreaks, including one in 2018-2020 in the east that killed nearly 2,300 people, the second highest toll recorded in the history of the hemorrhagic fever. The most recent ended in December in the east and caused six deaths. Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur province, has also contended with outbreaks in 2018 and in 2020. Genetic testing has shown that the current outbreak was a new "spillover event", meaning it was transmitted from infected animals rather than linked to previous events. Source: REUTERS Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Electricity and water tariffs are likely to go up in July this year, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) has projected. Nana Amoasi VIII, Energy Analyst and Executive Director of the Institute said from all indications, there will be an upward review of the current tariff. He said: We must brace ourselves for electricity tariff increment so we can save both the distribution and transmission grid from collapsing and have some reliable power supply. He added: Its quite unfortunate that it has become a pressing issue to bite at this time when Ghanaians are going through tough times, but its still necessary to pay a little more for the utilities to invest to save the grid from collapsing. The Energy Analyst noted that Ghana had not seen any major tariff increases in the last seven years, yet the operational cost of electricity continued to rise, hampering the work of utilities. He was of the view that if electricity consumers were not made to pay a little more to enable the service provider to invest, ... the power system may collapse... He said: Between 2015 and now, electricity tariff has not seen any significant rise. Meanwhile, the operational cost of the utilities has been rising year on year partly due to foreign exchange losses through obsolete equipment and power lines, and increasing cost of borrowing to finance their operations. The IES Executive Director called on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to be prepared to work more to stop the increasing commercial losses they incurred. He said: They should make sure that the sacrifices that Ghanaians are being asked to make by paying more for electricity in such a challenging time reflect an increased reliability in power supply within the shortest possible time. Dr Ishmeal Ackah, Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulation Commission (PURC), told the Ghana News Agency that the Commission, together with key stakeholders were reviewing the countrys electricity and water tariffs. He said as to the current tariff being increased, reduced or maintained: Were all asking the same question. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Kweku Baako has jumped to the defence of CLOGSAG over their demand for neutrality allowance. The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) is calling to be paid neutrality allowance as a compensation for them not directly participating in partisan politics or being allowed to pursue a political career. Some Ghanaians have bashed CLOGSAG saying payment of such allowance is a waste of money; other critics also find it extremely ridiculous that the civil servants would made such a demand. But Kweku Baako thinks otherwise as he argued that the living conditions of civil servants in the country is very poor, so believed they meant no harm by their request for the neutrality allowance. To him, it is the use of the word "neutrality" that is "creating the problems, otherwise they may be justified in asking for something extra so to motivate and incentivize to work harder and to ensure that partisanship doesn't infiltrate their work". Satirically asking "what animal is that (neutrality allowance)?", Mr. Baako was of a the view that the agitations of the civil servants should be appropriately addressed. He made these comments on Peace FM's morning show ''Kokrokoo''. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video []B(200017):2022 20220428 18:56:26 : : B :2022 Stock code: 000017, 200017 Notice No.: 2022-005 short form of the stock: Zhonghua-A, Zhonghua-B Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited The First Quarterly Report of 2022 The Company and whole members of the BOD guarantee that the information disclosed is true, accurate and complete, and there are no any fictitious records, misleading statements or important omissions.Important content reminder: 1. Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee, all directors, supervisors and senior executives of Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited (hereinafter referred to as the Company) hereby confirm that there are no any fictitious statements, misleading statements, or important omissions carried in this report, and shall take all responsibilities, individual and/or joint, for the reality, accuracy and completion of the whole contents. 2. Principal of the Company, Person in Charge of Accounting Works and Person in Charge of Accounting Organ (Accounting Officer) hereby confirm that the Financial Report of the First Quarterly Report is authentic, accurate and complete. 3. Whether the First Quarterly Report has been audited or not Yes No I. Main financial data (i) Main accounting data and financial indexes Whether it has retroactive adjustment or re-statement on previous accounting data or not Yes No Current Period Same period of last year Changes of this period over same period of last year Operating income (RMB) 50,246,951.40 23,163,329.56 116.92% Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company (RMB) -903,991.16 -211,535.36 -327.35% Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company after deducting non-recurring gains and losses (RMB) -1,190,923.81 -211,535.36 -462.99% Net cash flow arising from operating activities (RMB) -8,930,326.51 1,399,162.83 -738.26% Basic earnings per share (RMB/Share) -0.0016 -0.0004 -300.00% Diluted earnings per share (RMB/Share) -0.0016 -0.0004 -300.00% Weighted average ROE -10.68% -1.96% -8.72% End of this period End of last period Changes of this period-end over same period-end of last year Total assets (RMB) 101,914,520.44 97,363,437.22 4.67% Owners equity attributable to shareholders of listed company (RMB) 8,014,547.00 8,918,538.16 -10.14% (ii) Items and amounts of non-recurring profit (gains)/losses Applicable Not applicable Unit: RMB/CNY Item Current amount Note Governmental subsidy calculated into current gains and losses(while closely related with the normal business of the Company, the government subsidy that accord with the provision of national policies and are continuously enjoyed in line with a certain standard quota or quantity are excluded) 103,369.17 Reversal of the account receivable depreciation reserves subject to separate impairment test 60,000.00 Other non-operating income and expenses other than the above 221,131.50 Less: impact on income tax 3,316.97 Impact on minority shareholders equity (post-tax) 94,251.05 Total 286,932.65 -- Other gain/loss items that qualified the definition of non-recurring profit (gains)/losses: Applicable Not applicable The Company does not have other gain/loss items that qualified the definition of non-recurring profit (gains)/losses Explanation on those non-recurring gain/loss listed in the Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure for Companies Offering Their Securities to the Public --- Extraordinary Profit/loss defined as recurring gain/loss Applicable Not applicable The Company does not have the non-recurring gain/loss listed in the Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure for Companies Offering Their Securities to the Public --- Extraordinary Profit/loss defined as recurring gain/loss (iii) Particulars about changes in items of main accounting data and financial index and explanations of reasons Applicable Not applicable Item Period-end/current period Period-begin/last period Y-o-y changes (+,-) Cause of change Monetary fund 24,173,752.51 33,246,957.92 -27.29% Purchase of jewelry and gold by subsidiary Account paid in advance 2,670,412.70 1,300,408.57 105.35% The account paid in advance for lithium battery materials increased Inventory 19,655,197.38 8,248,573.77 138.29% The inventory of jewelry and gold increased from the subsidiary Other current assets 3,222,011.94 1,814,200.53 77.60% The item of input to be deducted by subsidiary increased Account payable 14,462,510.97 8,297,306.34 74.30% Payments to suppliers during the period Operation revenue 50,246,951.40 23,163,329.56 116.92% Income from jewelry and gold business increased Operation cost 47,249,406.26 20,752,454.71 127.68% Costs of the jewelry and gold business increased Sales expenses 1,251,815.38 425,618.74 194.12% Expenses increased due to the growth of income R&D expenses 1,215,439.84 856,296.32 41.94% Expenses on R&D increased Net cash flow arising from operation activities -8,930,326.51 1,399,162.83 -738.26% Purchase of jewelry and gold by subsidiary II. Shareholders (i) Total number of common shareholders and preference shareholders with voting rights recovered and top ten shareholders Unit: Share Total number of common shareholders at the end of report period 40,730 Total preference shareholders with voting rights recovered at end of reporting period (if applicable) 0 Top ten shareholders Shareholders name Nature of shareholder Proportion of shares held Amount of shares held Amount of lock-up shares held Information of shares pledged, tagged or frozen State of share Amount Shenzhen Guosheng Energy Investment Development Co., Ltd. Domestic non-state-owned legal person 11.52% 63,508,747 0 - - UOB Koy Hian (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. Foreign legal person 2.89% 15,907,850 0 - - Guosen Securities (Hong Kong) brokerage Co., Ltd. Foreign legal person 2.52% 13,909,425 0 - - Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. Foreign legal person 1.50% 8,281,156 0 - - Lhasa Xingqing Network Technology Co., Ltd. Domestic non-state-owned legal person 0.83% 4,600,255 0 - - Li Huili Domestic nature person 0.71% 3,891,124 0 - - Ge Zhiqiong Domestic nature person 0.56% 3,112,052 0 - - Xu Hongbo Domestic nature person 0.53% 2,927,319 0 - - China Merchants Securities Hong Kong Co., Ltd. State-owned legal person 0.52% 2,894,135 0 - - Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited -Special account for property disposal of bankrupt enterprise Domestic non-state-owned legal person 0.47% 2,602,402 0 - - Top ten shareholders with unrestricted shares held Shareholders name Amount of unrestricted shares held Type of shares Type Amount Shenzhen Guosheng Energy Investment Development Co., Ltd. 63,508,747 RMB common shares 63,508,747 UOB Koy Hian (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. 15,907,850 Domestically listed foreign shares 15,907,850 Guosen Securities (Hong Kong) brokerage Co., Ltd. 13,909,425 Domestically listed foreign shares 13,909,425 Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. 8,281,156 Domestically listed foreign shares 8,281,156 Lhasa Xingqing Network Technology Co., Ltd. 4,600,255 RMB common shares 4,600,255 Li Huili 3,891,124 Domestically listed foreign shares 3,891,124 Ge Zhiqiong 3,112,052 RMB common shares 198,400 Domestically listed foreign 2,913,652 shares Xu Hongbo 2,927,319 Domestically listed foreign shares 2,927,319 China Merchants Securities Hong Kong Co., Ltd. 2,894,135 Domestically listed foreign shares 2,894,135 Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited -Special account for property disposal of bankrupt enterprise 2,602,402 RMB common shares 1,383,313 Domestically listed foreign shares 1,219,089 Explanation on associated relationship among the aforesaid shareholders Li Huili, spouse of the Ji Hanfei, the actual controller of he Company- Shenzhen Guosheng Energy Investment Development Co., Ltd., holding B-share of the Company on behalf of Shenzhen Guosheng Energy Investment Development Co., Ltd., beyond that, the Company has no idea of whether other circulated shareholders belong to concerted action persons ruled in the Administration Norms for Information Disclosure of Change on Shareholding of Shareholders of Listed Companies. Explanation on top 10 shareholders involving margin business (if applicable) N/A (ii) Total shareholders with preferred stock held and shares held by top ten shareholders with preferred stock held Applicable Not applicable III. Other important matters Applicable Not applicable 1. Planning for non-public offering of shares On December 30, 2020, the company held the third extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in 2020, reviewed and approved the new plan for non-public issuance of A shares, and planned to raise funds from Wansheng Industry Company through non-public issuance of shares of total amount not exceeding 293.6 million yuan, which would be used to replenish working capital after deducting the issuance expenses, and this issuance will lead to changes in the companys control. On October 25, 2021, the companys application for the non-public issuance of A shares was reviewed and approved by the Issuance Examination Commission of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (hereinafter referred to as the CSRC). On November 11, 2021, the company received the Approval for the Non-public Issuance of Shares by Shenzhen China Bicycle (Group) Co., Ltd. (ZJXK [2021] No. 3552) issued by the CSRC, and the validity period of the approval is 12 months from the date of approval for the issuance. Relevant work is currently in progress. 2. About the company litigation matters On February 23, 2022, the company received the Subpoena (2022) Yue 0303 Min Chu No. 3787, Complaint, Notice of Response, Civil Ruling Paper (2020) Yue 0303 Zhi Bao No. 498 and other legal documents from Shenzhen Luohu District Peoples Court, which has accepted the lawsuit brought by the plaintiff Shenzhen Jianzhi Industrial Development Co., Ltd. against the company on the grounds of joint venture and cooperative development of real estate contract disputes, the amount involved was 30.859 million yuan. On March 12, 2022, the company received a notice from the Shenzhen Luohu District Peoples Court that the court trial originally scheduled for March 18, 2022 has been rescheduled due to the pandemic, and the specific trial time will be notified later. As of the date of this announcement, the company has not received the notice from the Luohu Court, and the matter has not yet been heard. The company will actively respond to the lawsuit, safeguard the interests of the company and all shareholders through legal means. According to the Analysis of Jianzhi Company sued CBC issued by Guangdong Asia Laws Firm on March 28, 2022, the evidence submitted by Jianzhi Company could not support its litigation request, and the CBC had completed the conditions of the return revenue as agreed in the Cooperation Contract, termination of the Contract was in accordance with the legal provision. The CBC believes that they has completed part of the works agreed in Cooperation Contract, and should get 6 million yuan as agreed in the Contract. Currently, the Company has filed a counter-suit against Shenzhen Jianzhi Industrial Development Co., Ltd for payment of 6 million yuan in return proceeds from the project. The Company will perform the corresponding information disclosure obligations in a timely manner according to the progress of the lawsuit. Investors are advised to pay attention to investment risks. IV. Quarterly financial statements (i) Financial statement 1. Consolidate Balance Sheet Prepared by Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited March 31, 2022 Unit: RMB/CNY Item Ending balance Opening balance Current assets: Monetary fund 24,173,752.51 33,246,957.92 Settlement provisions Capital lent Trading financial assets Derivative financial assets Note receivable Account receivable 46,242,685.55 46,850,083.59 Receivable financing Account paid in advance 2,670,412.70 1,300,408.57 Insurance receivable Reinsurance receivables Contract reserve of reinsurance receivable Other account receivable 740,422.93 494,695.27 Including: Interest receivable Dividend receivable Buying back the sale of financial assets Inventory 19,655,197.38 8,248,573.77 Contract assets Assets held for sale Non-current asset due within one year Other current assets 3,222,011.94 1,814,200.53 Total current assets 96,704,483.01 91,954,919.65 Non-current assets: Loans and payments on behalf Debt investment Other debt investment Long-term account receivable Long-term equity investment Investment in other equity instrument Other non-current financial assets Investment real estate Fixed assets 3,358,563.88 3,439,212.00 Construction in progress Productive biological asset Oil and gas asset Right-of-use assets 1,387,426.88 1,505,258.90 Intangible assets Expense on research and development Goodwill Long-term expenses to be apportioned Deferred income tax asset 64,046.67 64,046.67 Other non-current assets 400,000.00 400,000.00 Total non-current asset 5,210,037.43 5,408,517.57 Total assets 101,914,520.44 97,363,437.22 Current liabilities: Short-term loans Loan from central bank Capital borrowed Trading financial liability Derivative financial liability Note payable Account payable 14,462,510.97 8,297,306.34 Accounts received in advance Contract liabilities 589,518.63 124,328.07 Selling financial asset of repurchase Absorbing deposit and interbank deposit Security trading of agency Security sales of agency Wage payable 910,492.99 923,477.10 Taxes payable 734,270.18 911,506.52 Other account payable 60,358,930.43 61,407,301.04 Including: Interest payable Dividend payable Commission charge and commission payable Reinsurance payable Liability held for sale Non-current liabilities due within one year 1,483,130.07 1,456,782.04 Other current liabilities 11,700.06 11,700.06 Total current liabilities 78,550,553.33 73,132,401.17 Non-current liabilities: Insurance contract reserve Long-term loans Bonds payable Including: Preferred stock Perpetual capital securities Lease liability 86,293.59 228,302.37 Long-term account payable Long-term wages payable Accrual liability Deferred income Deferred income tax liabilities Other non-current liabilities Total non-current liabilities 86,293.59 228,302.37 Total liabilities 78,636,846.92 73,360,703.54 Owners equity: Share capital 551,347,947.00 551,347,947.00 Other equity instrument Including: Preferred stock Perpetual capital securities Capital public reserve 627,834,297.85 627,834,297.85 Less: Treasury shares Other comprehensive income Reasonable reserve Surplus public reserve 32,673,227.01 32,673,227.01 Provision of general risk Retained profit -1,203,840,924.86 -1,202,936,933.70 Total owner s equity attributable to parent company 8,014,547.00 8,918,538.16 Minority interests 15,263,126.52 15,084,195.52 Total owner s equity 23,277,673.52 24,002,733.68 Total liabilities and owner s equity 101,914,520.44 97,363,437.22 Legal Representative: Li Hai Person in charge of Accounting Works: Sun Longlong Person in charge of Accounting Institution: Zhong Xiaojin 2. Consolidated Profit Statement Unit: RMB/CNY Item Current period Last period I. Total operating income 50,246,951.40 23,163,329.56 Including: Operating income 50,246,951.40 23,163,329.56 Interest income Insurance gained Commission charge and commission income II. Total operating cost 51,348,242.22 23,368,934.41 Including: Operating cost 47,249,406.26 20,752,454.71 Interest expense Commission charge and commission expense Cash surrender value Net amount of expense of compensation Net amount of withdrawal of insurance contract reserve Bonus expense of guarantee slip Reinsurance expense Tax and extras 35,537.87 30,648.14 Sales expense 1,251,815.38 425,618.74 Administrative expense 1,603,942.40 1,328,263.03 R&D expense 1,215,439.84 856,296.32 Financial expenses -7,899.53 -24,346.53 Including: Interest expenses Interest income 20,245.44 35,896.85 Add: other income 103,369.17 2,516.00 Investment income (Loss is listed with -) Including: Investment income on affiliated company and joint venture The termination of income recognition for financial assets measured by amortized cost Exchange income (Loss is listed with -) Net exposure hedging income (Loss is listed with -) Income from change of fair value (Loss is listed with -) Loss of credit impairment (Loss is listed with -) 60,000.00 468.00 Losses of devaluation of asset (Loss is listed with -) Income from assets disposal (Loss is listed with -) III. Operating profit (Loss is listed with -937,921.65 -202,620.85 -) Add: Non-operating income 221,131.50 Less: Non-operating expense IV. Total profit (Loss is listed with -) -716,790.15 -202,620.85 Less: Income tax expense 8,270.01 8,863.55 V. Net profit (Net loss is listed with -) -725,060.16 -211,484.40 (i) Classify by business continuity 1. Net profit from continuing operations (net loss listed with -) -725,060.16 -211,484.40 2. Net profit from termination of operations (net loss listed with -) (ii) Classify by ownership 1.Net profit attributable to owners of parent company -903,991.16 -211,535.36 2.Minority shareholders gains and losses 178,931.00 50.96 VI. Net after-tax of other comprehensive income Net after-tax of other comprehensive income attributable to owners of parent company (i) Other comprehensive income items which will not be reclassified subsequently to profit of loss 1.Changes of the defined benefit plans that re-measured 2.Other comprehensive income under equity method that cannot be transfer to gain/loss 3.Change of fair value of investment in other equity instrument 4.Fair value change of enterprise's credit risk 5. Other (ii) Other comprehensive income items which will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss 1.Other comprehensive income under equity method that can transfer to gain/loss 2.Change of fair value of other debt investment 3.Amount of financial assets re-classify to other comprehensive income 4.Credit impairment provision for other debt investment 5.Cash flow hedging reserve 6.Translation differences arising on translation of foreign currency financial statements 7.Other Net after-tax of other comprehensive income attributable to minority shareholders VII. Total comprehensive income -725,060.16 -211,484.40 Total comprehensive income attributable to owners of parent Company -903,991.16 -211,535.36 Total comprehensive income attributable to minority shareholders 178,931.00 50.96 VIII. Earnings per share: (i) Basic earnings per share -0.0016 -0.0004 (ii) Diluted earnings per share -0.0016 -0.0004 Enterprise combine under the same control in the Period, the combined party realized net profit of 0.00 Yuan before combination, and realized 0.00 Yuan at last period for combined party Legal Representative: Li Hai Person in charge of Accounting Works: Sun Longlong Person in charge of Accounting Institution: Zhong Xiaojin 3. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Unit: RMB/CNY Item Current period Last period I. Cash flows arising from operating activities: Cash received from selling commodities and providing labor services 55,844,910.44 31,191,247.05 Net increase of customer deposit and interbank deposit Net increase of loan from central bank Net increase of capital borrowed from other financial institution Cash received from original insurance contract fee Net cash received from reinsurance business Net increase of insured savings and investment Cash received from interest, commission charge and commission Net increase of capital borrowed Net increase of returned business capital Net cash received by agents in sale and purchase of securities Write-back of tax received 3,529.86 2,652.02 Other cash received concerning operating activities 7,532,827.46 7,188,346.22 Subtotal of cash inflow arising from operating activities 63,381,267.76 38,382,245.29 Cash paid for purchasing commodities and receiving labor service 60,349,320.00 28,648,220.66 Net increase of customer loans and advances Net increase of deposits in central bank and interbank Cash paid for original insurance contract compensation Net increase of capital lent Cash paid for interest, commission charge and commission Cash paid for bonus of guarantee slip Cash paid to/for staff and workers 2,086,036.96 2,644,266.76 Taxes paid 431,259.14 335,366.77 Other cash paid concerning operating activities 9,444,978.17 5,355,228.27 Subtotal of cash outflow arising from operating activities 72,311,594.27 36,983,082.46 Net cash flows arising from operating activities -8,930,326.51 1,399,162.83 II. Cash flows arising from investing activities: Cash received from recovering investment Cash received from investment income Net cash received from disposal of fixed, intangible and other long-term assets Net cash received from disposal of subsidiaries and other units Other cash received concerning investing activities Subtotal of cash inflow from investing activities Cash paid for purchasing fixed, intangible and other long-term assets 5,957.99 Cash paid for investment Net increase of mortgaged loans Net cash received from subsidiaries and other units obtained Other cash paid concerning investing activities Subtotal of cash outflow from investing activities 5,957.99 Net cash flows arising from investing activities -5,957.99 III. Cash flows arising from financing activities Cash received from absorbing investment Including: Cash received from absorbing minority shareholders investment by subsidiaries Cash received from loans Other cash received concerning financing activities Subtotal of cash inflow from financing activities Cash paid for settling debts Cash paid for dividend and profit distributing or interest paying Including: Dividend and profit of minority shareholder paid by subsidiaries Other cash paid concerning financing activities 142,878.90 Subtotal of cash outflow from financing activities 142,878.90 Net cash flows arising from financing activities -142,878.90 IV. Influence on cash and cash equivalents due to fluctuation in exchange rate V. Net increase of cash and cash equivalents -9,073,205.41 1,393,204.84 Add: Balance of cash and cash equivalents at the period-begin 33,246,957.92 19,887,978.05 VI. Balance of cash and cash equivalents at the period-end 24,173,752.51 21,281,182.89 (ii) Audit report st Whether the 1 quarterly report has been audited or not Yes No st The 1 quarterly report of the Company has not been audited. Board of Directors of Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited April 28, 2022 Stock code: 000017, 200017 Notice No.: 2022-005 short form of the stock: Zhonghua-A, Zhonghua-BShenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) LimitedThe First Quarterly Report of 2022The Company and whole members of the BOD guarantee that the information disclosed is true, accurate and complete, and there are no any fictitious records, misleading statements or important omissions.Important content reminder:1. Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee, all directors, supervisors and senior executives of Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited (hereinafter referred to as the Company) hereby confirm that there are no any fictitious statements, misleading statements, or important omissions carried in this report, and shall take all responsibilities, individual and/or joint, for thereality, accuracy and completion of the whole contents.2. Principal of the Company, Person in Charge of Accounting Works and Person in Charge of Accounting Organ (Accounting Officer) hereby confirm that the Financial Report of the First Quarterly Report is authentic, accurate and complete.3. Whether the First Quarterly Report has been audited or not Yes NoI. Main financial data(i) Main accounting data and financial indexesWhether it has retroactive adjustment or re-statement on previous accounting data or not Yes No(ii) Items and amounts of non-recurring profit (gains)/losses Applicable Not applicableUnit: RMB/CNYOther gain/loss items that qualified the definition of non-recurring profit (gains)/losses: Applicable Not applicableThe Company does not have other gain/loss items that qualified the definition of non-recurring profit (gains)/lossesExplanation on those non-recurring gain/loss listed in the Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure for CompaniesOffering Their Securities to the Public --- Extraordinary Profit/loss defined as recurring gain/loss Applicable Not applicableThe Company does not have the non-recurring gain/loss listed in the Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure forCompanies Offering Their Securities to the Public --- Extraordinary Profit/loss defined as recurring gain/loss(iii) Particulars about changes in items of main accounting data and financial index and explanations ofreasons Applicable Not applicableII. Shareholders(i) Total number of common shareholders and preference shareholders with voting rights recovered andtop ten shareholdersUnit: Share(ii) Total shareholders with preferred stock held and shares held by top ten shareholders with preferredstock held Applicable Not applicableIII. Other important mattersApplicable Not applicable1. Planning for non-public offering of sharesOn December 30, 2020, the company held the third extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in 2020, reviewed and approvedthe new plan for non-public issuance of A shares, and planned to raise funds from Wansheng Industry Company through non-publicissuance of shares of total amount not exceeding 293.6 million yuan, which would be used to replenish working capital afterdeducting the issuance expenses, and this issuance will lead to changes in the companys control. On October 25, 2021, thecompanys application for the non-public issuance of A shares was reviewed and approved by the Issuance Examination Commissionof the China Securities Regulatory Commission (hereinafter referred to as the CSRC). On November 11, 2021, the company receivedthe Approval for the Non-public Issuance of Shares by Shenzhen China Bicycle (Group) Co., Ltd. (ZJXK [2021] No. 3552) issued bythe CSRC, and the validity period of the approval is 12 months from the date of approval for the issuance. Relevant work is currentlyin progress.2. About the company litigation mattersOn February 23, 2022, the company received the Subpoena (2022) Yue 0303 Min Chu No. 3787, Complaint, Notice of Response,Civil Ruling Paper (2020) Yue 0303 Zhi Bao No. 498 and other legal documents from Shenzhen Luohu District Peoples Court,which has accepted the lawsuit brought by the plaintiff Shenzhen Jianzhi Industrial Development Co., Ltd. against the company onthe grounds of joint venture and cooperative development of real estate contract disputes, the amount involved was 30.859 millionyuan. On March 12, 2022, the company received a notice from the Shenzhen Luohu District Peoples Court that the court trialoriginally scheduled for March 18, 2022 has been rescheduled due to the pandemic, and the specific trial time will be notified later.As of the date of this announcement, the company has not received the notice from the Luohu Court, and the matter has not yet beenheard. The company will actively respond to the lawsuit, safeguard the interests of the company and all shareholders through legalmeans. According to the Analysis of Jianzhi Company sued CBC issued by Guangdong Asia Laws Firm on March 28, 2022, theevidence submitted by Jianzhi Company could not support its litigation request, and the CBC had completed the conditions of thereturn revenue as agreed in the Cooperation Contract, termination of the Contract was in accordance with the legal provision. TheCBC believes that they has completed part of the works agreed in Cooperation Contract, and should get 6 million yuan as agreed inthe Contract. Currently, the Company has filed a counter-suit against Shenzhen Jianzhi Industrial Development Co., Ltd for paymentof 6 million yuan in return proceeds from the project. The Company will perform the corresponding information disclosureobligations in a timely manner according to the progress of the lawsuit. Investors are advised to pay attention to investment risks.IV. Quarterly financial statements(i) Financial statement1. Consolidate Balance SheetPrepared by Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) Limited March 31, 2022Unit: RMB/CNYLegal Representative: Li HaiPerson in charge of Accounting Works: Sun Longlong Person in charge of Accounting Institution: Zhong Xiaojin2. Consolidated Profit StatementUnit: RMB/CNYEnterprise combine under the same control in the Period, the combined party realized net profit of 0.00 Yuan before combination, andrealized 0.00 Yuan at last period for combined partyLegal Representative: Li HaiPerson in charge of Accounting Works: Sun Longlong Person in charge of Accounting Institution: Zhong Xiaojin3. Consolidated Cash Flow StatementUnit: RMB/CNY(ii) Audit reportstWhether the 1 quarterly report has been audited or notYes NostThe 1 quarterly report of the Company has not been audited.Board of Directors of Shenzhen China Bicycle Company (Holdings) LimitedApril 28, 2022 Management of the Ghana Institue of Journalism says it cannot be blamed for occurrence during its 1st session of its 15th congregation. A session of its graduands during its 15th congregation blamed management of the school for its poor planning when the event which was expected to be their joyous moment was disrupted by heavy rains. But in a statement signed by the Assistant Registrar of the Institute, Mr Daniel Machator, he explained that the institute did due diligence before the final day and that its events cannot be blamed on them. The Congregation Planning Committee on the eve of the event, confirmed from the Ghana Meteorological Agency the weather forecast for the period of the event (10:00am - 12:00 noon) as clear. There was, however, a 40% chance of slight rains after 1:00pm. The Committee despite this assurance planned to move the event to the Institutes ultra-modern auditorium, which is just about 20 metres from the event ground, in the event of forecast failure. The event, in such a circumstance, was to be held in two sessions: first, for Journalism and then, for Public Relations graduands, the statement added. He noted that the second half of graduands, together with parents and acquaintances, were to move to four lecture halls on the 1st floor, where the event would be screened live for viewing as the auditorium had a maximum seating capacity of four hundred. Read Full Statement Below GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM DETAILS OF OCCURRENCE DURING THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 15TH CONGREGATION AT GIJ Following the minor occurrence during the 1st Session of the 15th Congregation of the Ghana Institute of Journalism held on the 21st of April 2022, Management wishes to dispel threads of wrong reportage in sections of the media and set the records straight as follows: 1. The Forecourt of the North Dzorwulu Campus has, until this year, hosted four successful Congregations beginning with one in 2018. 2. The Congregation Planning Committee on the eve of the event, confirmed from the Ghana Meteorological Agency the weather forecast for the period of the event (10:00am - 12:00 noon) as clear. There was, however, a 40% chance of slight rains after 1:00pm. 3. The Committee despite this assurance planned to move the event to the Institutes ultra-modern auditorium, which is just about 20 meters from the event ground, in the event of forecast failure. The event, in such a circumstance, was to be held in two sessions: first, for Journalism and then, for Public Relations graduands. The second half of graduands, together with parents and acquaintances, were to move to four lecture halls on the 1st floor, where the event would be screened live for viewing as the auditorium had a maximum seating capacity of four hundred. 4. About forty-five minutes into the event, it started raining. The Registrar announced that the programme had to be moved to the Auditorium due to the weather. She, additionally, announced the agreed location for parents and acquaintances of graduands. 5. The programme had barely resumed after the movements when a group of graduands entered from the rear of the auditorium amidst chanting and noise making disrupting the smooth flow of the event. The group, numbering about fifteen, insisted that their parents be allowed into the auditorium to witness the rest of the event, or the Rector and other dignitaries relocate to the outdoor event ground. 6. Calm was restored after about fifteen minutes of disturbances, allowing for continuation of the programme. 7. Any twisted reportage seeking to portray the Institute in a negative light is not only mischievous but shameful. The general public is assured that Management of the Institute will continue to work with our student body and the Institutes publics to deliver on its mandates as it has done over the years. DANIEL MACHATOR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS 25TH APRIL, 2022 Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Professor Kwesi Aning, Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre (KAIPTC), cannot comprehend the seriousness given to the United States report on human rights standards in Ghana as against that given to the voice of activists in the country. Describing the report as a rehash of concerns raised over the years by local activists, Prof Aning indicated that the US human rights report should not be treated as a novelty. Speaking on JoyNews PM Express, Wednesday, April 27, Prof Aning noted that he was disappointed that it has taken the US State Departments report for such issues to become prominent among Ghanaians. He said, this implies that the works of the various activists in the country are not appreciated. But weve raised these concerns before that of the United States so, what is the big deal here? Every single example cited in this report. And therein lays my disappointment with the way this report is being handled. People have raised their voices about the way the judiciary works, about corruption, about police brutality, about the use of weapons and firearms in situations where they ought not to use, so are we saying that when Ghanaian activists raise their voices and point to the gap and weaknesses in our politics it is not important until Uncle Sam and his agents have written?" he quizzed. Prof Kwesi Aning further questioned, is that what we are saying? That when activists and those who are fighting for rule of law, the respect of human rights, accountability, transparency in the way our financial resources are used, that those voices and those struggles dont matter? He urged Ghanaians that some keen attention must be paid to activists in the country who have dedicated their time and energy to exposing rot and corruption in the various spheres of the country. My argument is that they do matter, and that we need to place more emphasis on internal struggle and make this external reportage ancillary to what is happening here; because no one is going to bring improvement or changes apart from the people of Ghana themselves. And I think we need to recognize those who are placing their lives on the line, those who are being brutalized for whatever reason and recognize those struggles, Prof Aning explained. 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the United States Department of State. The report highlight issues including; denial of a fair public trial, corruption and lack of transparency in government, arbitrary deprivation of life and other unlawful or politically motivated killings. The others are freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media and elections and political participation. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video On February 24, 1966, while Ghanas first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was on a peacemaking trip over the Vietnam War in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, his government was overthrown. Launched by the National Liberation Council, the coup d'etat was code-named Operation Cold Chop. Kwame Nkrumah had left a 3-person presidential commission in charge of the country but that was when the new Ghana took a bite at its first experience of what became common practice in the country in later years; a coup detat. Not even the fact that Nkrumah was only out of the country at the time executing an assignment on behalf of Ghana was enough to save him from that embarrassment. In an audio clip visualized into a video and shared by a group called Fighters on Facebook, Kwame Nkrumah is heard speaking about the coup detat and how detrimental it was to the progress and development of the country, considering everything that had been achieved after independence. Transcript of Kwame Nkrumah's speech about his overthrow: Fellow countrymen, my heart is heavy as I witness the damage which this click of neo-colonialist conspirators are doing to our country at the bidding of their overseas neo-colonialist masters, theyre dismantling the works of 50 years. Theyre telling you that Ghana is bankrupt; theyre telling you that our country is in debt to the extent of some 240 million pounds. What fools they are! How ignorant for them to think that you believe these stupid lies. Open your eyes and look around you. See for yourself; see the splendid new Tema Harbour, see the mighty Volta Dam, see the fine roads we have built under the leadership of the Convention Peoples Party and its government. See the schools, the colleges and universities. See the hospitals and the facilities which we have created. See the factories which are already springing up. These are not debts; they are investments in our future as an independent nation. These are the physical guarantees of the bright, new future which I have promised you and I have been working for. Together, we can put our Ghana firmly and squarely on its own feet. Together, we can create the things we need ourselves instead of going cup in hand for charity handouts from foreign powers whose only wish is to exploit us and make us vassals to their interests. I know these are hard and trying days for you and Ive never tried to conceal from you that real independence, that is to say economic independence, does not come without hard struggles and sacrifice, unlike the cheats deceive us, the liars and traitors who are now trying to lord it over you, I have never promised you any easy road. I have respected your good sense, your capacity for work, your pride in yourself, and your sense of national dignity. Why do you think these traitors, these agents and (sic) of colonialism and of international intrigue to restore the independence of Ghana, chose this moment to perform their dastardly act? I will tell you. Less than one month before they struck to destroy all our hard work we had inaugurated, only three days before this treachery, we had signed a new agreement to irrigate the mighty Accra Drains. At last, we were on a threshold of a new victory; we had in 1957 won our political independence after years of struggle. Now in 1966, we were on the threshold of winning our economic independence. The same people who tried to sabotage our winning of political independence nine years ago, have now struck to sabotage our political independence and are systematically dismantling our socialist gains and achievements. Before the traitors and the rebellious National Liberation Council tried to shut power during my absence from Ghana, Ghana was a heaven to which the oppressed from all parts of Africa, could come to carry on their struggle. It was a heaven for freedom fighters, for independence and against colonialism. The name of Ghana was revered all over the African continent as a staunch friend of the oppressed. African brothers from South Africa, from Rudisha, from Mozambique and Angola, from the so-called Portuguese Guinea and Cape Verde Islands, and other oppressed colonial areas were given hospitality among us. Do you think this is something of which we needed to be ashamed? Not at all. On the contrary, it was something of which we should be justly proud, he said. Kwame Nkrumahs Overthrow: Ahead of the coup, by the National Liberation Council in 1966, Nkrumahs popularity had declined substantially, especially in mid-1961 when he instituted a wage freeze, tax increases, and a compulsory savings system to halt a serious drain on foreign exchange reserves without reducing development and prestige expenditures. That September, rail and dock workers, and some civil servants struck in protest, a demonstration unprecedented since the countrys independence. Some strikers demanded release of political prisoners and the holding of new elections, as well as satisfaction of their economic grievances. A week-long strike action was embarked upon by Ghanaian workers in the three main towns of Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi in protest against the governments compulsory saving scheme and reflected the growing discontent of the Ghanaian public. Numerous assassination attempts traceable to outside intervention dotted Nkrumahs years in power. In one instance, by unintentionally arriving a few minutes late for a dedication ceremony at Kulungugu, he avoided being killed by a time-bomb planted in a bouquet of flowers that had been given to a small child to present to him. The aftermath of this assassination attempt against Nkrumah in August 1962 at Kulungugu, a town he was visiting on the Upper Volta border, rekindled opposition at his center of power. In the following months, a series of bombing attacks in Accra killed at least 20 persons and injured nearly 400 more. The bombers and planners of the attempted assassination at Kulungugu are unknown but were probably part of a small terrorist group with little following. Their objective appears to have been the creation of civil disturbances which would force Nkrumah to step down, portion of a document titled, [The United States and the Overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah] from the Fort Hays State University, said. Following the toppling of Kwame Nkrumahs government, many people took to the streets in jubilation. Author: Etsey Atisu Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The pressure mounted on the government to settle the debts of Fertilizer Suppliers keeps growing as stakeholders are demanding that government, as a matter of urgency, provide fertilizers for farmers under Planting for Food and Jobs. The recent major stakeholder to have added his voice to the call is a Former National Best Farmer in 2014. Mr George Asamoah -Amankwaa is urging the government to make provision fertilizers to farmers since the farming season is already close. In an exclusive Interview with Sampson Kwame Nyamekye, He said if this problem continues without any stringent measures the probability of experiencing famine in the country is high since the populace will be depending on the few crops available. For him, currently, farmers are in dire need of fertilizers and contractors are also not providing due to the debts by the government which he said has made many contractors go bankrupt. Mr Asamoah recalled how the previous government from 2014 to 2016 made fertilizers available to the farmers without payments in view of increasing yield however the subsidy by the current government is still making farmers not have access to fertilizer; a situation he said is affecting farming businesses. The Past National Farmer is hereby pleading with the government to discuss the issue with Fertilizer contractors to address the shortage of fertilizers. GOVT ADMITS OWING FERTILIZER SUPPLIERS FROM 2020, 2021 The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has openly admitted owing Fertilizer Suppliers after these contractors distributed fertilizers to farmers under the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme. According to a Deputy Minister for Agric, Hon Yaw Frimpong Addo, he said the government still has arrears to be cleared in 2020 after paying part of the money to these contractors but for 2021 nothing was paid to the suppliers. In an interview on Hellofms Boho Biom hosted by Sampson Kwame Nyamekye, the Member of Parliament for Manso Adubia in the Ashanti Region said currently Ghana Government likewise any other government is facing financial challenges hence the cut-off government expenditure at Ministries, agencies and Departments. Government is aware and much effort is being done to find fertilizers for our farmers, he told Sampson. Fertilizers Suppliers who have been contracted by the government to distribute fertilizers to farmers under the governments flagship programme Planting for Food and Jobs over some period now have been complaining bitterly over the delay in the government paying their monies 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. Featured Video A security analyst, Adam Bonaa says the United States of America (USA) should be the least among countries to access Ghana on human rights issues. If we want a country to access us [Ghana], not the U.S, he responded harshly to the demining report issued by the United States Department on human rights in Ghana. The U.S.A in its 2021 Human Rights Report on Ghana issued on April 26, 2022, accused the government of Ghana and agencies of the state of engaging in arbitrary human rights abuses including unlawful and extrajudicial killings. But, Adam Bonaa in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie rubbished the report after describing it as bogus'. I am safe with the Ghana Police than the U.S Police. How many people are killed by the police compared to the U.S? he questioned rhetorically. Adding that, this report shouldnt be coming from the U.S. Read the full 2021 US State Department Report on Human Rights in Ghana below: Your browser does not support iframes. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Bank of Africa, on Tuesday 26th April, 2022, organized Iftar for some of its Muslim Customers at Bosphorus Restaurant in Accra. Iftar is a meal taken by Muslims at sundown to break the daily fast during Ramadam. In his remark, the MD of Bank of Africa, Mr Kobby Andah expressed appreciation to the customers for staying loyal and doing business with the Bank. He said, this gathering is an avenue created by the Bank to join our Muslim Customers and Staff embark on this very important spiritual journey. It is an opportunity for all of us to bond and interact in a relaxed environment outside the working space. Mr. Youssef Benrhafiane, the DMD of the Bank encouraged the customers to take advantage of the program to fraternize and build business networks. The Maghrib and Ishaa prayers were led by Sheikh Shuaib Aremeyaw, a Senior Islamic Cleric and the Official Spokesperson to the National Chief Imam. In his Sermon, Sheikh Aremeyaw advised all Muslims to continue living a Holy and peaceful life even after Ramadan. He admonished the Staff of the Bank of Africa to use the Laylatul Qadr period (the last 10 days of Ramadan) to fervently pray for the growth of the Bank. Management of the Bank later paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu at his residence in Accra and made a donation of an undisclosed amount of money, bags of rice, sugar, dates, gallons of oils, bottles of water and BOA branded prayer mats. The MD, Mr Kobby Andah was accompanied by Mr Youssef Benrhafiane the Deputy Managing Director of Business Development and Mrs Fatoumata Gakou, the Managing Director of Credit and Control. Also part of the delegation was Mr Muctar M. Abbas, Head of Legal and Company Secretary, Mr Musah Abdul-Rahman, Head, Cross Border Trade and Business Synergy, Mr Abu Hanan, Regional Manager for Accra Region 1 and representatives from the Marketing and Corporate Communications Department. The Chief Imam acknowledged the yearly visits and donations Bank of Africa makes to the Muslim Community, especially during the Ramadan season and expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation. He seized the opportunity to inform the delegation of the importance of Ramadan and admonished all Muslims to be dedicated and committed to the Holy season and live at peace with everybody. He prayed for the Management and Staff of the Bank and encouraged them to continue to work hard for the development of the country. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr Donald Agumenu, a Leadership and Project Management Expert, has urged the Togolese Government to open its border with Ghana to allow free movement of goods to facilitate trade as the country marks 62 years of independence today, April 27. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 25, announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, including the reopening of land borders. However, Togo is yet to open its border to allow the free movement of goods between the two countries. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr Agumemu said trade between the two countries would be affected greatly should Togo continue to close its border to Ghana. He noted that Covid-19 had created deeper political, trade, public health and technological barriers within member states, regional blocks and on the global front and stressed the need for a deeper bilateral engagement between the two countries as they shared values and culture. Dr Agumenu urged Togo to re-examine the security situation and public health protocols at the entry points with Ghana and ease the movement of people and goods, especially traders along the axis. Free movement of people, goods and services should be entrenched on the continent notwithstanding existing barriers, he said. Dr Agumenu congratulated Togo on its independence celebration and appealed to leaders of the country to, take stock of the journey thus far and demystify what separates us as a continent and what joins us together as a people. He also asked them to use the Day to reawaken the spirit of "grand family reunion of distinct families whose blood ties straddle between Togo and Ghana." Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Tony Blair, has described Ghana as a country with a bright future and the potential to become one of the greatest countries in the world. The other thing I want to say is that this relationship between Britain and Ghana is one we are proud of and want to deepen. We believe in this country; we believe in its future; we believe in the people and we know that Ghana is not only going to be one of the greatest African countries but the world in the future, he added. Mr Blair, who was on a working visit to the country, was speaking at a party held at the British High Commissioners residence in Accra last Tuesday to mark the 96th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional and religious leaders, chief executives, Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State. On display was the latest Land Rover vehicle and an e-motorbike. Queen Elizabeth has travelled more than any monarch in the world 271 official visits, including two of such visits to Ghana in 1961 and 1999. Increase presence Mr Blair, who was Prime Minister of the UK from 1997 to 2007, said Britain would increase its presence in the country. I love Ghana; it is a great country. I love the culture; I love the people; I love the energy of the place; and what is amazing is that everywhere you go in the world, you meet Ghanaians, he said, adding that Ghanaians were smart and intelligent people who were full of optimism and hope. He explained how he first met Queen Elizabeth after the general election in Britain in 1997 when he had to go through the Kissing hands ceremony, a British tradition for new PMs. Partnership The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, also said the strong partnership between her country and Ghana had led to strides in the fields of health, investment, job creation, security, education, among others, adding: We would not have been able to do it without you. She said having been in Ghana for the past eight months, she had come to love the culture, music, natural beauty and history of Ghana. Ms Thompson said she would work to deepen the relationship between the two countries for mutual benefit. Significance The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, said the event was significant, not because of the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions but also the fact that the Queen was celebrating her 70th anniversary on the throne, the first British monarch to reach such a milestone. We in Ghana happily recall two moments in her reign when she visited the country in November 1961 and November 1999 and their impact on Ghanas political landscape, as well as the Commonwealth, which has been transformed, he said. Dr Awal said the relationship between Ghana and the UK dated back to 1867 when the then Gold Coast became a British Colony, adding that since March 1957, the relationship had been anchored on history, bilateral cooperation, as well as multilateral agreements. Our bilateral relations have also been characterised by high-level visits, during which issues of mutual interest have been discussed, he said, adding: Ghana cherishes its relationship with the UK and welcomes the efforts the two countries are making to deepen cooperation in various fields, including health, education, trade, security and defence. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America (GPSF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana (MDC) to ease the certifying process of its members in Ghana. The historic signing was at the 19th Annual GPSF conference held in Washington DC comes after years of lobbying and negotiations between the foundation and the council. For our special guest interview today, WADRs Atiewin Mbillah-Lawson has been speaking to president of the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America, Dr Bertha Serwa Ayi about what this all means for the countrys healthcare delivery system. GPSF, MDC Sign historic MoU to facilitate Licensing Process for US-based Ghanaian Physicians Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America (GPSF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana (MDC) to ease the certifying process of its members in Ghana. The historic signing was at the 19th Annual GPSF conference held in America, Washington DC, over the weekend. The MDC registrar, Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, and the president of GPSF, Dr. Bertha Serwa Ayi signed the agreement respectively. In the statement issued by the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America, it indicated that the memorandum of understanding seeks to make easier the Credentialing and licensing process for US-based Ghanaian physicians as well as other physicians with a vested interest in the post-graduate medical education in Ghana after years of discussion. According to the statement, the MOU will also expedite the process and reduce the cost by fifty per cent. Adding that, Another provision is a waiver of examination in certain special situations for select US-based physicians. This expedited process will be provided through membership with GPSF. The GPSF, however, assured to provide educational and faculty support to the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. Present at the signing was the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, and the Ranking Member, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has bemoaned the lack of living wage policies in the country especially for salaried workers. According to him, the governments fight against corruption may become difficult as most workers do not live on their current salaries. Speaking during the launch of the Professor Mike Oquaye Centre for Constitutional Studies at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Prof. Oquaye called for enhanced programs that would see to the computerization of all aspects of administration. The e-governance program which should cover the computerization of all aspects of administration should be brought to a logical conclusion. Customs, fraud persist because duties are partly veiled in allegory. When Dr. Busia sent passport forms to post offices to be sold there, attendant corruption relating to passport forms ceased. Time frames should be set for all public duties and penalties prescribed for non-compliance. Our contorted bureaucratic procedures create room for corruption, where public duties cannot be discharged timeously, through well-laid procedures, the public servant adopts the tactic of go-come, go-come, come tomorrow, come tomorrow, till money changes hands, he explained. He further called for living wage policies to be implemented in order to curb the incidents of corruption in the country. Steal fines and penalties should be promulgated to deal with the offences that we know so well of. Living wage policies should be pursued and its rather funny to speak of corruption in a nation where most workers do not live on their wages, and this is well-known. Ask all officials in the ministries and elsewhere, So, what do you live on? Nobody knows what he lives on. A study done by the African Public Policy Institute in 2014, led by this writer, showed that some 90% of respondents boldly stated that no one lives on his or her pay in Ghana. This is an ostrich approach which will never solve any problem, Prof. Oquaye added. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video El Milagro committed flagrant violations of state labor law for allegedly denying employees proper meal breaks and has been referred to the Illinois attorney generals office, according to the Illinois Department of Labor. In a notice of noncompliance dated March 23, the agency found the Chicago tortilla maker had violated the Illinois One Day Rest in Seven Act because employees regularly worked over 7.5 hours without required meal breaks. The Department of Labor found 112 meal break violations between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2021, and was fined $11,200 in total for those violations, according to the document. Advertisement [ Para leer en espanol, haga clic aqui ] The findings, which were released to the Tribune through a Freedom of Information Act request, come after workers at El Milagro filed a complaint with the Department of Labor in late October 2021. Advertisement Because El Milagro has not paid these penalties or demonstrated that it has come in to compliance, this matter has been referred to the office of the Illinois attorney general for enforcement, department spokesperson Paul Cicchini said in an email to the Tribune Wednesday. El Milagro production workers and supporters rally outside an El Milagro store in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood during a temporary walk-out to protest working conditions on Sept. 24, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Drew Hill, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office, said Wednesday the office had received the referral and would review it. We do not have any further updates at this time, Hill said. In a statement, El Milagro spokesperson Alejandra Moran said the company had not yet received communication from the attorney generals office. She said should an action be filed based on prior discussions with the Illinois Department of Labor, the company disputes the allegations and intends to vigorously defend the matter in court. The company is confident its ongoing commitment and dedication to employees, including fair wages, regular meal and rest breaks, and days off, will prevail, Moran said. El Milagro welcomes an unbiased review of the evidence, including facts that should have been considered as part of a fair and reasonable investigation. When asked what facts she was referring to and whether the company had paid the fine, Moran said the company could not comment further on open legal matters. Advertisement In a statement, Arise Chicago, the nonprofit workers rights group organizing with the El Milagro workers, said the departments findings were sadly, not surprising based on what workers have reported to Arise Chicago. This is just more evidence that El Milagro has systematically violated its workers rights. And it amplifies how courageous the workers have been to stand up to exploitation, Arise said. We applaud IDOL for its investigation and look to the Illinois attorney general to fully enforce IDOLs ruling. Last September, employees at El Milagro staged a brief walkout, alleging low pay and unjust working conditions. After the walkout, workers were locked out of the facility, a practice Arise Chicago alleged was illegal. Earlier this month, workers said they had secured a slate of wage and workplace improvements after months of organizing. Employees said they were no longer required to work seven days in a row and had seen improvements like anti-sexual harassment training for managers and air conditioning in lunch rooms. Workers also saw two rounds of raises last year, which brought starting wages up to about $16.50 per hour, with most other workers now earning between $17 and $20 per hour, according to Arise Chicago. El Milagro disputed the wage increases were the result of worker activism. Workers said earlier this month that despite improvements, other changes were still necessary. They pointed to increases in the speed of work machines, which they described in a letter to company management as creating hazardous and untenable working conditions. Advertisement They also alleged the company had not followed through on a verbal commitment to provide Sundays off and that third-shift workers at the companys 31st Street location were regularly sent home early in possible violation of Chicagos Fair Workweek Ordinance. Shelly Ruzicka, communications and development director for Arise Chicago, said Wednesday workers were no longer reporting lost hours at the companys 31st Street location. However, she said, they believed machine speeds were still dangerously high, and are still calling on the company to close on Sundays and to sit down with them to discuss their concerns. El Milagro will not comment further on open legal matters, the company said in a statement. As it has for 70 years as a family-owned, local business, El Milagro continues to respect the rights of every employee, provides fair wages and attractive benefits, and operates with integrity. Workers at El Milagro have also filed complaints with Chicagos Office of Labor Standards and with the National Labor Relations Board. Representatives from each agency said investigations into those complaints were ongoing. Chicago Tribunes Laura Rodriguez Presa contributed. tasoglin@chicagotribune.com A former UN senior governance advisor, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, has described the neutrality allowance demanded by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghanas (CLOGSAG) as ridiculous. According to him, there are codes and ethics for every job therefore an association cannot make demands of something that has been stated in the institution's code of ethics. This is the most ridiculous proposal Ive ever heard. The so-called neutrality allowance that theyre claiming thats why earlier I made reference to the fact that the deputy minister of finance has retracted, saying that this is not the title they gave. But if it were to be that the civil servants are asking for allowance just because they are made to be neutral in politics, itll be the most ridiculous demand I ever heard. You take a job and every job has its code of conduct or what you may call code of ethics, and if you sign and go in, you dont turn around and demand something that the code of ethics has clearly laid out, Asaaseradio.com reported. Meanwhile, the Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. John Kumah, has refuted suggestions that the Neutrality Allowance being demanded by CLOGSAG is compensation for them not engaging in political activities. According to him, Neutrality Allowance is a term a committee set up by the government came up with to address the demands of the association in 2019. He said that the public should not focus on the name of the allowance but on its purpose which is to address the salary disparity CLOGSAG members faced compared to other workers. the name Neutrality Allowance is not something that CLOGSAG demanded, it was a term. To be fair to CLOGSAG this negotiation started in 2019, it ended in the early part of 2021. I think the agreement was signed in early part of January with effective date of February, so this is about two years of engagement led by the Senior Presidential Advisor, Fair Wages Commission and the sector minister (Ministry of Employment) as well as the Ministry of Finance. CLOGSAG did not come on the negotiation table with Neutrality Allowance, they come with all kinds of allowances and demands which they justified if the government accepted those demands that could triple what they are getting at the moment. So, the government and the negotiation team said something had to be done for CLOGSAG because CLOGSAG was the lowest-paid group on the single spine salary structure, he said. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr Stella Agyemang Duah, a Research Scientist at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and her team has partnered with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to mark this year's Food Wastage Day. This is the first time Ghana is holding such an event. Since 2017, USA through Compass Group Holdings, one of its global food service leaders found it necessary to mark this day to accelerate the awareness campaign against food wastage. Through these advocacy, USA has saved about 40% of food that go waste. Speaking on the theme "Educating and igniting change in the Ghanaian for National Development", she explained that "We've adopted it and will continue to remind every Ghanaian to be intentional about reducing food waste. It is attitudinal, everyone must be encouraged to be positively involved in cutting down waste. She added that they are checking wastage at the farmers level as well. The target of sustainable development goal 12 count postharvest losses and we are ready to secure losses along the production and supply chains as well. We will channel them into compost to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers. These inorganic fertilizers have prolonged health issues on consumer. Even farmers are at risk spraying these fertilizers. At the policy level, we will encourage the Government to consider SDG 12 targets and indicators, implement and monitor them. At any point, we are available to assist the ministries or government to achieve this goal by 2030. Aside attitudinal, solving food waste is political. Everyone must be involved. She further stated that unavoidable waste can be channeled into organic fertilizers or compost. She also appealed to waste management companies to come on board to design robust bin segregation materials which can ease the effect of carbon emissions on our landfill sites and promote a clean Ghana. The day was also commemorated with stakeholders engagement at KMA conference room where recommendations and suggestions were made to foodservices and vendors, university students from various institutions in Ashanti region, waste management team at the Assembly and the general public on food waste. They proceeded to the Bantama and Racecourse markets to sensitize and educate the market women on how to reduce food waste at their level. The stop food wastage day is the first time of it kind in Ghana and was very successful. Dr. Stella Agyemang Duah who is a Research Scientist at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission encouraged all stakeholders at these levels to be conscious on reducing food waste. The team had earlier engaged the media in Greater Accra region on findings on the situation of food waste in Ghana. The next phase of the project is expected to be in the Eastern Region. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Professors and Lecturers in civil and mechanical engineering, have been urged to continuously build their professional competence so as to be able to cope with the advancement of technology in the field. The acquisition of practical knowledge would help them to provide the needed hands-on training to their students. Professor Zhao Kunming, a resource person in Mechanical Engineering, from the China Education Association for International Exchange, who made the call, said the increasing technological advancement in the fields of civil and mechanical engineering, calls for intensified practical training for practitioners and teachers to equip students well for the world of work. He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a two-day training workshop organized for lecturers at the Departments of Civil and Mechanical Engineering of the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU). The on-site training aims at improving the professional and technical capabilities of teachers through practical training and strengthened communication. Participants were taken through the performance of hydraulic systems, programming the computer numerical control for lathe and milling machine among others. It was jointly organized by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA), as well as the China Aviation Technology International Holdings Co., Ltd (AVIC International). The training was one of the sub-projects under the "Future of Africa, China - Africa TVET Cooperation Program". The training program targeted leaders of participating African technical universities and institutes, their curriculum directors and top instructors of related majors. Its contents included theoretical knowledge, cutting-edge professional technology, educational concepts and teaching methods, as well as curriculum design and evaluation. This on-site training also aims to improve the professional and technical capabilities of management staff and teachers in African TVET institutes through practical training, strengthen communication between Chinese and African teachers, and help cultivate African technical and skilled talents. Mr. Joseph Kwame Lewballah, a lecturer at the Mechanical Engineering Department, KsTU, told the GNA that, the in-depth training received would sharpen members practical skills, to be able to take students through more hands-on teaching in the field. Most universities in Ghana are teaching theories in mechanical engineering and leaving the practical sides, but looking at the new modules in autotronics, mechanical, welding, and civil laboratories, it required exposing students to the practical aspects, he stated. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Beatings and public humiliation of suspected LGBTQ+ persons are commonplace in Ghana, the U.S. Department of States 2021 Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released on 12 April 2022 has said. On acts of violence, criminalisation, and other abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the document noted: Beatings and public humiliation of LGBTQI+ persons by community members were common and growing in number. The attacks were sometimes shared on social media in an effort to further humiliate and ostracise LGBTQI+ persons, it added. There were some reports of police violence against LGBTQI+ persons, adding: LGBTQI+ persons faced police harassment and extortion attempts. It said there were reports that police officers were reluctant to investigate claims of assault or violence against LGBTQI+ persons. Stigma, intimidation, and the perceived negative attitude of some police toward LGBTQI+ persons were factors in preventing survivors from reporting incidents of abuse, the report observed. It indicated: LGBTQI+ activists also reported widespread attempts to blackmail LGBTQI+ individuals, with prosecution difficult due to police inaction. Also, the report said: LGBTQI+ persons in prison were vulnerable to sexual and other physical abuse, which authorities generally did not investigate. The US Department of State said there was a notable increase in anti-LGBTQI+ statements by political, religious, and community leaders, and media coverage of these statements. Ghanas law criminalises the act of unnatural carnal knowledge, which is defined as sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner or with an animal. The offence covers only persons engaged in same-sex male relationships and those in heterosexual relationships. The report, however, noted: There were no reports of adults prosecuted or convicted for consensual same-sex sexual conduct. The law, it noted, does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBTQI+ persons faced widespread discrimination in education and employment. It said activists working to promote the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons noted great difficulty in engaging officials on LGBTQI+ problems because of social and political sensitivity. Furthermore, it said media coverage regarding homosexuality and related topics was almost always negative. On 2 February 2021, a local NGO, LGBT+ Rights Ghana, inaugurated its new office space in the Ashongman area of Accra. After anti-LGBTQI+ activists complained of their activities in the local media, the police, on February 15, raided the centre and closed it. Also, on March 27, the police arrested 22 persons in Kwahu-Obomeng, Eastern Region, for participating in an alleged lesbian wedding. The police arrived at a popular community location in response to reports that two women planned to be married. The police justified the arrests on the grounds that the venues owner complained that the participants were violating COVID-19 protocols, the report recalled. However, the authorities released them due to a lack of evidence. On May 20, the police arrested 21 LGBTQI+ activists attending a conference in the city of Ho, Volta Region. On its official Twitter account, the police acknowledged making the arrests because the suspects were believed to be pro-LGBTQI+. The authorities charged the Ho 21 with unlawful assembly, conspiracy to commit a crime, and acts of unnatural carnal knowledge. After multiple requests, on June 11, the authorities released them on bail. On August 5, a court dropped all charges, for lack of evidence, and ordered the return of the defendants confiscated property, including laptops and smartphones. The LGBTQI+ activists reported harassment and humiliation by police during their detention, the report indicated. They also reported their inability to return to their previous lives, since they were suspended from work and banned from their communities after their identities were broadcast by police, it added. Source: class fm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, former Director General, Ghana Health Service, says the country can be developed through national cohesion and leadership and not only on politics. There is no opportunity in the country to build national leadership for the youth because everything revolves around politics, but the county cannot only be developed by the politicians but also through national cohesion and leadership. Prof Akosa, speaking at the inauguration of the Board of Mobilizing Old Students for Educational Support (MOSES) Foundation in Accra, said building a national cohesion based on old students solidarity for sustainable educational support would ensure global excellence in Ghanaian leadership. The Foundation, he stressed, was also to inspire global leadership excellence in schools in the country. Professor Akosa, who is also the Board member of MOSES Foundation, said harnessing the energy and potential of old students associations would help advance the countrys educational sector. The initiatives of the old students association, the Professor said, helped in building national cohesion because they contributed towards the development of their Alma Mater. He said the establishment of math and science quiz had ignited healthy competition among the second cycle institutions, stressing that, we need to use that energy for national cohesion and support the education sector. The Professor announced that the Foundation in pursuit of its objectives, had instituted the national and regional competitive Best Old Students-School (BOSS) awards in November 2022, the MOSES Generational Leadership legends awards and old students Funding for educational support. He stated that the objective of the award was to recognise and reward not only old student contribution to schools, but schools and old student associations that demonstrated sterling leadership in attracting and mobilizing their respective old students for educational support. All awardees, he said, would be ambassadors of national cohesion, mobilizing for educational development and promoting global excellence in the Ghanaian leadership space. That, he explained, would enable Ghanaians across the globe to be united to support educational development and to shape the next generation of Ghanaian leadership. He urged the public to support the initiative and contribute to nation development. Mr Nyaaba-Aweeba Azongo, the President, MOSES Foundation, said the old students institution, the signpost of national identity and solidarity, had been a major development partner and pillar of support for schools over the years. He said the absence of a common podium to mobilize, recognize and reward old students' individual and collective support in a competitive manner had been a missing link in bridging infrastructure deficits and other needs. Mr Azongo, also a board member of the Foundation, stated that the Foundation had been established to provide the critical missing link to champion old students' support for schools, and offer a national platform to recognise their selfless interest. The rest of the board members are Dr Kodjo Esseim Mensah-Abrampa, Director General of National Development Planning Commission, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Mr Ismael Agyekumhene, Executive Director of Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Social Workers and NGOs Ghana in collaboration with law enforcement officer in 2021 rescued 842 victims of human trafficking in the country. The comprehensive Trauma Informed Care Unit of the Gender Ministry reintegrated 812 out of the 842 victims rescued. On the 1st February 2019, the adult shelter was operationalised and 178 adult female victims of trafficking were cared for. The shelter is still receiving and caring for victims while the children shelter fully operationalised in August, 2020 has also cared for 98 child victims. These were disclosed by the deputy minister for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hajia Lariba Abudu at the opening of the Human Trafficking Secretariat and Trauma Informed Care Center at the Human Trafficking Secretariat in Accra, today, Thursday, 28 April 2022. In her keynote address, Hajia Abudu noted that in all 108 cases were reported and investigated; 42 cases being sex trafficking, 60 for labour trafficking and six being other related cases that started as human trafficking offenses. Thirty-four cases were sent to court for prosecution, out of those 22 cases were prosecuted involving 37 defendants and we have gained 17 convictions for the country, she added. The Human Trafficking Secretariat and Trauma Informed Care Center was constructed in collaboration with Expertise France with funding from the European Union. The Centre is to enable victims of Human Trafficking report cases for prompt action or response. This initiative forms part of the Social Protection drive of the Ministry, to ensure effective and efficient protection of the Ghanaian citizens. Below is Hajia Abudus full address: KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION, HON. HAJIA LARIBA ABUDU DURING THE COMMISSIONING OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING SECRETARIAT AND TRAUMA INFORMED CARE CENTER ON 28TH APRIL, 2022 AT 10:00AM AT THE HT SECRETARIAT, OSU. The Head of the European Union Delegation, His Excellency Irchad R. Razaaly The French Ambassador, Her Excellency, Anne Sophie Ave The Director, Jeremie Pellet, Expertise France from the France Office Radhia Oudjani, Director of Governance, Justice and Human Rights Department at Expertise France Office, France Matiada Ngalikpima, the Project Coordinator, Expertise France Headquarters in France The Regional Director for the Expertise France Project in Abidjan, Allessandro Rabiossi and The team from Abidjan The representatives from the Australian High Commission and the US Embassy The various Country Representative from the UNFPA, USAID and UNICEF The Chief of Mission for, IOM Representatives from our Ministries and Departments Members of the Human Trafficking Management Board The Country Director, ICMPD Our Dear partners from NGOs and CSOs Friends from the media Ladies and Gentlemen I bring you warm greetings from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana. I must say I am highly delighted to join you here for the official Commissioning of the Human Trafficking Secretariat and the Trauma Informed Care Center. Let me express my profound gratitude to the European Union, the French Embassy and Expertise France for funding the project and collaborating with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana. As many of the speakers have already reiterated, the project has four components and seeks to support 6 countries within the Gulf of Guinea. I remember a discussion with my Board members as to whether we are launching this edifice or commissioning it. We chose Commissioning for all it stands for since this building has come at the right time when victim care is central to combating human trafficking. Distinguished Guest, issues of human trafficking continuous to be a human right violation and a canker in our society that must be eliminated. Ghana is a receiving, transit and a destination country for victims of human trafficking. Likewise, the Gulf of Guinea is characterized by a pattern of cross-border and irregular migration, human trafficking, child exploitation and many more. Trafficking is multifaceted and covers several situations from debt bondage, exploitation, organized crimes and many more. Ghana has responded to the issues of human trafficking in diverse ways and I will take the opportunity to briefly summarize some strides made in the last year. The Human Trafficking Act, 2005 Act 694 was enacted towards prevention, reduction and punishment of human trafficking offenses, for the rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficked persons and its related matters. The Ministry together with our partners embarked on many community advocacy and engagements to educate the public on the dangers associated with human trafficking. In collaboration with our law enforcement officers, Social Workers and NGOs Ghana in 2021 rescued 842 victims, gave comprehensive trauma informed care and has reintegrated 812 of them. On the 1st of February 2019, the adult shelter was operationalized and 178 adult female victims of trafficking has been cared for, and we are still receiving and caring for victims at the shelter even as at this moment. The Children Shelter also was fully operationalized in August, 2020 and has cared for 98 child victims. In all 108 cases were reported and investigated; 42 cases being sex trafficking, 60 for labour trafficking and 6 being other related cases that started as human trafficking offenses. Thirty four (34) cases were sent to court for prosecution, out of those 22 cases were prosecuted involving 37 defendants and we have gained 17 convictions for the country. Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guest, issues of Gender Based Violence and Human Trafficking are intertwined and is by no accident the two support centers are at the same place. Let me extent our appreciation to the UNFPA for the Orange Support Center and the Boame App. It is pleasing to know that, as at February, through the center two (2) victims of trafficking were rescued all the way from Bolga after they called the center for help. The Trauma Informed Care Center is also to ensure cases are handled in a timely manner and victims get a comprehensive care as much as possible. Our distinguished team from Expertise France, the staff numbers at the Human Trafficking Secretariat has risen from 2 in 2018 to 26 as at 2022. This is part of the reason we made the request to Expertise France towards refurbishing the HT Secretariat to enable the staff work under better conditions to deliver. Apart from this support, a number of activities have been implemented so far under the project where over 300 law enforcement officers have seen their capacities built to identify and prosecute offences of human trafficking. We are also refurbishing a victim transit shelter at Aflao to support rescues and interceptions at the border. Again, the Children Shelter will see more upliftment with play grounds and isolation centers to improve the wellbeing of victims. We have also had exchange programs with our Ivorian Counter part with the other 5 countries joining for a regional conference to discuss the project. Despite the COVID pandemic, the Ministry through the Human Trafficking Secretariat, the Board and key stakeholders has worked assiduously to counter human trafficking. However, as you can see even though a lot has been done in the area of human trafficking it is still not enough. We believe this partnership will go a long way to reduce the incidence, strengthen government institutions and increase public knowledge on the issues. Before I conclude for us to sign the MOU and further commission the building, let me express our appreciation to the EU, the French Government and Expertise France for the support. We are grateful and hope the rest of the activities will be done faster as we approach the end of the project. Thank 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. Featured Video The Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana have indicated they will meet with the president, Nana Akufo-Addo, in May over the controversial Electronic Transfer levy (E-Levy). According to the President of the Association, Dela Dunstan Abotsi, the meeting with the president will address some of their concerns with regards to E-Levy, which is set to take off on May 1. The president has given us an invitation to come for a meeting next month, hence our hands are tied on making any move until we meet with him. We wouldnt want to do anything that we will be sorry for later. Imagine taking a decision and after meeting with the president, everything goes well. Citineswroom.com quoted Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has assented to the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) bill to officially make it a law on Thursday, March 31, 2022. Beginning May 1, 2022, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will start collecting the levy. Following the latest development, the implementation of the levy will take off on May 1, 2022, as disclosed by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta. Source: ghannaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court dismissed a case filed by private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai asking the court to review its March 9 judgement. On March 9, 2022, in a unanimous decision, a seven-member panel of the Apex Court held that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament presiding over proceedings in the House has the right to vote on matters for determination, and also be counted as part of the quorum for decision-making. Lawyer Abdulai after this ruling subsequently filed a review application insisting the ruling contained errors of laws which have occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice on the people of Ghana. However, in a unanimous ruling, the nine-panel Court presided over by Justice Jones Dotse ruled that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament's participation in voting was constitutional. The application is accordingly dismissed, Justice Dotse said. Ace Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr was left bemused after it was announced during Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo'. In a voice tinged with incredulity, he questioned "unanimous again????" Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nana Akomea's proposal for a ticket involving Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into election 2024 has been a topic for discussion within the ruling party recently. Many including a former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani are not in support of his proposal they want a contest [presidential primary] to happen. Nonetheless, others also believe letting Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen lead the party will save the party its primary stress and rather focus on Breaking the 8. But the big question as to who becomes the presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate betweewn the supposed leading contenders remain unanswered. Nana Akomea who is championing the Alan-Bawumia ticket is even unsure of who should lead the NPP in the 2024 presidential election. When asked in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie' to pick his preferred presidential candidate among the two he was taciturn on deciding. "For me because they are the leading contenders and as well satisfy the North and South sector, they should both be on the ballot. As to who should be the flagbearer and vice, I cant tell, he said. Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen are the two supposed frontrunners to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The United States Department of State has released a report on Ghana aimed at revealing human rights violations in the country and, in attempt, establish some facts about the nation. The lengthy report titled "2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ghana" painted a negative picture of Ghana's judiciary as it alleged the Judicial officials tend to be corrupt. US Department Of State Report The report read; "While the constitution and law provide for an independent judiciary, the judiciary was subject to unlawful influence and corruption. Judicial officials reportedly accepted bribes to expedite or postpone cases, lose records, or issue favorable rulings for the payer of the bribe. A judicial complaints unit within the Ministry of Justice headed by a retired Supreme Court justice addressed complaints from the public, such as unfair treatment by a court or judge, unlawful arrest or detention, missing trial dockets, delayed trials and rendering of judgments, and bribery of judges. The government generally respected court orders." It also touched on other areas of Ghana's economy, one of such is respect for integrity of persons. The US report stated that "there were a few reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. Offices charged with investigating security force killings include the Special Investigations Branch of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police Professional Standards Bureau. On June 26, unidentified perpetrators beat #FixTheCountry movement supporter and social activist Ibrahim Kaaka Muhammed in Ejura, Ashanti Region. On June 28, he died in the hospital from his injuries. "Muhammed, who was also a member of the Economic Fighters League (EFL), was a vocal anticorruption activist, and #FixThe Country had protested against restrictions on freedom of assembly (see section 2.b., Freedom of Assembly). EFL reported that Muhammed had received threats due to his activism, and police had warned him prior to his beating and death against disturbing the peace. An investigation into Muhammeds death continued. On June 29, during protests in the wake of his death, security forces shot and killed two persons (see section 2.b., Freedom of Assembly)". Political Twist The report has taken a political twist as some political opponents of the incumbent government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo argue the contents are reflective of the government's actions and how the President is steering the country's affairs. A publication by The Herald newspaper on Wednesday, April 27, captioned "US Human Rights Report Indicts Akufo-Addo's Ghana" said "for a country in the hands of a human rights lawyer, Nana Akufo-Addo, many had expectd an impressive "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" from the United States Department of State but that is not the case with the 2021 report. The Americans, have poorly rated Ghana's human rights constitutional democracy, there are "significant human rights issues" including "credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings by the government or its agents; cases of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by the government or on behalf of the government". Template But seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has exposed the template of the US report, while also cautioning against politicizing issues raised. Making shocking revelations about the report during Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Wednesday morning, Kweku Baako noted that the US Department of State has been duplicating the report almost every year, therefore no matter how the economy is going, they reproduce the same results for Ghana. According to him, the Americans have made a template of their report and this template keeps featuring in all other reports conducted about Ghana. Mr. Baako pulled records from archives, juxtaposed the 2021 report with previous ones, to expose the United States. He somehow stated the US have been doing ''copy and paste'' as he read a portion of the 2021 report under the section "Denial of Fair Public Trial'' which says "while the constitution and law provide for an independent judiciary, the judiciary was subject to unlawful influence and corruption. Judicial officials reportedly accepted bribes to expedite or postpone cases, lose records, or issue favorable rulings for the payer of the bribe" and pointed out this sentence has been running through the US reports from 2012 till 2021. He revealed, in 2012, the US Department wrote; "While the constitution and law provide for an independent judiciary, the judiciary was inefficient and subject to influence and corruption." In 2014, they wrote again "while the constitution and law provide for an independent judiciary, the judiciary was subject to influence and corruption. Judicial officials reportedly accepted bribes to expedite or postpone cases or to lose records" and in 2015, also said "while the constitution and law provide for independent judiciary, it was subject to unlawful influence and corruption. Judicial officials reportedly accepted bribes to expedite or postpone cases or to lose records". The report produced the same thing in 2016, Kweku Baako further disclosed with evidence from the 2016 report which also read that "while the constitution and law provide for independent judiciary, it was subject to unlawful influence and corruption. Judicial officials reportedly accepted bribes to expedite or postpone cases or to lose records". Under another section of the 2021 report subtitled "Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful Or Politically Motivated Killings" which stated that "there were a few reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. Offices charged with investigating security force killings include the Special Investigations Branch of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police Professional Standards Bureau", Mr. Baako also highlighted similar wording in the US Department of State's 2016 report which said "there were a few reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. For example, in May, Police in Kumasi allegedly beat a suspect to death". "You see, in all, government is mentioned and they will say government or its agents. Now, when you read the report into details, the specifics they give are either Police, Military or other security services killing civilians but of course, they still use the word 'government'. My understanding is that government agents", he expatiated. This, therefore, proves that portions of the report are photocopied and reproduced each year on Ghana's economy. This notwithstanding, Mr. Baako cautioned that the report shouldn't be rubbished as, to him, "it's wake-up call that we should do something about our systems, about our institutions''. "So, to be honest, I will not attack the Americans because of this report. This report has been here for a long time. Some of us have used it as basis for political agitation, mobilization and conscientization. It will be unfair to ourselves if we turn around and say because this report is unfavorable to Ghana today, it's bogus. It's a negative attitude...", he emphasized. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has suspended an Evergreen Park pharmacys ability to dispense certain controlled substance medications, after it allegedly gave patients dangerous amounts and combinations of drugs. The DEA issued an order to Evergreen Park Pharmacy on Wednesday immediately suspending the pharmacys ability to give patients certain medications including oxycodone, morphine, codeine and Valium. Certain drugs are labeled as controlled substance medications because of their potential for abuse and risk. Advertisement The order came after a DEA investigation revealed alleged regulatory violations and an Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program review showed that excessive opioids and dangerous drug combinations were allegedly given to three patients. A pharmacy expert who reviewed records found that the quantities and combinations of drugs dispensed to the three patients allegedly were not for legitimate medical purposes, and could have led to respiratory failure and death, the DEA Chicago division said in a news release. Hani Abdallah, a pharmacist and the pharmacys owner, said Thursday when contacted by the Tribune that the pharmacy did nothing wrong and plans to fight the suspension. The pharmacy is still dispensing other types of medications not covered by the suspension. Advertisement Abdallah said he knows the three patients well, and they were all using the medications for legitimate purposes. He said they started on high amounts of the medications, but he was able to lower them. I think I did a good job at bringing them down, and for the DEA to come in and do that, its just not right, Abdallah said. When suspensions are issued, pharmacies have the right to administrative hearings before an administrative law judge renders a final decision about whether to revoke a pharmacys registration to legally dispense controlled substance medications. State-licensed pharmacies must be registered with the DEA to legally dispense controlled substance medications. In recent years, doctors and pharmacies have come under scrutiny for how they prescribe and dispense certain medications, such as opioids, which can be addictive and lead to death when people overdose on them. The state and nation have been dealing with an epidemic of opioid addiction, exacerbated by the pandemic. In 2020, the number of opioid deaths in Illinois rose 33% compared with 2019, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office. In March, Pritzker announced a statewide Overdose Action Plan to help address the issue in some of the states hardest-hit areas. Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, former Speaker of Parliament, has called for reforms in the appointment and removal of judges in the 1992 Constitution to strengthen the countrys judicial system. Prof Oquaye recommended the appointment of two retired Supreme Court Judges nominated by the Roll of Retired Supreme Court Judges, two Senior Lawyers nominated by the Ghana Bar Association, three other persons nominated from the Christian Council, the Catholic Secretariat and the Muslim Council. These appointments, he explained, would do a better neutral job than the current structure in the 1992 Constitution. The former Speaker of Parliament was speaking at the launch of Professor Michael Oquaye Centre for Constitutional Studies in Accra organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs, Ghana. The Centre, established within the Institute will help address the deficit in the countrys Constitution. The Centre will assist to bring constitutionalism in all the country does, translate the Constitution to the simplest terms and local languages with illustrations. It will be taught in schools, churches, mosques and civil society generally, to live by the tenets of the Constitution. Regarding the removal of Judges, Prof Oquaye said the case of Justice Amua Sekyi gave the country the lesson that where the Executive was bent on removing a Judge, it was easier to do so than meets the eye. If under Article 146 of the Constitution, the President receives a petition for the removal of a Judge, the President should refer the matter to the Chief Justice (CJ). If the CJ is of the view that there is a Prima Facie case, the CJ sets up a committee to investigate the complaint. Three Supreme Court Judges, two other persons (not Lawyers nor from Council of State or parliament), should make a recommendation to the Chief Justice for the suspension of the judge and forwarded to the President for action, "he said. On decentralization, the former Speaker of Parliament recommended that one-third of appointments by the President should be left to women, and that political parties should operate at the local level. He said all Chief Executives of Districts, Municipality and Metropolis should be elected to wean them off executive control and that District Assemblies elections should be two years away from national elections. On appointment of Council of State members, he suggested the need to introduce institutional and representation and not allow the President to choose his advisors, because the 1992 Constitution gave the President too much power in the appointment of the members. We need to adopt the Recommendation of the Committee of Experts which provided that the Council of State shall aid and counsel the President, the Council of Ministers, Parliament and other organs of State in the performance of their functions under the Constitution or under any other law (Section 3(i)), he said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will, from today 28th April, 2022 to 2nd May 2022, hold its annual delegates conference to elect executives in its 250 constituency branches. Each constituency is expected to choose a suitable date within the given period to conduct the conference and hold the elections under the supervision of the Electoral Commission of Ghana per the partys rules and regulations. About 25 constituencies cannot partake in the elections, following petitions and court cases levelled against the party by some aggrieved members including Manhyia North and Kumawu Constituencies. Speaking on the Neat FM, the partys Director of Elections, Evans Nimako stated; The conferences at Kumawu and Manhyia constituencies in the Ashanti Region are on hold due to petitions and court cases brought by some aggrieved members of the party. Manhyia North, for instance after court settlement, they will also have the opportunity to cast their vote in the constituency. He urged members of the party to abide by the rules and regulations governing the elections for successful conference. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Convention People's Party (CPP) has called on the leadership, rank and file of the party to imbibe the tenets of democracy, rule of law, freedom and justice that have been the ideals and principles of the founding father of the party, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The party said the ideals and principles of the founding father to liberate the ordinary Ghanaian from the shackles of poverty, hunger and deprivation were still relevant in the current political dispensation of the country and must not be let down. At a ceremony held in Accra on April 27, 2022, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was also Ghanas First President and Prime Minister, the General Secretary of the CPP, Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, described Dr Nkrumah as a great Pan-Africanist whose ideals still stood tall and relevant in the present times. A leading member of the party, Bright Akwetey laid a wreath on the tomb of Dr Nkrumah to mark the anniversary. Glowing tributes Paying glowing tribute to Dr Nkrumah, she said he used his experience, knowledge and expertise gained from abroad to improve and further the lot of the people of Ghana and Africans as a whole. She said his ideals of promoting Pan-Africanism and his vision of developing and liberating the people of the African race from the claws of colonialism and imperialism were par excellence. "Let us all at the CPP imbibe the tenets of democracy, rule of law, freedom and justice while resisting the rule of the oppressor," she said. "Today as we celebrate 50 years of Osagyefo Dr Nkrumahs death, we also remember his dark days in exile in Guinea, the cold and lonely nights on his hospital bed in Bucharest Romania, she added. Request Ms Jantuah also used the occasion to make a request for the return of all the partys assets from government as a move to deepen comradeship and promote reparation. Among the assets the party wanted returned were the Ministry of Information building, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) headquarters. She expressed the hope that the President would oblige to the request. Funeral The CPP general secretary disclosed that plans were in place for the party to give Dr Nkrumah a befitting funeral which would take place in November, this year. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Media, Brands and Culture Specialist, King Kwasi Kyei Darkwah has stated that if any Ghanaian leader cannot honour their own, they are fools. He made this statement on the GTVs Breakfast Show. Kwame Nkrumah was the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, having led the Gold Coast to independence from Britain in 1957. In remembering him 50 years since he died in 1952 at Romania after a short illness, King Kwasi Kyei Darkwah stated that Kwame Nkrumah was a shepherd who chose not to be a shepherd for a small country like Ghana but for black people all around the world which is why he made a conscious effort to create synergies with great thinkers of the time. He added that nobody has done everything legitimately correctly but having two bombs directed at you will lead you to protect yourself from harm. He indicated that Kwame Nkrumah is studied all around the world so much so that Europe formed a union based on the principles that he had envisioned for Africa. He concluded by reiterating that Kwame Nkrumah is the greatest that ever lived and it saddens me to see people in leadership in Ghana travel around the world and go and say somebody else in the world elsewhere was the greater that ever lived. Source: gbc Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels and resorts in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Surat Thani in collaboration with Phuket Hotels Association (PHA) and Living Waters Phuket (LWP), a registered charitable foundation, to support an emergency food relief program. The collaboration will kick off with a donation of 1,600 Life Bags for communities in Thailands southern provinces. Demand for short-term emergency food aid is at an all-time high due to the pandemic and thousands of people are required to live in community quarantine for extended periods of time. Living Waters Phuket has been helping local communities through The Life Bag Project for almost two years. When we learned about the amazing project that Living Waters Phuket has been running and how much our local communities need immediate attention, we wanted to offer our support right away, said Mr. Brad Edman, Multi-Property Vice President Phuket and General Manager at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa. Marriot hotels and resorts in Phuket have always supported the communities in which we operate, especially during the pandemic. Our collaboration with LWP will help to further support communities in need. All 16 Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Koh Samui worked with Living Waters Phuket to organize two Life Bag Project events: one in Koh Samui April 2-5, 2022 and one in Phuket April 19-20, 2022. 1,600 Life Bags have been distributed with the goal of helping over 6,400 people in desperate need. According to Living Waters Phuket, one Life Bag can feed a family of four people for up to four days. Serving our world is one of Marriotts core values and giving back to the communities where we operate is one of our main commitments. Business Council, General Managers, and NextGen team of associates work together closely to support local communities through various activities and initiatives. Phuket has been a major focus for us during the pandemic. We are very happy that were now able to extend our support to Phang Nga and Koh Samui in Surat Thani through our collaboration with Phuket Hotels Association and Living Waters Phuket. said Mr. Daryn Hudson, Co-Chairman Thailand Marriott Business Council and General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort. Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels and resorts taking part in this initiative include Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa Merlin Beach, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa Nai Yang Beach, The Naka Island Resort & Spa, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Le Meridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui, W Koh Samui, Vana Belle a Luxury Collection Resort Koh Samui, Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa, and Sheraton Samui Resort. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Bird species that live in wooded areas are under stress from human-caused changes to forest composition, according to new research led by Oregon State University that quantifies the effects of forest "degradation" on bird habitat. "Reducing forest loss has been the main focus of conservation policy to date, which is well justified because it has a strong negative effect on biodiversity," said Matt Betts of the OSU College of Forestry. "But the effects of changing the composition and age of forest via timber management have traditionally been very difficult to measure at large scales and thus have been largely ignored. Our work shows population declines in many bird species in eastern Canada are due to habitat loss caused by forestry activities." Findings by the international collaboration led by Betts were published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The scientists looked at the degree to which forest degradationthe reduction or loss of biological complexityin the form of clearcutting and then thinning or replanting single tree species affected bird habitat and long-term trends in bird populations. The study area was the Acadian Forest in Canada's maritime provinces. Breeding habitat loss occurred for 66% of the forest's 54 most common bird species from 1985 to 2020 and was strongly associated with the loss of older forests, the researchers found. Species experiencing the greatest decreases in habitat were the golden-crowned kinglet and Blackburnian warbler, with seven species in all showing habitat declines of greater than 25%. Habitat loss was strongly linked to long-term bird population declines, particularly for species living in old forest. The researchers estimate that between 33 and 104 million birds were lost due to forest degradation over the 35 years of the study. Nine bird species in the study area have declined at rates exceeding 30% over the past 10 years, which meets criteria for listing as threatened under Canadian endangered species legislation, the scientists found. "Due to increased global demand for wood, more and more of the Earth's surface is being used for timber extraction," said Betts, the lead scientist for the HJ Andrews Long-term Ecological Research Program. "This shows up on remote sensing as both forest loss and forest gain, but unfortunately the 'gain' is often vastly simplified, young forest. Our paper presents a new way to quantify these sorts of changes." Betts and collaborators from Cornell University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of New Brunswick, Google and multiple Canadian and U.S. agencies combined satellite imagery and breeding bird survey data along with species distribution modeling to examine forest and bird population trends. The Acadian Forest, known for its tree species diversity, has shown pervasive signs of degradation over the last three-plus decades, Betts said. Since 1985, more than 3 million hectares of the Acadian Forest have been clearcut, and much of that area is now dominated by single tree species or a mix of early successional species. "Old forest declined by 39% over the period we observed," Betts said. "Over the same period, forest cover actually increased by a net 6.5%. That pattern of extensive harvest of old forest, followed by rapid regeneration of young forest and then subsequent harvest before maturity is attained, seems to be common in many forest regions of North America and northern Europe." Managed forests, he said, tend to be dominated by one or two merchantable tree species, and they also tend to be younger than those that would occur under a natural disturbance regimefor example, with fires or windstorms. That carries potential implications for species associated with mature or old-growth forests. Quantifying the effects of forest degradation effects is particularly important in light of recent findings by the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services that indicate the planet is facing a biodiversity crisis, said Betts, who also points to research published in Science that shows bird populations have been showing severe declines across North America. "Clearly the research by Betts and collaborators identifies one of the critical smoking guns of avian declines," said Peter Marra, the director for Georgetown University's Institute for Environment and Sustainability and a co-author of the recent Science paper on bird declines. "We've assumed once a natural forest is cut down, as long as you plant more trees all the rest of the plants and animals will fill back in. The new research shows that's not the case." In the Acadian Forest, deforestationpermanent conversion to another land-cover typewas not a primary driver of habitat loss, Betts said, as it accounted for less than 2% of all habitat loss across the 54 bird species examined. "Overall, our findings indicate broad-scale declines in forest birds of the Acadian Forest, and for most species, abundance is strongly associated with habitat amount," he said. "We expect that similar consequences for biodiversity are in place for intensively managed forests in other parts of the world as well. If all you look at is forest cover, you'll miss the more subtle but critically important role of forest age and type in maintaining biodiversity." The collaboration included scientists from the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development; Canada's National Wildlife Research Centre; the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry; and Google Earth Engine. Explore further Potential impacts of emerald ash borer on wildlife in black ash wetlands More information: Matthew Betts, Forest degradation drives widespread avian habitat and population declines, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41559-022-01737-8 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution Matthew Betts, Forest degradation drives widespread avian habitat and population declines,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01737-8 Canada is amending its laws to allow for the prosecution of crimes on the Moon and orbiting lunar stations, by astronauts such as these pictured in a SpaceX capsule on a launchpad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in April 2021. Canadian lawmakers on Thursday passed an amendment to the nation's Criminal Code to allow for the prosecution of crimes committed on the moon. The change to the lawwhich MPs voted 181 to 144 in favorwas described in a 443-page budget implementation bill presented to Parliament this week. Ottawa has already extended its jurisdiction over criminal acts committed by Canadian astronauts during space travel to the International Space Station. They are treated the same as crimes committed in Canada. The update comes as the number of space flights are increasing, and ahead of the first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years set to launch in May 2024, with a Canadian astronaut expected to be on board the Artemis II lunar flyby. Under the subheading Lunar Gateway, the Criminal Code amendment reads: "A Canadian crew member who, during a space flight, commits an act or omission outside Canada that if committed in Canada would constitute an indictable offense is deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada." This would include crimes en route to or on the Lunar Gateway station currently in the works to orbit the moon, and also "on the surface of the moon," the document states. Foreign astronauts who "threaten the life or security of a Canadian crew member" on a Canadian-supported space mission could also be prosecuted, according to the ways and means motion. The Canadian Space Agency is participating in the NASA-led Lunar Gateway project, along with the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Starting as early as 2026, the outpost will act as a staging point for robotic and crewed exploration of the lunar surface, as well as travel to Mars. Explore further Canadian will join Moon mission for first time in 2023 2022 AFP Recent research has found that CEOs with significant power discourage LGBTQ+ initiatives in the workplace. Credit: Shutterstock Global acceptance of homosexuality has risen over the past two decades to 72 percent in 2019 from 51 percent in 2002. Despite this, a report from last year found that majority of American LGBTQ+ workers have faced job discrimination. This echoes an earlier report, published by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion in 2015, that found many Canadians were uncomfortable disclosing their sexual orientation at work. Just last month, The Canadian Press published an article that found 65 percent of LGBTQ+ employees in Quebec have faced discrimination in the past five years. There is a clear disconnect between the increased tolerance toward LGBTQ+ people in broader society compared to the experience of LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. As major stakeholders with significant power, corporations have the responsibility to bridge this equality gap and be leaders in making the workplace inclusive and welcoming for their LGBTQ+ employees. The LGBT Purge One of the longest, most devastating examples of workplace discrimination in Canada is known as the LGBT Purge. Between the 1950s and mid-1990s, the Canadian government embarked on a purge of LGBTQ+ workers from federal public service and the Canadian Armed Forces. An estimated 9,000 LGBTQ+ Canadians experienced abuse and violence at the whims of the government that investigated, interrogated and traumatized them. The LGBT Purge was driven by anticommunist sentiment during the Cold War. Socially stigmatized people, like members of the LGBTQ+ community, were seen as targets for blackmail by the Soviet Union for classified information. There is no record of any Canadian government employees or members of the Armed Forces turning over evidence to the Soviet Union out of fear their sexual orientation would be exposed. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for the "state-sponsored, systematic oppression and rejection" of the LGBT Purge. A settlement was reached the following year that included up to $110 million in compensation for survivors of the purge. The Purge resulted in psychological trauma, material hardship, financial ruin, self-harm and suicide among survivors. The legacy of the Purge, still felt to this day, reminds us that there is still much to be done in the fight for equality. Survivors of the LGBT Purge take part in the 2019 Pride Parade in Ottawa. Credit: Shutterstock CEO power and workplace equality My colleagues and I recently published a research paper investigating if and how chief executive officer's (CEO) power affects corporate LGBTQ+ equality. To measure corporate LGBTQ+ equality, we used the Corporate Equality Index rating system provided by the Human Rights Campaign. We decided to study CEO power because CEOs play a key role in investing in corporate LGBTQ+ equality initiatives. They normally set the strategic directions and initiate major decisions in their companies and can influence what initiatives receive funding. Studies have shown that CEOs improve sustainability because they have higher job security and can focus on long-term initiatives, such as sustainability. A similar argument could be made for LGBTQ+ employee equal rights initiatives. CEOs, who are in the most secure position in their companies, have the ability and flexibility to invest in corporate LGBTQ+ equality. How power comes into play Our research found that powerful CEOs discouraged corporate LGBTQ+ equality initiatives. This could be for a number of reasons, including CEOs catering to shareholders who don't think corporate LGBTQ+ equality initiatives should be invested in, either because it clashes with their beliefs, or they don't think it's a worthy investment. Additionally, we found that powerful CEOs were more likely to discourage corporate LGBTQ+ equality initiatives when corporations lacked external monitoring (lower level of institutional ownership), information transparency (higher tendency to manipulate their earnings) or were headquartered in a state that had a majority religious population. Surprisingly, CEOs did not suffer any consequences for suppressing LGBTQ+ employee equality initiatives. Instead, some enjoyed better stock market returns and higher long-term firm market values. But there are greater benefits for investing in LGBTQ+ initiatives. They aren't just the morally correct thing to do, but can also be good for companies in the long run by improving employee morale, productivity, firm performance and future firm valuation. It's time for change Our findings reinforce previous reports that we have a long way to go in achieving equal rights for LGBTQ+ people, especially in the workplace. It is clear that corporations will not alter their course unless they are forced to or their bottom line is at stake. It is time for regulators and policy-makers to enact affirmative action regulations to encourage corporations to create equitable and fair workplace environments for their LGBTQ+ employees. There are a variety of ways this could be accomplished. Activist-investors could motivate their corporations to invest in corporate LGBTQ+ equality initiatives, like they do for environmental causes. The Canadian Securities Administrators, an umbrella organization of Canada's provincial and territorial securities regulators, could propose regulations that would require boards of directors to have LGBTQ+ representation, which in turn may influence more LGBTQ+ friendly policies and initiatives by corporations more broadly. Explore further Google suspended from LGBTQ equality index after failing to remove controversial app More information: Jennifer Brodmann et al, Chief Executive Officer power and Corporate Sexual Orientation Equality, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance (2021). Jennifer Brodmann et al, Chief Executive Officer power and Corporate Sexual Orientation Equality,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jbef.2021.100543 This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. In 2070, human population centers in equatorial Africa, south China, India, and southeast Asia will overlap with projected hotspots of cross-species viral transmission in wildlife. Credit: Colin Carlson/Georgetown University As the earth's climate continues to warm, researchers predict wild animals will be forced to relocate their habitatslikely to regions with large human populationsdramatically increasing the risk of a viral jump to humans that could lead to the next pandemic. This link between climate change and viral transmission is described by an international research team led by scientists at Georgetown University and is published April 28 in Nature. In their study, the scientists conducted the first comprehensive assessment of how climate change will restructure the global mammalian virome. The work focuses on geographic range shiftsthe journeys that species will undertake as they follow their habitats into new areas. As they encounter other mammals for the first time, the study projects they will share thousands of viruses. They say these shifts bring greater opportunities for viruses like Ebola or coronaviruses to emerge in new areas, making them harder to track, and into new types of animals, making it easier for viruses to jump across a "stepping stone" species into humans. "The closest analogy is actually the risks we see in the wildlife trade," says the study's lead author Colin Carlson, Ph.D., an assistant research professor at the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Medical Center. "We worry about markets because bringing unhealthy animals together in unnatural combinations creates opportunities for this stepwise process of emergencelike how SARS jumped from bats to civets, then civets to people. But markets aren't special anymore; in a changing climate, that kind of process will be the reality in nature just about everywhere." Of concern is that animal habitats will move disproportionately in the same places as human settlements, creating new hotspots of spillover risk. Much of this process may already be underway in today's 1.2 degrees warmer world, and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may not stop these events from unfolding. An additional important finding is the impact rising temperatures will have on bats, which account for the majority of novel viral sharing. Their ability to fly will allow them to travel long distances, and share the most viruses. Because of their central role in viral emergence, the greatest impacts are projected in southeast Asia, a global hotspot of bat diversity. "At every step," said Carlson, "our simulations have taken us by surprise. We've spent years double-checking those results, with different data and different assumptions, but the models always lead us to these conclusions. It's a really stunning example of just how well we can, actually, predict the future if we try." As viruses start to jump between host species at unprecedented rates, the authors say that the impacts on conservation and human health could be stunning. "This mechanism adds yet another layer to how climate change will threaten human and animal health," says the study's co-lead author Gregory Albery, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biology in the Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences. "It's unclear exactly how these new viruses might affect the species involved, but it's likely that many of them will translate to new conservation risks and fuel the emergence of novel outbreaks in humans." Altogether, the study suggests that climate change will become the biggest upstream risk factor for disease emergenceexceeding higher-profile issues like deforestation, wildlife trade, and industrial agriculture. The authors say the solution is to pair wildlife disease surveillance with real-time studies of environmental change. "When a Brazilian free-tailed bat makes it all the way to Appalachia, we should be invested in knowing what viruses are tagging along," says Carlson. "Trying to spot these host jumps in real-time is the only way we'll be able to prevent this process from leading to more spillovers and more pandemics." "We're closer to predicting and preventing the next pandemic than ever," says Carlson. "This is a big step towards predictionnow we have to start working on the harder half of the problem." "The COVID-19 pandemic, and the previous spread of SARS, Ebola, and Zika, show how a virus jumping from animals to humans can have massive effects. To predict their jump to humans, we need to know about their spread among other animals," said Sam Scheiner, a program director with the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), which funded the research. "This research shows how animal movements and interactions due to a warming climate might increase the number of viruses jumping between species." Explore further Researchers find humans have given wild animals their diseases nearly 100 times More information: Colin Carlson, Climate change increases cross-species viral transmission risk, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04788-w Journal information: Nature Colin Carlson, Climate change increases cross-species viral transmission risk,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04788-w Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain There has been serious discussion about COVID-19 misinfomation. That misinformation has most likely cost many people their lives, driven by messages from those with a hidden agenda to drive everyday people away from science-based medical advice. The question remains as to what is the best way to counter the stream of misinfomation and fake news. Might the mainstream, mass media be able to correct false perceptions about the pandemic and our response to it? Alternatively, is it that many people would respond and engage more fully with corrective information if that reaches them through social media? Writing in the International Journal of Web Based Communities, a team from Japan has investigated what impact mass media and social media can have on public perception regarding COVID-19 misinfomation. Their model suggests that the way in which people respond to corrective information depends on their level of literacy and the sources that they trust the most. Tsukasa Tanihara and Hidetaka Oshima of Keio University in Tokyo and Shinichi Yamaguchi and Tomoaki Watanabe of the International University of Japan, also in Tokyo, found that people with an interest and understanding of COVID-19 who saw misinfomation about the disease were more likely to respond to corrective information from the mass media. By contrast, those people with a lower level of literacy regarding the pandemic would more commonly be persuaded to shift their stance if the corrective information came from their social media networks instead. This latter finding, the team says, suggests that those who rely entirely on social media for corrective information may well not have the capacity to distinguish between the facts and the fake. The findings could have important implications for the education of citizens in the present, ongoing pandemic and in future pandemics as well as in other spheres, such as political elections. The team concludes that it is better to utilize mass media to broadcast corrective information. Secondly, authorized corrections in social media need to be flagged to give them greater prominence so that they reach more people. Thirdly, corrective information must be engaging; if people are disinterested in a topic, they need to be persuaded to assimilate the corrective information before they will accept. Explore further What makes COVID-19 misinformation so tough to stop on social media More information: Tsukasa Tanihara et al, Effects of corrections on COVID-19-related misinformation: cross-media empirical analyses in Japan, International Journal of Web Based Communities (2022). Tsukasa Tanihara et al, Effects of corrections on COVID-19-related misinformation: cross-media empirical analyses in Japan,(2022). DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2022.122392 Higher U.S. menu prices and easing COVID-19 restrictions elsewhere helped McDonalds offset troubled markets like China and Russia in the first quarter. Revenue rose 11% to $5.66 billion in the January-March period, topping Wall Street expectations of $5.57 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. Advertisement The Chicago burger giant announced in early March that it would temporarily close 850 stores in Russia. It continues to pay its 62,000 employees in the country. It also closed 108 restaurants in Ukraine in February and is paying its employees there as well. McDonalds has said it expects to lose $50 million per month in sales from the Russian store closures alone. Advertisement McDonalds spent $27 million on salaries, leases and supplier payments in Russia and Ukraine during the quarter. The company also said it has $100 million worth of inventory it will probably dispose of since its restaurants are closed. Excluding costs in Russia and Ukraine and other one-time items, McDonalds earned $2.28 per share for the quarter, well ahead of analyst forecasts of $2.17 per share. Global same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose nearly 12% for the quarter. The easing of COVID restrictions in many markets, including the United Kingdom, France and Brazil, boosted sales, McDonalds said. In the U.S., same-store sales rose 3.5%. China reported negative same-stores sales as it struggled with a COVID resurgence and new restrictions. Shares of McDonalds Corp. edged higher before the opening bell Thursday. Anaxyrus baxteri, the Wyoming toad. Credit: North Carolina State University A new study from North Carolina State University examines immune system diversity in the critically endangered Wyoming toad and finds that genetic bottlenecks could impact a species' ability to respond to new pathogens. The findings could inform captive breeding strategies for endangered animal populations. The Wyoming toad, Anaxyrus baxteri, suffered a severe population decline throughout the latter part of the 20th century due to factors including habitat destruction and fungal infection. The toad was brought into a captive breeding program in the 1990s in order to save the species. Scientists estimate a current wild population of only 400 to 1,500 animals, meaning that the toad is considered critically endangered. "Population reduction in this species created a genetic bottleneck to begin with, meaning the level of genetic diversity is already very small," says Jeff Yoder, professor of comparative immunology at NC State and co-corresponding author of a paper describing the work. "This is the first study to look specifically at genetic diversity in the immune systems of these toads and how it could impact them as a population." Yoder, with co-corresponding author Alex Dornburg of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, performed RNA sequencing on immune tissues from three healthy, retired Wyoming toad breeders. Study co-author Michael Stoskopf, who was on the Wyoming Toad Recovery Implementation Team established in 2008, obtained the samples. "We were focused specifically on sequences encoding toll-like receptorsTLRsand the proteins of the major histocompatibility complex, or MHC, expressed in these tissues," says Kara Carlson, first author of the study and current Ph.D. candidate at NC State. "These sets of genes are major components of the immune system." TLRs are the first responders of the immune system, and are similar, or well-conserved, between species. The MHC, on the other hand, is a large and diverse group of genes that varies between species and individuals. It can determine why one group is more resistant to a particular pathogen than another. "MHC genes are some of the most rapidly evolving sequences in the genome," Carlson says. "So in a healthy population there's a lot of variety that gets passed along to descendants, enabling the species at large to adapt to different pathogens. However, if disease survivors do so because of their MHC, then that group would have a similar MHC. "The Wyoming toads that were brought into captivity to save the species were all able to resist the fungus that had decimated the population, but that could mean that their immune diversity is reduced." The researchers compared the TLR and MHC of the three Wyoming toads to each other, as well as to samples from a common toad and a cane toad. Both the common toad and the cane toad showed more MHC diversity than the Wyoming toad, even though the cane toad underwent a similar genetic bottleneck. "The small sample size in this studywhich was unavoidable due to the endangered status of the toadnevertheless lays an important framework for conservation," Carlson says. "Amphibians in general don't have as many genomic resources as other organisms," Yoder says. "And captive breeding from a small population further decreases genetic diversity. But while these toads may be better protected against the fungal infection that nearly wiped them out, they may not be equipped to deal with new pathogens down the road." "While we weren't necessarily surprised by the lack of immunogenic diversity in the Wyoming toad, it does spark an important question," Dornburg says. "How equipped are other species of conservation concern for a battle with an emergent pathogen?" "By understanding the genetic diversity of the immune system we can inform captive breeding to increase the chance of a species to resist disease in the wild," Yoder adds. "Studies like this one are invaluable for captive breeding practices going forward." The research appears in Conservation Genetics. Explore further Researchers release hundreds of endangered toads in Wyoming (Update) More information: Kara B. Carlson et al, Transcriptome annotation reveals minimal immunogenetic diversity among Wyoming toads, Anaxyrus baxteri, Conservation Genetics (2022). Journal information: Conservation Genetics Kara B. Carlson et al, Transcriptome annotation reveals minimal immunogenetic diversity among Wyoming toads, Anaxyrus baxteri,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01444-8 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A new research brief from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research has found that English learners have the most success when they stick with a single programregardless of program typeand skills from their home language are incorporated in their education. The research comes as the number of long-term English learners (LTELs) in Texas has increased by 90% in the last decade. LTELs are students who have not reclassified as English-proficient after five years in school. The research was published online today by the Kinder Institute's Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC). It utilizes data from 10 public school districts in the Houston area and builds on several of its previous studies examining English learners and LTELs. "English learners are a diverse group of students. Many English learners reclassify as English proficient early in their educational careers and go on to achieve academic success," said Lizzy Cashiola, the brief's lead author. "Long-term English learners, on the other hand, are at risk for negative educational outcomes in middle and high school. The fact that the percent of these students has risen so much over the past decade is something that we should be concerned about." Texas has three different types of programs for English learners, and each of them utilizes different teaching techniques. The researchers found that students who participated in a single program throughout elementary schoolregardless of which typehad the greatest success. But English learners who participated in two or more different types of programs, or switched programs during elementary school, had a greater risk of becoming long-term English learners. For English learners involved in a single program, courses supporting the student's home language (such as a bilingual or dual-immersion programs) did a better job of preparing students to become proficient at English than English-only programs. "We hope that these findings help point to ways to support English learners," Cashiola said. "Next, we will focus our research on the middle- and high-school outcomes of long-term English learners. We'll also look at early warning indicators to help school districts identify which students are most at risk for becoming long-term English learners, with the goal of intervening with these students early on." "What factors are associated with the likelihood of an English learner becoming a long-term English learner?" was co-authored by researchers Camila Cigarroa Kennedy, Hao Ma, Dylan Nguyen and Daniel Potter. Explore further Study says when to identify students who take longer to be English proficient More information: What factors are associated with the likelihood of an English learner becoming a long-term English learner? What factors are associated with the likelihood of an English learner becoming a long-term English learner? rice.app.box.com/s/labknqaqlky 2amht5i435j78ekvmyrf Impact of climate change and fisheries management on the production of seafood from marine fisheries. Credit: Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04674-5 Scientists believe expanding marine aquaculture (or mariculture) will be a vital step in feeding the billions of extra people expected to populate the globe by the end of the century. Reniel Cabral, a Senior Lecturer in Fisheries at JCU, is the co-author of a new study published in the journal Nature. He said the ocean's ability to supply food in the future will be challenged by the expected increase in seafood demand. "The human population is expected to increase by three billion by the end of the century, with a rise in affluence and demand for meat. Climate change will further challenge the ability of the ocean to provide food," said Dr. Cabral. He said fixing overfishing and transforming wild fisheries management to account for climate change will be necessarybut won't in itself be sufficient to feed the extra people. "But cultivating finfish and shellfish may just be the answer to this looming food security challenge. Our study suggests that by reforming fisheries and expanding sustainable mariculture, current per capita seafood production can be maintained or increased up to the end of the century, except under the most severe climate change scenario," said Dr. Cabral He said it was still vital to highlight the importance of reforming wild fisheries to allow mariculture expansion. "Some mariculture species still depend on wild capture fisheries for feed and seedlings. Ensuring that wild fisheries are healthy will not only allow mariculture to expand but will minimize the gap mariculture would have to fill in seafood production," said Dr. Cabral. He said fisheries in tropical countries will be disproportionately negatively impacted by ocean warming and acidification. "Supporting mariculture in these countries would mean addressing several of the bottlenecks from governance, ensuring equitable access, conflicting ocean uses, and infrastructure challenges such as developing fish cages that can withstand typhoons," said Dr. Cabral. Christopher Free, a researcher at the University of California Santa Barbara and lead author of the study, said that "besides fixing overfishing and supporting innovations in mariculture, it's essential to aggressively cut down greenhouse gas emissions so as to reduce inequities, increase fisheries and mariculture reform efficacy, and mitigate risks unaccounted for in our analysis." The scientists said potential environmental threats from mariculture can be minimized by proper planning and siting. "The small space requirement for mariculture (<1% of the global ocean area) leaves ample room for careful planning to minimize environmental impacts and conflicts with other ocean uses," said Steven Gaines, Dean and Professor based at the University of California Santa Barbara and a co-author of the study. Dr. Cabral said for mariculture to truly benefit people and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals, it must benefit developing countries. "Investments in mariculture innovation in developing tropical countries is a priority and JCU, being strategically located in the tropics and at the forefront of innovation in aquaculture, will play a key role." Explore further Farmed seafood supply at risk if we don't act on climate change More information: Christopher M. Free et al, Expanding ocean food production under climate change, Nature (2022). Journal information: Nature Christopher M. Free et al, Expanding ocean food production under climate change,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04674-5 The habitat and animals that were found together with the giant ichthyosaurs. Credit: Heinz Furrer Paleontologists have discovered sets of fossils representing three new ichthyosaurs that may have been among the largest animals to have ever lived, reports a new paper in the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Unearthed in the Swiss Alps between 1976 and 1990, the discovery includes the largest ichthyosaur tooth ever found. The width of the tooth root is twice as large as any aquatic reptile known, the previous largest belonging to a 15-meter-long ichthyosaur. Other incomplete skeletal remains include the largest trunk vertebra in Europe that demonstrates another ichthyosaur rivaling the largest marine reptile fossil known today, the 21-meter long Shastasaurus sikkanniensis from British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Heinz Furrer, who co-authors this study, was among a team who recovered the fossils during geological mapping in the Kossen Formation of the Alps. More than 200 million years before, the rock layers still covered the seafloor. With the folding of the Alps, however, they had ended up at an altitude of 2,800 meters. Now a retired curator at the University of Zurich's Paleontological Institute and Museum, Dr. Furrer said he was delighted to have uncovered "the world's longest ichthyosaur; with the thickest tooth found to date and the largest trunk vertebra in Europe." And lead author P. Martin Sandler, of the University of Bonn, hopes "maybe there are more remains of the giant sea creatures hidden beneath the glaciers." "Bigger is always better," he says. "There are distinct selective advantages to large body size. Life will go there if it can. There were only three animal groups that had masses greater than 10-20 metric tons: long-necked dinosaurs (sauropods); whales; and the giant ichthyosaurs of the Triassic." These monstrous, 80-ton reptiles patrolled Panthalassa, the world's ocean surrounding the supercontinent Pangaea during the Late Triassic, about 205 million years ago. They also made forays into the shallow seas of the Tethys on the eastern side of Pangaea, as shown by the new finds. Ichthyosaurs first emerged in the wake of the Permian extinction some 250 million years ago, when some 95 percent of marine species died out. The group reached its greatest diversity in the Middle Triassic and a few species persisted into the Cretaceous. Most were much smaller than S. sikanniensis and the similarly-sized species described in the paper. Roughly the shape of contemporary whales, ichthyosaurs had elongated bodies and erect tail fins. Fossils are concentrated in North America and Europe, but ichthyosaurs have also been found in South America, Asia, and Australia. Giant species have mostly been unearthed in North America, with scanty finds from the Himalaya and New Caledonia, so the discovery of further behemoths in Switzerland represents an expansion of their known range. Heinz Furrer with the largest ichthyosaur vertebra. Credit: Heinz Furrer However, so little is known about these giants that there are mere ghosts. Tantalizing evidence from the UK, consisting of an enormous toothless jaw bone, and from New Zealand suggest that some of them were the size of blue whales. An 1878 paper credibly describes an ichthyosaur vertebrae 45 cm in diameter from there, but the fossil never made it to London and may have been lost at sea. Sander notes that "it amounts to a major embarrassment for paleontology that we know so little about these giant ichthyosaurs despite the extraordinary size of their fossils. We hope to rise to this challenge and find new and better fossils soon." These new specimens probably represent the last of the leviathans. "In Nevada, we see the beginnings of true giants, and in the Alps the end," says Sander, who also co-authored a paper last year about an early giant ichthyosaur from Nevada's Fossil Hill. "Only the medium-to-large-sized dolphin- and orca-like forms survived into the Jurassic." While the smaller ichthyosaurs typically had teeth, most of the known gigantic species appear to have been toothless. One hypothesis suggests that rather than grasping their prey, they fed by suction. "The bulk feeders among the giants must have fed on cephalopods. The ones with teeth likely feed on smaller ichthyosaurs and large fish," Sander suggests. Martin Sander and Michael Hautmann look over the discovery layers on the southern slope of Schesaplana, on the Graubunden/Vorarlberg border. Credit: Jelle Heijne/University of Bonn The tooth described by the paper is only the second instance of a giant ichthyosaur with teeththe other being the 15-meter-long Himalayasaurus. These species likely occupied similar ecological roles to modern sperm whales and killer whales. Indeed, the teeth are curved inwards like those of their mammalian successors, indicating a grasping mode of feeding conducive to capturing prey such as giant squid. "It is hard to say if the tooth is from a large ichthyosaur with giant teeth or from a giant ichthyosaur with average-sized teeth," Sander wryly acknowledges. Because the tooth described in the paper was broken off at the crown, the authors were not able to confidently assign it to a particular taxon. Still, a peculiarity of dental anatomy allowed the researchers to identify it as belonging to an ichthyosaur. "Ichthyosaurs have a feature in their teeth that is nearly unique among reptiles: the infolding of the dentin in the roots of their teeth," explains Sander. "The only other group to show this are monitor lizards." The root of the tooth found has a diameter of 60 Millimeters. This makes it the thickest ichthyosaur tooth found so far. Credit: Rosi Roth/University of Zurich The two sets of skeletal remains, which consist of a vertebrae and ten rib fragments, and seven asssociated vertebrae, have been assigned to the family Shastasauridae, which contains the giants Shastasaurus, Shonisaurus, and Himalayasaurus. Comparison of the vertebrae from one set suggests that they may have been the same size or slightly smaller than those of S. sikkanniensis. These measurements are slightly skewed by the fact that the fossils have been tectonically deformedthat is, they have literally been squashed by the movements of the tectonic plates whose collision led to their movement from a former sea floor to the top of a mountain. Known as the Kossen Formation, the rocks from which these fossils derive were once at the bottom of a shallow coastal areaa very wide lagoon or shallow basin. This adds to the uncertainty surrounding the habits of these animals, whose size indicates their suitability to deeper reaches of the ocean. "We think that the big ichthyosaurs followed schools of fish into the lagoon. The fossils may also derive from strays that died there," suggests Furrer. "You have to be kind of a mountain goat to access the relevant beds," Sander laughs. "They have the vexing property of not occurring below about 8,000 feet, way above the treeline." "At 95 million years ago, the northeastern part of Gondwana, the African plate (which the Kossen Formation was part of), started to push against the European plate, ending with the formation of the very complex piles of different rock units (called 'nappes') in the Alpine orogeny at about 30-40 million years ago," relates Furrer. So it is that these intrepid researchers found themselves picking through the frozen rocks of the Alps and hauling pieces of ancient marine monsters nearly down to sea level once again for entry into the scientific record. Explore further Fish-like marine reptile buried in its own blubber in southern Germany 150 million years ago More information: Giant Late Triassic ichthyosaurs from the Kossen Formation of the Swiss Alps and their paleobiological implications, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2022). Journal information: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Giant Late Triassic ichthyosaurs from the Kossen Formation of the Swiss Alps and their paleobiological implications,(2022). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2021.2046017 3D models of aquatic tetrapods. Credit: S. Gutarra Diaz Scientists at the University of Bristol have discovered that body size is more important than body shape in determining the energy economy of swimming for aquatic animals. This study, published today in Communications Biology, shows that big bodies help overcome the excess drag produced by extreme morphology, debunking a long-standing idea that there is an optimal body shape for low drag. One important finding of this research is that the large necks of extinct elasmosaurs did add extra drag, but this was compensated by the evolution of large bodies. Tetrapods or 'four-limbed vertebrates', have repeatedly returned to the oceans over the last 250 million years, and they come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from streamlined modern whales over 25 meters in length, to extinct plesiosaurs, with four flippers and extraordinarily long necks, and even extinct fish-shaped ichthyosaurs. Dolphins and ichthyosaurs have similar body shapes, adapted for moving fast through water producing low resistance or drag. On the other hand, plesiosaurs, who lived side by side with the ichthyosaurs in the Mesozoic Era, had entirely different bodies. Their enormous four flippers which they used to fly underwater, and variable neck lengths, have no parallel amongst living animals. Some elasmosaurs had really extreme proportions, with necks up to 20 feet (6 meters) long. These necks likely helped them to snap up quick-moving fish, but were also believed to make them slower. Computer simulation of flow over the 3D model of an elasmosaur (plesiosaur). Credit: S. Gutarra Diaz Until now, it has not been clear how shape and size influenced the energy demands of swimming in these diverse marine animals. Palaeobiologist Dr. Susana Gutarra Diaz of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences and the National History Museum of London who led the research, explained: "To test our hypotheses, we created various 3D models and performed computer flow simulations of plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs and cetaceans. These experiments are performed on the computer, but they are like water tank experiments." Dr. Colin Palmer, an engineer involved in the project said: "We showed that although plesiosaurs did experience more drag than ichthyosaurs or whales of equal mass because of their unique body shape, these differences were relatively minor. We found that when size is taken into account, the differences between groups became much less than the shape differences. We also show that the ratio of body length to diameter, which is widely used to classify these aquatic animals as more or less efficient, is not a good indicator of low drag." Dr. Gutarra Diaz said, "We were also particularly interested in the necks of elasmosaurs and so, we created hypothetical 3D models of plesiosaurs with various lengths of necks. Simulations of these models reveal that past a certain point, the neck adds extra drag, which potentially would make swimming costly. This 'optimal' neck limit lies around twice the length of the trunk of the animal." Dr. Benjamin Moon, another collaborator and expert on marine reptiles, continued: "When we examined a large sample of plesiosaurs modeled on really well preserved fossils at their real sizes, it turns out that most plesiosaurs had necks below this high-drag threshold, within which neck can get longer or shorter without increasing drag. But more interestingly, we showed that plesiosaurs with extremely long necks also had evolved very large torsos, and this compensated for the extra drag!" Dr. Tom Stubbs, another co-author summarized: "This study shows that, in contrast with prevailing popular knowledge, very long necked plesiosaurs were not necessarily slower swimmers than ichthyosaurs and whales, and this is in part thanks to their large bodies. We found that in elasmosaurs, neck proportions changed really fast. This confirms that long necks were advantageous for elasmosaurs in hunting, but they could not exploit this adaptation until they became large enough to offset the cost of high drag on their bodies." Professor Mike Benton, also part of the research, commented: "Our research suggests that large aquatic animals can afford to have crazy shapes, as in the elasmosaurs. But there are limits: body sizes cannot get indefinitely large, as there are some constraints to very large sizes as well. The maximum neck lengths we observe, seem to balance benefits in hunting versus the costs of growing and maintaining such a long neck. In other words, the necks of these extraordinary creatures evolved in balance with the overall body size to keep friction to a minimum." More information: Large size in aquatic tetrapods compensates for high drag caused by extreme body proportions', Communications Biology (2022). Journal information: Communications Biology Large size in aquatic tetrapods compensates for high drag caused by extreme body proportions',(2022). A map of Borneo from the research publication shows the nation of Brunei where the fossils were located. Credit: Peter Wilf, Penn State The first study of leaf fossils conducted in the nation of Brunei on the island of Borneo has revealed that the current dominant tree group, the dipterocarps, has dominated the rainforests for at least 4 million years, according to an international research team led by Penn State in partnership with Universiti Brunei Darussalam. The findings, published in the journal PeerJ, suggest that the current landscape is similar to what was present during the Pliocene Epoch, 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago, and may provide additional justification for conservation of these forests that support many critically endangered species. "This is the first demonstration that the characteristic dominant life form of Borneo and the entire Asian wet tropics, the dipterocarp trees, was not only present but actually dominant. We found many more fossils of dipterocarps than any other plant group," said Peter Wilf, professor of geosciences in the Penn State College Earth and Mineral Sciences and a co-funded faculty member in the Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE). The dipterocarps are the world's tallest tropical trees, and the largest of them can reach 100 meters (328 feet) in height, approximately the height of a 22-story building. Wilf said the dipterocarps include hundreds of keystone species that support tropical Asia's critically endangered biodiversity by structuring rainforests and providing enormous food resources through pollination and their nutritious seeds. Borneo has almost 270 dipterocarp species, more than half the world's total. "Fossil leaves in the wet tropics are very rare because of extensive forest cover and deeply weathered soils that obscure rock exposures," Wilf said. Past studies of the island's plant life generally involved fossil pollen, which is very resistant to decay. However, because dipterocarp pollen often does not preserve well, that data does not provide complete information on ancient plant landscapes in the Asian tropics, according to Wilf. This study provided ample fossil evidence from both leaves and pollen, at two sites that the team discovered after intensive reconnaissance in Brunei, that supports the idea that the current landscape's diverse, well-structured vegetation is similar to what was present during the Pliocene Epoch, 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago. Sample of dipterocarp pollen fossils (B, C) with other specimens. Credit: Peter Wilf, Penn State "From the same rocks that the dipterocarp leaf fossils are coming from in great numbers, there's hardly any dipterocarp pollen," he said. "The pollen and spores represent many other plant groups, including huge numbers of ferns, but barely any dipterocarps. So that validates the idea that there's a bias against the dipterocarp pollen." Ferry Slik, a professor at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam who studies tropical forest ecology and is a co-author on the paper, said this is an extremely important study of the country's fossil flora. "There are very few fossil studies from the Asian tropics," Slik said. "I hope this study will stimulate more research efforts on fossils in the tropics as they will tell us a lot about the natural history of the region." Wilf and his team unearthed a wide variety of fossil leaves and fruits, including many plant groups that are native today but had not been found before as fossils in the Malay Archipelago. These included three different genera of dipterocarps, such as Dryobalanops, whose species are nearly all threatened; understory plants such as the jujube Ziziphus and melastomes; and a climbing aroid plant, Rhaphidophora, that is related to the popular house plant Monstera. Slik said the team reconstructed an ancient ecosystem almost exactly like what is found in Brunei today. "With the pollen included, we're getting a fairly complete representation of mangrove and swamp environments, bordered by tropical lowland dipterocarp rainforests with very diverse fern understories and lots of climbing plants, including more ferns, jujubes and aroids. So we're getting to actually seeing what the environment was like millions of years ago," Wilf said. "It was very much like what you can find there now, although those habitats have been cut down across much of tropical Asia." A fragment fossil of an enormous dipterocarp leaf (estimated size 16,000 mm squared or 2 feet squared) is an exemplar specimen and is already one of the largest fossils in the collection. Credit: Peter Wilf, Penn State Wilf said one of the motivations for doing this study was to encourage conservation of these areas. "The tropical rainforests are where biodiversity is. Brunei is about the size of Delaware, but it has more than seven times the plant diversity of all of Pennsylvania," he said. "This area has an ever-wet climate similar to the Amazon or the central African rainforests. It is home to spectacular animal life such as proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, rhinoceros hornbills, clouded leopards, sun bears, flying lizards, bearded pigs and slow lorises." Although Borneo is one of the great biodiversity hotspots on Earth and its rainforests are ancient, its biodiversity is shrinking due to logging, agricultural conversion, and climate change. The dipterocarp trees are highly sought after by the logging industry, and Borneo suffers from high deforestation rates, said Slik, who is working to improve Asia's tropical ecosystems. "Borneo, and much of the Asian rainforests, are ground zero of the biodiversity crisis," Wilf said. "However, Brunei is a jewel in the system because it is one of very few countries in the region that still preserves more than half of its old growth rainforests." According to Wilf, each paleontological discovery highlights the importance of history and provides foundational support for setting up conservation areas and educating the public. "If a living group has a known paleo history, it has added preservation and educational value, and it's less likely to be destroyed," he said. "Paleontology provides the primary evidence for how and why life on Earth is distributed the way it is and when different groups of plants and animals arrived." Explore further Bushfires damaged Australian rainforest that is home to Earth's only living specimens of ancient species More information: Peter Wilf et al, First fossil-leaf floras from Brunei Darussalam show dipterocarp dominance in Borneo by the Pliocene, PeerJ (2022). Journal information: PeerJ Peter Wilf et al, First fossil-leaf floras from Brunei Darussalam show dipterocarp dominance in Borneo by the Pliocene,(2022). DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12949 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Jack Russell Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers have the highest life expectancies of dog breeds in the UK, according to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports. However, flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs have some of the lowest life expectancies. Kendy Tzu-yun Teng, Dan O'Neill and colleagues analyzed 30,563 records of dog deaths from veterinary practices across the UK between 2016 and 2020 using the VetCompass database, categorized into 18 dog breeds recognized by the Kennel Club and also a group of crossbreed dogs. They created life tables which calculate life expectancy throughout the life cycle, starting at birth (0 years). Jack Russell Terriers had the highest life expectancy at birth (12.72 years), followed by Yorkshire Terriers (12.54 years), Border Collies (12.10 years), and Springer Spaniels (11.92 years). In contrast, French Bulldogs had the lowest life expectancy at birth (4.53 years). This is approximately three years less than other flat-faced breeds that showed low life expectancies at birth including English Bulldogs (7.39 years) and Pugs (7.65 years). The authors propose that these short life expectancies could result from the high health risks known to occur in these flat-faced breeds. Across all dog breeds, the average life expectancy at age 0 for male dogs was 11.1 years, four months shorter than the estimate for female dogs. Dogs that had been neutered had a higher life expectancy (11.98 years for females and 11.49 years for males) than those that were not neutered (10.50 years for females and 10.58 years for males). The authors discuss the potential benefits of neutering and associated increased life expectancy and whether neutering could possibly reflect more responsible dog owners and better care. The authors conclude their work now enables dog life expectancies to be tracked at different ages, similarly to humans, and may improve predictions for different breeds in the UK. There could also be other practical benefits such as helping dog shelters to provide accurate estimates of a dog's remaining life expectancy during rehoming. Explore further French bulldogs have higher risk of 20 common health disorders More information: Kendy Tzu-yun Teng, Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom, Scientific Reports (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-10341-6 Journal information: Scientific Reports Kendy Tzu-yun Teng, Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10341-6 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Russia's invasion of Ukraine kicked up a maelstrom of misinformationsome produced by strategic Russian propaganda campaigns, and some by anonymous websites or nefarious think tanks. This new wave of misinformation comes at a time when people in the United States and around the world are still sorting through rampant mis- and disinformation about COVID-19; indeed the World Health Organization defined the last few years as an "infodemic" of false and misleading information. With so much bad information swirling like chum in the water, can people sort out what's true and what's not? Researchers at Northeastern University and several partner institutions found that, yes, by and large people in the U.S. can sift out misinformation about COVID-19 and Ukraine. However, they also found a strong link between believing false information about one issue and believing it about the other. Researchers with the COVID States Project, a collaboration among Northeastern, Harvard, Northwestern, and Rutgers universities, found that relatively few (14%) people believed false claims about Ukrainefewer than those who believe false claims about COVID-19 vaccines (18%). Importantly, they also found that misperceptions about COVID-19 are by far the strongest predictormore so than political affiliation, age, gender, or education levelof holding misperceptions about Ukraine. Almost half (45%) of people who hold at least one misperception of Ukraine also hold misperceptions about COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers surveyed 22,234 people across all 50 states in the U.S. between March 2 and April 4. They published their latest findings this month. "The question was really whether misperception and misinformation is segmentedin issues that are highly politicized, do we see increasing alignment?" says David Lazer, university distinguished professor of political science and computer sciences at Northeastern, and the lead author of the study. Lazer and his colleagues found that the politics of the issue seem to make a difference: Republicans are 5 percentage points more likely than Democrats to believe false claims about Ukraine, but 15 percentage points more likely to believe misinformation about COVID-19. The results would seem to align with the political responses to each issue. Politicians from both parties have shown a unified front in support of Ukraine and a rebuke of Russia. By contrast, views about COVID-19, including views on vaccines, boosters, and public-health mitigation efforts, are highly split by political party. "We've seen that claims about Ukraine seem to be less politically polarized than claims about COVID-19, which makes sense," Lazer says. "We've seen public opinion on both the [political] right and the left rally around Ukraine." Explore further Nearly half of Americans still unsure about popular vaccine misinformation Credit: Emerald Publishing Limited Birmingham City Council is currently consulting on a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to prevent anti-abortion activists from standing outside an abortion clinic in Kings Norton. Research by Dr. Pam Lowe and Dr. Sarah-Jane Page1, whose latest book, "Anti-Abortion Activism in the UK" has just been published, shows that the anti-abortion activism around clinics causes considerable distress to those seeking services, and it is experienced as a specific form of street harassment. They say it draws unwelcome public attention to those entering and leaving abortion clinics and involves strangers asking personal questions about a private healthcare decision on the street. Even when they have been told that they do not want a conversation, anti-abortion activists sometimes persist in trying to persuade women not to go ahead with the procedure. The no-protest zones already in existence, such as Ealing, have not reduced the ability of those opposed to abortion to make their voices heard; they have moved their protest down the road as a proportionate response2. Dr. Pam Lowe, a senior lecturer in sociology and policy at Aston University, said: "No-protest zones allow women to seek advice and treatment from healthcare professionals without harassment. It is experienced as unwanted surveillance and an invasion of healthcare privacy for those seeking abortion. No one should be accosted and asked to discuss private issues by strangers in public." Dr. Sarah-Jane Page, a senior lecturer in sociology and policy at Aston University, said: "Alongside the harassment of those attending the abortion clinic, the loud prayers and hymns frequently disrupt the lives of those living in the neighborhood, as well as bringing the issue of abortion to the attention of younger children. "Anti-abortion activists in Kings Norton have also approached children as they walk to and from school." Local resident, Liz Bates, said: "Since coming together with my neighbors to end the harassment outside of the clinic we have been overwhelmed by the support for the PSPO. "The overall sentiment is relief 'someone is doing something' as everyone is so disgusted by the protestwe need to stop the harassment that is happening at the heart of our neighborhood and let the clinic go back to the discreet provision it has always been." Explore further History of spontaneous abortion tied to gestational diabetes risk Patagonian sheepdog herding sheep. Credit: Rodrigo Munoz (CC-BY 4.0, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Modern day Patagonian sheepdogs are the closest living relative to now-extinct varieties of herding dogs of Victorian era Britain, according to a study publishing April 28th in the open-access journal PLOS Genetics by Natasha Barrios at the Universidad Austral de Chile, Elaine Ostrander at the National Institutes of Health, US, and colleagues. European settlers colonizing new lands often took their working dogs with them, and this shared history is reflected in the genome of modern dog breeds. The Patagonian sheepdog is a distinct variety from southern Chile and Argentina, thought to have been introduced by European colonists in the late 1800s. But it is not recognized as a formal breed and its relationship to modern herding dogs is poorly understood. Researchers genotyped 159 Patagonian sheepdogs from Chile and the Chubut province in Argentina and used published data for 175 recognized domestic dog breeds and two wild dog species to create a phylogenetic tree. They found that Patagonian Sheepdogs are most closely related to Border collies and Australian kelpies and share a common ancestor with modern herding breeds from the UK around 150 years ago. They identified distinct populations in the north and south of Patagonia, separated by the Patagonian ice fields. Northern populations are more genetically similar to Border collies, while southern populations are more closely related to the Australian kelpie. This population structure mirrors the pattern and timing of European colonization of the region, in which Scottish settlers first migrated from the Falkland Islands to southern Chile in 1877, before later moving north into the Aysen region and Argentina. The first sheepdogs were likely introduced to Patagonia before the formalization of dog breeds in the late 1800s, suggesting that modern Patagonian sheepdogs are the closest living representatives of the foundational sheepdogthe ancestor of modern herding breeds from the UKand probably look and behave quite similarly, the authors say. Patagonian sheepdog in the field. Credit: Rodrigo Munoz (CC-BY 4.0, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Barrios adds, "Using a variety of genomic approaches, we ascertain the relationship between this dog population and modern herding breeds. We propose that the Patagonian sheepdog is the closest living representative of the common ancestor of modern UK herding breeds. These findings, in turn, increase our understanding of human migratory events at the time." More information: Patagonian sheepdog: Genomic analyses trace the footprints of extinct UK herding dogs to South America, PLoS Genetics (2022). Journal information: PLoS Genetics Patagonian sheepdog: Genomic analyses trace the footprints of extinct UK herding dogs to South America,(2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010160 Narrative fabrications arent the problem with The Offer, Paramount Pluss fawning, fancy-free account of how fledgling producer Al Ruddy barely broke a sweat while steering The Godfather into movie history. The quality of series creator Michael Tolkins narrative inventions is the problem. And if it werent for Matthew Goodes quicksilver portrayal of Paramount mogul and party boy Robert Evans, the roughly 10 hours of The Offer would feel like 90. Advertisement Quick public service reminder: This is not a documentary. Like all docudramas or dramas based on true stories, this one has every right to invent, conflate, rearrange and argue with the often-disputed historical record of its subject. For better or worse, The Offer takes a path-of-least-resistance approach to the man its about. Ruddy, an executive producer on this festival of narrative self-congratulation, is depicted as a friction-free, genius-instinct Mr. Lucky, played by Miles Teller with unflappable as the dominant character trait. You know whats very hard to dramatize across 10 episodes? Unflappability. Advertisement Mixing it up with mobsters, real and fictional; wrangling with studio second-guessers, real and fictional; nothing fazes this version of Ruddy, whos essentially Steve McQueen but cooler. And precious little in this belabored account of producing a beloved hit on the fly, under pressure, feels as if its happening on the fly or under pressure. Its more like: All in good time, folks. Were longer than all three Godfather movies put together! Miles Teller as Al Ruddy, Juno Temple as Bettye McCartt and Dan Fogler as Francis Ford Coppola in the Paramount Plus series "The Offer." (Nicole Wilder/Paramount+) Undeniably, Ruddys success in Hollywood was the stuff of nerve, bluff and acumen plus crazy amounts of luck. The Offer ticks through his improbable benchmarks: his initial break with a funny-Nazis TV hit Hogans Heroes; his relationship and marriage to the owner of Hollywoods fabled hot spot Chateau Marmont, Francoise Glazer (Nora Arnezeder); and, crucially to the movie life of Mario Puzos bestseller The Godfather, Ruddys brash introduction to Paramount hotshot Evans, who would go on to launch several of the biggest studio films of the 1970s, The Godfather and The Godfather Part II among them. The Offer toggles between secretive societies. Episodes veer in and out of the offices of Paramount and its Gulf + Western overlords, chiefly the short-fused tyrant Charles Bluhdorn (Burn Gorman, going to 11, drolly, though as written his characters a one-note fraud). We get to know the social club and favored trattorias of known Mafioso figurehead Joe Columbo (Giovanni Ribisi, head lowered, voice even lower), initially a Godfather hater but eventually an influential champion of the project, thanks to Ruddys friendship. Once Coppola (Dan Folger, very good) joins Puzo in the adaptation process, the stage is set for an arduous series of casting and production near-fiascos. Al Pacino as Michael? Too short! Unknown! Cant we make The Godfather as a quick-and-dirty gangster movie? Anyone but Brando for the title role! (The actor hadnt had a hit in years.) Matthew Goode as Paramount studio head Robert Evans in 'The Offer.' (Nicole Wilder/AP) Some things you never outgrow. Temperamentally and sentimentally, Im a sucker for artistic David vs. corporate Goliath stories. In one blatantly hissable moment, Colin Hanks, as a sniveling fictional combination of various bean-counters, has had it with the production budget overages and the whining of the creatives. We should be making what the people want to see, he seethes. Clearly theres a job at Netflix for this fellow. Coppola and Evans view things differently; theyre in the business of creating what audiences dont yet know theyll crave. Theres more than one school of thought on The Godfathers greatness. The Offer sees it, as many do, as the greatest film in history. (Im more in line with Roger Eberts initial review, which was a rave, but he settled for calling it a really good movie squeezed from a bestseller.) Tolkins primary notion in the Paramount Plus series is to treat each episode and power play as a scene out of, or cut from, a Godfather movie. In the silliest fabrication, somehow mobster Joey Gallo the one murdered in Umbertos Clam House, as recently depicted in The Irishman gets mixed up with the narrative, to the benefit of nothing. The actors periodically save it. Goode captures enough of the real-life Evans vocal rhythms to keep every one of his scenes cooking, and he makes him a delightful, then scuzzy satyr of unpredictable moods and unerring pacing. Juno Temple, as Ruddys secretary / protege Bettye McCartt, is a tonic, and even periodically breaks top-billed Teller out of his shell. There are many glaring misjudgments, such as a 10th and final episode as interested in Ruddys follow-up project The Longest Yard as anything to do with The Godfather. Deploying various screenwriters, the dialogue throughout is too full of cute in-jokes and references to Coppolas film, and hindered by anachronistic phrasing and language that did not exist conversationally in the 1970s. Such things undercut the series unsteady tone and watery sense of authenticity. (Even the espresso served to one of the underworld capos in episode one looks watery.) My colleague Nina Metz disagrees, but judging from The Offer heres what producer Al Ruddy did for a living on The Godfather: He waited around his office, doing not much of anything, until someone walked in and said We have a problem so he could reply Ill handle it. Advertisement The Offer 2 stars (out of 4) Content rating: TV-MA Running time: 10 episodes, approx. 10 hours How to watch: Streaming on Paramount+. First three episodes available April 28. New episodes each Thursday. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @phillipstribune Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here. Ice forming on an aluminum plate in a weather chamber as seen with the approach proposed in the study (left) and with the naked eye (right). Credit: Viktor Grishaev et al./Cold Regions Science and Technology Researchers from Skoltech, MIPT, Russia's State Research Institute of Civil Aviation, the University of North Texas, and York University have simplified and automated the lab procedure used to test anti-icing fluids that ensure safe aircraft takeoff. The findings of the study, which was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, are reported in the journal Cold Regions Science and Technology. Frost, snow, and ice accumulation on an aircraft adversely affects its handling properties and increases the risk of accidents by distorting the flow of air over the wings, reducing lift, and creating additional drag. To prevent hazardous icing, the aircraft is treated before takeoff with deicing fluids that melt away any ice or snow that have stuck to the metal, and with anti-icing fluids that form a protective film on the plating to prevent further ice formation. Since anti-icing treatment is so important for ensuring flight safety and there are many factors at playfluid dilution, ambient temperature and humidity, wind, precipitation, aircraft skin material, etc.anti-icing agents are frequently tested in labs so as to know their properties in every detail. This is a tedious process that involves a specialist visually inspecting a piece of aluminum plating treated with an anti-icing fluid in a climate chamber that reproduces the necessary weather conditions. "For example, a lab assistant might need to gauge how long it takes before 10% of the metal surface is covered with ice. Now, this is fairly difficult and subjective, because ice does not necessarily expand from a single origin on the sheet but rather it could form and grow in many places, in an insular fashion. In that case, determining when the 10% mark is reached is a judgment call for the assistant," said Viktor Grishaev, who is a senior research scientist at Skoltech and the principal investigator of the study. "This is exacerbated by the fact that it is actually quite challenging to distinguish visually between bare aluminum and iced areas, to the point that people sometimes resort to poking the plate with a toothpick to make sure," the researcher went on. "It has to do with the very low contrast of ice on aluminum, and this is precisely the problem we have addressed." In their paper, Grishaev and his colleagues suggest that plates in the chamber be illuminated with a polarized light source and observed through a polaroid film. That way icy areas are much easier to discern, the team shows (see image). Since such a light source and a polaroid are readily available and inexpensive, the trick promises to make the life of lab assistants testing anti-icing fluid performance way easier at next to no cost and with little additional hassle involved. The polarization trick enabled researchers to do even more than that, though. While the current standards approved by regulatory bodies prescribe tests carried out by human experts, soon this job could be done by computerswith greater accuracy, reliability, and consistency. Low ice contrast has been among the main obstacles preventing automation. Now, Grishaev and his co-author have used a simple algorithm and a camera with a polarizing filter lens to detect ice by analyzing footage from the weather chamber. "In a laboratory setting, even with that simple algorithm, computers could outperform humans in this task already today. But perhaps someday we would have cameras in airports that detect ice forming on airplanes preparing for takeoff in real time and alert the crew when additional anti-icing fluid treatment is in order," Grishaev concluded. Explore further Smooth hydrophobic coatings may be more effective for aircraft de-icing More information: Viktor G. Grishaev et al, Ice imaging in aircraft anti-icing fluid films using polarized light, Cold Regions Science and Technology (2021). Viktor G. Grishaev et al, Ice imaging in aircraft anti-icing fluid films using polarized light,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2021.103459 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Working from home during the pandemic has significantly impacted the economy in both the UK and internationally, but it certainly didn't dent one sub-sector: the Opinion Factories. These have been working overtime, either in support of, or opposed to, the idea that working from home (WFH) or hybrid working, as experienced during the pandemic, should become a permanent feature of our economic system. Proponents of decentralized working argue that the city center and mass commuting model is not a universal norm to which we will speedily return post-pandemic. Rather, it should be seen as the last gasp of an outdated, 18th and 19th century model of industrialization, unsuited to today's knowledge-driven advanced economies. For most of human history, work took place in the home, rather than in a separate location that workers had to travel to. Better ways can, and must, be found for today's and tomorrow's workers to balance the demands of work and home, and policymakers and business leaders should be at the forefront of promoting individual and community well-being alongside a productive economy. Ranged against these "new paradigm" advocates are the skeptics. Their arguments are an interesting mix. First, that the benefits of "agglomeration economies"connectivity, proximity, serendipityhave not disappeared and the economic success of big cities in particular depend upon them. Secondly, that a WFH model, if universally adopted, would act to the dis-benefit of younger workers, who would no longer learn in situ from their more experienced peers. Third, it could create new inequalities, including on a gender or ethnic basis, around a division of labor between those who are able regularly to attend the workplace being seen by, and interacting with, senior management, and those toiling alone on their laptops at home. Fourth, that a permanent reduction in the daytime population of central business districts would deal a heavy, perhaps fatal, blow to sectors such as hospitality and retail which rely strongly on commuters. And finallyexpressed more sotto vocethat a distributed model makes management control and hierarchical organization more complex, more difficult, and more expensive. Can independent research shed any light on this noisy trading of opinions? As part of a new project at King's College London, Work/Place: London Returning, we have reviewed the existing literature on one very important facet of this debatethe impact of remote working on productivity. What did we find? First, the research studies we looked at applied different practical approaches to capture the impact of COVID-19 on labor productivity, mainly considering the shift to WFH during the pandemic. We found three main approaches: (i) productivity determined on the basis of accounting data; (ii) productivity determined on the basis of systems for monitoring the activities and hours worked by employees; and (iii) productivity determined on the basis of self-assessment by workers. The first two approaches show a mainly negative relationship between WFH and labor productivity during the pandemic, while the self-assessment approach reports mixed results. Hence, the results seem to imply that a return to the workplace is necessary to recover economic performance. This is consistent with other evidence about the impact of epidemics. Indeed, the World Bank estimated that the epidemics since 2000 (SARS, MERS, Ebola and Zika) reduced labor productivity by a cumulative 4 percent over three years. However, if we look beyond productivity, the shift to WFH has had an impact not just on labor outputs but also on workers' well-being, particularly with regard to work-life balance. At least some of these workers, who have actual (not theoretical) experience of WFH or hybrid working as an alternative to the office-based model, will be reluctant to return to the pre-pandemic norm. Thus, the preferences and perceptions of employees, as well as the investments made by organizations during the pandemic, suggest that WFH is here to stay as a permanent option in the work dynamic. At the same time, we need always to remember that for large numbers of workersalmost certainly the majorityWFH or hybrid working is irrelevant, as the nature of their work requires them to be at the workplace. What does this mean for policymakers and business leaders? First, they should be skeptical of general claims being made about the impact of WFH on productivity, either in a negative or positive direction. Rather, they should evaluate carefully the desirability or otherwise of encouraging or mandating either a "return to the office" or the permanent adoption of distributed (hybrid or WFH) practices. Second, they should accept that this will be, in management-speak, an iterative processthere will be a lot of trial-and-error in finding out what works for specific sectors, and for individual firms. And thirdly, and more broadly, the challenge of hybrid working needs to move out of the domain of opinion trading, and into the world of practical policymaking and workplace practice, balancing the needs of businesses and shareholders with the well-being, motivation and autonomy of workers. The pandemic caught us all by surprise. There is no reason for the return (or otherwise) to the office to do likewise. More information: The review "How did working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic impact productivity?" is available online: The review "How did working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic impact productivity?" is available online: www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute act-productivity.pdf SSA-based transgene elimination triggered by plasmid DNA expressing a homing endonuclease, ISceI. (A) Schematic workflow representation of evaluating the SSA-based transgene removal system engineered in the kmoRG strain. (B) Distinct DNA repair-associated phenotypes in eye pigmentation and marker fluorescence of G1 larvae in the SSA test. The insert is a magnified image of black-colored eyes restored by SSA-driven transgene elimination from the targeted kmo gene. (C) Summary of the SSA test using a plasmid-based SSA trigger. G0 embryos that were not microinjected served as negative controls. Credit: PNAS Nexus (2022). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac037 Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists have tested a technology to make temporary genetic modifications in mosquitoes. The modifications self-delete over time. The mechanism to make temporary genetic changes could be important for scientists hoping to modify mosquitoes in ways that help manage populations and prevent vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus without permanently altering wild populations' genetic makeup. An article detailing their test results, "Engineering a self-eliminating transgene in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti," was published in PNAS Nexus. The authors, Zach Adelman, Ph.D., and Kevin Myles, Ph.D., both professors in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology, describe a method for programming the removal of edited genes within populations of mosquitoes over multiple generations. The method is a first step toward building safeguards for genetic modifications developed to control populations of mosquitoes and the vector-borne diseases they carry. The idea is to test proposed changes without making the changes permanent and without the risk of transmitting them to wild populations, Adelman said. "There are lots of ecological questions we don't know the answers to, and when you are testing technology, you don't want to get into a situation where you have to tell a regulatory agency or the public that 'if something bad happens, we're just out of luck,'" Adelman said. "This mechanism is about how we get back to normal whether the experiment does or doesn't come out the way we expect." Adelman and Myles are co-directing a team of scientists who received a five-year, $3.9 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to test and fine-tune the self-eliminating transgene technology. Back to normal in a few generations To prevent mosquito-transmitted diseases, approaches based on genetic control of insect populations are being developed, Adelman said. However, many of these strategies are based on highly invasive, self-propagating transgenes that can rapidly spread the trait into other populations of mosquitoes. Keun Chae, Ph.D., a post-doctoral researcher in Adelman's group, led the experiments in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are known vectors of diseases. Taking advantage of a form of DNA repair, Chae engineered a duplicated genetic code region along with two genes for fluorescent proteins into the middle of a gene important for eye pigment. The result was a white-eyed mosquito, and also red and green fluorescence in the eyes and body. When combined with a site-specific nuclease, which is essential for many aspects of DNA repair, they acted as a precise set of molecular scissors that could cut the transgene sequences. Over several generations, mosquitoes regained their normal eye pigment and lost the modified genes. Adelman said the work is proof of principle that scientists can do two important thingsremove transgenes placed in mosquitoes and repair disrupted genes. "Many groups are developing genetic methods for mosquito population control," Adelman said. "Our method provides a braking system that can restore sequences in the wild." Self-editing transgenes could be leap for genetic research Myles said creating this self-editing transgene is the first step in a longer process. The mosquito genome is not easy to manipulate, and the breakthrough is the culmination of around six years of experimental work. But this first publication starts to address concerns about genetic modification in wild populations, he said. As genetic modification technology advances, Adelman and Myles believe this mechanism will allow researchers to evaluate the effects of changes more safely within the environment and on animals other than mosquitoes. "These are highly conserved genetic pathways, and there is every reason to believe this method could be applied to a diverse range of organisms," Myles said. Both scientists are looking forward to expanding the application of their discovery in the context of highly active gene drive. They hope their method will be useful for geneticists and in pushing the boundaries of genetic research. Explore further Team makes strides in fight against Zika More information: Keun Chae et al, Engineering a self-eliminating transgene in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, PNAS Nexus (2022). Keun Chae et al, Engineering a self-eliminating transgene in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac037 Physicists Caoxiang Zhu, at left, and Nicola Lonigro with computer-generated images of magnets used to confine plasma in fusion facilities known as stellarators. Credit: Kiran Sudarsanan / PPPL Office of Communications Harnessing the power that makes the sun and stars shine could be made easier by powerful magnets with straighter shapes than have been made before. Researchers linked to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have found a way to create such magnets for fusion facilities known as stellarators. Such facilities have complex twisted magnetic coils, compared with the straight up-and-down coils in more widely used tokamak facilities, and can produce fusion reactions without the risk of disruptions that tokamaks face. This advantage makes stellarators a candidate to serve as the model for a next-generation fusion pilot plant. Now, by adding sections to the stellarator coils that are relatively straight, researchers could both reduce the manufacturing cost and make it easier to install openings that would allow technicians to repair the device's interior. Both innovations could aid the development of a stellarator power plant, replicating fusion on Earth for a virtually inexhaustible supply of power to generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases or long-lived radioactive waste. "In the future, people will have to replace components within stellarators as they wear out, which requires large openings between the coils of the magnets," said physicist Caoxiang Zhu, an author of the paper reporting the results in Nuclear Fusion who completed the research when he was on staff at PPPL. He is now on staff at the University of Science and Technology of China. "But it's hard to have large openings in stellarators because the electromagnetic coils zig and zag and are really complex." But by using a mathematical technique known as "spline representation," Zhu and the other collaborators were able to design magnets with straighter sections than before while still creating magnetic fields that can confine plasma. Those straight sections could provide good locations for windows. Invented by astrophysicist Lyman Spitzer, PPPL's first director, stellarators are fusion facility concepts that use high-powered magnets to create interweaving magnetic fields that confine plasma, hot gas consisting of electrons and bare atomic nuclei. Stellarators have advantages over tokamaks, doughnut-shaped devices that are currently the most popular fusion facility concept worldwide, but their fantastically complicated magnets have made design and construction challenging. Zhu and the researchers added the spline capability to Zhu's FOCUS computer code. To test the concept, the team designed magnets that could fit on the Helically Symmetric eXperiment (HSX), a stellarator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The updated code showed that researchers could create straighter magnets than before while preserving their strength and accuracy. "In principle, you can always make straighter coils, but the trade-off is that their magnetic fields might not confine the plasma as well as those produced by twistier coils," said Nicola Lonigro, a student in the DOE's Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program at the time of the research, lead author of the paper, and now a Ph.D. candidate at the University of York in Britain. "But our research showed that you could make a simpler coil with straighter sections that makes the same magnetic field shape and strength as conventional ones do." Creating simpler magnets could aid the development of a stellarator fusion power plant. "In the long term, this work is a contribution to the larger effort trying to make stellarators commercially viable," Lonigro said. Explore further Breakthrough brings a fusion energy device closer to realization More information: Nicola Lonigro et al, Stellarator coil design using cubic splines for improved access on the outboard side, Nuclear Fusion (2021). Nicola Lonigro et al, Stellarator coil design using cubic splines for improved access on the outboard side,(2021). DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/ac2ff3 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have found an alternative explanation for a mysterious gamma-ray signal coming from the center of the galaxy, which was long claimed as a signature of dark matter. Gamma-rays are the form of electromagnetic radiation with the shortest wavelength and highest energy. Co-author of the study Associate Professor Roland Crocker said this particular gamma-ray signalknown as the Galactic Center Excessmay actually come from a specific type of rapidly-rotating neutron star, the super-dense stellar remnants of some stars much more massive than our sun. The Galactic Center Excess is an unexpected concentration of gamma-rays emerging from the center of our galaxy that has long puzzled astronomers. "Our work does not throw any doubt on the existence of the signal, but offers another potential source," Associate Professor Crocker said. "It is based on millisecond pulsarsneutron stars that spin really quicklyaround 100 times a second. "Scientists have previously detected gamma-ray emissions from individual millisecond pulsars in the neighborhood of the solar system, so we know these objects emit gamma-rays. Our model demonstrates that the integrated emission from a whole population of such stars, around 100,000 in number, would produce a signal entirely compatible with the Galactic Center Excess." The discovery may mean scientists have to re-think where they look for clues about dark matter. "The nature of dark matter is entirely unknown, so any potential clues garner a lot of excitement," Associate Professor Crocker said. "But our results point to another important source of gamma-ray production. "For instance, the gamma-ray signal from Andromeda, the next closest large galaxy to our own may be mostly due to millisecond pulsars." ANU Masters student Anuj Gautam led the research, which also involved scientists from The Australian Defense Force Academy, University of Canterbury, and University of Tokyo. The research has been published in Nature Astronomy. More information: Roland Crocker, Millisecond pulsars from accretion-induced collapse as the origin of the Galactic Centre gamma-ray excess signal, Nature Astronomy (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41550-022-01658-3 Journal information: Nature Astronomy Roland Crocker, Millisecond pulsars from accretion-induced collapse as the origin of the Galactic Centre gamma-ray excess signal,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-022-01658-3 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Ecologists have developed powerful modeling tools to predict the distributions of individual species, especially those of conservation importance. In one of the first studies of its kind, scientists from Newcastle University used Community Distribution Models (CDMs) to predict upland vegetation communities from published data at a national scale. Lead author Dr. Liam Butler developed novel approaches to mapping upland vegetation via CDMs in the UK, using publicly available and open-access NVC records and environmental data. Rainfall and temperature were key predictor variables, with models based on random forests (a type of machine learning classifier) being the most accurate. Publishing their findings in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the team have shown that this technique could be used in any country where maps of vegetation communities have been created. Dr. Butler conducted the study as a Ph.D. student under the supervision of Dr. Roy Sanderson at Newcastle University's School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. He says that "one advantage of the CDM approach is that it is generalizable and can easily be adopted for other countries that have their own vegetation community classifications. Another is that it can aid field ecologists conducting targeted surveys for endangered species. "For example, in the UK the distribution of the English sundew, Drosera anglicans, has greatly declined in the last 100 years due to drainage and eutrophication and is now on the British Red Data List of endangered species. It has been recorded in over 20% of surveyed quadrats for the M17 Scirpus cespitosus-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire NVC community, whose distribution was predicted accurately via the new CDM methods. Thus, M17 hotspots could indicate areas where D. anglicans is more likely to occur, and where CS surveys and potential conservation efforts should be focused." Study co-author, Dr. Roy Sanderson, Senior Lecturer in Biological Modeling at Newcastle University's School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, added that "these models can also take advantage of the large number of publicly available-species records from, for example, historical collections, or more recently citizen science (CS) surveys. "In most habitats, a plant species does not grow in isolation, but instead co-occurs with other plants to form a characteristic assemblage or 'community', and Community Distribution Models provide a method to create predictive maps these assemblages, and hence their constituent individual plant species, across wide areas. "There have, however, been few attempts to map vegetation communities, i.e. groups of plant species that often co-occur under certain environmental conditions, to create characteristic assemblages. Many countries have developed standardized methods to survey and record the occurrence of vegetation communities, for example the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) in the United Kingdom, which could be used to build such maps." Explore further Machine learning helps identify climatic thresholds that shape the distribution of natural vegetation More information: Liam Butler et al, Nationalscale predictions of plant assemblages via community distribution models: Leveraging published data to guide future surveys, Journal of Applied Ecology (2022). Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology Liam Butler et al, Nationalscale predictions of plant assemblages via community distribution models: Leveraging published data to guide future surveys,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14166 Ulysses S. Grants 200th birthday was on Wednesday, and in honor of it, Friends of Grant Cottage announced that it is one step closer to completing its master plan of improvements and expansion to the historic site. The announcement came on Wednesday at a ceremonial gathering outside of the former presidents historic cottage, where he lived out the final weeks of his life while finishing his memoirs. Friends of Grant Cottage, the group that runs the historic site on land in both Wilton and Moreau in collaboration with four state organizations, has acquired the adjacent 4.25-acre plot of land that used to be Mount McGregor Correctional Facilitys exercise yard. The state prison closed in 2014, and while it is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Corrections, Empire State Development has been looking for a potential company that would be interested in repurposing the property. A Post-Star story in March noted that paranormal expert Steven Brodt of South Glens Falls and investor Mark Erskine of Chicago have been in talks with the state to purchase the old prison for a local tourism attraction with a range of activities. The Friends of Grant Cottage board of trustees had lobbied to try to annex the property throughout the years. The two state organizations, along with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the state Office of General Services, were able in early April to finalize the official transfer of the property to Grant Cottage, which is under the auspices of the regional arm of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation office. We knew it was going to happen. We picked Grants 200th birthday to announce it, and this also launches our 2022 season this Friday, said Tim Welch, president of the board of Friends of Grant Cottage. Friends of Grant Cottage plans on building a 125-seat pavilion on the new property, which will extend to an overlook that pours over an expansive view of the Hudson Valley, the Saratoga Battlefield, Fort Edward and the Green Mountains of Vermont. When Grant was here, he said, Well, this is American history. Theres the Revolutionary War, the French and Indian War and then, of course, the Civil War. In many ways, a lot of American history can be seen from here, Welch said. The master plan also includes more open space for reenactments and additional parking spots that, according to cottage representatives, is needed, especially if there will be more programming. The board will also remove the razor wire fencing that has remained intact, surrounding the old exercise yard. They said they want to find a place to recycle it. Plans for these new additions are not final, however, as they still need to get approved by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. We will have to raise money for this, and it is subject to change, Welch said. The trustees will most likely apply for grants for the renovations, which is easier to do as the site is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a designation that came in January 2021. Welch said that when he became president of the board in 2009, he made it his priority to get the designation, and that it took about six years for it to happen. When Donald Trump became president in 2017, many National Parks Committee members quit (perhaps in protest) and it wasnt until 2020 that they reorganized the committee and I made my pitch to the panel via Zoom, Welch said. In 2021, Friends of Grant Cottage completed a $50,000 feasibility study by the LA Group engineering firm to draw out a plan for the expansion. We were very impressed by their preliminary plan on the new expansion, but we will work closely with the board to get it finalized, said Alane Ball Chinian, director of the regional Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The trustees said that in addition to government grants, they will still need to rely on fundraising. Friends of Grant Cottage will host a Grant 200th anniversary gala on Oct. 16 to kick off the fundraising. Drew Wardle is a reporter for The Post-Star. You can contact him at 518-681-7343 or email him at dwardle@poststar.com. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A local Democratic leader said the state Court of Appeals decision on Wednesday to throw out the states congressional and state Senate redistricting maps and, likely, delay the primary election to August, creates more hurdles to unseating U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville. As if a confusing year couldnt get more confusing, said Washington County Democratic Chairman Alan Stern in a telephone interview. A later primary delays the point where the party can unify behind a nominee, and increases the cost that candidates spend on their primary campaigns, particularly if a new petition process is required, he said. Often, political contributors wait until after a primary is decided to contribute. Furthermore, he said, August is a harder time to get out voters than in June. Thats a time when things really slow down. A lot of people take vacations in August, he said. It changes the election landscape. Stern said he was surprised at the decision, but area Republicans said it was the decision they expected all along. The decision rendered by the highest court in New York state, the Court of Appeals is a win for all New Yorkers and confirms what we have been saying all along: New York Democrats illegally drew gerrymandered congressional lines to protect themselves and hurt all New Yorkers, Stefanik said in a statement. The courts have spoken and they agree with what I said when the Majority first passed these redistricting maps, said state Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, in a statement. This was never really a redistricting; it was a savage attack on our democracy where the Majority used the nuclear option to ignore the will of voters who wanted an independent redistricting process. Democrats said it doesnt change the importance of this years election. The lines may change, but the mission remains the same. I am in this race to defeat Elise Stefanik, said Matt Putorti, a lawyer from Whitehall who is one of two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Stefanik. For voters sake, we hope this process is finalized soon. The other candidate is Matt Castelli, a former CIA counterterrorism official from the town of Saratoga. No matter where the lines are drawn, one thing remains clear: we need a candidate who can unite a broad coalition of voters of all backgrounds someone who has national security experience, someone who understands the values of working families in this district, and someone who is willing to put in the work to deliver real results for NY-21, the Castelli campaign said in a statement. Maury Thompson covered local government and politics for The Post-Star for 21 years before he retired in 2017. He continues to follow regional politics as a freelance writer. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 2 Angry 1 Dear Savvy Senior: My wife and I planning to travel much more frequently in retirement and are very interested in educational trips and adventures. Can you recommend any groups or firms that specialize in this type of travel geared towards retirees? Love to Learn Dear Love: Educational travel, which combines travel with in-depth learning opportunities has become a very popular way of travel among retirees. Here are a few good places to turn to find these types of trips in the U.S. and abroad. Tour organizations One of the best places to start is with Road Scholar (RoadScholar.org), which invented the idea of educational travel for older adults in the mid 1970s. The Boston-based organization offers 5,500 learning adventures in all 50 states and 150 countries. You can search for learning adventures by location, interest, activity level and price. Road Scholar also offers Choose Your Pace senior travel tours that allow participants to adjust their level of challenge on a daily basis. And for skip-gen vacations, they offer tours designed specifically for grandparents traveling with their grandkids. Another excellent option is Smithsonian Journeys (SmithsonianJourneys.org), a nonprofit travel group affiliated with the Smithsonian Museum. They lead 350 educational trips a year on every continent that are led by experts from a variety of fields academia, the diplomatic corps, scientists and curators, among others. If youre seeking more adventure, you may want to consider ElderTreks (www.ElderTreks.com), which offers 50-plus travelers small-group adventures by both land and sea in more than 100 countries. Their trips center on adventure, culture and nature, letting you get up close and personal with the locals. Academic travel Another good source for educational trips is colleges and universities. Some of my favorites include Cornell Universitys Adult University (SCE.Cornell.edu/travel), which offers a half-dozen educational trips and courses in the U.S. and abroad, each lasting a few days to a week or more. And Stanford Travel/Study (Alumni.Stanford.edu) that offers educational travel journeys to more than 80 countries each year. Most college/university trips are led by faculty who share their expertise, along with regional experts and local guides, and you dont need to be an alumnus to participate. Also check out the Traveling Professor (TravelingProfessor.com), a small-group touring company led by Steve Solosky, formerly a professor at the State University of New York. They offer a dozen or so tours abroad each year and take between 8 and 16 people. Cruising options If you enjoy cruising, consider Grand Circle Travel (GCT.com), which offers educational travel aboard small ships, and Naturalist Journeys (NaturalistJourneys.com), which specializes in nature and birding tours. American Cruise Lines (AmericanCruiseLines.com) also offers more than 35 river and coastal itineraries in the Northeast, Southeast, Pacific Northwest and along the Mississippi River. And it has themed cruises (Lewis and Clark, Mark Twain, Civil War, etc.) for people with specific historical, literary or other interests. And Viking River Cruises (VikingRiverCruises.com), which is geared to older travelers, focuses on European art, history and culture. Each cruise makes one to two port stops a day as the ship winds its way up or down Europes most famous rivers like the Rhine, Seine, Danube and Douro. A free sightseeing tour is included at all stops, and special-interest excursions are available for additional fees. Viking offers tours in the United States too. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. A Burlington County police chief has been placed on restricted duty after being arrested Friday for allegedly driving drunk on a residential street, knocking down a mailbox and stop sign, and fleeing the scene. Bordentown Township police Chief Brian Pesce, who has been with the department for 23 years and has served as chief since 2018, was charged with five crimes as a result of the crash in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, just before 10:30 p.m. Friday. After crashing his pickup truck near Bruin Drive and Terrapin Lane, police said, Pesce drove away and was arrested a short time later. In addition to DUI, Pesce was charged with reckless and careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage and failing to report an accident. Pesce has been placed on restricted duty while an investigation continues, said Bordentown Administrator Michael Theokas. He declined further comment. Burlington County man sentenced for attempted robbery at Bally's Atlantic City A Marlton man will spend eight years in prison after pleading guilty to threatening an Atlan Attempts to reach Pesces lawyer, John Hartmann, of Princeton, were unsuccessful. Pesce was promoted to acting chief in 2017 after the townships then-chief, Frank Nucera, was charged with federal hate crimes for allegedly attacking a handcuffed Black teen in 2016. Two juries deadlocked on those charges, but Nucera was convicted of lying to FBI agents during the investigation. In May of last year, he was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison. After Pesce took over as acting chief, he met with members of the local NAACP branch to assure them Nuceras misdeeds were not a reflection of the department as a whole. As chief, Pesce worked to instill a culture of inclusion with a focus on community policing, greater transparency and increased diversity, according to the townships website. But first, a school. Words mythically attributed to Georgiy Balanchivadze George Balanchine upon coming to the United States to build what would become an American empire of ballet. Some think it was actually Balanchines lesser-known co-conspirator, the impresario Lincoln Kirstein, who was more enthusiastic about their first venture forming the School of American Ballet. In any case, the school would eventually support the launch of New York City Ballet. In so doing, this very Russian import would grab hold on this side of the Atlantic. Yes, America loves the ballet. And Balanchine is credited with a uniquely American style, practically divorced from his Russian heritage. Yet it is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovskys Serenade for Strings in C major that swells from the orchestra pit in Balanchines first ballet created on American soil, Serenade. Advertisement The Lyric Opera House curtain rose Wednesday on the long-awaited Joffrey Ballet premiere of Serenade, revealing a sea of quasi-anonymous sylphs in powder blue leotards and long, gauzy skirts. Through May 8, Serenade is paired with the world premiere of Cathy Marstons Of Mice and Men. Advertisement Serenade was created for Balanchines pupils in 1935. These Joffrey dancers may have waited their whole lives for that first moment: right arm extended on the diagonal with a delicately broken wrist, a crisp transition to both arms en bas and a tendu to first position. Balanchine famously used Serenade not just for the audiences benefit but as a primer for developing dancers. Recall, ballet wasnt really a thing in America; dancers had to be taught the technique from scratch. As the plotless ballet escalates, it becomes increasingly difficult. Dancers fumbles and falls in the studio were left in. Look hard enough and you might see lessons from Romanticism. Those frothy, feminine sylphs, joined occasionally by a handful of men in ridiculous purply blue unitards (as mandated by the Balanchine Trust), flit across the stage with recognizable images extracted from Giselle and Swan Lake. These are Balanchines wilis. Serenade is a relic, important to the history of American ballet and a rite of passage for this great American ballet company. Their performance, though not perfect, was pretty darn close. Soloists Victoria Jaiani, Gayeon Jung and Valeria Chaykina give commanding performances. And, of course, Tchaikovskys score pierces to the core, a salve for our souls so beautiful its almost hard to keep your eyes open. "Serenade" with choreography by George Balanchine, performed by the Joffrey Ballet. (Cheryl Mann / HANDOUT) That said, Serenade is an odd overture for Of Mice and Men, British choreographer Marstons latest literary ballet based on the John Steinbeck novella. Made just two years apart (Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men in 1937) I suppose the pairing says something about the interwar period or the Great Depression. Balanchines perspective captures the immigrant experience and cultural diplomacy. Steinbeck centered his Depression-era and midcentury novels on the hardship and strife of bootstrapping everymen trying to make it in the American West namely central California. Marston has long lusted after the British literary canon. She created ballets from Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, the latter performed by Joffrey in 2019. The shift to American literature marks her first original ballet for Joffrey, with exquisite, though perhaps underutilized, new music by Thomas Newman (the first ballet by this celebrated movie composer, whose scores include American Beauty and Shawshank Redemption). Lorenzo Savoini created an extraordinary minimalist set and lighting design alluding to Salinas Valleys dusty landscapes. Wooden benches become dance partners, architecture and furniture, their wood tones echoed by shifting wood plank panels hung in lieu of a back drop that lend a saloon or ranch-type feel to the setting. Costume designer Bregje van Balens overalls and sweat-stained work shirts seal the deal. Of Mice and Men tells the story of Lennie Small (Dylan Gutierrez) and George Milton, danced by Xavier Nunez and Alberto Velazquez at the same time. Marston borrows a convention she employed in Jane Eyre, using two dancers to fracture the lead role. The implication here is likely that Velazquez, who is frequently backgrounded, is Georges shadow, or conscience the angel on his shoulder when he faces a moral dilemma. George and Lennie are two transient men in search of work and a better life. They dream of owning a parcel of land (evidenced here by a bizarre and frequently repeated gesture drawing walls and a roof with their arms). Lennies cognitive disability complicates matters; he loves rabbits so hard he accidentally kills them (in this case a rag wrapped around Gutierrez hand to form bunny ears). It gets worse when his misdirected affection and unrestrained aggression are aimed at two women, saddling the two pals with problems. Lennie inadvertently kills the otherwise nameless character Curleys Wife, the flirtatious and boisterous beau (danced by Amanda Assucena) of the browbeating son of a ranch owner, named Curley (Fernando Duarte). Advertisement A challenge, though, is that I had to look most of that up on Wikipedia. Like her Jane Eyre, this ballet is tough to follow if you dont know the book to begin with. Im not convinced this story is worth working that hard. Let me be clear, Of Mice and Men features rich, wonderful performances, most notably from Gutierrez, Nunez and Velazquez. Unlike most story ballets, which give the men about 45 seconds to showcase their skills, Marstons terrific choreography is a spectacular blend of rough and tumble Americana and elegant ballet technique. But those whove studied Steinbeck know how this story ends. Attempting some greater good by murdering Lennie before a rifle-toting Curley and an angry mob got to him first, Steinbecks ethical dilemma, as portrayed on stage here, suggests that the best way to deal with cognitive disability is to eliminate people with cognitive disabilities. It is clear through the struggle between George and the other George that his actions are not arrived upon easily and are more merciful than what would have happened had he decided differently. Gutierrez sensitivity to his character as a multilayered, honestly lovable, but not wholly childlike Lennie makes it hard to understand why it turned out this way. Or why we need this ballet in the first place. Review: Serenade and Of Mice and Men by Joffrey Ballet When: Through May 8 Where: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive Advertisement Running time: Two hours Tickets: $35-$199 at 312-386-8905 and Joffrey.org MAYS LANDING Construction is underway on the new Innovation Center at Atlantic Cape Community College, a $5.3 million facility for esports and cybersecurity programs at the Mays Landing campus. The center will replace Boyer Hall, one of the oldest buildings at the college. It will be reconfigured with an esports lounge and new computer labs; Richards Hall with new classrooms; and Morse Hall with faculty offices. The buildings will become a smart hub for forward-thinking, technology-laden curriculum, the college said in a news release. Funding for the project was provided through a $4 million New Jerseys Securing Our Childrens Future Bond Act grant and $1.33 million from Atlantic County. Atlantic Cape Community College will transform a dated facility into a state-of-the-art building for instruction in the fast-growing industries of esports and cybersecurity, positioning Atlantic Cape as the regions leading resource for esports and cybersecurity career advancement, said Josette Katz, senior vice president of academics at Atlantic Cape. Our students will have a significant advantage in two of the most in-demand fields currently. The Atlantic County Economic Alliance has highlighted the growth potential of esports in partnership with the Atlantic City casino and hospitality industries. Cybersecurity is one of the nations highest in-demand fields, Atlantic Cape said, and the Atlantic County cohort of the South Jersey STEM & Innovation Partnership has emphasized the need for career and technical education training capacity for cybersecurity. Professor Otto Hernandez is developing the esports and cybersecurity technical programming, working with Associate Professor Karl Giulian, who is developing business programming specifically related to esports, Atlantic Cape said. Employers are looking to fill cybersecurity positions everywhere in the world. Students trained in this field can work for private companies, they can work for the government; any place that has computer systems with data that needs to be protected has a demand for cybersecurity professionals, Hernandez said. In the fall, Atlantic Cape students who enroll in these programs will learn how to create computer games, obtain business skills for success in the esports industry, learn information technology skills focused on computer forensics and more. Students will be able to earn an associates degree in computer programming with a game design and development option, Atlantic Cape said. Students working toward an associates degree in business administration can add an esports option as well. Students also can select a cybersecurity option for an associates degree in computer systems support. After completing their coursework, students who choose the cybersecurity option will be able to sit for industry certifications including CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, TestOut Ethical Hacker Pro and CompTIA SySA+. Atlantic City tour showcases LGBTQ communities, opportunities ATLANTIC CITY The Chelsea Economic Development Corp.s first LGBTQ Pride in Homeownership Atlantic Cape also is in the midst of building a Wind Training Center at the Worthington Atlantic City campus. The 1,700-square-foot addition is funded through a nearly $3 million New Jersey Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge grant, awarded to the college in July 2021 and administered by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education with the support of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The Wind Training Center will house a Global Wind Organization safety training program and facility to prepare New Jersey workers for jobs in the states growing offshore wind industry, as well as establish a sea survival module at Gardners Basin. The Wind Training Center is also expected to open in the fall. For more information, visit atlantic.edu. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MAYS LANDING Michael Hazard, whose parents, Shirley and Richard Hazard, were murdered in 2001, says he and his surviving family members remain grateful to law enforcement years later for their compassion and hard work in bringing the killer to justice. The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office on Wednesday recognized National Crime Victims Rights Week by hearing from Hazard. Hazard spoke about his parents murders alongside several of his family members outside the Atlantic County Superior Courthouse. Members of the county law enforcement agency were also there, as was Lt. Stacey Schlachter, representing the Pleasantville Police Department. His words echoed those of thousands of lives affected by homicides nationwide. National Crime Victims Rights Week, recognized in April since 1981, pays tribute to homicide victims families and advocates for victims rights while helping them commemorate the loss of their loved ones to violence. Hazard still gets emotional recounting the phone call from police about his parents murder, he said while standing next to a board of photos the family assembled to remember them. But what he also remembers is the outpouring of support his family received from the Crime Victims Rights Group, which provides grieving families support in helping rebuild their lives. They were immediately there for us, Hazard said. They supported us mentally and emotionally. Any kind of way we needed support, they were there for us, and we cant forget that. But, more importantly, he remembers his two loving parents at the time of their death, having instilled important life lessons in their childrens lives, such as mentorship. They wanted us (family members) to be there for the next generation, Hazard said. He said his father was working in the yard of their Pleasantville home on Wellington Avenue and his mother had returned home shortly before they were both brutally attacked by an intruder Jan. 18, 2001. Both Shirley and Richard Hazard were stabbed and thrown down the basement staircase before being set on fire along with their home. Brian Wakefield, formerly of Absecon, was convicted of the murders March 4, 2004. He would be the last person to be sentenced to death in New Jersey for the killings. Wakefields sentence was commuted following New Jersey outlawing the death penalty in 2007. Hes serving a life sentence with no parole, according to the Prosecutors Office. In 2015, Wakefield tried unsuccessfully to obtain a lesser sentence through an appeal, arguing his attorney gave ineffective assistance on whether he would face the death penalty if he pleaded guilty. Brian Wakefield, who brutally murdered Pleasantville couple, loses appeal Brian Wakefield, who is serving a parole-ineligible life sentence and who once faced the dea In 2009, the family sued Wakefield for damages caused by his crime. A jury awarded them more than $100 million. At the time, Ben Folkman, the familys attorney, said getting the money from Wakefield would be unlikely, given hes an inmate. But Folkman said winning the lawsuit would enable the family to receive money from him in another way, such as if it were inherited. Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill said since he had handled the case, he had close ties to the Hazard family. We worked day and night on this case, said Shill. I did not want to disappoint the family. They wanted justice in the murders of their parents, and they deserved justice. The couples daughter, Sharon Hazard Johnson, said she remains grateful to the Prosecutors Offices for its work as well as its caring in helping her family cope. The fact that you all worked with us and let us know what was going on, on a daily basis, we are indebted to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office, Hazard Johnson said. Being thorough in explaining investigative and legal procedures is key to building relationships with victims families, said Chief of County Investigators Bruce DeShields. The Hazard family was a big family and their parents are murdered and I could see how painful it was for all of them, DeShields said. I kept telling the Hazard family to trust the system, to trust us and let us do our job to get justice. DeShields said the law enforcement agency takes pride in using all means to thoroughly investigate homicides in an attempt to convict those whove caused harm to the victims and their families. What I hope that they (families) all take away from this is that the men and women of the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office truly embrace our mission, and that we try to do our best every day, DeShields said. Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Three separate investigations are looking for answers regarding COVID-19 outbreaks in New Jersey veterans homes. Brig. Gen. Lisa Hou, commissioner and adjunct general of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, spoke before the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. While answering questions, Hou said there were three separate, ongoing investigations into the departments handling of COVID-19 outbreaks in the states three Veterans Memorial Homes in the first few months of the pandemic in 2020. While she could not recall an exact date, she said investigators began looking into the situation over a year ago. The three homes, located in the Menlo Park section of Edison Township, Middlesex County; Paramus, Bergen County; and Vineland, have collectively seen more than 200 of their residents die over the course of the pandemic. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office and the state Commission of Investigation are each conducting one of the investigations. The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting the third. State Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, asked Hou about the status of the investigations. He attributed the deaths to gross negligence and incompetence on the part of veterans home administrators and asked that people be held to account. To put it simply, we deserve to know how this disaster occurred and why certain decisions were made and who made them, Testa said. Accordingly we must ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable, for our nations heroes should have never been placed in harms way needlessly. Gov. Phil Murphy in January deployed the National Guard to nursing homes as they experienced COVID-19 surges and staffing shortages driven by the omicron variant of the coronavirus. About 150 Guard troops were expected to bolster staffing at more than a dozen facilities in the state, including the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home. In September, the governor signed a law requiring the veterans homes to hire resident advocates to communicate residents complaints. The Murphy administration also agreed in December to a $53 million settlement with the families of 119 residents at the Paramus and Menlo Park veterans homes over COVID-19 deaths. Hou said the department has fully complied with the investigations and produced all the materials investigators have requested. She added she did not know when the investigations would close. The Justice Department did send out interim recommendations, which Hou said her department subsequently addressed. Testa, citing actions taken by Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, said Murphy should commission another, independent authority to investigate what happened at the veterans homes. Sweeney Center to push for five-year budget forecasts as first project TRENTON In the midst of unprecedented state revenues and state spending, along with fear o Hou responded that the three investigations already ongoing would hopefully uncover all the information of interest to state legislators. Sen. Paul Sarlo, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, said it was important to make sure the states veterans homes were prepared for future outbreaks of COVID-19 and other diseases. While he noted some hospitals and nursing homes also struggled to contain coronavirus outbreaks, he said the state needed to mount a collaborative effort to make sure what happened in the state veterans homes never happens again. I dont want you to think were here to criticize, but at the same time, we have to answer to constituents as well, and we have to be responsive to our constituents, said Sarlo, D-Bergen, Passaic. Earlier in the hearing, Hou drew attention to innovations her department was making to keep track of risks and infection and to implement a new electronic medical record system. She also cited the departments vaccination program, which has fully inoculated 96% of veterans home residents against COVID-19 and has seen 91% of residents receive a booster shot. Ninety-nine percent of veterans home staff and contractors are fully vaccinated, and the remaining 1% was granted exemptions, putting the homes in compliance with relevant government vaccine policies for health care workers. Hou said the veterans homes had a strong COVID-19 testing regimen, something she said was necessitated by the threat that new variants of the coronavirus could emerge. Were still in the fight to keep our COVID-19 infections at zero and ensure continuous improvement, Hou said. Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATLANTIC CITY One organizer of this years national NAACP convention was here when the resort last hosted the civil rights organization in 1955, and she remembers a disturbing event. Someone let loose white rats in the dining room of the groups annual awards dinner, she said, in a hateful effort to ruin it. The FBI was there, said Hazel Dukes, who is co-chairing the convention planning group, at a news conference in which national, state and local NAACP officials celebrated coming to Atlantic City from July 14 to 21. They must have known something was going to happen. No one responsible was ever caught, Dukes said. Dukes attended in 1955 as a youth member. Now, many NAACP leaders and Gov. Phil Murphy, who is a former board member for the national group, consider her a mentor. The nation has come a long way since then, said Derrick Johnson, NAACPs national president and CEO, but not far enough. Despite enormous wins for representation, our civil rights remain under attack, Johnson said. The convention will tackle some of the toughest issues, he said, with a theme of #ThisIsPower. What is the definition of power? asked Johnson. The capacity to make things happen or prevent things from happening. Thats power. Attendees will seek solutions to pressing issues like educational and health inequities, and the need to improve policing so Black neighborhoods are safe and not victimized by police. And the convention will determine the NAACPs policy agenda priorities for 2022-23, organizers said. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been invited to attend, organizers said, and U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina will be on hand to receive the NAACPs highest award. Big name speakers are expected but will be announced later, they said. Asked whether the city is concerned that national attention could harm it, like it did in 1964 when the Democratic National Convention came to town and publicity centered on its crumbling hotels and poverty, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said the city is ready. That was then, this is now, Small said. We are a town that thrives on the hospitality industry, we do big events like no one else ... we are going to be prepared. Small said the city is working with others to secure big name entertainment acts for the week. We want to show the world what Atlantic City is. We can show you better than we tell you. Atlantic City celebrates NAACP's 113th anniversary, preps for national convention ATLANTIC CITY Mayor Marty Small Sr. and members of the local NAACP chapter held a news con The convention will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center, and there will be events around the city and at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, according to organizers. Registration will be open to all, not just NAACP members, they said. New Jersey has a rich history in the fight for equality, and we are honored to build on our legacy and host this years convention, said Murphy, who stopped in briefly. He was also in town to attend an offshore wind conference. Murphy cited South Jerseys historical ties to Harriet Tubman, who worked as a cook for a time in Cape May and brought enslaved people north to freedom; and Fannie Lou Hamer making her famous speech about Black people being sick and tired of being sick and tired at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, where she fought for the right of Black Mississippians to be seated at the convention. National Board Chair Leon Russell said its been three years since the NAACP met in person due to COVID-19. Those three years have quite frankly changed this nation, Russell said, adding its time for the Black community to realize its power and take action. One of the things most important for us to lift up is health care, Russell said, especially after the pandemic highlighted inequities as it hit Black communities hardest. We have to talk about the negative impacts of racism on the delivery of health care in this nation. The Black community exercised its power by getting out the vote for Democrats in the 2020 election that put Biden in office, Johnson said, and made something else important happen. Just three short weeks ago a sister was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Johnson said. That wouldnt have happened without turning out the vote in 2020, despite efforts to suffocate our voices. He does not want the NAACP to get caught up in distracting debates about the value of critical race theory or the operations of the Black Lives Matter movement, Johnson said. Im excited to see young people take to the street, Johnson said. We dont have time for us vs. us. The power is in us standing together. But he said the answer is not defunding the police, calling that idea foolhardy. At the same time the police should be accountable and not preying on our communities, Johnson said. Thank you all for believing in Atlantic City, said City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, who is also the president of the local NAACP chapter. We do conventions in Atlantic City thats what we do. In the next 73 days, we are continuing to be prepared and united in making sure this convention is outstanding. Shabazz said the local chapter set a goal of getting 300 local youth registered to participate, and has asked the mayor and business leaders to help raise funds for their fees. We want local youth to see leadership, to see power and get excited, Shabazz said. The local chapter is also preparing a brochure of Black businesses to be distributed to attendees, so you know where to go and shop, to barber shops, beauty parlors, restaurants and others. The NAACP was founded Feb. 12, 1909, in New York City. It now has 2 million members and 2,200 branches across the U.S., said Trovon Williams, senior vice president of marketing and communications for the national organization. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MAURICE RIVER TOWNSHIP Southern State Prison is set to close this year, state and local officials confirmed Wednesday. The state Department of Corrections is using the word consolidation. Southern State Correctional Facility Compound A and Compound B are being consolidated into Bayside, Maurice River Township Mayor Ken Whildin said. A Department of Corrections spokesman said the department did not expect any job losses from the consolidation. A drop in the number of inmates in New Jersey and the deteriorating condition of the prison were both cited as reasons for the planned closure. Southern State and Bayside State Prison are next to each other, forming a sprawling prison complex off Route 47. Southern State is in the Delmont section of the township, with Bayside in the adjoining Leesburg section. There is also a minimum security section known as the farm, where prisoners work on a dairy, which Whildin said will also be consolidated. Southern State can hold more than 2,000 inmates. The two prisons combined employ about 1,500 people, including guards and civilian employees, Whildin said, a big number in this mostly rural community. Its going to have a significant impact on the few small businesses that we have, Whildin said, with fewer prison employees grabbing morning coffee or lunch from a nearby diner. We have very few jobs here other than the prison. Whildin is a retired corrections officer who worked at both Southern State and Bayside. He said the consolidation is set to be completed by summer. New Jersey Department of Corrections spokesman Dan Sperrazza confirmed that consolidation is under consideration. "Department of Corrections is currently evaluating the possible consolidation of units at Southern State Correctional Facility and Bayside State Prison," he said Thursday in an emailed response to a request for comment. "This potential consolidation is due to a number of factors including the decline in the incarcerated population, the deteriorating infrastructure at both facilities, and a staffing shortage in the southern region. "We do not anticipate the elimination of any jobs resulting from any consolidations," Sperrazza continued. The state Department of Corrections did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon, but state Sen. Michael Testa confirmed the consolidation plans. Southern State is going to be consolidated, mostly with Bayside, and some of the pods are going to close completely, Testa said Wednesday. He said he has been getting information in dribs and drabs but confirmed Whildins account. Im very concerned about potential job loss, Testa said. He said he has sought to make sure corrections officers are offered positions either at Bayside or at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton. Army Corps dredging could make a big difference on Maurice River MAURICE RIVER TOWNSHIP On a sunny Sunday morning at Anchor Marina on the Maurice River, Bo Both men, and other sources, said the facilities at Southern State are in dire need of repairs. Testa said he did not have an exact estimate but said the facility needs tens of millions of dollars worth of work. They have trailers there that are essentially falling apart. There are structural and infrastructure issues at the current Southern State facility, Testa said. At one point, the prisons used not only temporary trailers to house inmates but also canvas tents lined up on fields, surrounded by tall fences. The tents are long gone, Whildin said, but the trailers remain. A report from the Department of Corrections indicates there are 1,878 prisoners in Southern State, with a little more than 2,000 at Bayside, including at the farm. But those numbers are down, according to Testa and Whildin. There simply, from what Im being told, arent enough prisoners to keep them open, Testa said. He cited an early release program enacted by Gov. Phil Murphys administration, in which more than 6,600 people were released in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the prison population. The move won praise from some quarters. The Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit advocacy group, reported that New Jersey prisons were operating over capacity and had the largest reduction in prison population of all 50 states in response to the pandemic, with the second highest vaccination rate. The Public Health Emergency Credits Law took effect in November 2020, allowing someone with less than a year left in prison to get out up to eight months early. Representatives of the New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union stated that before the releases, New Jersey had the worst death rate from COVID-19 in prisons. At its heart, the Public Health Emergency Credits Law is not a pandemic policy, its a policy about humanity, Amol Sinha, the state ACLUs executive director, said in a statement in March. Its a policy recognizing that no one, including incarcerated people and their families, deserves gratuitous suffering. Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, believes it was bad policy and blames the Murphy administration for making New Jersey less safe, comparing the early releases to throwing gasoline on a blazing fire. He said his constituents want to see a plan to reduce crime. State officials report 2 additional South Jersey prison inmate COVID-19 deaths BRIDGETON Two more inmates at a South Jersey prison have died from COVID-19 as cases at fa In March, while the ACLU praised the early release, Testa suggested it could be part of a larger plan to permanently reduce New Jerseys prison capacity. Weve already seen the proof that it was a tragic mistake for Governor Murphy to free masses of dangerous prisoners back into our communities, Testa said in a statement released at the time. It would be another mistake for the Murphy administration to permanently eliminate the cells and prisons well need when Murphys misfits are incarcerated again, which is inevitable. Union leaders at the prisons have been informed of the consolidation plan, Testa said. He added that Victoria Kuhn, acting commissioner of the Department of Corrections, has been responsive to his questions. Some of what she tells me, Im not happy with, he said. Whildin said it took him several attempts to finally speak with someone at the Department of Corrections. When he did, he said, the person was sympathetic to his concerns and informative, but made it sound like there was little chance of changing the plan. But he said there has been no official communication with the township. We were contacted by folks who worked there. The Department of Corrections has never reached out to the local officials to have any conversation about this, Whildin said. Southern State was built in 1983. Bayside is the older of the two, dating to 1977. According to Whildin, the township welcomed the prisons because of the jobs they would bring. "Department of Corrections is currently evaluating the possible consolidation of units at Southern State Correctional Facility and Bayside State Prison. This potential consolidation is due to a number of factors including the decline in the incarcerated population, the deteriorating infrastructure at both facilities, and a staffing shortage in the southern region. We do not anticipate the elimination of any jobs resulting from any consolidations." Dan Sperrazza, Executive Director Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATLANTIC CITY rsted, the Danish wind power developer, signed an agreement Thursday with New Jersey officials to use a state-financed manufacturing port to build the components of the states first offshore wind farm. Gov. Phil Murphy announced the agreement during an international wind energy conference in Atlantic City, from whose coast the projects turbines should be visible on the distant horizon. rsted, which is partnering with Newark-based PSEG to build the project, will lease the New Jersey Wind Port in Salem County for two years starting in April 2024. Murphy did not reveal how much the developers will pay for the lease. The parties signed the letter of intent Thursday, but binding agreements are to be submitted to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority by June. The pact marks the first return on the states investment of up to $500 million in the wind port, designed to help the state attract companies interested in building wind power projects here as it seeks to become the East Coast hub of the offshore wind industry. This is a huge moment: Today is a vision turning into reality, Murphy said at the conference, sponsored by the Business Network for Offshore Wind. This is truly New Jerseys If you build it, they will come moment. Ocean Wind is to be built off the states southern coastline and will provide 1,100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 500,000 homes. It is one of three wind farms approved thus far by New Jersey regulators, with many more to come. US: Ukraine war 'screams' need to reject Russian energy Hours after Russia cut off natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria, the energy secretaries from the U.S. and the European Commission called for a rapid acceleration of wind power to help countries stop using Russian energy. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said at a wind energy conference Wednesday in Atlantic City that the Ukraine war screams out the need for countries to stop using Russian fuel. And European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said offshore wind is a part of the continent's move to wean itself off Russian energy imports. The U.S. has a goal of generating enough wind energy to power 10 million homes by 2030. In February, six companies bid a combined $4.37 billion for the right to build wind energy projects on the ocean floor off New Jersey and New York in the U.S. governments largest such auction in history. New Jersey plans another round of project solicitations later this year. Officials broke ground on the wind port, in Lower Alloways Creek Township, last September. The facility is designed to provide a place to manufacture giant blades and other components for offshore wind energy projects. The turbines to be built there are nearly as large as the Eiffel Tower and weigh thousands of tons. Because of that, they need to be built and prepared for transport in a place free from bridges or other obstacles that they must pass under on their way out to sea. The port was designed with this and other technical considerations in mind. The state also is planning a second related facility in Paulsboro on the Delaware River in Gloucester County to build the huge poles supporting wind turbines. When the Ocean Wind 1 project was approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in June 2019, the approval was based on the project using an existing out-of-state port to marshal the project. The developers have since decided to use the state wind port instead, officials said Thursday. Wind power, public safety building top issues at Ocean City Council debate OCEAN CITY For some questions put to the six candidates for three at-large seats on City C Murphy said the lease is expected to create at least 200 pre-assembly, stevedoring and other jobs in a region badly in need of them. New Jersey is on the forefront of wind energy technology, and through our partnership, the Ocean Wind 1 project will deliver hundreds of jobs, clean energy and transformative infrastructure to the region, said David Hardy, CEO of rsted Offshore North America. ATLANTIC CITY U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Wednesday that Russias war on Ukraine screams that the world needs to stop importing oil and gas from Russia and instead move toward other forms of energy. At an international forum on offshore wind energy in the resort, Granholm said the U.S. and its energy industries are on a war footing and called for a rapid acceleration of renewable energy, including offshore wind power. Her comments were echoed by Kadri Simson, the European commissioner for energy, who noted that Europe recently committed itself to a large-scale move away from Russian fossil fuel imports, and considers wind energy an important part of that transition. Their comments came as Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday and threatened to do the same to other countries, dramatically escalating its standoff with the West over the war in Ukraine. European leaders decried the move as blackmail. Germany and Italy are among Europes biggest consumers of Russian natural gas but have already been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. Russia is waging a war in Ukraine, and the imperative to move away from Russian oil and gas, for the world to move away from Russian oil and gas, screams that there is an imperative that we electrify, said Granholm, the former Michigan governor. Offshore wind is just a huge component in that. Wind power, public safety building top issues at Ocean City Council debate OCEAN CITY For some questions put to the six candidates for three at-large seats on City C This is a time to accelerate because we are on a war footing, because you are the army we need, because this is the battle for our nations, she told a conference room filled with offshore wind developers and suppliers. This is a war of good against evil, and we are all enlisted. Simson cited a plan adopted last month called REPowerEU that calls for more liquid natural gas and traditional pipeline imports from nations other than Russia; doubling sustainable production of biomethane; and increasing the production and import of renewable hydrogen. That policy is to work in tandem with existing renewable energy industries including solar and wind. It aims to replace two-thirds of the amount of natural gas the European Union imports from Russia by the end of the year. It is clear now more than ever that Europe needs to reshape our energy system and bring our dependence on Russian energy to an end as soon as possible, Simson said. Offshore wind is an important part of that plan. The U.S. has set a goal of generating 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, enough to power 10 million homes. In February, six companies bid a combined $4.37 billion for the right to build wind energy projects on the ocean floor off New Jersey and New York in the U.S. governments largest such auction in history. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said when fully developed, these sites could provide enough energy to power 2 million homes, and additional auctions are expected in the future. Also on Wednesday, the U.S. Interior Department announced it is looking at areas for additional wind energy leases in the central Atlantic coast and off the coast of Oregon totaling more than 4 million acres. A public comment period on the proposal will end June 28. Wind power developers and energy regulators speaking at Wednesdays conference said much work remains to be done to accommodate the surging U.S. offshore wind industry. They particularly cited the need to expand and modernize an electrical grid that was built around fossil fuels. Transmission projects will be crucial to the success and affordability of the wind power industry, and companies are already flooding regulators with proposals. Joseph Fiordaliso, president of New Jerseys Board of Public Utilities, said his agency has already received 80 proposals from 13 energy transmission developers. The worst dream I have is that were generating energy in the ocean and we have no place to plug it in, he said. The grid has to be updated. Companies and regulators also stressed that the rapidly growing industry has to be affordable to its end users: the electric customers. There are real, working-class folks out there who pay these bills, said Clint Plummer, CEO of Rise Light & Power, which repurposes former fossil fuel facilities as clean energy hubs. We need to do this in a way thats affordable. COVID-19 news from across the United States offered plenty of hope as Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser for President Joe Biden, told PBS NewsHour the country is out "out of the pandemic phase." Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made the comment Tuesday. The World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic March 11, 2020 and the WHO has not removed the virus' pandemic designation. There is plenty of reason for hope and caution at the local level. The COVID-19 numbers coming out of Rock Island and Scott counties remain low but there has been a slow climb in the number of cases and the positivity rates in Rock Island County. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's county-wide COVID-19 statistics showed an increase of 111 new cases during the seven-day period ending Monday. That's just an average of 15.9 cases per day but also translates to a seven-day positivity rate of 4.42%. That's a significant increase in the positivity rate over the last month and close to a moderate-to-high rate of community spread. On the Iowa side of the Quad-Cities, Scott County added 52 new COVID-19 cases during the seven-day period ending Monday. Because of a lack of reporting by the state of Iowa, the Scott County's positivity rate is not known. Rock Island County Health Department Public Information Officer Janet Hill explained the limitations of the statistics reported by the CDC. "We can't accurately give numbers because of the rise of at-home testing. We are looking closely at hospitalizations, which has remained low, with our own check-ins with UnityPoint and Genesis and CDC metrics," Hill said. "We are seeing a growing positivity rate, but we're more concerned with the stagnant vaccination rate. "We are seeing more counties in Illinois move to a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and we are warily watching high transmission rates in the Northeast." According to the CDC, 82,966 Rock Island County residents are fully vaccinated 58.5% of the county's total population. In terms of those residents with at least one booster shot, the CDC said 34,721 of those fully vaccinated have had at least one booster jab. That's just 41.8% of those vaccinated. Rock Island County Health Department Administrator Nita Ludwig said vaccinations are now the number one priority in public health's battle against the virus. "We saw an uptick in vaccinations as second booster became available. They are still continuing to be fairly popular. We are doing around 70 to 100 each clinic day," Ludwig said. "The Illinois Department of Public Health asks that we continue to provide vaccinations to as many as possible to get and keep everyone up to date. "We continue to message through our website and Facebook all information and opportunities to get vaccinated. We are working on billboards in varied languages as an additional outreach effort. They will start sometime in May." Scott County has fared a bit better in terms of vaccination numbers. According to the CDC, a total of 105,397 residents are fully vaccinated 60.9% of the county's total population. And 49,724 of the fully vaccinated have received at least one booster shot. "We are still giving some primary first and second doses and some boosters and fourth doses the second booster for those eligible. Our vaccine partners in Scott County share with us that they continue to see some demand," said Scott County Health Department Public Information Officer Brooke Barnes said. "Not much has changed in terms of our messages regarding vaccination. We join the Iowa Department of Public Health in continuing to encourage primary vaccinations as well as boosters for those eligible," Barnes added. "Although we are in a safer spot, COVID is not over and we continue to want our community to be protected." Barnes, Ludwig and Hill said what happens in the fall may depend of the levels of individual immunity in the community. "We are in a different place in the pandemic. More people have immunity right now through vaccination and previous infection. Plus, we now have post-infection medications to reduce the severity of disease, reduce hospitalizations or length of hospital stays, and prevent more death," Hill said. Hill pointed out a new CDC report showed that, by February 2022, nearly six in 10 Americans had antibodies indicating prior infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. "Evidence of infection rose among all age groups during omicron with the largest increases among children and teens," Hill said. "However, reinfections can occur. We strongly encourage people to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination and boosters. Vaccinations protect against people getting really sick and dying from COVID-19, even among those who have had COVID-19." Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Davenport man to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography and other charges. Chief Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced James Anthony Rogers, 57, of Davenport, to 216 months in prison on charges of production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and attempted enticement of a minor, according to court records filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The acts underlying the charges happened in 2018, according to federal court records. Davenport police launched an investigation into Rogers after receiving information indicating Rogers may have been involved in the sexual solicitation of a boy. Multiple search warrants revealed Rogers tried to contact more than 50 boys and had sexually explicit conversations with them, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Rogers attempted to persuade the minors to send nude photographs of themselves and to meet in person to exchange money or alcohol for sex, according to the release. Investigators seized a cellphone from Rogers that contained pornographic images of children. Rogers pleaded guilty to the charges on Oct. 12, 2021. Upon completion of his sentence, Rogers must also serve seven years of supervised release, according to court records. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Department of Justices "Project Safe Childhood." The nationwide initiative started in 2006 seeks to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action and public awareness to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. EU prepared for Russian gas cut-off: von der Leyen Xinhua) 08:25, April 28, 2022 Photo taken on March 10, 2022 shows burning rings on a gas cooker in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying) In a statement reacting to Gazprom's announcement, von der Leyen called the move "another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail" in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. BRUSSELS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is ready to face the suspension of Russian gas deliveries to its member states, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday. The Russian gas supplier Gazprom announced earlier Wednesday that it was fully stopping its gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria, due to the two EU member states' "failure to pay in rubles." In a statement reacting to Gazprom's announcement, von der Leyen called the move "another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail" in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded on March 23 that Russia's current gas contracts with "unfriendly countries" should be paid in rubles. "We have been working to ensure alternative deliveries and the best possible storage levels across the EU," and the gas coordination group is meeting in order to map out a coordinated EU response, said von der Leyen. The EU, highly dependent on Russian gas and oil, has been working on finding alternative energy supplies through its REPowerEU plan launched on March 8. The bloc agreed with the United States on March 25 that it would purchase an additional at least 15 billion cubic meters of liquified natural gas (LNG) for 2022, and 50 billion cubic meters of LNG per annum until at least 2030. The bloc is also accelerating its green transition to wean itself from fossil fuels and to increase energy efficiency. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Neither the state of Illinois nor the federal government tracks how often police give tickets to students in public schools for violations of municipal ordinances. To understand how frequently and for what reasons police cited students, reporters from the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica filed more than 500 requests for public records with schools and law enforcement agencies under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Advertisement The requests were sent to 199 school districts: high school-only districts and large K-12 districts. Those districts encompass roughly 86% of the states high school students. The requests sought records that would show how many times police were involved in student incidents during the school years that ended in 2019, 2020 and 2021; how often students were arrested; and how often tickets were issued in those incidents. Reporters also asked for the race of students who had been referred to police. Some school districts said they did not track whether police issued tickets to students, so reporters then filed requests with the hundreds of law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over high schools in those districts. The requests sought information on where each ticket was issued, the age of the ticketed person or an indication whether they were a juvenile, the race of the person ticketed, the alleged violation and the amount of the fine. Advertisement [ The Price Kids Pay: Students punished with costly tickets for minor misbehavior ] [ The Price Kids Pay: Black students far more likely to be ticketed by police for school behavior ] From those records, reporters built a database documenting more than 11,800 tickets issued by police in 141 school districts during the three school years examined. For records obtained from police, the database included tickets issued at a school address to persons younger than 18, while excluding tickets issued for traffic, parking or curfew violations. Records obtained from school officials may have included tickets issued to students 18 or older. Reporters also collected information about ticketing in the ongoing 2021-22 school year in select districts. This data was not included in statewide analyses or in our interactive database but informs reporting on some schools mentioned in the investigation. In addition to logging the number of tickets issued by each police department at each school examined, reporters documented the reasons tickets had been issued, how the tickets are adjudicated in each community, what the possible fines and fees are, and whether the community attempts to collect unpaid juvenile debts. Because the forms used to document tickets varied between districts and police departments, reporters made informed judgments to group tickets into broader categories. For example, reporters classified tickets for possession of drug paraphernalia and tickets for cannabis use into one category for drug-related tickets. A separate team then took a selection of records and spot-checked them to ensure that data had been entered consistently and to look for systemic flaws in the data entry. No widespread problems were found; any small errors that were identified were fixed. [ Do police give students tickets in your school district? Find out here ] If a school district or police department provided the race of the young people who were ticketed, that information was documented in a separate database. In all, reporters were able to compile racial data for tickets issued at schools in 68 districts. Reporters then excluded from the analysis schools where tickets were rare those where fewer than 20 citations had been issued over the three school years and schools where race information was missing for more than 25% of tickets. That left about 4,000 tickets that had been issued at schools in 42 districts. In total, those schools enroll more than one-fifth of Illinois high school students. For districts and some individual schools, reporters estimated total enrollment and enrollment by race by averaging the actual enrollment figures reported to the Illinois State Board of Education for the three school years being examined. To identify potential racial disparities in ticketing, reporters first calculated the total enrollment for the schools in the database, as well as the total enrollment for various racial groups. They then calculated how many tickets were issued for each racial group and compared those rates to those groups share of total enrollment. In a few cases, race information was omitted from the ticket or marked as unknown. These cases were included in the ticket totals to ensure that the resulting racial disparity calculations were conservative. Advertisement In some cases, the race of the student ticketed was indicated but the ethnicity was not, meaning it wasnt possible to tell the true number of Hispanic or Latino students ticketed. For example, some police departments indicated clearly if a person ticketed was Black or white but left blank the part of the record that indicates whether someone is Hispanic or Latino. That incomplete documentation meant some Latino students who received tickets likely were classified only as white. Some police departments and school districts provided detailed records for each ticket, including the reason the ticket was written and the race of the student. That allowed reporters to check whether racial disparities differed by type of violation, based on a set of roughly 3,000 tickets issued to students in 33 districts across the state. To conduct that analysis, reporters standardized the ways different police departments and schools had documented students race, then placed each ticket into a category based on the alleged violation. For example, tickets involving disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, activity constituting a public nuisance and prohibited conduct on school property were labeled as conduct-related tickets. Tickets involving tobacco, drugs or paraphernalia were labeled as substance-related tickets. Reporters calculated how many tickets in each category went to students in different racial groups, then compared those rates to the groups share of overall enrollment. Nine districts contacted by the Tribune and ProPublica did not provide records on police interactions at their schools: Belleville Township High School District 201, OFallon Township High School District 203, Streator Township High School District 40, Vienna High School District 133, Bethalto Community Unit School District 8, Collinsville Community Unit School District 10, Harlem School District 122, Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 and Community Unit School District 200 in Wheaton. Twenty-three police departments either did not provide records or excluded information in ways that prevented reporters from determining whether tickets were issued to students at a school in their jurisdiction: Belvidere, Cahokia Heights, Calumet City, Channahon, Crete, Dolton, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Harvey, Kankakee, LaSalle, Lemont, Mount Prospect, North Chicago, Northbrook, Pinckneyville, Richmond, Rockton, Rolling Meadows, Streamwood, Summit, Waukegan and Wood Dale. Advertisement To understand how tickets are handled after theyre issued, reporters attended more than 50 hearings across Illinois, observing hundreds of cases. They spoke with dozens of families affected by the process; with school, police and municipal officials; with attorneys and hearing officers; and with juvenile advocates. Reporters consulted with families about how to identify family members in the story and, as a result, did not include full names of all of the young people. This story is a collaboration between the Tribune and ProPublica. Smith Richards is a Tribune reporter. Cohen is a Chicago-based reporter for ProPublica. PVHS student receives scholarship Malinali Sanchez Carmona, Pleasant Valley High School, was one of two students selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District. The scholarships are presented to Iowa high school seniors to use for their first year of education on the college level while pursuing programs of study in any field of agriculture or natural resources. Bettendorf Lions Club announces scholarship winners The Bettendorf Lions Club has announced the recipients of the Larson Scholarship Awards. Named after 48-year member Ray Larson and his partner in service, Pat, two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded this year. The first award was presented to Andrew Crocker at the Bettendorf Lions Club meeting on April 14. The second recipient, Isabella Appel, will receive her award at the next Bettendorf Lions Club meeting on April 28. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Davenport Police Department Chief Paul Sikorski plans to retire in late August, according to the city of Davenport. Sikorski's last day is scheduled for Aug. 29, a city news release issued Thursday states. Sikorski is a 34-year veteran of the Davenport police. He was hired in 1988. He became the chief in 2016. Sikorski has been part of all of the departments divisions, the release states. His jobs have included: 24 years on the Emergency Services Team. 14 years in the special operations and investigation divisions, where he served in the Detective Bureau, Gang and Vice/Narcotics units, and was a supervisor in the Covert Unit of the Tactical Operations Bureau. Serving as the departments interagency coordinator for other police agencies, including the Metropolitan Enforcement Group, the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Sikorski has a bachelors degree in criminology from the University of Northern Iowa and a masters degree in law enforcement justice administration from Western Illinois University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. As chief, Sikorski has advocated for partnerships between the police and community groups to address public safety issues, the release states. He has been a supporter of the Youth Assessment Program meant to help families before a youth gets involved in the judicial system, the release states. He also helped create the Scott County Law Enforcement Community Partnership, designed to support and strengthen positive relationships between police and their communities in the Iowa Quad-Cities. Replacing Sikorski will involve a national recruitment search that is scheduled to begin in May, according to the news release. Davenport hopes to have the new police chief identified before Sikorski retires. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. When most Scott County residents call 911 for a medical emergency, a staffed ambulance from the nonprofit service MEDIC arrives to take them to a hospital for what can often be life-saving care. But as costs rise and revenues stagnate, county and city officials are debating what to do to keep the ambulance service sustainable for the long term. Costs per trip for MEDIC began outpacing revenues from insurance payments in the last several years. And more recently, MEDIC has faced challenges hiring and retaining staffers during the pandemic and has needed to raise wages in a competitive health care labor market, Executive Director Linda Frederiksen said. Frederiksen presented options this month to the Scott County Board of Supervisors and Bettendorf City Council to keep MEDIC afloat as a county-wide ambulance service. One option, she said, is to establish MEDIC as a taxing entity and another option would be to form an intergovernmental organization. A governmental designation could unlock federal EMT monies that would be a revenue stream for the ambulance service. We see a storm in the distance, Board of Supervisors Chairman Ken Beck said. And we need to be proactive how can we keep a service that has proven to be effective moving forward. MEDIC, which is governed by a 15-member board, receives an up to $200,000 annual subsidy from Scott County to cover budget shortfalls. In eight of the last 10 years, MEDIC reported losses, most of which were covered by the countys subsidy. The ambulance service finished in the black in 2020 due to pandemic-related loans forgiven through the federal paycheck protection program. Its annual losses from 2017 to 2021 ranged from $8,844 to $170,178. MEDIC is authorized at 167 employees and has 20 Advanced Life Support Ambulances. "Revenue drives budget and we have reached the point that we don't see that we can have any more expensive efficiencies and technically be fair to our employees," Frederiksen told the Scott County Board of Supervisors. "So we want to continue to work collectively, really, to try to, you know, pursue this governmental option and basically take advantage of additional revenue streams that have never been available to (nonprofits). An increasing share of ambulance users over the last several years have been low-income, elderly and disabled Iowans covered through Medicaid and Medicare. Both government-funded insurance programs reimburse at a lower cost than that of private insurance, making it more difficult for MEDIC to recoup actual transportation costs. Unfortunately, both Medicare and Medicaid have fallen well behind the cost of ambulance transportation, Fredericksen said. Iowa typically ranks in the bottom five states in the country for the share of costs reimbursed, Fredericksen said, sometimes falling 50% below other states. One option: MEDIC as a taxing body Under one proposal, the ambulance service would come under the countys umbrella as a "county essential service." This would allow MEDIC to levy a dedicated tax to pay for its services and would require 60% voter approval in a countywide election. That would allow for a local surtax up to $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed value for up to 10 years. That would generate $7.5 million in fiscal year 2023. Scott County Budget Director David Farmer, however, told the Bettendorf City Council county officials would likely only need to raise a fraction of that up to $1 million from county taxpayers, depending on how MEDICs costs and revenues change. Two of Iowas 99 counties use such a system, which would require the creation of an advisory council to oversee the taxing body and MEDIC's financial operations, Farmer said. "Its very similar to the schools and their revenue purpose statements for their local option save bonds and so forth," he said. Frederiksen said this method is relatively new, and MEDICs board has not yet reviewed that option. Option 2: governments pooling resources Another option is reorganizing under a 28E, which would be an intergovernmental agreement between city governments and the county to pool money to pay costs not covered by insurance reimbursements. This option, Farmer, said has been evaluated and approved by MEDICs board. This option would allow MEDIC to unlock federal Ground Emergency Medical Transportation funds that the Iowa Legislature approved for Iowa's ambulance governmental ambulance services. Options 3 and 4: status quo or dissolve Keeping MEDIC as a nonprofit subsidized by Scott Countys budget long-term would mean MEDIC would have to rely on static and uncertain revenue streams, which down the road could threaten its existence. Asked by Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher how long it would take until MEDIC would be in "crisis mode" if city and county governments did nothing, Frederiksen said it was hard to say. But, likely within the next three to five years, some change would need to be made, she said. "Were seeing the losses continue to progress," Frederiksen said, adding the cost of ambulance service has at least doubled over the past 18 years since she became director. If MEDIC dissolves, Frederiksen said, the cost to provide ambulance service would fall back on the shoulders of local municipalities and the Scott County Board of Health. Communities would be faced with either incorporating ambulance service as part of the duties and responsibilities of their local fire department or contracting with other nonprofit or for-profit ambulance providers. A countywide service would ensure a cohesive response regardless of geographic location within Scott County, Frederiksen said. Bettendorf and Scott County elected officials seemed to favor a countywide system, with the goal to continue some kind of ambulance service. "We need to do whatever we can to continue your operation," Scott County Supervisor Brinson Kinzer. "We owe it to everybody in Scott County to show them we're not only going to continue but we're going to improve and enhance." Greg Adamson, Bettendorf's 4th Ward alderman started as a Bettendorf police officer in 1972, and called the ambulance service at the time "horrid." "I shudder to think of the people that could have been saved that weren't," he said. "...I just cannot see going back to everybody having their own ambulance. It's just crazy. It's life and death and quality of life for lots and lots of people, so I think whatever we need to do to keep doing what we're doing is so important." Davenport city council hasn't yet discussed in a public meeting the options for the county's ambulance service. "The city is actively researching the different service provision models that exist in the state of Iowa and evaluating how ambulance services may be provided in Davenport in the future," City Administrator Corri Spiegel responded in an email. "We remain in the due diligence phase of our work, and I cannot currently predict when the Council might take action." Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Rock Island plans to use a $250,000 grant to improve three routes Denkmann Elementary School students use to walk to school. The money is from the Illinois Safe Routes to School Program and will help the city add ADA accessible ramps, paint crosswalk markings and add new sidewalks for areas without them, according to a Rock Island news release. The total cost is estimated at $387, 200. The city will provide the remaining $137,200. Rock Islands engineers have started the planning for the project, the release states. Construction will begin upon final approval of the plans by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Denkman is located at 4101 22nd Ave., the release states. The pedestrian routes are in the areas bounded by 20th to 22nd avenues and 38th to 44th streets. There were 102 applications for the pool of Safe Routes money and Rock Island was one of 57 proposals selected for funding, the release states. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Scott County Democrats attempted to pick a political fight with U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa, earlier this week after a tweet from her campaign manager showed volunteers holding signs while framing the flag of a prominent anti-government paramilitary group. The 2nd Congressional District U.S. House was decided for Miller-Meeks by a six-vote margin, suggesting the campaign rhetoric could get heated as the election season draws near. The posting and re-posting on Twitter started roughly 10 days ago when Miller-Meeks campaign manager Elliott Husbands tweeted two photos taken inside the headquarters of the Muscatine Republicans. One of those photos showed two men holding Miller-Meeks campaign signs. The men stood on each side of a Three-Percenters flag a U.S. flag with the Roman numeral III in the blue field usually reserved for the stars. A traditional Betsy Ross 1776 flag also is prominent in the background. The use of 1776 imagery on flags and window stickers was first popularized by right-wing radio host Alex Jones and has been used extensively by a range of militia groups. It was routinely seen at anti-masking and COVID-19 vaccination mandate protests across the country, as well as during the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol building. Miller-Meeks retweeted the post on her personal Twitter feed, then deleted it but not before the Scott County Democrats posted the pictures and wrote the representative " retweeted this image of flags for white supremacy & anti-government militias." The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also used the photo as the lead of a press release that attempted to link Miller-Meeks as sympathetic to the Three-Percenters cause. Scott County Democratic Chair Matt Trimble was even more explicit in his criticism of Miller-Meeks and her campaign. "(Miller-Meeks) is standing in a room of a house filled with gas and she has lit a match," Trimble said. "That's what is so concerning for her constituents. They have to be terrified that she is allowing insurrectionists to be the face of her campaign." Trimble suggested that even though Miller-Meeks deleted her repost of the tweet, she sent a message to some supporters. "She was clearly signaling to like-minded people," Trimble said. "I think this is just another example of how fringe and radical some of the Republicans have become." When reached for comment about the accusations made by the Scott County Democrats, Husbands said he " didn't really think this is a story." "We handed out 1,500 yard signs to campaign volunteers in 20 counties," Husbands added. "And that is my only comment." Fred Grunder, the chairman of the Muscatine Republicans, did react to the charges against Miller-Meeks. He said the Scott County Democrats were signaling to its base. "Every time the Democrats disagree with something or someone they use the words 'racist' and 'bigot'. It's gotten to the point where those two words don't mean anything," Grunder said. "There are a lot of fringe groups in both parties." "One of the biggest terror groups is the BLM (Black Lives Matter)," he alleged. "They destroyed this country two years ago, and no one seems to care. There were no consequences for what they did." Grunder said he "had no idea" the Three-Percenters flag was among those displayed in the offices of the Muscatine Republicans. "Look, there are a lot of flags in that room. There's probably a Trump flag, and I know there's a Blue-Line flag. There are flags from every branch of the military," Grunder said. "And I have no problem with the 1776 flag. That's about the revolution that created this country." The Three-Percenters were founded in 2008 and initially attracted a membership dominated by military veterans, as well as retired and active-duty police officers. While many joined in reaction to perceived policies aimed at limiting the Second Amendment, the Three-Percenters became vocal supporters of President Donald Trump. The Southern Poverty Law Center noted that while many Three-Percenters are not overtly white supremacist, a number of local groups across the country were involved in violence against Muslim-Americans. Most local Three-Percenter groups carry firearms to rallies and protest. Three-Percenter groups took an active role during the Jan. 6 riots. Many members have moved on to attending local school board meetings to speak out against the supposed "teaching of critical race theory" in public schools. Husbands and Grunder said Miller-Meeks had never supported any Three-Percenter group. By the end of the week, the Iowa's 2nd Congressional District had two distinct camps: those who believe Miller-Meeks was signaling to a fringe, reactionary portion of her base, and her supporters who claimed an innocent photo of campaign volunteers was being used to smear her. According to Dr. William W. Parsons, chair of the Department of Political Science and Leadership Studies at Saint Ambrose University, no one should be surprised by the Twitter fight. "Dog-whistling is nothing new in American politics. It dates back all the way to the founding. In some ways, the comments politicians said about each other back then were often worse than things said today," Parsons said. "For instance, Thomas Jefferson was maligned for mocking Christianity and people were told to hide or bury their bibles for fear the new president would confiscate them. "The difference today is the ability of these sorts of political tactics to go viral. In a matter of minutes, images reach hundreds of thousands if not millions. Today, we have a sense that such political behavior is more impactful than ever before. There is no doubt that there is less discussion going on in society today than historically." Parsons offered an image of modern political discourse. "It is also the case today that political opinion exists primarily in bubbles. People only want to talk to those who have the same opinion. The internet and social media is a major factor in perpetuating this pattern," Parsons said. "I have no solution to this phenomenon other than to tell people to actively seek out multiple sources and opinions and not be comfortable in their bubble." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Rock Island-Milan School District will host a virtual meeting about services available for families who have children that attend private schools and/or are homeschooled and live within the school district's boundary. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. Friday, May 13 via Google Meet. School district officials will discuss plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and home schools within the district for the 2022-23 school year. Parents with a home-schooled student who has been identified with a disability and who reside within the boundaries of Rock Island-Milan School District 41 are urged to attend, according to a news release. Parents can participate using the following link meet.google.com/gek-kexe-ohr and using the PIN: 825 538 692#. For more information, contact Jenny Fuhr, special education coordinator, at 309-793-5900 ext. 10287 or email jennifer.fuhr@rimsd41.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Some patients whove recently been discharged from a hospital or rehabilitation center may need further assistance. Others cant meet their medical needs on their own, but they want to avoid going to a hospital or nursing home. Home health care bridges the gap between hospitalization and life at home. It gives the patients an opportunity to recover where theyre most comfortable and already have support systems in place, said Tami Struble, a registered home health and hospice field nurse with Monument Health Home+. For families, we help them understand what the patient is going through and educate them on how to care for their loved one at home. The duties of a skilled home health care nurse can range from changing catheters, assessing symptoms and dressing wounds to providing disease education and helping with medication management. Every appointment is different, said Katie Bietsch, also a home health and hospice field nurse in the Monument Health Home+ network. You still have a schedule to keep and youre busy, but its a slower pace than working in a hospital or clinical setting. Home health care nurses may see as many as six patients during a typical day of work, fewer if detailed charting and paperwork are required. What these nurses often find most fulfilling about the job is the opportunity to build an ongoing bond with their patients. I like making people feel comfortable and forming a relationship thats meaningful, Bietsch explained. When I have a caseload of patients Im working with for a few weeks or a few months some for years I feel like I really get to know them and their families. Struble agrees. In the hospital, youre caring for patients when theyre sick and at their most vulnerable, but when theyre at home and theyre feeling better, it gives you a different perspective on who they are. Bietsch and Struble both worked in hospitals before transitioning into home health care nursing, something they strongly recommend for other nurses who may be considering the specialty. The more practice youve had in a hospital setting, the more confident youre going to be going into a persons home on your own and performing those services, said Bietsch. As the current nursing shortage continues, theres definitely a need and plenty of career opportunity for compassionate nurses in the areas of home health and hospice care. Its really quite special to be able to go into the patients homes and care for them there, Struble said. Home is where they laugh and cry, where they feel the safest. To be invited in to help them as they recover from an illness is, to me, an honor. Headquartered in Rapid City, the community-focused Monument Health system serves 12 communities across western South Dakota through five hospitals, eight specialty/surgical centers and more than 40 medical clinics. For more information, visit monument.health. This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A wit once said: Fishing: the art of jigging, casting, trolling or spinning while freezing, sweating, swatting or swearing. Obviously, a sage with considerable fishing experience. And much of that experience possibly in South Dakota judging by recent weather that continues to play havoc with angling opportunities and success in the western part of the state. While the week ahead doesnt appear short-sleeve weather by any means, the forecast does indicate temps in the low to mid-50s with the prospect of diminishing winds and much needed precipitation in the form of rain rather than snow. With that the spring spawn, if not yet done, may finally play out and fish may once again put on the feed bag. Angostura Reservoir: Fishing activity was limited last week for the reasons stated above though a few walleyeincluding a 24-inch specimen-was caught. Bite remains slow across though board though the occasional bass, catfish and perch have been showing up occasion. Belle Fourche Reservoir (Orman): Waters are extremely muddy from the combination of rain and wind making finding fish a very tough go. The same mix of weather has contributed to a stop-and-go walleye spawn though should be winding up soon. Black Hills Area Streams: Spearfish and Rapid Creekbelow Pactola--are fishing well. Nymph fishing has the best of it though dry fly fishing opportunities exist as well. Water levels remain low and trout are typically stacked up in deep holes. Nymphs remain the baits of choice. Custer State Park Lakes: Mostly wait-and-see at present due to weather. Some trout activity reported. Pactola Reservoir: Rainbow trout remain active responding to a variety of presentations. Veterans Point and south marina have been serving up trout and perch. Some pike activity in bays though remains somewhat limited. Sheridan Lake: Not much fishing activity reported as yet. Hit-and-miss bites of largemouth bass activity, perch and trout on occasion. Lake Oahe: When wind allows, pike and catfish are being caught in in creek outlets and bays. Water temps remain in low 40 degrees and continue to hamper a walleye spawn that should be going full tilt in early May. Water levels are extremely low as well and river access can be a muddy affair. Lake Sharpe: The walleye bite picked up early in the week as winds subsided. Walleye are starting to stack up as weather warms. Some action in stilling basin and below the dam though best bite is perhaps a bit farther downstream where water temps are higher. Jigging remains the recommended option though bottom bouncers will come on line as water warms. Lake Francis Case: Fishing activity has been somewhat better than farther north as water temps are slightly higher and spawn wrapping up. Some walleye activity below the dam at Ft. Thompson but best bet is farther south in the Platte area. AREA FISHING TOURNAMENTS Center of the Nation Walleye Tournament: May 7th & 8th, Belle Fourche Reservoir (Orman Dam). $7,850 in prize money. 76 two-man teams only ($200/team). Call 605-595-7982 for additional information. Angostura Spring Walleye Tournament: May 14th & 15th. Pre-registration only. Call Cal @ 605-484-1391 for additional information. Jared Roe Memorial Walleye Tournament: June 4th, Angostura. Call Jerry Roe (605-484-3494) for additional information. First Fathers Day Tournament conducted by Fall River Swim Team: Angostura Reservoir, June 17th and 18th. Three-person teams ($120). Registration is 6 p.m., Friday, June 17th at picnic shelter, Call Stacy Reetz (605-890-1484) for additional details. For State Wide Fishing Tournaments, visit South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website: gfp.sd.gov/events/. Dakota Angler & Outfitter, 513 Seventh St., Rapid City; The Rooster, 1441 W. Main St., Rapid City; Wheel in Bait Shop, 18696 Fishermans Road, Fruitdale, and West Prairie Resort, 28354 182nd, Pierre (605-264-5303) have contributed to this report. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Beloved by her co-workers as a mental health expert at Cermak Hospital, Jennifer Hamilton had an order of protection against her estranged husband. That didnt stop him from fatally shooting her while she was on a video call with her doctor outside the Brickyard Mall on Chicagos Northwest Side, prosecutors said during his bond hearing on Friday. Alphonso W. Hamilton, 50, who is charged with murder, was denied bond during an audio-streamed hearing before Cook County Judge Kelly Marie McCarthy. Advertisement The two were in the process of separating when Hamilton, 47, was shot and killed in a Target parking lot outside the Brickyard Mall, in the 6500 block of West Diversey Avenue, about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, officials said. The attack began when Jennifer Hamilton, who had an order of protection against Alphonso Hamilton that was due to expire May 9, drove in a white Jeep Cherokee to the home the two used to share in Chicago and parked in its lot to begin a teleconference call with her doctor, prosecutors said. Advertisement Jennifer Hamilton in an undated photo. Hamilton, 47, was fatally shot outside the Brickyard Mall on April 27, 2022, in the 6500 block of West Diversey Avenue, police said. (Eric Bailey SEIU Local 73) At 9:29 a.m. she saw Alphonso Hamilton pull in and she told her doctor she had the order of protection. After driving away, he followed, according to prosecutors. At some point as she remained on the phone, the doctor asked if they should call 911 but she said she was not very worried about the defendant hurting her, prosecutors said. While at the Target lot, her estranged husband again pulled up next to her and parked as she got out and walked to the back of the Jeep and told the doctor she would be back shortly. When the husband then exited his car and approached her, the doctor saw Jennifer Hamilton make a sudden movement and go move back to the drivers door and begin to open it while telling the doctor to call 911, prosecutors said. As she tried to dart away, he shot her five times, prosecutors alleged, and then fled the scene, driving to the Schiller Park police station, where he confessed to shooting somebody, according to a Chicago police report and prosecutors. The doctor stayed on the call until police, responding to a ShotSpotter call, got to the scene, prosecutors said. After turning himself in, Hamilton told police he shot her five or six times after asking her if she was seeing anyone else and she said yes, according to prosecutors. After thinking about turning the gun on himself he called his mother, who suggested he turn himself in, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Jennifer Hamilton, who died of multiple gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at 10:20 a.m. at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, according to the Cook County medical examiners office, which ruled her death a homicide. Alphonso Hamilton has one felony conviction, a domestic assault from 2003 in Missouri for which he was sentenced to three years in the department of corrections, as well as two misdemeanors, both of which were domestic assaults from 2001 and 2003, prosecutors said. Hamilton, who was beloved by her co-workers, was a union steward for SEIU Local 73 and worked as a mental health specialist at Cermak Health Services, located on the campus of Cook County Jail, according to a statement from union President Dian Palmer. Our union is devastated over the tragic loss of our dear member and union steward Jennifer Hamilton, Palmer said. For the past four years, Jennifer was a staunch advocate for her patients and for her union sisters and brothers. Jennifer had a sincere passion for her work in mental health. When you spoke with her, you understood her commitment to providing the best care possible for her patients, before and throughout the pandemic, Palmer said in the statement. Her tragic death will be felt by everyone whose lives she touched. Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, who also spoke about the attack, stressed the need for the community to notify authorities if they see signs of domestic violence. Advertisement Hamilton is due back in court on May 18. rsobol@chicagotribune.com The third annual Elevate Rapid City Pro-Business scorecard tracked the votes of area legislators on 14 key bills that Elevate took a stance on during the 2022 Legislative session. The bills focused on three key areas for the organization: pro-business policy, funding and housing. "As campaign season has begun, voters are flooded with messages from candidates. Scorecards are useful fact-based accountability tools that allow voters to see how their representatives voted on issues that are important to them," said a press release from Elevate that accompanied the scorecard. Members of our community are working hard each and every day. Its difficult to invest even more time in engaging with the legislative activity happening in Pierre, said Anna Hays, Elevate's public policy director. Our scorecard is centered around the issues that had the greatest impact on our community. We believe it is a valuable resource for making informed decisions at the polls. Rep. Tim Goodwin of District 30 received the highest marks from Elevate with a 100% "pro-business" vote record and he sponsored a bill for Elevate. Reps. Becky Drury (Dist. 32), Chris Johnson (Dist. 32), and Mike Derby (Dist. 34) all also received 100% on the scorecard as did state Sens. Helene Duhamel (Dist. 32), Mike Diedrich (Dist. 34) and Jessica Castleberry (Dist 35). Sen. David Johnson (Dist. 33) scored a 92% with only a disagreement on SB 182, a bill Elevate opposed that would prohibit discriminatory actions against persons engaged with the firearm industry. Rep. Jess Olson (Dist. 34) received a score of 80% after voting against the economic development group's position on two workforce housing bills. The elected official most likely to oppose Elevate on bills was state Rep. Taffy Howard (Dist. 33), who recently announced a run for Congress. Howard only agreed with Elevate positions 40% of the time. Rep. Tony Randolph (Dist. 35) only supported Elevate positions 44% of the time. Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller (Dist. 33) and Rep. Phil Jensen (Dist. 33) were each in the 60-69% range and Reps. Tina Mulally (Dist. 35) and Trish Ladner (Dist. 30) each scored between 70-79%. Infrastructure, schools, safety and amenities all play a crucial role in creating a community people want to live in, Elevate said in a press release. Without a sound public policy to support growth and improvement in these areas, a community cannot thrive, the organization said. Elevate maintains a full-time presence in Pierre advocating for the regions business community. This is about more than politics. Elevate not only advocates for issues at the legislature but also works towards lasting and productive relationships with our area legislators," Elevate Rapid City President/CEO Tom Johnson said. "The increases in overall scores reflect a growing connection between our legislative contingent and the issues that matter to our local business community. The lowest score threshold has consistently improved over the three years the group has produced legislative scorecards. 2020 0% 2021 23% 2022 40% The bills in the Elevate Scorecard included: HOUSING SB 53 - died* Make a $200M appropriation to increase workforce housing and to declare an emergency. * Legislator votes are based on the bill text considered prior to the hoghouse through Amendment 53K. SB 65 - died HOGHOUSE BILL Delineate uses for the South Dakota housing opportunity fund. HB 1033 - passed HOGHOUSE BILL Expand the eligible projects for the local infrastructure improvement grant fund. APPROPRIATIONS HB 1049 - died Make a $5 million appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish & Parks for building a shooting range in western South Dakota. SB 175 - died HOGHOUSE BILL Make a $5 million appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish & Parks for building a shooting range in western South Dakota. SB 43 - passed Make an $8 million appropriation and authorize the Board of Regents to contract for the design, renovation, and construction of an addition for a health sciences center at Black Hills State University Rapid City. SB 62 - passed Make a $600 million appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water and non-point source projects and to declare an emergency. SB 97 - passed Make a $5.25 million appropriation and authorize the Board of Regents to acquire the incubator building located on the campus of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. SB 115 - died Make a $5.4 million appropriation for quiet zone railway crossings and to declare an emergency. PUBLIC POLICY SB 80 - passed Exempt the provision of electricity through electric vehicle charging stations from the definition of electric utility. SB 114 - died Provide a refund for the contractor's excise tax for certain residential housing projects. SB 162 - passed Revise the discretionary formula for reduced taxation of new structures and residential property. SB 182 - died (Elevate opposed) Prohibit discriminatory actions against persons engaged with the firearm industry. HB 1197 - passed Include certain costs as project costs for tax increment financing districts. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Addiction and substance abuse, an inadequate number of resources available for treatment in South Dakota, poverty and social isolation are at the heart of many crimes committed in the community, Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender said Wednesday. Allender and Police Chief Don Hedrick hosted a press conference at City Hall late Wednesday morning to discuss the state of law enforcement in Rapid City following several public comments concerning a rise in crime during Rapid City Council meetings over the past few weeks. The mayor said some political groups are using misinformation and their own "radical beliefs" in an attempt to mislead the public for their own political gain. Related to (social isolation and its impact) is the division over political issues and ideologies, Allender said. This isnt science, but in all of my recollection, theres never been a time since the past two years where families are divided over politics and friendships are broken and marriages have been put in jeopardy because of political beliefs. The mayor said the pandemic has amplified all of that and created a great conflict within the nation and communities. In addition to the divide, low law enforcement staffing shortages contribute to issues on proactive activity. In an effort to be proactive and to decentralize some police resources, Hedrick said the department will open a north Rapid City substation near North Maple Street and Knollwood Drive this summer. He said the department signed the lease in April. Were excited about that because we can really focus and help a neighborhood that needs resources, needs assistance from us, he said. There were 15 homicides in Rapid City in 2021, a 25% increase over 2020s 12 homicides and a handful of which occurred in the North Maple and Knollwood area. Hedrick said the department has been asked for support in the area. He said with the substation, theyll be able to start things like a neighborhood watch and hold community meetings. He also said it would allow the department to identify community leaders who can help. I think the more good people that we can bring in to stand together against the violence in that neighborhood, the better, and thats what were gonna continue to try and do, Hedrick said. He said the substation, along with the location at the mall, is a type of test to see if a north precinct would work and to have a foothold in the area. Some of the comments during city council meetings included concern about a rise in gang activity. Hedrick said there are people the department encounters upon arrest that claim gang activity and its something they note and keep track of. Since Ive worked here, weve had individuals that claim gang affiliation and we take that into (consideration) because if somebody is saying they are and believes they are and they walk the walk, we have to treat that seriously, he said. Although the number of homicides increased in Rapid City, the number of aggravated assaults, robberies and sexual assaults decreased in the area. The city saw 453 aggravated assaults, a 9.76% decrease from 2020s 502; 76 robberies, a 28.3% decrease from 2020s 106; and 686 sexual assaults, a 6.58% decrease from 2020s 152. Hedrick said all of the cases peaked in 2020, which was a national trend. While Rapid City saw a decline in many of the crimes in 2021, major cities like Denver and Minneapolis saw an increase. Sioux Falls reported an increase in rape cases, burglary, theft and stolen vehicles, but those crimes decreased in Rapid City. He said over the past three years, the city had 29 homicides and the department was able to clear all but four of those. He said the four cases that havent been cleared are still an active work in progress. He said of those 29, 26 appear to have a tie to either alcohol or drugs, and in some situations both. Allender said a lot of treatment services for substance abuse and addiction, such as the Care Campus and Crisis Stabilization Unit that will open later this year, were established over the last 10 years and many in the last five. It is a tip of the iceberg because its still not looking globally, all of these resources many of these resources I should say are designed to deal with a problem that is occurring right now and not geared toward preventing a problem in the future, Allender said. He said the root of the issue is complicated, but many of the cases related to substance abuse can be attributed to childhood trauma and childhood experiences. He said a few years ago, the city tried to initiate a childhood education program. Allender said thats been slow to get off the starting line in South Dakota. He said the current environment, whether its policy makers or citizens, is not favorable for planning the future that way. He said the right environment can be created by accepting the data that exists on issues like early childhood education and to look at the states who have adopted programs. I think this is part of increasing your personal standard, increasing your view of these issues is important, he said. We can get by doing things just the way were doing them until were gone off this planet, but someone else is going to be stuck holding that back. Its our responsibility to make sure that were planning for the future, to lessen the burden on society. Allender said he sees an underinvestment from the state in terms of treatment facilities, and communities are manufacturing criminals. He said it has to do with parenting and the home environment. Allender said its predictable, and officers can point to a house where children are raising themselves, parents are uninvolved, where theres high incidents of sexual, physical and substance abuse, and the child is extremely disadvantaged come out into the community. He said South Dakota has the highest percentage of working mothers, which leads to putting extra pressure on day care facilities and other child support services. Allender said a common denominator for those who oppose early childhood education is so-called conservative values. There seems to be a feeling that you cannot be conservative and support early childhood education because early childhood education is socialist, or its liberal or its something else, he said. Ill tell you what it is. Its expensive. Its expensive and it takes police officers dealing with generation after generation with hordes of kids who grew up raising themselves and are now part of the system. This is unsustainable, and weve got to stop it. Allender said if people feel like they dont have time for their children, there are resources and systems available. Theres treatment for those who struggle with addiction and different environments for the children, and people can support law enforcement. He also said people need to stop politicizing crime and reject politicized conspiracies about crime. Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The subject matter discussed by the Rapid City Human Relations Commission-Mniluzahan Okolakiciyapi Ambassadors makes me uncomfortable. Maybe Noem should ban it. To the people complaining about Rapid City growing, we cannot stop people from moving to Rapid City and complaining about it does nothing. You have options. South Dakota is a rural state. There are many less populated areas to live. The two cents comment that the lady simply called out a group that thinks it's acceptable for one of them to commit murder appalled me. I am shocked the Journal would publish such a comment when I know they reject much less controversial statements. Intimidating businesses into underwriting the blatant racism of the NDN Collective is already beginning to backfire. Many who care less about having the universal used for everything label applied to them strongly agree with Tonchi Weaver and Uhre family. We see the Ukranians willing to fight to their death for freedom. This should give us pause and be a reminder of what we so flippant take for granted in our own country. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Episode 37: Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about recent calls by former President Barack Obama for technology companies to better protect the public from polarizing falsehoods online and whether billionaire Elon Musk's plans for Twitter are helpful. Next, they discuss whether it's ethical to cancel all things Russian in the wake of that country's brutal attack on Ukraine. And in the third segment, they look at a recent study that shows why a company's culture is critical to keep its best employees. Subscribe to this podcast at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Links to stories discussed during the podcast: Obama says tech companies have made democracy more vulnerable, by Elizabeth Dwoskin and Eugene Scott of The Washington Post Obamas plans to fight disinformation are better than most, Casey Newton, Platformer '2020 changed everything': How misinformation of 2020 is shaping 2022 elections, by Amanda Seitz, The Associated Press The profound irony of canceling everything Russian, by Kevin M.F. Platt, The New York Times La Crosse City Council issues support for Ukraine, removes Russian flags from city facilities, by Olivia Herken, La Crosse Tribune Heres why the best workers leave companies, while the worst ones stay, by Jason Feifer Office frustrations more likely to cause proactive employees to leave; less proactive employees will take it, by Tom Snee, the University of Iowa About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Fresh from resolving a funding dispute with the citys school division, the Richmond City Council is entering another education policy debate that could impact where children attend school, potentially reigniting smoldering tensions between officials. At a news conference Thursday where several city leaders criticized the Richmond School Board for failing to pass a rezoning plan for River City Middle School, which is overcrowded by about 100 students, Councilwoman Ellen Robertson said she wants the city to mandate school rezoning across the district if classrooms at any school exceed a certain size. A year after the School Board voted to wrest control of school construction from the city administration, the controversy over the middle school rezoning is once again raising questions about the independence of the school divisions governing body. I charge us to make it a policy that as long as we have capacity within the school system, that no classroom will be over a certain number. And we will mandate that zoning is done to accomplish that, Robertson said. Were going to make that policy decision, she added. We will not go away until thats achieved. The School Board voted 5-4 on Monday against the rezoning plan for River City Middle. Those who opposed it said they felt that Superintendent Jason Kamras administration did not provide enough information about the operational costs and logistics of moving approximately 450 of the schools students to three different schools. School Board member Jonathan Young, who voted against the plan and also raised concerns about the reduction of open enrollment slots for specialty programs at the other middle schools, said he welcomes collaboration with the council and city administration but questioned their intentions. Some of what is materializing is not well informed, he said. Robertson said she and other officials still need to shape the specifics of her proposal and suggested that limits on classroom size could change depending on grade levels. In an interview later Thursday, Robertson tried to soften the policy she described earlier, saying that the mandate would include a requirement that the city provide enough resources for the school division to prevent overcrowded classrooms. I cant supersede the law. [The School Board] makes their own policies, she said. Our mandate would be to provide for class sizes that generate the quality of education we want in the city. The Virginia Department of Education has standards for maximum classroom sizes and teacher-student ratios. The size and ratios range depending on grade levels, but the maximum is 35 students in grades four through six. Sarah Abubaker, a spokesperson for Richmond Public Schools, said classes at River City Middle School are in line with the state guidelines, but that the total student population there exceeds the buildings capacity. Robertsons policy proposal comes after a prolonged conflict where the City Council had withheld funding for the construction of a new George Wythe High School for several months until school leaders recently agreed to a compromise regarding the size of the new school. School Board member Kenya Gibson, who championed the so-called Schools Building Schools resolution last year, challenged Robertsons policy proposal, calling it a top-down, unfunded mandate. We serve on a democratically elected school board, operating in the context of decades of defunding, she said. Its our responsibility to address rezoning in a way that meets the needs of our city, and the feverish response doesnt serve that purpose it inhibits it. Councilwoman Kristen Nye, a former School Board member, concurred. Thats a gross overreach, she said of the policy Robertson described at Thursdays news conference. We are not the parents of the School Board. And frankly, we have enough things in the city that are not working that we need to focus on. For council to start setting policy about how to run schools is ridiculous. Councilman Michael Jones, who represents the area where River City Middle School is located and called the news conference Thursday, said state law could restrict the city from passing a mandate on the school division. Still, he said he feels compelled to act because constituents have brought concerns about school overcrowding to his office, and suggested that a nonbinding resolution could be an alternative to a mandate. We want them to do their jobs better, he said of the School Board. When they neglect that, I will use whatever means are at my disposal to resolve the issue. Chesterfield Countys redistricting plan has received the green light from the Virginia Attorney Generals Office after months of back and forth. The county received a certification of no objection on April 20 from the Attorney Generals Office of Civil Rights. In mid-January, the Attorney Generals Office, then under the direction of Mark Herring, rejected the redistricting plan because of questionable changes. Chesterfield sat on the rejection until Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares took office in January and asked him to overturn the decision. The plan affects Chesterfields districts for the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. After a spate of letter swapping, including the county answering a series of questions to defend its redistricting moves, the Attorney General sent a letter of satisfaction to the county on April 20. During the redistricting process last fall, the countys NAACP branch, the county Democratic committee and residents criticized the countys map for racial and political gerrymandering. The April 20 AG letter states the countys changes do not appear to deny to abridge the right to vote based on race, color or membership in a language minority group and that the changes do not appear to result in the retrogression in the position of members of a racial or ethnic group with respect to their effective exercise of the electoral franchise. Under these facts, we find no reason to object to the County of Chesterfields proposed changes to its voting practices, according to the letter obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. An analysis of voting patterns by The Times-Dispatch showed the countys proposal would help the boards four Republican incumbents on the Board of Supervisors and sole Democrat by adding favorable voters to their districts. Residents, the NAACP and the Democratic committee expressed concern in the fall that the county map looked to pack Black residents into the Dale District the countys single majority-minority district and where the sole Black member of the Board of Supervisors resides. In November, supervisors approved the redistricting plan in a 4-1 vote, with Dales supervisor, Jim Holland, as the sole no vote. Legally required once a decade following new census numbers, redistricting looks to cut the county into similar-sized pieces. Chesterfields population grew by nearly 50,000 in the past decade for a total of 365,000 residents. Richmond-area agencies have joined forces to create the Metro Richmond Spike Alert, which would notify residents of increases in opioid overdoses in hopes of preventing future deaths through awareness. Announced Wednesday by Richmond and Henricos health districts, the initiative would signal the presence of illegal or diverted prescription drugs in the community that are more potent or more likely to cause an overdose and put data already monitored by localities to use. For those who sign up, the alert offers life-saving education information, said Lauren Herschler, opioid outreach coordinator with Chesterfield Countys mental health support services. We want to make sure folks are informed on overdose spikes in the region, what makes a person more vulnerable to overdose, signs of an overdose, how to respond, and where to access free naloxone, Herschler continued. The COVID-19 pandemic drove opioid overdoses to record highs nationwide, fueling an already incalculable death toll as support services dwindled and people were avoiding seeking medical care. Residents across Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond experienced a 40% increase in overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020, according to local data. Thats 430 people killed because of opioids, which can include heroin, synthetics such as fentanyl or prescription pain relievers like oxycodone. When the opioid crisis was declared a statewide public health emergency in 2016, Richmond had the highest rate of opioid overdose deaths in the area. By 2020, the figure was 1.6 times higher and at 43 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 residents, according to Virginia Department of Health data. The statewide death rate was 12.8. The highest fatality rates were among 25-to-34-year-old Virginians. Many families have experienced tragedy from an opioid overdose that could have been prevented, said Captain Michael Roth, supervisor of emergency medical services for Henrico County Division of Fire. Spike alerts provide life-saving information that can help prevent these immeasurable losses. While demographics are not available for every locality, county health rankings released on Thursday showed Black Virginians in some cities and counties are facing the highest death rates from opioid overdoses of any racial or ethnic group. In the initial years of the epidemic, the crisis was largely affecting white Americans. Potential solutions to help abate the rise in overdose deaths will likely need further action from policymakers to increase access to evidence-based care for substance use disorders, pain and harm reduction measures, read a report from the American Medical Association in a brief last updated Feb. 15. One step was taken in 2021, when Virginia became the first state in the U.S. to establish an opioid abatement fund, which allows the commonwealth to use the money secured from opioid settlements to financially support efforts aimed at preventing the misuse of opioids. Richmond and Henricos health districts also offer free training on how to recognize signs of an overdose and to respond using naloxone. The health agency also offers free fentanyl test strips to detect whether fentanyl is present in pills or other drugs. For more information, visit vdh.virginia.gov. People who are interested in receiving these alerts can sign up at rhhd.gov/spikealert. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden will ask Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion, two administration officials said Thursday, a big boost in U.S. efforts to bolster Kyiv in an intensifying war that's showing no signs of ending anytime soon. Biden's latest proposal which the officials said was expected to last for five months has more than $20 billion in military assistance for Ukraine and for bolstering defenses in nearby countries. There is also $8.5 billion in economic aid to help keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government functioning and $3 billion for food and humanitarian programs to help civilians and other spending, said the officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. The proposal would more than double the initial $13.6 billion package of defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies that Congress enacted last month. It seemed to signal a long-term U.S. commitment to staving off Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to expand his nation's control of its neighbor, and perhaps beyond. The request comes with the fighting, now in its ninth week, sharpening in eastern and southern parts of the country and international tensions growing as Russia cuts off gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria. There is wide, bipartisan support in Congress for giving Ukraine all the assistance it needs to fight the Russians, and its eventual approval seems certain. But Biden and congressional Democrats also want lawmakers to approve billions more to battle the pandemic, and that along with a Republican push to entangle the measure with an extension of some Trump-era immigration restrictions leaves the proposal's pathway to enactment unclear. Biden was also asking Congress on Thursday for new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs. Full story and Russia-Ukraine coverage here: *** PHOTO GALLERY The Archdiocese of Chicago has settled sex abuse claims for $800,000 against five clergymen, including the Rev. George Clements, a well-known Catholic priest and civil rights activist who died in 2019 at 87, according to a settlement document and the lawyer handling the case. Clements was a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in Chicago, recognized for his civil rights work and social justice advocacy. He was known as the first Catholic priest to adopt a child, eventually adopting four sons. His life inspired a made-for-TV movie, The Father Clements Story, that aired in 1987. Advertisement He served as pastor at Holy Angels Parish in the Bronzeville neighborhood from 1969 to 1991, marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago, Alabama and Mississippi and was the second Black priest to be ordained in the Chicago Archdiocese. He also served in a number of other Chicago-area parishes, including St. Ambrose Parish from July 6, 1957, to July 6, 1962; and St. Dorothy Parish from July 7, 1962, to June 19, 1969. Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, asked Clements to step aside from active ministry in 2019 due to an allegation of sex abuse of a minor that occurred in 1974 while he was pastor of Holy Angels Parish. Advertisement Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston-based attorney who represents the plaintiffs, said the settlement stemmed from an investigation and mediation. Because the claim fell outside of the statute of limitations, a lawsuit was not filed. Garabedian said the abuse claim was from about 1974 to 1979 when the child was 7 to 12 years old while Clements was assigned to Holy Angels Church. The Rev. George Clements during a service in Chicago on Jan. 28, 1991. (Fred Jewell / AP) The archdiocese did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement, which was filed in February, according to the document. A spokesperson for the archdiocese said it does not comment on lawsuits, claims or settlements. The Archdiocese also settled claims against Brother Edward Courtney, the Rev. Michael Weston, the Rev. Daniel Holihan and the Rev. Joseph Fitzharris. Courtney was a teacher at Leo High School on the South Side. The settlement involved a claim of abuse of a victim of around 14 or 15 in 1970 to 1971 in the school, Garabedian said. Weston was accused of abusing a 13-year-old in 1978 while assigned to St. Julie Billiarts Church in Tinley Park, Holihan, a 6- or 7-year-old in the 1960s while assigned to St. Aloysius Church in Chicago, and Fitzharris, a 12-year-old in 1975 while assigned to St. Fidelis Church in Chicago. Holihan and Fitzharris have been named in previous settlements, according to Tribune archives. Each individual settlement claim was in the low six figures, Garabedian said. He called on Cupich to add Clements to the archdioceses public list of clergymen who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. Advertisement It is an honor and privilege to represent clergy sexual abuse victims who are changing the world for the better by reporting clergy sexual abuse, he said. mabuckley@chicagotribune.com Were now a bit more than a week past Give Roanoke, a one-day giving campaign to help some of the neediest citizens in our valley, and the organizations serving them. That occurred April 20. The event pulled in $307,337 from 2,006 donors for 105 different nonprofits. So lets give it a big round of applause. Everyone involved should feel proud, because $300,000 in one day is nothing to sneeze at. On the other hand, this years take was a fraction of the haul from similar efforts in recent years. Last years Roanoke Valley Day of Giving pulled in more than $1 million for human service and cultural organizations, and in 2020 the amount raised was more than $700,000. Those efforts were spearheaded by the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Virginia. It organized day-of-giving efforts for years, which built upon themselves year over year. But the foundation is no longer organizing the effort. When area nonprofits last fall learned there might not be a Day of Giving in 2022, they asked the nonprofit Council of Community Services to step into the breach, said council President Anne Marie Green. For whatever reason, [the foundation] decided they didnt want to continue the Day of Giving for the Roanoke Valley. It was a business decision, Green said. The council changed the event name to Give Roanoke, and set up a website, GiveRoanoke.org. They worked with GiveGab, a national fundraising company that charged no fee for its services this year, because 2022 was the councils first mass fundraising day effort. They were amazing, Green said. Ive never seen a for-profit company work that hard for free. Also helping get the word out were local sponsors, such as Freedom First Credit Union, Roanoke Valley Orthodontics, Lamar Outdoor Advertising and Access Advertising and Public Relations. The result was 105 participating nonprofits were able to use a single online platform to solicit donations that could be earmarked for their particular do-gooding outfits. Below are some of the fundraising leaders from that effort: The Orchard Hills Achievement Center in Botetourt County, which runs day care, summer enrichment and homework help programs for children, raised $25,000 from 90 donors. Angels of Assisi in Roanoke, which provides health care for stray animals and helps them get adopted, pulled in $15,328. The Local Office on Aging in Roanoke, which provides nutrition and other services for low-income adults, brought in just under $14,000 from 77 donors. I learned about Give Roanoke in an email a couple of weeks ago from a friend, Tom Kennedy, who used to run a local radio station. Now hes one of the people answering phones for 211 Virginia, a statewide information and referral service that helps coordinate people in need with government agencies and nonprofits that can help. 211 Virginia (operated by the Council of Community Services) was one of fundraisers beneficiary agencies. As of Wednesday afternoon, Kennedy had fielded 533 calls this month alone from people who were desperate for one reason or another. A common theme is lack of money, he said. The ones that really bother me are families with young children, he said, terming the kids collateral victims of societys injustices. Its children who dont have an adequate place to live, even if only temporarily. Or children in need of adequate nutrition. Or kids who come home from school and find their electricitys been turned off, and they dont understand why, Kennedy said. The outfit I work for is now handling over 12,000 calls a month, Kennedy wrote in his fundraising plea. I do know the goodness in your hearts and souls. Please help, he wrote. Kennedys letter brought in $1,375 for the council, which altogether raised $7,653 from 101 donors through the fundraising platform. The money will help people make their rent (and avoid evictions), or obtain health care or counseling or other services. The need out there is tremendous, Kennedy said. 211 Virginia has just under 20 operators like Kennedy fielding calls from around the commonwealth. All of us are averaging 30 to 45 calls per day. Another top fundraiser from Give Roanoke was the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. Its in southwest Roanoke County at the end of Coleman Road, which intersects with U.S. 221 in the Cave Spring area. Sabrina Garvin, executive director of the wildlife center, said it scored $15,000 through the online platform, counting donors who wrote old-fashioned checks on the side, rather than give online. It means a lot, she said. Right now as you know, were still in the midst of a long-running court case. The wildlife center and Roanoke County are being sued by a couple of its neighbors who believe the county illegally approved an expansion at the wildlife center. The legal battle involves multiple lawsuits that have taken different turns in various courts. The Supreme Court of Virginia recently heard one of those cases but hasnt yet issued a decision. Although legal fees have been a principal need in recent years as the cases have dragged on, the wildlife center has plenty of needs that go beyond lawyers, Garvin added. One is repairing cages that, as theyve been used, have become compromised. Another is to establish an isolation building for birds, to assess whether theyve been infected with avian influenza. A third and recent need is a new roof. No doubt, therell be other needs that arise between now and next year, both for the wildlife center and other agencies that benefited from Give Roanoke 2022. Im sure well be doing it next year, and raising even more, Green said. Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com . Follow him on Twitter: @dancaseysblog Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An automobile shredding operation in Franklin County allowed wastewater to leak from its landfill, according to an enforcement action taken by environmental regulators. OmniSource will pay a $28,245 fine under an agreement with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Problems at the business on U.S. 220 south of Rocky Mount have been corrected, and there was no documentation of lasting environmental harm. A consent order posted to DEQs website states that fluff waste fabrics, plastics, foam, rubber, and leather that was removed from the interiors of the junked vehicles before they were shredded was dumped into an adjacent landfill. In January 2019, an unannounced inspection by the agency found that recent heavy rains had caused seepage and ponding of leachate, or water that has percolated through solids buried in a landfill and may contain hazardous materials. Although the leachate had not been captured by the landfills drainage system, there was no evidence that it reached a nearby stream, an unnamed tributary of the South Fork of Little Chestnut Creek, according to DEQ. The inspection found that runoff control systems were not properly maintained. Efforts to reach OmniSource officials were unsuccessful Wednesday and Thursday. It was at least the second time in recent years that the business has encountered problems with its landfill. A DEQ inspection in 2014 found that leachate was overflowing from concrete tanks and seeping from a pipe used to collect the wastewater. OmniSource agreed to pay a $13,000 fine in that case. A small group of veterans gathered Thursday outside the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center to voice their concerns over the proposed closure of the hospital. The United Black Veterans Society of Virginia staged the event and invited personnel from the hospital to address veteran questions directly. Retired U.S. Army Maj. Deborah Saunders said she worries the VA is trying to replace a full-service hospital with a smaller facility and outpatient clinics. She said some veterans in her organization are elderly, homeless or without transportation. Closing the hospital, which is on a Valley Metro bus line, could limit the access of veterans, especially minority veterans, who have no other means to access their care. We served the country, she said. We didnt serve it in bits and pieces like community based outpatient clinics and satellites. We served in full capacity, signed our life on the line with the understanding that facilities like this one here were designated for us to go to get our health care. Dr. Thomas Martin, deputy chief of staff, emphasized to the group that the proposal is only a recommendation and any changes would take decades to complete. The closure of the current hospital would only occur after services were available elsewhere, he said. It is specifically aimed at realigning resources throughout the country and throughout VA to make sure that all veterans in all areas have access to care, Martin said. This is not simply a closing of the Salem VA Medical Center as we know it. It is not a done deal. The Department of Veterans Affairs released a list of recommendations March 14 for modernizing the health care system at its facilities across the country. Because of decreasing veteran enrollment in the area and the age of the VA hospital in Salem, the department recommended building a new medical center in Roanoke and closing the existing hospital, which employs nearly 1,800 on an extensive campus of land and buildings. The new facility would provide inpatient mental health services, outpatient services, a residential rehabilitation treatment program and a community living center. Inpatient medical and surgical, emergency department and outpatient surgical services that the VA currently provides would be done through a sharing agreement or lease with another provider. If that kind of collaboration proves to be impossible, VA would utilize community providers instead. Under these recommendations, the VA Medical Center in Salem would close. The report also recommended building a new community based outpatient clinic in Bedford, where a large concentration of veterans must drive more than 30 minutes to access a VA health facility. Another veteran at the event, Randy Holman, said he supported the closure of the VA hospital. He suffered a shoulder injury and said he received inadequate care at the facility that left him with limited mobility in his arm. He said the facility has not always provided the best care for veterans and he wanted to see expanded access to civilian hospitals. Theres been nothing but lack of treatment at the VA, Holman said. They have never taken proper care of the veterans. If I could afford it, I would never step through the gates of this VA ever again. The Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission, a presidentially appointed body, will conduct public hearings and review the departments recommendations before submitting its own to President Joe Biden. The president has until the end of March 2023 to approve or disapprove of the recommendations. After that, recommendations are sent to Congress, which will have 45 days to reject them. If no action is taken, they will be considered approved. Implementation of the approved recommendations could span decades as congressional funding fluctuates and the details of the plan are implemented. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BOONES MILL Its been about six months since Boones Mill turned its water and wastewater utility system over to the Western Virginia Water Authority, and Town Manager B.T. Fitzpatrick said its already proven to be one of the best decisions the town council has ever made. Fitzpatrick said water and sewer bills have dropped for a majority of town residents following the systems acquisition by the water authority. It depended on whether they were sewer only, water only or water and sewer, Fitzpatrick said. ...We had in town customers and we had out of town customers and the out of town customers were paying a flat fee of $20 plus whatever they were using, because they were outside the town. Theyve seen significant reduction thats $20 off their bills automatically. That, coupled with the switch to the authoritys water and sewer rates, are the reasons customer bills may be lower. Also a factor in the acquisition was the cost incurred by the town to run its own water and wastewater systems. The town didnt have enough customers to cover the cost of operating the system. It had gotten so expensive to continue to operate we were losing money for the past five years, Fitzpatrick said at an April 20 comprehensive planning input meeting. Fitzpatrick said the town was losing between $35,000 and $40,000 annually. The water authority officially acquired the towns system on Nov. 1, but the authority had been operating the system for the town since July 2018. We immediately started receiving comments about how much better the quality of the water was, how much more dependable it was. We had I think five different sewer collapses that were fixed, Fitzpatrick said. As council got to see how well the authority was doing in maintaining and managing the system...council finally decided to sell the system. Fitzpatrick said the acquisition allowed the town to eliminate nearly $500,000 in debt service, freeing up enough money for a capital improvement budget. Weve never had that before, Fitzpatrick said. The path taken by Boones Mill may have appeal for other localities. The town of Vinton in Roanoke County is on track to hand its water system over to the authority on July 1. At its Thursday, April 21 meeting, the water authority board approved a resolution to acquire Vintons system. This is the biggest merger or acquisition weve ever done, Michael McEvoy, water authority executive director, said during the April 21 board meeting. Were increasing our customer base by 8.5%. Boones Mill and Vinton arent the first to opt for acquisition. According to information on the water authoritys website, it added Franklin and Botetourt counties in 2009 and 2015, respectively, and currently contracts to operate systems in the town of Fincastle in Botetourt County. In 2004, the city of Roanoke and Roanoke County consolidated their water and wastewater operations, forming the water authority. Based in Roanoke, the water authority is funded by ratepayers. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BRISTOL, Va. A Bristol, Virginia police officer didnt need to testify on the final day of his murder trial to get the verdict he wanted. The tense, weeklong trial came to a close Wednesday when a jury found Officer Johnathan Brown not guilty nearly a year after he was indicted by a grand jury. Browns attorney Heather Howard told the jury in her closing argument that Brown shot and killed Jonathen Kohler, a Bristol, Tennessee, man, on March 30, 2021, because he had no choice when Kohler used his car to flee toward the officer. Brown, 32, was one of four Bristol, Virginia, police officers who responded to the Rodeway Inn on Euclid Avenue around 3:20 a.m. for multiple calls of shots fired and found Kohler, 31, seated in the drivers seat of his parked car. As Kohler was contacted and being questioned by officers, who testified to having reasonable suspicion Kohler was the shooter, he decided to try to flee the parking lot toward Brown, who fired his rifle six times. Kohler suffered gunshot wounds to the head and neck. He died almost immediately and crashed into a parked car. The defense claimed Brown acted in self-defense and in accordance with his training, while prosecutors argued that he was too aggressive and acted unlawfully. In Wednesdays closing arguments, Howard was critical of the governments handling of the case, stating that the commonwealth rushed to indict Brown before the investigation was complete. Howard called the prosecutors case against Brown a trial of insinuation filled with smoke and mirrors and red herrings intended to distract the jury. Howard also criticized the commonwealth for calling only six witnesses to testify, despite the prosecutor stating they subpoenaed 50 witnesses. The defense called 11 witnesses the prosecutors didnt, Howard said, including the three officers who witnessed the shooting. It was later determined by investigators that Kohler did have a loaded firearm under his seat as officers questioned him and that he was the one who fired the shots in the motel parking lot that prompted the police response. Texts revealed Kohler, who had additional magazines and rounds of ammunition in the car, threatened to shoot up the motel. Kohler also had a toxic level of methamphetamine in his blood, a toxicologist testified. Evidence showed Brown had half a second to decide to pull the trigger 5 feet from the car after it starting moving toward him. Roanoke Commonwealth Attorney Donald Caldwell served as special prosecutor in the case. One of these days Ill get back to writing about a subject other than World War II, but I couldnt let this week pass without saying a few words about Chuck Neighbor. Chuck, a quiet humble man who in his youth stormed the beaches of Normandy to face down Nazism, died this past weekend at 97. I knew the D-Day veteran and Roanoke Valley resident for probably 15 years or so, but it would be presumptuous of me to claim I was his good friend. An admirer, perhaps, but I doubt I talked to him more than a dozen times in all those years. Still, the man meant a lot to me. I first met Chuck at a dinner for World War II vets to which Id also been invited, and I recognized the name on his tag. I introduced myself and said I appreciated his role in history and wanted to hear more about his wartime service. Over the years we encountered each other periodically, pretty much always in some commemoration of WWII, and I always told him it was an honor to be with him. Because it was. Chuck was a Kansas native who was drafted to do his part and who ended up in Co. E, 116th Regiment, 29th Division. In his wartime photos, he looked like a studious bookworm; but on D-Day, he had to be a warrior. His job was to operate a flamethrower. Picture the carnage of Omaha Beach; now imagine enduring it with an 80-pound tank of flammable chemicals on your back. Somehow, the flamethrower didnt work; he never got to use it. Obviously Chuck survived that day, but the 29ers fight at St. Lo nearly got him. He got his first Purple Heart there; after recuperating he returned to his unit to earn another. He finished his time in the Army in the occupation forces, a warrior who had won. I dont know much about Chucks postwar life, but it seemed to be like so many others. He took off his uniform and got to work. He married, raised kids, paid taxes, shook his head at the 6 oclock news. Years later, he worked with his friend Bob Slaughter to get the National D-Day Memorial built and attended many events there. Compelled to tell his story and keep his buddies memories alive, he wrote a wartime biography called One Mans War Story. On the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, no less than the vice president of the United States quoted Chuck as an authority on what it was like on those beaches that day. When I was a kid, I gave little thought to World War II veterans. They were everywhere; every older guy I knew had served in the war: my dad (U.S. Navy), by uncle (U.S. Army), my first boss, serious-looking gentlemen at church. As I aged (and I always say you only start to appreciate history when you get old enough to remember some of it), I realized what these men and women had accomplished, and how little credit they were willing to take for it. Allow me to use some words from the notable historian Stephen Ambrose as a requiem for Chuck, and his 16 million brothers and sisters in arms, so few of whom are still with us. Summing up his book Citizen Soldiers, Ambrose wrote: these were the men who built modern America. They had learned to work together in the armed services in World War II. They had seen enough destruction; they wanted to construct they had seen enough killing; they wanted to save lives they had learned in the army the virtues of a solid organization and teamwork, and the value of individual initiative, inventiveness, and responsibility the ex-GIs had seen enough war; they wanted peace. But they had also seen the evil of dictatorship; they wanted freedom When the GIs sailed for Europe, they were coming to the continent not as conquerors but liberators. In his Order of the Day on June 6, 1944, Eisenhower had told them their mission was: The destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. They accomplished that mission At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didnt want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and we all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful. Thank you, Chuck. Long is a historian, writer and educator from Salem. CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. " " Scientists believe that megamasers occur when galaxies collide, producing new stars and feeding massive black holes. NASA Goddard If there's one thing we know for sure about our universe, it's that we actually know relatively little about it. Every year, astronomers discover new objects and phenomena; sometimes these are quite close to Earth, such as a surprising asteroid that goes whizzing by, and other times they are as distant as anything we've ever observed in our few centuries of peering starward. In April 2022, astronomers made headlines for detecting a phenomenon that occurred roughly 5 billion years ago and traveled some 36 thousand billion billion miles (58 thousand billion billion kilometers) to reach the telescopes that measured it, according to a statement by the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), based in Perth, Australia. The record-breaking object observed by the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa was named "Nkalakatha" (pronounced ng-kuh-la-kuh-tah) an isiZulu word meaning big boss. Best of all, the official name for these phenomena is really cool as well: megamaser. No, it's not a super villain; though it certainly sounds like one. Instead, megamasers are a fascinating fact of life in the universe. Advertisement Maser? I Hardly Know Her! Before we get into megamasers, it helps to understand what a "regular" maser is. Strictly speaking, a maser is a device that produces electromagnetic waves, much like a laser; the "m" in maser stands for microwave, as the first masers produced electromagnetic waves in the microwave region of the light spectrum. The first maser was built in 1953, and several scientists were awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in physics for the groundwork that made that first maser possible. Since then, scientists have been able to build masers outside the microwave region of the spectrum, including in the radio and infrared parts of the spectrum. This has made masers useful as microwave amplifiers in radio telescopes and deep space spacecraft communication ground stations. However, when we speak about masers and space, there's another way to define the term. An astrophysical maser is a naturally occurring emission. In short, it's a burst of "light," though not visible light, as masers are usually in the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Advertisement Herald of Galactic Collisions While you may never have heard of a megamaser, astronomers have been measuring them since the late 1970s. The first extragalactic maser (measured from outside the Milky Way) was observed in 1977. By the mid-1990s, several megamasers had been discovered, so named because of how luminous they were to observers using the right tools to spot them. Scientists continue to research megamasers, as it is believed they occur when galaxies collide events that have become less common in the history of our universe over the billions of years of its existence. "When two galaxies like the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy collide, beams of light shoot out from the collision and can be seen at cosmological distances. [M]egamasers act like bright lights that say: Here is a collision of galaxies that is making new stars and feeding massive black holes," explains Jeremy Darling, a megamaser expert and professor of astrophysical and planetary sciences at the University of Colorado. These astrophysical phenomena are unique, and astronomers continue to peer further into our universal history to find them. The oldest megamaser ever measured, estimated to have been emitted some 5-6 billion years ago, is the one observed in 2022 from the radio telescope in South Africa. While the physics behind them can be a bit challenging to wrap your head around, it's safe to say that astronomers will continue to discover these heralds of galactic collisions as our astronomical tools get better at peering further into the universe. Now That's Interesting Megamaser is a cool name, but it's more than just an adjective: Megamasers are typically 100 million times brighter than the masers we've observed within our own Milky Way. Likewise, kilomaser is used to describe masers outside the Milky Way that are thousands of times stronger and gigamaser is used to describe masers billions of times stronger than the average maser in the Milky Way. A high school student was dead on the scene when an Amtrak train hit him Thursday morning in the Logan Square neighborhood, authorities said. The boy, 17, was on train tracks near Armitage and Springfield avenues when Union Station-bound Amtrak Train 332 hit him about 9:35 a.m., according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt and Amtrak. Advertisement The boy, of Westmont, died of multiple injuries from being hit by the train and his death was ruled a suicide, according to the Cook County medical examiners office on Friday. Railroad personnel on the scene where a high school student died near Armitage and Springfield avenues when Union Station-bound Amtrak Train 332 hit him Thursday morning. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) He was trespassing on tracks operated by Metra about 5 miles west of Union Station when he came in contact with the train, which was coming from Milwaukee, according to Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesman. Advertisement None of the 105 passengers or crew members were injured and Amtrak is working with police, Metra and the medical examiners office, Magliari said. The situation caused delays and cancellations to Amtrak and Metra trains. Train 332 was terminated and the passengers were taken to their destination by a Metra train, according to Magliari. Normal Amtrak service was expected to resume later Thursday afternoon, while inbound and outbound Metra trains may be operating up to 30 minutes behind schedule, according to a service alert on Metras website, which added customers should expect minor residual delays. rsobol@chicagotribune.com HARTSVILLE, S.C Bryson Caldwell said he is young in age, old at heart, wise in spirit and believes he is the new energy that has what it takes to represent the District 62 seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Caldwell, a 27-year-old Hartsville native, is a Democrat and is the president of Caldwell Insurance Consultants LLC. He is a member of the Hartsville City Council. He said his priority is to progress the state forward by investing in infrastructure, improving roads and stormwater systems, revitalizing the community through education, and more importantly, creating programs to combat the rise of crime. Caldwell said one of his main focuses is violence. He said legislators must support law enforcement officers and agencies by pushing prevention programs rather than authoring a bill after a tragedy. Caldwell said proactive measures need to be taken for the rise in crime and gun violence. Caldwell said he is qualified for the position because he has extensive knowledge as an insurance consultant and strategic marketing specialist, and has experience in business serving clientele locally, regionally, and nationally. Caldwell said he is a big advocate for technical skills and believes he can bring a spark of new energy to the workforce through technical skills and trades. Caldwell said he understands that constituents may be hesitant to elect a new face because of the longstanding history with Rep. Robert Williams. Great things have been done in the community and that is non negotiable, he said. ``But there is more that we can do. With new energy and with a new mind, I believe this is the time to take a chance with someone who is on fire for what this community can be in the years to come. Caldwell said that he will put in the time and effort. I want to show people that this is a district where you dont have to leave to be successful, he said. This district is a place where you can live, work, have an excellent education and be safe. I want to encourage others to follow suit, but it must first start at home. Caldwell said he was inspired to run because the pandemic changed his view on life. The pandemic showed me that tomorrow is not promised, he said. The tradition is to wait and when a person says they are done you try, but I knew when I lost a family member last year that was involved in my life for the past 27 years that time does not wait. I lost the person who was my last everything. Ola Mae Bishop stepped in after my mother died. When she died, it was that moment that I understood that tomorrow is not promised because I was not prepared. I realized that waiting to use talent or waiting to expose a gift is pointless. Some of the best gifts and talents are enclosed in caskets buried in graveyards. I dont want to be the story of yesterday. I dont want to be the person that could have or should have. I want to be known as the person that did. Caldwell said he wants to fight for the general welfare of all people. He said he wants to be the candidate that has something for everyone Democratic, Republican, black or white. I want to be the candidate that represents all of District 62 and I want to be known as a candidate who serves all. Far and near. I want to be somebody else for everybody else. More importantly, I want to be known as a child doing Gods will. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FLORENCE, S.C. The Housing Authority of Florence held a ribbon cutting and tour of the facility on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of its new location on West. Palmetto Street. Ambassadors of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce assisted with the ribbon cutting. In operation for the past 54 years, the Housing Authority moved from 400 E. Pine St. to its new location at 2640 W. Palmetto St., a property it purchased in January 2019. The agency serves people in upper Florence, Chesterfield, Dillon and Marlboro counties. In the move in October, 2021, all administrative staff members, except for community managers, were brought under one roof. Before the move, the administrative staff was housed in three or four different buildings. With the transformation of the former Food Lion purchase, the Housing Authority has turned about 15,000 square feet of the facility into office space. The majority of the staff members are now all in one location, which allows them to have meetings in-house, have more events for their residents and provide more resources for them. The Housing Authority has about 80 employees. It is just the beginning, said CEO and Executive Director Clamentine V. Elmore. She said the move means growth and change. The move also represents a more efficient way of doing things. The Housing Authority provides public housing through the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), low-income housing tax credit, and other affordable housing, and fair market rent to the counties it serves. It manages 11 properties, 10 in Florence and one in McCall. The Housing Authority of Florence was organized in February 1968. It is operated by a board of commissioners, composed of five board members, with a purpose to adopt the policies, act on financial matters of the authority and provide direction and guidance to the executive director. Five years ago, I had a vision for this agency and in that short timeframe so much has become a reality, Elmore said, but the best is yet come. Elmore announced the plans for the Vision 10 project, which the agency will begin implementing soon. With Vision 10, Elmore said, the authority plans to renovate all the public housing under its jurisdiction in the next 10-year-period. A developer is in place to start working on the plan, she said. Details are forthcoming, Elmore said. Elmore said the agency joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce a couple of years ago to learn more about the community they serve and to spread the word about what they do. We wanted to be a resource for the community, she said. Elmore is the director of four agencies Florence, Cheraw, Marlboro and McColl and a nonprofit Palmetto Housing Corporation. She grew up in Lake City and moved away after high school. Prior to returning to the area about five and half years ago, she worked for the federal government for 26 years with the United States Army and HUD. The Housing Authority of Florence is open Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment only and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, call 843-669-4163. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Seguin, TX (78155) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Near record high temperatures. High near 95F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low 72F. SE winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. (AFP via Getty Images) Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that he will have the option to take another managerial job as he prepares to begin his role as a consultant to Manchester United. Reports have emerged strongly linking the German with the Austrian national team, a role which he did not comment on following Uniteds 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Thursday. However, he did outline his plans to continue at Old Trafford as he transitions from interim manager to first-team consultant when Erik ten Hag takes the reins in the summer. Rangnick told Sky Sports: I speak tonight about United and our game, I can also say I will definitely continue for the next two seasons in my consultancy role. We have agreed on the content and time of my role and so far Erik and I havent spoken but hopefully we will in the future. Im more than happy and willing to help. It would leave space for another job but thats what we agreed last year. Gianluca Mancini (C) scraps with Ademola Lookman during Leicester City's 1-1 draw with Roma in their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg (AFP/Geoff Caddick) Gianluca Mancini's second-half own goal allowed Leicester City to draw 1-1 with Jose Mourinho's Roma in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday, while Feyenoord got the better of Marseille in a five-goal thriller. Mancini got the final touch midway through the second half as he tried to stop Ademola Lookman turning in a low ball driven into the six-yard box by Harvey Barnes. That brought Leicester level in their first ever European semi-final after Lorenzo Pellegrini had given Roma an early lead at the King Power Stadium. The tie, which pits Mourinho against Brendan Rodgers, his one-time protege on the coaching staff at Chelsea, is now poised ahead of next week's return in Italy. Mourinho is hoping to add the new third-tier European trophy to his collection having won two Champions Leagues, a UEFA Cup and a Europa League during his managerial career, and Roma could not have asked for a better start. They went ahead on the quarter-hour mark when Nicola Zalewski collected the ball on the left and powered forward before playing in captain Pellegrini to fire low past Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal. Last season's FA Cup winners, who dropped into the Conference League after going out of the Europa League in the group stage, were then dealt a blow as Timothy Castagne was forced off midway through the first half. Lookman tested goalkeeper Rui Patricio from range just after the half-hour mark but it was the second-half introduction of Barnes that proved crucial in getting the Premier League side back on level terms. Barnes replaced Marc Albrighton at the same time Kelechi Iheanacho was sent on for Jamie Vardy, the veteran forward making his first start since early March following his latest injury setback. It was Barnes who drove into the box before drilling a low ball in from the left side of the area towards Nigerian international Lookman. Italian international defender Mancini ended up helping the ball over the line to make it 1-1. Story continues Rui Patricio then tipped an Iheanacho shot around the post and Leicester -- whose former striker Gary Lineker was watching from the stands -- will have to find a way of winning in Rome if they are to reach the final in the Albanian capital Tirana at the end of next month. - Dessers double fires Feyenoord - Feyenoord beat Marseille 3-2 in Rotterdam, throwing away a two-goal lead before being gifted what proved to be the winner on the night right at the start of the second half. Colombian forward Luis Sinisterra laid the ball off for Cyriel Dessers to open the scoring for the Dutch side in the 18th minute, and Sinisterra doubled their lead just two minutes later, sweeping home from a Reiss Nelson assist with his shot deflecting in off Valentin Rongier. In a remarkable game between two former European Cup winners, Marseille pulled a goal back in the 28th minute when Cedric Bakambu played a ball into the path of Bamba Dieng and the Senegal striker smashed in a shot from just outside the area. The French visitors were level five minutes before half-time when Matteo Guendouzi's low cross into the box from the right was turned out by Feyenoord goalkeeper Ofir Marciano and Brazil midfielder Gerson arrived to smash in the loose ball. Yet, in a raucous atmosphere at De Kuip, Feyenoord went back in front just 11 seconds into the second half as Duje Caleta-Car's short backpass was intercepted by Dessers and the Belgian-born Nigerian international snapped up the chance. Marseille must now overturn the deficit when the teams meet again at the Velodrome next Thursday. as/jc 742 mood 51296 60 200 544618.2% 24 59 4313 10%6% 14% 2%3.1% 3% 14% A4%H9% 13%10% H 510 12% : 13.7634.02% RUM Work SIOUX CITY -- Elected officials and local labor leaders are taking time out on Thursday to recognize workers who die or suffer serious illness or injury while on the clock. According to a press release from the Western Iowa Labor Federation, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 222 Hall is hosting a "Workers' Memorial Day" at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature stories from local union leaders Leo Kanne and Jaylee Hurst and see appearances by State Sen. Jackie Smith (D-Sioux City), State Rep. Chris Hall (D-Sioux City), Sioux City Councilmembers Dan Moore and Matthew O'Kane, and Iowa House District 1 candidate J.D. Scholten. "The labor movement has always led the charge to protect working people from workplace injury, illness, and death," the release said. "This April 28, union members, leaders and allies across the country will observe this day by coming together to organize workers and call on employers and our government for workplace protections from COVID-19, violence, and heat illness, among other hazards." The release also notes that the event will have a reading of the names of all the Iowa workers "lost on the job during 2021." According to the 2022 "Death on the Job Report" from the AFL-CIO, more than 4,700 American workers were killed on the job in 2020. About 120,000 workers died from occupational diseases. "More than one-third of workplace fatalities occurred among workers ages 55 and older," the report went on to say. "Workers 65 and older have 2.5 times the risk of dying on the job as other workers, with a fatality rate of 8.6 per 100,000 workers." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. LaDon Reynolds is sworn in as the new police chief of the Oak Park Police Department during a Jan. 8, 2019, ceremony at Village Hall. The U.S. Senate confirmed Reynolds as the next U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. (Joe Kreml/Village of Oak Park) After nearly four years, Chicago finally has a new permanent U.S. marshal. The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of former Oak Park police Chief LaDon Reynolds as the next U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Illinois, one of the top federal law enforcement posts in the city. Advertisement U.S. District Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer said Thursday she met with Reynolds recently and found him to be a consummate professional with an even keel necessary for the high-profile job. We are so pleased, Pallmeyer said in a telephone interview. Hes a wonderful fit. Hes down-to-earth, a devoted family person. Advertisement She said Reynolds also has a background in good police practices and has taught law enforcement and criminal justice issues in various capacities. The last person in the post, Edward Gilmore, abruptly resigned in May 2018 after he was found to have made an inappropriate comment about shooting a judge during firearms training, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice. Reynolds was selected more than two months ago after a bipartisan screening committee headed by former U.S. District Judge David Coar made the recommendation to Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. But his road to confirmation hit a snag in the politically polarized Senate Judiciary Committee, where a group of Republicans led by Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton blocked all Justice Department nominees over an unrelated controversy involving federal law enforcement agents being sued over their actions during Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, Oregon, in 2020. In February, Durbin, the committees chairman, blasted Cottons obstructionist efforts, saying it put politics before the safety of the American people. Try to follow that logic, if you will, Durbin said at the time. (Cotton) is so committed to law enforcement, he is so committed to U.S. Marshals, he wont let us appoint people to fill (U.S. Marshal) vacancies. On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) asked for unanimous consent on 10 U.S. attorney and U.S. marshal nominees including Chief Reynolds and Republicans did not object, clearing the way for a voice vote that confirmed Reynolds to a four-year term. Afterward, Durbin and Duckworth released a statement calling Reynolds a seasoned law enforcement veteran who will serve with distinction in this important role. Advertisement He has the experience to succeed and help keep our communities and our federal judiciary safe, the statement read. A spokesperson for Cotton was not immediately available for comment. Pallmeyer said Thursday that she had been bracing for more delays in Washington and that Reynolds confirmation came as a pleasant surprise. Reynolds served since 2019 as the chief of police for the Oak Park Police Department before stepping down earlier this month. He began his law enforcement career in the near west suburb in 1994 rising to detective commander in 2010 and deputy police chief in 2017. His commission must still be signed by President Joe Biden before he is formally sworn in, a process that should be completed over the next several days. Among other duties, the U.S. Marshals Service is tasked with protecting federal judges, apprehending fugitives, transporting federal prisoners, selling seized assets and operating the federal Witness Security Program. Advertisement The Chicago field office is one of the organizations busiest and typically attracts high-ranking law enforcement officials from across the country. The position has been vacant since Gilmore was forced to resign. The Tribune reported that the comment was directed at then-U.S. District Chief Judge Ruben Castillo, who said in an interview that he and Gilmore had some tough exchanges over courthouse security before Gilmore made the threat. Though the comment was apparently a joke, Castillo called the situation unfortunate. This is a guy who could walk into my chambers with a weapon at any time, no problem, Castillo said at the time. What if it wasnt a joke? Since Gilmores resignation, the position has been filled by a series of acting U.S. marshals. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com BRUSSELS (AP) Cutting off natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria cost Russian President Vladimir Putin very little but it is adding stress on European countries wrestling with how to reduce the energy imports feeding the Kremlin's war chest and how to keep a united front on the war in Ukraine. European Union officials say yielding to Putin's demand to pay for gas in rubles would violate Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Poland and Bulgaria were cut off after refusing the demand and say they will manage because they were already working to end their dependence on Russian energy supplies. Analysts say there is enough ambiguity in the European stance to allow the Kremlin to keep trying to undermine unity among the 27 member countries even if an implied threat to cut off major customers such as Germany and Italy may turn out to be an empty one because it would cost Russia heavily. The cutoff sent a chill through EU officials wondering how their utility companies will heat homes and generate electricity next winter. Putin got maximum disruption of what he regards as a hostile alliance for minimal costs because Poland and Bulgaria are relatively minor customers who were about to end their contracts at year's end anyway. Poland's entire gas import was only 10 billion cubic meters per year, out of total European imports of 155 billion from Russia. Gas in roughly that amount is already flowing to Poland from other European countries pitching in to help. Russian energy giant Gazprom has lost relatively little revenue but opened a new front in its confrontation with Europe. Putin is creating "a system where he can basically divide countries as we are seeing for the ones that don't want to comply with this new scheme will be cut off, while others will try to comply and essentially go against the European Union indication," said Simone Tagliapietra, an energy expert and senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels. European payments for Russian oil and gas amount to $850 million a day even as governments condemn the war. It's the result of decades in which Russia was regarded as a reliable supplier of cheap gas despite warnings from Poland and other central and Eastern European countries that Russia could use energy as a weapon. While Europe needs the oil and gas, those sales are the main pillar of the Kremlin's budget. John Lough, an associate fellow in the Russian and Eurasia program at the Chatham House think tank, said Russias cutoff of Poland and Bulgaria was meant as a signal to major importers Germany and Italy, which both get 40% of their gas from Russia. But if they have to follow through on their threats, then they have to cut off the nose to spite their face, he said of Russian officials. And thats a big problem. So its a kind of game of chicken. A wide-ranging gas cutoff would hit industrial users that cant easily substitute other energy sources. Liberty Ostrava steel works in the Czech Republic has no short-term solution to replace natural gas because a changeover would take nine to 12 months, spokeswoman Barbora Cerna Dvorakova said. European Union countries or companies that agree to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions, senior EU officials said Thursday. Around 97% of European gas contracts with Russia are in euros or dollars. Under Putin's new payment system, the Kremlin has said importers would have to establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias third-largest bank, Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. The importer would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The sanctions violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account because the ruble conversion involves a transaction involving Russia's sanctioned central bank. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, says companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars per their contract, then making a clear statement to Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. That leaves an opening for the Kremlin to accept the statement or not a potential pressure point for member countries. Russia has Europe "over a barrel in the sense of making it a requirement that if they want any gas, then theyll have to break their own sanctions by paying for it in rubles, said David Elmes, an energy expert at Warwick Business School. And so theyre calling Europes bluff, if you like. Which do you want to do on the gas or do you want the sanctions? Uniper, Germanys biggest importer of Russian gas, said it has been paying in euros and will continue to do so but indicated that it would be prepared to open a second account in rubles. We believe that a change of payments which conforms to sanctions laws and the Russian decree is possible, the company said in a statement. Whats clear is that Uniper will continue to pay in euros. The company declined to say when and under what conditions it would open the ruble account. It said doing without Russian gas at short notice isnt possible, it would have dramatic consequences for our national economy. That's why EU sanctions so far have avoided Russian oil and gas. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged Thursday that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. Italian officials said they were waiting for further guidance from the EU on whether the payment workaround violates sanctions. Carlo Bonomi, head of Italys main business lobby Confindustria, said he didnt think Russia would cut natural gas deliveries to Italy. Obviously, its a situation in continuous evolution, but regardless, the government is working with the aim of making Italy independent in case of any escalation," he said. We are optimistic. But Putin may be playing a longer game, knowing that next winter will put more pressure on gas supplies. The European Unions executive commission has unveiled proposals to cut reliance on Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of the year through additional supplies of liquefied gas by ship, faster rollout of wind and solar, and tough conservation measures. Coordinated action on diversifying energy sources could be a victim of Putin's ruble payment demand as some countries get exemptions and other don't, Tagliapietra said. How can we have a joint energy response if different countries are doing, or not, business with Putin?" he said. Kirka contributed from London, and Jordans from Berlin. Karel Janicek in Prague and Maria Grazia Murru and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SIOUX CENTER -- Before the semester comes to a close, Dordt University's music department is hosting three concerts over the next week. According to a press release, the slate starts with the Fourth Avenue Jazz concert held on Tuesday, May 3, at 8 p.m., in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. Then, on Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m., the same venue will play host to the Choral Ensembles Concert. Finally, the following night, also at 7:30 p.m., Dordt instrumental ensembles are performing the final concert of the year. For the last show, the press release states: "The concert will feature the Campus-Community Band, Chamber Orchestra, and Wind Symphony. They will be joined by guest conductor Maestro Michael Johner. Maestro Johner joins us from Rottenburg, Germany where he is the principal conductor of numerous ensembles." The Friday event will include the Bella Voce women's chorus, the Dordt men's chorus, Chorale and the concert choir performing a mix of modern works, international tunes and faith songs. Tuesday night is all about jazz in its many forms. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NEW YORK (AP) It started in 1948 as a society midnight supper, and it wasnt even at the Met. Not to forget, the Met Gala is still a fundraiser last year the evening earned more than a whopping $16.4 million for the Mets Costume Institute. Lets also not forget that it launches the annual spring fashion exhibit that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the museum. But its the carpet itself (now watchable for everyone, on livestream) that draws the worlds eyes, with the guest list strategically withheld until the last minute a collection of stars from movies, music, fashion, sports, politics and elsewhere that probably makes for the highest celebrity wattage-per square foot of any party in the world. Herewith, a primer for the 2022 Met gala, which is on May 2: AGAIN, ALREADY? Yes, we just did this in the fall. The annual fundraiser for the Mets Costume Institute is traditionally held the first Monday in May, but because of the pandemic, a postponed gala was held in September. WHOS HOSTING THE 2022 MET GALA? This years hosts are Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Of course, Vogues Anna Wintour is supervising the whole shebang as she has since the 90s. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri. Ford, also a film director, is one of nine directors whose work is featured in the new spring exhibit. IS THERE A THEME? Of course. The Met Gala theme for this year is Gilded glamour, white-tie, guests have been told. As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: In America: An Anthology of Fashion, which is the second installment of star curator Andrew Boltons two-part show exploring the roots of American style. This exhibit showcases overlooked figures in fashion history, many of them women and people of color, through the talents of some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last years Oscar winner Chloe Zhao. Their work will be displayed in the period rooms of the American Wing, so expect some grand fashion related to the theme like those gowns from HBOs The Gilded Age. Artfully ripped jeans, this time? Not so much. DOES EVERYONE FOLLOW THE THEME? Not really. Some eschew it and just go for big and crazy. But expect some guests to have carefully researched the theme and to come in perfect sync with the exhibit. It was hard to beat the carpet, for example, when the theme was Catholic imagination and Rihanna came as the pope, Zendaya channeled Joan of Arc, and Perry navigated the crowd with a set of enormous angel wings. HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A MET GALA TICKET? Wrong question. You cannot just buy a ticket. The right question is, IF I were famous or powerful and got invited, how much would it cost? IF I WERE FAMOUS AND POWERFUL AND GOT INVITED, HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST? Well, you might not pay yourself. Generally companies buy tables. A fashion label Michael Kors, for example would then host its desired celebrities, or fashion muses. But each paid seat reportedly costs around $35,000, though some guests are invited for free. SO WHO GETS INVITED TO THE MET GALA? This year, there will be 400 guests similar to the September gala, and lower than pre-pandemic highs of 500-600. Trying to predict? Take out your pen and jot down some of your favorite names, the buzzier the better. Newly minted Oscar or Grammy winners, for example, are a good bet or perennial fashion favorites like former host Timothee Chalamet, who wore white Converse shoes last year. Do the same with pop music, sports, politics, fashion of course and Broadway, a special favorite of Wintours (and remember, Miranda's a host this year). Now, cross everyone off your list except the very top. At the Met Gala, everybodys A-list. THAT MUST BE AN EXAGGERATION. Not really. Ask Tina Fey. She went in 2010 and later described walking around trying to find somebody normal, e.g. not too famous, to sit and talk with. That ended up being Barbara Walters. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN THE MET GALA? Well, these days you can watch the whole carpet unfold on livestream. And really, the carpet is the party. (Ask Gaga!) If you're in New York City you can also join fans across the street from the museum on Fifth Avenue, and even further away on Madison Avenue, pressed up against police barricades. You might get lucky: Last year, Chalamet ran over to greet his admirers. DO WE KNOW WHO'S COMING? AND WHO ISN'T? Like we said, its secret. But reports slip out, often about who is not coming. Fashion favorite Zendaya has confirmed she has other plans. And Rihanna is about to give birth, so wed assume shell skip, but then again, shes Rihanna so lets not assume anything. A fair assumption would be a heavy Kardashian presence. New York's mayor, Eric Adams, will be attending very happily, according to the New York Post. Also happily, Perry has said she's going, and indicated her hamburger-chandelier days may be receding in favor of more traditional garb. Another thing remains true: Nobody can come who isn't vaccinated. In addition to vaccine proof, guests had to take a PCR test. Masks are not likely to make much of an appearance since people will be eating and drinking the whole night. WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE MET GALA? Entering the museum, guests walk past an impossibly enormous flower arrangement in the lobby (one was over 250,000 white roses) and over to cocktails. Or, they head to view the exhibit. Two changes this year, per the museum: The dramatic lobby centerpiece will remain up for regular visitors to see for a few days. And cocktails will take place in the American Wing, making it very easy for guests to slip in and out of the exhibit. Around 8 p.m., theyre summoned to dinner perhaps by a team of buglers (Are they going to do that between every course? actor Gary Oldman asked aloud one year.) We cant personally describe anything beyond that, either dinner or the musical performance, but you can find clips of Rihanna singing on the table tops in the documentary The First Monday in May, and it looks fun. IS IT FUN FOR EVERYONE? Occasionally, someone says no. Fey, in a comic rant to David Letterman in 2015, described the gala as a jerk parade and said it included everyone youd ever want to punch, if you had millions of arms. Amy Schumer said she felt awkward and left earlier than should be allowed. But most profess to having fun. Then there was Joan Collins, who arrived channeling her imperious Dynasty character, Alexis, in 2018, ready to have a blast, but seeking liquid sustenance. Im having a great time, she told The Associated Press. Id be even better if I had a drink. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SIOUX CITY -- The City of Sioux City is asking residents to consider turning off the faucet when they brush their teeth, taking shorter showers and irrigating their lawns efficiently in effort to conserve water among moderate to severe drought conditions. A lack of precipitation and runoff in the Missouri River's upper basin is causing lower river levels and directly impacting the city's well water supply. "What we're seeing right now is significant lower levels in the supply wells, and we're having to valve them back a bit just to keep those wells in water," Sioux City Utilities Director Brad Puetz said Wednesday, during a news conference at City Hall. "Going into the summer months, what we're asking is voluntary water conservation from the citizens of Sioux City." Active water conservation can reduce the need for the city to implement further steps in its water conservation plan, according to Puetz. Under step 1 of the plan, which can be found on the city's website, some of the water conservation measures residents could be asked to take include watering yards only from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., minimizing or preferably stopping washing cars, refraining from filling or draining swimming pools and promptly repairing leaking plumbing fixtures. "This step does not start step 1 of the conservation plan. We're trying to head it off as early as possible, asking citizens to conserve water in the home as much as possible," said Puetz, who reiterated that the city is not holding the public to any "stringent conservation levels" at this time. Puetz doesn't expect incoming precipitation to significantly improve the situation locally or in the upper basin before the summer begins. By late May or early June, he said the city will be able to determine if step 1 or additional steps of the conservation plan need to be implemented. South Sioux City and Dakota Dunes take Sioux City's water on an as needed basis, according to Puetz. He said the city is in contact with both of those communities about the situation. He noted that City of Sioux City departments are also being encouraged to conserve water. "We're looking at reducing street cleaning and street flushing. Our hydrant flushing program will be on an as needed basis," he said. "We're going to do our part just as much as the citizens are to make sure that we do not need to implement any further steps, if possible." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- The owners of a South Sioux City RV sales company face numerous charges of theft and consumer fraud. Douglas and Shara Bras, who operate Fremont RV Center, 2405 Cornhusker Drive, were arrested Tuesday after a months-long investigation that, according to court documents, revealed a pattern of selling campers on consignment, then using the sales proceeds to pay their own bills and debts rather than pay the campers' owners. The couple, who live in rural, Hinton, Iowa, both are charged with five counts of theft by deception, five counts of selling or disposing of a motor vehicle without delivering a title or VIN number and single counts of conspiracy and aiding consummation of a felony. Douglas Bras, 61, also is charged with one count of issuing a bad check. Shara Bras, 56, faces an additional three counts of violation of the motor vehicle certificate of title act. During hearings Wednesday, Dakota County Judge Edward Matney set bond for both at $500,000. Both are to have a preliminary hearing on May 24 in Dakota County Court. Court documents show that on at least three occasions in August and at least once in November, the two sold campers ranging in price from $12,000-$18,500 on consignment. In each case, they did not pay the camper's owner or the owner's bank and never informed the owners that the campers had been sold. The owners did not learn of the sales until an investigator contacted them in January. In addition, Fremont RV Center "created false impressions" to the buyers and failed to produce a title to the campers to the buyers, who were then unable to register and title the campers. A police investigator learned that Douglas and Shara Bras used the money from the sales for payroll, rent, utility bills and vendor payments, court documents said. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- Automobile enthusiasts of every kind have a chance to indulge themselves this coming week. On Wednesday, May 4, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Western Iowa Tech Community College automotive programs are hosting their 12th annual "Show and Shine Car Show" in the campus' Parking Lot 4. According to a press release, community members are encouraged to bring their car or motorcycle as well. "All makes and models are welcome," the release said. Those who attend the show can also check out what projects the WITCC automotive students have worked on over the course of the year. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY The cost to build the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center has increased by about $1.6 million due to various additions and changes to the project. Some additions by the general contractor raised costs by $1.8 million, but Law Enforcement Center Authority officials identified other changes that saved $238,337, resulting in a net increase of about $1.6 million. Authority Chair Ron Wieck said he has looked at each change thoroughly and believes all are needed to ensure the building is better than the current jail, built in 1985. "Things do come along that need to be modified to make sure they're done correctly," Wieck said. Initially, the authority approved a $58.4 million contract with Hausmann Construction, which submitted the low bid for the main phases of the project. Currently, the contract is estimated at $60 million, with overall project costs at $66 million. The total includes design fees, project management fees, land purchases, bond costs and other miscellaneous expenses. The two most recent prime contract change order approved by the authority has added $123,805.88 to the project. Some of the main additions include: - $150,864 for revised access road connection through the phase two building footprint; - $23,307 for additional street lighting; - $92,934.88 for added inmate communication devices and other electrical revisions; - $56,610 to Winkler Roofing due to unpredicted material cost increases; - $35,633 for Pauly Jail for project alternatives. The largest increase to the project was the addition of four alternatives that were approved in 2021 as the first two change orders, totaling $1.5 million. The alternatives were: - $844,200 for a space for the county attorney including offices, audio and visual room, break room, copy room, prosecutor office and city attorney office; - $97,800 for a secure parking area with an 8 foot-tall fence for judges, correctional officers and other staff; - $165,300 for extra space for future storage; -- $375,800 to changing the parking lot surface from asphalt to concrete. In March 2020, 57 percent of county voters approved a $50.3 million bond issue to finance the new jail. With interest, the 20-year bonds could cost in the range from $64 million to $68 million. To bridge the gap between actual costs and the voter approved bond, the board of supervisors allocated $10 million of the American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 relief funding to the project. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Helicopter parenting, Lindsay Rogers says, doesnt happen in the wild. Parents are too busy foraging for food to hover around their newborns. Staying close can also attract predators. Which is why people shouldnt immediately think something is wrong and try to intervene if they find a nest of baby bunnies and no parent in sight, for example, said Rogers, education administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks. Leave those fledgling songbirds you spot on the ground alone, too. Their parents are watching and theyll soon learn to fly. Most of the time, mom and dad, they are around, Rogers said. If you love wildlife, leave it alone. Thats the best thing you can do with it. Many people do the opposite. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says from now until at least mid-June, its field offices will be inundated with hundreds of phone calls and scores of deliveries regarding "orphaned wildlife." Most calls, officials say, begin with something like, "We were walking in the park when ...," or "I looked out my window and saw ..." In nearly every instance, the scenario ends with the animal being "rescued" from its mother. Many wildlife babies die soon after capture from the stress of being handled, talked to and placed into the unfamiliar surroundings of a slick-sided cardboard box. Should the animal have the misfortune of surviving the trauma, they often succumb more slowly to starvation from improper nourishment, pneumonia or other human-caused sicknesses. Its really better off for the young to hang out and let mom and dad go out and forage for food and come back only for feeding, Rogers said. Foraging for hungry babies is why there are so many more reports of animals such as foxes being seen in the daylight, she said. If you have already intervened, dont try to care for wildlife babies on your own, Rogers said. Nebraska Wildlife Rehab is the best place to take youngsters in need. We are getting lots of them, rehab board president Phyllis Futch said. The animals have increased by a couple of hundred in the last 30 days. Spring is the best time for wildlife to bear young, Rogers said. The weather is getting nicer, the babies arent going to freeze and there is more food. Sometimes they are in need and then it's appropriate to intervene. But before removing any baby animals from the wild, visit nebraskawildliferehab.org or call 402-234-2473 to make sure it's the right thing to do. "People should never try to raise wild animals by themselves. It is illegal without a permit and often leads to very bad outcomes for the babies, including metabolic issues, not being able to be released into the wild and even death," NWR director Laura Stastny said. "NWR exists in Nebraska to help people make the right choices when it comes to wildlife." The surge at the rehab facility has also created a need for more supplies. Anyone willing to help can go to amazon.com for a list of items. Futch said they are always in need of newspapers, towels, sheets and stuffed animals. A device that stimulates a heartbeat is put inside the stuffed version. If a raccoon is the only one because a tree fell and the rest didnt survive, the one would get a little stuffed animal with a heartbeat and at least he wouldnt feel so alone, Futch said. Baby humans are used to hearing their moms heartbeat; we have integrated that into animal care. The Nebraska Humane Society used to be a first choice for wild animals in need, but Pam Wiese, vice president of public relations and marketing, said those numbers could go down now that Nebraska Wildlife Rehab has opened its facility in Omaha. Any wildlife that we get in (baby bunnies, squirrels, birds after big windstorms, sick animals, etc.) through either citizens dropping off, or our animal control officers rescuing in the field, will go to wildlife rehab. Or raptor rehab if they are birds of prey, she said. Wiese said the Humane Society is dealing with a different influx of babies lots and lots of kittens. Many people allow cats to roam, and Omaha also has a large feral population. If they are not fixed, they can end up reproducing easily. Last year, 216 foster homes cared for 1,690 fragile animals the majority of them kittens needing time to grow before they were ready for adoption. We usually get in lots of kittens and litters beginning in spring and going through fall to the colder weather, Wiese said. We currently have several litters in foster homes growing and socializing. We also have a couple of kitten groups done with foster and ready for adoption today in our adopt kennels. And we expect to see many more come in as the weather warms up. Spring isnt just a time for babies. Its a good time to see many wildlife, Rogers said, especially birds. Just make sure its from a distance, so you dont force them to alter their behavior. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 LE MARS, Iowa -- A shed and three tractors were destroyed Wednesday in the latest of a string of destructive grass fires pushed by strong winds in Plymouth County. Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department firefighters were called out at 3:30 p.m. to a grass fire at 24221 190th St., about nine miles west of Le Mars. By the time they arrived, the fire had spread to a shed containing the tractors and a grove of trees next to a field of corn stubble. Firefighters were able to extinguish the building fire, and a brush truck put out the fire in the trees, Le Mars Fire-Rescue Chief David Schipper said. A tractor and disc were used to protect the west side of the property and the field. The shed and tractors were destroyed. Firefighters were on the scene for three hours. Le Mars units were assisted by the Akron and Merrill fire departments, which brought water and personnel to the scene. The Orange City Fire Department covered Le Mars to respond to any other fire calls. Kellen Tree Service cut down trees to help firefighting efforts. The fire started when winds gusting to more than 20 mph reignited an old burn pit that was burnt last week. Schipper asked burn pit owners who have burned in the last week to cover their pits with dirt to protect against rekindling. Wednesday's call came after a windy weekend in which firefighters from Le Mars and other Plymouth County communities responded to 11 grass fires on Saturday. Winds gusting to more than 50 mph downed power lines and pushed flames across vegetation dried out from a lack of spring precipitation. One of the fires destroyed a home and outbuildings at a property in rural Merrill. A burn ban issued Monday in Plymouth County remains in effect, Schipper said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The roof of a demolished home at 7S745 Donwood Dr. in unincorporated Naperville is visible on April 26, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) As Masud Arjmand sat in a Naperville coffee shop last week, describing the 15-year odyssey that turned his would-be dream house into a target for demolition, an excavator was already taking bites out of the unfinished Spanish-style mansion and piling the rubble into a huge heap. Informed of that by a Tribune reporter, Arjmand appeared stunned. Advertisement Its being torn down? he said. How could they do that? He was apparently the last to know. Four days earlier, DuPage County had tweeted a video of the demolition in progress. That very morning, Arjmands lawyer was in front of a judge trying in vain to stop it. Advertisement A mansion at 7S745 Donwood Drive near Naperville is demolished on April 19, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Arjmands surprise was an odd twist to an unusual suburban story, in which a stucco and stone showpiece in one of the ritziest neighborhoods this side of the North Shore became an involuntary teardown. Arjmand, 69, said he came to the U.S. from Pakistan 45 years ago to attend graduate school, a mere $300 in his pocket. He went on to become a partner at the Accenture consulting firm, retiring in 2008 with millions of dollars worth of shares. Just before that, in 2007, Arjmand and his wife of six years began to build a new home on Donwood Drive, a street in unincorporated Naperville adorned with gated estates. After buying the 2-acre plot for $625,000, they designed a house fit for that grand setting, complete with five bedrooms, a two-story dining room, a rotunda and an elevator. It was both for living in and an investment, he said. ... I hoped to make a lot of money. But the marriage soured, and in 2009 Arjmand filed for divorce. According to court documents, he and his wife came to an agreement that gave her assets he estimated to be worth $1 million, while he kept the house and other real estate, as well as his Accenture shares. Two years later, his ex-wife returned to court to contest the agreement, saying she had been the victim of coercion and the fraudulent concealment of assets. After an 11-day hearing, a DuPage County judge concluded the arrangement was unconscionable and reopened the divorce. Arjmands ex-wife directed the Tribunes interview request to her attorney, who declined to comment. Advertisement Meanwhile, after sinking about $2 million into the construction of the Donwood Drive house, Arjmand paused when the financial crisis struck. He said the resulting slump put all of his real estate investments, which included two suburban strip malls, underwater. A mansion at 7S745 Donwood Drive near Naperville is demolished on April 19, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Arjmand contends in court papers that his assets were frozen during the divorce case, endangering his real estate. When it appeared he wouldnt be able to pay his property taxes, he said, banks called in $8 million of loans and forced the liquidation of much of his Accenture stock. He was also left unable to access the roughly $1 million he needed to finish the house, he said. When he tried to sell the property, he said, he received only one lowball offer. So there it sat for a decade, an earth-toned eyesore amid the many-gabled splendor of its neighbors. Dr. Andrew Korcek, who lives across the street, said the lot became an unsightly, overgrown nuisance. We had to treat our lawn with extra weedkiller because of the seeds that would come over, he said. It was always a problem. Worse than that were the trespassers who poked around the property. Teenagers with flashlights frequently wandered the house and yard, Korcek said, and some even crawled onto the tile roof during an ice storm. Advertisement Affidavits from DuPage County sheriffs deputies describe the apprehension of numerous intruders, including kids who used the house as a hideaway to smoke weed. A police report from 2020 recounts how deputies snared three young trespassers who said they were just exploring. Other kids at school had told them to come and check it out, the report says. They did not think that they were trespassing since the house is abandoned. Arjmand said he naively believed the neighborhood was immune to vandalism. When trespassers were caught, he said, he didnt have the heart to press charges. A building inspectors affidavit from 2020 outlines how dangerous the structure had become. Every door and window was broken, trash and graffiti were everywhere, 4 feet of water filled the basement, the second floor bounced under the weight of two adults, and an overhang at the front entrance was pulling away from the house. Mounds of debris are what is left of a demolished home at 7S745 Donwood Drive near Naperville. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) With that, DuPage officials sought to force Arjmand to fix or demolish the house under the countys clean and lien program, which uses grant money and liens to pay for the cleanup of blighted properties. Sam Tornatore, chair of the countys development committee, said DuPage has cleaned up or torn down a dozen properties since the program began eight years ago, though none has been as large or upscale as Arjmands. Advertisement Its been a very popular program, as you can imagine, with the (affected) neighborhoods, he said. Arjmand said he did all he could to protect the property, spending $100,000 on mitigations that included a fence, security cameras and alarms, as well as new sump pumps and basement support columns. He wanted to finish construction, he said, and in February hired a contractor to get the permits that would forestall demolition. That never happened Arjmand blamed mishaps with the countys online permitting system and in March, a judge denied his request for more time and gave the order: The teardown could begin. Arjmands lawyer, Bryan Sims, filed an appeal but that didnt halt the bulldozers. On April 18, DuPage County tweeted a video of the house and garage, their exterior walls peeled away to expose the framing and drywall. In court papers, Sims said the DuPage County states attorneys office, which is representing the county, informed him three days later that work had begun. He sought an emergency order to pause the demolition until Arjmands appeal could be heard, but the judge wouldnt grant it. Paul Darrah, a spokesman for the states attorneys office, defended the countys actions. Advertisement Everything weve done has been authorized by court order, he said. Arjmands problems wont end once the house is gone. The county plans to bill him $138,000 for the demolition and fine him $2.8 million for violating the countys public nuisance ordinance and various building regulations. A public notice is posted at the site of the demolished home. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) Failing to pay could cost Arjmand the property, but the financial penalties appear to be far more than the land is worth. Real estate agent Michael LaFido, who is trying to sell a mansion listed at $6.5 million just north of Arjmands property, estimated the empty lot would fetch between $750,000 and $900,000. Hes glad to see Arjmands house go, saying it has been an elephant in the room during his showings. Korcek said he and his wife have joked about watching the demolition with lawn chairs and a bottle of Champagne. Arjmand still has his strip malls, a Chicago condo and a much smaller Naperville house. But with his shares drained, his divorce still unresolved and an IRS tax case hanging over his head, he said his finances have become precarious. As for his dream house, not a single wall remained standing Tuesday evening. By the end of the week, if the county keeps to its schedule, it will be no more than a memory. Advertisement Arjmand couldnt bear to look at the remains, but he vowed to follow through with his appeal. If the appellate court finds I should have been given (more time before the demolition), then whos responsible for my losses? he said. House or no house, the Battle of Donwood Drive goes on. jkeilman@chicagotribune.com Twitter @JohnKeilman Fully loaded with fuel, the KC-135R Stratotankers at the Nebraska Air National Guard Base can take off weighing more than 320,000 pounds and stay in the air for hours. But one of them was recently grounded and nearly sent to the scrapyard by a broken, 2-pound piece of aluminum called a rudder snubber support fitting. The bases hydraulic crew discovered a crack and a misshapen bolt hole in the part while repairing a nearby leak late last year. They were looking at different hydraulic systems, said Master Sgt. James Kenning, who runs the bases Aircraft Metals Technology Shop. And as they were cleaning up the hydraulic fluid, they noticed it was broken. The shoehorn-shaped part about 3 inches wide and 8 inches long is critical to the aircraft. It serves a role similar to a cars shock absorber mount, but on a larger, and more important scale, helping to stop the jets rudder from vibrating in flight. Kenning and his three-person crew couldnt just order a replacement; the part was forged for this Stratotanker more than 60 years ago, and there was no surplus supply of rudder snubbers. This aircraft has been asked to fly a lot longer as originally planned. It was never meant to be in the Air Force this long. The 155ths planes are flying gas stations, providing in-flight refueling to U.S. military planes around the world. When not deployed, their pilots train extensively, so the jets log ample flying time. But all eight planes were built in the early 1960s, so theyre past their prime. Which means his shop had been here before, asked to replicate an aircraft part that was no longer available. But members of his crew typically relied on drawings from the late 1950s, when the jets were introduced. They could follow directions, even if they were sometimes hand-sketched. In this case, though, nobody had expected this part to fail, so there were no specs. And the stakes were high, Kenning said: When this is broke, the plane is not allowed to fly. If we cant re-create this, the plane is scrapped. In mid-January, his shop earned approval from Air Force engineers to do something it had never done before: Reverse-engineer a component from scratch, using only the broken part as a guide for building its replacement. The process would take time, technology, patience and a special order of high-strength aluminum. Kenning started with a 3D scanner, measuring the failed fitting from all angles, scanning one side, then flipping it over to scan another. He spent nearly three weeks on that, staring at his monitor, cleaning up the data. Then he printed a plastic prototype with a 3D printer. But it wasnt quite right, so he and his crew made some changes, and printed another. The material was almost a problem. Engineers at Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City had approved the use of two types of aircraft-grade aluminum, so Kenning started working the phone. I called five different large companies to try to track down either kind. We were starting to get scared. He finally found a company willing to mix up a special batch, and ordered a 4-inch-square, 3 1/2-foot long loaf, or billet enough aluminum for four rudder snubber support fitting attempts. That was insurance, Kenning said. When youre making one-off parts, the first try often doesnt work. But after 26 hours on the CNC machine and then an ultrasound to look for irregularities this one did work. And late last month, his crews efforts were recognized by the chief of the National Guard Bureau. But more importantly, it put the 60-year-old Stratotanker back in the air, Kenning said. It hasnt fallen out of the sky yet. We essentially brought it back from the dead. Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or psalter@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSPeterSalter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. government on Thursday released its long-awaited plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, citing the toll on Black smokers and young people. "The proposed rules would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit," said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, in a statement. He added that the ban would also be an "important step to advance health equity" by reducing disparities in tobacco use. The Food and Drug Administration said eliminating menthol cigarettes could prevent between 300,000 and 650,000 smoking deaths over 40 years. Menthol accounts for more than a third of cigarettes sold in the U.S, and the mint flavor is favored by Black smokers and young people. Menthol's cooling effect has been shown to mask the throat harshness of smoking, making it easier to start and harder to quit. The FDA has attempted several times to get rid of menthol but faced pushback from Big Tobacco, members of Congress and competing political interests under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The agency has been under legal pressure to issue a decision after anti-smoking and civil rights groups sued the FDA for "unreasonably" delaying action on earlier requests to ban menthol. The FDA will also seek to ban menthol and dozens of other flavors like grape and strawberry from cigars, which are increasingly popular with young people, especially Black teens. The agency's proposals on both cigarettes and cigars are only be initial drafts. FDA will take comments before issuing final rules, which then could face years of legal challenges from tobacco companies. Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not prohibited under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists. The act did, though, instruct the agency to continue to weigh a ban. Last April, the Biden administration pledged to try to ban menthol within the year, responding in part to African American groups who say menthol has led to lower quit rates and higher rates of death among Black people. Menthols are used by 85% of Black smokers. "Black folks die disproportionately of heart disease, lung cancer and stroke," said Phillip Gardiner of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council. "Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars are the main vectors of those diseases in the Black and brown communities, and have been for a long time." In 2020, Gardiner's group and several others sued to compel the FDA to make a decision on a ban. In 2019, more than 18 million Americans smoked menthol cigarettes, with higher rates among young people, African Americans and other racial groups, according to the FDA. The FDA made several efforts to begin eliminating menthol under both the Obama and Trump administrations, but has never previously released a formal roadmap of how the process would work. "This is the first time there's been support from an administration," said Mitch Zeller, who recently retired after nine years leading FDA's tobacco center. "If these rules are finalized they become the law of the land and it becomes illegal for menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to be sold." In recent weeks, dozens of interest groups for and against the ban met with Biden administration officials to try and influence the proposed rule, which would wipe out billions in tobacco sales. For decades, tobacco companies focused menthol advertising and promotions in Black communities, sponsoring music festivals and neighborhood events. Industry documents released via litigation show companies viewed menthol cigarettes as a good "starter product" because they were more palatable to teens. Menthol's elimination would be a huge blow to tobacco companies, including Marlboro-maker Altria and Reynolds American, which sells the leading menthol brands, Newport and Kool. With the slow decline of smoking, tobacco companies have been diversifying into alternative products, including electronic cigarettes and tobacco pouches. But those ventures still account for a tiny slice of industry sales. More than 12% of Americans smoke cigarettes, with rates roughly even between white and Black populations. *** The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Californias budget surplus has more than doubled since January to a staggering $68 billion, Senate Democrats said Thursday, prompting a flurry of new spending proposals from lawmakers that include giving $8 billion back to taxpayers in a move that highlights a disagreement with Gov. Gavin Newsom. While the pandemic had prompted warnings of multibillion-dollar budget deficits in most states, those fears did not happen as tax revenues across the country increased despite coronavirus-related shutdowns on businesses that caused millions to lose their jobs. This revenue whiplash was most pronounced in California, the nation's most populous state that is home to Silicon Valley and many billionaires. Newsom warned the state would have a $54 billion deficit in 2020 after he issued the nation's first statewide stay-at-home order. Instead, revenues rose sharply as wealthy people who pay much higher taxes in California got richer throughout the pandemic. Last year, California's budget included a $47 billion surplus, which was a record at the time. Thursday's new estimate based on preliminary numbers from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office confirms California is on track to blow by that number this year. The $68 billion surplus in California's general fund would be more than double the $29 billion figure Newsom announced in January. In addition, California is projected to have a $37 billion surplus that must be spent on education an increase from the $16.1 billion Newsom announced in January. The Newsom administration will update its budget proposal by May 15. Thursday, Democrats who have a majority of seats in the state Legislature announced how they would spend that money. Their plan confirms most of what Newsom announced in January, with some new proposals. One of the biggest additions is a plan to send $200 checks to every taxpayer who makes less than $125,000 per year, or $250,000 per year for couples who file joint returns. The plan would also guarantee $200 checks for every dependent, meaning a family of five would get $1,000. That proposal puts Democrats at odds with Newsom, who wants to send checks as large as $800 to people who own cars in California to help offset record-high gas prices. Newsom says his plan will cost about $9 billion. Both Newsom and Democratic lawmakers have said they want to get this money to taxpayers as soon as possible. But so far, they havent been able to agree on how to do it. In general, Democratic lawmakers say they don't like Newsoms plan because the money would only go to people who own cars. Newsoms plan also includes $750 million to give people free rides on public transit for three months. We stand ready to act as soon as the Governor joins us in supporting a plan that provides stronger relief for California families, the Legislatures top two leaders, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, said in a joint statement earlier this week. California's gas tax increases slightly each year because of inflation. The tax is scheduled to increase about 3 cents per gallon on July 1. Newsom had proposed a bill that would halt that increase this year, which must pass before Sunday to have enough time to take effect. But Democratic leaders in the state Legislature never called it for a vote. Republicans, meanwhile, want to temporarily suspend the state's gas tax, which at 51.1 cents per gallon is the second-highest in the country. Thursday, a small group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers revealed a plan that would suspend the entire gas tax for a year, while ordering that the savings be passed on to drivers instead of oil companies. But legislative leaders have already said they won't do that, a sign the proposal likely doesn't have the support to pass. Beyond help for individuals, the proposal from Senate Democrats would also give billions of dollars in aid to small businesses. Businesses pay a tax that pays for people's unemployment benefits when they lose their job. But so many people lost their jobs during the pandemic that the fund ran out of money. California had to borrow money from the federal government, which businesses must pay back. Senate Democrats want to give rebates to businesses with 250 employees or fewer, which would offset some of those taxes. In addition, Democrats want to give about $500 million in grants to businesses with 150 employees or fewer to help pay for a new law that requires them to give workers up to two weeks of paid sick leave because of the coronavirus. The plan wouldnt just spend money. It would also put more money into the states savings accounts, bringing the states reserves to a total of $43.1 billion the most ever. Atkins, the Senate president pro tempore, said the plan is doubling down on our priorities by reinvesting California's wealth in those who need it most, especially struggling families and small businesses. The plan would spend another $3 billion to fight homelessness, or $1 billion more than Newsom proposed in January. Senate Republicans have asked for a $10 billion Mental Health Infrastructure Fund to help pay for care of the states homeless population, which includes many people with mental illnesses. But Republicans only control nine of the Senates 40 seats, meaning they cant pass their budget priorities on their own. Weve ignored the mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of far too many Californians for far too long, mostly because we have failed to invest in the facilities and workforce necessary to provide the needed help, Republican Sen. Patricia Bates said last week. The proposal from Senate Democrats only represents one side of budget negotiations. Any budget proposal must also be approved by the Democratic-controlled state Assembly and Newsom. This story has been updated to correct the day the budget proposal was released. It was released Thursday, not Wednesday. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. After New York state's top court this week crushed Democratic hopes of coming out ahead in this decade's redistricting cycle, the party faces an increasingly precarious legal environment in the hyper-partisan battle over drawing legislative lines. New York's Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned a map that Democrats muscled through the state legislature there, deciding that a nonpartisan expert will instead draw the lines for the state's 26 congressional districts. It was at least the fifth time this cycle a state court has ruled that maps drawn by its state legislature were too partisan, with a Democratic map in Maryland also falling and Republican-drawn ones in Kansas, North Carolina and Ohio being tossed out as well. Still, Republicans are favored to win state Supreme Court races in North Carolina and Ohio in November that'd enable those GOP-controlled legislatures to implement more partisan maps before 2024. In contrast, the 4-3 New York decision came from a court appointed entirely by Democrats, a party that now finds itself bound to a bipartisan process written into the state's constitution. Democratic judges are not really as inclined to excuse extreme partisan gerrymandering as Republican ones are, said Lakshya Jain, a lecturer at the University of California-Berkeley who writes on redistricting at the website Split Ticket. Democrats for a long time have been pushing for redistricting reform and anti-gerrymandering legislation, Jain noted, and that seeps into their judges' preferences. The biggest test of this potential legal asymmetry comes in Florida, where Democrats and civil rights groups are challenging a congressional map that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the GOP-controlled legislature there. Legislators had initially balked at the map, which aggressively favors their party, because it dismantles two plurality-Black districts in possible violation of the state's Fair Districts Amendment, which requires lawmakers to draw districts that let racial and linguistic minorities pick their chosen representatives. Republicans insist they've followed the law in Florida, though many legal experts disagree. This is not a difficult legal question, said Douglas Spencer, a law professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder. It would be a complete abdication of the rule of law if they take the most gerrymandered map in American history and let it stand. Spencer said he's optimistic Florida's state supreme court will ultimately strike down the map but notes he's in a minority among redistricting experts. That's because six of the seven members of the state supreme court were appointed by Republican governors. Democrats began the once-a-decade redistricting cycle anxiously, with Republicans in control of drawing vastly more congressional seats. That's due to a combination of GOP success in state elections and that Democrats' reform push has led them to cede line-drawing power to independent commissions in states they control, like Colorado. But Democrats were relatively successful, shifting the typical House seat close to President Joe Bidens five-point margin of victory in 2020. Until the end of the New York and Florida litigation, it's impossible to precisely evaluate how the party did, but it's likely the map will still lean more toward Democrats than after 2010, when Republicans used their statehouse dominance to try to lock in a House majority through partisan maps. But much of Democrats' gains came in New York, the most populous state where the party controlled line-drawing and one where it stood to net as many as four House seats in its partisan map. The recent flurry of state court actions are due to a legal ruling at the tail end of the last redistricting cycle. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled that federal courts have no role in policing partisan gerrymanders, or maps drawn explicitly to benefit one party by contorting lines to capture enough of its voters to reliably win elections. That kicked redistricting litigation into state courts. State courts have in a lot of ways been the hero this cycle, said Michael Li of the Brennan Center for Social Justice, which argues against gerrymandering and for redistricting reform. But Li noted state courts have vulnerabilities that the federal system doesn't have. The composition of many state courts change from election to election, making rulings in places like North Carolina and Ohio dependent on whichever party has the political winds at its back in November. State courts are also uneven in some states such as New York they aggressively strike down gerrymanders, while in places like Texas, the state supreme court is so conservative that civil rights groups have routinely not even bothered to ask it for help, instead going to federal courts to challenge maps drawn by the GOP-controlled legislature in recent decades. There's even more uncertainty over the legal landscape of redistricting this cycle because the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated it may rewrite the rules that govern the drawing of legislative districts. In February, conservatives on the court said they may revise the standards on how to draw districts that comply with the Voting Right Act's requirement that minorities get a chance to choose their own representatives and are not simply scattered among voters of other races. And in March, four conservative justices indicated they wanted to consider Republican lawyers' arguments that only state legislatures and not state courts have the say in drawing congressional maps. Still, redistricting reformers said they remain heartened by how courts performed in this cycle so far. Suzanne Almeida of Common Cause, a frequent litigant opposing gerrymanders, noted that courts in Republican states like Ohio have joined ones in deep Democratic states like New York in striking down partisan maps. If I ran the world," Almeida said, there'd be national standards against gerrymandering to ensure skewed maps in one big state don't tilt the entire congressional map. But a Democratic proposal for just that foundered in Congress earlier this year. So, Almeida said, we are taking the wins that we can take." Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Police are shown investigating the Feb. 2, 2008, slayings of five women in a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park. A recent podcast hopes to bring more attention to the unsolved case. (Scott Strazzante / Chicago Tribune) More than 14 years after five women were slain inside a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, two friends hope their podcast might bring renewed attention to the case and, more importantly, a resolution. Ashlee Tramutolo and Kristin Stewart launched their Thousand Miles of True Crime podcast toward the end of last year, and segments have focused on unsolved crimes such as the killing of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in December 1996 in her Colorado home. Advertisement The thousand miles refers to the distance separating Tramutolo, who lives in Crestwood, and Stewart, who moved from the Chicago area to Texas to be closer to family. Their podcast notes that they take turns examining the darker side of humanity. The former co-workers said they are obsessed with true crime, and Stewart and Tramutolo said they believe there is information somebody has that could crack the Lane Bryant case. Advertisement Somebody knows who that guy is, Tramutolo said in an interview Wednesday. With $100,000 on the line somebody is going to talk. Ashlee Tramutolo (Ashlee Tramutolo) Kristin Stewart (Kristin Stewart) She is referring to the reward money offered and still unclaimed, much of it put up by the parent company of Lane Bryant, that was hoped would pry loose key information that would lead to an arrest and conviction. Shortly after the Lane Bryant store opened that morning, a man posing as a delivery driver entered the store in what was an apparent robbery. After spending several minutes in the store he shot and killed five women and wounded a sixth, who survived and was able to provide police with a description of the assailant. Killed were 42-year-old store manager Rhoda McFarland of Joliet; Jennifer Bishop, 34, of South Bend, Indiana; Sarah Szafranski, 22, of Oak Forest; Connie Woolfolk, 37, of Flossmoor; and Carrie Hudek Chiuso, 33, of Frankfort. In the April 12 podcast, available on several platforms including YouTube, Tramutolo and Stewart delve into the backgrounds of the victims, and speculate about the possible motive of the killer. Tramutolo said she believes more attention being drawn to the case will help in bringing the killer to justice. It should be able to be solved, she said. I think it needs more attention and I think thats what probably at this point going to help get it solved. She and Stewart said they question whether the assailants motive was robbery, something police have questioned as well. Apart from being armed with a .40-caliber Glock pistol, he had brought a roll of duct tape which he used to bound the women in a storeroom of the store. Advertisement You came here to do something else, Stewart says in the podcast. You didnt just come here to take the cash and go. She says she believes the killer was no amateur, as far as committing a crime. This was not his first rodeo, she says. Considering the killer entered the store shortly after it opened, and the business would not necessarily do a lot of business in cash. Stewart and Tramutolo question whether the motive would have been a simple robbery. It was so early in the morning most retail stores wouldnt have a life-changing amount of money in the store, Tramutolo said Wednesday. Police had previously said their investigation didnt uncover any evidence to suggest that any of the women knew their assailant. Advertisement According to police, McFarland managed to call 911 on her cellphone, whispering her location to an operator, who told her to stay on the line. McFarland pleaded hurry before the connection was lost. An edited version of the 911 call is at the Tinley Park Police Departments website. The call was first received by the Will County sheriffs office and immediately transferred to Tinley Park, which took the call at 10:44 a.m., just about 40 minutes after the man entered the store, according to authorities. The homicides occurred in Brookside Marketplace southwest of Harlem Avenue and Interstate 80. A Tinley Park police officer was on an unrelated call in the parking lot of Super Target, a few hundred yards away, and was on the scene at the Lane Bryant store within a minute, but the gunman had already fled. Hes right there, Tramutolo says in the podcast, questioning how the gunman could have escaped so quickly. Stewart surmises the assailant might have been in the store by himself, but was not entirely alone. Advertisement There had to have been someone waiting to pick him up, she says. I feel there is no way he could have left on foot. The offer of the reward money failing to bring out a solid lead has confounded Tinley Park police, as well as the possible motive of the slayings. I find it very difficult to believe one person did this and didnt talk to somebody about it, Larry Rafferty, the departments deputy chief, said in a February interview as the 14th anniversary of the slayings approached. Tinley Park police have had investigators assigned to the case the entire time, and recently two new detectives were asked to take a fresh look and examine all of the evidence gathered since Feb. 2, 2008. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > Since the slayings, police said they have processed some 7,500 leads. Speaking Wednesday, Tramutolo said that the podcast has been shared with social media on a Tinley Park community Facebook page. Advertisement The community really wants to get the word out and get the case solved, she said. In researching the case, she said she developed a strong connection with the victims. Those women all had very fulfilling lives, she said. Putting myself in their shoes made it so much more emotional for me. In the podcast, the pair note that police regularly monitor a tip line for the investigation, 708-444-5394, and an email address, lanebryant.tipline@tinleypark.org. mnolan@tribpub.com WASHINGTON (AP) A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying it's not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. Even well-meaning, everyday social media users have fallen victim to the falsehoods, accidentally sharing or liking posts and images that turned out to be inaccurate. About three-quarters of the American public fault the Russian government for advancing misinformation around the war, while many also blame social media users, tech companies and the news media. Far fewer place a great deal of blame on the Ukrainian or U.S. governments. Russias falsehoods about the war are finding millions of eyeballs across social media and in state-media reports. Earlier this month, for example, a chorus of Kremlin media reports, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and Telegram channels tried to refute photographs and satellite images of bodies left by Russian soldiers in the streets of Bucha, Ukraine, by calling the images a hoax. Russias reach is broad, said Darren Linvill, a Clemson University professor who studies disinformation. They have a lot of different outlets that they use everything from state media, in Russian, English and especially Spanish. The poll shows a majority of U.S. residents, about 57%, say they think Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed Russian troops to commit war crimes, while 6% say they think he has not done so. An additional 36% say they dont know enough to say. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the AP and the PBS series Frontline have verified evidence of 178 potential war crimes. The poll shows about 6 in 10 Americans say social media users have significant responsibility for the spread of misinformation about Russias invasion of Ukraine. Roughly half also fault social media companies and the news media. Retiree Kellie Carroll, 58, who lives outside Fresno, California, said she is sometimes frustrated by social media users who share posts about the Russia-Ukraine war but dont cite the source of their information. Youll see things that people are stating as fact, like they are there, Carroll said of posts shes seen on social media around the war. Carroll, who watches local news and listens to conservative talk radio, added that she, too, finds fault with news reporting on the war. She described it as difficult to find news reports around the war that are not injected with opinion. I dont want the opinions, I just want the facts, she said. Half of Americans also blame the Chinese government, which has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, for spreading misinformation around the war. Indeed, China's state-run media outlets have made at least 74 English-language Facebook posts referencing a conspiracy theory that the U.S. is running secret biological warfare labs in Ukraine that have intentionally released deadly viruses, according to a new report from NewsGuard, a technology firm that monitors misinformation. (The U.S. runs biolabs in Ukraine. It's not a secret, and they're not crafting bioweapons there.) A lot of this is definitely geared toward the United States, said Jack Brewster, an analyst for the firm. Theyre echoing the same talking points that Russia is. Somewhat fewer blame the spread of war misinformation on U.S. politicians, with 44% saying they bear significant responsibility and 32% saying the same about the U.S. government. Roger Beaulieu, a 66-year-old New Yorker, said the Russian government is responsible for much of the misinformation around the war. But hes been surprised when he reads The New York Times or watches MSNBC or CNN to see what he describes as misinformation coming from some Republican lawmakers about the war. Beaulieu specifically mentioned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who last month said that Ukraine invited Russias invasion by poking the bear. It just seems that theres more support for Russia than I can possibly understand, Beaulieu said. Large majorities of Democrats and Republicans say Russia has a large share of responsibility for spreading misinformation, and 70% of Democrats along with 55% of Republicans say Putin has directed Russian troops to commit war crimes. About a quarter of Democrats and roughly a third of Republicans say they dont know. But Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say social media companies (63% vs. 50%), the news media (61% vs. 38%) and politicians in the U.S. (52% vs. 38%) also bear a significant amount of blame for misinformation about the war. About a quarter of Americans overall said the Ukrainian government is significantly responsible for the spread of misinformation. Republicans were more likely to say the Ukrainian government had significant blame for spreading misinformation than Democrats, 32% to 15%. About 4 in 10 Americans say the Ukrainian government has little responsibility for the spread of misinformation. The AP-NORC poll of 1,085 adults was conducted April 14-18 using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama officials have signed a contract to build a new state prison part of a $1.3 billion construction plan partly using pandemic relief funds but have not released many of the details. A spokeswoman for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey confirmed the state signed a contract with Caddell Construction Co., effective April 15 for construction of a specialized mens prison facility in Elmore County, that will provide enhanced medical and mental health services." The new facility will create a safer security environment for inmates and security personnel. Our construction timeline continues to remain on schedule, Gina Maiola, a spokeswoman for Ivey, wrote in an email. The Alabama Department of Corrections on Wednesday declined to release a copy of the contract. A spokeswoman said it needed to be redacted and that would take some time because it is a lengthy contract. The department did not immediately respond to an email seeking information about the cost or the size of the prison. Ivey's office indicated the prison system should be be able to provide a copy of the publicly available contract documents in the coming days. Alabama lawmakers this fall approved a $1.3 billion prison construction plan that will use $400 million from the states share of American Rescue Plan funds to help pay for the construction. The construction plan included a new prison in Elmore County with at least 4,000 beds and enhanced space for medical and mental health care needs. It also included another prison with at least 4,000 beds in Escambia County, a new womens prison and renovations to existing facilities. Lawmakers had expected one of the construction contracts to go to Montgomery-based Caddell Construction. The legislation specified that, instead of the normal bid process, the state instead could negotiate directly with entities that were part of development teams that qualified for the projects under a lease plan Iveys administration had pursued but abandoned. Lawmakers said that would save time and build on the work already done. Ivey in October called the construction plan, a pivotal moment for improving the states criminal justice system. Critics of the plan said it did not address the underlying problems, such as low staffing, and was not a proper use of pandemic relief funds. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR, Ill. Police said they arrested a Decatur automotive business employee after he had taken a shot at the car of a fleeing customer who refused to pay his bill. A sworn affidavit from Decatur police quotes the 42-year-old employee as explaining he was being dragged along by the customers car Monday night and was attempting to shoot out a rear tire to disable the vehicle. Officer K. Borders, who signed the affidavit, said the shot from the mans .40 caliber handgun missed the tire and drilled a bullet hole above the rear drivers side wheel well. (The employee) explained to officers he was being dragged by the vehicle (the customer) was driving, but could not elaborate if he was intentionally hanging on to the drivers side door or making every attempt to let go, said Borders. He explained that he never fell down and was never directly in front of the vehicle. He advised (the customer) continued driving in a large semi-circle in the gravel parking lot to take the vehicle off the lot without paying. Police arrived at the business, Bills Custom Repairs and Restorations, at 8:10 p.m. to respond to reports of shots fired. Borders said the employee immediately admitted what he had done and the officer removed the mans handgun which he was carrying in a waistband holster. The employee is quoted as saying the customer owed $300 for work done on his Cadillac but made no attempt to pay as he got ready to drive away. (The employee) stated he was standing next to the open drivers side door of the vehicle pleading with (the customer) not to drive away and work out the payment another way, said Borders. He explained that he believed (the customer) was in possession of a black pistol as it appeared he was holding a firearm in his sweatshirt front pocket. The customer didnt get far, however, abandoning the vehicle at the property fence line and then fleeing on foot. The Cadillac was back in the business garage when police arrived. While on scene and speaking with officers, (the customer) had called (the employee) about the vehicle but would not provide a statement to officers via phone or give his location, Borders added. Offices later spoke with the fiancee of (the customer) by phone and she advised that he did not wish to provide a statement or speak with police... Officers were unable to obtain the name of the fiancee or verify (the customers) full information. The employee was booked on a preliminary charge of the aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle. Macon County Jail records show he was released from custody Wednesday afternoon after paying a $500 bond on bail set at $5,000. All preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorneys office. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A man charged with killing 18 older women in the Dallas area over a two-year span was found guilty of murder Thursday and sentenced to life in prison in one of the cases against him after an earlier mistrial. Jurors took about 45 minutes to convict Billy Chemirmir, 49, of capital murder in the March 2018 smothering of 81-year-old Lu Thi Harris. Prosecutors said that after Chemirmir and Harris were both at the same Walmart, he went to her home, killed her and stole her jewelry. It was Chemirmirs second trial in her death, after the first jury to hear the case deadlocked in November. Prosecutors weren't seeking the death penalty, so state District Judge Raquel Rocky Jones immediately sentenced Chemirmir to life in prison without parole. Chemirmir, who has maintained that hes innocent, is charged with capital murder in the deaths of 12 other women in Dallas County and five in nearby Collin County. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot has said he plans to try Chemirmir for at least one more death. Relatives of those he's accused of killing praised Thursday's verdict at an emotional news conference. "This one conviction represents justice for all of the families, said Shannon Dion, whose 92-year-old mother, Doris Gleason, was killed in 2016. Defense attorney Kobby Warren said during closing arguments that prosecutors hadnt proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Chemirmir was ever at Harris home, calling the states case all bark, no bite. As in the first trial, the defense didn't call any witnesses and Chemirmir did not testify. Prosecutor Glen Fitzmartin told jurors that he gave them more than enough evidence to convict. This is an easy decision, mainly because we bit so much off, said Fitzmartin, who noted that when Chemirmir was arrested, he had Harris jewelry and the keys to her home. Jurors also saw surveillance video of Harris and Chemirmir at the same Walmart on the day she was found dead. Though Chemirmir was being tried this week only in Harris death, prosecutors also presented evidence to jurors about an attack that 91-year-old Mary Annis Bartel survived the day before Harris was killed and the killing of 87-year-old Mary Brooks about six weeks earlier. Chemirmir was arrested the day after Bartel said a man forced his way into her apartment and held a pillow over her face. Fitzmartin said police subsequently found that a few days earlier there had been a report of a suspicious person at the independent living community where she lived. A license plate number led officers to Chemirmir. Police detectives testified about going to Chemirmirs nearby apartment complex and watching as he drove into the parking lot. Detectives said he threw items into a dumpster and then, as they got him out of his vehicle, he was holding jewelry and cash in his hand. Police have said that a large red jewelry box in the dumpster contained documents that led them to Harris home. They found her dead in her bedroom, lipstick smeared on her pillow. The number of people Chemirmir was accused of killing grew as authorities reinvestigated deaths previously thought to be natural. Most of the people were found dead in their apartments at independent living communities for older people, where Chemirmir has been accused of forcing his way into apartments or posing as a handyman. Some lived in private homes, including Harris and the widow of a man Chemirmir had cared for in his job as an at-home caregiver. M.J. Jennings, whose 83-year-old mother, Leah Corken, was killed in 2016, said she hoped the conviction would be the first step of healing for all of these families. Bartel died in 2020, but jurors heard a taped deposition of her describing opening her door the day she was attacked. She said she immediately focused on green rubber gloves the person was wearing, and tried to push the door shut but was overpowered. He said: Dont fight me, lie on the bed, Bartel said. She said her attacker slammed the pillow to her face and used all his weight to keep me from breathing. She said she couldnt remember details about the mans appearance. Bartel, who lost consciousness, later discovered she was missing her wedding band, diamond engagement ring and other jewelry. Prosecutors presented evidence that Chemirmir listed jewelry belonging to Bartel and Brooks for sale online. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) After New York's highest court threw out new congressional district maps drawn by the state Legislature, the task of redrawing them has fallen to a rural judge and a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. Democrats' hopes of crafting an electoral map heavily favorable to their party suffered a big blow Wednesday when the state Court of Appeals ruled that the Legislature's maps were unconstitutionally gerrymandered. The high court handed responsibility for creating a new set of maps to state Judge Patrick McAllister the lower-court jurist who had initially declared the maps unconstitutional. Anticipating that higher courts would agree with him, McAllister had already chosen an independent expert to help him craft the maps, Jonathan Cervas, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Institute for Politics and Strategy. The pair now face a tight deadline to come up with new maps, even as state officials try to figure out what to do about the state's primary election, scheduled for June 28. The state may still to hold primaries in the contests for governor and state Assembly on that date, but primaries for congress and state Senate might be moved to August. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said the states leaders were still deciding what to do. It is a very fluid and new situation, she told reporters on Thursday. The appeals court judges yanked the responsibility for crafting the new maps away from the Legislature, ruling it had exceeded its authority by unilaterally creating its own Congressional and state Senate maps. The Legislature had taken that move after the states Independent Redistricting Commission made up of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats failed to produce a consensus map. Cervas, who will take the lead in crafting replacement maps, previously played a key role as a consultant who helped create legislative district maps for Pennsylvanias Legislative Reapportionment Commission. He also served as an assistant in court-supervised redistricting programs in Utah, Virginia and Georgia. He declined an interview request from The Associated Press on Thursday but said, I am thrilled to assist the New York courts in delivering constitutional maps that will provide equal representation for all New York residents for the next decade. Cervas is scheduled to hold one public hearing May 6 on a courthouse in Bath, New York. Under the judges schedule, he would have to produce a draft map by May 16. The final version would have to be done no later than May 24. On Thursday, state elections commissioners asked the judge to stick to that schedule, or even speed it up, if the state is to meet a series of legal deadlines before the November election. An August primary would allow time to adopt new maps, send correct information to voters, finish the candidate petitioning process, and comply with federal voting laws. Ballots for military and overseas voters must get mailed out at least 45 days before a primary. In past years, New York held primaries as late as September. You cant turn a statewide election around on a dime or in a month, said New York Law School professor and redistricting expert Jeffrey Wice. Lawmakers can pass legislation to delay the primary to August. A state Board of Elections spokesperson, John Conklin, said the judge could also decide a date without needing legislative approval. One potential wrinkle in rescheduling the primary could be a decade-old court order that the state's congressional primaries be held the fourth Tuesday in June. Conklin said state elections officials believed that order contained enough flexibility for the date of the vote to be moved, although the state would be consulting with the U.S. Justice Department to see if a federal court might need to review any change. Legislative leaders didn't immediately provide a response Thursday when asked if they would move to reschedule the primary. Hochul said she wasn't too concerned with the delay, or with the fact that judges had struck down maps authored by Democrats. The Democrats engaged in a process that has happened in state legislatures all across this country, sometimes it ends up in litigation, sometimes theres a different outcome. Its just part of what happens every decade, Hochul said. As for potentially appealing the Court of Appeals decision striking down the Legislature's maps, Wice said Democrats have no real option. Democrats could, he said, adopt a strategy used by Republicans in North Carolina. In February, North Carolina Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a congressional redistricting plan that state judges drew. The GOP legislative leaders argued the state judges had overstepped their authority because the U.S. Constitution gives state lawmakers the power to determine the manner of holding U.S. House elections. The Supreme Court is set to weigh that question in their fall term beginning in October. But Wice said he doesn't recommend that New York Democrats mimic a strategy that he said calls into question state courts' authority to invalidate other laws passed by lawmakers. Democrats could also sue to challenge maps adopted by the state court, according to Columbia Law School professor Richard Briffault. Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York City contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OMAHA -- Sen. Justin Wayne said he had fun working to pass LB1024 to fund recovery efforts in underserved areas of Omaha. Now that the bill has passed, he's a bit nervous. "The real work begins now," Wayne said at a news conference Thursday. The Omaha senator, along with Gov. Pete Ricketts, several other lawmakers and dozens of local officials, gathered at Metropolitan Community College's Fort Omaha campus to celebrate the passage of LB1024. Ricketts described the bill as "landmark legislation" that will have a "generational impact" in the years to come. The bill devotes $335 million to underserved areas of the state, particularly in North and South Omaha, but also to some low-income areas of Lincoln and rural Nebraska. Ricketts said some of the recovery efforts will include affordable housing, infrastructure investments, crime prevention, financial literacy and education. Wayne said this is the first time in state history that North and South Omaha have had this level of funding dedicated to them and now the pressure is on to produce results. "We'll never get an opportunity like this again if we don't use these dollars wisely," Wayne said. A committee of seven lawmakers has already formed to plan the recovery efforts. On the committee is Wayne, along with Sens. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, Terrell McKinney of Omaha, Tony Vargas of Omaha, Mike McDonnell of Omaha, Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and Anna Wishart of Lincoln. A legislative staffer confirmed the committee has already met once near the end of the legislative session. First on the committee's to-do list is to approve a request for proposal, or RFP, which will allocate about $135 million of the funding outlined in LB1024. Although no specific projects have been solidified so far, Wayne previously said a top priority will be hiring a master developer, which will likely take the form of a contractor who oversees the major development projects in the area. Adm. Osie Combs, president of the manufacturing company Pacific Engineering Inc., said he plans to contribute to the recovery efforts by expanding a business park in North Omaha to house a facility for his business. Pacific Engineering currently operates out of a 75,000-square-foot facility in Lincoln, with about 30 employees. Combs said he hopes to bring on 50 to 100 new employees through this expansion, primarily hiring people from the Omaha area. "We take it to the people," Combs said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pacific Engineering built pods that served as temporary testing sites. Combs said those pods can be repurposed to serve different recovery effort needs, such emergency shelters or affordable housing. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The attorney for an Iowa 17-year-old accused of helping a classmate kill their high school Spanish teacher has argued that his case should be moved from adult to juvenile court. Such a move could allow Jeremy Goodale to dodge a long prison sentence; He would be released at age 18. Goodale's attorney requested the move during a hearing Thursday. Goodale and classmate Willard Miller are charged with murder in the beating death of Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber in November. Goodale was 16 at the time. Miller, who is 16, also wants his case to be sent to juvenile court. RACINE My daughter was scared every day." Brittany Booker's father said she would get out of her car, run until she was inside her house, then quickly lock the door. Booker, the mother to six children, was killed Sunday, the victim of violent crime. The primary suspect, Terry L. Jackson Jr., remains at large and is being sought by local authorities along with the U.S. Marshals. Jackson allegedly attacked Booker and another woman in February, but has since eluded arrest. Friends and loved ones gathered at Tyler Domer Community Center Wednesday evening to remember her. "Stop the Violence Rally and Prayer Vigil" was organized by Restoration Ministries at the request of the Booker family to bring awareness to the increase in violence, including domestic violence, to encourage victims to seek help, and to support the efforts by law enforcement to get justice for Booker. Sylvia Bennet Stone, the national director of Voices of Black Mothers United, addressed the crowd. Its going to take all of us working together to bring change. And change takes all of us. Voices of Black Mothers United is a national movement led by the Woodson Center, which is based in Washington D.C. but with a presence in 22 states with thousands of black mothers who have lost children to violence. We decided to turn our pain into purpose, and come to communities like this, to make a difference, and find some solutions, she said. Nakeyda Haymer, local representative for Voices of Black Mothers United, encouraged the black community to come together and be a model for other cities in reducing violence. Remembering Leonard Larry, Booker's father, told the Journal Times that his daughter was living in fear for her life. Booker and her friend were attacked on Feb. 22 and both were seriously injured; Jackson is the suspect in that attack, in which he allegedly used a hammer and nearly killed the two women. Bookers friend had a previous relationship with Jackson. As of Thursday, Jackson was still on the lam and three different women have been arrested for allegedly helping him elude the police. Larry said his daughter told him, I feel most safe when youre here. She knew no one would bother her if I was there, he added. Bookers six children are now living with her family. They will be taken care of, Larry said. Investigation Larry has been outspoken in his criticism of the investigation following the Feb. 22 attack on Booker and her friend. I did not get any support from the police, he said. If I did, we would not be here. He claimed the investigation was passed around to multiple detectives who did not call Bookers family and keep them in the loop as to the investigation. Quote Its going to take all of us working together to bring change. And change takes all of us. Sylvia Bennet Stone, Voices of Black Mothers United national director RPD Sgt. Kristi Wilcox told the Racine County Eye on Monday We did conduct a manhunt for a month, but we did not alert the public because doing so might have placed a number of people in harms way unnecessarily ... The situation with him is very serious and has been, and (Jacksons) efforts to escape capture made it difficult to apprehend him. When asked what justice for his daughter looked like, Larry said, Bring this dude to jail. Activism Kelly Scroggins-Powell, of the Racine Women for Racial Justice, encouraged those in attendance to become active in the community. People often become upset about issues, including how policing is carried out, but the governing policies are discussed and enacted at meetings that people do not attend. Where are we? she asked. Folks sometimes do not know who their alderman are or when meetings are taken place, Scroggins-Powell said. By becoming a member of a larger organization, they can learn about local government. She encouraged people to sign up and to get involved. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A women's handicrafts exhibition kicked off Wednesday in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, which displayed a variety of traditional clothes, homemade foodstuff, and handicraft products. The five-day show is organized by the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI) to mark the end of Ramadan or fasting month and the upcoming Eid-al-Fitr Festival, Roya Hafizi, acting chairman of the AWCCI, told Xinhua. According to Hafizi, more than 70 women-owned businesses from different provinces participated in the exhibition held in Shahrak-e-Aria, a residential complex near the Kabul International Airport. "There are around 50 booths and many tables where nearly all of the companies are directly introduced by the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Traditional clothes, handicrafts, jewelry as well as homemade foodstuff are among items put on display," she said. Afghanistan will celebrate the Eid-al-Fitr festival on or around May 2, depending upon moon sightings. The show will wrap up on May 1. Eastern Iowans who spoke at a public meeting Monday evening fear a Monona cattle feedlot would use more water than stated in an application to renew its water use permit. Supreme Beef wants to withdraw up to 21.9 million gallons of water a year from two wells in the Jordan aquifer near the 11,600-head facility in Clayton County. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources permitted this use back in 2017 and staff have recommended renewal, but opponents want the agency to reconsider. "I'm concerned Supreme Beef has drastically underestimated the amount of water needed for 11,600 cows," said Alicia Mullarkey, of Marquette. She was one of nine people who spoke out against the permit renewal. While the permit would allow for six gallons of water per cow per day, many experts recommend 10 to 20 gallons per day in the summer. The permit renewal application also doesn't reflect changes in the Supreme Beef operation, which was called Walz Energy in 2017 and planned to use an anaerobic digester to convert manure into digestate. The earlier permit called for 10,000 cattle, not 11,600. Tammy Thompson, the first to speak at the meeting, said the permit should be considered anew because the 2017 version omitted information, such as the existence of her nearby private well. The feedlot has met ongoing opposition from environmental groups and some neighbors for reasons that include its proximity to Bloody Run, a treasured trout stream and an Outstanding Iowa Water. The Iowa chapters of the Sierra Club and Trout Unlimited are suing the Iowa DNR over the April 2021 approval of Supreme Beef's nutrient management plan. They say manure from the feedlot, built in porous karst terrain, could easily pollute Bloody Run and nearby private wells, many of which already have high levels of nitrate, linked to blue baby syndrome and some cancers. But Noah Poppelreiter, an Iowa DNR lawyer moderating Monday's meeting, made clear the agency is just considering the water use permit. After listening to oral comments and reading written comments, the department is expected to decide on the permit renewal by mid-May, he said. Iowa law requires water drawn from underground resources to have a "beneficial use" for Iowans. In May 2020, the Iowa DNR denied Pattison Sand Co.'s request for a permit to draw millions of gallons of water from the Jordan aquifer to sell to drought-ridden western states after the company couldn't say why the project benefited Iowans. Jeff Klinge, who lives 4 miles from the Supreme Beef site, said manure from cattle operations can be used to fertilize organic farm fields like his. "There is a need for cattle," he said. "If your research will show it won't harm (the aquifer), the Walz feedlot should be allowed." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Scott County authorities charged two Davenport women for leaving their 86-year-old mother on the floor for four days without care, according to police. Beverly Jean Steen, 65, and Barbara Joan Steen, 59, both of Davenport, each face a charge of dependent adult abuse, according to Scott County court records. On about March 21, 2021, the Steens mother fell in the living room of their home in the 6000 block of Oakbrook Road in Davenport, court records state. The woman was unable to get up without help. Beverly Steen and Barbara Steen, who were responsible for her care, did not help their mother up and did not provide food, water or other care for at least four days, according to court records. They called for medical help on March 25, 2021, and arriving medical personnel found the 86-year-old incoherent and suffering from pressure ulcers on her face and body. Authorities issued warrants for both women on April 19 and Beverly and Barbara Steen were arrested on April 24, according to court records. They were still in custody Wednesday, each held on a $10,000 bond, according to the Scott County Jail website. Both women are next scheduled to appear in court on May 5, court records state. Further details about the mother were not available Wednesday, the Davenport Police Department said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Why are so many people unreasonable today? You cant swing a dead cat without hitting some yahoo spouting a half-baked conspiracy theory, threatening to shoot a government official, or canceling someone for using an ill-chosen metaphor. We have school boards firing educators for teaching controversial topics in a class about critical thinking. We have legislators calling the cops because a comedian made fun of them. What the heck is going on? You can blame unreasonableness on many things: social media algorithms, misinformation campaigns, decline in community engagement, lack of scientific knowledge, or a communist plot to sap and impurify all our precious bodily fluids. All of these (except the last) may be contributing to the problem, but something more fundamental is going on as well. Too many people seem to think reasonableness is a default, and any deviation from that norm must come from some malign influence threatening to undermine our democracy. Their solution is to force people to believe what they deem correct. Consequently, we have politicians on the left trying to curb speech on the internet and politicians on the right trying to curb speech in schools. But we cannot legislate our way into reasonableness. It is a virtue that is strengthened only within communities that value and cultivate it; wherever it is taken for granted it is lost. Nobody understood this more clearly than our second president, John Adams. He often was downright pessimistic in his predictions for the future of this country, especially in his letters to his wife, Abigail. It is in vain to say that democracy is less vain, less proud, less selfish, less ambitious, or less avaricious than aristocracy or monarchy. It is not true, in fact, and nowhere appears in history. Those passions are the same in all men, under all forms of simple government, and when unchecked, produce the same effects of fraud, violence, and cruelty. The fact is, human beings natural tendency is to be unreasonable. It always has been. Thats one reason our founders insisted on protecting free speech in the Bill of Rights. But they were also wise enough to understand that legal protection of free speech is not enough; widespread tolerance of opposing viewpoints is something we must each cultivate within our own hearts. I saw an example of deep-seated unreasonableness up close several years ago when I helped organize a public debate over a controversy in our community. A group of people had filed a lawsuit demanding removal of a small Ten Commandments monument in a public park. The Freedom from Religion Foundation lent its support to the plaintiffs. The American Center for Law and Justice offered to aid the city in its legal defense. Similar disputes took place in cities and towns throughout the country. Before the lawsuit, few people were even aware of the monument, which is about the size and shape of an inconspicuous grave marker. Yet, for months it was the hot topic in all the coffee shops and taverns. Everybody had a strong opinion, but nobody really cared about the monument itself. It was a symbol of what side people were on. I invited the public relations director of the Freedom from Religion Foundation to debate the senior counsel from the American Center for Law and Justice. I also invited a political philosopher to provide some context and nuance to an issue that almost everyone seemed to regard as black and white. Inviting three participants to a debate threw people off. The day before the event, I got a phone call from someone upset that I had stacked the debate by inviting two people opposed to the monument and only one person in favor of it. As I hung up the phone, a man walked into my office holding a copy of the debate flyer. Why, he demanded, was I stacking the debate with two people in favor of the monument and only one opposed? When somebody cares deeply about a controversial issue, it can be hard for them to see that there may be more than just two sides. But the truth is, most issues have layers of complexity and understanding them adequately requires more than just being for or against. That is why it is important to debate controversial issues publicly, to actually discuss and try to understand them and not just take a position. An issue only becomes what we call controversial because a large number of people have opposing views about the subject. That alone makes it worth talking about, because people generally dont hold strong views on a topic for no reason at all. Here is a piece of advice: If the group of people you disagree with seem completely irrational, thats a pretty good clue your own understanding of the case is superficial. It is vital to the health of our society to cultivate within ourselves an attitude of broad tolerance for the public discussion of ideas, especially those ideas with which we disagree. Only fools are confident in their ability to know the truth. Richard Kyte is director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., and co-host of The Ethical Life podcast. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 "Things fall apart; the center cannot hold." So wrote William Butler Yeats in the wake of the Great War of 1914-1918 that had ravaged the Christian civilization he had known. In France on Sunday, the center held, as President Emmanuel Macron rolled up a crushing 59% to 41% victory in the runoff election against ethno-nationalist Marine Le Pen. Four years ago, Le Pen got 34% in the runoff. And the highest vote that her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the National Front, ever received was 18%. While Marine Le Pen lost Sunday, her positions continue to attract converts. So terrified of Le Pen was the European establishment that before Sunday's election, the leaders of Spain, Portugal and Germany intervened in France's politics by imploring the French people to vote against her. This runoff is "for us, not an election like any other," wrote German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and Spanish Premier Pedro Sanchez in Le Monde. France faces a "choice between a democratic candidate ... and a far-right candidate, who openly sides with those who attack our freedom and our democracy." More than 4 in 10 French voted for the candidate the EU leaders had described as anti-democratic. In the first round of voting, Le Pen, along with rabid leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon and the hard right's Eric Zemmour, who ran third and fourth, behind Le Pen, together carried 52%. Thus did three of the top four candidates for the presidency of France, and a majority of the French nation, show support for an idea that all three of them shared -- hostility to NATO. In ruling France for the next five years, Macron, himself a critic of U.S. leadership and NATO, will have to keep this constituency in mind. And Macron knows it. On his night of triumph, he conceded that many of those who voted for him were motivated not by an appreciation of what he had accomplished, but by a fear of Le Pen. In the East of Europe, however, change may be on the horizon. Major media -- Newsweek, the New York Post and Daily Mail -- are reporting rumors, based partly on recent videos of Russia's president, that Vladimir Putin may be suffering from cancer. Also, news that Sweden and Finland may be joining NATO as the 31st and 32nd members of the alliance has caused a sharp reaction from Moscow, which is warning of a redeployment of nuclear weapons to the Baltic. Again, have people thought through what it would mean to bring Finland, a nation the size of Germany with an 830-mile land border with Russia, into NATO? With 4% of Russia's population, Finland would need NATO ground troops to man the border bases and crossing points into that country, and some of those troops would likely have to be Americans. They would be staring across that chilly border directly at Russians, as in East and West Berlin in Cold War days. Last Friday, in a press conference, Gen. Rustam Minnekayev said Russia seeks full control of all of southern Ukraine to give it "another way out to Transnistria" -- the breakaway state internationally recognized as part of Moldova. Minnekayev charged Moldova with oppressing the Russian-speaking population of Transnistria, an echo of the claim the Kremlin used to justify the invasion of Ukraine. Was this weekend's missile attack on Odessa an indicator of that Russian intent? Putin's ally in Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, in his sixth term, having held the top office for three decades, is now 68, and his last election victory in 2020 was almost universally regarded as fraudulent. Would Moscow, having lost Ukraine, sit still as Sweden and Finland moved onto the threshold of NATO and accept a neutrality for Belarus that would leave Russia without two of the three critical components of his Russian Federation as allies? China's largest city, Shanghai, is today in a lockdown ordered by Xi Jinping, as China suddenly seems no longer the country that showed the world how to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic that began in Wuhan. President Joe Biden may be making trips to New Hampshire, but few believe he will be running again in 2024, as the manifestations of his cognitive decline appear more frequent and disturbing. Yet, one recalls. Woodrow Wilson suffered an incapacitating stroke during a national tour to sell the peace treaty and League of Nations he had negotiated at Paris to the country and the Senate in 1919, yet survived his successor Warren Harding, who died in office in 1923. As Macron was rolling up his election victory, Ron Klain, Biden's White House chief of staff, chortled at the outcome. "An interesting observation, just FYI," tweeted Klain. "President Macron appears to have secured a double-digit victory over LePen, at a time when his approval rating is 36%. Hmmm ... " If Macron can pull it off, why can't Biden, Klain is contending here. Unconvincingly. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 1 Okie grunge! The Oklahoma City-based hard rock band Hinder is best known for such albums as "Extreme Behavior," "All American Nightmare" and "Welcome to the Freak Show." Huh, they sound like fun guys, don't you think? They'll have a 7 p.m. Friday concert at The Marquee, 1225 Fourth St. 2 Make Some Noise! Are your ready to "Check your Head" and say "Hello Nasty?" Then, you might be a Beastie Boys devotee. What's the perfect antidote? Get your body moving to see cover band My Posse in Effect at 8 p.m. Saturday at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Anthem. Tell them that Lee Majors will ride again! 3 Twister Misters! When we were children, we confused bluegrass with crabgrass. As adults, can now tell the difference. By the way, Pretend Friend -- a bluegrass band from Wichita, Kansas -- will do an 8 p.m. Friday show at Vangarde Arts, 416 Pierce St. 4 Pop-up shopping! If you're in need of 1) a new spring wardrobe and 2) like wine, then, Babes Unite -- a pop-up spring fashion show, sponsored by five Siouxland boutiques -- might be intriguing. Head on over to Tucker Hill Vineyards, 1001 Tucker Hill Drive, Hinton, Iowa, at 3 p.m. Saturday and shop 'till you drop! 5 21st century hippies! A band made up of bikers, outlaws, troubadours and hellraisers, the Texas Hippie Coalition are expected to cause a scene by performing an 8 p.m. Friday show at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 111 Third St. 6 Broadway on the river! Soprano Ellen Osborn will treat audiences to a "What's New on Broadway" concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, 900 Larsen Park Road. So, what's new on Broadway? Go to the show and find out for yourselves! Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Like every reality show about dating and marriage, 90 Day Fiance feeds on interpersonal conflict. Screaming fights and bouts of tears are frequent occurrences. But the showabout American citizens and the foreigners they plan to marrythrives because its underlying stakes are higher than who wins the prize or most successfully burnishes their personal brand. Because of its focus on international long-distance relationships, geopolitics inevitably intrudes on the familiar tension of will-they-or-wont-they romance. Recent seasons have confronted the increased difficulty of immigration under the Trump administration, as well as couples long periods of separation due to COVID. But while the show has always maintained a tricky balance of trashy fun with moments of empathy, it faces its biggest challenge in addressing the war in Ukraine, where many of its potential brides have hailed from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronting this devastating war, the shows empathetic instincts really stand out, as do the weakness and cynicism of its desire to please all audiences. The 90 Day shows are a hit because you can see what you want to see in them. Context, editing, even zoom-ins on facial expressions can confirm suspicions that the foreigners are only in it for a green card. At the same time, they can evoke profound sympathy for them as they try to communicate with American partners who run the gamut from clueless and entitled to creepy and domineering. When confronting this devastating war, the shows empathetic instincts really stand out, as do the weakness and cynicism of its desire to please all audiences. 90 Day Diaries: Ukraine, a one-off special that aired last week on TLC, follows three Ukrainian women who have previously appeared on the show or one of its spinoffs. Characters who have already won over the audience or proved their star power have space to show aspects of their lives beyond their romantic relationships. Yara, who, like many of the franchises Ukrainian women, was originally depicted as a bossy princess, gets involved in relief aid and activism. Yara won the audience over with frank speaking and her refusal to tolerate her husband Jovis drinking and partying. She was also delightfully unimpressed with much of America (like the regular smell of vomit on New Orleans Bourbon Street) and talked of eventually returning to Ukraine to raise her daughter, Mylah. In 90 Day Diaries: Ukraine, Yara is raising her daughter with her husband in New Orleans (far from Bourbon Street). She was about to receive her green card and be able to travel home when the war broke out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of 90 Days dual logic, love of ones home country is often a double-edged sword. On the one hand, its a kind of proof that the foreigner is not looking to marry an American just as an easy way to come to the States. On the other, dwelling too much on Americas problems can be parsed as a sign of ingratitude. But the war makes Yaras patriotism, and even her bluntness, indisputably admirable. The footage of her in 90 Day Diaries: Ukraine has an almost beatific feel. She looks a bit like a Madonna as she holds Mylah in her lap, fastening yellow and blue ribbons to her hair on the way to a peace rally. Mylah toddles around as Yara packs baby blankets into aid packages, sewing little Ukrainian flags onto each one. When, in her talking head interviews, Yara speaks forcefully of her hometown pride for Kyiv and her desire to return and make it better than ever, it emphasizes that patriotism and activism are not incompatible within the prescribed roles the show has already created for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With some of its other stories, the show has to backtrack a bit more. The war makes personality quirks that were once presented as laughable seem more justified. Natalie (a seasoned 90 Day veteran) is undeniably great television: high-strung, with big, expressive blue eyes and emotive gestures. This all made for dark comedy in 90 Days depiction of the grim breakdown of her relationship with an uncommunicative lump named Mike. But now, her melodramatic tendencies seem proportionate to the horrors of the war, and are played more sympathetically. In 90 Day Diaries: Ukraine, Natalie is separated from Mike and living in Miami. Where her previous appearances seemed edited to amp up her histrionics, the special tracks her trauma in long scenes that the show serves uncharacteristically straight. Natalies grief has caused her to isolate, and she has a long talk with the one person who can understand: her Polish friend, Jolanta. Natalie is grateful to Poland for welcoming Ukrainian refugees, and the two women share fears that Putin could invade Poland next. The most heartbreaking scene in the special is Natalies video call with her mother, who left Kyiv to stay with friends in Poland. It reveals the strange dynamics of exile; Natalie sobs while her mother tries to reassure her that she is OK. Forgive me, Mommy, Natalie cries, feeling guilty for having left her mother alone in Ukraine. Its a forceful example of a message that the shows usually indicate more subtly: Their decision to leave home is often a wrenching and painful one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The specials dual logic, however, becomes untenable as it follows Maria, still currently in Ukraine. On Before the 90 Days, Maria had an American boyfriend, Cesar, who regularly sent her money. She begged off meeting him in person; Cesar finally arranged for them to meet on a trip to Mexico, and Maria never showed up. Viewers were not even sure that Maria was real until the reunion, where she showed up via video link, coolly unrepentant. When pressed about how much money Cesar gave her, she uttered one of the seriess most famous lines: I am not accountant. Marias story was so infamous that it inspired a Saturday Night Live sketch. Advertisement Sign up for the Slate Culture Newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. The 90 Day franchise loves a redemption story, but this is a bridge too far. It cant neatly square that depiction of an unabashed gold digger with present-day Maria, stuck alone in an apartment in Kyiv. So the special glosses over the past: Title cards elliptically explain that Maria was dating Cesar and ended the relationship two years later. The special quickly moves on to harrowing footage from the streets of Kyiv, and a look at the narrow and terrifying scope of Marias life. She pads around alone in her tiny apartment; the only social contact she has is stoic phone calls with friends, where they swap tales of hearing explosions. The camera follows Maria, whos running out of food, as she risks a nighttime trip to the market. She cuts the trip short once she sees rocket fire in the sky. The shaky, handheld footage cuts out abruptly, and we see text messages between Maria and the crew as Kyiv is under lockdown. Please stay safe. We are all thinking about you, the producers respond. Its a blatant but odd little mea culpa for Marias previous portrayal, and perhaps permission for regular viewers of the franchise to view Maria with more depth. Advertisement While 90 Day Diaries: Ukraine allows the franchise to expand on its most empathetic instincts, it cant stray too far from the tried-and-true formula. A clueless American is de rigueur, a role filled by a Before the 90 Days alumnus, an eccentric millionaire (and camera-loving buffoon) who calls Ukraine his second homeapparently because hes spent years traveling there in search of girlfriends. Yaras, Natalies, and Marias stories are intercut with scenes where David, 63, prepares to volunteer as a foreign fighter in Ukraine, preening in his bulletproof vest and showing off at a shooting range. True, the American is the butt of the joke here, but his egotistical antics still pull focus from the womens stories. Apart from a brief cameo by Yaras husband, no other American speaks or acts in defense of Ukraine, making Davids presence tough to parse. Is this a particularly dark jab at Americans view of the world, or just reality TV reaching the limits of its own complexity? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portrayals of women in the 90 Day universe, however compelling they may be, are generally confined to the familiar roles of wife and mother. (Because foreign spouses need to wait for work permits, its rare to see them at a job.) 90 Day Diaries: Ukraine allows us to see these three women as international citizens and activistsones whose social media profiles, boosted by their previous appearances, have allowed them to raise funds for charities and foster public awareness for a fan base not necessarily up-to-date on the details of the war. The franchises exploitative and reductive elements dont exactly disappear, but the result is surprisingly moving, and something that might even make a difference. This week, R. Eric Thomas and Nadira Goffe discuss a Prudie letter: Bestie Budget Problems R. Eric Thomas: Hi Nadira! What did you think about our letter writers problem (and also their seemingly luxurious European lifestyle)? Nadira Goffe: Well, Im definitely jealous of the lifestyle. The friend issues? Not so much! I actually found this really frustrating. I think that there are many factors that arent being considered here, but I definitely agree with the original advice. Eric: Yeah, I try to assume the best often, but it seemed to me that the LWs benevolence about their financial planning skills was kind of short-sighted. Like, its clear theres tension with the old friends there, and Id guess that this money stuff has been an issue for a lot longer. Nadira: Yeah, absolutely! This is definitely something that has been simmering for a while now. In whose pot, it might be hard to say, but this isnt new! And I dont think the solution is to host Finances 101 for your friends? When has telling someone how to spend their money ever been the path of least resistance? I think my larger frustration is also with the lack of recognition around European and (Im assuming) American life. Capitalism in America is a very different beast. Of course, it exists in many places. But its really hard to tell your friends not to care about luxury cars when thats how the mothers in the cul-de-sac show their worth or value. Its hard not to want to Keep Up With the Joneses, as it were. And it seems like the LW has found a really great community in an area where those things are less important. Which is great! But not the reality of everyone everywhere. Eric: Thats a fantastic point. Its not so simple as prioritizing one lifestyle over the other. The LW seems to be ignoring the fact that you cant just live your Eat, Pray, Love life in the middle of an American city. Nadira: Right, exactly! I dont know where the LWs home base is, but it might not have the fantastic Metro or Bus system thats in other European cities, and so on. Of course Im speculating, but its an important frame to consider when youre evaluating someones spending. Eric: Context is the key here (and everywhere tbh). I wonder how much the LW actually knows about the specifics of their friends lives and how much theyre simply overlaying their choices and circumstances. It seems like a bad fit. Let me ask you: Have you ever gone to a friend for financial advice? Nadira: Man, Im a mid-twenty-something graduate student. My finances are between me, the powers that be, and my mom. Which is to say, no. Haha! But! I have expressed financial concerns with my friendswe all have them. Eric: LOL! I hear you on your mom being part of that cohort! Nadira: Moms know all! The thing about my friends is: Were all in the same boat. So theres much less judgement. Which leads me to another noteI would maybe prioritize finding a new circle of friends? In the country the LW actually lives in, who would be more accustomed to the culture of that place. Eric: That stuck out to me, too. I wonder how much contact this old group of friends and LW have with each other now anyway. Some of the tension may come from having a friend who is all about their European life randomly interjecting in the American group. It can be hard to start a new life, but thats essentially what the LW has already done. Nadira: Its like being that one kid who studied abroad in Rome and talked about it incessantly, thus immediately incurring eye-rolls from all of their friends. (Its me, that one kid was me.) Eric: Hahaha, I was never that kid but I sometimes turn into that adult talking about a vacation I just took. No one needs all that information. And if they want to know, theyll ask. Nadira: I had every good intention. But thats absolutely correct, if they wanted to know? They would ask. Theres nothing wrong with keeping friends from earlier, and perhaps humbler, beginnings. But theres certainly nothing wrong with branching out, either. We all do it. Theres a time and a place and an audience for certain needs, worries, and conversations. And it seems like finances might need to be a topic for a different group! And if that means that sharing your travel stories and experiences also needs to be for a different group, then so be it! Eric: So be it! Find your people! This article is part of the Free Speech Project , a collaboration between Future Tense and the Tech, Law, & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law that examines the ways technology is influencing how we think about speech. Like pretty much any journalist who compulsively wastes too much of their life on Twitter, Ive had my fair share of unpleasant experiences with the site. In part, thats because Im Jewish, and I occasionally find my mentions flooded by antisemitic trolls who think its the height of wit to throw an echo around my nameas in we see you (((weissmann)))in response to some tweet they dont like. Its a hazard of the site that you learn to live with. Advertisement Thankfully, Twitters Nazi problem has felt a little less severe in recent years. Back during the 2016 election, when Donald Trumps first run for the White House helped turn social media into a white supremacist jamboree, having some anonymous groyper tell me to jump in an oven was just another day at the office. These days, something I say really has to go viral and reach a large swath of right-wing accounts before the bigoted shitposters start to show up in numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suffice it to say, Im feeling a little bit apprehensive about what exactly Elon Musk plans to do with Twitter, assuming he actually closes his deal to buy the company. The Tesla and Space X founder describes himself a free speech absolutist and has regularly criticized the sites content moderation practices for supposedly trampling on discourse. Theres now a widespread assumption hell try to loosen those policies. Advertisement Advertisement I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law, he recently tweeted. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people. In practice, that would mean allowing all sorts of hate speech and grisly, violent material Twitter currently bans, a prospect that seems to be exciting the hard right. A number of banned neo-Nazis tried to set up new accounts shortly after the news of Musks deal broke, though they were quickly kicked off. How much could Musk undo? Quite a bit. In its early days, Twitter had an anything-goes attitude toward content moderation. But, spurred on by the harassment campaign unleashed by Gamergate and the toxicity of the 2016 election, it began to take a more proactive approach on issues like harassment, hate speech, and misinformation, using a combination of more stringent policies and new platform features that helped make it a leader in the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Some examples: It got more aggressive about banning accounts and booted hard-right figures like Milo Yiannopoulos and Alex Jones well before competitors like Facebook. It partnered with academics to try and measure the health of conversations on the platform, rolled out safety features to prevent harassment, and put in place policies to combat transphobia, such as banning deadnaming. In 2020, it expanded its policy against hateful conduct to bar language that dehumanizes people on the basis of race, ethnicity and national origin and permanently banned former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. It started labeling misinformation and has also worked to limit lies about COVID, barring Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes personal account for flouting those policies. And of course, it famously dumped Donald Trump from the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to say objectively how much of a difference these steps have made to daily life on the platform. But experts in the field say the changes have made a serious difference. Heidi Beirich, the co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, told me shes seen a major drop in the number of hate groups operating on the platform. There are far, far, far fewer of them on Twitter today than there were before, she said. And I think those who have stayed on have been inhibited from saying more extreme things. Advertisement Advertisement Twitters regular transparency reports, which document its rules enforcement actions, also show the company has gotten more aggressive policing hate speech. In the first half of 2021, it removed more than 1.6 million pieces of content for violating its hateful conduct policies, almost 2.5 times as much as it removed in the first six months of 2018which is a bigger jump than youd expect just based on its overall user growth. Its removing 18 times more material for violating its policies regarding sensitive media, a category that includes extreme violence and sexually explicit material, but also hate symbols such as swastikas. The company is also suspending accounts more frequently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twitter today is different from 2016, Adam Conner, vice president for technology policy at the Center for American Progress, put it to me. I am not going to stand here and tell you that Twitter is a perfect place, but it is better than it was. Advertisement If Musk actually applied a First Amendment standard to Twitters content moderation, the vast majority of this material would stay up. Under the Constitution, Americans are essentially allowed to indulge in all the hate speech they like, and can advocate violence as long as it doesnt cross the line into direct threats against individuals or incitement to immediate action. (So you can talk about how great you think it is to burn churches and synagogues, as long as you dont tell a crowd to go burn down a Black church or synagogue down the street.) I would say the vast majority of the speech that is currently banned [on Twitter] could not be banned under the First Amendment, Catherine Ross, a law professor at George Washington University who studies free speech issues, told me. Advertisement With that said, it is difficult to imagine that Musk would actually try to apply a First Amendment standard to Twitters content moderation. For starters, it would turn the platform into a cesspool that would alienate a lot of users and scare away advertisers. Aside from letting the racists run wild, itd mean letting people advocate terrorism, share graphically violent content like videos of beheadings, and even trade digitally fabricated child pornography, all of which count as protected speech under the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Second, it would be wildly impractical. Laws about hate speech vary by country, and the majority of Twitters users reside outside of the United States. A European Union official has already warned that Musk will have to follow the EUs new Digital Services Act, which fines companies up to 6 percent of annual sales per violation if it fails to police hate speech and harassment. Hell also have to deal with the U.K.s own online safety laws. Unless Musk wants to impose a different set of rules for every nation, his hands are somewhat tied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, hes hinted here and there that he doesnt particularly want to make Twitter an alt-right paradise again. Musk has complained about specific policy decisions by Twitter he saw as discriminating against conservatives, such as how it handled the New York Posts reporting on Hunter Bidens laptop, and was angered by the sites decision to suspend the conservative satire site the Babylon Bee for violating its policies against anti-trans harassment. But in a tweet responding to conservative media mogul Ben Shapiro, he said: I should be clear that the right will probably be a little unhappy too. My goal is to maximize area under the curve of total human happiness, which means the ~80% of people in the middle. The point, however, is that there is plenty of room for Twitter to backslide and return to being a much less pleasant place to have a conversation. As one of its deeply addled regular users, Id find that pretty unfortunate. Personally, I prefer the place with fewer Nazis around. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. ARCHIVED - Which supermarkets in Spain are open this May Bank Holiday weekend 2022? These are the May Bank Holiday weekend supermarket opening hours in Spain Sunday May 1, 2022 is a national holiday in Spain because it is Mayday, also known as Labour Day and International Workers Day. In some regions of Spain, the bank holiday is being transferred to Monday May 2, so it will be a day off work and school for many people. The autonomous communities in Spain that will have a bank holiday on Monday May 2 are: Andalucia Madrid Murcia Aragon Castilla y Leon Asturias Extremadura Over the bank holiday weekend, the opening hours of certain supermarkets may be subject to some changes. These are the opening times of Spains main supermarkets this weekend: Mercadona Mercadonas normal opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9.30pm and they are closed on Sundays and public holidays. For this reason, Mercadona will be closed on Sunday May 1 everywhere in Spain and on Monday May 2 in the autonomous communities observing the national holiday on that day. Lidl Lidl usually opens from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 10pm, while on Sundays some shops reduce their opening hours and open only from 10am to 3pm or from 10am to 10pm. Aldi Aldi supermarkets normally open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 10pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 10pm. This means that many Aldi stores will be open all this weekend, but some supermarkets in certain locations are closed on Sundays and public holidays, so its advisable to check the opening hours of each individual shop for both May 1 and 2. Dia Dia supermarkets are usually open from 8.30am to 10pm or from 9am to 9.30pm from Monday to Saturday, while on Sundays most of them are open in the morning. On Sunday May 1 and on May 2, in those communities where it is a public holiday, the opening hours may also be reduced in most of them, or they may even remain closed, so you may want to check the opening hours of your local shop in particular. Alcampo The opening times for Alcampo supermarkets are Monday to Saturday from 9am to 10pm or from 8.30am to 9pm, depending on the shop. Most of them also usually open on Sundays and on public holidays, so Alcampo supermarkets should remain open this bank holiday weekend, both in regions where it is a public holiday and in regions where it is not. In any case, it is a good idea to double check the opening hours of each specific Alcampo shop, as these may vary depending on location. Hipercor Hipercor supermarkets normally open from Monday to Sunday from 9am or 10am to 10pm. However, on Sunday May 1, many branches of Hipercor will be closed to the public, and on Monday May 2, in areas where it is a bank holiday, they may be closed or have reduced opening hours from 11am to 9pm. Carrefour Carrefour is normally open on Sundays and public holidays, but some Carrefour supermarkets do have reduced opening hours on these days while others are closed. The best advice is to check the opening times of your local Carrefour for this May bank holiday weekend 2022. Image: Archive The pandemic and the war in Ukraine have urged two unprecedented waves of volunteering in Slovakia. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled SLOVAKIA has experienced two unprecedented waves of solidarity and altruistic help in recent times. The first one was raised by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the second one by the inflow of Ukrainians fleeing the war in their home country. Whether such numbers of volunteers in Slovakia continue in the future will depend on the motivation of first-time volunteers as well as their experience while volunteering, said Zuzana Vinklerova, executive director of CARDO, the National Volunteering Centre. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The Slovak Spectator spoke with Vinklerova about what motivated people to leave their comfort zone and volunteer, their activities substituting for the state as well as whether the approach of Slovaks towards volunteering differs from abroad. With the annual Labor Day holiday around the corner, The Bad Guys produced by DreamWorks and distributed by Universal Pictures will open across the Chinese mainland on April 29, the only such Hollywood blockbuster premiering during the five-day vacation. On Tuesday, the film held a virtual premiere on multiple platforms, featuring actor Qin Hao and actress Ji Jiahe, known better by her stage name Chuinalisha, who voice a wolf and shark in the Mandarin-dubbed version tailored for domestic audiences. Set in a city where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist, the titular characters are a gang of notorious criminal animals who pretend to become model citizens after being caught during a heist. The film marks the first time the two Chinese stars have lent their voices to an animated feature. Recalling he had spent around 10 hours in the recording room to voice the coolheaded wolf, Qin said he regarded it as an interesting job and expressed hopes it could be a gift to his 8-year-old daughter. Known for some villain roles such as a murderer in the popular Chinese online series The Bad Kids, Qin teasingly said that he was attracted to the "villainous personality" of the wolf while accepting the role. "But the role's change to a good and decent citizen is the most charming part of the movie, which will resonate with most of us and remind us of the goodness inside our hearts. That makes this story a good lesson to both adults and children," Qin added. Former prime minister and interior minister face organised crime charges. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Sworn testimonies from four top former law enforcement and tax officials, decrypted messages from the encrypted Threema application found on the phone of convicted mobster Marian Kocner, and recordings from secret meetings held at a secluded hunting cabin. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement These are some of the main pieces of evidence that were gathered by police before they decided to charge three-time former prime minister Robert Fico and three-time former interior minister Robert Kalinak, both of the Smer party. Both men last held ministerial office in 2018. Kalinak was arrested during an April 20 police raid as part of an operation codenamed Twilight. Fico, who is a sitting MP, can only be arrested if parliament approves a prosecutor's request to take him into custody. Police also arrested and charged lawyer Marek Para, as part of the so-called Caiaphas case. Para is a high-profile defence lawyer who has acted for Kocner and for Norbert Bodor, a Nitra-based businessman who is also named in the case file. Related article Related article Many findings but few convictions: Kuciak-related investigations are progressing slowly Read more The Slovak Spectator has analysed the written charges against Fico and Kalinak. The document comprises 108 pages. Police allege organised crime Recovery Plan funding no longer at risk. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The parliament okayed major changes to the map of Slovak courts at its April session, just in time for Slovakia to request the first payment from the EU for its Recovery Plan. MPs passed the law, known as the reform of the court map, on April 27. Justice Minister Maria Kolikova (SaS), the author of the reform, sees this change as a step towards a better judiciary with a working system and clear agenda in Slovakia, even though some judges seem to disapprove. Now we can establish city courts, which means that one quarter of all cases can be organised in a new way, the minister told the press conference after the vote, as quoted by the TASR newswire. The law was passed following a number of delays. Most recently, at the February session, the MPs only passed three of the four proposed laws. Since the passing of the court map is a milestone that Slovakia has pledged to reach in order to draw funding from the EU for its Recovery Plan, there were concerns that, unless the MPs passed the reform at the April session, the country could have lost access to the first payment from the fund, worth 458 million. Whom the changes concern The changes within the system will affect both the administrative and general branches of the judiciary, concerning municipal and district courts. In the updated version of the court map, the overall agenda of administrative judiciary will be reduced from district courts to three courts headquartered in western, central and eastern Slovakia Bratislava, Banska Bystrica and Kosice respectively. The reform does not put abolish district courts as such, only changes the way their agenda is handled. The borders of juridical districts should be tied to pre-existing regions of Slovakia. The Ministry of Justice explains their decision to keep the locations of the courts and slightly change the borders of their scope because of how well the existing borders work in practice. The three main courts will concentrate the issues of family and business agendas within their regions, making it easier for smaller court offices to deal with internal issues. In addition, administration will also fall under the responsibilities of three main courts. Minister wants to move forward with innovations Kolikova faced disagreement from the opposition and even her own coalition partners when first lobbying for her updated version of the court map. Boris Kollar (Sme Rodina) argued that judges needed to improve the technology they work with, first acquire modern computers to do their job effectively and properly. Kolikova explained that better technology couldnt come without bigger systemic changes and that rebuilding the judiciary from scratch is an impossible task. Steps towards its betterment were necessary and a crucial part of the EU recovery plans requirements for euro funds and grants, which could help improve the state of Slovakias justice. In other words, the court map was also a contract with the EU. Fico has been preparing his supporters for this scenario, so it may not affect his popular backing. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled MPs in parliament are debating a request by the General Prosecutors Office to allow Smer leader Robert Fico to be taken into custody, based on the serious criminal charges laid against him on April 20. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Parliaments mandate and immunity committee has recommended that MPs approve the request, but its decision is not binding on parliament. The discussion started on Thursday morning but is not expected to end on the same day. The opposition has proposed that MPs should vote on Ficos possible detention in a secret ballot, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Gabor Grendel announced. MPs will vote to decide on that, the TASR newswire reported. If parliament votes to allow Ficos arrest, it would not mean that he automatically goes into custody. A court would also have to decide that there were sufficient legal grounds for his detention. If Fico was taken into custody, he would not lose his MPs mandate but would be unable to exercise it. Observers agree that this would probably not mean a significant decrease in popular support for Smer. Hours of speeches expected Pcolinsky maintains innocence. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Zoroslav Kollar has admitted to bribing the former head of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) Vladimir Pcolinsky, nominated by the Sme Rodina party, according to a report on the Aktuality.sk news website. The daily claimed to have confirmed the information with three independent sources. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Kollar, a lawyer, wants to make a deal with prosecutors on a plea bargain, conditioned on Kollar's confession. Details as to what he has said are not known. Related article Related article Former spy boss acquitted due to procedural errors and lack of evidence Read more Three out of four plead guilty Vladimir Pcolinsky had faced criminal prosecution over his alleged acceptance of a 40,000 bribe from Kollar in August 2020. The bribe was supposed to stop SIS officials from wiretapping him. The charges against him stated that the former SIS director divided the bribe between himself and his then deputy head of SIS, Boris Bena. The bribe was allegedly delivered by Ludovit Mako. Bena and Mako have since confessed to the crime, and testified against Pcolinsky. With the most recent reported confession, of the four allegedly involved, only Pcolinsky continues to maintain his innocence. The former spy boss was detained for several months but in August last year he was acquitted due to a lack of evidence and procedural errors. However, in February 2022 he was charged again. Related article Related article His DNA has not been detected. Investigation of ex-spy head's corruption suspicions nears its end Read more No comment from investigators According to Aktuality.sk, the former SIS head is not aware of the details of Kollar's confession. Pcolinsky said that Kollar only admitted to giving money to Mako. The Special Prosecutors Office said that the investigation is not public and investigators declined to comment. Photo taken on April 5, 2022 shows the Angkor Wat Temple in the Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. China has been one of the key contributors to safeguarding, preserving and developing the famed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, officials said on Wednesday.(Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua) French Constitutional Council certifies Macron's election victory Xinhua) 08:28, April 28, 2022 Photo taken on April 24, 2022 shows the scene of French incumbent President Emmanuel Macron's rally after the presidential runoff in Paris, France. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) Macron won the second round of the election held on April 24 with an absolute majority of 18,768,638 votes (58.55 percent of the valid ballots cast). PARIS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- France's Constitutional Council on Wednesday certified the results of the country's recent presidential election, confirming Emmanuel Macron as president. Of France's 48,752,339 registered voters, 35,096,478 cast their ballots, bringing the abstention rate to 28.01 percent, said Laurent Fabius, president of the council. French incumbent President Emmanuel Macron waves to supporters at a rally after the presidential runoff in Paris, France, on April 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Jing Macron won the second round of the election held on April 24 with an absolute majority of 18,768,638 votes (58.55 percent of the valid ballots cast). According to law, Macron's second term must begin no later than May 14. Macron's rival, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, received 13,288,686 votes or 41.45 percent. Marine Le Pen, candidate of the far-right National Rally party, attends a rally after the presidential runoff in Paris, France, on April 24, 2022. (Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) China is expected to see notable drops in passenger traffic for the upcoming Labor Day holiday amid measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, authorities said Thursday. A total of 100 million passengers are expected to travel during the five-day holiday from April 30 to May 4, slumping 62 percent from a year earlier, said Zhou Min, an official with the Ministry of Transport. From April 28 to May 5, the country is expected to see around 32 million railway passengers, also a relatively low level, China Railway said. The railway authorities will provide support for both passenger and freight transportation to ensure safe travel and stable economic operation during the holiday, the company said. The sporadic COVID-19 resurgence since March has discouraged travel from one province to another. Citizens are required not to travel to areas designated as high-risk or medium-risk for COVID-19 during the holiday. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and director of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA), presided over the 11th meeting of the CCFEA on Tuesday to discuss matters on comprehensively advancing infrastructure development and implementing decisions and plans made by the CCFEA since the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017. Infrastructure is the bedrock for economic and social development. It is essential to coordinate development and security and optimize the layout, structure, function and development mode of infrastructure to develop a modern infrastructure system, thus laying a solid foundation for fully building a modern socialist country, Xi stressed. The CCFEA is an important institution for the CPC Central Committee to exercise leadership over economic work. All regions and departments must fully understand the commission's decisions and plans and take concerted efforts to put them into practice. Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and deputy director of the CCFEA, Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and also a member of the CCFEA, Vice Premier Han Zheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and also a member of the CCFEA, attended the meeting. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Water Resources delivered reports on advancing infrastructure development. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the People's Bank of China delivered reports on the implementation of the CCFEA's decisions and plans since 2017. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has made a series of world leading achievements in major sci-tech facilities, water conservancy projects, transportation hubs, information infrastructure and national strategic reserves, witnessing leapfrog progress in its overall infrastructure development, according to the meeting. But it's important to note that China's infrastructure development still falls short of the needs of the national development and security. Advancing infrastructure development is of great significance to ensuring national security, facilitating economic flows, promoting positive interplay between domestic circulation and international circulation, expanding domestic demand and promoting high-quality development. The commission stressed that at present and for some time to come, we must stick to the people-centered development philosophy and stay focused on solving problems and achieving goals. We also need to balance development and security imperatives, ensure systematic planning and overall coordination, and shore up weak links in a targeted way. It called for improving the layout, structure, function and development mode of infrastructure, and mobilizing all of society to build a modern infrastructure network, which should ensure not only economic benefits, but also social, ecological and security benefits. All these will serve major national strategies, support economic and social development and lay a solid foundation for building a modern socialist country in all respects. The commission underlined the need to stay future-oriented while advancing infrastructure development. We will increase support for development and protection of territorial space, distribution of productive forces and major national strategies, and speed up the construction of new types of infrastructure while upgrading traditional ones. It is necessary to act proactively, it said. Plans will be made for building infrastructure that helps drive industrial development and safeguard national security, but the pace of forward planning should be kept appropriate. Sound plans should be made. Following the new development philosophy, we will proceed from a full lifecycle perspective to balance the layout of all types of infrastructure and promote interconnectivity, shared growth through collaboration, coordination and interaction, said the commission. A multi-pronged approach should be taken to advance infrastructure development at different levels on a categorized basis by fully leveraging the roles of government and market, central and regional authorities, as well as public and private capital. Benefits count. We will consider economic benefits over a broad horizon, and improve the comprehensive returns of infrastructure projects throughout their entire lifecycle. We must improve all types of networks as part of China's infrastructure, such as those for transportation, energy and water conservancy, with a focus on increasing their interconnectivity, shoring up weak links and consolidating strong links, so as to increase their benefits, the commission noted. We will build the framework for national integrated multidimensional transportation networks at a faster pace. We will improve the planning and construction of coastal and inland harbors and waterways to upgrade the national water transportation system. We will develop distributed smart grids, build a series of new green, low-carbon energy bases, and improve the oil and gas pipelines quickly. We will accelerate the building of the framework and arteries of national waterways, with a focus on developing and modernizing major water sources, irrigated areas and flood detention basins. Infrastructure for information, science and technology, and logistics industries needs to be upgraded. Plans will be made to build facilities for a new generation of supercomputing, cloud computing, AI platforms, and broadband networks. The planning and construction of major sci-tech infrastructure will be advanced. We will build comprehensive transportation hubs as well as related collection, distribution, and transportation systems. We will also formulate plans to build a host of regional, general, and freight transport airports. Urban infrastructure will be improved to create high-quality living spaces in cities. It requires efforts to promote integrated transportation in city clusters, build convenient and highly efficient intercity rail networks, develop intra-city railways and urban rail transit systems, and build comprehensive road traffic systems. It is also important to construct underground utility tunnels in an orderly manner and develop the systems for urban flood control, drainage, as well as sewage and garbage collection and disposal. Moreover, efforts will be redoubled to build disaster prevention and mitigation infrastructure, public health emergency facilities, and smart infrastructure of road, power supply, public transportation. Agricultural and rural infrastructure will also be improved so that modernized infrastructure will advance agricultural and rural modernization. We will improve farmland irrigation and water conservancy, build high-standard cropland, and ensure rural roads are well built, managed, maintained, and operated to upgrade rural transportation systems. We will also speed up construction of urban and rural cold-chain logistics facilities, launch large-scale water supply projects, and further build rural sewage and garbage collection and treatment facilities. In addition, we must strengthen the national security infrastructure and move faster to enhance our ability to respond to extreme situations. The commission stressed the need to increase support for infrastructure development. Under the unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we will establish a coordination mechanism for major infrastructure development, to coordinate infrastructure planning and development in various sectors and regions and ensure the supply of land, sea, energy and other resources and factors of production. To meet the financing needs for infrastructure development, we will expand long-term financing channels, increase fiscal input, and better secure the fund for the development of major national infrastructure projects. We will also standardize the public-private partnership (PPP) model to ensure its development in transparency, and guide private capital into the operation of municipal utilities. We must pursue innovation-driven growth, increase research and development in core technologies, and make sure our infrastructure-related technologies are self-supporting and their risks are better controlled. It is necessary to cultivate a host of scientists and researchers, expand the team of skilled workers, and train a large number of outstanding engineers. Since the 19th CPC National Congress, the CCFEA has carried out in-depth studies on a number of major issues of fundamental and far-reaching significance and provided strategic guidance, the commission noted. To strengthen the leadership of the CPC Central Committee over economic work, we need to emphasize political guidance and adopt a holistic approach. We also need to coordinate development and security, formulate sound strategies, and advance innovation in practice and theory. Moreover, both short-term and long-term needs must be taken into account, both symptoms and root causes addressed, and all policies implemented to the letter. The commission stressed the need to coordinate development and security and bear firmly in mind the possibility of worst scenarios. It is important to strengthen the capacity to forecast and preempt major risks and draw up feasible contingency plans and measures. All regions and departments should grasp the essence of the commission's decisions and plans, take on responsibilities, act proactively, and work together to put into practice these decisions and plans. Evaluation and supervision should be tightened to properly balance efforts in all sectors so that problems will be addressed as soon as they arise. Evaluations should be based on practical results to ensure decisions and plans are fully implemented. It is essential to appropriately guide market expectations, clarify the orientation and principles of policy, and maintain market confidence. Inspections should also be strengthened and follow-up oversight be carried out to ensure effectiveness in policy implementation. Other members of the commission attended the meeting and leading officials of relevant central departments were also present. It might take a code breaker to decipher numerous intelligence insider references contained in local author Vic Socotras newest, readable tale of military secrets and intrigue, Cocktails With the Admiral. Subtitled Drinks, Espionage and the History of the American Century, the 337-page book by Socotra, aka J.R. Reddig, CAPT, USN-Retired, who lives in Culpeper County, recalls his 15-year relationship with Adm. Mac Showers (1919-2012), a World War II-era codebreaker. Politics and Prose of Washington, D.C. is the publisher for this print edition, available at politics-prose.com/book/9781624293955 With his own Cold War intelligence background spanning more than half-a-century, Reddig, aka Socotra, writes with humor, candor and realism, not shying from criticizing the system. He highlights history and the intelligence heroes and traitors, often hidden, behind those decisive moments. The setting for the meetings between Rear Admiral Donald McCollister Mac Showers, from Iowa, and the author was the old Willow Bar in Arlington, now closed. Theres talk of mixed drinks and a cast of characters of regulars, savory pork spring rolls from the bar, named servers, bottles of Bud beer, nameless faces and people, the news of the day, beltway hustle-bustle. In between, Socotra weaves his own story with Macs narrative, together spanning numerous wars around the globe, the atom bomb, presidents, generals and foreign leaders alike. The topic of his book is espionage in the American Century, said Socotra, former editor of a quarterly publication for Naval Intelligence Professionals, in an email to the Star-Exponent I was a career Spook with 27 years government service and a couple decades as Beltway Bandit, or what we preferred to call, Parkway Patriots, he stated. VicSocotra.com, a self-described purveyor of glib words to the world, is a self-published prolific writer with at least seven novels through a small home press here in Culpeper. Socotra maintains an active blog as well. He befriended Adm. Showers in the early 2000s during his stint as an editor of the naval publication. Socotra occasionally took shots at Gen. MacArthurs reputation due to his grandfather being one of the Doughboys expelled from Washington during the Depression. Mac called to complain. I was surprised to get a call from one of our retired Admirals for violating a rule he had on his staff in the Pacific War: Dont disparage Doug. Apparently doing so caused too much trouble. The Admiral turned out to be Mac Showers, who became one of my best friends. He was in his early 80s then, and we spent a regular weekly meeting working through some of the events in which he participated, Socotra wrote in the email. Among the most captivating stories of the admirals long naval career were from his early days working under Adm. Nimitz in a basement office deciphering Japanese code after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was just OPINTEL, Mac said in one of many interviews with Socotra about the acronym representing the system they used to decipher numerically coded messages from the enemy. It was brute force analysis supported by cross indexing and a massive filing system, the admiral allowed. In other words, code breaking involved a fusion of methodologies and an all-source approach to integrate communications intercept that incorporated code breaking, photographic, open source information, topographic, hydrographic and human intelligence all cooked up by the Combat Intelligence Unit in the basement of building one in the shipyard in Pearl, the book states. No one told us how to do it. We did it as a matter of vital necessity to try to win a war, Mac said for the book. The riddle was wrapped in an enigma, as is common, Socotra writes of Pearl Harbor. The Big Surprise on Dec. 7 was naturally a shockWashington would not admit that it was the bitter rivalry between Army and Navy, and within the Navy itself that exacerbated the blind spot that permitted the Japanese to land a near knock-out blow on the Pacific Fleet, he writes. The new book contains an image of The Bomb Plota decrypted message Sept. 24, 1941, marked Strictly Secret, from Tokyo to the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu ordering daily surveillance of the American fleet in Pearl Harbor. It should have been a warning but was missed. The author frequently capitalizes certain words and terms, presumably for emphasis, a pattern throughout Cocktails With Admiral. The book hints at myriad inside cypher system references, hundreds of historic suggestions and facts, observations on current events and an entire alphabet of acronyms designating secret government functions and offices. For example, COMINT, FRUMEL, USCINCPAC, CINCNELM, HYPO, PARPRO and NAVINTCOM. The book is not chronological and it reads like an ongoing conversationbetween Mac and the author, the author and himself and the author and the reader. Mac and the other codebreakers provided Adm. Nimitz with enough information to enable him and his forces to defeat the Japanese in the battle of Midway, leading to the surrender of the Japanese forces, the Midway Miracle, describes Socotra. Then his team members came up with the idea that let us figure out the target of the last big Japanese offensive at Midway. After that, we went on the attack and never looked back. Oklahoma and Arizona were still on the bottom of the harborHer rusting hulk is still bleeding drops of fuel into Pearls placid watersstill bleeding just like she did when we worked in the basement of the Admin Building. Jap Fleet Smashed by 2 U.S. Carriers Sunk at Midway Navy Had Word of Jap Plan to Strike at Sea, Chicago Tribune reported June 7, 1942, states the new book, containing photographs and copies of original documents. With Mac, it was as fresh as if it happened yesterday. The years fall away, and you can feel the presence of others, dead now, crowd around holding glasses of whiskey and nodding. The Admiral is their emissary, their guide between the worlds, Socotra writes. The Japanese changed its codebook following all the publicity from Midway, he writes. A few months later, the Marines landed blindly at Guadalcanal. How many died as a result of internal intelligence wars? Socotra asks. Those are bold statements, I know, and the heavy secrecy that wrapped the ULTRA program enabled those who won the staff war and lost a Fleet on Dec. 7 to pin their mistakes on others. Creation of Cocktails with the Admiral, aka the Mac Showers Project, spanned three decades, the author said, noting 2022 is the 10th anniversary of the admirals passing and 80th anniversary of the epic naval battle off Midway Atoll on which he cut his analytic teeth. Mac saw all the episodes compiled in this book and approved them, the author said. I lived and worked in buildings that survived the Day of Infamy, Socotra writes in the book. I found myself happy to have been a drinking buddy and tipsy Boswell to Mac Showers, the last living member of the JN-25 code breakers at Station HYPO in Pearl. My stories were sincere, but never intended to be documentary history. I always liked to get to the loopy aspects of historylike, what was the party like at the quarters of chief code breaker Joe Rochefort after the amazing results of the Battle of Midway became known? (Answer: it was a good one). With plenty of cocktails. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Words have power. When words are muted, that power is defused. This is why libraries are being dragged into the nations culture wars. Public school libraries are most directly in the line of fire at the moment. According to the American Library Association, there were 330 instances nationally in three months of 2021 (Sept. 1 to the end of Nov. 30) in which a parent made a formal complaint to a school about a book. There usually are just 300 to 400 challenges in a year. Weve seen this play out in Spotsylvania, where school board members last November expressed support for banning and burning sexually explicit books. But now, the battle lines are expanding, and more and more public libraries are being drawn into the battle. The American Library Association says 37 percent of book challenges last year were in public libraries. Around the country, library governing bodies have been thrown out, censorship protection has been weakened or deleted, and books have been banned. To date, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library hasnt faced the kind of aggressive onslaught that has been seen in places like Florida and Texas. CRRL Library Director Martha Hutzel credits the diversity within our community, as well as the strong support of the local library board and elected officials, for heading off these types of dust-ups to date. She also knows, however, that its a good idea to be prepared to defend democracy. From the time the first public libraries were established in the early 1700s, long before we were even a nation, they have been a cornerstone of our democracy, enhancing social mobility and freedom. Sometimes, their biggest boosters have been unlikely heroes. Andrew Carnegie, who in the 19th century richly deserved the epithet robber baron, donated a considerable portion of his personal fortune to fund nearly 1,700 public libraries across the country. Today, there are more than 9,000. So why are parents attacking what is arguably the most democratizing of all American public institutions? The challenges are most often over books that parents dont want their kids reading, but things can get out of hand in a hurry. Progressives, long bothered by racial language and stereotypes in such classic works as To Kill a Mockingbird, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Handmaids Tale, have fought to remove these works. Its a wrongheaded approach. Shutting off such works merely suppresses an open window into life as it once was, and denies readers of works that have shaped American thought, for good and for ill, for generations. Of late, conservatives are on the march against books that have LGBTQ themes, or include the hard-to-define Critical Race Theory. And theyre especially aggressive against anything of a sexual nature. Letting a few individuals with agendas decide what were allowed to read in public libraries is disturbing to say the least. Last year, an individual took it upon themselves to deface CRRL property by affixing homemade stickers to books warning of dangerous content. Fortunately, Hutzel says, the staff caught it, removed the stickers, and put a stop to it. In a world where the Internet, cable TV and streaming services leave nothing to the imagination, where the 6 oclock TV news is Ground Zero for sexual-enhancement commercials, is it really worth suppressing the written word to ensure that no kid is ever exposed to a disturbing idea? The book-bashing is of questionable value in public schools and in constant danger of taking us to a fantasy world where slavery didnt happen, everyone is straight, and sex is for married folks only. When it seeps into public libraries, it moves from questionable to deeply troubling. Thats because attacks on our public libraries are direct assaults on the very heart of American democracy. From the time the first public libraries were established in the early 1700s, long before we were even a nation, they have been a cornerstone of our democracy, enhancing social mobility and freedom. Sometimes, their biggest boosters have been unlikely heroes. Andrew Carnegie, who in the 19-century richly deserved the epithet robber baron, donated a considerable portion of his personal fortune to fund nearly 1,700 public libraries across the country. Today, there are more than 9,000. The (Fredericksburg) Free Lance-Star Three local citizens were honored Wednesday for rescuing a Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs deputy from a burning vehicle. Representatives of the Nebraska State Patrol and Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Office presented three local men, Keagan Shifflett, Robert Regester and Kealan Hawley, with Life Savers Awards for their actions on April 18. A small ceremony took place at the NSP Troop E Headquarters in Scottsbluff. Around 7:20 a.m. on Monday, April 18, Sheriffs Deputy Josh Ruzicka suffered a medical incident that caused him to lose consciousness while driving his patrol vehicle on Highway 71. The vehicle left the road, hit an embankment and caught fire. Shortly afterward, the three witnesses saw the vehicle burning near a patch of trees and rushed to help. Shifflett told the Star-Herald, Robert and I were heading to Bomgaars to get some boots and we took Highway 71 because of the train on (Highway) 26. Sure enough, wed seen the (deputys car) on the ditch bank, so we pulled over, ran over there and banged on the window to see if hed wake up. Well, he didnt, so we grabbed a hitch, we hit the window and shattered it. We pulled him out and, right after we pulled him out, the car blew up. The trio pulled Ruzicka onto the road, where medics soon arrived to get him to safety. Regester said hed told Shifflett to call 911, then Hawley arrived and the trio worked to break the vehicles windows and drag Ruzicka to safety. I was just on my way to college, Hawley said. I saw them two going back and forth, and I said Wow, somethings wrong. After the rescue, he said, he went home, got bandaged up after cutting his fingers during the rescue, and headed back to college. NSP Col. John Bolduc and Capt. Kurt Von Minden, as well as Sheriff Mark Overman, were among those on hand Wednesday to present Shifflett, Regester and Hawley with their awards. Normally, we present Life Saver awards to our troopers who are involved in incidents like this, but its really special when we get a chance to honor our citizens who decided to step up and take action, Bolduc, superintendent of the NSP, said. ... The actions of these three heroes showed courage and boldness during an emergency situation. It is with deep appreciation this award is presented to these three gentlemen. Ruzicka and his wife, Beth, were also available to provide awards and to thank the trio for saving Ruzickas life. Im very appreciative and thankful they were there and did what they did, and Im standing here because of it, Ruzicka 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 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Employees from various businesses in the area made the trip to YMCA Trails West Camp or took a stroll around their block for National Walk at Lunch Day, on Wednesday, April 27. The Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon at YMCA Trails West Camp to promote a healthy lifestyle that incorporates walking. The featured speaker, Panhandle Public Health District wellness coordinator Nicole Berosek spoke about the importance of daily exercise, which can be as simple as a 30-minute walk at lunch. We had a presentation on physical activity and mental health and how exercise can help us in everyday life and encourage us to be healthier, she said. So were just all getting out and walking, enjoying this beautiful day. Berosek said that walking is a great way to incorporate health and wellness into ones life because of how easy it is. Its just an activity that is easy, accessible, she said. You can do (it) from your work site too, so that makes it very helpful. Roughly 17 individuals from various businesses in the Scottsbluff/Gering area attended the luncheon and walk at Trails West Camp Wednesday, including employees of CAPstone. Participating in National Walk at Lunch Day is an annual tradition for CAPstone, employees Sylvia Lopez and Karol Garduno told the Star-Herald. We always do the Walk at Lunch, so (its) just kind of an agency event, Garduno said. They said that their supervisors and leaders at CAPstone have a culture that values health and wellness, which has helped them to value it, too. Walking, especially, has proven to help in a lot of different aspects of life, they said. Its important for overall health I mean, physical, emotional, psychological, all of those things. Walking helps get you out and breathing, and just gives you a little break when your body probably needs it the most. Lopez said, Its a good de-stresser, so you get some time to yourself. Berosek said she is glad to see that so many businesses like CAPstone care about the well-being of their employees and are willing to give them the time they need to take care of themselves. Im just thankful that organizations are willing to let their employees take a break and get out and exercise, she said. And, it just shows that the importance of walking, number one, but the Panhandle organizations really care about their employees. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LEXINGTON A 19-year-old Lexington man charged in the shooting death of a 15-year-old Lexington resident has accepted a plea deal. Ramon Gonzalez Romero had been charged with first-degree murder, Class 1A felony and use of a weapon to commit a felony, Class 1C felony. Romero appeared in Dawson County District Court before Judge James Doyle on Friday, April 22. Per the plea deal, the first-degree murder charge was amended to manslaughter and the second charge was dismissed. A sentencing hearing has been set for June 27 at 11 a.m. According to the Lexington Police Department, on Jan. 2, 2021, at 7:25 a.m., the Lexington Police Department received a call that there was an individual with a possible gunshot wound at Lexington Regional Health Center, a 15-year-old Lexington resident. Officers spoke with two individuals, who reported a physical altercation had taken place near Airport Road and 20th Street. Allegedly, Romero had exited a white SUV and fired three rounds from a 12- gauge shotgun at a 15-year-old, according to the affidavit for arrest. The 15-year-old was transported to the hospital by friends, but was pronounced deceased. Officers interviewed one of the three occupants of the SUV who had been riding with Romero before the altercation took place. One of the occupants of the SUV reported they had been driving around when they started being followed by a black Chevy pickup, whose occupants were the 15-year-old and the two individuals officers had spoken to earlier. The vehicles stopped around 20th Street and Airport Road, and one of the SUV occupants reported, at the beginning of the altercation, the 15-year-old possessed a black handgun, according to the affidavit. Officers determined Gonzalez Romero had graduated from Lexington High School in 2020 and was joining Nebraska Army National Guard, according to the affidavit. Maj. Scott Ingalsbe, of the Nebraska National Guard, said Gonzalez Romero was in the process of joining the Guard, but had not yet attended basic training or been assigned to a unit. The Lexington Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Romero, who later turned himself in to law enforcement custody. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Here's a look at some of today's top news. Bird flu Bird flu cases have been identified in commercial chicken and turkey farms or in backyard flocks in 29 states, according to the USDA. Spread of the disease is largely blamed on the droppings of infected migrating wild birds. The first human case of H3N8 bird flu has been detected in China. Commercial outdoor flocks make up only a small percentage of U.S. egg production. About 6 million hens, or 2% of national flock, are free-range and about 4.2 million hens, or 1.3% of U.S. egg production, are from pasture-raised chickens. Get more info at the video above, and here: Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly Megan Fox would like to clear up what people think about her and fiance Machine Gun Kelly drinking each other's blood. "So, I guess to drink each other's blood might mislead people or people are imagining us with goblets and we're like 'Game of Thrones,' drinking each other's blood," she told Glamour UK. "It's just a few drops, but yes, we do consume each other's blood on occasion for ritual purposes only." Read more about the weird things celebrities do here: Trevor Reed Russia and the United States have carried out an unexpected prisoner exchange in a time of high tensions, trading on Wednesday a Marine veteran jailed by Moscow for a convicted Russian drug trafficker serving a long prison sentence in America. The deal involving Trevor Reed, an American imprisoned for nearly three years, would have been a notable diplomatic maneuver even in times of peace but it was all the more surprising because it was done as Russia's war with Ukraine has driven relations with the U.S. to their lowest point in decades. Get more information here: *** Get more of today's top news here: Brittney Griner Student loan forgiveness (maybe) Madeleine Albright Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Stolen vehicle Longview police officers Tuesday arrested Mark Edmonds, 36, of Longview, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and driving with a suspended license. Stolen vehicle Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Tuesday arrested Kevin Thwaits, 31, of Longview, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, possessing vehicle theft tools, and driving with a suspended license. Stolen vehicle Longview police officers Wednesday arrested Richard Hurley, 51, of Longview, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle. Sex offender Longview police officers Tuesday arrested Hunter Vanwinkle, 29, address unknown, on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender. Assault 400 block of Pacific Avenue, Kelso. Tuesday. Woman reportedly pushed another person in the store after refusing to pay for a drink Burglary 400 block of Rosewood Street, Kelso. Tuesday. Drill taken from home. Stolen vehicles Rose Valley Road and Old Pacific Highway, Kelso. Tuesday. Car reportedly stolen for second time, roughly 15 minutes after being recovered from first theft. Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office investigating before opening new case for second theft. 1300 block of Commerce Avenue, Longview. Tuesday. Red 2013 Nissan Altima. WA BCR7019 Thefts 2100 block of Kalama River Road, Kalama. Monday. Catalytic converter taken off a Toyota 4Runner while the driver was boating. 1300 block of Lewis River Road, Woodland. Monday. Man reportedly stole a roughly $250 Craftsman tool set from a store and injured a customer he pushed while fleeing. 600 block of Grade Street, Kelso. Monday. Wallet stolen from a drug and alcohol class. 200 block of Pacific Avenue, Kelso. Monday. Purse stolen, bank card possibly used. 3100 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Monday. Shoplifter. 3700 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Monday. Red mountain bike stolen. 2400 block of Kalama River Road, Kalama, Tuesday. Box of jewelry stolen. 100 block of Freddie Lane, Longview. Tuesday. Personal family documents missing. 1500 block of Seventh Avenue, Longview. Tuesday. Catalytic converter taken from work truck overnight. 700 block of Douglas Street, Longview. Tuesday. Tool box taken from vehicle. Vehicle prowls 100 block of Minor Road, Kelso. Monday. 3100 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Tuesday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Since COVID-19 cases have slowed, Cowlitz County health officials are turning to address rising rates of the other most commonly reported diseases sexually transmitted infections. Unfortunately, STIs are growing nationwide, in the state of Washington and in Cowlitz County, Dr. Steve Krager, county deputy health officer, said Tuesday. Above-average STI rates are not a new problem for the county, but the trend has the health department and other community agencies looking to get prevention and care back to pre-pandemic levels or better. In October, the Cowlitz County commissioners approved using foundational public health funding from the state to hire a nurse to focus on STI tracking and prevention. During Tuesdays Board of Health meeting, county health officials reviewed data from the last 10 years and suggested some strategies for addressing the rise in cases. Rising rates Health-care providers and labs are required to report confirmed cases of most STIs to the public health department, which follows up with individuals to confirm treatment and often tracks down contacts at risk, Krager said. Cowlitz Countys STI per capita case rate increased about 71% from 448 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 765 per 100,000 in 2019. The increase is sharper than the countys increase in population over those years, Krager said. Cases increased statewide over the same decade, but Cowlitz Countys per capita rate is about 10% to 15% higher than the states, he said. In the last three years of complete data, 2017 to 2019, the county recorded 690 STI cases per year. About half of those are among 15- to 24-year-olds. Each year, one of every 24 residents in that age group tests positive for an STI, Krager said. From 2017 to 2019, chlamydia was the most commonly reported STI, making up 73% of cases, or 498 per year on average. Gonorrhea made up 17%, syphilis 6%, and herpes simplex 4%, according to the Department of Health data. Krager said although the number is relatively small compared to the countys overall population, the increase is concerning. It is getting worse and thats something, at least from my perspective, to pay attention to, he said. Along with increases in the more common chlamydia and gonorrhea, the county also has recorded a significant rise in syphilis cases, Krager said. The numbers still are small, with an average of 27 cases annually from 2017 to 2019, but have doubled or tripled from prior years less than 10 cases. Krager said the biggest concern is congenital syphilis, when a pregnant mother passes it on to her unborn baby. Cases were very rare before 2017 in the state and county. In the last three years, the Cowlitz County has recorded less than 10 cases annually, but to see any cases is worrying, he said. Left untreated, syphilis can cause severe illness and death, as well as miscarriages and babies born very sick, Krager said. The most common STIs chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis can be treated and cured but if left untreated, can cause severe, lifelong health outcomes like infertility, Krager said. There is no cure for genital herpes. We advocate for people to talk openly about STIs and testing and treatment both with partners and health-care providers, Krager said. Its reasonable for many people, especially younger people, to get screened on a regular basis. And for some groups of people it might make sense to get screened more often, especially if you have a new partner or multiple partners over the course of a year or shorter period of time. Treatment is critical and mostly relatively straightforward, Krager said. If we can get to people, if we can find these infections, if we can treat them then we can prevent from passing them on to other people and interrupt the chain of transmission, he said. Why the increase? Several factors play into the increase in STIs, including a rise in riskier sexual behaviors and drug and alcohol use, Krager said. Drug use, poverty and unstable housing also are barriers to people receiving STI care, he said. There also is some correlation between the rise in cases and the reduction in funding for state and local control and prevention programs, Krager said. The countys STI work has been inconsistent over the last 20 years, he said. In response to a gonorrhea outbreak that began in 2004, the county health department ramped up outreach, testing, treatment and contact tracing to combat the cases, according to TDN archives. County efforts slowed around 2011 after losing funding and in recent years, staff have done what they had capacity for, mostly entering data into the system, said Gena James, health and human services deputy director. We havent been able to do that in-depth work to get to the preventative side of STIs, so were hoping to get back into that, James told the commissioners. Krager outlined other possible strategies to address the rising rates, including further expanding staffing, improving access to information, testing and treatment; supporting health-care providers with education and help contacting people who are infected; and working with agencies to target the highest-risk populations. Since the county department no longer offers testing, a component going forward is figuring out how to partner with providers that do to allow them to do more STI dedicated work, Krager said. Testing and treatment The Cowlitz Family Health Center, which started off as a family planning clinic, picked up more community testing about a decade ago as the county scaled back, said Jim Coffee, chief executive officer. The clinics offer STI testing and treatment, as well as HIV testing as part of its Harm Reduction Program. We have had a very robust program for years, Coffee said in an email. The pandemic sadly slowed things for a bit but we are seeing it picking back up recently. A newer agency to the county, Cascade AIDS Project, offers HIV testing and support services and is looking to expand to include other STI testing in the coming months, said Jasmine Gruenstein, director of Southwest Washington services. The nonprofit, located in downtown Longview, offers free, confidential rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing every Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. Cascade AIDS Project also provides medical case management, housing services and peer navigation services for residents with HIV. The organization began in Portland in the mid-1980s and has expanded to cover Southwest Washington. In 2018, the nonprofit took over offering HIV services in Cowlitz County from Lifelong, a Seattle-based organization, and began providing testing in October 2021 after receiving a grant from Gilead Sciences, Gruenstein said. Before opening in Longview, Gruenstein said they were told of the need in Cowlitz County, but couldnt expand north until receiving funding. The agency still is building trust but is dedicated to growing services in the county, she said. Theres so much potential to serve the community and get roots there, Gruenstein said. Offering comprehensive care is important. Bringing people in the door and linking them to treatment, we want to replicate that in Cowlitz County as well. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A pet cat died in a Longview fire Thursday morning. No people were injured. Longview Fire Department officials report crews were called to a mobile home fire at about 8:30 a.m. in the 600 block of California Way, north of Industrial Way. Flames and smoke were seen through the home's windows as crews arrived. The occupant exited the home before responders reached the scene but the cat was found dead inside after the fire was contained about 20 minutes later, the department reports. Heavy fire damage destroyed the home. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Pokemon-themed limited edition Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 sold out within a few minutes of its launch. Know what it offers inside the box. A week ago, Samsung announced the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 in Pokemon colours. And when the special edition of the foldable smartphone hit the markets of South Korea, it is reported that the Pokemon-themed smartphone sold out within minutes of its release! Samsung targetted Pokemon fans with the foldable Galaxy Z Flip 3, and the results suggest that it worked well. SamMobile reported that the Galaxy smartphone maker didnt reveal the number of units it sold of its new limited-edition Galaxy Z Flip 3, however, an official of the company anonymously admitted that the company is yet to decide whether the Pokemon-themed Galaxy Z Flip 3 will reach to the overseas markets like Europe and the US or not. The special edition of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 focused more on the retail package that included a special Pokemon-themed packaging box, and several other peripherals all based on the Pokemon game such as a special Pokemon pouch, a clear case with Pikachu stickers, and additional Pokemon stickers, a Pokeball pop socket and a Pikachu keychain. Not just that, the special offer on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 also included a free one-year Samsung Care+ plan on the house. All the orders were placed via the companys Galaxy Campus Store in Seoul as well as the Samsung online store. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Pokemon Edition Price The Pokemon-themed box containing Galaxy Z Flip 3 is priced at KRW 1,280,000 (approx $1,036), which is slightly more expensive than the normal Galaxy Z Flip 3. More products like Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Pokemon Edition This is not the first time Samsung has done something out of the box and come up with new designs and ideas to attract buyers. Earlier, Samsung has collaborated with popular designers and brands to target niche consumers with their limited editions of the popular smartphones and other products. Last September, Samsung collaborated with American fashion brand Thom Browne to launch the Galaxy Watch4 Classic Thom Browne Edition. Moreover, the limited-edition Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Buds2 wireless earbuds also hit the market in collaboration with the French-Japanese electronic music label-fashion company. Well, long back in 2016, we had seen the Samsung Galaxy G6 edge in the special edition of Iron Man too. Bitcoin is growing in popularity -- and controversy, too. The Central African Republic has adopted bitcoin as legal tender, the president's office said Wednesday, becoming the second country in the world to do so after El Salvador. Lawmakers unanimously adopted a bill that made bitcoin legal tender alongside the CFA franc and legalised the use of cryptocurrencies. President Faustin Archange Touadera signed the measure into law, his chief of staff Obed Namsio said in a statement. The CAR "is the first country in Africa to adopt bitcoin as legal tender", Namsio said. "This move places the Central African Republic on the map of the world's boldest and most visionary countries," he declared. But a leading opposition figure contested the vote and said that the move aimed at undermining use of the CFA franc. The CAR is one of the planet's poorest and most troubled nations, locked in a nine-year-old civil conflict and with an economy heavily dependent on mineral extraction, much of which is informal. The text of the new legislation covers use of cryptocurrencies, and those who use them, in online trade, "smart contracts... by blockchain technology" and "all electronic transactions". Cryptocurrency exchanges are not liable to tax, it adds. Martin Ziguele, a former CAR prime minister who is now an opposition MP, complained the bill was approved "by proclamation" and some legislators intend to file suit against it at the Constitutional Court. Central African Republic. "This law is a way of getting out of the CFA franc through a means that guts the common currency," said Ziguele. "It (the law) isn't a priority for the country," he said. "This move raises the question: who benefits from it?" The CAR is one of six central African countries that share the CFA franca regional currency that is backed by France and pegged to the euro. Other members are Cameroon, Chad, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Thierry Vircoulon, a specialist on central Africa at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) think tank, wondered if there was a link between the CAR's close ties with Russia. "The context, given systemic corruption and a Russian partner facing international sanctions, does encourage suspicion," he said. "Russia's search for ways to get around international sanctions is an invitation to be cautious." Worries El Salvador became the world's first adopter of the pioneering virtual currency on September 7. The introduction was heavily criticised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Stellar: Thousands of bitcoin devotees attended a conference in Miami this month. It warned of "large risks associated with the use of bitcoin on financial stability, financial integrity, and consumer protection" and with issuing bitcoin-backed bonds. Many regulators share those concerns, and other critics say that anonymised transfers using crypto are a perfect tool for traffickers and money laundering. India effectively outlawed crypto transactions in 2018, only for the country's top court to strike down the ban two years later. China's central bank in September declared all financial transactions involving cryptocurrencies to be illegal. Huge swings in bitcoin's price make it risky as a store of value and long transaction processing times make it impractical for small purchases. After a relatively calm 2020, the cryptocurrency has experienced wild swings in 2021, surging from under $33,000 at the start of the year, peaking at over $67,000, before returning to $35,000 in February. It was down 1.5 percent at 1400 GMT on Wednesday, trading at $39,328.14 (37,293.7 euros). Despite reservations, there is also acknowledgement of the usefulness of digital currencies as a flexible monetary tool. Major central banks are looking at the possibility of setting up a virtual currency in a regulated environment. Touadera's rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin has generated friction with France, the CAR's traditional ally. Troubled country The CAR has experienced few moments of peace since it gained independence from France in 1960, and ranks 188 out of 189 countries in the UN's Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity. In 2013, the country plunged into a civil war that developed largely along sectarian lines. The conflict eased after France intervened militarily and elections were held that were won by Touadera, although for years armed groups held sway over most of the CAR's territory. In 2020, a coalition of rebels advanced on the capital Bangui, threatening to overturn Touadera as new elections loomed. Russia dispatched paramilitaries to help repel the threat and then recover much of the rebel-held territory. The operatives are described by Bangui as military advisers but by France, the UN and others as mercenaries from the Kremlin-backed Wagner group, which has been accused of abuses. Explore further India's move to ban Bitcoin shows its own crypto ambitions 2022 AFP Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Texas grid operator expects crypto miners to increase electricity demand by up to 6 gigawatts by mid-2023, more than enough to power every home in Houston. The forecast from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is the first official estimate on how much stress miners are apt to put on the state's electrical system. Officials expect 5 to 6 gigawatts of new demand over the next 12 to 15 months, the equivalent of up to about 1.2 million homes. It's just the tip of the iceberg. All told, about 17 gigawatts worth of crypto miners have inquired about plugging into Texas's grid, according to Brad Jones, Ercot's interim chief executive officer. "That's about the equivalent of load of two-and-a-half New York Cities," Jones said in a telephone interview. Texas has been aggressively courting crypto miners, who are drawn to the state's cheap power and laissez-faire regulation. Critics warn the increased demand could be too much for the grid, which collapsed during a 2021 winter storm, leading to blackouts that left 246 people dead. But miners, along with many Texas politicians, argue crypto will make the grid more resilient because operators can quickly scale back to give the system a break when demand spikes. Ercot is working with miners to prepare the grid to handle about 25 gigawatts of crypto demand over the next decade, Jones said. When asked if Texas aims to be the world's largest mining center, he replied: "Yeah, that's what we are planning." 'Flexible load' If all 17 gigawatts started up and operated at full throttle around the year, they would increase peak demand on the grid by more than 20% for next year. However, the new miners are willing to be "flexible load" in which Ercot could give orders to ramp up or down depending on grid conditions, just like power plants, said Jones. Ercot has a program in which large consumers can tell the grid operator how much they're willing to curtail electricity prices. If crypto miners participate, Ercot could dispatch orders to their facilities to ramp up or ramp down demand, just like how power plants are ordered to dispatch, Jones said. Miners have already started to enroll. While making demand react to grid conditions can be useful, crypto mining is "adding demand to an already burdened grid and then needing to adjust it going forward," said Cisco DeVries, CEO of OhmConnect Inc., the largest residential energy use manager. "While that can be helpful, it also poses enormous challenges to the transmission and distribution system and to prices." Ercot is putting a lot of effort into clearing the grid for the onslaught of new crypto mining coming online, said Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd.'s Austin Storms, who attended a Tuesday public meeting held by an Ercot task force to discuss the expected surge. "My biggest takeaway is that Ercot's really setting the stage for Bitcoin mining in Texas at this point," said Storms, the vice president of Bitcoin mining operations at Galaxy Digital. "The message that Ercot sending is that Texas is open for Bitcoin miners." Explore further Crypto mania in Texas risks new costs and strains on shaky grid 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A man wearing a mask to curb the spread of the coronavirus sits near a Huawei store logo in Beijing on Friday, July 31, 2020. Chinese telecoms equipment and smartphone maker Huawei said Thursday its sales fell 14% in the last quarter from a year earlier as it pumped money into research and development while grappling with U.S. sanctions. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File Chinese telecoms equipment and smartphone maker Huawei's sales fell 14% in January-March from a year earlier as it pumped money into research and development while grappling with U.S. sanctions, according to figures released by the company Thursday. Huawei Technologies said its revenue was 131 billion yuan ($19.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 152.2 billion yuan a year earlier. Its net profit margin for the quarter was 4.3%, down from 11.1% in the same quarter of 2021. Huawei's rotating chairman, Ken Hu, said the figures were "in line with forecasts." "Our consumer business was heavily impacted, and our ICT infrastructure business experienced steady growth," he said. In 2019, Shenzhen-based Huawei was placed on a trade blacklist that restricted American companies from doing business with the major provider of network equipment and smartphones. The sanctions have hit Huawei hard since it relied on Google services and other essential technologies for its handsets. Once the world's largest smartphone maker, Huawei fell out of the top five brands in 2020 due to the sanctions, and in 2021 similarly fell from China's top five as it grappled with a chip shortage. The company has since invested heavily in research and development, spending some 142.7 billion yuan ($21.6 billion) to develop new technologies as it sought to carve out new business areas less vulnerable to sanctions. Its R&D spending is 22.4% of its salesoutpacing rivals such as Samsung and U.S. tech companies such as Apple. Earlier this week, at its annual analyst summit, Hu reiterated Huawei's commitment to developing new business areas such as cloud computing and 5G. Since it was put on the U.S. blacklist, Huawei has also developed its Huawei Mobile Service platform as a workaround for its lack of Google services. The platform allows developers to launch apps for Huawei devices, although Google apps such as YouTube can only be accessed via shortcuts that take users to its mobile site. The company also sold off its lower-priced Honor smartphone brand in November 2020, hoping to revive its sales by insulating it from the sanctions on Huawei. 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Researchers use a jelly dessert to demonstrate how ions move in hydrogels. Credit: Kai Jacobson/UBC Faculty of Applied Science In the quest to build smart skin that mimics the sensing capabilities of natural skin, ionic skins have shown significant advantages. They're made of flexible, biocompatible hydrogels that use ions to carry an electrical charge. In contrast to smart skins made of plastics and metals, the hydrogels have the softness of natural skin. This offers a more natural feel to the prosthetic arm or robot hand they are mounted on, and makes them comfortable to wear. These hydrogels can generate voltages when touched, but scientists did not clearly understand howuntil a team of researchers at UBC devised a unique experiment, published today in Science. "How hydrogel sensors work is they produce voltages and currents in reaction to stimuli, such as pressure or touchwhat we are calling a piezoionic effect. But we didn't know exactly how these voltages are produced," said the study's lead author Yuta Dobashi, who started the work as part of his master's in biomedical engineering at UBC. Working under the supervision of UBC researcher Dr. John Madden, Dobashi devised hydrogel sensors containing salts with positive and negative ions of different sizes. He and collaborators in UBC's physics and chemistry departments applied magnetic fields to track precisely how the ions moved when pressure was applied to the sensor. Yuta Dobashi, a graduate of UBCs master in biomedical engineering program, and faculty advisor Dr. John Madden, professor of electrical and computer engineering in the faculty of applied science at UBC. Credit: Kai Jacobson/UBC Faculty of Applied Science "When pressure is applied to the gel, that pressure spreads out the ions in the liquid at different speeds, creating an electrical signal. Positive ions, which tend to be smaller, move faster than larger, negative ions. This results in an uneven ion distribution which creates an electric field, which is what makes a piezoionic sensor work." The researchers say this new knowledge confirms that hydrogels work in a similar way to how humans detect pressure, which is also through moving ions in response to pressure, inspiring potential new applications for ionic skins. "The obvious application is creating sensors that interact directly with cells and the nervous system, since the voltages, currents and response times are like those across cell membranes," says Dr. Madden, an electrical and computer engineering professor in UBC's faculty of applied science. "When we connect our sensor to a nerve, it produces a signal in the nerve. The nerve, in turn, activates muscle contraction." Photo shows the hydrogel sensor attached to a prosthetic arm. When pressure is applied to the sensor, it prompts the arm to move. Credit: Kai Jacobson/UBC Faculty of Applied Science "You can imagine a prosthetic arm covered in an ionic skin. The skin senses an object through touch or pressure, conveys that information through the nerves to the brain, and the brain then activates the motors required to lift or hold the object. With further development of the sensor skin and interfaces with nerves, this bionic interface is conceivable." Another application is a soft hydrogel sensor worn on the skin that can monitor a patient's vital signs while being totally unobtrusive and generating its own power. Dobashi, who's currently completing his Ph.D. work at the University of Toronto, is keen to continue working on ionic technologies after he graduates. "We can imagine a future where jelly-like 'iontronics' are used for body implants. Artificial joints can be implanted, without fear of rejection inside the human body. Ionic devices can be used as part of artificial knee cartilage, adding a smart sensing element. A piezoionic gel implant might release drugs based on how much pressure it senses, for example." Dr. Madden added that the market for smart skins is estimated at $4.5 billion in 2019 and it continues to grow. "Smart skins can be integrated into clothing or placed directly on the skin, and ionic skins are one of the technologies that can further that growth." The research includes contributions from UBC chemistry Ph.D. graduate Yael Petel and Carl Michal, UBC professor of physics, who used the interaction between strong magnetic fields and the nuclear spins of ions to track ion movements within the hydrogels. Cedric Plesse, Giao Nguyen and Frederic Vidal at CY Cergy Paris University in France helped develop a new theory on how the charge and voltage are generated in the hydrogels. Explore further Bruisable artificial skin could help prosthetics, robots sense injuries More information: Yuta Dobashi et al, Piezoionic mechanoreceptors, Science (2022). Journal information: Science Yuta Dobashi et al, Piezoionic mechanoreceptors,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw1974 Credit: Tero Vessalainen/Shutterstock News that the world's richest man, Elon Musk, is buying Twitter has sent the world into a spin, dividing those who advocate for unfettered free speechlike Muskand those who believe that some platforms wield too much power and influence. But the ultimate outcome for Twitter may depend heavily on social media regulation. Chris Philp, the UK minister for technology and digital economy, recently gave a speech about the government's plan for digital regulation through its proposed online safety bill, promising a "light-touch" approach, but which "supports a thriving democracy." Now the government has warned Musk that Twitter will have to comply with the new UK legislation. This isn't the only kind of regulatory challenge facing social media companies. After Facebook and Twitter removed Russian state media from their sites at the end of February, the Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor blocked access to the platforms, citing discrimination. With concerns mounting about state influence on media and information, we urgently need to understand what democratic social media regulation should look like. As philosophers in this field, our work looks at the theoretical foundations that underpin democracy. The key insight at the heart of our ongoing research is that political freedom depends on public debate. We have spoken to policymakers, broadcasters, journalists, activists and regulators about how best to apply these insights and political theory to the public sphere. Old media and new platforms Democracy is much more than a system of regular multiparty elections. It also requires that citizens feel able, and have the resources, to challenge those in power. Ideally, it requires people to engage in honest discussion about the best ways to live and work together, and to assess each other's contributions openly, inclusively and frankly. This should result in people making political decisions based on reason rather than being swayed by power, bias or fear. Open debate is necessary for our choices at the ballot box to be well-informed, free choices. In the philosophy of democracy there are two key conditions under which public debate counts as democratic: if citizens participate in it, and if it makes them more knowledgeable. Traditionally the public sphere was made up of media like newspapers, radio and television. Now, social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Twitter are part of the fabric of our political debate too. And these new online communication methods have quite a mixed record when it comes to both knowledge and participation. On the one hand, they enable certain audiences to hear voices that were historically excluded by media "gatekeepers" in the press and television, and in earlier days, newsreels. For example, the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements creatively use the internet and social media to spread their messaging. Getting these messages out is a big advance both in knowledge and participation. But digital communication is also frequently blamed for online bullying, fake news, polarization, loss of trust, foreign manipulation of national debates and new forms of silencing. Traditional propaganda is now joined by attemptsas Donald Trump's one-time adviser Steve Bannon put itto "flood the zone with shit" as a way of spreading distrust. These things destroy knowledge and result in uneven participation, especially with some voices elevated by "bots"computer programs masquerading as humans. Finding a way through So how can we regulate this new, digital public sphere to support knowledge and participation? In our recent report, we suggest four basic norms that can act as guiding lights for policymakers: 1. Fair and equal access Platforms, regulators and participants must ensure fair and equal access to public political discussion. This means giving everyone equal legal rights to participate in public debate, to stand for public office and to vote. But it also means making special efforts to elevate and highlight the contributions of those who are economically, socially or in other ways disadvantaged in public discussion. The UK governments proposed online safety bill promises a light touch approach. Credit: rawpixel.coml/Shutterstock 2. Avoid obvious falsehoods Platforms, regulators and participants must avoid posting or publishing things that are clearly not true. A claim or idea is obviously untrue when facts that falsify it are widely known. The kind of obvious falsehoods at stake include denial of firmly established verifiable facts, such as "the Earth is flat," or "COVID-19 is caused by 5G." Or denial of fundamental moral principles such as the equality of all humans regardless of race or gender. 3. Offer and engage with reasons Platforms, regulators and participants must provide and engage with reasons: to explain why they take the positions they do, and to consider the reasons offered by others in a debate, adjusting their own views when appropriate. 4. Take time to reflect Participants, platforms and regulators must support time away from new and unfamiliar viewpointstime to reflectto decide whether and how they should influence existing views. The goal is to take time to process new information so that we are better able to re-engage again afterwards. Leading by example We have stressed the importance of these norms to the UK government, and believe that future regulation should be guided by it. As underpinning norms, they don't just support formal and legal regulation, and they shouldn't be taken to justify censorship. Rather, they can influence how policymakers and digital platforms design the regulation that structures public discussion, and in turn guide our own public contributions as citizens. These norms are especially important for people whose roles involve representing the publicsuch as politicians and journalists. They help determine what counts as ethical conduct in democratic public life and good journalism that serves democracy. Some form of norms are always at play in guiding regulatory decisions, but they are not always made explicit. Our goal is to articulate norms which could support democracy, rather than undermine it. This is not easy to pursue, but if we are committed to democratic self-government, then we all need to keep them in focus as our digital public sphere evolves. Explore further Countries with well-funded public media have healthier democracies This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A sign is pictured outside the Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, Monday, April 25, 2022. Elon Musk reached an agreement to buy Twitter for roughly $44 billion on Monday, promising a more lenient touch to policing content on the platform where he promotes his interests, attacks critics and opines on social and economic issues to more than 83 million followers. Credit: AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn Twitter, which has agreed to be sold to billionaire Elon Musk, is due to report its first-quarter earnings Thursday before trading opens on Wall Street. The report will provide details on how the San Francisco-based social network fared over the first three months of the year. But Twitter has canceled the conference call with executives and industry analysts that usually accompanies its results, so there will be no further insight into its current state. Analysts are expecting Twitter to earn 5 cents per share on revenue of $1.23 billion, according to a poll by FactSet. Analysts are also forecasting that Twitter added 11 million daily active users compared with the last three months of 2021. Musk's purchase of Twitter is expected to close sometime this year. But before the deal is completed, shareholders will have to weigh in, as well as regulators in the U.S. and in countries where Twitter does business. So far though, few hurdles are expected, despite objections from some of Twitter's own employees, along with users who worry about Musk's stance on free speech and what it might mean for harassment and hate speech on the platform. Musk, who also runs the electric car company Tesla, as well as SpaceX and other ventures, says he plans to take Twitter private. If he does, the company will no longer be beholden to shareholders or publicly report its financial results, which have been mixed at best since the company went public in 2013. Twitter has struggled to consistently post profits as a public company while generating lackluster revenue growth compared to the two dominant forces in digital advertising, Google and Facebook. On one hand, going private could give Twitter more room to experiment while focusing less on short-term profit and its stock price. On the other hand, even the world's richest man is likely to want the company to make money. "I think there is nothing better for Twitter than Elon Musk buying it and ideally replacing the board, and also doubling down on investments into products and new revenue-generating sources," John Meyer, a technology entrepreneur and investor, told The Associated Press earlier this week. 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In this April 26, 2017, file photo is a Twitter app icon on a mobile phone in Philadelphia. If Elon Musk and Twitter get their way, the company will soon be privately held and under his control. The most obvious immediate change would likely be Twitter's stock being taken off the New York Stock Exchange. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File If Elon Musk and Twitter get their way, the company will soon be privately held and under his control. The most obvious immediate change would likely be Twitter's stock being taken off the New York Stock Exchange. But the company would also likely get freed from having to give regular updates about its business to U.S. regulators and to Wall Street. One important change for Twitter users is that the company would likely have more freedom to make big or unpopular changes. That's because it wouldn't have to worry about potential blowback from Wall Street. Here's a look at what it means for a company to go private. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ITS STOCK? If the merger closes as planned, Twitter investors would get $54.20 in cash for each share they own. Those shares would then be canceled and cease to exist. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THAT MAKE? Twitter would likely no longer have to file documents with U.S. regulators every three months to show how much money it's making. It also likely wouldn't have to announce changes to its strategy or operations that are big enough to materially change its fortunes. Now, it risks getting sued if it doesn't make such disclosures. "The biggest distinction is that Musk as an owner would be beholden to his own desires or to his and whatever remaining shareholders are still around, rather than to the wide investor base that it has now," said Eric Talley, a law professor at Columbia University. WHO WOULD BE IN CHARGE? The company would still have a board of directors, Talley said. It would also need to still follow state-level corporate governance rules, as well as all applicable tax, environmental and other laws. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING PRIVATELY HELD? Going private removes the possibility of Twitter having to answer to angry shareholders if it makes big changes to its business. Musk has already floated the idea of depending less on advertising, which is Twitter's main way of making money. Investors often send a stock price lower if they think a company's decision is wrong, or at least being made at the wrong time. And the fiduciary duty of the board of directors for a publicly traded company is to generate a return for its investors. A privately held company, meanwhile, doesn't need to worry about short-term drops for its stock price. It can also jump more whole heartedly into plans, say by hiring slews of new workers to transform it, without having to explain the jump in expenses to shareholders in its next quarterly report. Both private and public companies "can do whatever they want, but there will be less blowback for privately held companies because a shareholder can't complain because there are no other shareholders," said Harry Kraemer, a former CEO and chairman of Baxter International who is now a professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. HOW MUCH POTENTIAL BLOWBACK IS THERE, REALLY? There's a lot more scrutiny on publicly held companies by not only shareholders and regulators but also by the media, said Kraemer, who currently sits on boards of both publicly held and privately held companies. And the pressure to hit performance targets every three months is indeed high, he said. "I often tease people who say I was at Baxter for 23 years," Kraemer said. "I tell them I was at Baxter for 92 quarters. And every quarter was the most critical of my life, until the next quarter started." GETTING AWAY FROM SHORT-TERMISM IS A GOOD THING, RIGHT? It does allow companies more freedom to make bold changes they believe in. But it also removes a source of accountability, said Columbia's Talley. "If you're running the thing in a wasteful or slothful way, you're going to get called on it," he said. WHAT DOES A COMPANY LOSE BY GOING PRIVATE? A potentially quick way to raise cash. Companies that are publicly traded can sell more shares of their stock if they need to raise cash in a pinch. COULD MUSK DECIDE NOT TO CARE ABOUT MAKING PROFITS AT ALL? If he's the only shareholder, he could ostensibly do whatever he wants. But he is also borrowing up to $25.5 billion from a slew of banks to pay for the takeover of Twitter. And they're going to want their money back, plus interest. If Musk ends up having other shareholders along with him in Twitter, that could also up the pressure on profits. Talley pointed to a famous case brought against another iconic automaker, Henry Ford, who cut back on dividends to shareholders at one point. "The moral of the whole lawsuit is that while you have a lot of discretion in how you go about maximizing shareholder returns, you don't get much discretion on whether to do so," he said. DOES TWITTER HAVE TO STAY PRIVATE? No, it can go back to selling its stock on the public market again. Going private itself would also give Twitter the opportunity to revamp its ownership structure and start offering dual classes of shares, including one that has much control over the company than the other, Talley said. Explore further Shareholders await Musk's next move in Twitter takeover bid 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The Twitter splash page is seen on a digital device, Monday, April 25, 2022, in San Diego. Twitter on Thursday, April 28, posted quarterly earnings of $513 million days after it agreed to be sold to billionaire Elon Musk. The social media company said Thursday that revenue rose 16% to $1.2 billion in the three months to March compared with the same period last year.Credit: AP Photo/Gregory Bull Twitter's quarterly profit, revenue and the number of daily users on its platform are rising but its quarterly report, released days after agreeing to be sold to billionaire Elon Musk, offered scant details about what it expects on the financial front for the rest of the year. The social media company on Thursday reported net income of $513 million, or 61 cents a share, but that includes a big one-time gain from the sale of its MoPub business, clouding comparisons with the year-ago period. Revenue, most of it from ads, rose 16% to $1.2 billion in the three months to March compared with the same period last year, though the company said the figure reflected "headwinds associated with the war in Ukraine," without elaborating. Twitter reported an average of 229 million daily active users in the quarter, which was about 14 million more than a revised 214.7 million daily users in the previous quarter. The San Francisco company canceled a conference call with executives and industry analysts that usually accompanies its results, so there will be little further insight into the company's current financial condition. "Given the pending acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, we will not be providing any forward looking guidance, and are withdrawing all previously provided goals and outlook," the company said. Musk, who's paying $54.20 for each outstanding share of Twitter, did not speak publicly on the quarterly report, perhaps among its last as a publicly traded entity. Shares have yet to reach that buyout price and on Thursday, the company's stock edged slightly lower to $48.36. Musk's $44 billion deal to buy Twitter was announced earlier this week and is expected to close sometime this year. But before the deal is completed, shareholders will have to weigh in, as well as regulators in the U.S. and in countries where Twitter does business. So far though, few hurdles are expected, despite objections from some of Twitter's own employees, along with users who worry about Musk's stance on free speech and what it might mean for harassment and hate speech on the platform. Angelo Zino, tech analyst at CFRA, said the results, combined with a slew of challenges facing the digital ad industry, should solidify the board's decision to approve Musk's offer. "We see little reason to believe Twitter could extract greater shareholder value remaining public," he said in a research note. Musk, who also runs the electric car company Tesla, as well as SpaceX and other ventures, says he plans to take Twitter private. If he does, the company will no longer be beholden to shareholders or publicly report its financial results, which have been mixed at best since the company went public in 2013. Twitter has struggled to consistently post profits as a public company while generating lackluster revenue growth compared to the two dominant forces in digital advertising, Google and Facebook. On one hand, going private could give Twitter more room to experiment while focusing less on short-term profit and its stock price. On the other hand, even the world's richest man is likely to want the company to make money. "I think there is nothing better for Twitter than Elon Musk buying it and ideally replacing the board, and also doubling down on investments into products and new revenue-generating sources," John Meyer, a technology entrepreneur and investor, told The Associated Press earlier this week. Explore further Twitter reporting earnings on heels of Elon Musk buyout deal 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Sociologists at the Ural Federal University (UrFU) have identified digital fears among young people. According to experts, these are additional fears that do not replace, but complement and reinforce traditional ones. They have emerged against the background of uncertainty, the growth of forces beyond human control. Developed emotional intelligence, creativity, and the ability to collaborate help to overcome them. In their study, sociologists interviewed 1,050 people aged 18-30. Respondents were asked to assess which digital risks concern them most. The study was launched in 2020 and the results were published in April 2022 in the Changing Societies & Personalities journal. "The first group of fears is influence and control. It touches on the problem of interference with privacy by technical means. This category is the most significant for young people: 55.8% are afraid of total control by means of video-surveillance and monitoring software on their mobile devices. 48.5% of respondents believe they are at risk of wiretapping, tracking content in social networks, and inability to keep correspondence secret," says Natalia Antonova, professor at the Department of Applied Sociology at UrFU. Results showed 45.8% of young people fear the manipulative influence of the media and an increase in fake news. At the same time, only 27.8% and 18.1% of respondents are concerned about microchipping and genetic manipulation, respectively. It is likely that these threats seem more controllable, both from the individual (through control of food choices, medical procedures, etc.) and from government programs, the researchers believe. The second group of concerns is crime and security. Here, young people are wary of illegal actions using digital technology. "One of the main fears of 56% of young people is the security of personal data. This is related both to the growth of personal information in social networks and messengers, and to the growth of hacker attacks and viruses. 42.9% of young citizens are afraid of Internet fraudsters, and 25.8% are afraid of losing important information, including smashing their phones, not saving data, forgetting their passwords, or being without an internet connection," explains Sofia Abramova, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Sociology at UrFU. The third group of fears is based on changes in the way and pace of life, ways of interaction. Thus, 28.4% of respondents indicate a constant lack of time, the acceleration of communications, and worries about not being able to complete all tasks in time. Respondents are also concerned about the growth of online communications and communications with electronic systems (bots, autoresponders, product systems, etc.). "As a result, 15.3% of young people raise problems related to increasing social distrust against the background of increasing dependence of human life and health on other people and electronic systems: in public transport, planes, elevators, medical intervention," explains Sofia Abramova. Respondents also fear the negative consequences of technological development. For example, 22.2% of young citizens fear the robotization of labor processes and the displacement of humans by robots. 14.6% speak directly about negative emotions in relation to the expansion of artificial intelligence. The fifth type of fear is social inequality. Young people negatively assess the growth of inequality in access to information resources and technology, the exclusion of citizens from the economy depending on the level of digital competence and education, and age. As a result, they fear that benefits will be distributed more and more unequally, both among the inhabitants of the country and between countries. "It is noteworthy that young people are simultaneously afraid of total surveillance via phone and afraid of being left without mobile devices. Fears shape the irrational behavior of the digital generation, entailing serious transformations in everyday life," says Natalia Antonova. More information: Sofya B. Abramova et al, Digital Fears Experienced by Young People in the Age of Technoscience, Changing Societies & Personalities (2022). Sofya B. Abramova et al, Digital Fears Experienced by Young People in the Age of Technoscience,(2022). DOI: 10.15826/csp.2022.6.1.163 The Texas Tech track and field team heads into the final weekend of the regular season competing in three different locations. Tech will honor its senior class Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on the main track.The Red Raiders will send a handful of throwers to ACU Thursday morning for the Oliver Jackson Twilight, while three distance runners head to Iowa for the Drake Relays. The remaining Red Raiders will stay home for the Corky/Crofoot Shootout.The women's team jumped back into the top 5, moving up one spot to No. 5 as the men's side fell three spots to No. 7.Texas Tech battled through very windy conditions in Waco as part of the Michael Johnson Invitational. Friday,(6.59m/5.2w) and(7.67m/8.3w) walked away as the triple jump winners. Meanwhile,won the 200 race (22.97/2.1w).On Saturday, the team ofand Chukwuma clocked in a time of 43.22 in the 4x100. They defeated the pro team of Hurdle Mechanic (43.25) and in the process, recorded the third fastest time in Tech history. Over in the 800 race,clocked in a season-best time of 2:05.61. It marked the first time since 2012 that a Red Raider leaped into the women's top 10 list in the event as it put her ninth all-time.Beginning Thursday afternoon in Abilene,will look to jump into the top 10 of the NCAA in the discus. Currently his best mark is 14at 58.94m (193-4). Last weekend in Waco,hit a new PR in the hammer throw (54.74m, 179-7), whilewent 16.38m (53-9) for a new shot put mark.andwill represent Tech in the 5000 run at the Drake Relays aswill go in the 1500. Rahmaan and Rush dropped new PRs of 16:48.40 and 14:11.76, respectively, two weeks ago at the Bryan Clay Invitational. Meanwhile, this will be Zahafi's first 1500 and competiton, since his record breaking and world leading 800 time of 1:43.69 at the Tom Jones Memorial in Florida two weekends ago.The Red Raiders hold the No. 1-ranked women's triple jump team for a second-straight week with Usoro,andleading the charge.has remained in the top five since her 17.62m (59-9.75) shot put mark at the Texas Relays, reaching as high as No. 2 in the country. Over in the discus,is still in the hunt for the 200ft mark. She's been in the top 2 all month, holding the No. 1 mark of 59.49m (195-2) for three weeks before dropping to No. 2 last weekend.Several multis will get a chance to tune up in many events this weekend in Lubbock, includingand. Rogers is 22in the NCAA in the decathlon. In the sprints and hurdles, Tech is hopeful to havedebut this weekend.is penciled in to compete in his first 200 race since 2021 he's eighth in the NCAA when it comes to the 100 (10.09). Chukwuma is second in the Big 12 and seventh nationally in the 100 (11.05).leads the female pole vaulters thus far with a season-best mark of 4.35m (14-3.25) 11nationally and an outdoor personal best.is third in the Big 12 with a season-best outdoor mark of 5.28m (17-3.75). As more dependency on food banks becomes apparent, the Brazos Valley Food Banks announcement last week that it would receive $2 million in state funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture was good news. The Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB) distributes food to around 47,000 individuals and works with 36 partner agencies and many other organizations to make sure food is properly distributed throughout the community. Various programs are also in place that examine the needs of children, seniors and co-morbidities of hunger and health issues to fill the gap, according to Theresa Mangapora, BVFB executive director. At the end of March, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced that a $95 million grant would be distributed among Texas food banks through the Food Bank Capacity Building Grant program. Funds for the programs were acquired from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Across Texas there are 21 food banks that serve 254 counties. The food banks received various amounts of funding that was distributed based on the number of individuals they serve, said Reb Wayne, Texas Department of Agriculture director of communication. The BVFB ranked 17th on the list and received $2,073,618.00. One of the things that 2020 made appallingly clear was that food banks across the nation had limited inventory, and limited ability to have cold storage for food, Wayne said. Some smaller food banks only had inventory for say a week or two while some of the larger ones only had certain dry goods for 90 days. Wayne said over the last three years there has been an increased dependency on food banks such as summer meals that feed children from low-income families and senior programs such as Meals on Wheels. The supply chain problem only exacerbated a lot of these issues, so one of the goals of the program is to help food banks, in essence, shore up its whole infrastructure and ability to serve more people, have more capacity, and be able to have good inventory that lasts longer, Wayne said. The recent TDA grant is the largest amount of funding the Brazos Valley Food Bank has received directly from the state, Mangapora said. The last time the BVFB received this level of funds for capacity building was in 2017 during their Because Hunger Wont Wait capital campaign. After five years, the BVFB is already bursting at the seams, Mangapora said. She added the primary issues include a lack of cooler space, keeping up with demand and need for fresh produce, and office space which is nearly maxed out. There are obviously things that need to be fixed and we just havent had the funds to be able to do that, so this infusion of cash for lack of a better term from the TDA is coming at an amazing time for us, Mangapora said. To increase its distributing network, the BVFB will allocate funds to purchase additional trucks, repurpose the annex to provide additional cold storage space, refurbish existing coolers and freezers, overhead doors and a produce repack room, purchase and repair food racks, and purchase any other additional equipment. Our goal is to have 50% of the food that we distribute be fresh produce, Mangapora said. Right now were hovering around 40%, and the ability to take whatevers available when it comes is very, very important. Sometimes thats hard, so this will help us in this way. Other uses for funds include the construction of additional offices, the acquisition and installation of warehouse/food inventory bar coding, the acquisition and installation of client tracking software, increased property security measures and the purchasing of new computers and copiers. Partner agencies also will be provided mobile produce pods and walk-in freezers to keep up with the communitys needs, Mangapora said. Probably whats most exciting for our partner agencies, those 36, were going to allow them to apply for funds within their strategic vision of what would build their capacity. It doesnt have to be specific to produce, but it does have to be specific to helping reach more people through food, Mangapora said. Mangapora said though the support food banks received during the pandemic was unprecedented, she worries staff, supply and equipment may not be able to meet an increasing demand; a situation the BVFB faced during the Great Recession in 2009. I worry a lot about the increases. Weve stretched ourselves beyond what I ever thought we could with our current capacity, but knowing that a big demand is probably on the horizon, were already seeing it start, this ability to build capacity is very much appreciated, she said. The BVFB will have until November 7, 2023, to utilize the provided funds. Mangapora said theyve already been hard at work acquiring bid numbers and putting the finishing touches on their construction project requests for proposal documents. Its a lot of work in addition to the amount of work we already do, but we have a fantastic board of directors, she said. Were going to do our best to get all these things rolling and done within that time frame. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NEW ORLEANS The Biden administration must stop what amounts to phasing out of a pandemic-related public health rule allowing the expulsion of migrants without giving them an opportunity to seek asylum, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled Wednesday. The administration plans to end the policy, known as Title 42, outright on May 23. But it acknowledged in recent court filings that it has recently processed more single adults from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador under immigration laws which include rights to seek asylum instead of the public health policy. U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays, in Lafayette, issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday, saying the administration must stop the stepped-up processing for at least the next two weeks. He also said in his ruling that states suing to stop the termination of the public health policy are likely to succeed in court. Twenty-two states are challenging plans to keep the administration from ending the expulsion policy, which was put in place under former President Donald Trumps administration in 2020 in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Louisiana, Arizona and 19 other states filed suit in U.S. District Court in Lafayette. Texas filed a similar suit in Victoria, Texas, on Friday. Summerhays, who was nominated to the federal bench by Trump, has scheduled a May 13 hearing on the larger issue of whether President Joe Biden can end the pandemic migration rule. The plaintiff states had asked him last week to issue an order blocking the administration from processing more migrants under immigration law instead of the public health rule. About 14% of single adults from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were processed under immigration laws during a seven-day period ending last Thursday, the administration had acknowledged. Thats up from only 5% in March, according to government figures. Log4Shell, ProxyShell, ProxyLogon, ZeroLogon, and flaws in Zoho ManageEngine AD SelfService Plus, Atlassian Confluence, and VMware vSphere Client emerged as some of the top exploited security vulnerabilities in 2021. That's according to a "Top Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities" report released by cybersecurity authorities from the Five Eyes nations Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. Other frequently weaponized flaws included a remote code execution bug in Microsoft Exchange Server (CVE-2020-0688), an arbitrary file read vulnerability in Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (CVE-2019-11510), and a path traversal defect in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy (CVE-2018-13379). Nine of the top 15 routinely exploited flaws were remote code execution vulnerabilities, followed by two privilege escalation weaknesses, and one each of security feature bypass, arbitrary code execution, arbitrary file read, and path traversal flaws. "Globally, in 2021, malicious cyber actors targeted internet-facing systems, such as email servers and virtual private network (VPN) servers, with exploits of newly disclosed vulnerabilities," the agencies said in a joint advisory. "For most of the top exploited vulnerabilities, researchers or other actors released proof of concept (PoC) code within two weeks of the vulnerability's disclosure, likely facilitating exploitation by a broader range of malicious actors." To mitigate the risk of exploitation of publicly known software vulnerabilities, the agencies are recommending organizations to apply patches in a timely fashion and implement a centralized patch management system. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. CARTERVILLE Parents will have the opportunity to learn how to properly install car seats thanks to an upcoming event. Caritas Family Solutions is hosting a free car seat check event at the Carterville Caritas Office on Friday, April 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will allow parents and caregivers to learn tips on how to properly install their car seats. Caritas Family Solutions, which was founded in 1947, is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes and strong communities, according to their website. The car seat event is one way they are working to achieve that. The U.S Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows 46% of car seats and booster seats are incorrectly installed. Caritas Family Solutions will also provide free "Child Have an Identity" stickers for car seats. CHAD stickers display a child's information and help first responders know who to call if their caregivers get into an accident and are unresponsive. The event will include free activities for kids like face painting, a treasure box with items and grilled hot dogs for participants. The Carterville office is located at 10286 Fleming Road. The Southern Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DEKALB Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is expanding a data center in northern Illinois and says more than 200 operational jobs will be based there once complete. The company announced the expansion Wednesday. The company announced its initial plan for the DeKalb data center in June 2020, proposing an $800 million project in northern Illinois that would require about 100 operational employees once complete. The expansion brings the total project cost to more than $1 billion, Meta said in a statement. "We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in Illinois," said Darcy Nothnagle, director of community and economic development for Meta. "The city of DeKalb and the state of Illinois have been great partners from the beginning, and we look forward to a continued strong and fruitful partnership for years to come." Paul Borek, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, said more than 1,200 construction workers have been at work on the site "a boon to Illinois." DeKalb officials and the company also touted Meta's grant program available to schools or nonprofits where it runs data centers, which will launch in DeKalb County this fall. The county's school district Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez said it will create opportunities for local students. "We look forward to the future as we transform from being known as an agricultural community to one of the leading technological centers in the nation and we look forward to our future endeavors," Garcia-Sanchez said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 UNION TOWNSHIP The Porter County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad was called into action Wednesday and a student was taken into custody after being found in possession of two improvised explosive devices at Union Township Middle School, Porter County police said. A school resource officer was notified at 12:17 p.m. Wednesday by an administrator about the potential explosive devices in the student's backpack, Porter County Police Cpl. Benjamin McFalls said. The officer and administrators relocated classrooms of students near the backpack and secured the area until the bomb squad arrived, McFalls said. "They discovered and safely removed two improvised explosive devices," he said of the squad. A juvenile was taken into custody and faces a charge of possessing a destructive device, according to police. School Principal Joshua Goeringer was not immediately available Thursday afternoon for comment. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 I watched the confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and was totally amazed at some of the questions asked by a few of the senators. It seemed to me that some of the questions asked were totally out of context with the committees responsibility to determine a nominees qualification to serve on the high court. Although there are no constitutional requirements on the questions asked, it would be prudent, it seems to me, for the senators to keep within certain bounds of the subject, making their questions more sensible instead of the ridiculous nonsense, that it sometimes presents. There were three or four that I felt was totally out of line and was unbecoming to the office they held. Especially Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz. They both acted like bumpkins that had been on a drunken binge or both were running a high fever causing them to talk out of their heads. Whatever problem they might have, some of their questioning was disgraceful. Neither of these people are very popular in their own party. They are, what you might call, cry babies. Cruzs questioning of Jackson has increased his being the least popular politician on Capitol Hill. Lindsey Graham has become champion of stomping out of the room, when he doesnt get his way. They both act like Trump when he was president. They are at least in the shadow of Trump, for what they say, isnt always true, and like Trump, they do a lot of pouting. Maybe they learned this from him. They must be given credit for they are experts on twisting words around to change the meaning that were spoken by others. Graham says one thing and then does another, never being consistent. You really cant understand where hes coming from, and it sounds like he doesnt know where hes going. Cruz has set a new meaning for the word negative for he thinks it means always, and votes negative on all things that come before him, unless it's his idea. Getting back to the subject of confirmation hearings, both Cruz and Graham showed a strong Republican effort, by the nature of their questions asked, trying to upset Judge Jackson. But that effort failed as she was smarter than they. By keeping her cool, the opposite happened. They brought to light her strength and endurance under pressure. A great thing for a judge to have that serves on the high court. It is beyond my understanding why these two people act as they do. The people of South Carolina elected Lindsey Graham, and the people of Texas elected Ted Cruz. Im sure both Graham and Cruz were trusted by their constituents to represent them in an orderly, sensible, and proper way. How wrong they were, and embarrassed they must be. They ended up with two loose screws and no screwdriver to fix it, until next election time. These are two of the people that help run our country. They pass laws, and restrictions that control our very lives. I know they dont pass them alone, it takes a majority, but to think that these people have a voice in the direction that our lives go, is disturbing to me. Thanks to the Lord, that there are only a few of these jokers in the House and Senate, although a few is too many. A quote from Will Rogers may answer my thoughts on Cruz and Graham; he said Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. Confirmation hearings for sure is the subject that qualifies Cruz and Graham to fit Rogers quote. Charles F. Burdick is a lifelong resident of Grand Tower. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and then went on to a 42-year Maritime career including 35 years as Master Pilot. He has been retired for 28 years and enjoys local history and writing poetry. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The 14-year-old accused of shooting three students at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School is being charged as an adult, 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe said Wednesday. Pascoe believes the shooting was a gang-related incident between rival groups: the Bloods and Folk Nation. Today is far from being a great day in South Carolina, Pascoe said. True justice is not done when it is necessary to waive a 14-year-old from family court to General Sessions Court. Today is a wakeup call for our state. Every society gets the criminal it deserves. And in South Carolina, we have 14-year-olds shooting at each other, children going to gang meetings instead of school and repeat offenders out on bond, he said. If we do not get more community involvement, better criminal laws and major judicial reform, the violent crime problem will continue to get worse, he added. The 14-year-old is facing the following charges: three counts of attempted murder and one count each of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and possession of a firearm on school campus. If convicted, the 14-year-old faces up to 30 years in prison, without parole, on each count. Pascoe asked for the teen to be charged as an adult during a hearing last week before Family Court Judge Anne Gue Jones. He said Jones ruled on the matter Wednesday morning. Pascoe does not intend to release the suspects name or any information about the case until the 14-year-olds bond hearing. That hearing has not yet been scheduled. The shooting took place on Aug. 18, 2021 around 4 p.m. on the back of the schools campus, located at 601 Bruin Parkway in Orangeburg. The suspect has been held at the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice since the incident. Since the beginning of the case, Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell has pushed to have the suspect charged as an adult. In the wake of the incident, district officials made security changes at the school. Immediately following the tragic event at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, several additional security measures were implemented, which included a revised bell schedule to ensure students at our largest high school would be able to leave their last period class directly to available school bus transportation, metal detectors, clear backpacks, thorough bag checks, and additional (private) security officers to work in concert with the school resource officer, Orangeburg County School District spokesperson Merry Glenne Piccolino said Monday. As our school community continues to heal from the tragic event we experienced in August, our commitment to ensuring the safety of our school campuses is paramount, Piccolino said. Sadly, gun violence has impacted a growing number of schools in communities across the state and nation this year. In addition to enhancing safety and security measures at our school campuses, our district also joined school systems throughout the Midlands in the Be SMART collaborative, which aims to help normalize conversations about gun safety and encourage responsible actions that can prevent child gun deaths and injuries, she said. Piccolino said the district couldnt provide information about the condition of the three students who were injured in the shooting. Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 6 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium at South Carolina State University will host a public conversation on Zoom about the legacy of the late Professor Arthur Rose at 1 p.m. Thursday. The conversation will feature batik artist Dr. Leo F. Twiggs and nationally published photographer Cecil Williams, both of whom were Roses pupils. The discussion is part of Stanbacks On Being a Citizen series and one of the culminating programs of the new Twiggs-Rose Festival of the Arts. The program is conducted with the museum's community partners, The South Carolina Progressive Network and The Modjeska Simpkins School. The Zoom event is free and available to S.C. State students, faculty and staff, as well as the public. It has been made possible in part by the generosity of Orangeburg County Council and Sidney and Jacquelyn Fulton of Orangeburg. Preregistration is required for this event at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvdu-gpzsuEtRkQJ1rdNAXVkjYYb_jieRo. TheTandD.com: $1 for the first 26 weeks Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com Get the first 26 weeks for just $1 at https://go.thetandd.com/nov5 For more information contact, Dr. Frank Martin, who will serve as program moderator, at fmartin@scsu.edu. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Where can the United States and its allies fight Putin's murderous rampage in Ukraine? The answer is everywhere, with every weapon available. This war is being fought on many fronts at once: military, economic, legal, media, moral. The focus now is on the Russian assault in eastern Ukraine. But battles are also blazing in boardrooms, courtrooms and chat rooms. The troops are internet influencers and war crimes investigators, financial managers and factory managers, preachers and politicians. Putin's foes should not cross a "red line" that expands the fighting to neighboring countries. But they have to push right up to that line. As Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, puts it, "Putin will only stop when we stop him." There was hope at the outset of this war that Czar Vlad The Violator would negotiate a fair end to the conflict -- that he would accept a neutral Ukraine with its prewar boundaries secured by international guarantors. But that hope was seriously misguided. Putin has reacted to his humiliating defeats by escalating his military mission, not reducing it. The West has to respond by increasing its own commitment to the battle -- that is, the many battles. Now. That commitment starts with a simple question: Should President Joe Biden go to Ukraine and meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy? Asked by CNN if Biden would come, Zelenskyy said, "I think he will." That would be an important gesture, assuming the security situation can be stabilized. But even if Biden doesn't travel, he can be a vital voice of moral clarity by continuing to insist that it is Putin who has crossed a "red line" -- from president to pariah, from insider to outcast. He has exiled himself. He's created his own Elba in the Kremlin. But moral markers are not enough. Biden has to get over some of his earlier squeamishness about supplying Kyiv with the heavy weapons it needs to hold off Russian advances. He made a good start with an $800 million package that, according to CNN, "included 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had initially been earmarked for Afghanistan, 18 155 mm howitzer cannons and 300 more Switchblade drones, in addition to radar systems capable of tracking incoming fire and pinpointing its origin." Biden also has to pressure U.S. arms makers to step up production of critical weapons like Javelin anti-tank missiles and shoulder-fired Stingers that can shoot down aircraft. Some of those munitions would go directly to Kyiv; others could restock the arsenals of NATO allies that have already been aiding Ukraine. Speaking of NATO, Biden should openly support the growing ambitions of Finland and Sweden to join the alliance. Show Putin how badly he miscalculated. He invaded Ukraine in part to roll back NATO's possible expansion toward the Russian border, and he's created exactly the opposite effect. If Finland does join, that would add 830 miles to the border between the alliance and Russia -- more than double the current line of confrontation. On the economic front, Washington, D.C., has to declare war on the ruble, driving down its value and forcing Moscow into defaulting on its international obligations. Close all the banking loopholes, hunt down the oligarchs and above all, do everything possible to shut off Russia's income from the export of oil and gas. Biden has already agreed to auction off drilling leases on 145,000 acres of public lands, and while the environmental lobby is screaming in protest, governing is about making choices, and protecting the national security by enhancing energy independence has to be the administration's top priority. The U.S. is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court, but it can aid war crimes investigations in many ways. "The United States has demonstrated before and during this conflict that it has unparalleled intelligence regarding Russian military plans and activities," Yale Law professor Oona Hathaway writes in the Washington Post. "Sharing information with the ICC prosecutor as he investigates possible crimes in Ukraine could be an important step toward ensuring accountability." In the media war, the White House should be bolstering resources for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which beams Russian-language broadcasts into a country where few dissident voices have survived. And it should be utilizing Telegram and other online platforms that can still evade the Kremlin's censorship to spark dissent in Russia and reveal Putin's lies about the motives -- and the costs -- of his miscalculation. Putin has crossed a "red line" -- of decency, of humanity, of respect for international norms of civilized behavior. He must be made to pay. On every front. In every way. Steven Roberts teaches politics and journalism at George Washington University. He can be contacted by email at stevecokie@gmail.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Russia cut off natural gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday in an escalation Europe has been bracing for since the war in Ukraine began. But the U.S. can do little at least in the near term to ease the strain. Losing access to Russian gas will leave Poland and Bulgaria more vulnerable to energy shortfalls as they seek alternative suppliers. Notably, Russia has continued exports to Germany, Europes largest economy and Russias biggest natural gas customer. Since February, Germany has scrambled to reduce its dependence on Russian fuels as quickly as possible. Could they weaponize their hydrocarbon exports? Absolutely, Gabriel Collins, a fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy, told the Star-Tribune in February. Are they potentially cutting off their nose to spite their face? Yes. At the time, it was too early to tell how much of their nose can they still cut off without fully spiting their face, Collins said. Now, two months later, experts still arent sure how drastic Russias actions could become toward the countries that buy its natural gas especially Germany. Neither can really afford to lose the other, said Rob Godby, an economics professor at the University of Wyoming. And so I think what Russia has done is cut off those countries that it could afford to do as a symbolic gesture. Its a threat, he noted, that may have more political power than the action itself: If you cut these countries off, you can only do it once. The bulk of the worlds natural gas is transported by pipeline. Where Russia can send the gas it produces is decided largely by the export infrastructure already in place. When they do reduce shipments, they also have to reduce production, and thats going to hurt them as well as the countries its aimed at, Godby said. And thats probably part of the reason why what were seeing is more symbolic and less significant shutdowns. Many economists believe that prolonged Russian aggression could reshape the global energy economy as the countries that import its fuel particularly in Europe find more stable sources of natural gas, increase their use of renewables or pursue a combination of the two. The U.S. oil and gas industry wants to become Europes next supplier. Limited U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity means companies only have so much access to Europes pricier markets. And while prices have been climbing in the U.S. for a number of reasons, including uncertainty about how the war will continue to impact markets, the share of natural gas currently being diverted to Europe rather than burned here isnt really to blame: U.S. producers are already sending as much as they can. To boost exports, the country will have to build more terminals a prospect thats been a major source of conflict between industry and environmental groups over the last several months. The oil and gas industry says building new export terminals will strengthen European energy security while benefiting U.S. producers. Environmental groups say doing so will lock in avoidable carbon emissions for years to come. Export terminals arent the only barrier, though. For exports to Europe to increase without U.S. prices skyrocketing, production also has to go up. Every sector that can produce is trying to produce, Godby said. But supply chain issues, worker shortages and other constraints have hit the oil and gas industry hard, slowing growth in spite of high fuel prices. But Wednesdays escalation may be yet another signal to companies that the added costs and extended timelines are worth the economic risk. The real question is just, how far does this go? Godby said. How far does this destabilize things, and how much can countries adapt? Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. An attorney and former Democratic lawmaker filed suit Wednesday over Wyomings voter ID law, arguing it violates multiple sections of the states constitution. The lawsuit alleges the law, which went into effect last year, is inconvenient and unnecessary. (The voter ID law) trammels the constitutional right essential to suffrage both in passage and operation, the suit states. The law, which requires voters to show ID at the polls, was passed in the 2021 legislative session and has been in effect for less than a year. Wyoming voters have long had to show a photo ID when registering, a provision the lawsuit does not challenge. The lawsuit, filed by former Democratic representative Charles Pelkey, represents one of the first attempts to legally challenge the voter ID law on the basis of the states constitution. This is not the last century, the lawsuit read. The government needs to show why the first acceptable photo ID cannot display automatically to the poll workers when people vote, so voters can be welcomed and thanked for votingrather than challenged. The law was enacted via House Bill 75, whose prime sponsor was Casper Rep. Chuck Gray. Notably, 40 members of the House of Representatives and half of the 30-member Wyoming Senate signed on as co-sponsors. This formal complaint has been filed by a former Democrat state legislator after the law has already gone into effect and been utilized in multiple elections, Gray said in a statement. Todays filing is frivolous and demonstrates how the radical Left wants to make it easier to cheat in elections. Currently, 35 states have some sort of voter ID law with varying levels of requirements. In Wyoming, if ID is not presented at the polls, a voter is given a provisional ballot. To have that ballot be counted, the voter must visit a county clerk no later than the close of business on the following day and present a valid ID. They do not have a compelling need to assess this. If they did, where is the evidence? said Tim Newcomb, the plaintiff in the case and another attorney who has expertise in the Wyoming Constitution. Pelkey said that the Wyoming Constitution puts a higher standard for imposing limits on voting rights than the U.S. Constitution. He was not in the Legislature when the bill passed, but lawmakers attempted to adopt voter ID legislation multiple times before they were successful in 2021. While past attempts at voter ID were rebuffed, the effort gained new life in the wake of growing concerns about voter fraud by Republicans in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. Voter fraud is extremely rare in Wyoming, with only a handful of convictions over the past several decades. During previous legislative sessions, Pelkey said he argued that the bill risked being deemed unconstitutional. Election integrity is pivotal and the voter ID legislation is a basic safeguard to fight voter fraud, Gray said in his statement. The voter ID law was in effect during some local elections last fall, but its biggest test will come this summer, when Wyomings primary election is scheduled. Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Teton was ranked the healthiest county and Fremont the least healthy county in Wyoming, based on data in the newest report from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The rankings look at two main components: health factors and health outcomes. Health factors like education, air and water quality, access to care and tobacco use are things that can be changed to improve health. Health outcomes the length and quality of life represent the health of a county right now. The outcomes arent all that surprising; Teton County has the greatest number of billionaires per capita out of any county in the nation. With that much money floating around comes better access to doctors, therapists, quality food and other resources to improve health. On the other hand, the study estimates that about 22% of people in Fremont County were uninsured in 2019, with a trend that was neither improving nor getting worse. There was an average patient to primary care physician ratio of about 1,150 to one and an average patient to mental health provider ratio of about 410 to one. In comparison, about 17% of Teton County residents were uninsured in 2019, with a trend while improving that was still worse than the national average. In the same year, there were about 870 patients to every primary care physician and one mental health provider for every 180 patients. Niobrara, Big Horn, Carbon, Natrona and Platte counties ranked in the bottom quarter along with Fremont County for health factors, while Albany, Park, Sheridan, Laramie and Crook counties joined Teton County in the top quarter. Those rankings were a little different for health outcomes the overall quality and length of life. Park, Sheridan, Weston, Johnson and Albany counties were in the top quarter for the best health outcomes, with Teton County still ranked No. 1. Fremont County was still at the bottom, followed by Hot Springs, Uinta, Platte, Carbon and Sweetwater counties. Childcare cost burdens in Wyoming counties ranged between 19% to 36% of household incomes, which is a little worse than the national average. There isnt a single county in the nation, however, that meets the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 7% of household income benchmark for affordable childcare, according to the report. Incomes vary by race and ethnicity across Wyoming, with a median income of $50,458 for American Indian & Alaska Native households to $69,917 for Asian households. Overall, the data shows that Wyoming has a larger number of premature deaths, low birth weights, tobacco users, alcohol-impaired driving deaths and teen births compared to the national average. It also has a higher primary care physician to patient ratio and a greater percent of people who are uninsured. But outcomes were better in Wyoming compared to national averages for the number of poor physical and mental health days Wyomingites experience, and there were also fewer preventable hospital stays. A greater proportion of residents 94% finished high school compared to the national average of 89%, and the unemployment rate in the state is about 2.3% lower than national rates. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. What is it like to respond to an emergency medical call during the pandemic? At the Sweetwater Medics Ambulance Service in Sweetwater County, it takes about an hour to disinfect the ambulance, which has to be ready to go for the next call. When a call comes in, a staff member has to screen the patient for COVID-19 symptoms, and if there is enough reason to believe the patient might have COVID, the call is flagged and the responders get dressed up in their personal protection equipment N95 mask, an apron or suit to keep contaminants off their clothes. Some places have even required showers. The responders try to get a mask on the patient when they arrive, and if needed they alert the hospital, which takes a separate set of precautions. One call could put us out of service for three hours, Sweetwater Medics Director Ron Gatti said. Before the pandemic, an average call would take about 30 minutes. On a monthly basis, our call volumes kind of stayed the same, but it was totally different in that every call required so much more work, Gatti said. The pandemic has strained a system that was already strained. We were slammed during COVID, said Darin Yates, the city of Torringtons emergency medical services executive director. Yates said Goshen County used to be saturated with ambulances. But that has changed over the years. The town of Yoder shut down its emergency medical services permanently, partly because of staff shortages, and the ambulance at the town of Fort Laramie is out of service currently. To make up for these holes, ambulances from Torrington now cover the town of Yoder and often have to drive clear north of the town of Fort Laramie to assist on calls, a distance of more than 30 miles that takes about 40 minutes to traverse. Were expected to do more with less, said Scott Kitchner, fire chief of Sweetwater County District No. 1. Its a nationwide problem, particularly for rural communities. Almost a third of emergency medical services agencies across the nation are at risk of shutting down because they cant cover operating costs, a 2018 report from the National Rural Health Association found. And expenses are higher for rural services because ambulances need to be ready even though there are lower call volumes and therefore less income to cover those costs. These challenges prompted Gov. Mark Gordon to make a $20 million funding request to the Legislature. The Legislature ended up approving $15 million. Of that, $5 million will help stabilize existing emergency medical services. With the remaining $10 million, the Wyoming Department of Health and Gordons Health Task Force hope to improve the availability of emergency medical services in Wyoming through a three-year pilot project thats meant to test out possible solutions. The project will look at a variety of challenges for emergency medical services two big ones being the lack of staffing and money. Staffing is always an issue, Yates said. Torringtons emergency medical services generally dont have trouble finding people with an interest in joining the staff, he said. But most of the positions are part-time, and the center doesnt have the capacity to give people the full-time positions they want even though it could use more help. Torrington owns and finances its emergency medical services, and Yates said all emergency medical services positions in the city are paid. But many of these services in Wyoming are partly volunteer-run. Wyoming Department of Health spokesperson Kim Deti said in an email to the Star-Tribune that in Wyoming, an estimated 44% of ground-based 911 emergency medical service providers individual people like emergency medical technicians and paramedics are volunteers. But the number of volunteers is declining, said Wyoming Health and Human Services Policy Advisor Jen Davis. Thats probably because current volunteers are retiring and younger ones arent taking their place, she said. And the costs for emergency medical services arent always reimbursed in full. Kitchner said the low reimbursement rates for patients with health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, as well as servicing patients without health insurance at all, means that places offering emergency medical services often have to look elsewhere to recuperate costs. Emergency medical services are even more vulnerable because they arent officially listed as an essential service. If EMS were listed as an essential service, people would have to recognize that EMS is needed, Yates said. Hopefully this would open additional pathways of funding. Gatti said that reimbursing emergency medical services at the same rate that members of other essential services are reimbursed would be the biggest change that could help keep these programs around. I think these positions deserve to be reimbursed at fair rates and offer career paths, he said. Jen Davis said there have been some conversations about listing emergency medical services as an essential service. But there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered about making that move, she said. The essential service designation could, for example, require that all staff be paid. That could be a problem given that these services currently rely partly on volunteers to keep going. The pilot program that Gordon announced recently is meant to test out potential solutions to fix or at least improve these problems. The governors Health Task Force has been having conversations over the past six months with Wyomings emergency medical services community, Davis said. Those discussions will continue with regional outreach meetings involving the task force, the Wyoming Department of Health and others involved in delivering or supporting emergency medical services. The first meeting will take place in Cheyenne and focus on Trauma Region 3, which covers Albany, Laramie, Goshen and Platte counties. Emergency medical services are different across the state, and thats why the health department and the Health Task Force are approaching these problems from a regional perspective, Davis said. There are five trauma regions in Wyoming, and the delivery of emergency medical services varies between each region. Davis said these regional meetings are intended to collect information about what has and hasnt worked within these unique emergency medical services models. The regional approach could also help rural emergency medical services better pool resources within their region, she said. The funding that the Legislature approved to address EMS availability in Wyoming also includes $5 million to stabilize existing emergency medical services. Gordon spokesman Michael Pearlman said it isnt clear yet exactly how that funding will be used to support these services. That, he said, will be worked out in future discussions with the Wyoming Department of Health. Solutions will probably be a long time in the works. But Yates said that the pilot program is a reason for some optimism. Knowing that these are the steps that are being taken is promising, he said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. 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. Thirty-eight per cent of the murders committed in Trinidad and Tobago for the year thus far Flash The European Union (EU) is ready to face the suspension of Russian gas deliveries to its member states, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday. The Russian gas supplier Gazprom announced earlier Wednesday that it was fully stopping its gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria, due to the two EU member states' "failure to pay in rubles." In a statement reacting to Gazprom's announcement, von der Leyen called the move "another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail" in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded on March 23 that Russia's current gas contracts with "unfriendly countries" should be paid in rubles. "We have been working to ensure alternative deliveries and the best possible storage levels across the EU," and the gas coordination group is meeting in order to map out a coordinated EU response, said von der Leyen. The EU, highly dependent on Russian gas and oil, has been working on finding alternative energy supplies through its REPowerEU plan launched on March 8. The bloc agreed with the United States on March 25 that it would purchase an additional at least 15 billion cubic meters of liquified natural gas (LNG) for 2022, and 50 billion cubic meters of LNG per annum until at least 2030. The bloc is also accelerating its green transition to wean itself from fossil fuels and to increase energy efficiency. The two separate cases of teenaged girls who went missing last week and were found in shacks ATLANTA (AP) A Georgia man convicted of killing an 8-year-old girl and raping a 10-year-old girl more than 45 years ago is scheduled to be executed next month, state officials said. Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Timothy Ward announced in a Wednesday news release that Virgil Delano Presnell Jr. is to be put to death at 7 p.m. on May 17 at the state prison in Jackson. Presnell, 68, is accused of abducting and attacking the two girls as they walked home from school in Cobb County, just outside Atlanta, on May 4, 1976. He was convicted in August 1976 on charges including malice murder, kidnapping and rape and was sentenced to death. His death sentence was overturned in 1992 but was reinstated in March 1999. Presnell staked out a Cobb County elementary school on May 3, 1976, and saw a 10-year-old girl walking home on a wooded trail. He returned the next day, and abducted the girl and her 8-year-old friend when they came walking down the trail, according to evidence at trial outlined in a Georgia Supreme Court ruling. He drove the two girls to a secluded wooded area, made them undress and raped the older girl, the ruling says. The younger girl tried to run as he took her back to the car, but Presnell caught her, shoved her face underwater in a creek and drowned her. Presnell then locked the older girl in his car trunk, began driving and dropped her in a wooded area when he got a flat tire. Throughout, Presnell had forced her to engage in sex acts multiple times, the ruling says. Presnell had told the girl he'd return, but she heard sounds from a nearby gas station and walked there. She described Presnell and his car with a flat tire to police, who found him changing his tire at his apartment complex near where he'd left the older girl. At first, Presnell denied everything but later he led police to the 8-year-old girl's body and confessed, the ruling says. Police found a handgun and child pornography showing young girls in his bedroom. Attorneys for Presnell have said in court filings that Presnell was born to a teenage mother who drank and smoked heavily throughout her pregnancy. Presnell suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome that damaged his brain and kept him from ever developing into a functioning, responsible adult, his lawyers argued. Coupled with a childhood marked by ongoing violence, alcoholism, and sexual and physical abuse, it is not at all difficult to see how he developed into an adult with serious disturbances which, left unchecked and untreated, could produce tragic results, his lawyers wrote in a filing arguing that his sentence was unconstitutional. Presnell would be the first person executed by the state of Georgia since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The last person executed by Georgia was Donnie Cleveland Lance in January 2020. Georgia uses an injection of the sedative pentobarbital to carry out executions. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Swiss drug giant Roche has invested millions of dollars expanding its Oro Valley campus to meet demand for its medical diagnostics, and now its employees have a place of their own. Roche Tissue Diagnostics this week unveiled the latest phase of its campus transformation the Employee Forum, a two-story, 45,000-square-foot building that features a conference center, an expansive cafeteria with rotating local restaurant fare, a gym, wellness center and meeting rooms. On Tuesday, company and civic leaders joined hundreds of Roche employees in the cavernous conference center to cut the ribbon on the building, which was five years in the planning. Jill German, who leads the site as president of Roche Tissue Diagnostics, said the new building was badly needed to connect employees on the sprawling campus and was designed based on feedback from Roches roughly 1,800 employees. We needed a place that people could gather in, people could connect in and be creative in, and at the same time, they voiced desires around health and wellness, and frankly that became even more pronounced during the pandemic, German said. The new buildings 2,500-square-foot fitness center is open to employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week and includes a large weight room, glass-walled rooms for instructor-led fitness classes, lockers and showers. Next door, a wellness center includes a lab to process blood samples and two exam rooms to conduct physicals or receive shots and vaccinations, staffed by a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner and medical assistant. Besides the 4,000-square-foot cafeteria with free coffee, the Employee Forum has a separate coffee bar near the entrance and the publicly accessible Innovation Center, which features interactive demonstrations of Roches tissue diagnostics platforms including several lab instruments. For business collaborations, the Employee Forum has eight conference rooms of various sizes, and the main cafeteria can seat up to 500 people for events. Roche, which has steadily expanded its campus on East Innovation Park Drive since the company acquired the former Ventana Medical Systems nearly 15 years ago, is looking forward to opening a new 60,000-square-foot manufacturing building in Marana by the end of the year. The new building will host Roches instrument manufacturing operation, while the Oro Valley campus will remain home to research and development and manufacturing of reagents chemicals used in diagnostic tests, German said. Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 520-573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, officials say. Aaron Mitchell, 27, allegedly abducted the girl who was walking to school in Douglas on April 25, then sexually assaulted her. Mitchell approached the girl in his car and told her he was a law enforcement officer, according to a Douglas Police Department news release. Mitchell was wearing a tactical vest labeled police and asked the girl for immigration documentation, she told police. Mitchell, who works at the Douglas Port of Entry and has been employed by the agency since 2021, then told the girl he was taking her to the police department. Police say they believe he then restrained the girl and put her in the car. Mitchell then drove the girl to an apartment in Sierra Vista where he allegedly sexually assaulted her, the news release said. He drove her back to Douglas in the afternoon, police said. Douglas police arrested Mitchell on April 26 with assistance from the Sierra Vista Police Department and booked him into the Cochise County jail. The investigation continues. CBP stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission, and the overwhelming majority of CBP employees and officers perform their duties with honor and distinction, working tirelessly every day to keep our country safe, CBP said in a statement. We do not tolerate corruption or abuse within our ranks, and we cooperate fully with all criminal or administrative investigations of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel, whether it occurs on or off duty. Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com or 573-4223 . On Twitter: @DanyelleKhmara Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PHOENIX Upset with the just-ended 2-year state of emergency, state lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to curbing the power of the governor. Just not this governor. On a 31-27 vote the House voted to spell out that public health emergencies can be declared for not more than 30 days. SB 1009 also says that can be extended three times. But at 120 days, the emergency would self-destruct unless the House and Senate gave their approvals. And those extensions would have to be renewed every 30 days. And to prevent abuses, it would prohibit the governor from proclaiming a new state of emergency based on the same conditions unless the Legislature approves. The measure, which was previously approved by the Senate, now goes to Gov. Doug Ducey. Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, told Capitol Media Services she expects him to sign it. And one reason, she acknowledged, is that the measure is crafted so it does not take effect until Jan. 2, 2023, the day a new governor will be sworn in. This is a legislative change, Ugenti-Rita said. So I obviously need his support and need a signature. And she said that she made changes from her original plan to satisfy Ducey. But Ugenti-Rita, who is not seeking reelection to the Senate, said that the change is necessary even if it does not take effect until next year. The measure is a direct outgrowth of the decision by Ducey to declare an emergency in early 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19. He only rescinded that order last month, more than two years later. Ugenti-Rita said curbs are necessary. Having an executive who has the power to close down businesses and unilaterally make decisions that have dramatic consequences and can be abused is not in the best interest of the public, she said. She also pointed out that nothing in the legislation precludes a future governor from declaring a state of emergency when he or she believes it is necessary. But what it will bring back is a balance of power, Ugenti-Rita said, requiring the chief executive to consult with and get the approval of state lawmakers after 120 days. At that point, she said, legislators could allow the emergency to be continued or simply expire. None of the Democrats in the House voted in support. We can have a disagreement in terms of why an executive order is called and the reasons behind that, said Rep. Marcelino Quinonez, D-Phoenix. We can have a disagreement all day long about whether its warranted or not, he continued. But we cant have an agreement about its effectiveness. And Quinonez said what the legislation requires when future emergencies are declared would create a logistical nightmare. Ducey press aide C.J. Karamargin said the governor does not comment on measures that have not yet reached his desk. But he acknowledged that the provision was incorporated into a much larger measure that the governor actually signed last year. That entire bill, however, was voided by the Arizona Supreme Court which said it was illegal for lawmakers to pack a variety of unrelated provisions into a single piece of legislation. On Twitter: @azcapmedia Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Explosions rock Kyiv again as Russians rain fire on Ukraine KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia mounted attacks across a wide area of Ukraine on Thursday, bombarding Kyiv during a visit by the head of the United Nations. Several people were injured in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit. A spokesperson said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his team were safe. The attack is the boldest the capital city has seen since Russian forces retreated weeks ago. Elsewhere, Ukrainian authorities reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas, the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin is bent on capturing. EXPLAINER: Why US needs a law to sell off oligarchs' assets WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden doesnt want to just seize the yachts, luxury homes and other assets of Russian oligarchs, he wants to sell off the pricey goods and use the money to help rebuild Ukraine. Hes asking Congress to streamline the process to allow that to happen. In the latest attempt to pressure Russia to end its war and to pay for the enormous costs of defending Ukraine, the Biden administration on Thursday called on Congress to enhance U.S. authority to liquidate assets seized from Russian elites the bad guys, as Biden called them. Drop in US GDP challenges Biden's pitch to voters WASHINGTON (AP) The latest report on gross domestic product is complicating President Joe Bidens pitch that the U.S. economy is strong. It shows that the economy shrank at a 1.4% annualized rate during the first three months of this year. Biden says the drop reflects technical quirks such as businesses adding less to their inventories, while Republicans have a direct line of attack to say the problem is rooted in inflation at a 40-year high. The risk for Biden is now a muddled message going into the midterm elections at a time when voters are focused on the economy. Report calls out abuse of social media by Minneapolis police ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Among the scathing findings of an investigation launched after the police killing of George Floyd is that the Minneapolis Police Department used covert or fake social media accounts to monitor Black activists and organizations. And it did so despite having no clear public safety rationale for doing so. The report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights echoes past revelations of surveillance by other law enforcement agencies targeting prominent people and communities of color even though they werent doing anything illegal. Experts say what happened in Minnesota is also happening in many other jurisdictions because there are few rules in place and no accountability. 2022 NFL Draft l First round features 5 Georgia defenders LAS VEGAS (AP) A first round of the NFL draft featured a record five defenders taken from one school as the night began and ended with the selections of former University of Georgia defenders. The old record was four set by the University of Miami in 2004 and tied by Florida State in 2006. The night began with the Jaguars selecting edge rusher Travon Walker and ended with the Vikings selecting safety Lewis Cine at No. 32. The Packers selected linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22 and Georgia teammate Devonte Wyatt at 28. And the Eagles grabbed D-tackle Jordan Davis at No. 13. British Virgin Islands premier arrested on US drug charges MIAMI (AP) U.S. authorities say the premier of the British Virgin Islands and the director of the Caribbean territorys ports have been arrested on drug smuggling charges in South Florida. A criminal complaint shows Premier Andrew Alturo Fahie and Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard were arrested Thursday by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents at Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport. They are charged with conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to launder money. Officials said Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard had been at the airport to meet with drug traffickers who in reality were undercover DEA agents, to see a shipment of $700,000 in cash that the the BVI officials expected to receive for helping smuggle cocaine from Colombia to Miami and New York. Moderna seeks to be 1st with COVID shots for littlest kids Moderna is asking U.S. regulators to open its COVID-19 vaccine to the nation's youngest children. Kids under 5 are the only group in the U.S. not yet eligible for vaccination. Frustrated parents are waiting impatiently for a chance to protect them. Moderna submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration Thursday. The company hopes the FDA will rule in time for tots to start getting vaccinated by summer. It's a complex decision partly because while other countries give Moderna shots to older children, the U.S. so far has restricted them to adults. Rival Pfizer also is studying its vaccine in the littlest kids. Astroworld movie set for release despite lawyers' concerns HOUSTON (AP) The experiences of panicked concertgoers who couldnt breathe and had no clear path to escape a massive crowd surge at last years deadly Astroworld music festival in Houston are featured in a new documentary. But lawyers for Live Nation, which is being sued for its role as the festivals promoter, say theyre concerned that publicity from Concert Crush: The Travis Scott Festival Tragedy, could taint the jury pool. The documentary is set for release Friday in 11 Texas cities. But Charlie Minn, the films director, says it's a balanced and fair documentary that tries to show what happened. Ten people died and hundreds of others were injured at the Nov. 5 concert by Scott, a popular rapper. Oklahoma House sends Texas-style abortion ban to governor OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma House has given final approval to a Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. The bill passed Thursday by the GOP-led House now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. He's expected to sign it within days. The bill was immediately challenged in court by abortion rights advocates. The measure prohibits abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo. Experts say thats typically about six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. Like Texas, the bill allows private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion for up to $10,000. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed a similar law in Texas to stand. 'Carpool Karaoke' king James Corden leaving late-night show LOS ANGELES (AP) James Corden will be bowing out of his late-night CBS TV show next year. Corden announced his decision during the taping of Thursdays The Late Late Show, which he began hosting in 2015. In a statement, the president and CEO of CBS lauded Corden for taking huge creative and comedic swings, including with Carpool Karaoke. In those videos, Corden and pop stars including Adele and Paul McCartney performed sing-alongs on the road. Cordens contract with The Late Late Show was to expire this August, but the London-born actor and writer extended the agreement for another season. He will leave the show in spring 2023. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Flash Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said on Wednesday that no agreement has been reached on a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. "The time of the meeting of the presidents of the two countries and the context of the meeting have not been determined yet," Podolyak, also a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the peace talks with Russia, was quoted as saying. Consultations at the level of working subgroups, which are preparing the positions of the parties in legal terms, are underway, Podolyak said. Earlier Wednesday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey hopes that a meeting between Zelensky and Putin would take place in the next few days, according to media reports. Russia cuts off gas to 2 NATO nations in bid to divide West POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria and threatened to do the same to other countries, using its most essential export as an attempt to punish and divide the West for its united support of Ukraine. The move was condemned by European leaders as blackmail. It marked a dramatic escalation in the economic war of sanctions and countersanctions that has unfolded parallel to the fighting on the battlefield, where fighting continues in Ukraine's east. One person was killed and at least two injured when rockets hit a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv. The commander of a marine unit inside the last stronghold in the gutted city of Mariupol said the situation there was very difficult. Twitter abuse victims fear Musk's plans, but may not quit Perhaps no group of people is more alarmed about Elon Musks apparent plan to make Twitter a free speech free-for-all than those most likely to be targeted for harassment: women, racial minorities and other marginalized groups. They fear that a more hands-off approach to policing the platform will embolden purveyors of hate speech, bullying and disinformation to ratchet up their bad behavior a possibility Musk has done little to dispel. Yet even those who have faced extreme harassment on Twitter say they are unlikely to quit the platform. Despite the negative psychological toll, they still place a high value on Twitter as a place to express their views and engage with others. EXPLAINER: Will a Russian prisoner exchange impact Griner? Brittney Griner remains detained in Russia and its unclear how an unexpected prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that freed marine veteran Trevor Reed will affect the status of the WNBA star. Griner has been detained in Russia since mid-February. The deal announced by both countries involving Reed, an American imprisoned for nearly three years, would have been a notable diplomatic maneuver even in times of peace. It was all the more surprising because it was done as Russias war with Ukraine has driven relations with the U.S. to their lowest point in decades. Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who was arrested in Russia for allegedly possessing a cannabis derivative legal in much of the world. The offense can mean up to 10 years in prison. Dem lawmaker: Biden suggests he'll ease student loan burden WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden has signaled he might forgive some student loan debt and further extend the federal moratorium on repayments. That's according to California Democratic Rep. Tony Cardenas. He's a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Cardenas said Wednesday that during a White House meeting, Biden told the group that they're going to like what he does about both proposals. That meeting was Monday. The White House was notably more measured about what Biden might do. But any move in that direction would be a boon to many of what federal figures show are 43 million Americans carrying student loans worth $1.6 trillion. Federal judge halts preparations for end of US asylum limit NEW ORLEANS (AP) A judge has ordered a two-week halt on phasing out pandemic-related restrictions on seeking asylum as the Biden administration prepares for the restrictions to be fully lifted on May 23. Wednesday's decision is only a temporary setback for the administration but the federal judge appeared highly sympathetic with Louisiana and other states that sued to keep Title 42 authority. That restriction denies migrants a chance at asylum on grounds of preventing spread of COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays has scheduled a hearing May 13 in Lafayette, Louisiana, for arguments on whether to block Title 42 from ending as planned 10 days later. Microsoft: Russian hacks often accompany Ukraine attacks BOSTON (AP) Microsoft says cyberattacks by state-backed Russian hackers have destroyed data across dozens of organizations in Ukraine and produced a chaotic information environment. The company said in a report released Wednesday that Russia-aligned threat groups were preparing long before the Feb. 24 invasion. It said they were pre-positioning for the conflict" as early as a year ago, hacking into networks to obtain footholds they could later use to collect strategic and battlefield intelligence or to facilitate future destructive attacks. State report details bias in Minneapolis Police Department ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A Minnesota state agency says it will work with the city of Minneapolis to negotiate solutions to resolve the pattern of race discrimination uncovered by a two-year investigation. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says former and current city and police leaders have failed to act, effectively allowing an aggressive police culture to fester. The report details disparities in how officers use force, stop, search, arrest and cite people of color, particularly Black people, compared to white people in similar circumstances. And the state agency says the city and police department need not wait to start making necessary changes. EXPLAINER: Brazil's Bolsonaro, top court on collision course SAO PAULO (AP) Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro is once again at odds with the countrys Supreme Court. He has pardoned a congressman who had just been convicted by high court justices for urging violence against one of them. Justices may review that pardon, and the case threatens to become an institutional crisis at a moment when Bolsonaro is gearing up to seek a second term. At the center of the dispute is freshman lawmaker Daniel Silveira, who was sentenced to almost nine years in prison. He had said that one justice should be seized, shaken and thrown in a garbage can. Bolsonaro issued a decree pardoning him, citing the right to free speech. Once dead, twice billed: GAO questions COVID funeral awards The Federal Emergency Management Agency may have been double-billed for the funerals of hundreds of people who died of COVID-19, the Government Accountability Office said in a new report Wednesday. The GAO identified 374 people who died and were listed on more than one application that received an award from the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance fund. That amounts to about $4.8 million in assistance that could have been improper or potentially fraudulent payments, the report said. FEMA says this wasn't an example of large-scale fraud and the amount of funeral assistance identified as at-risk was relatively small, with FEMAs multi-layered controls resulting in improper payments of less than 1%. Shares of Facebook parent Meta soar despite growth slowdown Facebook parent Metas first quarter profit jumped past Wall Streets expectations despite slower revenue growth, sending shares up sharply in after-hours trading. The company earned $7.47 billion, or $2.72 per share, in the January-March period. Thats down 21% from $9.5 billion, or $3.30 per share, in the same period a year earlier. Meta cut a sharp contrast with Google parent Alphabet, which on Monday reported what analysts called disappointing earnings, with profit below Wall Streets expectations and revenue growth slower than in previous quarters. Shares rose more than 18% to $207 in after-hours trading. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden will ask Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion, two administration officials said Thursday, a big boost in U.S. efforts to bolster Kyiv in an intensifying war that's showing no signs of ending anytime soon. Biden's latest proposal which the officials said was expected to last for five months has more than $20 billion in military assistance for Ukraine and for bolstering defenses in nearby countries. There is also $8.5 billion in economic aid to help keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government functioning and $3 billion for food and humanitarian programs to help civilians and other spending, said the officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. The proposal would more than double the initial $13.6 billion package of defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies that Congress enacted last month. It seemed to signal a long-term U.S. commitment to staving off Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to expand his nation's control of its neighbor, and perhaps beyond. The request comes with the fighting, now in its ninth week, sharpening in eastern and southern parts of the country and international tensions growing as Russia cuts off gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria. There is wide, bipartisan support in Congress for giving Ukraine all the assistance it needs to fight the Russians, and its eventual approval seems certain. But Biden and congressional Democrats also want lawmakers to approve billions more to battle the pandemic, and that along with a Republican push to entangle the measure with an extension of some Trump-era immigration restrictions leaves the proposal's pathway to enactment unclear. Biden was also asking Congress on Thursday for new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs. Full story and Russia-Ukraine coverage here: *** PHOTO GALLERY Photos: Eyes of Ukraine refugees reflect war and welcome Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein contributed to this report. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. WASHINGTON (AP) A veritable who's who of Washington's political and foreign policy elite gathered Wednesday to pay their last respects to the late Madeleine Albright, a child of conflict-ravaged Europe who arrived in the U.S. as an 11-year old girl and became America's first female secretary of state. The trailblazing diplomat and champion of her adopted country as the world's indispensable nation was joyously remembered by President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton as a no-nonsense, valued adviser who did not suffer fools or tyrants and was most concerned about Russia's war with Ukraine when she died last month of cancer at 84. Biden said Albrights name was synonymous with the idea that America is a force for good in the world. In the 20th and 21st century, freedom had no greater champion than Madeleine Korbel Albright, he said. Today we honor a truly proud American who made all of us prouder to be Americans. He said he had learned of Albright's death while flying to Brussels for an emergency NATO summit on Ukraine and was struck by the memory of her key role in pressing for the expansion of the alliance in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union to protect Europe from a repeat of the carnage of World War II and the Cold War ideological battle between communism and democracy. And Clinton, the man who appointed her first as his U.N. ambassador in 1993 and then as secretary of state in 1996, said his last conversation with Albright just weeks before her passing were dominated by the situation in Ukraine and her fears about the future of democracy at home and abroad. He recalled that Albright didnt want to talk about her declining health at a moment when the West is on edge following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Albright, Clinton recalled, assured him that she was getting the best care she could, but didnt want to waste time talking about that. The only thing that really matters is what kind of world were going to leave to our grandchildren, Clinton recalled Albright told him. He added, She made a decision with her last breath she would go out with her boots on. Biden and Clinton, along with former President Barack Obama and several of Albright's successors as secretary of state, including Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, John Kerry and current office-holder Antony Blinken, were some 1,400 mourners who attended the funeral at Washington's National Cathedral. The service was punctuated at points by tears, laughter and applause during reminiscences from Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Albright's three daughters, Anne, Alice and Katharine, who remembered her as a doting mom" and Granny Maddy to their own children even amid a hectic work schedule that often took her around the world. That schedule didn't let up when she left government service in 2001 and returned to teaching at Georgetown University, started a successful international consulting company, served on the boards of numerous women's and human rights groups and became a best-selling author. Hillary Clinton recalled stories that she had lobbied for Albright to serve as secretary of state, a role that Clinton would serve in herself during the Obama administration. Its been said that I urged my husband to nominate her as our first female secretary of state," she said. Unlike much thats said, this story was true. The two developed a strong friendship over the years. and Hillary Clinton recalled a pair of stories about her and Albright on visits overseas during which they bonded. Once on a walk in a drenching rainstorm in the Czech capital of Prague, Clinton said they laughed so hard they forgot they were wet. On another occasion in Beijing, Clinton recalled that she and Albright had marched through mud in a torrential downpour and confronted Chinese security forces to meet women's rights activists. Clinton in her own tribute recalled some lighter memories of Albright, including the time she taught the foreign minister of Botswana the Macarena and danced the night away with a young, handsome man at her daughter Chelsea's wedding. She also remembered Albright as a fearless diplomat that broke barriers and then counseled, cajoled and inspired women to follow in her footsteps. The angels better be wearing their best pins and putting on their dancing shoes, Clinton said. Because if as Madeleine believed theres a special place in hell for women who dont support other women, they havent seen anyone like her yet. On the eve of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and one month before her death, The New York Times printed what would be Albright's last published writing. She wrote that Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion would be a historic error that would cement his legacy as one of infamy. Until the end, she was still in a hurry to do good, Clinton said. Other top current officials who attended the service included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director Bill Burns, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Mark Milley and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The members of the VIP audience were masked, as Albright's family had requested. Foreign dignitaries invited to the funeral included the presidents of Georgia and Kosovo and senior officials from Colombia, Bosnia and the Czech Republic. Albright was born in what was then Czechoslovakia, but her family fled twice, first from the Nazis and then from Soviet rule. They ended up in the United States, where she studied at Wellesley College and rose through the ranks of Democratic Party foreign policy circles to become ambassador to the United Nations. Bill Clinton selected her as secretary of state in 1996 for his second term. Although never in line for the presidency because of her foreign birth, Albright was near universally admired for breaking a glass ceiling, even by her political detractors. Several senior Republican lawmakers, including Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, attended the service. As a Czech refugee who saw the horrors of both Nazi Germany and the Iron Curtain, she was not a dove. She played a leading role in pressing for the Clinton administration to get involved militarily in the conflict in Kosovo. My mindset is Munich, she said frequently, referring to the German city where the Western allies abandoned her homeland to the Nazis. As secretary of state, Albright played a key role in persuading Clinton to go to war against the Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic over his treatment of Kosovar Albanians in 1999. As U.N. ambassador, she advocated a tough U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the case of Milosevics treatment of Bosnia. NATOs intervention in Kosovo was eventually dubbed Madeleines War. She also took a hard line on Cuba, famously saying at the United Nations that the 1996 Cuban shootdown of a civilian plane was not cojones but rather cowardice. Bill Clinton recalled the moment in his tribute, remembering that Albright faced criticism at the time that the sharp barb was undiplomatic and unladylike." He absolutely loved it. I called her and I said ... 'This is the best line developed and delivered by anybody in this administration," Clinton said. In 2012, Obama awarded Albright the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, saying her life was an inspiration to all Americans. Born Marie Jana Korbel in Prague on May 15, 1937, she was the daughter of a diplomat, Joseph Korbel. The family was Jewish and converted to Roman Catholicism when she was 5. Three of her Jewish grandparents died in concentration camps. Albright was an internationalist whose point of view was shaped in part by her background. Her family fled Czechoslovakia in 1939 as the Nazis took over their country, and she spent the war years in London. After the war, as the Soviet Union took over vast chunks of Eastern Europe, her father brought the family to the United States. They settled in Denver, where her father taught at the University of Denver. One of Korbels best students was Condoleezza Rice, who would later succeed his daughter as secretary of state. Albright graduated from Wellesley College in 1959. She worked as a journalist and later studied international relations at Columbia University, where she earned a masters degree in 1968 and a Ph.D. in 1976. She then entered politics and what was at the time the male-dominated world of foreign policy professionals. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. The Cochise County sheriff told a House committee Wednesday that border-related crimes are at an all-time high, and would only get worse without comprehensive immigration reform. Sheriff Mark Dannels, testifying to a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on human trafficking, said that illegal border entries rose from 400 migrants a month to 8,000 migrants a month over a two-year period, based on images captured by a camera system run by his department. Our border is in really bad shape right now and thats saying it lightly, Dannels testified. We have to be actively engaged in securing our border, addressing immigration reform and start addressing collectively these issues down here. Its only going to get worse. But most of the witnesses at the hearing, many of them survivors of trafficking themselves, made little mention of the current border situation in their testimony. Instead, they cited a long list of actions they said need to be taken, focusing on protecting victims and prosecuting both the traffickers who coerced them and the people who used them for trafficked sex and trafficked labor. Martina Vandenberg, founder of the Human Trafficking Legal Center, said illegal immigration is not the issue. Over the years, all of my forced labor survivor clients had one thing in common: They all entered the United States on perfectly legal visas, Vandenbergs written testimony said. They arrived with contracts and the promise of a good job, she said. Instead, they found themselves trafficked into forced labor, stripped of their identity documents, held in debt bondage, threatened with deportation and, in some cases, physically and sexually abused. Much of the hearing played out along the same lines, with witnesses and lawmakers generally addressing two different topics. Democrats and trafficking experts used the hearing to push for passage of bills like the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act and reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Republicans focused on the historic number of apprehensions at the border in recent months and what they called the Biden administrations failure to address the problem. The failed policies of this administration encourage and facilitate Mexican drug cartels, transnational criminal organizations and other malevolent actors to engage in human trafficking and smuggling across our southwestern border, said Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert. The hearing came as the administration is trying to lift Title 42, a pandemic-era health policy that lets border patrol agents turn back asylum seekers because of the potential health risk they could present. That policy has been used to turn back 1.8 million asylum seekers since March 2020. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this month that there is no longer a health justification to invoke the policy, and Homeland Security proposed ending Title 42 on May 23. But three states, including Arizona, filed suit, claiming the administration did not have a plan to handle the expected surge in migrants, and a federal judge in Louisiana agreed this week to temporarily block the move. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, said Wednesday that lifting Title 42 would not just overwhelm already strained border resources, but could increase the likelihood of vulnerable people being trafficked. The massive influx of illegal border crossings were experiencing now will only make it easier for human trafficking networks to flourish by exploiting our relaxed border security, Chabot said. Stacey Sutherland, with the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network, said it is not far-fetched to assume that more border traffic might mean more human trafficking. But she said that anyone stopped at the border will be screened for trafficking. And she said it is important to remember the difference between human trafficking and human smuggling. Human trafficking is an underground crime that requires coercion, said Sutherland, director of the networks Training and Resources United to Stop Trafficking program. Smuggling does not involve coercion, although she acknowledged that individuals smuggled into the country can become trafficking victims. Sutherland could not comment on Dannels numbers, except to say that it doesnt mean theres an uptick in crime. It just means were able to see the crime more clearly, see the victimizations more clearly. But while DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcment provide screenings at the border to identify human trafficking victims, Dannels said more needs to be done. We got to come together to do a better job because citizens and those being trafficked are all victims that local, state and federal officials took an oath to protect, Dannels said. And right now were not collectively doing that. This is not about politics, this is about people, he said. For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org . Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. When it comes to searching for culinary inspiration, Ken Schafer is willing to travel across the country. Or just across town. Im the sort of person who likes to go to places some people might shy away from, Schafer said over a plate of birria tacos at his restaurant, The Boston Deli. About three years ago, I went to this little place near 11th Street and Memorial Drive, called Tacos El Dorado. It was the first time I had had birria tacos, and I thought they were sensational. We had started offering street tacos at the restaurant, so we worked up our own recipe and added it to the menu, Schafer said. And this was before birria tacos became a thing. Theyre everywhere you look these days. Birria is in essence a stew, traditionally made with goat, that is cooked at a low temperature in a richly seasoned broth. The Boston Delis version mixes cuts of beef short rib, cheek and chuck in a broth loaded with pepper and spice, stuffs the meat into corn tortillas with cheese, which are then grilled until crisp. The resulting tacos are served with a side of the broth, or consomme, a roasted jalapeno pepper and a crispy rice-and-black-bean cake. For most of the past 30 years, The Boston Deli has been at the forefront of Tulsas fine dining scene, serving high-quality food in a casual atmosphere at reasonable prices. It has also been the place where national food trends tend to show up first in Tulsa. When the Nashville hot chicken craze was first starting to get national attention, Schafer came up with his version as a weekly special, but it soon ended up on the regular menu. And Schafer and his team of cooks routinely experiment with flavors and preparations that usually become the Thursday special, a monthly dinner offering that includes an entree, sides and dessert much of which is prepared on the restaurants signature Hasty Bake charcoal grills for under $30. Its an approach that has consistently earned The Boston Deli five-star reviews for its food and service from Tulsa World food critics rankings that a few recent visits proved to be still applicable. The restaurant, at 6231 E. 61st St., has evolved over the years. It started as a downtown kosher deli on Boston Avenue, where Schafer was a regular customer. He ultimately convinced the owners to sell it to him in 1991, and two years later moved it to its present location. Schafer switched from deli-style ordering at the counter to full table service and a set menu about a decade ago. Ive never been a fan of using frozen meats or vegetables, he said. It was a way to reduce our food waste, while keeping our quality high and prices low. The Thursday Chefs Special began as a way of encouraging customers to come out on what was a traditionally slow night in the restaurant business. It also allowed Schafer and his chefs to experiment. This months special, which is served between 5 and 8 p.m., is a Santa Fe spice-rubbed King Ranch Sirloin with sundried tomato, roasted garlic and parsley compound butter; roasted broccoli topped with lemon, Parmesan cheese and butter; hasselback potatoes with garlic and rosemary; and a spicy cucumber ring salad, with carrot, red onion, red bell pepper, pesto and a strawberry-balsamic reduction. Dessert is a lemon-raspberry cake with lemon cream cheese frosting. Cost is $29. Our goal is to sell out of the special each night, Schafer said. Shelly Benson is the restaurants executive chef, who joined the staff in 2019. Kens very collaborative, and we usually work out the specials together, she said. Ive brought some things like the braised beef tips that are on the dinner menu, and Ive been trying to venture into using more game meats. But I know that we have a lot of loyal customers who are expecting certain things done certain ways, and we want to take care of them. Schafer said the restaurant was able to make it through the pandemic with a robust takeaway and curbside delivery program. Its what you had to do, he said. We were very fortunate that our customers responded the way they did. And were keeping that going, because there are still people who are leery and with good reason about getting out and coming into a restaurant. Benson said most of the orders filled during the pandemic were for comfort food dishes, which makes perfect sense, she said. But more and more, were seeing people who are wanting to get out again, to have that restaurant experience. Reservations are recommended for the Thursday special. To reserve, and for more information: 918-492-4745, thebostondeli.com. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Villagers of Lianqin Village in Shanghai return home from quarantine site Xinhua) 08:33, April 28, 2022 A staff member helps a villager disinfect baggage when she returns to Lianqin Village of Beicai Town in Pudong New Area, east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. All villagers of Lianqin Village were transferred to a quarantine site on April 16 due to the emerging of COVID-19 cases here. Thorough disinfection was carried out after villagers left. Since April 24, the villagers have started returning home from quarantine site. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) A mother and her daughter return to Lianqin Village of Beicai Town in Pudong New Area, east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. All villagers of Lianqin Village were transferred to a quarantine site on April 16 due to the emerging of COVID-19 cases here. Thorough disinfection was carried out after villagers left. Since April 24, the villagers have started returning home from quarantine site. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) A villager carrying baggage returns to Lianqin Village of Beicai Town in Pudong New Area, east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. All villagers of Lianqin Village were transferred to a quarantine site on April 16 due to the emerging of COVID-19 cases here. Thorough disinfection was carried out after villagers left. Since April 24, the villagers have started returning home from quarantine site. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) A staff member helps a villager disinfect baggage when he returns to Lianqin Village of Beicai Town in Pudong New Area, east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. All villagers of Lianqin Village were transferred to a quarantine site on April 16 due to the emerging of COVID-19 cases here. Thorough disinfection was carried out after villagers left. Since April 24, the villagers have started returning home from quarantine site. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Flash Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe. During the meeting, Raisi called for expanding the areas of cooperation between the two countries, and strengthening all-round cooperation, including in the military field. Iran and China share similar positions in international affairs and support each other, said the Iranian president. Iran, which opposes unilateralism, hegemonism and external interference, firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, Raisi said, while expressing gratitude to China for its long-term support and assistance during Iran's difficult times. For his part, Wei said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Raisi have exchanged telephone calls and letters since last year, leading to new progress in building the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The Chinese minister said that his visit to Iran, which came against the backdrop of the current turbulent international situation, reflected the importance of the China-Iran relations, their firm mutual support and joint progress. He expressed China's strong support to Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, and its willingness to cooperate with Iran to deal with various risks and challenges, safeguard common interests, and jointly maintain regional and global peace and stability. The Chinese and Iranian militaries have expanded the areas of cooperation in recent years, Wei said, adding that the Chinese military is willing to maintain strategic communication with Iran, make good use of the cooperation mechanisms, and boost pragmatic collaboration so as to lift the bilateral military ties to a higher level. Earlier in the day, Wei held separate meetings with Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani. During the meetings, the two sides had in-depth exchange of views on the regional and international security situations, Iran's nuclear issue and the situation in Ukraine. They also reached consensuses on expanding high-level strategic communication, deepening military exchanges, and conducting joint exercises and personnel trainings. Initial state jobless claims totals for the week ending Saturday declined again after peaking for the year in March, according to a government report. The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday that 1,657 first-time claims for unemployment benefits were filed in the state last week, a 6.8% decline from the 1,778 claims filed the week ending April 16. Claims for the week ending April 16 were revised upward from 1,508 claims first reported. The peak in initial claims so far this year occurred the week ending March 26 when 2,946 claims were reported. Continued claims, those filed after at least one week of unemployment, also declined the week ending April 16, compared to the prior week. Oklahoma saw 10,289 continued claims filed the week ending April 16, a nearly 10% decline from 11,419 claims filed the prior week. Continued claims have declined three consecutive weeks. We are encouraged to see the state turn a corner and once again have unemployment rates decline in all reporting categories, said Oklahoma Employment Security Commissioin Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt. These improvements are further proof that Oklahomas workforce is one of the strongest in the nation. At the heart of our strong economy and low unemployment rates are Oklahoma businesses that continue to grow and offer new job opportunities. Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of initial claims declined from 2,343 the week ending April 16 to 2,021 claims the following week. The four-week moving average of continued claims declined for the second consecutive week, or from 11,843 the week ending April 9 to 11,435 claims the following week. Four of Oklahomas bordering states Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas all reported declines in unemployment filings for the past week while Arkansas and Colorado reported slight increases. Nationwide, initial claims totals for the week ending Saturday declined by 5,000 from 185,000 to 180,000. Featured video: Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday advanced a measure that would bar state contracts with companies that discriminate against gun and ammunition manufacturers. House Bill 3144 passed by a vote of 37-8 and returns to the House for consideration. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, said the firearm industry is under attack. He is the Senate author of the measure. Some banks have policies that say they will not loan money to gun and ammunition makers that sell high-capacity magazines or long rifles to those under 21, Murdock said. The bill states that if you have these policies, the state of Oklahoma will not do business with your company, Murdock said. Murdock said the state can have a policy that says it will not spend taxpayer dollars with companies that have policies that go against Second Amendment rights. Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said it was an attempt to micromanage global corporations all over the world based on particular cultural issue or values or concerns held in a state with a super Republican majority. Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, said some of the companies Murdock referred to already have business relationships with state. She suggested the measure could result in the state being in breach of a contract. Under questioning from Floyd, Murdock said he didnt think the measure would impact companies the state is trying to lure. Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said excluding some companies will increase costs for the state. The bill would apply to political subdivisions, including cities and counties, Kirt said. The bill undermines the free market and excludes us from getting the capital we need, besides sending the wrong message to the rest of the country, Kirt said. Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, called it a political stunt. Featured video: Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. This years nearly annual attempt to consolidate state law enforcement agencies stayed alive by the narrowest of margins on a busy Wednesday in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. With another legislative deadline looming, the House hustled through 70 bills and resolutions, among them a slew of law enforcement- and justice-related measures and a charter school reform bill on which the digital ink had barely dried. Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, convinced the bare minimum 51 in the 101-seat House that Senate Bill 1612, by Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, was worth saving. As amended by Echols, SB 1612 would combine the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation into one agency headed by a commission. The bill passed 51-40 and is likely headed to a conference committee, where members of the House and Senate will try to work out what appear to be substantial differences. Other bills in the same general vein winning approval included several dealing with illegal marijuana operations, establishment of a law enforcement mental wellness center, a substantial change in the process of determining the mental competency of death row inmates and a $30 million reduction in fines and fees. The charter school bill, SB 1621, was brought to the floor late in the day as a 97-page full substitute that had been posted only two hours earlier and that few members had completely read. Largely rewritten since coming over to the House, SB 1621 creates a new statewide charter school board to oversee both brick-and-mortar and virtual charter schools. Three of the boards nine members would be chosen by the governor, two by the Senate president pro tem and two by the Speaker of the House. The state superintendent of public instruction and the state auditor and inspector, or their designees, would be ex officio members. Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, who was given the task of revising the bill, said she is satisfied the current version provides sufficient oversight and accountability without stifling charter schools. We need high-quality charters, said Dills. I dont understand why we have an argument that we seem to want to restrict access. Thats restricting opportunities for students who need choices. I believe in this bill, she said, I believe this is the way to go. Not everyone agreed the bill ultimately passed only 56-29 but the dissenters biggest complaint was the rushed vote. Im not saying this is a bad bill, said Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa. Im saying I dont know. Im at no trying to get to yes, said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. We really need to get this right. SB 1621 now goes back to the Senate. Featured video: Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Oklahoma Attorney General John OConnor, state Superintendent of Public Instruction and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister and 16 members of the Legislature exchanged barbs on Wednesday about school restrooms. At issue is a years-old and until recently noncontroversial Stillwater Public Schools policy concerning transgender bathroom use. The matter was first raised by Oklahoma Education Secretary and Republican state superintendent candidate Ryan Walters, who expressed outrage that students are allowed to use whichever facility matches their gender identification. School officials said recently no students have ever complained about the policy, which has been in place at least five years. Political leaders, especially Republicans, have been quick to vent their outrage, however. On Thursday, state Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, said he and 15 other lawmakers had written OConnor asking him to render an opinion in the matter. A few hours later, OConnor responded, ping-ponging responsibility back to the Legislature and attacking Hofmeister, a former Republican who changed parties as a result of ongoing fights with Gov. Kevin Stitt. Stitt appointed both Walters and OConnor, and he and Hofmeister are likely general election opponents. On Wednesday, Hofmeister accused OConnor of misleading the public and pointed out that she, too, in her capacity as state superintendent, had asked OConnor for clarification on the matter. For good measure, ACLU Oklahoma blasted everyone involved and said, There is no data of any kind to support the claim that allowing students to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity undermines the safety of students. A chief argument against policies such as Stillwaters is that it leaves school girls vulnerable to attack from biological males. While a few such cases have been reported nationally, experts say transgender youth are much more likely to be attacked in school restrooms than to attack someone else. My colleagues and I have received numerous calls asking for us to take action on this issue, Moore said in a press release. I think it is important that Attorney General OConnor steps in and issues an official opinion making clear exactly what the law says about the (Stillwater) school boards actions. In his press release, OConnor said, Today, we sent Rep. Moore a letter reiterating that basing restrooms on biology is not against the law, and encouraging Rep. Moore while still in session to work toward passing legislation clarifying explicitly that policies like Stillwater schools are prohibited in Oklahoma. OConnor takes several shots at Hofmeister and the Biden administration in his written statement, claiming her department had inappropriately advised SPS and possibly others. Hofmeister replied that OConnor has a responsibility to issue a binding formal opinion. Stillwater Public Schools maintain that the policy was adopted during the Obama administration in accordance with guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which Hofmeister heads. That guidance cited court decisions and Obama administration initiatives favoring policies in line with the one adopted by SPS. To be clear, neither the department nor I have told Stillwater Public Schools or any other district how they must approach the issue of transgender individuals use of restroom facilities, Hofmeister said Wednesday. While no legal precedent on this topic currently exists in Oklahoma, other appellate courts around the nation have largely weighed in with rulings that appear to support the current policy of Stillwater Public Schools, said Hofmeister. Clarity is important here and it is wholly appropriate that the Attorney General issue a binding formal opinion when requested to do so by an elected official. Video: Transgender Day of Visibility Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Oklahoma House appropriations chair Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, said the Legislature will be seeking accountability after a possibly fraudulent state contract was canceled. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department canceled its contract with Swadleys Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraudulent activity and questionable business practices." A March 25 Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency report showed the vendor was paid nearly $17 million to operate Foggy Bottom Kitchens in seven parks. That covered management fees, annual losses and amounts to renovate and operate the properties. The restaurant opened its first four Foggy Bottom Kitchens in 2020 and two more the following year. A seventh planned location was canceled. A whistleblower spoke to the Oklahoman with allegations of excessive management and consulting fees, over charges on items and possible kickbacks. Questions surround the terms of contract, which differ from previous ones. "I've had whistleblowers reach out to me how people are trying to throw their influence and power around," Martinez said. This led to a formal request for a forensic audit from Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater to the State Auditor and Inspectors Office. A special 15-member House committee will be formed to investigate potential misuse of taxpayer funds, officials said. The committee's meetings will be public. If theres a vendor out there or theres a contract that this contract or this vendor is not performing correctly, or overcharging the state, we will find that out, we will terminate that, we will sue that vendor, and we will get the taxpayers money back, Gov. Kevin Stitt said just before the contract was canceled. If theres someone in state government who is not doing things the right way, I want to shine a light on any kind of corruption or anything thats going on in state government. So we will get to the bottom of it, and well find out if theres a bad vendor. Stitt said Thursday in a statement that he has "called for more audits than any other governor in state history" The governor said he welcomes the Legislature's efforts to "protect the taxpayers and shine a light on any kind of corruption or bad actors involved in state government." The state does business with more than 4,600 companies, and I welcome a review of each one to provide maximum transparency for Oklahomans," Stitt said. Martinez said Thursday the goal is to weed out bad actors to ensure taxpayers have faith in the state tourism agency. Federal lab inspectors have resolved their major concerns with Oklahomas relocated public health lab in Stillwater after reinspecting the facility, although many types of tests remain outsourced more than a year after the new lab opened. The reinspection came in February after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a harsh report last fall over testing delays, employee training and inadequate storage of samples. Oklahoma Watch obtained the latest federal inspection report under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. It showed a few minor paperwork infractions, including inadequate temperature logs and missing patient demographic information. A separate complaint regarding newborn screening was found to be unsubstantiated by federal inspectors. Details of that complaint were not available. We are pleased that the latest CMS report found the states Public Health Lab (PHL) to be back in substantial compliance, with all three condition-level findings removed, interim Health Commissioner Keith Reed said in a statement. This reflects the hard work and commitment of staff making significant strides in just a few months. This dedication continues as we now address the remaining standard findings. These CMS surveys are part of our continuous improvement process, and the feedback provided is part of the essential framework necessary for exceptional performance. The public health lab has 35 employees, a decline from the pre-pandemic staffing level of 50 when the lab was in Oklahoma City. The Stillwater lab is doing newborn screening, some sexually transmitted disease testing and COVID-19 testing, and genomic sequencing. It continues to outsource testing specimens for microbiology, mycology, rabies and bioterrorism. Testing for HIV and syphilis is also outsourced, although those are expected to return to the lab soon. Although there is not a specific timeline for the return of these tests, we anticipate returning all tests over the next few months, the department said in a statement. However, we are more focused on ensuring a quality transition back to the lab versus a quick return, understanding it is a delicate process that cant be rushed. Lab officials are working on new processes to make sure any testing that comes back to the lab is done correctly. That includes writing instructions for specimen collection and for couriers transporting specimens to the lab, a process called pre-analytic collections. Part of the delay in returning testing to the lab has been to make sure data can be securely transmitted with new lab equipment. I have to challenge the system, send data loggers through, and prove that specimen never leaves that temperature range, said Jarrad Wagner, lab director. If I dont have the right instructions, and they dont collect the specimens correctly, thats on me. The lab in Stillwater is full of new equipment, although many pieces of equipment were marked not in use during a tour in early April. That equipment is expected to be in use as other testing returns to the lab. The health department spent more than $6.5 million to outfit the new lab using agency funds made available by using federal CARES Act money for payroll and other expenses during the first year of the pandemic. At that time, with the ongoing pandemic, we saw that money best fit to immediately update the (public health lab) and outfit it with state-of-the-art equipment, the agency said in a statement. Doing so allowed us to quickly serve Oklahomans in a greater capacity, giving us the ability to expand COVID testing and sequencing for COVID variants. When the lab started COVID sequencing, technical issues caused discrepancies between the numbers reported nationally as compared to Oklahoma. Other labs in Oklahoma also report sequencing data directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When other labs sequence for COVID variants, they report their data to the CDC. They do report to OSDH, but sometimes that is after they have reported to the CDC or another database, causing a delay to our reported numbers, the agency said. We are working diligently to share all data that we have from the PHL with necessary databases. Planning for a biorepository, which will hold human, plant and animal tissue samples, is underway at the lab. It could hold up to a million samples but will need some retrofitting of the lab, including clearing some existing office space, raising the ceiling and building a vault around the equipment. The lab continues to be managed by Prairie One Solutions Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of the Oklahoma State University Research Foundation set up weeks after the announcement of the labs relocation to Stillwater in October 2020. Prairie One has been paid more than $2 million to manage the public health lab, the health department said. Senate Bill 1733, which could be heard on the House floor this week, would exempt nonprofits associated with higher education institutions from the Open Records Act. If passed, it could shut off access to records at the public health lab or the entity created by OSU to manage the states share of settlement funds from a lawsuit against opioid companies. Funding requests remain secret The Oklahoma Pandemic Center of Innovation and Excellence remains a work in progress 18 months after it was announced by Gov. Kevin Stitt. The health department said its completion is dependent on the agencys application under the states $1.87 billion share of American Rescue Plan Act funds. The agency also has authorization to issue bonds for improvements to the Public Health Lab. The pandemic center plan envisions a research campus around the public health lab that would involve human, animal and agricultural disease research and collaboration with the private sector to promote public health. There are 15 acres available around the existing lab to build the campus. The biorepository would be a linchpin between the public health lab and the pandemic center. Theres been a lot of confusion about the (Oklahoma Pandemic Center of Innovation and Excellence) and the public health lab being used interchangeably, Reed said. Its going to be a very collaborative type of enterprise. There will be overlap with equipment and the biorepository, but the public health lab is serving public health needs and OSDH. It will keep doing that, but there will be a point where it becomes an interface with (the center). Oklahoma Watch requested a copy of the health departments application for funding for the research campus. The agency denied the request and referred further questions to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which has deemed $18 billion in funding requests as temporarily confidential while the governor and Legislature review the applications. State agencies have requested more than $3.7 billion in American Rescue Plan funds across more than 300 projects. Normally, agency requests for infrastructure or other needs would be vetted publicly through the legislative budget process. State officials have said any approved projects for federal funding would be public information. Enterprises in Vietnam paid their foreign employees handsomely, at US$8,500-34,000, equivalent to VND200-800 million, per month, according to a recently released report. The figures were disclosed in Navigos Groups report issued on Wednesday on the recruitment demand for middle and senior personnel in Vietnam in the first quarter of this year and forecasts for the second quarter. The group found that enterprises operating in Vietnam offered high salaries to foreign candidates in the previous quarter. Many foreign firms have come to Vietnam to survey and seek investment opportunities to diversify their production areas, reduce business risks, and solidify supply chains after March 15, according to Navigos. Investors assessed that Vietnam has a promising labor market with high-skilled, low-cost workers. As for the apparel sector, candidates from other Asian countries, such as Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan, were interested in working in Vietnam because of competitive salaries. According to Navigos, it is still hard to seek candidates for positions that require sophisticated techniques such as model development, sewing, reform and quality control although companies have striven to retain employees with competitive salary and bonus policies. When failing to recruit Vietnamese candidates, some companies have sought foreign applicants for these positions. Therefore, experience working in Vietnam is a plus for foreign candidates, said the manpower service provider. Regarding the tourism industry, businesses and hotels have a higher demand for candidates for senior leadership positions as the sector is recovering from COVID-19. Meanwhile, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is increasingly searching for personnel, giving rise to fierce competition for candidates. As jobseekers in this sector are dynamic and highly adaptable, not only enterprises but also outsiders have looked for them. Furthermore, the shift of production lines or factories from China to Vietnam has resulted in new projects in the auto industry in Vietnam. Navigos Groups survey revealed the severe shortage of senior personnel or experts in the electric car battery industry as multiple businesses are investing in new plants or expanding their factories worldwide. In finance, banks have a high demand for recruiting personnel for positions relating to technology, data, and consultancy of high-end products. As lenders are focusing on digital transformation and automation, they are in need of staff for IT, data, and solution architecture. According to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs, As of April last year, some 101,550 foreigners were working in Vietnam, with nearly 12 percent of them holding managerial posts, over eight percent employed as executive directors, and 58 percent being experts. Foreigners working in Vietnam were from 110 countries and territories but a majority came from China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Manufacturing firms enhance recruitment In the manufacturing sector, the demand for human resources fluent in Chinese is increasing. The trend began in late 2021, remained steady as of the end of last quarter, and was forecast to continue growing in the coming periods. Developed industrial parks and localities with developed electronics manufacturing are often in dire need of personnel fluent in Chinese. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! You are here: World Flash Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday he had discussed further support for Kiev, including macro-financial assistance, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The parties talked about the 6th sanctions package on Russia, which would include oil embargo, Zelensky tweeted. The Ukrainian leader also said that he thanked the European Commission for deciding to abolish tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian industrial goods and foods. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the EU stands ready to lift import duties on Ukrainian goods for a year. When it comes to trouble-free travel, Vietnam is top shelf among the countries Ive ever visited. People are generally honest and will often go out of their way to help those in need when sticky situations arise. Rest assured that there is no shortage of crooks, particularly in the larger urban areas and tourist hotspots, just like everywhere in the world. Risk increases at vacation destinations during the big holidays throughout the year because crowds are the largest, thus creating more opportunities for thieves. One of the biggest holidays of the year is upcoming this weekend (Reunification Day on Saturday and International Workers Day on Sunday, with many people adding extra days before and after), so airports, other modes of public transportation, hotels, and sights will be packed. Keep these three principal themes in mind when travelling: Minimize risk where possible, keep your eye on your personal belongings, and be vigilant of those around you at all times, particularly in crowded areas. ATMs * Always use ATMs during bank opening hours if possible, so you can avail of machines that are inside the building where its safer than standing on the street, plus bank staff members are available to help should issues arise. * A few years ago, for the first and only time in my life, I forgot my PIN code, panicked, and my card was eaten by an ATM. Because I was inside the bank during opening hours, I was able to convince the staff to retrieve my card instead of it being sent to a central office. * Avoid using ATMs located in convenience stores, other shops, and malls. Those ATMs are not maintained by someone on staff, rather by a bank employee who services the machines periodically. Should your card get swallowed by one of those ATMs, the staff wont be able to help you. * Unguarded ATMs on the street attract snatch-and-grab thieves and are more likely to be tampered with by skimming scammers. * If youre forced to use a standalone ATM, look for camera lenses discreetly mounted in ceilings, people loitering around, and check carefully that the keypad is firmly in place. * Scammers loosen ATM pads and place skimming devices under them, enabling capture of card data. Other thieves take photos or videos of card information using hidden cameras, then make a copy of the card and use it to withdraw your cash * Take your card with you only when you need cash, go to the bank, get your money, and return the card to your accommodation as soon as possible. * If you lose that card, you'll be stuck without access to cash and will have to wait for a replacement to be sent. That implies being stranded somewhere expensive, missing work, bothering family or friends to send emergency cash, and filling out a ton of forms at your bank. Its all well worth avoiding! * One simple solution is to have multiple bank accounts so that you have a backup ATM card, or a credit card that allows cash withdrawals, but remember to keep the backup separate from your main card. * Vietnam is still largely a cash society, so people have a tendency to carry large wads, especially while on trips. When you go out sightseeing and visiting your destination, never take more cash than what youll need for each outing. Stash your cash * Nearly all hotel rooms in Vietnam are safe, with most having a cleaning schedule including cleaning assignments by floor or range of rooms, or the business is run by family and close friends so the management knows who is responsible for your room. * Find a good place to hide your cash in your accommodation cut out a special hidden pocket on the inside of your backpack or article of clothing, in the folds of the curtain, or find a spot inside cupboards or closets, or appliances such as TVs or mini fridges. Fake hotels and commissioned agents * During prominent national holidays like Reunification Day, accommodation is usually in high demand and prices rise accordingly, which is an invitation for scammers to profit. * Touts stake out bus and train terminals, offering deeply discounted accommodation and showing photos as proof that the hotel theyre pitching is on the level and of good quality. * Anybody can buy a branded motorcycle taxi helmet with a logo and matching jacket, which lends credibility when the tout approaches people. * Stop and think if approached by such a tout: if the accommodation and price are acceptable, why arent the rooms already sold given the high demand? * Similarly, thieves troll social media groups and travel pages disguised as hotel managers. They follow conversations and target innocent victims who post messages looking for hotel rooms. * The thieves use authentic links to real hotel social media pages and advertisements, then take reservations, demanding a deposit or full payment in advance because its such a popular holiday. * Hotel payments are often made to personal bank accounts so the innocent visitor thinks nothing of transferring to the scammers accounts. * The victims dont find out until they reach the hotel only to discover no reservation exists. Walking around * A thick wallet in a hip pocket, a flashy, expensive bag or purse advertise where your cash is likely to be, so its best to split your money up and put it in your front pockets, small amounts for souvenirs and snacks in one pocket, larger amounts in another. * On public transportation, be aware of who is near you. You may think you blend in, but a local thief can easily spot you as a visitor from another city. * Pickpockets often wear larger coats and baggy clothes so they have room to move, a dead giveaway, especially in warm weather. * Keep your wits about you without ruining your good time, observing who is near you in popular and crowded areas, and dont put your phone, purse, or camera down on a bench, ledge, or adjacent chair even for a second. Smartphone theft * Smartphones have become increasingly attractive to thieves because some sell for tens of millions of Vietnamese dong. Bold thieves snatch them right out of peoples hands in crowded places such as night markets and disappear into the throng like a rat down a drain. * The greatest value in your phone isnt just the phone set itself, rather all your valuable personal information stored on it. * The best defense against losing your personal data is to use the free utilities and apps provided by most of the mainstream phone manufacturers. * Google also has excellent functions enabling recovery of a lost phone, plus features that sync contacts and other data between your phone and your google account, and its all automatic, just be sure to activate the Sync function for the features to work. * Be sure to save critical account information for easy retrieval in an emergency. I use a Samsung phone, but never use my Samsung account and have no idea what the account name and password are, but they are the key to Samsungs lost phone functionality. * The easy solution is to keep your password under a name that doesnt really exist but is easy to recall. Just choose a random name such as Uncle Samuel or another name that only you will recognize as being a fake. * If your device is lost, just log in to Google and look up Uncle Samuel among your contacts and youll be able to access your account password. * Google also has a find my phone feature which requires device Location to be on for it to function. If you usually keep Location off, make sure to turn it on before leaving on your trip and youll be able to locate your device anywhere as long as its switched on and has an Internet connection. Despite Vietnams reputation as a safe and secure destination, be aware, things can and do happen, especially in high-risk situations. Besides, its prudent to get into good habits that will automatically surface when you go abroad, where petty crime is often more prominent. Better invest some time before you travel to minimize risk so that you spend your trip enjoying yourself instead of fighting fires that could have been avoided. Measles cases jumped by 79% in the first two months of this year compared to 2021, after COVID-19 and lockdowns disrupted child vaccination campaigns around the world, according to data from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). In January and February, there were 17,338 measles cases reported worldwide, up from 9,665 in the same period last year. Measles is a very contagious disease that can be particularly dangerous for young children and babies. It spreads more quickly than Ebola, flu or COVID-19. UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell described the immunisation gaps combined with a return to social mixing in the wake of the pandemic as a "perfect storm". "Measles is more than a dangerous and potentially deadly disease. It is also an early indication that there are gaps in our global immunisation coverage, gaps vulnerable children cannot afford." The five countries with the largest measles outbreaks in the last 12 months were Somalia, Liberia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Ivory Coast. There have been 21 major outbreaks during that period. Child immunisation campaigns were knocked off course around the world during the coronavirus pandemic, and things have not fully recovered. At the start of April, 58 campaigns in 43 countries were still postponed, impacting 212 million people - mostly children. Nineteen of those campaigns are for measles, putting 73 million children at risk, UNICEF and WHO said. Immunisation campaigns for diseases like typhoid and polio were also disrupted. Last month, Malawi reported its first polio case in decades while Pakistan, one of only two countries where polio remains endemic, recorded its first case for more than a year this month. The WHO and UNICEF said it was imperative to get the vaccination drives back on track. Check out the news you should not miss today: Politics -- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and several government official delegations on Wednesday surveyed Tran De Port, located in the namesake district in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, which can accommodate general cargo ships, shipping containers of up to 100,000 metric tons, and bulk carriers of up to 160,000 metric tons. -- Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will officially visit Vietnam from Saturday to Sunday at the invitation of PM Pham Minh Chinh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday. Society -- The Thu Thiem 2 Bridge, connecting Thu Duc City with District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, will be officially inaugurated on Thursday morning following seven years of construction. -- Archeologists in southern Dong Nai Province have discovered over 6,200 stone artifacts, pottery shards, and earthenware dating back thousands of years at the Cau Sat and Suoi Chon relic sites in Long Khanh City, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced on Wednesday. -- Numerous kidney transplant patients at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City are forced to spend large sums of money on medicines purchased from outside since the hospital's pharmacy department has run out of certain drugs covered by health insurance. -- A woman in Ho Chi Minh City remains in a critical condition after having a cosmetic filler injection during a non-surgical breast augmentation and facial filler treatment at an unlicensed clinic in District 6 last Saturday. -- Authorities in Hanoi held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday for a project conserving a two-facade French-era villa located at 49 Tran Hung Dao Street 46 Hang Bai Street in Hoan Kiem District. Sports -- Vietnams top chess player Le Quang Liem defeated world No. 8 Anish Giri of the Netherlands in the sixth round of Oslo Esports Cup on Thursday morning. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities in Hanoi have begun renovations on an ancient French building located on a valuable land lot covering nearly 1,000 square meters. The municipal Peoples Committee organized a ceremony on Wednesday to initiate the revamp of the old French villa in Hoan Kiem District. The project is part of a cooperation agreement between Hanoi and Frances Ile-de-France region. The developer is the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter, while experts from the Ile-de-France region will provide technical support, Pham Tuan Long, chairman of Hoan Kiem District, said at the ceremony. The French villa is located on a land lot with two facades covering 993 square meters at the corner of Tran Hung Dao Street and Hang Bai Street. An artist's impression of the French villa after the revamp. Photo: Hanoi Peoples Committee Constructed in the early 20th century, this is one of the buildings that still retain many architectural values. The renovation will follow the principles and methods that are being applied in France to serve as a model restoration project for similar French-era edifices in Hanoi. After being revamped, the villa will function as a French cultural exchange center where heritage enthusiasts can learn about the formation of the French Quarter in Hanoi, the interaction between the French and Vietnamese cultures during the first half of the 20th century, and basic principles in the restoration and promotion of ancient French architecture, said chairman Long. The renovation is expected to be complete in March 2023. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The rich groundwater resources of Ho Chi Minh City have become vulnerable to various threats brought about by overexploitation, experts said at a seminar on Wednesday. The seminar on protecting clean water supply and limiting groundwater exploitation was organized by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and Saigon Water Supply Corporation (Sawaco) in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. Groundwater contributes greatly to the supply of water for daily use, according to Dr. Ha Quang Khai from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. In 2000, Ho Chi Minh City exploited about 300,000 cubic meters of groundwater a day, Khai continued, adding that the amount increased to 700,000 cubic meters per day in 2012. The overexploitation resulted in a drop in groundwater levels by 2015, causing land subsidence in multiple places. Some locales sank about four centimeters a year, which was the main reason behind increasingly serious flooding. City authorities have recently obtained some achievements in managing groundwater exploitation, the expert elaborated. The use of groundwater is not completely banned but is limited, he said, considering the resources a good tool to adapt to climate change. In 2018, the municipal Peoples Committee directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to develop a plan to reduce groundwater mining, according to Huynh Thanh Nha, an official from the environmental department. The agency has built a road map to lower the use of groundwater to only 100,000 cubic meters a day by 2025, Nha stated. Dao Phu Khanh, an official from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, believed that the direct use of groundwater from drilled wells poses potential dangers to human health. Previous tests showed that 70 percent of the water samples failed to meet the standards in terms of pH, ammonium, iron, and pathogenic microorganism content, Khanh explained. We have warned local residents that using untreated water sources can lead to acute diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid, he stated. Water with too much iron can cause yellow stains in clothes and intestinal diseases for humans, while a high pH level can result in itchy skin. However, many households have consumed water from wells for decades, and it is quite hard to tell them to kick such a habit, Khanh added. Tran Quang Minh, general director of Sawaco, said the corporation has struggled to encourage people to switch to tap water. Sawaco has installed 160,000 water meters, each costing up to VND5 million (US$217), for local families but they still refuse to utilize its water supply service. In addition, industrial parks, export processing zones, and factories are still exploiting a large volume of groundwater. Sawaco is mulling over a reduction in tap water cost so that residents and businesses can stop fetching water from drilled wells, Minh elaborated. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) set up a task force to investigate Vietnam Airlines use of an aircraft with a substandard concave shell to carry passengers on a flight to southern Phu Quoc Island earlier this month. The plane in question, an Airbus A321 registered as VN-A603, carried passengers aboard flight VN1823 from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Airport on April 17, the CAAV said in its report to the Ministry of Transport. As it arrived at the parking lot, an engineer found that the plane had some dents ranging from 64 to 67 centimeters long on the back of the fuselage. Preliminary assessment showed that the damage exceeded permissible limits according to the maintenance manual of the Airbus aircraft manufacturer, posing a high safety threat. Therefore, the aircraft was suspended for examination and repair. Based on footage from security cameras and documents from related personnel, officials of the CAAV and the Southern Airports Authority discovered that after the VN-A603 aircraft had its tail assembly maintained at Tan Son Nhat on the night of April 16, a forklift driver improperly moved the vehicle out of the plane, causing the safety shield on the forklift to collide with the fuselage, leaving the dents. In addition, the technical staff and the captain who performed the pre-flight inspection on the next day failed to discover those defects until after the post-flight inspection at Phu Quoc Airport. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Motoring show Drive will have a second season on Nine from Sunday. Season 2 will run over 10 episodes and feature the very first drives in all new vehicles, the latest electric cars, SUVs and hot hatches, while travelling across lakes, deserts, and even visiting a gigantic solar farm. Presented by experts and journalists James Ward, Trent Nikolic, and Emma Notarfrancesco, each episode is designed to appeal to a broad audience, from motor lovers to weekend drivers, through local stories, breathtaking scenery, and a diverse range of cars. Were thrilled with the performance of our first ever Drive series, said CEO Simon Halfhide. Given the recent shift to more Australians exploring their own backyard, our goal was to take viewers on an inspiring road trip that was both aspirational, yet within reach. It was also great to see that more than 50 percent of the average audience throughout the first season were female. This shows were striking the right balance between automotive tech and the lifestyle content more geared to families. 1:00pm Sunday on Nine. Flash A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has described Tuesday's terrorist attack in Karachi, Pakistan, as very vile, adding that China will work with Pakistan to hunt down the perpetrators, bring them to justice and make them pay a heavy price. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks on Wednesday at a regular news briefing in response to the terrorist attack on a van of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi. "We once again extend deep condolences to the victims of the two countries and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families," Wang said. He described the incident as a premeditated suicide terrorist attack against Chinese citizens. The terrorists directly targeted teachers, the inheritors of human civilization and promoters of cultural exchanges, making the attack a very vile and a heinous act, said Wang, adding that the Chinese side expresses strong condemnation and indignation at it. The Chinese government always attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions overseas, Wang said, pointing out that following the incident, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions in Pakistan immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and sent staff to the scene. Officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions in Pakistan have urged the Pakistani side to do its best to treat the injured, properly handle the follow-up matters of those killed, conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack, arrest the perpetrators and severely punish them according to law, he said. At the same time, stronger measures should be taken to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan so that such incidents will never happen again, he added. The Chinese diplomatic missions in Pakistan also reminded Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan to strengthen security awareness and enhance the security level to ensure their own safety. "Yesterday, the Chinese Consul General in Karachi went to the hospital to visit the injured Chinese teacher, who is receiving proper treatment and recovering," the spokesperson said. Wang noted that Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday evening to express his condolences, stressing that the Pakistani government is using all its resources to conduct an in-depth probe into the incident, and will spare no effort to hunt down the perpetrators and make an example of the perpetrators in punishing them. Wang added that the Pakistani side pledged to take further measures to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan in an all-round way. Sharif said his government will never allow any force to undermine Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation. The blood of the Chinese people should not be shed in vain, Wang said, adding that China firmly supports Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts and will work with Pakistan to hunt down the perpetrators, bring them to justice and make them pay a heavy price. "We once again remind Chinese citizens in Pakistan to pay close attention to the local security situation and prevent security risks," he added. Around 8,000 British Army troops will take part in exercises across eastern Europe to combat Russian aggression in one of the largest deployments since the Cold War (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire) Around 8,000 British Army troops will take part in exercises across eastern Europe to combat Russian aggression in one of the largest deployments since the Cold War. Dozens of tanks will be deployed to countries ranging from Finland to North Macedonia this summer under plans that have been enhanced since the invasion of Ukraine. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the show of solidarity and strength will see UK service personnel joining with Nato allies and those from the Joint Expeditionary Force alliance, which includes Finland and Sweden, for the exercises. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the action had been long planned, but that it had been enhanced since Russia invaded its neighbour in late February. Meanwhile, a British military veteran was reported to have been killed in Ukraine while fighting Russian President Vladimir Putins forces. Tributes were paid to Scott Sibley after the Foreign Office confirmed a British national had died in Ukraine and another is missing, without identifying the pair. The families of both are being supported, a spokesperson said, declining to give names or further details. Mr Sibley has been named by the BBC and Sky, both of which said he is believed to have been fighting in support of Ukrainian forces. Fundraisers have received donations of more than 10,000 for the veterans family, with Craig Grant writing on one Gofundme page: To me he was a friend like no other and the bravest person Ive had the pleasure to have known, he was as good as a brother to me. Another fundraising page set up in Mr Sibleys name paid tribute to his contagious laugh and ability to cheer us up. Tributes were also left on the Logistic Support Squadron Facebook page, where a picture was posted alongside the comment: This week the Sqn has lost a former serving soldier. A man that showed Commando spirit until the end. RIP. Scott Sibley. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss initially said she would support UK nationals who chose to fight for Ukraine but later rowed back on this (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire) A small number of serving British personnel are believed to have gone absent without leave to join the resistance against the Russian invasion, while veterans and Britons without combat experience are thought to have also travelled to Ukraine. Story continues There was initially confusion on the Governments position after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in comments during an interview to the BBC on February 26, said she would absolutely support UK nationals who chose to fight for Ukraine. However, she later rowed back on those comments, insisting she had been expressing support for the Ukrainian cause in her remarks, and that there are better ways to contribute to the countrys defence. Aircraft, tanks, artillery and armoured assault vehicles will join the exercises across Europe, with the UK deployment expected to build to a peak of around 8,000 personnel operating between April and June. Commander Field Army Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse said: The UK makes a significant contribution to the defence of Europe and the deterrence of Russian aggression. The British Armys series of exercises is fundamental to both. The scale of the deployment, coupled with the professionalism, training and agility of the British Army, will deter aggression at a scale not seen in Europe this century. Troops from the Queens Royal Hussars have been deployed for embedding in an armoured brigade in Finland, which shares an 830 mile land border with Russia. Exercises alongside American troops are also taking place in Poland. Mr Wallace said: The security of Europe has never been more important. These exercises will see our troops join forces with allies and partners across Nato and the Joint Expeditionary Force in a show of solidarity and strength in one of the largest shared deployments since the Cold War. After a hiatus of three years, the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) presented by Monte-Carlo Casino has returned to the French Riviera. From April 28, 2022, some of the biggest names on the live poker circuit will be battling for glory at Monte-Carlo Sporting. The first high stakes contest gets underway on the first day of the series and features a buy-in of 10,200. It is the first time the Mystery Bounty format will be used by PokerStars for a five figure buy-in while the operator has already hosted the latest craze in the world of live and online poker on previous EPT stops. From each buy-in, 4,700 will go towards the cash prize pool while 5,000 are allocated to the bounty prize pool. The Mystery Bounties will commence once the tournament has reached the money and all players still in contention when the cash bubble has burst will receive a Mystery Bounty token. For each opponent eliminated, the winner will collect the respective token and can then draw an envelope to determine their bounty prize. Day 1 of the 10,200 Mystery Bounty is scheduled to kick off at 8pm local time and eight levels of 30 minutes each are foreseen on the first of two tournament days. A maximum of two entries are allowed and the late registration is open until the end of level ten. All participants receive 100,000 in chips and the first two levels feature blinds of 500-1,000 with a big blind ante of 1,000. Four sets of duplicate levels set the pace for Day 1 while the action then recommences the following day at 12.30 local time. Last minute additions to the field will enter the fray with 20 big blinds in level 11. High Roller regulars are expected to duke it out on the tables and the PokerNews live reporting team will be there to provide all the action from start to finish. Afghans arrive to Dulles International Airport on Friday, August 27, 2021, after leaving Afghanistan as it fell to the Taliban. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Afghan-Americans say they've stepped up to assist Afghans resettled in the US. Thousands of Afghans were resettled in the US after the Taliban takeover forced them to flee. Resettlement agencies have faced steep cuts and are unable to meet demands, advocates say More than eight months after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan led to the chaotic withdrawal and resettlement of evacuees across the US and the world, Afghan-Americans say they're taking on the responsibility of meeting the needs of those resettled. Arash Azizzada, the co-founder of Afghans for a Better Tomorrow, told Insider that with a larger influx of refugees, the US resettlement agencies could not accommodate them. "The current system in place cannot handle the large influx of Afghan new arrivals. It's very much clear that refugee resettlement organizations are probably doing their best and they're trying to scale up at this moment too, and trying to probably recover as well from years of being decimated," Azizzada told Insider. Insider previously reported that former President Donald Trump's administration drastically cut the number of refugees that could be admitted to the US and cut funding for resettlement programs. And under President Joe Biden, refugee advocates have criticized the administration for neglecting the needs of Afghans and the bureaucratic backlog that has upended much of their ability to resettle. Several resettlement groups told Insider's Charles Davis and Kenneth Niemeyer in September that they were struggling to find enough staff, funding, and housing for anticipated Afghan arrivals. The issue has persisted in the months since. Earlier this month, The Des Moines Register reported that some relocated Afghan families were going days without food, some were still living in hotels, and some have been unable to get adequate medical care. KETV7, a local ABC News station in Nebraska, also reported that Afghans resettled in the state were experiencing similar circumstances with case managers not responding, and their ability to start new lives held up in bureaucratic red tape with limited help to navigate it. Story continues Azizzada told Insider that the issue is nationwide, and it's not just at the federal level but at the state and local level that more than 70,000 new Afghans in the country are having their needs not fulfilled. "There's this 90-day period where they are supposed to receive assistance or help and in many cases, that's just not occurring. People are not having their calls returned by their case managers or refugee resettlement organizations," he said. 'The government is failing us' President Joe Biden at the emergency G7 meeting in Brussels last month. Doug Mills /Pool/AFP/Getty To fill the gap, Afghan-Americans, alongside charity organizations, have stepped up. "We're just young Americans with no resources, no resettlement experience young professionals in our respective places trying to provide this job that's not even ours," said Zuhal Bahaduri, a co-founder of The 5ive Pillars Organization, a nonprofit that helps resettle refugees in Northern California. "We rose into action in August following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan to help with the influx of refugees that were arriving here. Our group were Afghan-Americans, so we have lived experiences. Our families migrated here over 30 years ago, so we wanted to step up and help make these families transition into our communities easier." Bahaduri's organization is one of many that has stepped up to assist Afghans following the Taliban takeover. She said The 5ive Pillars Organization has, so far, helped close to 600 families that have been resettled in 16 different cities in Northern California. The organization partners with resettlement and charity organizations in the region. The group is working directly out of a community center in Hayward, California. Bahaduri's said the community center serves as a distribution center where other agencies can send Afghan families to pick up basic hygiene essentials, clothes, baby essentials, non-perishable food items, school supplies, and pandemic-related gear. Her organization also provides translation services, assistance with applications, transportation, and finding access to medical care, among other services. "To be honest, like the government is failing us and the burden of successfully resettling again is going onto groups like us, Afghan-American community orgs, and we're not funded or there are some but they're underfunded. So, they're coming to us because we are able to provide this service and support and they're not getting it elsewhere," Bahaduri said. Some volunteers, who also work as caseworkers, assist refugees to navigate the resettlement process, but they're doing so on top of full-time jobs. Their priority right now, she said, is to help the 20 to 25 families that are still living in hotels find permanent housing. Those families, Bahaduri said, have been in hotels for at least five months. The group's work also involves other major resettlement duties such as figuring out how to get families registered for medical insurance, getting kids enrolled in school, helping parents find work and affordable childcare, and making sure their applications don't fall through the cracks. Mirriam Seddiq, president of the Komak Foundation in Virginia, told Insider that the organization came about in August 2021 as Afghans began to be resettled following the Taliban takeover. The word "Komak" means "help" in Dari, which is what Seddiq said her organization aims to do. The organization started off with an Amazon wishlist of the needs of the resettled Afghans and quickly grew, however, now Seddiq said there's a decline in donations, but new refugees are still arriving and still need basic necessities. "We still have huge numbers of people who are coming in who need basic supplies and we just don't have what we had early on not in the amounts that we had early on," she said. An Afghan family with new toys from the supply tent walk through an Afghan refugee camp on November 4, 2021 in Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images She added that people also don't have housing. "I've heard stories of a lot of price gouging with respect to rent because people need a place to live. Also, just people being jammed into apartments 10, 15, 20 people in very small apartments. I don't think there's funding. I mean, the funding's gonna run out and it's up to localities," she said. Seddiq added: "These refugees that we brought here on our airlifts are gonna be homeless. They're gonna get evicted. So yeah, it's kinda a mess." She noted that she's also noticing more Afghan refugees arriving in Virginia from other states. "There are people that potentially were resettled or agencies had decided to resettle them in other locations but had decided to come to Virginia. I imagine places with bigger Afghan populations are facing similar things right now," she said. Seddiq said the organization will use Facebook to post the needs of refugees, and hope those who can fulfill it will step in to help. She also said Afghan American organizations often exchange information on families in need of assistance to address the shortfalls of resources. Most importantly, Bahaduri and Seddiq said, is to support refugees to become comfortable in their respective communities. However, for some resettled Afghans, the hurdles to establishing themselves in the US were not what they expected. "A lot of them miss home, some of them, I think don't even know why they came at this point," Seddiq said. "They're like, well, we didn't know it was gonna be like this." Read the original article on Insider The Queen appeared in high spirits as she held an in-person audience with the president of Switzerland at Windsor Castle - marking her first official engagement since a week-long break on the Sandringham estate. The 96-year-old monarch, who is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee this year, smiled broadly as she shook hands with Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paolo before posing for photographs in her Oak sitting room. It comes after her second son, Prince Andrew, was stripped of his Freedom of York by councillors in the city on Wednesday amid further calls for him to have his dukedom removed. But the Queen looked cheerier than ever during Thursday's engagement upon returning to her Berkshire castle a day ago following a stay at the Duke of Edinburgh's Wood Farm cottage where she celebrated her birthday. Read more: Buckingham Palace reveals bank holiday programme of events New 50p coin released to mark Her Majesty's 70 years of service She appeared well and stood without her walking stick, wearing a blue and grey paisley print silk dress for the audience. The Queen adorned her outfit with a fruit-themed sapphire and diamond grapes brooch inherited from the Queen Mother, which features a sapphire bow and 16 small diamonds shaped like a bunch of grapes. Buckingham Palace said she is planning to attend the upcoming State Opening of Parliament on 10 May, but confirmation is expected closer to the time or on the day. The sovereign's high-profile Platinum Jubilee celebrations are just over a month away as she marks 70 years on the throne. After experiencing mobility issues in recent months, the Queen opened Parliament on all but two occasions during her reign. The exceptions were in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Andrew and then her youngest child Edward when her speech was read by the Lord Chancellor. Her Majesty celebrated the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 2022, becoming the first British monarch to reach the milestone. To celebrate the anniversary, a variety of events and initiatives are taking place throughout the year, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from 2-5 June. At the same time, payment via mobile phone and QR Code channels increased by 76.2% and 87.5%, respectively. In contrast, the proportion of cash withdrawal transactions via ATMs in total transactions processed through the system of the Vietnam National Payment Joint Stock Company (Napas) decreased from 26% in 2020 to 12% in 2021. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung - General Secretary of the Vietnam Banks Association - said that the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected economic and social activities but this is an opportunity to promote digital transformation in the banking sector. Vietnamese banks have applied many solutions to develop retail services on digital platforms and new distribution channels with multiple utilities such as mobile banking, Internet banking, and QR Code to enable the customers access to banking services anywhere, anytime. A McKinsey's personal financial services survey (2015-2021) with 20,000 respondents in 15 Asia-Pacific countries shows a booming digital trend in Vietnam. Specifically, in 2021, 82% of Vietnamese individual customers actively used digital banking, an increase of 41 percentage points. At the same time, 75% of Vietnamese individual customers used both digital banking services and physical transaction branches. Mr. Le Anh Dung - Deputy Director of the Payment Department of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) - said that, by 2025, the value of non-cash payments in Vietnam will be about 25 times higher than GDP. The SBV also estimated that non-cash payments in e-commerce will reach 50% and 80% of Vietnamese people aged 15 and over will have a bank account by 2025. Also, the growth of payment via mobile channels will reach 80% and via Internet channel will increase by 40%. These are considered ambitious targets of the SBV. Realizing the "digital dream" It can be seen that the customer of the retail banking system will be Generation Z. This generation is familiar with digital technology as they were born with a smartphone in hand and grew up with social networks. They want services to be performed immediately at the moment the desire arises. This is a challenge and also an opportunity for banks. Mr. Le Hong Viet, General Director of FPT Smart Co., Ltd., said that Vietnamese banks are implicitly competing for technology resources to create business advantages. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) and technology are applied in all operations of banks, from communicating with customers, optimizing credit activities and helping employees do their work more efficiently. Previously, FPT AI provided virtual assistants. However, in the past 2 years, it has received many research orders related to knowledge technology. How to make the machines not only answer what is preset, but also have the ability to improvise to answer customers' questions related to different issues in the banking sector . Statistics show that 44.4% of commercial banks in Vietnam highly expect that the use of digital transformation and AI can help promote their sales by 50%. Although the banking sector of Vietnam is going faster in the race of 4.0 and digital transformation compared to the fields of securities, insurance, real estate, and fund management, but it is still slow compared to the world. It is forecasted that cashless payments in Asia-Pacific will grow 28% on average in the next 5 years. Therefore, the cashless payment development scheme in Vietnam with a growth rate of 20-25%/year is modest. Tran Chung Waco stages get a little busier this weekend as two productions open weekend runs featuring a Stephen Sondheim musical and one of Tom Stoppards most famous works. The musical, Sondheims Into the Woods, comes from theatrical company Wild Imaginings and represents its first full-scale musical. The Stoppard work, his 1966 absurdist Rosencrantz and Guilderstern Are Dead, wraps up McLennan Theatres 2020-21 season. For Wild Imaginings director Trent Sutton, the time was right for his company to tackle Sondheim. Its a musical Ive loved for a long time. At the end of last year, when Stephen Sondheim died, we decided it was the right choice for this year, he said. Company members had lobbied to do something musical and Wild Imaginings staging of A Christmas Carol in December featured some songs. Into The Woods, however, is the first stage musical that Wild Imaginings has tackled. Sondheim, a giant of the American stage, uses fairy tale and folk tale characters such as Jack and The Beanstalk (Addison Ross), Rapunzel (Victoria Brewer), Cinderella (Mackenzie Block), Little Red Riding Hood (Kalyssa Smith), the Witch (Mackenzie Elisa), the Baker and his Wife (Caleb Howard and Chris Gibson) and more in a musical exploration of life beyond the happy ending. Sutton said the Wild Imaginings production will downplay some of the fairy tale aspects in costuming and sets to show more connections with contemporary viewers. We want to strip back some of those layers of fantasy and show real people in the real world, he said. Some simple changes in design and acting can let the truth embedded in these stories come out clearly. The 20-person company is one of the largest that Wild Imaginings has fielded and features Baylor University adjunct professor of musical theater Kelly MacGregor as music director. Its also the first time that Wild Imaginings has used the Lee Lockwood Library and Museum stage for a production. I think the cast in this space is something people need to see, the director said. This is the most talented cast Ive ever worked with. At McLennan Theatre at McLennan Community College, theater instructor Kelly Parker is giving his actors a change of pace for their season finale, the layered, wordy work of English playwright Tom Stoppard. Stoppards 1966 play takes the characters of Shakespeares Hamlet and flips them. Minor characters Rosencrantz (Reanna Fornash and Grace Adams) and Guildenstern (Jay Parker and Colten Haliburton) dominate the time on stage with Hamlet (Brendan Phipps) and other characters dropping in for occasional interactions. The two have little concept of the play continuing without them, even though its driving their fate and ultimate end, giving an absurdist, existential spin to the action and one heavily leavened with wit and allusion. Its stayed with Parker ever since he read it in high school and directed scenes from it in graduate school. It was edgy, aggressive, exciting and different when it was written, he said, and much of it still plays that way decades later. The productions leads will be double-cast with all actors performing each night, but a different set of parts; the actors playing Rosencrantz, for instance, will play the same character but in different scenes. Each lead actor will get to play the final scenes in the course of the run, said Parker, who is co-directing the work with Cori Burkett. Onstage action this weekend isnt limited to the McLennan Theatre and Wild Imaginings productions. Continuing its run at Baylor Theatre is Moon Man Walk, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Clint Harp said uncomfortable topics will be onstage Saturday night at the Waco Hippodrome when the Pantsuit Politics women, Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland, talk about their work with, well, uncomfortable topics. That is the point of the evening, in fact: How does one discuss subjects in this polarizing time without turning friends and neighbors into enemies or pariahs? Rather than a night of tension and anger, Harp expects a fun night of laughter and story, which happens to be part of Silvers and Hollands conversational rather than confrontative approach to others. Their appearance comes as a result of Harps own podcast, Man UnMade, in which the Waco carpenter made famous through his appearances on Fixer Upper interviews women leaders to normalize, as the podcast tagline puts it, the authority and power of womens voices in a mans ear. Harps podcast has featured Jane Pauley, Jen Hatmaker, Soledad OBrien, Lauren Cox, the Pantsuit Politics duo and Harps wife, Kelly, who runs Wacos Harp Design Co. Kelly Harp, a Pantsuit Politics fan, contacted Silvers and Holland to persuade them to take part on Man UnMade and the resulting experience left them all wanting more, Clint Harp said. At the end of the podcast, Sarah said, We should totally come down to Waco and do something sometime, he said. Something sometime turns out to be Saturday night, in which the Harps will interact with the Pantsuit Politics duo. The two, Silvers from Union, Kentucky, and Holland from Paducah, Kentucky, come to Waco with a new book to promote, Now What? How To Move Forward When Were Divided (About Basically Everything), which offers suggestions on how communities can bridge polarization. Their friendship dates from their college days at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, in the early 2000s. After graduation in 2003, they pursued different career paths, Silvers going into law and Holland into politics and city government. They kept in touch over the years as both raised families, two daughters for Silvers and three sons for Holland, despite different political leanings, Silvers toward Republicans, Holland toward Democrats. They shared common values and a Christian faith, but public conversations, whether in politics, church or social media, starting to separate people rather than connect them. In 2015, the two started their Pantsuit Politics podcast with an aim of steering conversations through uncomfortable topics without damaging relationships. Their commonsense approach struck a nerve and within four years Pantsuit Politics had four million downloads. Were not party politicians. Were moms with law degrees who care about our community and our country, Silvers said. Their kids now are also chiming in with insights. We love to learn from our kids and sometimes we bring them into our work, she said. In 2019, the two women wrote I Think Youre Wrong (But Im Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation, which provided advice for interpersonal communications. They have expanded to the community level in their latest Now What? Their observations and suggestions will inform Saturdays discussion. Well talk a lot about the upcoming midterm elections in whats likely to be a highly charged political environment, Silvers said. It all sounds serious and heavy, but Clint keeps it light. Silvers said political conversations have become more pernicious as cultural issues get involved. Its come into our homes and infected our spaced even more, she said. Part of the solution is recognizing the problem and how media literacy and social media awareness can curb its excesses. I hope what we offer is to see whats happening and name it, but not allow it to make us distrustful of everything, Silvers said. Harp said Saturdays conversation comes at an important time. Their whole focus is being able to have conversations about tough things that can be polarizing, he said. Its not a night for stances outside of how do we love each other in a difficult time and how do we draw the lines. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Public schools in Texas are funded largely by local property taxes and, as property values soar in Texas, many property tax bills are also poised to grow. Texas law grants homeowners some tax relief through what are called homestead exemptions, which reduce for qualifying homeowners the amount of a homes value that can be taxed. And Texas voters have the chance in a May 7 constitutional amendment election to expand homestead exemptions that could lower the amount of property values upon which property taxes can be levied. Early voting for the two propositions began Monday and runs through May 3. The propositions will appear on the top of voters ballots, above any local races they may be deciding. But many voters may not know what the propositions are asking them to support or oppose, given their highly technical wording. Heres a breakdown of how the propositions are phrased and what they mean. Proposition 1 The ballot language: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead. What it means: Homeowners who are disabled or 65 years and older can qualify for having school district property taxes capped or frozen. But when lawmakers in 2019 passed legislation to offset rising property values with lower school district tax rates for all homeowners, those adjustments were not extended to elderly and disabled homeowners. Under Proposition 1, those homeowners could qualify for those additional reductions in 2023 if the measure passes, said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican who wrote the legislation calling for the constitutional amendment. Proposition 2 The ballot language: The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000. What it means: Currently, homeowners can subtract $25,000 from their homes value before school tax rates are levied. Proposition 2 would increase that deduction to $40,000 in value. The measure could save the average homeowner about $175 on their annual property tax bill, Bettencourt said, and would go into effect this year. Whats the impact for schools? If the measures pass, the state would reimburse school districts for the lost property tax revenue, so schools would not lose funding. School districts with higher property wealth per student would also see lower payments into a state fund, known as recapture, meant to support districts with lower property values. Whats the impact for Texans? The measures would lower school district property taxes for qualifying homeowners, but homeowners could still see increased tax bills because of property value growth. Bettencourt said he expects increased tax bills for those with homestead exemptions to be in the single digits. Homeowners who have a case can also protest their higher home values with their local appraisal districts, he added. The propositions would not help renters, who have also seen rising housing costs, nor businesses and other property owners because homestead exemptions apply only to a homeowners primary residence. How would the state fund these changes? Proposition 1 would cost the state more than $744 million from 2024 to 2026, according to a fiscal note from the Legislative Budget Board. Proposition 2 would cost the state almost $1.6 billion from 2023 to 2026, according to a fiscal note. The state would also see less revenue from recapture payments. When state lawmakers passed Proposition 2 in the fall, Bettencourt outlined a plan to use $4.4 billion in surplus funds to pay for initial costs, but plans to cover future funding were unclear. The state is sitting on a large amount of money because it didnt spend everything that was available to it, said Dick Lavine, a senior fiscal analyst for Every Texan, a liberal-leaning think tank. So immediately it will be able to cover the cost. But over the long term, no, they did not increase state revenue in order to cover the loss of local school property tax revenue. Bettencourt told The Texas Tribune he believes the state can cover the costs with strong economic growth and revenue from sources such as the states sales tax. (Texas doesnt have a state income tax.) Theres nothing I see that would indicate that we dont have the money for this in really both the near- and long-term future, he said. Texas House and Senate leaders set aside $12 billion in surplus revenue and $3 billion in federal stimulus funds to pay for tax relief during the 2023 legislative session, despite a federal ban on the use of stimulus funds for tax breaks. Texas and other states have contested the ban in court as unconstitutional. James Quintero, a policy director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, said the foundation would like to eventually see most school district property taxes eliminated. The group thinks local governments should tighten spending, the state should spend more on education and the state should also increase the number of goods to which sales taxes are applied. We want to see the state shoulder the entire burden of funding public education while also making sure that those monies are being used in a judicious manner, he said. Other experts have said state leaders need to create a new source of revenue or to reduce spending on public education for Texans to see meaningful property tax reductions. Disclosure: Every Texan and Texas Public Policy Foundation have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/27/texas-proposition-1-2-constitutional-amendment-election/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Wine is now produced in all 50 states, yet in my travels, it still surprises me to see wine in areas that piques your interest. On my recent trip to Lexington, Kentucky, for the annual Road to the Horse competition, I started noticing a lot, and I mean a lot, of signs for wineries. Of course, I expected to see distilleries, it is after all, Americas Bourbon Trail, but I counted more winery signs than distilleries. I was astounded. When did this start happening? While the competition is an all-day affair each day, I started planning one morning where we could pull away let me rephrase that, where I could pull away. Anyhow, back to Kentucky and Kentucky Proud wines, as they like to bill themselves. When did the spark begin? A long, long time ago. We know that California is the largest wine-producing viticulture area in our country, with New York, Washington state, and Oregon respectively after, yet they can never claim to be the official national-registered birthplace. No, that claim goes to the beautiful blue grass state of Kentucky. Shortly after the birth of our country, was the birth of commercial wine. It started in 1796 while listening to French soldiers who had fought in the American Revolution talk about the lack of a viable wine industry in the United States, that Jean-Jacques Dufour set out for America to scout land. A Swiss immigrant who was the winemaker for Marquis de Lafayette, Dufour crossed the new country looking at the east, but settled for the milder climate in the Ohio River Valley. He chose a southern-facing property overlooking the Kentucky River with a large receiving port in nearby Quantico. Soon he had cultivated the fields, received his plantings, and with lots of work from others, planted the cuttings on his 600-acre farm. He dubbed it First Vineyards. Not only was it the first commercial vineyard in the United States, it was the first incorporated business in Kentucky. All of this was made possible with the help of his new friends and partners, Patrick Henry, Henry Clay and Daniel Boone. These men formed the new Kentucky Vineyard Society. First Vineyards Kentucky wines appeared in 1803. It produced the Alexander, also known as the Cape grape, a hybrid cross of American and European vines, among others such as Catawba, Concord and more. The vineyard was a commercial success for many years until a killing frost in the early to mid-1800s destroyed the crops. While First Vineyards crops were not replanted, not all were fully destroyed, just not enough for commercial production. However, in the 1830s, the Kentucky and Ohio river areas were brimming with new immigrants from Europe establishing new vineyards. Kentucky was the largest producer in all of the South until Prohibition. Prohibition forced farmers of all states to destroy their crops. These farmers turned to planting and growing tobacco for crops. Its a wonder how many tobacco farms were once vineyards. Prohibition ended finally in 1933, yet it took Kentucky until 1976 to pass legislation for commercial wineries again. It did not take off from there for almost 20 years. In 1994, Tom Beall unknowingly purchased Jean-Jacques Dufours original First Vineyards property while looking for a retreat for his family. Beall is an avid historian and went to work discovering his new purchases history. He was astounded to learn the historical significance of the property, and went about preserving its history. He obtained all the records and sent them to the National Archives and Records Administration, which has a placed an official register and plaque at the site. Beall continued to work on the place, and even had searched from records of the original planting sites and restored the vines along with his new purchases of the same varieties, including its famed Alexander grape. The Bealls honor Dufours original wines under the label JJ Dufour. He has planted other varietals in addition to those under the vineyard label. I was not near enough to Jessamine County where this was located, but I do plan a trip back soon. Kentucky is a gorgeous state with beautifully history preserved throughout. In the words of world champion Craig Cameron: Keep Riding. Winery in Review Grimes Mill Winery Located about 15 miles from Kentucky Horse Park, Grimes Mill Winery is a quaint area, winding down an old farm road into the countryside. Theres a beautifully restored family homestead, with the tasting room in the old tobacco and horse barn. We drove up on a day that a countywide wine-tasting event was taking place. We chanced it even though it was actually closed, and surprisingly, they let us in. The barn is repurposed using the former stables wood for the tasting bar. The DeSimone family has owned the 30-acre estate long enough to transfer from tobacco crops to grape growing. I tried to pry more information about the history of the property and such, but its pretty well trained to repeat only what is on the website. I did learn that each batch of wine only comprises one barrel, so when it gone, its gone. This retains their small-batch, hand-crafted approach from selection to bottling. They use grapes harvested on the estate, Fayette County grapes, and also import Italian juice to produce in regard to the owners heritage. I had a total of six selections: Malvasia, Amarone, Barolo, Merlot, a red blend called The Three Frenchmen, and the Black Walnut dessert wine. The two wines that I believe, on a whole, represent the vineyard the very best are The Three Frenchmen and the Black Walnut Wine. Grimes Mill Winery does ship to Texas, I was told, so place an order. Prices are reasonable ($15 on up) and the quality of wines are on point. Wines in Review The Three Frenchmen Tasting notes: Composed of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this is perhaps one of the best blends Ive had in years. Beautiful red fruits of raspberries, cherries on the nose, leading to gorgeous flavors on the palate mixed with a touch of spice, vanilla and golden toast. Really, a perfect glass and Im glad I bought a bottle. Price: $25. Black Walnut Wine About: Sometimes it takes a person that can creatively think to devise this little number. Im a master taster, and its one of those wines that just blows your mind. Thats only happened twice in all of the tens of thousands of wines Ive tasted. The story of it goes something like this: the neighbor across from them has black walnut trees. They took the sap of the tree, played around with it, and created this gem. Its not too sweet, has a great walnut flavor hovering in the background, and looks as natural-made wines do cloudy with a chance of sunlight in your glass when poured. Quite unique, and the most representative of their winery in my humble opinion. Price: $25. Lorrie Dicorte has been in the wine business for 40-some years and her family for more than 90 years. Her grandfather, Billy Dicorte, and cousin, Tony LaBarbera, were the first to import fine wines such as Ch Lafite Rothschild. Lorrie has served on international wine competition judging panels, and is known for her keen smell and taste. Erastus Deaf Smith was perhaps one of the most unique figures to emerge from the early years of Texas history. In spite of a nearly total hearing loss, Deaf Smith served Texas with courage and distinction. While he may not have been able to hear, Texas listened closely to what he had to say. Smith was born in Duchess County, New York, about 80 miles north of New York City. His parents, Chilaib and Mary Smith, were farmers. In 1799, they moved to Natchez in the Mississippi Territory in pursuit of the new lands available. According to reports, Smith lost nearly all of his hearing due to an unspecified illness he had as a child. In the years before vaccines and antibiotics, such tragedies were not unusual and any of a number of diseases curable with modern medicine could have been responsible. Nevertheless, his vision and keen sense of discernment remained intact, and Smith remained determined not to let this loss discourage him in any way. He briefly visited Texas in 1817 before returning to Mississippi. In 1821, he returned to Texas and settled in San Antonio where he married a local widow. Together, they had four children. In 1825, he became one of the first settlers in the community of Gonzales, the first American settlement in Texas west of the Colorado River. In 1835, when Mexican Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos briefly seized control of San Antonio, they blocked Smith, who had been away for some time, from seeing his family. At the age of 48, he joined the forces of Stephen F. Austin in an attempt to break the siege and served as a scout. Smiths careful observation revealed that Cos did not have the resources to survive a long siege. Half-starved, Cos and his army surrendered in December. Smith stayed in San Antonio to help with the defense of the city while his wife and children fled to nearby Columbia. Mexican forces returned the next February. After Col. William Barret Travis wrote his now-famous appeal to Texans and the world for aid, he sent Smith with the letter to Gen. Sam Houston, commander of all Texas forces. Houston sent Smith back to the Alamo to learn of its fate, only to return with the news of its fall and the slaughter of its defenders. Houston promoted Smith to the rank of captain and continued to use him for reconnaissance while Texas forces pulled back toward San Jacinto. Smith captured a number of Mexican spies and messengers and as the battle at San Jacinto approached and cut down a wooden bridge with an ax to cut off a possible retreat by Mexican forces. After the battle in April, Smith was entrusted with delivering the orders of the surrendering Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to all remaining Mexican forces to leave Texas. Smith returned to military service briefly in 1837 as a Ranger to deflect Mexican forces attempting to enter Texas at Laredo. Shortly afterward, Smith moved to Richmond, just west of modern-day Houston. His time here would not last long. In November, he contracted a sudden illness and died. He was only 50 years old. The Telegraph and Texas Register newspaper in Houston revered his life upon the news of his death: This singular individual was one whose name bears with it more respect than sounding titles. Major, Colonel, General, sink into insignificance before the simple name of Deaf Smith. The Republic of Texas later put his image on the Texas $5 bill. In 1876, the Texas Legislature named Deaf Smith County in the Panhandle in memory of the revered hero of the Texas Revolution. Dr. Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan who enjoys sharing these stories about people from the Lone Star State. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is searching for the person who shot and killed a nesting bald eagle near Garland last week and its also monitoring the chick it left behind. The female eagle was alive when she was found near a nest with her mate and chick but later died from her injuries. A state conservation officer performed a necropsy and determined the bird had been shot. Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest, said Stacey Lewton, southeast district supervisor for the commissions law enforcement division. To make an anonymous report, call 800-742-7627 or contact a conservation officer. If found, the shooter will likely face federal and state charges for killing the protected bird, he said. The commission has also enlisted the help of the Raptor Conservation Alliance to watch the nest, and the male eagles care of the chick. So far, so good, he said. The other eagle that nests there is doing well, and were looking for that to continue. Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or psalter@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSPeterSalter Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the bonus letters column that we promised several weeks ago. With a bonanza of mail, these extra letters columns help us keep up with your comments and follow-up questions. Weve received a lot of virus and vaccine questions, so lets dive in. The recommendations regarding booster shots continue to evolve, which has led to a bit of confusion. This includes a reader who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and a J&J booster. I understand that you can get an mRNA booster after the J&J shot, he wrote. But I havent seen anything as to when you can safely get an mRNA booster after receiving two J&J shots. Any guidance would be appreciated. It is suggested that individuals who received the J&J shot-plus-booster series follow up with either the Pfizer or Moderna boosters four months after their last shot. Since this is a suggestion and not a formal recommendation at this point in time, its a good idea to discuss a second booster dose with your health care provider. Another aspect of the COVID-19 landscape that has continued to shift is FDA approval of the vaccines. In a recent column, we mentioned that the Pfizer vaccine has received Food and Drug Administration approval. This led a reader to say he has read otherwise. Although the vaccine was fully approved, research I have done indicates that version is not in use in the United States, but only in other parts of the world, he wrote. Is this correct? The answer is no, this is not correct. There is only one version of the vaccine, and it is in use throughout the world. We suspect the confusion arises because the vaccine is offered under different brand names outside of the U.S. Despite that, all brand names of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine are biologically and chemically the same. We get a lot of mail regarding antibodies, which are produced as part of the bodys immune response to infection and following vaccination. A reader from Oklahoma had a question on the topic. I had COVID-19 in December 2020, prior to the availability of vaccines. I later got the Moderna vaccine (both shots), and I got my booster shot in October, she wrote. I donated blood three or four times, and each time, my test result for antibodies was negative. Should I be concerned? No, there is no need for concern. In terms of COVID-19 infection, data shows that up to 40% of people test negative for antibodies. And when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, a negative antibody test does not mean you are unprotected. The protective mechanisms of the vaccines are complex, and efficacy does not rely solely on antibody detection. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write to us. We read each of your letters and respond to as many as we can. A quick reminder that we cannot provide a diagnosis, offer a second opinion or comment on medications. Please stay safe, and continue to take precautions against COVID-19. Send questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 GRUNDY CENTER A Grundy Center man accused of killing an Iowa State Patrol trooper during an April 2021 standoff at his home may argue he was acting in self-defense. Michael Thomas Lang, 42, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and assault on a peace officer in the death of Sgt. Jim Smith and the gunfight with a SWAT team that followed. His trial is scheduled to begin in May. On Tuesday, Langs defense team filed notice they intend to rely on a defense of justification to fight the charges. The defense also asked the court to preclude the state from referring to Sgt. Smith as a victim. Referring to the deceased as a victim assumes a crime has been committed, defense attorney Aaron Hawbaker wrote in his motion. The notice came after prosecutors attempted to bar the defense from claiming self-defense or stand your ground. A person is not authorized to use force to resist an arrest even if the person believes the arrest is unlawful or the arrest is in fact unlawful, Assistant Iowa Attorney General Douglas Hammerand wrote in his request. He also asked to prohibit the defense from asking witnesses about arrest warrants and search warrants for Lang or his home at the time of the incident. Hammerand said in court records that an arrest warrant wasnt needed because they were looking for Lang in connection with an earlier struggle with a Grundy Center police officer during a traffic stop. He cited Iowa Code that allows law enforcement to enter property to make an arrest. If such demand is not promptly complied with, the officer may thereupon enter such premises to make the arrest, using such force as is reasonably necessary, Hammerand said, quoting state statue. Authorities allege Lang struggled with a Grundy Center police officer following a traffic stop and then fled home. Smith and other officers later attempted to enter Langs home to arrest him, and Smith was shot with a shotgun. A standoff followed, and Lang allegedly exchanged gunfire with officers when they attempted to take the house, according to authorities. He was eventually wounded and taken to an Iowa City hospital. The trial has been moved from Grundy Center to Webster City because of pretrial publicity. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WATERLOO A Waterloo teen convicted of killing a man during a 2016 drive-by shooting wont be getting a new trial. Attorneys for Doncorrion Deangelo Spates had asked the court to overturn a guilty verdict of first-degree murder because a juror allegedly made racially charges comments. In 2020 the Iowa Court of Appeals tasked a district court judge with re-evaluating the matter. On Wednesday, the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the judges decision against granting a new trial. We expressly find that, although some jurors reported hearing troubling comments that implicated race, the record contains no compelling evidence that a juror made clear and explicit statements indicating that racial animus was a significant motivating factor in his or her vote to convict, Appellate Court Judge David May wrote in the ruling. Prosecutors said Spates was 15 when he was a passenger in a SUV that drove past a group of people who gathered outside a Logan Avenue home July 17, 2016. Someone in the vehicle opened fire on the group, and Otavious Brown, 21, was struck by a bullet and died. Two others were injured. A jury found Spates, who is Black, guilty of first-degree murder and acquitted two other passengers, who are also Black. The driver pleaded to lesser charges. Following trial, a juror approached the judge to say she had heard another juror make racial remarks that young Black men are gangbangers and are desensitized to shooting and that all Black people know each other. In the district court judges analysis, he noted others jurors said they didnt hear any racial comments, and some said the knowing each other comment likely related to speculation surrounding if the people in the SUV knew the people standing outside the home or if the shooting was random. Likewise, no other juror reported hearing the gangbanger reference, but one reported hearing speculation over if the shooting was gang-related, according to the district court judges findings. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WATERLOO Hawkeye Community Colleges Grundy Hall Health Sciences renovation and expansion project received a matching grant of up to $250,000 from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. Matching funds will be awarded as part of the foundations system and capacity building grant program. The money will support the renovation work, which includes a $3.79 million state-of-the-art dental clinic and related equipment purchases. The clinic is a key component of renovating Grundy Hall into a cutting-edge facility designed to unite all health sciences, dental care and emergency medical services training under one roof. The $21 million project is part of Hawkeyes strategic plan to increase access to high-demand education and to fill a critical need for skilled health care workers. The building, also funded by a voter-approved 2015 bond referendum, is being rebuilt from the ground up and includes additional space for dental care. Hawkeyes dental program serves both students and patients from across the state. The renovations and expansion will allow for a 25% increase in dental hygiene program enrollment along with a 25% increase in patient services. For 52 years, Hawkeye Community College has provided low-cost dental services to Iowans who otherwise would not have access to affordable dental care while simultaneously training new dental workforce professionals, said Suzanne Heckenlaible, the foundations executive director. The demand for highly trained dental professionals continues to increase and remains a key priority for the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. As one of only six dental hygiene programs in Iowa, and one of four providing preventive and periodontal care in an on-site clinic, this grant from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation will ensure more students have access to hands-on training with the latest dental technology, said Dr. Emily Boge, Hawkeye Community College dental administrative chair. The expansion of our dental clinic will also enable us to provide more patients with access to top quality oral health care in an integrated health setting. The Hawkeye Community College Foundation will be pursuing funding from other public partners, private donations, and individual donors to match the $250,000 grant. To learn more about how to contribute to this project, contact Boge at Emily.boge@hawkeyecollege.edu. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR FALLS The Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation District and the Cedar Falls School District were recently awarded a $78,500 grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for a water quality project. Its described as benefiting the Cedar Valley community, Dry Run Creek and the Middle Cedar River watershed at the new high school on West 27th Street slated to open in 2024. The Cedar Falls project was one of 17 across the state to share more than $2 million in funding and technical assistance through the states Water Quality Initiative, the department announced Tuesday. These projects will help show the conservation progress we can make when rural and urban citizens and public and private partners work together, said Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig in the announcement. They are a good example of how Iowas cities and communities can make a meaningful impact on water quality for their residents and neighbors downstream, while providing a blueprint for others to follow. Giant by Tobroco brings big conference to Cedar Falls after relocating HQ to Ida Street GiANT by TOBROCO relocated its North American headquarters from Des Moines to Cedar Falls right before the pandemic. More than two years later, its bringing along its inaugural dealers conference. The Cedar Falls project will feature more than 30 acres of native prairie landscaping and several bio-retention cells, in addition to existing soil quality restoration and to-be installed detention basins to reach the intended storm water management and water quality goals. The partnerships mission of conservation implementation and encouraging the adoption of stormwater best management practices is based on the communitys vision for the construction of a sustainable high school, states the grant application. The application also said the agencies feel it is a rare opportunity that constructing a new education building brings to make conservation a key part of decades of education opportunities. Energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, stormwater management, and habitat creation, among other sustainable principles, will be emphasized with the project. Some of the supplementary conservation efforts include natural lighting, renewable materials, waste reduction, high efficiency mechanical systems, geothermal wells, solar power generation, LED lighting, windbreaks, as well as native/local trees and plantings to eliminate irrigation and conserve water. On the stormwater management side, the application said every opportunity was considered. Detention basins will meet the site standard stormwater management requirements. To implement the desired water quality component, stormwater BMPs were added. This will be an exemplary model for other school districts throughout the entire state and beyond to aspire to. This project is a high priority for DRC (Dry Run Creek) given the sites proximity to the stream, being located 1,000 feet directly uphill from the university branch. This stretch has maintained the best biological scores of the watershed thanks to partnerships with the high schools neighbor, the University of Northern Iowa. Having two conservation-minded educational institutions next to each other will provide enhanced outreach and engagement for thousands of citizens. Constructing a new high school will undoubtedly encourage future development of homes nearby, as evident of the citys future land use plan. Having these conservation components being within these highly visible areas can encourage additional conservation implementation by local residents. The grant makes up 50% of the $158,000 estimated cost for the stormwater management infrastructure and is just for the eligible stormwater management components of the new high school, which is but a fraction of the entire building project, said Josh Balk, the Dry Run Creek Watershed and Source Water Protection Coordinator at the Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation District, in an email. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CEDAR FALLS After opening nearly four decades ago, the Worlds Window is undergoing an ownership change to ensure it thrives for years to come. Betsy Roling, the future proprietor of the Fair Trade store at 214 Main St., also will open up a gift and services co-op, The Cob Mercantile, next door at 212 Main St. in mid-to-late May. The purchase from the nonprofit board will close May 1 for an undisclosed amount. The goal of having a local and global impact will remain the same as Rowling takes over after having been general manager of the nonprofit store, with products from many impoverished artisans from around the world, since 2018. Shell combine it and her new business into a for-profit operation. But there will be no changes, and for now the name will remain the same. The business structure change will lend additional flexibility to keep the store open as volunteer numbers have declined and keeping a full board has become a challenge. Its like the end of an era. But were continuing what so many women created in the 1980s. Were excited and hopeful this change will open doors to so much more, Roling said. The board knows Ill continue on with the foundation that was built. The board was not looking to sell, but with Roling already working there and looking to open her micro-business co-op next door, her husband suggested: Why wouldnt you just buy both? It would be easier if you ran both as one. The nonprofit remains appreciative of its dedicated volunteers, like Betty Goettsch and Virginia Shimpach, who are both more than 90 years old, and along with others who help in telling the story behind the products, which in turn helps sell product. A Volunteer and Customer Appreciation Event is scheduled at the store from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. May 7. Its a bit of a relief, now not having to worry about keeping the store open. Its sad, but we know this change is for the better, added Board Chair Sue Loy. Rolings new space next door used to be a store named Kitchen Essentials and Gifts. Upon opening, patrons will have access to both similarly sized stores from the interior. The Cob Mercantile will rent space to local craftspeople and artisans who are interested in getting their products and services in a brick and mortar store on Main Street without having to worry about the overhead costs. The store name was proposed by Rolings daughter. Each business will be like a kernel on the cob, which is meant to drive home the essence of the model: Multiple businesses will be inside one and can be a place to grow together. Entrepreneurs also will have access to business education and be able to host special events in The Crib, which would also be a space for anyone to relax, study or share a coffee. If interested, vendors can fill out a Google Form at: https://bit.ly/3LzX1dr. There are some guaranteed names who have already committed to sharing their talents, like Liza Paizis with cards and jewelry; Mary Paxton with homemade baby quilts; and EmmaJean Roling with environmentally friendly soaps and toothbrushes. Vendors need to commit to spending eight hours per month in the store. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two American mercenaries were seriously injured in Orekhovo Manus McCaffrey and Paul Gray former US Army soldiers fought as part of the Javelin ATGM crew on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. And today at about 14.35 in the Orekhovo area they were in position, waiting for Russian tanks that were approaching the city from Novotishkovsky. It was at that moment began an artillery bombardment, and one of the shells landed near the position of the American mercenaries. Both received shrapnel wounds to the face, head and body, and a concrete wall behind which he was hiding also fell on a mercenary with the surname Gray. Currently, both Americans are in the hospital and apparently they will not be able to return to Orekhovo the allied forces are already fighting inside the city. Idiots WtR ~~ Itd not fair, Russia is BAD. ~~ EU Decry Unjustified Gazprom Gas Block Ursula von der Leyen has slammed Gazproms decision to halt gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after the countries refused to pay in rubles as per Russias demands as unjustified and unacceptable. The European Commission President added that the EU will coordinate a retaliation to what it considers an attempt by Moscow to blackmail us with gas as European prices shot up 24% after Gazprom announced their block. Meanwhile reports of Austria which depends on Russia for 80% of its gas will pay in rubles, were later refuted by Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Twitter. Bloomberg reported Wednesday that 10 European buyers had agreed to pay for gas in rubles and 4 had already made a payment in the currency. Subscribe to RT t.me/rtnews WtR Now I am Grouchy. My favorite puppet of the Empire of Lies is a very rotten guy, might be a great puppet, but he had bad intentions Saakashvili returned to Georgia to prepare for the opening of a second front against Russia in the event of military action in Ukraine. This was announced by Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili. There was an intention to open a second front. There was specific information that the war in Ukraine was supposed to start in November or December last year. That is why Saakashvili came, so that everything could be prepared from here for the opening of the second front, Garibashvili said in an interview with Georgian journalists. The Prime Minister stressed that there will be no second front, and no one will involve Georgia in the confrontation. In October 2021, Saakashvili secretly arrived in Georgia the day before the municipal elections. In Georgia, the ex-president was sentenced to prison in absentia. In addition, several other criminal cases were opened against him. Saakashvili was arrested and placed in a Rustavi prison. Toss the keys to his prison cell. No more happy about Sassy WtR Konstantin Yaroshenko said that his health deteriorated due to torture in American prisons. The attitude towards me in prison was not the best. The Orthodox faith helped to hold on, the released pilot said. The Russian Yaroshenko has been imprisoned for 12 years in an American prison, where he was beaten and did not provide assistance. Today he was exchanged for an American student Trevor Reed, convicted of drunken assault on police officers in Moscow. WtR Britain is threatening China. Foreign Minister Liz Truss warned Beijing that it must play by the rules. Otherwise, sanctions like anti-Russian ones will be imposed against him. China is not impenetrable, and its rise is not inevitable, she said. He wont continue to grow if he doesnt play by the rules. China needs trade with the G7 countries. We represent about half of the global economy. And we can make a choice, Truss said. WtR Irina Dobrolyubova/Getty Images Many readers prefer curling up or traveling with a paperback than a hard-cover book, and certainly don't mind paying a bit less for it, as well. The only downside? Having to wait for the paperback release, which can be a few months or more than a year if it's a huge bestseller. But some of the best novels from 2021 are now in that less expensive and more portable form and just as wonderful as they were last year. Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand The Queen of the Beach Read's Nantucket-set novel hit the top of the best-seller list last summer, and for good reason: It may be one of her best. Famous beach-book writer (ha) Vivi Howe is killed in a hit-and-run while out jogging, causing chaos among her three grown children and friends, who want to understand what happened. Meanwhile, Vivi has gone to the Beyond, where she's told by an Hermes scarf-wearing character named Martha that she holds three nudges to affect life on earth. While deciding how to use those nudges, Vivi watches her loved ones with concern as they go through their summer days until an unexpected stranger threatens everyone's peace. Billy Summers by Stephen King This weighty thriller from the King of Suspense is a long read at 528 pages but worth the commitment. It's about sharpshooting hit man Billy Summers though that's just one of his names who justifies his profession by only killing bad guys. But after taking on a high-priced job, he wonders if the person or group orchestrating the hit might be the baddest of all. When he eventually becomes a target himself, he ends up saving the life of a young woman, and they hit the road together. Unlike many of King's classics, there's nothing supernatural here besides a winking allusion to The Shining. It's on its way to a limited series adaptation for TV. And good news for King fans: He has a new book, Fairy Tale, out in September. Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams Beloved historical-fiction novelist Williams (author of The Summer Wives, among many others) brings us an engrossing story about American twin sisters whose paths diverge during World War II, then come together in dramatic fashion years later. In 1952, Ruth is head of a New York City modeling agency when she's sent an enigmatic postcard from her estranged sister, Iris Digby, who's married to a U.S. diplomat and living in Moscow. Ruth and a British counterintelligence agent set out together, pretending to be a married couple (rather convincingly, ahem) to possibly free Iris and her children from trouble behind the Iron Curtain. The Magician by Colm Toibin Literary lovers will want to sink into this absorbing reimagining of the life of the Nobel Prize-winning German writer Thomas Mann. The story takes us through Manns youth, rise to fame in Germany with the publication of Buddenbrooks, initial complacency then growing alarm as the Nazis take power, marriage to wife Katia despite his attraction to young men, and emigration to the U.S. Mann family members have their own struggles, all vividly brought to life. The Irish Toibins other notable novels include 2009s Brooklyn (turned into a 2015 film starring Saoirse Ronan). The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz A true page-turner by the author of 2014's You Should Have Known (called The Undoing in the recent HBO version starring Nicole Kidman), the novel focuses on a writing professor, Jacob Bonner, who has a student with a fantastic story idea; after the student dies, Jake makes it his own, with serious consequences. Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan The setting for this mesmerizing novel is a quiet suburban street whose center literally and figuratively falls away during a brutally hot summer when a sinkhole opens up, spewing a smelly black sludge. After a girl falls in, a troubled woman starts pointing fingers at one family (they never did fit in), and the nastiness escalates on Maple Street Langan's witty reference to The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, the famous Twilight Zone episode about scapegoating turned deadly. It offers both page-turning suspense and brilliant social commentary. The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. This beautifully written debut novel a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction is a love story about two enslaved men, Isaiah and Samuel, whose devotion to each other leads to trouble on a brutally run Mississippi plantation. Voices of their African ancestors are woven throughout the book, Toni Morrison-style, with a complex mix of characters, including an older enslaved man, Amos, who embraces the plantation owner's Christianity and becomes a preacher. This draws attention to the love between the two men, and tension builds toward an inevitably violent reckoning. Okapi receives approval to drill at its Middle Lake Uranium Project in the Athabasca Basin Okapi receives approval to drill at Middle Lake Project Perth, April 28, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Okapi Resources Limited ( ASX:OKR ) ( FRA:26O ) ( OTCMKTS:OKPRF ) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary Okapi Resources Canada Ltd. has received from the Ministry of Environment, Government of Saskatchewan (GoS), a Crown Resource Land Work Authorization, an Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit, a Temporary Work Camp Permit, and Forest Product Permit; together these permits will allow Okapi to drill up to 10,000m in 24 drill holes as well as conduct ground based geophysical surveys of up to 100 line kilometers.The permit is valid through to October 2023.Okapi's Managing Director, Mr Andrew Ferrier said:"This is an important milestone for Okapi, as the Company continues to progress and advance its uranium projects in North America. Obtaining a permit to drill at our 80% owned Middle Lake Project in the Athabasca Basin, the world's premier uranium district, provides the opportunity for the company to start exploration work on our highly prospective exploration properties located only 4km from the past producing Cluff Lake Mine which produced approximately 64 million pounds of uranium.The proposed exploration program will focus on prioritising drill targets by reinterpreting the historic geochemistry, geophysics and drill data, combined with satellite imaging (currently underway) which will provide a structural framework. The highest priority drill targets will then be followed by a potential diamond core drilling program, that is likely to be conducted in the North America winter of Q1 2023."Proposed Exploration ProgramThe Middle Lake Uranium Project has had a long history of exploration work completed with the last drill program occurring in the winter of 2015 comprising 17 shallow drill holes for a total of 1,851 meters of drilling.The drilling revealed areas of anomalous radioactivity and uranium concentrations associated with graphitic schist and mylonite; the exploration is consistent of that for unconformity style uranium deposits in areas adjacent to the contact between the underlying Archean Basement and Athabasca Group rocks.Okapi's immediate aim is to take the historic data and reinterpret and remodel the historic surface and drill data, geochemistry and geophysics to provide targets for drill testing. This will be combined with new remote sensing image interpretation currently underway that, when integrated with the historic, existing geophysical survey results, will provide a structural framework that can be incorporated into the geologic modelling. The application of multi-spectral satellite imaging to exploration at Middle Lake, and the enhanced software capacity now available, can readily detect areas of alteration associated with Uranium mineralisation.The targets generated from the geologic model will then be followed by a potential diamond core drilling program that is likely to be conducted in the North America winter of Q1 2023. The drill permits will allow Okapi to drill up to 10,000m in 24 drill holes.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Okapi Resources Limited Okapi Resources Limited (ASX:OKR) recently acquired a portfolio of advanced, high grade uranium assets located in the United States of America and in the Athabasca Basin, Canada. Assets include a strategic position in one of the most prolific uranium districts in the USA - the Tallahassee Creek Uranium District in Colorado. The Tallahassee Uranium Project contains a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource estimate of 27.6 million pounds of U3O8 at a grade of 490ppm U3O8 with significant exploration upside. The greater Tallahassee Creek Uranium District hosts more than 100 million pounds of U3O8 with considerable opportunity to expand the existing resource base by acquiring additional complementary assets in the district. The portfolio of assets also includes an option to acquire 100% of the high-grade Rattler Uranium Project in Utah, which includes the historical Rattlesnake open pit mine. The Rattler Uranium Project is located 85km from the White Mesa Uranium Mill, the only operating conventional uranium mill in the USA hence provides a near term, low-capital development opportunity. In January 2022, Okapi acquired a portfolio of high-grade exploration assets in the world's premier uranium district, the Athabasca Basin. The Athabasca Basin is home to the world's largest and highest-grade uranium mines. Okapi's clear strategy is to become a new leader in North American carbon-free nuclear energy by assembling a portfolio of high-quality uranium assets through accretive acquisitions and exploration. FY22 Q3 Quarterly Activities Report Melbourne, April 28, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Vintage Energy Ltd ( ASX:VEN ) provide the FY22 Q3 Quarterly Report featuring a Maiden Gas Sales Agreement, preparation for Vali well simulation and the spudding of the Cervantes-1 well.Managing Director's comment"The work done in the March quarter has seen us all but complete the contracting and planning milestones needed for the Vali gas project to proceed."Foremost is the signing of Vintage Energy's maiden gas contract, a supply agreement extending for more than four years which will see the company generate its first revenue, and transition to becoming a producer supplying gas to the eastern Australian domestic energy sector.'Whilst this was the highlight, the significance of the quarter's contracting and planning efforts is evident in the events since quarter's-end. In April, we commenced the Vali fracture stimulation campaign, executed a processing and transportation agreement for Vali gas, saw our GSA become unconditional and issued the first invoice under the GSA for pre-payments.'The weight of our focus now shifts to field operations, completing the frac campaign, the Vali and Odin well completion program and the installation and commissioning of Vali facilities and pipeline, safely and efficiently".COMMERCIALGas Sales Agreement with AGL for supply of gas from ValiDuring the quarter Vintage and the ATP 2021 Joint Venture parties announced signing of a Gas Sales Agreement ("GSA") with AGL Wholesale Gas Limited ("AGL") for the sale of between 9 petajoules (PJ) and 16 PJ of gas produced from the Vali gas field over approximately 4.5 years from field start up to end calendar 2026. The supply of gas under the GSA will constitute approximately 9% to 16% of the field's 2P reserves.Vintage has a 50% interest in ATP 2021. The terms of the GSA reflect the Heads of Agreement between the joint venture and AGL announced 6 December 2021, following a competitive process.The GSA, which was subject to conditions precedent, became unconditional subsequent to the end of the quarter following execution of an upstream transportation and processing agreement with the South Australian Cooper Basin Joint Venture. Consistent with the GSA, Vintage then issued invoices to AGL for the first two of three, $5 million pre-payments payable to the ATP 2021 joint venture. The pre-payments are to be applied specifically to capital expenditure to take Vali to first gas.*To view the full Quarterly Report, please visit:About Vintage Energy Ltd Vintage Energy Ltd (ASX:VEN) has been established to acquire, explore and develop energy assets principally within, but not limited to, Australia, to take advantage of a generally favourable energy pricing outlook. Strong Sulphides in First Hole Testing Lower East Lode Perth, April 28, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Wiluna Mining Corporation Limited ( ASX:WMC ) ( FRA:NZ3 ) ( OTCMKTS:WMXCF ) is pleased to announce the discovery of strong sulphide mineralisation in the first of eight holes testing down-plunge extensions of the East and West Lodes, which historically were the main producing lodes at Wiluna with a combined endowment of past production and current Mineral Resources of 3.5Moz @ 5.4g/t.Drilling success at East Lode Lower follows the recently reported ultra-high-grade results at the Bulletin North target (see ASX report dated 13 April 2022). The Discovery programs are part of a 40,000m campaign testing nine large-scale targets for new high-grade sulphide shoots 'under the headframe' at Wiluna. Drilling is in progress at East and West Lode Lower, Bulletin North and Squib (Figure 1*). High-grade >5g/t shoot discoveries are targeted to substantially enhance the early years of the current mining plan with the intention of increasing the underground ore grade and to grow gold production. The current targets are a subset of the Company's JORCcompliant Exploration Target at the Wiluna Mining Centre of 35Mt to 40Mt @ 4.5g/t to 7g/t for 5Moz to 7Moz (see ASX report dated 17 November 2020). The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature and is therefore an approximation. There has been insufficient exploration drilling to estimate a Mineral Resource in the target areas, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.Wiluna Mining Executive Chair, Milan Jerkovic, commented:"This intercept is just what we're looking for in the South Mine Area as we expand our focus to discover new high-grade shoots, in addition to our ongoing drilling to methodically infill the existing Mineral Resource mainly in the North Mine Area.Historically, the East and West Lodes were the largest, high-grade production areas at Wiluna, so we're seeking a repeat of shoots of similar scale to materially enhance the long-term production profile at Wiluna. Importantly, these intercepts are only 1000m laterally away of the Golden Age and Calais mine areas, so they potentially open a whole new extension to the mineralised system with the prospect of relatively low-cost and rapid access to be targeted for resource and reserve growth".East & West Lode Lower TargetsThe historical workings at East Lode produced 720,000oz @ 6.7g/t between 1931 and 1946, and the West Lode produced 690,000oz @ 8.6g/t between 1932 and 1946. When combined with the current Mineral Resource, the East & West Lodes have a large pre-production endowment of approximately 3.5Moz @ 5.4g/t. The East & West Lode Discovery program tests for a repeat of the East and West Lode endowment, in a broad target area of approximately 1,000m strike extent and between 800m to 1,500m below surface (Figure 2*), in an area that has been sparsely tested despite the large-scale and high-grade past production. Holes are designed to intersect both the East and West Lodes, which are sub-parallel and situated less than 200m apart (Figure 3 & 4*).WUDD0077, the first of 8 holes at East & West Lode Lower, has intersected strong sulphide mineralisation within the East Lode structure approximately 200m below the limit of historical mining and the current resource envelope (Figure 2*). WUDD0077 also intersected the West Lode at the modelled position with trace amounts of sulphides, shearing and alteration indicative of low-tenor gold mineralisation. Intriguingly, the West Lode intercept is approximately 700m below the limit of historical drilling and the current Mineral Resource, which confirms the large-scale continuity of the West Lode structure far below the limit of past drilling (Figure 3*).At Wiluna, gold mineralisation correlates with sulphide percentages, and the presence of strong sulphides (5% pyrite + 5% arsenopyrite) along with strong shearing and rock alteration are considered indicative of gold mineralisation. Assays are pending with an estimated turn-around time of 2 weeks.Sulphide shoots in the East & West Lower area are interpreted to have formed in a predictable and repeated pattern controlled by the junction of steeply east-dipping mineralised structures with rock unit boundaries, with additionalsubtle north-plunging and south-plunging high-grade shoots aligned with pre-mineralisation structural trends. The East and West Lode structures are variably mineralised between the shoots and are prospective for further discoveries to be made along strike to the north and south, and at depth.In addition, first-pass seismic transverse lines acquired during 2021 showed that gold structures extend well below and beyond the current Mineral Resource limits, supporting Discovery drill hole targeting (see ASX report dated 6 May 2021).The significance of these East and West Lode intercepts in WUDD0077 is that they confirm new extensions to mineralisation well beyond the limits of past drilling and the current Mineral Resources. The intersections are located at relatively shallow depths of 800m to 1000m below surface, but importantly are only 1000m laterally away of the Golden Age and Calais mine areas at similar depths below surface (Figure 2*), which may provide rapid and low-cost access via new underground development for further drilling of these new sulphide zones, subject to further results from the current drilling program.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMC) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential. NOTICE is hereby given that on March 14, 2022, Peggy & Herman Pohl, and Robert J. Jordan, Trustee of the Mending Wall Revocable Trust, both c/o WaterBank, 610 Gold Avenue SW, Suite 111, Albuquerque, NM 87102, filed with the STATE ENGINEER Application No. (SD-09733)-T for permit under Water-Use Leasing Act (NMSA 1978, Sections 72-6-1 thru -7) to temporarily change point of diversion and place of use of 9.0 acre-feet per annum (6.3 acre-feet per annum C.I.R.) from the works of the MRGCD within the Middle Rio Grande basin of the State of New Mexico. Preliminary Authorization was requested and granted. Valencia and Sandoval Counties are the Counties affected by the diversion and in which the water has been or will be put to beneficial use. This notice is ordered to be published in the Valencia County News and the Albuquerque Journal. The applicants propose to temporarily discontinue (until March 15, 2023) the diversion and use of a farm delivery requirement (FDR) of 9.0 acre-feet per annum of surface water, inclusive of a consumptive irrigation requirement (CIR) of 6.3 acre-feet per annum, from the Los Chavez Acequia, with a point of diversion on the Rio Grande at the Isleta Diversion Dam (SP-1690-3), at a point where X = 346,037 meters and Y = 3,863,8808 meters intersect, UTM Zone 13N, NAD 1983, on land owned by the Pueblo of Isleta, for the irrigation of 3 acres of land. The move-from land is described as Tract 63G1, MRGCD Map 87, within Section 20, Township 6 North, Range 2 East, NMPM. This move-from land is owned by Peggy & Herman Pohl, and is generally located approximately 0.25 mi.east of the intersection of Camino de los Chavez and NM Highway 314 south of Los Lunas, Valencia County, New Mexico. The applicants further propose to transfer an FDR of 9.0 acre-feet per annum inclusive of a CIR of 6.3 acre-feet per annum of the above-described water right (SD-09733) to a part of a property described as Tract 1-B1, MRGCD Map 4 for irrigation use. Tract 1-B1 comprises 4 acres, and the irrigation water shall be moved to 3 acres of the tract, the entire area not occupied by structures or driveway. SD-09733 shall be diverted from the Cochiti East Side Main Canal, with a point of diversion on the Rio Grande at the Cochiti Diversion Dam (SP-1690-1), at a point where X =380,297 meters and Y = 3,942,324 intersect, UTM Zone 13N, NAD 1983, on land owned by Pueblo de Cochiti, for the irrigation of 2 acres of land. The move-to place of use is on land owned by Robert J. Jordan, Trustee of the Mending Wall Living Trust, and is generally located approximately 0.25 mi. west of the intersection of Arroyo Leyba and New Mexico State Highway 22 near Pena Blanca, Sandoval County, New Mexico. This application is filed under the Water-Use Leasing Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 72-6-1 through 72-6-7. To view the application and supporting documentation contact the State Engineer District Office to arrange a date and time for an appointment located Insert District number and physical address here. Any person, firm or corporation or other entity asserting standing to file objections or protests shall do so in writing (objection must be legible, signed, and include the writers complete name, phone number, email address, and mailing address). If the protest does not include the complete name, phone number, email address, and mailing address, it may be deemed invalid and not accepted for filing unless Protestant provides with the protest an affidavit stating that it does not have one of the above-listed elements/requirements (phone number, mailing address, email address, etc.). The objection to the approval of the application must be based on: (1) Impairment; if impairment, you must specifically identify your water rights; and/or (2) Public Welfare/Conservation of Water; if public welfare or conservation of water within the state of New Mexico, you shall be required to provide evidence showing how you will be substantially and specifically affected. The written protest must be filed, in triplicate, with the State Engineer, 5550 San Antonio Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, on or before June 24, 2022. Facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted as a valid protest if the hard copy is hand-delivered or mailed and postmarked within 24-hours of the facsimile. Mailing postmark will be used to validate the 24-hour period. Protests can be faxed to the Office of the State Engineer, 505-383-4030. A copy of the written protest filed with the State Engineer must also be sent to the applicant by certified mail. If no valid protest or objection is filed, the State Engineer will evaluate the application in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 72 NMSA 1978. Journal: April 21, 28, May 5, 2022 Within the first two minutes of the retro-cool and warmhearted animated crime-thriller spoof The Bad Guys, we can tell were in for something refreshingly original because those two minutes (and change) consist of a single, unbroken shot in a diner that is a clear homage to the prologue of Pulp Fiction, and how about that. In this anthropomorphic version of Los Angeles, a wolf named Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) and a snake named Mr. Snake (Marc Maron) are in a booth and dressed like corny tourists, as Mr. Wolf chides Mr. Snake for refusing to partake in some birthday cake. Name one food better than cake, says Mr. Wolf. Guinea pig, replies Mr. Snake, and they might as well be debating the merits of pork a la Jules and Vincent in Pulp. The two old friends casually exit the diner and make their way to a bank for another in a long line of heists, and away we go on this clever, visually arresting and well-voiced adventure, with the French animator Pierre Perifel making an impressive feature directorial debut in adapting Aaron Blabeys childrens book series of the same name. Rockwells Mr. Wolf turns to the camera and calls in closer as he lays out the plight of the Canis lupus, noting, I am the villain in every story, as we see a montage of famous fairy tales, from Little Red Riding Hood to The Boy Who Cried Wolf to The Three Little Pigs to Peter and the Wolf. Mr. Wolf introduces us to his crew, consisting of animals who are almost always, well, the bad guys in animated fare, including Mr. Snake and also: Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), a quick-witted tech expert. Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), a hot-headed and unpredictable wild card whos kinda crazy. Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), a master of deception who once stole the Mona Lisa while disguised AS the Mona Lisa. They are the Reservoir Not-Dogs. They are The Bad Guys. Even as Gov. Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz) publicly derides The Bad Guys as yesterdays news (They are really just has-beens. I mean really, another bank?), Mr. Wolf and the crew plan their most brazen heist yet a theft of the coveted Golden Dolphin Award at a lavish ceremony in which this years goodest citizen will be honored. When the job goes sideways and The Bad Guys are finally apprehended, the famously philanthropic and lovably cute guinea pig Professor Rupert Marmalade (Richard Ayoade), who says if there was a contest between him and Mother Teresa for the kindest person ever it would be a tie, volunteers to take custody of The Bad Guys in a social experiment to see if he can reform them. Prof. Marmalade: They say experience is the best teacher, and they are wrong. I am. The Bad Guys view this is an opportunity to scam the world and pull off an even bigger heist, this time involving a meteor that is the ultimate power source but theres a twist, as it appears Mr. Wolf has truly bought in to the belief a wolf doesnt always have to be a wolf in sheeps clothing and can actually become a Good Guy. This leads to a rift within the ranks, and some pretty neat twists and turns and reveals, with the actors doing wonderful voice work while The Bad Guys serves up nods to classic crime films such as To Live and Die in L.A., Bullitt, The Italian Job, The Hot Rock and Snatch but mostly Steven Soderberghs Oceans Eleven and its sequels. When Mr. Wolf turns on the charm, its said hes pulling a Clooney, and the friendship between Mr. Wolf and his best buddy Mr. Snake is reminiscent of the dynamic between Clooney and Pitt in the Oceans films. Daniel Pembertons jazzy score and the use of split-screen techniques showing the big heist from different points of view only add to this greatly entertaining tribute. The animation combines computer-generated 2D and 3D with a look that will remind you of a Saturday-morning cartoon only much crisper and more dazzling. Theres nothing photorealistic about the animation; its stylized and has a very specific definition of Heist Movie Los Angeles, with the sky so bright its almost overexposed, and yet somehow creating a bit of a noir vibe. This is a great-looking film with terrific performances, some lovely messaging and a steady parade of solid laughs some the kids will enjoy and just as many targeted squarely at the grown-up kids in the audience. The intense competitiveness of the craft brewery market is driving a growing number of brewers into spirits. Its a logical transition, as both brewing and distillation start off with fermentation. Theres an economic appeal too. The craft spirits market is growing faster than the brewery market, driven in part by the craft cocktail craze. In Albuquerque, the standard bearer of whats been dubbed the brewstillery movement is La Reforma, a three-year-old operation that makes its own beers and spirits out of a strip mall near I-25 and Alameda NE. La Reforma offers a slate of brews with Mexican inflections, like a chocolate stout flavored with red chile and cinnamon. It also sells its own rum, vodka and agave spirits in craft cocktails or by the bottle. And if thats not enough, theres a menu of Mexican street food that pairs well with the drinks. La Reforma takes its name from a set of laws drawn up in 1850s Mexico that helped the country modernize. Additional inspiration came from co-owner Jeff Jinnetts youth spent in Mexico City. Jinnett partnered with John Gozigian, former head of the New Mexico Brewers Guild, to launch La Reforma in the summer of 2019 in a space that had been vacated by Bosque Brewing Company. That space stretches along a few storefronts. A small army of kegs, tanks and fermenters stand sentinel just one door down from the restaurant. The dining room combines industrial style design elements like exposed ceilings and corrugated metal cladding with murals and paintings that call to mind Mexican folk art. The menus, propped up in aluminum beer buckets, have one side devoted to food, the other to drink. The former consists of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and bowls girded with the usual assortment of fillings like carnitas, carne asada and al pastor. There is a small assortment of appetizers and sides priced under $10. A cup of pozole ($4.95) was excellent, the white hominy and chunks of pork tender, the modest heat from the red chile broth balanced with cilantro. A pile of cabbage and onion and an accompanying serving of house-made tortilla chips added crunch. The lone salad on the menu, the boldly named Chef Javis Delicious Salad ($11), arrived in a round, shallow aluminum tray. It was good and filling, the substantial bed of greens topped with thin strips of jicama and fried tortillas and a sprinkling of pepitas and cojita. The highlight was the chunks of watermelon bursting with juice matched with a sourish cilantro-lime vinaigrette. Tacos ($3.50-$3.95), served in soft corn tortillas wrapped in paper, offered a compelling bite of creamy guacamole, crunchy cabbage and onions. The carnitas were excellent, moist and shreddable, the pollo asado nicely smoky. Both got a boost from the homemade corn tortillas, greasy and spongy and free of the synthetic toughness of the stuff sold in supermarkets. CDMX Quesadillas ($8.50), the star of the menu, are made Mexico City-style by wrapping masa dough around cheese and frying it golden brown. The result looks more like empanadas than the crispy tortilla sandwiches youre used to seeing. The six crescents bore a corn chip flavor and a soft texture ideal for soaking up the medium-hot red salsa and a cooling salsa verde. Drinks are divided into beers, craft cocktails and a few nonalcoholic selections. Ive grown accustomed to seeing craft cocktails priced in the double-digits, so it was a pleasant surprise to see almost all of La Reformas offerings clocking in at $8.50. The one exception was the $10 Reposado Rita, La Reformas take on a high-end margarita. Its made with reposado agave spirit thats aged three-plus months in oak bourbon barrels. The menu describes it as having an oaky finish, but from my perspective it had an oaky beginning and middle too that overpowered the vanilla and caramel notes. La Reformas beer menu reflects the influence of German and Austrian immigrants on Mexicos brewing history. The Reforma Lager ($5.50), for instance, is made with German hops and Bavarian yeast. It was a beautiful glass, golden wheat in color and with a modest foamy head. The bright, crisp and slightly sweet profile made it a terrific accompaniment to the food. The menu has three desserts ranging from $5 to $8. There are a few vegetarian options. You have to check with the server for gluten-friendly options because theyre not marked on the menu. Our server was well-informed and never far from hailing distance. By combining thoughtfully prepared beers and spirits with solid interpretations of Mexican street food, La Reforma occupies a unique place in the local dining scene. The owners have created food and drink menus that make magic together. While a tight labor market and rising costs have forced some breweries to scale back their food offerings, Nexus Brewery moved ahead with plans to more than double the space of its smokehouse. The expansion increases the seating from 36 to more than 120, and adds a bar, a stage and a covered patio with heating. Nexus Blue Smokehouse features traditional barbecue items such as brisket, hot links and pulled pork with southern sides like fried okra, barbecue beans and macaroni and cheese. The original location off Pan American Freeway NE is known for its soul food, one of the rare places to find such offerings in Albuquerque. In 2019, Nexus launched its smokehouse in the old Elks Club at 1511 Broadway SE, which was once a gathering place for the citys African American community. The building is near the South Broadway neighborhood where owner and former banker Ken Carson spent his youth. Carson, who is African American, said he took over the space because of its historical significance for the citys Black community. The current operation only occupies half the building. Carson said he hopes to open the newly remodeled room in early May. The room has the new stage, televisions and a bar top. There will be 18 taps as compared to the 12 at the other location. The walls are decorated with mosaic tiles by artist Helen Atkins, and there is area in the back for meetings or private parties. The addition will come with a slightly expanded menu, bringing over some of the appetizers offered at the other location. Carson said he also plans to feature different styles of barbecue from around the world. We want to do a different type of barbecue every month, he said. I went to 20 or 30 different barbecue places in Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kansas to do research and try different barbecues before opening this. Music, Carson said, will eventually become a regular feature at the smokehouse. The inaugural group to take the stage will be a mariachi band at 3 p.m. on May 7 for the Cinco de Mayo celebration. All brewing operations will continue to take place at the Pan American location but the brewery will launch a cocktail menu at the smokehouse. Once things are up and running, Carson will turn his attention to the original Pan American location. They plan to add a 1,400-square-foot lounge with another bar. Customers can order cocktails and an abbreviated menu in there. Carson said his customer numbers are now exceeding pre-pandemic levels. However, the hours and how much seating is available at any given time depends on whether he can adequately staff the restaurant. Carson, like many others in the restaurant industry, has had trouble finding and keeping staff. Last week, Turtle Mountain Brewing Company owner Nico Ortiz said that starting April 25, they would be forced to close on Mondays after recently losing four cooks. I hope that this is only a temporary closure, but that all depends on whether or not we can find qualified people to help us out in the back of house, Ortiz said. This is the tightest labor market I have ever seen in my 23 years as a restaurant owner, and there appears to be no end in sight to the supply/demand issues we are facing. Ricardo Cate enjoys being busy. Though on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, the comedian and cartoonist will be pulling double duty. The Santo Domingo Pueblo artist will have a booth where he will sell his cartoons at the Gathering of Nations at Tingley Coliseum. Ive never been, he says. It will be great to be in the environment and see whats going on. Then at 9 p.m. Saturday, April 30, Cate will headline a night of comedy at The Hopper Pub & Pizzeria. The event is presented by Headliners 505 Comedy. Cates life in art and stand-up comedy has been interesting. In January 2004, Cate was in a desperate situation and took the bus to Durango, with the last $60 he had in his pocket. I got $5 back from that trip, he says. Thats all I had to my name when I got off the bus. I have three kids and I had to leave them to make some sort of life for them because staying home on the rez wasnt enough. Cate went to Ignacio, Colorado, to find a job because theres a casino there. Luckily, he found a trailer park with vacant spaces. He would roam the streets of Durango trying to sell his illustrations, which often were bought by tourists. Cate missed a shuttle from Durango to Ignacio one night and it changed his life. There was a comedy competition and the winner would get $50 to the restaurant, he says. I was hungry and it would be a place to stay warm. Cate says Snowdown Durango was taking place and he got on stage. The event was founded in 1979 to bring something fun, bright and festive to Colorados long winter. I noticed I was the only Native American in the room, he says. I began telling jokes and people were laughing. At the end of the night, I won the competition and got a pizza and some beers. Cate was confident in his skills and has continued his stand-up journey. After his win, the restaurant owner offered him $100 a night to do stand-up comedy. He has also kept his illustrations going with his comic strip, No Reservations, which is published in the Santa Fe New Mexican. The two worlds often influence each other as he is quick to draw hot topic related cartoons quickly. Sometimes if I get desperate, Ill look to world topics for inspiration, he says. Im grateful that the two mediums that I work with go hand in hand. The sounds that live in Mel Ross head are ever changing. Like a good student, Ross is aware of each note, which helps me grow within every moment. The Albuquerque native is gearing up for a milestone moment as he is set to release his EP, New Mexico, on Sunday, May 1. The EP will be available on digital platforms. The 24-year-old Rio Rancho High School alum lives in Los Angeles and hes been on a fruitful journey of self discovery. I came to LA knowing I wanted to do music, he says. I wasnt sure how to go about it. I had no concept of what do to. Ross went to fashion school in Los Angeles, where he went to study visual communication. Music was also a way for Ross to learn about himself. When I was younger I wanted to get out of New Mexico and do something different, he says. As the journey for this album progressed, it helped me accept who I was and where I was from. New Mexico has influenced me a lot, which is why I named the EP after it. I appreciate how its molded me. Ross has always been writing songs, but it was during the pandemic when he had more time to do so. I felt really unhappy with myself and I didnt know why, he says. (At the time), I didnt have compassion for myself. I didnt have access to a source of love for myself and that bled over into my art. Ive written a lot and had so many great opportunities for myself. I decided to actively nurture myself in doing that, I began to have compassion for myself. Those long days and nights of writing have led Ross to New Mexico. The EP has the stories of my high school relationship, he says. It was traumatic and it was a wonderful time. Ive been able to process all of that. The songs are that exploration of that time. Ross has also been able to write from a comfortable place, which makes the art more honest. Ive learned what being an artist actually is, he says. This is my actual purpose and what Im dedicating myself to. This is the first time Ive ever done it and I feel free. Ross has come a long way from learning piano with his teacher in Corrales. As he gets ready to released New Mexico to the world, here are a few things you didnt know about the songwriter: 1 Cry was the first song written for the EP. 2 I have a twin sister who lives in Albuquerque with her family. 3 Ive been with my boyfriend for 7 years, he also serves as my creative director. 4 I funded the EP with money from my serving job at a Taiwanese spot in LA. 5 The majority of the EP was recorded at my producers studio in Ashland, Oregon. Journey to freedom Albuquerque native Mel Ross is releasing his EP New Mexico, which was inspired by his time growing up in the state. It is available on all digital platforms beginning on Sunday, May 1. Editors note: Venue Plus continues In Case You Didnt Know, a weekly feature with fun tidbits about New Mexicans and their projects. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal About four months after a ransomware attack forced partial closure and halted many of its operations, Bernalillo County has adopted a new cybersecurity policy. Chief Information Officer Robert Benavidez said the new 11-page policy includes some elements that might have helped had they been in place before the Jan. 5 attack, including one requiring a multi-factor authentication process to access certain accounts. Even with a password, someone attempting to log in will need another code received via a separate device or application, such as a phone. Benavidez said the county was already moving toward such a requirement before the attack but had not yet implemented it. Accounts were definitely one of the mechanisms (the attackers) exploited in the incident earlier this year, Benavidez said, though he said he was not able to provide more detail. A year ago I wouldve said its a good idea, Benavidez said. Today its a necessity. The countys new policy which replaces existing internet use and email policies also notes that Bernalillo County systems are monitored by a 247 Security Operations Center, which Benavidez said is a new development. All network computers have sensors that will alert the SOC of suspicious activity to initiate necessary intervention, he said. The Bernalillo County Commission unanimously approved the new policy Tuesday night. The January ransomware attack had a dramatic impact on county operations. The county closed its Downtown headquarters for several days, temporarily locked down the Metropolitan Detention Center and was unable to process legal documents such as marriage licenses and real estate transactions. But the county was able to recover without paying attackers a ransom, Benavidez said. The county had insurance to cover up to $2 million in costs associated with such incidents. Its deductible is $250,000, and Bernalillo County is splitting the cost with the statewide New Mexico Counties organization. Five years ago, I traded in my 2001 Toyota Prius for a used Chevy Spark electric car. I was excited to never again stop at the gas station. Since then, Ive found driving an electric vehicle is easy and cheap. I didnt have to do any electrical upgrades to charge at home the car actually plugs into a regular 120-volt outlet. I dont drive much, so my electricity bill only went up about $6 per month. Driving an EV was the right choice for clean air and my pocketbook. Electric vehicles can help all New Mexicans get where they need to go without paying a lot for gasoline or diesel fuel. EVs use much less energy compared to gasoline-fueled vehicles and can be powered by locally-produced renewable electricity at stable and predictable prices rather than imported oil. Charging at home is roughly the same as fueling up on dollar-a-gallon gasoline. Maintenance costs are much less, too. EVs do not need oil changes. They do not have transmissions that can break. Those savings really add up: Non-profit Consumer Reports has found EVs typically cost between $6,000 and $10,000 less to own and operate than comparable combustion vehicles over their lifetime. And the savings potential will only grow as manufacturing volume increases and battery costs decline. Electric vehicles can also help clean up our air and protect our climate. Vehicle tailpipes are the second-highest source of climate-changing carbon pollution in the state, causing drought, fires and extreme heat. Tailpipe pollutants are linked to poor health, including decreases in lung function, inflammation of airways, aggravated asthma, increased risk of cancer, damage to the immune system, and neurological, reproductive, developmental and other health problems. Residents of low-income neighborhoods and communities of color often located near high-traffic corridors and industrial facilities are disproportionately impacted by health ailments linked to vehicle emissions. Meanwhile, electric vehicles have no tailpipes and produce no direct emissions. The only problem? Its not that easy to buy an electric car in New Mexico right now. There are currently about 20 different models of electric vehicles available for purchase in the United States, with dozens more coming. However, most of those cars are going to other states. Thats why it is so important Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has proposed to make New Mexico a clean-cars state. On May 4, the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board and the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board will consider adopting new clean-car standards, which would require auto manufacturers to build more all-electric passenger vehicles and deliver them to New Mexico. That will make it easier for New Mexicans who want an electric vehicle to get one. Over time, it will also increase the availability of affordable used EVs, helping more New Mexicans access the benefits of electric transportation. You can help. Join the New Mexico Clean Cars Clean Air Coalition and add your voice in support of new vehicle emission standards at NMCleanCarsCleanAir.com. Together we can cut pollution, improve our health, preserve our climate and save money. Lets charge ahead! Let me be perfectly clear up front: the farmers of the middle Rio Grande valley are the lifeblood of the community. From family farms to agribusiness, the farms of this valley formed who and what we are today, and we will forever be grateful for their lifes work. Unfortunately, no family, business or person is perfect. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. Hopefully, we are close enough that the strong can compensate for the weak. Much has been said recently regarding a comment I made before the Water Utility Authority Board. Plain and simple, I misspoke. I referenced that farmers are among the biggest water wasters in the valley. My intent was to say they are some of the largest water users in the valley based on their business and the type of irrigation used on crops, flood irrigation. This centuries-old form of irrigation using acequias and irrigation canals has been passed down through the generations. No process is perfect, though. While new irrigation techniques and processes are being put into place every year, the fact remains, flood irrigation is not the most efficient. It is necessary for some crops, but without proper leveling, a sturdy and reliable delivery system, and the learned application of proper and timely irrigation, this process can be taxing to an already depleted water capacity. My intent is an inquiry into available resources to the agricultural community to assist them in making the most efficient use of the scarce water supply available. Its a question of how to educate the general public, as well as farmers, as to programs, financial assistance and knowledge that can be shared within our community of urban and agricultural water users, to help optimize water use. This is not just a farming issue or residential water-use issue; it is a community issue, where we all must share in the water problems we are facing. In 2020, I, along with all commissioners, signed off on the Bernalillo County Water Conservation Plan. Within this plan is a section on agricultural water conservation incentive programs. The plan outlines education and outreach activities for the agricultural community and beyond. Please know I support the agricultural interests of this wonderful valley. Our farming community works hard to supply the basic food needs of people and animals alike. My job is to work side-by-side with all members of this community and help, as we all would like to be helped. I will apologize to anyone my misguided words may have offended. However, I will not apologize for asking the tough questions and working hard to find solutions and better ways of protecting one of our dearest natural resources. I look forward to working with anyone and everyone who shares in the desire to conserve water and build for our future and close with the words of President John F. Kennedy: Our farmers deserve praise, not condemnation; and their efficiency should be cause for gratitude, not something for which they are penalized. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal Renewable generation is now powering up nearly nine-tenths of all government operations in Albuquerque, following the inauguration of a new, 50-megawatt solar array at the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Mayor Tim Keller joined with public officials from Deming and Silver City, and from Santa Fe and Grant counties, to celebrate the plants opening on Earth Day last Friday. All five local governments helped fund the project along with Deming Public Schools, Western New Mexico University and Walmart through a first-of-its-kind public-private collaboration with Public Service Company of New Mexico. Under that partnership, dubbed the PNM Solar Direct program, the utility will distribute all electricity generated among the participating entities, helping them achieve renewable goals while lowering their long-term power costs. For Albuquerque, the newly inaugurated plant combined with other rooftop solar systems built by the city in recent years is now supplying 88% of government electricity, Keller said during last Fridays celebration at La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe. Its a landmark, transformational project for the city, Keller said. It makes us the fourth most-solar government of any city in the country. Keller set a goal of 100% renewable energy for city operations when he first took office in 2017. That ushered in accelerated development of rooftop systems, solar-equipped parking structures, energy efficiency retrofits at city buildings, adoption of electric vehicles and construction of charging stations. But to reach 100% renewables, the city needed a utility-scale project, Keller said. And it needed partners to pursue it, which the Direct Solar program offered. We needed a giant solar plant, not just rooftop systems, so we partnered with PNM and others, Keller said. Thats what it takes the community coming together in a full-ranging partnership. Thats allowed us to move much, much faster. The facility is located on some 500 acres at Jicarilla, which already had a transmission line connecting to PNMs grid, lowering project costs. There are no property taxes at Jicarilla, but the tribe will receive $1.5 million in land lease payments for hosting the plant, which is now the third-largest utility-scale solar array currently operating on tribal lands in the U.S. Spanish energy company Repsol built the facility, marking that firms first solar development project in the U.S., Chief Operating Officer Federico Toro said at Fridays celebration. It will supply enough electricity to power the equivalent of 16,000 homes, Toro told event participants. Repsol is now under contract with PNM to build a second 50-MW solar array with 20 MW of backup battery storage at Jicarilla. The company broke ground in mid-April on that project, which is one of four solar facilities PNM plans to replace the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station after it shuts down later this year. Taken together, those four planned solar facilities, which are of different sizes, will provide a total of 600 MW of renewable generation, with 300 MW of backup battery storage. Editors note: An earlier version of this story misquoted Mayor Tim Kellers characterization of Albuquerques ranking in terms of cities in the U.S. being powered by solar energy. Keller said the city is now the fourth most-solar government in the country. The story also misstated the name of the solar project. Its name is PNM Solar Direct. The story has been updated. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk in support of inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be held Saturday at the Albuquerque Academy, 6400 Wyoming NE. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. A dance party will be held on the outdoor track following the walk. Best Buddies New Mexico is part of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit that promotes a global volunteer movement that encourages one-to-one friendships with people who have developmental and intellectual disabilities, as well as promotes job training, job placement and leadership development for those individuals. Since 2009, more than 400,000 participants have participated in friendship walks held in communities across the country, raising more than $25 million in support of friendship programs in all 50 states. Best Buddies founder, Anthony K. Shriver, said in a news release that he was inspired by the enthusiasm generated by the Best Buddies mission in Albuquerque. The participants significantly impact the lives of those with special abilities, and the employer partners in this community have empowered these individuals, and are actively making not just Albuquerque, but the world, a more inclusive place, he said. Participants can register in advance for the Saturday event at bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/newmexico, or they can register on-site prior to the event. People can also make donations through the website to teams of walkers, or they can make a general donation to Best Buddies. KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Nearly a dozen people were wounded in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin says is its main objective and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive. In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boys leg to the bone. Vadym Vodostoyev, the boys father, said: It just takes one second and youre left with nothing. The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians, the U.N. chief lamented. Separately, Ukraines prosecutor accused 10 Russian soldiers of being involved in the torture of peaceful people in Bucha. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova did not say her office had filed criminal charges, and she appealed to the public for help in gathering evidence. Russia denies it targets civilians. During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy renewed his pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes they commit and said about the 10 identified earlier Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There theyll receive retribution from our military. In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out of windows in at least two buildings including a residential one in the capital, which has been relatively unscathed in recent weeks. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded in the attack, which sent plumes of smoke billowing over the city. The explosions in northwestern Kyivs Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather. It was not immediately clear how far away the attack was from Guterres. Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month. Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone. Western officials say the Kremlins apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east. But so far, Russias troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains, taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance. Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions. Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt. Its not just scary. Its when your stomach contracts from pain, said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. When they shoot during the day, its still OK, but when the evening comes, I cant describe how scary it is. Ukraines military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to intense fire and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region. Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor. Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off. Many of the Russian troops who were in Mariupol have been leaving and moving to the northwest, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment, didnt have exact numbers but said a significant number of the roughly one dozen battalion tactical groups that were in the city were moving out. Russian forces are making slow, incremental progress in the Donbas gaining only several kilometers on any given day, the official said. As of Thursday, Russia had launched about 1,900 missiles into Ukraine the vast majority fired from outside Ukraines borders. Most are strikes on Mariupol and the Donbas. In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraines Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldnt be independently verified. An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol. Deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewers, the city council said on the messaging app Telegram. It reported bodies decaying under the rubble and a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment to fend off the Russians. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine. ___ This story was corrected to remove a reference to a man being killed in the attack on Kyiv. He lost a leg in the attack. ___ Associated Press journalists Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine CITY OF RIO RANCHO IFB 22-PW-021 WELL 13R EQUIPPING AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS Due to the current health concerns and the changing environment in respect to COVID-19 the City is requesting all bid submissions be submitted via email to anggallegos@rrnm.gov no later than 10:00 AM MST on June 1, 2022. The City will conduct the public bid opening and reading of bids received via the GoToMeeting service. A link will be provided on the Citys website. Bidders must submit their original bid in a sealed envelope or container via USPS, other mailing services or hand deliver no later than 4:00 PM MST on June 2, 2022 to the address specified in the bid document. Bidders will be deemed Non-Responsive if original physical bid submissions are received after the aforementioned date. Project Description: The City of Rio Rancho is soliciting formal bids for the equipping of Well 13R with a new 600 gpm pump, including a new variable frequency drive, onsite generated sodium hypochlorite system, and associated valves and piping. Constructing a new CMU Well building, including onsite associated grading and site piping modifications. Replacing existing Arsenic Treatment Facility (ATF) appurtenances and system startup. Removal and disposal of the existing well building including capping and abandonment of existing Well 13. Site modifications including grading and drainage improvements, access roads, and removal and replacement of chain link fence. A Mandatory Pre-Bid meeting will be held on-site on May 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM MST at 3301 Northern Boulevard NW (Well Site 13 at Northern Boulevard and Encino Road NW). Plans, Specifications and other Contract Documents, including instructions to Bidders and Bid Forms files are available on the City of Rio Ranchos IFB/RFP Postings web page via the following link in electronic format only: https://rrnm-gov.bonfirehub.com/portal/ ?tab=openOpportunities. NOTICE: The City of Rio Rancho Procurement Code, Section 36.37, paragraph B, notes that New Mexico criminal statutes impose felony penalties for illegal bribes, gratuities, and kickbacks. This IFB is issued on behalf of the City of Rio Rancho by the Purchasing Division, which is the SOLE POINT OF CONTACT DURING THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. Any inquires or requests during the procurement process shall be directed to the following point of contact: Issuing Office: City of Rio Rancho Purchasing and Contracts Division 3200 Civic Center Circle NE, Suite 300 Rio Rancho, NM 87144 (505) 891-5064 Journal: April 28, 2022 LONDON Twitters quarterly profit, revenue and the number of daily users on its platform are rising but its quarterly report, released days after agreeing to be sold to billionaire Elon Musk, offered scant details about what it expects on the financial front for the rest of the year. The social media company on Thursday reported net income of $513 million, or 61 cents a share, but that includes a big one-time gain from the sale of its MoPub business, clouding comparisons with the year-ago period. Revenue, most of it from ads, rose 16% to $1.2 billion in the three months to March compared with the same period last year, though the company said the figure reflected headwinds associated with the war in Ukraine, without elaborating. Twitter reported an average of 229 million daily active users in the quarter, which was about 14 million more than a revised 214.7 million daily users in the previous quarter. The San Francisco company canceled a conference call with executives and industry analysts that usually accompanies its results, so there will be little further insight into the companys current financial condition. Given the pending acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, we will not be providing any forward looking guidance, and are withdrawing all previously provided goals and outlook, the company said. Musk, whos paying $54.20 for each outstanding share of Twitter, did not speak publicly on the quarterly report, perhaps among its last as a publicly traded entity. Musks $44 billion deal to buy Twitter was announced earlier this week and is expected to close sometime this year. But before the deal is completed, shareholders will have to weigh in, as well as regulators in the U.S. and in countries where Twitter does business. So far though, few hurdles are expected, despite objections from some of Twitters own employees, along with users who worry about Musks stance on free speech and what it might mean for harassment and hate speech on the platform. Angelo Zino, tech analyst at CFRA, said the results, combined with a slew of challenges facing the digital ad industry, should solidify the boards decision to approve Musks offer. We see little reason to believe Twitter could extract greater shareholder value remaining public, he said in a research note. Still, Twitter shares have yet to reach the buyout price and on Thursday, the companys stock rose slightly to $49.11. The gap between the deal price and current stock price seems to indicate that some investors remain uncertain about when and whether the deal will be completed, said Harry Kraemer, a former CEO and chairman of Baxter International who is now a professor at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management. One factor in the uncertainty is how unusual it is for an individual to buy a multibillion-dollar company. In the case of a publicly-traded company acquiring another, investors can examine the buyers financial disclosures and see whether they have the cash to fund the deal. The buyer can also issue shares to raise funds, as needed. But in this case, Tesla is not buying the company, Elon Musk is, Kraemer said. Elon Musk is an individual. You cant look at a balance sheet and see where the cash is coming from. Another factor is Musks propensity to change his mind, fueling fears he could back out of the deal, even if he has to pay a $1 billion break-up fee. Musk, who also runs the electric car company Tesla, as well as SpaceX and other ventures, says he plans to take Twitter private. If he does, the company will no longer be beholden to shareholders or publicly report its financial results, which have been mixed at best since the company went public in 2013. Twitter has struggled to consistently post profits as a public company while generating lackluster revenue growth compared to the two dominant forces in digital advertising, Google and Facebook. On one hand, going private could give Twitter more room to experiment while focusing less on short-term profit and its stock price. On the other hand, even the worlds richest man is likely to want the company to make money. I think there is nothing better for Twitter than Elon Musk buying it and ideally replacing the board, and also doubling down on investments into products and new revenue-generating sources, John Meyer, a technology entrepreneur and investor, told The Associated Press earlier this week. _____ Barbara Ortutay reported from Oakland, California. ___ See all of APs tech coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/technology BOSTON Russias relentless digital assaults on Ukraine may have caused less damage than many anticipated. But most of its hacking is focused on a different goal that gets less attention but has chilling potential consequences: data collection. Ukrainian agencies breached on the eve of the Feb. 24 invasion include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which oversees the police, national guard and border patrol. A month earlier, a national database of automobile insurance policies was raided during a diversionary cyberattack that defaced Ukrainian websites. The hacks, paired with prewar data theft, likely armed Russia with extensive details on much of Ukraines population, cybersecurity and military intelligence analysts say. Its information Russia can use to identify and locate Ukrainians most likely to resist an occupation, and potentially target them for internment or worse. Fantastically useful information if youre planning an occupation, Jack Watling, a military analyst at the U.K. think tank Royal United Services Institute, said of the auto insurance data, knowing exactly which car everyone drives and where they live and all that. As the digital age evolves, information dominance is increasingly wielded for social control, as China has shown in its repression of the Uyghur minority. It was no surprise to Ukrainian officials that a prewar priority for Russia would be compiling information on committed patriots. The idea was to kill or imprison these people at the early stages of occupation, Victor Zhora, a senior Ukrainian cyber defense official, alleged. Aggressive data collection accelerated just ahead of the invasion, with hackers serving Russias military increasingly targeting individual Ukrainians, according to Zhoras agency, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection. Serhii Demediuk, deputy secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said via email that personal data continues to be a priority for Russian hackers as they attempt more government network breaches: Cyberwarfare is really in the hot phase nowadays. There is little doubt political targeting is a goal. Ukraine says Russian forces have killed and kidnapped local leaders where they grab territory. Demediuk was stingy with specifics but said Russian cyberattacks in mid-January and as the invasion commenced sought primarily to destroy the information systems of government agencies and critical infrastructure and included data theft. The Ukrainian government says the Jan. 14 auto insurance hack resulted in the pilfering of up to 80% of Ukrainian policies registered with the Motor Transport Bureau. Demediuk acknowledged that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was among government agencies breached Feb. 23. He said a small part of the ministrys data was stolen but so far no case of its use has been established. He did not provide specifics. Security researchers from ESET and other cybersecurity firms that work with Ukraine said the networks were compromised months earlier, allowing ample time for stealthy theft. The data collection by hacking is a work long in progress. A unit of Russias FSB intelligence agency that researchers have dubbed Armageddon has been doing it for years out of Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. Ukraine says it sought to infect more than 1,500 Ukrainian government computer systems. Since October it has tried to breach and maintain access to government, military, judiciary and law enforcement agencies as well as nonprofits, with a primary goal of exfiltrating sensitive information, Microsoft said in a Feb. 4 blog post. That included unnamed organizations critical to emergency response and ensuring the security of Ukrainian territory, plus humanitarian aid distribution. Post-invasion, hackers have targeted European organizations that aid Ukrainian refugees, according to Zhora and the cybersecurity firm Proofpoint. Authorities have not specified which organizations or what may have been stolen. Yet another attack, on April 1, crippled Ukraines National Call Center, which runs a hotline for complaints and inquiries on a wide array of matters: corruption, domestic abuse, people displaced by the invasion, war veteran benefits. Used by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, it issues COVID-19 vaccine certificates and collects callers personal data including emails, addresses and phone numbers. Adam Meyers, senior vice president of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, believes the attack may, like many others, have a greater psychological than intelligence-gathering impact aiming to degrade Ukrainians trust in their institutions. Make them scared that when the Russians take over, if they dont cooperate, the Russians are going to know who they are, where they are and come after them, Meyers said. The attack knocked the center offline for at least three days, center director Marianna Vilshinska said: We couldnt work. Neither phones nor chatbots worked. They broke down all the system. Hackers calling themselves the Cyber Army of Russia claimed to steal personal data on 7 million people in the attack. However, Vilshinska denied they breached the database with users personal information. They didnt get any valuable information, she said. She confirmed that a contact list the hackers posted online of more than 300 center employees was genuine as well as a spreadsheet with employee passwords. But she said other files the hackers posted listing 3 million names and phone numbers and 1 million addresses were not from the center. Spear-phishing attacks in recent weeks have focused on military, national and local officials, aimed at stealing credentials to open government data troves. Such activity relies heavily on Ukraines cellular networks, which Meyers of CrowdStrike said have been far too rich in intelligence for Russia to want to shut down. On March 31, Ukraines SBU intelligence agency said it had seized a bot farm in the eastern region of Dnipropretrovsk that was controlled remotely from Russia and sent text messages to 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers, police and SBU members urging them to surrender or sabotage their units. Agency spokesman Artem Dekhtiarenko said authorities were investigating how the phone numbers were obtained. Gene Yoo, CEO of the cybersecurity firm ReSecurity, said it likely was not difficult: Subscriber databases of major Ukrainian wireless companies have been available for sale by cybercriminals on the dark web for some time as they are for many countries. If Russia is successful at taking control of more of eastern Ukraine, stolen personal data will be an asset. Russian occupiers have already collected passport information, a top Ukrainian presidential adviser tweeted recently, that could help organize separatist referendums. Ukraine, for its part, appears to have done significant data collection quietly assisted by the U.S., the U.K., and other partners targeting Russian soldiers, spies and police, including rich geolocation data. Demediuk, the top security official, said the country knows exactly where and when a particular serviceman crossed the border with Ukraine, in which occupied settlement he stopped, in which building he spent the night, stole and committed crimes on our land. We know their cell phone numbers, the names of their parents, wives, children, their home addresses, who their neighbors are, where they went to school and the names of their teachers, he said. Analysts caution that some claims about data collection from both sides of the conflict may be exaggerated. But in recordings posted online by Ukrainian Digital Transformation Minister Mikhailo Fedorov, callers are heard phoning the far-flung wives of Russian soldiers and posing as Russian state security officials to say parcels shipped to them from Belarus were looted from Ukrainian homes. In one, a nervous-sounding woman acknowledges receiving what she calls souvenirs a womans bag, a keychain. The caller tells her she shares criminal liability, that her husband killed people in Ukraine and stole their stuff. She hangs up. ___ AP data journalist Larry Fenn in New York and Inna Varenytsia in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report. JERUSALEM Prime Minister Naftali Bennetts teenage son has received a death threat and bullet in the mail, Israeli officials said Thursday, he second such warning against the Israeli leaders family this week. The threats have come at a time of deep political divisions in Israel. In a major speech on Wednesday night marking Israels Holocaust memorial day, Bennett had spoken out against the polarization in Israel, urging citizens not to let internal divisions rip society apart. Israeli police said that both incidents were being investigated, but gave few other details, including where the items were sent and who might have sent them. Bennett has been the target of fierce criticism from Israels hard-line right wing since forming his governing coalition last year. In 1995, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish ultranationalist opposed to his peacemaking efforts with the Palestinians. Bennetts government is made up of eight parties from across the political spectrum, including religious nationalists, centrists and an Islamic party. It is the first Arab party to be part of a governing coalition. These parties have little in common beyond their shared animosity to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They have agreed to put aside many of their differences while focusing on common ground, such as the economy, managing the coronavirus crisis and spending on education and social services. Netanyahu, now the opposition leader, has worked hard to undermine the coalition. Critics have accused Bennett, who leads a small, religious nationalist party, of abandoning his core hard-line beliefs. One member of his Yamina party was sanctioned this week as a defector for repeatedly supporting the opposition in hundreds of votes. Another member of his party recently resigned from the coalition, leaving the fragile alliance without a parliamentary majority. Bennett formed the coalition last June after four inconclusive elections that underscored the fissures in society over key issues as well as the polarizing effects of Netanyahus 12-year rule. In Wednesdays speech, coming on one of the most solemn days of the year, Bennett implored the nation to put aside its differences. My brothers and sisters, we cannot, we simply cannot allow the same dangerous gene of factionalism dismantle Israel from within, Bennett said. That speech came a day after his family received a bullet in the mail for the first time. The episode prompted his 17-year-old son Yoni to express his sadness in an Instagram post. Its just sad to see that real people write such horrible things, he said. To think that he lives and breathes like me but has a brain that was created by the devil is crazy. Bennett is a former top aide to Netanyahu, and Yoni is named after Netanyahus older brother, who was killed in a famous 1976 Israeli commando raid while rescuing a hijacked airplane in Uganda. An Israeli official familiar with the matter confirmed on Thursday that the second threatening letter and bullet had been sent to Yoni Bennett. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Police have imposed a gag order on their investigation, and officials declined to say whether there were any suspects. While many indications pointed to Jewish extremists, the threats also come at a time of heightened tensions with the Palestinians following a series of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israeli cities, Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank, and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at Jerusalems most sensitive holy site and cross-border fighting with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma House gave final approval Thursday to a Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. The bill approved by the GOP-led House without discussion or debate now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is expected to sign it within days. The assault on abortion rights is one of several culture-war issues conservatives in GOP-led states have embraced, like restricting LGBTQ rights, that drive the partys base in an election year. A coalition of Oklahoma abortion providers and abortion rights advocates immediately filed separate legal challenges in state court to both the Texas-style ban and a separate bill Stitt signed earlier this month to make abortion a felony. Legal experts say its likely both measures could be temporarily halted before they take effect. House members also voted Thursday to adopt new language prohibiting transgender students from using school restrooms that match their gender identity and requiring parental notification ahead of any classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity. Theyre all concerned about their elections coming up and making sure they have something they can put on a postcard to talk about, said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Midwest City. The abortion bill, dubbed the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, prohibits the procedure once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, which experts say is roughly six weeks into a pregnancy. A similar bill approved in Texas last year led to a dramatic reduction in the number of abortions performed in that state, with many women going to Oklahoma and other surrounding states for the procedure. Like the Texas law, the Oklahoma bill would allow private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion for up to $10,000. After the U.S. Supreme Court allowed that mechanism to remain in place, other Republican-led states sought to copy Texas ban. Idahos governor signed the first copycat measure in March, although it has been temporarily blocked by the states Supreme Court. Although Stitt already signed a bill this year to make performing an abortion a felony crime in Oklahoma, that measure is not set to take effect until this summer. But the ban approved by the House on a 68-12 vote Thursday has an emergency provision that allows it to take effect immediately after the governor signs it. Abortion providers say it will immediately end most abortions in Oklahoma unless a court intervenes. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has repeatedly found that the state legislatures extreme attempts to restrict abortion are unconstitutional, and these bans are some of the most extreme yet, Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. A separate bill that uses the Texas-style enforcement mechanism to ban all abortions, not just after cardiac activity is detected, passed the Senate on Thursday and heads to the House for consideration. The bills are among more than a half-dozen anti-abortion measures introduced in the Legislature this year. We are more concerned at this point about these Texas-style bans because they have, at least recently, been able to continue and remain in effect, said Emily Wales, interim president and CEO at Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates two abortion clinics in Oklahoma. We do intend to challenge those if theyre passed, but because of the emergency clause provisions, there would be at least some period of time when we could not offer care. Before the Texas ban took effect last year, about 40 women from Texas had abortions performed in Oklahoma each month, according to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. That number jumped to 222 Texas women in September and 243 in October, the agency reported. Were serving as many Texans as Oklahomans right now, in some cases more Texans than Oklahomans, Wales said. Tony Lauinger, the chairman of Oklahomans for Life and a longtime anti-abortion advocate in the state, said hes optimistic the measure will be deemed constitutional. Its identical to the bill that was enacted by the Texas Legislature last year, and that bill has passed muster with the United States Supreme Court, Lauinger said. We are hopeful that this bill will save the lives of more unborn children here in Oklahoma as well. ___ This story has been corrected to indicate the bill targets cardiac activity in the embryo, not fetus. MINNEAPOLIS Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is appealing his conviction for murder in the killing of George Floyd, arguing that jurors were intimidated by the protests that followed and prejudiced by heavy pretrial publicity. Chauvin asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals in a court filing Monday to reverse his conviction, reverse and remand for a new trial in a new venue, or order a resentencing. Last June, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison after jurors found him guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin pinned the Black man to the ground with his knee on his neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. Floyd had been accused of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Three other fired officers face state trial this summer after being convicted in federal court earlier this year of violating Floyds civil rights. Chauvins attorney, William Mohrman, laid out a number of challenges to his conviction, including that the trial should not have been held in Hennepin County, where Floyd was killed. The overwhelming media coverage exposed the jurors literally every day to news demonizing Chauvin and glorifying Floyd which was more than sufficient to presume prejudice, the brief said. In the months that followed Floyds killing, protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis and around the country to protest police brutality and racism. Some of that unrest was violent. Mohrman said several potential jurors expressed concerns during jury selection that if Chauvin was acquitted they would fear for their personal safety and worried about more violence. He said several of them said they were intimidated by the security measures implemented at the courthouse to protect trial participants from protesters. The filing also cited the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by a police officer in nearby Brooklyn Center that sparked mor protests during Chauvins trial. It says jurors should have been sequestered after selection to avoid being prejudiced by reports of that slaying. It also cited a $27 million settlement reached between the city and Floyds family that was announced during jury selection, saying the timing of that prejudiced jurors in the case. Mohrman cited several instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct, claiming untimely sharing of evidence, failure to disclose and document dumping by the government. The filing also says the judge did not apply the sentencing guidelines correctly and should not have included abuse of a position of authority as an aggravating sentencing factor for the former police officer. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has 45 days to respond to Chauvins brief. The appeal came as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights released the results of a nearly two-year investigation launched after Floyds slaying. It found the Minneapolis Police Department has engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade, including stopping and arresting Black people at a higher rate than white people, using force more often on people of color and maintaining a culture where racist language is tolerated. ___ Find APs full coverage of the death of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd Two people were injured when gunfire erupted Thursday afternoon at an apartment complex in Southeast Albuquerque. Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said officers have interviewed the potential shooter and his mother but did not say if charges were pending. The two people who were shot are expected to survive. He said bystanders flagged down police sometime before 2:30 p.m. to report a shooting at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Tennessee SE, near Central. Gallegos said officers found two people with gunshot wounds and separated the witnesses. He said officers conducted preliminary interviews with a potential offender as well as his mother. Gallegos said the two people who were shot are reportedly in stable condition. PHOENIX A 41-year-old Phoenix man is accused of helping another man who was on the run for several days following the non-fatal shooting of a police officer. Police on Thursday announced the arrest Wednesday of Michael Hankins on suspicion of hindering prosecution in connection with the manhunt for Nicholas Cowan. According to police, Hankins aided Cowan while he wa sought on charges of attempted murder and other crimes in the April 14 shooting in which an officer was wounded. Police said in a probable-cause statement that Hankins allowed Cowan to stay at his apartment for two nights before renting a Scottsdale residence for the wanted man. It wasnt immediately clear whether Hankins had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. Cowan, who was arrested Sunday, remains hospitalized for wounds from an exchange of gunfire with one police officer after another officer was wounded. Police said Thursday that a woman also was arrested Wednesday in the case, but a Maricopa County Superior Court spokesman said Thursday the court didnt have records on charges against that person. UNWTO confirms Russia's intention to withdraw Xinhua) 08:36, April 28, 2022 Photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows the headquarters of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Madrid, Spain. The UNWTO confirmed here on Wednesday that Russia had announced its intention to withdraw from the organization. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) MADRID, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) confirmed here on Wednesday that Russia had announced its intention to withdraw from the organization. "Russia has announced its intention to withdraw from UNWTO," explained the UNWTO in a tweet, adding that nevertheless Russia must "follow due process - and this will take a year to complete upon the receipt of the official communications through the appropriate channels." The extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of UNWTO is taking place on Wednesday and Thursday in Madrid, the Spanish capital. Its objective is to decide whether or not Russia has to be suspended due to the conflict with Ukraine, among other issues. For the suspension of Russia to be effective, the support of two thirds of the 160 members that make up the organization will be necessary. If the suspension is approved, it will be applied immediately. In its provisional agenda for the meeting, the "consideration of the suspension of the membership of the Russian Federation in accordance with article 34 of the Statutes" is specified, among other topics. "Our statutes are clear: The promotion of tourism for peace and universal respect for human rights. Only members who comply with this can be part of the UNWTO," said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the UNWTO, on Twitter. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The Tatas have announced the merger of Air India (AI) with AirAsia India Pvt ltd (AAIPL) and will bring these two under one umbrella at a colossal office in Gurgaon. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) was informed by Air India about the merger. AAIPL, which has started operations in the year 2014, does not hold the rights to fly abroad. The notification to CCI reads; An indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Limited (TSPL), Air India, acquires the entire equity share capital of AAIPL and currently 83.67% of the equity share capital of AAIPL, is owned by TSPL. The remaining 16.33 % stake at AAIPL will be owned by AirAsia. The suggested merger is reported under the Competition Act, 2002. It further adds: The suggested amalgamation is not going to have an effect on the competitive situation or cast an unfavourable influence on the competition in India. In addition, the Tata Group has begun to move all four airlines to a single mega headquarters in Gurgaon, a suburb of Delhi, in order to improve synergy. It has allocated office space that can be rented immediately and spans up to 70,000 square feet. The company is now finalising its office requirements with Tata Realty and aims to begin the shift as soon as possible. In order to optimise resources, promote teamwork, and increase synergies at work, the various entities would relocate together into a complex in Gurgaon in phases. We have discovered a new office location on NH8 where we have the opportunity to lease up to 700,000 sq ft immediately, according to a statement issued to the leaders of these five Tata aviation firms. We must now determine our specific space requirements and promptly begin preparing the shift to this new location. We plan to relocate in the next two to three months. The duty of developing the strategic plan has been assigned to Harpreet A De Singh, ED headquarters, as well as Ernst & Young consultants, the statement continues. The businesses have been urged to provide this team with information regarding their required office space as soon as possible, in order to enable this strategic change and consolidation. Gurgaon already is home to IndiGo and SpiceJet, so this move will solidify the citys position as Indias aviation capital. Mumbai, once a major airline hub, currently has only a few large airlines, such as GoAir. AI and AI Express were purchased by the Tata Group in late January. It is still unclear how the four airlines will be merged, with the options being: a low-cost airline formed by merging AI Express and AirAsia India, AI and Vistara; one full-service and a low-cost airline formed by merging AI Express and AirAsia India, AI and Vistara; and AI (merging all three) and Vistaara until the latters 49 percent stakeholder, Singapore Airlines, agrees to a merger with AI. To finalise the future course of action, the company is looking for a CEO for its airline division US multiplay telcos Charter Communications and Comcast Corporation have formed a 50/50 joint venture to develop and offer a next-generation streaming platform on a variety of branded 4K streaming devices and smart TVs, aimed at providing consumers with a world-class user experience and navigation, all the top apps, and more choice in the streaming marketplace. The joint venture will offer app developers, streamers, retailers, operators, and hardware manufacturers the opportunity to reach customers in major markets across the country with the platform. Comcast will license Flex, its aggregated streaming platform and hardware to the joint venture, contribute the retail business for XClass TVs and also will contribute Xumo, a streaming service it acquired in 2020. Charter will make an initial contribution of $900 million, funded over multiple years. Were thrilled to partner with Charter to bring this platform and its award-winning experience to millions of new customers. These products are all designed to make search and discovery across live, on-demand and streaming video seamless and incredibly simple for consumers, said Dave Watson, CEO of Comcast Cable. This partnership uniquely brings together more than a decade of technical innovation, national scale and new opportunities to monetize our combined investment. Our new venture will bring a full-featured operating platform, new devices, and smart TVs with a robust app store providing a more streamlined and aggregated experience for the customer, said Tom Rutledge, Charter Chairman and CEO. As the video landscape continues to evolve, this venture will increase retail consumer options, compete at scale with established national platforms, and join our existing lineup of options for the Spectrum TV App available on most customer-owned streaming devices. The joint ventures products will give consumers a state-of-the-art streaming experience to access their favorite apps, based on Comcasts Flex product, which currently delivers all the most-watched streaming apps in the marketplace. The products will feature hundreds of free content choices through Xumo, a free, ad-supported service currently delivering more than 200 unique streaming channels. Peacock also will be featured on the joint ventures streaming platform, alongside other popular apps. The closing of the joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions. This joint venture does not involve the broadband or cable video businesses of either Comcast or Charter which will remain independent. I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means, Elon Musk had tweeted as the news about his sealing a deal to acquire Twitter for $44 billion spread like wildfire. Ever since the news surfaced, social media has been having a field day with memes that are breaking the Internet, with #twittersold, #ElonMusk, #TwitterTakeover, #Twitterr, #quittwitter, #leavingTwitter, also trending heavily. Many users are furious and are speculating about Musks definition of freedom of speech. According to media reports, the Tesla boss is going to unblock the users who had been barred from Twitter for their controversial views. A case in point is former US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, even as Musk is planning out the future course for Twitter, netizens are reacting about this development in the most creative and vociferous manner. Elon Musk after buying twitter for $44 billion to Donald Trump #twittersold pic.twitter.com/aiVlr0Yi1e Harsh nandan (@nandanharsh181) April 26, 2022 So now that the Elon Musk $45 billion #TwitterTakeover is reality, who on here will be allowed free speech?? No to disinformation!#twittersold #ElonMusk #BlueVoices pic.twitter.com/YZOjycIjE0 Alex (@AlexButterfly01) April 25, 2022 Same time, how brands can be left behind in the race. Every one was following the trends elon musk takes lesser time in buying companies than I do in deciding what pizza to order zomato (@zomato) April 25, 2022 Even some of the netizens and celebrities have plan to #quittwitter we are working on an edit button Twitter (@Twitter) April 1, 2022 If this guy brings Trump back to twitter, we should all leave. The GOP can talk to themselves. #QuitTwitter#BlueTsnami2022 https://t.co/ibyj0Ah4ea Sergeant Mike (@mjfk1957) April 26, 2022 Musk, as a Twitter user with more than 84.5 million followers, has suggested some changes on the platform including adding an edit button, altering Twitter Blue premium subscription services, removing the letter w from Twitter, and converting the company headquarters in San Francisco to a homeless shelter. Even before disclosing his 9.2 per cent stake in Twitter, Musk had tweeted that he was planning to create a new social media platform. Azazul Haque, the former Chief Creative Officer at Mullen Lintas, is now the Chief Content Officer of Sir Martin Sorrell's Media.Monks in India. Media. Monks is a digital-first marketing and advertising services company that connects the dots between content, analytics, and digital media, as well as technology. S4 Capital, a London-based new age/new era advertising and marketing services company founded by Sir Martin Sorrell in 2018, owns it. Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital, Sir Martin Sorrell, stated, "Media.Monks India has been rapidly expanding, and with Azaz, we're accelerating even more. Azaz's desire and passion for discovering new ways of brand storytelling will open up new paths for customers, bringing better brand experiences to life, while we challenge analogue, traditional models and approaches. Azaz will guarantee that we weave together content, data and digital media, and technology services with powerful creative concepts. In India, I am confident that the Media.Monks offering will continue to grow." Poran Malani, Country Head, S4 Capital India, said "As we continue to develop, more and more clients are looking at ways to truly maximise the usage of new engaging media platforms with richer storytelling." He added "This necessitates a distinct viewpoint and understanding of technology and how people use it, as well as the most effective way to artistically deliver the story and engage the audience. Azaz is particularly prepared to establish that bridge since he has a proven track record of developing content that promotes brands, as well as an in-depth understanding of technology and what it can do to improve the brand experience. It's going to be a thrilling ride." Azazul Haque stated, speaking about his new profession "For the previous few years, I've wanted to discover new age mediums. But I didn't want to give up what I really enjoy doing, which is coming up with huge ideas that help businesses grow. I simply wanted to reach out to people in a way that wasn't possible with regular television commercials. The Indian public has been increasingly aware of content, digital, social, and technology-driven platforms in recent years. I simply desired a location where everything could take place under one roof, so that when we come up with huge brand concepts, the specialists from each platform could give them the attention they deserved. Traditional agencies aren't suited to handle this. He further added "I knew Media.Monks was the location I was looking for when I learned about Sir Martin Sorrell's vision for Media Monks and spoke with Poran Malani and Kiran Ramamurthy, I had been looking for a place called Monks. It's been a fantastic start since then. There is so much new information to absorb. There are a plethora of options to choose from. It's past time for companies to take a fresh look at agencies. It's past time for groups like Media to take action. Monks pave the way for new advertising techniques and waves. It's a big task, but with the team Media.Monks has assembled, I'm confident it'll usher in a new era of Indian advertising. My previous designation's new complete form also appeals to me. Chief Content Officer is what we call ourselves at Media Monks. This is my new position at Media Monks." In 2001, Azazul Haque joined the Lintas Group. He's worked for Bates, Publicis, Lowe, Mudra, McCann, Contract, and Ogilvy during the course of his career, which spans two decades. Some of his best works are 'Khushiyon ki home delivery' and 'Yeh hai rishto ka time' for Dominos, Madhya Pradesh Tourism campaigns that won awards at Cannes, One Show, Spikes, D&AD, Titan Raga #FlauntYourFlaw, Rajasthan Tourism 'Jaane Kya Dikh Jaaye', Satyamev Jayate campaign with Aamir Khan, Amazon- Chonkpur Cheetahs He was the youngest Chief Creative Officer in India at the time, having been promoted to Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy South, in 2016. In an attempt to strike a chord with its target audience MemeChat (MC), Indias most popular homegrown social media meme networking app has unveiled its new offline campaign #FakeAutos, in nama Bengaluru. The city saw 500 autos memefied with funny slogans on current happenings in the city to make them more relatable. In addition to the roaring success offline, the campaign has received an overwhelming response across the brands social media handles garnering a massive reach of 75 million (and counting),3 million likes, and shares till date. One of the netizens stated, At least the traffic is not boring after spotting one of the campaign autos. Speaking on the campaign, Taaran Chanana, Managing Director and Co-Founder of MemeChat said, After the tremendous response in Bangalore, we have geared up to roll out the next offline campaign in Delhi NCR. Gen Z, millennials are the perfect audience for us. The idea is to grab the attention of the Gen Z, millennials group while they travel for their daily work and remind them that some great content is just a glance away. This offline activity has helped us make our engagement with audiences much more personal. The app gathered a current user base of 6 million Downloads and over 20 million memes. It has officially worked with top Indian companies like Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Moj, Sharechat, EaseMyTrip, McDonald's, India Terrain, Slice, MediBuddy, PVR, NiyoX, MxPlayer, Paytm, Netflix, Zee5 and Codashop, creating their user-generated memes. MemeChat recently secured more than USD 1 million in its second round of funding led by Beenext, a Singapore-based venture capital firm., became the only Indian startup to be included in the '500 Startups, one of the most active global venture capital firms, a distinguished accelerator program for its 27th batch in 2020. The company recently launched Indias 1st exclusive NFT Marketplace for Memes called The Meme Club. Nepal government has imposed a total ban on the import of 10 luxurious goods until mid-July 2022 after the countrys economic crisis deepened. The measure has been taken to stop further depleting the country's foreign exchange reserve. According to a notice issued in the Gazette on Wednesday, the goods whose import has been banned include cigarettes and tobacco-related products, diamonds, mobile phone sets, colour TVs with screens bigger than 32 inches, automobiles except for ambulances and hearses, motorcycles above 250cc, toys of all kinds, alcoholic beverages and playing cards. According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the ban will not apply to those who complete the banking process before April 30. Besides this measure, the government has taken other steps to check the foreign reserve from depleting further. Earlier in the first week of this month, Nepal's central bank had issued a directive to the traders to "discourage" them from opening letters of credit (LC) to import non-essential goods in an effort to stem the outflow of the country's rapidly depleting foreign exchange reserves. Ballooning imports in recent months have led to massive amounts of foreign currency going out of the country, pushing the balance of payments into the red and raising concerns of a crisis. The central bank has discouraged the traders not to import 300 different items besides banning the opening of letters of credit. According to the central bank, an immense portion of bank loans has gone into paying for imports, so the country is short of money to finance economic activities needed to recharge the economy devastated by Covid-19. In case they needed to open letters of credit, the traders need to keep a 100 per cent margin amount to open them to import alcoholic drinks, tobacco, silver, furniture, sugar, sweets, glucose, mineral water, energy drinks, cosmetics, shampoos, hair oils and colours, caps, footwear, umbrellas and construction materials such as bricks, marble, tiles and ceramics, among others. Imports jumped by 42.8 per cent to Rs 1.14 trillion during the first seven months of fiscal 2021-22, against an increase of 0.01 per cent last year. Purchases of petroleum products, medicine, crude palm oil, crude soybean oil, transport equipment, vehicles and parts, among others, have increased sharply. According to NRB, the country has a foreign currency reserve that is enough to meet its import expenses only for the next six months. Currently, the country has a foreign currency reserve of just $9 billion. Gross foreign exchange reserves had plunged by 16.2 per cent to Rs 1.17 trillion as of mid-February 2022, down from Rs 1.39 trillion in mid-July 2021. Similarly, the government of Nepal has also decided to announce public holiday on Saturday and Sunday in order to limit government-owned vehicular movement so that consumption of petroleum products reduce. The import of petroleum product consumes the larger chunk of imports of the country. According to the Department of Customs, Nepal's imports soared by 38.64 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.30 trillion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year ended mid-March. The total trade deficit rose by 34.50 percent to Rs 1.16 trillion during the period under review. If we do not learn from the mistakes of history, we are doomed to repeat them. George Santayana (1863-1952) Fully understanding communism and its effects continues to be a major challenge. What most people dont know, though, is that it was America that hastened the communist takeover in China. For decades, Chiang Kai-shek and his nationalist army had fought relentlessly to suppress rebellions by Communist forces. He was successful enough to maintain a democratic government for 21 years. However, Chiang was betrayed both from within his party and by America, the free worlds last remaining superpower, which refused to support his fight against communism. This resulted from a fundamental inconsistency in American attitudes toward Chiang. America should study the past as Taiwan defends itself from being absorbed by Communist China. Nationalism and Communism In 1924, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) joined forces with the Kuomintang (KMT). However, because the CCP was using the alliance to spread communism, the KMT-CCP Alliance inevitably collapsed. Chiang Kai-shek then set out on the Northern Expedition in 1926 and succeeded in reunifying most of the country. Then, in 1928, he formed the Republic of China (ROC) in Nanjing. Communist spies began to infiltrate the KMT national army. General Li Zongren, a former warlord, joined the KMT in 1923. He was secretly against Chiang. Having manipulated support from the US, Li was competing for national leadership against Chiang by ousting Chiangs loyal commanders, replacing them with communists. Chiang successfully neutralized Li. By 1927, China was embroiled in a Civil War. During the first decade, the fighting was between the KMT and the CCP. Maos Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the fighting arm of the CCP, was weak, losing one battle after another. In 1934, the PLA was defeated and lost 50,000 soldiers at battles in Jiangxi Province. To regroup, Mao led the remaining 86,000 soldiers on the Long March. Only 8,000 reached Xian, their new base. Still, that was enough to renew Maos fighting force. The Xian crisis forced Chiang once again to join forces with the CCP Meanwhile, as Jay Taylors The Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and the Struggle for Modern China (based on Chiang Kai-sheks twelve-volume diary) reveals, Chiang was almost undone by his own generals and the CCP launching a plot against him in December 1936. He survived that plot but more was to come. Chiangs favorite commander, Chang Hsueh-Liang (former warlord of Manchuria,) secretly sympathized with Mao and communism. Known as the Young Marshal, Chang worked with Zhou Enlai against Chiang. In 1937, after Japan invaded Manchuria, Young Marshal and other communist sympathizers tried to force Chiang to form a new alliance with Mao to help defeat the Japanese. Chiang rejected the idea, telling Young Marshal, If the KMT chooses to stop the civil war and fight against the Japanese, it would eventually lose leadership of the nation to the CCP. That was prophetic. When Chiang agreed to make a trip to Xian, Shaanxi province, where the PLA had its headquarters, to talk with Zhou about fighting the Japanese, Young Marshal sent Mao a message saying that he intended to stage a coup detat, to which Mao replied, A masterpiece! On December 9, 1936, when Chiang arrived in Xian, Young Marshals troops kidnapped him. While soldiers and citizens wept, powerful warlords supported Young Marshal When news of the kidnapping reached Moscow, Stalin worried that this kidnapping could be disastrous for the Soviet Union. He ordered Mao to reach an agreement with Chiang because the KMT forces were necessary to help defeat the Japanese. Eventually, Zhou Enlai intervened. Zhou promised that the PLA would fight against Japan under Chiangs direction. In return, Chiang promised not to station troops in Maos territories and to provide support (cash and supplies) to all armies fighting the Japanese. Although Chiang never signed the second KMT-CCP alliance, he honored his words, ended the civil war, and fought alongside Mao during the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). However, once the Japanese surrendered, the two camps resumed their hostilities. The second phase of the Civil War (1945-1949) between the KMT and the CCP became a full-scale war. The KMT was, as Chiang feared, weakened, leaving it vulnerable both to fifth columnists and Trumans unwillingness to support the Chinese nationalists. Image: Chiang Kai-shek inspects his troops. Public domain. Betrayals from within Unfortunately for Chiang, both during the war against Japan and after, many of those closest to him became communist sympathizers and even agents. Chiang came to rely on Wu Shi, who became one of his Lieutenant-Generals. However, in 1944, when Wu suffered a crushing battle loss, possibly due to CCP agents blocking his communications with Chiang, Wu lost faith in the KMT and, after meeting Zhou, became a red agent, working from within against Chiang. Lieutenant-General Guo Rugui, who was Chiangs confidant for 22 years, was also a red agent. As Ministry of Defenses Director of Operations, Guo provided strategic information about the KMT to the CCP. Other red agents who rose to power during the ROC's final years included Major-General Ge Peiqi, who was running the Northeast Security Command in 1942; Lieutenant-General Liu Fei, who was the Ministry of Defenses Chief of Staff; and Lieutenant-General Zhang Kexia, who helped the PLA win the Yangtze River Crossing battle to capture Nanjing in April 1949. Chiang was unaware that the people upon whom he relied were working against him. America under Truman rejects the Chinese nationalist cause Toward the end of 1948, Chiang wrote in his diary, Reports of lost battles swirl in like falling snow. Not only was he losing support within China, but he was also losing support from America, the worlds only remaining non-communist superpower. Thus, Chiang wrote that his wife, Meiling, was working very hard trying to obtain American help, but getting nowhere. Truman was hostile to Chiang, putting his hopes in Li Zongren, who was a KMT military commander and, by 1947 acting President of the Republic of China. During a visit to America, Li met with Truman and denounced Chiang as a dictator and usurper. It shouldnt have come as a surprise to anyone that Li was also a communist sympathizer. Additionally, the Truman administration saw China with a distorted view through Edgar Snow and his global bestselling book, Red Star Over China. In it, Snow claimed that communism sought to awaken Chinas millions to a belief in human rightsto fight for a life of justice, equality, freedom, and human dignity. Moreover, following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the American people worried about another war and, as John Lennon would later say, they wanted to give peace a chance, even if it meant abandoning China to communism. So it was that, in September 1946, President Truman imposed an embargo on military supplies to the KMT, hoping to force Chiang to resign. The consequence of not receiving new military equipment from the U.S. was that the Kuomintang was defeated in September 1948. By December 1948, when Chiang still hadnt resigned, Truman angrily wrote to him asking When will you resign? Mao worried a great deal (a fear he expressed to Stalin) that, if Truman did force Chiang out, allowing Li Zongren to take charge of the KMT, the U.S. would lift the embargo. With generous U.S. aid, and possibly even warplanes and troops, the KMT might be able to retain a non-communist China south of the Yangtze. However, while the CCP had been struggling since 1935 to survive in impoverished Xian, its fortunes changed after the war. Not only was Truman turning his back on the nationalists, but Russia also increased military supplies to the CCP. These enabled the CCP to revive and expand dramatically, so much so that it ultimately seized full control of mainland China in 1949. Conclusion America under Truman had failed to appreciate Chiangs struggle and commitment to a better world and didnt understand the totalitarian reality that disfigures Marxist idealism. None saw the morally corrupt Chinese society, where betrayals of trust inside its army had become so common. Instead, with a media sympathetic to communism and a president who formed a personal relationship with Chiangs internal enemy, America pulled its support when the KMT needed it most. But fortunately, it didnt quite work out for me -- and thank God for that, for had I become a State Department Foreign Service Officer (FSO), I almost literally could have gained the whole world, but in the process probably would have sacrificed my immortal soul. And as the gospels and then later Thomas More (in the marvelous A Man for All Seasons) told us -- thats a bad bargain. Here is the story of my near-successful application to join the FSO. I tell it here because it reveals a lot about how the State Department functions and how powerful it is. Becoming an FSO is the dream of many college-educated Americans. Its one of the greatest jobs one can aspire to. In the first place, it enables one to see the whole world, and at taxpayer expense. Who doesnt want a literally all-expenses-paid trip to anywhere in the world? Secondly, FS officers wield real power. And if one rises through the ranks, one might eventually become a master diplomat rivalling Talleyrand or Nesselrode. One can become an ambassador. Or better yet, maybe even another Antony Blinken or John Kerry or Madeleine Albright. A real mover and shaker. Many are called but few are chosen. In this case, many present themselves for service, but few make it through the various levels of testing and examination. The first level of testing was a written examination. Only about 15% of the applicants make it through that level -- and I was one of them. Im a bright boy; what can I say? And furthermore, I was a bit older at the time than the average applicant; probably my greater knowledge and maturity helped me. So it was on to the next level of examination. And it was here that I failed -- by one little point! I think they scored me at 87 when 88 was their minimum; something like that. I very nearly made it through this level, and had I passed it, Im confident I could have breezed through their remaining background investigations and interviews. Here is what I remember of Level 2. There were five candidates, and our interviewer was a bow-tied Yalie. God, how State is lousy with Yalies! In the morning, he interviewed us separately. And I remember he gave me a mock problem. He said, you (meaning, Yours, Truly) are a Foreign Service Officer who is assigned to an embassy in a third world country. This country is mismanaging its natural resources. Your assignment is to approach the proper officials in this country to inform them that they are mismanaging their resources, and to tell them what they need to do to correct this unfortunate situation. So, said the bow-tied Yalie to me, now tell me how do you intend to handle this problem. What will you say to them? I asked him, why is it my job or the job of the embassy of the United States to tell a sovereign country how to manage its own resources? And he answered, because they are using American funds to mismanage their resources. They either directly receive American foreign aid, or indirectly receive American money if their resource projects are funded with money from the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank or the United Nations or similar such organizations. And therefore, the government of the United States does in fact have a vested interest in this matter. So I turned around and said to him, well, in the first place, I understand the working principle here. He who pays the band gets to call the tune. You are saying, because they are misusing money that ultimately comes from the United States, we therefore have a real claim as to how they use that money. I understand that and agree with it. But now, you also mean to tell me that the United States borrows money -- here I meant, the deficit and the public debt -- in order to turn around and give it to foreign countries, all so that the United States thereby can gain a say in how they manage their resources. I asked him, how does that make any sense at all? I dont now remember how he answered that. And of course, it doesnt make sense, but in my now-mature wisdom, I think I get it anyway. The State Department is in the business of using taxpayers dollars to buy influence in the rest of the world, for its own Deep State purposes, and for its own allies in the private sector, who hope to enrich themselves at the taxpayers expense and the expense of foreign countries. Its pretty clear this is what Hunter Biden and Hillary Clinton were up to overseas, just to name two such actors. Its dirty and corrupt. No wonder so many people in the world seek revolution on America. So then it was on to the afternoon session. This time the bow-tied Yalie had all five of us candidates together. And this was our assignment. All of us were working out of the same embassy, again in third world country X. And we were weighing how we should best aid country X with foreign aid. Here was our problem: We had five worthwhile projects to consider. Each candidate was given one project. Each was asked to study it, and then defend it. Each project was worth $20,000, so the value of all five projects was $100,000. But our problem was, we had only $60,000 cash. We could approve three projects, but would have to drop the other two. We didnt have enough money for all five. So our joint problem was, we had to sit down as a group and discuss the merits of each project, then decide among ourselves which three of the five projects would make our cut, and which two would have to fall by the wayside. The bow-tied Yalie was taking notes the entire time, observing, weighing, and scoring our work. He wanted to see the interaction hard at work. I gotta say, I was brilliant -- but too brilliant for my own good. I dominated the discussion. As a lawyer might, I ably defended my own proposal, and found reason to trash each and every one of the other four! Hey, thats what the Devils Advocate does in Catholic canonization proceedings, right? I figgered, I was doing my job. After it was all over, the bow-tied Yalie took me aside and told me that hed flunked me by one single point. Despite my obvious abilities, he found, I just wasnt diplomatic (his word) enough to be a suitable FSO. In other words, I had a big mouth! Too blunt and outspoken. Id never be able to fit into their culture. And I gotta say, he was right. I would have been miserable at State. Either I would have had to sell my principles and my soul by keeping my big mouth shut when I knew something wrong was afoot, or I would have had to resign in protest. The bow-tied Yalie was right. State was a bad fit for yours truly. The bow-tied Yalie did me a favor by declining my application. There is an obvious need for a special counsel to investigate President Biden's involvement in the influence-peddling operation run by his son Hunter, in which millions of dollars were received from entities in China, Ukraine, and elsewhere. Yet, in testimony before a Senate committee Tuesday, the attorney general, Merrick Garland, ignored the conflict of interest he faces, as an appointee of Biden, supervising the investigation of Hunter Biden underway in Delaware. Kyle Morris of Fox News reports: Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday refused to provide an update on the federal tax and finance investigation into Hunter Biden as he defended the probe and dismissed the need to appoint a special counsel. Under questioning from Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., who expressed concern over the fairness of the investigation that has caused Americans to question their "confidence" in the Justice Department, Garland did not say whether he has been briefed on the Hunter Biden investigation, which is being overseen by David Weiss, the U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware. "He is supervising the investigation," Garland said of Weiss. "I'm not at liberty to talk about internal Justice Department deliberations, but he is in charge of that investigation. There will not be interference of any political or improper kind." YouTube screen grab. Garland fell back on the excuse that the U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware (one of the smallest of the U.S. districts) was appointed by Trump: "Because we put the investigation in the hands of a Trump appointee from the previous administration, who is the United States attorney for the district of Delaware," Garland responded. "And because you have me as the attorney general who is committed to the independence of the Justice Department from any influence from the White House and criminal matters." The staff and budget available to Weiss, as well as the fact that he serves at the pleasure of the president, severely limit what can be done to investigate. Moreover, recent revelations clearly indicate that President Biden himself was involved in Hunter's business schemes when he was vice president and after, despite repeated denials by the president and his press secretary, Psaki. Jonathan Turley lays out the case: The New York Post is reporting that President Biden agreed to cover more than $800,000 in bills of Hunter, including legal fees tied to the foreign deals. While President Biden's denial of knowledge of Hunter's deals has been repeatedly contradicted (including by Hunter himself), White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declared that President Biden stands by his denials. However, she declined to explain new information showing that a key business partner in these deals visited the White House over a dozen times, including at least one meeting with then Vice President Biden. The New York Post shows that on Jan. 17, 2019, Hunter Biden's then-personal assistant, Katie Dodge told accountant Linda Shapero that Joe Biden was covering the legal costs. The email states "I spoke with Hunter today regarding his bills. It is my understanding that Hunt's dad will cover these bills in the short-term as Hunter transitions in his career." What may be even more damaging is the the new disclosure that Hunter Biden's business partner, Eric Schwerin, made at least 19 visits to the White House and other official locations between 2009 and 2015. Schwerin was the president of Rosemont Seneca, one of the key firms involved in the alleged influence peddling schemes. (snip) President Biden has long insisted that that his son did "nothing wrong." That is obviously untrue. One can argue over whether Hunter committed any crime, but few would say that there is nothing wrong with raw influence peddling worth millions with foreign entities. The public has a legitimate reason to know whether the President or his family ran an influence peddling operation worth millions. Given this mounting evidence, the position of Attorney General Garland has gone from dubious to ridiculous in evading the issue of a special counsel appointment. He continues to refuse to acknowledge these conflicts with the President. In a hearing yesterday, Garland again refused to address the issue, even discussing what it would take to warrant the appointment of a special counsel. There is no reason why he cannot answer such legal questions without getting into the evidence produced in Delaware. Federal regulations allow the appointment of a special counsel when it is in the public interest and an "investigation or prosecution of that person or matter by a United States Attorney's Office or litigating Division of the Department of Justice would present a conflict of interest for the Department or other extraordinary circumstances." It is hard to imagine a stronger case for the appointment of a special counsel. The corrupt media refuse to publicize the need for a special counsel, in utter contrast to the clamor they created to get the appointment of the Mueller investigation, which found nothing on President Trump and wasted 35 million dollars. However thorough and honest the efforts of the U.S. attorney in Delaware, this case requires the appointment of a special counsel, but thanks to the bias of the media, the public has little awareness. On Wednesday, the White House hosted an event for the "Teachers of the Year." Biden loudly announced that the unknown people who control him didn't want him to extemporize, but he did anyway. And once he did, he launched the pro-teacher equivalent of that old computer game phrase, "all your base are belong to us." According to Biden, teachers own the students when those kids are in school. Biden said a few other things, many wrong or incoherent, all a reminder of what happens when an already inadequate mind is stricken by senile dementia. The Republican National Committee published some clips from the talk, but they really don't give a sense of the Grampa Simpsonesque quality that saw him wandering vaguely through his own life, mixing facts and fantasy with seamless abandon. As with Obama, most of the speech wasn't about teachers generally or the specific teachers seated in front of Biden. Instead, the speech was about Biden. First, as he always does, Biden focused on his wife, talking about her teaching at high school and community college. On the one hand, it's rather sweet; on the other hand, he's officially the president, so the United States, not Jill Biden, should be what's most important to him. But of course, she's his caretaker, too, and that dependency shows. Biden then was off to the races, leaving the "formal comments" behind. He talked about his wonderful parents, his small size as a child, his stutter, seeing the moving The King's Speech, his own teachers, seeing a copy of one of George VI's speeches with the slash marks to help pacing, marking his own speeches that way, his wonderful family, his great teachers... At this point, Biden seemed to realize he'd drifted. "I remember I was talking on the way over. This my staff is going, 'Why aren't you giving the speech we wrote?'" And then he went back to drifting. While going off script, Biden says: My staffs going, why arent you giving the speech we wrote? pic.twitter.com/R0a3PSGX3z RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 27, 2022 Laughably, considering his governance by fiat, Biden explained that he got "involved in politics because I think the greatest sin that anyone can commit is the abuse of power, whatever that power is the power of a teacher...just the abuse of power." BIDEN: "I got involved in politics because I think the greatest sin anyone can commit is the abuse of power." Last week, Biden said the environment got him involved in politics. Before that, it was civil rights, then it was voting rights. pic.twitter.com/io9EYzbtTJ RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 27, 2022 And he was off again. This time, we learned that Martin Luther King's assassination and Delaware's response (ten months of National Guards) got him involved in politics. He boasted about having a job with an old law firm in Delaware before becoming a public defender (ignoring that he was not a lawyer at that firm, but merely a clerk). Vaguely aware that his speech was supposed to be about teachers, Biden broke his reminiscences off to say, "Where teachers come in...I was I had no intention of running for public office," and then he resumed his autobiography. On and on he went, especially about civil rights, which is strange, considering that his closest alliances when he entered the Senate were with the Southern segregationist Democrats. BIDEN: "I got involved in politics because I think the greatest sin anyone can commit is the abuse of power." Last week, Biden said the environment got him involved in politics. Before that, it was civil rights, then it was voting rights. pic.twitter.com/io9EYzbtTJ RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 27, 2022 Only then, after all the details, did Biden say that, conflicted about whether to run, he spoke to "Dr. Ingersoll," a philosophy professor, who urged him to run by quoting Plato's "the price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." So, as you can see (can't you?), teachers matter! A short while after, Biden again boasted about the "hard" job he had as a professor at the University of Pennsylvania when he left the White House, except that the only classroom work he did was a single lecture. For this, he earned $776,527. He also talked about teaching at Syracuse University law school when he was younger, which was an actual job (those poor students). It was a whole lot of Grampa Simpsoning. But the speech really went off the rails when Biden announced that children belong to the community and, most especially, to their teachers: This wasn't just Joe being Joe. This is the same thing Democrats have been saying out loud since at least 2013: The left wants your children very badly, and Joe Biden isn't afraid to admit it. Image from a YouTube video screen grab. What could better epitomize the dystopian nature of a governmental organ called the "Disinformation Governance Board" than putting it under the command of a bureaucrat who questioned the validity of Hunter Biden's laptop, calling it "a Trump campaign product," and who served as an adviser to the corrupt Ukrainian regime? Bradford Betz reports for Fox News: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified Wednesday that the Department of Homeland Security is creating a "Disinformation Governance Board" to combat misinformation ahead of the 2022 midterms. (snip) YouTube screen grab. Hours later, Politico reported that Nina Jankowicz, who previously served as a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center, will head the board as executive director. Cat's out of the bag: here's what I've been up to the past two months, and why I've been a bit quiet on here. Honored to be serving in the Biden Administration @DHSgov and helping shape our counter-disinformation efforts. https://t.co/uN20vl7qqV pic.twitter.com/JEn4FqLdck Nina Jankowicz (@wiczipedia) April 27, 2022 Katelyn Caralle of the U.K. Daily Mail adds: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas did not disclose any powers that would be granted to the dystopian-sounding board while addressing lawmakers on Wednesday. He explained that the board would work to tackle disinformation ahead of the November midterms, particularly in Hispanic communities. But Mayorkas did say that the new board would come under the Biden-era Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), meaning it would have no powers to crack down on disinformation and will instead try to combat it by throwing money at what it sees as problems. (snip) The Russia disinformation expert previously called the laptop of President Joe Biden's son Hunter a 'Trump campaign product. (snip) Jankowicz also suggested last week that she opposes the The First Amendment because she thinks it is bad for 'marginalized communities' and called Elon Musk a 'free speech absolutist' because he wants to make Twitter more open to all voices. Sounds like a taxpayer-funded propaganda organ directed at a key constituency the Democrats fear losing. There are other problems with her as well: Jankowicz is a former advisor to the Ukrainian government, under a Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship pic.twitter.com/rgBWklyERb Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) April 27, 2022 Rather than police our border, Homeland Security has decided to make policing Americans speech its top priority. Theyre creating a Disinformation Board. No, really. And take a look at the views of the leftist radical running it pic.twitter.com/70hM1Cle3Q Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) April 27, 2022 The Biden Administrations new anti-speech czar is apparently no fan of the @elonmusk Twitter acquisition. This is the person Joe Biden just put in charge of policing Americans speech. Using the power of the government pic.twitter.com/7lkvhfnVey Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) April 27, 2022 Hannah Nightingale of The Post Millennial: Jankowicz has previously said that she was concerned that Twitter had determined early in 2022 to stop limiting speech from users about the 2020 presidential election, saying that "considering the long-term damage these lies do to our democracy," she was "dismayed about this decision." Her view about elections, whether foreign or domestic, are that they "aren't an end point," but are "an inflection point," and that the policies of social media companies as regards free speech "need to reflect that." (snip) Jankowicz also does not appear to be a fan of free speech, saying that setting up free speech in opposition to censorship is "a false dichotomy." Ace, as usual, minces no words: Nina Jankowicz, who will be chief executive of the Orwellian "Disinformation Governance Board" being run by our nation's internal security police, is an angry GamerGate Millennial feminist troll. Nina Jankowicz @wiczipedia Apr 25 Men "burst violently into your mentions and your life like the Kool-aid man, demanding your attention, hawking opinions that they believe are unarguably, manifestly correct and indispensable." A taxonomy of trolls, excerpted from #HowToBeAWomanOnline: Glad to hear that the nation's new official arbiter of what speech is permissible values men's opinions so highly. Biden just appointed a ditzy twentysomething Anita Sarkeesian Acolyte to be the country's Chief of the Censorship Police. This ditzy little dummy Millennial, who writes silly little "The Idiot's Guide to Online Feminism" pamphlets, is now in charge of the Department of Homeland Security's Censorship Board? Are you f------ serious? Audiobook sample here: "To be a woman online is an inherently dangerous act..." This shrieking little hysteric, who openly despises men and writes that all men online are inherently threatening and assaultive, is now dictating the nation's censorship policies. It's almost as if a master satirist like Mel Brooks is writing the script here. Except it is deadly serious. Upon striking the deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion, Elon Musk took to the platform to state the following: A day prior to the deal, Musk tweeted the following: I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2022 This resulted in reports that Musk had blocked multiple users on Twitter. The chief U.S. correspondent for the U.K.-based Independent, Andrew Buncombe, reported that Musk has blocked him seemingly without any reason. Buncombe also reported that a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit watchdog group claiming to be "standing up to corporate power and holding government accountable for 50 years" was blocked by Musk. FYI: Were blocked by Elon Musk. So much for being committed to free speech. pic.twitter.com/iXsMQYq8v0 Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) April 26, 2022 Fortune reported that nineteen-year-old Jack Sweeney got Musk's attention by creating an automated Twitter account that tracked the movements of Musk's jet. Musk responded by offering Sweeney $5,000 to delete his account. When Sweeney refused, Musk blocked him on Twitter. There have to be myriad other users whom Musk has blocked. The implication is that Musk is a hypocrite for claiming to be an absolutist regarding freedom of expression while choosing to block certain users. In order to evaluate that claim, we look at the social life of regular human beings. As you grow older, you develop opinions, ideas, and choices. You often have strong likes and dislikes. This applies to your choices in friendships and associations. There are individuals you are immensely fond of, hence you want them in your closest circles. Your liking could emanate from the fact that you agree with them on matters of importance. Perhaps these individuals are fun to be with. Perhaps they are well-wishers who never hesitate to tell you the harsh truth. There are individuals whose company you don't mind but whom you aren't too fond of, either; you keep in touch but maintain distance. You send them greetings on their birthdays and festivals. You gladly exchange pleasantries at social gatherings. Finally, there are individuals you simply cannot tolerate. It could be what they say or how they say it or how they behave, or their past deeds. Perhaps it is just your visceral instinct that is driving your revulsion. You avoid such individuals at all costs. You even skip social gatherings where the individual is invited. These principles are also applied to books, films, articles, and speeches. You eagerly consume content that interests you, you postpone consumption of content you deem to be mildly engaging, and you avoid that which you despise. Does this position make you antifreedom of speech? No, it doesn't. The people you despise are living their lives, while books, films, articles, and speeches are still available for others to consume. You just choose to avoid them. If you were to use your powers to ban books, films, articles, and speeches that you disapprove of and imprison individuals whose ideas you dislike, that is categorically against freedom of expression and undemocratic. Exercising choice is an important aspect of being free. If you are compelled to consume specific content, it is against the principles of a free society. Only totalitarian regimes enforce directives and compel their citizens to listen to certain speeches and consume certain content and ban the "problematic" content. This elimination of choice is undemocratic. Back to Twitter, where the choices are similar to those in your daily life. As a Twitter user, you have the choice to follow whomever you like. Perhaps you find someone's opinion stimulating and want more. Perhaps you despise his opinions but want to be exposed to them. You obviously have a choice to not follow whomever you do not care for. In a situation where an individual is annoying or is targeting or trolling you, you have the option to block, which means breaking all contact with the individual, or mute, which only prevents you from being exposed to tweets from the user in question. These Twitter users prevail and are free to conduct themselves as they please; it is just that you don't want to be exposed to these ideas. These rules apply to every Twitter user, including Elon Musk. Musk has the freedom to block whomever he despises, and he has no obligation to explain why. Only social media accounts run by the government do not have the right to block individuals, because the information they publish is meant for all citizens. For example, Joe Biden's official account cannot block Twitter users. Now, if Elon Musk uses his power to permanently remove users he dislikes from Twitter, that is against free expression and undemocratic. When President Trump was subjected to a coordinated ban across social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, it was undemocratic and against the tenets of free expression. To sum it up, we must not conflate choice with freedoms. An individual may choose to have fish and chips every night for dinner. That does make him antishepherd's pie. Progressive elites are having a meltdown following the announcement of Elon Musk's buyout of Twitter. At The View, the ever thoughtful Sunny Hostin proclaimed that Elon Musk wanted to protect only the free speech of "straight white men." At NBC, correspondent Jo Ling Kent predicted a surge in safety problems "especially for women and minorities." CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell warned that Twitter will become a "haven for disinformation and hate speech." Nothing of the sort will happen, of course, except for the overblown incantations of the cultural Marxists. And what about colleges and universities? Thanks to the vagaries of political correctness, U.S. colleges have become an intellectual backwater. The effects of Marxist ideology are evident in terms of widespread speech codes, promotion of "critical" theories, and other campus practices that seek to vitiate basic cultural precepts. The dismal state of campus free speech is revealed by a recent survey of 481 colleges that reported that only 12% of colleges received a "green-light" rating. But a green-light score is not as impressive as it sounds. It only means that the school has no written policies that directly imperil free speech. The rating does not signify that right-of-center student groups can hold events without harassment, that professors can allow free-wheeling classroom debates, or that white males are not subjected to villainous stereotypes. Second are the "critical" theories, philosophies that classify, stereotype, and divide persons based on their race or sex. According to criticalrace.org, more than 200 colleges and universities around the country are now promoting Critical Race Theory. CRT's first cousin, Critical Feminist Theory, dogmatically insists that gender oppression is endemic in American society and is widely embraced by university women's studies programs. Noting that the educational system is "central in transmitting and preserving the ideology of whatever class dominates society," Cal State University professor Glynn Custred explains that doctrines of Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, and identity politics are "clearly rooted in Marxist doctrine." And third are the persons who engage in "crazy-making," practices that aim to undermine basic cultural precepts about human biology, race, and spirituality. These are a few of many examples: At Columbia University, women are now referred to as "people with uteruses." Carlow University in Pittsburgh hosted an event at which the speaker argued that white people should "crucify their whiteness" and called for the embrace of "hopelessness." Duke Divinity School hosted a Pride Worship Service at which students prayed to the "Great Queer One." Recent developments offer hope that we may be breaking free from the intellectual straitjacket that now encumbers campus discourse: Oklahoma: Governor Kevin Stitt signed H.B. 3543 into law, which will establish the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee to review First Amendment complaints at public universities in the state. Florida: Last Thursday, a federal appeals court ruled that the University of Central Florida's broadly worded free speech policy violates the First Amendment. In a 38-page decision, Judge Kevin Newsom wrote the UCF policy "objectively chills speech because its operation would cause a reasonable student to fear expressing potentially unpopular beliefs." Ohio: Shawnee State University agreed to pay philosophy professor Nick Meriwether $400,000 after disciplining him for not using a transgender student's preferred pronouns. Unfortunately, a new threat to campus free speech now looms... In May, the federal Department of Education is expected to release a draft Title IX regulation that many fear will eliminate the presumption of innocence and reduce due process protections for students and faculty members accused of flouting campus speech codes. The sex discrimination policy reportedly will expand the definition of "sex" to include "discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex-related characteristics (including intersex traits), pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity." You may want to re-read that bloated definition, because it is certain to have a chilling effect on campus debates about LGBTQ issues and will impose long-lasting, harmful effects on women's sports. Seeking to head off this dystopian scenario, 26 leading organizations recently sent a letter to the Department of Education with this admonition: "We strongly urge the Department to set aside its Title IX rulemaking and to allow institutions to continue their efforts to comply with the 2020 Rule." Even more remarkably, the attorneys general from 15 states sent a letter on April 5 to the Department of Education that bluntly concludes, "We strongly urge the Department to cancel its plans to engage in rulemaking on Title IX." The expanded definition of "sex" represents a stunning example of regulatory overreach that is unlikely to succeed either in courts of law or in the court of public opinion. Given that the current trend in American society is to restore free speech and assure due process, the Department of Education is well advised to reconsider the plan to usher in its Brave New World on college campuses. Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License. In a huge blow to Democrats' prospects in the House of Representatives, the highest court in New York State threw out the congressional redistricting map adopted by that state's Legislature. Nicholas Fando of the New York Times: In a sweeping 32-page ruling, a divided New York State Court of Appeals chided Democrats for ignoring a constitutional amendment adopted by voters in 2014 to curb political influence in the redistricting process. The amendment also created a new outside commission to guide the process. The judges additionally found that the congressional districts designed by Democrats violated an explicit state ban on partisan gerrymandering, undercutting the party's national campaign to brand itself as the champion of voting rights. Writing for the four-judge majority, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore said that Democratic lawmakers created congressional and State Senate maps in a way that was "procedurally unconstitutional," and that the congressional map in particular was "drawn with impermissible partisan purpose." As CNN notes: A 2014 amendment to New York's constitution created an independent redistricting commission that was obligated to draw a plan for the congressional map and present that plan to the state legislature for a vote. After the commission's first sets of district lines failed in the legislature, the commission did not submit a second plan. At that point, the state legislature drew the now-blocked map. Instead of allowing the Democratic-led state legislature to pass a new map, Wednesday's decision returned the issue to lower court Judge Patrick McCallister, allowing him to work with a special master to draw the map. McCallister already appointed Jonathan Cervas as a special master and said the new congressional map will be issued by May 24. FiveThirtyEight has a graphic that represents the map just rejected, and its change from ten years earlier: In order to allow time for candidates to circulate petitions for a place on the ballot, the primary will have to be moved from June to August. What is most remarkable about this decision is that all seven judges on the Court of Appeals were appointed by Democrat governors. But judges are not immune to the public's attitude toward politics, and Governor Hochul, and by extension, the Democrat-dominated state Legislature, have earned a high degree of distrust. According to FiveThirtyEight: There are currently 19 Democrats and eight Republicans in New York's congressional delegation, so this map likely would have resulted in Democrats gaining three House seats in the 2022 election and Republicans losing four, from just New York alone. Meanwhile, Republican-dominated Florida has its own gerrymandered congressional redistricting map. According to FiveThirtyEight "it is a dream map for partisan Republicans, single-handedly adding four new Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives." That map, too is being litigated in court and may not survive. It looks as if Title 42 will be around a bit longer. According to news reports, the Democrats running for re-election can thank a federal judge. Here it goes: President Biden's administration will comply with an upcoming order from a federal judge in Louisiana that is expected to block the removal of COVID-19 border restrictions. The restrictions, known as Title 42, are a Trump-era health measure that has been used to deport more than 1 million migrants. The Biden administration had previously planned to end Title 42 on May 23, a move that would have resulted in a surge in illegal immigration. A Louisiana district court judge has announced plans to block such a move until Biden negotiates a deal with Republican border states. A senior administration official said the White House plans to comply with that order Tuesday, according to Politico. "If and when the court issues the TRO [temporary restraining order] the department is planning to comply with that order," the official said, going on to complain about the decision. "It really makes no sense to us that the plaintiffs would demand, and the court would order, that [Department of Homeland Security] be stopped in its use in expedited removal, which is going to prevent us from adequately preparing for the aggressive applications for immigration law when public health expires." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a plan on how to deal with post-Title 42 surges in migration on Tuesday. Listen closely. All of that cheering that you are hearing is coming from New Mexico and Arizona, where a couple of Democrat incumbents are in trouble because of the border. On Title 42, as well as the mask mandates and "Remain in Mexico," the Biden administration is just plain tone-deaf. At this moment, the problem on the border is that the staff is overwhelmed, and criminal elements are using the chaos to bring drugs into the country. In other words, most fair-minded Americans are focusing on the lawlessness of an open border brought to all of us by an administration that won't even visit the area. Let's hope the courts save Title 42 for now and force the Biden administration to go to Congress for a resolution. And please stop all of the talk about immigration reform or the other cliche about "our broken immigration system." The only thing broken here is the administration's backbone, or its inability to fulfill its responsibilities on the border. PS: Click for my videos and podcasts at Canto Talk. Image: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, government work. It's been nine weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine. Everyone assumed that Russia would storm through Ukraine in days, leading to a speedy surrender. Instead, although parts of Ukraine have been flattened and it's sustained massive civilian and military deaths, Russia is suffering badly, too. The question, then, is what Putin intends to do now. I haven't written much about the war because I don't trust the information, whether from the Ukrainian, Russian, or American government. However, occasionally, bits of seemingly solid information appear. Lately, that information indicates that Russia is suffering badly at the hands of Ukrainian fighters. For a long time, Russia was thought to have one of the world's greatest and most dangerous militaries. People alive during the Soviet era remember when the Soviet Union would have incredible parades displaying its military might. Today, Putin now presides over a shabby oligarchy, kept afloat by the oil and gas Russia sells to Europe (and America). While Russia still has a huge nuclear arsenal, we're seeing that its traditional army isn't in such great shape. Its machines are poorly maintained, its troops poorly trained, and its senior officers have an uncanny knack for being in the line of fire. Ben Wallace, Britain's defense secretary, has assessed Russian losses in men and materiel (hat tip: Instapundit): It is our assessment that approximately 15,000 Russian personnel have been killed during their offensive. Alongside the death toll are the equipment losses. In total, a number of sources suggest that to date over 2,000 armoured vehicles have been destroyed or captured. This includes at least 530 tanks, 530 Armoured Personnel Carriers and 560 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Russia has also lost over 60 helicopters and fighter jets. The offensive that was supposed to take a maximum of a week has now taken weeks. Last week Russia admitted that the Slava-class cruiser Moskva has sunk the second key naval asset that they have lost since invading significantly weakening their ability to bring their maritime assets to bear from the Black Sea. Of those 15,000 or so Russian men killed, The Moscow Times reports that more than 300 were officers. Given that Russian troops are not encouraged to be innovative in the field (which is why officers are in front, getting killed), losing that many officers indicates a catastrophic loss of necessary guidance in battle. Additionally, the New York Times notes that Ukraine is pressing into Russia now, using drones is an act of aggression consistent with a winning, not a losing, military. Image: Putin. YouTube screen grab. Russia, however, has weapons other than those it's thrown into the war to date. It's cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria until they agree to pay their bill in rubles, and Germany fears it may be next. (This would be less of an issue if Biden hadn't destroyed America as one of the world's net energy exporters.) What worries everyone is that Putin may go nuclear. During a Wednesday speech, Putin didn't use the word "nuclear," but most assumed that's what he meant: The despot, addressing legislators in St Petersburg today, said his response to anyone who 'threatens' Russia will be 'lightning-fast' and deadly. 'If someone intends to interfere in what is going on from the outside they must know that constitutes an unacceptable strategic threat to Russia. They must know that our response to counter strikes will be lightning fast. Fast,' he said. 'We have all the weapons we need for this. No one else can brag about these weapons, and we won't brag about them. But we will use them.' The official Russian media are preparing people for a global nuclear war: Margarita Simonyan, editor of state broadcaster RT and one of the Kremlin's highest-profile mouthpieces, declared on TV last night that the idea of Putin pressing the red button is 'more probable' than the idea that he will allow Russia to lose the war. 'Either we lose in Ukraine,' she said, 'or the Third World War starts. I think World War Three is more realistic, knowing us, knowing our leader. 'The most incredible outcome, that all this will end with a nuclear strike, seems more probable to me than the other course of events. 'This is to my horror on one hand,' she told a panel of experts shifting nervously in their seats, 'but on the other hand, it is what it is. We will go to heaven, while they will simply croak... We're all going to die someday.' A friend suggested that maybe, behind the scenes, Trump is involved in negotiations or, perhaps, telling Putin that when he (Trump) is back in office, Putin is a dead man. Dreaming of Trump, though, doesn't change the fact that we have leading us a demented Biden; a milquetoast Antony Blinken, whom the Chinese humiliated last year; and a secretary of defense and a chairman of the Joint Chiefs who made a complete hash out of the Afghanistan withdrawal. While it would be great if Russia were to lose this war, it appears that Putin has no intention of losing, preferring to take the whole world down with him rather than accept defeat. On December 2, 1943, the Germans launched a surprise attack on a key Allied port in Bari, Italy, sinking more than 20 Allied merchant ships and killing more than 1,000 American and British servicemen and hundreds of civilians. Among the ships sunk was the SS John Harvey, an American Liberty ship carrying a secret cargo of mustard gas bombs. The deadly attack, which came to be dubbed as the Little Pearl Harbor, released a toxic cloud of sulphur mustard vapor over the city and liquid mustard into the water, prompting an Allied coverup of the chemical weapons disaster. But it also led to an army doctors serendipitous discovery of a new treatment for cancer. Allied ships burn during the German attack on Bari. Mustard gas was used extensively by the Germans during the First World War. It was a feared weapon that caused sever skin oedema and ulceration, blindness, suffocation and vomiting. Mustard gas caused internal and external bleeding and attacked the bronchial tubes, stripping off the mucous membrane. This was extremely painful. Fatally injured victims sometimes took four or five weeks to die of mustard gas exposure. The use of this gas and other chemical weapons in war was banned by the Geneva Protocol of 1925. However, there was no ban on their manufacture or transport. The Allies were concerned that the Germans might use chemical weapons in World War II and wanted to be in a position to retaliate if such weapons were used against them. So in August 1943, President Roosevelt approved the shipment of chemical munitions containing mustard agent to the Mediterranean theater. Two thousand mustard gas bombs were loaded onto the USS John Harvey, and the ship, commanded by Captain Elwin F. Knowles, set sail from Oran, Algeria, to Italy, on 18 November 1943. On 26 November, the John Harvey sailed through the Strait of Otranto to arrive at Bari. The port of Bari was crammed with ship from stern to bow, and the John Harvey had to spend several days waiting for its turn to unload. Captain Knowles wanted to tell the British port commander about his deadly cargo and request it be unloaded as soon as possible, but the presence of the gas bombs was highly classified and the captain was forbidden from divulging its existence to the British port authorities. On December 2, 1943, the Germans launched a surprise attack. More than one hundred Junkers Ju 88 bombers swooped over the overcrowded harbor indiscriminately bombing and destroying the waiting ships. John Harvey was struck and destroyed in a huge explosion. Its deadly cargo of liquid mustard spilled into the water mixing with oil from the sunken ships. Some mustard evaporated and mingled with the clouds of smoke and flame. Nearly all crewmen of John Harvey who knew what was in the hold perished in the sinking, so rescuers dealing with the casualties had no idea what they were up against. Many who made it to the hospital were greeted with a warm blanket that was wrapped around their poison-soaked clothing, sealing their fate as they awaited care. By next morning the nurses were surprised to find the wards full of swollen, blistered patients, temporarily blinded. The doctors suspected some form of chemical irritant but were unsure what it was. Unidentified Canadian soldier with burns caused by mustard gas in 1917. Then suddenly, patients who were in relatively good condition started dying. These mysterious deaths left the doctors baffled. At first it was suspected that the Germans had dropped chemical bombs, and Bari was put on red alert. The Allied Force Headquarters (AFHQ) in Algiers sent for Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Francis Alexander, a young chemical warfare specialist, to the scene of the disaster. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander immediately recognized the symptoms as the result of mustard gas poisoning. He traced the epicenter to John Harvey, and confirmed mustard gas as the responsible agent when divers located a fragment of the casing of a M47A1 bomb. But the Allied High Command suppressed news of the presence of mustard gas, in case the Germans believed that the Allies were preparing to use chemical weapons, fearing it might provoke them into pre-emptive use. Alexanders report was immediately classified, and all mention of mustard gas was stricken from the official record. The deaths were attributed to simply burns due to enemy action. However, the presence of multiple witnesses forced the United States to eventually admit the presence of the chemical. In all there were 628 known casualties, including 86 deaths, but there were probably many more. The cloud of vaporized mustard gas had drifted across the town affecting and killing many more civilians. These deaths were never recorded. In the midst of the disaster, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander made an interesting discovery. While studying tissue samples of autopsied victims, Alexander discovered that mustard gas kills white blood cells. White blood cells, among other things, are capable of rapidly dividing, which prompted Alexander to wonder whether it might also be useful in killing rapidly dividing cancer cells, as well. Modern chemotherapy drugs. Photo: Wikimedia The effect of mustard gas on bone marrow and white blood cells had been known since the First World War. A preliminary research conducted in 1935 showed that mustard gas inhibits growth of tumors in mice. With the advent of World War 2, research on chemical weapons resumed, and the newer knowledge and techniques of a quarter of a century of scientific progress was utilized. After the U.S. entry into the Second World War, the Office of Scientific Research and Development initiated research on mustard gas and commissioned two universitiesYale University and the University of Chicagoto make further studies. In 1942, Louis Goodman and Alfred Gilman of Yale University made the first clinical trial on human patients suffering from advanced lymphomas. Their improvement, although temporary, was remarkable. The University of Chicago conducted similar clinical trials using a different agent. But wartime secrecy prevented any of this ground-breaking work on chemotherapy from being published. Once wartime secrecy ended, papers were released and experiences from both scientific research and the disaster at Bari converged and led researchers to look for other substances that might have similar effects against cancer. Eventually, the first chemotherapy drug named Chlormethine was developed. Since then, many other drugs have been developed to treat cancer, usually less toxic and more targeted in their effects. So what began as a weapon aimed to destroy human life, is now a successful promoter of life thanks to the pivotal work of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, Louis Goodman, Alfred Gilman, his colleagues, and their successors. A damning new report has found that Facebook/Meta has little knowledge of what is happening to its data. The company reportedly didnt know what its data was being used for or where it was stored. The information comes courtesy of an internal report drafted by privacy engineers at Facebooks Ad and Business Product team. It was then leaked to Motherboard (via Engadget). The entire document is currently available on DocumentCloud. We do not have an adequate level of control and explainability over how our systems use data, the engineers said in the report. Advertisement The leaked report also talks about dealing with new data usage regulations and privacy laws around the world. The privacy engineers caution that it could be challenging to make any promises to countries about handling their citizens data. Moreover, the reports authors cite the unavailability of closed-form systems as one of their biggest hurdles. To put it simply, Facebook utilizes a sort of open borders borders policy. The company stashed all kinds of data together, including third-party data, first-party user data, and other sensitive data. To get their point across, the engineers offer the example of dropping ink on a lake of water and trying to get it back. Advertisement Facebook was concerned about new data protection laws across the world This bottle of ink is a mixture of all kinds of user data (3PD, 1PD, SCD, Europe, etc.) You pour that ink into a lake of water (our open data systems; our open culture) and it flows everywhere. How do you put that ink back in the bottle? How do you organize it again, such that it only flows to the allowed places in the lake? Meanwhile, the engineers also express concern about the rapidly changing data protection laws across the globe. Countries like India, South Africa, South Korea, and Thailand introduced stricter data protection laws recently, adding to Facebooks woes. The leaked document also shows a fair bit of concern from the engineers about data laws, wondering if the company can manage the tsunami of new laws that could bring further data regulations. However, Meta rejected the notion that it is not complying with privacy laws. Advertisement Considering this document does not describe our extensive processes and controls to comply with privacy regulations, its simply inaccurate to conclude that it demonstrates non-compliance, a company spokesperson told Motherboard. New privacy regulations across the globe introduce different requirements and this document reflects the technical solutions we are building to scale the current measures we have in place to manage data and meet our obligations. The size of Facebook means that the company had access to ridiculous amounts of data. However, its quite astounding that the company hasnt figured out how to effectively store sensitive data. While Facebook has denied the claims, this certainly wont be the last we hear about it. (ANSA) - ROME, APR 28 - A 25-year-old Bangladeshi cook was sentenced to life imprisonment Thursday for decapitating a 25-year-old Bangladeshi pizzeria dishwasher in the victim's home in Turin on June 9, 2021. Mohamed Mostafa was found guilty of murdering Mohamed Ibrahim. His lawyer said she would appeal saying that her client had reacted after being attacked by the victim. Prosecutors said the pair quarreled over a debt or perhaps also a "fake marriage engagement". Mostafa was sending money to a young female relative in Bangladesh on the mistaken premise that the other man would marry her, they said. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, APR 28 - Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani said Thursday that "we remain on pre-alert" in relation to the possibility that Russia will cut off gas supplies. "There is no reason to go beyond (this level of alert)," he added. Moscow is demanding that payments for its gas be made in roubles and has suspended supplies to Bulgaria and Poland for refusing to do so. Italy current imports around 40% of its gas from Russia. The Italian government has recently signed agreements to boost gas supplies from Algeria, Angola and the Republic of Congo as part of its effort to end its reliance on Russian energy. Cingolani has said he believes Italy can wean itself off Russian gas within 18 months. (ANSA). MADRID - "The commitment taken with Algeria is that not even a single molecule of gas that reaches Morroco will be from gas coming from Algeria," Spain's deputy prime minister and minister for ecological transition Teresa Ribera said Thursday after Algeria threatened to rescind contracts with Spain if its gas were to end up in Morocco. "For us it is extraordinarily important to have good relations with our neighbours, especially Morocco and Algeria," Ribera said during an event organised with Radio Cadena Ser. BELGRADE - A camp for illegal migrants in Velika Kladusa in the far northwest of Bosnia-Herzegovina along the border with Croatia was cleared on Thursday of the approximately 300 people present. The migrants were moved to a new reception center in Lipa, set up in recent months near Bihac, just south of Velika Kladusa. In reporting the news, regional media said that the operation had been conducted with the intervention of the local police and that no incidents had resulted. The camp in question had sprung up in 2018 amid continual arrival of migrants along the so-called Balkan Route on their way towards Croatia and then western Europe. The Lipa reception center was built with funding from the international community and can host up to 1,500 migrants with adequate conditions even in winter. The local police estimate that fewer than 3,000 illegal migrants are currently in northwestern Bosnia-Herzegovina. ISTANBUL - Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday started a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of King Salman bin Abd al Aziz al Saud. A statement by the Presidential Communications Directorate made the announcement, noting that talks on bilateral relations were on the agenda as well as the "possibility of developing cooperation" between Turkey and Saudi Arabia and a look at recent events at the regional and international levels. On the eve of Erdogan's official visit to Riyadh, Turkey's Treasury and Economy Minister Nureddin Nebati discussed trade cooperation with his Saudi counterpart Mohammed Al-Jadaan. "We exchanged views on how to improve economic cooperation between our two countries on investment and trade," Nebati wrote on Twitter. The visit is part of a process started last year for the normalisation of relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia that had been almost entirely severed since 2018 after the killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul of Saudi journalist and critic of the kingdom Jamal Khashoggi. The problems between the two countries led Saudi businessmen to impose a sort of unofficial embargo on exports from Turkey that last year dropped to their lowest level ever. According to Saudi sources cited by the Anadolu news agency, Turkish exports to Saudi Arabia will go back to normal when relations are re-established. BEIRUT - Saudi Arabia and France announced Thursday that they would be sending more humanitarian aid to Lebanon, hit hard by the worst financial crisis in recent decades. Lebanese media reported the news, saying that the agreement between Paris and Riyadh calls for French aid to be paid for in half with Saudi funds. The Saudi humanitarian cooperation agency KSrelief has signed an agreement with the French government for Saudi Arabia to pay for 36 million euros in French food and health-related aid. The French embassy in Beirut has said that France will also send 30 million euros worth of aid that it will pay for. Saudi Arabia resumed investing in Lebanon after having in recent weeks ended a lengthy political crisis with Beirut. Among the Lebanese institutions that will receive this aid is a hospital in the northern city of Tripoli, which in recent days suffered another surge of tension after at least six migrants drowned off the Lebanese coast when their boat headed for Cyprus capsized. The incident occurred over the night between Saturday and Sunday and the search continues for about 30 people still missing. A financial crisis that began in late 2019 led to the country declaring default in March 2020 and the crash of the banking system resulted in the local currency losing 90% of its value over two years. The UN said that over 80% of the population in Lebanon is now living in poverty. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced in early April that it had reached a preliminary accord with the Lebanese government to provide the country with 3 billion dollars in aid so long as the Lebanese authorities meet a series of conditions, most of which related to the banking and fiscal system. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 15 and analysts say that the vote will help the governing class regain legitimacy after almost two years of protest from broad sectors of the population. Former Tory MP Imran Ahmad Khan is expected to cease being an MP three weeks after being convicted of sexually assaulting a boy following a delay in his resignation. The Treasury is understood to have received his resignation letter and it is expected that he will officially leave Parliament on Tuesday, meaning he will receive full pay for April. Khan said he sent the letter triggering the process on Monday, despite having announced his resignation on April 14 while coming under pressure to stand down. He said he expects the process to finish on Saturday, but it was understood it would not happen until the next working day, with Monday being a bank holiday. The Wakefield MP was found guilty of sexually assaulting the 15-year-old at Southwark Crown Court on April 11. There were suggestions that a proper process needed to be followed before he could resign. But parliamentary officials stressed that an MP can resign at any moment and pointed towards the case of Owen Paterson. The Conservative announced his resignation from the cruel world of politics on November 4 after being embroiled in a lobbying scandal and an attempt to ward off his suspension. The next morning, the Treasury announced he had been formally stood down from the seat of North Shropshire by being appointed to the Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, one of the archaic means of resigning MPs. Khan was expected to be appointed to the Chiltern Hundreds. The disgraced politician had been resisting calls to resign until conceding it would be it intolerable for voters in the West Yorkshire constituency to have muted representation while he appeals the conviction. He said the move would allow him to focus entirely on clearing my name. After his departure is confirmed, it will set up a challenging by-election for both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Wakefield was one of the traditional Labour heartlands seats seized by the Tories in the 2019 general election. Mr Johnson will battle to retain the constituency after facing months of bruising allegations centring on Covid law-breaking parties in Downing Street and after he was personally fined. But Sir Keir will feel pressure to win back the seat that had been Labour since the 1930s as he tries to prove to voters the party has transformed since he took over from Jeremy Corbyn. Bridgerton star Golda Rosheuvel says when starting out in the industry she was told that revealing she was gay would ruin your career as an actor. The actress, who plays Queen Charlotte in the hit Netflix series said the advice, given to her by a lesbian director blew my mind. Speaking to the Just For Variety podcast, she recalled the discussion with the director. We were talking about being out and proud and representation and whether I should say I was gay in interviews, she said. The actress, who plays Queen Charlotte in the hit Netflix series said the advice, given to her by a lesbian film director blew my mind (Ian West/PA) It was an absolute no: You absolutely shouldnt do that. It could or it would ruin your career as an actor. She added: I would rather lose a job than not be true to who I am. Id rather not work in an industry that doesnt accept me It just wasnt how I was raised. And then her being out as a female director, as a lesbian director, I was like, I dont understand this advice. It blew my mind. Rosheuvel stars alongside Jonathan Bailey, Kate Sharma and Nicola Coughlan in the second series of the raunchy, Regency-era drama, which is now streaming on Netflix. The brother of murdered aid worker David Haines said he is prepared to stare down the so-called Islamic State terrorists accused of murdering his sibling when he comes face-to-face with them for the first time later this week. Mike Haines is in the US to read a victim impact statement as Londoner Alexanda Kotey is sentenced for his role in the terror cells murder of four hostages. The group, dubbed The Beatles due to their English accents, was said to be made up of ringleader Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, Aine Davis, El Shafee Elsheikh and Kotey, and was responsible for the brutal killings of a number of Western captives, believed to include Britons Alan Henning and David Haines. The charges against Kotey, and his co-accused Elsheikh, who was convicted after trial this month, only feature US victims, but both he and Elsheikh will appear in court in Virginia on Friday when the families of those murdered by the terror cell address the judge on their collective loss. Elsheikh is expected to be sentenced at a later date. Mike Haines (right) is in the US to read a statement about the murder of his humanitarian brother David in Syria eight years ago (Family handout/PA) Mr Haines, an RAF veteran and former mental health nurse, told the PA news agency: In some ways obviously I am quite nervous, and in other ways I am looking forward to staring them in the face, to drawing a line behind what has happened. And that is the real reason (for) going out to read my impact statement to the court to draw a line in the sand and say: Yes, you have played a big part in my familys life, you have had a hold on my familys life. However, now, that stops. Elsheikh, Kotey and Emwazi all knew each other in England before joining IS. Elsheikh was captured alongside Kotey in Syria in 2018 by the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces while trying to escape to Turkey. Alexanda Kotey is due to be sentenced this week (ITV News/PA) Davis was jailed in Turkey and Emwazi was killed in a drone strike, while Kotey last year pleaded guilty to eight counts relating to his involvement in the hostage plot. Mr Haines, from Dundee in Scotland, said he would cherish the opportunity to sit down with Kotey to look him in the eyes and tell him he has been misguided. And in an extraordinary demonstration of his rejection of hatred, Mr Haines added: What I would like to hear, although I dont think it will ever happen, is for Kotey to say: Im sorry, what we were doing was wrong. And if that was to happen, (for him to say) What we were doing was not about Islam it was about the spread of terror, then I would actually shake his hand. Slain humanitarian David Haines, at his parents home in Ayr, Scotland, in 2012 (Family handout/PA) Mr Haines 44-year-old younger brother was captured by militants in Syria in March 2013 while delivering aid to the war-torn country. His murder the following year sent shockwaves around the world when a video recording of his barbaric execution was used as propaganda by the Beatles. The family still do not know what has happened to the body. But Mr Haines, who runs education charity Global Acts Of Unity in honour of his brother, said it is not important for him to find out where Davids remains are. Wherever Davids remains lie, whatever has been done to them David walks with me still, he said. At the end of the presentation, I can feel him pat me on the back and say: Nice one. My brother walks with me still I dont need his remains to mourn over. Mr Haines, 55, said he continues to be affected by terror attacks around the globe, and was actually in Manchester the night of the Arena suicide bomb which killed 22 people in 2017. He said: Every time that we hear of an attack, there is sadness in our hearts, because we know that this club that we belong to has just expanded that club that nobody wants to be a part of whove had family members and loved ones injured, maimed or murdered in an act of terrorism. However, what we have seen over and over and over again is the way that people respond to attacks of terror. What we try to do with Global Acts of Unity is show that if we react with hate, the extremists and terrorists win. And they will not win. Kotey is expected to be given a life sentence but could yet be brought to the UK to face trial over the deaths of Mr Haines and Mr Henning. A British military veteran has reportedly been killed in Ukraine while fighting against Russian forces. Tributes have been paid to Scott Sibley after the Foreign Office confirmed a British national had died in Ukraine and another is missing. The families of both are being supported, a spokesperson said, declining to give names or further details. Mr Sibley has been named by the BBC and Sky, both of which said he is believed to have been fighting in support of Ukrainian forces. In a statement, the Foreign Office said: We can confirm that a British national has been killed in Ukraine and are supporting their family. On the missing person, the spokesperson said: We are aware of a British national who is missing in Ukraine and are supporting their family. We are urgently seeking further information. A fundraising page set up in Mr Sibleys name paid tribute to his contagious laugh and ability to cheer us up!. Tributes were also left on the Logistic Support Squadron Facebook page, where a picture was posted alongside the comment: This week the Sqn has lost a former serving soldier. A man that showed Commando spirit until the end. RIP. Scott Sibley. A small number of serving British personnel are believed to have gone absent without leave to join the resistance against the Russian invasion, while veterans and Britons without combat experience are thought to have also travelled to Ukraine. There was initially confusion on the Governments position after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in comments during an interview to the BBC on February 26, said she would absolutely support UK nationals who chose to fight for Ukraine. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss initially said she would support UK nationals who chose to fight for Ukraine but later rowed back on this (Victoria Jones/PA) However, she later rowed back on those comments, insisting she had been expressing support for the Ukrainian cause in her remarks, and that there are better ways to contribute to the countrys defence. Veterans minister Leo Docherty has previously written to armed forces charities to encourage those tempted to travel to the war zone to turn their efforts to helping the Ukrainian people from the UK. Britons Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin were both captured earlier this month while fighting with Ukrainian armed forces against Russia. Meanwhile, the latest Government figures show that around a fifth of Ukrainian refugees who have been issued with visas under the Homes for Ukraine scheme have arrived in the UK. A total of 86,100 visas had been issued as of Wednesday under the Ukraine Family scheme and the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme, the Government said. But, as of Monday, just 27,100 Ukrainians had arrived in the UK, according to figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office. Overall, less than a third (31.4%) of those granted visas under both schemes have arrived in the UK. There are multiple cases where families are unable to travel to the UK because not all family members have received their permission to travel letters or visas. There has also been widespread concern about the length of time it has taken for visas to be issued to refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. A Government spokeswoman said: We are processing thousands of visas a day this shows the changes we made to streamline the service are working and well continue to build on this success so we can speed up the process even further. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said Britain and its allies need to help prise Russian forces out of Ukraine like a limpet off the rock. Mr Wallace said the UK would continue to supply weapons to the government in Kyiv and was looking at the options for providing anti-ship missiles. Mr Wallace told Sky News: I think its certainly the case that Putin, having failed in nearly all objectives, may seek to consolidate what hes got, sort of fortify and dig in, as he did in 2014, and just be a sort of cancerous growth within the country of Ukraine and make it very hard for people to move them out of those fortified positions, he said. So I think its really about, if we want this to not happen, we have to help Ukrainians effectively get the limpet off the rock and keep the momentum pushing them back. In a speech on Wednesday, Ms Truss said the objective should be to drive Russia out of the whole of Ukraine. The Mounties may become the Moonties. Canadas criminal code may soon extend to crimes committed on the moon if the House of Common passes an amendment proposed Tuesday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports. Criminal acts committed by Canadian astronauts during space travel to the International Space Station already are said to fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement on Earth. The Canadian Space Agency is part of the Lunar Gateway initiative, which also includes NASA, the European Space Agency and Japan Exploration Agency. The operation plans to operate a small space station into lunar orbit. The moon is pictured over Toronto, Canada. The moon is pictured over Toronto, Canada. Under law, any Canadian crew member who commits an indictable crime during space flight will be treated the same as anyone who commits that same act on Canadian territory. A Canadian astronaut is slated to be named to the Artemis II endeavor, which will mark the first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years when it launches in 2024. Elon Musk and Amber Heard's relationship is finally brought up in Johnny Depp's defamation trial. (Photo: Getty Images) Amber Heard's former agent testified that the actress wanted to get back together with Johnny Depp after she publicly accused him of abuse. The Aquaman star was dating Elon Musk at the time, or "filling space" with the Tesla founder, as she purportedly told her then friend. CAA agent Christian Carino, who happens to be Lady Gaga's ex-fiance, testified in a recorded video deposition on Wednesday. He was both Depp and Heard's former agent. Carino spoke about how he had a close personal relationship with the actors throughout their relationship, even setting them up with a couple's counselor in 2015. He said he never witnessed any abuse and that Heard never told him she was physically assaulted by Depp. Carino is no longer friends with Depp or Heard. Carino was asked about facilitating a meeting between Heard and Depp in July 2016 at the actress' request. "[Amber] wanted me to arrange for them to get together in person," Carino declared. "I talked to Johnny about it... he was reluctant at first and then agreed." Heard, who filed for divorce and was granted a temporary restraining order in May 2016, apparently gave Carino assurances she would "never accuse" Depp of violating the TRO as a result of the meeting. Carino "set the meeting up" and believes there were legal transparencies on both sides as the two were hashing out their divorce at the time. Carino "borrowed" a friends house in San Francisco, which is where Heard and Depp first met. "They sat outside," he recalled, "inches away from each other" for "several hours." When the homeowner was set to return, they rented a hotel room to continue the conversation. Things didn't go as smoothly. "They started arguing," Carino testified. This appears to be the same meeting where an audio recording was taken. In the clip played in court last week, Depp has a knife and tells Heard to "take my blood" while she begs him not to cut himself. ("I thought that was the only thing she didn't have at that point," Depp testified about the exchange caught on tape.) Carino was asked whether Heard "ever had a relationship" with Musk. He confirmed they did. Carino was then shown correspondence between himself and Heard from August 2017. "Dealing with breakup. I hate when things go public... I'm so sad," Heard texted Carino. (This corresponds with media reports at the time that Musk and Heard split.) "You weren't in love with him and you told me a thousand times you were just filling space," Carino replied via text. He confirms multiple times during his testimony that he and Heard were confidants at the time. "I know, but I wanted time to grieve and recover in my own time," Heard texted Carino. Carino told Heard she "could avoid" press attention if she "stopped dating uber famous people." "If you don't like being in the press about your personal life, then don't date people that are famous," Carino explained of the advice he shared in that text. Carino was asked by Depp's attorney if Heard was dating Musk at the time of the July 2016 meeting. "I don't know whether they were dating, but they had definitely spent time together," Carino replied. He said he learned of Musk and Heard's relationship "not long after" the San Francisco meeting. Carino testified it was his understanding Heard "still" loved Depp and that he believed she wanted to "reconcile" with the actor. Depp's attorneys read aloud the following text message from Heard to Carino: "I've written so many notes, can you give him one? I don't know how or where to start. There's no way to begin... I have so many. Finally I am single, clear in my heart and mind. I just want him to know I love him and I am sorry." Related video: Carino testified that Heard is referring to "Johnny" in the text and that she wanted him to deliver the Pirates star a letter. When asked if it was his understanding that Heard was trying "to reconcile" with Depp, he replied, "I believe so." In another text from Sept. 2017, Heard wrote to Carino, "God I miss him." Carino confirmed Heard was referring to Depp. Another text from Heard to Carino on June 9, 2018 was read by Depp's lawyer, in which Heard wrote, "I texted him happy birthday." (Depp's birthday is June 9.) Five months later, the actress referred to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." Depp is suing Heard for $50 million over that op-ed she wrote in the Washington Post in Dec. 2018. The actor says he suffered damages to his career and reputation over false abuse accusations that were rehashed in the article. Carino appeared to support Depp's claim. "My opinion is that Amber's accusations would have had the most dramatic impact on his off-screen reputation," Carino said, confirming he was informed that Depp was axed from Pirates 6 after the op-ed was published. Heard has yet to testify and maintains she was the victim of domestic violence, not the other way around as Depp has claimed. MORE: Johnny Depp's texts about wanting to 'f***' Amber Heard's 'burnt corpse' read at trial Whether he's speaking from a stand-up stage, the Saturday Night Live studio or with the press, Bill Burr isn't afraid to sound off with an unpopular opinion or two. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 53-year-old comedian addressed his former Mandalorian co-star Gina Carano's public firing from the hit Disney+ Star Wars series over offensive social media posts. And in Burr's opinion, what happened to the MMA fighter-turned-actor was unfair. "I thought it was funny that the liberals proved her point," Burr says, adding that he identifies as liberal himself. "It's disappointing to see the left become how the right used to be when they went after the Dixie Chicks after they criticized George W. Bush. Theres not a lot of people like that most are just trying not to get in trouble but theres this small collection of lunatics either on the right or the left, at any given moment. that cause hysteria. And now theres so many [media outlets] that want eyeballs, they make money off advertising, that they give attention to these crazy fringe people." From left, Pedro Pascal, Clancy Brown and Bill Burr on a Season 1 episode of The Mandalorian.(Photo: Disney+) Burr's Mandalorian character, mercenary Migs Mayfield, appeared opposite Carano's rough-and-tumble brawler, Cara Dune, in the penultimate episode of Season 2, and the two got along well on set. "She was an absolute sweetheart. Super nice f****** person," the comedian remembered on a 2021 episode of The Bill Bert Podcast. At the time, it was widely rumored that Cara Dune would anchor a new Star Wars series, Rangers of the New Republic, based on the positive fan response to the character and Carano's performance. But the actress's social media habits attracted renewed attention following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. Already known to have more conservative views, Carano challenged mask mandates in her Twitter feed, and seemed to ridicule the practice of sharing one's pronouns. As the "FireGinaCarano" hashtag started to gain steam on Twitter, Walt Disney and Lucasfilm finally parted ways with the actress in February 2021 after she shared a post on social media that suggested being a Republican in Hollywood was akin to being Jewish during the Holocaust. Carano later joined forces with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro for the upcoming thriller, Terror on the Prairie, which was produced by Shapiro's media company, The Daily Wire. Gina Carano returned as Cara Dune on the latest episode of The Mandalorian. (Photo: Disney+) Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter now, Burr says that he felt restrained from publicly defending Carano at the time of her firing. "You cant chime in when the s***'s happening, because then you cause static for other people on the [show]. That somebodys opinion or their political beliefs makes people try to destroy their ability to make a living, its f***ing bizarre to me." "And I love the whole idea that somebody can go back eight years in somebodys Twitter feed and be like, 'What about this?'" Burr continues. "Meanwhile, there are people who get paroled from prison every day who have done so much worse and theyre allowed to put their lives back together. You can have 20-year wars, you can create synthetic heroin, you can f***ing poison the food supply. You can do all of that s*** and its barely going to read I could tell you five different topics that if I did jokes about, I would get more in trouble than the people who caused that." Certainly, Burr got in some hot water for his blistering 2020 SNL monologue, where he joked about "cancel culture" and the "Karen" phenomenon. "How did you manage to be sexist, racist, AND homophobic in under 5 minutes?" marveled one Twitter critic. "I said exactly what I was thinking," the comedian remarks now, adding that he told the "Disney version" of those jokes to appease NBC. "You cant take one incident or one quote and say, 'Thats who you are,'" Burr observed in his interview. "It took me 50 years to figure out who I am, and Ive been with me for 50 f***ing years. How are you going to figure out who I am in a joke?" Andrew Garfield may be taking a break from acting, but when he returns, hell be abiding by the same rule he has for every role he chooses. Theres a no ahole policy, the Oscar nominee, 38, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting his new series, Under the Banner of Heaven. Stars Whove Played Superheroes Life is short. You know what I love about [executive producers] Ron Howard and Brian Grazer and that whole troupe of people? And I think [showrunner] Dustin Lance Black is very similar. Lin-Manuel Miranda is very similar, he continued. Were not only casting the roles right. Were casting a family that will serve the north star of the project, not their own egos. And banding together and creating something that is bigger than themselves. And well have a good time doing it. And I think its a pretty cool way of working. Its like, theres a lifes too short kind of thing. If were gonna go to work and youre putting together a team, youre gonna want it to be a good gang that wants to muck in and play together. And then thats what this was, for sure. Andrew Garfield Has No Asshole Policy When Choosing Roles Like Under the Banner of Heaven Inspired by the true crime bestseller by Jon Krakauer, the limited FX series follows the events of the gruesome 1984 murders of Brenda Wright Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her baby daughter. Garfield plays Jeb Pyre, a devout Mormon and detective who questions his own beliefs as he investigates the case with his partner Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham). I prepared heavy in the lead up to shooting. I researched a lot, and I did all of my preparation in a really deep way, the actor told Us. I went to Utah. I spent a lot of time with Mormons, ex Mormons, gay Mormons, Bishop Mormons, detective Mormons. I really love that aspect of preparation and worked really heavily on the script with Lance to make sure it felt authentic. I just immersed myself in that culture. Everything to Know About Under the Banner of Heaven Garfield, who recently was a staple in the awards circuit for Mirandas tick, tick BOOM! and Eyes of Tammy Faye while also reprising his Spidey role in Spider-Man: No Way Home revealed that he approached Under the Banner of Heaven differently than any other project hes ever done. David Fisher/Shutterstock It was funny once we started shooting, it was very, very different from what Ive ever experienced. I would leave work at work for the first time, he explained. I really needed to break from that world and be as ordinary and as kind of restful as possible so that I could come back the next day and throw myself back into that very, very dark subterranean kind of hellscape that we were having to inhabit as these characters to try and uncover this really, really dark and toxic case. Garfield and Birmingham were introduced years before working together. We met when we were involved in two films that were out, kind of up for Academy Awards in 2017. Hell or High Water and Hacksaw Ridge, the Broadway star explained. And we had a lovely connection back then. It was a warmth immediately and Im a big fan of Gils work as well. It was kind of a great thing. When actually Dustin Lance Black said, Im thinking about Gil Birmingham for [Bill] Taba, I was an immediate yes. It was a tick from me. I was like, Yes. Hell yes. Thats the guy I wanna work with. So yeah, it worked out. Everything to Know About Tick, TickBOOM! Its a real blessing, Birmingham chimed in. If youre in the business long enough, you cross paths often. Some people youre waiting for a chance to get to work with. And Andrew was one of those people. Ah, come on! Garfield interjected. FX Networks/YouTube I had to say that, Birmingham teased, adding of his costar: It just comes down to the kind of human being youre interacting with. And its such a joy when you find just a really compassionate and committed artisan at their job and just a great human being that is exploring life and their journey the same way we all are. Garfield agreed. Same with Gil. We did have an immediate kind of simpatico, brotherhood connection, I suppose. It felt really good to know that Gil was someone who was on a spiritual quest in his life just as I am and feel like we can access that in our work, he told Us. And, you know, astrologically speaking, hes a Cancer. Im a Leo. We are the mother and the father of the Zodiac. And when those two signs combine its a power unlike has ever been seen before on this earth. FX Networks/YouTube When the Pieces of Her actor questioned, Im assuming Im the father? Garfield wasnt as sold. He proclaimed: The Leo is the king. Under the Banner of Heaven also stars Sam Worthington, Wyatt Russell, Denise Gough, Billy Howle, Adelaide Clemens, Rory Culkin, Seth Numrich, Chloe Pirrie and Sandra Seacat. The shows first two episodes premiere on Hulu on Thursday, April 28, with a new episode available in each of the following five weeks. The Bahamian government is looking to get its central bank digital currency listed on a crypto exchange as part of a larger effort to expand its presence in the cryptocurrency industry. Weve had preliminary conversations with some exchanges about listing the Sand Dollar and those early conversations have gone very well, Ryan Pinder, attorney general and administrator of legal affairs for the Bahamas, told Yahoo Finance at the FTX Salt Conference, noting that the countrys government wants to give our citizens more exposure to the digital asset space. The island nation has made several moves in the crypto space recently in a bid to attract more business and revenue, including hosting this week's major cryptocurrency conference. The Bahamas is open for business and it's serious about becoming a major player in the digital asset space, the countrys Prime Minister Phillip Davis said during a Wednesday press conference after welcoming some 2,000 crypto-natives and Wall Street firms looking to invest in the emerging market. The Bahamian government is looking to get its central bank digital currency listed on a crypto exchange. (Photo: Getty Creative) Having launched the Sand Dollar in 2020, the Bahamas is said to be one of the leading nations in the race to implement a central bank digital currency (CBDC). However, Bahamian officials havent shared data for how widely the CBDC is adopted. For a country made up of 700 different islands, cash remains king, according to a survey published last year by the Central Bank of the Bahamas, which found most respondents said they were very comfortable with cash (88%) whereas only 62% reported the same level of comfort with online banking. But as other sovereign states have found, the Bahamas doesn't necessarily need nationwide crypto adoption to reap rewards that crypto businesses are bringing to their shores. Seeking a more regulatory friendly base of operations, cryptocurrency exchange FTX moved from Hong Kong to Nassau in September. The move has brought the country more revenue in the form of taxes and real estate transactions, including one project estimated to cost $60 million that will house up to 1,000 employees. Speaking to The Nassau Guardian , FTX Digital Markets CEO Ryan Salame said the company will prioritize hiring Bahamian residents and already employs 35. A Nassau resident and real estate developer familiar with the matter told Yahoo Finance another cryptocurrency exchange is also looking to establish a presence on the island and has already purchased several apartment units. Bahamas, Eleuthera Island, district of Governor's Harbour. (Photo: Getty Creative) The countrys crypto-friendly policy, which it laid out in a framewor k published last week, is a continuation of the Bahamas innovation in the financial sector, Tanya McCartney, chief executive and director of the Bahamas Financial Services Board told Yahoo Finance. The Bahamas has long served as a safe haven for international banking thanks to its tax laws, which include no taxation on personal income, capital gains, inheritance or gifts for citizens and non-natives residing in the nation. A report from PWC shows tourism is the primary driver of the Bahamas total gross domestic product (GDP) while its second largest sector, finance, makes up 15-20% of its GDP. Crypto friendliness also appears to have an overlapping impact on finance and tourism. Based on a poll cited by El Salvadors Minister of Tourism from February, activity in the Latin American countrys tourism sector increased by 30% in the last two months of 2021 due to its decision to make Bitcoin legal tender. From 2019 to 2020, the Bahamas GDP slipped by more than 25% from $13.1 billion to $9.9 billion according to the World Bank . Bahamian government officials cite damage from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 coupled with the economic slowdown, especially in tourism, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. YF Plus David Hollerith covers cryptocurrency for Yahoo Finance. Follow him @dshollers. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn FILE PHOTO: Worker checks valve of oil pipe at Lukoil company owned Imilorskoye oil field outside West Siberian city of Kogalym (Reuters) - Here is the response by countries regarding purchases of Russian oil following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, and how companies have acted. COUNTRIES' RESPONSES Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States have imposed outright bans on Russian oil purchases but the 27 members of the European Union have not been able to agree on the embargo. The EU aims to reduce its dependence on Russian oil and gas by two-thirds by the end of the year and to zero by the end of 2027, EU Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni has said. Germany, the EU's largest economy, has announced plans to end its dependence on Russian oil by the close of this year. While the EU has not imposed an embargo, many companies in Europe have stopped buying Russian crude voluntarily or promised to do so when their long-term contracts expire. Major global trading houses plan to reduce crude and fuel purchases from Russia's state-controlled oil companies as early as May 15 to avoid falling foul of EU's financial sanctions on Russia. Moscow has threatened to search for alternative markets for its energy supplies if the West shuns Russian oil and gas. China and India, which have refused to condemn Russia's actions, continue to buy Russian crude. Below are current and former buyers of Russian crude (in alphabetical order): CURRENT BUYERS BHARAT PETROLEUM Indian state-run refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd has bought 2 million barrels of Russian Urals for May loading from trader Trafigura, two people familiar with the purchase said. The company regularly buys Russian Urals for its 310,000 barrels per day (bpd) Kochi refinery in southern India. HELLENIC PETROLEUM Greece's biggest oil refiner relies on Russian crude for about 15% of its intake. The company earlier this month secured additional supplies from Saudi Arabia. HINDUSTAN PETROLEUM, India's state refiner bought 2 million barrels of Russian Urals for May loading, according to trading sources last week. INDIAN OIL CORP India's top refiner has bought 6 million barrels of Urals since Feb. 24, and has a suppply contract with Rosneft for up to 15 million barrels of Russian crude in 2022. The refiner, which also buys crude on behalf of its Chennai Petroleum subsidiary, however, has excluded several high-sulphur crude grades, including Urals, from its latest tender, according to trading sources. ISAB Italy's largest refinery, owned by Lukoil-controlled Swiss-based Litasco SA, has been forced to source nearly all of its crude oil from its Russian owner, because international banks are no longer providing it with credit. The Italian government is considering temporary nationalisation of ISAB as one of its options if sanctions are imposed on Russian oil, two government sources told Reuters. LEUNA The land-locked Leuna refinery in eastern Germany, majority-owned by TotalEnergies, is also fed Russian crude by the Druzhba pipeline. MANGALORE REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICALS The state-run Indian refiner has bought 1 million barrels of Russian Urals crude for May loading via a tender from a European trader, a rare purchase driven by the discount offered. MIRO Russian crude continues to account for about 14% of the intake at Germany's largest refinery, Miro, which is 24% owned by Rosneft.. MOL The Hungarian oil group, which operates three refineries in Hungary and Slovakia and Croatia, continues to buy Russian crude via Druzhba pipeline, as well as refined products. The company said it would take two to four years and cost between $500 and $700 million to replace Russian oil imports in case of a full European embargo. NAYARA ENERGY The Indian private refiner, part-owned by Rosneft, has purchased Russian oil after a gap of a year, buying about 1.8 million barrels of Urals from trader Trafigura. NEFTOCHIM BURGAS A Bulgarian refinery, owned by Russia's Lukoil, and with Russian crude accounting for about 60% of its intake, continues to refine Russian crude. PCK SCHWEDT Germany's PCK Schwedt refinery, 54% owned by Rosneft, receives crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline. PERTAMINA Indonesian state energy firm PT Pertamina is considering buying crude oil from Russia as it seeks oil for a newly revamped refinery. PKN Orlen Poland's largest refiner has stopped buying Russian crude on the spot market, switching to North Sea oil, but is still buying Urals under previously signed contracts which expire by the end of this year or later. The company, which operates refineries in Lithuania, Poland and the Czech Republic, saw its profit from refining surge in March thanks to the discount it pays for Russian oil. SINOPEC China's state-run Sinopec, Asia's largest refiner, is continuing to purchase Russian crude under previously signed long-term contracts but is steering clear of new spot deals. FORMER BUYERS BP The British oil major, which is abandoning its stake in Rosneft, will not enter new deals with Russian entities for loading at Russian ports, unless "essential for ensuring security of supplies". ENEOS Japan's biggest refiner has stopped buying crude oil from Russia, while some cargoes signed under previous agreements will arrive in Japan until around April. The company plans to source alternative supplies from the Middle East. ENI The energy group, 30.3% owned by the Italian government, is suspending purchases of Russian oil. No Russian crude will be used at Germany's Bayernoil refinery, in which Eni and Rosneft have stakes. EQUINOR Norway's majority state-owned energy firm has stopped trading Russian oil as it winds down its operations in the country. GALP The Portuguese oil and gas company has suspended all new purchases of petroleum products from Russia or Russian companies. GLENCORE The global mining and trading firm, which holds a 0.57% stake in Rosneft, said it would continue to honour its obligations under previously signed contracts, but would "not enter into any new trading business in respect of Russian origin commodities unless directed by the relevant government authorities". NESTE The Finnish refiner has not bought Russian crude oil on the spot market since the start of the war and is not planning to sign new deals, when the existing long-term supply contract ends in July. From the start of April, the refiner has replaced about 85% of the Russian crude oil with other crudes. PREEM Sweden's largest refiner, owned by Saudi billionaire Mohammed Hussein al-Amoudi, has "paused" new orders of Russian crude, which accounted for around 7% of its purchases, replacing them with North Sea barrels. REPSOL The Spanish company has stopped buying Russian crude oil in the spot market. SHELL The world's largest petroleum trader has stopped buying Russian crude and on April 27 said it would no longer accept refined products with any Russian content, including blended fuels. TRAFIGURA The Geneva-based global commodities trader plans to stop all purchases of crude oil from Rosneft by May 15 when tighter EU rules on Russian oil sales come into effect, and "substantially" reduce volume of refined products it buys from Rosneft. TOTALENERGIES The French oil major has said it would no longer enter into or renew the existing contracts to buy Russian crude oil and petroleum products, with the aim of halting all purchases by the end of 2022. The contracts primarily cover supplies for its Leuna refinery in eastern Germany, which gets Russian crude via the Druzhba pipeline, as well as Europe's gasoil supply. VARO ENERGY The Swiss refiner, which owns 51.4% in Germany's Bayernoil refinery, has said it does not plan to enter into new deals to buy Russian crude. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Editing by Jason Neely, Mark Potter, Tomasz Janowski and Frances Kerry) Halyna Hutchins' family has a request for Sheriff Adan Mendoza. The same week that the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office released previously unseen footage, photos and interviews from the fatal Rust shooting, ET obtained an email via a source in which the family of the late cinematographer asks the sheriff's office to take down a video of the her death. In the email, the family's attorney, Brian Panish, writes that, by releasing the materials, the sheriff's office "trampled on the constitutional rights" of Matt and Andros Hutchins -- the late cinematographer's husband and son. ET has reached out to the office for further comment. Panish claims that the sheriff's office had previously "promised to allow Mr. Hutchins to review the materials being publicly released in advance of their dissemination to the press," but then changed their mind to give him "less than a business day to review the materials," which the attorney deems "wholly inadequate... given the sheer volume of material." It also, Panish writes, "failed to give the Hutchins the 'dignity and privacy' the New Mexico constitution affords them including the right to request that discretion be exercised, and sensitive material be redacted." Panish alleges that "even this arrangement was violated when your office released the materials to the public before releasing the materials to Mr. Hutchins." "The first time Mr. Hutchins saw the disturbing and unsettling video footage of his dying wife lying on the church floor was on... an internet website," Panish writes. "A greater respect for the Hutchins' constitutional rights would not have allowed the video footage to be released." Panish goes on to list the "potential consequences" of having the video available publicly, including the fear that "this shocking footage of Andros' mother dying may be material used by bullies to emotionally abuse him in the future." The damage of releasing the video, Panish alleges, is "irreparable." "What is most troubling about the actions of your office in releasing all the files is that the action were not legally required," Panish writes. "... What is more, your office has the power to redact 'protected personal identifier information contained in public records,' but inexplicably decided not to... Even worse, it appears your office violated New Mexico's IPRA law... [by making] all such records available via your Dropbox account." As such, Panish writes, he and his clients "demand that your office respect Matthew, Halyna, and Andros Hutchins' constitutional rights of dignity, privacy, respect, and fairness going forward." "We also demand that your office take down the video footage of Halyna Hutchins dying on the church floor," he concludes. "While the damage of publishing that video is irreparable, taking down the video will end your office's complicity in causing further harm." Prior to Panish's email, the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office told ET, "The release of existing records related to the Rust shooting incident was based on public records requests to the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office." As for Alec Baldwin, who that allegedly discharged the gun that killed Hutchins, his attorney, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, told ET that the actor "welcomes this investigation." "The information that has been revealed by the authorities demonstrates, once again, that Mr. Baldwin acted responsibly and did not have control over any production issues that were identified in the OSHA report," he said. "Additionally, the interviews and affidavits disclosed today continue to corroborate Mr. Baldwins description of the events -- including an affidavit from the Detective stating that the cameraman, who was standing next to Ms. Hutchins and Mr. Souza at the time of the accident, confirmed that Mr. Baldwin was 'very careful' with guns on the set." RELATED CONTENT: Alec Baldwin Is Told Halyna Hutchins Died in Newly Released Footage New Footage From 'Rust' Set Shows Alec Baldwin Moments After Shooting 'Rust' Production Company Fined Over $136,000 Ideology must be taken out of negotiations around the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Stormont Finance Minister has said. Conor Murphy also urged the restoration of the Executive following next weeks Assembly election, arguing that its collapse has had no impact on protocol negotiations but has halted the planned three-year Stormont budget. Ministers have been working effectively in a caretaking role since the resignation of First Minister Paul Givan over the protocol, which is opposed by unionists as a border in the Irish Sea. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said his party will be at Stormont on day one after the election to negotiate a programme for government. He described a 24-week period to discuss also concerns around the draft budget. He reiterated his position that he wants to see action on the very real difficulties of the protocol, but insisted issues can be resolved quickly, and need not result in a hard border on the island of Ireland. We believe there are solutions that can be found to this, and they can happen quickly, he said. What were looking for is a clear signal from the government that these issues are being addressed and we want to be in a position where the Executive is formed, but political stability means dealing with the problems, it means dealing with the challenges and we cant run away from that. Democratic Unionist leader Jeffrey Donaldson participating in an Audience with Northern Irelands Political Leaders, organised by the CBI at Queens University in Belfast (Mark Marlow/PA) Mr Murphy said an Executive needs to be in place to address the cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business crises as well as creating a fit for purpose economic strategy. Responding to Sir Jeffrey, Mr Murphy said while he remains as Finance Minister it is on the care and maintenance basis, and he is unable to make significant decisions. Were all basically sitting in a limbo and thats the effect of withdrawing the First Minister and that has zero impact on the protocol negotiations and the continued absence of an Executive will have zero impact on the protocol negotiations. They will be resolved between the EU and the British government and they need to be resolved and we want to see them being resolved in a pragmatic and practical way, he said. Mr Murphy said Stormonts first opportunity in a long time for a three-year budget has been lost, with all departments currently operating on a care and maintenance basis. If people are going to continue to hang out over the protocol, there wont be an Executive in place and what we will have is a treading water approach in terms of budgetary spend over the next number of months at least and that essentially loses us one year out of the three-year budget, he said. What we have to do is take the ideology out of the negotiations and get into the pragmatic dealing of the solutions through the discussions through the British government and the EU, and some of that has already materialised in terms of medicines and other matters. An absence of an Executive here will not have any impact on those discussions. Democratic unionist party leader Jeffrey Donaldson, Sinn Feins Conor Murphy with The Social Democratic and Labour Partys Claire Hanna, Stephen Farry of The Alliance party and the Ulster Unionist partys Mike Nesbitt, at an Audience with Northern Irelands Political Leaders (Mark Marlow/PA) The arguments were made at a gathering of business leaders in Belfast organised by CBI Northern Ireland. Adrian Doran, CBI Northern Ireland Chair, said local businesses have never faced a more challenging period at the Audience with Northern Irelands Political Leaders event which also heard from SDLP MP Claire Hanna, UUP Assembly candidate Mike Nesbitt and Alliance MP Stephen Farry. Ms Hanna called for stability at Stormont, saying the chronic nihilistic turbulence and instability cannot continue. She said her party wants to go into an Executive and work to negotiate a decent meaningful programme for government. Its frustrating when youre going round the doors, people dont believe that a couple of weeks after the May election that were going to be in doing these things, she said, adding they are up for talking about trying to change some of the ugly scaffolding of Stormont. These two parties (DUP and Sinn Fein), if they get their vote out can veto the formation of a government and thats not proven to be healthy over the years. Mr Nesbitt said his party will not collapse anything, describing a short-term tactic, and a bad one at that when what we all need is long-term strategic thinking. He described the protocol as a challenge, but stressed it did not have to be a crisis. Unfortunately, there are politicians who delight in turning challenges into crises because its actually easier to say bad people are imposing bad things upon us than to accept the challenge of turning this into an opportunity, he said. Mr Farry said the Executive needs to come back and agree a Programme for Government, a budget and an economic strategy. He described a big role for the UK government, warning more confrontation around the protocol will not help political stability in Northern Ireland. Mr Farry was applauded as he called for legal certainty for businesses operating amid the protocol, warning that scenarios where international law is potentially broken will leave businesses operating internationally in a grey zone. He described his party as protocol pragmatists. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Three days before Elon Musk agreed to buy Twitter, the world's richest man tweeted a photo of Bill Gates and used a crude term to make fun of his belly. Playful, aggressive and often juvenile, Musk's past tweets show how he has used social media to craft his public image as a brash billionaire unafraid to offend. They may also reveal clues as to how Musk will govern the platform he hopes to own. Look at the feed: It's all over the place. It's erratic. At times it's pretty extreme, said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor who studies social media and who recently assigned Musk's tweets as reading material for their students. It paints him as some sort of rebel leader who will take control of the public square to save it. That is a myth he has constructed. Musk joined Twitter in 2010 and now has more than 85 million followers the seventh most of any account and the highest for any business leader. He had mused about buying the site before he agreed on Monday to pay $44 billion for Twitter, which he said he hopes to turn into a haven where all speech is allowed. I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means, Musk wrote in a tweet. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk uses his Twitter account to make business announcements and promote his enterprises. He muses about technology and trade, but has also posted jokes about women's breasts and once compared Canada's prime minister to Hitler. He regularly weighs in on global events, as he did in March 2020 when he tweeted that The coronavirus pandemic is dumb." He's also used the account to punch back at critics, such as when he called a diver working to rescue boys trapped in a cave in Thailand a pedo," short for pedophile. The diver had previously criticized Musk's proposal to use a sub to rescue the boys. Musk, who won a defamation suit filed by the diver, later said he never intended pedo to be interpreted as pedophile. A few years ago, after software engineer Cher Scarlett criticized Musk's handling of the cave incident, the tech billionaire fired back and she was soon being harassed by dozens of Musk's online fans. He later deleted the posts, but not before Scarlett had to lock down her account because she was receiving so many hateful messages. It's ironic to me that somebody who claims they want to buy Twitter to protect free speech has such thin skin, she said. He's a very smart man, and when he replies to people that criticize him, he knows what he's doing. To me that's not championing free speech, it's weaponizing free speech, and I think that's what he'll do owning this platform. Nineteen-year-old Jack Sweeney got Musk's attention when he created an automated Twitter account that tracked the movements of Musk's jet. Musk responded by offering Sweeney $5,000 to pull the account. When Sweeney refused, Musk blocked him on Twitter. Sweeney said he's worried he may get kicked off the site entirely if Musk's takeover is approved. But he said he likes Musk's free speech absolutism, and hopes he sees it through. Hell make it more open, and I think that's a good thing, Sweeney said. Musk's use of Twitter has also led to problems for his own companies. In one August 2018 tweet, for instance, Musk asserted that he had the funding to take Tesla private for $420 a share, although a court has ruled that it wasnt true. That led to an SEC investigation that Musk is still fighting. More recently, Musk appeared to have violated SEC rules that required him to disclose that hed acquired a 5% stake in Twitter; instead he waited until he had more than 9%. Experts say these issues arent likely to affect his Twitter acquisition. Last year another federal agency, the National Labor Relations Board, ordered Musk to delete a tweet that officials said illegally threatened to cut stock options for Tesla employees who joined the United Auto Workers union. Those tweets helped cement Musk's reputation as a brash outsider, a workingman's billionaire, Grygiel said. But that doesn't mean he is equipped to run a social media platform with more than 200 million users, the professor added. Maybe he wants to burn it down, Grygiel said. I don't know. But I do know that it shows that no one person should have this kind of power. FILE - This undated photo provided by the Tennessee Department of Correction shows inmate Oscar Smith. Tennessee's governor on Thursday, April 21, called off what was to have been the state's first execution since the start of the pandemic, granting a temporary reprieve to Smith, 72, for what was called an "oversight" in preparations for the lethal injection. Republican Gov. Bill Lee didn't elaborate on what issue forced the surprise 11th-hour stop to the planned execution. (Tennessee Department of Correction via AP, File) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) After an undisclosed oversight forced Tennessee to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die last week, Smith's attorneys on Thursday asked for a moratorium on executions and a review of the state's execution protocols. Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry, speaking at a Thursday news conference, said there needs to be an independent investigation of what went wrong. The state's reluctance to promptly disclose what happened undermines public confidence in its ability to carry out an impartial investigation, she said. Republican Gov. Bill Lee issued a brief statement on April 21 at 5:42 p.m. saying that 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. Officials initially said Lee would release more details this week but have since postponed any disclosures until next Monday. Lee spokesperson Laine Arnold explained in an email that they were delaying the information's release so as not to distract from the end of the General Assembly's legislative session this week. Henry declared herself baffled" about the delay. I don't see how the two are connected, she said. While Smith and his attorneys do not yet know what prompted the execution's abrupt halt, Henry said that the night before the execution she requested the results of tests for potency, sterility and endotoxins that are supposed to be carried out on the execution drugs if they are obtained from a compounding pharmacy. She has received no response. Henry suspects at least two of the three execution drugs were compounded, rather than commercially manufactured, she said, although secrecy rules surrounding Tennessee executions makes it difficult to know for certain. After a public outcry several years ago, many drug manufacturers began refusing to sell their medications for executions, making the drugs difficult for prison systems to obtain. Around the same time, Tennessee and many other states began approving exemptions to open records law that allows the names of drug suppliers and other information about executions to remain secret. Through a public records request, Henry said she has received heavily redacted records from the state's last lethal injection execution in 2019 and believes the drugs in that case did not pass the required tests. Asked whether the governor had a response to the Thursday letter requesting a moratorium, Arnold said in an email that Lee will have more to say about it on Monday. While lethal injection was adopted as a humane alternative to the electric chair, it has been the subject of consistent problems and lawsuits. In Oklahoma in 2014, an inmate writhed and clenched his teeth on the gurney until the execution was called off. He died of a heart attack shortly afterward. Then last year, an Oklahoma man convulsed and vomited during his lethal injection in an execution witnessed by an Associated Press reporter. In 2015, Georgia prison officials were forced to halt an execution at the last minute when the lethal injection drug turned cloudy, a circumstance state officials struggled to explain, according to court documents. Tennessee uses a three-drug series to put inmates to death: midazolam, a sedative to render the inmate unconscious; vecuronium bromide, to paralyze the inmate; and potassium chloride, to stop the heart. Officials have said the inmates are unconscious and unable to feel pain. Expert witnesses for inmates, however, have said the inmates would feel like they were drowning, suffocating and being burned alive, all while unable to move or call out. Of the seven inmates Tennessee has put to death since 2018 when Tennessee ended an execution pause stretching back to 2009 five have chosen to die in the electric chair. Smith declined to make a choice, meaning he was scheduled to be executed by the state's preferred method of lethal injection. Smith was sentenced to death for fatally stabbing and shooting his estranged wife, Judith Smith, and her teenage sons, Jason and Chad Burnett, at their Nashville home on Oct. 1, 1989. At 72, Smith is the oldest inmate on Tennessees death row. His reprieve expires on June 1, after which the state Supreme Court will set a new execution date. Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who crashed into two bicyclists, killing one, in Koreatown on Tuesday morning. (OnScene.TV) A 39-year-old bicyclist riding to work early Tuesday morning in Koreatown was struck and killed by a driver in a Jeep Cherokee, authorities said. Shortly before 3:30 a.m., a person whose car had been stolen jumped onto the hood of the Jeep as it traveled on Olympic Boulevard because the person believed the driver had something to do with their stolen vehicle, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver in the Jeep, which police said was not stolen, continued west on Olympic Boulevard with the person on the hood of the car until that person fell onto the street. The driver continued on Olympic Boulevard east of Mariposa Avenue and crashed into two bicyclists traveling in the same direction but did not stop, authorities said. The Los Angeles Fire Department provided medical attention to the two men; one suffered minor injuries, and the other died at the scene. The Los Angeles County coroner's office identified the slain bicyclist as Leonidas Accip Serech. KNBC-TV Channel 4 reported he was riding with his brother to his job in Koreatown, where he worked as a pastry chef. "My brother is dead," Wilmer Accip told news reporters during an afternoon vigil Tuesday. "I was living with my brother. He gave me everything. He was like a father to me." The brothers came to the United States from Guatemala. The LAPD is searching for the driver of the Jeep. Anyone with information can call West Traffic Division detectives at (213) 473-0234, police said. During nonbusiness hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Black woman was finally named valedictorian at her Illinois high school nearly four decades after her graduation. Tracey Meares, a law professor at Yale University, was a star student at Springfield High School in Springfield, Illinois. But when she graduated in 1984, she was not awarded the title of valedictorian despite having the highest academic ranking in her class, she said. Her story is now the subject of a new documentary, "No Title for Tracey." Meares would have been the first Black female valedictorian in the school's history, but she was not awarded the title. Instead, the school did away with the valedictorian and salutatorian titles that year and Meares was recognized with a group as "top students." The school went back to official titles in 1992. "As a 17-year-old, achieving something like being valedictorian is probably the biggest thingIt was incredibly disappointing," Meares told "Good Morning America." Meares said the snub was "very confusing" at first but she later processed the great lengths the school went to to deny her the title. "I didn't talk about it everMany of my best friends that I have known since I was an adult have asked me why I never told and I didn't want to talk about it. It was terrible. It was really hard," she reflected. PHOTO: High school students graduate in this undated stock image. (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images) Meares went on to study engineering at the University of Illinois and then attended the University of Chicago Law School. This year, her sister, Dr. Nicole Florence, a first-time filmmaker, turned Meares' story into a documentary to spotlight the impact of structural racism. MORE: 23-year-old woman graduates college alongside her 88-year-old grandfather On April 16, after a screening of the documentary in her hometown, Springfield Public Schools District 186 Superintendent Jennifer Gill presented Meares with the valedictorian medal -- a surprise to Meares. I felt some pride and happiness that my parents who are sitting in the front row could see this happening because they were denied that 30 years ago," Meares said. "I felt sadness that my grandparents weren't there." Gill said she was "happy" to meet Meares and right this wrong. MORE: Florida teen accepted into 27 universities with $4 million in scholarships "When we know better, we do better. By meeting Tracey and hearing about her lived experience, we know that honoring her with this title means so much more," Gill told "GMA." "We want every student to have a feeling of belonging in all aspects of school and a sense of becoming as they leave our schools with a plan for college and career. It is our responsibility to ensure that our system supports students in reaching their full potential. We have seen that high school experiences can have a profound, lifelong impact." "It was an honor to have Tracey here and a privilege to learn from such an accomplished alumna," she added. The recognition 38 years later is a gesture that Meares says she appreciates. "Institutionally, there are people who are making an effort to to acknowledge that people are thinking wrong. That was harmful. And it wasn't harmful, just to me as an individual. It was harmful to the community," she said. "The thing to take away is for people to understand the ways in which discrimination can operate at a disproportionate rate at a structural level and that its downstream effects are enduring." Black woman recognized as valedictorian nearly 40 years after high school snub originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com As the war in Ukraine grinds on amid a renewed Russian assault of the eastern Donbas region, U.S. and other Western officials have redoubled their material and diplomatic support for Kyiv, with the White House announcing a new $1.3 billion aid package last week. The Biden administration and its allies have sought to project a united front against the Russian invasion, transferring billions of dollars in military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, and choking Russias economy with punitive sanctions. But the full-throated support for Kyiv and the unanimous condemnation of Moscow by the U.S. and other NATO members belies a deep historical ambivalence within the alliance, and the U.S. itself, over how closely to bring Ukraine into the Wests orbit. President Biden speaking about the situation in Ukraine from the White House last week. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Historically, U.S. policymakers have been torn between their support for Ukraines right as an independent sovereign state to determine its own foreign policy and national future; the need to manage delicate relations with Russia, a nuclear superpower; and the desire to reassure nervous European allies that Washington will deter expansionist aggression from Moscow. Indeed, the likely fallout from Ukraines potential bid for NATO membership has hung over the alliance for decades. In the late 1990s, when I would go to meetings with representatives of NATO member-states, people would laugh and say, Oh God, here comes Ms. Ukraine ... because I was in contact with the government all the time, recalled Samantha de Bendern, a former NATO political officer, in a recent BBC interview. And they would say to me, My God, lets pray Ukraine never asks to join NATO, because what on earth will we do? That will really irritate Russia. Lets just hope they just never make a formal request, Bendern said. NATO has always been very, very wary of Ukraines intermittent bid for closer ties, she said. Over the years, the debate over NATO expansion and worries about Russias reaction to it has roiled the highest levels of the U.S. government. During the Clinton administration, Secretary of Defense Bill Perry almost resigned in opposition to the administrations plans to back enlargement,Perry said in his memoir. (Perry strongly supported eventual NATO expansion, but wanted it delayed until the U.S.s post-Cold War relationship with Russia solidified.) President George W. Bush with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, in 2008. (Artyom Korotayev/Epsilon/Getty Images) Waves of new members joined the alliance in 1999 and 2004. Then, in April 2008, at the urging of the George W. Bush administration, NATO, in a communique known as the Bucharest Declaration, affirmed that Ukraine and Georgia will become members of the alliance one day, but did not initiate the formal accession process, known as a Membership Action Plan (MAP), for either country. At the time, the U.S. intelligence community assessed that Russia might launch a preemptive strike against Ukraine or Georgia if either country tried to continue its westward shift, according to Fiona Hill, a top Russia expert on the National Security Council in the Trump administration, who was then a senior U.S. intelligence analyst. Hill has said that, in an Oval Office meeting, she even warned Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney that Moscow would react furiously to any formal attempt to bring Georgia and Ukraine into the alliance. A few months after the Bucharest Declaration which represented a compromise position, as Americas European NATO allies opposed offering either country an immediate path to membership Russia invaded Georgia. The path for Georgia or Ukraine to join NATO, always narrow, became increasingly treacherous. Any further tilt of Ukraine toward the West was viewed by Moscow as a threat, with Russias 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea, and occupation of parts of Donbas, a direct response to a pro-Western revolution that had forced Ukraines Moscow-aligned president to resign and flee the country. Pro-Russian protesters storm a Ukrainian air force base in the Crimean city of Novofedorivka in March 2014. (Dmitry Serebryakov/AFP via Getty Images) At the CIA, at least, Russias likely response if NATO were to provide Kyiv or Tbilisi a real avenue to membership was clear. We used to glibly tell people, if you like what happened in Georgia in 2008, or Ukraine in 2014, then by all means give either country a NATO MAP, recalled a former CIA official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive agency deliberations and assessments. If we took a serious step toward admitting either country to NATO, we were 100% convinced that the Russians would find some reason to declare war in the intervening between us announcing they were going to get in and them actually getting in, the former official said. There wasnt even a 1% shadow of doubt in any analysts mind about that assessment. During Russias 2014 invasion of Ukraine, agency analysts believed that Ukraine was the only country that Russian President Vladimir Putin might risk war with NATO or the United States over, according to another former CIA official, who also requested anonymity. Ukraine was Putins red line, CIA officials concluded at the time, said this former official. Weve been saying to policymakers for many, many years, Democrats, Republicans, that Russia is actually OK with NATO expansion. They know that the Baltics are gone. Theyve accepted that. Theyve accepted Poland is gone. Theyll never say it out loud, but Moscow begrudgingly recognizes the reality there, the former official said. But CIA analysts assessed that Moscow viewed Georgia and, even more, Ukraine as a different matter entirely, recalled this former official. Still, in 2014, the idea that Russia would launch a full-scale war against Ukraine, of the magnitude and intensity seen today, was unthinkable, said the former official. A residential block in Kyiv in the wake of an early-morning missile strike from the Russians, Feb. 25. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images) If the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine receded after 2014, U.S.-Ukraine ties including military and CIA training, as well as intelligence sharing steadily increased. At first, the Obama administrations military assistance was tightly circumscribed. The aid was calibrated to avoid aggravating Moscow, but some former officials believe it put Kyiv in an impossible position, with the U.S. support setting Russia on edge while being insufficient to actually help Ukraine deter or fight an invasion. I didnt think the numbers of Javelins or the things they were talking about werent really going to make any big difference, and werent going to stop Russia from invading, said Jeffrey Edmonds, a Russia expert who served on the NSC from 2014 to 2017. And they werent going to change things in the east. There was cognitive dissonance over the policy, Edmonds said. Because I understand the moral argument, but I also understand the argument that, well, why would you want to give these things if its just going to increase the chances that Russia does something? But, partially spurred by Congress, as well as the Trump administration, which was more willing to be aggressive on weapon transfers to Kyiv, overt U.S. military support for Ukraine grew over time and with it the risk of a deadly Russian response, some CIA officials believed at the time. An antitank missile system used by Ukrainian soldiers. (Gaelle Girbes/Getty Images) Policymakers would always say, If we do X thing, if we give the Ukrainians X system, how are the Russians going to react? And our answer would always be, You cant look at any one thing in isolation, recalled the first former CIA official. And we might look and say, 'Well, its just a few hundred MANPADs [man-portable air-defense systems] or a few hundred Humvees,' but its missing the point that the Russians are taking all of this stuff in the aggregate, and theyre drawing this picture of this ever-increasing relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine. By last summer, the baseline view of most U.S. intelligence community analysts was that Russia felt sufficiently provoked over Ukraine that some unknown trigger could set off an attack by Moscow, the former official said. (The CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.) U.S. military support to Ukraine wasnt the ultimate driver of Moscows decision to invade, according to Edmonds, the former NSC Russia staffer; it was Putins desire to resettle the bigger security architecture in Europe. Ukraine was just the proximate cause of that. Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a warehouse in Kharkiv, Ukraine, after it was hit by Russian shelling, March 28. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images) Some type of renewed Russian assault on Ukraine may have been inescapable, Edmonds said. "I would never underestimate President Putin's risk appetite on Ukraine," CIA Director William Burns said at a public event last December. But the U.S.s ballooning military support for Ukraine, no matter how well intentioned, or reflective of American liberal-democratic principles, had become self-fulfilling, like a snowball rolling down a hill, even as the danger of Russian attack grew, or this policy itself increased that danger, said the former CIA official. We had given all the warnings, all the caveats on Ukraine to policymakers, said the former official. And it was pretty clear that U.S. foreign policy, regardless of administration, was just going to keep rolling forward. Its gutting, but it is what it is. _____ What happened last week in Ukraine? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out. President Biden meets virtually with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2021. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Biden likes to say that we are locked in a global battle pitting democracy against autocracy. In Seattle last week, he described a phone conversation hed had with Xi Jinping in which the Chinese leader argued that democracy doesnt work anymore. Among other things, Xi said, democracy requires consensus, and mustering a consensus takes too long in a fast-moving world. Only autocracies are equipped to meet the extraordinary challenges of modern times. Biden, as he does every time he tells the story, dismissed the idea that democracy is passe or unworkable. But Ive begun to wonder whether Xi might be on to something. We Americans often treat our liberal democracy as a national religion, and routinely assert, as if no evidence were needed, that it is the most moral, just, effective and admirable system on Earth. But few would deny that theres been some disturbing evidence to the contrary in recent years. The Jan. 6 riot, of course, was a low point. Then there was the chaotic, inefficient, politicized response to the pandemic. The continuing legislative paralysis in Washington. The strongest evidence of democracys weakness, however, has got to be the tepid U.S. response to climate change over the last 25 years. An epochal, Earth-threatening catastrophe is barreling toward us, poised to upend life as we know it. As one of the worlds wealthiest countries and greatest historic emitters of carbon, we obviously should be leading an urgent and aggressive charge to protect the planet. But were not. Why have we failed to rise to the occasion? One obvious reason is that our system allows the oil and gas industry to wield grossly disproportionate power thanks to the way money distorts our politics. The top 10 fossil fuel industry contributors alone gave $60 million to candidates in the 2019-2020 election cycle. Another reason is that in a democracy, elected officials have no incentive to support policies that require pain and sacrifice today in exchange for future gain. Pay twice as much for gas? Dont drive? Dont fly? In most cases, courageous politicians who supported such policies would be voted out of office. Whats more, too many Americans believe the climate crisis is terribly exaggerated, despite a scientific consensus that its not. This anti-intellectual strain has always existed in American political culture, but the number of science-skeptical voters seems to have grown during the Trump years. I mention climate change just as an example. It is just one small part of what ails our democratic system these days. Even post-Trump, we face a deep, bitter, partisan polarization. A dysfunctional Congress. An ongoing effort to undermine the 2020 election. An assault on voting rights. Add to that a host of long-standing structural problems. A U.S. Senate in which tiny states like Wyoming, with 582,000 people, have the same representation and voting power as big states like California, with 39 million people. A system that allows congressional district lines to be manipulated for partisan advantage. Campaign finance laws that let mega-rich Americans and giant corporations spend unlimited amounts to influence elections. An anachronistic electoral college and filibuster rules that are undermining the notion of majority rule. And good luck fixing these problems. Making reforms and passing laws in a country this divided is extremely difficult, and amending the Constitution is nearly impossible. A newly empowered conservative Supreme Court wont make it easier. In recent years, Freedom House, which rates and ranks democracies around the world, has downgraded the U.S. so that it now ranks close to Panama and Romania, and 10 points below "traditional peers" such as the United Kingdom and Germany. And its true that the United States has never lived up to its own lofty ideals. Liberty, equality, fairness, the evenhanded rule of law these are aspirations, not yet achievements. Given all this, is it any surprise that Xi and many others believe our system is dysfunctional? But heres the flip side: Despite democracys glaring flaws, autocracy isnt the answer. Those who see hope in the Orbans, the Le Pens and the Trumps, much less in the Xis and Putins, should think again. Freedom House, for the record, says China is increasingly repressive and is tightening control over all aspects of life. Describing Russia, Freedom House refers to loyalist security forces, a subservient judiciary, a controlled media environment, and a legislature consisting of a ruling party and pliable opposition factions. These are not the conditions under which most people would choose to live. But beyond that, theres no evidence despite Xis assertions that China or any other autocratic country has a much better track record on addressing climate change or solving its domestic problems. The problems attributed to democracy, particularly regarding crises like climate change, are real and worthy of concern I lose sleep over them, says Steven Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard and co-author of How Democracies Die. But the fact that democracies are bad at responding to serious challenges that require either rapid decision-making or long-term thinking does not mean autocracies are any better. Levitsky says that history is littered with disastrous authoritarian experiments and that Xi is not the first to claim his authoritarian system is better than democracy. The Soviets and the fascists said the same. The unsatisfying reality is that democracy is difficult work. Americans need to fix the Senate. Disentangle money and campaigns. Ban gerrymandering. Restore democratic norms. To do so, citizens must understand the issues, vote their consciences, agitate for change and act cooperatively, even with opponents. We have a long distance to go (and with regard to climate change, very little time). But democracy is a long-term project. It doesnt come wrapped in bright colors with a bow around it. Youve got to fight for it. @Nick_Goldberg This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A view of new graves for people killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at a cemetery in Bucha AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch government is likely to send a forensic team from the national military police to Ukraine to help investigate possible war crimes, Dutch press agency ANP reported on Thursday. The team would leave for Ukraine at short notice to help the International Criminal Court (ICC) gather evidence at sites where war crimes may have been committed, ANP cited sources close to the matter. The government will make a final decision on the mission on Friday, the sources said. The Dutch foreign ministry declined to comment on the report. The ICC has already started an investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine following the invasion by Russian forces on Feb. 24. Earlier this week, the court said it would also participate in a joint investigative team set up by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine for the exchange of information and investigation into suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West say this is a false pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression by President Vladimir Putin. Russia has denied accusations that its forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine. (This story removes garbled line in paragraph 5) (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Gareth Jones) KYIV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian soldier holed up in a steel works in Mariupol said his forces would fight for as long as needed and he urged world leaders to find a way to save civilians and the hundreds of troops trapped in Russia's "medieval" siege. Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, 39, a deputy commander of Ukraine's Azov Regiment, spoke in an interview with Reuters from the steel works that is the last redoubt for the port city's defenders. Russian forces have reduced large parts of Mariupol to ruins around the vast complex and its underground catacombs, where Palamar and a Ukrainian contingent are making a last stand. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who claimed control of the city last week, said the plant should be sealed off so that "not a fly" could escape. "As long as we're here and holding the defence... the city is not theirs," Palamar said. He said heavy fighting still raged and they were constantly being bombed. At one point Russian forces sent in a column of tanks and armoured vehicles and infantry, but the defenders destroyed it. He said tactics were constantly changing. "The tactic (now) is like a medieval siege. We're encircled, they are no longer throwing lots of forces to break our defensive line. They're conducting air strikes," he said. Palamar, who is married with one child, refused to give precise details about operations because they could help the enemy. He would not say how much food and ammunition they had left, but that they still had hundreds of fighters. Deputy Commander for Azov regiment, Svyatoslav Palamar, issues a video statement from Mariupol. "Of course our resources aren't infinite and they are running lower with every passing day of intense fighting. The situation is difficult, but we're going to battle and fight for as long as we have to." He said they had more than 500 wounded fighters, some in serious condition. "We don't have the conditions to treat them, to carry out really difficult surgery.. medicine is running out, bandages and food and water." The capture of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov in the south of the industrial Donbas region, is crucial to Russian efforts to secure a land bridge to the Crimean peninsula it seized from Ukraine in 2014. Palamar, who is from the western city of Lviv but has lived in Mariupol since 2014, could not say how many civilians were in the steel works, but said they run into the hundreds. They were sheltering in different bunkers to the soldiers, he said. Mariupol's Azovstal works, one of Europe's biggest metallurgical plants, is a huge industrial complex containing underground chambers and tunnels. "We bring them (civilians) food and check on their health, but we can't stay with them for obvious reasons: the enemy could stage a provocation and say that...we were hiding behind civilians." One bunker holding civilians, including children, was hit by intense rocket fire on Tuesday and an elderly woman and man were hurt, he said. The bearded figure with an intense gaze spoke to Reuters by Zoom. He said he could not turn the camera on the call to show his quarters in case it gave away any intelligence to the Russians. He accused Russia of disingenously urging civilians there to evacuate while continuing to shell the area. He called on international organisations like the United Nations or Red Cross to act as guarantors to get the civilians to leave immediately. A view shows a plant of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres is in Ukraine and expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later on Thursday after meeting Putin on Tuesday. Once the civilians are out, Palamar said, the wounded and the dead should be taken back to Ukraine and safe passage secured for the Ukrainian contingent there. Being taken prisoner was not an option, he said. "They'll be killed in captivity, they'll be maimed, and that's why we propose having a third party that during negotiations can guarantee their exit from Azovstal," He mentioned Turkey or Israel as possible third parties. Ukrainian forces include the Azov Regiment, national guardsmen, other brigades, marines, sea security forces, border guards and police. The Azov fighters in the steel works included Russians, Bulgarians, a Crimean Tatar, a Greek, Jews, Catholics and others, he said. He said his main message to the world was to wake up to the threat from Russia and to stop being soft on Moscow. "I hope the world now realises its mistake... Everything that our soldiers do here - not only in Mariupol, but on Ukraine's territory - we are convinced we are saving not only Ukraine, but also Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova and Georgia," he said. A view of Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico one day after Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed a cinematographer on the set of the western "Rust" last fall. (Roberto E. Rosales / Albuquerque Journal) The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer accidentally shot by Alec Baldwin on a film set last year, criticized the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office for its unprecedented, unredacted data dump from its investigation into the incident. Brian Panish, attorney for Hutchins' surviving husband and young son, said the sheriff's office breached the family's constitutional rights by releasing the video of Hutchin's final moments before clearing it with the family. He called on the sheriff's office to retract the video released Tuesday that shows the 42-year-old mother of one dying on the set outside Santa Fe, N.M. Under New Mexico law, victims such as Hutchins and her family have the right to review such materials before they are released to the public and to request redactions, Panish said. The sheriff's office said Tuesday it was complying with New Mexico laws, which require it to make public records available. A representative of the sheriff's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The first time Mr. Hutchins saw the disturbing and unsettling video footage of his dying wife lying on the church floor was on Radar Online, an internet website," Panish said in a letter sent to Sheriff Adan Mendoza on Wednesday and seen by The Times. "The potential consequences are disturbing given how information is misused on social media. We fear, for example, that this shocking footage of Andros' mother dying may be material used by bullies to emotionally abuse him in the future." The trove of records and videos revealed the aftermath of the shooting last fall on the New Mexico film ranch in grisly detail. It included more than 200 pages of police reports, videos, still images and personal information such as numbers and email addresses of the crew, including Hutchins. The rising star cinematographer's final moments were shared with the world, as body cam footage of first responders attending to her and other material was downloaded so many times, the website platform crashed. "Your office trampled on the constitutional rights of the Hutchins" family, Panish wrote. "The damage your office has done is irreparable." The sheriff had promised to allow Matthew Hutchins less than one business day to review the material before it was disseminated to the media, Panish said. He added that the actions were not legally required, and authorities failed to redact personal identifier information. "Taking down the video will end your office's complicity in causing further harm," Panish said. Observers were stunned by the large volume of data the sheriff's office released before authorities have even brought criminal charges. The haul included police interviews with Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed and others from the production. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Iran is looking to strengthen ties with China in hopes of countering the U.S., as discussions over a new Iran nuclear deal remain unfruitful. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi welcomed Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe, and the two men agreed on the strategic benefit of their alliance, Iranian state media reported according to The Associated Press. Wei said the purpose of the trip was "improving the strategic defense cooperation" between Iran and China. 46 RETIRED GENERALS, ADMIRALS URGE WHITE HOUSE AGAINST IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL "Confronting unilateralism and creating stability and order is possible through cooperation of independent and like-minded powers," Raisi reportedly said. Wei agreed, stating that a stronger relationship between the two countries would be good for security, "particularly in the current critical and tense situation." AUSTRALIAN PM WARNS CHINESE THAT NEW BASE WOULD BE RED LINE FOR AUSTRALIA AND THE US Iranian foreign minister Gen. Mohammad Reza Ashtinai also met with Wei, who invited the Iranian official and others in the Iranian military to visit China. "Wherever the U.S. has had military presence, it has created waves of insecurity, instability, rifts, pessimism, war, destruction and displacement," Wei was quoted by Iranian media as saying. The two countries have been developing their military relationship, as they signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement in 2021 that includes economic and agricultural activities as well as transportation. Iranian and Chinese navies have also visited each others ports and held joint drills in the Indian Ocean. MIAMI (AP) A judge in Miami on Wednesday vacated the life sentence of a 55-year-old Black man who prosecutors said was wrongfully convicted because of mistaken identity in 1991. I feel good. Real good," Thomas Jay" Raynard James said Wednesday as he left a Miami courtroom with his attorneys and family members. James was convicted of the 1990 death of Francis McKinnon, largely on the identification by an eyewitness who told jurors she watched him gun down her stepfather during a robbery in his Coconut Grove apartment. Earlier Wednesday, James, wearing his red prison uniform and shackles, stood behind his mother, Doris Strong, as Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle detailed a 90-page motion her office filed asking for the conviction to be vacated. Mom, hopefully the court will grant you the freedom youve been looking for for so many years," Fernandez Rundle told Strong, who sobbed quietly throughout the news conference. James, who was 23 when he was convicted, was expected to be released after paperwork was completed Wednesday. State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle looks at Thomas "Jay" Raynard James after announcing a motion to vacate his 1991 murder conviction, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Miami. A judge vacated the life sentence of James who prosecutors said was wrongfully convicted because of mistaken identity. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) Over the past year, Fernandez Rundle said, members of her office's Justice Project poured over 20,000 pages of documents, reinterviewed witnesses, resubmitted fingerprints and retested DNA samples. She said the case has gone through numerous appeals, post-conviction reviews, and reviews by a private investigator and the Innocence Project of Florida Inc. None were successful in finding Mr. Thomas Raynard James innocent until we got involved," Fernandez Rundle said. In a 90-page motion to vacate the conviction, prosecutors said what appears to be a chance coincidence that the defendant, Thomas Raynard James, had the same name as a suspect named by witnesses and anonymous tipsters ... led to the defendant's photograph being included in a lineup, and set in motion a mistaken identity." Months later, James was arrested and charged with murder. At the trial, eyewitness Dorothy Walton told jurors that she was sure that James, then 23, pulled the trigger. I'm positive of it. I will never forget his face," she told jurors in 1991. Another eyewitness who had identified James in the photo lineup testified that the person he saw that night was not in the courtroom. But Walton's testimony was key to the jury's verdict, because there was no physical evidence tying anyone to the killing, Fernandez Rundle said. In fact, fingerprints from the scene did not match James. But beginning last fall, Walton said she had some concerns about her testimony, Fernandez Rundle said. She initially refused to meet with prosecutors, but earlier this month made contact and said she now believes she made a mistake in identifying James as the gunman. Fernandez Rundle said that over the years there have been conflicting stories about detectives confusing James with another man who shared his name. But that man had been arrested and was in jail at the time of the shooting, she said. The man suspected of killing McKinnon died in 2020 in Las Vegas, the motion said. Natlie Figgers, who represents James, urged people to speak up when they see an injustice. It took a village to make this happen. It wasn't a smooth ride," Figgers said. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone that played a part in bringing this result." Russian President Vladimir Putins deadly war in Europe is on the brink of expanding outside of Ukraine as Kremlin officials alleged Thursday that there have been "acts of terrorism" in Moldova. Moscow set its sights on Moldova last week when a Russian general said its goal was to gain "full control" over not only eastern Ukraine, but regions along its southern that sit above the Black Sea. TREVOR REED LANDS IN US AFTER PRISONER SWAP WITH RUSSIA This would allow Russia to gain better access to Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway state in Moldova with sympathetic ties to Russia. "We are alarmed by the escalation of tension in Transnistria, where in recent days there have been several incidents of shelling, blowing up social and infrastructure facilities," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday. "We regard these actions as acts of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the situation." Zakharovas comments came after explosions were reported in the separatist region this week, one reportedly hitting the Ministry of State Security in the city of Tiraspol, the regions capital. A second target was reported Tuesday after radio antennas that broadcast Russian programs in Maiac, a town around seven miles from Moldovas border with Ukraine, were struck down. But despite a history of tense relations, Moldova and Transnistria have held a treaty agreement since 1992 and signs of a thawing Cold War mentality were evident even earlier this year. As part of the 1992 peace treaty, Russia has maintained a presence in Transnistria with roughly 1,500 Russian troops stationed there as "peacekeepers." People pass next to a Soviet-era tank, now a monument celebrating the victory of the Red Army against fascist Germany, in Tiraspol, the main city of Transnistria, Moldova, in April 2014. Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images ZELENSKYY WARNS RUSSIA WILL LIKELY INVADE OTHER COUNTRIES IF SUCCESSFUL IN UKRAINE The similarities shared by the Moldovan breakaway region and the Ukrainian self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in the Donbas which served as Putins justification for his illegal invasion in February has many concerned. Reports surfaced this week suggesting that officials in the region suspect Russia was behind the attacks in Transnistria as a guise to support a second illegal invasion. "We strongly condemn attempts to involve Transnistria in what is happening in Ukraine," Russias spokesperson claimed Thursday. "Every now and then sensational statements are heard from there about the preparation of Russian peacekeepers, the Tiraspol airfield, Transnistria conscripts for some kind of offensive actions. "But all these statements do not cast doubt on the fact that the situation on the left bank of the Dniester, including in the security zone, is reliably controlled by the joint peacekeeping forces," she added. Zakharovas comments echo sentiments expressed by Russia in the lead-up to its invasion in February, which it has dubbed a "special military operation." Putin has claimed its troops will liberate Russian supporters that it alleges, without evidence, have been oppressed by regional authorities. JERUSALEM, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Israel came to halt to the sound of sirens on Thursday morning to commemorate the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. At 10 am (0700 GMT), as the two-minute sirens pierced the air, people across the country stood in solemn silence in honor of the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during World War II. On streets and highways, traffic stopped with many drivers stepping out of their vehicles, standing still in contemplation. Pedestrians halted their steps and stood in silence. In many homes, businesses, and offices people stopped their activity and stood still, commemorating the victims of the Nazi genocide. The annual ritual is part of a series of memorial activities on the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day, an official day to honor the Jews who died at the hands of Nazi Germany and its collaborators in World War II. At Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and President Isaac Herzog attended an official wreath-laying ceremony. At the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, lawmakers, and officials participated in lighting memorial candles for the victims. Knesset Speaker Miki Levy lit candles together with his German counterpart Barbel Bas. "I bow my head in humility and shame in front of the victims of the Holocaust," Bas said after the candle lighting. "We must not forget and we will not forget. Our historical guilt stems from commitment. We must fight resolutely against anti-Semitism and all its manifestations, and we must preserve and revive the memory and pass it on to the younger generations," she said. Smoke rises in the northeast part of the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine, as Russian shelling in the area of Saltivske continues. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) As Russia ramped up attacks on Ukraine's eastern front and threatened to cut off energy to more European countries, the Biden administration announced Thursday it was seeking a massive aid package for Ukraine while expanding its economic targeting of Russian oligarchs. President Biden said he wanted $30 billion in aid for Ukraine over the next five months that would include heavy weaponry, food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance. This comes on top of $3.4 billion in military equipment and training already spent. Biden also asked Congress to make it easier to take assets seized from Russian oligarchs who back the Kremlin and use them to help Ukraine. The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is more costly, Biden said. In Ukraine, meanwhile, the head of the United Nations inspected sites of suspected atrocities committed by Russian forces, denounced the "evil" of this invasion and urged international cooperation including from Moscow with war crimes investigations. "I must say what I feel," U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said as he toured the Kyiv suburbs of Bucha and Borodyanka, occupied by Russian forces that left behind destruction and death when they eventually retreated. "I imagined my family in one of those houses that is now destroyed and black. I see my granddaughters running away in panic, part of the family eventually killed. "So, the war is an absurdity in the 21st century," Guterres said. "The war is evil." His visit to the Ukrainian capital came two days after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and reaching an agreement "in principle" on evacuations for civilians trapped in a vast steel plant in the southern port city of Mariupol. Ukraine has not confirmed any new evacuations from the besieged city, which Russia has otherwise largely overtaken. As the war raged on Thursday, Ukraine said it intercepted attacks along a 300-mile battlefront skirting the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, while Russia's Defense Ministry made unverified claims that it had struck overnight at military targets in Barvinkove and Ivanivka, settlements in the Kharkiv region, which has been the site of near-constant shelling over more than two months of war. The growing Russian assaults, now shifted away from Kyiv as Moscow tries to secure a large swath of land across southern and eastern Ukraine, came as hostilities reached new levels not only on the battlefield but also diplomatically. Russia, under economic sanctions by dozens of nations and facing a U.S.-led partnership of more than 40 countries that vowed this week to increase arms supplies to Ukraine, has suggested it may cut off gas exports to more states after suspending shipments to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday. In the town of Borodyanka, people gathered for the funeral of a well-known family who all died in a Russian missile attack on their apartment building. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) In an overnight address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed cries of Russian "blackmail" against European nations, which together with the U.S. have sent billions of dollars of weaponry and aid to humanitarian groups and front-line fighters to Ukraine. Moscow "is just waiting for the moment when one or another trade area can be used to blackmail Europeans politically, or to strengthen Russias military machine, which sees a united Europe as a target," Zelensky said. Meanwhile, the death toll estimated in the tens of thousands between civilian and military losses continued to climb. The regional governor in Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai, said Thursday that four people were killed in strikes over the previous day, including an 85-year-old who died after a hospital was hit in Severodonetsk. Writing on the messaging app Telegram, he said dozens of residents had fled the towns of Lysychansk and Popasna in the last day. In Donetsk, regional military administration leader Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram that 27 houses in the village of Lastochkine were destroyed in the latest attacks. Kyrylenko did not list any casualties. A satellite image shows damage at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, Ukraine, where Ukrainian fighters are holding out. (Planet Labs) Despite the fighting, some parts of Ukraine, in particular central and western areas, have maintained a relative sense of normality amid air-raid sirens as residents remain on alert of war. In Dnipro, in central Ukraine, the business of everyday life appeared to continue Thursday without much disruption. The streets were full of cars, pedestrians walked through the parks to get to their workplaces, and trams and buses operated normally. Outside the city, where the buildings give way to wide swaths of farmland, tractors dug fresh furrows in fields covered with Ukraine's characteristic black soil, while other workers prepared the land for the coming harvest. Fears of the war spilling beyond Ukraine's borders have increased. Strikes were reported this week in Transnistria, a pro-Russia breakaway region in Moldova that's northwest of the Ukrainian city of Odesa. The Transnistria government, which has thousands of Russian troops stationed on its soil, has accused Ukraine of being behind the aggression. Ukraine has said the explosions, which hit the territorial capital of Tiraspol, were a "planned provocation" by Russia. Ukraine has also shied away from taking responsibility for a handful of attacks across its eastern border on Russian targets while proclaiming that it has the right to strike on its adversary's soil if necessary. "Ukraine will defend itself in any way, including strikes on the warehouses and bases of the killers in Russia," Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelensky, said in a tweet. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said attacks within Russia "cannot remain without answer" and would be met with "harsh response." Zakharova also suggested that Kyiv which a bevy of international leaders, including the U.S. secretaries of State and Defense, have recently visited, and where the U.S. said it would reestablish its embassy would again become a target. "Advisors from Western countries staying in Ukraines decision-making centers will not necessarily be a problem for Russias response measures. We do not advise to continue trying our patience," she said. The war, which has sent more than 5 million Ukrainians fleeing into neighboring nations and left more than 8 million internally displaced, has also rocked natural gas prices in Europe. Russia, the world's second-largest gas producer, supplies a sizable share of Europe's gas and was scheduled to substantially increase those shipments before it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The U.S. imposed a ban on Russian oil and gas last month, but the issue has been more contentious in European nations such as Germany that heavily depend on Russian natural gas. According to a new World Bank report, the war is likely to have long-term effects on energy costs and wheat prices, as Russia and Ukraine are major producers of the grain. In a tweet Thursday, Podolyak called on nations to further isolate Russia through energy bans. "Its a matter of time before an embargo on Russia energy will be imposed. Refusal of oil is not only about moral responsibility, but also about calculation: Russia has ceased to be a reliable and predictable partner in the eyes of the world, so the world cant afford to depend on it," he said. "Switching to alternative supply channels quickly will be expensive, but not as expensive as not doing so. In the medium term, Moscow will face total economic and political isolation. As a result, poverty, the scale of which Russia has not seen yet." Bulos reported from Dnipro and Kaleem from London. Staff writer Tracy Wilkinson contributed to this report from Washington. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ukrainian refugees board a train to Krakow after crossing the border into Poland in March. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) Eighty years ago, Adolf Hitler nearly wiped Warsaw off the map. Now, a city whose history is written in ash and blood, an age-old crossroads of wartime tragedy, is bursting with Ukrainian refugees. Poland has taken in more people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine than all other countries combined, the United Nations says. Of the more than 5.3 million people who have sought shelter outside the country, almost 3 million crossed into Poland. Some have moved on to other European countries; others have made the journey back, although the war is still raging and their homeland remains battered and dangerous. But about a tenth of those arrivals an estimated 300,000 people, almost all of them women and children are in the Polish capital, straining a city where social services were already stretched. Day care and cancer treatment, classroom spots and affordable housing, counseling and physical therapy are now in short supply. We are full, said Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. Were at capacity. With the war in Ukraine in its third month and no diplomatic solution in sight, some are wondering how long Polish hospitality for neighbors in desperate need will last before there's a backlash. In a matter of weeks, the citys population jumped by nearly one-fifth. Im pretty sure at some point there will be resentment, said Karolina Lukasiewicz, a migration researcher at the University of Warsaw. Its all a massive, massive challenge. As Poland is hailed by the Biden administration as an indispensable ally in the Western front against Russian aggression, the countrys internal political tensions, and its right-wing governments quarrels with the European Union, have been relegated to the background. But they wont stay there indefinitely. And the painful contrast between the opening of homes and hearts to Ukrainians, overwhelmingly white and Christian, after mainly Middle Eastern migrants were left to freeze in the forests of the blockaded border with Belarus, is a source of shame for many Poles. Its racism theres just not another word for it, said Maciej Kisilowski, an associate professor of law at Central European University in Vienna. Still, among ordinary people and disparate organizations that are offering assistance to the Ukrainians, this is a fateful moment when the ghosts of the past mingle the horrors of the present. How could we not do everything? said Leslaw Piszewski, a leader of Warsaws Jewish community, whose rescue efforts began in the wars first hours. Here, in this place, with all that has happened here, how can we not do everything to help? Children sit in a refugee center in Nadarzyn, near Warsaw. The United Nations says more than 5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russian troops invaded the country. (Petr David Josek / Associated Press) :: At a well-appointed Warsaw shopping mall, Nadia Fortuna, a 28-year-old manicurist who fled Ukraine weeks ago with her son and mother, studied nail polish colors at a cosmetics kiosk. Neon blue, hot pink, acid green. Fortuna had packed the tools of her trade when she tearfully kissed her mechanic husband goodbye and boarded a train out of Ukraine, leaving their home near Lviv. But now she needed a wide selection of colors for what she hoped would be new Polish customers for manicure and pedicure services she plans to provide from a home in exile she had yet to find. A donor had earmarked 1,000 Polish zlotys, about $225, as seed money for the manicure project. Zosia Radziwill, a 32-year-old Polish volunteer who has become a fast friend, offered a distraction of quick, bright patter when the bill came to a bit more than that. Dont tell her! she murmured, surreptitiously making up the difference from her own pocket. She and Fortuna, who is tall and black-haired with a calm demeanor, were laughing together over a misunderstanding one of countless linguistic confusions, although the languages have a degree of overlay based the similarity of respective Ukrainian and Polish words for smelling and hearing. One was talking about scent, her friend was thinking of sound, and both were momentarily puzzled. A translation app solved the mystery. Radziwill, who has enlisted a large network of friends on social media to find temporary housing and other services for the refugees, said she was initially worried about how the country would respond. I was afraid of xenophobia, she said. But its not happening. At least not yet. While her son ran over to a giant sculpted likeness of an ice cream cone outside a confectioners stand, blissfully throwing his arms around it, Fortuna took advantage of a moment out of his hearing to talk about their new life in Warsaw. I feel welcome, she said. But I worry all the time. About everything. The hardest thing, she said, was when Tymur asked when he would see his father, who, like most fighting-age men those 18 to 60 was required to remain behind in Ukraine. Every day, many times a day, the little boy posed the question. Today? Tomorrow? Next week? Suddenly, Fortuna was in tears. Radziwill hugged her. :: When the war next door broke out, school principal Tomasz Remiszewski knew he had to act. His district, in Warsaw's Bialoleka suburb, was one of the citys fastest-growing, with a large and yet unfilled wing of classrooms. Within a matter of days, the first more than 150 Ukrainian students a quarter of the number of existing pupils were settling in at Primary School No. 361, which was already festooned with paper hearts in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag. School administration, Remiszewski said, can be a lumbering bureaucracy, and he quickly faced multiplying challenges: scrambling to find Ukrainian-language instructors and invoking a heretofore little-used regulation about the temporary waiving of in-country professional credentials. Getting the classrooms furnished and ready. Making swift changes to a budget allocated months in advance. And most importantly, talking to the kids and their parents, new and old. Long columns of Polish men and women move through the streets of Warsaw en route to less destroyed areas on Sept. 15, 1944. (Associated Press) An educator for 22 years, Remiszewski said he knew the Ukrainian students could not keep up with instruction that was all in Polish, yet he did not want them to be in a sort of ghetto. He rushed to find ways to integrate activities: sports, arts, mingling for meals. But he said it was the students, who range in age from 7 to 15, who took the lead. It hasnt been without bumps. One day, two boys got in a fight, a schoolyard commonplace except that one was Ukrainian and the other Polish. The Polish youngster emerged bloodied; the Ukrainian boys mother was panicked and mortified. Remiszewski rushed to smooth things over. It wasnt politics or anything like that! he said, calling it sport emotion. Plus, he added with the barest hint of an eyeroll: They're 14. For foreign pupils, the question of language can be fraught. Kids can quickly pick up a new tongue, but doing so, perhaps leaving their parents behind in comprehension and speaking ability, can be a heavy emotional burden. Some of the kids dont want to learn Polish, because they have the idea that it means theyre giving up on the idea of going home, said Remiszewski, whose family has taken in a math teacher from Kyiv. I ask their parents if theyre going to stay or go back to Ukraine, further west to Germany or the U.K., and all they can say is that they dont know. Some of the younger students have learned to write their names in the modified Roman alphabet used in Polish, while others use Ukrainian-language Cyrillic lettering. On a bulletin board, drawings of flowers by the youngest children bore their names, signed in both. The artwork can be telling; older Ukrainian students depictions of a seemingly placid forested landscape were mainly executed in dark, brooding tones. Human nature, with all its jealousies, is a factor in daily interactions with parents and pupils alike. The earliest wave of refugees included some affluent Ukrainians who drove into Poland from towns near the border. Some Polish parents, seeing a few of the new kids dropped off in expensive cars, voiced irritation about special aid, such as subsidized lunches, being made available to the new arrivals. So I asked them, Would you like to change places with them? said Remiszewski. 'I asked, 'Would you rather be the one to have lost your home, your livelihood, to have loved ones who died, to be afraid for your country and whether it will continue to exist all that, in order to have a free meal?' " he said. That silenced the complaints. At least for now. Volunteers at an accommodation center at the Global EXPO exhibition hall in Warsaw in April 2022. (Czarek Sokolowski / Associated Press) :: Municipal gestures of solidarity with the refugees, even if heartfelt, are sometimes largely symbolic. The Warsaw city government announced this month, with some fanfare, that it was designating a derelict and longtime legally contested Russian compound on the citys southern outskirts for use by Ukrainian refugees. But the boarded-up, water-stained complex dubbed Spyville by locals in reference to nefarious theories over its Soviet-era purposes would require extensive renovation before it was suitable for those seeking to start new lives. The Polish government has quickly allowed Ukrainians to get social security numbers to be able to legally work. Many of the arrivals, though, are mindful that as happens with refugees everywhere, some doctors end up driving taxis, professors painting houses they will need to take whatever work they can find. Olga Budina, 35, worked in a computer store in her hometown outside Lviv, but with a child to support, she expects to turn to menial labor. I could be a cleaner, maybe? she said tentatively. Her 6-year-old son looked up with the same somber, unflinching look many of the refugee children have, his eyes never leaving her face. :: Bitter herbs, melodious chants, a narrative of exodus: With Ukrainian sunflowers for centerpieces, Warsaws Jewish community welcomed the strangers among them on the first night of Passover, which fell this year on April 15. Larysa Vefmymenko, a 72-year-old documentary filmmaker from Kyiv, isnt Jewish, but she said she felt at home, marking the holiday with new friends. It was, as well, a distraction about her fears for loved ones back in the Ukrainian capital. When we crossed the border, we found love and welcome, she said. Terese Shiechowska, who has hosted Vefmymenko in her home for several weeks, said she and other members of Warsaws small Jewish community one of the largest in Europe before World War II, making up nearly a third of the city's prewar population had no hesitation about doing what she could to help. Its a mitzvah, she said. Everything thats happening, its right next door. Piszewski, the Jewish community leader, said the tales of escape he heard in his first days and nights on the Polish-Ukrainian border, where he rushed after the outbreak of fighting, had a haunting familiarity. A car but no gas, or gas but no car, a woman and her three kids who havent slept for three nights, people who are running away and dont know what to do, people with suitcases, or only with the clothes theyre wearing, he said. Every Jew knows what this means. Although the community initially searched for Ukrainian Jews to assist, the net has been cast wider and includes non-Jewish volunteers to help refugees. One of Piszewskis key partners in coordinating housing, transport and medical care for hundreds of the new arrivals has been an Orthodox priest. Piszewski, 66, is a child of Holocaust survivors, Polish Jews who hid away during the war and concealed their true identities afterward out of fear. He did not learn of his heritage until he was a teenager. The will to help exists its like a flame of goodwill, he said. For me, theres something magic about this work. A woman and a child wait on a bus at Ukraine's border with Poland. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) :: For Fortuna, the Ukrainian manicurist, it was an auspicious day lucky, even, in the context of terrors and setbacks that have marked the weeks since Feb. 24, when the war began. She, her mother, her son and her teenage brother were being offered a Warsaw apartment at far below market rate, courtesy of Radziwill's network of friends. In a run-down but gentrifying district, the fifth-floor flat was bare, but it had big windows and a balcony. As Fortuna paced the room, measuring where beds would go, Radziwill was on her phone, scouring a spreadsheet of donated furniture Oh, look, nice couch. The living room would serve as a bedroom for Fortuna, her mother, Iryna, and little Tymur, and the small bedroom would be a workspace for giving manicures, with a daybed for Dmytro, the brother. There was a day-care center across the street. It could all work, they decided, and fell to quickly conferring: the refrigerator, it can stay. That shelf can go over there. Looking around, a little of the tension melted from Fortunas face. It was a home if only a temporary, tenuous one. Until they could return to Ukraine. Everything, she said, is enough. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Three California Highway Patrol officers were injured Thursday morning when an SUV crashed into a cruiser on the 105 Freeway in Downey, leaving both vehicles engulfed in flames. The incident took place just before 1:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the 105 Freeway, forcing closure of this section of the freeway for several hours, according to the CHP. CHP officers were responding to a separate crash on the freeway near Lakewood Boulevard when the SUV plowed into their cruiser, according to Officer Kevin Tao. Tao said the vehicle was in the path of road flares set up by the officers investigating another disabled vehicle that was blocking a lane. Two officers were in the cruiser during the collision and another officer was standing outside the vehicle. On impact, the patrol car burst into flames. The two officers inside suffered moderate injuries, but the third officer had serious injuries. All three were taken to a hospital. It's unclear if the third officer was directly struck by the SUV during the collision. The SUV was traveling at high speed when it crashed into the cruiser, witnesses told KTLA-5. The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, Tao said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The superyacht Amadea is docked at the Queens Wharf in Lautoka, Fiji. (Leon Lord/Fiji Sun via AP) WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) A judge in Fiji is due to rule next week on whether U.S. authorities can seize the luxurious superyacht Amadea worth some $325 million which has been stopped from leaving the South Pacific nation because of its links to Russia. But a vital question remains over which oligarch really owns the Amadea. Only one of the two possible candidates faces sanctions. Is the real owner Suleiman Kerimov? That's what the U.S. claims. Kerimov, an economist and former Russian politician, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for alleged money laundering and has faced further sanctions from Canada, Europe and Britain after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kerimov made a fortune investing in Russian gold producer Polyus, with Forbes magazine putting his net worth at $14.5 billion. Or is the real owner Eduard Khudainatov? Thats what defense lawyers claim. Khudainatov is the former chairman and chief executive of Rosneft, the state-controlled Russian oil and gas company. Crucially, Khudainatov currently does not appear to face any sanctions, unlike many oligarchs and people with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin who have been sanctioned since the war began. As with many superyachts, determining the real ownership of the Amadea is difficult due to the shadowy trail of trusts and shell companies. On paper, the superyacht is registered in the Cayman Islands and owned by Millemarin Investments Ltd., also based in the Cayman Islands. Boat captain Emosi Dawai looks at the superyacht Amadea where it is docked at the Queens Wharf in Lautoka, Fiji. (Leon Lord/Fiji Sun via AP) Defense lawyers have claimed in court that Millemarin Investments Ltd. (sometimes spelled Millemarine) is the legal owner of the vessel and that the company is linked to the real, or beneficial, owner, Khudainatov. But U.S. authorities have claimed that behind all the various fronts, the real owner is Kerimov. On April 19, after the yacht had sailed into Fiji from Mexico, the High Court in Suva ordered that the Amadea not leave Fiji until the merits of the U.S. warrant to seize the vessel were determined. Perhaps reflecting the question over ownership, the court later ordered Fijian prosecutors to amend an original summons which named just Kerimov to also include Millemarin Investments Ltd. as a second respondent to the case. For now, the yacht continues to sit in a Fijian harbor with its crew of about 25 rotating on and off the vessel, while a police officer remains on board to ensure it stays put. According to Boat International, the Amadea is 106 meters long and was built in 2017. It features a stainless steel albatross that extends off the bow and weighs more than 5 tons, a live lobster tank in the galley, a 10-meter (33-foot) pool, a hand-painted Pleyel piano and a large helipad. The U.S. Embassy in Suva said in a statement that the U.S. was acting with allies and partners around the world to impose costs on Russia because of its war of choice. 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. LONDON Moldovas Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu said in a Thursday briefing with journalists that the country is facing a very dangerous new moment after a series of explosions in the Ministry of State Security building in Transnistria on Monday. Since then, all of the countrys institutions have been on high alert, Popescu added. On Tuesday, two explosions damaged Soviet-era radio masts in the village of Maiac. Before the attacks, a senior Kremlin commander said, according to Russian state media, that the Russian Armed Forces planned to make passage into southern Ukraine to reach the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova. Where is Transnistria? Transnistria is a 248-mile narrow strip of land in Moldova that borders Ukraine and has a population of 470,000. The region is more or less equally divided between Ukrainians, Russians and Moldovans, a former Moldovan ambassador to the U.S told the French outlet LIllustre. Russians, however, occupy the highest positions in the administration and form the military and economic elite, the ambassador said. Transnistria has its own capital and uses its own currency; Russian is its official language. Cobasna, a village in the region, houses a former Soviet (now Russian) ammunition depot that is the largest in Eastern Europe. According to Moldovas ambassador to the United Nations, the depot contains more than 20,000 metric tons of Russian ammunition. What is the regions relationship with Russia? Although Transnistria is internationally recognized as part of Moldova, it has been controlled by pro-Russian separatist authorities since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990. Russian forces have been stationed there since 1992, after a ceasefire was signed between Moldova and Transnistria, following a short border war in which up to 700 people were killed. The Kremlin props up Transnistrias economy by supplying free gas to local industries and by paying the elderly the Putin pension, a total of $8 a month. In return, Russia keeps soldiers stationed there permanently, in what the Kremlin describes as peacekeeping. Russian state media, which is widely available in the region, has also played a significant role in bolstering pro-Russian sentiment. In Moldova, as in other countries, Russia has used its energy supply to exploit dependencies and exert pressure on the country to adopt policies favorable to the Kremlin, Dorina Baltag, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Diplomacy and International Governance, told Yahoo News. Last year, in October 2021, the Moldovan government was forced to declare a state of emergency, after a gas contract with Russian gas enterprise Gazprom had expired, and a new contract offered by Gazprom included a threefold price increase, which the Moldovan government was not able to pay, Baltag said. The contract with Russia, a good deal which the Moldovan government managed to reach, exposes the Moldovans' biggest vulnerability. So, for Moldova, energy security is most likely the main ingredient for national security. What has happened in Transnistria since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24? A Transnistrian serviceman walks past a line of cars waiting to exit the self-proclaimed Moldovan Republic of Transnistria on Thursday. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images) According to LIllustre, foreign journalists have been banned from the territory since Russias invasion began. Six weeks into the war, authorities in the region reported an attack on a military unit just hours after two radio masts were blown up. Moldovas president, Maia Sandu, blamed the attacks on the separatist groups and said her government would resist attempts to drag Moldova into actions that may endanger peace within the country. No injuries were reported, but separatist authorities raised the terrorist threat level in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to destabilize Moldova, sarcastically comparing the reasoning for the attacks to what the Kremlin has claimed to be the reason for invading Ukraine. "Allegedly there, in Moldova, the rights of Russian speakers are violated," Zelensky said in an address to the nation last Friday. "Although, to be honest, the territory in which Russia should take care of the rights of Russian speakers is Russia itself: Where there is no freedom of speech, no freedom of choice. Where there is simply no right to dissent. Where poverty thrives and where human life is worthless." Is the war about to spread to Moldova? Baltag said that Moldovas vulnerability is Transnistria, and that the situation depends on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine brings up two of the main challenges that Moldova has to deal with: the dependency of Russian gas, and the Transnistrian breakaway region, supported by the Russian Federation, she said. _____ What happened last week in Ukraine? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out. Cheaper agency workers hired by P&O Ferries to replace sacked seafarers did not know how to use life-saving appliances, according to a new report. A total of 23 failures on Spirit of Britain were found by Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. Fast rescue boats were not properly maintained and oil filtering equipment was not working. Spirit of Britian was detained on April 11 (Gareth Fuller/PA) There were also five deficiencies with working conditions, and five relating to fire safety systems. Spirit of Britain was detained following the inspection on April 11, before being cleared to sail on April 22. The vessel was used by P&O Ferries to restart operations between Dover and Calais on Tuesday for the first time since the company sacked nearly 800 seafarers and replaced them with agency workers on March 17 to save money. Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union general secretary Mick Lynch said P&O Ferries is a capitalist bandit (Pete Byrne/PA) The 23 safety failures were listed without further details by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is an alliance of 27 national maritime authorities including the UK. It stated there was a lack of familiarity with the operation of life-saving appliances, which could relate to equipment such as rescue boats, lifeboats, life-jackets or flares. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch described the report as further evidence that P&O is a capitalist bandit sailing in our waters. He said: The lack of care and respect P&O clearly has for safety regulations that are designed to save lives in the event of maritime emergencies is on a par with their appalling treatment of the loyal 800-strong workforce who were sacked last month. There can be no doubt that the public and haulage firms should boycott P&O Ferries on safety, security and moral grounds until the Government steps in and takes over the running of this rogue maritime operator. Spirit of Britain was built in 2011 and can carry up to 2,000 passengers. At 213 metres long it is one of the largest ferries in Europe. P&O Ferries vessel European Causeway went adrift on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA) Thirty-one safety failures were found by the MCA on another P&O Ferries vessel, European Causeway, resulting in it being detained on March 25. Analysis by the PA news agency revealed that was more than in any of the other 46,000 Port State Control inspections of ships within the Paris MOU in the past three years. European Causeway was cleared to sail on April 8, but suffered a power failure on Tuesday which left it adrift in the Irish Sea for more than an hour. The MCA said it can sail again with a restriction on what generators it can use for electricity. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he ordered rigorous inspections of the ferries to be carried out (Gareth Fuller/PA) A total of eight P&O Ferries vessels will be probed by the agency following the mass sackings. Pride of Kent remains under detention after failing an inspection, while Pride of Canterbury and Spirit of France are also out of action as they have not been fully examined. Pride of Hull, Norbay and European Highlander were all allowed to resume sailings. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the Transport Select Committee on Wednesday that he ordered the MCA to scrutinise the ships with a fine-tooth comb. P&O Ferries has previously said the inspections are being conducted with an unprecedented level of rigour. In response, the MCA said its inspectors work in exactly the same robust way for every ship. P&O Ferries pays its new crew an average of 5.50 per hour, which it has insisted is in line with international maritime laws. Mr Shapps announced on Thursday that legislation forcing ferry operators using UK ports to pay seafarers at least the national minimum wage of 9.50 per hour will be included in the Queens Speech on May 10. P&O Ferries said it would fully welcome measures to increase pay for all seafarers in British waters as it wants a level playing field. Irish Ferries, which also uses a low-cost labour model, began competing with the firm on the Dover to Calais route in June 2021. Marysville, CA (95901) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 64F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable. BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday urged some Australian politicians to correct their "China threat" ideology and avoid further damage to China-Australia military relations. Regarding the development of another country as a security threat, some people in Australia have created and spread groundless fear, said Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference in response to recent statements from some Australian politicians. "Their actions will not only undermine regional security and stability, but also compromise their own images as well," Tan said. The military cooperation among the United States, Britain and Australia in highly sensitive fields such as nuclear submarines and hypersonic missiles, will aggravate confrontation and challenge peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Tan said. "China has serious concerns about this," he said, reiterating that the country always upholds the path of peaceful development and adopts a defense policy that is defensive in nature. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a decree appointing Robert Khachatryan as Minister of High-Tech Industry at the advice of PM Nikol Pashinyan, the presidency said. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. The government of Armenia is envisaging very serious reforms in military education sector, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting today. We envisage very serious reforms in military education field. I am confident that we will have a talk on this topic at one of the upcoming sessions of the government, he said. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. 50% of citizens in Armenia received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 44.1% of the adult citizens are fully vaccinated, Minister of Healthcare Anahit Avanesyan said at the Cabinet meeting today, adding that nearly 50,000 citizens have received a booster shot. She said that vaccinations played a very important role for reducing the disease burden globally. Regardless of easing the restrictions, we will continue boosting vaccinations with all possible means. They will continue to be available in polyclinics, mobile sites, in the form of home visits, and we expect that the citizens will continue to get vaccinated, we see that tendency. We even have a slight increase in vaccination rates over the past week, the minister said. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for not weakening the vigilance because today there are citizens in China who live under lockdown, and no one can say what will happen next moment. Highlighting the importance of continuing the vaccination process, the PM said there are wide range of vaccines in Armenia. We have been opening an opportunity of vaccination also for foreign citizens for a long time, he said. NAIROBI, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on different armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to embrace peace by laying down their weapons and work with President Felix Tshisekedi in nurturing peace and stability in the country. Kenyatta in a recorded video statement delivered on Wednesday evening during a virtual Inter-Congolese Peace Dialogue convened by Kenya said the state of peace in Kenya and the rest of the East African Community (EAC) has been nurtured by perpetual, robust collaborative efforts. "Without laying down weapons and forging an unbreakable national compact to secure the DRC, the fruits of prosperity that you all deserve from the teeming rich endowments will remain elusive," he said. Representatives of over 30 armed groups participated in the talks being held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, with the majority accepting the request of the two Heads of State to lay down arms while a few requested to be given more time to appraise themselves with the set conditions but expressed willingness to join hands in building their country. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group linked to ISIL is considered the deadliest of dozens of armed militias that roam the mineral-rich eastern DRC. The initiative is an outcome of recent Heads of State conclaves on the peace and security situation in DR Congo under the chairmanship of Kenyatta held on April 21. The Kenyan leader emphasized that without working toward unity and cohesion among all the people of DRC, every separate section will remain a loser. "This makes it urgent for all people of goodwill in the DRC to coalesce together and frantically set a foundation of prosperity by working tirelessly for an enduring peace," he told the Congolese. Kenyatta assured DRC that Kenya is ready to extend optimal support to their common goal as they forge ahead to create a favorable environment to secure prosperity for the people. "The DRC deserves to claim and assert its rightful place in Africa and the world at large. This is just but a first step toward that attainable goal. I thank you, each and every one of you, for heeding our call and seizing this opportunity," he said. Kenyatta lauded President Tshisekedi and the armed groups in DRC for heeding Kenya's solidarity call on the peace dialogue and encouraged them to speak and harness all their efforts toward moving DRC forward. On his part, Tshisekedi lauded the armed groups for agreeing to dialogue with his government, saying their positive response is an act of honor to their country. The DRC leader expressed his readiness to listen and guarantee security of all armed groups, pointing out that DRC will only develop if it has a national military and police force that is keen on defending the interests of all citizens. "I understand the different reasons that drew you to take up arms. However, to develop our country, we need to build and sustain national defence forces and police that are keen to defend the daughters and sons of DRC," Tshisekedi said. He called on all armed groups to accept the process of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and reinsertion to help in the reconstruction of the nation for the benefit of all Congolese citizens. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. The next session of the Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan deputy prime ministerial working group dealing with unblocking of transportation communications in the region will take place in the near future, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing. She said that Russia considers the high-level trilateral agreements as a base for moving forward the process of settling the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and continues the active work with Yerevan and Baku in all directions, including in the unblocking of economic and transportation ties, the launch of the demarcation process of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the agreement over a peace treaty. The communication unblocking issues were discussed during the April 26 meeting of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. An agreement has been reached with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides on holding the next session of the trilateral working group chaired by the deputy prime ministers in the future. As for border issues, contacts are planned in Baku by the end of this week at a foreign ministry level, she said. Zakharova said the Russian side records that Armenia and Azerbaijan are ready to meet halfway with each other, and informed that trilateral contacts are being developed on this topic. Its obvious that the real work in different formats gives a result. We are in the existing formats and see that the work is underway there. We attach great importance to the formats and fulfillment of the documents which together give a real result. Civilians, economic operators and the region in general feel that result, she said. YEREVAN, 28 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 28 April, USD exchange rate down by 3.31 drams to 456.67 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 8.58 drams to 479.32 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.32 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 9.74 drams to 569.33 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 478.72 drams to 27687.84 drams. Silver price down by 4.51 drams to 347.02 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams. Biden will also hold bilateral meetings with South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results. (PTI file image) Washington: US President Joe Biden will travel to South Korea and Japan next month and attend the Quad summit in Tokyo, during which he will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House has said. Biden's trip to South Korea and Japan has been scheduled from May 20 to 24. "This trip will advance the Biden-Harris administration's rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said here on Wednesday. Biden will also hold bilateral meetings with South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan. "The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results. In Tokyo, President Biden will also meet the leaders of the Quad grouping of Australia, Japan, India and the United States. We look forward to having further details to share about this trip soon," Psaki said. In November 2017, the US, Australia, India and Japan gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence, amidst China's growing military presence in the strategic region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Beijing is also involved in a maritime dispute with Japan over the East China Sea. The Quad leaders, at their first-in-person summit in Washington in September last year hosted by US President Biden, had pledged to ensure a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, which is also "inclusive and resilient", as they noted that the strategically vital region, witnessing China's growing military manoeuvring, is a bedrock of their shared security and prosperity. PM said Omicron and its subvariants can create problems as was evident in case of many countries of Europe New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all chief ministers on Wednesday to remain alert as the threat of Covid-19 was not fully over. During an interaction with the chief ministers on the emerging Covid-19 situation in the country, he also said that the government's priority was to vaccinate all eligible children at the earliest with special campaigns needed in schools. The interaction, conducted through virtual mode, was held on a day when India logged 2,927 fresh cases the highest one-day jump since March 13 and 32 related fatalities in the last 24 hours. Among the chief ministers present were West Bengals Mamata Banerjee, Chhattisgarhs Bhupesh Baghel and Punjabs Bhagwant Mann. Union home minister Amit Shah and health minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended. Asserting that India has fought a long battle against Covid-19 in the spirit of cooperative federalism enshrined in the Constitution, PM lauded the chief ministers, officers and all corona warriors for their efforts. He asserted it was clear that the coronavirus challenge is not fully over yet. He said Omicron and its subvariants can create problems as was evident in case of many countries of Europe. Mr Modi said India has been able to deal with the situation better than many countries. Still, in the last two weeks, increasing cases in some of the states show that we need to stay alert. He highlighted that the twin strategy of bringing the cases under control and also allowing the economy to continue should remain the priority. During the third wave, we have witnessed more than three lakh daily cases. Every state handled these cases well. They also allowed economic and social activity to continue. This balance should be part of future strategy. Our scientists and experts are continuously monitoring the global situation. Based on their advice, we have to adopt a pre-emptive, proactive, and collective approach. The PM said that preventing the spread of the infection at the very beginning has been the governments priority and it should remain the same even today. He specifically told the states that for early tracking of the variants the local administration should conduct 100 per cent RT PCR testing of all hospitalised patients with influenza like and severe acute respiratory like illnesses. Mr Modi said, Our priority is to stop the infections right at the beginning. We have to continue to make this our priority now. We have to effectively implement the test, track and treat strategy. It is very important that we do 100 per cent RT PCR testing on hospitalised patients with influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness; all the positive cases should be sent for genome sequencing. By doing this, we will be able to detect the new variants. The PM emphasised that priority in the new phase of pandemic should be to vaccinate all the eligible child population directing the states to implement special vaccination campaigns as children are returning to the schools after a long break. After a long break, the schools have reopened in our country. Some parents are worried about the increase in cases in some places. There are reports from some schools reporting children being tested positive for Covid-19 Our priority is to vaccinate all the eligible child population. For this, we have to run special drives in the schools. We have to create awareness among the parents and the teachers about the importance of vaccination, he said. Mr Modi asked the states to ensure all the medical oxygen plants, including the hospital beds are made fully functional. We have talked about the up-gradation of health infrastructure. We have to ensure the up-gradation is completed quickly. We are in a better position with respect to the availability of beds, ventilators, and the PSA oxygen plants. But we have to ensure that all of these facilities are fully functional. They have to be monitored and responsibility has to be fixed. If there are any gaps, it my request, that it should be verified at the top level. We also have to scale up our infrastructure and manpower in the medical colleges and district hospitals PM added. The PM urged the states to promote Covid-19 appropriate behaviour at the social gatherings but added that at the same time it should be ensured that no panic is created among the public. He also reiterated that the vaccination will remain the most effective shield against severe Covid-19. Despite many geographical challenges, vaccines have reached the last mile. It is a matter of pride that 96 per cent of the adult population has received the first dose and 85 per cent of those above 15 years have received their first dose. The opinion of the experts is that vaccines are the biggest protection shield, Mr Modi said. CJI Ramana had in a poser asked was the law still required to exist after 75 years of Independence New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the Centre time till this weekend to state its position on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutionality of the colonial-era sedition law -- Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code -- that has been repeatedly invoked to curb dissent in recent times and posted the matter for final hearing on May 5, making it clear that no request for adjournment will be entertained. A bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, and including Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, granted time to the Centre to file its reply by the weekend after solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, sought two days to file a reply. Mr Mehta told the court the Central governments affidavit was ready, but some changes are required to be made and will be filed within two days. The court in its order said: Solicitor-general sought two days to file the reply. We direct the Centre to file a reply by the end of this week. The reply (by petitioners) to that (Centres) affidavit to be filed by Tuesday. List the matter for final disposal without any adjournment on May 5. The bench said: We will have a hearing on May 5. We will have full day hearings. Earlier, on July 15, 2021, the court had issued notice to the Centre on the plea by Maj. Gen. S.G. Vombatkere (Retd), journalists Patricia Mukhim and Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin, and the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), challenging the constitutional validity of the sedition law. Section 124A of the IPC has also been challenged by others. Seeking the assistance of attorney-general K.K. Venugopal at the last hearing on this on July 15, 2021, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, heading a bench that then comprised Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy, had described Section 124A IPC as a colonial-era law that was meant to suppress the freedom movement, and was used by the British against Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and others. CJI Ramana had in a poser asked: Is this law still required to exist after 75 years of Independence? He asked the A-G: Our concern is misuse of the law and the lack of accountability. Why does it continue in the statute book after 75 years of our Independence? Chief Justice Ramana had said people are scared over the sedition law being invoked against them for speaking their mind or against the acts of the authorities. It voiced concern over the widespread misuse of the law, saying: The situation on the ground is grave... If one party does not like what the other is saying, Section 124A is used... It is a serious threat to the functioning of individuals and parties. CJI Ramana had further said: If a police officer wants to fix anybody in a village for something, he can use Section 124A... People are scared. The court at the last hearing wondered that when the Narendra Modi government was engaged in repealing archaic and obsolete laws, then why was the sedition law still retained. The CJI told Mr Venugopal: Your government has repealed many stale laws. I do not know why is your government not looking into repealing Section 124A of the IPC? Sensing the mood of the court, Mr Venugopal suggested that instead of striking down the law, the court may frame guidelines so that Section 124A IPC meets its legal purpose. A few weeks ago, the representatives of CSS officers had met with the minister of state for personnel and PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh Apparently, hundreds of posts are currently vacant in various ministries and departments at various levels, impeding the efficient functioning of the government. (Representational Image/ PTI) The recent protests by Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officers about promotion and career prospects have prodded the government into action. And the action stems from the very top, triggered probably by Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent interaction with Union secretaries, where he, too, had expressed concern over the growing number of vacancies in various ministries and departments. Sources have informed DKB that Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba has shot off letters to heads of various ministries and departments directing them to immediately fill the existing vacancies against sanctioned posts. Apparently, hundreds of posts are currently vacant in various ministries and departments at various levels, impeding the efficient functioning of the government. Most of these posts are staffed by CSS service officers, and the vacancies have left the existing CSS officers doubling duty and working long hours. A few weeks ago, the representatives of CSS officers had met with the minister of state for personnel and PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, seeking his intervention in the matter. With the Prime Minister stepping in, it appears that there is a new urgency in the government to fill the vacancies and also take a measured look at the promotion issues of these babus. Will Manoj Soni defy the Cassandras? An inspiring story of struggle and hard work or the result of proximity to the reigning political ideology? The appointment of Manoj Soni as chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has cleaved opinion among civil servants, public commentators and the public. It matters little that Mr Soni is not new to the institution he has been a UPSC member since 2017 and no rules have been bent for his appointment, as far as we know. Yet, there are dissenting voices who fear that the former vice-chancellor of Vadodaras MS University and a former speechwriter for Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses a threat to the civil service system. To make him responsible for the recruitment of officers of the All-India Services, given his saffron background, is a recipe for trouble, they argue. The liberals may have their concerns, but for the Centre, Mr Soni seems to tick all the right boxes. Humble origins like Mr Modis, self-made scholar-monk with ties to the hugely influential Swaminarayan sect, staunch defender of then-CM Modis government in Gujarat, etc. Whats not to like? But perhaps the bigger fear that has not been voiced is that in the past UPSC chairpersons were renowned academics with excellent records, and more significantly, career babus from the IAS. It is this last bit that perhaps rankles the most. Will Mr Soni defy the Cassandras? Well see. Reshuffle of Delhi babus sets off speculation In a recent reshuffle of UT cadre officers, it is the appointment of former NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) chairman Naresh Kumar as the new chief secretary of Delhi that has drawn the most attention. A 1987-batch IAS officer, Mr Kumar has replaced his batchmate Vijay Kumar Dev, who is now the chief election commissioner of Delhi. Babu-watchers consider Mr Kumars appointment as significant in the context of the unification of Delhis three municipal corporations that is underway. In a unified municipal corporation, the special officer of the civic body will have considerably more power and privileges than the chief secretary! Apparently, this is already so in Maharashtra, where the BMC commissioner enjoys more power than the senior-most bureaucrat in the state. On the other hand, the present NDMC chairman, Dharmendra, has been posted out as chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, which many babus strangely seem to consider a demotion. But Mr Dharmendra, sources have informed DKB, stands a good chance to hold a prime posting before retirement since age is on his side. For now, however, the big question is about the future of Satya Gopal, who Mr Dharmendra is replacing. Will the former Arunachal chief secretary return to Delhi as NDMC chairman or get some other prime post? The Congress, in contrast, is not a single-person party, despite all the appearances The Congress is like no other party in the country and the Gandhis dont really control it, although they may be its most important inner spirit. (Representational Image/ PTI) The Congress and election campaign specialist Prashant Kishor, whose company has done strategic communications for a host of political parties across ideology, should both count themselves lucky that they could not reach an agreement for Mr Kishor to join the party. News reports suggest that the Congress rejected Mr Kishors terms. This is not wholly unexpected. People join a party because they are attracted to it, and wish to serve it in any capacity that the party may see fit. But that isnt Mr Kishor at all. He gave the impression of entering into a contract, as a trader might. If news reports are to be believed, he sought freedom to report directly to party president Sonia Gandhi, and sought untrammelled control over the partys communications. When such ideas did not find favour, the consultant withdrew. It is clear that he has no particular love for the Congress, and its ideas, ideology and politics. In contrast, look at the key members of the Group of 23. They have major issues with the Gandhis, but have not threatened to quit the party just because the leadership has not conceded their demands on a here-and-now basis. It is evident the G-23 are not gomashtas (middlemen) but politicians who feel bound by a common ideological thread and imagination even if they might fight with the party leadership on organisational and political issues. Nevertheless, in the present context, while inner-party disagreements and debates might abound on organisational matters or economic ideology, there is consensus on the most important metric the combating of communal ideas, politics, and policies. Mr Kishor does not shine on this count. He has shown himself to be completely eclectic. His first client was the then Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi, in 2011. The poll strategist also planned the marketing and advertising for the Modi campaign when Mr Modi successfully ran for Prime Minister. He is credited with having conceived the aspirants 3D rallies and the social media campaign which highlighted good governance since the client had to be rescued from any association with the 2002 communal violence in Gujarat on the then CMs watch which had drawn worldwide condemnation. After that big success, Mr Kishor has been in huge demand. A range of political parties have evidently benefited from his counsel. These were generally local ruling parties. It is up for speculation if the consultant would have brought the bacon home for the Trinamul Congress if the West Bengal party had been in the Opposition. It is known that joining hands with Mr Kishor in 2017 failed to revive the Congress Party in Uttar Pradesh. The trouble is that the Congress learnt little from that experience and once again sought to flirt with the election consultant. This was doubtless a sign of draining out emotionally after suffering defeat upon defeat in state elections. So, it should cause no surprise if Mr Kishor once again comes calling at the drop of a small hint. That is how fragile or fickle the Congress appears to have become in its present avatar. The party forgets all too often that though it is greatly reduced, it is demonstrated to have some 120 million committed voters who have persisted in their choice through thick and thin. This is probably more than the numbers commanded by the principal regional parties put together, or thereabouts. Of course, support for the Congress is spread very unevenly across the country. Generally, that does not give the party sufficient heft to ensure victory at the constituency level even for reasonably good candidates. What should the ground tactics be in such a situation? Is an external agent in the shape of a campaign specialist needed to solve the problem? Indeed, is the solution any mystery when the Congress ranks are filled with old warhorses at every level who have a well-earned reputation for having a trick or two up their sleeve in all seasons? If the Congress Party still coheres in the Narendra Modi era when large parts of India are enveloped in the ideology of majority communalism, as daily events and election results lately indicate, the party cant but have genetic resources that the leadership would do well to tap. That the leadership has failed to do so is the Congress primary weakness, and this is from where the first idea of reform needs to emanate. Nevertheless, not fully grasping this, the leadership in its current state of perceived infirmity, could just seek the hand of God in an outside agent and turn to Mr Kishor yet again. But God is said to help only those who help themselves. If such is the case, and an outsider is permitted entry on terms, then failure may be said to be preordained, as in UP in 2017. The Congress will come out of it shaken and tarred, and the consultant is apt to lose his image built on the strength of advising winning parties. Both sides should resist the charms of such an alignment. Partly because a modicum of the democracy ideology and good sense still inhabit the Congress, and partly under high-pitched pressure mounted by the G-23, otherwise a long-spent force that had once fattened on the patronage from the Gandhis, the Congress happens to be in the middle of an organisational election after decades. This was before Mr Kishor entered the picture. Interestingly, the consultant too has reportedly advised organisational polls as a means to fight stasis within. In that case, whats so special about external counsel? As for Mr Kishor, he has successfully counselled only one-man/one-woman parties. When Mr Modi had hired him, the BJP too had become a one-man show, which it remains to this day. The Congress, in contrast, is not a single-person party, despite all the appearances. In fact, it is a maze, a labyrinthine entity, in which multiple interests and groups operate, sweetly cutting one another even when in the Opposition. That indeed is one of its charms. The Congress is like no other party in the country and the Gandhis dont really control it, although they may be its most important inner spirit. But that could well change if the country is at an inflexion point. Jamnalal Bajaj, a major industrialist, had renounced the British title of Rai Bahadur to be a member of the Congress. In time, he became an elected member of the partys Working Committee. Businessmen today seek shortcuts. The Congress Party too looks guilty of that. The archdiocese is undertaking this initiative as part of the year of Amoris Laetitia announced by the pope. In South Korea, the number of families with grandparents caring for grandchildren is up because both parents have to work. The programme includes courses on self-care, grandchildren care, and religious care. Seoul (AsiaNews) The Archdiocese of Seoul is planning a faith school for Catholic grandparents as part of the Year of Amoris Laetitia Family, which Pope Francis announced in conjunction with the World Meeting of Families. The initiative is aimed at highlighting the central role played by grandparents and, more generally, seniors in families. in recent years, more and more seniors in South Korea are caring for their grandchildren because of an increase in the number of families in which both parents work. For this reason, the archdiocese wants to educate grandparents about the faith since they are increasingly becoming the first ones to take care of their young grandchildren. The school will include an eight-week programme with courses centred on three topics: self-care, grandchild care, and religious care. To prepare the programme, the Senior Ministry Team surveyed about 800 senior Catholics from various parishes. A number of participants indicated that they want the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality assessment test included because they believe it can help build a better relationship with grandchildren. In a statement, the Archdiocese of Seoul explains that the educational programmes it plans to develop for grandparents will be in line with Pope Francis' message that seniors can serve as a valued source of guidance and wisdom for young people. by Shafique Khokhar He went to Poland to bring aid to refugees fleeing war. Warm clothes, food and medicine are needed. I heard heartbreaking stories," the Pentecostal clergyman told AsiaNews. Karachi (AsiaNews) Visiting people from Ukraine in Poland was a painful experience, said Rev Suleman Manzoor, chairman of the Rapha Mission International, a Pentecostal organisation. I saw people crying for their loved ones, whom they left behind; coming to Poland after a journey of hours and hours made people desperate and hopeless, explained the clergyman after landing at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi where he was met by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Anwar Lal Dean and others, both lay people and clergy. Rev Manzoor left Pakistan and spent three days and three nights at the Ukrainian-Polish border helping refugees, he told AsiaNews. Hundreds arrive at the border after a long journey, in need of warm clothes, food and medicine. I heard heartbreaking stories of people arriving with small children, mothers and grandmothers separated from the rest of the family, said the missionary. This is a time when we must not only pray, but also support and share with the Ukrainians the blessings God has given us, he said. Jesus gave us all a mission: to spread the Good News. It is God who uses me and sends me into the world. The pastor thanked the Polish government for everything it is doing for Ukrainian refugees. "What Pastor Suleman Manzoor did is priceless," said Senator Lal Dean. He sent a message of peace and showed solidarity not only as a Christian, but also as a true Pakistani.. Even Younus Khan, a Christian lawyer and member of the Jamait-e-Islami political party felt proud about Pastor Manzoor and what he did in Ukraine. He supported people without discrimination, and that is what we Christ our Lord taught. Prioritizing infrastructure creation set to stabilize economy By MA SI (China Daily) 09:11, April 28, 2022 Employees inspect transmission towers in Anhui province, part of an ultrahigh-voltage direct-current transmission project. SONG WEIXING/FOR CHINA DAILY China's efforts to bolster infrastructure construction in a precise manner will help buttress the nation's economic growth this year amid a complicated external environment and resurgent domestic COVID-19 cases, experts said. The comments came after a key meeting on Tuesday set the tone for comprehensively bolstering infrastructure construction nationwide, highlighting the significance of implementing such a policy in upholding national security, expanding domestic consumption and promoting high-quality development. Lu Zhe, chief macroeconomist at Topsperity Securities, said: "Infrastructure will play an important supporting role for economic growth this year." Lu predicted that the growth rate of infrastructure investment this year is likely to be between 5 and 7 percent. The meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs on Tuesday called for efforts to coordinate development and security, optimize the layout, function and development mode of the country's infrastructure and build a modern infrastructure system in order to lay a solid foundation for comprehensively building China into a modern socialist country. While calling for the upgrading of traditional infrastructure facilities, the meeting also stressed the need to step up construction of "new infrastructure", including 5G networks, the industrial internet, intercity transportation, intracity rail systems, data centers, artificial intelligence, ultrahigh voltage infrastructure and new energy vehicle charging stations. Wu Hequan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said the accelerated construction of "new infrastructure" such as 5G, artificial intelligence and big data will lay a sound foundation for the integration of digital and real economies, and help drive industrial upgrade and digital transformation in traditional sectors. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China's telecom carriers will build 600,000 new 5G base stations this year, and the ministry will also promote the application of superfast wireless technology in the industrial internet. The National Development and Reform Commission, the nation's top economic regulator, said in a document on its official website on Wednesday that efforts to promote infrastructure will be made in a precise manner, and no "flood" of infrastructure stimuli will be allowed. Ou Hong, director of the Department of Fixed Asset Investment at the NDRC, the economic regulator, said earlier this month that it will promote infrastructure construction in fields like water conservancy, transportation and energy, accelerate the push for "new infrastructure" construction, spur investment in equipment manufacturing and boost the development of sectors like health, education, eldercare and childcare. Despite facing pressure from resurgent domestic COVID-19 cases, China has favorable conditions to stabilize investment, Ou said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Further relaxations of COVID-19 restrictions are a positive and practical step forward as Malaysia aims to move toward endemicity, a health expert said on Thursday. While conceding that some restrictions such as the use of face masks are still an important measure to guard against infection, new standard operating procedures (SOP) announced by the health ministry would move the country towards a post-pandemic phase, Malaysia Medical Association President Koh Kar Chai told Xinhua in a phone interview. "Overall, we view the relaxed SOPs as a practical step, especially in this phase of the pandemic where more normalcy will help revive our economy as well as relieve the mental stress that has accompanied us since the beginning of the pandemic," he said. Koh also expressed concern about the move to drop travel insurance requirements on foreign visitors entering the country, a move which he cautioned could strain the public healthcare system should cases take an upward trend. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced further relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday in a bid to help the country recover from the economic effects of the pandemic, in particular to promote the country's struggling tourism industry. Testing will not be required for certain categories of travelers before departing to Malaysia and upon arrival, including those fully vaccinated who were 13 years of age and above, and those who had been infected and recovered within six to 60 days from the date of recovery before departing for Malaysia. Face masks will no longer be mandatory outdoors but still required indoors and on public transport, while physical distancing is no longer required and check-in with the country's COVID-19 management app will no longer be required when visiting places. The relaxation of restrictions follows a downward trend in new infections in the country and the relatively high rate of vaccination -- 81.6 percent of the population have received two doses and 49.1 percent have received the booster shot. For his part, Carmelo Ferlito, chief executive officer of the Center for Market Education, a Kuala Lumpur-based think tank, said the relaxations will most heavily impact travel to the country and the tourism industry, calling the new SOP a positive development. Carmelo added that the relaxations of other measures including wearing face masks and the use of the COVID-19 management app will raise confidence among consumers and investors and further push the country on the path to recovery. by Nirmala Carvalho Clarence High School has become the target of a new anti-conversion campaign because it offers Bible classes to non-Christians. For Archbishop Machado, Christian Institutions are once again being targeted with false and misleading accusations. Bengaluru (AsiaNews) Clarence High School, a prestigious Christian educational institution, has come under fire in a new campaign by Hindu nationalists. The school, which was founded by English missionaries in 1914, is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the same state where the hijab was banned in class The latest controversy broke out after someone reported that the registration form for the 11th grade includes a paragraph asking non-Christian families for their consent to allow their children to take Bible classes. The provision in question has been place for years and has never caused any problems for non-Christian students. However, for Mohan Gowda, local spokesman for Hindu Janajagruti Samithi, a Hindu nationalist group, it proves that the Christian school is engaged in forced indoctrination" of children in order to convert them. Students admitted to Clarence School must read, carry, and learn Bible, Gowda said. This is compulsory and a violation of Article 25 and 30 of Indian Constitution. In light of the situation, he urges the state government to take action against the school. For their part, Karnataka authorities now want to clarify things; to this end, they announced plans to inspect all Christian schools. The state is ruled by Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also announced its intention of getting involved. In recent years, the agency has been in the hands of Hindu nationalists and has been used in their anti-conversion campaigns against Christians. In fact, Clarence High School has offered Bible classes for many years, not as religious teaching, but as a way to provide moral points of reference. Many Muslim, Hindu and other non-Christian families appreciate this. Nobody is forced to read the Bible, the school explained. The Most Rev Peter Machado, Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore, who chairs the Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, waded into the affair. The school is more than 100 years old and no complaint of conversion was made anytime in this school, he said in a statement. [M]oral education, based on the examples of the Bible, cannot be considered forced religious education. The prelate noted that, The institutions run by other religious sects also give religious instructions, based on their sacred books. Thus, It is extremely unfair to target only the Christian institutions. Sadly, whatever good is being done is labelled as For Conversion! Nevertheless, We are aware that the majority of Hindus are with us. For Archbishop Machado, it is obvious that it is the same communal bogey, which is all out to divert attention from the basic problems that are besetting the society. This includes a hidden agenda that is out to discredit the good work done by the Christian minority, especially in the fields of education, social and health care. Sirens bring Israel to a halt to mark Yom Ha-Shoah. At Yad Vashem, Prime Minister Bennett does not mention Iran, but speaks about divisions among Jews, noting that today's conflicts cannot be equated to the unprecedented tragedy that took place during the Second World War. Meanwhile, a study by Tel Aviv University shows significant rise of anti-Semitism in 2021 in the world. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) Today at 10 am, Israel came to a stop for two minutes, as sirens sounded across the country, to remember the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War. Traditionally, during Yom Ha-Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Israelis honour the dead and survivors, whose tragic stories and testimonies of one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century, have been handed down and kept alive. This day, the most solemn in the countrys calendar, began as usual, with the wailing sound of sirens bringing buses, cars, and pedestrians to a sudden stop; motionless, people stood to attention, each remembering the past with its load of deaths and mourning. Israel mourns those who vanished during the Shoah, their names mentioned by the descendants of survivors, in schools, museums, public buildings, that such a tragedy may never happen again. Bars and restaurants closed early yesterday afternoon while TV and radio scheduled programmes documentaries, interviews and somber music dedicated almost exclusively to the Holocaust. As per tradition, the Yad Vashem memorial was the main venue for official remembrance ceremonies. From here, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett addressed the nation. His message was different from that of his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, who for a decade used every occasion to speak about Irans nuclear threat. This time, Bennett did not mention Israels avowed foe, but focused instead on the Holocaust as a unique and unprecedented event in human history. In an indirect attack against those who misuse the term today, Bennet said that Even the most difficult wars today are not the Holocaust and are not comparable to the Holocaust. The President of Israel Isaac Herzog was also present at the ceremony, as was Bundestag President Barbel Bas, the first senior German official to take part in the commemoration in Israel. The anniversary incidentally overlapped with the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which saw the last Jewish residents of the city rise up in April-May 1943 against the Nazis. Some 13,000 died during the battle that ensued. Prime Minister Bennett used the event to bemoan divisions within the Jewish resistance, between left and right, which did not work together making it easier for the Nazis to liquidate the ghetto. Even during the darkest chapter of Jewish history, during our people's inferno of extermination, the left and the right did not find a way to work together," Bennett lamented. Meanwhile, the BBC published the results of a study conducted by Tel Aviv University that indicates a sharp rise in anti-Semitism around the world last year, most notably in countries like the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany. and Australia. The research suggests that trend is being fuelled as much by far-right movements as the radical left, both of which are linked by common hatred of Jews fed and magnified by the Internet and social media. Titled Anti-Semitism Worldwide Report 2021, the study found a significant increase in various types of anti-Semitic incidents in most countries with large Jewish populations. Case in point: Anti-Jewish hate crimes recorded in both New York and Los Angeles (United States) were almost twice that of 2020, mostly online because of COVID-19 restrictions. Likewise, in France, attacks against Jews increased by 75 per cent, while Canada recorded a 40-year record in August 2021. In many places, the May 2021 conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip fuelled the violence. by Vladimir Rozanskij Moscow (AsiaNews) - Savkat Mirziyoyev made a solemn visit in recent days to the agricultural region of Kashkadar, where he was welcomed with the honors of a sultan by the population of the villages. The president of Uzbekistan outlined his plan for the intensification of poultry farming for the next six years, in his opinion a fundamental step for national life. In his words, "when will every man and every family in our country be able to have confidence in tomorrow? When he will be able to have profits, if he had one cow he will have two, one goat and it will be four, 50 chickens that will become 100." His statement literally reignited the race to increase poultry production in all Uzbek regions, and now all the "makhally" (farms) are competing to notify the central authorities of the increased rates from local farmers. In the Andizan region, each makhallya has promised to provide a standard of 800 chickens, although it will not be easy to find enough buyers, because the "state" chickens have to win the competition of market prices. Many locals are given batches of chickens as a form of credit. In Pakhtabad province of Andizan region, activist groups have formed to distribute chickens door-to-door, especially trying to get rid of the less healthy ones. A local woman told Ozodlik on condition of anonymity that "they try to scare away especially those waiting for family and child benefits, but none of us want these chickens, both because they are very expensive, over each compared to in the market, and because they are half-dead and do not last even a week." The poor condition of the chickens is a consequence of the "intensive program" of 800 chickens per farm, and if the activists can't sell them they are forced to buy them out of their own pockets. They are questioned for hours each night to make sure they really sold the birds, and didn't throw them away somewhere. The presidential plan insists on the cooperative commitment of the farms, of clear Soviet memory, and foresees within a month the distribution of 20-100 chickens to at least 20 thousand people in each province. In order to satisfy Mirziyoyev, many companies have made contracts with Belarusian suppliers, which more or less officially brought more than 2 million eggs from hens of "Tetra" breed. The cooperative chain to hatch and raise the chicks worked with considerable dysfunction, trying to rush to meet the demands of the plan, hence the poor quality of the final product. Since banks are unable to assist companies, the chickens were used as credit directly for citizens. The epic of "Mirziyoyev's chickens" is showing the illusory nature of presidential plans of "enrichment of the population", which pass through socialist-style bureaucratic lines, and as in Soviet times produce false attestations at all levels of production. In the last six years dozens of resolutions and decrees have been signed and imposed to revive agricultural production, and in the poultry sector in this 2022 23 government documents have already been issued. In the country there is a food crisis, additional funds are urgently needed for the supply of raw materials and price controls. The government wants to strengthen domestic production and study aid for the most vulnerable. About 23% of the total population lives in poverty, the unemployment rate has reached 14%. The AsiaNews campaign. Baghdad (AsiaNews) - The effects of Russia's war in Ukraine are having repercussions not only in Europe, where there is a growing risk of an energy crisis with the cutting off of supplies from Moscow or the EU embargo on Russian imports, but also in other areas of the world including Iraq, where the food emergency triggered by rising prices is taking center stage. In these days the Baghdad government is trying to run for cover, allocating additional funds to ensure the stabilization of the supply chain of raw materials. However, in many cases these are buffer measures that cannot be sustained over time and, for this reason, long-term policies are being studied. The conflict launched by Moscow against Kiev, two of the main wheat producing countries in the world, has triggered an increase in prices in the Arab nation, whose leaders have launched an internal campaign aimed at monitoring markets and product costs. As al-Monitor reports, some foods have seen increases of 20%, especially among preparations derived from wheat - such as pasta and sweets - as well as cooking oil. In response, the government has decided to recognize an extra 30% to Iraqi farmers for the sale of their wheat. A support to domestic production and to ensure the distribution of all resources for domestic use, combined with loans to entrepreneurs in the sector through subsidized rates from the Agricultural Bank and other national credit institutions. In addition, Baghdad intends to grant 100 thousand dinars (about 64 euros) to the poorest families and has opened for three months to imports of all products without exception, to ensure their availability in the markets. Added to this is a draft law under study focused on food security and development of production, with a first reading in Parliament on March 28. The Ministry of Finance intends to create a fund called "Support for food security and development, financial prevention and poverty reduction" that will have to intervene in critical situations. However, the regulation has already met with opposition from some parliamentarians for whom it will be a further source of corruption, in a nation already marked by theft and malfeasance in the public sector. The current system of support for poor families through state vouchers covers 10 commodities: rice, sugar, tea, oil, flour, lentils, beans, yellow corn, tomato paste and some cleaning items such as soap. The rule would like to ensure more funds for spending and purchasing products to be included in the food basket, to be distributed to the most needy. This system has already been used in the past - introduced on a large scale in 1990 by the then rais Saddam Hussein -, to encourage the purchase of goods considered essential at a reduced price. According to Jawad Amir, professor of chemistry Baghdad, the government's measures are not enough to help and support the most fragile segments of the Iraqi population. "Citizens - he explains - are directly affected by price increases. At the same time, salaries and social funds remain the same. This shows that the authorities have no control over the internal market and this is a source of concern for people." Today, the poverty rate in Iraq has reached 23% of the total population and the unemployment figure has reached 14%, with higher levels in the central and southern governorates. At the same time, cases of suicide are increasing among the population, because many are no longer able to provide for their families in a national political framework that remains unstable. In an attempt to address this difficult social situation, AsiaNews continues its "Adopt a Christian from Mosul" campaign launched in 2014 to support Christians who fled following the rise of the Islamic State. Our initiative continues today to support families in need and contribute to reconstruction projects: here is all the information to join. by Paul Nguyen Hung Representatives of the Holy See met with the Episcopal Conference and the local Catholic community, bringing Francis' greetings and blessing. Pastor Fr. Joseph Trinh Tien Thanh: "This is the pope's love for the Vietnamese Church." Thai Binh (AsiaNews) - "We sense Pope Francis' interest for the Church in Vietnam." So commented the diocese of Thai Binh, in the north of the country, on the pastoral visit of the delegation of the Holy See, held from April 25 to 27, and following the meeting of the Joint Working Group between Vietnam and the Vatican, held in Hanoi on April 21 and 22. On the first working day, the Holy See delegation met with the 27 bishops from various dioceses and the Bishops' Conference at the bishop's seat in Thai Binh. Subsequently Msgr. Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski, undersecretary for Holy See relations, and Msgr. Peter Nguyen Van e, bishop of Thai Binh, met with representatives of the local People's Committee. The next day, the Vatican delegation was welcomed by the congregation of the Dominican Sisters: superior general Sister Maria Ngo Thi Hanh thanked the delegation for the pastoral visit and the Vatican's concern for the Vietnamese Church. In the evening, Archbishop Marek Zalewski, apostolic nuncio to Singapore and non-resident papal representative in Vietnam, along with Bishop Peter Nguyen Van e, presided at Mass in Thai Binh Cathedral. "We cannot forget the suffering of the period of social distancing imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We trust in God's mercy. He never abandons His children," said Msgr. Misroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski. "Today I would like to send Pope Francis' greetings and blessings to the people of God in Vietnam, and especially to the brothers and sisters participating in tonight's Holy Mass," the cardinal continued. Pope Francis always accompanies us in prayer. We ask Our Lady, the faithful Virgin, to help us have a firm faith in our lives today." "We are very happy with the presence of the delegation of the Holy See in this church," commented local pastor Fr. Joseph Trinh Tien Thanh. "This is the love of Pope Francis that he gives us through Msgr. Wachowski and the delegation of the Holy See. We would like to send our respect, love and loyalty to the Holy Father." Today's headlines: mass testing for Covid also in Guangzhou, southern China. Population fears for a new dam in Laos. Unprecedented heat wave in India. Jordan wants end to Israeli restrictions on the Esplanade of Mosques. Russians launch "online forced labor". Armenian opposition announces large protest rally on May 1. NEPAL Nepalese government orders blockade on imports of products such as cars, alcohol, tobacco, toys, and cell phones costing more than 0; also imposed reduction in work week. The measure will last at least until mid-July and was decided in order to safeguard the country's foreign currency reserves, which are in dramatic decline. CHINA After Beijing, also the southern megalopolis of Guangzhou launches mass tests for Covid-19. The authorities' fears of a spread of contagion are growing. Shanghai continues to be in lockdown despite a drop in infections. Health checks ordered for millions of people also in Hangzhou, important technological hub of the country. LAOS Plans for the construction of a new dam - and adjoining hydroelectric plant - on the Mekong River will be evaluated by a special government commission. Local villagers, in the southern area of Phou Ngoy, fear they will be excluded from the process. The plant will be used to supply electricity to neighboring Thailand. INDIA Fears are growing over the heat wave that has hit the country, especially its northwestern and central states. PM Modi has admitted that temperatures are rising more than normal and ahead of time. 44 degrees Celsius is expected in Delhi this week. JORDAN Jordanian authorities are stepping up efforts to restore the historic status quo of the Al Aqsa Mosques in Jerusalem. Amman wants to open a dialogue with Israel to restore the situation to what it was in 2000, removing some restrictions on Muslim worshipers. RUSSIA Russian prison police have decided to bring in IT specialists now held in various prisons around the country to work in online regimes for commercial companies. This was explained by Deputy Director Aleksandr Kabarov, responding in this way to requests from many companies to start "remote forced labor". ARMENIA Armenian opposition forces have promised on May 1 a grandiose demonstration against the government of Nikol Pasinyan, to demand his resignation. Organizers are proposing a new "velvet revolution," with a protest march from all regions of the country to Yerevan, as Pasinyan himself had done in 2018 before gaining power. SEOUL, April 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's passenger car export fell in the first quarter due to external uncertainties, customs office data showed Thursday. Sedan exports stood at 10.93 billion U.S. dollars in the January-March quarter, down 0.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Customs Service. It has marked the first reduction in seven quarters since the second quarter of 2020 on the back of external uncertainties such as the global supply disruption and geopolitical risks in Europe. The number of exported passenger vehicles declined 8.3 percent from a year earlier to 520,000 in the first quarter. In terms of value, the sedan exports to Russia tumbled 37.7 percent to 355 million dollars in the first quarter. Passenger car exports to Germany, Canada and Spain contracted in double digits, but those to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Australia and France advanced in double digits. Sedan imports rose 4.6 percent from a year earlier to 3.08 billion dollars in the first quarter. Share This: Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II on April 28 announced Michigan will launch six new services to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, increase access to electric vehicles and broaden electric vehicle adoption in communities around the state. The six mobility companies---Chargeway, eCAMION, ElectricFish, Fleet Lab, MoGo and Volta---will receive more than $577,000 in total funding through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform to deploy mobility projects in Lansing, Traverse City, Port Austin, Allegan County, Burt Township, Monroe, Ann Arbor, Detroit and DTE Energys Service Territory. Whether we are supporting electric vehicle manufacturing, industry-leading research campuses, or training the talent of the future to adapt to this electrified landscape, we understand in Michigan the value of innovating in our current mobility ecosystems to support the needs of the future, said Gilchrist. These grant recipients represent the next phase in our states evolution as a mobility leader and will undoubtedly help pave the way for our continued economic growth and success in this space. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Gilchrist have worked to propel Michigan into the future of mobility with large investments into electric vehicles. The Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has secured historic investments from GM, Ford, Stellantis and electric vehicle battery manufacturers that has helped to create more than 21,600 good-paying auto jobs and further cement Michigans status as a global manufacturing leader. In the 2022 State of the State address, Whitmer launched a first-of-its-kind program to lower the cost of electric vehicles for families by putting forward a $2,500 rebate for the purchase of an electric vehicle and charging equipment to build on the $7,500 federal credit. With this rebate, a Michigan family could receive more than $10,000 off the purchase of a new electric vehicle. These electric vehicle projects follow the governors announcement of her MI Healthy Climate Plan, which outlines a series of goals to encourage greater electric vehicle adoption statewide. Launched by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform provides grants to... Share This: The Joint Development Authority (JDA) approved the final Economic Development Agreement (EDA) for Rivians upcoming manufacturing plant in Georgia. The JDA presides over Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton counties in Georgia. The EDA covers agreements between the JDA, the State of Georgia and Rivian. As per the agreement, three parties agree to develop Rivians manufacturing facility in Georgia, located in Stanton Springs North. By signing these agreements and approving this development, we are taking a significant step toward realizing the original vision of the JDA from more than two decades ago: [to] create an industrial park east of Atlanta with high-tech, good paying jobs for years to come, said Jerry Silvio, JDA chairman. Rivians jobs and investment, combined with our existing bio and high-tech companies, mean we are adding unprecedented opportunity for the state and region. Opportunity like this not only translates into new jobs for our families, but it also means more resources and growth for our counties, providing the opportunity to reduce the tax burden on local homeowners, improve schools and invest in parks, trails and public safety, he added. According to the agreement, Rivian will make payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) to the JDA starting in 2023. The property where Rivians new Georgia plant is located currently generates approximately $80,000 in tax revenue annually. By 2023, the property will generate $1.5 million annually for six years. After the six years, Rivians PILOTs will increase significantly. For example, Rivians property will generate... To compete in the ST-Q class, a non-competitive category that doesnt belong to any of the other eight classes, the Z NISMO still is a work in progress. Two cars will be fielded: number 230 by NIMSO and number 244 by Max Racing. Super GT drivers Tsugio Matsuda, Ronnie Quintarelli, Daiki Sasaki, Kohei Hirate, and Kazuki Hoshino will drive the #230 car.Max Racing chose team manager Tetsuya Tanaka, Toru Tanaka, Atsushi Miyake, Mitsunori Takaboshi, and Hironobu Yasuda for the #244 car. All of them have plenty of experience, but as noted earlier, the ST-Q class isnt about who finishes first but about developing the car for future races.Nissan didnt bother mentioning what kind of modifications it brought to the vehicle, but nevertheless, we can tell that its lighter and produces more drag than the road-going model. A red-painted tow hook, vents in the hood, a beefy roll cage, stripped-out interior, lightweight wheels, ultra-sticky rubber boots, larger brakes, and a rear wing are the most notable changes.Regarding the suck-squeeze-bang-blow department, an educated guess would be the 3.0-liter V6 that we already know from the Infiniti Q50 and Q60. The twin-turbocharged mill produces 400 horsepower on the nose and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm) of torque between 1,600 and 5,600 rpm. As for the transmission, were most likely dealing with a sequential gearbox rather than the rev-matching manual or nine-speed auto of the production model.Already on sale in Japan in no fewer than five trim levels, including the limited-run Proto Spec inspired by the pre-production prototype, the Z will arrive in the United States of America this summer due to unspecified parts shortages. Nissan hinted $40,000 or thereabouts as the starting price for the U.S. model, which is very close to the $41,000 starting price for the JDM. Photo taken on April 12, 2022 shows a dredging site in Mongla seaport of Bangladesh.(Xinhua) by Liu Chuntao, Naim-Ul-Karim MONGLA, Bangladesh, April 28 (Xinhua) -- In the Sundarbans, a great forest on the Ganges Delta, lies Bangladesh's second seaport, Mongla, on the River Pashur. Braving the risks, Sun Chuanbo and his local and fellow colleagues have been working on a river channel near Sundarbans leading to the Mongla seaport in Bangladesh. About a year earlier, Chuanbo had joined the service of the Chinese Joint Venture (JV) firm of CCECC (China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation) and JHCEC (Jianshu Haihong Construction Engineering Company Limited) is dredging the port channel to improve navigability for ships with drafts of more than 9.5 meters, in challenge to Bangladesh's main port of Chattogram. The current depth of the shallow Pashur channel is less than 5.5 meters, meaning Mongla is underutilized. COMING BACK TO LIFE The project involves the risk of cyclones and is frequently interrupted during monsoon season. Sun and some 200 Bangladeshi and 100 Chinese people operate three huge dredgers. The outer bar area of Mongla has already been dredged by another Chinese JV including CCECC, resulting in the new commission to take work further. Dredger Xin Zi Lang 5 started work in July last year. The vessel can operate in complex conditions with high precision. The others, cutter-suction dredgers Xin Hai Teng and Xin Hai Xu, are the two largest ships of their kind in the world. Despite tremendous challenges, the Chinese JV firm said it has deployed the world's two largest non-self-navigated cutter suction dredgers for timely completion of the project and therefore, make the Mongla port fully functional. Through the construction of the Padma bridge and rail link, Mongla will be a gateway to Bhutan, India and Nepal, connected to capital Dhaka and handling trade from the north and southwest. Rear Admiral Mohammed Musa, chairman of Mongla Port Authority, said the 7.5 billion takas (86 million U.S. dollars) project is expected to be completed in June 2023. Around 85 million dollars of dredging work had already enabled vessels with drafts of 10 meters to berth at Mongla and the inner bar is now a bottleneck. "Fifteen years ago, this port was almost dead. There were no ships, no cargo and no trade," he said. In the last financial year, Mongla handled 970 ships, generating 3.4 billion takas in revenue. These two dredging projects undertaken by Chinese firms have really made a lot of change in the development process. "We have made a record of 70 years since Mongla Port was established in 1950," he added. General cargo demand at the port is strong, with traffic rising sharply. Li Huisheng, project manager of the JV between JHCEC and CCECC, said, "To finish the project smoothly, we brought three of the biggest dredgers in the world from Saudi Arabia and China." NOTHING CAN STOP US Mohammed Musa said that once the Padma Bridge becomes fully operational next year, the port will be more visible in terms of its direct contribution to the national economy. Mongla has the potential to handle 10,000 ships by 2050. The Padma bridge will be opened later this year, making Mongla the closest port to Dhaka at 170 km, he said. "They (Chinese firms) even did not stop for a single day," he said with much appreciation for the brilliant job to bring the "dead port" to life in massive tasks. "Mongla Port Authority has given us great support for our work," said Sun. "We're making persistent efforts to complete fast the project and contribute to the development of Bangladesh and deepen further friendship between China and Bangladesh," he mentioned while working alone on one of the giant Chinese dredging facilities stationed near Sundarbans. (1 U.S. dollar equals about 88 takas) Chinese and Bangladeshi engineers supervise dredging work in Mongla seaport in Bangladesh on April 12, 2022.(Xinhua) Photo taken on April 12, 2022 shows a cutter suction dredger at a dredging site in Mongla seaport in Bangladesh.(Xinhua) Photo taken on April 12, 2022 shows a dredging site in Mongla seaport in Bangladesh.(Xinhua) Back in 1943, this unique organization was set up. More than 1,000 women who were simple civilians decided to take on an unusual role for women at the time as an additional way of supporting Americas war efforts. These pioneering pilots performed demonstration flights and helped tow targets for aerial practice, among other similar tasks. The organization was short-lived, and it took decades for its members to be officially recognized as active military personnel Eighty years later, the Museum that is dedicated to the WASP phenomenon is organizing a special tribute. This upcoming Saturday, April 30, the public is invited to take a closer look at the Museums aircraft collection, as well as many other military airplanes. The event is held at the Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, which is where the WASP members trained.All-female crews will show off their piloting skills flying Air Force, Army, Marine, and Navy aircraft. The WASP flight line will also include eleven BT-13 aircraft. The Vultee BT-13 operated as the basic trainer for most American pilots during WWII, including WASP. This steel bird was heavier than the basic trainers, with twice the horsepower. Its pilots had to skillfully use a two-position Hamilton Standard propeller and two-way radio communications.The BT-13 was sold in 1946 as Army surplus, and the unit displayed at the National WASP WWII Museum was donated by The American Aviation Heritage Foundation of Blaine, Minnesota, after a five-year restoration process.The upcoming celebration will also include other activities such as author signings and special discussions. Plus, it will mark the launch of a new permanent exhibit at the Museum, called The American history of Black Pilots by historian Monica Smith. And were not talking here about road-going vehicles alone, but about those taking to the sky as well. Apart for the rapidly growing push for more sustainable fuels, the aviation industry is looking to greatly expand its already huge reach by creating something we generally call urban air mobility (UAM).Several companies, including carmakers, are now working on the hardware, software, and other adaptations for making UAM a reality. Spearheading the movement is a relatively new type of aircraft family called electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL).Airbus is working on one too, and its called CityAirbus NextGen . Shown with some details in September last year, the aircraft is supposed to be able to fly for 80 km (50 miles) on a single battery charge, and at speeds of 120 kph (75 mph). Coming into the world as a fixed-wing machine with a V-shaped tail, the CityAirbus moves courtesy of eight electrically powered propellers, and will be capable of carrying four passengers, pilot included.With the first flight planned for 2023, the company behind it is looking for ways to make it available for public use as fast as possible. Part of that plan, Airbus announced this week a partnership with Italian airline ITA Airways to figure out the best solutions for the rollout of what is essentially an air taxi.ITA is brand now on the aviation scene, having been established last year, but it already has orders with Airbus for A220s, A320neos, A330neos, and the A350. Despite the evidence that SolarCity was indeed bleeding cash, Vice-Chancellor Joseph R. Slights III considered that Tesla paid a fair price for the company. What he did recognize was that Elon was more involved in the process than a conflicted fiduciary should be. The Tesla CEO was SolarCity's chairman and a major sponsor of the company. If it went bust, he would lose a lot of money. Slights retired right after deciding the case, which investors can still appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court.If the investors that sued Musk and Tesla see any possibility of reverting the decision, they will pursue it. After all, Musk was the only Tesla director to challenge the investors claims. All others decided to settle for $60 million, a value that Bloomberg tells us was paid by insurance coverage.On top of that, the fundament for the decision is controversial. Slights said that Teslas value has massively increased following the Acquisition. That would be enough for the investors suing Tesla not to have any reason to complain about the deal because there was a causal connection between the Acquisition and Teslas skyrocketing performance. As far as we know, the solar business has not been anything but trouble for Tesla so far.The number of unhappy customers with Tesla Solar increases every day, and there are some extreme cases. On January 14, we told how a Tesla Model X owner lost the roof of her house due to installation mistakes that forced her to move. She is suing Tesla. In March, Tesla stopped solar roof installations due to supply concerns, leaving customers without roofs for months.Although the judge believes that being the worlds first vertically-integrated sustainable energy company contributed to Teslas market cap, that is not undisputed. Some believe this has more to do with Elon Musks promises, some of which he has repeatedly failed to deliver, such as autonomous driving. It seems this story is far from over. Well keep you updated about it. Tails of red will train overhead?? The first "Red Tail" #T7A Red Hawk coming out of production is making its debut. Carrying tails of red to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, it'll be the first advanced trainer jet delivered to the @USAirForce. pic.twitter.com/GQe2xFfuPk Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 28, 2022 The T-7A Red Hawk is a cutting-edge trainer designed for the USAF that will prepare the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots. Developed by Boeing in partnership with Swedish company Saab, the jet provides rapid and more cost-effective integration of capabilities through virtual testing.Boeing moved quite fast with the development of the aircraft. In just three years, the concept became a reality. In 2018, the USAF granted Boeing a $9.2 billion deal in exchange for 351 T-7As , 46 simulators, and necessary ground equipment, and by 2021, two T-7As were already performing flight tests.Now, the first aircraft rolled out of the production facility in Missouri. It has a modular design, and it can be used in various missions. It also features advanced fighter-like capabilities comparable to today's 4th and 5th-generation fighter jets. The aircraft has its tail painted red in honor of the African American Tuskegee Airmen , who were part of the 477th Bombardment Group of the USAF during World War II."Like the Airmen they were named and painted to pay homage to, the T-7A Red Hawks break down the barriers of flight. These digitally-engineered aircraft will make it possible for a diverse cross section of future fighter and bomber pilots to be trained, and provide an advanced training system and capabilities that will meet the demands of today's and tomorrow's national security environment," said Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force.The first production jet will remain in St. Louis, where it will undergo ground and flight tests. The T-7A program is based at Boeing's St. Louis factory, with Saab building the trainer's aft section at Linkoping, Sweden. The first jets are scheduled to arrive at USAF Joint Base San Antonio- Randolph next year. With over 600 tanker aircraft in operation, the largest fleet of its kind on the planet (the rest of the world combined has less than half that), the U.S. is undoubtedly the country that uses this means of keeping its planes in the air the most.The nation is beginning to share fuel in the sky, though, and we got a taste of that in mid-April, when a KC-46A Pegasus became the first tanker of its kind to refuel an international receiver, as the U.S. Air Force (USAF) says.That international receiver is the EF-18 Hornet , deployed with the Spanish Air Force (SAF). As it customary in the industry, the E in the name stands for Espana, the name of the country using this variant of the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) machine.The refueling operation took place in the skies over the Moron Air Base, during the tankers first Employment Concept Exercise. The exercise was meant to pave the way for stronger interoperability with allies and partners.The Pegasus is now cleared to support nearly 85 percent of joint force receivers requesting air refueling from U.S. Transportation Command, said in a statement Brig. Gen. Ryan Samuelson, Air Mobility Commands KC-46A Cross Functional Team lead.While the ICR brought on KC-46 mission capabilities, the ECE will now operationalize those capabilities across a spectrum of mission scenarios.Derived from the 767 jet airliner, the Pegasus is powered by two Pratt & Whitney engines with an output of 62,000 lbs of thrust, and can carry 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg) of fuel. AE Cap dAntibes was built in 2007 by the famous Italian brand Benetti, boasting an impressive volume for its size 879 GT at 184 feet (56 meters). Stefano Natucci made the most of this generous space. Six cabins are ready for up to 12 guests, while the split-deck master cabin includes a spacious hallway, a private study, and a private TV lounge with large windows.The sundeck is also impressive, with a jacuzzi placed forward, a dining table aft, and a special penthouse gym that offers great views. In addition to the elegant main salon, guests can enjoy al-fresco dining on the upper deck. In terms of interior design, the acclaimed Francois Zuretti went for a classic Italian style, with contrasting woods and high-gloss paneling.But what Harry Vafias, AE Cap dAntibes owner, appreciates the most is the mechanical equipment of a boat. Hes not known as the Harry Potter of shipping for nothing. This young millionaire runs a gas-shipping company, and he sees even pleasure crafts more as financial investments. In an interview with Superyacht News , he criticized typical superyacht owners for not doing proper research before deciding to buy. All they do is go along with their wives and look for a boat with a nice interior, Vafias said, which eventually causes them to lose up to half of the initial investment.Vafias bought AE Cap dAntibes, which isnt his only yacht, from a Russian tycoon, the founder of Standard Vodka. Its unknown how much the Italian vessel was worth at the time, but its currently up for grabs at Black Orange Yachts for $18.9 million. Whether or not this sale will be as profitable as he hoped it would be, only the Greek millionaire knows. SUV In a new post on social media, Luke Evans gave us a glimpse into his adventure-packed weekend in Napa, California. The Welsh actor got together with British TV host and car restorer Ant Anstead , and together, they got to test the new, fifth-gen Range Rover.In his post, Evans shows he arrived there by helicopter, and he got a chance to get behind the wheel of the newfrom the British manufacturer. The Dracula Untold actor posed with a Lantau Bronze Range Rover and wrote: Big thanks [to] Land Rover for an epic few days in a truly breathtaking part of the world.The actor was pleased he got to experience it all from the drivers seat of the new Range Rover, which Evans called a handsome, rather sexy vehicle. Being in Napa, which is filled with wineries, he also had time to do some wine tasting, too. He didnt forget to note that he stopped driving after the wine tasting started. True role model.On his side, Ant Anstead shared even more pictures from their weekend and posed with a white Range Rover SV . He shared: I get to do some cool car stuff and this weekend was pretty tasty! He added that it was all because he got to test drive the new Land Rover RANGE ROVER with some pals in Napa (code for ending each day at exceptional wineries).He also gave a nod to Evans skills, who became a chauffeur, and also Ansteds new bestie. The famous car restorer didnt give many details about what he thought of the new Range Rover, but he shortly claimed its bloomin GOOD, and also promised he will be dropping a video review about it soon. He hasn't yet, but well be keeping you posted when he does. BEV The ceremony included the Arizona governor, fleet customers, and government officials apart from Nikolas executives. The plant should be able to manufacture 2,500 electric trucks in the factory in what the company calls Phase 1. Nikola is already building Phase 2, which will include the Tre FCEV in 2023 and should expand production capacity to 20,000 trucks per year in two shifts.Governor Doug Ducey praised the company for its achievement. He said that Nikola has become a driving force in Arizonas rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry. According to Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Nikola is a top employer in the region even after only getting started.The company has not disclosed how many customers are already getting the Tre BEV nor how many units will be delivered in this first shipment. In 2022, it already said it plans to produce between 300 to 500 trucks. Supply shortages are to blame for the low number.Despite that, Nikolas customers are in much better shape than Pepsico. In November 2021, Ramon Laguarta said the company was about to receive the Tesla Semi. Five months later, the Pepsico CEO is still waiting for them.According to Nikola, its factory in Ulm, Germany, is also complete. Curiously, the company said at its Capital Markets Day that the factory would only start making trucks by June 2023. In February, it said it expected to build and deliver 25 trucks to the Hamburg Port Authority in 2022. Well try to understand the steps for the German factory with the company.When the Ulm factory starts its operations at full throttle, it will be able to produce 2,000 units. If demand increases, Nikola can scale that to up to 10,000 electric trucks per year.Apart from the Tre, the company also bets on the Two FCEV. So far, Nikola has not talked much about its development, probably because Tre BEV and Tre FCEV sales will help fund it. Before that, Nikola also has to establish the hydrogen network it proposed to create, making the Two FCEV arrival a bit easier by 2025. As a long-hauler with up to 900 miles of range, it will need hydrogen stations strategically placed around the U.S. to make it a viable option in goods transportation. Meet the North American T-39, the militarized special edition of a medium-sized twin-engined passenger jet more suited to ferrying Jeff Bezos or Warren Buffett to their next $100,000 a seat banquet speech. In its cosey life as a private business jet, the twin-engined Saberliner garners its name from the uncanny silhouette resemblance to the glorious F-86 Saber jet fighter.Small wonder, as they were made by the very same company, with an almost assuredly substantial overlap in personnel between them no less. Unlike most American military planes, the Saberliner was an in-house project derived from a need to diversify its aircraft portfolio using readily existing supplies of aerospace-grade aluminum and other composite metals used in manufacturing later variants of the Saber fighter like the F-86F and K, and the still relatively new F-100 Super Saber.The Saberliner and its military VIP transport cousin both utilized revolutionary design features from a line of fighters stretching back to the days of the P-51. Chief among these still relatively novel trinkets included thin, swept-back wings forged into a near-perfect laminar flow shape famous for North American Aviation aircraft. Sure to cut through high subsonic air as cleanly as possible and remain perfectly stable while doing so. The airframe was offered in multiple cockpits and seating arrangements with extended fuselage options to accommodate them.Passenger-fairing jetliners produce a lot of drag. It's somewhat inherent in the design. No room for fancy office furniture or a conference room in a fuselage as thin as a pencil, of course. With the mentioned advancements in wing design, this twin-engined jet had a fighting chance. Not only was it a fast jet, but its fighter-derived aeronautic properties allowed it to be one of only a handful of business-jet class airframes to be certified to perform aerobatic maneuvers in private service. It's all thanks to fighter jet tech that trickled down into other sectors of aviation at a breakneck pace.The first prototype Saberliner took to the air for the first time on September 16, 1958. Of the 800 airframes from this lineage, a mere 200 were military T-39s. A slew of different engine options permeated the range of different utilities that the Saberliner class flew in support of. But at least in active military service, the T-39 sported twin Pratt & Whitney JT12/J-60 non-afterburning turbojets flinging 3,000 pounds (13 kN) of thrust each. Along with service to the Air Force, the Naval variant carried into battle the same radar seen on the McDonnell F3H-1 Demon carrier fighter. There was even a variant made with the same radar hardware as the Republic F-105 Thunderchief.One of the alternatives uses for the T-39 airframe was as a basic training airplane able to teach the operation of sea-faring aviation radar systems. Most famously, in training pilots for combat in the F-8 Crusader supersonic fighter-bomber and its APQ-94 radar system. While business jets have been modified to carry missiles and other offensive ordinance, most notably the Dassault Falcon , the T-39 likely did not have this ability.But for the last 60 years, the U.S. Military has struggled to find a reason to retire the nimble jet. With such wonderful flight characteristics for its type, you can understand why. Pilots stretching from the very early Cold War through Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq part I and II, and Afghanistan have sung the praises of the Saberliner, which itself was renamed the Rockwell Saberliner after Rockwell International acquired North American Aviation to spearhead its upcoming Space Shuttle Orbiter contract with NASA.Ironically, it's believed Osama Bin-Laden got his hands on a Civilanized T-39 converted to standard Saberliner specs during the Mujihadeen's guerrilla campaign against the invading Soviet Union. In a hideously cruel stroke of irony, this jet was used to ferry his military commanders to Kenya, where they promptly engaged American forces in neighboring Somalia.Its precise origins seem to originate from a sale from a California broker in 1992. The jet was most famous for overshooting the runway at Khartoum Airport in Sudan and promptly eating a faceful of desert sand, damaging it beyond repair. The circle of life, dear friends, right before our very eyes.Stay tuned for more from Limited Edition Month here on autoevolution. SUV This question has been answered in the past, yet most of the time, a four-door Jag served as a blank canvas. However, these renderings, sketched out by Theottle, build on the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and use styling of the new-gen Range Rover.Retaining the overall boxy shape of the Rolls, the digital illustrations portray the vehicle with the front end of the 2022 Range Rover, otherwise adapted to fit the new body. As a result, it has smaller headlights, grille, and front bumper, and rather surprisingly, it retains the skid plates at both ends.Out back, it is more Range Rover-y than Rolls-Royce-y, featuring the luxurys taillights, bumper, diffuser, and other stuff, also reshaped to fit the Ghosts body. Other novelties include the repositioning of the rear door hinges from the B to the C pillars, flush-mounted handles, front fender trim delete, and new wheels, also sourced from the high-rider. Road Rover emblems decorate the vehicle at both ends.Visually speaking, this Rover luxury sedan, which is nothing more than a rebodied Rolls-Royce Ghost, doesnt look appealing at all. Even if, by some miracle, JLR and Rolls-Royce, which is owned by the BMW Group, would ever join forces to give it a go, not many deep-pocketed enthusiasts would go for it. Because lets be honest, who wants a Rover that costs as much as a nice house in most parts of the civilized world than a real Rolls-Royce? Lets not forget about the models real competitors either, such as the Bentley Flying Spur and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which would inevitably be targeted by such an oddity. JAKARTA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Navy said Thursday that the authorities were strengthening supervision over export ships and would seize any of them trying to bring crude palm oil (CPO) out of the country. The supervision follows Indonesia's policy on the prohibition of exports of CPO, refined palm oil (RPO), refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm olein, palm oil mill effluent (POME) and used cooking oil that took effect as of Thursday. "As the president (Joko Widodo) has banned the CPO exports, we will seize all ships that try to bring CPO abroad. We keep in touch with related authorities," Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Yudo Margono told reporters. He said that more navy personnel have been deployed at the departure ports and distribution channel that are usually used for CPO exports. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has said the export ban would last until the price of cooking oil in the country has reached below 14,000 rupiahs (0.96 U.S. dollars) per liter. HMS Venturer is named after a submarine that was the first one to torpedo and annihilate another ship while they were both submerged. Ironically, this new frigate isnt meant to engage in anti-submarine warfare, like the Type 23 frigates its replacing and the new Type 26 ones. Together with its future four sisters, HMS Venturer will go on patrol missions, conduct counter-terrorism tasks, and offer a helping hand in case of disasters.This is what the future holds for the new Inspiration-class Type 31 warships . HMS Venturer is the one leading the way, soon to be followed by HMS Active, Formidable, Bulldog, and Cambel town. They will be replacing the aging Type 23 frigates alongside the new Type 26 frigates, also currently under construction. The new ships are longer, wider, and heavier than the Type 23 but a bit lighter and shorter than the Type 26.The new frigates are being built around the same area. The Rosyth dockyard in Scotland recently kicked off the construction of HMS Venturer. But the Venturer Hall is big enough to allow two frigates to be built side by side. Starting next year, the 6,000-ton military ship will be joined by its sister HMS Active for the, building process.These new warships will sport the advanced Sea Ceptor air defense missiles, in addition to a 57 mm gun and two 40 mm secondary guns. Cutting-edge sensors and computer systems will add to their prowess, while three Pacific 24 boats will be ready to be launched in no time, especially for counter-narcotics operations.The new Type 31 frigates are part of a larger government investment project unfolding over the next three years. As it is in most cases, while some are lobbying for a return to minimalistic, simple dwellings that are as close to nature as possible, others are taking a radically opposite approach, envisioning futuristic urban communities that are unlike anything thats been done before. Neom is one of the most recent projects of this kind, which is currently being built in the Tabuk province of Saudi Arabia.But theres no other floating city concept except for Oceanix Busan. UN-Habitat, the Busan Metropolitan City of the Republic of Korea, and Oceanix (a New York-based blue technology company) teamed up to create this futuristic city that is by no means a simple experiment, but a potential solution to a very serious problem.Land shortages and climate change are threatening the population of coastal cities. Rising sea levels and flooding are some of the most pressing issues that are affecting mega-cities around the world and the people who live there.In 2019, the partners decided to build a prototype with the help of a host city. Busan signed on in 2021. Its the second-largest city in the Republic of Korea and one of the most important maritime cities in the world. The BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group and SAMOO (Samsung) are the projects lead architects, which unveiled the design at the Second UN Roundtable on Sustainable Floating Cities.Oceanix will initially accommodate 12,000 people, but its meant to grow organically and eventually become the home of 100,000 people. Each floating platform is connected to the land via link-span bridges. They will integrate seamlessly with dozens of greenhouses and other productive outposts. The community is also meant to be completely sustainable, so it will feature zero waste and circular systems closed-loop water systems while generating all the emissions-free energy it needs. This pioneering prototype will unfold over 15.5 acres (6.2 hectares), with each neighborhood dedicated to a certain sector, such as lodging and research. Any parent would move mountains for their kids, or so they say. This parent, a carpenter by the name of Merrill Williams, used his carpenters skills to build a two-story, mobile family home for his two girls because, lets face it, moving mountains is not a particularly useful endeavor unless they stand in your way.In the process, Williams created what is believed to be one of the few double-deckers of the 50s in the United States, as well as the first trailer with a slide-out. This impressive trailer doesnt have a personalized name, so it goes by the 53 two-story Spartan Manor online. Shirley Wallace, its last known owner and one of Williams two daughters, calls it her childhood home Back in 2014, RVTravel correspondent Chuck Woodbury tracked down Shirley, in the hope to find out more about the iconic Californian double-deck trailer. On the occasion, he was able to film the only tour of the two-story Spartan, which you will find available below. All trace of the trailer seems to have been lost afterwards, but even so, to this day, it still pops up in RV-centric conversations online. With good reason, this custom build is considered the ultimate dream RV family or no family.Williams job as a finishing carpenter required him to travel throughout California constantly and, with a wife and two girls to take care of, he wasnt willing to leave them behind. In 1953, he bought a Spartan Manor, one of the trailers offered by the Oklahoma-based Spartan Aircraft Company. Initially specialized in building personal aircraft, and then offering a wider range of aircraft components, Spartan had reoriented towards the RV market in 1935, when oil tycoon J. Paul Getty bought a majority stake.The first Spartan Manor prototype was introduced in 1945, with the first production units rolling out that same year. An entire diverse lineup followed suit, so Spartan covered most segments of the booming market. The Manor model was just what the name implied: a proper home on wheels , with all the comforts of one and a price to match.The Manor served the Williams family for the first years but, by 1957, it had become clear that it was no longer enough for the growing girls. They slept on the couch in the rear, with the parents in the master bedroom at the front end. Williams decided and proceeded to expand the trailer upwards that same year.He bought parts from Spartan and built a second floor that housed the girls separate bedrooms. To give them the impression of separate rooms (as opposed to a loft) and more headroom, he dropped a section of the floor of the second story into the ground floor. Its what Shirley calls a box in the video below, located above the dining area and the fridge in the kitchen. This helps with keeping the trailer at 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) high, so it could still clear bridges and passageways.Inside, the Williams home offered a living room with the now-vacated couch, a dining area, and a full kitchen with double sink, stove and refrigerator. It even included a custom slide-out, which Williams build just so his wife would have room for her newly-acquired organ. The bathroom was also a full one, with sink and shower, and a toilet. For the conversion, the wardrobe in the master bedroom was sacrificed for the wooden stairway leading up to the girls rooms.When Shirley gave this tour, she and the double-decker Spartan had been reunited after many years. She lived in it between ages three and 16, when she left for college in 1969, and she traveled through several cities during this time. The trailer stayed with the family after that, but was sidelined once her mother passed away. When her father died too, Shirley brought the trailer and the 50s Chevy pickup that was used to tow it back to California.At the time of the tour, the Spartan was in need of a good clean-up and restoration, but still retained the homey feel, which offers a good appreciation of how awesome it mustve been back in the day. Whether it was ever restored or not is unknown, so just enjoy this for what is was: a beautiful example of skill and fatherly love, which turned a trailer into a beautiful custom home on wheels. kWh Speaking to Manager Magazin, the sources gladly explained that such a move would help the German automaker grow its market share in North America. Given the whole Dieselgate saga, its pretty obvious that the only way forward in the U.S. for the Volkswagen Group is going completely electric.The cited publication highlights that no final decision has been made, but [chairman of the board of management] Herbert Diess is determined to go on the offensive. In particular, the core brand has not been particularly successful in the U.S. so far, with a market share of 2.5 percent last year. Manager Magazin understands from stakeholders that Chattanooga will receive a second plant, expanding the yearly output to 600,000 vehicles. The construction of a battery plant near Chattanooga is also considered.Another explanation for this expanded footprint would be the Russo-Ukrainian war that affected many aspects of the automotive industry. Spreading the companys manufacturing operations would mitigate any unforeseen supply chain issue, and the United States is all the more appropriate in order to reduce the manufacturers dependence on the People's Republic of China.Weve been flooded with reports of an electric truck from the Volkswagen Group as of late. Its also understood that Audi considers an electric truck of its own, and Volkswagen has recently confirmed full electrification of the Ford Ranger-based Amarok. The ID. Buzz, on the other hand, presents a huge opportunity for the German automaker in the United States of America, thanks to the nostalgia factor and its uniqueness in the segment.As a brief refresher, the U.S. will receive a long-wheelbase variant with seating for up to seven people. Over in Europe, the ID. Buzz features a shorter wheelbase and five- or six-seat layouts for the passenger van. A panel van has also been presented. Regardless of configuration, the ID. Buzz has been confirmed with a rear-mounted electric motor with 201 ponies on tap, an 82-battery, and a top speed of 145 kph (90 mph). This is not the first time that people found dollar bills under their vehicle's windshield. In 2014, a Maryland assistant attorney general was informed of a case involving this tactic in Baltimore, while similar incidents were reported throughout Toledo, Ohio, in December 2021, according to Motorbiscuit . But what does it mean and what should you do if you happen to find a $100 bill on your windshield?Although the Police have not figured out what is the motive behind this, common sense should tell you that this definitely isnt your incredible luck at play. First off, the bill you see is not real, its a counterfeit. This has been already established in all reported cases. Police even warn that the counterfeit money will appear to look authentic, and may even feel authentic.Some think the bill is part of a scam to help carjackers steal your car. Indeed, most people would not notice the bill until they get behind the wheel and start the engine. They would probably then get off the car to take the bill from under the wiper. This moment would be golden for a carjacker who would board the car and drive off While really possible, there arent any reported cases of carjacking using this method , so this must not be it. Nevertheless, it does not hurt to be careful. The Police advice to stay away from the car and call 911 when you see the bill is a good precaution. If you see the bill after you enter the vehicle is best to just leave the area and deal with the bill later. As always, do not leave the vehicle while the key is in the ignition or the engine is still running.Others believe the fake bills are left there with the hope that ordinary citizens would use them at local businesses. If they are not arrested, the counterfeiters will know that their fake money is as good as the real thing, without risking being caught themselves. This is also just a supposition, as the NCSO has not received any reports of criminal activities related to the fake money, at least for now. But its best to just be careful. Armen Martirosian, the owner of the Antares publishing house, ran into the protesters on his way to a business meeting. Videos of the incident showed some of them hitting, shoving and verbally abusing him. Some people in the crowd probably recognized me, Martirosian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. They started shouting Antares, calling me a Turk, swearing. The Armenian police said on Thursday that they are investigating the incident. It was not clear whether anyone was questioned or detained by investigators. Martirosian said that riot police officers escorting the crowd did not protect him against the violence. He said that the police had also failed to act on threats received by him in the past. The publisher suggested that the main reason for the assault was one of his social media posts made shortly after Armenias defeat in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. He criticized at the time Armenian occupation of districts around Nagorno-Karabakh retaken by Baku as a result of the six-week war. He stood by the criticism on Thursday. Being in the territory of Kubatli (one of those districts) is not the same thing as being in the territory of Artsakh (Karabakh), Martirosian said. There is a big difference between them. The Yerevan rally marred by the attack on Martirosian was part of the Armenian oppositions preparations for mass protests against the government. Opposition leaders say they want to topple Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in order to prevent further concessions to Azerbaijan planned by him. Accordingly, they ruled out Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians resignation demanded by the countrys two leading opposition blocs. The Hayastan and Pativ Unem blocs began on Monday small-scale protests in preparation for mass demonstrations aimed at toppling Pashinian and preventing what they say are sweeping concessions to Azerbaijan planned by him. Pashinian signaled earlier this month his administrations readiness to recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity through a bilateral peace treaty. Critics say he is intent on helping Baku regain control of Karabakh. The premiers political allies deny this. Artur Hovannisian, a parliament deputy from Civil Contract, accused the opposition of exploiting the Karabakh issue for political purposes. This narrative ended after 2018, Hovannisian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. They are now trying to revive it because they have no legitimate source of coming to power -- namely, the peoples support -- because we can see that their actions are not accompanied by strong support from citizens. Hrachya Hakobian, another pro-government lawmaker and Pashinians brother-in-law, also said that the opposition forces will fail to unseat the current government. The [average] guy sitting at home and following their actions hears only negative messages and will not participate in those actions, he said. Both lawmakers rejected any parallels between the ongoing opposition campaign and the 2018 mass protests that brought Pashinian to power. Meanwhile, large groups of opposition members and supporters staged awareness marches, blocked streets and entered university campuses in Yerevan for the fourth consecutive day. Riot police stepped up arrests of protesters as they unblocked traffic through those streets. A spokesman for the Armenian police said that about 40 persons were detained by late afternoon. They were expected to be set free a few hours later. We must achieve the final result, Hayastans Gegham Manukian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service as he led a group of supporters that began marching to Yerevan from Armavir province in the morning. We must defend Artsakh, he said. We must defend Armenia and restore our security by ousting these authorities because these authorities are not capable of doing anything anymore. The opposition is scheduled its first major rally in Yerevan on Sunday. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today A mainly sunny sky. High 68F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. Low 43F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Aerial photo taken on April 23, 2022 shows the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) BELGRADE, April 28 (Xinhua) -- A decade of nerve-racking uncertainty has ended for Serbian graphic designer Jastra Jelacic with the recent inauguration of the newly upgraded railway line connecting her country's two largest cities. Jelacic, 36, said her commute to work used to be exhausting, and she was "losing a lot of time." The old rail service was unreliable: trains were often late, and breakdowns were a common occurrence. Accordingly, Jelacic could never predict how long the 80-km journey would take. Her career ties her to Belgrade, while she is a mother of two back home in Novi Sad. Jelacic became a commuter in 2013, when she was hired by the Belgrade office of Serbia's public broadcaster RTS. For years, she had to spend four or five hours each day to travel to and from work. Long stretches of the old railway line were single-track, and it could take really long to wait for the approaching trains to pass. Not any more. The new high-speed railway, part of the Chinese-built future rail link between Belgrade and Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has a design speed of 200 km per hour, reducing Jelacic's daily commute to a breeze. The inauguration ceremony of the upgraded 75-km Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the railway took place on March 19 with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in attendance. Vucic described the project as a veritable international effort: it is being built by Chinese and Russian companies, German firms are responsible for the surveillance equipment, and the trains are manufactured in Switzerland. Orban congratulated Serbia on the newly built railway, emphasizing the historically strong ties between the two countries. "In the past 70 years, we have been connecting countries in the east-west direction, and forgotten the importance of north-south connections," Orban said. "This resulted in an appalling situation that it took too many hours to get from Belgrade to Budapest. So, we made an alliance with President Vucic aiming to change this." For Jelacic and an estimated 8,000 of her compatriots, the inauguration of the new rail link was a life-changing event. "I feel more relaxed now, less tired," she said. "Like I'm not traveling at all!" In July 2018, Serbia signed a 943-million-euro (1 billion U.S. dollars) deal with China Railway International (CRI) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for the overhaul of the 108-km Novi Sad-Subotica section of the railway line. Since March 19, 1,140 trains -- 38 per day on average -- have served an estimated 221,700 travelers between Belgrade and Novi Sad. "I think that it is good that we are cooperating with China," Jelacic said. "Anything that does good for our country and will lead to improvement I support." Serbian graphic designer Jastra Jelacic enters the train station in Belgrade, Serbia, April 22, 2022. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) Aerial photo taken on April 23, 2022 shows the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) Aerial photo taken on April 23, 2022 shows the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) Aerial photo taken on April 20, 2022 shows the railway station of Novi Sad, Serbia. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) Aerial photo taken on April 23, 2022 shows the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 67F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Generally clear. Low around 45F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. KAMPALA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Health Ministry said Wednesday that people fully vaccinated will not be required to wear face masks where there are no crowds outdoors. While giving an update on the COVID-19 situation in the country, Health Minister Ruth Aceng told reporters that people whether vaccinated or not, while indoors or in closed spaces where social distancing cannot be achieved, must wear a face mask at all times. Aceng said vulnerable or high-risk population like the elderly and people living with comorbidities, irrespective of age, whether vaccinated or not, are supposed to wear face masks at all times. According to the health ministry, the easing of restrictions follows the sustained reduction of COVID-19 cases in the country. Figures from the ministry show that the country has sustained a low transmission with a positivity rate of less than 2 percent since February 2022. A woman testifying in a Beaumont quadruple homicide trial on Wednesday said, prior to the shooting, the defendant told her he was intending to kill. The capital murder trial of Lively Stratton Jr. resumed Wednesday in Jefferson Countys 252nd Criminal District Court. He is charged with capital murder after allegedly shooting his former roommates on Sept. 29, 2019 at a duplex in the 4100 block of Highland Avenue. Stratton pleaded guilty, and his Attorney Ryan Gertz says the killings happened in self-defense. Late Wednesday afternoon, Jefferson County District Attorney's Office Criminal Chief Prosecutor Ashley Molfino called for testimony from a woman who had been living with Stratton and the four now-deceased tenants he is accused of killing. The woman, a friend of Strattons, told the jury he had an argument over the phone with his former roommates the day before the killing. She and Stratton had just made a trip to the duplex when he saw someone had kicked in his door and taken his television while he was away at the motel. "Lively was upset. He was hurt, but he was calm," the woman said of Stratton after the phone call. She encouraged him to let it go and to not entertain the roommates over something that was "not that serious." The two returned to the duplex the next morning after checking out of the motel, but Stratton warned the woman not to go to the duplex. "He told me don't go to the house because he was going to kill them. I said, 'What?' He said, '(You) don't understand what I am about to do. I said, What did you say? And he said, I might kill them, and I said, No youre not. But the woman didnt take him seriously. Once they arrived at the duplex, she said, he again became upset as he realized his air conditioning unit was now also missing. She recalled Stratton getting "extremely mad." That's when he asked another person for a gun. Testimony was not clear when describing the other persons location. "That is when Lively walked to the room, he cocked the gun and knocked on the door," she said. "(Elijah Rideau) took a minute to open the door and finally when (Elijah) opened the door, they had words. It was not like a heated argument, they just had words, and that is when I just heard gunshots go off." Rideau, 34, and Alvin Lee Bellard, 32, died on the scene. Shannon Sutton, 23, and Bobby Wyatt, 39, were taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital where they later died. The woman testifying said she didnt hear arguing with the other three roommates, nor any physical fighting, or Stratton crying out for help. When asked, the woman confirmed she hadnt known Stratton to have exhibited such violence before the incident. She also confirmed Gertzs words that Stratton was more like a teddy bear. Similarly, the woman said she had never seen or heard any of the four men who were killed become aggressive or threaten each other with physical violence. The woman held back emotion at times during her testimony and took deep breaths as she recalled seeing the men's bodies as they left the scene of the shooting. She told the court that Stratton drove the car from the scene as she hid within it. During cross examination, Gertz shone light on the womans own involvement in the events, questioning her honesty in the process. Stratton turned himself in to police within four hours. The woman waited until police found her to speak with them, Gertz confirmed with her during questioning. He later accused her of lying to police, which she previously said was because she was afraid, and helping to get rid of the vehicle driven from the scene. Neither she, nor the man who provided the gun, have been charged with any crimes. Related: Quadruple homicide testimony begins with 9-1-1 call Earlier on Wednesday, the jury heard testimony from two law enforcement officials with the Beaumont Police Department and a forensic expert and a firearms expert from the Jefferson County Regional Crime Lab, all of whom were involved with the investigation. They talked to witnesses and documented evidence on the scene. A Texas Department of Public Safety forensic scientist also called by Molfino reported that the lab received five known DNA profiles, including that of Stratton and his four former roommates. Through DNA testing, a butterfly knife and folding knife found at the scene likely were linked to two of the now-deceased roommates, while a pillow and fitted sheets found in the vehicle suspected to have been driven away from the scene were likely linked to Stratton. Further testimony from a firearms analyst revealed that the gun used in the killings left shell casings behind evidence Gertz noted could suggest that the crime committed was not planned before Stratton arrived at the duplex on the day of the killings. So, if I wanted to present shell casing style evidence at, lets say an execution or something, I might use a revolver so that I dont have to worry about cleaning up the shell cases correct?" Gertz asked. The jury previously heard opening arguments and witness testimony on Tuesday. Throughout the day, Gertz told a jury that his client was acting in self-defense. He claims Stratton was attempting to recover stolen property from the duplex where he used to live when one of Stratton's former roommates pulled a knife, blocked the door and the deadly shooting occurred. The reality is that Lively shot and killed four assailants that were high on methamphetamine in a very small room, Gertz said. The state, led by Molfino, called on witnesses who heard the shooting and law enforcement officials who responded to the scene. She played 9-1-1 calls from people who lived nearby and presented graphic police body camera footage of the bloody scene. This is nothing more than an execution of four individuals on a Sunday in Beaumont, Texas, Molfino said. Related: No death penalty sought in Beaumont capital murder case The state already has waived the death penalty. If Stratton is found guilty, he will face a mandatory life sentence without parole. Stratton previously confirmed to the judge that he did not want to look at or discuss an offer that the state is willing to make. The trial will resume at 10 a.m. on Thursday. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/megzmagpie This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Twenty-four-year-old Lively Stratton Jr. took the stand in his own capital murder trial on Thursday afternoon. It was the final day of testimony given for a jury that ultimately will decide whether Stratton is guilty of capital murder in the quadruple homicide of his former roommates in 2019. For nearly two hours, Stratton testified. He said he killed each of the four men in self-defense. He also denied testimony from a woman, who claimed he told her he was going to kill the men. They were all closing me in, and I felt like they were trying to harm me, Stratton said, recalling the Sunday shooting. This week, Jefferson County District Attorney's Office Criminal Chief Prosecutor Ashley Molfino has worked to prove that Stratton murdered his former roommates because he was angry with them for allegedly stealing his belongings while he stayed at a motel. She described it as nothing more than execution on a Sunday in Beaumont. Defense attorney Ryan Gertz argues Stratton was attacked by four assailants high on methamphetamine while he attempted to retrieve his belongings. On Thursday, Stratton told the jury that he worked as a security guard while he lived at the duplex with the woman who testified Wednesday and the four now-dead men. On the Friday and Saturday before the Sept. 29 fatal shooting, Stratton and the woman went to stay at a motel because hot water and gas had been cut off at the duplex. He noticed his locked door had been kicked in and had television had been stolen when the two stopped by that Saturday evening. Later that night, he confirmed, he had an argument over the phone with the men. Stratton said he was upset, but he said he did not stew over the matter. He went to sleep. Its not a good feeling when you work hard for your stuff and someone takes what you worked hard for, Stratton said. Stratton said the story the states witness gave up to this point was accurate. Then, the testimonies begin to diverge. After Stratton and the woman checked out of the motel on Sunday, Stratton said, he told the woman he was going to get his stuff. He said he never mentioned he was going to kill the men nor instructed her not to drive back to the duplex. When asked what the female witness would have gained by testifying that Stratton told her he was going to kill the men before the shooting, he said she may have been trying to save herself from getting in trouble. But the state argued the women could have found herself in trouble for her testimony. We either have to believe you or have to believe her, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Phillip Smith Jr. said while cross examining Stratton later. A third person joined the pair to help move his stuff. When the three returned to the apartment, Stratton realized his air conditioner and other belongings were now also missing from his bedroom. Stratton said he owned a gun that was in the other mans backpack, which Stratton asked for shortly after returning to the apartment. He denied cocking the gun, which he said already had a bullet in the chamber. Stratton said he put the gun in his pocket and went to ask the men about his belongings. I wanted to protect myself just in case anything happened, Stratton said. Stratton told the jury he entered a room with his four former roommates and approached one of them, Elijah Rideau, who became defensive and asked for a knife. He said Alvin Bellard closed the door. There was a wooden block on the wall that he had moved over the door essentially locking me in there, Stratton said. He said he asked them what was going on before feeling absolute fear as he believed the men were going to harm him. I turned and faced Alvin as he was moving towards me and at that time, I pulled the firearm out of my pocket I just shot, Stratton said. Stratton said he turned around and shot Rideau, who Stratton said was in his space, and then proceeded to shoot Shannon Sutton and Bobby Wyatt because they were getting closer. When asked why he didnt call police, he said he was afraid they would treat him like a criminal. Stratton also confirmed that he thought the 11 shots, including five to the head, were reasonable. He didnt know at the time which men werent armed, but he did know at least two men had a knife, and he said he shot more than once to make sure they didnt get up to harm him. Smith then questioned Strattons testimony based on autopsy results, gunshot wounds and the location of the bodies, which largely were detailed by Chief Forensic Pathologist Selly Strauch River earlier in the day. Rivers said all the men had been shot multiple times and each had been shot in the head. Two of the men died on the scene, while two others later died at the hospital. Gertz used the testimony to attempt to show that none of the men were cowering or executed from behind. Smith worked to reiterate that the men were found in different positions and bullet wounds went in a different direction than would support what Stratton previously testified. How can you shoot a man in the ear if hes advancing toward you? Smith asked. Related: Witness claims capital murder defendant intended to kill before quadruple homicide Rivers confirmed the toxicology report returned positive results for multiple street drugs, including the stimulant methamphetamine and the psychoactive cannabinoid Delta 9 THC. She could not determine the exact time frame of when the drugs were consumed or how it would have affected individual behavior. However, she confirmed to Gertz that the drugs are generally capable of causing hallucinations, aggressive behavior and irrational reactions. Although, she noted to Molfino, the drugs could counteract due to the opposite possible effects. Related: No death penalty sought in Beaumont capital murder case When asked about his decisions following the shooting, Stratton said he changed his clothes because he was planning to turn himself into police. He said he did not try to get rid of the evidence. Stratton told Smith that he put the gun in a car used to leave the scene. He said the car and the gun were moved by someone else and that it was not at his instruction. You didnt go change clothes, move the gun and get rid of all the evidence? Smith asked. You didnt put your clothes in the trash can? No sir, Stratton said. Earlier this week, the jury also heard testimony from members of law enforcement, watched police body camera footage from the scene and listened to forensic experts about the documented evidence. No more witnesses are expected to take the stand. The state already has waived the death penalty. If Stratton is found guilty, he will face a mandatory life sentence without parole. Stratton previously confirmed to the judge that he did not want to look at or discuss an offer that the state is willing to make. The trial will resume with closing arguments at 9 a.m. Friday in the 252nd Criminal District Court. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/megzmagpie In the time and reign of Idi Amin in Uganda (1971 1979), the challenges to Bishop Festo Kivengere (AE East African Team Leader and Co- Leader with Michael of AE) and the churches other Bishops were immense and frightening. Amin became one of the most brutal dictators of the 20th Century and some 400 000 people were slaughtered during his reign. He started out looking like a benevolent dictator and Festo and the other Bishops sort of tolerated him but gradually he became more and more brutal and he made life cheaper and cheaper. Those who opposed him were ruthlessly assassinated and multitudes were disappeared, as locals put it. So the major requirement in Festo, other Bishops and the Church as a whole was courage in facing the dictators threat. All of this raised very acutely the assorted issues relating to Church and State. And how long and how far the Church continues as per Romans 13:1, to submit to the powers that be. Clearly Festo could not sanction revolution or attempt to see the dictator overthrown violently, but clearly they had to figure out at what point the Church could no longer sanction submission to state brutality. Festo and his colleagues knew that Jesus had said render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods.(Mark 12:17) The challenge for Festo and others was to discern at what point Caesar was asking people to render to himself the things that were Gods. In early 1980 Archbishop Janani Luwum (who was also AEs Ugandan chairman), Festo and the other Anglican Bishops drew up a very bold document challenging Amin about his behaviour and where he was taking the country. This infuriated Amin and he ordered the assassination of Lawum in cold blood. It was clear that Festo had now become no. 1 on Amins hit list and all the local Christian brethren urged Festo and Mera to flee at once. This they did through forest tracks leading to the base of the mountains separating Uganda from Rwanda. Festo and Mera courageously trekked up the mountainsides during the night till finally they crossed the border into Rwanda where they received a huge welcome. Cries for help Festo and Mera then went through to our office in Nairobi which they found flooded with Ugandan exiles and cries for help. The new challenge now was to Festos heart and conscience as to what his response would be to these exiles. Because Festo was so well known and so well loved these exiles turned to him and to AE rather than to major aid agencies. There and then effectively, Festo and AE Kenya / Unganda launched RETURN (Relief, Education and Training for Ugandan Refugees Now). In the end this program ran for several years and AE funded over 300 International University scholarships for Refugees who qualified. Some later ended up in new governments in Uganda and felt they owed much to AE. Festo and Mera then travelled on via London to AEs office in California. But in London Festo faced and awesome spiritual challenge in terms of his attitude as a Christian to Idi Amin who had terrorised his country, sought to kill him personally and driven him and his wife into exile. In a Good Friday service at John Stotts All Souls Church, Langham Place , London, Festo and Mera attended a Good Friday service. Festos heart was filled with bitterness, almost hatred, towards Idi Amin but in the sermon Festo heard Jesuss words from the cross: Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. The voice of the Lord Festo then heard the voice of the Lord saying to him: My son, if Amin had been in that circle of soldiers crucifying me, would I have said Father, forgive them all, except this big Ugandan below me. Festos response became determinative for the rest of his life as he responded to Jesus saying Lord, I am here and now forgiving Idi Amin. Immediately he felt a huge release in his soul and he was flooded with the joy and peace of the Lord. For the rest of Festos days the message of forgiveness and reconciliation became even more central to his whole life and being and ministry. His new posture even led him into writing a small book called I love Idi Amin. A reporter in a press conference asked him how on earth he could write a book with this title. Replied Festo: I may not like Idi Amin but if I am a Christian believer I am obliged to forgive him, love him with Christs love, and want the highest and best for his life. Another reporter asked: If you were standing face to face with Amin, and someone gave you a revolver, what would you do? Well, replied Festo, I would hand the revolver back and say this is not my weapon. My weapon is love. The next big challenge Festo faced in conjunction with our USA board was to be practical and raise vast sums of money for the ever developing needs in Uganda. Warwick Olson, then director of AE, Australia, proceeded to launch and AE office first in Australia and then in UK though which these Ugandan monies could be channelled to the needs back in that country. Mission travel Through these years of Festos exile from Uganda, Michael travelled with him in many places ranging from USA and Canada through to Australia, several countries of Latin America, Egypt, Liberia (West Africa), and even South Africa. Festos message of love and forgiveness melted hearts everywhere and Michael felt ever after the immensity of the privilege he had had of ministering around the world with this great brother. Festo died from Leukaemia in 1988 and he and Michael had a very poignant time together in their last meeting in a Nairobi hospital. Michael and most of the other team leaders and board chairs travelled in a chartered plane with Festos coffin back to Uganda for the funeral in Namirembe Cathedral where Michael was one of the main speakers. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Firefighters have been making significant progress Wednesday on the biggest wildfires burning unusually hot and fast for this time of year in the western United States. But forecasters from the Southwest to the southern High Plains warned of the return the next two days of the same gusty winds and critical fire conditions that sent wildland blazes racing across the landscape last week. Some of the nearly 1,000 firefighters battling the biggest fire in drought-stricken New Mexico cut away brush and burned out any extra fuel Wednesday ahead of increased danger forecast Thursday into the weekend. That allowed crews to dig fire lines around about a third of what has become the largest wildfire burning in the U.S. now 94 square miles (245 kilometers) and keep flames from reaching mostly rural homes and ranches that are still in its path northeast of Santa Fe. Another great day on the fire line," federal fire incident commander Carl Schwope said Wednesday night. Fire personnel are making great progress, he told residents at a community meeting in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where numerous rural communities in the nearby mountains remain under evacuation orders. But he quickly emphasized the success could be short-lived because hotter, drier, windier weather should return Thursday and Friday. This fire still has tremendous potential to move and still has a lot of danger, he said. We have a couple of critical fire days still ahead." The most critical fire danger remains the next two days across practically the entire state of New Mexico, according to the National Weather Service. The elevated-risk area stretches all the way from Arizonas border with California and Nevada into the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, the service said late Wednesday. Some light precipitation added moisture to bone dry fuels in the Southwest early this week. But stiffening winds Wednesday likely dried out most of the fine fuels, which are are expected to be borderline critically dry on Thursday, the service said. San Miguel County Sheriff Chris Lopez said at Wednesday night's briefing about the fires east of Santa Fe that they're refining evacuation strategies they were forced to quickly implement last week as they review weather modeling of the incoming conditions. It doesnt mean it will happen but it could happen, just like we saw when this fire blew up," he said. The danger is present and its very real. Authorities said Wednesday they continue to work on damage assessments but haven't been able to access some areas that are still hot and it's not yet safe to let some evacuees return to their homes. We have containment around the fire's edge, but there's still stuff that's burning inside and we still have a wind event we are waiting for Friday and Saturday, Lopez said. We have to make sure that everything is good enough that I can make decision and know you'll be safe if we let you back in there, he said.. The Southwest has been bearing the brunt of large fires, with five incident management teams assigned, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. One complex incident management team was overseeing a large fire in southwest Nebraska. More than 200 firefighters in that state were battling a prairie fire that has been burning since last week. About 65 square miles (168 square kilometers) of mostly grasses and farmland have been blackened near the Kansas line, several homes have been destroyed and at least one person was killed. The fire was about three-quarters contained Wednesday. In Arizona, crews on Wednesday worked to contain two major wildfires, with firefighters gaining ground on containment of a blaze in the Prescott National Forest after winds on Tuesday pushed the fire outward. Near Flagstaff, crews patrolled burned areas of a different large fire and looked for hot spots amid milder weather. Nationally, large fires have burned more than 1,688 square miles (4,372 square kilometers) this year, putting the U.S. on track to far outpace the 10-year average. The pressure on firefighters is not likely to let up anytime soon. Climate outlooks indicate likely below normal precipitation from Texas through the southern Rockies and Great Basin, with above normal temperatures likely across much of the U.S into summer. ___ Beck reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Paul Davenport in Phoenix and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's chief lawyer has been approved as U.S. attorney based in Grand Rapids. Mark Totten's nomination was approved by the Senate on Wednesday, five months after he was picked by President Joe Biden. The Western District covers more than half of Michigan's counties, from the Upper Peninsula to the Indiana border. Totten is a passionate public servant who will do a phenomenal job as a U.S. attorney, Whitmer said. It's not known what role Totten will have in decisions about further prosecuting two people in a plot to kidnap Whitmer. A jury acquitted Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta but couldn't reach a unanimous verdict for Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. There is a process the (Justice Department) follows for decisions like those, and that process will be followed here, spokeswoman Breane Warner said in an email Thursday. Andrew Birge, who was U.S. attorney when the trial ended on April 8, suggested that Fox and Croft would face a second trial. Totten, who has a degree from Yale Law School, has experience in federal law and federal court. He also taught law at Michigan State University. Totten was the Democratic nominee for attorney general in 2014 but lost to Bill Schuette. King Middle School will have a new principal for the 2022-23 school year. Green Dot Public Schools, the Los Angeles-based charter school operator that took over King almost two years ago, announced Wednesday that Marian Williams will step into the top job after Principal Julia Rich last month announced she'd resign at the end of the year. Williams, who is currently the principal for Kirby Middle School in Memphis, Tennessee -- also operated by Green Dot -- will begin her role as principal of King in June. RELATED: King Middle principal to resign at end of school year Williams was selected for the role through a "competitive process" which included input from teachers, staff and regional leadership, according to a news release. "I am thrilled to be joining this community," said Williams in the news release. "I am looking forward to supporting middle schoolers here with the same passion I bring to my current school now. I'm looking forward to growing our students' academic success together with our whole community." While at Kirby, Williams was recognized as "Principal of the Year" in 2020 and oversaw the school's transition from being in the botton 5% of schools in Tennessee to an award-winning middle school in Memphis, with "dramatic" improvements, the news release said. RELATED: Beaumont schools working to avoid need for more charter partners "We are thrilled to welcome Marian to Beaumont," said Executive Director of Green Dot Public Schools Southeast Texas Cliff Claflin in the announcement. "We can't wait to see the great things to come from her leadership at King Middle School." Beaumont ISD partnered with Green Dot Public Schools to prevent King Middle School from being taken over by the state after more than four years of failing accountability scores at the campus prior to COVID-19. "We are impressed with Ms. Williams' track record of improved outcomes for students and enthusiasm for the work ahead," said BISD Chief Innovation Officer Anetra Cheatham in the release. "We look forward to an outstanding partnership and great opportunities for our students." olivia.malick@hearst.com twitter.com/OliviaMalick This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Vietnam veteran Donald Smart stood before six members of the Pipkin Park Honor Guard last weekend -- in his hands a worn and folded flag, the colors now a pale version of its old glory. Thirty-seven men died for this flag, he told them. Retire it properly. The column processed toward one of two steel drums where steady flames fueled by nearby propane tanks were stationed in an open field outside the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum Saturday. Guard member Rubin Rao clutched the flag at his heart during the procession, then dropped it into the drum. It was the first of hundreds the honor guard, members of Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 292 and Vets for Vets members, would retire that day, but it was one that carried a deep historical significance, Smart explained. This flag was on the USS Stark, which in 1987 was hit by two Iraqi missiles, killing 37 sailors, he said. A local woman was part of the crew that cleaned up the wreckage. She picked up the flag and saved it all this time. Recently, she brought it to Smart, telling him, its time to retire it properly, he recalled. Related: USS Stark remembered 30 years later That time finally came Saturday. Its been two years since the group has performed the flag retirement ceremony due to the pandemic - the mass of boxes and bags filled with old flags assembled nearby a testament to the years spent awaiting their moment of honorable discharge from service. Smart and fellow VVA members had no idea how many flags theyd amassed in that time. Its two pick-up truckloads, though, he said. The burning of flags is not an act of disrespect or protest, said Vets for Vets member Seth Wells, as he addressed the small crowd gathered for the ceremony, including Congressman Randy Weber and his wife Brenda. In 1937, the VFW said the best way to retire a flag is to burn it honorably. This is for the love of our country and the beauty she represents, Wells said. Know that right now someone is sweating and bleeding to defend that flag. Wells called the USS Stark flag an unbelievable piece of American history. That flag is just as important as the ones that fly over the nations Capitol, over our courthouses, over our schools. Were honored to retire it (and others) properly today. Soon after the USS Stark flag was consumed in the flames of the first fiery drum, an assembly line of honor guard members and veterans formed, working together to retire the pile sitting nearby. Their hands gloved for protection, they draped the flags one by one over the ends of long metal rods, careful not to let them touch the ground, before lowering them into the flame. An open panel at the bottom of each drum offered a final glimpse of stars and stripes still visible through the flames before succumbing to the fire and turning to ash. Overhead, two clouds of smoke billowed from the grounds throughout the afternoon as flag after flag, including Texas state flags, were retired. It was a sight rarely seen at the museum, where a giant plume of water, not smoke and flames, is a more common occurrence. But it was a moment of which museum director Troy Grey was proud to be a part. This is the first time we ever did something like this here, Gray said, adding, Were very honored this was done at the museum. kbrent@beaumontenterprise.com Its one of the more unusual names youve ever heard for a law the tampon tax but it highlights a problem in state tax policies. Even in these modern times, women and girls are still subject to sales taxes that are not levied in an equivalent way on men and boys. The states tax policy should not have any of that; it should be as neutral as possible when it comes to gender, race, religion, etc. In this case, coalition of menstrual health organizations is asking the state Comptrollers Office to end the sales tax on tampons, sanitary pads and other hygienic products. The reason is twofold. First, it isnt just because women and girls use these products and men and boys dont. Its because men and boys get tax breaks on certain products used only by their gender, such as libido enhancers or prostate vitamins. If males get tax benefits like that, females should get similar breaks on products they use. Secondly, the state tax code already exempts other wound care dressings, defined items such as gauze or adhesive bandages that absorbs wound drainage, protects healing tissue, maintains a moist or dry wound environment (as appropriate), or prevents bacterial contamination. Tampons and similar menstrual products fall into this general category and thus should be tax-exempt too. State lawmakers in recent session have tried to pass bills addressing this issue but have not succeeded. Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, who chairs the Texas Womens Health Caucus, has filed a bill every session since 2017. In 2021, a bill finally got out of committee but never made it to the House floor. That was the most progress any such bill has made in the Legislature. We can do better. Nineteen other states have exempted menstrual products from their sales taxes, and five other states do not levy a sales tax at all. The Comptrollers Office estimated in 2021 that this bill would cost the state about $42 million in lost revenue in each two-year budget cycle. Thats not a huge amount of money in a $112 billion budget, but the equity issue remains. Lawmakers should either end the sales tax on menstrual products or add it for male products such as libido enhancers. When the next regular session of the Legislature convenes in January, lawmakers should resolve this problem once and for all. It wont be the most important item they deal with, but its one they can address to show all Texans that they will treated as equally and fairly as possible. Rangers carry a captured Sumatran tiger in Lurah Ingu, a village in West Sumatra, Indonesia, Dec. 7, 2020. The Indonesian government estimates that around 600 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild. With the lunar Year of the Tiger well under way, various assessments show that only a few thousand tigers at the most are surviving in South and East Asia. Tigers once ranged from Eastern Turkey and the Caspian Sea to the south of the Tibetan plateau eastward to Manchuria and the Sea of Okhotsk. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), tigers were also found in northern Iran, Afghanistan, the Indus Valley of Pakistan, and the islands of Java and Bali. Today, the Swiss-based WWF says that rampant poaching and unchecked habitat destruction have shrunk the tigers range by more than 95 percent. At the beginning of the 20th century, wild tigers are said to have numbered some 100,000. The total number of wild tigers has declined to as few as 3,200, with more than half of them to be found in India. In India, its against the law to attempt to kill an endangered tiger except in self-defense or by the special permission granted by a wildlife protection act. Offenders face a minimum of three years in prison unless the tiger was deemed a man-eater by a court. Of the 13 tiger-range nations of the world, seven Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam are located in Southeast Asia. In 2010, the governments of 13 countries where tigers still roam met for the first time in St. Petersburg. There they committed themselves to a doubling of the population of wild tigers by 2022, the Lunar New Year of the Tiger. Debbie Banks with the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), which also has offices in Washington, says criminal gangs capture wild tigers and sell their bones and pelts, which can be processed into luxury home decor items. The bones are also sometimes used for medicinal purposes despite a lack of scientific evidence that this remedy works as claimed. The largest markets for these items appear to be found in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Although the health claims associated with tiger body parts are dubious, the benefits of wild tigers to their surrounding environment are widely accepted by scientists. According to the WWF, wild tigers play an important role in maintaining the harmony of the planets ecosystems. Tigers prey on herbivores, such as cows, deer and sheep, which feed on forest vegetation. They thus help to preserve vegetation that can be consumed by humans. The WWF also notes that tigers are incredibly adaptable and can survive in vastly diverse habitats under extreme temperatures. That characteristic gives some cause for optimism. The tenacity of tigers may be enough for the species to avoid extinction, if only humans stop killing them. Dan Southerland is the founding executive editor of Radio Free Asia (RFA), the parent company of BenarNews. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left) and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi talk during a photo session at last years G-20 summit, at the La Nuvola in Rome, Oct. 30, 2021 Indonesia on Thursday declined to confirm that it had invited Ukraine to the G-20 summit despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys tweet the day before thanking President Joko Jokowi Widodo for the invite. Separately, the White House said Wednesday it too had not received news from Indonesia about an invitation to Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but reiterated that invader nation and G-20 member Russia shouldnt be asked to the summit, while non-member Ukraine should be. On Thursday, Jokowi confirmed he had spoken to Zelenskyy a day earlier, but did not refer to the November G-20 summit being held in Bali. Indonesia is this years president of the Group of 20 of the worlds largest economies. Yesterday I spoke to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. I reiterated Indonesias support to any efforts for peace negotiations to succeed and stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance, Jokowi said via Twitter. Dian Triansyah Djani, a senior Indonesian foreign ministry official, confirmed that Jokowi and Zelenskyy had spoken over the phone. The outcome of the discussions between the two heads of state will be announced directly by the palace, was all he said. However, on Wednesday, Zelenskyy had tweeted saying Jokowi had invited him to the November G-20 summit. Had talks with President Jokowi. Thanked [him] for the support of [Ukrainian] sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular for a clear position in the UN. Food security issues were discussed. Appreciate inviting me to the G-20 summit. Also on Wednesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that she had read reports on Zelenskyys statement about the invitation but had not heard from Indonesia about it. Well, weve seen the reports that President Zelenskyy has been invited to the G-20. And we certainly welcome that. But we dont have further confirmation beyond the news reports, which we certainly think are positive, she told reporters. Psaki also noted that President Joe Biden said last month that Ukraine should be able to participate in the G-20 summit. And as he also said last month he doesnt think Russia should be invited, but, ultimately, its a decision for the G-20, she said. And weve reached out, of course, to Indonesia, as you noted, whos hosting the summit. But we dont have any other additional details. Zelenskyys announcement about being invited to the meeting in Bali may have broken protocol. It came four days after he unilaterally announced that the U.S. secretaries of state and defense were coming to Kyiv the next day for meetings with him. Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin met with him in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday, but the Biden administration kept their visit shrouded in secrecy ahead of time, according to news reports. Biden had told reporters last month in Brussels that Russia, which invaded neighbor Ukraine on Feb. 24, should be expelled from the G-20. And I raised the possibility, if that cant be done if Indonesia and others do not agree, then we should, in my view, ask to have both Ukraine be able to attend the meetings, as well as well, basically Ukraine being able to attend the G20 meetings and observe. The U.S. went a step further on April 6, saying that it would boycott some of the groups meetings if Russian officials attended, which it then did later in the month. On April 20, several nations, including Ukraine and the United States, walked out when Russian officials addressed a G-20 meeting convened by Indonesia in Washington. Indonesia had invited all members, including Russia, to attend the groups meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs in Washington on that day. Kowtowing to the United States demand On Tuesday, Bloomberg news service reported that the U.S. and some other countries were frustrated with Indonesia, so far, not having withdrawn an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G-20 summit, and were therefore pressing Jakarta to invite Ukraine as a guest. Asked about the possibility of Putin attending the G-20 summit, Dian, the senior Indonesian foreign ministry official, said Thursday: The summit is still a long way off. This will be answered in time. Hikmahanto Juwana, an international law lecturer at the University of Indonesia, said inviting Ukraine to the G-20 summit would be a wise decision. This should be welcomed. Thats better than kowtowing to the United States demand for Russia to be expelled from the G-20, Hikmahanto told BenarNews. Indonesia should seek assurances from the U.S. and its allies that they would not boycott the G-20 summit if Russia is represented, he said. Likewise, Indonesia should ask Russia to accept Ukraines participation in the summit, he added. Nanto Sriyanto, an international political observer at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said the Ukraine issue would test Indonesias presidency of the G-20. Indonesia must be able to navigate the interests of Russia and those of countries that are against Russia so that the G-20 meeting can proceed well, Nanto told BenarNews. Nanto said the United Nations was the right forum to discuss the Ukrainian-Russia conflict, while the G-20 was established as an economic grouping. Indonesia would do well to stick to the G-20s purpose, by for example focusing the discussions on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global economic stability, Nanto said. Indonesia had voted for a U.N. General Assembly resolution that condemned Moscows military strike on Ukraine. But, at the same time, Jakarta has not directly criticized Russia or used the word invasion. Arie Firdaus in Jakarta contributed to this report. An aerial view shows Itu Aba, which the Taiwanese call Taiping, in the South China Sea, Nov. 29, 2016. China has reacted strongly against Taiwans alleged plans to extend a runway on the contested Taiping Island in the South China Sea, saying it was playing with fire. Taiwanese media reported last week that the islands military is planning to lengthen the existing 1,150-meter-long (3,778-feet-long) airstrip by 350 meters (1,448 feet) so that it will be able to accommodate F-16 fighter-jets and P-3C anti-submarine aircraft. Taiwanese officials have yet to confirm the plans, reported by United Daily News, a conservative Taiwanese newspaper. But recent satellite imagery suggests some kind of changes on the ground at the western tip of Taiping, which is located in the north-western part of the Spratly Islands. Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, is the biggest natural feature in the Spratlys. It is currently occupied by Taiwan but is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. On Wednesday, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for Beijings Taiwan Affairs Office, warned Taipei about the Taiping extension plan. Any attempt to collude with external forces and betray the interests of the Chinese nation is playing with fire and will surely be punished by both sides of the [Taiwan] Strait, the state-run China News Service (CNS) quoted him as saying. It will be rejected by the people and punished by history, he said. The island, officially considered a rock under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is named after the warship Taiping that China sent to take over the island after Japan surrendered at the end of World War II. It has been under Taiwans control since 1956. Inherent territory Ma Xiaoguang was quoted as saying that the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), including Taiping Island, are Chinas inherent territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters. On Thursday, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Chinas statement, saying the islands in the South China Sea belong to the Republic of China (ROC or Taiwan), and the Taiwanese government's determination to defend the sovereignty of the islands in the South China Sea has never wavered, the islands news agency CNA reported. The ministry however did not confirm nor deny the alleged runway extension. Taiwans air force earlier declined to comment. Taiwan, Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, are all claimants of the South China Sea, but China holds the most extensive claim of nearly 90 percent of the sea, demarcated by the so-called nine-dash line. The U-shaped demarcation line was actually first introduced in 1947 by the ROC and it is now being used by both Taiwan and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC or China) to back their claims in the South China Sea. An international tribunal in the case brought against China by the Philippines in 2016 rejected the Chinese historical claims in the South China Sea and invalidated the U-shaped line. Both Taiwan and the PRC refused to accept the ruling. Taiwan was not party to the case but its claims in the South China Sea are similar to those of China. Satellite photos Satellite imagery taken on March 24 and April 23, 2022, appears to show topographical changes at the western end of Taiping Island over the past month. Credit: EO Browser, Sinergise Ltd. Taiping, located 1,500 km (930 miles) from Taiwan and 850 km (530 miles) from the Philippines, is under the administration of Kaohsiung Municipality. The current runway was only built in 2008. Proposed plans to develop the infrastructure on Taiping Island were criticized by the other two claimants the Philippines and Vietnam as stoking tensions in the disputed South China Sea. Last week, a Beijing-based Chinese think-tank said it had obtained new evidence of the runway extension plan. The South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI) said satellite imagery obtained via the satellite data provider Sentinel Hub shows that reclamation work has begun on the western tip of Taiping Island, supporting the news about the island's intention of extending the existing airstrip to 1,500 meters. Satellite photos from Sentinel taken on March 24 and April 23 and seen by Radio Free Asia show noticeable differences in the topography of the western areas of the island. RFA is the parent company of BenarNews. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense declined to comment when asked by RFA. In March, the Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-Cheng said that Taiwan had no intention of militarizing Taiping despite reports that China had completed building military facilities on three artificial islands nearby. Filipino Catholic priest Flavie Villanueva stands next to a cardboard cutout of jailed opposition Sen. Leila de Lima during an election campaign rally in Manila, April 23, 2022. A key witness in the Philippine governments case against Sen. Leila de Lima, a jailed politician and arch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, recanted his statement implicating her in the narcotics trade, according to a court document made public Thursday. De Lima, a leading voice of the opposition, is running for re-election in next months national polls from her prison cell. She has been incarcerated since 2017 on what she insists are trumped-up charges that she had received funds from illegal drug syndicates. Kerwin Espinosa, a confessed drug lord and one of the witnesses against de Lima, apologized to the senator and cleared her of any wrongdoing, according to the court papers. Any and all of his statements given during the Senate hearings, or in the form of sworn written affidavits, against Sen. Leila de Lima are not true, read Espinosas counter-affidavit, which his lawyer filed at the Department of Justice. He has no dealings with Sen. de Lima and has not given her any money at any given time, it said. Earlier statements linking de Lima to the drug trade are false and were the result only of pressure, coercion, intimidation and serious threats to his life and family members from the police who instructed him to implicate the senator into the illegal drug trade, it added. In Manila, the presidential palace did not immediately comment Thursday on the news about the witnesss recanting of the statement against de Lima. In her former role as head of the Philippines Commission on Human Rights, an independent constitutional body investigating human rights violations, de Lima angered Duterte by investigating reports of extrajudicial killings by a death squad that he allegedly had set up when he was the mayor of Davao City. One of Dutertes first official acts after being elected president in 2016 was to go after de Lima. He publicly shamed her as she moved to mount a Senate inquiry into the killings linked to the drug war. De Lima has been locked up since February 2017 over allegations, which she denies, that she received payoffs from drug traffickers when she served as the countrys justice secretary. There are three drug-related cases against de Lima. Last year, a court acquitted her of one of the cases against her. Other witnesses called to recant statements Espinosas lawyer, Raymund Palad, told the local television network ABS-CBN that his client had signed the affidavit in front of him at the heavily guarded prison facility in Metro Manilas Bicutan district. Basically, he is recanting whatever statements he claimed against de Lima, Palad said Thursday. De Limas lawyer, Filibon Tacardon, said Espinosas statement proved that the Duterte administration had fabricated evidence against the senator. We have always believed that no matter the lies perpetrated by coerced witnesses, in the end, the truth will still come out, Tacardon said in a statement. We hope that other witnesses will also come out and confess how they were intimidated, coerced and bribed into making false testimonies against the good senator and, if possible, name those who actively participated in coercing them to come up with such ridiculous narratives against the good senator, the lawyer said. Espinosa went into hiding after his father, Rolando Espinosa, surrendered to the authorities to clear his name but was killed while in police custody in November 2016. The elder Espinosa, who was the mayor of central Albuera town, had alleged links to the drug trade. Police said he pulled a weapon on officers searching his jail cell, which provoked a shootout that resulted in his death. The son was later caught in the Middle East. He admitted to being a drug trafficker during a public inquiry at the Senate where he testified against de Lima. Free the senator Vice presidential candidate Walden Bello, an academic who is also among Dutertes top critics, urged the government to free de Lima. One of the key elements of my campaign has been the unconditional release of this long-suffering victim of a frame-up based on nothing else but the presidents vindictiveness. Release Sen. de Lima now, he said. Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, who is seeking a seat in the Senate and endorses de Limas re-election, said the development should at least force the court to drop all charges against her. The charges filed were only part of revenge. Free de Lima now, he said. Butch Olano, the Philippine director of Amnesty International, noted that Espinosas retraction was veritable proof of a vendetta against Dutertes critics. Sen. de Lima is a victim of a political prosecution, targeted and singled out by the Duterte administration for her legitimate work as a human rights defender and duly elected senator, Olano said in a statement, adding that Espinosas retraction was deeply disturbing. Her arrest and detention clearly stem from her criticism of President Dutertes war on drugs, Olana said, calling on Duterte to immediately and unconditionally release the senator. Dutertes drug war has left an estimated 8,000 suspected drug addicts and pushers dead. It has been internationally condemned, and he faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation over the killings. His daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, is running for vice president in next months election. She has paired up with presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the former dictator, who has said he would block any ICC official from carrying out an investigation on Philippine soil. During a visit to the central city of Cebu on Wednesday, Duterte said he might have underestimated the extent of the nations drug problem when he promised to end the scourge months into his term. I said I can clean it in six months. Then after that, I realized that I had made a mistake. Maybe its hubris, Duterte said. You have not seen the bigger picture of drugs as I have, Duterte said, adding that his policy to kill dealers would continue until his last day in office in June. If you continue [the drugs business], of course, you will die. This will continue as long as Im president. I will not let go of that. A fishing boat passes near a construction site of the Don Sahong Dam near the Cambodia-Laos border in northeastern Cambodias Stung Treng province, June 20, 2016. Lao officials will soon submit plans for the Phou Ngoy Dam and hydropower plant to the Mekong River Commission for review, but villagers whose livelihoods would be hurt by the construction worry they will be left out of the process. Thailands Charoen Energy and Water Asia Co. Ltd. is the lead developer of the U.S. $2.4 billion hydropower dam project, whose power is anticipated will be sold to Thailand. The 728-megawatt Phou Ngoy Dam in southern Laos Champassak province will be the seventh of nine existing or planned large-scale hydropower projects on the Mekong River mainstream. We cant tell you what day or when exactly were going to do that, said an official at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, who declined to be named to speak freely. We think well do it at the end of this year. Right now, were preparing the paperwork. The hydropower dam would be built by two South Korean construction companies: Korea Western Power Co., Ltd. and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. It is slated to be completed in 2029. A power purchase agreement has not yet been signed. Laos government believes that it can greatly boost the countrys economy by becoming the battery of Southeast Asia by selling power generated by dams along the Mekong to its neighbors. But villagers whose lives have been disrupted by the plans say they havent been fairly compensated for being forced to move to make way for the projects. The Mekong River Commission (MRC) is an intergovernmental organization that works with the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to jointly manage the Mekong. The Phou Ngoy Dam will be located about 18 km (11 miles) north of Pakse, the capital of Champassak province, and 50 km (31 miles) from confluence of the Mekong River and Mun River, a tributary of the Mekong that flows through northern Thailand. During the MRCs consultation process, states and other stakeholders will discuss and review the benefits and risks of proposed water-use projects that may have potential significant cross-border impacts on water flow, water quality and a host of other environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Surasri Kidtimonton, secretary-general of Thailands Office of National Water Resources, told Radio Free Asia (RFA), a sister-entity of BenarNews, that the consultation depends on all MRC members. As for Thailand, were right now looking at a lot of documents about the Phou Ngoy Dam project, he said. Were doing our best to protect our interest, he told the National News Bureau of Thailand. The map shows existing and planned hydropower dams along the Mekong River in Laos. [RFA] The losers are the local people A representative of the Love Chiang Khong Group, a Thai NGO, expressed concern that project investors and Lao authorities will exclude communities that will be affected by the dam from the ongoing review. The Lao government keeps pushing many projects forward, and the investors keep looking for more benefits. The losers are the local people, said the source, who requested anonymity so as to speak freely. The investors and the Lao government have not paid any attention to past studies on the projects impact and did not allow locals to participate in the decision-making process, he said. The Phou Ngoy Dam is being built not for the benefit of the locals in the area, but for the benefit of the investors, the person said. This large dam will block the Mekong River, which is the international mainstream river that goes through many countries. Itll destroy our livelihoods, our jobs and our ecosystem. An official at the Lao Ministry of the Information, Culture and Tourism said he was worried in particular about the dams impact on Vat Phou, a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex at the base of a mountain about six km (3.7 miles) from the Mekong River in Champassak province, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though the Phou Ngoy Dam is more than 30 km (18.6 miles) from the city of Pakse, capital of Champassak province, it could have an impact on the Phou Phaphin area close to Vat Phou, he said. If the Lao government and the Phou Ngoy Dam developer really want to build this dam, theyll have to do the Heritage Impact Assessment, similar to the one for the Luang Prabang Dam Project that has been submitted to UNESCO, he said. Plans for the Phou Ngoy Dam and hydropower plant have also sparked concern among residents of Khonken village in Champassak province, who fear they may get a raw deal from Lao authorities and the project developer when it comes to compensation for lost land and forced resettlement in other communities. The project will affect 88 villages, including 57 villages above the dam, and 31 villages below the dam. About 800 residents in more than 140 households in Khonken village are expected to be the most heavily affected by the project. Most of the villagers are farmers who grow rice and vegetables and raise livestock, while others run small businesses like restaurants and guesthouses to accommodate growing numbers of Thai tourists to the area. One resident told RFA in late December 2021 that local Lao authorities and the dam developer had conducted a survey asking villagers about their property, shops and fruit trees. Since then, however, they have not heard anything more about the impending relocation. We dont want to be relocated, he said. We dont know where to move to. Weve been here for years, and we believe that this is our permanent home. Another villager said he wants the Lao government to reconsider building the dam. Yes, the government builds dams for business, but this dam will destroy the natural beauty and our property. Pak Beng Dam MOU Meanwhile, two investors in another hydropower project on the mainstream Mekong signed a tariff memorandum of understanding for the Pak Beng Dam, Laos Vientiane Times reported on Wednesday. China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. and Gulf Energy Development Public Co., Ltd. as project cosponsor inked the deal with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) on Monday in Bangkok. The China-backed Pak Beng Dam will be built in the Pak Beng district of Oudomxay province in northern Laos. RFA reported on April 13 that China Datang Overseas Investment had begun moving machinery to prepare the site and to set up workers camps in anticipation of a power purchase agreement with EGAT. FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Speaking Tuesday night, April 26, 2022, on PBS NewsHour, Fauci said the global pandemic isnt over but the U.S. currently is out of the pandemic phase. But it doesnt mean the coronavirus threat to Americans has ended. Los Angeles police officers who responded to a domestic violence call at the penthouse of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard say they saw no marks on her face after a 2016 fight between the couple in which Heard says she was assaulted 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. 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. A former Boston transit police officer charged with assaulting and violating the civil rights of a 63-year-old man who refused to get off a bus last year has avoided jail and could eventually have the charges dismissed NORTH ADAMS What may look like a pile of old used backpacks is the makings of an art and social activism project for Nathaniel Donnett, who is giving these vessels a new life in his studio space at the MCLA Artist Lab. An MCLA Artist Lab artist-in-residence (January through May), Donnett collected about 50 backpacks from students at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School, in Adams, and Pine Cobble School, in Williamstown, exchanging their old ones with new backpacks. The resulting work will be seen at MCLA Gallery 51, in a solo show, running Oct. 7 through Dec. 16. "These will be torn apart and then they'll be stitched back together in the style of quilting and collage," he said, sitting near his sewing machine during a recent interview. He'll add other materials to the piece, which he says speaks to the idea of how we see time, history and space. "It's fragmented, based off a memory." Donnett, a multi-disciplinary cultural practitioner who lives and works in Houston, was recently named a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. A graduate of Texas Southern University and Yale School of Art, he's the received a Deans Critical Practice Research Grant and an Art and Social Justice Initiative Grant at Yale, a Houston Arts Alliance Grant, and an Idea Fund/Andy Warhol Foundation Grant. "I was really taken with how he approaches his practice in terms of research," said Erica Wall, executive director of MCLA Arts & Culture (previously the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center) and MCLA Gallery 51, which oversees the residency program. [The backpack exchange project is] a beautiful culmination of artistic practice, and I think, more recently, the social activism that's been going on, particularly in light of what has surfaced with the pandemic and racial unrest, and I think also a culture of a transparency around the way artists conduct research in their practice. Consumers and viewers very rarely participate in the research process, Wall added. In 2020, Donnett created a similar backpack project entitled "Acknowledgement: The Historic Polyrhythm of Being(s)" on a large fence outside the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, using backpacks from an exchange with students. At night, the backpacks would illuminate in a blue glow and were lighting up in Morse code, reciting a line from a John Coltrane song, Acknowledgement, an excerpt from James Baldwin essay, "The Uses of the Blues, and part of Solange's song "Mad." "Basically, I was composing a song through light as well," Donnett said. The piece was about language and education, he said, and "it was focused on three historical Black neighborhoods, and trying to show some of the history and also show a different form of resistance protest ... that there are many ways to engage in that." Text was printed on the fence but you had to know the slang from those communities to understand it, he said, which made it like a type of code. The pieces he is working on now at the MCLA Artist Lab are multi-part. When he exchanged backpacks with students, he also photographed and interviewed them. "I'm trying to give like, a little moment for them to just think about themselves without all the other stuff; to say whatever you want to say." Using those interviews, he's creating an experimental soundscape, and photos will be incorporated into a yearbook that he will print and digitize. The backpacks will be pieced together. "One of the structures I can't give too much away one of the structures will be three dimensional," Donnett said. He chooses backpacks for a reason. "Their history is embedded inside and on the backpack in terms of their body, sweat, hair, you know, dirt and whatever. And they released some of those things," he said. "But they never really released it, because it's part of their history ... Then we give them new backpacks, which allows them to extend their history or create new history with new things, and kind of redo the cycle. That's what exchanges is." A clock tells the time in front of Berkshire Bank's office in Great Barrington. The Berkshire Bank Foundation contributed more than $563,000 to nonprofit organizations during the first quarter of 2022. After a two-day trial in Central Berkshire District Court, a Tolland woman was convicted of neglecting a person in her care in Sandisfield. She was given a year in jail, suspended for two years. PITTSFIELD Family members of the man shot and killed March 25 by Pittsfield police say they await an independent investigation from the Berkshire District Attorneys Office, hoping for a fuller picture of the Friday night Miguel Estrella lost his life. On Wednesday, the Pittsfield Police Department released a preliminary finding that the officer who shot Estrella complied with police rules and procedures. The family declined a request from The Eagle to directly comment on the police departments report. Instead, the family released a statement Thursday saying that they are eagerly awaiting the independent review. The comments, from Estrellas older sister, Elina, and mother, Marisol, cited hopes that the DAs review, still being conducted in coordination with its in-house state police unit, will provide a fuller picture of the circumstances of the shooting. On that night, Pittsfield police were called twice to Estrellas address, at 279 Onota St., by 911 reports of a man in distress. We also remain eager to hear details that have not been released that are part of that investigation, the Estrellas said Thursday, including the 911 calls, witness interviews and police reports. Given that the investigation continues, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further. Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer said Wednesday she views the PPD report as an important first step and understanding what happened that evening, but declined to comment on its findings, in part because the case is a potential legal matter. Through a spokesman, Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington declined Thursday to comment on the preliminary Pittsfield police report. Spokesman Andy McKeever said the prosecutors office is conducting its own investigation into the fatal police shooting. He directed requests for comment about the PPD report back to the police department. Im not sure why we would agree to a media interview to answer questions about another agencys policies and findings, McKeever said in an email. The DAs investigation remains open, he said. We request that people who witnessed this event or have information about the shooting [to] contact the Berkshire Detective Unit at 413-499-1112. PPD finding The Pittsfield police Force Investigation Team found that Officer Nicholas Sondrini followed use of force guidelines and that Estrella had posed an immediate threat when he reportedly came at an officer at a fast pace with a raised knife. Sondrini fired twice into Estrellas chest after police say repeated efforts to stop him with less-lethal means failed and after officers had backed 120 feet away from Estrella, and into Onota Street traffic. Recognizing this [imminent] deadly threat within a few feet of his position, Officer Sondrini fired 2 rounds from his firearm, striking Mr. Estrella with both rounds, the report states. On the basis of the preliminary FIT report, Officer Sondrinis Taser deployment and subsequent use of his firearm in response to a perceived imminent deadly threat is in compliance with all relevant department policies, training guidelines, statutory requirements, and use of force guidelines, the report says. Elina and Marisol Estrella said in their statement Thursday that they continue to mourn. Our family and loved ones continue to grieve over the tragic loss of our beloved Miguel, who was a kind, caring and compassionate man who loved his family, friends and community, the Estrellas said in the statement. We appreciate all of the many well-wishes and support we continue to receive in this troubling time. In a statement, the Pittsfield Police Department extended sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Estrella. No release date has been set for the DAs report, though Harrington has called for work to be expedited. Harrington said in an interview shortly after the shooting that her office would make available not only its findings into the circumstances of the fatal shooting but documentation gathered during the probe, including forensic reports, 911 call transcripts, witness interviews and video gathered. When that investigation is completed, all of the materials that we review will be subject to public records requests and will be available to the public, Harrington said at the time. We want this to be a very transparent process. South Africa: Africa's tolerance for coups "no longer exists", says Pres Ramaphosa President Cyril Ramaphosa says the African Union and its Member States are demonstrating that the acceptance of unconstitutional takeovers of governments on the continent will not be tolerated. The Head of State was briefing media following the official State visit of the President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, General Umaro Sissoco Embalo, on Thursday. The West African country was involved in an attempted coup earlier this year. President Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa has always advocated for peaceful negotiation in any conflict situation. As a continent, we have a lot to learn from our previous experiences. We also, equally, have a lot to learn in the way that ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] is dealing with these much as it is experiencing a spate of coups. The determination and the decisiveness in the leadership of ECOWAS is something that stands out as a very good example for the rest of the continent. I think the continent is moving and maturing towards a state where tolerance for coups and acceptance of coups is now a thing of the past. The AU has taken a very clear and strong position on this, and I think it sends a very strong and important message to those who would want to perpetrate coups that they will have no place to hide and action will also be taken against them." President Ramaphosa reflected that Southern Africa has experienced relative stability over the last few years, with only a few countries facing difficulties. The only sense of instability has been in Mozambique, for instance, in Cabo Delgado with insurgents... Lesotho has largely resolved [its challenges] and they are moving forward with their elections and reforms so that in many ways behoves well for greater stability not only for our region but for the rest of the continent. I do believe that the guns should be silenced as soon as we move forward as the African Union as well, he said. Russia/Ukraine conflict President Ramaphosa told the briefing that he believes talks between Ukraine and Russia on the ongoing conflict are a step in the right direction. We have, as South Africa, been calling for negotiations and our call for negotiation is based on the principle we have always held that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. We were well taught by the great Nelson Mandela, who always thought that conflicts should be resolved in that way, he said. The President has previously had conversations with leaders of both nations, urging them to have a dialogue to end the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyys discussions and meetings is something that we believe is a step in the right direction. In my discussions with them separately, I stressed that it is through negotiations and dialogue that this conflict can be resolved, and we are really pleased that that is now underway. We are really hoping and wishing and praying that it should lead to an agreement that will lead to a cessation of the hostilities and the end of the conflict as well, so that the lives of the people in both countries, and largely in the Ukraine, can be restored and peace can find fertile ground once again, President Ramaphosa said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-04-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. More support set for payrolls, job creation By WANG KEJU (China Daily) 09:12, April 28, 2022 Overseas returnees visit a job fair during the 19th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, April 24, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] Li: Stabilizing employment must be given high priority amid new COVID flare-ups China will provide greater policy support to keep payrolls stable and boost job creation, in a bid to ensure steady economic performance, according to a decision made at a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday. "Now we need to place greater importance on stabilizing employment. The new round of COVID flare-ups has hit employment quite hard. More forceful measures will be taken to enable the early resumption of full-capacity production of enterprises on the basis of sound COVID-19 control," Li said. "It is particularly important to ensure the normal operation of key enterprises in the industrial and supply chains, in transportation and logistics, and those for COVID-19 response, and to ensure key infrastructure. Point-to-point assistance will be provided to those facing massive difficulties," Li said. Policies to temporarily defer premium payments for old-age insurance, unemployment insurance and workers' compensation will be expanded from the catering, retail, tourism, civil aviation, highway, waterway and railway transportation industries to all micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, or MSMEs, and self-employed households facing COVID-related difficulties in their operations. The proportion of refunding unemployment insurance premiums for MSMEs and self-employed households that make no or minimal cuts to staff numbers will be increased to as high as 90 percent. Localities will be supported in implementing temporary discounts on electricity consumption for industries in special difficulty. In addition, broadband and dedicated internet services will be provided to MSMEs at concessional rates. Moreover, healthy development of the platform economy will be advanced to boost job creation. "We must make dedicated efforts to support market entities and keep employment stable. At the same time, we must do whatever is possible to boost job creation, especially for key groups such as college graduates," Li said. A group of projects in fields including farmland irrigation, water conservancy and rural roads will be launched, and public works programs will be extended, to increase job opportunities for migrant workers. Support measures such as deferred repayment of student loans and interest reduction and exemption will be explored. The meeting also heard reports on the work of ensuring smooth transportation and logistics, and it urged greater efforts to unclog bottlenecks. "We must maintain smooth transportation and logistics. This is crucial to sustaining stable overall economic performance and ensuring people's well-being. This work should take a key place on our agenda," Li said. The meeting required efforts to ensure the efficient running of traffic arteries. Toll stations and service areas along expressways should stay open to the greatest extent possible. Platform and delivery enterprises will be supported in scaling up their transportation capacity. Support will be provided so that outlets that have been shut down due to COVID-19, including express service points, can resume operation and so that delivery personnel can return to work in an orderly manner. Value-added tax will be exempted on eligible revenues generated from express delivery services from May 1 until the end of the year. A 100 billion yuan ($15.2 billion) relending quota will be put into place as quickly as possible to support financing for the transportation, logistics and warehousing industries. It is imperative to issue as many travel permits as necessary, the meeting decided. Quick application and issuance and inter-regional recognition of travel permits will be realized nationwide. Free COVID-19 tests will be provided to truck drivers during transportation. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) 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. Hourly workers in Massachusetts collectively miss out on more than $1.6 billion in wages every year because of unmet child care needs, part of a roughly $2.7 billion drag on the statewide economy stemming from inadequate child care, a new report estimates. Putting a hefty dollar figure on an issue familiar to parents across the state, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation said in a report published Thursday that a shortage of early education and care slots and sky-high prices for those available punch a financial hole in the pockets of workers, employers and state government. The business-backed foundation projected that employers lose nearly $812 million every year due to lost productivity, turnover and replacement costs when workers need to step away to care for their children, in addition to the estimated $1.66 billion in lost wages that families face. And because of lower wages and spending, state government also collects $187 million less in taxes every year as a result of poor child care access, MTF said. If we are to unleash all of Massachusettss economic potential, we must enhance our child care infrastructure and increase accessibility in the state, authors wrote in the report. The future of our workforce and economy depend on it. The think tanks analysts projected a significant economic boost if parents of young children who are currently not working decided to join the labor force, a step that is impossible for many families who cannot afford to place their kids into programs. MTF said Massachusetts has roughly 100,000 parents who do not work and have children under 5 years old. If 10 percent of those adults worked full-time hours making the state median wage, they would collectively earn $859 million and steer $33 million more in income tax to the state every year, MTF said. Getting more parents of young children to work could also help address a workforce crisis fueled by an aging Massachusetts population, the organization said. Since 2014, the number of Bay Staters between the ages of 20 and 54 has declined, birth rates continue to lag the national average, and the population 65 and older is booming. Parents with reliable and accessible child care throughout the early years of their childs life are able to stay in the workforce without significant career disruptions that can impede their advancement, MTF wrote. This results in higher lifetime earnings and retirement savings, as long breaks in employment often mean lower wages upon return, especially for women. The consequences of a flawed child care system are also concentrated among women. According to MTFs analysis, one in five Massachusetts children live in a two-parent household where only one parent works. In 90 percent of those cases, the father is employed, MTF said. Massachusetts has both a child care problem and a workforce problem, which both need to be addressed to support an economic recovery from a global pandemic, MTF President Eileen McAnneny said in a statement. An affordable and accessible child care system can help us overcome our workforce challenges, promote economic growth and support Massachusetts reputation as a top state in which to live and work. Challenges in the child care sector have harangued both parents and policymakers for years. A special commission concluded last month that many Massachusetts families pay 20 to 40 percent of their household income toward early education and care, making the Bay State one of the least affordable for those services in the country. COVID-19 exacerbated longstanding problems, further depleting the number of workers in the field and available slots below already-strained levels. As MTF noted in its report, even after the impact of federal relief, Massachusetts had 6,200 fewer child care seats in fall 2021 than it did before the pandemic hit. Access to high-quality, affordable child care is a foundational component to ensure everyone can participate in our economy. It enables parents to work and businesses to thrive, Eastern Bank CEO Bob Rivers said in a statement provided by MTF. It is essential that we in the business community understand the responsibility we have to solve these challenges and make Massachusetts a more vibrant, inclusive place for all. Beacon Hill leaders are eyeing some action to relieve the growing pressure. Gov. Charlie Baker proposed doubling the dependent care tax credit in a $700 million package of tax relief, and the House Ways and Means Committees fiscal 2023 state budget would inject more than $110 million into the early education and care sector, including a reserve to increase provider salaries. Background of 1, 2, 3 John The author of these three short letters is the Apostle John. He is also known as the Beloved Disciple, one of the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17), and John, son of Zebedee. We first meet John in Matthew 4:21-22. He, his brother, and Peter have been fishing all night and caught no fish. Jesus calls out to them from the shore to put their nets on the other side of the boat. They do it and suddenly they have caught hundreds of fish! This is one of Jesus first miracles and probably what caught Johns attention to the Messiah. It could be also that John was a disciple of John the Baptist. (John 1:35-42a) John was one of the three disciples Jesus chose to stay close to Him throughout His earthly ministry. Peter, James (Johns brother), and John are considered part of the inner circle of Jesus while on earth. At Jesus crucifixion, John was the only one to stay by Jesus side at the cross. After Jesus resurrection, He raced Peter to the tomb. John was the first to enter to see the empty tomb. After Jesus ascension into heaven and during the beginnings of the church, John stayed in Rome to be a pillar in the early church. (Galatians 2:7-9) John is writing to three different audiences. For 1 John the audience is the general church, scattered throughout the world. Second & third John reference two specific people. An elect lady is probably a woman hosting a church in her home. The second is a man in leadership in a church named Gaius. These letters were probably written when John was very old, maybe even from the island of Patmos. John was exiled to this island as a punishment for preaching about Jesus. Knowing that John was probably older, almost ready to die, affects how we read these letters. As we grow nearer to death, we want those around us to remember not just us, but what is most important to us. John wants his readers to know these things we find here. These are the most important things to John at the end of his long life. 1 John 1:4-5 says And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him. 1 John 5:13 says These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. John shares this particular message so that they will know the information they have heard from John and the other apostles is true. Not only that the believers (and us) can know Johns message is the truth, but in that truth, we can have confidence and continue believing! Weve all heard of ambassadors. It is normative for each country to have an ambassador (an accredited diplomat) who goes and represents their country to and in other nations. According to Embassy Worldwide, for example, there are about 168 Foreign Embassies and 732 Consulates placed in the territory of the United States. The United States itself in total counts near 163 Embassies and 93 Consulates spread all over the world. What do these ambassadors do? For the most part, the ambassador helps promote peace between his country and that in which he or she is placed. As Christiansfirst and foremost in relation to what the world seeswe are to be ambassadors for Christ. We are people called by God to represent Him to a lost and dying (secular) world, and as we become more and more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), the world will see His character in and through us. We will spell out more of who we are to be to the world later in this article. Where in the Bible Are We Called to Be "Ambassadors for Christ"? The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, tells us who we now are in Christ and what we are to do: From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling all who call on Jesus Christ to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Lets unpack this treasure chest of a passage. Flesh - To be in the flesh is to live according to human standards according to our own will and not according to Gods sovereign will in our lives (Mark 3:35; Acts 22:14; Romans 7:5, 25; Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3a; Hebrews 10:7). Before, we regarded Jesus Christ from the perspective of people who served self above all else. And now, we do not see Christ from a fleshly perspective. We see Jesus as Lord! We see the world with more clarity as we are sanctified through the power of the Holy Spirit. New creation - No longer are we governed by what we were before we came to a saving faith in Christ. We, at the moment of conversion, became new in Him! (John 3:3,7; 1 Peter 1:3, 23). From God - God drew us to Him (John 6:44; John 14:6). We have no part in our salvation but to acknowledge our sin, repent, and in belief and faith say Yes! to Gods kind invitation (Romans 11:22). It is by grace, Gods gift to us, that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8). Reconciliation - God reconciled our sinful selves to Himself, forgets them (by the mediation of Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24), and has given us a ministry of reconciliation. Ambassadors for Christ We have gained the privilege as Christs own to represent Him. We are to represent God to the world. Righteousness - Christs righteousness has been imputed to Christians (Romans 1:17). Christs righteousness is credited to us believers. What Did This Look Like for the Early Church? The early church realized they were strangers and aliens here on earth (Ephesians 2:19), and they sought to live for Christ as one unified body of believers within ever-present corrupt societies. People of the early church were first called Christians in Antioch, and it wasnt good. It meant of the party of Christ. These ambassadors for Christ were looked at with disfavor as they displayed their Christ-like characteristics. The Apostle Paul was the foremost missionary of the first century, and he founded many churches. As such, when he witnessed or heard of troubling issues within the church, he addressed them via a visit and/or an epistle. Our main passage is addressed to the church in Corinth, and Corinth was in such moral depravity its name was synonymous with gross depravity and drunken immorality. The church must (then and now) stand out as separate from the broken culture (2 Corinthians 6:17). The early church served as ambassadors for Christ by: - Enduring tribulation and persecution for His name. (John 16:33; Acts 8:1, 11:19, 13:50) - Displaying unity in the body. (Acts 2:46) - Walking with Jesus in obedience and humility. (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:3) - Obeying God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) - Growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ through the Word. (Acts 2:42) - Corporate prayer. (They still gathered in the synagogue Acts 2:46-47) - Building up the body. (By this they will know you are My disciples if you have love one for another John 13:35) - Living in peace with one another. (2 Corinthians 13:11) What Does This Look Like for Us Today? Theres an outdated adage which stated, As goes the church, so goes the nation. What has transpired in addition is, As go the leaders, so goes the church. Many so-called churches are nothing more than a name stamped on the side of a building, bearing little resemblance to what Christ calls His church. Evil seems more pervasive due to the worlds population and the global information highway, both physical and virtual. We have church leaders who are nothing more than nose and nickel compilers, counting money and attendance instead of counting the cost as Christ-followers (Luke 14:25-33). And they corrupt churchgoers and seekers with a feel good about yourself false gospel instead of Scriptural Truth (Matthew 23:15). If Christ addressed these false teachers, His ire would sound as it did in Matthew 23:13-35 when He pronounced the seven woes against the Scribes and the Pharisees. In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John wrote what Jesus said to the seven churches of Asia. Some of His words were of rebuke and some of praise. It is reported biblical literacy today is at its lowest point in 500 years. Its no wonder we see the same ills facing the church today as faced by the first-century church in Corinth (or Rome. Or Ephesus, Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Colossae, Galatia, etc.). However, todays true church, as defined by Scripture, is that which looks more like it did as recorded in Acts 2 and 3. We follow the same principles yet with greater distractions that modern technology brings. While we cannot give a comprehensive list of these attributes, we will list some highlights which add to the characteristics as shown by and commanded to the early church. As ambassadors for Christ, we model Christ-like behavior as we go out into the world. We are to: - Love God first and love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-40) - Be devoted to reading, studying, meditating upon, and teaching the Scriptures. (Acts 17:10-11) - Be salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-16) - Be mission-minded and share the good news. (Matthew 28:18-20) - Obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) - Live by and reveal the Fruit of the Spirit to the world. (Galatians 5:22-23) - Be thankful in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) - Be at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18) The characteristics of an ambassador for Christ can fill a book, and its a worthy study to research Scripture for more features we should exemplify. A Prayer to Be a Good Ambassador Father God, Your Word tells us You have granted to us everything we need to live a life of godliness. Give us a desire to immerse ourselves in the Bible and the ability through the power of Your Spirit to understand and apply Your truths. Help us to reach out to others in the name of Jesus and for His glory. Its only through Your work in us we are able to be Your ambassadors, because without You, we are darkness. Dont allow us to keep the Light of life hidden within the confines of our homes and church buildings. Help us model Christ to the world and be the people You have created us to be. In the matchless and holy name of Jesus we pray, Amen. Just as a diplomatic ambassador is trained for his work, so too we, as ambassadors for Christ, are trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6-8). Are you a new believer? Get in the Word. Are you a more mature believer? Stay in the Word. Are you a seasoned Christian? Persevere in your study of the Word. For believers of all maturity levels, keep sharing your testimony; its irrefutable. Always remember, be in the world but not of it (John 17:15-19). Photo credit: Getty Images/steve007 Lisa Loraine Baker is the award-winning author of Someplace to Be Somebody (End Game Press, February 2022). Lisa writes fiction and nonfiction and is currently co-writing a Christian living book with her husband, and a suspense novel. Lisa is a member of Word Weavers, Intl (as a critique partner and mentor), AWSA, ACFW, Serious Writer Group, and BRRC. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, inhabit their home as the Newlyweds of Minerva with crazy cat, Lewis. It is important to recognize older adults for their contributions, but also for their powerful voices. Michigans older adults account for nearly one-quarter of Michigans population. Not only do older adults have vast knowledge and experience, but they also vote! For over 20 years, seniors have traveled to Lansing from across the state to advocate and celebrate older adults in an annual event called Older Michiganians Day (OMD). OMD is an opportunity for senior advocates and allies to share their positions with legislators and spur positive change for older adult legislation. Historically, this rally happens in-person on the lawn of the Capitol Building in Lansing. However, of course, with safety precautions in place due to coronavirus, this event has adapted for 2022 as Senior Action Week! In the past, over 1,000 seniors would gather at the capitol, supported by Michigan Area Agencies on Aging. Taking this key advocacy push to a virtual and more localized platform will hopefully allow more people to get involved than ever before! Rather than a dedicated day, Older Michiganians Day has transitioned to a week of advocacy to best inform legislators on senior issues. Older adults and their allies are invited to attend any of the virtual events throughout the week May 9-13 with a unified voice to the Michigan Legislature expressing concerns, challenges and opportunities for older adults. With this week-long event, older adults are the experts, embracing the growing senior population and advocating for policies and budget decisions that allow seniors to age with independence, dignity, and choice. GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR RALLY A special Older Michiganians Day event will take place this year Wednesday, May 11, at the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, 3215 Eaglecrest Drive NE, Grand Rapids. Join the Area Agency on Aging for Senior Rally Day from 10 a.m. to noon to commemorate the original OMD and give our community a greater voice! Lunch will be provided as we live-stream the message from the capitol. There will also be a number of resource booths for attendees to visit on-site. We hope you join us for a unique opportunity to gather together. Further details to come, you can check www.aaawm.org soon for more event information. This year, senior advocates will focus on a different topic each day of the week May 9-13 as follows; Support and Strengthen the Direct Care Workforce (Monday), Rebalance Community-based Long-term Services and Supports (Tuesday), Expand Access to MI Choice (Wednesday), Increase Access to Home and Community-based Services (Thursday), and Bridge the Digital Divide for Older Adults (Friday). How can you get involved? Join us in Grand Rapids for Senior Rally Day! You can also visit the state Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan website: www.4ami.org or join the Special Livestream event at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 11. We would appreciate your support and your voice to encourage lawmakers to consider this years advocacy areas. If youd like to learn more about Senior Advocacy efforts in your region you can contact Sheri Harris, advocacy coordinator at SheriH@aaawm.org or call 616-222-7015. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Courtesy of Ed Mallett, Tuba Bach Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy of Ed Mallett, Tuba Bach Show More Show Less 3 of 3 As part of its Tuba Bach Presents ... concert series, in collaboration with the Michigan State University College of Music, Tuba Bach will host a a concert featuring Sonitus Machina at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 726 Fuller Avenue in Big Rapids. Sonitus Machina is comprised of masters and doctoral students from the Michigan State University College of Musics brass studios. The groups members are Connor Johnson, trumpet, of Dexter; Shawn Nichols, trumpets, of Jenison; Elliott Mihelic, horn, of Charleston, West Virginia; Jared Jarvis, trombone, of Brooklyn, Michigan; and Ian Graves, tuba, of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, don't know much about history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Cataracts can be detected via near-infrared eye images Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have proposed a multitask deep learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm for automated cataract detection. The proposed method uses eye images captured in the near-infrared domain and is computationally inexpensive, yielding high accuracy. Known as MTCD, the proposed multitask deep learning algorithm is inexpensive and results in very high levels of accuracy. It is also cost-effective as low-cost NIR cameras are used in place of costly ophthalmoscopes. The proposed method can be used in rural settings where the availability of doctors is limited. The research was conceptualised by Dr Mayank Vatsa and Dr Richa Singh from the mage Analysis and Biometrics (IAB) Lab at IIT Jodhpur. They were supported by various UG and Ph.D. students at the lab - Mahapara Khurshid, Yasmeena Akhter, Rohit Keshari, Pavani Tripathi, and Aditya Lakra. IHub-Drishti, TIH at IIT Jodhpur, has recently funded the next stage of this research. The researchers plan to undertake an extensive data collection exercise for building an ophthalmology databank with different kinds of devices. The second part improves the approach and creates an explainable and robust AI algorithm for cataract detection. IIT Jodhpur has collaborated with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, PGIMER Chandigarh, to further expand this research. Online media consumption has taken on a form that becomes less and less compatible with the traditional news reporting ecosystem as time goes on. The line between journalist and content creator is thinner than ever, which is not at all a bad thing, but can result in media professionals feeling alienated by the industry. Reporting the news, or even producing quality work, becomes secondary to getting a high SEO score. Talent, especially writing talent, is squandered as outlets are forced by the powers that be and the audiences that read to take a more short-term focused and fundamentally compromising position.Journalists are being hung out to dry, but there is no reason they cannot stay in their chosen business of media production. PR agencies are more than willing to welcome professionals who offer essential skills related to the creation and distribution of information to a targeted audience. The working conditions may be just as stressful, but the coffee in the breakroom is better, and those agencies, though governed by a different set of corporate principles, are not subject to the institutional hardships being experienced by the fourth estate.Now, this 20-something-year-old wont pretend hes blown this thing wide open. Journalists migrating to the promised land of advertising is nothing new. The first time I made headwind in this industry, I was introduced to a diverse network of PR contacts who had got their start on the opposite team. There was even a disconcerting trend wherein the representatives of South Africas most prominent brands and state entities had previously frequented thenewsroom I was in.But this lateral migration makes ideal sense. The structure of a typical news article, complete with facts, quotes, and an eye towards narrative fluidity, is not unlike that of press releases (or advertorials, which do their best to pass themselves off as news articles). Both news articles and press releasesaim to inform the reader of something. Both can have a catchy headline. Both come accompanied with eye-catching visuals (as every release announcing a new electronic product should). What a journalist brings to the PR creative process is due diligence as well as the ability to conduct thorough research, ensure content marketing material reflects the facts, and do their best to identify whats newsworthy about the topic. When theres a journalist at the helm, thought leadership pieces emanate from a place of legitimate knowledge on the subject, with years of experience to back up the insight.The ideas are always trending; theyre brought to the forefront thanks to a daily dose of content sourced from a variety of platforms and outlets. Journalists are taught to think critically. Match that with creativity and narrower sights, and you have a situation where content marketing can bring out the best in both quality and control.An editors inbox is a holding pen, surrounded by high, impenetrable walls that content marketing can only scale when it is of the highest quality and relevance. This cant be stressed enough. Everyday, those inboxes receive hundreds of releases, think pieces, and newsletters, with only one or two receiving a reply or a straight-up ascension to a publications website or magazine layout. With that in mind, a true measure of an agencys ability to deliver for clients is how regularly unpaid coverage can make the landing.Simply put, journalists are more likely to know what they can get past the shrewd scrutiny of editors. They have first-hand knowledge of respective platforms not just in terms of their audience and content output, but also the facts and details that matter and would potentially be used in their entirety or included in other content to supplement or strengthen the core narrative.Meanwhile, the online media landscape is undergoing minor reckonings. Last month, Google announced changes to its search systems that will impact what product reviews it displays, prioritising more in-depth content as opposed to simple summaries. This may be more consequential to publications than PR practitioners, but it all ends in a scenario where marketers have to be intuitive in how they create content for platforms, and what shape that content takes. Journalists offer legitimacy, passion, and insight. That, combined with an agency that understands client needs and distribution channels, makes for an excellent PR approach. Around the 19th century, the price of tea in China was a fervently discussed subject for the British House of Commons. Its ferocious trade, and tightly controlled markets made it a hot topic, to the extent that to ask someone 'What it had to do with the price of tea in China', was the ultimate snub indicating you thought their comments entirely irrelevant. And whilst this diss may have faded into obscurity, the epic rise of the Chinese coffee market may be a suitable modern-day update. Manner coffee has proved to be one such brand, pouring its challenger spirit out to the world at large. Founded in 2015, Manner almost came to a bitter end when its first store in Nantong (), a prefecture-level city in south-eastern Jiangsu province, proved unsuccessful due to the lack of existing coffee culture. Unperturbed, founder Han Yu and his wife relocated to Shanghai, in true David vs Goliath fashion, to compete in the most densely populated coffee-shop capital of the world. In a 2-metre square kiosk sandwiched between a building entryway and shop, the odds were stacked. In fact, its reported that some national media outlets likened it to the ill-fated cupcake shop of the American sitcom 2 Broke Girls.Despite this alleged roasting, Han Yus caffeine dream came to bloom. In its third month, Manner was selling hundreds of cups a day, and it tentatively expanded across the next two years to eight stores. Today with more than 300 stores in mainland China and an incredible $4.5bn valuation, Manners alchemic blend of product, processes, and culture are clearly leaving a pleasant taste.The brands tagline Good coffee, made in China embellishes the cups and the doors of its head office. In the early days, all the coffee beans for Manner were hand-picked and roasted by Han; with growth this turned into opening a roasting plant that Han still regularly visits. Unlike many established chains (both Western imports and native incumbents), Manner uses semi-automatic coffee machines, requiring a much higher level of skill to operate. This, in turn, was the seed for its barista training centre, and Manner baristas go through several months of training, a practice unheard of in China. The salary of a general manager at Manner is notably higher than those of Starbucks, and apprentices are recruited with the sole experience requirement of Enthusiasm for coffee.However, Manners most interesting challenger tenet is perhaps not in its humble beginnings or local-gone-global love story, but in its strategic deployment of collaborations and content-commerce. To be clear, the power of the collab is not some quiet trick of marketers in the know but a fundamental pillar of brand expansion in the Chinese market. Yet Manner has hit the consumer sweet spot by teaming up with suitably young and buzzy friends, with a mid-to-upmarket lifestyle aspiration factor, that artfully build out the Manner universe.Take their collaboration with Neiwai, for example. Though its execution was simple (a limited edition of drinks and mood-setting video encompassing both brands), it is also a fellow Shanghai-born challenger, with body positivity and diversity at its core. Like Manner, it lives the ethos of going against whats expected of the category.Another dynamic pair up saw lifestyle store Beast (florist turned home textiles, furniture beauty, fragrance store) create a bespoke collection for its Panda Puff perfume launch. The Panda Latte incorporated notes of the perfumes scent profile and its sky blue colour theme. It also came with a miniature bag with a tiny sample of the fragrance inside and converted one Manner store to a Beast-branded panda theme, proving immensely popular with fans. This kind of multi-sensory activation is both a far cry from the category standard and the broader market norm of relying heavily on Idols and KOLs. The Manner world and its friends within are considered and reflective of their values, not a mere numbers-driver.However, the best embodiment of a values-led collaboration is with Manners crossover with Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. When Chinas largest-ever show of works from Andy Warhol came to debut, Manner formulated a special-edition Banana Latte (and themed cup holder of course) to publicise the show and add yet another layer of merch-tainment-esque virality to the collection. These small moments of surprise and delight have created a big impact for Manner, and Warhols eternal wisdom is certainly not lost on them: You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you. The Artfluence Human Rights Award winners have been announced. The Awards were launched in 2021 by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to honour and celebrate artists who are defenders of human rights. Beverley Ditsie, Irfaan Mangera and Don Mattera are the winners of the Artfluence Human Rights Awards 2022 Additional award winners Filmmaker, gender and gay rights activist Beverley Ditsie has been named the 2022 Artfluence Human Rights Champion.In 1995, Ditsie marked an iconic moment in UN history when the UN, for the first time, addressed LGBTQ rights. Ditsie delivered an impassionate address at the UN International Womens Conference held in Beijing on the need to enshrine LGBTQ rights inequality laws.If the World Conference on Women is to address the concerns of all women, it must similarly recognise that discrimination based on sexual orientation is a violation of basic human rights, said Ditsie when she addressed delegates at the conference.Ditsie was also a cofounder of South Africas inaugural Pride Parade held in Johannesburg in 1990. Since then, she has become a leading international figure in gay rights activism.We are honoured to present the 2nd annual Artfluence Human Rights Champion award to Beverly Ditsie because it was her activism, courage and leadership that played a vital role contributing, amongst other activists, to shaping equality rights in the South African Constitution, said Ismail Mahomed, the director of the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.This year, the Centre for Creative Arts will introduce two additional awards. The Artfluence Lifetime Achievers Award will honour a veteran defender of human rights in South Africa. The inaugural Artfluence Human Rights Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to poet, author, journalist and community activist Don Mattera.Growing up in Sophiatown and harassed by the security police for his political activism, Mattera was banned from 1973 to 1982. He spent three years under house arrest. During the resistance to apartheid, he helped form the Union of Black Journalists and the Congress of South African Writers. He worked as a journalist for the Sunday Times, The Sowetan and the Weekly Mail (now known as the Mail and Guardian). His book Memory is the Weapon is a living testament of his early years which continues to inspire.The Artfluence Youth Activism Award is presented to a person under the age of 35 whose contributions to the struggle for social justice are both visionary, energetic and impactful. The inaugural Artfluence Youth Activism award will be presented to Irfaan Mangera, the youth programmes coordinator at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.Speaking at the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training in September 2021, Mangera said that young people continued to be excluded from the economy and positions of power. He chose to become a human rights educator because it was the space and the platform in which he could create the most change and impact and influence the lives of young people. His work encouraged young people in South Africa to take charge, organise themselves, mobilise young people in their communities and develop consciousness.At a time in South Africa where political leadership in South Africa is at its lowest ebb, the Artfluence Human Rights Awards seeks to celebrate artists whose legacy as defenders of human rights is inspiring and which can revitalise a moral compass that is based on South Africas constitutional values, said Mahomed.The 2nd annual Artfluence Human Rights festival, supported by the uMngeni Municipality and uMngeni Tourism and presented by the Centre for Creative Arts, will take place from 3 8 May 2022 as both a live and online festival. Don't fall back on robot roses and petrol station chocolates this Mother's Day - let's do it right! City Lodge Hotel Group has put together a great deal this year that applies to the next five weekends - Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 29 April to 29 May 2022 - at Courtyard Hotels, City Lodge Hotels and Town Lodges. Treat the moms and mother figures in your life to a weekend away at 30% off the best available rate and shell receive a free serving of delicious New York Baked Cheesecake when ordering any lunch or dinner meal in our restaurants. And bring the kids our hotels are family-friendly and have plenty of outdoor space to blow off steam, swim if the weather allows or simply relax in the bright autumn sunshine.Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, chief operating officer, says: Were always looking for ways to help our guests celebrate the special people in their lives. Our Mothers May promotion is always popular because it provides a month-long opportunity in which to spoil our precious mothers lets help you show them how much we all care!The Mothers May promotion is available to walk-in, telephone, email and online reservations ( www.clhg.com ) by selecting the WKND Special rate in the booking process. It is running at Courtyard Hotels from R999, City Lodge Hotels from R799, and Town Lodges from R749. The offer excludes City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport and Road Lodges. It is valid for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and the rate, which includes VAT and tourism levy, is per room for room only, single or double occupancy. The offer is subject to availability and may not to be used in conjunction with any other specials or negotiated rates. Rates are net and non-commissionable. King James is a 24-year old, multiple award-winning South African agency - now part of the global Accenture Song network. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is creating a Disinformation Governance Board to control narratives combat whatever they deem misinformation before the 2022 midterms and beyond. According to Politico, the new entity will focus on misinformation related to homeland security, focused specifically on irregular migration and Russia. It's only been a couple days since Elon purchased Twitter and the government has already formed a Ministry of Truth https://t.co/mWwyrRP9lv Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) April 27, 2022 It will be headed by Nina Jankowicz, who previously served as a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center, and advised the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry as part of the Fulbright-Clinton Public Policy Fellowship. She also oversaw the Russia and Belarus programs at the National Democratic Institute. She also sings erotic Harry Potter songs. So basically the same group of disinformation agents who lied about the Hunter Biden laptop, President Trump, COVID lockdowns, deaths in nursing homes, etc will now create a board to protect us from them? https://t.co/E1O54uBj0r Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) April 27, 2022 The goal is to bring the resources of (DHS) together to address this threat, said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during Wednesday testimony. News of the DHS entity comes just days after Elon Musk secured a $44 billion deal to buy Twitter, which hes vowed to change into a free speech platform within the bounds of the law. As PJ Media notes: Jankowicz has written two books, How to Lose the Information War and How to Be A Woman Online. In a pinned tweet pimping her newly released second book, Jankowiz lets her inner misandry loose and writes, Men burst violently into your mentions and your life like the Kool-aid man, demanding your attention, hawking opinions that they believe are unarguably, manifestly correct and indispensable. As a thought experiment what do you think the Disinformation Governance Board would have done with the Hunter Biden laptop story before the 2020 US election which Democratic politicians and dozens of former intelligence officials swore had all the hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign a claim which turned out to be misinformation itself? They didn't need a 'Disinformation Governance Board' until @elonmusk threatened their control over the narrative. Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) April 27, 2022 Attacks on long-distance fiber-optic cables caused internet outages in several parts of France, carriers SFR and Free said on Wednesday. The cyber section of the Paris public Prosecutors office opened a criminal investigation, a spokesperson told Bloomberg. The probe has been entrusted to the DGSI, the French security agency, and the judicial police. The cables, which connect areas of Paris to the cities of Lyon, Strasbourg and Lille, were physically cut in several places, according to a person familiar with the incident who spoke on condition of anonymity. A spokesman for SFR owned by Altice France SA said that the priority was to restore the network. B2B carrier Netalis called the attack a major incident, unprecedented in its scope. The World Health Organization has already begun drafting a global pandemic treaty on pandemic preparedness. What form will it take? What teeth will it have? How will it further the globalists in cementing the biosecurity grid into place? James Corbett discusses all this and more not to mention talks with OffGs own Kit Knightly in the latest edition of the Corbett Report. Theres also valuable background on the WHO itself, the current Director-General Tedros Adhanom, the organizations role in the swine flu scam of 2009 and much, much more. A must watch. For links, sources and show notes plus downloads options and an audio-only version click here. On April 21st, President Biden announced new shipments of weapons to Ukraine, at a cost of $800 million to U.S. taxpayers. On April 25th, Secretaries Blinken and Austin announced over $300 million more military aid. The United States has now spent $3.7 billion on weapons for Ukraine since the Russian invasion, bringing total U.S. military aid to Ukraine since 2014 to about $6.4 billion The top priority of Russian airstrikes in Ukraine has been to destroy as many of these weapons as possible before they reach the front lines of the war, so it is not clear how militarily effective these massive arms shipments really are. The other leg of U.S. support for Ukraine is its economic and financial sanctions against Russia, whose effectiveness is also highly uncertain UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is visiting Moscow and Kyiv to try to kick start negotiations for a ceasefire and a peace agreement. Since hopes for earlier peace negotiations in Belarus and Turkey have been washed away in a tide of military escalation, hostile rhetoric and politicized war crimes accusations, Secretary General Guterres mission may now be the best hope for peace in Ukraine. This pattern of early hopes for a diplomatic resolution that are quickly dashed by a war psychosis is not unusual. Data on how wars end from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) make it clear that the first month of a war offers the best chance for a negotiated peace agreement. That window has now passed for Ukraine. An analysis of the UCDP data by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that 44% of wars that end within a month end in a ceasefire and peace agreement rather than the decisive defeat of either side, while that decreases to 24% in wars that last between a month and a year. Once wars rage on into a second year, they become even more intractable and usually last more than ten years. CSIS fellow Benjamin Jensen, who analyzed the UCDP data, concluded, The time for diplomacy is now. The longer a war lasts absent concessions by both parties, the more likely it is to escalate into a protracted conflict In addition to punishment, Russian officials need a viable diplomatic off-ramp that addresses the concerns of all parties. To be successful, diplomacy leading to a peace agreement must meet five basic conditions First, all sides must gain benefits from the peace agreement that outweigh what they think they can gain by war. U.S. and allied officials are waging an information war to promote the idea that Russia is losing the war and that Ukraine can militarily defeat Russia, even as some officials admit that that could take several years. In reality, neither side will benefit from a protracted war that lasts for many months or years. The lives of millions of Ukrainians will be lost and ruined, while Russia will be mired in the kind of military quagmire that both the U.S.S.R. and the United States already experienced in Afghanistan, and that most recent U.S. wars have turned into. In Ukraine, the basic outlines of a peace agreement already exist. They are: withdrawal of Russian forces; Ukrainian neutrality between NATO and Russia; self-determination for all Ukrainians (including in Crimea and Donbas); and a regional security agreement that protects everyone and prevents new wars. Both sides are essentially fighting to strengthen their hand in an eventual agreement along those lines. So how many people must die before the details can be worked out across a negotiating table instead of over the rubble of Ukrainian towns and cities? Second, mediators must be impartial and trusted by both sides. The United States has monopolized the role of mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis for decades, even as it openly backs and arms one side and abuses its UN veto to prevent international action. This has been a transparent model for endless war. Turkey has so far acted as the principal mediator between Russia and Ukraine, but it is a NATO member that has supplied drones , weapons and military training to Ukraine. Both sides have accepted Turkeys mediation, but can Turkey really be an honest broker? The UN could play a legitimate role, as it is doing in Yemen, where the two sides are finally observing a two-month ceasefire. But even with the UNs best efforts, it has taken years to negotiate this fragile pause in the war. Third, the agreement must address the main concerns of all parties to the war. In 2014, the U.S.-backed coup and the massacre of anti-coup protesters in Odessa led to declarations of independence by the Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics. The first Minsk Protocol agreement in September 2014 failed to end the ensuing civil war in Eastern Ukraine. A critical difference in the Minsk II agreement in February 2015 was that DPR and LPR representatives were included in the negotiations, and it succeeded in ending the worst fighting and preventing a major new outbreak of war for 7 years. There is another party that was largely absent from the negotiations in Belarus and Turkey, people who make up half the population of Russia and Ukraine: the women of both countries. While some of them are fighting, many more can speak as victims, civilian casualties and refugees from a war unleashed mainly by men. The voices of women at the table would be a constant reminder of the human costs of war and the lives of women and children that are at stake. Even when one side militarily wins a war, the grievances of the losers and unresolved political and strategic issues often sow the seeds of new outbreaks of war in the future. As Benjamin Jensen of CSIS suggested, the desires of U.S. and Western politicians to punish and gain strategic advantage over Russia must not be allowed to prevent a comprehensive resolution that addresses the concerns of all sides and ensures a lasting peace. Fourth, there must be a step-by-step roadmap to a stable and lasting peace that all sides are committed to. The Minsk II agreement led to a fragile ceasefire and established a roadmap to a political solution. But the Ukrainian government and parliament, under Presidents Poroshenko and then Zelensky, failed to take the next steps that Poroshenko agreed to in Minsk in 2015: to pass laws and constitutional changes to permit independent, internationally-supervised elections in the DPR and LPR, and to grant them autonomy within a federalized Ukrainian state. Now that these failures have led to Russian recognition of the DPR and LPRs independence, a new peace agreement must revisit and resolve their status, and that of Crimea, in ways that all sides will be committed to, whether that is through the autonomy promised in Minsk II or formal, recognized independence from Ukraine. A sticking point in the peace negotiations in Turkey was Ukraines need for solid security guarantees to ensure that Russia wont invade it again. The UN Charter formally protects all countries from international aggression, but it has repeatedly failed to do so when the aggressor, usually the United States, wields a Security Council veto. So how can a neutral Ukraine be reassured that it will be safe from attack in the future? And how can all parties be sure that the others will stick to the agreement this time? Fifth, outside powers must not undermine the negotiation or implementation of a peace agreement. Although the United States and its NATO allies are not active warring parties in Ukraine, their role in provoking this crisis through NATO expansion and the 2014 coup, then supporting Kyivs abandonment of the Minsk II agreement and flooding Ukraine with weapons, make them an elephant in the room that will cast a long shadow over the negotiating table, wherever that is. In April 2012, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan drew up a six-point plan for a UN-monitored ceasefire and political transition in Syria. But at the very moment that the Annan plan took effect and UN ceasefire monitors were in place, the United States, NATO and their Arab monarchist allies held three Friends of Syria conferences, where they pledged virtually unlimited financial and military aid to the Al Qaeda-linked rebels they were backing to overthrow the Syrian government. This encouraged the rebels to ignore the ceasefire, and led to another decade of war for the people of Syria. The fragile nature of peace negotiations over Ukraine make success highly vulnerable to such powerful external influences. The United States backed Ukraine in a confrontational approach to the civil war in Donbas instead of supporting the terms of the Minsk II agreement, and this has led to war with Russia. Now Turkeys Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavosoglu, has told CNN Turk that unnamed NATO members want the war to continue, in order to keep weakening Russia. Conclusion How the United States and its NATO allies act now and in the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Ukraine is destroyed by years of war, like Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, or whether this war ends quickly through a diplomatic process that brings peace, security and stability to the people of Russia, Ukraine and their neighbors. If the United States wants to help restore peace in Ukraine, it must diplomatically support peace negotiations, and make it clear to its ally, Ukraine, that it will support any concessions that Ukrainian negotiators believe are necessary to clinch a peace agreement with Russia. Whatever mediator Russia and Ukraine agree to work with to try to resolve this crisis, the United States must give the diplomatic process its full, unreserved support, both in public and behind closed doors. It must also ensure that its own actions do not undermine the peace process in Ukraine as they did the Annan plan in Syria in 2012. One of the most critical steps that U.S. and NATO leaders can take to provide an incentive for Russia to agree to a negotiated peace is to commit to lifting their sanctions if and when Russia complies with a withdrawal agreement. Without such a commitment, the sanctions will quickly lose any moral or practical value as leverage over Russia and will be only an arbitrary form of collective punishment against its people, and against poor people everywhere who can no longer afford food to feed their families. As the de facto leader of the NATO military alliance, the U.S. position on this question will be crucial. So policy decisions by the United States will have a critical impact on whether there will soon be peace in Ukraine, or only a much longer and bloodier war. The test for U.S. policymakers, and for Americans who care about the people of Ukraine, must be to ask which of these outcomes U.S. policy choices are likely to lead to. Nicolas J. S. Davies is an independent journalist, a researcher with CODEPINK and the author of Blood on Our Hands: The American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq. More precipitation is in the forecast for Westman this weekend as another Colorado low is projected to bring between 20 and 50 millimetres of moisture to the region. Advertisement Advertise With Us More precipitation is in the forecast for Westman this weekend as another Colorado low is projected to bring between 20 and 50 millimetres of moisture to the region. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Wednesday afternoon, warning of the third weather system this month. Rain is anticipated, but snow is also possible in some areas in Westman. The exact details are uncertain at this point as weather models are not agreeing, said Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Natalie Hasell. Exact amounts could differ. The models do agree theres a Colorado low coming, she said, but differ on the exact track of the storm, how fast its going to move or how far north the precipitation will extend from the centre. The good news is the temperatures will likely fall at night, slowing down any melting snow, she said. Thunderstorms are also possible. Flooding has hit some areas in southern Manitoba and in Winnipeg. Killarney-Turtle Mountain Mayor Merv Tweed said the municipality is watching the water level locally. "The lake is rising, which is a good thing. It was very low at the end of last year, and lots of water lying around," he said. "Our hope is we get some melt and then a little bit of freezing I think we should be OK depending on how much rain or snow we get this weekend, but were ready for it." The municipality has been cleaning out culverts and drainage ditches for the past three weeks, he said. Machinery is also ready to go if needed. The rivers and creeks around Souris were at historically low levels last year, said Mayor Darryl Jackson, so the precipitation is filling them back up. "Weve got a lot of capacity to take moisture whatever way it comes," he said, adding some low-lying areas south of the town could see moderate flooding. "It would have to be massive rainfall to affect us much." The town is watching the water levels and precipitation, but flooding isnt currently a concern, he said. Rain isnt expected until Friday, so theres enough time to start preparing in case of flooding. Residents should prepare an emergency kit in case of a high-water event and remind children not to jump in puddles if they cant see the bottom. dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ Biden wants $46.5bn more to help Ukraine battle Russia Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Theres something wonderfully subversive about taking a well-known Western text and flipping it inside out to reveal societal truths. Sydney-based writer Michelle Cahills debut novel Daisy and Woolf does so with Virginia Woolfs 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway, giving a voice and body to a minor Eurasian character, Daisy Simmons. Rewriting the script to decolonise texts is not new Jean Rhys 1966 novel Wide Sargasso Sea provided a postcolonial perspective as a prequel to Jane Eyre but its a trend that is growing, as conversations around race, gender and other marginalised experiences come to the fore. Its no secret that the Western literary canon is enormously white. Many of the books held in the highest regard are by and about white people, with characters of colour either non-existent or mentioned only in passing, a footnote to the main characters story. Cahills protagonist, Mina, is a struggling writer in London whose mother has just passed away. In her grief and desire to better understand her mothers life and experiences as an Anglo-Indian person, she turns to literature, becoming intrigued by the vagueness of Daisys presence in the novel. There is a story I have been trying to speak without contradictions, without censorship or belief being suspended; a story that is mine to tell and not Virginia Woolfs, and yet not entirely mine, because it is within me, of my people, the Anglo-Indians, while also beyond me, she writes. Daisy and Woolf is told both through Minas writing and healing process over an 18-month period from 2017 to 2018, taking her from London to New York and China, then back home to Sydney; and through imagined letters and scenes involving Daisy, the young, married object of middle-aged Peter Walshs affections, and Woolf herself. Daisys scenes paint a vivid picture of life in India sights, smells, foods as she prepares to leave it behind. Constructing this rich backstory for Daisy, and prying open the specifics of her existence, helps Mina make sense of her own life in the modern world. Much of the novel concerns the treatment and perception of people of colour: I have been turning over in my mind the seed of Woolfs idea of colonial India, Mina thinks. In her in-depth study of Woolf, and her experimentation in bringing Daisy to life, Mina challenges these colonial ideas, revealing complex truths about race and gender. Lift the layers and there is misogyny blended with racial scorn, racial infantilism, she writes. Steve Toltz has been having fun composing a comic story about what its like to be murdered, to go on to a bitterly disappointing afterlife, and to come back as a ghost to watch your murderer seducing your wife. For the wife, what its like to go on living in a pandemic world where everyone is dying. Oh, and to perform a caesarean delivery on yourself. I maybe dont have a great sense of how dark my own work is, Toltz says. I think its all fairly light and amusing. He only realises when people read it and remark on its darkness. He is talking via Zoom from his home in Los Angeles, where hes working on a couple of television projects. I was influenced by Russian literature, full of murder and suicide and plots, so I think anythings fair game. I have a hard time with cruelty, I dont think crueltys funny. But other than that as dark as the human experience on its darkest day. We have to live through all these dark things and its right to laugh at them. Toltz says Here Goes Nothing is the third in his trilogy of fear novels. Credit:Nigel Bluck The Australian writer has lived through some dark things himself. In 2004 he spent several months in hospital in paralysis from a cervical spine haemorrhage. Doctors were not sure if he would walk again. Fortunately he recovered and his main take on that time now is a wry observation of how driven he is: Theres no situation of distress so extreme that it interrupts my ability to create. His special brand of dark and dazzling humour burst on the world in 2008 with his first novel, the big and bold A Fraction of the Whole. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the Guardian First Book Award and earned him comparisons to John Kennedy Toole and David Foster Wallace. His second novel, Quicksand (which features a paralysed character), won the Russell Prize, the Australian award for humour writing. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Book critics Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases. Here are their reviews. Fiction pick of the week Credit: The Slowworms Song Andrew Miller, Sceptre, $32.99 Andrew Millers ninth novel The Slowworms Song is an exquisitely written novel that traces the long and uncertain road to redemption of a soldier who commits an atrocity as a young recruit. Stephen Rose served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles; hes now a recovering alcoholic, bunkering down in rural Somerset where he grew up. He tries to reconnect with his daughter Maggie, whose childhood he has been absent for. He goes to rehab, works at Plant World, and nurses his terminally ill father by reading John Clare, that most afflicted and lucid of Romantic poets: I am yet what I am none cares or knows;/My friends forsake me like a memory lost:/I am the self-consumer of my woes. Millers prose style is similarly poetic yet cogent. His insight into trauma and regret, the power of narrative to ensnare as well as liberate us, make this a distilled and mature novel, full of quiet wisdom. Advertisement Credit: The Cane Maryrose Cuskelly, Allen & Unwin, $32.99 As Scandi noir did before it, Oz Gothic is blazing a trail in the international publishing world. Maryrose Cuskellys The Cane gets Queensland in on the action, with a creepy historical thriller set in a sugar-cane town in the 1970s. The community of Quala is in shock after the young Janet McClymont vanishes on her way to babysitting job. Only her bag is found among the vast and undulating canefields that Quala relies on, and her desperate parents urge farmers to delay the harvest, hoping against hope to find their missing daughter. But the cane must burn. Smothering humidity, a climate of fear and an oppressive cloud of prejudice close in on a cast of sharply drawn characters as clues to the mystery are revealed and the darker side of rural life emerges. A tense, unsettling historical thriller that grips small-town psychology with throttling force. Credit: My Pen is the Wing of A Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women Maclehose Press, $22.99 Advertisement An anthology of short fiction by Afghan women might have seemed like a difficult project even in 2019 when it was first mooted. Since then, the pandemic and the resumption of Taliban rule have made the publication of My Pen is the Wing of the Bird little short of a miracle. Collected by Lucy Hannah from over 300 submissions across both urban and rural Afghanistan, these short tales draw insight and lyricism from lives lived in the shadow of war, violence, and relentless misogyny. Amid the terror that permeates this volume, a fragile hope emerges in the creativity to which the collection gives voice an idea inscribed in the title, which quotes one of the stories from Batool Haidiri: My pen is the wing of a bird; it will tell you these thoughts we are not allowed to think, these dreams we are not allowed to dream. Credit: The Lessons John Purcell, Fourth Estate, $32.99 Love and literature collide in John Purcells The Lessons. Jane Curtis is a famously ornery novelist with a cruel streak, and we immediately warm to her when she toys with a journalist set to interview her at a book festival. The action ricochets between the early 80s and early 60s, with two love stories interwoven. Theres an Austen-like scenario featuring Janes niece Daisy. Shes smitten with Harry as a teenager, their class-crossed romance doomed when the teenager goes to live with her bohemian aunt. The other thread involves Janes storied love life and literary career, and how vampiric a writer can be in search of inspiration. Advertisement Purcell quotes Patricia Highsmith questioning whether art has an obligation to be healthy, and theres certainly a morbid edge to this complex, spiky, sex-strewn novel built from lifes treacheries in the face of fiction (and vice versa). Non-fiction pick of the week Credit: The Writer Laid Bare Lee Kofman, Ventura, $32.99 Somerset Maugham said there are three golden rules for writing a novel fortunately, nobody remembers what they are. Indeed, there are as many rules for writing as there are writers, something worth keeping in mind when reading Lee Kofmans deeply thoughtful exploration of the craft. You dont have to agree with what she says. It is valid for her may well be for others and thats why her book rings with passionate authenticity. She covers key practical concerns such as characters and reading like a writer, but her pivotal point, responding to what is urgent in you because it keeps a writer emotionally honest, is right on the money. Its not a guidebook though, rather, like Hemingways wonderful pack of lies A Moveable Feast (which she references), a vivid portrayal of the writing life and its never-ending lessons. Advertisement Credit: The Herd Johan Anderberg, Scribe, $32.99 When the world went into lockdown, Sweden went its own way, and this is the fascinating inside story superb long journalism. In a gallery of characters, the central one is Anders Tegnell, Swedens state epidemiologist. In March 2020 doctors recommended strict measures, Tegnell, to their astonishment, said there was no need. What followed and its a gripping tale of someone (with other expert support) holding his nerve in the face of enormous pressure both internal and external might be called the Swedish experiment. Without closing schools, and with a minimum of restrictions such as limiting public gatherings and no felt need to engage in contact tracing, Sweden negotiated the pandemic its way. At the end of 2021, Sweden was below just about all comparable European countries in terms of per capita COVID mortality rate. Credit: Straits Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Bloomsbury, $39.99 Advertisement CANBERRA The Commonwealth Government spared no effort to ensure the smoothness of the Russians departure from Canberra early today. The only hitch in the arrangements was caused by torrential rain which fell during the morning and forced the departure time of the two Skymasters in which the Russians travelled to Perth to be delayed almost an hour. Some of the Russians are reported to have become suspicious at the delay, but they were reassured when officials told them it was due only to the weather. The departure aroused little public interest, only casual passers-by watching the Russians go. The two chartered Skymasters took off from the partially flooded runway within five minutes of each other, the first leaving at 9.42 a.m. The precautions against any demonstration or upsets began with the posting of additional police outside the embassy grounds from before dawn. Police make 'significant arrest' over 2019 shooting murder of Melbourne father Mitat Rasimi Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Sarah Ferguson has won the race to replace Leigh Sales as the host of the ABCs flagship current affairs program 7.30. The ABC announced on Friday that the former Four Corners host and Gold Walkley award-winner would be taking the reins once Sales steps down in June, ending the broadcasters hunt for a replacement, which began in February. Sarah Ferguson, former host of Four Corners, will take over from Leigh Sales on 7.30. Credit:ABC The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported Fergusons anointment was imminent on Saturday. Other candidates in the running for the position included 7.30s chief political correspondent Laura Tingle and Insiders host David Speers. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A blindfolded bureaucrat plucks numbered balls out of a bingo cage to decide the order in which candidates are placed on the ballot paper. Its just one aspect of what makes Australias voting system unusual so unusual, in fact, that few other countries in the world use them. Other quirks include our preferential voting system for the House of Representatives, the even more complex partial preferential voting system in the Senate, and compulsory voting. So, how does voting work in Australia? Can your vote be wasted? And what does a donkey vote have to do with the blindfolded bureaucrat? Credit:Artwork: Monique Westermann If the barrel roll seems old-fashioned, thats because it is. Its actually written into the hefty Commonwealth Electorate Act of 1918. That act says the public is allowed to watch the draw, and even roll the barrel themselves. Advertisement The reason the Australian Electoral Commission does this is to make sure the order of House of Representative candidates and parties for the Senate on the ballot papers are randomised. Theyre randomised because of donkey voting. Thats where a voter numbers all the boxes on the ballot paper from top to bottom sequentially. The commission can never be sure if someone is doing this because they dont care about voting, or because those are their genuine preferences. So all donkey votes are counted, says commission spokesman Evan Ekin-Smyth. Common sense would tell you its most likely a donkey vote, but you never know, it could just fall that way. An informal vote is different to a donkey vote and will not be counted. This is where ballots are invalid. They might be left unmarked, or the voter has put a tick or cross instead of numbers, or they have written something on the ballot that identifies them, or they dont have the required number of boxes unmarked. For example, they put just a 1 and nothing else on their House of Reps ballot. See below. Australia is one of only two democracies with compulsory voting. The other is Belgium. In both countries, if people dont vote on polling day they face a fine. About 20 other countries have mandatory voting, including Brazil, but its not enforced with fines. Advertisement The commission expects about 91 per cent of eligible Australians to vote. There are 17 million people enrolled. In other countries, voters may have to number just one box on the ballot for a party or candidate. But to cast a legitimate vote for the House of Representatives in Australia where members are elected by preferential voting people need to number each box on the ballot in order of their choice. This potentially gives voters more say, says Ekin-Smyth. Why? Say a candidate wins 40 per cent of the first preference vote. Its a lot, but not enough for a seat. Another candidate might win fewer first preference votes but then receive the majority of second preferences, which would put that person in the lead. [The first candidate] might be the favourite for 40 per cent but the least favourite for 60 per cent, he says.The idea is that it truly reflects not just peoples most favourite but their least favourite as well. Heres how it works: Advertisement For the Senate, more Tasmanians vote below the line than voters in any other state or territory. About 27 per cent of Tasmanians voted below the line in the last federal Senate election, followed by the ACT with about 22 per cent. Everywhere else, more than 90 per cent of people chose to vote above the line. Both methods above the line or below are perfectly legitimate ways to vote in the Senate. Voters can either number at least six boxes from 1 to 6 above the line, in order of preference; or number at least 12 boxes below the line. They dont have to mark every single box on the ballot paper, which is why its called a partial preferential system. You certainly can number every single box below the line but, depending on your state or territory, you might be there for a while in 2016, NSW had a record 151 candidates on the Senate ballot. Unlike the House of Representatives ballot, where people are voting to elect one candidate, the Senate ballot is usually for six seats. A half-Senate election, usually held at the same time as a federal lower house election, means six of the 12 senators who represent each state are up for election; as are two senators each from the ACT and NT. To win a seat, the party or candidate must get a quota a proportion of the electorates votes based on the number of available seats. For example, if the Nationals win enough votes in NSW to fill two quotas, they get two Senate seats. Heres how Senate voting works (there are quite a few steps, toggle right to get to a result): Advertisement A West Australian Labor Senate hopeful who fled Taliban rule and resettled in Australia with her mother in 2003 has been unable to renounce her Afghan citizenship because of the collapse of the Afghanistan government. But the party is confident Labor organiser Fatima Payman will not be stung by section 44 of the constitution, which rules out dual citizens from any country from running for parliament. WA Labors third-spot Senate candidate Fatima Payman. Payman was eight when she was granted entry to Australia under her mothers refugee visa in 2003 after her family fled Afghanistan during the previous Taliban regime. She was granted Australian citizenship in 2005. The 27-year-old is in the winnable third spot on Labors WA Senate ticket and declared her situation in documents lodged with her nomination. London: The sight of people wearing masks has been normalised over the past two years but seeing them on a herd of cows may still raise an eyebrow. However, that is exactly what might come to pass. An invention, backed by the Prince of Wales, is planning to fit innovative methane-catching devices to British herds to reduce their emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas. Startup company Zelp, founded by Francisco Norris, a former Royal College of Arts student, uses pioneering technology to convert methane that is burped out by dairy and beef herds into water and carbon dioxide in an attempt to stem emissions. Prince Charles at the launch of the cow methane masks on Wednesday, at Royal College of Art Dyson Building, Battersea. Credit:Getty It has been working with one of the UKs largest meat producers to test the devices on cows to help cut the carbon footprint of British beef. It feels like Im watching a movie, a really scary movie, she said. Looking at all of this with my own eyes, I start to realise its reality. That reality is what many people sought to capture as they trudged through mud pockmarked with shrapnel and tatters of Russian uniforms. Karolis Kairys, a friend of Grishins, was visiting from Lithuania to oversee a vehicle delivery that he helped organize through his car enthusiast club for the Ukrainian military. Victoria Yarmuska takes a photograph of her husband Igor Yarmulskyi in Dmytrivka. Credit:Alex Horton/The Washington Post He was adamant about sharing his photos on Facebook, he said, because some of his friends are sceptical that Ukraine had scored battlefield successes. They still believe Russian propaganda and think that its not tanks, that this is all staged, he said. The US-provided Javelin antitank missiles are working good, he said with a laugh. It feels like Im watching a movie, a really scary movie. Victoria Yarmuska Others surveying the vehicles were contemplative about what happened on the shoulder of this road. Ukrainian soldiers who pointed out details to reporters on an earlier visit said one of the vehicles, a T-72 tank, was blasted apart with an RPG from a tree-lined stretch of road on the right, suggesting an ambush that widened into an onslaught. Mykhalio Kalyniuk, who has traversed the eastern Donbas on volunteer work, said his heart raced as he strolled through the wreckage, thinking of how the trees splintered apart in heavy barrages. Its hard to imagine how many people lost their lives to make this one thing happen, he said. I think someone scarified their life to not let these tanks enter Kyiv. The site could be preserved as a testament to those Ukrainian losses, he said, before bending over to pick through the soil next to a vehicle. He palmed three rifle bullet casings and rubbed his fingers over them as if they were shells found on a beach. Loading Destroyed Ukrainian equipment is much harder to find. The military has focused on recovering its own vehicles to repair them or strip them of usable parts, but also to minimise the visibility of its own losses, leaving Russian vehicles the primary draw for passersby. Many Russian vehicles have been removed, especially on highways to help alleviate the flow of traffic. But others remain after heavy equipment has been committed to repairing roads and to the war effort in the Donbas region. And it has become an issue of space, officials have said; salvagers are simply running out of space to dump destroyed cars and other vehicles and must carve out new boneyards. In nearby Hostomel, the scene of some of the closest combat in a fight for the airport there, a destroyed Ukrainian tank sat nestled next to a blown-out shop, perhaps fired upon after the crew tried to conceal it in an alley. Some Ukrainians have confused it for a Russian vehicle after noting that the two countries use many similar tanks and that few of their own militarys vehicles are still around. It appeared someone made an effort to dispel the confusion by taping a Ukrainian flag to it. Word got around, and few people approached the tank on Tuesday. Roman Diachuk spotted the tank and arrived to take photos with his friends until he realised it belonged to his own military. He lowered his camera. In Hostomel, where two men examine a burnt out tank, onlookers have regularly confused Ukrainian tank ruins with Russian ones. Credit:Getty We understand that maybe some of our soldiers died here, he said, adding he was glad the Russians were pushed out of the area. We are sorry for the loss of human life, but that was their decision to come here. Just as the vehicles lie where they were destroyed, so, too, do Russian soldiers themselves, their eyeless bodies dripping with spring rain long after they were abandoned by their retreating comrades. Bands of Ukrainian soldiers hauling Javelins and British-made antitank weapons traversed the forest hunting for Russian armoured vehicles near Teterivske, a small village northwest of Kyiv bombarded by Russian airstrikes. They destroyed several, the soldiers said in interviews, then melted back into the forest. We are sorry for the loss of human life, but that was their decision to come here. Roman Diachuk, Hostomel Loading The Russians left several vehicles behind and at least three of their dead. Washington: Small rocket builder Rocket Lab USA Inc is gearing up for a mission that seems more appropriate for a big-budget action movie: catching a falling four-storey-tall rocket booster with a helicopter. The Long Beach, California-based company is trying to slash the cost of spaceflight by reusing its rockets, a trend pioneered by billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musks SpaceX. Small rocket builder Rocket Labs mid-air recovery of a rocket. But unlike SpaceXs reusable, two-stage rocket Falcon 9, which reignites its engines to return to Earth, Rocket Lab aims for a helicopter with two pilots to pluck a 11.9-metre-tall booster stage from mid-air using a combination of ropes, parachutes and a heatshield. Im pretty confident that if the helicopter pilots can see it, theyll catch it, Rocket Lab Chief Executive Peter Beck told Reuters. If we dont get it this time, well learn a bunch and well get it the next time, so Im not super worried. Wellington: A judge in Fiji is due to rule on whether American authorities can seize the luxurious superyacht Amadea worth some $454 million which has been stopped from leaving the South Pacific nation because of its links to Russia. But a vital question remains over which oligarch really owns the Amadea. Only one of the two possible candidates faces sanctions. Is the real owner Suleiman Kerimov? Thats what the US claims. The Amadea docked at Lautoka Wharf in Fiji. Kerimov, an economist and former Russian politician, was sanctioned by the US in 2018 for alleged money laundering and has faced further sanctions from Canada, Europe and Britain after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kerimov made a fortune investing in Russian gold producer Polyus, with Forbes magazine putting his net worth at $US14.5 billion. Latest News MFAA CEO Mike Felton retires Shock announcement at annual conference Labor might consider limiting clawbacks Party to review system if it wins government Mortgage Choice is extending its lending panel relationship with Bluestone Home Loans, selecting the non-bank lender to partner and launch the aggregators fourth white label product. Mortgage Choice Home Loans Amplify was added to Mortgage Choices lending panel this week, offering brokers access to Bluestones flexible credit policies, fast turnaround times and its internet banking facility for customers. Bluestones ability to service customers with more complex financial structures enhances our brokers product range and allows them to service specific customer segments, said Mortgage Choice interim CEO Anthony Waldron (pictured). Waldron said Mortgage Choice Home Loans (MCHL) Amplify would be available to almost 1,000 brokers in its combined network. The partnership with Bluestone comes at a crucial juncture for Mortgage Choice as our business transitions Smartline brokers across to operate under one brand and one system with an expanded lender panel, Waldron said. Read more: What is the best tool for winning business? Bluestone Home Loans chief customer officer James Angus said after a highly competitive selection process, he was delighted Bluestone was chosen as a mortgage loan partner by Mortgage Choice. Were looking forward to offering Mortgage Choice's brokers a competitively priced home loan product suite underpinned by great service and market-leading turnaround times, Angus said. Combining Mortgage Choice's leading broking technology capabilities with Bluestones human approach to lending will give brokers and their customers access to more choice, which in turn creates a more competitive home loan market. Read more: Brokers need to adapt, says Mortgage Choice sales director Bluestone was in significant acceleration mode over the past year and new white label partnerships were a key part of its growth strategy in 2022. Mortgage Choice Home Loans Amplify marked the fourth white label product launched by Mortgage Choice in the past three years, following MCHL Ignite (February 2020), MCHL Propel (February 2021) and MCHL SmartSelect (March 2022 rebranded from Smartline Select). Latest News MFAA CEO Mike Felton retires Shock announcement at annual conference Labor might consider limiting clawbacks Party to review system if it wins government Pallas Capital has announced new appointments to its distribution team to service high net worth investors, family offices, and institutional investors across Australian and Asia-Pacific. The non-bank lender and structured property investment arranger offers brokers and developers lending solutions tailored to their needs by offering five core loan types. These are acquisition, construction, residual stock and vacant land loans, along with the flexibility to negotiate LVRs and level of pre-sales for construction loans. Brad Gowenlock and Esther Fang (both pictured) have both taken on the role of partner - distribution, based out of Pallas Capitals Sydney and Melbourne offices respectively. Gowenlock spent 30 years working in money markets across Sydney, Tokyo, and Singapore and most recently as head of rates of Tullett Prebon Australia. Fang has extensive expertise working in fund management across the Asia Pacific and has an educational background in finance and law. Read more: Pallas Capital underwrites $100 million in loans through new trust I was introduced to the non-bank lending space by both Mark Spring and Craig Bannister, whom Ive known for over 25 years, along with our executive chairman Patrick Keenan, Gowenlock said. Pallas Capital displays an exceptional level of professionalism and service towards its clients, making sure they have a seamless investment experience. The decision to join the team was an easy one for me. Gowenlock said he looked forward to learning from experts that surround him in the distribution team, as well as the originations and credit teams. Their in-depth knowledge and willingness to help is something I have been impressed with early on and expect to work closely with them moving forward, he said. Read more: CBA announces new chairman Fang was recently awarded a CFA Womens Scholarship and is fluent in English and Mandarin. Pallas Capital has grown over the years to become one of the leading lenders in the industry, not just in Australia but also internationally, Fang said. When the opportunity presented itself, I was excited to join the Pallas Capital team. In this role, I look forward to supporting Pallas Capitals growth, especially by strengthening its ties with ultra-high net worth families in Asia who would be delighted to become valuable investors. Pallas Capital executive director Mark Spring said the non-bank lending space was forecast to grow from $18bn in 2020 to $56bn in 2025 and the property investment arrangers were hiring across all aspects of the business to meet the rising demand. In the two-year period from January 2020 to the present day, Pallas Groups headcount has grown by almost 300% to service this demand, Spring said. Whilst we remain focused on building our high net worth client business, this year will see a greater focus on growing our market share in the wealth planning and institutional space. Weeks after WHO suspended the supply of Covaxin through UN procurement agencies, the MEA suggested that vaccine-maker addresses the issue immediately to avoid cancellation of the world health body's emergency use approval for the jab in the future. In a communication to Dr V K Paul, the convenor of a key empowered group on Covid vaccination, on Tuesday, the said many issues about vaccines and international travel by Indians have arisen and these must be addressed immediately. "The issues pertain to m-RNA based booster dose requirement by countries which, in effect, negates our effort to obtain recognition of Covishield and Covaxin, suspension of supply of Covaxin by WHO, acceptance of Corbevax and Covaxin-based vaccination certificates for children and international travel by Indians vaccinated with Sputnik-V," Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said. In his communication, Shringla said following an inspection of the premises on March 14 for Covaxin's emergency use listing (EUL), WHO has announced the suspension of the vaccine's supply through UN procurement agencies owing to deficiencies in good manufacturing practices. Although WHO maintained that the vaccine is effective and there is no safety concern, it has recommended that countries using the vaccine take action as appropriate. "This situation further complicates the acceptance of Covaxin-based Indian vaccination certificates by other countries, especially by European Union member states such as Germany and France," the communication said. It stated that a proper response or policy from the government needs to be formulated on the issue and on further pursuance of recognition of Covaxin and Covaxin-based certificates by other countries. " must address the matter immediately through DCGI and WHO and avoid any situation that may lead to cancellation of WHO's EUL for Covaxin in future," Shringla said, requesting that a meeting of the empowered group-five be convened to address the issues. In the communication, he also mentioned some authorities abroad, such as in Hong Kong, have begun demanding vaccination certificates for children and only accept m-RNA based jabs for them. It is necessary to quickly initiate the process of recognition of the Corbevax vaccine and its certificate by other countries while Biological E continues to pursue WHO's EUL for it, Shringla said. He also highlighted that the recent development pertaining to Covaxin further complicates the matter and is detrimental to the acceptance of Covaxin-based vaccination certificates for children by other countries. As for Sputnik V, the foreign secretary pointed out that those who have taken the vaccine are unable to international travel abroad as most countries do not accept Sputnik V which does not have WHO's emergency use listing. (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.) Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Conversion on Thursday signed a pact that will boost the indigenous companys capability for developing an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion System to power Indian Navy warships. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi in the presence of the UKs Minister of Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis, and officials from the ministry of defence (MoD), Conversion, and . Conversion is a world leader in electric propulsion. Its equipment is installed on some of the latest platforms of the US Navy and the Royal Navy, including the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers. The Indian Navy is considering building a second indigenous aircraft carrier, referred to as IAC-2, to add to the combat capability already provided by two carriers: a Russian one called INS Vikramaditya and an indigenous carrier, soon to be commissioned, called INS Vikrant. With IAC-2 likely to be similar in size and combat power to two existing Royal Navy carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales a British-French consortium is offering to provide the power system for IAC-2. With India unable to build a nuclear propulsion system for IAC-2, the British-French consortium, designated the Power and Propulsion Sub-Alliance, is offering an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion System. This will include two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines and an alternator supplied by GE Energy, and two Rolls-Royce propellers. The alliance between GE and is expected to build the alternator in India. Last Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson announced the establishment of a joint working group on India-UK Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership with the goal of fostering military and industrial collaboration in maritime electric propulsion systems. Welcoming the MoU, Jeremy Quin said: GE Power Conversion was integral to an industry-government partnership which developed the UKs world-leading electric propulsion capability currently in operation with our Royal Navys destroyer and aircraft carrier fleets. With proven ability to support Indias frontline ships, is a perfect partner for this endeavour. According to a MoD press release on Thursday, With the signing of the MoU, the expertise and facilities of GE Power Conversion and BHEL can be leveraged for quick induction of this advanced technology. GEs powerful electrical networks are capable of supporting a ships energy requirements, including propulsion, high-power sensors, service loads and pulse power for defence systems. GEs naval technologies are proven on naval applications from 3 Mw to 110 Mw, including naval electric motors and generators, switchboards, power converters, power management and automation and control systems, said GE. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of naval requirements and standards, GE Power Conversion claims it has the capability to provide integrated solutions for design, integration, installation, and life cycle support of electric propulsion systems. These are expected to be passed on to BHEL, a central public sector undertaking that has been a supplier of critical equipment and services in the defence and aerospace sector for over three decades. Drone manufacturer ideaForge has closed its Series B round of $20 million led by Florintree, a company led by Mathew Cyriac, the former private equity co-head for Blackstone India. The round also saw participation from the companys existing investors Celesta, a prominent technology investment fund, Infosys, Qualcomm and Infina, along with the Exim Bank of India. Founded in 2007 by IIT Bombay alumni, ideaForge has over 15 years of research and development (R&D) history and it owns more than 20 global patents. Its customers include the Indian military, Adani group, L&T, Indian Oil, Survey of India, Indian Railways, among others. ideaForge Co-founder and CEO Ankit Mehtas, said: ideaForge is very happy to be associated with Florintree, which has a proven track record of helping organisations unlock enterprise value. ideaForge has grown 10X in the last two years and we will use this to invest in R&D, international expansion and building a world-class team. We want to continue to create high performance, reliable and autonomous drones that inspire the adoption of this technology, he added. The Indian government expects the drone manufacturing industry to invest over Rs 5,000 crore over the next three years and generate 10,000 direct jobs. By FY24, it estimates the turnover of the drone manufacturing industry to grow to Rs 900 crore from Rs 60 crore now. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech in February, said the government will encourage startups to facilitate drone-as-a-service (draas). Drone-as-a-service allows enterprises to avail various services from drone companies, removing the need for them to invest in drone hardware or software, pilots, and training programmes. The drone services industry is expected to grow to over Rs 30,000 crore in next three years and generate over five lakh jobs, according to the government. Realty firm Ltd on Thursday said it has acquired a 58-acre land parcel in to develop a residential project as part of its strategy to expand business. The company, which is part of Godrej group, did not disclose the value of this land deal. The development on this land will comprise primarily of plotted residential units, the company said in a regulatory filing. The project will offer an estimated saleable area of 1.5 million square feet. "We are happy to add this new project in to our portfolio. This fits with our strategy of strengthening our presence in key residential markets across the country," Mohit Malhotra, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, said. The project has good connectivity to Airport and the Nagpur - Hyderabad highway with well-established social infrastructure in the vicinity, the company said. "Nagpur has many prominent infrastructure projects like the Metro Rail project, IT and manufacturing facilities in MIHAN SEZ and Airport Cargo Hub, along with the upcoming Samruddhi Mahamarg, which will further boost national connectivity and the related demand for quality residential units," it added. plans to invest around Rs 7,500 crore over the next 12-18 months on acquisition and development of new real estate projects. In an interview with PTI in February, Executive Chairman Pirojsha Godrej had said, "We will invest USD 1 billion (around Rs 7,500 crore) over the next 12-18 months on development of new projects." Godrej Properties acquires new projects through outright purchase of land parcels and also by forming joint ventures with land owners. Pirojsha had said the company would achieve an all-time high sales bookings in the 2021-22 financial year, beating the previous year's record of Rs 6,725 crore. Last month, Godrej Properties acquired a 9-acre land parcel in Pune to develop a housing project with an estimated revenue of Rs 1,400 crore. It also bought about 50-acre land parcel at Sonipat in Haryana for plotted development. Housing sales rose in 2021, after suffering a major setback in the previous calendar year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown. According to property consultant Anarock, sales across the top seven cities rose 71 per cent year-on-year in 2021 to 2,36,530 units. PropTiger.com said that housing sales across eight major cities increased 13 per cent to 2,05,936 units in 2021. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's antitrust body launched raids on Thursday against two top domestic sellers of online retail giant .com Inc over accusations of having violated competition laws, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Indian retailers, a key part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support base, have long contended that Amazon's platform largely benefits a few big sellers, with the firm engaging in predatory pricing that harms their businesses. The company says it complies with all Indian laws. The exact nature of the purported violations prompting Thursday's raids was not immediately clear. The two sellers were Cloudtail and Appario, the sources said on condition of anonymity, as the details were not public. Amazon, which has an indirect equity stake in both, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cloudtail, Appario and the regulator, the (CCI), also did not immediately respond to emailed queries. One source said the raids, carried out in the capital, New Delhi and the southern tech hub of Bengaluru, related to CCI's investigation ordered in January 2020. In that case, and rival Walmart's Flipkart face accusations of anti-competitive practices, such as promoting preferred sellers on websites and giving priority to listings by some sellers. The deny the accusations, and the antitrust investigation continues. has previously said it "does not give preferential treatment to any seller on its marketplace," and "treats all sellers in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner". A Reuters investigation last year, based on Amazon documents, showed it had given preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers, including Cloudtail, and used them to bypass Indian laws. The report showed Amazon had for years helped a small number of sellers prosper on its platform, with discounted fees and helping Cloudtail strike special deals with big tech firms. The anti-trust body told a court the Reuters report corroborated evidence it had received against Amazon. In August, Amazon and Cloudtail decided the latter would cease to be a seller from May 2022. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of parent Meta Platforms surged as much as 19 per cent on Thursday after the company reported its main platform added more users than projected in the first quarter, easing concerns that the company is losing momentum as a new generation flocks to younger sites like TikTok. Meta on Wednesday reported 1.96 billion daily users for its flagship platform, a return to growth after the first-ever decline in the December quarter. Analysts had estimated 1.94 billion. Revenue for the period jumped 6.6 per cent to $27.9 billion, clocking in the slowest growth in a decade, and would have been higher if not for the war in Ukraine, the firm said. The stock had dropped almost 50 per cent this year as investors became increasingly worried that Metas main business and profit engine advertising in its social media feeds was losing steam. Those concerns appear to have been put to rest at least for now given added 31 million new daily active users in the recent quarter. Still, many of Metas challenges remain. Chief Executive Officer has acknowledged that video-sharing app TikTok, is providing serious competition for young users attention. The shares jumped to as much as $208.20, the biggest intraday increase since July 2013. A prolonged slowdown would make it tougher for the company to justify Zuckerbergs expensive, virtual-reality-fuelled vision of the metaverse, a business that wont bring in profit for years if ever. On an analyst call Wednesday, Zuckerberg reiterated that it will be years before Metas Reality Labs unit, which is building AR and VR technology, will contribute meaningfully to its business. Meanwhile, the company has said its spending billions and hiring thousands of workers to develop the platform, which Zuckerberg sees as the next major computing shift, into a fully immersive digital environment where users will interact virtually while they work, shop and play games. Mid-tier IT company is set to achieve its long-held aspiration of the yearly revenue rate touching USD 1 billion by the September 2023 quarter, a top official said on Thursday. The Pune-headquartered company posted a 42 per cent jump in revenue to USD 217 million in the March quarter, when it witnessed a 45.9 per cent growth in net profit at Rs 200.9 crore. The company had first spoken about the USD 1 billion annual revenue aspiration a few years ago when it was clocking revenues of about USD 400 million, and made it clear that it will be doing acquisitions to achieve the goal. It can be noted that since the beginning of the pandemic, demand for digitisation has helped IT post handsome growths. Persistent's chief executive Sandeep Kalra told PTI that the company now looking at realising the USD 1 billion aspiration in "four to six quarters" from now, which means it will be hitting the USD 250 million per quarter revenue by September. Kalra said only USD 4.7 million came from the three acquisitions tied up by the company in the last two quarters, and added that most of the revenue is organic one. When asked about acquisitions strategy going forward, he said the company will focus on integrating and assimilating the acquired with its operations. Kalra said it closed FY22 with a Total Contract Value (TCV) of USD 1.22 billion, which has the annual contract value potential of USD 943 million, while in the March quarter it had a TCV of USD 361 million or an annual contract value of USD 262 million. Referring to positive conversations with the clients in meetings held over the last 3-4 weeks, Kalra said the deal pipeline is very strong and things are "looking well" for the mid to long term. The company's chief financial officer Sunil Sapre said the biggest headwind going forward is supply side constraints, which are resulting in a war for talent. Kalra said the turbulence will continue for 2-3 quarters more and the company would like to decrease its attrition level further from the elevated levels of over 26 per cent in March. It is taking specific efforts to reduce the attrition like opening delivery centres at places where the staff would like it to be, Sapre said, adding that it is thinking of having a facility in Indore or satellite centres in Bengaluru. The company is targeting to hire at least 3,000 freshers in FY23 because of the high demand, Kalra said, adding that lately there has been a surge in hiring of freshers for the company. The scrip of Persistent was trading 4.93 per cent up at Rs 4,277.95 apiece on the BSE at 1341 hrs as against a 1.28 per cent gain on the benchmark. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Thursday reported a 33 per cent jump in its net profit to Rs 170 crore in quarter ended March 2022. The housing finance company (HFC) had posted a net profit of Rs 127 crore in the same quarter a year earlier. Total income during the last quarter of 2021-22 ended in March, however, fell to Rs 1,425.83 crore from Rs 1,833.90 crore in the same quarter of 2020-21 as the interest income was down, said in a regulatory filing. The company's interest income in Q4FY22 was lower at Rs 1,299.48 crore, as against Rs 1,670.14 crore in Q4FY21. Net interest income was down by 37 per cent at Rs 377 crore from Rs 593 crore. "During Q4FY2021-22, there is a net income reversal of Rs 58 crore on derecognized loans due to unwinding impact of spread contraction and run offs whereas during Q4FY2020-21, there was a net positive impact of Rs 58 crore on derecognized loans due to fall in assignees' MCLR in Q4FY21-22, " it said in a release. There is an IndAS (Indian Accounting System) adjustment resulting in net interest income reversal of Rs 70 crore. During the quarter, its disbursements grew by 31 per cent from the preceding quarter to Rs 3,698 crore but were down by 10 per cent year-on-year from Rs 4,103 crore as in March 2021 quarter. The gross non-performing assets (NPAs) were down by 1.4 per cent from December 2021 quarter at retail level to 3.56 per cent at end March 2022, it said. Net NPA stood at 4.49 per cent of the loan assets by March 2022 as compared to 4.87 per cent by December 2021. For the full fiscal year 2021-22, the housing financier reported a decline of per cent in its net profit at Rs 836.48 crore, from Rs 929.90 crore in previous fiscal year. Total income during the year was also lower at Rs 6,200.73 crore from Rs 7,624.08 crore. Net interest income was down by 20 per cent at Rs 1,869 crore compared to Rs 2,322 crore. The disbursements during the year witnessed a growth of 8 per cent at Rs 11,246 crore as against Rs 10,445 crore in previous fiscal year. Retail disbursements were 97 per cent of total disbursements in 2021-22, said. Its asset under management (AUM) stood at Rs 65,977 crore as of end March 2022 with retail book comprising 89 per cent of the AUM compared to 84 per cent by end of March. Corporate AUM declined by 39 per cent from a year ago to Rs 7,159 crore from Rs 11,786 crore. The decline in corporate AUM is primarily on account of sell down/accelerated payments and no new sanctions, it added. With 100 branches across 70 cities, 40 outreach locations and 22 hubs, the company said it opened 29 new Unnati locations in tier 2 and 3 cities during the fiscal ended March 2022. Unnati is its affordable housing portfolio with focus on loan ticket size of Rs 15 lakh. The company said it will strengthen distribution network with increased presence in tier II and III cities under Unnati. The board of directors of the company also approved to raise up to Rs 2,500 crore equity by issue equity share on right issue on March 9, 2022. "With the broader improvement in real estate sector demand, the company registered robust disbursement growth at 31 per cent QoQ. "The focus on retail segment led to the growth in the loan asset despite decline in the corporate loan asset during the quarter. Further, the concentrated efforts on recovery led to a decline of 27 per cent in the retail segment GNPA. The company would continue to focus on its asset growth while improving asset quality," Hardayal Prasad, Managing Director & CEO said. PNB Housing Finance shares ended at Rs 390.90 apiece on BSE, up 0.62 per cent. The company promoted by state-owned lender PNB said its board of directors at the meeting appointed Atul Kumar Goel, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO) of Punjab National Bank (PNB) as a nominee director on its board. Goel has been appointed as an additional director in the capacity of nominee non-executive director of the company, PNB Housing 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 investigative arm of the (CCI) has carried out search-and-seizure operations at multiple premises linked to two sellers of .com, Inc, in connection with an investigation launched against e-commerce players over preferential treatment, said two people privy to the development. is assessing the anti-competitive conduct against seven/eight sellers associated with e-commerce players, they said. The director-general (D-G) of is empowered to carry out searches like other law enforcement agencies in accordance with the direction of the commission. In the matter, a team of officials from the D-G office, local police, and forensic experts have visited multiple locations in Delhi and Bengaluru. Officials are learnt to have questioned key employees of the seller present at the premises. They are learnt to have also taken possession of certain documents, digital data, servers, etc from the search site, said people in the know. searches typically continue for three to four days. According to sources, the raids were conducted on the offices of Cloudtail and Appario, both sellers of e-commerce giant Amazon, as well as the seller offices of Walmart-owned . Without commenting on the specific case, an official said that the competition law provides a very robust framework to assess anti-competitive conduct, which enables CCI to examine, inter alia, instances of preferential treatment by platforms possessing market power and issue suitable remedies to address competition concerns in case the infringement is found to be established. Indias antitrust body launched raids on the two top domestic sellers of over accusations of having violated competition laws. According to sources, the raids are related to a CCI probe ordered in January 2020 on allegations of anti-competitive conduct, such as giving deep discounts on online sales of smartphones and cherry-picking sellers. Other allegations include predatory pricing and exclusive partnerships. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) - which represents around 70 million traders in the country - has hailed CCI for conducting raids on the offices of Cloudtail and Appario. It is a much-awaited welcome step by CCI. This vindicates the substance of various complaints made by CAIT against and Flipkart, said CAIT Secretary-General Praveen Khandelwal. In March this year, CCI cleared Amazons proposal to acquire Catamaran Ventures entire stake in Prione Business Services (Prione) a joint venture (JV) between Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthys Catamaran Ventures and the US-based e-commerce giant. Prione houses Cloudtail - one of the largest retailers on the e-commerce firms Indian platform. Another seller Appario Retail is a subsidiary of Frontizo - a JV between Amazon and Patni Group. ALSO READ: Top traders body CAIT lauds CCI raids on Amazon sellers Cloudtail, Appario The role of Murthy should also be investigated while conducting the raid, said Khandelwal, adding, CAIT appreciates the action taken by the D-G. An email query to Amazon and remained unanswered till the time of going to press. In the context of e-commerce platforms, the concern is that in light of the dual roles performed by them (i.e., role of marketplace, as well as a competitor in the market), they may have the ability, as well as the incentives, to discriminate and leverage. From a competition law perspective, it is important they remain neutral in their functioning. While some cases have been decided by CCI, many are either under investigation or at inquiry level, said another person. The nature of data, difficulty in understanding the operation of algorithms, and other complexities means that authorities need to apply new tools and approaches to investigate and inquire into anti-competitive behaviour in digital markets. Increasingly, data is emerging as an important metric in the assessment of market power, as well as examining conduct, one of the two people cited above explained. Recently, all employees of Cloudtail and its parent firm Prione Business Services, numbering 1,200, were reportedly being moved to Amazon India, according to sources. The process is expected to be completed by the end of May. The relationship between Murthy and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos goes back to 2014, when Prione, a 49:51 JV, was formed. In 2019, the JV was restructured after the government stipulated that foreign e-commerce marketplaces cannot sell products of their group on their platforms. Following this, Catamaran Ventures increased its stake in Prione to 76 per cent, reducing Amazon Asias stake to 24 per cent. A major chunk of Priones revenues came from its ownership of Cloudtail - one of the biggest and most profitable retailers on Amazon. Last year in August, Amazon and Catamaran Ventures mutually decided to not continue their JV beyond the end of its current term. The JV, Prione Business Services, which has been running successfully for the past seven years, is up for renewal on May 19. Last year in December, Amazon had said that Prione would be acquired by Amazon, subject to requisite regulatory approvals. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) which represents about 70 million traders in the country has hailed the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for conducting raids on the offices of Cloudtail and Appario, both sellers of e-commerce giant Amazon. It is a much-awaited welcome step of which will surely vindicate the substance of various complaints made by the against Amazon and Flipkart, said secretary general Praveen Khandelwal, while commenting upon the action of the . India's antitrust body has reportedly launched raids against the two top domestic sellers of Amazon over accusations of having violated competition laws. According to the sources, the raids are related to CCI's investigation ordered in January 2020 about allegations of anti-competitive conduct such as giving deep discounts on online sales of smartphones, and cherry-picking sellers. Other allegations included predatory pricing and exclusive partnerships. For the past three years, the said it has been raising strong objections against the malpractices of Amazon and Flipkart and filed complaints with CCI, besides strongly fighting delaying tactics of Amazon and Flipkart in various courts as well. In March this year, cleared Amazons proposal to acquire Catamaran Ventures entire stake in Prione Business Services Pvt. Ltd., the joint venture between Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthys Catamaran Ventures and the US-based e-commerce giant. Prione Business Services houses Cloudtail, one of the largest retailers on the e-commerce firms Indian platform. Another seller, Appario Retail is a subsidiary of Frontizo, which is a joint venture between Amazon and the Patni Group. The role of Mr Narayana Murthy should also be investigated while conducting the raid, said Khandelwal. CAIT appreciates the action taken by DG, CCI. CAIT National President B C Bhartia and Khandelwal, and National Secretary Sumit Agarwal, in a joint statement, said the situation demands that all the records on paper and computers of both the sellers pertaining to the complaints of should be confiscated so that these can not be tempered. The seizure of records will amply substantiate the charges made by CAIT against Amazon and Appario. Besides, these two sellers, other top 20 sellers of Amazon in last 5 years, should also be properly scanned since Amazon is flouting all laws and FDI (foreign direct investment) policy of the Government, alleged Bhartia, Khandelwal and Agarwal. They alleged that Amazon is trying to create a monopolistic market in India for a long time and there is no transparency on Amazon's e-commerce portal thereby causing huge damage to small retailers in the country and collateral damage to the consumers. The trade leaders further said that predatory pricing, deep discounting, loss of funding, the exclusive sale of branded products in collusion with respective corporate companies, and owing inventory are some of the fundamental issues raised by the CAIT. All these practices are explicitly prohibited under Press Note 2 of FDI policy of 2018. CAIT alleged that the biggest hit verticals due to the malpractice of Amazon and Flipkart include mobile, FMCG, consumer durables, clothing, readymade garments, beauty care products, watches, gift items and furnishing fabric. All the employees of Cloudtail and its parent firm Prione Business Services, numbering about 1,200, were reportedly being moved to Amazon India, according to the sources. The process was expected to be completed by the end of May. The relationship between N R Narayana Murthy and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos goes back to 2014, when Prione, a 49:51 JV, was formed. In 2019, the JV was restructured after the government stipulated that foreign e-commerce marketplaces cannot sell the products of their group on their platforms. Following this, Catamaran Ventures increased its stake in Prione to 76 per cent, reducing Amazon Asias stake to 24 per cent. A major chunk of Priones revenues came from its ownership of Cloudtail, one of the biggest and most profitable retailers on Amazon. However, such partnerships face stiff resistance from local trade associations including CAIT and its affiliate Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM) that perceive Amazon and Flipkart as threats to local retailers and they have alleged preferential treatment to select sellers. They have said that Cloudtail, one of the largest sellers on website, is owned by Prione. Last year in August, Amazon and Catamaran Ventures mutually decided to not continue their joint venture (JV) beyond the end of its current term. The JV, Prione Business Services, which has been running successfully for the past seven years, was coming up for renewal on May 19, 2022. Last year in December, Amazon had said that Prione Business Services will be acquired by Amazon, subject to the requisite regulatory approvals. The businesses of the JV continued under the leadership of the current management and once the regulatory approvals came through, the board of Prione and Cloudtail (owned by Prione) was expected to complete the transaction in compliance with the applicable laws. CAIT had come down heavily on the CCI for dropping the investigation against Amazon for violations pertaining to selling private labels on its portal. CAIT had termed the CCI as a spineless toothless body incapable of discharging duties as an Anti-Trust Regulator. It alleged issues were kept pending for a long and indefinite period and by that time, the gravity of the issue already caused damage to the affected party. The CAIT has demanded an in-depth study of the working of the CCI and remedial measures to make it a more efficient and accountable regulator like TRAI and SEBI. An email query to Amazon remained unanswered till the time of going to press. According to the sources, similar raids have also been carried by CCI on seller offices of Walmart-owned Flipkart. "The action by CCI to conduct a dawn raid on sellers on Amazon and Flipkart is beyond the ambit of the regulator," said K Narasimhan Advocate Madras High court. "CCI is mandated to investigate cartel and anti competitive practices. Raids can conducted when parties refuse to co-operate." "The raid by the CCI on sellers on e-commerce platforms will set a dangerous precedent and cause huge damage to the MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) wishing to go or already online," said Vinod Kumar President India SME Forum. "The regulators must desist from singling out online sellers in an arbitrary manner. Level playing field must be ensured between all retail players, offline as well as online." B2B travel company TravClan, has raised $4.7 million in its extended Pre-Series A round, led by Hashed Emergent Fund and angel investors. TravClans prominent angel investors include Nick Talwar (CEO at Circle Up), Aayush Phumbra (former cofounder of Chegg), Travis Katz (former cofounder of Trip.com), Pritesh Gupta (former cofounder of Zipgo), and Vikram Chopra and Mehul Agrawal (cofounders of Cars24). Offline travel agents sell $500 billion plus worth of bookings every year. Covid has accelerated the need and demand from travel agents to digitise their operations. Our platform is enabling travel to rebuild their business faster and earn a better livelihood by generating more demand, said Arun Bagaria, cofounder and CEO of TravClan. Our tech-first approach on solving challenges faced by travel businesses has allowed us to build a highly capital efficient business with a small team. The additional capital raised within 3 months of the previous round allows us to double down on investing in product and technology as we look to rapidly scale 10x over the next year, he said. TravClan has expanded to 8 cities in India, Dubai and Singapore and plans to launch operations in the US and South East over the next 12 months. Despite the impact of Covid-19, TravClan claims to have grown nearly 20x during the pandemic and claims to be on track to clock $100 million GMV run rate in this quarter with a positive contribution margin. TravClan was co-founded by Arun Bagaria, Chirag Agrawal, Ashish Thapliyal in October 2018. The founders previously worked in key leadership roles at Oyo, Travel Triangle and Cars24 and understood the challenges faced by 300,000 small and medium travel agents in India. In a race to become India's first chip maker, Ltd is seeking 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of free land from states and other incentives for its $20 billion foray into and display manufacturing, sources told Reuters. The oil-to-metals conglomerate in February said it will diversify into chip manufacturing and announced plans to form a joint venture with Taiwan's Foxconn to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plans to make India a manufacturing hub. Though is seeking federal incentives under a Modi programme offering fiscal support, it is separately asking states for 1,000 acre of land free of cost on a lease for 99 years, according to two sources with direct knowledge of . It needs 700 acres for its own facility, and the remainder for ancillaries. has told state governments that its operations would help them generate $2.2 billion in tax revenues over 20 years and create up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, said the first source. The company is in advanced stages of reviewing proposals from at least three Indian states, Telangana and Karnataka in the south, and Maharashtra in west, added the source. Vedanta did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives of the IT and industries department in the three states did not immediately respond. More corporations and nation states, including India, are looking at ways to have seamless access to chips, which is at the core of many future critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G. Most of the world's chip output is limited to a few countries like Taiwan and United States. India, albeit a late entrant, is now actively luring companies, saying in December it wants to "usher in a new era in electronics manufacturing." From $15 billion in 2020, Indian market is estimated to reach $63 billion by 2026, the government says. Chip plants generally consume electricity and water in huge quantities and their erratic supplies often concern industry in India. As part of lobbying the states, Vedanta is demanding water and power at concessionary and fixed prices for a period of 20 years, the sources said. The first source added that Vedanta expects its plants to eventually consume about 40 million litres of water daily. That would be roughly the amount of water required for a city with more than 300,000 people, going by the suggested benchmark for urban water supply by the Indian government. Separately, while Modi's federal scheme could offer 50% financing support on the project's capital expenditure, Vedanta is seeking additional incentives from states, the source said. India, hoping to attract more global investments in the space, will hold from Friday a three-day semiconductor conference in its southern tech hub of Bengaluru that Modi will inaugurate. Singapore's IGSS Ventures and ISMC, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi-based Next Orbit Ventures and Israel's Tower Semiconductor, have also sought federal incentives under Modi's programme. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is likely to hold auction in early June, telecom minister said on Thursday. The minister said that the is working as per expected timeline and the process is on to resolve industry concerns around spectrum pricing. Asked about the schedule of the spectrum auction, Vaishaw said that it is expected to be in early June. Setting the stage for the rollout of 5G services, telecom regulator has mooted a mega auction plan valued at over Rs 7.5 lakh crore at the base price across multiple bands for radio waves allocated over 30 years. "We are very much as per our timeline to conduct the auction," Vaishnaw said. The minister said that the Digital Communications Commission will take a call on recommendations and approach them for clarification. The watchdog has recommended a mega auction plan of over Rs 7.5 lakh crore for over 1 lakh megahertz spectrum in case the government allocates it for a period of 30 years. In case of 20 years, the total value of the proposed spectrum auction will stand at around Rs 5.07 lakh crore at the reserve price, according to the back-of-the-envelope calculation. While has reduced spectrum price by about 39 per cent compared to last price, telecom operators have said that the recommended rates are higher than global benchmarks. (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.) Just-concluded online Canton Fair enjoys great popularity 09:25, April 28, 2022 By Wang Wenzheng ( People's Daily The online Canton Fair, which is hailed as the barometer and wind vane of Chinas foreign trade, has built a unique economic and trade bridge for Chinese and foreign exhibitors and buyers. Marketing personnel with Qingdao Jifa Group Holdings Co., Ltd. in Jimo district, Qingdao city, east Chinas Shandong province, promote clothes produced for overseas market via the livestreaming platform of the China Import and Export Fair, April 15, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Liang Xiaopeng) The 131st China Import and Export Fair was held online from April 15 to 24. It was the fourth time that the event has been held online. The latest session of the event, also known as Canton Fair, basically maintained the same scale as that of the previous session. It gathered about 25,500 domestic and overseas exhibitors, who showcased more than 3.05 million exhibits during the event, including 951,500 new products, both record highs. Fifty exhibition sections have been set up for 16 categories of commodities; the official website of the trade fair attracted 10.09 million visitors and saw 33.9 million pageviews during the event; and 536,000 overseas buyers from 228 countries and regions registered for the exhibition, rising 41.8 percent from the previous session. The Canton Fair, which has been held continuously for over 60 years, has accumulated a huge number of fans. Although it was held online due to the protracted pandemic, the 131st session of the event still saw active participation by exhibitors and buyers and achieved plenty of fruits with the help of new technologies and forms such as image and text, video, 3D, and virtual reality (VR). Statistics suggest that during the latest session of the Canton Fair, the online exhibition booths of exhibitors registered over 6.22 million visits, and the participating enterprises hosted 85,300 livestreaming shows to showcase their products. An employee with Hebei Tieniu Bicycle Industry Co., Ltd. based in Guangzong county, Xingtai city, north Chinas Hebei province, sells bicycles for children via livestreaming during the 131st China Import and Export Fair, April 21, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Wang Lei) We hosted six livestreaming shows within one day during the trade fair, said Wang Dingying, deputy general manager of Ningbo Peaceport Import and Export Co., Ltd. The companys products were displayed in 14 exhibition sections of the trade fair, which covered hardware, garments, home decorations, shoes, suitcases and bags, office supplies, consumer electronics, household electrical appliances and other categories. Livestreaming shows on household electrical appliances were the most popular, according to Wang, who added that new models of small appliances such as coffee maker and high-speed blender attracted buyers from India, the Philippines and other countries immediately after they were displayed. One of the highlights of the 131st Canton Fair was high-tech products and new products that made their debut at the event. More exhibitors showcased products they independently developed and products under their self-owned brands during the 131st Canton Fair compared with in previous sessions. Shanghai Dragon Import and Export Co., Ltd. exhibited a good number of new products at the event, including exquisite aluminum cookware and stainless steel pot with ergonomically designed bakelite handle. Featuring novel design and high-quality materials, these products that suit market demands drew the attention of many overseas buyers. Green and low-carbon products turned out a hit during the event. Foshan Mega Green Products Co., Ltd. based in Foshan city, south Chinas Guangdong province, brought to the 131st Canton Fair many new environment-friendly bamboo products, including degradable PLA (polylactic acid) cup and eco-friendly lunchbox. Bamboos growth cycle is shorter than trees, and cutting them down wont cause soil erosion. So they can replace trees as a production material and thus help protect the environment and save resources, pointed out Feng Limei, general manager of the company. The epidemic has affected the living and eating habits of consumers, which is reflected in their surging demand for disposable tableware, Fend said, adding that their degradable tableware received a lot of negotiation intentions during the event. Overseas exhibitors have also reaped the benefits of the Canton Fair. A total of 402 overseas companies from 32 countries and regions around the world exhibited diversified and characteristic products at the international pavilion of the 131st Canton Fair, including Spanish soap, Chilean red wine, Turkish coffee pot, Korean sheet mask, German bearing and Afghan pine nut. The number of global partners of the recent Canton Fair has reached 170, including 50 from countries along the routes of the Belt and Road Initiative and more than 40 from all member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The Canton Fair is a golden name card of Chinas foreign trade development and has gained the huge advantage of high credibility during the past over 60 years, said Lin Xiaofeng, vice president of overseas marketing at Shenzhen Topray Solar Co., Ltd. in Guangdong, adding that the company has been able to establish long-term cooperative relations with many Chinese and foreign customers via the platform. The high popularity of the Canton Fair is underpinned by the Chinese market filled with enormous business opportunities and the resilient Chinese economy. Chinas foreign trade has posted positive year-on-year expansion for seven consecutive quarters; and during the first quarter of 2022, the countrys foreign trade value totaled 9.42 trillion yuan ($1.44 trillion), up 10.7 percent year on year. The impressive performance of Chinas foreign trade has injected confidence and strength into Chinese and foreign exhibitors at the latest Canton Fair. The online Canton Fair has provided solid support for stabilizing global industrial and supply chains and added strong impetus into global economic recovery, according to Bekar Mikaberidze, chief representative of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Guangdong. China has a broad market, and I have full confidence in making deployment and deepening our exploration of the Chinese market, Mikaberidze added. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) An of the South Municipal Corporation (SDMC) scheduled at Jasola and Sarita Vihar was cancelled due to the unavailability of adequate police force on Thursday, the civic authorities said. According to SDMC officials, the drive was planned for Thursday in the Jasola-Sarita Vihar area to remove permanent and temporary encroachments from roads and government land. The drive was scheduled a day after SDMC Mayor Mukesh Suryan visited these areas. "The drive at Jasola and Sarita Vihar has been cancelled due to the unavailability of adequate police force. The area SHO informed us that adequate police personnel cannot be provided for the drive due to the pre-engagement of the police staff in other law-and-order duties. The drive will be rescheduled accordingly," Suryan said. In a letter to the SDMC, Police said due to the pre-engagement or preoccupation of the staff and personnel of the Sarita Vihar police station in other law-and-order or investigative duties, it is not possible to provide sufficient personnel to assist the SDMC staff in carrying out the in ward number 101-S (Sarita Vihar). "It is requested that prior intimation of at least 10 days may be given to fix the date for the encroachment removal drive in the area of Sarita Vihar police station so that sufficient staff may be given to assist the SDMC staff," it said. Encroachment drives are being planned in the SDMC areas after BJP chief Adesh Gupta wrote to the mayor on April 20, urging him to remove encroachment by "Rohingyas, Bangladeshis and anti-social elements". The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) came under fire from opposition parties and civil rights groups last week, after it bulldozed structures during an at Jahangirpuri, an area that witnessed communal clashes recently. The drive was stopped after the Supreme Court's intervention. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army Chief Gen MM Naravane and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Thursday held separate talks with Commander of the US Command Admiral John Aquilino with a focus on the situation in the and the conflict in Ukraine. Admiral Aquilino was in India to participate in the Raisina Dialogue, India's premier foreign policy and geo-economics conference. On Wednesday, he met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar. The Army said Gen Naravane and Admiral Aquilino discussed ways to enhance bilateral defence ties. "Admiral John C Aquilino, Commander, Command @INDOPACOM called on General MM Naravane #COAS and discussed ways to enhance the existing bilateral defence cooperation," it tweeted. The Indian Air Force said Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari and the visiting American commander deliberated on wide-ranging issues including joint training and exercises. "Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command called on Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari #CAS today. Wide ranging issues of mutual interest including joint training and exercises were discussed during the meeting," the IAF tweeted. Officials said the security challenges in Indo-Pacific and implications of the Ukraine crisis for regional security figured in Admiral Aquilino's talks with Gen Naravane and Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari. The US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) is the oldest and largest combatant command of the US that is responsible for American military activities in the Indo-Pacific. Defence Minister Singh had visited the headquarters of the INDOPACOM in Hawai earlier this month. (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.) Tata Trusts chairman on Thursday said that a network of 17 cancer care centres in will make treatment accessible to all as it is not a "rich man's disease". Speaking at the inauguration of seven such centres, Tata said with these facilities, will be recognised as a state equipped to provide world-class cancer treatment. "Today is an important day in the history of . Higher level healthcare facility for cancer treatment which was earlier not available in the state is being brought here. Cancer is not a rich man's disease," he said. "Assam can now say that even a small state of India has been equipped with world-class cancer treatment facilities," Tata added. Seven cancer care centres were inaugurated by Prime Minister on the occasion, while he also laid the foundation for seven more during the programme. These centres are being developed by Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), a joint venture of the state government and Tata Trusts. Another three hospitals under the network will be opened later this year. The foundation for the project was laid in June 2018 while a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the state government during the 'Advantage Assam' -- Global Investment Summit that year, giving shape to it. Tata said the network of cancer care centres was a culmination of many months of hard work and praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his foresightedness. He also appreciated the Centre's role in making the treatment centres a reality. There is a high prevalence of cancer in Assam mainly due to consumption of smoked meat, tobacco and 'tamul' (areca nuts). (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) in continues to record an upswing in COVID-19 cases with 473 more people being confirmed for the disease on Thursday. A total of 580 fresh infections were reported in the state in the past 24 hours. Besides Gurugram, another NCR district Faridabad recorded 65 new cases, according to the health department's daily bulletin. Of the remaining 20 districts in the state, 42 cases were reported from nine districts, while no case was recorded in eleven districts. As on Thursday, of the 2,215 active cases in the state, 1,548 are from and 506 from Faridabad. During the past few weeks, and Faridabad districts, both of which border Delhi, have recorded a surge in Covid cases Haryana's Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said a high number of cases in the state are mainly being seen around the national capital in the cities of Gurugram and Faridabad. "However, we are fully prepared to tackle any surge in Covid cases," he said. Vij said sufficient number of isolation beds, ICU beds, besides oxygen and medicine stock are available. Speaking during an interaction on Wednesday which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with chief ministers through video conferencing on the emerging COVID-19 situation in the country, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said a high number of cases in the state are mainly being seen in the cities of Gurugram and Faridabad. Khattar had also said that the state is fully prepared to tackle any surge in Covid cases, adding enhanced health infrastructure has been set up in the state. (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 Centre on Wednesday defended in the the passage of the Government of NCT of (Amendment) Act, saying disruptions in the functioning of the NCT of have been witnessed as the Lieutenant Governor is often "kept in the dark" regarding the decisions pertaining to the capital. In an affidavit filed in response to an government plea challenging the 2021 Act, the Centre said the Amendment Act seeks to streamline the governance of NCT of and cut down the conflict. "It is submitted that the last several years have witnessed several instances of practical difficulties and disruptions in the functioning of the NCT of Delhi owing to the fact that the Lieutenant Governor is often kept in the dark regarding the decisions pertaining to the NCT of Delhi, despite the fact that even under the unamended GNCTD Act and Transaction of Business Rules, the Government of NCT of Delhi was required to inform the Lieutenant Governor regarding the administration of NCT of Delhi," the affidavit said. The Centre also told the top court that from a bare reading of the statement of Objects and Reasons, it becomes clear that the amendment was made to the Government of Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 to give effect to the interpretation of the provision of Article 239AA of the Constitution relating to the structure of governance in Capital Territory of Delhi. "The Amendment Act of 2021 in no manner attempts to override the substratum of the Constitution bench's decision or Article 239AA. The Amendment Act merely seeks to bring to and streamline the structure of governance in tune with the principles enshrined by the Constitution bench which are co-extensive power of the executive and legislature, the power granted by the elected government of NCT of Delhi as well as federal structure of the Constitution," it said. The affidavit stated that the Amendment Act, 2021 is not vague and is not liable to be read down or declared unconstitutional on this ground. "It is submitted that the contention of the petitioner that certain expressions inserted by way of the Amendment Act, 2021 are vague such that it is difficult to define or limit its scope does not hold merit," the affidavit said. "The Amendment Act of 2021 seeks to streamline the governance of NCT of Delhi and cut down the conflict by extending the likes of power which was already vested to legislative proposals, agendas, decisions or the orders already passed. "The amended provision provides that the Lieutenant Governor before an Act is passed and a bill is presented to withhold his assent, the Lieutenant Governor shall exercise his power to withhold his assent and reserve the bill for consideration of the President if the bill incidentally encroaches upon the subject which falls outside the purview of the legislative assembly of Delhi," it said. The Centre said that the purpose of the amendment is to make the system of governance more effective by requiring time-bound compliance. The had also sought a joint hearing of two separate petitions of the Delhi government on control over services and challenging the constitutional validity of the amended GNCTD Act, 2021 and the Transaction of Business Rules, which allegedly give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor respectively, saying they are prima facie correlated. The plea by the Delhi government arises out of a split verdict of February 14, 2019, in which, a two judge-bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, both retired since, had recommended to the Chief Justice of India that a three-judge bench be set up to finally decide the issue of control of services in the national capital in view of its split verdict. Justice Bhushan had ruled the Delhi government has no power at all over administrative services. Justice Sikri, however, made a distinction. He said the transfer or posting of officers in top echelons of the bureaucracy (joint director and above) can only be done by the and the view of the lieutenant governor would prevail in case of a difference of opinion on matters relating to other bureaucrats. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has accepted Shah Faesal's application for withdrawing his resignation and reinstated him in service and his next posting would be announced soon, Home Ministry officials said here on Thursday. Faesal, who submitted his resignation in January 2019 and floated the People's Movement (JKPM) party, was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act immediately after the abrogation of special status of the erstwhile state of . However, after his release, Faesal gave up on politics and started dropping hints of his willingness to rejoin government service. His resignation had not been accepted. The doctor-turned-bureaucrat formed his party to "revive democratic politics" in but his political career ended abruptly. In an earlier interview with PTI, Faesal had said, "Soon after quitting (IAS), I realised that my innocuous act of dissent was being seen as an act of treason. It had done more harm than benefit and my act had discouraged a lot of civil services aspirants and my colleagues felt betrayed. It upset me a lot." Home Ministry officials said that Faesal's plea for withdrawal of resignation had been accepted and his next posting would be announced soon. The Home Ministry, which is the cadre controlling authority for the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, had asked for an opinion of the Jammu and Kashmir administration about his plea for withdrawal of resignation. After getting reports from all quarters besides the Department of Personnel and Training, the department looking after the IAS, it was decided to accept his plea and was subsequently reinstated earlier this month, the officials said. Hailing from the remote village of Lolab in north Kashmir, Faesal, whose father was killed by terrorists in 2002, had topped the UPSC examination in 2009. He was detained at Delhi airport on the intervening night of August 14-15, 2019, and sent back to Srinagar and placed under detention. He was booked under the draconian Public Safety Act in February 2020 which was revoked four months later. Faesal, who was the first UPSC topper from Jammu and Kashmir, had on Wednesday dropped hints about his return to the government service. In a series of tweets, he spoke about his idealism letting him down in 2019 when he resigned from the government service to join politics. "8 months of my life (Jan 2019-Aug 2019) created so much baggage that I was almost finished. While chasing a chimera, I lost almost everything that I had built over the years. Job. Friends. Reputation. Public goodwill. But I never lost hope. My idealism had let me down," he said. "But I had faith in myself. That I would undo the mistakes I had made. That life would give me another chance. A part of me is exhausted with the memory of those 8 months and wants to erase that legacy. Much of it is already gone. Time will mop off the rest in believe," he added. Though Faesal did not spell out what he meant by "another chance", speculation has been rife here over the past one year that he might return to the government service either as an or in some advisory role to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. "Just thought of sharing that life is beautiful. It is always worth giving ourselves another chance. Setbacks make us stronger. And there is an amazing world beyond the shadows of the past. I turn 39 next month. And I'm really excited to start all over again," he 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.) New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): With India recording more than 3,000 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, health expert has advised all not to let their guard down by being careless and said that the impact of COVID-19 is 'down but not out'. In an exclusive interview to ANI, the Director of Tata Institute for Genetics and Society in Bangalore, Dr Rakesh Mishra warned that the impact of is down but not nullified and advised all to take precautions to curb the impact of the virus. "It is important for all to take adequate precautions to curb the impact of the virus. It is observed that if the cases rise in an area, there is a chance that another variant exists," he said. "We should not be complacent at the moment. The is 'down but not out'. So, we should exercise all precautions including wearing a mask in public places, avoiding crowded places, etc. Don't be careless," he said. The health expert added, "If you don't take care, there are chances that more people will get re-infected. Also, a new variant may come up and pose problems for all," Dr Mishra said. He further said the number of cases being reported in India as of date is not worrisome. "But need to strengthen environmental surveillance, COVID-19 testing mechanisms and genome sequencing methods. Breaching the 3000 caseload mark today is not really a number to worry about. By strengthening our environmental surveillance, we all can, without testing, know about what is the extent of infection and whether it's increasing or decreasing," the TIGS director said. "We should do it like seawater surveillance or/and air surveillance. Experts shall carry out testing of the people certainly for those who come to hospitals with symptoms or if there is some suspicion of increasing cases in the area and so on. And along with this, we should also do very extensive genome surveillance so that we know whether a new variant has surfaced or the same variant is increasing the infections," Dr Mishra said. "There is a less number of COVID-19 cases being reported as on date as compared to what was reported previously. But that doesn't mean that we have to keep our guard down. COVID-19 has not gone away yet and as long as COVID-19 is around, it may mutate into new variants. We all, thus, have to be very careful for the next few months," he explained. India on Thursday witnessed an uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases, with 3,303 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, the union reported. There were 39 fatalities over the same period. On Wednesday 2,927 COVID-19 cases were reported from the country. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India is facing its worst electricity shortage in more than six years just as scorching temperatures force early closures of schools and send people indoors. Extreme heat parched large swathes of South Asia this week after India's hottest March on record, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to warn of rising fire risks as the country heats up too much too soon. In the capital New Delhi, temperatures have soared past 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for several days and are forecast to linger around 44C until Sunday, with peak summer heat still to come before cooling monsoon rains arrive in June. Maximum temperatures recorded in six districts in West Bengal were at least five degree Celsius above normal, weather officials said, with the lack of rains in state capital Kolkata adding to its worries. People in Odisha state in the east set up stalls at prominent public places to offer water to those passing by. Its neighbour West Bengal has announced summer school breaks from next week, days ahead of schedule. Health officials in the western state of Gujarat made arrangements to tackle a potential spike in patients. "We have issued an advisory to hospitals to set up special wards for heat stroke and other heat-related diseases due to the rise in temperatures," Gujarat's health secretary Manoj Aggarwal told Reuters. In the northwest, Rajasthan has scheduled four hours of for factories, making it at least the third state to disrupt industrial activity to manage surging power demand. "In view of the present power crisis, .. it has been decided to impose scheduled cuts," a state utility said. Industrial disruption and widespread are bad news for corporate India, as economic activity has just started to pick up after months of stagnation amid coronavirus lockdowns. are expected to worsen in the coming days as the heatwaves and a pickup in economic activity are seen increasing electricity demand at the fastest pace in nearly four decades. The unprecedented heat puts millions of blue-collar workers, including construction and farm labourers and those working on factory shop floors, at great risk. Sunstrokes have claimed thousands of Indian lives over the years. "Most of India's population is rural, without access to air conditioning and cooling stations," said Arpita Mondal, hydroclimatologist at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. Daily wage earners and those in urban slums are among the most vulnerable to heat, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, since cities tend to be warmer than rural areas due to the heat trapping effect of buildings and other factors. In addition to power cuts for factories, Rajasthan imposed four-hour power cuts for rural regions, exposing thousands of families in the desert state to extreme temperatures. SOARING POWER DEMAND The leap in power demand has left India scrambling for coal, the dominant fuel used in electricity generation in the country. Coal inventories are at the lowest pre-summer levels in at least nine years. Peak-power demand in India surged to a record high on Thursday, and is seen rising by as much as 8% next month, the power ministry said. India's weather office has warned of hotter weather in the coming days. A shortage of trains to transport coal is exacerbating a fuel supply crisis. India's power secretary said this week that train availability was 6% lower than required. Electricity supply fell short of demand by 1.88 billion units, or 1.6%, during the first 27 days of April, the worst monthly shortfall in over six years, according to a Reuters analysis of data from the federal grid regulator POSOCO. Power cuts in five states, including Rajasthan and Haryana in the north and Andhra Pradesh in the south, were the worst in over six years, the data POSOCO showed. With power cuts showing an increasing trend, April shortages could exceed the large cuts implemented in January 2016 during a previous shortfall in . Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh states restricted industrial activity this month as household air conditioning demand peaked. India last faced a big power crisis in October but the situation this month is far more widespread, with more than half of the country facing more power cuts than in October. (Additional reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj, Jatindra Dash in BHUBANESWAR, Sumit Khanna in AHMEDABAD, Subrata Nagchoudhury in KOLKATA; Gloria Dickie in LONDON; Editing by Gerry Doyle, William Maclean) (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 Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched an international religious tour package from to by air at a moderate cost for this summer, an official said on Thursday. The six-day-five-night package will start from June 19 and end on June 24. Chief Regional Manager (Lucknow) Ajit Kumar Sinha said as part of the programme, people will fly from the Amausi airport here to Kathmandu. In Nepal, they would be taken to the Pashupatinath temple, the Boudhanath Stupa, the Durbar Square and different locations in Pokhara. Sinha said an individual will be charged Rs 48,500 for the tour while the cost for two people booking together would be Rs 39,000 each and it would further come down for three people in a group. The package includes accommodation in a three-star hotel and Indian food, he added. "Based on the response, more such planned trips will be organised from to Nepal," Sinha said. Booking for the package can be done at the Gomtinagar office or on the website, he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister (EAM) on Thursday arrived in to hold talks with his counterpart AK Abdul Momen. Jaishankar was received at the airport by the Bangladeshi Minister of Foreign Affairs and other officials. During his visit to Bangladesh, Jaishankar will also call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apart from holding discussions with his counterpart Abdul Momen. The EAM is on a three-day visit to and Bhutan starting today. Notably, this is Jaishankar's first visit to Bangladesh, since March 2021. Jaishankar's visit to may be seen in the context of frequent bilateral high-level visits and exchanges particularly as both sides commemorate 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties, an official statement said on Wednesday. During his visit to Bhutan, the EAM will receive an audience with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and also call on Bhutan Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering. He will also meet his counterpart Dr Tandi Dorji. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Secretary V P Joy on Thursday praised the Gujarat government's "CM dashboard" system, citing that the initiative is effective in monitoring the delivery of services and receiving feedback from people. The dashboard, comprising a large screen displaying real-time data, has been set up at the official residence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. As per a government release, Joy and his delegation visited the chief minister's residence to understand the functioning of the dashboard monitoring system. Joy spent nearly three hours at Patel's residence to understand the functioning of the system, it was stated. The chief secretary praised the "first of its kind" initiative and said the system of acquiring feedback directly from the beneficiaries gives a new dimension to good governance. "We have come here to understand this CM dashboard initiative as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had once suggested that we should see this system adopted by the for monitoring service delivery and implementation of pro-people schemes," the release quoted Joy as saying. Using the dashboard system, the chief minister can monitor the implementation of various schemes and basic services, such as state transport, street lights and drinking water supply, in any part of the state. The system accesses data from all e-governance applications to monitor against defined key performance indicators. Whenever necessary, the chief minister's office can intervene through a voice call to the administrative machinery down to the village level, the release stated. Dashboard performs a collection of nearly 3,400 indicators of 20 government sectors from various e-governance applications on a daily basis, and integrates all the key stakeholders on a single platform, such as collectors and secretaries, it said. In the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the CMO kept a watch on the availability of hospital beds, oxygen and medicines using the video wall of the dashboard, the release said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Live news updates: India is facing its worst electricity shortage in more than six years as the IMD has predicted that the ongoing heatwave sweeping through vast swathes of the country will intensify in the next five days. In New Delhi, temperatures have soared past 40 degrees Celsius for several days and are forecast to linger around 44C until Sunday. on Wednesday said that Russia's offensive in the east picked up momentum, with several towns coming under intense attack as Moscow's forces attempt to surround Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak on Thursday said that no agreement has been reached on a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. "The time of the meeting of the presidents of the two countries and the context of the meeting have not been determined yet," Podolyak, who is also a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the peace talks with Russia, said. After the Russian gas supplier Gazprom announced that it was fully stopping its gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria, due to the two EU member states' "failure to pay in rubles", European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the (EU) is ready to face the suspension of Russian gas deliveries to its member states. Meanwhile, will hold an informal UN Security Council meeting on May 6 to present first-hand information about the situation on the ground in Ukraine, a Russian official said. The Centre Wednesday told the it needs to have control over administrative services in as it is the capital and the face of the country. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also said the model of governance of the NCT of would invariably requires the Union government to play a central role, even if a legislative assembly or council of ministers is introduced. It was not meant to be about any particular political party, he said. "Since is the capital, it is necessary that the Centre has powers over appointments and transfers of public servants. Delhi is the face of the nation. The world views India through Delhi," he said. "Since it is the capital, it's necessary that the Centre has special powers over its administration and has control over important issues," he said. The government told the top court that the contentious issue of who should control administrative services in Delhi be referred to a Constitution Bench for a holistic interpretation. Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a bench headed by Chief that from a bare reading of the 2017 order making reference to the Constitution Bench, it can be gathered that the terms of reference required all aspects of Article 239AA to be interpreted. "The Constitutional importance of the above reference stems from the fact that Article 239AA was enacted by the 69a Amendment to the Constitution providing for legislative body and a Council of Ministers for the NCT of Delhi. "The significance of the same is much greater in view of the fact that Delhi is also the national capital and as such the model of governance of the NCT of Delhi would invariably require the Union Government to play a central role, even if a legislative assembly or Council of Ministers is introduced. "It was for this reason, the models of governance, provided for other Union Territories were not considered appropriate for NCT of Delhi and a committee called the Balakrishnan Committee was set up to suggest an appropriate governance model, which could balance the need of the Union's role and at the same time provide platform for democratic aspirations of the people," Mehta told the bench also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli. The solicitor general submitted that unless the issue which prevented the decision on the dispute as regards legislative powers of the legislative assembly of NCT of Delhi over entry 41 of List II is decided by a bench of the same or larger strength, the dispute cannot effectively be decided. He said that the issues involve a substantial question of law requiring interpretation of a provision of the Constitution and the key issues involved in the present matter cannot be determined unless the same is decided by a constitution bench. The apex court had earlier asked the Centre if the 2018 judgement on the power row had said the assembly was redundant and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) can have power over legislative functions. The top court had posed the question while commencing the hearing on the contentious issue, arising out of a split verdict over control of services, with the AAP government alleging that the Centre has been negating federalism by taking away its power of transfer and posting. The Centre had referred to Article 239AA (which deals with Delhi and its power) and said that it was a mirror image of a report which had said that Delhi being the national capital cannot be a full-fledged state and the Lt Governor is a stakeholder and this position has been not diluted. The Centre had sought the hearing of the dispute about the control over services in the national capital to a constitution bench on several grounds including that the earlier judgements of the five-judge bench did not give any roadmap to decide as to whether the union or the Delhi government will have the competence to deal with the subject under dispute. The had also sought a joint hearing of two separate petitions of the Delhi government on control over services and challenging the constitutional validity of the amended GNCTD Act, 2021 and the Transaction of Business Rules, which allegedly give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor respectively, saying they are prima facie correlated. The plea by the Delhi government arises out of a split verdict of February 14, 2019, in which, a two judge-bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, both retired since, had recommended to the Chief Justice of India that a three-judge bench be set up to finally decide the issue of control of services in the national capital in view of its split verdict. Justice Bhushan had ruled the Delhi government had no power at all over administrative services. Justice Sikri, however, made a distinction. He said the transfer or posting of officers in top echelons of the bureaucracy (joint director and above) can only be done by the and the view of the lieutenant governor would prevail in case of a difference of opinion on matters relating to other bureaucrats. (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 Chamber Dance Group, which she founded in 1954 in Tel Aviv, would perform not to music but only to the steady pulse of the metronome, celebrating the pure movement of the human body. But when the 1973 ArabIsraeli War disrupted those performances, the artist headed out on another journey of creativity and expression piecing together discarded fabrics as though they were paint to create vibrant, emotive wall ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor The Control Committee (DPCC) has slapped a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the North Delhi Municipal Corporation for being negligent and not taking proper steps to prevent the fire at the Bhalswa landfill, officials said on Thursday. Environment Minister Gopal Rai had earlier asked the anti-pollution body to probe the incident and submit a report within 24 hours. "The North MCD did not take proper steps to prevent and contain the fire. As per the standard operating procedure, the MCD should have kept water tankers on standby to deal with such a situation," an official said. The fire started in a small area on Tuesday, but it spread due to the negligence of civic officials and engulfed the entire mountain of garbage, he said. Rai on Wednesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled municipal corporations should have used the bulldozer to clear the mountains of garbage in Delhi and that repeated incidents of fire at landfills in the capital are a result of corruption in the civic bodies. On April 21, Rai had said the would study a system installed in Mumbai to capture methane from the rotting waste and replicate it in the national capital to prevent fires at landfills. The has seen three such fires since March 28. The wet waste dumped in a landfill produces methane when it rots. In hot weather conditions, methane catches fire spontaneously and the blaze spreads as it feeds on combustible material such as textiles and plastics. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As Prime Minister flagged higher fuel prices in many opposition-ruled states including Rajasthan, Chief Minister Wednesday said the PM "by mistake instead of saying Bhopal, mentioned Jaipur" as petrol and diesel cost more in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh. The Congress leader also said Rajasthan government reduced VATs on diesel and petrol on three occasions, which resulted an annual revenue loss of about Rs 6,300 crore "but the PM only mentioned the revenue loss of 6,000 crores of Karnataka and Rs 3500-4000 crores of Gujarat (both states ruled by BJP)". He claimed the Centre has earned about Rs 26 lakh crore from in eight years which, he said, is the highest amount earned by any dispensation in the history of the country by imposing tax on petrol and diesel. The PM talked about levied by states, but did not give information about the excise of the Central government, he said. The PM in a meeting with CMs earlier in the day had urged states to reduce to benefit of the people. He mentioned names of cities including and fuel price there. After the review meeting, the CM said that Modi alleged that the was reduced by the but many states did not reduce VAT, due to which the relief was not passed onto people. "The PM took the name of but wanted to give that message only to the BJP-ruled states because even today the prices of petrol and diesel in are higher than that in . Perhaps by mistake instead of saying Bhopal', he mentioned Jaipur'," he said in a statement. Gehlot said the Rajasthan government had reduced by two percent on petrol and diesel on January 29, 2021, while the Centre had not reduced the at that time. "Two days later in the budget 2021-22, the Government of India imposed a new cess of Rs 4 on diesel and Rs 2.5 per liter on petrol in the name of Agriculture Infrastructure and Development due to which, the people of Rajasthan could not get the benefit of reduction in VAT by 2 percent. "On 4 November 2021, the reduced the excise duty on petrol by Rs 5 and diesel by Rs 10 per liter whereas during the lockdown in May 2020, the government had increased the excise duty on petrol by Rs 10 and diesel by Rs 13 per liter, which means that the amount of excise duty increased in Covid was not even reduced completely, he said. He said the VAT of the states is levied on the excise duty of the Centre, therefore, by reducing the excise duty, the VAT automatically gets reduced. For this reason, due to reduction in excise duty on November 4, 2021, the Rajasthan government's VAT automatically reduced by Rs 1.80 per liter on petrol and Rs 2.60 per liter on diesel, he said. "To give relief to the common man, the state government on November, 17, 2021 reduced VAT on petrol by 4.96 per cent and on diesel by 6.70 per cent. Due to the reduction made thrice by the state, there was a revenue loss of about Rs 6,300 crore per year, but the PM only mentioned the revenue loss of 6,000 crores of Karnataka and Rs 3500-4000 crores of Gujarat," said Gehlot. He said that Modi probably mentioned these two states in view of the upcoming assembly elections there. "In May 2014, when Modi became the Prime Minister, excise duty was Rs 9.20 per liter on petrol and Rs 3.46 per liter on diesel, but today excise duty is Rs 27.90 per liter on petrol and Rs 21.80 per liter on diesel. During the UPA government, the states used to get their share of excise duty, but now the share of the states has been continuously reduced to just a few paise per liter so the states are forced to increase their VAT, he said. During the tenure of Modi government, the average prices of crude oil in the international market has been USD 61 per barrel, even then petrol is being sold at more than Rs 110 and diesel at more than Rs 100 per liter, he said. During the tenure of the UPA government, the price of crude oil was USD 100 per barrel but, petrol was not allowed to be costlier, he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minority Affairs Minister told a visiting European Union delegation, including EU special representative for human rights Eamon Gilmore, that constitutional and religious rights of every section are absolutely safe in India, sources in the ministry said on Thursday. The six-member delegation, which included Gilmore and EU Ambassador to India Ugo Astuto, called on Naqvi in Delhi, a day after they met Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra and other members of the panel. According to sources in the Minority Affairs Ministry, Naqvi told the delegation that constitutional and religious rights of every section are absolutely safe in India but "nobody has the right to indulge in forceful and fraudulent religious conversion". The minister told the delegation that some people have been constantly trying to "defame" Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India as a part of a "conspiracy", the sources said. He said that sometimes they write letters, while at other times they raise the "bogey of Islamophobia", according to the sources. Naqvi emphasised that the Modi government has given scholarships to over five crore minority students in the last eight years. He also told the delegation that the percentage of minorities in central government jobs has significantly increased to above 10 per cent. The sources said the minister told the delegation that the terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS may have been successful in their "nefarious designs" in Europe and other countries but they never succeeded in India. This is only because of India's strength of cultural co-existence and unity in diversity, he said, according to the sources. There was no official word from the side of the EU delegation on the meeting with Naqvi. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister on Thursday called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who offered her country's main seaport - Chittagong Port - to India's northeastern states like Assam and Tripura to enhance connectivity between the two neighbours. Jaishankar, who arrived here on Thursday on a brief official visit, handed over an invitation to Hasina on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's behalf to visit New Delhi. "Thank Prime Minister for her warm reception. Conveyed personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Our bilateral relations are moving from strength to strength under the guidance of the two leaders," Jaishankar tweeted. During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina said that the two countries have to increase the connectivity further, her press secretary Ihsanul Karim told PTI. She told Jaishankar that the enhanced connectivity was needed for mutual benefit while it would particularly benefit India's northeastern region in using Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong port, Karim said. "If the connectivity is increased, the Indian northeastern states -like Assam and Tripura- can have access to the seaport in Chattogram," she said. The Bangladesh premier noted that initiative were taken to resume cross-border routes between Bangladesh and India which were stopped during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, when Bangladesh was eastern wing of Pakistan. Karim said a number of bilateral and international issues were discussed during Prime Minister Hasina's more than half an hour long meeting with Jaishankar. Jaishankar later held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen and then jointly briefed the media. "Dr. Momen and @DrSJaishankar discussed the bilateral issues between Bangladesh and India. They expressed satisfaction about the ongoing Bangladesh-India cooperation, vowed to further strengthen the bilateral ties, stressed on regional stability for socio-economic development as a whole," the Bangladesh foreign ministry tweeted. Jaishankar said that during the talks with Prime Minister Hasina he extended Prime Minister Modi's invitation to her to visit India at the time of her convenience. "I conveyed (her) that we look forward to her visit to India at a time her convenience, he said, adding that a number of issues relating to bilateral ties as well as rational and global issues came up as he called on the Bangladesh premier. Jaishankar, who arrived here on a brief official visit, was received at the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu by Foreign Minister Momen. His visit to Bangladesh is aimed at preparing the grounds for Prime Minister Hasina's visit to India. The two countries are expected to fix the date of the 7th Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting, which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi. Jaishankar would leave Dhaka for Bhutan on Friday morning. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Thursday reported a 54 percent year-on-year growth in standalone profit of Rs Rs 4,118 crore while announced that it will pay Rs 117.1 billion ($1.5 billion) in dividends to shareholders. Read more on these in our top headlines for the evening. Q4 profit soars 54% to Rs 4,118 cr; NII up 17% Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector lenders in India, on Thursday reported a 54 percent year-on-year growth in standalone profit of Rs Rs 4,118 crore, compared to Rs 2,677 crore in same period last year, the bank said in its BSE filing. Read more to pay Rs 117.1 billion in dividends as Q4 profit drops Ltd. will pay 117.1 billion rupees ($1.5 billion) in dividends to shareholders even as its quarterly profit fell for the first time in six quarters due to elevated raw material costs. Vedanta will pay a dividend of 31.50 rupees a share to investors, it said in an exchange filing Thursday. Read more aims to build 80,000 EVs this financial year: Report expects to aggressively ramp up annual production of electric vehicles (EVs) to more than 80,000 units this financial year, sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. That compares with the 19,000 EVs it built and sold in the last financial year. Read more As govt woos foreign univs, Indians studying abroad doubles in 7 years The University Grants Commission, earlier this month, set up a five-member committee to study how to get foreign universities to India. The committee will submit its report by the end of the month, potentially allowing foreign institutes to set up campuses in India. As the government lost that opportunity, a Business Standard analysis shows that the number of students studying abroad has almost doubled over years. Read more may go up 55% to record Rs 2.5 trn in FY23: Report India's bill is likely to shoot up by 55 per cent to record Rs 2.5 lakh crore this fiscal as the government will provide additional funds to make up for the spike in cost from higher import price, top sources said on Thursday. Read more (RSS) chief on Thursday said violence does not benefit anybody and emphasized the need to bring together all communities and preserve humanity, comments coming in the backdrop of recent clashes between different groups in several parts of the country. He also underlined the need for establishing a Sindhi university in the country to ensure survival of the Sindhi language and culture. The chief said India is a multi-lingual country and each language has its own importance. Bhagwat was speaking as the chief guest at the 'Gaddinashini' programme (ceremony to assume religious seat) of Sai Rajeshlal Mordiya, the great grandson of Sant Kanwarram, at Kanwarram Dham on Bhankheda Road near here in eastern Maharashtra. Hundreds of Sindhi community memberrs from Amravati district and different parts of the country attended the ceremony. The chief asserted no one benefits from violence and called for bringing together all communities and preserving humanity. "Violence does not benefit anybody. The society to which violence is dear is now counting its last days. We should forever be non-violent and peace-loving. For this, it is essential to bring together all communities and preserve humanity. We all need to do this work on a priority," said Bhagwat. The leader's remarks came in the backdrop of communal clashes during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in nearly half a dozen states, including the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Observing that the Sindhi community has contributed richly in development of the country, Bhagwat stressed the need of having a Sindhi university to promote and preserve the Sindhi culture and language. "While some Sindhi brethren stayed back in Pakistan to protect their religion and land there, many came to India to protect their religion at the cost of land," the RSS leader said. He said the Sindhi community has to put pressure on the central government to get its demand for a university fulfilled. "The society is desirous of having a Sindhi university and an undivided India. These feelings were expressed on this dais also. I was appealed to make efforts for a Sindhi university, but I am not a part of the government. "Be it this government or any other, it acts on pressure of the society. Social pressure is like petrol to the government. If you desire to see your dream of a Sindhi university becoming a reality, you need to put pressure on this government," Bhagwat said. Speaking on the occasion, Jagatguru Shankaracharya Wasudevanand Saraswati Maharaj said, "Undivided India is the dream of all in the country and this dream will certainly be realized during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister on Wednesday lambasted the force stating that their "negligence has led to incidents of and rape in various places of the state for which the state government has had a loss of face. Facing criticism for the incidents, she pulled up senior officers saying that their sources have failed in providing them with inputs leading to such incidents at Bogtui in Birbhum district and Hanskhali in Nadia district. Nine people, mostly women, were burnt alive at Bogtui village shortly after a local Trinamool Congress leader was murdered last month. At Hanskhali, a minor girl was allegedly raped by the son of a local TMC leader and she died probably due to blood loss earlier this month. Her body was cremated without a post-mortem examination or death certificate. On the orders of the Calcutta High Court, the is investigating the cases. Speaking at an administrative review meeting at the state secretariat, Banerjee asked the officers of the districts to use journalists in the districts as their sources since they have a better network and good contacts. Why did the Hashkhali incident take place in the first place? You (police) have no source. Why should the government have a loss of face because of your negligence? The government wants to take action against the culprits without seeing their political colour, she said while speaking to the police officers of Nadia district and Krishnanagar and Ranaghat police districts. Banerjee, who is also the police minister, wondered why the Hanskhali girl's family did not provide any information to the police initially. The chief minister told Birbhum SP Nagendra Tripathi that the Bogtui incident could have been avoided had the then additional SP of the area shown some proactiveness. This has happened completely because of your negligence. There can be retaliation for an incident. There are several mistakes," she told Tripathi. Referring to the death of a class 12 student of 'Patha Bhavana', a school under Visva-Bharati university, Banerjee asked the DGP to keep a check on the law and order in Birbhum district. She advised senior police officers to visit police stations regularly to keep a tab on the law and order in the area. The CM appealed to the media to telecast news responsibly saying she has often initiated action based on their reports. She asked the Siliguri Police in north Bengal to look into an alleged attempt by the mafia trying to build a bridge demolishing the house of the late Naxal leader Kanu Sanyal. Why don't you have that information? Where is your intelligence? Immediately arrest those who are trying to encroach land, she said. Banerjee said that a proposal would soon be brought to incorporate Naxalbari and Fasidewa with the Siliguri Police Commissionerate from Darjeeling Police District. The chief minister also asked the police not to let anybody incite communal tension and break the prevailing peaceful situation in Darjeeling. Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, said that a monitoring cell would be set up to check the authenticity of FIRs lodged. (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.) Indias markets braced for a sharp rise in prices after Indonesia banned on exports, but opinion was divided as to whether the spike will sustain for long because the Southeast Asia nation is sitting on a stockpile it must liquidate. India and elsewhere is used in multiple things: cakes, frying fats, cosmetics and cleaning products. It accounts for nearly 60 percent of global vegetable oil shipments, and top producer Indonesia accounts for around a third of all vegetable oil exports. Soybean oil, too, traded around record levels in Chicago on Indonesias sweeping ban while canola in North America neared the record reached in March. There will be an availability issue in the short term and there is not much weight drop that one can take beyond a point. Bigger players will have to take price hikes to the tune of 7-10 per cent. Also the industry needs to figure out alternatives to source palm oil, Venkatesh Viajayaraghavan, CEO at CavinKare, told 'Business Standard'. Shipments struck Reuters reported on Wednesday, that around 290,000 tonnes of shipments meant for India was struck after Indonesias ban. "Our vessel of 16,000 tonnes is stuck at Kumai port in Indonesia," Reuters reported quoting Pradeep Chowdhry, managing director of Gemini Edibles & Fats India Pvt Ltd, which buys around 30,000 tonnes of Indonesian palm oil every month. India is the world's biggest importer of palm oil and relies on Indonesia for nearly half of the 700,000 tonnes it takes in every month. It imports around 13-13.5 million tonnes of edible oils annually, of which around 8-8.5 million tonnes (around 63 per cent) is palm oil. Malaysia as alternative Buyers are rushing to make purchases from Malaysia, but Kuala Lumpur cannot fill the demand, said Sandeep Bajoria, chief executive of Sunvin Group, a vegetable oil brokerage and consultancy firm. Malaysia produces around 19 million tonnes of palm oil per year of which almost 16 million tonnes is exported. Now, if every other country starts buying for Malaysia, where will it have oil to support our annual demand of almost 8.5 million tonnes, B.V Mehta, Managing Director of Solvent Extractors Association of India told Business Standard. Already in the last few days, the Mumbai landed price of crude palm oil has risen by $100 per tonne to $1900 per tonne, while that of RBD Palmolein has also jumped by $100 per tonne to 1980 per tonne, Mehta added. Short impact? Meanwhile, amid the turmoil, most traders and market watchers felt that Indonesia might not be able to hold on to the ban for long. Indonesia has to export almost 2.5 million tonnes of palm oil per month or else it will run short of storage space. My understanding is that once domestic prices cool down to around $600 per tonne from the current levels of around $1800 per tonne they will lift the ban, Mehta of SEA said. Sanjiv Mehta, CEO and MD of Hindustan Unilever, concurred. Overall, if I see there might be an impact in the short term, but looking at the amount of excess production compared to the local needs that Indonesia produces, I do believe that the sales of palm oil ex Indonesia will continue, Mehta told investors post its earnings conference call. CRISIL Research, in a note, said Indonesias annual palm oil production in 2022 is expected to be near 47 million tons, up by 5 per cent on a y-o-y basis, of which total exports were estimated near 29 million tons, which is more than 60 per cent of total produce. As per CRISILs own interaction with industry stakeholders, in May 2022 production of palm oil in Indonesia is likely to hit around 4 million tonnes. With no exports in the month of May and 1.5 million tons of domestic consumption (including food, feed & fuel), the country will have a closing inventory of almost 6-6.5 million tons against an annual average of 3.5 million tons. As Indonesian refiners dont have such a huge storage capacity, there are strong chances for prices to fall below Rupiah 14,000/ltrs in the local market in the coming few weeks, post which the export ban could be lifted with some strict regulations, CRISIL said. On the local Indian market, CRISIL said if the Indonesian government lifts the ban before year end, the stocks situation would be in a comfortable situation bringing the prices down in the domestic market. We dont see Indonesia not exporting for a long time. All Indian players are waiting for a change in their policy. Since Indonesia is a net surplus export country, there will be a shortage, Chandrashekhar Reddy, senior VP sales and marketing at Gemini Edibles and Fats India told 'Business Standard'. French spirits giant urged India on Thursday to drop its high tax on imported liquor, saying the tariff puts many of its drinks out of reach of consumers. The 150% tax on imported liquor has long been a sore point for the industry, and poses a "large challenge" for Pernod Ricard, South Asia CEO Thibault Cuny told Reuters in an interview. "We are in favour of free trade ... 150% in India is far beyond many other markets. It creates unaffordability of certain type of products," Cuny said at Pernod's office on the outskirts of New Delhi. Asked if the duty should be ditched, Cuny said: "Yes, yes, we should go after zero ... the ultimate objective should be a 0%." Industry sources say India has kept taxes high on imported liquor as it helps the government generate revenue from alcohol sales and keep consumption in check. India's $20 billion alcohol market is set to grow by 7% each year, with whiskey and spirits among favourites, IWSR Drinks Market Analysis says, making the country of 1.4 billion people a key growth market for the likes of Pernod and Diageo. Pernod is the world's second-biggest spirits group and owns several popular brands, including Chivas Regal, Ballantine's and Glenlivet Scotch whisky and Absolut vodka. SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE There has been more social acceptance of drinking alcohol in recent years and a growing bar culture in India, so more affluent Indians are consuming premium whiskeys and Scotch brands. Prices differ across Indian states, but by way of comparison the company says a bottle of Chivas Regal costs around 6,090 Indian rupees ($80) in southern state of Karnataka, compared with about 28 pounds ($30) in London. During the interview, Jean-Etienne Gourgues, CEO of Chivas Brothers, said such price differentials are "not fair." India is Chivas' biggest market by volume, he added. Pernod in India operates through more than 30 bottling plants and also has a distillery and winery. Cuny said India is one of Pernod's "key strategic markets" with a lot of growth potential, adding the company is seeing growth for brands like Ballentine's in smaller towns and cities, beyond the likes of New Delhi and Mumbai. Import taxes are not the only hurdle to running an alcohol business in India. India's more than two dozen states each have their own policies to regulate the sector, including requiring companies to seek approval to launch new brands. "India is probably the most complex market to manage in the world for the industry. That's the reality," Cuny said. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra in New Delhi Additional reporting by Abhirup Roy Editing by Frances Kerry) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India will on Friday launch an open network for digital commerce (ONDC) as the government tries to end the dominance of U.S. companies .com and in the fast-growing e-commerce market, a government document showed. The launch of the platform comes after India's antitrust body on Thursday raided domestic sellers of and some of Walmart's following accusations of competition law violations. The companies did not respond to request for comment on the raids. Indian retailers, key supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have long contended that and Flipkart's platforms benefit a few big sellers, via predatory pricing, though the companies say they comply with all Indian laws. The government's so-called ONDC platform will allow buyers and sellers to connect and transact with each other online, no matter what other application they use. It will be soft-launched on Friday before being expanded, the trade ministry told Reuters. The government document said that two large multinational players controlled more than half of the country's e-commerce trade, limiting access to the market, giving preferential treatment to some sellers and squeezing supplier margins. It did not name the companies. Amazon and did not immediately respond to requests for comment on ONDC. The document said India's ONDC plan aimed to onboard 30 million sellers and 10 million merchants online. The plan is to cover at least 100 cities and towns by August. It would focus on apps in local languages for both buyers and sellers, with a special emphasis on small merchants and rural consumers, the document said about the project. The government said it had already received support from retailers and venture capital firms. Lenders such as the State Bank of India, and have already committed total investments of 2.55 billion rupees ($33.26 million) into ONDC. A Reuters investigation last year, based on Amazon internal documents, showed the company had given preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers on its platform and used them to bypass Indian laws. Amazon denies any wrongdoing. (Reporting by Krishna N. Das; Additional reporting by Aditya Kalra; editing by David Evans) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Thursday issued guidelines for the "centenary chance" exam for drop-out students, stating eligible candidates can appear for a maximum of four papers in the annual mode and up to eight papers for semester-wise tests. The portal for the registration of interested candidates will open from May 1, the university said. The drop-out students have been given this one-time chance in view of the Delhi University's year-long centenary celebrations starting May 1. In March, Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh had announced that students who dropped out would be given a "centenary chance" to complete their studies and get their degrees. A proposal for this was approved at a special Executive Council meeting on January 28 held to discuss the centenary celebrations of the university. The guidelines issued by Registrar Vikas Gupta state that undergraduate and postgraduate students and those pursuing professional courses, who have completed their course work and statutory requirement prescribed for completion of the course, will be considered for the centenary chance. However, M.Phil and PhD students, who could not complete their degrees, will not be considered for this chance, the guidelines stated. The eligible candidates can appear for a maximum of four papers for the annual mode of exam and up to eight papers for the semester scheme. The examination will be conducted tentatively during October this year and March next year through physical mode. It will be held for theory and practical examination, and not for internal assessment, the university stated. The university informed that the students while applying for "centenary chance" need to provide the details and documents as required. "Failing to provide the details/documents, as required, may lead to non-consideration of his/her candidature in the Centenary Chance examination. "Further, it will entail no right for the students to claim any relief in any forum on this count," the guidelines stated. The examination fee will be Rs 2,000 per paper. (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.) Bank expects to grow its balance sheet (assets) by 30 per cent year-on-year basis for five years. It plans to raise fresh equity capital in the current financial year (FY23) to support business growth. The Jaipur-based lender witnessed a growth of 34 per cent YoY in its assets to Rs 69,078 crore by end of March 2022 from Rs 51,591 crore a year ago. Its asset base was Rs 9,781 crore at the end of March 2017. Sanjay Agarwal, managing director & chief executive officer told Business Standard that along with 35-40 per cent growth YoY in deposits, the lender would grow the asset book at 30 per cent and profits by 25 per cent YoY for five years. While its current capital adequacy ratio at 21 per cent is well above the minimum regulatory norms of 15 per cent, the bank plans to raise fresh equity capital in the current financial year depending on market conditions. The bank would like to raise capital in this fiscal to support business growth for two years, Agarwal said. Its Tier-I capital ratio of 19.7 per cent (21.5 per cent in March 2021) against minimum requirement 7.5 per cent. The lender announced its intent to give one equity bonus share for one equity share held for FY22. This is expected to expand the paid up capital base by retaining part of profits. Asked about the approach to building a low cost deposit base, Agarwal said the share of Current Account and Savings Accounts ( CASA) in total deposits rose to 37 per cent by end of March 2022 from 23 per cent a year ago. Now, the bank is working to raise that share to over 40 per cent. As for plans to become a universal bank, Agarwal said there is a desire to become a universal banking entity in the long term. The bank would look at RBI's assessment of its capability before making a move in this regard. The bank has completed five years as a small bank to become eligible for applying for a universal bank license. US President will travel to South Korea and Japan next month and attend the QUAD summit in Tokyo, during which he will also meet India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House has said. Biden's trip to South Korea and Japan has been scheduled for May 20 to 24. "This trip will advance the Biden-Harris Administration's rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday here. Biden will also hold bilateral meetings with South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan. "The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results. In Tokyo, President Biden will also meet the leaders of the Quad grouping of Australia, Japan, India and the United States. We look forward to having further details to share about this trip soon," Psaki 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.) Britain and the are at an impasse over changes to parts of the deal governing trade with Northern Ireland, Britain's Europe minister James Cleverly told a parliamentary committee on Thursday. The two sides have been trying for months to overcome a deadlock over the protocol, which sets the trading rules for the British region that London agreed before it left the EU but now says are unworkable. Britain's EU withdrawal pact effectively left within the EU's single market and customs union given its open border with EU member Ireland, though in so doing raised some barriers to trade between and the rest of the United Kingdom. "The truth is that we have come to something of an impasse, and I don't think that's through a lack of goodwill, and I think it's more through what we regard in the as an overly limited (EU) negotiating mandate," he said. The government argues the deal in its current form is causing friction to trade between Britain and Northern Ireland, and in turn threatening the 1998 peace agreement that mostly ended three decades of sectarian violence in the province. Britain has previously argued it has grounds to trigger a clause in the deal allowing parts of the treaty to be abandoned - a move that could badly damage an already fragile diplomatic and economic relationship with the EU. "The situation as we now see it is not working," Cleverly said. "It is not doing what it was meant to do, which is to protect equally north-south and east-west trade, and that, by extension, is causing community tensions in Northern Ireland." Cleverly said he still hoped to reach a negotiated deal with the EU. He declined to comment on media reports that the government was preparing legislation that would unilaterally overrule parts of the deal. But, he did say that pressure to find a way forward was mounting and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been clear on the need to look at ways to alleviate the tension caused by the current arrangements. "We're looking at a range of options about what we can do to ease these tensions," Cleverly said. Perceptions that the protocol erodes Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom has sparked anger in pro-British communities, helped fuel some street violence last year. However, a majority in Northern Ireland voted in favour of remaining in the EU in the 2016 referendum that resulted in a national 52%-48% margin in favour of leaving the bloc. (Reporting by William James, editing by Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton and Mark Heinrich) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Thursday asked thousands of its nationals working on the USD 60 billion China- Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in to increase their security and watch out for terrorist risks following a deadly suicide blast in Karachi that killed three Chinese and wounded another. "The Pakistani government has promised to strengthen security for Chinese personnel projects and institutions, and will not allow any force to undermine our friendship and cooperation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing here. Asked about the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the militant group whose woman suicide bomber carried out the attack at the Karachi University targeting the Chinese teachers, warning more attacks if and don't vacate from Balochistan province, he said, "we believe Pakistan will take earnest and concrete measures to ensure the safe and smooth progress of bilateral cooperation." "Once again, we remind our institutions' personnel in Pakistan to heighten their security awareness and watch out for terrorist risks," he said. A woman suicide bomber was seen on the video blowing herself near a shuttle bus used by Karachi's Confucius Institute occurred on Tuesday afternoon, killing three Chinese teachers and their local driver and injuring another Chinese person. In a purported video issued by the group, a BLA spokesman said that the motive of the attack was very clear. "It was a simple and clear message to and Pakistan to withdraw immediately from Balochistan," said the masked spokesman surrounded by armed men on a hilly terrain. "Baloch Liberation Army guarantees you the will fail miserably on Baloch land," the spokesman, who was holding an assault rifle, said in fluent English. He warned that a special unit has been formed particularly to attack Chinese officials and installations in Balochistan. The group opposes Chinese investment in Pakistan, especially in the restive Balochistan, saying local people do not benefit. The connects China's Xinjiang province with Gwadar port in Balochistan, providing China direct access to the Arabian Sea. Thousands of Chinese are currently working on scores of infrastructure projects. The Pakistan Army has formed a separate brigade consisting of thousands of soldiers to guard the Chinese as both the BLA and the Pakistan's Islamic militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have carried out numerous attacks. Wang said, "the Pakistani side is making all out efforts to investigate the attack and apprehend the perpetrator. Terrorism is a common scourge of all mankind. China and Pakistan has the resolve and capability to cut off the claws of the terrorists make them pay the due price." "China and Pakistan's iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in people's hearts. China supports Pakistan's national development and will continue to support its economic and social development and improvement of livelihood," he said. State-run Global Times reported that Chinese businesses are ramping up precautions to ensure the safety of personnel and projects in accordance with official guidelines following the . After the attack, several state-owned companies that are deeply involved in Belt and Road projects in the country told the daily that their local employees are safe and the projects have not been disrupted. PowerChina, a major participant in the CPEC, said "we have military personnel stationed at our construction sites to guarantee our safety." A manager of the Henan D.R. Construction Group, a large construction company with several projects in Pakistan, said the company is reducing outdoor activities, especially in high-risk areas. Certain safety and security measures for personnel and projects have also been strengthened. China Metallurgical Group Corp, which has copper mining business in Pakistan, said security measures have been strengthened. The company operates several mining projects in Pakistan, including the Saindak copper-gold mine project in west Pakistan. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that now there is a growing strategic convergence between the United States and India, Secretary of State Tony Blinken said New Delhi built its partnership with Moscow out of necessity as the US was not in a position to do that earlier. "In the case of India, there is a relationship that goes back decades. And Russia, for India, was out of necessity a partner of choice when we were not in a position to be a partner," he told lawmakers on Wednesday. "Now, we are investing in that effort. I think there is a growing strategic convergence between the United States and India," Blinken said. "And of course, China is a big part of that," Blinken said in response to a question from Senator William Hagerty during a Congressional hearing by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations. Hagerty had sought Blinken's views on the India-US relationship. "What I see before us is something I'm certain that is very frustrating in the short-term when we have our differences and you deal with that every day," Hagerty said. "But in the long-term, the strategic partnership that we have with India I think poses the opportunity to do more good in the 21st century," he said. Blinken in response said he very much shares the perspective shared by the Senator. "I think this partnership has the potential to be one of the most important and foundational partnerships that we have going forward over the next decades," he said. Blinken said US President has spent "a lot of time directly engaging with Prime Minister Modi and India's leadership". "We have energised the Quad that brings India together with Australia and Japan and us. This has been a very important vehicle for strengthening our collaboration across a whole variety of fronts with India," he said. "What's interesting is this is a moment of strategic inflection, by which I mean this. A number of countries are now relooking at some of their relationships and some of their interests, particularly when it comes to their relationship with Russia," added the top American diplomat. Earlier, Derek Chollet, a top advisor of US Secretary said "Washington fully understands New Delhi's long-standing ties to Moscow." In an exclusive interview with ANI, Chollet said that the US is there to support India and the partnership between US and India has tremendous potential. "We understand that India has had a long-standing defense relationship with Russia over many years and part of that was because the United States was not available to be a partner. It is decades ago and we face a much different reality today," he said. "Over the last 10 years, the US-India Defense Partnership has changed dramatically. We see great potential and opportunity in their relationships. Anything that two plus two conversations between Secretary (Antony) Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had with their counterparts helped further clarify that." Asserting that India is a strategic partner of the United States, Chollet said: "We're natural allies. And this partnership has tremendous potential. It's already paying dividends for both countries in the region and all around the world. And we think, really, there's nowhere to go but up. should be able to tackle its cooking oil shortage in the next few weeks and lift an export ban on and its refined products in May, an industry body said on Thursday, a day after a last-minute policy U-turn sparked more alarm for markets. The world's top producer expanded an export ban on raw materials for cooking oil to include shipments of crude and most of its refined products just hours before it took effect at midnight Wednesday, in an attempt to secure domestic supply and bring down soaring prices. Sahat Sinaga, senior official at the Indonesian Palm Oil Board, said that decision had shocked the industry, but that he was confident the supply issue could be resolved not long after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr in early May. He added that a palm oil export target of 34 million tonnes in 2022 would be met. Asked about the timeline suggested by the palm oil board, Trade Ministry senior official Veri Anggrijono said we are all hoping this can be solved quickly. A trade ministry regulation on Wednesday said the export policy would be reviewed monthly, or as often as needed, while Chief Economics Minister Airlangga Hartarto said it could be lifted when bulk cooking oil recedes to 14,000 rupiah ($0.97) a litre nationwide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the last 48-hour of his buyout of the micro-blogging site Twitter, billionaire is again on a fun trail. In a flurry of tweets, Musk claimed that he has set eyes on to "put cocaine back in" and "McDonald's to fix ice-cream machines". After the multi-billion buyout of the microblogging website this week, only Musk knows whether he's kidding or not. "Next I'm buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in," tweeted on Friday. Tagging to an old tweet, he said, "Listen, I can't do miracles". But, he promised to make " maximum fun". Musk is known for throwing ideas, sometimes light-hearted, on his timeline. His tweets often spark debates on various issues, including free speech that polarises the twitterities. on Monday confirmed the sale of the company to Tesla Chief for USD 44 billion. Under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive USD 54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own, matching Musk's original offer and marking a 38 per cent premium over the stock price the day before Musk revealed his stake in the company, CNN reported. It further reported that the deal caps off a whirlwind news cycle in which the Tesla and SpaceX CEO became one of Twitter's largest shareholders, was offered and turned down a seat on its board and bid to buy the company -- all in less than a month. "Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," Musk said in a statement. "I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans. Twitter has tremendous potential - I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it," he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) may cut power to its industrial corridors soon as the Himalayan nation is not getting adequate power supply from India, authorities said on Thursday. Currently, is receiving only 100 MW of electricity from India, against its demand for 400 MW, said Pradeep Thike, Deputy Managing Director, Planning of the Electricity Authority (NEA). "We are short of 300 MW of electricity at present because we have not received adequate electricity from India, which itself is facing a power shortage," he said. Nepal faces a short supply of electricity during the dry season while during the rainy season, it has a surplus of electricity. This will certainly affect the power supply to Nepal's three industrial corridors, Birgunj, Biratnagar and Bhairahawa, Thike said, adding, "we may have to cut power to these corridors at any time." This will mainly affect large industries and small industries will not have any problem, he said. "We will also be able to supply power for lighting purposes, but not for running big machines in the industries during the dry season," he said. However, after one or one and half months, when the rainy season arrives, the situation will improve and Nepal will be in a position to export electricity to India, he pointed out. He is, however, optimistic about importing electricity from India after a few days. The authorities in India's Bihar state have indicated that they might provide additional electricity after 2,3 days, said Thike. Nepal has got permission from Indian authorities to export 364 MW of electricity and as the situation here improves after June 1 they will be in a position to export energy to India, he added. During Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's recent visit to India, the two countries expressed joint commitment to work together in the power sector. (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.) Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said that no agreement has been reached on a meeting between President and his Russian counterpart . "The time of the meeting of the presidents of the two countries and the context of the meeting have not been determined yet," Xinhua news agency quoted Podolyak, also a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the peace talks with Russia, as saying. Consultations at the level of working subgroups, which are preparing the positions of the parties in legal terms, are underway, he said. Earlier Wednesday, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said his country hopeed that a meeting between Zelensky and Putin would take place in the next few days as the war rages on. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uncertainty over the safety of war-wracked Ukraine's nuclear power plants has reignited concerns over a Russian-owned nuclear power station now being built in a quake-prone area on Turkey's southern coast, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot activists said Wednesday. About 200 activists representing two dozen organizations from both sides of ethnically divided converged inside the United Nations controlled buffer zone that cuts across the capital Nicosia. They sought to voice their unease over ongoing construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is only 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the island nation's northern coast. Organizers said the annual event to commemorate the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that occurred 36 years ago has taken on an added urgency in light of safety concerns regarding Ukraine's nuclear plants, such as Europe's largest nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia, which has been seized by Russia. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that nuclear power plants are a source of great uncertainty for public safety, said George Perdikis, former leader of the Greens Party. Activists have long contended that Akkuyu lies near a seismic fault line and that a potentially powerful quake could cause a radioactive leak affecting . Cyprus' Geological Survey Department said Wednesday that a 4.7-magnitude quake near the island's southwestern town of Paphos late Tuesday was felt as far away as Lebanon and Israel. Christina Nicolaou, environmental affairs chief for the leftist AKEL party, said an accident at Turkey's nuclear plant as a result of either a natural disaster or a deliberate act would have huge repercussions for the region. Turkish officials said the Akkuyu plant would cover about 10% of the country's domestic energy needs. The first of four reactors is scheduled to become operational next year. Russia's Rosatom State Corporation holds a 99.2% stake in the project, whose total cost is estimated at 20 billion U.S. dollars, according to the plant's website. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia's relentless digital assaults on Ukraine may have caused less damage than many anticipated. But most of its hacking is focused on a different goal that gets less attention but has chilling potential consequences: data collection. Ukrainian agencies breached on the eve of the Feb. 24 invasion include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which oversees the police, national guard and border patrol. A month earlier, a national database of automobile insurance policies was raided during a diversionary cyberattack that defaced Ukrainian websites. The hacks, paired with prewar data theft, likely armed Russia with extensive details on much of Ukraine's population, cybersecurity and military intelligence analysts say. It's information Russia can use to identify and locate Ukrainians most likely to resist an occupation, and potentially target them for internment or worse. Fantastically useful information if you're planning an occupation, Jack Watling, a military analyst at the U.K. think tank Royal United Services Institute, said of the auto insurance data, knowing exactly which car everyone drives and where they live and all that. As the digital age evolves, information dominance is increasingly wielded for social control, as China has shown in its repression of the Uyghur minority. It was no surprise to Ukrainian officials that a prewar priority for Russia would be compiling information on the citizenry. The idea was to kill or imprison these people at the early stages of occupation, Victor Zhora, a senior Ukrainian cyber defense official, alleged. Aggressive data collection accelerated just ahead of the invasion, with serving Russia's military increasingly targeting individual Ukrainians, according to Zhora's agency, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection. Serhii Demediuk, deputy secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said via email that personal data continues to be a priority for Russian as they attempt more government network breaches: Cyberwarfare is really in the hot phase nowadays. There is little doubt political targeting is a goal. Ukraine says Russian forces have killed and kidnapped local leaders where they grab territory. Demediuk was stingy with specifics but said Russian cyberattacks in mid-January and as the invasion commenced sought primarily to destroy the information systems of government agencies and critical infrastructure and included data theft. The Ukrainian government says the Jan. 14 auto insurance hack resulted in the pilfering of up to 80% of Ukrainian policies registered with the Motor Transport Bureau. Demediuk acknowledged that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was among government agencies breached Feb. 23. He said data was stolen but would not say from which agencies, only that it has not led to significant consequences, especially when it comes to data on servicemen or volunteers. Security researchers from ESET and other cybersecurity firms that work with Ukraine said the networks were compromised months earlier, allowing ample time for stealthy theft. The data collection by hacking is a work long in progress. A unit of Russia's FSB intelligence agency that researchers have dubbed Armageddon has been doing it for years out of Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. Ukraine says it sought to infect more than 1,500 Ukrainian government computer systems. Since October it has tried to breach and maintain access to government, military, judiciary and law enforcement agencies as well as nonprofits, with a primary goal of exfiltrating sensitive information, Microsoft said in a Feb. 4 blog post. That included unnamed organizations critical to emergency response and ensuring the security of Ukrainian territory, plus humanitarian aid distribution. Post-invasion, have targeted European organizations that aid Ukrainian refugees, according to Zhora and the cybersecurity firm Proofpoint. Authorities have not specified which organizations or what may have been stolen. Yet another attack, on April 1, crippled Ukraine's National Call Center, which runs a hotline for complaints and inquiries on a wide array of matters: corruption, domestic abuse, people displaced by the invasion, war veteran benefits. Used by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, it issues COVID-19 vaccine certificates and collects callers' personal data including emails, addresses and phone numbers. Adam Meyers, senior vice president of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, believes the attack may, like many others, have a greater psychological than intelligence-gathering impact aiming to degrade Ukrainians' trust in their institutions. Make them scared that when the Russians take over, if they don't cooperate, the Russians are going to know who they are, where they are and come after them, Meyers said. The attack knocked the center offline for at least three days, center director Marianna Vilshinska said: We couldn't work. Neither phones nor chatbots worked. They broke down all the system. Hackers calling themselves the Cyber Army of Russia claimed to steal personal data on 7 million people in the attack. However, Vilshinska denied they breached the database with users' personal information, while confirming that a contact list the hackers posted online of more than 300 center employees was genuine. Spear-phishing attacks in recent weeks have focused on military, national and local officials, aimed at stealing credentials to open government data troves. Such activity relies heavily on Ukraine's cellular networks, which Meyers of CrowdStrike said have been far too rich in intelligence for Russia to want to shut down. On March 31, Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency said it had seized a bot farm in the eastern region of Dnipropretrovsk that was controlled remotely from Russia and sent text messages to 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers, police and SBU members urging them to surrender or sabotage their units. Agency spokesman Artem Dekhtiarenko said authorities were investigating how the phone numbers were obtained. Gene Yoo, CEO of the cybersecurity firm ReSecurity, said it likely was not difficult: Subscriber databases of major Ukrainian wireless companies have been available for sale by cybercriminals on the dark web for some time as they are for many countries. If Russia is successful at taking control of more of eastern Ukraine, stolen personal data will be an asset. Russian occupiers have already collected passport information, a top Ukrainian presidential adviser tweeted recently, that could help organize separatist referendums. Ukraine, for its part, appears to have done significant data collection quietly assisted by the U.S., the U.K., and other partners targeting Russian soldiers, spies and police, including rich geolocation data. Demediuk, the top security official, said the country knows exactly where and when a particular serviceman crossed the border with Ukraine, in which occupied settlement he stopped, in which building he spent the night, stole and committed crimes on our land. We know their cell phone numbers, the names of their parents, wives, children, their home addresses, who their neighbors are, where they went to school and the names of their teachers, he said. Analysts caution that some claims about data collection from both sides of the conflict may be exaggerated. But in recordings posted online by Ukrainian Digital Transformation Minister Mikhailo Fedorov, callers are heard phoning the far-flung wives of Russian soldiers and posing as Russian state security officials to say parcels shipped to them from Belarus were looted from Ukrainian homes. In one, a nervous-sounding woman acknowledges receiving what she calls souvenirs a woman's bag, a keychain. The caller tells her she shares criminal liability, that her husband killed people in Ukraine and stole their stuff. She hangs up. (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.) Firefighters have been making significant progress Wednesday on the biggest wildfires burning unusually hot and fast for this time of year in the western . But forecasters from the Southwest to the southern High Plains warned of the return the next two days of the same gusty winds and critical conditions that sent wildland blazes racing across the landscape last week. Some of the nearly 1,000 firefighters battling the biggest in drought-stricken New Mexico cut away brush and burned out any extra fuel Wednesday ahead of increased danger forecast Thursday into the weekend. That allowed crews to dig lines around about a third of what has become the largest wildfire burning in the U.S. now 94 square miles (245 kilometers) and keep flames from reaching mostly rural homes and ranches that are still in its path northeast of Santa Fe. Another great day on the fire line," federal fire incident commander Carl Schwope said Wednesday night. Fire personnel are making great progress, he told residents at a community meeting in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where numerous rural communities in the nearby mountains remain under evacuation orders. But he quickly emphasized the success could be short-lived because hotter, drier, windier weather should return Thursday and Friday. This fire still has tremendous potential to move and still has a lot of danger, he said. We have a couple of critical fire days still ahead." The most critical fire danger remains the next two days across practically the entire state of New Mexico, according to the National Weather Service. The elevated-risk area stretches all the way from Arizona's border with California and Nevada into the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, the service said late Wednesday. Some light precipitation added moisture to bone dry fuels in the Southwest early this week. But stiffening winds Wednesday likely dried out most of the fine fuels, which are are expected to be borderline critically dry on Thursday, the service said. San Miguel County Sheriff Chris Lopez said at Wednesday night's briefing about the fires east of Santa Fe that they're refining evacuation strategies they were forced to quickly implement last week as they review weather modeling of the incoming conditions. It doesn't mean it will happen but it could happen, just like we saw when this fire blew up," he said. The danger is present and it's very real. Authorities said Wednesday they continue to work on damage assessments but haven't been able to access some areas that are still hot and it's not yet safe to let some evacuees return to their homes. We have containment around the fire's edge, but there's still stuff that's burning inside and we still have a wind event we are waiting for Friday and Saturday, Lopez said. We have to make sure that everything is good enough that I can make decision and know you'll be safe if we let you back in there, he said.. The Southwest has been bearing the brunt of large fires, with five incident management teams assigned, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. One complex incident management team was overseeing a large fire in southwest Nebraska. More than 200 firefighters in that state were battling a prairie fire that has been burning since last week. About 65 square miles (168 square kilometers) of mostly grasses and farmland have been blackened near the Kansas line, several homes have been destroyed and at least one person was killed. The fire was about three-quarters contained Wednesday. In Arizona, crews on Wednesday worked to contain two major wildfires, with firefighters gaining ground on containment of a blaze in the Prescott National Forest after winds on Tuesday pushed the fire outward. Near Flagstaff, crews patrolled burned areas of a different large fire and looked for hot spots amid milder weather. Nationally, large fires have burned more than 1,688 square miles (4,372 square kilometers) this year, putting the U.S. on track to far outpace the 10-year average. The pressure on firefighters is not likely to let up anytime soon. Climate outlooks indicate likely below normal precipitation from Texas through the southern Rockies and Great Basin, with above normal temperatures likely across much of the U.S into summer. (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.) Nearly 1,000 in staged a one-day nationwide strike on Thursday demanding the immediate resignation of the government, including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, over its failure to tackle the country's unprecedented . is currently in the throes of unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices. The unions from a number of sectors, including the state service, health, ports, electricity, education and postal joined the strike under the theme Bow to the people - government go home', urging the President, the Prime Minister and the government to go home'. Teachers' trade union spokesman Joseph Stalin said that the Rajapaksa government tries to hang on to power when the people have got into the streets and demanded them to go. Ravi Kumudesh from the health workers' trade union said that after Thursday's strike, they would give the government a week to resign. After that, we would strike continuously till the government resigns. He said that over 1,000 joined the strike. The bank employees' union said that all banks remain closed and public transport was crippled with just a handful of government-owned buses operating. Plantation workers from the central hills also joined the token strike. The plantation workers have joined the strike in thousands, Opposition politician Mano Ganesan said. The streets and trade markets looked empty in most areas. In the evening, the striking workers will join the main protest at Galle Face which has entered its 20th consecutive day. The demand is for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his elder brother and Prime Minister and the government for its mishandling of the island's worst-ever . All Ceylon Integrated Economic Centers and Manning Market Traders Association urged farmers to refrain from bringing vegetables to economic centers as they too will be supporting the trade union action, the Colombo Page newspaper reported. Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama said that the police have been instructed to arrest those who harm the public transport and influence private transport in the wake of the strike. The police will take legal action against those who obstruct roads, he said. Railways General Manager Dhammika Jayasundara said that due to railways workers reporting sick without prior notice, train services will be disrupted. Co-convener of the union S P Vithanage said that despite plans to run several trains with the intervention of the Minister, the railway workers are on strike. Earlier this month, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to drop his older brother Chamal and the eldest nephew Namal from the Cabinet in response to the ongoing protests which called for accountability from the powerful ruling family and their inability to address the worst forex crisis faced by the country. However, Prime Minister said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has not asked him to resign and claimed that they were on the "same page" to resolve the worst economic crisis, amidst reports of a rift between the two brothers in running the debt-ridden island nation. In the second week of April, the Sri Lankan government said it would temporarily default on its USD 35.5 billion in foreign debt. The finance ministry said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine made it impossible to pay its creditors. Now the beleaguered president is also under increasing pressure to form an interim government. (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.) Holocaust survivors across the world have united to deliver a message on the dangers of unchecked hate and the importance of remembrance at a time of rising global antisemitism. In a video released Thursday to mark Yom HaShoah -- Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day -- 100 Holocaust survivors asked people to stand with them and remember the Nazi genocide to avoid repeating the horrors of the past. The 100 Words project video was released by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. The group represents the world's in negotiating for compensation and restitution for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs, and provides welfare for Holocaust survivors around the globe. The world is full of strife from the pandemic to the crisis happening in Ukraine on remembrance days like Yom HaShoah, it is so important to stop and reflect, Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference, said in a statement. The call to action these survivors put forth today is not only one of remembrance, but one of action, a reminder that we do not have to be bystanders. We can all stand up in our own way and we can choose to not let our collective history repeat itself. The project is being released as Russia faces widespread revulsion and accusations of war crimes over attacks on civilians in its invasion of Ukraine. It also comes at a time when Holocaust survivors -- now in their 80s and 90s -- are dying, while studies show that younger generations lack even basic knowledge of the Nazi genocide, in which a third of the world's were annihilated. If we do not remember them, we are murdering them twice because we have forgotten them. And we have forgotten the tragic travesty that was visited upon millions of people, said Ginger Lane, a Holocaust survivor who along with her siblings was hidden in a fruit orchard near Berlin by non- . It is important to remember because it is a part of our heritage and our legacy that we pass on to the younger generation, said Lane, whose mother was killed at the Auschwitz death camp, and who has made it her lifelong mission to educate . Holocaust denial, we know it has always existed, but it seems to be on the upswing and ... a huge number of young people don't even know what the word Holocaust means These young people are eager to move forward with their lives. But their lives today are shaped by the past. And they need to know what happened in the past. In a 50-state study of Millennials and Generation Z-age people in the U.S. in 2020, researchers found that 63% of respondents did not know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust and 48% could not name a single death camp or concentration camp. The 100 Word Project statement by Holocaust survivors says: Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day We all survived the HolocaustWe are here to give voice to the six million Jews who were murderedWe are a reminder unchecked hatred can lead to actions, actions to genocideJust over 75 years ago, one-third of the world's Jews were systematically murderedAmong them, over 1.5 million children were killedin the name of indifference, intolerance, hateHatred for what was fearedHatred for what was differentWe must remember the past or it will become our futureOn Holocaust Remembrance Day we ask the world to stand with us and remember. The annual remembrance known as Yom HaShoah is one of the most solemn on Israel's calendar, with the nation coming to a standstill during a two-minute siren on Thursday morning. According to the Hebrew calendar, Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising the most significant act of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Although the uprising ultimately failed, it is remembered in as a symbol of strength and the struggle for freedom in the face of annihilation. It means resilience, tenacity, strength. It's the hallmark of being a Holocaust survivor, the very concept of surviving, of everyday problems, of fighting until the end, said Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference. And for some people, unfortunately, the end was the gas chamber. For other people the end was the Warsaw ghetto, where a very small group of people who weren't well-equipped held out for nearly a month, Schneider said. "And that's why it's such an important day in Israel, and around the world for the Jewish community because it symbolizes the fight of certainly the Jewish people, but of any people facing this type of incredible adversity. The Claims Conference is working with its partners, among them the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC, to get as many Holocaust survivors out of Ukraine as possible. Thousands of people have been killed and more than five million have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24. Holocaust survivors from Canada, England, France, Germany, Israel, the United States and Ukraine were part of the video statement. Survivors from many different countries and languages who have vastly different persecution experiences -- some were in concentration camps, some were in ghettos, some fled, some were in hiding, Schneider said. And yet they come together to speak in one voice of the hope for the future. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General discussed the latter's visit to Russia over the phone. Guterres on Wednesday briefed Erdogan about his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Turkey's Directorate of Communications said in a statement. Before heading to Moscow and Kiev for talks on resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the UN Secretary-General met with Turkish President in the Turkish capital Ankara on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. The Turkish leader had told Guterres that all parties should support the Istanbul process for a solution to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, according to the statement. During a phone talk with Putin on Tuesday, Erdogan said the "continuation of the positive momentum achieved in the Istanbul talks" to reach peace in Ukraine is in everyone's interest. On Sunday, the Turkish President said his country is ready to provide all possible assistance for the negotiation process when having a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A round of face-to-face talks between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul in March. --IANS int/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) accused Russia on Thursday of stealing grain in territory it has occupied, an act which it said increased the threat to global food security posed by disruptions to spring sowing and the blocking of Ukrainian ports during the war. Asked about the allegations, the said it had no information on the matter. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that it "strongly condemns the criminal actions of the Russian Federation in the so-called expropriation of crops from farmers in the Kherson region" of southern . It gave no further details of the alleged theft of grain in the Kherson region, whose main city has been occupied by the Russian forces since the early days of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24. "The looting of grain from the Kherson region, as well as the blocking of shipments from Ukrainian ports and the mining of shipping lanes, threaten the world's food security," it said. "We demand that Russia stop the illegal theft of grain, unblock Ukrainian ports, restore freedom of navigation and allow the passage of merchant ships." The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office said in a separate statement that it had opened a criminal case into allegations that Russian soldiers, threatening violence, had on April 26 taken away 61 tonnes of wheat from an agricultural enterprise in the Zaporizhzhia region of southern . Reuters was unable immediately to verify the assertion. Asked by Reuters if the had any information about Ukraine's accusations, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said via the Telegram messaging app: "No. We do not know where this information comes from". According to Council data, Ukraine was the world's fourth-largest grain exporter in the 2020/21 season, selling 44.7 million tonnes abroad. The volume of exports has fallen sharply since the Russian invasion. "Through its illegal actions, Russia is robbing not only Ukraine but also consumers abroad. The United Nations estimates that about 1.7 billion people may face poverty and hunger due to food disruptions as a result of a full-scale war waged by Russia against Ukraine," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. (Additional reporting by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Timothy Heritage, William Maclean) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) said Thursday that Russia's offensive in the east picked up momentum, with several towns coming under intense attack as Moscow's forces attempt to surround Ukrainian troops. In a reminder of the horrific toll the war has taken since it began February 24, United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres visited towns outside the capital of Kyiv where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia's retreat from the area. The fighting gathered pace after suddenly cut off natural gas to two NATO nations on Wednesday, in what was seen as a bid to punish and divide the West over its support for ahead of the potentially pivotal battle in the eastern industrial region of the Donbas. The General Staff of Ukraine's military said Russian forces were exerting intense fire in several places as they pushed on with the second phase of their invasion. The most intensive action was around Donetsk and close to Kharkiv, which lies outside the Donbas but is seen as key to Russia's apparent bid to encircle Ukrainian troops there. Tatiana Pirogova spoke of the intense fear of living under constant bombardment. It's not just scary. It's when your stomach contracts from pain" the Kharkiv resident said. "When they shoot during the day, it's still OK, but when the evening comes, I can't describe how scary it is. The General Staff said that over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian forces have repelled six attacks in the Donbas, control of which is now Moscow's primary focus ever since its initial offensive faltered and failed to take the Ukrainian capital. Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said the Russian army shelled the residential area in his region 29 times by aircrafts, multiple rocket launches, tube artillery and mortars. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press also showed evidence of intense Russian fire on Mariupol in recent days. The images show how concentrated attacks have greatly damaged a central facility at the Azovstal steelworks, the last redoubt of Ukrainian fighters in the key battleground city. An estimated 1,000 civilians are sheltering along with about 2,000 Ukrainian fighters in the steelworks, a massive Soviet-era complex with a warren of underground facilities built to withstand airstrikes. Russia, meanwhile, said a city under its control in the south also came under fire. With the war now in its third month, Guterres on Thursday toured towns outside Kyiv, including Bucha, that have seen some of the most horrific attacks of the war. Civilians always pay the highest price, he said as he visited the bombed out suburb of Irpin. "And this is something everyone should remember, everywhere in the world. Wherever there is a war the highest price is paid by civilians. Evidence of atrocities was discovered in the towns Guterres visited on Thursday after the Russians retreated from the area in the face a fiercer than expected Ukrainian resistance, bolstered by Western arms. In what could be a further Ukrainian counterattack, a series of explosions boomed near the television tower late Wednesday in southern Ukraine's Kherson, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early in the war. The blasts at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. has urged its allies to send even more military equipment so it can continue its fight. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that up to date, NATO allies have pledged and provided at least 8 billion US dollars in military support to Ukraine. And we see the importance of further stepping up our support to Ukraine. While Russia's initial blitz was stunted and it suffered the humiliating loss of a massive warship Britain's Defense Ministry said the Russian navy still has the ability to strike coastal targets in Ukraine. In an intelligence briefing posted Thursday morning, the ministry says that about 20 naval vessels, including submarines, are currently operating the Black Sea zone. But the ministry says isn't able to replace the guided-missile cruiser Moskva, which sank earlier this month in the Black Sea, because the Bosporus Strait remains closed to all non-Turkish warships. Russia also lost the landing ship Saratov, which was destroyed by explosions and fire on March 24. While it presses its campaign in the east, Moscow has also piled on the pressure by leveraging its biggest export product energy, cutting off NATO members Poland and Bulgaria from its natural gas on Wednesday. European leaders blasted that decision as blackmail, saying the move and the Kremlin's warning that it might cease shipments to other countries is a failed attempt to divide the West over its support for Ukraine. The tactic against the two EU countries could eventually force targeted nations to ration gas and deal another blow to economies suffering from rising prices. At the same time, it could deprive Russia of badly needed income to fund its war effort. The gas cuts do not immediately put the two countries in any dire trouble. Poland, especially, has been working for many years to line up other suppliers, and the continent is heading into summer, making gas less essential for households. Gazprom said it shut off the two countries because they refused to pay in rubles, as President has demanded of unfriendly nations. The Kremlin said other countries may be cut off if they don't agree to the payment arrangement. European countries have balked at Russia's demand for rubles. Moscow has since proposed a system that it says satisfies its demand but that the Europeans say means they are still paying in either euros or dollars. Europe (and) Germany will make payments in euros and may pay in dollars, and not in rubles, Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Wednesday. The conversion, once the payments have been made, is a matter for Gazprom. We have discussed this with the European Union. We will continue down this path. Still, the cutoff and the Kremlin warning that other countries could be next sent shivers of worry through the 27-nation European Union. Germany is the world's biggest buyer of Russian energy, and Italy is also a significant consumer, though they, too, have been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States accused on Thursday of planning to stage fake independence votes to justify its conquest of territory in Ukraine, as Russian forces stepped up a major offensive in the east. Responding to repeated Ukrainian pleas to Western leaders for supplies of heavier weaponry and equipment, U.S. President asked Congress on Thursday for $33 billion to support Kyiv, a massive jump in U.S. funding that includes over $20 billion for weapons and ammunition and other military aid. The package, also entailing $8.5 billion in direct economic assistance and $3 billion in humanitarian and food security aid, forms part of U.S. efforts to isolate and punish for its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, which has flattened cities and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad. Washington has said it hopes Ukrainian forces can not only repel Russia's assault on the east but also weaken its military so that it can no longer menace neighbours. says that amounts to NATO waging "proxy war" against it, and has made a number of threats this week of unspecified retaliation. After being beaten back in efforts to capture the capital Kyiv in the north, Russia has shifted forces hundreds of miles eastward to capture two provinces in a battle the West believe may prove a decisive turning point in the war. Russian forces are now entrenched in the east, where Moscow-backed separatists have held some territory since 2014, and also hold a swathe of the south they seized in March. 'SHAM REFERENDA' The U.S. mission to the OSCE security body said the Kremlin might attempt "sham referenda" in southern and eastern areas it had captured since the Feb. 24 invasion, using "a well-worn playbook that steals from history'Ukraine, Russia, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Russian war on Ukraine, why Russia attacked Ukraine, NATO, US Russia, Mariupol, Kyivs darkest chapters". "These falsified, illegitimate referenda will undoubtedly be accompanied by a wave of abuses against those who seek to oppose or undermine Moscowas plans," the U.S. mission said. "The community must make clear that any such referendum will never be recognised as legitimate." reported explosions overnight in the southern city of Kherson, the only regional capital Russia has captured so far since the invasion. Russian troops there had used tear gas and stun grenades on Wednesday to quell pro-Ukrainian crowds, and were now shelling the entire surrounding region and attacking towards Mykolaiv and Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian officials said. Russian state media quoted an official from a self-styled pro-Russian "military-civilian commission" in Kherson on Thursday as saying the area would start using Russia's rouble currency from May 1. Ukraine's general staff said Russia was also stepping up its main military assault in the east, where Moscow now aims to seize all of two provinces partially controlled by separatists. "The enemy is increasing the pace of the offensive operation. The Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire in almost all directions," it said. It identified Russia's main attack as near the towns of Slobozhanske and Donets, along a strategic frontline highway linking Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv with the Russian-occupied city of Izyum. The Kharkiv regional governor said Russian forces were ratcheting up attacks from Izyum, but Ukrainian troops were holding their ground. Kharkiv regional prosecutors said two civilians were killed and seven wounded in Russian shelling of the village of Pokotilovka on Thursday. Reuters could not independently verify the report. Russia denies targeting civilians. President calls Russian actions in a "special military operation" that became necessary as the United States was using the country to threaten Russia and Moscow had to defend Russian-speaking inhabitants from persecution. says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab and that Putin's claims of persecution are nonsense. WEST STEPPING UP MILITARY AID Western countries have ramped up weapons supplies to Ukraine in recent days as the fighting in the east has intensified. More than 40 countries met this week at a U.S. air base in Germany and pledged to send heavy arms such as artillery for what is expected to be a vast battle of opposing armies along a heavily fortified front line on open, flat terrain. Russia has also reported what it says have been a series of Ukrainian strikes on Russian regions which border Ukraine, and has warned that such attacks risk significant escalation. On Thursday, two powerful explosions were heard in the Russian city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine, two witnesses told Reuters. It was not immediately clear what caused them and whether there were any casualties or damage. Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility for strikes inside Russia but says the incidents are payback, while Russia has taken umbrage at statements from NATO member Britain that it is legitimate for Ukraine to target Russian logistics. "In the West, they are openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia including with the use of weapons received from NATO countries," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow. "I don't advise you to test our patience further." 'INNOCENT CIVILIANS' When Russian forces were driven away from Kyiv last month, they left behind destroyed suburbs strewn with the bodies of hundreds of slain civilians in what Western countries call clear evidence of war crimes. Moscow says, without evidence, that such signs of suspected atrocities are fake. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres struck an emotional note during a visit to the devastated, formerly Russian-occupied Kyiv suburbs of Borodyanka and Bucha. "Innocent civilians were living in these buildings, they were paying the highest price for a war which they have not contributed to at all," Guterres told reporters in Borodyanka, Guterres met Putin in Moscow on Wednesday for what proved a failed peace mission. Russia rebuffed Guterres's offer to help evacuate Mariupol, the besieged port where the war's bloodiest and most destructive fighting has raged. (Additional reporting by Reuters journalists; Writing by Peter Graff and Mark Heinrich; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Toby Chopra) (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 declared an official currency, the second nation in the world to accept the as legal tender. Cryptomoney including is now considered an official currency in CAR, Albert Mokpeme, spokesman for President Faustin-Archange Touadera, said on Thursday. By legaliding the use of Bitcoin, CAR hopes to attract investors, he said, adding that its use would ease money transfers that can sometimes be complicated in our country. The country is following the lead of El Salvador, which in September became the first nation to introduce as legal tender. The country which has gold and diamond reserves, is one of the worlds poorest countries. Years of violent conflict and a political crisis that gripped the country in the lead up to the presidential election in December 2020 have had a severe impact on the economy and damaged relations with its global partners. Internet penetration in the landlocked nation is about 11 per cent of the 5 million population, according to DataReportal, an online data portal. Buffett-backed EV makers net cash flow jumps 8,000% Strong demand for BYD electric vehicles in China, the worlds biggest market for battery-powered cars, has triggered an 8,312 per cent jump in net cash flow from operations, underpinning the Warren Buffett-backed firms strongest first quarter in six years. The Shenzhen-based automaker said the $1.8 billion of net cash flow from operating activities it reported for the three months through March 31 in earnings released on Wednesday was mostly spurred by cash received from sales of goods and provision of services.Bloomberg . Baidu, Pony.ai granted first driverless robotaxi permit Baidu and Pony.ai said on Thursday they had received permits to deploy robotaxis without humans in the driving seat on open Chinese roads for the first time. The new permits allow both to offer rides to the general public from cars without anyone sitting behind the steering wheels on open roads within a 60 square kilometre area in the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone. Reuters . KKR eyes taking Hitachi Transport private at $5 bn KKR unveiled a tender offer to take Hitachi Transport System private in a deal valued at about 670 billion yen ($5.2 billion). KKR is offering 8,913 yen for each share of Hitachi Transport on the market, a 166 per cent premium to Hitachi Transports 12-month average closing price through yesterday, KKR said. The private equity firm said that its paying 6,632 yen a share for Hitachis 40 per cent stake. Bloomberg Shares of Poona Dal & Oil Industries hit a record high of Rs 103.15 and were locked at the 10 per cent upper circuit on the BSE in Thursdays intra-day trade on the back of heavy volumes. In the past four trading days, the stock of the company has zoomed 86 per cent from a level of Rs 55.60 on Friday, April 22, 2022. Till 10:35 AM; around 76,000 shares had changed hands and there were pending buy orders for 30,619 shares on the BSE, the exchange data shows. Currently, the stock is classified in the X category on the BSE. X group consists of all those stocks which are only listed on BSE. The exchange has sought clarification from the company with reference to significant movement in price. This has been done to ensure that investors have latest relevant information about the company and to inform the market so that the interest of the investors is safeguarded, it said. The reply is awaited. Poona Dal & Oil Industries is engaged in the business of manufacturing and trading in and pulses through its two segments viz. oil division and agro division respectively. The companys business accounted 78 per cent of the total turnover in financial year 2020-21 (FY21). There is ever increasing potential in the edible oil business and growing consumption across the population. The company is positive in its outlook for demand for its refined edible oil and other agro based products. The future outlook particularly in the area of food grains is encouraging, the company had said in its FY21 annual report. Opportunities may arise once the severity of Covid-19 infections go down and normalcy returns to poultry sector in India and abroad. There are positive signs from Bangladesh, a major importer, which presents opportunity during the coming year, the company said. Meanwhile, according to a report, Indonesia on Wednesday once again widened the scope of its export ban on raw materials for cooking oil to include crude and refined palm oil, among other products. Bajaj Finserv advanced 0.99% to Rs 14,975 after the company reported a 37% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,346 crore in Q4 FY22 from Rs 979 crore in Q4 FY21. Total income during the quarter increased by 23% YoY to Rs 18,862 crore. Profit before tax in Q4 FY22 stood at Rs 3,462 crore, up by 47% from Rs 2,359 crore in Q4 FY21. Bajaj Finserv is the holding company for the various financial services businesses under the Bajaj group. It participates in the financing business through its 52.65% holding in Bajaj Finance and in the protection business through its 74% holding in two unlisted subsidiaries, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company. Bajaj Finance recorded 80% increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,420 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q4 FY21, mainly on account of robust AUM growth, higher net interest income and better asset performance. Total income for Q4 FY22 rose by 26% to Rs 8,630 crore from Rs 6,855 crore in Q4 FY21. Assets Under Management (AUM) as at 31 March 2022 were Rs 197,452 crore as against Rs 152,947 crore as at 31 March 2021, registering an increase of 29% YoY. Gross NPA and Net NPA as of 31 March 2022 stood at 1.60% and 0.68%, respectively, as against 1.79% and 0.75% as of 31 March 2021. Provisioning coverage ratio of 58% is there on stage 3 assets. BFL holds a management and macro-economic overlay of Rs 1,060 crore as at 31 March 2022 as compared with Rs 840 crore as at 31 March 2021. Capital adequacy ratio (including Tier-II capital) as of 31 March 2022 was 27.22%. The Tier-I capital stood at 24.75%. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company's gross written premium for Q4 FY22 increased by 18% to Rs 3,300 crore as against Rs 2,787 crore in Q4 FY21. The company wrote crop & government health insurance of Rs 429 crore (up 4.5x YoY) in Q4 FY22. Net earned premium increased by 11% YoY to Rs 1,988 crore in Q4 FY22. The claim ratio increased to 68.8% in Q4 FY22 from 64.3% in Q4 FY21, mainly due to an increase in the severity of non-Covid health claims. The combined ratio was 98.3% in Q4 FY22 as against 96.6% in Q4 FY21. Profit after tax for Q4 FY22 stood at Rs 248 crore, down by 9% from Rs 273 crore in Q4 FY21. As on 31 March 2022, solvency ratio was 344%, which is well above the minimum regulatory requirement of 150%. Assets Under Management (AUM), represented by cash and investments as on 31 March 2022 stood at Rs 24,633 crore (up 6% YoY). Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company recorded 30% increase in new business premium to Rs 3,236 crore in Q4 FY22 from Rs 2,493 crore in Q4 FY21. The renewal premium for Q4 FY22 was Rs 2,483 crore (up 24% YoY). Gross written premium for Q4 FY22 increased by 27% to Rs 5,719 crore from Rs 4,501 crore in Q4 FY21. Shareholders' profit after tax during Q4 FY22 stood at Rs 48 crore, down by 79% from Rs 234 crore in Q4 FY21, impacted mainly due to higher new business strain and lower investment income. The solvency ratio stood at a healthy 581% as on 31 March 2022 as against the minimum regulatory requirement of 150%. Assets Under Management (AUM}, represented by total investments increased by 16% to Rs 85,623 crore as on 31 March 2022 as against Rs 73,773 crore as on 31 March 2021. Business conditions improved significantly in Q4 of FY22 although they were volatile due to the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Although lower sales of automobiles due to supply chain problems affected the general insurance business, the overall environment was conducive and all our businesses recorded excellent growth, Bajaj Finserv said in a statement. The company reported 2% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,557 crore on a 13% increase in total income to Rs 68,439 crore in FY22 over FY21. The company's board has recommended a dividend of Rs 4 per share. The total amount of dividend is Rs 64 crore as against Rs 48 crore in the same period last year. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coromandel International rallied 5.13% to Rs 890.80 after the company's consolidated net profit surged 85.94% to Rs 289.79 crore on a 49.63% rise in revenue from operations to Rs 4,226.81 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q4 FY21. Consolidated profit before tax (PBT) soared 82.33% to Rs 388.96 crore in Q4 March 2022 as against Rs 213.32 crore in Q4 March 2021. The total expenses increased by 47.24% to Rs 3913.92 crore in Q4 March 2022 as compared to Rs 2658.16 crore in Q4 March 2021. On a yearly basis, consolidated net profit advanced 14.99% to Rs 1,528.46 crore on a 34.75% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 19,110.85 crore in FY22 over FY21. Meanwhile, the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 6 per equity share of face value Re 1 each (i.e. 600%) for the FY 2021-22. Coromandel International is amongst India's pioneers and leading agri solutions provider, offering diverse products and services across the farming value chain. It operates in two major segments: Nutrient and other allied businesses and crop protection. These include fertiliser, crop protection, bio pesticides, specialty nutrients and organic compost businesses. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Godrej Properties today announced that it has acquired 58 acres of land in Nagpur. The development on this land will comprise primarily of plotted residential units and will offer an estimated saleable area of 1.5 million sq. ft. The project has good connectivity to Nagpur Airport and the Nagpur - Hyderabad highway with well established social infrastructure in the vicinity. Nagpur has many prominent infrastructure projects like the Metro Rail project, IT and manufacturing facilities in MIHAN SEZ and Airport Cargo Hub, along with the upcoming Samruddhi Mahamarg which will further boost national connectivity and the related demand for quality residential units. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trading could be volatile as traders roll over positions in the F&O segment from the near month April series to May series. The April 2022 F&O contracts will expire today, 28 April 2022. SGX Nifty: Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 21 points at the opening bell. Global markets: Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Thursday, as investors in the region look ahead to the Bank of Japan's latest monetary policy decision. Meanwhile, Chinese tech stocks rose, boosted by news to support the economy. Investors in Asia-Pacific have been continuing to monitor developments surrounding the Covid situation in mainland China. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for an all-out effort to construct infrastructure. His comments come as mainland China has since March been facing its worst outbreak of Covid-19 since the initial shock of the pandemic in early 2020. Japan's retail sales rose more than expected in March, according to government data released Thursday. Retail sales gained 0.9% in March as compared with a year earlier. U.S. stocks edged higher in choppy trading Wednesday, clawing back some of their losses after selling off sharply a day earlier. The US trade deficit in goods widened to a record high in March. The goods trade deficit jumped 17.8% to an all-time high of $125.3 billion. The increase likely reflected both higher volumes and prices. Imports of goods accelerated 11.5% to $294.6 billion. They were boosted by a 15.% surge in imports of industrial supplies, which include petroleum products. Domestic markets: Back home, domestic equity benchmarks ended a volatile trading session with modest losses on Wednesday. The barometer index, S&P BSE Sensex dropped 537.22 points or 0.94% at 56,819.39. The Nifty 50 index fell 162.40 points or 0.94% at 17,038.40. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 4,064.54 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net buyers to the tune of Rs 1,917.51 crore in the Indian equity market on 27 April, provisional data showed. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Industries Ltd is quoting at Rs 2825.35, up 1.69% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 39.59% in last one year as compared to a 15.49% jump in NIFTY and a 59.85% jump in the Nifty Energy index. Reliance Industries Ltd is up for a third straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 2825.35, up 1.69% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.96% on the day, quoting at 17201.45. The Sensex is at 57436.18, up 1.09%. Reliance Industries Ltd has gained around 7.73% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Reliance Industries Ltd is a constituent, has gained around 11.53% in last one month and is currently quoting at 28527.6, up 1.22% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 64.14 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 66.69 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark April futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 2825.75, up 1.88% on the day. Reliance Industries Ltd is up 39.59% in last one year as compared to a 15.49% jump in NIFTY and a 59.85% jump in the Nifty Energy index. The PE of the stock is 52.78 based on TTM earnings ending December 21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For supply of connecting rods to a leading North American OEM Sansera Engineering has been awarded a contract for development, manufacturing and supply of connecting rods from a leading North American OEM for its upcoming project. The start of production would be from July 2025 and is expected to run over seven years. The approximate quantity for the contract is over 35 million connecting rods with an estimated revenue of over USD 400 Mn (Rs 3,066 crores based on current forex rate). These parts would be developed for the customer's new technology engine and are likely to be supplied to North America. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor After Prime minister on Wednesday urged the state governments to lower value added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel in the "spirit of cooperative federalism", Rajasthan Chief Minister accused the Centre of earning the highest amount of revenue in the history of the country by taxing petrol and diesel. Rajasthan imposes of 30 per cent on petrol and 22 per cent diesel, which are among the highest in the country. "The Centre earned about Rs 26 lakh crore from excise duty in the last eight years, which is the highest amount earned by any government in the history of the country by taxing petrol and diesel. Despite low crude prices as compared to the UPA era, petrol is being sold at more than Rs 110 a litre and diesel at more than Rs 100 per litre under the present regime. During the tenure of the UPA government, the price of crude oil breached $100 per barrel, but petrol price didn't exceed Rs 70/litre and diesel Rs 50/litre in view of the interest of the common man," Gehlot said. On the Prime Minister naming Jaipur, Gehlot said, "Perhaps the Prime Minister took the name of to give a message to the BJP-ruled where the prices of petrol and diesel are higher than . Perhaps he called as by mistake." Gehlot elaborated, "The Rajasthan government reduced by 2 per cent on petrol and diesel on January 29, 2021, even though the Centre had not reduced the excise duty at that time. Two days later, in the Union Budget for 2021-22, a new cess of Rs 4 on diesel and Rs 2.5 on petrol was imposed in the name of Agriculture Infrastructure and Development. Due to this, the people of Rajasthan could not get the benefit of reducing by 2 per cent." "On November 4, 2021, the Centre reduced excise duty on petrol by Rs 5 and diesel by Rs 10 per liter, while during the Covid lockdown in May 2020, the increased the excise duty on petrol by Rs 10 and diesel by Rs 13 per liter. "The VAT of the states is levied on the excise duty of the Centre, i.e., by reducing the excise duty, the VAT automatically gets reduced. For this reason, due to reduction in excise duty on November 4, 2021, the Rajasthan government automatically reduced VAT by Rs 1.80 per litre on petrol and Rs 2.60 per litre on diesel. "To give relief to the common man, the state government on November 17, 2021 reduced VAT on petrol by 4.96 per cent and on diesel by 6.70 per cent. Due to this reduction made three times, there was a revenue loss of about Rs 6,300 crore per year, but the PM only mentioned the revenue loss of Rs 6,000 crore in Karnataka and Rs 3,500-4,000 crore in Gujarat. These two states would probably have been mentioned in view of the upcoming Assembly elections there." The Prime Minister talked about the VAT of the states but did not give information about the excise duty of the Central government, he said. "In May 2014, when became the Prime Minister, excise duty was Rs 9.20 per liter on petrol and Rs 3.46 per liter on diesel, but today excise duty is Rs 27.90 per liter on petrol and Rs 21.80 per liter on diesel. During the UPA government, the states used to get their share of excise duty, but now the share of the states has been continuously reduced to just a few paise per liter, so the states are forced to increase their VAT," Gehlot 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.) A day after the decided to send a two-member team led by Chief Secretary VP Joy to Gujarat for three days to study the dashboard system for e-governance, Kerala opposition leader of the State Legislature VD Satheesan slammed the state government's move and questioned their association with the Bharatiya Janata Party. "Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan believes that good governance is happening in BJP-ruled-State of Gujarat. Vijayan has now sent his Chief Secretary to study about the model of good governance there. Will he go to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and learn about good governance from him?," said leader Satheesan to reporters. The leader added, "This is a very weird attitude of the government. On one hand, the CPM-led opposes BJP and its policies in broad daylight and during the night-time, they are friends with the BJP. By creating a relationship between the Gujarat government and the Kerala government, the is showcasing its association with the BJP and Sangh parivaar." Kerala President K Sudhakaran also opposed this move taken by the CPM government in the state. KPCC president K Sudhakaran said to reporters, "CPM's main enemy is the Congress party and they want to destroy the Congress party. CPM has opened its way in favour of the BJP by telling that they are not ready for an alliance with Congress in any possible way. Destroying Congress' role in Kerala is the need of BJP and CPM." On Monday, the Kerala government decided to send a two-member team led by Chief Secretary VP Joy to Gujarat for three days to study the dashboard system for e-governance. Kerala is studying the dashboard system started in 2019 when Vijay Rupani was the Gujarat chief minister. (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.) supremo on Thursday junked SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's remark suggesting that the BJP could make her the country's president, signalling that she would prefer to become the prime minister someday to realise her goals for the downtrodden. Reacting to Yadav's dig at her on Wednesday, said she has never aspired to become the president and the Samajwadi Party leader was dreaming about it to clear his path to become the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. "I can only dream of becoming the chief minister of UP and prime minister of the country in the days to come but can never dream of becoming the president," she told reporters. "I have not spent my life in comfort and have struggled to work on the path shown by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram to ensure that their followers and the downtrodden stand on their feet. All know that this work can be done not by becoming the president but by becoming the CM of UP and PM of the country," she said. If Dalits, Adivasis, backwards, Muslims and the poor from the upper castes join forces with the BSP, then not only can they make its leader the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh again but also the prime minister in the time to come, she added. The SP dreaming of making her the president for its "selfish political motives" is futile, said the former chief minister whose party bagged only one seat in the recent state Assembly polls. "The reality is that the SP is dreaming of making me the president in order to clear the path (for Akhilesh Yadav) to become the CM of UP, which is not possible," said. "Despite striking alliances with different parties, the SP has not been able to form the government," she said. Media reports had suggested that the BSP's votes were transferred to the BJP in the February-March state Assembly polls. A report sent by the Uttar Pradesh BJP to the central party leadership on the election also highlighted the shift of the BSP's votes to the saffron party which helped it win with a comfortable margin. Even during the elections, Yadav had pointed towards a "nexus" between the BJP and the as part of the deal to appoint Mayawati to a higher constitutional post. Mayawati claimed Yadav has realised that the SP will not return to power in Uttar Pradesh in future and is looking to "flee to a foreign country" where he has already made all the arrangements. This is being openly discussed, she said. She further alleged the SP and the BJP worked together to give the recent elections "Hindu-Muslim colour" and this brought the saffron party back in power. The weaker sections and especially Muslims are facing continued atrocities and the SP chief is responsible for this. He is still not desisting from spreading rumours. He should give up his "childish and disgusting politics", she added. Interestingly, the and the SP had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as alliance partners but parted ways later and have been regularly attacking each other. The SP won 111 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls this year. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his federalism is "not cooperative but coercive". His remarks came a day after Modi flagged higher in many opposition-ruled states and urged them to reduce VAT in " interest" to benefit the common man and work in the spirit of cooperative federalism in this time of global crisis. Gandhi alleged that the prime minister is abdicating his responsibility by blaming states for the high even when the Centre has taken 68 percent of all fuel taxes. "High - blame states. Coal shortage - blame states. Oxygen shortage - blame states," he said in a tweet. "68% of all fuel taxes are taken by the Centre. Yet, the PM abdicates responsibility. Modi's Federalism is not cooperative. It's coercive," Gandhi charged. Modi had raised the issue of many states not adhering to the Centre's call for reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel after his government slashed excise duties on them in November last, and called it "injustice" to people living there and also harmful for neighbouring states. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) president JP Nadda on Thursday held a meeting with senior leaders of the party's unit including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The meeting, which was held at 11 Ashoka Road, the BJP's old headquarters, was aimed at taking stock of the BJP's preparation for the assembly polls scheduled to be held in next year, sources said. Besides Chouhan, the meeting was attended by BJP's state president VD Sharma, senior minister in the state government Narottam Mishra and the party's general secretary Kailash Vijavargiya. BJP's poll in-charge for the state Muralidhar Rao and the party's general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh were also present in the meeting. In the 2018 assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, the had the lost elections narrowly and the Congress went on to form the government. But later defections in the Congress led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, who along with his supporters joined the BJP, again brought the saffron party back to power in the state. Nadda has been holding meeting with leaders from states which are scheduled to go for polls next year. Earlier this month, he had held similar meeting with leaders from Rajasthan including former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. (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.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 28 (ANI/PNN): Mumbai-based 1 Finance announces the appointment of former National Stock Exchange (NSE) Vice President, Anand Nigam, as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Anand is responsible for setting the technical direction and technology roadmap for 1 Finance, thereby creating and executing a complete plan of action to build products that delight customers. An MTech from IIT Delhi, Anand carries a vast experience of 20 years and has the domain knowledge and business acumen to align technological needs to the organisation's goals. Before joining (http://1finance.co.in) 1 Finance, Anand started his career as a scientist in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In his last engagement at NSE, as the Chief Architect, was leading digital transformation and tech modernisation, and was responsible for setting up the technology vision and roadmap for the company and its subsidiaries. He was also the Chairman of Design Authority at NSE, and SCOT member for IFSC - International Exchange of NSE. Priorly, he was leading multiple teams at Walmart, rolling out products and services to the US and other international markets. His stint at Myntra comprised heading payments and core buying services for Jabong. Keval Bhanushali, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, 1 Finance stated, "We are pleased to welcome Anand Nigam onboard, with him playing a critical role in building the technology vision of our company. At 1 Finance, data protection and scale are our core focus apart from the overall tech stack. Anand fills those shoes very well as he has built systems at NSE and other organisations in the past. We look to deliver absolute peace of mind to 1 Finance customers while dealing with their finances and related data, and having Anand on board will help us to deliver what we promise." Anand's hiring comes at a time when the role of a CTO in any company is diversified and not limited to just technology. As a CTO, Anand not only takes ownership of the entire technology spectrum but is also the public face of technology at 1 Finance. The reimagined financial institution is a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that is here to disrupt the personal finance space. 1 Finance is solving real issues faced by the affluent middle class through the provision of qualified, unbiased, and hyper-personalised financial advisory. Anand Nigam, Chief Technology Officer, 1 Finance mentioned, "I am excited to be a part of a company that is here to transform the personal finance industry. The vision of the company clicked with me personally in the first go itself. This is what I always needed as an investor, and now I will build not only for our customers but I myself am the first customer. I have been provided with the opportunity of being given a clean slate to build things the way I want, which speaks volumes of the leadership at 1 Finance. We are building very high performance and scalable systems that can provide our customers with a delightful experience using predictive modelling and recommendation systems." The role of Anand Nigam encompasses information technology applications, communications (voice, data, and wireless), and computing services. He is also in charge of the safeguarding of systems and is accountable for combating cyber security threats. 1 Finance Private Limited is a reimagined consumer financial institution that offers qualified, unbiased, and hyper-personalised advisory on one's personal finances including but not limited to assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and insurance. The Mumbai-based company is backed and mentored by marquee investor Marwadi Chandarana Group, established in the year 1995 and marking its prominence in the higher education sector with Marwadi University, in retail financial services by Marwadi Financial Services, and with algorithmic, and high frequency trading with Marwadi Chandarana Intermediaries Brokers Private Limited (MCIBPL). 1 Finance is the first of its kind ecosystem offering financial planning and advisory solutions to the emerging affluent individuals of India. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi/ Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 28 (ANI/NewsVoir): Gurgaon-based, personal care homegrown manufacturing company Ivia Beaute Pvt. Ltd. with their flagship brands 'Astaberry' and 'Ikin' recently launched their new product range of Hair Removal Creams and Wine Facial Kits. Inspired by Ayurveda and formulated with Science, the move is to create a one-stop solution for all personal care needs and also to expand their ever-growing cruelty free, vegan and eco-friendly product range comprising of Hair removal creams, Face Wash, Sunscreen, Home Facial Kits, Onion Oil and Shampoo. Popular actress and model Mouni Roy has been signed as the face of the brand "Ikin Hair Remover Cream". Ivia Beaute Pvt. Ltd., a venture from the house of BHIMSAINI, a pioneer in the Kajal Industry and a leading manufacturer and distributor of Natural Skincare, Healthcare & Eyecare products since 1950 catering to Indian as well as global market. Achal Arya, Director, Ivia Beaute Pvt. Ltd. shares, "Taking care of our skin is a daily ritual and it needs to be pampered with the goodness of nature and that's what the essence of this campaign is with the face of our brand, Mouni Roy. Astaberry products are enriched with the goodness of Ayurveda, the age-old Indian science based on active natural ingredients, blended with modern formulations and distinct fragrances. The newly launched Astaberry Wine Facial Kit and Wine Face Wash are becoming popular with millenials and salon owners alike. Made from natural ingredients and specially crafted formulations like using Red Grape extract in this unique facial kit which helps to reduce fine surface lines and replenish depleted moisture and also improves skin moisturization, firmness, retains elasticity, everlasting glow, and fairness. Using subtle fragrances and crafted packaging adds to the sensory feel of the products making the experience more enjoyable and satisfying." Astaberry has, with its dedicated in-house R and D team of experts in cosmetics, chemistry and product design, developed a complete range of skincare, haircare and personal care products. The company has also added to the "Astaberry Ikin" active skin and hair care range with the introduction of a Hair Removal Cream without any side effects and without pain. The product innovation is such that it does not darken the skin like other hair removal creams but it also uses less time to do it. It is available in 5 different variants i.e Gold, Diamond, Rose, Papaya, and Skin Whitening. "The company plans to double down on its growth strategy adding more brands by end of current fiscal and aims to become a Rs. 200-crore by end of FY 2023," Mr. Achal Arya, Director, Ivia Beaute Pvt. Ltd. further adds. As per industry reports, the Ayurveda market is set to grow by USD 6.81 billion from 2021 to 2026, progressing at a CAGR of 15.32 per cent. Youtube link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0rKaI_sa3g). The vivacious Bollywood actor Mouni Roy who is seen in a TVC of "Ikin Hair Remover Cream" in a playful mood with gold-fish shares, "I'm really excited to be the face of a brand like Astaberry that deeply resonates with my love for natural, herbal ingredients since childhood. The philosophy of the brand and their unique approach to bring the best products based on the Ayurvedic & Scientific principles which are Conscious, Socially Responsible, free from Animal Cruelty and Environment friendly with all natural ingredients is truly commendable. With Astaberry, my skin care routine is more delightful." Throwing light on the storytelling, Anand Oberoi, Managing Director, Oberoi IBC said, "Astaberry has a very distinct range of personal care products crafted over years of research like the Wine Facial Kit to the Astaberry indulge Sulfate-free Vitamin C foaming face wash to Astaberry's Papaya sunscreen infused with the richness of natural papaya extract or the Astaberry Professional Skin Rejuvenating Vitamin E Face Serum. Our challenge was to create a messaging that aligns with the brand statement. The idea is to take care of communication strategy with a long term goal to establish Astaberry as one of the leading personal care brand in the country." Astaberry is not just a brand, it is a lifestyle that people embrace to look naturally beautiful. Launched by Ivia Beaute Pvt. Ltd., a venture from the house of BHIMSAINI, Astaberry was created to provide result-oriented natural products that satisfy the needs of every skin type. Our products are inspired from Ayurveda and formulated using the best ingredients from India and Europe. Today Astaberry is sold across the country in all major retail stores and used by over 30,000 beauty professionals in salons. Their products are also exported to more than 13 countries. For more information please visit: (https://astaberry.com/). This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI/NewsVoir): Dalmia Group has announced that it has planned to support 20,000 medical professionals every year, adding upto 2 lac doctors in 10 years timeframe, under their exclusive program for Foreign Medical Students from CIS countries. The group will further place these medical professionals in the group-owned hospitals or help them finance their clinics, pathology labs, healthcare centers etc. Dalmia Biz Education Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with several medical universities in CIS countries that are recognized by World Health Organization and offer 5 years course in Doctor of Medicine (MD) in English language. Under the arrangement, the company will facilitate Indian students to study medicine abroad and prepare them to pass the Indian National Medical Commission exams namely Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE)/National Exit Test (NExT). Dalmia Biz Education will identify, shortlist and screen the students as per the eligibility criteria and standards of the University. Finally, the most competent student profiles will be forwarded for university program enrolments. Post successful completion of the program, Dalmia Healthcare Limited - a Dalmia group venture into healthcare domain will provide 100% assistance to these professionals for their placements or setting up their healthcare centers in India. Sanjay Dalmia, the Chairman of Dalmia group commented, "We have an unprecedented opportunity to create a world-class medical education system, well equipped with modern and technologically advanced infrastructure. We are on a mission to contribute in developing a strong foundation in medical education domain to support India in harnessing its demographic dividend to become a "Vishwa Guru" once again." He further stated that "Over 50% of the students from CIS countries, who aren't able to clear the FMGE or NEXT examination, conducted by NMC every year, fail to fulfill their career goals. Dalmia Group has proposed to setup an online facility, for the best in-class training of these students, through especially designed courses mapped to the Indian requirements to qualify the test." Dalmia Group's move is in line with government's objective of transforming medical education and making it affordable and accessible for every aspiring student. Recently, PM Narendra Modi in his speech said that the nation is set to have a record number of doctors in the next 10 years. Dalmia Biz Education is set to build a strong presence in the education space with the Foreign Medical Students Program with CIS countries. The company is also entering into the school business from April-June quarter with the sole aim of transforming education and to make it affordable for all. Dalmia Healthcare Limited is set to build a robust presence across the healthcare ecosystem, including Hospitals, Diagnostic Clinics, Pharmacies (Ayurvedic & Allopathic) and Medical Tourism. The company provides plant-based formulations (Ayurvedic/herbal) and allopathic drugs, that have undergone rigorous scientific validation and clinical trials, conducted at its research centre, Dalmia Centre for Research and Development (DCRD). The company has a presence in more than 30 countries globally, including South-Eastern European countries, Latin America, CIS countries etc. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI/PNN): When the Covid-19 pandemic forced its way into our lives, small and medium businesses across the country were affected by it. It was an unprecedented calamity. While the pandemic caused disruption, it was inspiring to see how digitization was on the rise in India. The pandemic has sparked a global spike in the growth of e-commerce sales and online businesses as worldwide lockdowns forced consumers to turn to the internet for buying everyday goods. The shift to digital has fundamentally changed how micro and small businesses access markets, with digital marketplace platforms playing a central role. The pandemic brought unpredictable changes to every business, and the need of the hour was to survive. Some platforms create new opportunities for small businesses to reach larger pools of local, national, and global customers and suppliers while also connecting them to social networks, peers, and mentors who can provide customized information. E-marketplace platforms also have the advantage of connecting resources at scale and in ways that are dynamic and tailored to the needs of small businesses. VS Online services is a bootstrapped technology-based business solutions company providing custom software solutions for medium-scale businesses and start-ups. The vision is to ensure every human benefit from their technology products and solutions in their day-to-day life. Founded in 2014 in Chennai, VS online services started with Hyperlocal marketplace, a first of its kind in 2015, and then pivoted to providing services for around 5 years now, serving in more than 10+ countries. The company proudly launched VSECOMMERCE (Web, Android, and iOS platform) in 2022, from which a store can launch their own e-Commerce application in 5 minutes and even configure any payment solution they want directly get paid. For now, it supports a single store, and they already have the hyper-local support in the engine. But, they are looking forward to releasing multi-store and hyper-local modules as well in subsequent months. In addition to the same, artificial Intelligence-based Chat solutions (VS Genius) integration will also be included soon this year for the platform. Sivakumar Anirudhan, CEO of VS Online Services Pvt Ltd, said, "We've also observed that there has been an increase in people who are taking their businesses online belonging to a demographic that includes stay-at-home mothers and mid-career switchers, and those who are looking to turn passion projects into businesses." "We specialize in catering to the changing dynamics of the Information Technology industry. With an increase in internet penetration, growth in the smartphone device market, reducing the size of devices and increase in number and types of mobile devices, we help organizations adapt to this evolving landscape", he added. VS Online services drive prosperity for entrepreneurs to tackle a range of big challenges through skill-building, increased economic growth, and strength. With changing market dynamics, we focus on product innovation with a passion for perfection and a relentless commitment to delivering world-class products to its customers. VS online services specialize in catering to the changing dynamics of the Information Technology industry. With an increase in internet penetration, growth in the smartphone device market, reducing the size of devices, and an increase in the number and types of mobile devices, the company is designed with the current emerging market in mind. With no technical coding, or design skill just by adding your store name, your mail Id, phone number, currency, or business information you can start your e-commerce site within 60 seconds from iOS, Android, or web application, and a fully customized e-commerce application within 5 minutes. Additionally, a trial period of 60 days without any card information lets you start your new store or already established store online using the VSECOMMERCE platform. VSECOMMERCE platform can also be helpful to any budding store owner who sells just a few products to an established store with more than 10K products or any services you want to sell online. There is no limit for this platform as this can be changed with minor customization from our team for OTT platforms, appointment-based platforms, or even rental businesses. The company experience ensures that they provide the best estimation, and deliver results on every milestone as planned, where clients can validate the progress made. It has highlighted the need for such initiatives as it has found that many Indians hesitate to transact online due to issues with trust and simplicity. The pandemic has also exposed the need for a structural shift in the conduct of businesses, and shopping practices of consumers and has encouraged small and micro businesses to go digital to retain profits. Digitization campaigns have also helped small businesses gain access to customers throughout the country. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Indias largest life insurer LIC is finally here, albeit at a reduced size. The IPO is a pure offer for sale where the government is selling a 3.5% stake, down from its earlier plan to sell 5%. It plans to raise Rs 21,000 crore at the upper end of the price range of 902-949 per share. That will still overshadow Paytms Rs 18,300 crore issue. The IPO price values LIC at around Rs 6 trillion or 1.12 times its embedded value of Rs 5.4 trillion at the end of December. The embedded value is a measure of future cash flows in life insurance and a key financial metric for insurers. When LIC filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP), experts had pegged its valuation at two to three times its embedded value, based on the valuation of its domestic private sector peers. However, market volatility due to the Russia-Ukraine war may have changed the dynamics. Listed private life insurance like HDFC Life, SBI Life and ICICI Prudential Life trade between 2.1 to 3.1 times their embedded value. The average market cap to EV ratio of the three is 2.6 times. If we apply the average multiple, LICs value would be Rs 14 trillion. The IPO valuation is almost 60% below this level. However, it is in line with the multiples commanded by global peers which are anywhere from 0.21 to 1.89. Analysts highlighted that LIC had a lower Value of New Business (VNB) margin of 9.9% in FY21 compared with private players, who have VNB margins of 22-27% due to higher share of participation and group products. Disinvestment secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey justified the valuation and timing of the IPO at Wednesdays press conference. IPO is the first step of long-term value creation for shareholders, he says. The 3.5% is an optimal size in current market conditions, he said, adding that the valuation flows from optimised positioning, marketing strategy, accessing investors and market window. While the government said it has decided to go ahead with the IPO in May due to strong market demand and a "solid" anchor investor base, there also might be another reason. It has time till May 12 to launch the IPO without filing fresh papers with Sebi. If this window is missed, LIC would have to update the offer documents with the latest results and embedded value. The government was previously criticised for under-pricing the October 2019 IPO of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, popularly known as IRCTC. At the top end of the price range, IRCTC fetched a market value of Rs 5,120 crore. The government divested around 12.5% of its stake in IRCTC during the IPO and sold another 20% in December 2020. Today IRCTC is valued at almost Rs 60,000 crore, an increase of 1070% since the IPO. Does the government risk a repetition of the IRCTC episode? According to Ashish Gumashta, CEO, Julius Baer India, govt is eyeing price discovery for LIC and it can't think of a better defensive bet than this at this time. He believes this size will not disrupt the primary market, and the valuation leaves something on the table for investors. Market strength of LIC and private players vary. Another expert echoed similar views. Deven Choksey, Managing Director, KR Choksey Investment Managers says the govt wants investors to come again for FPOs. He believes the valuation is sensible in current situation, but price to EV ratio could have risen to 2 if market conditions were right. The share price performance of Indias current IPO record holder also offers a lesson on what happens when an issue is overpriced. Shares of Paytm, which listed in November last year, are down 73% from their IPO price. Experts feel that the conservative valuation for LIC at this stage is a sensible approach by the government, which has to consider global and local market conditions, long-term return expectations of retail investors and the nature of LICs business compared to its private competitors, among other things. They say such attractive pricing will help an IPO of this size sail through easily even as the market remains choppy. Watch video Life Insurance Corporations much-awaited IPO is finally opening on May 4. But much like the initial euphoria around it, its size also looks diminished. Its current valuation is now Rs 6lakh crore, less than half of the expected value of around Rs 13lakh crore. Three years ago, the government had faced backlash for underpricing the IRCTC IPO. So is the government undervaluing another state-run behemoth? Or has it taken this call after due diligence? may well attract a fresh wave of investors into the markets. Something similar had happened with OTT platforms during the lockdown, when people of all ages turned to it. In 2020, had added 36 million subscribers. But the streaming giant saw its customer base shrink by 200,000 during the January-March quarter. And it has projected a loss of another 2 million subscribers in the current quarter. is now mulling a low-cost subscription supported by advertising. What it would mean for it and for the Indian OTT ecosystem? After Netflix, let us move on to markets. It has been a rollercoaster ride for investors during the April F&O series, with bears having the slight edge. Will they triumph? Or will the bulls fight back today? Russia-Ukraine war is not just shaping the markets. It is forging ties between countries too. India and the European Union (EU) agreed to establish a Trade and Technology Council early this week. What it is and what both the sides will gain from it, listen to this episode of the podcast to know. Over 15 years and 16 rounds of talks later, India and the European Union finally decided to launch a joint trade and technology council. And it comes at a time when the EU and India are not at the same page over the Russian attack on Ukraine. But they agreed on other issues which were dragging the launch of the trade mechanism for years. The deal was signed during the visit of President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen on April 25. The importance of the agreement can be gauged from the fact that the United States is the only other country that has a technical agreement with the EU similar to the one signed with India. And for India, the decision to set up such a council will be the first with any of its partners. This strategic coordination mechanism will allow the two partners to address challenges in trade, trusted technology and security, deepening cooperation in these fields. This trade mechanism will allow both sides to work on fields such as 5G, artificial intelligence, climate modelling and health-related technology. The 27 member EU is India's third-largest trading partner, accounting for 62.8 billion worth of trade in goods in 2020 or 11.1% of total Indian trade, after China at 12% and the US at 11.7%. The EU is the second-largest destination for Indian exports (14% of the total) after the US. Between 2007 and 2013, both the sides held 16 rounds of formal talks for the free trade agreement but a deal could not be agreed upon due to stark differences on several issues. They have now agreed that rapid changes in the geopolitical environment highlight the need for joint in-depth strategic engagement. The Trade and Technology Council will provide the political steer and the necessary structure to operationalise political decisions, coordinate technical work, and report to the political level to ensure implementation and follow-up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and Indian economies. The council will comprise working groups led or co-led by relevant departments, services or agencies to operationalise the political decisions into deliverables. For instance, the US and the EU have established 10 such Working Groups, which are chaired by relevant US agencies and European Commission services. These working groups focus on tech standards, climate and green tech, secure supply chains, export controls and investment screening among others. Watch video Tourism Ireland, together with a delegation of 14 tourism companies from Ireland and five American tour operators, is undertaking a sales blitz to the US this week meeting, and doing business with, hundreds of travel agents in Boston, New York, Washington DC and Chicago. Before COVID-19, in 2019, Ireland welcomed 1.7 million American visitors to the island of Ireland, whose visits delivered revenue of 1.6 billion for the economy. This year, Tourism Ireland is rolling out its biggest ever programme of promotions in the United States, to restart overseas tourism to Ireland. The schedule includes a B2B event in each city, with an interactive presentation showcasing Ireland giving the participating companies a platform to promote and sell their products and services to the key American decision-makers in attendance. It also includes opportunities for networking with key travel and lifestyle journalists and influencers. A similar Best of Ireland event will take place on the west coast of the United States next month, visiting Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Speaking this week, Tourism Irelands Head of North America, Alison Metcalfe said, "We are rolling out our Green Button campaign in the United States right now urging travellers to press the Green Button and book their trip to Ireland this year. Our extensive programme of promotions is targeting those consumers with the greatest potential to travel to Ireland. Our message is very simple: Ireland is open for business again and we cannot wait to welcome back visitors from the United States. Were telling prospective US visitors that a warm welcome awaits them when they travel to Ireland, despite the disruption of the last couple of years." Source: www.businessworld.ie 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 From the Las Vegas Visitor Authority: March 2022 Las Vegas Visitor Statistics The positive visitation trajectory continued in March as Las Vegas hosted more than 3.3M visitors, nearly 50% ahead of last March and roughly 10% shy of March 2019. With meetings returning across the destination along with tradeshows such as ASD Las Vegas, Nat'l Automobile Dealers Assn, Bar & Restaurant Expo, and Int'l Pizza Expo, the convention segment saw continued improvement, reaching an est. 495k attendees for the month, roughly 90% of preCOVID levels of Mar 2019. Overall hotel occupancy reached 80.6%, up approx. 25 pts YoY and down only 10.9 pts vs. March 2019. Weekend occupancy exceeded 92% (up 14.4 pts YoY and down 5.0 pts vs. March 2019) and Midweek occupancy reached 76.6% (up 28.8 pts YoY and down 12.3 pts vs. March 2019). ADR exceeded $163, well ahead of last March (+63.0%) and March 2019 (+21.8%) while RevPAR reached $131.49 for the month, dramatically ahead of March 2021 (+136.7%) and 7.3% over March 2019 levels Click on graph for larger image. The second graph shows convention traffic. Visitor traffic was up 50% compared to last March.The second graph shows convention traffic. The first graph shows visitor traffic for 2019 (dark blue), 2020 (light blue), 2021 (yellow) and 2022 (red)Visitor traffic was down 9.8% compared to the same month in 2019.Convention traffic was down 10.5% compared to March 2019.Note: There was almost no convention traffic from April 2020 through May 2021. Its an American disease to make an issue of China in all aspects By Global Times editorial (Global Times) 09:46, April 28, 2022 News about Elon Musk's Twitter takeover has sparked continuous heated discussions in the US recently. The focus of some, however, has apparently been off the track. A New York Times reporter tweeted to question whether Twitter would become one of the platforms Beijing will gain leverage over in the future. It was re-tweeted and commented on by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. There are also voices saying that Musk will have to seek a balance between his support for free speech and his business activities in China, and that China will exert influence on Twitter through Musk. Many American media outlets didn't forget to "remind" people of the fact that Musk once "praised" China, and he encouraged people to visit China and see for themselves. At a critical moment when China and the US were locked in trade frictions in 2019, Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory kicked into production. In merely over a year, Shanghai-made Teslas have accounted for more than half of Tesla's global delivery. Musk has dealt a lot with China and spoke out some truths about China's economy, they are regarded as "original sins" of Musk by some Americans. Many link Musk's Twitter deal with China and raise it to the level of "risks" or "threats", which shows how narrow the room for pragmatism and rationality toward China in the US has become. Similar incidents have become common in the US. Making an issue of China in every possible way has already become an "American disease." In the face of China's growing comprehensive national power that is closing the gap with the US', the confidence of many political elites in Washington has been declining. And these people are showing anxiety and over-sensitivity toward China, not letting go of any opportunity to hype the "China threat" theory. After Musk acquired Twitter, some from American media even urged Musk to cut off his business ties with China to "guarantee freedom of speech." Such extreme overbearingness hilariously overlaps their weakness. An interesting phenomenon is that many China security-related discussions contain various "private interests" if you look at them closely. Some businesspeople, such as George Soros, blamed China for their failure due to their wrong investment decisions in China. Others try to show their allegiance to the US. For example, Bezos often stresses security with a high-profile patriotic posture, but what he actually eyes are Pentagon orders that are highly profitable. More lawmakers and politicians touch on the China topic in an exaggerated and forcible way, through which they attack opponents as "weak." The "China Threat" is becoming a tacit business approach or a code to seek attention. From the national perspective, Sinophobia which is currently rampant in American society is not fundamentally different from "Japanophobia" that prevailed in the 1980s and 1990s. In both cases, the US regards a "chaser" as competitor, on which the US tried to suppress by any means to ensure its own competitive advantage. But the end of the story will be different because there is no way that Washington can overwhelm China in the same way that it coerced Japan to sign a Plaza Accord. Chinese people do not believe in fallacies, nor are we afraid of evil forces. We will never yield to threats or coercion. As to words and deeds of forcefully making an issue of China, they remind people of an ancient poem: Along the Yangzi River, apes moan ceaselessly. My boat has passed ten thousand mounts briskly. It must be pointed out that making an issue of China can't save the US. Instead, it will continue to intensify all the problems Washington is facing, be they domestic or external, and squeeze the room to solve these issues in the future. Even some people of insight in the US have warned that the excessive attention on undermining Beijing's advantages could make Washington neglect its most important tasks at home and push its foreign policies to deviate from its course even further. "American hubris is always a danger, but so is exaggerated fear, which can lead to overreaction," wrote US scholar Joseph Nye last year. "The US and China must avoid exaggerated fears that could create a new cold or hot war," he added. It seems that those who are sick are unwilling to take medicine. The US is trying to oppose China in every possible aspect, reflecting the peremptory squeezing of reality by the US' anti-China ideology. But the reality is also resisting the ideological pressure at all times. The twist has distorted some US elites' mindset, making them fall into hesitation and division. However, the "China threat" is not the root cause of Washington's internal and external problems. Reality will make them understand sooner or later that win-win cooperation is the effective cure for their disease. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino. The public safety minister says the judge tasked with leading a public inquiry into the government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act will have access to information that "could" include cabinet secrets. Marco Mendicino has told reporters and the House of Commons that Justice Paul Rouleau will have access to what he calls "classified information," but has stopped short of defining what that means. He said it could include information that's covered by cabinet confidentiality, which is in place to foster vigorous debate as governments make decisions. But the minister said ultimately Rouleau will decide what information he needs to conduct the inquiry, and that he has the experience to balance the competing interests of transparency with national security and public safety. Mendicino said he and Justice Minister David Lametti shared "additional facts" with a special committee Tuesday evening about the basis of the decision to invoke the act for the first time. Mendicino told the committee that law enforcement had asked for the act to be used. "We invoked the act because it was the advice of non-partisan professional law enforcement that the existing authorities were ineffective at the time to restore public safety at all of the ports of entry," he told the committee, adding, "And it worked." The emergency declaration on Feb. 14 granted police extraordinary, time-limited powers to end blockades at border crossings across the country, as well as the ongoing occupation of downtown Ottawa. Many have raised questions about the lack of enforcement action by police during nearly three weeks of noisy blockades in downtown Ottawa, where officials described a state of lawlessness. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons Wednesday that police told government they did not have the tools to deal with blockades in Ottawa and at border crossings. "It was only after we got advice from law enforcement that we invoked the Emergencies Act," he said. "The Canadian Police Association, Canadian and Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police all agreed this is how the legislation should be used: for emergencies." While many people involved in the "Freedom Convoy" said they were there to demand an end to COVID-19 restrictions, some, including many of the most vocal organizers, also wanted the Liberal government overthrown. Downtown residents reported vandalism and harassment. MPs and senators on the special joint committee pressed the two ministers for details about what informed the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act. Mendicino said it helped smooth over differences in jurisdiction among police forces and governments, and that he hoped the committee will provide advice about how to deal with that in the future. Lametti repeatedly prefaced his responses to questions by saying he "would not betray cabinet confidence" or that he was bound by solicitor-client privilege. He said the government has tabled documents with the committee that give a clear picture of the decision making. I think Canadians will understand that cabinet confidence is a critical part of our cabinet governance system, Lametti told the committee. So the waiving of cabinet confidence is extremely rare. NDP MP Matthew Green challenged Lametti, saying he had an opportunity to be honest with Canadians about the evidence and facts around the decision. He called on the minister to be more co-operative and forthcoming. Youre certainly impeding the process through which we can get clarity, Green said. The committee and inquiry are both required under the Emergencies Act as a measure to ensure there is a robust examination of the government's decision to use it. Meanwhile, another protest, this one on motorcycles, is due to arrive in Ottawa this weekend. Ottawa police say they have already called in reinforcements from other police services. The City of Ottawa said in a statement Tuesday that all bylaws will be enforced during the "Rolling Thunder" rally, as will a vehicle exclusion zone in the downtown area. Streets will be open but vehicles that are part of the rally will not be allowed. Photo: The Canadian Press Africa is seeing a surge of outbreaks of preventable diseases as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. The continent recorded a 400% increase in measles, to more than 17,000 cases between January and March, compared to the same period last year, Dr. Benido Impouma, a WHO expert in Africa, told a press briefing. Two years of disruptions by the coronavirus pandemic have had major effects on the provision of routine health services, with immunization being seriously affected" in many countries, he said. Twenty-four countries confirmed outbreaks of polio last year, four times more than in 2020. Last year 13 countries reported new outbreaks of yellow fever, rising from nine in 2020 and three in 2019, according to WHO figures. The rise in outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases is a warning sign," Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa, said in a statement. As Africa works hard to defeat COVID-19, we must not forget other health threats. Health systems could be severely strained not only by COVID-19 but by other diseases. The continent of 1.3 billion people has reported 11.4 million COVID-19 cases, including 252,000 deaths, according to figures from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although the virus had been trending downwards since January, the WHO reported a rise in cases Thursday driven by a doubling of infection rates in South Africa, the African country most affected by the pandemic. Impouma, the WHO official, said that in the wake of the pandemic the agency seeks to support countries to scale up COVID-19 vaccinations as well as routine immunization services. The same is true for routine immunization as for COVID, said Helen Rees, executive director of a reproductive health and HIV institute at South Africa's University of the Witwatersrand. There is the direct health ... problem, but there's this spinoff in terms of adversely affecting poor development and contributing to poverty, which is absolutely critical for our region." Photo: CTV News One person is dead following a police-involved shooting in Vancouver Wednesday night. An East Vancouver man died after an exchange of gunfire with Vancouver Police, VPD spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin says in a press release. Officers responded just after 8:30 p.m. to reports of an alleged assault inside an apartment building near Commercial Drive and East 5th Avenue. "When patrol officers arrived, there was an interaction that resulted in an exchange of gunfire," police say. The suspect, a man in his 40s, died. One police officer was injured and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. B.C.'s police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, is investigating. Photo: The Canadian Press The federal transport minister says 37 passengers on a late-December party flight from Montreal to Mexico have been fined a total of $59,500. Omar Alghabra's office says 42 tickets were issued, including 18 for non-compliance with vaccination requirements and 24 for violations of masking rules. Videos of the charter flight from Montreal to Cancun were shared on social media and show unmasked passengers singing and dancing in the aisles and on seats, some clutching liquor, snapping selfies and vaping. The minister's office says a Transport Canada investigation into the flight is ongoing and further sanctions could be issued. Sunwing Airlines cancelled the group's return flight after the videos began circulating. Air Canada and Air Transat also refused to book the flight's 154 passengers on return trips to Canada. At the time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the passengers a group that included Quebec social media influencers and reality television personalities as barbarians and "idiots." Photo: Glacier Media Driving along Highway 1 past the North Surrey Auto Mall on a typical pre-COVID day, motorists could expect to see a collection of new cars on display often through the glass walls of the elevated showroom of one dealership, at drivers eye level, right next to the road. Today, there are no cars only printed images of cars affixed to those same glass walls. This situation is now the norm in the automotive industry in B.C. and everywhere else. Supply chain snarls stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as increasing global unrest in several key markets, have eradicated dealers inventories of new vehicles. Industry officials estimate that North American dealers now have new vehicle inventories of fewer than seven days (the amount of time it would take a dealer to sell out of its vehicles if no new cars arrive). The industry norm is 45 to 70 days. Different groups measure in different ways in terms of whats the lag time versus what the inventory time is, said Huw Williams, director of public affairs at the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association. But I can tell you for the moment the inventory is very, very short. We originally anticipated the situation would return to normal this summer. Now, I think thats going to be delayed a few more months. Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC, said that while he cannot confirm the exact inventory situation of each dealership, the number of new cars to sell is at a record low. Anyone who drives by a dealership can see the situation, he said. I talk to the dealers, and anecdotally from them, its a huge challenge for many brands The number of new vehicles that are available is few and far between, and I suspect it will continue for several months to come. The primary culprit is a shortage of the kinds of computer chips that are now pervasive in modern automobiles in every facet of operation. But Qualey added that it isnt just the chips that are now in short supply. These are highly sophisticated, highly technical vehicles that we run around in every day, he said. We take it all for granted perhaps until you open the hood see all the complexities under there. COVID has closed various manufacturing plants for everything from wiring harnesses to seats. Another major snag though its effect is not yet widely apparent is the lockdown of Shanghai and the paralysis of its port, where many automakers produce, ship and receive their parts for final assembly of vehicles elsewhere. Lately, there are people referring to the lockdown of Shanghai a whole city of 25 million people where a lot of manufacturing and other things that are done there for both the Chinese vehicle market and markets in other places, Qualey said. We dont think of the global supply chain of these myriads of pieces that go into making a single vehicle. Among the items consumers will have to get used to: Photo: Government of B.C./Flickr A downed bridge along B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway at Juliet Creek. November's flooding triggered the collapse of dozens of bridges across B.C. The bridge appears to be directly downstream from severely burned areas, said one expert. A B.C. company that helps make sense of satellite data says it has found a correlation between the 2021 wildfires and several bridges and sections of highway washed away during last falls catastrophic floods. Launched 11 years ago in Prince George, B.C., SparksGeo has helped Silicon Valley tech companies like Nextdoor expand internationally, and environmental groups like the World Wildlife Foundation build a digital platform to help capture marine data in remote locations across the planets oceans. But in some of its latest work, the team of geospatial analysts has turned its expertise to problems closer to home. There was fire here. There was flood here, said Sparksgeos James Banting, referring to highway damage some say could add up to $7.5 billion. We're saying that something is there. That something emerged after the team of data scientists mapped out last years wildfires, record November rainfall and 36 sections of highway damaged by the ensuing flooding and landslides. Most of the hill slopes and river crossings failed along the Coquihalla Highway the busiest route linking Vancouver with the rest of Canada between Hope and Merritt. The three-dimensional digital terrain map flies you through burn-scarred valleys, where bridges sea-sawed into the Coldwater River and sections of road crumbled under the weight of landslides. Hillsides painted red reveal how hot the 2021 wildfires burned, a metric known as burn severity. Along one stretch of the Coquihalla, seven damaged locations were mapped out, with most in close proximity to the burn scar from the July Mountain Fire, which burned on both sides of the highway, noted the researchers. Swooping over a flooded Merritt, the viewer is taken up the Nicola River, where whole sections of Highway 1 cleaved into the rushing waters. And while those waters likely contributed to many of the failures, the 2021 July Creek fire burned adjacent to much of the damage, and at least one on-the-ground account points to a link between burn scars and powerful landslides near Tank Hill. Describing the work as a first pass, Banting said much more needs to be done to draw a definitive picture of how wildfire impacted the costliest flood damage in the provinces history. Independent fire ecologist Robert Gray, who reviewed the mapping, described the presentation of the factors at play as impressive. They are correct that there is likely a correlation between the 2021 fires and the November flood damage, he said, and also that much more analysis is needed. At first glance, the location of some washed out bridges and roads hints at the role of fire, said Francois-Nicolas Robinne, a wildfire risk scientist with the Canadian Forest Service. He agreed with Gray, however, that without tracing the origin in each watershed, we wont be sure. A forest turns to wax paper How wildfire sets the stage for mudslides has been well-documented across the world. When rain falls on an intact tree canopy, it gets caught in the leaves and needles, slowly dripping to the ground where it's soaked up by decomposing leaf litter and dead logs. Like a giant sponge, the forest slows the path of rain and meltwater downhill, flattening peak flooding during extreme rainfall events in the same way social distancing can flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases. But when a wildfire burns through a forest, the sponge effect is annihilated, explains Lori Daniels, a professor in UBC's forestry department. To make matters worse, when a wildfire burns, a trees leaves and needles release aromatic oils that drip into the soil. Once cool, they create an oily coating below the ash and soil, like wax paper, said Daniels. With nowhere to go, rainwater pools. Rivulets turn into puddles, which eventually tip downhill where they accumulate into flash floods and torrents. All that water inevitably flows to the lowest points in the landscape, often occupied by highways infrastructure or human settlements. Rain falling on the water repellent fire-scarred soils would have had a higher tendency to run off into the Coldwater River rather than being absorbed, wrote the Sparksgeo team in their analysis. The increased volume of water flowing through the river would have increased its destructive power. How clearcut logging makes flooding worse Others who examined Sparksgeos work warned that the widespread damage of B.C.s highway system let alone communities surrounded by mountains like Merritt and Princeton is not a simple story of climate, flood and fire. Younes Alila, a professor at the University of British Columbias department of forest resources management, pointed to a lack of on-the-ground work to directly link the bridge and highway failures to wildfire. Correlation is not causation, said Alila. A map like that would not stand in a courtroom. When diagnosing the cause of a mudslide, every site is different geology and a mosaic of human disturbances upstream of a wildfire can matter as much as the fire itself, experts say. Alila has spent years studying the interplay of wildfire and logging on flood risk. He says there is a vast body of work that shows destructive forestry practices, such as clearcut logging, are creating an unstable landscape across large swathes of B.C. We have known for a long time that clearcut logging and wildfire can cause floods. Intuitively, that goes without saying, he said. But the amount and rate of clearcut logging in tributaries and headwaters of the Fraser River and throughout the province have increased dramatically, especially over the last 20 years. Superimposed on those historic disturbances is a changing climate, which is making atmospheric rivers more severe and more frequent, Alila added. Attribution science often involves dozens of scientists working together to quickly figure out how much climate change made an extreme weather worse. The idea is to get the science to the world before the public and policymakers have moved on, or worse, rebuilt or relocated infrastructure into the wrong place. The rapidly growing field has tended to focus on the impacts of climate change on an extreme weather event. Such studies have found that emissions from human civilization likely supercharged Hurricane Harveys devastating rains by a factor of 3.5. In B.C. last year, attribution studies found the record June heat dome was made 150 times more likely due to climate change. The November atmospheric river event, meanwhile, was made up to four times more likely due to the effects of human-released greenhouse gases. Applying attribution science to the landscape, the canvas where climate change causes much of its damage, has received less attention. Its a frontier Allila has been pushing for over a decade. In one of his earlier studies on the subject, Alila found clearcut logging snow-covered forests could make the number of large floods in streams and rivers passing through them up to four times more likely. More recently, he has been working in B.C.s Interior in an undisclosed watershed where 18,000 kilometres of roads and the drainage ditches and culverts that come with them have increased stream density by 30 to 50 per cent. That effect means water can more efficiently flow downhill, filling rivers and making flooding more frequent and more intense. The watershed is typical to anywhere in B.C., says Alila, for the simple reason that companies cannot log without building roads. As a result, climate scientists, policymakers, insurance companies and lawyers are now asking how much they should blame a flooding event on climate change, and how much worse it got because of previous wildfires or logging. Government not moving fast enough to phase out clear cut logging Outside of his lab and the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, which worked on the November flooding, Alila said attribution science is under the radar in B.C., particularly when it comes to the provincial government. The government of B.C. has not been managing the land at all on the basis of the most up-to-date science, he said. Only when there is a house on fire. When Glacier Media raised Alilas claims the province is failing to transition away from clear cut logging, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Forests pointed to the role of the mountain pine beetle in decimating over 16 million hectares of forest and setting the stage for wildfire. A record 2.7 million hectares have burned in wildfires over the last 5 years, wrote the spokesperson in an email. In comparison, 888,000 hectares were harvested between 2016 and 2020. The spokesperson added that over the past 20 years, clear cut logging with reserves has been the most commonly applied forestry practice in B.C. a practice, claimed the ministry spokesperson, that retains some forest for wildlife, water quality and terrain stability. He also pointed to widespread and prompt tree planting efforts (over 1 billion trees planted since 2018) and changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act as steps the government has taken to diminish the impact of increased flood risk due to logging and climate change. Its a threat fire ecologist Gray hopes to have an answer to soon hes currently working with two other wildfire scientists to develop a methodology that would allow communities to model and assess potential mudslides before an extreme flooding event. The idea, he said, is to assess these situations before the disaster happens so we can target the necessary interventions. For Alila, the science is already clear: The most natural protection against landslides and floods is the vegetation cover. The problem is the minute [the B.C. government] starts to look at the real science and the recent science, it will be faced with the dilemma of having to change the way we manage the land in this province. It doesn't seem like there is a political will to do that. Photo: CTV News The federal government has set aside about $1.5 billion to compensate Indigenous people who have been without clean drinking water, the result of a class-action lawsuit initiated by First Nations communities. But while the government called the settlement "historic," people living under the country's longest boil-water advisory called it unfair and frustrating at a news conference Thursday. Chief Wayne Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation in Ontario said the 27-year-long advisory is "heartbreaking," particularly for children who've never known clean water. Community member Roy Moonias said he's only entitled to claim six years of compensation even though he's lived under the advisory since 1995. "That is B.S.," Moonias said. "Who made that call?" He said the water treatment plant in Neskantaga is still incomplete, "and our people have lost hope in this project." "The government of Canada should be accountable for the wrongdoing of this community," he said. The settlement will compensate people living in communities that were subject to a drinking water advisory of at least one year between November 1995 and June 20, 2021. Tataskweyak Chief Doreen Spence said the class-action lawsuit was intended to make the federal government aware of the injustice faced by Indigenous people. The lawsuit was initiated by Neskantaga First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Tataskweyak Cree Nation in 2019. The court approved a settlement agreement on Dec. 22, 2021. But representatives from those communities who were invited to speak at Thursday's news conference said people are still suffering. Sharon Sakanee, health director for Neskantaga, said people have come to the nursing station with skin rashes caused by the water. "We are asked to use bottled water to bathe, to cook, to clean, and thats not acceptable," she said. Sakanee's son was born a month after the water advisory came into effect in 1995. She said he died by suicide in 2012 shortly before the community declared a state of emergency over suicides and "he never got to drink clean drinking water since the day he was born, and thats what all our children today are facing. "It's just another form of genocide," she said. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said individual compensation will never make up for the harm to people's lives, but added the government's commitment of at least $6 billion through the settlement is meant to end all boil-water advisories "once and for all." "I agree, nobody should have to fight so hard for basic human rights," she said. Spence invited Hajdu to visit her community in Manitoba, which has been under an advisory for five years, to get a better understanding of the living conditions. In a news release, the government said it "acknowledges the past harms caused to First Nations by a lack of safe drinking water and is firmly committed to supporting these communities by addressing systemic barriers and developing sustainable solutions." The settlement also includes a $400 million First Nation Economic and Cultural Restoration Fund, and a promise of "making all reasonable efforts" to repeal the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act and introduce a replacement law by the end of the year. If we want to build reconciliation, a path to healing, we have to address these basic fundamental rights of individuals," Chief Moonias said. The Trudeau government promised to end all long-term boil water advisories when it was first elected in 2015. So far 132 advisories have ended but there are still 33 active in 28 communities. Tataskweyak elder Eunice Beardy said the prime minister "makes promises but doesn't keep them." Im hoping that someday before its my time to leave this earth I see that clean water for our young people, she said. The settlement claims period is open and people can apply for compensation until next March. Singapore has executed an Indian-origin Malaysian man convicted of drug smuggling after a court dismissed pleas to spare him on grounds he was mentally disabled, media reports said on Wednesday. Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam was convicted and sentenced to the mandatory death penalty in November 2010 for importing into Singapore 42.72 grams of diamorphine (heroin) in April 2009. His conviction and death sentence were upheld in July 2011. Medical experts who assessed Nagaenthran found that he has borderline functioning intelligence and concurrent cognitive deficits, which "may have contributed toward his misdirected loyalty and poor assessment of the risks in agreeing to carry out the offence". The Court of Appeal dismissed the concern, stating that "[h]is alleged deficiency in assessing risks might have made him more prone to engage in risky behaviour; that, however, does not in any way diminish his culpability." Responding to the execution of Malaysian national Nagaenthran Dharmalingam in Singapore, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Regional Director Erwin van der Borght said: "The execution of Nagaenthran is a disgraceful act by the Singapore government - ruthlessly carried out despite extensive protests in Singapore and Malaysia and an outcry across the world." "Nagaenthran's hanging highlights the deep flaws of the death penalty in Singapore and the horror of its continued use. He was executed after he was sentenced to the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking, amid concerns about his mental health state and despite having a diagnosed intellectual disability - in violation of international law and standards," Borght added. According to the London-based rights group, international law and standards prohibit the imposition of mandatory death sentences as these deny judges the possibility of taking into account the mitigating circumstances in the case. Moreover, international law and standards require that the imposition of the death penalty be restricted to the "most serious crimes" involving intentional killing. (ANI) Also Read: Singapore invokes anti-misinformation law on Kejriwal's claim over 'Singapore COVID strain' Five coal miners were killed after unidentified gunmen attacked them in the Samangan province of Afghanistan, said a media report citing local officials of the province. According to the local Taliban officials, the incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Kotal Regi area of the Dara-e-Sof district of the province bordering Balkh province, reported Khaama Press. According to a report from a state-run news agency, the miners were initially robbed, following which they were shot by the unidentified attackers. All the victims reportedly belonged to the Hazara group, the original residents of the district. A resurgence of terrorism! Taliban's authority challenged No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet, according to the media outlet. Meanwhile, recent incidents across Afghanistan that have resulted in the killings of tens of civilians have cast shadows on the Taliban's ability to secure the country. A string of bombings across multiple cities in Afghanistan has prompted questions about Taliban claims of providing terror-free administration to the people of the war-torn country, while the global community is concerned about the resurgence of terrorism in Afghanistan. 'Crime against humanity' unchecked Even as the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has repeatedly claimed victory and assured peace and stability in Afghanistan, a string of bombings and attacks across multiple cities proves otherwise, suggesting a dim future that lies ahead for roughly 40 million citizens. The spate of attacks in recent times has drawn worldwide condemnation, including from the United Nations, former Afghan politicians, as well as human rights groups, that have condemned the attacks as 'crimes against humanity'. (With ANI inputs) Also Read: Afghanistan, Pakistan adamant on stands over cross border violence In a move which may provoke the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asked the Cooch Behar Police not to allow the Border Security Force (BSF) to allow beyond 50 kms from the international border. The West Bengal Chief Minister also alleged that the "BSF is entering the villages and beating people while also throwing them on the other side of the international border". "Don't allow BSF to enter 50 kms of the area beyond the international border in the state because they are entering the village, killing people and throwing them on the other side. Ask the BSF to take state police in confidence while working on any operation," the Chief Minister said in a virtual meeting with the senior officials of the state police. The Central government had last year amended the BSF Act to authorise the border guarding force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50 km stretch, up from the previous limit of 15 kms, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. The amendment had triggered a political slugfest over the role of the BSF and the state police in maintaining the law and order situation in the respective states. Punjab and West Bengal governments even passed resolutions in November last year against the Centre's decision to extend the BSF jurisdiction from 15 kms to 50 kms of the international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. They asked the Central government to withdraw the order passed on October 11, 2021. Central and West Bengal governments have been at loggerheads for the past many years over various issues, especially the law and order situations in the state. Banerjee, in a meeting with State Police, even claimed that the law and order situation is good in the state but some sections of the media are deliberately spreading misinformation and said that cases are lodged in West Bengal but not in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. "A case of death by suicide was portrayed as a rape case by the opposition parties. The BJP and CPI(M) are both trying to defame West Bengal. We will not let Bengal become Hathras or Unnao," she said. However, she also questioned the West Bengal Police about the recent incidents that took place in the state. (ANI) Also Read: Congress slams Kerala govt's move to study 'Gujarat model' of governance This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Benjamin Brown was sentenced on Wednesday to less than three years total for the death of three-year-old Annie Shell. The jury found him guilty of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment in February for the 2018 murder. Brown was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days for reckless endangerment and two years for criminally negligent homicide to be served consecutively. He was immediately taken into custody without bail. Every time I pass you I get sick to my stomach, said Annies mother, Tiffany Shell, in her statement to Brown. I thought for a long time that you were innocent, I really did but after hearing all the evidence, I have my own opinions. On Wednesday, the court heard that Brown has two prior class A misdemeanors. Brown was charged with theft in 2013 and pled guilty to a domestic assault charge in 2015. Prosecutors called the grandfather of one of Browns children, Claude Stamey, to testify in regards to previous charges. Mr. Stamey is Emily Browns father - Emily Brown and Brown were married for six years and are in the process of divorce. Mr. Stamey testified that Brown hit him in the face 10 times with an iron dog statue two days after his open heart surgery. He said Brown pulled out a box cutter-like knife before law enforcement arrived. I begged my wife to please go get my gun and shoot this son of a b****, said Mr. Stamey. He was out to do me in. Brown failed a marijuana drug test just two weeks after the felony murder charge. He also lied to law enforcement in his statements for this case. Further, he got a speeding ticket while on bail. Defense attorneys asked the court for judicial diversion but Judge Barry Steelman denied due to prior convictions. It is disturbing to the court that Brown would have such a lack of sympathy especially since he has children, said Judge Steelman. This child was severely and traumatically injured. If you dont get justice today you certainly will by a higher power, said Barbra Brewer who said she was like a second grandmother to Annie. The Concurrent Grand Jury, headed by Hugh Moore Jr., continued to meet despite the COVID issue. In juror comments, it was noted that Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute served numerous counties and many of those who are released end up as homeless in Chattanooga rather than trying to make their way back home. The panel submitted this final report: Concurrent Grand Jury Continued to Adapt to COVID-19: This Jury conducted all of its sessions in the regular Grand Jury room. There were no issues. There were a number of COVID cases among the Jurors, but with the assistance of the Alternate Jurors, each scheduled session was completed. Additional Named Alternate Grand Jurors: It would be helpful if six alternate Jurors were selected for the panel. In past years two Alternates were selected, and more recently four have been selected. It would be very helpful is the empaneled Jury included six drawn and selected Alternate Jurors. Cases Presented: The Concurrent Grand Jury met for 13 days. Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic the Jury was not able to conduct its usual inspections of the Hamilton County Jail, the Silverdale Correctional Facility, or the Juvenile Court and Facility. During the term, 215 cases were presented to the Concurrent Grand Jury. The Grand Jury returned 165 true bills, 1 no bill, and 49 presentments. Assistant District Attorney Kate Lavery has continued to work diligently in an effort to have each of the law enforcement agencies in the County to designate officers to appear and present cases for other officers in their departments. Substantial and continuing progress has been made in this regard. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, and the Cities of Red Bank, Collegedale, and East Ridge, among others, have followed this practice. Nevertheless, as in the past, on some days comparatively few law enforcement officers appeared to present their cases. As a result, the Jury would adjourn shortly after 1:00 pm. The Jury recognizes the many problems inherent in scheduling these appearances (shift schedules, court appearances, paperwork issues, training, vacations, etc.), but questions whether some improvements might be made, and through those improvements the time of the Jurors be more efficiently used. Apparently there are many cases ready for presentation, and the Grand Jury is always ready to hear them. The most common and continuing complaint from Grand Jurors is that their time is not used efficiently. The Jurors are ready to serve on each assigned day, but more often than not, there are not enough witnesses to occupy a full day. As noted above, several of the presenting law enforcement agencies now allow officers to present cases worked by other officers, which is fully permissible under the law. The Chattanooga Police Department, through Sgt. April Bolton, has always done particularly well with this method of presentation. Sgt. Bolton will frequently present as many as 10-15 cases at a time, which allows other CPD officers to maintain their regular schedules. Presentations from Judges and others: Four Hamilton County Judges took time out of their busy calendars to meet with and take questions from the Jury (Criminal Court Judges Greenholtz, Poole, and Steelman, and General Sessions Judge Alex McVeigh). The judges' presentations were universally well received and appreciated by the Jury. Most Grand Jurors have no prior experience or familiarity with the criminal justice system. These talks enabled the Jurors to understand where their work fits in the system, and how vital their role is as impartial citizen gatekeepers to the Criminal Courts. Respect for law enforcement: During their term of service the jurors heard from scores of local law enforcement officers, from not only the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and the Chattanooga Police Department, but also from several of the suburban municipal departments, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and others. As with other Juries, these Jurors learned first-hand what these public servants face on a daily basis, and as a result, the Jurors' respect for the service of these law enforcement officers was strengthened. Each of these officers is commended by the Concurrent Grand Jury for their dedication, hard work, and skill. Several officers have used the audio-visual aids in the Grand Jury room to enhance presentation of their cases, and the Jury recommends more use of video, and still photographs, as appropriate and applicable. Comments from Grand Jurors: First of all Id like to thank the men and women who serve in the various police departments in Hamilton County. I always knew the police had a noble, albeit difficult task in keeping the different communities safe, but seeing it in person in grand jury service made it that much more real for me. I am particularly touched by one officer who wept as he gave testimony over the things he had seen. While I am moved by his compassion for those he serves and protects, I am also concerned for the toll this job must take on him as well as the others that dont wear their heart on their sleeve. In hindsight now some of the cases that were read out by other officers were confusing. A couple were simple glitches in updating reports, or were easily cleared up when the officer gave his own testimony, but for many of these reports the officer in question was no longer with the police department. Though nothing was said as to why, the age of some of the cases, along with the backlash all the police took from the George Floyd incident, and the lack of care in these reports lead me to believe theres been a problem with discouragement and/or mental exhaustion. As I started asking around what could be done for the police, it should have come as no surprise (though I later remembered seeing this someplace else) that the police in addition to other first responders have one of the highest rates of suicide as other occupations. I dont know who to go to with these ideas, the ways or means of making them happen, or the legality in our structure of government that would allow for them. But I was told that this report is read by our elected officials and Im hoping those who read this will know the proper channels to go through to engineer these concepts into reality. So here goes. There needs to be some sort of program or educational effort to help the police maintain their brain health. Im not talking about just having counselors available, but making them more aware of things they can do to keep their brains in top notch condition. Police officers with healthy brains are less likely to make mistakes that all police will be blamed for, be better able to cope with stress that comes from the job, and be self-aware enough to know when they need to seek help. Dr. Daniel Amen is a psychiatrist who has studied the brain through spect scans. Hes developed a four circle approach to better mental health and has about 10 clinics nationwide, one of which is in Atlanta. Ive run out of time to do anymore research, but perhaps contacting them for more information will help the police departments to train their officers in brain fitness. They can learn about the things that hurt the brain (at least 60% of people who attempted suicide had a problem with their left temporal lobe), how to help their brain improve from traumas, toxic exposure to narcotics, etc. They could also learn to discipline their thoughts to stay optimistic even when troublemakers misuse freedom of speech to verbally abuse them. They can learn to maintain good circles of support from friends if not also family and maintain a sense of purpose. They could also learn ways to improve the brain. Ping-pong, continued education and learning to play a musical instrument are all things that can be done to improve the brain. Police would also be better equipped to recognize and manage prisoners with mental illnesses. When Judge Poole spoke to us about mental health court he informed us that the largest mental institutions in the country are the largest prisons in the country. Also on the topic of mental health; I didnt realize Moccasin Bend took in people from 15 other counties including Knoxville. While Im proud Chattanooga has this facility as a resource to help other counties, when many of these individuals get out they have no place for them back home. They then end up becoming part of Chattanoogas homeless population. Its also reasonable to assume that if they have no place to live they are not getting their medication, which in turn makes them more vulnerable to either being used by criminals and/or relapsing back into the system. Ive heard rumors of relocating or at least updating Moccasin Bend. Whatever happens at least on the government end, if Moccasin Bend (and therefore Chattanooga) is taking severe mentally ill patients from other counties then it should have the most state of the art technology for diagnosing and treating patients. More specifically what Im talking about is a spect scan (I believe there is also a pet scan that does the same thing). A spect scan can identify which parts of the brain are over active, under active, or working just right. Patterns in the brain can help doctors determine which treatment or medication is best suited to treat and individuals condition as well as eliminate misdiagnosis, thus giving most patients more confidence in their doctors diagnosis. It would save the drawn out turmoil of trying one medication for several months to see if it helps, does nothing or creates a new problem before starting on another drug for another several months, and so on. The time saved could then be used to retrain patients to stand on their own two feet when they get out. While these tests are not cheap, demand and time have a way of making technology more economic. Computers once took up an entire room and would have been prohibitively expensive. Now most people carry one that doubles as a phone, camera, and a television in their purse or pocket. On a separate note, technology is allowing police to take some perpetrators into custody soon after the crimes have been committed, including rape. While rape kits have been the primary tool when the targeted person made a report and police might find the alleged rapist days later, swift apprehension of the suspect means that evidence can now be collected from them. When someone claims they were raped and there are clear signs they were assaulted, (bruises, etc.) and the suspect is in custody within hours of the crime it may be prudent to seek out a warrant to collect evidence from them. For example, (please pardon the indelicacy of what Im about to say): swab their genitals and their underwear or next closest garment for traces of vaginal fluid or the victims DNA, comb the pubic region for any hairs that dont match, and take any necessary photos. This could be a backup when a rape kit shows not secretions or tearing. No one seems to be considering this so I thought Id mention it. Whether any of these things are possible or not, or if something else similar may be in the works, I dont know, but I do know well go nowhere forward if ideas are not suggested and discussed. Once again, Id like to thank all the police for their diligence, as well as the jury foremen and the supervising prosecutor for clearing things up, the judges for taking time to explain things to us, and all of you who took the time to read this and considered it. ** Given the graphic and sensitive nature of some of the cases that are testified to before the Grand Jury, some form of counseling services should be made available to the Jury. Silverdale Detention Center: No inspection was possible. Hamilton County Juvenile Court: No inspection was possible. Hamilton County Jail: No inspection was possible. Conclusion: The Jury wishes to extend its thanks to Assistant District Attorneys Kate Lavery and Jerry Sloan, who ably and efficiently presented the State's cases, and explained applicable law. The Jury appreciated the always pleasant and polite assistance provided by Sgt. April Bolton, and by Don Klasing who scheduled the appearance of witnesses. Larry Henry and his staff in the Circuit Court Clerk's Office (Margo McConnell) supported the Jury in every way. _________________________________ HUGH J. MOORE, JR. CONCURRENT GRAND JURY FOREMAN Filed with the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk Dated: April, 2022 Chuckie Robinson is listed as a catcher on Chattanoogas roster, but he should be labelled as a turret instead. Because from his post behind the batter, Robinson was forever-ready to leap up and spray bullets to all corners of the infield diamond. A few Tennessee Smokies dared to run on him in the Lookouts 6-2 Wednesday win, but they were fools for doing so. With Chuckie, its not just about his arm, manager Jose Moreno added. The leadership he brings is so important. He was on the team last year, and his spirit and energy behind the plate is (something everyone on the team sees). Seeing how he plays and how he blocks and controls the running game, you want to play like that. Christopher Morel got down early with an 0-2 count, but that didnt end up mattering in the end. On the third pitch, Morels righthanded swing pulled the ball up and over the wall to give the Smokies an early 1-0 lead. Nelson Velazquez was slightly more patient, taking three balls and one called strike before he swung the bat. The result was the same though, a long ball that almost hit scoreboard. Bryce Ball also got a hit on the next at-bat, but he provided some variety by just blooping the ball into right field. Chattanoogas Matt McLain gave the home crowd something worth cheering about in his first at-bat. He looped a ball into rightfield that got away from Velazquez. While the right fielder was fumbling around in the grass, McLain motored to third for a triple. A few seconds later, McLain sprinted home and scored after pitcher Cam Sanders hurled a wild pitch. TJ Hopkins didnt give his pitcher much help in the top of the third. Darius Hill slapped a long fly ball toward center, and Hopkins seemed to have a beat on it. But he mis-tracked the ball as he ran under it, and Hill ended up at center with a double. After Velazquez got on base again and stole second, McWilliams faced another rough spot. McWilliams got out of it by inducing a popup for a second out, and then he struck out Chase Strumpf to escape the top of the third. Chuckie Robinson may have had a rough day at the plate, but he didnt let that affect his game behind it. Robinson consistently made killer throws to second base whenever the Smokies would try to steal. He didnt get an out everytime (thanks to some mishandles), but Robinsons lasers got a few. After McLains superhuman effort in the first, Sanders put Chattanoogas bats in Silverdale for the next hour or so. Robinson, Byrd Tenerowicz, and everyone else flailed away against the righthander with mid-90s stuff. McLain seemed to have a hit in the bottom of the fifth, but his grounder was deemed an error by the scorekeeper. In the top of the sixth, third baseman Matt Lloyd handled a tough ball and then laid it off to Urbaez to get the first out. From there, the ball relayed to Tenerowicz at first to complete a snappy double play. In bottom of the inning, second baseman Urbaez went for a single. McAfee hustled to third on a slow single by Lloyd. Lloyd then got a chance to show off his wheels on the very next play. Robinson finally got one past the defense, a rocket down the third-base line that nestled itself in the outfield corner. Urbaez ran home, Robinson went to second, and then Lloyd slid into home. These hits that led to the Lookouts 3-2 lead came off reliever Brandon Leibrandt. Chattanoogas relief options of Andy Fisher, Michael Byrne, and Rick Karcher combined to shutout the Smokies in four innings. In the bottom of the eighth, the Lookouts added another three insurance runs via a TJ Hopkins groundball that was fumbled by the Smokies, and then a wild pitch by Graham Lawson. The Lookouts will play the Smokies once again on Thursday, and the winner will break the series 1-1 tie. First pitch is at 7:15. BOX SCORE: TENNESSEE SMOKIES 200 000 000. - 2/9/2 CHATTANOOGA 100 002 03X - 6/6/0 WP: Fisher LP: Leibrandt FULL BOX SCORE Do you have an opinion on this article, or have a story you believe needs coverage? You can contact the author at Joseph.A.Dycus@gmail.com or on Twitter at @joseph_dycus. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly will reinvent the State of the City ceremony on May 5, transforming the annual tradition from a one-way monologue into a community conversation about the future of Chattanooga. This years state of the city will feature multiple speakers as part of a broader conversation about the mayors strategic vision for a more prosperous and equitable city, and the road that lies ahead. Among other guests, the mayor will be joined by former Salt Lake City County Mayor Ben McAdams, who also served as the U.S. Senator representing Utahs second district. As mayor, Mr. McAdams pioneered new tools to unlock opportunities and create shared prosperity for the residents of Salt Lake City County. Mr. McAdams will discuss the potential for Chattanooga to leverage assets ranging from dormant parking lots to empty land to uplift the community and drive economic revitalization. All residents are invited to register to attend the summit, which will be held at the Tivoli Theatre on May 5, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., and food and drinks will be available in the lobby. Because of limited seating, register in advance to secure your seat. More information will be made available in the days to come. Card-Monroe Corp. announce the appointment of Greg Pawson of Signal Mountain to become CMCs new chief executive officer effective May 9. Mr. Pawson follows CEO Charles Monroe, who will retire after serving 41 years as CMCs co-founder and CEO, but will remain actively involved as co-chairman of the board. "Through the leadership of co-founders Lewis Card, Jr. and Charles Monroe, CMC has become the worlds leading manufacturer of custom-built tufting equipment," officials said "They dedicated their careers to demonstrating and achieving CMCs corporate vision of a 'higher set of standards.' In his role as chief executive officer, Mr. Pawson will lead CMCs strategic short and long-term business initiatives, while protecting CMCs corporate values and mission. He will build upon CMCs long-standing business relationships, while emphasizing innovation, service and integrity; all of which have been the "binding forces" of the Company for nearly half a century. Greg Pawson has distinguished himself as a leader worth following and we are excited about that leadership, said Mr. Monroe. Greg brings broad expertise in finance, operations and business strategy. We conducted a nationwide search for CMCs next leader and feel so blessed we found that leader right here in our own community. We are certain Greg is the right choice and welcome him to the CMC family. Previously, Mr. Pawson was with Signal Energy of Chattanooga for 13 years in a wide array of roles, most recently as CEO and president. He managed multimillion dollar projects in sales, engineering, procurement and contracting business units. Prior to joining Signal Energy, Mr. Pawson served 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was promoted to captain. As a CH-46E Helicopter pilot, he earned, Marine Aviator of the Year in 2005, following his two combat deployments to Iraq. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Mr. Pawson is also active in the Chattanooga community as a board member of Bible in the Schools, and a member of the CEO Forum. He is a Brock Fellow 2016, 10 Project. CMCs corporate values are both inspiring and authentic and I am honored to build upon their legacy of innovation, service and integrity, Mr. Pawson said. My wife, Kristin, and I are beyond excited to join the CMC team. Brad Card will continue to serve in his role as CMCs President. Having known her for over 25 years, it is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we offer our personal endorsement of Amanda Dunn for Criminal Court Judge, District III. Through the years, we have had the pleasure of knowing Amanda both professionally and personally as our careers and civic involvements have overlapped. Amandas dedication to Hamilton County is evident through her decades-long commitment to numerous organizations that serve this community. As a student at UTC for her undergraduate studies, Amanda was a constant presence in volunteer and charitable activities. Her love for this community is the reason she moved back to Chattanooga after completing her law degree at Wake Forest University Law School. For eight years she served on the board of directors of Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Early in her career, Amanda received the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award for dedicating her time to helping those who could not afford legal services. These professional accomplishments aside, the most important thing to know about Amanda is that she lives her life daily with integrity, honesty and respect. We can say without any doubt that Amanda will serve this community just as she has during her career as an attorney - with humility, compassion and the utmost respect for the law. We implore our fellow community members to remember this as you vote in this election. For these reasons, we provide our unwavering support to Amanda Dunn for Criminal Court Judge, Division III. Raj and Stephanie Mehta Governor Bill Lee announced on Monday, Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Pierceys departure from state government to enter the private sector, effective May 31. Governor Lee will name a successor in the coming weeks. He said, Lisa led our states health response through one of the most challenging crises Tennessee has faced, and I commend her faithful service to Tennesseans. She has played an invaluable role in my cabinet, and I wish her much success as she enters the private sector. Dr. Piercey joined the Lee Administration in January 2019. As commissioner, she served as a member of the Governors Unified Command Group during the COVID-19 pandemic, spearheaded efforts to innovate public health operations across the state and bolstered the healthcare workforce pipeline. The 112th General Assembly concluded its business for the 2022 legislative session on Thursday afternoon and adjourned sine die. The session was highlighted by a large investment in education that centered around an update to the states education funding formula through the Tennessee Investment In Student Achievement (TISA) Act. I am tremendously proud of the work of both the House and the Senate this session, said Lt. Governor Randy McNally. Our strong fiscal position has allowed us to reform our education funding formula, provide tax relief to our citizens and make strategic investments in infrastructure across the state. The work we have done not only provides for Tennesseans now, it secures the future of our state. Our rainy day fund is now at historic levels. Whatever awaits us in the future, Tennessee is ready. Lawmakers made a $250 million investment in the states rainy day fund, which serves as Tennessees savings account to withstand economic downturns. This allocation raises the fund to a historic level of $1.8 billion. In the no-debt, balanced budget the General Assembly allocated over $280 million in tax and fee relief for Tennesseans. This included $80 million for a sales tax holiday on groceries for the month of August and $121 million to eliminate the states license plate registration fee for one year. This year we have made tremendous investments in students, Tennesseans and the future of our state, said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin). Many years of sound fiscal management have strengthened Tennessees economy and propelled the state into a strong fiscal position that has allowed us to cut taxes year after year while state revenues continue to increase. Our historic investment in education will have a big impact on student success, and I was proud to be able to work with Governor Lee and my colleagues in the House and Senate on passing this landmark legislation. It has been an honor to have the privilege to work alongside my colleagues and Governor Lee to be a part of this impactful General Assembly, said Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager (R-Kingston). I am more optimistic than ever for the future of Tennessees K-12 and higher education programs. The investments we are making in Tennesseans today in the form of tax cuts and education funding will yield tremendous benefits for years to come. Additionally, the General Assembly passed legislation this year to establish truth in sentencing to protect victims of crime and provide true accountability for those who commit crimes. The legislation ensures criminals convicted of certain offenses serve 85 percent to 100 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for release. TL;DR: Doctor Strange 2 is reportedly facing bans for mentioning LGBTQ characters. Benedict Cumberbatch called the bans an expected disappointment. Disney seems firm in its refusal to censor the sequel. Benedict Cumberbatch | Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 6, but the Marvel movie is reportedly facing bans in a handful of countries. Because of a brief scene mentioning LGBTQ characters, the sequel may not make it to certain theaters. Often, studios censor such content at the request of foreign governments. However, Disney is refusing to do so for Doctor Strange 2, resulting in bans that Benedict Cumberbatch called an expected disappointment. Why Doctor Strange 2 is facing bans in some countries As the release date for Doctor Strange 2 approaches, reports that the movie will be prohibited from playing in certain countries have started to surface. Variety reported on April 22 that the film wouldnt play in Saudi Arabia because it features an LGBTQ character. Specifically, the movie mentions that America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) has two mothers. Her character is also a member of the LGBTQ community in the comics, something that may carry over into the film. According to Nawaf Alsabhan, Saudi Arabias general supervisor of cinema classification, the movie hasnt been banned just yet. During a conversation with The Guardian, it seems like its release in the country is dependent on Disney cutting the reference to Americas mothers. However, it seems that Disney is refusing the request. Its just her talking about her moms, because she has two moms, Alsabhan explained. And being in the Middle East, its very tough to pass something like this. Saudi Arabia isnt the only country that wont play the movie, either. IMAX Egypt revealed on Twitter that the sequel will not play in Egypt. Additionally, Screen Rant reports that the film is banned in both Kuwait and Qatar. Benedict Cumberbatch says bans over LGBTQ content are an expected disappointment In a video posted on YouTube by The Sun Showbiz, Benedict Cumberbatch addressed the Doctor Strange 2 bans, supporting Disneys decision to keep its LGBTQ representation in the film: It is, Im afraid, an expected disappointment. Weve come to know from those repressive regimes that their lack of tolerance is exclusionary to people who deserve to be not only included, but celebrated, for who they are and made to feel part of a society and a culture and not punished for their sexuality. Cumberbatch went on to talk about the comic accuracy of America Chavezs sexuality, adding that he wishes there wasnt so much controversy surrounding the subject of LGBTQ characters: This character is that from the comics. Its not something weve created for the sake of diversity. Weve included her because of how awesome she is as a character. And thats just one aspect of her character, and thats all it should be. But sadly, its also now politically very charged, and I wish it wasnt. Finally, the actor expressed support for Disneys push for increased diversity, even amid the backlash its receiving. We still have to push for inclusion and equality and Im very glad in a small, but on a very big canvas, Marvel and Disney are doing that, he concluded. Disney seems to be sticking to its guns with Doctor Strange 2 Although Disney hasnt come out and addressed Doctor Strange 2 bans explicitly, the company appears to be sticking to its guns. As of this writing, its reportedly still refusing to remove the LGBTQ reference thats sparking so much controversy. Given Marvels push to include more LGBTQ characters in recent projects, this could become the norm. Eternals was also banned in several countries following its 2021 release, once again due to depicting a same-sex relationship. Disney didnt censor that film either. With that in mind, it seems this trend could continue as it embraces a more diverse lineup of characters. Doctor Strange 2 makes its debut on May 6, 2022. RELATED: Doctor Strange 2 Is 22 Minutes Shorter Than Expected What the Runtime Means for the Movie As Better Call Saul makes its way through its sixth and final season, Lalo Salamanca is one of the only characters left whose fates remain uncertain. Many have assumed hell live based on a line Saul Goodman makes in Breaking Bad. But after the tense events in the latest episode, some believe his death is a given. [Warning: This article contains spoilers for Better Call Saul Season 6 Episode 3.] Michael Mando as Nacho Varga and Tony Dalton as Lalo Salamanca in Better Call Saul | Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television Whats happening with Lalo in Better Call Saul Season 6 This season has followed Lalo on his quest for revenge after the attempt on his life in the Better Call Saul Season 5 finale. Nacho Varga fled the compound after letting the assassins in and holed up in a motel to wait for rescue. Unbeknownst to him, Gus Fring was planning to have Nacho killed to ensure his involvement in the attack remained a secret. When Nacho finally realized that, he agreed to do whatever Gus needed in exchange for his fathers safety. Once Mike Ehrmantraut gave Nacho his word that his father would be safe, Gus let him on his plan. Nacho had to tell Juan Bolsa that he had been working with a cartel in Peru and got paid to kill Lalo to shift suspicion from Gus. He would then break out of his restraints and attack Victor, causing him to shoot and kill Nacho. When they took Nacho to Bolsa and the Salamancas, Nacho admitted that and more, including that he was responsible for putting Hector Salamanca in a wheelchair. He then broke out of the zip ties and snatched Bolsas gun. But instead of trying to get away, Nacho turned the gun on himself. Fans think Lalos death is next in Better Call Saul Lalo will surely be happy to hear about Nacho, but some viewers think he wont be completely satisfied because he didnt get to pull the trigger himself. They believe hell go after the next best thing, Nachos father, causing Mike to intervene and kill him. One fan wrote on Reddit: I can sort of see where this is going. Lalo will find out Nacho is dead, go after his dad, and Mike has to be the one to protect him. Lalo def gonna go after Nachos dad and Mike is gonna put him down, said another. Very good point cause right now Mike looks like a piece of sh**, someone wrote under a different Reddit thread. He needs some kind of redemption for what happened to Nacho. Others had different ideas. maybe [hell go after Nachos dad]. Or hell want to go directly after the bigger fish, Gus, read one comment. Another hoped for any other outcome because they really dont want anything bad happen to Nachos dad after episode 3. Upsetting moments are ahead What happens next is anyones guess. But in an interview with USA Today, co-creator Peter Gould warned that there would be some seriously upsetting moments on the show as it comes to a close. There are a couple of turns this season some of them are shattering, just shatteringly upsetting moments that I cant wait for people to see. And that I think are going to be very emotional for people, Gould said. And then there are a couple places where the show takes a turn I dont think anyones done before. He didnt discuss the sequence of events, but Bob Odenkirk (Saul Goodman) chimed in to say the ending is awesome. Stay tuned to Better Call Saul to see how it all unfolds. RELATED: How to Watch Better Call Saul Season 6 Jersey Shore: Family Vacation star DJ Pauly D is headed to Hell Michigan, that is. The reality TV star and Chef Action Bronson will be in Michigan, on April 30 for a bash thats guaranteed to be spicy. We caught up with Pauly DelVecchio via Zoom to learn more about the event and get his take on the Flamin Hot Mountain Dew flavor. Mountain Dew Flamin Hot is back PepsiCo. first introduced the Flamin Hot flavor of Mountain Dew in August 2021. The brand describes the drink as a combination of the sweet, citrus flavor of Dew with the spicy, kicked up flavor of Flamin Hot. As Pauly described it: Its so, so good. If you like spicy, its a mix between sweet and spicy. Its combining the two [flavors, making it a] win-win because you wash [spicy] down with the Mountain Dew. Now you get it both in one shot. To Hell With Mountain Dew Flamin Hot | PepsiCo. The drink sold out in under an hour of its release in 2021, but its back by popular demand. Now, Mountain Dew Flamin Hot is the official drink of Hell, Michigan. DJ Pauly D cant wait to play his fire beats in Hell, Michigan So, were going to go to Hell, Pauly joked during our call. In all seriousness, he thinks the partnership just makes sense. Whats really dope about it is obviously Hells hot, Flamin Hot Mountain Dews hot, and then my beats are fire, he said. Its like a match made in heaven. At first, Pauly thought the offer was a joke. When they asked me to do it, I was like, Go to hell? I thought they were just messing with me. He added: But no how do you make an event even hotter? You get Pauly D to bring his hot beats and make it a fire evening. Action Bronson will cook up a four-course meal at the To Hell with Mountain Dew Flamin Hot event Aside from hearing DJ Pauly Ds fire beats, chef and rapper Action Bronson is preparing a four-course menu of spicy meets sweet items that are bold as hell. Action Bronson is going to be cooking up some meals that are catered toward the taste, the Jersey Shore star explained to us. Ill be cooking the beats; hell be cooking the meals. Everybody can try it when we all go to Hell, Michigan. Aside from beats and grub, the event will also feature Sparkys Saloon, where fans 21+ will find a Flamin Hot-inspired mixology menu. There will also be a Mountain Dew Flamin Hot Country Club, a takeover of Hells 18-hole putt-putt course. Where to find the Mountain Dew Flamin Hot event According to the website, parking is available at 10255 Dexter-Pinckney Road at the community high school. The actual event is at 42.4338 N, 83.9845 W Hell Saloon, 4095 Patterson Lake Rd, Pinckney, MI 48169. Admission to the event is free, but its being capped at 2,0000 guests so get there early! The fun begins at 6 p.m., DJ Pauly D takes the stage at 8 p.m., and the fun ends at midnight. RELATED: DJ Pauly D Has an Instagram Account Not Many Fans Know About TL;DR: GG revealed that her lung cancer had returned in the April 26 episode of TLCs Doubling Down With the Dericcos. The news led Deon and Karen Derrico to put off their plans to move to South Carolina. Fans of the series offered prayers for GGs health after the episode aired. RELATED: Doubling Down With the Derricos: Karen Derrico Reveals She Had 7 Miscarriages On TLCs Doubling Down With the Derricos, Deon Derricos mother GG is the glue that holds the Derrico family together. So when, the familys matriarch revealed she had cancer, it was a devastating blow to both her son and daughter-in-law. They quickly decided to put their plans to move out of state on hold in light of GGs health. Meanwhile, fans responded with an outpouring of support on social media after learning of her diagnosis in the shows April 26 episode. GG reveals her lung cancer has returned on Doubling Down With the Derricos GG has suffered health scares in the past, including an incident that landed her in the hospital earlier this season. But in the latest episode of Doubling Down With the Derricos, she revealed some truly devastating news. GG was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014, her son Deon explained. Recently, she learned that the cancer was back. But she waited to tell her family about the cancers return. Shes been dealing with this and bottling this up herself over the last several months, Deon told his wife Karen Derrico. Karen and Deon put their plans to move to South Carolina on hold The bond between GG and Darian is so strong #TheDerricos pic.twitter.com/8lyldjO1Wp TLC Network (@TLC) April 27, 2022 Though GG had been keeping her diagnosis quiet, she did decide to tell her granddaughter Darian one of Karen and Deons 14 kids the truth. The last few months have been kind of grim for me, she explained to the 16-year-old in an emotional scene. GG went on to say that her health was the real reason she didnt want to move with her son and daughter-in-law to South Carolina. Once she learned of GGs diagnosis, Karen began to reconsider the familys plans to move out of state. She and Deon had agreed to spend half the year in South Carolina so they could be closer to Karens family. But Karen realized that wasnt the right choice given her mother-in-laws situation. Staying in Las Vegas is going to be easier and help all of us sleep better at night, she said. Its a no-brainer. At first, that didnt sit right with GG. She worried Karen would regret putting her dreams on hold to stay close to her mother-in-law. But she came around, and in a confessional interview, she admitted that she was glad she wouldnt have to be separated from her family. Doubling Down With the Derricos fans react to GGs news Doubling Down With the Derricos | TLC via YouTube After the episode aired, Doubling Down With the Derricos fans reacted to the news that GG had cancer. Many sent their prayers to GG and the rest of the Derrico family. We are praying for our GiGi! one fan commented on Karen Derricos Instagram. I am definitely GiGis biggest fanI pray God continues to keep her and cover her from any pain, another wrote. Yesterdays episode just brought me to tears, another fan wrote on Deon Derricos Instagram. Cancer is the worst thing ever, I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy, they added. Doubling Down With the Derricos airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! RELATED: Doubling Down With the Derricos: Deon Derrico Plans Every Meal Days in Advance for the Family Meghan Markles relationship with her father, Thomas Markle Sr., played out in the headlines leading up to her and Prince Harrys wedding day. In 2018, photos were released of Thomas making preparations for his daughters big day. But the public later learned that those pictures were staged. It was also thought that Meghans father was going to walk her down the aisle. However, shortly before the royal wedding was to take place it was announced that Prince Charles would be doing that instead because Thomas was not going to make the event. Following all that, Thomas continued to speak to the media about Meghan and Harry and it got to the point where their relationship seemed like it was beyond repair. Now, Meghans father is hoping to reunite with his daughter at Queen Elizabeths Platinum Jubilee celebrations. But will his mere presence keep the Duchess of Sussex at her home on the other side of the pond? Meghan Markle attends the sitting volleyball event during the Invictus Games | Karwai Tang/WireImage Thomas announced he will be in England for Queen Elizabeths Platinum Jubilee celebrations On April 25, GB News host Dan Wotten tweeted that Thomas was going to be a guest on his show and would make a shocking announcement. That announcement was that he was traveling to the U.K. to attend the monarchs Platinum Jubilee celebrations and is hoping that while hes there he can meet with the queen and Prince Charles, but also see Prince Harry in person for the first time and meet his grandchildren. The problem with Thomas plan is that it was never confirmed that Meghan or Harry would even be attending the festivities in June. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did visit Queen Elizabeth II recently on their way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands but their spokesperson did not reveal when they could return to England. WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Thomas Markle will be flying to London for the first time to celebrate a historic moment in the history of the monarchy, the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June with @GBNEWS. He is hoping he will reunite with Meghan. Revealed on @DanWootton Tonight. pic.twitter.com/JOZPDrcxkV Lucy Jones (@ByLucyJones) April 25, 2022 Does Thomas Markle going to the Queens Platinum Jubilee mean Meghan wont? Meghan and her father do not have a relationship today. They havent seen each other in years and Thomas has never met Archie and Lilibet. Harrys wife spoke publicly about their fallout during her sitdown with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. The former talk show host asked Meghan about when she confronted Thomas over the staged paparazzi photos. If were going to use the word betrayal, its because when I asked him, when the comms team told us this the story was coming out, we called my dad and I asked him and he said, No, absolutely not, the duchess told Oprah. I said, The institution has never intervened for anything for us, but they can try to go in and kill this story. But if they do this once, were not gonna be able to use that same leverage to protect our own kids one day. Meghan continued: I said, I just need you to tell me and if you tell me the truth, we can help and he wasnt able to do that. And that, for me, has really resonated, especially now as a mother. "'I just need you to tell me. And if you tell me the truth, we can help.' And he wasn't able to do that." Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on a conversation she had with her father regarding tabloids #OprahMeghanHarry pic.twitter.com/XhPwGM0Uvl CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 8, 2021 We know Thomas is not just going to be able to push past security and get close to any members of the royal family when he gets to London. And given the state of things today with Meghan, its highly unlikely that she would make any plan to reunite with her father willingly on his terms now that hes trying to force it just because hell be in England. In fact, if she and Harry were considering going to the queens Platinum Jubliee with their children, this might actually deter them from doing so since security is already a concern for them and this could definitely create more of a circus. Only time will tell. But if Meghan does go it wont be because of her father and if she doesnt, it just might be. RELATED: Meghan Markles Father Wants to Meet Prince Charles When He Gets to London Because Theyve Both Been Ghosted By Their Children Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora) influenced the drug game in Chicago as soon as he arrived in Power Book IV: Force. He stirred things up with the Southside gang, The Chicago Brothers Incorporated helmed by brothers Jenard (Kris D. Lofton) and Diamond (Issac Keys). He also gained the notice of Walter Flynn (Tommy Flanagan) who runs the Irish mob in the city. Tommys arrival has also forced Walters children Vic (Shane Harper) and Claudia (Lili Simmons) to confront some unsavory things about their father. It has also revealed Walters cancer diagnosis which Sikora says he was shocked by. Tommy Flanagan as Walter Flynn in Power Book IV: Force | Starz Walter Flynn is losing his grip on Chicago For so long, Walter has had an iron grip on the Northside of Chicago. The very day Tommy rolls into Chicago, he insulted the Flynn family. Walter Flynn is the head of the Irish crime family in Chicago, the character description reads. Despite living a life of immense prosperity in his castle on the lake, he longs for the way things used to be. Walter believes that without community and family, there is no tradition, and his deeply held code of honor bleeds into every aspect of his life. As he ushered his family into the twenty-first century, Walter quickly saw the criminal organization he built facing threats he never accounted for. However, Walters refusal to expand his business beyond pills and instigating a war with the Serbs for his own personal gain certainly didnt help anything. With the mob leaders in Ireland unhappy with Walter, he may be on his last leg. Now that Vic has vowed never to work with his father again, things are dire for Walter going into season 2. RELATED: Power Book IV: Force: Tommy and Vic Are Definitely Going to Come to Blows Over Gloria Joseph Sikora says he was shocked by Walters cancer diagnosis Knowing that Vic and Claud had lost their mother to cancer some years earlier, no one saw Walters diagnosis coming, not even Sikora. The Chicago-born actor revealed that he was actually stunned when he read the script that revealed Walters cancer diagnosis. I mean, in the second episode we discovered that he had terminal cancer, he told Hollywood Life. I was a little shocked by that myself. I hope he can keep cancer at bay long enough. In the following episodes, the doctor made it seem that Walters diagnosis was less critical. However, his refusal to get treatment and his continuous use of tobacco certainly isnt helping things. I mean, if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. Right, Walter? #PowerForce pic.twitter.com/UkKu79c2eF Power Book IV: Force (@ForceStarz) April 18, 2022 Walter Flynn is fascinated by Tommy As we saw in the first season of Force, Walter may not like Tommy, but he certainly respects his gangster and work ethic. Its something that his own son Vic seems to be missing. In fact, Flanagan revealed that Walter is flat-out fascinated by Tommy. There are some character traits that Tommy has that Walter sees in himself. Walter is kind of fascinated by the fearless and full of contempt Tommy Egan, Flannagan told Hollywood Life. I think hes interested and a wee bit amused by him Maybe hes got his back up a little bit and [hes] a reminder of himself in some ways. Walter sees Tommy Egan and thinks, Ah, I. know that guy.' Now that his children know the truth about Gloria, Tommy may be the only one Walter can turn to. RELATED: Power: How Joseph Sikora Really Feels About the End of the Original Series The music festival circuit has roared back to life in 2022. After cancellations throughout 2020 and a few returns in 2021, festivals around the world are back with a vengeance, and making up for lost time. Spains popular Primavera Sound is back in a big way: theyre expanding beyond the Iberian Peninsula and into the Americas. Primavera Sound | Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Primavera Sound has been in Spain for over 2 decades Primavera Sound has existed in some form since the 1990s, with the annual celebration of music taking place in the seaside city of Barcelona. It moved into a new venue in 2001, and in 2004, it moved into its current home: Barcelonas Parc del Forum on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In 2012, Primavera expanded beyond Barcelona for the first time with an annual festival in Porto, Portugal. Just like the original festival in Barcelona, the Porto Primavera festival has taken place every year since then (except for 2020 and 2021) and continued to grow with bigger names on its roster. Barcelonas Primavera Sound 2022 will be the first edition of the festival since 2019, and will feature an all-star lineup of performers to welcome back attendees. Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, Lorde, Beck, Tame Impala, Tyler, the Creator, The Strokes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gorillaz, and Interpol will all be performing at this years festival. O lineup por dia do #PrimaveraSoundSaoPaulo tambem ja esta entre nos! Confira qual dia os seus artistas favoritos irao se apresentar e tambem os shows que acontecerao no #PrimaveraNaCidade Garanta seu ingresso: https://t.co/1uf8PQrtbg pic.twitter.com/ZJfdmncCK1 Primavera Sound Sao Paulo (@PsSaopaulo) April 27, 2022 Primavera Sound is expanding to Latin America In 2022, Primavera Sound announced that the iconic Spanish music festival is coming to the Americas first to the United States, and then to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The first-ever Primavera Sound Sao Paulo will take place November 5 and 6, 2022. Among the headliners is rapper Travis Scott in what will be his first performance since his ill-fated Astroworld 2021 festival, one day after the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, and Bjork are scheduled to headline the Sao Paulo festival, as well as the subsequent ones in Buenos Aires and Santiago. Both Primavera Sound Buenos Aires and Primavera Sound Santiago will take place the week after Sao Paulos festival and will feature the same performers as the Brazilian edition. Artists like Charli XCX, Mitski, Arca, Phoebe Bridgers, Beach House, Japanese Breakfast, and Father John Misty are all scheduled to take over South America in late 2022. Do YOU wanna know? Este es el line up de #PrimaveraSoundBsAs! Lo piden, lo tienen! Estas preparado para vivir esta experiencia? pic.twitter.com/lu1h0NezR5 Primavera Sound Buenos Aires (@PS_BuenosAires) April 27, 2022 RELATED: Coachella 2022: Pabllo Vittar Became the First Drag Queen Ever to Perform at the Festival Primavera is coming to the US in 2022 Before coming to Latin America, however, Primavera Sound will make its first stop outside Europe in California this September. The festival will take place in Los Angeles State Historic Park on September 16, 17, and 18. Headlining the show will be Arctic Monkeys and Lorde, as well as Nine Inch Nails and Kim Gordon. Theyll be supported by acts like PinkPantheress, King Krule, Clairo, Mitski, Arca, Khruangbin, Buscabulla, Tierra Whack, Cigarettes After Sex, and more artists yet to be announced. RELATED: Lorde, Mitski, and Bleachers to Headline 2022 All Things Go Music Festival How to Get Tickets Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the town of Montecito located in Santa Barbara County in the summer of 2021. They purchased a home situated on five acres of land with 16 bathrooms, nine bedrooms, and a separate guest house. The Duke of Sussex spoke about how much he enjoys living there and was so welcomed by the community. But according to a writer for the Montecito Journal, Harry and Meghan are not really part of that community. Heres what the journalist had to say, plus what the Sussexes have been spotted doing in their neighborhood. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend day two of the Invictus Games | Samir Hussein/WireImage What Prince Harry said about California being more like home to him now During an appearance on Dak Shepards Armchair Expert podcast in May 2021, Harry revealed how much he liked living in Montecito. Living here now I can actually lift my head and I feel different, my shoulders have dropped, so have [Meghans]. You can walk around feeling a little bit more free, he explained. I can take Archie on the back of my bicycle, I would never have had the chance to do that. In April 2022, the prince did an interview about the Invictus Games with Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb and spoke again about residing in Santa Barbara town and how that feels more like his home now. Home for me, now, for the time being, is in the States, he said. And it really feels that way, as well. Weve been welcomed with open arms and have got such a great community up in Santa Barbara. .@hodakotb sat down with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games for an exclusive interview about his new mission, new life, fatherhood, reuniting with his grandmother and much more. pic.twitter.com/g5tq7xXrvd TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 20, 2022 Journalist says Harry and Meghan are not part of the community in Montecito British journalist Richard Mineards who lives in California as well and pens a column in the Montecito Journal said that the duke and duchess have yet to become part of the community there. Mineards said any sightings of the couple are very rare so therefore they havent immersed themselves into the community. He told The Times: Harry and Meghan havent become part of the community, and I think a lot of people are bristling about that really. Its such a lovely place to go out and theyve been a no-show. There is this big question of Where are they?' Mineards added that locals had hoped they would see the duke make an appearance at a Santa Barbara concert where cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed since he also played at Meghan and Harrys wedding in 2018. However, that didnt happen as the concert took place while the duke was busy at the Invictus Games. There were high hopes that Harry would appear, the columnist stated. But the Invictus Games meant it wasnt to be. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smiling during the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark | Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images There have been a few stories about the duke and duchess being out in the community The Sussexes may have kept a low profile in their neighborhood since moving in but there are a few instances in which they were seen out and about in Santa Barbara. Some fellow Montecito residents have spotted them out on occasion walking their dogs at a local beach. And in December 2021, Meghan was photographed while shopping at local boutiques. The duke and duchess have also been seen dining at an area steakhouse with Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank as well as music mogul David Foster in the last few months. Another resident has thought of a way Harry can quickly become part of the community. Express noted that Andrew Bossom, who went to the same Eton school as the duke and is a keen polo player currently living in California, said Santa Barbara has one of the most beautiful polo clubs in America and there is expectation and hope that Prince Harry will start playing there. It would be a huge step into the local community for him. RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Could Bore Netflix Viewers With Their Old Rehashed Content, Expert Says The success of Oprah Winfrey is a manifestation of The American Dream. A childhood of tragedy and abuse has pummeled the hopes of many young kids who get stuck in similar situations, but she found the resolve to stay ambitious and became a legend in the process. She is a media innovator, one of the first Black billionaires, a broken glass ceiling incarnate. Even as her production schedule slows down after decades of culturally important work, Winfrey is still finding ways to create from a more off-screen role. Oprah Winfrey | Frennie Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images Shes come a long way from her difficult upbringing Standing at 56, Oprah is not the most physically imposing woman youll ever see. But you have the mental strength of a giant to overcome the nightmarish struggles imposed on her from a very young age. Her mother, Vernita Lee, was an unmarried teenager when she gave birth to Oprah on January 29, 1954. Lee left her child with her mother who lived on a farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Oprah was sent to move with Lee to Milwaukee at age six, spending many days in their inner-city apartment with Lees other children while their mom worked as a housekeeper. From ages 9 to 13, Oprah was sexually abused by multiple relatives and a family friend, according to USA Today. Sick of the abuse, she tried to run away, only to end up at a juvenile detention facility that didnt even have enough room for her. Oprah gave birth at 14 to a baby boy who died in infancy and started stealing money from Lee to impress her fellow classmates. She was then sent to Nashville, Tennessee to live with her father, Vernon Winfrey, in search of a fresh start. The strict discipline of her father was exactly was she needed. The structured environment brought the best out of Oprah. Attending East Nashville High School, she became an honor student, joined the high school speech team, and won prizes for oratory and dramatic recitation. Oprah is a groundbreaking media icon Oprah wasted no time making her way into the world of broadcasting. She began working at WVOL, a local radio station in Tennessee, as a 17-year-old while still taking classes at Tennessee State University. She eventually left school to work full-time at Nashvilles WLAC-TV as their youngest and first Black news anchor ever. Winfrey moved to Baltimore and Chicago, working in similar roles while quickly raising her profile. Her popularity reached such a high level that she earned the chance to create The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1986, starting a cultural phenomenon that lasted for over 20 years. Some of Winfreys questions have led to some backlash from critics, but the litany of celebrities and guests from different backgrounds that she spoke to generated a giant audience. Oprah ended in 2011, but the fallout from Winfreys tell-all interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry showed that she still has the ability to steal the spotlight whenever she chooses. Oprahs also acted periodically alongside her talk show host duties. Her first role was as Sofia in The Color Purple, which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Shes also drawn acclaim in projects like Native Son, The Butler, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. What is Oprah doing now? The next @oprahsbookclub pick is Finding Me by @violadavis (out on 4/26)! Its a breathtaking memoir, that covers every chapter of her extraordinary life so far. pic.twitter.com/cxSwtpbOSJ Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 21, 2022 Once you attain a net worth of $3 billion dollars, its probably safe to slow down your work schedule. Oprah hasnt regularly been on television since a short-lived stint as a special contributor to 60 Minutes ended in 2018. The last print issue of O Magazine was published in December 2020. Oprah does have an overall content deal with Apple, but she is not attempting to be as visible as she was at her peak of relevance. Her main passion at the moment appears to be losing weight. Working to stay in shape has been a longstanding topic for Oprah she is a spokesperson and shareholder for Weight Watchers, having previously lost 40 pounds on one of their plans but the beginning of 2022 saw her renew her intent to lose a few pounds. How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. RELATED: Oprah Winfrey Reveals How She Took Her Talk Show From Fine to Phenomenal After Its First 3 Years on Air The FX series Under the Banner of Heaven cast Wyatt Russell as Dan Lafferty. Dan and his brother Ron (Sam Worthington) were found guilty of the murders of their sister-in-law Brenda Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her 15-month old. The series is based on Jon Krakauers book about the true case. Russell said he had another real-life experience that informed his character. Wyatt Russell | Michelle Faye/FX Russell was part of a Television Critics Association Zoom panel for Under the Banner of Heaven on March 29. He discussed his role in the show and the personal experience he brought to it. New episodes of Under the Banner of Heaven premiere Thursdays on Hulu. Wyatt Russell visited Zion before playing Dan Lafferty The Laffertys belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The series portrays the investigation among the Mormon community. Russell happened to have vacationed near Zion National Park, which is a significant Utah location for the LDS Church. Years ago, my wife and I would take van trips across the country, Russell said. We go to Colorado and drive that route three times a year. You always drive through St. George. You drive through Utah and you go right through Zion, so wed stop in Zion a lot. And we had done a canyoneering trip where they take you into Colorado City. They go, You cant canyoneer in Zion so they take you through a different route. And you go through Colorado City, where all the compounds are, where Warren Jeffs, his compound is now turned into a hotel. Under the Banner of Heaven reminded Wyatt Russell of the children he saw near Zion Russell observed the locals with curiosity. Filming Under the Banner of Heaven reminded him of them. RELATED: What Has Wyatt Russell Been in Outside The Falcon and the Winter Soldier? But I remember getting out at the trailhead and, like out of the show, a truck full of kids dressed in traditional garments, girls head to toe, got out. They started digging for gems and rocks in the stream as we were passing by and looking very modern in a harness and a helmet to go canyoneering. And I remember making eye contact with this one girl who was digging for rocks, and it struck something in me where it was just like, wow, shes just a kid. Shes 10. And there was 11 brothers and sisters, and they were all just going out to have a good time. But it was like they were out of a completely different time. It looked like they were in the 1800s. And it just struck me as something that was this dichotomy between the world that we live in and the world that they still live in. Wyatt Russell, Television Critics Association panel, 3/29/22 Under the Banner of Heaven doesnt vilify Mormons There is a tragic crime at the center of Under the Banner of Heaven. The show hopes to interrogate the community in which it happened. However, Russell confirms the show does not vilify the entire community. Not demonizing that person for being born into that situation was, I think, always an important part of portraying someone who ends up going down that fundamentalist route, Russell said. It is easy to feel like you are locked into a prison cell of your own birth when youre in that situation. And treating those people with humanity and not putting just devil horns on them immediately was really important in the research for Dan in particular. Gather yourself. FXs Under the Banner of Heaven starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, and @daisyedgarjones premieres April 28. Only on Hulu. From Executive Producers and Academy Award winners @dlanceblack, @realronhoward, and @briangrazer. pic.twitter.com/MfjOFOahJl FX Networks (@FXNetworks) April 4, 2022 Russell was able to listen to recordings of Dan Lafferty, who is still serving a life sentence. His brother Ron died of natural causes in 2019. It is a really hard thing because the minute you hear him speak, five minutes in you are going, I like him. How is this possible? How is it possible that Im hearing him speak and hes speaking with love and joy and faith? Russell said. You have to come back to the reality of what it was and what he had done. Theres sadness in it because it was someone who was born into this situation and led down this rabbit hole in a way that only fundamentalist, extremist views can kind of lead you down. RELATED: Under the Banner of Heaven TV Series Cast Includes Yellowstone Cast Member Collective behavior and swarm patterns are found everywhere in nature. Robots can also be programmed to act in swarms. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS), Cornell University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have developed collectives of microrobots which can move in any desired formation. The miniature particles are capable of reconfiguring their swarm behavior quickly and robustly. Floating on the surface of water, the versatile microrobotic discs can go round in circles, dance the boogie, bunch up into a clump, spread out like gas or form a straight line like beads on a string. Each robot is slightly bigger than a hairs width. They are 3D printed using a polymer and then coated with a thin top layer of cobalt. Thanks to the metal the microrobots become miniature magnets. Meanwhile, wire coils which create a magnetic field when electricity flows through them surround the setup. The magnetic field allows the particles to be precisely steered around a one-centimeter-wide pool of water. When they form a line, for instance, the researchers can move the robots in such a way that they write letters in the water. The research project of Gaurav Gardi and Prof. Metin Sitti from MPI-IS, Steven Ceron and Prof. Kirstin Petersen from Cornell University and Prof. Wendong Wang from Shanghai Jiao Tong University titled Microrobot Collectives with Reconfigurable Morphologies, Behaviors, and Functions was published in Nature Communications on April 26, 2022. Collective behavior emerges from the interactions between the robots Collective behavior and swarm patterns are found everywhere in nature. A flock of birds exhibits swarm behavior, as does a school of fish. Robots can also be programmed to act in swarms and have been seen doing so quite prominently. A technology company recently presented a drone lightshow that won the company a Guinness World Record by programming several hundred drones and flying them side-by-side, creating amazing patterns in the night sky. Each drone in this swarm was equipped with computational power steering it in every possible direction. But what if the single particle is so tiny that computation isnt an option? When a robot is just 300 micrometers wide, one cannot program it with an algorithm. Three different forces are at play to compensate for the lack of computation. One is the magnetic force. Two magnets with opposite poles attract. Two identical poles repel each other. The second force is the fluid environment; the water around the discs. When particles swim in a swirl of water, they displace the water and affect the other surrounding particles in the system. The speed of the swirl and its magnitude determine how the particles interact. Thirdly, if two particles float next to each other, they tend to drift towards each other: they bend the water surface in such a way that they slowly come together. Scientists and cereal lovers call this the cheerio effect: if you let two cheerios float on milk, they will soon bump into each other. On the flip side, this effect can also cause two things to repel each other (try a hairpin and a cheerio). Three forces allow for reconfigurability The scientists use all three forces to create a coordinated, collective pattern of motion for several dozen microrobots as one system. A video shows how the scientists steer the robots through a parcour, displaying the formation that best suits the obstacle course, e.g. when they enter a narrow passage, the microrobots line up in single file and disperse again when they come out. The scientists can also make the robots dance, alone or as pairs. Additionally, they show how they put a tiny plastic ball into the water container and then aggregate the robots into a clump to push the floating ball along. They can place the tiny particles inside two gears and move the particles in a way that causes both gears to rotate. A more ordered pattern is also possible with each particle keeping an identical distance to its neighbor. All these different locomotion modes and formations are achieved through external computation: an algorithm is programmed to create a rotating or oscillating magnetic field which triggers the desired movement and reconfigurability. Depending on how we change the magnetic fields, the discs behave in a different way. We are tuning one force and then another until we get the movement we want. If we rotate the magnetic field within the coils too vigorously, the force which is causing the water to move around is too strong and the discs move away from each other. If we rotate too slow, then the cheerio effect which attracts the particles is too strong. We need to find the balance between the three, Gaurav Gardi explains. He is a Ph.D. student in the Physical Intelligence department at MPI-IS and one of the two lead authors of the publication together with Steven Ceron from Cornell University. A model for future biomedical and environmental applications The future scenario for such microrobotic collectives is to go even smaller. Our vision is to develop a system that is even tinier, made of particles only one micrometer small. These collectives could potentially go inside the human body and navigate through complex environments to deliver drugs, for instance, to block or unblock passages, or to stimulate a hard-to-reach area, Gardi says. Robot collectives with robust transitions between locomotion behaviors are very rare. However, such versatile systems are advantageous to operate in complex environments. We are very happy we succeeded in developing such a robust and on-demand reconfigurable collective. We see our research as a blueprint for future biomedical applications, minimally invasive treatments, or environmental remediation, adds Metin Sitti, who leads the Physical Intelligence Department and is a pioneer in the field of small-scale robotics and physical intelligence. Torrington Middle School was in the news this week. After receiving approval from their local Board of Education back in February, Torrington District administrators began enforcing a new cell phone rule for students. As the middle schoolers enter, they are required to put their cell phones in a specially-designed pouch that is then locked. When the students leave for the day, the pouch is unlocked and phones are returned to the students. Most school districts in Connecticut have rules regarding student cell phone use during class hours, but Torringtons approach takes things to the next level. Instead of asking students to obey and then expecting teachers to enforce the rules throughout the course of a morning or afternoon, Torrington is taking the cell phones completely out of students hands. We hope this program catches on locally and around the state. The program has garnered backlash from students and even from some parents who worry that their children, removed from their phones throughout the course of a day, would be deprived of the ability to communicate with them in case of an emergency, medical or otherwise. But while such apprehension is to be expected whenever a new, rather extreme program is enacted, its hard to see how removing cell phones from the day-to-day life of a student while in school puts anyone at risk. In case of emergencies, parents can and should be contacted by the schools themselves, and its hard to envision a scenario where that wouldnt happen. What it will do is eliminate a huge distraction. As cell phones have become smarter, they have become more and more a part of our lives. This isnt just true for students, but for all of us. Go anywhere, whether it be to a restaurant or a park, and youre likely to see people staring down at their phones as opposed to interacting with the person sitting or walking next to them. Even while attending events that are designed to hold our attention a movie or sporting event people can be seen scrolling through whatever content is appearing before them, courtesy of a seven-inch screen in their hand. Last year, Frances Haugen, a former employee at Facebook, testified before Congress about what she claimed to be the companys amplification algorithms and engagement-based rankings rewarding posts that get the most shares or likes used to determine what it is we see in our streams when logging on to the site. The basic thrust of Haugens testimony was that the algorithms funnel people, particularly teens, towards content that has led to everything from increased cyberbullying to body-image issues. It was explosive testimony that seemed to create, for the first time in a while, bipartisan interest in addressing the problem. Yet, Facebook is only one social media platform and harmful content is only one part of the equation, albeit potentially the most destructive. For many, including children in schools, the Internet has become addictive, enabled by those very algorithms designed to give you more of what it determines you want. Even if one is not inundated with harmful material, the very nature of social media is to keep a user using, whether they be at school, work, or out with friends. There is a longer conversation that needs to be had about how all of us interact with our phones and the online community, but after two years of a pandemic, where many students were forced to do their learning from home in front of a computer screen all day, limiting distractions in the classroom should be first priority. It may seem harsh to take a students cell phone and lock it up in a pouch for a few hours a day, but perhaps thats the healthiest thing for them. And adults should always be willing to do the unpopular thing if it leads to the healthiest solutions for young people. Torrington is making the right call, and we hope other school districts follow suit. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) Chairperson M R Kumar and Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey during a press conference, in Mumbai. (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade) Mumbai: Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) will give up its management control in IDBI Bank, said Dipam secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey. LIC and the government wants to exit management control from IDBI Bank and the process is already on, said the senior official of the department of investment and public asset management (DIPAM). We want LIC as the long-term value creator in the equity market. Furthermore, in the LIC IPO, the share surplus for participating will move to 10 per cent from five per cent. Notably, LIC has hinted toward further divestment soon. However, the details of further dilution by the government in LIC are yet to be disclosed. Pandey said that the government is not keen on launching a follow-up public offer (FPO) for LIC at least in the next one year. We arent going to bring in any other FPO for LIC in next one year, he said. Methodist congregations that know their future is not in the United Methodist Church (UMC) officially have a new place to land: the Global Methodist Church (GMC). Launching on May 1, the new denomination plans to uphold traditional, conservative Wesleyan theology but run on a lighter, leaner infrastructure that emphasizes grassroots accountability and ministry connections. After years of delays, with the next opportunity to vote on a proposal to split scheduled for 2024, some UMC congregations in the US are starting the disaffiliation process and plan to join the GMC as soon as they can. And though many leaders in Africawhere Methodism is growing rapidlyalign with the movements conservative stances on LGBT issues, theyre more inclined to wait. At least one regional body, in Europe, has already decided to switch all its congregations over to the Global Methodist Church; in the US, the denominations top court has yet to rule on whether regional bodies can disaffiliate together under current church law. For now, US churches are opting to join the GMC one by one. Mosaic Church in Evans, Georgia, plans to join the new Methodist denomination, but the process to leave the UMC will take months. From the pews, not much will change. Mosaics name and logo will remain the same, as will the format for Sunday worship. Lead pastor Carolyn Moore will continue emphasizing Wesleyan theology in her sermons, and the church will continue its work partnering with ministries that help the people who, in Moores view, tend to fall through the cracks of other churches. Even the pension plans for Moore and other staff members will still go through Wespath Benefits and Investments, the organization that manages UMC pensions. But behind the scenes, the church will belong to another body of believers. The property its warehouse meeting space sits on will no longer be held in trust by the United Methodist Church; Mosaic will own it. And Mosaic will abide by a new book of discipline, one that defines term limits for bishops, sets financial contributions based on church budget, forbids trust clauses, and creates an accountability system in which bishops report to clergy and laypeople, not just other bishops. We regard the front line of ministry as being the local church, and we believe the denomination exists to empower, equip, deploy the local church in ministry in the local setting and regional and global outreach, said Keith Boyette, the chairman of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, a conservative renewal group within the UMC, and the chairman of the GMCs transitional leadership council. Boyette and GMC leaders set out to build a denomination to bring Methodists together without what they saw as the bloated institutional structures of the UMC. The Global Methodist Church will have regional annual conferences, but they will play a supporting role for the local church rather than serving as the basic unit of ministry, as they do in the UMC. The GMC wont have programs like denominational seminaries or summer camps to fund. Our goal is to reduce the amount of money leaving the local church for denominational expenses by at least 50 percent, Boyette said. In the GMC, regional bodies in the US will be paired with bodies outside the US to partner in ministry and financial support. There will also be stronger accountability structures in place, according to Tom Lambrecht, who serves with the Methodist renewal group Good News and helped to draft the GMCs Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline. As you go through clergy and bishops, there will be enhanced accountability to ensure people are abiding by teachings and practices of the Global Methodist Church, Lambrecht said. For decades, the UMC had spotty enforcement around its doctrines on sexuality, which bar same-sex marriage and clergy in same-sex relationships. Certain churches and bishops permitted and promoted LGBT stances that violated those teachings. The differing stances on same-sex marriage have continued to drive the denomination apart. In 2019, parties in the UMC agreed on a plan for splitting the denomination, where conservative churches would be able to keep their property as they leave and receive $25 million to start a new denomination. But the pandemic forced the UMC to twice postpone its General Conference, delaying votes on the proposal called the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation. Earlier this year, the denomination announced that the General Conference must wait until 2024. Many United Methodists have grown impatient with a denomination clearly struggling to function effectively at the general church level, said Boyette, when he announced the plans to launch the GMC this year rather than wait for a vote to split. Theologically conservative local churches and annual conferences want to be free of divisive and destructive debates, and to have the freedom to move forward together. Mosaic is currently governed by the North Georgia Annual Conference. According to the conferences disaffiliation process and requirements, the church has to vote by a two-thirds majority to disaffiliate, pay the annual conference two years of denominational dues and prorated pension liability, and receive a ratifying vote by the annual conference. But what if an entire annual conference opts to go? Bishops have asked the Judicial Council, the UMCs highest court, to rule on whether annual conferences in the US can leave ahead of the General Conference. European annual conferences are taking matters into their own hands. Members of the Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference voted unanimously on April 1 to leave the UMC and join the GMC, over the objections of its presiding bishop. But the birth of a new denomination doesnt mean Methodists around the world are ready to join just yet. Many United Methodists in Africa plan to stay with the UMC until 2024 in hopes that the General Conference will approve the protocol. Jerry Kulah, general coordinator for the renewal group UMC Africa Initiative, said he believes the protocol is a way to amicably separate the church so we dont have litigation and dont have to see one another as enemies. He points to examples from Scripture where believers parted ways and still worked together, including Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15 and Lot and Abram in Genesis 13. But despite the willingness of many Africans to wait for 2024 and the passage of the protocol, they still feel that progressive United Methodists in the US are trying to ignore their voices despite their numbers. African membership is poised to grow beyond the size of the church in the states. According to the 2019 UMC State of the Church Report, the number of United Methodist members in Africa more than doubled from 3 million to 6.2 million over the prior decade. By 2020, US membership had fallen to 6.3 million. There is a general mood across Africa, a holy discontent, for a church that doesnt respect us for who we are and wants to impose upon us a practice that is inconsistent with Scripture, Kulah said. Fellow African Methodist leaders have said they believe if the church had met this year to pass the separation protocol, a majority of African UMC churches would be readying to join the GMC. We pray for the new church, and we do share many beliefs with them, including their traditional position on homosexual practice, wrote Forbes Matonga in an opinion piece this month for Firebrand. Most Africans, however, will remain United Methodists until the Protocol is passed. We have comfort in the knowledge that should Americans split themselves, as is likely to happen, in either side we choose to join we will be the majority. Kulah said some annual conferences might join the GMC before the 2024 General Conference, especially in regions of Africa where conservative churches feel harassed by more progressive bishops. And Kulah said Africans are aware that the delay tactics might continue. He said that if the General Conference does not pass the protocol in 2024, he will decide to leave, and he believes United Methodists across Africa will also wrestle with the same decision. Many Methodists still hold on for an amicable separation. J. J. Mannschreck, pastor of Flushing UMC in Flushing, Michigan, plans to transfer his pastoral credentials to the GMC. He said his church will vote later this year on whether to disaffiliate with the UMC and start the process of joining the GMC. Mannschreck said hes excited to think that a smaller portion of his churchs budget could go to the denomination. Currently his church of 150 members sends nearly 15 percent of its budget to the UMC. If they join the GMC that amount could shrink to 7 percent, leaving more money for local ministry. He is also eager to move on from human sexuality being the dominant conversation at denominational gatherings, as it has been for years in the UMC. Instead, he welcomes the accountability of the GMC and its vision for being a global church that stands for church planting, racial reconciliation, and other values that weigh on his heart. What will not change is Mannschreks love for the United Methodist Church, including his UMC-ordained father. He plans to attend his regions annual conference gathering in June, noting it will probably will be the final one he will attend and sits with his father, who does not plan to leave the UMC. But we will still sit next to each other at Thanksgiving, he added. Moore of Mosaic Church said she encourages anyone considering affiliating with the GMC to prayerfully consider not just what God is calling them away from, but the kingdom work God is calling them to. We would love to gather in people from the Methodist tradition around the world who are ready to be part of something bigger than themselves, she said. We pray, God, in your mercy, keep us from being a bunch of angry people who used to be United Methodists. Thats not worth doing. Its not enough to just find an enemy. An enemy is not your call, and there is no enemy here. City approves church's private school after allegations of stonewalling over religious beliefs A Massachusetts school district accused of previously stonewalling the creation of a church-affiliated private school over its Christian worldview has agreed to allow the school to open. The School Committee of Somerville Public Schools approved the creation of the Real Life Learning Center at its regular meeting, which was held virtually on Monday evening. The private school is a project of Vida Real Church, a congregation largely made up of Hispanic immigrants, which accused the committee of stalling the school's application. Last month, the First Liberty Institute and the Massachusetts Family Institute sent a letter of concern claiming that the school district was going to reject the application because committee officials disliked the churchs beliefs. We are grateful that Somerville officials recognized that the government cannot ban a religious school because they disagree with its religious beliefs, said First Liberty attorney Ryan Gardner in a statement Wednesday. Because of the school boards decision, more families will be able to provide the education they desire for their children. During a reported Zoom meeting, at least one Somerville official worried that rejecting the churchs application to launch a private school would to legal action. I think its hard to have to vote for a school that has so many values that I dont agree with, but I see the law is what it is in this case, committee member Ilana Krepchin was quoted as saying in a release from the Massachusets Family Institute. I dont see we have much of an option, and I just have to say this whole process seems a bit nutty. In late March, First Liberty and Massachusets Family Institute sent their complaint letter to Superintendent Mary E. Skipper and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. Despite Vida Reals expressed desire to open RLLC as quickly as possible, the Committee has repeatedly stonewalled Vida Reals efforts to provide private, religious education for its community for over five months now, claimed the letter. Even more concerning, the Committee has expressed hostility towards Vida Reals religious beliefs, and multiple Committee members have stated that RLLCs desire to create a curriculum consistent with its religious beliefs is grounds for denying its private school application. Somerville officials denied any wrongdoing. A statement from Superintendent Skipper and School Committee Chair Andre Green was emailed to The Christian Post earlier this month. The Committee has not yet reached a determination about the RLLC application, and all inquiries from the Committee have been for the purpose of evaluating whether RLLC meets the legal standards for approval, the statement read. [I]f a private school is approved, the Committee does not engage in ongoing oversight or monitoring of that school; as such, the Committee considers a thorough review process, including a critical evaluation of whether an applicant has proposed and is capable of actually implementing a program that meets state requirements, to be essential to the Committees statutory obligations. Family of National Guard soldier who gave life to save migrants speak out The grandparents of the National Guardsman who drowned trying to save two migrants from the Rio Grande said they're not surprised the boy they raised died trying to save someone's life. Officials confirmed Monday that they had recovered the body of 22-year-old Specialist Bishop Evans, who went missing Friday in Eagle Pass, Texas, after attempting to rescue the two migrants who were illegally crossing into the U.S. and were smuggling drugs. Evans' family, who live eight hours away from the border in Arlington, Texas, traveled to the Rio Grande to assist in the search. After his body was recovered, they gathered for a Monday press conference to publicly share their grief. "He wouldn't ask you who you were before he tried to help you. He just wouldn't," his grandmother, Jo Ann Johnson, told WFAA and other local media on Monday. "It doesn't matter your nationality, how you look, your color hair. That's who my baby was." Evans' grandfather, Dannie Johnson, also remembered his grandson as a caring and exuberant person. "He would help you in need. He would die for you, he did die. He's going to be missed and always be loved and carried in our hearts," he said. We want to be positive about Bishop, because he was a positive person, and I would like to leave it at that." Jo Ann Johnson said it was "very tough" not knowing her grandson's fate for days as the search for him continued, adding that it was "hard to withstand." But now that Evans' body has been recovered, his grandparents said they feel they have at least gained some form of closure. "We can move forward, we can start healing and the family can grieve and then we can move on," Evans's grandmother said. Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Rangers and Border Patrol agents conducted the search and recovery efforts. In a statement to Fox News on Sunday, the Texas Military Department said that Texas Rangers confirmed from initial reports that the two migrants Evans attempted to rescue "were involved in illicit transnational narcotics trafficking." Evans was a field artilleryman assigned to A Battery, 4-133 Field Artillery Regiment in New Braunfels, joining the Texas Army National Guard in May 2019. He returned in the fall of 2020 after he was mobilized to Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait, a multi-component organization that maintains a U.S. military presence in Southwest Asia. As The New York Post reported Monday, Evans was stationed in Eagle Pass as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star. The governor launched the initiative in March 2021 to send the Texas National Guard to the border to help quell the massive increase in illegal border crossings under the Biden administration. According to a March 4 post on Abbott's website, since the program's launch, state troopers and National Guard members have apprehended more than 208,000 migrants and filed more than 11,800 criminal charges, including more than 9,300 felony charges. The Texas governor released a statement Monday about Evans' death, saying that "National Guard soldiers risk their lives every day to serve and protect others and we are eternally grateful for the way SPC Evans heroically served his state and country." On Monday evening, Abbott directed that flags be lowered to half-staff in Evans' honor. In a letter to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas Democratic Sen. Roland Gutierrez criticized Abbott's Operation Lone Star initiative and called for an inquest into Evans' death, according to WFAA. "The death of this young man was highly avoidable and further proves that the Governor is ill-prepared to provide solutions for this issue," Gutierrez stated. After Evans' body was recovered Monday, Texas Rep. Chip Roy blamed the Biden administration's handling of the border for the guardsmen's death. The congressman also called for the two illegal migrants Evans attempted to rescue to face charges in relation to his death but did not specify the severity of the potential punishment. "This was a horrible tragedy that was completely avoidable if we actually enforced the laws of the United States," the congressman said in a statement to The New York Post. "This is a national guardsman who died jumping in the river and these people are moving narcotics." According to federal statistics submitted to a federal court earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security reported 221,303 total encounters at the Southwest Border and 123,304 total expulsions of noncitizens in March. House Republicans postpone special order hour on the importance of prayer UPDATE: 4:45 p.m. ET April 28: The special order hour on faith and prayer scheduled for Thursday has been postponed to May 16 after Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday evening. Allens office reported Thursday that Allen "tested positive for coronavirus on a PCR test during a pre-travel screening for a planned trip overseas." Allen is isolating and has no symptoms. Original: WASHINGTON Nearly three dozen House Republicans are slated to take to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss the importance of faith and prayer as the nation finds itself in the midst of spiritual warfare. Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., and the House Republican Conference are hosting a special order hour on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday to allow members of Congress to talk about the impact prayer has on their lives. The special hour order is taking place exactly one week before the May 5 National Day of Prayer, which falls on a day that Congress is not in session. Allen told The Christian Post that Thursdays event will take place after the House finishes with the business of the day" and will be streamed live on C-SPAN. Special order hours, which usually occur after the legislative business is done for the day, are reserved by the House Democratic Caucus and the House Republican Conference to allow representatives to deliver speeches on topics of their choice. We have the second hour, the Democrats have the first hour, Allen said. Sometimes, they dont use all their time. He anticipated the Republicans special order hour would take place in the evening, with the exact time depending on when the House concludes its business and when the Democrats finish with their special order hour. Allen cited the current national climate as the reason why House Republicans will devote a special order hour to discuss what prayer means to them. He warned this nation is in the midst of spiritual warfare. The enemys kind of having his way with the culture right now, Allen proclaimed. Were seeing church attendance drop. Were seeing people confused, a lot of people dependent on drugs, alcohol and money. Allen believes many are embracing drugs, alcohol and money to fill a void in their lives intended to be filled with faith in Jesus Christ. "We know that emotional healths a problem. We know that a lot of people are without hope. A lot of people dont know who they are or whose they are," Allen said. Allen, a businessman who has served in Congress since 2015, sees the special order hour as an opportunity to remind Americans of the role Judeo-Christian values played in the founding of the U.S. He asserts that God set this country apart. [John] Adams said that our Constitution is for a moral and religious people only and that it will do for no other," the 70-year-old politician said. Some people take offense to that, but again, the Constitution was written for people of virtue [and] we have to continue to fight for that, he added. I believe that its time for people of faith to step forward in this country and to make our vote count and to put those very values that our founders put forth in the Constitution on the center stage. Thursday is not the first time that the House has held a special order hour devoted to talking about prayer, as a similar occasion has taken place every year at least since Allen was first elected to Congress in 2015. But this is the first one that Allen is heading up as chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus. He noted that the Congressional Prayer Caucus meets at first votes every fly-in day, and we pray for our constituents. We pray for the country, and of course, we send out cards to folks who are in need and express our thoughts and prayers to them. The term fly-in day refers to the first day of the week when Congress is in session, typically a Monday or Tuesday. A bipartisan group of 54 members from both chambers of Congress and the lieutenant governor of Montana are members of The Congressional Prayer Caucus. About one-third of the members slated to speak at the special hour order are part of the Congression Prayer Caucus: Reps. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., Tracey Mann, R-Kan., Tim Walberg, R-Mich., Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, Mike Kelly, R-Pa., Brian Babin, R-Texas, Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, Randy Weber, R-Texas and Glenn Grothman, R-Wis. Other House members scheduled to speak Thursday are Reps. Jerry Carl, R-Ala., Barry Moore, R-Ala., Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Mike Garcia, R-Calif., Scott Franklin, R-Fla., Buddy Carter, R-Ga., Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., Austin Scott, R-Ga., Mary Miller, R-Ill., Pete Stauber, R-Minn., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Greg Murphy, R-N.C., David Rouzer, R-N.C., Fred Keller, R-Pa., Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., Michael Cloud, R-Texas, Pat Fallon, R-Texas, John Curtis, R-Utah, Burgess Owens, R-Utah, and Bob Good, R-Va. Allen said that the discussion of prayer on Capitol Hill extends far beyond the Congressional Prayer Caucus. He said many had been involved in Bible studies in this last session. He praised a bipartisan Bible study that takes place on Thursday mornings, which helps organize the National Prayer Breakfast each year. Additional Bible studies Allen participates in consist solely of congressional Republicans. But he stressed that members on the other side of the aisle may have their own Bible studies that they participate in. While Congress will not be in session on May 5 during the 2022 National Day of Prayer, Allen plans to spend much of the day praying. During the National Day of Prayer, Allen will be with several of his colleagues on a trip to Israel, where he predicts they will pray for the Middle Eastern country and world peace in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Allen is concerned that the situation in Ukraine could cause a worldwide famine, adding, Weve got to pray that somehow we can overcome something like that. Ukraine is the breadbasket of several areas over there," he said. "They produce something like 30% of the wheat. And they dont even have decent fuel to put in their tractors right now. The congressman believes that with challenges facing the U.S. and the world, perseverance comes "through prayer." He contends that through prayer, God explains his word more clearly." He said it's essential to set aside quiet time to immerse in Gods word. Allen, the founder of a successful Augusta-based construction company, has a prayer room at his house in his home district and his home in the Washington, D.C. area. His use of the prayer rooms dates back more than two decades when he had a spiritual awakening at 49. Allens spiritual awakening resulted from his daughters active participation in their churchs youth group, which included mission work. He recalled how his daughter inviting him on a mission with her changed his life. From there, he began to view her as the spiritual leader of our family. The day that I said OK, Im going to change the way I do things was Aug. 14, 2001, Allen recounted. All I did is say, OK, Jesus is No. 1, family is No. 2, and this business is No. 3. Shortly after that, Allen said he began to get up at 5 a.m. to spend time studying the Bible in his prayer room. He quickly discovered that he couldnt get enough of it. Thirteen years after his spiritual awakening, Allen was elected to represent Georgias 12th Congressional District. He maintains that if it werent for my faith, I could not do this." New technology challenges old scientific conclusions about historic Christian relic An Italian scientist and his team claim their research shows the Shroud of Turin, a fabric purported to have been Christs burial garment, may have originated during the time of Jesuss death and resurrection. Using a new X-ray technique called Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering to examine a sample of the linen, Liberato De Caro of Italys Institute of Crystallography of the National Research Council and his colleagues determined in peer-reviewed research the shroud could be around 2,000 years old. The researchers' findings were published in the international journal Heritage in April. The Shroud of Turin is preserved at the royal chapel of the cathedral of San Giovanni Battista in Turin, Italy, and it depicts the image of a crucified man. Many have questioned the linens authenticity since its emergence in the 14th century. Beginning in the 1980s, the Vatican encouraged scientists to conduct further investigations into its legitimacy. The National Catholic Reporter reports that the research conducted in X-ray laboratories at the institute in collaboration with Professor G. Fanti of the University of Padua appears to contradict a 1988 carbon-dating study that suggested the fabric was only about 700 years old. The Shroud of Turin is the most important relic of Christianity. According to Christian tradition, it is the burial shroud that would have wrapped the body of Jesus after his crucifixion, De Caro wrote in an April 13 email interview with The National Catholic Reporter. The scientist believes that carbon dating, a method of age determination that analyzes radiocarbon decay, is not always reliable with fabric, explaining why the 1988 studys conclusion may be incorrect. "Fabric samples are usually subject to all kinds of contamination, which cannot always be controlled and completely removed from the dated specimen," he continued. "If the cleaning procedure of the sample is not thoroughly performed, carbon-14 dating is not reliable," he added. "This may have been the case in 1988, as confirmed by experimental evidence showing that when moving from the periphery towards the center of the sheet, along the longest side, there is a significant increase in carbon-14 (radiocarbon dating)." De Caro has been investigating the shroud for about 30 years and developing techniques to examine the scale of atoms through X-rays. Three years ago, the scientist and his team developed a new method for dating samples from linen fabrics. The new dating method, based on a technique called Wide Angle X-ray Scattering, was first tested on linen samples already dated using other techniques, on samples that had nothing to do with the shroud, and then applied to a sample taken from the Shroud of Turin, De Caro told The National Catholic Reporter. The scientist started researching the Shroud of Turin with his team in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their work. The team eventually applied the new X-ray dating technique to the Holy Shroud, sending their findings to Heritage in March. The findings were published in April after a month of preparation and peer review from three independent experts and the journals editor. The new technique may also have found evidence that the shroud migrated from the Middle East to Europe. The seven centuries of documented history regarding the Shroud of Turin appear to show it has only ever been located in Europe, leading to further questions regarding its authenticity. But De Caro said an analysis of the shroud showed traces of pollen unique to the ancient region of Palestine trapped in its fibers. The scientist suggested that this means the shroud has spent a significant deal of time in the Middle East and not just Europe. The Shroud of Turin challenges science, and each new piece of research could clarify part of the complex puzzle this relic represents, De Caro wrote. For example, the Shrouds image has yet to find a definitive explanation from those who have studied it, an explanation shared by the entire scientific community. It is as if a photographic plate had been imprinted by radiation, he continued. By studying the traces left on the plate, one tries to trace the nature of the radiation and its properties. The same could be done for the Shrouds image. De Caro stated that this new dating technique is only in its infancy, and whether he uses it to continue studying the Holy Shroud depends on if there are new samples to analyze. The scientist also expressed a desire to use the technique to examine other relics associated with Jesus, such as the Sudarium of Oviedo and the Veil of Manoppello. The former is a cloth that allegedly was used to cover and clean Jesuss face after his crucifixion, and the latter, also called the Veil of Veronica, is a piece of fabric supposedly imprinted with the face of Christ during his walk to Golgotha. Parents of preteens in spiritual state of distress as adherence to biblical Christianity fades: study Parents of preteens, children younger than 13, are in a state of spiritual distress as American adherence to biblical Christianity fades even in churches, and a "tragic crash is coming as a result of the situation, according to new data from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and the American Worldview Inventory 2022. While the warning signs are identifiable and unmistakable, it appears that parents, as well as their support system (i.e., churches, extended family, and parachurch ministries), are too distracted or disinterested to acknowledge and address the parenting crisis. It seems that a tragic crash is in store, said George Barna, director of research at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian, in a release earlier this month. Parents, to whom the Bible assigns the primary responsibility for shaping the worldview of their children, are called to equip youngsters to grow up in relationship with and service to God. That requires the intentional and consistent development of a biblical worldview in the minds and hearts of children, since every persons worldview begins developing before their second birthday, Barna explained. Yet parents are not devoted to biblical worldview development in their children partly because they do not possess a biblical worldview to pass on to their progeny. The CRC research reveals that a paltry 2% of the parents of preteens children in the worldview development window has a biblical worldview. A big reason for the lack of a biblical worldview in parents today is syncretism. This ideology is described as the worldview that merges otherwise incompatible philosophies of life into a made-to-order worldview that incorporates enough biblical elements to be minimally Christian in nature. Under the sway of syncretism, according to Barna, the American Church has failed to contend earnestly for the Christian faith. The American Church has lowered the entry bar so much that it is difficult to identify any beliefs that disqualify one from claiming to be Christian. The parents of children under the age of 13 are a stellar example of this Christian nominalism that is widely accepted as spiritually normal and healthy, he said. Indeed, a worldview is comprised of a unified series of beliefs that then determine behavior. The alarm bell has not been rung because there is no single belief, or even limited series of identified beliefs, that are acknowledged as undermining Christianity or disqualifying an amenable adult from being considered a disciple of Jesus. Barna suggested that one explanation for the current crisis of faith is that the American Church is measuring the wrong indicators of faith. By emphasizing measures such as church attendance and participation in prayer, the emphasis is placed upon the quantity rather than quality of spiritual activity, and on overt participation rather than core developmental efforts, he noted. In other words, the emphasis is placed upon breadth rather than depth. But even more significantly, the spiritual warning signs have been misinterpreted. By looking for glaring deficiencies in the lives of self-described Christians, leaders have ignored the importance of numerous, less noticeable deficiencies. Their conclusion is that nobody is perfect, so while there are some identifiable spiritual and lifestyle defects among parents, they are not sufficiently disturbing to constitute a crisis or require a concerted call to action. Church leaders, explained Barna, have largely ignored the crisis of faith in the Christian community because indicators like church attendance, Bible sales and donations have remained sufficiently robust to feel reassured. Barna noted that while some commentators on the effect of syncretism on the American Church might minimize it as a rough patch, emerging data on children shows a different picture. The disinterest and even disrespect many children show to their elders is partially a reaction to the lack of authenticity and integrity they experience in the presence of parents, teachers, pastors, and other cultural leaders. Children sometimes feel compelled to ignore adults whose talk and walk are inconsistent, he said. When children are exposed to teaching through words or actions, whether formal or informal that are contradictory, they naturally conclude that the Christian faith is inherently contradictory and therefore may not be what they are seeking as a life philosophy, Barna adds. Young people may be interested in and intrigued by Bible stories, but unless the underlying life principles are both identified and exemplified, children are likely to miss out on those life changing truths. He suggested that the reason most Christians arent alarmed by the crisis of faith and parenting could be that the rest of the culture is syncretistic as well. Data published by ACU last year shows that of an estimated 176 million American adults who identify as Christian, just 6%, or 15 million of them, actually hold a biblical worldview. The study shows, in general, that while a majority of Americas self-identified Christians, including many who identify as Evangelical, believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and is the Creator of the universe, more than half reject a number of biblical teachings and principles, including the existence of the Holy Spirit. Strong majorities also errantly believe that all religious faiths are of equal value, people are basically good and that people can use acts of goodness to earn their way into Heaven. The study further showed that majorities dont believe in moral absolutes; consider feelings, experience, or the input of friends and family as their most trusted sources of moral guidance; and say that having faith matters more than which faith you pursue. According to Barna, If ever there was a time when our nation was desperate for a grassroots spiritual revival led by the remnant in the pews who still revere God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and truth, now is that time. 'Shooter threat' shuts down Christian school in Pittsburgh; police investigate A Pittsburgh-area Christian school was closed Thursday due to what officials described as a shooter threat. Imani Christian Academy, located in the East Hills neighborhood of Pittsburgh, was shut down as police investigated the threat. According to CBS Pittsburgh, the threat against the private school was made via email Wednesday evening. No specific timing or other details were included, CBS reported. Testing was scheduled for Thursday but is set to resume Friday, according to the schools website. The Christian Post's request for comment from Imani Christian Academy was not immediately returned. Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that police were contacted late Wednesday night by the school's CEO about the shooting threat. If the school decides to reopen Friday, Cruz assured police officers would be present to monitor the situation. Imani Christian Academy has over 150 students ranging from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. The students come from more than a dozen low-income school districts in Allegheny County, according to its Facebook page. The school began in 1993 as a "faith-based alternative to a grossly under-resourced public school system struggling to serve low-income communities." The school initially grew from an initial roster of 30 students operating out of a single-family home. The school bills itself as one that provides "educational excellence in a safe, caring, learning, environment free of violence." Most of Imani's students are "African American inner-city youth," many of whom come from single-parent homes or are raised by a grandparent or guardian. The school seeks to give students "everyday exposure to positive role models" while tailoring "to the unique needs of African American students." The shooting threat comes over three years after a mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in the nearby Squirrel Hill neighborhood. A 15-minute drive from Imani Christian Academy, 11 people, including the perpetrator, were killed in the October 2018 attack on the synagogue. Meanwhile, seven others were injured. In December 2021, four students were killed and seven were injured in a shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan. Lawsuits were later filed against Oxford Community Schools, claiming that school staff was negligent by not acting on warning signs displayed by the shooter in the days leading up to the shooting. In February, the school district denied wrongdoing. Virginia church leaving UMC over LGBT debate, joining theologically conservative network A United Methodist Church congregation in Virginia plans to join a theologically conservative alternative to the mainline Protestant denomination due to issues with the UMC's ongoing debate over homosexuality. Holston View UMC of Weber City, which has over 300 members, recently announced that it is pursuing affiliation with the Global Methodist Church and leaving the UMC. Meant to be a denomination where theologically conservative United Methodists can join to leave their churchs seemingly endless debate over LGBT issues, the GMC is scheduled to officially launch this Sunday. A significant issue was incidents of some UMC leaders refusing to enforce Book of Discipline rules banning the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex unions. Holston View Pastor Chuck Griffin told The Christian Post on Tuesday that his congregation had not yet left the UMC but rather it was planning to pursue separation once once a clear path develops. Our church's top administrative board, the Church Leadership Council, voted 10-0 on March 24 to announce our intent, with one person abstaining and one absent, he explained. We delayed the public announcement until we felt we had fully communicated the decision to church members. Griffin spoke well of the GMC, referring to the denomination as the obvious continuation of traditional Methodism, which goes back to the 18th century. The Methodist movement traditionally has treated Scripture as the inspired word of God, emphasizing specific biblical concepts like growing spiritually through regular engagement with God's abundant grace, Griffin told CP. We expect the GMC will be a place where some lost or poorly practiced traditions of Methodism will be recovered. The Rev. Tim Jones, director of communications for the Holston Conference, told CP that he was saddened to learn about the congregations plans. He noted that the regional body has a team working to create a fair and thoughtful process for churches to consider disaffiliation in a way that honors our relationships and complies with church law. Jones also provided CP with a statement from Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, acknowledging that some of our congregations and clergy are considering withdrawing from The United Methodist Church to become a part of another expression of Methodism such as the Global Methodist Church. It will sadden us if these churches and clergy discern to withdraw. However, we will send them forth with our blessing to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, she continued. Over the past few decades, the UMC has weathered increasingly divisive debate over its official stance labeling homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching, including a ban on clergy performing same-sex weddings or being in a same-sex romantic relationship. Many conservatives within the denomination have taken issue with liberal leadership refusing to enforce the UMC Book of Discipline rules on LGBT issues, leading some to consider leaving the UMC over the debate. Before the pandemic lockdowns began in early 2020, UMC leaders were planning to consider measures aimed at amicable separation for the denomination, to be voted on at that years General Conference. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the churchwide conference was postponed on multiple occasions, which only increased tensions among some liberals and conservatives. In March, UMC leadership announced that they were once again postponing General Conference, this time to 2024, citing ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest postponement led organizers of the Global Methodist Church to decide to launch the new denomination on May 1, rather than their previous plan to launch after General Conference approved a separation plan. Tyranny knows no tolerance: Will Americans learn this lesson? Recent events in multiple countries offer a picture of the tyranny and oppression that occur when government replaces God. The US Congressional-Executive Commission on China recently released its annual report. It documented the worsening state of religious freedom in that country: Authorities abandoned any pretense that the Chinese government respects religious beliefs and practices or ethnic minority cultures in its years-long campaign of sinicization requiring greater conformity with officially sanctioned interpretations of Chinese culture Officials demolished places of worship, denied participation in pilgrimages, intimidated parents and children to deter participation in religious gatherings, and forced some to renounce their beliefs. COVID-19 precautions were used as a pretext to prohibit religious activities, and religious believers continued to be arrested, with credible reports of torture in detention. The Chinese Communist Party also put in place a new law called the Measures for the Administration of Internet Religious Information Services prohibiting citizens and organizations from posting religious information on the Internet, unless they first obtain permission from the government. Reports suggest that even posting the word Christ online is a violation, as that term could cause incitement. Chinas crackdown may seem like a faraway threat, but egregious violations of religious freedom continue surfacing ever closer home. The Washington Examiner reported how religious communities in Venezuela and Nicaragua have been heinously targeted by the government: Religious freedom in Nicaragua has come under assault in recent years by President Daniel Ortega and his Sandinista party, as they have tightened their grip on powerVenezuelas ruling regime has unleashed the full weight of its repressive machinery against its opposition and civil society Last year, Roman Catholic and evangelical Protestant leaders claimed that the Maduro regime harassed, intimidated, and retaliated against their communities for criticizing the regime and calling attention to the humanitarian crisis. This should remind Americans: Theres never any tolerance for religious freedom under tyranny. Repressive regimes must crush any dissent to exert complete control. And history repeatedly shows people of faith and houses of worship are often the first ones silenced and stripped of their liberties. But why do oppressive regimes have a particular disdain for religious communities and the rights of citizens to freely live out their faith? Because once a dictatorial, ruling elite succeeds at destroying religious freedom and subjugating the faithful, its only a matter of time until other fundamental freedoms economic, political, and social are ripped away as well. Authoritarians know that houses of worship and people of faith are the ultimate check on government power. Their allegiance isnt first and foremost to the government. A free people know their loyalty is to God, the true provider and source of our freedoms. Americas Founders understood this truth. Thats why the First Amendment which lists religious liberty as the First Freedom is such an ingenious provision. Among many other protections, this is the FIRST one in the Constitution designed to prevent government abuse and, ultimately, outright tyranny. Of course, what were seeing in China, Venezuela and Nicaragua is nothing new. Its the same formula used by countless authoritarians. Just 90 miles south of Key West, on the island of Cuba, Communist Party leader Fidel Castro clearly stated that people of faith had no place in Cubas political structure: The principle was established that religious believers would not be allowed to enter into the partys ranks. Castros regime also ripped away the liberty of parents to choose a religious education for their children when it began absorbing religious schools into the nationalized education system. Recently, The Christian Post reported a pastor being sentenced to eight years in prison for participating in a peaceful protest. Pastor Mario Lleonart Barroso a persecuted pastor who fled the island fearing for his life explained to First Liberty: Attacks on religious freedom are among the primary and most recurrent violations we see in those societies Destroying the foundations of any society and guaranteeing the oppression of a population whos been stripped of its rights requires these regimes to also destroy the certainty of Imago Dei, the idea that we have equal dignity because we are created by God, that our rights come from Him and not from government. We find further proof in the former Soviet Unions Constitution, which states: In the USSR, the church is separated from the state, and the school from the church. (Note: Unlike the Soviet Constitution, the phrase separation of church and state does not appear in the American Constitution). Historians have extensively documented that from its very start: Soviet Communism devastated religious life in the USSR. The Bolsheviks destroyed religious institutions, nationalized religious property, uprooted religious communities, and confined religious life. Its often said a person can learn a lesson the easy way or the hard way. This principle applies not only to individuals but also to our nation as a whole. When we see the way that freedom and civil rights quickly dissipated in many nations, there is proverbial wisdom in learning from the example (and sadly, the failures) of others. In this time when our rights are under attack like never before, Americans cannot ignore the terrifying results that come in the absence of religious liberty. Lets hope we do not learn this lesson the hard way, by having to live under the boot of tyranny and oppression. Originally published at First Liberty. The new system is aimed at streamlining the hitherto unorganised process, by following the solid waste management rules. (Representational Image/ DC) Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) on Thursday initiated the new door-to-door garbage collection system, by roping in around 300 workers and assigning them various streets and colonies. The new system is aimed at streamlining the hitherto unorganised process, by following the solid waste management rules. The move, however, has not gone down well with several resident welfare associations (RWAs), which are objecting to SCBs control over the waste management exercise. We have to be exempted from the new rules as we already have a system in place. We are managing on our own the safety, surveillance and cleanliness of our premises using our own funds, said Arvind Lingala, secretary, Vikrampuri Colony. The residents suggested that the authorities instead focus on regular cleaning and sweeping of roads. SCB officials say the RWAs are not segregating the waste at source, and that there were shortcomings in the way the waste management was being done. We will ensure that there is door-to-door garbage collection all through the year and even during festivals. The new Swacch auto tippers collect the biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste separately, said A. Mahender, sanitary inspector, SCB. Ed Young says fellowship, worship essential to Christian life Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church said God loves all Christians right where they are, spiritually with Jesus and relationally and physically when it comes to serving others. Still, they should always be attempting to grow in worship. The 61-year-old pastor told his Grapevine, Texas-based congregation Sunday that there are many forms of worship that are aspects of Christian fellowship. He stressed that all are needed to build the national and global Church. The first aspect of fellowship in the Church, Young said, is having a foundation built on Jesus. In Matthew 7, Jesus said we have a choice. We can either build our lives on the foundation of sand, [where] you will live in a sand trap, or you have an opportunity to build your life on the rock, Young preached in a sermon titled Heres The Church. The Church is here to glorify God; the Church is here. And we'll be here forever and ever, Young continued. The pastor emphasized that the Church has a lifelong purpose to allow Christians to live together in a community with the common goal of bringing glory to Jesus. It's the only thing Jesus ever constructed, the Church. Our foundation is Jesus. There are over 2.2 billion believers worldwide. There are more believers worldwide than in India and China combined, Young said. We have the juice to truly go after the world's problems. Universities don't. Governments don't. Parachurch organizations don't. We don't. The Church does. The Church is the hope of the world. The Church has this energy, he added. Learning and love are two parts of fellowship that the Church should strive to achieve, according to Young. God's love from above. That's the solution to our pollution. For God so loved the world. Love is not God. God is love. He's the initiative taker. He saw us and did something about it because of His love, Young expressed. God loves you. He loves you right where you are. But as we said around here, He loves you too much to allow you and me to remain where we are, he added. Young emphasized that obedience is the secret to the Christian life, adding: "God has the best idea. He has an ideal idea for your life. And the way to discover it is to get involved in the Church." "You have to know Jesus personally," he continued. "Then, you're a part of the family of God. You're born again into the family of God. You're part of the Church, and part of what's going to happen to you as you discover this ideal will be doing what the Lord Jesus wants you to." Worship is glorifying God and expressing love to God, Young said. There are different ways and styles of worship that should transcend everything a Christian does. Don't waste your worship. Realize it's all about Him. It's all about God. It's all about giving Him glory and honor, Young said. Fellowship is incomplete if a Christian does not allow other believers into their lives through sharing, demonstrating transparency about difficult issues. Some of us get into these groups or situations or friendships with fellowship and we're like, 'Man, I probably shouldn't share that because if I shared that, they might judge me. And they wouldn't. Just the opposite is true, Young said. Young encouraged his congregation to share what they are going through with others in small groups because, many times, support, empathy and sympathy can be the result. When we share what we're going through, I bet you cash money, somebody in your group or team is going to be like, I struggle with the same situation. I've gone through the same pain or I'm in that same flow with my career, he said. The Church should be hospitable and innovative to have fellowship that is pleasing to God, Young noted. We are to be welcoming. We are to be understanding and I just love that about fellowship. People want to do life with one another [in] hospitality, Young said. The pastor addressed those in the audience that are not regular church attendees. He advised them to make church a priority, as it's necessary for fellowship. It should be a priority in your life. If not, you're not living for the Lord. We're part of God's family. That's why this is so important; it is God's family, Young said, pointing the congregation to 1 Timothy 3:15. God is using the Church for His eternal purposes. The Church will last forever; the school will not last forever, sorry. Your organization will not last forever, your legacy will not last forever. Those trust funds you're trying to give to your kids will not last forever. What's your building? I mean, it's not going to last forever. The only thing that lasts forever is the Body of Christ, he added. Celebration Church report paints founders Stovall and Kerri Weems as abusive, mentally troubled Pastor claims report is 'character assassination without real basis' An internal report recently released by the 12,000-member Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, paints founding Pastor Stovall Weems and his wife, Kerri, as abusive, mentally troubled divas who constantly exploited church staff and finances until they were forced to resign from all their positions in the church earlier this month. The Weemses and Celebration Church, which they founded in 1998, are currently locked in a legal battle seeking to settle dueling claims of financial fraud involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. The single word used most frequently to describe Stovall Weems was narcissist. Nearly every witness we interviewed used that specific word, states the 22-page report produced by the Nelson Mullins law firm. The law firm was retained to conduct an investigation after the church's board of trustees voted in January to suspend the Weemses over "questionable financial practices and other pastoral issues under the Weemses leadership." According to the report, the Weemses leadership has been inconsistent and unbiblical" since at least 2019. Investigators allege that Stovall Weems leadership was marked by rampant spiritual and emotional abuse, including manipulation, a profound sense of self-importance and selfishness, superiority and entitlement, overbearing and unreasonable demands on employees time, a lack of accountability or humility, and demands of absolute loyalty. On behalf of Celebration Church, attorneys said they interviewed more than 20 current and former senior leadership members, staff, former trustees, other advisors and consultants. Some reflected trauma as they shared their experience working with the Weemses. The Weemses refused to be interviewed as part of the investigation, the report says. In a statement to News4Jax, the Weems dismissed the report as concocted. This report is completely concocted by the Trustees and their lawyer as a character assassination without real basis. The charges are as they always were untrue and without a hard basis in fact, as a thoughtful investigation would show. Despite my numerous requests for the usual independent financial audit for 2021, as reflected in the board minutes, they have not done so, choosing instead to conduct their own misinformed investigation over months without input from those most informed, Weems' statement reads. How can they claim they conducted an investigation into improper financial transactions without a financial audit? If this is now a board-led church where is their responsibility for the Churchs dismal financial performance since I allowed them to take over with a new Lead Pastor at the beginning of 2020? And where is the oversight? As I have said all along, I have nothing to hide. That has not changed. I shall continue a righteous path with a new ministry despite these shameful efforts." One employee cited in the report alleged that Weems once made them drive to a liquor store to get a bottle of bourbon for his house late at night because he did not want to be seen purchasing liquor. Another employee claimed Weems had them buy a car and deliver it to his house, but never offered the employee transportation back to their own home. After the employee delivered the car as demanded, Weems told him to find his own ride home, the report states. The Weemses allegedly reveled in the comfort of private charter flights to exotic locations, a full house staff and personal assistants to respond to their exacting demands. The report claims that the "Weemses compensation, staff, travel and expense accounts comprised approximately 10% of the Churchs total revenue." Despite these privileges, the Weemses treated people who attended to them as inferior, the report says. In 2020, Weems drafted a document that instructed the Weemses assistants on how they were to keep each of the three residences so the Weemses would not be bothered during their transitions between homes. This was so the Weemses could focus on their spiritual acuity at all times. The report further claims that both Kerri and Stovall Weems began exhibiting mental instability following a Seder service on Passover in 2018, where Stovall Weems said he had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. During the service, which The Christian Post previously reported, Weems told his congregation that he met Jesus Christ on Good Friday and was surprised by His personality. "The first thing that I was taken back with is like Jesus' personality. This is how Jesus was when He was on the earth. I heard His voice ... the cadence of His voice. I can sense His mood. I can sense His presence, like He has a personality, Weems said at the time. I can't describe the closeness that I felt with Jesus. He didn't look at me. I never saw the front of his face. He was wearing a white garment. He had brown hair." According to the report, Kerri Weems allegedly became suicidal after her husbands personal encounter with Jesus, and the couple didn't take time off from ministry to address her struggle. Witnesses to the events at the Weems residence in the days following the Encounter describe Weems as visibly shaking and sobbing. They also confirmed that Kerri Weems was distraught and overwhelmed by her husbands behavior, the report reads. Kerri Weems has a history of clinical depression, a topic which she openly discussed. People close with Kerri Weems stated that she expressed being suicidal as a result of the Encounter and Weems behavior following it. Despite repeated requests by many, the Weemses refused to take any meaningful time off after the Encounter to process the event. Investigators didn't take a position on whether Weems' claims of an encounter with Jesus were real, stating there is no way for them to "confirm or deny legally or factually what was going on inside Weems mind during that time." "There is evidence that the Weemses were under a tremendous amount of personal stress during this time that may have impacted Weems mindset that evening," the report says. The church further detailed allegations of financial abuse previously alleged in a lawsuit earlier this year. 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," claiming they were in violation of Florida statute and church policies because "neither Stovall nor Kerri Weems perform[ed] 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. Investigators for the church recommended seven actions against the Weemses. They include that the church "[a]ccept the resignation of Stovall and Kerri Weems as employees of Celebration effective April 15, 2022 without further compensation or benefits;" "pursue the removal of Stovall and Kerri Weems from any positions of authority relating to the church, Honey Lake Farms, Honey Lake Clinic and AWKNG;" and "require Stovall and Kerri Weems to account for and return to the church all funds misappropriated by them." PCUSA lost 51K members, 100-plus churches, 4 presbyteries in 2021: report The Presbyterian Church (USA) lost over 51,000 members in 2021, as well as over 100 congregations, and even four regional bodies known as presbyteries, according to a new report. The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States announced the release of its annual statistics on Monday, which were compiled by the PC(USA) Office of the General Assembly. According to the latest numbers, PC(USA) saw its number of congregations drop from 8,925 in 2020 to 8,813 in 2021. It also saw its active membership decline from approximately 1.24 million in 2020 to 1.19 million in 2021. The mainline Protestant denomination also saw a drop in the number of clergy, going from 18,785 ministers in 2020 to 18,458 in 2021, or a decline of 372. In contrast to recent years, PC(USA) also saw a slight decline in the number of presbyteries that make up the denomination, going from a total 170 in 2020 to 166 in 2021. This loss of four regional bodies can be traced to two events, the first being the reorganization of presbyteries in New Jersey in March of last year, which saw the number of regional bodies in the state go from seven to four. The second took place in California last July, when the Presbyteries of Sacramento and Stockton merged to form the Presbytery of North Central California. The merger came in response to a drop in member congregations. In an announcement about the results on Monday, PC(USA) General Assembly Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson emphasized that the drop in membership was smaller than the year before. We have come to the realization that our church has been forever changed by this pandemic, explained Nelson. But this report shows that even though the number of active members continues to go down, we are seeing a slight slowdown in number of people leaving. While noting declines in various areas, the statistics also reported a slight increase in the number of youth professions of faith and professions of faith & reaffirmations. According to the numbers, youth professions increased from 5,319 in 2020 to 5,708 in 2021, while reaffirmations and professions of faith rose from 9,210 in 2020 to 10,921 in 2021. These numbers are both well below pre-pandemic levels, as 2019 saw 9,023 youth professions of faith and 21,408 professions of faith and reaffirmations. The challenge for the PC(USA) and other Christian denominations is reaching and retaining young people, developing new leaders for tomorrows church, said Nelson, as quoted in the announcement. I am encouraged to see this turning around and it will be imperative that we find new ways of being church in the years to come. Approximately 82% of the churches in the PC(USA) submitted data for the report, representing 91% of all denominational membership. Over the past couple of decades, as with most other religious groups in the U.S., PC(USA) has experienced a considerable decline in its membership and number of congregations. In 2011, the mainline denomination slipped below the 2 million active member mark, while in 2014 PC(USA) saw its total number of congregations go below the 10,000 mark. One factor in its decline has been its increasingly theologically liberal stance on LGBT issues, which has prompted hundreds of congregations to leave in protest in recent years. In 2010, the PC(USA) voted to allow presbyteries to ordain non-celibate homosexuals and changed its definition of marriage in 2015 from "a man and a woman" to "two people, traditionally a man and a woman." In 2019, PC(USA) church in Virginia ordained the first clergy candidate who identified as gender nonbinary. Jemar Tisby chides Grove City College for calling his invitation to speak in chapel 'a mistake' Jemar Tisby, a well-known Christian author and president of The Witness, a multimedia platform about race, religion, politics and culture, chided leaders of Grove City College in Pennsylvania for calling a decision to allow him to speak in the schools chapel about race in 2020 a mistake. A special GCC committee comprised mainly of board members of the unaffiliated Christian liberal arts college released a 23-page report on April 13. They defended the college from allegations of mission-drift. The move came after the college was accused in a petition launched by a group of parents and former students of promoting critical race theory. Grove City College has not changed. It remains a Christ-centered, conservative institution. GCCs Board and president are firmly committed to its historic vision, mission, values, and character, the committee wrote. In the report, the committee members highlighted the dangers of critical race theory and several reasons the theoretical framework is incompatible with a biblical worldview. The report also cited what it considers to be several missteps that led to the theorys promotion on campus, including allowing Tisby, whose works include The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism, to speak at the chapel. Most of those in GCC leadership with whom we spoke observed that the Jemar Tisby that we thought we invited in 2019 is not the Jemar Tisby that we heard in 2020 or that we now read about. They allow that, in hindsight, inviting Mr. Tisby to speak in chapel was a mistake, the committee wrote. And they say that in the future, such speakers should be treated as one of the many guest lecturers that visit campus to teach a class or speak in a lecture hall; inviting anyone to speak in chapel appears to place the Colleges stamp of approval on the speakers message. Critical race theory is a framework through which some scholars seek to understand how victims of systemic racism are affected by cultural perceptions of race and how they can represent themselves to counter prejudice. Scholarship on the theory, which is mainly taught in law schools, traces racism in America through the legacy of slavery, the civil rights movement and recent events. In his speech at GCC in October 2020, Tisby urged his audience to join the racial justice movement. His speech came just months after an explosive racial reckoning was triggered worldwide by the killing of African American George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that May. The morning of the chapel presentation, I made the settled determination not to douse the fire in my bones. Instead I drew inspiration from the Black church tradition and its hallmark of powerful, poetic, and prophetic preaching, Tisby wrote in op-ed on Substack last Friday. I went on to explain the urgency of the racial justice movement happening in our midst, and the need to address anti-Black police brutality, he added. I spoke of the complicity and compromise with racism that many Christians had displayed in previous eras, and how we as followers of Christ had to make a decision about whether we would stand on the side of justice in our day. He said that after his speech, students applauded and the majority of those with whom I spoke in the next few moments expressed support. Tisby wrote that he was surprised that he was branded in the petition from parents and alumni as an outspoken apologist for CRT. Im an outspoken apologist for CRT? No. I have studied history. Looking at the sordid acts of cowards who called the name of Christ and compromised with racism is what informs my views, he stressed. This group of parents and former students perpetuates the pernicious practice of labeling virtually any language or concept about race and justice as Critical Race Theory. After reactions from GCC President Paul J. McNulty and faculty members of Grove City College writing a response decrying the college's handling of the outrage from parents, the schools board of trustees formed a committee to review the situation and produced the report released earlier this month. The entire report reeks of fear and a reactionary posture inimical to the educational mission of a college or university, Tisby said. The committee cited racial separatism as a bogeyman even as they paid no attention to the racism that Black people and other people of color experience on a daily basis. A level of prejudice that necessitates we form spaces of refreshing and flourishing (hence the entire existence of historically Black churches and denominations), he added. In reaction to the claim that he had changed his views between 2019 and 2020, Tisby argued that it could be the leaders of the college who changed to appease their audience. Perhaps it is not I who changed, but the leaders at Grove City College, he wrote. Perhaps the social and political climate of the nation has caused institutions to more clearly declare their allegiances and some, such as Grove City College, have chosen to side with the forces that conserve business-as-usual when it comes to race. Christian group decries Turkeys life sentence for human rights advocate A U.S.-based Christian group has criticized Turkey's sentencing of human rights activist Osman Kavala to life imprisonment on charges of purportedly attempting to overthrow the government. Kavala, a 64-year-old philanthropist and human rights advocate, has called for the protection of non-Muslim cultural sites, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and the protection of religious minorities, International Christian Concern said in a statement Tuesday. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on Monday after he was convicted of trying to overthrow the government by financing protests in a case that was seen by Western powers as being politically motivated, Reuters reported, adding that seven others got 18 years for aiding an attempt to overthrow the government. The U.S. State Department called the sentencing deeply troubling and disappointing. His sentence is being seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogans defiance of warnings issued by Western countries last year. We again call on Turkey to release Osman Kavala, in keeping with European Court of Human Rights rulings, as well as to free all others arbitrarily incarcerated, it said in a statement. We remain gravely concerned by the continued judicial harassment of civil society, media, political and business leaders in Turkey, including through prolonged pretrial detention, overly broad claims of support for terrorism, and criminal insult cases. Authorities first detained Kavala in October 2017, accusing him of involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. In 2019, the European Court of Human Rights ruled for Kavalas release. He was acquitted in 2020 of those charges, but the ruling was later overturned and combined with other charges in the 2016 coup attempt. And now, Kavalas sentencing comes one day after the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, which was committed in the early 1900s by Turkish authorities who remain in aggressive denial regarding these events, International Christian Concern noted. Osman Kavala has endured multiple hardships because of his human rights activism which only seeks the betterment of Turkeys religious minorities, ICCs President Jeff King said. His sentencing sends a warning to anyone who wishes to raise awareness about the human rights challenges experienced in Turkey. The timing of this announcement sends a particularly dire warning to the survivors of the Armenian genocide, who only just yesterday experienced multiple pressures from the authorities for commemorating the event, King added. Kavala continually advocated for more dialogue surrounding the Armenian Genocide, an Ottoman-era genocide that killed and displaced an estimated 2 million Armenian Christians, ICC said. In 2007, following the murder of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink by a Turkish nationalist, Kavala pushed for greater reconciliation between Turks and Armenian Christians. Last April, when President Joe Biden referred to the mass atrocity perpetuated by Ottoman-era Turkish authorities against Armenian Christians as a genocide, ICC had noted that designation was significant because the Turkish government has failed to take responsibility and has actively denied their role in this, allowing them to pursue genocidal policies against Armenians such as in Nagorno-Karabakh, a conflict that started in the 1980s when the Soviet Union began to fall apart. The Nagorno-Karabakh region, a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, is recognized internationally as part of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan even though it has a majority Armenian population and is controlled by ethnic Armenians. Turkey supported Azerbaijans aggressions against Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, ICC said at the time. Azerbaijani troops alongside Turkish-paid Syrian mercenaries invaded the region and took control after a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement in December, ICC added. Evidence of violence against Armenian civilians and destruction of religious sites during this conflict suggests some religious and ethnic hatred toward Armenian Christians still held by many, reminiscent of the genocide over a century ago. ICCs Advocacy Director Matias Perttula explained that Armenian Christians continue to suffer because of the systematic Ottoman campaign of 1915, and the United States owes it to the Armenian community to stand with them in solidarity by recognizing their suffering. As heirs to the oldest Christian nation, Armenians are an integral part of the global community of Christians and ought to enjoy freedom from persecution, Perttula added. SC Gov. McMaster signs bill protecting churches from forced closure during pandemics South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has signed a law that prohibits the state from placing greater restrictions on houses of worship than essential services during a state of emergency. McMaster signed House Bill 3105 into law on Monday, which states that the government may not limit the ability of a religious organization to continue operating and to engage in religious services during a state of emergency to a greater extent than it limits operations or services of other organizations or businesses that provide essential services. The legislation goes on to say that the state can require a religious organization to comply with neutral health, safety, or occupancy requirements during a state of emergency provided they are applicable to all organizations or businesses providing essential services and do not impose a substantial burden on religious services unless a compelling state interest exists. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a law firm that has represented many churches that sued states over the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that were considered unconstitutional, celebrated the news of the South Carolina law being signed. ADF Legal Counsel Greg Chafuen said in a statement released Tuesday that the First Amendment prohibits the government from treating houses of worship and religious organizations worse than shopping centers, restaurants, or gyms. This bill takes the modest step of ensuring that officials cannot use a public crisis to discriminate against religious operations in violation of the Constitution, stated Chafuen. We commend Gov. McMaster and the South Carolina Legislature for taking action to defend religious freedom in South Carolina. Chiefly sponsored by state Rep. Richard Yow of Chesterfield, HB 3105 passed the South Carolina Legislature earlier this month, with a vote of 39-2 in the Senate and 102-9 in the House. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many state and local governments were accused of treating churches worse than comparable secular entities when issuing lockdown policies aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. In November 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo that New York had unfairly singled out certain religious groups in its gathering restrictions. Members of this Court are not public health experts, and we should respect the judgment of those with special expertise and responsibility in this area. But even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten, concluded the majority. The restrictions at issue here, by effectively barring many from attending religious services, strike at the very heart of the First Amendments guarantee of religious liberty. Earlier this month, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed a similar law, which exempted houses of worship from specific emergency measures unless such houses have become unsafe to a degree that would justify condemnation in the absence of a state of emergency. USCIRF laments 'disastrous downward spiral' for religious freedom in Afghanistan WASHINGTON For the first time in 20 years, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is recommending that the U.S. State Department designate Afghanistan as a country of particular concern as the Talibans takeover has led to a surge in the persecution of religious minorities. At a press conference on Monday, USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza spoke about the 2022 Annual Report, which highlights both state and non-state actors that are engaged in the most egregious violations of religious freedom. USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. advisory body dedicated to promoting the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad, she said, explaining that the annual report classifies countries as either a country of particular concern or placement on a special watch list. USCIRF has been authorized to compile reports on violators since the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The report classifies countries as either a country of particular concern or placement on a special watch list. Maenza defined countries of particular concern as countries whose governments engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. Meanwhile, countries recommended for placement on a special watch list meet two but not all three of the systematic, ongoing and egregious categories, she said. The religious freedom violations in Afghanistan, where conditions have deteriorated following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, loomed large in the report. Religious conditions there went into an immediate and disastrous downward spiral following the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021 and the immediate takeover by the Taliban," Maenza said. "While we had long been concerned about conditions in Afghanistan, the Talibans return to power has had a chilling impact on religious freedom and [the] broader human rights environment. Given this precipitous decline in 2021, USCIRF has taken the steps of recommending in this years annual report that the State Department designate Afghanistan under the de facto rule of the Taliban as a country of particular concern, or a [CPC] state, she added. USCIRF last recommended Afghanistan for designation as a country of particular concern in 2001, just before the ousting of the previous Taliban regime, which had controlled most of the country since 1996. According to the report, Afghans who do not adhere to the Talibans harsh and strict interpretation of Sunni Islam and adherents of other faiths or beliefs are at risk of grave danger. Reports indicate that the Taliban continue to persecute religious minorities and punish residents in areas under their control in accordance with their extreme interpretation of Islamic law. USCIRF has received credible reports that religious minorities, including nonbelievers and Muslims with differing beliefs from the Taliban, were harassed and their houses of worship desecrated," the report adds. "By years end, the one known Jew and most Hindus and Sikhs had fled the country. Christian converts, Bahais and Ahmadiyya Muslims practiced their faith in hiding due to fear of reprisal and threats from the Taliban and separately from the Islamic State-Khorassan Province. While Maenza praised the Biden administration for its continued prioritization of international religious freedom during the first year, she pushed for stronger condemnation of religious freedom violations in Nigeria. The State Department labeled 10 of the 15 countries USCIRF recommended for designation as countries of particular concern on its November 2021 list of such countries, but Nigeria and Afghanistan were two of the five additional countries singled out as religious freedom violators that did not make it onto the list. In addition to Afghanistan and Nigeria, the countries USCIRF also recommended for designation as countries of particular concern that did not make it onto the State Departments official list were India, Syria and Vietnam. Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan comprised the State Departments list of countries of particular concern, which overlapped with USCIRFs recommendations. The report urged the Biden administrations State Department to add nine additional countries to its December 2021 Special Watch List, which already includes Algeria, Cuba and Nicaragua. USCIRF recommended the addition of Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Turkey and Uzbekistan to the Special Watch List. A third category, entities of particular concern, listed nonstate actors that engage in particularly severe violations of religious freedom, according to the report. This year, the list of nine EPCs consisted of al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Houthis, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban. During the press conference, USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava said, this year, we actually did not have any dissents on any of the chapters in the report. Bhargava remarked that the absence of dissents reflected that the commissioners agreed on recommendations that were made in the report. Maenza reported that traditionally, all chapters in the report are approved by a majority vote. The unanimity surrounding the recommendations in the report is notable because the commissioners represent different religious, political and professional backgrounds. USCIRF currently consists of three members appointed by Republicans and five appointed by Democrats. Commissioners include Republican-appointed Tony Perkins of the socially conservative think-tank Family Research Council, a Christian; Democrat-appointed Khizr Khan, a Muslim; and Democrat-appointed Sharon Kleinbaum, a Jewish rabbi. The report is nearly 100 pages long and devotes about 1,800 words to each of the 27 countries recommended for designation as either a country of particular concern or for placement on the special watch list. Maenza mentioned that USCIRF compiles longer, more in-depth reports about specific countries throughout the year. In a statement released Friday, Maenza said they were "disheartened by the deterioration of freedom of religion or belief in some countries especially Afghanistan." "Religious minorities have faced harassment, detention, and even death due to their faith or beliefs, and years of progress toward more equitable access to education and representation of women and girls have disappeared. Federal judge temporarily blocks Biden admin. from ending Title 42 border policy A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Biden administration from ending Title 42 restrictions enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic aimed at limiting asylum seekers who can apply for protection at the U.S. and Mexico border. Judge Robert Summerhays, a Trump appointee, granted a motion for a temporary restraining order preventing the Biden administration from lifting Title 42 rules issued under the Trump administration in March 2020. A lawsuit against the administration's plan was filed by Missouri, Louisiana and Arizona. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced the restraining order on Monday. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention implemented the measure to limit the number of asylum seekers applying for protection at the U.S. and Mexico border. But the CDC announced its decision to end the order on April 1, with the Biden administration intending to implement the termination on May 23. "Today, the Court announced its intention to grant a temporary restraining order in Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona's lawsuit against the Biden Administration over their planned suspension of Title 42," Schmitt wrote. "This temporary restraining order is expected to keep Title 42 in place until further court proceedings, a critical win for border security and the rule of law. My Office will continue to fight to secure the border and protect Missourians." Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan, who now serves as a visiting fellow at the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, told The Christian Post the judge's ruling the right decision for health protection in this country." Homan believes Title 42 has been very successful in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and improving border security. The truth is we want to keep less infection from coming to the United States but also give border patrol more operational capability because when they close the borders, less people are coming, and that means border patrol ... can more than hold down the line, they're vigilant, to protect our national security, the former Trump administration official said. Several Democrats voiced opposition to lifting the public health directive, including Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly of Arizona. As Roll Call reported, the senators wrote in a March 24 letter to President Joe Biden that while Title 42 "should not be in effect indefinitely," it should remain in place until the administration implemented a better plan to process migrants' claims. The senators warned that abruptly ending a policy without a clear plan for replacing it would "significantly increase the strain on [Department of Homeland Security], border communities, and local nonprofits that are already near or at capacity." The senators also contend that the administration had not communicated with local government and community leaders in Arizona about changes to the policy. Last month when talking to reporters, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., also voiced opposition to lifting Title 42. "If anything we should be looking at permanency on Title 42," he said. "Maybe that would spur us to get a good immigration policy that works for Americans and secure our borders the borders have to be secure," he said. The progressive legal organization American Civil Liberties Union claimed in a March 29 statement that it believes Title 42 has been "misused as a border enforcement tool." "Our government has the tools it needs to safely screen people at the border, as our laws require, to determine whether they qualify for asylum or other humanitarian protections," the group wrote. "The CDC should resist any political interference from the White House and end Title 42 in its entirety." The CDC had voted to extend the Title 42 order in late January due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant. This past March, the CDC delayed implementing an order to rescind Title 42 until May 23 to allow Homeland Security to prepare for a dramatic increase in border crossings within the next few months. According to federal statistics submitted to a federal court earlier this month, DHS reported 221,303 total encounters at the Southwest Border during March. As CBS News reported last month, the government carried out 1.7 million deportations under Title 42. Black leaders criticize Papa Johns, Coca-Cola for supporting Black Lives Matter African American leaders with a conservative-leaning community activist organization are calling for American corporations to repent of their public support for Black Lives Matter and other organizations that are intentionally hurting communities by supporting movements to defund police departments. Pastor Marc Little, executive director for the conservative lobbying organization CURE America Action and board member of Concerned Communities for America (CCA), helped deliver a pledge last week to the headquarters of Papa Johns and Coca-Cola in Atlanta urging executives to signal support of police officers. CCA, which spearheaded the pledge initiative, aims to "equip and empower minority communities to pursue political liberation by shifting the narrative on political and social agendas via the promotion of economic empowerment, education, and social equity." Meanwhile, CURE America "advocates for conservative principles based on Christianity, Capitalism, and the Constitution," according to its website. The pledge argues that Papa John's vocal and financial support of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and its affiliates was short-sighted and did not fully contemplate the ramifications of their words and actions." Little told The Christian Post the agenda being pushed by corporations such as Papa Johns, Coca-Cola, Peloton and others is false and misleading. The narrative that corporate media would have us believe is that the black community stands against law enforcement. Thats not true, said Little. The black community realizes the reason why law enforcement is more focused in the inner cities where black and brown people live is because thats where more of the crime is concentrated. Thats just a fact." And to suggest that we want police taken out of our communities where most of the crime is committed just doesnt make any sense, he added. Little, an ordained pastor and graduate of Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, pointed to a 2020 Gallup poll that found roughly 81% of blacks want police to spend the same amount or more time in their area. Additionally, 20% of African Americans surveyed said they want more police in their areas. The pastor said thats a narrative quite different from the one pushed by mainstream media networks, particularly during the George Floyd protests and riots in the summer of 2020. The real community, the community you dont hear in Twitter, in Facebook, these platforms are controlling the narrative in our culture, theyre controlled by a whole bunch of bots and its a narrative that drowns out truth, he argues. Little called BLM leadership self-proclaimed Marxists and added that Marx himself eventually became a Satanist. He said corporate-led support for a group that has publicly espoused anti-Christian views needs to stop. Corporate America first has to stop funding things that hurt our communities. ... Thats what the pledge says, Little said. That we now realize the error of our ways, and were going to stop funding organizations that are intentionally hurting our communities by increasing the lack of safety by defunding police departments. He suggested companies instead pivot to efforts such as funding public-private partnerships, for instance, that help communities that cant afford police body cameras for officers and where funding either isnt available or city leaders don't have the willpower to stand against the forces of BLM. Little voiced empathy for employees of corporations like Papa Johns and others promoting what he described as an agenda that in many respects [that] can be determined to be Satanic. Its very real, people are dealing with it in real time, knowing the vaccine is not a vaccine, knowing the corporations they work for like Coke, Peloton, Papa Johns, who are behind an organization thats hurting our communities. He advises Christians working in such environments to connect more deeply with their convictions. What is your assignment? Are you really sold out for your assignment? he asked. Why does the Church exist? To glorify God (Matt. 5:13-16), and to make disciples of nations. So, wherever you are in the marketplace, do you understand your assignment? Little acknowledged the realities often faced by those employed in the medical profession and other sectors that often require some pretty difficult decisions. If I were working at a hospital and I was required to assist in performing an abortion, that would be my red line. I wouldnt do that, he said. But there are other sorts of environments by which, as believers, we are called to change the atmosphere, where were called to be salt and light. And how we do that really becomes the question. And so in the workplace and the marketplace, thats how we convert one coworker at a time. And then ultimately, the environment now is opposed to what leadership is doing and then what happens? Leadership doesnt have any support. Ultimately, Little believes corporate America is pushing an agenda that has little to do with capitalism or the free market and everything to do with ideological narrative-setting. Whether we wanna recognize it or not, when we look at [Critical Race Theory], when we look at the defund the police movement, these things are birthed out of radical leftist ideology that is being pushed by people who are no longer ashamed to say that they are Marxists," he argues. "We just gloss over that. Once upon a time, when you would say that, you would get a McCarthy-style hearing, once upon a time. We were running these people out of government. Now theyre allowed and theyre not ashamed. And we dont go after them anymore, why, I don't know. Probably because the people who believe as they do these are the people who have taken hold of our government and theyre not ashamed of it. Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurates a model house under Navaratnalu, Peadalandariki Iillu scheme during his visit to Pydiwada Agraharam village under Sabbavaram Mandal in Anakapalli District on Thursday. (Photos by Arrangement) Sabbavaram (Visakhapatnam): Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that with God's grace and peoples blessings, the YSRC government had resumed the housing for the poor scheme after 16 months, despite Opposition parties filing petitions in court against it. The YSRC government will give house sites to all eligible people irrespective of their political affiliations, caste and creed, the CM said, after launching the second phase of 'Pedalandariki Illu' (Home for the Poor) in Pydiwada Agraharam on Thursday and distributing pattas to beneficiaries. He also opened a model house and a statue for the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy at the planned YSR Park site at the mega layout. The CM said that the housing programme would boost economic activity, thus leading to a rise in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The housing project will generate employment in the form of 25.92 crore mandays, he added. Addressing an audience of thousands, Jagan Mohan Reddy said the government would develop the layouts with amenities such as electricity, water, parks, schools, grama sachivalayam, roads and street lights. Each house will be provided two fans and LED bulbs. While talking about the housing schemes progress, Jagan Mohan Reddy said that he had promised during his padayatra before the 2019 election to give 25 lakh house sites to the poor, but had increased it to 30.76 lakh house sites after he became the CM. Nearly 16 lakh houses in phase-1 were under construction, while 3,03,581 house sites would be distributed in phase-2, he said. In Greater Vizag, house sites were given to 1,24,581 beneficiaries under phase-2, he added. While comparing the scheme's progress with what was done by the previous government, Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "Chandrababu Naidu could not construct even five lakh houses for the poor, but built a palatial house for himself in Hyderabad as CM. Freedom from addiction Many of us struggle with problems that have such a grip on us that we feel like well never shake them off. So how do we find freedom? Bill Wilson was a polite young man on the verge of getting shipped off to France for World War I. He was invited to a party before being deployed where someone handed him his first cocktail. He took one sip, and the rest was history. By the time the 1930s rolled around, Wilson was falling apart professionally and personally. Hed failed to graduate from law school because hed been too drunk to pick up his diploma. Hed nearly lost his job thanks to an intoxicated brawl. His fortune had evaporated in the stock market collapse, and his marriage was on the rocks. Hed detoxed multiple times; hed tried pills and abstinence groups. Nothing seemed to be able to shake him free from his addiction. One cold November morning, Wilson called an old drinking buddy over, but his friend told him that hed been sober two months. I got religion, his friend told Wilson. Realize you are licked, admit it, and get willing to turn your life over to God. Not a religious man, Wilson scoffed at this recommendation. A month later, he was admitted to a hospital and detox center that specialized in the vogue treatment for alcoholism: infusions of toxic and hallucinogenic belladonna. Desperately ill and despairing after days of this treatment, Wilson finally screamed into the silence of his room, If there is a God, let him show himself! Im ready to do anything! He later would write that no sooner had he said this than a white light filled the room, the pain immediately subsided, and he felt as if the wind was blowing over him. It burst upon me that I was a free man. Bill Wilson never touched alcohol again. He would freely admit that the temptation always lingered in the back of his mind, but it no longer controlled him. He went on to co-found Alcoholics Anonymous with Dr. Robert Smith and created the famous 12 steps that have helped many people with addictions find freedom over the decades. David Wilkerson, as someone who had walked alongside many people struggling with lifelong addictions, noted, You are never ever going to get victory over any sin until you give up control, until you lay it down and say, I am not in control. I am too weak. I am helpless. I can't do it. People said, Well, Ill bite the bullet. I'm going to get back in control, and that's what many of us do when we come up against a sin. We say, Well, bless me, God, I'm going to get victory over this somehow. One more time, Lord, try me one more time! I'll get it right next time. We are seeking to get back in control... If you think that you can fight your sin you think you're strong enough or Gods just waiting for you to be good enough; you are in control; God can't do anything all the theology of preaching is in vain until you say, Lord, I am not in control. I have failed and failed. As long as I think I'm in control, I'll keep on failing. That's why Jesus sent the controller to live in you. He went on to explain that the Holy Spirit puts a check on our sinful nature and makes it even possible for us to choose something other than our sins and addictions. This is why Paul wrote to the early church, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20, ESV). In many ways, AAs 12 steps have found their success because they encourage members to acknowledge that they are powerless over their sins, that God has the power to free us, that submission to God is necessary, to examine themselves frankly and identify the patterns of behavior that built into life-altering addiction and that they must honestly confess their failures to other people who will compassionately keep them accountable. These steps are not so different from the ones that we should follow if we wish to find freedom from life-controlling sins. Only God can set us free. Only the Holy Spirit can give us the strength to not fall back into those sins or not become entangled again in them if we do backslide. Its frustrating to admit that we dont have the control over ourselves that we might wish in order to avoid being embarrassed or to maintain a good image in church or among our friends. In Christs upside down kingdom, however, freedom is found in seeing our chains for what they are and submitting ourselves to God. Scripture gives us a powerful promise in our struggles with sin. The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment (2 Peter 2:9). David Wilkerson noted, The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation. He knows how. I said, God, I don't know how. You know how. I'm not in control; you're in control. My part is to believe you with all my heart. If I surrender to you and give you everything that I am, all that I have, you're going to give me the direction. Youll hear a voice behind you say, This is the way. Walk in it His whole desire for you is that you walk in liberty. He wants us to be free to serve him to worship. He doesnt want you to come in his house feeling guilty. He doesnt want you to come under condemnation. He doesnt want you to come into his presence fearful. If we have faith that God has dominion over sins that we may be experiencing not only that, but he knows exactly how to lead us out of our addictions this should give us fortitude in our struggle. The Bible states, From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:9,12-14, ESV). David explained, Every time I try to do it myself, I'm going to back off and by faith it's an act of faith say, Jesus. I trust you have the power. You have the willingness; you have the might. You already defeated this devil. Now defeat him practically in my life right now. When we submit fully to God, then we will walk in freedom, no longer bound by the sins of the past. Stop sexually grooming children and quit gaslighting parents Evidence continues to pour in that insidious, widespread sexualization of children is taking place. As a journalist who has tracked some of this over the years, I have heard from parents whose political and religious views span the spectrum. Many contact me and are enraged, fuming over what they see happening to their kids. Such parents feel like they are going crazy. I usually assure them that, no, they are not being paranoid. What they are watching unfold with their very own eyes is real. I have compiled a sample of what has become a disturbing cultural trend. At some point it must be asked: How much do parents have to witness before they can know that these are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern? Dare we call this grooming problem systemic despite how legacy media talking heads and others are posturing over the technical definition of grooming? Here are 12 examples Ive observed: To anyone breezily dismissing the mounting concerns of parents, or to those who might think that this is limited to the fringe of our politics, how many more anecdotes do you need before you see a pattern? When might you realize that these are not random one-offs? And before anyone asks, no, you will not hear me excusing grooming in conservative spaces or in religious settings. In my estimation, thats even worse because God's name and twisted theological claptrap are often used to cover it up. Yet when parents demand that their elected officials do something about this in the schools or in the wider culture, it is frustrating when they are told that they are not being "inclusive" enough or that it doesn't technically fit the precise definition of "grooming." Parse words all you want, if none of what I've listed here constitutes "grooming," nothing does. Please, let kids be kids. Stop sexualizing them. And for the love of God and all that is decent, quit gaslighting their parents. Mission Eurasia ministry center blown up in Ukraine, hundreds of Bibles destroyed: 'God will provide' The head of a nonprofit organization working to minister to Ukrainian refugees has expressed devastation after one of the ministrys buildings was destroyed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with hundreds of Bibles demolished in the process. Mission Eurasia, a church-planting organization that trains, equips, and mobilizes national Christian leaders throughout the former Soviet Union and Israel, is one of several charities working to provide relief to Ukrainians displaced after Russia began its invasion of the Eastern European country two months ago. Mission Eurasia operates 17 Schools Without Walls in Ukraine, which are designed for training the next generation to get to the front line of the crisis ... as volunteers ... in their communities. In an interview with The Christian Post, Mission Eurasia President Sergey Rakhuba said that his organizations Field Ministries Training Center in Irpin, Ukraine, was destroyed by Russian troops late last month. Russians took it over, they used that for whatever purposes, he said. Weve heard reported they used it for their headquarters for their special forces. Additionally, he asserted that Russian troops used burned Scripture piles as shields during their shooting battles. Were very saddened by the loss, he added. Buildings can be replaced but we are reprinting hundreds and hundreds of copies of new Scriptures available into the hands of these young evangelists we train, these young volunteers we equip that continue reaching out to people who are in need. While no one who worked with Mission Eurasia was hurt in the blast because staff evacuated at the beginning of the invasion, Rakhuba lamented that some of the neighbors lost their lives due to the explosion. Dead bodies are right by the premises, he said. Rakhuba said the Field Ministries Training Center was a nerve center for new innovations, mission, strategic planning, [and] training where thousands and thousands of young leaders went through training. Rakhuba said there were lots of tears shed after we got the news" of the building's destruction but remains confident that God will continue providing. He vowed to continue bringing the Gospel to tens of thousands of devastated refugee families. Part of Mission Eurasias response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been to provide spiritual comfort. The group launched the Ukraine Crisis Prayer Initiative, which consists of a network of people who pray about the situation in Ukraine daily. Once a week, we have a Zoom meeting, Rakhuba stated. On a weekly basis, we present a number of prayer requests related to this ongoing war and related to our ministry, he continued. Through this prayer initiative, were encouraging people to get connected, to continue praying, praying for all the needs related to hardships due to this continued invasion, continued war. Mission Eurasia is also working to provide humanitarian relief to those displaced by the war. The charity organization has established refugee assistance centers in Warsaw, Krakow and Moldova in addition to four large food distribution hubs in four major locations in western Ukraine. Rakhuba recently spent nearly two weeks in Ukraine and Poland, returning to the United States ahead of Easter weekend. As a native of Ukraine who now lives in the U.S., Rakhuba has family members who've evacuated the country. He mentioned that his nieces, who are in their mid-to-late 30s, are abroad now after he helped to evacuate them and their families. However, the men in his extended family are still staying in Ukraine because they are heavily involved in this humanitarian relief. Rakhuba said food is the greatest need facing Ukrainian refugees at this time because food supply is totally blocked or paralyzed by the war activity. Rakhuba has a team delivering a large semi-truck with 20 tons of food to one of the northern Ukrainian cities close to the Russian border. We obtained food in large quantities from neighboring countries like Poland, Hungary, Romania and bring them to these large food packaging centers where volunteers mobilized by Mission Eurasia put them in family-sized food packages, he announced. It costs Mission Eurasia $50 to purchase food, to sort it, to put it packaged in this food package and also include a copy of the Scripture. Rakhuba estimated one family food package sustains a family of four or five at least for one week, or even longer. He rejoiced that his organization was able to place 20,000 food packages into the hands of needy families. He expressed a desire to compile an additional 50,000 packages in the next three months. Rakhuba attributed the efforts to provide food to Ukrainian refugees to support from organizations here in the [U.S.], Canada [and] other countries that share resources. Rakhuba praised churches for working to accommodate evacuees in need of shelter. He said church sanctuaries on the weekdays turn into shelters but on Sunday, continue to serve as places of worship. Rakhuba said medical assistance is another need facing Ukrainian refugees. He mentioned that Mission Eurasia has raised $4.8 million as part of its relief efforts. BOISE, Idaho (AP) Bell Semiconductor has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against computer chipmaker Micron Technology. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court contends that Boise, Idaho-based Micron is using without authorization a process for making semiconductor devices developed and patented by Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based Bell Semiconductor. Bell Semiconductor is a technology and intellectual property licensing company. The patent cited in the lawsuit involves a layering process for fabricating semiconductor devices that has allowed the devices to become smaller, dramatically increasing their performance. Bell Semiconductor, called Bell Semic in the lawsuit, is seeking a jury trial, unspecified financial damages and a court order from the court barring Micron from using the process. Bell Semic is entitled to recover from Micron all damages that Bell Semic has sustained as a result of Microns infringement of the 259 patent, including without limitation and/or not less than a reasonable royalty, the lawsuit said. Micron spokeswoman Lara Krebs in an email Thursday said the company does not comment on ongoing litigation. Micron is one of Idaho's largest employers and the nations second-largest semiconductor maker, with product development sites in five other states and eight countries. The company in December announced plans to build a 500-worker memory design center in Georgia. Celebrity chef David Changs fried chicken pop-up, Fuku, returns to Houston starting April 29 after a tumultuous debut in the city last year. This time, it's sticking around for good with no planned end date. The acclaimed fried chicken sandwich began as a secret item at Changs lauded New York City restaurant Momofuku Noodle Barnot appearing on the menu, diners had to know to ask, a stunt that creates hype around trendy foods. Now called Fuku, the concept offers a range of dishes from spicy fried chicken sandwiches to waffle fries. It has two storefronts in New York and outposts in stadiums and arenas across the country. In April 2021, Houstonians were excited to get a taste of the famous sando when it announced its arrival in the Bayou City. But the pop-up was widely regarded as a disaster, with customers reporting three-hour wait times, cold food and missing items. The most curious allegations included a side portion with a mere four fries, and an order arriving a full day late. At the time, Fuku CEO Alex Munoz-Suarez apologized for the issues and told Eater Houston that order volumes at REEF vessels were significantly greater than anticipated, referring to the delivery platform they worked with. Fuku So, whats changed this year that will make Fuku run smoother in Houston? Munoz-Suarez confirmed Fuku received an overwhelming response last spring, and when asked how the company would operate differently in this latest iteration, he simply pointed to a change in partners. Fuku is committed to working with operating partners like Kitchen United that have proven track records of keeping up with delivery demand, minimizing wait times, and maintaining the highest brand standards, Munoz-Suarez said in a statement to Chron. We continue to work together with Kitchen United to ensure we're always delivering the best possible guest experience. Kitchen United MIX describes itself as a to-go food hall hosting restaurants in California, Texas, New York, Chicago and Arizona. Fuku and Kitchen United debuted their first location in Santa Monica, Calif., in December 2021. It does not appear to be garnering any widespread criticism similar to what the brand faced last year. Beginning April 29, Houstonians will be able to order from Fukus Kitchen United MIX location inside the Kroger at 1035 North Shepherd, for both pick-up and delivery; orders can be placed in person or through KitchenUnited.com. The food will also be available on UberEats, DoorDash, Grubhub and Postmates. Fuku and Kitchen United are planning to open 20 more outposts across the country. Munoz-Suarez promised Fuku would be back better, crispier, and spicier than ever. Lets see how that holds up. For small-business owners, preparing an income tax return is far from simple, which can increase the chances of making a mistake. Here are six steps that small-business pros say you can take to cope with that hair-on-fire feeling of discovering an error after youve filed plus how to get things fixed quickly so you can go back to running your business. 1. DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR WORK If you suddenly think somethings wrong with the tax return you already filed, make sure there is in fact a mistake before taking further action. Go back to the original preparer and verify what youre seeing first, says David Klasing, a certified public accountant and attorney in Irvine, California. Dont just assume the return is off, because your analysis could be wrong. Also, make sure you gave the preparer accurate information, says DeLisa Clift, who is a mentor with the Savannah, Georgia, chapter of SCORE, a national nonprofit that offers free resources to business owners. 2. STAY CALM If all youve done is make a simple math error, the IRSs automated systems may catch it, fix it and send you a letter saying so, Clift says. If the math error means you underpaid or overpaid, the IRS will let you know that, too, she adds. If you cant afford an extra tax bill right now, you may have time because the IRS offers payment plans that let people pay in installments. 3. FIGURE OUT WHOS GOING TO FIX THE MISTAKE If theres indeed an error on your tax return and its more than just you forgot to carry the one figure out who will do the fixing. Your contract with your tax preparer may detail whether you or the preparer has to handle the work, Clift says. You really shouldnt incur a cost if someone else has prepared your tax return for you, she says. 4. AMEND YOUR TAX RETURN Amending your tax return means filling out either an IRS Form 1040-X or an 1120-X, depending on your business structure. Dont try to DIY it, Klasing says. The preparation of a proper amended return involves so many steps that are counterintuitive, he says. Some of those steps include showing where and how your tax return changed, providing documentation explaining why youre amending your return , then remembering to actually amend your state tax return by filling out the new separate paperwork, if necessary. 5. GET READY TO PAY If the mistake resulted in you underpaying the IRS, the IRS may hit you with interest and penalties in addition to the taxes you mistakenly didnt pay. However, the IRS may give you a break on the penalties. Reasonable reliance on a professional is grounds for penalty abatement, Klasing says. But good luck getting your preparer to admit to an error. If you can get the preparer to throw himself under the bus and say, You know what? This is my error, not the clients error, youve got two things: Number one, you got grounds for penalty abatement; number two, youve got grounds for a malpractice claim. Thats why its so rare for them to do it, he says. 6. RESTRATEGIZE YOUR FILING HABITS Once youve fixed the error on your tax return, work on avoiding a repeat for next year. First, consider setting aside more time to review your return before filing it. In the eyes of the IRS, youre personally responsible for everything on your tax return even if someone else prepared it, Klasing says. Preparers make errors all the time, but you were under a duty to find those errors before you filed, he says. Second, you may want to review your relationship with your tax preparer. Some tax preparers may apply deductions or tax credits that you might find dubious, according to Klasing. They feel if they get the lowest tax liability in town, theyre going to have a line around the block, he says. It happens all the time. _______________________________________ This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Tina Orem is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: torem@nerdwallet.com. RELATED LINKS: NerdWallet: IRS Payment Plan or Installment Agreement: Tax Payment Options & How They Work NerdWallet: Form 1040-X, Amended Tax Return: What It Is and How to File One NerdWallet: Hit With a Tax Penalty? The IRS Might Give You a Do-Over NerdWallet: A Tax Guide for Small-Business Owners SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A South Korean army captain and a businessman have been arrested and indicted for allegedly stealing military secrets under the direction of a North Korean spy who lured them with cryptocurrency, Seoul officials said Thursday. Both have been formally charged with violating South Koreas anti-Pyongyang national security law, though authorities havent established the whereabouts of the North Korean spy, police and prosecutors said. The army captain allegedly passed login information of a military-run computerized command and control system to the North Korean spy, the prosecutors office said in a statement. Police said the captain received a cryptocurrency worth 48 million won ($37,710) from the spy. The 38-year-old businessman, who runs a virtual asset management firm, allegedly gave the captain a wrist watch with a hidden camera to support his intelligence stealing, though he ended up using his smartphone, police said. The businessman also faces a charge that he tried to use a USB-style hacking device to obtain bigger military secrets in a possible collaboration with the army captain after getting $600,000 in the form of cryptocurrency from the spy, according to a statement provided by the Korean National Police Agency. It accused the businessman of offering financial rewards to another military officer in exchange for confidential information but that officer rejected his proposal. Police said the businessman first came to know the North Korea spy in an online cryptocurrency community six years ago and talked with him on the phone. Police said the spy separately approached the army captain. They said both South Koreans knew they were communicating with a spy from North Korea. Its the first time for South Korea to detect a North Korean espionage attempt to get a South Korean military officer and a civilian to work together to obtain sensitive information, according to the police statement. South Korea's military on Thursday confirmed the arrest of the captain, saying it will sternly deal with any attempt to undermine national security. The two Koreas remain divided along the worlds most heavily fortified border since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. At the height of Cold War rivalry, both Koreas routinely sent agents and spies to each others territory through the border, but no such incident have been reported in recent years. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Governors from eight Midwest states asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday for a permanent waiver that will allow each state to continue selling ethanol-blended gas year-round without restriction. The EPAs decision last week to suspend restrictions of summer sales of the lower-carbon, lower-cost E15 gasoline is temporary and only applies to the 2022 summer driving season. E15 is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures. The bipartisan group of governors from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin sent a joint letter to EPA Administrator Michael Reagan formally requesting the waiver. This letter sends the clear message that renewable fuels are the immediate solution to high gas prices, lower emissions, and restoring our energy independence, and we are proud to stand up and take this historic action, said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. The Renewable Fuels Association, which promotes use of ethanol, embraced the states' action. These governors should be applauded for pursuing a simple regulatory solution that will allow consumers in their states to benefit from E15s lower cost and lower emissions 365 days a year," said Geoff Cooper, the association's president and CEO. Once this notification is approved by EPA, it will mean lower pump prices for drivers in these eight states, lower tailpipe pollution, a more secure energy supply, and a more vibrant rural economy. Earlier this month, President Joe Biden traveled to corn-rich Iowa to announce that his administration will temporarily allow E15 gas, which is blended with 15% ethanol, to be sold this summer to help ease gas prices. Biden administration officials said the action will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon based on current prices, but at just 2,300 gas stations out of the nations more than 100,000. The affected stations are mostly in the Midwest and the South, including Texas, according to industry groups. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Sherry Fonseka joined millions in 2019 in electing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a military strategist whose brutal campaign helped end Sri Lankas 30-year civil war 10 years earlier. Now he is one of thousands who, for weeks, have protested outside the presidents office, calling on Rajapaksa and his brother, Mahinda, who is prime minister, to resign for leading the country into its worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948. With the island teetering near bankruptcy, Fonseka, who owns a small garment business in the capital, Colombo, has resorted to spending his own savings to pay the salaries of his 30 employees. But he knows he will soon have to let them go and is clear about who is to blame. All of us thought we made the correct decision (to elect Rajapaksa), but weve realized we were wrong. We should have the backbone to tell people, and the world, that we made a mistake, he said. In recent weeks, protests have erupted across the country demanding that Rajapaksa quit. The protests highlight the dramatic fall of the Rajapaksas from Sri Lanka's most powerful political dynasty in decades to a family grasping to retain power. Despite accusations of atrocities during the civil war, Gotabaya and Mahinda, who was previously president, remained heroes to many of the island's Buddhist-Sinhalese majority and were firmly entrenched at the top of Sri Lankan politics before the revolt by previous supporters like Fonseka. The pendulum has swung from its all about the Rajapaksas, they are the people who saved this country, to it is because of the Rajapaksas that the country is now ruined, said Harsha de Silva, an economist and opposition lawmaker. The unravelling of Sri Lankas economy has been swift and painful. Imports of everything from milk to fuel have plunged, spawning dire food shortages and rolling power cuts. People have been forced to queue for hours every day to buy essentials. Doctors have warned of a crippling shortage of life-saving drugs in hospitals, and the government has suspended payments on $7 billion in foreign debts due this year alone. The Rajapaksas, like an octopus, have held on to every aspect of public life in Sri Lanka, de Silva said. They have been running it as if it was their kingdom. They wished and they did - thats how it was and people were with them. President Rajapaksa has defended his government, partly blaming the pandemic and Russias war in Ukraine. This crisis was not created by me, he said in a speech last month, adding that his government was working hard on solutions. They include approaching the International Monetary Fund and World Bank for assistance, after repeated calls to do so. But as protesters seethed, the president and prime minister have changed tact in recent weeks. They have admitted to mistakes they made that exacerbated the crisis, such as implementing a short-lived ban last year on importing chemical fertilizers that badly hurt farmers and conceding that they should have sought a bailout sooner. Influential Buddhist monks have urged Rajapaksa to form an interim government under a new prime minister, signaling a further decline in the familys image as protectors of the countrys 70% Buddhist-Sinhalese majority. Some observers say its too soon to measure how much support for the Rajapaksas has fallen among their hardcore base, but for many their response has been too little and too late. There is now recognition across the government of several missteps, but its one thats come at a huge cost to the people, said Bhavani Fonseka, a senior researcher at the Colombo-based Center for Policy Alternatives. The Rajapaksas were a powerful land-owning family which for decades dominated local elections in their rural southern district, before rising to the helm of national politics in 2005 when Mahinda was elected president. He remained in power until 2015, overseeing the end of the civil war against ethnic Tamil rebels in 2009, before losing to the opposition led by his former aide. Suicide bombings that killed 290 people on Easter Sunday in 2019 paved the way for the Rajapaksas return, this time as Gotabaya launched a high-pitched nationalist campaign that tapped outrage and disillusionment with the previous government over the attacks. He vowed a return to the muscular nationalism that had made his family popular with the Buddhist majority, and also to bring the country out of an economic slump with a message of stability and development. Tourism had dropped sharply after the bomb attacks and Sri Lanka needed badly to boost revenue to service a slew of foreign loans for splashy infrastructure projects. Some involved Chinese money and were commissioned under his brothers presidency, but had failed to create profits, instead collecting debt. Just days into his presidency, Rajapaksa pushed through the largest tax cuts in Sri Lankas history to spur spending even as critics warned that it would shrink the governments finances. According to Nishan de Mel, executive director of Verite Research, Sri Lankas tax base fell by 30%. When you do something like that, you have some kind of internal analysis or document that shows why these cuts could help the economy. There was nothing of that sort, de Mel said. The move triggered immediate punishment from the global market as creditors downgraded Sri Lankas ratings, making it impossible for it to borrow more money as its foreign exchange reserves continued to dwindle. Then the coronavirus hit, further crushing tourism as debts snowballed. Analysts say the Rajapaksas response to the economic challenges underscored the limitations of their strongman politics and their familys near-monopoly on decision making, heavily relying on the military to enforce policy and passing laws to weaken independent institutions. Three other Rajapaksa family members were in the Cabinet until early April, when the Cabinet resigned en masse in response to the protests. Their entire political ideology and credibility is in serious crisis, said Jayadeva Uyangoda, a veteran political scientist. But many fear that things will only get worse before improving. A divided and weak opposition without a majority in Parliament has kept the Rajapaksas in power. An IMF bailout could see austere measures intensifying hardships for people before there is relief. Meanwhile, the focus remains on the protests, which are drawing people across ethnicities, religion and class. For the first time, middle-class Sri Lankans have taken to the streets in large numbers, Uyangoda said. They include Wijaya Nanda Chandradewa, who joined the crowd outside the presidents office on Saturday. A retired government employee, Chandradewa said he fell for Rajapaksas promise to rebuild a Sri Lanka scarred by the 2019 bombings. He said there will be one country and one law -- now there is neither the law nor the country, Chandradewa said, adding that the only option now is for Rajapaksa to quit. He showed us a fairyland and cheated us and misled us, he said. We have to fix our mistakes and build a system to bring in the right leader. ___ Pathi reported from New Delhi. South Jacksonville trustees are scheduled to meet in special session at 6:30 p.m. today in Village Hall, 301 Dewey Drive. Trustees will meet in a closed session, after which action could be taken on the appointment of Clay Johnson as temporary village clerk and compensation could be added for additional duties of the village president. Fred Savage Fired from The Wonder Years Over Multiple... Click here to read the full article. Fred Savage has been fired from his role as executive... 3 Americans die in mysterious circumstances at Bahamas resort A fourth guest at Sandals Resort on Great Exuma Island was airlifted to a hospital. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas is suing Family Dollar over the discovery of more than 1,000 rodents in a distribution facility in the state that prompted the discount retail chain to recall items purchased from hundreds of stores in the South. The lawsuit, filed Thursday by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge in state court, accuses the chain and parent company Dollar Tree of deceiving consumers, negligence and engaging in a conspiracy that allowed the infestation at the West Memphis facility to occur. This misconduct by Family Dollar Stores and Dollar Tree allowed them to maximize profits, while causing Arkansas citizens to purchase hazardous, adulterated and contaminated products," the lawsuit said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in February that it had inspected the distribution facility following a consumer complaint. Inside the building, inspectors said they found live rodents, dead rodents in various states of decay, rodent feces, dead birds and bird droppings. A Dollar Tree spokesman did not immediately return messages seeking comment Thursday. After fumigating the facility, more than 1,100 dead rodents were recovered, officials said. Family Dollar issued a temporary recall and closed 404 stores in six states Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee so numerous products that had been at the facility could be removed from shelves. Family Dollar in February said it was not aware of any illnesses related to the recall. The products included human foods, animal foods, cosmetics, medical devices and over-the-counter medications. The infestation has also prompted private lawsuits in several other states that have been filed on behalf of customers. During the news conference, Rutledge showed reporters video that a former employee had posted on social media of rats inside the facility. In one video, the former worker is trying to feed a potato chip to a large rat sitting on a stack of boxes. According to the lawsuit, state and federal inspections show Family Dollar had known of the rodent infestation at its facility since at least January 2020. Arkansas' lawsuit seeks up to $10,000 for each product that was distributed over the past two years by the facility to Arkansas consumers that was affected by the infestation, under the state's deceptive trade practices act. Rutledge is also seeking punitive damages and restitution for Arkansas consumers affected by the contamination. In her lawsuit, Rutledge also asks a state judge to suspend or revoke Family Dollar's authorization to do business in the state. We don't want to wipe out a source of groceries and medicines, but if those groceries and medicines are not safe then we need someone else providing that service," Rutledge said. ___ This story has been updated to correct that Dollar Tree, not Dollar General, is the parent company of Family Dollar. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HOUSTON (AP) The experiences of panicked concertgoers who couldnt breathe and had no clear path to escape a massive crowd surge at last years deadly Astroworld music festival in Houston are featured in a documentary released Friday. But lawyers for Live Nation, which is being sued for its role as the festivals promoter, say theyre concerned that publicity from the documentary, Concert Crush: The Travis Scott Festival Tragedy, could taint the jury pool. A gag order has been issued in the case, but Live Nations lawyers say an attorney who filed lawsuits related to the tragedy also co-produced the documentary. A spokesperson for Scott, who is also being sued, was also critical. Director Charlie Minn said he believes he has made a balanced and fair film that tries to show the public what happened. My job is to make the most truthful, honest, sincere documentary from the victims point of view. ... We need to know about these stories to prevent it from happening again, Minn told The Associated Press. Around 500 lawsuits have been filed since the Nov. 5 concert headlined by Scott, a popular rapper. Ten people died and hundreds of others were injured during the massive crowd surge. The documentary, showing in 11 Texas cities including Austin, Dallas and Houston, includes interviews with several people who survived. It also features cellphone video from concertgoers in which people can be heard repeatedly screaming for help. Its hard to explain to friends and family what we saw and what we actually went through and I think (the documentary) will give a lot of people the opportunity, if you werent there, to understand, said Frank Alvarez, who attended the concert but does not appear in the film. The film highlights what concertgoers experienced and what led to the tragedy, said Minn, who has also made documentaries about the deadly 2018 shooting at a suburban Houston high school and violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. The film suggests Scott could have done more to prevent the conditions that led to the casualties, but Minn said it isnt a hit piece toward Travis Scott. He said it also questions whether others, including Live Nation and Houston police, could have done more to improve safety or respond more quickly. Minn said Scott, Live Nation and Houston police declined to be interviewed for the documentary. Houston police are investigating the disaster. In a report released in April, a task force created by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott uncovered problems with permits for such events and called for clearly outlined triggers for stopping such a show. Attorneys for Live Nation expressed their concerns in an April letter to state District Judge Kristen Hawkins, who is handling all pretrial matters in the lawsuits. The involvement of plaintiffs lawyers in the film, and the publicity the filmmakers and producers are trying to generate for it raise significant issues about efforts to taint the jury pool, Neal Manne and Kevin Yankowsky, two of Live Nations attorneys, wrote in the letter. But the attorneys have not asked Hawkins to take any specific action regarding the documentary. Manne and Yankowsky did not respond to emails seeking comment. Live Nation has said its heartbroken by what happened but has denied responsibility. In a statement, a spokesperson for Scott faulted the documentarys conclusions that falsely blame Mr. Scott for the heartbreaking tragedy that occurred. The statement also criticized the involvement in the film of attorneys who have filed lawsuits over the disaster and said the films goal was swaying future juries and public opinion. The spokesperson did not know if Scott has seen the documentary. Mr. Scott remains focused on his philanthropic work in his hometown of Houston and in lower-income communities of color across the country, both of which are long-standing efforts, the spokesperson said in a statement. Cassandra Burke Robertson, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said she would be shocked if the judge took any action regarding the documentary because of First Amendment concerns, even with the gag order. I think the public interest here in exploring what happened and avoiding similar tragedies in the future, thats a really big interest. That is likely to outweigh the interests of the particular outcome of the particular lawsuit, Robertson said. Brent Coon, an attorney representing about 1,500 concertgoers who was interviewed in the documentary, said he doesnt think the film would impact the ability to choose an impartial jury if the case goes to trial, which could be years away. I dont think any lawyer in this case could fan the flames much to change ... what the publics perception of all this is going to be, Coon said. Robertson, who is not involved in the litigation, said the fact that one of the films co-producers, Rick Ramos, is representing concertgoers who have filed lawsuits could raise some ethical concerns. Ramos declined to comment Thursday. Andrea Gomez, a spokeswoman for Ramos, said in an email Friday evening that any profit from the documentary will go to the Texas chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a mental health organization that helped people impacted by the concert. I personally would not co-sponsor something like that during pending civil litigation. I dont think theres anything wrong with it. Its just something I wouldnt do, Coon said. Minn said the questions about Ramos participation are valid but he never hid his involvement. People have to watch the film and judge it for what that is, Minn said. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A ransomware attack hit campus computers at Austin Peay University, but school officials said it was contained. The school announced the attack in a campus alert and on social media Wednesday afternoon, calling on students and staff to shut off computers immediately. About an hour later the university said it was contained, according to media reports. The university's technology staff is investigating the incident, and the attack won't alter any schedules, the university said. Wednesday was the last day of classes, and exams begin Friday. Ransomware attackers typically seize control of a network using encryption to block access and demand a ransom in exchange for encryption codes. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that a newly created cannabis research center wont slow his review of whether he has the authority to singlehandedly legalize medical marijuana a decision that's likely to come this summer. The governor said he sees value in the cannabis center's formation, but added some lawmakers used it as a tactic to successfully block a bill that would have made medical marijuana legal. Beshear said he won't wait for the center to do cannabis studies before deciding whether to take action. I think we need to move toward legalization, even as the center gets up and going," Beshear said at his weekly news conference. "Theres a lot of research out there already. Its OK that we want to be a part of future research. But it shouldnt be used as an excuse to stall that momentum. The governor laid out a timetable for his review, which could lead to a decision on any executive action within months. Beshear instructed his legal team to analyze potential options for executive action that could create a framework to make medical cannabis available for people suffering from certain medical conditions. The governor's office has gotten 1,100 responses since setting up a website recently to receive public comments on the issue, and a medical cannabis advisory committee being formed will start gathering public input in May, Beshear said. That will culminate in a decision expected sometime this summer on whether he takes action on the long-running issue, he said. A measure creating the cannabis center at the University of Kentucky won final approval from lawmakers on the final day of this years legislative session earlier this month. In the final weeks of the session, key lawmakers resisting the legalization of medical cannabis pushed for the center as an alternative. They said it would allow more time to study the effectiveness of marijuana in treating certain ailments. A separate bill aimed at allowing Kentucky to join the majority of states that have legalized medical marijuana passed the Kentucky House but died in the Senate. Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers. The legalization bill would have strictly regulated the use of cannabis for a list of eligible conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy and chronic nausea. After his review, Beshear cleared the way for the cannabis center to open. He issued line-item vetoes to broaden the centers work and allow more leeway in picking an oversight board. The vetoes will stand since the legislature wont reconvene until January for its next regular session. The Democratic governor has received pushback from some prominent Republicans for considering executive action on medical marijuana after the legislature failed to make it legal. Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said recently that Kentuckians should be concerned that the governor thinks he can change statute by executive order. He simply cant legalize medical marijuana by executive order; you cant supersede a statue by executive order because its a constitutional separation of powers violation, Stivers said. Beshear has said he would prefer lawmakers pass a measure legalizing medical marijuana but they failed to get the job done. People have waited a long time," the governor said Thursday. "And I hear some folks trying to say Well, you shouldnt take executive action.' And they were the same folks, in large part, that prevented this thing from getting a vote on the Senate floor. MIAMI (AP) The premier of the British Virgin Islands and the director of the Caribbean territorys ports were arrested Thursday on drug smuggling charges in South Florida, federal authorities said. Premier Andrew Alturo Fahie and Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard were taken into custody by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents at Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport and charged with conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to launder money, according to a criminal complaint. Maynard's son, Kadeem Maynard, faces the same changes in the alleged scheme, according to the records. "Anyone involved with bringing dangerous drugs into the United States will be held accountable, no matter their position," DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a statement. "Today is yet another example of DEAs resolve to hold corrupt members of government responsible for using their positions of power to provide a safe haven for drug traffickers and money launderers in exchange for their own financial and political gain. Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard had been at the airport to meet Mexican drug traffickers, who in reality were undercover DEA agents, to see a shipment of $700,000 in cash that BVI officials expected to receive for helping smuggle cocaine from Colombia to Miami and New York, the complaint said. A DEA confidential source had previously met with Maynard and her son after being introduced by a group of self-proclaimed Lebanese Hezbollah operatives, according to the complaint. After Fahie became involved, it said, the BVI officials agreed to to let the smugglers bring the cocaine through the port at Tortola before continuing on to the U.S. Governor Of The British Virgin Islands John Rankin released a statement clarifying that Thursdays arrests in Florida were not connected to a Commission of Inquiry issued last year in the territory. That investigation was meant to focus on governance and corruption, not a criminal investigation into the illegal drug trade, Rankin said in a statement posted online. It isnt known whether the commission had found any suspected wrongdoing by Fahie or Maynard, but Rankin said he expects to have the results published urgently to avoid unnecessary speculation. The British Virgin Islands, with a population about 35,000 people, is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean Sea, located east of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The governor is appointed by the queen, the territorys ultimate executive authority, and acts on her behalf. The premier is the head of the government and is elected in a general election along with the other members of the ruling government. ORANGE PARK, Fla. (AP) Sheriff's deputies in north Florida fatally shot a suspect following a confrontation during a chase, officials said. The shooting happened Wednesday evening, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Twitter. They've released few details about the incident. The chase started with an emergency call in Orange Park, and deputies were later involved in a chase involving the suspect's vehicle, Sheriff Michelle Cook told news outlets. Officials have not said what the initial emergency call was about, or what led to the chase and confrontation. They also have not released a name or age of the person who was killed. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an investigation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) For a record nine years, Tina Kotek sat at the front of Oregons House of Representatives, wielding the speakers gavel as the Democratic Party increased its power in the Legislature. Now the staunch liberal is seeking the states highest position the governors seat. While the May 17 primary will determine whether Kotek will be the Democrats' standard-bearer for governor, it's also another U.S. test of which wing of the Democratic party is ascendant progressives or moderates. During the last election cycle, progressives in some of the nations most liberal cities, including Seattle and New York, stumbled as frustrated voters opted for more moderate-minded candidates. In most election years, Koteks leadership experience, accomplishments, and political allies might guarantee her a win. But with many Oregonians upset by some of the nation's strictest and longest-lasting COVID-19 restrictions, the homeless crisis, lack of affordable housing, record homicide numbers in Portland, school closures, racial injustice protests that garnered national headlines, and months of delayed unemployment and rental assistance checks, the former lawmaker faces the challenge of convincing people that she can better the state while dodging blame for where it is today. Koteks critics say shes hyper partisan, with a progressive agenda that will mainly benefit Democrats and whose broken deals have left her with many foes. But supporters, including a third of Oregon's Legislature, argue her determination and record of getting things done at times, seemingly by all means necessary make her the candidate to improve the entire state. What I think voters really want is someone who can see a problem, bring people together and solve it, Kotek recently told The Associated Press. They want to see action. Koteks path to political prominence in Oregon was far less direct than taking Interstate 5 from Portland to the Statehouse in Salem. The daughter of a middle-class family whose parents are first-generation Americans after her grandparents immigrated from Eastern Europe, Kotek was raised in York, Pennsylvania, the seat of a conservative county two hours west of Philadelphia. Kotek moved to the Beaver State in 1987 and graduated the University of Oregon with a religious studies degree. In the quirky college town, Kotek was free to be herself, and she came out as a lesbian. If elected, Kotek, 55, would be the nation's first openly lesbian governor. As a University of Washington grad student, Kotek's application to live in married student housing with her then-partner was denied. At the time, same-sex marriage was illegal in the state. Kotek helped force the school to change its policy, and was introduced to activism. It was my first aha moment of like, You can change the world, Kotek said. Kotek worked in nonprofit organizations before her election to the House, representing north Portland, in 2006. In 2012, her colleagues elected her House Speaker. While Kotek's sexual orientation and political views produce backlash, one of the biggest obstacles she has faced is sexism, describing the Legislature as a bit of an old boy network. What Ive noticed for myself and my women colleagues is we all, I think, feel like we need to work harder and be at the top of our game all the time," she said. Because we are trying to prove something. If elected, she would be the third woman governor in Oregon history. While shes been endorsed by nationally-recognized women in politics including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, she doesnt have a coveted nod from the first woman to lead the state, Barbara Roberts, who was elected in the early 90s. Roberts endorsed Koteks biggest Democratic challenger, Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read. Oregon needs a governor with a statewide record of tackling tough issues, delivering results, and fighting for Oregonians living in every corner of this great state, Roberts said in a statement issued through Reads campaign. Before resigning from the Legislature this year to run for governor, Kotek steered and passed ambitious progressive agendas made possible by Democratic supermajorities, including the nations first statewide rent control, gun storage laws, criminal justice reform, paid family leave, and a requirement for metro counties to transition to clean diesel engines by 2025. Tina doesnt just talk about the issues impacting our communities, she gets to work, said Carmen Rubio, Portland City Commissioner. Cutting deals and whipping the vote have helped Kotek pass laws. In 2019, a bill reining in pension costs failed before Kotek intervened to get two more votes in favor, The Oregonian reported. But Koteks aggressiveness to provide results has also left a trail of distrust and political foes. In September, Kotek infuriated Republicans by rescinding a power-sharing deal. The agreement essentially gave House Republicans veto power over redrawn political maps if the minority party stopped blocking bills and halting sessions. In recent years the GOP has walked out or not shown up to work in protest. After a 2019 walkout to block a vote on a landmark economy-wide climate plan, Gov. Kate Brown deployed state police to try to round up Republican lawmakers who fled the Capitol. But Kotek voided the deal on the first day of the special session, saying Republicans werent engaging constructively. The Democrats' maps included a new sixth congressional district and were upheld in court. While Kotek said she made a tough decision in order to complete the maps in time, Republicans said they were cheated, resulting in another GOP walkout and causing further tension between the parties. She lied and broke her promise not just to us but to Oregonians, said former House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, another gubernatorial candidate. But perhaps one of Koteks biggest challenges is whether she can unite a growingly divided state. Several rural counties have discussed seceding from Oregon and joining Idaho, where their conservative values better align. Political experts describe the state as purple, with conservative rural swaths, and unaffiliated voters now outnumbering Democrats. Some say moderate, unaffiliated gubernatorial candidate Betsy Johnson will have more success. Kotek has also been thought to be too similar to Brown. Opponents have dubbed Kotek Kate Brown 2.0, perhaps hoping to taint her with the current governors historically low approval ratings. Both are liberal women who have represented Portland, identify as LGBTQ and held power as Oregon descended into disarray. But the Democrat has a simple message: Im Tina Kotek. Im not Kate Brown. ___ Cline is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. TIRANA, Albania (AP) The European Union is working hard to convince Bulgaria and North Macedonia to end their dispute and open the way for EU membership talks for North Macedonia and Albania, a senior EU official said Thursday. Oliver Varhelyi, the EU s enlargement commissioner, was visiting Tirana, the Albanian capital, on Thursday after trips to neighboring North Macedonia and Bulgaria. He said Brussels' delay in launching EU membership negotiations with the governments in Tirana and Skopje was compromising its security and trust. Bulgaria, which joined the EU in 2007, has blocked those talks from starting, arguing that North Macedonia has failed to honor parts of a 2017 friendship deal between the two neighboring countries. Bulgaria wants North Macedonia to recognize an ethnic Bulgarian minority in its constitution but disputes that a Macedonian minority exists in Bulgaria. EU's security is getting compromised and that is why we should do that (talks launch) now and our trust is being questioned, said Varhelyi at a news conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Hastening the process of admitting new members has taken on more urgency for the 27-nation EU following Russias invasion of Ukraine. EU leaders gave Albania and North Macedonia the green light in 2020 to begin accession talks, although no date was set. Since the two countries bids are linked and launching accession talks requires unanimous approval from EU nations, the Bulgarian veto has prevented both from moving forward. Rama has said Albania may go it alone in its efforts to launch EU membership talks. But on Thursday Rama said his nation would wait until June before changing our course and not wait for Bulgaria infinitely. The EU membership is seen as an incentive driving democratic, political and economic reforms in the volatile Balkans. Six Western Balkan countries Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are at different stages in their quest to join the EU. ___ Follow Llazar Semini at https://twitter.com/lsemini MOSQUERA, Colombia (AP) An immense layer of toxic foam has spilled and blown from a contaminated river into the Colombian city of Mosquera, often breaking into cloudlike chunks that drift with the wind along streets and into yards. Environmental authorities blame discharges from an industrial zone as well as household detergents whip up the fetid foam in the city some 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside Bogota, the capital. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Three Florida correctional officers were arrested Thursday and charged with murder in the fatal beating of a handcuffed prisoner who had thrown urine at one of the officers, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced. The guards were removing the inmate from a cell in the mental health unit of a Miami-Dade County prison on Feb. 14 to transfer him to a north Florida prison. After the inmate threw urine on the officer, they handcuffed him and a beating followed, the department said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BOISE, Idaho (AP) Jurors in the rape trial of a former Idaho lawmaker are weighing whether the case involves power in the wrong hands used to harm a 19-year-old female intern, or consensual sex after a friendly dinner date. The jury of six men and six women heard both takes during closing arguments Thursday after a dramatic three-day trial in which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying I cant do this. Aaron von Ehlinger, 39, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object both charges carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison and maintains he had consensual sex with the 19-year-old legislative intern. Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening and start again on Friday. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as Jane Doe at her request. Doe told her supervisors that von Ehlinger, who was then a Republican representative from Lewiston, raped her in March 2021 at his Boise apartment after the two had dinner at a restaurant. Von Ehlinger resigned from the House of Representatives last year after a legislative ethics committee recommended that he be banned from the Statehouse because of his conduct with Doe. When the allegations became public largely because of the legislative ethics investigation Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger's supporters. Her name, photo and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in doxxing incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the floor where where case was being heard. Over the span of three days, jurors heard graphic and sometimes harrowing testimony, including from Doe, who briefly took the witness stand before abruptly standing and leaving the courtroom. Doe haltingly described the moments the alleged assault began. He laid me down ... he removed his clothes ... he climbed on top of me ... in just his boxers. White T-shirt, Doe said. He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees. At that, she stood up. I cant do this, she said, quickly walking out of the courtroom. The judge instructed them not to consider her testimony after Doe fled before she could be questioned by the defense. During closing arguments, Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley told jurors that the case was about power in the wrong hands" used to the great devastation of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said. He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her, Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault. Words show lack of consent. Excuses of Why this shouldnt happen,' show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent, Farley said. But von Ehlinger's defense attorney Jon Cox told jurors the prosecution's case was made up of red herrings, and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story. Judge his credibility, that's all you can do, Cox said. For every assertion that the state has made, or any evidence ... Aaron has given you a, This is what happened. That, in and of itself, creates reasonable doubt." During his testimony, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, telling them the sexual contact was the culmination of a first date with the intern. She was flirting with me, so I thought, 'Why not? Go out to dinner with a person? Why not?' he said. After eating at a fancy Boise restaurant, he and Doe decided to return to his apartment, where they began making out on the couch, he said. Things were going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom, von Ehlinger said. She said Sure. We got up, held hands and walked into the bedroom. In the bedroom, things became hot and heavy, von Ehlinger said, and he stepped away to disrobe behind his closet door, carefully hanging up his suit jacket, tie and slacks, before returning to the bed. At his suggestion, Doe briefly performed oral sex, he said. He also denied carrying a gun that night, and said he seldom carries one. Very rarely, and certainly not with a suit on, von Ehlinger said. But while under questioning from Farley, he acknowledged that he described the events of that night differently in statements drafted by two different attorneys he previously hired to represent him. In those statements, he said he and Doe took each other's clothes off. He also said he generally carried concealed weapons when he did carry guns, most often a small handgun that he would place in the front pocket of his jeans or suit pants. Earlier this week, jurors heard from investigators and a nurse who performed a rape exam. They testified that Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. A nurse also testified that Doe had a goose egg on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger's grip. BOONVILLE, Ind. (AP) A southern Indiana couple faces murder charges after they allegedly failed to regularly feed their infant son and the newborn starved to death. Caylin Monroe, 23, and Jakob Scott, 22, were denied bond Tuesday during their initial hearings on charges of murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death. They are being held at the Warrick County Jail. Their two-month-old son, Silas Scott, died in February and a final autopsy report by the county coroner found the infant died due to neglect in the form of malnourishment and starvation. The autopsy showed the infant had nothing in his stomach at the time of his death. A probable cause affidavit states that Monroe said her son was born healthy, but she admitted to skipping his feedings, and said she would sometimes forget about him if he was quiet. Monroe told officers that the last time she remembered feeding the baby was after she got off work the afternoon before he died, WFIE-TV reported. Scott told detectives that the baby did not eat if he didnt cry, and he could not remember if his son had been fed on the day of his death. The affidavit shows child-welfare officials had previously investigated Monroe because of an incident with another child, after which she was required to keep a feeding log. A message seeking comment was left Thursday by The Associated Press for Monroe and Scott's public defenders. JERUSALEM (AP) Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's teenage son has received a death threat and bullet in the mail, Israeli officials said Thursday, he second such warning against the Israeli leader's family this week. The threats have come at a time of deep political divisions in Israel. In a major speech on Wednesday night marking Israel's Holocaust memorial day, Bennett had spoken out against the polarization in Israel, urging citizens not to let internal divisions rip society apart. Israeli police said that both incidents were being investigated, but gave few other details, including where the items were sent and who might have sent them. Bennett has been the target of fierce criticism from Israel's hard-line right wing since forming his governing coalition last year. In 1995, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish ultranationalist opposed to his peacemaking efforts with the Palestinians. Bennett's government is made up of eight parties from across the political spectrum, including religious nationalists, centrists and an Islamic party. It is the first Arab party to be part of a governing coalition. These parties have little in common beyond their shared animosity to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They have agreed to put aside many of their differences while focusing on common ground, such as the economy, managing the coronavirus crisis and spending on education and social services. Netanyahu, now the opposition leader, has worked hard to undermine the coalition. Critics have accused Bennett, who leads a small, religious nationalist party, of abandoning his core hard-line beliefs. One member of his Yamina party was sanctioned this week as a defector for repeatedly supporting the opposition in hundreds of votes. Another member of his party recently resigned from the coalition, leaving the fragile alliance without a parliamentary majority. Bennett formed the coalition last June after four inconclusive elections that underscored the fissures in society over key issues as well as the polarizing effects of Netanyahu's 12-year rule. In Wednesday's speech, coming on one of the most solemn days of the year, Bennett implored the nation to put aside its differences. My brothers and sisters, we cannot, we simply cannot allow the same dangerous gene of factionalism dismantle Israel from within, Bennett said. That speech came a day after his family received a bullet in the mail for the first time. The episode prompted his 17-year-old son Yoni to express his sadness in an Instagram post. Its just sad to see that real people write such horrible things, he said. To think that he lives and breathes like me but has a brain that was created by the devil is crazy. Bennett is a former top aide to Netanyahu, and Yoni is named after Netanyahu's older brother, who was killed in a famous 1976 Israeli commando raid while rescuing a hijacked airplane in Uganda. An Israeli official familiar with the matter confirmed on Thursday that the second threatening letter and bullet had been sent to Yoni Bennett. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Police have imposed a gag order on their investigation, and officials declined to say whether there were any suspects. While many indications pointed to Jewish extremists, the threats also come at a time of heightened tensions with the Palestinians following a series of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israeli cities, Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank, and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site and cross-border fighting with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. LOS ANGELES (AP) One of Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanuevas closest advisers says she was told to choose between retirement or demotion after raising questions about his handling of the investigation into a deputy kneeling on a handcuffed inmates head for several minutes. The March 10, 2021, incident was captured on video and Robin Limon, who was an assistant sheriff, said she watched it five days later with Villanueva and two other sheriffs officials, according to a legal claim -- a precursor to a lawsuit -- filed Thursday by Limons attorney. She expected Villanueva would act quickly but internal and criminal investigations of the deputy were delayed. Limon grew frustrated with Villanueva's handling of the case and overall oversight of the agency of the nation's largest sheriff's department, which has about 10,000 deputies. Things came to a head last month when Villanueva demanded she choose between two poisonous options:" retirement or a four-step demotion to the rank of lieutenant, the claim said. She instead took a leave. The reasons for the Sheriffs misconduct were twofold, to retaliate against the Complainant for being a whistleblower on several instances of illegal and other wrongful conduct and to further his cover up of an excessive use of force incident," the claim said, referring to the deputy kneeling on the inmate. Villanueva has denied any wrongdoing in his handling of the case. He maintains he did not see the video until eight months after the incident. A statement issued Thursday by the department said there would be no comment on Limon's claim. We look forward to presenting the facts in court," the statement said. Limon's claim is the second filed against the sheriff over the incident, which occurred in a county courthouse two days after jury selection began for the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted of murder for pressing his knee against George Floyds neck for up to 9 1/2 minutes. Both accuse him of orchestrating a cover-up to limit any political damage from the video Villanueva is running for a second term which came into the public domain last month when the Los Angeles Times reported on the incident and posted the video, which it obtained from an unidentified source. The Times was first to report on Limon's claim, which came two days after Villanueva held a news conference and said a criminal investigation was underway to determine how the video was leaked. He said the Times reporter who broke the news last month was part of the probe. That assertion brought quick condemnation from the paper, First Amendment advocates and local politicians. Within hours Villanueva walked back his remarks and said the agency was not pursuing charges against any reporters. The Associated Press and more than two dozen other media outlets and organizations sent Villanueva a letter Thursday saying his actions were "an affront to the First Amendment and a violation of your public trust with the people of Los Angeles. According to Limon, it was Villanueva's desire to avoid bad publicity" that led him to attempt to cover up the incident with the deputy. In the video, Deputy Douglas Johnson is shown directing inmate Enzo Escalante to move up against a wall in the courthouse. Escalante punches at Johnson and other deputies help wrestle Escalante to the ground and handcuff him. Johnson then had his knee on Escalantes head for more than three minutes, the Times reported, even after the inmate had been handcuffed, placed face-down and did not appear to be resisting. Escalante who was awaiting trial on murder and other charges was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Johnson was removed from duty months later and is under criminal investigation, Villanueva said Tuesday. Prosecutors are reviewing Johnson's case but no charges have yet been brought. Escalante has pleaded not guilty to two counts of resisting an officer. He has filed a federal lawsuit against members of the sheriffs department, including Villanueva, that alleges his civil rights were violated. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded when a Russian missile hit a 25-story apartment building in Kyiv on Thursday evening and set off a fire, which partially destroyed the first and second floors. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum NATO chief says Finland, Sweden could join quite quickly Biden seeks new powers to use oligarchs assets for Ukraine A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers After a rocket: One second and you are left with nothing Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had very substantive and warm talks on energy and defense cooperation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Zelenskyy said they agreed that damaged Ukrainian military equipment could be repaired at Bulgarian plants and then sent back to Ukraine. Another issue we agreed on was the supply of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the joint use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline to diversify energy supplies in the region, Zelenskyy said late Thursday in his nightly video address to the nation. Russia this week cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and also to Poland, two NATO members which have been among the strongest European supporters of Ukraine in the war. Although Bulgaria gets over 90% of its gas from Russia, the cutoff does not immediately put the country in dire trouble because of other potential suppliers. The Trans-Balkan gas pipeline runs from Greece through Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine. __ ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine An 11-year-old Ukrainian boy was one of at least three people wounded in what emergency officials are calling the first Russian strike in a residential area of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia since Russias invasion began. The city has been a crucial waypoint for tens of thousands of people fleeing the besieged southern port of Mariupol. The rocket strike came Thursday as parts of southern Ukraine prepared for a further onslaught by Russian forces who seek to strip the country of its coastline. Residents said at least eight homes in the modest neighborhood were damaged or destroyed. Glass shards cut the boys right leg to the bone. The injured boys father, Vadym Vodostoyev, said it just takes one second and youre left with nothing. __ KYIV, Ukraine Russia struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shortly after a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday evening. At least one person was killed and several were injured, including some who were trapped beneath the rubble, according to rescue officials. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city was hit twice, causing fires in at least two high-rise buildings. The explosions, which sent plumes of black smoke into the air, came just shortly after the two leaders held a press conference in which Guterres condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia retreated. Authorities said the U.N. chief and his team were safe. Appearing to be one of boldest attacks on Kyiv since Russian forces retreated from around the capital weeks ago, the explosions came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing number of people have been out and enjoying the spring weather. __ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines prosecutor on Thursday identified 10 Russian soldiers she accused of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, one of the wars major flashpoints that helped galvanize Western support of Ukraine. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said on Facebook that the 10 soldiers in Russias 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Ground Forces Brigade who occupied Bucha were involved in the torture of peaceful people. She did not specifically say that her office had filed criminal charges, and appealed to the public to help develop evidence. The Russian government denies it targets civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently honored the brigades work, and Venediktova said he bears responsibility for the soldiers actions as their commander-in-chief. During the occupation of Bucha, they took unarmed civilians hostage, killed them with hunger and thirst, kept them on their knees with hands tied and eyes taped, mocked and beat them, Venediktova said, adding that the Russian soldiers threatened to shoot the hostages and looted houses. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visiting Bucha on Thursday, called for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes. Ukrainian authorities have said they are investigating thousands of possible war crimes, including killing of civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture, sexual crimes and use of prohibited weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address to his nation, renewed a pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes. He added about the 10 suspects identified Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There, theyll receive retribution from our military. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. Instead of saying that the Ukrainians, equipped with some capability to resist Russian forces, are doing this, theyve got to tell their people that the United States and all of NATO is engaged, Biden said. He added that no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons and called doing so irresponsible. ___ LONDON The British government says a U.K. national has been killed in Ukraine, and another is missing. The Foreign Office confirmed Thursday that it is supporting the family of a British national killed in Ukraine. It also said it was urgently seeking further information on another Briton who is missing. The government did not provide further details. Sky News reported that the Britons were believed to have been fighting with Ukrainians against the Russian invasion. Volunteers from Britain and many other countries have traveled to Ukraine to fight, despite being discouraged from doing so by their governments. ___ ISTANBUL Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says both U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin have told him that their talks in Moscow earlier this week were positive. Erdogan told reporters before leaving for a trip to Saudi Arabia, that he held separate telephone calls with Guterres and Putin. Mr. Guterres ... informed me that the talks (with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov) were positive. In our discussion with Mr. Putin yesterday, Putin expressed the same views. Erdogan added that the Russian president had conveyed the opinion that a U.N. intervention is positive for the future. He did not elaborate. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian troops defending a steel plant that is the last Ukrainian bulwark in the key port of Mariupol say an intensive Russian bombing has inflicted more casualties. The Azov Regiment holed up at the giant Azovstal steel plant on Thursday posted a video showing people combing through the rubble to remove the dead bodies and help the wounded after the Russian bombing overnight. The Azov said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people and wounding others there. The video couldnt be independently verified. The Russian troops have pummeled the mammoth seaside plant with relentless airstrikes and artillery barrage, trying to uproot its defenders holed up in a 24-kilometer (15-mile) maze of underground tunnels, passages and bunkers. Ukrainian officials say that up to 1,000 civilians also were sheltering in Azovstal. They are demanding that Russia provides a safe exit for them under the United Nations aegis. ___ WARSAW, Poland Polands border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings into Poland from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, while there have been 904,000 crossings into Ukraine. Border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska said Thursday that the number includes people who cross a number of times because, for example, they regularly do shopping in Poland and then go back. Polish authorities say some 1.6 million refugees have applied for and received special ID numbers that will allow them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. ___ VIENNA The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says radiation levels in excavations found in the exclusion zone around the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant were well below the maximum authorized levels for plant workers. Ukraines state power company said after Russian troops withdrew at the end of March that they received significant doses of radiation from digging trenches in the area. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said Thursday that, during a visit this week, experts from his agency took measurements from excavations probably made by occupying soldiers. He said that the levels were three times or more lower than the authorized levels for workers in areas exposed to radiation. As for whether anyone was actually exposed to those radiation levels, he said: We have asked about possible exposures or situations; we havent received any answer. Although that suggested the health risk wasnt as great as feared, Grossi stressed that its not a place to have a picnic or excavate. ___ BRUSSELS Senior European Union officials say countries or companies bowing fully to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting that they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions. The Kremlin says importers should establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. They would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The officials warn that Russias central bank could hold on to the money before converting it and in essence use the funds as a temporary loan for the national economy or to prop up the ruble. The EUs sanctions prohibit any transaction with the Russian Central Bank. One official said Thursday that if the member states and the European companies apply strictly the decree it will constitute a breach of the sanctions. His job description does not allow him to be named publicly. The violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has said that companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars, as per their contract, and then notifying Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. Ultimately, its up to the 27 EU countries to judge whether the rules are being broken. Some of those countries are heavily reliant on Russia for gas. By Lorne Cook. ___ TOKYO German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending his countrys ongoing purchase of gas and other fossil fuels from Russia. Speaking during a visit to Japan on Thursday, Scholz said that it is a challenge that many European countries, including Germany, are dependent on imports of fossil resources from Russia. Scholz said his government aims to end imports of Russian coal and oil this year. He said that the same will happen for gas, but that is a process that will require more time. Asked whether he was concerned Russia might stop shipping gas to Germany, like it did this week for Poland and Bulgaria, Scholz acknowledged that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. He said this was also the reason why there no sanctions have so far been imposed on energy supplies from Russia, adding this had been decided in close cooperation with our partners who themselves are energy exporters and therefore in a different starting position, such as the United States. Scholz said: Whether and what decisions the Russian government takes in this regard one can only speculate, but it makes little sense to do so. ___ ANKARA, Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders also discussed a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that took place in Turkey on Wednesday. Erdogans office said he told Putin on Thursday that Turkeys mediation in the exchange was an indication of the importance Ankara attaches to peace, dialogue and cooperation. He reiterated Turkeys readiness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and its wish to establish peace in the region by increasing the momentum generated in face-to-face talks that were held between the two countries delegations in Istanbul late last month. It was the second telephone call between the two presidents this week. On Tuesday, Erdogan urged Putin to agree to direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is asking Congress or new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of a new funding request to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russias invasion. In remarks at the White House on Thursday morning, Biden will formally ask for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending earmarked for supplying Ukraines military, bolstering its economy and supporting the millions of refugees who fled Russias invasion two months ago. The White House said he will also seek new authorities from Congress to strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian government and those who profit from it, the White House said. Biden is asking lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. ___ MOSCOW Russia says that Turkey gave it advance notice before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory. She added that the reasons for that were clear to us and the Russian side isnt using that route. Zakharova made the comment when asked about Turkeys weekend announcement that it had halted Russian flights to Turkey over its territory from the start of this month. It wasnt clear whether the move was related to Russias military operation in Ukraine. Turkey has close relations with both countries and has positioned itself as a mediator. Russia and Turkey have backed opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. ___ SOFIA, Bulgaria Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said during a visit to the Ukrainian town of Borodyanka that he hopes Bulgarian lawmakers will agree next week to send military assistance to Ukraine. Petkov was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv later Thursday. He said after viewing damage caused to Borodyanka during the initial Russian advance that we cannot be indifferent. We cannot say that this is a Ukrainian problem, we cannot say some people are dying but we are not interested in that. He criticized the argument of some politicians in Bulgaria that denying military aid to Ukraine would bring about a faster peace. Petkov said: If this is the price of peace, if the Russian state continues to fire and no one can defend himself is this the peace we want? ___ KYIV, Ukraine Mariupol authorities are sounding the alarm about unsanitary conditions in the ravaged port city that they say pose a deadly danger to its remaining residents. Mariupol City Council said on the messaging app Telegram Thursday that deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewerage, the decomposition of thousands of corpses under the rubble, a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. It said that the lives of 100,000 people who still remain in Mariupol, out of 450,000 pre-war residents, may be in danger pointing to diseases like cholera and dysentery. The Telegram post cited Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko as saying that the invaders are not able to provide the remaining population with food, water and medicines or are simply not interested in that. He said that living conditions in the ruined Mariupol are now medieval and that an immediate and complete evacuation is needed. ___ WASHINGTON A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying its not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) A Missouri member of a far-right extremist group has pleaded guilty to a felony charge for his role in the January 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. Louis Enrique Colon, 45, of Blue Springs, pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstructing law enforcement officers, federal prosecutors in Washington said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) Montenegrin lawmakers on Thursday approved a new, pro-Western government that promised to speed up European Union integration and make an effort to bridge a deep political divide in the small Balkan nation. The government of Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic won support from 45 lawmakers in the 81-member parliament while three votes were against. Pro-Serbian groups did not attend the session. The vote came weeks after the previous, pro-Serbian government was ousted in a no-confidence motion in February. The election of the pro-Western government in Montenegro is seen as a boost to U.S. and EU efforts at maintaining stability in the volatile Balkans amid the war in Ukraine. The Balkan region is a traditional Russian area of interest and Moscow has sought to maintain a strong influence there. I am a great optimist and I believe in the bright future of our Montenegro, Abazovic told parliament. We all must make an effort so that Montenegro becomes the next member of the European Union. And we should not wait long. Montenegro defied Moscow in 2017 to join NATO. But the country of 620,000 still remains split between groups favoring pro-Western policies and those seeking closer ties with fellow-Slavic countries Serbia and Russia. Abazovic served as a deputy prime minister in the previous, pro-Serbian administration formed after a 2020 election that removed the long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists from power. Abazovic, however, later cited stalled EU integration to initiate the government's ouster through the no-confidence motion. His new government is a minority Cabinet supported in parliament by the opposition DPS party of President Milo Djukanovic. That party ruled Montenegro for 30 years until the 2020 vote. A Western ally, Djukanovic led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006 and into NATO. But his party's popularity plunged over the years, mainly over allegations of corruption. Djukanovic has alleged that pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro want to restore the influence of Serbia and Russia. Pro-Serbian parties also have enjoyed support from the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. Abazovic said in his speech Thursday that he wants to unite Montenegro's opposing factions under a vision of a democratic, corruption-free and economically prosperous nation that is part of the 27-member EU. We have an opportunity ahead of us that we must not miss, said Abazovic. Our future is a European one. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRUSSELS (AP) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Finland and Sweden would be embraced with open arms should they decide to join the 30-nation military organization and could become members quite quickly. Stoltenbergs remarks came as public support in Finland and Sweden for NATO membership mounts in response to Russias war in Ukraine. Media speculation in the two countries suggest the two might apply in mid-May. Its their decision," Stoltenberg said. "But if they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be warmly welcomed, and I expect that process to go quickly. He gave no precise time frame, but did say that the two could expect some protection should Russia try to intimidate them from the time their membership applications are made until they formally join. Stoltenberg said hes confident that there are ways to bridge that interim period in a way which is good enough and works for both Finland and Sweden. NATOs collective security guarantee ensures that all member countries must come to the aid of any ally under attack. Stoltenberg added that many NATO allies have now pledged and provided a total of at least $8 billion in military support to Ukraine. Before launching the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that NATO stop expanding and pull its troops back from Russias borders. So the prospect of neighboring Finland, and Sweden, joining the trans-Atlantic alliance is unlikely to be welcomed in Moscow. Finland has a conflict-ridden history with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border. Finns have taken part in dozens of wars against their eastern neighbor, for centuries as part of the Swedish Kingdom, and as an independent nation including two fought with the Soviet Union from 1939-40 and 1941-44. In the postwar period, however, Finland pursued pragmatic political and economic ties with Moscow, remaining militarily nonaligned and a neutral buffer between East and West. Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, choosing a path of peace after centuries of warfare with its neighbors. Both countries put an end to traditional neutrality by joining the European Union in 1995 and deepening cooperation with NATO. However, a majority of people in both countries remained firmly against full membership in the alliance until now. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) Fighting among gangs in recent days killed at least 20 people, wounded nearly two dozen and caused thousands to flee their homes, Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said Wednesday. Officials said the fighting began Sunday in four neighborhoods in the capital of Port-au-Prince, north of the international airport. At least a dozen homes were burned down as thousands of people fled their communities, with some temporarily staying in the yard of a local mayors office. The clashes come amid a spike in violence and kidnappings as gangs grow more powerful and seek to control more territory amid the power vacuum following the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. The situation has angered and frustrated Haitians, who are demanding action from Prime Minister Ariel Henrys administration, which is receiving international help to boost an underfunded and understaffed police force. A family of eight, including six children, was among those killed since Sunday, authorities said. Schools and businesses in the area remain closed as thousands of families with children temporarily stayed in a park near a local mayors office. They need water, food, supplies, said Jean Raymond Dorcely, who runs a small grassroots community organization. They had to leave with nothing in their hands. He said that the neighborhood is usually quiet and that his child often plays in the park now turned into a makeshift outdoor shelter. I can see kids crying because theyre hungry and families dont have anything to provide to them, he said, adding that needs were growing as the fighting continued. I dont know what its going to be like tomorrow. Authorities said one bullet also hit an empty United Nations Humanitarian Air Service helicopter stationed near the airport. The conflict is likely to escalate in the coming days, leading to further casualties and new population migrations, the Civil Protection Agency said. Officials warned that main roads leading to Haitis northern region could be cut off as a result of the fighting. Gang violence in the Martissant community in southern Port-au-Prince already has cut off access to the countrys southern region, which is trying to recover from last year's deadly earthquake. The Martissant violence displaced thousands of families last year that have spent months in overcrowded, unhygienic government shelters in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. It wasnt immediately clear where the newly displaced families would be staying. The Civil Protection Agency blamed this week's violence on a fight between the Chen Mechan gang and the rival 400 Mawozo gang. which was involved in the kidnapping of 17 U.S. missionaries last year. Haitis ombudsman-like Citizen Protection Office released a statement condemning the violence. It criticized political leaders, saying their inaction and silence has brought a form of cynicism or contempt for human rights, particular the right to life and security. The office also questioned whether the area known as Plaine du Cul de Sac was becoming another Martissant and called on authorities to assume their responsibility to protect citizens. ___ Associated Press writer Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report. SpaceX launches 4 astronauts for NASA to space station Xinhua) 10:19, April 28, 2022 WASHINGTON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. private space company SpaceX launched an international crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) early Wednesday, the fourth commercial crew rotation mission for NASA. The SpaceX launch vehicle, which consists of a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket topped with a Crew Dragon capsule, lifted off with its crew at 3:52 a.m. Eastern Day Time (EDT) (0752 GMT) Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft, dubbed Freedom by the mission's crew, is scheduled to dock to the space station at 8:15 p.m. EDT Wednesday. The Crew-4 flight carries three NASA astronauts - Mission Commander Kjell Lindgren, Pilot Bob Hines, and Mission Specialist Jessica Watkins, and one astronaut of the European Space Agency, Mission Specialist Samantha Cristoforetti. The four astronauts will spend several months aboard the space station conducting new scientific research in areas such as materials science, health technologies, and plant science to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit life on Earth, according to NASA. "Aboard station, Kjell, Bob, Jessica, and Samantha will carry out research investigations that will help NASA prepare for longer duration stays on the Moon - and eventually Mars," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Crew-4's launch, less than two days after the return of the first all-private mission to the station, exemplifies the spirit and success of the Commercial Crew Program to help maximize use of low-Earth orbit for years to come, testing the technologies we need for the Artemis program and beyond," said Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate. Regular, long-duration commercial crew rotation missions enable NASA to continue the important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the station, said the agency. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future exploration of the Moon and Mars, starting with the agency's Artemis missions, which includes landing the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface, said NASA. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The New Hampshire Senate on Thursday rejected two marijuana legalization bills, one that wouldve created a state-run monopoly for retail sales and another more modest plan to allow small-scale personal use and home cultivation of the drug. Both bills previously passed the House, but the Senate once again stood as a roadblock, ensuring New Hampshire for now will remain a holdout surrounded by states that have approved recreational legalization. But opponents said the fact that marijuana is legal in Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts meant nothing to them. Im not ashamed of that, Im proud of that, said Sen. Bob Giuda, R-Warren. He and other opponents said they were concerned that legalizing marijuana would lead to increases in teen marijuana use and traffic fatalities. And they rejected arguments that polling has shown that most adults in the state support legalization. It may be what people want, but its not what we as a Senate should enable them to do because it will cause harm, he said. The more elaborate bill would have given the state Liquor Commission authority to regulate and administer the cultivation and sale of marijuana in at least 10 retail stores. That plan was rejected without debate on a voice vote, while the other bill was defeated 15-9. The second measure would have allowed adults to possess up to of an ounce of marijuana and to grow up to six plants. It could be traded or given away but not sold. Sen. Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton, argued unsuccessfully that the bill was necessary to put the state more in line with its neighbors and with a more modern understanding of cannabis. She cast it as a racial justice issue, noting that Black people are disproportionately prosecuted for marijuana offenses. The so-called war on marijuana has not worked, she said. It does not make us safer, it wastes taxpayer dollars and it has needlessly ruined lives. Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said passing the bills wouldve put constituents in the middle of a conflict between state and federal law. In that fight, we know who is going to win, and its not going to be us. And people are the ones who are going to be hurt, she said. Maybe theyre all going to smoke so much pot they wont care theyll be oblivious but we care, and we should care about putting our constituents in difficult situations. New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana in 2013. The House has approved recreational marijuana bills several times since then, but the Senate traditionally has opposed them, as has Gov. Chris Sununu. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Two people have entered guilty pleas after federal prosecutors accused them of orchestrating a $4 million Ponzi scheme through a fake hedge fund, according to a news release. Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said in a news release that Austin Delano Page, 26, of Grover, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday. Brandon Alexander Teague, 26, of Belmont, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to securities fraud on Wednesday, King said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LVIV, Ukraine (AP) Ever since Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, residents sensed the occupiers had a special plan for their town. Now, amid a crescendo of warnings from Ukraine that Russia plans to stage a sham referendum to transform the territory into a pro-Moscow peoples republic, it appears locals guessed right. After Russian forces withdrew from occupied areas around Kyiv in early April, they left behind scenes of horror and traumatized communities. But in Kherson a large city with a major ship-building industry, located at the confluence of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea near Russian-annexed Crimea the occupying forces have taken a different tack. The soldiers patrol and walk around silently. They dont shoot people in the streets, said Olga, a local teacher, in a telephone interview last month after the region was sealed off by Russian forces. She gave only her first name for fear of reprisals. While the city has so far been spared the atrocities committed elsewhere, daily life is far from normal. All access has been cut off. Kherson suffers from a shortage of medicine, cash and many food products, and Ukrainian officials warn it could face a humanitarian catastrophe. With no cash deliveries to Khersons banks, the circulation of Ukraines hryvnia currency is dwindling, and credit card payments often fail to go through. Access to Ukrainian TV has been blocked and replaced by Russian state channels. A strict curfew has been imposed. Residents believe Russian troops have not yet besieged or terrorized the city as they did in Bucha and Mariupol because they are planning to hold a referendum to create a so-called Peoples Republic of Kherson like the pro-Russian breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine. Ballots are already being printed for a vote to be held by early May, Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova warned this month. In an address to the nation on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke directly to residents of occupied Kherson, accusing Russia of planning an orchestrated referendum and warning them to safeguard their personal data from attempts to falsify votes. This is a reality. Be careful, he said. Kherson Mayor Igor Kolykhaiev said in a Zoom interview on Ukrainian TV that such a vote would be illegal since Kherson remains officially part of Ukraine. Russia has been silent about any plan to hold a referendum in Kherson, with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko saying this week he knew of no such proposal. But there is reason for concern. In 2014, a disputed referendum in Crimea amid the Russian annexation was widely believed to be falsified, with results showing nearly 97% of voters supported joining Russia. A series of Russian moves this week have added to the growing sense of panic in Kherson. The mayor reported on social media on Monday that Russian troops had occupied City Hall, where the Ukrainian flag no longer flew. On Tuesday, the Russians replaced the mayor with their own appointee. Earlier, a prominent Russian commander, Maj. Gen. Rustam Minnekayev, announced plans to take total control of southern Ukraine and the Donbas, eastern Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland, with the aim of setting up a land corridor to Crimea. Ukrainian military intelligence reported that Russia intends to forcibly mobilize the local population, including doctors, in the southern occupied territories to support the Russian war effort. Kherson is a strategically important city and the gateway to broader control of the south. From Kherson, Russia could launch a more powerful offensive against other southern cities, including Odesa and Krivy Rih. Volodymyr Fesenko, a political analyst at the Penta Center think tank in Kyiv, says the Russian militarys softer behavior in Kherson is because units from Crimea and separatists from Donetsk and Luhansk, who are either ethnic Ukrainians or have close connections to the region, are deployed there. The situation outside the city, however, in the surrounding Kherson region, tells a very different story with daily reports of kidnappings, torture, killings or rape. Thousands of people have been deprived of electricity, water and gas. The situation in the Kherson region is much worse and much more tragic, said Oleh Baturin, a local journalist. It is easier for them to take control of the villages; they are defenseless. Russian soldiers have also kidnapped local activists, journalists and war veterans, according to Kolykhaiev, the Kherson mayor, who said more than 200 people have been abducted. Among them was Baturin, who was seized near his home in Kakhovka, 60 miles (90 kilometers) east of Kherson. He was held in isolation for a week and interrogated every day; the soldiers asked for the names of organizers of anti-occupation protests, as well as local soldiers and veterans. From other cells, he could hear sounds of torture. After his release he fled the occupied territory with his family. Fesenko, the analyst, says the referendum plan indicates Russias intention to occupy the region long-term. In Crimea and Donbas, Russia had the support of the local population, but this is not the case in the south of Ukraine, where Ukrainians want to live in Ukraine, Fesenko said. During the first weeks of occupation, thousands gathered daily on Khersons main square, draped in Ukrainian flags and holding signs proclaiming, This is Ukraine. Videos on social media showed people screaming at Russias tanks and heavily armed soldiers. The protests are now held weekly. On Wednesday, Russian troops used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters. Mayor Kolykhaiev said that after the warnings about a Russian referendum and mobilization there has been a panicked rush to leave. The queues of people who want to leave our city have grown to five kilometers, he said, adding that around a third of the citys 284,000 people have fled. Following Zelenskyys address to the nation, Olga sent a WhatsApp message to the AP: The situation in Kherson is tense. My family and I want to leave ... but now the Russian soldiers dont allow it at all. Its becoming more and more dangerous here. Late Monday night, Kolykhaiev wrote on Facebook that armed Russian soldiers had entered the Kherson City Council building, took away the keys and replaced the guards with their own. On Tuesday, he posted again, saying he had refused to cooperate with the new Russian-appointed administration. I am staying in Kherson with the people of Kherson, he wrote. I am with you. TYNDALL, S.D. (AP) Prosecutors are weighing whether to pursue the death penalty for a Scotland man if he's convicted of shooting five people, including three fatally, in Bon Homme County. Francis Lange, 42, is scheduled for an October trial. He's accused of killing his former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, as well as her father, Librado Monclova, and Diane Akins. Vicki Monclova and a 5-year-old girl who has not been identified, were injured in the Nov. 9, 2021 shooting at a Scotland residence. SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) A warehouse along the Savannah River is holding historical treasures that evidence suggests remained lost for more than 240 years a cache of 19 cannons that researchers suspect came from British ships scuttled to the river bottom during the American Revolution. The mud- and rust-encrusted guns were discovered by accident. A dredge scooping sediment from the riverbed last year as part of a $973 million deepening of Savannah's busy shipping channel surfaced with one the cannons clasped in its metal jaws. The crew soon dug up two more. Archaeologists guessed they were possibly leftover relics from a sunken Confederate gunship excavated a few years earlier in the same area, said Andrea Farmer, an archaeologist for the Army Corps of Engineers. But experts for the U.S. Navy found they didn't match any known cannons used in the Civil War. Further research indicates they're likely almost a century older and sank during the buildup to the Revolutionary War's bloody siege of Savannah in 1779. In a timeframe of just over a year, 19 cannons were hoisted from the same area of the river a few miles downstream from Savannah, where Georgia was founded as the last of Britain's 13 American colonies in 1733. Theyre in remarkably good shape," Farmer said. Many were buried in clay and covered by silt and debris that kind of protected them. Now officials with the U.S. and British governments, as well as the state of Georgia, are working together on an agreement to preserve the newly found guns before putting them on display. Commodore Philip Nash of the British Royal Navy, a military attache based in Washington, viewed the artifacts submerged in metal tubs of water during a visit Thursday. Some of these pieces are in amazing condition and Im sure could tell some stories, Nash said. The cannons are being kept in water to prevent further deterioration until experts can carefully clean them. Meanwhile, researchers are looking for more definitive proof linking the cannons to British ships from the American Revolution. Farmer said researchers are very confident of the connection. Savannah had been under British occupation for about a year by the fall of 1779, when colonists planned an attack to retake the city with help from French and Haitian allies. When French ships carrying troops were spotted off the Georgia coast, the British hurried to scuttle at least six ships in the Savannah River downstream from the city to block the French vessels. The land battle that followed was one of the bloodiest of the war. British forces killed nearly 300 colonial fighters and their allies, while wounding hundreds more. Farmer said researchers suspect the cannons found in the river came from the British ship HMS Savannah and possibly a second ship scuttled at the same time, the HMS Venus. The longer guns appear to match cannons manufactured in France during the mid-1700s, she said. Researchers are looking for ship logs and manifests in hopes of confirming the armaments aboard those ships. It's also possible the cannons themselves and other artifacts found at the site pieces of anchors and a portion of a ship's bell once cleaned might bear markings or other clues to which ship they belonged to. The wood from those ships, Farmer said, decayed long ago or got destroyed by prior dredging projects over a series of decades. The question of who owns the artifacts gets a little murky. They were found in state waters of Georgia during a dredging project headed by the Army Corps, a U.S. government agency. The British government could make an ownership claim if there's strong evidence the artifacts came from British ships. Farmer said all of those parties are working on an agreement to preserve the cannons and ultimately have them displayed at the Savannah History Museum, which incorporates the battlefield where the bloodiest fighting occurred during the 1779 siege. Everybody wants to keep the artifacts in Savannah," Farmer said, "because that makes the most sense. EXETER, R.I. (AP) A Rhode Island company that owns a half-built $64 million greenhouse wants a judge to reconsider the cease-and-desist order issued by an Exeter zoning inspector. The attorney for Rhode Island Grows filed a brief on Tuesday to argue that the town's zoning board disregarded the states Right to Farm Act and zoning permissions for greenhouses after it halted the project on farmer Tim Schartner's property, The Providence Journal reported Thursday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina Rep. Murrell Smith was chosen to be the next speaker of the House on Thursday with the Republican vowing to work with all members in a chamber where nearly two-thirds of the members are Republicans. The unanimous election means Smith will take over leadership of the House when the General Assembly's regular session ends May 12, handling any special sessions. If he wins reelection to his seat, he'll have to be chosen speaker again for the 2023 session. Smith was nominated by current Speaker Jay Lucas, who wanted an orderly transition. Smith sounded a lot like Lucas, who pushed for inclusion and respect, as he temporarily put on Lucas' purple robe and thanked his colleagues for choosing him. Each one of us are elected by the same amount of people in the state and every member deserves a voice in what we do here. I believe this body should operate with a spirit of collaboration and collegiality but most importantly with mutual respect for all, Smith said. Smith said he learned the lesson that everyone deserves respect and a voice from his days as a public defender, fresh out of law school. He cited former President Ronald Reagan's quote if we love our country, then we should also love our countrymen. I promise you today that I will not be the speaker for one party or one region of the state but for the entire House and all the people of South Carolina Smith said. Along with running the business of the chamber, the House Speaker decides who sits on which committees and which committee hears legislation, which goes a long way toward determining what bills get through the body. Smith, 53, was first elected to the House in 2000 and steadily rose through the ranks. He was quickly elevated into leadership and Lucas' inner circle after Lucas became speaker when Bobby Harrell's indictment forced him to resign from the leadership position in 2014. Lucas picked Smith to be chairman of the House's budget writing Ways and Means Committee, kicking off Harrell's choice. How Smith will be as speaker is evident in how he treated the members of his key House committee knowing a group works best when every member is involved, Lucas said. Lucas cited a Latin phrase used to describe the prime minister of Britain's role in Parliament as first among equals." Our peers include a diverse collection of extraordinary public servants representing all of the state's citizens. And Murrell has truly distinguished himself in this body as a first among equals,"" Lucas said. Lucas watched Smith's speech from a desk on the floor, his first trip among the body since 2014. Lucas ran a kinder, gentler House after years of rancor with Harrell, whose leadership style was rough and tumble, tended to ignore Democrats and played favorites. Smith, whose 13-year-old daughter Bee and his 8-year-old son Murrell III sat at his desk as they waited for his election, said he wants to follow Lucas' path. He refused to talk about specifics goals as speaker, saying he wanted to wait until the 125th House session starts in January. Lucas isn't the only Republican leader leaving. House Majority Leader Gary Simrill also isn't running for reelection after 30 years. He is the only Republican currently in the House who served when Democrats were the majority in the chamber. Several other longtime members have decided to leave as well. But the House will endure, Lucas said Thursday. When some of us leave this chamber and fresh faces arrive, the world will not stop. The issues our state faces will not disappear," Lucas said. "I invite this body to embrace its new chapter. ___ Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP. SEATTLE (AP) The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously rejected an effort to recall Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The justices upheld a Thurston County Superior Court decision that the charges made against Inslee did not provide factually or legally sufficient grounds to support a recall campaign. The recall petition was brought by a citizen group called Washingtonians to Recall Insleee. It alleged that the governors orders limiting activities and gatherings during the pandemic interfered with their rights. For example, the petition argued, Inslee violated the separation of powers by banning landlords from suing tenants for overdue rent; violated constitutional rights of assembly and to petition the government for redress of grievances by prohibiting public agencies from holding in-person meetings; and violated the right to assemble by limiting the size of in-person gatherings. The court, however, found that Inslees proclamations were well within his emergency powers. Governor Inslee has used his discretion to navigate this pandemic, making difficult decisions in an effort to balance the health and safety of Washingtonians with their individual liberties," Justice Debra Stephens wrote for the court. "While reasonable minds may disagree with the governors discretionary decisions, such disagreement is insufficient to support a recall. The recall backers did not explain how a temporary limitation on the ability of landlords to sue their tenants infringed on the power of the courts; there were adequate alternative means, such as telephonic or online meetings, to ensure public access to government; and restrictions on gatherings were not directed at suppressing speech but tailored to serve a substantial government interest, the justices said. Olympia resident C Davis, who brought the appeal of the superior court ruling last June, told The Associated Press on Thursday he had not yet read the Supreme Court opinion but the result was not too much of a surprise. Washingtonians to Recall Inslee is ready to support another recall effort, by a different proponent, that will make three new charges against the governor, Davis said. Washington faced one of the first known outbreaks of COVID-19 and was among the first states to implement sweeping restrictions in the early days of the pandemic. It has since eased or rescinded many restrictions, such as bans on large gatherings and vaccination requirements for such gatherings, while others, such as a mask requirement for healthcare settings, long-term care facilities and jails, remain in effect. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The mother of a 3-month-old baby kidnapped from their San Francisco Bay Area home said a woman arrested in the case met the family at church and had been spending a lot of time with them ever since she was nine months pregnant. Carolina Ayala told Spanish language television stations Wednesday that after she gave birth, Yesenia Ramirez was a constant presence at her home. She would go to my house a lot, she always wanted to be there, Ayala said in Spanish in an interview with KTST-TV, a Telemundo affiliate. Ramirez, 43, was arrested in the kidnapping of Brandon Cuellar along with Baldomeo Sandoval and Jose Portillo, who police said entered the family's second-floor San Jose apartment on Monday and took the baby while his grandmother unloaded groceries. Sandoval, who Ayala said is Ramirez's husband, was released without charges Thursday, San Jose Police officials said in a statement. Details regarding Sandovals involvement with this case have come to light and he will not be facing charges at this time, it said. Ramirez and Portillo were arraigned Thursday on kidnapping, felony burglary and conspiracy charges and are being held without bail. Attorneys with the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office, which is representing Ramirez and Portillo, did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press. Portillo, 28, was captured on surveillance video carrying a baby car seat and a small blanket and walking toward the apartment, police said. They said the motive for the kidnapping is still under investigation. On Monday, Ramirez offered to buy supplies for the baby and drove the baby and his grandmother, Victoria Mejia, to the store and back home, Mejia told the Telemundo affiliate. Police said Ramirez had been communicating with Portillo moments before he took the baby and drove away. Ayala said she was at work cleaning a home when her sister-in-law called her to let her know her child was missing. "I felt like half of my heart had left with him. I felt like I died, Ayala told KDTV-TV, a Univision affiliate. Police found the unharmed baby on Tuesday inside a home where Portillo lived. Ayala was reunited with her son hours later, a moment she described as having my soul return to my body. I cried out of joy, I cried until I got tired of crying," she told Telemundo 48. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Businesses were closed, teachers absent and public transportation interrupted as Sri Lankans heeded a call for a general strike Thursday to pressure the president to step down over a growing economic and political crisis. Business districts in the capital, Colombo, were closed, and bankers, teachers and other professionals held parades and joined the main protest site opposite the presidents office where demonstrators have gathered for weeks. Doctors and nurses said they would support the strike with demonstrations during their lunch break. Workers on vital tea and rubber plantations and in garment factories also protested. Sri Lanka is on the verge of bankruptcy with huge foreign debts and a lack of foreign currency, causing shortages of essential imported goods such as fuel, food and medicine. Doctors have warned of catastrophic shortages of medicines and equipment in hospitals. Indonesia on Thursday announced a donation of $1.6 million in medicines and hospital equipment, Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said. Protesters who have crowded the streets since March hold President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family who have dominated nearly every aspect of life in Sri Lanka for most of the last 20 years responsible for the crisis. Sri Lanka earlier suspended repayment of its foreign debts, $7 billion of which was due this year. It has foreign reserves of less than $1 billion. The resulting shortages of imported essentials have forced people to stand in lines for hours to buy limited stocks. Government officials have blamed Russias war in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic for the debt crisis and say they have been discussing rescue plans and loan repayment with the International Monetary Fund, China and others. Rajapaksa reshuffled his Cabinet and offered a unity government in an attempt to quell the protests, but opposition parties refused to join a government headed by the Rajapaksa brothers. The weak, divided opposition has been unable to form a majority and take control of Parliament on its own. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, former President Donald Trump made his feelings known that he did not want a coronavirus-infested cruise ship off the coast of San Francisco to come to shore. I like the [nations case] numbers being where they are, he said in a Fox News interview. I dont need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasnt our fault. According to This Will Not Pass, an upcoming book from New York Times political correspondents Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, Trump had earlier called California Gov. Gavin Newsom in the middle of the night complaining about the cruise ship possibly being allowed to dock. If we bring them ashore, Trump complained to Newsom, that could increase the total number of coronavirus cases in the country, Martin and Burns write in a passage reviewed by SFGATE. Newsom spoke with Martin and Burns for the book and recalled needing to talk Trump down at 4:30 a.m. California time, which is three hours behind Washington, D.C. The president was not a student of policy, Newsom knew, and sometimes he just sort of said stuff, Martin and Burns write. You had to wait him out and then ask for what you wanted which in this case, Newsom told him, was federal cooperation with bringing the boat into dock and processing the passengers for medical treatment or quarantine. The ship in question the Grand Princess was ultimately allowed to dock. Passengers and crew were removed from the ship and transferred to locations including Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield for quarantines. The book details Trumps other calls with governors in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as his highly transactional approach to the presidency. Martin and Burns report that governors found that Trump was most interested in helping people he got along with, and regions of the country he saw as Trump country. According to the book, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy went on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight in an attempt to communicate with Trump. (Newsom was unique among governors in having an easy cell-phone relationship with the president, Martin and Burns write.) In that April 15, 2020, interview which is around the time American conservatives really began to sour on lockdowns Murphy defended his states stringent rules to Carlson and apparently got a call from Trump afterward. Trump had seen the interview and wanted Murphy to know he agreed with him, Martin and Burns write. The Fox guys, he said, were bonkers about the pandemic [Sean] Hannity especially, Trump said. Murphy told Martin and Burns that Trump said Hannity was obsessed with the Swedish model of public health and said of the Fox News host, Listen, hes wrong. The Swedish model is a reference to Sweden never entering a lockdown in response to the pandemic. Onlookers are still debating whether the approach was a success. Not long after Trumps reported call with Murphy, the president fired off a series of tweets calling for other blue states to be LIBERATE[D], leaving governors confused. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told Martin and Burns he asked Trump what exactly the president wanted but never got a firm answer. Then, on April 22, 2020, Trump voiced his disagreement with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps plans to reopen certain sectors of his states economy, stating, I think its too soon. The book states that the public rebuke came because Trump sought to make Kemp pay a price for his disobedience on earlier calls during which Trump and aides, influenced by former adviser Dr. Deborah Birx, asked him to slow the pace of reopening. According to Martin and Burns, Trump put White House aides Brian Jack and Kayleigh McEnany in charge of getting Kemp to stand down, but neither was successful. Trump is currently working to topple Kemp in Georgias 2022 gubernatorial primary (mainly over Kemps refusal to decertify his states election results), though that venture does not appear to be going well for the former president. The book releases on May 3 and covers the end of the Trump presidency and the first few months of the Biden presidency. WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 28, 2022 _____ SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Special Weather Statement National Weather Service New York NY 405 AM EDT Thu Apr 28 2022 ...ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS TODAY FOR SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT AND SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK... A very dry airmass will combine with gusty northwest winds, resulting in an elevated risk of fire spread today into early evening. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 to 35 mph are expected, with minimum relative humidities between 15 to 25 percent. For New York residents, the annual statewide burn ban is in effect until May 14. No burn permits are issued. Listen to NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio or visit our website at http://weather.gov/okx for further details or updates. _____ 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 Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access Christian Aid has appointed Patrick Watt as its chief executive on a permanent basis, following a spell as interim CEO. Watt joined Christian Aid in 2019 as director of policy, public affairs and campaigns. He became interim CEO when Amanda Khozi Mukwashi left to join the United Nations. Before joining Christian Aid, Watt worked for Oxfam, Action Aid and Save the Children on a range of issues. Lord Bishop John Sentamu, chair of Christian Aid, said: Patrick has proven himself as a leader for both Christian Aid and the international development sector as a whole. I look forward to continuing to work with Patrick and everyone at Christian Aid in our mission to turn hunger into hope and eradicate extreme poverty across the globe. Taking fresh approaches Christian Aid had an income of 86m for the financial year to March 2021, down from over 100m prior to the pandemic. Earlier this month the charity unveiled a new brand campaign to raise its profile and demonstrate its relevance. Today Watt said his priority would be to look at new ways to address poverty. He said: I feel enormously privileged to be given the opportunity to lead this great organisation on the next stage of its journey, in tackling the root causes of poverty and promoting dignity, equality, and justice. I look forward to working with our passionate and dedicated staff, supporters, partners, and sponsoring churches to realise our vision. Were confronted by stark challenges: the economic fallout from Covid-19, the climate crisis, and the war in Ukraine are combining to push millions of people into poverty. Ending the injustice of extreme poverty requires fresh approaches that tackle inequality, strengthen peoples voice and confront abuses of power. I am excited by the opportunity to work as part of a wider movement for change. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Elon Musks plan to acquire Twitter for $44 billion has raised concerns among numerous Twitter users, who have expressed fears that his remarks promoting unrestrained freedom of speech may enable right-wing trolls to engage in harassment with impunity, and that his promise to authenticate all humans will end anonymity on the platform. Others have raised another speech-related challenge: Musks interest in protecting free speech could run headfirst into the Chinese governments efforts to control the distribution of information about the country. China has some significant leverage over Musk in the form of Tesla, his electric-vehicle company, which has benefited from some unique concessions. Tesla is the first foreign-owned auto manufacturer in the country to own its auto-assembly plant outright. (Other auto manufacturers have typically been required to partner with local companies, who then own a majority stake in the factories.) Teslas Giga Shanghai plant, which produced almost half a million cars last year, was financed with a reported $1.3 billion in loans from Chinese banks; sales in China last year accounted for $14 billion, roughly a quarter of the companys revenue. Musk has historically responded by lavishing praise on the country, according to the Wall Street Journal. He has also refrained from criticismremaining silent, for instance, when Giga Shanghai closed for weeks in accordance with the Chinese governments covid regulations. As Alan Ohnsman notes at Forbes, Musk previously called milder restrictions in the US fascist. Twitter under Musk will need to confront Chinas leverage, the Wall Street Journal wrote. Fergus Ryan, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, explained in the Journal that China has a track record of pressuring businesses in order to extract political concessions. There will be lots of opportunities for Beijing to put the squeeze on Musk, Ryan said. Nina Xiang, an author and founder of the China Money Network, an investment platform, wrote that investors should expect high drama between Musk and China. As the owner of Twitter, which is banned in China, Beijing may feel that it is able to pressure Musk to take down content that it does not like, she wrote. If Musk refuses, Beijing could start squeezing Tesla. Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post, raised the same concern in a response to a tweet from Michael Smythe, a New York Times correspondent, about Teslas ties to China. Did the Chinese government just gain a bit of leverage over the town square? Bezos asked. Later, he added, My own answer to this question is probably not. The more likely outcome is complexity in China for Tesla. An opinion piece at Bloomberg argued that Twitter has a friendly face in charge of a global channel for informationand misinformationthat is central to Chinese authorities efforts to seed and amplify narratives favorable to the Communist Party. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that investigative journalism in China is almost nonexistent, as detailed by Helen Gao in the Times in 2018 and by Reporters Without Borders in a report last year, among others. Melissa Chan, a reporter with Vice, put Musks challenge in even starker terms, writing, If Elon Musk thinks because hes the worlds richest man that he can tell China to piss off if Beijing ever starts leaning on him about Twitter, hell find out how efficiently the Chinese state can gobble up that Tesla Shanghai factory. In an interview with CJR, Chan said Musk is already playing a somewhat risky game with Tesla, and adding Twitter to the mix exposes him even further to the whims of the Chinese government. If he decides to prioritize his Tesla operations in China and compromise on a few issues regarding Twitter, then he faces problems back home, Chan said. She added that many businesses figure out pretty quickly what Beijing likes/does not like. And they end up self-censoring or preemptively avoiding things. (At a press briefing Tuesday, a spokesman for Chinas Foreign Ministry said the government had no plans to pressure Musk or Twitter.) Twitter has been blocked in China since 2009, but the Chinese government has continued to make use of it as part of its external propaganda efforts, according to a number of China experts. In 2020, researchers said the government stepped up its use of Twitter in an attempt to counter negative reporting on its internment of Uyghur people in Xinjiang; earlier this year, it reportedly used bot accounts to flood the network with positive tweets to drown out criticism of the Olympic Games. Over the past few years, Twitter has taken down hundreds of thousands of fake accounts it said were being run by either the Chinese government or its agents, and the company has also labeled the accounts of government officials and state-run media. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Some China observers believe that the desire to use Twitter for propaganda may override the governments interest in censoring content. A free-speech absolutist approach (which Musk has said is his preference) could play into the Chinese governments hands, they say, making it easier to spread its propaganda messages. Id be stunned if Beijing doesnt use its leverage over Tesla to pressure Musk, Isaac Stone Fish, former Asia editor for Foreign Policy, told CJR. But I think it will be less about using Twitter to suppress negative voices on China, and much more about encouraging Musk to amplify positive voices. Others say China could pursue both avenues; in any case, Tesla may yet prove to be a crucial point of leverage. Heres more on Twitter and Musk: Disparaging : Under the terms of his agreement to acquire Twitter, Elon Musk is not allowed to criticize the company on the platform, Bloomberg reported . Musk isnt allowed to post tweets about his deal to buy Twitter if they disparage the company or any of its representatives, according to a new securities filing. However, a number of observers noted that Musk posted a tweet critical of both Vijaya Gadde, Twitters lawyer, and the company itself, for blocking a New York Post report about a laptop allegedly belonging to Hunter Biden. Musk called the decision incredibly inappropriate. Right up : Caroline Orr Bueno, a behavioral science researcher, said she has been tracking the growth in Twitter followers of a number of right-wing and conservative users, using a service called Social Blade, and many have shown abnormally large increases since Musk announced his acquisition offer for Twitter. For example, she said, Matt Gaetz, a conservative congressman, gained more than 21,000 new followers on Monday, far more than his daily average of about 1,300; Donald Trump Jr. got more than 87,000 followers on Monday, Orr said, about twenty times his daily average of 4,500. Consequences : Musk says he wants to ensure that Twitter remains a bastion of free speech, but that kind of approach could cause problems in a number of countries outside the US, Coda Story reports. That just doesnt work in a country like India, said Nikhil Pahwa, a tech expert and founder of Medianama, an India-focused tech policy publication based in New Delhi. We have real-world consequences from the kind of speech that Twitter enables. Pahwa said political operatives in India are adept at using the platform to essentially fuel hate. Inappropriate : For the past year, Twitter has censored tweets about a documentary exploring the origins of the QAnon movement, according to Gizmodo . The documentary, Q: Into the Storm, was broadcast in March 2021 on HBO Max. A Twitter spokesperson told Gizmodo the company decided to limit the visibility of the series on the network because it violated Twitters policy on inappropriate content. Twitter admitted that it was restricting the reach of tweets about the series after the director, Cullen Hoback, tried paying to boost his own tweet publicizing the films iTunes debut, Gizmodo reported. The documentary criticizes Twitter for playing a role in the spread of QAnon. Other notable stories: According to an internal document obtained by Motherboard, engineers at Facebook admitted to a fundamental problem with the vast amounts of data it collects on its users and their behavior: it has no idea where all of its user data goes, or what its doing with it. Imagine you hold a bottle of ink in your hand. This bottle of ink is a mixture of all kinds of user data. You pour that ink into a lake of water (our open data systems; our open culture) and it flows everywhere, the document reads. How do you put that ink back in the bottle? How do you organize it again, such that it only flows to the allowed places in the lake? The European Commission is proposing measures it hopes will protect journalists and others from frivolous or punitive lawsuits, The Guardian reports . In the first proposal of its kind in Europe, the European Commission is targeting so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation, or slapps , where wealthy individuals and companies attempt to use the law to intimidate or silence investigative reporters and non-governmental organizations, according to The Guardian . Under the draft EU directive, journalists and nongovernmental organizations would be able to appeal to the courts to throw out manifestly unfounded cases. Vogue writes about what female correspondents have brought to coverage of the war in Ukraine. It is their in-depth, empathetic, almost impressionistic emphasis on civilian lifethe upheavals, the sudden loss of normalcy, and the everyday ways people persist in the darkest of circumstancesthat has been defining the coverage, writes Michelle Ruiz for the magazine. This reporting has made the war viscerally present in novel scenes: at funerals and defiantly optimistic weddings, in encounters with children lamenting the pet hamsters they were forced to leave behind. The New York Times has doubled the number of staff in its Opinion section, to more than one hundred fifty people since 2017, according to a report by Axios , including the addition of new departments for audio and graphics, and more staff for the copyediting desk and fact-checking operation. The Times now has thirty-five people working on Opinion audio, up from one person at the beginning of 2020, said Kathleen Kingsbury, the papers Opinion editor. Kingsbury also said the resignation of former Opinion editor James Bennet, after he published an op-ed by Tom Cotton advocating an armed response to Black Lives Matter protests, pushed the Times to further address diversity among its Opinion staff. A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook, told a Canadian government committee that Meta has serious concerns about an online news bill that is under consideration in Canada, the Toronto Star reports . The bill would force tech companies to compensate news outlets for reusing their work on social media platforms, much like a similar law in Australia. Rachel Curran of Meta Canada told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is going through the proposed law in detail and looking at options, the Star wrote. Jonathan Sposato, cofounder and chairman of GeekWire, has launched a new ad-supported multimedia platform aimed at an audience of American Asians called the JoySauce Network, according to a report from Variety . The site, which went live Wednesday morning, boasts multiple channels of vibrant digital programming dedicated to celebrating both new and established American Asian talent, Variety wrote. In addition to dramatic content and documentaries, Sposato said, his new site will publish original editorial from some of the Asian communitys most talented writers. For CJR, Dalya Al Masri spoke with Dena Takruri , a senior presenter at AJ+, the digital video arm of Al Jazeera, who hosts one of the networks most popular series, called Direct From. Al Jazeera was one of the first news organizations that recognized social media platforms are used for social interactions and can be used for news dissemination, but it had to be packaged in a way that fit the social media platforms, Takruri said. We were talking to a digitally native young audience in their language, on their terms. Also, AJ+ has a social justice approach to the news. Its something were unapologetic about. Our social justice approach resonated with social movements. Rest of World published a feature looking at how authoritarian governments in Russia and elsewhere have cracked down on internet access. Over the past five years, the government of Vladimir Putin has created a sophisticated infrastructure of internet control, built partly with commercially available tools, that has allowed the state to block social media, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, inside Russia and to disrupt circumvention tools like VPNs, Tor, and the web proxy software Psiphon, the site reported. Russia is a pioneer in the use of these tools but not an outlier. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Beefed up fire crews made major progress on a large prairie fire burning near the Nebraska-Kansas line on Tuesday and lighter winds allowed firefighters to keep flames from advancing significantly at big fires in the Southwest where some rural towns remain under evacuation orders. Stiff winds remained a challenge in the Midwest, but eased in Arizona and New Mexico where theyre expected to pick up again in the days ahead after fires destroyed dozens of home and charred a combined 225 square miles (580 square kilometers) last week. It was a very good day, said Terry Krasko, a spokesman for the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team. More than 200 firefighters are now battling the blaze in Nebraska that killed a former volunteer fire chief, injured several firefighters and destroyed several homes last week. No injuries. No more structures lost, Krasko told The Associated Press Tuesday night from Cambridge, Nebraska. I think the biggest loss we had today was a few hay bales. Overall containment grew there from 47% to 74% on Tuesday. That means crews have dug fire lines around about three-fourths of the fire that has burned 65 square miles (168 square kilometers) of mostly grasses and farmland. The major footprint of the fire stayed where it was supposed to be despite 30 to 40 mph winds, Krasko said. Critical fire conditions were forecast to return on Wednesday, but not as windy. More than 3,000 firefighters and support personnel were assigned to multiple fires Tuesday in the Southwest, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The focus was on efforts to corral blazes in northern New Mexico, where evacuations remain in place and several small villages were threatened. Authorities have started to survey the damage but have yet to tally the number of homes and other buildings that were destroyed. The largest of the wildfires has blackened more than 94 square miles (245 square kilometers) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Crews continued to make progress on that fire Tuesday, but they were bracing for the weather to take a turn later this week with more hot, dry and windy conditions forecast for the area. San Miguel County Deputy Manager Jesus Romero described the situation as touch-and-go as the winds cranked up Tuesday afternoon. Everybody is eager to get back home. Its still not really safe right now, he said. Theres plenty of forest still to be burned, plenty of fuels and its plenty dry and were dealing with the wind. Some places are a little bit better than others, but right now its just too risky. In Arizona, crews are working to encircle and mop up a 33-square-mile (85-square-kilometer) wildfire on the outskirts of Flagstaff that burned 30 homes and additional structures last week. Aircraft helped firefighters battling a different major fire that continued to grow, burning 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) in the Prescott National Forest in north-central Arizona. Four new fires were reported Monday, two in Colorado and one in Oklahoma and Virginia, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Nationally, 11 large fires have burned about 342 square miles (890 square kilometers) in six states, the agency reported Tuesday. About the photo: The Calf Canyon Fire burns north of Las Vegas near the San Miguel and Mora County line Monday April 25, 2022. (Eddie Moore//The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. U.S. regulators are calling on Amazon to improve its procedures for dealing with severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes that could threaten workers at its warehouses dotted across the country. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday sent a Hazard Alert Letter to the Seattle-based e-commerce giant on Tuesday following the agencys investigation into the deadly collapse of a company warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois in December. Six people died and another was critically injured in the tornado strike. The investigation raised concerns about the potential risk to employees during severe weather emergencies, according to the letter sent to Amazon that OSHA made public. The agency said its inspection found that, while the companys severe weather procedures had met minimal federal safety guidelines for storm sheltering, the company still needed to further protect its workers and contract employees. The letter requires Amazon to review its severe weather emergency procedures but the company wont face any fines or penalties. In interviews with Amazon and contract workers, OSHA officials found some employees couldnt recall ever participating in severe weather drills, or the location of the facilitys shelter. Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, however, said employees receive emergency response training, which is reinforced throughout the year. OSHAs investigation did not find any violations or causes for citations, but were constantly looking to innovate and improve our safety measures and have already begun conducting additional safety and emergency preparedness drills at our sites and will carefully consider any OSHA recommendation that we have not already, Nantel said. Amazon has noted workers at the warehouse, known as a delivery station, had little time to prepare when the National Weather Service declared a tornado warning on December 10. About 10 minutes before the tornado touched down, the agency said managers directed workers to go to a restroom in response to tornado warnings and other weather alerts. But some employees unaware of the designated tornado shelter a restroom located in the northern portion of the building went to a separate restroom in the hard-hit south end, the agency said. All the injured and killed had taken shelter in the south side bathroom. John Felton, Amazons senior vice president of global delivery services, had said in December that most of the 46 people in the warehouse headed to a shelter on the north side while a smaller group went to the south end, where the loading docks were located and delivery vehicles were parked. The tornado that hit our delivery station was extreme and very sudden, with winds that were much like the force of a category 4 hurricane, and we believe our team did the right thing, moving people to shelter as soon as the warning was issued, Nantel said. In the inspection, the agency said it also reviewed contractor safety and training records as well as the facilitys written Emergency Action Plan. Officials took issue with the plan, writing in the letter it was not customized with specific instructions for hazards expected at the Edwardsville site. Though Amazon had posted evacuation maps at the facility showing the location of the designated shelter, officials found the written plan did not specifically identify the shelters location in the warehouse. Nantel said the companys buildings have emergency plans that identify exit routes and shelter areas. Separately, officials said a megaphone that was supposed to activate the sites shelter-in-place procedure was locked in a cage and not accessible, resulting in managers verbally telling workers on where to take shelter. These tragic deaths have sparked discussions nationwide on the vital need for comprehensive workplace emergency plans, William Donovan, OSHAs regional administrator in Chicago, said in a statement. Employers should re-evaluate their emergency plans for the safest shelter-in-place locations and prepare before an emergency to ensure workers know where to go and how to keep themselves safe in the event of a disaster. The agency has recommended Amazon makes its warning devices readily accessible, ensures all employees participate in drills for emergency weather events and include site-specific information in its emergency plans. It said it will also send hazard alert letters to three delivery service providers, who employed the injured worker and five of the employees who died. About the photo: This Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, satellite photo provided by Maxar shows a close-up of an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Ill., after severe storms moved through the area late the previous evening, causing catastrophic damage. (Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies via AP Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) A seafood processing plant has been fined $56,000 in connection with a 2021 COVID outbreak that left one employee dead. The Department of Labor and Industries announced the fine against Shining Ocean Inc. on Monday, Northwest News Network reported. According to the agency, a 65-year old employee of the Sumner company died after contracting COVID at a company staff meeting on November 4, 2021. During the meeting, the investigation found most of the 23 people in attendance did not wear masks. Sixteen workers contracted COVID, including the man who later died. In May 2021, L&I issued updated workplace masking guidelines. Under those rules, fully vaccinated employees were not required to wear masks. However, masks were still mandated for unvaccinated employees. The agency said Shining Ocean employees told investigators that the companys president had indicated to them it was a matter of personal choice whether to wear a mask. The company, reportedly, also didnt have a process in place at the time for verifying worker vaccination status. Management got complacent about workplace safety, and it cost a worker his life, said Craig Blackwood, assistant director of L&I, said in a written statement. The company did not respond to a call seeking comment. Shining Ocean has paid the fine in full, according to L&I. Because the violation is classified as willful serious, L&I said the company will face heightened scrutiny under the agencys severe violator program. The fine is the latest in a series of COVID-related workplace safety fines and settlements assessed by the state over the past year, including a $2 million settlement reached with Gebbers Farms Operations in Brewster, Washington last August after two farmworkers died from COVID-19 in 2020. A pair of inspections found 24 egregious willful violations, including unsafe sleeping conditions. Under the settlement, one of the largest in state history, Gebbers agreed to invest the $2 million in health, safety and housing upgrades. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Clifford Chance elects Kayode Oladipo to the firm's partnership further strengthening its Africa Practice Leading international law firm Clifford Chance today announces the promotion of Kayode Oladipo to partner. Kayode is part of a global cohort of 37 new partners drawn from all of the firm's market-leading practices and every region, demonstrating strong growth and investment in our future talent. Kayode works in our London Banking & Finance Group and is a key member of the firm's Africa Group, being the co-head of Anglophone West Africa (with Olamide Oladosu) and the Africa Practice Leader for Finance/Lending. Kayode joined the firm in June 2015. He is a dual qualified lawyer, admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2008 and subsequently as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2018. Recently, Kayode has been advising on strategic financings across the continent, including the up-to US$2 billion financing (including a structured bridge financing) for the Federal Republic of Nigeria in connection with the development of the Kano-Maradi Rail Project and the US$3.2 billion master debt framework agreement in relation to the development, refinancing and financing of infrastructure projects and related services in Angola. This appointment testifies the quality of our teams and the utmost importance of our thriving Africa practice to the Firm. Anthony Giustini, Regional Managing Partner for Africa, commented: "The election of Kayode to the partnership recognises his exceptional legal expertise and business acumen and illustrates our eagerness to promote and nurture African talents. Together with our 200+ lawyers accompanying our clients in Africa, he will continue to develop our market reputation and expand our footprint across all areas. Congratulations to him!" The promotions take effect on 1 May 2022. Read our full press release regarding partner promotions. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. Weather Alert ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Northeast winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and seas 1 to 3 ft. * WHERE...Coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee FL out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL out 20 NM and Waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM. * WHEN...Until 4 AM EDT early this morning. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions. A sudden onset of rough seas may cause hazardous conditions, which may occur suddenly at jetties and inlets. These conditions could catch boaters by surprise. Boaters should use caution when entering or exiting the inlets and jetty areas. && Iranian president meets with Chinese defense minister Xinhua) 10:20, April 28, 2022 TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe. During the meeting, Raisi called for expanding the areas of cooperation between the two countries, and strengthening all-round cooperation, including in the military field. Iran and China share similar positions in international affairs and support each other, said the Iranian president. Iran, which opposes unilateralism, hegemonism and external interference, firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, Raisi said, while expressing gratitude to China for its long-term support and assistance during Iran's difficult times. For his part, Wei said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Raisi have exchanged telephone calls and letters since last year, leading to new progress in building the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The Chinese minister said that his visit to Iran, which came against the backdrop of the current turbulent international situation, reflected the importance of the China-Iran relations, their firm mutual support and joint progress. He expressed China's strong support to Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, and its willingness to cooperate with Iran to deal with various risks and challenges, safeguard common interests, and jointly maintain regional and global peace and stability. The Chinese and Iranian militaries have expanded the areas of cooperation in recent years, Wei said, adding that the Chinese military is willing to maintain strategic communication with Iran, make good use of the cooperation mechanisms, and boost pragmatic collaboration so as to lift the bilateral military ties to a higher level. Earlier in the day, Wei held separate meetings with Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani. During the meetings, the two sides had in-depth exchange of views on the regional and international security situations, Iran's nuclear issue and the situation in Ukraine. They also reached consensuses on expanding high-level strategic communication, deepening military exchanges, and conducting joint exercises and personnel trainings. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) On the 25th of this April, the Iraqi army sent a large number of soldiers, accompanied by military vehicles, to Shingal and some nearby villages. It spread to fixed military bases, which angered the Yazidi community. Commenting on the issue, the co-chair of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration in Shingal, Reham Hassan, said: "Instead of the Iraqi army mobilizing its forces in the areas witnessing the attacks of the Turkish occupation in southern Kurdistan, it is mobilizing them in Shingal." Reham Hassan indicated that the Iraqi army is mobilizing its forces in Sengal in conjunction with the attacks of the Turkish occupation army on the legitimate defense areas. This indicates the agreement of the Iraqi government with the Turkish occupation, and the continuity of the October 9, 2020, agreement, which was supported by Turkey. The Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Iraqi government had signed an agreement against Sengal on the 9th of October 2020, the day that coincides with the anniversary of the international conspiracy against the leader Abdullah Ocalan in 1998. 'Plain sight plot' Hassan pointed out that this mobilization by the Iraqi government came with Turkish support, as Iraq is now witnessing a crisis. Adding that it is a clear conspiracy in full view of the world, "Barzani, Al-Kazemi and Al-Halbousi met with Turkey, and after these meetings they began to take their steps to implement it." 'The AA will not back down from its project' Reham Hassan indicated that the goal of this mobilization is the implementation of the October 9, 2020 agreement. Whoever is addressing this agreement is the Democratic AA in Shingal, because it is an agreement that does not serve the interest of the people of Shingal. We have a project for a solution, which is the Autonomous Administration project doesn't violate the Iraqi constitution, but the Iraqi government does not abide by it. We in the autonomous administration, we will not retreat from our project because the genocides against the Yazidi people will not end. And Reham Hassan continued: "During the attacks of ISIS mercenaries in 2014, the Kurdistan Democratic Party abandoned Shingal, as well the Iraqi army at the time. There is any enmity between us and the Iraqi government, but the Iraqi government is trying to thwart this project, and this is what the Yazidi people will not accept becaue it means a new genocide against the Yazidis. The co-chair of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration in Shingal, Reham Hassan, concluded her speech by saying, "This crisis is not only related to Iraq or Shingal, but it is a global crisis, as we are approaching the end of the Lausanne Agreement, in 2023, so the world is witnessing a global war. If any new division occurs, it does not serve the interest of Shingal and does not serve the interest of the Iraqi government." A ANHA Nick Cleveland-Stout 22 has won a Fulbright Scholarship, a prestigious award for students interested in pursuing research or teaching opportunities abroad. Cleveland-Stout will travel to Florianopolis, Brazil, in February 2023 to study the nations international political policy. His proposal, Assessing the Impact of the 5G Race in Brazil Through the Lens of Florianopolis, provides an overview of his plans to study the political impact of the United States and China on Brazil. The two nations are both offering bids to Brazil with hopes of building its new 5G network. Florianopolis, a city in southern Brazil sometimes referred to as the Silicon Valley of Brazil, is the ideal place to do this, since it will likely be at the forefront of the creation of these 5G networks, according to Cleveland-Stout. To conduct this research, I will be working with two different groups at the Federal University of Santa Catarina who specialize in the Brazil-China relationship and international security, Cleveland-Stout says. Cleveland-Stout is a political science major from McMinnville, Oregon. At Colorado College, he has been involved in Model United Nations and the John Quincy Adams Society, a national organization dedicated to advocating for reduced American intervention abroad. He credits his time at Colorado College for preparing him to undergo this program. I really have to specifically thank Dr. Naomi Pueo Wood for creating a vibrant community of people interested in Brazilian culture on campus, Cleveland-Stout says. Because of that, I feel as though I have been able to explore my interest in Brazil more through CC events like Carnaval, capoeira classes, or even just going to a Brazilian restaurant. This award comes years after Cleveland-Stouts introduction to living internationally. During his gap year before college, he underwent a program called Global Citizen Year, during which traveled to Santa Catarina, Brazil, to live with a host family. I think it will be a good mix between new and old experiences, Cleveland-Stout says. Im looking forward to going back. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. SOHR has reported that a commander of Al-Rahman corps in Eastern Ghouta has been seriously injured and another man when an IED attached to a military vehicle has exploded in Al-Ashrafiyah neighbourhood in occupied Afrin. Yesterday, Syrian Observatory reported that a commander of Al-Hamza Division mercenaries was seriously injured in an assassination attempt by unknown gunmen on motorcycles on Tiranda road in Afrin countryside. A.K ANHA 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 Mi-28NM Havoc is the successor to the Hind Mil Mi-24, which is a vast improvement over the older and large helicopter gunship. It has the same layout as the AH-64 Apache and came into service in the 1980s amid the cold war. But it still can stand toe to toe with NATO tanks and portable missile systems with armor and countermeasures like chaff to draw away INFRARED missiles and electronic scrambling for radar guide missiles. Meet the Soviet Super-Copter Deployed over the Syrian skies, the Night Hunter upgraded to the Mi-28NM called Havoc by NATO, reported View60s. Russia's Izvestia newspaper touted extras on the Havoc to make it a deadly night fighter with advanced sensors. That includes the N025E radar-equipped on export variants, cited the Nationalist Interest. The ball on top of the rotor is an antenna that receives and sends out radar pulses, and it is made up of radio-permeable material. This type of radar setup provides a circular view also and enables receiving a radar image of the landscape, allowing you to hide on uneven terrain behind manmade and natural obstacles while remaining invisible to the enemy. It enables the system to ambush attack enemies when they don't expect it; it weighs in at 9-ton with a top speed of 186 kilometers an hour, with a combat range of 450 kilometers. Mi-28NM Havoc can carry up to 2,300 kilograms with 30-millimeter cannon, armed with 9M120 Ataka anti-tank missiles and rocket pods, cited Army Technology. Read Also: Xi Jinping: 5 Things To Know About China's President Russia's deployment of forces abroad underlined the Mi-28NM's new engine's ability to function in severe climes. It enables optimal operation in locations with a temperate environment and in desert areas with high heat and high mountain settings, such as in Syria, mentioned Tak Tikz. The attack chopper can connect to a battle network and other units. New electronic systems allow pilots to receive target designations from advanced aircraft designers and intelligence units. Ground forces and the helicopter can increase the effectiveness of interaction with ground forces by attacking detected targets nearly quickly. This system allows a battlefield connected compared to a more analog system before. Russian Attack Helicopters Modernized The Mi-28 and MI-35 series are included in the program are improvements designed expressly for them. Mi-35MV received upgraded armor, engines, and long-range optics, allowing them to detect and destroy targets at any time of day and in any weather from a distance of several kilometers. Helicopters will also receive an electronic warfare system and man-portable air defense systems protection. The new equipment will turn the helicopter into a modern flying airborne assault vehicle. It's worth noting how much of the technology promoted by Izvestia is already in use by Western forces. For example, since the late 1990s, the United States. Radar was installed on the top of the mast of the AH-64D Apache Longbow, and the networking and night operation equipment have been in use for a long time. Mi-28NM Havoc is getting the extras to survive a modern battlefield from the Cold War era it served from. Related Article: China Plans To Build Future Helicopters With More Advanced Technologies Than Super Choppers Built by the US @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 04/28/2022 Photo (c) da-kuk - Getty Images COVID-19 tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.) Total U.S. confirmed cases: 81,202,344 (81,101,687) Total U.S. deaths: 992,798 (991,959) Total global cases: 512,057,112 (511,107,390) Total global deaths: 6,230,152 (6,225,901) Fauci walks back comments on pandemic Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Bidens top health adviser, says comments he made Tuesday about the pandemic are being mischaracterized. Fauci told PBS on Tuesday that the U.S. is "certainly, right now, in this country, out of the pandemic phase." On Wednesday, he told CNN that he didnt mean to say that the pandemic is over, making a distinction between pandemic phase and the pandemic itself. In his clarification, Fauci said the U.S. is in a transition phase. "We're not over the pandemic, Fauci said Wednesday. Don't let anybody get the misinterpretation that the pandemic is over, but what we are in is a different phase of the pandemic." Moderna seeks approval for pediatric vaccinations Moderna has petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of its COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of six months and five years. In its filing, the company said its vaccine was about 51% effective against the Omicron variant in children under two years old. It was less effective 37% in two- to five-year-olds. Researchers say the Moderna vaccine protection is less effective now than it was when it was first released. The dominant strains now are subvariants of the Omicron variant, which more easily evades the bodys immune defense. Dr. Paul Burton, Modernas chief medical officer, said children under six years old who receive two doses should have high levels of protection against severe illness. Denmark shutters its COVID-19 vaccination program Denmark has become the worlds first nation to suspend its vaccination program, at least for the time being. The countrys leaders cite high vaccination rates and a low number of new cases. Denmark's chief physician, Bolette Soborg, said the shutdown is basically just for the summer months. "We plan to reopen the vaccination program in the Autumn, Soborg said. This will be preceded by a thorough professional assessment of who and when to vaccinate and with which vaccines." Around the nation The Israeli Defense Force F-35I Adir flies this variation of the stealth fighter modified for their use only. Arriving at Israel's Nevatim Air Base added up a total of 33, but 17 are expected to be delivered to the IDF. Once the order is complete, there will be a total of 50 operational fifth-generation fighters arming Jerusalem. Israeli Air Force's Special Stealth Fighter Israel, the only F-35 operator in the Middle East, received three of its scheduled order of F-35s in September 2021, reported the View60s. Israel is the first foreign nation to choose the F-35 via the US government's Foreign Military Sales process after the Letter of Agreement was signed more than ten years ago in October 2010. In 2016 and on June 22, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) got the first F-35A at a ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas facilities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) was the first foreign military to consider buying the aircraft. One concern is raised that the stealth capabilities will be partly defeated in about a decade, even with the 30 to 40-year service life. To ensure the fighter could still be effective, Israel sought to develop its electronic warfare system (EWS) for the IDF use only, cited 19FortyFive. Before this, the US was not okay with the changes the IDF wanted; later, the EWS, including sensors and countermeasures, with the US systems. Additional modifications on the Israeli Defense Force F-35I Adir include an IAF-tailored visor display, IDF-specific datalink capability, and other enhancements that improved the F-35's already formidable data gathering and powerful processors. Read Also: Xi Jinping: 5 Things To Know About China's President The mods on the version of the IAF prompted a name change and added 'I' on the F-351; this would be only a few of the F-35 variants, noted The National Interest. The IAF included the word 'Adir,' which means the mighty one in the Hebrew language. Stealth Fighter Upgrades Israel announced earlier that it would buy more than 100 F-35s modified to IAF specs which would cost more than $5 billion. There are older F-16 that are 50 in all; f-16s are getting obsolete. Based on the procurement negotiations, the 19 delivered first were in the ordinary F-35A variant, but the planes after it will be the 'I' variants of the IAF. IAF has 30 F-35s in service from September 2021 and currently operates three squadrons at Nevatim Air Base, located in the southeast of Be'er Sheva, close to moshav Nevatim. Squadrons with the stealth fighter us the Lions of the South (116 Squadron), which got them first, then the First Jet (117 Squadron) used for training pilots. Last is the Golden Eagle Squadron (140th group); it was reactivated in 2015 to get the Adir. Last May 22, 2018, Major General Amikam Norkin, a commander in the Israeli Air Force, reported to the media a first for any operator of these jets. The plane attacked and destroyed Syrian missile sites in the ground attack role. Another accomplishment is that Adir was used to shooting two Iranian drones in the sky for the first time. As the Middle East heats up, these planes are a game-changer for the IAF. Israeli Defense Force F-35I Adir adds to the capability of their air force using the stealth fighter and its advantages that will be something to reckon with. Related Article: Russia Unleash Mi-28NM Havoc Armored Flying Tank for Attacking NATO Ground Force @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Agesage.jp scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 14 Dec 2012, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the agesage homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the agesage homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the agesage homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the agesage homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if agesage has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the agesage homepage on Twitter + the total number of agesage followers (if agesage has a Twitter account). Basic Information PAGE TITLE - DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS , , DVD, OTHER KEYWORDS The title found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE Japanese SHIFT_JISJapanese DETECTED LANGUAGE Japanese Japanese SERVER Apache/2.2.23 (Unix) PHP/5.3.6 OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Character set and language of the site. Type of server and offered services. The language of agesage.jp as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for agesage.jp by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Congratulations, lara.gob.ve got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Lara.gob.ve scored 98 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 5/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 17 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. lara.gob.ve is very popular in Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus. It is liked by 2 people on Facebook, it has 202 twitter shares, it has 18838 twitter followers and it has 7 google+ shares. Furthermore its facebook page has 4445 likes. The total number of people who shared the lara homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the lara homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if lara has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the lara homepage on Twitter + the total number of lara followers (if lara has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the lara homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the lara homepage on Delicious. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Bienvenidos al Sitio Web de la Gobernacion del Estado Lara DESCRIPTION Gobernacion del Estado Lara KEYWORDS Gobernador, Henri Falcon, Barquisimeto, Lara, Gobierno de Lara, Gobernacion de Lara, Barquisimeto OTHER KEYWORDS estado, del estado, divina pastora, divina, pastora, gobernacin, programa The title found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE Spanish (Spain, International Sort) UTF-8Spanish (Spain, International Sort) DETECTED LANGUAGE Spanish Spanish SERVER Apache/2.2.16 (Debian) (PHP/5.3.3-7+squeeze9) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Character set and language of the site. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. The language of lara.gob.ve as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Type of server and offered services. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for lara.gob.ve by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK FOUND FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/pages/Gobernacion-de-Lara/182199611817815 DESCRIPTION http://twitter.com/GobiernoDeLara http://www.youtube.com/GobiernoLara LIKES 4445 PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT 223 PAGE TYPE Government organization TIMELINE PAGE TIMELINE The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK FOUND TWITTER PAGE twitter.com/#!/Gobiernodelara DESCRIPTION Cuenta Oficial de la Gobernacio n del Estado Lara. Informacio n sobre actividades ACCOUNT CREATED ON 27 Jan 2011 LOCATION Barquisimeto TWEETS 23488 FOLLOWERS 18838 LISTED 118 Zgywjw.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 20 Jul 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the zgywjw homepage on Twitter + the total number of zgywjw followers (if zgywjw has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the zgywjw homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the zgywjw homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the zgywjw homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if zgywjw has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the zgywjw homepage on Delicious. Basic Information PAGE TITLE , DESCRIPTION ZC... KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE GB2312 DETECTED LANGUAGE SERVER Microsoft-IIS/6.0 (ASP.NET) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2003 Operative System running on the server. Character set and language of the site. The language of zgywjw.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Type of server and offered services. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for zgywjw.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The type of Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Bernadette Piachek-Llanes Overview Bernadette Piachek-Llanes has been associated with one company, according to public records. The company was incorporated in Florida, Texas, California, Nevada, and New York ninety-three years ago. Background Report for Bernadette G. Piachek-Llanes Includes Age, Location, Address History for Bernadette G. Piachek-Llanes Includes Age, Location, Address History for Bernadette G. Piachek-Llanes Arrest, Criminal, & Driving Records Arrest, Criminal, & Driving Records Social Media Profiles Social Media Profiles Possible relatives Possible relatives Full Background Report Get Report Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened the West on Wednesday, threatening "lightning" rapid strikes on any country that "interferes" with Russia's conflict in Ukraine. This week, Russia drew worldwide ire after suggesting that Western support for Kyiv during Russia's 60-day assault may lead to nuclear conflict. Despite requests from countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom to tone down the threatening rhetoric, Putin stepped up the rhetoric on Wednesday. As Russia intensifies its second attack in eastern and southern Ukraine, NATO nations and other allies have committed to continue to defend Ukraine. Defense officials have warned that the combat will be considerably more violent. Vladimir Putin Blames NATO Nations Moscow has defended its special military operation in Ukraine by claiming to attempt to "denazify" particular regions, a claim that Ukraine and the West have dismissed as demonstrably false. Russian forces have failed to make any significant military advances, and Western governments warned this week that they want Russia to fail in Ukraine and be debilitated to the point that it is unable to start another operation, Fox News reported. Putin pledged to complete the special military operation to reclaim Ukrainian land, which Moscow deems to be Russian historically. He criticized NATO and its partners for starting the conflict in Ukraine. He said NATO planned to invade Russia via Ukraine, claiming that the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014, and the separatist-held eastern Donbas border area would be used as a staging ground. According to Western sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence findings, Russia has made gradual progress in the Donbas area in the east, with minimal advances, including the takeover of villages and small towns south of Izyum and on the outskirts of Rubizhne. According to authorities, the onslaught continues to be hampered by inadequate command, troop and equipment losses, adverse weather, and the fierce Ukrainian opposition. Some Russian forces have been moved from Mariupol, the devastated southern port city, to other areas of the Donbas. However, some people stay in Mariupol to resist Ukrainian soldiers who have taken residence in the Azovstal steel mill, the city's last stronghold. There were about 1,000 people there, along with 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. A Russian munitions storage burned on Wednesday in the Belgorod area, just across the border, after numerous explosions were reported. Authorities in Russia's Voronezh area claimed an air defense system shot down a drone, and explosions were reported near the Ukrainian border in Russia's Kursk region, according to Al Jazeera via MSN. Read Also: Switzerland Blocks German Request for Swiss Made Ammunition Destined for Ukraine, Cites Neutral Status in Hostile Conflicts Russia Plans To Hold "Referendums" in Cities of Ukraine According to the Latvian news portal Meduza, which cites sources close to the Kremlin, Russia plans to stage "referendums" in the eastern Ukrainian towns of Donetsk and Luhansk. The referendums were previously slated for the end of April but will now take place in mid-May. According to sources, a referendum might be held in Kherson, in the south. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the United Kingdom warned last week that Russia was plotting a staged referendum in the Kherson region to establish a land route to Crimea. The Ministry of Defense warned in an intelligence briefing that Russia is arranging a staged referendum in the southern city of Kherson to justify its takeover. The city is crucial to Russia's plan to build a land bridge to Crimea and control southern Ukraine. Meanwhile, the White House pledged today to continue pressing for the unconditional release of a former US soldier who is being held in Russia on spying charges. Paul Whelan, who has British, Canadian, and Irish passports, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage in 2020. He was apprehended red-handed with a computer memory stick holding a list of secret Russian spies, according to police. On the other hand, the former marine pled not guilty, alleging that a sting operation set him up and that the USB drive was supplied to him by someone else. Whelan was recently highlighted by a US-Russia prisoner trade that resulted in the release of Trevor Reed, another former US marine. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, stated that the US would continue to fight for his unconditional release, as per Sky News. Related Article: Moscow Accuses Azov Nazis of Holding Civilians Disrupting Humanitarian Corridor Established in Mariupol While Ukraine Hurls Accusations @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. According to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, President Biden's main medical adviser, the United States has now exited from the full-blown explosive pandemic phase, resulting in almost 1 million fatalities from COVID-19 and more than two years of pain and hardship. Dr. Fauci's comments came a day after he told PBS's 'NewsHour' that the country is no longer in the pandemic phase, and he expanded on and clarified that view Wednesday, saying that the pandemic is not over and that new waves of infections could still occur as the virus mutates and spins off highly transmissible variants. Fauci, Experts Hope To Avoid Another Surge However, Dr. Anthony Fauci and other infectious-disease specialists are optimistic that earlier illnesses and immunizations have given the population enough antibodies to prevent another terrible increase in hospitalizations and fatalities. His remarks come after a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that the coronavirus had infected about 3 in 5 persons in the United States. During the winter wave triggered by the Omicron variety, around 1 in 4 persons were infected for the first time. These astounding figures show that the country has far more collective immunity than it had before Omicron. What is less apparent is how long that immunity will last and how new coronavirus types might be able to overcome it, Washington Post reported. The Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 is the most recent form to attract public health specialists' attention. It's gaining a foothold quickly, with the CDC estimating that it's responsible for around 30% of new illnesses as of Tuesday. According to preliminary estimations, it is roughly 25% more transmissible than the Omicron subvariant BA.2, which is itself more transmissible than the original Omicron strain, according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Read Also: 2022 Primary Season Begins In May: Here Are 7 Races To Watch For US Experiences Small Uptick in COVID-19 Cases Although fewer people are dying from COVID-19 now than they were during the majority of the epidemic, the last two months of the virus have been more lethal than most recent flu seasons, with over 400 fatalities per day. Although the coronavirus will not be eliminated, Dr. Anthony Fauci believes that if individuals are vaccinated regularly, maybe once a year, the virus's level in society can be maintained very low. Local health officials are still attempting to get more individuals completely vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 on the ground in the United States, according to CNN. Fauci's upbeat tone contrasted sharply with his severe warnings at the onset of the pandemic when he advised Americans to practice social isolation and masking. Despite this, the nation's top infectious disease expert recently lambasted a Florida federal judge's decision to overturn the Biden administration's decision to extend a regulation requiring masks on public transit. Fauci's remarks come as the United States sees a slight increase in positive COVID-19 infections caused by the virus's BA.2 subvariant. Several politicians, journalists, and government officials in Washington, DC, tested positive for the virus last month after attending numerous meals and gatherings. Meanwhile, Fauci stated earlier this month that the mutation does not appear to be connected with an increase in hospitalizations and severe illness, as per New York Post. Related Article: Biden Administration Wants More COVID-19 Patients Be Treated With Pfizer's Paxlovid As Hundreds Die Daily @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Microsoft conducted a study that found Russia has been using extensive cyberattack operations to support its military strikes on Ukraine since the war started on Feb. 24, a situation that has resulted in fears that the latter's power grid and cellphone system could be cut off. While none of these things happened, the report says that Russia's A-team of hackers conducted hundreds of subtle cyberattacks. The operations were timed to coincide with incoming missile or ground attacks. It suggested that the Russians were less skillful than defending Ukrainians. Russian Cyberattacks Tom Burt, who oversees Microsoft's investigations into the biggest and most complex cyberattacks that are visible through its global networks, said that Moscow brought destructive and espionage efforts. He noted that while Russia had "some success" they were mostly met with a robust defense from Ukraine that blocked some of the online attacks. The report also adds considerable subtlety to an understanding of the early days of the Russia-Ukraine war. At the time, shelling and troop movements were obvious and cyber operations were much less visible, as per the New York Times. The technology company said that at least six different Kremlin-linked hacking groups conducted roughly 240 cyberattacks against Ukrainian targets throughout the invasion. Burt said, "Russia's use of cyberattacks appears to be strongly correlated and sometimes directly timed with its kinetic military operations." Read Also: Old Vladimir Putin Video Threatening of Nuclear War if Russia Gets Attacked Goes Viral: Here's What He Said The recent report is the most comprehensive public record to date covering Russia's hacking efforts amid its war on Ukraine. The details it provides fill in some gaps in the understanding of Moscow's vaunted cyber capabilities and if they have been used during the invasion. According to CNN, Burt, who is also the vice president of Microsoft, cited a cyberattack on a Ukrainian broadcast company that was conducted on Mar. 1. It was on the same day when a Russian missile struck a TV tower in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, and when malicious emails were sent to Ukrainians that falsely claimed their government was "abandoning" them as Russian forces besieged the city of Mariupol. Credibility of Tech Companies Microsoft's report found nearly 40 destructive attacks, 32% of which directly targeted Ukrainian government organizations and 40% were aimed at critical sectors. Burt noted that the cyberattacks have not only degraded the systems of institutions in Ukraine but have also sought to disrupt people's access to reliable information and critical life services. The situation comes as Democrats in the United States are gearing up for an all-out war with some of the country's largest tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, and Google. The situation was caused by a controversial antitrust bill. However, the battle could be a risky move because the three companies employ more than a million people and provide services widely used across the nation. Furthermore, millions of American residents as well as some members of Congress own shares of the companies in their stock portfolios. Big Tech companies also spent $124 million on lobbying and campaign contributions in the 2020 election cycle. The non-profit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen said that it was at a time when Amazon's spending increased by 30%, The Hill reported. Related Article: Russian Diplomat Warns US, NATO of World War III and Nuclear Conflict Amid Bullying @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Hacking groups closely linked to the Russian government have made nearly 40 destructive attacks against hundreds of Ukrainian targets since the start of the invasion, according to a report issued by Microsoft. The attacks have been largely, but not exclusively, targeted at Ukrainian government institutions, and Microsoft's report noted that these attacks have had damaging effects on the country's economy and civilian population, in addition to Ukraine's government and military. Operating under the apparent direction of three main groups the GRU military intelligence service, SVR interior ministry and FSB security service Russian-backed hackers undertook a huge range of offensive cyberoperations against Ukraine, ranging from phishing campaigns and misinformation to data theft and the destruction of critical systems, Microsoft said. Energy infrastructure has been a particular target of the hackers, according to Microsoft, which noted that nuclear safety organizations and regional energy providers have been targeted by data theft and system destruction attacks. But the energy sector is far from the only one in the hackers' sights, as media organizations, logistics providers and even, in one case, an agricultural firm were compromised. Pace of cyberattacks expected to quicken Microsoft said that the pace of attacks is likely to quicken as the invasion continues, given Russian President Vladimir Putin's public insistence that the war "would continue until objectives were achieved." A blog post accompanying the report said that the scope of Russia's offensive cyberactivities could even expand as the conflict wears on, noting that there are already indications of retaliatory measures being taken against the numerous countries providing material support to Ukraine. "The alerts published by CISA and other US government agencies, and cyber-officials in other countries, should be taken seriously and the recommended defensive and resilience measures should be taken especially by government agencies and critical infrastructure enterprises," the post said. Actions to protect against Russian cyberattacks The report also included a list of recommended steps for governmental and infrastructure IT security workers. Microsoft urged the adoption of multifactor authentication wherever possible, securing any internet-facing system, implementing an in-depth array of antimalware and endpoint detection solutions, and ensuring the availability of audit functionality for key systems. According to the report, some cyberattacks appeared to have been launched in tandem with real-world Russian attacks in Ukraine, but the exact degree of coordination between the hacking groups and the Russian military is difficult to determine. "[I]t is unclear if there is coordination, centralized tasking or merely a common set of understood priorities driving the correlation," the report said. "At times, computer network attacks immediately preceded a military attack, but those instances have been rare from our perspective." Global cybersecurity authorities have published a joint advisory on the 15 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) most routinely exploited by malicious cyber actors in 2021. The advisory is co-authored by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NZ NCSC), and United Kingdoms National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK). The advisory warned that malicious cyber actors aggressively targeted newly disclosed critical software vulnerabilities against broad target sets, including public and private sector organizations worldwide, last year. Whats more, malicious actors also continued to exploit publicly known, dated software vulnerabilities. Attackers target internet-facing systems with new exploits and dated vulnerabilities Globally, in 2021, malicious cyber actors targeted internet-facing systems, such as email servers and virtual private network (VPN) servers, with exploits of newly disclosed vulnerabilities, the advisory read. For most of the top exploited vulnerabilities, researchers or other actors released proof of concept (POC) code within two weeks of the vulnerabilitys disclosure, likely facilitating exploitation by a broader range of malicious actors, it continued. To a lesser extent, malicious cyber actors also continued to exploit publicly known, dated software vulnerabilities, some of which were routinely exploited in 2020 or earlier, the advisory continued. The exploitation of older vulnerabilities demonstrates the continued risk to organizations that fail to patch software in a timely manner or are using software that is no longer supported by a vendor. The UKs NCSC CEO, Lindy Cameron, said, NCSC and our allies are committed to raising awareness of vulnerabilities and presenting actionable solutions to mitigate them. This advisory places the power in the hands of network defenders to fix the most common cyber weaknesses in the public and private sector ecosystem. 15 most exploited vulnerabilities in 2021 Among the 15 most targeted vulnerabilities of 2021 are infamous exploits Log4Shell, ProxyShell and ProxyLogon, which impact Apache Log4j and Microsoft Exchange Server. Others include vulnerabilities in products from VMware, Fortinet and Pulse Secure. The 15 most targeted vulnerabilities of 2021 were: CVE-2021-44228 (Log4Shell): Remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in Apache Log4j CVE-2021-40539: RCE vulnerability in Zoho ManageEngine AD SelfService Plus CVE-2021-34523 (ProxyShell): Elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2021-34473 (ProxyShell): RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2021-31207 (ProxyShell): Security feature bypass in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2021-27065 (ProxyLogon): RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2021-26858 (ProxyLogon): RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2021-26857 (ProxyLogon): RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2021-26855 (ProxyLogon): RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2021-26084: Arbitrary code execution vulnerability in Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center CVE-2021-21972: RCE vulnerability in VMware vSphere Client CVE-2020-1472 (ZeroLogon): Elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft Netlogon Remote Protocol (MS-NRPC) CVE-2020-0688: RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2019-11510: Arbitrary file reading vulnerability in Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure CVE-2018-13379: Path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS and FortiProxy In this list are three vulnerabilities that were routinely exploited in 2020: CVE-2020-1472, CVE-2018-13379, and CVE-2019-11510. Their continued exploitation indicates that many organizations fail to patch software in a timely manner and remain vulnerable to malicious cyber actors, the advisory stated. To mitigate the risks of falling victim to attacks that exploit such vulnerabilities, the advisory urged organizations to implement vulnerability and configuration management, identity and access management, and protective controls and architecture. You might have missed a poll from Sacred Heart University that showed Gov. Ned Lamont beating GOP challenger Bob Stefanowski by a hefty 18 points, 48 percent to 30 percent, if the election for governor were held today. The online poll, taken between March 24 and April 11 and released last Friday, was not widely reported despite high interest in the election. Thats because the fraternity and sorority of political chatterers and power brokers in Connecticut on both sides and in the middle believe the result is, um, not even close to believable. Most accounts have Lamont slightly ahead of Stefanowski, nothing remotely comfortable despite the advantages of incumbency and a 37percent-to-20 percent Democratic Party registration advantage. Unaffiliateds account for 42 percent of the electorate. So how can a poll by SHU, a generally credible public policy operation, with an established partner, Glastonbury-based GreatBlue Research, turn out a result well into double-digits for Lamont? The answers tell us a lot about polling in the fractured, all-digital, post-pandemic world of 2022. Its extraordinarily hard to reach a representative sample of the population at a slice in time and accurately project their opinions of the actual world. Possible problems First, maybe SHU/GreatBlue is right. Its possible we politicos, a smallish bunch currently enmeshed in a legislative session, are all wrong and Lamonts message about a Connecticut on the rise is reaching voters in a way were missing. Weve all messed up before, notably with the Trump-Clinton election of 2016. Although I called that one correctly, my record is spotty like everyone elses. Inconsistencies point to other problems in the SHU poll of 1,000 Connecticut residents. Its an all-digital poll, meaning respondents were asked to mark up 39 questions without a prompt from a real person, which can cause problems. And it was an existing panel of respondents, basically self-selecting, not a fresh, new, random sample the gold standard. The poll includes 19.7 percent who are not likely voters, by their own account, and yet everyone was invited to opine on who they might vote for in the race for governor. Who cares what non-voters think in an election poll? Not me. The 1,000 respondents were heavily weighted white 80 percent as compared with 69 percent of the states population. It was underweighted for Black people by a couple of points and woefully underweighted for the Hispanic and LatinX population 6.3 percent compared with a reality of 17 percent. When the poll asked who respondents were voting for in the governor race, it did not state the names of Lamont and Stefanowski but they were explicitly listed as the answer options/choices, an executive at GreatBlue told me in an email. That might not be enough of a prompt to separate support from name recognition. In other words, there may be people who will vote for the Republican nominee but who didnt easily identify Stefanowski as that person. The poll shows that 74 percent rated their overall quality of life in Connecticut as good or excellent, up from 69 percent in October, when a similar poll asked the same question. Thats a big number and it raises questions about how an incumbent governor in a strong majority party would only poll 48 percent. It also appears to skew toward New Haven County and underweight unaffiliated voters, which matters, since thats the group both parties are fighting to win. Would those factors tend to make a poll swing incorrectly to Lamont? Maybe, maybe not, but those discrepancies raise questions. Something has to be amiss somewhere and neither SHU nor GreatBlue explained it when I asked. The candidates react Lamont, wisely, told reporters he places no stock in the poll whatsoever. That of course is in keeping with Politics 101 for incumbents seeking reelection, thou shalt disavow all polls publicly. None. None. Seven months is a long way away, Lamont said when asked about the poll. Ive got a lot of work I gotta do between now and then. I did like the fact that theres an uptick in people who have a renewed appreciation for the quality of life in Connecticut. I think thats really important....You see that reflected in some people moving to the state. And he was off and running, talking about the new, improved Connecticut on his watch an allowable reference to polls in the handbook. The Stefanowski camp sees things differently. This from Liz Kurantowicz, Stefanowskis strategy consultant: Even in a significantly flawed survey, the governor still doesnt get 50 percent of the vote and thats because while hes bending over backwards to make people believe his version of the truth, they know Ned Lamont has made Connecticut less affordable and less safe while his administration is mired in scandals. Thats the great thing about polls. Right or wrong, they give us a lot to talk about. Lamont beat Stefanowski by 3 percentage points in 2018 in a high-turnout election. Ben Proto, the Republican state chairman, noted that President Joe Biden fetched a 39 percent approval rating in the poll, which raises questions about Lamonts supposed margin over Stefanowski. To repeat: Maybe Sacred Heart University and GreatBlue are right, that Lamont is on his way to far outperforming the national Democratic Party. The states political observers on both sides are all locked in for a tight race and Lamont is on the air with TV ads seven months out, meaning his camp sees a dogfight, not a walk in the park. Same ending as my earlier column this week about Lamonts and Stefanowskis wildly different views of the Connecticut economy: This is going to be fun. dhaar@hearstmediact.com President Biden has been flirting with the idea of some kind of student debt relief for years. But yesterday, in a closed-doors meeting with Democrats, he gave some indication that real, widespread forgiveness is a real possibility. The Washington Post reports that this likely wont take the form of a complete cancellation of federal student debt. Instead, Biden and lawmakers discussed plans which usually hovered around the $10,000 figure for immediate forgiveness, although he did make a winking reference to pushing the repayment deadline down the road indefinitely, reportedly telling California Rep. Tony Cardenas that he had extended it every time, with a smile. Despite the lack of a concrete proposal and the inevitably tepid nature of whatever Bidens plan turns out to be, the GOP is going absolutely nuts about this, unleashing a flurry of tweets and statements about how they oppose student debt relief (an overwhelmingly popular policy, per recent polling). The arguments come from two equally stupid and contradictory positions. One, represented by far right populists like J.D. Vance, is that forgiving student loans is a massive giveaway to the rich and college-educated elites (like, for instance, venture capitalist and Yale grad J.D. Vance). Forgiving student debt is a massive windfall to the rich, to the college educated, and most of all to the corrupt university administrators of America. No bailouts for a corrupt system. Republicans must fight this with every ounce of our energy and power. J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) April 27, 2022 The other, represented by centrist GOP dinosaurs like Mitt Romney, is that forgiving student loans is dangerous because it might inspire people to force the rich to pay for other things, like different kinds of debt forgiveness. Would forgiving student loans be good or bad for the rich? Republicans cant decide, only that they dont like it and it should definitely stop. Desperate polls call for desperate measures: Dems consider forgiving trillions in student loans. Other bribe suggestions: Forgive auto loans? Forgive credit card debt? Forgive mortgages? And put a wealth tax on the super-rich to pay for it all. What could possibly go wrong? Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) April 27, 2022 Theres also Jim Jordan, who just said it was dumb. Canceling student loan debt is stupid. Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) April 27, 2022 Forgiving student loans would help a massive amount of Americans 43 million, per the Department of Education in an immediate and tangible way. Its no secret that the Biden administration is searching for some kind of tentpole achievement they can give midterm candidates, and likely Biden himself in 2024, to run on, and so its no wonder so many Republicans are opposed to him canceling debt. As it stands now, the GOP is sitting in an incredibly good place for both election cycles, as their minority factions in both the House and Senate (the latter in particular) have been incredibly effective at blocking, gutting, or co-opting nearly every major piece of legislation the Biden administration has pushed for. Biden, meanwhile, has been more reluctant than his predecessor to rule by executive action, which would be the primary vehicle for delivering student loan relief if he chooses to do so. And he should: Tuesdays meeting was with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, whose members pointed out that Latinos in the U.S. are particularly burdened by student debt, with many of them still carrying 80 percent of their balance unpaid after a dozen years, per the Post. Hispanics are also a demographic that the GOP has made marginal gains with, in recent years capitalizing on their general dissatisfaction of Democratic politics. Swift, executive action is one way to win back votes at a time when his party needs them most, but its also a risk, as executive orders are prone to legal challenges and political exploitation if, for instance, the presidents party has messaging problems. Well see if the Biden administration has the guts to make a move. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Jasmine Lotts/AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Bill Snyder/AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 BILOXI, Miss. (AP) The possible suspect in the fatal shooting of the owner and two employees of a Mississippi Gulf Coast motel and subsequent death of a person shot during a carjacking was found dead after a standoff with police Wednesday, authorities said. Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer identified the possible suspect as 32-year-old Jeremy Alesunder Reynolds. Following a warning from state officials, COVID-19 cases increased in Connecticut schools through the past week as students and teachers returned from April break, figures released Thursday show. In the past week, 1,653 cases were reported among students, up from 1,110 the previous week, state data shows. There were 627 cases among teachers and staff in the past week, up from 382 cases the week before. Most districts across Connecticut had April break either last week or the week prior. So the data released Thursday offers the first glimpse of cases since all Connecticut students and staff have returned to the classrooms. Despite the increase, the number of cases among students and teachers remains far lower than figures reported in January during the surge of infections spurred by the omicron variant. Ahead of students returning to the classroom, the states public health and education departments warned school administrators that cases could rise amid a broad increase in COVID-19 infections statewide. Over the past several weeks, COVID-19 transmission rates have been steadily increasing throughout Connecticut and surrounding states. Given these increases, which may be driven in part by recent holidays, school breaks, and associated travel, schools should plan for an increase in COVID-19 cases in their school communities over the next several weeks, the message to school leaders read. Despite maintaining authority to issue a broad school-based mask mandate, state officials remain committed to leaving decisions to local leaders. To date, no districts have instituted mask mandates, despite the rise in cases. The message to school leaders instead focused on reminding districts about proper mitigation strategies that include encouraging frequent testing, hosting vaccination clinics and keeping sick teachers and staff out of school. While no mention was made of reviving mask mandates, the message to school leaders did remind them to support those who choose to still wear a mask. It included a sample letter that districts could send to parents that contained a message urging people to wear masks if they are not feeling well. COVID infections overall remain high across Connecticut. The state reported a seven-day positivity rate of 8.92 percent on Thursday. In the past seven days, the state said 5,531 new COVID-19 cases were found among 62,002 new cases. Hospitalizations increased by a net of 57 patients in the past seven days for a total of 233, the highest figure in several weeks. There were 14 new COVID-19 deaths reported in the past seven days for a total of 10,840. While infections continue to rise, more communities are seeing increased spread of COVID-19. In the past week, 23 more municipalities have been added to the states red zone alert list, bringing the total to 131. For a community to be in the red zone, it has to have more than 15 infections per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks. Driving the increase in cases is omicrons BA.2 subvariant, which now accounts for roughly 70 percent of all COVID-19 cases in New England, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Danburys federal prison was thrust into the spotlight this week when a Russian pilot, convicted of conspiring to smuggle drugs into the United States, was released from the facility as part of a high-profile prisoner swap that will free U.S. Marine Trevor Reed. Little is known about who exactly is housed in the federal prison on Route 37. But one of its inmates, 53-year-old Konstantin Yaroshenko, had been the subject of intense diplomatic negotiations for years between two countrie, even recently as they are at odds over the recent invasion of Ukraine. U.S. Attorney's Office Dimitar Dilkoff /AFP / TNS Left: Former Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko at the Republic of Liberia National Security Agency (RLNSA) headquarters on May 30, 2010, in Monrovia, Liberia. (U.S. Attorney's Office) Right: Former Marine Trevor Reed adjusts his face mask while standing inside a defendants' cage during his verdict hearing at Moscow's Golovinsky district court on July 30, 2020.(Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/TNS) Typically not among the federal penitentiaries to receive much attention, Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury is classified by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as a low-security facility that houses just about 1,000 inmates. But on Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that Yaroshenko, serving a 20-year sentence, had been freed from the facility and will return to Russia. Federal court records also confirmed that Yaroshenko had been housed at the Danbury prison. Danbury officials, including police, were not notified of the release, said John Kleinhans, spokesperson for Mayor Dean Esposito. Federal officials in the U.S. Attorneys office in the Southern District of New York who prosecuted Yarsoshenko, did not respond to a request for comment. Federal officials in Connecticut declined to comment. Yaroshenko was convicted in 2011 after a three-week trial, federal court records show. He was accused of transporting thousand-kilogram quantities of cocaine by air throughout South America, Africa and Europe, federal prosecutors said. Before he was taken into custody, authorities said Yaroshenko was working to expand his operation into the United States, which led to the charges in this country. How Yaroshenko came to be housed in FCI Danbury and why Russia officials keyed in on Yaroshenko is unclear. According to the U.S. Bureau of Prison, it is the agencys sole discretion where inmates are placed after sentencing. Typically, the agency attempts to place inmates within 500 miles of where they will be released, it says. It is not clear where Yaroshenko, who had an anticipated release date of 2027, would have been sent after his sentence was over. The Bureau of Prisons says that it weighs certain other factors including security, program and population concerns when determining where to place inmates. While little has been reported about Yaroshenko ahead of his release in the prisoner swap with Russia, his incarceration was a focus of top authorities in his native country. Russias High Commissioner for Human Rights Tatiana Moskalkova had asked then-President Donald Trump in 2017 to pardon the ailing Yaroshenko. In my letter, considering the humanitarian side of the issue, I asked the president to release Konstantin Yaroshenko from further serving his sentence, pointing to the length of his imprisonment and the progressive deterioration of his health, a statement from Moskalkova read. However, it appears the pardon was never granted. ABC News reported in 2019 that an attorney for Yaroshenko had heard rumors at the time of a prisoner swap involving Yaroshenko, but had heard similar rumors in the years since his arrest in 2010. Yaroshenkos release this week follows repeated efforts by the Russian pilot to garner release from the Danbury facility and sent home to Russia. He had sought a compassionate release from FCI Danbury in April 2020 based on medical conditions that he claimed would make him vulnerable to COVID-19, court records show. His ailments included arthritis, hypertension and post-traumatic stress, his lawyers wrote in court filings. He had sought instead to be sent home to Russia. The warden of the Danbury prison denied his release, court documents said. In September 2021, a federal judge also denied his request for compassionate release while noting the Danbury prison appears to have effectively contained the virus, a federal court ruling states. The judge also pointed out in the ruling that during sentencing the court referred to his illegal activities as a crime of this colossal size. He had served more than half of his sentence when the Biden administration began negotiating with Russian authorities for a prisoner exchange that would free Reed, reports said. Negotiations continued, despite high tensions between Russia and the United States over the Ukraine invasion, officials said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT A Fairfield man, who gained international notoriety following his arrest for allegedly yelling at and throwing a drink at the teenage employees of a local smoothie shop, was granted a pretrial probation program Thursday. Following a sometimes contentious hearing, Superior Court Judge Peter McShane granted accelerated rehabilitation for 48-year-old James Iannazzo, who became angry on that January day after he said the Fairfield Robeks shop employees made a drink containing nuts for his son who he said suffers from a nut allergy. He will forever be known as the Fairfield Smoothie Guy, said the judge. Thousands and thousands have watched the video, he went viral in a terrible way and thats something he will never fix. Under the program, Iannazzo, who previously pleaded not guilty to second-degree breach of peace, first-degree criminal trespass, and intimidation based on bigotry or bias, will be placed on one year of probation. If he completes that probation without committing a new crime the charges against him will be dismissed. The judge also ordered Iannazzo to make a $500 charitable donation. Iannazzos lawyer, Eugene Riccio, told the judge his client has already completed an anger management program. He had previously been ordered to stay away from the teenagers. But Timothy Aspinwall, the lawyer for one of the smoothie shop employees, vehemently objected to Iannazzo getting AR. He presented the judge with a petition signed by 200 people opposing the program for the defendant. Aspinwall quoted two recent articles on the rise in racism in Connecticut as he continued, he traumatized four high school students and assaulted one of them. Granting AR will send a cold message to the Black and Hispanic members of the community. Aspinwall, who later said he has filed a lawsuit against Iannazzo for one of the shop employees claiming battery and extreme emotional distress, also told the judge he believed the state should have filed more severe charges against Iannazzo. But Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Ann Lawlor said she had reviewed the police report of the incident and found no probable cause that Iannazzo had caused any physical injury to the young women. This was a serious case but the emphasis in the reports is the language that was used which was not acceptable, said Lawlor, who did not object to Iannazzo getting AR. These were young women working in a smoothie shop trying to make money. In the Jan. 22 incident, that was captured on a video that went viral, police said Iannazzo angrily confronted teenage employees at the Robeks shop, accusing them of earlier making a drink containing nuts for his son. The teen was later transported to a hospital after having an allergic reaction, police said. Police said Iannazzo demanded to know who had made the smoothie and became increasingly angry when employees could not respond. He is accused of using expletives and throwing a drink at an employee that hit their right shoulder. Iannazzo also made comments toward an employee referencing their immigration status, police said. Employees told police that Iannazzo had not told them about the peanut allergy, only requesting that no peanut butter was put in his drink. The incident was recorded on an employees phone and later released on social media gaining international attention. Iannazzo, who was fired from his job at Merrill Lynch after the incident, later released two statements apologizing for his actions. Riccio told the judge his client deeply regrets his conduct. Riccio said Iannazzos 17-year-old son collapsed on the floor and stopped breathing after drinking the smoothie. He said an EMT told Iannazzo they needed to know what was in the drink in order to treat the teen. When Iannazzo repeatedly tried to reach the shop by phone with no success, he decided to go to the shop, Riccio told the judge as his client stood beside him crying. But when he got there the teenage employees refused to help him, Riccio said. His emotions then took over, Riccio said. While McShane stated, Hate has no place in Connecticut or anywhere else, he pointed out that the state legislature did not exclude hate crimes from eligibility for accelerated rehabilitation. The situation of having your child unable to breath is sympathetic but his (Iannazzos) reaction to it is not, the judge said. But he added, I find that the defendant is not likely to offend again. We appreciate the courts decision in granting our application in this matter, said Riccio as he and Iannazzo left the Golden Hill Street courthouse. This unfortunate incident posed a significant health threat to a member of my clients family. While my client regrets his actions, the entire circumstances of this incident including, his repeated requests that the beverage not contain any peanuts due to his family members severe allergy, and his inability to obtain any information from the store regarding the contents of the drink places the matter in a more accurate perspective than has previously been portrayed. Amber Heard dated Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk while she was trying to reconcile with Johnny Depp, according to their defamation trial testimony. In pre-recorded deposition testimony aired for the jury in the multi-million dollar trial in Fairfax, Virginia, Christian Carino was asked about Amber Heard and Elon Musk's connection. Elon Musk Refuses To Testify for Amber Heard Against Johnny Depp He was then questioned how long it took him to find out Amber Heard was dating Tesla CEO Elon Musk after he helped arrange a reunion between the two in San Francisco. The court was given several of Carino's communications with Amber Heard, including one in which she expressed her dissatisfaction with her breakup with Elon Musk in 2017. Amber Heard's attorneys informed the jury during opening remarks at the start of the trial that Johnny Depp was obsessed with Elon Musk, prompting the Hollywood star to smirk in return. In his libel trial in the United Kingdom against The Sun tabloid, which he lost in 2020, a text message from Johnny Depp to Carino was discovered, in which he slammed the entrepreneur for his association with Amber Heard and dubbed him 'Mollusk,' as per Independent. Elon Musk will not testify on behalf of Amber Heard's ex-husband, Johnny Depp, in her defamation action, in which she is seeking $50 million in damages. Despite being named as a witness, Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the Tesla CEO will not testify. No more explanations were provided. James Franco, 44, will also not testify in the case. Depp has claimed that Franco was one of Heard's boyfriends when the two were married. Franco paid Heard a visit on May 22, 2016, in the LA penthouse she shared with Depp, according to Heard. The visit happened only one day after Heard and Depp allegedly got into a fight, according to Fox News. Read Also: Elon Musk Twitter Headache: Expert Reveals Major Problem After Tesla Stocks Drop Jury Sees Bodycam Video of LAPD Meanwhile, a court has seen police bodycam evidence of a domestic dispute involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, in which the actor is accused of assaulting her - something the actor has consistently denied. In court today, Johnny Depp chuckled when a doorman testified that Amber Heard had once requested him to look into an intruder because his door had marks on it. "It was her dog," Alejandro Romero stated. During the testimony, Johnny was seen showing his attorneys some drawings he had been creating on a pad with felt tips. Before that, the court was shown the moment LAPD police knocked on Johnny Depp's penthouse door in Los Angeles on May 21, 2016. Police were summoned to the actor's residence after a domestic incident in which he and his now ex-wife Amber Heard, 35, had an altercation in which she claimed assault has been used against her. The video shows Josh Drew, Depp's next-door neighbor who leases the apartment from the start, answering the door. The cops are seen entering the flat and claiming that they had gotten notification of an incident, which is the second time LAPD officers had been dispatched to the location that evening. When asked why he had not filed a report about the incident, Officer Hadden told the court that he did not see any signs of broken glass, damage, or spilled wine during a protective sweep of the penthouse. When asked why he had not filed a report about the incident, the officer told the court that writing a report on a "verbal dispute only" was not common practice, Mirror reported. Related Article: Johnny Depp's Hired Psychologist Determines Amber Heard Has 2 Personality Disorders Leading to Anger Issues @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A man charged with killing 18 older women in the Dallas area over a two-year span was found guilty of murder Thursday and sentenced to life in prison in one of the cases against him after an earlier mistrial. Jurors took about 45 minutes to convict Billy Chemirmir, 49, of capital murder in the March 2018 smothering of 81-year-old Lu Thi Harris. Prosecutors said that after Chemirmir and Harris were both at the same Walmart, he went to her home, killed her and stole her jewelry. It was Chemirmirs second trial in her death, after the first jury to hear the case deadlocked in November. Prosecutors weren't seeking the death penalty, so state District Judge Raquel Rocky Jones immediately sentenced Chemirmir to life in prison without parole. Chemirmir, who has maintained that hes innocent, is charged with capital murder in the deaths of 12 other women in Dallas County and five in nearby Collin County. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot has said he plans to try Chemirmir for at least one more death. Relatives of those he's accused of killing praised Thursday's verdict at an emotional news conference. "This one conviction represents justice for all of the families, said Shannon Dion, whose 92-year-old mother, Doris Gleason, was killed in 2016. Defense attorney Kobby Warren said during closing arguments that prosecutors hadnt proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Chemirmir was ever at Harris home, calling the states case all bark, no bite. As in the first trial, the defense didn't call any witnesses and Chemirmir did not testify. Prosecutor Glen Fitzmartin told jurors that he gave them more than enough evidence to convict. This is an easy decision, mainly because we bit so much off, said Fitzmartin, who noted that when Chemirmir was arrested, he had Harris jewelry and the keys to her home. Jurors also saw surveillance video of Harris and Chemirmir at the same Walmart on the day she was found dead. Though Chemirmir was being tried this week only in Harris death, prosecutors also presented evidence to jurors about an attack that 91-year-old Mary Annis Bartel survived the day before Harris was killed and the killing of 87-year-old Mary Brooks about six weeks earlier. Chemirmir was arrested the day after Bartel said a man forced his way into her apartment and held a pillow over her face. Fitzmartin said police subsequently found that a few days earlier there had been a report of a suspicious person at the independent living community where she lived. A license plate number led officers to Chemirmir. Police detectives testified about going to Chemirmirs nearby apartment complex and watching as he drove into the parking lot. Detectives said he threw items into a dumpster and then, as they got him out of his vehicle, he was holding jewelry and cash in his hand. Police have said that a large red jewelry box in the dumpster contained documents that led them to Harris home. They found her dead in her bedroom, lipstick smeared on her pillow. The number of people Chemirmir was accused of killing grew as authorities reinvestigated deaths previously thought to be natural. Most of the people were found dead in their apartments at independent living communities for older people, where Chemirmir has been accused of forcing his way into apartments or posing as a handyman. Some lived in private homes, including Harris and the widow of a man Chemirmir had cared for in his job as an at-home caregiver. M.J. Jennings, whose 83-year-old mother, Leah Corken, was killed in 2016, said she hoped the conviction would be the first step of healing for all of these families. Bartel died in 2020, but jurors heard a taped deposition of her describing opening her door the day she was attacked. She said she immediately focused on green rubber gloves the person was wearing, and tried to push the door shut but was overpowered. He said: Dont fight me, lie on the bed, Bartel said. She said her attacker slammed the pillow to her face and used all his weight to keep me from breathing. She said she couldnt remember details about the mans appearance. Bartel, who lost consciousness, later discovered she was missing her wedding band, diamond engagement ring and other jewelry. Prosecutors presented evidence that Chemirmir listed jewelry belonging to Bartel and Brooks for sale online. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate State utility regulators are ending a nine-year program that incentivized Connecticut homeowners to switch to natural gas. Connecticuts Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Wednesday issued its 28-page ruling, giving the states three natural gas utilities 90 days to end the conversion incentives. In its written ruling, PURAs commissioners concluded the incentive program no longer furthers the states overall climate and energy goals .... (and) is no longer in the best interest of ratepayers. When it was first approved in 2013, the program was supposed to extend until the end of 2023. At the time, state environmental officials and the natural gas companies argued the cheaper natural gas prices would benefit consumers and warranted the conversion incentives and extending natural gas distribution networks into areas that were previously not served. But natural gas prices have since increased and the program struggled to find consumers willing to convert. Although the growth rate of new customers has declined for all three ... the average cost to connect new services has increased significantly, since the start of the program, PURAs ruling said. Mitch Gross, a spokesperson for Eversource Energy, said company officials were reviewing PURAs ruling. Gross said 38,189 customers in the companys natural gas service territory have switched since 2013. We recognize things have evolved since the System Expansion Plan was created and are looking at ways to ensure a seamless and equitable transition for our customers, he said. We look forward to working with our regulators and other partners to help Connecticut reach our shared goals for a cleaner energy future. Eversource provides natural gas to 249,000 customers in 74 communities. Officials with Orange-based Avangrid, which operates Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, could not immediately be reached for comment on PURAs ruling or to provide data on how many customers they have added since the program started. Representatives of a state home heating oil dealer trade group and a environmental policy organization praised PURAs ruling. Chris Herb, president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, blamed officials with the states Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for backing the plan during the administration of then-Gov. Dannel Malloy. Government cant legislate energy: Some of the same people who supported it then are still there today, Herb said. DEEP was wrong on the natural gas conversion plan and (Wednesdays) decision confirms it. Unfortunately, thousands of consumers were fleeced by the states promise of a clean, cheaper, and more reliable energy source, only to find out nearly a decade later that natural gas was dirty, more expensive, and unreliable. Shannon Laun, a staff attorney with the Boston-based Conservation Law Foundation, said PURAs ruling is a huge step toward getting polluting, dirty fossil fuels out of our homes. Unfortunately, PURA is giving gas companies a grace period to sign up more customers for the incentive program, Laun said. The more new customers were allowing to be put natural gas, the more problems were going to have down the line. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT A Superior Court jury has ordered Stamford Hospital to pay $12.5 million to the family of a Westport man who died following thigh surgery at the hospital in 2015. Following a trial, the 6-member jury found that an orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Edward Feliciano, deviated from acceptable standards of care and caused the death of 63-year-old Keith Gilmore. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is appealing his conviction for murder in the killing of George Floyd, arguing that jurors were intimidated by the protests that followed and prejudiced by heavy pretrial publicity. Chauvin asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals in a court filing Monday to reverse his conviction, reverse and remand for a new trial in a new venue, or order a resentencing. Last June, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison after jurors found him guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin pinned the Black man to the ground with his knee on his neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. Floyd had been accused of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Three other fired officers face state trial this summer after being convicted in federal court earlier this year of violating Floyd's civil rights. Chauvins attorney, William Mohrman, laid out a number of challenges to his conviction, including that the trial should not have been held in Hennepin County, where Floyd was killed. The overwhelming media coverage exposed the jurors literally every day to news demonizing Chauvin and glorifying Floyd which was more than sufficient to presume prejudice, the brief said. In the months that followed Floyd's killing, protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis and around the country to protest police brutality and racism. Some of that unrest was violent. Mohrman said several potential jurors expressed concerns during jury selection that if Chauvin was acquitted they would fear for their personal safety and worried about more violence. He said several of them said they were intimidated by the security measures implemented at the courthouse to protect trial participants from protesters. The filing also cited the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by a police officer in nearby Brooklyn Center that sparked mor protests during Chauvin's trial. It says jurors should have been sequestered after selection to avoid being prejudiced by reports of that slaying. It also cited a $27 million settlement reached between the city and Floyd's family that was announced during jury selection, saying the timing of that prejudiced jurors in the case. Mohrman cited several instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct, claiming untimely sharing of evidence, failure to disclose and document dumping by the government. The filing also says the judge did not apply the sentencing guidelines correctly and should not have included abuse of a position of authority as an aggravating sentencing factor for the former police officer. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has 45 days to respond to Chauvins brief. The appeal came as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights released the results of a nearly two-year investigation launched after Floyd's slaying. It found the Minneapolis Police Department has engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade, including stopping and arresting Black people at a higher rate than white people, using force more often on people of color and maintaining a culture where racist language is tolerated. ___ Find APs full coverage of the death of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New Yorks highest court on Wednesday rejected new congressional maps that had widely been seen as favoring Democrats, largely agreeing with Republican voters who argued the district boundaries were unconstitutionally gerrymandered. The decision may delay New Yorks primary elections by as much as two months and is likely a hammer-blow to Democrats national redistricting hopes, which leaned heavily on their ability to gerrymander New York state to maximize the number of seats they could win in the U.S. House of Representatives. The states Court of Appeals said the Democratic-led Legislature lacked the authority to redraw congressional and state Senate maps after an independent redistricting commission charged with crafting new maps failed to reach a consensus. The judges also said lawmakers gerrymandered the congressional maps to Democrats favor, in violation of a 2014 constitutional amendment designed to rout out political gamesmanship in redistricting. The Appeals Court handed authority to draw new district maps to an expert, known as a special court master, instead of the Legislature. Prompt judicial intervention is both necessary and appropriate to guarantee the Peoples right to a free and fair election, said the courts opinion, written by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. The ruling didnt specify a deadline for the adoption of new maps. But the judges said they were sending the matter to a lower state court, which shall adopt constitutional maps with all due haste. It will likely be necessary, DiFiore wrote, to move the congressional and state Senate primary elections from June 28 to August, to give time for the maps to be redrawn and for candidates and elections officials to adapt their plans. The state elections board said it didnt anticipate that the primary date would change for other races, including governor and assembly. The decision comes as a major blow to Democrats in their struggle to prevent Republicans from retaking control of the U.S. House. Because of new population data from the 2020 census, New York is set to lose one seat in Congress in 2021. The maps devised by the Legislature would have given Democrats a strong majority of registered voters in 22 of the states 26 congressional districts. Right now, Republicans currently hold eight of the states 27 seats. Democrats hoped a redistricting map favorable to their party in New York might help offset expected losses in other states where Republicans control state government. While we are disappointed with the Courts ruling, we remain confident in Democratic victories up and down the ballot this November," said Jay Jacobs, the chairman of the New York Democratic Party. Former New York Republican Rep. John Faso called it a landmark decision" and told reporters on a call Wednesday evening that the ruling is a signal to future legislatures to follow the letter of the states voter-approved redistricting law. Itll force bipartisan cooperation and thats what the people voted for," he said. Under a process passed by voters in 2014, New Yorks new district maps were supposed to have been drawn by an independent commission. But that body, made up of equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, couldnt agree on one set of maps. The Democratic-controlled Legislature then stepped in and created its own maps, quickly signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat. The appeals court, made up of judges appointed entirely by Democratic governors, sided with the Republican plaintiffs who argued the Legislature sidestepped the process set forth in the 2014 reforms, including a provision in the state constitution barring the redrawing of districts for partisan gain. The legislature responded by creating and enacting maps in a nontransparent manner controlled exclusively by the dominant political party doing exactly what they would have done had the 2014 constitutional reforms never been passed, DiFiore wrote. Four out of seven judges on the Court of Appeals joined in the majority opinion, with a fifth agreeing that the Senate and congressional maps were unconstitutional on procedural grounds. Attorneys for Democrats argued the Legislature was legally allowed to craft its own maps when the redistricting commission failed to reach a consensus. Democrats also said their maps reflected population shifts and united similar geographic and cultural communities, split apart by earlier rounds of gerrymandering. But the judges took Democrats to task for crafting maps that reduced the number of competitive districts, and for asking the court to essentially nullify the 2014 reforms. In the majority opinion, DiFiore said upholding the tainted process would only encourage partisans involved in the Independent Redistricting Commission process to avoid consensus in the future, too, thereby permitting the legislature to step in and create new maps merely by engineering a stalemate at any stage of the IRC process. Two lower-level courts had also ruled the maps were unconstitutional and gave the Legislature an April 30 deadline to draw new maps or else leave the task to a court-appointed expert. That deadline has now been set aside. In the meantime, candidates have already begun campaigning in the new districts, despite being unsure whether those districts will still exist by the time voting begins. ___ Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) A woman arrested in the kidnapping of a 3-month-old baby from his San Francisco Bay Area home is a friend of the family and was present when a man abducted the baby while his grandmother unloaded groceries, police said Wednesday. Yesenia Ramirez, 43, had driven the child and his grandmother on a shopping trip and had been communicating with Jose Portillo before he entered the second floor San Jose apartment and took the baby Monday, San Jose Police Sgt. Christian Camarillo said. A motive for the kidnapping is still under investigation, Camarillo said. Portillo, 28, was captured on surveillance video carrying a baby car seat and a small blanket and walking toward the apartment, he said. It was a clear indication that this was planned, premeditated, Camarillo said. Little Brandon Cuellar was found unharmed Tuesday inside a home where Portillo lived after detectives located a van they believed had been used in the kidnapping. The baby was taken to a hospital to be checked and reunited hours later with his mother, who was working at the time of the abduction. Another man, Baldomeo Sandoval, 37, was also arrested. Camarillo said Sandoval played a role in the kidnapping but gave no other details. The relationship among the three suspects was not disclosed to maintain the integrity of the investigation, Camarillo said. All three have been charged with kidnapping and are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday. It was not immediately known if they have an attorney who can speak on their behalf. The baby's father is incarcerated and police don't believe he played a role in his child's abduction, Camarillo said. WESTPORT Some elementary schools in town are looking to create outdoor classrooms, making them among the first in the state to get learning spaces like this, officials said. The proposal would add a set learning space in the courtyard at Kings Highway school with a covering to protect from the elements thats 30 feet by 40 feet and 12 feet tall. There would also be flooring, outdoor seating and a variety of learning materials, including possibly an art station, greenhouse, sensory station, projector and an outdoor library. During the school year, this can serve as an outside classroom in a quiet and safe location, Tracey Carbone, Kings Highways principal, said at a recent school board meeting. It would cost about $55,000 for the whole project. School officials hope to use federal money awarded to Westport under the American Rescue Plan Act for the covering and flooring which would cost about $43,000 with $38,000 or so for the covering alone. The material for the covering lasts about 10 years and can be replaced, officials said. School officials have already requested ARPA money from the town for playgrounds at the middle schools and a ropes course at the high school. Superintendent Thomas Scarice said this project aligns with the districts plan to use the federal money for outdoor learning. He said school officials had originally looked at having outdoor classrooms like this at all five elementary schools but questioned if it was worth the investment for Long Lots, with the board currently deciding whether to replace or renovate the building. Theres a chance Greens Farm might have a similar project come before the board on Monday. Officials are looking at other projects at the remaining elementary schools. Its disappointing that only one elementary school after all this time has come forward with a concrete proposal, said board member Robert Harrington. Kings Highway started working on the idea in August, even before the federal money was available, with the plan to raise funds for the effort. The Parent Teacher Association is still contributing to the project. Its raising the other $12,000 for the Kings Highway project to cover the learning equipment, shed to store supplies and other aspects of the project, including permit fees. Other PTAs have done similar outdoor projects at the other elementary schools. Our PTA has been working really hard to raise money for the materials inside, Carbone said. Obviously this is something that we start with and build over the years as we start to use it more. The goal is to install the outdoor classroom this summer so its ready for next school year, she said. The space could be used for classes, group work and meetings. It could also be used by the summer camps when school isnt in session. It would not just be for Kings Highway, but were seeing it as a community space as well, Carbone said. She said research shows the benefits of outdoor learning, including activity breaks. There are also hopes to create sensory pathways on the existing sidewalks later. You often think of the outside for science lessons, but if you read more about it, it can really be used for any subject, Carbone said. ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) _ AvalonBay Communities Inc. (AVB) on Wednesday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results met Wall Street expectations. The Arlington, Virginia-based real estate investment trust said it had funds from operations of $316.9 million, or $2.26 per share, in the period. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for funds from operations of $2.26 per share. Funds from operations is a closely watched measure in the REIT industry. It takes net income and adds back items such as depreciation and amortization. The company said it had net income of $262 million, or $1.87 per share. The apartment building owner posted revenue of $613.9 million in the period, missing Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $615.4 million. For the current quarter ending in July, AvalonBay expects its per-share funds from operations to range from $2.25 to $2.37. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had forecast adjusted FFO per share of $2.34. The company expects full-year funds from operations in the range of $9.38 to $9.78 per share. The company's shares have decreased almost 5% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P's 500 index has dropped 12%. In the final minutes of trading on Wednesday, shares hit $240.78, an increase of 23% in the last 12 months. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on AVB at https://www.zacks.com/ap/AVB This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Monday that Ukraine risks provoking World War III and said the threat of a nuclear conflict should not be underestimated. In an in-depth Russian TV interview, Lavrov blamed Ukraine for stalled talks between the two countries, and accused the United States and Britain of pressuring Kyiv not to reach agreement. Everyone is reciting incantations that in no case can we allow World War III, Lavrov said, and accused Ukrainian leaders of provoking Russia by asking NATO to become involved in the conflict. By providing weapons, NATO forces are pouring oil on the fire, he said, according to a Russian transcript on the Russian Foreign Ministrys website. Lavrov apparently made the remarks after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States wants to see Russia weakened to the point where it cant do things like invade Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told The Associated Press in an interview Monday that only discussions between Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin would bring resolution. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: US promises new aid to Ukraine in fight against Russia To Europes relief, Frances Macron wins but far-right gains Russian officer: Missile to carry several hypersonic weapons Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: NEW YORK The Metropolitan Opera and the Polish National Opera are organizing a Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra to tour Europe and America from July 28 to Aug. 20. The orchestra is to gather in Warsaw on July 18 for rehearsals and will include musicians from Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and Odesa plus Ukrainian members of European orchestras, the companies said Monday. Keri-Lynn Wilson, a Canadian-Ukrainian conductor who is married to Met general manager Peter Gelb, will lead musicians who include members of the Kyiv National Opera, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra and Kharkiv Opera plus the Tonkunstler Orchestra of Vienna, the Belgian National Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The tour will open at Teatr Wielki, the Polish National Opera, on July 28 and include a televised performance at the BBC Proms in London on July 31. That will be followed by stops at the Choregies dOrange Festival in France (Aug. 2); Berlin (Aug. 4); Edinburgh, Scotland (Aug. 6); Snape Maltings in England (Aug. 8); Amsterdam (Aug. 11); Hamburg, Germany (Aug. 13); New York (Aug. 18 and 19), and Washington (Aug. 20). __ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines foreign minister on Monday urged the U.N. chief to press Russia for an evacuation of the besieged port of Mariupol, calling it something the world body is capable of achieving. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told The Associated Press in an interview he was concerned that by visiting Moscow on Tuesday before traveling to Kyiv, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres could be vulnerable to falling into a Kremlin trap in the war. Kuleba said Guterres should focus primarily on one issue: evacuation of Mariupol. An estimated 100,000 people are trapped in the seaside city while a contingent of Ukrainian fighters hold out against Russian forces in a steel mill where hundreds of civilians also are taking shelter. __ MARIUPOL, Ukraine Officials in the embattled Ukrainian city of Mariupol say a new mass grave has been identified north of the city. Mayor Vadym Boychenko said authorities are trying to estimate the number of victims in the grave about 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) north of Mariupol. Satellite photos released over the past several days have shown what appear to be images of other mass graves. Mariupol has been decimated by fierce fighting over the past two months. The capture of the city would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and allow Moscow to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014. __ ZAGREB, Croatia Moscow is accusing Croatia of having an anti-Russian policy for failing to provide humanitarian passage for 24 Russian diplomats and embassy staff who were expelled from the country over the war in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Monday that the government of Croatia is systematically destroying bilateral relations, according to the Russian TASS news agency. The inhumane, cynical attitude towards our fellow countrymen wont go without an answer, she added. Croatia has followed several other European Union states in expelling Russian diplomats for the bloody Russian invasion of Ukraine. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that Zakharovas claims are Russian propaganda and that the expelled Russians already left the country, probably via neighboring Serbia. He added that Russia attacked Ukraine, which is our friendly country, killed women and children and we responded to it like most other countries. ___ UNITED NATIONS The U.N. says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are stressing the urgent need for effective access through humanitarian corridors to evacuate Ukrainian civilians and deliver humanitarian aid to communities impacted by the war. Guterres met Erdogan on Monday in Ankara and expressed support for Turkeys ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, adding that they agreed to stay in contact to follow up on ongoing initiatives. The U.N. chief and the Turkish president reaffirmed that their common objective is to end to the war as soon as possible and to create conditions to end the suffering of civilians, Dujarric said. During the meeting, Erdogan also said Turkey would continue to work closely with the U.N. to end the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and to help in the evacuation of civilians, . Guterres is scheduled to travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and will then head to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. The Ukrainian leader has criticized the secretary-general for visiting Moscow before going to Kyiv. ___ LONDON The British government says it believes 15,000 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since Moscow launched its invasion two months ago. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said 25% of the Russian combat units sent to Ukraine have been rendered not combat effective, and Russia had lost more than 2,000 armored vehicles and more than 60 helicopters and fighter planes. Russia has acknowledged 1,351 military casualties. Wallace said Russia had failed in most of its military objectives so far. He told British lawmakers that we anticipate this next phase of the invasion will be an attempt by Russia to occupy further the Donbas in order to connect it via Mariupol to Russian-controlled Crimea. He said international aid and weapons are crucial to help Ukraine withstand the anticipated onslaught. Wallace said Britain had sent more than 5,000 antitank missiles, as well as air-defense systems and anti-air missiles, and would soon send a small number of Stormer armored vehicles equipped with missile launchers. ___ STOCKHOLM Two newspapers - one Swedish, the other one Finnish - are reporting that the governments of Sweden and Finland have agreed to submit NATO applications at the same time and that it will happen in the middle of next month. The Finnish newspaper Iltalehti said that the Swedish government has expressed a wish to Finland that they apply together in the week ending May 22, and Swedish government sources confirmed the information to Swedens Expressen tabloid. Russias invasion of Ukraine has led to growing support in Sweden and Finland, a Russian neighbor, for joining NATO. Though not members, both Nordic countries closely cooperate with NATO, allowing, among other things, the alliances troops to exercise on their soil. Helsinki and Stockholm have also substantially intensified their bilateral defense cooperation in the past years. ___ WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department says it has approved the sale of $165 million in legacy Warsaw Pact ammunition and other non-standard ammunition to Ukraine to help in its defense against Russia. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the potential sale and has provided the legally required notification to Congress. Lawmakers can block weapons sales but are unlikely to do so because of strong support for Ukraine following the Feb. 24 invasion. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe, the State Department said in announcing the potential sale Monday. The sale came at the request of Ukraines government and includes rounds for mortars, automatic grenade launchers and howitzers. ___ Russia is expelling 40 German diplomats in response to Germany expelling the same number of Russian diplomats earlier this month. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday that it had summoned German ambassador Geza Andreas von Geyr for a strong protest at the clearly unfriendly decision to expel the Russian diplomatic staff. The ministry said von Geyr was told that 40 members of staff at German diplomatic missions in Russia would be officially declared unwelcome in Russia. Germany announced the expulsion of 40 Russian diplomats on Apr. 4 following mounting evidence of civilian killings and mass graves in Bucha, near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. ___ COPENHAGEN, Denmark Environmental campaigners have used kayaks and a dinghy to stop a Russian oil tanker from unloading its cargo south of Norways capital, saying Norwegian companies are financing Russias warfare. Greenpeace says its members chained themselves to the Hong Kong-registered Ust Luga, leased by Russian oil company Novatek, as it arrived at its destination, an Essos terminal near Toensberg. The tanker with 95,000 tonnes of fuel had left St. Petersburg. Esso spokeswoman Anne Fougner told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet that the oil had been bought before Russia invaded Ukraine. She added that Esso Norway does not have other contracts for the purchase of products from Russia. Several other activists were stopped by police before they could take part in the action, Norwegian news agency NTB reported. ___ THE HAGUE, Netherlands The International Criminal Courts prosecution office is joining a joint investigation team set up by Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland to probe atrocities committed during the war in Ukraine. The ICCs Prosecutor Karim Khan signed an agreement Monday to participate in the multinational effort that aims to facilitate investigations and cooperation. Eurojust, the European Unions judicial cooperation agency, says the agreement sends a clear message that all efforts will be undertaken to effectively gather evidence on core international crimes committed in Ukraine and bring those responsible to justice. Khan said last month he was opening an investigation in Ukraine and has sent investigators there and visited crime scenes himself. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian authorities say at least five people have been killed by Russian strikes on the central Vynnytsia region. The Vynnytsia regional prosecutors said another 18 people were wounded in Mondays Russian missile strikes on the towns of Zhmerynka and Koziatyn. Vinnytsia regional Governor Serhiy Borzov said earlier that the Russian missiles targeted critical infrastructure, but didnt elaborate. The Vynnytsia region is fully controlled by Ukraine and is far behind the front lines. ___ KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine has said the United Nations should step in to oversee an evacuation route for civilians from the besieged steel mill in Mariupol which is Ukrainian troops last stronghold in the port city. Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the Telegram messaging app that a Russian announcement of a humanitarian corridor out of the Azovstal plant to operate later Monday was not agreed to by Ukraine. Vereshchuk added that Ukraine does not consider the route safe for that reason and said Russia had breached agreements on similar evacuation routes before. Ukrainian officials have said that up to 1,000 civilians have sheltered at the sprawling steel plant. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to visit Russia and Ukraine this week. Vereshchuk called on Guterres to be the initiator and guarantor of a humanitarian route out of Azovstal and for U.N. and International Committee of the Red Cross personnel to accompany any evacuees. ___ MOSCOW Russias Energy Ministry says a massive fire at an oil depot in western Russia will not cause fuel shortages. The ministry said in a statement that Mondays fire inflicted damage to a depot containing diesel fuel in Bryansk, and authorities are dealing with the consequences of the blaze. The ministry said fuel supplies to consumers havent been interrupted and noted that the region has enough diesel fuel for 15 days. The Emergencies Ministry said earlier that a huge blaze erupted overnight at the depot owned by Transneft-Druzhba, a subsidiary of the Russian state-controlled company Transneft, which operates the western-bound Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline carrying crude to Europe. It wasnt immediately clear what caused the blaze, and whether it could affect deliveries to Europe. ___ MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the U.S. and its allies of trying to split Russian society. Speaking Monday at a meeting with top officials at the Prosecutor Generals office, Putin said Russia has come under unprecedented Western sanctions amid its military action in Ukraine. He charged that the U.S, and its allies have sought to split the Russian society and to destroy Russia from within, adding that their plans have failed. Putin urged Russian prosecutors to act more quickly to block unsanctioned demonstrations organized from abroad. He also noted that they should focus on exposing open provocations against the Russian military allegedly involving international media and social platforms. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as encouraging and effective. Speaking in Mondays video address, he said the U.S. is offering powerful support to his country. Zelenskyy added that they agreed on further steps to strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine and meet all the priority needs of our army. He noted that ramping up sanctions against Moscow also was on the meetings agenda. Blinken and Austin said the United States had approved a $165 million sale of ammunition for Ukraines war effort, along with more than $300 million in foreign military financing. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine would expect the United States to lead other allies in offering a set of security guarantees in the future. The Ukrainian president also denounced Russia for launching strikes on Orthodox Easter Sunday, describing them deliberate destruction of life in Ukraine. ___ MOSCOW The Russian military says it will open a humanitarian corridor for civilians to evacuate from the besieged steel plant in Mariupol. The Russian Defense Ministry said a humanitarian corridor will open at 2 p.m (1100 GMT) Monday for all civilians to leave the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. It said Russian troops will cease fire to allow civilians to safely exit the plant. The mammoth steel plant, which has a sprawling maze of underground channels. has remained the last bulwark of Ukrainian resistance in the strategic Sea of Azov port city. Ukrainian officials have said that up to 1,000 civilians have sheltered there. They have repeatedly urged Russia to offer them a safe exit. ___ MOSCOW Russian authorities say a fire has engulfed an oil storage facility in western Russia. The Emergencies Ministry said a huge blaze at the depot in the city of Bryansk erupted early Monday. Its cause wasnt immediately clear. The oil depot is owned by Transneft-Druzhba, a subsidiary of the Russian state-controlled company Transneft that operates the western-bound Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline carrying crude oil to Europe. It wasnt clear if the depot was part of the pipeline infrastructure and whether the blaze could affect the deliveries. Russian news reported that another oil storage facility in Bryansk also caught fire early Monday, and that the cause wasnt immediately known. Bryansk is located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the border with Ukraine, where Moscow has waged a military campaign for two months. Last month, two Ukrainian helicopter gunships hit an oil reservoir in Russias Belgorod region that borders Ukraine, causing a fire. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian officials say the Russian military has unleashed a series of strikes on the countrys railways. Lviv region Governor Maksym Kozytskyy said a Russian missile hit a railway facility in Krasne, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Lviv, early Monday, sparking a fire. Oleksandr Kamyshin, the head of the state-run Ukrainian Railways, said a total of five rail facilities in central and western Ukraine have been hit by the Russian strikes. He said the attacks have delayed at least passenger 16 trains. There was no immediate information about the damage from the strikes. ___ NEAR THE POLISH-UKRAINIAN BORDER U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Russia is failing in its war aims after invading Ukraine on Feb. 24. Following meetings Sunday in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Blinken told reporters in Poland on Monday that, with Russia having pulled back its troops from around Kyiv and the north of Ukraine to focus on the eastern Donbas region, When it comes to Russias war aims, Russia is failing, Ukraine is succeeding. In footage of the meeting later released by the Ukrainian presidency, Blinken praised the extraordinary courage and leadership and success that youve had in pushing back this horrific Russian aggression. We got used to seeing you on video around the world, but its great, its good to see you in person, Blinken said with a smile. Austin said that the world has been inspired by Ukraine in the war and that America would continue its support. Boeing CEO David Calhoun on Wednesday revealed that the aerospace company received a massive $1.1 billion from its Air Force One deal with former United States President Donald Trump. Calhoun said he regretted the agreement and should not have accepted it, saying it was a one-off that he hoped would not be repeated. "Air Force One, I'm just going to call a very unique moment, a very unique negotiation. A very unique set of risks that Boeing probably shouldn't have taken. But we are where we are," he said. Boeing's $1.1 Billion Loss The aerospace company made the deal with the Trump administration in 2018 after the Republican businessman criticized the program's costs. The former president wrote "Cancel order!" and continued his tough rhetoric on China that risked consequences for Boeing and many other U.S. exporters. The Boeing CEO spoke during the company's quarterly earnings call where he promised investors a "very different philosophy" to fixing in advance the price for military projects. The company agreed to a fixed $3.9 billion price tag with the Trump administration but later encountered issues and higher costs that threatened to delay delivery of the two 747 jets until the end of 2026, as per CNN. Calhoun associated $660 million of the losses with delays and higher costs for the Air Force One program. In a securities filing, the aerospace company said that risks remain that they may be required to record additional losses in future periods within the program. Read Also: US Recession 2022: Deutsche Bank Economists Warn of 'Worse Than Expected' Economic Hit The deal requires Boeing, not the federal government, to eat any overruns in the cost of modifying the two Boeing 747 jets. Under the fixed-price contract, the aerospace company was set to deliver the two planes in 2024. However, a recent Air Force budget proposal from earlier this month suggested that the delivery will not be expected until 2026. According to CNBC, at the time the deal was agreed to, Trump bragged about it, saying, "Boeing gave us a good deal. And we were able to take that." The aerospace company spoke favorably about the deal four years ago. In February 2018, the company posted on Twitter saying that it was proud to bear the responsibility of building the next generation of Air Force One and provide American presidents with a flying White House. Trump's Air Force One Deal A Boeing spokesperson said that CEO Calhoun's remarks on Wednesday referred specifically to problems with fixed-price contracts in general. The official refused to answer questions that asked whether or not the CEO was directly blaming former President Trump. He said that Calhoun's comments spoke for themselves. The deal was made under then-CEO Dennis Muilenburg before Calhoun took over in January 2020 due to his predecessor's retirement. The managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, Richard Aboulafia, said that Calhoun should not be blaming Trump for Boeing's current predicament. He said that there was absolutely no evidence or indication that Trump's Air Force One maneuver is the cause of Boeing's problems. Aboulafia noted that the budget for the program has remained the same and argued that blaming the former administration was done to make the situation less of a fault of the aerospace company, Politico reported. Related Article: Judge Finds Donald Trump in Contempt; Ex-POTUS Faces $10,000 Fine Per Day Amid Subpoena Fight with NY AG Letitia James @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. FAIRFIELD Dr. Leon Chameides remembers fleeing east to modern-day Ukraine in the wake of the German invasion into Poland something he said is reminiscent of scenes playing out on in the news today. I dont need to describe the scene to you, because all of you have been watching TV, Chameides, a Holocaust survivor and current West Hartford resident, said speaking of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and of families fleeing west. This was the same. Chameides was one of several Jewish childrens experiences during the Holocaust described at the 37th annual Holocaust commemoration on Wednesday. The stories of the victims of the Holocaust began being told before the event even formally began, with a piece of paper handed out at the front door of the First Church Congregational that detailed the short life of Jan-Peter Pfeffer. He was born in Amsterdam in 1934 to Jewish parents who fled Germany because they were frightened by the Nazi dictatorship. He lived in the Netherlands even after Germany occupied the country in 1940. The Pfeffers were sent to a ghetto called Theresienstadt, and later to the Auschwitz concentration camp. He was killed by gas on July 11, 1944 at the age of 10. Adele Jacobs, the chair of the Holocaust Commemoration Committee, said she is the daughter of two Holocaust survivors. Even more than coming together to remember the victims of the genocide, she said people need to think about how the world stood silent to the horror stories coming out of Europe and did nothing. Jacobs told the story of Shlomo and Akiva Oksenhendler, two young boys who lived in Poland with their parents and five siblings who affectionately nicknamed them Shlomele and Kivele. In September 1939, their lives changed as they watched their world crumble, she said. Slowly, all their siblings were either taken away in terror-filled raids on their apartment building mostly in the middle of the night or they managed to get over the border into Russia. The brothers were hungry and scared, Jacobs said, and in August of 1942 they were taken with their parents, herded onto a train and transported to Auschwitz. Their last memory, the very last memory, of those two beautiful little boys, Shlomele and Kivele, then ages 6 and 8, were being herded into the gas chamber, surrounded by over 100 naked, frightened women, she said. We can imagine them clinging to their mothers legs as the Zyclon B gas was dropped from the holes in the ceiling murdering them. Their only two family members who survived the Holocaust lived to be 96 and 105, Jacobs said, her mother and her aunt. Shlomo and Akiva were uncles that she never had, she said, adding young people today should call out antisemitism when they see it. Chameides, the key note speaker for the commemoration, was born in Katowice, Poland in 1935, but fled to modern-day Ukraine after the German invasion of Poland in 1941. There, he and his brother were hidden in monasteries under the protection of the Uniate Church of Ukraine, where they were taught to speak Ukrainian and instructed in prayers and rituals so that they could pass as Christian children. He said his story is important during a very grave time in the world serving as a reminder of the harm humans are capable of inflicting on each other, but also of the goodness within their grasp. Chameides said anti-Jewish riots started almost immediately when the Germans invaded Lviv, then Lvov, Poland, in 1941 at first carried out by his familys Ukranian neighbors. He said he experienced his first pogrom at the age of 6. I remember sitting in a dark cellar with my mother listening to screams and the sound of shooting above, until we were finally discovered and pulled out, he said. I remember seeing my grandmothers bloodied face and her teeth knocked out. By August of 1942, Chameides said, approximately 50,000 Jews living in and around Lviv has been killed. He said his parents came to the conclusion that all of them would eventually be murdered, and so his father asked the church to shelter his children. He said he lived in a new world after that, adopting a new name and living at an orphanage. The Germans carried out raids every so often, and I would be whisked away, sometimes in the middle of the night in the middle of winter, he said of his two years living there, noting he later had to run away from the monastery because the USSR started suppressing the church when it liberated Ukraine in 1944. Chameides said he was able to take a carriage to Lviv, where he found no one in his family had survived, and so he was taken in by a Jewish woman who had lost her entire family. He eventually emigrated to the United States, where he attended medical school and served as the founding Chair of Pediatric Cardiology at Hartford Hospital and Connecticut Childrens Medical Center for 30 years. While there is a long and complicated history between Jews and Christians in Ukraine, Chameides said, the country has a rich Jewish culture. He said Ukraine has embraced diversity and democratic values since declaring independence. Our long and painful Jewish history has taught us about affliction and being abandoned, as well as about the precious gift of freedom, he said. Therefore, when others are afflicted and yearn for freedom, we must not remain silent. We must raise our voices and join theirs. Slava Ukraini. Glory to Ukraine. Samantha Renzulli, a senior from Fairfield Warde High School, said she believes one of the greatest ways to honor the generations of Jewish people that came before her is taking action to support the strengths and preservation of Judaism by combating antisemitism. An Anti-Defamation League team trainer, Renzulli spoke of facing antisemitism in school at a club meeting after school when she was a freshman, where the seniors in charge suggested playing an online game. Two of her fellow classmates used usernames that were derogatory toward Jewish people, Renzulli said, adding she could tell it was a joke to them. Its not a joke if it degrades someones identity. Its not a joke if it makes someone afraid, she said. A joke brings happiness. This brought me fear. Renzulli said she left the incident feeling as though she should have done more. But standing up is a process of growth, she said, and those speaking from ignorance will not know what they said is wrong until somebody tells them. With each similar incident she experiences, Renzulli said, she grows her voice and confidence in educating. We must dedicate ourselves to learning and teaching, and we must stand up, she said. joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT Fairfield University and the Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocesan Corp. are moving ahead Thursday with information sessions on their proposed North End college, despite a recent decision by the citys municipal law department that threatens the project. Attorney Raymond Rizio, who represents the diocese, said Tuesday the partner religious and academic institutions still want to try and give accurate information to the neighbors, as we do not feel their program has been property represented by the opponents. One of the most vocal of those critics, neighborhood City Councilwoman Michelle Lyons, said she will attend one of the two previously scheduled sessions one at 10:30 a.m., the second at 6:30 p.m. at diocese headquarters, 238 Jewett Ave. That is also the site of the planned, 200-student, nonresidential college Fairfield University wants to launch in unused space. Ill be there, Lyons said Tuesday. But she did not expect any new information or revelations that would sway the opposition. Its (the proposal) no different than Ive been telling people. I havent lied, Lyons said. Lyons and some of her constituents have argued the college, which would offer an associates degree to lower-income students who cannot afford Fairfields pricey tuition, will be too much for the mostly residential neighborhood, causing traffic headaches and hurting real estate values. If this doesnt go forward the city residents lose because this is going to be mostly available to city residents, Rizio said. He said the diocese is evaluating whether to challenge a legal opinion, issued late last Friday by R. Christopher Meyer, head of the municipal law department, that stated zoning regulations do not allow a college on the dioceses property. Meyer negated a prior decision by one of the lawyers working for him, Russell Liskov, that had paved the way for the project to proceed without a special permit from the planning and zoning commission or a public hearing. We have the right to appeal to the zoning board of appeals, Rizio said. He added, Were just trying to sort it all out. This overnight reversal was very troubling. In late March, Liskov determined that since the 238 Jewett Ave. building had housed Notre Dame Girls Catholic High School in the 1960s, the diocese did not need to come before the planning and zoning commission for a special permit for an educational use. The diocese had already submitted a pending application late last year. So Zoning Director Dennis Buckley via email informed Lyons that would be withdrawn. Liskovs legal opinion was questioned by Lyons and her allies, retired state Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez and former state Rep. Christopher Caruso, who last week filed their own appeal with the zoning board of appeals. They claimed in part Liskov lacked the appropriate historic documentation to arrive at his conclusion. Last Thursday, Liskov acknowledged more research was being done to support his findings. What youre seeing is its a more complex question than what was asked of us originally, Liskov had said, adding, I was not asked whether or not a university was allowed to go there. Educational purposes are permitted. So I think people jumped to the conclusion as to what is permitted. My opinion doesnt say a university was allowed to go there. About 24 hours later, just after 5 p.m. Friday, Mayor Joe Ganim announced Meyer had determined a college is not a legal use in that particular neighborhood. And while that did not make it impossible for the diocese and university to proceed Rizio said they could apply for a variance from the zoning board of appeals it made it much more challenging. Ganim in a statement at the time echoed Lyons view that the college would be a too intense use for the neighborhood and suggested Fairfield look for a site in another section of town, such as part of the University of Bridgeports South End campus. But Rizio on Tuesday emphasized the college will not cause North End traffic issues. There will be no buses, he said. Its 100 students in the morning, 100 in the afternoon. Thats it. We dont believe it will create any traffic problems or any other kind of problems. Lyons for similar reasons five years ago successfully fought an attempt by her council colleagues and the school board to purchase 238 Jewett Ave. to relocate Classic Studies Academy Magnet School there. Rizio has also pointed out that if the college is rejected, the North End neighborhood could face worse development headaches. Specifically the land is zoned as mixed residential, which Bridgeports regulations define as intended for ... a wide mix of multi-unit housing types, including multi-unit houses, row houses, small apartment buildings, and larger apartment buildings. Lyons is proposing senior housing for the property. They dont all drive (and) have a car, she said, calling that concept like apples and oranges to a college scenario. But some who support Fairfield Universitys effort have suggested the North End is not the ideal spot for other reasons. Earlier this month, Rev. Stanley Lord, head of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, whom university administrators consulted on their proposal, said the program has a lot of potential. Lord, however, said, If you were trying to get a community of color, thats not really where they are. We havent taken a real stand on whether its a good idea or not. Our question is, how are we gonna get our kids there? Asked if, given Meyers opinion and Ganims statement, she would like the diocese and Fairfield University to abandon their effort in the North End, Lyons declined to comment. She said she will continue to consult with Lopez and others on how to proceed. Were gonna be diligent on this, she said. UPDATE: Police have identified the victim of the fatal shooting in Bridgeport as Michael John Bernardo III. BRIDGEPORT Police said they found a 35-year-old fatally shot inside a store on Newfield Avenue Thursday. Police were called to the Garcia Mini Market around 12:20 p.m. Thursday about a disturbance. Once there, police found the store locked and did not hear an answer at the door, according to Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran. A second call came in around 1:05 p.m. about a possible robbery and a person shot inside the store. When police returned to the store, they entered and found a man who was unresponsive, Gilleran said. The man, who was not immediately identified, appeared to be shot to death, police said. Medics later pronounced the man dead. Police are notifying his next of kin. Shortly after the call, police identified a person involved in the incident. The Detective Bureaus Homicide Squad is investigating the incident and established a crime scene in the area of Newfield Avenue between Suggetts Lane and Jefferson Street. Newfield Avenue will be closed to traffic for the next few hours while they process the scene. Anyone with information regarding this incdient is asked to call Detective Keith Hanson at 203-581-5243. Tips can also be left by called the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS (8477). This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW YORK (AP) It started in 1948 as a society midnight supper, and it wasnt even at the Met. Fast forward 70-plus years, and the Met Gala is something totally different, one of the most photographed events in the world for its head-spinning red carpet though the famous carpeted steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art arent always red. Were talking Rihanna as a bejeweled pope. Zendaya as Cinderella with a light-up gown. Katy Perry as a chandelier morphing into a hamburger. Also: Beyonce in her naked dress. Kim Kardashian in a face-covering bodysuit. Billy Porter as an Egyptian sun god, carried on a litter by six shirtless men. And Lady Gagas 16-minute striptease. Not to forget, the Met Gala is still a fundraiser last year the evening earned more than a whopping $16.4 million for the Mets Costume Institute. Lets also not forget that it launches the annual spring fashion exhibit that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the museum. But its the carpet itself (now watchable for everyone, on livestream) that draws the worlds eyes, with the guest list strategically withheld until the last minute a collection of stars from movies, music, fashion, sports, politics and elsewhere that probably makes for the highest celebrity wattage-per square foot of any party in the world. Herewith, a primer for the 2022 Met gala, which is on May 2: AGAIN, ALREADY? Yes, we just did this in the fall. The annual fundraiser for the Mets Costume Institute is traditionally held the first Monday in May, but because of the pandemic, a postponed gala was held in September. WHOS HOSTING THE 2022 MET GALA? This years hosts are Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Of course, Vogues Anna Wintour is supervising the whole shebang as she has since the 90s. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri. Ford, also a film director, is one of nine directors whose work is featured in the new spring exhibit. IS THERE A THEME? Of course. The Met Gala theme for this year is Gilded glamour, white-tie, guests have been told. As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: In America: An Anthology of Fashion, which is the second installment of star curator Andrew Boltons two-part show exploring the roots of American style. This exhibit showcases overlooked figures in fashion history, many of them women and people of color, through the talents of some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last years Oscar winner Chloe Zhao. Their work will be displayed in the period rooms of the American Wing, so expect some grand fashion related to the theme like those gowns from HBOs The Gilded Age. Artfully ripped jeans, this time? Not so much. DOES EVERYONE FOLLOW THE THEME? Not really. Some eschew it and just go for big and crazy. But expect some guests to have carefully researched the theme and to come in perfect sync with the exhibit. It was hard to beat the carpet, for example, when the theme was Catholic imagination and Rihanna came as the pope, Zendaya channeled Joan of Arc, and Perry navigated the crowd with a set of enormous angel wings. HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A MET GALA TICKET? Wrong question. You cannot just buy a ticket. The right question is, IF I were famous or powerful and got invited, how much would it cost? IF I WERE FAMOUS AND POWERFUL AND GOT INVITED, HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST? Well, you might not pay yourself. Generally companies buy tables. A fashion label Michael Kors, for example would then host its desired celebrities, or fashion muses. But each paid seat reportedly costs around $35,000, though some guests are invited for free. SO WHO GETS INVITED TO THE MET GALA? This year, there will be 400 guests similar to the September gala, and lower than pre-pandemic highs of 500-600. Trying to predict? Take out your pen and jot down some of your favorite names, the buzzier the better. Newly minted Oscar or Grammy winners, for example, are a good bet or perennial fashion favorites like former host Timothee Chalamet, who wore white Converse shoes last year. Do the same with pop music, sports, politics, fashion of course and Broadway, a special favorite of Wintours (and remember, Miranda's a host this year). Now, cross everyone off your list except the very top. At the Met Gala, everybodys A-list. THAT MUST BE AN EXAGGERATION. Not really. Ask Tina Fey. She went in 2010 and later described walking around trying to find somebody normal, e.g. not too famous, to sit and talk with. That ended up being Barbara Walters. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN THE MET GALA? Well, these days you can watch the whole carpet unfold on livestream. And really, the carpet is the party. (Ask Gaga!) If you're in New York City you can also join fans across the street from the museum on Fifth Avenue, and even further away on Madison Avenue, pressed up against police barricades. You might get lucky: Last year, Chalamet ran over to greet his admirers. DO WE KNOW WHO'S COMING? AND WHO ISN'T? Like we said, its secret. But reports slip out, often about who is not coming. Fashion favorite Zendaya has confirmed she has other plans. And Rihanna is about to give birth, so wed assume shell skip, but then again, shes Rihanna so lets not assume anything. A fair assumption would be a heavy Kardashian presence. New York's mayor, Eric Adams, will be attending very happily, according to the New York Post. Also happily, Perry has said she's going, and indicated her hamburger-chandelier days may be receding in favor of more traditional garb. Another thing remains true: Nobody can come who isn't vaccinated. In addition to vaccine proof, guests had to take a PCR test. Masks are not likely to make much of an appearance since people will be eating and drinking the whole night. WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE MET GALA? Entering the museum, guests walk past an impossibly enormous flower arrangement in the lobby (one was over 250,000 white roses) and over to cocktails. Or, they head to view the exhibit. Two changes this year, per the museum: The dramatic lobby centerpiece will remain up for regular visitors to see for a few days. And cocktails will take place in the American Wing, making it very easy for guests to slip in and out of the exhibit. Around 8 p.m., theyre summoned to dinner perhaps by a team of buglers (Are they going to do that between every course? actor Gary Oldman asked aloud one year.) We cant personally describe anything beyond that, either dinner or the musical performance, but you can find clips of Rihanna singing on the table tops in the documentary The First Monday in May, and it looks fun. IS IT FUN FOR EVERYONE? Occasionally, someone says no. Fey, in a comic rant to David Letterman in 2015, described the gala as a jerk parade and said it included everyone youd ever want to punch, if you had millions of arms. Amy Schumer said she felt awkward and left earlier than should be allowed. But most profess to having fun. Then there was Joan Collins, who arrived channeling her imperious Dynasty character, Alexis, in 2018, ready to have a blast, but seeking liquid sustenance. Im having a great time, she told The Associated Press. Id be even better if I had a drink. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Recent changes in New Mexico election law are making it easier for unaffiliated voters to participate in the June 7 primary election if they chose to affiliate with a major party even briefly. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver on Wednesday highlighted the opportunity for voters who are affiliated with a minor party or decline affiliation to participate in the statewide primary by picking a major party affiliation on site at election-day polling places and county clerks' offices. She said that registration-update process can take as little as five minutes, starting on May 10, and is reversible after the election. Same-day registration will be available at some additional early voting locations, as determined by county clerks. People already registered to vote under a major party Republican, Democratic or Libertarian cannot switch parties during the election period from May 10 through June 7. Toulouse Oliver said that new access to primary voting is especially important in competitive primaries that are likely to decide who takes office. Where the primary election is the only election, now these folks who previously have not been able to participate in that election do have an opportunity to make their voices heard, said Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat. New Mexico remains a closed primary state that requires affiliation with a major party in order to vote in a primary. People who decline to state a party preference or belong to a minor political party account for nearly one-fourth of registered voters in New Mexico. Bob Perls, founder of the voting-access advocacy group New Mexico Open Primaries, said the new provisions could influence the outcome of primary races with close margins and compel primary-election candidates to court a broader segment of voters. Toulouse Oliver is running for reelection as a Democrat without a primary competitor, prior to a three-way general election contest against Republican Audrey Trujillo and Libertarian Mayna Myers. File photo WESTPORT A Bedford Middle School teacher has been charged with sexual assault following an investigation into a report that a student had been inappropriately touched in a classroom, police said Thursday. Arthur Ellis, 72, of Westerly, R.I., was arrested on charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child after he turned himself in at the Westport Police Department, officials said. A Myanmar court has made a controversial decision to convict ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to five years in prison for alleged corruption based on the testimony of the former chief minister of Yangon. The decision, which was made on Wednesday, was based on accusations that Aung San accepted roughly $1.3 million worth of gold bars and cash from her close political ally. The official publicly confessed that he delivered $600,000 in cash and about 25 pounds of gold to the ousted civilian leader in shopping bags. Myanmar's Controversial Guilty Verdict The defendant, whose trial was kept from the public and news media outlets, called the charges against her "absurd." The Myanmar court has forbidden her lawyers from speaking about the case in public. Her situation has caused concern among Southeast Asian nations and is expected to become a major point of discussion during U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting with regional leaders in Washington next month, as per the New York Times. The defendant's supporters who were familiar with the legal proceedings said that the prosecution presented no evidence, aside from witness testimony, against her proving that she received the money and gold bars. Aung San, who was arrested on Feb. 1, 2021, when the military staged a coup, was charged with 17 criminal counts that her defenders argue are fabricated. Read Also: Myanmar Residents Hold 'Silent Strike' in Opposition to Military Junta's Rule, Closing Businesses and Deserting Streets Aung San was previously convicted on five lesser charges and sentenced to six years in prison and if she is found guilty on all the remaining counts, she faces up to 163 years of imprisonment. The deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, Phil Robertson, said that the conviction on "bogus corruption charges" shows the deep determination of the regime to silence the defendant. He said that the days of Aung San being a free woman are "effectively over" and noted that the destruction of popular democracy in Myanmar meant getting rid of the civilian leader. The defendant became a public figure in 1988 during a failed uprising against a previous military government where she helped found the National League for Democracy party, the Associated Press reported. Civilian Leader Aung San Suu Kyi The country's military staged the coup because of alleged massive electoral fraud despite independent election observers saying there were no major irregularities. Mass protests began in the nation after the January 2021 coup which was mostly met with violent actions from the military. The international community has condemned the operations of the Myanmar military in trying to control the people. Many protesters also face potential jail terms despite the majority of them staging only minor demonstrations. Some have also said that plainclothes police officers have begun following them around. Others said that they were forced to go into hiding in fear of their safety while many said their family members have been threatened or arrested. The military junta made sure to prevent residents outside the mainland from returning to their homeland. According to FairPlanet, the military terminated the citizenship of 33 high-profile dissidents in March, including Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations who expressed his support of Aung San. Related Article: Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Gets 4-Year Prison Sentence Halved in Widely Criticized Trial of Civilian Leader @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Role of NATO after Cold War: Black hand which opens Pandoras box in Russia-Ukraine conflict 10:22, April 28, 2022 By Gao Ge ( People's Daily Online Cartoon by Ma Hongliang UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said recently that the Ukraine crisis could plunge more than one fifth of humanity, or up to 1.7 billion people, into poverty and hunger. The U.S.-led NATO cant absolve itself of responsibility in opening the Pandoras box in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a discussion he had with the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in early 1990s, then U.S. Secretary of State James Baker gave the not one inch eastwardassurance about NATO expansion. However, the U.S.-led NATO broke this promise, engaging in a five-round eastward expansion of more than 1,000 kilometers toward the Russian border and increasing the number of its members from 16 to 30, pushing Russia into a corner with each step. In 1997, George Kennan, the former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union, stated that expanding NATO would be the most fateful error of American policy in the entire post-Cold War era. Now, this prediction has come true. The Ukraine crisis has brought about immeasurable impact to the world. However, NATO is still stuck in a Cold War mentality, and continues to add fuel to the fire and create division and confrontation. The key to close the Pandoras box is in the hands of the U.S. and NATO. They should soberly reflect on their disgraceful roles in the Ukraine crisis, and assume their due responsibility. Related reading: Role of NATO after end of Cold War: Pawn for U.S. in seeking hegemony Roles of NATO after end of Cold War: Cancer cells of international conflicts (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) In a private meeting with House Democrats, President Joe Biden allegedly suggested he's considering the cancellation of some student loan debt. As a result, Senate Republicans are planning to introduce legislation that would restrict the president from acting alone on the issue. According to NBC News, the president has received pleas from members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to extend the payment moratorium on student loans and to eliminate at least $10,000 in student loan debt for millions of borrowers. The student loan payment moratorium has been extended till the end of August. Will Joe Biden Cancel All Student Loan Debt? In accordance with congressional aide, the president appeared to be more willing to forgive some federal student loan debt. While the president stated that he is likely to take action, he did not specify a dollar number or a time frame. The president's remarks come as progressive politicians and campaigners continue to press for the cancellation of student loans, with some calling for the president to erase $50,000 or more in debt and take unilateral action. The Senate Majority Leader is Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). He's been insistent about it, and the president is getting closer to acting on the student loan debt crisis, according to him. In the United States, student loan debt is presently $1.73 trillion, as per PennLive. Joe Biden talked with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday, where they discussed a potential plan to cancel a major portion of student loan debt. The claim comes after the US Department of Education stated that under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, 40,000 students' federal student loan debt will be forgiven immediately, citing chronic flaws in the administration of federal student loan programs. While it is unclear who would be eligible for student loan forgiveness right now, California Democratic Representative Tony Cardenas told CBS News that Biden indicated an openness to forgiving student loan debt for federal students who attended either a private or public university. Cardenas said that Biden did not indicate a precise sum that he would consider canceling and that the president did not suggest that he was going to wipe off all student debt. Cardenas further mentioned that Biden was very enthusiastic about Cardenas' request that he eliminate $10,000 in federal student loan debt per borrower. If Biden decides to take action to erase student loan debt, he might follow in the footsteps of his administration, which relieved 40,000 debtors earlier this month. Teachers, military personnel, and healthcare employees with ten years of federal loan payments were all given immediate relief under this measure. In addition, the proposal gave 3.6 million debtors at least three years of credit toward IDR forgiveness. The federal government has continued to freeze federal student loan payments since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden extended the pause to August 31st earlier this month. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, was questioned about Biden possibly erasing all student debts at a news briefing on Monday, Newsweek via MSN reported. Read Also: China, Xi Jinping Reveal Plan To Save Crashing Economy Amid COVID-19 Lockdowns Sen. Romney Blasts Joe Biden's Proposal Senator Mitt Romney took to Twitter on Wednesday to oppose Democratic ideas to cancel student loan debt after President Joe Biden's announcement this week that he would seek to erase some student debt. The Utah Republican and 2012 GOP presidential contender speculated that Biden's action was made to boost his low support rating before the midterm elections in November. Biden endorsed partial student loan forgiveness during his 2020 campaign but has failed to move beyond extending a moratorium on student loan payments imposed by then-President Donald Trump during the coronavirus outbreak. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of Senate Republicans led by Minority Whip John Thune presented legislation to prevent Biden from delaying or canceling payments. The moratorium will remain in effect until August 31. Last year, Romney and Arizona Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema submitted a plan that they claimed would make college more accessible for more students by establishing educational savings accounts with some matched money, based on a similar Arizona scheme, according to Washington Examiner. Related Article: GOP Claims To Win the House and Senate in the Midterm Elections Citing Proof of Overwhelming Victory @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. North Korean dissidents are allegedly circumventing the dictatorship's media censorship. The process of modifying or eliminating constraints from a device is known as "jailbreaking." Two North Korean defectors were interviewed by experts, who provided their perspectives on the country's internet openness and jailbreaking. Both defectors reported jailbreaking their cellphones and those of acquaintances and indicated that jailbreaking is a service that is secretly given to other North Koreans for various reasons. North Korea's Restrictions on Internet, Media North Korea received a three-out-of-ten score from FreedomHouse, a non-profit that studies general and digital freedom. This is a low result that reflects the North Korean people's lack of control over their media consumption habits. Any material downloaded without a state-approved cyber signature is deleted on state-approved phones. By eliminating the signature layer from the phone's code, the hackers were able to circumvent the security features on their smartphones. The phones also collect and log screenshots at random, putting users in a condition of perpetual fear. The stakes are exceedingly high in North Korea, where residents have been killed for trivial offenses like viewing K-pop videos. North Koreans aren't very familiar with contemporary equipment. One of the defectors claimed to have attended an excellent technological school and had sneaked jailbreaking software onto their phone through a PC. Kwangmyong, which means 'bright star' in Korean, is the name of North Korea's heavily controlled internet. Many North Korean elites are above the law, and they use the internet to keep up with current events outside of the repressive state, according to The Sun. Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Wants to Remove Nuclear Power of 'Irresponsible' Russia Amid Dangerous Attacks How Do North Koreans Jailbreak Phones? North Korea does not have the same access to cell phones as the rest of the globe. The network in the nation is still on 3G, and mobile phone games are played through Bluetooth. North Korea's dictatorship has also been known to retaliate harshly against Chinese-made cellphones. North Koreans also lack direct access to Apple and Google's app stores. An increasing number of North Koreans are jailbreaking phones to get past governmental limitations, citing a recent analysis by the Stimson Center and 38 North. The paper describes how millions of government-approved Android-based cellphones have infiltrated North Korean culture, however, they come with digital limitations that prevent users from downloading any software or file that is not officially sanctioned by the government. However, the research also shows a glimpse of an unusual new group operating within that regime of digital repression: North Korean jailbreakers capable of discreetly regaining control of those devices and unlocking a world of banned international content. The North Korean government and its populace have been in a perpetual war over the use of technology: whenever a new technology is offered, people typically find a way to utilize it for some illegal purpose. But, until today, it hasn't been done through this form of hacking, said Martyn Williams, a researcher at 38 North. However, the story is based on interviews with only two nation defectors. However, each validated numerous specifics of how the hacking works separately. They utilized midrange North Korean Android phones to watch international media and install programs that were not sanctioned by the government. The regime installs a certificate in that version of Android, which both defectors said they could delete. The regime also built a system that took screenshots of what the phones were being used for, but they were able to stop it and destroy the screenshots. Furthermore, some people in North Korea charge with jailbreaking services. However, one specialist informed the magazine that the number of North Korean phone jailbreakers is still modest, according to National Interest. Related Article: Kim Jong Un Vows To Bolster North Korea's Nuclear Arsenal During Military Parade, Boasts of "Invincible Power" @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two busy motorway service stations on the southern stretch of the M25 were the latest targets of the Just Stop Oil eco-mentalists yesterday. Self-styled 'saviours' of the planet used hammers and spray paint to disable petrol pumps at the start of the morning rush hour. They stuck themselves to the forecourt entrance to prevent drivers filling up, while the first police on the scene just stood and watched. Again. One 'protester' who superglued his hand to a diesel pump developed cramp in his arm. Poor lamb. The Old Bill looked on as his partners in crime wheeled a chair for him to sit on. Still, what else have we come to expect? Self-styled 'saviours' of the planet used hammers and spray paint to disable petrol pumps at the start of the morning rush hour When XR staged a sit-down demo on the northern section of the M25, a senior officer asked them if there was anything she could bring them. A few cushions, perhaps? A nice cup of tea and a packet of Hobnobs? And to hell with the thousands of motorists condemned to spend hours in an interminable traffic jam; the missed flights, doctors' appointments and business meetings; the ambulances unable to reach hospitals; the sheer aggravation adding to the everyday stresses of life. Yesterday's wanton vandalism closed the busy service areas at Clacket Lane and Cobham in Surrey for hours. The only surprise was that Plod didn't fetch one of those mini battering rams they use for bashing down doors from the boot of their patrol car and lend a hand. Go, go, go! Or rather, don't. Police chiefs appear to see their job as facilitating even the most fatuous and disruptive 'protests', not serving the wider public who pay their wages by keeping the Queen's highways open. Would they be so indulgent if this, say, had been a gang of Millwall supporters venting their frustration at a 1-0 away defeat by destroying a few petrol pumps? What do you think? They'd be scrambling the riot squad, all batons blazing and cracking skulls as a basis for negotiation. And rightly so. It's not as if this bunch of XR spin-off headbangers wasn't 'known to police'. They included a couple of clowns with plenty of previous, including tethering themselves to goalposts during Premier League matches at Everton and Tottenham. One of them has already been jailed for a month and a half for blocking the M25 last October. Not nearly long enough. Deportation would have been a better option. I hear Rwanda is nice this time of year. Police chiefs appear to see their job as facilitating even the most fatuous and disruptive 'protests', not serving the wider public who pay their wages by keeping the Queen's highways open Despite the attention they receive and the widespread disruption they cause, these lunatics are few in number and speak for nobody but themselves. Yet as I wrote recently, they have been allowed to succeed in bringing much of Britain to a standstill where Arthur Scargill's flying pickets during the year-long miners' strike failed miserably. The difference, of course, was that back then the Old Bill, under orders from the Government, sent in the heavy mob. Today, the police roll out the red carpet and send along the skateboard squad to join in the fun. This Rag, Tag and Bobtail collection of full-time agitators operates under assorted flags of convenience, from Insulate Britain to Animal Rebellion. They are not legitimate protesters, they're nihilists. They have no serious goals, other than self-indulgence and a despicable determination to cause as much misery as possible to their fellow citizens. Most of them are serial offenders, freed time and again by the courts to commit further acts of criminal damage and public nuisance. Even when the police can be bothered to arrest them, the courts are guaranteed to treat them with extreme leniency. For instance, in September 2020 Extinction Rebellion stopped millions of newspapers being delivered by blockading the gates of print works on Merseyside and in Hertfordshire for 11 hours. This selfish action prevented 1,100 shops receiving copies of the Daily Mail, The Sun and The Daily Telegraph, costing publishers 1.2 million at a time when sales were already badly hit by Covid. Lest you think this is special pleading on behalf of my trade, consider the effect on family newsagents struggling to stay solvent, delivery workers deprived of a day's income and readers denied their daily paper. Not to mention the outrageous attempt to silence our Free Press. Yet again, the police just stood back and let them get on with it. And this week, when two of these fanatics finally appeared in court, charged with obstruction, they walked away laughing in our faces. Despite the attention they receive and the widespread disruption they cause, these lunatics are few in number and speak for nobody but themselves The women involved were let off with a conditional discharge and ordered to pay 600 prosecution costs plus a 22 'victim surcharge'. Whatever happened to the punishment fitting the crime? This pathetic sentence hardly reflected the scale of the knock-on effects, let alone the cost. Where did the court come up with the 600 figure? You won't find many lawyers who'll get out of bed for six hundred quid. It'll cost more than that to heat the court for the day. As for the 22 victim surcharge, don't make me laugh. A speeding ticket will cost you five times that. How does less than the price of a round of drinks these days compensate publishers for a 1.2 million hit? Not to mention the revenue lost by newsagents, garages and convenience stores. Yet this kind of pathetic, kid-gloves mollycoddling is only too typical of the softly-softly approach towards anarchic eco-maniacs and others of a woke ilk by the alleged forces of law and order. Claiming to have a fashionable cause means never having to say sorry. Compare and contrast the sentence handed down to the XR print works pickets with the hardline treatment of a frustrated businesswoman in Southend who nudged a couple of Insulate Britain demonstrators with her car. They were blocking the road, stopping her getting to work and taking her 11-year-old son to school. Even though no one was hurt and she couldn't have been doing more than two miles per hour, she was charged with dangerous driving and had her licence suspended pending sentencing on May 6. That'll teach her to drive an 80,000 Range Rover. Face it, the police and those responsible for running the criminal justice system are no longer on the side of the law-abiding, tax-paying majority in this country. They have all been captured by the Left-wing Common Purpose conspiracy which infests every branch of so-called 'public service' and is hell-bent on furthering 'progressive' interests, including militant environmentalism. What's the betting that if and when the idiots behind yesterday's vandalism and disruption eventually appear before the courts, they'll be released immediately back on to the streets, with a pound from the poor box, to continue their deranged campaign of unapologetic criminality? These ego-centric exhibitionists in their designer hair-shirt, hi-viz vests care more about the bloody polar bears than other human beings. Do they really imagine that even a Government that bends the knee to every passing woke bandwagon is going to get rid of fossil fuels by tea-time, especially in the midst of a worldwide energy crisis and the looming threat of nuclear war? They are more like a rip-roaring bonkers, Waco-style religious cult than a legitimate pressure group with tangible aims. If there was any real justice in the world, they'd all be locked away in a padded cell wearing a jacket which does up at the back. Maybe then, they'd Just Stop It. An American woman took to TikTok to share her theory that her date had a secret girlfriend after spotting some very feminine touches in his room. Jess, from Arizona, shared a video on the social media platform revealing texts between herself and the man, explaining how he had messaged her a photograph of the empty side of his bed, saying: 'Your spot right there'. However she became suspicious that the unnamed man might have a girlfriend after noticing a 'love' sign on his console, which she labelled as 'very feminine.' After sharing the photo online, other users were quick to comment he likely had a secret partner because the space was 'too clean' to be a single man's bedroom. TikTok user Jess, from Arizona, took to TikTok to share her theory that her date had a secret girlfriend after spotting some very feminine touches in his room However she became suspicious that the unnamed man might have a girlfriend after noticing a 'love' sign on his console, which she labelled as 'very feminine' (pictured left and right) Her post added that the bed sheets were smooth and tidy, another thing that in her opinion was down to a woman. Captioning the clip, she wrote: 'Just when I thought he was being cute. You can't tell me this is a man's room'. Meanwhile she ended the footage with herself looking sad, using a filter. Her clip has racked up more than 88,000 likes and 762,000 views since it was posted. The TikTok user said she couldn't be convinced it was the bedroom of a single man because the bedsheets were 'too clean and tidy' The majority of the other social media users agreed with her comments that it couldn't be a single man's bedroom, with one writing: 'Too clean.' Another added: 'The white sheets were a tell all. I ain't never see men with white bedding!' And a third person said: 'That room gives me female vibes all the way, from the white bedsheets to the decor.' Many other TikTok users were suspicious of the man's bedroom, with one calling it 'female vibes' from the 'white bedsheets' to the 'decor' However some suggested the reason for the clean bedsheets and feminine decor might not be suspicious, with many pointing out he could be staying at his mother. One person commented: 'Maybe at mom's,' while another commented: 'Maybe his mama's room.' Others said: 'Looks like a hotel' and 'Looks like an Airbnb to me.' A size 26 traveller has divided opinion after sharing a viral TikTok slamming Ryanair for the size of its seats, with some critics telling her it was 'not the airline's fault.' Kirsty Leanne, 29, from Shropshire, filmed the clip while flying with the budget carrier from London Stansted to Hamburg on April 21, revealing how she struggled to fit down the plane's narrow aisle, couldn't use the tray table due to lack of space, and could barely move in the tiny toilet cubicle. Kirsty, who blogs about her experiences travelling as a size 24-26, wanted to highlight issues she encountered to others. However others claimed Kirsty 'only has herself to blame' and should treat the moment as a 'wake-up call'. Kirsty Leanne, 29, from Shropshire, shared a viral TikTok slamming Ryanair for the size of its seats and aisle has divided opinion - but was met with criticism by some, who told her it was 'not the airline's fault' She criticised the airline as she said she struggled to fit down the plane's narrow aisle, couldn't use the tray table due to lack of space, and could barely move in the toilet cubicle Meanwhile the TikTok user and plus size-blogger said using the tray table was a 'big fat no' due to lack of space MailOnline has contacted Ryanair for comment. Recalling the problematic flight, Kirsty explained: 'The first issue I faced was walking down the plane aisle. 'I was one of the last people on the plane because I was running a little late so I felt the stares of people. All I could think was that they didn't want me to sit next to them.' 'I got to my seat and thankfully the one next to it was empty, giving me a little more room.' Meanwhile she went on to reveal there was little space between the seats on the plane, saying: 'In terms of legroom, there wasn't much space but this is also because I had an under seat bag, it was definitely manageable though.' The 29-year-old said she had concerns over sitting in the middle seat (left) as well as issues with using the tray table due to her size (right) Kirsty also revealed another issue she faced was the bathroom on board the plane, which she called 'one of the smallest she'd ever seen' The plus-size blogger also revealed how she was unable to do work because she didn't have space to use the tray table. She said: 'I was going to use the tray table to do some work on the way but when I couldn't put it down, I quickly decided that it was not going to happen.' Meanwhile she continued: 'The bathroom was another issue I faced, because I was running late I didn't get to use the bathroom before I boarded. 'I thought I'd chance using the one on the flight but unfortunately, it's probably one of the smallest bathrooms I've ever seen and I decided against trying to squeeze in.' She added: 'In terms of the seats, I was comfortable but I think it's because the seat next to me was empty and I had that little bit of extra space. 'I needed to use a seatbelt extender but this is something I am used to and the flight attendant handed it me discreetly as I asked when I boarded.' After her clip went viral on TikTok, Kirsty was flooded with comments from other users, with some saying it 'wasn't RyanAir's fault' she was uncomfortable when flying In the now-viral clip, which she shared to her TikTok account, Kirsty can be seen showing her computer screen where she has been allocated a middle aisle seat. Her post showed how little space she had on the flight as she tried to squeeze into the plane, before she also shared a photo of the seatbelt extender. Meanwhile she shared a short clip as she attempted to use the tray table, which she said was a 'big fat no', and revealed she had little space to move in the airplane's bathroom cubicle. She captioned the clip, which has racked up more than one million views, 'Flying Ryanair with no upgrades'. However despite her criticism of the flight, some people on the app had little sympathy for her and argued that airplanes shouldn't have to accommodate her. The blogger also shares her adventures on her travel blog, Plus Size Travel Too , where she talks about travelling as a plus size person However other users were quick to defend the plus size blogger, with some saying she 'wasn't hurting anyone' One user said: 'Acting like it's their fault.' 'This should be a massive wake up call,' another person argued. One person wrote: 'There's only one person to blame.' Someone else said: 'Honey it's not the airlines fault.' 'There's only one person to blame,' added another user. However others were quick to defend the plus-size blogger, with one person writing: 'What is everyone's problem? 'She's not hurting anyone, just showing her struggle with travel and how people in the same position can make it work!' However despite her criticism of the flight, some people on the app had little sympathy for her and argued that airplanes shouldn't have to accommodate her Pictured: Kirsty during a recent visit to Disneyworld. The traveller loves to update her fans on her journeys with snaps Kirsty during a recent trip to Gent, in Belgium, where she toured vintage shops and chocolate maker shops The blogger also shares her adventures on her travel blog, Plus Size Travel Too , where she talks about travelling as a plus size person and says the experience is less than comfortable for larger people 'Why are the comments so rude?' another user said, 'She never said she was blaming the airline she is just showing you her experience travelling. 'Do you girl! Love the video.' Someone else added: 'People saying that it's so easy to just lose weight. Some people have diseases and metabolism issues and it would be difficult for them to do so though.' 'People acting like being plus size is a choice/something to be ashamed of?,' one person added. It comes after the blogger first hit the headlines a few months ago when she was allegedly told to buy two seats for herself due to her body size. The blogger also shares her adventures on her travel blog, Plus Size Travel Too, where she talks about travelling as a plus size person and says the experience is less than comfortable for larger people. Products featured in this Mail Best article are independently selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com may earn an affiliate commission. Ashley Roberts always treats us to a fashion show as she heads to Heart Radio in London to host her breakfast show. She's always head-to-toe stylish in brands ranging from River Island and Nasty Gal to more expensive designers like AllSaints and Reiss. As always, the former Pussycat Dolls star garners a lot of attention for putting together flawless ensembles, with an eye for matching accessories such as boots, sunglasses and handbags. Here, she's sporting a look we can totally get behind: a short-sleeve denim minidress with cutout detail at the waist. This dress hails from Nanushka, a vegan and organic brand that celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid have championed. She added Maxine Shoes 'Ash' boots and a Saint Laurent tote bag to complete the look. Nanushka organic cotton denim dress at Yoox Nanushka's use of low-impact fabric means we can splurge without guilt. Here, Ashley's organic cotton denim dress features short sleeves and interesting details like cutouts at the waist and a drawstring tie closure. The best part is that this dress is currently on sale. Shop it now! Shop Do denim! Ashley Roberts headed to work in this short-sleeve denim dress with cutout details and a drawstring waist. Hers is Nanushka's organic denim dress available online Nanushka is a Budapest, Hungary-based brand that specializes in responsible production. That means the label uses low-impact materials such as faux leather and organic cotton. Ashley's denim dress is a perfect example of Nanushka's aesthetic: organic cotton, crisp tailoring and interesting details like cutouts at the waist with a drawstring closure. The light-wash denim fabric is also calling our name. We can easily envision this dress going from work to an outdoor concert or even out to dinner. Just add heels for an elevated look. Fortunately, for all of us, Ashley's dress is currently on sale at Yoox for $322. Grab it now before others catch on and it's gone forever. Show Me Your Mumu Outlaw Dress at Revolve If you like Ashley's denim look but want to shop around, check out this number from Show Me Your Mumu. We love the lapel collar, braided belt and four-pocket details (two pockets are on the back). It's available now at Revolve and won't break the bank either. Shop Asos Design tall denim fitted shirt dress in midwash If you're watching your pennies but would like to emulate Ashley's look, have no fear. There are plenty of high-street options. You don't have to spend more to be socially conscious either. This Asos Design version is part of the brand's Better Cotton Initiative which is responsibly-sourced. Shop Wash Lab Denim tie one on short-sleeve denim minidress at Nordstrom We love the versatility of a denim dress. It can go from from the office and dinner to a casual weekend out on the town. This version by Wash Lab Denim features frayed hems, two front pockets and a lace-up detail that cinches the waist. Love! Shop R13 oversized boxy dress at Shopbop If you're looking to splash some cash on a denim dress, R13's oversized boxy dress at Shopbop is the pick. This dress features dolman short sleeves, a high-low hem, faded wash and a distressed edges. Just the perfect amount of worn-in. Shop Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has been getting up close and personal with fans, with the casual royal seen laughing and taking photos during her whirlwind three-day tour of Bangladesh. The 50-year-old royal shook the hands of locals and graciously waved at the surrounding crowds and one image captured the moment she posed for a selfie with fans eagerly awaiting her arrival. The Danish royal opted for a comfortable, casual look wearing a red patterned shirt, khaki pants and a matching cap. Crown Princess Mary shook the hands of locals and graciously waved at the surrounding crowds during her short trip to Bangladesh One image captured the moment she posed for a selfie with a fan who was at the front of the crowd waiting for her arrival (pictured) The beloved royal seemed poised and in high spirits as she spoke to the community The Rohingya people and communities seemed to be thrilled to catch a glimpse of Princess Mary and exchanged floral gifts. She began her working trip in Dhaka, where the mother-of-four was greeted by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Earlier this week the princess shared a delightful selfie-style video with her fans while travelling around Bangladesh. The Rohingya people and communities seemed to be thrilled to catch a glimpse of Princess Mary and exchanged floral gifts The Danish royal opted for a comfortable, casual look wearing a red patterned shirt, khaki pants and a matching cap Afterwards, accompanied by the Minister for Development Cooperation Flemming Mller Mortensen, Mary met with representatives from Danish companies based in Bangladesh in hopes the two countries can collaborate on green, Earth-friendly products. The Princess took to the Danish royal family's social media accounts to explain the purpose of her visit there. 'On this journey, the focus is on the consequences of climate change for the population, nature and biodiversity, for Bangladesh is one of the world's most climate vulnerable countries, and it is expected that by 2050, up to 20 million people will be displaced,' Princess Mary said. The 50-year-old royal began her working trip in Dhaka, where the mother-of-four was received by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed 'We need to focus more than ever on the diversity of nature and to promote projects aimed at conserving and protecting nature. 'In Bangladesh, there is a worrying pressure on natural resources. At the same time, the country is one of the most vulnerable countries in relation to the negative consequences of climate change - also for the population. 'This means, among other things, that people often have to move because they can no longer grow their crops or because areas are flooded.' The Princess took to the Danish royal family's social media accounts to explain the purpose of her visit there For the meeting Mary wore a blue and white silk dress by Beulah London and Dulong pearl and diamond earrings, a favourite of the royal's For the meeting Mary wore a blue and white silk dress by Beulah London and Dulong pearl and diamond earrings, a favourite of the royal's. 'Love this dress on Princess Mary. The colours and fabric look light and fresh for Bangladesh's warm climate, and Mary looks cool and collected and ready for business. I like the pleating - it give a breezy look as well as some shape to the dress. Overall very nice look indeed,' one royal commenter remarked. 'It's so good to see countries working together to combat world issues. Thank you for all that you do,' said another. A third added: 'We love our Princess! Sending luck from Australia'. A human rights campaigner has divided opinion after claiming teachers should not tell parents if their children disclose to them they're transgender. Last week Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi claimed schools 'have a duty to safeguard' children by informing their parents if they disclose to a teacher they are transgender. Transgender teacher and activist Debbie Hayton, 54, appeared on Good Morning Britain alongside human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, 70, to discuss the issue today. Debbie claimed that while personal information should always be disclosed in a controlled and respectful way, teachers should not 'keep secrets' from their student's parents. However Peter said children have the same right to privacy as adults and that telling parents they are transgender could put kids at risk of 'emotional and psychological bullying'. human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, 70, believes that children have the same right to privacy as adults and that sharing personal information will lead to a breakdown of trust between pupils and teachers He said: 'The number one priority is what is in the interest and the welfare of the child, that must come first. 'Having said that children do have a right to privacy like everyone else and if we have a situation where teachers are spies and snitches then it will break down trust. Pupils won't feel confident divulging things to teachers.' The campaigner said that divulging a child is transgender could put them at risk from parents who may pressure them into changing their gender identity. 'It could of course put some trans children at risk', he said. 'If parents are informed without the consultation of the child, there are some parents who are very hostile to having a trans child and we know that some trans children are subjected to emotional and psychological bullying to stop them being trans. Viewers were divided over the issue - with several claiming parents should be informed so they can support their children, will others felt a child should be able to come out when they are ready 'Obviously it would be ideal for parents to be informed but teachers should consult with the child, what the child wants. [Consider] would it be safe to tell the parents, if the child is happy about it maybe the best thing is the child should be present when the issue is discussed with the teacher. That is probably the best approach but no approach is perfect. Debbie agreed that the best way to tell parents is a 'controlled disclosure' arguing that 'if we keep secrets' schools could risk an 'uncontrolled disclosure' taking place later. 'My take as a teacher is schools should share details of significant events in children's life, schools should share that with parents,' she said. 'That is the way we operate with everything else, that is standard practice across the school. If a child discloses something to you, my basic training as a teacher is to make sure the child is honest with the parent before reporting it within the school using the normal procedures.' She explained that teachers shouldn't tell parents about personal issues in an uncontrolled way, for example over the phone, but that they should be informed so 'parents and schools can work together to support the child'. However Peter believes that children have the same right to privacy as adults and that sharing personal information will lead to a breakdown of trust between pupils and teachers. Transgender teacher and activist Debbie Hayton, 54, appeared on Good Morning Britain where she claimed schools have a 'responsibility' to tell parents if a child reveals they are transgender Viewers were divided over the issue - with several claiming parents should be informed so they can support their children, will others felt a child should be able to come out when they are ready. 'Of course parents should be informed if a child tells a teacher they believe they're trans or non binary', wrote one viewer. 'Unless the family has a history of child protection issues this is far too important to keep from parents!' Another agreed: 'Of course teachers should tell parents if their child thinks they're trans. Children need support and counselling, teachers should gate keep not secret keep'. Meanwhile, others disagreed with one writing: 'It's not their duty at all it causes is troubles for the trans pupil with other pupils who parents have a different outlook on trans people. teachers shouldn't inform anyone their job is to protect.' 'Seems like a lot of people think they know better than the parents of trans children, even though they seem to say they are glad their child was able to come out to them when THEY were ready, not when a teacher did it for them #gmb', said another viewer. Deborah James has been hailed an 'inspiration' after she opened up about her battle with incurable bowel cancer on Lorraine. The BBC podcast host, 40, said on this morning's show that she 'doesn't really know' how she is alive and that her 'body is tired' after spending 'about 80 per cent of this year in hospital'. Deborah, who lives in London, has been living with stage four bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in December 2016, and was told early on that she might not live beyond five years - a milestone that passed in the autumn of 2021. The TV interview, which is part of ITV's 'No Butts' campaign, was filmed last month at the Royal Marsden Hospital, where Deborah had spent a month as an in-patient with sepsis. Mother-of-two Deborah opened up about feeling 'fragile' following a terrifying incident in January, when she 'thought she wouldn't get through the night' after a varicose vein bleed. BBC podcast host Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, says she has spent 'about 80 per cent of this year' at the Royal Marsden Hospital. She is pictured in hospital in December last year In a candid interview with ITV's Lorraine Kelly, she opened up about feeling 'fragile' following a terrifying incident in January, when she 'thought she wouldn't get through the night' after a varicose vein bleed 'If I'm being honest, I don't really know how I'm alive,' she said. 'This year has been really crazy. I've spent about 80 percent of this year in hospital in some capacity. In January, I had a very scary experience where I had a varicose bleed. I thought that was it. 'I can only now talk about it without crying. In a split second, I went from living to thinking that I wouldn't get through the night. And none of my family did. My body is tired.' Viewers were quick to take to social media with praise, with several commenting on how they were inspired Deborah's positive attitude in the face of her illness, with one branding her 'one of life's heroes'. 'Already crying at @bowelbabe what an amazing woman. Such an inspiration one's of life's heroes. Sending so much love to you and your family', wrote one viewer. Speaking in the interview, filmed last month, Deborah said 'I don't really know how I'm alive' and that her 'body is tired' after spending 'about 80 per cent of this year in hospital' Earlier this week, Deborah updated her Instagram followers in full on her health after more than a month in the hospital as an in-patient with sepsis Another said: 'What an inspiration Deborah is, I'm now gonna update my wardrobe with bright colours. Please pass on my good wishes.' 'This gorgeous woman, Deborah James, is an absolute inspiration. #Lorraine', said a third. When asked by Lorraine, 62, how she was feeling Deborah said: 'Fragile. I'm wearing makeup and I've brushed my hair, which in a weird way is progress, to be honest with you. The cancer campaigner admitted she might have 'underestimated' the effects of sepsis on the body and said a full recovery can take a 'really, really long time'. Pictured, Deborah in hospital BBC podcast host Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, revealed earlier this month she has been discharged after more than a month in hospital. Pictured, leaving the Royal Marsden Hospital Family time: Deborah (pictured left) was allowed home to spend Mother's Day with her family 'Three weeks ago, I couldn't get myself out of bed to go to the toilet, I couldn't stand up.' THE SYMPTOMS OF BOWEL CANCER Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. Symptoms include: Bleeding from the bottom Blood in stools A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks Unexplained weight loss Extreme, unexplained tiredness Abdominal pain Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they: Are over 50 Have a family history of the condition Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease Lead an unhealthy lifestyle Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy. More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis. This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute. Advertisement Speaking of the importance of the No Butts Campaign, Deborah told Lorraine: 'I have lived with bowel cancer for over five years, which is amazing. But had my cancer been caught early, I wouldn't be living on a knife edge. 'So for me, the "No Butts" campaign is all about just catching things early, because we know that when cancer is caught early, it's really curable. We want people to not be embarrassed to talk about everything when it comes to poo. 'I'm going to get through this and I'm going to do it in a way that I feel positive about it. I find wearing bright colours just makes you feel a little bit better.' Deborah warned viewers to always get symptoms checked out early, admitting that she wishes she had 'pushed and pushed' her doctors six months before her diagnosis. 'Trust your gut', she said. 'Don't ever feel like you're wasting somebody else's time, especially not a GP's time. 'I wish that I had pushed and pushed and pushed six months earlier. Just got to remember to trust your gut. There's No Butts about it!' Earlier this week, Deborah updated her Instagram followers in full on her health after more than a month in the hospital as an in-patient with sepsis. She was allowed home from hospital on 8 April and visited the Royal Marsden for daily IV treatment. But she told her followers that she reacted badly to her oral antibiotics and spent the next five days vomiting with her temperatures spiking. The mum went back into hospital on 14 April to have some emergency procedures to drain abscesses and infections. She added that she was in intensive care over the Easter weekend and since then doctors have been working to get her the right combination of antibiotics for her sepsis. Deborah said she is back down to four antibiotics and that doctors are seeking to improve her liver function to get rid of the infection. They have added a new drain from one part of her liver and another new stent. She added that she has been able to have some 'day releases' from hospital. A pair of childhood friends who hadn't seen each other since 1951 despite living in the same area have revealed how they were reunited at a residential care home after more than 70 years apart. Audrey Sishton and Margaret Moore, both 86, were best friends at Belt Road School for Girls in Cannock, Staffordshire, during the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, the pair went their separate ways in 1951 after finishing school, before going on to marry and raise their own families. After more than seven decades apart, the old school friends were reunited when Audrey temporarily moved into Littleton Lodge care home in Hednesford, Staffordshire. Calling the coincidence 'incredible', Audrey said she 'recognised her straight away', adding: 'It was lovely to bump into Margaret again and we had some fascinating chats, remembering what we had got up to at school and filling each other in on the rest of our lives.' School friends Audrey Sishton and Margaret Moore, both 86, (pictured) were reunited at Littleton Lodge care home in Hednesford, Staffordshire after more than 70 years apart Audrey (circled left) and Margaret (circled right) had been best friends while at Belt Road School for Girls in Cannock, Staffordshire, during the late 1940s and early 1950s Both women were born in 1936, three years before the outbreak of World War Two. Their primary years were coloured by the war and although it was over by the time they started secondary school in 1947, food rationing was still a part of everyday life. Audrey and Margaret last saw each other in 1951 when they were both 15-years-old despite both still living in the same area. Audrey temporarily moved in to the residential facility while her property was undergoing repair work and immediately recgonised her old classmate. Audrey and Margaret last saw each other in 1951 when they were both 15-years-old despite both still living in the same area (left, Audrey at school in 1949, and right, Margaret) The pair quickly rekindled their friendship and reminisced about their time at the school together shortly after the end of the Second World War. Staff planned a special vintage afternoon tea so Audrey and Margaret could catch-up properly over hot drinks, sandwiches, fruit cake and scones. Audrey, a mother-of-one who has lived alone since the death of her husband Harold in 1989, said: 'It was an incredible coincidence really. 'I'm disabled and had to move into the care home for five weeks while works were being done on my home. Margaret, who has been living at the luxury care home since June 2021, said it was a real surprise when Audrey turned up. Pictured left: Margaret with her late husband Bob in the 1950s and right on her son's bike in the 1960s 'When I arrived at the care home, I recognised her straight away. As soon as I said my name she remembered me too. 'I left school at 15 and went straight into shop work so it was many years ago that we last saw each other. 'We lived in the same area but I had never even seen her around the town for 71 years. 'But, I knew her face straight away. She is exactly the same except for the grey hair. 'It was lovely to bump into Margaret again and we had some fascinating chats, remembering what we had got up to at school and filling each other in on the rest of our lives. Meanwhile Steve Moore, 59, said his mother Margaret was born in 1936 within view of the care home she is in at the moment (Pictured: Margaret with her late husband Bob in the 1950s) 'I do remember that at school Margaret was definitely the cheeky one.' Margaret, who has four children and seven grandchildren, has been living at the luxury care home since June 2021. The retired factory worker said: 'It was a real surprise when Audrey turned up at Littleton Lodge. 'I was here and Audrey just walked in. We recognised each other straight away. Audrey said, "I recognise you from years ago". 'She hadn't got any photographs, but she remembered my name. 'We were at the same school and the same class at Belt Road School and we had a lot of fun talking about our school days.' Margaret and Audrey caught up over afternoon tea after Audrey temporarily moved into the residential facility while her property was undergoing repair work Margaret's son, Steve Moore, 59, added: 'My mum was born in 1936. She was actually born within view of the care home she is in at the moment. 'She went to the girls school in Belt Road - the same school and class as Audrey. 'She left there and went to work for the Swallow raincoats company in Hednesford where she pressed studs on raincoats. 'She did that job until the early 1960s when she started to have children. 'Then she raised four children and had 30 years off work before returning to work at a biscuit factory in Uttoxeter. 'She retired at 65 to spend more time with her husband Bob. He died in 2004 after 45 years of marriage. 'Together, they had four children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Rachel Ellis, who is home manager, said it was heart-warming to see Audrey and Margaret (pictured) catching up after 71 years 'But Audrey and Margaret having this chance reunion at this care home is an amazing story. 'It has totally taken my mum by surprise.' Home manager Rachel Ellis said: 'It was heart-warming to see these two lovely ladies catching up after so long. After 71 years, they had much to talk about. 'It was certainly a shock to us all when Audrey revealed that Margaret was a bit cheeky at school. 'During her time at Littleton Lodge, she has been nothing but the picture of politeness.' Prince Charles and Camilla were in high spirits as they visited the BBC's Broadcasting House this morning. The Prince of Wales, 73, and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, 74, visited the iconic newsroom to mark the 90th anniversary of the BBC World Service. The couple met with the World Service staff and learned how they are maintaining operations across Ukraine, Russia and Afghanistan in order to provide first-hand reports of these zones of conflicts. Royal jester Charles could not resist telling the newsreader he'd 'ruin her programme' as he met her on set. After the visit, Charles travelled to the West London Welcome community centre to meet its staff and beneficiaries. Scroll for video The Prince of Wales, 73, and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, 74, visited the BBC World Service at Broadcasting House to mark its 90th anniversary Camilla's platinum locks were styled in an impeccable blow-dry, and she sported a glamourous day makeup with a dash of eyeliner and mascara and some bronzer complimenting her natural glow. As they met with Sana Safi, a Senior Presenter at BBC Afghanistan, Charles joked he was going to 'ruin her programme.' Sana politely replied he wouldn't, and went on to explain her programme would air later today. She then went on to talk the couple through the rundown of her show, and gave them a demonstration, introducing the programme in Arabic for the camera. After meeting with Sana, Charles and Camilla went on to tour the World's Service newsroom, where they met with staff, journalists and news producers. They chatted with Sana Safi, an Afghan Senior Presenter, who told them about the efforts the BBC had deployed to cover the situation unfolding in Afghanistan Sana, who is BBC Afghan's Senior Presenter, could be seen speaking with the Prince of Wales as they spoke through her script The royal couple were left in stitches after chatting to the news presenter during the visit earlier today (pictured) The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince of Wales were perfectly coordinated in their navy outfits during the outing The Duchess of Cornwall opted for an elegant blue twin-set with a knee-length woolen skirt and matching jacket. A golden royal brooch with a little crown was pinned to the lapel of her jacket, and the Duchess was also sporting a tasteful pair of gold drip earrings adorned with pearls. She wore a pair of sensible heels for the visit who required her to walk around Broadcasting House. Camilla also stored her essentials in a small blue leather handbag. Meanwhile, Prince Charles looked dapper in a pinstriped blue suit, which he wore with a crisp white shirt, a light blue tie and a striped pocket square The royal couple watched on as Sana chatted to staff behind the camera in the studio (pictured) Her platinum locks were styled in an impeccable blow-dry, and she sported a glamourous day makeup with a dash of eyeliner and mascara and some bronzer complimenting her natural glow. Meanwhile, Prince Charles looked dapper in a pinstriped blue suit, which he wore with a crisp white shirt, a light blue tie and a striped pocket square. The couple looked relaxed as they were greeted by a crowd of royal fans at Broadcasting House this morning. They went on to meet with staff members, presenters and producers working at the BBC World Service. Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall appeared in high spirits during the visit to BBC World Service earlier today They talked the heir-to-the-throne and his wife through the work they do for the World Service. Ukraine journalist Olga Malchevska handed Charles a hand drawn card made by her daughter showing a British and an Ukrainian flag. The heir-to-the-throne congratulated Clive Myrie and Lyse Doucet on their coverage of the Ukraine crisis. The couple looked relaxed as they were greeted by a crowd of royal fans at Broadcasting House this morning Prince Charles paired his suit with a light blue tie and a pocket square. He appeared relaxed and in good spirits After waving at their fans and exchanging a few pleasantries with them, the couple moved on to the rest of their engagement Charles toured the World Service newsroom where he met with journalist, producers and other member of staff The couple arrived this morning and were greeted by a horde of enthusiastic royal fans. They graciously waved The heir-to-the-throne congratulated Clive Myrie and Lyse Doucet on their coverage of the Ukraine crisis Lyse said she wanted to inform the British public on the Ukrainian war to the best of her abilities Ukraine journalist Olga Malchevska handed Charles a hand drawn card made by her daughter showing a British and an Ukrainian flag The heir-to-the-throne listened intently to the explanation of members of staff of the World Service The couple were both sporting navy outfits for their BBC visit, Camilla in a colour block twinset and Charles in a pinstriped suit Sana Safi BBC Afghan Senior talked the couple through the behind-the-scenes of her news programme as members of staff looked on, right After his visit to the BBC, the Prince of Wales took part in a video call during a visit at World Jewish Relief Office, in London The heir to the throne heard from Aleksey Tolkachov, based in Kyiv, during a video call on his visit to the WJRO After his visit to the BBC with Camilla, Charles headed to a community centre for refugees and asylum seekers, and met with staff and beneficiaries. He learned the ordeals some of the people staying at the refuge had been through, and was particularly touched by his conversation with Kudirat, a victim of human trafficking. The Prince of Wales brought his good humour to the refugee and shared jokes with the beneficiaries staying at the centre. He particularly seemed to be having a lovely time laughing with a 30-year-old Afghan refugee named Betul who casually patted his arm as the two of them shared a laugh. In a day filled with engagements Charles also visited the World Jewish Relief Office, where he took part in video calls with Ukrainian refugees and their relatives. The Prince of Wales shook hands with a star-struck journalist during his visit at Broadcasting House A little girl playing around the centre stole the show as she captured Charles' attention during his visit The asylum seeker let out a big laugh as she and the Prince of Wales joked around during his visit Kudirat, right, who was the victim of human trafficking, shared her poignant story with the Prince of Wales As he learned more about Kudirat's story, Prince Charles extended an arm in sympathy during their conversation The royal jester was seen laughing with one of the volunteers who had prepared a meal for his visit Kudirat shook hands with Prince Charles during his visit. He seemed moved to make her acquaintance Staff members and camera looked on at Charles sat down with two female refugees at the centre Prince Charles learned more about the stories of some of the centre's beneficiaries. The centre welcomes refugees, asylum seekers, migrants Charles sat with Betul, who had been entertaining herself with colouring books at the time of his visit The heir-to-the-throne sat down with some of the centre's beneficiaries and staff members today Prince Charles met refugee at a centre in West London. He took a look at the lunch volunteers had prepared A Samsung advert featuring a woman jogging alone at night in London, with headphones on, has been branded 'tone deaf' by viewers. Critics - who claim 'women wouldn't feel safe doing that' - said the one-minute ad plugging the Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Buds 2 and the Galaxy SS2 phone was 'naive' and 'insulting'. The commercial - called Night Owls - sees a sporty woman checking her watch at 2am, before putting in earbuds and heading out into the dark for a night-time jog in the British capital. Some people on Twitter felt that the advert was unrealistic, claiming women would never feel safe enough to go job by themselves at all hours of the night, with earbuds on. In a statement, Samsung told Femail the campaign aimed to celebrate individuality and that it was never meant to be insensitive to 'ongoing conversations around women's safety.' A Samsung advert featuring a woman jogging alone at night has been slammed over female safety fears (pictured) Critics (above) said the one-minute ad plugging the Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Buds 2 and the Galaxy SS2 phone and was 'naive' and 'insulting' In the advert, the woman wakes up at 2am, and decides to go for a job around the streets of London. She can be seen running down a dark, empty, street as a large owl watches over her, before passing a skateboarder, some clubbers, a ballerina, a security guard, a construction worker and a hoard of other night-time runners. She then chats with a man on a bike on a deserted bridge. Throughout the jog she checks her progress with a Samsung smartwatch as a voiceover says: 'Sleep at night. Run faster. Push harder. 'Follow the herd. Not for me. I run on a different schedule: mine.' Reaction: People said the advert did not work and said it looked like the writers had 'never even met a woman' But customers suggested how unrealistic and dangerous it would be for a woman to go running through a city at night, wearing earphones. 'Every time it comes on, I find myself saying "No woman would ever do that",' one said. 'She definitely wouldn't be smiling about it, or smiling at random strangers on her own, in the dark,' they added. 'The writers of that ad have clearly never even met a woman.' 'My daughter's first comment "Can't you just tell a man came up with this advert",' another wrote. 'I'm so staggered by it. It's just so tone deaf, especially with everything that's happened lately,' one said. In the advert, the woman runs into other female joggers who've decided to spend the night running, pictured Some said a woman would never go for a solo jog at night and wouldn't be smiling at strangers with earbuds on 'Don't get me wrong, I'd love to live in a world where a woman can go running at 2am. But we ain't there,' one regretted. 'What's she doing engaging with the cyclist on a deserted bridge in the middle of the night? So many issues with this advert,' another said. Someone else wrote: 'With everything that has happened with regards to women's safety - I feel this advert is in poor taste.' And one man - called George - wrote: 'I'm a 6'6 18 stone man living in a relatively safe area and I wouldn't bloody run at 2am with headphones in.' It comes after the Government plugged 5million into protecting women's safety at night last year amid a terrifying spate of drink spiking incidents and the harrowing murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa. Both young women were attacked and murdered while walking alone at night. Would you go for a run in the dark? An aerial shot shows the woman taking isolated routes during her job The advert shows the jogger high fiving another woman by a construction site during her night-time run And recent data shows four out of five women felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a park or other open space, while one in two women felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a quiet street near their home. In a statement, Samsung told Femail: 'The "Night Owls" campaign was designed with a positive message in mind: to celebrate individuality and freedom to exercise at all hours. 'It was never our intention to be insensitive to ongoing conversations around womens safety. 'As a global company with a diverse workforce, we apologise for how this may have been received,' it went on. Prosecutors stated Wednesday that the suspect in the killing of 10-year-old Lily Peters in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, is a 14-year-old eighth-grader. According to District Attorney Wade Newell, he is charged with first-degree intentional killing, and first-degree sexual assault of a minor under the age of 13 resulting in serious bodily damage. Police Arrest Juvenile Suspect in Lily Peters' Killing When they walked down the forested route where her corpse was recovered on Monday, the defendant who was detained on Tuesday told the police that "his objective was to rape and kill the girl from the start," the prosecution stated at a hearing. Given the seriousness of the sentence he may face for the accusations against him, Newell contended that there was a need to safeguard the community as well as a worry about the defendant leaving. Judge Benjamin J. Lane granted the state's request for a $1 million cash bond, subject to the defendant, named only as 'C.P-B,' having no contact with other minors and having no hazardous weapons. Karl Schmidt, a defense counsel, has maintained that his client is not a flight danger. The juvenile defendant's next hearing is scheduled for 4:30 pm, according to Newell. He allegedly struck the victim in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, basically strangled her, whacked her with a stick, before strangling her to the point of death, and sexually assaulting her. On May 5, at 8:00 pm ET, he will appear through video rather than in person. The child's attorneys requested a $100,000 cash bail, which Lane refused. The judge ordered the youngster to stay away from kids and not possess any firearms, save for supervised contact with his siblings. Read Also: Wisconsin Girl, 10, Found Dead in the Woods; Police Launch Homicide Investigation as Victim Went Missing While Visiting Aunt's House Missing Wisconsin Girl Found Dead in Wooded Area Peters, who knew her alleged murderer, had been visiting her aunt in Chippewa Falls over the weekend when her father reported her missing when she failed to come home. Her corpse was discovered the next morning in a forested area near a walking route, just a few blocks from her aunt's house. Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm said a minor had been detained in connection with the crime on Tuesday evening, but he declined to release any other information, CNN reported. Chippewa County Coroner Ronald Patten told The New York Post that coroners have been working on an autopsy since early Tuesday and that a preliminary report might be available as early as Thursday. The story gained national attention after Chippewa Falls police reported the youngster, who went by the name Lily, missing and asked for public assistance. Her corpse was discovered in a forested area near the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., later Monday morning. After learning of her death, other classmates and others adorned fences and left tributes at Parkview Elementary School, where she was a fourth-grader. Lily's father reported her missing when she failed to return from a visit to her aunt's house on Sunday evening, prompting police to launch an investigation. Later that night, a bicycle thought to be hers was discovered near a walking route not far from the Leinenkugel's brewery parking lot. Even as additional information about Lily's death became out Tuesday, many individuals in the neighborhood were disturbed. To guarantee the safety of youngsters, police increased patrols near local schools. Volunteers attached purple ribbons to trees and lights in the city's downtown to show sympathy for Lily's family and friends, while her classmates made a tribute of flowers, teddy animals, and other items outside of her school, according to USA today. Related Article: New York Mercy Flight Air Ambulance Helicopter Crashes During Doomed Training, Leaving 2 People Dead @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A young mom has claimed that doctors said her excruciating back pain was caused by 'bad posture' while working from home - only to find out that it was actually a tumor the size of a baby's head at the base of her spine. Ellie Chandler, 25, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, first developed back pain after giving birth to her twins, Brooke and Parker Chandler, in December 2019, and when the pandemic hit months later, her symptoms worsened. The mom-of-two said she went to the doctor several times in October 2021 as the pain increased rapidly, but was encouraged to buy a support pillow for her chair and take painkillers - after they claimed that it was likely caused by sitting badly at her desk. The former loan officer spoke to multiple different professionals, and she even visited an orthopedic specialist and received a clear X-ray. Eventually, the tumor grew so big that it started to effect her ability to use the bathroom; the large mass began 'compressing' her bladder and 'smushing' her bowel. A young mom claimed doctors said her excruciating back pain was caused by 'bad posture' - only to find out that it was actually a tumor the size of a baby's head at the base of her spine Ellie Chandler, 25, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, first developed back pain after giving birth to her twins, Brooke and Parker Chandler, in December 2019 When the pandemic hit months later, her symptoms worsened. The mom-of-two said she went to the doctor several times in October 2021 as the pain increased She was encouraged to buy a support pillow for her chair and take painkillers - after doctors claimed that it was likely caused by sitting badly at her desk. Her tumor is pictured But once again, doctors brushed off her problems and told her she probably had an overactive bladder or intestine problems. The pain got so severe that Ellie said she was often brought to tears, and she couldn't sleep or sit. Desperate for answers, Ellie went to see her gynecologists - who finally discovered the tumor after performing a rectal exam and feeling the huge mass inside her rectum. After running emergency tests, the 25-year-old was eventually diagnosed in mid-December with a rare, five and a half-inch giant cell tumor at the base of her spine. By the time they discovered it, the tumor, which is non-cancerous, had grown so big that it was the size of a baby's head. Ellie is now undergoing intense treatment - receiving monthly injections in an attempt to shrink the tumor - but she still has a long road ahead of her. She is preparing to undergo surgery to try to remove it, however, the procedure is going to be extremely risky and complex due to the location of the tumor. She could potentially lose bowel and bladder function permanently if anything goes wrong, since the tumor is surrounded by so many nerves. She is now speaking out to in an attempt to urge other people who are suffering from back pain to take it seriously - as what she thought were simple aches caused by bad posture, turned out to be an extremely aggressive tumor. Ellie said: 'It went from what I thought was normal back pain from giving birth, then what I thought was caused by working from home and poor posture, to just excruciating pain. The pain became so severe that Ellie was often brought to tears, and she couldn't sleep or sit. The tumor also started to effect her ability to use the bathroom Desperate for answers, Ellie went to see her gynecologists - who finally discovered the tumor after performing a rectal exam By the time they found it, the tumor, which is non-cancerous and sits at the base of her spine, had grown so big that it was the size of a baby's head She is preparing to undergo surgery to try to remove it, however, the procedure is going to be extremely risky and complex due to the location of the tumor 'My back pain really started in December 2019 when I gave birth to twins. It never really got better - it got worse - but of course we had the pandemic and I started working from home. If something goes wrong, she could potentially lose bowel and bladder function permanently, since the tumor is surrounded by so many nerves 'I figured I wasn't set up the best way at home and had bad posture. I let it get pretty bad because life is busy and I had twins. 'I was working full time and my partner travels for work. I had an annual physical with my primary care doctor [around October 2021] and mentioned it. 'She told me to go ahead and get a special pillow to sit on while I was working and take some Ibuprofen. I did that but it just kept getting worse at a rapid rate.' Ellie explained that her condition rapidly deteriorated after she suffered from a fall at her home, which she believes shifted an area of the tumor. She said she was told by doctors that she had likely suffered a fracture, but when an X-ray came back clear, she was given pain medication and sent home. However, months went by with no improvement, and she also started to develop problems with her intestines. The mom-of-two then went to hospital after fearing she had developed a urinary tract infection, but doctors still didn't discover the tumor. They believed she had an overactive bladder or was suffering from a condition called IBS - a common disorder that affects the large intestine. 'It became excruciating pain. But when I went to the doctor then, they said, "Oh, if you had a fall it's probably a fracture or a bruised tailbone,' recalled Ellie. 'They did an X-ray and couldn't really get a good image. Now, looking back, soft tissue tumors don't show up on an X-ray. She is now speaking out to to urge others to take their back pain seriously - as what she thought were simple aches caused by bad posture, turned out to be an aggressive tumor Ellie is undergoing intense treatment - receiving monthly injections in an attempt to shrink the tumor - but she still has a long road ahead of her 'They gave me more pain medication and told me to come back in a couple of weeks. I came back four weeks later and it still hadn't improved at all. What is a giant cell tumor? Giant cell tumors are non-cancerous tumors that develop in the bone They most often affect people between ages of 20 and 45 years old They are benign but aggressive, rapidly growing and causing damage to soft tissue. They can become malignant Symptoms include pain, swelling, fractures due to bone weakness and restricted movement Treatment can include surgery or biological therapies, such as Denosumab, which Ellie is currently receiving Source: Sarcoma.org.uk Advertisement 'In that time, I started having bowel and bladder symptoms. I had gone the weekend of Thanksgiving to another urgent care as I thought I had a UTI. 'That all came back negative and they said I might have an overactive bladder. 'I thought I might have some kind of bladder thing going on and I started having constipation issues because the tumor was obstructing my rectum. Then I was told I might have IBS. 'By the time I went back to the orthopedic doctor, they did another X-ray and said, "your tailbone looks crushed so it's definitely broken, but it should resolve." 'I brought up my bowel and bladder symptoms. They had a chuckle and said it's probably IBS.' Later that day, Ellie had an annual pelvic exam with her OB-GYN, but the doctor said she was unable to do the check-up because she could feel a large mass inside her. It was only after an ultrasound and CT scan that she was finally diagnosed with the tumor - more than six weeks later - in mid-December, by which point the pain had gotten so bad that she couldn't sleep and would cry whenever she drove. Ellie continued: 'When I went to the pelvis exam, she went to do the exam and said she couldn't do it because she was feeling something in there. 'She did a rectal exam and said she could feel it in there as well, it was a rather large mass. Ellie, who is unable to work due to her condition, said she feels extremely frustrated that 'so many' professionals missed the tumor She wants to warn young people that back pain is 'really not normal,' and hopes that sharing her story will help others going through something similar push for answers 'I then went to get an ultrasound the same day, a CT scan the next day and they found the tumor then. 'The pain was so bad at that point that I couldn't sleep, I couldn't sit, I was driving around for work and I was crying in the car some days because it hurt so bad. 'From there, I was admitted into the hospital for about a week where they did a biopsy. It came back as a giant cell tumor, which is not cancerous. 'Because of where mine is located, in my tailbone and lower spine, there's so much space that it can get massive before you start to experience symptoms. 'Giant cell tumors are quite common in young people, in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. 'Doctors don't necessarily think it's going to be a tumor because you're young and healthy, they think of other things first. 'All that contributed to how it got so massive. It was the size of a baby's head by the time they found it. The measurements were all between 10 centimeters and 14 centimeters when they found it.' Ellie has to go to a local cancer center for injections every four weeks, but added that there are not many treatments out there for her tumor. She hopes to shrink the large mass before undergoing a risky and 'morbid' surgery to remove it - which could potentially cause her to lose bowel function altogether. 'I've had some success with the injections. My tumor shrank about two centimeters after my 90-day trial of it. I'm going to go ahead and do 90 days more treatment,' she said. 'Usually, surgery is the primary treatment but because of where it is in my spine and all the nerves around there, surgery is going to be quite complex and morbid. She often speaks out about her situation on TikTok, and has racked up more than 185,000 likes across her videos The 25-year-old is able to joke about the situation, and hopes that her videos will help raise awareness and prevent others from going through the same thing 'I could lose bowel and bladder function permanently if those nerves are compromised. We're trying to shrink it as much as possible before surgery. 'If we can remove the tumor in one piece, it reduces the chance of reoccurrence. We're looking at neurosurgeons, orthopedics, plastic surgeons, surgical oncologists, colorectal surgeons, all of that. 'We're hoping that with surgery we can prevent it from coming back and get back to some more normal function. 'I had to have a catheter for three months because my urethra and bladder were so compressed that I kept retaining urine. 'I'm on a heavy regiment of laxatives right now because my bowel is so smushed against this tumor so nothing comes out otherwise.' 'Back pain is so normalized, especially with people working from home these days, but it's really not normal and you should take it seriously if it's impacting your daily life,' she concluded Ellie, who is unable to work due to her condition, claimed that she feels like she is now going through stages of grief, and feels extremely frustrated that professionals missed the tumor so early on. She wants to warn young people that back pain is 'really not normal,' and hopes that sharing her story will help others going through something similar push for answers. She often speaks out about her situation on TikTok, and has racked up more than 185,000 likes across her videos. Ellie added: 'I really went through, and I'm still going through, the different stages of grief. I was really angry at first and scared. 'After that, I was really angry that I went to so many different doctors and nobody caught this. 'I did bring up red flag symptoms. Back pain shouldn't really be considered normal for young people, but it generally is. 'Once I brought up neurological symptoms like bowel and bladder issues, they should have been red flags to the orthopedic doctor that I saw. 'I'm so glad I went for that check up with my OB-GYN because she was ultimately the one who found it. 'My OB-GYN is a young female doctor and I don't know if that had any play into it, if she was more willing to listen to my pain and the seriousness of it all. 'I was definitely angry realizing I'd been to so many doctors and nobody caught it because over that span of weeks, the tumor did grow significantly to the point where I was having intermittent issues with going to the bathroom. 'Back pain is so normalized, especially with people working from home these days, but it's really not normal and you should take it seriously if it's impacting your daily life. 'Especially young people, don't put off going to the doctor. Don't let it get to the point that it's so bad you're having issues functioning. 'Look out for red flag symptoms, so if you're having other symptoms along with back pain, those could be signs that you have a tumor in your spine.' Sir Ed Davey revealed the pain of having to administer morphine to his terminally ill mother as a child as he opened up about life as a young carer. The Lib Dem leader was just four when his father John George died and at the age of 12 was left to care for his mother Nina when she was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Davey, 56, appeared on ITV's Loose Women today where he spoke candidly about his childhood, revealing his mother was sometimes in so much agony she would give herself electric shocks to divert the pain. The politician currently helps wife Emily care for their daughter Ellie, eight, and son John, 14, who was born with an undiagnosed neurological condition meaning he cannot walk or talk. Sir Ed Davey currently helps wife Emily care for their daughter Ellie, eight, and son John, 14, who was born with an undiagnosed neurological condition meaning he cannot walk or talk Davey, 56, appeared on ITV's Loose Women today where he spoke candidly about growing up as a young carer after his father died aged four and his mother was diagnosed with incurable cancer aged 12 Speaking about his mother, Nina, Davey said: 'First of all she was mobile, but gradually she was bed ridden and in a lot of pain. 'We used to have to give her morphine for the pain. It was a whole bell jar of morphine. 'Her pain was so bad we had to put these pads on her where she could give herself electric shocks to divert the pain and distract herself. She was in a lot of pain which was where the emotional side came in.' He revealed that he often felt ostracised growing up because his role as a carer meant he couldn't take part in activities after school. 'At school I think one or two friends knew about it, but there was a sense of slightly being isolated or different,' he said. 'You couldn't always go to the parties, I had to give up rugby. Once or twice I was being bullied because I wasn't joining in. I think a lot of young carers feel that.' Davey's experience as a carer drives much of his politics and he often campaigns for increased NHS investment and further government help for carers Davey was incredibly close with his grandparents, who along with kindhearted neighbours helped him and his brother cope while caring for his mother. When his mother died when he was 15, Ed moved in with his brothers and then his maternal grandparents, eventually securing a place at Oxford studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics. 'Previously I had worked to make my mum happy and I went through this rubicon where I thought "I'm doing this for me now",' he explained. 'It was like a lightbulb, it made me focus on what I wanted to do in life... there was that moment and I think it does focus young minds.' Davey married Emily Gasson, a former Liberal Democrat candidate for North Dorset, in the summer of 2005 and the couple had their first child John two years later. The couple, who live in Surbiton, London, currently care for their disabled son with some help from external carers and Davey said that John will likely need full-time care for the rest of his life. Explaining that his wife takes on the majority of the care, he said: 'I like to be engaged because he's my lovely boy. So most of my caring is done in the morning or the weekends.' Davey and his wife Emily currently care for their disabled son Jon, who Davey says will likely need full-time care for the rest of his life. Pictured, the couple together in 2019 When asked about his son's condition, he explained: 'We genuinely don't know....we felt when he was about four months and he wasn't developing well. 'We got to about nine months and we thought "Something is wrong here". He wasn't really sitting or engaging. 'They initially diagnosed him with cerebral palsy, but it wasn't cerebral palsy as it then transpired and Great Ormond Street Hospital were fantastic.' Davey's experience as a carer drives much of his politics and he often campaigns for increased NHS investment and further government help for carers. 'I think caring roles should be valued far more', he said. 'Because I think they're quite tough actually. There's the emotional impact and then and actually caring is tough work, all hours it's not glamorous.' A mum has been warned of a potentially 'dangerous' issue she was unaware of after sharing an image of her bathroom to a home design Facebook group. Michelle, from New South Wales, was delighted to add a chic wooden stool to her shower to assist when shaving her legs. But many quickly warned how the surface of wood quickly grows mould when placed in or near damp or wet areas. Michelle, from New South Wales, was pleased to add a wooden stool to her shower to assist with shaving her legs (pictured). But many quickly warned how the surface of wood grows mould when placed in damp or wet areas After seeing the Facebook post, a professional cleaner said mould grows fast on wood and suggested opting for a different product. 'It's going to get so mouldy so fast just FYI. Like within two weeks kind of thing. I'm a cleaner and see clients with these and other seats that are COVERED in mould,' the woman wrote. Another person said: 'I've had a timber stool near the shower before, it got water stains and mould after a while.' A third added: 'Or a plastic one, remember to put out in sun or the wood will go mouldy.' Mould is a type of bacteria that grows in damp, wet climates or moist areas and can cause serious health problems. Alternatively to a wooden stool, many suggested using a steel or plastic stool instead. Michelle was shocked after reading the comments but was glad she was told. 'Thanks to everyone for their feedback on my shower chair....didn't know about the mould thing but the chair has been sealed with a waterproof sealer so I hope this will stop the mould. Fingers crossed!' Michelle wrote. Ensuring the wood is waterproof will lessen the risk of mould growing, but it also should be placed in the sun to dry when not being used. When removing mould it's best to inspect the area or product with gloves and seek assistance from professionals if needed. A doctor has revealed the simple tools everyone needs to know in order to navigate through feelings of anxiety, sadness, and stress or complications that arise when working through grief or facing criticism. Doctor Julie Smith worked one-on-one as a clinical psychologist for a decade before realising she could help people en mass by sharing her most sought-after advice. The 38-year-old mother-of-three has written a book titled 'Why has nobody told me this before' which touches on issues every single person is destined to face including low self-confidence, 'low' moods and forming healthy relationships. Doctor Julie Smith worked one-on-one as a psychologist for a decade before realising she could help people en mass by sharing her most sought-after advice Speaking with FEMAIL from her home in the UK the author said she touched on feelings every person has at some point in their lives. 'I have had so many people who have come to me for a session or two and have been able to go on and create meaningful change just from these tips,' she said. 'It is incredible how many people have thanked me and wondered out loud why they had never been given the advice before. How to slow down anxiety and panic in real time with the SQUARE METHOD Dr Julie suggest the square method for people experiencing the emergency response associated with anxiety. This method is a simple breathing technique and works well because uit can be done almost anywhere. What is the square method? 1 - Locate something in the shape of a square or rectangle 2 - Starting in the bottom left corner move your eye to the top left corner, breathing in to the count of four 3 - Breathe out to the count of four when you get to the corner then work along the top of the square to the next corner, breathing in to a count of four again 4 - Work your way around the square breathing in and out until you feel your pulse slow down and the panic disappear Advertisement 'That's how I decided on the name for the book because it is all information that seems so obvious or useful once you know it that you can't help but wonder why it hadn't been passed down previously,' she said. Other helpful advice includes tips on increasing one's motivation - with the doctor revealing whether you are either born with it or not. 'People tend to think that motivation is something that comes naturally and if they don't have that drive then there's nothing they can do about it. But they can,' she said. 'It is incredible how many people have thanked me and wondered out loud why they had never been given the advice before,' she said How to change your MINDSET: The secret to growth and confidence 1. Make a habit of looking out for signs of a fixed mindset. The goal of a growth mindset is never complete. Like motivation, you have to keep working at it every day. To do this, keep tabs on it. 2. Listen out for any thoughts or self-talk that sounds like this: 'I can't do it. I won't be able to' 'If I make a mistake, they will laugh at me' 'I'm going to look foolish' 'That person is better than me. I hate them'. 3. When you try something and don't achieve it, or you don't do as well as you hoped. Add this important word to the end of this thought. 'I can't do this..YET!' This one word takes you from fixed (why bother trying again) to growth (lets work out how to make it better next time). You are much more likely to persist. Never behave as if mistakes are negative. They are essential to learning. 4. When faced with the choice of something safe versus a big challenge, choose the big challenge. When there is more chance of failure, there is more chance for learning and growth. 5. When you hit problems and difficulties, respond to yourself with compassion (see my other posts on compassionate self-talk). Then ask, 'what can I learn from this?' And 'what can I try next?' 6. When you see someone doing better than you, learn from them. Turn jealousy and envy into inspiration and mentoring. Advertisement Dr Julie didn't plan on writing a book at first - the idea formed after she became a hit online. 'I decided to do videos with these tips on Youtube, and assumed it would be one of those projects which just fizzle out, but it never did.' In fact she exploded in popularity and has more than three million followers across her 'Dr Julie' social media accounts. This is probably down to timing, she admits, as she started making the videos just a few months before the beginning of the Covid pandemic. 'When lockdowns first started more and more people went online in search for answers to their mental health,' she said, adding that there was a wave of deteriorating mental health stemming from general health anxiety, financial anxiety and fast-paced un-planned social change. The mother-of-three shares her 'therapy room secrets' online after realising many of her clients didn't need intensive sessions, just some simple tools 'We are going through a period where so many people are feeling traumatised at the same time, it is something that hasn't really happened before at this scale in living memory. 'There have been other big events, like stock crashes that have impacted a lot of people but nothing that has left such a mark as the pandemic,' she said. What key everyday issues are covered? 1 - Managing anxiety and stress 2 - Dealing with criticism 3 - Battling a low mood 4 - Building self-confidence 5 - Finding motivation 6 - Forming healthy relationships 7 - Working through grief Advertisement Dr Julie was inundated with questions for help from all over the world and would doggedly address them in her informative videos. She realised there was a huge upward trend in people asking for advice to deal with common forms of bad mental health. So she wrote her book in lockdown, while her husband acted as school teacher to their three children in the next room. 'My poor husband I could hear him coaxing them to pick up their pencils, to sit down, while I was up here writing,' she laughed. The book for that reason also touches on relationship pressures, which many people felt intensified in lockdown. 'If you have a difficult relationship with someone, especially someone you live with, it is easier to let it go if you only see them for a couple of hours per day. 'I had people writing into me because they were really struggling with lockdown and having that time with their partner, friends, housemates, parents, go from a few hours to constant,' she said. The core feelings we all face in life were intensified in the pandemic, Dr Julie explained. 'There is a feeling of trauma around this whole pandemic, I believe that's what most people are feeling, a trauma response.' Dr Julie's book is written with adults in mind and made to be an easy-to-follow guide for people to drop in and out of depending on the advice they need on hand Dr Julie says it is interesting to see that most people are looking for help for many of the same issues now. Five years ago there was no 'blanket issue' or feelings - people would come as a result of individual grief and trauma. Dr Julie says people showing a huge interest in mental health is a step-in-the-right-direction. Has there been a change in 'mental health trends'? According to Dr Julie the major change is there is now a trend, because more people are having similar mental health struggles at the same time as a result of the global pandemic. Financial instability, health anxiety and mental health issues arising from unstable relationships and social interaction have soared. Five years ago people would see Dr Julie and her colleagues for a range of things from grief after losing a loved one, to relationship break downs and general anxiety. But Those issues have been intensified since 2020, especially through lockdowns, as have everyday feelings of sadness, anxiety and stress. Advertisement 'I would love people to have the same level of respect for mental health as they do for physical health. 'People who have had experiences with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety are quick to point out it can have just as strong effect as a physical illness or injury.' She says she would like workplaces to acknowledge mental health and for them to become more flexible in accommodating needs of people experiencing it. 'This might not mean time off, but of course if they are going through something like burnout then they need that to get better. 'For other issues it could be implementing a plan set by their psychologist,' she said. This could be as simple as being aware of the issue, key triggers, needs for longer breaks or shorter days or increased communication. Dr Julie's book is available in book stores and online and is available as a physical book, audio book and digital book. Popular mummy blogger Constance Hall has responded to backlash she's received for sleeping with her children on a mattress in the living room. The 38-year-old mother, from Western Australia, spoke openly in a detailed Facebook post about the family's 'sleep nest'. The photo shared online depicts three kids lying happily on the mattress and another child cuddling the family dog on the couch. The mattress is positioned in the middle of the room running alongside two leather couches, creating a huge sleeping zone with blankets and pillows. 'I pretty much always co-slept with my babies, I just loved it, I still love it,' Constance wrote. Mummy blogger Constance Hall (pictured) has divided opinions online after revealing she and her children sleep on a mattress in the living room The 38-year-old mother, from Western Australia, spoke openly in a long Facebook post about the family's 'sleep nest' (pictured). The photo depicts three kids lying happily on the mattress and another child cuddling the family dog on the couch Constance explained she and her seven kids have been living at her mum's house for almost 12 months, and five kids sleep in the living room. 'While it's a four-bedroom house, two of the rooms don't get used and we have two mattresses on the floor in the lounge room surrounded by couches,' she said 'Last night as I lay on one of them with 5 kids surrounding me, all drifting off in between giggling, fighting, dobbing and 4000 "I love you's" and finally sleep I felt extreme contentment.' The busy mum says she feels content knowing her children are able to feel comforted if they have a nightmare and never wake up alone. 'It's not for everyone. It doesn't have to be,' she added. The busy mum says she feels content knowing her children are able to feel comforted if they have a nightmare and never wake up alone The sleeping arrangement allows the family the spend an excess amount of time together rather than being separated and alone in bedrooms While she's received negative comments previously, hundreds of mums shared words of praise in response to the Facebook post. 'Just beautiful and I wish this was the norm. I never turned my kids away from sleeping with me, I would never deny them that comfort and safety,' one mum wrote. 'I couldn't love this any more! Such a healthy attitude to parenting. You sound like an amazing mum,' another wrote. A third added: 'You will never look back on life and think, "I spent too much time with my kids".' Constance said she introduced the sleeping arrangement after speaking to a 'child whispering midwife' who claims dinner time and food should be an 'enjoyable part of life'. 'I've applied a similar ethos to our sleeping routines,' Constance wrote. More importantly, it allows the family the spend an excess amount of time together rather than being separated and alone in bedrooms. It follows after Constance took time to reflect on her relationship with her husband Denim Cooke, who she married in 2018. It follows after Constance took time to reflect on her relationship with her husband Denim Cooke, who she married in 2018. She has been living apart from her husband after he almost died falling off a motorbike in 2020 She has been living apart from her husband after he almost died falling off a motorbike in 2020. 'He just completely checked out of life after the accident," she said. Denim, who recently avoided a stint in jail despite driving with ice in his system and having an unrestrained child in his car, was involved in a horror motorbike crash in August, 2020. The 46-year-old was airlifted to a trauma ward at Royal Perth Hospital suffering seven broken ribs, punctured lungs, multiple infections and a brain injury after skidding off his bike. 'I think when he woke up from the accident, I was very excited. And there was this sort of false hope,' Constance said. 'I spoke to the doctors, and they said Denim doesn't have motivation anymore. The frontal lobe damage has taken any of that away that he might have had before. 'His psychiatrist said really recently, and it was really clever, "He loves you. He loves his family. He needs to work for you rather than just getting you and all the things you do and provide... and that's not gonna happen unless he's removed from the family home."' The couple began to look into an assisted care facility to get a few nights away from each other and heal but Constance was reminded constantly that he was 'becoming a shell of a man'. Final post? This photo of Constance, Denim and their son Raja shared on July 23 is the last time he appeared on his wife's Instagram account They were fighting and the mother-of-seven could see their relations were spiralling. So Denim went to stay with 'his bestest friend' who lives in Esperance, a 10 hour drive away from Constance's home in Margaret River. 'I spoke to him the next day, and there was just this light in his face... like he was just his old self again. He was clear. He was awake and alive and around lovely people,' she said. Her empathy, compassion and desire soon returned and Constance thanks her husband's psychiatrist for stepping in when he did to 'help them'. Women are being forced to take days off work because of a crippling shortage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the NHS. Surging demand and supply issues have left many struggling to access the drugs that soothe the debilitating symptoms of the menopause. Campaigners say it has sparked a 'gold rush', with women racing to pharmacies to get their hands on supplies. Desperate women have resorted to swapping drugs in car parks, buying on the black market and going abroad to source the medicine. Some GPs have now started rationing stock, giving women only one month's worth of the drugs to ease the pressures. Experts fear the shortage will see women forced out the workplace, either trying to hunt for the drugs or because they are too unwell to work. Women like 52-year-old Julie Macken have had to spend mornings off work in search of HRT after missing out on the medication for days. Menopause can cause brain fog making concentrating on tasks difficult as well as crippling hot flushes, fatigue and anxiety. There were about 512,000 NHS prescriptions written for 'female sex hormones and their modulators' in England in February, the latest official data shows, compared to 265,000 in March 2017. Many of these will be HRT medications but some may include other female hormone drugs such as contraceptives File photo of a woman taking HRT. Shortages have been so severe that some women have been forced to spend hours visiting different pharmacies in search of it Woman says she will have to give up work if she runs out of HRT amid shortage A woman has described her dependence on HRT amid a supply shortage of a certain type of the drug, saying that running out would be 'catastrophic' for her physical and mental wellbeing. Shortages of the medicine, which is used to treat the symptoms of menopause, have been so severe some women have been forced to travel hundreds of miles in search of it. Around a million women in the UK rely on HRT. Sarah Smith, 53, from London, said: 'It will be catastrophic for me if my supply runs out and I stop abruptly. It will cause a mental and physical impact that will likely see me have to give up work.' Describing her experience of menopause before she used HRT, Ms Smith said she experienced approximately 30 hot flushes each day and 'intense brain fog'. 'I forgot how to do my job. Menopause ruined my life. 'I had completely lost sense of my identity, and all joy in life. I just existed and was, like a lot of women, considering giving up work as I could not cope with it. 'It's taken me about seven years to get what's called the gold standard of HRT. This current gold standard treatment allows me to make the journey back to who I used to be.' Advertisement Sarah Smith, 53, from London, said 'intense brain fog' from menopause prevented her from doing her job before she started taking the treatment. Losing HRT abruptly would force her to 'give up work', she said. The main issue is with Oestrogel, which is used by around 30,000 women in the UK. Alternatives have also taken a hit as women are switched to different medication until stocks are replenished. Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, founder of the Pausitivity campaign, told The Times: 'For the past three years on and off women have struggled to get hold of HRT. 'At the moment the main problem is Oestrogel. But that is having knock-on effects on other brands. 'Women are having to spend hours trekking back and forth between their GPs and pharmacists to get hold of it.' Businesswoman Ms Macken had to visit seven pharmacies in Oxfordshire before she finally found the drugs. And teacher Clare Woodward, 47, from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, said she was signed off work because alternatives to the gel were not helping her symptoms. She is using the medication to recover from a hysterectomy in 2019 that has limited her oestrogen levels. Initially she tried self-rationing the gel but found her symptoms including fatigue and anxiety were returning, so she was given patches as a substitute. But she says the new drugs do not stick and she does not 'feel great on them at all'. Others have faced issues getting any drugs at all, with GPs restricting their prescriptions and some reportedly 'refusing' to offer a 12-month script. A clinical pharmacist in Truro, Cornwall, told a patient all HRT products were suffering from supply issues. In a letter seen by The Daily Telegraph the pharmacist said: 'It is a case of ringing around pharmacies to see who has stock. 'If your pharmacy has no stock when you next need it, please contact us again and we will issue a new script. 'However, at the moment we can only issue one month at a time, to try and take pressure off the existing stock and allow everyone who needs it a smaller supply.' (left to right) Dr Louise Newson, Mariella Frostrup, MP Carolyn Harris, Penny Lancaster and Davina McCall with protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in London demonstrating against ongoing prescription charges for HRT Oestrogel, which is used by around 30,000 women in the UK, has been in short supply lately, leading to a HRT 'gold rush' as women race to pharmacies to get their hands on dwindling stock Davina backs campaign Davina McCall is backing a campaign to bring forward the date for cheaper HRT medicine for women Davina McCall is backing a campaign to bring forward the date for cheaper HRT medicine for women. Last year Labour MP Carolyn Harris, co-chairman of the UK menopause taskforce, managed to get costs cut in England, saving women up to 200 a year. But this will not come into effect until April 2023. Now, a petition by campaign group Menopause Mandate is calling for the Government to implement it sooner. Miss McCall, one of the group's founders, said that it is 'insane' women are 'scrabbling about on the internet' and easing HRT costs is needed urgently. Advertisement Meanwhile, Facebook menopause support groups are being flooded with women tipping each other off, with 'Quick, try here' messages being shared. Others have likened it to the home front in the Second World War, when families would tip each other off when rations were restocked. 'It's just a terrible situation to be in, almost like a gold rush,' said Katie Taylor, of menopause support group Latte Lounge. 'Women in our FB group are panic buying, tipping each other off when they hear of any pharmacies who have stock of Oestrogel in place. 'Some are saying they feel like they've won the lottery, others are offering to share their supplies.' Jane Pangbourne of the HRT Truth Collective support group, said there is an 'HRT frenzy'. She said women were travelling across the country after ringing pharmacy after pharmacy or getting tipped off by friends about where stock is available. She added: 'There was somebody in the group the other day who had travelled four or five hours to get her gel. 'And even when women manage to get, let's say, a month's supply of whatever it is they need, they're then already starting to plan: "What the hell do I do for next month?" 'So the stress doesn't end the moment they get their prescription if they get their prescription at all.' Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, a menopause campaigner and blogger, said desperate women are relying on one another for support and advice. 'Women in Facebook groups have turned into mini support centres, telling each other where they've got Oestrogel from and if they had any left,' she said. 'It reminds me of my mum talking about the war when women would pass on where the latest ration supplies had come in.' The Daily Mail this week revealed a postcode lottery in England for alternative treatments, following extensive coverage of supply chain issues going back years. A spokesman for Well Pharmacy, which has nearly 800 branches, said: 'Some of our pharmacy teams have seen an increased number of requests from new patients looking for specific HRT products.' The UK's most senior GP has warned the HRT supply crisis must be resolved quickly because 'so many women' are experiencing distress and some are risking side-effects by using medication prescribed to others. Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told the Guardian: 'While we appreciate the seriousness of the current situation and the frustrations women are experiencing, we urge them not to share HRT medication as this could lead to serious side-effects.' A child has died of suspected hepatitis in the US, with six states now investigating cases of the mystery illness sweeping the world. Wisconsin's Department of Health Services announced four youngsters have been struck down with unusual liver damage. One died and another needed a transplant, officials said. If the death is confirmed to be down to the unusual type of hepatitis, it would be the first confirmed in the US and second in the world. Cases of the peculiar illness have already been spotted in Alabama, North Carolina and Delaware. Health chiefs in Illinois and New York are currently probing reports of similar occurrences. In total, there have been at least 20 suspected cases in the US. Dr Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, said the cause of the illness is 'still a mystery'. Nearly 200 children have been sickened by the condition across the world in up to 14 countries. At least 18 have needed liver transplants. Nearly 200 children have been sickened by the condition across the world in up to 14 countries since last October *cases in Canada, Japan and Wisconsin, Illinois and New York are still yet to be confirmed Dr Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, said the cause of the illness is 'still a mystery' Medics have been left puzzled by what is behind the spate of cases with the usual hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses excluded from laboratory test results. Health chiefs believe the illness may be triggered by an adenovirus, which usually causes common colds. Dr Fauci told Bloomberg: 'Its still a mystery. It seems to be associated with adenovirus, but it isnt a slam dunk.' Alabama was the first state to announce cases of the severe liver injury two weeks ago. Nine children were hospitalised in the state between November and February. Three had acute liver failure and all of the children tested came back positive for adenovirus. Two required liver transplants but all of them survived. North Carolina identified two cases last month, with both children recovering. Neither had adenovirus. Delaware this week reported that a child younger than five was hospitalised by the same mysterious hepatitis. They are still undergoing treatment. One child has now been confirmed dead in Wisconsin, with officials yesterday revealing they are investigating whether their liver injury was linked to the same cluster of cases. The Wisconsin DHS said: 'Since being notified of this adenovirus-associated hepatitis cluster, DHS is now investigating at least four similar cases among children in Wisconsin. 'This includes two children who had severe outcomes, one liver transplant, and one fatality.' Illinois officials said they had spotted three probable cases of severe hepatitis on Monday and one child required a liver transplant. Dr Tina Tan, pediatric infectious disease physician at Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago, said the cases are most likely to be caused by a virus because they are appearing in clusters. She told Bloomberg: 'Whats most unusual about all of this is that adenovirus does not usually cause severe hepatitis in kids with no underlying health conditions.' And health officials in New York state yesterday revealed they are investigating a cases that appears to match descriptions of the mystery illness. The condition which was first spotted in Scotland at the end of March has been detected 114 times in Britain. Covid lockdowns may be behind the mysterious spate of hepatitis cases in children because they reduced social mixing and weakened their immunity, experts claim Experts say lockdowns may have weakened the immunity of children and left them more susceptible to the virus, or it may be a mutated version. Investigations are ongoing but officials have yet to rule out a new Covid variant being to blame. Another theory is that children may have been battling the adenovirus at the same time as Covid. UK health officials have ruled out the Covid vaccine as a possible cause, with none of the ill British children having been vaccinated because of their young age. Liver experts described the spate of cases as 'concerning' but said parents should not worry about the illness affecting their children. A vegan who drinks his own month-old urine and smears it all over his face claims his sister now hates him because of his disgusting habit. 'Open-minded' Harry Matadeen, from Hampshire, began consuming his own waste in 2016 because he was 'desperate to heal' his mental health problems. He said his urine, which he drinks 200ml of every day, left him feeling 'a new sense of peace, calm and determination' and cured him almost immediately. And the 34-year-old who sometimes cups his own stream and splashes it on his face claimed it's the 'secret to eternal youth'. But Mr Matadeen, who has written books about the supposed health benefits of his habit, said he has been rejected by his sister because of his so-called urine therapy. Advocates say urine, which is 90 per cent water, cures everything from autoimmune disorders to chronic pain. But medics warn there is no proof urophagia has any benefits whatsoever. They say the practice thought to have originated in ancient Egypt speeds up dehydration and exposes drinkers to bacteria. Madonna has previously claimed to drink urine, as well as singer Kesha. Harry Matadeen (pictured), 34, from Hampshire, began drinking urine in the summer of 2016 because he was 'desperate to heal' his depression and 'open-minded' on how to do this He said his urine, which he drinks 200ml of every day, left him feeling 'a new sense of peace, calm and determination' and took years of his appearance. But Mr Matadeen, an author who has penned books about the supposed health benefits of his habit, said he has been rejected by his sister because he practices so-called urine therapy Mr Matadeen drinks 200ml of mostly his one-month old urine every, which he tops up with fresh urine. Pictured: Jars of his urine Mr Matadeen (pictured in 2016 before he started drinking urine) began drinking his urine after reading about its alleged health benefits. He said: 'It was beyond my wildest imaginations how powerful it was when I drank it. 'From the moment I drank the urine, it woke up my brain and removed my depression Madonna (left) has previously claimed to drink urine, as well as singer Kesha (right) Why you really should NOT drink your own urine Urine therapy is said to date back to the Bible. Historical documents suggest that the Aztecs disinfected wounds with it, while the benefits are also mentioned in Indian and Chinese literature. Fans of 'urotherapy', a term used to describe drinking your own pee, include Madonna. In 1945, John W. Armstrong, a British naturopath, published a book claiming that drinking urine could cure all major illnesses, however there is no scientific proof of this. Urine consists of 90 per cent water. During the digestive process, the liver deals with toxins and removes them to be excreted. The blood then goes to the kidneys where it is filtered again and extraneous components the body no longer needs are collected in a sterile solution which is then passed as urine. But GP Dr Rob Hicks told the Mail: 'Over the years many people have claimed health benefits from drinking their own urine, but as far as I'm aware there is no scientific evidence to back-up these claims. 'The kidneys are an efficient filtering system getting rid of what the body doesn't need, so to put this back into the body seems counter-productive. 'Personally, I believe there are better - and more palatable - ways to keep the body healthy including not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and keeping stress under control.' Medics warn drinking urine can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and cause an electrolyte imbalance which speeds up dehydration. Health expert Aisling Pigott, dietician and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, added that urine contains toxins expelled from the body and kidneys, and drinking it could therefore be harmful and cause infection. Dr Jeff Foster, a GP in Warwickshire, said: 'There are no known reported health benefits from either drinking or rubbing your own urine onto your body (or anyone else's urine). 'Orally, it is much worse it can actually speed up the dehydration process and potentially introduce bacteria. 'Bottom line is if you would not eat or rub in your own faeces, then don't think applying the same principle with urine is any healthier. 'Waste products are waste for a reason.' Advertisement Mr Matadeen turned to drinking urine six years ago after reading about its alleged health benefits. He said: 'It was beyond my wildest imaginations how powerful it was when I drank it. 'From the moment I drank the urine, it woke up my brain and removed my depression. 'I felt a new sense of peace, calm and determination. I thought "wow I can make it for free and always keep myself in this happy state".' He has previously wrongly claimed drinking urine can reduce the risk of developing cancer, Alzheimer's, dementia, heart disease and strokes. Despite his claims of health benefits, Mr Matadeen has received fierce backlash from family members and friends. He said: 'My family never approved of it and thought it disgusting from the beginning. 'My sister doesn't speak to me and one reason is my partaking in urine therapy. 'I've chosen all of my friends now and all of them either do aged fresh urine therapy or approve of it. 'If they didn't I wouldn't have them as friends simple as that.' Mr Matadeen drinks 200ml of mostly his one-month old urine every day, which he tops up with fresh urine, and 'not much else'. He eats one meal a day and follows an intermittent fasting diet. Mr Matadeen said: 'Fresh urine is never as bad as you imagine it is neutral smelling and not a bad taste unless you are really toxic. 'But the aged urine is always smelly and the taste is a refined and acquired one. I'll just say it takes some getting used to. 'I actually like the smell and taste of my aged urine now, due to neuro-association of what benefits and joy it gives me after I take it into my system.' He also rubs his urine into his skin and claims it has left him looking a decade younger and is the key to 'eternal youth'. He said: 'Urine has made me look a lot younger. 'Drinking the aged urine has revitalised my face to its youthful years and when I rub it on my face, the difference is instant and obvious. 'My skin is young, soft and glowing. Aged urine is the best food for the skin that I have found to date. 'When you rub it on, it softens the skin and keeps it youthful and elastic. I don't use any other skincare other than urine. It's the secret to eternal youth. 'Sometimes when I'm in the urinals and no one is watching I will cup my hand and splash the fresh urine I am excreting on my face and rub it in. 'Urine therapy has changed my life.' Dr Jeff Foster, a GP in Warwickshire, said: 'Urine is a waste product that contains about 90 per cent water. 'The rest is ammonia and salts, some bacteria and other waste products. 'There are no known reported health benefits from either drinking or rubbing your own urine onto your body (or anyone else's urine). 'Orally, it is much worse it can actually speed up the dehydration process and potentially introduce bacteria. 'Bottom line is if you would not eat or rub in your own faeces, then don't think applying the same principle with urine is any healthier. 'Waste products are waste for a reason.' Mr Matadeen (pictured) turned to drinking urine six years ago after reading about its alleged health benefits. He said: 'From the moment I drank the urine, it woke up my brain and removed my depression Advertisement Up to two-thirds of GP appointments were not conducted by patients' actual doctors in parts of England last month, official data revealed today. NHS figures shows just 36 per cent of patients were seen by a qualified GP in North East Lincolnshire in March, with the rest seen by other staff, including nurses, physiotherapists or even acupuncturists. Nationally, just half (51 per cent) of appointments were with a doctor last month and the rate was below 40 per cent at seven clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). Unions claimed more doctors are needed to deal with the 'untenable' increase in demand on surgeries, while doctors urged the Government to 'make good on its promise of 6,000 more GPs' by 2024. But NHS bosses claimed the data showed 'more people's needs are being met' than last month, with the number of appointments now back to 'pre-pandemic levels'. Just 62 per cent of appointments were made face-to-face last month. It was up on the previous month (61 per cent) but far below the more than 80 per cent being recorded in 2019. And the figures also show nearly one in six appointments whether with a GP or not were over within five minutes. It comes amid a huge row over the working hours and conditions of family doctors and a 'postcode lottery' that has seen people in some parts of the country struggle to get an appointment of any kind. Patients have for years complained of struggling to access their GP, with consultations dropping during the pandemic and struggling to recover. NHS Digital figures showed just 36 per cent of patients were seen by their actual GP during appointments in North East Lincolnshire in March. The rest were seen by other staff at practices, including nurses. Less than 40 per cent of patients were seen by their doctor in seven clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across the country Just 62 per cent of appointments were made face-to-face last month. It was up on the previous month (61 per cent) but far below the more than 80 per cent being recorded in 2019 Overall, only 51 per cent of patients in the country were seen by their actual GP. 46 per cent were seen by other practice staff, including nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists Meanwhile, 1.3million appointments were missed by patients four per cent of all organised consultations in the country making it even harder for those who need them to get one A fifth of appointments lasted between just six and 10 minutes, with the second most common timeframe (17 per cent) being less than five minutes Some 45 per cent of appointments were booked on the same day, but 21 per cent were forced to wait for more than a week to see their doctor GPs are urged not to use language that could belittle patients Woke medics are calling for a revamp of language used by doctors so it does not 'belittle' patients. Common medical phrases like 'take' a test or 'send' someone home may potentially make patients feel 'childlike', they said. Instead of saying things like the patient 'denies' chest pain, doctors should use the word 'reports' so it does not sound like the patient is being doubted. Saying medication 'failed' to work implies it was the patient's fault so doctors should say a drug was 'not effective' instead. The recommendations were made by consultant physician Dr Zoe Fritz and junior doctor Dr Catriona Cox, both from the University of Cambridge. They laid out an argument for more empowering language in an editorial published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The changes are 'not a matter of political correctness', the medics argue. Simple words or phrases, both verbally and in written notes, can 'insidiously' affect the relationship between doctors and their patients, they claim. Advertisement Pressure groups today upped the onus on doctors to turn up to appointments and make sure they are done in-person. John O'Connell, chief executive of pressure group the TaxPayers' Alliance told MailOnline: 'Taxpayers expect to see their doctor face-to-face, given the huge amount they pay for the NHS. 'Health professionals should ensure that all patients get the level of service they need.' The NHS data shows North East Lincolnshire had the lowest rate of patients seen by their actual GP at appointments in England. It was followed by Bradford District and Craven, North East Essex, Portsmouth, and Ipswich and Sussex. Just 37 per cent of all appointments were definitely attended by a GP. Some 45 of England's 107 CCGs saw fewer than half of appointments attended by fully-qualified GPs. GPs claimed some patients can gain more appropriate care from other healthcare professionals at clinics, including nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, told MailOnline: 'General practice is a team profession and sometimes a GP is not the most appropriate healthcare professional to meet a patient's health needs. 'We lead teams of highly-trained practice nurses, pharmacists, physios, link workers and other health professionals in order to ensure patients receive the care they need. 'Working in multi-disciplinary teams also frees up GPs' time to see those patients who need our medical expertise, such as those with multiple and complex health conditions.' The figures are based on data provided by NHS Digital. They are calculated based on the number of sessions with a GP in attendance as a proportion of all appointments, which include some appointments where the type of healthcare professional was not recorded. This means there may have been slightly more appointments that were attended by GPs than are reflected in the data. A fifth of appointments with or without a doctor were done in between six and 10 minutes. One in six were finished in less than five minutes. The British Medical Association (BMA) a trade union representing nearly 160,000 doctors advises all appointments last at least 15 minutes to ensure 'the quality of care provided, preserve patient satisfaction, and reduce the need for repeated consultation with patients'. Appointments are supposed to be fixed at 10 minutes according to NHS best practice. More than half (52 per cent) of appointments lasted less than 15 minutes, according to the figures. Dr Kieran Sharrock, BMA England GP committee deputy chair, told MailOnline: 'While shorter appointments may be perfectly suitable for some queries and conditions, we know that longer appointments give more opportunity for safer, quality care when the issue is more complex. 'However, with a dwindling workforce they have been increasingly harder to provide to meet mounting demand in a timely way. We do though need to approach this new data with caution, before drawing any firm conclusions about length of appointments. 'While practices are now required to record all appointments, as NHS Digital itself says, the way in which appointment length is logged will vary by software system and from practice-to-practice.' The GP Worklife survey found more than half of family doctors worked for six sessions a week or less every week in 2021, with each session being four hours and 10 minutes. Nearly a fifth of the workforce saw patients for four sessions or less, while 12.4 per cent worked for five sessions and 27.9 per cent worked for six The graph shows the number of GP appointments per day in January. Since 2019, GPs have been asked to work evenings and weekends. But just 22,000 patients were seen on the average Saturday in January, compared to around 1.2million per week day GPs have a duty to see patients face-to-face, medical regulator rules Doctors will have a duty to respect a patient's wishes for face-to-face appointments under new guidance from the medical regulator. It says medics should agree with a patient what type of appointment would best suit their 'needs and circumstances'. And they should ensure care is 'safe and effective' whether delivered face to face or remotely, the General Medical Council says. The new directive is included in a revised version of the GMC's core guidance for all doctors, known as 'Good medical practice'. It is the modern day equivalent of the Hippocratic Oath, outlining the professional values, knowledge and behaviours expected of UK doctors. The 16-page document is being updated for the first time since 2013 to reflect societal changes, including sexual harassment and the increased use of social media. A draft update was published yesterday as part of a 12-week public consultation. It says doctors must not use digital communications channels to harass or mislead, and they should 'make reasonable checks' to avoid doing so. Some doctors have large followings on the likes of Twitter and TikTok and use the platforms to promote products, give advice or express political views. Advertisement Meanwhile, 1.3million patients failed to show up to their appointment, accounting for four per cent of the total 29.6million consultations during the month. Some 45 per cent of appointments were booked on the same day, but 21 per cent were forced to wait for more than a week to see their doctor. Unions claimed there are not enough doctors to provide safe treatment to patient, with doctor-to-patient ratios getting ever worse. Dr Sharrock said: 'Last month appointments in England were up by 4million while GP numbers continued to spiral downwards. 'This is completely untenable for practices, for GPs and for patients.' There are now 369 fewer full-time, fully-qualified GPs in England than this time last year. There were around 35,000 working NHS GPs in 2020. He added: 'This trend, of demand rocketing while we haemorrhage doctors, is pushing the remaining staff to breaking point as they take on more and more each day, to a point which is not safe for them and certainly not safe for patients. 'The whole healthcare system is under pressure like never before, with record waits for operations and procedures, meaning more patients waiting often in a huge deal of pain and seeking support from their practice. 'While today's figures demonstrate practice staff going above and beyond to meet the needs of their patients, working at these unsafe levels is not sustainable and will only drive more GPs away from the profession leaving more patients without their family doctor. 'We urgently need the Government and policymakers to listen to the alarm bells being rung by practices around the country, and work with the profession to come to solutions that ease the pressures, turn the tide on the exodus of GPs and enable them to provide safe care that patients deserve.' Doctors warn the solution to staffing crises will not be easy, with GP specialty training taking three years after medical school and foundation training, which take at least six years to complete themselves. Professor Marshall said: 'It is clear from today's figures that GPs and our teams are continuing to work exceptionally hard, delivering more than 30m patient consultations in March more than in the same month before the pandemic with 44 per cent on the same day they were booked. 'The data shows that GP teams are trying their best in the face of intense workload and workforce pressures to ensure their patients receive timely and appropriate care.' He added: 'GPs and our teams are doing a very good job in difficult circumstances. Ultimately, we need more GPs and more members of the practice team, so that we can deliver the care our patients need and expect. 'This is why we urgently need the Government to make good on its promise of 6,000 more GPs and 26,000 more members of the wider practice team by 2024.' Despite the strain on both patients and doctors, NHS bosses praised the work done by GPs and claimed more patients are being met. Ruth Rankine, director of primary care at the NHS Confederation, said: 'This data shows that primary care teams continue to work flat out to address increasing and more complex demand, seeing 17 per cent more patients in March than the previous month and back to pre-pandemic levels of activity. 'Of those, a clear majority of patients 63 per cent were seen face-to-face or at home, another monthly increase and 44 per cent of appointments took place on the day they were booked. 'It is testament to the perpetual hard work of all those working in primary care that more people's needs are being met, including patients being supported as they wait for care from other parts of the NHS.' Maternity services should use 'inclusive' terms like 'chestfeeding' so trans pregnant people aren't offended, a Government-funded report says. The report, from the LGBT Foundation, made the recommendation after surveying 121 trans Britons on their experience of pregnancy. Another example of a gender-loaded term is 'vaginal birth', recommending 'frontal' or 'lower birth' instead. The report said inclusive terms should be used across NHS services and people and national guidance should be introduced to ensure pregnant trans have the option of their preferred words. 'It is not possible to guess the language someone might use to describe themselves based on how they look or sound, or who they are in a relationship with,' the report reads. The charity also says some trans and non-binary people would benefit from having a private space in hospitals to give birth, so that they are not made uncomfortable by seeing women. It detailed the experience of one trans person, who said: 'I didnt have to go to a ward full of women after giving birth, I was actually provided with a private room for me and baby which was very helpful and accommodating for me and my gender identity.' NHS services are currently in a 'woke' storm of de-gendering language surrounding women and pregnancy. Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust is now referring to breastmilk as 'human milk' in official guidance. The new report was commissioned by the Health & Wellbeing Alliance, a partnership between charities and the NHS, which is managed jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Meet 'Cam' (on the right) a fictional 'Black Caribbean non-binary transmasculine person going through their second pregnancy' that the LGBT Foundation have used as an example of they way maternity services in Britain could be improved for pregnant trans people It lays out a series of recommendations in its 'Trans + Non Binary Experiences of Maternity Services' report. The charity said a third pregnant trans and non-nonbinary parents surveyed reported not engaging with perinatal care during their pregnancy. This compares to just 2.1 per cent of the general population. Of the survey respondents, 59 per cent said healthcare professionals did not speak to them in a way which reflected their gender. Midwives are being taught at university how to help biological men with penises give birth as experts slam trans 'inclusive' manual Midwifery students at a top Scottish university were wrongly taught biological men could get pregnant and trans men could give birth even if they have a penis. MailOnline can reveal the 9,000-a-year undergraduate course at Edinburgh Napier University included a woke module on caring for 'birthing people'. In a coursebook that has since been revised, trainee midwives were given detailed instructions on how to treat a male-to-female trans person during childbirth. It is not possible for someone born a man to get pregnant or give birth with current technology or medicine. The book's introduction stated: 'You may be caring for a pregnant or birthing person who is transitioning from male to female and may still have external male genitalia.' Another section with photo demonstrations detailed how to fit a catheter in a person with a penis and scrotum during labour. The book also included special instructions for people with prostate glands which are exclusive to biological men who may feel particular 'discomfort'. Several experts criticised the university, describing the woke course material as 'remarkably ignorant about basic biology, sex and anatomy'. Bosses at the university have changed the wording to say 'people transitioning from female to male' rather than 'male to female', following the uproar. Advertisement Additionally, 28 per cent of respondents said they had not been treated with 'dignity and respect' during both labour and birth. One respondent, described as a disabled, non-binary, queer, Black British African, said: 'I felt there was no framework of language that was inclusive of people who do not identify within the gender binary so it was consistently a triggering experience.' Another trans person said a midwife attributed their postnatal depression to them knowing 'deep down' that they should stop the transition. 'When I suffered from some depression after having my baby a midwife suggested it was because "deep down I knew I didnt want to transition anymore" this was deeply unhelpful and made me feel even worse,' they said. And fewer than half of those surveyed said their decisions around how to feed their baby were respected by midwives. This, the LGBT Foundation claimed, 'suggests potential harm for the birthing parent through disrespectful interaction, and to the baby where there are unresolved questions about feeding.' They detailed the experience of another trans person, who said his baby's tongue-tie, a condition where the shape of a child's tongue makes it harder to breastfeed, was missed as medical professionals 'assumed' he could not produce milk. 'My baby's tongue tie was not treated early because it was assumed I wouldn't chest feed at all, when in fact I could have,' he said. The report's authors also said racism experienced by Black and Asian trans people was also a factor in poorer pregnancy care for these demographics. In its report, the LGBT Foundation name a fictional person called Cam, a 'Black Caribbean non-binary transmasculine person going through their second pregnancy', as an example of how NHS maternity services should be run. 'Cam' had a traumatic first birth where they concealed their gender identity and is, therefore, reluctant to engage with perinatal care services. The LGBT Foundation list a variety of ways services could be made more inclusive for Cam, such as using language like 'pregnant people' instead of 'pregnant women'. It also recommends the use of terms like 'chestfeeding' or 'bodyfeeding' instead of breastfeeding. Other examples include having NHS staff with identity badges which show their preferred pronouns, gender-inclusive training for midwives, and NHS data tracking outcomes for trans and non-binary pregnancies. The survey responders were recruited via social media between November 2020 and March 2021 and were then interviewed about their experience by the LGBT Foundation. Because of his ties to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Prince Andrew was deprived of his position as a freeman of the City of York on Wednesday. At City of York, Councillors unanimously opted to revoke the honor bestowed on him in 1987 during a special meeting in northern England. ITV reported that councilors unanimously agreed to deprive the 62-year-old of his Freedom of the City of York distinction during a meeting at York Racecourse on Wednesday night. Prince Andrew Stripped of Freedom of City Honor The Duke of York, Queen Elizabeth II's third child, was bestowed the title in 1987, shortly after his marriage to ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. A spokesman for Buckingham Palace did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The push to have the honorary title removed coincided with the royal's involvement with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's links to Virginia Giuffre's sexual assault case. Prince Andrew retains the title of Duke of York, which the queen conferred upon him. York councilors, on the other hand, have called on the prince to resign his title. Andrew's military titles and patronages were removed from him by the queen in January. He is still a member of the throne's line of succession. He is presently ranked ninth, behind the two children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Andrew, on the other hand, is not permitted to refer to himself as 'His Royal Highness.' The Duke of York title is generally held by the Prince or Princess of Wales's next sibling in line of succession. Prince Charles, Andrew's brother and the first in line to the British throne, has that title. Prince Andrew, together with the queen, attended a thanksgiving ceremony remembering his late father, Prince Philip, on March 29. The choice of escort by the reigning queen was seen as support for her son after he resolved a lawsuit related to his relationship with Epstein. Read Also: Will Smith Travels to India for "Spiritual Purposes" Despite Not Personally Apologizing to Chris Rock for Oscars Slap Prince Andrew's Settlement With Virginia Giuffre Even after the palace was shaken by the scandal, Prince Andrew's involvement demonstrated that he is still a member of the royal family. After Giuffre sued him, Prince Andrew vehemently disputed her charges. She claimed the British royal sexually abused her while she was 17 and traveling with Epstein in 2001. After a court denied Andrew's request for early dismissal of the lawsuit earlier this year, Giuffre, 38, agreed with him. According to the statement, Prince Andrew admitted that Epstein exploited countless young girls over a long period and expressed remorse for his connection with Epstein. He also praised Giuffre and other survivors for speaking out for themselves and others, according to Fox News. Despite reports that the Duke would depart because he couldn't afford to keep the house without help, a royal insider said it's now extremely improbable that he will. This new humiliation might be the Palace's next action in response to calls for Andrew to relinquish his Duke of York title and cut ties with the city. He is the first VIP to lose his firemanship since Jimmy Savile's freedom of Scarborough was taken away when information about his heinous crimes was made public after his death in 2011. In February, only days after Andrew's settlement was disclosed, councilors stated that they would try to withdraw his freedom of the city of York. The decision was decided during a meeting convened on Wednesday evening at York Racecourse. It was a far cry from the outpouring of support he received when he was honored. In 1987, around 200,000 people flocked to the old city's streets to witness Andrew's inauguration as the Freedom of York. After every family in the city was encouraged to apply for tickets, a mob gathered outside York Minster yelled "we want Fergie." The award, which dates back hundreds of years and recognizes persons of distinction who have made significant contributions to the city, is given out annually, The Sun reported. Related Article: Unearthed Clip Shows Prince William Sulks as Princess Diana Tells That Prince Harry "Will Have All the Fun" During Hide and Seek Game @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Eight hours is no longer the ideal duration of sleep each night in middle age, according to science. Cambridge University researchers are now recommending people get seven hours which they say is the sweet spot for general health and warding off dementia. The downgrade comes after studying the sleep pattern of half a million Britons aged 38 to 73. People who got more or less than seven hours per night scored worse in tests for thinking speed, attention span, memory and problem-solving. Until now, getting eight hours of undisrupted sleep was thought to be the Goldilocks zone for sleep, providing the best overall health benefits. But disruption to sleep which happens to both those who sleep too little and for too long is associated with a buildup of plaque in the brain a tell-tale sign of dementia. The Cambridge University study shows the link between hours of sleep per night and different measures of brain function (blue lines), including memory and reaction time, as well as mental health, including depression and anxiety. The findings suggest those who get seven hours of sleep are at the best cognitive performance and mental health, with more or less sleep resulting in poorer performance (shown in U-shaped curve) Sleep is essential for brain plasticity its ability to process information and remember things as well as removing waste products from brain cells, regulating metabolism and maintaining the immune system. The NHS recommends six to nine hours of sleep every night for adults, whereas the developing brains of children need up to 12 hours per night. But middle-age and older adults often find it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Experts believe this speeds up cognitive decline and can spur on psychiatric problems in our senior years. HOW MUCH SLEEP SHOULD I GET? Most adults need between six and nine hours of sleep every night. Going to bed and getting up at a similar time each night programmes the brain and internal body clock to get used to a set routine. But few people manage to stick to strict bedtime patterns. To get to sleep easier, the NHS advises winding down, such as by taking a bath, reading and avoiding electronic devices. The health service also recommends keeping the bedroom sleep-friendly by removing TVs and gadgets from the room and keeping it dark and tidy. For people who struggle to sleep, the NHS says keeping a sleep diary can uncover lifestyle habits or activities that contribute to sleepiness. Source: NHS Advertisement The researchers examined data from 498,277 adults aged 38 to 73, gathered from the UK Biobank a database of patients monitored for 10 years. Participants were quizzed about their sleeping patterns, mental health and wellbeing and took part in a series of cognitive brain tests completed on a touchscreen tablet including assessments of their reaction time and memory. The results, published in the journal Nature Aging, shows both insufficient and excessive sleep duration is linked with impaired cognitive performance, such as processing speed, visual attention, memory and problem-solving skills. Those who got seven hours of sleep per night had the healthiest brains. They had the best cognitive performance and mental health with lower levels of anxiety and depression and better wellbeing compared to those getting more or less than seven hours sleep. The researchers said one reason for their finding could be that those getting fewer than seven hours were suffering disruption to their slow-wave deep sleep. Those getting too much sleep could also be affected, because extended shut-eye can cause poor-quality and fragmented deep sleep. Interruptions to this type of sleep have been linked with a build-up in the brain of a protein called amyloid, which is one of the leading theories about how dementia develops. Amyloid occurs naturally but high levels of it causes the protein to clump together and form plaques that cause 'tangles' in the brain and disrupt cell function. The researchers noted that a lack of sleep may also make it harder for the brain to rid itself of toxins. And brain imaging data from around 40,000 of the participants showed a link between sleep duration and the structure of brain regions involved in cognitive processing and memory. Those who had more or less than seven hours had bigger changes in these areas including the precentral cortex, lateral orbitofrontal cortex and the hippocampus the team found. The researchers also noted that consistently getting seven hours of sleep each night 'without too much fluctuation in duration' was important for brain function and mental health. Professor Barbara Sahakian, a neuroscientist at the university and study co-author, said: 'Getting a good night's sleep is important at all stages of life, but particularly as we age. 'Finding ways to improve sleep for older people could be crucial to helping them maintain good mental health and wellbeing and avoiding cognitive decline, particularly for patients with psychiatric disorders and dementias.' Professor Jianfeng Feng, a brain expert at Fudan University in China and study co-author, said: 'While we can't say conclusively that too little or too much sleep causes cognitive problems, our analysis looking at individuals over a longer period of time appears to support this idea. 'But the reasons why older people have poorer sleep appear to be complex, influenced by a combination of our genetic makeup and the structure of our brains.' Advertisement The rate of COVID-19 deaths in New York City, the hardest struck city in the world by the virus, has shrunk to only two per day, as the virus recedes in America and a majority of the population heads towards a return to 'normal'. In New York, where around 90 percent of the adult population has received one shot of the vaccine, life has largely returned to normal, even as some official attempt to keep Covid guidelines in place. The Big Apple is one of the shrinking list of cities in the U.S. to still have some Covid related mandates in place, with travelers still required to mask in airports, on the subway and on local busses. Just across the Hudson river, in New Jersey, travelers are not required to do so. 'I think right now, is a good time to give people the choice about how they may want to protect themselves,' Cedric Alam, a Newark resident who travels into Manhattan every other day and regularly flies out of JFK, told DailyMail.com earlier this month. 'If people think they should wear a mask, then they should go right ahead and wear one, while people who think they will be fine without one should have the freedom to travel bare faced.' As the virus plays less of a role in Americans' lives, uptake of the vaccines has dropped as well. Even despite a recent uptick because of the approval of fourth jabs for those aged 50 and older, demand for the vaccine is at one of its lowest points during the rollout right now. The daily average death total from Covid in New York City has fallen to two per day, the lowest daily average since the start of the pandemic. The city has been one of the hardest struck cities in America More than 150 million Covid vaccines are sitting in storage or have been thrown away across the U.S., official data shows but regulators are still mulling over green-lighting shots for children under five years and extra boosters for adults. Federal data revealed the huge excess supply, with 570 out of the 720million shots delivered to states being administered into people's arms. Amid the mounting stocks the U.S. vaccination drive is slowing, with the number dished out dropping almost a fifth in a week just a month after second boosters were rolled out to over-50s. But despite the lagging uptake Moderna today applied for children aged six months to five years to get its jab, becoming the first in the country to do so, while Pfizer asked on Tuesday for its booster to be rubber-stamped for children aged five to 11 years. Many scientists say children do not need a Covid jab because they are at so low risk if they catch the virus, with Government estimates showing three in four have already caught the virus. They make up less than 0.01 per cent of the almost a million Covid fatalities in the U.S. There is also lower uptake overall than when the vaccine was first approved, with more than half of Americans eligible for a first booster dose still yet to get the shot more than seven months into the roll out. A total of 94million are not yet fully vaccinated. Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital, told ABC News it was likely anyone who has not been jabbed would remain 'unconvinced of the importance of vaccine-induced protection' especially with cases 'at such low levels and restrictions being lifted'. It comes as U.S. Covid cases rose 59 percent in two weeks to an average of 53,000 infections a day amid the spread of an even more infectious Omicron variant. All but four states Texas, Arizona, Mississippi and Washington are now reporting an uptick in infections. Hospitalizations across the U.S. are down eight percent in two weeks, however, with about 13,000 hospitalized every day while deaths are down 38 percent to 350 every 24 hours. The Biden administrations top medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, said Tuesday that the U.S. was 'out of the pandemic' although he attempted to backpedal on the comments Wednesday amid suggestions he misspoke. The above graph shows the number of Covid vaccines handed out in the U.S. by day. The drive is slowing again, dropping almost a fifth in a week with 390,000 jabs now being dished out every day The above graphs show the number of doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson that have been delivered to states, and that have also been dished out The above map shows the proportion of people vaccinated in each state of the U.S., and that overall 66 per cent of Americans are now double-jabbed. Uptake has stalled in recent times amid the spread of the virus, with three in five Americans now thought to have been infected including three in four people aged 17 or younger The above graph shows daily Covid cases across the U.S., they are now up 59 per cent in two weeks, and rising in all except for four states Texas, Arizona, Mississippi and Washington The above graph shows the number of deaths from Covid or involving Covid recorded in the U.S., these are down 38 per cent at 350 every 24 hours Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data revealed the number of Covid vaccines that had been delivered. It did not break down un-used doses by whether they are still in storage or were wasted. States said doses had been lost through being trashed, either from vials having to be discarded partially unused after being opened or because they have hit their expiration date. But many are also still sitting on shelves, with both Moderna and Pfizer jabs having a shelf-life of up to a year providing they remain ultra-frozen and a month once they are thawed. Denmark ends its Covid vaccination drive Denmark has become the first country in the world to halt its Covid vaccination program. The Danish health authority said today: 'Spring has arrived, vaccine coverage in the Danish population is high, and the epidemic has reversed. 'Therefore, the National Board of Health is now ending the broad vaccination efforts against Covid for this season.' It said residents would no longer be invited for vaccines from May 15, although everyone would be able to finish their course of vaccination. More than 4.8million Danes or 80 per cent of the population are fully vaccinated, while 3.6million or 62 per cent are boosted. It also started offering fourth Covid vaccine doses, or second boosters, to the vulnerable in January. Advertisement America has purchased more than 1.2 billion Covid vaccine doses, enough to distribute three shots to every member of the population. Uptake of the shots was initially high when they first became available, surging to a peak of more than 3.5 million shots being dished out every day on average in April 2021. It also rose to as many as 1.8 million a day at the height of the booster program amid concern over the Omicron variant, and recently ticked up to 470,000 every 24 hours after second top-ups were approved. But now the inoculation drive is slowing again as the more mild Omicron variant makes up almost every case in the U.S. and almost all virus-related restrictions such as face masks are lifted. A total of 390,000 jabs are now being dished out every day, latest figures show, down 18 per cent in a week. CDC figures show Pfizer is the jab most likely to still be sitting on shelves or to have been wasted, with 86million doses delivered still yet to be put into people's arms. It was followed by the Moderna jab, with 52million, and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, with 12million. The CDC does not break its figures down by state, meaning it is not clear which still has the most doses that have not been administered to Americans. But official figures show Alabama has the lowest vaccine uptake in the U.S., with 51 per cent of people there double-jabbed. Wyoming and Mississippi have the second lowest uptake, at 52 per cent, followed by Louisiana, at 53 per cent. At the other end of the scale Rhode Island is the most vaccinated state in the U.S. with 82 per cent of residents getting two doses. It is followed by Vermont, 81 per cent, and Maine, 79 per cent. But despite the drop-off in demand Moderna and Pfizer are now looking to get their jabs approved among children, sparking controversy. On one side, many parents and even officials at leading regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC are clamoring to have the shots approved in young children, in a bid to extinguish even the slight risk presented to them by the virus. But on the other, many health experts believe the shots are not needed for the youngest of Americans. The risk they face from the virus is already minimal, and the mRNA jabs have not shown much durability to prevent infection long term. Young children who receive the shot are also at a minimal risk of myocarditis from the vaccines, which some fear outweighs the potential benefit offered by a vaccine. Submitting its request, Moderna chief executive Stephane Bancel said: 'We believe mRNA-1273 will be able to safely protect these children against SARS-CoV-2, which is so important in our continued fight against COVID-19, and will be especially welcomed by parents and caregivers.' No Covid vaccines have been approved for children younger than five in the U.S. equivalent to 18million people to date. FDA director for biologics evaluation and research, Dr Peter Marks, said this week that getting vaccines approved for children were 'one of our highest priorities'. It is not clear when the applications from Pfizer or Moderna may be approved. Last month America became one of only a handful of other countries to sign-off on second boosters, or fourth doses, for everyone over 50 years old. Israel and Belgium are among others to approve the program, although many nations have instead opted to just approve the extra jabs for those who are immunocompromised. It is expected the roll out could be widened and even fifth shots could be approved this fall in preparation for the third winter of the pandemic. But many experts warn the U.S. is already at risk of sleepwalking into a situation where it keeps rolling out top-up boosters every year even if they are not needed. Some say immunity against severe infection from the current jabs is 'holding up well'. Talking about the wastage of vaccines, Dr Buddy Creech from the vaccine research program in Nashville, Tennessee, told ABC: 'It is a tremendous loss of opportunity for these vaccines to not make it into the shoulders of those who need them. 'Not only is it a financial loss for the purchaser of vaccines the U.S. government but also a significant health loss for those who are not yet protected from Covid and its complications.' Dr Stephen Morse, an epidemiologist at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, warned so many doses were wasted because officials 'underestimated' the extent of vaccine hesitancy. 'The vaccine development was both one of the miraculous triumphs and one of the tragedies of the COVID response,' he said. 'We naively underestimated the extent of vaccine hesitancy and resistance, some driven by what World Health Organization called the "infodemic" of misinformation and disinformation, which persists to this day.' Deborah Lee, chief executive of an NHS hospital said her husband opted to drive her to A&E rather than wait for an ambulance An NHS hospital boss suffering a suspected stroke was directly driven to hospital by her husband who feared an ambulance would arrive too late to save her. Deborah Lee, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust, detailed the experience in a series of Tweets today and said Government needed to take urgent action. She described how she had a bit of 'turn' on April 22, which left her lop-sided and unable to speak. Now recovered from the ordeal she said: 'I cant get one thing out of my head: What if my husband hadnt been there and my daughter had called for an ambulance and Id been put in the Cat 2 "stack".' Ambulance response times in England have risen to their worst levels on record, official figures show. Over-stretched paramedics have even urged Brits to make their own way to A&E due to the demand on services. Last month the average response time last month for ambulances in England dealing with the category one incidents the life-threatening illnesses or injuries was nine minutes and 35 seconds. This is up from eight minutes and 51 seconds in February and is the longest average since current records began in August 2017. Mrs Lee, who has worked in the NHS for over 30 years, said her husband had heard her 'lamenting' about ambulance delays, so chose to drive her to A&E when she displayed symptoms of a stroke last Friday, rather than call 999. Mrs Lee, who was suffering signs of stroke, is head of Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust (pictured here) On Twitter Mrs Lee described how husband bundled her into a car rather than wait for ambulance after hearing her 'lament' over handover delays Mrs Lee said the South West has the worst ambulance handover delays of any region She also urged the Government to take action in social care to ensure people could get out of hospitals freeing up space for ambulances to drop patients off. What are the symptoms of a stroke? A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Symptoms of a stroke The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST: Face the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped. Arms the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm. Speech their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them. Time it's time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms. Advertisement The act was contrary to official NHS guidance on strokes which advises people to dial 999 if they see someone experiencing the signs of stroke. In the South West, where Mrs Lee works, the average response time for a category two calls, which include strokes and heart attacks, is at one hour 53 minutes the highest in England. The target response time for this category of calls is 18 minutes. Mrs Lee said that 'my system is working unrelentingly' to bring response times down, but added that this was 'to no great avail'. '[There is] no silver bullet and I dont have the answer, but government has the power to generate one', she said. England's ambulance delays have partly attributed to a lack of capacity within social care services, meaning patients cannot be discharged from NHS hospitals. This means NHS beds are not free to take ambulance patients, forcing them to wait and sometimes even be treated in the vehicles outside of A&E. Mrs Lee called on the Government to overhaul social care by improving training and pay for staff, adding that it needs to 'build a sector that people want to join, stay in and feel proud to belong to'. Earlier this month it was revealed volunteer drivers will be sent to drive patients who call 999 to hospital in a bid to tackle the soaring waiting times. The NHS-funded scheme will be piloted by the London Ambulance Service (LAS). These drivers will help patients who need an urgent response within two hours, classed as 'category three', and those who need help because of mobility problems. It is hoped the move will free up ambulance crews following multiple reports of heart attack and stroke victims waiting hours in agony for ambulances to arrive. NHS England data shows medics took an average of one hour, one minute and three seconds last month to respond to emergency calls, such as heart attacks, strokes, burns and epilepsy, in March. The figure is up from 42 minutes and seven seconds in February and is the longest time on record (red bars). It is also more than triple the NHS target of 18 minutes Frail elderly mother is left screaming in pain as she waited TEN hours for an ambulance 'which should have arrived within 18 minutes' after her desperate son was told 'there were none available' A frail and elderly mother was left screaming in pain as she waited 10 hours for an ambulance as the appalling wait times for emergency care continue to be laid bare. Stuart Donald was alerted by his mother's care provider at North Lincolnshire Council that she had pushed the emergency button on her lifeline alarm that she wears around her neck after being unable to get out of bed. The care provider contacted Mr Donald at 7am that morning, who told carers his 'frail' mother required an ambulance. He dialled 111, who told him his mother required emergency care. Two hours later, Mr Donald was contacted by the East Midlands Ambulance service who promised to send an ambulance 'within six hours'. His elderly mother's realised she couldn't put any pressure on her legs without experiencing severe pain, but without the prospect of any medical assistance arriving her son drove 20 miles to go and help her. Arriving at her Scunthorpe home, Mr Donald called for a family member to help him move his mother, but they failed so he again called for an ambulance six hours later. 'I said: 'My mother is sat in absolute agony and we physically can't move her, we need help - you must have capacity', and he said, 'No, not at the moment, but as soon as someone becomes available we'll send someone'. After upgrading the incident to a 'Category Two' response six hours later, medics should have arrived at the property within 18 minutes. Despite this, it took the ambulance service 10 hours to finally arrive. They have since apologised for the incident and explained they must 'prioritise the sickest and most severely injured patients first'. Mr Donald slammed the service for 'failing to protect the public' after his mother's ordeal. Stuart Donald was alerted by his mother's care provider at North Lincolnshire Council that she had pushed the emergency button on her lifeline alarm that she wears around her neck after being unable to get out of bed After first realising she was unable to get out of bed without screaming in pain, Mr Donald's mother pushed her alarm button at 7am on Sunday, April 24. North Lincolnshire Council, her care provider, initially contacted Mr Donald's brother, who was in intensive care, but reached him who told them his mother required an ambulance. After trying to move her himself, he explained: 'She said she couldn't stand up and that she'd been stuck there and she daren't move sideways because she couldn't put weight on her legs, and she was scared she'd fall off the bed. 'I couldn't move her so I rang another family member to help move her, but we couldn't. 'We tried to lift her up and she just screamed in pain. We knew then it was an emergency because we had a frail old lady who had been sat on the edge of the bed for six hours, shaking and shivering. 'It was awful. I rang back and spoke to a very professional lady who said they recognised they hadn't got to my mum but that it had been upgraded to a Category Two incident'. According to the East Midlands Ambulance Service website, Category two incidents are classed as an emergency and should be responded to within 18 minutes Elsewhere, patients have shared their stories of agonising waits for ambulances as NHS England last month admitted it is struggling to cope with a surge in demand and high staff absence rates. It comes as dozens of others across the country have reported 'horrendous' waiting times, with the Liberal Democrats describing the ambulance services as being at 'breaking point'. The ambulance crew eventually arrived at 7.10pm - around ten hours after Mr Donald first called the ambulance for his mother. He said: 'They were brilliant with my mum, I can't fault them at all. 'They did checks and said she needed to go to hospital because she's clearly not right, and she needed hospital care. They took her in an ambulance at about 7.50pm. 'But they're playing a gambling game. 'There cannot be adequate cover if it takes nine-plus hours for an emergency response. What would have happened if my mum had deteriorated? 'She was screaming in pain and I was crying because I couldn't lift her. I was so frustrated because I just didn't know what else I could do.' Sue Cousland, Divisional Director for Lincolnshire at East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) said: 'We are really sorry that we were not able to get to her sooner and this is not the level of service we aim to provide for our patients. 'Unfortunately, we continue to experience a sustained level of life-threatening and serious emergency calls and we continually work to prioritise the sickest and most severely injured patients first. 'We are working very closely with all of our health and social care partners to improve the response to patients in Lincolnshire.' The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to ban the use of menthol cigarettes in America, a move that had been called on by anti-tobacco groups, anti-teen smoking groups, racial justice groups in America. The move had been expected since the beginning of the Biden administration last year, when the President made it a priority to tackle upward trends in teen smoking. Menthol cigarettes - often colloquially referred to as just 'menthols' - are known for their mint-like flavor, and have been associated with the higher rates of smoking, and smoking-related illnesses, in black Americans over recent decades. Flavored cigars, like cigarillos, are set to be banned as well. Both moves come as part of a larger effort by the FDA to crack down of flavored tobacco products - blamed for an increase in teen smoking. The FDA is moving to ban menthol cigarettes, as their minty flavor has made them popular among many black and teen communities Robert Califf, new commissioner of the FDA, previewed the announcement in congressional testimony, saying the proposal would reduce disease and death by helping smokers quit and stopping younger people from starting. Menthol accounts for more than a third of cigarettes sold in the U.S, and the mint flavor is overwhelmingly favored by Black smokers and young people. The FDA has attempted several times to get rid of menthol but faced pushback from Big Tobacco, members of Congress and competing political interests under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The agency has been under legal pressure to issue a decision after anti-smoking and civil rights groups sued the FDA for 'unreasonably' delaying action on earlier requests to ban menthol. Menthol's cooling effect has been shown to mask the throat harshness of smoking, making it easier to start and harder to quit smoking. The FDA will also seek to ban menthol and dozens of over sweet and fruity flavors from small cigars, which are increasingly popular with young people, especially Black teens. The agency's proposals on both cigarettes and cigars will only be initial drafts. FDA will take comments before issuing final rules, which then could face years of legal challenges from tobacco companies. The move from the FDA comes as part of a larger effort by regulators to decrease use of tobacco and nicotine in America, especially among more vulnerable groups Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not prohibited under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists. The act did, though, instruct the agency to continue to weigh a ban. The cigarettes have commonly been associated with the brand Newport, the leading seller of menthol cigarettes in America. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which owns Newport, told DaailyMail.com in a statement: 'We strongly believe that there are more effective routes to deliver Tobacco Harm Reduction than banning menthol in cigarettes. 'Evidence from other markets, including Canada and the EU where similar bans have been imposed, demonstrates little impact on overall cigarette consumption.' 'The scientific evidence shows no difference in the health risks associated with menthol cigarettes compared to non-menthol cigarettes, nor does it support that menthol cigarettes adversely affect initiation, dependence or cessation. As a result, we do not believe the published science supports regulating menthol cigarettes differently from non-menthol cigarettes. Not all experts agree with these types of bans, though. 'We need to be careful about how we implement flavor bans,' Dr Michael Steinberg of Rutgers University told DailyMail.com earlier this month. Later adding that '...we need to respect people's freedom, and the choice over their personal health.' Flavored products in particular are often the target of regulations because they are easier to use as a gateway for people that do not smoke already, since one of the primary deterrents to picking up tobacco is the taste. It especially plays a role for younger smokers who use vape devices like a JUUL, a popular refillable nicotine device. While they may not enjoy the taste of nicotine, it is much easier to get hooked on the fruity, tasteful, flavors. '[The bans last April] will help save lives, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these deadly products,' the FDA wrote in a statement last year. 'With these actions, the FDA will help significantly reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation.' Earlier this month, the agency also gained the power to regulate synthetic nicotine, closing a loophole that opened after the agency required all e-cigarette and vape manufacturers to pull products from shelves unless they received approval from the agency. Last year, the FDA began a crack down on flavored nicotine products, forcing any product that wants to sell in America to first receive approval from the agency Under the new rules, a company hoping to market a fruit or mint flavored refillable device must first receive approval from the FDA - which rejected hundreds of them. To get around these orders, many companies started to use synthetic forms of the drug in their devices to circumvent regulators. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also published a study last month finding that more than 2.5 million U.S. students had used a tobacco product of some sort in 2021 - a definition that includes nicotine devices that do not disperse tobacco. Officials reported that 80 percent of tobacco use was attributable to disposable e-cigarettes and cartridge products - like a JUUL. In the study, around 2.06 million high schoolers - 13 percent of the study population - and four percent of middle schoolers - 470,000 participants - reported 'current' tobacco use. For comparison, in 2020 the CDC reported that eight percent of high schoolers and three percent of middle schoolers were current tobacco users. Teen usage of tobacco and nicotine has increased in recent years, reversing years of downward trends Students were also asked if they had ever used tobacco products in their life, with 34 percent of high schoolers and 11 percent of middle schoolers reporting at least one use. E-cigarette devices were most to blame for the increase in nicotine and tobacco use over the past year, according to the CDC study. Of the students who did report being current smokers, 54 percent use a disposable e-cigarette and 29 percent reported using some sort of refillable device - similar to a JUUL. Opponents to these bans say that they will push teens to using more harmful tobacco products like cigarettes, instead of nicotine, which carries less risk. 'By bashing safer nicotine products such as vaping we are going to inadvertently encourage high schoolers to smoke instead, which will be an awful outcome,' Mark Oates, director of consumer advocacy group We Vape, told DailyMail.com in March. Seven more cases of severe hepatitis have been detected in California, and a child has died in Wisconsin, as the mysterious disease spreads throughout the country. California's Department of Health said it had detected the cases in 'young' children, who had all been taken ill since October. It takes the U.S. total for suspected hepatitis cases to 27, with the condition now being spotted across seven states mostly east of the Mississippi river. Wisconsin is the only state to report a suspected child death from hepatitis. If confirmed, it will be the first in the country and second in the world. State officials confirmed to the DailyMail.com that the child had developed the disease after being infected with the adenovirus. Cases of the peculiar illness have already been spotted in Alabama, North Carolina and Delaware. Health chiefs in Illinois and New York are currently probing reports of similar occurrences. The cause of the mysterious illness remains a 'mystery', chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, Dr Anthony Fauci says. But experts have raised concerns that lockdowns weakening immunity in children s or even Covid infections could be to blame. Nearly 200 children have been sickened by the condition across the world in up to 14 countries. At least 18 have needed liver transplants. Nearly 200 children have been sickened by the condition across the world in up to 14 countries since last October *cases in Canada, Japan and Wisconsin, Illinois and New York are still yet to be confirmed Dr Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, said the cause of the illness is 'still a mystery' The California department of health said it was unclear whether adenovirus which typically causes colds was behind the illnesses, or if the cases were connected. Medics have been left puzzled by what is behind the spate of cases with the usual hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses excluded from laboratory test results. Health chiefs believe the illness may be triggered by an adenovirus, which usually causes common colds. Dr Fauci told Bloomberg: 'Its still a mystery. It seems to be associated with adenovirus, but it isnt a slam dunk.' Alabama was the first state to announce cases of the severe liver injury two weeks ago. Nine children were hospitalized in the state between November and February. Three had acute liver failure and all of the children tested came back positive for adenovirus. Two required liver transplants but all of them survived. North Carolina identified two cases last month, with both children recovering. Neither had adenovirus. Delaware this week reported that a child younger than five was hospitalized by the same mysterious hepatitis. They are still undergoing treatment. One child has now been confirmed dead in Wisconsin, with officials revealing they are investigating whether their liver injury was linked to the same cluster of cases. The Wisconsin DHS said: 'Since being notified of this adenovirus-associated hepatitis cluster, DHS is now investigating at least four similar cases among children in Wisconsin. 'This includes two children who had severe outcomes, one liver transplant, and one fatality.' Both the child that died and the one that required a liver transplant are confirmed to have been infected with adenovirus. Illinois officials said they had spotted three probable cases of severe hepatitis on Monday and one child required a liver transplant. Dr Tina Tan, pediatric infectious disease physician at Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago, said the cases are most likely to be caused by a virus because they are appearing in clusters. She told Bloomberg: 'Whats most unusual about all of this is that adenovirus does not usually cause severe hepatitis in kids with no underlying health conditions.' And health officials in New York state yesterday revealed they are investigating a cases that appears to match descriptions of the mystery illness. The condition which was first spotted in Scotland at the end of March has been detected 114 times in Britain. Covid lockdowns may be behind the mysterious spate of hepatitis cases in children because they reduced social mixing and weakened their immunity, experts claim Investigations are ongoing but officials have yet to rule out a new Covid variant being to blame. Another theory is that children may have been battling the adenovirus at the same time as Covid. UK health officials have ruled out the Covid vaccine as a possible cause, with none of the ill British children having been vaccinated because of their young age. Liver experts described the spate of cases as 'concerning' but said parents should not worry about the illness affecting their children. PARANORMAL THE PREMONITIONS BUREAU by Sam Knight (Faber 14.99, 256pp) Do we take premonitions seriously enough? I had a premonition earlier that I was going to have a bowl of Rice Krispies for breakfast, and so it came to pass. But for a few, slightly bewitched people Sam Knight calls them seers premonitions could not be more serious. Imagine that you had a vision of some terrible event, a fire maybe, or a hideous road crash, that hadnt happened yet. Who would you tell? What would you do? Could you prevent it occurring? The story of the Premonitions Bureau, which actually existed, begins with the Aberfan disaster of 1966, when a huge, unstable heap of coal slurry overbalanced, fell down a hill and completely buried a primary school below. Sam Knight explores the history of premonitions starting with the Aberfan crisis. He uncovers that two men predicted the Hither Green railway crash in Lewisham One hundred and forty-four people died, among them 116 children, most of them aged between seven and ten. A dead girl was found holding an apple. A boy had four pence in his hand. The terrible thing is that quite a few people had had presentiments that something of this sort was going to happen. A 42-year-old psychiatrist called John Barker, who had a keen interest in unusual mental conditions, became fascinated by this, and asked people for their stories, which flooded in. With an Evening Standard journalist called Peter Fairley, later to become more famous as ITVs Science Editor and the face of space during the moon landings, he set up the Premonitions Bureau in the Standards office, hiring a woman called Jennifer Preston to administer it. Hordes of people wrote or rang in to detail their dreams of catastrophe. Few of them actually came to anything, but enough did to make the project worthwhile and to distract Barker from his terrible job as a senior shrink at a shambling old Shropshire mental hospital, full of people who had been abandoned there by relatives sometimes decades before. In particular, Barker found two seers whose predictions often came true: Miss Middleton, a music teacher from Edmonton, North London and Alan Hencher, a London-based telephone engineer. THE PREMONITIONS BUREAU by Sam Knight (Faber 14.99, 256pp) Both, in different ways, predicted the Hither Green railway crash in Lewisham, when a train was derailed and ripped apart, killing 49 and slightly injuring toothsome Bee Gee Robin Gibb and his teenage girlfriend. At the time of the crash, Hencher was in the middle of his shift and complained of a headache so crippling he had to go to the sick bay. Four days earlier Miss Middleton had reported feeling acutely depressed and, sitting in her kitchen, saw a streak, then a flash of light and then a sort of grey mist. In her letter to the bureau, she wrote: I see a crash, maybe on a railway... a station may be involved... people waiting in the station and the words Charing Cross [where the train was headed]. The sound of A CRASH. The following day the London Evening News led with a story entitled The Strange Case of the Two Who Knew and interviewed the visionary pair. Somehow, while dreaming or awake, they can gatecrash the time barrier ... see the unleashed wheels of disaster turning before the rest of us. Barker told the paper, They are absolutely genuine. Quite honestly, it staggers me. Where has this story been hiding? What a gift it is for young Sam Knight, a staff writer on the New Yorker, and what a magnificent job he has made of it. Although the actual story is relatively straightforward, Knight ventures far and wide in support of it, pulling in such subjects as the Soviet Unions space program, the death of Donald Campbell on Coniston in the Lake District while trying to break the water speed record, the murder of Bobby Kennedy and the phenomenon of sudden unexplained deaths in animals and humankind. None other than Hilary Mantel, on the back cover, calls it a fluent and enticing book, skilfully navigating the tricky and marginal subject of the paranormal, and shes not wrong. Theres even a good ending. When Miss Middleton started telling Barker to be extra-careful because she thought his life was in danger, he listened to her. At the same time Hencher started asking for money for his premonitions. Fairley, very much the man about town, disliked and distrusted the two suburban seers, and thought they should be quietly let go. Barker disagreed: he recognised that Hencher was not the easiest man in the world to deal with, but he wanted to expand the range of the Premonitions Bureau, find more and better seers to predict more and better disasters. Then he started getting these terrible headaches ... The Premonitions Bureau is not a long book but its a very good one. I have a feeling you might even call it a premonition that a lot of people will really enjoy it. The average battery-powered car sold in Britain can now travel almost 260 miles on a single charge with electric vehicle ranges more than trebling in the last ten years. Battery models in showrooms today have an average claimed range of 257 miles compared to just 74 miles in 2011, says industry trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It says the number of plug-in vehicles on the market has surged almost 15-fold in that period, which it has dubbed the first 'electric decade'. EV ranges have more than trebled in the first 'electric decade': The average electric car on sale in 2011 had a single-charge driving distance of just 74 miles. The average today is up to 257 Electric vehicles have certainly come a long way since 2011. This was the year Britain's first mass-market electric model - the Nissan Leaf - was made available to the UK market. The Sunderland-produced EV debuted with a claimed range of 93 miles, which would have only been enough to take drivers from London to Northampton on a single charge. Fast forward a decade and Nissan's current Leaf+ can travel up to 239 miles, which is enough to get from the capital to Liverpool without needing to stop for a charge. Of all the electric models currently on sale in the UK, Mercedes' EQS offers the longest range. The EQS 450+ has a whopping single-charge driving distance of up to 453 miles - though you will have to fork out 102,160 for the privilege. The SMMT listed each EV in showrooms right now, as well as the battery powered models - both fully-electric and 'range-extending' hybrids - that were available to Britons in 2011. ELECTRIC CARS ON SALE IN THE UK IN 2022 BY SINGLE-CHARGE RANGE MANUFACTURER MODEL RANGE (CLAIMED) Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ AMG Line Premium Plus 453 Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range SUV AWD Auto 1SP 335 Kia Kia EV6 77.4kWh Air RWD 328 Skoda ENYAQ iV 80 Sportline 324 BMW i4 M50 316 Volkswagen ID.4 GTX Max 77 kWh 299 PS 301 Audi e-tron GT quattro Vorsprung 298 BMW iX3 M Sport 286 Kia Kia Niro EV (Pre-production) 282 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Ultimate 73kWh AWD 281 Genesis GV60 280 MG Motor MG 5 EV Long Range 61kWh Exclusive & Excite 273 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo 265 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium 66.5 kWh battery and a 100 kW DC on-board charger 260 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pro 260 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Pro 260 BMW iX xDrive40 257 Nissan Leaf+ 239 Citroen e-C4 134bhp electric motor, 50Kwh Shine Plus 217 SsangYong Korando e-Motion Ventura 211 Vauxhall Mokka-e 201 Fiat New 500 Icon 199 MG Motor MG ZS EV MG ZS Trophy standard range 198 Citroen e-Berlingo Flair XTR M 174 Peugeot e-Rifter Standard 172 Mini Electric Shadow Edition 140 Honda Honda e Advance. Modern Steel Metallic 137 Fiat 500 Action 118 Source: SMMT ELECTRIC CARS ON SALE IN THE UK IN 2011 BY SINGLE-CHARGE RANGE MANUFACTURER MODEL EV TYPE RANGE (CLAIMED) Chevrolet Volt Range Extender 93 Nissan Leaf Fully Electric 93 Vauxhall Ampera Range Extender 84 Citroen C-Zero Fully Electric 83 Mitsubishi i-MIEV Fully Electric 50 Source: SMMT Of all the electric models currently on sale in the UK, Mercedes' EQS offers the longest range at 253 miles As well as offering longer ranges, the increased availability of different plug-in cars - both fully-electric and plug-in hybrid - has seen low-emission vehicle sales sky-rocket in compared to a decade ago. Some 140 models with a plug are now on sale in Britain. And while just 1,082 pure electric models were sold in 2011, that figure grew to over 190,727 last year. The SMMT said such progression is testament to the automotive industry's 'ingenuity and investment' and promised that this trend will continue with all of Britain's leading car manufacturers and importers committed a further 150 new and updated plug-ins for the UK market by 2025. These figures will be music to the ears of Boris Johnson, who continues to press ahead with plans to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 - and hybrids from 2035 - in a bid to achieve ambitious net-zero targets. These are just some of the fully electric and plug-in models currently on sale in Britain In 2011, the first-generation Nissan Leaf (left) had a claimed range of 93 miles, which would have only been enough to take drivers from London to Northampton on a single charge. Fast forward a decade and the current Leaf+ (right) can go for 239 miles - taking you from the capital to Liverpool without needing to stop for a charge But while manufacturers are holding up their end of the bargain by making available more accomplished battery-powered vehicles, both industry and consumers are being let down by the limited number of public chargers on Britain's roads, the trade body said. Earlier this month, the Department for Transport confirmed the number of public chargers available in Britain had surpassed 30,000 - an increase of a third in a year. The Government has already outlined that it wants to have 300,000 chargers available in total by the end of the decade. However, car makers have concerns. They suggest this number won't be enough to match demand, are worried that there will be a serious lack of fast chargers and raised issue with the postcode lottery of charging solutions around the UK, with areas such as Northern Ireland and the North West of England having far fewer devices than other parts of the country. For instance, the North West has 5.9 rapid chargers per 100,000 people compared to 111 in London. Motor industry bosses are concerned that there already are not enough public EV chargers across the country, certainly in particular areas Add to the equation rising energy prices, which will see average charging costs rise by around 200 a year, along with a lack of dedicated EV tariffs - and the slashing of plug-in vehicle and homecharger grants in recent months, and the SMMT said ministers have plenty to resolve ahead of 2030. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: 'To turn this nascent demand into a mass market, however, motorists need choice, affordability and the confidence to charge. 'The UK has an ambitious timescale to deliver net zero and road transport must shoulder the biggest burden delivering that goal. 'The industry is up for the challenge but we need all stakeholders, including government, charge point providers and energy companies, to match manufacturers' commitment by providing the competitive incentives and infrastructure that assures a zero-emission future.' Car dealership chain Inchcape has announced a deal to offload its business in Russia following the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The London-listed firm, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, said that local management in Russia had agreed to pay 76million (63million) to take over the business. Completion of the deal is anticipated to close next month, and will see payment of the acquisition price deferred and made in annual instalments over a five-year period. Big Brands: Inchcape's Russian business consists of retail-only operations for some of the world's most famous car brands, such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Toyota However, it expects to record a non-cash loss before tax of around 240million from the transaction, with 140million deriving from foreign exchange translation losses. Inchcape declared its intention to leave Russia on 15 March when it stated that owning business interests in the country was 'no longer tenable' given the conflict in Ukraine and the worsening humanitarian situation that has resulted. Its Russian division consists of retail-only operations for some of the world's most famous car brands, such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Toyota, and was responsible for around 740million, or 10 per cent, of its total revenue last year. The firm had previously run Toyota and Audi dealerships in St. Petersburg before selling those operations for 70million in April 2021 as part of a move towards boosting its automotive distribution operations and reducing its reliance on retail. Yet while the departure from Russia will cause a financial hit for the business, Inchcape revealed an upgraded forecast today as high demand for vehicles in short supply boosted sale prices. As a consequence, reported revenue in the first three months of 2022 grew by 6 per cent, with its distribution division experiencing 9 per cent growth, while total organic sales increased by 13 per cent. Quieter month: Industry trade body The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed today that car production in the UK plummeted by a third in March Pre-tax profits of 'at least' 300million, excluding Russia, are now expected for this financial year, compared to the previous estimate of 'around' 300million, a jump of a quarter on last year. Strong sales expansion was noted by the group in multiple markets, including the UK, despite the low supply of vehicles, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia, where there was a 'robust' performance in the aftermarket division. 'So far in 2022, we have experienced a continuation of the trends from last year, with demand ahead of supply, and high margins. We expect this trend will continue for at least the remainder of the year,' the company remarked. Inchcape shares rose 6.4 per cent to 708.5p on Thursday, although their value has still fallen by more than 20 per cent in the past three months. Inchcape's trading update comes on the same day that car production in the UK was revealed to have plummeted by a third last month, according to industry trade body The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). British factories only produced 76,000 automobiles in March, the worst figure for that month since the global financial crisis in 2009, which the SMMT blamed on a shortage of chips, the Ukraine war, and increasing energy costs. The new chief executive of Barclays has had to apologise for a costly trading blunder. As the bank released its first-quarter results, CS Venkatakrishnan said he was disappointed by the recent discovery of the error in the US which was entirely preventable. The American banker known as Venkat took over from Jes Staley in November and has had a rocky start. Barclays boss CS Venkatrishnan (pictured) said he was 'disappointed' by the discovery of a trading error in the US which he admitted was 'entirely preventable' Barclays has been hit by three historic scandals since he took the reins a timeshare mis-selling debacle, the US bond-trading issue and an accusation from the Bank of England that it is gaming the rules on pensions. The fiascos are embarrassing for Venkat, who was chief risk officer between 2016 and 2020. But he denied Barclays has a culture problem, saying: Very strong risk management and culture is important, as well as a harmonious relationship with regulators. The US trading error, where Barclays sold more financial products structured notes than it was allowed to, means the lender has now paused its share buyback, which would have seen 1billion of spare capital returned to investors. Venkat stressed this was only pending the outcome of talks with US regulators, and that the buyback would probably resume in the third quarter. Its a question of when, not if, he said, urging investors to focus on results, which were exceptional compared to our competitors. He said the bank would complete a full investigation into the error itself. He declined to reveal how high up the hierarchy the probe could reach, but did not rule out clawing some pay back from former finance boss Tushar Morzaria. First-quarter results show profits fell 6.9 per cent to 2.2billion. It has set aside 540million to deal with the US trading issue. The banks shares rose 3.1 per cent, or 4.38p to 146.3p. The Treasury has launched a shake-up of the rules governing insurance firms to unlock billions of pounds of investment. Economic Secretary John Glen said the review of the EU's 'Solvency II' regulations would let insurers invest policyholders' money more freely, including in green energy and infrastructure. Boris Johnson has said such a move could unleash an 'investment big bang'. Shake-up: Economic Secretary John Glen (pictured) said the review of the EU's 'Solvency II' regulations would allow insurers to invest their policyholders' money more freely And Glen said: 'Our reforms will unlock tens of billions of pounds of investment in the UK economy, spur innovation in the market while protecting policyholders, and will cement the UK's position as a global hub for financial services.' Solvency II rules dictate how much spare capital insurers must hold to cover losses if investments turn sour. Many in the industry say they are too cumbersome. The Prudential Regulation Authority has said suggested changes 'would involve an increase in the risk of insurer failure compared to the current position'. Russia reportedly deployed trained military dolphins at its naval base in the Black Sea, presumably to shield its fleet from an underwater attack, according to the US Naval Institute (USNI). The USNI analyzed satellite photos of the Russian naval station at Sevastopol harbor and concluded that a couple of dolphin pens were transferred to the base at the beginning of the Russian-Ukraine war in February. Russia has a long history of employing dolphins for military activities, including retrieving items or repelling enemy divers, as per a report from The Guardian. The Russian army sees the Sevastopol naval station as a crucial facility since it is located on the southern edge of Crimea, which Moscow captured in 2014. Many of the Russian ships stationed there, while out of missile range, could be exposed to submarine assaults, according to the USNI's study. Trained Russian Navy Dolphins are Protecting Black Sea Naval Base, Satellite Photos Show - USNI News Images from @Maxarhttps://t.co/lFbNArGNkj pic.twitter.com/ZkOnwSwHLQ U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) April 27, 2022 In a program developed from a Soviet-era initiative that went into inactivity in the 1990s, Ukraine had also trained dolphins at an aquarium near Sevastopol. Training Sea Creatures for Military Purposes Since Cold War During the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union experimented with using dolphins with echolocation ability to identify underwater items such as mines. Since 1959, the US Navy has trained dolphins and sea lions as comrades to help Sailors and Marines defend against threats underwater. In the 1960s, Point Loma has been home to the Navy's Marine Mammal Program. More than a dozen diverse species of marine mammals, as well as sharks, rays, sea turtles, and aquatic birds, were tested, and their sensory and physical capacities were explored in the early years of the program. At present, the Navy relies on two species: the Bottlenose dolphin and the California sea lion. According to the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific website, "Both are known for their trainability and adaptability to a wide range of marine environments." Read Also: Vladimir Putin Sends Warning to US, Ukraine Allies: Russia Will Retaliate With "Lightning Speed" Strikes If They Interfere in War The San Diego-based US Navy marine mammal training program was declassified in the 1990s. This made it simpler for officials to refute animal rights groups' allegations that the creatures were deployed as weapons, a concept popularized by the 1973 science-fiction film "The Day of the Dolphin." In the movie, a scientist trains dolphins to communicate with humans, but they are kidnapped to be utilized in a political assassination scheme. Does Russia Train Dolphins To Attack Enemies? During the Soviet era, Russia allegedly used the Sevastopol facility to train dolphins for military objectives, including putting bombs on ships or detecting mines. It's debatable whether they were ever used in military actions, per Washington Post. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine used the Sevastopol facility to teach dolphins for treatment sessions. The Moscow Times reported at the time that after taking control of the port city in 2014, Russia restarted the training of military marine mammals. According to media accounts, a white whale wearing a harness appeared in Norway in 2019, prompting local marine specialists to assume that they'd come across a species part of a Russian naval training program. Subsequently, locals named the whale "Hvaldimir," a mix of the Norwegian term for whale and Russian President Vladimir Putin's first name. Related Article: Vladimir Putin's 'Girlfriend': 5 Things To Know About Alina Kabaeva @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Advertisement Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter appears to have led to a split in users' fortunes along ideological lines - with conservative figures gaining followers while leading 'Wokerati' go in the opposite direction. The Tesla founder's $44billion bid was unanimously accepted by Twitter's board on Monday. Shortly afterwards, prominent American right-wingers, such as Donald Trump's son, Don Jr, saw their follower counts shoot up while Democrats, like the congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, suffered falls. The same dynamic is occuring in the UK, with statistics from Social Blade showing Nigel Farage added 3,912 followers yesterday as he enjoyed his most successful period for at least two weeks - while left-wing talking heads James O'Brien and Owen Jones lost 241 and 546 each. JK Rowling, despite being a critic of the Conservative party, has become unpopular with many left-wing Twitterati due to her stance on gender issues. Yesterday, she saw her followers increase for the first time in weeks. Meanwhile, Harry Potter star Emma Watson appeared to be losing her magic touch - down 5,168 yesterday - while former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn shed 850 followers and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, 146. Actress Jameela Jamil, who has threatened to leave Twitter over Musk's takeover, lost 615. The picture was far rosier for right-wing figures, with journalists Douglas Murray, Fraser Nelson, Toby Young and Julia Hartley-Brewer seeing their follower counts rise 4,784, 24, 286 and 655 consecutively. The number of Twitter followers gained or lost by right- (top) and left-wing (bottom) figures yesterday following Elon Musk's takeover on Monday The fluctuation in follower numbers in the US triggered a wave of theories seeking to explain the phenomenon. Some suggested 'free speech absolutist' Musk's takeover prompted developers to change the social media giant's algorithm to highlight conservative accounts and suppress left-leaning ones - a theory that was slapped down by people who pointed out that Musk will not officially complete his purchase of the platform for months. Others argued 'woke' Twitter programmers, who have been accused of silencing right-wing voices by suspending or banning controversial accounts whose views they disagree with, had adjuged the algorithm to be more balanced in an attempt to cover up their previous biases. But Twitter blocked its staff from making programming changes to the app to prevent it being sabotaged, suggested that theory was off the mark. Today, Carrie-Ann Sudlow, a digital marketeer and social media expert, insisted the changes were not the result of 'an algorithm issue or a conspiracy'. 'When something like this happens in the world, the influencers like Nigel Farage have an opinion on it, and it's either popular or not popular and that leads to them gaining or losing followers, she told MailOnline. This is a big takeover from a very influential man. With influence comes strong opinions. Elon fans seem to be for or against with few sitting on the fence. 'Hes making a big impact on all areas of the world, his sceptics will not want to fund him so leave Twitter. His supporters will rejoice and jump on the back of the news hence gaining followers. JK Rowling, despite being a critic of the Conservative party, has become unpopular with many left-wing Twitterati due to her stance of gender issues. On Wednesday, she saw her followers increase for the first time in weeks, although she is still down since Musk's takeover - perhaps due to followers leaving her over a string of controversial tweets. Nigel Farage added 3,912 followers yesterday as he enjoyed his most successful period for at least two weeks In contrast, left-wing talking heads such as James O'Brien (pictured) and Owen Jones lost 241 and 546 each Actress Jameela Jamil - who threatened to leave Twitter over Musk's takeover - has been shedding followers in recent days Conservative talk show host Julia Hartley-Brewer gained 665 followers yesterday in what is proving to be a successful week Twitter has also insisted the changes are 'organic' rather than a result of any changes on its part. 'While we continue to take action on accounts that violate our spam policy which can affect follower counts, these fluctuations appear to largely be a result of an increase in new account creation and deactivation,' a spokesman said. In the US, Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump Jr. and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis - three of America's most forthright conservative mouthpieces - have experienced an influx of 175,960, 301,570 and 286,559 followers respectively since the news of Musk's takeover broke on Monday. Meanwhile on the left, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Hillary Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres have witnessed an exodus of 26,072, 21,424 and 27,141 Twitter followers in the past four days. More than 30 members and associates of a notorious criminal organization that controlled street gangs in southern California have been indicted as part of a racketeering case, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed Wednesday. The indictment was unsealed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, accusing 31 Mexican Mafia leaders and their underlings of two murders, six attempted killings, extortion and drug trafficking in Orange County. Prosecutors said the case would not eradicate the organization, which mainly operates from behind bars to call shots on crimes in prison and on the streets. However, the prosecution hopes to disrupt the leadership that arose when Johnny Martinez, 46, the longtime kingpin who for decades controlled gang activity in Orange County, was convicted of racketeering in 2016. Federal authorities dealt a blow to the California-based Mexican Mafia when the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment that charged three members and 28 associates of two murders, six attempted killings, extortion and drug trafficking in Orange County Authorities say 30 of the 31 defendants were arrested or already in custody while one person is on the run Johnny Martinez rose to the top of the Mexican Mafia while in prison after Peter Ojeda, the head of the criminal organization in Orange County, died in prison in 2018 'The violence, drug-dealing and other criminal acts being committed in our communities by gangsters associated with the Mexican Mafia is being met with the strongest possible response by law enforcement,' said United States Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison. 'The message that this case sends is that if you rise to power in that vacuum, we will come for you,' Wilkison added. 'No gang member is beyond our reach.' The Department of Justice said 21 of those who have been charged were already in custody. Nine were arrested between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Authorities are still looking to arrest Mark Cooper, the only fugitive. The 106-page indictment charges members of the group with conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, committing violent crimes to aid racketeering, conspiring to traffic drugs, dealing methamphetamine and heroin, and firearms charges. The Mexican Mafia, which is also known as La eMe, was founded in the 1950s at a juvenile jail and grew to an international criminal organization that controls smuggling, drug sales and extortion inside California's penal system, is made up of leaders of different street gangs. Leaders direct associates to collect 'taxes' on drugs proceeds and order hits on enemies or people who betray them or violate their rules. For decades, Peter Ojeda was the head of the Mexican Mafia in Orange County, calling shots from inside prison. After Ojeda's racketeering conviction and subsequent 2018 death in prison, Martinez, Robert Aguirre, 49, and Dennis Ortiz, 59, filled the leadership void, prosecutors said. 'The triumvirate of new leaders had expanded the Mexican Mafia's control over the street gangs and Latino inmates in Orange County jails,' Wilkison said. 'Those gang overseers stepped up punishment of those who violated their rules.' It wasn't immediately clear if Martinez, Aguirre and Ortiz had lawyers who could comment on their behalf. The indictment describes a series of crimes carried out as part of the racketeering conspiracy that range from shaking people down for money or dealing drugs to murders plotted for showing disrespect or violating orders. Tracy Wilkison, United States Attorney for the Central District of California, applauded the efforts of federal law enforcement following the announcement of the indictment of three Mexican Mafia members and 28 other associates. 'The violence, drug-dealing and other criminal acts being committed in our communities by gangsters associated with the Mexican Mafia is being met with the strongest possible response by law enforcement,' she said Mark Cooper was indicted by a federal California court as part of the operation to take down the Mexican Mafia. He has not been arrested yet Robert Rios was shot to death in January 2017 during an armed robbery that had been ordered. Richard Villeda was lured into a car in August that year and shot dead for failing to pay a drug debt to Martinez, according to the indictment. Two of the defendants in the case were also targets of violence but managed to survive vicious attacks. Gregory Munoz was shot seven times on the street in August 2017 after Martinez ordered him to be removed as a so-called shot caller, the indictment said. He survived and is among the defendants. Cooper, survived two hits - in January 2018 and another attack on New Year's Eve 2019. Martinez allegedly ordered the killing because Cooper had ordered a hit he hadn't sanctioned and was also suspected of causing a police raid on a gang. Cooper was stabbed multiple times in the head and back area in the first attack in Calipatria State Prison and cut in the throat and face the second time. At least four others survived attempted slayings for allegedly abusing their authority, warning others they were targets of violence and showing disrespect to Martinez. One man had his throat slit for allegedly talking about snitching on the Mexican Mafia. Brian Gilhooly of the FBI said that one of the goals of bringing the case is to lock up leaders farther from their home turf in federal prisons, where it's harder to smuggle contraband. Despite being locked in prisons where cellphones are banned and communications are monitored, the Mexican Mafia operates through a crude but elaborate communication network of speaking in code with smuggled phones, notes passed between inmates and instructions sent through girlfriends and confidantes who visit. 'We are going to make sure that these individuals get lengthy sentences, and get sent to other prisons throughout the country,' Gilhooly said. The 33-year-old is suing the billionaire family for $108million, alleging that the Kardashians deliberately axed her and Rob's reality TV show An emotional Rob Kardashian has testified that he feared for his life on a night in 2016 when his then-fiancee Blac Chyna pointed a gun at his head, pulled a phone-charging cable around his neck and repeatedly hit him with a metal rod while under the influence of substances. Kardashian, 35, told a Los Angeles courtroom that he felt in retrospect that the couple's love was never real, and that he had been at the 'weakest, worst point' in his life when their relationship began in January 2016. He said the coupling was 'toxic' from the start, and that Chyna, 33, beat him at least five times during the year-long relationship. 'She strangled me, she put a gun to my head twice, she was on cocaine and alcohol,' Kardashian said, his voice rising nearly to a shout in a Los Angeles courtroom as Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani sought to cast doubt on the attack and its severity. 'Strangling someone, beating someone, that's not a family,' he said. 'That's not love to me.' Chyna is suing Rob Kardashian's mother Kris Jenner and sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, alleging they spread false reports of her assaulting him in order to have her 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' spinoff 'Rob & Chyna' canceled and ruin her reality TV career. An emotional Rob Kardashian has testified that he feared for his life on a night in 2016 when his then-fiancee Blac Chyna pointed a gun at his head, pulled a phone-charging cable around his neck and repeatedly hit him with a metal rod while under the influence of substances. Pictured: Kardashian and Chyna in Las Vegas on May 28, 2016 Blac Chyna is all smiles as she is spotted leaving court on Wednesday during the defamation trial Rob Kardashian leaves first in his car from the Superior Los Angeles Court house after testifying on Wednesday During an emotional and contentious hour on the stand, Rob Kardashian grew angry when Ciani asked him why photos and video from the days that followed didn't show any marks on him, despite his testimony that she had hit him repeatedly with a 6-foot metal rod. 'Did you have as much as a Band-Aid on you?' the attorney asked. 'I just told you it didn't leave a mark on my face!' Rob Kardashian said. 'And the gun to my head two different times during the night didn't leave a mark to my temple!' Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian watched the testimony from the front row of the gallery, and had no visible reaction. Chyna testified earlier in the trial that she was never violent toward Rob Kardashian. She said that on the night of December 14 and the morning of December 15, 2016, the couple had been celebrating the news that 'Rob & Chyna' was getting a second season. The all-night celebration turned into a bitter fight by morning, when he took her phone and shut himself in a closet, looking for evidence of communications with other men, she said. She testified that earlier in the evening, she had wrapped a phone-charging cord around Rob Kardashian's neck playfully because he was ignoring her, and picked up a gun he kept around, always unloaded, from a nightstand as a joke. The chain of events would lead to the end of the relationship, and their show. Rob Kardashian, the youngest of Kris Jenner's four children with the late Robert Kardashian, has kept a much lower public profile than his mother and sisters. He was mostly an offscreen character, and only occasionally appeared, on the family's reality show. He broke from the pattern in 2016, spending a year in the limelight before it went bad. He and Chyna began dating in January, announced their engagement in April, announced they were having a child together in May, had their own reality show premiere in September, and had a daughter, Dream, in November. Earlier Wednesday, Corey Gamble, a key witness backing up Rob Kardashian's account of the assault, insisted that he saw Chyna punch him and whip him with a phone-charging cord, as Ciani tried to poke holes in his story. 'I said that she attacked him,' testified Gamble, the longtime boyfriend and sometime co-star of 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' matriarch Kris Jenner. 'What I saw is what I saw.' Gamble said he rushed to the house the couple was staying in after Kris Jenner got an early morning call from her son, who sounded deeply distressed. When he arrived, he said, Chyna was holding some sort of metal rod, and threw it down. She rushed toward Rob Kardashian, whipping the phone cord at him then punching him. 'By the time she got to him, she started hitting him,' Gamble testified. 'I was able to get in the middle of them two. I even got hit two or three times.' Gamble said Chyna threw a chair at Rob Kardashian's car as he was leaving, then attempted to pick up a table but Gamble stopped her. Blac Chyna hides her face after Rob Kardashian testifies in court about Blac Chyna holding a gun to his head on Wednesday During cross-examination, Ciani had Gamble read from a declaration he submitted in the case two years earlier, in which he said he arrived to find Chyna hitting Rob Kardashian with her fists, but made no mention of any of the objects. 'You didn't see sufficient to mention the metal rod, the cord or the table?' Ciani asked. 'I don't know why I didn't include those details,' Gamble said. Also on Wednesday, the defamation trial heard Chyna was never guaranteed a second season of E! reality series Rob & Chyna in her contract with the network. The reality star's former lawyer and manager testified on Wednesday, telling the court that the network began filming season two of the series at the end of the show's first season before abruptly coming to a halt. Under cross examination from Kardashian attorney Michael Rhodes, Walter Mosley acknowledged that Chyna, under her talent contract with E!, was never promised an additional season of the spinoff starring her and ex Rob Kardashian. Mosley, who was also executive producer on the show, admitted that neither he nor Chyna, 33, had received written confirmation - a legal requirement in her original contract - from E! that there were plans for future production of the series. E! never did greenlight a second season, said Mosley, who revealed he had negotiated a $100,000 'kill fee' for Chyna, plus another $370,000 contract for her to film four episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians in a Rob and Chyna storyline within KUWTK. Chyna has disputed signing such a contract and in an earlier declaration raised today by Rhodes - in which she was asked if she thought Mosely and an agent 'did something wrong' in getting her into the deal - she replied: 'Absolutely.' Mosley also told the jury today that his observations of her relationship with Rob were that it was 'loving and wonderful.' He attended the couple's engagement party where, he said, 'Rob told me he was happy.' An LA judge on Tuesday ruled against Blac Chyna's motion demanding E! reveal how much it earned in profits from her short-lived reality show Rob & Chyna, after she 'failed to show good cause to seek trade secrets'. The 33-year-old is seen arriving at court in LA Wednesday morning as her defamation trial against the Kardashians continues Chyna accuses the Kardashians of plotting to cancel her hit reality show Rob & Chyna Mosley told the court he wasn't aware that Chyna 'is considering possible legal claims' against him. The testimony comes after Chyna's request to subpoena the network to disclose the profits it earned from the spin-off series during its seven-episode run in 2016, was quashed by a judge. Chyna's attorney, Lynne Ciani, had argued that details surrounding the profits E! reaped from the series is vital to her claim for damages against the billionaire family. But E! attorney Rochelle Wilcox filed an opposing motion, telling Judge Gregory Alarcon Monday that such information is a 'privileged trade secret' that should not be disclosed in public. Judge Alarcon granted the network's motion Tuesday in a written ruling after 'finding that plaintiff (Chyna) has failed to show good cause to seek trade secrets.' Chyna is suing members of the Kardashian family for $108million, accusing them of defamation and 'intentional interference with contract' that led to her show being canceled. During the seventh day of proceedings Tuesday, Kim Kardashian admitted in court that she resented having to film episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians with Chyna after she allegedly beat her brother with a metal rod. The E! Network, which aired both reality series, paid Chyna $370,000 to film four episodes of KUWTK after season one of Rob & Chyna show ended. But that deal was inked without consulting the Kardashians, said Kim, who protested in an email that at E!: 'Nobody listens to usNo one respects us', the court heard. She then reportedly urged her sisters in a text to 'get on the phone today' with E! executives following the December 2016 fight. 'I was upset that Rob was so emotional and upset,' the reality star explained to jurors at Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday. 'I remember trying to be supportive of my brother - he was being so emotional. 'It's all such a blur,' she added, remembering that her brother, Rob, 'looked red and puffy and exhausted and drained.' 'It was our show and she's not a family member.' Court filings obtained by DailyMail.com reveal a judge granted E!'s motion to quash Chyna's bid An LA judge on Tuesday ruled against Blac Chyna's motion demanding E! reveal how much it earned in profits from her short-lived reality show Rob & Chyna, after she 'failed to show good cause to seek trade secrets'. She is pictured leaving court Tuesday In court on Tuesday, Chyna's attorney, Lynne Ciani, grilled Kim about the intent of the text message she sent to her sisters - and whether they ever had a family meeting about canceling the second season of Rob & Chyna. The lawyer pointed to an email from Kim to the producers of KUWTK in which she talked of taking a break from the show and warning them that 'you'll lose the rest of the Kardashians and Jenners' if they continued filming with Chyna. 'You already got Chyna off her show (Rob & Chyna) and now you didn't want her on your show (KUWTK) either?,' Ciani asked the reality star. 'I'm just saying this is our show,' Kim responded. 'We have the discretion of what we're going to film content wise. 'Why would you want to put my brother in this situation if he's going to end up crying and she's (Chyna) just going to show up to film and not be with him? 'Why would we film with her on our show? It was our show and she's not a family member.' Kim also told the lawyer at least four times that she did not remember why she sent the urgent text to her sisters. Also on Tuesday, Kim's sister, Khloe, testified that she, too, was worried about 'something crazy happening down the line' if there were a second season of the KUWTK spin-off. She confirmed Kim's comments about the metal rod, saying: 'I know it was a metal rod. I saw red indentations on my brother's neck.' E! Network executives paid Chyna $370,000 to film four episodes of KUWTK after season one of Rob & Chyna ended. She is seen at right in one of those episodes with Kim Kardashian Before things went south, Chyna had a friendly relationship with the Kardashian sisters and was seen attending social events with the family But, she said, the family had 'no control' of whether E! would cancel Chyna's contract - a claim later confirmed by Adam Stotsky, the former president of the network. 'With all due respect to [the Kardashians], they do not have the authority to kill Rob & Chyna, only E! has the power to do that,' Stotsky said in court. And when the Kardashians' attorney, Michael Rhodes asked him: 'Did the Kardashians do anything whatsoever to cause you to say, 'No season 2,' Stotsky replied: 'No.' Instead, he said, the original premise for Rob & Chyna was the couple's 'newly blossoming relationship' with a light-hearted, romantic comedy feel to it. But when that relationship started 'falling apart' - with Rob and Chyna first fighting, then not even speaking to one another, he said, 'it was kind of gross.' Asked about the TV ratings for Rob & Chyna, Stotsky said: 'It was a top performer - it did very well.' When Rhodes questioned Stotsky about the defamation part of Chyna's lawsuit in which she alleged that the Kardashians 'made false claims about her' to E!, he told the court the family told him nothing that 'influenced our decisions about Rob & Chyna. And when Rhodes asked him about the part of Chyna's lawsuit in which she accuses the Kardashians of 'interfering' with her contract, Stotsky told him: 'There was nothing your clients did that affected our view of Chyna's contract.' American Idol's Ryan Seacrest - an executive producer on both Keeping up with the Kardashians and and Rob & Chyna - was the next witness to be called upon. Seacrest was not in court today so a video deposition he gave in May 2019 was played to the jury. But as it turned out, the deposition shed no new light on the case since he answered 'I can't remember' or 'I don't recall' to most of the questions he was asked. Chyna, 33, is seeking $108million in damages, charging the Kardashians with defamation and 'intentional interference with contracts' that led her to lose money on TV, personal appearances and social media 'influencing' Khloe, 37, (far left) and Kim Kardashian, 41 (second from left), and younger sister Kylie Jenner, 24, (second from right) with their mother, family matriarch Kris Jenner, 66, (far right) are all named defendants in the case and are expected to be in court as they were last week When the Rob & Chyna TV spinoff was pitched to him, he said he thought Chyna was 'bold and memorable' though he also admitted: 'I do not think I ever met Chyna.' He said he couldn't recall ever speaking to any of the Kardashians about a second season of Rob & Chyna. Nor could he remember hearing from any of the Kardashians about Chyna being physically abusive to Rob or 'beating the s**t out of his face.' 'Did Rob ever talk to you about being physically abused by Chyna?' he was asked in the depo. 'I don't remember him saying that,' said Seacrest. When he was asked if he ever had any discussions with the E! network about Chyna's contract, he answered, 'I'm not aware of one.' A 2019 deposition of Ryan Seacrest - an executive producer on both Keeping up with the Kardashians and and Rob & Chyna - was played to the jury on Tuesday Kris Jenner's boyfriend, Corey Gamble also took the stand Tuesday, telling the jury how he watched Chyna punch and hit her fiance Rob Kardashian in a drunken rage, screaming death threats and abuse at him. Gamble, 41, said he and Kris were awoken just before daybreak the morning of December 15, 2016 by a phone call from Rob on the speaker phone. As Rob was speaking, 'Chyna was screaming in the background, 'F**k you, you fat motherf***er', said Gamble. 'I could tell it was a hostile situation and needed to go there and help them.' Gamble told the court he got dressed and drove the few blocks to Kylie Jenner's home where Rob and Chyna were living at the time. But before he could even get through the front door, he said, 'I could hear her screaming at Rob. She was telling him she hated him, she would kill him, she didn't like him.' When he got in the house, he recounted, Chyna was standing in the bedroom doorway with Rob about seven or eight feet away from her. 'When she saw me, she threw down whatever she had in her hand (he later said it was a rod a few feet long)..Then she ran toward Rob and she picked up a charger cord and started whipping it at him. 'When she got to him she started hitting him till I got in the middle of them. She also hit Rob when she was trying to hit Rob. 'I could smell the heavy alcohol on her..she was intoxicated. She was obviously very angry. She wanted to fight him, she wanted to hit him.' Former E! Network president Adam Stotsky also testified on Tuesday that the spin-off show Rob & Chyna was supposed to be about their 'newly blossoming relationship' but when it started 'falling apart ... it was kind of gross' E!'s Keeping up with the Kardashian ended its 20-season run in June 2021 Gamble said that he didn't know where the couple's young daughter Dream was in the house while the fight was happening. But he added, 'The house was a mess. There was stuff everywhere. Obviously stuff had been thrown and smashed.' After 'physically separating' the couple, he told the court that he told Rob to get his keys and wallet from the bedroom and to get in his car and leave. As Rob was getting to his car, Chyna 'jumped on him again and was punching him and hitting him in the side of the head,' said Gamble, who added that she picked up a chair and threw it at Rob's car as he left.' He stayed back at the house with Chyna, 'to make sure she didn't get in one of her cars and chase Rob,' he said. 'I put her keys somewhere so she could not get them.' A female friend of Chyna was also in the house at the time and, said Gamble, 'She told me Chyna's been drinking all night and she's been fighting with Rob.she's been yelling the same stuff, 'I hate him I don't like him.I would not like this fat f*** if he was not part of this family'. Asked by Chyna's lawyer, Lynne Ciani, if he had ever witnessed Chyna abusing Rob prior to December 15 2016, Gamble told the court: 'That was the first time I witnessed it. 'But it was not the first time I heard about it. I heard that when she drinks or allegedly does drugs, she gets volatile. 'I heard that she had been drinking and hit him before - I heard that from Rob and the nanny who worked for them.' When he was asked how Rob looked when he got to the house that morning, Gamble said, 'He was scared. He was red around the neck. His face was red.' Oregon's governor has been condemned for granting clemency to a killer who shot a teenage girl - and not bothering to tell the victim's family that he was back on the streets. Kate Brown freed Kyle Hedquist earlier this month, despite Hedquist being jailed for life without parole for murdering Nikki Thrasher in 1994 when she was 19. Hedquist, now 45, led Thrasher down a remote logging road and shot her in the back of the head to stop her telling people about a burglary spree he'd embarked on. Brown says the fact that Hedquist was 17 at the time of the murder means he shouldn't be locked-up for life. She said: 'Teenagers, even those who have committed terrible crimes, have a unique capacity for growth and change. We are a state and a nation of second chances.' But her decision to free Hedquist has infuriated Thrasher's mom, as well as local police and prosecutors, who've accused the Democrat governor of undermining public safety. 'He took the life of my daughter in cold blood. It was a cold-blooded murder. He planned it,' Holly Thrasher, who wasn't even aware of Hedquist's clemency, told KOIN 6. 'I am upset. I wasnt even told.' She also said she was never asked her opinion on his release, despite Brown's recent statement 'always' reaching out to victim's families so that the 'victim can have a voice.' Oregon Governor Kate Brown faces backlash after granting a killer clemency and neglecting to inform the victim's family. She justified his release by saying he was a teen when he killed another teenager and that criminals can 'grow and change' Kyle Hedquist (pictured) killed Nikki Thrasher when he was 17 in 1994. He led the teenager down a remote logging road, then shot her in the back of the head because he feared she might tell police about burglaries he committed Thrasher also said she worries for her and her son's safety now that her daughter's killer is free, according to KOIN 6. Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said on Tuesday: 'The executive clemency granted by Governor Brown in this case is shocking and irresponsible.' Hedquist, now 45, was convicted in Douglas County Circuit Court in 1995. The county refused to allow Hedquist to return there after being granted clemency due to community safety concerns. In a detailed letter to the Governor, Douglas County District Attorney Richard Wesenberg said Hedquist was 'uninterested in having his version of events be based in reality.' 'There are thousands of pages of discovery on this case, and yet large swaths of Hedquists petition are completely unsupported by any of them. In fact, many statements fly in the face of the evidence,' he wrote. 'This office has concerns that clemency for Mr. Hedquist will erode faith in the justice system. Specifically, clemency for Hedquist will demonstrate that a life sentence without the possibility of parole does not really mean a true-life sentence.' Even Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson agreed, saying 'these types of decisions are not reflective of public safety, theyre not reflective of good decisions.' She also said the decision would erode citizen's sense of justice and 'tell them [that] they dont matter, that these offenders are being prioritized over them and over what happens to them, their families, and what is appropriate for public safety,' 'We need victims to trust us. We need them to participate. We need them to be willing to come to court and to hang in there with us,' she told KOIN 6. She also said Brown's direction 'is putting the average citizen and our state at risk.' Marion County denied the Governor's Office to release the killer to an address in their jurisdictions as well. This month, Hedquist was released to the Salem home of a former prison chaplain after a suitable place could not be found for him in Douglas or Marion Counties, Clarkson and Sheriff Joe Kast, whose county includes Salem, issued a public safety notice on Saturday in which they expressed 'significant safety concerns surrounding the sudden and ill-planned governor's commutation.' 'Hedquist tricked the victim into driving him to a rural Douglas County location where he shot the victim execution-style in the back of the head and dumped her body along the road,' Clarkson and Kast said. 'Hedquist admitted killing her to eliminate a witness in hope of preventing his own capture.' Clarkson also told KOIN 6: 'This particular release into this community just seemed inappropriate for Marion County and wasnt done with the appropriate protocol and the proper risk assessment and safety measures in place. The only thing that my sheriff and I were left to do was just let people know that it was happening.' Brown, however, defended her clemencies, comparing them to President Joe Biden, who granted clemency to 78 people on Tuesday, though those were all for nonviolent crimes. The US Supreme Court, in a 2012 ruling, said only the rare, irredeemable juvenile offender should serve life in prison, but that applies in federal cases. Marion County DA Paige Clarkson (pictured) slammed Brown's decision, saying it's makes the public distrust the justice system. She also denied allowing Hedquist to come back to the county upon his release due to safety issues Some two dozen states have banned sentencing juveniles to life without parole, according to the Washington DC-based Sentencing Project, which advocates for humane responses to crime. The Democrat-dominated Oregon Legislature passed such a law in 2019, but the state Supreme Court has ruled it's not retroactive. The clemency of Hedquist has fueled Republican complaints that Brown, a Democrat who is not running for reelection this year because of term limits, is soft on crime. 'As with many others, the facts of this case is outrageous and brutal,' Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said on Tuesday. 'The Governor continues to let violent criminals out of prison, and Democrats in the majority remain silent.' However, Brown said she has denied most clemency requests. 'Clemency is an action I reserve for individuals who have demonstrated that they have made incredible changes in their lives to rehabilitate themselves, take accountability for their crimes, and dedicate themselves to making their communities a better place,' Brown said. While locked up in the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Hedquist spent over 20 years volunteering for hospice care services, said Liz Merah, Brown's spokeswoman. Hedquist wrote about caring for the dying inmates in a piece that was awarded 'honorable mention in memoir' in PEN America's 2019 Prison Writing Contest. 'I couldn't have known all those years ago that death would bring my humanity back,' Hedquist wrote. 'So I sat, I listened, their teary-eyed regurgitation of their crimes burned my ears, they left a bitter taste in my mouth as I consumed the confessions...but somehow just being with them and listening lightened their burden before death stepped in to take them.' Brown also accused 'several district attorneys' of scoring political points by stoking public fears in these cases. Oregonians granted clemency have demonstrated they have turned their lives around and pose a low risk to the public, she said. The governor was seen hugging President Joe Biden, 79, at the Portland International Airport on April 21 The governor recently praised Biden for issuing 78 clemencies to nonviolent offenders. In her statement, she also said that she 'always' reached out to victim's families so that 'victims can have a voice,' despite not reaching out to Nikki's mother, who wasn't even informed of her daughter's killer's release Merah, Brown's spokeswoman, said Hedquist's conditions of sentence commutation include lifetime supervision and GPS ankle monitoring for at least six months. 'If Mr. Hedquist violates any terms of his post-prison supervision, the governor can revoke his commutation,' Merah said. Since taking office in 2015, Brown has granted 1,148 sentence commutations - 963 of them to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, Merah said. Also among the total were 41 commutations for inmates who fought wildfires and 72 who committed crimes as juveniles and were sentenced to more than 15 years. Brown also granted 63 pardons. Commutations reduce prison terms, while pardons forgive defendants of crimes. A Pentagon report reveals that billions of dollars in weapons and military equipment transferred to the Afghan government was left behind in Afghanistan after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from the country. In all, about $7 billion worth of hardware remained in the country after the Taliban seized control, according to the report prepared for Congress which was obtained by CNN. That includes almost $1 billion of aircraft - rendered inoperable and dumped at Hamid Karzai International Airport - some 22,000 military Humvees and almost all the communications equipment supplied during the course of the conflict. In the weeks after the U.S. withdrawal and the collapse of Kabul, Taliban troops delighted in posing for pictures with sophisticated night vision goggles and driving abandoned vehicles. It means the equipment is now in the hands of the foe that the U.S. was trying to vanquish. A new Pentagon report revealed the full extent of U.S. weapons and military equipment supplied to the Afghan armed forces but left behind when President Joe Biden ordered the withdrawal of American troops last year. The U.S. left behind about $7 billion in gear, it said A Taliban fighter poses with a US-made Afghan air force Blackhawk helicopter at Kandahar airfield in August last year, as weapons fell into the hands of the country's new rulers Taliban forces showed off their new military hardware during a victory parade in Kandahar last September as they celebrated the retreat of U.S. forces and their capture of Afghanistan Republicans have raised the alarm about leaving behind deadly technology and former President Donald Trump has repeatedly condemned his successor for failing to bring out more of the gear. But the report says the Defense Department has no plans to return to Afghanistan to 'retrieve or destroy.' Instead it describes how 'much of the remaining equipment' requires 'specialized maintenance that DoD contractors previously provided' to Afghan troops 'in the form of technical knowledge and support.' Even so, the list of equipment left behind reads like a Taliban wishlist of armaments. It includes a total of 9,524 air-to-ground munitions - which can include bombs, machine guns, air-to-surface missiles, rockets, air-launched cruise missiles, carried by warplanes - valued at $6.54 million. A Taliban fighter takes a picture of a damaged MD 530 helicopter that was abandoned at Kabul airport by retreating troops Taliban fighters sit on an Afghan army Humvee on August 15. Much of the equipment the US has given Afghanistan has 'fallen into the hands of the Taliban,' according to a US official The Taliban last year released propaganda footage of body armour-clad 'special forces' with night vision goggles, which may have come from abandoned Afghan army stores The U.S. left 78 aircraft in Kabul, according to the report. And more than 40,000 of almost 100,000 vehicles supplied to Afghan forces remain in the country. 'The operational condition of the remaining vehicles' is 'unknown,' the report is quoted as saying. More than 300,000 of 427,300 weapons delivered to Afghan security forces were left behind, as Kabul's opposition to the Taliban crumbled and troops melted away. The report also said 'nearly all' 42,000 pieces of night vision, surveillance, 'biometric and positioning equipment' had been left in Afghanistan. The Taliban has released propaganda footage of body armor-clad 'special forces' with night vision goggles. The extremists also released footage in August last year as they tested a captured $6m US-made Blackhawk helicopter by taxi-ing it around an airfield. A Russian Mi-17 helicopter is pictured alongside Taliban fighters after it was seized from retreating western troops The Taliban used weaponry left behind by American troops (pictured: Taliban using US armoured vehicle) to crush the last pockets of resistance to its takeover of Afghanistan At the time of the Taliban takeover, the Afghan military had more than 150 aircraft, according to a report published last month by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. It included four C-130 transport aircraft, 23 Brazilian-made A-29 'Super Tucano' turboprop ground-attack aircraft, 45 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, and 50 smaller choppers. Afghan forces were also given more than 30 military versions of Cessna single-engine fixed-wing aircraft. The Taliban also showed off advance weaponry weaponry left behind by American troops last September as they tried to crush the last pockets of resistance to its takeover of Afghanistan. The rebels appeared outgunned by Taliban fighters using US armored vehicles, mortar missiles and high-powered artillery. Videos showed Taliban gunmen brandishing US military M4 and M16 rifles and wearing night-vision goggles. A top professor says concerns about a nightmare flu season are overstated, despite influenza cases tripling in NSW between March and April and another expert warning of a flu epidemic this winter. At least 1237 influenza cases were reported in April in NSW, which is more than triple March's figure of 341 infections. Professor Ian Barr, deputy director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, told the Sydney Morning Herald cases will dramatically rise in the coming weeks. 'The way things are heading, we will have a significant epidemic outbreak, but whether that will peak in August, or slightly later in September, is unclear,' Barr said. He warns there will be a spike in flu cases over the coming months as less Australians take up their flu shots due to vaccine fatigue from the pandemic. 'While people might be sick of vaccination - and there is definitely less of an appetite for vaccines after COVID-19 there needs to be an awareness flu is back and vaccination is the best tool to protect against illness.' However, infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon told Daily Mail Australia he believes the prediction of a massive influenza epidemic in the coming months has been wildly exaggerated. He says a potential epidemic would be more likely to break out next year when overseas travel returns to pre-pandemic levels. 'My feeling is we will have a moderate amount of influenza this winter. I'd be more worried about 2023 when we get to normal movements of people.' 'It'll take another year to get back to those normal levels of movements.' Professor Collignon says the country has seen far worse flu seasons, citing the 2017 flu epidemic where 9330 NSW residents alone were admitted to hospital over the course of the year and 1181 Australians across the nation died from the virus. Some experts have warned of a spike in flu cases over the coming months as less Australians take up their flu shots due to vaccine fatigue. Another reason for the spike in infections is the reopening of international borders. (Pictured: Queues of people at Sydney domestic airport) Infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia he was not surprised by the recent spike in flu cases but he downplayed the likelihood of a flu epidemic in 2022 Flu vaccine uptake in NSW had dropped significantly in comparison to the previous two years. In April 2020, almost 1.5million NSW residents had their flu shots. This fell to 857,000 in 2021 over the course of the same month and to just 612,000 in April 2022. Many experts have attributed this to vaccine fatigue following the pandemic where most Australians took up two doses of a Covid vaccine and subsequent booster shots for protection against Covid. Not a single influenza death was recorded in Australia in 2021, and only 36 were noted in 2020. It's a big difference from previous flu seasons where 902 deaths were reported in 2019 and 1181 in 2017. Again, experts have said these lower figures is was due to Covid restrictions isolating the community for large periods of time and stringent Covid-safe measures. Jennifer Lang, chair of the Actuaries Institute's working group on Covid, told the Guardian in 2021: 'It's the fact that we've taken steps to avoid infection from Covid, which has helped us to avoid being affected by a whole lot of other respiratory diseases.' 'It's been all of the different measures that people are taking to avoid mixing which has reduced the level of flu in circulation worldwide.' Elon Musk has defended himself against The Washington Post's claim that he set his online 'attack dogs' on Twitter executives, pointing out that the newspaper attacks him 'all the time'. Musk, who on Monday agreed the terms of a $44 billion buyout of Twitter, on Tuesday took issue with a decision made by the company's top lawyer, Vijaya Gadde. And on Wednesday he refuted claims that making such public criticism had directed bullies towards Gadde, who earns $17 million-a-year and is known within Twitter as the firm's 'moral authority.' Musk wrote: 'The Washington Post targets me relentlessly! Their insults could be higher quality, but some are not bad. I gave them 3 stars on Yelp.' The Post has been accused of hypocrisy because it is owned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos. On Monday, Bezos queried whether Musk could be influenced by China after buying Twitter because the communist nation is a crucial market for Tesla. He made the remark even though Twitter is banned in China. And Bezos failed to mention his own firm's kotowing to China, which included removing less than glowing reviews for a book of President Xi Jinping's speeches. He also replied to a tweeter who speculated that the New York Times Twitter account buys fake followers, because so few of its 50 million followers retweet or interact with its posts. Gadde hit the headlines for breaking down in tears in a Monday meeting while briefing her 350 employees over what changes Musk could make to the company. When political podcast host Saagar Enjeti tweeted that Gadde was instrumental in the decision to temporarily suspend The New York Post's account for its reporting on Hunter Biden's laptop, Musk replied: 'Suspending the Twitter account of a major news organization for publishing a truthful story was obviously incredibly inappropriate.' On Wednesday he doubled down on the criticism of Gadde, sharing a meme with his 86 million followers showing Gadde and suggesting the company's decisions are affected by a 'left wing bias.' The Washington Post, in response, published an article entitled: 'Elon Musk boosts criticism of Twitter executives, prompting online attacks'. The paper quoted April Glaser, a senior research fellow at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, as saying: 'Musk has actually used Twitter as his slingshot when going after critics. It's not surprising he would then want to have greater control of that slingshot.' Elon Musk continues to take a freewheeling approach to tweeting, and is not letting a non-disparagement clause in his deal to buy Twitter stop him from insulting top execs The Washington Post on Wednesday called out Musk for criticizing Twitter executives Musk posted several tweets critical of Vijaya Gadde, Twitter's chief legal officer, who was instrumental in banning Trump from the platform The world's richest man then suggested The New York Times was buying followers. Conservative commentator Dave Rubin tweeted: Hey @elonmusk, as long as your digging, check into how @nytimes @forbes etc., bought their Twitter followers to fake influence. 'NY Times has 53 million 'followers' and rarely gets 50 RT's. 'I could post a banana emoji and a pic of a 80's sitcom star and get more. (See next tweet.)' Musk replied: 'Yeah, I noticed that too. Pretty weird.' Earlier on Wednesday, Musk, 50, bashed Donald Trump's rival service Truth Social for its 'terrible name'. 'Truth Social (terrible name) exists because Twitter censored free speech,' Musk wrote in a tweet, adding, 'Should be called Trumpet instead!' He noted the Truth Social app is currently beating Twitter and TikTok in Apple's App Store, sharing rankings of the most-downloaded free apps. Reports on Wednesday continued to emerge of staffers upset and angry about Musk's takeover. 'We're all going through the five stages of grief in cycles and everyone's nerves are frazzled,' one senior staff software engineer reportedly wrote on the company's internal Slack channel. The staffer called Musk an 'a**hole,' and tried to console his colleagues. 'We're all spinning our wheels, and coming up with worst case scenarios (Trump returns! No more moderation!). 'The fact is that [Musk] has not talked about what he's planning on doing in any detail outside of broad sweeping statements that could be easily seen as hyperbolic showboating,' he added. One site reliability engineer wrote that it was 'physically cringy watching Elon talk about free speech.' A senior staff video engineer announced his plans to quit, saying: 'Not the place to say it perhaps, but I will not work for this company after the takeover.' Musk perhaps did little to allay Twitter staffers fears as he posted several tweets critical of Gadde, Twitter's chief legal officer. She was one of the key executives in the decisions to ban Trump from the platform and censor reporting on Hunter Biden's laptop. Elon Musk, 50, on Tuesday responded to a report about Twitter's lawyer Vijaya Gadde (left) crying at the news of his takeover The tweet Elon Musk replied to is pictured, top, with the tycoon's scathing attack on Vijaya Gadde's behavior right underneath The merger agreement contains a clause forbidding Musk from insulting Twitter representatives in tweets about the merger agreement TOP LAWYER IS TWITTER'S 'MORAL AUTHORITY' Vijaya Gadde, 48, was described in a 2020 Politico profile as 'the most important Silicon Valley executive you've never heard of.' Managing a team of 350, in 2021 she earned $17 million: a base salary of $600,000, plus a bonus of $450,000 and almost $400,000 in personal security. The rest was from shares. Born in India and moving to Beaumont, Texas, when she was two years old, she recalls her engineer father having to go to the KKK to ask permission to sell insurance door-to-door. The family later moved to New Jersey, and Gadde graduated with a law degree from New York University in 2000. 'I felt very strongly that I needed to be in a position where I understood my rights, or my community's rights,' she told Politico. 'I didn't ever want to be taken advantage of.' Gadde joined Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she worked for a decade before becoming Senior Director in the legal department of Juniper Networks in Silicon Valley. She joined Twitter in 2011, and became co-founder and then-CEO Jack Dorsey's right-hand woman, sitting next to him and accompanying him on his meetings in Congress and at the White House. In October 2019 she was the architect of the idea to stop political advertising on the platform, and shortly before the election she played a key role in the decision to suspend The New York Post's account when it reported on Hunter Biden's laptop. Twitter claimed it violated the company policy against promoting hacked material; critics were angered by the heavy-handedness, and Twitter later apologized. In January 2021, it was Gadde who rang Dorsey - on vacation in Hawaii - to inform him they were banning Donald Trump, for violating policies against inciting violence. Married to Ramsey Homsany, a lawyer and co-founder of Octant Bio, a synthetic biology company, the pair welcomed a child in 2020. Gadde is also a co-founder of #Angels, an investment collective that backs start-ups and helps ensure that women receive equal compensation at successful companies. She is also on the board of medical charity Mercy Corps. Advertisement Musk himself also singled out Jim Baker, Twitter's lawyer, after conservative commentator Mike Cernovich called out Baker's work. 'Twitter lawyer Jim Baker, when general counsel of the FBI, personally arranged a meeting between the FBI and Michael Sussmann. In this meeting, Sussmann presented fabricated evidence in the Alfa bank matter,' Cernovich tweeted, referring to the Crossfire Hurricane probe into Trump's 2016 campaign. '@elonmusk, this is who is inside Twitter. He facilitated fraud.' Musk then replied: 'Sounds pretty bad ' The tweets critical of Twitter executives raised questions about whether Musk was running afoul of his own agreement to buy the company, which states in part that he is allowed to tweet about the buyout 'so long as such Tweets do not disparage the Company or any of its Representatives.' It's unclear what mechanism, if any, Twitter has to enforce that part of the agreement, and whether the company's board would attempt to do so. The clause also applies only to tweets that are about the merger agreement itself, leaving it open to interpretation whether Musk's criticisms of Twitter executives are implicitly related to his plans to buy the company. He is likely to slash Twitter's policies on hate speech and misinformation, having previously branded himself a free-speech absolutist. Twitter staff have been told their jobs are safe for the six months the transfer of ownership is expected to take. But after that, workers like Gadde are likely to be among the first to get the boot. She was pivotal in the decision to ban Donald Trump from the platform for inciting unrest, and also played a key role in the decision to remove The New York Post's account when they tweeted their reporting into Hunter Biden's laptop. Twitter initially froze the New York Post's main account after it published the story and demanded it delete tweets linking to the Biden articles. It justified the ban by citing a prohibition of distributing hacked material, before backing down when the story was proven to be legitimate. Saagar Enjeti, host of a conservative YouTube show, tweeted a link to Politico's report about Gadde's tears, commented: 'Vijaya Gadde, the top censorship advocate at Twitter who famously gaslit the world on Joe Rogan's podcast and censored the Hunter Biden laptop story, is very upset about the @elonmusk takeover.' Gadde's tears, Politico reported, were in response to concerns about how the company could change. Twitter spokesperson Trenton Kennedy told Politico that Gadde 'became emotional when discussing her team's impact and the pride she feels in them.' Having joined Twitter in 2011, she is central to the social media's policy on hate speech, misinformation, advertising and censorship. Musk has made clear that he intends to remove many of the restrictions currently in place, and open Twitter up as a forum for free speech. Critics have expressed concern about how this will play out. There are growing fears thousands of tradies will go bust as Australia faces a nationwide timber shortage that could see the country run out of supplies within eight weeks. That's on top of already soaring prices of building materials, other supply chain issues, a critical skills shortage and rising labour costs. A host of construction companies have already gone bust, and tradies say thousands more operators are on the brink of collapse. Arc Joinery's Andrew Jlavery said the timber shortage would place more mounting pressure on small operators battling to make ends meet. Tradies fear the worst with timber supplies expected to dry up within 2-3 months (stock image) 'The biggest pinch we are feeling is all around to do with materials, and from what I've been hearing amongst my peers, we are looking at 8-12 weeks, and we will be running out of timber products in Australia,' he told the Today Show on Thursday. 'You have got that whole situation in Ukraine and Russia, and there is in Ukraine and Russia, and there is a potential embargo on Russian products coming into the country as well.' Operators are also set to be hammered by other factors they have no control over. A shortage of skilled workers from overseas due to closed borders since the onset of the pandemic has also crippled the industry with soaring labour and material costs. 'I think it is a bit of a perfect storm. COVID has impacted the world, not just Australia,' Mr Jlavery said. Andrew Jlavery (pictured) said a looming timber shortage will place more mounting pressure on small operators on the brink of collapse ProBuild is one of several major construction companies that have collapsed in recent weeks 'I really feel for the small businesses you hear about in the news. 'They are small businesses that are actually really solid businesses and they have just been victims of unfortunate circumstances outside of their control.' 'With the borders being closed as well, there was a lot of labour they were relying on from coming overseas and it has pushed the labour costs up. 'And same thing with material.' Mr Jlavery said he feels for the consumers for the end of the day who will have to deal with rising prices and has called for governments to work alongside the construction industry to stop the crisis escalating. A former intern who says she was raped by an Idaho state lawmaker fled a courtroom in distress and refused to return as she was asked to recount the alleged attack. 'I can't do this,' the unidentified victim said during Wednesday's hearing in Boise as prosecutors asked her to recount former Re. Aaron von Ehlinger's alleged assault, which is said to have taken place in March 2021. She refused to return, with a judge ordering jurors to ignore the questions she did answer, because defense lawyers were unable to cross-examine her. The woman, anonymized Jane Doe, was a 19-year-old intern for a fellow Republican when she told her supervisors that then-Rep von Ehlinger, from Lewiston, raped her in March 2021 at his Boise apartment after the two had dinner at a restaurant. Aged 38 at the time, he resigned from the House of Representatives after a legislative ethics committee in April 2021 recommended he be banned from the Statehouse. In May 2021 von Ehlinger, who is believed to be single and childless, left the U.S. for Central America, and when he returned in September he was arrested. Von Ehlinger, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, pleaded not guilty in November to felony charges of rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object, and maintains the two had consensual sex. Former Idaho state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger is pictured in court on Wednesday - the second day of testimony in his rape trial. His accuser was testifying, but told the judge: 'I can't do this' and fled the court During testimony Wednesday afternoon, Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley asked Doe to describe an article of clothing worn by von Ehlinger that day, presumably to identify him to the jury. 'Blazer,' Doe said, taking long looks around the room. When Farley asked her to describe the color of von Ehlinger's tie, Doe answered, 'I can't.' Most of Doe's answers were often one or two words long, and she frequently looked toward the jury or the exit door in the back of the courtroom. At other times her gaze landed on the defense table where von Ehlinger sat with his defense attorney, Jon Cox. Behind the attorneys, the gallery of the courtroom was full. Journalists, representatives from victim services and other onlookers sat side-by-side. One of the benches was reserved for a woman with a service dog - the animals are sometimes used to provide a supportive presence for witnesses who are asked to give difficult testimony. Doe's voice was quiet, and Cox repeatedly interrupted her answers to say that he couldn't hear her. That prompted the judge to repeatedly ask Doe to scoot closer to the microphone, and lean in. 'I need you to look at me,' Farley told Doe, again. Von Ehlinger is pictured in his October booking photo 'I can't,' she responded, looking again toward the rear exit door. In response to Farley's questions, Doe said she ate at a restaurant with von Ehlinger and that afterward he drove her to his apartment in his car. Inside, she sat down and had cookies. 'Oreos,' she said. Then, she said, von Ehlinger picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. 'He laid me down ... he removed his clothes ... he climbed on top of me ... in just his boxers. White T-shirt,' Doe said. 'He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees.' At that, she stood up. 'I can't do this anymore,' she said, fleeing the courtroom. The judge gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to find her and see if she would return. When she did not, Reardon told the jurors they had to 'strike (Doe's testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,' because the defense could not cross-examine her. Jane Doe said that von Ehlinger placed the handgun he always carried on a dresser near the bed while he raped her It was the second day of the trial. Earlier on Wednesday, Jane Doe's mother testified for the prosecution, describing a phone call from her daughter on March 11, 2021, KTVB reported. She said her daughter sounded afraid, and had been crying. The mother told her daughter to report her attack, and Jane Doe went to the assistant sergeant-of-arms for the Idaho House, Kim Blackburn. Blackburn said on the stand that Jane Doe - who she had met as a high school House page the previous year - recounted what had happened and named von Ehlinger as her assailant. Blackburn took the report directly to Speaker of the House Scott Bedke, she testified. The intern had previously suggested that she would find testifying in court difficult. In April last year, speaking to the ethics committee, she testified that von Ehlinger repeatedly approached her when she worked at the Statehouse, once inviting her into his office and visiting her office roughly 10 times. She said she hoped the dinner would be an opportunity to network as well as a chance to eat at a fancy restaurant - something that she would never normally be able to afford, as someone who earns $8 an hour. The intern told the jury that appearing in the hearing and all the proceedings leading up to the hearing have been difficult. 'How do I explain that - vomiting on myself in the bathroom ... calling my mom because I'm terrified ... how do I explain that to the committee, what you've done to me?' she said about being required to testify. 'I came here fighting and earning your respect. But I don't blame you. I forgive you. You're doing your job, and I am too.' Some of von Ehlinger's Republican colleagues named his accuser publicly during the ethics committee hearings, and tried to discredit her as a liberal orchestrating a smear campaign. One, Priscilla Giddings, a Republican lawmaker representing White Bird, revealed the teenager's name and other personal details in a newsletter to her constituents, claiming the allegations were a 'liberal smear job'. Giddings, who was also in the committee room, scoffed and laughed at times during the hearing, including when the intern's attorneys suggested that the bullying the intern had experienced would make other women less willing to report sexual assault. In November, the Idaho state legislature formally censured Giddings and voted to remove her from one of her three assigned committees over conduct unbecoming of a legislator. Von Ehlinger is pictured in a photo on his Facebook page, where he shows off his NRA membership District Judge Michael Reardon speaks to attorneys on Wednesday in the Boise courtroom Deputy prosecuting attorney, Katelyn Farley, confers with a colleague during a break in testimony on Wednesday Defense attorney Jon Cox makes arguments during the second day of testimony Von Ehlinger looks on from the defense table during Wednesday's dramatic day in the Boise courtroom Jane Doe underwent a sexual assault exam at FACES of Hope and spoke to Boise Police detectives the same day. On Tuesday, jurors heard from police detectives and the nurse who completed a rape examination on Doe roughly 48 hours after she said the assault occurred. The nurse testified that Doe told her that she tried to stop von Ehlinger's sexual advances by saying she hadn't shaved, that she wasn't on birth control and that she was menstruating. Doe also told her that von Ehlinger had placed the handgun he always carried on a dresser near the bed, and that he pinned Doe during the assault by climbing on top of her and kneeling on her upper arms. The detectives and nurse also told jurors that Doe reported she told von Ehlinger 'no' during the assault and said he was hurting her. The nurse said Doe reported arm pain during the exam, and that she had a swollen 'goose egg' on the back of her head that she said happened when she tried to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger's crotch, hitting the wall or a headboard. Jurors also heard from forensic scientists who said that DNA from bodily fluids collected during Doe's rape exam matched von Ehlinger. Von Ehlinger is pictured on the campaign trial. He resigned in April 2021, following an ethics committee report After Doe left the courtroom, the prosecutor called Laura King, an associate criminal justice professor from Boise State University who is an expert in sexual violence victimization. King told jurors that victims of a sexual assault often fight, flee or freeze during the assault, and that the hormones that trigger those responses can also cause a person to experience temporary paralysis or dissociation, a mental state where they feel disconnected from reality. Those same physiological responses including dissociation can also happen when sexual assault survivors describe the assault, King said. Such behavior may seem strange, but it is a natural reaction to an assault, she said. Cox asked King whether she knew anything about von Ehlinger's case. King said she did not. 'You talk specifically about these conditions - fight, flight, freeze, dissociative events, tonic immobility - but you have no idea because you don't have any information about this case specifically, right?' Cox asked King. King agreed, saying she was talking generally about the research on sexual assault victims. After King's testimony, Farley said the prosecution's case was over. Cox said he would let the judge know on Thursday morning if von Ehlinger will testify in his own defense. If convicted, von Ehlinger could face a maximum penalty of life in prison on each charge. A tradesman has posted a video of the call-out he got to a house from hell. The plumber was called out to an address in Surry Hills in inner-city Sydney to fix a leak. But this turned out to be anything but a routine call - the whole place was strewn with years of hoarded rubbish and human waste. He was so shocked he had to video the scene to record the shocking conditions. On the clip, a voiceover in the style of an ominous film trailer said 'Suicide Towers, Surry Hills, Sydney.' Viewers on social media praised the plumber for the sensitivity he showed to the woman in the house. Barely any of the floor is visible in the property as almost every centimetre is covered with rubbish from wall-to-wall (pictured) But the reality on the screen is almost beyond belief. There are bags filled with rubbish, empty containers and dirt, including what seems to be human waste, everywhere. There is barely any of the floor visible as almost every centimetre is covered from wall-to-wall. The tradie is heard telling the woman in the house that it needs to be 'cleared up'. As he walks through half-eaten pizza slices and trash, he uses a plumbing pipe to push items out of his way. Even the shower is full of rubbish, including a blue bucket which may at some point have been used for a leak. Then a dog is seen jumping through the dirt and the viewer's thoughts may turn from thinking the house not is not fit for humans to thinking it's also not fit for animals. 'Yeah, definitely can't do this tonight,' he told the woman. 'No,' she replied gently, presumably understanding why he can't take care of the job right now. 'What I'm going to do,' he said as he approached what looks like human waste on the floor, 'is I'm just going to let them know that it needs to be cleared up first. 'Because we can't actually work in here. It's a bit of a health risk.' A plumber told a customer 'we can't actually work in here. It's a bit of a health risk,' after seeing the property pictured The woman, who was wearing flip flops as she walked through puddles of water and filth splashing her feet, seemed to agree with the plumber. 'That's something else I've got to do,' she said. 'Yeah, that's alright,' the plumber replied. 'Yeah, once that's taken care of, I guess we'll go ahead and do what we gotta do.' When the video was posted on TikTok, many commenters praised the plumber for how sensitive he was with the woman in the house. 'So sad,' said one. 'At least the plumber was respectful and non judgmental, the person may be suffering some serious issues depression or disabled etc.' 'Thank you for being so professional,' said another. Most posters were very concerned for the woman. 'Oh wow. It's devastating that people live like this. How sad and lonely they must be for their lives to end up like that,' one said. But some were shocked the plumber even made it past the front door. 'I would NOT have even stepped one foot in that place. that's one [of] the most feral things I have ever seen,' said one person. Others were concerned for the dog seen in the video, but the plumber addressed their concerns. 'This dog is fine and was relocated long ago,' he assured them. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report indicating that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may have been double-billed for the funerals of hundreds of persons who succumbed to COVID-19. The GAO discovered 374 people who died and were included on multiple COVID-19 Funeral Assistance fund applications. According to the report, this equates to nearly $4.8 million in assistance that could have been erroneous or even fraudulent payments. According to FEMA spokesperson Jaclyn Rothenberg, this was not a case of major fraud, and the amount of funeral assistance identified as at-risk was relatively minor, as per a CBS News report. This is due to FEMA's "multi-layered internal quality controls and fraud controls" that led to improper payments of below 1%. In a statement, Rothenberg admitted that "fraud, particularly identity theft, is common," but FEMA can detect instances "and can and will prosecute anyone who would apply for assistance fraudulently." What Happened? The report said that FEMA informed the GAO that some duplicative applications were wrongly awarded funeral assistance due to processing problems. Benefits were not paid twice in some circumstances. According to Chris Currie, who leads GAO's work on emergency management and disaster response and recovery, and Rebecca Shea, who oversees GAO audits to identify fraud, waste, and abuse, the cases have been sent to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, which will decide whether to start any fraud investigations. Shea stated that they were unable to confirm whether FEMA paid twice in all of the cases. She believes scammers targeted the fund and that some of the issues are due to data input errors. Read Also: COVID-19 Cases in US: Dr. Anthony Fauci Confirms 'Pandemic Phase' Is Over, But There's No End in Sight Meanwhile, a report released by federal investigators said that the multibillion-dollar funeral assistance program for COVID-19 victims reimbursed families for some ineligible items such as flowers, catering, and transportation, according to a Virginian Pilot report. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which oversees the program, received a "management alert" from the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general's office. It requested that FEMA's administrator change the agency's operational procedures to conform to long-standing policy. "FEMA is putting millions of taxpayer dollars at an elevated risk of waste and abuse by reimbursing funeral expenses identified as ineligible by its own policies," the inspector general's report stated. FEMA stated on Wednesday that it had granted more than $2.1 billion to more than 355,000 people. What Are the Services Covered by the Assistance Program? Funeral services, cremation, and interment are all covered under the FEMA program, as are the costs of caskets or urns, burial plots or cremation niches, markers or headstones, transportation or transfer of remains, clergy or officiant services, and the use of funeral home equipment or personnel, per NPR report. The program is supported by government stimulus funds, which are still available. Though, there are no online applications accepted. According to FEMA, determining eligibility normally takes less than 30 days once all necessary documents are submitted and validated. Applicants who prefer direct deposit may get funds within days once their eligibility is confirmed. Applicants who want a check may have to wait longer. Related Article: Biden Administration Wants More COVID-19 Patients Be Treated With Pfizer's Paxlovid As Hundreds Die Daily @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has accused Russian forces of committing war crimes during Vladimir Putin's 'aggressive and outrageous' invasion of Ukraine as she urged countries at the United Nations to focus on fighting for justice and holding the perpetrators to account. 'Ukraine is, today, a slaughterhouse. Right in the heart of Europe,' Clooney told an informal UN Security Council meeting on accountability in Ukraine, organized by France and Albania, on Wednesday. Clooney implored the UN to fight for international justice so evidence of war crimes committed in Ukraine does not sit in storage - as it has done for the victims of Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in Iraq and Syria. The Lebanese-British barrister, who is part of an international legal task force advising Ukraine on securing accountability for Ukrainian victims in national jurisdictions, said she feared 'politicians calling for justice but not delivering it.' 'My fear is that you will get busy and distracted and that each day there'll be a little bit less coverage of the war and people will become a little bit more numb to it,' Clooney said. 'And that Ukraine will end up alone in pursuing the perpetrators of these atrocities. We cannot let that happen,' said the lawyer, who runs the Clooney Foundation for Justice with her husband. Clooney spoke as Ukraine said Russian forces had used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a pro-Ukraine rally in Kherson, the first big city it has seized. A series of powerful explosions caused by rockets hit the centre of Kherson late on Wednesday, Ria News agency reported. Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney (pictured at the UN meeting in New York on Wednesday) has slammed Vladimir Putin's 'aggressive and outrageous' invasion of Ukraine as she urged countries at the United Nations on Wednesday to focus on international justice for war crimes committed there Emergency workers remove the body of a man killed during a Russian bombardment in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said a record 43 countries have referred the Ukraine situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is responsible for prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. He opened an investigation March 2, and said nine other European nations are also conducting probes. On Monday, he said, the ICC signed an agreement for the first time for a joint investigative team with Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. 'This is a time when we need to mobilize the law and send it into battle, not on the side of Ukraine against the Russian Federation or on the side of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, but on the side of humanity to protect, to preserve, to shield people who have certain basic rights,' Khan said. Calling this 'a critical juncture,' he said it's time to uphold the law and move quickly on collecting evidence. He said he deployed a team to the region immediately after announcing the investigation and has visited Ukraine twice and will do so again. Khan told the council he sent three communications to Russia and had not received a reply, and he welcomed Leonidchenko's presence before the Russian spoke. 'My door is open,' Khan told him. Clooney condemned Putin's war as 'aggressive' and 'outrageous' as she pointed to how Russian troops have been accused of raping women and girls in the streets as well as torturing and shooting dead civilians. Clooney recalled how Putin's forces bombed a theatre in the southern city of Mariupol where hundreds of civilians, including children, were sheltering. An estimated 300 people died in the attack in March, which saw Russian troops shell the Mariupol Drama Theatre - despite Ukrainians writing 'children' in large white letters in Russian in front of and behind the theatre building. 'Putin's aggressive war is so outrageous that even after repeated warnings from the U.S. and Russia's long criminal record, Ukrainians couldn't believe that this could happen,' Clooney said. 'And I still read news headlines not knowing quite how to process them. Could it be that thousands of children are being forcibly deported to Russia? 'Could it be that teenage girls are being raped in the street in front of their family and their neighbors? 'Was a building that had the word 'children' on it, really bombed, and are civilians today in Mariupol systematically being tortured and starved to death? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.' During the meeting Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who has opened over 8,000 investigations into alleged violations of the laws and customs of war, said that 'Russia's actions amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes' and the pattern 'resembles the crime of genocide.' Russian forces bombed a theatre where hundreds of civilians, including children, were sheltering in the encircled port city of Mariupol in March, the city council said An estimated 300 people died in the attack in March, which saw Russian troops shell the Mariupol Drama Theatre - despite Ukrainians writing 'children' in large white letters in Russian in front of and behind the theatre building 0 A picture taken during a visit to Mariupol organized by the Russian military shows destruction inside the destroyed Drama Theatre in Mariupol on 12 April Clooney attends ensuring accountability for atrocities committed in Ukraine meeting at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday Clooney recalled a 2017 Security Council vote to approve a measure she helped lobby for the creation of a UN team to collect, preserve and store evidence of possible international crimes committed by ISIS in Iraq. It was the same year her son, Alexander, and daughter, Ella, with actor George Clooney were born. 'My children are now almost 5, and so far most of the evidence collected by the UN is in storage - because there is no international court to put ISIS on trial,' she said in the New York UN headquarters. The International Criminal Court (ICC), which handles war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression, has no jurisdiction because Iraq and Syria are not members. Clooney is part of an international legal task force advising Ukraine on securing accountability for Ukrainian victims in national jurisdictions and working with the Hague-based ICC. Local boys Faddei and Oleksandr play in front of a church damaged during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in the village of Kolychivka, in Chernihiv region, Ukraine, on Wednesday Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney attends an informal meeting of the United Nations Security Council, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Wednesday Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka, who co-sponsored and chaired the meeting, said that as a veto-holding member of the Security Council, Russia is supposed to be a guardian of international peace but has 'embarked on a war of choice against a neighbor committing immeasurable crimes in the process.' France's deputy U.N. ambassador, Nathalie Broadhurst, the other co-sponsor, said the images of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and other areas after Russian forces withdrew 'are unbearable' and may amount to war crimes. Beth Van Schaack, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, said the United States has concluded Russia committed war crimes, pointing to credible reports of individuals killed execution-style, bodies showing signs of torture and 'horrific accounts of sexual violence against women and girls.' She said Russia's political and military leadership and rank and file will be held accountable. The legal chief at Russia's U.N. Mission, Sergey Leonidchenko, dismissed their statements, saying: 'What we heard today was another portion of unsubstantiated claims and even fakes seasoned with lies, hypocrisy and pompous rhetoric.' Russia has denied responsibility for any atrocities and repeatedly blamed Ukrainian nationalists and 'neo-Nazis.' Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney attends an informal meeting of the United Nations Security Council, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Wednesday Leonidchenko described the ICC as a 'political instrument.' He accused the United States and Britain of hypocrisy for supporting the ICC inquiry in Ukraine after doing 'everything imaginable to shield their own military.' Khan told reporters afterward that he is not for or against Russia or Ukraine, saying the court is interested only in upholding the law. British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said the United Kingdom 'is supporting international efforts to see justice delivered' and will provide $1.25 million (1million) in additional funding to the ICC. France's Broadhurst said her government has sent two judges and 10 investigators to join the ICC team in Ukraine and made an additional 500,000 euro ($525,000) contribution to support its work. Van Schaack said the United States, which is not a party to the ICC, is supporting its investigation into atrocities in Ukraine. Norwegian judge Erik Mose, who chairs the U.N. Human Rights Council's Commission of Inquiry, said it is recruiting staff and will investigate all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, building on the work of U.N. human rights monitors in Ukraine. He said it will establish contact with the ICC 'in the near future' and will seek to contact Russia and Ukraine, victims, civil society groups, governments and others. 'Mose stressed his commission's independence and its mandate 'to identify where possible individuals and entities responsible for violation or abuses of human rights of international humanitarian law or other related crimes.' Carolina (C), who is 9 years old, sits with her mother Kateryna (right), 33, and her 7-month-old sister in the bunker of a closed glass factory in Lysychansk, eastern Ukraine on Wednesday Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. human rights chief, reiterated that war crimes may have taken place 'and efforts aimed at redressing violations must begin now.' As of Wednesday, she said, her office had documented and verified 2,787 civilians killed and 3,152 injured, with actual numbers 'considerably higher' and rising. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova's office has told Reuters it is preparing war crimes charges against at least seven Russian military personnel. Since the Russian invasion force was driven back at the outskirts of Kyiv last month, Moscow has refocused its operation on eastern Ukraine, starting a new offensive to fully capture two provinces known as the Donbas. Moscow's generals have also said their aim is to push out from Kherson - on the Black Sea coast and the only major city to fall to Putin's forces so far - and capture Mykolaiv and Odesa, cutting Ukraine off from the ocean. Western nations have rallied to support Kyiv, with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declaring earlier this week that Ukraine will be given all the weapons it needs to 'win' the war and 'weaken' Russia to the point where it cannot attack again. Liz Truss, British defence secretary, explicitly spelled out the victory condition in a speech last night - saying arms deliveries will 'keep going further and faster to push Russia out of the whole of Ukraine'. That would mean not just re-taking the parts of Ukraine Russia has occupied since Putin ordered the invasion in February this year, but re-taking the parts attacked and annexed since 2014 - namely Crimea and rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ms Truss argued that the war could last for ten years, but that the West must be prepared 'for the long haul.' If Putin succeeds in his war aims, she warned, then there will be 'untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe'. A wrecked car is seen in the city of Mariupol on April 26, amid Russian shelling Members of the Ukrainian army guard a checkpoint near the frontline at Huliaipole district, in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Wednesday On the battlefield, fighting continued in the country's east along a largely static front line some 300 miles (480 kilometers) long. Russia claimed its missiles hit a batch of weapons that the U.S. and European nations had delivered to Ukraine. One person was killed and at least two were injured when rockets hit a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv. Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence findings, said Russia has made slow progress in the eastern Donbas region, with 'minor gains,' including the capture of villages and small towns south of Izyum and on the outskirts of Rubizhne. An estimated 22,800 Russian soldiers have died so far, according to Kyiv's estimates. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, conceded that Russia has made some progress in its advance on Rubizhne through its nearly constant bombardment, but that Ukrainian troops are fighting back and retreating only when there is nothing left to defend. 'There is no point in staying on territory that has been fired on so often that every meter is well known,' he said. Maxim, a Ukrainian tank commander in the Donbas who didn't give his last name, offered his rationale for why Ukrainian forces have been able to hold back the better-equipped Russian army: 'The strength is not in the tank; the strength is in the people.' The Western officials said some Russian troops have been shifted from the gutted southern port city of Mariupol to other parts of the Donbas. But some remain in Mariupol to fight Ukrainian forces holed up at the Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold in the city. About 1,000 civilians were said to be taking shelter there with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. 'The situation is very difficult. There are huge problems with water, food,' Serhii Volynskyi, commander of the marine unit inside the plant, said in a Facebook video message. He said hundreds of fighters and civilians were wounded and in need of medical help, and those inside included children, older people and disabled people. In the Black Sea port city of Kherson, which Russian forces have occupied since early in the war, a series of explosions boomed late Wednesday near the television tower and at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. Just across the border from the Donbas in Russia, an ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after several explosions were heard, the governor said. Blasts were also reported in Russia's Kursk region near the border, and authorities in Russia's Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone. Earlier this week, an oil storage facility in the Russian city of Bryansk was engulfed by fire. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak hinted at the country's involvement in the fires, saying in a Telegram post that 'karma (is) a harsh thing.' With the help of Western arms, Ukrainian forces managed to thwart Russian forces' attempt to storm Kyiv. Moscow now says its focus is the capture of the Donbas, Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland. A defiant Putin vowed Russia will achieve its military goals, telling parliament, 'All the tasks of the special military operation we are conducting in the Donbas and Ukraine, launched on Feb. 24, will be unconditionally fulfilled.' Concern has increased over the prospect of the conflict widening to neighbouring Moldova, where pro-Russian separatists have blamed Ukraine for reported attacks this week in their region, occupied since the 1990s by Russian troops. The dark side of gambling in Australia has been thrown back into the spotlight as many call for pokies to be removed from pubs and clubs. Michael Miller, the Australian correspondent for the Washington Post, this week published a piece detailing the impact pokies have had on countless Australians. He said he was shocked upon moving to Sydney to see slot machines in most pubs and clubs - not just in casinos. 'In much of the world, slots are confined largely to casinos. But in Australia, pokies - as the machines are called here - are everywhere,' he said. The NSW Greens party has led calls to abolish the gambling machines altogether. The dark side of gambling in Australia has been thrown back into the spotlight as many call for pokies to be removed from pubs and clubs 'NSW is addicted to poker machines,' the party said upon releasing their 'People Before Pokies' plan in 2019. 'NSW loses more money per person to gambling than any other jurisdiction in the world, has over half of Australia's poker machines and is second only to Las Vegas when it comes to machine numbers.' Poll Should pokies be banned in Australia? Yes No Should pokies be banned in Australia? Yes 0 votes No 0 votes Now share your opinion The party devised an eight-step plan to slowly eradicate slot machines from the pubs and clubs where gamblers can spend all day without stopping trying to win big. The Greens hoped to introduce a $7billion transition package to phase pokies out of society. 'Pokies in pubs will be phased out over five years and pokies in clubs will be phased out over 10 years with a support package for clubs and communities,' the plan said. Councils would also have the right to cap the number of machines set up in pubs in the area under the plan. Advertising of gambling on public transport and in sport would also be scrapped under the Greens' initiative. Their stance on the issue was echoed by former Deputy Leader of the NSW Science Party - now known as Fusion Party - James Jansson. In 2019 Mr Jansson detailed his dreams of abolishing pokies in NSW by this year. Previous statistics showed that Australia had more pokies per person than anywhere else in the world, except for in resort towns like Monaco and Aruba 'For too long, state governments under both Labor and Liberal have been addicted to pokies revenue, so they can say that the trains run on time,' he said. 'Problem gambling is taking the food off the table of families around the state, unnecessarily harming people from all walks of life.' Previous statistics showed that Australia had more pokies per person than anywhere else in the world, except for casino-tourist locations like Monaco and Macau. Mr Miller said upon moving to Sydney last year and heading out for dinner at the local pub, he was 'struck by the sight of a room full of slot machines'. 'They're in thousands of hotels and pubs, in big cities & small towns. They've transformed neighbourhood social clubs into gambling palaces. 'In many cities, it's hard to walk more than a few blocks without encountering a 'VIP Room' or 'VIP Lounge.' Western Australia only allows pokies in its Crown Casino in Perth (pictured) but the machines are not accessible in pubs and clubs Michael Miller, the Australian correspondent for the Washington Post, said he was shocked to see there were so many pokie machines in Sydney pubs Mr Miller was so taken back by the nation's gambling problem that he wrote an article titled: 'In Australia, slot machines are everywhere. So is gambling addiction,' for the Washington Post. It reveals that Australia is only home to 0.3 per cent of the world's population, but 20 per cent of its pokies. He also highlights a damning statistic that Australia leads the planet with an average $1,000 in gambling losses per adult per year. In his article, Mr Miller reveals there's little political will to do much about Australia's pokie problem because the gambling industry generates so much income for state governments. 'The gambling industry donates millions of dollars to the major political parties and pays billions in taxes to states and territories,' he explained. However he warned that lack of action about the problem is causing horrific consequences for the nation's gambling addicts. 'I'm not the first to write about the gambling industry Down Under, including political influence that opponents liken to the American gun lobby. The industry pays billions in taxes, and supporters say pokies are legal, regulated and enjoyed responsibly by millions of Australians. Pokies are available at most pubs and clubs in NSW 'But I wanted to show the personal impact of having a de facto 'casino on your doorstep.' I heard a burly man choke up as he recounted stealing from his kids' piggy bank to fuel his habit. I saw a woman who'd turned to pokies to escape trauma struggle to avoid catastrophe. 'I watched a mother at wit's end try to save her addicted son. And I saw a suicide go from a rallying cry for reform to another example of inaction.' According to a recent study from Gambling Research from last year, the number of Australians with a gambling problem has doubled over 10 years to more than 1 per cent. There are more than 190,000 electronic gambling machines in Australia more per capita than almost any other major jurisdiction, aside from Nevada, data from 2019 shows. The spotlight on Australia's gambling problem comes after the NSW Government hinted at plans to drop a controversial cashless gaming card proposal that was supposed to help solve the issue. The card policy was intended to stop problem gamblers and criminals using pokie machines to launder money. Under the plan devised by former gaming minister Victor Dominello, gamblers would have to register and pre-load money to the card. However current gaming minister Kevin Anderson, who took over the portfolio in December, is set to ditch the idea but says he is still in favour of using digital payments to reduce problem gambling. Earlier this year the Rose and Crown Hotel in Parramatta in Sydney was fined more than $100,000 after managers and even a security guard loaned cash to help pokie users keep gambling. Staff gave gamblers free booze and cigarettes, loaned cash from the pub's safe to them and allowed punters to make at least $145,000 in credit and debit withdrawals from the eftpos machine. In 2018, 45-year-old Gary Van Duinen took his own life after a 13-hour pokies session in a Sydney RSL. Western Australia only allows pokies in its Crown Casino in Perth but the machines are not accessible in pubs and clubs. Dr Anthony Fauci has performed his latest u-turn by insisting the US has not left the pandemic stage of the COVID outbreak - just hours after saying that it had. The White House COVID tsar claimed his remarks from Tuesday night - which were taped and reported verbatim - had been 'misconstrued' in a subsequent interview Wednesday. 'We certainly can't say the pandemic is over. It is not over,' Fauci, top medical advisor to President Joe Biden, told CBS News Wednesday afternoon. Fauci - famed for his flip-flops on issues including masks - did not comment further on how his earlier remarks had been misconstrued - even though they appear to directly contradict his 'correction.' He instead clarified that the COVID threat in the U.S. was not as 'acute and accelerated' as it was earlier in the pandemic and the nation had reached a new 'decelerated and controlled' phase of the pandemic over the past several months. 'That does not mean we are out of the woods,' he said, adding that the number of COVID positive cases is starting to 'creep up' again. The remarks which saw Fauci flip flop were broadcast by PBS NewsHour Tuesday night. 'We are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase,' he said. 'Namely, we don't have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now.' Dr. Anthony Fauci (pictured Tuesday), has flip-flopped on his pandemic guidance once again, now alleging the U.S. is not in the clear to return to a state of pre-virus normalcy Facui said Wednesday afternoon 'we certainly can't say the pandemic is over' in America, despite claiming Tuesday night that it was Fauci on Wednesday urged Americans to remain on guard, warning citizens should be vigilant and prepared for surges and new COVID variants, should they arise. He also stressed the U.S. 'needs to avoid another spike in hospitalizations.' Despite his warnings - a complete turn from his Tuesday remarks - Fauci noted how improved treatments and vaccines have put the U.S. in a much better position than other countries, such as China and Hong Kong, that continue to deal with serious virus situations. He also pointed pointed to Paxlovid, an antiviral medication developed by Pfizer that is being used to treat COVID, claiming he believes it will make a huge difference in the battle against the virus once it becomes readily accessible. The pill designed to keep high-risk COVID patients out of the hospital, reducing their risk of serious illness by as much as 90 percent. Vice President Kamala Harris is currently taking Paxlovid to manage her symptoms after she received positive rapid and PCR tests. Her COVID diagnosis was announced Tuesday night. America is currently recording 54,840 daily COVID infections, a 45 percent increase over the past week - but more than 90 percent lower than the virus's peak of 800,000 per day Daily death totals have dropped 14 percent over the past week, to 363 per day The US averages 54,840 infections per day - just six percent of the virus's peak of 800,000 daily cases in mid-January Fauci on Tuesday declared the U.S. was 'out of the pandemic phase' of COVID as cases and hospitalizations continue to plummet. The immunologist, who continually lobbied for draconian mask and vaccine measures for the last two years, said 'we are at a low level right now.' But, he cautioned the virus cannot be stamped out completely and long-term vaccination programs may need to continue on a yearly basis. 'So, if you're saying, are we out of the pandemic phase in this country, we are. What we hope to do, I don't believe and I have spoken about this widely we're not going to eradicate this virus,' Fauci said. 'If we can keep that level very low, and intermittently vaccinate people and I don't know how often that would have to be. 'That might be every year, that might be longer, in order to keep that level low. But, right now, we are not in the pandemic phase in this country. 'Pandemic means a widespread, throughout the world, infection that spreads rapidly among people. So, if you look at the global situation, there's no doubt this pandemic is still ongoing.' Fauci, whose comments were buried at the end of his PBS NewsHour interview (pictured), caused some confusion Tuesday by saying the 'pandemic phase' was over at home but 'is still ongoing globally' Fauci, whose comments were buried at the end of his PBS NewsHour interview, caused some confusion by saying the 'pandemic phase' was over at home but 'is still ongoing globally'. Health experts questioned his claim, pointing out he appeared to have bungled his choice of words and should only have said 'US is in a phase of lower hospitalization rate'. America is currently recording 54,840 daily COVID infections, a 45 percent increase over the past week - but more than 90 percent lower than the virus's peak of 800,000 per day. Daily death totals have dropped 14 percent over the past week, to 363 per day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said Tuesday nearly 60 percent of Americans have been infected with COVID. Officials cautioned this data does not mean those Americans have immunity against the virus because of their prior infections. COVID restrictions have been lifted almost everywhere in America. One of the few existing mandates left is in New York City, where residents are still required to wear masks on the subway, public busses and at the airport. Masks are also required on public transit in Los Angeles. Philadelphia brought back its mask order for four days last week before almost immediately lifting them again. Children under five years of age in the New York City public school system are still subject to 'close-contact restrictions' including mask wearing, a bizarre break from the rest of the city where there is no indoor mask mandate even as medical experts and virologists widely agree that the risk of children becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid is extremely low. While children are less likely than adults to be hospitalized or to die from COVID, the CDC reported on Tuesday that in the United States, 475 children under the age of five have died from the disease. There is still no vaccine for this age group meaning the pandemic won't be over until it becomes available, which could be several more months. The federal government's nationwide mask order for public transit, commercial flights and transportation centers was dismissed by a federal judge earlier this month. The CDC also revised its face-covering guidance in February, recommending that indoor masking only remain for communities thought to be at high risk for Covid, and mask mandates at large public gatherings such as sporting events are no longer in force. A baffling outbreak of hepatitis affecting children and spreading across the globe has crept closer to Australia with new cases reported in Asia. The origins of the outbreak are unknown but there are now more than 169 cases of affected children in Europe and America. The acute liver disease has now been detected closer to Australia in Japan, while Canada investigates similar cases. The children have been aged between 1 month and 16 years old, and most weren't vaccinated against Covid-19, ruling out a link between the vaccines and hepatitis. The leading theory is viral infection, probably with a strain of adenovirus - a family of common viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms, including fevers and sore throats. One kind of adenovirus commonly causes acute gastroenteritis, and there have been reports of it causing hepatitis in immunocompromised children, but never previously in healthy children. The World Health Organisation reported that the adenovirus was found in at least 74 of the infant hepatitis cases worldwide, while 20 cases had Covid-19. There were an additional 19 cases that were co-infected with Covid-19 and the adenovirus. Professor Peter Collignon (pictured) is an Australian microbiologist and infectious diseases expert Public Health Scotland's director, Jim McMenamin, said work was underway to establish if the adenovirus involved had mutated to cause more severe disease, or if it could be causing the problems 'in tandem' with another virus, including possibly SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said children who weren't exposed to typical viruses due to two years of Covid lockdowns could be at risk of the condition. 'If you get infections when you're very young, you seem to have better immune protection,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Professor Collignon warned of the key signs families should keep an eye out for, saying the disease causes a range of unpleasant symptoms from dark urine to fatigue and joint pain. 'Basically hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, so you go a yellow colour, the whites of your eyes go yellow and you often feel unwell,' Professor Collingnon told Daily Mail Australia. The yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice, is caused by higher levels of bilirubin, also associated with the darkening of urine. 'If anybody has hepatitis the only way to know that is to do a blood test, but what makes you suspicious is that they'll feel unwell, they've got a tinge of yellow in the whites of their eyes and their urine has gone a darker colour.' The best way to protect your family, Professor Collingnon said, is to ensure children are following good hygiene practices like washing their hands (pictured) before eating food Among the varieties of the disease - hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E - some are transmitted blood to blood, others can spread like Covid through the respiratory system. Types A and E travel via the 'faecal-oral route' where they can spread like cholera through faecal material, fingers, food and even via flood waters. Professor Collingnon said if the the current hepatitis strain circling the world is from an adenovirus, it could be spread via the faecal-oral route or the respiratory route. 'It may be a mixture but we don't know enough about this particular strain that may or may not be causing it,' he said. Professor Collingnon believes in the short term the best protection for families with young children is to stay away from others who are sick and maintain good hygiene standards. 'The bottom line is that you need to have good hygienic practices all the time,' he said. 'What it means is washing your hands before you eat and avoiding contaminated water... that decreases your risk of the faecal-oral transmission. 'The thing for the respiratory route is mainly to keep away from people who are sick and be outdoors more than indoors.' Children appear to be especially susceptible to the disease after years of Covid-19 restrictions (stock image) Health officials in the UK are investigating 108 cases of sudden-onset hepatitis in children since the beginning of the year - eight were so ill they had liver transplants, the BBC reported. The European Centre for Disease Control also said a number of childhood hepatitis cases have been detected in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. There are also nine new cases in the US. Professor Collignon said there has not as yet been a spike in hepatitis infections among Australian children but warned 'it's entirely possible it could happen'. Being exposed to adenoviruses at a slightly later stage could cause children's immune systems to overreact and trigger hepatitis (stock image) 'The BBC article is speculative - these are theories and they will be explored,' he said. 'Hepatitis is a serious condition and we do need to sort it out.' Despite the rise of hepatitis cases internationally, Mr Collignon said the number of people who have the condition is still very small, but urged parents to watch for symptoms. 'If anyone is worried, see a doctor or go to hospital,' he added. Twitter employees have warned of a 'mass exodus' of staff when Elon Musk takes over the company, with one describing the world's richest man as 'a person with questionable ethics'. Staff on Monday were invited to an 'all-hands' meeting via videolink, hosted by CEO Parag Agrawal and Bret Taylor, the chair of the board. Questions submitted by staff during the 45-minute meeting were read out by the chief marketing officer, Leslie Berland. One question asked in a recording obtained by Project Veritas was: 'How does the board and Mr Musk plan on dealing with a mass exodus considering the acquisition is by a person with questionable ethics?' Taylor replied that 'one of the themes of today is continuity'. He said: 'The question of attrition: As Parag stated, one of the themes of today is continuity, and ensuring that Parag and this leadership team continues to operate the business successfully on behalf of our users, on behalf of our customers, and that has obviously been a big topic of discussion at the board. 'And as I mentioned, an area that is important to Elon Musk as well, because of the importance of Twitter as a service.' Leslie Berland, the chief marketing officer, on Monday read out questions submitted by Twitter staff Musk, the world's richest man, was described on Monday by one future employee of his as 'a person with questionable ethics' Twitter's San Francisco headquarters is pictured on April 25. During Monday's meeting, many staff asked whether they would still be allowed to work from home Agrawal said he had seen many questions about the process, about share schemes, and about working conditions in the future. He said much was still to be clarified. Staff were told there would be no layoffs 'at this time' - but no guarantees were provided when Musk takes over. But in a sign of the possible internal unrest, new product launches were delayed amid fears, Bloomberg speculated, that employees could 'go rogue' and 'push something or mess with the product on the way out the door.' Agrawal told employees that their stock options would convert to cash when the deal with Musk closes, which he estimated would take three to six months. According to The New York Times, he also said that they would continue to receive bonuses according to Twitter's vesting schedule. Employees would receive their same benefits packages for a year after the deal was finalized, Agrawal added. He said he would try and arrange a staff forum with Musk, and said that he would remain at the company as CEO, at least until the deal was finalized. 'He wants Twitter to be a powerful, positive force in the world, just like all of us,' Agrawal said of Musk. 'He believes Twitter matters.' He urged employees to 'operate Twitter as we always have,' adding that 'how we run the company, the decisions we make and the positive changes we drive that will be on us, and under our control.' Twitter employees are sharing their concerns in internal chatrooms, messages seen by the New York Post show. 'We're all going through the five stages of grief in cycles and everyone's nerves are frazzled,' one senior staff software engineer reportedly wrote on the company's internal Slack channel. The staffer called Musk an 'a**hole,' and tried to console his colleagues. 'We're all spinning our wheels, and coming up with worst case scenarios (Trump returns! No more moderation!). 'The fact is that [Musk] has not talked about what he's planning on doing in any detail outside of broad sweeping statements that could be easily seen as hyperbolic showboating,' he added. One site reliability engineer wrote that it was 'physically cringy watching Elon talk about free speech.' A senior staff video engineer announced his plans to quit, saying: 'Not the place to say it perhaps, but I will not work for this company after the takeover.' The employee unrest begun as soon as Musk's successful takeover was confirmed on Monday. 'I feel like im going to throw up..I rly don't wanna work for a company that is owned by Elon Musk,' one staffer said, according to New York Times reporter Talmon Smith. Smith's source told him that it was 'absolutely insane' in the internal chat rooms. Another Twitter employee reportedly complained: 'I don't rly know what I'm supposed to dooh my god, my phone's been blowing upWe have a meeting about it at 5pmthe CEO is going to address everyone about it' (it=elon). 'I hate him, why does he even want this?' The Tesla magnate, 50, agreed to pay shareholders $54.20 in cash for each share of common stock before the bombshell deal was struck Musk vowed to protect free speech on Twitter, 'defeat the spam bots' and 'authenticate all humans' as he welcomed the acquisition. He also revealed he planned to 'enhance the product with new features' and 'make the algorithms open source to increase trust'. But within the company, there was turmoil at the announcement. 'I feel like he's this petulant little boy and that he's doing this to trollhe doesn't know anything about our policies and what we dohis statement about our algo was f****** insane 'Were just gonna let everyone run amok?nobody knows,' the employee said, according to the New York Times. Some Twitter staff were 'openly rebelling' against Musk, one observer noted, posting a screen shot of Twitter's official Github site and posting a public response entitled 'The Algorithm' - with zero code. Prison guards will be banned from describing criminals as clients in a war on woke language behind bars. Ministers want to stop officers using wishy-washy, politically correct phrases such as residents, which suggest inmates enjoy a comfortable life in their prison rooms. Under a new style guide being issued today, prison and probation staff have been ordered not to use the terms resident, client or service-user to refer to a criminal. Instead, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab wants to call them prisoners, people in prison or offenders. Under a new style guide being issued today, prison and probation staff have been ordered not to use the terms resident, client or service-user to refer to criminals. Ministers want to stop officers using wishy-washy, politically correct phrases The style guide for prison communications unveiled at a meeting with senior prison and probation figures last night suggests released convicts should be referred to as ex-offenders or prison leavers. But staff can use a vaguer term for those let out on licence people resettling in the community. The guide also says prison cells should never be called rooms. Mr Raab ordered a blitz on political correctness after concerns that the wishy-washy terms have become widely used and were damaging confidence in the justice system. In a speech last year, Jo Farrar, chief executive of the Prison and Probation Service, said: All prison governors will be given funding to spend on in-cell activities and extra technology to help our incredible staff support residents. Guidance at Wandsworth prison in south-west London says: Residents have phones in their rooms and are able to make outgoing calls. The move away from referring to inmates as prisoners was part of efforts to avoid labelling people as offenders in the belief that it will help their rehabilitation. But prison officers have voiced alarm at the language, saying it sends mixed messages. Solicitor General Alex Chalk insisted last May that staff must not pretend that these people are angels residing in a cell out of choice. But he stopped short of calling for a formal ban on specific terms. Andrea Albutt, president of the Prison Governors Association, said: The word prisoner is inoffensive, it refers to everyone whos in prison whether they are on remand and unconvicted or convicted. It doesnt really matter what crime they may have committed they are a prisoner. Weve had residents, weve had clients, weve had service users all sorts. It muddies the water. A government source said: The Justice Secretary is determined that our prisons up their game in rehabilitating prisoners to drive down re-offending, cut crime and protect the public. But wishy-washy, politically correct phrases like room or client dent public confidence in our ability both to reform and to punish those who have broken the law and caused harm to others. The Justice Secretary believes in calling a prisoner a prisoner.' President Joe Biden will visit Japan and South Korea next month to underscore his commitment to a region where China has been trying to assert dominance and where North Korea has been stepping up missile tests, the White House announced Wednesday. The trip will focus attention on a part of the world overshadowed by the war in Ukraine for the past two months. Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the visit, from May 20 to May 24, would 'deepen ties between our governments and people.' He will meet with Korean President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol, who is due to be inaugurated on May 10, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. There will also be a meeting with the other three leaders of the Quad grouping of Australia, Japan, India. 'This trip will advance the Biden-Harris Administrations rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to U.S. treaty alliances with the Republic of Korea and Japan,' said Psaki. President Joe Biden will visit Japan and North Korea next month as his administration seeks to keep a focus on Asia despite two months of war in Ukraine Kim Jong-un appeared this week at military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army in Pyongyang, North Korea Multiple rocket launcher vehicles take part in a nighttime military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles take part in a nighttime military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea The trip will be Biden's fourth overseas visit since taking office. He traveled to Poland and Belgium in March following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Asia trips come as China has been growing more assertive in the Indo-Pacific region, laying claim to territory and stepping up its aggressive rhetoric directed at Taiwan. At the same time, North Korea has launched a string of missile tests. The country's leader Kim Jong-un this week promised to 'strengthen and develop' his nuclear forces. The trip comes at an important moment in the Biden presidency, as he tries to keep allies united against Russia at a time when he had been working to direct U.S. foreign policy towards Asia as part of an effort to counter China's rise. In a sign of the forces at work, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a rare phone call with his Chinese counterpart last week who warned him that Taiwan is part of China amid signals that Russia's war on Ukraine is impacting how planners are viewing a potential conflict. Taiwan is a part of China and no one can change that, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said on Wednesday during a rare phone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to a statement from Beijing. 'If the Taiwan issue were not handled properly, it would have a damaging impact on Sino-U.S. relations,' Wei added, according to statement published by the defense ministry. Wei 'expounded his solemn position on the Taiwan issue and stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. It is a fact and reality that no one can change,' according to the Beijing readout. The call comes as the U.S. has repeatedly urged China not to provide military support to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Moscow, in turn, has fired off a diplomatic letter to Washington urging the U.S. to stop arming Ukraine. Activist Grace Tame and her fiance Max Heerey burst into tears when Labor leader Anthony Albanese discussed his tough upbringing, as she interviewed him in a friendly chat for a women's magazine. The cosy interview for InStyle Australia came alongside a stylish black-and-white photoshoot where Mr Albanese, dressed in a chic coat, wouldn't look out of place at a Paris fashion show. In stark contrast to the frosty behaviour she shows to Scott Morrison, sexual assault campaigner Ms Tame revealed she regularly exchanges texts with Mr Albanese - including jokes and birthday messages. At one point in the chat, the Labor leader recounted how his single mother, Maryanne, struggled to bring him up in her Camperdown council house in Sydney's Inner West in the 1960s - bringing Ms Tame to tears. Midway through the video link interview, Mr Albanese suddenly broke off his story when he noticed the tears streaming down Ms Tame's face. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you there' he told the former Australian of the Year. Ms Tame replied: 'No, its just, yeah, I respect that so much...' Activist Grace Tame and her fiance Max Heerey burst into tears when Labor leader Anthony Albanese relived his childhood as she quizzed him for a women's magazine Grace Tame told Anthony Albanese he has a future career in modelling after his photoshoot to go with the InStyle feature article She then looked off camera and revealed her fiance was also sobbing over Mr Albanese's story. 'Max is crying! Oh, I want to give you a hug,' she said through her tears. The Labor leader had been speaking about how his mother had been abandoned by her lover who she became pregnant with, then married another girl from his hometown in Italy. But his mother insisted on keeping her son, taking her lover's surname and then pretending he had died in a car crash as she brought Mr Albanese up alone. Ms Albanese scraped a meagre living as a cleaner to keep them both and put her son through university before later being crippled by arthritis and dying at the age of just 65 in 2002. Ms Tame made headlines earlier this year when she grimaced and side-eyed Prime Minister Scott Morrison at an Australian of the Year function in January - a very different reaction to what she gives the Labor leader The InStyle interview was conducted by video link as part of International Women's Day, with Ms Tame in Adelaide and Mr Albanese in Sydney Anthony Albanese was recounting how his single mother, Maryanne, (pictured) struggled to bring him up in her Camperdown council house in Sydney's Inner West in the 1960s 'It's one of the things that has focused me and a part of who I am,' Mr Albanese told Ms Tame. 'She always respected everyone and I grew up with the confidence of having a mum who lived a lot of her aspirations through me. 'And so she's the most important role model in my life and she's very much still part of who I am today.' The final comment proved too much for Ms Tame who broke down in tears. She later added: 'Oh, I'm still just, I'm still just processing your story. I'll probably go and cry about it later and I'm not ashamed of that!' Mr Albanese said he had 'done okay' and she replied: 'No, you've done better than okay. A lot of respect for you, Anthony.' He added: 'Where I grew up there was a much better chance of going to jail than going to Parliament.' Anthony Albanese was styled like a 1950s spy for the magazine feature, wearing a retro-styled pea coat for the photoshoot Grace Tame was in tears at Mr Albanese's story then looked off camera and revealed partner Max Heerey (pictured) was also sobbing over his childhood story Ms Tame said she could relate it to her own mother who grew up in Tasmania as the youngest of five girls. 'My nan raised them all by herself for the most part, on a secretarys wage,' Ms Tame told Mr Albanese. 'And they had to do everything themselves.' Ms Tame made headlines earlier this year when she grimaced and side-eyed Prime Minister Scott Morrison at an Australian of the Year function in January. And she took the chance to have another crack at the PM in the chummy chat with Mr Albanese. 'Ive tried to go through this whole interview being very conscious of the fact that I'm talking to you and to avoid criticising old mate Scott,' she said. 'But if I was to make one observation You've touched on the lack of authenticity, that's one of them. But another is that he just seems to be completely averse to owning any mistakes, and that's a weakness.' Mr Albanese replied: 'It's always someone else.' The initial interview - conducted as part of International Women's Day, with Ms Tame in Adelaide and Mr Albanese in Sydney - begins with Ms Tame admitting: 'This would be the first time that I've asked anyone the questions' The chat covered women's role in society and gender diversity before moving on to First Nations representation and the pandemic. The Labor chief said he had deliberately taken a back seat during the Covid crisis to 'put the national interest first' and be constructive. 'But it meant that it wasn't politics as usual.' he admitted. He agreed as Ms Tame added: 'I guarantee you, if you had tried to occupy too much space and hold the microphone, you would have just been completely shredded.' In the latter half of the interview, Ms Tame almost speaks more than Mr Albanese, as she addresses some of the issues which she's faced in the past year since her high profile role as Australian of the Year. Mr Albanese told her that she's made a huge difference, but she replied that she 'stands on the shoulders of giants.' She added: 'You get sucked into being sort of painted in a very one-dimensional way. 'To be a leader, its not about standing above people and having power over them. It's about empowering - that's quite a difference.' She also referred to the controversial picture of her with a bong which Daily Mail Australia revealed she had suddenly deleted earlier this year. Grace Tame also referred to the controversial picture of her with a bong which Daily Mail Australia revealed was on her Instagram account before suddenly being deleted 'I've come sort of blustering into this space with no sort of real expertise and that's true,' she admitted. 'You know, Anthony, I didn't go to university - while a lot of people were in university, I was battling through trauma. 'We all saw the bong photo, that's what I was doing, I was in another country, I was escaping, I was doing things that I probably shouldnt have been doing. 'I was in a destabilising domestic violence relationship, it was a bad time for me - but I do have lived experience.' The interview ran out of time and Mr Albanese thanked her for the birthday messages she sent the week before as she laughed about her 'bad sense of humour'. He added: 'Thats a good thing. Youve got to laugh in this life because it can be difficult and it throws stuff at you. 'Thats actually a big part of why youve been so effective; you bring out that warmth. 'For people whove experienced trauma like you have, it would be reasonable for you to just be introverted and a different person, but youre incredibly warm and out there and making a difference.' It ended with Ms Tame telling Mr Albanese he has a future career in modelling after his photoshoot to go with the InStyle feature article. He replied: 'Yeah, I dont know about that, but it was a bit of fun.' A U.S. District Court judge said Hillary Clinton's tweets claiming former President Donald Trump colluded with Russia will not be admitted as evidence in the trial against her 2016 campaign lawyer. Judge Christopher Cooper on Wednesday denied Special Counsel John Durham's request to allow the tweets in the Michael Sussmann upcoming trial for lying to the FBI. He ruled that Clinton's tweets would be excluded as hearsay and that it would be 'duplicative of other evidence,' the Washington Examiner reported. The two tweets come from October 31, 2016, when Clinton highlighted a Slate article uncovering the Trump Organization's alleged communications with the Kremlin-tied Alfa Bank, allegations that have since been heavily scrutinized by the FBI yielding to no further action by authorities. 'It's time for Trump to answer serious questions about his ties to Russia,' Clinton had tweeted at the time. 'Computer scientists have apparently uncovered a covert server linking the Trump Organization to a Russian-based bank,' she added in a follow up tweet. Prosecutors - led by special counsel John Durham - said the source of the article and allegations against the Trump Organization stem from Sussmann. He is accused of lying to the FBI in September 2016 saying he didn't work for the Clintons when he presented the 'purported data and 'white papers' that supposedly demonstrated a 'covert communications channel' between Trump and Alfa Bank. A U.S. District Court judge denied Special Counsel John Durham's request to allow Hillary Clinton's tweets in the trial against her former campaign lawyer, Michael Sussmann (above) The two tweets come from October 31, 2016, when Clinton highlighted a Slate article uncovering the Trump Organization's alleged communications with the Kremlin-tied Alfa Bank, allegations that have since been heavily scrutinized by the FBI Durham had argued that the tweets should be allowed in court because Clinton had allegedly presented them as 'truth' and that the tweets 'show the existence of the defendant's attorney-client relationship with the Clinton Campaign, which is directly relevant to the false statement charge.' Sussmann's lawyers, however, argued that the tweet is hearsay and irrelevant and would only confuse the jury into thinking Clinton was part of an alleged conspiracy. 'The tweet, which was posted on October 31, 2016, does not reveal anything about Mr. Sussmann's state of mind over a month earlier, when he purportedly made the alleged false statement,' the defense wrote, according to court records. 'There is a real danger that if the tweet were admitted, the jury would believe that Hillary Clinton herself was part of the Special Counsel's uncharged conspiracy and that she had a direct interest or involvement in Mr. Sussmann's efforts. 'Drawing the candidate herself into this matter in this way would be unfair to Mr. Sussmann.' The defense previously accused Durham politicizing the trial by claiming that Clinton spied on Trump in court filings in February. Sussmann's lawyers argued that the tweet is hearsay and irrelevant and would only confuse the jury into thinking Clinton (pictured in April) was part of an alleged conspiracy against her then-presidential opponent Donald Trump According to Durham's indictment, gave the FBI evidence of potential cyber links between the Trump Organization and Russia's Alfa Bank Sussmann and lied by saying he was not passing along information about Trump on behalf of any specific client. The indictment said Sussmann turned over that information to the FBI not as a 'good citizen' but as an attorney representing a U.S. technology executive, Rodney Joffe, and Clinton's presidential campaign. Last week, Durham asserted that the alleged relationship with the former President and Russia - which Clinton lawyer Michael Sussmann concluded - was 'user-created.' 'While the FBI did not reach an ultimate conclusion regarding the data's accuracy or whether it might have been in whole or in part genuine, spoofed, altered, or fabricated, [the CIA] concluded in early 2017 that the Russian Bank 1 data and Russian Phone Provider 1 data was not 'technically plausible,' did not 'withstand technical scrutiny,' 'contained gaps,' 'conflicted with [itself]' and was 'user-created and not machine/tool generated,'' he wrote in the court documents. Durham did, however, say the Special Counsel's Office 'has not reached a definitive conclusion in this regard.' The Special Counsel said that regardless of if the information 'was actually unreliable or provided a motive' for the lie, any evidence concerning the steps the intelligence agencies took to 'investigate these matters is critical to establishing materiality.' He said the evidence will allow the jury to determine if Sussmann's alleged lie could have 'influenced or impaired government functions.' Two Extinction Rebellion protesters who stopped millions of newspapers from being delivered have been convicted of obstruction. Elizabeth Haughton, 26, and Frances Henderson, 23, are the latest activists to be punished over the demonstration outside the Newsprinters plant in Knowsley, Merseyside, in September 2020. The 11-hour protest was part of a night of chaos at Knowsley and another site in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. The action prevented 1,100 shops from receiving newspapers, including the Daily Mail, The Sun and The Daily Telegraph, and cost publishers 1.2million. The Prime Minister told those responsible that it was completely unacceptable to seek to limit the publics access to news in this way. Liverpool magistrates court heard Haughton and Henderson handcuffed themselves together before supergluing themselves to a van parked across an entrance gate to the plant. District Judge Timothy Boswell told the pair that their right to protest went too far and handed them a two-year conditional discharge. The women were ordered to pay a total of 600 prosecution costs, plus a 22 surcharge. The protest, pictured, as Extinction Rebellion block the road in Knowsley, Liverpool to prevent papers going to print at a News Corp plant Several other demonstrators, charged with trespass, who locked themselves to a yellow boat and van outside the depot previously escaped any punishment on a technicality last year. Their lawyers successfully argued that prosecutors couldnt be sure if they were situated on public or private land and they were allowed to walk free, but the Crown are appealing the decision at a hearing at Londons High Court in June. During a two-day trial this week, barristers for Haughton and Henderson disputed that the van had been parked on a public highway, saying the women believed the van was on private land, therefore they were not blocking public access. Mark Pritchard, for Haughton, suggested the activists simply inconvenienced several lorry drivers, adding: We are not here to protect the financial rights of individuals...if the newspaper proprietors wish to bring a civil claim for 1million (losses) they have a right to do so. Police and fire services watch as protesters use bamboo lock-ons and vans to block the road outside the Newsprinters printing works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire in September 2020 But the court heard that as many as 100 lorries were unable to leave the plant, owned by News International, with many drivers left feeling anxious by the demonstration. District Judge Timothy Boswell told the pair he recognised it had been a peaceful protest but found them guilty. The judge said was satisfied the van had been parked on a public highway, and although their motivation was seeking to exercise their right of protest they went too far. Defence counsel Miss Hall said that Henderson, who has no previous convictions, and Haughton, who has one conviction for criminal damage in August 2019, are not working and have no fixed address. Haughton relies on a van for accommodation, Miss Hall said, while Henderson sofa surfs with friends. Both women, who were dressed in ripped jeans and had several piercings, do not claim state benefits. Extinction Rebellion activists seen blocking the entrance to Newsprinters facility in Broxbourne in September 2020 Haughton, an English Language and History of Art graduate of Manchester University, grew up in novelist John Steinbecks 2.5million former cottage in Bruton, Somerset. A student climate activist, she was arrested for obstruction in November 2018 when she took part in an Extinction Rebellion protest that blocked Manchesters Oxford Road. She and nine others sat on a pedestrian crossing holding a banner which read: Were all f*****. Haughton also glued herself to a Barclays Bank as part of another blockade the following September. She was also given access to the universitys Alumni Instagram page on graduation day - but hijacked the privilege by filling the feed with posts encouraging the university to stop investing in firms linked to fossil fuels. Henderson, of Manchester, was previously cleared of obstruction, in October 2019, when she was among a number of Extinction Rebellion protestors who glued their hands to the road as part of a mass demonstration, in Millbank, near the HQ of MI5. You can now erase your personal digital footprints because Google has you covered! Users can now protect themselves from doxing and hacking as Google now lets users remove their personal contact information or any personal data from Google Search results. According to a Google blog, Google Search has put a set of policies that allow people to request the removal of certain content from Search, with a focus on highly personal content that, if public, can cause direct harm to people. Michelle Chang pointed out in the blog that since the "internet is always evolving, Google's policies and protections need to evolve, too." What Kind of Information May Google Remove? According to Google, the company is expanding the types of personal information that it will remove from search results to cover things like your physical address, phone number, and passwords. The Verge reported that previously, the feature mostly covered information that would let someone steal your identity or money. With the new Google policies, you can ask the site to stop showing certain URLs that point to info that could lead someone to your house or give them access to your accounts. Google now lets you remove personal contact info from Search results such as your email, address, and phone number if you can prove "explicit or implicit threats" based on this information being public. According to Android Central, publicly posted log-in credentials are now also removable as well as search results for SSNs, financial information, and photos of documents. As per an Android Central report, Google also has a fairly rigid standard for what private citizens could object to in its Search results such as credit card numbers, bank account IDs, or photos of your handwritten signatures. A linked Google Support page said that Google will only remove contact information that has "explicit or implicit threats" or "explicit or implicit calls to action for others to harm or harass." Furthermore, Google will also remove things like "non-consensual explicit or intimate personal images," pornographic deepfakes or Photoshops featuring your likeness, or links to sites with "exploitative removal practices," as per The Verge report. Read Also: Why Is Samsung Not Downloading Apps From Google Play Store? 8 Ways to Fix the Issue How Will Google Manage Removal Requests? According to Chang, it won't remove publicly available or newsworthy information, particularly anything available from government sites or "official sources." Chang added that they would also "evaluate if the content appears as part of the public record on the sites of government or official sources." In such cases, Google won't make removals. The blog noted, however, that removing content from Google Search won't remove it from the internet. In addition to the update, Google also recently rolled out a new policy to enable people under the age of 18 (or their parent or guardian) to request the removal of their images from Google Search results, the blog stated. Chang pointed out that Google is "always looking for new ways to ensure our policies and built-in safeguards reflect peoples' evolving needs and are easy to use." "We believe these updates are an important step to deliver on that goal and give people the tools they need to protect their safety and privacy online," Chang ended the blog. Related Article: Google Embraces Woke Culture: You Will Now Be Flagged for Using Politically Incorrect Words While Searching One of Sydney's most popular late-night kebab shops is facing massive fines and could even be closed by a local council if it keeps serving people past midnight. Indian Home Diner (IHD), an iconic eatery opposite The Unicorn Hotel on Oxford Street, has been serving partygoers and locals for more than a decade. It's recognised by Paddington residents as part of the fabric of the community, with its famous cheese garlic naan kebab bringing in people from around the Harbour City. However, Woollahra Council recently rejected owner Robert Chowdury's application to officially allow the shop to trade until 3am - saying he had been in breach of his DA conditions and threatened penalties because remaining open late is 'not in the public interest'. Indian Home Diner, an iconic eatery opposite The Unicorn Hotel on Oxford Street, has been serving partygoers and locals for more than a decade - but faces trouble from the local council The council's refusal notice said IHD remaining open beyond midnight would have an 'adverse impact upon the acoustic and visual privacy of neighbouring lands', despite it remaining a landmark in Paddington for years. Mr Chowdury was told he would face fines if he continues to provide his famous kebabs beyond midnight, which would significantly cut into his business's revenue. Bondi Lines, an Instagram page used by Sydneysiders to track capacity levels at establishments around the city, has launched a petition to fight Woollahra Council and protect the restaurant. 'IHD holds a very special place in all our hearts,' the page posted on Wednesday. Woolahra Council recently rejected owner Robert Chowdury's application to officially allow the shop to trade until 3am because remaining open late is 'not in the public interest' 'Its hand crafted Indian cuisine made with love you can taste makes it the premier late night food hub in the world. Although most famous for it's Garlic Cheese Naan Kebab with Alloo Chop, it is more than just a restaurant, it is a community. 'The council has just reduced IHDs operating hours to a midnight finish. Not only will you be deprived of your last meal of the night, but there will no longer be the community that is IHD. 'We have created a petition to reinstate IHD's hours to what is right - 3am close at the earliest.' Bondi Lines has launched a petition to fight Woolahra Council and protect the restaurant Duelling candidates for Wentworth even jumped on the bandwagon, pledging their support to ensure Indian Home Diner remains open late. 'This is a tragedy. I will fight to restore IHD hours,' Liberal MP Dave Sharma commented on Bondi Lines' post. He also ran a poll on his account asking if the late night hours should be restored, with 93 per cent of people voting yes. Local independent Allegra Spender also commented, saying 'let's save it'. 'Business was hit hard enough by COVID and even though I haven't been to The Unicorn in a while, even I know Indian Home Diner is a national treasure,' she wrote. The petition to protect Indian Home Diner currently has just over 1,200 signatures. A spokesperson for Woollahra Council said: 'In March 2020 the Indian Home Diner was granted an extension to its operating hours, enabling it to trade until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights during a 12-month trial period, on the basis that the owner implement crowd management and litter patrols to protect the amenity of nearby residents. 'In April 2021 Council was made aware that the Diner was continuing to trade until 3am, beyond the expiration of the trial period. 'We have since been in ongoing contact with the owner, and advised that a new DA and improved compliance with crowd guidelines would be required to permanently extend operating hours. 'A new DA was lodged in November 2021, which was refused by Council in March due to a failure to demonstrate satisfactory crowd management. 'We understand the owner is considering appealing this decision, which would be reviewed as part of the DA process.' Rishi Sunak has warned that homeowners will see mortgage repayments rise by more than 1,000 a year with interest rates set to increase by 2.5 per cent over the next 12 months. The Chancellor warned cabinet colleagues to avoid borrowing more to fund public spending as it risked stoking inflation even further. He warned that a 1 percentage point increase on a typical mortgage would result in an extra 700 for those not on fixed-rate deals. Mr Sunak, who is facing pressure from Tory MPs to ease pressure on people during the cost of living crisis, was quizzed yesterday by Mumsnet about how someone in his position can empathise with hard-up Britons. He cited his grandparents who emigrated to the UK with very little, adding: Of course now Im in a fortunate position but I didnt start like that, thats not how my family started. But he provoked a fresh row after he argued it would be silly to offer families further help with soaring energy bills right now, despite forecasters predicting rises of as much as 40 per cent in October, equating to nearly 3,000 a year. Rishi Sunak has warned that homeowners will see mortgage repayments rise by more than 1,000 a year with interest rates set to increase by 2.5 per cent over the next 12 months Interest rates have already increased to a ten year high of 0.75%, and Rishi Sunak warned they could keep rising to 2.5% Mr Sunak also warned oil and gas giants that they face a windfall tax on their profits if they do not increase investment to shore up Britains energy supplies. The Chancellor seemed to signal an about-turn on Government opposition to a one-off raid on energy firms despite fears it could hit investment and jobs. He said: If we dont see that type of investment coming forward and if the companies are not going to make those investments in our country and in our energy security, then of course thats something I would look at. Mr Sunak warned that nothing is ever off the table in these things, despite ministers ruling out a windfall tax last month. Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, had warned the move would be a tax on jobs, would harm investment and add to the uncertainty in oil markets. Mr Sunaks warning shot was fired during a discussion with users of the Mumsnet website in which the Chancellor, who has faced controversy over his familys fortune, defended himself against claims he is out of touch. He was cleared yesterday of breaching the ministerial code over his familys financial affairs. The Prime Ministers ethics watchdog found Mr Sunak had not broken rules on conflicts of interest by holding a US green card. Mr Sunak referred himself for investigation after it emerged that his wife, Akshata Murty, held non-domiciled tax status, exempting her from paying UK tax on overseas earnings. Lord Geidt found two instances where Miss Murtys tax status could have given rise to a conflict of interest for the Chancellor. The ONS's Opinions and Lifestyle Survey found that around nine in 10 adults (87%) reported an increase in the cost of living during March According to the ONS survey, 43% said they would not be able to save money in the next 12 months - the highest level since the question was first asked in March 2020 Overall, 23% of adults found it very difficult or difficult to pay their usual household bills in the last month compared with a year ago But the adviser on ministerial interests found that, in the first, the issue was properly declared, and in the second, a proposed change for some non-dom individuals did not affect Mr Sunaks wife. In advice to the PM, Lord Geidt wrote: I advise that the requirements of the ministerial code have been adhered to by the Chancellor, and that he has been assiduous in meeting his obligations and in engaging with this investigation. The adviser did not believe Mr Sunak having held a US green card would constitute an inherent conflict of interest. He was also satisfied that there was no conflict of interest over both Mr Sunaks blind investment trust and Miss Murtys reported 0.91 per cent stake in Infosys, an Indian IT firm founded by her billionaire father. Tulip Siddiq, Labours shadow economic secretary to the Treasury, said: How out of touch is this Chancellor? Its time to act. Meanwhile, Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner branded Lord Geidts report an utter whitewash. Miss Murty, an Indian citizen said to be worth hundreds of millions, earlier this month agreed to pay UK taxes on her worldwide income. How are families and businesses coping with the cost of living crisis? Half cut back on non-essential spending and a quarter dip into savings Nine in 10 adults have reported an increase in their cost of living last month 54% of Brits have cut back on non-essential spending and 33% on essentials 23% have dipped into savings, 11% are taking on more debt The cost of living crisis will have longer-term implications for households and the UK economy, experts have warned, as Britons are cut back on all sorts of spending and are borrowing to make ends meet. The rise in costs is already affecting almost everyone - around nine in 10 adults have reported an increase in their cost of living last month, new official figures show. Nearly a quarter of people said they were struggling to pay household bills last month, according to the latest survey by the Office for National Statistics. This graph shows how families are coping with the cost of living crisis A bigger proportion - two in five - said they found it 'very or somewhat difficult' to afford their energy bills in March - and that's even before the increase in the energy price cap came into force at the start of April. To cope with the rise in the cost of living, large numbers of families are cutting back on spending - both essential and non-essentials - while some are dipping into savings if they have them, and others are taking on debt. The most common action was spending less on non-essentials, like going out for dinner or clothes, with over half of Brits saying they did that in March. Turning off the heating and cutting back on electricity use was the second most common move by those trying to cut back on spending - 45 per cent of households did so last month. Some 39 per cent also said they had reduced their non-essential car journeys to save on petrol, while a similar percentage shopped around more to find better deals and a third are cutting back on essentials like food. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of people dipped into their savings, 11 per cent said they were borrowing more than usual and some 7 per cent asked friends and family for help. Only 12 per cent of people in Britain said they were not not doing anything in response to the cost of living crisis, the survey shows. March saw the largest 12-month fall in consumer confidence since the financial crisis How small businesses and sole traders are coping with price rises Amin Khan, owner of sustainable clothing retailer, PrimaBerry, says he has cut back on memberships and subscriptions to pay for rising energy bills, as he works from home. 'After reading countless articles with tips and tricks about how to save on bills, I started to panic, which led me to write down all my memberships, subscriptions, direct debits and any other bills and see what could I cancel or downgrade. 'After all the reductions, I am now saving around 200 monthly, which will definitely help me to pay for any gas and electricity increase as I work from home.' Amin Khan, owner of sustainable clothing retailer, PrimaBerry He added: 'I forecasted to sell more than what I am selling at the moment but due the circumstances it is understandable why so many small businesses are struggling. Everything is going up in price but I am trying to not raise my own prices up as much as I can.' Natalie Fletcher, owner of Manchester-based micro manufacturer, Mancmade, says she has no disposable income due to rising costs. Natalie Fletcher of Mancmade '2021 was a challenge financially but 2022 is taking things to a whole new level in terms of soaring energy, food and fuel costs. 'I also provide a mobile clothing alterations and delivery service to my customers, and the cost of fuel has wiped me out. 'I currently dont have any disposable income, as it all seems to be going on the fuel that is used when delivering to customers. 'No way are this Government doing enough about levelling up as they need to be. In fact, they have done nothing to stop the income inequalities that are seemingly set in stone.' Fanny Snaith, a Cheltenham-based certified money coach, says she will have to increase her income significantly - by 15 per cent or more - to absorb price hikes. She said: 'As a landlord of a house of multiple occupancy, the utility bills are included in the rent. 'It is not possible to simply raise the rent for many different reasons. That means that we need to be able to absorb the huge energy bill rises, plus the other hikes, too. So that is a hit to income. 'I sense a real danger area here, for landlords and tenants alike.' Advertisement Jack Leslie, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, said all of this was already showing up in falls in consumer confidence. March saw the largest 12-month fall in consumer confidence since the financial crisis, according to their analysis of figures by the OECD. 'Lower consumer demand will be a challenge for lots of businesses,' he said. He also expects the crisis to have implications for households and the wider UK economy in the longer term. 'If someone uses up their savings this year to cope with their living costs, that obviously means they don't have those savings to use in the future,' he says. From a macroeconomic perspective, when consumer demand falls that leads to a slowdown in the broader economy. We know that recessions, and economic slowdowns more broadly, can last quite a long time. Jack Leslie - Resolution Foundation 'The same is true with debt but could also be worse for those who struggle to pay back, potentially affecting credit ratings and therefore longer-term borrowing costs. 'From a macroeconomic perspective, when consumer demand falls that leads to a slowdown in the broader economy. We know that recessions, and economic slowdowns more broadly, can last quite a long time.' At the same time, certain rise in costs could prompt more permanent behavioural changes in some parts of the population. For example, if higher proportions of people are trying to cut back on fuel/energy usage, that could lead to more people walking and cycling for transport or encouraging better home insulation. 'Those factors could have longer-term effects if they persist once energy prices come back down,' Leslie added. Separate research from MetLife, an insurance company, found that one in six people have cut back costs and 57 per cent say they expect to do so soon. People were most likely to consider giving up everyday perks such as eating lunch out (40 per cent), luxury items (37 per cent), holidays and day trips (34 per cent), socialising (32 per cent) and entertainment subscriptions (28 per cent). We were turned down for a mortgage in principle: Is it because of our rising energy bills or past debts, and how can we get approved next time? My husband I are looking to move to a bigger home, as our two children are getting to the age where they don't want to share a bedroom and we need the extra space. After seeing a few places we liked, we went to our current mortgage lender to get an agreement in principle but we were turned down for the amount we wanted. I've heard that some banks including ours are making it harder to get a mortgage because they are taking higher energy bills and taxes into account. Upsizing: The reader is looking to move to a bigger home as her children are growing up Our bills have risen considerably in the last few months as our fixed energy tariff ran out. Could this be why we were rejected, and if so is there anything we can do about it? I also have a few late car finance payments on my record from when I was made redundant about three years ago. I was back in work a few months later, the car is now paid off, and we have always been on time with the mortgage and our other bills. We're worried about approaching too many lenders, and are wondering which ones are likely to accept us. I've seen some lenders online who say they are more 'flexible' when it comes to helping people with imperfect credit history. Is this worth looking into, and what's the catch? The alternative is to put off our move, but with our kids growing up that's not going to be practical for more than a couple of years. Helen Crane of This is Money replies: Getting turned down for a mortgage at the first hurdle is disheartening especially when you have outgrown your current home and have a pressing need to move. On the market: The family have been browsing homes for sale - but were turned down for a mortgage in principle Sadly, you are not alone. Many people applying for a mortgage today might find it a bit more difficult to get accepted than they would have a few months ago. This is for several reasons. First of all, interest rates are rising. According to Moneyfacts, the average two-year fixed rate covering all deposit sizes is currently 2.86 per cent, up from 2.65 per cent in March. On a 200,000 mortgage, this would mean paying 258 more per year if it had been taken out in April compared to March. That might not seem like a lot, but it could tip the scales from being approved for a mortgage and turned down. The situation could be more severe for those for those with big mortgages relative to their income, or whose current fixed deal is cheaper than those on the market today. Additionally, households are being hit by the cost of living crisis which has seen the price of essentials such as gas and electricity, petrol and grocery shopping rocket. Lenders are increasingly taking these higher bills into account when assessing whether borrowers could afford to pay a mortgage. Santander, for example, has already factored increased national insurance, household expenditure and dividend income tax rates into its affordability calculations. Others are expected to do the same. In your case, you are unsure whether the rejection was down to your increased living costs, your previous debts or something else. You are keen to find out, because approaching too many lenders in search of a mortgage could damage your credit profile and make things worse. As a first port of call, I would advise going back to your lender and asking for further information on why the application was turned down. There is no reason why it should not be able to provide this. Armed with that knowledge, you will then be able to come up with a plan of action for starting a new application that is more likely to be accepted. This could mean looking at a cheaper property, but the problem might also be solved by saving a slightly larger deposit or considering a different lender. To help you assess your options, I spoke to Elena Todorova, director of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients; Courtney Flockhart, mortgage broker at Henry Dannell; James Briggs, head of personal finance intermediary sales at specialist lender Together; and Adrian Anderson, director at mortgage broker Anderson Harris. How do lenders calculate affordability? Courtney Flockhart says: Each lender will have its own internal credit scoring system, which is different to a credit score on Experian or Equifax. Somebody who has a 999 score on Experian could easily fail a lenders' credit score tests, especially if they had a small deposit relative to the property's value. There will be tiered 'pass marks' based on both the borrowers' credit history and their ability to pay the mortgage alongside their other financial commitments. These approval thresholds will change depending on the borrowers' income, the size of their deposit and how much they want to borrow. Could higher bills have been the reason for rejection? James Briggs says: We're in the worst cost of living crisis since the 1980s, and sadly there will be many other potential buyers in this same situation. Many banks and mortgage lenders have reviewed how they assess affordability given the current spike in family outgoings on food, fuel bills and taxes, coupled with rising inflation. Some are changing their household expenditure calculations to consider factors such as the size of the family or the number of vehicles they own. These changes have been made to make sure people's monthly payments are affordable. However, they don't account for people's individual circumstances meaning people who could otherwise afford a mortgage won't meet these broad-brush requirements. There will be a lot of 'computer says no' type responses. Adrian Anderson says: When factoring in affordability for a mortgage most banks use Office for National Statistics data to presume certain household outgoings. As the cost of household outgoings (including utility bills) has increased, according to the ONS and is expected to continue to increase most banks have factored this into the affordability calculators. This may have an impact on some applicants' ability to borrow the amount they are seeking now. Could there be a different explanation? Elena Todorova says: It is disappointing to hear that the couple's bank refused to lend without clear explanation. However, it does not necessarily follow that the decline was down to an assessment on the increased cost of living and adverse credit. It may be purely technical as the case may just fall outside of credit policy for example, it may be a few thousand pounds short on income multiples, or applying for an incorrect term. What about the car finance debt? Adrian Anderson says: Late payments on a finance agreement can reduce your credit score. You should obtain a copy of your credit report through one of the credit reference agencies so that you are aware of any negative entries that may go against you. If there is a genuine explanation regarding why there were some late payments on your record for car finance, a mortgage broker may be able to use their relationships with the underwriters at the competitively priced mainstream or high street banks to explain the circumstances. This could help you avoid using a 'flexible' or 'specialist' bank which may charge a higher rate of interest. Elena Todorova says: Credit history remains on file for a minimum of six years (longer if the commitment is unsatisfied or unpaid). This could be a reasonable cause for borrowing being declined, but if it was three or more years ago, certain lenders may be prepared to look at the case more sympathetically. Lenders who may consider to lend in this instance range from high-street lenders offering competitive terms, to smaller banks or building societies which could be more expensive but offer flexible underwriting. How could they improve their chances of approval? Elena Todorova says: The mortgage term can be adjusted to suit the couple's plans. They could potentially take a longer term [these are available up to 40 years] if it eases affordability models and reduces monthly outgoings, as long as it fits with lenders' maximum age limits. It's important to consider different terms and rates and discuss their monthly budget as ultimately, the couple has to be comfortable with the mortgage payments they will pay now, and in the future. Adrian Anderson says: The best way to avoid approaching multiple lenders and give yourself the best possible chance of securing the mortgage you are seeking is to speak to an independent expert. They will have the knowledge of how to navigate you through the banks, hopefully meaning fewer failed applications and marks on your credit file. Should they try a specialist lender? James Briggs says: Specialist lenders differ to traditional banks as they can make more pragmatic individual lending decisions, considering the applicant's actual circumstances and expenditure on a case-by-case basis. These types of lenders are also typically more flexible when dealing with mortgage applications from people with a less-than-perfect credit history, as is the case here, particularly if the outstanding debt has now been settled. As a trade-off for this increased flexibility, borrowers should expect to stump up a larger deposit, typically between 15 per cent and 25 per cent of the purchase price of their new home. Many specialist lenders' products are only available through mortgage brokers, so I would recommend speaking to a Financial Conduct Authority authorised broker. Helen Crane, This is Money, replies: I hope the responses above have shown you that all is not lost, and that depending on your exact circumstances there are several options you can explore for getting your mortgage. It may be that the amount you asked for in your application was just slightly too high to tick the affordability check box given your income, outgoings or deposit size. That is hopefully reasonably easy to rectify by adjusting your budget downwards just a little, elongating your mortgage term slightly or even just seeking a mortgage with a better interest rate to bring down your projected outgoings. If you do find that it is the cost of living or your credit record that is causing the issue, you may want to take some time to consider what the best course of action is, and how your circumstances might change. For example, if it is the increased cost of living that is hampering your application, perhaps you or your husband might have a chance to get a modest pay rise in the near future, which could tip you over the affordability threshold. And if it is the previous debts that are making things difficult, another year or so of building your credit score back up could help, too. When the time is right, using a broker should help you avoid more failed applications and ensure that you approach the right lender and get a mortgage deal that works for you. Although your children are growing up fast, some careful planning should mean you secure the home you want in the not too distant future. Students at Durham University have been told to attend 'anti-racism training' after a row over journalist Rod Liddle. The training is aimed at 'ensuring a safer community for people of colour'. But students have branded it 'anti-white indoctrination', 'divisive' and are refusing to attend as it clashes with exam revision. It comes after Liddle, the controversial Spectator journalist, was invited to give a talk at South College, sparking protests from students who claimed he was 'racist'. An email sent on Tuesday to undergraduates at John Snow College said training would be run by Durham's People of Colour Association (DPOCA), a student body, and would be 'mandatory'. But after being contacted by the Daily Mail, the university said it was 'not a University or College initiative' and was 'at the discretion of individuals'. Students at Durham University have been told to attend 'anti-racism training' after a row over journalist Rod Liddle, pictured Durham University students stage a protest at South College for a 'safer more inclusive Durham University' after columnist Rod Liddle's appearance at South College The youngsters carried flags and banners with messages such as 'sod Rod', 'proud to be pathetic' and 'no hate' The 'woke' mob had ramped up its campaign to oust Professor Luckhurst as seven societies accused him of 'gross misconduct'. He was allowed to keep his job, but the university vowed to be more 'inclusive' and effect a 'culture change' following the incident. What did Rod Liddle say in his speech at the University of Durham? Rod Liddle's speech at the University of Durham has not been reported in full, but the contents of the speech have been reported by the university's student newspaper, the Palatinate. According to the newspaper, Liddle opened his Friday speech saying he was disappointed not to see any sex workers at the event. This was in reference to recent controversy surrounding safety training provided by Durham University to student sex workers. Liddle then claimed that the left was going against 'science or pure facts,' saying 'a person with an X and a Y chromosome, that has a long, dangling penis, is scientifically a man, and that is pretty much, scientifically, the end of the story', according to the paper. He continued, on a different topic, saying: 'It is fairly easily proven that colonialism is not remotely the major cause of Africa's problems, just as it is very easy to prove that the educational underachievement of British people of Caribbean descent or African Americans is nothing to do with institutional or structural racism'. Liddle also opined about the UK's forced adoption policy between 1945 and 1975. He said that attitudes now put woman, not children, first, adding that anger about the policy did not take into account the child's mental health and economic situation enough. He closed his speech with a message to the event's attendees about the importance of listening to, and doubting other people's opinions. The Palatinate reported that a dozen students walked out before the speech began, and several more during it. At the end, a very small number are reported to have applauded the speaker, and while it is protocol to rise for the high table as it leaves, nearly all students remaining in the hall stayed seated. Some shouted 'disgusting' and 'racist' at Liddle as he left the room. Advertisement It is understood students were vowing not to attend the sessions. Samantha Smith, a Durham student, said on Twitter: 'As a mixed race student, I refuse to take part in this anti-white indoctrination'. Another called it 'divisive' and said 'students should be revising for exams instead'. A DPOCA spokesman said: 'The intention of the workshop is to create a more inclusive, not divisive, culture on campus.' A Durham University spokesman said: 'The provision of this training was not a University or College initiative, but was taken by the student-led JCR at John Snow College. 'The training is delivered by DPOCA, an association of Durham Students' Union. 'Anti-racism training can help to create a more respectful environment, but attendance is at the discretion of individual students.' DPOCA has in the past run events such as 'decolonise hiking', a walk around Durham for 'students of colour'. It has also been campaigning to 'decolonise the curriculum' and has promoted online the 'County Durham Palestine Solidarity Campaign'. College head Tim Luckhurst, who had invited Liddle, was temporarily barred from duties while an 'investigation' took place into his conduct. He was allowed to keep his job, but the university vowed to be more 'inclusive' and effect a 'culture change' following the incident. Footage emerged after Liddle's talk of Professor Luckhurst and his wife Dorothy Luckhurst talking to students in a bid to calm them down. They appeared to be helping them understand universities are supposed to be bastions of free speech. The youths stood with their mouths wide open as Professor Luckhurst spoke before his wife interrupted him. She asked: 'What are you frightened of you silly... what are you frightened of?' One of the students replied: 'What do you mean?' The rest of their exchange was inaudible but Mrs Luckhurst went on to repeat the word 'a***'. Mrs Luckhurst had explained the video left out the context of the chat in which the vicious students hurled insults at the couple. She said the 'baying' mob called her a 'b***h' and left her intimidated and frightened as they swarmed around them. After the event, Liddle slammed the university for its 'despicable' treatment of Professor Luckhurst and said they should 'reinstate him immediately to all his duties'. He also called for bosses to say sorry to him for 'vilifying' his speech which addressed trans issues, women's rights and institutional racism to 'appease jabbering infants' and said they should reimburse his 150 travel expenses. It came after a group of Left-wing students staged a protest at South College calling for the professor to apologise for his wife's comments to them or quit. The baying activists gathered on a green with placards reading 'mansplain, manipulate, manwife' and 'we're queer, we're here'. Professor Luckhurst had angered them by shouting 'pathetic' when students staged a walk-out during Mr Liddle's talk - although he later apologised. At the time, South College principal Professor Tim Luckhurst (pictured) was criticised for yelling 'pathetic' as students left the talk The training is aimed at 'ensuring a safer community for people of colour'. But students at Durham, pictured, have branded it 'anti-white indoctrination', 'divisive' and are refusing to attend as it clashes with exam revision Liddle told GB News last year: 'Let's start with what Durham University should do. They've behaved despicably, far worse than the students have behaved. 'I expected that from the students, I expected that from some of them. What you don't expect is the kind of double think which Durham University has indulged in. 'Firstly by saying that they agree with freedom of speech, then by saying except if it's something we don't agree with, which the Labour Party on campus doesn't agree with, then they don't agree with it. 'Then most importantly of all you might argue, scapegoating poor Tim Luckhurst who asked me to come along in good faith having cleared it with the university authorities having told them what was happening in advance. 'They have now decided because they've got to appease these jabbering infants they've decided they've got to do something and so a hugely distinguished, reputable and incredibly competent journalist and professor is left hanging out to dry. 'And so what they should do now, immediately, is number one, decide whether they believe in free speech or not. 'Number two, write a grovelling apology to Professor Luckhurst, reinstating him immediately to all his duties, and call off this fatuous investigation... 'And accept that he invited me here in good faith. 'And thirdly, what they should do after that is write me a letter of apology and explain to me they were wrong to have vilified me in their comments about this whole affair and they might be better off in future rather than teaching extra courses to their students in how to become prostitutes, a course in good manners might not come amiss. 'And they can also forward me 150 quid for my travel expenses because I came there free of charge with a wish to do the right thing to give something to public service, all that palaver.' He added: 'So they can apologise and reimburse my travel expenses and after that, I'll be happy.' An Australian fisherman was left reeling in an epic battle with a monster crocodile after the predator tried to snag his catch for lunch. The man was fishing on a small boat in the Northern Territory when the three-metre-long crocodile tried to steal the big fish he had hooked. In incredible footage posted on Thursday, the fisherman quickly realised he caught more than he bargained for when the crocodile surfaced at the end of his rod with the fish in its jaws. The man was fishing in murky waters in the Northern Territory when a crocodile tried to steal the fish he had caught (pictured) The three-metre-long predator had its jaws around the fish hooked on the end of the fisherman's rod The man said he was fishing in the murky waters of Australia's top end on April 19 when he had to fight the croc that was trying to steal his catch. 'We managed to fight the croc, steal the fish back, save the fish and net it,' he wrote in the video's YouTube caption. The man can be seen struggling to keep hold of his fishing rod as it bends under the weight of the apex predator. In the video the man is heard talking to his friends. As the crocodile swam away from the boat he said: 'I can't stop him'. The determined fisherman is heard grunting and groaning as he pulls the crocodile back towards the boat. 'Come over here, big boy,' he said. 'Just let go for one second, you pig.' As the crocodile edges closer the man tells his friend to hit the fish thief on the head in hopes it would let go. Micky, the fisherman's friend, is seen using the long handle of a fishing net to give the predator one quick strike to the head. The crocodile swiftly releases the fish from its jaws and vanishes into the murky waters. Loud cheers and laughter were heard on the boat after the 'holy sh*t moment. The proud fisherman said it was the first time the guide had ever seen a man battle a croc for a fish and win. The man's friend used the end of a fishing net handle to hit the crocodile on the head forcing it to let go A neighbour of a man shot dead by police after he lunged at officers with a knife has told of the terrifying moment several bullets were fired in the middle of the night. Police were called to a home on Belinda Place, Newport, in Sydney's northern beaches shortly before 2am on Thursday following reports of a domestic dispute believed to be between a 39-year-old man and his elderly parents. Officers tried to speak with the younger man, who they claim then lunged at officers with a knife. Two officers grabbed their guns and shot the man during the confrontation. He died at the scene despite officers performing CPR. The shooting has roiled the affluent street with views of the Pacific Ocean where homes have sold recently for more than $3million, dubbed 'Millionaire's Row' by some locals. One witness shared a dramatic account of how the shooting unfolded with daily Mail Australia. 'I was woken by car doors slamming,' he said. 'It was 1.52am and I looked down and police were outside. Then at around 2am I heard shots - five or six shots.' Police are seen at the scene in Newport on Thursday after a man was shot dead when he lunged at officers with a knife Police and detectives are at the scene in Newport. A neighbour recalled hearing up to six gunshots in the middle of the night Forensic officers remain at the Newport home on Thursday morning, where a man was shot dead by police Police are seen at the scene on Thursday It was clearly hand-gun fire, the neighbour said, and it left him with so much adrenalin he couldn't go back to bed. 'I was about to call Triple-0. I wasn't sure at first whether it was police who got shot. 'As I was about to dial, I saw a police officer running out to the car and I thought at least one of them must be okay. 'It was very dramatic. I wasn't sure but I figured they must be on top of it.' The neighbour said they'd seen officers at the house before the incident on Thursday. 'Police have been at the house in recent weeks,' the resident said, describing the man as a chihuahua owner, overweight and living with his elderly parents. 'I've seen the man (shot by police). I've seen him intoxicated in the street once and a few other times.' The resident said the dead man's parents 'are very old and kept to themselves'. 'I've never spoken to them. We have street parties every Christmas but that family has never come,' he added. The man said the 39-year-old 'has always lived there'. 'He didn't work. He had issues. He was overweight. I hardly ever saw him leave the house, but I've spoken to him a few times. The 39-year-old suffered critical injuries and died at the scene, despite desperate attempts by officers who performed CPR to try and revive him (pictured police and detectives at the scene) Police at the scene have taken tarpaulin down into the blocked off street and are expected to remove the man's body from the crime scene on Thursday afternoon 'He came out a couple of times and I'd say 'g'day' and he'd say hello back. A few times I've seen him coming back from street exercise. 'It's fairly hilly here and he was walking back and I made some comment about exercising and he gave a fairly short greeting back. 'The family has been living there a long time.' The home remains a crime scene on Thursday morning, where forensic officers are currently scouring the property. Another neighbour said he was woken by repeated shots of 'short rapid response fire' from the middle of the street around 2am. Police were called to Belinda Place in Newport shortly before 2am on Thursday morning Another resident described a frightening account of being attacked by the dead man's dog and how when she questioned him he gave her a blank stare. 'It was only a chihuahua, but it was vicious,' the neighbour named Gina said. 'I was walking my dog and there he was with his chihuahua off the lead and it attacked me, got its teeth into my ankle and I said to him ''get your dog off my leg'' and he just looked blank.' Gina said the attack happened two years ago and after reporting it to the council, the man was ordered to keep his dog on a lead outdoors. 'I saw him again a few times when I was walking past the house with the dog,' she said. 'It was mostly in the mornings and he had the dog out the front and I'd say ''that dog needs to be on a lead''. 'He'd just stare back at me blankly each time. 'He was very overweight. The family rarely came out. They didn't socialise and the blinds were always drawn.' A critical incident team has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, which will also be subject to independent review. Police say the domestic dispute involved the man and his parents, who weren't harmed in the incident. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker said the man was previously known to police and had mental health issues. 'This is a traumatic situation for everybody involved and also for the police involved,' she told reporters. 'I have spoken to those police officers this morning, and we have all the appropriate welfare support in place for those police following these circumstances.' The man's family is assisting police with inquiries. A man was shot dead by police in the beachside suburb after he lunged at officers 'Naturally we are ensuring that appropriate support is in place for those family members as well,' Assistant Commissioner McCusker said. The incident unfolded on a street of multi-million dollar houses in the elite suburb, with one Belinda Place residence selling for $3.4m last year. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. It's been a horror night in Sydney with a notorious underworld figure also shot dead weeks after he was released from prison. Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad, known as the 'Mr Big' of Sydney's crime world was shot outside a Greenacre home in the city's south-west on Wednesday night. The gunman remains on the run. Ahmad was recently released from jail after served five years for the manslaughter of another underworld figure at a Sydney scrap yard in 2016. A hotline for rape and sexual assault victims by Russian troops received 400 calls in just two weeks. The Ombudsman for Human Rights in Ukraine, Lyudmyla Denisova, said the line is so overwhelmed that the five psychologists who operate it cannot cope with the load. Victims include adults and children, both male and female, with some attacked while terrified relatives were forced to watch. In Bucha, 25 victims aged 14 to 25 were systematically raped while being held captive in a basement. Nine are now pregnant. Bucha, the town north of Kyiv where Russian occupying troops committed atrocities against Ukrainian residents. A hotlinie for rape and sexual assault victims by Russian troops received 400 calls in just two weeks The line, set up with Unicef, received 400 calls between April 1 and April 14 as Russian began to withdraw from the Kyiv region, after a failed attempt to capture the capital. Mrs Denisova said: Our five psychologists cannot cope with this load. I asked Unicef to almost double the number of psychologists, to ensure that the care is of good quality and that there is no burnout, including those psychologists who receive such appeals day and night. And these cases are very terrible. Russia has denied allegations it is using rape as a weapon of war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month: Hundreds of cases of rape have been recorded, including those of young girls and very young children. Even of a baby. Firefighters might be dab hands at rescuing cats stuck in trees but five sheep on a roof requires a little more creativity. One fire station received a rather unusual call-out on Tuesday evening, after sheep grazing in a field behind a row of terraced cottages leapt over a 5ft gap and on to the tiled roof. Arriving in Newmillerdam, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire where the sheep had been stuck for several hours before the fire service was alerted station commander Damian Cameron found one of the animals precariously close to a 25ft drop to the ground. Five sheep became stranded on top of cottages in Newmillerdam, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and had to be rescued by firefighters The sheep cleared a gap of five feet to get onto the roofs, but on the other side there was a near 25ft drop Without his crew and fully equipped fire engine, Mr Cameron with the help of a local landowner got to work building a makeshift bridge out of timber for the sheep to cross back into the field. He said: 'The idea was to entice the sheep across. We had to use a bit of animal husbandry to get the sheep to go back across our bridge. Eventually one went over and the other four followed.' A temporary fence has now been erected to stop a repeat of the drama. Mr Cameron Tweeted photos of the stranded sheep, telling his followers: 'Some calls are stranger than others! All now safe on terra firma.' He said yesterday: 'It was a very unusual job. I have had some strange ones involving animals before, including a cow on a balcony, but I have never had sheep on a roof before.' Daniel Andrews has repeatedly refused to answer questions about his involvement in a damning investigation into the Victorian Labor Party. The Premier became increasingly frustrated as he was hit with a barrage of questions about the inquiry launched by the state's anti-corruption watchdog in 2021. A draft report from the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, obtained by The Age, found cultural failings were inherent with the party. Mr Andrews was revealed to be among several senior figures who privately admitted that 'significant cultural reform is required within the ALP'. The premier was asked about his involvement in the investigation which found public funds had likely been misused across Labor's factions, among other wrongdoings. 'Let me make it very clear to you that I'm not making any comments about these matters,' Mr Andrews told reporters on Thursday. 'You can construct as many questions in as many ways as you see fit. This is not a government process it is an independent process.' The premier said he wasn't prepared to provide a 'running commentary' until the watchdog had finalised their report. Daniel Andrews (pictured on Thursday) repeatedly refused to answer questions about his involvement in a damning investigation into the Victorian Labor Party 'I've always had a position that unless and until something's concluded you don't trample all over it,' he continued. 'Because that gets you into very, very difficult territory where you can be quite credibly accused of trying to influence outcomes, trying to steer things, trying to intimidate (and) trying to impact things that ought be independent.' Mr Andrews pointed to his 2019 audit of the branch when asked about the allegations of unethical practice and failures of leadership within the ALP. 'I've taken various steps and I think they're well known to you,' he said. 'You can search the record and reacquaint yourself with the steps that I've taken.' When asked if he was the leader of an unethical government the premier slammed the reporter's question as a 'ridiculous suggestion'. Mr Andrews pointed to his 2019 audit of the branch when asked about the allegations of unethical practice and failures of leadership within the ALP 'That's completely, utterly wrong,' Mr Andrews retorted. 'I don't reckon I could be any clearer than that.' Opposition leader Matthew Guy has called for Mr Andrews to stand down immediately and said the premier had presided over a 'culture of corruption'. 'How can you trust Daniel Andrews to fix our state when the corruption watchdog has found Labor is rotten to the core?' he said. 'Victorians need a leader totally focused on Victoria's recovery and rebuild. That can't happen with a Premier at the centre of a corruption scandal.' The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) spoke to 26 witnesses, including the premier, as well as seven others in public hearings. Senior figures in the ALP told the investigation the party needed to eliminate a culture that had encouraged nepotism and the misuse of public funds. The report is expected to cause a stir due to the report labelling the behaviour of several federal MP's and shadow ministers as unethical. Mr Andrews told the IBAC a culture of branch stacking, rule breaking and inadequate processes for whistleblowers was unlikely limited to Moderate Labor. In October, investigators heard branch stacking had been employed by the socialist left faction of the ALP - despite the practice being banned for decades. The premier - who is a former head of Labor's socialist left faction - has long maintained he has never had any involvement with branch stacking. Branch stacking is a practice within political parties that sees people recruited into a branch of a political party to influence who is pre-selected as an election candidate. It comes with the problem of certain factions of political parties boosting membership to ensure a preferred candidate gets the job. The report concluded cultural failings were inherent with the Labor Party and had been condoned or encouraged by its leaders for years. Mr Andrews told the IBAC a culture of branch stacking, rule breaking and inadequate processes for whistleblowers was unlikely limited to Moderate Labor 'The evidence adduced enables the conclusion that these practices have been approved or condoned by party leadership for decades,' the report concludes. 'Leaders must be prepared to expose and denounce such activity regardless of their alignment. Without the rigorous participation of the leaders of the branch, the reforms proposed in this report are unlikely to be effective.' The watchdog is yet to formally publish its findings following months of investigations and the interviewing of over 30 witnesses under oath. Accused parties will be given an opportunity to defend against allegations prior to the report being tabled in Parliament. The investigation, dubbed Operation Watts, also found several staff had resisted complaining to the premier's office as it had little power of 'the running of a ministerial office'. Employees suspecting misconduct also felt their claims would not be dealt with on merit and were fearful of the repercussions they would face, the report stated. Much of the proceedings have heard allegations former Labor MP - and one time ally of Mr Andrews - Adam Somyurek had been rampantly branch stacking in a bid to increase his power within the ALP. The IBAC inquiry has heard allegations Labor MP Adam Somyurek (right) had been rampantly branch stacking in a bid to increase his power within the ALP The Moderate Labor boss was accused of asking tax-payer funded staff to disregard ministerial duties and instead harvest fake ALP members. Mr Somyurek, who denies the claims, was first elected to Victorian Parliament in 2002 and was sworn in as minister for small business, innovation and trade in the Andrews Government in December 2014. An investigation into alleged branch stacking by Channel 9's Nick McKenzie saw Mr Somyurek leave the party last year. The IBAC report found it could not conclude all Labor factions engaged in the same wrongdoings as Moderate Labor but said the practices was widespread. Evidence gathered made it 'highly likely the misuse of publicly funded staff' and 'employment of family members and factional allies for party or factional purposes and nepotism has occurred for a much longer period and is much more widespread [across Labor] than Moderate Labor'. Daniel Auster, 44, was found dead on Tuesday from a suspected drug overdose The 44-year-old son of novelist Paul Auster has been found dead of a drug overdose, nine days after his arrest for the manslaughter of his 10-month-old daughter Ruby. Daniel Auster was discovered surrounded by drug paraphernalia, and the dosage was similar to what he usually took, The New York Post reported - suggesting his death was accidental. He had been arrested on Easter Sunday for the November 1 death of Ruby. She died of a fentanyl overdose after he took heroin then went to take a nap with the child by his side. His father, Paul Auster, 75, has won numerous international awards for his books, which include titles such as The New York Trilogy,' 'The Book of Illusions,' and 'Moon Palace.' In 2017, he was nominated for the Booker Prize for his novel '4, 3, 2, 1', and his work has been translated into more than forty languages. In Auster's 1995 film about the lives of people who frequented a Brooklyn tobacco shop, Smoke - which starred Harvey Keitel and William Hurt - Daniel played the role of a book thief. His mother is author and translator Lydia Davis, 74. Davis and Paul Auster divorced in 1978; in 1982, he remarried, tying the knot with author Siri Hustvedt, and the couple have one daughter together, musician Sophie Auster, 34. Daniel Auster, 44, was found dead on Tuesday. He admitted to doing heroin then falling asleep with his daughter in his care. When he awoke she had ingested enough drugs to 'render and adult unconscious' He was charged with manslaughter, child endangerment and criminally negligent homicide, and was awaiting trial when he died Daniel Auster's daughter, Ruby (pictured above), was found lifeless in his Park Slope home on November 1 Daniel would regularly post photos of his wife and daughter, Ruby, before her death last year Daniel's father, Paul Auster, is probably America's best-known postmodern novelist - known for The New York Trilogy, The Book of Illusions and Moon Palace. The pair's relationship appeared to be estranged During his teenage years, Auster started going to clubs in New York City and became heavily involved with drugs, according to The New Yorker. At the age of 18, in 1996, Auster was present in the apartment when a drug dealer, Andre 'Angel' Melendez, was murdered by 'Club Kid Killer' Michael Alig, a former nightclub promoter, and his roommate, Robert Riggs. Auster was given $3,000 of Melendez's money in exchange for his silence. He later pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property and was given five years probation. Auster had a string of arrests including several drug possession charges in 2008 and 2010. In 2009 he was charged with petit larceny and possession of stolen property. The troubled son of New York author Paul Auster, Daniel, was charged in relation to his infant daughter's drug overdose death. On Tuesday he was found dead 'Club Kid Killer' Michael Alig, who was a former nightclub promoter, is pictured. In 1996, he murdered a drug dealer, Andre 'Angel' Melendez, in an apartment in which Auster was present. Auster was paid $3,000 to keep quiet, and was later given five years probation. Alig was found dead on Christmas Eve 2020 from an accidental heroin overdose, at the age of 54 Auster in April claimed his baby daughter died of a fentanyl overdose after he took heroin then went to take a nap with the child by his side while his wife worked, a court heard. The vivid account allegedly given to the NYPD by Auster was shared by Assistant District Attorney Tien Tran said at his arraignment hearing on manslaughter charges. The infant's mother, Zuzan Smith, told police that their daughter, Ruby, was awake and alert when she left her in Auster's care and went to work. A criminal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com states that Auster told police that shortly after Smith left their home, he injected heroin and then got into bed for a nap with the child by his side. When he woke up from his nap, she was 'blue, lifeless and unresponsive', the complaint states. The prosecutor said that the girl had enough drugs in her system to 'render an adult unconscious.' Auster, pictured here being led to court for his arraignment, gave the 10-month-old girl Narcan to revive her after he awoke to find her 'blue, lifeless and unresponsive' Auster, 44, refuses to face the cameras after he was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child after his infant daughter ingested his heroin while he napped It's still unclear how the girl ingested the drugs, but Auster confessed that he kept heroin in his bathroom. His lawyer, James Godfrey, told The New York Times that his client was recently sober and was in drug treatment. 'This case is painfully tragic, and Mr Auster remains devastated over the loss of his beloved daughter Ruby,' the lawyer told the paper. 'Substance use disorder is an issue that countless families reel from each year, and we caution the public to refrain from making any rush to judgment.' In many of the photos, Auster can be seen posing with his little girl, or cuddling her Auster's Instagram page was full of pictures of his daughter and her mother An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner a few days later found Ruby died of acute intoxication caused by the combined effects of fentanyl and heroin. Auster, who worked as a landscaper, posted photos of his child and Smith on his Instagram page before jetting off to Mexico and Columbia in January. On his travels, he seemed to be backpacking like a college student, and taking in several raves. Daniel Auster is pictured in a photo with his father Paul, in a shot from his teenage years Daniel is pictured with his father as a young boy in a photo posted to his Instagram, entitled 'Me and pops' The trio dressed up for Halloween in a scene from the Wizard of Oz with Daniel as the Tin Man and his wife as Dorothy Paul Auster's second wife Siri Hustvedt, left, who is also a writer, never speak about their stepson, Daniel. The pair are pictured in 2016 Auster and his father appeared to be estranged, but Auster wrote Daniel into his work. In his 2004 novel, Oracle Night, the book is narrated by a writer called Trause whose son is a drug addict who terrorizes his stepmother. During a 2006 Guardian interview, Paul Auster's second wife Siri Hustvedt who is also a writer, declined to speak about her stepson. 'Yes. You know, I'm not going to talk about any of that, no. No,' she said, her eyes reportedly beginning to water. 'You know, I am married to a writer, and this - writing - is an odd enterprise. 'It's something we both support very strongly. 'I've always been behind Paul, and he's always been behind me. 'I have a very strong family.' Google has warned billions of Chrome users that the browser has been successfully targeted by hackers, revealing 30 new security flaws, including seven that pose a 'high' threat to users. The tech company is now releasing an update within the next few days to fix the bugs, which affects Windows, macOS, and Linux, according to the company's statement. It is unclear who hacked the firm, and whether any users' security was put at risk. Further hack details are currently being restricted by the company 'until a majority of users are updated with a fix'. 'We will also retain restrictions if the bug exists in a third party library that other projects similarly depend on, but havent yet fixed,' the company also said. Users can manually update their browsers through the settings features, but Chrome will automatically update within a few days. Google announced its Chrome browser was successfully targeted by hackers, revealing 30 new security flaws, including seven that pose a 'high' threat to users Google recently announced the increase in hacks to Chrome and other browsers and several other tech companies have reported hacking vulnerabilities. Tech companies are joining together to combat threats, alongside the help of diligent users, to prevent future vulnerabilities. Coca-Cola was also recently hacked by a Russian group, which is now selling its data. Stormous said it stole 161 gigabytes of financial data, passwords and accounts before putting the information on the market for $640,000 or 16million Bitcoin. The team revealed on Monday it had infiltrated the drinks company and got out 'without their knowledge.' Coca-Cola said it has launched an urgent investigation and already contacted the police. 'You will win and we will win,' read an apparent message from the group, which was later posted on Twitter. It said the group downloaded 161 gigabytes from the company, which it would sell for more than $640,000 or more than 16 million in Bitcoin. Among the stolen files, according to CISO Advisor, are financial data, passwords and commercial accounts. New research has also shown internet users' passwords aren't as safe as once thought. The research said anything with six characters, regardless of whether numbers and symbols are included, can be cracked instantly. The tech company is now releasing an update within the next few days to fix the bugs, which affects Windows, macOS, and Linus, according to the company's statement The same goes for anything that is seven or eight characters but made up of just numbers or lower case letters. But the news doesn't get much better for any eight-character combination. In fact, they can all be guessed in about 39 minutes according to US cybersecurity company Hive Systems, which is based in Richmond, Virginia. On the flip side the way to guarantee that your password won't be cracked for some 438 trillion years is to use 18 characters made up of numbers, upper and lower case letters and symbols. Black Basta, a new ransomware gang has emerged in the scene causing massive breaches to companies and organizations for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. The threat actor has quickly risen to prominence this month, infiltrating at least twelve different companies in a matter of weeks. The Black Basta virus used by the gang is extremely difficult to detect because it operates in complete stealth and rarely manifests any symptoms. Thus, the majority of antivirus software is unable to detect ransomware such as the Black Basta virus. The first known Black Basta attacks occurred in the second week of April, and the operation quickly spread throughout the world, targeting businesses of all sizes. Black Basta Ransomware Black Basta is a dangerous ransomware virus that encrypts the files on the computers it infects. According to Bleeping Computer, "Like other enterprise-targeting ransomware operations, Black Basta will steal corporate data and documents before encrypting a company's devices." Additionally, "This stolen data is then used in double-extortion attacks, where the threat actors demand a ransom to receive a decryptor and prevent the publishing of the victim's stolen data." The data theft portion of these attacks is carried out on the Tor network's "Black Basta Blog" or "Basta News" site, which contains a list of all victims who have not paid a ransom to the hacker group. Black Basta will gradually leak information about each victim in an attempt to coerce them into paying a ransom. The malware deployed by the ransomware gang operates at a swift level that does not usually show symptoms. On rare occasions, it may be possible to detect the Black Basta virus during the course of an infection process. It can occasionally cause a significant system slowdown, particularly in cases where the infected computer does not have a lot of processing power and/or has a large amount of data stored on it, as described above. When infected with the virus, Black Basta victims will notice a sudden unfamiliar process taking up the majority of your computer's CPU and RAM when infected with the virus. This can also be seen in the PC's Task Manager if this occurs. The Black Basta ransomware gang is a fairly new threat to actors in the scene. However, numerous people are thinking that Black Basta is a rebrand or a regroup of previous hackers due to its efficient and successful attacks. Read Also: [VIRAL FLASHBACK] Mydoom Virus: Why Is It Considered the Worst Computer Virus in History? How To Remove the Black Basta Virus When users suspect they are being attacked, they can mitigate the incident with the following steps, as recommended by 2-Spyware. The first task is to ensure that all network communications are terminated as quickly as possible. This includes disconnecting every machine that is connected to a network. Here are the following steps to do so: Go to the Windows search bar and navigate to the Control Panel. Select the Network and Internet option. Select the Network and Sharing Center, selecting it from the menu. Click "Change adapter settings," which can be found on the left-hand side of the screen. Right-click on your connection and select "Disable." To continue the process, confirm it by selecting "Yes." If users are not confident in their ability to stop the infiltration of the Black Basta virus, they can immediately force shut down their computers once an attack is detected. Device owners can then contact a specialist to help them with the situation for further assistance. Shutting down the device will put a stop to the encryption process in its tracks. However, users must note that they should not attempt to restart the system on their own, as the virus will resume its activity and there will be nothing users can do to prevent it from happening. Related Article: SysJoker Malware Can Damage Your Windows, Mac PC: Warning Signs, How to Remove If You're Attacked Joe Biden has been blocked from winding down the Trump-era Title 42 migrant expulsion policy by a federal judge over fears it is already being ignored and causing a border-crossing surge. US District Judge Robert Summerhays of Lafayette in Louisiana, made the ruling on Wednesday. It bars the Biden administration from beginning to wind-down Title 42 ahead of its planned May 23 conclusion, but doesn't stop the policy being axed on that date. Summerhays - a Trump appointee - is now set to hold a second hearing that could stop Biden from halting the policy too. 'The states have established a substantial threat of immediate and irreparable injury resulting from the early implementation of Title 42, including unrecoverable costs on healthcare, law enforcement, detention, education, and other services for migrants,' he wrote. 'The states have established a substantial threat of immediate and irreparable injury resulting from the early implementation of Title 42, including unrecoverable costs on healthcare, law enforcement, detention, education, and other services for migrants,' wrote Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays in Lafayette, Louisiana Summerhays said states were likely to succeed with their argument that the administration failed to adhere to federal procedures when it announced April 1 that it was ending Title 42 authority. For now, the decision is only a temporary setback for the administration. But the judge staked out a position that is highly sympathetic with Louisiana , Arizona and 19 other states that sued to preserve so-called Title 42 authority, which denies migrants a chance at asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The judge has scheduled a critical hearing on May 13 in Lafayette to hear arguments on whether to block Title 42 from ending as planned 10 days later. Texas filed a similar lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in Victoria, Texas. The decision to end Title 42 authority was made by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has come under growing criticism from elected officials in Biden's Democratic Party who contend the administration is unprepared for an anticipated increase in asylum-seekers. Some estimates say the number of people crossing could more than double each month, to around 500,000. Wednesday's ruling is a setback for Biden, who branded the Trump-era policy 'cruel' A migrant waits on the Mexican side of the border after United States Customs and Border Protection officers detained a couple of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border on the beach The Justice Department declined to comment on the order but the administration has said it will comply, while contending it will hamper preparations for Title 42 to end on May 23. About 14% of single adults from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were processed under immigration laws during a seven-day period ending last Thursday. That's up from only 5% in March, according to government figures. Summerhays' order requires the Homeland Security Department to 'return to policies and practices in place' before it announced plans to end Title 42 and to submit weekly reports that demonstrate it is acting 'in good faith.' Migrants have been expelled more than 1.8 million times under the rule invoked in March 2020 by the Trump administration. Migrants were stopped more than 221,000 times at the Mexico border in March, a 22-year-high that has raised concerns about the government's ability to handle even larger numbers when Title 42 is lifted. Advocates for asylum-seekers say the restrictions endanger people fleeing persecution back home and violates rights to seek protection under U.S. law and international treaty. Refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine await processing of their applications in Tijuana As the CDC acknowledged, the public health justification for the order has weakened as the threat of COVID-19 has waned. At two often-contentious hearings Wednesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sought to defend the administration's handling of an increase of migrants at the Southwest border and its plans to deal with the prospect of more with the potential end of Title 42. Mayorkas sought to push back on Republican accusations that the Biden administration has encouraged irregular migration by allowing some people to seek asylum, blaming economic and political turmoil and violence throughout Latin America and the world. 'Some of the causes of irregular migration have only been heightened by years of distress preceding this administration,' he said. Mayorkas testified one day after Homeland Security released a plan with more details about how it was preparing for the end of Title 42 authority. According to a CBP report released Monday, 73,495 unaccompanied children have been encountered at the southwestern border since October 1, 2021 - the start of fiscal year 2022. The totals are on pace to equal the 146,925 interdictions of unaccompanied minors in fiscal year 2021. During current fiscal year's six-month stretch, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents stopped 38,169 who unlawfully crossed the border without a parent or legal guardian. In comparison, the sector registered 76,284 such encounters in all of fiscal year 2021. In all, CBP reported a 33 percent spike in encounters with undocumented migrants along the southern border in March. U.S. Border Patrol agents reported 221,803 interdictions last month after registering 164,973 in February. The March totals also marked the highest amount of encounters under the administration of President Joe Biden since July 2021 when 213,593 interdictions were made. One of Melbourne's most notorious bikie bosses has been arrested over the gangland killing of an associate of high-profile drug lord Tony Mokbel. Mick Murray, the president of the outlaw motorcycle gang the Comancheros, was taken into custody following a pre-dawn raid on Thursday morning. Officers investigating the 2019 murder of gangland figure Mitat Rasimi have charged the 44-year-old with one count of murder. A 32-year-old man was also arrested but released pending further enquiries. Mick Murray, (pictured) the president of the outlaw motorcycle gang the Comancheros, was taken into custody after an early morning raid on Thursday Police arrested the bikie boss at his Lysterfield South home before conducting an early morning raid at Nitro Gym in Hallam (pictured) at about 7:20am Police arrested the bikie boss at his Lysterfield South home before conducting an early morning raid at Nitro Gym in Hallam at about 7:20am. Murray was known to frequent the gym in Melbourne's southeast with a witness telling the Herald Sun over 20 police vehicles had arrived on the scene. 'They blocked off all the entrances to the gym,' they said. 'The detectives went inside and then came out with a brown paper bag. It looked like a big bust.' Mitat Rasimi was found unresponsive with four bullets in his chest after crashing his Peugeot Coupe into a telegraph pole in Dandenong on March 3, 2019. He was a former member of an arm of notorious kingpin Tony Mokbel's empire and was suspected of having ties to other underworld groups. Two men, Laiseni Kakato, 28, and Richard Ene, 26, were charged over the 51-year-old's murder and remain in custody. Both have been linked to the Comancheros. Murray appeared in Melbourne's Magistrate Court via video-link on Thursday charged with one count of murder. Mitat Rasimi (pictured) was found unresponsive with four bullets in his chest after crashing his Peugeot Coupe into a telegraph pole in Dandenong on March 3, 2019 The court heard recordings from listening devices would have to be transcribed with no application for bail made. Prosecutor Phillip Raimondo was granted 10 weeks, four more than standard, for homicide detectives to prepare their case against Murray. In August 2019, Murray was denied entry to Thailand just days after pleading with a magistrate to relax his bail conditions to allow him to travel. He was facing more than 100 charges relating to fraud in Victoria at the time. In addition to the fraud charges, Murray allegedly owes more than $1 million to the Australian Taxation Office. In December of 2017, the Supreme Court ordered Murray and his wife Debbie Pitman to repay the Australian Tax Office millions in tax debt. The ATO found the pair had failed to pay income tax between 2008 and 2013, after their affairs were referred by the National Anti-Gangs Squad. Earlier this year, Murray led the Comancheros on a national run from Hallam to Port Phillip Prison in Truganina, in a show of support to imprisoned members Earlier this year, Murray led the Comancheros on a national run from Hallam to Port Phillip Prison in Truganina, in a show of support to imprisoned members. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said Murray's arrest will send shockwaves through the state's bikie community. 'From my point of view this is an outstanding bit of police work over a lengthy period of time,' Mr Patton said on 3AW Radio. 'We have tenacity from detectives who refuse to let things slide this has resulted in a significant arrest which will impact significantly outlaw motorcycle gangs.' Officers investigating the 2019 murder of gangland figure Mitat Rasimi have charged Mick Murray (pictured) with one count of murder The top cop said he couldn't comment on whether Rasimi had been a member of a rival gang but said it was a 'significant outcome'. Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said the arrests were the result of years of hard work and said they came as a reminder to other outstanding criminals. 'Some individuals and criminal groups think they can operate above the law time and time again they are proven wrong,' Mr Hill said. 'They may be able to avoid law enforcement for a period but it is only a matter of time before they face their day of judgement. 'We will continue to create a hostile environment for these serious and organised crime groups.' He claims he was 'disappointed' and 'concerned' by Melbourne's Covid response The veteran, who did 2 tours of Iraq, made the admission at an Anzac Day event A war veteran said he wouldn't join the army again due to Australia's Covid response A war veteran who served the Australian military during two tours of Iraq claims he wouldn't 'consider joining' the army now because of Australia's 'draconian' Covid response. The former soldier made the startling admission during a brief interview at an ANZAC Day service in Melbourne. The service was the first Melbourne has hosted since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, after Dan Andrews introduced the longest lockdown in the world in response to rising cases. An Australian war veteran (pictured) who did two tours in Iraq claims he wouldn't 'consider joining' the army now because of Australia's 'draconian' Covid response The soldier, who served in the Australian military in Iraq, said he was 'disappointed' and 'concerned' about Victoria's Covid response. 'I think it [Victoria's Covid response] was a huge overreaction,' he said. 'Just way too extreme, way too controlling and just the draconian nature of it, just the way, you know, 'You have to do this,' with no discretion, no distinction between different risk protocols.' 'So I was disappointed really with how it was and even concerned what the direction of it all is,' he added. The former soldier said Melbourne's lockdowns and restrictions were 'way too extreme, way too controlling' and 'draconian' The man added that the army would not be 'something I would've considered joining' now after expressing his 'disappointment' and 'concern' over Melbourne's Covid response The war veteran was asked if he felt this was 'the Australia you fought for,' to which he responded: 'No, I wouldn't.' 'If this was the situation now, the army is not something I'd would've considered joining because I don't support this system,' the former soldier stated. Another veteran said he found it hard to march alongside Andrews at the Anzac service. Last year, Mr Andrews said he has 'no regrets' about sending Melbourne into the world's longest lockdown. The city endured a total of 262 days in lockdown, the most of anywhere on the planet. Mr Andrews said lockdowns were the only option before there was a vaccine and until it had been widely distributed throughout the population. 'We have a vaccine now,' he said. 'People have got that vaccine in record numbers. That means we're into a different phase now, normalising this. 'It's not a perennial suppression. We'll move through this difficult gateway and normalise this virus. Get our freedoms back. Repair the damage. Heal those wounds that are particularly considerable. A driver has thrown her hands up after a Mercedes Benz was parked just a few millimetres behind her, wedged right up to her car's rear bumper - and stayed there for 24 hours. The irate motorist took to social media on Thursday explaining the car in front was also so close that she wasn't able to move her white Land Rover Discovery out of the inner west Sydney parking spot. She explained that even after calling the council, they refused to help as the car was not parked illegally - despite NSW rules stating drivers must leave at least one metre between cars. Facebook users were not shy in giving her some tips of what to do, as one joked, 'I was thinking a few strategically placed nails behind each tyre'. An irate parker took to social media after a regal Mercedes Benz (pictured, right) parked her Land Rover in for 24 hours The motorist wasn't able to budge as the vehicle in front had also parked close to her (pictured) Some commenters said she the Benz (pictured ) was 'kissing on her car' and it was 'unethical' Poll WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR CAR WAS STUCK? Have the Benz towed Try and edge my car out Call the police Knock on doors to find the owner WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR CAR WAS STUCK? Have the Benz towed 0 votes Try and edge my car out 0 votes Call the police 0 votes Knock on doors to find the owner 0 votes Now share your opinion Another recommended to 'reverse and knock the car out', while one more quipped the Benz was 'literally kissing on your car'. The post lead others to say it was 'unethical' parking, and said she should call the police, council or a tow truck driver. The NSW government rules that cars should keep a space between other vehicles when parallel parking. 'You must not park within 1m of another vehicle parked in front or behind,' website said. The complaints come after the city faces a parking crisis from it being too expensive in the CBD to finding a spot at a shopping centre. One creative shopper got praise after wedging their car nicely into a space that had a curved line next to a car park pillar in Melbourne this month. 'Technically this isn't a parking spot, but I give him credit for fitting between the lines perfectly,' a social media user said at the time. Social media piled on the offending vehicle, calling on the woman to ring a towing company Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' husband is outraged over the release of bodycam footage showing his wife dying on set after being shot by Alec Baldwin. Matthew Hutchins' lawyer Brian Panish sent Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza a scathing email claiming the police department double-crossed the grieving widower. Hutchins' says he's fearful bullies could use the widely-shared footage of Hutchins receiving emergency treatment to taunt the couple's nine year-old son, after she was accidentally killed by Hollywood star Baldwin while practicing a scene. Hutchins' claimed the sheriff said he could review all the footage before the department released it to the public, including the bodycam footage of his wife being attended to by emergency services as she laid dying on the Rust set in October 2021. He is now claiming the police department violated the family's rights to privacy and fairness in New Mexico, which states the family would be allowed to review the footage and request redactions prior to release. 'Your office trampled on the constitutional rights of Hutchins,' Panish wrote in an email, viewed by TMZ and The Los Angeles Times. 'We demand that your office respect Matthew, Halyna, and Andros Hutchins' constitutional rights of dignity, privacy, respect and fairness going forward. We also demand that your office take down the video footage of Halyna Hutchins dying on the church floor. 'While the damage of publishing that video is irreparable, taking down the video will end your office's complicity in causing future harm. Dramatic police bodycam video shows medics battling to save Halyna Hutchins life after the Rust movie set shooting Halyna Hutchins' husband Matthew (pictured together with their son Andros) slammed the Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza for releasing the footage of his wife dying on the Rust set after Alec Baldwin shot her. Huthins' claimed the sheriff said he could review all the footage before the department released it to the public, including the bodycam footage. Under the law, he would be able to have requested redactions to the information released Mendoza said the footage was released due to the high volume of records requests the department received The family also noted the potential trauma the footage could cause Andros, nine, if bullies use it against him, causing him further harm. It also claimed that Hutchins saw the footage first the first time on Radar Online. 'The first time Mr. Hutchins saw the disturbing and unsettling video footage of his dying wife lying on the church floor was on Radar Online, an internet website,' Panish wrote. 'The potential consequences are disturbing given how information is misused on social media. We fear, for example, that this shocking footage of Andros mother dying may be material used by bullies to emotionally abuse him in the future. Hutchins was also filmed being wheeled out of the church on a gurney while being given oxygen, before being put into a helicopter and airlifted away They also cited that the department was not required to release the footage. However, the department said it released the footage due to the number of records requests it received, according to the Los Angeles Times. 'We had received many requests for the information since the beginning of the investigation back in October when the incident occurred and it took us a lot of time to compile the data,' a police representative told the Times. 'When information is requested in New Mexico that is a public record, which these files are, were obligated to release them.' The department also released over 200 pages of police reports, other videos - including Baldwin's interrogation - and personal information, including phone number and addresses and social security numbers that were not redacted. The material was released before charges have been brought against anyone involved in the shooting. Former prosecutor for the LA DA's office and criminal defense attorney Joshua Ritter told the Los Angeles Times that the amount of information Santa Fe police released was 'just something that you dont see.' 'Were not talking about a few hand-picked reports or videos, but its almost like theyve released their entire file and its just remarkable to me,' he said. 'Theyve almost invited public opinion to weigh in on whether or not they think criminal charges are strong or not.' Crime scene photos were also released by police, as well as personal information, such as phone numbers, social security numbers, and addresses. Both the Hutchins family and the Rust movie representatives slammed the decision Pictures taken by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office show the evidence left on the scene after paramedics departed Lisa Torraco, the attorney representing the movie, also disagreed with the release of the information, stating: 'We are very very disappointed the sheriff released personal information.' The distressing clip of Halyna Hutchins' final moments - including paramedics crying 'Halyna, stay with us!' was released as part of a trove of evidence shared by Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office Monday. Hutchins, who died aged 42, could be seen unconscious of the floor of a church set as emergency responders worked to save her after she was shot on the New Mexico set of the western in October 2021. She appeared to be unconscious throughout, having been shot through her right armpit, with the bullet that struck her later emerging again through the top of her shoulder. They also released footage of Baldwin's interview with authorities Not much can be heard other than encouragement for Hutchins and the paramedics barking instructions at one another. In another video, the crew from Rust, including Baldwin, can be heard asking how Hutchins is doing. Baldwin can be heard asking 'what's her story?' in reference to Hutchins and being told things are 'a little bit rougher.' Someone can be heard asking if the condition is life-threatening and the response is: 'enough to get air-lifted.' The investigation files also include rehearsal clips that show Baldwin in costume as he practices a quick-draw maneuver with a gun. A close-knit community has been rocked by the tragic death of a happy baby boy who had recently taken his first steps. Mystery surrounds what happened to the 14-month-old toddler named Jace who was found dead at a Madora Bay home south of Perth early on Wednesday. Police returned to a home Balclutha Crescent for a second day on Thursday, where the property remains cordoned off. Officers obtained CCTV footage from a property opposite the home as forensic police took photographs and took away bags of evidence to be examined. Forensic police remain at the Madora Bay home where a 14-month-old boy died on Wednesday Neighbours raised the alarm shortly before 5am on Wednesday after they heard shouting and doors banging. Police arrived on scene and called paramedics, who desperately tried to revive the boy. The toddler lived at the rented home with his mother and grandmother. Shattered next door neighbour Stan Grostate dropped off an Easter egg for Jace several days earlier and was one of the last to see the toddler alive. He held the little boy on Tuesday night so his mother could have a cigarette. The quiet suburban street south of Perth has been cordoned off for a consecutive day 'It's devastating. He was such a cute little boy,' Mr Grostate told reporters. 'He smiled a lot, and used to play with my cat whenever they came over. 'He had just started walking.' 'I just want to know how he died.' Shan Preston added: 'It genuinely hurts me to think about. He was just so little. It's just horrible.' Homicide detectives are investigating the toddler's death as forensic officers (pictured) scour the home for clues The toddler's tragic death has rocked shattered Madora Bay locals (pictured) Another resident told The West Australian the boy's mum was 'very quiet' and kept to herself'. Investigations continue as police wait for the results of a post-mortem. 'Homicide Squad detectives are currently at a home in Madora Bay, investigating the death of a child, a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. 'The circumstances surrounding the death are not known at this time, and inquiries are now ongoing.' No charges have yet been laid. Madora Bay is regarded as one of Mandurah's most south-after estates because of its beachside location and easy access to Perth. A calculated killer is on the run after a 'big, big fish' of Sydney's underworld gangland war was gunned down while visiting an associate in city's south-west. Police sources said Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad, also known as Mr Big, had no obvious connection to Greenacre, where he took his last breath on Wednesday night. He had more enemies than friends and detectives aren't shocked Ahmad was gunned down, after he repeatedly failed to heed their warnings to lay low following his release from jail in November last year. It's understood he had a $1million bounty on his head. But there are now suspicions that Ahmad may have been betrayed by someone he trusted. 'He wasn't supposed to be here,' one police source told Daily Mail Australia. 'Whoever did this was given a heads up that they could find him here.' Homicide Squad commander Danny Doherty said: 'It was a meticulous assassination ... they weren't going to muck around with this one.' Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was gunned down while visiting an associate in Sydney's south-west. Pictured are police trying to revive the underworld figure A series of bullet holes could be seen in the side of a white Toyota Hilux that was towed away in Greencare on Thursday morning Police are investigating whether two burnt out luxury cars (one pictured) found near the scene are linked to the shooting death of Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad Forensic officers paid particular attention to this white FWD, swabbing for prints and taking photos Detectives fear Sydney's underworld is set to explode in a series of tit for tat reprisals after kingpin Mr Big Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was gunned down in a suburban street When Ahmad came out of the two storey home at the end of the street, he was immediately set upon and fell to the ground in a hail of bullets. Detectives have described the assassination as 'incredibly brazen and callous'. Seven cars have since been taken from the scene, including a white ute with five bullet holes. While it's only very early in the investigation, police were able to obtain several Firearm Prohibition Orders late on Wednesday and on Thursday. This allowed them to launch a targeted raid on several addresses linked to known underworld figures. It's unclear if they found anything of interest in the coordinated raids on Thursday morning. Pictured: Forensic officer dusting for finger prints on a white FWD at the crime scene Seven cars in total have so far been towed from the crime scene, including this blue one Cops talk to locals as they hunt for answers to the brutal slaying of Mr Big Narelle Crescent in Greenacre remained cordoned off by police on Thursday morning after underworld kingpin Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was shot dead in a hail of bullets It's still not entirely clear how Ahmad fits into the equation, but Homicide Squad boss Danny Doherty noted he had a lot of enemies The two burnt out luxury cars found near the scene - a Porsche and a BMW - were both stolen. There are mounting fears of a retaliatory attack as the list of victims in Sydney's underworld war soars to nine in 18 months. 'You'd think the Hamze's would call it,' the source said. 'There aren't too many left.' Earlier, a police officer explained how the Alameddine crime network were 'picking the Hamze's off like flies'. It's still not entirely clear how Ahmad fits into the equation, but Homicide Squad boss Danny Doherty noted he had a lot of enemies. Just last October, Ahmad dodged another attempt on his life when he was tipped off about a planned hit on him in broad daylight at a park at Rushcutters Bay. A burnt-out Porsche 4WD was found in Greenacre shortly after the shooting (pictured) Firefighters contained the blaze (pictured) and it is unconfirmed if the two incidents are linked 'There is a long list of people that would like to see or do harm to rally and someone last night managed to do so,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said. 'Even up until last week police were executing firearm prohibition orders on associates, warning them that by being associated with him they're in danger. 'He'd (also) been warned in the past that he was a marked man but he didn't heed those warnings. '(This is) the consequences of him continuing on in the Bankstown area of going about his normal business as if he hadn't care in the world, but he was in imminent danger and it was warning that had been given to him.' Ahmad had very little concern about any perceived danger to his life and 'didn't want to hide', police say. A white Hilux ute was peppered with bullets (pictured) on the passenger side of the vehicle Bystanders gather in the street (pictured) after word of the shooting spread and hoards of police and emergency services vehicles arrived Distressed associates of Ahmad were involved in a tense exchange with police when they arrived at the scene on Thursday morning It's understood Ahmad had connections with the Hamze and Alameddine wars but was also involved in a separate organised crime network. 'He was a big, big fish,' one cop said. 'This is pretty significant in terms of his family and his associates.' Regardless, police aren't expecting the violence to subside any time soon. 'Emotions are running high and when these boys act with their emotions it doesn't always end well I think we're in for a long couple of days.' Ahmad had only recently been released from prison after serving five years for the manslaughter of another underworld figure at a Sydney scrap yard in 2016. All morning on Thursday friends and family of the deceased were driving past the scene or trying to get inside. Two men, claiming to be family, were eventually let in after a standoff with police. They refused to speak with media, insisting they knew nothing about the attack or underworld threats. While some neighbours noted it wasn't unusual for crime and gang activity in Greenacre, several others said it'd never been this close to home before. Officers speak to bystanders after the shooting in Sydney's west on Wednesday (pictured) Multiple police vehicles attend the scene at Greenacre, Sydney (pictured) after a man was killed in a hail of bullets How shooting unfolded: Timeline of attack on Mahmoud Ahmad Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad went to Narelle Crescent, Greenacre on Wednesday night to visit an associate. Around 9.30pm, he was leaving when he was gunned down by 'a large hail of bullets' outside the home. More than one person 'lay in wait' outside the house before opening fire. Officers from Strike Force Raptor were in the area at the time and arrived to find a dying Ahmad lying in the street. 'The movements of Brownie Ahmed are being investigated,' Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said. 'He was at that address visiting an associate. 'He'd been there for a little bit and was leaving. 'What appears to be - whoever was in a car - as soon as he was out open in the street more than one person in that vehicle, someone's fired shots at Brownie Ahmed 'They've planned it. it's well executed and I suppose it was a meticulous assassination of a person they were going to kill.' 'They weren't going to muck around with this one, that's for sure.' Advertisement Narelle Crescent in Greenacre has been blocked off from the public since Wednesday night, with police ushering neighbours in and out by foot. A sniffer dog was on the scene going from door to door in the cul-de-sac looking for clues as police launch a major investigation into the assassination. 'I thought I heard something but I wasn't sure,' one neighbour, 34-year-old Zarif, told Daily Mail Australia. 'When I came out to check it was pandemonium. Police, all my neighbours, we were all on the street.' Since 2020, NSW Police have focused considerable resources on a gangland war between the Alameddine and Hamzy groups which has seen at least seven people killed. Police are scouring multiple crime scenes, including the street where Ahmad was gunned down on Wednesday night After a number of arrests and top-level Alameddine enforcer Masood Zakaria fleeing overseas the war appeared to have quietened. But Ahmad's death could ignite a new blood-feud police will have to contend with. Police sources previously told Daily Mail Australia the organisations target vulnerable teenagers from an early age, luring them into the underworld with the promise of cash, infamy and a sense of belonging. 'They get them young,' the source said. 'These kids are usually the ones stealing the cars, pushing the drugs. It's insidious.' It's alleged the chosen youths have 'stealing cars down to an art' and hand them over to the senior members accused of carrying out or soliciting hits on their enemies. Ahmed being arrested by police in 2016 after touching down in Sydney airport from Lebanon where he fled in the aftermath the gunfight at a smash repair business Moderna is planning to submit an application to the FDA on Thursday for the authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine among kids ages six months to five years. The Omicron variant was predominant during Moderna's pediatric trial, and the drugmaker claims two doses were around 38% effective in preventing infections in 2 to 5-year-olds and 44% effective for children aged 6 months to 2 years. Moderna gave children two quarter-sized vaccine doses for the study. Their shot is currently only available for adults aged 18 and up. Pfizer's COVID shot is available to children as young as five, and is the only vaccine authorized for minors in the US. Its request comes after drug company suggested two-doses of its vaccine provided a comparable protection in young children to that of adults. A clinical trial of around 6,700 kids found two quarter doses of the COVID-19 shot in children aged 6 and under generated an immune response similar to that of young adults who also received two full shots. Many parents remain wary of giving young children the vaccine. They're at very low risk of a severe COVID infection, with 1,185 of America's total 992,000 COVID deaths among children aged 0 to 18. COVID jabs also carry a very low risk of heart inflammation - particularly in boys and young men - which can in rare cases prove serious. Moderna plans to submit an application to the FDA for the authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine among kids between the ages of six months to five years. Children are pictured receiving a Pfizer vaccine - the only one currently available to youngsters aged five and up Children who got the shot only experienced mild side effects. None developed severe Covid-19. Despite the application, Moderna still needs to send in its final batch of data to the FDA, according to Politico and it is not likely to do so until May 4. The filing essentially means that Moderna can start to plan how it would go about distributing the shot, but a final decision to approving the jab is likely to still be several weeks away. The FDA has so far not commented on the possible application. Peter Marks, the top FDA vaccine regulator, told lawmakers that a more specific timeline would be released next week which would likely stipulate when the agency planned to give the shots the green light. Peter Marks, the top FDA vaccine regulator, told lawmakers that a more specific timeline would be released next week stipulating when the agency planned to give the shots the green light 'Just remember that we can't actually finish our reviews until we actually have complete applications in the FDA,' Marks testified to the Senate HELP Committee. 'We will proceed with all due speed, once we have complete applications, some of these are complicated because they are relatively covering larger swaths of the pediatric population than others,' he added. Last week, Pfizer said a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine produced significant protection against the Omicron variant in healthy children from ages 5 to 11. Earlier in the year the FDA authorized a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 and those aged 5 through 11 who are immunocompromised. It is unclear how much demand there is for a third vaccine dose in the age group. Just 28% of children aged 5 to 11 years - around 8.2 million - are fully vaccinated, according to data from the CDC. There has also been some skepticism on the need for boosters in younger children given the reduced risk of severe infection and hospitalization in the age group. Moderna's trial involving 6,700 children found two doses were around 38% effective in 2 to 5-year-olds and 44% effective for kids aged 6 months to under 2 years Pfizer has filed for the clearance of a 10-microgram booster dose for children 5 to 11 years. Adults receive a 30-microgram dose of the vaccine. The primary two-dose COVID-19 shot from Pfizer and BioNTech was authorized in the United States for children 5 to 11 years in October. Moderna's filing will further pile pressure on the FDA for them to authorize the vaccine after it was revealed how the agency was delaying until Pfizer put forward its filing for a similar shot. Federal regulators believed that the release of vaccines from both companies at the same time would make it easier to roll them out to the public and cut down on confusion, but it might result in a delay until June. 'Let me be very clear, being thorough absolutely does not mean we are delaying review of these vaccines,' Marks said in a video on Tuesday. 'We're going to move with all expediency without sacrificing our standards to complete our evaluations.' A venomous snake was found under the hood of a man's outdoor BBQ, prompting a safety warning to all Aussies to watch out for deadly bites. Owner of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, Stuart McKenzie, was called out to the Sippy Downs home after a terrified owner noticed 'something black' slither under the barbeque hood on Wednesday. Footage taken by Mr McKenzie shows the moment the 1.2 metre red bellied black snake was found, captured, and relocated. Snake catcher Stuart McKenzie responded to a call from a Sunshine Coast resident who spotted a red bellied black snake under the hood of his outdoor barbeque (pictured) 'The Aussie barbeque is probably one of the most well-used things here on the Sunshine Coast,' Mr McKenzie said in the Facebook video. 'As a snake catcher going into a situation like this, we want to make sure that we are being as careful as possible.' The owner of the home can be seen pointing, from a great distance, to the barbeque in question. Mr McKenzie slowly removed the covers using his snake handler hook making sure his hands were well clear of the snake who might have confused his fingers for food. The snake catcher 'could not believe his eyes' when he took a peak under the last barbeque cover. The dangerous reptile quickly slithered away wrapping its head and body around the back of the barbeque hood and around the gas pipe. 'This is what snakes do when they try to get away,' Mr McKenzie said. 'They'll curl around something on their front end.' The experienced catcher was able to manipulate the snake and get the reptile out in the open by using his hook and grabbing the tail with his fingers. The dangerous reptile quickly slithered away wrapping its head and body around the back of the barbeque hood and around the gas pipe Mr McKenzie (pictured) was able to manipulate the snake and get the reptile out in the open by using his hook and grabbing the end of its tail with his fingers He then guided the snake to the ground were it was able to 'chillax'. The snake is seen flicking its tongue out and smelling its environment before slithering straight into the handlers bag. Mr McKenzie is then seen relocating the 'beautiful' reptile back to where it belongs in the Australian bushland. The serpent encounter comes after Queensland Ambulance confirmed paramedics have responded to 370 snake bites across the state since the beginning of the year - 48 of which have occurred in the Sunshine Coast. In comparison, the state recorded 872 snake bites in total last year. Of the 370 bites already recorded, the highest number occurred in the Sunshine Coast; with paramedics responding to 48 callouts. Queensland Ambulance said most bites occurred on the lower limbs when people attempted to either kill or move the snake. Although most species are not aggressive and will usually retreat before attacking, Mr McKenzie said snake bites come down to how people act when they encounter a serpent. Mr McKenzie urges people to leave the job of relocating a snake to the professionals. 'Generally snake bites come down to how people act,' Mr McKenzie told Nine News. 'This season we've had a lot of calls and messages where people have already caught the snake. More so than last season. 'It should be going the opposite way with all the education out there. Please leave the handling to the professionals.' Scientists are mystified as to why dozens of headless penguins have been washing up on Australian beaches, leading to an investigation into who, or what, is behind the gruesome deaths. Around 20 penguin bodies washed ashore on beaches in South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula in April alone. This is more than the total number of penguin deaths in the area in the whole of 2021. Headless penguins have been washing up on shore around Fleurieu Peninsula (pictured) in South Australia In South Australia, Stephen Hedges is collecting the dead animals so they can be studied by scientists to find out how or why the heads are being removed. The Flinders University volunteer said he and others are finding both the penguin bodies and the severed heads. Direct human intervention has been ruled out as a cause as the deaths are happening a sea. But Mr Hedges said fishing boat propellers could be causing the deaths, based on the large number of vessels in the area. 'We normally have one or two per month washing up on the beaches but already (in April) I have collected between 15 and 20, and sometimes three in one day,' he told the Advertiser. Mr Hedges the evidence so far is pointing to a 'fairly clean chop' on the penguin's heads. 'But looking at an animal and thinking "that is a very clean chop" is not the same as scientists determining a cause,' he said. Life of Australia's penguins Australia's mainland-dwelling little penguins face many threats, from introduced predators to humans inadvertently trampling burrows. Even the remote-dwelling penguins of the Southern Ocean aren't immune to human impact. At sea, they may struggle to find food, facing competition with industrial fishing and changes in abundance and distribution of their prey due to climate change. Many penguin breeding sites are protected, and a number of marine protected areas are proposed for East Antarctica to help our penguin pals. Source: Australian Geographic Advertisement In an normal year, between 10 and 20 of the flightless birds wash up dead onshore in the area, but with that many just in April, scientists are concerned. Mr Hedges said a recent tuna fishing competition off Encounter Bay could have attracted penguins around boats. Tourism may also be a factor in the killing of the penguins, with the numbers increasing around the Easter and Anzac weekends when there were a lot of visitors to the area. He said a lot of the tourists were walking along the beaches with their dogs, which may be related to what happened. Fox predation could also be a factor. Another theory is that the decapitations could be caused by waves, currents and climatic conditions, but the number of deaths seems too large for that to be the sole cause. Mr Hedges said it would take two or three weeks for scientists to find a definitive cause. Though the headless bodies being found in South Australia seems to be a unique event, penguins have recently fallen to another bizarre mass death. Last September a swarm of bees killed 63 endangered African penguins on a South African beach. The protected birds were found dead in Simon's Town, near Cape Town and taken for post-mortems. 'After tests, we found bee stings around the penguins' eyes,' David Roberts, a clinical veterinarian, said at the time. Pictured is a blue penguin at Victor Habor in South Australia. Penguins in the area have been washing ashore after being beheaded The area is a national park and Cape honeybees are part of the ecosystem. 'The penguins must not die just like that as they are already in danger of extinction. They are a protected species,' said Mr Roberts, who works with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds. South African National Parks said there were no external physical injuries found on any of the birds. The postmortems showed all the penguins had multiple bee stings. While the vast majority of Apple products are assembled in China, it seems that Apple now uses some of Foxconn's facilities in Brazil to assemble the iPhone 13. However, it seems that the iPhone 13 mini will not have a local production, as per 9to5mac report. According to 9to5mac, an iPhone 13 customer was surprised to find that his brand-new unit denoted that it was assembled in Brazil. The iPhone unit was confirmed to be manufactured in Brazil with a model number of "MLPF3BR/A." Chinese-assembled iPhones sold in Brazil bare a "BZ/A" identifier, according to Apple Insider. Brazil Only Assembles 6.1-inch iPhone 13 According to 9to5mac, for some unknown reason, it seems that only the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 is being assembled at Foxconn Brazil, located in Jundiai, Sao Paulo. Evidence shows that the 6.1-inch model of the iPhone 13 is currently being assembled at Foxconn Brazil. This is not surprising because both the iPhone SE and iPhone 11 were also assembled in Brazil in the past. It was reported by MacMagazine that Apple updated the iPhone 13 documentation at ANATEL (the Brazilian telecom regulator) on January 24, 2022. Foxconn Brazil is now included as a manufacturing facility for the product. The documents, according to MacMagazine, also confirmed that neither the iPhone 13 mini nor the 13 Pro models are included in the plans to be assembled in Brazil. On September 14, 2021, the iPhone 13 alongside iPhone 13 Pro was first unveiled at Apple's "California Streaming" keynote event. On March 8, 2022, the new green color option was introduced. The new iPhone 13 is an upgrade of its predecessor, the iPhone 12. It carried out a number of significant upgrades including new cameras, a bigger and longer battery life, more storage, and a brighter screen. Faster than its predecessor's A14 Bionic processor, the iPhone 13 has Apple's latest A15. It has double the starting storage of 128GB and it is one of the fastest phones a person can buy. The iPhone 13 operates with iOS 15. It has two improved 12-megapixel cameras on the back, one main and one ultrawide angle. The 12MP selfie camera shoots good, crisp, and detailed images in bright light. The iPhone 13 is a level-up phone that a person can safely use longer than other smartphones with five years of software support provided by Apple. With reasonable and accessible battery replacement options, it is one of the best phones that a person can buy. Read Also: How Much Did It Cost Apple To Build iPhone 13 Pro? It's Pricier Than iPhone 12 Pro! Why Is Apple Not Assembling Pro Models of iPhone in Brazil? Apple has never assembled any Pro models of the iPhone in Brazil according to 9to5mac. It's probably because they are much more expensive and only a few people buy these models in emerging countries. However, more affordable models like the iPhone SE and iPhone 11 were already being manufactured in Brazil. Apple has, however, decided to scrap the iPhone 13 mini from its local assembly plans. Why? Because the mini version has low demand, no matter the efforts to make it more affordable. Because Brazil imposes high taxes on imported products, which includes almost the entire range of Apple devices, some companies invest in the local assembly process. This grants a reduction in taxes to sell those products. Related Article: How to Fix iPhone 13 Camera Quality: Avoid Blurry, Low Quality Photos With These Steps Ben Roberts-Smith's friend and SAS soldier won a fancy dress competition for wearing a Ku Klux Klan outfit at an Australian army bar in Afghanistan, he has told a court. The witness codenamed Person 35 from New Zealand in the Federal Court was questioned about his controversial outfit worn at the SAS makeshift bar called the Fat Lady's Arms. Person 35 is appearing on behalf of Mr Roberts-Smith who is suing The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times for defamation. The war veteran denies all reported claims he committed war crimes in Afghanistan including murder, and acts of bullying and domestic violence, while the mastheads are defending them as true. Barrister Nicholas Owens SC on behalf of the newspapers asked the witness about why he chose to dress up as a KKK member. Person 35 said the KKK costume (pictured) was the 'easiest costume to manufacture at short notice' and thought it would be funny as another person was dressing in blackface Person 35 said he didn't want to pay for an outfit online and this was the "easiest costume to manufacture at short notice". "I knew another person was coming as blackface and I thought it would be funny if I came as a Klansman." He said it was a parody, to have a laugh, to make fun of the actual Klan itself. "They're pretty pathetic and I was making a joke of it." "Were you reprimanded?" Mr Owens asked. "No I was not, I actually won the fancy dress competition," Person 35 said. The former elite soldier was also questioned about a number of Instagram posts he had liked, including one with an image of a man labelled "Fairfax". The post references "some f***wit in a suit using f***tard logic he learned getting his tonsils bruised by some lecturer's spotty d*** at their non-binary law school". Key witness, person 35, appeared on behalf of Mr Roberts-Smith (above) telling the court he hadn't seen Roberts-Smith allegedly kick a prisoner off a cliff "This c*** will be one of the first to be held down and drowned in a muddy puddle for his fancy jacket," the post continues. Person 35 said it wasn't referring to Mr Owens personally, but the entire proceedings, including all witnesses who appeared for the news outlets. He said the posts were dark humour and should not be taken seriously. To another online posting referencing rats and snitches, Person 35 said he believed previous witnesses on the "other side" had been lying, and found it extremely disturbing they spoke to the media and not the chain of command. He agreed he "did not see what some of your witnesses have claimed to have seen", referring to the allegation Mr Roberts-Smith kicked a prisoner off a cliff. "I know my friend Ben and I know he wouldn't do that." Another point of amusement for Person 35 was his drawings of winged penises inside troop headquarters at Tarin Kowt, he said. Mr Roberts-Smith outside court recently He said his parody of the winged dagger became his trademark art "for a laugh". But he denied the suggestion he penned a winged penis kicking a prisoner off the side of a cliff, a drawing another soldier said he had seen after the allegation against Mr Roberts-Smith became known. Person 35 testified that he saw plenty of "killboards" around the Australian army base including one in Mr Roberts-Smith's room. On Thursday Person 35 confirmed Seven Network boss Kerry Stokes was paying for his legal fees, saying he did not trust free lawyers offered from the Australian Defence Force. It follows his evidence about a key point of contention during a clearance of a Taliban compound dubbed Whiskey 108 in Uruzgan province in 2009. Person 35 has backed Mr Roberts-Smith's testimony that no men were found inside a secret tunnel Person 35 says he crawled through. The trial continues. Rudy Giuliani is expected to testify before the January 6 House select committee next month regarding his efforts to delay or overturn Joe Biden's 2020 election shortly before the Capitol riot. The committee had subpoenaed Giuliani - Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, in January - with Giuliani's team and lawmakers negotiating on how he will comply when he testifies in May, sources told CNN. In the subpoena, the committee alleges Giuliani 'actively promoted claims of election fraud on behalf of the former president and sought to convince state legislators to take steps to overturn the election results.' It also states that Giuliani was in contact with Trump and Congressional representatives 'regarding strategies for delaying or overturning the results of the 2020 election.' The former Mayor of New York City attended the Save America rally that took place in Washington DC and was photographed addressing a crowd, some of whom later ended up rioting at the Capitol. Rudy Giuliani, former President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, will testify before the January 6 House committee in May regarding his efforts to delay or overturn the 2020 election during the Save America rally (above) ahead of the deadly Capitol riot Giuliani will be the latest member of Trump's (right) inner circle to testify before the committee In the subpoena, the committee alleges Giuliani 'actively promoted claims of election fraud on behalf of the former president and sought to convince state legislators to take steps to overturn the election results.' Pictured, Trump supporters storming the Capitol on January 6 The committee has said it expects Giuliani to cooperate with the subpoena, but the Trump lawyer will be able to invoke executive or attorney-client privilege in response to specific questions. The House select committee declined to comment on Giuliani's expected appearance. Giuliani will be the latest member of Trump's inner circle to speak with the committee after daughter Ivanka Trump spoke with the committee for nearly eight hours on April 5. Her husband, Jared Kushner, met with the committee beforehand, and Donald Trump Jr. is also expected to testify before the lawmakers in the coming weeks. Giuliani had raised concerns in the moments leading up to the Capitol riot where he spoke to Trump supporters and reiterated his false claims that the election was stolen and that the opposition should be exposed to 'trial by combat.' 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat. 'I'm willing to stake my reputation, the president is willing to stake his reputation on the fact that we're going to find criminality there,' he added to the frenzied crowd. Giuliani reiterated false claims of election fraud at the January 6 rally and called for 'trial by combat' for those stopping the overturn of the election Giuliani, The former mayor of New York, is also facing a potentially ruinous billion-dollar lawsuit filed in January 2021 by Dominion Voting Systems, who accused him of defamation after he claimed without evidence that the company rigged the election to defeat Trump. During the tense moments of the 2020 election, Trump had directed Giuliani to call the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to determine whether it could legally take control of voting machines in key swing states. Trump also had asked Attorney General Bill Barr whether the Justice Department could take the voting machines. Barr told him no. Trump continues to falsely state he lost the November 2020 election due to widespread fraud despite multiple court losses and audits confirming Biden's victory. Giuliani may also face charges from federal prosecutors in New York regarding his foreign lobbying efforts involving Ukraine while he served as Trump's lawyer. Earlier this month, he met with prosecutors to unlock three of his phones, according to CNN, after months of refusing to cooperate. Giuliani has denied any wrongdoing and said in the past that he 'never represented' anyone from Ukraine, insisting his work in the country was in his sole capacity as Trump's lawyer. A group of carjackers crashed into a Bronx man while trying to undertake his car, then attacked him and broke his eye socket before stealing their victim's car. Miquiel Guerrero, 23, and five others surrounded an unidentified victim, 53, and his car after they crashed into each other on Exterior Street in the Grand Concourse neighborhood around 6.30pm on March 30. The group appeared to be trying to pass the victim's Kia in their Lexus and got trapped between him and an unoccupied Honda sedan. Surveillance footage shows the group surrounding the driver's vehicle, with one member standing on the roof of the car, causing massive dents to form. He appears to reach down and slap the victim on the head while Guerrero can be seen violently punching the victim several times. After being beaten, the 53-year-old can be seen running away from the scene and two men enter his vehicle and begin to drive off with it. While three others hop in the Honda, according to the New York Post. A group of six attached an unidentified Kia driver after the pair crashed into each other on March 30 in the Bronx One of the members can be seen standing on the roof of the car was Miquiel Guerrero, 23, can be seen repeatedly punching the victim in the face Guerrero, who stayed on the scene for unknown reasons, was later arrested and charged with robbery. It is unclear why he did not receive an assault charge. Police are now looking for the other group members, all aged between 18 and 25, according to authorities. The victim was transported to Jacobi Medical Center and was treated for a fractured eye socket and facial cuts. The group later stole the victim's van as well as an unoccupied Honda. Guerrero stayed on the scene for unknown reasons and was apprehended and charged with robbery The arrests comes as New York is in the middle of a crime surge, with overall crime up 42 percent. The Big Apple is an increasing problem with carjacking up 68 percent and felony assaults up 21 percent. Earlier this month, NYC Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell 'this is not what New Yorkers expect or deserve, and we will not stand for it' as crime continues to terrorize New Yorkers. 'It's clear what we are confronting: A perception among criminals that there are no consequences, even for serious crime. We need tangible changes,' added Sewell. NYC Mayor Eric Adams has now vowed to crack down on transit crimes, which is up more than 60 percent, but also lazy officers patrolling subway stations. Adams made the plea at a press conference Tuesday when asked by a journalist about reports of multiple uniformed cops being spotted scrolling through phones while on duty guarding the city's crime-ridden transport network. The former NYPD captain warned: 'We are going to start taking very aggressive actions to make sure police are patrolling our subway system and not patrolling their iPhone.' Overall crime is up 42 percent in the city and assaults are up 20 percent 'If you see it, send me a picture. I'll go to that district the next day and see exactly what is happening. 'Send me a shot. New Yorkers, you see that send me a photo and I will be at that station.' Adams spokesman told anyone with photos to send them to his press office, whose email address is pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov. Adams said that New Yorkers can look forward to a 'visible difference in policing in the next couple of weeks.' The best friend of a teenager killed when she and her father went on a motorbike joyride for his birthday has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the 'beautiful soul'. Alan, 60, and Hannah Atherton, 19, were out on a ride for his 60th on April 18 when they collided with a silver sedan on the Bruce Highway, south of Mackay, in northern Queensland at about 10.30am. Mr Atherton died at the scene while Ms Atherton, who had been his pillion passenger, was flown to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition. After spending 10 days fighting for her life, she passed away on Wednesday. Ms Atherton's best friend Shakira Bickley, who she had been visiting in Mackay before her father's birthday, revealed she was able to tell her she loved her one final time. Hannah Atherton, 19, is pictured with best friend Shakira Bickley. Ms Bickley posted a heartbreaking tribute to her friend after she was tragically killed in a motorbike crash 'The loss of a best friend is nothing that I ever thought I would have to go through,' she wrote in a heartfelt social media post. The pair met on the school bus and soon became close friends, hanging out after class and playing AFL together. 'Each game we would argue on how we both wanted the number 8 jersey, she would win,' Ms Bickley said. The pair were able to reunite in Mackay, as Ms Atherton lives in Sydney and Ms Bickley on the Gold Coast, and went out to get ice-cream on Easter Sunday - the night before the accident. 'We drove around Mackay looking over a city we once called home. Talking about our future and personal goals,' Ms Bickley wrote. The teenager and her father Alan Atherton, 60, (pictured together) collided with a car while out on a motorbike for his birthday. He died at the scene 'Saying how she can't wait to have a big family one day and that I'll be the ''cool auntie''. 'We pulled up to mine and said our goodbyes and that we will see each other very soon as she was planning to come visit me in the Gold Coast. 'One last hug and one last ''love you'' as I closed the door. As hard as it is, I'm glad this was our last conversation. I'm glad you got to hear how much I love you.' Ms Atherton had been visiting her father in Mackay after moving from the coastal town five years ago. Loved ones have revealed her organs will be donated. Ms Atherton had recently moved to Sydney and was working as a fundraiser for marketing company Bua Group A friend said Mr Atherton died 'doing what he loved'. Pictured is his blue Harley Davidson Ms Bickley said she hoped her friend's organs would go 'to a soul just as beautiful as hers' and it was a 'true blessing' being able to 'say one last goodbye at the hospital'. 'Getting to hold your hand and seeing you at peace is something I'll appreciate forever,' she continued. 'May you and your dad ride into the beautiful sunset together.' Acting Inspector Anthony Cowan said the Athertons had been out with a group of riders on Easter Monday when tragedy struck. He said initial investigations suggested a car travelling in the same direction stopped on the side of the road near McNeil Road at Koumala and did a U-turn in front of the motorbike. 'I believe there was a group of motorcycles and (the car) has given way for most of the motorcycles and they've conducted a U-turn and not seen the last one, is what it appears,' he said, the Courier Mail reports. The 63-year-old female driver of the sedan was taken to Mackay Base Hospital with moderate injuries. Her four passengers - a man, 40, woman, 34, and two kids, aged five and seven - were not injured. Police said initial reports indicated the impact of the collision caused the sedan to flip on its side, blocking the northbound lane, as members of the public rushed to render assistance. Friends have remembered the teenager as a 'beautiful soul' and have revealed her organs will be donated to save other lives Ms Atherton was airlifted to hospital in a rescue helicopter after suffering head injuries, while police closed the road in both directions to investigate the scene. Forensic Crash Unit investigations continue and anyone with relevant dashcam footage from that area or information that could help is urged to contact police. Inspector Cowan described the desolate stretch of highway as a 'danger zone' as it is notorious for accidents due to driver fatigue. He said authorities would up patrols and improve signage following two deaths in the area this year. 'There's a big fatigue zone there especially coming 10 hours north of Brisbane and there's not much around,' he said. 'People don't realise they're tired until it is too late.' The tragedy brings the death toll on the Bruce Highway near Koumala so far this year to four after a woman and man were killed in two separate crashes. A Johns Hopkins doctor is mocking Dr. Anthony Fauci for refusing to the White House correspondents' dinner due to coronavirus concerns despite being quadruple-vaccinated. 'Dr. Fauci has been vaccinated four times and he still says he's not comfortable going to the white house correspondents' dinner this Saturday night,' Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Marty Makary told Fox News host Tucker Carlson Wednesday night. 'That is the person that is behind all the covid policies in the United States.' Makary questioned Fauci's credibility, noting he is 'not an infectious diseases doctor' and has been 'using the wrong data the entire pandemic'. 'Dr. Fauci is allowed to have an opinion. I think he has experience and should weigh in but let's be honest - he is not an infectious diseases doctor,' the surgeon argued. 'He never did an infectious diseases fellowship. He did a rheumatology fellowship.' Rheumatology is the study of diseases of muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments. While Fauci initially specialized in that area of medicine, he has been director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984. He was previously credited for his adept response to the AIDS epidemic - but his contradictory pronouncements on the newest virus to sweep the world have proved more controversial. 'I've been to about five or six major doctors conferences over the last three months nationwide, large conferences with thousands of doctors, they are not wearing masks. We have doctors aggregating and auditoriums doing their lectures and conferences and at social events with hundreds of people not wearing masks.' 'What does that tell you about the public health guidance that we've gotten?' he questioned. Makary's criticisms followed Fauci's latest U-turn in which he insisted the US has not left the pandemic stage of the COVID outbreak - just hours after saying that it had. Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Marty Makary (pictured) is mocking Dr. Anthony Fauci refusing to attend dinner at the White House dinner due to coronavirus concerns despite being quadruple vaccinated The White House COVID tsar claimed his remarks from Tuesday night - which were taped and reported verbatim - had been 'misconstrued' in a subsequent interview Wednesday. 'We certainly can't say the pandemic is over. It is not over,' Fauci, top medical advisor to President Joe Biden, told CBS News Wednesday afternoon. Fauci - famed for his flip-flops on issues including masks - did not comment further on how his earlier remarks had been misconstrued - even though they appear to directly contradict his 'correction.' He instead clarified that the COVID threat in the U.S. was not as 'acute and accelerated' as it was earlier in the pandemic and the nation had reached a new 'decelerated and controlled' phase of the pandemic over the past several months. Fire clip from Johns Hopkins' Dr. Marty Makary: "When you have doctors aggregating in auditoriums doing their lectures and conferences, then at social events with hundreds of people not wearing masks, what does that tell you about the public health guidance that we've gotten?" pic.twitter.com/tgQeb51b98 Scott Morefield (@SKMorefield) April 28, 2022 'That does not mean we are out of the woods,' he said, adding that the number of COVID positive cases is starting to 'creep up' again. The remarks which saw Fauci flip flop were broadcast by PBS NewsHour Tuesday night. 'We are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase,' he said. 'Namely, we don't have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now.' Dr. Anthony Fauci (pictured Tuesday), has flip-flopped on his pandemic guidance once again, now alleging the U.S. is not in the clear to return to a state of pre-virus normalcy Facui said Wednesday afternoon 'we certainly can't say the pandemic is over' in America, despite claiming Tuesday night that it was Fauci on Wednesday urged Americans to remain on guard, warning citizens should be vigilant and prepared for surges and new COVID variants, should they arise. He also stressed the U.S. 'needs to avoid another spike in hospitalizations.' Despite his warnings - a complete turn from his Tuesday remarks - Fauci noted how improved treatments and vaccines have put the U.S. in a much better position than other countries, such as China and Hong Kong, that continue to deal with serious virus situations. Makary hit back at Fauci, who serves as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, alleging his team has misled the American public throughout the course of the pandemic. 'He's been using the wrong data the entire pandemic and that data they are using his total hospitalizations,' the Johns Hopkins professor argued. 'Picking up a lot of incidental positive findings because hospitals do mass PCR testing of everyone who walks through the door so that number is north of 68 percent, 62 percent and yet they continue to cite the overall hospitalization.' Makary (right) argued to Tucker Carlson (left) that Fauci has misled the American public throughout the course of the pandemic COVID restrictions have been lifted almost everywhere in America. People are pictured walking unmasked in New York City on Wednesday. Unlike many other cities, NYC still requires residents to wear masks on the subway, public busses and at the airport The medical expert also accused Fauci of lying to the public and fueling the 'political propaganda' surrounding the pandemic. 'The public is really getting a glimpse of the use of dogma and even dogma in science as political propaganda over rigorous scientific studies,' Makary said. 'Let's be honest, many of the controversies that have been debated the entire two years could've been answered in one week with a good, solid, rigorous studies. The NIH has $42 billion.' 'Dr. Fauci could have answered the question about surface transmission versus airborne transmission when people were pouring gallons of alcohol-based solutions on their mail and groceries. These questions could've been answered in a few days with rigorous studies. Cloth masks, similarly, ignoring natural immunity - They are still not honest about natural immunity.' He criticized Fauci's team for not addressing the effects of booster shots in children or the rates of myocarditis in young males after they receive the vaccine. Makary also argued the NIAD director's pandemic restrictions caused a mental health crisis after 'shutting kids out of public schools and most of the country.' 'Math scores are down 10 percent, depression is epidemic, the CDC won't even tell us what the suicide rates were during the pandemic, which is very odd,' he stated. 'They publish that every year on an annual basis. You cannot find it anywhere, the suicide rates over the last two years.' He argued the leading public health authorities should have been direct with the American people, instead of giving absolute answers to questions they did not have the answers for. 'The right answer to a lot of the questions Americans have been asking for two years is "we don't know and we can find out if we do these studies" and we should have done the studies right away,' he said. 'People are sick of the absolutism. I can tell you as a doctor people are very forgiving if you make a mistake. If you're honest.' America is currently recording 54,840 daily COVID infections, a 45 percent increase over the past week - but more than 90 percent lower than the virus's peak of 800,000 per day Daily death totals have dropped 14 percent over the past week, to 363 per day The US averages 54,840 infections per day - just six percent of the virus's peak of 800,000 daily cases in mid-January Fauci on Tuesday declared the U.S. was 'out of the pandemic phase' of COVID as cases and hospitalizations continue to plummet. The immunologist, who continually lobbied for draconian mask and vaccine measures for the last two years, said 'we are at a low level right now.' But, he cautioned the virus cannot be stamped out completely and long-term vaccination programs may need to continue on a yearly basis. 'So, if you're saying, are we out of the pandemic phase in this country, we are. What we hope to do, I don't believe and I have spoken about this widely we're not going to eradicate this virus,' Fauci said. 'If we can keep that level very low, and intermittently vaccinate people and I don't know how often that would have to be. 'That might be every year, that might be longer, in order to keep that level low. But, right now, we are not in the pandemic phase in this country. 'Pandemic means a widespread, throughout the world, infection that spreads rapidly among people. So, if you look at the global situation, there's no doubt this pandemic is still ongoing.' Fauci, whose comments were buried at the end of his PBS NewsHour interview (pictured), caused some confusion Tuesday by saying the 'pandemic phase' was over at home but 'is still ongoing globally' Fauci, whose comments were buried at the end of his PBS NewsHour interview, caused some confusion by saying the 'pandemic phase' was over at home but 'is still ongoing globally'. Health experts questioned his claim, pointing out he appeared to have bungled his choice of words and should only have said 'US is in a phase of lower hospitalization rate'. America is currently recording 54,840 daily COVID infections, a 45 percent increase over the past week - but more than 90 percent lower than the virus's peak of 800,000 per day. Daily death totals have dropped 14 percent over the past week, to 363 per day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said Tuesday nearly 60 percent of Americans have been infected with COVID. Officials cautioned this data does not mean those Americans have immunity against the virus because of their prior infections. COVID restrictions have been lifted almost everywhere in America. One of the few existing mandates left is in New York City, where residents are still required to wear masks on the subway, public busses and at the airport. Masks are also required on public transit in Los Angeles. Philadelphia brought back its mask order for four days last week before almost immediately lifting them again. Children under five years of age in the New York City public school system are still subject to 'close-contact restrictions' including mask wearing, a bizarre break from the rest of the city where there is no indoor mask mandate even as medical experts and virologists widely agree that the risk of children becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid is extremely low. While children are less likely than adults to be hospitalized or to die from COVID, the CDC reported on Tuesday that in the United States, 475 children under the age of five have died from the disease. There is still no vaccine for this age group meaning the pandemic won't be over until it becomes available, which could be several more months. The federal government's nationwide mask order for public transit, commercial flights and transportation centers was dismissed by a federal judge earlier this month. The CDC also revised its face-covering guidance in February, recommending that indoor masking only remain for communities thought to be at high risk for Covid, and mask mandates at large public gatherings such as sporting events are no longer in force. Kyleen Waltman, 38 (pictured), was mauled by three pit bulls last month while walking to her mother's home in rural Honea Path, about 80 miles northwest of Columbia A South Carolina mother of three who lost both arms to a pack of pit bulls is having to deal with another round of heartbreak having been told the nature of her injuries were so severe she will be unable to wear prosthetic limbs. Kyleen Waltman, 38, was mauled by three pit bulls last month while walking to her mother's home in rural Honea Path, about 80 miles northwest of Columbia. She has since undergone more than 10 surgeries and has lost both her arms. Her sister Amy Wynne, 41, wrote in a Wednesday GoFundMe update how the family had hoped that she was going be able to be fitted with a prosthetic for her right arm, but doctors have now said that there is simply not enough tissue or bone for it to be attached. They've had to remove more of the bone as a result, meaning Waltman is no longer able to have prosthetic limbs fitted. 'We thought her right shoulder was going to be good and they were able to fit it with a prosthetic, well yesterday they found an infection in the bone and had to remove more of the bone. So now she will not be able to have regular prosthetics on either shoulder,' Wynne wrote in the devastating post in which she also revealed how her sister's body is still fighting off an infection on her leg. Although her sister Amy Wynne, 41, wrote in a Monday GoFundMe update that Waltman has lost so much bone and tissue, she will no longer be able to wear prosthetic arms 'Her left leg is giving not only her but the doctors a fit. The infection in it is the same infection that she has had throughout her whole body, but for some reason the infection in her leg they cant stop from spreading.' Wynne explained how the family would be facing the dogs' owner in court for the first time since the attack. Justin Minor (pictured) was arrested and charged with three counts of owning a dangerous animal that attacked and injured a human. His pit bulls have been euthanized since the attack Earlier this month, doctors attempted to explain to her how she had lost both of her arms but became so distressed she was sedated once again. Wynne now says that the news has has been delivered with her sister 'fully aware' what has happened. 'The doctors have told Kyleen once again about her arms and about most of the damage the dogs had done. She is now fully aware of the situation. She still has a long way to go. She has survived this for a reason,' Wynne added optimistically. Wynne also explained how the family would be facing Moore in court on Thursday for the very first time since the attack. 'We go to court and this is where the judge is going to tell him (dog owner) what all his charges are and the repercussions of his actions. So I ask that you all please pray for my mama when she sees him face to face for the first time since the accident that everything goes accordingly.' Two days after the March attack, dog owner Justin Minor was arrested and charged with three counts of owning a dangerous animal that attacked and injured a human, rabies control violation, and dangerous animal not permitted beyond premises unless restrained, according to The State. He was released on a $15,000 bond last month but he may still face a penalty of $5,000 or a sentence of three years in prison. Minor is pictured at his bail hearing last month before he was released on $15,000 bond On Tuesday, Watlman, pictured, had surgery for her left leg, which Wynne said was still 'up for amputation' if it doesn't start to heal correctly On Sunday, Wynne told how her sister kept asking for her mother to hold her hand. 'She will ask our mama to hold her hand and mama says "I am," and Kyleen will say "OK." It's sad to see her like this.' Regardless, Wynne wrote, Kyleen is in 'high spirits.' 'Kyleen is very antsy she wants to leave and wants to drink her Dr. Pepper and get out of bed,' Wynne wrote. As of Thursday, the fundraiser for Waltman has raised $225,000 from more than 4,700 donations. In her latest battle, doctors performed a tracheostomy on her, which means a hole was cut in her neck and a tube inserted to help her breathe. She also had to have a shunt put in her left lung to help with the fluid. 'Here we are trying to figure out how to keep her from thinking negative thoughts about her life. I understand that for 38 years she's had arms and now she doesn't, how she's thinking. She's still fighting. Prayers are working and slowly she is healing,' Wynne wrote. Tanya Gilmer, Waltman's best friend, told WGN Radio that the attack came as she was walking from her boyfriend's home to her mother's property. 'As far as I know, the dogs just jumped on her and you can actually see in the road if you go down there, where she fought the dog, trying to fight them off,' Gilmer said. The dogs were seized by Abbeville County Animal Control, and the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office before being euthanized and sent away for testing. Avery Presley, a local farmer driving his tractor to feed his cows down the road, saw Waltman under attack in a ditch and was able to scare the dogs away by firing his gun into the air, police said. Amy Wynne has been providing regular updates on a GoFundMe page that she started to raise medical funds. As of Tuesday, more than $212,000 has been donated 'I ain't no hero,' Presley told the Greenwood Index Journal. 'I still feel guilty about not getting there earlier. I always carry a gun for safety.' Waltman's GoFundMe page states 'If it wasn't for [the passerby], my sister wouldn't be here,' Waltman's other sister, Shenna Green, said. 'By that time, they couldn't even tell who she was.' 'She didn't deserve it. She was a good person. She helped everybody... She just found out she's a grandma [and]...can't even hold the grandbaby and that's going to be devastating.' Gilmer told the local radio station that the dogs 'pretty much ripped all the meat from [Waltman's] arms,' and that the woman now has 'a hole in the back of her head.' On Minor's property, a 'Beware of Dog' sign can be seen on Minor's property 'I'm still in shock of it. The pictures of her tore my heart to pieces, but regardless, she's still the same beautiful Kyleen to me,' said Gilmer, who has been friends with Waltman for three decades. 'She'll always be the same beautiful Kyleen to me.' Gilmer said that Waltman, who is also a grandmother of one, will be in the hospital for at least three to four months, followed by a long period of rehabilitation. 'She's alive. She's a fighter. She's going to fight through this. I know her. She's going to fight through it.' Benjamin Alewine, Minor's neighbor and cousin, saw Waltman lying in the ditch after she was attacked. He told the Greenwood Index Journal that the 'hole' in the back of her head was about the diameter of a coffee cup. 'I ain't never seen no dog do that to anyone,' he said. 'This is the most awful sight I ever seen, for a dog attack.' 'It's hard to forget it. I asked her what her name was and she couldn't even move her lips.' He had known Waltman for 25 years, but was unable to recognize her until deputies came to the scene and pulled her identification from her pocket. Alewine said he didn't know where Minor got the dogs, but said he had a habit of adopting strays. A few days before the attack, he said, he carried a PVC in his hand for protection against the dogs as he walked down the road. 'If you ain't got a stick in your hand, they'll bite you,' he said. 'I'm scared of walking on my property at night.' He told the outlet that his Chihuahua, which he'd had for three years, disappeared about three weeks ago - he wondered if Minor's dogs had gotten to it. There is a leash law in Honea Path, he said. Kyleen Waltman, 38, needed to be sedated after learning that she had lost both of her arms Local news outlets have photographed 'Beware of dog' signs around Minor's property. Animals services said it impounded another eight dogs from the owner's property on a ten day quarantine because of unknown circumstances surrounding the attack. Waltman's family wants Minor held accountable for the attack that changed changed the victim's life. Adonia Gymer, Waltman's cousin, told DailyMail.com that she was 'personally angry' about the attack. 'Justin Minor knew his dogs were vicious and he let them run free,' she said on Saturday. 'I've known Justin for years. He made those dogs mean on purpose. They've bitten people before.' 'Kyleen is a loving, big-hearted woman,' Gymer said. 'She especially loves animals. Nobody deserves this, but Kyleen really didn't.' Benjamin Alewine (pictured), Minor's neighbor and cousin, saw Waltman lying in the ditch after she was attacked. He told the Greenwood Index Journal that the 'hole' in the back of her head was about the diameter of a coffee cup. Kyleen worked with her mother at Lou & Perry's restaurant, according to the Greenwood Index Journal. Her manager, Eric Vaughn Jr. (pictured), said she'd worked there since she was 17 or 18 years old, and that her mother was struggling emotionally after the attack 'It could've been prevented,' sister Amy Wynne, said. 'If the dogs were locked up or if the dogs were chained up, or if they were never there to begin with, this would've never happened.' Kyleen worked with her mother at Lou & Perry's restaurant, according to the Greenwood Index Journal. Her manager, Eric Vaughn Jr., said she'd worked there since she was 17 or 18. 'She's a tough woman for sure and I'm hoping she'll be able to fight this,' he said. 'I hate it. All we can do is let the doctors do their best and let everything take its path.' He said Waltman's mother, who visited the restaurant before traveling to Greenville to see her daughter in the hospital, is 'taking it hard.' More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, with 800,000 of the victims requiring medical attention, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Across studies, 22.5 percent of reported dog bites - the highest percentage among breeds - were attributed to pit bulls, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. A woman will remain in custody following a manslaughter charge relating to a 15-year-old boy who died from a brain injury after allegedly being supplied with a prescription opioid. Stacie Renee Dutaillis, 36, was denied bail in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday following her arrest in the city on Wednesday. She is facing one count each of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, and two counts each of negligent acts causing harm and supplying medicines or hazardous poisons. Stacie Renee Dutaillis (pictured) remains in custody following a manslaughter charge after a 15-year-old boy died from a brain injury after allegedly being supplied with a prescription drug The 36-year-old appeared at the Brisbane Magistrates Court (pictured) after she was arrested in the city on Wednesday The charges relate to events almost seven months ago when a 15-year-old boy was found unresponsive at a North Mackay home. He was one of six children found at the residence and taken to hospital for treatment when emergency services arrived on September 30. The boy died the following day. Jason Clare has received lavish praise yet again after another impressive media performance - but the odds of him one day becoming Prime Minister are stacked against him. The frontbench Labor MP made headlines last week for his impeccable communication skills in daily press conferences, with many supporters wishing he was leader instead of Anthony Albanese. The cries for him to take over stepped up again on Thursday after he expertly handled a lively media pack and prompted laughter with a witty joke at the expense of Liberal minister Alan Tudge. 'I don't think Scooby-doo could find Alan Tudge at the moment,' he said as Mr Tudge remains away from the limelight after being cleared of abusing his former staffer. Jason Clare is picture with his wife, one of his sons and former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating Twitter went into meltdown once again, with supporters and journalists heaping praise on the 50-year-old father of two from western Sydney. 'Loving Jason Clare's media conferences so much,' one user wrote. 'Jason Clare is on fire,' said another who praised his 'wit and humour'. Mr Clare has also been described as handsome, and even Mr Albanese admitted: 'Jason Clare is certainly better looking than I am. There is no question about that.' But despite his strong performances, the odds of Mr Clare becoming the next Labor leader are long. Tanya Plibersek is favourite at $2.10 followed by Jim Chalmers at $3.75, Kristina Keneally at $6.50 and then Mr Clare at $8, according to Sportsbet. If he wanted to become leader in the event that Labor loses and Mr Albanese resigns, Mr Clare would likely face a messy factional struggle. As a member of the right faction of the NSW division he may have to see off challenges from Shadow Energy Minister Chris Bowen or Shadow Attorney-General Tony Burke who are in the same faction. And then he would be up against Tanya Plibersek who is a leading figure in the NSW Left faction - even before challengers from other states like Mr Chalmers and Richard Marles are considered. Jason Clare has received lavish praise yet again after another impressive media performance - but the odds of him becoming Prime Minister are stacked against him Ever since he came to Parliament in 2007, Mr Clare has played down his desire to become leader and those close to him say he is focussed on being a good MP and father. Mr Clare told Sky News in 2014: 'I might be touted but I have no desire to do that job at all' and revealed his 'dream job' would be minister for education. 'For me I feel like I am part of the team and not the leader of the team,' he said. However, Labor sources speaking on the condition of anonymity told Daily Mail Australia that him playing down his ambitions could simply be a smart strategy to win over voters. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern played down her ambitions before she became Labour Party leader seven weeks before the 2017 election. Other Labor sources said Mr Clare's excellent performances have put him front and centre of his colleagues' minds as a future leadership candidate. But right now Mr Clare is focussed on helping Mr Albanese kick out Scott Morrison. Asked last week why he was not in charge, he replied: 'The short answer is Anthony Albanese is the leader this country desperately needs.' The Greens have called on the South Australian government to introduce rent controls amid revelations most properties on the market are too expensive for people living on the minimum wage. Anglicare looked at 45,992 rental listings across the country and found just 712, or two per cent, could be afforded by people on the minimum wage. In SA only two of 1125 properties listed were considered appropriate and affordable for a single person. The Greens have called on the South Australian government to introduce rent controls amid revelations most properties on the market are too expensive for people living on the minimum wage (stock image) 'Rental prices are skyrocketing out of control,' SA Greens housing spokesman Robert Simms said. 'While many South Australians are being locked out of the rental market, some landlords are making record profits. 'It's time for the state government to follow the lead of other jurisdictions overseas and implement rent controls to protect struggling renters. 'This has worked in New York for years - why not Adelaide?' Mr Simms said he would raise the issue when parliament resumed next week. The Greens also renewed calls for the government to boost investment in public housing to reduce prices. At a federal level, the party said it would push for 70,000 affordable homes to be built across Adelaide and regional South Australia. It said the plan would ensure low-income earners were not priced out of the housing market, with options for low-cost and long-term secure rentals and purchase options at around $300,000. Forms of rent controls have been in place in some areas of New York for years with positive results The Greens said it would push for 70,000 affordable homes to be built across Adelaide (pictured) and regional South Australia SA Senate candidate Barbara Pocock said the housing market was particularly brutal for low-income earners. 'For a person working full time on minimum wage in Adelaide, almost no rentals are affordable,' she said. 'The same goes for those on income support, whether that be Youth Allowance, JobSeeker or the disability and age pensions.' Sitting SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said it was a disgrace that so many Australians could not afford basic housing. 'Housing is a basic human right. When everyday South Australians cannot afford to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, there is a serious problem with the system,' she said. Vladimir Putin will launch an all-out nuclear war on the West rather than accept defeat in Ukraine, Russia's chief propagandists have declared, in just the latest chilling threat coming from Moscow. Margarita Simonyan, editor of state broadcaster RT and one of the Kremlin's highest-profile mouthpieces, declared on TV last night that the idea of Putin pressing the red button is 'more probable' than the idea that he will allow Russia to lose the war. 'Either we lose in Ukraine,' she said, 'or the Third World War starts. I think World War Three is more realistic, knowing us, knowing our leader. 'The most incredible outcome, that all this will end with a nuclear strike, seems more probable to me than the other course of events. 'This is to my horror on one hand,' she told a panel of experts shifting nervously in their seats, 'but on the other hand, it is what it is. We will go to heaven, while they will simply croak... We're all going to die someday.' Simonyan's calm imagining of nuclear holocaust is just the latest threat issued from the top levels of the Russian state, after fellow propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, and Putin himself issued threats in the last 48 hours. The US and UK have dismissed such rhetoric as bluster but the increasing frequency of the threats coupled with the failures of Russia's military will raise fears that a Cold War-style standoff is now a realistic possibility before the war in Ukraine ends. It comes after Russia successfully test-launched its latest nuclear missile - Sarmat 2 - last week, with Putin boasting it can strike targets anywhere on earth and cannot be stopped by any current missile defences. Margarita Simonyan told Russian state TV last night that the idea of nuclear war is 'more probable' than the idea that Putin will allow Russia to be defeated in Ukraine Russia has steppe up its nuclear threats to the West ever since testing its new Sarmat 2 missile last week (pictured), which Putin boasted is unstoppable by any current defences Lavrov was the first to raise the nuclear threat in an interview on Russian state TV late Tuesday, when he was asked whether the current standoff between east and west could be compared to the Cuban missile crisis at the height of the Cold War. The foreign minister responded that the current situation is more dangerous, because the weapons involved are more powerful, the controls on them more lax, and communication between the two sides is non-existent. 'During the Cuban Missile Crisis there were not many "written" rules. But the rules of conduct were clear enough. 'Moscow understood how Washington was behaving. Washington understood how Moscow was behaving. Now there are few rules left,' he said. Asked directly about the threat of nuclear war, he added: 'The risks are very significant. I do not want the danger to be artificially inflated [but] it is serious, real. It cannot be underestimated.' That was followed by off-the-cuff remarks from Solovyev while discussing the deployment of Sarmat 2 with the head of the Roscosmos space agency, who said the missile will go into service later this year. 'As it turned out, one Sarmat means minus one Great Britain,' Solovyov boasted, suggesting the UK deserves to wiped off the map because it has become 'totally boorish' - in what appeared to be a reference for this country's support for Ukraine. Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Roscosmos space agency, told Solovyov that 46 of the missiles will be constructed with the first deployed to units in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, later this year. 'Everything is according to plan with us,' he said. 'It is all according to plan.' That was then followed by a threat from Putin himself, who vowed a 'lightning-fast' response to any country who directly intervenes in the Ukraine conflict. 'If someone intends to interfere in what is going on from the outside they must know that constitutes an unacceptable strategic threat to Russia,' he said during a meeting with lawmakers in St Petersburg. 'They must know that our response to counter strikes will be lightning fast. Fast. 'We have all the weapons we need for this. No one else can brag about these weapons, and we wont brag about them. But we will use them.' Vladimir Putin yesterday repeated a threat to use nuclear weapons against any nation that directly interferes in Ukraine, saying Russia's response would be 'lightning-fast' Putin did not directly mention nukes, but his phrasing appears to be a clear reference to the new Sarmat missile which he boasted is unlike any other weapon in the world as it was tested last week. It also echoes a threat that Putin made as he declared the start of his 'special military operation' back in February, which was that any country seeking to interfere would face consequences 'never seen before in their history'. The nuclear threats from state media also echo a wider narrative emerging from the Kremlin's propaganda machine which is that Russia is now engaged in a full-scale conflict with NATO that pre-sages a Third World War. Olga Skabeeva, another state TV host and Kremlin mouthpiece, declared on Tuesday that a summit of 40 defence ministers in Germany held to coordinate arms deliveries to Ukraine was effectively a declaration of war. 'They declared a war,' she told viewers. 'World War III, no longer just a special operation, with forty countries against us.' Political scientist Mikhail Markelov agreed with her, declaring that those 40 countries are 'today's collective Hitler'. Dmitry Kulikov, another state media personality, also repeated the line. 'This is a big war,' he said. 'The West declared it against us. 'Lets be worthy of our predecessors, everyone who lived through that. What made us think that our lives should be better than those of our grandparents? 'Why should we be free of our historical mission?' Russia is now more than two months into what was supposed to be a days-long 'special military operation' to topple the Ukrainian government and install a puppet regime loyal to Moscow. Ahead of the war, most experts and observers predicted Ukraine's military would survive only a few days or weeks against the onslaught, but troops have defied the doubters and remain in control of most of the country 62 days later. Ukraine has inflicted heavy losses on Russia since the start of its invasion in late February, and there are fears the Kremlin could resort to extreme measures if faced with defeat (file image) Russia has already resorted to indiscriminate attacks on civilians, but has so-far avoided using nuclear or chemical weapons which the West has said would provoke a response Having failed in its aim of taking Kyiv, Russia is now concentrating its forces in the east in the hopes of seizing control of the Donbas region and encircling a large part of Ukraine's ground forces. Moscow's generals have also said their aim is to push out from Kherson - on the Black Sea coast and the only major city to fall to Putin's forces so far - and capture Mykolaiv and Odesa, cutting Ukraine off from the ocean. But Western nations have rallied to support Kyiv, with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declaring earlier this week that Ukraine will be given all the weapons it needs to 'win' the war and 'weaken' Russia to the point where it cannot attack again. Liz Truss, British defence secretary, explicitly spelled out the victory condition in a speech last night - saying arms deliveries will 'keep going further and faster to push Russia out of the whole of Ukraine'. That would mean not just re-taking the parts of Ukraine Russia has occupied since Putin ordered the invasion in February this year, but re-taking the parts attacked and annexed since 2014 - namely Crimea and rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ms Truss argued that the war could last for ten years, but that the West must be prepared 'for the long haul.' If Putin succeeds in his war aims, she warned, then there will be 'untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe'. Some of those consequences took shape this week as Russia began cutting off gas supplies to Europe - something it has long-threatened to do but which was considered a remote possibility because of the damage it would do to the economy. Poland and Bulgaria both had their gas supplies cut on Wednesday, sending the wholesale price soaring and threatening to inflict further financial pain on Europe as it recovers from Covid and deals with inflation. Germany - which is highly dependent on Russian gas after years of foreign policy moves designed to forge ties with the Kremlin - now fears it will be next. Experts have predicted that such a move is likely to plunge Germany's economy, the world's fourth-largest, into a recession. Italy an Austria could also be targeted. Moscow is demanding that all countries must now buy its gas in rubles in an attempt to shore up its currency after it was hammered by Western sanctions over Ukraine. One expert told the Times that most European Union importers were 'extraordinarily' likely to give way to Russia. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, has warned that NATO is now fighting a proxy-war against Moscow and there is a 'very significant' risk the conflict will turn nuclear Hungary, whose president Viktor Orban has warm ties with Putin, is already thought to have found a work-around to the demand. The Russian move is forcing governments across Europe to speed up a switch to alternative supplies. Western officials say that this represents a major strategic failure for Moscow. One UK official said: 'This will be one of the major strategic developments from this campaign and it will be a failure for Russia because it will reduce its income and also compromise its offensive capability. 'This is one of the costs we are inflicting on Russia. Long-term sanctions will have the same effect. The Prime Minister has said Russia must be seen to have failed.' Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab slammed Russia's decision, saying it will add to its status as an 'economic and political pariah'. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Russia's attempts at 'blackmail' were doomed to fail. She called it 'unjustified and unacceptable' and said it pointed to Russia being an unreliable gas supplier. The EU was prepared for this scenario and contingency plans are in place to get gas from alternative sources and maintain maximum gas storage levels. Poland and Bulgaria are already receiving gas via their EU neighbours, including Greece. Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki was applauded by MPs in parliament when he said the 'blackmail' would have no effect. Bulgarian prime minister Kiril Petkov said that it was a 'gross violation'. And despite Bulgaria taking nearly 80 per cent of its gas from Russia, he added: 'We won't give in to such racketeering.' While there was a 20 per cent price hike in European wholesale gas prices in early trading, much of this fell away later in the day. But despite many countries in Europe rallying together, four major gas trading companies have bowed to pressure to pay for Russian supplies in roubles through back channels, a report by Bloomberg claimed yesterday. The names of the buyers and countries have not been revealed. However Slovakia, which is heavily reliant on Russian gas, previously suggested it may be forced to comply with demands. By Lee Min-hyung Korea Development Bank (KDB) Chairman Lee Dong-gull has offered to resign amid escalating tensions due to the incoming administration's plan to relocate the headquarters of the KDB to the nation's southern port city of Busan. According to industry sources, Lee recently expressed his intent to step down to the Financial Services Commission (FSC). This comes only a few days before the inauguration of the new government which will be headed by President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol. The decision was widely expected, as Lee was considered a high ranking official who strongly supported President Moon Jae-in and the ruling party. Earlier, he was criticized for his controversial remark of wishing for the ruling side (the Democratic Party of Korea) to hold on to power for two decades in Korea. With Yoon, from the opposition party, announcing his pledge to relocate the KDB, Lee stepped up criticism of the president-elect. "The KDB relocation is a regression, not a progressive move," Lee told reporters at a recent press conference. Lee took office as the leader of the state-run lender in 2017 and extended his term once. His previous career includes being the former FSC vice chairman under the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration. The KDB has recently come under fire for a series of botched deals. The lender recently failed to sell KDB Life to JC Partners, which brought its years-long effort of finding a potential buyer for the subsidiary back to square one. The state-run lender has since been mired in a controversy that it rashly pushed for the deal. The KDB also failed to complete another controversial restructuring deal for debt-ridden SsangYong Motor during the Moon administration. Lee is expected to make his official resignation speech as early as next week. The presidential transition committee has yet to confirm a new candidate to replace Lee. Advertisement Two M25 petrol stations has finally reopened seven hours after eco zealots targeted them in the latest protests from Just Stop Oil. A total of 35 people have been arrested following the action that included activists gluing themselves to the pumps, to forecourt signs and to vehicles on Cobham Services in Surrey and Clacket Lane Services in Tatsfield. 'John Lennon lookalike' Louis McKechnie who has already been jailed over climate protests was able to lead a mob that blocked two M25 petrol stations for five hours during rush hour before smashing up the pumps. He spent a month and a half in prison for blocking the motorway last year, but today ignored the threat of more jail time to vandalise petrol pumps using a mallet and an aerosol can. The graduate has a sprawling criminal history, and was earlier this month banned from attending football games after invading the pitch during an Everton vs Newcastle match and using a cable tie to bind his neck to a goalpost. Today, the 22-year-old crowed at having successfully 'disabled' the pumps at Cobham Services in Surrey. He was part of a rag tag mob of 40 Just Stop Oil activists who descended on Cobham Services and the Clacket Lane Services in Kent at around 7am, before sitting outside the entrances and gluing themselves to the tarmac. It took until 2pm when Surrey Police announced 40 officers had cleared the demonstrators from the forecourts - but again face questions about why they did not act faster to remove the group, who have vowed to continue causing hell to drivers at further stunts in the coming weeks. The force said it has to use specialist de-bonding equipment to remove the protesters. But motorists have not been saved from disruption with a total of 35 pumps damaged at Cobham Services, and a further 20 pumps damaged at Clacket Lane. Another activist, 22-year-old Coventry student Nathan McGovern, has also been regularly arrested carrying out illegal stunts and was today filmed smashing petrol pumps. He spoke in a grandiose video address uploaded to the Just Stop Oil twitter account this morning, where he accused the government of 'genocide' for not doing enough to tackle global warming. Stephanie Golder, a 34-year-old charity project coordinator from Essex, claimed to be 'sick and tired of being treated like a criminal' - as her accomplices destroyed a petrol pump in an blatant act of criminal damage. Motorists hit back by blasting the 'clueless' demonstrators and demanded ministers 'please get on top of this issue' to prevent further disruption to the public. Just Stop Oil claim 1,000 activists have been arrested since the start of the month, when they blocked a series of oil terminals in a move that was partially blamed for pushing up petrol prices. Surrey Police said the stunts had caused 'considerable disruption' and 'huge financial loss' with the pumps switched off and motorists being diverted away from both stations. It came as another group of Just Stop Oil protest held a third day of protests outside the Kingsbury Oil Terminal in a potential breach of an injunction banning demonstrations at the site. Eight activists were arrested and face a potential charge of contempt of court. Ten other protesters arrested outside Kingsbury yesterday will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court today. The maximum penalty is a prison sentence of two years or an unlimited fine. The fanatic is seen being led away by police from Cobham Services after smashing up petrol pumps Police remove an activist by using what appears to be stretchers to take him from the roof of today at Cobham Police pick up an activist from Just Stop Oil who have blocked the entrance to the petrol station at Cobham Services McKechnie - seen being arrested today - spent a month and a half in prison for blocking the motorway last year, but today ignored the threat of more jail time to vandalise petrol pumps using a mallet and an aerosol can The student tied himself to the goalpost as a steward looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park on March 17 Louis McKechnie from Just Stop Oil damages pumps at the filling station at Cobham Services (left) today Police remove an activist form the roof of an oil tanker in Cobham Services on the M25 in Surrey today An arrest is made as activists from Just Stop target a Shell Petrol station on the M25 motorway on April 28, 2022 in Cobham today Police are seen taking away the protesters' sign and dragging one away at a Shell Petrol station on the M25 motorway today Campaigners staging a protest in the BP petrol garage at the Clacket Lane services on the M25 in Westerham, Kent Protesters from the group, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion , have recently occupied a number of oil processing facilities in order to highlight their demand that the government stops new oil and gas projects (pictured: Cobham today) A hand is glued to the tarmac as activists from Just Stop Oil target a Shell Petrol station on the M25 motorway Police officers speak to eco activists in the Shell petrol garage at the Cobham Services on the M25 in Cobham, Surrey Superintendent Graham Barnett said: 'Police responded after reports that pumps were being smashed up and that protesters were gluing themselves to pumps, vehicles and forecourt signs. 'We appreciate that this caused considerable disruption to motorists attempting to use the services and to the petrol stations themselves, who will also have suffered a huge financial loss as a result of this activity. 'All protesters have now been removed and 35 people are in custody. Both forecourts have reopened but unfortunately a large number of pumps have been damaged which means they have not currently in use. However, the HGV pumps were not targeted and are still open for lorry drivers. 'We do appreciate that this incident has taken some time to resolve but given the circumstances, we were required to use officers trained in using specialist de-bonding equipment to safely remove the protesters, and this is a lengthy and complex process. 'Officers are also required to act within the law and are accountable for the decisions they make and the tactics they use. 'While we are required to facilitate peaceful protest, we will always take action against those who break the law and significantly impact on the lives and livelihoods of others, and clearly if officers are caught up dealing with protest activity, they aren't elsewhere preventing crime and responding as quickly to reports from the public.' Nathan McGovern, 22, a student from Coventry taking part in the demonstration, said: 'The world's most vulnerable are dying from a fossil-fuelled nightmare right now, whilst our government proposes to drill for more oil and gas. 'I refuse to stand by and watch as heatwaves and drought murder people across the global South and families in the UK are forced to choose between eating and heating. 'If politicians and bureaucrats refuse to act then it falls on ordinary people to do what they will not.' In a video uploaded to the @JustStop_Oil Twitter account, he says: 'I'm Nathan, I'm 22 years old, and just now this morning myself and others have blocked the entrance to the forecourt of this petrol station and disabled the petrol station. 'None of us want to be here, none of us want to be doing this, none of us want to be disrupting the lives of the public but the criminal inaction on the climate crisis from our government has forced us into this.' He adds: 'This is madness, it is utterly genocidal.' In a survey of 5195 Drivers online by FairFuelUK - a campaign group advocating for better petrol and diesel prices - 94% want petrol and diesel supplies to have legal protection in law, with interuption by protesters to get long sentences. And 89% want the police to get tougher on the Stop Oil Protesters, 61% want longer custodial sentences, 81% want protesters' assets to be confiscated and 86% want minimum fines of 10,000 each Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK said: 'Time this less than remotely resembling anything like a Conservative Government put the clueless self-obsessed amoebic Stop Oil protesters in jail. 'Millions are repulsed by these middle-class, privileged and well-off good-for-nothings ruining decent hard working people's lives. 'People are being savaged in the Ukraine and we are on the verge of a world war but this bunch of lunatics are hell bent on following an ill-informed myopic ideal that will not make a shed load of difference to the planet's environmental future. Our police must be given stronger powers, by the Home Secretary, to protect the fuel supply chain and the law abiding mass majority needing to earn a living just to survive this' devastating cost of living crisis.' Police arrive on the scene as activists from Just Stop Oil target a Shell Petrol station on the M25 motorway on April 28, 2022 in Cobham, England Activists from protest group Just Stop Oil block the filling station at Cobham Services on the M25 in Surrey Motorists today vented their fury at the 'clueless' demonstrators and demanded the Government 'please get on top of this issue' - as Just Stop Oil revealed that since April 1, when activists first began blocking oil terminals, there have been more than 1,000 arrests after occupying oil processing facilities It came as another group of Just Stop Oil protest held a third day of protests outside the Kingsbury Oil Terminal in a potential breach of an injunction banning demonstrations at the site A supporter of Just Stop Oil posing next to a sign outlining the injunction banning protests at the oil terminal Eight activists were arrested and face a potential charge of contempt of court. Ten other protesters arrested outside Kingsbury yesterday will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court today Protester Stephanie Golder said: 'I'm sick and tired of being treated like a criminal for standing up for what is right. 'The real criminals are those refusing to act on the climate emergency, it's truly genocidal for our government to give new licences for oil exploration. 'The poorest in this country need help with their energy bills now. But instead the government's energy strategy fails to mention energy saving measures such as insulation and instead prioritises a ''plan'' which puts us on a fast-track for climate chaos.' 'The supporters of Just Stop Oil will continue the disruption until the government makes a statement that it will end new oil and gas projects in the UK,' the group said. 'The Just Stop Oil Coalition is calling on all of those whose futures are being destroyed, who are facing poverty now, and who are outraged at yet another betrayal by this continuing dependence on oil and gas, to step up and take action.' Just Stop Oil described the sabotage of petrol pumps as 'a significant escalation'. Surrey Police said earlier today: 'Further arrests are likely to be made throughout the day as officers with specialist removal equipment are working to ensure that all protesters are removed safely, after a number of them glued themselves to pumps and signs on the petrol station forecourts. One of them has also glued himself to the top of a lorry. 'Officers were called to Clacket Lane Services around 7.02am following reports that a group of protesters had turned up. 'A further call was received around 7.06am that protesters were on site at Cobham Services petrol station and were damaging the pumps. 'The pumps have all been switched off and motorists were diverted away from both service stations. 'We appreciate the considerable disruption this is causing and we are working as quickly as we can to remove the protesters safely from the site and allow both petrol stations to re-open. 'Please bear with us while we continue to deal with these ongoing incidents.' Campaigners staging a protest in the BP petrol garage at the Clacket Lane services on the M25 today A statement from the eco group admits that 'some supporters also sabotaged the petrol pump by breaking the display glass and covering it with spray paint' Roughly 35 activists from protest group Just Stop Oil blocked the filling station at Cobham Services in Surrey and the Clacket Lane Services in Kent at around 7am (pictured: The smashed petrol pump) Protesters from the group, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, have recently occupied a number of oil processing facilities in order to highlight their demand that the government stops new oil and gas projects The move is reminiscent of Insulate Britain's protests between September and November last year, when M25 junctions were repeatedly blocked. Just Stop Oil began its protests on April 1. It has carried out a series of blockades of fuel terminals in south-east England and the Midlands, and targeted several high-profile football matches. More than 1,000 arrests have been made. The group said it will 'continue the disruption until the Government makes a statement that it will end new oil and gas projects in the UK'. Ten supporters arrested outside Kingsbury oil terminal on Wednesday are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday. They are charged with contempt of court relating to an injunction granted to North Warwickshire Borough Council which prohibited protests at the site. The eco zealots causing havoc at petrol pumps: Just Stop Oil activists include jet-setting yachtswoman, 23, who travelled to Bali, 'John Lennon lookalike' who has been arrested 16 times, and rollerskater who turned her back on watchmaking Activists from Just Stop Oil have been hampering access to petrol and diesel for days with repeated protests Many have been involved with Extinction Rebellion, Animal Rebellion and Insulate Britain before joining JSO Do you know any of the people behind the Just Stop Oil campaign? Email tips@dailymail.com By Martin Robinson for MailOnline The green zealots trying to make Britain run out of fuel are a bunch of privileged students and professional protesters, MailOnline revealed earlier this month. Activists from Just Stop Oil have been hampering access to petrol and diesel, demanding that the Government stops new fossil fuel projects by digging tunnels below refineries, vandalising tankers or storming the terminals to climb on to the pipes. Essex Police has arrested hundreds of protesters since the disruption started on April 1 - while queues have formed at petrol stations across the country and some have even shut down due to a shortage of fuel. One of the ringleaders is 'John Lennon lookalike' Louis McKechnie, a Bournemouth University graduate last seen 'surfing' on an oil truck in Essex on Friday. He became a poster boy for JSO after he tied himself to a goalpost to disrupt a Premier League at Everton last month. Around 12 students were within the pipes at Grays Inter Terminal two weeks ago, including former boarding school choir girl and now Cambridge University student Cressie Gethin. With her in the rafters is student Nathan McGovern, another golden boy of the movement. Also manning the barricades were Brighton-based activist Hannah Hunt, 23, another student with a taste for expensive hobbies and travel, and Eben Lazarus, who describes himself as a 'musician and activist'. And in the tunnels below the BP Kingsbury Oil Terminal in Warwickshire were retired vicar Tim Hewes, a veteran of the Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain movement who also sewed his lips together in protest against Rupert Murdoch. Other members of the Just Stop Oil group, which is closely linked to the Extinction Rebellion, Animal Rebellion and Insulate Britain groups, is a rollerskating watchmaker and JSO's official 'de-escalator', XR's 'arts co-ordinator' and a Welsh organic farmer whose family business failed and he blamed climate change. These are the protesters at the heart of the current chaos that is leaving millions of Britons short on fuel: The Lennon-lookalike posterboy: Louis McKechnie Louis McKechnie, 21, stormed the pitch and zip-tied himself to the goalpost at Goodison Park during the game between Everton and Newcastle United in March From left: Louis McKechnie, Miranda Whelehan, Nathan McGovern, Claudia Penna Rojas and Cressida Gethin, during their Just Stop Oil press conference in central London Nathan McGovern, 22, and Louis McKechnie, 21, say they have been disrupting operations at Grays oil depot, in Essex, after chaining themselves to pipes high up at the site Louis McKechnie, 21, an engineering student, was charged with pitch encroachment and aggravated trespass after the incident at Goodison Park during the game between Everton and Newcastle United. He stormed the pitch halfway through the match and zip-tied himself to the goalpost wearing a bright orange t-shirt saying: 'Just stop oil.' Louis said he has received 'hundreds' of death threats since running on to the pitch. McKechnie is a Bournemouth University student whose activism began with Extinction Rebellion (XR) in 2020 before he joined vegan group Animal Rebellion. The 21-year-old, whose experience of work appears to be only stints with a local fish-and-chip shop and supermarket, was one of the 'Highway Nine' Insulate Britain protesters jailed for blocking the M25 last year. After serving half of a three-month prison sentence, he warned: 'What comes next will make Insulate Britain look like child's play.' Rebel reverend: Tim Hewes Reverend Hewes, who once sewed up his lips in protest at the influence of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was also repeatedly part of the mob blocking the M25 despite already being arrested numerous times. The activist has 'permission to officiate' in the Diocese of Oxford although he does not have a parish, and was earlier this month in tunnels under an oil tanker route. Asked about Rev Hewes last year, a spokesman for the diocese said: 'The actions of Rev Hewes and others, while arguably well-intentioned, have frustrated many people and we're unclear how the actions have been productive in encouraging the urgent change required.' Rev Hewes, a retired dentist, previously said the Bishop of Dorchester, Gavin Collins, who comes under the Diocese of Oxford, had told him 'he does support issues regarding climate change and the environment but not about breaking the law'. Reverend Hewes was repeatedly part of the mob blocking the M25 despite already being arrested numerous times Reverend Hewes blockading the M25 with Insulate Britain and sewing his lips together in a bizarre attack on Rupert Murdoch He was two weeks ago in a tunnel under a key tanker route to the BP Kingsbury Terminal in Warwickshire. He said: 'I'm here because our government is useless, they make a lot of noise but they are doing nothing. 'As a priest I have a duty of care for people, and also for creation. What I'm doing here, with everyone in this caravan, is what our government should be doing that is trying to protect our families and our loved ones from the appalling future that stands before us. 'I hope we can continue what we're doing and stop the flow of oil, if the government won't.' The jetsetting yachtswoman: Hannah Hunt Pictured: Louis McKechnie and Hannah Hunt outside Downing Street in February Ms Hunt's Instagram shows her holidaying in locations including Australia, Greece, Gran Canaria and Bali (pictured) She was earlier this month in the rafters of the Grays refinery, with Eben Lazarus (pictured together) Hannah seen at the Grays oil depot The JSO protester is from Brighton, a common home town for Green zealots. Miss Hunt is a former XR supporter who broke into an ExxonMobil Oil refinery in Hampshire. She also posed with Mr McKechnie outside Downing Street with a letter for Boris Johnson. She also glued herself to the red carpet at the Bafta awards and admits to experiencing severe anxiety before a protest. But describing her state after starting she said she enjoys 'a weird, dreamy, calm mindset' she finds empowering. The Brighton-based activist studied at Sussex University, where she joined the sailing team. Her Instagram shows her holidaying in locations including Australia, Greece, Gran Canaria and Bali. She was last month in the rafters of the Grays refinery, with Eben Lazarus, a musician and activist also from Brighton. Sharing a video she said they were 'cold and uncomfortable' 17 hours into their protest, but added: 'But that suffering is minute compared to those in the frontline of the climate crisis'. Eben then encourages people to 'step up' and join protests because 'nobody can be a bystander if we want any chance of a future'. XR's 'arts-co-ordinator': Indigo Rumbelow Eco-fanatic Indigo Rumbelow, 27, from Gower, South-West Wales, has been arrested at least five times. In a Zoom call watched by The Mail on Sunday, she told activists: 'We want to create sustained disruption for two weeks.' Describing her motivations, Miss Rumbelow said: 'My generation is being forced into action because our Government is destroying our future. We will immediately end all actions when it makes a statement that it will stop all new oil and gas.' Indigo was first arrested at Cannes Lions Advertising Festival in 2019 for gate-crashing a Facebook conference and has been held by police on at least six occasions since then. In 2020 she began digging up the lawn in front of the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government and was arrested again in Parliament Square later that year when she blocked the road. Justifying her behaviour recently she said: 'The only thing to do in a system that is driving itself to extinction is to rebel. If we look at the history books, we can see that the only way of creating the nonlinear change we need is for people to commit civil disobedience and force that change. 'Currently too few people are taking the necessary action. I urge anyone reading this article to realise that they too can rebel. In order to prevent ecosystem and societal collapse, at this pivotal moment in history, ordinary people need to take extra-ordinary action'. The rollerskating watchmaker: Amy Rugg-Easey One of the abseilers was serial protester Amy Rugg-Easey (pictured after being arrested), a Labour voting watchmaker and rollerskater from Newcastle upon Tyne People are questioning how protesters were able to shut down central London again. Miss Rugg-Easey (pictured), describes herself as a 'rebel for life' Miss Rugg-Easey was involved in shutting down Tower Bridge on April 8. She and an unnamed man threw themselves off the bridge using abseil ropes and tiers a giant 'End fossil fuels now' banner. The Labour-voting voting watchmaker and rollerskater from Newcastle upon Tyne describes herself as a 'rebel for life'. Describing her descent into eco-activism she said: 'I quit my career in watchmaking to study environmental science after listening to science podcasts while working at my bench. I remember thinking at the time 'it can't be that bad'. Climate change was something that you heard about every now again in the news as if it was the weather. When I really started to look at the facts, I started to panic. I felt a need to do something about it. When I began my degree, I had already been to a few Extinction Rebellion meetings and their famous 'heading for extinction' talk. 'It can't be that bad' I thought. I'd hoped that when I started studying, the things I would learn would show that that talk had been a huge exaggeration. Unfortunately, that was not the case'. Describing the abseiling stunt she said: 'I was terrified stepping off that bridge. I decided to put my name out and wear my signature blue jacket hoping that people I've met would recognise me and realise that climate activists are just normal people too. I also know that it creates a target on my back. Certain people will wish that I'd died on that bridge today. I know that it makes my mum worry. 'I'm hoping my actions inspires others to be brave and take their first steps in fighting for our future. Not everyone has to hang off a bridge and get arrested, but everyone has to take meaningful action for things to change'. The Cambridge music student: Cressie Gethin Cressida Gethin during a Just Stop Oil protest Miss Gethin, a former student of the prestigious Hereford Cathedral School, was among the group holding up the Grays refinery. She appears to be one of the five main founders of Just Stop Oil. Cressie, a music student from Murray Edwards at Cambridge University, has been campaigning on climate issues at her college. She told The Tab: 'I was very very surprised that Murray Edwards came out bottom of the league tables for their climate policies because I had imagined it was something they would have cared about and been active on'. The talented chorister has performed with her brother, also a singer. The LBC mic gluer: Nathan McGovern Nathan McGovern held up an oil refinery with his comrades Mr McGovern invaded the Tottenham v West Ham match and was dragged off the pitch after he failed Mr McGovern, from Just Stop Oil, said that presenter Tom Swarbrick was not using his 'massive platform' to tell people about the climate 'situation' The Coventry activist has flirted with XR and Animal Rebellion and disrupted a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Coventry activist has flirted with XR and Animal Rebellion and disrupted the game after finishing a Masters degree in religion at King's College London earlier this year He spoke to Tom Swarbrick in LBC's Westminster studio when he glued his hand to the microphone at around 11.40am. Mr McGovern said that the station was 'not using' its 'massive platform' to inform listeners of the dangers of the climate crisis Speaking live, Mr McGovern said to Mr Swarbrick: 'You have a massive platform, a microphone that you can use to tell people about the situation we're in and you're not using it. 'An ordinary person like me is having to take the microphone and tell your viewers the situation we are in.' The LBC presenter said: 'For those of you listening wondering what the banging on the microphone is, Mr McGovern seems to have, you've glued yourself to the microphone? That's fantastic.' After the incident, LBC presenter and Daily Mail columnist Andrew Pierce took over the live programme from Global's Leicester Square, before handing back to Mr Swarbrick when arrived there. During this time, Mc McGovern was left in the studio in the dark while waiting for police to arrive. He appeared as a spokesperson for Animal Rebellion advocating a 'plant-based food system' on Nigel Farage's GB News show in October 2021. After the disruption, the group tweeted: 'Every new oil and gas facility tightens the noose around the necks of our young people. If the media will not communicate their predicament they will have no choice but to take the microphone.' Just Stop Oil's 'de-escalator': Pavel Ivanov Mr Ivanov is reported to diffuse rows that break out at the protests when JSO's members shut down roads, for example. A Guardian report described the 'astonishing' abuse they suffer, in a tacit admission that they are struggling to win over many of their critics. In one incident linked to the blockading of oil refineries, one driver who had protesters on his roof said: 'If the police weren't here, I'd come up and f**king throw you off myself.' Another activist with a ladder was told: 'You put that up there, mate, and I'm going to ram it down your f**king throat'. Mr Ivanov claims n one occasion someone got him by the throat as friends were heckled: 'You look like you're just out of nappies. Go and get a f**king job'. JSO's graphic designer who won't have a baby until she tries to 'fix the world': Gabriella Ditton Gabriella Ditton, 27, blocks a tanker in East Anglia Another JSO activist is graphic designer Gabriella Ditton, 27, from Norfolk, who was arrested for blocking oil trucks on Friday. In a newspaper interview, Ms Ditton who attended Wymondham College in Norfolk, where annual boarding fees are more than 12,000 bragged: 'I've been arrested 16 times and it's honestly fine.' She has stripped naked and covered her body in oil at protests. The group said: 'Gabriella would love nothing more than to have a family and continue her career as a graphic designer, but feels those things aren't an option for her anymore because of the state of the world'. The 27-year-old, who works as an animator, became hooked after going to an Extinction Rebellion talk. She said: 'I was getting my life in order to have a baby and went to the Heading for Extinction talk. I realised I couldn't bring a baby into the world before trying to fix it first. 'I started the way everyone does, with petitions, emailing my MP, going on marches. But I realised it doesn't work. In the future, I want to be able to say with total sincerity that I did everything I could and really mean it. I'm so frightened about society falling apart I'm so deadly terrified that I will do literally anything to prevent it from happening'. Organic farmer and XR co-founder who branded the Holocaust 'just another f**kery in human history': Roger Hallam Roger Hallam, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, being arrested while setting up a toy drone inside London Heathrow airport's exclusion zone during a protest in September 2019 Roger Hallam is the co-founder of Extinction Rebellion who believes paralysing traffic will eventually cause food shortages and trigger uprisings. He once stood unsuccessfully in the 2019 European Parliament election in the London constituency as an independent, winning 924 of the 2,241,681 votes cast, which was around 0.04 per cent of the vote. He became interested in climate change in his 40s when an organic farm he ran in south Wales went bankrupt because of extreme weather conditions. Hallam went on hunger strike in 2017 to demand King's College London stop investing in fossil fuels. His stated ambition for the group is to 'bring down all the regimes in the world and replace them', starting with Britain. He encouraged his followers to get arrested at demonstrations en-masse as a way of raising awareness of climate change. In a recent video on YouTube, he said protesters should be ready to cause disruption through personal 'sacrifice'. If necessary, they 'should be willing to die'. In 2019 he apologised for comments he made describing the Holocaust as 'just another f**kery in human history'. Hallam, 55, sparked outrage in Germany by comparing the murder of six million Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis to other historical massacres and claiming that the memory of the Shoah - or Holocaust - was holding Germany back. The former organic farmer was quickly condemned by Extinction Rebellion groups in Germany, as well as the German government after his comments to a newspaper in the country. The son of one of Melbourne's most notorious crime figures has been found guilty along with another man of the drive-by shooting murder of a nightclub patron and security guard. Jacob Elliott, 21, the son of self-described 'Mad Lebo' Nabil Maghnie, fired four shots towards Love Machine nightclub from a car driven by Allan Fares, 24, on April 14, 2019. The pair argued they didn't do so with murderous intent, but a jury found both men guilty of the charge on Thursday afternoon. Security guard Aaron Osmani, 37, and club patron Richard Arow, 28, were both fatally hit in the head by the shots outside the venue in Little Chapel Street in inner-city Prahran. Jacob Elliott (pictured), the son of self-described 'Mad Lebo' Nabil Maghnie, has been found guilty of murder Another security guard, Semisi Tu'itufu, was struck in the shoulder. A single bullet went through club-goer Ukash Ahmed and into Ali Shohani as they lined up. Elliott and Fares had fired the shots after Elliott's younger half-brother Ali Maghnie was booted out the club for poor behaviour. CCTV footage shows Mr Maghnie being taken across the street and going to the ground, before getting back up again and shouting that security was 'all f***ed, just wait, I'm coming back'. After the incident, Mr Maghnie spoke to his father Nabil Maghnie, complaining 'these guards kicked the f*** out of me' before he contacted his brother. Elliott's barrister Julie Condon QC argued her client was acting under the instructions of his father who demanded he avenge his sibling. Richard Arow (pictured was a patron at the Love Machine club) when he was shot and killed Aaron Osmani (pictured) was working as a security guard at the Love Machine club when he was shot and killed Speaking from the witness box, Elliott said his 'violent and intimidating' father had ordered him to fire 'warning shots' in retaliation for the incident. 'He said "get two hotties (stolen cars) ready, I want you to let off some warning shots at the front of the club".' Elliott told the court, the Herald Sun reports. 'I asked him if he can get someone else to do it (and) that I dont feel comfortable doing it. 'He said something like shut the f--k up and get ready.' Elliott said his father, who died in a gangland shooting in January 2020, was a man who did not accept 'no' as an answer. The court heard Elliott then messaged Fares on encrypted app Wickr asking him to help, with the friends meeting up a short time later in Wollert, in Melbourne's northern suburbs. They drove in a convey to a spot near the club, where they both jumped into one of the cars - a stolen black 4WD Porsche. Police at the crime scene in Prahran, Melbourne in April 2019 Elliott claimed his father Nabil Maghnie (pictured) was a 'violent and intimidating man' who people could not say 'no' to They drove past the club four times before carrying out the shooting during the fifth drive-by. Ms Condon said her client never intended to kill or seriously injure anyone and asked the jury to find him guilty of manslaughter, which carries a lighter prison sentence. But prosecutor Patrick Bourke, QC, argued pointing a gun and firing four times into an area where people are standing in close range showed an intention to kill. Mr Bourke also disputed claims Elliott was reluctant, saying phone data showed he was meeting Fares in Wollert less than 15 minutes after speaking to his brother on the phone. After a week of deliberation, the jury rejected Elliott's claims, finding the two men guilty of two counts of murder - crimes which could see them imprisoned for life. Emotional loved ones could be heard screaming 'we love you Jacob' as the verdict was read out. The men will face court again on August 10 for a three-day pre-sentencing hearing. Jurors, who visited the shooting scene, were shown CCTV footage of a Porsche driving past Love Machine when the shots were fired. Elliott is the son of slain underworld boss Nabil Maghnie. Pictured: Nabil Maghnie leaves court on bail in July 2019 They saw Mr Osmani and Mr Arow, who had been speaking to each other with their backs facing the road, fall to the ground and the crowd scatter as the gun went off. Despite the best efforts by paramedics, the two men could not be saved and died at the scene. A third man, Moussa Hamka, was found guilty of one charge of assisting the men, and not guilty of a second charge. Jurors found he knowingly concealed the gun used in the shooting, which was found in his bedroom. But they rejected a prosecution case that he had set fire to a car in an attempt to destroy evidence. The wrong car was destroyed and an identical model vehicle across the road was instead set on fire. Nabil Maghnie's daughter Sabrine had the words 'mad Lebo' tattooed on her in honour of her late father Underworld boss Nabil Maghnie died aged 44 after being shot outside a home in Epping, in Melbourne's north, in January, 2020. The gangland figure is famously remembered for driving himself to hospital after being shot in the head in 2016. On the night he was killed, the 44-year-old travelled to a home on Dalton Road, where he reportedly demanded money from one of the men at the property. Nabil is believed to have attacked the householder before someone else pulled out a gun and shot him dead. He was seen lying dead next to his Mercedes utility vehicle after he was gunned down while two others, including his son Abbas Jr, were wounded. Nobody has been charged in relation to Nabil's murder. Despite his feared reputation, those close to the underworld enforcer have previously told Daily Mail Australia he was a much loved and loyal family man, who was famously protective of his daughter Sabrine. Last November, Sabrine made headlines after having the words 'mad Lebo' tattoed on her leg in honour of her father. A former private schoolboy who appeared alongside Josh Frydenberg in a promotional photo has revealed the brutal truth behind their seemingly innocent encounter. Dom Weber was on his way to school in June 2016 when he bumped into Mr Frydenberg, then the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, at Camberwell train station, in Melbourne's inner east. Hours later, the now-treasurer shared a photo of him talking to the youth on Twitter, writing: 'he might be too young to vote but's it's nice to get good feedback'. But despite the post insinuating the pair had a positive chat, Mr Weber has revealed that was far from the truth. A former private schoolboy who was pictured next to Josh Frydenberg in 2016 (pictured together) has revealed the brutal truth he delivered to the then Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia Resharing the historic tweet on Thursday, Mr Weber said the image actually captured him telling Mr Frydenberg he was the 'last' person he would list on a ballot sheet. 'Throwback to this classic moment when I told @JoshFrydenberg that if I could vote I would be putting him last,' Mr Weber wrote. 'Six years later and I'm still putting you last Joshy boy!' The post has gone viral as dozens of Aussies praised Mr Weber for sharing his side of story - just weeks before the May 21 federal election. Some suggested the timing was a strategical move on Mr Weber's behalf, with many left bemused by the very different portrayals of the single event. 'Best tweet this election,' one person said. 'Josh has an interesting interpretation of good feedback,' a woman wrote alongside a smirk emoji. Dom Weber on Wednesday revealed he told Mr Frydenberg (pictured together) he would be his last preference 'Wait, so he used your pic to publicise himself even though you said that?' someone else said. ''Good feedback'...So he agreed that ppl should be putting him last then,' a fourth comment read. Another person responded: 'Well, he didn't say what the feedback was, did he? He just had himself pictured with a young kid in a private school blazer and left the rest to interpretation..' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Frydenberg's office for comment. The revelation comes as Mr Frydenberg fights to retain his position as the Member for the Victorian seat of Kooyong, following a public stoush with independent candidate Monique Ryan. After whipping up a social media frenzy, Mr Weber revealed 24 hours later he was planning to vote for Mr Frydenberg's bitter rival next month. Mr Frydenberg (pictured) is fighting to keep his position as member for the seat of Kooyong 'Well this went further than I thought it would. Thanks for the kind words, and for those who've been telling me to get a job,' he commented on his post on Thursday. 'Oh and for who I'm voting number one? this one's for you @Mon4Kooyong.' The Treasurer rejected an invitation by climate advocacy group, Lighter Footprints, to a debate with Dr Ryan and other contenders on Wednesday night. He claimed the event was essentially a 'campaign rally' for Dr Ryan, who is running on policies proposing climate change action. 'It would be akin to me going and debating them in front of their own campaign rally which I'm not about to give them that free kick to do,' Mr Frydenberg told radio station SEN this week. On Thursday, Dr Ryan hit back at Mr Frydenberg who has repeatedly accused her of being a 'fake independent'. Mr Frydenberg has spent the past few weeks in a public stoush with his rival, Kooyong independent candidate Monique Ryan (pictured) 'He can say what he likes about me but I could no longer be complicit with the government's inaction on climate change,' she told ABC's Radio National. 'Mr Frydenberg doesn't understand the power of the community movement that I represent.' Dr Ryan had previously declined to take part in a televised debate with Mr Frydenberg on Channel 9, prompting the treasurer to demand she 'front up'. 'I'm the Treasurer, I'm subject to interviews every single day, they (Dr Ryan) are not, and they are hiding,' Mr Frydenberg said on Tuesday. 'The fake independents have no detailed policies they have no costings, they're not telling the local community in Kooyong how they will vote in the event of a hung parliament.' Dr Ryan said she turned down the offer because it was in Docklands, not Kooyong, but has agreed to a similar debate via Sky to be held within their electorate next week. A Labour frontbencher told a woman MP that they were a 'secret weapon' because men wanted to sleep with them, it was claimed today. The female politician - who wants to remain anonymous - was allegedly subjected to the lewd remark at an event in Westminster. The episode surfaced as claims that a Tory MP was seen watching porn on their phone in the Commons were referred for an independent investigation. Cabinet members said the culprit should be stripped of the whip or even kicked out of the House if they the allegations are proven. But former minister Caroline Nokes has accused the chief whip of kicking the issue 'into the long grass', and said the whip should have been suspended already. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also urged MPs to stay out of Parliament's 'poisonous' drinking dens amid growing uproar at sexism and sleaze at Westminster. Mr Wallace said the long hours and access to alcohol had been a problem for many years, and his advice to colleagues was 'finish your day's work and go home'. In the latest grim claims, a woman MP told BBC Wales that when someone praised her as a 'rising star' of her party at an event, the unnamed shadow cabinet minister intervened. They apparently said she was a 'secret weapon' because 'women want to be her friend' and men wanted to sleep with her. 'She is a vote winner,' they reportedly added. Keir Starmer said: 'I'm deeply concerned to hear these suggestions and these allegations. 'There is a complaints procedure and I want everybody to have the confidence to use that complaints procedure because I would want to get to the bottom of this and do something about it.' A Labour spokeswoman said: 'The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the long hours and access to alcohol had been a problem for many years, and his advice to colleagues was 'finish your day's work and go home' Mr Wallace pointed to the handful of exclusive bars on the Parliamentary estate, where drinks are much cheaper than outside, with a pint of beer costing around 3.60. File picture of Strangers Bar in the Commons 'They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.' It is understood that no complaint has been received, and BBC Wales said the woman did not want to be identified for fear of consequences. Labour has recently introduced a new independent complaints procedure to boost confidence, and is encouraging people to come forward. In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Wallace said 'there's no place for pornography in any workplace' and said there needs to be a cultural change in Westminster. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I certainly think they should lose the whip.' He pointed to the handful of exclusive bars on the Parliamentary estate, where drinks are much cheaper than outside, with a pint of beer costing around 3.60. Mr Wallace told Times Radio that there were 'fights', 'sexist comments' and 'propositions' in the bars. 'What I have witnessed is, what I think is the fundamental problem of Westminster, is the overall culture is that hundreds and hundreds of people (are) working long hours in a place with bars,' he said. 'And for some people, under lots of pressure for all sorts of reasons. And that... mix becomes poisonous.' Mr Wallace said the problems had been 'going on for decades' and were 'not easy to fix'. 'I mean, my advice to any MP is actually avoid the bars, you know, finish a day's work and go home. 'But you know, that is part of the ultimate challenge around parliament that I think needs to be fixed. 'And you know, in the Armed Forces, I have a similar challenge, which is often in those high pressure environments where people mix and then alcohol is consumed, you end up in a place where people do things, either they regret, or things that is totally unacceptable.' The Defence Secretary told Sky News: 'There is a range of allegations that go right across the House, go right across the parties. 'This is a problem, I think, about the overall culture of the House of Commons. 'It is late sitting, long nights with bars, and that very often leads, and it has done for decades, to behavioural challenges 'I think it's really important that we think about ways to change the culture in the House of Commons.' Attorney General Suella Braverman told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour that if the allegation of an MP watching porn in Parliament is proven there should be a 'severe reprimand' including an opportunity to oust them from the Commons. 'I'm shocked and appalled... what would possess them? It is totally unacceptable,' she said. 'I am very glad that the chief whip has now referred it to the independent complaints and grievance process.' Ms Braverman went on: 'I think we would really need to see a situation where the whip would be removed. I am ashamed that this person is carrying the Conservative rosette. 'I think they really do need to be subject to a recall, and no longer holding their privileged position as a member of parliament.' Ms Braverman said while all the men she had worked with were 'respectful' there were MPs who behaved like 'animals'. 'There is however, a very small minority of men - and it is men - who fall short, and there are some bad apples who are out of order, who behave like animals and are bringing parliament into disrepute to be honest,' she said. 'I don't think we should be saying there is a pervasive culture. That is not my experience. There are certain individuals who are behaving in an unacceptable way.' The Conservative Party's chief whip has ordered an official investigation into claims that an MP was watching porn on his mobile phone in the House of Commons Chamber. A spokesman said the matter would be referred to Parliament's independent complaints and grievance scheme (ICGS). Mr Wallace told Times Radio that there were 'fights', 'sexist comments' and 'propositions' in the Parliamentary bars 'Following allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the House of Commons the Chief Whip has asked that this matter be referred to the ICGS. 'Upon the conclusion of any ICGS investigation the Chief Whip will take appropriate action.' Ms Nokes told PoliticsHome the referral amounted to 'kicking it into the long grass' and it would be 'months before anything is done'. 'It's not shouldering the burden of responsibility of dealing with it, and I think the Chiefs should have dealt with it immediately,' she said. Sir Keir said the Conservative Party should 'take action now' against the MP. He said: 'I think it's very good that we've got an independent system and obviously that requires anonymity. 'This is an unusual case because the Tory Party knows who this individual is. 'I think that they should deal with it and deal with it sooner rather than later and take appropriate action. 'So, nothing wrong with the independent process, but I think the Tory Party, they know who this is, they should take action now.' Those reported to the body are given automatic anonymity, meaning the Tory MP's name will not be published while he is under investigation. Only witnesses are able to make complaints to the scheme. The body is said to be investigating at least 56 MPs - including three ministers and two shadow ministers - who have been accused of sexual misconduct. Two female MPs say they witnessed their colleague looking at adult images more than once. Commuters in London were faced with chaos on the Tube this morning after multiple 'faulty trains' caused severe delays on the network. People trying to use the District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines faced long waits after issues in Barking, Moorgate and Finchley Road. There were also minor delays on TfL Rail, while the Northern line is part closed. It meant that five lines on London's Tube network were left facing delays as commuters tried to get into work during rush hour. Earlier in the morning the Circle line and DLR also faced minor delays. There are reports of long delays on some tube lines as a result of 'faulty trains' this morning Commuters using the District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines are all facing severe delays The delays meant London Underground tickets for several routes were made valid on bus routes and some national rail services into the capital. According to the TfL website multiple issues caused the delays. It said a 'faulty train at Barking' is caused severe delays on the District line, while a 'faulty train at Moorgate' led to minor delays on the Circle line. These two issues are caused severe delays on the Hammersmith & City lines. At its peak, seven of London's tube lines were affected by severe delays, minor delays or part closures this morning People trying to use the District and Hammersmith & City lines were told their London Underground tickets would be accepted on London Buses and C2C services. The Metropolitan Line was also severely delayed between Baker Street and Aldgate, with minor delays on the rest of the line due to a 'faulty train at Finchley Road'. London Underground tickets were being accepted on Chiltern Railway and London Buses as an alternative for this route. There are also minor delays on TfL Rail between Paddington and Reading/Heathrow as work is done to fix a track fault at Paddington. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) saw minor delays between Bank and Lewisham due to an 'obstruction on the track at South Quay'. Meanwhile, the Northern line remains closed between Moorgate and Kennington while upgrade works are undertaken at stations. Commuters trying to make their in the capital were left frustrated with some taking to social media to vent. On Twitter, @baztav wrote: 'TfL you're exceeding yourself this morning'. @utdjags wrote: 'The one day I need to use TfL Rail there are train delays. PDL.' @SteveJones177 added: 'Welcome to another fab morning on the London Tube. This is really going to get people back into the offices.' Some commuters took to social media to voice their frustation at the delays as they tried to travel this morning It comes ahead of a vote by members of Unite the Union on whether to hold strike action on London Underground services later this summer. The union said workers for TfL have been told that the value of their pensions will be cut and a final salary scheme will end following a central government-demanded review in return for pandemic-recovery funding. Commuters in London could face more tube chaos in summer with members of Unite the Union set to vote on whether to hold industrial action in a row over pensions Unite regional officer Simon McCartney said: 'Our members are dedicated to keeping London moving. 'Now they are being told that they will be poorer in old age. This is an appalling way to treat a loyal and committed workforce. 'Workers are balloting for industrial action as a last resort. Despite repeated calls to management there have been no guarantees on pensions or job cuts. 'Strike action would inevitably cause severe disruption to public transport throughout London.' If members vote in favour of industrial action when the ballot closes on May 26 the strikes could begin by mid-June Unite's members at TfL are spread across different parts of the organisation including Dial-a Ride, London Underground and Croydon trams. The union said its members are also in dispute over pay and the threat of job losses. The ballot will close on May 26. If members vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could begin by mid-June, although Unite said action is likely to be co-ordinated with other unions who also have members in TfL. An alleged victim of Tim Westwood has welcomed the DJ's departure from Capital Xtra - but slammed the 'deafening silence' from media firm Global after the misconduct claims first came to light. Westwood, 64, stepped down from his Capital Xtra show after nine years following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, having been accused of initiating unwanted sex by three women. Four others claim he groped their bottoms or breasts at events. Global, which owns Capital, faced criticism when it refused to investigate claims about the former Radio 1 presenter when they surfaced online two years ago. Labour MP Jess Phillips said at the time: 'Surely an investigation of allegations is the least that should be done. Organisations should have systems in place to investigate complaints against their staff.' One alleged victim, who claims she met Westwood in 1992 while aged 17, has now welcomed the DJ's departure from Global - following a 'deafening silence' immediately after the accusations came to light. Westwood, pictured above in 2021, is at the centre of a sexual misconduct storm after allegations were levelled against him in recent years The ex-BBC Radio 1 DJ, who is not married, has strenuously denied all claims (pictured: Tim Westwood at the NEC in Birmingham) She told The Guardian: 'I think the allegations were too great and too deep in number for [the show] to continue. The thought of him hosting his show regularly on a Saturday evening would have been totally appalling.' The earliest alleged incident is said to have taken place in 1992, and the most recent came in 2017. Three of the women, aged 17, 19 and 20 at the time, describe a pattern of alleged 'opportunist and predatory sexual behaviour' after agreeing to meet with him. Westwood has now been removed from two of the bank holiday weekend events that he had been due to appear at in the wake of the sexual misconduct allegations. The ex-BBC Radio 1 DJ, who is not married, has strenuously denied all claims. A spokesperson for Westwood said: 'Tim Westwood strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The earliest alleged incident is said to have taken place in 1992, and the most recent came in 2017. Three of the women, aged 17, 19 and 20 at the time, describe a pattern of alleged 'opportunist and predatory sexual behaviour' after agreeing to meet with him 'In a career that has spanned 40 years, there have never been any complaints made against him officially or unofficially. Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.' Westwood became a household name after hosting shows on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra for 19 years, and had presented a weekly hip hop show on Capital Xtra since 2013. A spokesperson for Global, the firm which owns Capital Xtra, told MailOnline: 'Following the claims that have recently come to light, Tim Westwood has stepped down from his show until further notice.' One woman who claims her breast was grabbed by the veteran DJ in 2000 said she was left feeling 'cold and dirty' after the alleged incident. Another of the women described how she 'froze' and felt 'very intimated' after Westwood allegedly said 'lemme grab some ass', before putting his hand down the back of her shorts after meeting the girl at a club in Ayia Napa, Cyprus in 2009. Three others, aged 17, 19 and 20 at the time, describe a pattern of alleged 'opportunist and predatory sexual behaviour' after agreeing to meet with him. Two of them, who had aspirations of working within the music industry, claim they agreed to meet Westwood in London to discuss music, before he 'initiated unwanted and unexpected sex' that left them feeling 'completely powerless' and 'scared'. A further four women say Westwood groped them while posing for a picture with him after his nightclub performances. The DJ has said he did not behave in the manner described and said all of the allegations were false. The ex-cop crashed a marked police car near Yulara in the Northern Territory Beaumont also pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol Both former cops pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice An intoxicated police officer who crashed a patrol car then pressured a local civilian to take a breath test for him, a court has heard. Following the incident, Senior Constable Wade Hawkins and Remote Sergeant Christopher Beaumont fabricated sworn statutory declarations, after Beaumont lost control of a police car and smashed into a rock monument in the Northern Territory. The incident unfolded in the remote community of Yulara, near Uluru, in November 2021. The men - who have both since resigned from the police force - pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice in the NT Supreme Court. Beaumont also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol. Former NT police officer Douglas Beaumont (pictured) crashed a patrol car last November while drunk and then pressured a local civilian to take a breath test on his behalf, a court has heard The two had started started drinking at about 7pm on November 26 last year, but when the pub closed, Beaumont drove a marked police car to the Yulara station, where he met Hawkins and other friends, the ABC reported. The group continued drinking at the police social club to the point were Beaumont was seen vomiting and appeared 'highly intoxicated', before calling in sick for work. The following day, just after 6am, Beaumont drove his squad car along Yulara Drive and lost control. The collision saw airbags deployed and the monument was also damaged. Beaumont, who was the sergeant of Mutitjulu police station at the time, drove the damaged car to Mutitjulu, an Indigenous community inside the Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park. Soon after he called Hawkins in a 'distressed state' and then asked a local to 'blow into the breathalyser to get a zero reading.' Following the incident, Senior Constable Wade Hawkins and Remote Sergeant Christopher Beaumont fabricated sworn statutory declarations stating Beaumont had returned a zero reading from a mandatory breath test (stock image) The court heard the civilian 'reluctantly agreed' to do so, feeling somewhat pressured as Beaumont was well known due to his status as the local police sergeant. Hawkins and Beaumont then both signed statutory declarations confirming Beaumont had returned a zero reading on his breath test. Following an investigation by other officers, both men admitted lying and were charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. The offences carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Lawyers for Beaumont, barrister Mark Thomas and solicitor Luke Officer, told the court the former police officer recognised his 'fault and failing'. Both Senior Constable Wade Hawkins and Remote Sergeant Christopher Beaumont have since resigned from the NT Police Force following the incident (stock image) - attempting to pervert the course of justice carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison 'He has, in one fell swoop, destroyed his reputation both in [Mutitjulu] and more generally, and is throwing away a lengthy and productive career in the NT Police,' Mr Thomas said. Crown prosecutor Marty Aust said while the offenders were 'men of good character', their crimes were serious and struck 'at the heart of the administration of justice'. 'Both of these men were well-regarded, well-respected, hard-working police officers who really were the face of the NT Police department in a remote community,' Mr Aust said. 'Many of the members of that community were socially disadvantaged and Aboriginal and looked to the men to uphold the law and be the face of the law.' Beaumont and Hawkins will be sentenced in May. A fatal design flaw in Russian tanks dating back to the Gulf War has made them 'sitting ducks' for Ukrainian attacks, experts have revealed. Unlike in Western tanks, Russian vehicles store up to 40 shells in a carousel at the base of the turret, making them extremely vulnerable. Even an indirect hit can spark a chain reaction, igniting all the ammunition at once and decapitating the vehicles dubbed 'mobile coffins' by Western military experts. The 'jack-in-the-box effect' has contributed to the devastating loss of up to 970 Russian tanks, the Ukrainian military claims. It explains why dozens of charred tanks with their turrets completely blown off have been spotted during Putin's botched invasion, with videos showing the top part of the vehicles flying high into the air. A fatal design flaw in Russian tanks dating back to the Gulf War has made them 'sitting ducks' for Ukrainian attacks, blasting the turret up to two storeys into the air A destroyed Russian tank is seen lying next to its blasted off and charred turret in Mariupol last month Drone footage shows one tank exploding into a fireball as its turret is blown high into the sky One turret was blasted into the second floor of a house after it was hit, causing a chain reaction inside the vehicle Sam Bendett, an adviser with the Russian Studies Program at the Center for a New American Security, told CNN: 'What we are witnessing with Russian tanks is a design flaw. 'Any successful hit ... quickly ignites the ammo causing a massive explosion, and the turret is literally blown off.' The flaw came to the attention of the West in the Gulf Wars of 1991 and 2003 when Iraq's Russian-made T-72 tanks were similarly exposed. The design has benefits, allowing for extra space inside and giving the tanks a lower profile, making them harder to hit. Subsequent models including the T-90 and T-80 had the same vulnerability due to the missile loading system. Ukrainian servicemen look at a destroyed Russian tank on a road in the village of Rusaniv, in the Kyiv region In Brovary, a beheaded tank is seen on the side of the road in a common image seen throughout Ukraine The 'jack-in-the-box effect' has contributed to the devastating loss of up to 970 Russian tanks, the Ukrainian military claims This aerial view taken near Kyiv on March 30 shows a destroyed Russian tank in the village of Lukianivka But Western militaries have learned from the flaw and their tanks now have compartmentalised ammunition. Steven Zaloga, an expert on Russian and Soviet armour, told military site Task & Purpose: 'If you see film footage of a hit followed by the ammunition fire, typically what happens is that one propellant casing goes off or one or two because of a penetration. 'The explosion of the first propellant case tends to trigger more. And so, what you often-times see is a sequence where one propellant case or a couple of propellant cases go off and then the stowage down in the autoloader goes up, basically like a string of firecrackers.' In the Chechen wars, Russians reduced their tank losses by carrying fewer rounds, which meant the ammo and propellant could be stored in the autoloaders instead. A destroyed Russian tank is seen in front of a damaged house in Malaya Rohan with the turret split from the body Western militaries have learned from the flaw and their tanks now have compartmentalised ammunition A Ukrainian soldier stands on the wreckage of a burnt Russian tank outside of the village of Mala Rogan But now, Kremlin forces are packing their tanks with as much ammunition as possible. Two crew members and a driver are normally inside the tanks, and they are 'sitting ducks' for the catastrophic explosions, Nicholas Drummond, a defence industry analyst and former British Army officer said. He added: 'If you don't get out within the first second, you're toast.' Some Western vehicles such as the US Stryker have turrets which do not enter the crew compartment, meaning the crew is still safe below if the top is blown off. Others have no carousel, while the M1 Abrams has a fourth crew member to retrieve shells from a compartment before manually transferring them to the gun. If a tank is hit, only one shell at most will be in the turret. Analysts claimed yesterday that Russia has lost so much military equipment in Ukraine that it will be unable to fight another war for years. Analysts claimed yesterday that Russia has lost so much military equipment in Ukraine that it will be unable to fight another war for years 'It will take years for Russia to rebuild its inventories', according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. In fact, Putin will struggle in the Donbas because vital 'inventories are getting low', analyst Mark Cancian told The Times. Wrecked Kremlin equipment now amounts to 970 tanks, 187 planes, 155 helicopters, 431 artillery units and eight ships, the Ukrainian army estimated this morning. Military analyst Henry Boyd from the International Institute for Strategic Studies said Putin could still draw on sizeable, Soviet-era reserve forces stationed across Russia. But most Russian soldiers could be unable to use it, he added. Mr Boyd told the newspaper: 'They kept a large number of Soviet-era tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery. 'You can probably compensate in terms of sheer numbers by reactivating older systems but there is a question mark over whether they will have the crews to man the vehicles and if they do, whether they have had sufficient training.' Elon Musk joked he wants to buy drinks giant Coca-Cola to 'put the cocaine back in' as the eccentric entrepreneur enjoyed a series of back-and-forths with Twitter users amid his $44billion takeover of the platform. 'Next I'm buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in,' the wisecracking Tesla and SpaceX founder said in a late-night tweet Wednesday. The tweet prompted a storm of amusing responses, including one post which implored Elon 'bring it back' and shared an image of what purports to be one of the first publicly sold Coca-Cola bottles in 1894 - though this could not be verified and may be an image of a larger container used to serve the drink. The early recipe for Coca-Cola actually included coca leaves, from which popular party drug cocaine is derived. The early Coca-Cola bottles were thought to have contained 3.5 milligrams of cocaine - an ingredient which remained present in the drink until it was removed by the company nine years later. Elon also traded jokes with a user who posted a doctored tweet alongside Elon's profile picture which read: 'Now I'm going to buy McDonalds and fix all the ice cream machines...' 'Listen, I can't do miracles, ok,' the billionaire entrepreneur responded. Elon Musk joked he wants to buy drinks giant Coca-Cola to 'put the cocaine back in' as the eccentric entrepreneur enjoyed a series of back-and-forths with Twitter users amid his $44billion takeover of the platform 'Next I'm buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in,' the wisecracking Tesla and SpaceX founder said in a late-night tweet Wednesday. The tweet prompted a storm of amusing responses, including one post which implored Elon 'bring it back' and shared an image of what purports to be one of the first publicly sold Coca-Cola bottles in 1894 - though this could not be independently verified and may be an image of a larger container used to serve the drink Elon also traded jokes with a user who posted a doctored tweet alongside Elon's profile picture which read: 'Now I'm going to buy McDonalds and fix all the ice cream machines...' Twitter users delighted in Elon's coke-joke, before he followed up: 'Beats the hell out of Red Bull!' Twitter's board on Monday unanimously accepted a $44billion bid from Musk to buy out the company and own it outright. Musk pledged to uphold free speech on the platform so it can fulfil its potential as the world's 'digital town square', while relaxing content restrictions and cracking down on spam posters and bots. 'Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,' Musk said in a statement following the announcement of his takeover. But news of the buyout prompted many left-leaning users to announce their intentions to leave the platform, while others expressed concern that relaxed content controls could lead to more hate speech. In yet more tweets last night and early this morning, Elon set out some more of his intentions for the platform which outlined his basic visions for the user experience, a desire to make Twitter politically neutral in its content control, and the need for increased security. 'Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,' Musk said in a statement following the announcement of his takeover of the social media behemoth In yet more tweets last night and early this morning, Elon set out some more of his intentions for the platform which covered his visions for the user experience, political neutrality and security Coca-Cola is one of the world's best-loved brands and its refreshing, if unhealthy, fizzy brown beverage is enjoyed by millions every day. But when chemist John Stith Pemberton created the original Coca-Cola formula in 1886 in a pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia, he labelled it a 'brain tonic'. The first Coca-Cola advertisements positioned the concoction as a cure for 'Morphine, Opium Habits and Desire for Intoxicants'. But ironically, the two ingredients from which Pemberton's soda drink derived its name were highly addictive. The early versions of Coca-Cola contained kola nut powder to deliver a caffeine kick, and coca leaf extract which contained trace quantities of cocaine - around 3.5 milligrams per bottle until 1903, when it was removed. Coca-Cola is one of the world's best-loved brands and its refreshing, if unhealthy, fizzy brown beverage is enjoyed by millions every day. But when chemist John Stith Pemberton created the original Coca-Cola formula in 1886 in a pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia, he labelled it a 'brain tonic' Other ingredients contained in the original recipe were sugar syrup spiced with citric acid, nutmeg, vanilla and Chinese cinnamon oil. However, the high levels of caffeine in Coca-Cola remained until the end of World War One. By 1908, anti-drug campaigners began attacking America's growing dependence on the substance and started calling for a national ban. One Texan politician declared in 1909: 'The reason they put this dope in Coca-Cola is to create a constant craving for more and thus sell the drink.' Coca-Cola remained steadfast and continued to caffeinate its beverages until World War I sent prices through the roof due to shortages. The Russian military deployed highly trained 'spy dolphins' to secure its Black Sea naval HQ, satellites appear to have shown. Images released by the US Naval Institute today show dolphin pens were moved to the gates of Sevastopol Harbour, Crimea in the run-up to the invasion of Ukraine. Dolphins are used by the Russian military for 'counter diver' operations. The canny mammals trained at the Crimean State Oceanarium can reportedly fight off invading divers, carry bombs and even plant mines. Images captured by an American satellite show the floating pens (inset) by the Harbour gates A small Russian 'spy dolphin' carries a bomb during a training exercise (image date unknown) Russia took control of the dolphin unit after annexing Crimea in 2014. Moscow claimed the mammals 'defected' to Russia. The Soviet Union began training military dolphins in Sevastopol nearly fifty years ago. The harbour is home to the Russian Black Sea fleet - and numerous valuable warships, including the flagship Moskva before it sank. Ukrainian missiles do not have the range to reach targets stationed at Sevastopol, but Kyiv could conceivably send underwater saboteurs to break in to the base. The tactful mammals can reportedly fight off invading divers and even plant mines (file image) The photographs suggest Russia moved dolphins to the entrance at Sevastopol in late February, days before it launched its full-scale invasion on February 24. The US Navy's San Diego-based Marine Mammal Program was established in 1959 after bottlenose dolphins were found to be skilled at delivering messages and identifying naval threats. But keeping military dolphins isn't always easy. In 2013, two-thirds of Russia's military dolphins went absent without leave in the Black Sea - apparently in search of love. An army source told MailOnline: 'They deserted a naval exercise and went on manoeuvres of an amorous kind. They swam away to look for mates.' Russian army trainers work with the sea mammals so they can protect valuable navy assets The news emerged as a family of dolphins evacuated from an aquarium in war-torn Kharkiv were pictured swimming at a safe haven in Odessa. Kharkiv Dolphinarium thanked its 'brave and dedicated' trainers for their efforts in a Facebook post yesterday. Odessa Dolphinarium reported: 'They have already passed the vet check-up, adapt[ed] to a new home and [are] getting away from stress.' White whales and a newborn dolphin with their mother and father have stayed in Kharkiv, where workers are still trying to find a new home for them. Malaysian doctor aids epidemic fight in Shanghai People's Daily Online) 14:03, April 28, 2022 Eddi Tham Hock Guan, who is originally from Malaysia, has been in Shanghai for the past five years. Ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in the city, Guan, a physician, has taken an active part in the citys efforts to fight the disease. Photo shows a medical worker from DeltaHealth, a foreign-funded hospital in Shanghai, conducting nucleic acid testing for a resident. (Photo/WHB.cn) Guan led staff members of the outpatient department in his hospital, DeltaHealth, which is a foreign-funded hospital, to engage in epidemic control in the city, having conducted nucleic acid tests for residents in Shanghais suburban Qingpu district several times. He has also offered free online healthcare consulting services for patients, and prescribed medicine for the patients in need of urgent medical assistance. Speaking about why he took part in the anti-epidemic efforts in Shanghai, Guan said: As a doctor, Im always ready to contribute my part whenever Im needed, regardless of my nationality. Photo shows medical workers from DeltaHealth, a foreign-funded hospital in Shanghai, posing for a picture. (Photo from WHB.cn) Photo shows medical workers from DeltaHealth, a foreign-funded hospital in Shanghai, posing for a picture. (Photo from WHB.cn) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) gettyimagesbank Korean's business sentiment improved for May amid expectations that the government's lifting of COVID-19 pandemic-related curbs could boost demand, a central bank poll showed Thursday. The business sentiment index (BSI) for local companies came to 86 for May, up three points from the previous month, according to the survey by the Bank of Korea (BOK). The index measures corporate prospects for business conditions in the following month. A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists. The rise came as the government recently lifted most social distancing rules, except for the mask mandate, as part of efforts to return to normal from the coronavirus pandemic. The BSI for manufacturers rose from 85 to 88 over the same period, and the index for non-manufacturing firms from 82 to 85. The sentiment for manufacturers, in particular, improved in the hope that demand for such products as cosmetics and others will mount, the BOK said. The BSI for large companies increased from 91 to 92 over the cited period, with that for smaller firms rising five points to 83. The BSI for exporters stayed unchanged at 93, while the index for domestic demand-oriented businesses improved from 80 to 85, the survey showed. The survey was conducted on a total of 2,828 firms, including 1,677 manufacturers, from April 13 to 20, the BOK said. (Yonhap) Pictures shared online show the moment a lorry carrying toilet paper was almost wiped out after it crashed into a low railway bridge in south London. The huge blue freight vehicle was pictured wedged in a crumpled heap with parts of its load spread across the A205 in Hither Green, London. Roads in the surrounding area soon became clogged with traffic after the adjacent road was closed, with queues of around 30 minutes reported by motorists this morning. South Eastern rail services were also temporarily axed amid the clean up after checks were made to ensure the tracks were safe. The line has since reopened. Kersey Freight Ltd have been contacted to provide comment. The huge blue freight vehicle was pictured wedged in a crumpled heap with parts of its load spread across the A205 in Hither Green, London Roads in the surrounding area soon became clogged with traffic after the adjacent road was closed, with queues of around 30 minutes reported by motorists this morning Social media users were quick to see the funny side of the crash Social media users were quick to see the funny side of the crash. @LanceArmpong wrote: 'I believe that's called a wedgie'. @bhavikdepala tweeted: 'Save me a batch, I'm on my way!' @eel_pie_pete added: 'If only there was some kind of warning that it was a low bridge...' The Metropolitan Police have also been contacted for comment. A Victoria Cross won by Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf has today sold for a record-breaking 682, 000. The RAF pilot performed heroic tasks whilst serving in Malaya, South East Asia during WWII where he landed his plane despite being mortally wounded in a near-suicidal raid. Mr Scarf, 28, took off from Butterworth to attack a Japanese air base just as enemy planes arrived to dive-bomb his RAF aerodrome in Malaya in December 1941. Watching as enemy aircraft destroyed his squad below, he bravely carried on alone taking on enemy planes lining up to fire at him. He used his brilliant flying skills to complete a successful bombing run on the Japanese air base in Thailand but was shot several times by close-range cannon and machine gun fire. Despite being barely conscious, Scarf somehow managed to keep his grip on the controls to cross back over the Malay-Thai border to Singora. He pulled off a 'miraculous' landing in a paddy field, which allowed his two fellow crew members to escape without injury. Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf died whilst fighting off Japanese fighter planes Arthur showed bravery in the face of danger, saving two of his squad (above) his Blenheim plane Arthur Scarf's Victoria Cross, (left) which sold for a record breaking amount was won after a terrifying ordeal that cost him his life Squad Leader Scarf was rushed to the nearby hospital where his wife Sally, a nurse who was pregnant with their child, was based. She donated two litres of her own blood to try and save him and as he was wheeled into theatre for surgery he told her 'don't worry, keep smiling, chin up'. He died a short time later from wounds to his back and chest, aged 28. Arthur Scarf was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry, which his widow Sally received from King George VI after the war. The medal was sold by her family with London-based auctioneers Spink & Son to raise awareness of his heroic service, achieving a hammer price of 550,000, with extra fees taking the final figure paid for it to 682,000. It was bought by an anonymous bidder in the room. His squadron 62, Flying training at Cranwell 1936 Scarf is pictured fifth from right (above) 62 Squadron converted to Bristol Blenheim I bombers in February 1938, and when war looked imminent the following year, they were posted to Singapore via India, and arrived at Tengah airfield, Singapore, though for two years they saw no active service Arthur Scarf (circled) was a keen rower and rugby player at school, where his lack of interest in academics almost got him expelled Only 26 VCs have been awarded to RAF personnel, half of which follow the death of the recipient. Scarf's medals set a world record for an RAF VC, breaking the previous record set by Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid of 290,000, which was sold by the same auctioneers in November 2009. Marcus Budgen, head of the medals department, said: 'The medals and archive of Squadron Leader Scarf are of the greatest importance in the history of the Second World War. 'His bravery is ranked amongst the finest single acts that took place during the Second World War and Scarf gave his life for his comrades. 'His cool, calculated acts of bravery laid unknown after the carnage and the Fall of Malaya but now is the time that the story of the 'Forgotten VC' comes to wider public recognition. 'The true rarity and importance of this Victoria Cross cannot be overstated.. It simply is first class.' Squad Leader Scarf, known as 'Pongo' to his friends, was born in Wimbledon, south west London, in 1913. His lack of school qualifications lead him to apply to the Royal Navy but he was rejected. In January 1936 he applied to join the RAF for pilot training and was accepted, where he trained at the AST, Hamble. Graduating on 11th October 1936, he joined 9 Squadron at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. He was frequently late for lectures and generally made morning parades by the skin of his teeth dashing on to the parade ground just as the command 'Fall in the Officers' was given. In 1938 he was posted to Abingdon, Berkshire to form a new unit, 62 Squadron, then he was sent to northern Malaya at the start of World War Two. Pictured L-R: Victoria Cross, reverse of the suspension bar engraved 'S/Ldr. A. S. K. Scarf. 62 Sqdn. R.A.F.', the reverse of the Cross engraved '11 June, 1946.'; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all won by Arthur Scarf His letter, written to his sister Kitty, on 4 March 1936 from the Air Service Training Club, with the moving opening lines:'...I have appreciated all you have said tremendously and frankly they have given me enough guts to stop myself from spinning into the "deck" when I have been solo - thanks a lot old thing' The full heartfelt letter to his sister Kitty, (pictured above) The Japanese attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, was followed two days later by the Japanese invading Malaya, where Arthur was stationed. On December 9, a squadron of Blenheim bombers were tasked with attacking the forward base of the Japanese air force at Singora, Thailand, close to the Malayan border. 'His bravery is ranked amongst the finest single acts that took place during the Second World War Marcus Budgen, head of the medals department Squad Leader Scarf got airborne just as the enemy launched a surprise attack on the RAF airbase. He had a bird's eye view of the death and destruction suffered by his colleagues on the ground below. His Victoria Cross citation reads: 'Squadron Leader Scarf circled the airfield and witnessed the disaster. 'It would have been reasonable had he abandoned the projected operation which was intended to be a formation sortie. 'He decided, however, to carry to Singora in his single Blenheim aircraft. 'Although he knew that this individual action could not inflict much material damage on the enemy, he, nevertheless, appreciated the moral effect which it would have on the remainder of the squadron, who were helplessly watching their aircraft burning on the ground. 'Squadron Leader Scarf completed his attack successfully. 'The opposition over the target was severe and included attacks by a considerable number of enemy fighters. He managed to see his pregnant wife before he died , (circled above) Arthur Scarf's married Elizabeth 'Sally', a nurse, in Penang in April 1941 His family are now looking to sell the prized medal, Arthur Scarf (circled) in a family photo in 1938 His bravery saved the lives of two of his fellow crew (circled) Arthur Scarf has fun with fellow military friends who called him by his nickname, 'Pongo' 'In the course of these encounters, Squadron Leader Scarf was mortally wounded. 'Squadron Leader Scarf fought a brilliant evasive action in a valiant attempt to return to his base. 'He made a successful forced-landing without causing any injury to his crew. 'He was received into hospital as soon as possible, but died shortly after admission. 'Squadron Leader Scarf displayed supreme heroism in the face of tremendous odds and his splendid example of self-sacrifice will long be remembered.' A painting of Arthur Scarf to help further generations remember his bravery and service to his country as a Royal Air Force hero Sally, who was off-duty at the hospital, later said: 'I was off duty when an English casualty was being brought in. 'I was very shocked to find it was my late husband Pongo who by some miracle managed to land his plane in a paddy field nearby to the aerodrome and hospital, his two sergeants being unharmed. 'Dr Peach who brought him in and administered some medication and Pongo was cheerfully saying 'don't worry', but he was severely wounded in his left arm and back. 'Pongo was still cheerful and said 'Don't worry, keep smiling, chin up!' 'Pat returned soon afterwards to tell me he just slipped away whilst under anesthesia.' Squad Leader Scarf was buried the next day at Alor Star in the Kedah Province, close to the neutral Thai border. Air Vice-Marshal Combe said to Sally: 'Your late husband did a wonderful act, for which his country will be eternally grateful.' Sally was evacuated to India to continue her nurse duties, returning to Britain at the end of the war. She went on to marry Major Stuart Gunn whom she had four daughters with before she died in 1986. Squad Leader Scarf's remains were re-buried in the Taiping War Cemetery, with his gravestone inscribed: 'his love of life was only exceeded by the courage encompassing his death'. Billionaire financier Leon Black gave his Russian mistress 2million ($2.5m) to make her eligible for a UK 'golden visa' in the hopes the fashion model would start a new life far away from his home in New York, it has been alleged. Black, the former CEO of private equity firm Apollo Global Management, agreed to transfer millions of pounds to Guzel Ganieva in 2015 after she began to extort him by threatening to make their relationship public, according to court filings. The American introduced Ganieva to senior lawyers in London and New York before wiring her enough money to be eligible for the Tier 1 visa, which allowed foreigners to settle in the UK if they invested at least 2million in UK companies. Black, the former CEO of private equity firm Apollo Global Management, agreed to transfer millions of pounds to Guzel Ganieva in 2015, according to court filings Ganieva had moved to New York to pursue her career as a fashion model and, in 2008, began what Black's lawyers described as a 'casual, episodic, and completely consensual' relationship with the married billionaire, who lent her nearly $1m (800) to help pay the rent on a Manhattan apartment, according to the Financial Times. The Russian's affair with Black became public last March, when she went on Twitter to claim she had been 'bullied, manipulated, threatened, and coerced . . .[and] forced to sign an NDA'. She later sued the tycoon in New York, alleging abuse. Black (pic) introduced Ganieva to senior lawyers in London and New York before wiring her enough money to be eligible for the Tier 1 visa Ganieva allegations include that Black forced her to fly to Florida to 'satisfy the sex needs' of billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, at his Palm Beach villa. After filing her initial lawsuit in June, Ganieva amended it in September to include the accusations of a second woman, referred to only as Jane Doe, who alleged she was violently raped by Black in Epstein's New York residence in 2002. 'Knowing that to him, and in his world, reputation matters, they set about to destroy him and make him pay anything to make them stop,' Black's lawyers said in a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court said. 'They are planning to line their own pockets with the results.' Black, who is married to Broadway theatre producer Debra Black, has in turn responded with a federal lawsuit that claims she conspired with a group of lawyers and wealthy businessman to air false rape allegations in an attempt to force him out of Apollo. She denies this. Ganieva is pictured (left) with pals Natane Boudreau and Claudia Mason in 2011 Ganieva (left at an event in 2011) branded Black a 'violent, sadistic' sexual predator who raped and harassed her before coercing her into signing a non-disclosure agreement in a defamation lawsuit Black stepped down from his role as CEO of Apollo in march after he was revealed as an associate of paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, left. Black (right) was with Epstein at a screening of the film Capote in 2005 The businessman claims Ganieva began to threaten him that she would 'go public, and ruin his family, his business, and his life', according to court papers. He offered her a $18m financial settlement and introduced her to several lawyers in the hope of getting her a UK visa. It previously emerged Black had paid disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein $158m (126m) for tax avoidance services that saved him at least $1.3bn, although he was not involved with his criminal activities. Black has publicly regretted his involvement with Epstein, who killed himself in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Italian babies will no longer be forced to take their father's surname after a ruling yesterday by the nation's highest court. In Italy, children automatically inherit their father's family name at birth unless they are born out of wedlock or the father's identity is unknown. In a landmark judgment the Constitutional Court deemed this 'discriminatory and harmful to the identity' of a child. 'In the principle of equality and in the interest of the child, both parents must be able to share the choice on the [child's] surname', it stated, according to Reuters. Family minister Elena Bonetti said the proposed change will enjoy 'full' government backing The decision will now become legislation set for a vote in the Italian parliament. The country's national unity government, led by centrist prime minister Mario Draghi, supports the measure. The case was prompted by a couple who have two children born out of wedlock to the mother's previous partner. Her children were given their mother's surname, but when the couple had a third child they were unable to give it the same family name as the other two. The unnamed couple opened a lawsuit in 2020, ending up at Italy's supreme court. Family minister Elena Bonetti responded to the ruling in a Facebook post: 'The time has come for a change. 'We need to give substance [to the ruling]. It is a high priority and urgent task of politics to do so. 'I guarantee all the support of the government to the parliamentary process in taking another fundamental step to achieve equality between women and men in our country.' In an interview with Corriere Della Serra, the minister added: 'Finally the Constitution states that in family law, there is no prevalence of the masculine over the feminine. 'The surname is part of the identity and personal history. [This] overcomes the discrimination against women and children.' Asked whether the new plan could lead to a 'multiplication of surnames', Ms Bonetti said it would be down to the coming legislation to decide a solution. Under the new plan, a baby would take on a four-barreled surname made up of both their parents' double-barreled surnames. Elena Bonetti, pictured at a book launch in 2020, said: 'Surnames are part of personal history' One option, the minister said, could be cancelling one of the surnames 'with the agreement of both parents'. Others pointed out the move is little more than a gesture. Mary Ferri commented on Ms Bonetti's Facebook post: 'What about compulsory maternity leave, paid to 100%? [...] Talk about support for families.' Michele Nucera added: 'For me it is more discriminatory that there is no paternity leave proportionate to the mother's.' Patronymic family surnames became common in Europe during the late 11th century. They were intended to make the management and ownership of property easier. Women members of parliament have tried to end the enforced tradition for decades, getting close in 2006 and 2016 before failing to receive sufficient political support. The government's support for the move suggests it may now happen. In the UK, the law does not automatically assign newborns a family name. In fact, there are virtually no rules on what a child's surname can be. The Deed Poll Office states: 'The registrar doesnt have the right to refuse any name, except insofar as [they] might think it were something illegal.' Finland and Sweden could join NATO swiftly and would be 'welcomed with open arms', its leader said today. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told journalists this morning he expects the two historically neutral countries' entries will happen 'quickly'. The nations have expressed a new desire to join NATO since Russia invaded Ukraine. It follows news yesterday that Finland and Sweden will both apply just next month. Mr Stoltenberg said in Brussels: 'If they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be warmly welcomed and I expect the process to go quickly.' He also described the countries as 'our closest partners', adding: 'They are strong and mature democracies. NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg said the countries 'will be warmly welcomed' and enter 'quickly' 'Their armed forces meet NATO standards and are interoperable with NATO forces. 'We train together, we exercise together, and we have also worked with Finland and Sweden in many different missions and operations.' The NATO leader said he will meet with president of Finland Sauli Niinisto later today, Reuters reported. And in a stinging rebuke to Putin's war in Ukraine, Stoltenberg said: 'This is fundamentally about the right of every nation in Europe to decide its own future. 'So when Russia tries in a way to threaten, to intimidate Finland and Sweden from not applying it just demonstrates how Russia is not respecting the basic right of every nation to choose its own path.' Since Russia began its invasion on February 24, NATO members have spent $8billion (5.4billion) providing military support and weapons to Ukraine. Stoltenberg (pictured with European Parliament president Roberta Metsola) said he will meet with the Finnish president later today Stoltenberg rebuked the Russian invasion of Ukraine and said it violated Kyiv's 'basic rights' Swedish PM Andersson (left) welcomed Finnish PM Marin (right) for discussions this month Finland and Sweden are currently NATO 'partners' - permitted to take part in joint training exercises and receive briefings - but are not full members. Becoming a full member would mean the pair are protected under Article 5, which states an attack on one member of the alliance is an attack on every member. They joined the EU alongside Austria in 1995. Entering NATO also requires ratification in the parliaments of all 30 member states. But the Secretary-General said the countries could join as interim members in the meantime. He said: 'I am confident that there are ways to bridge that interim period in a way which is good enough and works for both Finland and Sweden.' Russia, which shares an 810-mile border with Finland, said it will fire nuclear weapons in its Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad if the two countries apply to join NATO. Sweden's prime minister Magdalena Andersson is understood to be eager for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance by June. This will be met with fury in the Kremlin, whose invasion of Ukraine was prompted in part by Kyiv's wish to join the pact. Moscow lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov warned if Finland tried to join it would mean 'the destruction of the country'. Swedish PM Andersson hosted Finnish PM Sanna Marin in Stockholm for a meeting on their prospective memberships of the alliance less than two weeks ago. Marin said at the time: 'There are different perspectives to apply (for) NATO membership or not to apply and we have to analyse these very carefully. But I think our process will be quite fast, it will happen in weeks.' President Niinisto (right) met with Boris Johnson (left) at Number Ten last month. He warned that his nation could face serious 'disruption' should Finland try to join NATO The assault on Ukraine sparked a dramatic U-turn in public and political opinion in Finland and neighbouring Sweden regarding their long-held policies of military non-alignment. In Finland, support for joining the alliance has grown from 28 per cent in February to 68 per cent. And 57 per cent of Swedes favour NATO membership, compared with 51 per cent last month. But Maria Zakharova, spokesman for Russia's foreign ministry, said last week both countries have been informed 'what it will lead to' if they become NATO members. 'We have issued all our warnings both publicly and through bilateral channels,' she told the Rossiya 24 state media channel. 'They know about it, they will have nothing to be surprised about, they were informed about everything.' Ms Andersson, the Swedish PM, has said there is 'no point' delaying any NATO bid. Lavrov told Russian state TV this week the risk of nuclear war 'cannot be underestimated' 'There is a before and after 24 February,' she said, referring to the date on which Russia invaded Ukraine. 'This is a very important time in history. 'The security landscape has completely changed. We have to analyse the situation to see what is best for Sweden's security, for the Swedish people, in this new situation.' Putin yesterday slammed NATO involvement in Ukraine and said Russia's response to any potential threats will be 'lightning fast'. The president made the fiery comments just days after Russia tested its new Sarmat 2 nuclear missile, which it claims can beat all defences. Putin said: 'If someone intends to interfere in what is going on from the outside they must know that constitutes an unacceptable strategic threat to Russia. 'They must know that our response to counter strikes will be lightning fast. Fast.' Finnish PM Marin, pictured at an EU summit in 2021, has pivoted in favour of NATO entry On Monday, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Russia is now fighting a proxy-war with the whole of NATO - and the risk of it turning nuclear is 'real'. Speaking on state TV, Lavrov said the current situation is worse than the Cuban missile crisis at the height of the Cold War. Asked about the possibility of a nuclear war, he said: 'The risks are very significant. I do not want the danger to be artificially inflated [but] it is serious, real. It cannot be underestimated.' Finnish president Sauli Niinisto warned in late March that Russia could 'disrupt' his country if it dares join the defensive alliance. Finland and Russia fought a brief but bloody war over the winter of 1939-1940 in -43C climes He said Moscow could breach Finnish territory and launch cyber attacks should Helsinki ask to enter the Western military alliance. Mr Niinisto stated: 'We dont even know all the possibilities for hybrid influencing that someone may invent. The entire world of information technology is vulnerable.' Finns share with Ukraine a fierce sense of independence from Russia. Finland defended itself against Stalin's aggression in the Winter War of 1939 and 1940. Facing up to 750,000 invading Soviet troops in -43C temperatures, a Finnish army half that size held off a Russian invasion for three months until it agreed a ceasefire. Advertisement Boris Johnson is facing a potentially make-or-break moment next week when millions of voters go to the polls across the country. Tories are anxiously waiting to assess the level of damage from the Partygate scandal, with the results in thousands of council seats seen as a key test of whether the PM can survive. A total of 200 local authorities are holding elections - including every seat in Scotland, Wales and London. But the outcome could be tricky to interpret as many of the seats were last contested in 2017 and 2018, when the UK was still in the EU, Theresa May was in No10 and Labour was led by Jeremy Corbyn. Experts have pointed out that Labour had a very strong performance in 2018, suggesting the party could struggle to make further big gains - despite polls showing a national lead and massive advantage in London. Although many of the issues that decide local elections remain the same - such as bin collections and services - they will inevitably be interpreted through the prism of Partygate in the wake of Mr Johnson's fine. Restive Conservatives have been holding off a decision on whether to mount a coup until the results come in, meaning the aftermath is likely to be the moment of maximum danger for the PM. Meanwhile, a failure to make significant progress could cause serious problems for Keir Starmer. A total of 200 local authorities are holding elections on May 5 - including every seat in Scotland, Wales and London Here are some of the key contests to look out for in each region of England, as well as in Wales and Scotland. North-west England Bury - estimated declaration time, 8.30pm Friday May 6 Bury has all of its 51 seats up for grabs this year. Labour has run the council since 2011 but has only a small majority and will want to improve its position in what is the party's traditional heartland of Greater Manchester. Bury's status in this year's elections was reflected by the fact Sir Keir and Mr Johnson both visited the town during the campaign. (E) Bolton - 12.30am Friday May 6 Bolton is another key test for Labour in Greater Manchester, but here it is hoping to take back control from the Conservatives who have run a minority administration since 2019. A third of the council's 60 seats are being contested. (12.30am) Pendle - 4.30pm Friday, May 6 Pendle is being defended by the Conservatives, who won a slim majority last year. If the Tories lose two seats, the council will slip back into no overall control. Elections are taking place for 12 of the 33 seats. (4.30pm) Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness - 1pm Friday, May 6 Two new unitary authorities that will elect councillors for the first time this year. The two authorities cover the whole of Cumbria. Cumberland is comprised of the former district councils of Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland, while Westmorland & Furness covers Barrow-in-Furness, Eden and South Lakeland. All the main parties will be jostling for prominence in these new 'super-councils' and the outcome in both contests could be close. (Cumberland 2.30am, Westmorland & Furness 1pm) North-east England Sunderland - 2am Friday, May 6 Run by Labour since 1973, but both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have made advances in Sunderland in recent years. A third of the council's 75 seats are up for grabs this year, and if Labour suffers six or more losses it will lose overall control. Although Sunderland is part of Labour's so-called 'Red Wall' - areas of the country that saw many Tory gains at the 2019 general election - all three Sunderland MPs are Labour and the party defied predictions in 2021 when it retained its majority on the council. Hartlepool - 2am Friday, May 6 The Conservatives and Labour are fighting to be in with a chance of taking overall control of the council - or failing that, end up the largest party and lead a minority administration or a coalition. The Tories won the parliamentary seat of Hartlepool from Labour at a by-election in May 2021. A strong showing by independent candidates could spice up the outcome of this year's contest. Some 13 of the council's 36 seats are being contested. Yorkshire & the Humber Kirklees - 6.30pm Friday, May 6 Currently run by Labour but the party does not have a majority in Kirklees. A third of seats are being elected and just two gains by Labour would give it overall control. Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are also hoping to do well. Wakefield - 5pm Friday, May 6 A Labour stronghold and is not likely to change hands, but the party will be hoping for a solid performance ahead of the expected parliamentary by-election in the city later this year, after Conservative MP Imran Khan was convicted of sexual assault. A third of seats are being contested. Hull - 3.30am Friday, May 6 Hull is a two-way fight between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Labour's majority has been whittled away in recent years and the party goes into this year's election defending a majority of one. A third of the council's seats are in play and the Lib Dems are hopeful of victory. (3.30am) West Midlands Dudley - 4am Friday, May 6 A crucial test for both the Conservatives and Labour. The Tories hope to build on the slim majority they secured at the 2021 local elections, while Labour will want to halt the blue advance and make gains themselves. A third of the council is up for grabs. (4am) Solihull - 1pm Friday May 6 Another West Midlands metropolitan council under Conservative control, but the main opposition is the Greens. The party has been slowly eating into the Tories' majority and will hope to take a few more bites this year. One third of Solihull's seats are being contested. Nuneaton & Bedworth - 4am Friday May 6 Dominated by the Conservatives after a bumper performance in last year's elections. Labour will hope to demonstrate it is making a comeback, having controlled the council as recently as 2018. Half of the 34 seats are holding ballots. Newcastle-under-Lyme - 3pm Friday May 6 Set to be a battle royal between Labour and the Conservatives, with every council seat up for grabs and the Tories defending a tiny majority. Success here for Labour would suggest the party is winning back support in one of its target areas of country. The parliamentary seat of Newcastle-under-Lyme was won by the Conservatives in 2019 after being held by Labour for the previous 100 years. East Midlands Derby - 5am Friday May 6 Derby is currently run by the Tories as a minority party. Labour will be looking to make gains in another test of party's ability to win back support in urban areas of central England. An unknown factor is the popularity of the Reform Derby party, based on the former Brexit Party, which is standing candidates in all the seats being contested. There are 17 of the council's 51 seats up for grabs. Eastern England St Albans - 4pm Friday May 6 St Albans saw the Liberal Democrats make enough gains in 2021 to take overall control, but with a slim majority. The party will want to improve its numbers this year as an example of how it is now the main opposition to the Conservatives in parts of the so-called 'Blue Wall' of southern England. The entire council is up for election. (4pm) Peterborough - 2.30am Friday May 6 A long-running Conservative-Labour battleground and for decades the council has see-sawed between a Tory majority and no overall control. It is currently run by a minority Conservative administration and Labour will want to make gains to show it is recovering in a city it lost to the Tories at the 2019 general election. A third of seats are being contested. Basildon - 1am Friday May 6 This Essex battleground could provide clues to how the Conservatives are doing in the commuter belt around London. The party won control of the council last year and will hope to consolidate its position in elections for a third of its 42 seats. Stevenage - 2.30am Friday, May 6 A commuter-heavy area in Hertfordshire, but this time it is Labour who will be hoping to make progress. The party has controlled the council continuously since its creation in 1973 but will want to show it can reverse the losses it made last year. A third of the seats are up for grabs. London Barnet - 7am Friday May 6 Labour's top target in London for the third election in a row. The party failed narrowly to win control in 2014, while 2018 saw the council swing further towards the Conservatives, with local Labour members blaming the row over antisemitism in the national party. Labour needs to gain nine seats to form a majority. As with every council in London, all seats are being elected. Wandsworth - 5.30am Friday May 6 Another long-standing Labour target, but here the party managed to increased its number of councillors in both 2014 and 2018. The Tories have held the council since 1978 and have made a point of charging residents one of the lowest average levels of council tax in the country, so a Labour victory would be of symbolic significance. Hillingdon - 4am Friday May 6 This borough contains the constituency of the Prime Minister and has been controlled by the Conservatives since 2006. Labour is hoping to make gains, but the outcome is hard to predict as the size of the council is being cut from 65 to 53 seats. Restive Conservatives have been holding off a decision on whether to mount a coup against Boris Johnson (left) until the results come in, meaning the aftermath is likely to be the moment of maximum danger. Meanwhile, a failure to make significant progress could cause serious problems for Keir Starmer (right) Westminster - 3am Friday May 6 A flagship borough held by the Tories continuously since its creation in 1964. But Labour has slowly increased its number of councillors at recent elections and will want to make more progress this time. Given the current volatile political climate, plus a reduction in the size of the council from 60 to 54 seats, the final result could be close. Harrow - 5pm Friday May 6 A council where the reduction in the number of seats from 63 to 55 could work in either Labour or the Conservatives' favour. Labour won a narrow majority in both 2014 and 2018 but the borough's electoral districts have been substantially redrawn for 2022 and both parties could profit from the new-look map. Sutton - 4am Friday May 6 A Liberal Democrat-Conservative battleground that has been run by the Lib Dems since 1990. The party should retain control again this year, but the Tories will hope to make gains and chip away at the Lib Dems' small overall majority. South-east England Crawley - 2pm Friday, May 6 Has tilted between Conservative and Labour control in recent years but neither party has an overall majority. It would take only a couple of gains for either the Tories or Labour to take full control of a council deep in the commuter belt of West Sussex. A third of seats are being contested. Gosport - 5pm Friday May 6 The council sees the Conservatives, who have only a small majority, under pressure from the second-place Lib Dems. All the seats are up for grabs and boundary changes across the borough means the outcome will be even more unpredictable. Worthing - 2pm Friday May 6 A top Labour target and the party goes into the election level-pegging with the Conservatives on 17 seats each. The Tories currently run the council as a minority administration but Labour has made steady gains in recent years and is hoping to take full control this year. A third of seats are being elected. Southampton - 5am Friday May 6 Another Labour target and winning control from the Conservatives would help demonstrate the party is building back support in southern towns and cities. The Tories are defending a majority of two and a third of the seats are being contested. South-west England Somerset - 4pm Friday May 6 Undergoing major changes this year in its system of local government. Until now the area has had a county council and four district councils (Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset and Somerset West & Taunton) but these are being scrapped and replaced with a single unitary authority. Elections are taking place for all 110 seats in the new-look organisation, with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats fighting for control. Wales Blaenau Gwent - 3pm Friday, May 6 This council has been run by a group of independents since 2017, some of whom used to be in the Labour Party. Labour is keen to take back control and might be helped by a reduction in the number of seats from 42 to 33. Cardiff - 5pm Friday May 6 A key council for Labour, where the party will hope to defend its slim majority. The number of councillors is being increased slightly from 75 to 79, which might make the outcome more unpredictable. Flintshire - 3pm Friday May 6 Sits in an area of Wales, the north east, where the Conservatives did well at the 2019 general election. The party won only six council seats in 2017 compared with Labour's 34, so they are hoping to make an advance this year. For its part, Labour will want to remain the largest party and even win a majority, although the total number of seats is being cut from 70 to 67. There are claims that the ultra-low emissions zone introduced by Sadiq Khan is playing badly for Labour in outer London - although the party insists it is popular in the capital as a whole Scotland Aberdeenshire - 3pm Friday May 6 A Conservative stronghold, but like many councils in Scotland, power is shared between several parties. All councils in Scotland are elected using the single transferable vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates and results are based on preferences rather than the winner-takes-all method used in England. This leads to many councils ending in no overall control, but encourages parties to work together either informally or as part of a coalition. The Tories have run Aberdeenshire in partnership with the Lib Dems and a group of Independents. Their success this year may hinge on the popularity in Scotland of the Tories' UK leader Mr Johnson. East Renfrewshire - 2pm Friday May 6 A three-way battle between the Conservatives, Labour and the SNP with each hoping to end up the largest party. Edinburgh - 3.30pm Friday May 6 The council has been run by a joint SNP-Labour administration for the last five years, but the Conservatives head into this election as the largest party on the council. The Lib Dems and Greens have a smaller number of councillors but both will hope to make gains from the larger parties. Glasgow - 4pm Friday May 6 The council has been run by the SNP since 2017 in what has been their first stint in control of the city, albeit as a minority administration. The party needs only a few gains to take full control, but Labour - which had previously run the city since 1980 - is keen to stop them. Midwifery students at a top Scottish university were taught biological men could get pregnant and trans men could give birth even if they have a penis. MailOnline can reveal the 9,000-a-year undergraduate course at Edinburgh Napier University included a woke module on caring for 'birthing people'. In a coursebook that has since been revised, trainee midwives were given detailed instructions on how to treat a male-to-female trans person during childbirth. It is not possible for someone born a man to get pregnant or give birth with current technology or medicine. The book's introduction stated: 'You may be caring for a pregnant or birthing person who is transitioning from male to female and may still have external male genitalia.' Another section with photo demonstrations detailed how to fit a catheter in a person with a penis and scrotum during labour. The book also included special instructions for people with prostate glands which are exclusive to biological men who may feel particular 'discomfort'. Several experts criticised the university, describing the woke course material as 'remarkably ignorant about basic biology, sex and anatomy'. Bosses at the university have changed the wording to say 'people transitioning from female to male' rather than 'male to female', following the uproar. Midwifery students at a leading Scottish university were taught that biological men could get pregnant and give birth through their penises. In a coursebook that has since been revised, students were told 'you may be caring for a pregnant or birthing person who is transitioning from male to female and may still have external male genitalia' A section on fitting catheters during labour repeats the line and goes on to give special instructions for people with penises One instruction says: 'Wrap a sterile swab around the penis and, with the same non-touch technique, retract the foreskin if present.' 'Place sterile towel across the person's thighs, ensuring the scrotal area is covered,' adds another But all references to handling a penis, prostate gland and other male genitalia remain, according to Reduxx, which first broke the story. The way the manual has been edited creates more confusion because it suggests midwives can expect to treat biological females with penises. Reduxx did not name the university, but MailOnline understands it is Edinburgh Napier just one of four in Scotland that offers an undergraduate, accredited midwifery course. MailOnline has approached Napier repeatedly for comment. Dr Leila Hanna, a private gynaecologist and obstetrician, said universities should focus on teaching midwives 'what's actually doable'. She told MailOnline: 'A lot of things need to be done to arrive at the technology to be able to do that (a biological man giving birth). 'We would have to be able to give men wombs and then put eggs and sperm in there I've not seen any publications to say we've arrived at that technology yet. 'Let's focus on improving what we do, and what's doable, but let's not go dreaming of things which are probably not going to happen tomorrow.' Only people who are born female can make eggs, which means it is not possible for a male-to-female trans woman to get pregnant naturally. Bosses at Edinburgh Napier University (pictured) have changed the wording in the introduction to say transition from 'female to male' following the outroar WHY BIOLOGICAL MEN CAN'T GIVE BIRTH... YET Only people who are born female can make eggs, which means it is not possible for a male-to-female trans woman to get pregnant naturally. Scientists believe it is theoretically possible to impregnate a trans woman using IVF, when the eggs are fertilised outside the body and then inserted. But it would require a healthy womb for the child to grow in, and transplant operations are years if not decades away from making that a reality. There has only ever been one documented case of a womb being transplanted into a trans woman born male but she died from complications just months later. Female-to-male transgender people can still get pregnant. But only if they have not had a hysterectomy as part of their transition or have taken hormone-blocking drugs that stop them from producing eggs. There are no definitive figures when it comes to how many transgender people have given birth worldwide, or in Britain. Seventy-five people who identified as male gave birth in Australia in 2020, the most comparable country with data. Advertisement Scientists believe it is theoretically possible to impregnate a trans woman using IVF, when the eggs are fertilised outside the body and then inserted. But it would require a healthy womb for the foetus to grow in, and transplant operations are years if not decades away from making that a reality. There has only ever been one documented case of a womb being transplanted into a trans woman born male but she died from complications just months later. Female-to-male transgender people can still get pregnant, provided they have not had a hysterectomy as part of their transition or have taken hormone-blocking drugs that stop them from producing eggs. There are no definitive figures when it comes to how many transgender people have given birth worldwide, or in Britain. Seventy-five people who identified as male gave birth in Australia in 2020, the most comparable country with data. Students on the Napier course said they were handed a 'Skills Workbook' in a module about how to care for patients giving birth last month. It told them on two separate occasions the 'birthing person' may be a biological male. So students need to be familiar with inserting catheters for people with 'female and male anatomy', it said. A catheter is sometimes fitted during C-sections or when women are given certain drugs which mean they cannot go to the toilet. Section 4.4 of the manual shows several images of a catheter being fitted on a male figurine's penis and scrotum. One instruction says: 'Wrap a sterile swab around the penis and, with the same non-touch technique, retract the foreskin if present.' 'Place sterile towel across the person's thighs, ensuring the scrotal area is covered,' adds another. Different doses of analgesic gel should also be used depending on whether the pregnant person is male or female, the book claims - with 6ml for women and 11ml for men. Students are instructed to take extra care with 'male persons' who have prostate glands, which are exclusive to biological males. Removing the catheter may provide particular 'discomfort as the deflated balloon passes through the prostate gland', it claimed. Dr Susan Bewley, emeritus professor in obstetrics and women's health at King's College London, described the coursework as 'puzzling'. She is quoted by Reduxx as saying: 'There are no circumstances whereby qualified midwives can possibly be asked, or be expected, to catheterise a penis as part of their professional work. 'The writers seem to have left school remarkably ignorant about basic biology, sex and anatomy.' According to Reduxx, which describes itself as a 'pro-woman news and commentary' website, the handbook has been edited to remove claims that a biological man can get pregnant. But it now claims that a biological female can have a child even if she has a penis that has been surgically constructed through a phalloplasty, the site claims. Dr Bewley added: 'A few [female-to-males] undergo genital surgery but, in general, those with a surgically created neo-penis simply cannot get pregnant either because they undergo a hysterectomy as a prelude. 'These materials are the opposite of the high-quality training that patients need from midwives and doctors. 'The project may have arisen from compassion and enthusiasm, but it is worrying that the writers don't seem to know, care about, or check facts.' The three-year midwifery course at Edinburgh Napier costs 1,820 per year to Scottish students, which is subsidised by the Government. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland have to pay 9,250 annually. Anyone in Australia aged over 18 named Marg, Gary or Rita will be in the running for free margaritas if they can answer a question about the cocktail on Instagram. The promotion comes as pre-mix drink giant UDL launched a new two litre margarita cask for party-goers on Thursday. It packs quite a punch, with the cocktail made up of tequila, orange liquor, lemon, lime and sugar, equivalent to more than six standard alcoholic drinks. The cask will retail in bottle shops across the nation for $34, and is recommended to be shared among family and friends. The margarita creation is also available in four-pack UDL cans for $19.99. UDL has launched a margarita cocktail in a cask (pictured) for Australian customers In celebration of the Mexican-inspired drink, those lucky few adults named Marg, Gary or Rita can get a free cocktail until May 12 by telling UDL Australia in 25 words or less 'What's your favourite way to enjoy a margarita?' But the competition that is being run on UDL's Instagram page, has raised concerns about Australia's binge-drinking culture. A global survey last year, named Australians the heaviest drinkers in the world. It found Aussies consumed alcohol to the point of drunkenness an average of 27 times a year, almost double the global average of 15. The popular cocktail is also available in 4 pack of cans, (pictured left) retailing for $19.99 in bottle shops across Australia The cask form of Margarita will cost $34, with those over 18 Marg, Gary or Rita in the running to win free samples by following the prompts on UDL's Instagram page That means the average Australian was heavily intoxicated once every fortnight. 'Australia tops the world in both the number of times people report getting drunk and in seeking emergency medical treatment for alcohol,' Caterina Giorgi, the chief executive officer at the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, said. 'Both of those indicators suggest people are drinking at fairly risky levels,' At the height of the pandemic in 2020, there was a reported $3.3billion increase in alcohol sales in people's homes. Advertisement Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca last night to mark the 27th night of Ramadan, filling the Muslim holy site for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Pictures on Wednesday showed thousands of worshippers inside the mosque (Masjid al-Haram) itself, praying and walking in a circle around the Kaaba - the black cube-shaped building at its centre. But the true number of people gathered at the mosque in Saudi Arabia was only visible in aerial photographs, which showed thousands more pilgrims gathered on the buildings around the Kaaba, as rain fell overhead. Such scenes have not been seen since 2019, and since the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to global travel and large crowds due to the high risk of the virus spreading. While some prayers were held for Ramadan in 2020 and 2021, numbers allowed inside the mosque were limited because of social distancing. Ramadan's 27th night - called Laylat Al Qadr, or the Night of Power in English - is believed to be the holiest evening in the Islamic calendar. It marks the moment that Muslims believe the Quran was sent to earth from heaven, and when the first verses of the holy book were revealed to the world by the prophet Mohammed. To mark the occasion that falls within Ramadan's final ten days, worshippers from around the world gather at the Islamic world's holiest site - Mecca - to pray and reflect. 2022: Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca last night to mark the 27th night of Ramadan, filling the Muslim holy site for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began 2021: Such scenes have not been seen for over two years, since the Covid pandemic put a halt to global travel and large crowds due to the high risk of the virus spreading. While some prayers were held for Ramadan in 2020 and 2021 (pictured on May 9, when the 27th night of Ramadan fell last year), numbers allowed inside the mosque were limited 2022: Pictures on Wednesday night showed thousands of worshippers inside the Great Mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram) itself, praying and walking in a circle around the Kaaba - the cube-shaped building at its centre 2021: This picture taken late on May 9, 2021 during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, from the Mecca Royal Clock Tower of the Abraj al-Bait skyscraper complex, shows an aerial view of Muslim worshippers around the Kaaba. The last two years have seen number allowed inside the mosque limited due to social distancing The true number of people gathered at the mosque in Saudi Arabia was only visible in aerial photographs (pictured), which showed thousands more pilgrims gathered on the buildings around the Kaaba - as rain fell overhead When Muslims pray around the world, they face in the direction of the Kaaba (the black cuboid building pictured left). Ever since the time of the prophet Muhammad, believers have made the pilgrimage to the holy site from the world over Muslims perform late night prayers on the night of 27th Ramadan in the Grand Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, April, 2022 Pictured: An aerial photograph shows Mecca on Wednesday night, as thousands gathered to mark Ramadan. In the background, the Mecca Royal Clock Tower of the Abraj al-Bait skyscraper complex towers above the worshipers Pictured: A combination picture showing a small group of worshippers praying while practicing social distancing, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the holy month of Ramadan in May 4, 2020, Muslims performing late night prayers while practicing social distancing on the night of 27th Ramadan, in May 9, 2021, and Muslims performing late night prayers on the night of 27th Ramadan in the Grand Mosque, April 27, 2022, in Mecca, Saudi Arabi Similar gatherings of Muslims were seen around the world on Wednesday, including in Jerusalem, and in recent weeks during the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five 'pillars' of Islam - in addition to faith, prayer, charity and pilgrimage. The pilgrimage pillar says that every Muslin, who is healthy and can afford the journey, must visit Mecca at least once during their life to mark Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that this year falls in July. Muslims believe the Kaaba - at the centre of Mecca - is the house that Abraham built for God. When Muslims pray around the world, they face in the direction of the Kaaba. Ever since the time of the prophet Muhammad, believers have made the pilgrimage to the holy site from the world over. Pictures from outside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque also showed thousands of people gathering to pray on Laylat al-Qadr - the famous golden dome shining against the night sky. Worshippers also gathered in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave in Israel, at the Sayed al-Hashim Mosque. Pictures from outside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque also showed thousands of people gathering to pray on Laylat al-Qadr - the famous golden dome shining against the night sky. Palestinian devotees pray on Laylat al-Qadr outside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan late on April 27, 2022 Palestinians pray on Laylat al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramadan, at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount Pictured: Hundreds of worshippers gather outside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, April 27 Palestinian devotees pray during Laylat al-Qadr during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at Sayed al-Hashim Mosque in Gaza City, early on April 28, 2022 Muslims gather at Sayed al-Hashim Mosque to perform prayer during the Laylat al-Qadr, one of the Muslim's holiest nights, in Gaza City, Gaza on April 27, 2022 Earlier this month, thousands of Muslims gathered in Bangladesh at one of the biggest mosques in the world - also to celebrate Ramadan. More than 40,000 people attended the two hour Jummah prayer gathering, held at the National Mosque in Dhaka. Azim Khan Ronnie, a 35-year-old freelance photographer from Dhaka, said: 'The gathering was for the Friday Middle Prayer in the month of Ramadan, it is one of the most important days of the year for Muslims. 'This has been happening for thousands of years.' The snapper captured the crowds from above to show the scale of the gathering at the mosque, which can hold up to 100,000 people, including in the outside open space. 'Thousands of people come together to pray over several floors of one of the biggest mosques in the world,' Azim said. 'Those taking part in group prayers can be seen neatly lined up side by side as they stand, sit, kneel and bow during prayers. 'Around 40,000 people were visiting the mosque - decorated in beautiful teal and gold - for weekly prayers. Known as Baitul Mukarram or The Holy House in English, The National Mosque of Bangladesh is one of the 10 largest mosques in the world. Earlier this month, thousands of Muslims gathered in Bangladesh at one of the biggest mosques in the world - also to celebrate Ramadan. More than 40,000 people attended the two hour Jummah prayer gathering Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan has chimed in on the highly-publicized court case between actors and former spouses Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, claiming the latter is 'full of s**t'. Depp is suing Heard for $50 million plus legal fees on grounds of defamation, arguing that claims of abuse she made in a 2018 essay published in The Washington Post were false and derailed his career. The Pirates of the Caribbean star also alleges that he was the victim of abuse at the hands of Heard, who maintains she told the truth in her article and is counter-suing for $100 million. On Joe's Tuesday podcast with fellow comedian Jessica Kirson, the pair opened the show by discussing the trial, with Joe tearing into 'crazy' Heard. 'That's what happens with people like that. People that are just manipulative and full of s**t like that,' he said. '[Comedian Doug Stanhope] knows her. Stanhope's buddies with Johnny Depp. He wrote something, like an essay about how full of s**t she is, and she threatened to sue him, and I think he had to wind up taking it down. 'He knows her well... He's like, ''She's out of her f**king mind like a crazy actress!' Joe made reference to Heard's claims she used a specific make-up kit produced by cosmetic brand Milani to cover up bruises allegedly inflicted by Depp in 2016. The brand refuted her claims, pointing out the make-up kit in question was not released until after the pair had divorced in 2017. In the latest from the Depp-Heard trial: Johnny Depp's former agent Christian Carino told the court about emails sent to him by Heard after she broke up with Elon Musk Heard began dating the Tesla founder around the time of her split with Depp Heard told Carino: 'I hate when things go public. See I'm so sad.' 'Yet again a man lets me fall on the spikes by myself,' Heard's email read Carino retorted: 'You could avoid all this if you stop dating uber famous people' Meanwhile, Depp's doorman Alejandro Romero gave a 'bizarre' deposition Depp cracked up with laughter as Romero described how Heard asked him to investigate an intruder due to scratches on their front door - caused by the dog Heard is expected to take the stand for her highly-anticipated testimony in days On Joe's Tuesday podcast with fellow comedian Jessica Kirson, the pair opened the show by discussing the trial, with Joe tearing into 'crazy' Heard Actor Amber Heard leaves the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Actor Johnny Depp gestures as he stands in the courtroom during a recess amid his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 27, 2022 In the first seconds of the Tuesday episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe said: 'I'm watching this trial, and, like, it's a cautionary tale about believing in bulls**t, forming a narrative in your head. 'That's what I felt like about Anthony Bourdain and his relationship to that crazy woman,' he said, referencing the late chef and travel documentarian's tumultuous relationship with Italian film star Asia Argento. 'You're seeing all the crazy come out,' he concluded. Yesterday, Depp's former agent Christian Carino told the court about emails sent to him by Heard after she broke up with Elon Musk. Heard began dating the Tesla founder around the time of her split with Depp in May 2016 and by August the following year they had broken up. Carino, a talent agent with mega agency CAA and Lady Gaga's ex-fiance, appeared by a pre-recorded video deposition and confirmed that Heard and Musk were in a relationship for a time. Asked if Heard moved on to dating Musk 'immediately after Johnny Depp', Carino said yes. In an email on August 7, 2017, Heard told Carino: 'Dealing with breakup. I hate when things go public. See I'm so sad,' in reference to her split with Musk. Carino replied to Heard: 'You weren't in love with him. You told me 1,000 times you were just feeling space.' Heard began dating the Tesla founder around the time of her split with Depp in May 2016 and by August the following year they had broken up Johnny Depp's former agent Christian Carino told the court about emails sent to him by Heard after she broke up with Elon Musk In another email in the same conversation she said: 'I hate that yet again a man lets me fall on the spikes by myself.' Carino said: 'How so?' Heard emailed back: 'They're mad at me for leaving them and put things like this out there', in apparent reference to the story being covered in the media. Carino responded: 'You could avoid all this if you stop dating uber famous people.' Asked what he meant in the email, Carino told the court he was trying to tell Heard: 'If you don't like being in the press about your personal life don't date people that are famous.' Earlier in the day, Depp cracked up with laughter as the doorman of his building described how Amber Heard asked him to investigate an intruder due to scratches on their front door - which were caused by the dog. Alejandro Romero said that Heard and her friend Rocky Pennington told him that 'somebody tried to get into my unit' at the Eastern Columbia Building in West Hollywood. Appearing in a pre-taped video deposition, Romero said he thought to himself: 'What? Four inches above the (floor)? The dog was scratching.' He said: 'In my head (I'm thinking) you think someone is trying to get into your unit with scratches four inches above the floor?' At this point Depp started laughing and there was laughter in the public gallery. Earlier in the day, Depp cracked up with laughter as the doorman of his building (pictured vaping during his deposition) described how Amber Heard asked him to investigate an intruder due to scratches on their front door - which were caused by the dog Actor Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife actress Amber Heard (pictured yesterday) for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a 'public figure representing domestic abuse.' Romero said: 'They were so scared. They asked me to go inside the unit to check room by room. I did it, it's part of my job.' Romero met Heard on May 25, 2016, four days after the final argument between Heard and Depp before their divorce. She claims Depp struck her with a mobile phone at the apartment - something he denies. Romero said that he didn't see any bruises and cuts on Heard's face at the time and she was 3ft away from him. Asked if he would have seen anything, given they were so close and the light was good, he said: 'That's correct'. Depp laughed again as an exasperated Romero said he wasn't checking if Heard's 'eyelashes are not even'. On Tuesday, expert witness Dr. Shannon Curry was called to the stand. The clinical and forensic psychologist told the court she concluded Heard had traits consistent with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) - two conditions found in people with patterns of emotional instability and attention-seeking behavior. The court heard the psychologist diagnosed Heard with two personality disorders found in people with patterns of emotional instability and attention-seeking behavior The expert's testimony will help bolster Depp's claims that his ex-wife falsely accused him of physically and sexually abusing her in a Washington Post op-ed in 2018, and that Heard was allegedly the real abuser Dr. Curry testified that she was initially hired by Depp's lawyers early last year to review files in the legal battle between the two feuding exes and identify behavior in their relationship that may be consistent with 'intimate partner violence'. The psychology expert, however, revealed her role would shift several months later in October, when she was asked to provide a psychological evaluation of Heard, 36. 'The results of Ms. Heard's evaluation supported two diagnoses: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD),' Curry told the court. She concluded that Heard 'grossly exaggerated' her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after her relationship with Depp and said that in the actress's eyes, the actor went from being 'idealized to the dumpster.' Dr. Curry noted that Heard's BPD was marked by an 'underlying terror of abandonment' and somebody with the condition tends to make 'desperate attempts' to stop it from happening. These could be 'very extreme behaviors', she said. Curry added that as a result of these disorders, somebody like Heard could appear charming at the start of a friendship or relationship but could then turn dark easily. Heard is expected to take the stand in the coming days to begin her highly anticipated testimony. A view of Hong Kong's Kwai Tsing container terminal / gettyimagesbank Trade set to expand when Hong Kong joins RCEP By Kim Bo-eun HONG KONG The geopolitical situation in Asia continues to evolve, but Korea and Hong Kong remain important trading partners, data shows. Bilateral trade is set to get a further boost in the coming years when Hong Kong joins the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest trade bloc, which Korea is also a member of. In the first three month of this year, Hong Kong's exports to Korea totaled $2.38 billion, up 10.8 percent compared to the same period of 2021, figures released by Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department on Thursday showed, although there was a small year-on-year fall of 1.1 percent in March. Data from the Korea International Trade Association shows Hong Kong was Korea's seventh-largest trade partner as of 2021, with the value of exports and imports adding up to $39.71 billion. This figure was up 23 percent from $31.19 billion in 2020. Korea is Hong Kong's fifth-largest trade partner. Hong Kong was the fourth-largest destination for Korean exports in 2021 after China, the U.S. and Vietnam. Korea mainly exports electronic components, petrochemicals, home appliances and transport machines to Hong Kong. For Korea, Hong Kong is the key entry point for merchandise trade with China, and much of Korea's exports to Hong Kong are re-exported to mainland China. Hong Kong has played the role of a re-exporter due to the absence of custom tariffs and low corporate taxes. Korea imports electronic parts, metallic minerals and marine products, among others, from Hong Kong. The number of sex crimes logged by police in England and Wales hit new record-breaking levels after a 'substantial increase' after lockdown restrictions eased. At a glance: Sex crimes, domestic abuse and stalking cases all rise 183,587 police-recorded sexual offences in year up to Dec 2021. police-recorded sexual offences in year up to Dec 2021. 67,125 recorded rapes, a 21 per cent rise from 2020 figures 673,129 stalking and harassment cases over the last 12 months 895,782 offences flagged as domestic abuse-related in 2021 offences flagged as domestic abuse-related in 2021 6.1m total crimes recorded by police across England and Wales in 2021 Advertisement Police-recorded sexual offences soared to their highest level on record over a 12-month period (183,587) in the year to December 2021. This was a 22% increase on 2020 (150,748) and up 13% from 2019 (163,067). Cases involving rapes, stalking and domestic abuse and also spiked. Numbers of crimes recorded were lower during lockdowns but there have been 'substantial increases since April 2021', according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Some 37% of sexual offences recorded (67,125) were rapes a 21% rise from 55,592 in the 12 months to December 2020. The ONS said the latest statistics may reflect a 'number of factors', including the 'impact of high-profile incidents, media coverage and campaigns on people's willingness to report incidents to the police, as well as a potential increase in the number of victims'. It comes as separate figures showed the proportion of suspects being taken to court has fallen to a new record low and remains the lowest for rape cases. Police-recorded sexual offences soared to their highest level on record over a 12-month period (183,587) in the year to December 2021 While total police-recorded crime saw the 'lowest number of offences in the first quarter of the year (January-March 2021)', during lockdown, from April 'recorded crime returned to the levels seen before the pandemic', according to the ONS report. It added: 'Since restrictions were lifted following the third national lockdown in early 2021, police-recorded crime data show indications that certain offence types are returning to or exceeding the levels seen before the pandemic. 'While violence and sexual offences recorded by the police have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, theft offences and robbery remain at a lower level despite increases over the last nine months.' Overall police-recorded violence increased by 13% from 1,780,556 to 2,017,307 in the year ending December 2021, compared with the previous year. There were 895,782 offences (not including fraud crimes) flagged as domestic abuse-related in 2021, representing a 7% increase from 839,376 offences in the previous year and a 20% increase from 746,219 offences in the 12 months to March 2019. Police-recorded sexual offences soared to their highest level on record over a 12-month period (183,587) in the year to December 2021. Some 37% of sexual offences recorded (67,125) were rapes, per the Office for National Statistics figures A total of 6.1 million offences were recorded by police in England and Wales in 2021, including fraud and computer misuse Stalking and harassment rose by 19%, from 564,591 offences recorded by police in 2020 to 673,129 in 2021. The increase may be caused by better recording of offences by police forces and victims being more confident in coming forward, the ONS said. Meanwhile, a Metropolitan Police chief described stalking as a growing 'phenomenon' after the force saw cases go from 200 per month before April 2020, to more than 1,000 per month in the past year. A total of 6.1 million offences were recorded by police in England and Wales in 2021, including fraud and computer misuse. This was up 8% from 5.6 million in 2020 but roughly the same number as recorded in the 12 months to March 2020, before the coronavirus outbreak. Separate figures published by the ONS, based on its regular crime survey of England and Wales, suggest that adults experienced 12.8 million offences in 2021, up 18% compared with 2019. This was 'driven by a 54% increase in fraud and computer misuse offences', which offset falls in other types of crimes such as a 15% drop in theft, the ONS said. Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Vera Baird (above) said while it was 'encouraging' that more victims were coming forward, she warned that the charging rate 'remains in the doldrums' Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Vera Baird, said while it was 'encouraging' that more victims were coming forward, she warned that the charging rate 'remains in the doldrums'. She added: 'Close to a year since the publication of the Government's end-to-end rape review, we are yet to see any substantive improvement. The Government's promise to return to 2016/17 levels of prosecutions by the end of this Parliament remains a pipedream. 'My hope is that we do not betray these victims' trust like we have failed so many victims in the past.' Diana Fawcett, chief executive of the charity Victim Support, said: 'We are seriously concerned that sexual offences have reached a record high for the second year in a row. 'Sadly, these figures reflect what we're seeing the number of sexual violence cases referred to us have increased by a third since before the pandemic. 'Tackling this insidious violence needs to be the government's top priority, alongside ensuring all victims are treated with respect and given support to recover.' Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the figures 'show the grim truth that crime is going up and prosecutions and community penalties are going down', claiming that under a Conservative government 'more criminals are getting away with it and more victims are being let down'. An Irish father has described the moment he found the battered, bruised and naked body of his two-year-old daughter as she lay dying at his girlfriend's home. Michael Cawley fell to his knees crying and pleaded for daughter Santina to respond to him in the blood-stained room, he told the murder trial for his former partner Karen Harrington, 37. Santina was found with fractures to the skull and ribs, a brain injury, bruises to almost every single part of her body and an injury to her spine, shortly before she was confirmed dead at Cork University Hospital in July 2019. A stud earring from Santina's left earlobe was on the floor, with clumps of her torn-out hair, Mr Cawley told a Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. He told a jury of seven men and five women that he had left Karen's Elderwood apartment at 3am on July 5, in order to look for a cousin in Cork city centre. Michael Cawley, pictured carrying Santina's coffin, said he fell to his knees crying and pleaded for his daughter to respond to him Santina was found with fractures to the skull and ribs, a brain injury, bruises to almost every single part of her body He stated that Santina got on well with Karen. Mr Cawley said when he returned about two hours later, a next door neighbour of Miss Harrington's approached him outside the apartment and said that Karen had 'gone mad inside'. He claimed that the man told him that Karen was 'roaring and screaming' inside and asked him if it was his baby who was with her. He said that initially he wasn't alarmed. He wondered if Santina had been up crying or if Karen had needed to give her a bottle or a nappy change. Mr Cawley said when he entered the apartment he was in shock at what he saw. 'I could see blood on the floor near the sink. I could see broken glass on the ground. Karen was on the couch lying down. I could see the blanket that Santina was on (when he left) but the blanket was on her (Santina's) face. I said to Karen "what is going on?".' He said that Santina was dressed when he left her but that now she was naked. 'Santina didn't look right in the face. One of her eyes was half closed and the other eye was open. There was a bruise on her left face. I checked her pulse. She was warm. I tried to speak to her. 'I was on my knees crying: "Please, please Santina say something". I asked Karen "what is going on?" She just ran down the stairs and left through the bottom of the apartment through the front door. I asked the neighbour to call the ambulance.' Karen Harrington, 37, is on trial for the murder of the two-year-old at her Cork apartment Mr Cawley said he was deeply distressed. 'The guards arrived and asked me to remain outside. The paramedics arrived. 'I broke down crying. I was crying my heart out. 'Paramedics wouldn't allow me to go in the ambulance because they needed the space to work on Santina.' He said that Karen turned up with a 'random woman' and he asked his then girlfriend if it was his daughter's blood that was in the apartment. He claimed she said it was in fact blood from her foot. The other woman stated that Karen 'would not touch a fly'. Mr Cawley told the jury that he found in hard to take in what was happening at the time. 'I was in a state of shock. I couldn't stand. I couldn't sit. I think I just wanted to be with my daughter in the hospital,' he added. When he was being cross examined by Brendan Grehan, SC, for the defence Mr Cawley said that it was a 'privilege to look after Santina'. He stated that he was separated from his wife and was a 'full time single Dad' to Santina. He strongly rejected suggestions from the defence that he struggled to cope with Santina. He stated that Santina 'got on great' with Karen who was his partner of several months. He said that Santina lived with him in Grattan Street in Cork city but they often stayed in Karen's then home at 26 Elderwood Park. On Tuesday, extensive CCTV footage was shown to the jury with a woman, whom the prosecution say was Ms Harrington, leaving her apartment shortly after Mr Cawley returned home. The footage showed Mr Cawley arriving at the apartment at 5.10am on July 5, 2019 with the woman, believed to be Miss Harrington, leaving the apartment a minute later. Mr Cawley's trip to the city centre from 3am to 5am was logged on CCTV at various intervals around Blackrock and the city. The trial previously heard from Sean Gillane, SC for the Prosecution, that the evidence would be that several neighbours heard noise emerging from the apartment where Santina was found critically injured. He said the State would call evidence from neighbour Dylan Olney that he heard shouting coming from the apartment. 'Not only did Olney heard a child screaming, the could also hear the accused shouting directly at the child, taunting and mocking and terrorising the child.' The State would also call evidence from a female neighbour that she heard Ms Harrington screaming and what she thought was the sound of glass smashing. The trial will continue today and is expected to last up to five weeks. It will involve the calling of more than 100 witnesses. A P&O Ferries vessel which went adrift in the Irish Sea has been cleared to sail again - amid reports the company is paying agency crews a basic rate of less than 4 an hour. The European Causeway, which can carry 410 passengers, lost power for more than an hour while sailing from Cairnryan in southern Scotland to Larne, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday. It was rescued by three lifeboats and a tugboat before it regained power shortly before 2.15pm, much to the relief of passengers on board who had endured blackouts. After the ship got back to the port, a number of the new crew members reportedly asked maritime unions for advice about terminating their contracts. Now, two days on, a spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed surveyors carried out a full inspection of the European Causeway and are satisfied that it is safe to sail again. P&O Ferries has been prohibited from using the ship's shaft generator for 'provision of main power'. The MCA spokeswoman said: 'In the meantime, the European Causeway can rely on other generators for its electricity use. 'There are no further inspections of P&O Ferries at the moment but we will reinspect when requested by P&O Ferries.' The ferry operator has been widely criticised after replacing nearly 800 seafarers with cheaper agency workers on March 17. The move also sparked fears about the safety of its ships. Meanwhile, there has been fury from unions after ITV News saw contracts, known as Seafarer's Employment Agreements, showing agency workers on one of the company's Dover ferries being paid a basic wage of $860 (683) a month for a 40 hour working week - an hourly rate of pay of 3.94. The European Causeway, which can carry 410 passengers, lost power for more than an hour while sailing from Cairnryan in southern Scotland to Larne, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday Chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite - who is paid some 325,000 a year - told MPs the lowest hourly rate agency crews would earn would be 5.15, when he appeared before a joint select committee hearing last month A route tracking map appeared to show it off course and bobbing around in the Irish Sea A timeline of the P&O Ferries fiasco March 17: A P&O Ferries executive is tells 800 staff in a Zoom call that they are being made redundant and replaced with agency workers. The firm also announces it has suspended sailings 'for the next few days.' March 18: Staff protests break out at ports in Dover, Liverpool and Hull. March 21: Foreign agency workers from India, the Philippines and Pakistan are pictured being transported to P&O Ferries' ships. March 24: P&O Ferries' millionaire chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite admits to MPs that his company 'chose' to break the law when it sacked its staff and says he would do the same again. March 25: P&O ferry the European Causeway is detained in Northern Ireland for being 'unfit to sail'. March 28: A second vessel, the Pride of Kent, is detained in Dover by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. March 30: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps vows to introduce new law to ban P&O Ferries from British ports if crew are not paid the minimum wage. April 1: Criminal and civil investigations are launched into P&O Ferries' mass sackings. April 7: P&O Ferries cancellations continue to cause gridlock on motorways Kent as queues of drivers waiting to cross the Channel build up. April 14: P&O Ferries suspends all of its passenger services across the Channel over Easter. April 19: Several P&O agency staff are fired after testing positive for alcohol. April 22: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency seizes a third vessel, the 700ft long Spirit of Britain. April 24: P&O Ferries are accused of trying to pay new staff even lower wages. April 26: A P&O boat comes adrift in the Irish Sea and has to be escorted back to safety. Advertisement The contract sets out additional rates for overtime, leave and a subsistence allowance, which P&O insists rises the rate of pay to 5.10 an hour, based on an 84-hour working week. Chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite - who is paid some 325,000 a year - told MPs the lowest hourly rate agency crews would earn would be 5.15, when he appeared before a joint select committee hearing last month. Frances O'Grady of the Trades Union Congress told ITV: 'Make no mistake these are sweatshop conditions. 'P&O has deliberately sacked experienced, unionised staff so that it can replace them with agency workers on poverty pay. 'These 'union-busting' tactics should worry all of us. If companies are allowed to get away with acting like corporate gangsters no worker is safe.' A P&O spokesman said: 'It is misleading to assert that any agency seafarer is paid 3.94 an hour. 'Everyone working on the ship is contractually entitled to receive a basic salary plus guaranteed overtime, a leave allowance, a subsistence allowance and a bonus. Taken together, the minimum rate of hourly pay is the equivalent of 5.58 an hour and nobody working on board our ships is paid less.' 'It is important to note that the rates paid to our agency seafarers are above the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) minimum standards. 'We fully welcome the Government's commitment to increasing the minimum wage for all seafarers working in British waters and have called for a level playing field when it comes to pay and conditions on British ferry routes.' It comes after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union attributed the European Causeway crisis to the vessel having 'inexperienced crew', as seafarers 'familiar with the ship would have been able to keep it under power'. He also claimed P&O Ferries was holding staff to the end of their contracts and refusing to pay their travel expenses if they leave early. A spokesperson for the company said Tuesday's incident had been a temporary issue and the European Causeway had travelled to Larne 'under its own propulsion'. It was yet another public relations disaster for the scandal-hit firm - just weeks after it sparked fury by firing 800 UK staff over zoom and replacing them with cheaper foreign crews. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng announced earlier this month that the Insolvency Service had started 'formal criminal and civil investigations' into the company, which he said he would be 'following closely' along with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. P&O Ferries operated European Highlander vessel in dock at the Port of Larne, Co Antrim, after it lost power off the Co Antrim coast The probe came after P&O Ferries admitted to breaking the law in the manner in which it terminated staff on March 17 to hire cheaper agency workers, a move that has caused a major backlash from politicians and workers - compounded this week by claims it wanted to cut the wages of its new workers even further. The European Causeway had already been detained last month 'based on concerns over its safety' and to 'prevent them going to sea', the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said. The Pride of Kent was also detained in Dover on March 28 after it failed inspections to see if it was 'safe to go to sea without passengers or cargo'. RMT boss Darren Procter said crew on board the European Causeway had claimed that engine parts were changed with the firm's European Highlander 'in order to pass its inspection', the Telegraph reported. A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said: 'Following a temporary mechanical issue, the European Causeway is now continuing on its scheduled journey to the Port of Larne under its own propulsion, with local tugs on standby, where it will discharge its passengers and cargo as planned. 'There are no reported injuries on board and all the relevant authorities have been informed. Once in dock a full independent investigation will be undertaken.' The Marine Traffic website said the European Causeway's automatic identification system status had been set to 'not under command'. This setting is reserved for use when a vessel is 'unable to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel'. Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced yesterday that UK ports will be required to check whether ferry crews are paid at least the national minimum wage following the P&O Ferries sackings. The Cabinet minister told MPs that the Government will introduce new legislation in response to the company's decision to replace nearly 800 seafarers with cheaper agency workers. The Marine Traffic website said the European Causeway's (vessel pictured) automatic identification system status had been set to 'not under command', causing it to drift P&O Ferries reportedly offered some of the agency workers, who replaced the near 800 staff fired last month, new contracts with even lower wages Giving evidence to the Commons' Transport Select Committee, Mr Shapps said the Government will include amendments to the 1964 Harbours Act in the Queen's Speech on May 10. He said 'we won't be expecting ports to physically enforce' the new minimum wage requirement on ferries. 'What we will require them to do is ask for confirmation and clarification - in the same way as they ask, for example, that the relevant insurance has been paid - that the relevant pay was being made.' Mr Shapps said enforcement of minimum pay rules for ferry workers will be the responsibility of himself and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), but ports will 'have a check that they will do to ensure (a ship is) within the law'. He denied that P&O Ferries has 'got away' with sacking 786 crew members, stating there are 'three things that P&O will need to do to get out of this mess'. Chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite's refusal to resign despite admitting to MPs that the company broke the law by not consulting with trade unions is 'completely unsustainable' and 'he will have to go', according to Mr Shapps. The minister urged P&O Ferries to repay the 11 million of furlough money it claimed from the Government during the coronavirus pandemic. And he added that the company 'will have to pay the minimum wage' when new legislation is introduced. P&O Ferries resumed cross-Channel sailings on Tuesday night for the first time since the mass sackings on March 17. The vessel Spirit Of Britain began operating between Dover and Calais for carrying freight customers. Passenger services are expected to resume early next week. Advertisement No migrants have arrived in small boats across the English Channel for nearly ten days in what is being claimed as an early victory for the Government's new scheme for sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. The last migrants to arrive at Dover in Kent were a total of 263 across seven small boats on April 19 - and Ministry of Justice data has revealed not a single adult or child has made it across since, up to and including yesterday. It also comes amid a new strategy to deal with Channel migrants launched on April 14 which saw the military take charge of attempts to control crossings with a joint task force drawn from the Navy, Army and Air Force in Kent. Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said today that the drop to zero was evidence that Home Secretary Priti Patel's scheme, which will see asylum seekers sent 4,000 miles to claim refugee status from Rwanda, is 'working already'. The controversial agreement with the East African nation, which will see it receive asylum seekers deemed by the UK to have arrived 'illegally' and therefore inadmissible under new immigration rules, was signed on April 14. Mr Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, tweeted: 'Priti's migrant policy is working already. No illegal migrant crossing for a week and no income for people traffickers, freeing up civil servants to work on Ukrainian evacuees. We should offer the illegal migrants already here the option of returning to France or going to Rwanda.' But former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told GB News: 'There are some saying Rwanda is working, it's a success because virtually no migrants have come now for the last six or seven days. Believe you me, I know this subject. 'That is nothing to do with the prospect of being shipped off to Rwanda. It's because there has been a persistent, strong, north-easterly wind in the English Channel. When it gets calm again, the boats will continue to come.' The last migrants to arrive at Dover were a total of 263 across seven small boats on April 19 (arrivals pictured on that day) Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen (left) said today that the drop in migrants arriving in small boats to zero was evidence that the Rwanda scheme from Home Secretary Priti Patel (right) is 'working already' Up to 300 military servicemen, Navy ships and surveillance drones are being deployed to the Channel after the Armed Forces took control with the Navy assuming Border Force's responsibility for intercepting migrant boats. An RAF Wildcat helicopter is now the key military asset in the air and is being used to carry out a final 'sweep' of the Channel at the end of each day to ensure all migrants - and their dinghies - have been recovered. Priti Patel faces High Court challenges over Rwanda plan for migrants Home Secretary Priti Patel is facing High Court challenges over controversial plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. The charity Freedom From Torture, which supports survivors of torture who are often asylum seekers and refugees, wrote to the Home Office yesterday requesting further information, with a view to bringing a High Court claim over the policy. The first step towards another challenge, from charities Detention Action and Care4Calais - and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union which represents the majority of Border Force staff, was taken on Tuesday when they sent a pre-action letter to the Home Office. A letter from Freedom From Torture's legal representatives, Leigh Day, says that, while a memorandum of understanding between the UK and Rwanda has been published, information about the policy has not been made publicly available. It also says the charity has 'serious concerns' about the policy and in due course plans to bring a judicial review. The charity is asking for any document which sets out the policy of relocating asylum seekers to Rwanda, any guidance or rules provided to Home Office staff or other UK officials, any documents relating to co-operation with Rwanda, and any equality impact or risk assessments carried out in relation to the policy. The letter requests that any response is sent by 4pm on May 4, and the charity plans to crowdfund to cover legal costs of the case. Meanwhile, representatives for Detention Action, Care4Calais and the PCS have sent a letter which challenges 'the Home Secretary's failure to disclose the criteria dictating which people seeking asylum will be transferred by force to East Africa and which will remain in the UK', according to a joint press release. Those groups are also crowdfunding to cover the costs of the possible legal action and are represented by Duncan Lewis Solicitors. Freedom From Torture, the PCS and Care4Calais were involved in a challenge due to be heard next week against the Home Secretary over plans to 'push back' migrants in boats crossing the Channel, but the planned policy was withdrawn on Sunday. Advertisement The helicopter is being aided by RAF drones operated out of Lydd Airport in Kent. Soldiers and airmen are also now being based at Dover to help UK Border Force staff with initial processing, and the military are able to issue directions to civilian staff of the UK Border Force, whose ships are remaining part of the Channel taskforce. Seven ships including HMS Tyne, plus smaller boats and a helicopter are being made available to patrol the sea and coastline, so Border Force staff can be freed up for processing migrants once they arrive on land. More than 6,500 migrants are thought to have arrived in the UK this year so far after crossing the Channel. In 2021 some 28,526 migrants reached UK shores aboard dinghies and small boats - up from 8,417 in 2020. The total number of migrants arriving so far this month has been 2,143 across 58 small boats, although the final day of arrivals to the present date was on April 19 when 263 were intercepted across seven small boats. In March this year, 3,066 people made the crossing. That was nearly four times the amount recorded for the same month in 2021 (831) and more than 16 times the amount for 2020 (187). It was also the fourth highest monthly total recorded since the start of 2020, behind July (3,510), September (4,652) and November (6,869) last year. The figures for April 2022 mean the total number of migrants to arrive so far this year is 6,693 across 204 boats. Some 1,425 of these had made it across since the Royal Navy took over control of migrant operations in the Channel on April 14. Earlier this month, the UK's former Border Force chief Tony Smith told the Daily Mail that more than 100,000 Channel migrants will reach Britain this year. Backing the Government's asylum deal with Rwanda, Mr Smith said: 'There comes a point where we need to get a grip of our border and stop the boats. 'The numbers are going up, a fourfold increase already this year 28,500 last year,' he added. 'That's going to be over 100,000 this year just by migrant boats alone.' Mr Smith's prediction would be nearly 12 times the level seen in 2020, 54 times that of 2019 and more than 300 times that in 2018. In January, it emerged that the Home Office had produced official papers warning that 65,000 migrants could cross this year. Meanwhile the Archbishop of Canterbury again waded into the row over the Government's Rwanda plan yesterday. The Most Rev Justin Welby said there were serious 'ethical questions' about using 'deterrence' to stop asylum seekers reaching the UK. 'The Church of England is not a passive observer of migration policy,' he wrote in the Daily Telegraph. 'Some of my fellow bishops, clergy and worshippers came to the UK escaping persecution or conflict. A record 28,395 migrants reached the UK illegally last year in small boats over the Channel, a 200 per cent increase on 2020 'We welcome and serve asylum seekers at every level of society from providing housing, food banks, social support and friendship, to scrutinising legislation in the Lords. Archbishop repeats his attack on Rwanda plan The Archbishop of Canterbury again waded into the row over the Government's Rwanda plan yesterday. The Most Rev Justin Welby said there were serious 'ethical questions' about using 'deterrence' to stop asylum seekers reaching the UK. 'The Church of England is not a passive observer of migration policy,' he wrote in the Daily Telegraph. 'Some of my fellow bishops, clergy and worshippers came to the UK escaping persecution or conflict. 'We welcome and serve asylum seekers at every level of society from providing housing, food banks, social support and friendship, to scrutinising legislation in the Lords. We partner with the Government to settle refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine ... government and Church are not the same, but we must surely all want to put humanity and fairness at the heart of our asylum system.' The new immigration policy will see asylum seekers who cross the Channel sent for processing in Rwanda, where they will have the right to apply to live. The Archbishop previously said the policy would not stand up to the scrutiny of God, prompting Boris Johnson to accuse him of being 'less vociferous' in his condemnation of Putin than he was in his attack on the policy. Advertisement 'We partner with the Government to settle refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine ... government and Church are not the same, but we must surely all want to put humanity and fairness at the heart of our asylum system.' The new immigration policy will see asylum seekers who cross the Channel sent for processing in Rwanda, where they will have the right to apply to live. The Archbishop previously said the policy would not stand up to the scrutiny of God, prompting Boris Johnson to accuse him of being 'less vociferous' in his condemnation of Putin than he was in his attack on the policy. Home Secretary Priti Patel has said the deal is about trying to 'empower' asylum seekers. 'It's always been a partnership based on resettlement, rebuilding lives,' she added. In a speech earlier this month outlining the Rwanda agreement, Ms Patel said: 'The British people are fair and generous when it comes to helping those in need, but the persistent circumventing of our laws and immigration rules and the reality of a system that is open to gaming and criminal exploitation has eroded public support for Britain's asylum system and those that genuinely need access to it. 'Putting evil people smugglers out of business is a moral imperative. It requires us to use every tool at our disposal - and also to find new solutions. That is why today's migration and economic development partnership with Rwanda is such a major milestone. 'This agreement fully complies with all international and national law, and as part of this ground-breaking agreement, the UK is making a substantial investment in the economic development of Rwanda.' And a Home Office spokesman told MailOnline today: 'This world-leading Migration and Economic Development Partnership will overhaul our broken asylum system, which is currently costing the UK taxpayer 1.5billion a year the highest amount in two decades. 'It means those arriving dangerously, illegally or unnecessarily can be relocated to have their asylum claims considered and, if recognised as refugees, build their lives there. 'There is nothing in the UN Refugee Convention which prevents removal to a safe country. Under this agreement, Rwanda will process claims in accordance with national and international human rights laws.' Six popular confectionary products have been urgently recalled from major retailers over fears of salmonella contamination. Food Standards Australia pulled several popular products from confectionary brand Elite on Thursday, warning customers 'do not eat' the items. The treats include a selection of cakes, biscuits, chocolate, and lollies for all use-by dates and batch numbers. Several products from confectionary brand Elite have been recalled over fears of salmonella contamination RECALLED PRODUCTS Elite Chocolate Elite Cakes Elite Wafers Energy Grain Snacks Energy Chocolate Rice Cakes Gum and Toffee Candies Advertisement 'The recall is due to potential microbial (Salmonella) contamination,' FSA said. 'Consumers should not eat this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.' If consumed, salmonella or microbial contamination can cause severe illness including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, chills, headaches and even blood in the stool. Cross contamination from raw meat, poultry or eggs is often the cause of the infection. The potentially contaminated goods have been on the shelves nationwide at Coles, Woolworths, IGAs, 7-Eleven, Independent Kosher stores and Milk bars. The affected products were made in Israel. For more information check the FSA website. The recalled products were at major and independent retailers including Coles, Woolworths, IGAs, 7-Eleven Meanwhile, Toyota and Lexus have been forced to recall almost 18,000 vehicles produced between March 2021 and April 2022 for a potentially fatal safety issue. The vehicles affected are the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Kluger Hybrid, LandCruiser 300 Series, Lexus LX luxury 4WD and NX450h plug-in hybrid. The recall notice says: 'Under particular circumstances, a software error may cause the Vehicle Stability Control system (VSC) to not default to the 'ON' status when the vehicle is next started. Toyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate a safety recall involving Toyota Kluger Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, LandCruiser 300 vehicles produced between March 2021 - April 2022 'These circumstances are: if the VSC switch is manually turned off and the brake pedal is continuously operated between when the vehicle is shut down and then restarted; this may cause the VSC to not return to the default setting 'ON' status at the next ignition cycle. 'This results in a non-compliance with Australian Design Rules (ADR) 88/00.' Toyota Australia will advise all owners of involved vehicles details of this safety recall campaign by SMS, email and mail to their last known address and mobile phone number. Earlier in the week, Bunnings Australia recalled one of its most popular gardening tools after a malfunction injured several people while using it. The warehouse giant has pulled the Ozito Portable Electric Blower model off its shelves and urged customers to stop using it after a defect gave users an electric shock. Electric blowers, initially designed to clear away leaves around the home, are now one of Australia's most popular and practical power tools. They can be used to clean cars, caravans, tents and boats, and also to blow up air mattresses and other inflatables, such as stand-up paddle boards and canoes. The Ozito Portable Electric Blower model has been pulled off Bunnings shelves after a defect caused the blower to break during use and rupture the casing, giving access to live parts and releasing sharp objects at high speed The $59 tool is at the cheaper end of the department store's blower range, which can cost up to $600. The Ozito can break during use and rupture the casing giving access to live parts and releasing sharp objects at high speed. Bunnings said several people have already been injured by the malfunction and all customers who have the tool should immediately stop using it. Numerous batches of the product are affected by the malfunction, with Bunnings advising consumers to check the batch number located near the tool's air intake vent. The Ozito tool was sold in Bunnings stores across the country. Individuals are urged to contact Ozito for a replacement blower or a full refund. Advertisement Former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed has landed back in the U.S., in Texas, after being freed in a surprise prisoner swap with Russia. Reed was detained in Russia in 2019. He was accused of assaulting a police officer while visiting his girlfriend in the country - something he has always denied. After he arrived back on Thursday, his mother Paula tweeted: 'It's been very exciting day for the Reed family. Trevor is back in the USA.' They had been pleading with President Biden to bring their son home for years. In return for Reed's freedom, the U.S. agreed to return Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot serving a 20-year federal prison sentence in Connecticut for smuggling drugs. Reed's parents say they are grateful to President Biden for saving their son's life. Reed was on a hunger strike in Russian prison and his family say they believe his declining health was one of the reasons he was let out. Scroll down for video Trevor Reed arrives back in Texas on Thursday morning. He is shown with Rep. August Pfluger, who helped secure his release Trevor Reed (center in navy shirt) with his mother and father, Texas Rep. August Pfluger and others this morning after arriving back in Texas Trevor reed (left) is shown arriving back in Texas at dawn this morning. He was freed in a dramatic prisoner swap. The Marine was jailed in Russia in 2019 while visiting a girlfriend. He was accused of assaulting a police officer but has always denied it This is the moment former US Marine Trevor Reed was exchanged for convicted Russian drug dealer Konstantin Yaroshenko during a prisoner swap that took place at a Turkish airport on Wednesday Dramatic video footage from Wednesday showed the moment the U.S. swapped Reed for Yaroshenko, which has been likened to a famed Cold War prisoner exchange on the so-called Bridge of Spies. The clip was shot at a Turkish airport and saw Yaroshenko disembark an American private jet, accompanied by security personnel whose faces were pixelated. He walked toward Russian officials waiting nearby with Reed. Financial Times reporter Max Seddon, who was one of the people who shared the clip, said: 'Real bridge of spies Cold War vibes.' Bridge of Spies was a 2015 movie starring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance and tells the story of US officials' efforts to free Francis Gary Powers, a spy plane pilot shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960. He was successfully-exchanged for KGB spy Rudolf Abel on the Glienecke Bridge, which connects Potsdam to Berlin in Germany. Reed, of North Texas, was arrested in the summer of 2019 after Russian authorities said he assaulted an officer while being driven to a police station following a night of heavy drinking. He was later sentenced to nine years in prison, though his family maintained his innocence - and the U.S. government has described him as being unjustly detained. Reed was finally released on Wednesday as part of a prisoner exchange, in which US officials agreed to return Yaroshenko, pilot serving at a Connecticut prison for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. after he was arrested in Liberia in 2010 and extradited to the U.S. The tense scene was reminiscent of the Steven Speilberg 2015 thriller Bridge of Spies, which depicted the Cold War prisoner exchange of U.S. Air Force pilot Francis Gary Powers and KGB spy Rudolf Abel in Germany in 1962. Footage posted online showed the moment Russian forces escorted Reed out of a dark-colored van Wednesday morning In exchange for his release, the United States released Konstantin Yaroshenko (above), a smuggler serving 20-years in prison in Connecticut Trevor was celebrating with his girlfriend, Alina Tsybulnik, and some of her co-workers the night he was arrested. He was accused of assaulting a police officer - a claim he denies Paula and Joey Reed are shown on Wednesday outside their home in Granbury, Texas, after receiving the news that their son would be freed His girlfriend at the time, Alina Tsybulnik, left, and his father, Joey Reed, right, attended court hearings in Moscow last year WHAT ABOUT US? JAILED AMERICANS PAUL WHELAN AND BRITTNEY GRINER ASK WHY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN FREED Paul Whelan has been in jail in Russia since 2018 After Reed's release was announced yesterday, jailed Americans in Russia asked why they were being left behind and not rescued too. Paul Whelan was convicted of espionage charges in Russia in 2020 after an arrest in 2018. He too is a former Marine and he denies the charges. He has been in jail for 40 months. He told his parents in a statement obtained by CNN: 'Why was I left behind? While I am pleased Trevor is home with his family, I have been held on a fictitious charge of espionage for 40 months. WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested in February 'The world knows this charge was fabricated. Why hasn't more been done to secure my release?' Fans of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was jailed in February after being caught with a marijuana pen at the airport, also demanded her release. The State Department says it is a 'top priority' to bring her home. She was detained at the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Questions have already arisen about Trevor Reed's health after footage taken by Russian state media of a historic prisoner exchange showed Russian forces in camouflage and neck garters escorting the 30-year-old out of a dark-colored van Wednesday morning. They then led Reed by his arms to a private plane nearby as he held a large, dark duffel bag. In the video, Reed appeared to be much thinner in the video than he was in photos taken before his arrest, with family members reporting that he recently underwent a hunger strike to protest being put in solitary confinement. His parents, Joey and Paula, now say their 'prayers have been answered,' telling CNN New Day host Brianna Keilar: 'Obviously, we're ecstatic.' Finally, on Wednesday, the president announced that Reed was free from Russian detention - something he vowed to do for other Americans being held in Russian captivity. 'Today, we welcome home Trevor Reed, and celebrate his return to the family that missed him dearly,' the president announced. 'Trevor, a former U.S. Marine, is free from Russian detention. 'I heard in the voices of Trevor's parents how much they've worried about his health and missed his presence. 'And I was delighted to be able to share with them the good news about Trevors freedom. 'Im grateful for the tireless and dedicated work of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation John Sullivan, and many others across our government to ensure that Trevor came home safely. 'The negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly. 'His safe return is a testament to the priority my Administration places on bringing home Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad. 'We wont stop until Paul Whelan and others join Trevor in the loving arms of family and friends,' the president said, referring to a Canadian-born American resident who was arrested in Russia in 2018 and was accused of spying. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also tweeted on Wednesday morning: 'I am pleased that after years of wrongful detention by the Russian government, Trevor Reed has finally been freed and reunited with his family. 'We thank our partners for their cooperation and help to free Trevor.' As Reed was freed on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the cases of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan remain a priority for the government. 'The case of Paul Whelan is one we continue to work day in, day out. 'Paul Whelan is wrongfully detained in Russia. When it comes to Brittney Griner, we are working very closely with her team. 'Her case is a top priority for us. Were in regular contact with her team.' President Joe Biden might crack a 'Let's Go Brandon' joke and mock his old age when he delivers remarks at Saturday's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Politico's Playbook interviewed outgoing Biden speechwriter Jeff Nussbaum, who said folks from all over the administration have been sending in jokes - including Ron Klain, the chief of staff, and Rob Flaherty, director of digital strategy - and confirmed a group of outside comedians is also consulting. 'There are some elements where you actually help yourself by showing that you can laugh at things that other might think actually hurt you,' Nussbaum said. 'So if we can laugh at "Let's go Brandon" or laugh at the age jokes, that helps because it kind of defuses it.' The speech isn't finished yet, Politico said. Traditionally, the president delivers a comedy set and is then roasted by an actual comedian, in this case - The Daily Show's host Trevor Noah. President Joe Biden might crack a 'Let's Go Brandon' joke and mock his old age when he delivers remarks at Saturday's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. He talks to reporters as he departs the Teachers of the Year event Wednesday The last time the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held was in 2019 (pictured). Former President Donald Trump never attended during his one term in office Nussbuam said the Biden's team was living by the 'Hippocratic Humor oath, which is first do no harm.' 'In this moment, you're trying to find where three circles intersect: actual funny, Washington funny and appropriate for the president to say,' Nussbaum explained. 'That's really tricky now, because can you tell a joke about COVID? Well, a million American have died, so that's probably off limits. Can you tell a joke about Putin? Probably not.' 'So there's a lot of territory that others can joke about, but it's incredibly risky for the president to joke about,' Nussbaum continued. 'Caution is not one of the best ingredients in humor, but caution is a necessary ingredient for this president and this moment.' Nussbaum noted that there's also danger in being too self-deprecating. Those jokes - such as about the 79-year-old president's age - can 'kind of shift from being funny and self-deprecating to effectively confirming what was not necessarily a positive perception of him.' Nussbaum also suggested the president would use the speech to distinguish himself from his predecessor, former President Donald Trump. Nussbaum said the speech had the aim 'to remind people that a president can have an occasionally antagonistic relationship with the media but not see the media as enemies of the state.' Jeffrey Nussbaum, a senior speechwriter for President Joe Biden, departed from his perch this week. He's written a book and is going on a book tour White House press secretary Jen Psaki reconfirmed that President Joe Biden will be attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner after news broke that his top medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci would skip the Saturday night event White House press secretary Jen Psaki made similar comments when she reconfirmed Wednesday that Biden would be attending the dinner, on the heels of the news that his top medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, would be skipping the event that packs thousands in the Washington Hilton's ballroom due to COVID-19 concerns. 'He has made the decision that he wants to attend, in a safe way, the White House Correspondents' Dinner to show his support, showcase his support for a free press,' Psaki said at Wednesday's briefing. 'That does stand in stark constrast to his predecessor, who not only questioned the legitimacy of the press on a nearly daily basis, but also never attended the dinner, I don't believe,' the press secretary added. 'So he felt that was important and made a risk assessment to do that in consultation with his doctors and healthcare team.' Trump never attended the dinner as president, which was last held in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time a president attended was in 2016, with former President Barack Obama. Psaki said the president will be taking additional COVID precautions including possibly wearing a mask when he isn't talking. Earlier this week, Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID. A picture of the packed ballroom at the April 2 Gridiron Dinner at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Gridiron Dinner, which required guests to be vaccinated, turned into a superspreader event with 80 positive COVID cases reported in its aftermath Psaki - who has twice contracted the virus - said she'd also likely wear a mask. 'And we also took steps, including the fact that he's not attending for the eating portion of the dinner,' Psaki said. 'And he'll be there for the program, which includes a number of speakers, the presentation of scholarships, as you know, and of course his speaking and his roasting - where he will be on the menu, as he likes to say - Trevor Noah is speaking.' She added: 'Just like anything it's a risk assessment and decision he made on a personal basis.' Psaki said Fauci's decision deserved some privacy, as the 81-year-old chief medical expert told ABC News, the news organization that invited him, that he would not longer take the ticket due to his own personal risk of contracting COVID-19, CNN first reported. Fauci attended the April 2 Gridiron Dinner, which turned into a superspreader event, with at least 80 of the approximately 630 attendees testing positive for COVID in its aftermath. The White House Correspondents' Association is going a step further than the Gridiron Club and requiring that guests take a COVID-19 test 24 hours before the dinner. All guests must also be vaccinated or have a doctor's excuse. For the Gridiron Dinner, guests merely had to show their vaccination records. Among the high-profile guests to catch COVID after Gridiron: Attorney General Merrick Garland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo - who was one of the speakers - New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Reps. Adam Schiff, Julian Castro and Elaine Luria. Fauci was seated on the dais with Raimondo and Garland, but sat several seats away. Biden also attended the funeral Wednesday of the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and will travel to Minnesota Sunday for the funeral of the late Vice President Walter Mondale. Advertisement A stunning Grade II-listed mansion on the London street where Oscar Wilde once lived has gone on sale for 7.95m. The elegant house is in the exclusive cul-de-sac St James Place in Mayfair, which is where the flamboyant playwright lived for five months during 1893 and 1894. This was one of the most important times of his career, with his play A Woman of No Importance premiering to great success in 1893 and his most popular play, The Importance of Being Earnest, premiering at the nearby St. James' Theatre on King's Street in 1895. The elegant house is on St James Close, an exclusive cul-de-sac in Mayfair in London. It has been put on the market with estate agent Carter Jonas The property has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and two reception rooms, with a steam room, treatment room and media room, arranged over six levels The estate agent Carter Jonas has listed the house, which dates back to the 17th century, with an asking price of 7,950,000 The elegant house dates back to the 17th century and has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and two reception rooms, with a steam room, treatment room and media room, arranged over six levels. Visitors arrive at the ground floor which has a kitchen and a dining room with a media room leading from it. Stairs lead to the first floor, which is given over to the reception room which has a fireplace and luxury herringbone wooden flooring. On the ground floor visitors will find a kitchen and a dining room with a media room leading from it, while there is also a reception room on the first floor The street was home to flamboyant Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde (pictured) for five months in 1893 and 1894, during which he released one of his plays Woman of No Importance The second floor has the main bedroom with a dressing room and bathroom and there are two more bedrooms and bathrooms on the third and fourth floors. The lower ground floor has a further bedroom and bathroom, plus a steam and treatment room. St James Place is close to some of London's most iconic stores, including Fortnum & Mason and The Burlington Arcade, as well as Michelin starred restaurants and a number of private clubs. Despite the historic nature of the house it has been renovated to include modern furnishings, including this bright bathroom Pictured is one of the four bedrooms in the property, which is on the same road as Spencer House, home to Princess Diana's ancestor, John Spencer It's also the address of Spencer House, described as a 'magnificent 18th century aristocratic palace' which was home to Princess Diana's ancestor, John Spencer. Tim Macpherson from Carter Jonas said: 'The property is a truly stunning Mayfair residence which belonged to a London-based businessman who had to move for family reasons. 'It's currently rented to a tenant who fell in love with it but we think it will be sold to someone who loves this area, the closeness of Fortnum & Mason, Jermyn Street and Green Park, which you can access through a passageway at the end of the street.' One of the reception rooms at the property. The house is within walking distance of some of London's most iconic stores, including Fortnum & Mason and The Burlington Arcade Tim Macpherson from Carter Jonas described the property as a 'truly stunning Mayfair residence' and predicted it would be sold to someone who 'loves this area' The property is split over six floors , with the top three floors each having its own bedroom and en-suite bathroom, while the bottom floor has a steam and treatment room next to one of the bedrooms A mysterious ball of light hurtling across the night sky has baffled experts, with some speculating it could be a meteorite and others claiming it's an unidentified flying object. Jordan McNiven and his housemate were driving along Top End road in Rosebery, Northern Territory, when they saw a flash of light making a beeline for the ground around 10pm on Saturday. In a blink of an eye the eerie object vanishes without a trace. 'As I was with my housemate, he thought of a shooting star and I thought it could have been an osprey (a type of military plane),' Mr McNiven told NT News. 'Only thing that I can think of is either space junk being burnt up in our atmosphere or a meteorite burning up on entry. 'This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this.' Luckily Mr McNiven was able to react quick enough to save his dashcam footage. Mr McNiven shared footage of a UFO he captured on dashcam around 10pm Saturday in the Northern Territory He shared the video to Facebook on Sunday asking: 'Anyone got a theory on what was in the sky just as I get to the intersection?' Several commenters wrote that the bright light was likely a meteorite or shooting star, others weren't so convinced. 'Meteorite/Shooting star mate. Decent size one. Pretty common to see them like that but happens so quick nobody really notices. Got to be there at the right moment,' one person wrote. 'I've had them (shooting stars) so bright they've left 'burn scars' in the sky, where you can still see its trail seconds later even after looking away,' a commenter replied. Several commenters have identified the UFO as a likely meteorite or bright shooting star 'Post it to the Australian Meteor Reports page. Lyrid meteor shower is about at the moment,' another said. Other commenters had different theories. 'Ahhhh here we go, that right there is a UFO and aliens are gonna kill us all,' one person wrote. 'Russian nuke launched from satellite?' another quipped. 'Pretty sure it was an election promise from Scomo or Albo. Can't be sure though,' another joked. Orthodox priests have flown the 'Holy Fire' over Russian towns that have been rattled by Ukrainian strikes on oil depots and ammo dumps in recent weeks, amid Vladimir Putin's on-going invasion. Two clergymen from Stary Oskol, a city in the Belgorod Oblast, were shown in footage on Tuesday flying in a military helicopter while carrying a lantern containing a fire that was reported to have been lit in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The pair of solemn-looking men, Archpriest Alexy Babanin and Archpriest Andrey Filatov, were sat on a bench in the cargo hold of the aircraft, separated by a paining of Mary and the baby Jesus. One, with a wispy white beard, clutched the lantern. Russian media said the holy flame had been brought from Jerusalem on April 24 to mark Orthodox Easter, which is observed in both Russia and Ukraine. It was being used to bless the Russian region that has come under fire from Ukrainian attacks in response to Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion of the country. Scroll down for video Two Orthodox priests (pictured) have been shown in a video flying 'Holy Fire' over Russian towns that have been rattled by Ukrainian strikes on oil depots and ammo dumps The pair of solemn-looking men, reportedly Archpriest Alexy Babanin and Archpriest Andrey Filatov, were sat on a bench in the cargo hold of the aircraft, separated by the paining. One, with a wispy white beard, clutched the lantern (pictured) 'The clergy flew over Stary Oskol with the revered Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and brought from the Holy Sepulcher,' Pravoslavnoye Oskolye - the website for the region's Orthodox Church - said in a statement. 'The helicopter was provided by the servicemen,' the website added. Upon the video being shared, social media users jokingly labelled the aircraft a 'holycopter.' Russian media said the clergymen were joined by local officials in the helicopter, including the local deputy head of the department for social development, and the chairman of the local Council of Deputies. The video captured views out of the window of the helicopter, showing fields and towns stretching out below as the aircraft flew overhead. Russian media said the clergymen were joined by local officials in the helicopter, including the local deputy head of the department for social development. Pictured: The view of the local region from the window of the helicopter In retaliation to Russia's invasion, Ukraine has launched a series of cross-border counter-strikes on Belgorod, striking key resources used by Moscow's military Orthodox Christians believe that the Holy Fire is a miracle that happens every year on Great Saturday (the day before Orthodox Easter Sunday) in at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Worshippers believe that a blue light is emitted from Jesus' tomb, rising from the marble slab that covers the stone bed. The bed is said to be the very same that Jesus' body was placed upon after he died on the cross, to be buried. Believers say a column of fire rises from the tomb, and candles are lit with the flame. These candles are then used to light more that are being carried by the clergy and pilgrims that are inside the church, and distributed to other worshipers. The Holy Fire is then taken to other Orthodox countries, such as Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine and Russia. While the Orthodox Church did not give the reason for the flight, it is thought it was to bless the Belgorod Oblast region with the Holy Fire. In retaliation to Russia's invasion, Ukraine has launched a series of cross-border counter-strikes on Belgorod, striking key resources used by Moscow's military. Orthodox Christians believe that the Holy Fire is a miracle that happens every year on Great Saturday (the day before Orthodox Easter Sunday) in at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Pictured: The two priests are shown in the helicopter Several explosions were heard in Belgorod early in the morning on April 27. Pictured: An ammunition depot burns near the village of Staraya Nelidovka On Wednesday, an ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after several explosions were heard, the governor said. Blasts were also reported in Russia's Kursk region near the border, and authorities in Russia's Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone. Ukraine hailed the suspected missile strike on Russian soil 'payback' and 'karma' for Putin's vicious attacks on its civilians, that have killed thousands. Without directly admitting responsibility, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo said Russia deserved to learn about 'demilitarisation' in a pointed swipe at Vladimir Putin's supposed war aims. 'If you decide to massively attack another country, massively kill everyone there, massively crush peaceful people with tanks, and use warehouses in your regions to enable the killings, then sooner or later the debts will have to be repaid,' Podolyak said. He added: 'Therefore, the disarmament of the Belgorod and Voronezh killers' warehouses is an absolutely natural process. Karma is a cruel thing.' Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, said on Telegram: 'At approximately 3.35am I woke up from a loud bang that sounded like a blast. 'As I was writing this post, three more blasts were heard. According to preliminary information, an ammunition depot is on fire near the village of Staraya Nelidovka.' No civilian casualties were reported. Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers hold candles during the Holy Fire ceremony at the Ethiopian section of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, April 23, 2022 Ethiopian Orthodox Christian pilgrims hold candles during a ceremony of the 'Holy Fire' at the Deir Al-Sultan Monastery on the roof of the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem's Old City MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Orthodox Easter service in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 24, 2022 KYIV: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Ukrainian people with Orthodox Easter message, as Russia's attack continues, at the Saint Sophia cathedral, April 23 Russia and Ukraine both marked Orthodox Easter on Sunday, with pictures showing Vladimir Putin in a Moscow church as his army's missiles continued to rain down on Ukrainian civilians across the country. The Russian strongman attended the midnight mass at the capital's vast Christ the Saviour Cathedral, that sits close to the Kremlin. But as his invasion - which was meant to result in a swift, decisive victory over Russia's smaller neighbour - entered its third month, pictures showed Putin's mind appeared to be elsewhere as he stood by the church's altar during the ceremony, dwarfed by a large mural of the Virgin Mary resting Baby Jesus on her lap. He held a lit candle and when Patriarch Kirill - head of the Russian Orthodox Church - said 'Christ has risen', Putin joined other worshippers with the reply 'Truly he is risen'. Across the border, just 280 miles from Moscow, the same words were spoken by people in Ukraine as the embattled nation also marked Orthodox Easter, in some cases in the ruins of churches destroyed by Russian shells. In the capital of Kyiv, prayers were held for those fighting on the front lines and others trapped beyond them in places like Mariupol. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed in an Easter message that no 'wickedness' will destroy the country and prayed that God returns happiness to children and brings solace to grieving mothers. The incoming government of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol plans to provide COVID-19 relief grants to 5.51 million small businesses and merchants immediately after an extra budget bill is passed, Yoon's transition team said Thursday. Transition team chief Ahn Cheol-soo, who also doubles as the head of the team's special COVID-19 response panel, announced a 100-day road map that aims to fully compensate the pandemic-hit small business owners after working on it for about a month. Ahn said 5.51 million small businesses suffered an estimated 54 trillion won ($42.4 billion) worth of damage in the past two years due to the pandemic. "The exact calculation of damage is the basic of the basics," Ahn said. "I cannot understand why (the current government) has not done it." Ahn added the incoming government plans to provide grants based on the businesses' size and revenue losses, meaning those who suffered big damages will get larger grants. The maximum amount of the grant has been reportedly set at 6 million won. Such a plan, however, is slightly different from Yoon's earlier pledge of giving 6 million won each to all small businesses. The team announced the incoming government will enhance its compensation system to better reflect the businesses' actual losses. It also plans to raise the minimum amount of a relief grant, which is currently set at 500,000 won, in June. The transition team's road map also includes financial measures and tax programs, such as extending the due date for loan payments, to help small business owners. (Yonhap) Senator Joe Manchin said last year that he would consider defecting to Republicans if South Dakota GOP Senator John Thune were leader of the party instead of Mitch McConnell, according to an upcoming book. The moderate Democratic senator has been a thorn in the party's side since President Joe Biden took office contributing to sinking large administrative policy proposals, including the Build Back Better plan. In early 2021, Republicans tried to take advantage of Manchin's ire over Vice President Kamala Harris' West Virginia television hit where she was seemingly pressuring him to fall in line. Shortly after that interview, Republican Senators Thune, Susan Collins of Maine and Rob Portman of Ohio all tried to sway Manchin to defect and join the GOP. 'John, he said, if you were the leader I would do it,' Manchin said of Senator Thune during a dinner at Bistro Cacao on February 1, 2021 with the trio, according to the book. Moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (pictured March 30, 2022) said in early 2021 that he would defect to Republicans if Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell were not longer the party's leader Senator Susan Collins (left), a moderate Republican, recruited Senators John Thune (center) and Rob Portman (right) to help try to sway Manchin to the right side. Manchin said he would only go if Thune became leader In an interview with an NBC affiliate in Huntington, West Virginia on January 28, 2021, Harris said the country was facing 'a crisis of unbelievable proportion' and said Americans need politicians 'to step up and stand up for them.' Although she did not mention Manchin by name, the senator with a dozen years under his belt in D.C. was angered by the TV hit and viewed it as political pressure, according to the book. Initiating the effort to convert Manchin was fellow moderate Senator Collins she recruited Thune and Portman. Although Manchin's answer to the senators was not a definite no, the stipulation to start caucusing with the GOP would not see current Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell returning to the leadership role he has held since 2007. This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns will hit shelves next week on May 3, 2021, but DailyMail.com obtained a copy ahead of release. One of Thune's approaches last year was trying to sway Manchin to choose a middle-of-the-line option become an independent senator and caucus with the GOP. Manchin said part jokingly that he would only change sides if current Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell were no longer in his post They also indicated that there would be rewards for defecting from Democrats, the book notes, the likes of which included chairing a committee and helping with campaigning and fundraising. But Manchin said he would not defect, especially after the White House held a meeting with him before Republicans were able to get to him with their proposal. Revelations come as part of an upcoming book This Will Not Pass, hitting shelves on May 3 Manchin said he had a meeting at the White House where Biden expressed regret over deploying Harris to West Virginia and, at one point, asked everyone to leave the room and told the senator regarding the American rescue plan: 'Joe, you're my friend, I'll never ask you to vote against your conscience. I'll never ask you to do anything you're uncomfortable doing.' The book notes: 'Manchin believed him. He was not going to become a Republican.' West Virginia is one of the most deeply red states in America, voting 68.6 percent for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election and only 29.7 percent for Biden. With a 50-50 split Senate where Vice President Harris hold the tie-breaking vote just one Democratic defector could sink legislation. Along with Manchin, fellow moderate Democratic Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, both from Arizona, have also put up roadblocks in the left's agenda the last two years. The West is encouraging Ukraine to strike Russia and should take Putin's threat to respond 'seriously', the country's foreign ministry spokesman has said today. Maria Zakharova told a weekly briefing in Moscow that the West is 'openly calling on Ukraine to attack Russia using weapons received from NATO countries' while warning: 'We do not recommend testing our patience'. She was speaking after UK defence minister Ben Wallace said Ukraine has the 'right' to strike military targets inside Russia, while armed forces minister James Heappey said it would be 'legitimate' to use donated Western weapons for such attacks. Her comments also came after Vladimir Putin said yesterday that any country deemed to be 'interfering' in Ukraine would meet with a 'lightning-fast' response using weapons 'no one else can boast of' - thought to be a reference to nukes. Explosions inside Russia in recent weeks have destroyed fuel depots, ammo dumps and railways being used to reinforce its armies inside Ukraine. Kyiv has not commented on the attacks, but is widely thought to be behind them. Earlier this week, a Ukrainian minister described them as 'karma'. Maria Zakharova, spokesman for Russia's foreign ministry, today accused the West of encouraging Ukraine to use donated weapons to attack her country (file image) It comes after a series of blasts on Russian soil targeting military bases in recent days that have been blamed on Kyiv (pictured, burning fuel depots in Belgorod on Monday) Smoke and fire rises from a military facility close to a railway station that was blown up amid fighting near Lyman, a city in eastern Ukraine, today Ukraine says Russia has stepped up its attacks on Donbas today, with battles being fought along a stretch of frontline hundreds of miles long As Russian forces try to fix an surround Ukrainian units in the east of the country, defenders are still holding out inside the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol while blasts took down TV masts in Kherson overnight and explosions also rocked Transnistria, in Moldova Elsewhere today: Ukraine said Russia had stepped up attacks in the eastern Donbas region in an attempt to surround its troops Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, deplored the 'absurdity' of Russia's war as he visited devastated areas near Kyiv Strikes in occupied Kherson took out TV masts which had been broadcasting Russian media, as officials said the currency will be changed to the ruble Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine threaten the security of Europe Russia said it is 'alarmed' by blasts in the Transnistria region of Moldova where it has troops, raising fears the country could soon be dragged into the war Germany's parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of supplying heavier weapons to Ukraine, piling pressure on Chancellor Scholz to act Ukraine said Thursday that Russia's offensive in the east picked up momentum, with several towns coming under intense attack as Moscow's forces attempt to surround Ukrainian troops. In a reminder of the horrific toll the war has taken since it began Feb. 24, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited towns outside the capital of Kyiv where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia's retreat. The fighting gathered pace after Russia suddenly cut off natural gas to two NATO nations on Wednesday, in what was seen as a bid to punish and divide the West over its support for Ukraine ahead of the potentially pivotal battle in the eastern industrial region of the Donbas. The General Staff of Ukraine's military said Russian forces were 'exerting intense fire' in several places as they pushed on with the second phase of their invasion. The most intensive action was around Donetsk and close to Kharkiv, which lies outside the Donbas but is seen as key to Russia's apparent bid to encircle Ukrainian troops there. Tatiana Pirogova spoke of the intense fear of living under constant bombardment. 'It's not just scary. It's when your stomach contracts from pain' the Kharkiv resident said. 'When they shoot during the day, it's still OK, but when the evening comes, I can't describe how scary it is.' The General Staff said that over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian forces have repelled six attacks in the Donbas, control of which is now Moscow's primary focus ever since its initial offensive faltered and failed to take the Ukrainian capital. Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said the Russian army shelled the residential area in his region '29 times by aircrafts, multiple rocket launches, tube artillery and mortars.' Russian forced uploaded footage of themselves fighting in Rubizhne, in the Luhansk region, as battles rage in Ukraine's east Chechen soldiers fighting for Russia - known as Kadyrovites after their leader, Razman Kadyrov - filmed themselves fighting in the town of Rubizhne Russia tanks were also filmed fighting around the Azovstal steel works, in Mariupol (pictured), where Ukrainian defenders are still holed up Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press also showed evidence of intense Russian fire on Mariupol in recent days. The images show how concentrated attacks have greatly damaged a central facility at the Azovstal steelworks, the last redoubt of Ukrainian fighters in the key battleground city. An estimated 1,000 civilians are sheltering along with about 2,000 Ukrainian fighters in the steelworks, a massive Soviet-era complex with a warren of underground facilities built to withstand airstrikes. Russia, meanwhile, said a city under its control in the south also came under fire. With the war now in its third month, Guterres on Thursday toured towns outside Kyiv, including Bucha, that have seen some of the most horrific attacks of the war. 'Civilians always pay the highest price,' he said as he visited the bombed out suburb of Irpin. 'And this is something everyone should remember, everywhere in the world. Wherever there is a war the highest price is paid by civilians.' Evidence of atrocities was discovered in the towns Guterres visited on Thursday after the Russians retreated from the area in the face a fiercer than expected Ukrainian resistance, bolstered by Western arms. In what could be a further Ukrainian counterattack, a series of explosions boomed near the television tower late Wednesday in southern Ukraine's Kherson, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early in the war. The blasts at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment so it can continue its fight. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that 'up to date, NATO allies have pledged and provided at least 8 billion U.S. dollars in military support to Ukraine. And we see the importance of further stepping up our support to Ukraine.' In a sign of shifting support in favour of Ukraine, Germany's parliament today voted by an almost six-to-one margin to increase the supply of heavy weapons. The document calls for the 'acceleration of the delivery of effective, including heavy, weapons and complex systems by Germany'. Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht had said on Tuesday that Germany would send Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, in a clear switch in Berlin's cautious policy on military backing for Kyiv. Vladimir Putin on Wednesday evening warned any country deemed to be 'interfering' in Ukraine that they will face a 'lightning-fast' response with weapons 'no one else can boast of' Germany had previously sent only defensive weapons, leaving Chancellor Olaf Scholz facing criticism that he was undermining European security, the rules-based world order, and lending tactic support to Moscow. The motion approved on Thursday calls on the government to supply heavy weapons directly, as well as indirectly by replacing stocks sent to Ukraine from eastern European countries. Underlining the importance of sending such weapons, British military intelligence reported today that Russia still has the capacity to launch amphibious attacks on Ukraine - perhaps targeting Mykolaiv or Odesa - despite suffering losses at sea. In an intelligence briefing posted Thursday morning, the ministry says that about 20 Russia naval vessels, including submarines, are currently operating the Black Sea. Despite the 'embarrassing' loss of the Moskva missile cruiser and Saratov landing ship, Russian 'retains the ability to strike coastal targets', it said. While it presses its campaign in the east, Moscow has also piled on the pressure by leveraging its biggest export product -energy, cutting off NATO members Poland and Bulgaria from its natural gas on Wednesday. European leaders blasted that decision as 'blackmail,' saying the move and the Kremlin's warning that it might cease shipments to other countries is a failed attempt to divide the West over its support for Ukraine. The tactic against the two EU countries could eventually force targeted nations to ration gas and deal another blow to economies suffering from rising prices. At the same time, it could deprive Russia of badly needed income to fund its war effort. The gas cuts do not immediately put the two countries in any dire trouble. Poland, especially, has been working for many years to line up other suppliers, and the continent is heading into summer, making gas less essential for households. Gazprom said it shut off the two countries because they refused to pay in rubles, as President Vladimir Putin has demanded of 'unfriendly' nations. The Kremlin said other countries may be cut off if they don't agree to the payment arrangement. Russian artillery is filmed opening fire on eastern Ukraine in footage released by state media A Russian artillery shell explodes in Rubizhne, eastern Ukraine, where fighting is ongoing European countries have balked at Russia's demand for rubles. Moscow has since proposed a system that it says satisfies its demand - but that the Europeans say means they are still paying in either euros or dollars. 'Europe (and) Germany will make payments in euros and others may pay in dollars, and not in rubles,' Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Wednesday. 'The conversion, once the payments have been made, is a matter for Gazprom. We have discussed this with the European Union. We will continue down this path.' Still, the cutoff and the Kremlin warning that other countries could be next sent shivers of worry through the 27-nation European Union. Germany is the world's biggest buyer of Russian energy, and Italy is also a significant consumer, though they, too, have been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. In signs that the conflict could soon spill over the border of Ukraine, Russia today described a series of blasts in the Transnistria region of Moldova - a breakaway province where it has a long-standing garrison of troops - as 'alarming.' Maria Zakharova said: 'We regard these actions as acts of terrorism aimed at destabilising the situation in the region and expect a thorough and objective investigation. She said Russia 'strongly condemns' attempts to involve Transnistria in the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine, while dismissing a 'sensational statement' from Ukraine about Russian peacekeepers and Transnistrian conscripts preparing 'for offensive actions'. The separatist region bordering Ukraine has reported explosions hitting the security ministry, a military unit and a Russian-owned radio tower as well as shots fired at a village housing a Russian arms depot. The self-proclaimed republic of Transnistria seceded from Moldova in 1992 after a brief war with Chisinau. Around 1,500 Russian soldiers have been based there since. Meanwhile a Russian official said Thursday that the ruble will soon be introduced in areas of Ukraine under Moscow's control, despite Russia earlier insisting it was not seeking to occupy captured territory. A civilian and military administrator of the Russian-controlled region of Kherson in southern Ukraine said Moscow would introduce its currency in the region within the coming days. 'Beginning May 1, we will move to the ruble zone,' the official, Kirill Stremousov, was cited as saying by Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti. He specified there will be a grace period of four months when Ukraine's currency, the hryvnia, would also be used. 'Then we will completely switch to settlements in rubles,' RIA Novosti quoted Stremousov as saying. Stremousov's announcement was yet to be confirmed by any high-ranking Russian official. Russia said earlier this week that it had seized control of the entire southern Kherson region, including its eponymous administrative capital, which fell to Russian troops soon after the February 24 invasion. Moscow's defence ministry claimed that 'peaceful life' was being restored to the region and others which have been captured recently, despite reports in the Ukrainian press and on social media of ongoing protests against the Russian administration of Kherson. Former Doctor Who and Eastenders star Ann Davies has died aged 87. The actress, who was the wife of the late Richard Briers - who starred in The Good Life - and mother to two daughters, passed away on Thursday, her agent has confirmed. Barry Langford tweeted: 'Sadly my lovely client of 34 years Ann Davies passed away yesterday. 'A superb actress with TV credits including #DoctorWho and #TheSculptress, Ann was devoted to her beloved late husband #RichardBriers and their daughters Lucy and Kate. 'She will be very much missed. #RIP Annie.' Davies starred in a string of Doctor Who episodes in the 1960s playing the character of Jenny alongside William Hartnell as the Time Lord, before going on to play teacher Mrs Singleton in Grange Hill during the 1990s. The actress also appeared in BBC dramas Doctors and Eastenders, as well as acting alongside her husband Richard in a number of television roles prior to his death in 2013. The couple had lived together in Chiswick, west London, after marrying in 1956 and had two daughters Lucy and Katie. Lucy, 54, plays Mrs Blish in ITV's Endeavour and featured as Mary Bennet in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Richard and Ann Briers starred together on television, as well as a radio adaptation of the television series Brothers in Law, prior to his death in 2013 The couple pictured together as they arrive to watch the opening night of The Anniversary play in London in 2005 Ann Davies in Doctor Who. She also appeared in Grange Hill and the BBC's Eastenders and Doctors during a long acting career Davies starred in a string of Doctor Who episodes in the 1960s playing the character of Jenny alongside William Hartnell as the Time Lord Ann Davies and husband Richard Briers pictured arriving at Avenue of the Stars in London in September 2005 The husband and wife smile happily as they are pictured at Hampton Court Palace together in 2004 Ann Davies pictured with her husband Richard Briers prior to his death aged 79 in February 2013 Richard Briers and Ann Davies pictured on their wedding day. They were described as a 'wonderful couple' Richard Briers and Ann Davies pictured with their two daughters Lucy and Kate, who have both taken after their parents Richard Briers and Ann Davies with their then newborn daughter Katie at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in 1963 Ann's husband Richard was known to millions as the lynchpin of three of the most notable sitcoms ever made in Britain - Marriage Lines, The Good Life and Ever Decreasing Circles. The star, who was also well-known for his Shakespearean roles, had been battling a serious lung condition for years before he died peacefully at his London home in February 2013. The couple appeared together in films Peter's Friends in 1992 and In the Bleak Midwinter in 1995, as well as a radio adaptation of the television series Brothers in Law. Mr Briers was one of the most popular television sitcom actors of his generation. After leaving school in Surrey with meagre qualifications, Briers flirted with the idea of electrical engineering as a career, before realising that what he really wanted to do was tread the boards, not wire them. He attended RADA from 1954 to 1956, then joined Liverpool Repertory Company. It was while at Liverpool rep that he met Mrs Davies. Theirs would be that rare thing in the theatrical world a long, stable and happy marriage. Following Richard's death, Dame Sheila Hancock described them as a 'wonderful couple'. She said: 'Its really not easy in our profession, but they were a wonderful couple and we were very close to them.' Advertisement Ukrainian flags were waved at the March of the Living today at Auschwitz to show support for the beleaguered country on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Survivors and descendants of the mass genocide returned to the Nazi concentration camp to recreate the 'death march' undertaken by its former inmates during WWII to the gas chambers at Birkenau. They were joined by Ukrainian refugees and supporters waving Ukraine flags amid Russia's invasion being carried out under the pretence of 'denazification'. Ukrainian flags were waved at the March of the Living today at Auschwitz to show support for the beleaguered country on Holocaust Remembrance Day A girl holds an Ukrainian flag under the main gate of the former Nazi German Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp Polish President Andrzej Duda greets Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg in front of the 'Death Wall' during the annual International 'March of the Living' People walk towards Brzezinka during the annual International 'March of the Living' through the grounds of the former Auschwitz death camp Messages saying 'peace' and 'stop war' are placed along the railway tracks at Auschwitz that used to carry prisoners in WWII The annual march honours Holocaust victims at the former Nazi German Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in southern Poland Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh shows the number B7608 tattooed onto his arm while sitting near the main gate of the former Auschwitz-Birkenau camp Holocaust survivor Agnes Kaposi, 89, and other survivors take part in The March of the Living in honour of the victims of the Holocaust Young Jews carry Israeli flags during the March of the Living annual observance that was not held for two years due to the global COVID-19 pandemic Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish and it is Russian forces who have been accused of horrific war crimes and are reportedly sending civilians to 'filtration camps' which have eerie echoes of the Nazi sites. Many camps were set up around the besieged city of Mariupol to interrogate civilians, with families separated and reports of killings. Oleksandr told the BBC: 'It was like a true concentration camp.' In the early days of their barbaric invasion, Russia also bombed the Babyn Yar holocaust memorial in Kyiv on the site of one of the biggest single massacres of Jews during the Holocaust. Nearly 34,000 Jews were killed there by SS troops in two days in 1941 during Adolf Hitler's campaign against the Soviet Union. Last month Boris Romanchenko, 96, who survived detention in four separate Nazi concentration camps in World War Two, was killed by shelling in Kharkiv. Another survivor of the Nazi invasion, Vanda Obiedkova, 91, died this month in a basement in the war-battered city of Mariupol, freezing and pleading for water. Today's annual march sees thousands gather to honour the millions of Holocaust victims in the presence of the few remaining survivors from the atrocity. Rabbi Yochanan Fried blows into a horn as participants walk through the main gate of the former camp Mosberg, pictured with his family, was taken prisoner by the Nazis in the Plaszow and Mauthausen concentration camps during the Holocaust Survivors around the world today are uniting to deliver a message on the dangers of unchecked hate Only eight survivors and some 2,500 young Jews and non-Jews are taking part in the annual march that is scaled down this year because of the war in neighbouring Ukraine Participants in today's march lay down their peaceful messages in a site that bore witness to some of the worst horrors known to mankind Edward Mosberg, 96, from Krakow, was in attendance at Auschwitz today where he met Polish president Andrzej Duda. Mosberg was taken prisoner by the Nazis in the Plaszow and Mauthausen concentration camps during the Holocaust. His entire family was killed during that period, some of them in Auschwitz. Survivors around the world today are uniting to deliver a message on the dangers of unchecked hate and the importance of remembrance at a time of rising global antisemitism. In a video released on Thursday to mark Yom HaShoah - Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day - 100 survivors asked people to stand with them and remember the genocide to avoid repeating the horrors of the past. The 100 Words project video was released by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. The group represents the world's Jews in negotiating for compensation and restitution for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs, and provides welfare for Holocaust survivors around the globe. Duda and Holocaust survivor Mosberg lay a wreath in front of the 'Death Wall' during the annual commemorations Holocaust survivors take part in The March of the Living in honour of the millions of victims Arek Hersh (93, centre), Agnes Kaposi (89, second right) and other survivors take part in The March of the Living in honour of the victims of the Holocaust 'The world is full of strife - from the pandemic to the crisis happening in Ukraine. On remembrance days like Yom HaShoah, it is so important to stop and reflect,' Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference, said in a statement. 'The call to action these survivors put forth today is not only one of remembrance, but one of action, a reminder that we do not have to be bystanders. We can all stand up in our own way and we can choose to not let our collective history repeat itself.' It comes at a time when Holocaust survivors - now in their 80s and 90s - are dying, while studies show that younger generations lack even basic knowledge of the Nazi genocide, in which a third of the world's Jews were annihilated. 'If we do not remember them, we are murdering them twice because we have forgotten them. And we have forgotten the tragic travesty that was visited upon millions of people,' said Ginger Lane, a Holocaust survivor who along with her siblings was hidden in a fruit orchard near Berlin by non-Jews. 'It is important to remember because it is a part of our heritage and our legacy that we pass on to the younger generation,' said Ms Lane, whose mother was killed at the Auschwitz death camp, and who has made it her lifelong mission to educate others. Survivors were joined by Ukrainian refugees and supporters waved Ukraine flags to show support for the country Hersh shows the number tattooed onto his arm decades on from his imprisonment in a Nazi concentration camp 'Holocaust denial, we know it has always existed, but it seems to be on the upswing and ... a huge number of young people don't even know what the word Holocaust means ... These young people are eager to move forward with their lives. But their lives today are shaped by the past. And they need to know what happened in the past.' In a 50-state study of millennials and generation Z-age people in the US in 2020, researchers found that 63 per cent of respondents did not know six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust and 48 per cent could not name a death or concentration camp. The 100 Word Project statement by Holocaust survivors says: 'Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. We all survived the Holocaust. We are here to give voice to the six million Jews who were murdered. 'We are a reminder unchecked hatred can lead to actions, actions to genocide. Just over 75 years ago, one-third of the world's Jews were systematically murdered. 'Among them, over 1.5 million children were killed in the name of indifference, intolerance, hate. Hatred for what was feared. Hatred for what was different. 'We must remember the past or it will become our future. 'On Holocaust Remembrance Day we ask the world to stand with us and remember.' Thousands of people have been killed and more than five million have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24 The annual remembrance known as Yom HaShoah is one of the most solemn on Israel's calendar, with the nation coming to a standstill during a two-minute siren on Thursday morning. According to the Hebrew calendar, Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising - the most significant act of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Although the uprising ultimately failed, it is remembered in Israel as a symbol of strength and the struggle for freedom in the face of annihilation. It means 'resilience, tenacity, strength. It's the hallmark of being a Holocaust survivor, the very concept of surviving, of everyday problems, of fighting until the end,' said Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference. 'And for some people, unfortunately, the end was the gas chamber. For other people the end was the Warsaw ghetto, where a very small group of people who weren't well-equipped held out for nearly a month,' Mr Schneider said. 'And that's why it's such an important day in Israel and around the world for the Jewish community - because it symbolises the fight of certainly the Jewish people, but of any people facing this type of incredible adversity.' The Claims Conference is working with its partners, among them the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC, to get as many Holocaust survivors out of Ukraine as possible. Thousands of people have been killed and more than five million have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24. Holocaust survivors from Canada, England, France, Germany, Israel, the US and Ukraine were part of the video. 'Survivors from many different countries and languages who have vastly different persecution experiences - some were in concentration camps, some were in ghettos, some fled, some were in hiding,' Mr Schneider added. 'And yet they come together to speak in one voice of the hope for the future.' A smiling Queen stood unaided today as she held a face-to-face audience with the president of Switzerland at Windsor Castle. The monarch, who returned from a week-long break at her Sandringham estate yesterday, smiled broadly as she posed for photographs with Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola in her Oak Room sitting room this morning. The Queen stood without her walking stick and was dressed in a blue and grey paisley-style patterned silk dress. She was wearing her fruit-themed sapphire and diamond grapes brooch, which features a sapphire bow and 16 small diamonds shaped like a bunch of grapes. It was inherited from the Queen Mother. A smiling Queen stood unaided today as she held a face-to-face audience with the president of Switzerland at Windsor Castle The monarch, who returned from a week-long break at her Sandringham estate yesterday, smiled broadly as she posed for photographs with Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola in her Oak Room sitting room this morning She flew back to her Berkshire castle in a Sikorsky S-76C helicopter with The Queen's Helicopter Flight team from the Royal Household, after spending time away at her Norfolk retreat where she celebrated turning 96 last Thursday. Yesterday, the Queen was photographed being driven away from Wood Farm - a cottage nestled in the far reaches of the country estate - in a Range Rover at around 11.30am before getting into the helicopter. She was spotted in the back seat of the car as she was chauffeur-driven away from the five-bedroom farmhouse which was the home in retirement of her late husband Prince Philip, who died in April last year. The Queen has told how the Duke of Edinburgh 'loved' the cottage and part of its attraction was because the 'sea was so close'. The monarch arrived in Sandringham last week to spend her 96th birthday privately, and over the last few days she has been seen visiting her stables on the estate with her racing manager John Warren. There were no public engagements for her birthday, but there will be celebrations for her official birthday and Platinum Jubilee in June. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said she is hoping to attend the State Opening of Parliament in less than two weeks' time, on May 10, but confirmation is expected closer to the time or on the day. The Queen, who has experienced mobility issues in recent months, has opened Parliament on all but two occasions during her reign. The exceptions were in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward, when her speech was read by the Lord Chancellor. In just over a month's time, the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend will get under way, celebrating the nation's longest reigning head of state's 70 years on the throne. Festivities include Trooping the Colour, beacon lighting, a service of thanksgiving, the Epsom Derby, a pop concert at Buckingham Palace, and a spectacular Jubilee Pageant on the streets of London. It has not yet been confirmed how many of the high-profile events the Queen will be able to attend. On Wednesday evening, her second son, the disgraced Duke of York, was stripped of his Freedom of York by councillors in the city, amid further calls for him to have his dukedom removed. The Queen stood without her walking stick and was dressed in a blue and grey paisley-style patterned silk dress The Queen is driven away from Wood Farm on her Sandringham estate in Norfolk in a Range Rover at around 11.30am yesterday The Queen flies from Sandringham to Windsor in a Sikorsky S-76C helicopter by a team from The Queen's Helicopter Flight It comes amid reports that the Queen may travel to Trooping the Colour by Range Rover instead of a royal carriage for the first time in her 70-year reign to boost her comfort after suffering from mobility issues. The monarch may make the journey from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade by 4x4 as part of several contingency plans being drawn up by officials ahead of the Platinum Jubilee weekend. During her reign, the Queens attendance at most engagements has been planned for months and often announced publicly weeks in advance. But the presence of the monarch will now be a bonus, rather than guaranteed and 'will be decided on the day' due to mobility issues. Buckingham Palace distanced itself from the suggestion that the Queen would watch Trooping the Colour from the Major-General's office overlooking the parade ground rather than inspecting the troops on a dais, The Telegraph reported. A royal insider said: 'I cannot imagine in 100 years that if attending, Her Majesty wouldnt be seated on a dais in Horse Guards Parade. 'All the plans are fluid at the moment and nothing has been finalised.' The Queen's most recent public appearance came on March 29 at the thanksgiving service for her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey. But over the past six months she has withdrawn from several other events historically central to her diary, including the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the annual Commonwealth Service. Aides are hopeful the Queen will be able to attend some of the events organised to mark her 70th jubilee in person, although it is expected these will be few in number. The Household Cavalry is said to have been informed of alternative options in light of her mobility problems. The 4x4 proposal would see four mounted divisions escort the Queen's vehicle up The Mall on June 2, with other Royals sticking to the tradition of travelling by carriage. Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne are expected to take part in the parade on horsebacks as part of their roles as 'Royal Colonels'. Another royal source told the Telegraph that the reason for the plan was 'both speed and comfort' as it is no longer comfortable for the Queen to 'travel by carriage or to be standing on a dais for an extended period'. Typically, the Queen is joined by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as more distant relatives like her niece, nephew and cousins. She has extended the invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who she saw together for the first time in more than two years when they stopped off at Windsor Castle last week on their way to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games. Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, would attend in an informal role, following their decision to step down as working members of the Royal Family. Buckingham Palace is said to have promised the Sussexes full armed security at all Royal Family events in June in a bid to reassure them after Harry said he felt 'unsafe' in Britain. President Joe Biden wants to sell the luxury yachts and opulent apartments the U.S. government has seized from Russian oligarchs and then send that money to the Ukraine to help them fight off Vladimir Putin's forces. Biden on Thursday asked Congress to expand his presidential powers to allow him to do just that. 'Seize yachts, fund the war,' White House chief of staff Ron Klain tweeted about the request. President Joe Biden wants to sell the luxury yachts and opulent apartments the U.S. government has seized from Russian oligarchs and send money to Ukraine - above is the 'Tango' - the seized 254-foot yacht to Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire and close Putin ally, that is worth an estimated $120 million More than a dozen yachts, worth approximately $2.5 billion, have been seized in several countries worldwide Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that his country had - thus far - suffered $550 billion in economic damage since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. The country is seeking at least $5 billion per month in international emergency aid. In his remarks at the White House on Thursday, Biden also asked Congress for an additional $33 billion in military and humanitarian assistance for the Ukraine, which officials say could fund the war there for the next five months. He said the previous money allocated for the Ukrainians has been spent. 'Basically we're out of money,' he said in remarks at the White House. The money includes $20.4 billion in additional security and military assistance, $8.5 billion in economic assistance, and $3 billion in humanitarian assistance. 'We need to contribute arms funding ammunition and the economic support to make their courage and sacrifice have purpose so they can continue this fight and do what they're doing. It's critical this funding gets approved and approved as quickly as possible,' Biden said. The humanitarian assistance includes funds for high thermal blankets, medical supplies, emergency health kits, safe drinking water, direct food support such as wheat and flour, job training, trauma-informed mental health services, and funding for schools. Biden said the funding for food will help ease rising prices back in the United States. Ukraine is a major producer of wheat and sunflowers. The war there has disrupted the supply line and caused a price hike. 'This one is going to help ease rising food prices at home as well and abroad,' Biden claimed. Biden's request comes as there has been a bipartisan push in Washington to more aggressively punish the Russian elite, a group of billionaires - many of whom have made their money off of Putin's regime. The Biden administration has already sanctioned about two dozen oligarchs and their family members, even targeting Putin himself. More than a dozen yachts, worth approximately $2.5 billion, have been seized in several countries worldwide, including the 'Tango' - a 254-foot yacht to Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire and close Putin ally, that is worth an estimated $120 million. It was seized by the U.S. from its Spanish port earlier this month. It was the first U.S. seizure of an oligarch's yacht since Attorney General Merrick Garland and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen assembled a task force known as REPO short for Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs to enforce the sanctions put in place after Putin invaded the Ukraine. The federal government 'has sanctioned and blocked vessels and aircraft worth over $1 billion, as well as frozen hundreds of millions of dollars of assets belonging to Russian elites in U.S. bank accounts,' the White House said. The administration also noted that European Union member states have reported freezing over $30 billion in assets, including almost $7 billion in boats, helicopters, real estate and artwork. Russia's billionaires control roughly 30 percent of the nation's wealth. Biden is asking Congress for an additional $33 billion in military and humanitarian assistance for the Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that his country had - thus far - suffered $550 billion in economic damage since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion And lawmakers already have pushed to use those seized assets to help the Ukraine. The House on Wednesday passed a mostly symbolic measure urging Biden to sell the oligarchs' frozen assets to give the money to the Ukraine military and humanitarian assistance. The legislation is nonbinding, but its 417-to-8 passage reflected the desire among Democrats and Republicans to more aggressively tamp down on Russia. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said it would be taken up by the Senate, where it is expected to pass. But the Justice Department needs a congressional change in statue to sort through the mess of legal issues that will need to be unraveled so the United States to repurpose the yachts and extravagant apartments into de facto reparations for Ukrainians. In his State of the Union address on March 1, President Biden warned oligarchs that the U.S. and European allies would 'find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets.' 'We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,' he said. A disgruntled legal opponent of prominent Dallas attorney has been arrested and charged with capital murder nearly six years after the lawyer was found dead in his burning garage. Steven Benton Aubrey, 61, has been a prime focus for investigators since Ira Tobolowsky was found dead in 2016, but has denied any involvement in the murder. For years, Tobolowsky's family accused him of killing the beloved patriarch. But an arrest hasn't been made in years - until this week. Aubrey was arrested Wednesday in Florida on a capital murder charge in connection with Tobolowsky's death. He is being held at the Broward County Jail on $2 million bail and will be extradited back to Texas. Authorities have not said what evidence finally prompted the arrest so many years after police initially questioned Aubrey in the case. 'We're not going to get into the actual nitty-gritty of what that piece of evidence was, but it was just developing information, evidence and having probable cause in order to make that arrest,' said Dallas Police Department Assistant Director of Public Information Kristin Lowman. Steven Benton Aubrey, 61, has been a prime focus for investigators since the beginning, was arrested Wednesday and charged with capital murder in the 2016 death of Ira Tobolowsky Tobolowsky, 68, was found dead in the burning garage of his North Dallas home on Kenshire Drive in May 2016. An investigation revealed that Tobolowsky was on his way to work when he walked into his garage where Aubrey ambushed him, according to the charging documents. Police say Aubrey poured gasoline on Tobolowsky and set him on fire, leaving him to die in the garage inferno. The Medical Examiner ruled Tobolowsky's death a homicide as a result of thermal burns, smoke inhalation, and blunt force trauma. For nearly six years, homicide detectives have conducted interviews and gathered evidence in the case. Aubrey, who had been involved in a legal dispute with Tobolowsky, was questioned and even named a person of interest in the case, police said. Police also interviewed Aubrey's partner Brian Vodicka and searched their homes, but they weren't accused of a crime. Vodicka was not arrested Wednesday and police have not accused him of any wrongdoing. Ira Tobolowsky (pictured with one of his sons), a Dallas lawyer was found dead in his burning garage in 2016 Tobolowsky's death was ruled a homicide from thermal burns, smoke inhalation and blunt force trauma Police said in a press release Wednesday that Aubrey and Tobolowsky did in fact know each other, with Tobolowsky representing Aubrey's mother in litigation against her son in 2014. Vodicka, a lawyer who was in a relationship with Aubrey, represented Aubrey. Aubrey's mother had cut him out of the will in 2012, believing he was unhinged, and suspecting he was the person who broke into her home to unleash rats, according to a D Magazine report from 2017. As the legal battle continued, Tobolowsky filed a defamation suit against Aubrey and his partner over alleged threats and harassment. He accused Aubrey of using 'intentional lies, fraud, defamatory statements and 'dirty tricks' to get him to stop representing Aubrey's mother and said that Vodicka attacked Tobolowsky's integrity, the Dallas News reported. Tobolowsky claimed that Aubrey called his fight with his brother and mother 'jihad' and compared Tobolowsky to 'an ISIS butcher,' the Dallas News reported. So when the attorney's body was found inside a garage doused with gasoline and set on fire, detectives zeroed in on Aubrey. When the attorney's body was found inside his garage doused with gasoline and set on fire, detectives zeroed in on Aubrey, who had been in a legal dispute with him Mysterious: The attorney was discovered after firefighters extinguished the blaze at his $800,000 home in the north Dallas area (pictured). The county coroner's office has not determined his cause of death Authorities believed someone had drilled holes in the fence to spy on Tobolowsky and track his schedule prior to the killing Detectives also searched Aubrey's home and seized propane gas tanks and a power drill, according to a search warrant. Authorities believed someone had drilled holes in the fence to spy on Tobolowsky and track his schedule prior to the killing. Both Aubrey and Vodicka were questioned in the case, but were released without being charged of any crime. In November 2016, the detective on the case told one of Tobolowskys sons that his team had circumstantial evidence that Aubrey was involved in the incident but had nothing to prove that he was at Tobolowskys house on May 13, D Magazine reported. Tobolowsky's family has pushed for answers in the killing for years. Tobolowsky was a prominent, well-liked attorney who came from a prestigious Dallas family that has been active in the Jewish community and the legal profession, the Dallas News reported. In 2019, his family offered a $25,000 reward for information about the lawyer's death. They said he suffered from a lifelong chronic condition that caused him to be hunched over and made it difficult for him to walk, adding that he would have been unable to defend himself. 'Our dad was always the guy who protected others,' his son, Michael Tobolowsky, said in 2016. 'We feel like it's our turn to step up and do anything we possibly can to try to help the police find the information they need to find the person who did this to our dad.' In a statement to KTVT, Michael said the arrest is 'amazing news we have long waited for.' Residents across Sydney will soon be able to travel on a new mode of transport after the state government confirmed an upcoming trial of e-scooters. NSW Transport Minister Rob Stokes wants to launch a three-month pilot from July and hopes the devices can help ease traffic woes in the Harbour City - as well as parking issues in the CBD. While many have been calling for the introduction of e-scooters for years, there are serious concerns about safety and the potential for public streets to be cluttered when ride-share companies flood the city with pay-as-you-go options. Residents across Sydney will soon be able to travel on a new mode of transport after the state government confirmed an upcoming trial of e-scooters. Pictured: E-scooters in Melbourne NSW Transport Minister Rob Stokes wants to launch a three-month pilot from July and hopes the devices can help ease traffic woes in the Harbour City - as well as parking issues in the CBD. Pictured: Traffic jam in Sydney Mr Stokes disagrees and says it's about time the state catches up with the other states and the rest of the world. 'E-scooters are an affordable, convenient and sustainable method of moving about and it's important we harness that and recognise their increasing popularity around the world in a safe way,' he said. 'NSW has been criticised for being a bit of the laggard in taking on this technology but these are the benefits that we get to see the mistakes and successes other jurisdictions have faced.' Local councils in Sydney can submit an expression of interest (EOI) to trial the devices. While many have been calling for the introduction of e-scooters for years, there are serious concerns about safety and the potential for public streets to be cluttered when ride-share companies flood the city with pay-as-you-go options. Pictured: E-scooter rider in Brisbane At first, only shared public e-scooters will be rolled out in the trial due to safety regulation concerns. 'We will be starting with shared schemes, so that's schemes operated by private providers,' Mr Stokes added. 'It means we can learn the lessons in a regulated environment before extending these mobility concessions to private users as well. 'We have much control about the design standards as opposed to private use which will require more considered regulation.' Other states across Australia have reported a rise in misuse and injuries stemming from riders who have purchased their own e-scooters. 'The NSW Government will be focused on ensuring that e-scooter regulations are sensible and appropriate for NSW, safety is paramount when it comes to e-scooter users and those around them,' Mr Stokes also said. NSW Transport Minister Rob Stokes said 'e-scooters are an affordable, convenient and sustainable method of moving about' Safety regulations could include geofencing technology to control speeds and monitor where the devices are parked to 'minimise visual clutter'. Mr Stokes added the state will look at extending the laws around drink driving to apply to e-scooter usage as well. According to the electric scooter guide website, the Rion RE90 from the US can reach speeds of up to 121km per hour. Globally, the average speed of electric scooters is around 24km per hour. Russia must not be allowed to block Ukrainian grain exports and ramp up global prices, Ben Wallace warned today. The Defence Secretary said it is 'incredibly important' that Vladimir Putin's forces do not control the Black Sea, and the UK could supply anti-ship missiles. He also urged Western allies to help prise Moscow's forces out of the country like 'a limpet off the rock' - suggesting warplanes and tanks could be offered. The comments came as the UK Ministry of Defence said that despite the losses of the cruiser Moskva and the landing ship Saratov, Russia's Black Sea Fleet retains the ability to strike targets in Ukraine. In its latest intelligence assessment it said the Russian navy currently had around 20 vessels in the area, including submarines. Mr Wallace said it was vital that Ukraine, which previously supplied around 7 per cent of the world's wheat, continued to have access to the Black Sea as an outlet for its exports. There have been fears spiking food prices will add to the cost-of-living pain for families, already struggling to cope with soaring fuel and energy bills. 'We have said we will source and supply, if we can, anti-ship missiles,' Mr Wallace told Sky News. 'It's incredibly important that the grain that affects us all, the food prices, does get to get out of Ukraine, that the Russians can't control the Black Sea.' Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said it is 'incredibly important' that Vladimir Putin's (pictured) forces do not control the Black Sea, and the UK could supply anti-ship missiles Mr Wallace urged Western allies to help prise Moscow's forces out of the country like 'a limpet off the rock' - suggesting warplanes and tanks could be offered In a keynote speech yesterday, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the objective should be to drive Russia out of 'the whole of Ukraine'. Mr Wallace said it had always been the position of the international community that Russia should withdraw from Ukrainian territory since President Vladimir Putin's annexation of Crimea. However, he said there was 'a long way to go' before the Ukrainians were able to reclaim the land it lost in 2014. He said the Russians appeared to be preparing to dig in to the territory they seized in the east of the country in their latest invasion. 'We've constantly said that Russia should leave Ukraine sovereign territory so that hasn't changed,' he said. 'I think it's certainly the case that Putin, having failed in nearly all objectives, may seek to consolidate what he's got, sort of fortify and dig in, as he did in 2014, and just be a sort of cancerous growth within the country of Ukraine and make it very hard for people to move them out of those fortified positions,' he said. 'So I think it's really about if we want this to not happen, we have to help Ukrainians effectively get the limpet off the rock and keep the momentum pushing them back.' In her speech at the Mansion House, Ms Truss said the crisis in Ukraine should be a 'catalyst' for an overhaul to the West's approach to international security. She said the UK needed to strengthen its military while building alliances with free nations around the world, using their economic power to deter aggressors who 'do not play by the rules'. The G7 group of leading industrialised nations should act as an 'economic Nato' defending collective prosperity, while the Western military alliance must be prepared to open its doors to countries such as Finland and Sweden. Ms Truss singled out China, which has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine, while increasing imports from Russia and commenting on 'who should or shouldn't be a Nato member'. 'China is not impervious. They will not continue to rise if they do not play by the rules,' she said. 'China needs trade with the G7. We have shown with Russia the kind of choices that we're prepared to make when international rules are violated.' A prowler in a Los Angeles suburb was caught on a couple's home surveillance camera, lurking over them while they slept in their room, and searching for items to steal. The intruder broke into a home in San Bernardino in the middle of the night on February 22, and footage shows the unidentified suspect, who was wearing a cap and earrings. He stole a wedding ring and some cash, according to NBC Los Angeles. After he searched around and took the items, the suspect left, but then returned later, bumping into the baby's nurse before heading out a second time. Police said he told her: 'You should lock your door. It's not safe.' A couple living in San Bernardino, California, said it was hard for them to sleep after learning about the terrifying moment an unnamed robber broke into their home on February 22 The suspect was caught on surveillance camera inside the home standing over the couple, who have a baby boy, before he proceeds to look around then steal their belongings, including cash and a wedding ring Its not clear exactly what time the break-in happened, but 'outstanding police work' led to the man's arrest, the San Bernardino Police Department said on social media. 'His identity is being withheld because he is suspected of committing additional crimes which are currently under investigation,' local authorities added on Twitter. It is unclear when he was arrested. DailyMail.com has contacted the San Bernardino Police Department for comment. The San Bernardino Police Department released the video on Wednesday, also announcing the suspect's captivity on Twitter The couple, who have a baby boy, later hinted that the robbery was unlikely to be isolated, as many of their neighbors recognized the suspect. They prefer not to be named for security reasons. 'A guy posted [the video] on the Nextdoor app and a lot of people commented and they were like, "oh my god I've seen this guy in my house. Oh my god I woke up to this guy touching me, oh my god this, oh my god that,"' the woman who lives in the home said. 'All of these people had all these things to say and I was like, "Dude, no way",' she added. Since then, the family has adopted a German shepherd, named 'Roxy,' to protect their home. 'I feel safer with her here, just because, like, if there's noises, then she'll bark and alert us,' she said. The couple, who prefer to remain unidentified for security reasons, adopted Roxy - a female German shepherd - to protect their home in the future Over the last year, violent robberies and smash-and-grab thefts have skyrocketed in the Greater Los Angeles area, which technically includes the Riverside-San Bernardino. Robberies are up 17.7 percent in the year-to-date compared to 2021, with 2,369 of them happening so far this year compared to 2,012 in the same time period last year. America's second-largest city also saw a 94 percent increase in homicides in 2021 from the year before, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office shared. Alex Villanueva, who is seeking re-election as the county's sheriff in June, blamed District Attorney George Gascon for the high crime rate in the area. 'We can't have this alternative version of reality,' he told Fox News on Sunday. 'The fact is that people are dying on the street and it's not because of law enforcement. It's because of the absence of law enforcement and the absence of enforcing the rule of law with our progressive DA George Gascon.' Gascon, who advocated for looser bail laws and refuses to prosecute certain crimes, is currently the target of a referendum petition to have him removed from office by Los Angeles residents fed up with crime in the city. They are gathering signatures and hope to oust him from office by the summer. The Korean government called Thursday on North Korea to refrain from escalating tensions in the region, responding to a threat by its leader Kim Jong-un to strengthen the regime's nuclear capabilities. "Our government and the international community have maintained the stance that North Korea should stop all acts that heighten tensions, including the advancement of its nuclear capabilities, and to return to the negotiating table," a unification ministry official said. South Korea will continue efforts to achieve denuclearization and bring peace to the Korean Peninsula in close coordination with Washington while keeping a close eye on the North, the official added. On Monday, North Korea showcased a massive intercontinental ballistic missile and other strategic weapons at a military parade, during which Kim vowed to beef up the country's nuclear capabilities at the "fastest possible speed." (Yonhap) An Obama-era ambassador will plead guilty to illegally lobbying for Qatar and taking $20,000 a month from a criminal fixer who funneled illegal campaign contributions to Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham. Richard Olson, 62, is a former career diplomat who served as ambassador to Pakistan and the UAE. He ended his 34-year tenure at the State Department as a special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2016. He's now been charged with running a secret lobbying campaign for the Qatari government. He allegedly tried to drum up business while he was still in his State Department role. He plans to plead guilty. Documents filed by prosecutors claim Olson was paid $20,000 a month by an unnamed Pakistani American lobbyist right after leaving office, breaching a federal one-year lobbying ban for former public officials. The lobbyist also allegedly funded a $19,000 trip to the UK in 2015 for Olson to discuss a $300,000 deal with a Middle East businessman while he was still ambassador. DailyMail.com can reveal the lobbyist is Imaad Zuberi, an LA-based jet-setting playboy currently serving 12 years prison after funneling foreign cash to the campaigns of Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham and a host of other U.S. politicians. Richard G. Olson, 62, will plead guilty to pushing for US policy favoring Qatar shortly after leaving the State Department in 2016, in violation of a 'revolving door' lobbying policy In 2012, President Obama nominated Olson for ambassador of Pakistan. He ended his 34-year tenure at the State Department as a special rep for Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2016 Olson is accused of taking a job under foreign lobbyist Imaad Zuberi (right) 'just prior to, or shortly after' he retired in 2016. Zuberi is serving 12 years in prison for helping to funnel foreign cash to the campaigns of Joe Biden and other US politicians Federal prosecutors described Zuberi, who reports to prison May 25, as a 'mercenary' political donor who gave to anyone he thought could help him. Zuberi pictured with Donald Trump According to a criminal indictment filed this month in federal court and first reported by Axios on Wednesday, Olson lobbied US officials and 'several sitting members of the U.S. House of Representatives' on behalf of Qatar. Zuberi was named only as 'Person 1' in the criminal filings against Olson but has been identified by DailyMail.com as the alleged fixer in the secret lobbying scheme. The prosecutors' filing says he met with Olson in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2013 and 'solicited [Olson's] advice and assistance in his capacity as Ambassador with respect to a variety of business matters' until 2016. In January 2015, while Olson was still a government official, he allegedly met with Zuberi in Los Angeles and discussed potentially working for a Bahraini businessman. Later that month Zuberi flew Olson first class to London at a cost of $18,829 to meet with the businessman, who proposed a $300,000 per year job after he left government, prosecutors said. While in London Zuberi paid for Olson's $2,298 'luxury hotel' bill and a dinner costing $589. The criminal information says 'just prior to, or shortly after' Olson retired from government,' Zuberi agreed to hire him 'for $20,000 per month plus expenses,' sending him his first check on December 15, 2016 to Olson's company, Medicine Bear International Consulting, LLC. Olson graduated from Brown University in 1981 with a degree in law and society and history. He joined the State Department a year later and went on to serve in Mexico, Uganda, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, according to a department biography. Prosecutors say Olson, 62, met with Zuberi multiple times in foreign countries in an alleged attempt to line up work for when he left government Imaad Zuberi (center), a venture capitalist and a major political donor, is pictured with Paul Ryan (left). He was sentenced to 12 years prison after funneling foreign cash to the campaigns of Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham and other US politicians Former President Barack Obama nominated Olson to serve as ambassador to Pakistan in 2012, after the previous ambassador quit amid the fallout from the US's covert killing of Osama bin Laden in the country that May. The Senate confirmed Olson in September. By the time he left the department in 2016, he was the special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. As part of his alleged secret lobbying campaign, the ex-ambassador was trying to get the US government and lawmakers to take Qatar's side in a 2017 dispute with its regional Persian Gulf rivals. Prosecutors say Olson also lobbied to get US Customs and Border Protection preclearance set up at Doha Airport. Senior former officials are not allowed to lobby for foreign governments for a year after they leave office, and are required to disclose gifts such as the alleged $19,000 2015 trip to the UK. The Department of Justice says Olson broke both rules, and he has indicated he will plead guilty. Last year politics site Mother Jones reported that Olson traveled to Qatar and met with the emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in June 2017 as part of a secret delegation sent by Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster. The site reported that emails it obtained showed that Zuberi coordinated, paid for and joined in the trip. Mother Jones reported that Olson was an adviser to Zuberi's company, Avenue Ventures, at the time, and had an Avenue Ventures email address that was copied on the correspondence they obtained. Zuberi, 50, maintained that his wrongdoing had been limited and asked to be credited for years of cooperation with federal and local law enforcement. The political donor pictured with Hillary Clinton and also with then-President Barack Obama Zuberi, a Pakistani-American who has extensive business dealings overseas, was in frequent contact with a CIA officer over the years and bragged to associates of his ties to the intelligence community. Zuberi pictured with Steven Mnuchin Zuberi was cooperating with the feds during his prosecution for funneling foreign cash illegally to top political campaigns. He pleaded guilty last year to charges of tax evasion, campaign finance violations and failing to register as a foreign agent. Zuberi's clients included the governments of Libya, Sri Lanka, Bahrain and Turkey, and a Ukrainian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin. Qatar, a small gas-rich monarchy, has paid him $9.8 million, prosecutors have alleged in court papers. He stayed at fine hotels, hosting lawmakers and diplomats at four-star restaurants. Foreign ambassadors turned to the charming networker and inveterate namedropper to get face time in Congress. Prosecutors said the political fixer told his clients that pay to play was just 'how America work(s).' His Facebook account was filled with pictures of him next to the powerful and famous: having dinner with Hillary Clinton and Robert De Niro and rubbing shoulders with Trump's then-chief of staff Reince Priebus outside Mar-A-Lago. Zuberi gave six-figure donations to the Obama-Biden ticket in 2012 and Clinton's presidential campaign in 2016. But when she lost, he quickly switched saddles, donating $900,000 to Trump's inaugural committee 'Everyone wants to come to Washington to meet people,' Zuberi said in a 2015 email obtained by The Associated Press, seeking a meet-and-greet between the president of Guinea and a powerful congressman. 'We get request(s) for meeting(s) from all scumbag of the world, warlords, kings, queens, presidents for life, military dictators, clan chiefs, tribal chiefs and etc.' He gave six-figure donations to the Obama-Biden ticket in 2012 and Clinton's presidential campaign in 2016. But when she lost he quickly switched saddles, donating $900,000 to Trump's inaugural committee. Zuberi claimed he was a longtime source for the CIA, and presented evidence of his work for the spy agency in a closed hearing in his criminal case. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in February 2021. He was also was ordered to pay nearly $16 million in restitution and a nearly $2 million fine. Nicole Saphier, MD is a physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and bestselling author of 'Panic Attack.' Her opinions are her own and not reflective of her employers. Who knew that one of the symptoms of COVID was whiplash? On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci declared that the pandemic that has killed nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 6 million people worldwide is apparently over. 'We are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase,' he said at the tail end of a PBS NewsHour interview on Tuesday evening. Then less than 24 hours later, Fauci was scrambling to walk that statement back. 'The world is still in a pandemic,' Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the Washington Post on Wednesday, 'There's no doubt about that. Don't anybody get any misinterpretation of that. We are still experiencing a pandemic.' 'We're really in a transitional phase,' he went on, 'from a deceleration of the [COVID case] numbers into hopefully a more controlled phase and endemicity.' The White House also quickly backtracked Fauci's declaration in a news conference saying, 'While cases are low, cases are still driven by transmissible BA.2 variant. No question we are in a different moment. We know the pandemic isn't over. ' If you're confused by all of this, I don't blame you, because Fauci and the White House are largely playing a game of semantics. A pandemic describes a situation in which a disease spreads uncontrollably across continents, overwhelming health care systems, causing rapid increases in cases and deaths. An endemic defines a scenario in which a disease has been normalized in a region through immunity, treatments and access to testing. The reality is that SARS-Cov-2 is still a pandemic in some parts of the world, but in the US, it is endemic and it has been for some time given the high level of circulating immunity. Fauci's remark on PBS isn't being misinterpreted as he may have you believe. It was a gaffe in the truest sense of the word he told the truth, by accident. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that because so many people in the U.S. have now caught Omicron and other variants of the coronavirus, nearly 60% of the population and almost 75% of children 11 and younger have natural immunity. Expected seasonal rise and falls of new cases should not define a continued state of emergency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that because so many people in the U.S. have now caught Omicron and other variants of the coronavirus, nearly 60% of the population and almost 75% of children 11 and younger have natural immunity. Public health officials have irresponsibly dismissed the value of protection from natural immunity in their unilateral push for vaccination, but real-world experience and 100+ research studies disagree. Last summer the SIREN study was published which looked at over 30,000 health care workers and showed immunity in those who has previously been infected had protection from reinfection for over 8 months. The data also showed those with hybrid immunity, meaning vaccinated and infected had last immunity over 15 months. A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine in early 2022, one of the largest studies of natural immunity, also showed antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 remain higher over an extended period of time in those with hybrid immunity compared with those who only got immunized. Even before the highly contagious Omicron and BA.2 waves, a survey put out by the CDC estimated over 80% of Americans 16 and older had some level of immunity through vaccination, infection or a combination of both. Now, that number has likely reached over 95% of the entire U.S. population. International seroprevalence surveys, which track the level of COVID-fighting antibodies due to vaccines and/or prior infection, show by the end of 2021, about 80% of the global population had some level of immunity, an estimate likely underestimated due to underreporting. Public health emergencies including epidemics and pandemics can end in several ways. The most common way is when the majority of the population has some level of immunity so the virus either disappears or the severity of illness is mild enough in the majority of people that it doesn't overwhelm hospital systems. While new cases will continue to fluctuate, with the accessibility of at-home testing, treatments, levels of immunity and milder variants, the hospitalization rates are unlikely to return to the levels that the country experienced in earlier waves. In short, the pandemic is over, but Fauci and America's public health establishment can't bring themselves to admit it. Unfortunately, pervasive restrictions and panic-inciting groupthink remain throughout the country because public health official messaging and ultimate public perception do not match reality. While new cases will continue to fluctuate, with the accessibility of at-home testing, treatments, levels of immunity and milder variants, the hospitalization rates are unlikely to return to the levels that the country experienced in earlier waves. On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci declared that the pandemic that has killed nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 6 million people worldwide is apparently over. Fauci's remark on PBS isn't being misinterpreted as he may have you believe. It was a gaffe in the truest sense of the word he told the truth, by accident. The question becomes: If the pandemic is over why won't Fauci say it? The obvious answer is: Because he doesn't trust you. A lack of faith in the wisdom and judgement of the American people has been the Achilles Heel of our public health response from the get-go. It's the result of a certain kind of arrogance that is endemic in our public health officials. In the early days of the pandemic, Fauci told us that masks were ineffective in preventing the spread of coronavirus, until he reversed himself and declared masks to be critical. He later admitted that he told people not to mask up because he worried about triggering a public run on masks that would deplete the supply for medical professionals, who needed masks more than the general population. What game is Fauci playing now? Does he fear that Americans will stop wearing masks entirely or shun vaccinations and booster shots, if he admits the pandemic has ended? Today, the Biden Administration and our health establishment continue to push masking, even though they have failed to produce one credible study supporting the practice. Fauci initially said that the country would reach herd immunity when 60 to 70 percent of the population became infected or vaccinated. Then he started moving the goalposts to higher and higher percentages acknowledging his metrics were based on peoples' willingness to get vaccinated, not actual science. Nicole Saphier, MD is a physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and bestselling author of 'Panic Attack.' 'When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent... Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, 'I can nudge this up a bit,' so I went to 80, 85. We need to have some humility here.... We really don't know what the real number is. I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent. But, I'm not going to say 90 percent.' We surpassed that mark months ago. To be sure, anyone who plans to be vaccinated has already been vaccinated. The country cannot hold out for the single digit people who remain unvaccinated and without prior infection to decide to go get vaccinated. When will Fauci and our public health officials begin to trust us? Because the shifting explanations and manipulations have seriously compromised our trust in them. Unfortunately, even if Fauci made the declaration that the pandemic was over -- no one would really care. We have lost our faith in these public health pundits and they know it. Moving forward with this virus will involve individual risk assessment without mandates and lockdowns. The CDC and White House need to work in lockstep to spread that message to Americans. The end of the pandemic should have been greeted with a celebration unfortunately it has gone out with a whimper. A trio of glass hands by Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei were pinched from a city centre gallery in broad daylight this week. Police in Hamburg, Germany appealed for information yesterday after the artworks were snatched from Lumas Galerie on shopping street Neuer Well. Each of the colourful hands were on sale for 9,500 (8,000) on the Lumas website, making the theft worth just under 30,000 (24,000). A centrepiece of the gallery, the glass hands were kept in full public view. Staff member told MailOnline the alarm protecting them failed to go off. Red, green and yellow Study in Perspective: Glass hands worth nearly 10,000 each were snatched from Lumas Galerie on a city centre shopping street in Hamburg, Germany Staff at the gallery told MailOnline the glass hands were in public view and fitted with an alarm They were removed from sale this afternoon. According to Hamburg Police, the light-fingered thief acted alone. The heist took place between midday and 6pm on Monday. The acclaimed artworks reference Mr Ai's photo series 'Study of Perspective' (1995-2017), in which the rebel artist took pictures of his middle finger pointed at landmarks. Most controversial was the first image, a picture of Tiananmen Square on a grey day. Exiled Weiwei, 64, was referencing the 1989 student protests in which unarmed protestors were killed. Ai Weiwei (left), pictured in a selfie with a fan, was imprisoned in China for 81 days in 2011 The swanky art gallery and retailer in Germany's second city took the hands off its website The popular image is banned from printing and sharing on social media in China. Within months of helping design the iconic Bird's Nest stadium for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Mr Ai was targeted by a series of politically motivated trials. Weiwei spent 81 days in prison in 2011 on tax evasion charges. He was kept in a windowless cell less than 4m by 4m (170 sq ft) in size. The renowned artist was accompanied by two guards at all times and had to ask permission to drink water. Mr Ai is pictured at an exhibition of his work. His art has been displayed at museums around the world including Tate Modern, New York's Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Ai helped design the iconic Birds Nest Olympic stadium for the 2008 Games in Beijing After regaining his passport from the authorities in 2015, Weiwei resettled in Germany before moving to Cambridge. The same year, his set of a dozen sculpted bronze animal heads sold for more than 18million at Phillips Auction House in Mayfair. Due to strict privacy laws, German police rarely provide CCTV or crime scene photos before cases are closed. Lumas Galerie Hamburg decided not to comment. The well-respected parents of a woman who suffered from Locked-in Syndrome and was found dead fused to a living room couch, covered in insects and her own bodily fluids are facing second-degree murder charges. Shelia, 64, and Clay Fletcher, 65, will face a grand jury Monday after their 36-year-old daughter Lacey Ellen was found partially naked, sitting upright and submerged in a hole in a couch covered from head to toe in urine, liquid feces and insect bites, with live bugs and rodent excrement nearby at their otherwise tidy home in Slaughter, Louisiana, East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr. Ewell Dewitt Bickham III told DailyMail.com on Thursday. 'The scene was sickening. I've seen some horrible things in my life but nothing like this,' said Bickham, a medical worker since the 1970s, adding that she had bed sores that went all the way down to her bone. Lacey suffered from Locked-in Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by complete paralysis of voluntary muscles, except for those that control the eyes. Police arrived at the ranch-style home in the suburb north of Baton Rouge on January 3 to find the ghastly scene after the parents called 911 because Lacey wasn't breathing, prosecutors said. The parents were supposed to be the girl's care providers, but Bickham said she had not been to a physician in 20 years. 'It's unconscionable, something you make horror movies about,' he said. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE A high school photo of Lacey Ellen Fletcher, 36. The coroner told the DailyMail.com the horrific scene of the disabled woman covered in urine, feces, and insect bites An undated photo of Clay, 65 and Sheila, 64, Fletcher standing in front of their Christmas tree A photo of the 2-story home located on Tom Drive where Lacey lived with her parents Shelia and Clay Fletcher, pictured, will face a grand jury on Monday after their 36-year-old daughter Lacey Ellen was found dead at their home in January. Medics will be on standby at the hearing because of the graphic nature of the details and photographs that will be presented to them When he arrived at the home, he described the stench being so bad that, 'it would almost run you out of the house.' He told DailyMail.com that he knew it was a 'potential crime scene,' and immediately called his detective. 'The parents were in the kitchen. They did not have an explanation,' he said. He ruled her death a homicide and cause of death as medical neglect. He recorded the official time of death as 3:07 am on January 3, 2022 but said he believes she was deceased at least 24-48 hours prior. Sheila Fletcher has worked as a police and court clerk in Baker and more recently as an assistant to the city prosecutor in Zachary, report said. According to her LinkedIn page, Sheila was a Slaughter official who resigned her post on the towns Board of Aldermen on January 24, three weeks after her daughter's death. She served for four years, most recently as mayor pro team. State business filings show Clay Fletcher is an officer of the nonprofit Baton Rouge Civil War Roundtable, which has a mission 'to educate and foster an appreciation for the sacrifices made by all during the Civil War.' Sheila Fletcher resigned from her position on the town board three weeks after daughter's death Clay Fletcher, shown with Sheila in undated photo, is an officer of the nonprofit Baton Rouge Civil War Roundtable, which has a mission 'to educate and foster an appreciation for the sacrifices made by all during the Civil War' A photo showing a close-up of the leather couch Lacey was fused to. The coroner estimates that Lacey was sitting in that hole in the couch for the last 12 years The couple's lawyer, Steven Moore, was unavailable for comment on Thursday when DailyMail.com contacted him. However, on Wednesday, Moore issued a statement on his client's behalf, BPProud reported. 'They don't want to relive the pain of losing a child through the media. They have been through a lot of heartache over the years. Anyone who had lost a child knows what it's like,' Moore said. On Monday, Bickham will present the case to a grand jury, in the hopes of charging the parents in the death of their daughter. 'I probably won't even have to open my mouth the pictures will show it,' Bickham said. He added: 'The jurors are storekeepers, farmers many have never been exposed to this stuff so I asked that a medical team be outside the courtroom.' District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla told the Dailymail.com that the parents were never taken into custody because theyre not considered flight risks. A 12-person jury will be in a closed session at the court house in Clinton, where they will decide on charges of manslaughter, negligent homicide or second-degree murder, he said. 'Negligent homicide is zero to five years; manslaughter is zero to 40 years and second-degree is life in prison. I will ask for second-degree because they didn't do what they were supposed to do,' he said. D'Aquilla confirmed to DailyMail.com that Lacey's parents were her primary caretakers, and that she did not have an aide. 'We don't treat animals or neglect our animals in that way. If you have an animal in that condition you take them to the vet,' he said. D'Aquilla told the DailyMail.com that Lacey had some issues that she went to see a psychiatrist for back in 1999 or early 2000s and that she had been anti-social. He said that in 2011-2012, her parents claimed that she did not want to leave the house and had not been to a doctor. He said that Lacey's parents claimed that she was able to communicate with them and that she apparently never complained. 'If you are not capable of providing the care than get help,' he said. 'We want people to know that if you are a caregiver of someone you need to pay attention is it important for neighbors and the community to look out for each other. We hope this never happens again.' According to a 2020 U.S. census, 882 people live in Slaughter, a town in East Feliciana Parish. Many of the homes are spread out over acres, so when news of Lacey's death broke many in the community were stunned with some having no idea that Clay and Shelia Fletcher even had a daughter. 'They are appalled,' said the coroner who spoke to some of the neighbors. 'Some of these people were churchgoing friends who had no idea that there was another person in that house. It comes as Moscow accused the West of undermining European security by openly inciting Ukraine to strike Russia Russia's invasion of Ukraine is 'just the beginning' Volodymyr Zelensky warned Russia's invasion of Ukraine is 'just the beginning' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today warned that Vladimir Putin wants to 'disband' Europe and achieve a 'global strike on democracy' if the Russian strongman is not stopped. Zelensky warned world leaders that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is 'just the beginning', amid concerns that the conflict could spill over the border and into Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria. He said the 'free world' has the right to self-defence and Putin's desire to destabilise Europe will mean Western leaders will help Ukraine with more weaponry. It comes as Moscow accused the West of undermining European security by openly inciting Ukraine to strike Russia as Vladimir Putin threatened to respond 'seriously' to any further attack on Russian territory. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow that the West is 'openly calling on Ukraine to attack Russia using weapons received from NATO countries' while warning: 'We do not recommend testing our patience. Explosions inside Russia in recent weeks have destroyed fuel depots, ammo dumps and railways being used to reinforce its armies inside Ukraine. Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility but says the incidents are payback, while Russia has taken umbrage at statements from NATO-member Britain that it is legitimate for Ukraine to target Russian logistics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today warned that Vladimir Putin wants to 'disband' Europe and achieve a 'global strike on democracy' if the Russian strongman is not stopped Emergency service employees work at the site of residential houses damaged by a missile attack, as Russia's invasion continues, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday Following Zakharova's bristling comments, Zelenksy wrote on Facebook: 'In the free world, there are almost no people who would not understand that the war between Russia and Ukraine is just the beginning. 'The final goal of Russia's leadership is not just to capture the territory of Ukraine, but to disband the entire... eastern Europe and [achieve] a global strike on democracy. 'So the free world has the right to self defence. And that's why it will help Ukraine even more.' His comments came after Putin said yesterday that any country deemed to be 'interfering' in Ukraine would meet with a 'lightning-fast' response using weapons 'no one else can boast of' - thought to be a reference to nukes. The Kremlin said Western - and in particular British - attempts to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine threatened the security of Europe. 'In itself, the tendency to pump weapons, including heavy weapons, to Ukraine and other countries are actions that threaten the security of the continent and provoke instability,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Sergei Naryshkin, the chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), accused the United States and Poland of plotting to gain a sphere of influence in Ukraine, the strongest signal from Moscow that the war could end with forced partition of Ukraine between the West and Russia. Zelensky warned world leaders that Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is 'just the beginning', amid concerns that the conflict could spill over the border and into Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria A Ukrainian army soldier stands guard at the war damaged Irpinsky Lipky residential complex in Irpin on Thursday Emergency workers remove the body of a man killed during a Russian bombardment in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday that if such attacks continued then Moscow would target decision-making centres in Ukraine, including those where it said Western advisers were helping Kyiv. 'Kyiv and West capitals should take the statement from the Ministry of Defence seriously that further inciting of Ukraine to strike Russian territory will definitely lead to a tough response from Russia,' Zakharova said. Zakharova cast Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a puppet of the West, who was being used by the United States to threaten Russia. 'You are being used,' Zakharova said. The United States has ruled out sending its own or NATO forces to Ukraine but Washington and its European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles. Total U.S. security assistance since the invasion amounts to about $3.7 billion (2.8 billion), a U.S. official said. Russian President Vladimir Putin casts such large arms shipments as part of a broader plan by the United States and its allies to destroy Russia - and has promised that it will never succeed. Putin says the 'special military operation' in Ukraine is necessary because the United States was using Ukraine to threaten Russia and Moscow had to defend against the persecution of Russian-speaking people. He casts the conflict as an inevitable confrontation with the United States, which he accuses of threatening Russia by meddling in its backyard and enlarging the NATO military alliance. Ukraine says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab and that Putin's claims of genocide are nonsense. Zelensky has been pleading with U.S. and European leaders to supply Kyiv with heavier arms and equipment. A wrecked car is seen in the city of Mariupol on April 26, amid Russian shelling Since the Russian invasion force was driven back at the outskirts of Kyiv last month, Moscow has refocused its operation on eastern Ukraine, starting a new offensive to fully capture two provinces known as the Donbas. Moscow's generals have also said their aim is to push out from Kherson - on the Black Sea coast and the only major city to fall to Putin's forces so far - and capture Mykolaiv and Odesa, cutting Ukraine off from the ocean. Western nations have rallied to support Kyiv, with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declaring earlier this week that Ukraine will be given all the weapons it needs to 'win' the war and 'weaken' Russia to the point where it cannot attack again. Liz Truss, British defence secretary, explicitly spelled out the victory condition in a speech last night - saying arms deliveries will 'keep going further and faster to push Russia out of the whole of Ukraine'. That would mean not just re-taking the parts of Ukraine Russia has occupied since Putin ordered the invasion in February this year, but re-taking the parts attacked and annexed since 2014 - namely Crimea and rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ms Truss argued that the war could last for ten years, but that the West must be prepared 'for the long haul.' If Putin succeeds in his war aims, she warned, then there will be 'untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe'. In signs that the conflict could soon spill over the border of Ukraine, Russia today described a series of blasts in the Transnistria region of Moldova - a breakaway province where it has a long-standing garrison of troops - as 'alarming.' Russia has been accused of planning hybrid attacks to 'destabilise' the region and Moldova's pro-Western government after a series of explosions there prompted fears of Russia launching 'false flag' attacks to justify invading Transnistria. Last week, Kremlin military chief Rustam Minnekayev said Russia sought control of southern Ukraine, which could provide access to Transnistria, 'where there have been cases of oppression of the Russian-speaking population'. Local boys Faddei and Oleksandr play in front of a church damaged during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in the village of Kolychivka, in Chernihiv region, Ukraine, on Wednesday Ukrainian and Moldovan officials have warned that Russia is planning hybrid attacks in Moldova that would mix both conventional attacks and novel forms of warfare as well as terrorist acts including indiscriminate violence and criminal disorder. It comes after Moldova's president Maia Sandu yesterday blamed 'pro-war forces' within Transnistria for a series of attacks in the region. Two radio antennas were destroyed and a Moldovan military unit was targeted in an attack on Monday whilst several explosions hit the Ministry of State Security in the region on Tuesday. Pro-Russian forces Transnistria also claimed shots were fired across the border towards a village housing a Russian arms depot after drones flew over from Ukraine, claims that have been slammed as a provocation by Kyiv. Transnistria, a strip of land with about 470,000 people between Moldova and Ukraine, is recognised internationally as part of Moldova but is effectively controlled by Russia, which has given citizenship to separatists. An estimated 1,500 Russian troops are permanently stationed in the Transnistria, but concerns are high that the region could be used as a launch pad for new attacks on Ukraine. The Government won't introduce any further controls on EU goods being imported to Britain this year as ministers dropped plans to impose new post-Brexit border checks. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Cabinet minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, said it would be 'wrong' to push ahead with the new controls - that were set to be introduced in July - at a time of rising prices and an energy crisis exacerbated by the Ukraine war. In a written statement to Parliament, he told MPs the move would save British businesses up to 1billion a year in costs. It is the fourth time the introduction of post-Brexit border checks have been delayed by the UK, after previous delays in June 2020, and March and September last year. Mr Rees-Mogg said the government would now instead be 'accelerating' plans to digitise the UK's borders with the use of new technology. The pending border controls, that will now no longer be introduced on 1 July, include restrictions on the imports of chilled meats from the EU, as well as checks on plant and animal products. However, goods being exported by UK firms to the EU will continue to be subject to checks, as Brussels introduced new controls immediately after Britain's departure from the bloc. Jacob Rees-Mogg said it would be 'wrong' to push ahead with the new controls at a time of rising prices and an energy crisis exacerbated by the Ukraine war It is the fourth time the introduction of post-Brexit border checks have been delayed by the UK, after previous delays in June 2020, and March and September last year Mr Rees-Mogg said continuing with the imposition of new controls this summer had risked introducing 'new administrative burdens' and fresh disruption at UK ports and to supply chains. He claimed the government's 'new approach for a new era' on border controls would ensure Britain 'maximises the benefits of leaving the EU and puts in place the right policies for our trade with the whole world'. 'Introducing controls in July would have replicated the controls that the EU applies to their global trade,' he added. 'This would have introduced complex and costly checks that would have then been altered later as our transformation programme is delivered. 'The challenges that this country faces has underlined that this is not the right thing to do for Britain. 'No further import controls on EU goods will be introduced this year. Businesses can stop their preparations for July now.' Mr Rees-Mogg said the Government would set out its new plans for border controls - to create 'the world's best border on our shores' - in the autumn and would target the end of this year for their introduction. He added: 'This new approach will apply equally to goods from the EU and goods from the rest of the world. 'It will be based on a proper assessment of risk, with a proportionate, risk-based and technologically advanced approach to controls.' The Cabinet minister said post-Brexit controls that had already been introduced would remain in place. Downing Street denied the Government was edging towards a position where it would unilaterally accept EU controls. 'That is not the approach we are taking,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. 'We are using the flexibility that the UK Government has to decide how and when to introduce this approach. 'We think there is more work to do on a new model that better utilises data and technology. We are still committed to introducing these checks.' Martin McTague, the national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), welcomed the government's move. 'Imposition of full import controls this summer would have meant yet another burden for small firms which are already wrestling with new trade rules and spiralling operating costs,' he said. 'This move will give them more time to prepare for future changes and reassess supply chains. 'Over the long-term, the Government should do its utmost to minimise trade friction with regions all over the globe - increasing the threshold at which import tariffs kick in, and putting small business chapters at the heart of all new free trade agreements.' Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds, the party's shadow international trade secretary, accused the Government of leaving businesses 'stuck in limbo' more than five-and-a-half years after the EU referendum. He said: 'Moving towards the use of smarter technology at the border will help but ministers have had years to prepare for this and their decision-making is still chaotic and confused as they stumble from one announcement to another. 'Businesses need certainty for them to be able to deal with supply chains and to export. 'Ministers need to come clean about how much taxpayers money has already been spent to prepare for the existing deadlines for the introduction of checks, and set out a clear plan so that businesses can prepare for the future with confidence.' Advertisement Amber Heard threatened to publicly serve Johnny Depp with a restraining order if he did not continue financially supporting her lifestyle after she filed for divorce, court exhibits from the couple's $100million defamation trial reveal. Jurors on Wednesday were shown a letter Heard's attorney had sent to Depp's legal team in May 2016, just a few days after the actress filed to end their marriage following a fight at their home. Through her lawyer, Heard, 36, issued a list of financial and property demands, with the Aquaman star promising to 'keep this matter out of the spotlight' if her requests were granted. Among her demands was the 'exclusive use and possession' of the black Range Rover she drove, with Depp continuing to make payments towards the vehicle. She also wanted to carry on living rent free in three Los Angeles penthouses she and her friends were staying in, all owned by Depp, and asked for her estranged husband to cover $125,000 of her legal and accounting fees. Amber Heard (pictured entering the courtroom Thursday) sent Johnny Depp a laundry list of demands, including the use of three penthouses he owned, soon after filing for divorce in 2016, court exhibits reveal Among her demands was the 'exclusive use and possession' of the black Range Rover Heard drove, with Depp continuing to make payments towards the vehicle. She is pictured driving in West Hollywood in 2015 Heard also requested 'exclusive use and possession' of three downtown LA penthouses, all owned by Depp, with Depp continuing to make payment on the homes The letter, which was entered into evidence in the trial, sheds light on the hardball tactics used during the breakdown of the marriage with the Pirates of the Caribbean star. Depp, 58, is suing Heard for $50million over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she implied she was abused by the actor after identifying as a survivor of domestic abuse. Heard has also filed a $100million countersuit against Depp for his alleged 'smear campaign' which she claims cost her her career as an actress. Samantha Spector, Heard's attorney at the time, sent the letter - titled 'In RE: Marriage of Depp' - to Depp's lawyer Jacob Bloom on May 24, 2016, requesting the actor's cooperation in the divorce. Three days earlier, Depp and Heard had their final argument where she claims he hit her with a mobile phone. Spector stated that Heard had not yet filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Depp and wished to keep the incident from the public. 'Although Amber is afraid of Johnny, she strongly insists that we do everything possible to keep this personal matter out of the media spotlight, which is why she has not yet sought a DV TRO and why we did not arrange for Johnny to have been personally served at last night's movie premiere,' Spector wrote. Heard was often seen driving a black Range Rover in LA when she and Depp were still married Through her lawyer, Heard, 36, issued a list of financial and property demands, with the Aquaman star promising to 'keep this matter out of the spotlight' if her requests were granted At the time, Depp had been promoting 2016 Disney film Alice Through The Looking Glass, in which he starred as the Mad Hatter. The letter states that Depp had 'violently attacked and threatened' Heard and that there were 'several witnesses' and photographs of the property damage. The altercation was 'not the first incident of domestic violence perpetrated by Johnny against Amber', Spector wrote, adding that there were 'two other incidents in the last six months.' She insisted Heard wished to work toward a 'private and amicable resolution' and requested Depp sign the acknowledgement of the divorce within three days, and apparently threatened to file a TRO if he did not comply. 'If the requested Notice is not signed and the original executed form is not returned to me by May 27th, we would have no alternative but to arrange for Johnny to be personally served,' Spector wrote. The letter then went on to list Heard's demands which are couched as 'pendent lite support.' The demands included the 'exclusive use and possession of the Black Range Rover' which she was currently driving, with Depp to 'make all payments' for the vehicle. Heard also wanted 'exclusive use and possession' of penthouses 1, 3, and 5 at the Eastern Columbia Building in Downtown Los Angeles - Depp's properties - with Depp continuing to pay the mortgage and all utilities. She also asked for 'a contribution towards her reasonable and necessary attorney's fees in the amount of $100,000 and $25,000 for forensic accounting costs,' to be paid by the same date. These photos were shown in court from May 2016 of Amber Heard with an apparently bruised cheek. Saenz said, 'I did not identify her as a victim of domestic violence,' adding that she did not see any evidence of a crime, including broken glass or mess in the penthouse The final demand was that the case be assigned to a private retired judge with the fees split between each side. It is not clear how Depp's legal team responded, but the day after the letter was sent the first reports emerged of the divorce, which had gone unnoticed on the court docket for three days. Heard would go on to apply for a temporary restraining order against Depp on May 27 and included a photo of her bruised face in her filing. She was later snapped arriving court where she claimed Depp had been violent towards her. Depp claims his ex-wife's op-ed, published two years later, cost him the role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates films. The exes previously fought a libel trial in London at the High Court in 2020 where a judge ruled that Mr Depp had beaten up Miss Heard. The trial is due to finish in late May. Laurence Fox's lawyers have requested a rare jury trial for the actor's libel battle, claiming a High Court judge might show 'involuntary bias' in deciding if he was 'racist' in his legal fight with three people he branded 'paedophiles'. The actor is being sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake, Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp and drag artist Crystal after he referred to them as paedophiles on Twitter in October 2020. Fox, who founded the 'anti-woke' Reclaim Party and stood as a candidate for Mayor of London last year, is counter-suing the trio over tweets where they accused him of being a racist. In the UK, jury trials are incredibly rare in defamation and libel cases, which are civil cases. But barristers acting for the controversial actor asked for the hearing to be decided by a jury, rather than a High Court judge, who might show 'involuntary bias', Fox's legal team claimed. Jurors should decide what racism is rather than a High Court judge who might be 'bias', lawyers acting for Laurence Fox claimed today in his libel spat with three people he branded paedophiles Mr Fox had accused Sainsbury's of 'promoting racial segregation and discrimination' and promised to boycott the supermarket chain after it promoted Black History Month Crystal wrote in response to Mr Fox's tweet: 'Imagine being this proud of being a racist! So cringe' In response to Crystal's tweet, actor Mr Fox wrote: 'Says the paedophile' Actor Mr Fox arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice this morning for the latest hearing in his libel battle The spat began when the actor called on consumers to boycott Sainsburys after it posted that it had created 'safe spaces' for black people and was celebrating Black History Month. Fox tweeted: 'I won't be shopping in your supermarket ever again whilst you promote racial segregation and discrimination.' The supermarket later told Fox the 'safe spaces' were online support groups. In response Crystal, a former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant whose real name is Colin Munro Seymour, tweeted: 'Imagine being so proud of being a racist, so cringe!' to which Fox replied 'says the paedophile.' Nicola Thorp said in the online spat: 'Any company giving future employment to Laurence Fox or providing him with a platform does so with the complete knowledge that he is unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist.' Fox replied: 'Any company giving future employment to Nicola Thorpe or providing her with a platform does so with the complete knowledge that she is unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a paedophile.' Simon Blake said: 'What a mess, what a racist t**t' to which Fox replied 'pretty rich coming from a paedophile.' He later said he regretted calling Fox racist. Alexandra Marzec, for Mr Fox, told the court that her client was counter-suing to 'clear his name from the false slur' of being called racist. Ms Marzec said that a jury would be better at reaching fair verdicts 'in light of the cultural and social context of this case'. She continued: 'On a question like this, 'what is a racist?', a judge is not helped by knowledge of the law, or being a skilled jurist or even high intellectual capacity. 'He or she is assisted by his or her own life experience and knowledge of the English language.' The barrister said the jury was also more likely to be diverse than a single High Court judge. Ms Marzec added: 'All 12 people pooling their life experience and use of the English language to determine the natural and ordinary meaning of that word... A jury simply would be better at doing that task than one judge.' She added that the question would not only be relevant if Crystal, Thorpe and Blake defend themselves by saying it is true that Fox is a racist, rather than simply than they honestly thought that at the time. In a separate thread, Mr Fox found himself in a fiery debate with former Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp after she said Mr Fox was 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' Mr Fox hit back by copying her statement but changing 'racist' for 'paedophile' Mr Blake also weighed in, saying: ''What a mess, what a racist t***''' in comments that he later withdrew Mr Fox said back, 'Pretty rich coming from a paedophile', prompting Mr Blake to demand he take down the tweet, which he did The actor sat in court behind his barrister wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt, a green tie and glasses as she made lengthy submissions on his behalf. She claimed no one in the case, including Fox, is claiming that anyone else is a paedophile. She said: 'The counter-claims that my client is a racist persisted. This is not about money. 'The disparity in the gravity of the claims and counter-claims explain different attitudes to how this claim should be managed. 'It is well over a year since these claims were made and there has been no reply or defences to the counter-claims. 'The claimants have persistently refused to serve a reply to the counter-claims. 'The allegation against the defendant is an allegation of truth that is going to raise the temperature, and this allegation is significant. 'There has been a gradual shift towards dealing with these cases by a judge alone, but the right to apply for a jury trial has been preserved. 'There is a risk that in this particular case a judge could show involuntary bias towards one of the parties. 'A jury would be better able to reach a fair verdict than a judge alone in light of the societal and cultural context of this. 'The claimants have not set out what they say racism means and we say this is deliberate. 'My client said having a safe space was a divisive and regressive measure. Racial segregation has been justified on the idea that different races should occupy different spaces. 'The basis of our application for a jury is that this dispute includes the important question of what racism is. 'With a jury trial, there would be 12 people from a diverse range of backgrounds who could come to a decision. London is a diverse city and there would have to be people from ethnic minorities. 'This question is not just relevant if the claimants are making a truth defence. It is the primary question the court must face. 'The defendant believes the claimants reject the definition of racism he has set out.' Drag Queen Crystal - who was a contestant on the first season of hit show Ru Paul's Drag Race UK - confirmed he has filed defamation proceedings against Laurence Fox Ms Marzec referred to controversy after Tony Sewell's report into racial disparities, which was ordered by the government in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests but was criticised by many, as an example of how thorny the question of what constitutes racism is. Ms Rogers QC, the three claimants' lawyer, said: 'There is no suggestion in this case, and [his lawyer] Ms Marzec did say this, that any of the claimants are paedophiles or that there is any evidence or suggestion that they are, or even that it is the defendant's position that they are. 'His case is that he was using a rhetorical device.' Earlier, Mr Fox's lawyer Alexandra Marzec said any judge or jury would have to decide what racism means to come to a decision about the case. Ms Marzec claimed a jury would be better able to decide what the term means because a judge could show 'involuntary bias' towards one of the parties in the case. She claimed the contents of the judiciary's Equal Treatment Bench Book, which sets out diversity and inclusion policies for the judiciary, suggested judges had already come to a fixed understanding of what racism is. Ms Rogers QC said that was a 'very bad argument', adding that there was 'no need' for a jury trial or to define racism. She told the hearing: 'To say the judiciary has already come to a view about what racism is is a very bad argument. 'The Bench Book is guidance about how to treat people in court. It is not the law. 'Regarding Ms Marzec's point about the definition of racism or racist, there is a fallacy here. 'They said an ordinary English word. It is not difficult to work out what the meaning is. 'We do not need to decide what racism means. You can decide whether it is an opinion or not. 'There is every reason for a judge trial. There is no reason for a jury trial.' Deputy chair of LGBT charity Stonewall Simon Blake (pictured) and Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp are named as claimants The judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, appeared to be sceptical that the case should go before a jury. He said: 'Issues like racism, anti-Semitism and nowadays transgender rights are issues which people have very strong views about. 'You cannot say 'this is a controversial area' so you will go to a jury. 'It is my job as a judge to apply the law fairly between the parties and provide reasoned judgement. 'What happens by way of criticism is our democracy working as it should. 'The court is perfectly able to make a decision about the meaning of tweets that are fairly straightforward. The question is what do these words mean applying the law as we know it? 'We are talking about 12 people being taken out of their daily lives and being asked one of the most difficult and controversial political questions in our lives. 'You would be saying 'here is a libel trial, decide what racism is, take your time.' A judge would also still have to give directions.' The judge hearing Mr Fox's bid for a jury trial, Mr Justice Nicklin, has not yet made a ruling on how the trial should be heard. However, the senior judge said that juries could feature people with 'real bias or real prejudice towards one or more parties'. The judge also said that the judge hearing the trial would still be involved in the case, adding that jurors 'are not going to be left like sheep on an open headland'. A ruling on whether a jury will hear the case will be handed down by Mr Justice Nicklin at a later date, which was not set. A further mode of trial application hearing is set to take place on May 26. Representative Jim Jordan accused on Thursday the Biden administration of 'deliberately' and 'intentionally' causing the southern border crisis as Republicans tore into Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for being 'out of touch' and a 'traitor.' The House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member said during his opening statement that Mayorkas will face questions on why he implemented policies that led to the chaos. 'It's intentional, it has to be,' Jordan said at the top of his remarks to the body on Thursday morning. 'The chaos on our southern border is not an accident,' the Ohio Republican congressman continued. 'It's deliberate, it's on purpose, it's by design.' 'President Biden on Day One said there'll be a moratorium on deportations, he ended Remain in Mexico, he terminated agreements with Northern Triangle countries and he stopped building the wall,' Jordan rattled off. 'Those policies, done intentionally, have led to all kinds of bad outcomes.' He said: 'Americans want legal immigration. President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas want illegal immigration. They want illegal migrants to come, stay and never go home. Now, the secretary won't say that. In fact, he says everything's just fine. He said it yesterday in two congressional hearings. He said it last September. Quote, 'The border is secure,' he told us.' Ohio Republican Representative Jim Jordan tore into DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during a hearing on Thursday, claiming: 'The chaos on our southern border is not an accident. It's deliberate, it's on purpose, it's by design' Mayorkas arrives Thursday, April 28 to testify before the Judiciary Committee for an Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security hearing as the border crisis rages on March reached a new high of border crossings at the southern border with CBP encountering 221,303 migrants. Since Biden took office there has been more than 2.4 million encounters and the daily rate is set to triple when Title 42 ends next month Mayorkas appeared before the House Appropriations DHS Subcommittee and House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday to justify the administration's request for $97.3 billion for the department's budget in Fiscal Year 2023. He said the money would go toward investing in meeting the 'the shifting field landscape' at the border and on other national security fronts like from domestic and foreign terrorism and cyber attacks. During those hearings, Mayorkas was lambasted by Republicans after he said the administration is 'effectively managing' the situation at the southern border. In March alone, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered 221,303 migrants crossing the southern border. This figure is the highest in more than two-decades and the biggest spike since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021. The previous high was in July 2021, when CBP encountered 213,593 migrants. Colorado Republican Representative Ken Buck told Mayorkas during the Judiciary hearing on Wednesday: 'My constituents want you impeached because they believe you've committed treason.' 'They believe you're a traitor. They compare you to Benedict Arnold. You know, no parent with the last name Arnold names their kid Benedict.' Buck said that over the weekend 'a lady approached me and asked me if you [Mayorkas] felt any shame for what you've done to this country.' 'My question for you, Secretary Mayorkas, is very simple,' he added. 'Would you please answer that lady's question? Are you ashamed for what you've done to this country? 'My response to what you have just said it is so profoundly offensive on so many different levels, in so many different regards. I won't ask you for an apology,' he said. 'Don't. I won't,' Buck shot back. Representative Ken Buck (pictured left speaking with Matt Gaetz on Thursday) said during the hearing that Mayorkas is a 'traitor' who needs to be 'impeached' because he 'committed treason' A caravan of migrants from different nations walk through Chiapas, Mexico on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 en route to cross the border into the U.S. 'I am incredibly proud of my service to this country,' Mayorkas said during the back-and-forth with Buck. 'It is more than 20 years of service in the civilian corps as a federal prosecutor and as a member of the Department of Homeland Security. That is my response.' 'What do you say to the mothers of the children who have died from the fentanyl overdoses? What do you say to all the people out there who can't get an education because of what you've done with immigration in this country? You've secured the homeland? It's a farce,' Buck concluded. Trump-era border officials also went after Mayorkas following his two-days of Capitol Hill hearings. 'Secretary Mayorkas continues to lie about the border crisis, and Thursday was no exception,' said former acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan in a statement. 'He refused to take responsibility for the historic crisis he and his boss in the White House have intentionally created,' he continued of the DHS secretary. 'He failed to apologize for slandering the mounted Border Patrol agents in Del Rio whose careers he and the president ruined over a debunked political narrative.' 'The only way to resolve it [the border crisis] is to secure our border and end the policies that have encouraged record numbers of illegal aliens to enter our country,' Morgan said. 'We must restore the previous administration's policies that created the most secure border in our lifetimes. Bring back the Remain in Mexico program. Restore the asylum cooperative agreements we negotiated with Northern Triangle countries. And restart the construction of the border wall system.' 'Do your job. Uphold the law and secure the border or resign.' Tom Homan, former acting ICE director under Trump, said in a statement: 'I have never seen an administration so committed to making our country less safe and secure than this one.' Both Homan and Morgan are visiting fellows at the conservative Heritage Foundation. Two months after the highest crossings of 2021, Mayorkas insisted that the border was secure and said that the administration was carrying out its plan at the southern crossings. 'Mr. Secretary, if over 200,000 a month and all of the ramifications that has with drugs coming into the country and other people coming into the country because our agents are so focused on that if that's a secure border, then you are completely, completely out of touch with the American people,' Jordan charged. 'We have a secretary of Homeland Security who is intentionally, deliberately, in a premeditated fashion executing a plan, his words, executing a plan to overwhelm our country with millions and millions of illegal migrants,' he added. 'Executing a plan that causes all kinds of harm to people who make the journey, executing a plan that results in record levels of fentanyl and other drugs entering our nation, executing a plan that stresses our border agents, stresses our education and healthcare system, stresses out nation.' 'All done intentionally,' he concluded. Jordan then played a three-and-a-half-minute video montage that ended with two slides reading: 'Every town is a border town' and 'The Biden administration owes you answers.' The video featured news reports from local stations, Fox News and NewsNation that showed migrants dying trying to cross the border, terrorists making it through the barriers, U.S. border agents dying in the line of duty and a slew of drugs intercepted from smugglers. After Mayorkas claimed on Wednesday that the border is being 'effectively managed,' Republicans immediately disputed that. GOP Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana told Mayorkas that he 'feels that America needs you to own' the failures at the southern border. 'Anyone that has two brain cells that can perhaps bump into each other would know that it's an abject failure down there,' the Homeland Security committee lawmaker said to Mayorkas. 'So if you would identify our border as effectively managed right now, how would you identify failure? What would it be? Five million crossings in a year?' Louisiana GOP Representative Clay Higgins urged Mayorkas during a Wednesday hearing to 'own' that he has 'failed' and resign before Republicans regain a majority in the House and move forward with impeaching him 'How would you identify failure if it's not what you've delivered thus far? By God, man own the moment,' he continued. 'Next year if we have a majority in this committee which we shall if you're in office, you'll face impeachment,' the congressman warned, pointing to efforts by both himself and others who have called on Mayorkas to resign. 'I ask you as a man, own this thing. Out of respect for you and the office, I ask you to reflect upon that.' 'We're losing our country down there. We need you to resign. Save the country the pain of your impeachment.' During Wednesday's hearings, Republicans claimed that the southern border is 'out of control' and demanded Title 42 be kept in place until the public health emergency is lifted in the U.S. Biden says he will comply with the courts if judge says they cannot lift Title 42 in May when pressed on Democrats who have criticized his plans to end border COVID restrictions President Joe Biden on Thursday said his administration would comply with the courts on Title 42, the public health order being used to turn away migrants at the border. The administration had planned to end the use of the Trump-era order on May 23 but a federal judge in Louisiana has temporarily blocked that move until a further hearing on the matter. Biden said he will leave the fate of the public health policy in the judiciary's hands. 'We had proposed to eliminate that policy by the end of May. The court has said we can't so far and what the court says we're going to do. The court could come along and say we cannot do that and that's it,' Biden told reporters at the White House when asked about the situation. The court order blocks the administration from beginning to wind-down Title 42 ahead of its planned May 23 conclusion, but doesn't stop the policy being axed on that date. President Joe Biden said he would comply with the courts on Title 42 US District Judge Robert Summerhays has scheduled a critical hearing on May 13 in Lafayette to hear arguments on whether to block Title 42 from ending as planned 10 days later. Twenty-one states have sued to stop the order from being lifted, citing concerns about the impact on their states due to the surge in migrants expected to enter the U.S. after it's lifted. Several Democrats, particularly those in border states, have questioned what the administration's plan is to deal with the expected influx. On the other side of the political spectrum, progressive Democrats have pushed Biden to end the policy, calling it inhumane. The issue is rapidly becoming a political hot potato ahead of the November midterm election, which will decide control of Congress. Migrants have been expelled more than 1.7 million times under the policy. Some predictions have suggested that about 12,000 to 13,000 migrants a day could cross the southern border once the policy is no longer in place. The Biden administration has been preparing for up to 18,000 daily border crossings - a massive increase over the current rate of about 8,000 a day. Boots could be bought in a 6 billion deal by an Indian billionaire and a US private equity firm in a move that could see it expand into Asia amid competition from the owners of Asda. The British health and beauty retailer is reportedly in the sights of business magnate Mukesh Ambani, who thought to have a net worth of nearly $100 billion. It is understood that the billionaire is working with US private equity firm Apollo Management on a move to buy the historic Nottingham-based pharmacist. However, his plans could be scuppered amid reports the Asda-owning Issa brothers are lining up a bid. Mukesh Ambani is reported to be preparing a bid to buy Boots with US private equity firm Apollo Management Boots, which has been part of Walgreen Boots Alliance since 2012, could be sold and might expand into Asia depending on who buys it It comes after Boots' current owner, Walgreen Boots Alliance, announced a review of the UK business which could lead to a sale. Apollo, which failed in an attempt to buy supermarket chain Morrisons last year, is working with Mr Ambani's Reliance Industries on a deal which would see Boots expand into Asia if a takeover was completed. The Financial Times, which first reported the story, said both Reliance and Apollo would own stakes in Boots, although it is not clear if they will have equal shares. It was previously reported that Boots, which owns more than 2,200 stores across the UK, could be valued at as much as 6 billion. It is understood that a mid-May deadline has been set for final bids for the high street chemist. Asda's owners, the billionaire Issa brothers and TDR Capital, are also reported to be taking part in the takeover process. It was reported last month that billionaire Issa brothers, who hail from Blackburn in Lancashire, are looking to add it to their portfolio of companies, which already includes Euro Garages and fast food chain Leon. The Issa brothers, who made their fortune with petrol station brand EG, are thought to be lining up a bid for Boots with TDR Capital However, Sky News reported that an early frontrunner, a joint bid by Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners, has been withdrawn amid scepticism over the valuation of the business during current market turmoil. Boots, Reliance and Apollo have been contacted for comment. Mr Ambani, who according to Forbes is the second richest man in Asia with a fortune of $101.8 billion, is thought to be looking to expand his firm into retailing pharmaceuticals. Reliance bought UK toy maker Hamleys for an undisclosed sum last year, and has also taken control of country club Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire for 56m. Mr Ambani (pictured) is thought to be the second richest man in Asia with a fortune of $101.8 billion Last year the Ambani family were criticised by animal groups after unveiling plans to build the world's biggest zoo on a 280-acre plot of land in western India. They announced they want to house around 100 different species in the zoo and build an animal rescue sanctuary in the city of Jamnagar. The Ambanis sparked anger among animal rights activists after two rare black panthers were transferred from a state-run zoo to their own private establishment in a 'hush-hush' move. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 27. Biden will visit South Korea and Japan in late May for summits with his counterparts, the White House announced Wednesday. AP-Yonhap Incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden will hold their first summit in Seoul, May 21, officials said Thursday. Biden plans to visit South Korea from May 20 to 22 for his first trip to the country since taking office in January last year. President Joe Biden on Thursday asked Congress for an additional $33 billion in military and humanitarian assistance for the Ukraine, which officials say could fund the war there for the next five months. Biden said the previous money allocated for the Ukrainians has been spent. 'Basically we're out of money,' he said in remarks at the White House. The money includes $20.4 billion in additional security and military assistance, $8.5 billion in economic assistance, and $3 billion in humanitarian assistance. 'We need to contribute arms funding ammunition and the economic support to make their courage and sacrifice have purpose so they can continue this fight and do what they're doing. It's critical this funding gets approved and approved as quickly as possible,' Biden said. 'We have to do our part as well leading the alliance. The cost of this fight, it's not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen. We either back Ukrainian people as they defend their country or we stand by as Russia continues it atrocities and aggression in Ukraine,' he noted. The humanitarian assistance includes funds for high thermal blankets, medical supplies, emergency health kits, safe drinking water, direct food support such as wheat and flour, job training, trauma-informed mental health services, and funding for schools. Biden said the funding for food will help ease rising prices back in the United States. Ukraine is a major producer of wheat and sunflowers. The war there has disrupted the supply line and caused a price hike. 'This one is going to help ease rising food prices at home as well and abroad,' Biden claimed. Biden is asking Congress for an additional $33 billion in military and humanitarian assistance for the Ukraine The funding includes $3 billion in humanitarian assistanc - funds for high thermal blankets, medical supplies, emergency health kits, safe drinking water, direct food support such as wheat and flour, job training, trauma-informed mental health services, and funding for schools Ukraine is seeking at least $5 billion per month in international emergency aid - above the destruction in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, after a Russian missile attack The $33 billion request is more than double the $13 billion that Biden asked for last month and lawmakers approved. The Biden administration has sent more than $2.4 billion in assistance to the Ukraine. 'The president's funding request is what we believe it needed to enable Ukraine success over the next five months of this war,' a senior administration official told reporters on a briefing call. Biden, in a letter to lawmakers formally making the request, appeared to ask Congress to tie the Ukraine aid to $22.5 billion in covid pandemic response funding he requested in March. Democrats wanted to tie Ukraine and covid aid together as Republicans tried to tie an effort to extend the Title 42 health order at the border to the covid funding request. But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday that was not the case. 'We're not making a predetermination of that from here,' she said at her press briefing. 'We put forward both of these funding are requested because they're both vital. They're both important. We need them both to help the Ukrainians and to help ensure we're continuing our COVID programs here in this country and around the world. But we're not going to predetermine for Congress, how they move forward.' Biden said the covid money is urgently needed to have money for additional vaccines and theraputics in order stop the spread of the disease in the U.S. and abroad. 'The reason we were so successful in the past is because I was able to work with drug manufacturers to order significant quantities of material we needed ahead of time to get in the front of the line. Without additional funding, we can't preorder the amount of vaccines we need and we risk losing our spot in line for vaccines,' he said. Republican senators, however, had said without a vote on an amendment on Title 42, then there will be no covid funding bill. Democrats in the Senate need at least 10 Republican votes to move the legislation forward but leaders are in a tough spot as enough Democrats may support the Title 42 amendment to get it attached. Biden also wants to sell the luxury yachts and opulent apartments the U.S. government has seized from Russian oligarchs and then send that money to the Ukraine to help them fight off Vladimir Putin's forces. The president on Thursday asked Congress to expand his presidential powers to allow him to do just that. 'Seize yachts, fund the war,' White House chief of staff Ron Klain tweeted about the request. Additionally, Biden asked lawmakers for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending to help the Ukrainian military and provide humantarian assistance for its displaced population. And he asked lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to 'knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government,' double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of 'racketeering' under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. President Joe Biden wants to sell the luxury yachts and opulent apartments the U.S. government has seized from Russian oligarchs and send money to Ukraine - above is the 'Tango' - the seized 254-foot yacht to Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire and close Putin ally, that is worth an estimated $120 million More than a dozen yachts, worth approximately $2.5 billion, have been seized in several countries worldwide Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that his country had - thus far - suffered $550 billion in economic damage since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. The country is seeking at least $5 billion per month in international emergency aid. Biden's request comes as there has been a bipartisan push in Washington to more aggressively punish the Russian elite, a group of billionaires - many of whom have made their money off of Putin's regime. The Biden administration has already sanctioned about two dozen oligarchs and their family members, even targeting Putin himself. More than a dozen yachts, worth approximately $2.5 billion, have been seized in several countries worldwide, including the 'Tango' - a 254-foot yacht to Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire and close Putin ally, that is worth an estimated $120 million. It was seized by the U.S. from its Spanish port earlier this month. It was the first U.S. seizure of an oligarch's yacht since Attorney General Merrick Garland and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen assembled a task force known as REPO short for Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs to enforce the sanctions put in place after Putin invaded the Ukraine. The federal government 'has sanctioned and blocked vessels and aircraft worth over $1 billion, as well as frozen hundreds of millions of dollars of assets belonging to Russian elites in U.S. bank accounts,' the White House said. The administration also noted that European Union member states have reported freezing over $30 billion in assets, including almost $7 billion in boats, helicopters, real estate and artwork. Russia's billionaires control roughly 30 percent of the nation's wealth. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that his country had - thus far - suffered $550 billion in economic damage since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion And lawmakers already have pushed to use those seized assets to help the Ukraine. The House on Wednesday passed a mostly symbolic measure urging Biden to sell the oligarchs' frozen assets to give the money to the Ukraine military and humanitarian assistance. The legislation is nonbinding, but its 417-to-8 passage reflected the desire among Democrats and Republicans to more aggressively tamp down on Russia. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said it would be taken up by the Senate, where it is expected to pass. But the Justice Department needs a congressional change in statue to sort through the mess of legal issues that will need to be unraveled so the United States to repurpose the yachts and extravagant apartments into de facto reparations for Ukrainians. In his State of the Union address on March 1, President Biden warned oligarchs that the U.S. and European allies would 'find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets.' 'We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,' he said. When President Joe Biden took office he said he would have lunch with Vice President Kamala Harris once a week, as he sought to maintain a tradition established with President Barack Obama. But this year the two have had only two private White House lunches together so far, according to a review of their public schedules. It comes amid continuing speculation that Harris has not lived up to Biden's hopes for his deputy, with reports of rifts and a new book revealing that they have failed to develop an intimate rapport. Last year, Biden described how he wanted to develop a close working relationship centered around a private lunch each week. 'I wanted her available to participate in everything that I did. As I told her: I wanted her to be the last person in the room,' he told People magazine. '[Like] Barack and I, we have lunch alone once a week. 'That's the deal when we're both in country, which we'll be for a while because of COVID, and I see her all the time.' By this time last year, the two had lunched in the president's private dining room 12 times, according to analysis by Real Clear Politics. But the frequency then dropped from once a week to a couple of times a month. President Joe Biden last year said he wanted to have lunch at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris once a week, just like he had done when VP to Barack Obama But the VP's public schedule reveals the two have only had lunch together twice this year so far The met for lunch in Biden's private dining room on February 8, at the height of the search for a new Supreme Court Justice to replace Stephen Breyer who announced his retirement This year, they lunched on February 8, at the height of the search for a new Supreme Court Justice to replace Stephen Breyer, and March 30, soon after Biden returned from his trip to visit European allies in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The White House cautioned against using lunch frequency as a barometer of the relationship. 'The president and vice president are in constant touch with each other,' Deputy Press Secretary Chris Meagher told RCP. 'And he relies on her counsel, partnership, and friendship as they work together to continue to grow the economy, cut costs for working families, rally the world in the face of Russias aggression, and make historic investments in our nation's infrastructure.' This Will Not Pass, which is published next month, offers more insight into the up and down relationship between Biden and Harris Yet stories of tension abound. In November last year the two put on a very public display of togetherness - hugging on the South Lawn ahead of a bill signing ceremony - after a string of insiders told CNN Biden was distancing himself from Harris because of her sliding poll numbers. And in their new book, 'This Will Not Pass,' Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns of the New York Times reveal how Biden has at times gone back on his idea that Harris would be the last person in the room. At one point within days of taking office, Harris was asked to leave during a crucial stage of negotiations with centrist Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, about the administration's massive domestic spending plans. 'Biden had welcomed Manchin into the Oval for a joint meeting with him and the vice president, a gesture intended to convey that Biden and Harris were a steadfast political team,' according to the senator's account. 'But at one point, when Biden had wanted to talk candidly with Manchin about his views on the rescue bill, the president had asked everyone to leave the room - including Harris.' The book describes the relationship between Biden and Harris as 'friendly but not close,' and that 'their weekly lunches lacked a real depth of personal and political intimacy.' The pair put on a very public display of togetherness in November, as stories of rifts abounded It suggests Biden's pick for running was based on the tactical, electoral consideration of putting a black woman on the ticket - rather than because she offered a bigger strategic role in office. And some around him, most notably Jill Biden, were opposed to picking a rival for the nomination who had attacked him as racist in a presidential debate. 'There are millions of people in the United States. Why do we have to choose the one who attacked Joe,' she reportedly said Harris emerged as the leading figure for VP pick. For now, however, with the VP testing positive for COVID-19 this week, the White House has an easy explanation for lack of lunches. 'Obviously, they're not going to be dining in person while she is quarantining at home, but they did speak yesterday,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Wednesday. 'I expect they will speak regularly while she is quarantining.' Biden SNAPPED at Kamala so harshly 'even Republican senators were taken aback' during meeting where the President was trying to persuade GOP members to back his $1trillion social spending plan, book claims Vice President Kamala Harris quickly learned not to come between President Biden and his negotiations with Congress, when the president once snapped at her so harshly even Republican senators in the meeting were shocked. In a meeting last May, Biden tried to persuade Republican lawmakers to support $1 trillion in infrastructure spending. And while Biden was ready for a compromise, Harris thought the bill was skimpy. 'Harris thought that there was something missing from the conversation,' New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns wrote in their book, This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for Americas Future. She began turning the conversation toward Democratic priorities, including family and social spending, which were originally included in the larger Build Back Better bill. She 'began to make the case for a larger package than the one Republicans seemed to have in mind.' 'Biden dismissed her comment immediately,' the authors wrote, in so harsh a tone 'that even the Republican senators were taken aback.' Biden was typically 'scrupulously respectful' of his second-in-command, but the moment revealed that infrastructure negotiations were his and his alone. Vice President Kamala Harris quickly learned not to come between President Biden and his negotiations with Congress, when the president once snapped at her so harshly even Republican senators in the meeting were shocked. In a meeting last May, Biden tried to persuade Republican lawmakers to support $1 trillion in infrastructure spending The latest revelations in This Will Not Pass include claims Jill Biden was opposed to her husband selecting Harris as his running mate after she attacked him during the Democratic primary debate in June 2019. It also follows reports last year of tension between Biden and Harris and allegations of bullying and a 'toxic culture' from staff in her office. Biden also, according to the book, expressed reservations himself about selecting Harris for his ticket. Noting her 'past romantic relationship with Willie Brown, the California politician who appointed Harris to a pair of minor political positions,' the book said Biden described romance 'as the kind of thing that should be off limits.' Harris had a relationship with Brown, who later served as San Francisco's mayor, between 1994 and 1995, when Harris was beginning her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. In other meetings Harris kept quiet, and there was less friction. The reporters wrote of one meeting soon after Biden and Harris took office that the White House set up with governors to discuss coronavirus relief. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said that Biden took charge and was eager to work with the governors. But he said that Harris's role in the meeting was 'very strange.' 'Harris thought that there was something missing from the conversation,' New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns wrote in their book, This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for Americas Future 'Harris did not say a word,' Hogan reportedly said, leaving him to question whether she was 'just being deferential to the president didn't want to step on him.' Harris reportedly felt belittled by the president's staff, but Biden's team did not take her concerns seriously. 'Some of Harris's advisers believed the president's almost entirely white inner circle did not show the vice president the respect she deserved,' Martin and Burns wrote. 'Harris worried that Biden's staff looked down on her; she fixated on real and perceived snubs in ways the West Wing found tedious.' Harris even sent out chief of staff Tina Flournoy to scold Biden's staffers for not standing up when she entered the room, the way they do for the president. 'The vice president took it as a sign of disrespect,' according to the book. Biden tasked Harris with addressing immigration and the vice president took opportunities to share her dissatisfaction with the role. According to the book, Harris' aides felt that the task of addressing the southern border crisis, in any way, was politically undesirable and wanted the vice president to have a softball foreign policy assignment like overseeing relations with Nordic countries. Sweden's migrant integration policy has failed, leading to parallel societies and gang violence, the country's prime minister said today. The Nordic country took in more people per capita than any other EU nation during the migrant crisis in 2015. But PM Magdalena Andersson blasted the after-effects of the open-doors policy today, saying: 'We live in the same country but in completely different realities.' Many Swedes were shocked earlier this month after violent riots left more than 100 police injured. The violence erupted after a Swedish-Danish politician burned the Quran at a rally and sought to hold more in several immigrant-dominated neighbourhoods. A bus burns as a police officer watches on after riots in Malmo, in the south of Sweden, sparked by an anti-Islam Danish politician carrying out Koran-burning stunts around the country Many Swedes were shocked earlier this month after violent riots left more than 100 police injured Andersson blamed criminals and said both Islamism and right-wing extremism had been allowed to fester in Sweden, in unusually frank and self-critical comments. 'Segregation has been allowed to go so far that we have parallel societies in Sweden. We live in the same country but in completely different realities,' Andersson told a news conference. The number of people in Sweden born abroad has doubled in the last two decades to 2 million, or a fifth of the population. Andersson's Social Democrats have been in power for 28 of the last 40 years, including the last eight. She said she wanted to introduce local youth crime boards where social services and police could collaborate. Magdalena Andersson blamed criminals and said both Islamism and right-wing extremism had been allowed to fester in Sweden Dozens of people were arrested across Sweden this month after riots erupted She also proposed tools to make sure that youths stayed in schools and off the streets without the consent of parents. 'Integration has been too poor at the same time as we have had a large immigration. Society has been too weak, resources for the police and social services have been too weak,' she said. Sweden, which holds a general election later this year, has radically tightened its immigration policies since the migrant influx in 2015. It now has one of the bloc's most restrictive policies. Human rights organisation Amnesty International has been critical of Sweden's tightening of policies, claiming it is causing human suffering and making integration even harder for immigrants. Sweden, which holds a general election later this year, has radically tightened its immigration policies In the riots this month, dozens were arrested after clashes with police which saw cars and buses torched. The rallies were sparked by anti-immigration and anti-Islam group Hard Line, led by the Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan Paludan, a lawyer and a YouTuber who intends to stand in Swedish legislative elections in September but does not yet have the necessary number of signatures to secure his candidature, is currently on a 'tour' of Sweden. The 40-year-old is visiting neighbourhoods with large Muslim populations where he wants to burn copies of the Muslim holy book Koran as Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan. In Malmo, where he burned a Koran, fire erupted in a school, officials said. A Russian soldier has been caught confessing that almost 26,000 troops have died fighting in Ukraine, according to a call intercepted by Kyiv. 'Our boys have been f***ked up, f***ing f***ed' the soldier tells a comrade in a transcript of the call posted online by Ukraine's secret service. 'The official tally is one thing, but I'll tell you now - 25,900 have died. That's in two f***ing months,' he adds. In another part of the intercepted call, a second soldier talks about the harrowing death of one of his senior commanders. Russia's military has lost 25,900 troops in just two months in Ukraine, according to a call by one of Putin's men intercepted by Ukraine (pictured, Russian soldiers tend to their wounded) The soldier claims Putin's army has 'been f***ked up' by Ukraine's troops and that commanders are lying about the true scale of the disaster (pictured, soldiers in eastern Ukraine) 'The commander of the brigade flew in. His intestines were scooped up and put back in his stomach,' he says. 'They sent him off on a chopper. They took him to Russia, and that's where his heart gave out. ' Neither of the accounts can be independently verified, but the tally of dead roughly correlates with what Ukraine is claiming - that 22,800 Russians have been killed. The account of a commander being killed - likely a colonel - also tallies with official data collected from Russia that suggests many high-ranking officers have died. While the Russian government has given only infrequent updates on the number of deaths suffered by its armed forces, announcements by local governments and newspapers suggest at least 317 officers have died fighting. That marks an extraordinarily large number of officers to lose in two months of fighting, and has likely contributed to Russia's poor battlefield performance. Due to delays in reporting deaths, some dead being impossible to identify, and deliberate cover-ups, the true figure of officer deaths is likely to be far higher. Ukrainian troops are pictured installing a machine gun on top of a tank during repair works after fighting against Russian forces in Donetsk Ukrainians open fire on Russian positions using rocket artillery as they continue to battle Putin's forces in the country's east Smoke rises over the train station in the Ukrainian city of Lyman, in Luhansk, as Russian forces bear down on the area earlier today Russia is now into the third month of its 'special military operation' in Ukraine which was expected to last just days and end with the toppling of the government. President Volodymyr Zelensky remains in control of the country and the Ukrainian military retains control over most of its territory, 63 days later. Having failed in its mission to take Kyiv, Russia has retreated from the northern parts of Ukraine and refocused its efforts on seizing areas in the eastern Donbas region. Heavy fighting is underway there today, with Ukraine saying Russia is trying to push south from a city called Izyum to Donetsk in order to encircle their troops. At the same time, Russian forces are attacking into the city of Popansa - further to the east - to try and fix the Ukrainian defenders in place. Further to the south, in Mariupol, members of the Ukrainian marines and Azov battalion are still holed up inside the Azovstal steel works - claiming Russia has used banned phosphorus bombs to try and flush them out. To the west, in Kherson - the only major city captured by Russia so-far - explosions were reported overnight which took down a TV mast. A member of the Ukrainian military rests on a bench in a forward position in a frontline village near Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk The attack, which appears to have come from Ukraine, took Russian state channels which had been broadcast in the city off the air. Meanwhile local officials delayed plans to hold a referendum in the city to create an independent republic, but did announce that the local currency will soon be swapped to rubles. Even further to the west, in Transnistria - a breakaway region of Moldova occupied by Russian forces - locals reported being sent texts warning them that Ukraine could attack at any moment. It comes after several explosions in the region took down TV masts and damaged government buildings. Russia says it is 'alarmed' by the attacks, but Ukraine denies them - saying they have been staged in order for Moscow to justify spreading its war across borders. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis is calling for a full ethics probe of home-state colleague Rep. Madison Cawthorn over insider trading allegations and says the first-term Republican isn't able to work functionally with the state's delegation. 'I want a delegation that works together, I don't want a delegation that gets together minus one and talks about the challenges that member is causing,' said Tillis, who has feuded publicly with Cawthorn, 26, previously. He told Politico that Cawthorn has 'got temperament and judgment issues,' following reports of multiple traffic stops for the scandal-plagued lawmaker, who this week was reportedly caught with a gun in his carry-on luggage by Transportation Security Administration agents at Charlotte International Airport. Tillis also brought up Cawthorn calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a 'thug' at a time when the world was rallying to his side as Ukraine stands up to Russia's invasion. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis (R) hammered Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) following a series of incidents, and said he should face an ethics probe 'He's made comments at the worst possible time with respect for president Zelensky, called him a thug, now he apparently has this insider trading thing which just needs to be handled like everybody else. If there's no problem there, there won't be any problem with having transparency in it,' he said. Tillis tweeted Wednesday in favor of an ethics probe, following a report in the Washington Examiner connecting him to an alleged pump-and-dump scheme for the Let's Go Brandon cryptocurrency. 'Insider trading by a member of Congress is a serious betrayal of their oath, and Congressman Cawthorn owes North Carolinians an explanation. There needs to be a thorough and bipartisan inquiry into the matter by the House Ethics Committee,' said Tillis, 61, who was elected to the Senate in 2014. U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., speaks to the crowd before former President Donald Trump takes the stage at a rally Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Selma, N.C. He and Trump have each railed against 'RINOs' US Rep. Madison Cawthorn (NC) was cited March 3, 2022, with driving while his license was revoked, a misdemeanor. A judge approved the release of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol's dashcam video After Cawthorn was called out by fellow Republicans for claiming there were drug-filled orgies in DC, pictures surfaced of him dressed in women's clothing while reportedly taking part in festivities on a cruise 'They want to kill me with 1,000 cuts' Defiant Madison Cawthorn says he is being attacked by the 'political establishment' with 'salacious lies' because he is a 'hardcore conservative' - after he was stopped for having a gun at an airport This photo provided by the Transportation Security Administration shows a 9mm Staccato C2 handgun that officials say was found in U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn's, R-N.C., carry-on bag at a Charlotte Douglas International Airport security checkpoint, Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Tillis called for a House Ethics panel probe of Cawthorwn, following a report about his alleged role in pumping up a cryptocurrency stock Tillis' claims reference Cawthorn's comments about cryptocurrency. Cawthorn has said he is being attacked due to his conservative views Cawthorn, who has been embraced by former President Donald Trump and spoke at the 2020 GOP convention, has defended himself in an Instagram post where he attacked 'one RINO senator' and 'establishment pawns.' Tillis also blasted Cawthorn for choosing to run in a new congressional district. Cawthorn currently represents the 11th district in western North Carolina. The district is being renamed, but decided to run in the 13th, claiming it was to stop a 'go-along, get-along Republican' from being elected there. 'His political ambitions exceed his ambitions for his constituents,' said Tillis. 'When he decided to go there he was going to run in another district and he tried to lead people to believe that his district was split, he was leaving behind 80 percent of the people he represented. He made that decision 11 months into his freshman tenure.' It is thought that the two men had joined local forces in Ukraine as volunteers and had been fighting against Russian forces Russian sources have published a list of what they claim are 100 British 'mercenaries' fighting in Ukraine, including the name of one woman. It comes on the news that a British father has been killed in Ukraine and a second Briton is missing after the pair apparently joined local forces fighting Russia. Scott Sibley, a veteran of the British armed forces who served in the Commando Logistic Support Squadron in Afghanistan, has been named as the first UK casualty in Ukraine. A pro-war Telegram channel called Rybar with almost 400,000 subscribers claimed the 100 British citizens whose names were published were part of the 'International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine', also known as the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. The list does not include the name of Scott Sibley and it is unclear how authentic it is. Scott Sibley, a veteran of the British armed forces, has been named as the Briton who died in Ukraine 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 earlier this month 'On April 5 we said that there were less than 700 people there, excluding employees of PMCs [private military companies],' said a report from the pro-Putin Russian channel. 'Now you know their names, dates of birth and ID numbers.' It is unclear where the list came from but Rybar suggests it was obtained via the offices of the governor of Mykolayiv region, Vitaliy Kim. The names do not include British fighters recently detained by the Russians in Mariupol. The publication of the list comes on the same day Ukrainian military officials released pictured and revealed names of Russian soldiers dubbed the 'Despicable Ten' accused of carrying out war crimes in Bucha. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence released the names and faces of the men, stating: 'Ten Russian butchers from the 64th brigade have been identified and named suspects responsible for committing the Bucha massacre. 'This unit [has] been awarded for its atrocities, and returned to the battlefield. Justice for war criminals is inevitable.' The UK's Foreign Office confirmed that British national Sibley had been killed in Ukraine and the whereabouts of a second Briton is unknown. It is thought that the two men had been fighting against Russian fighters after joining Ukrainian soldiers as volunteers, but this remains unconfirmed. Friends of Sibley, fondly nicknamed Sibs, have paid tribute to the veteran, who is believed to have died on 23 April, and set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral. 'Scott was a son, father, brother and uncle,' his friend Craig wrote on the page. 'To me he was a friend like no other and the bravest person I've had the pleasure to have known, he was as good as a brother to me. 'His life may have been cut short but he lived to the full and did things the Sibs way, right until the end.' Another fundraising page set up for Sibley's relatives described his 'infectious laugh', adding: 'We all have memories with him and he has helped us in different ways.' Sibley leaves behind his daughter who was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that mostly affects young children. Following her diagnosis in 2018, Sibley shaved his head so that his daughter would not feel different when she lost her hair, reported the BBC. Sibley's former squadron, the Army's Logistic Support Squadron, paid tribute to the veteran, writing: 'This week the Sqn has lost a former serving soldier. A man that showed Commando spirit until the end. RIP. Scott Sibley.' A former comrade, Alex Darwin, paid tribute to his friend. 'Sib, I'm in complete disbelief. What a pleasure to have served alongside you, to know you and to have experienced your kind nature. 'You were there for me and I will forever be grateful. One hell of a beautiful guy, inside and out.' Friends of Sibley, fondly nicknamed Sibs, have paid tribute to the veteran, who is believed to have died on 23 April, and set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral. Sibley served in the British Army's Commando Logistic Support Squadron There was no reply last night from Scott Sibley's family home - a humble end of terrace house on a council estate in the village of South Killingholme, near Immingham, North Lincolnshire. It is understood Scott grew up in the area with mum Mary, dad Melvin, known as Mel, and sister Victoria. Locals said Scott had left the family home and understood he had been living in London with his own family. Neighbour Tracey Mcinanny said: 'They are away. They have gone down to be with Scott's family. We only know what we have heard on the news. I believe he went to Immingham School. His dad, Mel, works away. I have lived here several years and they were here when I got here. 'I assume they have gone to London to be with the kids Scott had. Like most kids, he had moved away from his parents to get on with their lives. 'It is very sad. But the guy thought he was doing what was right. 'I remember Scott as an older teenager. I did not know him but him and his sister seemed nice, quiet kids. 'They kept themselves to themselves. Both parents were working. You always hear about the bad kids but never Scott or sister.' The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) did not provide details on why the men were in Ukraine. 'We can confirm that a British National has been killed in Ukraine and are supporting their family,' a FCDO spokesperson said. Speaking of the second British man, the spokesperson said: 'We are aware of a British National who is missing in Ukraine and are supporting their family. We are urgently seeking further information. ' A number of Britons travelled to Ukraine after Russia invaded the country on February 24 to fight on the front lines against Vladimir Putin's men. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had called for foreign fighters to join his country's defence against Russia in the days after the invasion. Downing Street has strongly advised against Britons from travelling to Ukraine to fight, whilst serving members of the British Armed Forces have been banned from doing so. Earlier this month, Britons Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were captured by Russian forces and have since been paraded on Russian state media where they pleaded to be swapped for a pro-Kremlin prisoner. Emergency service employees work at the site of residential houses damaged by a missile attack, as Russia's invasion continues, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday Aslin and Shaun Pinner last week asked on Russian state television for 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. Pinner is a former Royal Anglian soldier and has made clear he considers Ukraine his second country, where he married. 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. Just days after the invasion on February 24, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was criticised after she said she would 'absolutely' support Britons who chose to help the war effort. 'People can make their own decisions,' she said. 'The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe. Absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that.' The UK Government website warns: 'If you travel to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the conflict, your activities may amount to offences against UK legislation and you could be prosecuted on your return to the UK.' At the outset of the invasion, Ukraine encouraged foreigners to offer their support. President Zelensky has claimed 16,000 foreigners have travelled to Ukraine to resist the Russians. In March, groups of British men gathered outside the Ukrainian embassy in London to offer their support. Steven Mendez, 17, was set free on Tuesday after Bronx Supreme Court Justice Naita Semaj-Williams dismissed his indictment A teen gang member who allegedly shot and killed a Bronx college student just five months after he was released on charges of armed robbery has been freed once again - with the judge accusing prosecutors of 'improperly' identifying him as the killer. Steven Mendez, 17, was set free on Tuesday after Bronx Supreme Court Justice Naita Semaj-Williams dismissed his indictment. In a decision obtained by DailyMail.com, the judge said the proceedings were 'impaired' because detectives used surveillance footage to positively identify Mendez as the killer without giving the jury a chance to come to its own conclusions. On October 24, Mendez and his friends were looking for payback after a member of their gang was beaten, the New York Post reports. Mendez - who was on probation - shot 21-year-old Saikou Koma in the head in a case of mistaken identity, source said. The killing came five months after Mendez was freed for a robbery that ended with the victim shot in the leg. At the time, a spokesman for Bronx Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle said the judge didn't think prison time was appropriate in the case. Koma's mother Haja Kaira says the court is sending the wrong message as crime in the Big Apple is up 42 percent from this time last year. 'The judge believes my son's life means nothing. This is why they will keep killing because they know there are no consequences,' she said. Mendez was accused of killing 21-yaer-old college student and delivery driver Saikou Koma in the Bronx on October 24 in a case of mistaken identity. Mendez had been released on probation for armed robbery five months earlier Overall crime is up 42 percent in the city and shooting victims are up 8.6 percent, as the Big Apple continues to battle a crime wave that began during the early days of the pandemic Judge Semaj-Williams said an NYPD detective 'improperly identified' Mendez as Koma's killer because he 'never indicated that he had prior contacts with Mr. Mendez prior to his arrest sufficient to establish a basis for identification.' Detectives relied on surveillance footage that did not show the actual shooting to convince the jury. At one point, they identified him as someone with a patch of white fabric on the back of his jeans. At another point, the same person they identified as Mendez did not have said patch, the judge wrote. Moreover, another detective provided her own 'opinions, conclusions and characterizations' when discussing the footage, thus not giving the jury a chance to make up its own mind. Mendez allegedly shot Koma in the head in the Fordham Heights area last October in a case of mistaken identity. Koma took classes at Manhattan Community College and worked a delivery job on the side. His parents were immigrants from Sierra Leone and the Gambia. His family says he never got in trouble. 'The boy is quiet,' his mother Haja told the New York Daily News. 'He's not troublesome. He'd go to school, do his little job, you know?' He was released on Tuesday. Koma's parents were immigrants from Sierra Leone and the Gambia. His mother says he never got in trouble and would just 'go to school, do his little job, you know?' Justice Semaj-Williams' dismissal has sparked outrage as some wonder how Mendez could have been released Meet the judge who has freed multiple 'killers' since she was brought in Justice Semaj-Williams (right) Justice Natia Semaj has been on the bench at the Bronx Supreme Court since January and replaced a notoriously lenient judge in handling juvenile cases - only to show herself to be every bit as lenient as her predecessor. A native of New York, Semaj grew up in Jamaica, where she had a tough time and was expelled from two separate schools, according to her father. After graduating from high school in Jamaica, Semaj returned to New York to pursue a higher education and graduated from Lehman College with a degree in social work in 2000, reported Jamaicans.com. After working as a social worker for a foster care agency, Semaj enrolled in St John's University School of Law, and after earning her degree and getting her law license was hired as an attorney with the Administration for Children's Services. In 2010, Semaj became Court Attorney with New York State Unified Court System. In 2018, Semaj won a seat on the bench at the New York Civil Court, and last November successfully ran for election for judge of the Bronx Supreme Court. Earlier this year, Semaj took over handling juvenile cases from her veteran colleague Justice Denis Boyle, who sparked widespread condemnation by allowing teenage suspects accused of serious crimes - among them drill rapper Camrin 'C Blu' Williams - to be released on bail. During her first few weeks presiding over juvenile cases, Semaj has sparked outrage by allowing two 17-year-olds facing felony charges to walk free. Braulio Garcia, 17, was arrested in January on charges of murder, manslaughter, robbery and gang assault in connection with the death of Good Samaritan Roland Hueston, who was struck by a train while trying to save another man from the tracks. Prosecutors had asked that Garcia be held on bail, but Semaj ordered him to be released with supervision. In the case of Sharif Mitchell, 17, who faces attempted murder charges for allegedly opening fire on a subway platform and shooting a 19-year-old man four time, Semaj released Mitchell on his own recognizance, even though at his arraignment another judge had ordered him held on $30,000 bail. Semaj is married to a corrections officer and has a young daughter and a stepson. Her current term, which began on January 1, ends in 2035. Advertisement 'When I hear the judge say, 'Release him.' To be honest, I had to stand up,' Haja told the Post after watching the hearing remotely. 'I could not believe it. I said out loud, 'What! Release him?!'' Mendez allegedly pulled the trigger just five months after soft-on-crime judge Denis Boyle let him off in an armed robbery case, citing his age and a report saying he had been doing well in school, according to the Post. Mendez was charged as a 'youthful offender' and released on five years' probation last May. A state court spokesman said Justice Boyle didn't believe a prison sentence was necessary for 'a crime committed as an accomplice at the age of 16.' Earlier this year, Semaj-Williams took over handling juvenile cases from Boyle, who sparked widespread condemnation by allowing teenage suspects accused of serious crimes to be released on bail, reported the New York Post. But during her first couple months presiding over juvenile cases, Semaj has shown herself to be just as lenient as her predecessor by allowing teenagers facing felony charges to walk free pending trial. Braulio Garcia, 17, and Jonathan Aponte, 16, were arrested in January and charged with murder, manslaughter, robbery, gang assault and other crimes after throwing someone into the subway tracks on New Years' Day. The man who was thrown in didn't die, but a Good Samaritan who jumped in to save him did after he was struck by a train. In the case of Sharif Mitchell, 17, who faces attempted murder charges for allegedly opening fire on a subway platform and shooting a 19-year-old man four time, Semaj-Williams released Mitchell on his own recognizance, even though at his arraignment another judge had ordered him held on $30,000 bail. Semaj-Williams is married to a corrections officer and has a young daughter and a stepson. Her current term, which began on January 1, ends in 2035. Last month, she moved the case of 16-year-old drill rapper Camrin 'C Blu' Williams from an adult criminal court to Family Court, after accusing a police officer of providing 'unreliable' testimony that 'had no value' about the night the teen allegedly shot a cop during a scuffle. Williams, who is a suspected gang member, has been out on bond since late January. He faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree assault and other weapons charges stemming from a January 18 incident, during which police said he shot Officer Kaseem Pennant as he was being searched. 'There was absolutely zero reason for any of those officers to approach this individual,' Judge Semaj-Williams said, according to New York Daily News. 'They approached him, they detained him, they searched him, and no officer even bothered to come up with a halfway legitimate reason for any of that.' Crime in New York City is up 42 percent from last year. Shooting victims are up 8.6 percent, as the city battles a spike in crime that began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the weekend, Mayor Eric Adams blasted his fellow Democrats for only supporting Black Lives Matter when those behind the killings of African-Americans are cops. Adams, speaking with Anderson Cooper on CBS' 60 Minutes, continued his habit of criticizing the party for being soft on crime. 'Democrats don't like talking about intervention,' said Adams, 61. In January, police arrested Braulia Garcia, 17 and Jonathan Aponte, 16. The two were allegedly part of a group that threw a man into the subway tracks on New Years' Day. A Good Samartian died trying to save the man, but Justice Semaj-Williams let the teens walk free pending trial Drill rapper Camrin 'C Blu' Williams, 16, had his shooting case transferred from an adult court to Family Court after Semaj-Williams defended his actions during a scuffle with police Bronx Supreme Court Justice Naita Semaj accused police officers of providing 'unreliable' testimony that 'had no value' 'But we have to lean into the discomfort of the immediate things we must do. Because you can't say Black Lives Matter when a police officer shoots a young person, but does that black life matter when a 12-year-old baby was shot?' Cooper asked Adams why Democrats don't like talking about intervention. Adams responded: 'Because when you talk about intervention, you have to use the term of giving police officers the tools to deal with violence right now.' Cooper retorted by saying it made liberals nervous because it made him sound like former Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Eric Adams, speaking with Anderson Cooper on CBS' 60 Minutes, continued his habit of criticizing the party for being soft on crime Mayor Adams tells Anderson Cooper that Black Lives Matter protesters should support his efforts to reduce gun violence in high-crime neighborhoods. https://t.co/MKfDJwIHLo pic.twitter.com/08zVdcOZXU 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) April 24, 2022 Giuliani's zero-tolerance 'broken windows' policing strategy was credited with hammering crime in New York City during the 90s, but critics said it also drove cops to disproportionately target innocent black people. 'They have allowed Rudy Giuliani to hijack something that the overwhelming number of people of color want,' Adams said. 'They will tell you, 'We want our police. We don't want our police to be abusive.' And that is the balance that I know we can do in this - in this city.' Adams, who described himself as a 'simple, pragmatic Democrat' denied rumors that he had voted for Giuliani in the 90s but admitted to registering as a Republican. 'I was a police officer, and I saw the violence, and I wasn't seeing any help on the federal level. It was a protest vote.' Advertisement Elon Musk covered nearly half of ex-girlfriend Amber Heard's donation to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) after the actress pledged to give away her multimillion dollar divorce settlement to charity following her split from Johnny Depp. Jurors in Heard and Depp's $100million defamation trial on Thursday heard the actress has so far only paid $1.3million of the $3.5million she promised the ACLU nearly six years ago, with Musk's money making up a large chunk of it. The billionaire Tesla founder, 50, gave $500,000 to the civil rights group on behalf of Heard after the two began dating after her divorce from Depp in 2016. The Aquaman star, 36, announced she would donate the $7million she received in her settlement to two organizations when the couple's legal separation was finalized in August 2016. Heard promised to give half the money to the ACLU to support its work in 'fighting violence against women', and the other $3.5million to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. Billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk, 50, donated $500,000 to the ACLU on behalf of Amber Heard when the two were dating in 2016, the actress's defamation trial heard Thursday. The two are pictured together in 2017 The court heard the Aquaman actress has so far only paid $1.3million of the $3.5million she promised the ACLU nearly six years ago, with Musk's money making up a large chunk of it ACLU Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Terence Dougherty testified Thursday revealing only half the money has been paid by Heard or on her behalf But Terence Dougherty, the ACLU Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, testified in the trial Thursday, telling the court the organizations' promised donation has not been paid in full yet. Dougherty said that so far only a total of $1.3million has either been paid by Heard or on her behalf. Of that money, Heard contributed $350,000 directly, while $100,000 was paid by Depp and another $350,000 came from a fund at Fidelity, an investment company. Another $500,000 payment came from an account at investment firm Vanguard, which Dougherty said he 'believed it was a fund set up by Elon Musk.' Asked by one of Depp's lawyers if there were messages with Musk about it, Dougherty said there were. He said there was a document and emails they had produced to the lawyers in the case regarding the money. Dougherty said that based on emails with Musk, the ACLU understood that Heard's $3.5million donation would be given over 10 years. Heard had promised to donate her $7M divorce settlement to charity, splitting the funds between the ACLU and the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles He said that Heard's money was considered a 'pledge' so rather than a check all at once, it would come over time. Heard's lawyers have previously told the court that she fully intends to pay the money but for now needs the divorce settlement to pay her legal fees. The court heard that Heard's last donation of $350,000 in December 2018 and that she had not paid any money since. Dougherty said that Heard had told the organization that money was from her anonymous account with Fidelity but they did not do any further checks to guarantee it was her money. One of Depp's lawyers asked Dougherty what 'efforts the ACLU has made to get Amber Heard to pay'. He replied: 'We reached out to Miss Heard starting in 2019 for the next installment of her giving and we learned she was having financial difficulties'. The court heard that Musk played a central role in setting up Heard's donations to the ACLU, partly because he had given to it before. Heard and Musk dated for a year following the actress's divorce from Johnny Depp in 2016 Johnny Depp's $50million defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard that started on April 10 is expected to last five or six weeks In an email dated August 18, 2016, Musk wrote to Heard and Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU: 'I described your (Heard's) plan to donate $3.5million to the ACLU over the next 10 years as you very much believe in what they're doing'. The court heard that Robin Shulman, a communications strategist with the ACLU wrote the first draft of the op-ed in November 2018, a month before the article was published. In a message to Heard dated November 29, 2018, Shulman said that she tried to 'gather your fire and rage' and shape it into an op-ed piece. Asked if that meant rage against Depp, Dougherty said it was about 'gender-based violence issues'. In a follow up message, Shulman told Heard: 'Our lawyers should review this for the way I skirted around your marriage'. Jessica Weitz, another member of the ACLU communications team, told Heard: 'I want to make sure nothing was said in here that puts you in jeopardy with your NDA' with Depp after the divorce. Shulman and Heard met in person and that op-ed was changed, the court heard. Heard's lawyers also made some edits. One of Depp's lawyers asked Dougherty: 'Some at the ACLU expressed belief that excising references to the marriage and divorce from Johnny Depp made the op-ed less impactful?' Dougherty said: 'That is correct'. Dougherty said that the ACLU had the responsibility of placing the op-ed and considered the New York Times, Washington Post, Teen Vogue and USA Today as places where it could go. As Dougherty put it, the list was in 'descending importance and reach as we go down', but with a greater likelihood they would publish it. Gerry Johnson, one of the ACLU communications team, emailed his colleagues about timing the op-ed so it would come out at the same time as the premiere of Aquaman, the film Heard was starring in. Johnson wrote: 'Since draft turned out pretty strong and Aquaman slated to do large numbers I'm wondering what you think about it?' Actor Amber Heard returns following a break at the Fairfax County Circuit Court Thursday, April 28, 2022 Depp, 58, had previously accused his ex-wife of lying about giving all of her divorce settlement to charity Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a 'public figure representing domestic abuse' Dougherty said that media outlets were more likely to take on an op-ed if it had 'strong views' and the more the person was in the public eye at the time, the 'more likely it will be accepted by a more prominent media outlet'. Depp's lawyers asked Dougherty if Heard's marriage to Depp made the op-ed a 'stronger product'. Dougherty said: 'Amber's contributions to the portion of op-ed that talks about personal experiences is what informed the view this was a strong op-ed'. One of Depp's lawyers asked: 'She wanted the op-ed to come out just after Aquaman release?' Dougherty said: 'I recall there was a conversation for optimal timing' Dougherty added that it was 'correct' that Heard wanted the article to come out just after the Aquaman release. On December 11 2018, Witz emailed her colleagues that Heard's team had sent back a final draft but it 'neutered much of her marriage and domestic violence'. Witz said that the goal was the 'get this out this week to capitalize on the tremendous campaign for Aquaman', referring to the publicity surrounding the film. In follow up emails, Witz said that Heard wanted to get a mention of her getting a restraining order back into the article. Witz said: 'Is there an artful way to to do that?' Such a mention did not make it into the final cut. Around that time, Stacey Sullivan, another member of the ACLU's communications pitched the the article to Michael Duffy, an editor at the Washington Post. Emails shown in court Thursday revealed Johnny Depp contributed towards Heard's $3.5million pledge to the ACLU The email said: 'Hey Michael, wondering if we might interest you in an op-ed by Amber Heard 'Who as you may recall was beaten up during her brief marriage to Johnny Depp' Once it had been agreed the article would be published, Heard emailed her team and the ACLU: 'It's going to the Washington Post!!!' The court also heard about the panic within the ACLU how in 2019 Reuters inquired about how much Heard had paid of her $3.5m pledge. In an email to colleagues, Witz insisted that Heard had 'donated her full settlement to charity' but investigations revealed she had only paid $1.3m As Witz and her colleagues struggled to phrase a statement to Reuters, she emailed her colleagues: 'I had nightmares about this last tonight, do you think this is OK?' Depp's lawyers asked if Witz was 'concerned the ACLU was not telling the truth? As Depp looked on and smiled, Dougherty said: 'She was doing everything she could to give a correct statement to the press'. Scary footage from a home camera shows the moment a couple and their dog were chased back into their house by an angry black bear. On Tuesday, in Apopka, Florida, the couple had just stepped outside with their dog. 'We were letting the dog out to potty and a bear charged us from our next-door neighbor's house,' said the woman who lives there with her husband. 'We made it safely into the house, and closed and banged on the front door,' she told ViralHog. No injuries have been reported, and the couple has not been identified. The Apopka Police Department told DailyMail.com that it was unaware of the incident and hasn't been contacted. A couple living in Apopka, Florida, ran for their lives back into their home after bumping into a charging black bear on Tuesday while outside with their dog The couple's dog barked at the bear before the wild animal charged at the home. The couple made it back inside after their pet did This comes a month after another couple in the Apopka area had a similar encounter. David Bass, a consultant in electrical engineering and electronics, shared security camera footage of a bear charging him when he was outside with his wife in March. They were leaving their home when the black bear came around the corner, and the couple ran back inside. No injuries were reported. Local resident David Bass and his wife rushed back inside after spotting a black bear near their Apopka home in March Several other bear sightings have been reported around Central Florida in recent weeks, making residents wary. A couple in Sanford shared startling footage of two black bears attempting to enter their home through the front door on Christmas morning last year. Another man was bitten and scratched as he fought off a bear at his home in Daytona Beach in January. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said it gets up to 6,000 bear-related calls annually. The agency added that only 15 incidents of people suffering moderate-to-serious injuries related to a bear encounter have been reported in over 50 years. It also advises people to remove or secure any food outside homes, including pet foot, birdseed and garbage, to avoid attracting bears. There also is a way to avoid dog-bear conflict: banging on your door and switching house lights on and off care bears off. If a pet dog and a bear are fighting, making noise, and using bear spray or a water hose most likely will make the bear flee. Contact the FWCs Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you feel threatened by a bear; observe a sick, injured, dead or orphaned bear; or to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them A former Boston police union chief wept in court Monday as child rape victims tore into him after the disgraced cop admitted to raping and sexually abusing several children over the span of nearly three decades. Ex-Police Patrolmen's Association boss Patrick Rose, 67, pleaded guilty to 21 counts of child rape and sexual assault that occurred over a 27-year period, involving victims ranging in age from 7 to 16, prosecutors said. The former cop sat in court and cried as he listened to some of his victims deliver impact statements before he was sentenced to up to 13 years in prison. 'I saw you for what you really are a coward, a predator of the weak and the defenseless,' the victim said in court. Another victim said Rose has lost his reputation as a protector. 'Your reputation? Absolutely gone,' the victim said. ''All you will ever be remembered as is another creep who has nothing going for him. Your job as a cop protecting people? [Well] that's really quite ironic isn't it?' Rose had first faced child sexual abuse allegations in the mid-1990s, but criminal charges were dropped. However, Rose was allowed to remain on the force for years despite sufficient evidence found by internal investigators supporting allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor, according to documents released by the city last year. Patrick Rose, 67, broke down and wept in court Monday as some of his victims delivered impact statements, calling him a coward and a creep Rose covered his face in court when he was arraigned in 2020. On Monday, he plead guilty to 21 counts of child rape and sexual assault that occurred over a 27 years Rose had first faced child sexual abuse allegations in the mid-1990s. Yet, he was allowed to keep his badge for 20 years and elected as president of Boston Police Patrolman's Association Rose had been relieved of his weapon and placed on administrative duty, but was returned to full duty after an attorney for the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association wrote to the commissioner in 1997 and threatened to file a grievance, according to the documents, obtained by NBC Boston. He was then elected president of the Boston Police Patrolman's Association in 2014 and served until he retired in 2018. Rose was charged in August 2020 with sexually abusing a 7-year-old female relative, who, now a teenager, had told police the abuse continued for five years until she turned 12. The victim told police that Rose allegedly touched her inappropriately and asked her to perform sexual acts on him in his West Roxbury home. Several more people then came forward alleging they were abused by Rose. He was ultimately charged with 33 counts of sexual abuse of six children. On Monday, Rose pleaded guilty to the multitude of sexual abuse crimes spanning nearly three decades. Rose had previously denied the charges but reached a plea deal with prosecutors. In court on Monday, Rose listened as some of his victims delivered impact statements, calling him a coward and a creep Documents released last year of a 1996 internal police department probe showed that top officials concluded Rose likely sexually abused a child yet he continued to patrol in Dorchester and interact with children and sex-abuse victims, masslive.com reported. Then-Police Commissioner Paul Evans and internal investigations chief Ann Marie Doherty released a joint statement in April 2021 defending their actions, saying that they were unable to discipline Rose because they did not have a witness or other evidence, the Globe reported. 'We believed at the time, and we still believe, that everything that could be done by the Boston Police Department was done in this matter to hold Rose accountable,' the statement read. Rose, who was Union President of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association at the time, testifies during a hearing in 2016 over the issue of body cameras for Boston police officers On Monday, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden praised the courage of the victims and said he hoped the plea brings a measure of healing. 'Anyone who was in that courtroom today knows the tremendous courage, fortitude and bravery that they withstood throughout this entire horrible incident. These are monstrous, monstrous acts,' he said outside of court. Following the impact statements, Rose expressed remorse in a statement he read in court. 'I want to apologize for my despicable behavior,' he said. 'I apologize to my former colleagues. I apologize to my former friends, but more importantly, the more important thing in my life, I apologize to my family. To those I hurt, I'm so very sorry.' A liquid natural gas (LNG) carrier / Yonhap Korea plans to send part of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to Europe to help ease an energy crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, officials said Thursday. Concerns have grown over natural gas supply disruptions in Europe amid the ongoing crisis surrounding Ukraine, as Russia is the biggest provider of gas to Europe. On Wednesday, Russia's state-owned gas producer Gazprom said it had cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after the nations refused to pay for shipments in rubles. Korea has decided to divert some of its LNG gas cargo to Europe, as Seoul has "some room" for such support in spring time, an industry ministry official said. He refused to give details about when and how much Korea will offer, but the envisioned shipment would be sent to Europe before summer though the volume would "not be that much" as Seoul usually manages its gas supplies tightly. The decision appears to have been made following a request from the United States or European nations, another official said. In February, Washington asked for Korea to send gas to Europe, but the Seoul government turned down the request at that time, according to media reports. The import price of natural gas for Korea stood at $1,013.35 per ton as of the end of March, up 20.08 percent from the previous month. The comparable figure for March 2021 was $438.42, according to government data. (Yonhap) The Oklahoma House gave final approval on Thursday to a Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. The bill approved by the GOP-led House now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is expected to sign it within days. The assault on abortion rights is one of several culture-war issues conservatives in GOP-led states have embraced, like restricting LGBTQ rights, that drive the party's base in an election year. Dubbed the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, the bill prohibits abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in the fetus, which experts say is roughly six weeks into a pregnancy. A similar bill approved in Texas last year led to a dramatic reduction in the number of abortions performed in that state, sending many women seeking the procedure to Oklahoma and other surrounding states. Like Texas, the bill allows private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion for up to $10,000, a mechanism that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed to remain in place. The bill only makes an exception in the case of an abortion being performed to save the life of the mother. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, pictured April 12, is expected to sign the Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in April answers questions during a press conference at the Texas Department of Public Safety Weslaco Regional Office How Texas's heartbeat abortion law has spurned a host of similar state statutes The Texas Heartbeat Act, which was passed in December 2021, bans abortions after the detection of embryonic or fetal cardiac activity, which typically occurs after around six weeks of pregnancy. The law had a fairly swift and easy process of getting passed in the deeply conservative state. It was introduced to the state's Senate and House of Representatives on March 11, 2021, and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott several months later on May 19. The law itself took effect shortly thereafter on September 1, with the Supreme Court ultimately denying a request for emergency relief from Texas abortion providers beforehand. It has since suffered several legal challenges and criticism. President Joe Biden called it 'extreme' and saying it 'blatantly violates the constitutional right established under Roe v. Wade.' Meanwhile Senator Elizabeth Warren argued that it is time to 'step up and codify Roe into federal law,' in response to the state's 'heartbeat' abortion ban. The law has also inspired several other states to follow suit with similar legislation. Eleven states have proposed heartbeat bills since 2018; since 2019, such bills have passed including bills in Idaho, Ohio, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina and Texas, most of which lie either partly or entirely in the so-called Bible Belt whose population leans heavily against abortion. Advertisement Although Stitt already signed a bill earlier this year to make performing an abortion a felony crime in Oklahoma, that measure is not set to take effect until later in the summer and might not withstand a legal challenge. Because the measure approved Thursday has an 'emergency' provision, it takes effect immediately after the governor signs it, and abortion providers say will immediately end most abortions in Oklahoma. 'We are more concerned at this point about these Texas-style bans because they have, at least recently, been able to continue and remain in effect,' said Emily Wales, interim president and CEO at Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates two abortion clinics in Oklahoma. 'We do intend to challenge those if theyre passed, but because of the emergency clause provisions, there would be at least some period of time when we could not offer care.' Texas' new law has led to a huge increase in the number of women from Texas seeking abortions in Oklahoma. 'We're serving as many Texans as Oklahomans right now, in some cases more Texans than Oklahomans,' Wales said. Earlier in April, Stitt signed a bill that makes it a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to perform an abortion with an exception only to save the life of the mother. The bill, which takes effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns next month, is part of an aggressive push in Republican-led states across the country to scale back abortion. 'We want to outlaw abortion in the state of Oklahoma,' Stitt said during a signing ceremony for the bill. 'I promised Oklahomans that I would sign every pro-life bill that hits my desk, and that's what were doing here today.' Under the bill, anyone convicted of performing an abortion would face up to a decade behind bars and a $100,000 fine. It does not authorize criminal charges against a woman for receiving an abortion. Its passage comes as the conservative U.S. Supreme Court considers ratcheting back abortion rights that have been in place for nearly 50 years. Abortion rights advocates say the bill is clearly unconstitutional, and similar laws approved recently in Arkansas and Alabama have been blocked by federal courts. Although similar anti-abortion bills approved by the Oklahoma Legislature in recent years have been stopped as unconstitutional, anti-abortion lawmakers have been buoyed by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow new Texas abortion restrictions to remain in place. The new Texas law, the most restrictive anti-abortion law to take effect in the U.S. in decades, leaves enforcement up to private citizens, who are entitled to collect what critics call a 'bounty' of $10,000 if they bring a successful lawsuit against a provider or anyone who helps a patient obtain an abortion. The Lone Star State's law bans abortion after roughly six weeks of pregnancy and makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Abortions in Texas have plummeted by about 50 percent since the law took effect, while the number of Texans going to clinics out of state and requesting abortion pills online has gone up. A Tennessee state lawmaker declared that he would burn banned books if given his way during a Tennessee General Assembly session Wednesday. State Rep. Jerry Sexton, a Republican from eastern Tennessee, made the comments during a discussion about legislation he proposed that would give a commission of politicians the power to veto books out of school libraries. Rep. John Ray Clemmons, a Democrat from Nashville, asked Sexton what he would do with the removed books. 'You going to put them in the street? Light them on fire? Where are they going?' he asked. 'I dont have a clue, but I would burn 'em,' Sexton responded on the House floor. 'That's what I thought.' Clemmons concluded. Rep. Jerry Sexton, a Republican representing a district in east Tennessee, said that he would like to burn books that he felt should be banned on Wednesday Rep. John Ray Clemmons had asked Sexton what he would like to do with books that were banned. Upon hearing Sexton's reply, Clemmons said 'That's what I thought.' The Republican-supermajority House approved the bill in a 66-26 vote. Sexton's legislation and comments come after a national debate around banned books was sparked when a Tennessee school board removed the book Maus - a Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novel by Art Spiegelman, who is Jewish, that paints an unfiltered picture of the Holocaust - from its district's curriculum in January. In Nazi Germany books by Jewish authors and books with content decreed disagreeable were publicly burned by the tens of thousands. Debate about book banning was sparked when a Tennessee school district removed Maus, an award winning graphic novel about the Holocaust, from its curriculum The American Library Association found a record number of challenges to books in 2021. Heather Has Two Mommies, by Leslea Newman, was one of the most challenged books Earlier this year, Sexton lashed out at librarians during a legislative hearing that included testimony from some who alleged without proof that educators were attempting to 'groom' children with sexually explicit materials found in libraries. 'I dont appreciate whats going in our libraries, whats being put in front of our children and shame on you for putting it there,' Sexton said at the time. Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson, from Knoxville, said the legislation aimed at libraries was taking 'Tennessee in a dangerous direction.' Certain books have long faced removal from American schools for profane language, sexually explicit content, and even for mere negativity, but the past few years have seen an increase in complaints and actions against books, largely in conservative-dominated states. Conservative lawmakers have begun challenging some books on the grounds that they are being used to brainwash America's youth about race and gender. During a Wednesday event at the White House to honor teachers, President Biden weighed in on the subject. The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas, was one of the top ten most challenged books in 2021. A challenged book is a book that has been the subject of official removal attempts To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee made the top ten list of challenged books in 2021. To Kill a Mockingbird has been a banned book stalwart since its publication in 1960 'There are too many politicians trying to score political points trying to ban books, even math books,' he said, referring to the recent ban of a number of math textbooks in Florida, 'Did you ever think when you'd be teaching you're gonna be worried about book burnings and banning books all because it doesn't fit somebody's political agenda?' A recent report from PEN America, a non-profit dedicated to promoting free expression through literature, found that there are currently 1,586 instances of books being banned or restricted in the United States. Those bans are in 86 school districts across 26 states. Texas has the most books banned at 713. Pennsylvania has 456, Florida has 204, Oklahoma has 43, Kansas has 30, and Tennessee has 16, according to that report. A retired British geologist is at risk of facing the death penalty after being accused of attempting to smuggle historic artefacts out of Iraq, according to his family. UK ministers have faced calls to intervene to help 'make a difference' in the case of Jim Fitton, 66, who has been detained in the Middle-Eastern country. Father-of-two Mr Fitton, who lives in Malaysia, was held over smuggling allegations during his first visit to the country for a geology and archaeology tour. His children - Joshua and Leila, and Leila's husband Sam Tasker - have launched a petition to press the UK Government to help with his case. Mr Tasker said in a statement Mr Fitton and a German man on the trip were arrested after the group's baggage was checked at the airport, with 12 shards said to have been recovered from his luggage. His family say he is accused of taking broken shards of pottery found at the Eridu historical site in southern Iraq. The incident took place on March 20 and a serious illness to the group's tour guide was also reported. UK ministers have faced calls to intervene to help 'make a difference' in the case of Jim Fitton (pictured with his wife) 66, who has been detained in the Middle-Eastern country 'Whilst on the tour, our father visited historical sites around Iraq, where his tour group found fragments of stones and shards of broken pottery in piles on the ground,' the man's family wrote with in the petition. 'These fragments were in the open, unguarded and with no signage warning against removal. Tour leaders also collected the shards as souvenirs at the site in Eridu. 'Tour members were told that this would not be an issue, as the broken shards had no economic or historical value.' It added: 'We think that our father may be put on trial the week commencing May 8, after Eid in Iraq. 'We have days to save him before sentencing and we need the Foreign Office to help by intervening in his case now. Our lawyer has drafted a proposal for cessation of the case and the immediate repatriation of our father, which requires the backing of the Foreign Office to put to the Iraqi judiciary.' Mr Tasker, in a statement, explained: 'Jim would often bring home small souvenirs from his trips to remember the journey by and share his experiences with us. 'To him this was no more significant than bringing home a small stone from the beach to remember a special family holiday. The items are widely agreed to be valueless. 'This is the offence that now sees my father-in-law facing a potential death sentence under article 41 of the Iraqi artefacts law no.55, of 2002.' Modern day Iraq occupies the land that was once Mesopotamia, and as a result has a trove of historical sites - including the ancient city of Babylon. The site in question, Eridu, is found in southern Mesopotamia, and is considered to be the earliest city in the southern region - dating back to approximately 5,400BC. Archaeological looting in Iraq has taken place since at least the 19th century, and often occurred in the chaos that followed war - including the 2003 Iraq war. As a result, Iraq has strict laws in place against looting, and anyone found guilty can be severely punished - with large fines, prison sentences and even the death penalty. Father-of-two Mr Fitton, who lives in Malaysia, was held over smuggling allegations during his first visit to the country for a geology and archaeology tour. His family say that he has been accused of stealing fragments that were in the open at Eridu, an ancient ruin of a city that is found in Iraq, and was once in southern Mesopotamia According to Iraq's law No. 55, antiquities are defined as 'movable and immovable property which has been built, made, carved, produced, written or painted by man, those age of which is not less than 200 years, as well as human and animal skeletons and plant remains.' The law says: 'Discovering, taking, purchasing or receiving as a gift any antiquity or heritage material that originated in Iraq, without promptly notifying and registering the object with the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, is a violation of Law Number 55.' It continues: 'The penalties for violating Law Number 55 may include incarceration of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 100,000 Iraqi Dinars (55). 'Illegal excavation (looting) may result in imprisonment for a period of up to 15 years and a fine of two times the value of the damages sustained. And trafficking in antiquities is punishable with a term of imprisonment for a period not to exceed 10 years and a fine of up to 1,000,000 Iraqi Dinars (550).' Mr Fitton's family have said that their father could even be facing the death penalty. In 2013, a law was proposed in Iraq that would change the penalties for those found guilty of looting to be less severe. It was not immediately clear if the law passed. Pictured: Brickwork is seen at the Eridu archaeological site in Iraq (file photo) Mr Fitton's son-in-law Mr Tasker is a constituent of Wera Hobhouse, a British MP for Bath of the Liberal Democrat party, who has raised the case in the House of Commons and urged ministers to respond to the 'incredibly serious' issue. She said: 'The situation surrounding Jim Fitton and his German counterpart is deeply worrying and my thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult period. It is impossible to imagine the concern and worry that Jim and his family are going through. 'From speaking with Jim's family it is clear that he would not intentionally disrespect or appropriate the rich and fascinating culture of the region. 'I have written to the Foreign Office, been in touch with the consulate support services, and contacted the minister's office directly but so far the response has been disappointing. 'Jim's lawyer has advised that an intervention from the British Government will make a difference in this case. That is why I am urging the Government to intervene to make Jim's release more likely. 'I am committed to doing everything I can by working with the Government to secure the release of Jim who has been so questionably detained in Iraq. Jim and his German counterpart must be returned safely home to their families.' A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are providing consular support to a British national in Iraq and are in contact with the local authorities.' The family petition can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/our-father-is-facing-the-death-penalty-in-iraq-freejimfitton. Boris Johnson lashed out at one of his own MPs accused of watching pornography in the House of Commons today, hinting he faces being kicked out of the Conservative Party. The Prime Minister said the behaviour alleged by several female MPs was 'totally unacceptable' as he made a campaign visit to Burnley. Cabinet members said the culprit should be stripped of the whip or even kicked out of the House if they the allegations are proven. But former minister Caroline Nokes has accused the chief whip of kicking the issue 'into the long grass', and said the whip should have been suspended already. Speaking to reporters in Lancashire, Mr Johnson was asked whether the parliamentarian would lose the Conservative whip if the allegations are proven. 'I think it's obviously unacceptable for anybody to be doing that kind of thing in the workplace,' he said. 'It would be the same for any kind of job up and down the country, let's be absolutely clear about that. 'What needs to happen now is that the proper procedures need to be gone through, the independent complaints and grievances procedure needs to be activated and we need to get to understand the facts, but, yeah, that kind of behaviour is clearly totally unacceptable.' It came as the sleaze issue crossed the aisle, with a Labour frontbencher accused of telling one of his party's female MPs they were a 'secret weapon' because men wanted to sleep with them. The female politician - who wants to remain anonymous - was allegedly subjected to the lewd remark at an event in Westminster. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also urged MPs to stay out of Parliament's 'poisonous' drinking dens amid growing uproar at sexism and sleaze at Westminster. Mr Wallace said the long hours and access to alcohol had been a problem for many years, and his advice to colleagues was 'finish your day's work and go home'. Speaking to reporters at a college in Lancashire, Mr Johnson was asked whether the parliamentarian would lose the Conservative whip if the allegations are proven. 'I think it's obviously unacceptable for anybody to be doing that kind of thing in the workplace,' he said. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the long hours and access to alcohol had been a problem for many years, and his advice to colleagues was 'finish your day's work and go home' Mr Wallace pointed to the handful of exclusive bars on the Parliamentary estate, where drinks are much cheaper than outside, with a pint of beer costing around 3.60. File picture of Strangers Bar in the Common In the latest grim claims, a woman MP told BBC Wales that when someone praised her as a 'rising star' of her party at an event, the unnamed shadow cabinet minister intervened. They apparently said she was a 'secret weapon' because 'women want to be her friend' and men wanted to sleep with her. 'She is a vote winner,' they reportedly added. Keir Starmer said: 'I'm deeply concerned to hear these suggestions and these allegations. 'There is a complaints procedure and I want everybody to have the confidence to use that complaints procedure because I would want to get to the bottom of this and do something about it.' A Labour spokeswoman said: 'The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously. 'They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.' It is understood that no complaint has been received, and BBC Wales said the woman did not want to be identified for fear of consequences. Labour has recently introduced a new independent complaints procedure to boost confidence, and is encouraging people to come forward. In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Wallace said 'there's no place for pornography in any workplace' and said there needs to be a cultural change in Westminster. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I certainly think they should lose the whip.' He pointed to the handful of exclusive bars on the Parliamentary estate, where drinks are much cheaper than outside, with a pint of beer costing around 3.60. Mr Wallace told Times Radio that there were 'fights', 'sexist comments' and 'propositions' in the bars. 'What I have witnessed is, what I think is the fundamental problem of Westminster, is the overall culture is that hundreds and hundreds of people (are) working long hours in a place with bars,' he said. 'And for some people, under lots of pressure for all sorts of reasons. And that... mix becomes poisonous.' Mr Wallace said the problems had been 'going on for decades' and were 'not easy to fix'. 'I mean, my advice to any MP is actually avoid the bars, you know, finish a day's work and go home. 'But you know, that is part of the ultimate challenge around parliament that I think needs to be fixed. 'And you know, in the Armed Forces, I have a similar challenge, which is often in those high pressure environments where people mix and then alcohol is consumed, you end up in a place where people do things, either they regret, or things that is totally unacceptable.' The Defence Secretary told Sky News: 'There is a range of allegations that go right across the House, go right across the parties. 'This is a problem, I think, about the overall culture of the House of Commons. 'It is late sitting, long nights with bars, and that very often leads, and it has done for decades, to behavioural challenges 'I think it's really important that we think about ways to change the culture in the House of Commons.' Attorney General Suella Braverman told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour that if the allegation of an MP watching porn in Parliament is proven there should be a 'severe reprimand' including an opportunity to oust them from the Commons. 'I'm shocked and appalled... what would possess them? It is totally unacceptable,' she said. 'I am very glad that the chief whip has now referred it to the independent complaints and grievance process.' Ms Braverman went on: 'I think we would really need to see a situation where the whip would be removed. I am ashamed that this person is carrying the Conservative rosette. 'I think they really do need to be subject to a recall, and no longer holding their privileged position as a member of parliament.' Ms Braverman said while all the men she had worked with were 'respectful' there were MPs who behaved like 'animals'. 'There is however, a very small minority of men - and it is men - who fall short, and there are some bad apples who are out of order, who behave like animals and are bringing parliament into disrepute to be honest,' she said. 'I don't think we should be saying there is a pervasive culture. That is not my experience. There are certain individuals who are behaving in an unacceptable way.' The Conservative Party's chief whip has ordered an official investigation into claims that an MP was watching porn on his mobile phone in the House of Commons Chamber. A spokesman said the matter would be referred to Parliament's independent complaints and grievance scheme (ICGS). Mr Wallace told Times Radio that there were 'fights', 'sexist comments' and 'propositions' in the Parliamentary bars 'Following allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the House of Commons the Chief Whip has asked that this matter be referred to the ICGS. 'Upon the conclusion of any ICGS investigation the Chief Whip will take appropriate action.' Ms Nokes told PoliticsHome the referral amounted to 'kicking it into the long grass' and it would be 'months before anything is done'. 'It's not shouldering the burden of responsibility of dealing with it, and I think the Chiefs should have dealt with it immediately,' she said. Sir Keir said the Conservative Party should 'take action now' against the MP. He said: 'I think it's very good that we've got an independent system and obviously that requires anonymity. 'This is an unusual case because the Tory Party knows who this individual is. 'I think that they should deal with it and deal with it sooner rather than later and take appropriate action. 'So, nothing wrong with the independent process, but I think the Tory Party, they know who this is, they should take action now.' Those reported to the body are given automatic anonymity, meaning the Tory MP's name will not be published while he is under investigation. Only witnesses are able to make complaints to the scheme. The body is said to be investigating at least 56 MPs - including three ministers and two shadow ministers - who have been accused of sexual misconduct. Two female MPs say they witnessed their colleague looking at adult images more than once. Advertisement Ukrainian military officials have pictured and revealed names of Russian soldiers dubbed the 'Despicable Ten' who they accuse of carrying out war crimes in Bucha. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence released the names and faces of the men, stating: 'Ten Russian butchers from the 64th brigade have been identified and named suspects responsible for committing the Bucha massacre. 'This unit [has] been awarded for its atrocities, and returned to the battlefield. Justice for war criminals is inevitable.' Horrific images of dozens of bodies in civilian clothes lying in the streets, some with their hands tied behind their backs, in Bucha and other towns around Kyiv, shocked the world when they emerged earlier this month. There were also reports of mass rapes. Amid global outrage over the killings, the leader of the 'Butchers of Bucha' Russian brigade was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to full Colonel last week. Corporal Andrei Bizyaev (left), 33, has reportedly served in the Red Army for over ten years. He is originally from Khabarovsk in eastern Russia. Right: Private Sergei Peskarev, 24, has evidence of his 64th Brigade membership on Facebook. He worked at a supermarket till until November last year, at which point he signed up in anticipation of a war in Ukraine. In February, he got his wish and is now accused of war crimes. Corporal Dmitry Sergienko (left), 27, lived in Voronezh, south-western Russia. He has a wife and a young daughter. Right: Private Grigory Naryshkin, 30, is another soldier personally accused of war crimes by the Prosecutor General. The athlete and martial artist is also from the far-eastern region of Russia. Sergeant Nikita Akimov (left), 25, from Komsomolsk in the far east, is accused of personally kidnapping and torturing innocent Buchans. He has a wife and children and has posted pictures throughout the invasion on Facebook. Right: Corporal Mikhail Kashin, 24, comes from Votkinsk, west Russia. According to his social media, he has a wife and several sisters. He spent his birthday allegedly committing war crimes in Bucha. Private Vasily Knyazev (left), 24, comes from a poverty-stricken family in Yoshkar-Ola, western Russia. He joined the army straight from school and posted photos on Facebook of where the 64th Motorized Brigade was stationed after invading Ukraine. Right: Private Albert Radnaev, 24, joined the army straight from school. His father is also reportedly a soldier in the Russian Army, though it's unknown whether he has gone to fight in Ukraine. Junior Sergeant Vyacheslav Lavrentyev (left), 29, was a firefighter in Transbaikal, eastern Russia before signing up to fight in Ukraine. He posted on Facebook: 'Live one life - save thousands.' Right: Corporal Semyon Maltsev, 26, is a dancer. He also comes from Russia's far-eastern region. In February, he stopped touring with his dance company and signed up to fight in Ukraine. Ukraine Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said today: 'We will not stop until we bring each of them to justice.' The Prosecutor General's office and news agency Slidstvo scoured the internet for the personal information of the ten men. Aged between 24 and 33, the corporals, sergeants and privates in the 64th Motorized Brigade are now thought to be fighting in the Donbas. More than 400 mutilated, tortured and murdered corpses were discovered in Bucha days after reports emerged of widespread war crimes in the Kyiv suburb as Russian troops withdrew. Last week alleged ringleader the 'Butcher of Bucha' Commander Azatbek Omurbekov was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to full Colonel. It came despite his men standing accused of gang rapes, tortures and civilian executions. Soon after receiving the honours, the unit was then redeployed to the eastern Donbas front, one of the most dangerous in the conflict. Deadly battles are taking place as Moscow's forces attempt to surround Ukrainian troops who are proving a determined line of defence against Russia's push from the east. Analysts say Putin has deliberately sent them to the front lines in order to make them disappear. That way they could not never be forced to testify over their alleged war crimes. Ukraine has continued to publish the names of officers and privates responsible for the Bucha massacre. Putin is said to know they could one day be made to stand trial and reveal the scale of their atrocities. The intelligence directorate of Ukraine's MoD said at the start of the month that Russian commanders were refusing to rotate their brigades and that the 64th were in Belgorod in Western Russia ready for redeployment. Putin then sent them to the front between Kharkiv and Izyum, where fierce Ukrainian fighters were stationed looking to exact revenge on the now infamous brigade. Images now purport to show destroyed T-80 battle tanks, Kamaz trucks and BTR-80 armoured personnel carriers with corpses lying beside the vehicles after the Donbas drone attacks. Commander Azatbek Omurbekov (pictured), identified as Putin's senior commander in Bucha when the barbarism was carried out, was then promoted One of numerous piles of body bags in Bucha is labelled and the corpses buried, April 8 As Russian forces try to fix an surround Ukrainian units in the east of the country, defenders are still holding out inside the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol while blasts took down TV masts in Kherson overnight and explosions also rocked Transnistria, in Moldova Most of the soldiers in the unit protested against their redeployment so soon after their campaign in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian news site Hromadske. They were made to fight the 93rd Ukrainian brigade protecting Kharkiv, who have a fearsome reputation, similar to the neo-Nazi Azov regiment in Mariupol. Ukraine believes defeating the 64th Brigade would be another huge symbolic victory following the successful strikes inside Russia and the sinking of the Moskva flagship. It is believed the brigade was assisted by the feared Wagner mercenaries in their savage attacks on Bucha residents. The shadowy military company, which has been linked to a string of killings, rapes and war crimes around the world, is known as Putin's private army. It carries out his dirty work at an arm's length from the state. Russia has said that images and footage of hundreds of dead bodies strewn across Bucha were fake. Pro-Putin newspaper Red Star reported: 'In the course of capturing the designated boundary, the enemy numbering up to a battalion was defeated, and more than 40 pieces of equipment destroyed. 'The Nationalist unit lost all combat capability and was no longer involved in combat operations. 'Within three weeks, under the leadership of Colonel Omurbekov, brigade units at the occupied line repelled more than 50 attacks by the enemy using tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and heavy artillery.' APRIL 3: Soldiers walk amid destroyed Russian tanks and cars in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv Vova, 10, looks at the body of his mother, Maryna, lying in a coffin as his father, Ivan Drahun, prays during her funeral in Bucha last week Ukrainian officials say the bodies of more than 1,000 civilians have been retrieved from areas around Kyiv, and they are working with French investigators to document alleged war crimes. Forensic tests carried out on civilian corpses dumped in mass graves show women were raped before being brutally killed, it was revealed on Monday. Dozens of autopsies have been carried out on mutilated corpses from Bucha, Irpin and Borodianka, with many showing signs of torture and multiple bullet holes in the back. One coroner north of Kyiv said it is difficult to find signs of rape and sexual abuse because the bodies 'are in such bad shape'. A United Nations mission to Bucha documented 'the unlawful killing, including by summary execution, of some 50 civilians there', the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said. In the same town, 25 women aged 14 to 25 were kept in a basement and systematically raped, with nine of the women becoming pregnant in a case now recorded by human rights commissioner Lyudmila Denisova. Daniel Auster, 44, was found dead on Tuesday from a suspected drug overdose Paul Auster's son Daniel died in the hospital on Tuesday six days after being found unconscious having overdosed on drugs on a Brooklyn subway station platform. NYPD officials on Thursday confirmed that he was found at 9.48am on the northbound G platform at the Clinton Street subway in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. He was taken to the hospital but died on Tuesday. It brings a sad end to a tragic saga that began when his ten-month-old daughter Ruby died in November. She had ingested fentanyl while her father took a nap in their Park Slope apartment. He found her blue and unresponsive after waking up. Daniel told police at the time that he'd just injected heroin when the pair lay down to sleep. His wife, Zuzan Smith, told police she trusted him with their daughter. Daniel Auster's daughter, Ruby (pictured above), was found lifeless in his Park Slope home on November 1 Author Paul Auster pictured today outside his Brooklyn home. He has not commented on his son's death Auster, 75, is believed to have been estranged from his 44-year-old son when he killed his daughter in November, and at the time of his death Paul Auster emerged from the home later to receive a grocery delivery. He was seen tipping the delivery person It's unclear what happened in the following six months but on April 16, Daniel was charged with his daughter's death. He was released on bond on April 17 by Brooklyn Judge John Hecht, who demanded a $100,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond. It's unclear who met those bond requirements. On April 20 - four days after his arrest - he overdosed in the subway station. Ruby's mother, Zuzan Smith, has not commented on his death, nor has the Brooklyn District Attorney whose office let him go free. A DA office spokesman on Thursday would only confirm that they had been informed of his death on Tuesday and that it brought an end to the case. It is unclear if he was living with Zuzan when he died, or if the pair were separated. Daniel Auster, 44, is pictured on April 16 when he was arrested for his daughter's death. He was somehow let out on bond, and killed himself with an accidental overdose six days later. It remains unclear where he was living when he died The subway platform where Daniel was found unconscious on April 20, four days after his arrest Daniel would regularly post photos of his wife Zuzan and daughter, Ruby, before her death last year. It's unclear if he and Zuzan stayed together after Ruby's death or if they parted ways. When he died, he was living in a different apartment to where he'd lived with Ruby and Zuzan 'On Wednesday, April 20,2022 at 0948hrs at Washington Avenue/Clinton Street subway station, police officers observed an unconscious 44-year-old male on the northbound G train platform, administered CPR along with FDNY and the individual was removed by EMS to Brooklyn Hospital in stable condition but was later pronounced deceased on Tuesday, April 26,2022,' an NYPD spokesman said on Thursday. The New York Post first reported Daniel's death. Daniel's father, Paul Auster, 75, has won numerous international awards for his books, which include titles such as The New York Trilogy,' 'The Book of Illusions,' and 'Moon Palace.' In 2017, he was nominated for the Booker Prize for his novel '4, 3, 2, 1', and his work has been translated into more than forty languages. In Auster's 1995 film about the lives of people who frequented a Brooklyn tobacco shop, Smoke - which starred Harvey Keitel and William Hurt - Daniel played the role of a book thief. His mother is author and translator Lydia Davis, 74. Auster's stepmother, Siri Hustevdt, leaves her home in Park Slope on Thursday. No one from the family has commented on his death Siri Hustvedt, wife of Novelist Paul Auster is seen leaving their Brooklyn home on Thursday Daniel Auster is pictured in a photo with his father Paul, in a shot from his teenage years Davis and Paul Auster divorced in 1978; in 1982, he remarried, tying the knot with author Siri Hustvedt, and the couple have one daughter together, musician Sophie Auster, 34. Daniel's father, Paul Auster, is among America's most famous authors A woman believed to be Siri was seen leaving the couple's Park Slope home on Thursday. No one from the family has commented on Ruby's death, Daniel's arrest or his death earlier this week. During his teenage years, Auster started going to clubs in New York City and became heavily involved with drugs, according to The New Yorker. At the age of 18, in 1996, Auster was present in the apartment when a drug dealer, Andre 'Angel' Melendez, was murdered by 'Club Kid Killer' Michael Alig, a former nightclub promoter, and his roommate, Robert Riggs. Auster was given $3,000 of Melendez's money in exchange for his silence. He later pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property and was given five years probation. Auster had a string of arrests including several drug possession charges in 2008 and 2010. In 2009 he was charged with petit larceny and possession of stolen property. The troubled son of New York author Paul Auster, Daniel, was charged in relation to his infant daughter's drug overdose death. On Tuesday he was found dead In 1996, 'Club Kid Killer' Michael Alig, who was a former nightclub promoter, murdered a drug dealer, Andre 'Angel' Melendez (pictured), in an apartment in which Auster was present. Auster was paid $3,000 to keep quiet, and was later given five years probation. Alig was found dead on Christmas Eve 2020 from an accidental heroin overdose, at the age of 54 Auster in April claimed his baby daughter died of a fentanyl overdose after he took heroin then went to take a nap with the child by his side while his wife worked, a court heard. The vivid account allegedly given to the NYPD by Auster was shared by Assistant District Attorney Tien Tran at his arraignment hearing on manslaughter charges. The infant's mother, Zuzan Smith, told police that their daughter, Ruby, was awake and alert when she left her in Auster's care and went to work. A criminal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com states that Auster told police that shortly after Smith left their home, he injected heroin and then got into bed for a nap with the child by his side. When he woke up from his nap, she was 'blue, lifeless and unresponsive', the complaint states. The prosecutor said that the girl had enough drugs in her system to 'render an adult unconscious.' It's still unclear how the girl ingested the drugs, but Auster confessed that he kept heroin in his bathroom. At the time his lawyer, James Godfrey, told The New York Times that he was recently sober and was in drug treatment. 'This case is painfully tragic, and Mr Auster remains devastated over the loss of his beloved daughter Ruby,' the lawyer told the paper. 'Substance use disorder is an issue that countless families reel from each year, and we caution the public to refrain from making any rush to judgment.' In many of the photos, Auster can be seen posing with his little girl, or cuddling her Auster's Instagram page was full of pictures of his daughter and her mother The trio dressed up for Halloween in a scene from the Wizard of Oz with Daniel as the Tin Man and his wife as Dorothy An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner a few days later found Ruby died of acute intoxication caused by the combined effects of fentanyl and heroin. Auster, who worked as a landscaper, posted photos of his child and Smith on his Instagram page before jetting off to Mexico and Columbia in January. On his travels, he seemed to be backpacking like a college student, and taking in several raves. Auster and his father appeared to be estranged, but Auster wrote Daniel into his work. Auster, pictured here being led to court for his arraignment, gave the 10-month-old girl Narcan to revive her after he awoke to find her 'blue, lifeless and unresponsive' Auster, 44, refuses to face the cameras after he was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child after his infant daughter ingested his heroin while he napped In his 2004 novel, Oracle Night, the book is narrated by a writer called Trause whose son is a drug addict who terrorizes his stepmother. During a 2006 Guardian interview, Paul Auster's second wife Siri Hustvedt who is also a writer, declined to speak about her stepson. 'Yes. You know, I'm not going to talk about any of that, no. No,' she said, her eyes reportedly beginning to water. 'You know, I am married to a writer, and this - writing - is an odd enterprise. 'It's something we both support very strongly. 'I've always been behind Paul, and he's always been behind me. 'I have a very strong family.' President Joe Biden on Thursday said his administration would comply with the courts on Title 42, the public health order being used to turn away migrants at the border. The administration had planned to end the use of the Trump-era order on May 23 but a federal judge in Louisiana has temporarily blocked that move until a further hearing on the matter. Biden said he will leave the fate of the public health policy in the judiciary's hands. 'We had proposed to eliminate that policy by the end of May. The court has said we can't so far and what the court says we're going to do. The court could come along and say we cannot do that and that's it,' Biden told reporters at the White House when asked about the situation. The court order blocks the administration from beginning to wind-down Title 42 ahead of its planned May 23 conclusion, but doesn't stop the policy being axed on that date. President Joe Biden said he would comply with the courts on Title 42 Asylum-seekers gather at the Plaza Las Americas migrant tent camp in Reynosa, Mexico - experts expect a surge in border crossings if Title 42 is lifted Migrants of different nationalities walk in a caravan, through the main avenues of Tapachula in Chiapas, Mexico US District Judge Robert Summerhays has scheduled a critical hearing on May 13 in Lafayette to hear arguments on whether to block Title 42 from ending as planned 10 days later. Twenty-one states have sued to stop the order from being lifted, citing concerns about the impact on their states due to the surge in migrants expected to enter the U.S. after it's lifted. Several Democrats, particularly those in border states, have questioned what the administration's plan is to deal with the expected influx. On the other side of the political spectrum, progressive Democrats have pushed Biden to end the policy, calling it inhumane. The issue is rapidly becoming a political hot potato ahead of the November midterm election, which will decide control of Congress. Migrants have been expelled more than 1.7 million times under the policy. Some predictions have suggested that about 12,000 to 13,000 migrants a day could cross the southern border once the policy is no longer in place. The Biden administration has been preparing for up to 18,000 daily border crossings - a massive increase over the current rate of about 8,000 a day. A migrant waits on the Mexican side of the border after United States Customs and Border Protection officers detained a couple of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border on the beach, in Tijuana, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insisted during two separate budget hearings on Wednesday that the southern border crisis is being 'effectively managed' Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insisted to Congress this week that the situation at the southern border is being 'effectively managed' by the administration. 'We inherited a broken and dismantled system that is already under strain,' Mayorkas said in opening remarks at both hearings on Wednesday. 'It was not built to manage the current levels of migration flow.' 'Only Congress can fix it,' he insisted. He also also solely blamed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for repealing Title 42, claiming that the CDC has 'exclusive jurisdiction' of the public health measure. But, he noted, the administration has a plan in place. 'Under this administration, our department has been executing a comprehensive strategy to secure our borders and rebuild our immigration system,' Mayorkas said in his opening remarks. 'With the Title 42 public health order set to be lifted, we expect migration levels to increase as smugglers seek to take advantage of and profit from vulnerable migrants.' Republicans repeatedly hammered Mayorkas on border strategy when he testified on Capitol Hill. But border-state Democrats up for reelection in the November midterms have voiced frustration about the White House's handling of the issue, accusing it of failing to come up with a Plan B for controlling the border. The Senate was deadlocked Wednesday over a push to pass legislation that would keep Title 42 from ending. Republicans are likely to demand a vote reinstate the measure as part of any action to approve the next tranche of covid-19 relief -- and both of those initiatives could end up entangled in legislation to greenlight further aid to Ukraine, which is battling a two-month invasion by Russia. Biden announced on Thursday that he was tying his request in $33 billion in aid to the Ukraine to his request for $22.5 billion to fight covid. The administration is trying to ease fears with releasing limited details of their border strategy. According to a Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by CNN, US Customs and Border Protection deployed 600 officers and agents to the US-Mexico border and is expanding its capacity to hold around 18,000 migrants in custody, up from 13,000. The administration, which began offering Covid-19 vaccines to migrants earlier this year, is expanding sites to 24 locations to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus by May 23. Twitter's top lawyer Vijaya Gadde is in the spotlight after Elon Musk criticized her in a string of scathing tweets, leading a former company executive to accuse the billionaire of 'bullying' and spearheading a harassment campaign. Gadde, 47, has been a low-key Silicon Valley power player for years, and at Twitter played a key role in the contentious decisions to ban Donald Trump and suppress news articles about Hunter Biden's laptop. After moving to the US from India with her family as a toddler, Gadde and her family faced racism as she grew up in Beaumont, Texas, where she has said her father had to seek approval from the Ku Klux Klan to sell insurance door-to-door. Now the mother of a young child, Gadde has built a remarkable career, spending a decade at elite Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and working in the legal department at Juniper Networks before joining Twitter in 2011. Federal records show that she has also donated regularly to Democratic candidates, contributing more than $18,000 over the past two decades, and most recently supporting Kamala Harris with a $2,700 check in 2019. Twitter 's top lawyer Vijaya Gadde is in the spotlight after Elon Musk criticized her in a string of scathing tweets, leading a former company executive to accuse the billionaire of 'bullying' and spearheading a harassment campaign Gadde, 47, has been a low-key Silicon Valley power player for years, and at Twitter played a key role in the contentious decisions to ban Donald Trump and suppress news articles about Hunter Biden 's laptop A Twitter spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry from DailyMail.com on Thursday afternoon seeking comment from Gadde or the company. As Twitter's chief legal officer and general counsel, Gadde exercises enormous power at the company, where she has long essentially had final say over who is allowed on the platform, and what they can tweet. In an interview with Bloomberg, Gadde once said that Twitter's former CEO Jack Dorsey left the creation and enforcement of content policies up to her. 'He rarely weighs in on an individual enforcement decision,' Gadde told the outlet. 'I can't even think of a time. I usually go to him and say, 'this is what's going to happen.'' Although she maintains a low profile, that power has put Gadde at the center of some of Twitter's most controversial moderation decisions, including the decision to permanently ban Trump after his supporters stormed the US Capitol in January 2021. She also signed off on Twitter's move to block the sharing of links to a New York Post article based on files from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop soon before the 2020 election. As Twitter's chief legal officer and general counsel, Gadde exercises enormous power at the company Gadde signed off on Twitter's move to block the sharing of links to a New York Post article based on files from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop Gadde drew backlash after banning the Post's reporting under Twitter's 'hacked materials policy' The Post's Twitter account was also suspended for roughly two weeks. Later reporting, including from DailyMail.com, confirmed the laptop's authenticity. Gadde hit the headlines again this week after she reportedly broke down in tears while briefing her 350 employees on Musk's successful $44 billion bid to acquire Twitter. When political podcast host Saagar Enjeti tweeted that Gadde was instrumental in the decision to temporarily suspend the New York Post's account, Musk replied: 'Suspending the Twitter account of a major news organization for publishing a truthful story was obviously incredibly inappropriate.' On Wednesday he doubled down on the criticism of Gadde, sharing a meme with his 86 million followers showing Gadde and suggesting the company's decisions are affected by a 'left wing bias.' But Musk's tweets drew furious backlash from Dick Costolo, who was the CEO of Twitter between 2010 and 2015. Costolo replied to Musk: 'What's going on? You're making an executive at the company you just bought the target of harassment and threats.' In a subsequent tweet, the former Twitter boss wrote: 'Bullying is not leadership.' Musk hit back: 'What are talking about? I'm just saying Twitter needs to be politically neutral.' He appeared to elaborate more on this point by tweeting: 'For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally'. Current Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal also appeared to respond obliquely to the controversy, tweeting he was proud of 'our people' who managed to stay focused despite the 'noise'. Dick Costolo, who was the CEO of Twitter between 2010 and 2015, accused Musk of bullying Gadde with his critical tweets 'I took this job to change Twitter for the better, course correct where we need to, and strengthen the service,' he said. 'Proud of our people who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise.' Though she is now in the spotlight, Gadde has long appeared keen to maintain a low profile. She was described in a 2020 Politico profile as 'the most important Silicon Valley executive you've never heard of.' Managing a team of 350, in 2021 she earned $17 million: a base salary of $600,000, plus a bonus of $450,000 and almost $400,000 in personal security. The rest was from shares. Born in India and moving to Beaumont, Texas, when she was two years old, she recalls her engineer father having to go to the KKK to ask permission to sell insurance door-to-door. She later said that the unjust situation was what inspired her to become a lawyer. The family later moved to New Jersey, and Gadde graduated with a law degree from New York University in 2000. 'I felt very strongly that I needed to be in a position where I understood my rights, or my community's rights,' she told Politico. 'I didn't ever want to be taken advantage of.' Arianna Huffington (L) and General Counsel at Twitter Vijaya Gadde are seen in 2015 Though Gadde was previously married to fellow attorney Ramsey Homsany, the couple filed for divorce in 2014 in what appears to be an amicable split Though Gadde was previously married to fellow attorney Ramsey Homsany, the couple filed for divorce in 2014 in what appears to be an amicable split without any children, court records show. It's unclear whether she later remarried, but Gadde does have a young child who was born around 2017. Gadde joined Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she worked for a decade before becoming Senior Director in the legal department of Juniper Networks in Silicon Valley. She joined Twitter in 2011, and became co-founder and then-CEO Jack Dorsey's right-hand woman, sitting next to him and accompanying him on his meetings in Congress and at the White House. In October 2019 she was the architect of the idea to stop political advertising on the platform, and shortly before the election she played a key role in the decision to suspend The New York Post's account when it reported on Hunter Biden's laptop. Twitter claimed it violated the company policy against promoting hacked material; critics were angered by the heavy-handedness, and Twitter later apologized. In January 2021, it was Gadde who rang Dorsey - on vacation in Hawaii - to inform him they were banning Donald Trump, for violating policies against inciting violence. Gadde is also a co-founder of #Angels, an investment collective that backs start-ups and helps ensure that women receive equal compensation at successful companies. She is also on the board of medical charity Mercy Corps. Elon Musk called on Thursday the creation of Joe Biden's new 'disinformation' board 'discomforting' as the president tapped a Russia misinformation 'expert' to lead the initiative. The billionaire, who just acquired Twitter this week, was responding to a tweet from conservative political commentator, comedian and media personality Steven Crowder. 'The government is creating a misinformation governance board,' Crowder tweeted on Thursday. 'Who else did something like that?' he continued. 'Oh I remember, the Nazi's. And there's some data showing some interesting things going on post- @elonmusk's Twitter takeover!' Nina Jankowicz was brought on to lead the Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board to combat disinformation related to national security and she expressed concerns last week that Musk expanding free speech on social media would be bad for 'marginalized communities'. On Wednesday, Jankowicz defended her previous remarks casting doubt on the validity of the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. Elon Musk (pictured on March 9, 2020) called President Joe Biden's creation of DHS's Disinformation Governance Board 'discomforting'. The billionaire bought Twitter this week and says he plans to make it a more free speech orientated platform Musk was responding to conservative media personality Steven Crowder's tweet comparing the board to the Nazi's misinformation initiatives and pointed to the board's announcement after Musk acquired Twitter Republican Senator Josh Hawley is demanding that the White House 'dissolve' the new Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board she is heading, claiming that it would only 'monitor Amerians' free speech'. A tweet Jankowicz sent in October 2020 has resurfaced and is making the rounds in conservative circles. 'Back on the 'laptop from hell,' apparently- Biden notes 50 former natsec officials and 5 former CIA heads that believe the laptop is a Russian influence op,' she tweeted at the time. She added: 'Trump says 'Russia, Russia, Russia.' She now claims that the tweet was part of her 'live tweeting' a debate between Trump and Biden just one month before the presidential general election as Republicans are using the post to pounce on her political leanings. 'For those who believe this tweet is a key to all my views, it is simply a direct quote from both candidates during the final presidential debate,' Jankowicz defended in a repost of the original tweet. 'If you look at my timeline, you will see I was livetweeting that evening,' she added in the Wednesday night tweet. Jankowicz confirmed reports on Wednesday that she is being brought on as executive director of the new board at DHS. Republicans immediately blasted the move, claiming she has shown too much bias to head the group specifically in casting doubt on Hunter's laptop scandal. In October 2020, Jankowicz called the laptop stories a 'Trump campaign product.' Republicans immediately pounced after Jankowicz, a Russian disinformation expert, confirmed Wednesday that she will head up the new Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board Trump-ally and GOP Senator Josh Hawley is demanding that the 'monstrosity' of a board be 'dissolved' before it even gets started He said that he thought the board was 'satire' because there was no way an 'American Administration would ever use the power of Government to sit in judgement on the First Amendment speech of its own citizens' He questioned the timing of the announcement of the board coming just after billionaire Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter Senator Hawley insisted on Thursday that the board should be dissolved before it even gets started. 'I write with deep concern about the Department of Homeland Security's decision to create a new Disinformation Governance Board,' he penned in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. 'I confess I at first thought this announcement was satire,' he continued. 'Surely no American Administration would ever use the power of Government to sit in judgment on the First Amendment speech of its own citizens.' 'Sadly, I was mistaken.' He then demanded that DHS provide more information on this new board, including how it will function and be monitored. Hawley also questioned why the announcement was made just following billionaire Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, which he vowed to make a more free speech platform with all ideas. Jankowicz was critical of Musk buying Twitter, claiming that more free speech on the social media platform was a negative thing. Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson sent a statement against the formation of the board. 'The Biden Administration has not proven itself to be a credible arbiter of 'disinformation.' Instead, it has taken steps to silence information that is unflattering to this Administration under the guise of 'disinformation,' Johnson wrote. 'For example, unnamed intelligence officials, the media, and social media platforms engaged in a coordinated effort to censor stories about Hunter Biden's laptop and his questionable financial dealings under the false label of 'disinformation.' 'I am concerned DHS's Disinformation Board will only serve to silence or censor those voices critical of your disastrous policies and serve a political cover for your failure to secure the border,' the senator concluded. Mayorkas did not disclose any powers that would be granted to the dystopian-sounding board while addressing lawmakers on Wednesday. He explained that the board would work to tackle disinformation ahead of the November midterms, particularly in Hispanic communities. He also said that the board would come under the Biden-era Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), meaning it would have no powers to crack down on disinformation and will instead try to combat it by throwing money at what it sees as problems. The CP3 program provides communities with resources and tools to help prevent individuals from radicalizing to violence. Last year, CP3 awarded about $20 million in grants through its Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program. It is unclear how much cash will be spent on the Disinformation Board. Mayorkas noted that the focus of the new board would be to stop the spread of misinformation in minority communities, including election misinformation ahead of the 2022 midterms. He added that it would focus on the latest trend of misinformation allegedly targeting Spanish-speaking voters. No further details on the exact misinformation being deployed against these communities was shared. Jankowicz, who revealed she was the head of the department following Mayorkas' meeting with lawmakers, tweeted: 'Cat's out of the bag: here's what I've been up to the past two months, and why I've been a bit quiet on here. Senator Hawley also pointed on Wednesday to Jankowicz telling NPR last week that she 'shudders to think about' more free speech on social media platforms after Musk made a bid for Twitter Jankowicz is eight months pregnant with her first child, and is an extremely prolific tweeter Woke Nina Jankowicz is now head of Biden's dystopian 'disinformation board' Nina Jankowicz had already made a name for herself before being appointed head of Biden's Russian disinformation unit. Jankowicz, 33, is a successful author who is currently eight months pregnant with her first child. She grew up in New Jersey and is dating Michael Stein. The couple are happily shacked up in a $1 million, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom property they own in Arlington, Virginia. Jankowicz, attended Bryn Mawr College and Georgetown University, before embarking on a glittering career in foreign relations. She managed programs to Russia and Belarus at the National Democratic Institute. Jankowicz also advised the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on disinformation and strategic communications She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Eurasia Foundation and is a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center But the author is best known as a prominent woke voice online. The Biden appointee's latest book, How To Be A Woman Online has just been released, and deals with the topics of internet bullying and trolling. She has complained about hordes of men tracking down her private Facebook and Instagram accounts after she appears on TV to try to follow her and find out more about her life. Jankowicz says she prefers strangers to follow her Twitter account, and speculates that many of those who criticize her online are jealous of her 'verified' blue check mark and media career. She has identified five different types of trolls who target her most, including 'reply guy' types who insist on trying to meddle in all aspects of her life, including in how brown she toasts her bread. Despite claiming to be a free speech campaigner online, Jankowicz has spoken out against the First Amendment. Aligning herself with many online progressives who've begun to call for an end to unqualified free speech, Jankowicz recently tweeted: 'I shudder to think about if free speech absolutists were taking over more platforms, what that would look like for the marginalized communitieswhich are already shoulderingdisproportionate amounts of this abuse.' She also said the prospect of Elon Musk taking over Twitter made her 'shudder.' But Jankowicz - who has a pet dog and a cat - has not joined thousands of other liberals who've vowed to quit the platform as a result of Musk's purchase. Advertisement 'Honored to be serving in the Biden Administration @DHSgov and helping shape our counter-disinformation efforts.' She added that 'a HUGE focus of our work, and indeed, one of the key reasons the Board was established, is to maintain the Dept's committment (sic) to protecting free speech, privacy, civil rights, & civil liberties.' The Russia disinformation expert previously called the laptop of President Joe Biden's son Hunter a 'Trump campaign product'. This is causing questions over Jankowicz's ability to accurately judge disinformation now that several sources have come out confirming the validity of Hunter's laptop. Jankowicz also suggested last week that she opposes the The First Amendment because she thinks it is bad for 'marginalized communities' and called Elon Musk a 'free speech absolutist' because he wants to make Twitter more open to all voices. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Jankowicz is a fellow at the Wilson Center where she studies the 'intersection of democracy and technology in Central and Eastern Europe'. She is also the author of How To Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News, and the Future of Conflict. When stories about Hunter Biden's laptop started emerging, several outlets, social media sites and left-leaning disinformation experts claimed that it was just misinformation coming from Trump and others on the right. In an October 2020 report, Jankowicz shared her skepticism of the contents of the laptop and the claims it belonged to Hunter. 'We should view it as a Trump campaign product,' she told the New York Daily News at the time. Twitter repeatedly took down the Hunter Biden laptop story and prevented it from being spread on the platform. Billionaire Elon Musk, who just purchased Twitter, said that his aim is to make the social media platform a more open 'digital town square.' 'Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,' Musk wrote in a statement upon the purchase approval. Jankowicz spoke with NPR last week and questioned Musk's purchase of the platform and 'I shudder to think about if free speech absolutists were taking over more platforms, what that would look like for the marginalized communities,' she said. She said these groups are 'already shoulderingdisproportionate amounts of this abuse' and said free speech and lack of censoring on social media would make it worse. Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley tweeted an image of her remarks to NPR with the caption: 'The Biden Administration's new anti-speech czar is apparently no fan of the @elonmusk Twitter acquisition.' 'This is the person Joe Biden just put in charge of policing Americans' speech. Using the power of the government.' Jankowicz has advised the Ukrainian government on strategist communications she also managed democracy assistance programs to Russia and Belarus. She received her masters in Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and her bachelors degree from Bryn Mawr College. A nine-day-old baby's death was the result of a firm not carrying a risk assessment after supplying contaminated feed for premature babies, a court has heard. Yousef Al-Kharboush died on June 1 2014 after developing sepsis, having been administered with ITH Pharma's total parenteral nutrition (TPN) at St Thomas' Hospital in central London. Southwark Crown Court heard on Thursday he was one of 19 infants at nine hospitals in England who fell ill after being infected with Bacillus Cereus bacteraemia from a contaminated batch of the fluid. The TPN was administered directly into their bloodstream because they were unable to feed on their own between May 27 and June 2, 2014. Yousef and his twin brother, Abdulilah, were born by emergency Caesarean section at St Thomas' Hospital in central London at 32 weeks gestation in May 2014. While in intensive care they were both fed intravenously, but while Abdulilah was not affected, Yousef died. Tameria Aldrich and Oscar Barker also became ill after being given contaminated TPN, although this is not alleged to have caused their deaths. The parents of the children have previously noted their disappointment at the handling of the case in January with one family member saying the CPS have been 'absolutely disgraceful'. Yousef Al-Kharboush (pictured) died on June 1 2014 after developing sepsis, having been administered with ITH Pharma's total parenteral nutrition (TPN) at St Thomas' Hospital in central London. Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said: 'The prosecution case is very firmly that Yousef's death was the result of the way this company was carrying out the manufacturing activity and in particular the lack of a risk assessment.' He said that despite the fact the manufacturing process carried an obvious risk the company did not have a 'suitable and sufficient risk assessment' as required by law. ITH Pharma is facing a fine on Friday when Judge Deborah Taylor will sentence the firm, which has previously entered guilty pleas to three offences. They include failing to make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment between August 1, 2009 and June 1, 2014 over the supply of TPN to patients, under the 1999 Health and Safety at Work Regulations, and two charges of supplying a medicinal product which was not of the nature or quality specified in the prescription, under the Medicines Act on May 27, 2014. Mr Heywood said: 'The defendant company, which was then, and still is, involved in the manufacture and supply of medical nutritional products to hospitals, including for administration to infants who were unwell, supplied one large batch of such products, which was contaminated with a pathogen, a bacterium which was dangerous to health and life particularly if allowed to enter the bloodstream.' One of the Medicines Act charges relates to Yousef, while the second covers the 18 other babies who fell ill, as well as four more who were prescribed TPN but never given it. 'Some became ill, some very ill, and the prosecution case is that among that number, one of the babies who died, died, says the prosecution, as a result of the infection that followed the administration,' the prosecutor said. The issue was linked to ITH and a recall was issued for 81 batches, the prosecutor also said. Adrian Darbishire, QC, defending, disputed on behalf of ITH Pharma that the drip feed is proved to have caused Yousefs death. The reality is...it is not possible to determine a cause of death to the criminal standard, Mr Darbishire said. He went on to say that although the company has pleaded guilty to failing to make a suitable risk assessment, that does not mean a proper risk assessment would have entirely prevented the whole issue. It is very, very difficult to rid oneself of hindsight, ' he said. It is because you cannot unknow what we now know that makes it so difficult to judge what the risk assessment would have contained.' Tameria Aldrich (left) and Oscar Barker (right) also became ill after being given contaminated TPN, although this is not alleged to have caused their deaths. Tameria died nine days after Yousef on June 10 after being transferred to St Thomas' from Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford, while her twin sister Tia survived. Oscar died at Rosie Maternity Hospital in Cambridge. Adrian Darbishire QC, defending, said that 'there is no dispute... that a possible consequence of infected TPN is death,' but added: 'It is not possible to determine a cause of death to the criminal standard.' Vicki Golden, the mother of Tameria Aldrich, who died nine days after Yousef on June 10 after being transferred to St Thomas' from Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford, and whose twin sister Tia survived, left the court in tears in January. Ms Golden's godmother Joanne Bartlett, who is known as Dolly, had already stormed out of court as Mr Darbishire said: 'These offences occurred eight years ago and the company has been and continues to be a trusted supplier of TPN for the NHS.' Police launched an investigation in 2014 after two babies died at St Thomas' Hospital, pictured Speaking to reporters, she branded the case 'absolutely disgraceful', adding: 'I'm disgusted with ITH Pharma and the CPS. 'They ought to be ashamed of themselves. They threw the police under the bus.' Yousef's parents, who now live in Saudi Arabia, issued a statement via his father Raaid Sakkijha, earlier 'We had to change every aspect of our life in London that would remind us of Yousef's loss - our previous apartment, the area that we used to live in, the places that we used to go to when we were pregnant with the twins. 'Even today, Yousef's mother Ghada has a panic and crying attack whenever she sees a mother with a twin stroller as she feels the loss of her son over and over again. 'We really hope that justice would finally prevail after seven years of endless suffering to our family.' Arti Shah, a medical negligence solicitor at Fieldfisher, the firm representing the families of Yousef, Tameria and Oscar Barker, who died at Rosie Maternity Hospital in Cambridge, said: We believe justice will prevail in the civil court and we will continue to pursue ITH Pharma on behalf of the families who suffered the most terrible loss. We are confident the company will be found negligent in civil proceedings for providing contaminated feed. We will also be working closely with the coroner to provide much needed clarity on what happened to cause death and injury to so many babies. ITH Pharma CEO Karen Hamling and her husband Adam Bloom made a statement following the children's deaths at their Park Royal production plant in west London Director and founder of ITH Pharma Karen Hamling said in a statement: I am genuinely sorry that a product we have manufactured may have caused or risked causing anyone harm. Ms Hamlings statement explained that ITH Pharma was started in 2008 and grew exponentially to a turnover in 2020 that was 66m. The success of the company has been built on a reputation for the highest quality products and service,' she said. The company has accepted that it fell short of its obligation. She added: In our industry the delicate nature of what we undertake is underestimated by everyone who looks in from the outside. The risk of this type of manufacturing has not escaped those who used to do what we do now. This risk. was always at the forefront of mine and my staffs minds. Many of our competitors have left as a result of the scrutiny we have faced. Ms Hamling finished by saying that though her company has not always got it right, she is proud of its successes. Judge Deborah Taylor will sentence tomorrow morning. Korea will diversify its import channels of soft coal and increase the production of cement to ease concerns over a supply shortage of the key construction material amid the ongoing crisis surrounding Ukraine, the country's top economic policymaker said Thursday. Global supply chains of bituminous coal, or soft coal, used to make cement, have been unstable due to the war in Ukraine, while domestic demand from builders has recently been on the rise. During an emergency economic response meeting, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said the government will continue to seek an increase in bituminous coal imports from Australia to reduce its dependence on Russia. The government also vowed to speed up the related customs clearance process, while enhancing the monitoring of the supply situation of cement and other major construction materials. Russian coal accounted for around 62 percent of South Korea's total coal imports in the first quarter and that from Australia took up 38 percent. A year earlier, Russian coal accounted for 75 percent of Seoul's total imports, according to government data. The price of Russian soft coal jumped to US$294.6 per ton in March from $158.9 in January. "The government will encourage local companies to expand the production of major construction materials, including cement and rebar. We will also sternly deal with any illegal hoarding and price fixing," Hong said. Earlier this month, major domestic cement companies vowed to increase their production by 35.7 percent quarter-on-quarter for the next three months to a combined 3.88 million tons. In a longer-term plan, the companies plan to reduce their dependence on soft coal to produce cement by using more eco-friendly materials, according to the industry ministry. The government vowed to earmark 930.6 billion won ($732.46 million) by 2030 starting next year to support such moves. (Yonhap) The three alleged killers charged with murdering the son of a Tory activist in a case of mistaken identity appeared at the Old Bailey today. Aspiring lawyer Sven Badzak, 22, was set upon by up to six youths as he was walking along Willesden Lane, Kilburn, north west London, with his 16-year-old friend. Mr Badzak and the teenager were getting orange juice before going to a bagel shop before they were chased at around 5.30pm on 6 February 2021 and got separated in the pursuit. The attackers caught up with Mr Badzak and he was knifed repeatedly. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. The three alleged killers charged with murdering Sven Badzak, 22, the son of a Tory activist, pictured, appeared at the Old Bailey today ahead of their trial on 18 July His 17-year-old friend, who cannot be named, also suffered multiple stab injuries but managed to escape into a shop in Willesden Lane. Rashid Gedel and Shiroh Ambersley, both 21, and a 17-year-old appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday via video-link from HMP Belmarsh, charged with murdering Mr Badzak. They sat next to eachother in a prison conference room all wearing face masks as the Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft, confirmed they will stand trial on 18 July. Mr Badzak his friend were getting orange juice before going to a bagel shop before they were chased at around 5.30pm on 6 February 2021 and got separated in the pursuit Gedel, Ambersley and the 17-year-old denied murdering Mr Badzak and attempting to murder his friend at an earlier hearing. Anthony Orchard, QC, prosecuting, earlier, said it was clear Mr Badzak was a victim of mistaken identity. Sven Badzak was pronounced life extinct at 6.28pm that evening,' he said. 'Neither victim was a gang member or associate. They were victims of mistaken identity. Svens mother, former Conservative Party activist Jasna Badzak, said her son had gone to a shop to get orange juice and then to the bagel shop when he was attacked (Sven pictured with Boris Johnson) Svens mother, former Conservative Party activist Jasna Badzak, said her son had gone to a shop to get orange juice and then to the bagel shop when he was attacked. Sven was privately educated in London at Wetherby and Portland Place schools before attending Roehampton University. Gedel, Ambersley and the 17-year-old were all remanded in custody ahead of the trial. Mathewson, who served on the commission with three of five current aldermen, then sent out an email blast about the proposal and wrote of it on his website The proposal gained national attention this week, after Kevin Mathewson, an ex-Kenosha alderman, got a tip early Monday about the then-unreported request The memorial to Huber would be situated in Kenosha's Anderson Park and be paid by citizen tax dollars. Monday's hearing was to decide if it'd be approved The Monday meeting, saw the city's Kenosha Parks Commission delay a decision that would have placed a memorial in a city park to honor Anthony Huber Kenosha's city council fell into chaos this week during discussions over a proposed taxpayer-funded memorial for one of the men killed by Kyle Rittenhouse, after an attendee questioned the commission's move to table the proposal instead of voting it down. The Monday meeting, which was captured on video, saw the city's five-person Parks Commission delay a decision that would have placed a memorial and plaque in a city park to honor Anthony Huber, an ex-convict skateboarder shot dead by Rittenhouse during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. Video shows Huber, 26, chasing after a then-17-year-old Rittenhouse on August 25, 2020, swinging his skateboard at the teen before being fatally shot in the chest. Rittenhouse was acquitted of the murder last year. He was also cleared for shooting dead one other person and wounding another. Huber's girlfriend, Hannah Gittings, requested the memorial be put up earlier this month, public documents filed by the commission show, on a tree in Anderson Park. The proposal garnered national attention earlier this week, after Kevin Mathewson, a former Kenosha alderman who now works as an investigative journalist, received a tip early Monday morning about the then-unreported request. Mathewson, who served on the commission with three of the five current aldermen - including chair Eric Haugaard - then sent out an email blast about the proposal's existence, and wrote about it on his website, Kenosha County Eye. The proposal soon became the subject of scrutiny by both the press and outraged citizens of Kenosha - who showed up in droves to the commission meeting to voice their opposition to the planned tribute. Mathewson, who also attended the meeting and recorded the proceedings to post to YouTube, told DailyMail.com Thursday that he believes the council members planned to quietly the proposal Monday, and would have if its existence had remained under the radar. Scroll down for video: The Monday meeting, which was captured on video, saw the city's five-person Kenosha Parks Commission delay a decision that would have placed a memorial and plaque in a city park to honor one of two men killed by acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse on August 25, 2020 The memorial would honor Anthony Huber, an ex-convict who charged at Rittenhouse while swinging a skateboard during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020 'There's not a doubt in my mind it would have passed,' Matthewson told DailyMail.com in an interview, noting the meetings usually don't garner such attendance. 'They didn't expect a bunch of people to be there.' Mathewson's footage of the meeting, which was streamed live and has since garnered more than 35,000 views, shows a slew of citizens voicing their concerns regarding the memorial, spurring the city officials to vote 3-2 to table the proposal. At that point, roughly 21 minutes into the clip, Mathewson - who told DailyMail.com that the board met privately to discuss the vote shortly before the meeting, which is against Wisconsin law - asks to speak, sparking an exchange that saw the former Kenosha alderman accuse the board of violating the state's open meetings laws. 'Thanks for allowing me to speak again,' an off-screen Mathewson can be heard saying in the footage, before leveling his suspicions at the commission. 'I just wanted to point out to those of us watching on Youtube [at] home - three members of this board of five say we're gonna table it. You know what that means right? A quorum of this board met behind closed doors today-' Before Mathewson can finish his thought, the clips shows Alderman Haugaard, said he was in favor of tabling the proposal due to an ongoing lawsuit between the city and Huber's family, frantically bang his gavel in an apparent effort to get Mathewson to stop talking. After a brief pause, Mathewson asks Haugaard, a former colleague, 'Am I lying? 'You are,' Haugaard responds, accusing Mathewson of 'misconstruing' the situation and its subsequent illegality, asserting that council member spoke 'one-on-one,' which is not against the law. Huber was fatally wounded after chased Kyle Rittenhouse on the night of August 25, 2020. Prior to killing Huber, Rittenhouse had already shot 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum dead 'I know you don't like it-' Mathewson begins to say in the clip, spurring Haugaard to interrupt and start shouting at the ex-alderman. 'There are open records lost sir, and what you said is false. If you have one-on-one conversations-' 'Did you talk about it or not?' Mathewson then says. 'With others on this board - yes or no?' Haugaard begins to respond: 'We talked about-' Before the city official can finish, Mathewson snipes, 'Of course you did.' This again seemingly sets of Haugaard, who again begins shouting: 'You can talk one-on-one. You cannot ever stand here-' 'Are you gonna let me to speak?' Mathewson then asks, before Haugaard allows him to proceed. Mathewson continues: 'So, the chairman and other members of this body -three of them, which is the majority - violated the law-' Before he can get his sentence in, Haugaard again begins to bang the gavel repeatedly, with deafening intensity. 'And this guy's going nuts,' a trailed off Mathewson remarks in the clip, following Haugaard's outburst. 'Because because you're misconstruing the law,' Haugaard stammers in the footage. Mathewson goes on to address the alderman by name, accusing Haugaard and other board members of tabling the proposal solely due to the attention it was then receiving, and urging the board to vote to reject Gittings' request. 'I understand that you're taking the coward's way out and you don't like that i'm calling you out, Eric,' Mathewson says, 'but these people you just heard, we want you to say no today. 'You want to hold it out here for a day that we're all worried about some other war, then you're going to quietly pass it - we know how you guys work. We know how the government works. 'You broke the law when you had a meeting behind closed doors with-' At this point in the footage, Mathewson is again interrupted, by another alderman who loudly called for a brief recess. 'And now you don't want to hear it,' Matthewson remarks in the footage. 'I just want people to be aware that three of you said we're tabling it. 'All five of you are gonna unanimously agree - which means you all five talked about this. You can't do that! That's a walking quorum. That's a quorum,' referring to the alleged gathering the members had prior to the official open meeting. 'You guys broke the law,' Mathewson continues. 'I know you don't want to hear it; and if you want to slam the gavel like a lunatic, doesn't change what you did is wrong. Huber's girlfriend Lindsay Gettings, left, brought forward the proposal for the public memorial, which, if passed, would be paid by citizens' tax dollars 'And if you want to be a coward and kick it down the line, that's your prerogative. 'It's not going to affect the lawsuit. They said that the police department is responsible for what Kyle did, and the jury said Kyle didn't do anything wrong,' Matthewson proceeds to point out. 'Just do the right thing, and for once stop playing political games.' Another speaker, Kenosha resident Kathy Woods echoed Mathewson's sentiments, saying, 'Of all the bone head things you guys could consider. Don't consider this.' Woods added, 'This is an insult to the people who have memorials. Who have done good things.' The initial decision regarding the proposal was upheld, and left to be discussed later date - a timetable that could span years, Matthewson told DailyMail.com. If the commission votes to move forward with the proposal, the responsibility for the upkeep would fall on Gittings. The shooting occurred amid nights of violent protests in the city following the non-fatal shooting by police of black domestic abuser Jacob Blake. During arguments on the issue, Huber's past criminality, including a domestic abuse charge, was brought up. It is unclear if that will ultimately sway a decision on whether to give him a memorial. In 2018, Huber found guilty of domestic abuse and disorderly conduct. While in 2012, Huber spent time in prison following a choking incident involving his brother. Huber was fatally wounded after Rittenhouse shot him in the chest. Huber had hit Rittenhouse with a skateboard prior to being mortally wounded. In his obituary, Huber was referred as being a passionate skateboarder who was known for his 'quick wit and comedic personality.' The skateboarder had given chase after Rittenhouse shot-and-killed another man, 36-year-old convicted pedophile Joseph Rosenbaum. Despite the killing of Huber, Gittings told The New York Post in a November 2021 interview, 'I do have a lot of sympathy for [Rittenhouse] because he is just a kid to me so it was just like a really dumbass kid who unfortunately became the figurehead for this.' Gittings went on to lay some of the blame for Huber's death at the feet of the city of Kenosha saying, 'Kenosha also needs to be held responsible for allowing this militia to show up and do exactly what they came here to do.' An Argentine diver found a buried treasure - an engagement ring - at the bottom of a lake in the Patagonia region that brought back bittersweet memories when he returned the gold band to its rightful owner. Marcos Ponce, 48, was coming home from a vacation last month with his family and friends in Ushuaia, a resort town on the southernmost tip of South America, when they decided to stop to snorkel in the Santa Cruz province's the Lake of the Desert. The lawyer told digital news outlet Infobae that he was joined by his best friend Hugo Bottaro and spent nearly 50 minutes underwater, but as they were ready to return to shore, he decided to continue ahead and snap some additional photos. As he focused his camera, Ponce was bothered by a shiny object lying next to the wooden column of a dock that prevented him from getting a quality picture. He swam towards the dock and grabbed the object without knowing what it really was. When he surfaced, he discovered that it was an 18-karat gold ring. Marcos Ponce, a lawyer who also happens to be an avid diver, discover a gold ring at the bottom of the Lake of the Desert in Argentina in March The 18-karat gold ring contained the inscription for Damico, the last name of the girlfriend of the woman who reached out to claim the ring as hers The ring included the date of March 21, 2015, which is when the two women got engaged Marcos Ponce said he was trying to take photos of the dock's columns when camera's lens picked up a shiny object. He swam towards the object and picked it up because it was affecting the photos he wanted to take and then recognized it was a ring when he reached the shore Aside from being a lawyer, Marcos Ponce has been diving for 20 years He figured it was a wedding or engagement ring and that someone had accidentally dropped it in the lake. Ponce, who has been going on diving excursions for 20 years, kept the ring at home and on Sunday thought it was perfect time to find its rightful owner. He took to his social media networks and posted photos of the ring on Facebook and Instagram. The post was shared thousands of times and had hundreds of comments in the first two hours. An hour later, a woman from the Santa Cruz town of Rio Turbio direct messaged Ponce to claim the ring. The owner of the ring whose name has been withheld by Ponce to maintain her privacy - was able to confirm the engraved date - March 21, 2015 - in the inside part of the ring along with her former girlfriend's last name, D'Amico. It represented the date she and her ex-partner had gotten engaged. The woman told Ponce that she had moved to Buenos Aires after accepting her partner's proposal and then kept the 18-karat gold ring after they mutually agreed to go different ways over a year ago. Marcos Ponce shared a photo of the ring on his social media networks on Sunday in hopes of returning the ring to its owner. He was contacted by a woman three hours after the post went up on Facebook and was able to confirm the last name and date what was inscribed on it Marcos Ponce She eventually returned to Rio Turbio and while visiting the lake in January decided it was finally time to get rid of the ring and tossed it in the Lake of the Desert. 'She admitted that she always thought about getting rid of the ring, but that she wanted to do it in a special way and that's how this summer she traveled to the Lake of the Desert and threw it into its waters,' Ponce said. Ponce also got a message from the woman's ex-girlfriend, who was able to confirm the same details. However, he decided he will be mailing it out to D'Amico instead this week. 'If fate brings this ring back to me, she'll come back somehow,' D'Amico told Ponce. Marcos Ponce kept the 18-karat gold ring for over a month before deciding it was time to track down its owner Blac Chyna was seen outside of court Thursday as closing arguments began in her case against the Kardashians Kim Kardashian's boyfriend Pete Davidson was in court on Thursday to support her during closing statements in their defamation trial, as the family's lawyer described Blac Chyna - accusing the family of sabotaging her reality TV show - as a domestic abuser and a liar. The jury began their deliberations at 4.30pm on Thursday - shortly after comic and SNL star Davidson, dressed in a black sweatshirt and white jeans, slipped into the courtroom and sat in the back, behind the family. He left the court with Kim. Shortly before the jury retired to consider their verdict, they were told that the show starring Rob Kardashian and Chyna, his then-girlfriend, was cancelled simply because the couple broke up. Michael Rhodes, representing the Kardashians, urged the jury in his summing up 'to let the family start to heal.' He said there was no substance to Chyna's suit, seeking damages for economic loss of $108 million, saying she had failed to present any hard financial evidence of loss of income or of emotional distress. Rhodes said that Chyna was violent and aggressive. 'Did Chyna beat the s*** out of Rob? Yes, she did,' he said. 'It was true. It happened.' Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian are pictured on April 24. On Thursday he was in court to support her Blac Chyna, 33, is pictured in court on Tuesday during her trial seeking damages from the Kardashian-Jenner family Khloe, 37, (far left) and Kim Kardashian, 41 (second from left), and younger sister Kylie Jenner, 24, (second from right) with their mother, family matriarch Kris Jenner, 66, (far right) are all named defendants in the case Rhodes, referred to the day of Chyna and her 35-year-old boyfriend's 'big fight' in December 2016, when she packed up and left their home with their baby girl, Dream, born a month earlier. Rob Kardashian said that she hit him with a six-foot rod, pulled a phone cord around his neck and twice pointed a gun at his head. During her testimony, Chyna, 33, denied that they broke up at that point. Chyna maintains their relationship ended in the summer of 2017, but the defendants say Chyna acknowledged in a written declaration that the two split in December 2016. Rhodes told jurors on Thursday that she denied the relationship had ended because she wanted to show the television program was still viable. 'She had to confirm the relationship was still ok because she has to convince you that the network still wanted her show,' Rhodes said. 'This was not a relationship that any network executive wants on TV.' 'Rob & Chyna' premiered in September 2016 and ran for one season. The series was renewed for a second season, but in light of Kardashian and Chyna's breakup, plans for Season 2 were put on hold. Chyna alleges the Kardashians spread false reports of her assaulting him in order to have the 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' spinoff canceled and ruin her reality TV career. E! network executives testified during the trial that 'Rob & Chyna' was supposed to be a light-hearted romantic comedy. Pete Davidson pictured out in Malibu on Wednesday, April 27 ahead of Thursday's courtroom appearance He was driving around in Kim Kardashian's Lamborghini Urus Chyna, 33, is suing Rob Kardashian's mother Kris Jenner and sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, alleging they spread false reports of her assaulting him in order to have her 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' spinoff 'Rob & Chyna' canceled Chyna pictured here on Wednesday, is seeking $108 million in damages, charging the Kardashians with defamation and 'intentional interference with contract' that led to the Keeping Up with the Kardashians spinoff being canceled The court was also told that a producer on the show told Chyna that if she wanted a second season of the show, she would have to mend her relationship with Kardashian, and suggested counseling could help. Rhodes on Thursday said Chyna's reaction to the idea was: 'F*** no, f*** that. 'F*** Rob. I'm not doing that.' Rhodes asked the jury: 'Is this the relationship you want to build your romantic comedy around? 'Somebody who would say that to her baby's father? Would you put this on the air?' Asking the jury to 'walk with me' over to his clients - Rhodes represents Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, who are all defendants - he pointed at the assembled Kardashians and said: 'This is the child's grandmother, her aunts.' Rhodes told the jury to recall the 'pain and anguish' on Rob Kardashian's face during his testimony on Wednesday, noting: 'That was real. This is a real family. 'Yes they're famous, but they're real people. 'Just because Rob is a big guy, doesn't mean he can't be a victim. 'How would you feel if you child went through this? 'Picture Rob. What did he look like? Was that fake?' E! Network executives paid Chyna $370,000 to film four episodes of KUWTK after season one of Rob and Chyna ended. She is seen at right in one of those episodes with Kim Kardashian Kourtney Kardashian, Blac Chyna and Kim Kardashian are pictured in the center in a photo Kim posted to her Instagram Rhodes also accused Chyna of 'hiding her money' and not filing tax returns for three years. Under oath, Chyna admitted that she told her accountant to stop preparing her tax returns for the year 2019 and has not paid taxes since. 'You cheated the government - but we're going to give you millions of dollars - is that right?' he asked the jury. 'That's concealment.' She was accused during the fight of smashing a TV, a bedroom door and a Christmas gingerbread house. 'The gingerbread house was silly, over the top and beautiful - like the Kardashians,' said Rhodes. 'When she smashed it, she was venting her anger on everything she was not going to be.' Chyna accuses the Kardashians of plotting to cancel her hit reality show Rob & Chyna E!'s Keeping up with the Kardashian ended its 20-season run in June 2021 Earlier on Thursday, the judge denied Chyna's request to repeat her testimony against the Kardashians after she became upset and walked off the stand when she was shown a nude photo of herself during cross-examination. Timeline of Rob and Chyna's gun incident, breakup and show cancelation December 14, 2016 - Chyna says she and her then-fiance were 'laughing and joking and being silly' as they celebrated season two of Rob and Chyna being greenlit by NBC Universal. She denies yelling 'I'm going to kill you' to Rob. She told the court that she pointed the gun upwards and didn't put her finger where the trigger was. Chyna says she put a phone chord around Rob's neck 'as a joke', because 'he was playing video games and I was just trying to get his attention.' December 15, 2016 - Chyna smashes a TV and a gingerbread house and damages the bedroom door. She said she was furious at Rob for taking her phone in a fit of jealousy and locking himself in a closet to check her messages. Kris Jenner's boyfriend, Corey Gamble, shows up at Rob and Chyna's home. Chyna says that he stood between her and Rob, telling Rob to get his car keys and get out of the house. Chyna leaves the home with daughter Dream that morning. January 2017 - Chyna says she and Rob hiked together in Malibu. Rob reportedly goes with her to New York for her personal appearance at a strip club, where cameras followed her. Chyna said she was also filmed by hand-held cameras at another Las Vegas appearance, which made her think they were shooting Rob and Chyna's season two. July/August 2017 - Chyna learns Rob and Chyna had actually been cancelled. October 2017 - Chyna files a $108 million defamation suit against Kris Jenner and Kylie, Khloe and Kim Kardashian and accuses them of forcing producers to cancel her show. Advertisement Judge Gregory W. Alarcon made the decision on Thursday afternoon to move on to closing arguments. Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani rested the plaintiff's case on Thursday morning. The photo is central to another trial that will begin soon after this one concludes. Chyna is suing Rob Kardashian over the image, alleging he posted it online out of retribution. Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian were in the front row of the courtroom early on Thursday. Kim Kardashian was absent after attending most of the nine-day trial. Alarcon began reading the jury instructions in the case late Thursday morning. Ciani wrapped up her case Thursday by showing jurors a video deposition from Frances Berwick, an executive with NBCUniversal, E!'s parent company. Berwick said that a second season of 'Rob & Chyna' didn't go ahead because 'their relationship broke down.' Berwick said: 'Their relationship was in a sad place and we didn't think that it was a good fit for E! - which is frothy and escapist, on the lighter side.' Berwick said she had not had a conversation with Kris Jenner in which Kris threatened to pull 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' if season two of 'Rob & Chyna' went ahead. Asked why NBCUniversal issued a press release in December 2016 announcing a new season, she said that didn't mean the series had been 'greenlit' but that it was only 'an indication of what we hoped to do.' She added that 'it would not be the first time' a press release had come out announcing a show that did not go forward later. Chyna appeared in court Thursday wearing a black check jacket, black leggings and black spike heels, with an orange jacket over the top. Khloe Kardashian was also in attendance and arrived wearing a black tuxedo jacket over a silk shirt, black leggings and white sneakers. Her mother, Kris Jenner wore black pants and a black blazer with white piping. During cross examination last week Rhodes presented Chyna with a copy of the restraining order she filed in 2017 against her ex-fiance, Rob Kardashian after he allegedly posted 'revenge porn' photos of her on social media. Attached to the restraining order documents were copies of the offending nude pictures which both parties in the case had previously agreed by stipulation would not be shown to the jury. Jurors did not see them, but Chyna did, and allegedly became 'upset' and rattled by the photos. Chyna was so distressed that when Rhodes grilled her later about the amount of damages she is seeking, she couldn't name a dollar figure and only gave vague answers to other questions he asked about damages, her lawyer claimed. Seeing the pictures 'derailed' Chyna's testimony, Ciani told Judge Alarcon. 'There was a stipulation that the photos would not be included which was violated intentionally,' she added. Ciani asked the judge to order Chyna's previous testimony about damages to be stricken from the record and that she be allowed to take the witness stand again. Rhodes denied any wrongdoing, telling the court: 'The premise that I tricked the witness (Chyna) into seeing those photographs is absurd.' Rob Kardashian testified on Wednesday that he feared for his life on a night in 2016 when his then-fiancee Blac Chyna pointed a gun at his head, pulled a phone-charging cable around his neck and repeatedly hit him with a metal rod while under the influence of substances. 'She strangled me, she put a gun to my head twice, she was on cocaine and alcohol,' Kardashian said, his voice rising nearly to a shout in a Los Angeles courtroom as Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani sought to cast doubt on the attack and its severity. During an emotional and contentious hour on the stand, Rob Kardashian grew angry when Ciani asked him why photos and video from the days that followed didn't show any marks on him, despite his testimony that she had hit him repeatedly with a 6-foot metal rod. 'Did you have as much as a Band-Aid on you?' the attorney asked. 'I just told you it didn't leave a mark on my face!' Rob Kardashian said. 'And the gun to my head two different times during the night didn't leave a mark to my temple!' The original premise for Rob & Chyna focused on the couple's 'newly blossoming relationship' with a light-hearted, romantic comedy feel to it, however, the pair's romance quickly deteriorated Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian watched the testimony from the front row of the gallery, and had no visible reaction. Chyna testified earlier in the trial that she was never violent toward Rob Kardashian. She said that on the night of Dec. 14 and the morning of Dec. 15, 2016, the couple had been celebrating the news that 'Rob & Chyna' was getting a second season. The all-night celebration turned into a bitter fight by morning, when he took her phone and shut himself in a closet, looking for evidence of communications with other men, she said. She testified that earlier in the evening, she had wrapped a phone-charging cord around Rob Kardashian's neck playfully because he was ignoring her, and picked up a gun he kept around, always unloaded, from a nightstand as a joke. The chain of events would lead to the end of the relationship, and their show. Rob Kardashian, 35, the youngest of Kris Jenner's four children with the late Robert Kardashian, has kept a much lower public profile than his mother and sisters. He was mostly an offscreen character, and only occasionally appeared, on the family's reality show. He broke from the pattern in 2016, spending a year in the limelight before it went bad. He and Chyna began dating in January, announced their engagement in April, announced they were having a child together in May, had their own reality show premiere in September, and had a daughter, Dream, in November. He testified Wednesday that he felt in retrospect that their love was never real, and that he had been at the 'weakest, worst point' in his life when their relationship began. He said the coupling was 'toxic' from the start, and that she beat him at least five times during the yearlong relationship. 'Strangling someone, beating someone, that's not a family,' he said. 'That's not love to me.' Rob Kardashian wore a loose-fitting, untucked black dress shirt on the stand. His otherwise dark testimony drew a laugh from most of the courtroom when Ciani suggested that two videos she showed were shot on the same day because he was wearing the same thing. 'That doesn't mean anything,' he said. 'I wear the same thing every day.' Rob Kardashian is not a defendant in this trial. Chyna's allegations against him, stemming from the same incidents, will get a separate trial when this one is done. Earlier on Wednesday, Corey Gamble, a key witness backing up Rob Kardashian's account of the assault, insisted that he saw Chyna punch him and whip him with a phone-charging cord, as Ciani tried to poke holes in his story. 'I said that she attacked him,' testified Gamble, the longtime boyfriend and sometime co-star of 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' matriarch Kris Jenner. 'What I saw is what I saw.' Gamble said he rushed to the house the couple was staying in after Kris Jenner got an early morning call from her son, who sounded deeply distressed. When he arrived, he said, Chyna was holding some sort of metal rod, and threw it down. She rushed toward Rob Kardashian, whipping the phone cord at him then punching him. 'By the time she got to him, she started hitting him,' Gamble testified. 'I was able to get in the middle of them two. I even got hit two or three times.' Gamble said Chyna threw a chair at Rob Kardashian's car as he was leaving, then attempted to pick up a table but Gamble stopped her. During cross-examination, Ciani had Gamble read from a declaration he submitted in the case two years earlier, in which he said he arrived to find Chyna hitting Rob Kardashian with her fists, but made no mention of any of the objects. 'You didn't see sufficient to mention the metal rod, the cord or the table?' Ciani asked. 'I don't know why I didn't include those details,' Gamble said. A prison governor who had 'intimate liaison' with an inmate and sent him messages calling him 'babe' has been jailed for eight months. Married Victoria Laithwaite, 47, was caught sending prisoner James Chalmers, 30, messages which suggested a relationship between the pair while he was banged up. She was working as head of safer custody and equalities when the texts were discovered on a mobile phone found inside the prisoner's cell at HMP Onley. A court heard in one exchange she said 'I thought you'd ditched me' while in another she wrote: 'I was thinking all sorts babe'. A photograph of Laithwaite was also found saved on the phone discovered inside Chalmers' cell. The sentencing judge told Laithwaite that her offence was aggravated by her 'serious breach of trust' in her role as a prison governor - which included responsibility for ensuring the support of the most vulnerable inmates. Her defence lawyer said she was aware she has 'destroyed her life' and put her family 'through hell' because of her 'foolishness'. Victoria Laithwaite (pictured), 47, who was working as head of safer custody and equalities at HMP Onley when she sent messages to and had an 'intimate liaison' with an inmate, has been jailed for eight months The court heard Laithwaite had twice tried to call one of the phones found in Chalmers's cell Laithwaite, whose husband also works at the category C jail in Northamptonshire, was arrested following the discovery of the phone on April 7 last year. She went on to plead guilty to an offence under Section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 of engaging in communications with an illicit mobile. Today Laithwaite, of Coventry, was jailed for eight months at Northampton Crown Court while Chalmers was caged for 24 months. Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking said: 'You had been employed at HMP Onley with particular responsibility for vulnerable prisoners. 'You've been in HMP service for over 20 years and had in 2017 passed your exams to attain your grade of governor. 'The training and requirements for the standard of conduct for governors would have been very clear in your mind. 'Your offence is aggravated by your serious breach of trust, such conduct undermines the safety and good order of Her Majesty's prisons. 'Your culpability was high. Because of the position you are in the only punishment in this case is imprisonment. 'James Chalmers, at the time of these offences you were serving a sentence of two years nine months imprisonment. 'On the 7th April 2021, two mobile phones, one memory stick and four sim cards were recovered from James Chalmers' phone. 'One phone had sent and received messages to Victoria Laithwaite's phone. On the 4th and 5th of April an image of Mrs Laithwaite was sent and saved. 'It was a highly inappropriate relationship that was clear from the messages recovered.' Prosecutor Sinjin Bulbring earlier told the court the pair were caught after intelligence was received they had been messaging each other at the prison. Laithwaite accepted there was intimacy between herself and the inmate, but denied a physical relationship He added: 'The nature of the messages is suggestive of a relationship between the two. 'For example, in response to a message from Chalmers, Laithwaite wrote: 'Yeah but I was worried when I didn't hear from you. Thought you'd ditched me. If that's the case, please just say it, I'd rather know.' 'With a response she then wrote: 'I haven't heard from you in two days, I was thinking all sorts babe.' with a kiss at the end. 'Later on the same day, she wrote: 'Your mum has been worried, too, can you message her. Can you message me on the other phone, I need to talk to you x.' 'There was also a saved image which was an image of Laithwaite. In interview she answered no comment to all questions in regards to a relationship with Chalmers. 'In interview, Chalmers denied the items found in his room were his. He admitted that he had used the phones to call his family and denied ever contacting Laithwaite.' Sarah Mahmud, defending Laithwaite, said: 'She appears before you deeply ashamed, utterly embarrassed and completely regretful. 'She is under no illusions of the severity of the offence. Committing this offence, she has single-handily destroyed her life, the life of her husband and her children. 'There is no question about it, she has put her family through hell. 'Both Mrs Laithwaite and her family have been put through utter turmoil because of her foolishness. The 47-year-old is the former governor of MP Onley in Northamptonshire (pictured), a category C prison 'She was relied upon very heavily by a number of very complex prisoners, including Mr Chalmers. She developed a rapport with Mr Chalmers, initially to help him. 'There were messages sent between the two parties but ultimately only two phone calls. 'Those two phone calls were attempted phone calls without duration. The messages were only over a finite amount of time. 'Mrs Laithwaite has said that there is no excuse. 'This was a mere blip in an otherwise unblemished career. There was not a physical relationship. 'There had been a breakdown in their marriage, to a point where they thought they could not return from. 'It is also worth noting that Mr Laithwaite has worked at HMP Onley. 'He has had to go into work every day knowing that people are talking about this. 'This is a lady that has lived her life faultlessly where she has sought to help others but she has fallen down the wrong path.' The court heard Chalmers has 19 court appearances for 44 offences including a variety of thefts, possession of drugs, driving offences and criminal damage. He pleaded guilty to transmitting and receiving images through electronic communications inside HMP Onley. Sarah Allen, defending, Chalmers, said: 'It is accepted that there was a degree of intimacy between them. This liaison started. 'He had served half of the sentence when the incident happened. He was released and then arrested. 'It's a matter of deep personal regret to him, a matter that he now wishes had never happened. 'This was a very short-lived matter that has come to an end.' Detective Inspector Dan Evans, of East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said Laithwaite had abused the position of trust and responsibility with the prison. He said: 'Laithwaite was a senior figure within the Prison Service, a public servant expected to behave to the highest standards. 'But this was serious misconduct on her part and only serves to erode confidence in the service as well as potentially undermine the complete security and good order needed to run a prison. 'Prisons are for rehabilitation, yet she willingly encouraged a prisoner to commit an offence, something which flies in the face of that. 'Illicit communications have the potential to seriously undermine order in a prison. 'This was a complex investigation, but working in partnership with colleagues in the Prison Service, I'm pleased we have rooted out a corrupt senior prison officer.' President Joe Biden weighed in on Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear saber rattling, as well as the Kremlin's latest comments that the U.S. is fighting a 'proxy' war in Ukraine. 'No one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons or the possibility of [their] being used. It's irresponsible,' he said at the White House. Biden was asked at the White House Thursday if he was concerned about Putin's latest comments about the U.S. posture toward Ukraine amid Russia's invasion. Russia has protested U.S. arms shipments and support. Biden announced an additional $33 billion in U.S. support on Thursday, as part of a broader effort to send arms, ammunition, and economic support. 'They're not true. They do concern me because it shows the desperation and rushes feeling about their abject failure in being able to do what they set out to do in the first instance,' Biden said. 'No one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons or the possibility of [their] being used,' President Joe Biden said at the White House Thursday He also cast the Kremlin's comments of a proxy war as disingenuous, despite a series of reports about U.S. intelligence and other assistance to the out-numbered. Moscow seized on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's comments in Germany this week that the allied effort would 'weaken' Russia, which U.S. security officials have long criticized as a malign actor on the world stage. 'And so, I think it's more of a reflection of the truth, but of their failure. And so instead of saying that the the Ukrainians are equipped with some capability to resist Russian forces doing this, they've got to say, tell the people the United States and all of NATO is engaged in taking out Russian troops and tanks etc.' 'So it's number one is an excuse for their failure. But number two, it's also if they really mean it, it's it's ... no no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons or the possibility of [their] being used. It's irresponsible,' he said. Vladimir Putin warned that any country that interferes in Ukraine will pose a threat to Russia, and that he will not hesitate to use nuke to counter that threat Biden called it 'irresponsible' for the Kremlin to invoke Russia's nuclear arsenal Putin did not mention nukes directly, but spoke of weapons that 'no one else can brag about' - almost certainly a reference to the Sarmat 2 nuke Russia tested last week A destroyed tank likely belonging to Russia / pro-Russian forces lies amidst rubble in the north of the ruined city. Security experts have warned Russia may turn to unconventional weapons amid battlefield losses An aerial view shows damaged buildings, amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, in Mariupol, Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin made reference to Russia's nuclear arsenal in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. He warned his response to anyone who 'threatens' Russia will be 'lightning-fast' and deadly. 'If someone intends to interfere in what is going on from the outside they must know that constitutes an unacceptable strategic threat to Russia. They must know that our response to counter strikes will be lightning fast. Fast,' he said. 'We have all the weapons we need for this. No one else can brag about these weapons, and we wont brag about them. But we will use them,' he added. He may have been referencing Russia's new Sarmat 2 nuclear missile which was tested for the first time just days ago and that he boasted is unlike any other weapon in the world. On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was fighting a proxy war with all of NATO and said the risk of it turning nuclear is 'real.' The comments came after Russia fired off diplomatic letters to Washington urging the U.S. to cut off military aid. The U.S. continued anyway, with Biden announcing a new $33 million package for Ukraine including $20.4 billion in additional security and military assistance. Speaking to state TV, Lavrov said the current situation is worse than the Cuban missile crisis at the height of the Cold War because of a complete break-down in relations between the two sides. Asked directly about the possibility of a nuclear war, he said: 'The risks are very significant. I do not want the danger to be artificially inflated [but] it is serious, real. It cannot be underestimated.' Ministers have missed a deadline to publish information related to Boris Johnson's appointment of Evgeny Lebedev to the House of Lords. There has been intense scrutiny of the Prime Minister's decision to nominate Lord Lebedev for a peerage, in July 2020, following claims Mr Johnson brushed aside official advice against it. Russian-born Lord Lebedev is the son of an ex-KGB officer and it was claimed that security services - following the PM's intervention - had withdrawn an assessment that granting the 41-year-old a peerage posed a national security risk. Mr Johnson has denied overruling concerns about Lord Lebedev, while the peer himself stressed he has 'nothing to hide' and backed the publication of security advice. But Opposition MPs have kept up the pressure on the PM over the peerage for Lord Lebedev, who owns the Independent website and Evening Standard newspaper. Last month, the House of Commons approved a 'Humble Address' motion from Labour seeking to force the Government to release documents about the peer's appointment. Evgeny Lebedev, who owns the Independent website and Evening Standard newspaper, was nominated for a peerage by Boris Johnson in 2020 The PM has denied overruling security concerns about the appointment of Lord Lebedev to the House of Lords MPs set a deadline of today for ministers to comply with the request. But Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis has written to the Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to express 'regret' that the Government has not been able to publish the documents prior to today's end of the parliamentary session. Parliament has now been prorogued and MPs will not return to the Commons until 10th May, for the State Opening of Parliament and Queen's Speech. Mr Ellis cited national security reasons and data protection - as well as consideration of the involvement of the Queen in the appointment process - in explaining why ministers had failed to come forward with the documents. He wrote: 'As you will know, the motion provided that redactions could be made "for the purposes of national security", a consideration which is of utmost importance given the Governments responsibility to protect information when disclosure is not in the public interest. 'Of course, in preparing this response, the Government is also giving considerations to other principles such as the need to protect the data of private individuals, communications with Her Majesty and also to the conferring by the Crown of any honour or dignity. 'The relevant information has now been collated, but the Government has not yet been able to complete all the necessary considerations. 'The Government regrets that a response will not be made before the House prorogues at the end of this parliamentary session. 'Once the necessary consideration has been given to the material, the Government will promptly upon the return of the House after prorogation, lay its response to the Humble Address motion.' Labour claimed the Government's failure to publish the information requested 'reeks of a cover-up'. The party's deputy leader said: 'Boris Johnson has failed to comply with Parliaments instruction to reveal his role in the Lord Lebedev affair. 'Whats he got to hide? The whole thing reeks of a cover-up by the Prime Minister. 'The public deserve answers on this whole murky business.' Last week, the chair of the House of Lords Appointment Commission (Holac) said the PM put 'no pressure' on peers to clear Lord Lebedev's peerage. Although Lord Bew admitted Lord Lebedev was a 'unique case' that involved security checks, he said his committee had approved his peerage without interference. Roger Stone has backed Elon Musk to shake up Twitter and reinstate Donald Trump after the longtime political fixer made a failed bid to thwart his own five-year ban. Stone made a new account in the early hours of Thursday, telling DailyMail.com he wanted to see whether the platform would allow him back in the wake of Musks takeover. Im back b***hes testing 1 2 3 he declared in a 1 a.m. post under the new handle @RogerStoneUSA, describing himself as an American Political Icon, Born-again, New York Times Bestselling Author, Trump Loyalist, veteran GOP operative, libertarian conservative, MSM critic. The profile amassed 80 followers before it was taken down around 11am and replaced with an Account suspended message and the standard blurb explaining that the 69-year-old had violated Twitter rules. It didnt surprise me at all. But I'm hopeful that Elon Musk is true to his word and that this will really be a platform in which free speech and free expression are honored, Stone told DailyMail.com. Stone called on Elon Musk to reinstate the suspended Twitter accounts of Donald Trump, Michael Flynn and Alex Jones I think he should reinstate Donald Trump. I think he should reinstate Alex Jones. I think he should reinstate General Mike Flynn. Thats not because I agree with everything they say, its because I believe in free speech. I don't have any problem with the most vile leftist in the world having a Twitter account. The Tesla billionaire is buying Twitter for $44 billion Self-proclaimed political dirty trickster Stone was kicked off Twitter in 2017 for insulting several CNN anchors and contributors including Don Lemon and Jake Tapper over their coverage of supposed Russian collusion into the 2016 election. Stone, who was sentenced to 40 months for obstructing a congressional investigation as a result of the Mueller probe but was later pardoned by Trump, said he considered legal action against the tech giant but ultimately decided it was an exercise in futility. They only police hate speech when its conservatives saying things about liberals, Stone complained. If youre a liberal you can threaten everyone you want. It was ok for people to write, members of the committee should gang rape Roger Stones wife. Ive heard that a number of reporters at the New York Times and the Washington Post are on suicide watch because Elon has now grabbed the crown jewels. But under the old leadership Twitter had become boring. Its no longer interesting when everyone thinks the same way. Im hopeful he can restore it to what it was. A bodycam captured the dramatic moment a man and a woman were rescued by sheriff's deputies after being stranded with a single life jacket in Florida. Around 7:40 pm Monday, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's Marine Unit saved two stranded boaters - a man and a woman - who are seen in footage floating aimlessly holding onto a single lifejacket. The HCSO Marine Unit said it was conducting maritime patrols when officials saw a disabled boat with one person on board and two adults in distress nearly 200 yards away from the boat. Footage of the rescue shows two deputies pull up to the stranded boaters and pull them onto the boat, with one of the deputies telling his partner to help the woman first. Scroll Down For Video: Footage of the rescue shows two deputies pull up to the stranded boaters and rush to get them to safety The two deputies help the stranded woman into the boat first 'It's going to be hard to get up here,' they tell her. 'This boat's not an easy boat to...' but they are able to get her on board The stranded male boater tells the officers: 'Appreciate you,' as they help the woman out of the water. 'It's going to be hard to get up here,' they tell her, but then are able to get her on board. At that point, the stranded man asks: 'Can I go around the back or...?' motioning to the back of the boat. Officers tell him to remain where he is while the woman is guided to sit on a cooler. The deputies pull the man on board with a bit more effort. Clearly relieved, he jokes with the deputies, saying they have a 'bad ass boat'. One replies, 'thank you' and then one of the deputies appears to be talking on a radio. After helping the woman on board the deputies help then quickly help the stranded male boater The man, clearly relieved, jokes with the deputies, saying they have a 'bad ass boat' to which one replies: 'thank you' The deputies pull the man on board with a bit more effort but after a count to three, he is in The boaters later were taken back to their boat, which they were able to start up again, and they returned to the marina. Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed gratitude for the Marine Unit that was on patrol. 'Had they not been patrolling the waters, this could have ended very differently,' Chronister said in a statement. He asked other boaters to use this rescue as a warning. 'Summer is just around the corner,' Chronister added. 'I want to remind all boaters to ensure their vessels are in good condition, and to please, always wear a life jacket. These simple steps could be the difference between a beautiful day out on the water or a tragedy.' An Ohio school board voted to censure a member who said she accidentally posted a link to a porn site on her campaign's Facebook page. On Wednesday, the board for the Lakota Local School District just outside Cincinnati held an emergency meeting and voted to censure 41-year-old board member Darbi Boddy - as well as call for her resignation. The emergency meeting was called after Boddy posted on Facebook a link that led to content the board deemed 'inappropriate sexual content' Boddy attended Wednesday's meeting with her young daughter and left after the censure vote saying: 'I will not be part of this political ruse' The emergency meeting was scheduled after a Boddy posted on Facebook a link that led to what the board deemed 'inappropriate sexual content' Her post, which has since been deleted, accused the board of keeping the public in the dark about an upcoming curriculum audit, which the board has denied, WCPO.com reported. Boddy was elected in November on a platform opposing the teaching of mask mandates, critical race theory, Black Lives Matter and the 1619 Project, a New York Times Magazine project which centers on slavery in American history and was subsequently published as a book. Boddy said posting the link to the pornographic site was a mistake and that she actually intended to post a link to a site about sexual education for teens. In another Facebook post that also was removed, Boddy said that while the link was a 'typo,' it is 'representative of the disgusting material that is being put in front of our children.' 'The way the terms inclusion, diversity, equity, and tolerance are used on social media and in our schools is dividing our children into groups of oppressed and oppressors,' Boddy said on her website. Boddy (pictured) was elected in November on a platform opposing the teaching of mask mandates, critical race theory, Black Lives Matter and the 1619 Project Boddy (pictured) said the link to the pornographic site was a mistake and that she actually intended to post a link to a site about sexual education for teens An online petition to censure Boddy, which has over 1,500 signatures, slammed her for her 'disrespect and aggression' Boddy attended Wednesday's meeting with her young daughter and left after the censure vote saying, 'I will not be part of this political ruse.' The board then voted 4-0 in favor of requesting her resignation, but Boddy has refused to resign. Boddy has repeatedly clashed with Lakota Local School Board President Lynda O'Connor since taking office in January. At the emergency meeting, O'Connor said that even if the pornography website was posted accidentally, Boddy demonstrated 'gross negligence' and 'reckless conduct.' 'To post pornographic content on an official, public-facing school board member account that can be accessed by many of our own students is absolutely unacceptable,' O'Connor said. 'Furthermore, to make a public accusation that our curriculum contains such pornographic material is deplorable.' O'Connor also accused Boddy of making 'disrespectful and unprofessional comments' to district officials and board members. An online petition in favor of censuring Boddy, which has over 1,500 signatures, slammed her for her 'disrespect and aggression' towards district superintendent Matt Miller. 'Month after month, meeting after meeting, Mrs. Boddy has repeatedly attacked the integrity and honesty of Mr. Miller. Mrs. Boddy's statements and behavior serve to undermine the confidence in District leadership at the Board level,' the petition reads. 'Additionally, by her words and statements she is demeaning the integrity of the entire Lakota Staff.' The Supreme Court confirmed Thursday a 35-year prison sentence for a woman found guilty of murdering her adopted toddler through consistent abuse two years ago in one of the country's most ghastly child abuse cases in recent years. The mother, surnamed Jang, was indicted on murder charges for the death by abuse of the then 16-month-old adopted daughter, Jung-in, in October 2020 and was sentenced to life in prison by a district court and subsequently 35 years in prison by an appeals court. The top court also confirmed a five-year prison term for the husband, surnamed Ahn, who was indicted on child abuse charges for aiding and abetting Jang's violence toward the adopted baby. The child, adopted in February of 2020, died of severe abdominal injuries and internal bleeding that were caused by "strong external force," according to an official autopsy. Investigation records showed Jung-in had been habitually beaten for five months prior to her tragic death, with fractured bones and bruises found on her body. The mother was initially indicted on lesser charges of child abuse resulting in death. But prosecutors later added a murder charge, based on forensic results, and had sought capital punishment for the adoptive mother. She admitted to having abused the child but claimed the death was an accident. The case caused nationwide grief and anger over the child abuse death. Throngs of people sent petitions to the court and held picketing campaigns to demand heavy punishment for the parents. (Yonhap) Advertisement A giant bear was caught on tape enjoying spring's simple pleasures, splashing around a pond in California after recently coming out of hibernation. A trail cam captured the cute moment the wild animal took a late-night bath in a pond south of Lake Tahoe April 25. Toogee Sielsch, whose @tahoetoogee Instagram account includes hidden cam footage of the lake's animal population in the woods, shared the video on social media, along with the caption: 'You think you love bath time? Think again.' 'From a young age I've been more of a shower guy, but hey, I admire this South Lake Tahoe black bear's bath time zeal!,' Sielsch added. The gigantic bear can be seen in the black-and-white footage fully immersing itself around 10 p.m. in the water. The video shows the bear turning on its back, and rocking back and forth in the water. It eventually gets back on its four paws, shaking its fur to dry off. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a warning to Lake Tahoe residents over potential increased bear sightings as the animals come out from hibernation in time for the start of spring. There are roughly 15,000 bears in the Lake Tahoe basin area. TIME FOR A BATH: This gigantic bear was filmed going for a swim in a lake south of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, enjoying the water, and rocking back and forth in the pond while on its back JUST CHILLIN': The wild animal flipped on its side several times, squirming in the water WHO NEEDS A TOWEL WHEN YOU'VE GOT FUR: The wild animal dried off by fluffing itself before getting out of the well-sized pond Lake Tahoe, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the border of California and Nevada, is home to an estimated 15,000 black bears. There are between 25,000 to 35,000 of black species in California The warnings come after a gigantic Lake Tahoe bear, nicknamed Hank the Tank, shot to fame in February when he was caught on camera rifling for scraps. Hank, who weighs about 500 pounds, wandered around Lake Tahoe homes in search of a meal bigger than his appetite. The bear has been spotted in the neighborhood more than 100 times since July and nothing - loud noises, paintballs, or Tasers - can scare him off. Local residents have described Hank as 'gentle' and said he just eats and leaves without causing any real trouble. But wildlife officials said locals who leave out unsecured food for Hank are making him too bold, California wildlife authorities faced numerous complaints from residents in the resort town as the bear has prompted more than 150 calls to law enforcement and wildlife personnel in the area this year. 'This one individual bear has been linked to property damage at 38 different properties at least,' California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Peter Tira told KCRA 3 in Sacramento on February 17. Hank the Tank, a 500-pound bear, terrorized a community in Lake Tahoe, California, in February Although Hank didn't enter the home, he has done so in the past. The bear has been spotted more than 100 times in the neighborhood since July and has prompted more than 150 calls to law enforcement Authorities added that the curvy cub caused 'extensive property damage and forcefully entered several homes - including occupied homes.' Typically around late November, early December, bears go into torpor, which is a state of physical or mental inactivity, according to the BEAR League, a non-profit organization in the area. For the black bear species, hibernation tends to be more of a response to a shortage of food, decreasing temperatures and snow on the ground. It can last a few weeks in warmer parts of North America in the Northeast and West Coast, to six months for bears in Alaska. The bear has caused caused 'extensive property damage and forcefully entered several homes - including 'occupied homes' Experts also said its best not to wake up a hibernating bear. A bear that can sense danger quickly wakes up. California is home to around 25,000 to 35,000 black bears, according to the USDA Forest Service. Oregon is home to 25,000 to 30,000 and is known as 'Black Bear Country,' The Parks Department added that bear attacks are 'uncommon' and the animals typically 'avoid human contact,' but reminds the public that it is 'never safe to approach a bear.' Advertisement Vladimir Putin has launched a new dpuble missile attack at Kyiv during the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres just two days after he sat down with the Russian dictator in Moscow. At least one person was killed and several injured, including some who were trapped beneath the rubble in the western part of the city centre, according to rescue officials. The bombardment came barely an hour after President Zelenskyy held a news conference with the UN Secretary-General, who said Ukraine has become 'an epicentre of unbearable heartache and pain.' A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Guterres had visited Putin on Tuesday in order to discuss the urgent need for Russian forces to permit humanitarian corridors for civilian evacuations. The missile strike can be viewed as Putin's non-diplomatic response to the request. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city was hit twice, causing fires in at least two high-rise buildings. At least one person was killed and several injured after Russian missiles battered Kyiv for the first time since mid-April Fire burns in a building after a shelling, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv this evening, during the UN Secretary-General's visit A fire after a Russian rocket attack is seen in Kyiv, Ukraine. The bombardment hit the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city Russian missiles hit Kyiv as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is visiting. It is the first such bombardment of Ukraine's capital since mid-April Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said there had been 'two hits in the Shevchenkovsky district' in a post on Telegram and said they were clarifying details about casualties Vladimir Putin (above) ordered the strikes just two days after he himself sat with Guterres for talks in Moscow. It was the first strike on the Ukrainian capital since mid-April There was no immediate information about casualties from the strikes, which hit a western part of the city centre, but a close aide to the UN chief sent a message to journalists confirming they were safe AFP correspondents saw black smoke pouring into the air and a building in flames with a heavy presence of police and rescuers in the area. 'Missile strikes in the downtown of Kyiv during the official visit of @antonioguterres,' tweeted Mykhaylo Podolyak, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 'The day before he was sitting at a long table in the Kremlin, and today explosions are above his head,' Mykhaylo said referring to Guterres' visit to Moscow where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin a few days ago. The United Nations chief and Ukrainian president had been out surveying the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. At a press conference just before the missile strikes, Guterres condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia retreated in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. He said Ukraine has become 'an epicentre of unbearable heartache and pain.' 'Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians,' Guterres lamented, reiterating the importance of investigating alleged war crimes. Appearing to be one of boldest attacks on Kyiv since Russian forces retreated from around the capital weeks ago, the explosions came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing number of people have been out and enjoying the spring weather. Russian dictator Putin hosted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for talks about the ongoing war in Ukraine Putin uses the tables for bilateral meetings with world leaders and met UN Secretary-General Guterres in Moscow two days before firing missiles at him when in Kyiv Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres walk after a news conference Putin fired the missiles at Kyiv during the meeting between the Ukrainian president and the UN Secretary-General One of numerous piles of body bags in Bucha is labelled and the corpses buried, April 8 The strike on the Ukrainian capital comes as the Russian offensive in the Donbas region gathers steam. Several areas came under heavy shelling Thursday, amid suspicions Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to score a major battlefield success in time for Victory Day, one of Russia's proudest holidays, on May 9. Ukrainian authorities reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas - the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin is bent on capturing - and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive. In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. Authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases. One of Hollywood's most powerful men last night publicly admonished the actor Will Smith for his infamous 'Oscars slap' sending the clearest signal yet that the disgraced superstar's career could be over. Speaking at the Simon Wiesenthal Center's national tribute dinner, Jeffrey Katzenberg - former head of Walt Disney Studios and the founder of DreamWorks Studios - told a crowd of 700 Tinseltown heavyweights: 'Unfortunately intolerance continues to be on the rise no matter where we look. 'We see it vividly on display whether it be far off on the battlefields of Ukraine or right here in Hollywood on the stage of the Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars).' Men In Black star Smith stormed onto the stage at the Dolby during last month's Oscars ceremony and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair. An enraged Smith screamed 'keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth'. It later emerged Jada suffers from the hair loss condition alopecia. Smith, who won the Best Actor Oscar moments after his outburst for 'King Richard', was later banned from the Oscars for ten years and several of his film projects have been delayed or cancelled as his career hangs in the balance. Last night an executive with a major Hollywood studio told MailOnline: 'Jeffrey Katzenberg is one of the most powerful and revered men in Hollywood. For him to publicly condemn Will Smith at such a prestigious event is a big deal. It means Hollywood isn't ready to forgive or forget. It definitely sends the signal that Smith's career is on life-support.' Men In Black star Smith stormed onto the stage at the Dolby during last month's Oscars ceremony and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair Speaking at the Simon Wiesenthal Center's national tribute dinner, Jeffrey Katzenberg - former head of Walt Disney Studios and the founder of DreamWorks Studios condemned the slap A smiling Smith was photographed last weekend in India where he is believed to be staying at an ashram run by a spiritual guru who teaches 'self-transformation.' Thursday night's gala - the first major Hollywood event since the Oscars - was attended by a host of stars including James Corden, Will.i.Am, LL Cool J and Maroon 5's Adam Levine and virtually every Hollywood studio head. The Simon Wiesenthal Center is named after the famous Nazi hunter and is one of the most revered and prestigious human rights organizations in the world. Co-chairs of the event included Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, producers Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Ron Howard (The Da Vinci Code) and JJ Abrams (who directed the last three Star Wars movies.) A source said: 'The Wiesenthal event is attended by those who hold the power in Hollywood; studio bosses, producers, all the big agents. The feeling in the room was very much that Smith's career won't recover.' The gala raised $3.7 million for the Museum of Tolerance which commemorates victims of the Holocaust. Ukrainian President Zelensky was awarded the Center's Medal of Freedom. Apple's senior vice president of services Eddy Cue was given the organization's highest honor, the Humanitarian Award. Late-night talk show host James Corden, who was master of ceremonies, joked about being picked to host the event saying: 'Of course it makes sense for me to be here because it's almost impossible to find a Jewish comedian in Hollywood. Naturally one of the world's most prominent Jewish organizations has turned to me, a lapsed Protestant from High Wycombe.' Eddy Cue and Jeffrey Katzenberg attend the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance 2022 National Tribute Dinner Katzenberg told a crowd of 700 Tinseltown heavyweights: 'Unfortunately intolerance continues to be on the rise no matter where we look He also took a jibe at Smith saying: 'Everyone is so happy that we are back being able to meet in person together again - except maybe Chris Rock.' Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), said if Wiesenthal, who survived concentration camps and devoted his life to tracking down Nazis, was alive today (he died in 2005) 'He would be shocked that England, the country that led the charge against Hitler, just released findings that at least three anti-Semitic crimes are committed in the country every single day, forcing Jewish-owned bakeries and restaurants to close their stores on Holocaust Memorial Day for fear of being targeted. As Winston Churchill reminded us: 'Strength is granted to us when we are needed to serve great causes. This is such a time. Let us act!' Republicans hit back at President Joe Biden on Thursday, a day after he fired a salvo in the education wars by saying parents gave up control of their children at the classroom door. Schools are at the center of one of the fiercest debates in national politics and Biden used a reception for teachers at the White House to say parents 'don't belong to them 'when they're in the classroom. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt led the backlash. 'God gave kids to parents - NOT the government,' he tweeted. Other conservatives expressed their anger in ever more graphic terms. 'No theyre not your children,' tweeted Sebastian Gorka, former Trump administration official and radio host, 'you senile communist clown.' Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt led the backlash to President Joe Biden's comments about children and classrooms. 'God gave kids to parents - NOT the government,' he tweeted. Conservatives reacted with fury about Biden's comments on children in schools Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said he had no right to talk about children and schools at all. 'Biden wants Americans to forget about the months he spent perpetuating COVID theater as he stood in lockstep with unions to keep teachers and students out of the classroom and force masks on kids and toddlers,' she said. 'Biden has done irreparable damage to our children and has failed students, teachers, and parents.' On Wednesday the president addressed educators at the 2022 Teacher of the Year ceremony hosted by the White House. 'Theyre all our children,' he said. 'They are not somebody's else children. They're like yours when they're in the classroom.' Biden also took aim at parents and Republican legislators who have spearheaded efforts to ban books and bar sexually explicit or overly politically correct curriculum. 'Today, there are too many politicians trying to score political points banning books, even math books,' the president said. 'Did you ever think when youd be teaching youre going to be worried about book burnings and banning books all because it doesnt fit somebodys political agenda?' He added, speaking of teachers: 'We have got to stop making them the target of the culture wars.' President Joe Biden defended teachers Wednesday, decrying Republican-led efforts in some states to ban books and bar sexually explicit or overly politically correct curriculum President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell applaud the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year during an event Wednesday in the East Room Biden's comments echoed the now-infamous declaration from former Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe who, while on the campaign trail last year, blasted the role parents were playing in his state's education system. 'Im not going to let parents come into schools and actually take books out and make their own decisions,' he said during a September debate. 'I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.' McAuliffe's opponent, now-Governor Glenn Youngkin, hit back, saying: 'You believe school systems should tell children what to do. I believe parents should be in charge of their kids education.' Youngkin, who swept to victory in Virginia, had made parental rights in education a staple of his gubernatorial campaign, with his surprise victory largely-credited to his laser focus on Democrats' woke education policies. Unlike Biden, who seemingly seeks less parent involvement in schools, the GOP is leaning on parental education rights as a wedge ahead of the midterm elections, hoping to mobilize Republicans and appeal to independent voters. DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill into law on March 28. The bill bans any discussion pertaining to 'sexual orientation' or 'gender identity' in Florida schools for students in kindergarten through third grade Critics of HB 1557 bill allege it teaches young kids to believe they are wrong for being different and that forcing schools to report students who are receiving mental health services is taking away a safe space for those students to be themselves 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 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made education a priority in his state, passing numerous bills that spew the parental-choice rhetoric. In March, Florida passed the controversial Parental Rights in Education Bill (HB 1557) - dubbed by critics as the Don't Say Gay bill. The legislation bans any discussion pertaining to 'sexual orientation' or 'gender identity' in Florida schools for students in kindergarten through third grade. It will become law on July 1 and teachers who breach its regulations can be sued by parents. 'In Florida, we not only know that parents have a right to be involved, we insist that parents have a right to be involved,' DeSantis said at a press conference on March 28 before he signed the bill in to law. 'We will make sure that parents can send their kids to school to get an education, not an indoctrination.' Critics, however, say it teaches young kids to believe they are wrong for being different and that forcing schools to report students who are receiving mental health services is taking away a safe space for those students to be themselves. They also claim that the vagueness of the wording could get a teacher in trouble if they make a passing reference to having a same-sex partner. Even the White House weighed in on what has become the latest culture wars clash, with press secretary Jen Psaki claiming last week it was 'hateful' and 'misinformed'. DeSantis, last week also signed the Stop WOKE Bill into law, banning critical race theory (CRT) as a component in Florida schools, which the governor claims promotes hatred among students and makes individuals feel guilty for racism of the past. 'We believe an important component of freedom in the state of Florida is the freedom from having oppressive ideologies imposed upon you without your consent,' DeSantis said at the bill's signing, WFTS reported. 'Whether it be in the classroom or in the workplace. And we decided to do something about it.' Last week DeSantis signed the Stop WOKE Bill into law, banning critical race theory as a component in Florida schools. Children are pictured holding signs during the governor's bill signing on April 22 House Bill 7, also known as the Stop WOKE Bill, specifically outlaws teachings that assert certain individuals are 'inherently racist [or] sexist] - or 'morally superior' - or that characterize individuals' status as 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their race, sex or national origin.' 'What we will not allow is to be taught that members of one race, color, national origin or sex are somehow morally superior,' the governor said on Friday. 'We are not gonna allow teaching that a person simply by virtue of his/her race, color, national origin or sex is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, that's wrong.' Under the legislation, which also goes into effect on July 1, teachers are allowed to address topics of sexism, racism, slavery, and racial segregation but are not permitted to persuade students to a particular point of view. 'We are not gonna use your tax dollars to teach our kids to hate this country or to hate each other,' DeSantis said. Florida Sen. Manny Diaz, Jr., who pushed the bill through the senate, said the bill was not meant to cover up America's history with racism, but to not blame students for past wrongs. 'It's not about the feel. We can't control how a person feels about a topic,' Diaz told the Washington Post. 'But what we can control is to have a teacher not go to a student and impose on a male student that they are sexist simply because they are a considered a male.' The GOP is leaning on parental education rights as a wedge ahead of the midterm elections, hoping to mobilize Republicans and appeal to independent voters. Parents are pictured listening to DeSantis speak ahead of his public signing of the Stop WOKE Bill on April 22 In a move that seems to be sweeping the nation, the Florida Department of Education also rejected 54 math textbooks from its curriculum due to the inclusion of banned material. The state DOE had garnered criticism for tossing out 41 percent of the 132 math textbooks submitted for the next school year last week without listing the rejected books, more than half of which the agency said referenced CRT, with the rest containing Common Core and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Last Thursday, the state released four examples of lessons considered unacceptable in the state, including the use of bar graphs that measures levels of racial prejudice based on age and political identity and asks students to solve equations based on the findings. The graphs, which extrapolated data from the Project Implicit Discrimination website, show that those 65 and older and who lean towards the conservative end of the political spectrum have the most racial bias. Another example of banned material included a lesson plan for polynomials, with one of the problems once again referencing the Implicit Association Test, claiming that the 2 million people who have taken the test have 'slight' or 'moderate' bias, which changes based on age and political identification. The department said the 54 books banned from the curriculum are prohibited because they are not 'aligned with Florida standards or included prohibited topics and unsolicited strategies.' One of the materials in the 54 math text books banned by Florida included bar graphs that measures levels of racial prejudice based on age and political identity. The graphs show that those 65 and older and who are more conservative have the most racial bias Oklahoma library has banned displays promoting 'romance book club' and one on sexual assault awareness, pictured above CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States over the last year. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influence American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement Similarly, an Oklahoma library banned a display that was showcasing sexual assault awareness and a proposed 'romance book club' after both were deemed inappropriate. The Public Library of Enid and Garfield County's Board of Directors had initially said the book club and the sexual assault awareness book display could stay, but then the Enid Public Library's board voted narrowly 3-2 to ban both the display and program. The board reasoned that the display featured content about sexuality, while the book club would discuss sexual topics, and that neither was appropriate for the library. Enid Public Library's interim director Theri Ray told CNN the projects were shelved 'in accordance with the adopted policy.' The policy itself is extremely broad and requires the library's programs and exhibits to be 'non-partisan' and 'not make as their object the study of sex, sexual activity, sexual perversion, sex-based classifications, sexual preferences, sexual identity, gender identity, or subjects that are of a sexual nature.' Book bans have been at the heart of American controversy throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, which many alleging the bans violate the First Amendment. Communities and education systems often ban books due to sexual imagery, violence and any other content that is deemed obscene. Harriet Beecher Stowes novel Uncle Tom's Cabin is widely recognized by historians as the first book in the U.S. to experience a ban on a national scale. In 2020, the American Library Association published a list detailing the top 100 most banned or challenged books nationwide over the last decade. Topping the list was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey and Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. First lady Jill Biden hugs 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell as President Joe Biden applauds during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event on Wednesday During his speech Wednesday, Biden also shared personal testimony detailing how the educators and loved ones in his life helped him overcome his stutter. 'I wonder how I got here. I got here because of my parents and my teachers,' Biden said in a long, heart-felt deviation from his prepared remarks. 'That idea is exemplified by the national teacher of the year.' The president and First Lady Jill Biden, who continues to teach English at a community college in suburban Washington D.C., cheered for Ohio history teacher Kurt Russell, the 2022 national teacher of the year, and finalists for the award who gathered from each state. 'Teaching is not what Jill does, it's who she is, like most of you,' the president said, before telling the crowd about his problem as a child speaking - especially in class or otherwise publicly - 'when I stuttered, everyone thinks you're stupid. Totally incompetent.' Biden has talked openly about battling a childhood stutter in the past, including while running for president in 2020. But he stressed on Wednesday the importance of teachers in helping him with that effort. President Joe Biden (right) shakes hands with 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell (left) during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event in the East Room 'I have teachers, I can name the ones through grade school, high school, even college,' the president said. 'I didn't really beat my stutter - and still occasionally I do (stutter) - until I took a speech debate class in college just to force myself to be able to stand up.' Russell summed up his profession by saying, 'Each student needs a champion, no matter what the circumstance are.' That echoed the sentiments of the first lady, who said of great teachers, 'it's not the curriculum or the classroom tactics, it's that smile that tells students that they don't have to be afraid to answer out loud.' 'It's the calm in your voice that can still the wild horses running through their hearts,' she added. 'It's the way that you know that, sometimes, "I'm fine" means everything is wrong.' When Jill Biden talked about teachers changing lives 'student by student,' her voice began to crack, before she laughed and said 'Now I'm getting emotional.' A top JPMorgan executive has told his staff they can work from home three days a week, after workers at the multinational bank complained the company was tracking their in-office ID swipes in an effort to force them to come back. Drew Cukor, an executive at the bank's artificial intelligence machine and learning and engagement wing, sent out a memo to 'CTO and TRAIN members' on Tuesday. 'The Firm has heard from many around the business...and we're making a few adjustments,' he said, according to a copy of the memo obtained by Insider. 'Effective immediately: We are now authorized to invite our workforce to two days a week in the office.' It is unclear what the team acronyms refer to. JPMorgan Chase did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has been adamant about getting workers back to the office, even as some have talked to the media about their experiences being 'forced' back into the office by supervisors who have had the 'fear of God' put into them. But last month, Dimon conceded that 'working from home will become more permanent in American business,' adding that 40 percent of the company's 270,000 employees could work a few days at their desk. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, where JPMorgan is based, has urged companies to call their workers back to the office, calling it crucial for the city's 'financial ecosystem.' JPMorgan Chase will allow at least some of its employees to work from home three days a week, according to a leaked memo from a top executive The move comes after employees grumbled that the bank was deploying coercive tactics to force them to go back in. Last month, CEO Jamie Dimon conceded that about 40 percent of the bank's 270,000 employees could do a hybrid model NYC Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly called on companies to call their workers back to the office. In February he quipped, 'You can't stay home in your pajamas all day' In the letter dated Tuesday, Cukor said he expected his workers to meet the 'generous modification' requiring them to go into the office two days a week with 'earnestness.' Many employees are reportedly on hybrid rotas where they only go in for three days a week. 'I know many are working effectively from the office, from home and everywhere in between. I'm grateful for everyone's hard work and patience over these last few months. Drew Cukor heads up artificial intelligence and machine learning at the bank. He previously served in the US Marine Corps for 25 years 'Productivity and delivery of effective solutions to our business partners is always top priority alongside the health, safety and happiness of each member of our team,' he wrote. Cukor joined the bank last year after serving in the US Marine Corps for 25 years, serving in multiple roles. He was the head of Project Maven, which focused on developing computer vision algorithms to process drone footage, FedScoop reported. Last week, four sources told Business Insider that JP Morgan workers were having their ID swipes checked to ensure they were going into the office. One London-based worker said: 'At JPMorgan, nobody trusts you. The higher-ups don't trust you to do your job if they're not constantly watching you in the office.' Another, more senior member, said even managers were not keen and had left them 'deathly afraid' of their teams not having 100 per cent attendance. They said: 'I don't know whether it's because they themselves are too timid or whether it's because the fear of God has been put into them by a bank manager.' They added: 'But every time there's something that requires participation, you sense the panic.' The two sources reportedly said they were looking to leave the company. In a recent letter to shareholders, CEO Dimon said 50 percent of the bank's employees around the world would have to return to the office full time. About 10 percent could work from home forever, he added, while the rest could get by on a hybrid model. Meanwhile Goldman Sachs has also reportedly been looking at ways to coax workers back in the office. Sources told DealBook bosses had talked about the idea for younger bankers at their weekly meetings. They were apparently mulling over scheduling in-office appointments so they had to attend in person. Last week, four sources told Business Insider that JP Morgan workers were having their ID swipes checked to ensure they were going into the office Last month junior Goldman Sachs bankers whose salaries start at $110,000 threatened to quit their jobs after the firm demanded they turn to the office five days a week. 'In Goldman Sachs, the top management says it's employees choice but internally they track which team has most in office attendance,' an employee wrote on the message board Blind, according to New York Post. 'It's f***ing bulls**t from top management saying they are people first,' they added. 'In our team meeting, manager showed us the excel where the MDs [managing directors] are tracking which department has not met in-office commitments.' Another Goldman Sachs employee wrote on Blind: 'Apparently they are tracking everyone's attendance and managers are getting lists of people who have low attendance so they can bully them into coming in.' The investment bank demanded employees return to the office five days a week earlier this month, after CEO David Solomon branded working from home an 'aberration'. Last month, Goldman Sachs employees threatened to quit their jobs with starting salaries of $110,000 after the company demanded they return to the office five days a week. Above, the bank's HQ in New York City on Monday, June 14, 2021 'It's an aberration that we're going to correct as quickly as possible,' Solomon said last year. 'The CEO has repeatedly argued that remote work 'is not ideal for us, and it's not a new normal.' Meanwhile this month Goldman Sachs scrapped Covid perks for New York City-based staff including a free car to and from work, as well as free lunches. The upcoming policy changes, made by CEO David Solomon, comes after the Wall Street giant put an end to two years of free lunches and breakfast at the office. Both were designed to incentivize workers to come work in-person amid COVID-19 and a surge in crime in New York. New York City Mayor Eric Adams stressed in February the need to get workers back to offices. Adams seemed to allege he was seeing many people going from work-from-home Monday to Friday, to going out on the weekends. 'You can't tell me you're afraid of Covid on a Monday and I see you in the club on Sunday,' Adams joked. The mayor previously told leaders of major companies in the city to prioritize getting workers back in the office to stimulate the city's economy. 'In order for our economic - financial ecosystem, I should say - to function, we have to have human interaction,' Adams said at an economic development event at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in February, according to Insider. 'It can't be done from home. And if we do that, then we're going to greatly impact low wage workers.' He added: 'You can't stay home in your pajamas all day.' House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is being trolled in his own district by the group the Republican Accountability Project, which has gone after Republicans supportive of former President Donald Trump's election fraud lies. The group - led by anti-Trump commentator Bill Kristol - purchased space on Bakersfield, California billboards that now read: 'We've heard the tapes, Kevin. Stop lying about January 6th.' The New York Times has been releasing audio clips from a January 10, 2021 call where McCarthy, speaking to House leadership, floats asking Trump to resign during the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol attack. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is being trolled in his own district by the group the Republican Accountability Project with billboards in his California district reading: 'We've heard the tapes, Kevin. Stop lying about January 6' The location of six billboards that are trolling House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy over comments he made about fellow Republicans caught on tape by The New York Times. McCarthy represents Bakersfield, California House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy leaves the Republican National Committee offices Wednesday after he reportedly was given a standing ovation after he explained why he made certain comments captured on tape and released by The New York Times McCarthy, his No. 2 House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and his then No. 3 former House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Liz Cheney, also discussed a number of inflammatory statements made by their own GOP members. Kristol's group supports 'principled Republicans,' which in their view is only defined by members of the GOP who didn't contest the 2020 election during the January 6 vote, which was interrupted by the Capitol attack. More recently, Kristol has gone as far as to endorse Democrats, including Democratic Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, to expunge Trump's influence from the party, despite GOP candidate Glenn Youngkin not necessarily espousing pro-MAGA beliefs. Youngkin won the November race. McCarthy remains with the majority of his party. On Wednesday morning McCarthy reportedly smoothed things over and was given a standing ovation by fellow House Republicans after he defended his comments from the tapes. 'He's widely supported. Will be speaker,' one source in the room told The Washington Post. CNN's Melanie Zanona reported that McCarthy told colleagues that he was just floating scenarios when he told Republican leadership during a January 10 call that former President Donald Trump should resign. McCarthy and his allies were also caught complaining about the rhetoric used by fellow GOP lawmakers including Reps. Matt Gaetz, Mo Brooks, Lauren Boebert and Barry Moore during a private phone call in the days following the January 6 Capitol attack. On Tuesday, The New York Times released fresh audio clips of McCarthy on the call with Scalise, then-House Republican Conference Chair Cheney, Rep. Tim Emmer and a handful of Congressional aides, where he relayed his fears that remarks by a vocal fringe minority could lead to violence. 'Tension is too high, the country is too crazy,' McCarthy warned on the January 10 call. 'I do not want to look back and think we caused something or we missed something and someone got hurt. I don't want to play politics with any of that.' The Washington Post also reported that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was also briefly brought up on the call, said at the meeting Wednesday morning that Scalise needed to apologize for his remarks. Both House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (left) and Rep. Liz Cheney (right), who at the time was the GOP Conference Chair, were on the call in question. Audio released Tuesday night caught them discussing some of their GOP colleagues' controversial rhetoric In one clip from the call, McCarthy is heard discussing comments Gaetz made on Newsmax, where he went after fellow Republicans for being 'anti-Trump.' One of the Republicans Gaetz was critical of was Cheney, who blasted the outgoing president after the January 6 insurrection. 'This is serious stuff people are doing that has to stop,' the top House Republican grumbled, mentioning briefings he was receiving from the FBI. 'I'm calling Gaetz, I'm explaining to him, I don't know if I have much to say, but I'm going to have some other people call him too,' McCarthy continued. 'This is serious s**t, to cut this out.' Scalise pushed that 'it's potentially illegal what he's doing.' 'Well, he's putting people in jeopardy,' McCarthy said. 'And he doesn't need to be doing this. We saw what people would do in the Capitol, you know, and these people came prepared with rope, with everything else.' Scalise also pointed to comments made by Brooks and Rep. Louie Gohmert, including how Brooks said at the 'Save America' rally before the Capitol Attack that 'today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.' 'You got the Maxine Waters and all that stuff too, I know the Dems are in a very strong positions to drive a lot of things, but our members have got to start paying attention to what they say too, we can't put up with that type of s**t,' McCarthy said. In the past, Republicans have gone after Waters, a California Democrat, for some of her rhetoric. McCarthy and GOP leaders discussed comments Rep. Mo Brooks (left) made at the 'Save America' rally in the hours before the January 6 Capitol attack and things Rep. Matt Gaetz (right) said about 'anti-Trump' Republicans, including Rep. Liz Cheney On the call, Rep. Liz Cheney brought up Rep. Lauren Boebert (pictured), pointing out that she had tweeted members' movements during the January 6 attack. 'You think the president deserves to be impeached for his comments? That's almost something that goes further than what the president said,' McCarthy said of Brooks' 'kicking ass' line. On the call, Cheney brought up Boebert, pointing out that she had tweeted members' movements during the January 6 attack. McCarthy asked if Greene - often linked to Boebert over their shared, now disavowed, interest in QAnon - had been a speaker at former President Donald Trump's 'Save America' rally. McCarthy is also told about tweets made from Moore. 'Wow, we have more arrests for stealing a podium on January 6 than we do for stealing an election on November 3, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Detroit would be places I'd reccomend you start,' Moore wrote before deleting his personal Twitter account. On the death of capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt he commented, 'I understand it was a black police officer who shot the white female veteran.' 'You know that doesn't fit the narrative,' the Alabama Republican tweeted. After Moore's tweets were read aloud on the call, both McCarthy and Cheney are heard murmuring, 'wow.' McCarthy was also told about tweets sent out by Rep. Barry Moore (pictured) including on the death of Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt. 'I understand it was a black police officer who shot the white female veteran. You know that doesn't fit the narrative,' Moore wrote 'Can't they take their Twitter accounts away, too?' McCarthy then said. The sound bites released Tuesday were from the same call in which McCarthy told GOP leadership he'd tell Trump to resign - comments he continues to deny, despite the recording being released publicly. The January 10 call was revealed by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, in a preview of their new book, This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden and the Battle for Americas Future. The comments prompted January 6 House select committee Chairman Bennie Thompson to announce Tuesday that the panel would issue 'another invitation' to McCarthy to testify. Then the Democrat-led committee - which includes Republicans Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger - will decide whether to subpoena McCarthy and other Republicans, Punchbowl News said. A paedophile nurse who downloaded baby rape images was struck off but the married father-of-four has avoided jail. Christopher Ewan, 45, who used to work in A&E, downloaded more than 100 child rape files, plus extreme porn images showing bestiality. His innocent wife and children were forced to flee the family home in Netherton, Merseyside after it was targeted by vigilantes who vandalised it. Ewan's wife has since left him and he has 'lost' his children, a court heard. His defence lawyer told the court Ewan's interest in adult porn was in the 45-year-old's words 'thrill seeking' and progressed to viewing child sex abuse images. Ewan's computer had 137 Category A images, including 10 videos which are seen as the most extreme forms of abuse and involve children being raped. Along with the suspended sentence he was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. The former Aintree Hospital nurse has also now been officially prohibited from practising nursing in the UK. Christopher Ewan, pictured, 45, who used to work in A&E, downloaded more than 100 child rape files, plus extreme porn images showing bestiality The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which regulates the register of nurses able to practise in the UK, published a judgment from a disciplinary hearing which concluded Ewan would remain a potential risk to patients if he was not struck off. An independent panel concluded: 'Children suffer harm as a result of indecent images being made, possessed and distributed. Offences involving indecent images of children exploit children and amount to an abuse of children. 'It is therefore not guaranteed that a member of the public in Mr Ewan's care would be safe, or indeed, feel safe, in his care. 'The panel therefore determined that Mr Ewan is liable to place patients at a risk of harm in the future, that his conviction, for such serious and morally culpable offences, has brought the nursing profession into disrepute and breached fundamental tenets of the profession.' The panel heard that Ewan, who had worked at Aintree since 2013, was referred to the NMC by both Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Merseyside Police. Back in September, the court heard Merseyside Police officers knocked on the door of Ewan's home on June 22, 2020, after receiving a tip-off about 'suspicious activity' relating to a Sky broadband account and messaging app Kik Messenger. Officers seized various devices, which were later found to contain 137 Category A images, including 10 videos. Category A images are classed as depicting the most extreme forms of abuse under sentencing law and involve children being raped. The police also found 219 Category B images, including two videos, 130 Category C images, one pseudo (cartoon) image of abuse and 21 extreme pornographic images. Evans, pictured with face mask and hood, was handed a suspended prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court in September Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting in court, said during the sentencing hearing that one Category A image showed a female baby aged six to 12 months and one Category A video, around 24 minutes long, featured children aged eight, seven and four. Mr Hopkins said: 'So of their type, they are particularly serious images in the Crown's submission.' In a pre-sentence report Ewan claimed he did not intentionally download the images or do it for sexual gratification but later admitted that was not true. Desmond Lennon, defending, said: 'He unreservedly accepts deliberately downloading this material. 'He also accepts at the time there was a sexual interest in children and the notes indicate, being pressed, accepts it remains.' Mr Lennon said Ewan was married for 19 years with four children, but developed an interest in adult porn, which the dad described as 'thrill seeking'. He said at the time of the offending his client had been off work due to 'stress' and his interest in adult porn progressed to viewing child sex abuse images. Mr Lennon said if Ewan was spared jail, he could receive 'the assistance he perhaps now belatedly recognises that he needs'. The lawyer said: 'He understands how it's not only affected him, but people who are very important to him, his wife and children. His wife has left him, the marriage is over and his four children have been taken away from him.' Mr Lennon said when Ewan's crimes first became public knowledge, it had a 'catastrophic effect' on the family, who then lived in Netherton. He said: 'The home was vandalised, bricks were thrown through the window, paint was thrown at the front door and people congregated outside, behaving in an intimidating way. The effect on his children in particular has been devastating.' Judge Anil Murray told Ewan: 'You were of previous good character. More than that, more than just having no previous convictions, you were of positive good character and worked as a professional person. By this offending you have thrown all that away.' Judge Murray said by law he had to consider guidelines on whether this sentence should be served immediately, and because Ewan had no history of poor compliance with court orders, was thought to have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and jailing him would have 'some significant impact' on his family, he was 'able, but only just, to suspend the sentence in this case'. He was handed a suspended prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court in September, having admitted three counts of downloading and one count of possessing indecent images of children, plus possessing a prohibited image of a child and extreme porn. He handed Ewan 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a 40-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Disgraced Merrill Lynch financier James Iannazzo, who was arrested after hurling a smoothie at a Robeks worker and branding her a 'f**king immigrant loser,' has avoided a criminal conviction after being accepted into a one-year rehabilitation program. Iannazzo will be supervised by the Connecticut Office of Adult Probation for 12-months, and if he completes it all charges against him - including intimidation based on bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass - will be dropped. The probation program is offered to defendants without previous convictions and who are deemed unlikely to re-offend. Iannazzo said he was planning to apply to the program during a March 9 court appearance. He has also been ordered to donate $500 to the Office of Victim Services. James Iannazzo, 48, was arrested on charges of intimidation based on bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass after his racist tirade at a Robeks was caught in video The financier triggered public outcry after a TikTok showing him going on a racist rant and hurling a smoothie at teenage employees at a Robeks smoothie store in Connecticut went viral in January. He was caught on camera roaring: 'I want to speak to the person who made this f**king drink. Is that you? 'You don't know who made it? Stupid f**king ignorant high school kids. I want to speak to the f**king manager. Get the f**k out of here you f**king bitch. Give it to me now.' The footage, which was posted on TikTok by @cjjbreezy, was recorded by a teenage employee when Iannazzo stormed in demanding to know who put peanut butter in his son's smoothie 'You're a f***** immigrant loser,' Iannazzo says to one of the girls, just moments after he hurled the smoothie at her, hitting her with it on the shoulder At that point, he hurled the drink, which hit an employee and spilled all over her, before staff told him to leave while calling the police. Iannazzo continued: ' 'F**k you, you f**king bitch. I want the telephone, right now. Shut the f**k up, you f**king stupid (inaudible). I want the f**king phone. Shut up. 'You f**king immigrant loser. I want the f**king telephone.' Iannazzo was irate after his son, who is allergic to peanuts, went into anaphylactic shock. The employees said he had asked for no peanut butter but did not mention his son's allergy Iannazzo eventually attempted to breach the employee-only entrance as the young workers struggled to keep the door closed . No one was injured Iannazo claimed he lost his temper and 'his paternal instinct kicked in' after staff prepared a smoothie containing peanut butter, which caused his 17-year-old son to go into anaphylactic shock. He claimed he had warned staff that his son was allergic to nuts, while staff claimed that he requested there be no peanut butter but failed to mention an allergy. 'I was out of my mind with fear for him when I returned to Robeks, and I wish I had not done so,' Iannazzo said afterwards. 'I also wish they had been more careful preparing my son's beverage. I will be extending my apologies personally to the Robeks organization, particularly the staff that was working there that night.' Attorney Frank Riccio, who is representing Iannazzo, said his client was not racist but his 'paternal instinct' had kicked in Iannazzo has since been fired from his position as wealth advisor and director at Merrill Lynch Management, where he had been working since 1995 Iannazo was fired from his job at Merrill Lynch - where he had worked since 1995, most recently as a vice president of wealth management - after the clip was widely-shared online. 'Our company does not tolerate behavior of this kind. We immediately investigated and have taken action. This individual is no longer employed at our firm,' the company said in a statement after the video became viral. After the incident Iannazzo was arrested on charges of intimidation based on bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass before being released. 'It was kind of scary, I'm not going to lie because I'm like 'I don't know his intention or what he was going to do,' 18-year-old Gianna Miranda, who works part-time at the Robeks told local news station WFSB. 'He started to call her racial slurs. He threatened to kill us multiple times,' Hill, who is 17 according to the social media platform, also told the outlet. 'I understand and we are sorry on behalf of Robeks for how the smoothie was made, but it gives you absolutely no right to act out like that.' Newly released bodycam video shows the shocking moment a man attacked a nurse and lunged at cops with a pair of scissors while he was handcuffed to a hospital bed after being arrested for stabbing a woman during a domestic dispute in the Bronx. Luis Medina, 30, was taken into custody around 11:30 a.m. Saturday for allegedly stabbing a 41-year-old woman multiple times during a domestic dispute at 65 East Gun Hill Road as crime continues to surge in the city. Medina was taken to Bronx Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and handcuffed to a hospital bed. While the suspect was being treated by a nurse, 26, he began acting erratically and grabbed a pair of scissors from her hand and hit her in the head with them, NYPD said. Luis Medina, 30, was taken into custody Saturday for allegedly stabbing a 41-year-old woman, 41, during a domestic dispute in the area of East Gun Hill Road in The Bronx The woman stabbed in The Bronx was was taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where she was in serious but stable condition, NYPD said The 26-year-old nurse was not seriously injured and fled the room to get help. Medina is then seen on video jumping out of the hospital bed with his wrist still handcuffed to the bed as he attempts to slash at the cop. When he slips and falls, one of the cops uses a Taser on Medina before fleeing the room for backup. Medina is seen on video acting erratically as he grabs a pair of scissors from the nurse and hits her on the head Medina is then seen on video jumping out of the hospital bed with his wrist still handcuffed to the bed as he attempts to slash at the cop When he slips and falls, a cop uses a Taser on Medina before fleeing the room for backup Medina faces multiple assault charges and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the NYPD. The woman who was stabbed in the Bronx was was taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where she was in serious but stable condition, NYPD said. Tens of thousands of Australians will become reinfected with Covid-19 as new sub-variants of Omicron emerge ahead of winter, experts have warned. NSW recorded its first case of the BA.4 strain on Thursday with the BA.5 sub-variant also expected to reach the country within the next couple of months. Both strains are variants of Omicron and have led to a sharp uptick in Covid-19 cases in South Africa. University of Melbourne epidemiologist James McCaw warned the rise of new variants meant people who had been struck down with Covid-19 could be reinfected. Tens of thousands of Australians will become reinfected with Covid-19 as new sub-variants of Omicron emerge ahead of winter, experts have warned (pictured, driver gets Covid-19 test at Bondi) NSW recorded its first case of the BA.4 strain on Thursday with the BA.5 sub-variant also expected to reach the country within the next couple of months 'We will get reinfected, and we are most likely to be reinfected by new versions of the virus which are immunologically different,' he told Sydney Morning Herald. 'It's going to happen more and more because it's the only way for the virus to establish itself. It will be around forever because of reinfections.' UNSW's School of Public Health and Community Medicine James Wood said transmissions would spike across the country within the next couple of months. 'BA.4 and BA.5 in South Africa are clearly causing cases to go up, and we can expect these are already here in low numbers,' he said. Some states have already published reinfection rates with thousands of residents already struck down with the virus twice. Victoria has reported 10,000 reinfections between December and March. The Northern Territory recorded 28. NSW has yet to publish its data while Western Australia and Queensland does not keep track of it. Professor Wood said unvaccinated residents were the most likely to be reinfected. Children aged under 12 would be particularly vulnerable with low vaccination rates among the group. University of Melbourne epidemiologist James McCaw warned the rise of new variants meant people who had been infected with Covid-19 could be reinfected Only 39.5 per cent of children aged between five to 11 have received two doses of the vaccine while 52.8 per cent have received their first dose. The warning comes as states phase out isolation rules for close contacts. NSW, Victoria and the ACT have already ditched the requirement and Queensland followed suit at 6pm on Thursday. Western Australia became the second-last state or territory to abolish quarantine for asymptomatic COVID-19 close contacts, in line with national guidelines, at 12.01am on Friday. South Australia will from Saturday drop the need to isolate unless showing symptoms. Fully vaccinated close contacts in the NT no longer need to isolate unless they are symptomatic. Tasmania will drop the seven-day isolation requirement for close contacts of Covid-19 cases from May 2. Case expected to dent credibility of nation's No. 4 commercial bank By Yi Whan-woo A Woori Bank employee was arrested for allegedly embezzling more than 60 billion won ($47.1 million) from the bank, according to police and the lender, Thursday. The amount is far more than that of other financial crimes involving banks in the past, according to financial authorities, which points to the possibility of the country's fourth-largest bank potentially having a serious defect in securely managing money. Woori Bank's headquarters in central Seoul / Korea Times file The Florida DOE has reinstated nine previously nixed math textbooks that were banned because of references to Critical Race Theory and social justice issues The Florida Department of Education has reinstated nine previously nixed math textbooks that were banned because of references to Critical Race Theory and social justice issues after publishers scrubbed them of the problematic 'woke' content. 'Publishers are aligning their instructional materials to state standards and removing "woke" content' - a statement posted to the department's website Thursday revealed. Those revisions, officials said, addressed content - such as bar graphs measuring racial prejudice and a portion titled 'What? Me? Racist?' - the state previously deemed to be 'not aligned with Florida standards, or which 'included prohibited topics and unsolicited strategies.' The nine textbooks were revised and added to the state adoption list over the past 11 days, officials said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had banned CRT as a component in Florida schools, claiming it promotes hatred among students and makes individuals feel guilty for racism of the past. 'It seems that some publishers attempted to slap a coat of paint on an old house built on the foundation of Common Core, and indoctrinating concepts like race essentialism, especially, bizarrely, for elementary school students,' he said of the rejected books. 'I'm grateful that Commissioner [of Education Richard] Corcoran and his team at the Department have conducted such a thorough vetting of these textbooks to ensure they comply with the law.' 'Publishers are aligning their instructional materials to state standards and removing "woke" content' - a statement posted to the department's website Thursday revealed One of the materials in the 54 math text books banned by Florida included bar graphs that measures levels of racial prejudice based on age and political identity. The graphs show that those 65 and older and who are more conservative have the most racial bias Another example of banned material also references the Implicit Association Test which claims people's bias changes based on age and political identification Earlier this month, the state DOE garnered criticism for tossing out 41 percent of math textbooks presented for use in schools next year, without detailing the contentious content. The public outcry spurred officials to release some of the problematic pages last week - pages that were again featured in the Florida DOE's statement Thursday. Of the lessons deemed unacceptable by the state was one that used bar graphs to measure levels of racial prejudice based on age and political identity. The lesson asks students to solve equations based on the findings. The graphs, which used data from the Project Implicit Discrimination website, show attempt to illustrate that those 65 and older who lean towards conservative political beliefs have the most racial bias. Another example of banned material includes a lesson plan for polynomials, with one of the problems once again referencing the Implicit Association Test, claiming that the 2 million people who have taken the test have 'slight' or 'moderate' bias, which changes based on age and political identification. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had banned CRT as a component in Florida schools, claiming it promotes hatred among students and makes individuals feel guilty for racism of the past Two other examples of banned material released by the state both make mentions of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which is banned in Florida FLORIDA REJECTS 41 PERCENT OF MATH TEXTBOOKS SUBMITTED FOR ITS CURRICULUM Florida has banned 54 of the 132 math textbooks submitted to the state, a total of 41 percent. Of the rejected books: Twenty-eight, or 21 percent, are not included on the adopted list because they incorporate prohibited topics or unsolicited strategies, including CRT Twelve are not included on the adopted list because they do not properly align to B.E.S.T. Standards Fourteen are not included on the adopted list because they do not properly align to B.E.S.T. Standards and incorporate prohibited topics or unsolicited strategies, including CRT In Grades K-5, 71 percent of materials were rejected. Grades 6-8 saw 20 percent of materials rejected, and in grades 9-12, 35 percent of materials were rejected. Advertisement The last two examples released by the state both mention SEL, which is banned in Florida, with one listing an SEL objective in math that states: 'Students build proficiency with social awareness as they practice with empathizing with classmates.' The other, which was posted with a redacted line, calls for a lesson plan 'to build student agency by focusing on students' social and emotional learning, specifically the five competencies that make up the framework,' which include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. The DOE said the examples provided do not represent an exhaustive list of the type of material banned and that the rejected publishers will be able to appeal the state's decision and are granted the right to alter the submitted textbooks as long as it meets that state's specifications. The department said in a statement last week that the 54 books were banned because they were not 'aligned with Florida standards or included prohibited topics and unsolicited strategies.' 'Reasons for rejecting textbooks included references to Critical Race Theory (CRT), inclusions of Common Core, and the unsolicited addition of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in mathematics,' the department added, noting that all three learning practices are banned in the state. 'The highest number of books rejected were for grade levels K-5, where an alarming 71 percent were not appropriately aligned with Florida standards or included prohibited topics and unsolicited strategies. 'The Department is continuing to give publishers the opportunity to remediate all deficiencies identified during the review to ensure the broadest selection of high quality instructional materials are available to the school districts and Floridas students, the DOE said after issuing the book rejections.' A disgraced property developer has agreed to pay $18.85 million to the family of a woman struck and killed by his 17 year-old son doing 100mph in a Lamborghini he'd been bought for his birthday. Brandon Khuri, the driver of the vehicle and the son of real estate mogul James Khuri, was racing the $200,000 Urus in a 35-mph zone on a West Los Angeles freeway, when he crashed into a Lexus driven by Monique Munoz, 32. The settlement, revealed on Thursday, is one of the largest amounts for a single plaintiff in a wrongful death case in California history, according to the family's lawyer. Khuri was condemned as one of America's most irresponsible fathers after his son slaughtered Munoz. His killer son was sentenced to just seven to nine months in a juvenile camp, and four months probation. Astonishingly, the arrogant multi-millionaires even suggested Khuri be allowed to serve his sentence at home confinement inside their luxury mansion. 'Today is a significant milestone because the Munoz family can finally get some closure for this horrific tragedy,'' attorney Daniel Ghyczy said in a statement on Wednesday, NBC Los Angeles reported. He continued: 'It was never about money for the Munoz family, it was about the acknowledgment of Brendan Khuri's misconduct that resulted in the death of their only daughter and to ensure that he was held accountable. 'Today's settlement is a testament to their efforts and is a step closer to justice.' Monique Munoz, 32, had been driving home from her job at UCLA Health in Los Angeles, before the deadly crash. She had been preparing to start law school Brendan Khuri, 17, (pictured right) with his father, James Khuri (pictured left), is a multi-millionaire who owns several real estate firms and an e-commerce business The scene where the crash took place in West Los Angeles in February 2021 Munoz was trapped in the wreckage following the crash and died at the scene, LA police said He continued: 'The family faced numerous hurdles from both private insurance companies and the L.A. District Attorney's office, and experienced the harsh realities of racism and bias against those from underserved communities.' The $18.8 million settlement is tied to a lawsuit filed last year in Los Angeles claiming that Chubb Insurance had discriminated against the Latina woman when calculating the wrongful-death claim award amount, the news outlet said. Munoz, who had been driving home from her job at UCLA Health in Los Angeles, had been trapped in the wreckage following the crash and died at the scene, the LA Police Department said. She had been preparing to start law school. On Wednesday, new video of the fatal crash was also released, which showed Khuri running a red light in his Lamborghini SUV before his vehicle slammed into the vehicle of Munoz, killing her. In April, Khuri pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in Inglewood Juvenile Court. Munoz's stepfather and mother want justice for their daughter A photo of Munoz with her parents celebrating a graduation milestone during happier times Prosecutors were outraged when his defense argued that he should serve the majority of his sentence in probation at his family's mansion. Khuri's attorney, Mark Werksman, said the teen was diagnosed with autism, and attention deficit disorder following the crash, where they claimed he sustained brain injuries, the Los Angeles Times reported. Psychologist Karen Schiltz, who testified before the Los Angeles County Superior Court, said Khuri likely suffered from autism his entire life but was never diagnosed and that he would be 'victimized' if he were to be held in an LA County juvenile camp. Munoz's family believed Khuri's sentence was too lenient. In August protests were held over the case. Munoz's uncle, Richard Cartier, had called on the court to deny house arrest for the teen. 'I'm looking for this kid to actually get what he deserves,' Munoz's uncle Richard Cartier told ABC7. 'He murdered my niece and he had no remorse for any life of any kind and he showed it. The distraught family believes the teen is getting special treatment because of his father's wealth. Khuri's father, James, is a multi-millionaire who owns several real estate firms and an e-commerce business. Despite Brendan's repeated apologies, the Munoz family have called for the teen take accountability for his crime. Weeks before the deadly crash, the teen had put up social media posts about his racing and drifting activities in his luxury car that retails for a minimum of $218,000. LA police officials testified that the teen had been cited twice for excessive speeding and had even had his license suspended over his antics in the Lamborghini. Munoz's stepfather, Isaac Cordona, 55, of Hawthorne, California, spoke of his heartbreak in an interview with DailyMail.com in a 2021 interview. His wife, Monique's mother Carol, 54, was too upset to speak to DailyMail.com but told of her heartbreak in a Facebook post on February 18. She wrote: 'My baby my life my everything my heart is broken in so many pieces mommy is going to miss you sooo much. 'I LOVE YOU FOREVER BABY FEELS LIKE A BAD DREAM RIP MY BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS.' teen son of a multimillionaire who was driving a Lamborghini in excess of 100 mph have reached an $18 million settlement. Monique Munoz, a 32-year-old secretary from Hawthorne, died in February 2021 in West Los Angeles when the luxury car driven by the then-17-year-old son of real estate magnate James Khuri slammed into her Lexus, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. The crash occurred during rush-hour traffic in a 35-mph zone when Munoz was driving home from her job at UCLA Health in Los Angeles, NBC Los Angeles reported. The $18.8 million settlement is tied to a lawsuit filed last year in Los Angeles claiming that Chubb Insurance had discriminated against the Latina woman when calculating the wrongful-death claim award amount, according to the newspaper. Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of hypocrisy for attending a birthday cake celebration in his office during the pandemic. The Labour leader tucked into the shop-bought chocolate and lemon cakes while coronavirus guidance advised against holding close social gatherings indoors. Sir Keir has repeatedly demanded Boris Johnson quit for attending an impromptu birthday gathering in the Cabinet Room in June 2020 just three months before his own celebration. The PM and Chancellor were hit with fines for breaking lockdown laws that banned indoor gatherings at that time. However, it has now emerged that Sir Keir was given a birthday card and two cakes in his office on his birthday in September 2020. Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of hypocrisy for attending a birthday cake celebration in his office during the pandemic While Covid laws on gatherings had been relaxed a month earlier, government guidance at the time stated that people should not hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction. The Government also said people should not socialise indoors in groups of more than two households. It was not clear last night how many others helped Sir Keir to eat the cakes in his office. A Tory source said: It now seems that, as well as sinking a few cold ones with mates at his infamous Durham drinks party, Sir Keir flouted the guidance in place for a little birthday bash... that is of course unless you believe that he popped out to a shop, bought himself a cake and sat alone eating it in his office. We know that Labour have lied about these things in the past so it makes you wonder what else theyre hiding. The stench of hypocrisy gets stronger by the day. Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of hypocrisy for attending a birthday cake celebration in his office during the pandemic Sir Keir claimed the Prime Minister and Chancellor dishonoured their office by attending the impromptu birthday celebration on June 19, 2020, the day Mr Johnson turned 56. Rishi Sunak was in attendance because he had been invited to a crucial meeting about Covid. Mr Johnson was eating a salad. It was initially believed that the PM had been presented with a Union Jack cake while aides sang Happy Birthday to him. However, it has since emerged that the cake bought by a special adviser never even left its Tupperware box. Some sausage rolls from Marks and Spencer were laid out on the Cabinet table along with a few cans of Estrella lager, but it is believed that these too were left untouched. Nevertheless, Sir Keir claimed Mr Johnson and Mr Sunaks attendance had dishonoured the sacrifices made by people during lockdown as well as their offices. After the men were fined, Sir Keir said: This is the first time in the history of our country that a Prime Minister has been found to be in breach of the law, and then he lied repeatedly to the public about it. Britain deserves better, they [the PM and the Chancellor] have to go. Labour did not respond to a request for comment last night. However, a party source said no laws were broken. Advertisement Labour last night admitted it had lied about an event at which Sir Keir Starmer is alleged to have broken lockdown rules. In a sensational U-turn, Labour acknowledged that Angela Rayner was also at the event on April 30 last year at which Sir Keir was filmed enjoying a beer with officials at a time when indoor socialising was banned. A Labour spokesman said last night: 'Angela was present.' A party source claimed the previous denials had been 'an honest mistake'. It directly contradicts assurances given to the Daily Mail over the past three months that Mrs Rayner was 'not there'. The admission came only after this newspaper confronted Labour officials with video evidence that Mrs Rayner had joined Sir Keir at an online rally for activists filmed in the Durham offices of Labour MP Mary Foy where the party leader was later seen drinking. The extraordinary revelation raises questions about whether Labour's deputy leader also broke lockdown rules. In a sensational U-turn, Labour acknowledged that Angela Rayner was also at the event on April 30 last year at which Sir Keir was filmed enjoying a beer (pictured) with officials at a time when indoor socialising was banned Angela Rayner waves at the offices of Redhills, the home of the Durham Miners Association in Durham, County Durham in 2021 Labour leader Keir Starmer and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner during a visit to a site development on the banks of the River Wear in Durham on May 1 'Men want to sleep with you' slur A woman MP has claimed a Shadow Cabinet minister said she was a 'secret weapon' because men wanted to sleep with her. The member of Sir Keir Starmer's top team is alleged to have made the lewd comment after the woman was described as a 'rising star' of the party at an event. The Welsh MP, who wants to remain anonymous, told the BBC that before she could reply, the frontbencher intervened to describe her as 'a secret weapon'. He said 'women want to be her friend' and, using a swear word, that men want to sleep with her, before adding: 'She is a vote winner.' The MP said she chose not to make a formal complaint. Labour said yesterday that the issue would be taken 'extremely seriously' if one was received. Labour leader Sir Keir said: 'I'm deeply concerned to hear these suggestions and these allegations. There is a complaints procedure and I want everybody to have the confidence to use that procedure because I would want to get to the bottom of this and do something about it.' Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth said the party should investigate even if a formal complaint had not been made. Advertisement Conservative MP Brendan Clarke Smith said last night: 'For all their sanctimony about honesty and transparency, it's plain to see that Labour have not told the truth about Keir Starmer's lockdown drinks party. 'Why would they lie about Angela Rayner's presence if they thought the event was legal? It makes you wonder what else they are hiding.' In another astonishing development, the Mail can reveal that Mrs Foy was forced to apologise this week after launching a 'drunken' tirade on the Commons terrace against 'Men want to sleep with you' slur Tory MP Richard Holden, who has led calls for Durham Police to reopen the case. Last night Mrs Rayner was also facing questions over her denials that she had joked with Tory MPs about crossing and uncrossing her legs to distract Boris Johnson in the Commons. The claim in The Mail on Sunday provoked a storm of criticism on social media this week and a demand from the Commons Speaker for the newspaper's editor to explain himself. Mrs Rayner described the article as 'desperate, perverted smears'. But The Daily Telegraph yesterday revealed it had spoken to two Tory MPs who corroborated the claim that Mrs Rayner had joked about giving the PM 'a flash'. Separately, The Mail On Sunday has now spoken to four Tory MPs who have all supported the account and contradicted the insinuation by Mrs Rayner and her allies that the claims were cooked up by sexist colleagues. On a day of shame for Labour: Defence Secretary Ben Wallace called on the police to investigate the Labour event in the same way detectives are probing Partygate claims against the Prime Minister; Labour sources confirmed that staff had presented Sir Keir with two birthday cakes in September 2020, when Covid guidance stated that people 'should not hold or attend celebrations' where social distancing would be difficult; Former Labour Cabinet minister Liam Byrne is facing a two-day suspension from the Commons for bullying a staff member; A female Labour MP claimed that a Shadow Cabinet minister told her she was a 'secret weapon' because men want to sleep with her; The Tories faced their own sleaze claims as Mr Johnson was forced to condemn the 'totally unacceptable' behaviour of a Conservative MP said to have watched porn in the Commons. The Daily Mail first asked Labour on January 14 whether Mrs Rayner had been present at the notorious Durham drinks event. A senior Labour official replied: 'Goodness me, with all that's going on. It's an old story! Angela wasn't there. It was Mary Foy's office.' But rumours about Mrs Rayner's presence at the meeting persisted. She was pictured in Durham at an election event with Sir Keir early the following morning. And a woman whose head can be seen from behind in the video of Sir Keir has hair which bears a remarkable resemblance to Mrs Rayner's striking red locks. The Mail presented officials with video evidence that Mrs Rayner had also been present at the Durham Miners Hall that evening. Labour admitted it had lied about an event at which Sir Keir Starmer is alleged to have broken lockdown rules Sir Keir gave a six-minute speech at the venue to an online party rally. Later in the event, Mrs Rayner appeared on screen in front of the same background Sir Keir had sat in front of 20 minutes earlier. And she even confirmed exactly where she was, quoting the motto of the Durham Miners. 'Being here at the Miners Hall in Durham, I've got to start with 'the past we inherit, the future we build',' Mrs Rayner said. Labour yesterday refused to answer a string of further questions from the Mail about the event, which police are now under pressure to investigate. Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth said the party should investigate even if a formal complaint had not been made after the report a Welsh MP was told she was a 'secret weapon' because men wanted to sleep with her. In January, Sir Keir said: 'We were working in the office. We stopped for something to eat and then we carried on working. No party, no breach of the rules and absolutely no comparison with the Prime Minister.' It can now be established that the online event finished at around 9.20pm, about 45 minutes before Sir Keir was filmed by a passerby drinking from a bottle of beer. Labour officials refused to say how long the 'meal break' lasted, or how many attended. They also refused to say whether anyone in the leader's office had since spoken to Durham's Labour police and crime commissioner but denied suggestions she had also been present that evening. Durham Police said this week they would consider a request from Mr Holden to review their controversial decision that Sir Keir had not broken any rules. Senior Tories demanded a full investigation, saying there appeared to be no difference between the event and the socalled 'birthday party' in No10, for which Mr Johnson was fined 50. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said detectives should launch a full investigation, adding: 'A consistency of the application of the law, that's what we all deserve whether we're in London or whether we're in Durham.' Mr Johnson's spokesman said: 'The PM thinks the law should be applied equally at all times.' 'We made a mistake. Angela WAS present': Labour makes humiliating U-turn after Mail proves Rayner was at 'beergate' event under police review By Martin Beckford for the Daily Mail The WhatsApp message sent by a senior Labour press officer could hardly have been clearer. Asked by the Daily Mail if the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner had been present at the Durham Miners Hall the evening Sir Keir Starmer enjoyed a beer with local MP Mary Foy and other comrades, the spokesman replied categorically: 'Angela wasn't there.' But now that simple claim has been undermined, ironically by Labour's own digital campaigning prowess. Last night, in an astonishing volte-face, Labour belatedly admitted that Mrs Rayner had been there, but gave no further details. The party's about-turn came after a Mail investigation had already established that despite the denials, the party's deputy leader had been in the Miners Hall. Deputy leader of Labour, Angela Rayner (pictured), has been confirmed to have been present at the Durham Miners Hall in the evening of April 30 2021 after it was originally denied Earlier in the evening, before having a beer, Sir Kier was at an online rally in Durham with Angela Rayner Lockdown laws at the time, in April 2021, banned indoor socialising except within a household or support bubble Almost a year since the fateful event, when lockdown laws at the time banned indoor socialising except within a household or support bubble, the party's Facebook page still shows a video that proves Sir Keir and Mrs Rayner were in the same building at the same time. It can be revealed today that less than an hour before the infamous video was taken of Sir Keir with bottle in hand, he and his deputy sat at the same desk to address Labour activists across the country. They were the star turns in a live online rally being held less than a week before the country went to the ballot boxes in the pair's first major electoral test. It was advertised by frontbencher Nick Thomas-Symonds in a social media post that can still be viewed today. 'Tune in 8.30pm-9pm tonight for Labour's Get Out The Vote '6 Days to 6th May' rally with Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and special guests,' he wrote on Twitter on the afternoon of Friday, April 30. He helpfully included a link to the Facebook page hosting the virtual campaigning event, which not only remains online but includes a complete video of the 48-minute proceedings. It was hosted by Labour MP Carolyn Harris, broadcasting from her home in Wales. She made it clear the rally was live by announcing: 'Well, hello everyone and welcome to the very last Friday before May 6.' After her introduction she handed over to Sir Keir, who was wearing the same open-necked white shirt which would later be seen in the clip filmed by passers-by as he drank a bottle of beer. The event took place at the Durham Miners Hall (pictured), where Sir Kier and Angela addressed Labour voters online As he addressed voters by webcam, he was sitting in a small room with white walls and a mirror on a mantelpiece that showed the reflection of a distinctive 'half round' fanlight window. Sir Keir gave a six-minute speech to the 16,000 watching online, saying: 'Let me just start by thanking every single person who's on this call this evening. Thank you for joining us.' He said the party was facing 'huge, huge elections', the first since the 'devastating' national poll in December 2019 which saw Boris Johnson rout his predecessor as Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Sir Keir claimed the upcoming elections would pit his Labour Party against a 'Conservative Party that's up to its neck in sleaze'. After the rally heard from other speakers, including one in the US, host Miss Harris handed over to the final speaker Angela Rayner. She appeared on screen in front of the same background Sir Keir had sat in front of less than 20 minutes earlier the same white walls, the same mirror on the mantelpiece and the same window in the reflection. And she even confirmed exactly where she was, quoting the motto of Durham Miners. A Labour press officer told the Daily Mail that Angela Rayner was not present (pictured) 'Being here at the Miners Hall in Durham, I've got to start with 'the past we inherit, the future we build',' Mrs Rayner said. As well as hosting the 'Pitman's Parliament' in decades gone by and being the headquarters of the Durham Miners' Association, the grand Edwardian building is also used for constituency meetings by Mrs Foy. And it is where the party has admitted Sir Keir was when he was caught enjoying a drink with colleagues, including Mrs Foy, in an apparent breach of Covid rules at the time as well as government electioneering guidance that stated: 'You should not meet with other campaigners indoors.' That video was shot a little after 10pm less than an hour after Mrs Rayner addressed the online rally from a room there. Photos of the hall show that its ground floor has the same distinctive fanlight windows that can be seen in the background of Sir Keir and Mrs Rayner's pieces to camera. The full 43-second clip of the video revealed by the Mail this week shows Sir Keir in another room of the hall, swigging from a bottle of beer and listening to Mrs Foy while two men eat food by the doorway. A woman sitting facing the two Labour MPs had been named by social media users as Joy Allen, then campaigning to be Durham crime tsar. But she has denied being present and the evidence obtained by the Mail suggests the woman is Mrs Rayner. When this newspaper first asked the party's press office in January about Mrs Rayner's possible presence, the reply was unequivocal: 'Angela wasn't there.' But the deputy leader had also shared photos and videos of herself with Sir Keir in the building at the same time. She was wearing the same polka-dot dress as she wore during the online rally and earlier that day while out canvassing hundreds of miles away in Birmingham. The next day at 8.53am on Saturday, May 1 she posted two photographs of herself in front of miners' lodges banners at the hall and wrote: 'Last year was the first year in two decades that I couldn't come to Durham. It's good to be back!' Then at 9.45am she shared a video which again is still online of herself and Sir Keir touring the building which Labour claims she had not stepped inside. It began with him declaring: 'On International Workers' Day, we're at Redhills, the historic Durham Miners Hall.' Mrs Rayner was filmed outside the building saying: 'From here in Durham to the miners in South Wales, it was working people and trade unionists who created local healthcare systems that laid the foundations for our country's greatest institution, the National Health Service.' The morning after the indoor event, Sir Keir and Mrs Rayner were pictured in hard hats and hi-vis jackets as they visited a major building development in Durham, known as Milburngate. Revealed: Damning testimony from four MPs of Angela Rayner's vulgar joke about Sharon Stone ploy By Glen Owen and Dan Hodges for the Daily Mail Angela Rayner last night risked accusations of a cover-up over the sexism row that has convulsed Westminster. Labour's deputy leader had described a story in last week's Mail on Sunday which said she had joked with Tory MPs about crossing and uncrossing her legs to distract Boris Johnson as 'disgusting' and 'completely untrue'. Amid a storm of criticism on social media, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle demanded a meeting with the newspaper's editor David Dillon. Mr Dillon rejected the call, saying that journalists should 'not take instruction' from parliamentary officials. Several MPs have supported the claim the Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner (Pictured next to Sir Kier Starmer) made jokes about crossing and uncrossing her legs to distract Boris Johnson Yesterday The Daily Telegraph reported that two Conservative MPs had told the newspaper they had heard Mrs Rayner laughing publicly about the idea that she could put off the Prime Minister by 'giving him a flash'. The witnesses said she had been joking about the suggestion that she was crossing and uncrossing her legs during a light-hearted discussion on the Commons terrace about two months ago. Separately, The Mail On Sunday has now spoken to a total of four Tory MPs the original source and three others, including one woman all of whom supported this account and contradicted the insinuation by Mrs Rayner and her allies that the claims were cooked up by sexists. One of the MPs, describing a night on the Commons terrace earlier this year, said Mrs Rayner had initiated the discussion of the issue. They said she had spoken of giving the Prime Minister 'a flash'. A second MP claimed that Mrs Rayner had referenced the thriller Basic Instinct, in which Sharon Stone's character infamously uncrosses her legs while being interrogated by police. 'Angela told us: 'I like to do my Sharon Stone trick to distract Boris... I cross and uncross my legs',' the witness said. A third MP added that they also remembered the encounter. The original source for the Mail on Sunday story said that the 'Sharon Stone' joke had been made while Mrs Rayner spoke to a Tory MP. 'She was telling him how she distracts Boris,' they said. All four Tories gave almost identical accounts of her remarks. They each said Mrs Rayner had used a startling slang colloquialism during the discussion. Angela Rayner joked about a Sharon Stone meme based on her during a podcast in January When The Mail on Sunday approached Mrs Rayner last Saturday about the exchanges on the terrace, a Labour spokesman said: 'It's completely made up, so unless they're going to say something properly on the record or have any evidence I would expect that this made-up story wouldn't run. 'I'm telling you categorically it's untrue so I'm afraid you know that doesn't meet the bar, an unnamed source without any evidence... I'm telling you, it's categorically untrue that this has happened.' After Mrs Rayner strenuously denied making the remarks, coverage of the story initially concentrated on allegations of sexism. The row then saw Sir Lindsay attempt to summon The Mail on Sunday's editor for a meeting. However, on Wednesday the Daily Mail revealed that Mrs Rayner had in fact publicly joked about the Basic Instinct comparison herself in January. Speaking to Matt Forde for his Political Party podcast, she volunteered the fact that her appearances in the Commons had prompted online references to the 1992 movie thriller. A Labour spokesman said the story was 'completely made up' was asked for a comment 'Every time I do a Prime Minister's Questions somebody has an opinion on what I wear. Did you see the meme about Sharon Stone like I was doing it at PMQs? I was mortified,' she said, laughing. 'I wasn't aware I did it but apparently there was this whole meme about how my dress was a bit revealing. I didn't think it was. It was a perfectly suitable Karen Millen in the sale by the way.' The podcast also saw her use the same slang colloquialism MPs say she used on the Commons terrace. Meanwhile, as the backlash grew over Sir Lindsay's intervention, Mr Dillon formally turned down the Speaker's request for a meeting, saying that Britain's free Press would not endure if journalists had to take instructions from officials in the House of Commons. He also said other MPs had come forward to corroborate the original account of Mrs Rayner's remarks. The Prime Minister later backed Mr Dillon's decision. A No 10 spokesman said Mr Johnson would not want 'any perception of politicians seeking to in any way curb or control what a free Press seeks to report'. A spokesman for Mrs Rayner last night declined to comment further on the story. Labour's own partygate: Keir Starmer flouted Covid lockdown guidance at own birthday bash... with TWO cakes By Harriet Line, Chief Political Correspondent for the Daily Mail Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of hypocrisy for attending a birthday cake celebration in his office during the pandemic. The Labour leader tucked into the shop-bought chocolate and lemon cakes while coronavirus guidance advised against holding close social gatherings indoors. Sir Keir has repeatedly demanded Boris Johnson quit for attending an impromptu birthday gathering in the Cabinet Room in June 2020 just three months before his own celebration. The PM and Chancellor were hit with fines for breaking lockdown laws that banned indoor gatherings at that time. However, it has now emerged that Sir Keir was given a birthday card and two cakes in his office on his birthday in September 2020. Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of hypocrisy for attending a birthday cake celebration in his office during the pandemic While Covid laws on gatherings had been relaxed a month earlier, government guidance at the time stated that people should not 'hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction'. How Labour queued up to condemn the PM 'This is the first time in the history of our country that a Prime Minister has been found to be in breach of the law, and then he lied repeatedly to the public about it. Britain deserves better, they have to go.' Sir Keir Starmer, April 12 'Now we know the Prime Minister did not shut down his own birthday party he spent it breaking the law. We have a Prime Minister who is sorry only that he has been found out.' Angela Rayner, April 21 'We are all concerned by the situation in Ukraine, but that should not be used as a smokescreen for the failings of this Prime Minister.' MP Matt Western, April 21 Advertisement The Government also said people should not 'socialise indoors in groups of more than two households'. It was not clear last night how many others helped Sir Keir to eat the cakes in his office. A Tory source said: 'It now seems that, as well as sinking a few cold ones with mates at his infamous Durham drinks party, Sir Keir flouted the guidance in place for a little birthday bash... that is of course unless you believe that he popped out to a shop, bought himself a cake and sat alone eating it in his office. 'We know that Labour have lied about these things in the past so it makes you wonder what else they're hiding. The stench of hypocrisy gets stronger by the day.' Sir Keir claimed the Prime Minister and Chancellor 'dishonoured their office' by attending the impromptu birthday celebration on June 19, 2020, the day Mr Johnson turned 56. Rishi Sunak was in attendance because he had been invited to a crucial meeting about Covid. Mr Johnson was eating a salad. It was initially believed that the PM had been presented with a Union Jack cake while aides sang 'Happy Birthday' to him. However, it has since emerged that the cake bought by a special adviser never even left its Tupperware box. Some sausage rolls from Marks and Spencer were laid out on the Cabinet table along with a few cans of Estrella lager, but it is believed that these too were left untouched. Nevertheless, Sir Keir claimed Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak's attendance had 'dishonoured' the sacrifices made by people during lockdown as well as their offices. After the men were fined, Sir Keir said: 'This is the first time in the history of our country that a Prime Minister has been found to be in breach of the law, and then he lied repeatedly to the public about it. Britain deserves better, they [the PM and the Chancellor] have to go.' Labour did not respond to a request for comment last night. However, a party source said no laws were broken. Lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone's home has been raided by police investigating a firm for 203 million of Covid PPE government contracts, it has been claimed. Tory peer Lady Mone, 50, is believed to have been present at an address that was searched by officers from the National Crime Agency, who raided homes and offices in London and the Isle of Man. Lady Mone has a 25million estate on the Isle of Man, as well as a home in Belgravia. It is unclear which address police visited. They are said to have been searching for documents that could assist an inquiry into suspected fraud offences. No arrests are believed to have been made. Lady Mone, from Glasgow, has denied any involvement with a company called PPE Medpro, which was given government contracts along with another firm. However, it was revealed that she referred PPE Medpro to the officer of fellow Tory peer Theodore Agnew, who at the time was a Cabinet Officer minister responsible for the procurement of PPE. The NCA is currently investigating the award of contracts for supplying surgical gowns and masks to the NHS. Lady Mone has a 25million estate on the Isle of Man, as well as a home in Belgravia. It is unclear which address police visited Lady Mone with her billionaire husband Doug Barrowman. She has denied any involvement with a company called PPE Medpro, which was given government contracts along with another firm PPE Medpro appeared on the 'VIP Lane' list of companies given greater chances of a PPE contract. It was added to the list by Lord Agnew's office. The firm, which is based in the Isle of Man, was formed in May 2020. A few weeks later, it was given a contract to supply 25 million sterile gowns and masks. Lady Mone was linked to the company by the Guardian, however, she made clear she has no role in the company. In January it emerged she had been referred to the House of Lords Commissioners for Standards. Labour peer George Foulkes said Lady Mone had failed to fully disclose her business interests in PPE Medpro and asked the commissioners to investigate whether she had breached the rules against lobbying when she referred the firm to the Government. Tory peer Michelle Mone and her billionaire husband (both pictured) face questions over their involvement in a 203million Government contract for PPE at the start of the pandemic Pictured: Anthony Page, PPE Medpro's owner, circled, at Lady Mone's wedding in 2020 PPE Medpro shows these products among items it currently offers on its website Government details show how Lady Mone referred PPE Medpro as a potential supplier Lady Mone has repeatedly denied any association with the company, which she recommended to the Cabinet Office as a potential supplier in May 2020. Although she has no actual formal connections with the company, her denials have come under scrutiny thanks to publicly documented connections between Anthony Page, PPE Medpro's owner, and businesses run by Lady Mone and her husband, Isle of Man-based billionaire Doug Barrowman. From leaving school in Glasgow with no qualifications to modelling and business deals: How 'Baroness Bra' made her millions Lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone was born in 1971 and grew up in Glasgow's East End, leaving school with no qualifications aged 15 before finding work as a model. After running a sales and marketing team for the Labatt's brewing firm, she decided to create a range of support bras after the idea came to her while wearing an uncomfortable bra during a dinner party. Lady Mone founded MJM International with her then-husband Michael Mone in November 1996, and three years of research, design, and development resulted in the patented Ultimo bra. In August 1999, a month after having her third child, she launched Ultimo at the Selfridges department store in London, which sold the pre-launch estimate of six weeks of stock within 24 hours. The business grew rapidly and in 2010 she earned an OBE from the Queen for her contribution to business. But she sold 80 per cent of Ultimo in 2014, one year after announcing she had left the company following a breakdown in her marriage. Lady Mone was nicknamed 'Baroness Bra' after being elevated to the House of Lords in 2015, where her official title is Baroness Mone of Mayfair. To celebrate her 50th birthday, she decided to host five parties - one for each decade of her life with her new husband billionaire tech tycoon Doug Barrowman, 55. Advertisement Lady Mone is being investigated under several sections of the Lords' code of conduct, including a section saying peers 'must never accept or agree to accept any financial inducement as an incentive or reward for exercising parliamentary influence'. She is also being investigated under as section of the code saying peers 'must not seek by parliamentary means to confer exclusive benefit on an outside body or person (a) in which he or she has a financial interest (including by way of salary, fees, shareholding or other arrangement) or (b) in return for payment or reward'. Lord Foulkes said Lady Mone had failed to fully disclose her business interests in PPE Medpro and asked the commissioners to investigate whether she had breached the rules against lobbying when she referred the firm to the Government. Mr Page, the sole owner of PPE Medpro, is a wealth management expert who works for Barrowman's Knox House Trust, part of the Knox Group of companies based on the Isle of Man, where Lady Mone and her husband live on a 25 million estate. In December The Mail on Sunday revealed Mr Page is the director of a firm that owns a luxury yacht, called Lady M, on which Lady Mone sailed around the Adriatic last summer. Mr Page is also the majority shareholder of Lady Mone's new business venture Neo Space, which operates spaces for rent in Aberdeen. Lady Mone founded lingerie brand Ultimo through parent company MJM International in 1996. She was made a life peer by David Cameron in 2015. Millions of the medical gowns bought by the NHS from PPE Medpro were never even used. At the time they had to reach the British Standard for the sterilisation of medical devices or what was called a 'technical equivalent'. If the equivalent was the standard aimed for, health regulator the MHRA had to approve them. It publishes lists of current products that had been given its authorisation to be used. Earlier this month, Voirrey Coole, 40, who had been a director with PPE Medpro since it was formed on May 12, 2020, suddenly quit the company. The company filings announced her appointment had been terminated, but her own listing declared her as having resigned. Vladimir Putin is secretly plotting to seize food in occupied areas of Ukraine to fill shelves in Russia after Western sanctions sparked crippling shortages. The plan was accidentally revealed by a Kremlin puppet parliament, which said Moscow will confiscate crops from farmers to help stock stores across Russia. It will revive the horrors of Ukraines Holodomor, or hunger extermination, when Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin stole food to create the 1932-1933 famine, killing at least four million people. In a now-deleted statement, pro-Putin regional politician Vladislav Zyryanov said the Kremlin wanted to increase the volume of supplies for domestic Russian consumers by moving food from other southern [Ukrainian] regions taken under its control. Zyryanov, who chairs the agriculture committee in the Krasnoyarsk regional assembly in Siberia, called the move economically justified, given the withdrawal of many suppliers of seeds and fertilisers from the Russian market. A woman cooks on an open fire outside an apartment building which according to residents has no gas, water, electricity and heating for more than a month in the formerly Russian-occupied Kyiv suburb of Bucha, Ukraine He suggested other regions across Russia will be able to successfully implement similar policies to address the nations food supply woes. His remarks are the first time any Russian official has openly admitted Russia wants to steal Ukrainian farm produce. They also amount to an unprecedented acknowledgement by Putins United Russia party of the biting effect from sanctions imposed by Britain and its Western allies. Zyryanovs statement was hurriedly taken down from the Krasnoyarsk assemblys website late on Wednesday. Both the UN and EU have accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon of war by bombing food stocks and blocking deliveries of humanitarian supplies. It is why the record-breaking Mail Force Ukraine Appeal and the Ukrainian Embassy in London are sending 500,000 boxes of food aid worth 8million to end the suffering of Ukrainians. Khersons highly productive and lucrative agriculture industry is one of the reasons why Ukraine is referred to as the worlds bread basket. In the admission, desperate Siberian MPs said the move to steal Ukrainian crop surpluses was necessary due to the lack of other vegetables and grain crops in the eastern Russian region. But they added that foreign sanctions had created similar shortages everywhere at the federal level. Albert Cherepakha, owner of two major farming businesses in Kherson, described how his firms have been seized by groups of armed Chechens. He said: The gunmen said that from now on the company property belongs to them. He added his managers were warned that they would be beheaded in case of any losses. And Oleksandr Boyko, 23, a Kherson farm worker, said there had been no significant excess production of vegetable, fruit and grain products. The Ukraine Agri Council, representing Ukrainian farmers, said last night Russian invaders had started seizing grain from the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukraines food exports have slumped in the two months since the war started, causing prices to spike worldwide by at least 37 per cent, according to the World Bank. Dr Samuel Ramani, a Russia expert at the University of Oxford, said regional MPs in Russia never act out of lockstep with the Kremlin on issues of national security. Just over two years ago, all 85 regional parliaments backed constitutional changes that will allow Putin to run again for presidency in 2024. Dr Ramani said: When a regional parliament is speaking, it is reflecting the Kremlin line and revealing Vladimir Putins true intentions in Ukraine. He sees this area and all of its resources effectively as an extension of Russian territory. From his point of view, there is no difference between taking something out of Kherson or drilling for oil in Siberia. The Kremlins press office could not be immediately reached for comment. Mail Force has raised more than 11million since the appeal launched days after the war began. It started with a 500,000 donation from DMGT, the Mails parent company, at the request of Lord and Lady Rothermere. Priti Patel has hailed the passing by Parliament of a landmark law that she vows will finally fix Britains broken asylum system. Writing in the Daily Mail, the Home Secretary says the Nationality and Borders Act will crack down on evil people-smugglers facilitating dangerous Channel crossings. And she adds that for far too long, the public has been branded racist simply for wanting controlled borders. Her comments come after the bill finally received royal assent yesterday, having survived attempts by peers to reject key measures including the processing of refugee claims offshore. The latest data suggests no migrants have arrived by small boat for the past ten days, after the military took charge of stopping crossings earlier this year. Home Secretary Priti Patel (above) says the Nationality and Borders Act will crack down on evil people-smugglers facilitating dangerous Channel crossings She hailed the passing by Parliament of a landmark law that she vows will finally fix Britains broken asylum system The last migrants to arrive at Dover were a total of 263 across seven small boats on April 19 (arrivals pictured on that day) A record 28,395 migrants reached the UK illegally last year in small boats over the Channel, a 200 per cent increase on 2020 But the Governments deal to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is facing court challenges, as is a plan to house 1,500 asylum seekers at an old RAF base in Yorkshire, despite Miss Patel insisting they will be helped to start a prosperous new life in Africa. The Home Secretary writes: Daily Mail readers dont need to be told that the asylum system is broken. 'They can see the evidence with their own eyes: evil people-smugglers bringing migrants here illegally in small boats and on lorries; dangerous foreign criminals doing all they can to avoid being deported by putting in last-minute, meritless claims hours before they are due on the plane. She says the plans will speed up the process for dealing with those who claim asylum in Britain. Miss Patel insists a new law was required to increase the maximum sentence for entering the country illegally from six months to four years, as well as introduce a life sentence for people-smugglers. And failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals will be removed more quickly rather than being allowed to make appeal claims up until their deportation flights. Our plan is firm, fair, and delivers on YOUR priorities By Home Secretary Priti Patel Daily Mail readers dont need to be told the asylum system is broken. They can see the evidence with their own eyes: evil people-smugglers bringing migrants here illegally in small boats and on lorries; dangerous foreign criminals doing all they can to avoid being deported by putting in last-minute, meritless claims hours before they are due on the plane. Its been obvious for decades that things need to change. And the British people have made it clear thats how they feel. Thats why I developed the New Plan for Immigration. A fair and firm system is one of the peoples priorities. To put the whole plan into practice, we needed to change the law. This week, the Nationality and Borders Act completed its passage through Parliament. The maximum sentence for entering the country illegally will rise from six months to four years. And the smugglers who bring them here can now be sentenced to life in prison. Instead of a maximum sentence of six months, foreign criminals who return to the UK in breach of a deportation order may face up to five years in prison. Asylum reception centres which are already in place in many European countries will be used to process claims, rather than hotels. We will open one such centre in Yorkshire. One of the things that most angers people is that claims take so long. We are taking steps to improve the process, but we also need to stop the number of repeat appeals and judicial reviews all too often aimed at delaying the removals process and usually without merit. We can now deliver proper scientific assessment processes to prevent adults from getting away with pretending to be children. Those we are seeking to remove, including foreign national offenders, will be required to present all their claims upfront, rather than raising them at the last minute. The UK keeps a list of safe countries that respect human rights, to stop people delaying removal by falsely claiming their human rights are at risk. Every EU country is on that list. We will have the power to remove as well as add countries to ensure the list is reliable. Countries must co-operate in taking back citizens with no right to be in the UK. Those that dont will risk losing access to our visa system. For the first time, how a person arrives in the UK will affect the outcome of their claim. Anyone who arrives illegally and has passed through a safe country may be deemed inadmissible. A few weeks ago I signed a migration and economic development partnership with Rwanda, which will mean those who make dangerous journeys in small boats, or in the backs of lorries, could have their asylum claim processed in Rwanda. If their claims are accepted, they will be supported to build a new and prosperous life there. By tackling illegal migration, we will be able to focus our resources on people who genuinely need our help, such as those from Ukraine. The British people have welcomed them warmly, as they have with refugees throughout our history. For far too long, the public has been branded racist simply for wanting border controls. Yet only by controlling immigration can we do right by those who dont have the money to pay people-smugglers. It also isnt fair on British taxpayers that the broken asylum system costs 1.5billion a year and nearly 5million a day in hotels. We have not reached the end of the road to reform. There is no single solution to solve a long-standing problem. There will be opposition in the courts. But we have a New Plan for Immigration that is firm and fair. And the Nationality and Borders Act means we have the law on our side. Disney has restored a gay kiss scene in its new movie Lightyear after a furious backlash from staff, as the firm continues to tussle with Florida over Governor Ron DeSantis's so-called Don't Say Gay bill. The kiss happens between Buzz Lightyear's friend Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and another female character within the first 30 minutes of the film, which was shown to audiences at CinemaCon on Wednesday. They subsequently confirmed that the smooch had been restored. Hawthorne reportedly meets her love interest after her and Buzz land on a strange planet and later alludes to her getting married to her. She reportedly can be heard saying: 'It's funny, I wouldn't have met her if we hadn't been stranded,' according to USA Today. The kiss was previous removed from the film before being reinstated after workers at Pixar Studios - which is owned by Disney - sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, accusing the company of hiding same-sex affection. 'Nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disneys behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar. Even if creating LGBTQIA+ content was the answer to fixing the discriminatory legislation in the world, we are being barred from creating it,' Pixar employees wrote in a March letter to the company. In addition, at least four recent feature films were altered to appease the views of leadership in China, Russia and the Middle East. Sources close to the production told Variety that while Hawthorne's relationship was never questioned, studio execs opted to axe the kiss in an apparent move to avoid controversy. The kiss happens between Buzz Lightyear's friend Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and another female character within the first 30 minutes of the film, which was featured at CinemaCon on Wednesday The character is friends with Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans) Insiders allege the decision to keep the kiss could be a turning point for Pixar, which has only featured a handful of 'unambiguous LGBTQ characters' in its 27-year history. But, it remains unknown if Disney will opt to censor the scene for its international markets after its release this upcoming June. The company has previously kept moments of LGBT affection in its American films, but removed or changed them in its more conservative markets, including in Russia and the Middle East. Pixar released Onward, an animated feature that tells the tale of two elf brothers who embark on a magical quest to spend time with their late father, in February 2020. The film included a secondary character, Officer Spector, a cyclops cop for the city of New Mushroomton, who was in a lesbian relationship. Officer Spector, voiced by Lena Waithe, mentions her relationship during a parenting discussion with another secondary character: 'Its not easy being a new parent my girlfriends daughter got me pulling my hair out, okay?' The line sparked outrage is several eastern countries, resulting in a ban of its release in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Deadline reported. Russia, which has a history of censoring gay content, changed the word 'girlfriend' to 'partner' in the parenting scene. Local advertisements for the film also avoided mentioning Officer's Spector's gender. A short snippet of the movie was played at CinemaCon (pictured) and the film is slatted for a June release The kiss was previous removed from the film before being reinstated after Pixar employees work a letter to CEO Bob Chapek, accusing the company of hiding same-sex affection Meanwhile, members of the LGBT community have heralded Officer Spector as Disney's first openly gay character. The Marvel franchise, which is owned by Disney, included a same-sex kiss in Eternals, a November 2021 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics race of the same name. The character of Phastos, the inventor of the community of genetically-engineered Eternals, is married to a man named Ben Stoss. Together the pair raise a son, Jack. In one scene, Phastos is seen kissing Ben. But, according to Out.com, that moment was edited out for audiences in the Arab Emirates, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Ethiopia, Palestine, Syria and Turkey. The countries did, however, keep other scenes in which Phastos interacts with his husband and son. It is unclear if the familial relations between the characters were defined. Out.com notes that in addition to the same-sex kiss, all scenes of physical intimacy, including those depicting heterosexual relationships, were also removed from the film, which is standard practice in those countries. Another Marvel film, Avengers: Endgame, which was released in 2019 and grossed nearly $3billion worldwide, was also censored abroad. Pixar employees wrote a letter to Disney demanding they stop hiding same-sex affection. 'Nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disneys behest...Even if creating LGBTQIA+ content was the answer to fixing the discriminatory legislation in the world, we are being barred from creating it' Early on in the film, there is a brief scene in which a gay character attends a support group meeting with Captain America. 'So, I went on a date the other day. First time in five years,' the character said, before adding later: 'He cried as they were serving the salad. But Im seeing him again tomorrow.' It was the first time an openly gay character appeared in a Marvel film. According to Russian newspaper TJournal, the nation's dubbed version of Endgame changed the dialogue to remove 'romantic overtones'. In the Russian version, the character says: 'I was recently at dinner. First time in five years. [...] He cried over a plate of salad. [...] Tomorrow Im meeting him again.' The newspaper also claimed Disney may have changed dialogue in Marvel's 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War to avoid additional conflict with the Russian government, however it is unclear what the nature of the dialogue was. Similarly, Pixar was accused of downplaying gay tones in its 2021 film Luca, which details the friendship of two young sea monsters who appear human when on land. The monsters, Luca and Alberto, develop a 'profound friendship' that many interpreted as a 'coming out allegory'. The film's director told The Wrap the studio had 'talked about' the monsters' relationship being romantic, but also noted officials 'didnt talk about it as much' because the film focuses 'on friendship' and is 'pre-romance.' 'Some people seem to get mad that Im not saying yes or no, but I feel like, well, this is a movie about being open to any difference,' director Enrico Casarosa added. Disney has reportedly refused to confirm if the pair were in a gay romance. The films bosses are also accused of having toyed with the idea of making character Giulia, a human girl who befriends Luca and Alberto, a lesbian but decided against it because the creative team was 'stymied by how to do it without also creating a girlfriend for the character.' 'We very often came up against the question of, "How do we do this without giving them a love interest?"' a production source told Variety. 'That comes up very often at Pixar.' Disney has also been accused of cutting the majority of inclusive scenes in the 2022 Pixar film Turning Red, which was a coming of age story about puberty. Pixar employees allege there was misrepresentation in the animated film and that it was riddled with 'ambiguous possibly gay hinting,' according to InsideTheMagic. Several employees have called on the studio to 'release the Gay Cut' of the film. It is unclear what specifically the alleged gay scenes depicted, however critics have posted stills to social media of scenes in which two female characters have their faces just inches apart. Disney came out against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill, whose official title is the Parental Rights in Education Bill, last month after facing immense pressure from staff members. The bill prohibits public school instruction on gender and sexuality between kindergarten and third grade. Supporters say the bill, which was signed into law in March, stops teachers from pushing inappropriate content on children, which they believe students may be too young to understand. Opponents say the bill is homophobic, and that the vagueness of its wording could see a teacher reported to authorities for something as minor as mentioning their same-sex partner in class. LBGT+ employees protested against the bill and called for the company to take a stance Disney initially stayed quiet on the bill. But the firm - which has long had a good track record on supporting its LGBT staff - is said to have waded into the issue after being pressured by woke in-house diversity factions now said to exert growing influence over bosses there. CEO Bob Chapek later spoke out after walkouts by a small number of Disney staffers - and angered DeSantis by openly suggesting that his firm would apply pressure on lawmakers. After blasting the bill, he said: 'As I wrote to our employees earlier this week, we are committed to supporting community organizations like these so they are equipped to take on these fights. 'Meanwhile, we are also reassessing our approach to advocacy, including political giving in Florida and beyond.' Blac Chyna's mother branded the Kardashians as a 'violent' family that is trying to paint her and her daughter as 'crazy people' at Chyna's ongoing defamation trial. 'I mean they are the most violent people,' Tokyo Toni said of the Kardashian-Jenner family while standing outside a Los Angeles courthouse where her daughter's defamation trial was underway on Thursday. 'You can turn it on and see.' 'Any of them, all of them,' she argued, noting how Kris Jenner's adult daughters are often seen disrespecting her on their family show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Tokyo, seemingly hinting at her social media rant that resulted in her removal from the courtroom, also denounced the accusations that she and Chyna are 'crazy people'. 'They are the most violent people. They have me and her like we're these crazy people, no we're just standing up for our rights,' Tokyo stated. 'Doing what we're supposed to do as real people. It has nothing to do with race, color. None of that. It's what's right.' Chyna, 33, is suing Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner for defamation, alleging they conspired to cast her as a violent abuser of her former fiance Rob Kardashian to ruin her television career. Tokyo, 55, was banned from attending the hearings hours after jury selection began when she took to Instagram Live detailing what went down in the courtroom. She also allegedly said 'those b**ches ugly' when referring to the Kardashian-Jenners. The Kardashians' lawyer presented Tokyo's comments to the courtroom the next day, alleging she had threatened the family and that 'Ms. Jenner was worried about her physical safety.' Blac Chyna's mother, Tokyo Toni, branded the Kardashians as a 'violent' family Thursday while standing outside the courthouse where her daughter's defamation trial was underway Tokyo also said the Kardashians are trying to paint her and Chyna (pictured Thursday) as 'crazy people' Tokyo's commentary comes just two days after Chyna's defamation trial heard testimony that the model had allegedly beaten Rob Kardashian with a metal rod. Rob, 35, testified Tuesday that he feared for his life on a night in 2016 when Chyna, his then-fiancee, pointed a gun at his head, pulled a phone-charging cable around his neck and repeatedly hit him with a metal rod while under the influence of substances. He said the coupling was 'toxic' from the start, and that Chyna beat him at least five times during the year-long relationship. 'She strangled me, she put a gun to my head twice, she was on cocaine and alcohol,' Kardashian said, his voice rising nearly to a shout in a Los Angeles courtroom as Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani sought to cast doubt on the attack and its severity. 'Strangling someone, beating someone, that's not a family,' he said. 'That's not love to me.' He told the courtroom that he felt in retrospect that the couple's love was never real, and that he had been at the 'weakest, worst point' in his life when their relationship began in January 2016. 'I mean they are the most violent people,' Tokyo (pictured Thursday) said of the Kardashian-Jenner family. 'You can turn it on and see. Any of them, all of them.' Blac Chyna (not pictured) is suing (pictured left to right) Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner for defamation Rob's sister, Kim Kardashian, echoed the tale, claiming that she remembered him being 'so emotional and upset' after the alleged attack. The E! Network, which aired both Keeping up with the Kardashians, and its spinoff Rob and Chyna, paid Chyna $370,000 to film four episodes of KUWTK after season one of the latter show ended. But that deal was inked without consulting the Kardashians, said Kim who protested in an email that at E!, 'Nobody listens to usNo one respects us', the court heard. She then reportedly urged her sisters in a text to 'get on the phone today' with E! executives following the December 2016 fight. 'I was upset that Rob was so emotional and upset,' the Kim, 41, explained to jurors at Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday. 'I remember trying to be supportive of my brother - he was being so emotional.' 'It's all such a blur,' she said, remembering that her brother, Rob, 'looked red and puffy and exhausted and drained.' Kim added: 'It was our show and she's not a family member.' Khloe Kardashian, 37, confirmed her sister's allegations on Tuesday, testifying that she too was worried about 'something crazy happening down the line' if there were a second season of the KUWTK spin-off. 'I know it was a metal rod. I saw red indentations on my brother's neck,' Khloe recalled, adding that her family had 'no control' of whether E! would cancel Chyna's contract - a claim later confirmed by Adam Stotsky, the former president of the network. 'With all due respect to [the Kardashians], they do not have the authority to kill Rob and Chyna, only E! has the power to do that,' Stotsky said in court. 'They are the most violent people. They have me and her like we're these crazy people, no we're just standing up for our rights,' Tokyo stated Thursday. She is pictured with Chyna on Wednesday Judge Gregory W. Alarcon dismissed a motion from Chyna's attorney to allow her to take the stand again after she got upset after being shown a nude photo during cross-examination. Chyna is pictured in court on April 19 Kylie Jenner, 24, also testified to Chyna's alleged violent tendencies, telling the jury on Monday that she expressed concerns to her brother Rob about his new girlfriend and soon-to-be reality TV co-star when they started dating in January 2016. The beauty mogul claimed she heard Chyna had a tendency to abuse drugs and alcohol and become violent and had gotten a possible glimpse of it herself. 'I felt it was my duty to express my concerns, but ultimately it was up to him,' Kylie recalled, noting her brother didn't heed her warnings and continued with the relationship. Both Chyna and Kylie had previous relationships with the rapper Tyga, and Chyna had a child with him. Kylie alleged that Tyga told her dark stories of his time with Chyna and showed her a 6-inch knife scar he said she gave him while abusing drugs and alcohol. Kim Kardashian, sketched in court last week, testified on Tuesday that she was uncomfortable filming scenes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians with Blac Chyna after she allegedly hit her brother, Rob, with a metal rod Kourtney Kardashian, Blac Chyna and Kim Kardashian are pictured in the center in a photo Kim posted to her Instagram The model also claimed that while dating Tyga, she had received at least one threatening text message from Chyna. 'From what I remember she sent me a bunch of devil emojis, and said something like 'counting down the days' until she could beat me or something,' Kylie shared. 'I didn't report it, because I assumed they were empty threats.' She also said didn't trust that Chyna's love was genuine. 'I felt like me dating the father of her child had something to do with it, and maybe she was out with my brother for other reasons?' Still, she said, she was cautiously optimistic after they announced in April 2016 that they were getting engaged, and said in May that they were having a baby together. 'I was happy for my brother at the time,' Kylie said, 'but just curious how it would go.' Chyna pictured here on Wednesday, is seeking $108million in damages, charging the Kardashians with defamation and 'intentional interference with contract' that led to the Keeping Up with the Kardashians spinoff being canceled Khloe, 37, (far left) and Kim Kardashian, 41 (second from left), and younger sister Kylie Jenner, 24, (second from right) with their mother, family matriarch Kris Jenner, 66, (far right) are all named defendants in the case. They are pictured in court on April 19 Judge Gregory W. Alarcon, who is residing over the defamation trial, made the decision Thursday afternoon to move on to closing arguments after denying Chyna's bid to redo her testimony against the Kardashians. The model had became upset and walked off the stand during her testimony last week when she was shown a nude photo of herself during cross-examination. The photo had appeared in a restraining order she received against Rob in 2017. The Kardashians' attorney showed her the document with the photo during his questioning of her. The judge said both sides agreed to all the exhibits, including the restraining order, before the trial. Rob Kardashian testified that Blac Chyna 'strangled me, she put a gun to my head twice, she was on cocaine and alcohol'. The former couple are pictured together at the Tropicana Las Vegas in May 2016 Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani said she didn't agree to it in that form, stating: 'I emphatically insisted that the naked photo not be presented to the plaintiff.' The photo is central to another trial that will begin soon after this one concludes. Chyna is suing Rob over it, alleging he posted it online out of retribution. After he denied Chyna's to take the stand again, Alarcon began reading the jury instructions in the case late Thursday morning. Closing arguments were expected to begin, and be completed, in the afternoon. Chyna is charging the Kardashians with defamation and 'intentional interference with contract' that led to the KUWTK spinoff being canceled and is seeking $108million in damages. She claims she the decision resulted in $44million in past lost revenues and $64million in future. Vice President Kamala Harris is feeling good and back to sorting through her files at the VP's official residence after testing positive for COVID-19. First gentleman Douglas Emhoff tweeted out a picture of Harris Wednesday night. She can be seen grinning, pen-in-hand, wearing a cream colored blouse inside the residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington. She is holding a blue ink pen in her right hand. 'Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes for @VP,' wrote Emhoff. 'She is feeling good and is working from home.' Vice President Kamala Harris is working from home and 'feeling good,' says first gentleman Douglas Emhoff The vice president's office has already reported that she is not experiencing symptoms. The White House said Wednesday she was being given Paxlovid a drug that can reduce severe infections and hospitalizations. The administration is urging people infected with the virus to reach out to their doctors to see if they are eligible for the drug. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that's what Harris did when questioned about why the VP was getting the drug while not experiencing symptoms. Psaki fielded another question about the drug Thursday, when asked about the logistical issues. The drug can only be administered within three days of a positive test. Psaki batted down the idea of having people be able to get the drugs in advance. 'It requires a prescription right, but there are a range of ways to have those conversations with your doctor. So I'm not sure it always involves a race to the doctor's office, but different doctors can have virtual appointments and other means of getting prescriptions. It's about consulting to ensure you're eligible,' Psaki said. She also spoke about the White House push for billions in new COVID funds to get the next generation of drugs on the shelf. President Biden didn't take a position when asked Thursday about Senate leaders combing legislation with his request of $33 billion for Ukraine. The vice president continues to work from home, according to the White House Emhoff tweeted that Harris is feeling good and working from home Harris tested positive for covid-19 after a trip to California 'I'm not here to set new deadlines, but I can tell you that both needs are urgent. Well, I would say that need is urgent as is the need for COVID funding is urgent,' Psaki said. A copy of Dougla Brinkley's space race book was on her desk Harris may be finding time during quarantine to catch up on her reading. On the corner of her desk was a copy of Douglas Brinkley's book, American Moonshot. It chronicles the Space Race from early rocketry through the space program in the 1960s. Harris heads the president's space council. Harris' desk also contains multi-colored sticky notes, two binders, and an iPhone turned upside down. On the wall is a framed newspaper article about her. A box of Kleenex can be seen near her land-line telephone. Her legal pad doesn't have any writing on it. The photo was a demonstration that Harris was still able to fulfill her duties, although she is unable to preside over the Senate during quarantine. (Two Senate Democrats also tested positive, inhibiting the party's ability to take actions). The head of a cryptocurrency exchange has been indicted for allegedly colluding with a military officer and leaking military secrets, including login information for the military's command and control system, to a presumed North Korean agent in exchange for money, officials said Thursday. The head of the exchange, surnamed Lee, was charged with violating the National Security Act after he was found to have made contact with the purported spy in July of last year and later helped him gather military secrets. According to police and prosecution officials, Lee, at the order of the purported spy, approached a 29-year-old military captain in August and promised to compensate the officer with cryptocurrency if he provided military secrets. Lee allegedly sent the captain a spy camera disguised as a watch in January, which was taken onto the officer's base, and a "Poison Tap" USB computer hacking device in March. Authorities learned the captain provided Lee and the alleged spy with login information of the Korean Joint Command and Control System. Lee and the captain allegedly received cryptocurrency worth 700 million won ($551,000) and 48 million won, respectively, as compensation. The captain was also indicted by military prosecutors for allegedly violating the National Security Act. Police are also investigating the identity of the presumed North Korean spy. (Yonhap) Offensive or shocking beliefs can be acceptable in a democratic society, an employment judge said yesterday, as she ruled a pastor was discriminated against for his views about gay Pride events. Keith Waters, 55, a minister at an evangelical church, claimed he was forced out of his caretaker job at a primary school following a single tweet. He wrote: A reminder that Christians should not support or attend LGBTQ Pride Month events held in June. 'They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Christian faith and morals. They are especially harmful to children. The comments were condemned as homophobic and triggered a vicious backlash, including a campaign of harrassment in which undertakers were sent to Mr Waters home to discuss his funeral. Keith Waters, 55, a minister at an evangelical church, claimed he was forced out of his caretaker job at a primary school following a single tweet Cambridge Employment Tribunal has now ruled he was the victim of indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief Isle of Ely Primary School in Ely, Cambridgeshire, began an investigation but the married father-of-one resigned three weeks after the tweet a day before he was due to face a disciplinary hearing. Cambridge Employment Tribunal has now ruled he was the victim of indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. Judge Sarah King said a widely shared belief demands particular care before it can be condemned as being not worthy of respect in a democratic society. She added: Beliefs which are offensive, shocking or even disturbing to others can still be protected. After the ruling, Mr Waters said it was an important win for our freedom to speak the truth of the gospel without fear of losing our jobs. He added: I took legal action, not because I wanted to sue the school but because what happens to me goes to the heart of what it means to be free to preach the gospel in the UK. Mr Waters, who founded the New Connexions Free Church in Ely in 2007, made the tweet in June 2019 the month Cambridge was hosting its first ever Pride event. The school received three formal letters of complaint one claiming he had called for violence against people who support the Pride Festival. The tribunal did not uphold claims for direct discrimination and unfair dismissal. The Christian Legal Centre, which supported Mr Waters case, yesterday said his words and intentions [had been] distorted, his character assassinated.' A spokesman for the Active Learning Trust, which runs the school, said: We welcome the decision of the employment tribunal that the claims of direct discrimination and unfair dismissal were not well founded and were dismissed. Compensation will be determined at a later date. Grace Tame was brought to tears when interviewing Anthony Albanese for a women's magazine - but the pair steered clear of discussing bullying allegations from Labor's 'mean girls'. The advocate for sexual abuse survivors had a friendly chat with the Opposition leader for InStyle Australia discussing everything from Mr Albanese's upbringing, Scott Morrison, gender diversity, the Covid pandemic and Ms Tame's bong photo. But on Friday 2GB broadcaster Jim Wilson questioned why the former Australian of the Year didn't bring up the topic of alleged bullying within Labor's ranks once. 'I wouldn't believe in an in-depth interview you wouldn't ask one question of Anthony Albanese why he didn't launch some sort of an investigation into serious allegations of bullying within their own ranks,' Wilson said on The Today Show on Friday morning. 'The mean girls group.' 2GB broadcaster Jim Wilson has questioned why Grace Tame didn't ask Anthony Albanese about alleged bullying in his ranks Labor has resisted intense pressure to launch an independent inquiry into the alleged bullying of Senator Kimberley Kitching before her fatal heart attack at the age of 52 last month. Senator Kitching's friends claim she was being bullied by senior Labor senators Kristina Keneally, Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher, which they deny. Senator Kitching had dubbed the trio 'mean girls' in reports on the bullying claims, close friends said. Wilson said: 'I think that's an obvious question I think a lot of Australians want an answer for. We haven't got that.' Guest and former Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan interrupted to say: 'It wasn't an obvious question because we have'. Wilson shut Mr Swan down, saying there 'hasn't been a proper investigation, there hasn't been an independent investigation, come on Wayne'. 'If you're committed to a safe workplace, Wayne and a better culture, no doubt if this was happening in the Coalition ranks you would have been all over it,' the radio broadcaster continued. Three Labor senators Senator Katy Gallagher (left) Senator Kristina Keneally and Senator Penny Wong (pictured) accused of bullying colleague Kimberley Kitching before her fatal heart attack have denied the allegation 'It is a cop out that there hasn't been a proper independent investigation into very, very serious allegations. I can't believe that in that interview there wasn't one question.' Mr Swan hit back saying: 'With respect that is just crap.' Wilson had earlier discussed the topic on his Drive show, labelling the exclusion of any mention of bully allegations 'pathetic'. 'The mean girls story rocked Australia,' he said. 'There should have been a proper independent investigation. 'So Mr Albanese, the apparent great protector of women's rights going toe to toe with Grace Tame, and none of them thought it necessary to address the widely reported alleged bullying of women that took place within Labor's ranks. Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching died from a heart attack at the age of 52 'To me that is pathetic.' During their interview, the Labor leader recounted to Ms Tame how his single mother, Maryanne, struggled to bring him up in her Camperdown council house in Sydney's Inner West in the 1960s - bringing Ms Tame to tears. Midway through the video link interview, Mr Albanese suddenly broke off his story when he noticed the tears streaming down Ms Tame's face. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you there' he said. Ms Tame replied: 'No, it's just, yeah, I respect that so much...' She then looked off camera and revealed her fiance Max Heerey was also sobbing over Mr Albanese's story. 'Max is crying! Oh, I want to give you a hug,' she said through her tears. Grace Tame was in tears at Mr Albanese's story then looked off camera and revealed partner Max Heerey (pictured) was also sobbing over his childhood story The Labor leader had been speaking about how his mother had been abandoned by her lover who she became pregnant with, then married another girl from his hometown in Italy. But his mother insisted on keeping her son, taking her lover's surname and then pretending he had died in a car crash as she brought Mr Albanese up alone. Ms Albanese scraped a meagre living as a cleaner to keep them both and put her son through university before later being crippled by arthritis and dying at the age of just 65 in 2002. 'It's one of the things that has focused me and a part of who I am,' Mr Albanese told Ms Tame. 'She always respected everyone and I grew up with the confidence of having a mum who lived a lot of her aspirations through me. Anthony Albanese was recounting how his single mother, Maryanne, (pictured) struggled to bring him up in her Camperdown council house in Sydney's Inner West in the 1960s 'And so she's the most important role model in my life and she's very much still part of who I am today.' The final comment proved too much for Ms Tame who broke down in tears. She later added: 'Oh, I'm still just, I'm still just processing your story. I'll probably go and cry about it later and I'm not ashamed of that!' Mr Albanese said he had 'done okay' and she replied: 'No, you've done better than okay. A lot of respect for you, Anthony.' He added: 'Where I grew up there was a much better chance of going to jail than going to Parliament.' Ms Tame said she could relate it to her own mother who grew up in Tasmania as the youngest of five girls. 'My nan raised them all by herself for the most part, on a secretary's wage,' Ms Tame told Mr Albanese. 'And they had to do everything themselves.' Ms Tame made headlines earlier this year when she grimaced and side-eyed Prime Minister Scott Morrison at an Australian of the Year function in January. And she took the chance to have another crack at the PM in the chummy chat with Mr Albanese. 'I've tried to go through this whole interview being very conscious of the fact that I'm talking to you and to avoid criticising old mate Scott,' she said. 'But if I was to make one observation You've touched on the lack of authenticity, that's one of them. But another is that he just seems to be completely averse to owning any mistakes, and that's a weakness.' Mr Albanese replied: 'It's always someone else.' The red flatbed trucks began arriving after dawn, men in white hazmat suits unloading sections of green metal caging. Residents peered nervously from windows of tall apartment blocks, as the figures below erected the fencing across the entrances to their skyscrapers, caging them into their homes. This is the Pudong district of Shanghai, deemed a high-risk Covid area in need of what the city authorities call hard isolation, and where residents say they are being treated like animals. Could we also put fences around the homes of Shanghai leaders? asked one, as their photos and videos coursed through Chinese social media, pursued by the Communist Partys ever-zealous censors. The story is the same in the rest of Shanghais districts. One video shows more hazmat-suited workers drilling the doors shut at a restaurant in the city to prevent those inside from leaving. Two elderly men look out in disbelief. Dragged away: Authorities in hazmat suits manhandle a resident in Shanghai Elsewhere, more men-in-white beat a group of residents demanding food, lashing out viciously with long sticks. Phone cameras caught still more PPE-wearing thugs slapping and shoving boys and girls into a van to be taken to one of the citys 100 compulsory quarantine centres that await all those testing positive. Sometimes the scenes have bordered on the surreal. One video posted on Monday showed young children arriving at school clad in all-encompassing white hazmat suits of their own. They lumbered through the school gate in unwieldy fashion, like tiny Michelin Men, waving awkwardly at the camera. This is the face of Chinas extraordinary and barbaric zero-Covid policy. For many of Shanghais residents, the draconian lockdown has lasted more than three weeks. Countless numbers have been confined to their homes, under strict government instruction to isolate even if they dont have the virus. Neighbourhoods are divided into three categories based on the risk of transmission. Those in the first category endure the strictest Covid-19 controls and have just been hit with heightened measures. The 2 m-high green fences now block entrances to residential housing in many of these areas. It appears they are designed to stop those living inside a complex that has a reported Covid case from leaving their homes whether or not they have the virus. Under Chinas unbending controls, anyone over the age of seven who tests positive even if they are asymptomatic or have a mild infection must be isolated in centralised quarantine facilities. Despite evidence that the Omicron variant is less deadly than the original strain, China persists in its leader Xi Jinpings determination to eradicate the virus completely a policy that is now devastating its economy, and has even prompted Western stock markets to tumble. While the focus has been on Shanghai, which has so far recorded 400,000 cases and 138 deaths, all but 13 of Chinas richest 100 cities have imposed some form of quarantine restriction, and the intensity is increasing. The capital, Beijing, has launched mass testing for some 3.5 million people who live and work in the citys biggest district of Chaoyang, after 26 cases were reported over the weekend. Schools and gyms are closing down, while vegetables, toilet paper and instant noodles are sold out in the citys supermarkets as people stockpile, fearful of a lockdown as harsh as Shanghais. That citys outbreak is Chinas worst since Wuhan, and it has been like a virtual ghost town since going into lockdown in early April. Chinese social media has exploded with anger in a way not seen since the early days of the pandemic in Wuhan, with censors struggling to eliminate the criticism. Members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team disinfect a residential community during the phased lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak on April 24, 2022 in Shanghai, China At nightfall, Shanghais districts echo with the sound of pots and pans being banged in protest. This time, the concern is not predominantly with the virus itself, but with food shortages. Those allowed to visit supermarkets have reported empty shelves. For those unable to leave their homes, commercial food services and government-provided packages are unreliable. People have reported waking up in the early hours of the morning to order supplies online, only to be told that deliveries have already been suspended for the day. Since Shanghais tap water is not drinkable, deliveries of bottled water are vital. The food scarcity has even driven some to forage roadside plants leading to reported cases of food poisoning. There have been harrowing online pleas for help with medicine and food as a video emerged of residents of a high-rise apartment yelling from their windows: Were starving. Another showed people fighting over food. One flashpoint has been the conditions in Shanghais mandated quarantine centres. From these facilities have emerged reports of overflowing lavatories, cold showers and little privacy. In one, 4,000 people were living in cubicles next to each other in a vast exhibition hall, with no showers. On the prowl: A robotic dog roams the streets of Shanghai barking orders There was a national outcry over a video showing crying children separated from their parents and crammed into metal-barred beds. Elsewhere, a man who had lost the will to live threatened to throw himself off the indoor balcony of one crowded quarantine facility. Meanwhile, thousands of Chinese social media users unable to leave their apartments have shared stories of people with life-threatening illnesses who have been unable to get treatment. Trucks bringing supplies into the city have their cab doors sealed, to prevent the driver getting out. Plastic buckets are handed to them through the windows should they need the toilet. A harrowing six-minute video, entitled Voices Of April, contains audio snippets of anger and grief as a drone-camera slowly moves over the city. The snippets include the cries of babies separated from their parents in quarantine, pleas for food and urgent medical care as well as the cold indifference of officials. It went viral, but censors eventually deleted it. Other social media mocked the authorities by posting images from the movie Night Of The Living Dead, suggesting Chinas business capital of 25 million people was experiencing its own zombie apocalypse. That analogy seemed all the more fitting on Monday as the city was lashed with heavy rain and winds, sending litter bins flying across the empty roads. Despite the clamours for relaxing lockdown measures, President Xi insists: Prevention and control work cannot be relaxed and Persistence is victory. Many Chinese epidemiologists regard that as lunacy, but it is Xis lunacy and in todays China, the emperor cannot be questioned. Complete victory over the virus has become a key part of the cult of Xi. It underpins the Communist Partys triumphalism and Xis boasts of China being superior to the bungling West. In the parallel world of official propaganda, Chinas state-owned media insists there is faith in zero-Covid policy and Residents lives made easier. Such claims are widely ridiculed. It is hard to think of any other country, even among autocracies, that could impose Chinas combination of claustrophobic surveillance and casual brutality towards those who disobey the party. The surveillance has reached new extremes, including the deployment of robots and drones to herd Shanghais desperate population. Mini Michelin Men: Children going to school in protective gear The robots include a dog called Preserved Egg (named after a famous Chinese dish), about the size of a terrier. It roams Shanghais deserted streets and apartment corridors barking orders to stay inside and rousing residents when it is their turn to come downstairs for yet another round of compulsory testing. On Monday, there was a revolt at the citys famous Fudan University, which has been festooned with cameras to enforce lockdown rules. Its a university, not a concentration camp . . . Against surveillance! Against bureaucracy! Against micro-fascism were just some of the banners that went up on campus (and spread on social media) after more white suits were photographed installing cameras outside the female toilet. Shanghais stock exchange saw its biggest fall in two years on Monday, tumbling by more than 5 per cent. That was partly out of the fear that Beijing may soon follow Shanghai into lockdown. The economic cost of endless and severe lockdowns is undeniable. Even Li Keqiang, Chinas premier and the man nominally in charge of economic affairs is sounding increasingly rattled, talking about the greater uncertainties and challenges ahead. China has been spooked by the way Covid-19 has swept through Hong Kong, where death rates reached the highest in the world. Like in Hong Kong, vaccination rates among the elderly are low in China only half the over-80s are fully vaccinated and just a fifth are boosted. Add to that the lower efficacy rate of Chinese vaccines and China is highly vulnerable, even though the fast spreading Omicron variant is less deadly. The Communist Party is becoming increasingly prickly, and as always is on the search for foreign conspirators to blame. Officials have accused the U.S. of weaponising the crisis, after the State Department ordered non-emergency staff to leave its Shanghai consulate a move that was motivated more by Chinas measures to control the virus than by the virus itself. Volunteers wearing PPE disinfect a residential community at Yangpu district in Shanghai The U.S. announcement cited the risks of parents and children being separated the forceable removal of Covid-positive children to quarantine has been one of the most controversial of Shanghais lockdown practices. One widely-shared social media post asked, not unreasonably, whether the zero-Covid policy was not causing far more harm than the virus itself. The post was deleted. Ultimately, zero-Covid is a political strategy Xi Jinpings talisman. Too much is at stake for him, especially this year, when he is expected to be anointed by the party as leader for life. Xi has boxed himself into a corner. He is playing a large, expensive and increasingly futile game of Whac-A-Mole. It is hard to see how zero-Covid can be sustained. It is under strain as never before, and it is in Shanghai that its future is likely to be determined. Ian Williams is author of Every Breath You Take: Chinas New Tyranny, published by Birlinn. Angela Rayner last night risked accusations of a cover-up over the sexism row that has convulsed Westminster. Labours deputy leader had described a story in last weeks Mail on Sunday which said she had joked with Tory MPs about crossing and uncrossing her legs to distract Boris Johnson as disgusting and completely untrue. Amid a storm of criticism on social media, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle demanded a meeting with the newspapers editor David Dillon. Mr Dillon rejected the call, saying that journalists should not take instruction from parliamentary officials. Several MPs have supported the claim the Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner (Pictured next to Sir Kier Starmer) made jokes about crossing and uncrossing her legs to distract Boris Johnson A Labour spokesman said the story was completely made up' was asked for a comment Yesterday The Daily Telegraph reported that two Conservative MPs had told the newspaper they had heard Mrs Rayner laughing publicly about the idea that she could put off the Prime Minister by giving him a flash. The witnesses said she had been joking about the suggestion that she was crossing and uncrossing her legs during a light-hearted discussion on the Commons terrace about two months ago. Separately, The Mail On Sunday has now spoken to a total of four Tory MPs the original source and three others, including one woman all of whom supported this account and contradicted the insinuation by Mrs Rayner and her allies that the claims were cooked up by sexists. One of the MPs, describing a night on the Commons terrace earlier this year, said Mrs Rayner had initiated the discussion of the issue. They said she had spoken of giving the Prime Minister a flash. A second MP claimed that Mrs Rayner had referenced the thriller Basic Instinct, in which Sharon Stones character infamously uncrosses her legs while being interrogated by police. Angela told us: I like to do my Sharon Stone trick to distract Boris... I cross and uncross my legs, the witness said. A third MP added that they also remembered the encounter. The original source for the Mail on Sunday story said that the Sharon Stone joke had been made while Mrs Rayner spoke to a Tory MP. She was telling him how she distracts Boris, they said. All four Tories gave almost identical accounts of her remarks. They each said Mrs Rayner had used a startling slang colloquialism during the discussion. Angela Rayner joked about a Sharon Stone meme based on her during a podcast in January When The Mail on Sunday approached Mrs Rayner last Saturday about the exchanges on the terrace, a Labour spokesman said: Its completely made up, so unless theyre going to say something properly on the record or have any evidence I would expect that this made-up story wouldnt run. Im telling you categorically its untrue so Im afraid you know that doesnt meet the bar, an unnamed source without any evidence... Im telling you, its categorically untrue that this has happened. After Mrs Rayner strenuously denied making the remarks, coverage of the story initially concentrated on allegations of sexism. The row then saw Sir Lindsay attempt to summon The Mail on Sundays editor for a meeting. However, on Wednesday the Daily Mail revealed that Mrs Rayner had in fact publicly joked about the Basic Instinct comparison herself in January. Speaking to Matt Forde for his Political Party podcast, she volunteered the fact that her appearances in the Commons had prompted online references to the 1992 movie thriller. Every time I do a Prime Ministers Questions somebody has an opinion on what I wear. Did you see the meme about Sharon Stone like I was doing it at PMQs? I was mortified, she said, laughing. I wasnt aware I did it but apparently there was this whole meme about how my dress was a bit revealing. I didnt think it was. It was a perfectly suitable Karen Millen in the sale by the way. The podcast also saw her use the same slang colloquialism MPs say she used on the Commons terrace. Meanwhile, as the backlash grew over Sir Lindsays intervention, Mr Dillon formally turned down the Speakers request for a meeting, saying that Britains free Press would not endure if journalists had to take instructions from officials in the House of Commons. He also said other MPs had come forward to corroborate the original account of Mrs Rayners remarks. The Prime Minister later backed Mr Dillons decision. A No 10 spokesman said Mr Johnson would not want any perception of politicians seeking to in any way curb or control what a free Press seeks to report. A spokesman for Mrs Rayner last night declined to comment further on the story. Advertisement Johnny Depp's bodyguard has described noticing injuries and marks on the actor's face as his marriage to Amber Heard got increasingly more volatile. Malcolm Connolly took the stand in the Hollywood star's defamation trial against his ex-wife Thursday, telling the court he witnessed his client go from being happy in love to 'quiet' as Heard became more 'dominant' and 'demanding.' Testifying remotely from his native UK, Connolly, who began working as Depp's private personal security in 2006, said: 'At the beginning [it was] all lovey-dovey. Everything was great. Honeymoon period was on, and yeah it was good.' 'It was great to see Johnny happy again. Amber was lovely, charming - as she usually is - and good as gold.' But Connolly, who identifies as a 'protection officer', said things then 'started to change' between the two spouses who began arguing more often. 'Amber started to change. Amber started getting a bit more feisty, demanding. I could see that Amber wanted to wear the pants in this relationship. That was pretty obvious,' he said. The bodyguard added that Heard 'could get frosty at the drop of hat' and over time witnessed Depp 'getting quieter' as Amber 'started getting grumpy.' The jury on Thursday was shown a photo taken by Depp's bodyguard during his and Amber Heard's honeymoon in 2013 where the Pirates of the Caribbean star appeared to have visible scratches and 'swelling' on his face Security guard Malcolm Connolly pointed to the 'swelling on the left hand side' of Depp's nose and 'under his left eye' seen in the photo Testifying remotely from his native UK, Connolly, who began working as Depp's private personal security in 2006, said he witnessed Johnny and Amber's relationship become increasingly volatile Connolly admitted that he never did see any physical violence between the two, but testified that he could hear Depp and Heard arguing often. 'I could hear Amber screaming. I could hear shouting and bawling,' he said, adding that he could 'mostly' hear Heard shouting and that the couple fought 'more often than not.' And while he never witnessed any violence, the security guard told the court that he eventually began noticing scratches and injuries on Depp's face. He noted that he never saw any marks on Heard. 'What I noticed straight away was most of these marks were happening on the left hand side of his (Depp's) face,' Connolly said. 'There would be scratches on his neck. Maybe a fat lip in the corner, a bruising in the eye socket. 'It was getting more regular. Not every week, but it was definitely happening,' he added. The jury was then shown a photo taken by Connolly on Depp and Heard's honeymoon in 2013. Depp, posing alongside his now ex-wife and three others, appeared to have visible injuries and 'swelling' on his face. When asked to described the photo, Connolly pointed the 'swelling on the left hand side' of Depp's nose and 'under his left eye.' Asked what he thought had happened, the bodyguard said: 'Either he's walked into a door, or a door has walked into him,' prompting laughter from the courtroom. Earlier on Thursday, jurors also heard briefly from Depp's business manager, Ed White, who said he intervened in 2016 to resolve financial difficulties for Depp, including unpaid taxes and a cash crunch. The court heard how Depp went from being happy in love to 'quiet' as Heard allegedly became more 'dominant' and 'demanding' When he blamed Heard for an excessive wine bill that featured multiple $500 bottles of Spanish Vega Sicilia wine, Heard's lawyers responded with a barrage of questions over Depp's spending excesses, including spending millions of dollars to shoot journalist Hunter S. Thompson's ashes out of a cannon. The court also heard testimony revealing that Elon Musk covered nearly half of ex-girlfriend Amber Heard's donation to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) after she pledged to give away her multimillion dollar divorce settlement to charity following her split from Depp. The actress has so far only paid $1.3million of the $3.5million she promised the ACLU nearly six years ago, with Musk's money making up a large chunk of it. The billionaire Tesla founder, 50, gave $500,000 to the civil rights group on behalf of Heard after the two began dating after her divorce from Depp in 2016. The Aquaman star, 36, announced she would donate the $7million she received in her settlement to two organizations when the couple's legal separation was finalized in August 2016. Heard promised to give half the money to the ACLU to support its work in 'fighting violence against women', and the other $3.5million to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. But Terence Dougherty, the ACLU Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, testified in the trial Thursday, telling the court the organizations' promised donation has not been paid in full yet. Dougherty said that so far only a total of $1.3million has either been paid by Heard or on her behalf. Of that money, Heard contributed $350,000 directly, while $100,000 was paid by Depp and another $350,000 came from a fund at Fidelity, an investment company. Another $500,000 payment came from an account at investment firm Vanguard, which Dougherty said he 'believed it was a fund set up by Elon Musk.' Asked by one of Depp's lawyers if there were messages with Musk about it, Dougherty said there were. He said there was a document and emails they had produced to the lawyers in the case regarding the money. Billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk, 50, donated $500,000 to the ACLU on behalf of Amber Heard when the two were dating in 2016, the actress's defamation trial heard Thursday. The two are pictured together in 2017 The court heard the Aquaman actress has so far only paid $1.3million of the $3.5million she promised the ACLU nearly six years ago, with Musk's money making up a large chunk of it ACLU Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Terence Dougherty testified Thursday revealing only half the money has been paid by Heard or on her behalf Dougherty said that based on emails with Musk, the ACLU understood that Heard's $3.5million donation would be given over 10 years. He said that Heard's money was considered a 'pledge' so rather than a check all at once, it would come over time. Heard's lawyers have previously told the court that she fully intends to pay the money but for now needs the divorce settlement to pay her legal fees. Heard had promised to donate her $7M divorce settlement to charity, splitting the funds between the ACLU and the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles The court heard that Heard's last donation of $350,000 in December 2018 and that she had not paid any money since. Dougherty said that Heard had told the organization that money was from her anonymous account with Fidelity but they did not do any further checks to guarantee it was her money. One of Depp's lawyers asked Dougherty what 'efforts the ACLU has made to get Amber Heard to pay'. He replied: 'We reached out to Miss Heard starting in 2019 for the next installment of her giving and we learned she was having financial difficulties'. The court heard that Musk played a central role in setting up Heard's donations to the ACLU, partly because he had given to it before. Heard and Musk dated for a year following the actress's divorce from Johnny Depp in 2016 Johnny Depp's $50million defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard that started on April 10 is expected to last five or six weeks In an email dated August 18, 2016, Musk wrote to Heard and Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU: 'I described your (Heard's) plan to donate $3.5million to the ACLU over the next 10 years as you very much believe in what they're doing'. The court heard that Robin Shulman, a communications strategist with the ACLU wrote the first draft of the op-ed in November 2018, a month before the article was published. In a message to Heard dated November 29, 2018, Shulman said that she tried to 'gather your fire and rage' and shape it into an op-ed piece. Asked if that meant rage against Depp, Dougherty said it was about 'gender-based violence issues'. In a follow up message, Shulman told Heard: 'Our lawyers should review this for the way I skirted around your marriage'. Jessica Weitz, another member of the ACLU communications team, told Heard: 'I want to make sure nothing was said in here that puts you in jeopardy with your NDA' with Depp after the divorce. Shulman and Heard met in person and that op-ed was changed, the court heard. Heard's lawyers also made some edits. One of Depp's lawyers asked Dougherty: 'Some at the ACLU expressed belief that excising references to the marriage and divorce from Johnny Depp made the op-ed less impactful?' Dougherty said: 'That is correct'. Dougherty said that the ACLU had the responsibility of placing the op-ed and considered the New York Times, Washington Post, Teen Vogue and USA Today as places where it could go. As Dougherty put it, the list was in 'descending importance and reach as we go down', but with a greater likelihood they would publish it. Gerry Johnson, one of the ACLU communications team, emailed his colleagues about timing the op-ed so it would come out at the same time as the premiere of Aquaman, the film Heard was starring in. Johnson wrote: 'Since draft turned out pretty strong and Aquaman slated to do large numbers I'm wondering what you think about it?' Actor Amber Heard returns following a break at the Fairfax County Circuit Court Thursday, April 28, 2022 Depp, 58, had previously accused his ex-wife of lying about giving all of her divorce settlement to charity Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a 'public figure representing domestic abuse' Dougherty said that media outlets were more likely to take on an op-ed if it had 'strong views' and the more the person was in the public eye at the time, the 'more likely it will be accepted by a more prominent media outlet'. Depp's lawyers asked Dougherty if Heard's marriage to Depp made the op-ed a 'stronger product'. Dougherty said: 'Amber's contributions to the portion of op-ed that talks about personal experiences is what informed the view this was a strong op-ed'. One of Depp's lawyers asked: 'She wanted the op-ed to come out just after Aquaman release?' Dougherty said: 'I recall there was a conversation for optimal timing' Dougherty added that it was 'correct' that Heard wanted the article to come out just after the Aquaman release. On December 11 2018, Witz emailed her colleagues that Heard's team had sent back a final draft but it 'neutered much of her marriage and domestic violence'. Witz said that the goal was the 'get this out this week to capitalize on the tremendous campaign for Aquaman', referring to the publicity surrounding the film. In follow up emails, Witz said that Heard wanted to get a mention of her getting a restraining order back into the article. Witz said: 'Is there an artful way to to do that?' Such a mention did not make it into the final cut. Around that time, Stacey Sullivan, another member of the ACLU's communications pitched the the article to Michael Duffy, an editor at the Washington Post. Emails shown in court Thursday revealed Johnny Depp contributed towards Heard's $3.5million pledge to the ACLU The email said: 'Hey Michael, wondering if we might interest you in an op-ed by Amber Heard 'Who as you may recall was beaten up during her brief marriage to Johnny Depp' Once it had been agreed the article would be published, Heard emailed her team and the ACLU: 'It's going to the Washington Post!!!' The court also heard about the panic within the ACLU how in 2019 Reuters inquired about how much Heard had paid of her $3.5m pledge. In an email to colleagues, Witz insisted that Heard had 'donated her full settlement to charity' but investigations revealed she had only paid $1.3m As Witz and her colleagues struggled to phrase a statement to Reuters, she emailed her colleagues: 'I had nightmares about this last tonight, do you think this is OK?' Depp's lawyers asked if Witz was 'concerned the ACLU was not telling the truth? As Depp looked on and smiled, Dougherty said: 'She was doing everything she could to give a correct statement to the press'. Sarah Ferguson will become the new host of the ABC's flagship current affairs programme 7.30 - three decades after she was hired by the public broadcaster as a humble researcher to help her future husband on a project. Ferguson was officially announced on Friday as the replacement to Leigh Sales after the host revealed in February she would step down from her role in June. It marks a meteoric rise for the veteran investigative journalist who first worked with the public broadcaster in a 'sliding doors' moment some 30 years ago. Former Q&A host Tony Jones had been working as a London correspondent at the time and hired Ferguson to help him on a story about French politics in 1992. The chance encounter was not only the beginning of a stellar career at the public broadcaster but the start of a romantic relationship that led to marriage and three beautiful children. Ferguson and Jones tied the knot in 1993 - a year after they first met in Paris. 'It was a 'there you are I've been waiting for you' moment,' Sarah Ferguson told Mia Freedman on the latest episode of her No Filter podcast. Sarah Ferguson will become the new host of the ABC's flagship current affairs programme 7.30 - three decades after she joined the public broadcaster as a humble researcher who was hired by her future husband to help him on a project Former Q&A host Tony Jones had been working as a London correspondent at the time and hired Ferguson to help him on a story about French politics in 1992 The pair have been inseparable ever since and have travelled around the world together as they support each other in their roles. The couple spent a year in Rovinj, in Croatia, in 1996 and relocated to the United States when Ferguson landed a role as 'special reporter' in Washington in 2021. Ferguson officially joined the ABC in 2008 and has produced award winning documentaries, such as 'The Killing Season', for Four Corners. Over her career - which has included high-profile roles in Washington and documentaries about domestic violence, paedophilia and live cattle exports - Ferguson has garnered a reputation for no-nonsense interviewing. That is what she's expected to bring to the role as she steps into Sales' shoes. It's a role she's reprised before, filling in as 7.30 host for six months in 2014 while Sales was on maternity leave. 'I'm delighted to take on the presenter role at 7.30,' says Ferguson. 'Led by Leigh Sales and chief political correspondent Laura Tingle, the 7.30 team has created a powerhouse program, making superb current affairs journalism on the cutting edge of the genre.' 'Working in collaboration with the inimitable Laura is irresistible. Adding myself into that mix sounds tremendously rewarding at a time when scrutiny of power is essential, when our social structures are undergoing profound change. Jones and Ferguson had met in Paris before the pair married a year later in 1993 Ferguson was officially announced on Friday as the replacement to Leigh Sales after the host revealed in February she would be stepping down from her role Jones and Ferguson had initially met in Paris before marrying a year later in 1993 ABC managing director David Anderson said audiences 'know and respect' Ferguson 'On Leigh's departure, I'd like to say that her diligence and skill have made an enormous contribution to Australian journalism. What you don't see in her calm studio presence is the huge amount of work she does in preparation. It will be a pleasure to take over from such a pro. 'Public service journalism has to deliver for the Australian audience, all day, every day. No one in Australia should ever feel they have no voice. 'It's our job to show how public broadcasting can create a place for everyone to come and debate, think deeply, be thrilled, entertained and sometimes provoked,' Ferguson said. 'This is the opposite of seeking to polarise in ways we are seeing in media worldwide.' ABC managing director David Anderson said audiences 'know and respect' Ferguson. 'Her work has set an unparalleled standard not only in Australian journalism but internationally, as evidenced by her recent reporting from Ukraine,' he said. 'Sarah is an exceptional appointment to take over 7.30 hosting duties from Leigh, alongside an outstanding team. 7.30 has been Australia's premier daily current affairs program for decades and will continue to be so with Sarah at the helm.' Award winning journalist Sarah Ferguson will replace Leigh Sales as the host of 7.30 Report Who is the ABC's new 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson? Sarah Ferguson was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where her British-born parents lived before moving to Britain as the Biafran war broke out. Ferguson's career began in newspapers in the United Kingdom, before moving to Paris and working as a researcher and production assistant on arts programs for French and British broadcasters. She met her husband Tony Jones, after he hired her to help him for a story on ABC in 1992, while he was working as ABC's London correspondent . Sarah Ferguson is pictured with Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Ferguson had been working as a researcher and production assistant for French and British broadcasters up until that point in time. In 2000, Ferguson worked as a reporter for Dateline and Insight. In 2004 she joined the Sunday program on Channel Nine and in 2008 joined Four Corners. In 2014, Ferguson hosted 7.30 and her interviews with the Australian treasurer Joe Hockey were nominated for a Walkley for journalistic excellence. They would later be described as 'aggressive' and 'the tone of the questioning could have been interpreted by some viewers to be a potential breach of the ABC's impartiality guidelines.' In 2014, Ferguson caused controversy at the Walkley Awards when she publicly railed against job cuts at the ABC. In 2016, she presented award winning documentary 'Hitting Home'. The segment covered domestic violence in Australia and earned Ferguson a Walkley Documentary Award and Best Documentary at the 2016 AACTA Awards. In 2017, as Ferguson was getting off a plane, she was told that her mother Marjorie had died suddenly in England. Later she became aware that hospital negligence had led to her mother's death. She wrote about the experience in her book On Mother. Advertisement Director of News Justin Stevens described her as 'formidable'. 'We're incredibly fortunate with the depth of talent we have at the ABC,' he said. 'Leigh Sales has done a superb job anchoring 7.30 for the past 12 years and to have someone of the calibre of Sarah Ferguson to take up the baton, working alongside Laura Tingle and the rest of the talented 7.30 team, is terrific news for audiences.' Ferguson took up a temporary post in the U.S. capital early last year after being unable to begin her planned role as the ABC's Beijing bureau chief due to poor relations between Australia and China. When she previously hosted 7.30 report in 2014, while Sales was on maternity leave, Ferguson came under fire following a hostile interview with Treasurer Joe Hockey that breached the broadcaster's bias guidelines, an ABC-commissioned editorial review found at the time. Presenting ABC's 7:30, formerly The 7:30 Report, is considered one of the most demanding and high-profile roles in Australian television. ABC viewers were shocked when Leigh Sales revealed in February she was stepping down as host. In the months leading up to her resignation, the single mother of two was reportedly struggling to balance her demanding job with homeschooling her children. Insiders say one 'contributing factor' to Leigh Sales exit was the NSW Covid lockdown, which forced her sons, James and Daniel (pictured), into remote learning for nearly five months Sales is seen in the earlier days of her presenting role of the 7.30 program on ABC Sales says her decision to quit came down to her 'two beautiful little boys' wanting to see more of their mum. She told viewers she wanted them to hear the news from her 'personally', as she explained she wanted to finally spend evenings with her kids after more than a decade. 'I was appointed to the job on December 3, 2010. This is my 12th year in the seat. That was five Prime Ministers ago. It was so long ago that Donald Trump was just a guy with a bad orange hairdo hosting The Apprentice,' she said. 'There's nothing wrong other than I just feel a strong sense of it being time to pass the baton to the next runner in the race and to take a break. At the end of an election cycle feels like a good time to move on to something new at the ABC.' She said she hoped it was obvious she had always approached the job with one goal 'to ask frank questions of people in power, without fear or favour, that a fair-minded, reasonable person with some common sense watching at home might like to ask'. In a possible first for an Australian TV news presenter, she then used strong language, saying she had 'tried to shut down and call out bulls**t, hold powerful people to account, expose lies, incompetence and exaggeration in all political parties and all issues and present facts even when they're unpopular or inconvenient'. Ferguson and Jones spent a year in Rovinj, in Croatia, in 1996 and relocated to the United States when Ferguson landed a role as 'special reporter' in Washington in 2021 Sales (pictured in 2011) is leaving the show in good shape in the ratings Sales said anchoring 7.30 has been 'the most amazing job and I'll never stop being grateful for the opportunities it's given me'. She then mentioned one of her most memorable interviewees over the years. 'The celebrities come and go but you never forget people like Matthew Low,' Ms Sales said. 'His wife was killed in the Dreamworld roller-coaster accident and found the strength down the track to do an interview and try to ensure no other family would have to go through what his family did. 'People like Matthew are the ones who stick with you. 'Every time you interview somebody whose life has been devastated you feel terrified by what life has dished up to them and incredibly humbled by how they met it with strength and clarity and dignity and you just don't forget it.' She did single out one celebrity, though, saying meeting Paul McCartney 'and getting a hug from him is one of the best days of my life'. Ms Sales also mentioned the viewers and how people would approach her in public and say how much joy her interview with McCartney had given them. She spoke about what a demanding hosting 7.30 is and that it comes with a lot of pressure and scrutiny. 'When I first started I didn't have children. And now I have two boys aged 10 and eight. And they've only ever known their mum at work four nights a week. 'They want me home with them before 8.30pm and I don't think that's too much for two little boys to ask and they're two beautiful little boys.' Ms Sales also thanked viewers for their supportive messages about the ABC itself. 'The ABC is so often under fire and it means a lot to all of us to know the public supports us,' she said. She said that 7.30 'is an incredibly important program' and that it will keep going from strength to strength. 'I'm looking forward to having a good break and figuring out what I do next at the ABC ... I'm be around for a while yet.' She finished by saying 'Please keep watching, my friends. See you on Monday. Goodnight.' Liberal election candidate Katharine Deves has declared she is not transphobic and can still win despite the controversial start to her campaign. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's 'captain's pick' for the Sydney northern beaches seat of Warringah has told Ben Fordham on 2GB that despite being attacked for her comments on trans people participating in women's sport, she has never contemplated quitting. 'I believe this is very much an issue of equality and fairness and I have received messages of support from all over Australia,' she said. 'Australians are very much on side with my position.' Katherine Deves told Ben Fordham on 2GB that despite being attacked for her comments on trans people participating in women's sport, she has never contemplated quitting Fordham mentioned Ms Deves had arrived at the 2GB studios flanked by security guards as she faced death threats as a result of her old social media posts. Ms Deves said she had 'drawn strength' from meeting people in the electorate during the campaign as she battled intense criticism. 'I don't look at it. I have a great supportive team around me so I can concentrate on the job,' she said of the 'pile-on' she had received as a result of her stance. She said she got involved in the issue of trans people in sport because she has three little girls who play different sports. 'I saw that little girls and young women should have someone standing up representing their interests and all I ever wanted was for this debate to be held in the public domain. Ms Deves denied she was transphobic during the 2GB interview, saying she had attended Mardi Gras in the early 1990s and voted for same-sex marriage and her comments were not about 'that' Fordham asked Ms Deves directly whether she was transphobic. 'Oh of course not, Ben,' she responded. 'This isn't about (transphobia), this argument is about women and girls. 'Back in the early 1990s I was going to Mardi Gras, I voted for same-sex marriage, I don't have an issue with that but this is about a collision of rights and we just need to be able to debate it in a respectful way.' Ms Deves also said she could still win Warringah. 'I wouldn't have stood up if I didn't believe I had a chance to win,' she said. In the wake of Ms Deves' comments, there have been multiple calls for Ms Deves to be disendorsed, including by prominent Liberals North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman and NSW Treasurer Matt Kean. Ms Deves faces an uphill battle to reclaim Warringah for the Liberals, with the former blue-ribbon seat currently held by independent MP Zali Steggall (pictured) by more than seven per cent Ms Deves faces an uphill battle to reclaim Warringah for the Liberals, with the former blue-ribbon seat currently held by independent MP Zali Steggall by more than seven per cent. Ms Steggall was $1.04 favourite to win the seat while Ms Deves is at $9, according to the most recent Sportsbet odds. Ms Deves has become a divisive figure following a number of provocative comments on her Twitter account - which she has since deleted. She once declared trans teenagers are 'surgically mutilated' and felt personally 'triggered' by the rainbow Pride flag. The Warringah candidate also bizarrely linked cross-dressing males and and trans women to 'sexual predators, even serial killers'. 'Transvestism is very common among sexual predators, even serial killers,' she said in a historical tweet. 'So how are we women supposed to tell the difference between the ones who are a threat and the ones who aren't? Easier for women to exclude all males from spaces where we are vulnerable.' Ms Deves has become a divisive figure following a number of provocative comments on her Twitter account - which she has since deleted - with some Liberal MPs calling for to be disendorsed as the party's candidate in Warringah Last September Ms Deves described the prospect of two gay men having a baby as a 'vanity project.' 'Surrogacy is a human rights violation,' she tweeted. 'Women's bodies are not vehicles for a vanity project.' Ms Deves was referring to Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay U.S. presidential candidate, and his husband, who are joint fathers of twin girls. In another tweet, Ms Deves said 'transablism' - where trans people pretend to be disabled - is 'a thing' and likened people in that category to a well-known serial killer. Mr Morrison subsequently defended her as the party's candidate as she received a torrent of online abuse over the comments. 'She is standing up for women and girls and their access to fair sport in this country,' the PM said. '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.' A new Pfizer pill designed to treat high-risk Covid sufferers is set to hit Australia and will be available in chemists in just days. The Paxlovid tablets will be given to people with risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, heart, lung, liver diseases, and those more at risk of hospitalisation. The pharmaceutical company's senior medical director, Dr Krishan Thiru, told the Today Show on Friday the drug is not a vaccine to prevent COVID. 'It is not a vaccine to prevent COVID. It is a treatment for people who have recently been diagnosed,' Dr Thiru said. The new Paxlovid (pictured) oral take-home drug fills a gap in the market for vulnerable Covid sufferers Pfizer's senior medical director Dr Krishan Thiru (pictured, left) told Karl Stefanovic on The Today Show the new Pfizer drug works to hinder one enzyme that the virus uses to replicate The drug is set to fill a gap in the market treating the dreaded disease. Up until this point, most Aussies with Covid have had to make do with paracetamol and other pain killers normally taken when someone has a cold. The doctor said the new drug works by stymying an enzyme that helps the virus to replicate. 'It means the virus can't multiply inside your body and so your body's own immune defences are able to combat the virus and reduce the chance in certain patients,' Dr Thiru said. '[It helps] people who are at high risk of complications, and reduces the chance of those complications,' he said. These include people over 65 with Covid risk factors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50 or others who are immuno-compromised. 'It is designed for people who otherwise might be at risk of requiring hospitalisation or not surviving.' Dr Thiru said a similar drug available for general use could be on the horizon but the priority lay with helping the most vulnerable. 'We are continuing to investigate treatments and antivirals in other populations as well, but at the moment we have several thousand people in hospital,' he said. 'And dozens are dying every day and they are the high risk patients, and that's what Paxlovid is for.' The drug does not replace the vaccine but pairs alongside of it for those who need it the most. 'Vaccination is the most important thing people can do to protect their own health, Dr Thiru said. 'Paxlovid is an important second line of defence, for vulnerable Australians, particularly at high risk.' Dr Thiru said this drug was for the most vulnerable only and Pfizer was continuing to investigate treatments and antivirals for the general population (pictured, mask wearers in Melbourne 'It means the virus can't multiply inside your body and so your body's own immune defences are able to combat the virus,' the doctor said on Friday Sunday April 24 Lily Peters, 10, leaves her aunt's house on a bicycle to cycle in woods near Chippewa Falls, northeast of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Lily's father becomes worried when she doesn't return at 9pm and reports her as missing. Police searching for the ten-year-old find her bike in woodland near a walking trail between the end of N Grove Street and the Leinenkugel's brewery parking lot, four block's from her aunt's house. Police use dog units and drones as the search for Lily continues. Monday April 25 Police find Lily's remains in woodland near Chippewa Falls, northeast of Eau Claire. Lily Peters, 10, (pictured) was allegedly strangled to death and sexually assaulted by her 14-year-old cousin Tuesday April 26 An anonymous Reddit user posts: 'What's scary is I was playing Pokemon Go in the park that day walking along that very same trail, my stomach turns when I think I saw that girl in a pink/purple hoodie on her bike with another kid on my way out. I have a suspicion that it could be another kid that did it.' Police announce they have arrested a suspect for Lily's murder. Wednesday April 27 Police say the suspect is the 14-year-old eighth-grader cousin of Lily. He appeared in adult court and is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13, resulting in great bodily harm. Bond is set at $1million. A great grandfather who shot a rogue tradie after he dumped rubbish on his property has avoided a jail sentence with a simple fine. Paolo Mannici, now 90, shot Melton tradie Raymond Pasco, 61, seconds after he dumped a truck load of filthy soil on his Ravenswood industrial lot, west of Melbourne. Mannici was on Thursday convicted and fined $20,000 over the December 2020 attack. Paolo Mannici locks and loads his grandfather's Beretta before firing two shots at Raymond Pasco Raymond Pasco holds his arm after Paolo Mannici shot him in December 2020 In sentencing Mannici on Thursday, County Court of Victoria Judge Damian Murphy declined to even impose a community corrections order against the elderly offender. While Judge Murphy condemned Mannici for shooting his victim, he accepted Pasco had behaved poorly leading up to the incident. 'I am prepared to accept that you were sorely provoked by Mr Pasco and his conduct,' he said. 'Given your prior good character ... Mr Pasco's assertive demands for the outstanding payment, including your statement that he visited your home on two occasions, and his conduct in dumping loads of rubbish on your site and threatening to continue to do so on that day, provides an explanation for your out-of-character actions.' Judge Murphy further accepted Mannici's age, early plea, previous good character and genuine remorse. 'Given your age, frailty, use of a walking stick and the provocative conduct by Mr Pasco, you were substantially provoked by his conduct,' he said. Security cameras captured the moment Mannici, who was aided by a walking stick, calmly cocked his .22 calibre Beretta handgun before opening fire on Pasco. Daily Mail Australia revealed on Wednesday, Mannici's victim was in fact a convicted criminal, who had prior convictions for dishonesty, drug dealing and making threats to kill. Just weeks before the shooting, Pasco allegedly threatened to shoot Mannici if he didn't pay him for clean-up works on the lot the elderly grandfather maintained hadn't been performed. 'If you do not pay me I will put a bullet in your head, Pasco allegedly told him on November 23 that year. Mannici's barrister, Dr Theo Alexander, claimed Pasco then pushed his frail client so hard in the chest that he started to bleed. So worried about the incident, Mannici and a colleague took photos of his injuries and reported the alleged assault to Sunshine Police. Despite both men making sworn statements and providing the images to detectives, no action was taken, Dr Alexander told the court. Mannici had contracted Pasco to clear the lot on July 31, with an agreement that the job would be done in four weeks at a cost of $25,000. By August 20, none of the site had been cleared of building waste and rubbish, but Mannici complied with Pasco's demands for a $5000 payment, the court heard. On September 17, Mannici paid Pasco another $5000 despite the job being three weeks late. Adding insult to injury, Mannici claimed Pasco had begun dumping his own concrete and steel from other building sites upon his property, Dr Alexander stated. Shot through the arm and he's to blame, Raymond Pasco gave earth removal a bad name, Mannici claimed Seconds before disaster: Raymond Pasco makes his last dump of rubbish on Paolo Mannici's property WHO IS PAOLO MANNICI? Born in a small village called Carrafa in Calabria, Italy on August 5, 1931. He has been married for 63 years and has three children, who all live in Melbourne. He had four siblings: three sisters and one brother. They have all since died. He has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mannici maintains a close relationship with all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. No one in his family has ever been in trouble with the law. He lived through the Second World War in Italy. His parents cared for him and instilled in him a strong work ethic that he has maintained to today. After migrating to Australia in 1951, aged 20, he moved to Sydney and worked in a steel factory. Over the years he has worked on cane fields, in factories, as a bus driver before becoming a property developer. Mannici has no prior criminal history in Italy or Australia Advertisement Just five days later Pasco demanded yet another $5000 payment, which Mannici paid despite claims only 20 percent of the work had been completed. Dr Alexander said Pasco continued to demand more money on October 20 despite carrying out no further clearing works at Mannici's site. 'When the accused refused to pay any more, the victim commenced sending threatening emails and text messages to the accused's grandson,' he stated. '(Pasco) ceased any site clearing, but left his machines parked on the site. The accused tried to communicate with (him) to establish if and when the work would be completed. (Pasco) simply kept demanding more money.' Fed up, Mannici employed a new contactor on November 12, with work commencing immediately. A week later, Pasco began making threats to the new contractor, Dr Alexander stated. Pasco had claimed he had stopped work after allegedly finding contaminated soil on the site from tyres previously burnt and buried there. 'That assertion is a lie and was designed to cover his misconduct,' Dr Alexander told the court. 'Indeed, the victim also used this false assertion as a basis to make further threats to the accused - the victim threatened to report this fabricated issue to the EPA if the accused did not pay more money.' The court heard the environment watchdog did indeed investigate Mannici's lot, but found no evidence of soil contamination. Just days before the shooting, Mannici told Pasco to move his machines out of the lot and asked him to stop dumping rubbish there. Italian immigrant Paolo Mannici (pictured) had spent 70 years in Australia without a single brush with the law before taking it into his own hands. Paolo Mannici had been gifted the Beretta from his grandfather Paolo Mannici's victim had just dumped this pile of rubbish on his industrial lot when he took matters into his own hands '(Pasco) had intimidated and threatened the accused each time he attended the land to dump more rubbish,' Dr Alexander said. Worried about Victoria Police's inaction to his complaint, Mannici began taking his grandfather's 40-year old handgun to the lot. 'The accused felt intimidated, vulnerable and powerless. He was frustrated and despite his advanced age, had never been treated with such contempt,' Dr Alexander told the court. 'He brought the handgun for the sole purpose of frightening (Pasco), by firing shots in the air if necessary, intending that the victim would thereafter cease attending the property.' On the day of the shooting, CCTV cameras set-up by Pasco himself to capture illegal dumping on the site, caught Pasco dumping another load of rubbish-filled soil on Manicci's property. Footage showed Mannici standing helplessly by as Pasco dumped the load in his yard. Armed with the handgun, Mannici is seen walking towards Pasco before two shots ring out. The court heard Mannici had not intended to actually shoot his victim. 'I just wanted to scare him with the gun to stop him dumping rubbish, not hurt him,' Mannici told a forensic psychiatrist. 'I went over to him and he grabbed me and the gun went off. I didn't want to hurt him, but I know I was wrong. I did the wrong thing.' Clint Eastwood played a grumpy old man who liked to pack heat in a 2008 film titled Gran Torino Mannici was seen wearing a black apron as he walked out the front to collect fruit from a tree Victorian Police officers are seen at a crime scene on a work site in Ravenhall where Mannici shot a man One bullet tore through Pasco's arm before he was able to take the elderly shooter down. Even after being shot, Pasco was seen standing over the elderly man and demanding his money. 'If you had of paid, none of this would have f**king happened ... What's the matter with you?' he shouted. 'You f**king owe me money. What do you think you're f**king gonna do. ' The exchange was only stopped when a large man of Islander appearance stepped in, which almost started another fracas. Another man, believed to be a colleague of Pasco, was also heard shouting threats at Mannici. 'You're lucky it was him and not me. I would have shot you. You're f**king lucky I was on the other side of the yard. You understand, you have no f**king idea who I am,' the man told Mannici. The court heard Pasco had a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for theft, obtaining property by deception, breaching a suspended sentence, breaching an intervention order, making threats to kill and drug trafficking. '(He) has a history of dishonesty ... in my submission, one should be circumspect before accepting what (the victim) says,' Dr Alexander said. Paolo Mannici (pictured) is seen at his home after being granted bail for a shooting at a work site in Melbourne One of the .22 calibre bullets Paolo Mannici did not fire at Pasco A disabled tag can be seen hanging from the rear view mirror of Paolo Mannici's van In a victim impact statement read to the court, Pasco, who is likely entitled to claim up to $60,000 in victims of crime compensation, claimed Mannici had ruined his life and left him impotent. 'I don't go a single day without thinking of the gun and the man behind the trigger,' he said. 'There is no escape for me, not a moment of peace or relief. I don't feel safe anymore and the comfort I used to find in the presence of others is gone.' The court heard Pasco endured an eight-hour operation on the day he was shot and continues to suffer a range of mental and physical injuries. 'When I close my eyes all I can see is the barrel of a gun staring right back at me. All I can hear is the echoing of gun shots in my ears and I am stuck remembering the immense fear I felt and still do,' Pasco wrote. The injured tradie stated he could no longer sleep due to the fear of seeing Mannici in his dreams. 'I am not proud of it, but I struggle with thoughts of suicide and ending it all. I just want to escape the never-ending pain,' he stated. Pasco said the injury had left his arm with nerve damage, which made ordinary tasks difficult to perform. 'Due to medications, I am now impotent. This places a huge impact on my manhood and the way I feel about myself. I feel as though I am not a man,' he told the court. When Mannici's actions were described as borderline vigilante, Dr Alexander agreed. 'To the extent that this man felt frustrated, unassisted by authorities, unable to do anything to stop this person from continuing their contemptuous treatment - then yes, it would be described as vigilantism,' Dr Alexander said. People's support vital for state governance Xinhua) 14:42, April 28, 2022 BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese idiom "De Ren Zhe Xing" emphasizes the importance of winning people's hearts and attracting talents to a country or government. "Ren" stands for people's hearts as well as talents. The saying, which comes from Shiji, or Records of the Grand Historian, a monumental history book of ancient China compiled about 2,000 years ago, has two connotations. Only by winning people's hearts and responding to their wishes can a country or government continue to thrive. This is in accord with the philosophy that "people's will is the foundation of the state" and "people are the foundation of the state." Moreover, talents are critical to the rise and fall of a country or government. Only by identifying and recruiting the most capable and upright people and suitably employing them can a great cause be completed and a country and its government remain stable and secure. Winning people's hearts is closely related to attracting the talented. Winning people's hearts will eventually draw in the talented, and recruiting the talented will eventually help win people's hearts. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China adopts a people-centered development philosophy. This is best illustrated by China's massive poverty-alleviation campaign and its handling of the COVID-19 epidemic, where such concepts and practices as "no one should be left behind" and "people first, life first" have been demonstrated. China emphasizes the development of professional talent to improve the country's workforce, and education to nurture a new generation of capable young people who are well-prepared to join the socialist cause. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Foreign residents visit Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Feb. 14, 2021. Newsis By Lee Hyo-jin The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) is drawing criticism for its discriminatory policy against children of foreign nationality, which initially excluded them from free admissions to royal palaces on Children's Day. In its recent announcement, the CHA said that royal palaces and tombs including Gyeongbok Palace, Deoksu Palace and Changdeok Palace would offer free admission to visitors on Children's Day which falls on May 5, the presidential inauguration day on May 10 and during the Royal Culture Festival period which runs from May 10 to 22. The announcement reads that on Children's Day, visitors aged 12 and under along with their guardians can freely enter. However, it noted that foreign children are exempt from the policy. This sparked debates among online users, with many criticizing the CHA for discriminating against young children based on nationality. A coalition of some 40 migrants' rights civic groups condemned the CHA, demanding it to immediately rectify the discriminatory measure. "It is of common sense that according to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, no children should be discriminated against regardless of nationality, race or gender," the civic groups said in a statement, Wednesday. "But the CHA's policy on free admission explicitly discriminates against children based on nationality on a day none other than Children's Day. These people (foreign residents) are not tourists who are visiting Korea for a short period of time. They are members of the society who work here and pay taxes." The CHA later removed the announcement, and explained the exemption rule applies only for guardians of foreign children, not the children. "We meant to say that parents or guardians of foreign children are excluded from free admission. The fee policy for foreign children on Children's Day would be the same as on regular days," an official at the CHA told The Korea Times, Thursday. On regular days, Koreans aged 24 and under are admitted for free. Foreigners aged between 7 and 18 are charged 500 won, while 1,000 won is charged for those aged between 25 and 64. Senior citizens aged 65 and above can enter freely, regardless of nationality. When asked why foreigners aged between 7 and 18 are not allowed to enter for free unlike their Korean national counterparts on regular days, the official said, "Not all rules apply the same to foreign nationals," and did not agree that the policy is discriminatory. Later in the day, the CHA announced a revised version the free admission policy on Children's Day, which reads that all people, regardless of age and nationality, will be admitted for free. It also said it plans to revise the fee policy for regular days, which imposes different fees for foreigners and Koreans, reflecting the need to respect cultural diversity. New life expectancy predictions have revealed the UK dog breeds that are likely to live the longest. Vets from the Royal Veterinary College assessed 30,563 dogs from 18 breeds to see how life expectancy varies between pooches. Their results reveal that while the average life expectancy for dogs in the UK is 11.2 years, this varies massively between breeds. Jack Russell Terriers top the list with an average life expectancy of 12.7 years, while French Bulldogs were identified as the breed with the shortest life expectancy of just 4.5 years. Dr Kendy Tzu-yun Teng, who led the study, said: 'The dog life tables offer new insights and ways of looking at the life expectancy in pet dogs. 'They are also strong evidence of compromised health and welfare in short, flat-faced breeds, such as French Bulldog and Bulldog.' Vets from the Royal Veterinary College assessed 30,563 dogs from 18 breeds to see how life expectancy varies between pooches In previous studies, life expectancy has been estimated crudely using only the average age of death of dogs. However, this method does not take into account the fact that life expectancy decreases with age in a non-linear fashion. Instead, the researchers used 'life tables' a method commonly used for humans to assess the life expectancy of 30,563 dogs from 18 different breeds and crossbreeds that had died between 1 January 2016 and 31 July 2020. Dr Justine Shotton, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: 'These life tables offer an important insight into the life expectancy of popular dog breeds in the UK and will be a useful tool for vets and pet owners in assessing dog welfare.' Jack Russell Terriers (pictured) had the greatest life expectancy from age 0 at 12.7 years, followed by Border Collies (12.1 years) and Springer Spaniels (11.92 years) Breeds with longest life expectancy Jack Russell Terrier - 12.72 Yorkshire Terrier - 12.54 Border Collie - 12.10 Springer Spaniel - 11.92 Crossbred - 11.82 Labrador Retriever - 11.77 Staffordshire Bull Terrier - 11.33 Cocker Spaniel - 11.31 Shih-tzu - 11.05 Advertisement Breeds with shortest life expectancy French Bulldog - 4.53 English Bulldog - 7.39 Pug - 7.65 American Bulldog - 7.79 Chihuahua - 7.91 Husky - 9.53 Beagle - 9.85 Boxer - 10.04 German Shepherd - 10.16 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - 10.45 Advertisement The life tables revealed that the overall average life expectancy at age 0 for the dogs was 11.2 years. However, the life expectancy varied hugely between breeds. Jack Russell Terriers had the greatest life expectancy from age 0 at 12.7 years, followed by Border Collies (12.1 years) and Springer Spaniels (11.92 years). At the other end of the scale, four flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds were found to have the shortest life expediencies. French Bulldogs were only expected to live 4.5 years from age 0, followed by English Bulldogs at 7.4 years, Pugs at 7.7 years and American Bulldogs 7.8 years. Flat-faced breeds are known to suffer from a range of health issues. French Bulldogs (pictured) were only expected to live 4.5 years from age 0, followed by English Bulldogs at 7.4 years, Pugs at 7.7 years and American Bulldogs 7.8 years Health issues in flat-faced breeds The broad head shape did not evolve naturally, and is instead the result of selective breeding. The facial structure of flat-faced dogs forces the breathing passages to be very compact. This, along with other structural elements of the body can lead to issues that include: Difficulty breathing when exercising Excess noises such as snorting and snoring Inability to properly regulate body temperature, which leads to heavy panting An elongated palate, which can cause episodes of reverse sneezing which can consist of excessive gasps and wheezes Advertisement Their broad head shape did not evolve naturally and is instead the result of selective breeding. As a result, these breeds often suffer from breathing problems, spinal disease and dystocia slow or difficult labour. The study also found that female dogs tend to live an average of four months longer than male dogs, while neutered dogs also have longer life expectancy. 'A concerning finding is the lower life expectancy for flat-faced breeds,' Dr Shotton said. 'While the study doesn't prove a direct link between these breeds' potential welfare issues and shorter length of life, the findings serve as a fresh reminder for prospective dog owners to choose a breed based on health, not looks.' The researchers hope the results will be useful for both prospective dog owners, and vets. 'As a vet in practice, I am often asked questions about the average lifespan of my patients,' said Dr Sheldon Middleton, President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association. 'To have this data now available, and based on evidence rather than anecdote, provides a direct and immediate benefit to those working in the clinic. 'Additionally, this will inform future research and provide useful insights for the wider allied professions.' The new life expectancy estimates come shortly after a study revealed that, contrary to popular belief, breed is a poor predictor of behaviour in dogs. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts analysed the genomes of 2,155 dogs to look for genetic variations known to be associated with certain behaviours. They compared their findings with survey results of 18,385 dog owners. The results revealed that breed only explains nine per cent of the behavioural variation in individual dogs. Instead, the researchers suggest that for certain behavioural traits, age or dog sex are the best predictors of behaviour. 'The majority of behaviours that we think of as characteristics of specific modern dog breeds have most likely come about from thousands of years of evolution from wolf to wild canine to domesticated dog, and finally to modern breeds,' said author Elinor Karlsson. 'These heritable traits predate our concept of modern dog breeds by thousands of years.' Remains of a giant sea monster, that lived 205 million years ago, have been found 9,000 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps by a team of archaeologists. The marine monster grew to a length of 65ft and weighed 80 ton, and was identified from fossils representing three individuals - including teeth, ribs, and vertebrae. The 205 million year old ichthyosaur was discovered in the Swiss Alps by a team from the University of Zurich, who described the find as 'thrilling'. They were dug out of rocks 9,000 feet above the ocean in Switzerland, where Europe's high peaks formed when tectonic plates collided - pushing up the seabed. The huge reptiles patrolled Panthalassa, an ocean that surrounded the supercontinent Pangea during the Late Triassic. Artist impression of the habitat and animals that were found together with the giant ichthyosaurs about 205 million years ago Team member Dr Heinz Furrer, a retired curator at the University of Zurich's Palaeontological Institute and Museum, said he was thrilled by the discovery. He said: 'It's the world's longest ichthyosaur; with the thickest tooth found to date and the largest trunk vertebra in Europe.' These massive creatures also made forays into the shallow seas of the Tethys on the eastern side of Pangea, the team discovered. Lead author Dr Martin Sandler, of the University of Bonn, said: 'Maybe there are more remains of the giant sea creatures hidden beneath the glaciers.' They discovered teeth and vertebrae from the 65ft long, 80 ton ichthyosaurs, and the tooth root was twice as wide as the previous record, which belonged to another ichthyosaur that was 50 feet from nose to tail. Martin Sander and Michael Hautmann look over the discovery layers on the southern slope of Schesaplana, on the Graubunden/Vorarlberg border Dr Sandler said: 'Bigger is always better. There are distinct selective advantages to large body size. Life will go there if it can. 'There were only three animal groups that had masses greater than 1020 metric tonnes: long-necked dinosaurs; whales; and the giant ichthyosaurs of the Triassic.' Ichthyosaurs first emerged in the wake of the Permian extinction some 250 million years ago, when some 95 per cent of marine species died out. The group reached its greatest diversity in the Middle Triassic - and a few species persisted into the Cretaceous. Roughly the shape of contemporary whales, ichthyosaurs had elongated bodies and erect tail fins. Fossils are concentrated in North America and Europe, but ichthyosaurs have also been found in South America, Asia, and Australia. Left is Martin Sander with a rib from the skeleton, and right is Heinz Furrer with a vertebrae Giant species have mostly been unearthed in North America, with scant finds from the Himalaya and New Caledonia. The discovery of further behemoths in Switzerland represents an expansion of their known range. Dr Sander said: 'It amounts to a major embarrassment for palaeontology that we know so little about these giant ichthyosaurs despite the extraordinary size of their fossils. We hope to rise to this challenge and find new and better fossils soon.' The specimens, collected between 1976 and 1990, have only recently been scanned, and likely represent the last of the leviathans. Dr Sander said: 'In Nevada, we see the beginnings of true giants, and in the Alps the end. Only the medium-to-large-sized dolphin and orca-like forms survived into the Jurassic.' It's only the second instance of a giant ichthyosaur with teeth - the other being the 50 foot long Himalayasaurus. They occupied similar ecological roles to modern sperm whales and killer whales, the team explained, adding that the teeth are curved inwards like those of their mammalian successors. It indicates a grasping mode of feeding conducive to capturing prey such as giant squid. The root of the tooth found has a diameter of 2.3 inches, which makes it the thickest ichthyosaur tooth found so far Dr Sander said: 'It is hard to say if the tooth is from a large ichthyosaur with giant teeth or from a giant ichthyosaur with average-sized teeth.' The tooth was broken off at the crown. It could not confidently be assigned to a particular taxon. Still, a peculiarity of dental anatomy allowed the researchers to identify it as belonging to an ichthyosaur. Dr Sander said: 'Ichthyosaurs have a feature in their teeth that is nearly unique among reptiles: the infolding of the dentin in the roots of their teeth. The only other group to show this are monitor lizards.' The skeletal remains consist of eight vertebrae and ten rib fragments. They belong to the family Shastasauridae, which contains the giants Shastasaurus, Shonisaurus and Himalayasaurus. Known as the Kossen Formation, the rocks from which these fossils derive were once at the bottom of a shallow coastal area - a very wide lagoon The findings have been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. A 'swarm' of 85,000 earthquakes in Antarctica that lasted about six months in 2020 was triggered by magma from an underwater volcano, a new study says. The swarm occurred at Orca Seamount, a deep-sea volcano near King George Island in Antarctica, in the Bransfield Strait, which has been inactive for 'a long time'. Researchers have used seismometers and remote sensing techniques to determine how long the swarm lasted, and what caused it. Swarm quakes mainly occur in volcanically active regions, so the movement of magma in the Earth's crust is therefore suspected as the cause. During the swarm, ground on neighbouring King George Island moved 4.3 inches (11cm) - suggesting a 'finger' of magma almost reached the surface, the scientists report in their new study. The Carlini base on King George Island, hosting the seismometer located closest to the seismic region, and the Bransfield Strait Orca Seamount is located in the Bransfield Strait, an ocean channel between the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, southwest of the southern tip of Argentina What is an earthquake swarm? Earthquake swarms occur when many earthquakes take place over several weeks or months, with no clear sequence. Traditional earthquakes feature a main event, followed by a series of aftershocks. Seismic activity could be a sign of an impending eruption of the supervolcano, although this is hard to predict. Earthquake swarms are common in Yellowstone in the western United States and, on average, comprise about 50 per cent of the total activity in the Yellowstone region. Advertisement The so-called 'swarm quake' reached proportions not previously observed for this region, the experts say. 'In the past, seismicity in this region was moderate,' said lead study author Dr Simone Cesca from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) Potsdam. 'However, in August 2020, an intense seismic swarm began there, with more than 85,000 earthquakes within half a year. 'It represents the largest seismic unrest ever recorded there.' It's well-known that earthquakes are caused in subduction zones, when two tectonic plates that are sliding in opposite directions stick and then slip suddenly. Severe earthquakes normally occur over fault lines where tectonic plates meet, although minor tremors can happen in the middle of these plates. Meanwhile, earthquake swarms occur when many earthquakes take place over several weeks or months, with no clear sequence. In comparison, traditional earthquakes feature a main event, followed by a series of aftershocks. Most earthquakes are caused by the interaction of the plates; however, some are related to volcanoes and the movement of magma. Most earthquakes directly beneath a volcano are caused by the movement of magma, which exerts pressure on the rocks until it cracks the rock. Then the magma squirts into the crack and starts building pressure again. Every time the rock cracks, it makes a small earthquake. These earthquakes are usually too weak to be felt but can be detected and recorded by sensitive instruments called seismometers. Orca Seamount is a large submarine shield volcano with a height of about 900 metres (nearly 3,000 feet) above the sea floor and a base diameter of about 6.8 miles (11km). It is located in the Bransfield Strait, an ocean channel between the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, southwest of the southern tip of Argentina Rumblings of the 2020 swarm were originally detected by scientists at research stations on King George Island. What is the Orca Seamount? Orca Seamount is a large submarine shield volcano with a height of about 900 metres (nearly 3,000 feet) above the sea floor and a base diameter of about 6.8 miles (11km). It is located in the Bransfield Strait, an ocean channel between the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, southwest of the southern tip of Argentina. Researchers say an earthquake swarm occurred at Orca Seamount in 2020, caused by magma transfer below the seafloor. Advertisement However, there are few conventional seismological instruments in the remote area namely only two seismic and two GNSS stations (ground stations of the Global Navigation Satellite System which measure ground displacement). Because of this, it was thought more could be revealed about the nature of the rumblings and how long they lasted with a wider analysis. So the team also analysed data from farther seismic stations and data from InSAR satellites, which use radar interferometry to measure ground displacements. They used a number of geophysical methods to model the events, in order to make sure they were interpreting the data correctly. The researchers backdated the start of the unrest to August 10, 2020 and managed to extend the original global seismic catalogue, containing only 128 earthquakes, to more than 85,000 events. The swarm peaked with two large earthquakes on October 2, 2020 (measuring 5.9 on the moment magnitude scale, or Mw) and November 6 (Mw 6.0) 2020 before decreasing abruptly in mid November after about three months of sustained activity. By February 2021, seismic activity had decreased significantly. Researchers say the swarm was caused by a rapid transfer of magma from the Earth's mantle near the crust-mantle boundary to almost the surface. The crust-mantle boundary is the point where Earth's crust, the outermost shell, meets the mantle (a layer of silicate rock) According to the scientists, the swarm marks 'the largest magmatic unrest ever geophysically monitored in Antarctica. A magma intrusion (the migration of a larger volume or 'finger' of magma) was identified as the main cause of the swarm quake, because seismic processes alone cannot explain the observed land surface deformation on King George Island. The study shows that such events can be studied and described in great detail even in such remote and therefore poorly instrumented areas. 'Our study represents a new successful investigation of a seismo-volcanic unrest at a remote location on Earth, where the combined application of seismology, geodesy and remote sensing techniques are used to understand earthquake processes and magma transport in poorly instrumented areas,' Dr Cesca said. 'This is one of the few cases where we can use geophysical tools to observe intrusion of magma from the upper mantle or crust-mantle boundary into the shallow crust a rapid transfer of magma from the mantle to almost the surface that takes only a few days.' The study, which involved researchers from Germany, Italy, Poland and the US, has been published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment. Advertisement In what could be a historic first, a US space company will attempt to catch a rocket falling back to Earth using a helicopter. The mid-air capture has been tried before, albeit unsuccessfully by NASA in 2004, but if it works it could provide a dramatic advancement in launch capabilities and a new way for rocket launchers to be reused. A hook mounted on a helicopter will be used to latch onto the rocket's parachute as it slows from speeds of 5,000 mph (8,000 kph) to a mere 22 mph (35 kph) above the Pacific Ocean. The launch is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Friday) from Rocket Lab's complex on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. The 'There and Back Again' mission, which will be the company's 26th Electron rocket launch, will see 34 satellites deployed to Earth orbit, including one to monitor our planet's light pollution. It may sound like an ambitious ask, but in what could be a historic first a US space company will attempt to catch a rocket falling back to Earth using a helicopter (pictured in an artist's impression) A hook mounted on a helicopter will be used to latch onto the rocket's parachute as it slows from speeds of 5,000 mph (8,000 kph) to a mere 22 mph (35 kph) above the Pacific Ocean The mid-air capture has been tried before, albeit unsuccessfully by NASA in 2004, but if it works it could provide a dramatic advancement in launch capabilities The launch is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Friday) from Rocket Lab's complex on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. As the first stage of the rocket falls back to Earth, Rocket Lab will then attempt to catch it with a customised Sikorsky S-92 (pictured). The large twin engine helicopter is used in offshore oil and gas transport, as well as in search and rescue operations ELECTRON: SMALL ROCKET LAUNCHER Height: 18m (59ft) Payload to LEO: 300kg (661lb) Successful launches: 97 Cost: $100 million Cost per launch: $7.5 million Launch sites: Mahia LC-1 (active), MARS (planned), Sutherland (proposed) First flight: 2017 Advertisement Two and a half minutes after launching, the first and second stages of the rocket will separate. The latter will continue to orbit, while the first stage will plummet to Earth at speeds of more than 5,000 mph (8,000 kph). It will have to endure temperatures of 4,352F (2,400C) before deploying a parachute to slow its descent to around 22 mph (35 kph) as it enters a 'capture zone' above the Pacific. Rocket Lab will then attempt to catch the rocket with a customised Sikorsky S-92, a large twin engine helicopter used in offshore oil and gas transport, as well as in search and rescue operations. It will try to latch on to the parachute with a hook, with the capture expected about 18 minutes after launch, and if successful the rocket will then be transported back to land for possible reuse on another mission. 'Catching a returning rocket stage mid-air as it returns from space is a highly complex operation that demands extreme precision,' the company said. 'Several critical milestones must align perfectly to ensure a successful capture.' Unlike billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has the Falcon 9 rocket land on a drone ship, Rocket Lab has been bolder in its recovery effort. Like previous recovery missions, Electron's first stage will undertake a series of complex manoeuvres designed to enable it to survive the extreme heat and forces of atmospheric re-entry. The small rocket will be equipped with a heat shield to protect its nine Rutherford engines, as well as a parachute to slow it down enough so that Rocket Lab's helicopter can catch it. If successful, the company would be one step closer to making Electron the first reusable orbital small sat launcher. The satellites are being transported for customers including Alba Orbital, Astrix Astronautics, Aurora Propulsion Technologies, E-Space, Spaceflight Inc., and Unseenlabs, bringing the total number of satellites launched by Electron to 146. 'We're excited to enter this next phase of the Electron recovery program,' said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. 'We've conducted many successful helicopter captures with replica stages, carried out extensive parachute tests, and successfully recovered Electron's first stage from the ocean during our 16th, 20th, and 22nd missions. 'Now it's time to put it all together for the first time and pluck Electron from the skies.' The helicopter will try to latch on to the parachute with a hook, with the capture expected about 18 minutes after launch, and if successful the rocket will then be transported back to land for possible reuse on another mission The rocket will have to endure temperatures of 4,352F (2,400C) before deploying a parachute to slow its descent to around 22 mph (35 kph) as it enters a 'capture zone' above the Pacific Ocean The small rocket will be equipped with a heat shield to protect its nine Rutherford engines, as well as a parachute to slow it down enough so that Rocket Lab's helicopter can catch it If successful, Rocket Lab would be one step closer to making Electron (pictured) the first reusable orbital small sat launcher He added: 'Trying to catch a rocket as it falls back to Earth is no easy feat, we're absolutely threading the needle here, but pushing the limits with such complex operations is in our DNA. 'We expect to learn a tremendous amount from the mission as we work toward the ultimate goal of making Electron the first reusable orbital small sat launcher and providing our customers with even more launch availability.' Rocket Lab has previously carried out three successful ocean recovery missions where Electron returned to Earth under parachute and was recovered from the ocean. Analysis of those missions helped throw up design modifications to Electron, enabling it to withstand the hard re-entry environment. It also helped to developed procedures for a recent test that saw its helicopter capture a dummy rocket. Approximately an hour prior to lift-off, Rocket Lab's Sikorsky S-92 will move into position in the capture zone, around 150 nautical miles off New Zealand's coast, to await launch. If successful, Rocket Lab would be one step closer to making Electron (pictured) the first reusable orbital small sat launcher Rocket Lab has previously carried out three successful ocean recovery missions where Electron returned to Earth under parachute and was recovered from the ocean Analysis of those missions helped throw up design modifications to Electron, enabling it to withstand the hard re-entry environment It is a flight known as the 'There and Back Again' mission, Rocket Lab's 26th Electron launch, sending 34 payloads from a range of commercial operators At T+2:30 minutes after lift-off, Electron's first and second stages will separate per a standard mission profile. Electron's second stage will continue on to orbit for payload deployment and Electron's first stage will begin its descent back to Earth. After deploying a drogue parachute at 8.3 miles (13 km) high, the main parachute will be extracted at around 3.7 miles (6 km) to dramatically slow the stage to 10 metres per second, or 22.3 mph (36 kph). As the stage enters the capture zone, Rocket Lab's helicopter will attempt to rendezvous with the returning stage and capture the parachute line via a hook. Once the stage is captured and secured, the helicopter will transport it back to land where Rocket Lab will conduct a thorough analysis of the stage and assess its suitability for reflight. Mid-air capture was previously attempted with NASA's Genesis spacecraft in 2004. Hollywood stunt pilots had been waiting to catch the capsule to give its cargo a special soft landing, but the spacecraft's parachutes failed to open and it crash-landed in the Utah desert. It was carrying captured particles blown off the sun, which were damaged in the impact. Advertisement While most people in cities will be unsurprised to learn they live in an area with high air pollution, the full extent of the problem in the UK has been revealed. An analysis by the Central Office of Public Interest (COPI) has revealed how 97 per cent of UK addresses now breach at least one of the World Health Organisation's limits for toxic pollutants. Meanwhile, nearly 75 per cent of us live in areas that breach limits of all three toxic pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and particulate matter 10 (PM10). COPI has created an interactive tool that lets you check what the air pollution levels are at your address, as well as its ranking relative to other addresses in the country. Humphrey Milles, founder of COPI, said: 'Air pollution affects all of us. It's a group one cause of cancer, just like asbestos. 'With this new accurate data now publicly available, it would be shameful for the property industry to not start acting transparently. Lives depend on it. Everyone has a right to know what they're breathing before they buy or rent.' An analysis by the Central Office of Public Interest (COPI) has revealed how 97 per cent of UK addresses now breach at least one of the World Health Organisation's limits for toxic pollutants. This map shows the average address pollution percentile across the UK What is particulate matter? PM is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. They are created from a variety of sources, including traffic, construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires. Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Some PM, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, is large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Other PM is so small it can only be detected using an electron microscope. PM2.5 - of diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller - differ from PM10 - 10 micrometers and smaller. Source: US EPA Advertisement COPI sourced and mapped the air pollution levels recorded at 20,000 sites in over 320 UK council areas. Using this data and DEFRA-approved council monitor data, experts at Imperial College London generated a national model with an incredible 20m/sq resolution. The interactive tool, which can be accessed at addresspollution.org, reveals how air quality varies across the UK. For example, Buckingham Palace, which is in the heart of London, falls into the 98th percentile, with some of the highest air pollution levels in the UK. In contrast, Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire has some of the cleanest air in the UK, and falls into the lowest percentile. Unsurprisingly, major cities across the UK have some of the highest levels of air pollution. However, some addresses in Kent, Bath and East Anglia were also found to fall into the top percentile for dirty air. 'We all have our own part to play in this. Air pollution isn't insurmountable and we can all do something about it,' Mr Milles said. Last year, a Southwark coroner ruled that air pollution contributed to the 2013 death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, nine, who lived 80ft from the South Circular road in Lewisham, south-east London. As part of the ruling, he asked the Government to explain how it would prevent future deaths leading to the pledge from ministers to set aside an extra 6million for local authorities to improve air quality and raise public awareness. The coroner's report, following a second inquest which ruled that air pollution contributed to Ella's death, called for legally binding goals for dangerous pollutant particulate matter (PM2.5) that are in line with WHO guidelines. Unsurprisingly, cities across the UK have some of the highest levels of air pollution. Pictured: smog over London's Canary Wharf Nearly 75 per cent of us live in areas that breach limits of all three toxic pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and particulate matter 10 (PM10) These suggest keeping an average concentration of PM2.5 under 10 micrograms per cubic metre of air (g/m3), to prevent increased deaths. Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, Ella's mother, said: 'This data shows yet again that the government is failing the British public. 'Now people can really see the filthy air they're breathing at their home, school or work address, and it is no wonder that the NHS waiting lists are ever growing. 'Everyone needs to know what they're breathing, and now with this new public service they can.' Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, special advisor on air quality to the Royal College of Physicians, added: 'Air pollution is an invisible killer, and because you can't see it it's easy for people to forget and ignore. 'It's essential that the public are given air pollution data for where they are thinking of buying or renting. In many cases like that of little Ella, it can be a matter of life or death.' Rio Ferdinand has singled out four Liverpool 'lieutenants' that he believes will help the Reds guard against complacency in next week's Champions League semi-final second leg in Villarreal. A Pervis Estupinan own goal and Sadio Mane's poked finish earned Jurgen Klopp's side a 2-0 win over the Spanish outfit in the first leg at Anfield. While Liverpool are now overwhelming favourites to progress to the final, they are not completely out of sight in the tie. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was involved in their first goal against Villarreal at Anfield Rio Ferdinand warned that the Reds must guard against complacency in the second leg The Champions League has thrown up some remarkable comebacks in recent years, including Liverpool's own dramatic turnaround against Barcelona in the semi-final in 2019. 'They have got to make sure that they fend off any type of complacency that could creep in,' Ferdinand said on BT Sport. 'Yes, it is 2-0, but you still have an away tie, you have to go over there and give a professional performance. 'But the one thing that I will say about this team, is that they are a solid bunch, there is a togetherness there and they won't allow [complacency]. 'The two people in that interview [Jordan Henderson and Andrew Robertson] there are two people who are lieutenants I feel behind the scenes, along with Van Dijk, maybe Trent now as well, who will control that culture against complacency. That is the thing that can trip you up.' Trent Alexander-Arnold is only 23 years old but is already showing signs of leadership Virgil van Dijk took the armband when Henderson was substituted and also skippers Holland Scottish international Andrew Robertson also captains his country and is vital for Liverpool Henderson, Liverpool's captain of seven years, played a major part in their opening goal on Wednesday night as his cross deflected off Villarreal defender Estupinan and into the net. Meanwhile, Robertson and van Dijk skipper their respective national teams and are two of the leaders in the Reds squad. At 23 years old, Alexander-Arnold may be younger than the other three players that Ferdinand mentioned but he has already showed signs that he could be a future captain of the club he grew up supporting. Kim Kardashian's hosting debut on Saturday Night Live in October was a family affair, with Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian taking part in the festivities, though another skit with Scott Disick was nixed by his ex, Kourtney Kardashian. The 41-year-old Kim revealed in The Kardashians premiere on Hulu that he only invited Scott because Kourtney and her new beau, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, were not planning on going. It was revealed in the third episode of The Kardashians that Scott Disick was actually going to take part in a skit about his tendencies to date much younger women after his split with Kourtney... but Kourtney wasn't, 'feeling it.' Nixed: Kim Kardashian's hosting debut on Saturday Night Live in October was a family affair, with Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian taking part in the festivities, though another skit with Scott Disick was nixed by his ex, Kourtney Kardashian Kim: The 41-year-old Kim revealed in The Kardashians premiere on Hulu that he only invited Scott because Kourtney and her new beau, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, were not planning on going Revealed: It was revealed in the third episode of The Kardashians that Scott Disick was actually going to take part in a skit about his tendencies to date much younger women after his split with Kourtney... but Kourtney wasn't, 'feeling it.' The night before the show, the family and close friends gathered at Estiatorio Milos in Midtown Manhattan. Kris and Khloe were joined by Kris' boyfriend Corey Gamble, Scott Disick and family friends Allison Azoff Statter, Shelli Azoff, Simon Huck and Jonathan Cheban. At one point during the dinner, Khloe turns her attention to Scott Disick, saying he looks, 'so nice,' as he asks how SNL was earlier in the day. Dinner: The night before the show, the family and close friends gathered at Estiatorio Milos in Midtown Manhattan Khloe: At one point during the dinner, Khloe turns her attention to Scott Disick, saying he looks, 'so nice,' as he asks how SNL was earlier in the day They said it was good but also long, and Kris asked if Scott was doing it as well, but he said he was not. 'I talked to Kourtney about it and she wasn't feeling it,' Disick said, before revealing what his bit was going to be. 'Basically, I say to her, "Do you know the reason I date young girls? I try to add them all up so they're your age,"' Disick says. Bit: 'I talked to Kourtney about it and she wasn't feeling it,' Disick said, before revealing what his bit was going to be Young girls: 'Basically, I say to her, "Do you know the reason I date young girls? I try to add them all up so they're your age,"' Disick says Kris scoffs, 'Oh, come on,' but Scott says that if they were married, 'sure I'd make fun of her on TV, but not like separated, it's not in good taste.' Khloe told him, 'You have to follow your gut,' and Scott said, 'That was my gut. I called her and talked her about it and I came to the conclusion.' He said he originally he just wanted to, 'come and support Kim and watch, and that was it,' as Kris said Kim is, 'so happy you're here,' as Scott adds he's, 'good with that.' Come on: Kris scoffs, 'Oh, come on,' but Scott says that if they were married, 'sure I'd make fun of her on TV, but not like separated, it's not in good taste' Khloe: Khloe told him, 'You have to follow your gut,' and Scott said, 'That was my gut. I called her and talked her about it and I came to the conclusion' Kourtney and Scott dated off and on from 2005 to 2015, and shared three kids together, 12-year-old Mason, nine-year-old Penelope and seven-year-old Reign. Disick started dating Sophia Richie in 2017, the youngest daughter of Lionel Richie, who is 15 years younger than him. They split up in August 2020, with Disick dating then-19-year-old Amelia Gray Hamlin, the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, in February 2021, though they split in September 2021. On and off: Kourtney and Scott dated off and on from 2005 to 2015, and shared three kids together, 12-year-old Mason, nine-year-old Penelope and seven-year-old Reign Disick was only seen briefly in the series premiere of The Kardashians, telling Khloe he was upset that he wasn't invited to a family barbecue. The teaser for next week's episode shows bits of his reaction to Travis' proposal, revealing the kids were upset they weren't allowed to go. Disick even pondered if he and the kids will even be invited to the wedding, when Kourtney and Travis do tie the knot. While practically the entire Kardashian-Jenner family was in attendance at Travis Barker's proposal to Kourtney Kardashian in Santa Barbara, her ex Scott Disick and their three children - Mason, 12, Penelope, 9, and Reign, 7 - were not there. Matriarch Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian were involved with the planning at a beachfront hotel in Santa Barbara, though Disick, 38, was kept in the dark, along with the kids. The proposal will be shown in next week's episode, debuting on Hulu Thursday, May 5, with a preview that aired after this week's episode hinting that not only Scott was upset, but the kids were too. Scott not there: While practically the entire Kardashian-Jenner family was in attendance at Travis Barker's proposal to Kourtney Kardashian in Santa Barbara, her ex Scott Disick and their three children - Mason, 12, Penelope, 9, and Reign, 7 - were not there Proposal: The proposal will be shown in next week's episode, debuting on Hulu Thursday, May 5, with a preview that aired after this week's episode hinting that not only Scott was upset, but the kids were too The preview for next week's episode shows the family all together in the hotel, with Kris saying, 'as soon as the sun goes down, it's showtime.' Kourtney is seen in confession saying, 'It's perfect, he's super romantic,' as the happy couple walks in and finds the whole family waiting. Kris is seen tearing up, raising a champagne glass saying, 'This makes me so happy. Cheers,' as everyone raises their glass to the newly-engaged couple. Perfect: Kourtney is seen in confession saying, 'It's perfect, he's super romantic,' as the happy couple walks in and finds the whole family waiting Couple: Kris is seen tearing up, raising a champagne glass saying, 'This makes me so happy. Cheers,' as everyone raises their glass to the newly-engaged couple The drama ensues after the proposal, when Khloe reveals that she knows Scott Disick knows about the engagement, while Kendall asks Kourtney, 'Do you have sympathy for Scott because it doesn't feel like you do.' After the proposal, Khloe is seen at Scott's house, asking him how the kids felt about everything. 'They were upset. They didn't understand why they weren't there,' Scott said in a brief scene in the preview. Sympathy: The drama ensues after the proposal, when Khloe reveals that she knows Scott Disick knows about the engagement, while Kendall asks Kourtney, 'Do you have sympathy for Scott because it doesn't feel like you do' Khloe at Scott's: After the proposal, Khloe is seen at Scott's house, asking him how the kids felt about everything Upset: 'They were upset. They didn't understand why they weren't there,' Scott said in a brief scene in the preview 'Hopefully they're invited to the wedding. Am I invited to the wedding?' he asked, as Khloe responds, 'I don't know.' Kourtney and Scott dated off and on from 2005 to 2015, and shared three kids together, 12-year-old Mason, nine-year-old Penelope and seven-year-old Reign. Disick started dating Sophia Richie in 2017, the youngest daughter of Lionel Richie, who is 15 years younger than him. Invited: 'Hopefully they're invited to the wedding. Am I invited to the wedding?' he asked, as Khloe responds, 'I don't know' They split up in August 2020, with Disick dating then-19-year-old Amelia Gray Hamlin, the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, in February 2021, though they split in September 2021. Disick was only seen briefly in the series premiere of The Kardashians, telling Khloe he was upset that he wasn't invited to a family barbecue. He did join the family in New York City to support Kim as she hosted SNL, revealing that he was going to be a part of the show, but Kourtney wasn't comfortable with the skit he was doing. Upset: Disick was only seen briefly in the series premiere of The Kardashians, telling Khloe he was upset that he wasn't invited to a family barbecue It was revealed in the third episode of The Kardashians that Scott Disick was actually going to take part in a skit about his tendencies to date much younger women after his split with Kourtney... but Kourtney wasn't, 'feeling it.' The night before the show, the family and close friends gathered at Estiatorio Milos in Midtown Manhattan. Kris and Khloe were joined by Kris' boyfriend Corey Gamble, Scott Disick and family friends Allison Azoff Statter, Shelli Azoff, Simon Huck and Jonathan Cheban. Not feeling it: It was revealed in the third episode of The Kardashians that Scott Disick was actually going to take part in a skit about his tendencies to date much younger women after his split with Kourtney... but Kourtney wasn't, 'feeling it' At one point during the dinner, Khloe turns her attention to Scott Disick, saying he looks, 'so nice,' as he asks how SNL was earlier in the day. They said it was good but also long, and Kris asked if Scott was doing it as well, but he said he was not. 'I talked to Kourtney about it and she wasn't feeling it,' Disick said, before revealing what his bit was going to be. No SNL: They said it was good but also long, and Kris asked if Scott was doing it as well, but he said he was not 'Basically, I say to her, "Do you know the reason I date young girls? I try to add them all up so they're your age,"' Disick says. Kris scoffs, 'Oh, come on,' but Scott says that if they were married, 'sure I'd make fun of her on TV, but not like separated, it's not in good taste.' Khloe told him, 'You have to follow your gut,' and Scott said, 'That was my gut. I called her and talked her about it and I came to the conclusion.' He said he originally he just wanted to, 'come and support Kim and watch, and that was it,' as Kris said Kim is, 'so happy you're here,' as Scott adds he's, 'good with that.' Helen Mirren has been given a great compliment in the United States. The 76-year-old British actress has landed the cover of People magazine's The Beautiful Issue in a cover story that touches on her thoughts about what is attractive. Mirren said she was shocked after learning about her honor and never considered herself beautiful - especially at her age. 'I was absolutely sort of gobstruck, as we say in England. I never considered myself beautiful. And [at] my age! So, I was amazed,' she said. She IS beautiful: Helen Mirren has been given a great compliment in the United States. The British actress has landed the cover of People magazine's The Beautiful Issue in a cover story that touches on her thoughts of what is attractive The magazine on Wednesday revealed the cover of the annual issue, which hits newsstands Friday. On the cover, the icon wore a dramatic gray outfit with her silver locks pulled back and light pink lipstick on. 'Don't get me wrong I love beauty and I love looking at beautiful things. But I don't like the word beauty [as it's] associated with the beauty industrymakeup and products, skincare and all the rest of it because I think it excludes the vast majority of us who are not beautiful,' said the thespian. She was quite the blonde bombshell in the 1970s: Mirren said she never considered herself beautiful but she was a pinup in her 20s Always a stunner: Mirren on the set of The Cook, the Thief, His wife and Her Lover in 1990 She had sex appeal galore: The icon in a corset in 1995 at the Drama Desk Awards Ceremony She then said there are incredibly beautiful people in the world, and it's an absolute delight to look at them, male or female. 'Beautiful people are a wonder to behold,' she added. 'But most of us are not beautiful. We have other stuff, which is just as powerful as beauty. She deserves it: Mirren said she was 'gobstruck' after learning about her honor and never considered herself beautiful - especially at her age. 'I was absolutely sort of gobstruck, as we say in England. I never considered myself beautiful. And [at] my age! So, I was amazed,' she said. Seen in 2007 'And I would like to see us celebrate those things I love the word swagger because I think swagger means I'm confident in myself, I'm presenting myself to the world, I'm enjoying the world around me. 'I think what is called the beauty industry should be called the swagger industry. We're giving people swagger,' said Mirren, who won an Academy Award for best actress for her role in the 2006 film The Queen. The actor, who has been a L'Oreal Paris spokesperson since 2014, has built an impressive acting career with more than 140 credits in 55 years. We are all beautiful: 'Beautiful people are a wonder to behold,' she added. 'But most of us are not beautiful. We have other stuff, which is just as powerful as beauty.' Seen in 2019 Despite her revered career, she still finds herself nervous before starting a new project. 'I get very nervous about the day-to-day process,' said Mirren, who starred in films including The Long Good Friday, Elizabeth I and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, & Her Lover. 'And meeting and dealing with new people. And not knowing whether I am going to remember my lines or not. I just get very frightened until I get into the swing of things and then I kind of relax.' A good move: Mirren won an Academy Award for best actress for her role in the 2006 film The Queen. Seen with James Cromwell in the background After a film wraps, Mirren said her nerves are calmed and she does't read any reviews - good or bad. While Mirren is hesitant to call herself beautiful, Vin Diesel believes the word perfectly suits her. 'She has a charisma that is timeless. She has looks to kill and always has. She has a jovial spirit,' said Diesel, who starred in the 2021 film 'F9' with Mirren. 'But I think the thing that is most attractive about Dame Helen Mirren is the way she makes you feel. She always makes you feel appreciated and loved. And for that, I Iove her forever.' Regarded as one of the finest actresses of her generation, Cate Blanchett is known for her gripping and versatile work across independent films, blockbusters and the theater stage. Along the way she has been nominated for seven Academy Awards, seven BAFTAs and 11 Golden Globes, while starring in a number of critically and commercially successful films. But yet, through it all, Blanchett's four children, whom she shares with husband Andrew Upton, have remained totally 'disinterested' in the fame that can shroud her job as a global movie star. On the go: Cate Blanchett, 52, was spotted at New York's at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday, two days after being honored with prestigious Chaplin Award The Australian actress admitted her children - Dashiell, 20, Roman, 18, Ignatius, 14, and Edith, seven, feel indifferent about her work 'in the best possible, healthiest way.' 'They have no idea, no idea,' she told Page Six, which happened to be on the same day she was honored with the prestigious Chaplin Award at the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall on Monday. 'I told them, "Oh I'm going to New York for 36 hours. I'll be back on Wednesday" One of them is getting an award at school, and they went, "Oh, OK, have a good time."' Always humble about her work, Blanchett maintained there were a number of people who were deserving of the Chaplin Award, which was named after legendary comic actor Charlie Chaplin Stylin': The two-time Oscar-winner was the picture of casual-cool in the fashion department in black Louis Vuitton cargo pants with a black pinstripe blazer over a Givenchy concert t-shirt 'Every time someone wins an Oscar, there are five or six, maybe 15 other people who were equally deserving. It just happens to be your timing,' the Blue Jasmine star said. 'But, you know, not being from this filmmaking culture, and being recognized by this filmmaking culture tonight at the Chaplin Awards - such an international set of previous recipients it's such a deep and profound honor.' A while she would be whisked to her seat for the 47th Chaplin Award Gala to a resounding applause earlier this week, her kids were at home with 'no idea' as to why she was getting such a prestigious honor. At least that's how Blanchett described their less than enthusiastic interest in her stardom. Family confessional: The Australian actress revealed her four children - Dashiell, 20, Roman, 18, Ignatius, 14, and Edith, seven - are totally 'disinterested' in the fame On Tuesday, the day after the gala event, Blanchett was spotted at John F. Kennedy International Airport, in Queens, New York, which is the busiest of the six airports in the New York airport system. The two-time Oscar-winning actress was the picture of casual and stylish dressed in black Louis Vuitton cargo pants with a black pinstripe blazer over a matching Givenchy concert t-shirt. She also wore a pair of black heeled boots as carried a Louis Vuitton bag full of her essentials. The acclaimed actress also had stylish sunglasses, which at times she used to help keep her blonde tresses back behind her ears by having them on the top of her head. Falling just above her shoulders with a part on the left, Blanchett's locks were styled similar to a bob cut, only with her hair whisked to the side with that part. Not impressed: Blanchett admitted her children's indifference about her work comes 'in the best possible, healthiest way' Out of her seven Oscars nominations - four for Best Actress and three for Best Supporting Actress - Blanchett has won one in each category: The Aviator in 2005 and Blue Jasmine in 2014. Her three BAFTA wins were for Elizabeth in 1999, as well as for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine. Blanchett and Upton, 56, are the co-founders of the film production company, Dirty Films, under which Upton has served as a producer for the Australian film Little Fish (2005). Upton is best known for adapting the works of Maxim Gorky, Anton Chekhov and Henrik Ibsen, among others, for London's Royal National Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company, and for writing the original play Riflemind (2007), directed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman for the London production. National Election Commission headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province / Newsis By Ko Dong-hwan While lawmakers at the National Assembly are split over the passage of two prosecution reform bills that will overhaul the investigative powers of prosecutors, the repercussions of the clash are spreading beyond the National Assembly. At the crux of an intensifying debate on the issue is whether or not it is legitimate to hold a referendum to let the public decide whether the bills should be legislated or not. Holding a referendum was suggested by Rep. Chang Je-won, the chief of staff for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol. Chang proposed the bills to be put to a referendum on June 1, when the local elections are held, on the premise of saving both money to prepare for another election and time for people to go to the polling stations. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) have been locking horns for weeks over the prosecutorial reform. The DPK has decided it would work to pass the bills at the National Assembly in order to reduce what it argues is the excessive power wielded by prosecutors, while the PPP is strongly opposed. President Moon Jae-in also sided with the DPK earlier this week, adding to the tense partisan standoff. In response to the PPP's referendum proposal, the National Election Commission (NEC) said, Wednesday, that a referendum would be unconstitutional because the country's National Voting Law is pending a revision. In 2014, the Constitutional Court singled out a clause that excluded the votes of Korean citizens living overseas when holding a referendum as unconstitutional. Since then, the law has remained unchanged. As to the NEC's argument that the law must be revised prior to holding a referendum, professors and lawyers are voicing disagreement. A conservative-minded professors' group on April 28 released a joint statement questioning the NEC's argument. People Power Party lawmakers stage a protest at the National Assembly, April 27, against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea for trying to pass prosecution reform bills. The posters held by the lawmakers criticize the ruling party for the reform initiative. Joint Press Corps. "The NEC is just an agency that ensures fairness in elections and referendums," the group said. "For them to say holding a referendum is unconstitutional is an act of arrogation against the country's judiciary bodies that ultimately hold the rights to check and determine any flaws behind holding a referendum." The group then called for a clear response on whether the NEC's statement came from a single person within the organization or represented its general stance. Lawyer Shin Pyeong, a former president of the Korean Constitutional Law Association, also questioned the NEC's argument. He posted on Facebook, April 27, that the public must vote on whether most of the prosecutors' powers to investigate criminal cases should be scrapped and instead transferred to the country's police force through the passage of the bills. Citing a constitutional clause that stated a president has the vested power to hold a referendum to decide on important policies in diplomacy, national defense, unification and other significant state matters, Shin argued that the removal of prosecutors' investigative powers can be categorized under "other significant state matters" because it violates the basic rights of members of the public and disrupts the country's constitutional foundation. People Power Party Chairman Rep. Lee Jun-seok speaks during a discussion at the National Assembly about removing prosecutors' investigative powers and transferring them to the police through prosecution reform bills, April 28. Joint Press Corps. "The president's call for a referendum can effectively fend off the unfair legislation of the bills at the National Assembly, in a so-called legislative coup," Shin said. A judge-turned-lawyer also criticized the NEC's argument, claiming that the president's call to hold a referendum when deemed necessary is an absolute right that can be executed under any circumstances. He said that the "technical error" in the National Voting Law can be spontaneously patched up through administrative measures and cannot be an excuse to object a referendum. "Allow suffrage to Koreans overseas and that will do for the Constitutional Court's correction," the lawyer said. "It is hard to understand the NEC citing such an absurd law to dismiss a constitutional term (that entitles a president to hold a referendum)." Shortly after midnight on Thursday, the DPK ended the PPP's filibuster to block the bills, sending one of the bills to a plenary vote on Saturday this week. On Wednesday afternoon, as soon as a plenary National Assembly session opened, the PPP immediately launched the filibuster, which was led by Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, the party's floor leader. But the filibuster ended at midnight as the DPK, which holds 171 out of 300 National Assembly seats, voted for an early end of the parliamentary session, which can end a filibuster. By law, a bill that was subject to a filibuster will be automatically put to a vote three days after the filibuster tactic ends. That means a revision to the Prosecutors' Office Act, one of the two prosecution reform bills, will be put to a plenary vote on Saturday. Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Ahn Min-seok speaks in favor of the reform bill to separate prosecutors' indictment and investigative powers in the filibuster session during a plenary meeting at the National Assembly, April 27. Newsis They've been holidaying in the lap of luxury after jetting to Mexico together this week. And Paralympian Dylan Alcott, 31, looked absolutely smitten as he cuddled up to his sexologist girlfriend Chantelle Otten, 29, for an intimate poolside holiday snap on Thursday. The couple, who are staying at the ritzy Hotel Xcaret, packed on the PDA as they lay together on the pool deck. Cosy: Dylan Alcott, 31, (right) cuddled up to his sexologist girlfriend Chantelle Otten, 29, (left) as they lounged by the pool while holidaying in Mexico on Thursday In the image, a shirtless Dylan was seen lying behind Chantelle with one arm wrapped around her body. Chantelle meanwhile beamed proudly as she posed in her skimpy orange-and-blue swimsuit. It comes as Dylan and Chantelle continue to document their stay at Hotel Xcaret, a luxury beachfront resort where rooms cost around $2,700-per-night. Life's a beach! Dylan and Chantelle have been documenting their stay at Hotel Xcaret, a luxury beachfront resort where rooms cost around $2,700-per-night, this week. Earlier on Thursday, Dylan shared a photo of Chantelle wading through the resort's ocean-view infinity pool Living the good life! Later, the newly-retired sportsman shared another photo of himself tucking into an exotic-looking feast by the pool's edge Earlier on Thursday, Dylan shared a photo of Chantelle wading through the resort's ocean-view infinity pool. 'Current sitch [situation]', he wrote next to the idyllic holiday snap. Later, the newly-retired sportsman shared another photo of himself tucking into an exotic-looking feast by the pool's edge. Wedding bells? The couples' Mexican getaway comes just months after reports claimed the pair are planning to tie the knot soon The couples' Mexican getaway comes just months after reports claimed the pair are planning to tie the knot soon. Dylan, who ended his career with a losing effort at the Australian Open this year, is said to be 'devoted' to Otten, and pals expect the 'proposal will be epic'. 'We've never seen Dylan this happy - as corny as it sounds, she completes him. They're devoted to each other at a level many couples would envy,' a friend of the couple told Woman's Day in January. Any day now? Dylan, who ended his career with a losing effort at the Australian Open this year, is said to be 'devoted' to Otten, and pals expect the 'proposal will be epic' They added: 'Dylan doesn't do anything half-hearted, and he's a real romantic, so expect the wedding proposal to be epic!' Another source said Otten, a divorced sex educator from Holland, had taught her boyfriend 'so much' about life since they met three years ago. 'She's his biggest fan and his greatest supporter,' they said. 'She has taught him so much about living a full life.' Dylan and Chantelle met in 2018 at the launch of Dylan's book Able: Gold Medals, Grand Slams and Smashing Glass Ceilings. Since going public with Dylan, Chantelle has spoken at length about sex and disability, and says her sex life has never been better since meeting her partner. The couple live together in a $3.1million Melbourne home. Love story: Dylan and Chantelle met in 2018 at the launch of Dylan's book Able: Gold Medals, Grand Slams and Smashing Glass Ceilings It was no surprise that Jodie Comer was beaming on Wednesday night as she attended the Prima Facie afterparty, shortly after making her anticipated West End debut. The actress, best known for her notorious role as Villanelle in BBC's Killing Eve, received rave reviews for her one-woman show and was bound to celebrate her acclaim at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square. Cutting a sophisticated figure, the thespian, 29, donned a white blouse with extreme wide sleeves and tucked the garment into flattering tailored trousers. Beaming: Jodie Comer cut a very sophisticated figure for the Prima Facie afterparty at The Londoner Hotel on Wednesday night - after her West End debut received rave reviews A pair of chunky Louboutin heels perfectly rounded things off, as did her chic up-do, which left two strands of hair framing her face. Jodie applied a generous layer of makeup, reinforced by brown lipstick. She was joined for photographs by a slew of crew members, including Australian-British playwright Suzie Miller. Career milestone: The actress, 29, best known for her notorious role as Villanelle in BBC's Killing Eve, made quite the impression with her one-woman show Classy: The thespian, 29, donned a white blouse with extreme wide sleeves and tucked the garment into a flattering tailored trousers Good spirits: A pair of chunky Louboutin heels perfectly rounded things off, as did her chic up-do, which left two strands of hair framing her face Co-workers: She was joined for photographs by a slew of crew members, including Australian-British playwright Suzie Miller (pictured right, with director Justin Martin pictured left) The Liverpudlian was not short of support on her inaugural performance, as author Giovanni Fletcher and former BBC newsreader Emily Maitlis were among those hitting the West End to watch her. Giovanni, 37, wore an eye-catching red jumper underneath a white shirt, while Emily, 51, wrapped up in a pastel blue coat. Jodie's new venture sees her play an idealistic young barrister who specialises in defending rape suspects. Theatre trip: The Liverpudlian was not short of support on her inaugural performance, as author Giovanni Fletcher (left) and former BBC newsreader Emily Maitlis (right) were among those hitting the West End to watch her Character: Jodie's new venture sees her play an idealistic young barrister who specialises in defending rape suspects Acclaim: The Daily Mail's Patrick Marmion awarded her 'ferocious yet forensic performance' a strong four stars out of five Role: Prima Facie is a one-woman show by Australian-British writer Suzie Miller in which Comer plays an idealistic young barrister who specialises in defending rape suspects Emotional: In a whirlwind opening, she runs through her generic routine of discrediting victims to get clients off the hook. Blink and you miss it as she fits wig and gown, rearranges her chamberss furniture into a courtroom and rattles off her glib technique The Daily Mail's Patrick Marmion awarded her 'ferocious yet forensic performance' a strong four stars out of five. He wrote: 'Comer blows us away in a ferocious yet forensic performance thats related in a blizzard of quickly shifting perspectives. She gets us onside as the high-flying barrister with her native Liverpool accent and anti-Establishment attitude at one point tossing rubbish into the audience. 'But her abrupt disintegration into fevered, ashen-faced confusion is seriously distressing. Although her performance runs a stunning gamut from cocky joy to despair and humiliation, its the subject matter that dominates the evening.' Married At First Sight stars Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli announced earlier this week they are moving to Europe to spend a summer abroad. And ahead of the big move, Martha, 33, flew her mother Mary from Melbourne to Sydney just to help her pack. The reality star is already in Italy, and has been sharing images from her travels in Rome. Mother dearest: Martha Kalifatidis, 33, flew her mother from Melbourne to Sydney just to help her pack for her overseas move because she is 'a 30-year-old baby' In her post, she also gave her beloved mum a 'shout out' for helping her out. 'But first shout out to a few ppl (sic). Mary flew to Sydney to help me pack my s**t because I'm a 30-year-old baby,' she wrote. Sweet: Martha gave her mum Marya 'shout out' for helping her pack ahead of her trip. 'But first shout out to a few ppl (sic). Mary flew to Sydney to help me pack my s**t because I'm a 30-year-old baby,' she wrote She also thanked her partner Michael who she said is 'probably crying himself to sleep every night.' Martha jetted to Rome earlier this week with friend and podcast co-host Roj Torabi and shared a series of stunning pictures of the Italian capital on Wednesday. Posting mirror selfies of the pair together, Martha captioned them: 'We made it in one piece... quite literally. And we had a renaissance glow up!' Living it up! Martha jetted to Rome earlier this week with her friend and podcast co-host Roj Torabi and shared a series of pictures on Wednesday Sharing mirror selfies of the pair together, Martha captioned them: 'We made it in one piece... quite literally. And we had a renaissance glow up!' She said the pair enjoyed some gelato in Rome on their first day overseas. Michael, 31, confirmed that the couple were moving to Europe on Tuesday, but insisted it is only for two months. 'Okay, so this morning I said Martha and I were moving away and I inadvertently set off a massive chain of events that I didn't realise, which involved my family, my friends calling me asking me what the f**k is going on... and a lot of DMs [direct messages]. So let me clarify everything,' Michael began. Like the locals: She said the pair enjoyed some gelato in Rome on their first day overseas 'We aren't moving permanently. We are getting out of our house because of mould issues and leaking issues and a bunch of other things [and] putting our stuff in storage. 'And because of that, we are going over to Europe to work and because I haven't experienced a European summer before.' The couple expect to spend about two months overseas, with Michael saying 'it might be less, might be more... we don't know yet, but nothing is permanent'. 'Let me clarify everything': Michael, 31, confirmed that the couple were moving to Europe on Tuesday, but insisted it is only for two months 'It's not this huge, life-changing thing that we're doing. But it is something that I want to try,' he insisted. Michael explained that he wants to visit the UK to meet employees of his fitness company Tru Fit. Martha, who is a leading beauty influencer, will also be working during the trip. Kaia Gerber took to Instagram on Wednesday to wish her dad Rande Gerber a happy 60th birthday with a sweet throwback photo of the two of them. 'Happy birthday to a real life super hero of a father & my best friend @randegerber [red heart emoji] i love you,' the 20-year-old model wrote in the caption of an older photo of her laying on her dad's chest. Kaia's supermodel mom, Cindy Crawford, 56, also utilized social media to celebrate her husband's special day with a series of photos. Loving daughter: Kaia Gerber, 20, took to Instagram on Wednesday to wish her dad Rande Gerber a happy 60th birthday with a sweet throwback photo of the two of them 'Happy birthday to this legend @randegerber. Babe - you inspire us, protect us, and make us laugh everyday... but today we want to celebrate you! 50 never looked better! [wink face emoji] Love you always xo,' she captioned her post. Rande wrote back pointing out his wife's age joke, 'You're the best baby. Forever 50 works! [red heart emoji.]' He also commented on daughter Kaia's post, writing, 'You will always be my little angel forever.' Sweet: Kaia's supermodel mom, Cindy Crawford, 56, also utilized social media to celebrate her husband's special day with a series if photos In one of Cindy's photos, the couple are seen toasting glasses together as they stand underneath a floral canopy with the ocean as their background. The fashion icon looks chic as ever in a navy dress, while her other half looks dapper wearing a suit. In another classy photo the businessman is seen leaning on a window as he looks out onto the city view. Dapper: In another classy photo the businessman is seen leaning on a window as he looks out onto the city view Stylish man: In another snap, Rande is seen sitting outside of a cafe in a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and grey sneakers while enjoying a cup of coffee In another snap, Rande is seen sitting outside of a cafe in a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and grey sneakers while enjoying a cup of coffee. The Illinois native also included a sweet photo of her other half playing Backgammon shirtless by the pool, with a cute puppy resting his head on the board game. The model's followers and friends were happy to chime in with their own wishes for Rande, with Danish model Helena Christensen writing, 'Happiest birthday to your awesome husband.' Adorable: Cindy also included a sweet photo of her other half playing Backgammon shirtless by the pool, with a cute puppy resting his head on the board game The supermodel and nightlife entrepreneur met at a wedding in the early nineties while Cindy was married to Richard Gere. Following their 1995 divorce, Cindy and Rande started dating, and married in 1998 at private beach wedding at the Ocean Club in Nassau, Bahamas. They welcomed their son Presley Walker Gerber, 22, in 1999, followed by daughter Kaia Jordan Gerber in 2001. Just days after Showtime parted ways with American Gigolo showrunner David Hollander, the cable network has shut down production on the series. Production on the 10-episode series has been ongoing since July 2021, with Deadline reporting over the weekend that Hollander, 53, was let go following allegations of misconduct... though it wasn't expected to affect production. Now Deadline reports that production has been suspended for four days on the series, starring Jon Bernthal, which has two episodes left of its 10-episode order. Shut down: Just days after Showtime parted ways with American Gigolo showrunner David Hollander, the cable network has shut down production on the series Four days: Now Deadline reports that production has been suspended for four days on the series, starring Jon Bernthal, which has two episodes left of its 10-episode order While little is known about Hollander's ouster, it was said that the move was made after a misconduct investigation was launched into the showrunner's behavior. Sources claim the misconduct, 'was not of sexual-harassment nature,' though no specifics were given at this time. 'David Hollander is no longer on the drama series and Paramount Television Studios no longer has a producing relationship with him,' a Showtime spokesperson said in a terse statement over the weekend. Investigation: While little is known about Hollander's ouster, it was said that the move was made after a misconduct investigation was launched into the showrunner's behavior At the time of Hollander's removal, it was believed that production would continue seamlessly with one of his 'top lieutentants.' It was believed that co-executive-producer David Bar Katz would ascend to fill in as showrunner, who also worked with Hollander on Showtime's Ray Donovan. This new report also claims that the production shutdown is being attributed both to the leadership change, and an unnamed actor suddenly becoming unavailable. Removal: At the time of Hollander's removal, it was believed that production would continue seamlessly with one of his 'top lieutentants' The reason for the actor being unavailable was also not revealed, though sources indicated it is not COVID-19-related. Hollander has also exited the CBS sitcom How We Roll, which he had served as an executive producer on. Hollander both wrote and directed the pilot episode of American Gigolo, which follows Julian Kaye (Jon Bernthal), 15 years after he was arrested for murder. Exit: Hollander has also exited the CBS sitcom How We Roll, which he had served as an executive producer on Julian: Hollander both wrote and directed the pilot episode of American Gigolo, which follows Julian Kaye (Jon Bernthal), 15 years after he was arrested for murder He finds himself having a hard time navigating the sex industry in modern-day Los Angeles, while still trying to find who set him up and sent him to prison. He also tries to reconnect with, 'his one true love' Michelle, played by Gretchen Mol, in the series based on the 1980 film starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton. The series also stars Gabriel LaBelle, Leland Orser, Lizzie Brochere, Rosie O'Donnell and Wayne Brady. Navigating: He finds himself having a hard time navigating the sex industry in modern-day Los Angeles, while still trying to find who set him up and sent him to prison A new promotional image featuring Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington from the David O. Russell film Amsterdam was released on Wednesday at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. In the shot for the period piece, set in the 1930s, Bale, 48, is seen sporting an eye patch with a dark brown coat, off-white button-up top and dark khaki pants. Robbie, 31, has a short bob while donning a billowing navy blue dress with a wooden pipe in hand. The latest: A new promotional image featuring Christian Bale, 48, Margot Robbie, 31, and John David Washington, 37, from the David O. Russell film Amsterdam was released on Wednesday at CinemaCon in Las Vegas Washington, 37, has a bandage on his face while clad in a dark brown coat over a red sweater with grey slacks. The trio are standing in front of a banner with a sun in a green circle. The release date for the 20th Century Studios film was announced as November 4 at the convention, which is aimed at movie theater owners, who saw a sneak peek at the upcoming film from the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker. Disney executive Tony Chambers presented a showcase for the forthcoming film, which was described as a 'original romantic crime epic,' Variety reported on Wednesday. The film features an extended ensemble cast featuring Taylor Swift, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek and Robert De Niro, in addition to Michael Shannon, Alessandro Nivola, Anya Taylor-Joy, Timothy Olyphant, Matthias Schoenaerts, Andrea Riseborough and Mike Myers. Disney executive Tony Chambers presented a showcase for the forthcoming film at CinemaCon 2022 in Las Vegas on Wednesday The motion pictured is directed by Oscar nominee David O. Russell, pictured in LA in 2020 Chambers said that the film 'brought together an all-star cast in Amsterdam,' which details the story of 'three close friends (played by Bale, Robbie and Washington) who find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plans in American history,' according to IndieWire. In a clip reviewed by Variety, Swift is seen grieving her late father with Rock in the background. 'You have a dead white man in a box,' Rock's character is quoted as saying. 'Its not even a coffin, it has no lid - You know whos going to get in trouble? The Black men.' Amsterdam reunites Russell with Bale, who he has worked with on the films American Hustle and The Fighter; and De Niro, who he has collaborated with on Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and Joy. The director has past garnered five Academy Award nominations, with three for directing (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter) and two for screenwriting (American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook). Swift has past been seen in films such as Valentine's Day, The Giver and Cats. AMC's post-Walking Dead plans got a major shakeup on Wednesday when it was reported that longtime star Melissa McBride had exited an upcoming spinoff series. The 56-year-old actress, who currently appears on the ongoing eleventh and final season of The Walking Dead, will no long lead the spinoff with her costar Norman Reedus, TVLine reported. A statement from an AMC representative delivered later in the day claimed that McBride was unable to relocate to Europe, where the still-untitled series was set to be filmed. She's out: The Walking Dead's Melissa McBride, 56, will no longer costar with Norman Reedus in an upcoming spinoff series, TVLine reported on Wednesday; seen in 2019 in Hollywood McBride and Reedus are the only characters on The Walking Dead who have remained on the series since being introduced in the first season. According to the outlet, the spinoff will now focus on Reedus' character Daryl Dixon alone, though it's unclear if McBride's character Carol Peletier will be given a sign off on either the original Walking Dead or the spin-off. A rep for AMC claimed that the international shooting destination for the series was untenable for McBride. 'Melissa McBride has given life to one of the most interesting, real, human and popular characters in The Walking Dead Universe,' they told the publication. 'Unfortunately, she is no longer able to participate in the previously announced spinoff focused on the Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier characters, which will be set and filmed in Europe this summer and premiere next year. Relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for Melissa at this time. Too far: A rep for AMC claimed that McBride was no longer able to move to Europe for an extended period to film the series, which is also set on the continent; with Reedus on The Walking Dead 'We know fans will be disappointed by this news, but The Walking Dead Universe continues to grow and expand in interesting ways and we very much hope to see Carol again in the near future.' The spinoff series, which was first announced in September 2020, was co-created by Scott M. Gimple the former Walking Dead showrunner and current Walking Dead universe chief content officer and current Walking Dead showrunner Angela Kang. Kang is expected to continue showrunning duties on the new series. 'Its bittersweet to bring [the flagship series] to an end, but I could not be more excited to be working with Scott Gimple and AMC to develop a new series for Daryl and Carol,' she said in a statement when the series was announced. 'Working with Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride has been a highlight of my career, and Im thrilled that we get to keep telling stories together.' Still kicking: She and Reedus are the only two season one stars who have remained on The Walking Dead (pictured) The Walking Dead Universe features a bevy of ongoing and upcoming spinoff projects. The first spinoff, Fear The Walking Dead, recently wrapped up its seventh season, and the universe will expand with another spinoff focused on Jeffrey Dean Morgan's villain-turned-antihero Negan and Lauren Cohan's fan-favorite character Maggie, as well as an anthology series titled Tales of the Walking Dead. Andrew Lincoln, The Walking Dead's original lead Rick Grimes, was also set to star in a series of spinoff films following his departure from the show in season nine, but so far those are still in development. Although McBride won't be joining the new series, AMC's statement does leave open the possibility that her character could join later in its run. Paul Bettany revealed that one of his children updated his profile to label him the 'worst Avenger' on Wednesday's episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers on NBC. The 50-year-old London native said he recently tried to log into Disney Plus to watch a show and realized that one of his children had edited his profile with a picture of his superhero character Vision and called him 'Worst Avenger.' Paul has 18-year-old son Stellan and 10-year-old daughter Agnes with wife Jennifer Connelly, 51, as well as stepson Kai, 24. Family fun: Paul Bettany revealed that one of his children updated his profile to label him 'the worst Avenger' on Wednesday's episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers on NBC Seth, 48, asked him if his kids were impressed that he was an Avenger. 'Yes, but they torture me with it,' Paul said. 'My daughter has moved through all the different avengers as her favorite and it's never ever me.' Paul, who wore a tan suit with a white button down shirt and glasses, stopped by to discuss his new film A Very British Scandal. He admitted hat he hadn't initially been aware of the true story that the film was based on. Disney profile: The 50-year-old London native said he recently tried to log into Disney Plus to watch a show and realized that one of his children had edited his profile and under his picture wrote 'Worst Avenger' Seth said he thought that everyone in England was deeply invested in the Royal family and its offshoots, but then he realized that might not be the case. 'Because you don't have to pay for it,' Paul said. 'Every time those kids get married it's like $36 million pounds of taxpayers' wallets.' 'You can see it on the tax bill?' Seth asked. Royal family: 'Because you don't have to pay for it,' Paul said of the Royal family. 'Every time those kids get married it's like $36 million pounds of taxpayers' wallets' 'Well, what you get is, you get to watch some medieval procession that you don't really understand for $36 million pounds,' Seth said. Seth pointed out that his A Very British Scandal co-star film Claire Foy, 38, was in The Crown, but he wasn't. 'I'm like the only British actor that wasn't in The Crown or Harry Potter,' Paul quipped. British actor: 'I'm like the only British actor that wasn't in The Crown or Harry Potter,' Paul quipped Seth asked Paul since his parents were actors whether he wanted to become an actor from a very young age. 'No, I didn't want to do it all,' Paul said. 'It's just a bit silly getting dressed up in other people's clothes. I wanted to be a guitar player and I just wasn't very good. I sort of fell into acting.' Paul said it happened when he was living with two roommates and he was working as a 'busker on the streets.' Actor parents: Seth asked Paul since his parents were actors whether he wanted to become an actor from a very young age 'The two roommates did a midnight flip and left me with the rent and the landlord took my guitars and I sort of rang my parents up and said ''I failed'',' Paul said. 'I thought what am I going to do and I thought I guess I'll do some acting.' Seth asked him if would recommend acting to his children, but Paul said no. 'I've got three kids, two I've put off acting,' Paul said. Aspiring guitarist: 'The two roommates did a midnight flip and left me with the rent and the landlord took my guitars and I sort of rang my parents up and said ''I failed'',' Paul said. 'I thought what am I going to do and I thought I guess I'll do some acting' 'I've got one left to put off acting. My eldest child is an aeronautical engineer. He's not biologically mine which is why he's an aeronautical engineer,' Paul said, referencing Kai who Jennifer had while in a relationship with photographer David Dugan. 'I haven't understood a word he has said to me since he was ten,' Paul said. 'Because of my accent, my wife thought I was super clever and stuff because you get away with it with a British accent.' Paul said Jennifer went to Yale University initially to study physics and thought he was smart when they met. Smart accent: Paul said his wife Jennifer Connelly went to Yale University initially to study physics and thought he was smart when they met Going strong: Paul, shown with wife Jennifer Connelly in March 2019 in Paris, said she went to Yale University initially to study physics and thought he was smart when they met 'I left school when I was 16,' Paul said. 'It was just awful watching the light die in her eyes as she realized actually how deeply stupid and ill-educated I am.' Seth asked him about being on WandaVision. 'We thought we were going to be the sort of kooky, niche show that five people would watch, but those five people would love it,' Paul said. 'Then we came out first and kind of s*** ourselves it went down really well.' Paul said he grew up watching Dick Van Dyke shows and initially was resistant to the idea of taping the first show in front of a live studio audience. 'I was so nervous and then I got on stage and got my first laugh,' Paul said. 'I'm so shallow that I was like ''I've wasted my entire life. I should be doing sitcoms''.' Luxe Listings Sydney, a real estate show that gives viewers a sneak peek into the millionaire lifestyle, has become a global hit for Amazon Prime Video. The popular series, produced by Kyle Sandilands, follows four top-flight real estate agents as they strike multimillion-dollar deals in Sydney's pricey market. Despite being launched with the Australian market in mind, the show has proved to be an international success story, reports Variety Australia. International phenomenon: Luxe Listings Sydney, a real estate show that gives viewers a sneak peek into the millionaire lifestyle, has become a global hit for Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video does not disclose its viewing figures, but the platform announced last week that Luxe Listings Sydney, now in its second season, was a worldwide 'top performer'. 'It really did kind of capture people's attention and captured this kind of social zeitgeist,' said Tyler Bern, Head of Content for Amazon Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Bern told Variety the show was so popular because of the global demand for programs about high-end real estate. It has been so successful, in fact, that the streaming giant is looking to take the Luxe Listings format global. Winners are grinners: Amazon Prime Video does not disclose its viewing figures, but the platform announced last week that Luxe Listings Sydney was a worldwide 'top performer'. 'It really did kind of capture people's attention and captured this kind of social zeitgeist,' said Tyler Bern (pictured), Head of Content for Amazon Prime Video in Australia Bern said Luxe Listings fitted perfectly into the streamer's goal of producing unscripted content that gives audiences a 'guilty pleasure' experience. He explained the show drove the social conversation with 'edge-of-the-seat moments' that left them wondering what might happen next. One of the local executive producers of the show, Chris Culvenor, the CEO of Eureka Productions, told Variety the stars deserve some credit for the show's success. Star power: One of the local executive producers of the show, Chris Culvenor (pictured), the CEO of Eureka Productions, told Variety the stars deserve some credit for the show's success New agent on the block: Monika Tu (pictured) joined Luxe Listings Sydney for season two The sometimes friendly rivalries between real estate gurus Monika Tu, Gavin Rubenstein, D'Leanne Lewis and Simon Cohen resonated strongly with audiences, Culvenor said. Earlier this month, Kyle Sandilands, who produces Luxe Listings through his company King Kyle, confirmed the show would be renewed for a third season. Much of the drama ensues as the agents ruthlessly try to one-up each other and compete to sell the most impressive and alluring properties. Power couple: Earlier this month, Kyle Sandilands, who produces Luxe Listings through his company King Kyle, confirmed the show would be renewed for a third season. (Sandilands is seen here with his fiancee Tegan Kynaston at the Luxe Listings season two premiere in March) During the first season, the agents showcased some of the most breathtaking homes Sydney has on offer, with unique designs, luxurious inclusions, scenic beachside views and harbour backdrops. The second season introduced new agent Monika as she joined the original trio. Her firm Black Diamondz sells more than $200million worth of property annually and cleared about $85million in just three months this year. Season three will be available to stream in 240 countries and territories in late 2022. An American divorcee who became addicted to surgery after her husband left her has increased her breast implants to 9,580ccs each. Foxy Menagerie, 45, announced the news on Instagram this week, telling her 286,000 followers she was 'super excited' about her latest enhancement. At 9,580ccs, Foxy's implants now weigh close to 10kg each, meaning the model is carrying almost 20kg in total on her chest every day. Extreme measures: Botched star Foxy Menagerie (pictured) has increased her breast implants to 9,580ccs each after injecting them with saline in her kitchen Her assets are now so large she is unable to cook with a gas top stove or walk down the stairs without a railing. Instead of having regular breast implants, Foxy has expanders, which allow her to continuously fill the implants with saline via a port. Foxy fills her breasts herself in her kitchen using a needle and tube, and has been gradually increasing her implants using this method for several years. 'Inside each boob there's a port,' she explained during an appearance on Hooked on the Look in 2020. 'You're able to hook this up to your saline bag, you end up using a needle. You have about the diameter of a quarter to be able to fit that needle into you, otherwise you pop.' Weight of the world: At 9,580ccs, Foxy's implants now weigh close to 10kg each, meaning the 45-year-old American divorcee is carrying almost 20kg in total on her chest every day DIY: She fills her breasts herself in her kitchen using a needle and tube, and has been gradually increasing her implants using this method for several years (pictured here in 2020) Foxy's most recent filling saw her add 540ccs to her implants, which brought them up to their current size. 'It went very smooth and everything went really well, so I'm super excited,' she said. Before that, she'd last filled her implants in early January. Foxy memorably appeared on E!'s Botched in 2020 alongside her friend and fellow plastic surgery enthusiast Allegra Cole. Full of it: Instead of having regular breast implants, Foxy has expanders, which allow her to continuously fill the implants with saline via a port (pictured in 2020) Claim to fame: Foxy (right) and fellow plastic surgery enthusiast Allegra Cole (left) appeared together on E! series Botched in 2020 to discuss butt implants At the time, she was requesting butt implants to match her ever-expanding chest, but surgeons Dr Terry Dubrow and Dr Paul Nassif refused to carry out the procedure. 'I think it's never a good idea to do an operation where you put a large implant in a place you're gonna sit on all day long and expect it to remain in that place,' Dr Dubrow told her. 'I don't do buttock implants. They're too dangerous,' he added. Curves: Judging by recent photos shared to Instagram, Foxy appears to have enhanced her derriere since filming Botched (pictured in January) However, Foxy said she would keep hunting for the right surgeon. 'I really, really do want implants. I think there are a lot of doctors that do implants that have not had problems. So I'm still not done looking for my surgeon,' she said. Judging by recent photos shared to Instagram, Foxy appears to have enhanced her derriere since filming Botched. The Las Vegas-based mother of one started her extreme surgery transformation after splitting from her husband of more than 20 years. Flashback: The Las Vegas-based mother of one started her extreme surgery transformation after splitting from her husband of more than 20 years. (Pictured before her surgery) Her first surgery was a breast augmentation, and she soon became addicted and started having follow-up procedures to get them even bigger. Unfortunately, she suffered complications during her third procedure and almost died. 'It was very scary,' she told Allegra Cole in a 2019 interview. Foxy now works as an OnlyFans model and often makes appearances at conventions and shows around Las Vegas. Members of a special committee for the hearing of Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo hold a meeting at the National Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido, Wednesday. The hearings for Han have been rescheduled to May 2 and 3, after earlier hearings on Monday and Tuesday broke down due to a boycott by the Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party. Joint Press Corps By Jung Da-min There are growing concerns that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration may start with several Cabinet positions unfilled, as several currently sitting ministers have offered to resign at the end of Moon Jae-in's term, accompanied by the uncertain future of Yoon's nominees, some of whom are not likely to pass the National Assembly confirmation hearings. In addition, the delayed hearings for Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo are making the situation worse, given that the prime minister has the right to recommend Cabinet appointees to the president. A total of seven ministers of the Moon administration who are also members of the liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are set to resign from their ministerial posts before the Yoon government takes office on May 10. According to media reports citing government officials, Wednesday, the seven ministers are Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae, Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol, Environment Minister Han Jeong-ae, SMEs and Startups Minister Kwon Chil-seung, Unification Minister Lee In-young, Culture Minister Hwang Hee and Justice Minister Park Beom-kye. They are reportedly planning to resign on May 9, the last day of President Moon's term. In the meantime, National Assembly hearings of minister nominees named by President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol are being delayed amid escalating tensions between the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP), which will become the ruling party upon Yoon's inauguration, and other parties including the DPK and the progressive minor opposition Justice Party. The hearings for the prime minister nominee, held for two days on Monday and Tuesday, broke down and were postponed to May 2 and 3, as a result of a boycott by DPK and Justice Party lawmakers, in protest of Han's repeated refusals to submit relevant materials. Other hearings have also been delayed to next week for similar reasons such as insufficient materials or witness non-attendance. Defense Minister nominee Lee Jong-sup will face the Assembly on May 4, and Interior Minister nominee Lee Sang-min's hearing will be on May 3 and Culture Minister nominee Park Bo-gyoon's will be on May 2. Due to the delayed hearings, concerns are rising that the Yoon government might also be delayed from starting out with a full Cabinet. President-elect Yoon would not be able to appoint ministers without receiving recommendations from his prime minister, according to the Constitution. Thus, if Han's appointment as prime minister is delayed, other minister nominees' appointments will also be delayed, unless current Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum remains in office after Yoon's inauguration to help the next president organize a new Cabinet. There are also concerns that if the next government experiences such a vacuum, it could be prolonged if the DPK continues to oppose minister nominations. DPK floor leader Rep. Park Hong-keun said Wednesday, during a radio interview with local broadcaster KBS, that serious problems have been found in eight minister nominees. "We will thoroughly verify each candidate according to the standards of the people," Park said. PPP spokesman Rep. Kim Hyung-dong criticized the DPK floor leader's remarks, saying the DPK is making objections to obstruct the next administration's state affairs, by unnecessarily asking for too many materials including information that is too old to obtain. "It is not right that the DPK is warning to bring down many nominees while presenting a specific figure regarding how many that they will bring down to obstruct the new government's state affairs," Kim said in a Thursday commentary. "National Assembly hearings should not be about asking for too many materials or making farfetched claims regarding nominees only to bring them down without specific or reasonable reasons." Members of the honor guard rehearse for the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, slated for May 10 at the National Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido, Thursday. Joint Pres Corps Home and Away actress Ada Nicodemou was spotted filming a mystery new TV project in Sydney on Friday with a host of Aussie celebrities. Ada, 44, joined the likes of The Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester, 53, and former Neighbours star Melissa Bell, 49, as they stepped out for a day of shooting at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel in the CBD. Ada cut a stylish figure on set in a flirty mini dress, which highlighted her trim pins. On set: Home and Away actress Ada Nicodemou cut a stylish figure on Friday as she joined the likes of Ajay Rochester and veteran TV stars to film a mystery project in Sydney Her black and white frock featured a layered skirt and balloon sleeves. Ada wore her short locks out and over her shoulders, and completed her look with black Dior slingback heels, which retail for $1,500. The likes of Prisoner star Rowena Wallace, 74, Perfect Match presenter Greg Evans, 70, and Sale of the Century host Tony Barber, 82, were also seen arriving at the hotel. Looking good! Ada wore a flirty mini dress, which highlighted her trim pins, and completed her look with black Dior slingback heels worth about $1,500 Star arrivals: Former The Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester wore a long black dress featuring a gold leaf design over the waist Ajay Rochester wore a long black dress featuring a gold leaf design over the waist. The mother of one said last year she hoped to follow in Rebel Wilson's footsteps by embarking on her own 'year of health' after a health scare. 'It's time to take my health and fitness back! If Rebel Wilson can do it, I can too!' she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself in hospital. Chic: Melissa Bell, who rose to fame on E Street and Neighbours, looked chic in a beige and black dress complete with a head scarf Melissa, who rose to fame on E Street and Neighbours, looked chic in a beige and black dress complete with a head scarf. The actress-turned-real estate agent teamed the outfit with a white Louis Vuitton handbag. 'I'm ready for my close-up A very special evening of filming,' Melissa wrote on Instagram last week, teasing the new project. While the nature of the project is being kept under wraps, there are rumours the stars assembled to film an episode of This is Your Life, which is returning for a new season on Channel Seven, hosted by Melissa Doyle. Familiar face: The likes of Prisoner star Rowena Wallace (pictured), Perfect Match presenter Greg Evans and Sale of the Century host Tony Barber were also seen arriving at the hotel Ada is known for playing Leah Patterson in the Australian soap Home and Away. She started her career in 1994 playing Katerina Ioannou in teen drama Heartbreak High. In February 2020, she told Woman's Day there was a time when she almost walked away from Home and Away. She admitted she struggled with her role on the popular show in her early twenties. Fan favourite: Ada is known for playing Leah Patterson in the Australian soap Home and Away 'I was exhausted and I just didn't want to be doing a show, I just wanted a break,' Ada admitted. However, she happily added: 'But 20 years later, I'm still here!' Summer Bay sweetheart Leah has been through many ups and downs on the show, with Ada telling the publication: 'I love that she's an independent, strong woman who has gone through so much crap in life. Part of me relates to that.' Liam Gallagher took to the stage to perform at King George's Hall in Blackburn on Thursday after Oasis star 'Bonehead' Paul Arthurs announced he had been diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Paul took to Twitter on Tuesday to tell fans he would be pulling out of his upcoming gigs with Liam as he prepares to undergo treatment. However, after wishing his friend well this week, the show went on for Liam, who recently spoke out about his own health problems, with a performance in the Lancashire town on Thursday while Paul rested. On show: Liam Gallagher, 49, performed at King George's Hall in Blackburn on Thursday after Oasis star 'Bonehead' Paul Arthurs announced he had been diagnosed with tonsil cancer Liam, 49, dressed in casual attire for his gig, opting for a navy blue jacket which he teamed with a pair of blue denim jeans. He was seen on stage with a tambourine, at one holding the half-moon shaped instrument in his mouth. The star struck his signature pose as he sung, with the microphone raised above him as he sung while his hands were held behind his back. Tragic: Paul took to Twitter on Tuesday to tell fans he would be pulling out of his upcoming gigs with Liam as he prepares to undergo treatment for tonsil cancer Onwards: After wishing his friend well this week, the show went on for Liam who performed in the Lancashire town on Thursday while Paul rested Keeping it casual: Liam, 49, dressed in casual attire for his gig, opting for a navy blue jacket which he teamed with a pair of blue denim jeans Larking about: He was seen on stage with a tambourine, at one holding the half-moon shaped instrument in his mouth Making music: The star struck his signature pose as he sung, with the microphone raised above him as he sung Liam whipped the crowd into a frenzy as he performed with the remaining members of his band. The singer looked in good health despite his reveal earlier this month that he needs a double hip replacement due to his arthritis but would rather 'be in pain' than have the operation. The former Oasis star, 49, said he has been forced to use herbal sleeping tablets so he can rest as he has been left in daily agony due to the inflammatory condition. Liam, who was diagnosed with arthritis three years ago, said he would rather use a wheelchair and be in pain than undergo the surgery. Meanwhile his Oasis bandmate Paul took to Twitter on Tuesday to share his health news with fans, announcing he'd be pulling out of his upcoming gigs to undergo treatment. He wrote: 'Just to let you all know I'm going to be taking a break from playing for a while. I have been diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Showman: Liam whipped the crowd into a frenzy as he performed with the remaining members of his band Shaking: Liam could be seen shaking a pair of maracas above his head as he performed on stage Ablaze: The bright stage lights gave an atmospheric effect at the venue as Liam performed in front of a sign which read 'rock 'n' roll' Drawing in a crowd: The venue was packed with fans who had bought tickets to see the band perform Putting on a show: Liam struck a familiar pose on stage as he held his hands behind his back while performing 'But the good news is it's treatable and I will be starting a course of treatment soon. I will keep you posted how it is going.' 'I am gutted I am missing the gigs with Liam and the band.' Paul's bandmate Liam Gallagher send his well-wishes on social media, writing: 'Sending BIG love to the 1 n only Bonehead and his family wishing you a speedy recovery we're all thinking of you rasta you'll be back on stage bfore you can say r we doing Colombia LG x.' Former Oasis band member Andy Bell penned: 'Get well soon Bone @BoneheadsPage', while the group's ex bassist and co-founder Paul McGuigan wrote: 'Big love Bone!! '. Announcement: The hitmaker (pictured second left with the Gallagher brothers) took to Twitter to announce he'd be pulling out of his upcoming gigs to undergo treatment Announcement: Paul shared his diagnosis with fans in a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday, adding he was 'gutted' to miss his upcoming shows Paul is best known as the co-founder of Oasis during their 90s heyday, acting as a rhythm guitarist and keyboardist for the band. He was a key part of the group's early success, appearing on their albums Definitely Maybe, (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, and Be Here Now, before quitting the band in 1999. Paul's last gig before his announcement is thought to be on March 28, where he performed with Liam at his Teenage Cancer Trust gig at The Royal Albert Hall. Bonehead has been a regular on the rock star's tours and one-off gigs - and was set to join Liam on his highly-anticipated return to Knebworth in June. Fans also took to social media to offer their well-wishes for Paul, with one writing: 'We will always support you bonehead you're a legend. I will pray for you always.' Touching: Liam Gallagher shared his own well-wishes for Paul on Twitter, wishing him a 'speedy recovery' Well wishes: Former Oasis band members Andy Bell and Tony McCarroll also passed on their love and support Support: The Fratellis bassist Barry wrote: 'All the love man, stay strong x' On stage: Paul's last gig before his announcement is thought to be on March 28, where he performed with Liam at his Teenage Cancer Trust gig at The Royal Albert Hall Long lasting friendship: Paul has joined Rock n' Roll star Liam on tours and one-off gigs of late (pictured together in 2016) Another added: 'Get well soon Bonehead take care of yourself see you back on stage soon.' A third penned: 'Hi Paul. Am sorry to hear this news but I am sending u love and strength and best wishes.. take care of yourself and get well soon look after yourself.' In 2016, Paul reflected on the legendary rivalry between the Gallagher brothers, telling the Shropshire St ar 'Generally you're big boys and it's forgotten the next morning. What is tonsil cancer? A painless lump in the neck is a textbook symptom of tonsil cancer. Others include a persistent sore throat, one tonsil becoming bigger than the other and difficulty swallowing. Tonsil cancer is easy to miss, as symptoms can be quite subtle. On the disease, Professor Nutting told MailOnline back in March: 'There is not good awareness of this cancer.' Tonsil cancer typically occurs in those in their 40s and 50s, and cases have doubled over the past ten years, according to Cancer Research UK figures. Every year, 1,600 new cases are identified. Some are linked to smoking and drinking, but tonsil cancer cases are rising sharply because of an increase in the prevalence of HPV, or human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus that's so common, says Professor Nutting, 'virtually all of us will have been infected at some point. HPV is now thought to cause around half of all tonsil cancer cases. The virus is also linked to cervical cancer, which is why teenage girls have been offered a vaccination against HPV since 2008 and the vaccination of boys will start later this year. Advertisement Way back when: Paul is best known as the co-founder of Oasis during its 90s heyday, acting as a rhythm guitarist and keyboardist for the band (pictured in 1994) Making their mark: Oasis are among the most successful acts on the UK Singles Chart and Albums Chart, with eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums (pictured 1997) 'I had a good relationship with everyone. And I'm closer to Liam now than I've ever been in my life. I always used to say I was the rhythm guitarist and tour psychiatrist. 'If there was a little fallout when we were hurling down the motorway, I'd be the one pulling Noel and Liam apart and telling them to get over it and sit down. I always did jump in.' A painless lump in the neck is a textbook symptom of tonsil cancer. Others include a persistent sore throat, one tonsil becoming bigger than the other and difficulty swallowing. Icon: He was a key part of the group's early success, appearing on their albums Definitely Maybe, (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, and Be Here Now, before quitting the band in 1999 (pictured on tour with Liam in 2021) Close: 'I had a good relationship with everyone. And I'm closer to Liam now than I've ever been in my life. I always used to say I was the rhythm guitarist and tour psychiatrist,' he said in 2016 (pictured that year) The disease is easy to miss, as symptoms can be quite subtle. On the disease, Professor Nutting told MailOnline back in March: 'There is not good awareness of this cancer.' Tonsil cancer typically occurs in those in their 40s and 50s, and cases have doubled over the past ten years, according to Cancer Research UK figures. Every year, 1,600 new cases are identified. Some are linked to smoking and drinking, but tonsil cancer cases are rising sharply because of an increase in the prevalence of HPV, or human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus that's so common, says Professor Nutting, 'virtually all of us will have been infected at some point. Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova were every inch the smitten Strictly stars on Wednesday evening as the couple left rehearsals for The Professionals tour hand-in-hand. Kai, 26, and Nadiya, 32, are said to have taken the next step in their relationship and moved in together after going Instagram official with their romance earlier this month. And exhibiting that their relationship is only going from strength to strength, the smitten couple flashed wide smiles from the cameras in Manchester as they made their departure. Strictly smitten! Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova held hands as they left rehearsals for The Professionals tour in Manchester on Wednesday night Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer Nadiya put together a stylish look, consisting of a plain white tee, pale blue jeans and sandals. She layered up with a chic grey blazer, toted a white bag to coincide with her shoes and top, and sported a cap. Kai meanwhile donned casualwear - an Essentials hoodie, tracksuit bottoms and grey trainers. Moving fast: Kai, 26, and Nadiya, 32, are said to have taken the next step in their relationship and moved in together after going Instagram official with their romance earlier this month Hand holding: Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer Nadiya put together a stylish look, consisting of a plain white tee, pale blue jeans and sandals It comes after Nadiya recently moved her things into Kai's place after growing close over the last few weeks, according to The Sun. They are thought to have been dating since January following Nadiya's split from her ex-fiance Matija Skarabot. A source said: 'Moving in together was the obvious next step for Nadiya and Kai. Theyve grown so close and it just made sense. Busy day: Katya Jones (left) and Dianne Buswell (right) were also spotted leaving rehearsals on Wednesday night 'Kai helped Nadiya move in her belongings this week and theyre excited about making their property feel like a shared home.' MailOnline contacted representatives for Nadiya and Kai for comment. Nadiya took to Instagram this month to share a snap of her and Kai holding hands across the table at the swanky London venue The Ivy. The pair put on a loved-up display in the photo as Kai affectionately held Nadiya's hand after their Strictly Come Dancing tour rehearsals. She stars on the recently released Roku series Swimming With Sharks as a ruthless assistant trying to climb her way up the corporate ladder at a Hollywood studio. And Kiernan Shipka was at her most glamorous on Wednesday as she made the publicity rounds in New York City to promote the new show. The 22-year-old Mad Men actress looked resplendent in a glowing metallic purple dress while heading to an interview in Manhattan, and she also changed into two other striking all-black looks amid her campaign. Stunner: Kiernan Shipka, 22, looked resplendent in a shimmering purple dress in New York City on Wednesday. She also changed into two other chic black dresses while doing publicity for her new Roku series Swimming With Sharks and her film Wildflower Kiernan, who costars in Swimming With Sharks with Diane Kruger and Donald Sutherland, lit up the day with her beaming smile and her reflective dress as she exited the Watch What Happens Live studios in New York City. The eye-catching outfit featured black-and-purple stripes corresponding with thick ruffles running across her torso. The dress featured a single thick strap over one shoulder, exposing the other, and the skimpy look only extended down to her thighs. The actress wore her blond hair parted down the middle and tied up in a playfully messy bun, which showcased her dangling earrings. She elevated her 5ft2in stature with a pair of black platform open-toe stilettos. New project: Kiernan was doing publicity for her Roku series Swimming With Sharks. She costars with Diane Kruger and Donald Sutherland as an assistant who will do anything to rise at a Hollywood studio Beaming: Kiernan lit up the day with her beaming smile and her reflective dress as she exited the Watch What Happens Live studios. She wore a shimmering black-and-purple single-strap mini dress Standing tall: She elevated her 5ft2in stature with black platform open-toe stilettos Kiernan showed that she was gracious with her time, and she stopped to sign autographs for fans outside the studio. Also on Wednesday, the Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina star put on a glamorous displaying in a tiny black dress for a taping of Late Night With Seth Meyers at NBC Studios. The sleeveless look featured thick straps and a wide V-shaped plunging neckline, and it was decorated with a long skirt of black tassels that reached down to her ankles. This time, she wore her shoulder-length tresses down in voluminous waves, and she accessorized with a black Gucci Roman Stud handbag. The film and television actress completed her look with towering black platform heels. Monochrome: Also on Wednesday, the Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina star put on a glamorous displaying in a tiny black dress with platform heels and a black Gucci bag for Late Night With Seth Meyers Striking: The sleeveless look featured thick straps and a wide V-shaped plunging neckline, and it was decorated with a long skirt of black tassels that reached down to her ankles Earlier in the day, she also rocked an all-black outfit, but this time she opted for a more modest black lace dress. While at the SiriusXM studios to chat with host Andy Cohen, Kiernan put on a busty display in a plunging black sleeveless dress with thick straps. Below the lacy bust, the look included a sheer black lace panel highlighting her toned midriff. It also included a lacy tiered skirt, and she paired it with lustrous black boots that rose halfway up her knees. On point: Earlier in the day, she also rocked an all-black outfit, but this time she opted for a more modest black lace dress. While at the SiriusXM studios to chat with host Andy Cohen, Kiernan put on a busty display in a plunging black sleeveless dress with thick straps Showing off: Below the lacy bust, the look included a sheer black lace panel highlighting her toned midriff Kiernan was pictured with Andy, who looked far more casual in an untucked black shirt with dual breast pockets and dark jeans. She stars in the satire Swimming With Sharks, which is inspired by the 1994 film of the same name, as the intern Lou Simms, who starts working at a Hollywood studio. She's led by her manipulative boss Joyce (Kruger), while Sutherland plays the overbearing studio chairman. Despite being a lowly assistant, Lou goes all out and even seduces a writer the studio is hoping to buy movie rights from in order to make herself stand out Stunner: The dress also included a lacy tiered skirt, and she paired it with lustrous black boots that rose halfway up her knees. In the pipeline: Kiernan is staying busy and has already completed filming on the coming-of-age film Wildflower, which features a stacked supporting cast including Alexandra Daddario, Jean Smart, Jacki Weaver and Charlie Plummer, among others Black comedy: The movie charts her character Bea's trajectory as she grows up with an intellectually disabled parent and extended family members that are often at war over how to help her Kiernan is staying busy and has already completed filming on the coming-of-age film Wildflower, which features a stacked supporting cast including Alexandra Daddario, Jean Smart, Jacki Weaver and Charlie Plummer, among others. The movie charts her character Bea's trajectory as she grows up with an intellectually disabled parent and extended family members that are often at war over how to help her. She's also set to appear on the miniseries The White House Plumbers, and it was announced earlier this month that Kiernan would be returning to Riverdale following the cancellation of her Netflix spinoff series Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina. It won't be much longer until he's back on small screens with his new series The Offer. But Miles Teller was keeping it casual on Tuesday as he headed to Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles with his wife Keleigh Sperry. The actor, 35, wore a tie-dye Grateful Dead T-shirt, Nike shorts and flip flops as he made his way to the studio, hand in hand with his wife. To dye for! Miles Teller was keeping it casual on Tuesday as he headed to Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles on Tuesday with his wife Keleigh Sperry Miles shielded his handsome complexion with a pair of sunglasses and a bright red Philadelphia Phillies cap. In contrast to his dressed down look, Miles' wife was a vision of style. She wowed in a camel-hued coat worn over a low-cut tan top, jeans, and glossy leather boots. Her hair cascaded down in perfectly styled waves and a sleek leather tote hung on her arm. XOXO: The couple lovingly held hands as they strolled to the studio The couple looked oh-so in love as they arrived to the studio, hand in hand with smiles on their faces. Miles will surely be discussing his new 10-episode series The Offer on the later night show. The Offer sees Miles play legendary film producer Albert S. Ruddy, the man who brought Mario Puzo's 1969 The Godfather to life. She's got style! Sperry wowed in a beige coat, low-cut top, jeans and glossy leather boots It will debut on Paramount+ on April 28. Miles and Keleigh initially met in 2013 when they attended the same afterparty, during which they began dancing with each other. The two went on to begin a relationship and were often spotted in each other's company. The happy couple eventually became engaged in 2017 when the Whiplash star proposed to his now-wife during a safari trip in South Africa. They went on tie the knot during a destination wedding ceremony in 2019 that was held in Maui. New analysis suggests Netflix may be its own worst enemy by driving away viewers with its insatiable desire to launch new shows. The American streaming giant announced earlier this month it was haemorrhaging viewers - losing as many as 200,000 subscribers since the start of the year - causing its stock to plunge by 35 per cent, with a further two million subscribers set to leave by June. The Australian reports that Netflix's tendency to cancel shows with a strong fanbase has impacted viewer confidence, causing them to switch off. Subscriber exodus: New analysis suggests Netflix may be its own worst enemy by driving away viewers with its insatiable desire to launch new shows More than half of Netflix's original shows that launched in 2018 never made it to a second season, leaving fans high and dry. Shows like the sci-fi series The OA, cancelled in 2019 after two seasons but planned for five, were axed before they could capitalise on their modest yet loyal following. Instead of building strong franchises, Netflix tends to cancel shows too soon and replace them with similar programs, according to Cory Barker, the editor of a book about the company. Axed: The Australian reports that Netflix's tendency to cancel shows with a strong fanbase has impacted viewer confidence, causing them to switch off. (Pictured: The Baby-Sitters Club) Barker, the assistant professor of communication at Bradley University in Illinois, said Netflix is trying be something to everyone - and that is a mistake. 'That means there is a lot of samey content in a huge library,' he told The Australian. 'That makes you think, "There's a lot of stuff here, but is there anything I desperately want to watch?"' Cancelled: More than half of Netflix's original shows that launched in 2018 never made it to a second season, leaving fans high and dry. Recently cancelled shows include popular titles like The Baby-Sitters Club and crime series Bloodline, starring Ben Mendelsohn (pictured) Recently cancelled shows include popular titles like The Baby-Sitters Club and crime series Bloodline, starring Ben Mendelsohn. Meanwhile, reports indicate Netflix is undertaking cost-cutting measures, including cancelling already commissioned projects. This includes the sequel to Bright, starring Will Smith. Cost-cutting: Netflix is reportedly undertaking cost-cutting measures, including cancelling already commissioned projects. This includes the sequel to Bright, starring Will Smith An early Netflix feature film, Bright drew 11 million viewers within three days of its launch on the service in 2017. Now the platform has canned a sequel that was set for production in 2022. There have been reports this decision may be connected to Smith's altercation with Chris Rock at the Oscars when he slapped the comedian on stage for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Political move: Another factor that may have contributed to Netflix's downturn could be the company's decision to withdraw from Russia recently in support of Ukraine, which cost them 700,000 subscribers. (Pictured: a scene from Squid Game, one of Netflix's biggest hits) Another factor that may have contributed to Netflix's downturn could be the company's decision to withdraw from Russia recently in support of Ukraine, which cost them 700,000 subscribers. Netflix's dominance as the top streamer is at risk since major brands have entered the space, creating more intense competition. Disney+, Paramount+ and HBO Max have all stepped into the ring since 2019, while Stan has emerged as a market leader in Australia. Crowded marketplace: Netflix's dominance as the top streamer is at risk since major brands have entered the space, creating intense competition. (Pictured: a scene from Bridgerton) The company has also been forced to borrow $16billion in a decade to cover its productions and business costs, and is now proposing introducing advertising. Meanwhile, Netflix is trying to find a way to stop password sharing. An estimated 10 million households use someone else's account, research shows. Girls star Allison Williams made her first public appearance after news broke she had welcomed her first child with actor Alexander Dreymon. The actress, 34, looked radiant as she appeared on stage at CinemaCon 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday. Allison delivered remarks on stage wearing a sexy red feathered skirt which showed off her underwear and a billowing black top. Oh baby! Girls star Allison Williams made her first public appearance at CinemaCon 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday following her baby news The beauty wore her dark tresses slicked back into a chic updo, a slick of black eyeliner, and a touch of pink blush on her cheeks. She accentuated her legs with a stylish pair of strappy black heels. When she wasn't presenting, Allison mingled with an array of big names also attending the convention. She rubbed elbows with Jamie Lee Curtis, David Harbour, and even reunited with her Get Out director, Jordan Peele. Hello gorgeous! The beauty wore her dark tresses slicked back into a chic updo, a slick of black eyeliner, and a touch of pink blush on her cheeks Strike a pose! Williams rubbed elbows with Jamie Lee Curtis Having a ball! She also shared the spotlight with Stranger Things star David Harbour Reunited! Williams also reunited with her Get Out director, Jordan Peele The appearance comes just days after People reported Allison had secretly welcomed her first child with actor Alexander Dreymon, a song named Arlo. The couple welcomed their child this past winter, multiple sources told the site. Allison, Alexander, 39, and Arlo were recently seen vacationing at a private resort in Abaco in the Bahamas with their family, according to the site. Baby makes three! The appearance comes just days after People reported Allison had secretly welcomed her first child with actor Alexander Dreymon, a song named Arlo; Willams pictured L in 2019 and Alexander R in 2018 Allison's journalist father Brian Williams was also on the trip. 'They seemed to be very happy and very much in love,' a source said of the couple. Not only that, but Allison appeared to be wearing an engagement ring. Allison and Alexander have reportedly been dating since the end of 2019, after meeting working on the 2020 film Horizon Line, a source told People. Wedding bells in the air? Not only that, but Allison appeared to be wearing an engagement ring; pictured 2019 The duo played former lovers stuck on a single-engine Cessna plane after their pilot suffers a fatal heart attack. 'They are both private people individually, and they made the decision to keep this happy news to just a small circle of family and friends,' the insider said of the couple, adding they were 'over the moon.' Even though they began a romance during the pandemic, the couple 'haven't been hiding anything,' another source said. Co-stars: Allison and Alexander have reportedly been dating since the end of 2019, after meeting working on the 2020 film Horizon Line Action-packed: Alexander has been starring on The Last Kingdom since 2015 and also serves as producer 'They've just been doing their best to keep a low profile,' they explained. Alexander was born in Germany and was raised in France, Switzerland, and the U.S., according to IMDb. His credits include a role on American Horror Story, and more recently, The Last Kingdom. Alexander has been starring on the TV series since 2015 and also serves as producer. The baby news comes almost three years after Allison announced her separation from CollegeHumor founder Rick Van Veen after nearly four years of marriage. Life or death: The couple played former lovers stuck on an airplane after their pilot suffers a fatal heart attack Van has since remarried, tying the knot with Caroline Kassie last year. 'They remain on good terms, but everyone who knows them agrees that it was for the best,' the insider told People of Allison and Ricky. The exes released a statement in late June 2019 following their shock split. 'With mutual love and respect, we have made the decision to separate as a couple. We are grateful for the friendship that we have and will continue to have,' the pair said to Page Six. Since ending Girls in 2017, Allison played Kit Snicket on A Series of Fortunate Events. She'll be starring in the 2023 horror film M3GAN. Kyle Sandilands has expressed fears TikTok could be a 'gateway' to OnlyFans for impressionable young people. The outspoken radio host, 50, said on Thursday the video-sharing app encourages teens to earn a living by creating content online, which could make OnlyFans seem like an attractive career path. 'TikTokers turn into OnlyFans people. Their idea of life and work is making money on TikTok or OnlyFans,' he explained on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Warning: Outspoken radio host Kyle Sandilands (pictured) has expressed fears TikTok could be a 'gateway' to OnlyFans for impressionable young people His co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson disagreed, responding: 'I don't think [doing OnlyFans] has anything to do with TikTok.' 'It's a gateway platform,' Kyle insisted. It comes after Kyle and Jackie revealed the one job that almost guarantees you won't be selected for jury duty. 'TikTokers turn into OnlyFans people': Kyle said the app encourages teens to earn a living by creating content online, which could make OnlyFans seem like an attractive career path During Tuesday's show, the KIIS FM producers said that telling the court 'I work in media' almost guarantees you won't be selected for a trial. The discussion began when one of the staffers, John Nicholson, revealed he'd been called to serve on a court trial that is expected to last 28 weeks. After running down a list of possible excuses to get out of jury duty - including 'acting crazy' and 'pretending to be a white supremist' - Sandilands joked that being a media professional was a good one because 'they lie'. Sceptical: His co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) disagreed, responding: 'I don't think [doing OnlyFans] has anything to do with TikTok' Guest booker Jaimee 'Mayo' Blazquez then said she'd heard the courts 'don't like media people' to serve as jury members. While it's unclear why exactly this is the case, it has long been rumoured that media types are considered undesirable jurors. Jackie also said one easy way to avoid selection is to offer 'extreme opinions' when meeting court officials. Newsreader Brooklyn Ross joked that anyone turning up to court for jury duty wearing a 'F**k the Police' T-shirt would almost certainly be excused. Amal Clooney showcased her impeccable fashion sense on Wednesday as she rocked a casual chic ensemble while out in Manhattan with her mother Baria Alamuddin. The 44-year-old human rights lawyer looked totally at ease in an eye-catching top that sparkled in the night thanks to hundreds of silver sequins decorating. She and her mother were spotted as they left their Midtown Manhattan hotel before heading to the West Village for dinner at the upscale steakhouse 4 Charles Prime Rib. On the town: Amal Clooney, 44, showed off her casual style as she left her hotel in Midtown Manhattan with her mother Baria Alamuddin to head to dinner in New York City's West Village on Wednesday Amal glowed in her sheer silver blouse, which was only loosely tucked into her pants. She covered up the playful item with a more sober black double-breasted blazer with short peaked lapels. The barrister contrasted her flashier jacket and top with relaxed-fit high-waisted jeans. She amplified her 5ft9in stature with a set of pointy silver heels, and she accessorized with a small black handbag. Amal styled her lustrous brunette locks with a side part and let them fall down across her shoulders in thick waves. The voluminous hair was swept aside to frame her dangling silver earrings and a splash of crimson on her lips. Shiny: The human rights lawyer looked totally at ease in an eye-catching top that sparkled in the night thanks to hundreds of silver sequins decorating Suited up: She covered up the playful item with a more sober black double-breasted blazer with short peaked lapels Taking it easy: The barrister contrasted her flashier jacket and top with relaxed-fit high-waisted jeans, and she amplified her 5ft9in stature with a set of pointy silver heels Long hair, don't care: Amal styled her lustrous brunette locks with a side part and let them fall down across her shoulders in thick waves Amal's mother Baria opted for a more opulent look with a short cream-colored fur coat. She wore it over a violet suit, which was enlivened with delicate beaded designs running up the sides of her pant legs. Baria completed her look with a black alligator-print handbag and blue alligator-print pumps. She had her dark brown tresses swept back, and she wore a gold luxury wristwatch and strands of diamond earrings. While exiting the hotel, she stopped to shake the hand of a man waiting outside the hotel lobby. Catching up: While exiting the hotel, Amal's mother Baria stopped to shake the hand of a man waiting outside the hotel lobby Colorful: She opted for a more opulent look with a short cream-colored fur coat. She wore it over a violet suit, which was enlivened with beaded designs up the sides of her pant legs Accessorized: Baria completed her look with a black alligator-print handbag and blue alligator-print pumps Amal and her mother's evening out in New York City came after the lawyer's appearance at the United Nations earlier in the day. The BritishLebanese wife of George Clooney was seen arriving in a tasteful black polka dot dress with a matching short-sleeved blazer atop it. She had on modest black heels and blocked out the bright light with chunky black sunglasses while carrying a large black bag with her papers. Lovely: Amal and her mother's evening out came after the lawyer's appearance at the United Nations earlier in the day. The BritishLebanese wife of George Clooney was seen arriving in a tasteful black polka dot dress with a matching short-sleeved blazer atop it Speaking out: During a tense session at the UN, Clooney accused the body of ignoring potential war crimes perpetrated by Russia amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine during an informal meeting of the Security Council During a tense session, Clooney accused the UN of ignoring potential war crimes perpetrated by Russia amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine during an informal meeting of the Security Council. 'Here we are, faced with the evidence of crimes of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity and mounting evidence each day of the crime of genocide,' she said during her statement, via The Hill. She went on to describe Ukraine as a 'slaughterhouse' in the 'heart of Europe,' and she expressed concerns that evidence of alleged Russian war crimes would merely sit in 'storage' for years to come. Lisa Wilkinson kicked off her national book tour for her memoir, It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This, in Adelaide on Wednesday. The Sunday Project host, 62, looked stylish in a long red dress as she promoted her memoir at a women's business lunch. Wilkinson completed her look with a navy blazer and went barefoot as she held her shoes and left the event. Off she goes! Lisa Wilkinson kicked off her 'payback tour' as she went barefoot to promote her memoir at a women's business lunch in Adelaide The TV host carried a brown bag and wore statement gold earrings as she chatted to a friend outside the venue. Wilkinson left her short brunette locks out and opted for a neutral palette of makeup for the event. It comes after Wilkinson reportedly wants 'payback' on the press for fact-checking her tell-all book, reports The Australian. Stylish: The Sunday Project host, 62, looked stylish in a long red dress as she promoted her memoir at a women's business lunch Final look: Wilkinson completed her look with a navy blazer and went barefoot as she held her shoes and left the event Accessories: The TV host carried a brown bag and wore statement gold earrings as she chatted to a friend outside the venue She will address criticism of her memoir - including allegations she omitted key details about her pay dispute with former employer Channel Nine - during her national book tour. Wilkinson will also set the record straight on 'some of the stories behind the headlines you might have read about in recent months' when she addresses a series of high-profile breakfasts for the women's networking group Business Chicks. In her book, she made a series of claims about her former Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic and how she left Nine over a reported gender pay gap dispute. Beauty: Wilkinson left her short brunette locks out and opted for a neutral palette of makeup for the event Payback: It comes after Wilkinson reportedly wants 'payback' on the press for fact-checking her tell-all book, reports The Australian She claimed the pay disparity between her and Stefanovic when they hosted the breakfast show was once 'so off the charts that no-one would have believed it'. However, it was later reported that Wilkinson had actually earned more than Stefanovic for years at the start of their on-air partnership, and it wasn't until Seven tried to poach Stefanovic that he was able to negotiate the bigger salary. Wilkinson failed to mention this important detail in her memoir, instead focusing on the pay disparity during her later years at the helm of Today. In her book, she alleged Stefanovic had proposed in August 2015 they join forces to renegotiate their Nine contracts - not unlike how the cast of American sitcom Friends famously worked together to broker better deals with NBC. Response: She will address criticism of her memoir - including allegations she omitted key details about her pay dispute with former employer Channel Nine - during her national book tour Tour: Wilkinson will also set the record straight on 'some of the stories behind the headlines you might have read about in recent months' when she addresses a series of high-profile breakfasts for the women's networking group Business Chicks But she claims he ended up ditching this idea and instead played rival networks Nine and Seven off against each other in order to secure a better deal for himself. 'Weeks later... the media became awash with stories that Stefanovic was restless at Today and looking for greener pastures and more civilised working hours at Channel Seven,' she wrote. Stefanovic was soon at the centre of a bidding war between Nine and Seven that resulted in him re-signing a five-year deal with Nine worth at least $2million per year. Wilkinson's deal was worth significantly less, about $780,000 a year, and was only for two years. 'There was no doubt about it: Karl certainly knew the art of the deal,' she wrote. Lifting the lid: In her book, Wilkinson made a series of claims about her former Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic and how she left Nine over a reported gender pay gap dispute By John L. Micek More years ago than I really care to count, the children's librarian in my little town in rural northwestern Connecticut, apparently tired of my endlessly renewing the same book over and over again, pressed a copy of "The White Mountains" by John Christopher into my eight-year-old hands. Mrs. Bullock was her name. She was the mother of one of my schoolmates. She'd taken note of my reading habits, such as they were, and decided to take matters into her own hands. If I liked the book I'd been endlessly renewing, she argued, I'd love this one. She was right. I read every volume in Christopher's pulpy series, which followed the adventures of young people rebelling against alien overlords' bent on keeping a servile population under their collective thumb with futuristic tech that suppressed their individuality and free will. It was the start of my lifelong love of books and libraries. And viewed through the prism of 40-odd years, it was an oddly prescient choice. Students and their teachers in schools across the country and now public libraries are waging a brave fight against the king of organized book- banning campaigns that once only seemed the province of the worst kind of totalitarian governments or dystopian? science fiction. As Pennsylvania Capital-Star Washington Reporter Ariana Figueroa made astonishingly clear in a recent story, hundreds of books, across dozens of states, are being banned at alarming rates. A majority of the bans we're seeing across the country have targeted books written by authors who are people of color, LGBTQ+, Black and indigenous. The books feature characters, and deal with themes, that reflect the experiences of marginalized communities, Figueroa reported. And while those behind these campaigns hide themselves behind the mask of parental control, what I think they're really concealing is fear: Fear of a country and world that's changing around them. Fear of voices that were kept silent too long who are now speaking up and demanding their seat at the table of power. Perhaps most importantly, fear of the erosion of their own privilege. Books are more than printed matter. They're conduits to an endless universe of knowledge. And they are the greatest democratizer we've ever invented. Take one down off the shelf, read it, and finish it, and it will nudge you to another, and another. Before long, you're navigating the twists and turns of human experience, letting your own curiosity be your guide, allowing it to bring you to places you've never been, and to introduce you to people, places, and cultures you might never have met or experienced on your own. And that's why, when they've sought to erase people and cultures, every authoritarian from the beginning of time until now has destroyed their books and burned their libraries. After the Romans tore down ancient Carthage, brick by brick, and sold its people into slavery in 146 B.C.E., they gave the Carthaginians' books to the city's adversaries, who either destroyed or lost them, silencing them forever. The Nazis held well-documented book burnings in 1933. And in a modern twist, Vladimir Putin's Russia is struggling to keep the truth of its savage invasion of Ukraine from its own people. Last year, students in a Pennsylvania school district about 40 minutes south of Harrisburg made nationwide headlines when they took on and won a reversal of a year-long ban on a list of anti-racism books and educational resources by or about people of color, including children's books that dealt with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. The school board's president, Jane Johnson, told the Washington Post at the time that the board was trying to "balance legitimate academic freedom with what could be literature/materials that are too activist in nature, and may lean more toward indoctrination rather than age-appropriate academic content." Hear that? Indoctrination? That's the voice of fear talking. It's a way to push back, without appearing to push back, against arguments that you're trying to silence or erase those whose voices badly need to be heard. When a student or anyone picks up a book, it's a moment of singular liberation. It's their first step down that hallway of knowledge. It's the start, rather than the end, of the adventure. And there's no telling where it might take them perhaps even to the halls of power themselves. And if they're very lucky, they will have their own Mrs. Bullock to help guide them down those twisting and turning corridors, always nudging them along, gently prodding and testing them, but never, ever standing in their way or blocking the path. Only the fearful do that. An award-winning political journalist, John L. Micek (jmicek@penncapital-star.com) is editor-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star in Harrisburg, Pa. His article was distributed by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. She's best known for her acclaimed body of film work, which earned her an Academy Award. But Viola Davis showed off her talents as a writer on Wednesday, when she sat down with Me Too founder Tarana Burke, 48, for a conversation at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. The 56-year-old actress was on hand to discuss her recently published memoir Finding Me. Talking about herself: Viola Davis, 56, sat down with Me Too founder Tarana Burke on Wednesday at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y to chat about her new memoir Finding Me Viola cut an elegant figure on the event's red carpet with her striking black suit. The blazer featured an unusual zipper rather than buttons and it had strips of black satin running up the lapels. She matched it with baggy pants that swallowed up her figure and reached down to the ground. Just barely peaking out of her pant legs were a set of square-toed black leather boots. Back in black: Viola cut an elegant figure on the event's red carpet with her striking black suit. The blazer featured an unusual zipper rather than buttons and it had strips of black satin running up the lapels On point: She matched it with baggy pants and a set of square-toed black leather boots The Suicide Squad actress wore her lustrous raven tresses parted on the side and cascading down her shoulders in thick waves. She added some additional sparkle to her ensemble with a pair of gold jewel-encrusted hoop earrings, and she wore a striking burgundy lipstick. Moderating the conversation was Tarana Burke, who looked lovely in a flowing red dress while wearing semicircular gold earrings. In Finding Me, which was chosen for Oprah Winfrey's book club, Viola delved into her difficult early days, when several young white boys in an elementary school class would bully her incessantly. She wrote that they 'made it their daily, end-of-school ritual to chase me like dogs hunting prey,' via USA Today. Woman in red: Tarana looked lovely in a flowing red dress while wearing semicircular gold earrings Opening up: In Finding Me, which was chosen for Oprah Winfrey's book club, Viola delved into her difficult early days, when several young white boys in an elementary school class would bully her incessantly Bullied: She wrote that they 'made it their daily, end-of-school ritual to chase me like dogs hunting prey,' via USA Today The Fences star, who was born in South Carolina but later moved with her family to Rhode Island as a child, wrote in her book about dealing with a father addicted to alcohol, who routinely carried on affairs with other women and would beat her mother. In one chilling scene, she describes how he bashed a glass against her mothers face in a moment of anger, covering her in blood. She also described disturbing sexually 'inappropriate behavior' from her older brother when he was left alone with her and her sisters without any parental supervision. Shocking: The Fences star also described how her alcoholic father was physically abusive toward their mother. In one scene, he bloodies her by smashing a glass against her face Chilling: Viola and her sisters also experienced sexually 'inappropriate behavior' from her brother when he was left alone with the girls without parental supervision In other excerpts shared with the newspaper, Viola recalled a conversation she had with Will Smith on the set of Suicide Squad, when he asked her, 'Viola, who are you?' She wrote that the question initially puzzled her. 'Look, Im always going to be that 15-year-old boy whose girlfriend broke up with him,' the King Richard star explained to her. 'Thats always going to be me. So, who are you?' In that moment, she recalled the fears and insecurities that had dogged her since she was a child. 'There I was, a working actress with steady gigs, Broadway credits, multiple industry awards, and a reputation of bringing professionalism and excellence to any project,' she wrote. 'Hell, Oprah knew who I was. Yet, sitting there conversing with Will Smith, I was still that little, terrified, third-grade Black girl.' A feature-length documentary about the life of actor Michael J. Fox will be produced by Apple Original Films. The 60-year-old Canadian actor rose to fame portraying Alex P. Keaton on the 1980s NBC sitcom Family Ties and also starred in the Back To The Future trilogy of films. The untitled documentary will be directed by Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim, according to an article on Wednesday by The Hollywood Reporter. Documentary subject: A feature-length documentary about the life of actor Michael J. Fox, shown last October in New York City, will be produced by Apple Original Films The documentary already is in production with shooting taking place in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver. The description for the project said the documentary will follow 'the improbable tale of an undersized kid from a Canadian army base who rose to the heights of stardom in 1980s Hollywood. The account of Foxs public life, full of nostalgic thrills and cinematic gloss, will unspool alongside his never-before-seen private journey, including the years that followed his diagnosis, at 29, with Parkinsons disease.' 'Intimate and honest, and produced with unprecedented access to Fox and his family, the film will chronicle Foxs personal and professional triumphs and travails, and will explore what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease,' the description added. The documentary is being produced by Guggenheim's Concordia Studio that previously worked with Apple on the documentary Boys State. Hit franchise: The 60-year-old Canadian actor is shown in a still from the 1985 movie Back To The Future Fox has been married since 1988 to actress Tracy Pollan, 61, and they have four children together. His film credits also include: Teen Wolf, The Secrets Of My Success, Casualties Of War and Doc Hollywood. Fox returned to television in the ABC sitcom Spin City from 1996 to 2000. Going strong: Fox has been married since 1988 to actress Tracy Pollan, shown together in August 2021 in New York, and they have four children together He publicly disclosed in 1998 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease seven years earlier. The actor founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 to help fund research into the degenerative disorder. Fox won five Primetime Emmy Awards and in 2002 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the author of four books including his 2020 memoir No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality. He has just been awarded a 'Champions of the Earth' Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his dedication to the natural world and climate change. And Sir David Attenborough has also enjoyed one of the most profitable years of his almost seven decade long career. The naturalist, 95, who continues to publish books and make TV programmes, has amassed 1.8million in the year to last September. Icon: Sir David Attenborough, 95, has made 1.8million in profit as he has enjoyed one of the most rewarding years of his career Newly filed accounts for his business, David Attenborough (Produtions) Ltd, disclose that it's sitting on a cash pile of 2.8million, up from 1.9million the previous year. Sir David, who turns 96 next month, has bills to pay - including to the taxman - of 1.3million, giving him a profit of 1.8million for last year. The shareholders are Sir David, his son Robert and daughter Susan and his wife, Jane, passed away in 1997. On screen: Accounts for his business disclose that it's sitting on a cash pile of 2.8million, up from 1.9million the previous year (Pictured on The Green Planet in January 2022) Sir Davids career as a broadcaster, natural historian, author, and environmental advocate spans over six decades. He is most famous for his work with the BBCs Natural History Unit, including documentaries such as Life on Earth, the Living Planet, Our Planet and Our Blue Planet. Last week, Sir David was awarded the 'Champions of the Earth' Lifetime Achievement Award by the UN's Environment Programme (UNEP). Success: Last week, Sir David was awarded the 'Champions of the Earth' Lifetime Achievement Award by the UN's Environment Programme (Pictured at a UN conference in November 2021) The UN Environment Programmes 'Champions of the Earth' honours individuals, groups, and organisations whose actions have had a transformative impact on the environment. Upon receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Sir David urged action to prevent further destruction of the planet. 'The world has to get together. These problems cannot be solved by one nation no matter how big that single nation is,' he said. 'We know what the problems are and we know how to solve them. All we lack is unified action. 'Fifty years ago, whales were on the very edge of extinction worldwide. Then people got together and now there are more whales in the sea than any living human being has ever seen. 'If we act together, we can solve these problems.' 40 years difference: Upon receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Sir David urged action to prevent further destruction of the planet (Pictured in January 2022 on The Green Planet) The much-loved broadcaster first presented the BBC's Zoo Quest in 1954, with the initial series filmed in Sierra Leone. The naturalist, was pictured meeting the residents of a village, who were amazed when he played back recordings to them. The intention of the programme was to film Jack Lester and his fellow zoologist Alfred Woods as they collected animals for London Zoo. Throwback: The much-loved broadcaster first presented the BBC's Zoo Quest in 1954, with the initial series filmed in Sierra Leone (Pictured in the show's second series in 1956) Incredible: The naturalist, was pictured meeting the residents of a village, who were amazed when he played back recordings to them (Pictured in 1956) He then stepped in when Lester fell ill with an unknown tropical illness and passed away from his mysterious ailment in 1956. In the show's second series, in 1956, Sir David, aged 30, was seen shirtless and clutching a bottle of water as he sailed in Borneo in search of the Komodo dragon. Whilst it was initially believed that the Zoo Quest series' had been shot in black and white - because that was how they aired on British screens - it later emerged that they had been filmed in colour. Whilst it was initially believed that the Zoo Quest series' had been shot in black and white the BBC unearthed the original colour footage in 2015 (Pictured in 1956) The original colour footage was discovered by the BBC in 2015 and was shown the following year to mark Sir David's 90th birthday. The places and animals that he encountered were entirely unfamiliar to the Britons watching back in the UK and the show made him a household name. Sir David went on to front dozens of nature programmes on the BBC, with his latest project, Prehistoric Planet, set for release next month. She's set to give birth to her third child in a matter of weeks. And on Thursday, Tammy Hembrow hinted she's already named her unborn daughter as she addressed her 14.5million Instagram followers in a video taken in her car. In the footage, the 27-year-old influencer was pictured sporting a gold necklace with the initials 'W', 'S' and 'P' as charms. Hint: On Thursday, Tammy Hembrow hinted she's already named her unborn daughter as addressed her 14.5million Instagram followers in a video taken in her car While the first two letters are obviously in honour of her children Wolf, six and Saskia, five, the latter perhaps hints the name of her third child will begin with a letter 'P'. However, it could also be 'P' for 'Poole', her fiance Matt's last name. Tammy said in the clip: 'Guys, there's three car seats in my car right now and I don't know how to act about it! W, S and... P? While the first two letters are obviously in honour of her children Wolf, six and Saskia, five, the latter perhaps hints the name of her third child will begin with a letter 'P' 'It's freaking me out a little bit, I just got the baby seat installed. It's just blown my mind that there's going to be a whole other little person in my car soon. Crazy!' It comes days after Tammy - who shares Saskia and Wolf with her ex-fiance Reece Hawkins - admitted she's scared she won't be able to love her newborn daughter as much as her eldest children. In an emotional Instagram post, the expectant mother confessed: 'Crazy to think Ill be meeting her soon not gonna lie Ive been having some of the anxious weird feelings I remember having before I welcomed Sass.' 'Do any other mamas feel like this?' It comes days after Tammy admitted she's scared she won't be able to love her newborn daughter as much as her eldest children 'That feeling of how can you possibly love another soul as much as the little ones already here. Or the guilt that you will have to give your time and attention to another. Allllll the emotions,' she lamented. Tammy went on to ask: 'Any other mamas feel like this?' before adding: 'I know all these feelings are just going to fade away as soon as shes here.' She ended her caption on an optimistic note, writing: 'This little girl was meant for me & my heart just keeps growing.' Growing brood: The influencer shares daughter Saskia, five, (left) and son Wolf, six, (Right) with ex-fiance Reece Hawkins Fears: In an emotional Instagram post, the expectant mother admitted she was questioning 'how can you possibly love another soul as much as the little ones already here'. The activewear entrepreneur accompanied her caption with two photos of herself posing with her huge baby bump on display in tiny pink lingerie The pot came after Tammy was forced to defend herself after she was criticised for jetting off to the Maldives for a babymoon while 32 weeks pregnant. The businesswoman flew business class with Singapore Airlines last weekend, joined by her children and fiance. 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. Baby joy! Tammy is expecting a baby girl with fiance Matt Poole (left) Case of the ex: Tammy's former fiance Reece is married to Texan influencer London Goheen. The pair share a son named Stone (all pictured) '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.' Criticism: It comes after Tammy was forced to defend herself after she was criticised for jetting to the Maldives for a 'babymoon' while 32 weeks pregnant. (Pictured on the flight over) '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.' 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. 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 '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. 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 recently enjoyed a lavish babymoon in the Maldives (pictured at her villa with Saskia, Wolf and Matt) 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. Not long now! Tammy showed off her huge baby bump while on holiday An average flight time from Tammy's home in the Gold Coast to the Maldives is approximately 17 hours. Tammy revealed her pregnancy back in December, just two weeks after she and Matt announced their engagement. Her ex Reece meanwhile is married to Texan influencer London Goheen. The pair share a son named Stone. Salma Hayek paid a gushing tribute to her Magic Mike 3 co-star Channing Tatum as she celebrated his 42nd birthday. The actress, 55, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a fun video of the two dancing in a trailer as they marked his big day amid filming for the upcoming movie. It comes after Salma replaced Thandiwe Newton in the film following an alleged bust-up with the show's star Channing. The 49-year-old went on to praise Channing in a post shared on Thursday, hailing him as the 'loveliest' amid their reported feud. Fun: Salma Hayek paid a gushing tribute to her Magic Mike 3 co-star Channing Tatum as she celebrated his 42nd birthday Salma and Channing looked in high spirits as they danced around together in a trailer which was decorated for the special occasion. Birthday boy Channing donned a pink birthday cake headband as he showed off his dance moves with the Mexican-American actress. While Salma looked radiant in a floral print summer dress and a bright orange cardigan, while her brunette locks cascaded down her back. Salma penned: 'Happy Birthday Channing!!!! Youre such a Joy to be around. Feliz cumpleanos @channingtatum' Celebrations: The actress took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a video of the two dancing in a trailer as they marked his big day amid filming for the upcoming movie Salma has been pictured on set for Magic Mike 3 in London, shooting her first scenes opposite Channing Tatum after taking over the role from Thandiwe. Thandiwe exited the film earlier this month after just 11 days of shooting, following an alleged bust-up with the movie's producer and star Channing over Will Smith 's Oscars slap - she has denied the incident. While Salma shot her scenes in London's Clapham, Thandiwe was pictured 5,000 miles away in Malibu over the weekend, seemingly confirming the end of their 23-year marriage with a very public display of affection with musician Lonr, 25. Salma was pictured in the same costume which Thandiwe was previously pictured wearing on set last month, as she shared a conversation with Channing in between takes for the film, which is reportedly focusing on the female lead and not Channing's character Mike. Taking over: Salma was pictured on the Magic Mike 3 set in London, shooting her first scenes opposite Channing Tatum on Sunday after taking over the role from Thandiwe who exited the movie after 11 days of filming (Thandiwe pictured right on set on March 31) What drama? The 49-year-old went on to praise Channing in a post shared on Thursday, hailing him as the 'loveliest' amid their reported feud Earlier this month 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. 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. Playful: The duo looked in high spirits as they danced around together in a trailer which was decorated for the special occasion Tribute: Salma penned: 'Happy Birthday Channing!!!! Youre such a Joy to be around. Feliz cumpleanos @channingtatum' 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. Praise: It comes after Thandiwe shared her support for Salma Hayak's 2017 film Beatriz at Dinner after the actress recently replaced her in Magic Mike 3 Big fan: The actress proved their was no hard feelings towards Salma as she took to Instagram stories on Saturday to share an image of the Mexican-American beauty's previous film A spokesperson for Thandiwe told MailOnline: 'This report is completely inaccurate.' Despite the drama, Thandiwe recently shared her support for Salma Hayak's 2017 film Beatriz at Dinner after the actress recently replaced her in Magic Mike 3. The actress proved their was no hard feelings towards Salma as she took to Instagram stories on Saturday to share an image of the beauty's previous film. Thandiwe gushed: 'I love you' as she went on to share her admiration for the Miguel Arteta directed film about a holistic medicine practitioner who is left is stranded at a client's house after driving to visit her. She wrote: 'For me, no finer performance, no finer film, about the real questions we need to be asking.' Taking her place: Thandiwe gushed: 'I love you' as she went on to share her admiration for the Miguel Arteta directed film [Salma and Thandiwe pictured in 2018] It comes as Thandiwe seemingly confirmed the end of her 23-year marriage to Ol Parker as she was pictured putting on a very public display of affection with musician Lonr, 25. The Hollywood star, dressed in a green print fleece, khaki cargo trousers and bucket hat, gave credence to the whirling speculation that she had parted ways with her director husband by stopping for a passionate kiss and holding hands with the rapper, 25, in Malibu. The embattled actress, who it has been said is heading to rehab, ditched her wedding ring and diverted her attention from recent adversity by lapping up some time in the balmy temperatures with the California native, whose real name is Elijah Dias. Accessorising with a round pair of sunglasses and toting a leopard print bag, Thandiwe, who has also faced an acrimonious exit from Magic Mike 3, appeared in very content spirits as she interlocked her fingers with Lonr's whilst walking alongside each other. Romance: It comes as Thandiwe seemingly confirmed the end of her 23-year marriage to Ol Parker as she was pictured putting on a very public display of affection with musician Lonr, 25 At 25, Lonr is only a mere four years older than Thandiwe and Ol's eldest child, their 21-year-old daughter Ripley. Lonr told The Post that all parties involved were focused on the welfare of Thandiwe's children when approached for comment on the new relationship, explaining: 'From the relatively short time I've been fortunate to spend with her, I know Thandiwe and Oliver care deeply about the welfare of their children. That's all I care about right now.' The pair filled their weekend with plenty of quality time, which included a spot of retail therapy and winding down with a bite to eat. The award-winning actress has joined her estranged husband in removing her wedding ring, as the director was spotted without his earlier this week as he left his London home. Estranged: It has been reported 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 (pictured together in 2018) Lonr, born in April 1997, entered the music industry with single A.M and he released his debut EP titled Land of Nothing Real, his stage name's acronym, in 2020. He is a credible songwriter and has received nominations for multiple Grammy Awards for contributing to H.E.R's projects in 2019. It has been reported 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. Ol is a British filmmaker who previously wrote and directed the 2018 musical film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. 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.' Thandiwe has reportedly been urged to seek mental health support following the break-up of her marriage - and an alleged bust-up with Magic Mike co-star Channing Tatum over Will Smith 's Oscars slap - which she has denied. The star has previously told how she has suffered 'a number of breakdowns' in her troubled past, as well as discussing her heartbreaking experiences of sexual abuse, racism and bulimia during her time in the industry. Toyboy: At 25, Lonr is only a mere four years older than Thandiwe and Ol's eldest child, their 21-year-old daughter Ripley (pictured far right with her parents and sister Nico) Musician: Lonr, born in April 1997, entered the music industry with single A.M and he released his debut EP titled Land of Nothing Real, his stage name's acronym, in 2020 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. The Bafta-winning actress has said the relationship left her feeling 'self-destructive' and said she has only spoken about it 'so teenagers can see they can resist and gain self-awareness'. Chrishell Stause has revealed that she considered quitting Selling Sunset amid her very public divorce from her ex husband This Is Us actor Justin Hartley. The reality star and real estate agent, 40, has told how the 'humiliating' experience made her reassess her position as star on the show as she had to film while dealing with her heartbreak. Chrishell and Justin's split aired during series three and the star claimed she was 'blindsided' when her then-husband text to say he had filed for divorce. Tough: Chrishell Stause has revealed that she considered quitting Selling Sunset amid her very public divorce from her ex husband This Is Us actor Justin Hartley Speaking on the on the Dear Media podcast Lipstick on the Rim, the star said she made the decision to continue with the show to further her real estate career. She explained: 'The divorce was the most public and humiliating thing you could ever go through. I still had to film a reality show, it was carry on with that or quit and I wanted this new career so I stayed in the end. 'I pushed through and I just had to be open and I think that is better than pretending everything is ok. 'Therapy is an amazing tool. I didn't have much control over how it went down so I had to look after myself. Difficult: The reality star and real estate agent, 40, has told how the 'humiliating' experience made her reassess her position as star on the show as she had to film while dealing with her heartbreak (pictured with Justin in 2019) She also opened up about the 'cathartic' process of writing her new book Under Construction: Because Living My Best Life Took a Little Work. Chrishell began working on the book at the start of the pandemic just before the coronavirus pandemic hit and told how she had changed as a person once it was over. She said: 'I was going through a lot of heavy things, we were locked down so there wasn't anything to do. By the end of the book I was in such a better head space. You should always be working on yourself. I get a lot of people connect to what I write about and talk about.' During the candid interview she also discussed being on Selling Sunset where she alluded to set up story lines and meetings. Ouch: Chrishell and Justin's split aired during series three and the star claimed she was 'blindsided' when her then-husband text to say he had filed for divorce She said: 'The show has been such a blessing but you are put in difficult situations and that you would never normally put yourself in but I have learnt to deal with it because of all the good things the show has brought to me. 'It's got pros and cons but there are more pros. They are not necessarily the people or conversations I would be having but yeah.' 'It was hard promoting the show when people don't get on, but it looks like things are going in the right direction.' The recently-released series five of the show followed Chrishell's new relationship with brokerage owner Jason Oppenheim, who she eventually splits up with due to him not wanting children. New love: Series five followed Chrishell's new relationship with brokerage owner Jason Oppenheim, who she eventually splits up with due to him not wanting children Now single again, she said about dating: 'I am keeping an open mind. It is important when you're happy in yourself and I'm not thinking about it too much. I have entered into a new era of my life now where I am so content. 'The show has made it harder to date, I show up to a date and the person across the table knows all these things about me as my life has all been documented. Or it may be that people have seen the show and think 'oh I know who you would be good for'. On the show Chrishell admitted her relationship with Jason is the first time she had 'felt fully like herself' with another person, making an unsubtle jibe at her ex-husband Justin, who she split from in 2019. The actress made the admission in the first episode of the new series, before her sister Shonda admitted she felt that Justin was 'disrespectful' to her during their marriage and she would sometimes 'cover' for him. During a chat with her friend and colleague Mary Fitzgerald while away in Greece on a group trip, Chrishell is seen discussing her new relationship. While sipping on cocktails with their legs dangling in the pool, Chrishell says: I feel like it's the first time I've really been my full self and I don't have to change anything. 'It's kind of nice to just kind of be ourselves instead of hiding everything. We just wanted to figure out what it was before we opened it up to everyone else's opinions on it. 'It's like backwards of any relationship I've ever been in. I've just been myself because of the way it started and it was nothing romantic. We didn't see each other that way for a long time.' Having her say: On series five Chrishell admitted her relationship with Jason is the first time she had 'felt fully like herself' with another person, making a subtle jibe at Jaosn Chrishell touched on a time when she hired a private chef to cook a meal and ushered him away before her date arrive. Suggesting she would rely on false pretences before enjoying an honest relationship with Jason. The reality personality did not mention the name of the person she hired a private chef for. Chrishell then continued: 'You know, he had a type before, so did I. I loved... I had a height thing, I'll be honest! I didn't even see him like that. 'It's so funny, it's so opposite of what I would've imagined. Just like the ultimate respect from both sides for each other, that is just something I've never had before,' she adds as Mary nods beside her.' Sad: Chrishell's sister Shonda admitted she felt that Justin was 'disrespectful' to her during their marriage and she would sometimes 'cover' for him, in dramatic series five scenes Bookending the series with another chat about her ex-husband, Chrishell once again threw shade at the actor during a chat with her sisters on the series finale. Shonda, who was also joined by another of their sisters Sabrina, admitted: 'I feel like with your last relationship, there was some criticism. A lot of what you did, I don't think that he took you seriously. 'A lot of your jobs, he acted like they were not real jobs. And this was your life. This was your job. You worked so hard for it.' Sabrina added: 'There are just some instances in the past where it felt like you were covering for your partner at the time. Maybe they were doing something that was a little disrespectful and you were, like, standing up for them and trying to cover for them and it was just so sad that you felt like you had to kind of pretend to be something else.' Chrishell agreed with her sisters, and added: 'I don't even, like, think about this anymore. But the second that you, like, my memory hits of what you're talking about, I'm like, 'Who was I?' I don't even know who that was.' 'And I really do respect and value your opinions. You know, I feel like I'm in a place where I'm so much different and I'm so much more grown than I was and I'm a fully realized person at this point. 'Not a version of what I think somebody wants me to be. Since their divorce, Justin went public with and later married Sofia Pernas, 32, in March 2021. Chrishell's relationship with Jason came to an end in December 2021. The cast of Married At First Sight finally regained access to their social media channels this week, after Channel Nine took control for the duration of the show. But on Thursday, Yahoo! Lifestyle reported that the network has given a stark warning to the cast about how they should be using their platform. The publication claims that the stars have been advised to 'move on' from the show and focus on their own futures, rather than reignite feuds with co-stars. Warning: On Thursday, Yahoo! Lifestyle reported that Channel Nine has given a stark warning to the cast about how they should be using their social media platforms. Pictured: Ella Ding A source said: 'Since the finale aired, the cast has essentially divided in two, with each side leaking stories and taking swipes at the other in the media to try and come out on top. 'It's all become very childish, and Channel Nine worry that now they've all got their accounts back they'll use them to stir drama and try to tear each other down even more. 'The cast have essentially been told to just move on and focus on their future instead.' Back: As of Wednesday, the brides and grooms all have access to their Instagram accounts again and are free to post whatever they like without approval from Nine's social media team. Pictured: Tamara Djordjevic Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for further comment. As of Wednesday, the brides and grooms all have access to their Instagram accounts again and are free to post whatever they like without approval from Nine's social media team. During the show's run, Nine had final say on all their Instagram activity, including the wording of captions and the ability to respond to direct messages. 'We are very proactive in this space, and care for the health and wellbeing of the participants,' the network said was the reasoning behind the move at the time. 'As a result of the level of interest in the participant's personal lives and volume of commentary on every post, Nine manages all individual MAFS social accounts with their permission, as an extra measure of protecting them from negativity.' Jab: One cast member who couldn't resist taking a swipe at his ex was Brent Vitiello (left), who endured a tumultuous relationship with Tamara Djordjevic (right) on the show Parting dig: On Wednesday, the 33-year-old hospitality worker changed the bio on his profile to: 'Good luck, good riddance' One cast member who couldn't resist taking a swipe at his ex was Brent Vitiello, who was married to Tamara Djordjevic on the show. After gaining access to his account this week, he changed his Instagram bio to 'Good luck, good riddance'. Viewers might remember the powerful words were the last thing Brett said to Tamara at final vows, shortly after calling her 'vindictive, spiteful and self-absorbed'. Brent uttered the words right before he tossed his speech in the air and stormed off set, leaving Tamara staring ahead in shock. Georgia Toffolo has revealed that Victoria Beckham helped her to overcome her insecurities with acne as a teenager. The former Made In Chelsea star, 27, said she has battled with acne since she was 13 and still deals with it now. Speaking on Thursday's episode of Lorraine, Georgia said she read an article about Victoria Beckham's skin, saying she was the first celebrity she had ever seen who's battle with acne was discussed. Candid: Georgia Toffolo has revealed that Victoria Beckham helped her to overcome her insecurities with acne as a teenager She said: 'When I was younger, I always struggled with acne. When I woke up this morning, I thought, "my skin is looking great today". It's such a rarity, it's got to be celebrated. 'I thought back, there was really no one in the public eye who had spots like I did. It started when I was 13. I'm 27 now and I've still got them. 'I opened a newspaper and there was a ghastly article talking about Victoria Beckham and her struggles with acne but it brought me so much comfort. 'I try to be really open about it because everyone suffers with spots, from young men to middle-aged women; everyone gets them. Throwback: Georgia said she read an article about Victoria Beckham's skin, saying she was the first celebrity she had ever seen who's battle with acne was discussed publicly (Victoria pictured in 2007) Georgia, who was promoting her new book Meet Me At The Wedding, added: 'Back then, it really was only Victoria Beckham and she didn't talk about it, it was the press.' Victoria has used her expertise around skincare to develop her own cosmetics range, Victoria Beckham Beauty, which launched in 2019. It comes after Georgia recently returned from a trip to South Africa on an 'epic adventure'. In a snap from the holiday, Georgia looked gorgeous in a knitted keyhole bra top which she wore with a matching skirt. She said: 'I opened a newspaper and there was a ghastly article talking about Victoria Beckham and her struggles with acne but it brought me so much comfort' Skincare: The former Made In Chelsea star said she has battled with acne since she was 13 and still deals with it now Outfit: Georgia looked sensational in a white crop top with a matching skirt with a high leg split Sensational: The star let her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders and also sported alight pallet of makeup New venture: The star was promoting her new book Meet Me At The Wedding Posing for the camera, her hip dropped to one side, the blonde beauty showed off her fantastically toned midriff. The strapless top clung to the Made In Chelsea stars enviable assets, with a racy cut out at the centre. Captioning the snap: 'Not sure Ill be wearing this in London! Sad to be leaving South Africa, but looking forward to seeing my pup after a epic adventure. I cant wait to show you on @thismorning'. The former I'm a Celebrity contestant, visited Kenya on another glamorous trip last month. 'Not sure I'll be wearing this in London': It comes after Georgia recently returned from a trip to South Africa on an 'epic adventure' Blonde beauty: The former I'm a Celebrity contestant visited Kenya on another glamorous trip last month (pictured in March) The reality TV regular went on to shared photos of her adventures, in one picture she posed with a pair of elephants at an orphanage. Writing: 'Up early to go to the elephant orphanage just outside of Nairobi, It is the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world!' The star also shared videos of her holiday, one of which was filmed by her friend and The Island With Bear Grylls star Barnes Thomas - who joined her on the trip. The pals enjoyed a boating adventure on the ocean, where they swam and spotted dolphins. However Georgia also posted that the group were covered in "guts" after they attempted to catch fish. Married At First Sight star Jessika Power is blissfully happy in her relationship with British podcaster Connor Thompson. And on Thursday, the 30-year-old praised her partner for always 'treating her right' in their romance - while taking a swipe at Australian suitors in the process. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Jessika said: 'I had to fly half way around the world to find the right guy that treats you right. Love: On Thursday, Jessika Power (right) praised her partner Connor Thompson (left) for 'treating her right' in a new interview - while taking a swipe at Australian suitors in the process 'I think I have had the worst relationships ever, and been through every toxic c**p you can think of.' She added that it was nice to have found a boyfriend who is 'so secure in himself and trusting', and now understands that this is how all relationships should be. Jessika, who now lives with Connor in Manchester with their pet dog Sushi, said she never thought she'd find anyone capable of fitting in with her busy lifestyle. However, she said Connor 'doesn't let [my lifestyle] affect our relationship'. Romance: She said it is nice to have found a boyfriend who is 'so secure in himself and trusting', and now understands that this is how all relationships should be 'I have learnt in my life not to take things in leaps and bounds any more, and to just enjoy the moment and that is what we are doing,' she added. Jessika first found fame on season six of Married At First Sight Australia after cheating on her husband Mick Gould with their co-star Dan Webb. But now the star lives in Manchester, and has applied for residency in the UK, where she has been living on a work visa for the past few months. It comes after the blonde gave an update on her financial status, boasting she 'no longer worries about money' after joining the adult subscription service OnlyFans. Remember this? Jessika first found fame on season six of Married At First Sight Australia after cheating on her husband Mick Gould with their co-star Dan Webb (left) Loaded: It comes after the blonde gave an update on her financial status, boasting she 'no longer worries about money' after joining the adult subscription service OnlyFans 'I've had it since August last year and I am able to purchase two new houses... guess it's worth it,' she said in a video on her Instagram Stories in February. 'I've also funded my whole lifestyle to come here [The UK], I flew first class, I just bought tickets to Dubai in business class,' she continued. Jessika, who earns up to $120,000 per quarter as an adult model, told The Daily Telegraph she wants to use the website 'for good'. 'I have always used my platform to talk about confidence, body confidence, self-esteem and female empowerment,' she explained. Amanda Bynes reunited with fiance Paul Michael just hours after accusing him of using drugs, watching disturbing pornography and vandalizing his mom's home following an explosive argument that led to a 911 call. Amanda and Paul shared a kiss as they were seen stepping out together on Thursday mid-morning in LA for a loved up display. The troubled actress, 36, had taken to her Instagram stories on Thursday to publicly claim he has stopped taking his medications and she declared she had 'kicked him out' of her house over his 'alarming behavior'. 'I'm afraid of what he'll do,' Amanda said, alleging that she found his 'stash of crack cocaine' and that he had put 'salmon under' his mom's bed. Right before her Instagram stories, Paul called police to their home at 2:30am during a verbal dispute with the star and accused her of taking his Adderall and calling her 'out of control,' according to TMZ. The latest: Amanda Bynes reunited with fiance Paul Michael just hours after accusing him of using drugs, watching disturbing pornography and vandalizing his mom's home following an explosive argument Hours later: Amanda and Paul shared a kiss as they were seen stepping out together on Thursday mid-morning in LA for a loved up display Amanda and Paul shared a laugh and a kiss, as they showcased PDA on their outing just hours after their dispute. The actress wore a gray T-shirt with jeans and a beanie while cuddling up to Paul, who donned a jean and hoodie style top with sweats for their outing together. Their very public display of love appears to confirm the engaged couple have reconciled after their explosive argument just hours earlier. During the 2:30 am call to the police, Paul had told the police she kicked him out of the house but he stayed there until they arrived, per the outlet's source with the LAPD. Drama: The troubled actress, 36, had taken to her Instagram stories on Thursday to publicly claim he has stopped taking his medications and she declared she had 'kicked him out' of her house over his 'alarming behavior' He spoke to the dispatcher and told them they were in a verbal dispute. According to the outlet, he reportedly went to his Instagram and said he didn't know 'what the f**k she's talking about.' Amanda's lawyer David Esquibias gave People a statement on Thursday morning after the accusations and cop visit. David said: 'Amanda and Paul had an argument Wednesday evening. Amanda left her home, where Paul has been residing, for her safety before the situation escalated. She was not there when police arrived.' 'Amanda is now back home and denies Paul's claims of taking his medication. She remains focused on her well-being,' he said to the outlet. All smoothed over: Amanda and Paul shared a laugh and a kiss, as they showcased PDA on their outing just hours after their dispute Staying close: The actress wore a gray T-shirt with jeans and a beanie while cuddling up to Paul, who donned a jean and hoodie style top with sweats for their outing together Close: The actress wore a gray T-shirt with jeans and a beanie while cuddling up to Paul, who donned a jean and hoodie style top with sweats for their outing together Drama: Their very public display of love appears to confirm the engaged couple have reconciled after their explosive argument just hours earlier Stepping out: During the 2:30 am call to the police, Paul had told the police she kicked him out of the house but he stayed there until they arrived, per the outlet's source with the LAPD In conversation: He spoke to the dispatcher and told them they were in a verbal dispute Hours before, Amanda posted a snap of Paul to her stories as he lounged on the couch. Amanda spoke directed to the camera next, listing out the accusations against her fiance. 'Paul told me he stopped taking his medications. I looked at his phone and he was looking at mom and son porn.' Adding: 'He vandalized his mom's home, he broke all of her pictures and he put salmon under her bed. His behavior is alarming and I'm afraid of what he'll do.' Shocking: The troubled actress spoke directly on her stories as she claimed he stopped taking his medications and watching disturbing porn, calling his 'behavior alarming' and revealing she 'kicked him out of' her house Accusations: 'I'm afraid of what he'll do,' Amanda said, adding that she found his 'stash of crack cocaine' and that he put 'salmon under' his mom's bed 'I forgot to mention I found Paul's stash of crack cocaine. He's been using for the past six months. He needs serious house. I kicked him out of my house.' Hours prior, Paul was seen smoking on her stories. She deleted the stories of her accusations from her Instagram and posted a new one of her in the car, noting a correction. Amanda said in the stories posted at around 7 am PST: 'Correction. Paul looked up Milfs, moms and sons just popped up. Also, I went to CVS, bought a drug test. Paul tested clean. Paul's clean. Also I had something in my teeth in the last video.' Troubling: Amanda spoke directed to the camera next, listing out the accusations against her fiance Allegations: Amanda said in her stories: 'Paul told me he stopped taking his medications. I looked at his phone and he was looking at mom and son porn' Candid: She deleted the stories of her accusations from her Instagram and posted a new one of her in the car, noting a correction Prior: Amanda shared a glam video of herself on Wednesday night Her fiance: Paul appeared on her stories one day prior smoking On Tuesday, Amanda released her second song with Paul, titled 'Fairfax.' Two weeks earlier, Amanda released a clip of her single titled Diamonds, which she made with Paul. Amanda and Paul met at a sober living home in late 2019 and got engaged the following year. The What I Like About You star's lawyer David A. Esquibias told ET that Amanda and Michael put the track together amid the initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. The shocking accusations come just one month after a conservatorship her parents presided over since 2013 was terminated in Ventura County Superior Court in Oxnard, California. New: On Tuesday, Amanda released her second song with Paul, titled 'Fairfax' Couple: Two weeks earlier, Amanda released a clip of her single titled Diamonds, which she made with Paul 'The court determines that the conservatorship is no longer required and that grounds for establishment of a conservatorship of the person no longer exist,' Judge Roger Lund said in court docs from last month. Amanda was placed under the conservatorship in 2013 amid a series of legal issues, and problems with mental health and substance abuse. Last month, the judge said that the actress had proven she was adept to deal with her health issues without oversight from her parents, who did not object to the change in plans. When the conservatorship was initially implemented in 2013, the star's parents Rick and Lynn Bynes said in court docs they were worried Amanda could harm herself or other people unless they were able to oversee her medical affairs and finances. Her parents said they were concerned she could undergo potentially perilous plastic surgery, and told the court the actress believed she was being monitored through her vehicle's dashboard and smoke detectors in her home. Legal: The shocking accusations come just one month after a conservatorship her parents presided over since 2013 was terminated in Ventura County Superior Court in Oxnard, California Amanda told ET following the ruling that she was focused on her education and work on a fragrance product she was planning on releasing in the future. 'I am continuing with my Bachelor's Degree at FIDM, majoring in Creative Industry Studies with a core in Beauty Marketing and Product Development,' Amanda told the outlet, noting that she was 'traveling to New York in June to work on developing a fragrance.' Amanda found fame as a child star at the age of 13 on Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show, and went on to have success on shows such as All That and What I Like About You. She was also featured in films including She's the Man, What a Girl Wants and Hairspray, with her last appearance in a motion picture coming in 2010's Easy A. She said on Twitter that year that she was retiring from her acting career, writing, 'Being an actress isn't as fun as it may seem. If I don't love something anymore I stop doing it. I don't love acting anymore so I've stopped doing it.' Summit could mark milestone in bilateral ties Incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden are scheduled to hold their first summit in Seoul on May 21 to discuss how to strengthen the alliance and deepen the partnership between the two countries. The summit will come only 11 days after Yoon is sworn in as president May 10. This will mark the earliest-ever meeting between the leaders of the allies following a South Korean president's inauguration. Both Seoul and Washington certainly feel the urgent need for better ties and enhanced cooperation amid growing North Korean military threats, the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine and the escalating rivalry between the U.S. and China. Thus, Yoon and Biden are expected to work together closely to open a new era in bilateral relations. It is worth noting that Yoon has already promised to further develop the two countries' comprehensive strategic alliance not only in defense and security but also in other areas such as the economy, trade, technology and climate change. Biden also needs South Korea's cooperation in bilateral, regional and international issues as he is vying to regain the U.S.' global leadership and restoring its alliance and partnership with like-minded democracies. Most of all, the two leaders should take advantage of their scheduled summit to upgrade the bilateral alliance to better cope with mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has conducted 13 launches of different types of missiles, including a hypersonic ballistic missile, so far this year. It even test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, scrapping its self-imposed moratorium on ICBM and nuclear tests. More seriously, its leader Kim Jong-un recently threatened to use nuclear weapons. There are also concerns that Pyongyang may conduct a seventh nuclear test as early as next month. Against the backdrop, Yoon and Biden need to work out a new strategy to prevent the recalcitrant North from making further provocations. They are likely to discuss ways of deploying U.S. strategic assets to South Korea to enhance deterrence against possible nuclear attacks from North Korea. Beefing up the bilateral security alliance is, no doubt, crucial to ensure peace and stability on the peninsula and in the region. It is also necessary for the two presidents to hammer out measures to lure the North back to dialogue and prod it to move toward denuclearization. Yoon and Biden are also predicted to accelerate the economic partnership between the two allies. Bilateral technology cooperation is necessary for the U.S. to establish its own supply chain for semiconductors and other strategic goods. They are likely to discuss cooperation in the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific to counter China's growing influence in the region. In addition, Biden is expected to ask Yoon to mend ties with Japan in order to push for trilateral cooperation, while calling for Korea's active participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a U.S.-led security partnership involving Australia, Japan and India. We hope that Seoul and Washington will make successful results in the May 21 summit to open a new chapter in bilateral ties and upgrade their alliance to a more comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect, trust and cooperation. Katie Price has broken her silence after her court appearance as she shared a video complaining about her sister's driving skills. The former glamour model, 43, was joined by her younger sister Sophie in the clip as the pair sat in Sophie's car and Katie complained: 'We're lost'. The clip comes as Katie's boyfriend Carl Woods has promised that he will marry the reality star and have children with her as he spent time with her kids. Video: Katie Price has broken her silence after her court appearance as she shared a video complaining about her sister's driving skills In her video, Katie spoke to the camera and said: 'Good evening everyone well, do you want to know about my evening? 'Well I just dropped the kids off and now I've been driving around in the countryside, been going around in circles for ages. 'Why? Because my sister doesn't know how to follow her own sat nav and now she's getting moody and saying "I'm tired". 'It's not hard to look at a sat nav and drive I mean come on Soph, you're a woman, you should know how to do two things at once.' Future: The clip comes as Katie's boyfriend Carl Woods has promised that he will marry the reality star and have children with her as he spent time with her kids (pictured with her daughter Princess) Meanwhile, Carl took part in an Instagram Q&A where he discussed his future plans with Katie while hanging out with her children Junior, 16, Princess, 14, Jett, eight, and Bunny, seven. When asked by one fan: 'Will you marry Katie? And do you want more children?', there was no doubt in Carl's mind as he quickly replied: 'Yes and yes'. Further professing his love for the TV star, who is also mother to son Harvey, 19, Carl replied 'for sure' when he was asked if Katie is 'the one'. Another follower asked Carl: 'What's your favourite thing about Katie?' to which he said: 'Everything'. Drive: The former glamour model was joined by her younger sister Sophie in the clip as the pair sat in Sophie's car and Katie complained: 'We're lost' Clip: In her video, Katie spoke to the camera and said: 'Good evening everyone well, do you want to know about my evening?' (Katie's sister Sophie pictured) Moments after the final queston, Princess popped up on Carl's Instagram Stories and said she was behind the answers. She said: 'Hey guys, it was all me. I answered all of these wonderful questions. So I did six not five but y'know.' Katie risked being in contempt of court on Wednesday by filming inside a magistrate's court building and posting it on Instagram. The model appeared at Crawley Magistrate's Court where she denied breaching a restraining order against her ex-husband's fiancee over a message in which she accused the pair of having an affair. During her brief appearance, she filmed a five second video from inside the court building showing photographers outside, and posted it to her Instagram story for her 2.7million followers. Family: Carl took part in an Instagram Q&A where he discussed his future plans with Katie, saying he wants them to have children However, filming inside court and publishing such a video is illegal under section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act and could be regarded as contempt if it amounts to an interference with the administration of justice. Punishment for contempt is at the judge's discretion but could result in fines up to 1,000 or a prison sentence. In the video, Katie could be heard saying 'that is my life today', referring to the dozens of photographers positioned outside who had taken pictures of her arriving at court. The mother-of-five is said to have sent Kieran Hayler a message on January 21 this year in which she branded his new partner, Michelle Penticost, a 'c***ing whore' and a 'gutter s**g'. Loved-up: Further professing his love for the TV star, Carl replied 'for sure' when he was asked if Katie is 'the one' Katie was banned from contacting Michelle directly or indirectly on June 3 2019, under the terms of a five-year restraining order. She was fined hundreds of pounds for hurling a foul-mouthed 'tirade of abuse' at her during a row in a school playground. Katie, wearing white trainers, a green tracksuit and a black gilet, appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, accused of contacting Penticost indirectly in breach of the restraining order. She was supported by her reality TV star fiance Carl who sat in the public gallery. Romance: Another follower asked Carl: 'What's your favourite thing about Katie?' to which he said: 'Everything' The court heard that her message to Kieran may have been triggered by an Instagram post by Michelle, which she denies was aimed at Katie. Katie's message read: 'Tell your c***ing whore, piece of s**t, girlfriend not to start on me. 'She has a restraining order so shouldn't try antagonise me as she is in breach and I'm sure she doesn't want people knowing that she was having an affair with you behind my back. That gutter s**g.' Katie, who became a household name around the turn of the millennium, stood in the dock to confirm her name, address and date of birth, before pleading not guilty to the single charge, which can be tried in either the magistrates' court or the Crown Court. Appearance: Katie denied breaching a restraining order against her ex-husband's fiancee during a court appearance on Wednesday Rules: During her brief appearance at court, Katie filmed a five second video from inside the court building showing dozens of photographers outside, and posted it to her Instagram story for her 2.7million followers Law: However, filming inside court and publishing such a video is illegal under section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act Joe Harrington, defending, said: 'The issues relate to her mental health and the triggers which led to sending that message.' Asked where she wanted the trial to be heard, Katie said: 'The Crown Court please.' The law against filming in court buildings Parliament banned photography in courts in 1925 and case law meant the ban was extended to include filming in courts. Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 makes it illegal to: take or try to take a photograph or film make or try to make a portrait or sketch of a person in court, its building or within its precincts, or any person entering or leaving a court building publish such a photo, film, portrait or sketch Section applies to all criminal and civil courts, as well as inquests. Breaches of section 41 can lead to fines of up to 1,000. A court may deem photography or filming in court to be a contempt of court in common law. The punishment for contempt is at the judge's discretion but could include a fine or prison sentence. Advertisement District Judge Amanda Kelly said the offence carries a maximum sentence of up to five years' imprisonment and warned Katie: 'You are in really grave danger of going to prison.' She said: 'This is a very serious allegation in which it is alleged you used indirectly vile and nasty language towards Ms Penticost, someone you were prohibited from contacting directly or indirectly by a restraining order.' The judge granted Katie bail ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 25 at Lewes Crown Court on condition she does not contact Michelle either directly or indirectly, except for handing over children. 'It seems to me, Ms Price, that all of the children caught up in your relationships past and present need their adults to behave like adults,' the judge said. 'Stop exposing them to very public squabbles.' Katie avoided jail in December when she was handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, as well as a two-year driving ban after admitting drink-driving while disqualified in December. She also tested positive for cocaine after she rolled her BMW near her home in Horsham. Last month, Carl issued a public denial on Instagram over abuse claims, saying he 'didn't lay a finger' on Katie and said he had 'black and white proof' to clear his name after he was charged with using threatening and abusive behaviour towards her in an incident at their house in Essex. Carl is Katie's first serious major relationship since her split from Kieran in 2019. They were together for seven years, marrying in 2013 in the Bahamas, but their romance was marred by Mr Hayler's two flings with two of Price's close pals. She was previously married to Peter Andre, father of her two children Junior and Princess for four years, before her ill-fated marriage to husband number two Alex Reid, which lasted just 11 months. Leah Purcell looked radiant when she received a star on the Australian Film Walk of Fame in Sydney on Thursday. The accomplished actress was out to promote The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson which she wrote, directed and starred in. Leah looked sensational in a textured brown shirtdress with a belted waist as she was honoured by the mayor of Randwick, Dylan Parker. Star power: Leah Purcell was honoured with a star on the Australian Film Walk of Fame in Sydney on Thursday. Pictured with Dylan Parker, mayor of Randwick The 51-year-old complemented her ensemble with a pair of strappy brown heels, and accessorised with statement earrings. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was styled in loose curls, and she wore glasses, smiling broadly ahead of the screening. At one stage, Leah posed alongside her co-star Rob Collins, who looked chic in a pair of black tapered jeans teamed with a black T-shirt. The 42-year-old actor also wore a black blazer, and finished his look with a brown leather belt and brown leather boots. Triple threat: Leah - who wrote, directed and starred in the film - stepped out in a textured brown shirtdress with a belted waist Teaming up: Leah posed alongside co-star Rob Collins, who looked smart in a pair of black tapered jeans, which he teamed with a black T-shirt Also in attendance was Susie Porter, who looked stunning in a classic trenchcoat, which she wore over a pair of leather-look black leggings. She rounded out her stylish ensemble with a pair of high-heeled black leather boots and a white shirt. The Wentworth actress accessorised with a small black cross-body bag and a statement gold necklace. Her long blonde hair was parted in the middle and tied back in a ponytail, and she showed off her smooth complexion with natural-looking makeup. Stylish: Susie Porter looked chic when she stepped out for the Sydney premiere of The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson on Thursday All wrapped up: Also in attendance was Miranda Tapsell, who looked elegant in a black wrap dress, which she paired with black open-toe heels Miranda Tapsell looked elegant in a black wrap dress, which she paired with black open-toe heels. The 34-year-old actress carried a small black and white polka dot handbag, and accessorised simply with stud earrings, while her brunette hair was worn loose. Tammy MacIntosh was also at the premiere, stepping out in a pair of cropped black pants, which she paired with a cream blouse. The 52-year-old McLeod's Daughters alum also donned a pair of black boot for the outing and wore her long blonde hair in loose waves. Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg appeared to be deep in conversation as they shot scenes for their new Netflix film Our Man From Jersey in London on Thursday. The actress, 55, caught the eye with her chic blonde bob while keeping it casual in a grey top and khaki camouflage trousers, and wrapped up in a burgundy zip-up hoodie. Her co-star, 50, wore a navy T-shirt and jeans which he layered beneath a bomber jacket of the same colour, as they strolled through Hyde Park. Out of this world: Halle Berry caught the eye with her chic blonde bob while shooting scenes with Mark Wahlberg for their new Netflix film Our Man From Jersey in London on Thursday The Die Another Day star appeared to be glued to her phone and carried her essentials in a blue duffel bag which she threw over her shoulder. The James Bond star, who has sported shorter locks several times over the years, recently showed off her new 'do on Instagram. Mark is serving as a producer of the film, in addition to starring alongside Halle. Looking good: The actress, 55, kept it casual in a grey top and khaki camouflage trousers Cold? The Academy Award winner wrapped up with a padded North Face black coat and completed her outfit with a pair of black heavy duty shoes Team job: She ripped off the big coat with the help of a few crew members Chilly? She donned a burgundy zip-up hoodie and carried her essentials in a blue duffel bag which she threw over her shoulder What a pair! The leading actors stared into the distance while standing at the bottom of some steps It comes one year after it was first announced that the two would be working on the thriller together. Details of the forthcoming work have been kept under wraps - it's unknown what exact roles the two are playing. Halle recently worked with the popular streaming platform, premiering her 2021 directorial debut Bruised there. Walking: Her co-star, 50, wore a navy T-shirt and jeans which he layered beneath a bomber jacket of the same colour, as they strolled through Hyde Par Gorgeous: The James Bond star, who has sported shorter locks several times over the years, recently showed off her new 'do on Instagram Talented: Mark is serving as a producer of the film, in addition to starring alongside Halle Look at this: The Die Another Day star appeared to be glued to her phone She also starred in the movie, which told the story of a disgraced MMA fighter named Jackie Justice. As for Mark's recent work, he currently stars in the movie Father Stu, which was released April 15. In October he'll mark the 25th anniversary of his breakout film Boogie Nights. Distracted: Mark looked up into the sky despite Halle's best efforts at a conversation Stunning: Halle wowed onlookers as she turned the park's pathways into her very own street-side fashion show Team: It comes one year after it was first announced that the two would be working on the thriller together Mystery: Details of the forthcoming work have been kept under wraps - it's unknown what exact roles the two are playing Alec and Hilaria Baldwin's son Rafael broke his arm when playing in a park in New York on Wednesday, causing him to spent hours inside the Lenox Hill Hospital. Hilaria, 36, took to Instagram to share photos of their six-year-old son including a snap where her 64-year-old husband held their little one in his arms while Rafael wore a sling. Another shot showed Rafael with breathing tubes spreading out all over his face and sticking in his nose. Scary: Alec and Hilaria Baldwin's son Rafael spent hours in the hospital after breaking his arm on Wednesday In a different picture, Rafael laid on the floor on top of myriad pillows while he tried to sleep. A couple of his siblings seemed to take a serious interest in his cast, and he showed them his new arm adornment. Hilaria, a yoga instructor and author, shared the long and difficult experience in her post's caption. Keeping fans in the loop: Hilaria, 36, took to Instagram to share photos of their 6-year-old son Breathing tubes: One shot showed Rafael with breathing tubes spreading out all over his face and sticking in his nose 'Really bad': Hilaria wrote that Rafael 'broke his arm really badly yesterday, playing at the park' 'Rafa broke his arm really badly yesterday, playing at the park,' the caption read. 'You will see him with a cast for quite a while now, so I wanted to give you a heads up. Thank you Lennox Hill emergency room for taking such good care of our baby. So grateful to the doctors and the nurses for your expertise and kindness. 'This is a part of being a parent that is so heartbreaking. We were with the babies when it happened and to get that call makes your heart sink. His little voice on the phone I want my mommyknowing even the 20 min to get to him is 20 min too long. 'To not be able to immediately take away their pain and fearoooof nothing prepares us for this, right? We were at the hospital until pretty late and then we made a bed on our floor (wild sleeper, was afraid he might fall off our bed). How many times he called out for me last night, I do not know. At one point I heard him whispering to himself, recounting what happened, saying over and over: I broke my arm.' She finished off her post on a positive note, writing, 'We are relieved that, while it will be a long recovery road, he is certainly on it [pink hearts emoji].' Thanking medical pros: She wrote, 'Thank you Lennox Hill emergency room for taking such good care of our baby. So grateful to the doctors and the nurses for your expertise and kindness' Sleeping on the floor: Baldwin shared a snap of Rafael sleeping on the floor because they were worried he might roll off his bed during the night Intrigued: A couple of his siblings seemed to take a serious interest in his cast, and he showed them his new arm adornment Hilaria and Alec married back in 2012 and have quickly built a huge family together. They share six children: Carmen, 8, Rafael, 6, Leonardo, 5, Romero, 3, Eduardo, 1, and Lucia, 1. The pair told People last month that they are also expecting their seventh child later this year. 'Our capacity to love continues to expand and we can't wait to embrace our new little one this fall!' they wrote in their statement. Happy together: Hilaria and Alec married back in 2012 and have quickly built a huge family together (pictured 2021) One big happy family: They share six children: Carmen, 8, Rafael, 6, Leonardo, 5, Romero, 3, Eduardo, 1, and Lucia, 1 (pictured 2021) The Baldwins have experienced quite a few difficulties recently with Alec still reeling from the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his movie Rust. Earlier this week, a new video emerged of the moment a distraught and confused Alec was told he had accidentally killed Hutchins. The footage was taken inside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico on October 21, 2021, after Baldwin's prop gun fired a live round during a rehearsal for a scene. He had just finished telling cops that he didn't pull the trigger, and was therefore stunned when he saw what looked like a live round fire from his weapon and pierce through director Joel Souza's shoulder before striking Hutchins in the armpit. 'I have some unfortunate news. She didn't make it,' the investigator told him. Seventh baby on the way: The couple announced last month that they are expecting their seventh child together (pictured April 2022) New video came to light: Earlier this week, a new video emerged of the moment a distraught and confused Alec was told he had accidentally killed the cinematographer on his movie Rust last year He shot back in his seat, saying: 'No!' before asking if he can be excused to phone his wife, Hilaria. Baldwin left the room with his head in his hands. Seconds later, he was photographed in the parking lot of the sheriff's office, wailing as he spoke to Hilaria. At the time and even now, six months later, no one knows how a live bullet made its way into Baldwin's gun. Baldwin was rehearsing a scene for the movie Rust on October 21, 2021, when he pulled his gun from his costume. It fired and shot Hutchins, 42, in the armpit, fatally wounding her. The gun fired a live round which had been loaded into what Baldwin thought was an empty gun. It comes after Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza on Tuesday suggested Baldwin may still face charges for accidentally killing Hutchins. The Santa Fe Sheriff's Office this week released a trove of documents and videos from their investigation into the on-set accident. Gone too soon: Baldwin was rehearsing a scene for the movie Rust on October 21, 2021, when he pulled his gun from his costume. It fired and shot Hutchins, 42, Halyna So many questions: The gun fired a live round which had been loaded into what Baldwin thought was an empty gun More new footage has also emerged of Baldwin in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, with the actor telling police that he was 'the one holding the gun' and asking for a cigarette to calm himself down. Video shows Baldwin sitting down outside the set smoking the cigarette that was handed to him. He then asks how Hutchins is doing before a police officer says that her status is 'questionable'. It comes as Sheriff Mendoza said that Baldwin could still face charges because he was who was handling the weapon. Appearing on Good Morning America on Tuesday, Sheriff Mendoza said 'He was the one that handled the weapon that fired the round that led to the fatality. 'We're going to work with the DA's office to determine if there is criminal neglect or criminal charges. We kind of know who didn't do their jobs here. That was one of the key questions. Elizabeth Taylor snuck into the hospital to see Rock Hudson on his deathbed. The legendary actress - who herself died from heart failure at the age of 79 back in 2011 - had struck up a friendship with her Giant co-star Rock Hudson and rushed to his bedside with the help of his doctor Michael Gottlieb as he lay dying from AIDS at the age of 59 in 1985. 'I picked Elizabeth up in my old station wagon and we managed to get in through a loading dock at the back of the hospital to see him,' Dr Gottlieb told Closer Weekly magazine. There for him: Elizabeth Taylor snuck into the hospital to see Rock Hudson on his deathbed. The legendary actress - who herself died from heart failure at the age of 79 back in 2011 - had struck up a friendship with her Giant co-star Rock Hudson and rushed to his bedside; seen in their film Giant in 1956 She had friends: The star got into the hospital with the help of his doctor Michael Gottlieb as Hudson lay dying from AIDS at the age of 59 in in 1985. Seen in 1950 The Written On The Wind star was initially married to secretary Phyllis Gates during the 1950s in attempt to conceal his homosexuality - which was already an 'open secret' in Hollywood - from the public but he was diagnosed with AIDS in early 1980s. Dr Gottlieb went on to explain that Hudson knew that he had a very serious illness. 'Rock understood the implications of having AIDS in those early days. He was calm and hoped for the best,' said the doctor. After the actor's death the physician and the Cleopatra star became friends as a result of the tragedy. She needed to see him: 'I picked Elizabeth up in my old station wagon and we managed to get in through a loading dock at the back of the hospital to see him,' Dr Gottlieb told Closer Weekly magazine. Seen in Giant He knew he was going to die: Dr Gottlieb went on to explain that Hudson knew that he had a very serious illness. 'Rock understood the implications of having AIDS in those early days. He was calm and hoped for the best,' said the doctor. Rock and Elizabeth in Giant '[After his death], Elizabeth became a friend to me,' added the doctor. And they did good together. 'Together, we started the American Foundation for AIDS research. Elizabeth was the most prominent person to come forward as an advocate. 'She had access to the White House and made a huge difference.' Longtime pals: Here Taylor and Hudson are seen together at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 1956 Meanwhile, biographer Mark Griffin explained to the outlet that Elizabeth already had two gay friends who had died from the disease and that Rock's diagnosis only 'cemented' her activism. He said: 'Elizabeth had two gay assistants who died of AIDS early on in the crisis. Rock's illness further cemented her determination to raise funds for research and treatment.' Rock was one of the biggest stars of his day as he lit up the comedies Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961) and Send Me Now Flowers (1964) with blonde beauty Doris Day. Always buddies: The Hollywood icons were seen leaving the Savoy Hotel in 1980 in London That same year: There were seen again in 1980 in London as they went out for the evening And he also starred in the acclaimed dramas Magnificent Obsession (1954) and All That Heaven Allows (1955) with Jane Wyman. Taylor is considered one of the biggest female actresses of all time as she went from child star with National Velvet to adult star with A Place In The Sun and Hollywodo goddess with Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Taylor was also known for her eight marriages which included two walks down the isle with actor Richard Burton. She was also wed to Mike Todd and Michael Wilding. A top draw: Taylor is considered one of the biggest female actresses of all time as she went from child star with National Velvet to adult star with A Place In The Sun and Hollywodo goddess with Cat On A Hot Tin Roof This story comes after news Katy Perry is to launch a podcast based on the life of Taylor. The 37-year-old pop star has 'always felt a kinship' towards the iconic actress and will narrate the ten-part audio series Elizabeth the First. In a statement, Katy said: 'Like most people, I was attracted to her glamour, and in my own life, I continue to find myself referencing her through some of my visuals. I've always felt a kinship towards her I've even literally bathed in the same bathtub where she made that bar-setting 'Cleopatra' deal!' Elizabeth is remembered for starring as the title role in 1963 epic 'Cleopatra' - based on the life of the Ancient Egyptian Queen - but was also amongst the first celebrities to participate in HIV/AIDS activism, a move which the I Kissed a Girl hitmaker finds 'inspiring.' So much class: Taylor was also known for her eight marriages which included two walks down the isle with actor Richard Burton. She was also wed to Mike Todd and Michael Wilding; seen in 1953 in Rome She added: 'I'm inspired by her bold activism, her constant boss moves in business, and through it all, an unapologetic way of loving all things I try to live in my own life. It's an honor to be able to share her story in this way.' The series will feature stories from people closest to Elizabeth. And it will premiere exclusive audio interviews from her estate at the House of Taylor and will touch on her then-ground-breaking public announcement that she was seeking help for her alcoholism and drug addiction. Coming back to life: This story comes after news Katy Perry is to launch a podcast based on the life of Taylor. The 37-year-old pop star has 'always felt a kinship' towards the iconic actress and will narrate the ten-part audio series Elizabeth the First. Seen in 1950 House of Taylor said in a statement: 'We are proud to announce this truly innovative and unique podcast about Elizabeth. During her lifetime, Elizabeth Taylor was arguably the most famous woman in the world. As such, she was talked about, written about, photographed, referenced and celebrated ad infinitum. She was also judged, analyzed and lived her life under the constant scrutiny of the press and public. 'What makes Elizabeth the First extraordinarily special is that this will be the first narrative that explores Elizabeth as the original multihyphenate.' Elizabeth the First will debut later this spring on all major podcast platforms including Apple and Spotify. Chrishell Stause branded Christine Quinn a gold-digger who has 'openly admitted that she married for money' during Selling Sunset season five. The reality star, 40, was hitting back at Christine's accusations that she was only 'f***king the boss' in order to get better listings - a reference to her fling with brokerage owner Jason Oppenheim. Christine married tech entrepreneur Christian Dumontet - who is worth an estimated $20million - in 2019 and the couple share a baby son Christian. Drama: Chrishell Stause (pictured) branded Christine Quinn a gold-digger who 'openly admitted that she married for money' during Selling Sunset season five In tense series five scenes Chrishell is fuming to here that Christine thinks she is dating Jason to get up the career ladder quicker. Christine says to Jason while they enjoy a cosy night in: 'Are you not going to talk to her about when she said I was only getting listings because I'm f**king the boss? This is ridiculous. 'It's so hard to bite my tongue on this because she openly doesn't work, she says very openly that she married for money! 'If she put half the effort she does into tearing people down as she to real estate she would be far more successful and she wouldn't have to marry for money. Stop trying to take people down!' Awkward: The reality star, 40, was hitting back at Christine's accusations that she was only 'f***king the boss' in order to get better listings - a reference to her fling with brokerage owner Jason Oppenheim An earlier episode showed Chrishell talking about her dating life saying she had dated 'geriatric f**ks' in the past and alluded to only caring about how rich a man is. 'I don't really care about looks, I have dated 25-year-old guys, and geriatric f***s. I really do not care about looks!', she said to newcomer Chelsea Lazkani as they had a coffee. Chelsea then quipped 'you just care about money?!' to which Christine looked over at her with a knowing grin. Chelsea then added: 'You taste is like credit score!' Family: Christine married tech entrepreneur Christian Dumontet - who is worth an estimated $20million - in 2019 and the couple share a baby son Christian Christine then clapped back: 'Let's be honest, real rich people don't have credit because they don't need to take out loans.' Before getting married, Christine had a solid net worth of $1.5M as per Celebrity Net Worth. As per Forbes in 2022, Christian sold his company, Foodler, to Grubhub in 2017 for $65 million. Christian is reportedly worth $20M as per Bustle and Hollywood Worth. Upset: In tense series five scenes Chrishell is fuming to here that Christine thinks she is dating Jason to get up the career ladder quicker (Chrishell and Jason are pictured together) Selling Sunset recently returned to Netflix with its fifth season, bringing with it caviar, couture and a slew of jaw-dropping million dollar listings. Fans were also introduced to British newcomer Chelsea Lazkani, who quickly adopted a new BFF in Christine Quinn and wasted no time in securing herself a desk at the Oppenheim Group. Of course, series five hasn't been without its usual drama too, with tensions between Christine and the rest of the girls in the office reaching fever pitch. New research from Slingo has taken a deep dive into the popularity of each Selling Sunset cast member with Christine still proving to be top dog, according to the amount of new followers each cast member gained on Instagram. Over a five-day period, Christine racked up the highest number of new followers, with her account attracting an impressive 191,893. A breakdown of the total of new Instagram followers each day between April 20 and April 24 reveals Christine landed an impressive 117,038 new followers alone the day after series five dropped, the highest total of any cast member. Couple: As per Forbes in 2022, Christian sold his company, Foodler, to Grubhub in 2017 for $65 million (Christian and Christine are pictured in September 2021) Christine's total increase in new followers was more than double what her rival co-stars received, with Emma Hernan coming in second with 57,884 and Chrishell Stause in third with 48,973. Also joining the girls in the top five, not surprisingly, was newcomer Chelsea (39,205), with fans clearly curious to find out more about the self-proclaimed girl boss, and Mary Fitzgerald (27,010). Davina Potratz appeared to be the least popular with viewers, only drawing in 3,991 new followers in the days surrounding the new series dropping. Bianca Wallace showed her love for her boyfriend Ioan Gruffudd as she shared snaps of the pair during a romantic getaway to Scotland on Thursday. The actress, 29, certainly looked smitten as she cosied up to her partner, 48, against an idyllic mountain-lined backdrop. It comes days after his ex wife Alice Evans detailed occasionally seeing her true self coming back. In January 2021, she confirmed her marriage with Ioan had broken down before claiming he'd had an affair with the Australian star. Couple: Bianca Wallace, 29, cosied up to her boyfriend Ioan Gruffudd, 48, during a romantic Scotland getaway on Thursday... after his ex wife Alice Evans, 53, detailed 'coming back' almost 18 months after split In Bianca's caption, she wrote: 'A little bit of stunning Scotland,' while posing with the sea behind her, as well as the ruins of a medieval building. The pair - who went Instagram official last October - appeared to be going the distance as they continued their loved-up European trip in previous snaps. Showing off her beau's photography skills, the pretty brunette uploaded some stunning shots on Wednesday. She penned: 'Yos photography + B + Scotland An incredibly great time.' Fingers crossed: And on Sunday evening, Alice shared a makeup-free but heavily edited selfie to her Instagram as she detailed occasionally seeing her true self coming back And on Sunday evening, Alice shared a makeup-free but heavily edited selfie to her Instagram as she detailed occasionally seeing her true self coming back. The actress admitted: 'A big shock takes a while to get over!' as she touched on having been 'fooled' and thinking about what she 'did wrong' while coming to terms with the split. Alice wrote alongside her selfie: 'The real me. Almost 18 months later. No make up, just a bit of help erasing the flaky patches. Beaming: In Bianca's caption, she wrote: 'A little bit of stunning Scotland,' while posing with the sea behind her, as well as the ruins of a medieval building These things change slowly, i'm afraid ( unless you're on one of those Home Maintenance shows. Those girls seem to move from partner to partner with greatest of ease and procreate like rabbits.) I hand it to them! But me? No. A big shock takes a while to get over and necessitated a lot of thinking. Waft I did wrong, what I can improve. 'Because you know at the end of the day: Fool me once, shame on.. shame on.. what is it? Godamnit! YOU FOOLED CAN CANt GET FOOLED AGAIN! Ya get it!! Now take this goddamn microphone off before it strangles me. Candid! Alice admitted: 'A big shock takes a while to get over!' as she touched on having been 'fooled' and thinking about what she 'did wrong' while coming to terms with the split 'Apologizes. This was meant to be a serious and sensitive post. And it still is, I took a picture of myself almost every day since it happened to see if I could see 'me' coming back 'Occasionally I do! But I guess not today! Love to ALL OF YOU.' 102 Dalmatians star Alice announced her split from Welsh actor Ioan in a series of angry tweets last January. He subsequently a new romance with Bianca in October. Alice dramatically quit Twitter recently after slamming Bianca over a perceived 'lack of empathy'. The ex: In January 2021, she publicly confirmed that her marriage with estranged husband Ioan had broken down (Pictured together in June 2018) Just last month, Alice claimed that she and her daughters 'will be homeless in two months', amid her legal battle with her ex. The actress shared the update as she alleged that her children, Ella, 12, and Elsie, eight, will be losing 'the only house they have ever known.' Taking to Instagram, the mother-of-two shared a candid photo before explaining her situation to her followers. Alongside a photo she penned: 'Rough, rough day today. The girls and I found out we are going to lose the only house they have ever known. In two months we will be homeless.' 'I hesitated about sharing, because when your ex has paid good money to have you gagged and you risk jail by speaking out. (Communist China, anyone?) it gets really scary. Family: Last month, Alice shared a candid photo to Instagram before explaining that she and her daughters are facing homelessness (Pictured with Ella, 12, and Elsie, 8, in 2018) Heartbreaking: She penned: 'The girls and I found out we are going to lose the only house they have ever known. In two months we will be homeless' 'But driving home tonight after hacking dropped both girls at different play dates/ parties, arranged to pick them up, been told how much they'll miss me and that they can't wait to have 'family day at home' tomorrow, I feel the tears starting again. Tears of fear. Tears of the possibility of breaking their hearts. 'They love this house. It wouldn't be the end of the world. We can find a condo to rent somewhere I'm sure. 'Just feeling wistful tonight! Bear with me, I'll be back! I promise!' Alice's update follows the news that she applied for legal and physical custody of her children following her legal battle with her ex-husband, Ioan. Exes: Alice's update follows the news that she applied for legal and physical custody of her children following her legal battle with her ex-husband, Ioan In court documents obtained by People, the actress asked that visitation rights be granted to Ioan. She also requested 'spousal support, termination of the court's ability to award spousal support to Gruffudd, and for her attorney fees to be paid by her estranged husband', while citing 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their split. The 102 Dalmatians star previously asked the court to determine the rights to their family home in Los Angeles. Ioan had been married to Alice for 14 years before he filed for divorce in March last year, later applying for a restraining order in February 2022. Alice and Ioan's representatives have been contacted for comment by MailOnline. Shock: The 102 Dalmatians star had asked the court to determine the rights to their family home in Los Angeles (L-R: Elsie and Ella) It comes after the actress laid into his new girlfriend Bianca in a series of abusive texts, calling her a 'vixen' and telling him she has 'your nuts stuck in her veneers' - according to a bombshell court filing. The Welsh actor submitted 113 pages of abusive text messages, emails and social media posts as he applied for a restraining order against his ex, claiming she threatened to do to him 'what Amber Heard did to Johnny Depp' and paint him as a drug-addicted abuser. In his court filing, Ioan claims he told Alice he wanted out of the marriage in August 2020 and since then, she has harassed him with hundreds of unanswered text messages, abusive emails and social media posts - many of which he included in the filing. Family drama: She is also requesting 'spousal support, termination of the court's ability to award spousal support to Gruffudd' One message read: 'If you throw me out of the house, I will call all the tabloids in the UK. There is NO going back now though. I just think you should know what you've gotten yourself into. You think you have a bad reputation now? Lol! 'You think once it's over I will stop talking? I am going to dedicate the rest of my life to spreading awareness of what you have done,' she said in one text. She went on to allege that he'd told her of times castmates bought cocaine, and that he never gave her sexual pleasure. 'Your face and body now look hideous to me. I am starting on dating apps...,' one text read, while in another she writes: 'I have no idea why the hell I fell in love with you.' At other times she appears apologetic, writing: 'I'm sorry I sent ranting texts last night, I'll try really hard not to do it any more.' But the messages quickly revert again to being abusive, but then quickly flips back to insulting him. In a written statement, Ioan claims she verbally threatened to tell the media he had abused her and do 'what Amber Heard did to Johnny Depp'. Back then: In court documents, the actress asked that visitation rights be granted to Ioan 'Alice told me verbally multiple times that she would do to me what Amber Heard did to Johnny Depp. 'Alice threatened to tell people I had abused her and our daughters; she threatened to call the police on me if I did not comply with her demands; she threatened to tell people I am a drug addict and put me in prison; she threatened to write a fake diary that reflected an abused victim, and to have the diary published; and she threatened to destroy my mother. 'Alice told me she would win, and everyone would believe her over me.' In her response in court, Alice said she had 'never threatened' him with slanderous statements or harassed him. Her representatives have not responded to requests for comment about the texts and emails contained in the lawsuit. New woman: Ioan had been married to Alice for 14 years before he filed for divorce in March. Their messy split centres around his new relationship with Bianca Wallace (pictured) In the declaration, Ioan goes on to claim Alice had already made 'false and harassing' posts about him on social media', as well as sending 'hundreds' of abusive emails, texts and video calls. Dozens of messages were included in the court documents, in which Alice appeared to criticize the star for not working. 'It' embarrassing now that everybody is telling me you are done. That nobody wants to [employ] you. That Dom West is at the top of the lists because he 'did the right thing'. And by the way it doesn't matter what is really going on in the relationship, for god's sake. It's about appearances. Jesus Christ think of Cary grant and Rock Hudson. 'Why on EARTH do you think Tom Cruise and John Travolta went to such extents? I'm increasingly angry that you have sabotaged your career. Insanely angry. I GAVE UP my career for this. Bombshell: Texts from Alice to Ioan include many about their kids, custody agreements and her ranting about other portions of their lives At odds: In her court filing, Alice said she that had never 'threatened or harassed' Ioan. Her attorneys and reps have not commented on the texts that were submitted 'And you throw it away because you feel a stronger connection to [your parents] than you do to your own brethren? It's just so confusing. . . You KNOW your Mum is a mental case. Why on earth do you want to give up everything we've established for the sake of somebody who doesn't even love you?' She added: 'Your face and body now look hideous to me. I am starting on dating apps ( not had the balls to actually go live yet) because I want to find a man who really loves me after being deprived of that for 20 whole years. 'I am convinced I still have time, and my personality will shine through. I have no idea why the hell I fell in love with you. Biggest mistake if my life. ( except for the kids)' The actor claimed she had also turned on his new girlfriend, Bianca, such as by publishing private information about her. He continued: 'It was extremely upsetting and stressful for me to continuously receive these types of hostile and aggressive text messages from Alice. On July 22, 2021, I blocked Alice's phone number on my phone.' Serious: Alice is also requesting 'for her attorney fees to be paid by her estranged husband', while citing 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their split One of the examples appeared to show Alice saying: 'Dude your film with Bianca is the most embarrassing thing I have EVER seen in Deadline. . . You have left a family you were providing for. You had SPECIFICALLY asked this loving family to wait for you while you worked abroad. We did. 'Then you met the most psychopathic succubus ever minnow to man, and fell for her. even Prince Harry... whatever. No NO NO NO nO. 'Find some financing then make whatever film you want. But don't take away everything you have because some vixen has your nuts between her veneers. PS: There is already betting on how long until she leaves you! PROPER BETTING! Now THAT'S famous.' Alice rejected all the claims made by Ioan in the restraining order application. She wrote: 'I believe that Petitioner is filing this request merely as a ploy to gain some sort of advantage over me in our divorce proceedings. 'As Petitioner has not seen our children for over 8 months, I believe he is trying to set some type of record that I am a horrible mother.' Alice and Ioan confirmed their split in a series of furious tweets posted in January 2021. She has since documented every toxic turn in their subsequent divorce proceedings across social media, and repeatedly slated him for being in a relationship with Bianca Wallace. Nadiya Bychkova stepped out in a plunging checked blazer as she arrived at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester on Thursday. The dancer, 32, who is gearing up for the Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals tour later tonight, put on a passionate performance alongside her beau Kai Widdrington during the earlier dress rehearsal. She put on a very chic display in the stylish trouser suit as she strolled down the street clutching two coffees. Tea for two? Nadiya Bychkova, 32, stepped out in a plunging blazer ahead of The Professionals tour on Thursday... after a passionate dress rehearsal with beau Kai Widdrington Nadiya elongated her toned pins with a pair of white quilted mules and carried a Chanel tote bag with a silver chain strap. She styled her bright blonde locks in loose waves and added lashings of mascara to complete her look. Elsewhere, Nadiya and her beau Kai, 26, were every inch the smitten Strictly stars on Wednesday evening as they danced together during the dress rehearsal for The Professionals UK Tour. Elegant: She put on a very chic display in the stylish trouser suit as she strolled down the street clutching two coffees Fashion forward: Nadiya elongated her toned pins with a pair of white quilted mules and carried a Chanel tote bag with a silver chain strap The couple are said to have taken the next step in their relationship and moved in together after going Instagram official with their romance earlier this month. Their chemistry was undeniable as the professional dancers twirled around the dance floor together. Nadiya wore a sparkling champagne-coloured gown with a full skirt, while Kai cut a dashing figure in a silk navy waistcoat. Loved-up: Elsewhere, Nadiya and her beau Kai, 26, were every inch the smitten Strictly stars on Wednesday evening as they danced together during the dress rehearsal The dancer then slipped into a black fringe midi skirt with a daringly high slit to show off her lithe legs. She paired it with a leather jacket and a black crop top that put her toned midriff on full display. Nadiya recently moved her things into Kai's place after growing close over the last few weeks, according to The Sun. Incredible: Nadiya then slipped into a black fringe midi skirt with a daringly high slit to show off her lithe legs They are thought to have been dating since January following Nadiya's split from her ex-fiance Matija Skarabot. A source said: 'Moving in together was the obvious next step for Nadiya and Kai. Theyve grown so close and it just made sense. 'Kai helped Nadiya move in her belongings this week and theyre excited about making their property feel like a shared home.' The first show kicks off at the Salford's Lowry Theatre and then dances its way around the country, culminating at Aberdeen's P&J Live on 30 May. Hollywood star Alan Cumming has offered money for the return of an old friend. On Thursday it was revealed by Variety that the 57-year-old actor will pay $10,000 for anyone who can locate the missing chimpanzee Tonka. PETA shared it would add another $10,000 to that number bringing the reward to $20,000. Cumming has a soft spot for his 'friend' Tonka after the two co-starred in the 1997 movie Buddy along with Rene Russo. He wants to help: Hollywood star Alan Cumming has offered money for the return of an old friend. Seen in March in Scotland Alan has even spoken out about the animal star in a statement shared this week. Cumming said, 'During the months we filmed together, baby Tonka and I became good friends, playing and grooming each other and just generally larking about.' He added, 'Its horrible to think he might in a cage in a dark basement somewhere or have met some other fate, so Im appealing to whoever knows what has become of him to please come forward claim the reward.' At the film premiere in Los Angeles in 1997, he was seen beaming as he held onto Tonka, who was young at the time. Help Tonga: On Thursday it was revealed that the Scottish actor will pay $10,000 for anyone who can located the missing male chimpanzee Tonka. Seen in 1997 in Los Angeles Tonka was last seen in a cage, which PETA claimed was 'filthy,' in a breeding facility in Missouri called Missouri Primate Foundation. The facility was where chimps were bred then sold to private owners; it is also where animals would be rented out for movies and parties. It has since been closed and no one seems to be able to locate Tonka. PETA has also offered an additional $10,000 reward for anyone who can find Tonka, bringing the total cash reward to $20,000 after Cumming's amount is added in. PETA had sued the Missouri Primate Foundation over the chimpanzees living conditions. They worked together: Cumming has a soft spot for his 'friend' Tonka after the two co-starred in the 1997 movie Buddy along with Rene Russo. Seen in 1997 The organization said the enclosures were also 'barren.' PETA was then allowed to take Tonka and six other chimpanzees to a sanctuary. But when PETA arrived to move Tonka in July 2021 the animal count not be found. According to PETA: 'Owner Tonia Haddix claimed that [Tonka] had "died," but told various stories that didnt add up and failed to prove that this was the case. She had previously stated that PETA would never get him. In January, a judge found that mystery surrounds the primates disappearance and that Haddixs testimony was not credible, leaving PETA and Cumming to try to determine his whereabouts or perhaps his final resting place.' Anyone with information should call PETA at 757-622-PETA or submit their findings at PETA.org/Tonka. He loved his pal Tonga: Here Cumming is seen in the film as two chimps play on a see-saw The film Buddy was about wealthy eccentric Trudy (Rene Russo) who collects wild animals. She then meets the sicky young gorilla Buddy and raises him as her own child, dressing him in up and training him. But as Buddy grows older and larger, Trudy is unable to restrain him from turning increasingly violent, according to the film's synopsis. The story is loosely based on a real life socialite from the 1920s who raised animals in her mansion. She wanted to protest 'inhumane zoo conditions,' according to the Tampa Bay Times. Advertisement James Corden will step down as the host of The Late Late Show at the end of next season amid plans to spend more time back home in the UK, DailyMail.com can confirm. The Brit, 43, made the decision to quit at the end of season eight despite the best efforts of CBS executives who exclusively told DailyMail.com that they 'desperately tried to keep him for longer.' The star and his wife of 10 years Jules are mulling over a return to the UK with their three children Max, 11, Carey, seven, and Charlotte, four, but they are still trying to 'figure out' what's next for the family. An insider tells DailyMail.com that spending more time in the UK when the show ends is 'definitely on the horizon'. Another source suggested he is planning on moving close to West Ham United's London Stadium in east London. An insider told the Sun: 'James and Jules have had barely any time to see their families in the UK over the past few years due to his work schedule. They will go backwards and forwards for a while. 'Long-term, they both want to see more of their parents and are considering a permanent move back in a couple of years. 'They sold their house in London so would have to look for a new base in the capital.' The Late Late Show, which films out of Los Angeles, first premiered in 1995 with host Tom Snyder. Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson followed as host until James Corden came along in 2015. Corden promised to 'go out with a bang' as he informed audiences of his decision to step down as the host of The Late Late Show. Revealing the news during the latest episode of the US talk show he said the show had 'changed my life' and promised there would be 'lots of tears' when his tenure came to an end. 'Seven and half years ago I started hosting this show and there's no other way to put it, it has changed my life,' he said. 'I never saw as it as my final destination, and I never want this show to overstay its welcome, I love making it and I really think in a year from now that will be a good time to move on and see what's out there.' He added: 'We are all determined to make this the best year we have ever had...we are going to go out with a bang. 'The fact that you watch this...all over the world...is an absolute privilege for me and every single person who makes this show.' He's out! James Corden will step down as the host of The Late Late Show at the end of next season, DailyMail.com can confirm The next move: Jules are mulling over a return to the UK with three children Max, 11, Carey, seven, and Charlotte, four, but they are still trying to 'figure out' what they will do 'We [CBS] desperately tried to keep him for longer but James only wanted to do one final year that will keep him on the show until next year,' a senior CBS source revealed. 'He's been such a hit for us for so many years, we will miss him very much.' 'It's very rare to find a talent who can redefine a long running format. His skits went viral globally, smashing records and creating the most watched online clips in the history of late night TV,' they continued. 'The biggest stars in the world have appeared on his show - which even took him to the White House!' Corden told Deadline it's been a difficult decision after enjoying such huge success. 'It's been it's a really hard decision to leave because I'm so immensely proud of the show. I'm thrilled to be extending [for a year]. I always thought I'd do it for five years and then leave and then I stayed on. I've really been thinking about it for a long time, thinking whether there might be one more adventure.' When asked if he plans to move home, Corden said he and his wife 'genuinely don't know the answer to that'. 'It's something we think about and we talk about a lot but we haven't really made a decision on that yet. That's the life side of things which we'll figure out,' he added. 'I love living here [in LA]. I love everything it's given. My family and I have never taken this incredible adventure for granted. Every day I drive down Sunset to work and I just think I'm from High Wycombe.' James Corden before an episode of Carpool Karaoke in London with Paul McCartney, one of the many celebs to appear on his show 'We [CBS] desperately tried to keep him for longer but James only wanted to do one final year that will keep him on the show until next year,' a senior CBS source revealed. 'He's been such a hit for us for so many years, we will miss him very much.' Several stars have appeared on the Late Late Show with James Corden. They include the likes of Cher and Phoebe Waller-Bridge The Late Late Show: An A-list favourite James Corden has played host to many A-lister guests on the Late Late Show. Famous faces who've appeared on his show include: Tom Hanks Lady Gaga One Direction Britney Spears Chris Martin Stevie Wonder Elton John Madonna Julia Roberts George Clooney Christina Aguilera The show has also won a slew of awards, picking up 11 gongs and being nominated for 33 more. Its wins include: Primetime Emmy 2016 - Outstanding Interactive Program Critics Choice Award 2020 - Best talk show Critics' Choice TV Award 2016 - Best talk show Telly Awards 2018 - Bronze Telly Comedy Use of Humor Webby Awards 2021 - Social - Celebrity/Fan Social - Entertainment Video - Comedy: Shortform Webby Awards 2020 - Video - Entertainment (Video Series & Channels) YouTube Creator awards 2017 - Diamond Creator Award Advertisement He did admit he's eager to spend more time with his close pal Mark Noble, who is the captain of his favorite football team West Ham United. Noble is retiring at the end of this season. 'He's the happiest that I'm not leaving in September because he's desperate to get out and play some golf,' Corden said. 'I'll have been here for eight and a half years, he's been at that club since he was nine. Nothing makes me happier to be thought of in the same breath as Mark Noble but I would be undeserving of such praise.' An insider added to DailyMail: 'What's next? Well James is focused on producing a really spectacular current and final season of the show.' 'He'll also be launching Mammals in autumn (Fall), which he is excited about.' 'However more time in the UK after filming wraps is definitely on the horizon as he is very close with his family there.' Under Corden's tenure at The Late Late Show, he developed smash hit segments like Carpool Karaoke, where he drives a celebrity around and they sing together. Carpool Karaoke was later spun off into its own show for Apple in 2017 and even took home an Emmy Award. It currently in season five. 'He told us that he has had an amazing time and is incredibly grateful to CBS but feels now is right time to go out on a high and make his final year the biggest one yet,' a CBS source said. 'James and the show have won countless Emmys, he's won a Critics Choice as well as winning a Tony Award in 2012 before taking his post at CBS. He immediately won critics and fans over as well as the huge celebrities he managed to secure.' The father-of-three has previously referred to his team on the show as his family and even paid them out of his own pocket during the pandemic. James' time at the network has not been without controversy, however. In 2021, the show was forced to change one of Corden's more famous skits, Spill Your Guts, after it as accused of being anti-Asian. The segment, which has featured stars such as Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Chrissy Teigen, sees participants presented with the choice of either answering a prying question or eating something dubbed 'gross'. Several of the unpalatable items hailed from Asian culture and Corden himself had called many of them 'disgusting.' Last summer, a TikTok user launched the Change.org petition which garnered nearly 50,000 signatures and James later announced on the Howard Stern Show that he would no longer use Asian foods in the segment. But Corden admits leaving the show will be a bittersweet farewell for him. 'I'll miss the adrenaline of thinking 'Next week I'm going to jump out of a plane with Tom Cruise or in two weeks' time, we're going to drive around the White House in a car with Michelle Obama or sing Penny Lane with Paul McCartney driving down Penny Lane,' he said. The Late Late Show with James Corden has become a smash-hit. Pictured is Corden with Benedict Cumberbatch and Kylie Minogue Issues: James' time at the network has not been without controversy, however. In 2021, the show was forced to change one of Corden's more famous skits, Spill Your Guts, after it as accused of being anti-Asian Leading man: The Late Late Show premiered in 1995 with Tom Snyder as host, Corden (pictured with guests Julie Andrews and Kristen Bell) took over in 2015 following Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson Beyond his own show, James hosted the Tony Awards and Grammy Awards, as well as fronting other prime time shows for CBS and the Friends reunion for HBO Max. He also has a film career starring in movies like Peter Rabbit, Prom, Into the Woods, Trolls and Cats. He will appear in a new Prime Video drama, Mammals, later this year - his first British TV role since his Gavin And Stacey Christmas special broke records as the most watched non spring event in the UK of the last decade. From Hollyoaks to Hollywood: How lad from High Wycombe who started out in soap became friend of royalty and one half of Tinseltown power couple with some of showbiz's biggest players on speed-dial James Corden is set to leave the Late Late Show to spend more time with his family in the UK, capping an extraordinary journey for a star who first found fame as an Essex lad before schmoozing his way into a Los Angeles lifestyle that rivals that of any global megastar. Corden and his interior designer wife Julia have a roll-call of Hollywood royalty on speed-dial after carefully cultivating connections with the industry's biggest movers and shakers. The Cordens' social status was cemented when they were invited to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding where James was asked to compere the private evening reception. There they were spotted chatting with the Clooneys who, it turns out, are among the clients' of Julia's interior design brand Charles & Co. Also there were David and Victoria Beckham, who also called upon the firm when it came to redecorating. Among the Cordens' close friends are Harry Styles and Dominic Cooper, while James has had everyone from Sir Elton John to Tom Hanks and Lady Gaga on his show. The couple also boast a home worthy of Hollywood superstars, living in a 7.3 million mansion in Brentwood, an upmarket LA suburb, with their three children. The property hast five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a pool, plus such typically Hollywood features as a wood-panelled library, cinema room and gym. However, it wasn't all glitz and glamour for Corden. The actor, 43, made his first stage appearance at the age of 18 in a one-line role. He then went on to interview Meat Loaf before enjoying a small role in an episode of Hollyoaks. He first came to prominence from 2000 to 2005, when he starred in Fat Friends as Jamie Rymer. His work in the series earned him a nomination for the 2000 Royal Television Society Award for Network Newcomer On Screen. The star's recent success is a far from cry from the small role he had in Hollyoaks at the start of his career (pictured) With the immense popularity of the Late Late Show and segments like Carpool Karaoke, James has become one of America's most beloved late night presenters Corden's Fat Friends co-star Ruth Jones would pay a pivotal role in his future, with the two combining for the popular BBC Three sitcom Gavin and Stacey. The duo co-wrote the smash-hit show and also starred as the titular characters' friends. His role as Essex lad Smithy catapulted Corden into British stardom. Suddenly, his face was everywhere and starred editions of Comic Relief, performed England's World Cup football song with Dizzie Rascal and was even given a guest role in an episode of Doctor Who. The Gavin And Stacey star first cracked America when his stage show One Man Two Guvnors transferred to Broadway in 2012 after a successful stint in the West End. He was then catapulted to worldwide fame after he made his debut as the presenter of The Late, Late Show in 2015, taking over the role from Craig Ferguson. With the immense popularity of segments like Carpool Karaoke, James has become one of America's most beloved late night presenters. And thanks to his success on The Late, Late Show, James has landed a number of roles in Hollywood films like Into The Woods and The Prom, and he has also hosted the Tony Awards. He has since reportedly more than doubled his wealth to a whopping 50m after moving to Hollywood. Following his move to LA, James has become one of the partners at film production company Fulwell 73 and seen his assets swell. He was previously estimated as being worth around 22m, however in the latest accounts from his company the business' assets are declared as 140m. The star also has earnings from his film and TV roles, with him thought to earn $7m for The Late Late Show, as well as millions of dollars tied up in his properties. After first finding fame as Essex lad Smithy in British sitcom Gavin and Stacey, James Corden has seen a meteoric rise to Hollywood A-lister (pictured, in the sitcom) Slimmed down: The star revealed last year that he has signed up to the health and fitness programme. Pictured left in 2018 and right in 2000 while starring Fat Friends From decorating the homes of celebrities to hosting them on a chatshow, Julia and James have settled into the centre of life in Los Angeles. Since relocating to the States, Corden has drawn other high-profile pals into his circle, including U2 frontman Bono and actor Sean Penn. Mary Poppins actress Emily Blunt and her American husband John Krasinski one of Hollywood's most popular power couples are regular guests at his home. When he was still a jobbing actor, known mainly for his role in the Alan Bennett play The History Boys, Corden shared a flat above a London doughnut shop with Dominic Cooper. Corden joked that there was no furniture and only one piece of cutlery, a spatula, and that the fridge contained only 'half a vitamin water and a Lindt chocolate bunny'. Today, he shares a 7.3 million mansion in Brentwood, an upmarket LA suburb, with Julia and their three children. There are five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a pool, plus such typically Hollywood features as a wood-panelled library, cinema room and gym. It also has its own spa and an office complete with high-tech film editing facilities. While he stays in LA, Corden rents out the family's 3 million London home in leafy Belsize Park for about 15,000 a month. His neighbours in Brentwood just a 20-minute drive from the CBS studios where his chat show is filmed include Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Crawford, Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg. 'The children are happy and healthy and love their circle of friends,' says the source. 'James is a devoted dad and spends a lot of time with the kids. His weekends are sacrosanct. Close friends for the presenter and actor include One Direction star Harry Styles, who James recently lent his Palm Springs home to Prince Harry and James Corden on the Late Late Show yesterday. The pair have been friends for years James and Julia were snapped chatting with fellow guests at the royal wedding, including George and Amal Clooney James has been close friends with the Duke of Sussex, 39, for a decade, with the presenter previously revealing they met 'out and about' in London. 'James knows none of this success would mean anything without Julia's love and support. His family means everything to him.' Out on the town, Corden favours the luxurious Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, where phone calls and photos are banned. Jennifer Aniston held her 50th birthday party there in February. Corden's tipple? Don Julio 1492 tequila at 120 a bottle. 'The best parties are at his house,' says the source. 'He'll hire a team of private chefs and you never know who will be there, from the heads of TV networks to stars like Emily Blunt.' There is, too, an unlikely friendship with Anna Wintour, the formidable British editor of American Vogue. They met after Anna saw Corden in the Broadway version of the play One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011 and sent him a card telling him she was his biggest fan. 'Through her, he has met everyone,' says the source. James' Carpool Karaoke has seen the funny-man bantering with megastars like Madonna, Britney Spears and Adele. Meanwhile stars among their closest circle include One Direction star Harry Styles, with Corden recently lending him his Palm Springs home while the musician was shooting his part in Wilde's new movie. His relationship with Mamma Mia star Dominic Cooper dates back to 2004 when they were rooming together and starring in The History Boys, a British campus comedy. Speaking of their days sharing a flat in London on James' chat show, The Late Late Show, Dominic reminisced on how they would often sleep in the same bed due to the lack of furniture. He said: 'We were never there at the same time much, were we? But when we were, there was absolutely no furniture.We had a bed, one bed. We only had one piece of cutlery which was a spatula. 'I remember one depressing evening, he caught me, he came home and I was eating baked beans with the spatula.' James added: 'We rented it furnished. It had no furniture in it and we never thought to complain.' It was Dominic who introduced James to now wife Julia, who was an old school friend of his. He told People : 'I said, 'Hi, Jules. You might be the most beautiful woman in the world.' She said, 'Well, thank you very much. That sounds like something you say a lot.' 'And I said, 'I've never said it before in my life.' That was it. That was it, really. I was in. And by an absolute miracle, so was she.' Later, the two slinked off to a corner to plan the rest of their lives, with James revealing: 'I remember saying to her, 'Well, what about on Friday we could do nothing together? You could come over and we could just do nothing. 'And then maybe we could do nothing on Saturday, and we could do nothing on the Sunday. And if our evenings are enough of nothing, then maybe this would become something.' 'And she said, 'That sounds like a fun idea.' James proposed on holiday in the Maldives in 2008, while Julia was expecting their eldest son Max. They married in September 2012 at Babington House, with a spectacular guest list including Lara Stone, comedian Michael McIntyre, and Snow Patrol lead singer Gary Lightbody. The couple also have two daughters, Charlotte, six, and Carey, three. James and Prince Harry have been friends for years. He previously told People: 'The friendship mostly started with being out and about the same places in London.' The chat show host and his wife Julia attended the royal wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018. At the time, he described the nuptials, revealing: 'It was so lovely. I've known Prince Harry about seven years now and it was wonderful. 'It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever been to. It was gorgeous, it was a whole affair, it was happy, it was joyous, it was uplifting.' James made a showstopping entrance to the palace afterparty as it was claimed he arrived at Prince Harry and Meghan 's wedding reception dressed up as King Henry VIII. At the time, People Magazine reported the presenter arrived last to the reception, clad in the monarch's signature Tudor costume, saying he 'didn't know what to wear'. ... AND THE TRAPPINGS OF AN LA LIFE When he was still a jobbing actor, known mainly for his role in the Alan Bennett play The History Boys, Corden shared a flat above a London doughnut shop with Dominic Cooper (now star of hit TV show Preacher). Corden joked that there was no furniture and only one piece of cutlery, a spatula, and that the fridge contained only 'half a vitamin water and a Lindt chocolate bunny'. Today, he shares a 7.3 million mansion in Brentwood, an upmarket LA suburb, with Julia and their three children. There are five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a pool, plus such typically Hollywood features as a wood-panelled library, cinema room and gym. It also has its own spa and an office complete with high-tech film editing facilities. While he stays in LA, Corden rents out the family's 3 million London home in leafy Belsize Park for about 15,000 a month. His neighbours in Brentwood just a 20-minute drive from the CBS studios where his chat show is filmed include Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Crawford, Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg. 'The children are happy and healthy and love their circle of friends,' says the source. 'James is a devoted dad and spends a lot of time with the kids. His weekends are sacrosanct. 'James knows none of this success would mean anything without Julia's love and support. His family means everything to him.' Out on the town, Corden favours the luxurious Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, where phone calls and photos are banned. Jennifer Aniston held her 50th birthday party there in February. Corden's tipple? Don Julio 1492 tequila at 120 a bottle. 'The best parties are at his house,' says the source. 'He'll hire a team of private chefs and you never know who will be there, from the heads of TV networks to stars like Emily Blunt.' Advertisement He said: 'Harry asked me to do some kind of performance...it was fun, it was a really special day.' Meanwhile the presenter also stole the march on Oprah by airing his antics with Prince Harry days before the prime-time interview that enraged Buckingham Palace. In a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out on an open-top bus, the Duke of Sussex - or 'Haz,' as Corden calls him - reveals he went from 'zero to sixty' with Meghan and how the pressures of living in London were 'destroying my mental health.' Meanwhile Julia is co-founded of the interior design company Charles & Co, which counts The Beckhams among its clients While James has a successful acting and presenting career, his wife Julia runs a hugely successful and popular interior design company. With a background in TV production, talent management and PR, she founded Charles & Co in 2016 with Vicky Charles, who was the design director for Soho House having worked for the group for 20 years. The pair were introduced by Soho House CEO Nick Jones and set up the business while Julia was taking time off to have her children. She handles the business side of Charles & Co, recently telling The Telegraph her role is 'to allow Vicky to be as creative as possible.' High-profile clients include the Beckhams, the Clooneys, Emma Stone, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Builds for the pair usually include a 'social, club-like spaces' within their homes, including bars, wine cellars, playrooms and even libraries. Meanwhile others might value a recording studio, with Julia revealing: 'Being able to record a little voiceover without having to leave your house can make a huge difference, especially if you live outside the city.' Last year, James was unveiled as the new ambassador for WW, previously known as Weight Watchers, after becoming 'embarrassed' over his body. During a chat with Oprah Winfrey on WW's Facebook page he revealed he 'hates' doing exercise but his wife Julia plans circuits for them to do. James revealed in the New Year that he has signed up to the health and fitness programme to help shift the conversation around wellness. He said: 'I want to change the way that I live. I want to be better for my children and for my family. I don't want to wake up tired, or feel embarrassed when I'm chasing my son on the soccer field and out of breath after three minutes.' James has been candid about his weight struggles in the past and back in 2017 he shed six stone in weight and found major success in Hollywood, however he has also admitted the one food that he can't stop eating is bread. Speaking about the last time he was 'off bread' for dietary reasons, James recalled an incident while he was out at dinner saying: ''[I have] a sort of battle with food... 'Then they delivered this basket of warm, fresh bread and we're like, 'It's happening, we're doing it. Who are we trying to kid?' 'It's our nemesis, it's out to destroy us!' Samsung Group's corporate flag flies in front of its headquarters building in Seoul / Yonhap Samsung Electronics reported its best first-quarter earnings in four years Thursday on the back of solid semiconductor and mobile demand. The world's largest memory chip and mobile phone maker said its operating profit rose more than 50 percent to 14.1 trillion won ($11.1 billion) year-on-year in a regulatory filing. Its January to March operating income beat the market consensus of 13.2 trillion won from a survey of analysts by Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency. Sales increased 18.9 percent to 77.7 trillion won in the first quarter, an all-time quarterly record and the third consecutive quarter that the tech giant has logged more than 70 trillion won in quarterly sales. Prices of memory chips, which support a great portion of Samsung's top and bottom lines, held up better than expected. Robust demand for server memory chips, smartphones and high-end home appliances helped boost the tech giant's profits. (Yonhap) Chelsea Handler is opening up about a recent health scare that led to her canceling multiple dates of her Vaccinated & Horny tour earlier this year. The topic came up when the comedian, 47, was asked about 'not taking [herself] too seriously' during an interview with E! Handler revealed she'd been unknowingly taking herself way too seriously for many years, which led to her suffering a 'hospital scare' in February after a comedy show in Seattle, Washington. Health scare: Chelsea Handler is opening up about a recent health scare that led to her canceling multiple dates of her Vaccinated & Horny tour earlier this year; Handler pictured in 2021 'I had this cardiomyopathy, which means, like, an adrenaline shot to the heart,' she explained. According to the CDC, Cardiomyopathy 'represents a collection of diverse conditions of the heart muscle' that reduce the 'heart muscles ability to pump blood' which can lead to 'irregular heartbeats, the backup of blood into the lungs or rest of the body, and heart failure.' While speaking with a doctor at the hospital, Handler wondered if her issue was something that had occurred out of nowhere or if it was something that'd been building over time. 'I was like, "Was this an instance, or was this building?" And the doctor says, "Well, it's an instance, but you've basically been very stressed for a long period of time and you probably did not recognize that." And I was like, "Oh, s**t."' Hospital: Handler suffered a 'hospital scare' in February after a comedy show in Seattle, Washington; Chelsea pictured in February Handler's Vaccinated & Horny tour kicked off in July 2021, with 10 stops across the United States. 24 more dates were eventually added, which meant Handler would continue her tour until July 2022. She continued, 'And he goes, "I don't know a lot about you, but isn't your whole shtick that you don't take yourself too seriously?" And I went, "Yeah" And he goes, "Well then you should start taking your own advice because you're taking yourself too seriously." 'And I thought, "God, you're right. What am I doing here? I'm stressed out so much that I landed in the hospital?" I'm fine now. But I was like, "Good advice: Practice what you preach." It was a good reminder to let everything go.' On top of talking about her health concerns, the New Jersey native also opened up about her relationship with beau Jo Koy. Having to do with her heart: 'I had this cardiomyopathy, which means, like, an adrenaline shot to the heart,' she explained; Chelsea pictured performing in October 2021 Stress related: 'I was like, "Was this an instance, or was this building?" And the doctor says, "Well, it's an instance, but you've basically been very stressed for a long period of time and you probably did not recognize that." And I was like, "Oh, s**t"'; Chelsea seen in April 2022 When asked how it feel to be dating someone who can really understand the pressures of her career, Handler replied, 'It's pretty awesome. He's the best. And he was a great reminder of all the people that came out of Chelsea Lately, and the careers that were launched: Fortune [Fesiter], Tiffany Haddish. 'We were putting all these people on television before people were saying, "We're underrepresented with the LGBTQ community." It was just an open door policy for everybody. If you were funny, that's all that mattered.' She went on to say that the two support each other a lot in their professional careers, and she hinted at a possible collaboration in the future where they could perform together. In love: On top of talking about her health concerns, the New Jersey native also opened up about her relationship with beau Jo Koy; the couple pictured in April 2022 Handler says a big difference between her current relationship and any she's had in the past is that she's 'an adult now.' She added, 'I had gone a long time without ever sitting down to contemplate or reflect. And therapy changed that. It gives you the gift of self-awareness. I would never have been open to dating Jo Koy unless I had had therapy. So what's different about it is, I'm in a different place. He's in a different place. He's a man and I'm a woman, whereas before I was a girl and he was a boy. It's been a great love story. I didn't really think I would get this.' The This Means War actress said she may even write a book about her love story with Koy, though she did admit she has a number of other projects she's currently focused on. Koy frequently guest starred on Handler's popular television show Chelsea Lately which ran from 2007 to 2014. Awesome: Real understanding: When asked how it feel to be dating someone who can really understand the pressures of her career, Handler replied, 'It's pretty awesome. He's the best' Friends to lovers: She told Jimmy Fallon during an appearance on The Tonight Show that it took her more than 20 years to see Koy as anything more than a friend However, rumors that the two were couple only started swirling last summer. Handler teased that she was dating someone in September, but wouldn't say who before going Instagram official with Koy later in the month. She lated told Jimmy Fallon during an appearance on The Tonight Show that it took her more than 20 years to see Koy as anything more than a friend. They made their red carpet debut at the 2021 Peoples Choice Awards last December. Daniel Craig looked more debonair than ever before as he finally attended the opening night of Macbeth at the Longacre Theatre in New York City on Thursday. The actor, 54, donned a navy suit for the glitzy occasion, teamed with a crisp white shirt and grey tie as he posed with glamorous co-star Ruth Negga, 40, - before sporting a bloodied face on stage after the performance. It comes after the movie icon was forced to temporarily pull out of his performance in the Broadway adaptation of the play after testing positive for Covid earlier this month. Broadway: Daniel Craig looked more debonair than ever before as he finally attended the opening night of Macbeth at the Longacre Theatre in New York City on Thursday - pictured with co-star Ruth Negga The handsome star looked sharp as he posed on the red carpet in front of the publicity backdrop. He furnished the look with a pair of leather Oxford shoes as he stood confidently with his hands in his pockets while showing off a statement piece silver watch. He was later joined by his co-star Ruth Negga who looked incredible in a lilac embroidered gown with she teamed with a pair of sheer Opera gloves. In character: Later Daniel sporting a bloodied face on stage after the performance Handsome: Daniel looked more debonair than ever before as he stepped out for his big night In the revival of William Shakespeare's tragedy, the James Bond frontman stars alongside Ruth, who makes her Broadway debut playing Lady Macbeth. Earlier this month, the English actor bowed out of the preview play with less than two hours until its commencement, through an announcement on the show's Twitter page. It read: 'Today's matinee and evening performance of Macbeth are cancelled due to Daniel Craig just testing positive for COVID this afternoon. Dreamy: The former Bond star showed off his Hollywood looks as he posed for photos Confident: He furnished the look with a pair of leather Oxford shoes as he stood confidently with his hands in his pockets while showing off a statement piece silver watch Characters: Daniel stars in the leading role as Macbeth while Ruth plays the relentless Lady Macbeth in the Shakespeare tragedy filled with ambition and murder Exciting night: The two actors looked in high spirits ahead of the shows opening night on Thursday Happy: He looked pleased after the show Thrilled: He threw his arms in the air in joy In a good mood: He was clearly thrilled to finally be on the stage Support: He clapped for his co-star Ruth 'We apologise for the inconvenience this causes ticket holders, but the safety of our audiences, the cast and crew remains our top priority. 'All tickets for the cancelled performance will be refunded at the point of purchase.' Preview performances began at Midtown Manhattan's Longacre Theatre on March 29 ahead of its April 28 opening night. Oh no! The actor bowed out of the preview play earlier this month with less than two hours until its commencement, through an announcement on the show's Twitter page It's all over: Craig and the rest of his castmates were later seen celebrating the end of their performance during the curtain call Castmates: The James Bond star later shot a warm glance at Negga during the end of the show All together now: Several other performers, including Grantham Coleman, were present during the curtain call Grateful: The Preacher actress flashed a wide smile after being given a bouquet of roses Happy: The performer later covered her mouth while being applauded by both her castmates and the audience Tony Award-winner Sam Gold will direct. Barbara Broccoli, who produces the James Bond films with her brother, is a producer. Daniel was last on stage in a 2013 revival of Harold Pinter's Betrayal opposite his wife, Rachel Weisz, and directed by Mike Nichols. He also starred opposite Hugh Jackman in 2009's A Steady Rain. Sam directed him in a 2016 off-Broadway production of Othello alongside David Oyelowo. Emma Hernan was serving CEO energy as she arrived to a meeting in Santa Monica, California on Thursday. The reality star took business attire to a whole new level as she stepped out in a sleek, off-the-shoulder white top and a pair of black skinny jeans. She accentuated her statuesque legs with black sling back heels decked out with a gold chain on the front strap. She means business! Emma Hernan was serving CEO energy as she arrived to a meeting in Santa Monica, California on Thursday Emma also carried a luxurious Louis Vuitton tote bag and shielded her eyes with stylish shades. She styled her hair in its usual full waves and touched up her radiant complexion with pink blush and a matching slick of lipstick. Emma gave fans an inside look at her busy day on her Instagram Stories. In one video, she twirled her hair as she drove about Santa Monica in her sleek car. Living in the lap of luxury! Emma also carried a luxurious Louis Vuitton tote bag and shielded her eyes with stylish shades 'WORK HARD,' she wrote in the post along with a coffee cup emoji. Emma certainly has a lot on her plate with her line of plant-based empanadas now being sold in Costco stores. 'My @emmaleighandco_ empanadas are now available in @costco (starting in the Northwest region)!! I could not be more excited to share the news with you all!' she announced on Instagram. Hard at work! Hernan gave fans a look at her busy day on her Instagram Stories Meeting of the minds! Emma also met with a pal for a brainstorming coffee session Now in Costco! Emma certainly has a lot on her plate with her line of plant-based empanadas now being sold in Costco stores On top of her work in the food industry, she has also been busy selling luxury properties as a realtor on Selling Sunset. In episode two of season five, Emma left viewers aghast as she went to extreme lengths to sell a house by running across the ledge of an infinity pool. And Emma once more proved she was a daredevil as she struck a pose on the very edge of a pool in a bid to entice her client to buy the house on her Instagram account. Here she goes again! Hernan risked her life once again as she was pictured teetering on the edge of an infinity pool Alongside the Instagram image of her wearing a little black dress with the stunning LA view behind her, Emma wrote: 'Another showing, another infinity ledge to run out on.' The star placed one arm on her hip and one arm in the air as she showcased the selling points of the no doubt incredible property. Just days previously on the Netflix show, Emma pulled the same stunt, much to the horror of fans. Teetering on her skyscraper heels, Emma was joined by Chrishell Stause as she visited a $24million Los Angeles property on behalf of her client. Shock! The real estate agent, 29, left viewers aghast as she went to extreme lengths to sell a house as she ran across the ledge of an infinity pool in episode two of season five Emma said that she would like to take Chrishell to see the 'magnificent pool' as the duo linked arms to steady each other. She showed off the incredible infinity pool that features a steep ledge that disappears off into the rolling Hollywood hills. 'I want to just go and walk across that. If I take my shoes off and give you this phone...' Emma said. 'I feel like he would appreciate a picture of me standing there.' Dynamic duo: Teetering on her skyscraper heels, Emma was joined by Chrishell Stause as she visited a $24million Los Angeles property on behalf of her client Chrishell reacted in horror as she screamed: 'Emma, you better not. No what is wrong with you, oh my God I hate this!' Enticed by the prospect of $719,000 in commission, Emma explained: 'This is going to sell the house, I'm telling you, Patrick [client] will love this!' Convinced that the selfie will sell the million dollar listing, Emma threw off her heels and ran across the ledge as water flowed beneath her feet. Swinging her open handbag, she then threw her hands in the air as Chrishell quickly snapped a photo. What a view: Emma said that she would like to take Chrishell to see the 'magnificent pool' as the duo linked arms to steady each other Terrified: Chrishell reacted in horror as she screamed: 'Emma, you better not. No what is wrong with you, oh my God I hate this!' 'You're making me sweat so bad,' Chrishell said. Emma responded: 'Anything for my clients.' Viewers of the show took to Twitter to voice their concerns with some branding the outrageous moment 'scary' and saying it filled them with 'anxiety'. One penned: 'Emma must have been thinking about that commission when she walked on the edge of that infinity pool becauseaint no way.' Daredevil: Convinced that the selfie will sell the million dollar listing, Emma threw off her heels and ran across the ledge as water flowed beneath her feet Strike: Swinging her open handbag, she then threw her hands in the air as Chrishell quickly snapped a photo 'Emma in those heels on the edge of the infinity pool with her Louis Vuitton haphazardly open literally altered my heart rate.' 'Emma standing on the ledge of that pool is probably the most scariest thing on this show.' 'Emma walking across the pool made feel like I was watching Americas Next Top Model! She wouldve won that catwalk challenge.' Annoyed with the power cuts and the increasing amount of electricity bills? Well, you are not the only one. Everyone in the country is finding it difficult to deal with the severe heatwave situation. India is not new to heatwaves. But whats different this year is that the heatwave conditions started very early and there is no relief in sight yet. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures broke all records this year making this March India's hottest in 122 years since 1901. The meteorological department forecast has said that there will be a gradual rise in maximum temperatures over most parts of north-western and central India this week. Heat wave conditions over Northwest & Central India during next 5 days and over East India during next 3 days and abate thereafter.Rain/Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning/gusty winds likely to continue over Northeast India. pic.twitter.com/Ymgi2eOU4B India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) April 28, 2022 HOW BAD IS IT THIS TIME? The heatwaves in India this year began on March 11 and have impacted 15 Indian states, The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a think-tank, reported. Scorching & dangerous heat on the way for India & Pakistan.Temperatures will approach April record levels. The high 40s Celsius are expected, parts of Pakistan close to 50C.It has been hot here for a very long time now... since early March. pic.twitter.com/EuxZQR45Rc Scott Duncan (@ScottDuncanWX) April 24, 2022 Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have suffered the most, with 25 heatwaves and severe heat wave days each during this period. Surprisingly, after Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the mountain state of Himachal Pradesh has been the most affected with 21 heatwaves and severe heat wave days, reported the CSE. IT MAY GET WORSE The IMD on Wednesday predicted heatwave conditions in large parts of the country for at least the next five days. A 'yellow alert' has also been sounded for Delhi, reported ANI. Photo: AP Eastern states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha are expected to be reeling under severe heat in the next few days, reported the Weather Channel quoting the IMD. The states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are all set to see a comeback of heatwave conditions from April 28 until the end of the month, reported the Skymet Weather. BTW, WHAT IS HEATWAVE? Heatwave is considered if the maximum temperature of a place reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius or more for plains and at least 30 degrees Celsius or more for hilly regions. For coastal regions, heatwaves may be described when the maximum temperature is 4.50 degrees or more from normal, provided the maximum temperature is 37 degrees Celsius or more. #India and #Pakistan have been gripped by record heat since March and it's about to get a whole lot worse.100s of millions will experience 38C (100F) heat for the next week and likely much longer. National record highs will be threatened as temperatures soar to near 50C (122F). pic.twitter.com/2khjUXtg8c US StormWatch (@US_Stormwatch) April 26, 2022 EARLY AND SEVERE HEATWAVES D Sivananda Pai of the Institute for Climate Change Studies in Kottayam said that anticyclones over western parts of Rajasthan in March and the absence of rain-bearing western disturbances had triggered the early and extreme heatwaves, reported the CSE. Anticyclones cause hot and dry weather by sinking winds around high pressure systems in the atmosphere. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said that global warming is still the main reason behind the rise in heatwaves, reported the BBC. "That's the root cause for the increase in heatwaves," he said. According to a Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, human activities have warmed the planet at a rate never seen before. Earths global surface temperature has warmed by 1.09 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial period of 1850-1900. Heatwaves in India are likely to "last 25 times longer by 2036-2065" if carbon emissions remain high and push global temperature rise to 40 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, said the IPCC report. FREQUENCY OF HEATWAVES RISING The number of heatwave days in India are increasing at a rapid pace every 10 years. From 413 in 1981-90 to 575 in 2001-10 and 600 in 2011-20, the number of days that see extremely hot days is persistently increasing at 103 weather stations, reported the World Economic Forum. According to a report in the Business Standard, the IMD and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that in 2015, around nine states were impacted by heatwaves, while in 2020, as many as 23 states have been impacted by heatwaves, a 156 per cent jump. Photo: AP IMPACT: BAD FOR PEOPLE, BAD FOR ECONOMY The unprecedented heatwave conditions have put millions, especially those in blue-collar jobs, including construction workers, farmers, factory workers and anyone who is exposed to the heat at a risk of being hit by sunstrokes. Heatwaves have direct impact on labor productivity. Since this extreme temperature reduces the working hours. Whether it is agriculture field or a rikshaw puller. This impacts all human labor. And in all probability these extreme events will increase. Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 27, 2022 The extreme heat conditions have disrupted the power supply throughout the country and have slowed down the economic activity, reported Reuters. The high temperatures are also damaging India's wheat harvest, reported the CNBC. Devendra Singh Chauhan, a farmer from UPs Etawah district, told CNBC that his wheat crop was down 60 percent compared to normal harvests. By Kim Jae-heun Kang Byong-chol, a general manager of sales at Hyundai Motor's Seobu Truck Branch, has been chosen as a "sales master" after selling over 2,500 commercial vehicles, the company said on Thursday. The title of sales master is the highest honor given to outstanding salespeople who have sold over 2,500 vehicles. Only three others have been chosen as sales masters at the automaker before Kang. The 51-year-old salesman has been selling cars for Hyundai Motor since 1997. "I would like to thank my customers, my family and my colleagues for always supporting me. I am proud that my efforts to achieve value for my customers during the last 26 years gave me his incredible honor," Kang said. Kang picked his consistent commitment to establish good relationships with his customers as the secret to his success. "I will take full responsibility to continue my good work in achieving value for my customers in the future too," Kang said. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor runs various reward programs, such as the "Sales Honor Reward System," "Master of the Year" and "The Class Award" to induce healthy sales competition among its sales workers. The Sales Honor Reward System gives prizes and titles to salespeople achieving cumulative sales of 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 vehicles each. Master of the Year and The Class Award select and reward Hyundai Motor's staff who have achieved the largest numbers of annual sales. From left, Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, Founder of Heritage Foundation Edwin John Feulner Jr. and Hanwha Hotels & Resorts Managing Director Kim Dong-seon pose after dinner at a restaurant in Seoul, April 27. Courtesy of Hanwha Group By Kim Jae-heun Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn met with Edwin John Feulner Jr., the founder of the Heritage Foundation, late Wednesday, to discuss a range of issues concerning Korea and U.S. ties, the company said Thursday. The Heritage Foundation is a conservative U.S. policy think tank that was established in 1973. The meeting took place on the occasion of Feulner's visit to Korea to participate in an international conference. During the two-hour dinner, Kim and Feulner shared their opinions on global economic issues including the ongoing price increases of raw materials triggered by the Ukraine-Russia war and energy security. They also talked about ways to promote friendly relations between Korea and the United States. Chairman Kim's youngest son Kim Dong-seon, managing director of Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, also joined the meeting. Feulner had been the chairman of the Heritage Foundation until 2013 and he still heads the Asian Studies Center within the group. With his deep knowledge of and diverse experience with Korea's politics, economy and society, he is widely seen as an expert on the region. Kim and Feulner have been close for nearly 40 years since the early 1980s. They have been sharing their views not only on pending issues between Korea and the United States but also on the global economy as a whole whenever they have the chance to meet. Kim also met with former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in March to discuss Korea-U.S. relations. Kim mentioned the difficulties local companies were facing then due to international tensions and stressed the importance of global leaders' cooperation in resolving the issues. Pence joined the Heritage Foundation as a guest research fellow in February 2021. Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while addresses a meeting of the Council of Legislators under the Russian Federal Assembly at the Tauride Palace, in St. Petersburg, Russia, April 27. AP-Yonhap President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday that if any other country intervenes in Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, Russia will launch a quick-fire military response. Speaking to lawmakers, Putin said that "if anyone sets out to intervene in the current events from the outside and creates unacceptable threats for us that are strategic in nature, they should know that our response... will be lightning-fast." The Russian leader said that the military would not hesitate to use its most modern weaponry. "We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having. We won't boast about it: we'll use them, if needed. And I want everyone to know that," Putin said. Mumbai: If Hindi is not the national language of India, why are movies made in different languages and eventually dubbed, Bollywood star Ajay Devgn said on Wednesday in response to a statement by south star Kichcha Sudeep. "Hindi is no more our national language," Sudeep said at a film launch event last week when he was asked how he viewed the record-breaking pan-India success of the Kannada film "KGF: Chapter 2", the Hindi version of which alone has minted Rs 336 crore since its April 14 release. The film has reportedly earned Rs 850 crore worldwide. Devgn, who recently starred in filmmaker SS Rajamouli's pan-India blockbuster "RRR", tagged the Karnataka-based actor on Twitter and wrote, "Hindi was, is and always will be our national language." "My brother, according to you if Hindi is not our national language then why do you release your mother tongue movies by dubbing them in Hindi?" Devgn wrote in Devanagari, the Hindi script. "Hindi was, is and always will be our mother tongue and national language. Jan Gan Man," the actor-filmmaker, who is looking forward to the release of his film "Runway 34" on Friday, added in his tweet. Addressing the media in Kannada, Sudeep had said, "Hindi (filmmakers) should say they are making pan India movies. They have been dubbing those (Bollywood) movies into Tamil and Telugu, etc and they are struggling. They are not able to. Today, we just make films that reach everywhere." The "Eega" star's comments had sparked a debate on social media over the apparent imposition of Hindi, with many fans of the actor defending his stand. India doesn't have a national language, and Hindi and Kannada are among the 22 languages listed in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. Sudeep's upcoming actioner "Vikrant Rona" is also billed as a pan-India film, expected to be released in Hindi apart from Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Devgn's tweet prompted Sudeep to post a reply explaining that his statement was perhaps taken out of context. Sudeep, who has also featured in Hindi films like "Dabangg 3", "Phoonk" and "Rann", said he didn't want to "hurt, provoke or to start any debate". "Hello @ajaydevgn sir... The context to why I said that line is entirely different to the way I guess it has reached you. Probably will emphasise on why the statement was made when I see you in person. It wasn't to hurt, provoke or to start any debate. Why would I sir. "I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest as I said the line in a totally different context. Much love and wishes to you always. Hoping to seeing you soon," he wrote in English. In a follow-up tweet, Sudeep said he understood what Devgn wrote in Hindi but wondered what his fellow actor would do if his response was in Kannada. "And sir @ajaydevgn, I did understand the text you sent in Hindi. That's only because we all have respected, loved and learnt Hindi. No offense sir, but was wondering what'd the situation be if my response was typed in Kannada! (sic)" he wrote. "Don't we too belong to India sir," Sudeep asked Devgn. Devgn then thanked Sudeep for "clearing up the misunderstanding" and said he simply wanted to ensure that people respect all languages. "Hi @KicchaSudeep, You are a friend. thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. I've always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation (sic)" he added. Translation and interpretations are "perspectives", Sudeep said in his response to Devgn. "That's the reason not reacting without knowing the complete matter, matters. I don't blame you @ajaydevgn sir. Perhaps it would have been a happy moment if I had received a tweet from you for a creative reason. Love and regards (sic)" Sudeep concluded. Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said Hindi should be accepted as an alternative to English and not to local languages. Presiding over the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee in Delhi, Shah had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided that the medium of running the government is in the official language and this would definitely increase the importance of Hindi. Eminent composer A R Rahman, whose mother tongue is Tamil, had also weighed in on Shah's remarks, saying "Tamil is the link language." The Vikarabad police said law will take its course now. (Representational Image/ DC) Hyderabad: Taking a serious note of the abusive audio tape issue linked to former minister and TRS party MLC Mahender Reddy, police officials have initiated action by sending the clips to the forensic department for examination. This, even as the MLC tendered an unconditional apology, saying it was a slip of his tongue and he did not mean to abuse the police. The Vikarabad police said law will take its course now. The Tandur Town Inspector Rajander Reddy said he had faced humiliation from the MLC earlier too. I lodged a complaint with the police by informing senior officers seeking action against the MLC. The investigation officer recorded the statements of the Inspector and collected audio clips for forensic tests, he said. The Inspector pleaded with officials to grant him long leave but the request is kept pending. Yalala SI Arvind meanwhile alleged that it was very difficult for him to discharge his duties under pressure from local political leaders and public representatives. He said the MLC threatened him with a transfer from this place after the SI refused to follow some of his instructions. Chief Minister held a review meeting with health department officials and directed them to implement Covid-19 preventive measures effectively. (Photo:DC) VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday participated in the video conference that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held with Chief Ministers on the evolving Covid-19 situation and discussed preventive measures to control its spread. The Chief Minister held a review meeting with health department officials and directed them to implement Covid-19 preventive measures effectively. He instructed officials to ensure that there was no recurrence of the ambulance incident at SVR Ruia Government General Hospital. He said the phone numbers for lodging complaints should be displayed at Arogya Mitra kiosks. The complaint numbers should be clearly visible on 104, 108 and Thalli Bidda vehicles. The CM said one or two such incidents would tarnish the system and directed the officials to be on alert and set up an effective protocol to ensure that the Ruia-type incidents are not repeated. Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the police to take strict measures to ensure that the incident at Vijayawada government hospital, where a woman was sexually assaulted, is not repeated. He said CI and SI were suspended due to their negligence. Home minister Taneti Vanitha, health minister Vidadala Rajini, Chief Secretary Dr Sameer Sharma, DGP K.V. Rajendranath Reddy, Chief Ministers Special Chief Secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy, principal secretary, health, (Covid management and vaccination) Muddada Ravi Chandra, home principal secretary, home, Kumar Viswajeet were present in the meeting. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy shows Manifesto to Ministers, District Presidents and regional coordinators at the meeting in the camp office on Wednesday. (Photo by arrangement) VIJAYAWADA: YSRC president and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday set party leaders the target of winning more than 151 seats, the 2019 tally, in the 2024 elections. The Chief Minister said that the YSRC government was not fighting only TD leader N. Chandrababu Naidu but also united evil powers including a section of the media. He warned the public representatives to be watchful, as there were chances that each MLA would be targeted and branded in a terrible way by those evil forces. Speaking at a YSRC meeting with ministers, legislators, district unit party presidents, regional coordinators and leaders to chalk out election strategies for Mission 2024, he instructed them to mingle with the people and inform them of the YSRC governments welfare and development activities. Speculation was rife that the CM would give an indication of going to the poll six months early but that did not come about. Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the party cadre to take up door-to-door campaigning from May and brief the people on the implementation of government schemes and development activities. He instructed MLAs to visit at least 10 village or ward secretariats every month, and monitor each of them for two days. He said tickets would be given to those who would perform this task well. He pointed out that the government had met 95 per cent of its 2019 poll promises and credited over `1.37 lakh crore through direct benefit transfer without corruption. Terming the party as the supreme, he said that all district in-charges, regional coordinators, and ministers must take responsibility and work for the development of the party by coordinating at the ground level. The CM said that the main intention behind these programmes was to tell the people of the promises met and the good initiatives taken up in the last three years. He said that people will be given questionnaires to rate the governance as well as the performance MLAs. In regard to booth committee members, he said that 50 per cent must be given to women and 50 per cent to those from the SC, ST, BC and minorities communities. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a whirlwind three-day visit starting May 2 to three European nations -- Germany, Denmark and France -- during which he will hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, participate in the second India-Nordic Summit hosted by Denmark and also later hold talks in Paris with newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. The visiting minister of state in the German foreign office, Mr Tobias Lindner, said on Wednesday that Germany was looking forward to talks with Mr Modi and his country would seek to pull India to convince it of the German and European line on the Ukraine war but not push New Delhi around. Condemning Russias actions in Ukraine on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, Mr Lindner said it was an enormous attack on the international rules-based order. The MEA said in a statement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Germany, Denmark and France on 02-04 May 2022. This will be the Prime Ministers first visit abroad in 2022. In Berlin, Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, and the two leaders will co-chair the sixth edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). The biennial IGC is a unique dialogue format that also sees participation of several ministers from both sides. This will be the Prime Ministers first IGC with Chancellor Scholz, and also the first such government-to-government consultations of the new German government, which took office in December 2021. During his visit, the PM and Chancellor Scholz will also jointly address a Business Event. Prime Minister (Modi) will address and interact with the Indian community in Germany. On the second leg of the visit, the MEA said: The PM will thereafter travel to Copenhagen on an official visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Denmark, Ms Mette Frederiksen. He will also participate in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit hosted by Denmark. ... During the 2nd India-Nordic Summit, the PM will interact with other Nordic leaders -- Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir of Iceland, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store of Norway, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland. The summit will focus on subjects like post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, innovation and technology, renewable energy, the evolving global security scenario and India-Nordic cooperation in the Arctic region. The 1st India-Nordic Summit took place in 2018 in Stockholm. On the trips third and final leg, the MEA said: On his return journey on 04 May 2022, the Prime Minister will briefly stop over in Paris and meet Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of France. India and France are celebrating 75 years of their diplomatic relations this year and the meeting between the two leaders will set a more ambitious agenda of the Strategic Partnership. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will not attend the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts. (Photo: Twitter) Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will not attend the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on April 30. Official sources said that Rao has decided to stay away from the two-day conference and has deputed law minister A. Indrakaran Reddy to attend the event, which will be chaired by the Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana. Rao had also not attended the Prime Ministers video conference with chief ministers on Wednesday to review the Covid situation as he was busy with the TRS plenary. Rao has been staying away from meetings and video conferences convened by Modi for the last one year as TRS and BJP are engaged in a bitter political battle since the Huzurabad Assembly by-election and over the paddy procurement issue. The ensuing conference is being held after a gap of six years. The last one was held on April 24, 2016. The conference is a platform to discuss challenges faced by the judiciary. Speedy delivery of justice, reduction in pendency of litigations and rising vacancies in judiciary are likely to be on the agenda of the conference. Earlier in January, Modi had convened two video conferences with CMs, one to review Covid situation and other to discuss aspirational districts. Rao stayed away from both meetings. Rao did not receive Modi when the latter arrived in Hyderabad on February 5 to launch the Statue of Equality in Chinna Jeeyar Swamy ashram citing illness. Hyderabad: In a sudden development, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren arrived at Pragathi Bhavan to meet Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday. Soren reached Pragathi Bhavan around 8.30 pm. Official sources said both the leaders discussed the current political situation in the country and the need to bring about an alternative political agenda for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. It is learnt that Soren arrived in Hyderabad on Thursday on a private visit and sought the CMs appointment all of a sudden. Rao agreed to meet him soon after his return from Nalgonda district. The CM toured Nalgonda during the day to review development programmes in the district and returned to the city by 6 pm. Raos meeting with Soren assumed significance in the backdrop of the TRS plenary held on Wednesday in which he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Centres alleged anti-farmer, anti-poor policies and for the BJPs communal and divisive politics. Rao also stated that there was no need for setting up any political front or tents by bringing together a few political parties or CMs to dethrone anyone from power and stressed the need for setting an 'alternative political agenda' which should be both 'people-oriented and development oriented' to face the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. KCR also stated that he was not attempting to forge any anti-BJP front or any pro-party front but only trying to set up a People's Front to take up people's issues and problems. It is learnt that both the CMs discussed fielding a joint opposition candidate for the upcoming Presidential election in July. They would consult chiefs of various regional parties for a consensus on this. Rao had met Soren in Ranchi on March 4 to discuss national politics. He distributed Rs 10 lakh compensation each to two families of Galwan martyrs from Jharkhand on behalf of the Telangana government along with Soren. A security surveillance camera is seen near the Microsoft office building in Beijing, July 20, 2021. Microsoft says cyberattacks by state-backed Russian hackers have destroyed data across dozens of organizations in Ukraine and produced a "chaotic information environment." The company said in a report that Russia-aligned threat groups were preparing long before the Feb. 24 invasion April 27. AP-Yonhap A handful of hacker groups aligned with the Russian government have carried out hundreds of cyberattacks against Ukraine since Moscow invaded, U.S. tech giant Microsoft said in a report Wednesday. It added that in "hybrid" warfare tactics, Russia often matches cyberattacks with military assaults on the battlefield. "Starting just before the invasion, we have seen at least six separate Russia-aligned nation-state actors launch more than 237 operations against Ukraine," said Microsoft, which is working with Ukrainian cybersecurity experts and private companies to counter such attacks. It said the cyber-warfare included "destructive attacks that are ongoing and threaten civilian welfare." Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi leadership is believed to have taken a serious note of the frequent infighting between party leaders in Tandur Assembly constituency. Party MLC Patnam Mahender Reddy and MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy are fighting for supremacy in the constituency with each claiming that the party high command had promised to give them tickets to contest the next Assembly elections from Tandur. The legislator met party working president K.T. Rama Rao here on Thursday and complained against the MLC and sought stringent action against him for damaging the party's image in the constituency while openly abusing him, officials and in the latest instance a circle inspector, the audio of which went viral on social media platforms. Later, speaking to the media, Rohit Reddy claimed that he has been promised the party ticket for Tandur seat in the 2023 Assembly elections. Mahender Reddy, on the other hand, denied abusing CI on the phone and stated that the recorded voice was not his. He accused Rohith Reddy of conspiring against him with fabricated audio tapes. He threatened to take legal action if police issue notices to him in this case. The party leadership reportedly warned both the leaders of severe consequences if they continue to indulge in infighting and damaging the party's image. Following this, both leaders reportedly promised to work together. Rohith Reddy, representing the Congress, defeated the then transport minister Mahender Reddy of TRS from Tandur in the 2018 Assembly polls. But within six months, he defected to TRS, which led to a political tussle between the two groups. The party nominated Mahender Reddy as MLC and made his wife Sunitha Reddy the ZP chairperson of Vikarabad district. However, it failed to douse the fire. Bulldozers being used to remove illegal structures during a joint anti-encroachment drive by NDMC, PWD, local bodies and the police, in the violence-hit Jahangirpuri area, in New Delhi, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) Ramzan, the month of so much fun in the days of the joint family, has passed this year in Delhi with Jahangirpuri as the bleak backdrop. Three of our sisters fasted while the non-fasting four brothers, me being the eldest, picked up the blessing almost as our birthright. The different approach to religiosity has something to do with our divergent schooling. To keep the wolf from the door, the declining gentility of Awadh fell into deep thought about the next generations education. The family was divided down the middle on the subject of Western education. The conservatives, with abiding family affiliations to the Congress Party, insisted on an Urdu education. They saw their role model, Jawaharlal Nehru, as an Urdu-speaking, sherwani wearing (a rose in the buttonhole) Awadhi and a Kashmiri Pandit. The progressives in the family, all Communists, invoked Nehrus other persona as a Fabian socialist with an open mind. Since my mothers casting vote was with the progressives, the brothers were admitted to the La Martiniere College in Lucknow, a finer school than which would be difficult to imagine. In consigning the two sisters, who were chronologically my immediate youngsters, to Taleem Gahe Niswaan (Ladys College), my mother was not letting down her gender her role models were women of enlightenment: Dr Rasheed Jahan, Ismet Chugtai who by writing Angarey (embers) and Lehaf (quilt) had caused convulsions in the local clergy. Boys were set on the path for careers; women would preserve traditions and look at the stars. By the time the third and youngest sister came of age, though, my parents had changed their outlook. Naheed was sent to the same school as the boys. In the long run, it didnt seem to matter. Suraiyya, the eldest sister, topped her law, and Najma took up popular causes in Lucknow University. Sadly, Suraiyyas admission to Berkeley and Najmas study of Kathak were both scuttled by the conservatives. These accomplishments would obstruct them in the depleted marriage market. The boys respected namaz and fasting, on which our sisters were firm. For ourselves, we had found an elegant escape route in our poets. Ghalib was just one of them. It is a truth insufficiently propagated that there is not a single verse in Urdu where the mullah or the Islamic variant of the Salvation Army is praised he is always the butt of derisive humour. Not for a moment does irreverence mean opposition to the faith itself. It entails a critical, even satirical contemplation of its self-appointed intermediaries who were deemed to be of insufficient learning. The weaker the intellect, the greater the tendency to deviate from fact and logic into miracle and magic. The aalim, or the religious scholar, was always respected. Even the most audacious poets never crossed certain red lines. An article of faith was: Ba khuda deewana baash-o-ba Mohammad hoshiyar. (Take liberties with God, but be careful with Mohammad). Irreverence was an attitude to be sustained with some delicacy. Even an agnostic like Ghalib was cautious during the period of fasting. He snatches a morsel of bread here and a gulp of water there, as he admits in his letters. His furtive forays into food during Ramzan must have influenced our behaviour too, particularly in the large joint families. The 50 per cent who did not fast wore expressions of austerity for the benefit of those who did. Cosmopolitan schooling ruptured traditionalism but it did not induce indifference to traditions, which had a world to commend them. In fact, Urdu culture was itself inherently urbane and cosmopolitan. A great deal of Urdu culture depended on the cultural derivatives of religion. Mir Anees, Nazeer Akbarabadi and Mohsin Kakorvi were the staple of this culture, just as Tulsidas and Malik Mohammad Jaisi were a part of it. Just as Socrates misguided the youth of Athens, Ghalib did generations of Urdu poetry lovers, among whom was my maternal uncle, Saiyid Mohammad Mehdi, a gentleman to boot, erudite and a card-carrying member of the Communist Party in his youth. Towards the end, he did not mind The God That Failed, Arthur Koestlers disappointment with the creed, as a book in my modest collection. A Persian quatrain I picked from his circle of friends has remained with me as a whimsical calendar: Ba har hafta, faaqa,/ Ba har maah, qae,/ Ba har saal mus-hil,/ Ba har roz mae. (Weekly fast, monthly kunjal or vomit, yearly purgation and daily wine). I have always wondered if this comes from the same school of Persian etiquette as Omar Khayyams code for drinking? In the course of some litigation, Ghalib famously informed a magistrate that I am half a Muslim because I drink wine but do not eat pork. That would be a misleading yardstick to compare me with, but I suspect my wife and I are conscientious hosts during Ramzan, making arrangements for saheri, the meal before the crack of dawn, and iftar, the meal after the days fast. With ritual regularity I maintain another practice: I visit Jama Masjid at least for one saheri and iftar, if possible, with non-Muslim friends. These expeditions show a diminishing success rate. Some years ago, Lord Meghnad Desai and the late Swami Agnivesh accompanied me for saheri to Karims in the old city. I had anticipated Swamijis inhibitions and carried with me home-cooked vegetarian food which the management graciously served. In recent years, I have given up trying. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who underlined the importance of connectivity between the two neighbours and offered her country's main seaport - Chittagong Port - to India's landlocked northeastern states like Assam and Tripura. Jaishankar, who arrived here on Thursday on a brief official visit, handed over an invitation to Hasina on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modis behalf to visit New Delhi. "Thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her warm reception. Conveyed personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Our bilateral relations are moving from strength to strength under the guidance of the two leaders," Jaishankar tweeted. During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina said that the two countries have to increase the connectivity further, her press secretary Ihsanul Karim told PTI. She told Jaishankar that the enhanced connectivity was needed for mutual benefit while it would particularly benefit Indias northeastern region in using Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong port, Karim said. Read | Bangladesh, India have 'sweet' bilateral relationship: Abdul Momen "If the connectivity is increased, the Indian northeastern states -like Assam and Tripura- can have access to the seaport in Chattogram," she said. The Bangladesh premier noted that initiative were taken to resume cross-border routes between Bangladesh and India which were stopped during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, when Bangladesh was eastern wing of Pakistan. Karim said a number of bilateral and international issues were discussed during Prime Minister Hasina's more than half an hour long meeting with Jaishankar. Jaishankar later held "positive discussions" with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen and then jointly briefed the media. "Agreed that our close neighbourly partnership is progressing steadily. Our shared endeavour would be to take it forward. Looking forward to hosting him for the Joint Consultative Commission," he tweeted. The Bangladesh foreign ministry said that the two ministers "discussed the bilateral issues between Bangladesh and India. They expressed satisfaction about the ongoing Bangladesh-India cooperation, vowed to further strengthen the bilateral ties, stressed on regional stability for socio-economic development as a whole." Jaishankar said that during the talks with Prime Minister Hasina he extended Prime Minister Modi's invitation to her to visit India at the time of her convenience. "I conveyed (her) that we look forward to her visit to India at a time her convenience, he said, adding that a number of issues relating to bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues figured during the talks. During the meeting, they expressed delight at the current state of the existing bilateral relations between the countries, Karim told reporters. Defence sector cooperation, water sharing of Kushiara and Feni rivers, current Covid -19 situation and impacts of Russia-Ukraine war on the global economy came up prominently in the discussion, Karim was quoted as saying by local media. Jaishankar, who arrived here on a brief official visit, was received at the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu by Foreign Minister Momen. His visit to Bangladesh is aimed at preparing the grounds for Prime Minister Hasina's visit to India. The two countries are expected to fix the date of the 7th Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting, which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi. Momen also hosted an Iftar party followed by a dinner in Jaishankars honour at the Foreign Service Academy. Jaishankar would leave Dhaka for Bhutan on Friday morning. His last visit to Bangladesh was in March last year. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that the visit of the external affairs minister to Bangladesh may be seen in the context of frequent bilateral high-level visits and exchanges particularly as both sides commemorate 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Hasina last visited New Delhi in 2019 to attend the Indian Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF) when she also had bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart. Modi, on the other hand, visited Bangladesh on March 26-27 last year at Hasinas invitation to join golden jubilee celebration of the country's independence, birth centenary of Bangladeshs Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th years of establishment of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. President Ram Nath Kovind also paid a state visit to Dhaka from December 15-17 last year at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid to attend the 50th victory day celebration of Bangladesh. Watch latest videos by DH here: Two men of different faiths - a Hindu and a Muslim - in Bangladesh's Khulna division have been delivering a lesson in communal harmony through their acts of charity towards each other's religion. Pranab Kumar Ghosh, an assistant professor at Fakirhat Azhar Ali Degree College in Bagerhat district, donated land for the construction of a mosque, and Sheikh Mizanur Rahman, a local Awami League leader, gave away a piece of his land to be used as a cremation ground for the Hindus to promote communal harmony in their locality, Bangladesh's bdnews24.com reported on Thursday. Ghosh, a landowner in Fakirhat, donated land for the construction of a mosque as locals sought his help because there was no mosque in the area. According to the media report, initially, a small prayer house was built in the area, which was later replaced by a two-storey building constructed on nearly 40 acres of land. Gaus Sheikh, an official at the mosque, said Ghosh "did not just give us the land", but also came and ate with us when invited to the mosque. "He has given as much land as needed for an Eidgah [open air enclosure] and a separate space for women to pray, he added. Meanwhile, Sheikh Mizanur Rahman, who owned land next to a Sanatan Dharma crematorium on the banks of river Bhairab, gave away his own land for the construction of a new cremation ground as the old one was washed away. Mizanur, a former vice chairman of Fakirhat Union Council, said he was deeply moved by the thought that a community did not have any land to conduct the funeral rites for their dead. "People from different communities, including Hindus and Muslims, live here. When the central cremation ground was swallowed by the river, the Hindu devotees had some problems performing their funeral rites. I owned land next to the cremation ground. When local Hindus asked for it, I gave it to them," he said, adding that people of the locality wished to live in harmony in the days to come. Fakirhat Upazila Council Chairman Swapan Kumar Das believes that the acts of these two men will inspire people in the area and future generations to take similar initiatives. Watch latest videos by DH here: A Goan-origin Cabinet minister on Thursday blamed recent allegations around inappropriate behaviour and comments by British parliamentarians on some bad apples, as she admitted that a minority of male politicians behave like animals. UK Attorney General Suella Braverman told the BBC in a radio interview that she was "ashamed" that an MP accused of watching porn in Parliament reportedly belonged to her party and "wore a Conservative rosette". She was reacting to reports that emerged earlier this week that a minister has accused a fellow Conservative MP of watching pornography on a device in the House of Commons chamber, which is now being investigated. "My personal experience, I've been an MP for seven years, been in the Conservative Party and in politics for 20 years on no occasion have I been made to feel uncomfortable and all the men I have worked with have been respectful, said Braverman. There is however a very small minority of men who fall short and there are some bad apples who are out of order, who behave like animals and are bringing Parliament into disrepute, she said. The 42-year-old minister said the issue was a "worrying symptom" of a wider problem in society and said watching porn in public had become "normalised". Her intervention makes her the latest high-profile politician to wade into an ongoing debate since a media report quoted an anonymous Tory party source to accuse the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Labour Party, Angela Rayner, of crossing and uncrossing her legs to distract British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the House of Commons. It led to Johnson condemning the dubious reference to the 1992 Sharon Stone film Basic Instinct as an appalling load of sexist, misogynist tripe and threatening action against anyone found to be behind those comments. Since then, female politicians have been speaking out about other inappropriate behaviour, including a Labour MP being accused of using graphic language when describing a female colleague as the party's "secret weapon" because women want to be her friend and men want to sleep with her. "The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken," a Labour Party spokesperson said. On Wednesday, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas cited a report in The Sunday Times' in the Commons that said a total of 56 MPs, including three Cabinet ministers, were facing allegations of sexual misconduct after being reported to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS). She asked Boris Johnson whether such behaviour was grounds for dismissal under the ministerial code. The UK PM replied to confirm that sexual harassment was "of course... grounds for dismissal". The current parliamentary complaints scheme, the ICGS, was set up in 2018 following complaints about how claims of sexual harassment by MPs were dealt with. The new independent procedure removes MPs from the process of judging whether one of their colleagues had breached rules on bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct. If an MP is suspended for at least 10 days, their constituents can demand a by-election through a recall petition. Watch latest videos by DH here: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday arrived here in Bangladesh on a brief official visit during which he will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hold bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart. He was received at the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu by Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen. It is learnt that Jaishankar's half-day official visit to Bangladesh is aimed at preparing the grounds for a visit to India by Prime Minister Hasina. The two countries are expected to fix the date of the 7th Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting, which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi. During his visit, Jaishankar will call on Prime Minister Hasina and handover an invitation to her on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modis behalf to visit New Delhi, officials here said. Read | Bangladesh, India have 'sweet' bilateral relationship: Abdul Momen He is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Hasina at her Ganabhaban official residence to handover the invitation letter, an event which will be followed by a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Momen at Foreign Service academy, the official said. Momen would also host an Iftar followed by dinner in Jaishankars honour at the academy. Jaishankars last visit to Bangladesh was in March last year. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that the visit of the external affairs minister to Bangladesh may be seen in the context of frequent bilateral high-level visits and exchanges particularly as both sides commemorate 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Hasina last visited New Delhi in 2019 to attend the Indian Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF) when she also had bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart. Modi, on the other hand, visited Bangladesh on March 26-27 last year at Hasinas invitation to join golden jubilee celebration of the country's independence, birth centenary of Bangladeshs Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th years of establishment of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. President Ram Nath Kovind also paid a state visit to Dhaka from December 15-17 last year at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid to attend the 50th victory day celebration of Bangladesh. Watch latest videos by DH here: Congress veteran Kamal Nath on Thursday tendered his resignation as the Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, but will continue as the MPCC president, party sources said. Nath resigned from the post as per the party's 'one person-one post' policy. The Congress leadership accepted his resignation and approved the appointment of the former minister and seven-time Congress MLA Dr Govind Singh in his place as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), they said. In a communication addressed to Nath on Thursday, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal said, "The Congress president has accepted your resignation from the post of Leader, Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Madhya Pradesh with immediate effect." Nath had offered to resign from the post as part of the Congress's 'one person-one post' formula, the sources said. The communication further said, "The Congress president has approved the proposal to appoint Dr Govind Singh as the CLP leader." Nath will continue as the state unit chief of Madhya Pradesh, where assembly polls are due in 2023. Watch latest videos by DH here: Hundreds of saints and seers led by Alwar MP Balaknath took out a protest march in Alwar district's Rajgarh on Wednesday against the demolition of two temples during a recent anti-encroachment drive. The temples and some other structures were demolished last week, with officials describing the action as part of an anti-encroachment drive to widen a road in the municipal town. Balaknath alleged that the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan is doing politics of appeasement to benefit a particular community. He said the Congress government will face the "consequences" if the demolished temples are not rebuilt. "The Rajasthan government should take cognisance of is matter at the earliest. If Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is not able to run the government then he should resign," he said. The protest march started from Company Bagh Choraha in Rajgarh and seen participation of a large number of saints as well as BJP workers. Saints from different districts of Rajasthan and from neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and the national capital Delhi also took part in the rally. The demolition of two temples (one complete and one partially) and other structures under the anti-encroachment drive has triggered a controversy. Check out the latest DH videos here: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said violence does not benefit anybody and emphasized the need to bring together all communities and preserve humanity, comments coming in the backdrop of recent clashes between different groups in several parts of the country. He also underlined the need for establishing a Sindhi university in the country to ensure the survival of the Sindhi language and culture. The RSS chief said India is a multi-lingual country and each language has its own importance. Bhagwat was speaking as the chief guest at the 'Gaddinashini' programme (ceremony to assume religious seat) of Sai Rajeshlal Mordiya, the great-grandson of Sant Kanwarram, at Kanwarram Dham on Bhankheda Road near here in eastern Maharashtra. Hundreds of Sindhi community members from the Amravati district and different parts of the country attended the ceremony. The RSS chief asserted no one benefits from violence and called for bringing together all communities and preserving humanity. "Violence does not benefit anybody. The society to which violence is dear is now counting its last days. We should forever be non-violent and peace-loving. For this, it is essential to bring together all communities and preserve humanity. We all need to do this work on a priority," said Bhagwat. The RSS leader's remarks came in the backdrop of communal clashes during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in nearly half a dozen states, including the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Observing that the Sindhi community has contributed richly to the development of the country, Bhagwat stressed the need of having a Sindhi university to promote and preserve the Sindhi culture and language. "While some Sindhi brethren stayed back in Pakistan to protect their religion and land there, many came to India to protect their religion at the cost of land," the RSS leader said. He said the Sindhi community has to put pressure on the central government to get its demand for a university fulfilled. "The society is desirous of having a Sindhi university and an undivided India. These feelings were expressed on this dais also. I was appealed to make efforts for a Sindhi university, but I am not a part of the government. "Be it this government or any other, it acts on the pressure of the society. Social pressure is like petrol to the government. If you desire to see your dream of a Sindhi university becoming a reality, you need to put pressure on this government," Bhagwat said. Speaking on the occasion, Jagatguru Shankaracharya Wasudevanand Saraswati Maharaj said, "Undivided India is the dream of all in the country and this dream will certainly be realized during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. " Check out DH's latest videos: Kannada organisations on Thursday staged a protest here against Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn for his comments on Hindi being the national language of the country. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Praveen Shetty faction staged a flash protest in Mysuru Bank circle in Bengaluru and raised slogans against the actor. Since no permission was obtained from the police prior to the protest, the agitators were taken into custody. They slammed the actor for putting out a tweet for Hindi disrespecting the local regional languages. The protestors held photographs of Ajay Devgn and raised slogans against him. The agitators explained that repeatedly north Indians are provoking the people of Karnataka regarding the imposition of Hindi. Hindi movies are watched by Kannadigas and at a time when the Kannada film industry is growing which is not being tolerated, one of the agitators told while being dragged away by the police. T.A. Narayana Gowda, President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike explained that due to the importance given for Hindi language in the constitution, Hindi speaking people have developed a feudalistic approach towards other languages. The statement of Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn is symbolic of Hindi feudalism. The provisions which give Hindi importance in the constitution have to be dropped, otherwise, this feudal attitude of Hindi speaking people won't end. They will continue to dominate over regional languages, he explained. Check out DH's latest videos: Russia destroys warehouses storing foreign weapons in Ukraine: spokesperson Xinhua) 15:05, April 28, 2022 MOSCOW, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Russian army has destroyed warehouses storing foreign weapons at Ukraine's Zaporozhye aluminum plant, Russia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The Russian armed forces used high-precision sea-based Kalibr missiles to destroy "hangars, with a large batch of foreign weapons and ammunition supplied by the United States and European countries," ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said during a briefing. Russia's aerospace forces hit 59 Ukrainian military facilities overnight, including 50 areas of Ukrainian manpower and equipment concentration, Konashenkov said. Russian missile and artillery troops carried out 573 fire missions overnight, he added. According to the spokesperson, since the start of Russia's special military operation, the Russian army has destroyed a total of 141 Ukrainian aircraft, 110 helicopters, 607 drones, 273 anti-aircraft missile systems, 2,596 tanks and other armored vehicles, 296 multiple rocket launchers, 1,134 field artillery and mortar guns and 2,413 special military vehicles. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) People walk through Times Square in New York City, April 27. Unlike other parts of Manhattan, Times Square is quickly returning to its pre-pandemic population with Broadway shows and area hotels at near full capacity on many nights. AFP-Yonhap Dr. Anthony Fauci has given an upbeat assessment of the current state of COVID-19 in the United States, saying the country is ''out of the pandemic phase'' when it comes to new infections, hospitalizations and deaths, but that it appears to be making a transition to the coronavirus becoming an endemic disease occurring regularly in certain areas. The U.S.' top infectious disease expert, said on PBS ''NewsHour,'' Tuesday, that the coronavirus remains a pandemic for much of the world, but the threat is not over for the United States, adding that he was speaking about the worst phase of the pandemic. ''Namely, we don't have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now,'' he said. In comments Wednesday to The Washington Post, however, Fauci seemed to clarify his earlier remarks, saying that unlike the ''full-blown explosive pandemic phase'' during the brutal winter Omicron surge, he was describing what appears to be a period of transition toward the coronavirus becoming an endemic disease. The SDLP have unveiled a radical plan to make Derry the cross-border capital of the North West. Foyle candidate, Sinead McLaughlin, insisted the city must be a regional capital with the confidence, drive and success of cities such as Belfast, Galway and Cork. Ms McLaughlin was speaking during her unveiling of the SDLP's job creation plan for both Derry and the North West of Ireland. The plan's main strategy focusses upon addressing the high levels of unemployment and poverty in the city as well as the lack of investment compared to other Irish cities that Derry has received over the years. Although a bone of contention with the unionist parties, Ms McLaughlin stated that the Northern Protocol does have its benefits ones that could help the growth of North West businesses and give a boost to local sectors such as health, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and manufacturing. Ms McLaughlin also called for integrated working between Invest NI and the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) in the Republic to attract investment and for all local and national authorities both North and South to address the regional imbalances that the area has endured. She said: For too long people in Derry and the wider North West have failed to get their fair share. Generations of families have been unable to pursue their chosen career, to earn a fair wage or to study in the way that they would like because of the legacy of neglect that this area has been subjected to. SDLP Assembly candidate for Foyle, Sinead McLaughlin We learned a long time ago in Derry that if we want to get something done then we have to do it ourselves. Despite our citys best efforts, numerous administrations at Stormont have failed to deliver for our city. It has taken the work of the SDLP to secure investment and jobs through companies like Seagate, in our City Deal and the new Medical School. We will continue to hold the British and Irish governments to their commitment to deliver 10,000 students for Magee. The potential in this area is clear for all to see and we have produced this strategy to show what we can do to change things weve had more than enough excuses. If the political will exists we can transform this city and region in the years and decades ahead and truly deliver for all our people. This is a fluid document, we will continue to consult widely on it, but we need to make much faster progress we cant keep doing the same things and expecting different results. At the cornerstone of this strategy is the view that Derry must be recognised as the cross-border capital of the North West of this island. We must be a regional capital with the confidence, drive and success of cities such as Belfast, Galway and Cork and we need both the Executive and the Irish Government to get on board with that. This area has been left behind on both sides of the border, but this is the start of a conversation that can drive real change here and Im determined to make this plan a reality to put people first and benefit communities right across the North West. The owner of a new County Derry childrenswear outlet who took a leap of faith during the 2020 lockdown has said she is 'flying' after her first fortnight in business. Kirsty Campbell opened Mini Me Childrenswear in Magherafelt at the beginning of the month, a project that connects three generations of her family. The shop is named after Kirsty's 7-year-old niece Connie, affectionately known to her auntie as 'Mini Me' due to a similar fanaticism for fashion. It runs in the family. The Ardboe woman's mother Josie had always harboured her own dream of opening a children's fashion outlet. It was really my mummy that encouraged me to go for it, she told the County Derry Post. This was her dream. She went to the [Invest NI] Go For It programme many years ago, but didn't go through with it. She's now living her dream through me, she loves it. She wanted to do children's clothing, so she's loving life now because her daughter is now doing it. Kirsty with niece Connie, the inspiration for the store's name, and mum Josie, whose own dream was to open a childrenswear shop. Pic by John O'Neill. Having started at the age of 16 with Tempest in Cookstown, Kirsty progressed into management, securing a Business degree in between before landing a manager's job at River Island in Magherafelt. When Covid hit, she left her role, determined to use the lockdown-imposed hiatus to finally realise her dream. I've been doing the research for about ten years, but it's only in the past two or so that I really focused on it, she said. I contacted the Go For It programme, who helped me with the business plan and things like that. I had left the job in River Island, which was a big sacrifice, a big risk to take, but with my passion for it, I had all eyes on it and said now is the time to go for it. This [building] used to be a barber shop. I'd been searching for premises for a good year and a half, and I'd looked at a few and didn't like them. This one came up, and it was only on the website two hours, and I contacted them right away, saw it the next day and then took it. I've new flooring, new lighting, all the paintwork; everything. There used to be sinks in here and all the plumbing, so there was a lot to do. Part of the reason her search for premises had been delayed was that Kirsty only ever envisaged her business opening in one town. I always had Magherafelt in my head, I just love the town. There was nowhere else in my head other than Magherafelt, said the 32-year-old. I went to school in Cookstown, but there was always something about Magherafelt; the people, the buzz. Because I'd worked in River Island, I grew a customer base and they came into me because they got to know me. I'm overwhelmed by the support I've had so far. I set up an Instagram account and a Facebook page a few months ago, just to say it was coming soon. Even the amount of messages and phone calls I was getting before I opened, to say people were so excited and that this is what Magherafelt needed. One of the brands Kirsty is most proud of is Sergent Major, a French brand of which she is the only UK and Ireland stockist outside of industry behemoth John Lewis. It was in sourcing the brand that she realised the enormity of the journey she had gone on since entering retail as a teenager. There is a showroom in Dublin where I can go down and view a lot of the European brands, but for this brand, I went over to France and went to their showroom, she said. It was amazing. I didn't want to order something where I'd just seen digital images of online; I wanted to go and actually feel the stuff and see what it was like. It's a big risk ordering something you can't feel or see. The price point is amazing and the quality is amazing. No one else around here is going to have it, and once it's sold out, it's sold out, basically. You won't get children running around with the same things on. That's the biggest highlight so far, having a brand like that when I've only opened. I knew what I wanted, so I went and got it. Now entering her fourth week of business on Magherafelt's Union Road, Kirsty is having to pinch herself at the reality of it all. I've always been into fashion my whole life, I think because I was the only girl, she said. My mummy had me dressed in the best of the best, and I've all girl cousins mostly as well, so I always looked up to them for fashion. I always had this in my mind. From I was a wee girl, I always said I was going to open my own kids' shop some day. I've done a few office jobs in between, and I was never happy. I always said I'd never be happy unless I'm my own boss, and here I am. A poignant anniversary is to be marked by the placing of two bouquets at significant spots in Buncrana. On May 4, 1922, Mary-Ellen Kavanagh (19) and Esther Fletcher (10) died in Derry's Infirmary, following their shooting during the gun battle which followed a bank robbery in the seaside town. The incident is believed to be one of the first in the Civil War. Mary-Ellen's nephew, Pa Deeney, is planning to mark the centenary anniversary by placing flowers on her grave in Cockhill cemetery and at the Market Square memorial to the two young women. At the time of the shooting, the Donegal Democrat newspaper reported that Mary-Ellen and Esther died following their admission to Derry Infirmary. At the Inquest, which was carried out in Derry, by Mr James O'Doherty, deputy-coroner, Dr Honeyford, resident surgeon in the Infirmary, said Mary-Ellen had been admitted to the hospital suffering from shock and loss of blood, as a result of a gunshot wound in the upper part of the back, and had died at 6.30 that evening. Speaking to Derry Now Pa said his mother, Annie, would often have talked about her sister Mary-Ellen. Annie was 10 when Mary-Ellen died. Pa Deeney, the nephew of Mary-Ellen Kavanagh My mother said to me all through her life not to forget Mary-Ellen, he said. I got the council to put a memorial to Mary-Ellen and Esther at the Market Square in Buncrana 10 years ago. No one else had done it and, at that time, I wasn't too sure I would still be here for the 100th anniversary. Thankfully, I am and I am going to mark it by placing a bunch of flowers at the Market Square memorial at 11am on Tuesday and placing another bunch on Mary-Ellen's grave in Cockhill cemetery. Pa recounted the heartbreaking story he had been told about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mary-Ellen and Esther Fletcher. What I know about it is there was a ceasefire at the time, but these boys in the town, who thought they knew better, they broke the ceasefire. They came and robbed the bank. They came to rob the two banks, one was the Hibernian and the other one was the Belfast Bank, which then became the Royal Bank and is now the AIB. The Hibernian Bank was not open because the manager was coming from Derry and he had missed his bus. The Belfast Bank was raided by anti-Treaty IRA volunteers. They were in robbing the Belfast Bank and there was a rumpus going on in the street, said Pa. A young man was supposed to be coming down the street. He looked into the bank and saw what was going on. So, he ran down to the old Gardai barracks. At this time, the army was down there. The British had left the town and the army for the Government had taken over. They came up the street, according to the story the way I got it, and some of them dispersed and came around by St Mary's Road and came back up Church Street, to surround the men [robbing the bank]. And then, they came out of the bank. They had not expected the police and the army to be there and they started shooting. The shooting continued and the two girls, Mary-Ellen and Esther, were shot. My aunt was shot in the back. My aunt would have lived in the street, not more that 200 to 300 yards away from the bank. Her father, John Kavanagh, went out into the street looking for her because he heard the rumpus going on and he was shot through the hand and the bullet lodged in my aunt, said Pa. Mary-Ellen's home house on Buncrana Main Street According to Pa, the men in the bank were told they would be let go, if they left the money behind. They would not be arrested. He added: But they decided then they would have a shoot-out and that is when Mary-Ellen and Esther got shot. Anyway, the boys got into a getaway car and they went down Maginn Avenue, up through Ahilly, and up what we would call the Marsh and they came down, out at Burnfoot behind the Metric Ballroom. The Irish Independent of May 5, 1922, reported that one of the Irregular forces [anti-Treaty] was killed in the bank shoot-out and others were wounded. It said: The Regular [pro-Treaty] garrison, which is small in number, phoned their divisional headquarters for reinforcements but on their arrival in town, the raiding party had got away. While returning later in the evening from Buncrana, this party of Regular troops came upon a strong force of Irregulars, armed with machine guns and rifles at Newtowncunningham. An encounter took place in which the Regular forces offered a stout resistance, though lesser in numbers. One volunteer named McGinley was killed and four other soldiers of the Regular forces wounded. The casualties on the side of the opposing forces are not known. Pa said: The Newtowncunningham ambush took place at Dr White's Corner. I have read a lot of history from that time and there were referenda all around the country about the Treaty. At the vote taken in St Mary's Hall in Buncrana, 84% of those who voted were in favour of accepting the Treaty. Anyway, the boys who robbed the Belfast Bank in Buncrana got away. However, they were arrested at a later stage and ended up in the Curragh Camp. But then you had a change of Government in Ireland and De Valera got into power and those boys were all freed and got pensions for life, said Pa. Sadly, Mary-Ellen was pre-deceased by her mother, Sarah, who had had 15 children. Paying tribute to his eldest aunt and uncle, Pa said: At that time there was talk of splitting the children up and sending them to live with different family members. But, my eldest aunt and uncle, who were still living at home said under no circumstances were the wanes going to be divided. Instead they stayed at home and reared the wanes. They never married. The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) has called on the Irish Government to "act now to defend the integrity of the protocol and the Good Friday Agreement". The call came in the wake of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) removal of in-factory weigh permits to two Killybegs fish processors, after a recent fish catch came via Foyle Port in Derry. The grounds cited by the SFPA were that the landing took place outside of Ireland. The loss of in-factory weigh permits curtails the functioning of the fish processing businesses, because they cannot conduct the weighing required for official controls on-site. In a statement, Aodh O Donnell, chief executive, IFPO said: The development over the last 24 hours has shocked the seafood industry, is another blow to the sector and leads to additional uncertainty. Left unchallenged, this is going to have significant consequences for the sector generally. There is long standing and a massive inter-dependence between the catching and processing sectors on the island. The special arrangement and protocol for Northern Ireland is key to the smooth running of the fishing industry island-wide. The indication by the SFPA that they cannot treat the ports in Northern Ireland as part of the protocol arrangement is nothing short of shocking, and is contrary to the protocol and the Good Friday Agreement. The IFPO calls on the Government to act now to defend the integrity of the protocol and the Good Friday Agreement. See The Skipper article on this here. Globe Telecom has penned a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AST SpaceMobile to boost its coverage and connect underserved areas in the Philippines. AST SpaceMobile has developed a cellular broadband network designed to be accessible by standard mobile phones. When it launches, it will aim to provide Globes 86 million subscribers with expanded coverage in remote locations. In a statement, AST SpaceMobile chief commercial officer Chris Ivory said: The Philippines thousands of islands create formidable challenges to meet the growing demand for cellular broadband connectivity. We believe our planned space-based network solution is well-suited to help, and were excited to work with Globe. AST SpaceMobile has entered into agreements and understandings with operators globally which collectively serve over 1.8 million cellular customers. It recently signed an MoU with Orange to plug coverage gaps in the operator groups African footprint. Will the price of 5G spectrum be set at what operators feel is a reasonable rate before the imminent Indian 5G spectrum auctions? Telecommunications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the government is working on a plan to resolve the industrys concerns around the issue. According to a report in Indias Economic Times, the Digital Communications Commission (set up in the late 1980s with administrative and financial powers of the government of India to deal with various aspects of telecommunications), is to consider the Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (TRAI) recommendations in five to six days. It will then send its recommendations on pricing to the Cabinet. However, the most recent suggestion from TRAI was for price cuts (compared to its last recommendation in 2018) of between 36% and 40%. This is way behind operator calls for a 90% cut in the reserve prices of 5G airwaves, which they suggest would be in line with global rates. But there isnt much time to decide on prices. The minister has confirmed that the next auction of spectrum is to be held in June in the hope that an initial launch of commercial services can take place on 15 August. The Economic Times lists the spectrum on sale as coming from the 3.3-3.67GHz and the 700MHz bands, as well as the 600MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz and 2500MHz bands. Millimetre wave bands in the 24.25GHz to 28.5GHz range will also be sold. Or, at least, that is the hope. Pricing concerns have left spectrum unsold before and it may happen again if government misjudges the amount industry is willing to pay for the opportunity to roll out 5G. St. Patricks Day events with our Irish community in Austin and San Antonio News The Ireland House team was pleased to welcome back business contacts for a networking reception and whiskey tasting. It was a pleasure to see so many of our Irish community again for a St. Patricks Day community reception, welcoming Minister Donnelly to Austin and introducing new Consul General Robbie Hull. Thank you to Andrea Magee and Pat Byrne for the wonderful Irish music. On 17 March, Minister Donnelly joined the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas to unveil a plaque commemorating the Irish who died at the Battle of the Alamo. Consul General Hull and Niamh Marshall joined the Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas to take part in the worlds only St. Patricks Day parade by boat! We are very grateful for the efforts of Irish communities in the region in organising St. Patricks Day celebrations. On behalf of the team, we hope you had a wonderful St. Patricks Day! Previous Item | Call for nominations for 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Award announced by Minister Brophy Press release The Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Mr. Colm Brophy, T.D., has announced the opening of the nominations process for the 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad. Minister Brophy said: I am delighted to announce the call for nominations for the Presidential Distinguished Service Award, which acknowledges the many ways members of our Diaspora contribute to Ireland, the Irish community abroad and Irelands reputation across the world. Over the last 10 years, 108 remarkable recipients have received the Award, across a range of categories, chosen from pools of high quality nominees. Among them are some well-known international names, including Jack Charlton, Liam Neeson, Chuck Feeney, Fionnuala Flanagan, Gabriel Byrne, Dermot OLeary, Terry Wogan, Fiona Shaw, Thomas Keneally, Edna OBrien, George Mitchell and Jim Stynes. The awards also allow us to celebrate the outstanding efforts made by recipients who may be less well-known, in order to rightly draw attention to their highly significant contributions to the societies in which they live. People such as emigrant rights activist Sally Mulready, retired policeman and founder of the Project Children Charity Denis Mulcahy, human rights and charity activist Sally ONeill Sanchez, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell and biographer Ian Gibson to name but a few. As Minister of State for the Diaspora I am aware of the profound impact our global family has had around the world in so many countries and in a variety of fields, and I am proud that Ireland recognises all that our diaspora have done and continue to do. The Presidential Distinguished Service Award remains a very important opportunity to acknowledge in a formal way those who have made a sustained contribution to Ireland or Irish communities abroad. We want to ensure that the Award continues to attract outstanding nominees and I encourage everyone to consider nominating eligible candidates. The Presidential Distinguished Service Award was established as a means to recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora, and the first awards were made in 2012. Nominations are made by Irish communities abroad through Irelands network of Diplomatic Missions. In order to be eligible for consideration, nominees must be habitually resident outside the island of Ireland and are required to satisfy one of the following additional requirements: have rendered distinguished service to the nation and/or its reputation abroad; have actively and demonstrably contributed to Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad in at least one of the listed categories; have a track record of sustained support and engagement with Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad over a period of not less than 5 years; or have made a sustained and distinguished service to Ireland on a global or international issue of importance. Nominations should be submitted through the Embassy of Ireland in the country of residence of the nominee before Wednesday, 11th May 2022. Note for Editors The Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad is neither an honours system nor does it confer any legal entitlements upon the recipients. The scheme is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, and a High Level Panel is established to make recommendations to Government. This Panel includes: Mr Joe Hackett, Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Chair), Mr Martin Fraser, Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach; Ms Orla OHanrahan, Secretary General to the President; and four representatives from the non-Government sector. Nominations are made by Irish communities abroad through Irelands network of Diplomatic Missions. ENDS Press Office 28 April 2022 Previous Item | Its been just over 48 hours since Elon Musk outright bought Twitter for a monumental sum of $44 billion and, pardon my French but the proverbial s**t has hit the fan! Im not even kidding, Twitter has exploded like a hornets nest, with tweets flying left, right and centre. Everyone and their grandmum has been reacting to the worlds richest mans purchase of the popular microblogging platform and how!! Reactions galore The age of social media has given us unfettered access to movie stars, politicians, musicians, and everything in between. Some might say that its a good thing, but the phrase never meet your heroes comes to mind here. But it seems like one man is here to change the way things are done on everyones favourite bite-sized social media app, for better or worse. Some are hailing Elon Musks purchase of Twitter as the greatest victory for free speech in the modern era, while some decry it as a billionaire feeding his own over-inflated ego. While both may be right, the acquisition of Twitter has drawn some of the hottest takes on freedom of speech and in the process highlighted a few glaring concerns that could derail the entire thing. Over the years, Twitter has simultaneously become the worlds largest platform for discourse and the worlds largest septic tank. Peoples lives have been destroyed by discourse on the platform, banned for wrong-think and even had their reach throttled by the almighty algorithm. What started as a well-meaning platform for debate and discussion, Twitter quickly turned into a political battleground that has even seen the banning of a former US President while he was in power no less. It eventually got so bad that even co-founder Jack Dorsey resigned from his position as CEO, leaving Parag Agrawal to take over the hot seat. To say that American politics has seeped into every cultural moment in the past few years is an understatement. The Hottest of Hot Takes Even though the platform was seen as toxic, it was still an important source for breaking news, updates and such. After all the controversy, it looks like the biggest one was just around the corner. The acquisition by Musk has been seen by some as an extravagant impulse purchase by a spoiled billionaire and that the 44 billion he spent could have been used to end world hunger. Silly tweets, no doubt, but the seed of discord against Musk has already reared its head. As a bit of a rebuttal, if $44 billion was all it took to end world hunger, how has it not happened already? Elon Musk told the United Nations he would give them $6 billion to end world hunger if they showed him a detailed plan of how they would use the money. They called his bluff and gave him their plan and then they never got the money. Now hes buying Twitter for $45 billion. No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) April 25, 2022 Others have even complained that the $44 billion matches Joe Bidens climate change proposal. The amount Elon Musk just paid for Twitter ($44 billion) is nearly equal to Bidens proposed climate budget ($44.9 billion), in case anyone's wondering how seriously were taking the climate crisis Stephen Semler (@stephensemler) April 26, 2022 US Senator Elizabeth Warren, who was recently derided for claiming Native American heritage when she was clearly a white woman, also chipped in with her rather silly take. She claims that democracy shouldnt be held hostage in the hands of a few and that billionaires like Musk should pay their fair share of taxes. This deal is dangerous for our democracy. Billionaires like Elon Musk play by a different set of rules than everyone else, accumulating power for their own gain. We need a wealth tax and strong rules to hold Big Tech accountable. Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) April 25, 2022 Jack Dorsey also endorsed Musk as he tweeted out that if there was one person that he trusted to take over Twitter, it would be Musk. High praise from the co-founder of Twitter. Elons goal of creating a platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is the right one. This is also @paragas goal, and why I chose him. Thank you both for getting the company out of an impossible situation. This is the right path...I believe it with all my heart. jack (@jack) April 26, 2022 This is par on course for celebrities of course, but now that Musk has firmly planted his foot in the domain of public discourse, this is only going to get much worse. Case in point, Elon Musks close relationship with China. The Chinese Candidate Right now, Twitter does an excellent job of marking and identifying Chinese state-affiliated media such as CCTV, CGTN etc along with state actors such as ministers and such. As we all know, China is notorious for its censorship and absolutist approach to shutting down dissent. Freedom of speech does not exist in China. Twitter isnt even accessible on the Chinese mainland. You can thank the Great Firewall for that. Elon Musk also has close ties to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) with China being the second-largest market for Tesla. It complicates things when a Tesla Giga Factory is located in Shanghai. So what happens when the CCP threatens Musk with IP seizure and shutdowns if Twitter does not comply with Chinese censors? Even Lex Luthor's stand-in, Jeff Bezos has a good point once in a while. Interesting question. Did the Chinese government just gain a bit of leverage over the town square? https://t.co/jTiEnabP6T Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) April 25, 2022 Politicians all across the US were quick to jump on with their opinions and thoughts on the matter with Senator Ron DeSantis praising Musk for the acquisition. The Left weren't so happy though, with a large cadre of users wishing death on the billionaire. Elon Fights back For all his talk, Elon has actually seemed to back up what he stated. Even if things go south from here, its clear that the status quo has changed forever. The madlad even joked about buying Coca Cola next! If anything, the past two days have been unexpectedly entertaining. In fact, news outlets like WION even went as far as to report that Elon Musk was planning on introducing cocaine to Coca Cola. Clearly, they didnt get the joke. Next Im buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022 Another unintended consequence of the buyout is that banned accounts have come back. Right-wing users have seen an uptick in followers while left-wing figures have seen a drop in follower count. We cant verify this but we have seen accounts that were banned make their way back to the platform. Every major right-wing account suddenly got thousands of "new" followers overnight. Meanwhile, almost every major left-wing account has lost thousands of followers. Shadow bans are being lifted and bots are being deleted. Twitter is mopping up before the new boss comes in. pic.twitter.com/YUxWYz7ifR Possum Reviews (@ReviewsPossum) April 27, 2022 This is trippy! Thanks Elon for bringing back my old account that was suspended. pic.twitter.com/yYom6WjM6p Drunk3po (@Drunk3po_Joay) April 26, 2022 Its still only 48 hours since the acquisition but it seems like the online world has been turned upside down. Its gotten to the point where the Biden administration actually set up a Disinformation Governance Board! Sec. of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas says a "Disinformation Governance Board" is being created to counter misinformation. pic.twitter.com/Qysmy0kGTP The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 27, 2022 Where this all leads to is still a mystery, as our resident Editor has expressed. But we know one thing for sure, were not in Kansas anymore. What Indians had to say For what its worth, India has about 23 million users on Twitter. Thats a huge section of people on the platform, but it really is a drop in the total population of the country. A lot of users seem to be incredibly happy that Musk has taken over Twitter while others fear that it will lead to Islamaphobia in the country. Its been a roller coaster ride here and its only going to get more interesting as the days go by. #TwitterTakeover is against Geneva Convention and will promote IsIamophobia in India. RW used to mince words to avoid suspension. In #ElonMusk's reign they'll make no attempt to hide bigotry, provoking scared minority into stone pelting. SC must stay this unconstitutional deal. THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) April 25, 2022 Anand Mahindra shipped in with his two cents as well and as far as his message goes, its hard to find anything wrong with it. He says that allowing trolls and the like to show themselves on the platform will make catching them much easier for Indian law enforcement. A novel idea, no doubt. Clearly Freedom of Speech is cherished. I,too,agree Twitter can permit a greater degree of participation & expression. Because censorship doesnt suppress the hate-mongers & a platform like this can flush them out into public view allowing law enforcers to act against them. (1/2) https://t.co/GgtWZR3Z4M anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 27, 2022 Even delivery services such as Swiggy and Zomato got in a few digs regarding the entire situation. Swiggy even went so far as to share a photoshopped image of Elon Musks cart with Twitter, Motichoor Ladoo and Kaju Kati as his checkout items. we saw what elon bought next pic.twitter.com/z18MvMtqTi Swiggy (@swiggy_in) April 26, 2022 Zomato wasnt going to be left behind and tweeted that Elon Musk bought Twitter faster than most users could even decide on what pizza to order. A bit out of line, but theyre right. But, the best out of the lot has to be the tweet by Amul. The image included the cheeky caption Yeh Cheez Badi hai Musk, Musk followed by Share it, dont have it, Elon. Media reacts The media weren't silent through this entire situation with publications like The Verge stoking the flames by publishing an article titled, How to deactivate your Twitter account and promptly got ratioed by a troll Twitter account. How to deactivate your Twitter account https://t.co/KVLIDkfWBg pic.twitter.com/IWg3Oh1BJp The Verge (@verge) April 25, 2022 Podcast host and MMA commentator Joe Rogan found out that Musk had bought Twitter live on his podcast and reacted the only way he could. Check out the video below for his live reaction. Rogan actually had Musk on his podcast a few years ago where he actually got the billionaire to take a hit of a marijuana joint. Conclusion: Everyone and their pets now have something to say about Musk but at the end of the day, as weve said before, the status quo has been upended. The deal is done and now only time will tell what Musk will do with the platform. Will Elon Musk uphold the values of free speech or will it capitulate to state-sponsored interference? Honestly, only time will tell and the only thing we can all collectively do is wait and see. Aside from the new maps, players can also get their hands on a new functional weapon Call of Duty: Mobiles Season 4 Wild Dogs update is finally out. The update should be available to all users, and if you havent got it yet, just sit tight and you should get it soon. As with any major update, players can expect a bunch of new updates. This includes new maps, new game modes, weapons and more. Call of Duty: Mobile Season 4 Wild Dogs - New maps Satellite The Satellite map is set in the Central African Desert and is set around a crashed American KH-9 spy satellite. This match features a wide open area on one side of the map, with rocky caverns on the other side. The wide-open spaces mean that players will have to be careful when traversing the area as they will be open to being shot by snipers. Khandor Hideout The Khandor Hideout map is set in Central Asia and is an urban map with multiple indoor locations. Players can expect a lot of close-quarters battles as they battle to gain control of locations. However, the map will also feature multiple sightlines which should make snipers quite happy. Aside from the new maps, players can also get their hands on a new functional weapon. Called the Koshka Sniper Rife. You also get a new throwable grenade called the Contact Grenade. Aside from these two, players can also expect Weapon Blueprints, Calling Cards, Charms, COD Points, and more. Aside from this, players will also get to participate in new season challenges as well as a new seasonal event called Sandstorms Eye. You can learn more about the new update here. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has quipped that he will bebuying Coca-Cola next and put the cocaine back in. Coca-Cola, the multinational carbonated soft drink brand has reportedly been breached by a Pro-Russian hacker group called Stormous. The report comes from The Register, to whom the Coke brand has revealed its ongoing investigation. The company is apparently aware of the data loss claim and is working with law enforcement to sort things out. Coca-Cola Hack: Details The Pro-Kremlin hacker group Stormous has listed around 161 gigabytes of hacked Coca-Cola data on the dark web. The listing reads, We hacked some of the companys (Coca-Colas) servers and passed a large amount of data inside them without their knowledge and we want to sell it to someone else. #Stormous claims responsibility for Coca-Cola's ransomware attack. They are allegedly selling 161 GB of data allegedly belonging to Coca-Cola...#Ransomware #RansomwareGroup pic.twitter.com/xCSHwdVQpR BetterCyber (@_bettercyber_) April 25, 2022 The hackers are selling the Coca-Cola leaked data for around $64,000 in cryptocurrency. It also adds the price could be negotiated "depending on the amount of data you want". This Coca-Cola data was leaked on April 24, 2022, and since then, the victim, ie., Coca-Cola has come forward with a statement. Coca-Cola Communications Global VP Scott Leith has told The Register, "We are aware of this matter and are investigating to determine the validity of the claim. We are coordinating with law enforcement. Days before the hack, Stomrous had apparently held a poll on its Telegram group asking its followers which brand it should target and Coca-Cola has received about 72-percent of the votes. STORMOUS ransomware gang has officially announced its support for the Russian governments. pic.twitter.com/D0qHccZ8jU DarkTracer : DarkWeb Criminal Intelligence (@darktracer_int) March 1, 2022 Coming to the why of it all, the hacker gang had previously posted that if any party in different parts of the world decides to organize a cyber-attack or cyber-attacks against Russia, we will be in the right direction and will make all our efforts to abandon the supplication of the West, especially the infrastructure." So, thats the world we are living in. As the American computer security consultant and author, Kevin Mitnick notes, Hackers are breaking the systems for profit. Before, it was about intellectual curiosity and pursuit of knowledge and thrill, and now hacking is big business. As for other news, reviews, feature stories, buying guides and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in. The removal requests should fall within the scope of Googles privacy policy. Google Search becomes more privacy friendly with this feature that lets you delete sensitive personal information like contact details and login credentials. All you got to do is submit a request, which Google will evaluate and if it meets the companys criteria, then those would be removed. We will see what those requirements are and what you need to do to clear those personally identifiable details from the search results. Requirements to clear personally identifiable info from Google Search The list of personal data that you can get removed from Google Search are: Confidential government identification (ID) numbers like U.S. Social Security Number, Argentine Single Tax Identification Number, Brazil Cadastro de pessoas Fisicas, Korea Resident Registration Number, China Resident Identity Card, etc. Bank account numbers Credit card numbers Images of handwritten signatures Images of ID docs Highly personal, restricted, and official records, like medical records Personal contact info (physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) Confidential login credentials Now for your request to be eligible for the removal, your personal info on Google must include: Your contact info Explicit or implicit threats Explicit or implicit calls to action for others to harm or harass Google says when the request is found to be within the scope of our policy, either the URLs will be removed for all queries or the URLs will be removed only from search results in which the query includes the complainants name, or other provided identifiers, such as aliases. How to initiate a removal of personal info from Google Search Its fairly straightforward process. Heres what you have to do: Visit this page and fill in the Request to remove your personal information on Google form. Submit it. You will get an automated email confirmation from Google. The request will be reviewed in terms of the aforementioned requirements. If in case, the company finds it needs for details from you, it will seek the same. It will give you further instructions to resubmit the application. Now, your request wiull be reevaluated and again you will receive a notification from Google once the requested data is removed from the public domain. Thats all. As for other news, reviews, feature stories, buying guides and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in. NEWS RELEASE Release Number: 2022-38 Date: April 28, 2022 DIR and Cal/OSHA Honor Workers Memorial Day OaklandOn Workers Memorial Day 2022, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) commemorate the workers who have lost their lives due to work-related injuries and illnesses in California. This international day of remembrance is held annually on April 28, the date Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, ensuring all workers have the right to a safe and healthful workplace. We observe Workers Memorial Day to honor all of the workers who lost their lives on the job, said Cal/OSHA Chief Jeff Killip. Workplace safety regulations are critically important in preventing tragedies from occurring at work. Our team stands ready to support employers and workers with workplace safety and health guidance, trainings and on-site consultation to prevent workplace death, injury or illness. According to the most recent data available in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released in December 2021, 463 Californians died from work injuries in 2020. In addition, many workers have lost their lives or were hospitalized after getting COVID-19 at work. To address the hazards related to COVID-19, Cal/OSHA posted guidance for employers and workers. The Division also enforces the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards, which were adopted to strengthen infection prevention requirements to keep employees safe, and gives workers information on how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of disease. The Emergency Temporary Standards are in addition to the protections afforded specifically to workers in health care and other industries, which are covered by the nations only permanent standard on workplace aerosol transmissible disease prevention. Workers in the state are also protected by the nations first heat illness prevention regulation, which was adopted on an emergency basis in 2005 and subsequently amended to add high-heat procedures and other important requirements to protect outdoor workers and set baseline requirements for water, rest and shade to prevent heat illness. After one the most destructive fire seasons in the states history in 2018, Cal/OSHA adopted an emergency regulation to protect workers from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. This regulation became permanent in February 2021. All together, these efforts provide California workers with greater protections, and maintain workplace injury and fatality rates below the national average. Cal/OSHA was the first in the nation to adopt a general industry Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) regulation in 1991, to set a standard for all employers across the state on identifying, preventing and training employees on workplace hazards. California also adopted the most comprehensive workplace violence prevention in health care standard in the country. Workers in California are also protected by permissible exposure limits that go beyond the corresponding federal minimums and cover a wider variety of chemicals. DIR and Cal/OSHA are committed to raising awareness of workplace safety and health requirements by educating employers on their responsibilities and informing workers of their rights. Cal/OSHA offers free assistance to employers and workers, creates guidance and educational materials in multiple languages, organizes outreach events and more to share information on whats required to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, is the division within the Department of Industrial Relations that helps protect Californias workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace. Cal/OSHAs Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to employers to improve their health and safety programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services. Workers who have questions about COVID-19 hazards, heat illness prevention and wildfire smoke protections can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a Cal/OSHA representative during normal business hours. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices. Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@dir.ca.gov, 510-286-1161. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Jinx Lennon returns to the Spirit Store tomorrow, Friday night, following the life affirming roller-coaster ride of last November's jam packed show in the Store. This is the launch for his new album PET RENT an hour long garage rock odyssey full of punk, glam,and showband beats, a cracked eye lens view of provincial Irish life. PET RENT is named after the horrible new charge that some landlords are landing on tenants heads making them pay extra for keeping domestic animals. They get away with it in Dublin but it probably won't get too far amongst the citizens of North Louth, Jinx said. Jinx recently took part in TG4 Cumasc:Seisiun sa Black Gate where himself and Mary Wallopers compose a new song there and then, on the spot. The episode will be televised on Sunday April 10th, and many caught Jinx on the Tommy Tiernan Show bringing the sound of North Louth to the masses. The Jinx Lennon show always aims to lift the soul when the world stomps on your head so expect rawness and mayhem onstage as Jinx transforms the everyday mundane border life stories into tales of heroism and righteous truth. New songs include one about the Belfast refugee crisis of the early seventies when Dundalk town opened up its doors to those seeking refuge from the trouble in the North. Joining Jinx on stage on guitar will be Chris Barry from Myles Manleys band who produced Junior Brothers debut album and some of the recent Jinx LPs. Special guest act include Derry sons Strength N.I.A.who fall into that strange space between the Fall and Ray Manzarak of the Doors.Tales from the Foyleside through the Brandywell gates and back .Great recent LP 'Ulster is a Dance Master',will be available to buy at the show. PET RENT will soon be available from the bandcamp store jinxlennon1.bandcamp.com ,itunes, Classified Records or you can buy it at the Spirit Store from Jinx himself. The PET RENT tour starts in Dublin in Thomas House on April 15th. Strength N.I.A. will be doing a warm up show at Classified Records on April 23rd. You can buy tickets for the Spirit Store show on Friday 29th or now from spiritstore.ie EBRD and donors provide emergency assistance to Ukrposhta and Nova Poshta. Swedish and Taiwanese funds worth 1 million to help the companies adjust their international logistics to the crisis. One of the first technical assistance projects to help countries directly affected by the war on Ukraine. As a response to the war on Ukraine, the EBRD and its donors are providing emergency technical assistance to Ukrposhta and Nova Poshta, the two largest delivery companies in Ukraine. With funds worth 1 million 500,000 from Sweden and the same amount from Taiwanese contributions the EBRD will help the companies adjust their international logistics systems to the crisis. This is one of the EBRDs first technical assistance projects that will contribute to achieving the objectives of the Resilience and Livelihoods Framework, which aims to help countries directly affected by the war on Ukraine. Since the start of the war, both clients have had to re-arrange their logistics networks and are now using their warehouses in Poland as international delivery hubs. The donor funds will enable cargo to be delivered to these hubs in order to help private businesses in Ukraine stay operational and withstand the crisis. The funds will also ensure the continued supply of critical humanitarian aid such as food, water and medical supplies, to the population in Ukraine. The technical assistance will help thousands of private entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals in Ukraine who sell their products on global e-commerce platforms and rely on Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta to reach their customers across the world. The EBRD declared its unwavering support for Ukraine and its people, and condemned the aggression by Russia and Belarus in February. In March it unveiled an initial 2 billion resilience package of measures to help citizens, companies and countries affected by the war on Ukraine. Ukraine is one of the largest economies in which the Bank invests, with cumulative lending of more than 16 billion in 511 projects since the EBRD started work there, including more than 1 billion in 2021. New EBRD 5 million credit line to Intesa Leasing SMEs to be able to access new finance to help increase their competitiveness EU grants to make company investments more affordable Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Serbia are to benefit from new funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU), made available through Intesa Leasing. A new 5 million credit line will be on-lent by Intesa Leasing to Serbian firms in the form of leases for equipment, vehicles and so on, enabling them to invest in their working standards and processes and become more competitive on local and EU markets. The aim is to encourage SMEs to invest in upgrades in three key areas: environmental protection, health and safety, and product quality. Once projects are successfully completed, SMEs will be able to access grants worth up to 15 per cent of the total lease amount. A particular focus will be on investments in greener technologies, to help SMEs adapt to EU environmental standards and improve their energy efficiency. At least 60 per cent of all leases will support energy-saving measures. The new facility is part of the Western Balkans SME Competitiveness Support Programme, to which the EBRD provides loans and the European Union (EU) contributes incentive payments and technical assistance. The goal is to help SMEs modernise their activities and take advantage of trade opportunities in the Western Balkans region and wider European market. Matteo Colangeli, EBRD Director for the Western Balkans, said: The competitiveness of SMEs and their green transition, in particular, are key to Serbias sustainable economic development and resilience in changing global markets. We are very pleased to support the countrys SMEs with this new facility, which also marks another important step in our excellent cooperation with the Intesa Group in Serbia and the broader Western Balkans region. Darko Popovic, President of the Board of Directors of Intesa Leasing and CEO of Banca Intesa, said: We are very glad to continue our successful cooperation with the EBRD, particularly in these post-Covid-19 circumstances, which have been especially challenging for SMEs. With the new credit line, we will offer favourable leasing conditions to our SME clients, aimed at improving their working standards to boost the competitiveness of this segment in the local and EU markets, while fostering their engagement in environmental protection, health and safety, and product quality areas. * * * Intesa Leasing Belgrade is a member of the Intesa Sanpaolo banking group and one of the major leasing companies in Serbia, with significant business activities in the vehicles, equipment and real-estate sectors. By combining global experience with local skills, it seeks solutions that meet client needs and support a better quality of life, prosperity, and economic and societal development more broadly. The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Serbia. The Bank has invested more than 7.2 billion in the country to date. The EBRD is focusing on support for private sector development, the improvement of public utility services and on the overall transition towards a green economy. EBRD investment of up to US$ 100 million in a certified green bond issuance in favour of Scatec ASA US$ 30 million Credit Enhancement Facility First private green project bond issuance in Egypt and the SEMED region The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is investing up to US$ 100 million in a certified green bond issuance of US$ 334.5 million, backed by six solar power plants owned by Scatec ASA. The Bank is also providing a US$ 30 million Credit Enhancement Facility (CEF) for participating institutional investors. Certified under the Climate Bonds Standard, this bond is the first private green project bond issuance in Egypt and the southern and eastern Mediterranean region. The issuance will have a catalytic effect on renewable energy investors seeking access to capital markets in a volatile post-pandemic macroeconomic environment, allowing them to source funding from the growing pool of international institutional investors. The issuance is co-financed by the EBRD, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank, the German Development Finance Institution (DEG) and private institutional investors. The CEF, alongside the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) Political Risk Insurance cover, is an innovative instrument, which will draw a new class of international institutional investors into Egypts renewable energy sector, thus paving the way for greener bond issuances in the future. In addition, the EBRD will support the regional economic development of the Aswan governorate in the country. The Bank will work on increasing access to skills and economic opportunities for people in the less developed rural areas near Benban Solar Park, by introducing a certified training programme for agribusiness entrepreneurs, with a specific focus on youth and women. Nandita Parshad, EBRD Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group, said: We are delighted to continue our support of Egypts renewable energy sector and to mobilise new private and institutional capital through this highly innovative and timely instrument. Mikkel Trud, the CFO of Scatec, said: We are thrilled to be part of this innovative green financial transaction which has attracted capital from both development financial institutions and international institutional investors. This transaction demonstrates strong support for the Egyptian governments ambitions to become a green hub in the Middle East. Scatec ASA -- a Norway-based integrated independent solar power producer -- develops, builds, owns and operates renewable power plants, with 3.5 GW in operation and under construction around the world. Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD. Since the start of its operations there in 2012, the EBRD has invested more than 8.5 billion in 144 projects in the country. By Dominic McGrath, PA Foreign Affairs Minster Simon Coveney will travel to Washington to meet with senior officials in the Biden administration. Mr Coveney will visit Washington DC and Boston, with the three-day trip from April 27-29th set to include meetings with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. He is also set for meetings on Capitol Hill. The meeting comes amid ongoing negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol, as well as days before the Assembly elections on May 5th. Mr Coveney is expected to raise the Northern Ireland Protocol, as well both the war in Ukraine and the upcoming elections, during his visit. The protocol is aimed at avoiding a hard border with Ireland, but has created a series of economic barriers on Irish Sea trade. President Joe Biden has been a vocal opponent of any moves perceived to pose a threat to peace in Northern Ireland and the stability of the Good Friday Agreement. The UK Government has refused to be drawn on reports that the Queens Speech on May 10th may include legislation to unilaterally suspend the protocol if a negotiated solution does not emerge. Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Coveney said: Ireland and the United States have deep and warm relations built on a foundation of historic ties and shared values. Strengthening this relationship further is a priority for the Government. This visit to Washington DC and Boston is an important opportunity to discuss shared approaches to confronting global challenges, and to re-engage with our diaspora community and other friends of Ireland in the United States as we emerge from the pandemic. In the first major deal to come out of the COP26 climate talks, more than 100 countries have pledged to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. The countries agreeing to the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use include nations with important forest cover like Brazil, Russia, Canada, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as major emitters like the U.S. and China. All told, the signatories hold more than 85 percent of the worlds forests within their borders. These great teeming ecosystems these cathedrals of nature are the lungs of our planet, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose nation is hosting the climate talks, said in a statement reported by CNN. Forests support communities, livelihoods and food supply, and absorb the carbon we pump into the atmosphere. They are essential to our very survival. With todays unprecedented pledges, we will have a chance to end humanitys long history as natures conqueror, and instead become its custodian. https://twitter.com/COP26/statuses/1455477840854540289 Deforestation is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions because removing trees removes natural carbon sinks and instead releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. All told, the degradation and logging of forests contributes around 11 percent of global emissions. Protecting forests is therefore an important part of halting the climate crisis. The deal was announced alongside financial commitments to support it, according to a UK government announcement. These pledges include: $12 billion in public finance from 12 nations to support restoration, wildfire prevention and Indigenous communities in developing nations over the next four years. $1.5 billion from 12 nations and philanthropists to protect the forests of the Congo Basin, the worlds second-largest tropical rainforest. $1.7 billion from 14 nations and philanthropists to support Indigenous forest rights by 2025. In addition, nations and companies that trade in agricultural commodities like soy and palm oil that threaten forests have pledged new actions. Twenty-eight governments responsible for 75 percent of this trade signed a new Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Statement to support sustainable trade. Further, 10 companies responsible for more than half of the trade in these commodities promised a plan before the next COP to make their supply chains consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The announcements were met with cautious optimism by experts and forest advocates. It is good news to have a political commitment to end deforestation from so many countries, and significant funding to move forward on that journey, University College London forest and climate expert professor Simon Lewis told BBC News. But he also pointed out that a similar agreement in 2014 failed to slow deforestation at all. That agreement, the New York Declaration on Forests, promised to half deforestation by 2020 and end it by 2030. However, it only had 40 signatories and key players like Brazil and Russia were not among them. Other advocates said the funding was not enough to support Indigenous forest guardians. We are undervalued and our rights are still not respected, Borneo Idigenous rights activist Mina Setra told The Guardian. A statement is not enough. We need evidence, not only words. Human activity has degraded as much as 40 percent of the worlds land, impacting half of the people on Earth and putting about half of global gross domestic product at risk. Thats the stark finding of the Global Land Outlook 2, a new report from the UNs Council to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). With more than 1,000 references and the support of 21 partner organizations, the publication is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the state of the worlds land, and it offers both a dire warning and promising solutions. In a world of profligate consumerism, global supply chains, and a growing population, land resources our soil, water, and biodiversity are rapidly being depleted. As a finite resource and our most valuable natural asset, we can no longer afford to take land for granted. We must move to a crisis footing to address the challenge and make land the focus, UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw wrote in a foreword to the new report. Mining vs. Managing More than 70 percent of the Earths land has been altered by human activity, and up to 40 percent is degraded, meaning that it has become less biologically or economically productive over a sustained period of time. Land degradation increases poverty and pollution and puts the people who live on or near it at risk for diseases and disasters. One major driver of this degradation is the global food system, which is the leading cause of land-based biodiversity loss and is also behind 80 percent of deforestation and 70 percent of freshwater use. Yet UNCCD members emphasized that the main problem was not any particular type of land use, but rather the dominant economys overall attitude towards land. We have been mining land, we have not been managing it, Thiaw told reporters in a Wednesday press conference. He defined mining as a linear approach that favored using and discarding resources, while managing would mean a more circular approach that uses and reuses resources sustainably. It is the way that our economy is shaped right now, UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza Murillo agreed. In an interview with EcoWatch, UNCCD lead scientist Barron Joseph Orr said that the land-use conversation had moved on from 10 years ago, when it had focused on single direct drivers like overgrazing. We know now that the cup of coffee that you or I may have had this morning may have contributed to land degradation somewhere very far away, as is true for almost everything that we eat, that we wear, etc., he said. And so unsustainable consumption and production is probably the underlying, major indirect driver. Three Scenarios The new report outlined three scenarios for how humanity might respond to this land-use crisis and what their impact would be by 2050. Business-as-usual: If we continue with current consumption and production patterns, we will lose an additional 16 million square kilometers (approximately six million square miles) of land by 2050, an area the size of South America. Further, land-use change and soil degradation will pump an additional 69 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the growth in crop yields will decrease and biodiversity loss will continue. Restoration: If we restore five billion hectares 35 percent of the Earths land area through measures like conservation agriculture, agroforestry and improved grazing, this will increase carbon stocks by 17 gigatonnes, increase crop yields by five to 10 percent in most developing countries compared to the first scenario and prevent 11 percent of biodiversity loss predicted in the first scenario. Restoration and Protection: This scenario builds on the restoration scenario with the additional protection of areas important for biodiversity, water, soil and carbon storage. Together, the measures would impact nearly half of the Earths land area, storing an additional 83 gigatonnes of carbon and reducing projected biodiversity loss by one third. However, in order to feed the worlds population, agricultural yields would have to increase by nine percent compared to the business-as-usual scenario. All of these scenarios illustrate one of the reports major messages: that land degradation is intimately linked to all of the other environmental and social crises facing humanity today. Whats really important about this report is that it brings together that we have to look at nature, people, climate, water, etc. all together, Orr told EcoWatch. That you cant anymore deal with these in separate ways, and, at the same time, it makes it clear that land is underneath all of these, and if you do well with land, you can make a difference in all of those categories through restoration. Enabling Environment If the problems surrounding land-use change are all interconnected, the solutions also require a holistic approach. The report called for an enabling environment in which governments, financial institutions, businesses, scientists and local communities all work together to restore land. Orr said that restoration must also look beyond single acts of conservation to consider a systemic approach that decides where it is best to build a biodiversity corridor or launch a climate mitigation project. He offered the example of Africas Great Green Wall, which focuses on land restoration in the Sahel covering 8,000 kilometers (approximately 4,971 miles) and 11 countries. In recent years, the vision has evolved from a tree-planting program to an integrated ecosystem management approach, striving to optimize a mosaic of different land use systems, the report wrote. On a global level, UN Sustainable Development Goal Target 15.3 has called for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030, which is defined by the UNCCD as a state whereby the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems, according to the report. Currently, land restoration targets made by 115 countries, nearly half of them LDN targets, would restore a total of one billion hectares. The report also joined with the emerging scientific consensus that protecting the land rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities is essential for protecting the land itself. In the face of rising threats to tropical forests UN and other climate and biodiversity experts have begun to argue for expanding the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities and for drawing on their traditional knowledge as a proven solution for protecting intact ecosystems, General Coordinator of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin Jose Gregorio Diaz Mirabal said in a statement emailed to EcoWatch. The new global land report for the first time recommends scaling up the land rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities not just as a climate solution but as a means for ensuring the success of projects to restore nature. The report comes at an opportune time to make a difference. It was released weeks ahead of the UNCCDs 15th session of the Conference of Parties in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire in May and in the first year of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It will not be the end all of all that comes out on this, but it certainly will generate a lot of energy and movement, Orr said. The largest study ever conducted on the extinction risk of reptiles on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species warned that 21 percent of all reptile species worldwide are threatened with extinction, which could have a devastating effect on the planets ecosystems, The Guardian reported. Led by NatureServe, the IUCN and Conservation International, the study compared the conservation needs of 10,196 reptile species with those of birds, mammals and amphibians, according to a press release by NatureServe. The specific subjects of the study were crocodiles, turtles, snakes, lizards and tuatara, a reptile native to New Zealand that is the only living representative belonging to a lineage that evolved about 200 to 250 million years ago, during the Triassic period. King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2011. We would lose a combined 15.6bn years of evolutionary history if each of the 1,829 threatened reptiles became extinct, said manager of the biodiversity assessment unit at the IUCN and Conservation International Neil Cox, who was the studys co-leader, as reported by The Guardian. This is evolution that we could never get back. It would be a devastating loss. The study, A global reptile assessment highlights shared conservation needs of tetrapods, was published in the journal Nature. The Global Reptile Assessment was conducted by 52 experts representing 24 countries across six continents, and in the last 17 years it has received contributions from more than 900 scientists, The Guardian reported. It may come as a surprise that most reptile species live in forests, where they face the same threats as other woodland creatures, like logging and the destruction of trees to make way for agriculture. The researchers found that 14 percent of reptiles that live in arid habitats like scrubland and deserts are at risk of extinction, compared with 30 percent of those that live in forests. Zhous Box Turtle Cuora zhoui has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2000. Invasive species are a major threat to lizards native to islands, while half of turtles and crocodiles are at risk of extinction. For them, hunting is the primary threat. Conservation efforts directed at birds, amphibians and mammals were more likely than expected to benefit many reptiles threatened with extinction, the study found, as stated in the press release. I was surprised by the degree to which mammals, birds and amphibians, collectively, can serve as surrogates to reptiles, commented chief zoologist and senior conservation scientist at NatureServe Dr. Bruce Young, who was co-leader of the study, the press release said. This is good news because the extensive efforts to protect better known animals have also likely contributed to protecting many reptiles. Habitat protection is essential to buffer reptiles, as well as other vertebrates, from threats such as agricultural activities and urban development. The 1,829 reptiles that are currently threatened with extinction are living examples of an important branch of the worlds evolutionary history 15.6 billion years total, with innumerable environmental adaptations. The results of the Global Reptile Assessment signal the need to ramp up global efforts to conserve them, Cox said, according to the press release. Because reptiles are so diverse, they face a wide range of threats across a variety of habitats. A multifaceted action plan is necessary to protect these species, with all the evolutionary history they represent. Reptiles have many benefits for ecosystems, from helping manage populations of rats and mosquitoes to aiding seed dispersal, particularly on islands, The Guardian reported. There are more reptile species under threat of extinction than bird species, said head of wildlife recovery at the Zoological Society of London Mike Hoffmann, who was one of the scientists involved with the study. This global assessment is a key beginning to understanding reptile conservation needs. Now we know where the priorities are and what the threats are that we need to ameliorate. There is no longer any excuse for leaving reptiles out of conservation planning and implementation efforts worldwide, Young added, as Reuters reported. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Mexican Government are tentatively celebrating the initial success of their enhanced partnership to protect the critically endangered vaquita. The long-term effectiveness of the program is still to be seen. What Is the Vaquita and Why Is It Endangered? The vaquita is an endemic species that exists only in a small region of Mexicos Upper Gulf of California. According to Sea Shepherd, scientists estimate that fewer than 20 vaquitas remain. Some reports, which are a few years old, put that number closer to ten. The smallest of all living cetaceans, the vaquita often gets caught as bycatch in gillnets set to catch totoaba fish. Totoaba, another endangered marine species, is a fish hunted for its swim bladder. It sells on the black market in China for thousands of dollars. Due to entanglement in totoaba fishing gear, the vaquita population has dropped 99 percent over the last decade. History of Protective Measures Because of this drastic decline, Operation Milagro, which means miracle, was established as the collaboration between Sea Shepherd and various Mexican government agencies and researchers to prevent and remove illegal fishing gear from within the refuge. Since 2015, Sea Shepherds fleet has removed over 1,000 pieces of illegal fishing gear from the refuge. In 2017 the Mexican government banned totoaba fishing and the use of gillnets inside the Vaquita Refuge, the UNESCO-recognized and federally protected area where vaquitas live. Furthermore, the government established a Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA) over 225 square miles within the Vaquita Refuge where scientists and conservationists believe the remaining vaquita population is located. This makes it a high-priority area. Despite this policy progress, lack of patrol and enforcement caused some to say that the porpoise is still doomed. For a period in 2020 and 2021, Sea Shepherd suspended protection efforts due to coronavirus, and Mexico opened up vaquita habitat to fishermen. New Protocol Is the tide turning? Slowly, perhaps, but both Sea Shepherd and the Mexican government are hopeful. During a five-day expedition in October and November 2021, scientific surveys in the ZTA revealed seven to eight adult vaquitas and one to two calves, Sea Shepherd Chairman of the Board Pritam Singh said in an April 2022 press conference. Unfortunately, the survey also identified a lot of fishing pangas and nets within the same protected areas. Due to this, since November 2021, Sea Shepherd and the Mexican Navy have been jointly patrolling the ZTA of the Vaquita Refuge. In January 2022, the enhanced Operation Milagro partnership began and is giving the vaquita a significantly improved chance for survival, Sea Shepherd said in a press release. New reporting and response protocol in the ZTA has led to a substantial reduction in the number of fishing vessels in the area, Sea Shepherd reported. In the past, Sea Shepherd would identify nets in the water and pull them out sometimes with local resistance. Under the new protocol, Sea Shepherd spots nets and vessels and reports those sightings to the Navy. The latter then moves the pangas out of the ZTA and pulls nets where necessary. The governmental body provides coordination and security and also has more authority than Sea Shepherd to take action, Sea Shepherd representatives reported. Sea Shepherd called the new protocol extraordinarily effective within the ZTA to reduce illegal fishing. Their ships report what they see hourly. During the first three days of the protocol being in place, Sea Shepherd ships spotted 58, 35 and 27 illegal fishing vessels in the ZTA. In the three days before the press conference, there were 2, 3 and 1 vessels. Sea Shepherd CEO Chuck Lindsey said, I can say with absolute confidence that our partnership with the Mexican Navy works. Our collaboration is real, its effective and, together, we are reducing illegal fishing within the ZTA and improving the vaquitas chance of survival. Long-Term Success? While positive, the results of the protocol only hold for the ZTA, where efforts have been focused. Fishing levels in other areas are not being monitored as closely or reported on. Additionally, to prevent illegal fishing, fishermen are supposed to undergo a government inspection before launching their boats. However, as Reuters reported, when the news agency visited the ZTA, fishermen were seen entering the sea in places where they could avoid inspection. Sea Shepherd is saying there has been a significant improvement in their work with the Navy since January of 2022, DJ Schubert, a wildlife biologist for the Animal Welfare Institute, told Reuters. The problem is as long as there is still illegal fishing, it does not help the vaquita. They have to stop illegal fishing completely and permanently in order for the vaquita to have a chance of recovery, he added, the news report said. Finally, when asked if any vaquitas had been seen in 2022, Sea Shepherd representatives said none had, but that the creature was famously shy and that they keep hoping. Tiffany Duong is a writer, explorer and inspirational speaker. She holds degrees from UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. As a contributing reporter at EcoWatch, she gives voice to whats happening in the natural world. Her mission is to inspire meaningful action and lasting change. Follow her on Twitter/Instagram/TikTok @tiffmakeswaves. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'s Global Education Monitoring Report calls for introspection on gender inequality in education that restricts girls from reaching their full potential. The annual gender report analysed data from 120 countries in primary and secondary education. The report points out the disparity between boys and girls when it comes to Mathematics, especially in the early grades. However, this gradually disappears as the children grow older. The report confirms that even the poorest of countries have done a commendable job of reducing the gender gap, reports ANI. In some countries, the gap has reversed. In Malaysia, for example, girls perform better in Mathematics than boys by Grade VIII by seven percentage points. Similarly, countries such as Cambodia, Congo and the Phillipines report a similar result in favour of girls by three, 1.7 and 1.4 percentage points respectively. Despite these heartening figures, representation still remains a matter of contention. Boys continue to be overrepresented among the high performers in Mathematics in all countries, says the report. As a result, this impacts overall learning outcomes in girls due to biases and stereotypes. The research examines data released in the last 18 months and happens to refer to the situation just before the pandemic struck. When it comes to Science, the report finds that in secondary school, girls outperform boys significantly in middle and high-income countries. However, representation for girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields remains low because girls are less likely to opt for careers in Science. In reading as well, girls tend to go one up on boys, with more girls achieving minimum proficiency in reading. In this area, Saudi Arabia stands out, as the country showed the largest gap in primary education in reading, with 77 per cent girls achieving minimum proficiency, when compared with 51 per cent in Grade IV. Girls outperform boys by 18 percentage points in Thailand, by 11 points in the Dominican Republic and in Morocco by 10 points. "Although more data is needed, recent releases have helped paint an almost global picture of gender gaps in learning outcomes right before the pandemic. Girls are doing better than boys in reading and in Science and are catching up in Mathematics. But they are still far less likely to be top performers in Mathematics because of continuing biases and stereotypes. We need gender equality in learning and ensure that every learner fulfils their potential," said Manos Antoninus, Director of UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring Report. Indian medical students who were pursuing their education in China but have been stuck in India for two years because of Bejing's visa ban will gather for a gathering at Jantar Mantar in Delhi tomorrow, Friday, April 29. This will begin at 10.30 am and will go on for a few hours. A crowd of over 100 people, including students and parents, will be gathering and will bring along placards and banners. "For two years, students have been going through unimaginable trauma and all we want to do is express the urgency of the matter," says Joint Secretary of Foreign Medical Graduates Parents Association (FMGPA), Mohammed Sageer. He is a parent of a student who is stuck here and has travelled from Thrissur, Kerala to Delhi just for the gathering. FMGPA and Indian Students In China are organising this gathering together. "We need support from the public and more so from the government so that the stranded students receive some help," says the General Secretary. But this is just the beginning. In May sometime, they are planning a mass gathering, wherein, students from all over the country will gather in Delhi to make their objections known. Just a week back, China had informed Sri Lanka about permitting some of its students, who have been stranded at home for the last two years because of China's COVID-induced visa ban, to return. Though it continues to remain mum about permitting the over 23,000 Indian medical students who were pursuing their education in the various institutes of China who have been stranded in India for the same reasons. Last month, when Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, visited India and met S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, the issue was taken up. Even as students of countries like Pakistan, Thailand and the Solomon Islands are being permitted by China, Indian students are still waiting, and protesting vehemently, so that they can continue their education back in China. Is the Taliban trying to force girl students out of education by imposing impossibly strict dress codes? The terrorist group that took over control of the Government of Afghanistan in August last year has closed secondary schools for girls in March, reneging on its promise to support girls' education in the country. However, in some provinces, where the Taliban was forced to keep girls secondary school open due to community pressure, the group is implementing increasingly harsh dress codes, reports ANI. For instance, in the Balkh province, schools have been threatened with closure if the dress code is violated. In fact, rights groups reveal that one such school in the province was shut for days after some students removed the veil that covered their faces. Taliban's version of the dress code for women and girls requires them to wear a hijab that covers their entire head, shoulders and face, leaving just their eyes uncovered. A Taliban official was recorded threatening a school principal to fire a teacher for "immodest dressing". What is a "modest dress" then, according to the Taliban? Consider this: The sleeves on the teacher's shirts should be wide enough to hide the elbows and the shape of their arms. However, teachers complain that they were reprimanded when these loose sleeves rolled back while writing on the board in the classroom, thus revealing their arms. "One day, we are asked to have loose sleeves and the next day, we are admonished for it," shared a student. To counter this dilemma, the Taliban has now ordered that women wear loose sleeves, but pin them at the wrist, said the student. Teachers also report that the Taliban has appointed spies inside the schools that relay information to the group. This leads to teachers being fired or students being expelled for the smallest of diversions from the dress code. Students believe that the terrorist organisation is enforcing such outrageous dress codes in order to force students to quit education on their own. "The decision is to not let them win," say students. VIV Europe is coming back full-power. | Visitors registration now open! The road is heading towards the leading feed to food event in 2022, May 31 June 2. VIV Europe will be the first animal husbandry event to take place LIVE in Europe after the pandemic compromised trade activities. The industry is thrilled to meet face-to-face and finally resume global business in Europe. Organised every four years at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht venue, this is the premium gathering of the animal protein sector for the production and processing of poultry, eggs, meat, fish and dairy. Utrecht, the city hosting the event, is just 30 minutes from Amsterdam. Holland is opening up and registrations have started In a big boost to the business, the Netherlands, as recently announced by the Dutch government, is removing many COVID-related restrictions by the end of February. From February 25, international travelers are no longer required to quarantine. Moreover, all the vaccinated travelers are even exempted from the requirement of taking a PCR test before departure. This means that VIV Europe can take place in May/June at its full capacity and host leading exhibitors in the sector from the globe, providing visitors with a complete show at Jaarbeurs venue, Halls 7 to 12. All the interested stakeholders can already register to visit the event. This year around 600 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors are expected to mark their presence at VIV Europe 2022. Go to the Registrations.(https://www.viveurope.nl/) Clear focus on feed thanks to an unparalleled network A clear focus is dedicated to the feed industry at this 2022 edition of VIV Europe. This is also evident from its co-location with VICTAM International. The VIV Europe Feed to Food concept together with the strong network of VICTAM in feed technology and animal feed processing will deliver a complete platform to all its visitors. Additionally, VIV Europe carries a legacy of almost four decades. The first VIV Europe was organised in the Netherlands over 40 years ago. Since then, the organisers have developed a very well-connected network of industry professionals from around the world. Invitations to global stakeholders are being send out. With the support of this ever-growing network, leading up to the show, VIV Europe organises various webinars under the title, VIV Europe Feed Series. These webinars serve as a platform to gather key knowledge for your business. VIV worldwide has already started with its first in the series webinar along with its partner Orange Pig. It had eminent industry leaders sharing their technical knowledge and making room for an interactive session. Next in line are another three webinars in the months of March and April. The sessions cover topics about future food production for poultry, dairy, swine and aquaculture. These webinars allow visitors, in advance, to gauge the quality of industry leaders and the richness of content, that will be further elaborated and come live at the show floor from May 31 - June 2, 2022. As a matter of fact, the 2022 European Live Feed Congress, Strategies to Future-Proof Food Production, is scheduled to take place onsite on May 30, 2022 just a day before the exhibition opening. This high-level conference examines how science-based measures and new technologies used throughout the feed supply chain reduce and improve animal agriculture's environmental footprint while delivering value to the consumer. Feed industry stakeholders attend this forum to glean leading-edge insights, best practices and proven feed additive solutions to address critical sustainability issues while maintaining productivity and profitability in poultry and livestock production. Much more will be disclosed in the coming press releases about VIV Europe offer and the program details. Keep an eye on the official show website and book your ticket via the Registration page. (https://www.viveurope.nl/) See you from May 31 June 2 at VIV Europe 2022, World Expo From Feed to Food. Visiting restrictions eased across hospital settings Manx Care is making changes to its visiting policy at its hospitals following a fall in coronavirus cases. Visitors will now be allowed across Nobles Hospital, Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital and Manannan Court in accordance with the visiting times of the ward. Although prior arrangement of visiting is not required, they do ask that a maximum of two people visit at one time. Visitors are asked to undertake a LFD one hour prior to visiting, and must wear an IIR Fluid Resistant face mask and wash/gel their hands on arrival. Manx Care CEO, Teresa Cope, said: We are pleased that these changes can now be made to the visitor policy, as friends and family members can be a great source of support for patients. We will be regularly reviewing the situation to ensure we continue to work to protect our patients, colleagues and our community. In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com At the start of the year, Google announced the Privacy Sandbox on Android project, a new system designed to eventually replace today's existing third-party cookie schemes and reinvent a more privacy-centered method for serving advertisements. After an initial round of alpha testing and feedback, Google announced on Thursday that the first developer's preview of the sandbox is now available as part of Android 13 beta 1. The Privacy Sandbox is a multi-year development effort that will "limit sharing of user data with third parties and operate without cross-app identifiers, including advertising ID," Google wrote in a February announcement. "Were also exploring technologies that reduce the potential for covert data collection, including safer ways for apps to integrate with advertising SDKs." This preview provides developers with early looks at the sandbox's SDK Runtime and Topics API so that they can better understand how they'll fit into their apps and processes once it is officially released. We first saw Topics API back in January. It pulls data from the Chrome browser to identify the user's top five interests for the week, based on their search and browsing history. Those topics are then compared against a database of topics from the Interactive Advertising Bureau and Google's own data. Partner publishers can then ping the Topics API, see what the user is currently into, and then serve the most appropriate ads without having to know every nitty-gritty detail about their potential customer. Developers will also have access to an early version of the Fledge API. This allows sites to run "remarket" to existing users ie, serving users ads to remind them that they left items in their shopping cart and should just check out already. The Sandbox comes with everything that developers will need to test it, including the Android SDK and 64-bit Android Emulator. The company intends to further refine the toolset over the coming months and welcomes feedback and questions from the developer community The US Postal Service is facing more than just stern warnings over its decision to buy mostly gas-powered mail delivery trucks. Environmental activist groups (including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club) and 16 states have filed lawsuits in California and New York State to challenge the Postal Service's Next Generation Delivery Vehicle purchasing decision. They argue the USPS's environmental review was flawed and illegal, ignoring the "decades of pollution" the combustion-engine trucks would produce. The USPS allegedly violated the National Environmental Policy Act by committing to buy 165,000 delivery vehicles (just 10 percent of them electric) without first conducting a "lawful" environmental review. The service only started its review six months after it had signed a contract, according to the California lawsuit. Both suits accuse the USPS of using botched estimates, including "unrealistically high" battery costs as well as wildly low fuel prices and emissions levels. They also noted that contract recipient Oshkosh Defense has no experience producing EVs. The lawsuit also pointed out that the gas versions of the next-gen vehicle weren't much kinder to the climate than their roughly 30-year-old predecessors. While the 14.7MPG without air conditioning beats the earlier models' 8.2MPG, that fuel economy drops to just 8.6MPG with air conditioning turned on. Many of the powerplant-independent upgrades revolve around ergonomics, such as easier access to packages. In a statement to the Associated Press, USPS spokesperson Kim Frum maintained that the organization implemented a "robust and thorough review" that met NEPA requirements. Previously, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy maintained that the institution couldn't afford to buy more EVs and needed to concentrate on basic infrastructure upgrades. Unlike many government agencies, the Postal Service is legally required to be self-sufficient and can't request government help to tackle deficits and debts. Not that those arguments will necessarily help. If successful, the lawsuits will halt the truck order until it honors the plaintiffs' expectations for NEPA and other regulations. This doesn't guarantee an increased volume of EVs, but it won't be surprising if the USPS ends up falling more in line with the current White House's push for zero-emissions vehicles. 28 April 2022 A joint report by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) published today, Deep tech innovation in smart connected technologies, identifies unique obstacles small businesses face in developing advanced digital technologies in the European Union. Cloud computing, the internet of things, 5G networks and artificial intelligence are often described as Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies and form an important part of deep tech. Following the digital revolution, the Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to how these new technologies are blending the physical, digital and biological worlds. The new report offers recommendations to further spur the growth of EU firms and foster deep tech innovation in the European Union. "From the internet of things to cloud computing, 5G and artificial intelligence, innovations in smart connected technologies are disrupting the status quo at accelerating rates across the globe," said EPO President Antonio Campinos. "Europe's small but highly innovative companies working in these areas can play a decisive role in advancing its competitive position in digital technologies. Today's study highlights the policy and business conditions needed for these companies to thrive." "New smart connected technologies will add 2.2 trillion to the EU economy by 2030," said EIB Vice-President Ricardo Mourinho Felix. "European businesses are catching up with leading international counterparts, and investments in deep tech innovation are crucial to further enhance Europe's competitiveness in advanced digital technologies. The EIB Group and its partners stand ready to mobilise private and public investments. We are striving to help firms developing these technologies to flourish." US head start in global patenting activity The report finds that global patenting activity in 4IR technologies, which mainly concern smart connected devices from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), remains strong in Europe: between 2010 and 2018 (the reference period of the study), the EU27 accounted for about 15% of international patent families (patent applications that are filed in at least two countries or with a regional patent office), and was the third largest contributor to international patent families after the United States and Japan. Patent activity in these technologies from small and medium-sized EU businesses rose rapidly during this period, with an average annual growth rate close to 20%. Despite robust patent activity, the EU bloc shows the lowest specialisation in 4IR technology innovation relative to its overall innovation capacity. Top global innovation centres such as the United States, Japan, China and South Korea show the highest specialisation in the field. In absolute terms, Europe also trails behind the United States when it comes to the number of small and medium-sized enterprises developing 4IR technologies. While the United States has 6 517 small businesses patenting in smart connected devices, the European Union has less than half that number, with 2 634. EU frontrunners Within the European Union, Germany (570), France (400) and Italy (273) have the largest number of small and medium-sized enterprises developing 4IR technologies. Some smaller EU countries, namely Finland, Sweden, Ireland and Denmark, are outperforming other EU member states and even the US relative to their size thanks to their high concentration of small 4IR businesses. Outside the EU, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway also perform exceptionally well. Differences and commonalities between the US and EU Access to finance and the lack of skilled talent are cited most often as business barriers by three-quarters of deep tech small and medium-sized enterprises developing 4IR technologies in the EU and the US. The study shows that both in the European Union and the United States these businesses have an above-average investment intensity, face higher development costs and also need time to bring their innovations to market. According to survey responses, 49% of small and medium-sized enterprises developing 4IR technologies consider patents as very important to securing finance, and 80% report that intellectual property strategy is of relevance to their investors. The businesses surveyed in Europe and the United States have similar size and age distribution statistics: 80% of European 4IR SMEs have fewer than 50 employees and 42% are less than ten years old. Their activities span the healthcare, transport and cleantech sectors, as well as data analytics, and they are frequently (44%) involved in manufacturing. Small and medium-sized enterprises contribute to a larger share of overall 4IR patent activity in the United States (16%) compared to Europe, where they account for 10% of the bloc's activity in the field. European SMEs developing 4IR technologies are more likely to consider the European Union and the United States as primary markets for growth: 57% of companies cite Europe as the top market for growth, while 24% consider the US their future primary market. In contrast, their US counterparts cite the US domestic market as a priority for both current and future growth. Only 10% of them view Europe as a future primary market. Main recommendations Leveraging data, survey feedback and the case studies, the EPO-EIB report proposes a series of policy tools to foster smart connected technologies innovation in Europe. Among its top policy recommendations, the study highlights the importance of innovation finance: Targeted grants and early deployment policies to get 4IR start-ups off the ground, combined with larger rounds of funding made available to these businesses at later stages of development. The EIB Group has specific instruments to close the access to finance gap for innovative EU companies. In addition to EIF investment activity in EU venture capital and scaleup funds, innovation finance activities within the EIB take the form of investment advisory support for the European Innovation Council Fund (for the grant and equity part) and direct investments through venture debt/quasi-equity instruments in a significant portfolio of innovative ventures. Market fragmentation across the European Union and access to top talent continue to hold companies back. Improved European collaboration on intellectual property, such as the introduction of the Unitary Patent in the European Union, is therefore a welcome development. The promotion of digital skills and more educational and vocational learning opportunities feature among the study's longer-term policy remedies. The EPO-EIB study forms part of the EPO's ongoing commitment to SME growth and digital transformation in Europe. According to the EPO's Patent Index 2021, one in five patent applications to the EPO originating in Europe came from an individual inventor or small or medium-sized enterprise (fewer than 250 employees). Another EPO study published in 2021 highlights the economic benefits of owning intellectual property rights, especially for small businesses. It found that SMEs that own intellectual property rights have a 68% higher revenue per employee than those that do not. Further information In April 2014, the first EU-Africa Summit for several years was held in Brussels. It was attended by almost every European and African head of state or government except the then British prime minister, David Cameron. It seemed that neither the European Union nor Africa was that much of a priority for him at least, not more important than the Conservative Party constituency event in Wales that he attended instead. In this, Cameron might have been reflecting the views of the many British voters who had little interest in Africa or, at the time, the EU. Alternatively, he may simply have taken both for granted, thinking that they would always be there when he needed them. Following Britains exit from the EU, the current prime minister pledged that Global Britain would engage more actively with the rest of the world. In the event, the governments February 2021 Integrated Review of Security, Defense, Development, and Foreign Policy made few references to either the EU or Africa. Clearly, neither were government priorities. Yet Britain and Africa still have significant shared interests. The partnership between the two has great potential. But it will not fulfill that potential without some significant changes in Britains priorities and actions. And the effort will be all the more effective if Britain engages with Africa in cooperation with the rest of Europe. Britain retains great assets in Africa and in its African diaspora. But, having neglected both, the country is now paying the price in diminished influence and reduced business. It needs to change policies and priorities if it is to reverse that trend. The key to this is for the government to listen to what Africans are saying including those who are now an integral part of British society and to address their concerns, not merely seek to impose its own policies on them. This is now a matter of domestic and international politics. Listening and responding is very much in Britains national interest if only the government would admit it. Britains position in the world depends on real power, hard security, and economic benefits not on wishful thinking. Waffle, in Whitehall and Westminster has no clout in Africa. And Britains global influence depends as much if not more on African and South Asian opinion as on the views of China, with whom it is currently engaged in a stand-off, and the US, which too often takes Britain for granted. Having friends still matters in global politics. It is essential for Britain to build fruitful partnerships with African countries domestically and internationally. This is obviously true of Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, which are courted by all major players and can pick and choose their partners. Therefore, Britain should make a particular effort to court Francophone and smaller Anglophone countries that global powers regularly ignore Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Gambia, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, Cote dIvoire, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A real commitment to Africas interests and progress would produce big political dividends. The transformation of the international order caused by Russias war on Ukraine makes Africas role in the world more important than ever. Some African countries will be tempted to equivocate or play one great power off against the others. This is a dangerous and potentially damaging game, as Russias involvement in Syria has demonstrated. It is fundamentally in the interests of Africas democracies, Africas development, and arguably all African people to enhance global stability rather than encourage or tolerate continued conflict. This is profoundly in the self-interest of both Britain and the EU. By acting separately, they weaken their ability to support Africas development. The case for democracy, liberal values, and an open economy needs to be argued, demonstrated, and won in public debate. By allowing its influence in Africa to fade, and by distancing itself from the European mainstream, Britain has limited its ability to affect the outcome of that debate in ways that have serious consequences for its role in the world. Britains assets in soft power, security engagement, financial expertise, and political understanding could have far greater impact if they were linked to the EUs resources and economic clout. The longer Britain continues to separate itself from the EU by avoiding close coordination on policies that are in their mutual interest, the faster its influence in Africa will diminish. A dogmatic commitment to autonomy will only hasten its irrelevance. Some in government may find such advice unpalatable, but ignoring it will only hasten Britains decline. If Britain cannot work with its friends and neighbors, it will swiftly lose the respect of all. Investing in Africa still makes economic sense, as the continents economies and populations are growing. And Africans will welcome it: faster economic growth is essential to manage the demographic shift, the impact of climate change, and the risk of conflict on the continent. These are important issues for all concerned. Therefore, in practical terms, the key recommendations are: Firstly, the British government should consult and otherwise engage more directly with the African diaspora on its Africa policy, including on visas. Secondly, the UK should make common cause with the EU and Africa in the preparations for COP27. Thirdly, the UK and the EU should begin an intensive joint dialogue with all African countries on how to accelerate growth and to generate jobs for young Africans. Fourthly, Britain should encourage its representatives in Africa to liaise more closely with their European colleagues, and should accelerate negotiations for a foreign policy coordination mechanism in Brussels. Above all, both the UK and the EU need to make a greater political investment in Africas future starting right now, before it is too late. Shared Fortunes: Why Britain, the European Union, and Africa Need One Another Policy Brief by Nicholas Westcott European Council on Foreign Relations / ECFR. The Policy Brief can be downloaded here Russia loses at least one company daily, sometimes more, and is unable to carry out its plans - says Oleksiy Arestovych, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. He states that Russian troops had slowed down their offensive in the Zaporizhzhya direction. The Ukrainian soldiers also disrupt the occupiers plans to surround the defenders of Ukraine in the Joint Forces Operation area or to advance to the north of the Kherson region in the direction of Kryvyi Rih. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Chimene Van Gundy, a New Braunfels entrepreneur who has boasted about making millions from buying and selling mobile homes, has gone bankrupt. Shes referred to herself as the Queen of Mobile Homes and the the Mobile Home Millionaire, buying, repairing and selling more than 600 mobile homes in 17 states. She also has said she owns dozens of mobile-home parks. In recent months, however, Van Gundy and one of her companies have been hit with multiple lawsuits by investors who allege shes been operating a fraudulent mobile-home investment scheme. Van Gundy filed for Chapter 7 liquidation Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Antonio, listing less than $50,000 in assets and debts in the range of $100,000 to $500,000. Investors say she reneged on promises to pay them back principal and interest on money they loaned her company to buy mobile homes. The Express-News chronicled Van Gundys legal troubles in an article that appeared online just hours before her bankruptcy filing. On ExpressNews.com: Queen of Mobile Homes accused of running a Ponzi scheme Five individuals and two companies based in California allege in their lawsuit in Comal County district court that Van Gundy has been operating a Ponzi scheme intending to repay investors with new loans from other unsuspecting individuals. Van Gundy filed for bankruptcy just eight days after the California plaintiffs convinced Judge Dib Waldrip to appoint a receiver to take over her company, Outstanding Real Estate Solutions Inc. (ORES), and her personal finances. David Jed Williams and Clayton Matheson, San Antonio lawyers for the plaintiffs, argued that assets were in danger of being lost without a receiver taking control. During an April 19 hearing, ORESs operations director Meagan Dockens testified she didnt know where the company maintained its bank accounts and that it had no current financial records. Everything Ive heard is like the arrow is now with neon lights for appointing a receiver over ORES and Van Gundy, Waldrip said after Dockens testimony. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Waldrip appointed certified public accountant Charles H. Adams receiver. Making matters worse for Van Gundy, 45, she fell in late December and suffered a concussion. Dr. Andrew Wong of Neuromuscular & EMG Specialists of Texas said in an April 14 letter filed with the court that as a result of her injuries, Van Gundy has significant deficits in memory, attention and concentration. Van Gundy is mentally incapable of giving legal testimony, said Wong, though he added she was able to continue working full-time. Her lawyer told the judge Van Gundy risked having an epileptic seizure if she testified. Van Gundy didnt attend the hearing but was in the courthouse, using a walker to get around. The Docket: Local crime and courtroom news, delivered to your inbox weekly Her bankruptcy filing gave no details on her assets, liabilities or income. The petition said she has up to 49 creditors. Its the second time Van Gundy has filed for bankruptcy. In 1997, she and her husband at the time filed a Chapter 13 reorganization in Georgia. Under a Chapter 7 liquidation, a debtors assets can be sold for the benefit of creditors. Bankruptcy filings generally put on hold any pending litigation against a debtor. Michael Morris, a New Braunfels lawyer who has been representing Van Gundy and ORES in litigation, filed court papers Wednesday to withdraw as their counsel. Morris indicated the interests of Van Gundy and ORES may prove adverse with the receivers appointment, so his continued representation of both would be unethical. James Wilkins, Van Gundys bankruptcy lawyer, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. pdanner@express-news.net Supernatural star Jared Padalecki is lucky to be alive after a recent car accident, according to friend and former costar Jensen Ackles. Ackles shared the news Sunday while speaking at a convention in New Jersey, saying that Padalecki, who went to high school in San Antonio, was in the passenger seat when the crash occurred. You might also like: Buc-ees stole my money: Iconic Texas chain has amassed nearly 100 complaints from the Better Business Bureau Ackles said Padalecki is recovering at home. Padalecki now lives in Austin. Fans took to social media to send their best wishes to the actor, prompting a response from Padalecki. Hey yall! I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, Padalecki said on Twitter. The post included a photo of Padalecki and one of his three children. Im definitely on the mend and hoping to return to filming later this week," he said. Im so lucky to have had the best care and be surrounded by people who love me. So grateful for everyone. On ExpressNews: This $54 million ranch near Boerne has a cave and is next door to George Straits resort Padalecki plays Cordell Walker in the CWs Walker, a reimagining of the Walker, Texas Ranger series. The reboot is filmed in Austin. Padalecki graduated from Madison High School long before he would star as the love interest of the younger half of the Gilmore Girls and play Sam Winchester in Supernatural, the show he appeared on with Ackles. He also attended Wood Middle School. In high school, he won awards for speech and drama competitions. timothy.fanning@express-news.net (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Tatsiana Kulakevich, University of South Florida (THE CONVERSATION) There is growing concern that Moldova and Transnistria could be dragged into Russias war against Ukraine. Both Transnistria and Moldova are directly west of Ukraine. Transnistria, a small, breakaway region of Moldova, is sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine along its southwestern border. Three explosions were reported on April 25 and 26, 2022, in Transnistria. Transnistria military forces also reported sightings of drones and shots fired by an unknown person on April 27. The attacks damaged two radio towers that broadcast in Russian, but no human casualties were reported. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Ukraine has alleged that the explosions were set off by Russia as a pretext for Russian troops advancing to Transnistria, and using it as a military platform for further operations in Ukraine, more than two months after it first launched a war there. As an expert on Eastern European politics, I provide insight into the complex dynamic among Moldova, Transnistria and Russia that is useful in understanding Russias military interest in Transnistria. Here are four key points to keep in mind. 1. What is Transnistria? Transnistria officially called the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is a narrow strip of land between Moldova and western Ukraine that is home to about 500,000 people. It is an unrecognized breakaway state that left Moldova after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990. The Transnistrian government has de-facto independence, but it is recognized by other countries and the United Nations as part of Moldova. Although Russia also does not officially recognize Transnistria as an independent country, Transnistria retains its independence today thanks largely to the military support provided by the Russian army, stationed in Transnistrian territory. Transnistria has close ties to Russia. People living there are largely Russian speakers and the government is run by pro-Russian separatists. Russia also provides Transnistria with free natural gas and has supported older people in the region with pension supplements. Approximately 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed in Transnistria. Only 50 to 100 of those soldiers are from Russia. The rest are local Transnistrians who have been given Russian passports. These soldiers have homes and families in Transnistria. Moldova does not allow Russian soldiers to fly into the Chisinau International Airport. Since 2015, Ukraine refused them entry through its territory. These transportation restrictions led to Russias contracts with locals in Transnistria. The Transnistrian military itself is relatively small, and consists of 4,500 to 7,500 soldiers. Russian military commander Rustam Minnekaev said on April 22, 2022, that Russia intended to establish a land corridor through southern Ukraine to Transnistria. 2. Why is Russia interested in Transnistria? Russia has long sought to keep Moldova, formerly part of the Soviet Union, in its political sphere of influence. Moldova is located between the European Union, bordering Romania and southwestern Ukraine. Russian troops stationed in Transnistria give Moscow a way to intimidate Moldova and limit its Western aspirations. Moldova applied for European Union membership in March 2022. The presence of Russian troops in Transnistria prevents Moldova from fully controlling its own borders. If activated, combat-ready Russian troops in Transnistria could quickly destabilize the region. Without border and territorial control, Moldova cannot join the EU. This is one of the conditions for EU membership. Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita has said the country does not want to join NATO, which Russia would perceive as a direct threat, as it did in Ukraine. 3. Is Transnistria loyal to Russia? While free gas has helped ensure Transnistrias allegiance to Moscow, the European Union has also provided an economic lifeline to Transnistria with new trade deals. Russias annexation of Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula, in 2014, as well as Russias 2014 war with Ukraine over the Donbas region, transformed Transnistrias economic orientation from Russia to western Europe. The fighting in Ukraine prompted Ukraine to reevaluate and tighten its border policy. This resulted in a crackdown on routes in and out of Transnistria that had been used for illegal trafficking of goods for nearly three decades. The squeezing of contraband routes came at an opportune moment for Transnistria. Moldova signed a free-trade deal with the European Union in 2014, also allowing trade to be conducted from Transnistria. Transnistrias trade with western Europe has since continued to grow, as its trade with Russia declines. Today, more than 70% of Transnistrias exports go to western Europe. 4. How vulnerable is Moldova? The Ukraine war and the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria has made Moldovans and some international experts worried that Russia could attack Moldova next. Unlike Ukraine, Moldova has a weak military, smaller than Transnistrias forces. Moldovas active military personnel amounts to 6,000 soldiers, who likely do not have the ability to successfully fend off Russian troops. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with a population of about 3.5 million. Moldovas energy sector is one of its greatest vulnerabilities. It is 100% dependent on Russian gas, which makes it difficult for Moldova to escape Moscows orbit, despite its pro-European political orientation. On paper, Transnistria looks like an ideal place for Russia to easily launch attacks on Ukraine or Moldova. However, Transnistria on its own does not have much capability to fight against Ukraine, or the will to fight against Moldova. Reaching Transnistria, in turn, would require Russia to make massive gains in southern areas of Ukraine, where Russian troops for weeks have been making limited and slow advances. [Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.] This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/4-things-to-know-about-moldova-and-transnistria-and-why-russias-war-may-spread-beyond-ukraine-to-reach-them-soon-182030. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 AP Show More Show Less 2 of 2 AP Show More Show Less KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Two explosions, within minutes of each other, killed at least nine people and wounded 13 in northern Afghanistan on Thursday, a spokesman for a Taliban-appointed police chief said. The blasts targeted two separate vehicles in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, according to Mohammad Asif Waziri, the spokesman. Two people were killed and another hospitalized after an unidentified gunman opened fire near the Medical Center. San Antonio police were called to the 5500 block of Fredericksburg Road at around 9:45 p.m. for a shooting in progress. There they found a man and two women inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Trevor Reed, the former Marine from Texas who was detained in Russia for more than two years, made it back home Thursday morning. Just after midnight, Reed landed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Reed traveled to Russia in summer 2019 with his Russian girlfriend, where he was arrested for intoxication and taken to jail to get sober, the Texas Tribune reported. Instead, he was sentenced to nine years in prison. On Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden announced that Reed had been freed in a prisoner exchange. Trevor has survived a real-life nightmare, held in a Russian prison for nearly 1,000 days with little to no access to badly needed health care or communication with his family, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said in a statement. Im beyond relieved Trevor will return home to his family in Texas, who were relentless in the fight to secure his release and never gave up hope. While it is unclear why Reed was brought to San Antonio, Brooke Army Medical Center is renowned for its expertise in treating former prisoners of war. Psychiatrists on the base are skilled in working with individuals who have been in captivity and solitary confinement. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Jonathan Franks, HONS / Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Ken Branca / Contributor Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Jonathan Franks, HONS / Associated Press Show More Show Less Reed, who was exchanged for a Russian drug trafficker serving a lengthy prison sentence in the U.S., has recently been ill with tuberculosis, and his parents had lobbied for a prisoner swap. The U.S. government is focused on ensuring that Trevor Reed and his familys well-being are prioritized and that all reintegration assistance available be offered in an appropriate manner, a State Department official said in a statement to the Express-News. Meanwhile, Reeds release has refocused attention on the plight of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who has been detained in Russia since mid-February. Griner an Olympic gold medalist, seven-time all-star with the Phoenix Mercury and three-time All-American at Baylor University was arrested Feb. 17 and accused by Russian officials of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow, an offense that could carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. In March, Russian state media reported that her detention had been extended to May 19. We are working very closely with her team. Her case is a top priority for us, State Department spokesman Ned Price told CNN on Wednesday morning. I can tell you that with the utmost certainty. Were in regular contact with her team, we regularly are engaging through our embassy in Moscow with their counterparts in order to see to it that shes treated fairly. We will continue to pay very close attention to this case, to seek its resolution as we seek the release of Paul Whelan. Whelan, a former security executive, has been in custody in Russia since his arrest at a Moscow hotel in December 2018. Express-News staff writer Taylor Pettaway and Cindy Boren of the Washington Post contributed to this article. taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway Children in South Texas are developing hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, for reasons that doctors at UT Health San Antonio are struggling to pinpoint, according to a UT Health San Antonio news release. Clinicians in the universitys division of pediatric gastroenterology, the branch of medicine that deals with the digestive system and its disorders, started reporting atypical cases of the serious condition at UT Health Pediatrics Wurzbach Gateway Clinic in the second half of 2021. Naveen Mittal, the chief of the division, said that since then, they have flagged about six to 10 to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vast majority of the affected children were under 5, Mittal said. Because the UT Health Transplant Center is one of only three medical institutions in Texas that performs pediatric liver transplants, the children hail from San Antonio and elsewhere. While most recovered fully without hospitalization, several had to spend a couple of days in intensive care. Some of them came close to meeting the indication for liver transplantation, Mittal said. One patient is being evaluated for a transplant, though Mittal said UT Health San Antonio staff are still working hard with the infectious disease experts and critical care experts to see if we can make the child recover without needing any major intervention. Mittal said he was not aware of similar cases at the other two institutions in Texas that perform pediatric liver transplants, UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston. However, in an April 21 news release, the CDC revealed clinicians at an Alabama childrens hospital had reported a cluster among nine 1- to 6-year-olds. Five of the Alabama cases were identified in October 2021 alone, according to the release. Upon reviewing hospital records, investigators discovered four more, the release stated. None of the children had any known epidemiological link or common exposures, but all had been admitted to the hospital for a significant liver injury, up to and including acute liver failure. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C were all ruled out as the cause of the liver injury in the Alabama children. Circumstantial evidence may point to another virus as the culprit. Without exception, the children tested positive for adenovirus, a common bug that most often causes respiratory illness. Some tested positive for adenovirus type 41, a strain previously linked to cases of acute pediatric gastroenteritis. However, adenovirus type 41 is not known to cause hepatitis, much less acute liver failure, in healthy children. Mittal said the recent hepatitis cases UT Health San Antonio reported to the CDC were noteworthy not for their existence, but for their frequency and severity. Even the common cold can cause hepatitis if the infection spreads far enough. However, he said the hepatitis caused by most viruses is almost always mild to moderate. Its rarely severe enough, if ever, to warrant an admission to the ICU or a liver transplant. So the CDCs findings so far raise the possibility adenovirus type 41 has mutated to become more virulent. What is new phenomena is that a lot of these cases (are) suddenly showing up with a good number of them being positive for adenovirus, and not only showing up but showing up kind of on (the) serious end of the spectrum, Mittal said. Most of the UT Health San Antonio patients, Mittal said, dont fit the profile of the Alabama patients. Only the patient currently being evaluated for a liver transplant has tested positive for adenovirus so far. Was it something new about the virus? Was it the same strain, 41, that has been known before, but now acting differently? Or is something different with the host? Mittal said. So that all has to be tested. caroline.tien@hearst.com For months, things have been spiraling out of control for Paul Silva, a San Antonio internal medicine doctor who dispensed copious amounts of opioids, even after losing his medical license. He got hooked on the stimulant Ritalin and is accused of using heavier drugs. His marriage and finances are in shambles. He shuttered his practice without informing his patients. And he allegedly started using his patients personal information to write some of the hundreds of prescriptions for painkillers and other controlled medications that were being distributed underground by him and four alleged accomplices, two of whom have been charged. The Texas Medical Board yanked his medical license in mid-March. Silva, 46, had been hiding not only from police, but his own family, who pleaded with him to get help, prosecutors said. Finally, when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration tracked him down earlier this month at a downtown San Antonio hotel, he was on his way to score methamphetamine. He was armed with a gun. The handcuffs on Silvas wrists finally sent him the message he needs to get help, Silvas lawyer, Daniel McCarthy, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad on Wednesday during a bail and probable cause hearing. He pretty much hit rock bottom, McCarthy said, as Silva sat next to him in jail garb. He asked me to ask you he would like (drug) treatment. Hes had a come to Jesus moment judge, basically. Prosecutor Margaret Leachman argued that the community would be safer if Silva stayed in jail. But the judge agreed with McCarthys request and ordered Silva to an inpatient drug treatment center once Silva and his father post $5,000 of a $50,000 bond. Bemporad also ordered Silva to wear an ankle monitor, give up his passport, undergo mental health evaluations, drug testing and stay the straight and narrow. Silva could be out of jail by this weekend if a treatment center has room for him. McCarthy told the judge that, from 1993 to 1995, Silva was a medic in the 101st Army Airborne, then went on to obtain bachelors and masters degrees in science in the Massachusetts area. This is impressive, judge, he went to Harvard Medical School and graduated from there with an internship in internal medicine, and where he did his residency, McCarthy said. Texas Medical Board records show Silva graduated in 2006 from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados. He did an internship at Harvard from 2006 to 2007, then did his residency until 2009. He was licensed in Texas that year. His LinkedIn account said he worked as a contract medical director for Alamo Hospice from June 2014 to October 2019; as full-time medical director at WellMed Medical Management from December 2011 to November 2018; and as a contract physician at Sound Physicians from December 2015 to October 2018. His account says he ran Libertad Internal Medicine Group on Thousand Oaks since October 2018, but Leachman told the judge that it shut down a year ago. That business was shuttered in March of 2021, suddenly and without notice to the patients, without notice to the employees, Leachman said. Since August, investigators have tracked prescriptions he issued. His medical license was temporarily suspended on March 18, removing his legal authority to prescribe medications. He allegedly continued to write more than 500 prescriptions to himself, in the names of family members, dead people and fake patients for oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol and other controlled medications. A DEA agent testified Wednesday that Silva had accomplices, whom he allegedly referred to as bozos, working for him, picking up prescriptions at pharmacies, including one at Blanco and Loop 1604. Text messages the agents reviewed showed Silva sent the accomplices screen shots or pictures of patient identifying information, the type of medication and instructions like, This is where you are going to pick this up, the agent said. One of the alleged accomplices is Nicholas Klumpp, who worked for Silva as an intern in 2019, then left to go to drug rehab and returned to help him with his illicit scheme, the agent testified. During at least the past year, some neighbors had complained to San Antonio police and later, the DEA, that they saw increased traffic at Silvas home in the normally quiet Lorrence Creek subdivision off Heimer Road. And for at least a month before April 1, he apparently had avoided process servers, the medical board, police checking on his welfare and others hiding out inside his home, Leachman said. He had also changed SIM cards on his phone, and was staying in hotels more recently, so he could not be tracked down, Leachman said. Leachman said his family had tried interventions, but Silva rebuffed them. Investigators also alleged he tried taking out a $100,000 loan in the name of his mother, though Silvas lawyer claims the mother had consented. They describe him as mentally ill, and describe him as having a lifelong problem with fraud, stealing checks, Leachman said. He himself admitted infrequent family contact and the evidence suggests hes avoiding his family, who ostensibly want to help him and I believe would help him. Hes a danger to himself by this drug use. Hes a danger to others by diverting drugs from the legal system dealing with or being involved with non-prescription drugs, methamphetamine and cocaine. She told the judge that Silvas case will likely be presented to a grand jury with charges relating to diverting prescription drugs, and drug-trafficking conspiracy, which carry high sentences, but he could also face charges for having a gun while involved in drug activity, which could stack five years on top of what he faces for the drug charges. My view is there are conditions I can set, but you know what, there can be disagreements, the judge said, noting prosecutors might appeal the bond order. This is a serious case. In a news release issued in March, the Texas Medical Board said its disciplinary panel decided to suspend Silvas license without a hearing after determining his continuation in the practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare. The Board panel found that Dr. Silva, whose license is in delinquent status and is unable to be renewed due to a default judgment against him for failure to pay child support, has continued to prescribe controlled substances to patients and has failed to cooperate and respond to requests for information from Board staff, the boards news release said. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland Twitter has never been a place for rational, nuanced speech. Expect it to get much, much worse. The decision by Twitters board of directors Monday to accept a takeover bid from Elon Musk means the company thinks the social media company would be best served by the ownership of a man who uses the platform to slime his critics, body-shame people, defy securities laws and relentlessly hawk cryptocurrencies. Musk said that central to his vision for the service is for it to be an inclusive arena for free speech, but users should understand what that phrase means: It means free speech for people like Musk, a billionaire and the worlds richest man. Even as Twitters board on Monday was debating his offer of $54.20 per share, which it accepted, Musk was setting the tone for his leadership by tweeting that Securities and Exchange Commission officials were shameless puppets. RELATED: Commentary: Time for Elon to lead as a human, too Musk has not been a responsible caretaker for the companies he already oversees: Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and the Boring Co. In the early months of the pandemic, Musk thumbed his nose at health officials whose shelter-in-place orders he called fascist by forcing workers at Tesla back on the job, in violation of local health regulations. And Tesla has been dogged for years by allegations of racist abuse, discrimination and sexual harassment at its factory in Fremont, Calif., where six women say they suffered catcalling and unwanted touching and advances. The company has said it does not tolerate such behavior. Several former SpaceX interns made similar allegations about a lax attitude toward sexual harassment by supervisors and peers, the New York Times reported. The company has said it is investigating the allegations. A California regulator, meanwhile, recently sued the company over reports of racial discrimination against hundreds of employees, including a lack of promotion opportunities and the use of racial slurs by supervisors. According to a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing in California Superior Court in Alameda County, Musk told workers to be thick skinned about suffering racist harassment while on the job. Tesla has denied the allegations. No wonder many Twitter employees are aghast at the prospect of Musk leading the company. Certainly, Twitter could benefit from some improvements to its service. Its rules are enforced unevenly; it is filled with racist trolling, harassment and misinformation. Politicians and celebrities also seem to enjoy a lighter touch from Twitters enforcement of its policies against misinformation, despite the evidence that they are more likely to be believed than regular users. Twitters usual approach to moderating content has been to slap warning labels on tweets, which are easy to ignore and dont mitigate the damage done by misinformation. Before and after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Donald Trump used Twitter to whip his followers into a frenzy. The company rightfully barred Trump from Twitter for his role in that shameful episode, but it had turned a blind eye to similar behavior for years. Into that toxic stew comes Musk. He has called someone he disagrees with pedo guy, made jokes about womens anatomy and was forced to delete a union-busting message aimed at his factory workers all on the platform hell soon own. Loosening content moderation, as Musk appears poised to do, wont make Twitter a better place; that will make it far more toxic. Under the notion that more speech is the best antidote to harmful speech, earnest users can probably expect to be shouted down even more frequently by trolls and bots. (I am hopeful Musk was serious when he said hell defeat the spam bots or die trying!) MORE LIKE THIS: Manjoo: Cars keep getting smarter. Do they have to look so boring? Female Twitter users, in particular, ought to worry about whether Musk will bring his apparent disdain for women to the company he is about to own. Twitter is already a toxic place for women who use it, particularly those of color. And the whole world should be concerned that Musk might reinstate Trump, who has so adroitly used social media platforms to spread dangerous COVID misinformation, mock his enemies, and cast doubt on the integrity of free and fair elections. Trump said Monday he would not return to Twitter if allowed back on, in favor of his Truth Social network, but, of course, the former president has reneged on many promises. Musk is correct that Twitter has become a de facto public square. But consider the fate of another public square led by a billionaire with no real check on his power: Facebook. Leaks over the past year have shown that Meta, under Mark Zuckerbergs leadership, has overlooked evidence that hurtful comments on the companys platforms caused emotional harm to teenagers and increased users anxiety and anger. The company knows its algorithms are deeply flawed, but because Zuckerberg holds a controlling share of votes on the board, external and internal pressure on the company to change how they are designed and deployed has proved futile. Perhaps Jack Dorsey, one of Twitters co-founders and a board member, should have trusted his instincts when he tweeted that he doesnt believe any individual or institutions should own social media, or more generally media companies. Musk has said that he doesnt care about the economics of his deal for Twitter. He may need that attitude if, as some expect, the platform becomes a free-for-all and advertisers abandon it. Where can people go if they dont like what Twitter turns into under Musk? New social media networks promising a free-speech alternative to Twitter have so far failed to gain traction, notably Truth Social among them. As with the motives for establishing those competitors, Musks reasons for taking control of Twitter arent about free speech; its about controlling a megaphone. With his legion of fans, Musk will command a gigantic megaphone and be free to plug his own investments, pooh-pooh sound health regulations and shout down critics. Speaking freely: Does that sound like a better place? On April 22 in Eagle Pass, Texas National Guard soldier Bishop E. Evans shed his body armor and rushed into the Rio Grande to rescue two migrants struggling in the current. The 22-year-old specialist from Arlington died saving others. Crews recovered his body Monday a mile from where he disappeared. The migrants survived and were placed in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody. Evans was at the river as part of Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts controversial and deeply flawed border security mission that the state claims has mobilized 10,000 guardsmen and state troopers. Evans death isnt the first tragedy to strike the operation. Since Jan. 1, two soldiers have died from personal firearm accidents. Another four soldiers died by suicide in 2021. Before Evans death, wed heard accounts of other guardsmen helping people from the river and wondered about their safety, training and equipment considering Operation Lone Stars logistics, morale, pay and transparency problems. Despite the missions obvious political nature, Evans carried on with his service as soldiers do. When he saw people in trouble, he exemplified humanity and sacrifice with his decision to dive into the water. Politicians on both sides seized Evans story before his body was found and made it part of their talking points. Republicans were quick to blame President Joe Bidens border policies, arguing that guardsmen wouldnt have to be deployed if the federal government were more forceful in addressing immigration. Democrats pointed to Abbotts border militarization, noting that immigration is a federal issue and Operation Lone Star is a politicized state response. True, the federal government has failed on comprehensive immigration reform that would meaningfully balance security and immigration needs. But Operation Lone Star is overtly political, overstepping federal authority, placing migrants in detention for trespassing and disrupting the lives of guardsmen. But these points are often made for political purposes, not policy or better understanding. While we support the planned surge in resources to the border in advance of Title 42s repeal, we see no bipartisan groundswell for serious, comprehensive immigration reform. Consider how a group of Republican lawmakers touring the border Monday invoked Evans name one did so incorrectly to score political points. Evans bravery and humanity should be honored. Why he was at the border because immigration has been politicized at the expense of understanding should be scorned. Without elaborating, the Texas Rangers and Texas Military Department claim the two migrants were trafficking narcotics. But we are more interested in why Evans was deployed, and why he lacked a flotation device given the dangers of the river. Evans unnecessary death demands answers from Abbott and the Texas Military Department, especially on the question of the availability and use of proper flotation equipment. Fundamentally, though, the public should demand comprehensive immigration reform. Currently, 2,500 federalized National Guard troops are on the border. Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of Northern Command, which is responsible for homeland defense, told the Air Force Times on Monday that the answer is not more troops on the border but a better-funded Customs and Border Protection agency. Placing troops at the border is not an immigration solution. Comprehensive reform would recognize security concerns, investing in so-called smart wall technology to help identify crossings and protect private property. But comprehensive reform would also honor asylum law (and speed up the timeline for processing claims), recognize the important role migrants have in our workforce and offer pathways to citizenship. Comprehensive reform also includes addressing the root causes of immigration in other countries. As we mourn the loss of Evans, we are reminded of another border tragedy that riveted the nation nearly three years ago: the deaths of a father and his 2-year-old daughter, Valeria, migrants from El Salvador who drowned crossing the Rio Grande. Until lawmakers seek to understand the border, and not politicize it, we fear nothing will change. One must wonder, what is the true point of Operation Lone Star? How does it meaningfully address immigration? What solutions does it offer? What lasting partnerships has it built? What understanding has it cultivated? The political posturing is discordant with Evans last public Facebook post from October: If I have ever helped you, in anyway. I need you to pay me back, by paying it forward. Help others and make my job a bit easier. Rest in peace, Bishop Evans. May we all live by your words. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate With no immediate path to expand marijuana access at the statewide level, Texas advocates are taking the decriminalization fight to local governments. Austin residents began voting this week on Proposition A, which would abolish low-level marijuana charges in the capital city. About 230 miles north, Denton activists say they have gathered enough signatures to put a similar question on their ballot this fall. Cannabis law reform, coming soon to a Texas city near you! the advocacy group Decriminalize Denton tweeted on Tuesday. Its a localized workaround for activists who have long pushed to decriminalize cannabis in the Lone Star State but face opposition in the state Legislature. Advocates in several other cities, including Killeen and San Marcos, have also pursued ballot initiatives this year. People are just learning more about the discretion that localities have, and therefore for lack of a better term taking advantage of stopping the bleeding, stopping the harms, where we can, when we can, while we wait for the Legislature to catch up with the will of the people, said Jax James, the executive director of Texas NORML, a nonprofit that advocates for marijuana decriminalization. Eighteen states and Washington, D.C. have legalized the drug for recreational use, and another nine have decriminalized marijuana in small amounts but Texas falls in neither category. A June 2021 poll by the Texas Politics Project found that 60 percent of Texans believe marijuana possession should be legal, at least in low amounts. Possession of marijuana, depending on the quantity, is at least a Class B misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine. But many of the states urban areas, including Austin, Houston and Bexar County, have diversion policies that allow those charged with possessing small amounts of the drug to avoid arrest and other penalties. Those programs are less popular in the GOP-controlled Capitol. Efforts to decriminalize marijuana, or at least widely expand the states medical marijuana program, have garnered bipartisan support in the past but theyve always failed in the Texas Senate, which is led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The Texas House of Representatives advanced a decriminalization bill in 2019, but Patrick killed the measure in the upper chamber. LAST MONTH: Beto ORourke pledges to legalize marijuana in Texas if he wins governors race The lieutenant governor has also opposed local efforts to legalize the drug. In 2017, Patrick blasted Harris County District Attorney Kim Oggs diversion program for minor possession cases, saying the policy made Houston a sanctuary city for low-level drug crimes. The lieutenant governor has said repeatedly regarding sanctuary cities that he does not believe that law enforcement has the discretion to choose what laws to enforce and what laws to ignore, Patricks press secretary said at the time. Last year, the Legislature considered a measure to expand the states limited medical marijuana program to include patients with any condition causing acute or chronic pain, and to allow the states health department to approve other conditions. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Stephanie Klick, a Fort Worth Republican, would have increased the legal limit for THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, from .5 percent to 5 percent. But the Senate tossed those provisions, instead approving a variation that added all stages of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder to the eligibility list. Previously, the program was only open to those with terminal cancer and a handful of other severe conditions, like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. The Senate also struck the 5 percent THC increase, agreeing instead to raise it to 1 percent. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the scaled-back version last summer. He has since indicated that he is open to decriminalization measures, saying at a January news conference that prison and jail is a place for dangerous criminals who may harm others, and small possession of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with. A spokesman for Patrick did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. Both Abbott and Patrick are up for re-election this fall, and their Democratic opponents have all said they support legalizing marijuana entirely. James said advocates have their work cut out in helping to educate the lieutenant governor and make sure that he understands the science and the policy and all of the information that surrounds the issue. Texas NORML, alongside other pro-cannabis organizations, will pursue the matter again when the Legislature returns to Austin in January. The local initiatives are not true decriminalization, James said, and Texas needs a statewide policy to fully remove all criminal penalties for possessing cannabis. I worry sometimes about this patchwork of policy and how it confuses people, she said. I wouldn't change it for the world, because it's helping people in those localities, but it it just further exemplifies how this patchwork is just not a sustainable avenue. cayla.harris@express-news.net The pathway to a green future involves taking millions of acres of pristine wilderness and turning them into fields of windmills and hot expanses of glistening panels. The Biden administrations goal of supplying 40% of the nations energy from the sun by 2035 means covering millions of acres of forest and desert habitat with vast solar panel installations fenced off like prisons. It would require 8,800 square miles of land, or 5.6 million acres, to generate that power (leaving out small installations on buildings and the like) -- about the size of Rhode Island and Massachusetts combined. But the push to convert that land from pastoral to energy-productive is galvanizing a new environmental movement, one led by citizen groups and small non-profits rather than the monied green interests arrayed against them -- ones ironically accustomed to casting the fossil fuel industry in the role of the ecological heavy. The potential impacts of solar-power installations have flown under the radar while much public resistance has centered on wind farms which kill an estimated 1.2 million birds per year in the U.S. and are considered loud and unsightly by many who live near their towering turbines. Even as the Biden administration has made limiting the environmental impact of oil and gas a key goal, it has opened large tracts of federal lands to solar development by major corporations including Duke Energy, Exelon and BrightSource Energy. Solar advocates say mitigating climate change requires a switch to carbon-free energy, and utility-scale solar installations are vital to the effort. They contend a looming climate crisis requires the switch to be made quickly, although the effects of widespread solar development are not fully understood. Numerous critics say hold on. They do not oppose a buildout of solar, but argue for more environmentally sensitive placement on brownfields, abandoned military bases, rooftops and other areas, an approach that would cost more than plunking down massive solar installations on pristine lands but do less damage. They contend that mega-solar installations are disrupting fragile ecosystems, including imperiling species of indigenous animals and flora, while ruining tourist destinations and clogging roads. Some also voice concern about the unknown long-term effects of solar power plants, such as how they age, the waste they create and concerns that heat produced by the panels could itself contribute to global warming. But green corporate interests favor the largest and cheapest way to produce solar energy -- and a number of interested parties, including resident groups, say they are getting a pass. Several of the nations largest wilderness advocacy groups have board members with ties to corporate solar developers, referred to by watchdogs as Big Solar. Terry Frewin, who chaired the Sierra Clubs Desert Committee for 15 years, said he stepped down from that role this year after watching what he described as the clubs leadership in Washington rolling over for Big Solar. The big thing now is fundraising, and that doesnt include fighting big energy, Frewin said. The people fighting these developments just want them sited in places that are responsible. A decade ago, some of the big green groups would routinely challenge solar plants along with oil drilling and fracking. But ecological protests in the past several years have been left mostly to small, poorly funded, and local groups, said Laura Cunningham, who with her husband, Kevin Emmerich, operates Basin and Range Watch, focused on protecting deserts in California and Nevada. The argument from these environmental groups is that big solar farms are good because theyre so clean, Cunningham said. Thats the standing of the Sierra Club and the others. Large solar energy groups are taking a page from Big Oil, she added. These big companies come in and some of the time they are also part of the big oil companies and they do the same thing fossil fuel companies did years ago. They threaten lawsuits when you try to stop them, or they buy everyone out. The national office of the Sierra Club whose foundation has had several board members with direct ties to Big Solar over the years did not respond to an interview request. More worrying to some is the speed with which these farms fenced off tracts of land protected by barbed wire are being pushed through despite incomplete research on the damage to the environment. There is a rush to do this, and research takes time, said one federal scientist, who studies the environmental impact of solar power plants on the desert and spoke on the condition of anonymity. So there is this lag of research and this rapid development to meet the goals of renewable energy development. Projects are required to gather public comments, including objections to the environmental impact of solar farm placement. The Bureau of Land Management, which has signed off on most of the desert solar plants, has denied every objection from environmental groups and individuals on desert projects going back to 2010. Critics see hypocrisy and a dangerous inconsistency in the Biden administrations acceptance of solars potential negative impacts when it's contrasted with its efforts to curb fossil fuels. The administration halted Trump-era moves to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to gas and oil exploration, even though it would be limited to a relatively small area with proven safeguards in place. In addition, while approximately 1,200 to 1,500 people visit the National Wildlife Refuge each year, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service, an average of 664,000 visitors a year visit the Mojave Desert where several large solar power plants have already been constructed and more are in the works. The administration insists it follows the science even though some call solar panels and wind turbines unproven, impractical, and polluting to produce. Many of the same groups that protest Alaskan drilling, including the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Nature Conservancy, have supported sequestering desert land for solar developers. The Mojave Desert has favorable solar energy development characteristics, the groups noted in a 2020 letter to the Nevada office of the Bureau of Land Management. The Wilderness Society, which claims to have protected 109 million acres of outdoor space from development since 1935, has on its governing council members with ties to solar power players including JP Morgan Chase, TPG and white shoe law firm Morrison & Foerster. The National Resources Defense Councils board of trustees includes members with links to equity firms committed to solar investments, including Apollo Global Management, Impact Assets, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, a law firm that has helped large solar developers secure financing. The board of the Nature Conservancy, which claims on its website to protect treasured landscapes, includes members from JP Morgan Chase and the Carlyle Group, which last year opened its own renewable investment arm that includes solar projects. The Wilderness Society and Nature Conservancy declined an interview request, while the National Resources Defense Council did not respond to an email. The Desert Tortoise Council, a nonprofit formed in 1975 to protect the reptile that lives in the southwest deserts, includes Ken MacDonald, an environmental engineer at NewFields, a Las Vegas-based consultancy that worked for a subsidiary of solar giant 8minute Solar Energy, a large entity with 50 solar projects. The board is led by Mari Quillman, who works for ECorps, a consultancy that worked on a solar farm comprising six square miles of California desert next to Joshua Tree National Park and owned by several energy giants including a unit of General Electric. Solar is going to happen, said Ed Larue, who joined the Desert Tortoise Council in 1990 and continues to write letters of protest over large-scale solar plants. So, it would help if at least we have conscientious people involved that are trying to minimize the impact. I mean, Biden came into office pushing for this, and biology is taking a back seat. Solar power plants have also swooped in on smaller towns and marginalized communities, where they are meeting with unexpected resistance. First Solar and Duke Energy in 2020 came to tiny Archer, Florida, with plans to clear 650 acres of forest adjacent to a historically black settlement and install a solar development. Alachua County Commissioner Chuck Chestnut noted the plan bordered on environmental racism during contentious hearings, and the county turned down the plan after citizens rallied to protest. First Solar and Duke Energy appealed to state lawmakers, who overrode the protests and passed a measure giving the project and others like it in the future the go-ahead by preempting local communities from blocking solar power plants. Solar projects on Native American land have prompted outcries of protest that efforts to take some property threatened to destroy cultural resources and artifacts that are valuable to a local tribe. Residents in Ohio and Nebraska are also fighting large solar projects. A protest in Virginia lost out to Fortune 500 company AES Corporation worth an estimated $10.9 billion which is plowing under 6,350 acres for a solar power plant. The plant, about halfway between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, was opposed by a group of locals, who also reached out to the local chapter of the Sierra Club, which ultimately supported the development, criticizing foes in the process. I think these [environmental groups] run in the same circles, said Sean Fogarty, one of the organizers of the local opposition. They have solid goals but in this case, they were ultimately misinformed or looked the other way because they bought into renewables at the expense of the environment. Solar advocates concede there are unavoidable environmental problems, as its challenging to site any infrastructure projects without problems, said Lori Bird, director of the U.S. Energy Program at the World Resources Institute, a progressive environmental advocacy group. But solar, she said, is very cost effective when compared to the alternatives, and there is flexibility as to where it can be located. The large-scale solar plants going up are necessary, she added, and they need to be constructed quickly. We are seeing major impacts from climate change already, Bird said. There is a consensus that we need to move rapidly to carbon-free. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Stuart Roberts, former NFU deputy president, has announced he has joined the Liberal Democrats to help push the party's food and farming policy. Mr Roberts, who was previously a Conservative Councillor, unveiled the news as he met with party's leader Ed Davey at an agriculture college in Hampshire. The Hertfordshire farmer has held numerous senior positions in the NFU and the food and farming industry over the years. He will now help the Liberal Democrats' newly formed Food and Farming Working Group in developing policies for farmers and consumers. Commenting on the decision, Mr Roberts said it was "time politicians spoke up for rural communities who urgently need help and support". He added that the Conservative government had "badly let down" farmers and rural communities. "The Liberal Democrats have proved they want to listen and engage with farmers who have been taken for granted by the Conservative party. A different and exciting journey started today and before I say anything else can I say a massive thank you to @EdwardJDavey & @DannyVet for such a positive morning visiting a fantastic farming business in Hampshire. 1/8 pic.twitter.com/PjgZlWJdLx Stuart Roberts (@HertsFarmer) April 27, 2022 "What I have heard from Ed Davey and rural Lib Dem MPs such as Tim Farron is a party determined to campaign for policies which support the farming industry." Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey welcomed the news, adding that the government should "start listening to farmers like him". "The Tories simply dont understand farmers they have taken them for granted for too long," Mr Davey said. Huge welcome @HertsFarmer to the Lib Dems! Stuart Roberts is a stalwart of the farming community and I am enormously proud he has joined us. He is a champion for British farming and animal welfare. The Govt should start listening to farmers like him. pic.twitter.com/wjWZAHabCF Ed Davey MP ?? ???? ???? (@EdwardJDavey) April 27, 2022 "The governments trade deals arent worth the paper they are written on and a betrayal of rural communities." According to a recent poll by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), support for the Conservatives in UK rural areas is falling. The organisation polled 1,000 people across five of the UKs most rural counties: Cornwall, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Norfolk and Gwynedd. Results show that most respondents voted Conservative (46%) in the 2019 general election, while 29% voted Labour, and 13% Liberal Democrats. Barely two and a half years on and over a third of the same voters now intend to vote Labour (36%) at the upcoming election. While only 38% intend to vote Conservative, a 7.5-point swing. Mark Tufnell, president of the CLA, said the poll's results showed that no party should take rural voters for granted. 2019 showed us that the old tribal loyalties of politics are dissipating. Any party that comes up with a genuinely ambitious plan to grow the economy in rural areas would, I suspect, win a great deal of support. Even the most docile animals can turn, a Welsh farmer has warned as he admits he is still struggling to regain full strength after his accident. Robert Lewis, a Mid Wales farmer and former chair of Brecon & Radnor NFU, is slowly building up strength almost 12 months after a cow whose new-born calf he was feeding attacked him. Rob, who farms around 260 acres near Rhayader, suffered major injuries including five fractures to his T12 vertebrae. His wife Audrey watched the terrifying incident unfold in a matter of seconds, as the protective cow barged Rob from behind, before its frenzied attack of stamping, kicking and head-butting him as he lay on the floor. His life was undoubtedly saved by the quick-thinking and sheer strength of one of his sons, Rhys, who rushed to the scene having heard his mum screaming over the roars of the angry cow. Rhys managed to physically barge the cow sideways, so that it momentarily stopped attacking me and in the few seconds following, he was able to drag me to safety outside. The nightmare began on a fateful morning in April 2021, when Rob spotted that a calf born just a couple of hours earlier was on its feet but not suckling. Having ascertained that the cow, a reliably calm animal, had blood in her colostrum he decided to prioritise the calfs wellbeing. Armed with a jug of colostrum and a tubing kit, he and Audrey went back to the calving pen to assist. Rob said: The cow was still completely calm, so I focused on getting the tube down the calfs throat, holding it firmly between my legs with my back to the cow, while Audrey held the jug of colostrum. Unfortunately, the new-born made a choking noise and the sound of it spluttering, panicked the protective cow which immediately barged into the back of me, sending me sprawling." Rob rolled up into a ball on the concrete floor in a bid to protect himself, but the angry cow was undeterred, determined to keep him down. Audrey realised she had no option but to clamber over a sheep feeder to relative safety and call the emergency services. A locally-based paramedic from the St. John Ambulance service was on the scene very quickly and able to administer immediate first aid to Rob, by now outside the calving pen. He remembers being in agony and was obviously suffering from shock, but at that stage, although doubled over in pain, he had managed to stumble to his feet. Rob says that what followed will be etched on his brain forever. The Wales Air Ambulance helicopter was on the scene almost immediately, he was safely strapped onto a body-board and flown to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. A full MRI scan revealed five fractures to the vertebrae, compression injuries with less serious lesions and bruising to his body, arms and legs. Two days later, Rob was allowed home. But 48 hours later he suffered a relapse and could not move. This time, it took a team of local part-time firemen many of them mates to lift him off the bed, strapped back on to a body board and down the narrow farmhouse stairs before being transported by land ambulance back to A&E in Cardiff. More scans followed and Rob, who recently turned 60, was advised that he already had the sort of standard wear and tear to his back that many farmers acquire. He needed his substantial back brace for many more months, a lot more rest, regular physiotherapy, painkillers - everything his medical advisers could suggest to get him back to full strength. He said: Im trying to reduce my dependency on the pain relief, but nothing can really conquer the ongoing fatigue and the pain levels and spasms that still stop me getting more than three or four hours sleep a night. Rob said that had it not been for the support of his family and friends, the brilliant response of the emergency services and the Cardiff medical team who still monitor his progress regularly, he would not be where he is now. So, what should he have done differently that day? Like all farmers, I know the risks of working with large animals," he explained. "But that day, I took the newly calved cows behaviour for granted - I went in to deal with a situation without considering what steps I should have taken to protect both myself and Audrey. That momentary lapse of judgement, rushing in without using a barrier to separate cow and calf, cost me heavily and will never happen again." He warned: Never work with unrestrained cattle or stock without utilising suitable handling facilities. Never underestimate the risk from cattle, even with good precautions in place and always consider handling equipment and escape routes. Concerns over the future of UK food security dominated NFU Scotland's intensive two-day lobbying visit to Westminster, as fears mount over the impact of surging costs on farmers. The union's delegation highlighted numerous critical issues impacting farmers, such as the escalating costs linked to fertiliser, fuel, energy, animal feed and labour. For the first time since being elected in February 2021, Vice Presidents Andrew Connon and Robin Traquair joined President Martin Kennedy in meeting cross-party MPs and Lords. Given the importance of the sector to the Scottish economy, the group discussed the unprecedented increases in input costs as well as labour shortages and the 'dysfunctional' immigration system. Supply chain problems and the role of the Grocery Code Adjudicator (GCA) in ensuring farmers receive a fair price for their produce were also tackled. Following the visit, President Martin Kennedy said: NFU Scotland continues to put food security front and centre of our lobbying priorities. "It is abundantly clear that the context around food security has shifted, and we need political action to address it in the short and medium term." Mr Kennedy has previously warned that the UK was on the verge of food security concerns not seen since World War Two. This was due to a 'perform storm' of issues consisting of Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and the Ukraine war. He warned that the UK would see 'real food supply problems in the not-too-distant future' if nothing was done to boost domestic production. The union president added: We used this intensive two-day meeting to highlight the growing impact that surging costs linked to fertiliser, fuel, energy, animal feed and labour are having on the nations ability to produce food." Post-Brexit labour shortages and other ongoing Brexit issues such as the loss of the seed potato market to Europe were also on the agenda. As was the recognition that rapid land use change would compromise farmers' ability to produce food in an increasingly unstable operating environment. Longer term solutions to create a sustainable platform for farmers are required but they are reliant on long term financial commitments from HM Treasury to support the sector," Mr Kennedy said. That financial commitment at a UK level will enable us to deliver on a new and more urgent agenda around food production, emission reduction and enhancing the environment. Over 2 million-worth of classic machinery and collectors items were sold at a record-breaking vintage sale in Cambridgeshire. The first Cheffins collective vintage sale of the year grossed over 2m as record prices were paid for classic and vintage machinery and collectors items. Taking place on 22 and 23 April at Sutton, near Ely, the sale saw over 2,800 lots go under the hammer and buyers in attendance from the UK and Europe. The highest price paid on the day was 214,400 for a 1982 County 1474 Short Nose tractor, which smashed its presale estimate of 120,000-140,000. Having been fully restored, the tractor saw significant presale interest and now holds the record for the most expensive modern classic tractor sold to date. Other significant sales in the tractor section include 73,000 for a 2004 JCB 2140, against an estimate of 60-65,000. Other significant sales in the tractor section include 73,000 for a 2004 JCB 2140, against an estimate of 60-65,000 A 1983 Mercedes-Benz MB-Trac 1500 went for 48,240, well over its pre-sale estimate and 42,880 for a stunning 1974 County 1164. These were bought by collectors from the UK and Ireland. Another noteworthy lot was a 1956 Fowler VF Crawler, which was found in original condition having been used on the Landwade Hall Estate, near Newmarket, since new. It sold for 16,080, against a presale estimate of 6-7,000 and is a new record price for this particular model. Oliver Godfrey, head of the machinery at Cheffins said: We knew the April sale was going to be a record breaker, with a strong catalogue of varied items, however, to sell over 2m-worth is bonkers. "The market is alive and well, in fact it is thriving, as collectors still have cash in the bank which they want to invest in something tangible. "Collectors are becoming younger, so the focus in the market is really on tractors and machinery from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s as they look to buy up a part of their youth." China, Pakistan to cooperate on hunting down terrorists: spokesperson Xinhua) 15:09, April 28, 2022 BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has described Tuesday's terrorist attack in Karachi, Pakistan, as very vile, adding that China will work with Pakistan to hunt down the perpetrators, bring them to justice and make them pay a heavy price. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks on Wednesday at a regular news briefing in response to the terrorist attack on a van of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi. "We once again extend deep condolences to the victims of the two countries and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families," Wang said. He described the incident as a premeditated suicide terrorist attack against Chinese citizens. The terrorists directly targeted teachers, the inheritors of human civilization and promoters of cultural exchanges, making the attack a very vile and a heinous act, said Wang, adding that the Chinese side expresses strong condemnation and indignation at it. The Chinese government always attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions overseas, Wang said, pointing out that following the incident, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions in Pakistan immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and sent staff to the scene. Officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions in Pakistan have urged the Pakistani side to do its best to treat the injured, properly handle the follow-up matters of those killed, conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack, arrest the perpetrators and severely punish them according to law, he said. At the same time, stronger measures should be taken to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan so that such incidents will never happen again, he added. The Chinese diplomatic missions in Pakistan also reminded Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan to strengthen security awareness and enhance the security level to ensure their own safety. "Yesterday, the Chinese Consul General in Karachi went to the hospital to visit the injured Chinese teacher, who is receiving proper treatment and recovering," the spokesperson said. Wang noted that Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday evening to express his condolences, stressing that the Pakistani government is using all its resources to conduct an in-depth probe into the incident, and will spare no effort to hunt down the perpetrators and make an example of the perpetrators in punishing them. Wang added that the Pakistani side pledged to take further measures to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan in an all-round way. Sharif said his government will never allow any force to undermine Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation. The blood of the Chinese people should not be shed in vain, Wang said, adding that China firmly supports Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts and will work with Pakistan to hunt down the perpetrators, bring them to justice and make them pay a heavy price. "We once again remind Chinese citizens in Pakistan to pay close attention to the local security situation and prevent security risks," he added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions please enter here to gain access. If you are not already a Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Please return to the subscription page to purchase one of our offers. Thank you! Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category With a filmography that ranges from Heropanti, Baaghi and their subsequent sequels, Tiger Shroff has established himself as an action star in the Bollywood industry over the years. The actor is all set to return to doing what he does best with the romantic-action film Heropanti 2 which releases this week. As he gears up for the upcoming theatrical release, Tiger has revealed his goal of breaking into Hollywood. Speaking to a leading news portal, Tiger Shroff reacted to a comment made by his sister following the launch of Heropanti 2's trailer about trying out a Hollywood stint. Responding to the comment, the actor said "that is my eventual goal". Referring to the kinds of action heroes in Hollywood, the actor explained, "There is a void in terms of a young action hero in the West. Tom Cruise, perhaps Jackie Chan, there isn't an action hero perhaps of my age group." He added, "It's been a while since you have seen somebody with that skill set, portraying action or the kind of action I do at least unless it's Spider-Man or something." Interestingly he also revealed that he has representation in Hollywood and has tried auditioning. "That is my goal eventually to sort of get into that space and try my luck in the West. So I have been offered a couple of times. I have auditioned and failed a couple of times in auditions, but I am still trying." He said. The list of Indian actors making headlines for their work in Hollywood includes Ali Fazal, Priyanka Chopra, Dhanush who joined the cast of the upcoming film The Grey Man and Alia Bhatt who recently announced her Hollywood debut alongside Gal Gadot in Heart of Stone. It looks like Tiger Shroff is next in line, ready to start a career overseas. But in the meantime, he's gearing up for the release of Heropanti 2 alongside Tara Sutaria, Kriti Sanon, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and more. The film releases on April 29. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2022) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTC Pink:OMGGF) ("Omai" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has closed the second and final tranche of the non-brokered private placement offering announced on April 14, 2022 of up to $2.5 million. The final tranche consists of 5,066,667 units at a price of C$0.12 per Unit for $608,000. In total, the Company issued 21,733,333 units for a total of $2,608,000 raised. Each unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") and one-half of a common share purchase warrant. Two such half warrants constitute a full warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.17 for a period of 24 months from the closing date. The proceeds from the Offering will be used for an expanded exploration program at the Omai Gold Project and for general corporate purposes. Elaine Ellingham, President and CEO, stated, "This financing further supports our accelerated exploration currently underway at our 100%-owned Omai Gold Project in Guyana and we are delighted to see most of the financing taken by new shareholders, and we appreciate the on-going support from existing shareholders that participated." The Company paid an aggregate of $133,920 in Finders' fees and issued 1,116,000 finders' warrants ("Finders' Warrants"), with each Finders' Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.12 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. Common Shares issued pursuant to the Offering and any Common Shares issued upon the exercise of Warrants or Finders' Warrants will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period from the closing date in accordance with applicable securities laws of Canada. The private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The purchase of Units under the First Tranche of the Offering by Elaine Ellingham (Chief Executive Officer of the Company) constituted a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company was exempt from the MI 61-101 valuation and minority approval requirements for related party transactions in connection with the Offering under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves Ms. Ellingham, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). ABOUT OMAI GOLD Omai Gold Mines Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary Avalon Gold Exploration Inc., holds a 100% interest in the Omai Prospecting License that includes the past producing Omai Gold Mine, and a 100% interest in the adjoining Eastern Flats Mining Permits. Once South America's largest producing gold mine, Omai produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold between 1993 and 2005. In 2022, the Company announced an initial Mineral Resource Estimate on the new Wenot gold deposit. The Company's short-term priorities are to build on the known Mineral Resources, while advancing exploration on key targets, providing a solid opportunity to create significant value for all stakeholders. For further information, please see our website www.omaigoldmines.com or contact: Elaine Ellingham P.Geo. President & CEO elaine@omaigoldmines.com Phone: +1 416-473-5351 Greg Ferron VP Business Development greg.ferron@omaigoldmines.com Ph: +1 416-270-5042 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of exploration, trenching and drill programs, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and 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 general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in the Omai Gold news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. 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 forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121966 MONTREAL QC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2022 / Alphinat Inc. (TSXV:NPA) announces a loss of $85,157 for the financial quarter ended February 28, 2022. During the quarter ended February 28, 2022, Alphinat concentrated most of its commercial efforts on its partnerships and accelerating sales in the public sector. Furthermore, SmartGuide software continues being used by federal government departments & agencies, state / provincial and municipal governments. Our teams are involved in a variety of strategic projects with very short delivery delays, demonstrating the level of productivity that SmartGuide offers our clients and partners. At Alphinat, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance user experience and interoperability of client IT infrastructures. SmartGuide allows the IT department to focus on the infrastructure, technical conventions, connections to existing systems and security while business subject matter experts expand on that foundation to convert their knowledge and know-how into citizen-centric online services. SmartGuide has many times demonstrated that it offers our clients and partners the lowest Total Cost of Ownership ("TCO") compared to custom coded solutions. In order to accelerate future growth, Alphinat has considerably broadens its horizons by now counting four main areas of solution development: SmartGuide Portal Edition for Dynamics 3651 has optimize the way that clients can now create and deploy online services on top of Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM solutions. This offering is available in SaaS mode as well as on-premises; SmartGuide GreenHouse Gas Registry solutions (SmartGHGR.ca) is a green fintech solution allowing governments and industry to work together in reducing the harmful effects of greenhouse gas. Alphinat currently has two provincial clients for our SmartGHRG.ca solution. SmartGuide Claims solutions (SmartClaims.ca) were developed in conjunction with a major IT consulting partner, which aim at offering unparalleled productivity to federal, state and municipal clients for financial claims applications, ajudication and settlements for financial compensation and class action settlements with customizable citizen-facing services and internal applications. SmartGuide CIVIC Portal, CIVIC Portal for Amanda2 and SmartGuide Municipal Cloud are Municipal Cloud and on-premises solutions front ending partner solutions and other digital services for improved user experience for both the client cities and their citizens. During the quarter ended February 28, 2022, our R&D team has continued to improve SmartGuide and SmartGuide derivative products in order to support the growing ambitions of our clients and partners all while supporting our own strategic growth. We added class actions and financial claims automation processing to our repeatable solutions offerings and are marketing these solutions with an IT consulting partner. The team delivers solutions to various federal, state / provincial agencies and municipalities across North America. In addition, the company continues to be involved in supporting its partners to ensure the delivery of solutions to government customers. For the 3-monthperiod ended February 28, 2022, the Company recorded total revenue of $310,521 compared to $402 974 for the same period in 2021. The net loss for the quarter ended February 28 2022, amount to ($85,157) or $0.001 per common share compared to net loss of $ ($6,376) or $0.0001 per common share for the same period ended February 28 2021. Alphinat's financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ending February 28 2022, can be found on SEDAR, at www.sedar.com. About Alphinat At Alphinat, we are driven by the passion to make application development easy for everyone and system interoperability issues a thing of the past. We enable people with the vision of how a finished application should look and behave to be a major part of the development process. After all, what better way to ensure a favorable outcome than to provide those closest to an application's end-users with a vested interest in its success throughout its development? That's why we bring you new ways to empower the right people at the right time throughout the application development process. At the same time, we're constantly working to reduce the need to code in order to make application development and maintenance simpler and less error prone. So, whether you choose to develop your applications with the help of our low-code platform SmartGuide, kick start your project using one of our pre-built apps or engage us or one of our partners to do the work for you, we're here to help you deploy better applications in record time. Visit us at https:// www.alphinat.com for more information. We look forward to hearing from you. Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this document, including those which express management's expectations or estimations with regards to the Company's future performance constitute forward-looking statements" as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed,they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward- looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that 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 in these forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause significant differences between actual results and those described in forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's capacity to increase acceptance of its products on the market, and to penetrate new markets; the potential existence of defects or undetected problems in the Company's products; the Company's ability to manage its growth; the Company's ability to compete with others;potential commitments; maintaining the Company's intellectual property rights and defending against litigation putting those rights in question;the Company's reliance on the knowledge of its key personnel; and the Company's access to sufficient capital to finance its future needs. This is a partial and non-exhaustive list of factors that could bear on any of our forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward-looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to Alphinat or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company.The Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances. Risks and uncertainties that bear on the Company are described in greater detail in the Company's Annual Report. 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. For further information please contact: Mr. Curtis Page Chief Executive Officer AlphinatInc. (514) 398-9799 ext 225 1 Dynamics 365 is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation 2 Amanda is a registered trademark of Granicus SOURCE: Alphinat Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699219/Alphinat-Announces-a-Loss-of-85157-for-Fiscal-Quarter-Ended-Feburary-28-2022 Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2022) - Austral Gold Limited (ASX: AGD) (TSXV: AGLD) (the "Company" or "Austral") is pleased to provide an update on its on-going exploration programs in Argentina and Chile during Q1 2022. Exploration expenditures during Q1 2022 were US$1.3 million (CY21: US$8.4 million). The Company continued with its exploration strategy that focused on: The Chilean Paleocene Belt targeting Tier 1 or 2 projects including the Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco prospective projects to further extend the life of mine of our flagship Guanaco-Amancaya mine complex; The Argentine mining clusters targeting to re-start the Casposo-Manantiales mine complex and the development of the Sierra Blanca- Pinguino project; The Argentine Indio Belt targeting Tier 1 or 2 projects as part of the planned strategic alliance with Mexplort Exploraciones Mineras SA ("Mexplort"). Exploration Highlights Chile Morros Blancos: Completed four of the five drillholes planned for phase 1 of our drilling campaign at the Rosario del Alto target, totaling 1,020 meters. In addition, at the Morro Colorado target, delineation confirmed the high-sulfidation features on the eastern block, where advanced argillic altered phreatomagmatic rocks outcrop. Completed four of the five drillholes planned for phase 1 of our drilling campaign at the Rosario del Alto target, totaling 1,020 meters. In addition, at the Morro Colorado target, delineation confirmed the high-sulfidation features on the eastern block, where advanced argillic altered phreatomagmatic rocks outcrop. Pampa Metals Corp. Option Agreement: Expenses incurred on the Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco projects were US$0.7 million in Q1 2022. The first-year expenditure commitment was met as total expenses incurred were US$1.2 million. An additional US$1.8 million is required to be expended prior to the end of Q3 2023 to obtain an initial 60% interest in the properties. Exploration Highlights Argentina Casposo-Manantiales: Launched a second drilling campaign supported by detailed geological mapping and systematic channel sampling over the main mineralized corridors in La Puerta, Awada and Fabiola targets. Launched a second drilling campaign supported by detailed geological mapping and systematic channel sampling over the main mineralized corridors in La Puerta, Awada and Fabiola targets. The first drill hole was in La Puerta Oeste following the high gold grades identified through surface geochemistry announced in Q4 2021. During Q1 2022, 224 meters were drilled (CY 2021: 2,799 meters). Sierra Blanca-Pinguino: Activities were focused on the southwestern area of the property following anomalies and indicators of potential mineralisation in the Vetarron area. Activities were focused on the southwestern area of the property following anomalies and indicators of potential mineralisation in the Vetarron area. Mexplort Option Agreement: Field work and surface mapping commenced on the Jaguelito project as part of the agreement signed in February 2022. Chile Paleocene Belt High Sulfidation District Exploration At the Morros Blancos project, the Company completed four of the five drillholes planned for the Rosario del Alto target and continued surface studies at the Morro Colorado target. During Q1 2022, four diamond drill holes totaling 1,020 meters were completed in three main phreatomagmatic complexes (Maar Austral, Maar Central, Maar Oriental) identified in the delineation stage at Rosario del Alto. All drill holes intercepted large columns of phreatomagmatic rocks, confirming a high degree of preservation and continuity of the systems at depth. No significant gold intercepts were obtained. The phreatomagmatic facies show a progression from crater-fill environments towards the edges of the complexes. All recognized geological features such as breccia rock type, hydrothermal alteration, and oxidation level allow for vectoring towards the mineralised center of the system in the next phase of drilling. At the Morro Colorado target, delineation is progressing where a ~2x1 km area with phreatomagmatic breccias affected by high-level high sulfidation alteration was identified, developed in volcanic sequences that include domes and blocks and ash deposits. This structural block is in contact to the west with a domain characterized by lavas and numerous intrusive bodies, some of them with evidence of porphyry-style alteration. MORROS BLANCOS Rosario del Alto Target To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/690/121971_figure1.jpg.jpg Argentina Casposo - Manantiales Phase l drilling was completed in five vein targets including 14 holes in 2,800 meters in 2021 as disclosed in the Company's press release 26 October 2021. At the Manantiales vein, a blind ore-shoot was intercepted opening the upside to the south and the exploration potential to the north in the preserved block related to Vallecito reverse fault. Phase II drilling commenced in 2022 and drill hole LPO-22-001 of the "La Puerta Oeste" was completed in April 2022 at 224 meters. Final results are expected to be received in Q2 2022. Several metric intervals with high to very high pervasive silicification were intercepted, affecting the host rock (rhyolitic tuff) in the first 75 meters drilled in drillhole LPO-22-001. In addition, despite not having intercepted vein structures larger than 20 cm, many millimetric veinlets up to 12 cm were intercepted and were comprised of white and gray cryptocrystalline and saccharoidal silica. In addition, cryptocrystalline gray silica veinlets with black bands associated with adularia were intercepted between 67-69 meters and from 110.0 meters, tufisite dikes and polymictic supported breccia were intercepted. New geological interpretations confirmed diatreme with preserved maar facies, migrating to polymictic breccias at depth opening potential for new ore controls. The program has been redefined and aimed to test for this new conceptual target. As part of the Phase II drilling program, two more holes are to be drilled at Puerta Oeste, while five follow-up holes are to be drilled at Manantiales Vein and another three holes are to be drilled at Fabiola and Awada, where recent surface sampling has returned high-grade values. CASPOSO-MANANTIALES Cerro Amarillo and La Puerta Oeste Geological Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/690/121971_figure2.jpg.jpg Jaguelito During Q1 2022, we acquired an earn-in option from Mexplort, where we may acquire a 50% interest in the Jaguelito project, located in the Province of San Juan, Argentina, which is a High Sulfidation deposit that has had 30,000 meters drilled. The preliminary structural mapping highlighted the presence of first order structures generating a triangular zone, defined by the lift of basement of the Paleozoic Choiyoi Group in both sides and protecting the units of the Vacas Heladas Formation in the central zone affected by high sulfidation alteration and mineralisation assigned to Miocene age. In the Jaguelito Norte area, in progress detailed mapping preliminarily confirmed phreatomagmatic activity controlled by reverse fault movement, generating a contact between the Paleozoic basement and the Miocene flat intrusive complex (Infiernillo Unit - 13,65 Ma). Much of the steam-heated alteration is preserved in Jaguelito Norte, and most of the vuggy silica and mineralisation is related to phreatomagmatic products suggesting similarities with observations in Veladero and Alturas, both which are very close to the project. Sierra Blanca-Pinguino During Q1 2022, the main exploration activities focused on to the southwestern area of the property following Aster anomalies and geological indicators of potential mineralisation in the Vetarron area. Preliminary studies confirm the presence of a dome-diatreme system controlling a large zone of argillic alteration of the same age and characteristics of the Cerro Vanguardia and Cerro Negro endowment. Detailed mapping identified vuggy silica and quartz-alunite alterations confirmed by petrography studies, which precede a low sulfidation type alteration. SIERRA BLANCA-PINGUINO Sierra Blanca Geological Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/690/121971_9433b414d445f988_007full.jpg Competent Person Technical information in this press release that relates to Exploration Results is based on work supervised, or compiled on behalf of Robert Trzebski, a Director of the Company. Mr. Trzebski, who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and qualifies as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' consents to the inclusion of the technical information that he has reviewed and approved or has been compiled on his behalf. About Austral Gold Austral Gold Limited is a growing gold and silver mining, development and exploration company whose strategy is to expand the life of its cash generating assets in Chile, restart its Casposo mine in Argentina and build a portfolio of quality assets in Chile, the USA and Argentina organically through a Tier 1 or 2 exploration strategy and via acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Austral owns a 100% interest in the Guanaco/Amancaya mine in Chile and the Casposo Mine (currently on care and maintenance) in Argentina, a non-controlling interest in the Rawhide Mine in Nevada, USA and a non-controlling interest in Ensign Gold which holds the Mercur project in Utah, USA. In addition, Austral owns an attractive portfolio of exploration projects in the Paleocene Belt in Chile (including those acquired in the 2021 acquisition of Revelo Resources Corp), a non-controlling interest in Pampa Metals and a 100% interest in the Pinguino project and a 51% interest in the Sierra Blanca project, both in Santa Cruz, Argentina. Austral Gold Limited is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: AGLD) and the Australian Securities Exchange. (ASX: AGD). For more information, please consult Austral's website at www.australgold.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. Release approved by the Chief Executive Officer of Austral Gold, Stabro Kasaneva. For additional information please contact: David Hwang Company Secretary Austral Gold Limited info@australgold.com +61 (2) 9698 5414 Ben Jarvis Director Austral Gold Limited info@australgold.com +61 413 150 448 Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, and consist primarily of projections - statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "potential", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import tend to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include the planned strategic alliance with Mexplort, drilling results expected to be received in Q2 2022, future drill targets, and future exploration activities. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, business integration risks; uncertainty of production, development plans and cost estimates, commodity price fluctuations; political or economic instability and regulatory changes; currency fluctuations, the state of the capital markets especially in light of the effects of the novel coronavirus, uncertainty in the measurement of mineral reserves and resource estimates, Austral's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and management, potential labour unrest, reclamation and closure requirements for mineral properties; unpredictable risks and hazards related to the development and operation of a mine or mineral property that are beyond the Company's control, the availability of capital to fund all of the Company's projects and other risks and uncertainties identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed on the ASX and on SEDAR. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Austral cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Austral's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and Austral does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121971 Automated and streamlined interface cuts integration of external solutions required to meet AML requirements TAIPEI, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain security firm CoolBitX has unveiled Sygna Hub, the latest AML/CTF-focused product to help virtual asset service providers (VASPs) meet evolving crypto regulations. The comprehensive new API-based solution provides an easy-to-use platform boasting a modular integration of optional AML services from industry leaders such as Chainalysis and Elliptic, including advanced blockchain analytics and sanction screening, as well as Sygna Bridge, the Travel Rule protocol that is made to be interoperable with other protocols, like TRISA, through the Hub solution. Changing regulatory landscape for VASPs Sygna was launched in 2019 in response to the Financial Action Task Force's Recommendation 16 update that mandates Travel Rule compliance for VASPs. Since then it has built out a Sygna Alliance network of VASPs and collaborated with the world's biggest AML firms, including Chainalysis , Elliptic, CipherTrace , Merkle Science and ComplyAdvantage . "In the path toward mass institutional adoption of crypto, integration still remains a major challenge for the industry," said Mriganka Pattnaik, Co-founder & CEO of Merkle Science. "Travel Rule, sanctions screening, and blockchain analytics all play key roles in the fight against illicit activity in crypto. The Sygna Hub platform allows for integration and communication between previously siloed parts of this objective and Merkle Science is glad to be an active member of this initiative." With FATF's latest reviews and updates to its Risk-Based Approach to Virtual Assets and VASPs adding new complexity to the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies, Sygna has been broadening the scope of its service offering to better meet the needs of crypto companies. Michael Ou, Founder/CEO of CoolBitX said: " The Sygna team has again demonstrated that they fully understand VASPs' compliance pain points and how to alleviate them through intelligent product design. Sygna Hub represents our most ambitious AML endeavour as of yet. It has required many months of hard work, where we had to not only leverage our existing proprietary travel rule protocol Sygna Bridge, but also combine forces with industry leaders to create something unique for the greater good of the crypto industry as it faces evolving regulatory requirements." Sygna Hub and Sygna Gate, its simplified browser-based version, constitute the end result of these efforts, providing VASPs with the tools to build a robust compliance system to fulfill their regulatory duties. Juntao Zhu, CEO/Co-Founder of Hodlnaut, a Sygna Hub client, said: "Hodlnaut is elated to be partnering with Sygna to comply with the regulatory changes in Singapore. We are tirelessly working towards providing a great user experience and collaborating with Sygna will help us achieve the same." Key features of Sygna Hub Sygna Hub aims to solve the following current pain points in crypto compliance: Integrated and Enhanced Risk Screening Hub's integrated third-party blockchain analytics and sanction screening services makes it an excellent fit for VASPs operating in countries like Singapore and Japan with mature and sophisticated existing regulatory frameworks. Both Sygna Hub and Gate offer the latest integrated AML blockchain analytics services from Elliptic, Chainalysis (KYT V1 and V2) and Merkle Science. Sygna Bridge, the standalone VASP-focused Travel Rule protocol, is also built into Sygna platforms at a software level. Sygna achieved live interoperability, offered through Gate and Hub solutions, with CipherTrace's TRISA in February 2022, and with a similar cooperation with Shyft Network's Veriscope targeted for Q2. Other leading Travel Rule solution providers are in the works to follow later this year. Sunrise issue Sygna previously adopted IVMS101, the industry messaging protocol and has been working diligently to address the onerous so-called "sunrise issue" , which refers to an uneven roll-out of FATF-required Travel Rule regulation across member countries. As a result, Sygna clients and VASP counterparties that are using different or no Travel Rule protocol will still be able exchange the necessary data as various features of Hub are released. " Satoshi Test " for private information identification An increasing number of jurisdictions such as Singapore, Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein are starting to require further due diligence on the VASP side, which has led to increasing demand on establishing proof of ownership of non-custodial wallet addresses. To facilitate this identification, Sygna Hub's new Sygna Private Wallet Ownership Tool (SPOT) leverages a "Satoshi Test" by requesting the unhosted wallet address owner conduct an on-chain-transaction to establish proof-of-wallet ownership. ISO 27001-certified data privacy & information security Authorities globally are cracking down on companies misappropriating the data of their customers. As an on-premises-only product, the Sygna Hub portal allows clients to manage all of their customers' information without the risk of exposure on external servers. All Sygna products are officially ISO 27001 certified and strictly follow ISMS standards, which can now also be adopted with ease by Sygna VASPs. CoolBitX CEO Michael Ou is available for media interviews. About CoolBitX CoolBitX Ltd. (CBX) is an international blockchain security company building the next-generation infrastructure necessary to maximize digital asset adoption. Founded in 2014 by Michael Ou and backed by SBI Holdings, CoolBitX provides solutions for a rapidly-changing blockchain industry in order to foster the mass adoption of virtual assets through its two product lines: CoolWallet and Sygna. CoolWallet is a credit card-sized hardware wallet that allows for Bluetooth-enabled pairing with users' mobile phones. The Sygna line of regulatory compliance products are tailored toward Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), simplifying the compliance efforts of VASPs through the use of effective and secure technology. For more information on CoolBitX, visit https://coolbitx.com/ . About Sygna Seedbank has audited value of more than C$9 million and core to Company's IP strategy TORONTO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franchise Global Health Inc. ("Franchise Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: FGH) is pleased to announce the Company's wholly owned Danish subsidiary, Rangers Pharmaceutical A/S ("Rangers"), has successfully established Europe's first legal and registered seedbank in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2021 it received a third-party audited value of C$9.5 million. The seedbank, which is arguably the largest globally, and the 286 strains held within, including several world-class genetics and winners of 19 Cannabis Cups, is a key component to Franchise Global's IP strategy and exemplifies Franchise Global's long-standing heritage to premium quality. The seedbank is licensed to store, sell and export cannabis seeds globally under legal international trade frameworks and import/export permits. Franchise Global has decided to offer a number of strains to the market and has subsequently signed numerous seed purchase orders and strategic agreements with many emerging cannabis cultivators and wholesalers to further expand global commercialization opportunities. These orders will be fulfilled in the coming quarters, creating a new source of revenue for the Company and solidifying new global strategic alliances. Franchise Global will retain its most distinguished strains for its own internal flower production for global markets. Franchise Global Executive Chairman and CEO, Clifford Starke, said: "Our goal is to become Europe's most trusted source of high-quality EU-GMP cannabis. This will be achieved in part by establishing our seedbank as a source for high-quality, Cannabis-Cup winning genetics. Essentially this is 30 years worth of IP from land races all around the world with strong genetic heritage including from Thailand, Colombia and other highly sought after sources of origin." About Franchise Global Franchise Global, through its subsidiaries, is a multi-national operator in the medical cannabis and pharmaceutical industries, with principal operations in Germany and with operations, assets, strategic partnerships and investments internationally. Franchise Global's business objective is to develop a fully-integrated, leading European medical cannabis business, with the goal of providing high-quality pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis to distribution partners and, ultimately, to patients, at competitive prices. For further information, please contact: Franchise Global Health Clifford Starke, Executive Chairman and CEO Via Buchanan www.franchiseglobalhealth.com (http://www.franchiseglobalhealth.com/) Media Enquiries Buchanan Jamie Hooper / Ariadna Peretz Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000 FGH@buchanan.uk.com (mailto:FGH@buchanan.uk.com) NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction, including in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including without limitation statements regarding the business of Franchise Global and its prospects. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information is based on management's current expectations, estimates, beliefs and/or opinions and is based on information currently available to them (including information obtained from third party industry analysts and other third-party sources) and on assumptions they believe not to be unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that 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 the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to general economic conditions, counterparty risk, regulatory factors, the financial markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition. Accordingly, readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Please refer to the filing statement of the Company available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for more details on the risks and uncertainties faced by Franchise Global. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking information contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable law. 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 (mailto:rns@lseg.com) or visit www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/). 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. NCX 470 Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial in glaucoma at over 98 % recruitment D evelopment pathway for NCX 4251 i n dry eye disease confirmed following meeting with the U.S. FDA First quarter 2022 U.S. prescriptions for VYZULTAincreased by 43% over first quarter 2021 Cash position of 42.0million as of December 31, 2021 and 35.1 million as of March 31, 2022, confirming the Company is financed to Q4 2023 April 28, 2022 - release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, France Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced the financial and operating results for Nicox and its subsidiaries (the "Nicox Group") for the year ended December 31, 2021, as approved by the Board of Directors on April 27, 2022, along with a business update and financial highlights for the first quarter 2022, and provided an update on key upcoming milestones. "We are very pleased by the rapid progress of the NCX 470 Mont Blanc phase 3 trialand are eagerly expectingits completionwhich will mark a major inflexion point for our Company and a turning point in the development of drugs for the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension." said Michele Garufi, Chief Executive Officer of Nicox. Key UpcomingMilestone Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial on NCX 470 in glaucoma: recruitment advances more quickly than anticipated and thus topline results fully on track. First Quarter 2022 and Recent Events and Pipeline Updates Product candidates NCX 470 NCX 470 is a novel nitric oxide (NO)-donating prostaglandin analog currently in a Phase 3 clinical program for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. is a novel nitric oxide (NO)-donating prostaglandin analog currently in a Phase 3 clinical program for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Owing to a better than expected enrollment rate in recent months, over 98% of the patients required to complete the NCX 470 Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial have been enrolled. Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial have been enrolled. Patient enrollment is continuing in both the United States (U.S.) and China in the ongoing Denali Phase 3 clinical trial on NCX 470 in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Denali, which also includes a long-term safety extension, has been recruiting patients in the U.S. since November 2020. Approximately 670 patients are expected to be randomized at approximately 60 clinical sites in the U.S. and China, with approximately 80% of the patients to be recruited in the U.S. and the remaining 20% of the patients to be recruited in China. The topline results will not be available by the end of 2023 as previously communicated due to several hurdles (including the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the U.S. and China). The Company will announce a new date for availability of the results when we have more visibility on the overall timelines of the trial. in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Denali, which also includes a long-term safety extension, has been recruiting patients in the U.S. since November 2020. Approximately 670 patients are expected to be randomized at approximately 60 clinical sites in the U.S. and China, with approximately 80% of the patients to be recruited in the U.S. and the remaining 20% of the patients to be recruited in China. The topline results will not be available by the end of 2023 as previously communicated due to several hurdles (including the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the U.S. and China). The Company will announce a new date for availability of the results when we have more visibility on the overall timelines of the trial. The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration has granted Nicox a formulation patent for NCX 470 in China to 2039. With the equivalent U.S. and European patents already granted, the formulation is now covered in most major global territories. NCX 470 is also covered by granted composition of matter patents. NCX 4251 NCX 4251 is a novel, patented, ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals in clinical development stage for dry eye disease. Following the encouraging post hoc results from the Mississippi Phase 2b clinical trial and a subsequent meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the future development of NCX 4251 will be focused on dry eye disease. The Mississippi post hoc results, reported (https://www.nicox.com/wp-content/uploads/EN_MississippiDry-Eye-PR_20211130_F.pdf) on November 30, 2021, suggest that once-daily dosed NCX 4251, fluticasone propionate ophthalmic suspension 0.1%, is effective in reducing dry eye symptoms in patients who score more highly for a key sign of dry eye disease. The Company is currently exploring how to best advance the development of NCX 4251 in dry eye disease and will communicate its strategy at a future date. is a novel, patented, ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals in clinical development stage for dry eye disease. The Japanese Patent Office has granted a new patent expiring in 2040 for NCX 4251. Patent JP.7021301 covers ophthalmic suspensions comprising a specific form of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals and the method for manufacturing the ophthalmic suspensions. It complements the recent granting of a patent from the same family in Europe. Corresponding patent applications are under examination in the U.S., China and other territories. Commercial Out-licensed Products VYZULTA (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024% U.S. prescriptions 1 increased by 43% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to first quarter 2021, however revenue remained unchanged due to an increased level of rebates. As of December 31, 2021, VYZULTA, exclusively licensed worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, was commercialized in 7 territories: United States (2017), Canada (2019), Argentina (2020), Mexico (2020), Hong Kong (2020), Taiwan (2021) and Ukraine (2021). VYZULTA is also approved in 9 other countries, namely Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. VYZULTA is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024% U.S. prescriptions increased by 43% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to first quarter 2021, however revenue remained unchanged due to an increased level of rebates. As of December 31, 2021, VYZULTA, exclusively licensed worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, was commercialized in 7 territories: United States (2017), Canada (2019), Argentina (2020), Mexico (2020), Hong Kong (2020), Taiwan (2021) and Ukraine (2021). VYZULTA is also approved in 9 other countries, namely Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. VYZULTA is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Our partnership with Samil Pharmaceutical concerning ZERVIATE in South Korea has been expanded to include Vietnam. in South Korea has been expanded to include Vietnam. Our Chinese partner Ocumension Therapeutics successfully completed a Phase 3 clinical trial of ZERVIATE (cetirizine ophthalmic solution), 0.24% in Chinese patients with allergic conjunctivitis in which ZERVIATE was compared to emedastine difumarate ophthalmic solution, 0.05%, an antihistamine marketed under the brand name EMADINE. ZERVIATE was found to be non-inferior to emedastine difumarate in the primary efficacy endpoint of change from baseline in the itching score in the 24 hours prior to the Day 14 visit. ZERVIATE was safe and well-tolerated with no difference in the proportion of patients with adverse events compared to emedastine difumarate. This Phase 3 clinical trial was required for Ocumension to be able to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for approval to commercialize ZERVIATE in China. Other partnerships The U.S. FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation for naproxcinod for the treatment of sickle cell disease, which affects an estimated 100,000 Americans. Naproxcinod is a nitric oxide (NO)-donating naproxen combining the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity of naproxen with that of nitric oxide developed by Nicox and exclusively licensed to Fera in the U.S. Nicox has tested naproxcinod in over 2,700 patients in osteoarthritis, generating a significant package of clinical safety data which is available to support Fera's development of naproxcinod, and ultimately an NDA submission for sickle cell disease. Management and Advisors In December 2021, we announced the appointment of Doug Hubatsch as Chief Scientific Officer to lead all of the Company's non-clinical and clinical development activities. Based in Nicox's U.S. subsidiary Nicox Ophthalmics Inc., he is responsible for setting the research and development strategy of the Group and is a member of the Nicox Executive Committee. In July 2021, we announced that two internationally recognized experts in glaucoma, Robert N. Weinreb, M.D., Distinguished Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology and Director, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, and Sanjay G. Asrani, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology, Duke University, joined the Nicox Glaucoma Clinical Advisory Board. 2021 Financial Summary Net revenue2 for the full year 2021 was 7.2 million (2.4 million in net royalties, 4.8 million in license payments), compared to 12.9 million (2.4 million in net royalties, 10.5 million in license payments) for the full year 2020. The principal difference in revenue is due to an IFRS treatment of a licensing payment received from our partner Ocumension Therapeutics in 2020. Operating expenses for the year 2021 increased to 25.1 million from 19.5 million for the previous year among which 5.2 million comes from non-clinical and development expenses due to the advancement and progress of the Phase 3 trials on NCX 470. Net loss of the Nicox Group for the full year 2021 was 43.8 million against 18.1 million for the full year 2020. However, the 2021 net loss includes 27.8 million of non-recurring, non-cash items due to a reduction in the estimated fair value of ZERVIATE (of 12.7 million) and of NCX 4251 (of 15.1 million) reflecting, respectively, the changes in the allergic conjunctivitis market in the U.S. and the changes in the development plan and timeline for NCX 4251. As of December 31, 2021, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of 42.0 million, as compared with 47.2 million at December 31, 2020, and as previously announced, the Company is financed until Q4 2023, assuming the development of NCX 470 alone. As of December 31, 2021, the Nicox Group had financial debt of 20.5 million, consisting of 18.5 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019 and a 2 million credit agreement guaranteed by the French State, and granted in August 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. First Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights As of March 31, 2022, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of 35.1 million as compared with 42.0 million at December 31, 2021. Net revenue2 for the first quarter of 2022 was 0.7 million (entirely composed of net royalty payments). Net revenue2 for the first quarter of 2021 was 1.7 million (including 0.7 million of net royalty payments). As of March 31, 2022, the Nicox Group had financial debt of 20.5 million consisting of 18.5 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019 and a 2 million credit agreement guaranteed by the French State, and granted in August 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only the figures related to the cash position, revenue and debt of the Nicox Group as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are audited; all other figures of this press release are non-audited. The Danish National Genome Center has awarded Lifebit a four-year contract to implement Lifebit's Federated Trusted Research Environment software, Lifebit CloudOS, within Denmark's national supercomputing center. LONDON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifebit, whose leading technology enables secure analysis over sensitive datasets for researchers and interconnects such large patient cohorts worldwide, today announces a long-term partnership with the Danish National Genome Center (NGC). Lifebit will deploy Lifebit CloudOS to create a Federated Trusted Research Environment within the Danish NGC's supercomputing cluster to serve as the scalable and secure data management and analysis platform for Denmark's national researchers, clinical scientists and international collaborators. The Danish NGC, a government agency and authority within the Danish Healthcare system, was created to implement the Danish Government's National Personalised Medicine Strategy. The core vision of the NGC is to develop more precise diagnosis, targeted treatment and strengthen research within the Danish healthcare system. During the first phase of the strategy, the Danish National Genome Center and its collaborators will recruit and sequence whole genomes of 60,000 patients diagnosed with cancer, autoimmune disorders and rare diseases by 2024. The platform will deliver a next-generation computational infrastructure within Denmark's on-premise supercomputing center, allowing the NGC to meet its vision of establishing and operating a state-of-the-art national infrastructure for personalised medicine while keeping the data at all times in the secure national infrastructure. Only Lifebit with both its genomic data expertise as well as its internationally proven ability of managing such complex Government environments through its patented operating system Lifebit CloudOS was deemed capable to deliver this project. The platform will thus enable researchers with secure access, querying and analysis of this sensitive clinico-genomic data in a fully scalable and flexible way; also allowing for them to collaborate at a global scale. Federation will play a crucial role in enabling the future possibility to collaborate with international partners such as Genomics England, France Genomique, Genomic Medicine Sweden and other biobanks from around the world. Virtually connecting these sensitive datasets, enabling joint analysis that is however performed in situ without moving data, can lead to exponentially higher research findings. In some cases, it can be observed that increasing the number of patients in a study by 10x led to ~100x the number of scientific findings and genomic associations making clear how important real connectivity of these datasets is. "Lifebit continues to guide and power the world's largest national and private precision medicine programmes. We are extremely proud to be delivering this flagship programme for the nation of Denmark. This Federated Trusted Research Environment will enable researchers to more effectively collaborate over this rich dataset at scale and drive international collaboration between other government initiatives - many of which already leverage Lifebit's federated technology." Thorben Seeger, Chief Business Development Officer at Lifebit Other examples of Lifebit's data platform at work include Genomics England , NIHR Cambridge and the Hong Kong Genome Institute . About Lifebit Biotech, Ltd. Lifebit builds enterprise data platforms for use by organisations with complex and sensitive biomedical datasets. Lifebit's patented federated technology securely unlocks access to biomedical data. From providing Trusted Research Environments for national precision medicine programmes to enabling pharmaceutical companies to discover new drug targets faster, Lifebit empowers customers to transform how they leverage sensitive biomedical data. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806414/Lifebit_Biotech.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1752754/lifebit_logo.jpg CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Southern Energy Corp. ("Southern" or the "Company") (TSX.V:SOU)(AIM:SOUC), a U.S.-focused, growth-oriented oil and natural gas producer, announces that the Company has issued 125,000 new common shares in the Company ("Common Shares") to satisfy an exercise of warrants over Common Shares at an exercise price of CAD0.32 per Common Share. In addition, the Company has issued 1,250 new Common Shares to satisfy the Convertible Debenture conversion rights at a price of CAD0.80 per Common Share. Admission to Trading on AIM and Total Voting Rights Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange plc for the admission to trading on AIM of the 126,250 new Common Shares, which is expected to occur at 8.00 a.m. on or around 3 May 2022 ("Admission"). On Admission, the new Common Shares will rank pari passu with the existing Common Shares. On Admission, the issued share capital of the Company will be 78,326,233 Common Shares and this figure may be used by shareholders as a denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in or change to their interest in the Company. There are no Common Shares held in treasury and each Common Share entitles the holder to a single vote at general meetings of the Company. Accordingly, on Admission, the total number of voting rights in the Company will be 78,326,233 For further information, please contact: Southern Energy Corp. Ian Atkinson (President and CEO) Calvin Yau (VP Finance and CFO) +1 587 287 5401 +1 587 287 5402 Strand Hanson Limited - Nominated & Financial Adviser James Spinney / James Bellman Hannam & Partners - Joint Broker Sam Merlin / Ernest Bell Canaccord Genuity - Joint Broker Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 +44 (0) 20 7907 8500 +44 (0) 20 7523 8000 Camarco James Crothers, Billy Clegg, Daniel Sherwen +44 (0) 20 3757 4980 About Southern Energy Corp. Southern Energy Corp. is a natural gas exploration and production company. Southern has a primary focus on acquiring and developing conventional natural gas and light oil resources in the southeast Gulf States of Mississippi, Louisiana, and East Texas. Our management team has a long and successful history working together and have created significant shareholder value through accretive acquisitions, optimization of existing oil and natural gas fields and the utilization of re-development strategies utilizing horizontal drilling and multi-staged fracture completion techniques. 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.The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended). SOURCE: Southern Energy Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699211/Southern-Energy-Corp-Announces-Exercise-of-Warrants-and-Convertible-Debenture-Conversion Regulatory News: Press release 28 April 2022 Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Conor McQuaid as Executive Vice President of Corporate Communication, Sustainability and Responsibility (S&R) and Public Affairs as of July 1st, 2022. Conor will report to Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard. He will be a member of the Executive Board and the Executive Committee, based in Paris. This newly-created global position brings together Corporate Communication, S&R and Public Affairs for the first time within Pernod Ricard. Conor brings to this role a wealth of industry experience and expertise from working in both our markets and brand companies, as well as within Global Business Development. As a COMEX member, he has contributed to shaping Pernod Ricard's business strategy since 2015. Conor McQuaid holds a degree in International Marketing Languages from Dublin City University and Universidad de Sevilla. He began his career with Golden Vale Group plc before joining Irish Distillers Ltd in 1998 as Regional Manager for Southern Europe. He subsequently became Regional Director for Europe in 2000 before taking up the position of International Commercial Director of Irish Distillers Ltd in July 2005. He was appointed Managing Director of Pernod Ricard South Africa in July 2011. In March 2015, Conor McQuaid was appointed Global Business Development Director before moving back to Dublin as Chairman CEO of Irish Distillers in July 2018. About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales amounting to 8,824 million in FY21. The Group, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard's portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes, as well Jacob's Creek, Campo Viejo, Mumm Sparkling and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard's strategy focuses on investing in long-term and sustainable growth for all its stakeholders, remaining true to its founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and strong sense of ethics. The Group's decentralised organisation empowers its 18,500 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of "Createurs de Convivialite". Pernod Ricard 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap "Good Times from a Good Place" is integrated into all its activities from grain to glass, and Pernod Ricard is recognised as a UN Global Compact LEAD participant. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427006249/en/ Contacts: Pernod Ricard Emmanuel Vouin Head of External Engagement +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34 Florence Tresarrieu Global SVP Investor Relations and Treasury +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 03 Edward Mayle Investors Relations Director +1 416 779 6092 PRESS RELEASE Paris, 28 April 2022 2022 has got off to a good start, with Q1 growth of 14% at current exchange rates (up 6.0% like for like), driven by a favourable comparison base and the extension of the Group's scope of consolidation. Revenues in million (unaudited) 2021 2022 Change Q1 turnover 48.5 55.3 +14.0% Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics[1] 8.7 10.6 +21.8% Bogart Beauty Retail[2] 39.8 44.7 +12.3% Other Q1 revenues[3] 2.9 2.5 -13.8% Total Q1 revenues 51.4 57.8 +12.5% First quarter 2022 turnover amounted to 55.3 million, compared with 48.5 million for the same period last year, representing substantial growth of 14.0% (up 6.0% like for like). Both of the Group's businesses recorded double-digit growth, particularly the "Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics" business, which grew 21.8% in the first quarter of 2021, while the extension of the Group's scope bolstered the "Bogart Beauty Retail" business. Note that the comparison base also remains favourable, since the first quarter of 2021 was impacted by widespread administrative closures (Germany, Belgium, France and Israel). For 2022 as a whole, the Group is confident that both of its businesses will continue to grow, as they stand to benefit from numerous innovations across all brands and from the positive effects of the extension of the scope (addition of 38 Nocibe stores since October 2021 and the 70 perfumeries of the Fann chain in Slovakia since January 2022). Note that BOGART is anticipating strong momentum in its "Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics" business, with the release of nearly 500 new make-up products under the April brand. Major fragrance launches are expected for the Jacques Bogart and Carven brands. Methode Jeanne Piaubert, Stendhal and Close combine innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The brands are committed to vegan product launches, eco-designed packaging and skincare formulas in which over 90% of ingredients are of natural origin. While momentum is positive, BOGART remains particularly attentive to international issues, which could impact the price of raw materials and supplies, as well as energy costs, and, more indirectly, consumer purchasing power. Next publication H1 2022 turnover: 28 July 2022 Group website www.groupe-bogart.com CONTACTS BOGART contact@jbogart.com Tel.: 0033 1 53 77 55 55 ACTUS FINANCE ET COMMUNICATION Investor relations Anne-Pauline PETUREAUX apetureaux@actus.fr Tel.: 0033 1 53 67 36 72 Press Manon CLAIRET mclairet@actus.fr Tel.: 0033 1 53 67 36 73 [1] Fragrance/Cosmetic brands division [2] Own-brand boutiques division [3] Income from licences and advertising rebates to brands distributed through Bogart's own networks. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xpppYJ1qlW/JyXJraZdnZ5OZbptpxZPJbWjKyGhqZpeZa2yRlmiVl5jKZnBllmxn - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-74171-cp_bogart_ca_t1_2022_vdef_en.pdf LONDON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital marketing agency Startup Voyager will pump 2.2 million over the next two years to expand its newly launched UK-based travel site ExperiWise. "With renewed interest in inbound tourism, we are excited about the huge growth potential of our travel site ExperiWise in the UK," said Arijit Banerjea, co-founder and CEO of Startup Voyager. The investment is a part of the new 1 billion trade deals between UK and Indian businesses that British Prime Minister Mr. Boris Johnson announced on April 21, 2022, during his two-day visit to India. "Over the next few months, ExperiWise will be collaborating with UK travel organizations to drive tourism from India for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham," said Jayati Ghose, co-founder, and CSO at Startup Voyager. "ExperiWise plans to drive domestic and international tourist traffic to small travel service providers in the UK who do not have a robust web presence. In doing so, we hope to add to sustainable and community driven tourism in the UK and thereby create more jobs in the travel industry," added Ghose. Startup Voyager is keen on hiring over 25 people in the UK to grow its travel business. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the UK travel and tourism industry will contribute around 192 billion to the country's economy in 2022. About the Company: Startup Voyager is an SEO and content marketing agency that has helped US-based billion dollar companies and tech startups grow their organic website traffic. Startup Voyager is a 100% remote company with 35+ employees across 7 countries and has corporate entities in the UK, India, and Canada. Website: https://startupvoyager.com/ ExperiWise is a UK-based travel website that helps travelers find beautiful destinations often overlooked or under-explored. ExperiWise is part of Startup Voyager Digital UK Limited. Website: https://www.experiwise.com/ About the Founders: Arijit 'Peter' Banerjea: Before founding Startup Voyager, Arijit consulted and worked for several tech companies in various digital marketing roles. His work has appeared in top blogs like Entrepreneur, Inc., HuffPost, Fast Company, Lifehacker, etc. Jayati Ghose: Before launching Startup Voyager, Jayati was a business journalist for more than 12 years with The Telegraph and Financial Express, interacting with CXOs of Fortune 500 companies, startup founders, and leaders of nations. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806440/Startup_Voyager_Logo.jpg DGAP-News: Dolkam Suja a.s. / Key word(s): AGM/EGM Dolkam Suja a.s.: CONVOCATION OF ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING 28.04.2022 / 08:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. CONVOCATION OF ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING The board of directors of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. with seat at Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, company ID No.: 31 561 870, registered with the commercial registry of the District Court Zilina, Section Sa, Insert No. 73/L (the "Company") in accordance with Sec. 184 et seq. of the Slovak Act No. 513/1991 Coll. Commercial Code as amended ("CC") and Art. XI. Para. 11.1 of valid Articles of Association of the Company convenes ordinary general meeting of the Company to be held on 01.06.2022 at 11:00 am ("OGM") at the seat of the company Schonherr Rechtsanwalte GmbH, o.z. at the address Prievozska 4/A, 821 09 Bratislava, Slovakia (in the premises of Apollo Business Center II, block B, on the 6th floor) in the conference room with following agenda: Opening Election of a chairman of the ordinary general meeting, minutes clerk, two minutes verifiers and scrutinizers Debate on: ordinary individual financial statement for year 2021 annual report for year 2021 independent auditor's report on audit of the financial statement for year 2021 supplement to independent auditor's report on the annual report for year 2021 proposal for distribution of profit for year 2021 statement of the supervisory board on the financial statement for year 2021 and proposal for distribution of profit for year 2021 report of the supervisory board on results of its supervisory activities for year 2021 Approval of: ordinary individual financial statement for year 2021 annual report for year 2021 proposal for distribution of profit for year 2021 Debate on Business plan for 2022 Election of auditor's company for performance of statutory audit for the Company for year 2022 Revocation of members of the board of directors of the Company Election of members of the board of directors of the Company and designation of chairman of the board of directors of the Company Revocation of members of the supervisory board of the Company Election of members of the supervisory board of the Company Approving agreement on performance of function of the Company's supervisory board member Closing The record date under Sec. 156a CC and Sec. 180(2) CC for exercising the shareholder's right to participate in OGM, vote, request information and explanations and to submit proposals, or to exercise other shareholder's rights, is 29.05.2022. Registration of shareholders and entry into attendance list will be held between 10:00 am and 10:45 am on the day and at the place of OGM. During the registration, it is necessary to submit: i) Natural person being shareholder: valid identity document (ID card or passport); ii) Natural person being proxy holder: written proxy with officially verified signature of the principal - shareholder (or person(s) acting on behalf of the principal - shareholder), valid identity document (ID card or passport) of the proxy holder; iii) Legal entity being shareholder: commercial registry excerpt (original or officially verified copy) not older than 3 months, or if not registered in commercial registry, excerpt from similar registry or document proving legal capacity including document attesting the person authorized to act on behalf of the shareholder (original or officially verified copy) and valid identity document (ID card or passport) of statutory body or member of statutory body of the shareholder; iv) Legal entity being proxy holder: written power of attorney with officially verified signature of the principal - shareholder (or person(s) acting on behalf of the principal - shareholder), up-to-date commercial registry excerpt (original or officially verified copy) of the proxy holder not older than 3 months, or if not registered in commercial registry, excerpt from similar registry or document proving legal capacity including document attesting the person authorized to act on behalf of the proxy holder (original or officially verified copy) and valid identity document (ID card or passport) of statutory body or member of statutory body of proxy holder. v) Shareholder whose shares of the Company are held via trustee holding the shares for shareholder on holder's account established at central depositary of securities under Sec. 105a of the Act No. 566/2001 Coll. on Securities as amended or his/her proxy holder shall submit, in addition to documents stated above, also written confirmation of the trustee that the shareholder is owner of the specified number of shares of the Company held by the trustee on holder's account of the trustee as at the above record date. During registration, documents mentioned in sections i) to v) above, except for identity documents, must be given to the person in charge of entries into the attendance list for record-keeping purposes. Apart from identity documents, all submitted or delivered documents in foreign language (except for Czech language) must contain also official translation into Slovak language. Each shareholder participates in OGM at own expenses. Advice pursuant to Sec. 184a CC: Shareholder has the right to participate in and vote at general meeting. Shareholder has the right to request at OGM information and explanations regarding matters of the Company or matters of persons controlled by the Company relating to the subject-matter of OGM and submit proposals as stated under Sec. 180(1) CC. The board of directors of the Company ("BoD") is obliged to provide each shareholder, upon request, with complete and true information and explanations relating to the subject-matter of OGM. If the BoD is unable to provide a shareholder with complete information at OGM, or if at OGM a shareholder so requests, the BoD is obliged to provide the shareholder with the information in writing within 15 days from the day of OGM. The BoD shall send the written information to the shareholder to the address he/she stated; otherwise, it shall provide the information at the seat of the Company. If the BoD refuses to provide the information, upon shareholder's request, the supervisory board of the Company ("SB") shall decide about duty of the BoD to provide the requested information during the OGM. If the shareholder is not provided with the requested information, or if the provided information is incomplete, shareholder is entitled to file a petition with the court which shall decide about duty of the Company to provide the requested information. This shareholder's right expires unless exercised within one month from the day of OGM at which he/she requested BoD or SB to provide such information. A shareholder or shareholders holding shares with nominal value of at least 5% of the registered capital has/have the right to request the BoD in writing to put items on the agenda of OGM and OGM is obliged to discuss these. The request for supplementation of the agenda must be accompanied by a justification or a draft resolution to be adopted; otherwise, OGM is not obliged to attend to such request. If the request for supplementation of the agenda is delivered after the convocation of OGM was published, the BoD shall publish a supplement to the agenda of OGM in a manner stipulated by law and determined by the Articles of Association of the Company ("AoA") for convening the general meeting at least ten days before OGM. If such a notice on supplementation of the agenda of OGM is not possible, the item in question can be put on the agenda of OGM only if all shareholders of the Company participate in OGM and consent thereto. If the request for supplementation of the agenda is delivered 20 days before OGM at the latest, the BoD is obliged to publish the notice on supplementation of the agenda not later than 10 days before OGM. A shareholder attends the general meeting personally or represented by proxy holder based on a written proxy pursuant to Sec. 184(1) CC and Sec. 190e CC. The signature of the principal - shareholder, or in case of shareholder - legal entity, of the person authorized to act on behalf of the principal - shareholder, shall be officially verified. If the shareholder grants the proxy to exercise voting rights attached to the same shares at one general meeting to more proxy holders, the Company shall allow voting to the proxy holder who was registered in the attendance list at the general meeting at first. If more shareholders granted a written proxy for representation to the same proxy holder, such proxy holder may vote at the general meeting on behalf of each of the represented shareholders independently. A SB member may act as shareholder's proxy holder as well; however, he/she shall notify the shareholder of all facts that might influence shareholder's decision on granting the proxy for representation at the general meeting to a SB member. The proxy shall contain specific instructions for voting on each decision or item of the agenda of the general meeting on which the SB member shall vote as the proxy holder on behalf of the shareholder. If a shareholder has shares on more than one securities accounts under a special act, the Company shall allow the shareholder to be represented by one proxy holder in relation to each securities account, whereas the proxy shall specify the amount of the Company's shares and the respective securities account of the shareholder covered by the proxy. Template of the written proxy which can be used for proxy voting is attached to this convocation. This template is also available on website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk in section "VALNE ZHROMAZDENIE" and subsection "RVZ 01.06.2022". Electronic means by which the Company receives notices of appointment of proxy holder, change of granted proxy and of revocation thereof is e-mail sent by shareholder to electronic (e-mail) address of the Company dolkam@dolkam.sk. E-mail sent by shareholder shall contain an attachment - a scanned copy of a sufficiently certain expression of will of shareholder (if in other than Slovak or Czech language, official translation into Slovak language required) regarding appointment of proxy holder, change of granted proxy or revocation thereof, in format "pdf" or "tiff". This does not affect duty of the proxy holder to submit and hand over the written proxy with officially verified signature of principal - shareholder (or person(s) acting on behalf of the principal - shareholder) during registration. A shareholder exercises delivery of the notice of appointment of proxy holder, change of granted proxy or revocation thereof at own risk and notices are considered to be delivered to the Company when delivered at the above electronic (e-mail) address of the Company. Since the AoA regulate neither the possibility of absentee voting by mail pursuant to Sec. 190a CC nor the shareholders' participation in and voting at the general meeting by electronic means pursuant to Sec. 190d CC, a shareholder does not have the right to vote at OGM by mail or the possibility to participate and vote by electronic means. Consolidated versions of materials, documents and draft resolutions of OGM to be discussed as a part of the agenda of OGM can be obtained or inspected personally at the seat of the Company at the address Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, in the room Economist's Office (Kancelaria ekonomky) on working days during the period from the day of publishing of this convocation of OGM until 01.06.2022 between 8 am and 12 noon. Data and documents pursuant to Sec. 184a (2) let. c) to e) CC, including consolidated versions of all documents to be discussed as a part of the agenda of the general meeting, draft resolutions of OGM pursuant to individual items of agenda of OGM and statement of the BoD to each item of agenda of OGM to which no draft resolution is submitted and template proxy will be published on the website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk in section "VALNE ZHROMAZDENIE" and subsection "RVZ 01.06.2022". Electronic means by which the Company publishes the information under special regulation is internet, i.e. website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk. Any electronic communication with the Company shall be performed by sending an e-mail to electronic (e-mail) address of the Company dolkam@dolkam.sk. Notice for the shareholders pursuant to Sec. 184 (6), (7) and Sec. 192 (1) CC: The ordinary individual financial statement for year 2021 and the list of the BoD and SB nominees are available to shareholders for inspection at the seat of the Company at the address Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, in the room Economist's Office (Kancelaria ekonomky) on working days during the period from the day of publishing of this convocation of OGM until 01.06.2022 between 8 am and 12 noon and will be published at least thirty days prior to OGM on website of the Company at www.dolkam.sk in section "VALNE ZHROMAZDENIE" and subsection "RVZ 01.06.2022". Shareholder has the right to request copy of the list of BoD and SB nominees, or to request that such copy be sent to the address stated by the shareholder at his/her expense and risk. A shareholder being holder of bearer shares and who has established a pledge over at least one share of the Company as a security for recovery of costs related thereto in favour of the Company has the right to ask for sending copy of the ordinary individual financial statement for year 2021 to the address stated by the shareholder at his/her expense and risk. These rights can be exercised by shareholder by written request sent to the address of the seat of the Company or personally at the seat of the Company at the address Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia in the room Economist's Office (Kancelaria ekonomky) on working days during the period from the day of publishing of this convocation of OGM until 01.06.2022 between 8 am and 12 noon. Since the Company has issued bearer shares, the main data of the ordinary individual financial statement for the year 2021 are part of this convocation of OGM: Main data of the ordinary individual financial statement of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. for the year 2021 Balance sheet as at 31.12.2021 Profit and loss statement as at 31.12.2021 in EUR in EUR Total assets 12 247 942 Production 6 653 006 Receivables from subscribed own equity - Purchased consumables and services 3 365 963 Fixed assets 5 535 722 Added value 3 287 043 Current assets 6 709 167 Staff costs 829 450 Other assets 3 053 Taxes and charges 84 870 Depreciation of intangible and tangible fixed assets 499 703 Total liabilities and equity 12 247 942 Sales of fixed assets and material 94 691 Carrying value of fixed assets and material sold 92 401 Share capital 937 828 Other operating income 64 465 Other operating expenses 61 281 Statutory funds 10 446 Operating profit or loss 1 878 494 Funds from profit 8 582 991 Financial income 2 377 Profit or loss for the current period after tax 1 429 123 Financial expenses 77 584 Profit or loss of prior periods - Financial profit or loss -75 207 Liabilities 1 279 941 Profit or loss from ordinary activities prior tax 1 803 287 Other liabilities 7 613 Income tax on ordinary activities 374 164 Profit or loss for the current period after tax 1 429 123 In Suja on 21.04.2022 Board of Directors of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. Template proxy (please complete legibly in block letters) PROXY for participation in the ordinary general meeting of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s. Undersigned principal: title, forename, surname / business name: ..............................................................., permanent residence / registered seat: ...................................................................., birth certificate No. / company ID No.: ..................................................................., date of birth (only natural person): ........................................................................., personal ID No. / passport No. (only natural person): ................................................, registered in the commercial registry or other similar registry (only legal entity): ..........................................................................................................................., forename, surname and position of the person authorized to act on behalf of the shareholder (only legal entity): ................................................................................................................, (the "Principal") as a shareholder of the company D O L K A M Suja a.s., with seat at Suja, 015 01 Rajec, Slovakia, company ID No.: 31 561 870, registered in the commercial registry of the District Court Zilina, Section Sa, Insert No. 73/L (the "Company") hereby grants proxy to the proxy holder: title, forename, surname / business name: ..............................................................., permanent residence / registered seat: ...................................................................., birth certificate No. / company ID No.: ..................................................................., date of birth (only natural person): ........................................................................., personal ID No. / passport No. (only natural person): ................................................, registered in the commercial registry or other similar registry (only legal entity): ..........................................................................................................................., (the "Proxy holder"), to act as a proper and authorized proxy holder of the Principal performing the following: to represent the Principal in relation to: all shares of the Company belonging to the Principal** shares of the Company which the Principal has on securities account(s):** Securities account No. Where the securities account is maintained (name of the member of central depositary of securities is sufficient) Number of shares of the Company on the securities account **Delete as appropriate. In case that no option is deleted as appropriate or otherwise unambiguously chosen, option 1.a) is valid and the proxy is held for all shares of the Company belonging to the Principal as the Company's shareholder. If option 1.b) is chosen and the securities account(s) was/were sufficiently specified, it is held, that the proxy relates to all shares that the Principal has on this/these securities account(s). In case option 1.b) is chosen, it is necessary to specify the securities account(s) on which the Principal has shares of the Company and to which this proxy relates; otherwise this proxy can be invalid due to uncertainty. The Principal and the Proxy holder confirm by signing this proxy that they agree with these rules. and that to full extent and without any limitation as a shareholder of the Company at the ordinary general meeting of the Company to be held on 01.06.2022 at 11 am ("OGM") at the seat of the company Schonherr Rechtsanwalte GmbH, o.z. at the address Prievozska 4/A, 821 09 Bratislava, Slovakia (in the premises of Apollo Business Center II, block B, on the 6th floor) in the conference room, in particular but not limited to, to exercise voting rights at OGM to full extent and without any limitation, to request information and explanations, to submit and apply proposals and to execute any and all other acts which the Principal as a shareholder of the Company is entitled to exercise at OGM, in particular but not limited to, pursuant to the Articles of Association of the Company, the Slovak Act No. 513/1991 Coll. the Commercial Code as amended and/or pursuant to other applicable laws of the Slovak Republic; to act, sign and/or execute for and on behalf of the Principal any and all legal and/or other actions relating to and/or connected with actions stipulated in section 1. above, and all that also in cases in which pursuant to generally binding legal rules of Slovakia a special proxy is required; to comply with the following specific voting instructions, if the Proxy holder is also supervisory board member of the Company: Item of Agenda of OGM: Instruction: 2. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. In the case the Proxy holder is also supervisory board member of the Company, the Principal and the Proxy holder confirm by signing this proxy that the Proxy holder has informed the Principal about all facts that might affect the decision of the Principal as a shareholder to grant proxy for representation at OGM to a supervisory board member of the Company. The Proxy holder is entitled neither to grant power of substitution to a third party nor to grant to him/her any authorization, whether individual or in the entirety of the proxy granted to him/her. The Principal hereby confirms everything and anything that the Proxy holder lawfully executes and/or arranges pursuant to and in accordance with this proxy during the validity of this proxy. This proxy supersedes any and all prior, oral and written, proxies granted by the Principal to the Proxy holder in the matters falling under the scope of the Proxy holder's authorization according to this proxy, and these previous proxies are considered hereby revoked and invalid. This proxy is governed by applicable laws of the Slovak Republic. In ................................., on ................................. The Principal: Forename, surname / business name: ...................................................................... Signature: ..................................................................... (please do not forget to have your signature verified) I agree with my appointment as a Proxy holder and I accept this proxy in the above scope. The Proxy holder: Forename, surname / business name: ...................................................................... Date of acceptance of the proxy: ............................. Signature: ..................................................................... 28.04.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de COPENHAGEN (dpa-AFX) - Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S (CABGY.PK) reported Thursday that its first-quarter reported revenue grew 26.5 percent from last year to 14.9 billion Danish kroner. Organic revenue growth was 23.6 percent. The results reflected the war in Ukraine. Performance outside Ukraine was strong. Western Europe revenues climbed 36.2 percent, and the growth was 16.5 percent in Asia and 8.2 percent in Central & Eastern Europe. Total volume growth was 8.6 percent, and organic volume growth was 9.1 percent. Revenue/hl grew 13 percent, impacted by price increases and channel and country mix. Further, the company said it will launch the second quarterly share buy-back programme today, amounting to 1 billion kroner. Further, for fiscal 2022, the company continues to expect organic operating profit development of around negative 5 percent to positive 2 percent. CEO Cees 't Hart said, 'Looking at business performance, the first quarter saw only limited impact from the war. The Group had a strong start to the year, albeit Western Europe had easy comparables due to the extensive lockdowns last year. We're in the process of implementing our new SAIL'27 strategy, ensuring adequate support for our strategic priorities.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Regulatory News: Air Liquide (Paris:AI) and EZZ Steel, one of the leading steel producers in the Middle East and Africa, have signed a new long term agreement for the supply of industrial gases to EZZ's new plant in Ain Sokhna, East of Cairo, Egypt. Air Liquide Egypt will invest around 80 million dollars in building an Air Separation Unit (ASU) to supply EZZ needs throughout the duration of the contract, as well as other customer needs in the basin. With an oxygen production capacity of 770 tons per day, this ASU will notably allow Air Liquide to support the development of the Ain Sokhna area as one of the country's major basins for heavy industries within the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Air Liquide will also expand its existing pipeline network in Ain Sokhna to connect the new plant with Air Liquide's 4 other Air Separation Units already in operation,increasing the reliability of supply. In line with Air Liquide's Sustainability Objective of carbon neutrality by 2050, the project includes a CO2 emissions reduction roadmap based on renewable power sourcing. Pascal Vinet, Senior Vice President and a member of the Air Liquide Group Executive Committee supervising Europe Industries activities and Africa Middle East India, said: "Air Liquide is pleased to collaborate with EZZ Steel, accompanying the growth of the Egyptian steel industry through the establishment of one of the largest industrial basins in Egypt. The investment in this ASU and pipeline infrastructure will further enhance Air Liquide's network capabilities, allowing us to meet the growing industrial gas demands of our customers." A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 75 countries with approximately 66,400 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide's ambition is to be a leader in its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability with a strong commitment to climate change and energy transition at the heart of its strategy. The company's customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable, regular and responsible growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders. Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 23 billion euros in 2021. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes. www.airliquide.com Follow us on Twitter @airliquidegroup View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427005850/en/ Contacts: Corporate Communications media@airliquide.com Investor Relations IRTeam@airliquide.com MADRID (dpa-AFX) - Spanish oil major Repsol S.A. (REPYY.PK) on Thursday reported that first-quarter net income was 1.392 billion euros, higher than last year's 648 million euros. The company noted that the rise in hydrocarbon prices, reaching highs not seen since 2008, had an impact on its earnings. The first three months of 2022 were marked by the invasion of Ukraine, which led to an abrupt rise in hydrocarbon prices. Brent crude oil traded at an average of $102.2 per barrel, compared to $61 in the same period of 2021. Adjusted net income, which specifically measures the performance of the businesses, was 1.056 billion euros, compared to 471 million euros in the previous year. The Exploration and Production unit, which carries out all its activities outside Spain, contributed 69 percent. The company's service stations in the country accounted for just under 5 percent of total adjusted net income. First-quarter average production was 558,500 barrels of oil equivalent, lower than the same period in 2021. Further, the company said its Board of Directors will propose to the Annual Shareholder Meeting a 5 percent increase in the cash dividend, to 0.63 euro per share. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX REPSOL-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Regulatory News: Sequa Petroleum N.V. ("SPNV") is pleased to announce that Sungara Energies Limited ("Sungara") has entered into an agreement with Sonangol Pesquisa E Producao, S.A. ("Sonangol P&P") to purchase a 10% participating interest in Block 15/06, 40% participating interest in Block 23 (with operatorship), and 35% participating interest in Block 27 (the "Transaction"). Sungara is jointly owned by three partners: the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia's subsidiary NAMCOR Exploration and Production (Proprietary) Limited ("Namcor"), Petrolog Energies Limited ("Petrolog", a company affiliated with African multinational Petrolog Group), and SPNV's subsidiary Sequa Petroleum UK Limited ("Sequa"). Sungara is a new entity with a focus on Sub-Saharan African upstream oil and gas, combining world-class technical expertise with local capability and commitment, able to operate and develop oil and gas assets throughout the region in line with the highest standards of integrity, quality, governance and responsibility. Concurrent with the Transaction, NAMCOR, Petrolog and Sequa have signed a shareholder agreement relating to their interests in Sungara, with equal terms and shareholdings in Sungara for each partner. A general meeting of shareholders of SPNV will be convened to approve its entering into the Sungara partnership. The Block 15/06 Joint Venture comprises Eni (operator, 36.84%), Sonangol P&P (36.84%) and SSI Fifteen Limited (26.32%). Block 15/06 is one of the most prolific blocks in deepwater offshore Angola with current oil production of more than 100,000 barrels per day through two large floating production and storage facilities. Following successful exploration and appraisal in the past several years, an ongoing development programme is forecasted to increase production in the medium term beyond 150,000 barrels per day. The block has further upside potential which may materialise following future exploration, appraisal and development activity. Sungara's 10% participating interest in Block 15/06 provides it with current production of more than 10,000 barrels of oil per day, forecasted to grow beyond 15,000 barrels per day in the medium term, 75 million barrels reserves and resources, and further upside potential. Offshore exploration Blocks 23 and 27 also provide upside value. The consideration for the Transaction is ca. USD 500 million which includes a contingent payment of up to USD 50 million. The Transaction is planned to be funded by Sungara through a combination of equity contributions from each of the Sungara partners and third party debt. The economic effective date of the Transaction is April 2022 and completion, subject to customary conditions and approvals, is planned to occur in 2022. Cautionary notice This press release may contain information that qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This communication may contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as possibly and expected or other similar words or expressions are typically used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results of SPNV to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the SPNV's ability to engage a depositary and a listing agent, generate positive cash flows, general economic conditions, turbulences in the global credit markets and the economy, geopolitical events and other factors discussed in SPNV's public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the SPNV's management and assumptions based on information currently available to SPNV's management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the SPNV does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005517/en/ Contacts: Jacob Broekhuijsen Chief Executive Officer Sequa Petroleum N.V. info@sequa-petroleum.com FLOOR ONE S3 Extreme & S5 Extreme: Exclusive high-power suction mode for house cleaning NEUSS, Germany, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tineco, premium brand of intelligent household appliances, expands its innovative product range with the FLOOR ONE S3 Extreme and the FLOOR ONE S5 Extreme. Both new products will be available for purchase in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain beginning in late April at selected retailers. Annual spring cleaning is a necessary part for many households. To address this need, Tineco introduced these upgraded versions of its award-winning wireless FLOOR ONE Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner, helping homeowners clean their floors with more convenience and efficiency. New Features: Suction Mode: The FLOOR ONE Extreme models feature a suction mode that targets damp bathroom floors as well as spilled liquids anywhere, absorbing debris and moisture without consuming fresh water. This allows users to clean large areas with the same clean water tank. The FLOOR ONE Extreme models feature a suction mode that targets damp bathroom floors as well as spilled liquids anywhere, absorbing debris and moisture without consuming fresh water. This allows users to clean large areas with the same clean water tank. Additional Brush Rollers: For optimum hygienic and odourless use, Tineco's Extreme models contain 2 replacement brush rollers for use in different spaces. The Tineco FLOOR ONE Family The FLOOR ONE Series includes various products to meet a variety of needs in the home. All products are equipped with the intelligent iLOOP dust sensor, which detects the dirtiness level of the floor and automatically adjusts suction power and roller speed for an effective clean. More smart features include the Tineco voice assistant, app connectivity, and an LED display. The popular FLOOR ONE S3 is the predecessor to the S3 Extreme and is Tineco's first generation smart wet/dry vacuum. The more recent FLOOR ONE S5 and S5 PRO contain larger water tanks and have improved edge cleaning performance. With the S5 COMBO, users get an intelligent floor cleaner and a handheld vacuum cleaner. "We are pleased to bring more people powerful cleaning options. Customers can access and try out our products at retail stores, as usual, to find a better, smarter cleaning tool for their home", says Marco Getz, General Manager of Tineco Europe. For more information, please visit our website. About Tineco Founded in 1998, with the launch of its first vacuum cleaner, Tineco has pushed innovation in the home smart appliance category resulting in hundreds of patents globally. Tineco specializes in creating innovative, intelligent technology to make everyday home products smarter and easier to use. Tineco has quickly shifted to a leader in the smart appliance category with its PURE ONE vacuum portfolio, and with the launch of the market's first smart wet/dry vacuum line - the FLOOR ONE Series. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1804573/Tineco_06_291112____2.jpg ZUG, Switzerland, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MET Group is growing its European renewables portfolio by expanding into the Italian and Spanish markets. The Swiss-based energy company acquired a 100% stake in five greenfield solar power projects in Italy with an expected installed capacity of 213 MWp, and a ready-to-build solar power project in Spain with an expected installed capacity of 50 MWp - increasing its total portfolio to 714 MWp. On 9 February and 2 March 2022, MET Group signed share purchase agreements with Italian developers to acquire 100% stakes in five greenfield photovoltaic development projects in Central and Southern Italy. The photovoltaic power plants are expected to achieve ready-to-build stage in 2024. On 7 April, MET Group acquired a 100 percent stake in a Spanish 50 MWp solar project at ready-to-build status. The Puerto Real 3 project is situated in the Andalucia region of Spain, known for its high irradiation levels. The project should start commercial operations in the summer of 2023. Within MET Group, a dedicated Green Assets Division provides all the necessary expertise and support to the renewable expansion strategy, with an ambitious target of reaching a 1GW renewables portfolio by 2026. The integrated energy company aims for a 500 MW portfolio to be in operation by 2023, and an additional 500 MW by 2026. MET is targeting further growth of wind and solar installations across the European Union, seeking to play an active role in the energy transition. Christian Hurlimann, Renewables CEO of MET Group said: "Our goal is to build a geographically diversified 1 GW pure-play renewables portfolio in Europe, and with these transactions we have now also entered the Italian and Spanish renewables markets. MET's expansion strategy focuses on European markets where we already have a local presence, building on our existing operations across the Group. MET's sales subsidiaries already offer green power and services to their customers, and the percentage of partners adopting renewable energy products is constantly increasing. MET Group is dedicated to support a sustainable energy future for Europe." MET Group MET Group is an integrated European energy company, headquartered in Switzerland, with activities and assets in natural gas and power markets. MET is present in 13 countries through subsidiaries, 26 national gas markets and 22 international trading hubs. In 2021, MET Group's consolidated sales revenue amounted to EUR 18,1 billion, the volume of traded natural gas was 55 BCM. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1805177/Christian_Hurlimann.jpg LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Smith & Nephew Plc (SN, SNN), a U.K.-based medical technology business, reported that its first quarter revenue was $1.306 billion, up 5.9% on an underlying basis. Reported revenue growth was 3.3% including a -2.6% headwind from foreign exchange. The company said it is on track to meet its full year guidance for 2022, which is unchanged. For 2022, the company targets underlying revenue growth of 4.0% to 5.0%. On a reported basis the guidance equates to a range of around 1.3% to 2.3%, with a foreign exchange headwind of 270bps based on exchange rates prevailing on 22 April 2022. The company noted that a final dividend of 23.1 US cents per ordinary share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2021 will be paid on 11 May 2022 to shareholders. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX SMITH & NEPHEW-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQX:PMMCF) is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities being carried out by Austral Gold Ltd. ("Austral" - ASX: AGD / TSX-V: AGLD) at the Company's 7,300-hectare Morros Blancos property in northern Chile, where Austral has an option to earn up to an 80% interest in the Morros Blancos property by completing a Bankable Feasibility Study. Morros Blancos is located along one of the prime mineral belts of northern Chile that is host to major copper mines such as Spence and Sierra Gorda, as well as important gold-silver mining districts such as El Penon, and is situated immediately adjacent and to the east of the producing Amancaya gold-silver mine operated by Austral. Highlights: Austral has announced preliminary results from its exploration programs at the Company's Morros Blancos project in northern Chile (see Austral ASX news release dated April 28, 2022). Two targets are currently being investigated along a 15 km hydrothermal alteration corridor at Morros Blancos (see map at end of this release). Austral has completed four of the planned five diamond drill holes totalling 1,020m at the Rosario del Alto target in the north of the property, and continued surface exploration studies of the Morro Colorado target in the center of the property. Additional detailed surface geological mapping, rock-chip sampling, geophysical surveys, spectrometry (alteration) studies, and petrographic studies have been completed at both targets. Extensive geological and hydrothermal alteration features of high-sulphidation gold-silver systems have been encountered and mapped at surface at both Rosario del Alto and Morro Colorado, and in drill holes at Rosario del Alto. Additionally, evidence for the juxtaposition of hydrothermal alteration with high-sulphidation features and porphyry-style characteristics, has been found at Morro Colorado. Morros Blancos - Rosario del Alto Exploration Four (out of a planned five) diamond drill holes totaling 1,020 meters were completed at Rosario del Alto in the north of the property, targeting three main phreatomagmatic complexes (Maar Austral, Maar Central, Maar Oriental) identified by geological mapping (see map below). All drill holes cut large columns of phreatomagmatic rocks, confirming a high degree of preservation and continuity of the systems at depth. No significant precious metals intervals were intercepted to date, but partial results from multi-element geochemical analyses show strong pathfinder anomalies, consistent with surface geochemical anomalies. The phreatomagmatic facies show a progression from polymictic crater-fill environments in the centers of the diatremes and at depth, towards monomictic environments at the edges of the complexes. Surficial tuffaceous maar sediments also occur. All the recognized geological elements such as breccia rock type, hydrothermal alteration, and oxidation level, will allow vectoring towards mineralisation in the next phase of drilling, which is planned for later this year. Morros Blancos - Rosario del Alto Target Summary Map Morros Blancos - Morro Colorado Exploration At the Morro Colorado target, Austral has delineated a ~2x1 km area with phreatomagmatic breccias affected by high-level, high-sulphidation alteration developed in volcanic sequences that include domes and block and ash deposits. This structural block is in contact to the west with a domain characterized by lavas and numerous intrusive bodies, some of them with evidence of porphyry-style alteration. It is likely that Austral will drill test Morro Colorado later this year. Pampa Metals / Austral Gold - Agreement Pampa Metals and Austral Gold signed an option agreement (the "Agreement") in July 2021 (see news release dated July 28, 2021) allowing Austral to earn up to an 80% interest in two of the Company's properties - Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco - by completing certain expenditures, returning to the Company's treasury some shares of Pampa Metals held by Austral, and ultimately by completing a Bankable Feasibility Study ("BFS") on one or both projects. Expenses incurred on the Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco properties pursuant to the Agreement to date are reported by Austral to be approximately US$ 1.2 million, thus completing the first-year expenditure commitment. An additional US$1.8 million is required to be expended on the properties prior to the end of Q3 2023 for Austral to obtain an initial 60% interest in the properties. Subsequently, Austral can earn an additional 5% interest in each property, to 65%, by completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA) on either or both properties within 5 years based on a minimum of 15,000m of drilling and related engineering studies. Any property that does not have a PEA completed within 5 years will be returned to the Company. Austral can further increase its interest to 80% by producing a Bankable Feasibility Study ("BFS") to NI 43-101 standards with an additional 10,000m (minimum) of drilling on any one of the Properties. Pampa Metals has a back-in right if the results of exploration or the BFS indicate that the value of mineralization is dominated by copper rather than gold, in which case the Company can earn an 80% interest in any such discovery by diluting Austral to 20% using the same expenditure formula by which Austral has earned its interest. ABOUT PAMPA METALS Pampa Metals is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE: PM) as well as the Frankfurt (FSE: FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges. Pampa Metals owns a highly prospective, wholly owned, 62,000-hectare portfolio of eight projects for copper and gold located along proven mineral belts in Chile, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively progressing four of its projects, including completed and planned drill tests, and has two additional projects optioned to Austral Gold Ltd., with Austral drill testing its first target on Pampa Metals' ground. The Company has also signed an agreement with VerAI Discoveries Inc. giving Pampa Metals access to the latest in artificial intelligence technologies in relation to mineral exploration, as well as a further 18,700 hectares of highly prospective terrain in the core of the highly productive mineral belts of northern Chile. The Company has a vision to create value for shareholders and all other stakeholders by making a major copper or gold discovery along the prime mineral belts of Chile, using the best geological and technological methods. For more information, please visit Pampa Metals' website www.pampametals.com. Qualified Person Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G, Geologist and a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego is a consultant to the Company. Note: The reader is cautioned that Pampa Metals' projects are early-stage exploration projects, and reference to existing mines and deposits, or mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties, is not necessarily indicative of any mineralization on Pampa Metals' properties. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Paul Gill | CEO & Director www.pampametals.com INVESTOR CONTACT Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos | Director investors@pampametals.com The CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, which address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are 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", "indicate" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Morros Blancos Project - Target Locations Along 15 km Hydrothermal Alteration Corridor SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699162/Pampa-Metals-Provides-Update-for-Morros-Blancos-JV-with-Austral-Gold LONDON (dpa-AFX) - DS Smith Plc (SMDS.L), a British packaging company, on Thursday said in a pre-close statement that its trading for the year ending on April 30 is in line with its expectations. For the fiscal 2022, the London-based company expects adjusted operating earnings of 605 million pounds - 615 million pounds. However, due to ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact, the company is impairing its investment in the country and expects one-off non-cash charge of around 30 million pounds for the fiscal 2022. For the fiscal 2021, the Group's investment in Ukraine had contributed 4 million pounds in earnings after tax. Miles Roberts, CEO of DS Smith, said: We have seen continued good momentum across our customer base, with volumes from our FMCG customers growing particularly well, underpinned by consistently high levels of service and product quality. Within Europe our Eastern and Southern regions have performed ahead of the Group average, and in the US we are seeing the benefit of the Indiana site contributing to further very strong volume growth in the region.' 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. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Financial conglomerate St. James's Place plc (STJ.L) on Thursday said its closing funds under management in the first quarter rose to 151.25 billion pounds, from 135.46 billion pounds in the year-ago period. Net inflows during the quarter edged up to 2.91 billion pounds from 2.90 billion pounds in the comparable period of the previous fiscal. However, Gross inflows in the first quarter slid to 4.73 billion pounds from 4.79 billion pounds in the year-ago period. 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. NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global air purifier market is set to reach $31,195.6 million by 2030 from $11,422.7 million in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 11.8% during 2021-2030, according to P&S Intelligence. The market's growth is attributable to the rising air pollution levels throughout the world, decreasing indoor air quality, increasing incidence of airborne illnesses, as well as individuals' rising living standards and spending power. As per the WHO, nearly all of the world's population breathes air that surpasses the minimum quality standards. Indoor air quality is among the leading causes of respiratory sickness, cancer, and even blindness, as well as premature mortality, particularly in underdeveloped nations. Get the sample pages of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/air-purifier-market/report-sample Key Findings of Air Purifier Market Reprot The cost of air purifiers utilizing the ionizing technology depends on the size, model, and brand. Moreover, ionic air purifiers' inexpensive operating and purchase costs, as well as their reduced noise, are boosting the industry, with North America being, by far, the leading user. However, nations such as Russia , India , and China are likely to have a strong need for them in the future. being, by far, the leading user. However, nations such as , , and are likely to have a strong need for them in the future. HEPA and ionic air purifiers hold over half the air purifier market share, with HEPA-based air purifiers leading the way. HEPA filters are multi-layered meshes comprised of tiny fiberglass threads, which are struck with high-pressure air to kill viruses. share, with HEPA-based air purifiers leading the way. HEPA filters are multi-layered meshes comprised of tiny fiberglass threads, which are struck with high-pressure air to kill viruses. Because ionic air purifiers do not have a filter, production costs are likely to fall in the coming years, along with the appearance of new technologies, thus providing chances for product development for market players. COVID-19 prompted individuals to seek out cleaner air, in order to reduce their chance of contracting the disease. Therefore, the market saw significant growth in 2020. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 40% of the worldwide revenue, owing to its growing population, fast urbanization and industrialization, as well as rising disposable income. Moreover, Bangladesh , Pakistan , and India are among the nations with the poorest air quality. region accounts for over 40% of the worldwide revenue, owing to its growing population, fast urbanization and industrialization, as well as rising disposable income. Moreover, , , and are among the nations with the poorest air quality. As a result, China dominates the market in the region, accounting for around half the air purifier market share. Moreover, it serves as the production base for a significant number of players and component suppliers, which leads to easy and cost-effective product availability. Residential air purifiers held roughly 20% share in the market in 2021, and they are expected to grow at the highest rate over the forecast period. The rising popularity of smart homes and increasing awareness among individuals about their health, as a result of the worries about breathing contaminated air, are both contributing to the rise in the demand for these appliances in this sector. Browse detailed report on Global Air Purifier Market Opportunities, Emerging Trends, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts 2022-2030 To stay competitive, air purifier market players have launched goods with innovative features and technologies, as well as upgrading their product portfolios and expanding their activities, in recent years. Major manufacturers of these systems include Panasonic Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Dyson Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Daikin Industries Ltd., Whirlpool Corporation, IQAir, Sharp Corporation, and LG Electronics. Air Purifier Market Segmentation Analysis By Technology HEPA Ionic Activated Carbon Photocatalytic Ultraviolet Electrostatic Precipitators By Application Residential Office Spaces Hotels Hospitals Airports Educational Institutes Shopping Malls Gyms & Fitness Centers Government Centers By Region North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France U.K. Russia Italy Asia-Pacific China Japan South Korea Australia India Latin America Brazil Mexico Chile Argentina Colombia Middle East and Africa and U.A.E. Saudi Arabia Turkey South Africa Egypt Browse More Related Reports Global Air Quality Monitoring Market Trends, Advancement, Growth and Business Opportunities Global Filters Market Trends, Advancement, Growth and Business Opportunities 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 Follow Us: LinkedIn Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1224988/P_and_S_Intelligence_Logo.jpg LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British automotive distributor Inchcape plc (INCH.L) on Thursday reported group revenue of 1.8 billion pounds in the first quarter, a 13% increase on organic basis. Looking forward, the company expects full-year profit before tax of at least 300 million pounds, a 25% growth year-on-year. Additionally, Inchcape announced its decision to exit Russia by selling its business there to local management. Closing of sale is expected during May 2022. The company said the purchase price of 63 million pounds will be satisfied over a period of 5 years through annual instalments. Inchcape plans to invest the proceeds from the sale in the growth of its core distribution business. 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. 28 April 2022 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau/ISIN XS2475954900 Pre-stabilisation Period Announcement Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (contact: Torsten Zittlau; telephone: +49 711 74640) hereby gives notice, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014). Securities Issuer: Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (Aaa/AAA/AAA by Moody's, S&P & Scope) Guarantor(s) (if any): Federal Republic of Germany Aggregate nominal amount: EUR Benchmark Description: 07 June 2032 EUR green BMK, RegS, Bearer, Off the Issuer's EMTN Programme Listing: Luxembourg Offer price: [XX.XXX] Other offer terms: NA Stabilisation: Stabilisation Manager(s): Danske Bank, HSBC, Natwest Markets and LBBW Stabilisation period expected to start on: 28 April 2022 Stabilisation period expected to end no later than: 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over?allotment facility: The Stabilisation Manager(s) may over?allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law Stabilisation trading venue(s): Over the counter (OTC) In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilisation Manager(s) may over?allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time. Any stabilisation action or over?allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement and the offer of the securities to which it relates are only addressed to and directed at persons outside the United Kingdom and persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters related to investments or who are high net worth persons within Article 12(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in the United Kingdom. If and to the extent that this announcement is communicated in, or the offer of the securities to which it relates is made in, any EEA Member State before the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation") (or which has been approved by a competent authority in another Member State and notified to the competent authority that Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), this announcement and the offer are only addressed to and directed at persons in that Member State who are qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (or who are other persons to whom the offer may lawfully be addressed) and must not be acted on or relied on by other persons in that Member State. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States. LONDON, April 28, 2022magazine recently hosted a virtual panel discussion on the impact of global risks on countries with Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes. The virtual discussion features a distinguished panel of experts from major intelligence agencies including Karen Kelly, director of strategy and development at Exiger; Eddy Leviton, chief operating officer at Fact WorldWideand Heyrick Bond Gunning, chief operating officer at S-RM. Yuri Bender, editor in chief Professional Wealth Management magazine moderated the panel. The third instalment offers a rich discussion which contrasts different jurisdictions and investigates whether standards of due diligence processes are fairly consistent across the board and highlights programmes that are more rigorous, making their citizenships more valuable and better respected internationally. Karen Kelly, director of strategy and development at Exigersaid "We find that countries who are already engaging top due diligence intelligence companies have consistent standards across their CBI programmes. "When looking at countries which are top rated, such as those in the Caribbean, we see that they are doing more in upscaling their programmes so that they are not just meeting minimum standards. Their CBI Units are always trying to achieve best practices by asking their due diligence agents on a regular basis how they can improve their risk-based approach, how they can evaluate applicants better and they are actively involved in the due diligence process from beginning to end." Kelly noted that she was more concerned about CBI programmes that are not transparent about their processes because it is highly likely that they are not as rigorous as they should be. Comprehensive due diligence processes should involve levels of due diligence - CBI Units should be engaging with intelligence agencies as well as with their regional and international law enforcement counterparts to enable information sharing. Many well-regarded programmes are increasingly mandating their immigration and marketing agents to carry out minimum Know Your Customers due diligence on applicants at a basic level before they put them forward to the CBI Units. When asked about fast-track CBI applications and whether they were as stringent as the 'normal' applications, Eddy Leviton, chief operating officer at Fact WorldWidecommented that if a CBI Unit is carrying out all its due diligence processes correctly, then the fast-track application process would also be just as stringent. "There's so only so much you can do to speed up the due diligence process. This is because you have to do in-country verifications, you have to check all the documentation provided, verify it and double verify. You also have to cross reference a lot of different sources, so there is only so much time you can squeeze on producing a report. "I have to reiterate that when you read a report produced by an intelligence firm, it is like reading the life story of a person - it is a biography from when an applicant was born, who they have mixed with, where they have worked - and to produce a document like that takes time. We can expedite reports, but you can only squeeze so much time otherwise the quality suffers," added Leviton. Thanks to a "rich tapestry of information" provided to intelligence firms and the information gathered through continuous monitoring, CBI Units are able to cross-reference and triple check any documents they receive from applicants and give a view on the veracity of information provided added Heyrick Bond Gunning, chief operating officer at S-RM. The Caribbean continues to improve its due diligence standards making their programmes internationally recognised and respected. International respect is vital for any CBI programme to thrive as many nations, especially in the OECS region, use CBI funds to fast-track economic transformational opportunities. "Caribbean countries are on an ongoing drive to continuously enhance the due diligence of their programmes as they are very keen to protect the integrity and value of these programmes," notes Paul Singh, Director at CS Global Partners - a leading citizenship planning firm. He continues "CBI is enabling many of these nations to be independent and not rely on international aid which can be difficult to come by for Small Island Developing Nations." Funds from CBI programmes often provide a vital source of income for some countries, especially in times of crisis - as is often the case for Caribbean countries devastated by hurricanes - these countries value the investment that goes into their economies, and the benefits to their people. The due diligence standards in the Caribbean region are some of the most effective in minimising perceived and actual security risks and these countries offer citizenship by investment programmes with notable track records. St Kitts and Nevis' Programme was established in 1984 and Dominica's Programme was established in 1993 as an example. Professional Wealth Management, from the FT Group, is the premier resource for private banking and mutual fund coverage in Europe, Asia and beyond. Watch the series here: https://video.pwmnet.com/ r@csglobalpartners.com www.csglobalpartners.com +447824029952 68% of British office workers surveyed said they would be likely to consider working from the office full-time again if their commute was fully paid for Close to 6 in 10 (59%) office workers would welcome a four-day week, ranking it the top incentive that would tempt them back to the office Wednesday tops the list as most popular day to work from the office, if given the choice (66%) Emburse, a global leader in spend management solutions, announces the findings of its latest YouGov survey of British office workers, aiming to unpick some of the popular issues facing the future of work. A survey of 1,000 British employees, of which 724 worked in an office, were asked questions around their new working preferences in order to understand what the future of work looks like. As employers continue to navigate new expectations around working conditions, the data reveals some interesting perspectives around career prospects for remote workers, and highlights some of the top incentives that could tempt workers back to the workplace full-time. Key findings: Commute costs deterring workers from returning to the office full-time Base: 724 office workers Over two-thirds of UK office workers (68%) said that they would be likely to consider going into the office full time if transport costs to the office were fully covered More than a quarter (27%) wouldn't consider coming back into the office full time, even if costs were covered. This is still a high percentage of UK employees preferring to work from home There's a distinct divide between all age groups; with 35-44 age bracket most tempted by a fully paid commute to the office 72% and the least being respondents aged 55+ (67%) The top incentives that would lure workers back to the office full time: Base: 724 office workers Four-day week (same number of work hours over four days, with a three-day weekend): 59% Fully-paid commute: 52% More paid holidays: 51% Employer-paid lunch in the office: 30% Younger workers (under 35s) are far more tempted by free lunch (48%) than the 55+ bracket (17%) Receive reimbursement for lunch expenses: 24% Under 35s are five times more likely (40%) than those ages 55+ (10%) to be swayed by the opportunity to expense their lunch Paid childcare on work days: 14% Paid childcare speaks to the 35-44 age group unsurprisingly, with (34%) saying this would make them consider returning to the workplace full time, significantly more than other age groups (23% for under 35s and 8% for 45-54s) Hump day: British office workers choose Wednesday when asked to select which days they would be willing to work from the office Base: 724 office workers Monday: 32% Tuesday: 62% Wednesday: 66% Thursday: 51% Friday: 12% Interestingly, Friday ranked lowest (one in 10), indicating perhaps that 'Friday work drinks' is a thing of the past. Additional findings: Proximity bias not a concern for most, but a quarter of employees worry about career prospects Base: 1000 (all employees) Almost a quarter (24%) of all surveyed said they be worried their boss would overlook their career development if they weren't in the office Where visibility is traditionally the best way to climb the career ladder, there has been speculation around whether reduced presence in the office equals less chance of a promotion for some employees Paid commute additional datapoints: Of those who answered the question (sample: 724) Age demographic comments: The squeezed middle: 35-44 age bracket most tempted by a fully paid for commute to the office (72%) The 55+ cohort is least tempted by an employer-paid commute to the office (67%). It seems they would still prefer to work remotely Kenny Eon, GM and SVP EMEA at Emburse, commented: "The impacts of COVID and the Great Resignation mean that companies need to be more employee-centric in their approach, and humanising the workplace has never been more important. Part of this means ensuring team members get the best possible work environment. Whilst working remotely is certainly convenient for employees, there are clear benefits of having in-person interactions, as well as the cultural importance of bringing teams together. Data clearly shows that they are more productive than audio or video meetings, so there needs to be a balance between convenience and productivity. A relatively small investment from employers could have a significant impact in driving more in-office collaboration. He added: "Given the sharp increase in the cost of living, businesses should consider how they can support staff by reducing the financial burden of attending the office in-person. Reimbursing travel and lunches can certainly help do this. It also doesn't have to mean endless time on paperwork, as expense apps can make the process easy for both the employee and the finance team." About Emburse Emburse is a modern spend management company offering solutions that revolutionise the way organisations manage employee expenses, process invoices and make payments. Emburse humanises work by empowering business travellers, finance professionals, and CFOs to eliminate manual, time-consuming tasks, so they can focus on what matters most. Its innovative offerings, which are tailored to meet the unique business needs of specific industries, company sizes, and geographies, are trusted by more than 9 million users in more than 120 countries. Over 18,000 customers, from start-ups to global enterprises, including Bosch, Grant Thornton, Telefonica, Lufthansa Systems, and Toyota, rely on Emburse to make faster, smarter decisions, improve compliance, and optimise spend -- making corporate spend deliver meaningful value for the organisation. Emburse is recognized as a leader in expense management and accounts payable automation by analyst firm IDC, and has received multiple awards for innovation and its high levels of customer satisfaction. For more information on Emburse, visit emburse.com, call 877-EMBURSE, or follow the organisation's social channels at @emburse. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1000 employees, of which 725 were office workers. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24th 29th March 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of British business size. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005129/en/ Contacts: Ellie Campbell Aspectus Group for Emburse +44 (0) 20 3917 5611 emburse@aspectusgroup.com The new BrainOS-powered Inventory Scan tower accessory will be fitted to Tennant autonomous floor scrubbers to capture and report key in-store inventory data insights Inventory Scan technology to be demonstrated in Europe for the first time at Interclean, May 10-13, 2022 at RAI Amsterdam, at Brain Corp stand Hall 7, Booth 108 Brain Corp sees 100% year-on-year growth in European countries deploying BrainOS-powered robots Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (AI) company creating transformative core technology in robotics, and Tennant Company, today announced the European demonstration of Inventory Scan, a powerful new data capture accessory that will be fitted to Tennant's autonomous floor scrubbers to autonomously scan and report key detail on in-store inventory. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005188/en/ Brain Corp Demonstrates 'Inventory Scan' Technology with Tennant Company at Interclean (Photo: Business Wire) "By adding Inventory Scan to new or existing robotic scrubber fleets, retailers are immediately able to access critical in-store inventory data in near real-time," said Dave Ross, Vice President of Business Development at Brain Corp. "Knowing where an item is, if it's in stock, if it's in the correct location, if the price is accurate, and more allows managers to operate stores with a new level of efficiency while providing optimal shopping experiences for their customers. Based on the success we've seen in the US with the technology, we are excited to get feedback from those in the European market." Utilizing a first-of-its-kind, multi-purpose design, the powerful new scanning accessory will be fitted to Tennant's floor scrubbers powered by Brain Corp's BrainOS autonomy software platform. The new, cloud-connected Inventory Scan tower is able to capture data as it moves autonomously around the store. Reports are then delivered to the store managers, providing numerous insights including: verification of pricing accuracy, planogram compliance, product stock levels and product localization. Each function negates the need for time-consuming and potentially inaccurate manual processes, which often lead to lost revenue opportunities, waste caused by overordering and not enough attention given to shoppers. "The new integrated inventory analytics accessory is filling a much-needed AI and data process gap for retailers," said Maggie Koester, Global Product Manager at Tennant Company. "What makes this solution compelling is the ability to integrate with retailers' inventory management systems utilizing their existing floor scrubbers. By adding data collection functionality to these machines, we are dramatically improving how stores operate. Inventory Scan allows retailers to be more efficient and effective by reducing the disruption of labor-intensive manual approaches. Our vision is that data collection and floor care become fully automated so our customers can focus on managing their businesses." Interclean 2022 to Host the Unveiling of the Technology in Amsterdam Inventory Scan will have its European introduction on May 10-13, 2022 at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam, on Brain Corp stand Hall 7, Booth 108. "This new product marks the beginning of realizing the next phase in our company's vision and continued growth in Europe as well as the US," said Dr. Eugene Izhikevich, CEO of Brain Corp. "We are actively taking BrainOS-powered robots from primarily task-oriented machines to in-store data acquisition platforms. This delivers critical insights and this will add significant ROI for European retailers as we continue to expand our activity in Europe and beyond." Brain Corp Sees 100% Year-on-year Growth in European Countries Deploying BrainOS-powered Robots Partnering with many of the world's leading OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) including Minuteman, Karcher, Nilfisk and Tennant, autonomous robotic scrubbers, powered by Brain Corp's AI operating system BrainOS, are now operational across multiple sectors in 16 European countries. New countries seeing robotic deployments include Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway and Switzerland. Countries implementing the largest numbers of autonomous robots include France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. "There's no doubt that we're starting to see the tipping point where the integration of robotics with human teams has gone beyond a novelty and become a practical solution for maintaining sustainable operations," said Michel Spruijt, SVP International Business at Brain Corp. "We're seeing significant increases in demand across multiple industry sectors which have been impacted most severely by labor shortages and increased operational strain as a result of the pandemic. Autonomous robotics have proven themselves to be a very effective and welcome solution to these growing problems." In 2021, the BrainOS-powered fleet of autonomous mobile robots hit a major milestone of 500 million square feet covered (46.45 million square meters) autonomously in Europe. In total, over 46,000 hours were given back to workers during the year with the most significant growth coming within retail, logistics, and warehousing sectors. About Brain Corp Brain Corp is the global leader in robotic AI software that powers the largest fleet of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) operating in commercial public spaces. Global OEM partners use the company's cloud-connected platform, BrainOS, to create scalable, self-driving robots that are used by end customers to clean floors, move inventory, and sense environmental data turning manual operations into automated workflows. Fortune 500 brands across multiple verticals benefit from the growing portfolio of BrainOS-powered robots and our industry-leading privacy, safety and efficiency tools that make managing and scaling automation easier. Brain Corp currently powers more than 20,000 AMRs, representing the largest fleet of its kind in the world. For more information, visit www.braincorp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005188/en/ Contacts: Josh Stanbury josh@sjspr.co 416-628-7441 LONDON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The aviation industry has shown a high commitment to meeting the diverse expectations and interests of its key stakeholders, including employees, customers, governments, and regulatory bodies on matters pertaining to ESG issues. In its most facile form, ESG is a hypernym that describes a framework adopted by aviation players to address environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) issues emanating from their core operations. As an incipient domain, ESG has become the new focal point for airline companies, investors, regulatory bodies, aviation operators, and lessors worldwide. For a greater reason, there is increased focus on how the industry can achieve a paradigm shift towards environmental-friendly solutions, green financing efforts to drive sustainable performance and creating a positive impact in the global community. Global airlines have embraced ESG efforts not only as a framework to drive sustainability but also to differentiate themselves and stand out in the highly competitive markets by making their brands more attractive to sustainability-conscious customers and other stakeholders. The current situation is that the ESG landscape is nothing more than just an 'alphabet soup' as regards where different global carriers stand and their efforts to implement the environmental, social, and corporate governance objectives. While global airlines in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and other countries around the world continue to invent solutions to address sustainability issues, there arose a more pressing issue that has created a clarion call for all industry stakeholders; the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing global pandemic has highlighted a compelling need for airlines to build resilience and implement long-term strategies to cushion the entire industry from high-impact shocks that have threatened to sabotage the ongoing efforts to address ESG issues. Looking at ESG from an environmental perspective, we can contend that the aviation sector has made considerable progress in addressing the formidable carbon emissions problem. As of now, the industry accounts for over 2.4% of ambient carbon emissions reported globally. Fast forward, the industry will have to ramp up its efforts to achieve the 80% improvement in CO2 emissions per the regulations outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS), and those stipulated by the ICAO under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The anticipation is that these regulations will provide both a short-term and long-term solution for the aviation CO2 problem and give a rundown of how global airlines can lower their net emissions footprint. In some regions, for example Europe, airline companies have experienced insurmountable pressures to implement sustainability programs from environmentally conscious travelers, some of whom have started 'flight shaming' campaigns and blandishing the public to use alternative means of transport. Other global airlines have picked up lessons from the experiences of the European carriers to effectuate environmental obligations and protect their reputations from the growing threat of conscious consumerism among air travelers. Markedly, COVID-19 has led to a shift in business priorities. Some airlines have buckled down on core operational areas and diverted their attention from environmental objectives. Additionally, the inflection on addressing various issues related to the aviation culture has provided a better positioning for global airlines and placed them in the path of social sustainability. Even as airline companies continue to implement cost-cutting measures to relieve themselves from the harsh COVID-19 effects, on-time performance, service excellence, and passenger safety have remained at the core of all decision-making processes, notwithstanding the associated costs. Many airlines have shown increased centeredness on reducing the prevalence of safety-critical incidents to instill confidence in the public and attract more business from air travelers. We are also seeing more airlines trying to improve labor relations with their employees and address the persistent power struggles with union leaders. Altogether, these efforts have a positive outcome on the satisfaction among stakeholders and a parallel effect on social scores for global airlines. Imperceptibly, the global aviation industry has also continued to implement corporate governance practices to deliver a greater stakeholder value, improve compliance with existing business laws, and promote efficiency in decision-making processes. Given the financial uncertainties implicated by the global pandemic, there is a growing need for airlines to create governance strategies and models that will help them deliver their business objectives and meet the competing interests of all stakeholders. These include requirements for transparency, accountability, responsibility, commitment, and social responsibility. With the increased prominence on principles of good governance, we look forward to airline carriers starting to adapt business models that promote their sustainability priorities. Although the outcomes of ESG remain largely inconsistent, we believe that aviation players who are yet to make ESG a priority should move towards environmental stewardship, social performance and adapt their governance practices and structures to deliver long-term value. Fundamentally, the particularism on ESG improvements will enable airline companies to mitigate the prevalent risks emanating from ESG-themed prospectuses and mounting pressures from various stakeholders. For media inquiries: Vilma Vaitiekunaite +370 686 16336 vilma.vaitiekunaite@aviasg.com About Gediminas Ziemelis: Throughout a business development career spanning more than 24 years, Gediminas Ziemelis has established over 50 start-ups and green-field investments in various industries such as IT, media, luxury furniture, pharma, clinics, agriculture, and across other industry sectors. At present, these companies are either owned by PE "Vertas Management", or have previously been sold and are now components of other sizeable organisations. Gediminas Ziemelis is the founder and chairman of Avia Solutions Group - a leading global aerospace services group with almost 100 offices and production stations providing aviation services and solutions worldwide. Spanning his career to date, G. Ziemelis has received many prestigious awards and industry recognitions. In 2016, G. Ziemelis received a prestigious European Business Award in recognition of his visionary business management and development skills. The same year, under his leadership, Avia Solutions Group was named a national public champion in the category of Entrepreneurship, earning a spot in the top 110 European businesses. Twice - in 2012 and again in 2014 - Ziemelis was acknowledged as one of the top 40 most talented young leaders in the global aerospace industry by the leading USA aerospace magazine 'Aviation Week'. Over his career, Gediminas Ziemelis has taken part in many impressive business ventures. Between 2014 - 2017, he personally supported and consulted Chinese Banks (including ICBCL, CMBL, and Skyco Leasing) concerning financing aircraft sale-leaseback transactions where the total value was more than US$ 4 bn. Between 2006 - 2019, Avia Solutions Group Chairman executed successful IPOs of 4 companies at OMX and WSE, oversaw many public bonds issues, along with the raising of public capital worth more than US$ 400 M. His total net worth is US$ 1.1 bn, according to local business media. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806809/Gediminas_Ziemelis.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1039700/Avia_Solutions_Logo.jpg Firm recognised by Great Place to Work for third consecutive year LONDON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisher Investments UK-a subsidiary of US-based Fisher Investments-was named to the 2022 UK Best Workplaces list by Great Place To Work-the global authority on workplace culture. This is the third consecutive year Fisher Investments UK was named to the UK Best Workplaces list, which recognises companies for creating a positive work environment. To select the list, Great Place to Work analysed anonymous employee feedback on factors including compensation, manager quality, workplace atmosphere and the employer pride. "It's an honour to be recognised by Great Place to Work again. Cultivating a rewarding work environment is essential in our mission to help more clients plan brighter financial futures around the world," said Ric Bremer, Fisher Investments UK's Executive Managing Director. Great Place to Work UK also recently recognised Fisher Investments UK on their 2022 Best Workplaces for Wellbeing list and 2021 Best Workplaces for Women. Fisher Investments and its affiliates are hiring for a variety of roles in numerous locations globally. Visit FisherCareers.com to learn more about our exciting career opportunities. About Fisher Investments UK and Fisher Investments Europe Limited Fisher Investments UK is the trading name of Fisher Investments Europe Limited and is part of the global group of Fisher companies. Fisher Investments UK is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Number 191609) and is registered in England (Company Number 3850593). Fisher Investments Europe UK's registered office is located at Level 18, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AX. For more information on Fisher Investments UK, please visit www.fisherinvestments.com/en-gb. About Fisher Investments Fisher Investments is an independent, fee-only investment adviser. As of 31/03/2022, Fisher Investments and its subsidiaries manage over 150 billion in assets globally-over 118 billion for private investors, 29 billion for institutional investors and 1 billion for US small to mid-sized business retirement plans. Fisher Investments maintains four principal business groups: US Private Client, Institutional, Private Client International and 401(k) Solutions, which serve a global client base of diverse investors. Founder and Executive Chairman Ken Fisher wrote the Forbes "Portfolio Strategy" column from 1984 through 2016, making him the longest continuously running columnist in the magazine's history. In recent years, Ken's columns have run consistently in major media outlets across almost every Western European country as well as material Asian countries, spanning more countries and more volume than any other columnist of any type in history. Ken has also authored 11 books, including four New York Times bestsellers on finance and investing. For more information on Fisher Investments, please visit www.fisherinvestments.com/en-us Media Contacts Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1330249/Fisher_Investments_UK_Logo.jpg Digital Capital Management's Crypto Asset Fund (CAF), Class X Ranked #1 in Performance Amongst All Crypto Funds as well as All Hedge Funds in 2021. - Preqin.com "These prestigious industry rankings speak to the value we deliver to our investors, both individual and institutional." - Tim Enneking, Managing Director LA JOLLA, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Capital Management (DCM), manager of Crypto Asset Fund (CAF), one of the first crypto trading funds in the United States (launched July of 2017), announces that CAF Class X was ranked #1 in Net Return for Crypto Funds in 2021 in addition to ranking #1 in Net Return for all Hedge Funds by Preqin. "Preqin is The Home of Alternatives, the foremost provider of data, analytics, and insights to the alternative assets community." These rankings come from Preqin's database of nearly 30,000 hedge funds which actively report performance. See the Preqin website here for details. Earlier this year, CAF Class X was awarded the "#1 Top Performing Crypto Fund, Overall" for 2021 by Crypto Fund Research (CFR). CAF Class X also received three additional CFR awards in several other categories, including "#1 Top Performing Crypto Fund, Quant/Arb Strategies" for 2021. These awards are from the CFR database of 800+ crypto funds. See the Crypto Fund Research website here for details. Class X performance for 2021, the first year of its existence, exceeded 2,500%.* Class X is a crypto venture capital-like strategy, augmented by staking and mining. Performance is a combination of appreciation and rewards from staking/mining. Class X is reserved for prior investors so is closed to new investment. However, given the success of Class X, CAF launched its Class F this year, which follows a similar, but, in our opinion, improved strategy. Class F is a quasi-fixed-income share class, with staking and mining (like Class X) as well as yield farming and lending. Class X performance in 2021 has attracted the attention of investors from around the globe. In March, DCM was one of ten companies invited to represent the United States at the U.S. Department of Commerce Virtual Certified Trade Mission for Blockchain, Digital Asset and Crypto Fund Managers - 15 March 2022, in Berlin, Germany. Over 50 investors and investment companies attended this event. DCM met with over 20 investment companies and is completing investment due diligence with many of them. Preqin and CFR use performance databases to determine rankings and award winners. Results are based on performance data, net of fees, provided to Preqin and CFR for the various categories. Access to the performance databases and individual fund returns is restricted to accredited investors and qualified clients for CFR and restricted to premium subscribers for Preqin. * Past performance does not guarantee future results. About DCM and CAF DCM, a fund manager located in La Jolla, CA, focuses primarily on managing investment portfolios of digital currencies and related assets through CAF fund classes designed for investment by US and non-US high net worth individuals and institutional investors. Additional information, and registration for access to newsletters, current performance data and monthly performance update webinars, is available at www.digital-capital-management.com or through investor.relations@digitial-capital-management.com. Disclosures This Release is directed to sophisticated prospective investors for informational purposes only in relation to strategies offered by CAF ("Fund"). This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation for an offer to buy interests of the Fund, which are offered and sold in the United States per the exemption provided by Rule 506(c) of Reg. D under the Securities Act of 1933, and other applicable exemptions. The Fund is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Any offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy Fund interests will be made solely through a definitive Fund offering document in compliance with the terms of applicable laws. As the information in this Release does not comport to be complete, it is entirely subject to and qualified by the information provided by such definitive offering document. Awards/rankings do not represent any single investor's experience. There is no guarantee that any investment will achieve its objectives, generate profits or avoid losses, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Investments in digital currencies or funds pursuing investments in digital currencies and related assets are very speculative and can involve a high degree of risk. Investors must have the financial ability, sophistication, experience, willingness to bear the risks inherent with digital assets, and the ability to weather a potential total loss of their investment. Digital assets are not suitable or desirable investments for all investors. Digital assets may have limited operating histories, and the fees and expenses associated with funds pursuing investments in digital assets may be substantial. The information provided in this Release is not intended to be, nor should it be construed or used as investment, tax or legal advice, and each prospective investor is urged to consult with its own advisors regarding legal, tax, regulatory, financial, accounting, and similar consequences of investing in the Fund, the suitability of the investment for such investor, and other relevant matters concerning investment in the Fund. Chad Anderson, Manager, Investor Relations & Marketing Digital Capital Management investor.relations@digital-capital-management.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806914/Preqin_Ranks.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806915/CFR_Awards.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1758742/Digital_Capital_Management_Logo_Logo.jpg PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806916/GERMAN_TRADE_MISSION_INFORMATION.pdf DUBAI, Apr 28, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - World's longest-running AI show series, World AI Show & Awards is set to make its return to where it started from - Dubai! The 35th global edition will take place on 25 - 26 May 2022 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai. Aligned with the UAE's National Innovation Strategy and AI Strategy 2031, the show aims to explore the prospects of innovations in the global AI landscape.Among globally-renowned speakers, thought leaders and AI influencers is Mr Sanjay Patil, Sr. Manager - Enterprise Sales, Enterprise Bot, who will shed light on how 'omnichannel AI-powered automation accelerates innovation for the modern enterprises'.With customer experience emerging as the key differentiator across industries & regions, innovation has truly come to the forefront. AI-powered automation on all communication channels is the most sought-after technology to accelerate innovation, resulting in enhanced customer experience.Mr Sanjay Patil was quoted saying, "At World AI Show, we want to show organizations how they can quickly step up their communications - be it with customers or employees - by leveraging Omnichannel AI-powered automation." He further added, "We are excited to bring Enterprise Bot to the Middle East region and unlock unprecedented speed and agility of deployment for enterprises across industries."Mr Mithun Shetty, CEO of Trescon stated, "From Healthcare to Human Resources, and from Logistics, InsureTech to Omnichannel CX, participants at World AI Show can expect to learn how Enterprise Bots are utilizing AI bot technology to solve issues of today and tomorrow." He further added, "We are excited to have Enterprise Bot at World AI Show & Awards, which will unlock the possibilities regarding conversational AI for our participants."About Enterprise BotEnterprise Bot is enabling enterprises across the globe, including the Middle East, to provide an omnichannel experience to their customers by building AI-powered virtual assistants across chat, email, and voice channels. Through Enterprise Bot's unique technology and out-of-the-box skill sets, the overall customer experience is enhanced, while operational costs are reduced by up to 40%. Customers can deploy a fully-functional AI-powered chatbot in 24hrs without developer effort, resulting in ROI from Day 1. It operates as the only plug-and-play, enterprise-ready solution with omnichannel support, multilingual support including Arabic and automated knowledge base maintenance. Enterprise Bot currently has diverse clients in logistics, insurance, healthcare, retail and more industries.Follow Enterprise Bot:Twitter: https://twitter.com/enterprisebotLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-bot/Website: https://www.enterprisebot.aiAbout World AI ShowWorld AI Show is a thought-leadership-driven, business-focused, global series of events that takes place in strategic locations across the world. The show is a one-of-a-kind gathering of pre-qualified CIOs, CEOs, CTOs, Heads of AI, Chief Digital Officers, Heads of Innovation and International AI experts. Witness powerful keynotes, workshops, use-case presentations, product exhibitions, panel discussions and tech talks to find solutions for issues and trends within the AI and RPA space.About TresconTrescon is a global business events and consulting firm that provide a wide range of business services to a diversified client base that includes corporations, governments and individuals. Trescon is specialized in producing highly focused B2B events that connect businesses with opportunities through conferences, roadshows, expos, demand generation, investor connect and consulting services.For further details about the announcement, please contact:Karthik A,Corporate Communications Manager,Tresconmedia@tresconglobal.comSource: tresconCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. JUBAIL, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter solution supplier for renewables, announced the Company forged a contract to supply its latest ultra-powerful string inverter SG350HX to a 45.75 MW PV project for Jubail 3A Independent Water Plant (IWP) in Saudi Arabia, meeting the buoyant electricity demand for the desalination plant and supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan. Saudi Arabia is one of the driest countries in the world and 70% of the residents' drinking water comes from desalinated seawater. It's also one of the hottest solar hubs due to ample sunshine, offering a more sustainable option for water desalination when powered by PV. The Jubail 3A IWP is expected to begin commercial operation in Q4 2022 and will generate 600,000 cubic meters of potable water per day. This operation will greatly contribute to the water demand of millions of households and Saudi Arabian efforts to ensure water security. As a carbon-free electrical facility, the 45.75 MW PV plant is very high profile. It is located near the Persian Gulf, which is subject to harsh conditions including high heat, high salt spray, and frequent sandstorms. Sungrow's flagship 1500V string inverter SG320HX to be installed features optimal durability given the IP66 protection capability and C5 anti-corrosion level. In addition, the 670Wp large-format modules (LFM) adopted in the project set more stringent requirements for inverters. The SG320HX is compatible with the LFM as its maximum input current up to 40A per MPPT; thus, allowing considerable yields by leveraging more sunlight resources onsite. "It's of great value for all stakeholders that the water desalination project uses the availability of the Saudi Arabia's solar resources in order to meet the challenges of water sustainability. As part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, the Jubail 3A IWP PV plant will achieve more zero-carbon contributions," said Alvin Shi, Managing Director of Sungrow MENA region. About Sungrow Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 224 GW installed worldwide as of December 2021. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions. With a strong 25-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power installations in over 150 countries. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg Sabanci University Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center (SU IMC) will attend JEC World 2022, the largest international gathering of the composites industry, which will take place on May 3-5 in Paris. Istanbul Turkey, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SU IMC will attend JEC World in Paris for new collaborations Sabanci University Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center (SU IMC) will attend JEC World 2022, the largest international gathering of the composites industry, which will take place on May 3-5 in Paris. Sabanci University Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center (SU IMC), a leading industrial-scale research and technology development center in Istanbul / Turkey, is attending the leading international composites show, JEC World, for new collaborations. SU IMC is an industrial-scale research, technology development, test and application center offering design, analysis, prototyping, manufacturing and process development services in relation to composite materials, additive manufacturing, and robotic manufacturing. All extent of composite and plastic material characterization, mechanical characterization and flammability tests and analysis are carried out in the center. SU IMC has certified with AS9100 aerospace certification and ISO 17025 laboratory test accreditation. SU IMC supports all industries in relation to composite materials, composite part production and additive manufacturing technologies. SU IMC provides an environment of basic and applied research, product development, graduate programs, and lifelong learning programs. It also serves as an open innovation center providing commercialization opportunities for integrated advanced manufacturing technologies as well as ISO 17025 accredited testing for composite and plastic materials. In collaboration with Kordsa, SU IMC inaugurated the Composite Technology Center of Excellence which is a pioneer and an important example in Turkey with its university-industry business model. The Center aims to serve stakeholders throughout different stages of the R&D cycle, based on the customer's requirements, starting with R&D, continuing with prototyping, and ending in mass production. SU IMC's CEO Devrim Ozaydin, Composite Product and Technical Development Manager Ali Cansun, and Business Development Leader Aytac Subasi will be present at JEC World, HALL 6, D32, to collaborate and to create new partnerships. For further information about SU IMC, please visit https://suimc.sabanciuniv.edu/tr Attachment BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (JKS) reported first quarter net income attributable to shareholders of RMB 28.9 million compared to RMB 221.1 million, last year. Earnings per ADS was RMB 0.60, for the quarter. Quarterly shipments were up 56.7% year over year. Total revenues were RMB 14.76 billion, an increase of 85.9% from RMB 7.94 billion, last year. The company said the year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to an increase in the shipment of solar modules due to the increasing demand of global market. Total operating expenses were RMB 2.19 billion, an increase of 80.8% from RMB 1.21 billion, prior year. The company said the year-over-year increases were mainly attributable to increases in shipping costs for solar modules and share based compensations expenses in the first quarter of 2022. Total shipments in the first quarter were 8,390 MW, including 8,031 MW for solar module shipments and 359 MW for cell and wafer shipments. For the second quarter of 2022, the company expects total shipments to be in the range of 8.5 GW to 9.5 GW. The company reiterated its full year 2022 shipment guidance. 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. CHANGSHA, China, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zoomlion"; 1157.HK), a leading high-end equipment manufacturing enterprise, is supporting Earth Day 2022 with concrete actions for the green development of the construction machinery industry. In response to calls for bold, innovative, and widespread actions for the planet, Zoomlion is taking the lead in creating eco-friendly, energy-efficient products and building sustainable factories to shape a greener future for all. The construction machinery industry is revolutionizing its industrial structure with advanced technologies to achieve green, intelligent and sustainable development. As sustainability pioneers, Zoomlion has developed and manufactured a comprehensive portfolio of new energy products including excavators, concrete machinery and aerial work platforms (AWP), while integrating new energy applications into the products. "Green transformation is a key trend in construction machinery as China pledges to achieve its 'dual carbon' goals. Zoomlion has initiated a green development strategy that utilizes all resources to value and promote development for all while lowering the impact to the environment, and we've designed and implemented green and sustainable measures across the industrial process, covering R&D, production, operations and management," said Fu Ling, chief engineer and vice president of Zoomlion. One highlight from Zoomlion's new energy product lineup is its AWP. With a product portfolio covering a range of four to sixty-eight meters, Zoomlion now boasts the most comprehensive AWP model lineup in China. Zoomlion has also developed a 40-meter electric AWP, the highest in the world. Zoomlion's new energy AWP have leading advantages in environmental conservation and carbon emissions reduction while guaranteeing operation capability and greater safety. In 2021, new energy models accounted for 60 percent of AWP sales and have been sold in 58 countries and regions, with an acclaimed presence in 18 high-end markets. Zoomlion has also established world-class intelligent new energy AWP factories for enhanced production efficiency and scalability. In addition, the company has launched four AC electric scissor lift work platforms (AC, AC-Li, HA and HA-Li), and the world's highest straight boom product, which is now sold in batch orders. "Looking ahead, Zoomlion will accelerate our localization strategy in international markets and persevere with technological innovation to drive green development. In doing so, we will help the world reach its carbon goals with products that excel in quality and performance, and build a truly sustainable future," added Fu Ling. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806957/image.jpg PHC Holdings Corporation (hereafter PHC Group) (TOKYO:6523) today announced the appointment of Shoji Miyazaki as the company's Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds John Marotta, who has stepped down as the company's CEO and Representative Director and also from the Board of Directors effective April 28, 2022. Shoji Miyazaki remains a Representative Director on the company's Board of Directors. Shoji Miyazaki was previously PHC Group's Chief Operating Officer and former President of PHC Corporation and brings more than 30 years of experience at PHC Group and Panasonic. He joined Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Co., Ltd. a predecessor of PHC Corporation in 1990, upon graduation. In 2001 he moved to Panasonic's healthcare medical business unit, focusing on medical diagnostics, where he continued in numerous roles before being appointed Executive Vice President and COO of PHC Holdings Corporation in 2020. At the same time he also held Board positions at PHC Corporation and LSI Medience Corporation. "I look forward to focusing on efficiency and integration, building on the work our team has delivered integrating our teams and portfolio since the acquisitions of Epredia and LSI Medience in 2019. Delivering value for patients, clinicians, business partners and shareholders remains PHC Group's top priority," commented Shoji Miyazaki. In addition, effective July 1, 2022, Board Member Koichiro Sato will join PHC Group as Chief Operating Officer. On the same date, subject to approval of the proposal for election of directors at the General Meeting of Shareholders, he will become a Representative Director. His main responsibility will be overseeing company operations outside of Japan, where half PHC Group's business and employees are located, including Ascensia, Epredia, and PHCbi NA and EU. Sato joins PHC Group from his current role as Chief Executive Officer in the Hong Kong Branch of MBK Healthcare Management Pte. Ltd. and he brings nearly 25 years of experience to PHC Group from his international career within Mitsui Co. related companies. He entered the healthcare field in 2016 as a general manager in the Mitsui healthcare business division. "We are pleased to welcome Shoji Miyazaki as PHC Group's new CEO. He has a strong track record of leading global teams across diagnostics, life sciences, and diabetes, and is particularly well suited to driving the next leg of innovation from PHC Group. We continue to be committed to creating healthcare solutions that improve lives and strengthen our communities," said Kyoko Deguchi, External Director. "PHC Group looks forward to advancing our medium- and long-term plans to deliver global growth, innovation, efficiency, and performance, and to continue contributing to a healthier society. We thank John for his concentrated efforts on bringing the company to the IPO, streamlining and integrating the organization, and bringing consistency to PHC Group's management systems and structures. We wish him all the best," continued Ivan Tornos, External Director. About PHC Holdings Corporation (PHC Group) PHC Holdings Corporation (TOKYO:6523) is a global healthcare company with a mission of contributing to the health of society through healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people. Its subsidiaries include PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, Epredia, and LSI Medience Corporation. Together, these companies develop, manufacture, sell and service solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, life sciences and diagnostics. PHC Group's consolidated net sales in FY2020 were JPY 306 billion with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries. www.phchd.com/global www.phchd.com/global/news/2022/0428 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005524/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Julia Cottrill Hiroko Arai PHC Holdings Corporation Investor Relations Corporate Communications Department +81-3-6778-5311 E-mail: phc-pr@gg.phchd.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (OTCQB: KDKCF) (FSE: 5DD1) (the "Company" or "Kodiak") today announced the mobilization of a second drill rig to Kodiak's 100% owned MPD copper-gold porphyry project in Southern British Columbia, where the Company is executing a fully funded drill program of up to 25,000 metres in 2022. Drilling this year to date has focused on the Gate Zone where Kodiak made a high-grade copper-gold discovery. The Gate Zone remains open in multiple directions and the Company has identified high-priority drill targets for potential extensions of mineralization (see news release February 3, 2022) which are now being systematically drilled. The second rig will start testing a one kilometre long "look-alike" anomaly 600 metres to the southeast of the Gate Zone which represents a new geophysical target of significant size. As the year progresses, Kodiak plans to drill further high-priority targets in the Prime, Man, Dillard and Axe areas which exhibit similar geophysical and geochemical signatures as the Gate Zone, as well as shallow mineralization from historic drilling, and have rarely been drilled at depth. Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak said, "We believe there is significant potential to further extend the Gate Zone and this has been the focus of our drill program in the first months of this year. We are now looking forward to accelerating the program with a second drill rig to start testing additional targets, which have equally as much discovery potential as Gate. Kodiak is fully funded for the work planned in 2022 and well positioned to add a third drill rig as and when needed. Our shareholders can look forward to a news-rich year with a steady flow of drill results and the potential for new game-changing discoveries at MPD." MPD is a large, 147 km2 land package located near several operating mines in the southern Quesnel Terrane, British Columbia's primary copper-gold producing belt. It is situated between the towns of Merritt and Princeton, with year-round accessibility and excellent infrastructure nearby. Jeff Ward, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. On behalf of the Board of Directors Kodiak Copper Corp. Claudia Tornquist President & CEO For further information contact: Nancy Curry, VP Corporate Development ncurry@kodiakcoppercorp.com +1 (604) 646-8362 About Kodiak Copper Corp. Kodiak is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA. The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in south-central British Columbia, Canada. MPD has all the hallmarks of a large, multi-centered porphyry system. Kodiak has made the Gate Zone discovery of high-grade mineralization within a wide mineralized envelope, and MPD hosts several other targets with similar discovery potential. Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Kodiak's porphyry projects have both been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits. Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his gold discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group led by John Robins, one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs in Canada. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans. 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 conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press 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 press 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121940 Contract to Service $5 Billion Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Federal Stimulus Opportunity PLEMCO, Part of the SIRC Family of Companies, One of Sixteen Firms in the U.S. to Receive Federal Blanket Purchase Agreement HENDERSON, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC PINK:SIRC), an integrated, single-source solar power, roofing systems installation and EV charging company, today announced that EV charging subsidiary Pacific Lighting Management ("PLEMCo") was awarded a 5 year Blanket Purchase Agreement ("BPA") from the U.S. General Services Administration ("GSA") as part of the $5 billion in federal funds allocated to electric vehicle charging installations in the Biden Administration's Infrastructure Bill. One of the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill's stated goals is to install EV Charging Stations every 50 miles along the interstate system. Although each state will establish its own priorities and allocate infrastructure funds, all spending at the Federal, State, Local, and Department level for government funded Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) will be bid and awarded through the GSA. Installation may be done by government entities, contracted out through a secondary bid process or by utilities. PLEMCo's award is a five year Design and Material only contract for Level 2 and Level 3 EV chargers. A second EVSE - BPA is currently being submitted that will include Design, Equipment, and Installation of EV Chargers, which is expected to be awarded this year. "We are privileged to be one of only 16 companies in the United States authorized to potentially supply over 500,000 EV charging stations across the country over the next decade," said David Massey, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. "These stations are set to supercharge the increasingly widespread adoption of electric vehicles by consumers and fleets through providing charging stations across the interstate system and filling in current gaps of service. "We continue to see significant industry tailwinds, as California has announced they will discontinue the sale of internal combustion engine ("ICE") vehicles by 2035, potentially requiring 1.2 million EV Charging station installations to be completed to support the transition. Washington State has also announced an intention to eliminate ICE vehicles sales even earlier, by 2030. Taken together, the EV charging market is expected to surpass the $28.4 billion mark by 2028 and continue upwards - an exciting opportunity for us to empower through charging installations. "This contract further supports our strategic shift towards prioritizing our over $30 million electric vehicle (EV) charging project pipeline and over $20 million EV charging project backlog given the immense near-term opportunities. This will serve to further bolster our position as a clear national player in the space, helping to create sustainable value for our shareholders. We look forward to additional announcements regarding EV charging opportunities in the months ahead," concluded Massey. About Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC PINK:SIRC), is an integrated, single-source solar power, roofing systems installation and EV charging company specializing in commercial and residential properties throughout the United States. The Company serves communities by delivering the best experience through constant innovation & legacy-focused leadership. The Company's broad array of solutions include sales and installation of solar energy systems, battery backup and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to roofing, HVAC and related electrical contracting work. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com or join us on Twitter, Facebook or Discord. Forward-Looking Statements Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation. Investor Relations Contact: Lucas A. Zimmerman Director MZ North America Main: 949-259-4987 SIRC@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us SOURCE: Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699225/Solar-Integrated-Roofing-Corp-Subsidiary-PLEMCo-Awarded-5-Year-EV-Charging-Contract-with-General-Services-Administration Guiyang, China--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - In April 2022, Moutai carried out a marketing campaign - "This is Moutai" - around the globe via social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. This marketing campaign was well received around the world. It has enjoyed over 21.16 million impressions, with over 500,000 fans' interactions (including nearly 260,000 views of relevant videos). At the beginning of the campaign, Moutai initiated the "China in Your Eyes" activity on the social media platforms based on the themes "Impression of China" and "Chinese Delicacies", encouraging Moutai fans to interact with the home pages of Moutai and share their impressions of China in the form of photos and texts. Illustration of the Chinese fashion trends To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8722/121862_fda8231df49f59e3_001full.jpg Later, in the "Drinking Culture" and the "Secret of Chinese Baijiu"-themed activities, Moutai introduced Chinese poetry and time-honoured drinking vessels in terms of "literature" and "vessel" Eastern painting style poster shows Chinese Culture To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8722/121862_fda8231df49f59e3_002full.jpg At the last stage of the campaign, Moutai showed the "roles" that Moutai liquor plays, namely as a beverage, a gift and a collected item in different scenes of life in the form of posters. Poster shows Moutai's role in the last stage of the campaign To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8722/121862_fda8231df49f59e3_003full.jpg Company Name: Guizhou Moutai Chiew I/E Co. Ltd. Contact Person: Winnie Hu Email: moutaigloble@gmail.com Country: Guiyang, Guizhou, China Website:https://www.facebook.com/moutaiglobal To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121862 CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (TSXV:FLY)(OTCQX:FLYLF) (the "Company" or "FLYHT") today announced that it will discuss its first quarter 2022 financial results at its Annual and Special Meeting to be held virtually via webinar at 2:00 pm MT (4:00 pm ET) on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. The webinar will include a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. Questions can be emailed in advance to investors@flyht.com. The meeting and earnings discussion will be held online, accessible at: https://incommconferencing.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QgGqW1gDQSWc-XrxkBzzFw The meeting will also be accessible by phone. The listen-only toll-free number is 1-800-319-4610 in Canada and the U.S. and 1-604-638-5340 outside of Canada and the U.S. An archive of the conference call will be posted on the Investor Relations section of FLYHT's website as soon as it is available from the conference call provider. About FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FLYHT provides airlines with Actionable Intelligence to transform operational insight into immediate, quantifiable action, delivering industry leading solutions to improve aviation safety, efficiency, and profitability. This unique capability is driven by FLYHT's patented aircraft certified hardware products including AFIRS, a satcom aircraft interface device which enables real-time streaming of flight information, cockpit voice and black box data streaming, AFIRS Edge, a state-of-the-art 5G WQAR and satellite data communications device, and TAMDAR and the FLYHT-WVSS-II, which deliver airborne weather and humidity data in real-time. FLYHT is headquartered in Calgary, Canada with an office in Littleton, Colorado, and is an AS9100 Quality registered company. For more info, view our latest presentation here, or visit www.flyht.com. Contact Information: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FNK IR LLC Alana Forbes Matt Chesler, CFA Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations 403.291.7437 646.809.2183 aforbes@flyht.com flyht@fnkir.com investors@flyht.com Join us on social media! www.twitter.com/flyhtcorp https://www.linkedin.com/company/flyht/ 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: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699175/FLYHT-to-Present-Q1-2022-Results-at-2022-Annual-and-Special-Meeting-on-May-4-2022 Brampton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (CSE: SNA) (CSE: SNA.CN) ("Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Pinnacle Air Pvt. Ltd ("Pinnacle") of India to purchase five (5) units of the STAR-ISMS. (In-Flight Safety Monitoring System) for five (5) of its charter jets. Pinnacle was founded in 2004, is an Indian charter airline based in Delhi that operates passenger charters to destinations across the country, specializing in business class charter flights. Pinnacle Group Chairman, Air Marshal Danzil Keelor, stated "Pinnacle's priority is offering our private jet customers peace of mind by placing the utmost priority on safety. As such, we are delighted to partner with Star for the integration of its in flight safety monitoring system on our various types of aircraft to further enhance our flight safety and operations. As the first business aviation company to do so in India we continue to demonstrate our industry leadership, while also assisting Star with the launch of its program across India." Kevin Dhugga, Executive Vice President of Operations and Sales of Star stated "This LOI for the purchase of 5 units is a major milestone for the Company and its shareholders as it is the first of what we believe will be more to come in 2022. The anticipated successful completion of this LOI with Pinnacle will serve to showcase our aircraft safety and efficiency capabilities, which are now beginning to receive global industry recognition as a result of our sales and marketing efforts at leading air shows and events. Within India itself, our partnership with Pinnacle will both showcase our products and services in the business aviation sector, as well as, potentially having an impact on the Indian commercial aviation market by putting it at the forefront of safety monitoring and efficiency." The Star engineering team is scheduled to be in India for the first Gulfstream aircraft inspection in the second week of May 2022 for the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) design package. About Pinnacle Air - www.pinnacleair.org Pinnacle air specializes in business class charter flights sales, aviation consulting, aircraft sales and management. They are currently working on different departments such as Charter Sales, In-flight Services, Operations Control Center, Aircraft Sales and Management. About Star Navigation Systems Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. manufactures the In-flight Safety Monitoring System, STAR-ISMS, the heart of the STAR-A.D.S. System. The STAR-A.D.S. System has real-time capability of tracking, performance trends and predicting incident-occurrences which enhances aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the operator. Star's MMI Division designs and manufactures high performance, mission critical, flight deck flat panel displays for defence and commercial aviation industries worldwide. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that address or discuss activities, events or developments that Star expects or anticipates may occur in the future. When used in this news release, words such as "estimates", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "projects", "will", "believes", "intends" "should", "could", "may" and other similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations and beliefs of Star's management. Because forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, actual results, performance or achievements of Star or the industry may be materially different from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking information that may be contained in this news release include statements regarding; growth and future prospects of our business; our perceptions of the industry and markets in which we operate and anticipated trends in such markets; expectations regarding the operation of our app; and our future revenues. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, our ability to execute on our business plan, increase visibility amongst consumers and convert users to revenue producing subscribers and the success of the business of our partners. Forward-looking statements involve significant uncertainties, should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved. The risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to the airline industry are real and substantial but cannot be defined or measured in any meaningful way at this time. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Accordingly, readers should exercise caution in relying upon forward-looking statements and Star undertakes no obligation to publicly revise them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. NEITHER 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. This News Release is also available on the Company's official Verified Discussion Forum On AGORACOM, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. Please visit www.star-navigation.com or contact Mr. Amir Bhatti, CEO at 1-416-252-2889 #230 / amir.bhatti@star-navigation.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122006 TORONTO, ON and NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQB:SWISF)(CSE:SKUR)(FRA:GDT) ("Sekur" or the "Company"), the leader in Swiss hosted secure communications and secure data management, is pleased announce that its Founder and CEO, Mr. Alain Ghiai, has been invited as a cybersecurity, data privacy and Swiss privacy laws guest expert on The Epoch Times' Facts Matter hosted by Roman Balmakov. The segment will air tonight on Thursday April 28th 2022 at 8:00 PM EST (5:00 PST). Roman Balmakov is an investigative journalist with over 767,000 followers. The best way to find and watch Facts Matter and the segment with Alain Ghiai is the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/FactsMatterwithRomanBalmakov/videos Facts Matter with Roman Balmakov As America moves into uncharted waters, it's incredibly important for people to have an honest source of news because right now, what this republic needs more than anything else, are informed citizens who are grounded in facts. Facts Matter investigates complex issues, and then presents the findings in a way that is easy to understand. Facts Matter is free from the influence of any government, corporation, or political party. Its goal is to bring you accurate information so that you can form your own opinion, stay informed, and stay free. Facts Matter has over 767K subscribers and has gained well over 27 million video views since the channel being established on YouTube Nov 2020. According to The Epoch Times , The Epoch Times has received numerous awards for it reporting and design, including from the New York Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Society for News Design. The Epoch Times national print readership is over 1 million, and theepochtimes.com website monthly pageviews is 110 million. The Epoch Times' media network currently covers 21 languages and 33 countries. Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data said: "I am honored and very pleased to have been invited as a guest expert to speak about cybersecurity and data privacy on the Facts Matter show hosted by Roman Balmakov. Roman is a tremendously talented investigative reporter and goes right to the heart of the matter of things. We have many shareholders who watch Roman regularly and are big fans. I look forward to the interview and the segment, and look forward to shed some light on some of the cybersecurity and data privacy questions that everyone has. As the CEO of Sekur Private Data, I take data privacy extremely seriously and as a company, with the Sekur Swiss hosted solutions we offer consumers and businesses, we strive to bring the best in secure and private communications for everyone, without any big tech hosting and without any data mining." Sekur, which includes SekurMessenger and SekurMail, is part of a bundle of email, messaging and file transfer into one application, includes the Company's latest SekurMail technology, which includes proprietary anti-phishing and privacy feature called SekurSend. SekurSend lets a user send an email to any other recipient, whether they have Sekur or not, in full privacy and security as the email never leaves Sekur 's encrypted email servers based in Switzerland. The recipient can then click on the notification and reply in the same manner using SekurReply, without the recipient having to register for a Sekur account. The sender can also decide to protect any email sent by adding a password to open it, a read-limit and a self-destruct timer as well. Sending an email with the SekurSend feature allows the senders and recipients to add limitless size attachments to the emails without crowding the recipients' email box. This also eliminates BEC attacks for businesses and email phishing attacks. Additionally, SekurMail includes full control of email delivery, automatic data export for large Enterprises and an automatic Data Loss Prevention technology ("DLP") with real time continuous archiving. Recent data breaches in messaging applications have created a certain urgency for businesses and data privacy advocates to protect their communications form cyber-attacks and identity theft via mobile and desktop devices. SekurMessenger eliminates many of the privacy and security risks by not only not requiring a phone number, which would divulge a user's phone device ID, but also by not social engineering a user's phone or computer contact list and infecting the contacts by default as well, eliminating a huge loophole in security and privacy. SekurMessenger issues each user a username and a Sekur number. The Sekur number is the contact ID a user would disclose in order for other Sekur users to be added. The service comes with a self-destruct timer and other features as well, including GlobeX's proprietary VirtualVaults and HeliX technologies with all data stored in Swiss hosted encrypted servers. Additionally, SekurMessenger now comes with a proprietary feature and technology called Chat by Invites. This feature allows a SekurMessenger user ("SM user") invite a non-SM user, or a group of non-SM users, to chat in a fully private and secure way, without the recipient ever having to register to SekurMessenger or download the app. At the end of the chat, the initiator of the conversation can remotely terminate the conversation and all traces of the conversation are deleted from all users, including the recipient. This unique feature is now fully deployed and functional on all iOS and Android devices and web platforms. The target sectors are numerous, including but not limited to real estate, legal, financial, government, energy, mining, manufacturing, trade and medical sectors. Sekur's Data privacy solutions are all hosted in Switzerland, protecting users' data from any outside data intrusion requests. In Switzerland, the right to privacy is guaranteed in article 13 of the Swiss Federal Constitution. The Federal Act on Data Protection ("FADP") of 19 June 1992 (in force since 1993) has set up a strict protection of privacy by prohibiting virtually any processing of personal data which is not expressly authorized by the data subjects. The protection is subject to the authority of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner. Under Swiss federal law, it is a crime to publish information based on leaked "secret official discussions." In 2010 the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland found that IP addresses are personal information and that under Swiss privacy laws they may not be used to track Internet usage without the knowledge of the individuals involved. About Sekur Private Data Ltd. Sekur Private Data Ltd. is a Cybersecurity and Internet privacy provider of Swiss hosted solutions for secure communications and secure data management. The Company distributes a suite of encrypted e-mails, secure messengers, secure communication tools, and secure cloud-based storage, disaster recovery and document management. Sekur Private Data Ltd. sells its products through its approved wholesalers and distributors, and telecommunications companies worldwide. Sekur Private Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. On behalf of Management SEKUR PRIVATE DATA LTD. Alain Ghiai President and Chief Executive Officer +1.416.644.8690 corporate@globexdatagroup.com For more information, please contact Sekur Private Data at corporate@globexdatagroup.com or visit us at https://www.sekurprivatedata.com For more information on Sekur visit us at: https://www.sekur.com . Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guaranteeing future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekur's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekur's prospectus dated May 8, 2019 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. SOURCE: Sekur Private Data Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699233/UPDATE--Sekur-Private-Data-CEO-Alain-Ghiai-to-be-Interviewed-About-Cybersecurity-Data-Privacy-and-Swiss-Privacy-Laws-on-The-Epoch-Times-Facts-Matter-with-Roman-Balmakov-Tonight-April-28-2022 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Labcorp (LH) said the company now expects fiscal 2022 adjusted earnings per share in a range of $18.25 to $21.00, revised from prior guidance range of $17.25 to $21.25. The company continues to projects free cash flow in a range of $1.7 to $1.9 billion. For the first quarter, The company's bottom line totaled $491.6 million, or $5.23 per share compared with $769.6 million, or $7.82 per share, prior year. Excluding items, adjusted earnings was $573.7 million or $6.11 per share for the period. Analysts on average had expected the company to earn $5.98 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company's revenue for the quarter fell 6.2% to $3.90 billion from $4.16 billion last year. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - Russia has released former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, who had been detained for more than two years, as part of a prisoner swap. In exchange, the United States released Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian jailed on drug-smuggling charges. The exchange took place in Turkey on Wednesday after President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of Yaroshenko. The Russian pilot, who had been serving a 20-year sentence for smuggling cocaine into the U.S., is on his way back home. Reed is returning to his home in Texas. The news of Trevor's freedom was conveyed to his parents by the President himself. He expressed gratitude for 'the tireless and dedicated' work of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, and others across his administration to ensure Reed's safe return. 'The negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly. His safe return is a testament to the priority my Administration places on bringing home Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad,' Biden said in a statement. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Reed's freedom is the result of 'months and months of hard, careful work across the U.S. government,' and that his health condition required urgent treatment. Trevor was arrested in Moscow in August 2019. He was visiting Russia to take Russian language classes for his bachelor's degree and spend time with his Russian girlfriend, a resident of Moscow. While attending an office party with his girlfriend, the police were called and they took a heavily drunken Reed to the police station. He was charged with endangering the 'life and health' of Russian police officers in an altercation. In 2020, a judge sentenced Reed to 9 years in a prison camp on assault charges. Trevor, 30, is an Eagle Scout and a former U.S. Marine. He served as a presidential guard during the Obama administration. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Sarama Resources Ltd. ("Sarama" or the "Company") (TSX-V:SWA; ASX:SRR) is pleased to advise that it has been formally admitted to the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") and its securities are scheduled to commence trading on the ASX on Monday May 2, 2022 at 10:30am AWST under the ticker code ASX:SRR. In connection with the Company's dual listing on the ASX, it completed a well over-subscribed equity raising of A$8,000,000, introducing a broad base of new shareholders, predominantly from Australia and Asia. Strong support was also received through participation from several existing major shareholders and management. The net proceeds of the equity raise will be used to support and expedite an extensive and predominantly shallow drilling campaign across the Company's 100%-owned(4) Sanutura Project (the "Project"). The planned drill programs aim to augment and upgrade the currently defined oxide and free-milling mineral resource and test high priority targets identified through previous grassroots exploration that have the potential to significantly impact project growth. The Project is an advanced-stage exploration project covering approximately 1,420km that hosts a significant, well-defined gold mineral resource base and a suite of exploration targets. As announced on November 16, 2021, the mining-shape constrained mineral resource estimate at the Project stands at 9.4Mt @ 1.9g/t Au for 0.6Mozgold (Indicated) plus 52.7Mt @ 1.4g/t Au for 2.3Moz gold (Inferred)(1). The combined oxide and transition component of the pit shell-constrained mineral resource totals 0.2Moz gold (Indicated) plus 0.8Moz gold (Inferred)(2). The large mineral resource base and suite of exploration targets provide significant optionality and leverage to the gold price and the Project remains key to the development of the southern Hounde Belt. Sarama's President and CEO, Andrew Dinning commented: "We are very pleased with the interest and strong demand from investors, with applications well in excess of the $8 million upper limit. We would like to welcome our new shareholders and to also thank existing shareholders for their ongoing support. Africa is a well trodden path for ASX listed exploration companies and ASX investors have benefited from and demonstrated a strong appreciation for exploration and development projects in Africa. We are committed to generating shareholder value from our assets and will continue to strive to get this reflected in the valuation of the company. The funds raised will be put to work immediately as we pursue an aggressive exploration program focused on shallow and highly accretive targets, seeking to grow the already significant oxide and near-surface gold resource. With over 50,000 metres of drilling planned, we look forward to updating the market with our progress." For further information, please contact: Andrew Dinning or Paul Schmiede e: info@saramaresources.com t: +61 (0) 8 9363 7600 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. ABOUT SARAMA RESOURCES LTD Sarama Resources Ltd (TSX-V: SWA) is a West African focused gold explorer and developer with substantial landholdings in south-west Burkina Faso. Sarama is focused on maximising the value of its strategic assets and advancing its key projects towards development. Sarama's 100%-owned(4) Sanutura Project is principally located within the prolific Hounde Greenstone Belt in south-west Burkina Faso and is the exploration and development focus of the Company. The project hosts the Tankoro and Bondi Deposits which have a combined mineral resource of 0.6Moz gold (Indicated) and 2.3Moz gold (Inferred)(1). Together, the deposits present a potential mine development opportunity featuring an initial, long-life CIL project which may be established and paid for by the significant oxide mineral resource base. Sarama has built further optionality into its portfolio including an approximate 470km exploration position in the highly prospective Banfora Belt in south-western Burkina Faso. The Koumandara Project hosts several regional-scale structural features and trends of gold-in-soil anomalism extending for over 40km along strike. Sarama also holds an approximate 18% participating interest in the Karankasso Project Joint Venture ("JV") which is situated adjacent to the Company's Sanutura Project in Burkina Faso and is a JV between Sarama and Endeavour Mining Corp ("Endeavour") in which Endeavour is the operator of the JV. In February 2020, an updated mineral resource estimate of 709koz gold(3) was declared for the Karankasso Project JV. The Company's Board and management team have a proven track record in Africa and a strong history in the discovery and development of large-scale gold deposits. Sarama is well positioned to build on its current success with a sound strategy to surface and maximise the value of its property portfolio. FOOTNOTES Mineral resource estimate for Sanutura Project - 9.4Mt @ 1.9g/t Au for 0.6Moz Au (Indicated) plus 52.7Mt @ 1.4g/t Au for 2.3Moz (Inferred), reported at cut-off grades ranging 0.2-1.6g/t Au, reflecting the mining methods and processing flowsheets assumed to assess the liklihood of the mineral resources to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The effective date of the Company's mineral resource estimate is November 16, 2021. For further information regarding the mineral resource estimate refer to the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Independent Technical Report Sanutura Project, South-West Burkina Faso", dated February 7, 2022 and prepared by Paul Schmiede, Rindra Le Grange and Fred Kock. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama. Ms Le Grange and Mr Kock are employees of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd and Orway Mineral Consultants Pty Ltd respectivley and are considered to be independent of Sarama. The technical report is available under Sarama's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Oxide & transition component of the mineral resource for Sanutura Project - 3.2Mt @ 1.6g/t Au for 0.2Moz Au (Indicated) plus 23.4Mt @ 1.1g/t Au for 0.8Moz Au (Inferred), reported above cut-off grades of 0.2g/t Au and 0.3g/t Au for oxide and transition material respectively. Karankasso Project current mineral resource estimate - the current mineral resource estimate for the Karankasso Project of 12.74Mt @ 1.73g/t Au for 709koz Au (effective date of December 31, 2019) was disclosed on February 24, 2020 by Semafo Inc ("Semafo", since acquired by Endeavour Mining Corp. "Endeavour"). For further information regarding that mineral resource estimate, refer to the news release "Semafo: Bantou Project Inferred Resources Increase to 2.2Moz" dated February 24, 2020 and Semafo: Bantou Project NI43-101 Technical Report - Mineral Resource Estimate" dated April 3, 2020. The news release and technical report are available under Semafo's and Endeavour's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The mineral resource estimate was fully prepared by, or under the supervision of Semafo. Sarama has not independently verified Semafo's mineral resource estimate and takes no responsibility for its accuracy. Semafo, and now Endeavour, is the operator of the Karankasso Project JV and Sarama is relying on their Qualified Persons' assurance of the validity of the mineral resource estimate. Additional technical work has been undertaken on the Karankasso Project since the effective date but Sarama is not in a position to quantify the impact of this additional work on the mineral resource estimate referred to above. The Government of Burkina Faso has processed the requisite documents to facilitate the grant of the new, full-term Tankoro 2 and Djarkadougou 2 Exploration Permits (the "Permits") and subsequently issued the invitation to pay the permit issuance fees (the "Fees") and the Fees were paid within the requisite 10-day timeline. Following the payment of the Fee, the issuance of the Permit's arrete and related paperwork becomes an administrative process during which time the Company may undertake work on the Tankoro 2 and Djarkadougou 2 Properties. The Company expects the arretes and related paperwork to be issued in due course. The properties, hosting the Tankoro and Bondi Deposits respectively, were formerly known as Tankoro and Djarkadougou, but have been renamed as part of the process of re-issuing the respective Permits. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION Information in this news release that is not a statement of historical fact constitutes forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans and timing to list on the ASX, statements regarding the Company's future exploration and development plans and the use of proceeds from the public offering, the potential for the Sanutura and Karankasso Projects to host economic mineralisation, the potential to expand the present oxide component of the existing estimated mineral resources at the Sanutura Project, the potential for the receipt of regulatory approvals and the timing and prospects for the issuance of the arretes for the Tankoro 2 and Djarkadougou 2 Exploration Permits by the Government of Burkina Faso. Actual results, performance or achievements of the Company may vary from the results suggested by such forward-looking statements due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, among others, that the business of exploration for gold and other precious minerals involves a high degree of risk and is highly speculative in nature; mineral resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability, and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; the actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. There can be no assurance that any mineralisation that is discovered will be proven to be economic, or that future required regulatory licensing or approvals will be obtained. However, the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company's ability to carry on its exploration activities, the sufficiency of funding, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold and other precious metals, that the Company will not be affected by adverse political events, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain further financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Sarama does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws. QUALIFIED PERSONS' STATEMENT Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to the preparation of the mineral resource estimate for the Sanutura Project is based on information compiled or approved by Paul Schmiede. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a Fellow in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Schmiede has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Paul Schmiede consents to the inclusion in this news release of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to exploration activities at the Sanutura Project is based on information compiled or approved by Guy Scherrer. Guy Scherrer is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a member in good standing of the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Guy Scherrer consents to the inclusion in this disclosure of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to the quotation of the Karankasso Project's mineral resource estimate and exploration activities is based on information compiled by Paul Schmiede. Paul Schmiede is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a Fellow in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Schmiede has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Paul Schmiede consents to the inclusion in this disclosure of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. Paul Schmiede and Sarama have not independently verified Semafo's (now Endeavour's) mineral resource estimate and take no responsibility for its accuracy. SOURCE: Sarama Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699255/Sarama-Resources-to-Commence-Trading-on-ASX-on-Monday-May-2-Following-Over-Subscribed-Public-Offering Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) (OTCQB: RDGMF) (FSE: 0GC0) ("Ridgeline" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update for the Swift Project ("Swift" or "Project"), located in the Cortez mining district of the Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend, Nevada (Figure 1). The Project is operated by Nevada Gold Mines ("NGM") under an exploration earn-in agreement executed in September 2021 (see full press release HERE) with NGM holding an option to spend US$20 million in qualifying expenditures over five years to earn an initial 60% stake in the project. SW21-001 was the first hole drilled under the earn-in agreement and returned 9.1 meters ("m") grading 0.51 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") starting at 8.5 m downhole (Figure 2). The hole also intersected Lower Plate host rocks at relatively shallow depths of 556 m but did not return significant gold intercepts throughout the Lower Plate section. The elevated gold and anomalous Carlin-Type pathfinder geochemistry observed in the upper portion of SW21-001 is encouraging and suggests mineralization is vectoring to the west. The next phase of drilling in Q2, 2022 will consist of a series of wide-spaced framework drill-holes (~1 kilometer spacing) to test this concept and help generate a comprehensive geologic model of the historically underexplored Swift project. Click HERE for a video of Chad Peters, President & CEO discussing the highlights of today's press release. Chad Peters, Ridgeline's President, CEO & Director commented, "We are thrilled to see more drilling planned at Swift in 2022 and encouraged by the initial assay results in SW21-001, which returned a near surface gold intersection in historically poor host rocks of the Upper Plate. These results further support the widespread gold and trace element footprint at Swift and highlight the potential strength of the Carlin-Type gold target at depth. The next phase of drilling will continue to shape the geologic model with this systematic exploration strategy having already led to multiple discoveries in the Cortez District. We look forward to providing regular updates for our shareholders as the next phase of drilling progresses." Figure 1: Regional map of the Cortez District showing the Swift project adjacent to the Nevada Gold Mines Cortez Complex. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/121969_5b6d3726040f7bf4_002full.jpg Figure 2: Map showing SW21-001 assay results over arsenic in soils contours and gold rock chips. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/121969_5b6d3726040f7bf4_003full.jpg Swift Project Swift is located on the Cortez District of the historic Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend approximately 30 km south of the town of Battle Mountain, in Lander County, Nevada. The 75 km property is on trend to the Pipeline, Cortez Hills, and Goldrush deposits (View our Swift VRIFY Presentation), which comprise the multi-million ounce Cortez Complex owned by Nevada Gold Mines (a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Corp.). Ridgeline entered into an exploration earn-in agreement with NGM on September 22, 2021, where NGM can incur a minimum US$20 million (US$4 million guaranteed) in qualifying work expenditures over an initial five-year term to earn an initial 60% interest in the Swift gold project. NGM will have further options to increase its interest to a total 75% interest, subject to additional expenditures and commitments. Technical information contained in this news release has been provided by Nevada Gold Mines and reviewed and approved by Michael T. Harp, CPG. the Company's Vice President, Exploration, who is Ridgeline's qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for technical matters of this release. About Ridgeline Minerals Corp. Ridgeline is a discovery focused gold-silver explorer with a proven management team and a 163 km exploration portfolio across five projects in Nevada and Idaho, USA. More information about Ridgeline can be found at www.RidgelineMinerals.com. On behalf of the Board "Chad Peters" President & CEO Further Information: Chad Peters, P.Geo. President & CEO Ridgeline Minerals Corp. 1-866-RDG-NVAU (734-6828) - toll free info@ridgelineminerals.com 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 press release. Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the Earn-In Agreement and the transaction contemplated thereby. The words "potential", "anticipate", "meaningful", "discovery", "forecast", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "historical", "historic" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Ridgeline has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that TSX Venture Exchange approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; the current objectives concerning the Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Ridgeline to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays; risks related to historical data that has not been verified by the Company; as well as those factors discussed in Ridgeline's public disclosure record. Although Ridgeline has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Ridgeline and may 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 Forward-Looking 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. Except as required by law, Ridgeline does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121969 BOSTON and LONDON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife Investment Management recently announced the release of its second annual stewardship report. The report details the firm's continued commitment to effective stewardship practices and provides enhanced disclosure regarding those activities, including its collaboration and application of stewardship across public and private markets. In addition, the report discusses three key aspects of the firm's approach to asset ownership and management to achieve more sustainable outcomes for clients and stakeholders. The three aspects of its stewardship practices that the firm sees as prerequisite to sustainable investment outcomes are as follows: Asset stewardship and the evolving role of global capital-There's a fundamental shift in expectations of both investors and corporations from being passive participants in the global economy to being active players expected to play a material role in change for the benefit of the wider society. With this shift comes responsibility for asset managers who are assessing and, at times, directly influencing the design and execution of corporate and sovereign plans for mitigating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and capturing potential opportunities. The power of international collective action-Identifying the financial impact of ESG issues is crucial to drawing a collective consensus toward action. Manulife Investment Management has seen firsthand through work with groups such as Climate Action 100+ that collective action is helping investors become more effective and sophisticated in what they require of investee companies. Regional differences matter for stewardship -Truly effective systemic risk mitigation requires a multipronged approach across asset classes, as well as sensitivity to regional political and cultural differences. One way Manulife Investment Management seeks to address systemic risks is by working with systemically important companies. For example, recognizing that more than half of the world's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from Asia, the firm endeavors to engage with the region's energy and heavy industry companies. Even without holdings, if engaging with these influential companies can help move the dial on reducing systemic climate risks, then all of the firm's client portfolios may stand to benefit globally. "Active ownership is a central component of our investment and ESG integration processes. And through our stewardship activities, we practice sustainable asset management to preserve and unlock value within our portfolios," said Paul Lorentz, president and CEO, Manulife Investment Management. "As an active investment manager, we see facilitating the aggregate corporate shift from stating the material facts to performing the material actions of sustainability as one of the more critical tasks of stewardship in the present decade and imperative to the pursuit of sustainable investment value." Collaboration is essential Collaborative initiatives, in which the firm partners with others to magnify its ability to influence outcomes, is a valuable aspect of Manulife Investment Management's stewardship activities. Notable collaborative activities in 2021 included: Participation in the working group that became the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Serving as a founding member of Climate Engagement Canada as a result of the success of Climate Action 100+, which Manulife Investment Management co-founded in 2017 Becoming a signatory to the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge, in alignment with the viewpoint that the degradation of biodiversity is a significant risk Continued collaboration through Phase II of the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative, aimed at developing new climate risk assessment methodologies and researching sector-specific climate risks and opportunities Peter Mennie, global head of ESG research and integration, public markets, Manulife Investment Management, said, "As sustainable investors, we're at a unique nexus within the financial system, allowing us the opportunity to engage with corporations as well as regulators and society at large, to encourage and promote action to address the crucial issues that face us all." Stewardship application across asset classes Alongside its collaborative activity, Manulife Investment Management engaged with more than 1,300 parties in 2021, including over 800 issuers and 126 influencers, regulators, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and vendors. Importantly, Manulife Investment Management shifted focus from the number of conversations to an emphasis on measuring the impact of efforts to mitigate material sustainability risks. There was a strong focus on environmental factors in the firm's 2021 public markets engagements, with GHG emissions discussed in 20% of meetings and energy management on the agenda in 16% of meetings. In 2021, these engagement efforts resulted in progress toward, among other matters, more net-zero commitments from issuers; better diversity, equity, and inclusion reporting; and collaboration with industry peers on advancing gender diversity issues. Within private markets, Manulife Investment Management directly operates timberland, real estate, and agricultural assets where sustainability is woven into operational strategies and execution to raise the bar of sustainable investing. Within private equity, credit, and infrastructure, deep relationships enhance the firm's influence over key assets and portfolio companies. In 2021, notable actions across private markets included: The launch of the inaugural climate disclosure report on timberland and agriculture, detailing the approach to climate-related governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets An assessment across the global real estate portfolio that resulted in the implementation of a new building standard requirement to address climate risk and resilience Adoptions of sustainable investing frameworks to support the firm's approach to sustainable investing for both its infrastructure and private equity and credit businesses Brian J. Kernohan, chief sustainability officer, private markets, Manulife Investment Management, stated, "In our private markets portfolios, we invest in timberland, real estate, and agricultural assets that we simultaneously operate, which uniquely positions us to influence sustainable business practices. Within private equity, private credit, and infrastructure, deep relationships enhance our influence over key assets and portfolio companies enabling us to continuously engage with co-investors, investee companies, and business partners to encourage sustainable investing best practices while monitoring the ESG-related data available to help ensure the efficacy of this approach." "Looking ahead, our focus will continue to be on outcomes-based engagements and setting ambitious goals to ensure our approach to stewardship is built on the tangible progress we've made to date," Mr. Lorentz concluded. "We recognize we can often magnify our voice by partnering with others and bringing our global perspective to help maximize impact." About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 19 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com. Media Contacts: Asia, Carl Wong, Carl_KK_Wong@manulifeam.com; Canada, Cheryl Holmes, Cheryl_Holmes@manulife.com; United States and Europe, Elizabeth Bartlett, Elizabeth_Bartlett@manulife.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1802273/Manulife_Investment_Management_Manulife%C2%A0Investment_Management_re.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Canada Rare Earth Corp. (TSXV: LL) ("Canada Rare Earth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an Agreement in Principle on April 24, 2022 for the purchase of an existing rare earth refinery situated in South East Asia. "The refinery is based on technology and processes already deployed and in production at a dozen other rare earth processing plants and is capable of producing approximately 3,000 metric tons (3,000,000 kilograms) of the complete spectrum of rare earth oxides. The capability to produce high-profile neodymium ("Nd"), praseodymium ("Pr"), dysprosium ("Dy") and terbium ("Tb") oxides is of critical importance to the rapidly developing and growing electrification and EV market sectors. These valuable elements are trading at strong price levels and demand is not fully satisfied by current output levels of existing facilities. For example, Nd and Pr are currently selling for approximately US$135 per kilogram and Dy and Tb for US$397 and US$2,200 per kilogram respectively, according to Baiinfo," Peter Shearing, COO of Canada Rare Earth explained. Tracy A. Moore, CEO of Canada Rare Earth continued, "We are working closely with the owners. Our negotiations are going very smoothly and progressing rapidly towards a definitive agreement for the acquisition. Price will contemplate two permitting scenarios - operating permit received and pending. It is anticipated the definitive agreement will contain detailed commercial and proprietary terms customary for such documents. We have been involved with this refinery for a number of years and believe this is the best moment to move forward with the acquisition." The acquisition is subject to finalizing the definitive agreement and arranging financing. Peter Shearing added, "With Canada Rare Earth's steadily growing supply of rare earth concentrates, we are confident in our ability to supply the needed concentrate feedstock to the refinery for its current capacity and to support expansion plans in future years. We are also working towards expanding our sources, especially in-country, to supply the refinery and address the needs of our existing customer base." ABOUT CANADA RARE EARTH CORP. Canada Rare Earth Corp. is developing an international vertically integrated business within the global rare earth industry. Our key focus is to generate revenues and positive cash flow from a variety of profit centres in the rare earth production and sales chain by sourcing, adding value and selling rare earths in all stages and forms. We are in the process of establishing our own mining, concentrating and refinery capabilities in addition to working with affiliated and third party organizations. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CANADA RARE EARTH CORP: Tracy A. Moore, CEO Peter Shearing , COO "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 more information on the Company, interested parties should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Contact Information: Tracy A. Moore CEO tmoore@canadarareearth.com Peter Shearing COO pshearing@canadarareearth.com (604) 638-8886 Website: www.canadarareearth.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121947 The submission to the European Medicines Agency is based on results from the Phase 3 MAGNITUDE study evaluating niraparib in combination with abiraterone acetate plus prednisonefor the treatment of patients with mCRPC who are positive for HRR gene alterations.1 The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson today announced the submission of a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) seeking approval of niraparib in combination with abiraterone acetate, in the form of a dual action tablet (DAT) plus prednisolone, for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer who have progressed to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and are positive for homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations. When approved by the European Commission, niraparib in combination with AAP will be the first dual action tablet formulation in the European Union specifically targeting HRR gene alterations in mCRPC. The combination of niraparib, a PARP (poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase) inhibitor, and abiraterone acetate, a CYP17 inhibitor, targets two oncogenic drivers in patients with mCRPC, AR-axis and HRR gene alterations. The DAT formulation is also intended to be more convenient for patients, and thus aims to improve treatment compliance. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in Europe with approximately 473,000 patients diagnosed in 2020.2 Up to approximately 30% of patients with mCRPC have HRR gene alterations which are associated with a worse prognosis compared to patients without HRR gene alterations.1 "People with prostate cancer harbouring BRCA alterations face a more aggressive form of disease with worse outcomes and faster progression, sadly leading to a shorter life expectancy," commented Professor Gerhardt Attard, Primary Study Investigator and Clinician Scientist and Team Leader at University College London Cancer Institute. "This submission is an important step towards improving the outcomes for people with metastatic prostate cancer harbouring BRCA alterations using a targeted therapy that significantly delays the time to their cancer progressing." The EU MAA is supported by data from the MAGNITUDE study (NCT03748641), a Phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study evaluating the safety and efficacy of niraparib combined with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) in patients with mCRPC. The study showed that at the final analysis for radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), the treatment combination of niraparib and AAP demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in patients with HRR gene alterations as compared to placebo and AAP.1 First results from the study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU 2022) Annual Meeting (Abstract #12). The study continues to collect data on the secondary endpoints, which include time-to-initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, time to symptomatic progression and overall survival.1 "The data supporting this submission demonstrate the benefit of niraparib in combination with AAP in patients with specific gene alterations and reinforce the importance of biomarker testing in helping to provide an individualised treatment for these patients," said Kiran Patel, M.D., Vice President, Clinical Development, Solid Tumors, Janssen Research Development, LLC. "We are committed to advancing targeted therapeutic options for patients with prostate cancer as we build upon our deep understanding of the disease, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients." "The submission of niraparib in combination with AAP to the European Medicines Agency marks an important milestone in addressing specific genetic alterations in prostate cancer," said Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Pharmaceuticals, R&D, Johnson Johnson. "We are determined to transform this complex disease through innovation, science and ingenuity." About Niraparib Niraparib is an orally administered, selective poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, that is currently being studied by Janssen for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer.1 Additional ongoing studies include the Phase 3 AMPLITUDE study evaluating the combination of niraparib and AAP in a biomarker-selected patient population with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).3 In April 2016, Janssen Biotech, Inc. entered a worldwide (except Japan) collaboration and license agreement with TESARO, Inc. (acquired by GSK in 2018), for exclusive rights to niraparib in prostate cancer. In the European Union, niraparib is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy; for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy (Zejula SmPC 2021). Niraparib is currently marketed by GSK as ZEJULA.4 About abiraterone acetate Abiraterone acetate is an orally-administered androgen biosynthesis inhibitor. In the European Union, abiraterone acetate is indicated with prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of newly diagnosed high risk mHSPC in adult men in combination with ADT; the treatment of mCRPC in adult men who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of ADT in whom chemotherapy is not yet clinically indicated; and the treatment of mCRPC in adult men whose disease has progressed on or after a docetaxel based chemotherapy regimen (ZYTIGA SmPC 2020).5 Abiraterone acetate is currently marketed by Janssen Janssen-Cilag International NV as ZYTIGA.5 About Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) characterises cancer that no longer responds to ADT and has spread to other parts of the body. The most common metastatic sites are bones, followed by lungs and liver.6 Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Europe.7 More than one million men around the world are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.8 Patients with mCRPC and HRR gene alterations have a worse prognosis than those without HRR alterations.9 About MAGNITUDE MAGNITUDE (NCT03748641) is a Phase 3 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the combination of niraparib and AAP for patients with mCRPC, with or without certain HRR gene alterations. The study includes two cohorts in which patients were randomised to receive either niraparib and AAP or placebo and AAP cohorts: one cohort of patients with predefined HRR gene alterations (including ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDK12, CHEK2, FANCA, HDAC2, PALB2 alterations) and one cohort of patients without HRR gene alterations. In a third, open-label cohort, all patients received the dual action tablet formulation of niraparib and AAP.1 The primary endpoint of the MAGNITUDE trial is rPFS. Secondary endpoints include time-to-initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, time to symptomatic progression and overall survival.1 About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology and Pulmonary Hypertension. Learn more at www.janssen.com/emea/. Follow us at www.twitter.com/JanssenEMEA for our latest news. Janssen Research Development, LLC; Janssen-Cilag, S.A.; and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of niraparib. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., or any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. DAT is a single tablet combining niraparib andabiraterone acetate HRR gene alterations include Ataxia Telangiectasia (ATM), breast cancer gene 1 and 2 (BRCA1/BRCA2), BRCA1 interacting protein 1 (BRIP1), cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), Checkpoint Kinase 2 (CHEK2), fanconi anaemia (FANCA), Histone Deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and partner and localiser of BRCA 2 (PALB2). Professor Attard has served as a consultant to Janssen; he has not been paid for any media work. References 1 Chi et al. Phase 3 MAGNITUDE study: First results of niraparib (NIRA) with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) as first-line therapy in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with and without homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations. ASCO GU 2022. 2 International Agency for Research on Cancer. WHO. 2020. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/online-analysis-pie. Last Accessed April 2022 3 Clinical Trials.Gov. A Study of Niraparib in Combination With Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone Versus Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone for the Treatment of Participants With Deleterious Germline or Somatic Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) Gene-Mutated Metastatic Castration Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mCSPC) (AMPLITUDE). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04497844. Last accessed April 2022 4 European Medicines Agency. Zejula (Niraparib) Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/zejula-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed April 2022. 5 European Medicines Agency. Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/zytiga-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed April 2022. 6 Cancer.org. Understanding advanced cancer, metastatic cancer, and bone metastasis. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/advanced-cancer/what-is.html. Last accessed April 2022. 7 HEAL. Men Prostate cancer. Available at: https://www.env-health.org/IMG/pdf/prostate_testical.pdf. Last accessed April 2022 8 World Health Organization. "Globocan 2012: Prostate Cancer: Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide, 2012." http://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/pdf/fact-sheets/cancers/cancer-fact-sheets-19.pdf. Last accessed April 2022. 9 Castro E, Romero-Laorden N, Del Pozo A, et al. PROREPAIR-B: A Prospective Cohort Study of the Impact of Germline DNA Repair Mutations on the Outcomes of Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2019;37(6):490-503. doi:10.1200/JCO.18.00358 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005637/en/ Contacts: Media Inquiries: Laura Coughlan Mobile: +353 87 147 9356 Email: lcoughl5@its.jnj.com Investor Relations: Raychel Kruper Office: +1 732 524 6164 Roadshow Will Visit Cities Across Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom and Showcase How Additive Manufacturing Can Unlock Innovation in Space, Aviation, Oil Gas, Energy, and Other Important Industries Velo3D, Inc. (NYSE: VLD), a leading metal additive manufacturing technology company for mission-critical parts, today announced its Seeing is Believing Additive Manufacturing Tour for Europe, which will visit seven cities in 2022 across Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The roadshow brings together innovators across key industries including space, aviation, oil gas, and energy to share how additive manufacturing and the Velo3D end-to-end solution are transforming these businesses by helping engineers manufacture the parts they need without compromise. "When we talk to prospective customers who have experience with additive manufacturing, the first thing they want is to see the parts for themselves to witness whether the geometries we offer can truly be achieved," said Renette Youssef, Velo3D CMO. "In our pilot of the Seeing is Believing roadshow we made amazing connections between engineers, technology influencers, and executives in the additive manufacturing industry to learn from and inspire one another. We look forward to achieving this same community building in Europe." Velo3D initially launched its roadshow in 2021 across five cities. The events brought together hundreds of innovators to learn how the Velo3D end-to-end solution delivers unprecedented part quality, complex geometries, repeatability in distributed manufacturing, and high-volume production through its scale-up Sapphire XC printer. "With 3D printing being a relatively new manufacturing technology, these community building events help innovators conceptualize how it can be used to transform their businesses, improve efficiency in key systems, and solve their biggest challenges," said Campbell MacPherson, Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield (SBO) EVP of Advanced Manufacturing. "As the first company to acquire a Velo3D Sapphire printer in Europe, we're thrilled to share how the technology has helped us better serve our customers." The roadshow events focus on educating engineers of all types on the many benefits and capabilities of advanced additive manufacturing. The presentations highlight the process from start to finish, including pre-print, during printing, quality assurance, the underlying manufacturing process, and post processing. The 2022 show will make seven stops at European cities, including: Bergamo, Italy May 25 Lyon, France June 10 Augsburg, Germany June 21 Toulouse, France September 15 Future dates will also be announced for Milano, Italy; Birmingham, England; and Munich, Germany. Engineers interested in attending one of the shows on the tour can visit Velo3D.com to request a ticket or email Info_emea@velo3d.com About Velo3D: Velo3D is a metal 3D printing technology company. 3D printing-also known as additive manufacturing (AM)-has a unique ability to improve the way high-value metal parts are built. However, legacy metal AM has been greatly limited in its capabilities since its invention almost 30 years ago. This has prevented the technology from being used to create the most valuable and impactful parts, restricting its use to specific niches where the limitations were acceptable. Velo3D has overcome these limitations so engineers can design and print the parts they want. The company's solution unlocks a wide breadth of design freedom and enables customers in space exploration, aviation, power generation, energy and semiconductor to innovate the future in their respective industries. Using Velo3D, these customers can now build mission-critical metal parts that were previously impossible to manufacture. The end-to-end solution includes the Flow print preparation software, the Sapphire family of printers, and the Assure quality control system-all of which are powered by Velo3D's Intelligent Fusion manufacturing process. The company delivered its first Sapphire system in 2018 and has been a strategic partner to innovators such as SpaceX, Honeywell, Honda, Chromalloy, and Lam Research. Velo3D has been named to Fast Company's prestigious annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2021. For more information, please visit velo3d.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn or Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996. The Company's actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect", "estimate", "project", "budget", "forecast", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "may", "will", "could", "should", "believes", "predicts", "potential", "continue", and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside the Company's control and are difficult to predict. The Company cautions not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. VELO, VELO3D, SAPPHIRE, and INTELLIGENT FUSION, are registered trademarks of Velo3D, Inc.; and WITHOUT COMPROMISE, FLOW and ASSURE are trademarks of Velo3D, Inc. All Rights Reserved Velo3D, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419006146/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Velo3D Dan Sorensen dan.sorensen@velo3d.com Investor Relations: Bob Okunski, VP Investor Relations investors@velo3d.com April 28, 2022 South Carolina's largest health system adopts Philips software solutions for patient monitoring and enterprise imaging, helping to drive interoperability and data analytics, and deliver on Quadruple Aim Amsterdam, the Netherlands and South Carolina, USA - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and Prisma Health, South Carolina's largest non-profit healthcare system, today announced they have entered into a multi-year agreement to help the health system achieve enterprise interoperability, standardize patient monitoring, and drive innovation in enterprise imaging solutions to enhance patient care and improve clinical performance. As South Carolina's largest private, non-profit healthcare system, and second-largest private company, Prisma Health wants to deliver on the quadruple aim: improve patient and staff satisfaction, lower costs, and improve outcomes for all South Carolinians. Prisma Health was formed in 2017 when Greenville Health System and Palmetto Health, two of South Carolina's most highly regarded healthcare systems, came together as one organization. Today, Prisma Health has nearly 3,000 licensed beds and 18 acute care and specialty hospitals, as well as 270 physician practices servicing 21 counties. They treat over one million unique patients across their networks each year, including 368,000 virtual care visits, and just under half a million emergency department visits. "When our two regional healthcare organizations merged, an enterprise-wide technology strategy became critical to standardize best practices across the whole system, creating new bridges between hospital and home care and continuing to drive innovation," said Rich Rogers, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Prisma Health. "At Prisma Health, we wanted to engage a partner to help us address data integration and unlock the power of patient data so that we are able to provide our patients with the best care anywhere in our service areas. We want to put the right tools into the hands of our clinicians to allow them to better share information, collaborate and help transform care for the communities we serve." With the Philips HealthSuite secure cloud platform at its foundation, Philips is committed to enterprise interoperability. Philips' solutions portfolio includes real-time patient monitoring, therapeutic devices, telehealth, image management and informatics solutions including radiology and cardiology PACS, advanced visualization, vendor neutral archive, and interoperability solutions, including the industry-leading Philips Capsule Medical Device Information Platform. Prisma Health will not only have access to these technologies, they will also be the largest installation of the Philips Enterprise Performance Analytics - Performance Bridge - analytics platform in North America. Performance Bridge gives healthcare professionals access to near real-time data on departmental performance through an easy-to-use interactive dashboard. Vendor agnostic, Performance Bridge unifies information across different imaging modalities and informatics solutions to optimize organizational efficiency, drive adherence to standards of care and facilitates additional revenue streams. Prisma Health plans to use Performance Bridge to drive innovation and monitor their delivery of quality healthcare. "At Philips, we made a deliberate decision to create an end-to-end enterprise strategy that will help our customers overcome interoperability barriers and enable data sharing," said Vitor Rocha, Chief Market Leader for Philips North America. "Health systems shouldn't have to worry about integrating technology, which is why we have developed vendor-agnostic solutions based on standards and frameworks that bring together data from applications, systems, and devices. This allows our partners to focus on what is most important to them and their patients - continuously improving the patient journey and outcomes." Long-term strategic partnerships (LSPs) are a growing trend within hospitals and health systems to better manage the cost and complexity of their technology investments over a defined period of time, while expanding quality access to advanced medical care to improve patient outcomes. Philips is a leader in LSPs and continues to work with forward-thinking organizations like Prisma Health to develop standards, best practices, and predictive technologies that can redefine the future of healthcare. For further information, please contact: Mark Groves Philips Global Press Office Tel.: +31 631 639 916 E-mail: mark.groves@philips.com Silvie Casanova Philips North America Tel.: +1 781 879 0692 E-mail: silvie.casanova@philips.com About Royal Philips Royal Philips. About Prisma Health Prisma Health is a non-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 acute and specialty hospitals, 2,947 beds and more than 300 outpatient sites with nearly 2,000 physicians, Prisma Health serves more than 1.5 million unique patients annually in its 21-county market area that covers 50% of South Carolina. Prisma Health's goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. Visit PrismaHealth.org for more information. Attachment 28 April 2022: The annual general meeting of Hexagon Composites ASA was held today, 28 April 2022 in Aalesund, Norway. All proposals on the agenda were adopted as proposed. Complete minutes of the annual general meeting are attached to this release and are also available on www.hexagongroup.com . For more information: Ingrid Aarsnes, VP Investor Relations and ESG, Hexagon Composites ASA Telephone: +47 950 38 364 | ingrid.aarsnes@hexagongroup.com About Hexagon Composites ASA Hexagon delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. Our solutions enable storage, transportation and conversion to clean energy in a wide range of mobility, industrial and consumer applications. Learn more at www.hexagongroup.com and follow @HexagonASA on Twitter and LinkedIn. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Attachment Millicom | Tigo to launch new digital "Conectadas" platform for the digital skilling and inclusion of women and girls in Latin America Luxembourg, April 28, 2022 - Millicom , a leading provider of fixed, mobile and digital services in Latin America through its Tigo brand, is launching a region-wide web-based app for its Conectadas program, offering women and girls learning modules on digital literacy and entrepreneurship, creating a springboard for social and economic opportunities as well as inclusion. Millicom | Tigo first launched Conectadas in 2017 and since then, more than 560,000 women and girls have been trained through the program. The new platform, set to launch on April 28th, represents the evolution of the program, as its benefits will now reach women from the entire region. Women with work and/or familial responsibilities, or who live in remote or rural locations, often lack the time or means to attend the Conectadas workshops in the nine countries where Millicom operates and implements its ESG-based education programs aiming at improving lives through connectivity; the digital platform will make access to the Conectadas educational tools much easier for these women. The free modules, developed with Grameen Foundationand accessible through the Conectadas platform, educate women on topics such as basic internet usage, management of personal finances, and the effective use of digital tools and social media for business. Millicom's objective is for the platform to reach thousands of additional women in 2022 and beyond. Education stands at the core of Millicom | Tigo's commitment to its communities and their digital empowerment. Since its early stages, various allies and partners have helped drive the expansion of Conectadas in the nine countries where Tigo operates, including the Economic Competitiveness Project of the United States Agency for Development (USAID), the Business Foundation for Social Action (FUNDEMAS), Banco Agricola, Fedecredito, La Constancia, Belcorp, Vogue, UN Women, the Grameen Foundation, and various local media outlets. "We are incredibly excited for the launch of the newConectadas platform, as the well-known benefits of the program for women across Latin America will now be available to so many more online," said Karim Lesina, Millicom EVP Chief External Affairs Officer. "This new step forward of Conectadas speaks to the importance we place on empowering women and girls in the region, allowing for personal and professional growth through digital education and the opportunities it brings. The digital divide and the lack of digital literacy continue preventing as many as half of the people in Latin America from fully participating in society. We have responded with initiatives such as our partnership with Fundacion Real Madrid signed in 2021, and we continue to provide digital literacy training to teachers through ourMaestr@sConectad@s program. These and other efforts reinforce our support of the UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals. We want to do more than connecting our communities - we want to be a conduit of investment capital for developing economies in Latin America." "Millicom's Conectadas program is special, not just because it is a proven plan to benefit women and girls in Latin America, but also because it is built on facts," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union. "Conectadas is an excellent example of action based in the Commission's foundational goal of meaningful universal connectivity." The Conectadas program originally launched in Guatemala in 2017 before expanding to El Salvador and Colombia the same year. The program was then introduced to Bolivia in 2018, where it was very well received and now accounts for over 50% of all the women trained by Tigo since its launch. In 2019, Conectadas expanded to Panama, Paraguay, Honduras, and Costa Rica, and most recently to Nicaragua in 2020. As a result, between all the nine countries where Tigo offers the program, more than 560,000 women have been trained, with a growing average of more than 150,000 women trained per year. Courtesy pictures: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3 -END- Press: Karim Lesina, EVP Chief External Affairs Officer press@millicom.com (mailto:press@millicom.com) Yocasta Valdez, Group Manager Digital Media & Communications press@millicom.com (mailto:press@millicom.com) Investors: Michel Morin, VP Investor Relations investors@millicom.com (mailto:investors@millicom.com) Sarah Inmon, Director Investor Relations investors@millicom.com (mailto:investors@millicom.com) About Millicom Millicom. Connect with Millicom on Twitter, Instagram, Facebookand LinkedIn. About Grameen Foundation Grameen Foundation is a global nonprofit whose mission is to enable the poor, especially women, to create a world without poverty and hunger. In collaboration with our partners, we harness the power of digital data to create tech-forward tools for self-sufficiency and deliver them through digital technology platforms and local Community Agent networks. In collaboration with our sister organization, FFH Alcance based in Mexico, Grameen Foundation designs paper-based and digital curriculum and learning methodologies to help women develop digital, financial, digital financial and business literacy skills to build resilient lives and livelihoods. For more on Grameen Foundation, visit grameenfoundation.org. Connect with Grameen Foundation on Twitter, Instagram, Facebookand LinkedIn. Attachments Data Security, Compliance Drive Urgent Adoption of Delphix DevOps Test Data Management Platform REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delphix, the industry leader in DevOps test data management (TDM), today announced closing fiscal year 2022 with a second consecutive year of accelerated revenue growth and profitability at a scale well over $100M in annual recurring revenue (ARR). With increasing activity from hostile nation states and ransomware gangs, companies around the world need a solution to automate and secure test data for enterprise applications. As a result, the company also reported 36% faster year-over-year growth of its large, enterprise customer base driven by increasing data risks. Delphix's growth comes as companies around the world continue to invest in innovative DevOps solutions to accelerate application delivery, modernize legacy infrastructure, and move applications across the multicloud. Delphix offers the only DevOps TDM platform that automates the delivery of secure, compliant data for test and development, enabling up to 10x faster innovation. "Enterprise applications all need test data for fast, quality releases," said Jedidiah Yueh, Delphix Founder and CEO. "But test data has traditionally been slow, complex, and filled with risk. Delphix helps companies like Banco Carrefour, The University of Manchester, and BNP Paribas release applications quickly while improving data security and compliance." Banco Carrefour in Brazil utilizes the Delphix DevOps Data Platform to accelerate application releases while ensuring data security and compliance with privacy regulations such as Brazil's General Data Protection Law (LGPD). Delphix empowers development teams with 320x faster data availability for financial reporting and analytics, enables faster application releases, and helps save 70% on storage. Delphix delivers an innovative API-first data platform that transforms application delivery with comprehensive data controls. By automating data delivery into test environments, Delphix helps software developers innovate faster while reducing compliance and security risk. Delphix also helps companies recover faster from ransomware attacks by continuously protecting data and making historical data immutable. "We selected Delphix, because we like the technology as a tool to move data efficiently from one place to another, to reconstruct, to travel to the past," said Yves Caseau, Group Chief Digital & Information Officer at Michelin. "If we look at what we've done, we used Delphix to move data from our Exadata server legacy to community Linux servers to get more scalability and lower cost." "We are also using Delphix as a way to accelerate innovation and set up new test and development environments faster. We can get all the appropriate data very fast with a few pointers and a few clicks and have a virtual transfer of the data as opposed to a physical one," Caseau added. Test data management is a critical component of application development but is often slow and manual. The Delphix DevOps Data Platform enables teams to create, manage, and automate hybrid cloud-based data environments to support CI/CD pipelines and train AI/ML algorithms. "Compliant test data is the lifeblood of DevOps and ensuring continuous access to it is key for enterprises to accelerate application delivery," said Jim Mercer, Research Director of DevOps and DevSecOps at IDC. "With digital transformation becoming increasingly essential for enterprises to compete across today's marketplaces, we continue to see the need for modern TDM solutions across multiple industries." Delphix Growth Highlights Accelerated growth and profitability over the last two years at a scale greater than $100M of annual recurring revenues. Expanded large enterprise customer base: Increased the number of new enterprise customers won year-over-year by 36%. Broadened global customer base with large brands such as Banco Carrefour, Choice Hotels, Michelin, and Molina Healthcare. Appointed new additions to the global leadership team, including: Robert Stevenson, VP of Japan Operations (https://www.delphix.com/news/delphix-appoints-robert-stevenson-as-vp-japan-operations), to expand Delphix in APAC. Josh Harbert, Chief Marketing Officer (https://www.delphix.com/press-release/delphix-appoints-josh-harbert-chief-marketing-officer), who brings decades of experience to scale Delphix's global marketing programs and amplify product and brand awareness. Pritesh Parekh, Chief Trust & Security Officer, VP of Engineering (https://www.delphix.com/press-release/delphix-appoints-chief-trust-security-officer), who adds proven DevOps and security expertise. Steve Barrett, Senior Vice President of International Operations (https://www.delphix.com/news/delphix-appoints-proven-industry-leader-svp-international-operations), who leads revenue operations for both EMEA and APJ. Tammi Warfield, Chief Customer Officer (https://www.delphix.com/press-release/delphix-appoints-tammi-warfield-svp-customer-success), a former Microsoft executive who drives customer success by helping customers realize business value. Delphix also introduced multiple innovations across the company's product offerings in last fiscal year, including: Continuous Vault (https://www.delphix.com/solutions/compliance/ransomware), a ransomware-specific capability that boosts the Delphix platform's data isolation capabilities and strengthens data protection for enterprises. (https://www.delphix.com/solutions/compliance/ransomware), a ransomware-specific capability that boosts the Delphix platform's data isolation capabilities and strengthens data protection for enterprises. Data Compliance Capabilities for Salesforce Customers (https://www.delphix.com/solutions/salesforce), which helps Salesforce customers protect data privacy and security, while unlocking the value in Salesforce data across clouds and on premises data centers. (https://www.delphix.com/solutions/salesforce), which helps Salesforce customers protect data privacy and security, while unlocking the value in Salesforce data across clouds and on premises data centers. Data Control Tower (https://www.delphix.com/sites/default/files/2021-07/ds-enterprise-scale-automation-with-DCT-000221.pdf), which provides a single point of control for API-driven test data automation across development pipelines at scale. (https://www.delphix.com/sites/default/files/2021-07/ds-enterprise-scale-automation-with-DCT-000221.pdf), which provides a single point of control for API-driven test data automation across development pipelines at scale. Masking Algorithms for Continuous Compliance (https://www.delphix.com/platform/continuous-compliance), which deliver new, industry-leading algorithms for masking sensitive data along with an SDK enabling the development and automation of custom algorithms. (https://www.delphix.com/platform/continuous-compliance), which deliver new, industry-leading algorithms for masking sensitive data along with an SDK enabling the development and automation of custom algorithms. SAP-certified integration with SAP NetWeaver and SAP S/4HANA (https://www.delphix.com/solutions/sap-erp), which allows businesses to use Delphix to mask and automatically deliver efficient, virtualized SAP data via APIs. About Delphix Delphix is the industry leader for DevOps test data management. Businesses need to transform application delivery but struggle to balance speed with data security and compliance. Our DevOps Data Platform automates data security, while rapidly deploying test data to accelerate application releases. With Delphix, customers modernize applications, adopt multi-cloud, achieve CI/CD, and recover from downtime events such as ransomware up to 2x faster. Leading companies, including Choice Hotels, Banco Carrefour, and Fannie Mae, use Delphix to accelerate digital transformation and enable zero trust data management. Visit us at www.delphix.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / IR Labs Inc. ("irlabs"), a dynamic and innovative investor relations firm, is thrilled to announce it will be hosting the inaugural "Capital Markets Comeback Tour" in four cities across Canada: Vancouver-May 11; Calgary-May 12; Montreal-June 1; and Toronto-June 2. This spring, irlabs is bringing together the investment community across the country to hear about the best small-cap investment opportunities and network in a fun atmosphere. The tour will include company presentations in an interview-style format hosted by: Barrington Miller, Director, Issuer Engagement at the Canadian Securities Exchange (" CSE ") ") Anna Serin, Director, Listings Development Western Canada and U.S. at the CSE Anil Mall, Director, Listed Company Services at the CSE Ari Scheer, Head of Issuer Services at Generation IACP Diana Forzley, Business Development, Issuer Services at Generation IACP "After two long years, we're bringing the investment community back together," said Caroline Sawamoto, Principal and Co-Founder at irlabs. "irlabs is thrilled to host the first-ever Capital Markets Comeback Tour, enabling the investment community to hear about companies we have curated that have excellent potential. We look forward to bringing investors, analysts, bankers, the media and industry influencers together to share ideas, reconnect and meet the faces behind the companies. We've received an overwhelmingly positive response from the investment community and can't wait to hit the road!" Tour dates and headlining companies are as follows: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 - Vancouver, BC Canadian Manganese Company Inc. (NEO: CDMN) - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. Everyday People Financial Inc. (pre-public) - A fintech company founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to credit, serving the needs of everyday people. - A fintech company founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to credit, serving the needs of everyday people. HIRE Technologies Inc. (TSXV: HIRE) - The only Canadian public consolidator of companies in the HR industry for staffing, HR consulting and SaaS technology solutions. - The only Canadian public consolidator of companies in the HR industry for staffing, HR consulting and SaaS technology solutions. The Planting Hope Company Inc. (TSXV: MYLK) - An all-women Board and C-suite company developing, launching and scaling uniquely innovative plant-based and planet-friendly food and beverage brands. Thursday, May 12, 2022 - Calgary, AB Canadian Manganese Company Inc. (NEO: CDMN) - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. EnWave Corporation (TSXV: ENW) - EnWave is a global leader in the innovation and application of vacuum microwave dehydration for plant and food processing. - EnWave is a global leader in the innovation and application of vacuum microwave dehydration for plant and food processing. Nurosene Inc. (CSE: MEND) - A health-tech company focused on delivering innovative AI-based technology solutions for mental performance and wellness. - A health-tech company focused on delivering innovative AI-based technology solutions for mental performance and wellness. The Planting Hope Company Inc. (TSXV: MYLK) - An all-women Board and C-suite company developing, launching and scaling uniquely innovative plant-based and planet-friendly food and beverage brands. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 - Montreal, QC Canadian Manganese Company Inc. (NEO: CDMN) - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. HIRE Technologies Inc. (TSXV: HIRE) - The first and only Canadian public consolidator of companies in the technology, staffing and HR consulting industries. - The first and only Canadian public consolidator of companies in the technology, staffing and HR consulting industries. PesoRama Inc. (TSXV: PESO) - Mexico's only true dollar store retailer. - Mexico's only true dollar store retailer. The Planting Hope Company Inc. (TSXV: MYLK) - An all-women Board and C-suite company developing, launching and scaling uniquely innovative plant-based and planet-friendly food and beverage brands. Thursday, June 2, 2022 - Toronto, ON Beyond Oil Ltd. (expected listing on the CSE in May 2022 under the symbol BOIL) - A disruptive solution for food-service companies striving to reduce their frying oil costs, decrease waste and save the planet. - A disruptive solution for food-service companies striving to reduce their frying oil costs, decrease waste and save the planet. Canadian Manganese Company Inc. (NEO: CDMN) - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. - Canadian Manganese is a battery metals company whose principal focus is advancing the development and commercialization of its manganese ore deposit in New Brunswick. The Fresh Factory B.C. Ltd. (CSE: FRSH) - A vertically integrated platform that helps accelerate the growth of disruptive food and beverage brands. - A vertically integrated platform that helps accelerate the growth of disruptive food and beverage brands. PesoRama Inc. (TSXV: PESO) - Mexico's only true dollar store retailer. - Mexico's only true dollar store retailer. The Planting Hope Company Inc. (TSXV: MYLK) - An all-women Board and C-suite company developing, launching and scaling uniquely innovative plant-based and planet-friendly food and beverage brands. The Capital Markets Comeback Tour is Co-Hosted by the CSE and Generation IACP. Sponsors include: Women in Capital Markets Fundamental Research Corp. Hunting Data BTV Bolt Radius Research Blossom Accesswire Stark Creative Media Inc. If you work in capital markets or the media and would like to attend an event, please register for a ticket here: tour.irlabs.ca. ABOUT IR LABS INC. irlabs is a dynamic investor relations firm that applies innovative strategies to create visibility, drive investor engagement and make an impact. We are industry and sector agnostic and support both private and public companies with their investor relations programs, corporate communications and corporate governance. For more information visit www.irlabs.ca. CONTACT: Alyssa Barry Principal and Co-Founder IR Labs Inc. alyssa@irlabs.ca 833-947-LABS (5227) SOURCE: IR Labs Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699138/irlabs-Hosts-Capital-Markets-Comeback-Tour-Across-Canada Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) (OTCQX: LSANF) ("Los Andes" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has been advised that RCF VI CAD LLC ("RCF") has entered into a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") to sell (the "Proposed Sale") the 2% NSR royalty on the Company's Vizcachitas Copper Project (the "Royalty") owned by RCF pursuant to that certain Royalty Purchase Agreement dated May 27, 2020 (the "Royalty Purchase Agreement"). If the Proposed Sale is consummated, then RCF will owe the Company a contingent purchase price payment of US$5,000,000 pursuant to the terms of the Royalty Purchase Agreement. R. Michael Jones, CEO of Los Andes, said: "We are very pleased to see the proposed sale by RCF to a company planning to complete a direct listing on the TSX-V in the near future. The Royalty Sale and future listing of a new base metal royalty company mark the growing recognition of our copper asset as a rare world class copper deposit at a time of growing interest in copper globally." Details Los Andes Copper Ltd is the 100% owner of the Vizcachitas large open pit Copper Project in Chile. If the Proposed Sale is consummated for the consideration set forth in the Definitive Agreement, then RCF will owe the Company US$5,000,000 following the closing. The Proposed Sale is subject to the successful fundraising by the purchaser of the Royalty and other closing conditions. At this time, the Company can provide no assurance that the transaction will close as planned. The Vizcachitas Project is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, located 120 kilometres north of Santiago, in an area of good infrastructure. The Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA"), delivered in June 2019, highlights that the Project has a post-tax NPV of $ 2.7 billion and an IRR of 26.7%, based on a $3.50 per pound copper price. It also has a Measured Resources of 254.4 million tonnes having a grade of 0.439% copper and Indicated Resource of approximately 1.03 billion tonnes having a grade of 0.385% copper. About Los Andes Copper Ltd. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is an exploration and development company with an 100% interest in the Vizcachitas Project in Chile. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is listed on the TSX-V under the ticker: LA. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Please refer to the technical report dated June 13, 2019, with an effective date of May 10, 2019 and titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Vizcachitas Project", prepared by Tetra Tech. The PEA is preliminary in nature, it 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, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Qualified Person ("QP") and Quality Control and Assurance Antony Amberg CGeol FGS, the Company's Chief Geologist, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. The QP has validated the data by, supervising the sample collection process, through chain of custody records and inspecting the detailed technical data and quality control and assurance information. For more information please contact: R. Michael Jones, P.Eng., CEO rmj@losandescopper.com Tel: +44 203 4407982 BlytheRay, Financial PR Megan Ray Rachael Brooks Tel: +44 207 138 3203 E-Mail: info@losandescopper.com or visit our website at: www.losandescopper.com Follow us on twitter @LosAndesCopper Follow us on LinkedIn Los Andes Copper Ltd Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information; including, without limitation, Spinnaker's ability to raise capital, target and attract institutional and retail investors and focus on developing and expanding the network of investors, analysts and financial intermediaries who are interested in Los Andes. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy, and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122009 US-based CubicPV will supply 1 GW of Direct Wafer silicon solar cells per year to Indian manufacturer Waaree Energies under a five-year contract. The cells will be supplied from its upcoming 2 GW factory in India.From pv magazine India "The company is in active discussions regarding the factory's location," Laureen Sanderson, chief communications officer for CubicPV, told pv magazine. "Effectively immediately, the five-year agreement - subject to certain terms and conditions and with options for renewal - establishes a commitment for an annual purchase volume of 1 GW of Direct Wafer cells from ... 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. Appoints Matthew Moore President of Underwriting, Susanne Figueredo Cook Chief Operating Officer, Phil Hobbs President of Liberty Specialty Markets BOSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Insurance Global Risk Solutions (GRS) President Neeti Bhalla Johnson today announced two newly created global executive leadership positions and appointments: Matthew Moore as President of Underwriting and Susanne Figueredo Cook as Chief Operating Officer. Phil Hobbs was appointed President of Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), succeeding Moore. All positions will report to Bhalla Johnson and are effective May 2. This announcement, which comes less than a year after Bhalla Johnson'sappointment, builds on the organization's leadership team. "We're a leading global commercial and specialty carrier recognized for our values-driven brand, product and geographic breadth, and commitment to working with our clients to help solve their evolving risk needs," said Bhalla Johnson. "We've made progress in working collaboratively across our business yet acknowledge more work needs to be done to make it easier for our broker partners and clients to access the strength of our offerings. These new leadership roles, and the integrated operating model they represent, mark an inflection point in building a high-performance culture that brings global expertise to every client interaction and delivers consistent underwriting profitability." Moore, who will continue to be based in London, previously served as President of LSM -- GRS' global specialty operation -- and has over 25 years of experience in the industry, working for Liberty Mutual in roles of increasing responsibility for the past two decades. Throughout his career in the London and international (re)insurance markets, he has delivered underwriting profitability through clear strategy and strong employee engagement. In his new role, Moore will drive performance through a consistent global culture of underwriting discipline, portfolio management and product leadership. Figueredo Cook joins Liberty Mutual from Travelers Insurance, where she worked for more than 20 years in various leadership positions, including underwriting, claims and global operations. A proven leader, Figueredo Cook will optimize GRS' global operations and integrated processes, aimed to increase efficiency and value for clients and broker partners. Hobbs has over 20 years of experience in the industry and has served LSM for more than 15 years in a range of leadership roles. His previous position was Deputy Managing Director, where he was responsible for developing and implementing underwriting strategy, and prior to this he was Chief Actuary for over a decade. He is an experienced executive who has been on both internal and external market boards. Hobbs and Moore will continue to work together throughout the transition. About Liberty Mutual Insurance At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2020 gross written premium.?We also rank 71st on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2020 revenue.?As of December 31, 2021, we had $48.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue. We employ over 45,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property. For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com . Contact: mediarelations@libertymutual.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1807015/Headshots_Large_Tight_Full_Crop.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/348048/liberty_mutual_logo.jpg Beverly Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - WinkSprout, an approved Shopify Partner, launches today as a platform that automatically matches brands to thousands of social media influencers that fit their specific product niche. During a successful beta testing phase with over 15,000 social media influencers and dozens of Shopify brands, the California-based startup found a consistent need for an automated platform like WinkSprout to reach new audiences and expand their user-generated content (UGC) efforts. "We're excited to launch WinkSprout and help brands connect with the right influencers to create UGC at scale," said WinkSprout Co-Founder Jonathan Rose. "Our platform takes the guesswork out of influencer marketing and makes it easy for brands to get their products in front of new audiences. We're proud to be an approved Shopify Partner and look forward to helping more brands grow their businesses." From product videos and images to tag descriptions, WinkSprout makes it easy for brands to directly import their content into the platform and share it with influencers. Brands can also search for influencers by location, interests, and followers to find the perfect match for their products and campaigns. "We created WinkSprout because we saw a need for a more automated and efficient way for brands to connect with influencers," said Rose. "Our platform is designed to help brands save time and money while still getting the results they need to grow their business." Influencer marketing on social media websites such as Instagram and TikTok has become one of the most effective ways for brands to reach new audiences in recent years. "The influencer marketing industry is growing rapidly, and we're excited to be at the forefront of this trend," said Rose. "We believe that WinkSprout has the potential to revolutionize the way brands connect with influencers and create UGC." To learn more about WinkSprout, visit WinkSprout's website or follow them on social media. About WinkSprout: WinkSprout is an automated platform, allowing for easy connection between Shopify merchants and content creators. Their system makes it a breeze for brands to get their products in front of new audiences via influencer marketing on social media websites, such as Instagram and TikTok - two platforms that have seen rapid growth in recent years. Shopify has featured WinkSprout as an approved partner to help brands save time and money while still getting the results they need to grow their business. Media Contact Jonathan Rose WinkSprout Co-Founder Email: Jonathan@winksprout.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121989 Deepspatial joins the NielsenIQ Partner Network to gain access to NielsenIQ's leading consumer intelligence & data analytics resources and Fortune 500 clients to enrich its Geospatial AI solutions. NielsenIQ clients will now be able to benefit from the patented Deepspatial Geospatial AI Platform that will help businesses and organizations make better, data-driven decisions. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Deepspatial (CSE:DSAI)(OTCQB:DSAIF) ("Deepspatial" or the "Company"), an outcome-based artificial intelligence (AI) company, enabling organizations to enhance their decision-making capabilities by leveraging the power of data and AI, today announced it has joined the NielsenIQ Partner network, the industry's largest open ecosystem of technology-driven solution providers for retailers and manufacturers in the consumer packaged goods industry. NielsenIQ is the leader in providing the most complete, unbiased view of consumer behaviour, globally. Since launching in 2016, the NielsenIQ Partner Network has been instrumental in driving business value for more than 200 unique NielsenIQ clients by simplifying industry collaboration and providing more relevant and accurate results from partners that better align with the way clients measure their business. The partnership empowers its partners to gain access to Nielsen's network of Fortune 500 clients. NielsenIQ clients also benefit a great deal as they can work directly with any of the partners who specialize across a broad range of areas including demand planning, data harmonization, machine learning, AI-driven promotion, and many other features. The offering with NielsenIQ will be on a revenue share basis. "Partnering with NielsenIQ is a big step in the right direction as we can now provide our clients with even more rich and deep data insights. Furthermore, leveraging Nielsen's Fortune 500 clients and being positioned in front of them is a major opportunity for Deepspatial," said Dr. Rahul Kushwah, CEO of Deepspatial. "We believe our AI-driven solutions that help businesses and organizations make smart, data-driven decisions will be well-positioned by our relationship with NielsenIQ." "The NielsenIQ Partner Network was formed to enable innovation and we are happy to add Deepspatial to our growing list of advanced solution providers," said Hans Feenstra, Market Leader, Connect Partner Network, NielsenIQ. Through the unmatched breadth of our collaborative ecosystem of trustworthy and innovative partners, our clients are uniquely positioned to solve their biggest problems and stay ahead of a rapidly changing consumer landscape." Dr. Kushwah appeared on Proactive Media for an interview accompanying this press release: About Deepspatial Deepspatial (CSE:DSAI)(OTCQB:DSAIF) is an outcome based artificial intelligence company, enabling organizations to enhance their decision-making capabilities by leveraging the power of data and AI. From finding the most efficient supply chain routes to knowing where to develop next, Deepspatial's AI-driven platform enables its clients to visualize what's going on, predict what's coming, analyze data, and optimize processes to make smarter decisions for a better future. For more information, visit www.Deepspatial.ai and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. About NielsenIQ NielsenIQ is the industry leader in global measurement and data analytics, and the most trusted source for retail and consumer intelligence. The NielsenIQ Connected Partner Network helps consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail clients get the most value from data and allows clients to discover new. NielsenIQ, an Advent International portfolio company, has operations in nearly 100 markets, covering more than 90% of the world's population. For more information, visit www.nielseniq.com. Caution regarding Forward Looking Information: THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED NOR DOES IT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results of the Company. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulations under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein, such as, but not limited to dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; the ability to obtain intellectual property rights related to its technology; limited operating history; general business, economic, competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties, and in particular, uncertainties related to COVID-19;risks related to factors beyond the control of the company, including risks related to COVID-19; risks related to the Company's shares, including price volatility due to events that may or may not be within such party's control; reliance on management; and the emergency of additional competitors in the industry. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except required by law. For more information, please contact: Investor Relations Corey Matthews Investors@deepspatial.ai Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rahul Kushwah Rahul@deepspatial.ai SOURCE: Deepspatial View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699123/Deepspatial-Joins-the-NielsenIQ-Partner-Network-with-NielsenIQ-to-Empower-Businesses-with-AI-Driven-Insights Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Leveljump Healthcare Corp. (TSXV: JUMP) (OTCQB: JMPHF) (FSE: 75J) ("Leveljump" or the "Company"), a Canadian leader in B2B telehealth solutions, is pleased to announce today its reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. Financial and Operational Highlights Revenues from Canadian Teleradiology Services, Inc. ("CTS") operations hit record level with $6,719,272 in revenues for 2021. Year over Year revenue increase of $1,263,432 an increase of 23.2%. 2021 Financial Results Revenues of $1,798,993 in Q4 and $6,719,272 for the year 2021 with a net loss of $537,965 for Q4 and a net loss of $2,228,986 for the year 2021. CTS net profit of $148,673 in Q4. $508,703 for the year 2021. JUMP adjusted EBITDA of $(298,000) for Q4 and $(338,000) for the year 2021. Subsequent to the Year End Subsequent to the year end, the Company completed the following transactions in summary form; Completed private placements for gross proceeds of approximately $1.5 million. Acquired 3 IHF x-ray centers in Ontario for $4.3 million of which $3.2 million was financed by TD Canada Trust. The Company expects the centers to increase company revenues by up to $1.5 million in 2022 and add almost $400,000 to EBITDA in 2022. Increased its direct and indirect ownership in Real Time Medical Inc. to 36%. Increased its ownership in Shaw Vision Inc. and Shaw Lens Inc. to 34.6%. Management Comments "Our operating subsidiary CTS had a very strong year in 2021 with a solid net profit. We expect CTS to continue its organic growth pace in 2022 and beyond. The acquisition of the x-ray and ultrasound centers will add considerably to the bottom line at CTS." "Our negative EBITDA is primarily due to administrative costs for the parent company, stock based compensation, legal expenses and advertising and marketing, we expect that those costs will be reduced further in 2022 and with the revenue stream from our acquisitions completed as well as future acquisitions, along with the growth of CTS, profits from the operating businesses will eventually overshadow the costs of maintaining the public company," Rob Landau, CFO. "2021 was a year of record revenues from operations. The demand for telehealth solutions is increasing, said Mitch Geisler CEO. Our 2022 acquisitions of the IHF centers will ensure our 2022 revenues set another record for the Company. We plan to continue focusing on both organic growth and identifying additional acquisitions that are generating positive cash flow." Non-IFRS Financial Measures This news release contains financial terms (such as adjusted EBITDA) that are not considered in IFRS. Such financial measures, together with measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide useful information to investors and shareholders, as management uses them to evaluate the operating performance of the Company. The Company's determination of these non-IFRS measures may differ from other reporting issuers, and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Further, these non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance or cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS. These financial measures are included because management uses this information to analyze operating performance and liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA Management believes adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure to determine the Company's ability to generate cash available for working capital, capital expenditures, debt repayments, interest expense and income taxes. EBITDA refers to net income (loss) determined in accordance with IFRS, before depreciation and amortization, net interest expense (income) and income tax expense (recovery). The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, plus stock-based compensation expense, restructuring, fair value adjustments, listing expense and transaction costs, impairment and finance income. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) is as follows: Three Months ended December 31 Year ended December 31 ($ in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) (538) (11,668) (2,228) (11,563) Add back: Depreciation and amortization 9 8 36 33 Net interest expense 42 153 69 202 Stock-based compensation 36 68 743 68 Misc and foreign exchange - 36 15 36 EBITDA (451) (11,404) (1,365) (11,224) Add back: One time transaction costs 153 546 677 546 Listing Expense - 8,750 - 8,750 Professional Fees related to Listing - 191 350 211 Royalty Buyout - 2,000 - 2,000 Adjusted EBITDA (298) 83 (338) 283 For further details on the results, please refer to Leveljump's Management, Discussion and Analysis and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, which are available on the Company's website (www.leveljumphealthcare.com) and under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). About LevelJump Healthcare Leveljump Healthcare Corp., (TSXV: JUMP) (OTCQB: JMPHF) (FSE: 75J) is building a national medical diagnostic imaging company and brand, primarily by providing teleradiology (remote radiology) services to its client hospitals and imaging centers. Additionally, JUMP plans to expand through the acquisition of independent healthcare facilities focused on diagnostic imaging as well as acquiring new disruptive imaging technologies. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF LEVELJUMP HEALTHCARE CORP. Mitchell Geisler, Chief Executive Officer info@leveljumphealthcare.com (833) 840-2020 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's business plans and the outlook of the Company's industry. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Company, Canadian Teleradiology Services, Inc., their securities, or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122016 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Biden Administration on Wednesday sounded the alarm for the urgent need for Congress to provide funding for the nation's continued fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. In March, the President laid out a comprehensive National Covid-19 Preparedness Plan to keep the country moving forward safely, by ensuring that lifesaving tools like vaccines and treatments remain free and widely available to Americans, by preparing for potential surges and new variants, and by getting more shots in arms around the world. With an uptick in cases in parts of the country, and virus has proven itself to be unpredictable, Congress must act urgently to help save more American lives and ensure the country remains prepared, the White House said in a statement. It laid out the severe consequences as follows, of Congressional inaction on approving additional Covid-19 response funding. The Administration cannot secure enough booster shots for every American, if they are needed in the fall, without funding. The Administration cannot restock the nation's supply of lifesaving treatments. The federal government will not be able to invest in next-generation treatments that have the potential to provide broader protection against future variants or to treat people who may not be able to take full advantage of current treatments. Congressional inaction will put immunocompromised individuals at greater risk. Due to lack of funding, the Government had to substantially scale back its plans to purchase additional courses of Evusheld, a preventive therapy for immunocompromised people. The Administration cannot sustain domestic testing manufacturing capacity and will be unprepared for another surge in testing demand. As Covid cases continues to rise in the United States, 89033 new cases of coronavirus infection and 800 deaths due to the disease were recorded in the country on Wednesday, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. In both the Covid metrics, these are the highest daily figures in recent months. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Istanbul, Turkey--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - BuradanBastir, which made a fast entry into the Turkish market last year as an online printing center, has expanded to the European continent under a different name. The Company, which got into this market with a more global name, defined its brand name as Fastprint24. In this new venture, they have added English alongside the Romanian and Italian language options. Thus, they have made this service more accessible for foreign students living in Italy and Romania and for all foreign occupational groups. "When we started this business in Turkey, we had a principle: 'To provide the fastest document delivery service with high-quality photocopies!' We started working to deliver documents within hours, just like an online food order. In Istanbul, where our head office is located, we can now deliver documents within 2 hours with the express cargo option. This exclusive service provided great value for our brand. Frankly speaking, we hadn't thought there would be so much demand. Apart from the students, people from many different sectors started to prefer BuradanBastir. Our brand started to grow as lawyers, architects and many other occupational groups became satisfied with our service. After these positive developments, we decided to take our brand to a more global level. By starting to offer this service in Romania and Italy, we have made our first entry into the European market." - From Founder of BuradanBastir & Fastprint24, Viktor Buchko BuradanBastir & Fastprint24 Founder To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8694/122012_c8d6eb4be4082849_001full.jpg BuradanBastir continues its success with Fastprint24 The headquarter of Fastprint24, a more global enterprise with a different name, is in Bucharest, Romania. The Company first created this enterprise to serve all cities of Romania. In Italy, the headquarters became the capital city of Rome. The Company, which has a wide distribution and service network, can provide this service to all mainland and islands. Procedures for Confidential Documents The Company prioritizes the confidentiality of the documents. The files uploaded for the order are automatically deleted from the system within 10 days. Or, the customer can delete these files manually from their profile immediately. As a result, important documents do not stay on the web and there is no risk of being exposed. Additional Feature of Fastprint24 Enterprise One of the important innovations brought by the Fastprint24 brand is the mobile applications created for both IOS and Android. The most important feature of these applications, which are only available in beta version in Romania for now, is that they make giving orders quite easy. Thus, it makes it possible to order simply from a mobile phone without the need for a computer. "Sometimes, people who leave the city without taking their documents with them can place an order using our mobile application. Thus, they can immediately receive their important documents no matter where they are." - From the Founder of BuradanBastir & Fastprint24, Viktor Buchko The Company, which gives importance to brand value and service quality, seems to continue with similar innovations that make life easier. Fastprint24 logo To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8694/122012_c8d6eb4be4082849_002full.jpg Follow Fastprint24 on Facebook and Instagram Fastprint24 Application links for IOS and Android For more information please visit the website or contact us directly : Contact: Founder, Viktor Buchko BuradanBastir Website: https://buradanbastir.com/ Email: destek@buradanbastir.com Fastprint24 Website : https://fastprint24.com/ Email : info@fastprint24.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122012 CAIRO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World-renowned architect Adrian Smith along with his partners Gordon Gill and Robert Forest, representing their international design firm, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG Architecture), will design their first project in Egypt's New Administrative Capital (NAC) together with their partner, Magnom Properties, the newly established real estate arm of the Saudi Rawabi Holding. This was announced following a meeting of Adrian Smith with Dr Mostafa Madbouly the Prime Minister of Egypt and top Egyptian officials. He also toured various developments including the NAC, which is set to be the new administrative and financial capital of the country. AS+GG Architecture is exploring the possibility of working on additional projects in the country including the design of an upcoming project at NAC. Adrian Smith feted the scale of construction and achievements at NAC, adding that Egypt has captivated the world with its forward-thinking approach and extensive knowledge, which has left a strong impression on people across the world. He said, "We are looking forward to our partnership with Magnom Properties to develop yet another architectural marvel at NAC. The new mega projects at NAC will play a major role in shaping the future of the Capital to be more people-centric by adopting the highest standards of sustainability, underlining the need to achieve carbon neutrality as a strategic priority." As part of the tour, the team visited the site of the Iconic Tower, a skyscraper anchoring the Capital, set to be the tallest building in Africa when completed. Over the last few years, Egypt has designed and developed an urban Capital that serves the needs of the community. The development features residential neighbourhoods to educational and religious institutions and medical facilities, in addition to having the largest park in the world. The urban designs are unique in their modern outlook maintaining the rich cultural heritage of Egypt at the same time. The New Administrative Capital provides all the necessary services, hence offering a model for future cities. Today, architects such as AS+GG Architects, are more invested in the human-centric experience, and design concepts take into consideration the relationship between structures and people's needs. This will reflect in the new design by the company. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1807203/Magnom_Properties_1.jpg NOIDA, India, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Geospatial World is proud to announce the release of its annual GeoBuiz 22: Global Geospatial Industry Outlook Report. The GeoBuiz Report 2022 provides businesses and governments alike with demonstrable evidence of the broader value of unlocking geospatial capabilities and sets out key implications, suggestions, and ambitions to spearhead the shared vision of increasing the adaptability of geospatial information and technology. Some of the key highlights include: The global geospatial market is forecasted to be USD 681 billion in 2025, in 2025, The market is estimated to grow at a much faster rate post-2025, making it USD 1.44 trillion by 2030, on the backbone of strategic public policy reforms, industry acceleration strategies, and innovations in the digital twin and metaverse paradigm, by 2030, on the backbone of strategic public policy reforms, industry acceleration strategies, and innovations in the digital twin and metaverse paradigm, The current growth in the market is driven by technology innovation, integration of workflows, and augmentation of spatial analytics in business processes, Increasing government investments, strategic public policy reforms, and the evolving role of national geospatial agencies and governments is expected to drive the market growth post-2025, GNSS and Positioning is forecasted to be the largest and growing geospatial technology segment with approx. 45 percent of the total market share, followed by GIS and Spatial Analytics at approx. 25 percent and earth observation at approx. 17 percent, The economic impact of geospatial technologies on the global economy is currently estimated to be in the range of USD 2.2 trillion to 5.4 trillion, while it shall expand in the range of USD 5.4 trillion to USD 10.2 trillion in 2025. "The global geospatial industry is one of the fastest-growing industries today, and is transforming from being a product driven to a solutions driven industry, with embedment across mainstream IT and engineering technologies. By 2030, the revenues of this market is expected to be more than $1.4 trillion, owing to strategic public policy reforms, industry acceleration strategies, and innovations in the digital twin and metaverse paradigm. Geospatial World's GeoBuiz-22: Global Geospatial Industry Outlook Report extensively elaborates on futuristic technologies and business dynamics that are expected to impact the geospatial, and allied industries in the near future. The Innovation to Impact Matrix, is definitely something that would interest geospatial industry leaders as it entails information pertaining to the relative position of the major market competitors within the geospatial space", says Ms. Ananya Narain, Director - GW Consulting, Geospatial World. The GeoBuiz-22 report has been developed after a comprehensive exercise of interaction with 500 geospatial industry leaders and with quality survey respondents of over 1500+ stakeholders from the geospatial ecosystem. Download PDF Brochure of Table of Contents and Research Design The report will provide industry leaders with answers to the following questions - What is the current global market size and forecast for 2025 by technology, sub-type, application and region? What are the technology and business trends driving innovation and public policy reforms? How are business models evolving in the geospatial industry ecosystem and what is the future outlook of technology companies? How has the mergers & acquisition and partnership trends evolving in the geospatial industry? What is the current geospatial human resource map and what are the skills which are presently in demand by leading geospatial companies? What is the economic impact of geospatial technologies across industry verticals (application areas)? How are public policy reforms and industry acceleration strategies going to impact the geospatial market growth by 2030? Where do leading technology companies stand against each other in the Innovation to Impact matrix? Get the full report - GeoBuiz-22: Global Geospatial Industry Outlook Report About GeoBuiz Report The GeoBuiz-22 report brings forth the geospatial market size and forecast of geospatial technologies, and it's subsegments by technology sub-type, application, and region from 2022 to 2025 and analyses the various macroeconomic and microeconomic factors affecting the market growth. The report also brings forth a vivid picture of the human resource map and skill requirement of the geospatial industry and throws light on the potential economic impact of geospatial technologies on industry verticals in 2022 and 2025 and the probable impact of public policy reforms and accelerator strategy on the geospatial market in 2030. In addition, the report brings you the Innovation to Impact Matrix, which aims to provide technology businesses with a wide-angle view of the relative position of the major market competitor About GW Consulting GW Consulting, the market research and consulting division of Geospatial World, is a trusted market intelligence disseminator with over 10 years in research and consulting in the geospatial and allied technology domain. With advanced analysis of rich data and analysis that crosses industries and geographies, we provide impactful insights to leaders in the commercial, public and social sectors to develop and facilitate more profound knowledge and understanding of geospatial technologies and their contribution to the world economy and society. Interested in buying the GeoBuiz Report 2022? Book your copy now! Contact: Mr. Pulkit Chaudhary Product Manager GW Consulting, Geospatial World A-145, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201309, India Phone no: 0120 461 2500 Email: pulkit@geospatialworld.net GW Knowledge Hub: https://www.geospatialworld.net/consulting/industry-reports.html Company Website: https://www.geospatialworld.net/ CHICAGO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a research report "Marketing Automation Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Component (Software, Services), Application (Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Inbound Marketing), Deployment Type, Organization Size, Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2027", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Marketing Automation Market size is expected to grow from USD 5.2 billion in 2022 to USD 9.5 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.8% during the forecast period. The rising adoption of SMAC technologies, need for personalized marketing to maximize returns by reaching target audience are a few factors driving the growth of the marketing automation market. Browse in-depth TOC on "Marketing Automation Market" 247 - Tables 51 - Figures 248 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=155627928 Services help organizations in effective integration and implementation of marketing automation software with the existing in-house infrastructure The services segment of marketing automation is expected to have a promising future due to various integration of marketing applications. Services help organizations in building successful customer relationships by continuously supporting them through their business tenure. They also benefit the organizations by enhancing the marketing project execution and streamlining marketing operations. The growing need for integrating marketing automation with other enterprise business applications to drive the growth of marketing automation services. These services offered by vendors help users select the best marketing automation software, which is appropriate to their business needs The Cloud-based marketing automation solutions help reduce the overall costs and provide highly flexible and scalable access to solutions through the IT infrastructure hosted by the cloud service provider. The rising shift from On-premises to cloud infrastructure is propelling the demand for marketing automation solutions. This is due to various benefits of the cloud that include 24x7 data accessibility, rapid implementation, reduced setup, and operational cost, which is Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expense (OPEX), less maintenance cost, scalability, and ease of use for an organization with limited IT staff and budget. The adoption of cloud deployment has risen to grow substantially over the five years, especially in SMEs, as this deployment type provides features, such as pay-per-use, scalability, and flexibility, and offers reduced installation and maintenance costs. These features are expected to increase the demand for cloud-based marketing automation for improving customers' journeys and brand initiatives. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=155627928 The growing demand for social media can increase brand awareness and rise website traffic The social media marketing application are expected to grow at higher CAGR during the forecast period. Social media automation is the process of using automated tools to improve their social media presence through content curation and scheduling social media posts in advance. Automation tools can help reduce the amount of time spent gathering posts and increase audience engagement The intensely competitive market scenario has encouraged SMEs to invest in automated solutions to achieve high business efficiency The SMEs segment is expected to experience a high adoption rate of marketing automation and its associated services. The marketing automation software makes cross-channeling content and strategies easier; saving small businesses even more time and overhead needs without compromising multi-channel reach. SMEs have been majorly dependent on manual processes to manage their resources, such as lead tracking, email marketing, and content creation, majorly due to the lack of awareness and budget constraints. The growing focus on improving customer experience is driving the demand for omnichannel retailing, which is driving the demand for marketing automation applications The retail and consumer goods vertical is expected to contribute and grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. Companies are leveraging the industry-ready technology to enhance user experience and ensure customers do not switch to any of their competitors. The industry is expanding through online marketing and looking forward to having more visitors, achieving improved quality traffic, and increasing conversion rates. Thus, marketers are focusing on targeting customers using different online channels and sources to reach out and convert prospects to improve sales. Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=155627928 North America to dominate the marketing automation market in 2022 North America is one of the most technologically advanced regions in the world. The adoption of the marketing automation solution is expected to be the highest in North America compared to other regions. This is because of the rising expenditure of companies on digital solutions and advanced technologies for automating the marketing tasks, such as product selling, advertising, and product campaigns. The North American marketing automation software market is highly competitive and consists of several major players such as Oracle, Adobe, and IBM, these companies are leveraging strategic collaborative initiatives to increase their market share and profitability Key Players: The major Players for Marketing Automation Market includes Adobe (US), IBM (US), Oracle (US), Salesforce (US), Microsoft (US), HubSpot (US), Keap (US), Thryv (US), Sendinblue (France), Teradata (US), Act-On Software (US), ActiveCampaign(US), SAS (US), GetResponse (Poland), SharpSpring (US), ClickDimensions (US). Browse Adjacent Markets: Software and Services Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Digital Process Automation Market by Component, Business Function (Sales Process Automation, Supply Chain Automation, Claims Automation, and Marketing Automation), Deployment Type, Organization Size, Industry Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023 Digital Marketing Software Market by Component, Software (CRM Software, Email Marketing Software, and Social Media Advertising), Service, Deployment Type, Organization Size, Industry Vertical, and Region - Forecast to 2022 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/marketing-automation-software-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/marketing-automation-software.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg The following resolutions have been adopted at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Panevezio statybos trestas AB held on 28 April 2022: 1. The conclusions of the audit regarding the Financial Statements and Annual Report of the Company for the year 2021 . Information heard. 1. The Annual Report of the Company for the year 2021 . Information heard. 1. Approval of the set of Financial Statements of the Company for the year 2021. To approve the set of the Consolidated and Company's Financial Statements of Panevezio statybos trestas AB for the year 2021, which has been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and submitted together with the independent auditor's opinion. 1. Appropriation of profit (loss) of the Company . The following appropriation of profit (loss) of Panevezio statybos trestas AB has been approved: Amount (Euros) Unappropriated profit (loss) of the previous financial year at the end 15,349,2 of the accounting financial year 68 Dividends paid - Net profit (loss) of the accounting financial year 303,350 Profit (loss) of the accounting financial year unrecognized in profit 132,273 (loss) statement Transfers from reserves - Contributions of shareholders to cover the loss of the Company (in - case of the shareholders' decision to cover all or a part of loss) Total profit (loss) available for appropriation 15,784,8 91 a part of profit to the legal reserve - a part of profit to the reserve for the acquisition of own shares - a part of profit to other reserve - a part of profit for dividend paying - a part of profit for bonuses (tantiemes) for the members of the Board - and Supervisory Board, premium pays for employees and other purposes Unappropriated profit (loss) at the end of the accounting financial 15,784,8 year transferred to the next financial year 91 1. Election of the members to the audit committee. The following members have been elected to the audit committee: -- Drasutis Liatukas (as an independent member); -- Irena Kriauciuniene (as an independent member); -- Lina Rageliene. Egidijus Urbonas Managing Director Panevezio statybos trestas AB Information Phone: (+370 45) 505 503 Attachment: https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=1064119 BMO Commercial Property Trust Ltd - Notice of AGM BMO Commercial Property Trust Limited (a closed-ended investment companyincorporated in Guernsey with registration number 50402) LEI Number: 213800A2B1H4ULF3K397 (The "Company") 28 April 2022 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of BMO Global Assets Management, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London. EC2A 2NY on 27 May 2022 at 2pm. The Notice of AGM together with the Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 has been posted to shareholders. In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.3, the Notice of Annual General Meeting, proxy form and accounts have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism Enquiries: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited The Company Secretary Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Tel: 01481 745001 END 28 April 2022 Update on 2022 Exchange Facility Third Point Investors Limited ("TPIL" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the final results of its 2022 exchange facility (the "Exchange Facility"), whereby eligible investors had the opportunity to elect to convert ordinary shares of TPIL ("TPIL Shares") into shares of Third Point's flagship Cayman Fund ("Master Fund Shares") at a 2 per cent. discount to NAV per TPIL Share. Based on the final NAV per TPIL share of $28.06 as at 31 March 2022, approximately 44% of the TPIL Shares that were subject to valid exchange requests have been exchanged into Master Fund Shares. As such, the final number of TPIL Shares exchanged was 2,672,838. The Company's registrar had previously returned from escrow approximately 50% of TPIL Shares to validly electing shareholders, and will as soon as is practicable return the remaining 6%. - Ends - Press Enquiries Third Point Elissa Doyle, Chief Communications Officer and Head of ESG Engagement edoyle@thirdpoint.com Tel: +1 212-715-4907 Buchanan PR Charles Ryland charlesr@buchanan.uk.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5107 Henry Wilson henryw@buchanan.uk.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5111 Notes to Editors About Third Point Investors Limited www.thirdpointlimited.com Third Point Investors Limited (LSE: TPOU) was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2007 and is a feeder fund that invests in the Third Point Offshore Fund (the Master Fund), offering investors a unique opportunity to gain direct exposure to founder Daniel S. Loeb's investment strategy. The Master Fund employs an event-driven, opportunistic strategy to invest globally across the capital structure and in diversified asset classes to optimize risk-reward through a market cycle. TPIL's portfolio is 100% aligned with the Master Fund, which is Third Point's largest investment strategy. TPIL's assets under management are currently $900 million. About Third Point LLC Third Point LLC is an institutional investment manager that actively engages with companies across their lifecycle, using dynamic asset allocation and an ethos of continuous learning to drive long-term shareholder return. Led by Daniel S. Loeb since its inception in 1995, the Firm has a 36-person investment team, a robust quantitative data and analytics team, and a deep, tenured business team. As of 31 March 2022, Third Point manages approximately $16.0 billion in assets for sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, corporate & public pensions, high-net-worth individuals, and employees. First-quarter 2022 consolidated revenue Paris-La Defense, 28 April 2022,5.35 p.m. (CEST) - Assystem S.A. (ISIN: FR0000074148 - ASY), a major player in engineering, today released its revenue figures for the three months ended 31 March 2022 (first-quarter 2022). First-quarter 2022 consolidated revenue and year-on-year changes (unaudited) In millions Q1 2021 reported Q1 2021 restated(1) Q1 2022 Total year-on-year change Like-for-like year-on-year change(2) Group 127.9 118.3 129.1 +9.2% +2.3% Nuclear 81.8 81.8 87.7 +7.2% +6.3% ET&I(3) 46.1 36.5 41.4 +13.6% -6.6% (1)On 1 January 2022, Assystem sold its life sciences and general industry technical assistance activities to Expleo Group. Revenue figures forQ1 2021 have therefore been restated to enable meaningful year-on-year comparisons. (2)Based on a comparable scope of consolidation and constant exchange rates. (3)Including Staffing revenue of 9.7m in Q1 2021and 8.9m in Q1 2022. Assystem's consolidated revenue totalled 129.1 million in the first quarter of 2022, up 9.2% on the restated figure for the first three months of 2021. The year-on-year increase breaks down as 2.3% in like-for-like growth, a positive 6.1% impact from changes in the scope of consolidation (due to the consolidation of the India-based company STUP as from 1 July 2021 and the UK company Schofield Lothian as from 1 October 2021), and a 0.8% favourable currency effect. NUCLEAR (67.9% of consolidated revenue) Revenue from Nuclear activities totalled 87.7 million versus 81.8 million in the first quarter of 2021. This 7.2% year-on-year increase includes 6.3% like-for-like growth and a positive 0.9% currency effect. Growth continued to be led by operations in France and the United Kingdom. ENERGY TRANSITION & INFRASTRUCTURES (ET&I) ET&I revenue came to 41.4 million in the first quarter of 2022.Total year-on-year growth was 13.6%, breaking down as a 6.6% like-for-like decrease, a positive 19.8% impact from changes in the scope of consolidation (STUP and Schofield Lothian), and a 0.4% favourable currency effect. The like-for-like decrease was due to the timing of the ends of contracts (in 2021) and the ramp-up (in 2022) of a number of projects with high revenue streams for ET&I. Therefore, the like-for-like change in revenue for 2022 as a whole should not in any way be extrapolated from first-quarter data. DIVIDEND FOR 2021 At the Annual General Meeting to be held on 3 June 2022, Assystem will recommend the payment of a dividend of 1.00 per share. If the shareholders approve this dividend, it will be paid on 8 July 2022, with an ex-dividend date of 7 July. 2022 FINANCIAL CALENDAR 3 June: Annual General Meeting (9.30 a.m.) 8 July: 2021 dividend payment date (record date: 7 July) 28 July: First-half 2022 revenue release 14 September: First-half 2022 results release - Presentation meeting on 15 September at 8.30 a.m. (CEST) 27 October: Third-quarter 2022 revenue release ABOUT ASSYSTEM As one of the world's leading independent nuclear engineering companies, Assystem's main mission is to help accelerate energy transition. In the Group's 13 countries of operation, the skills of more than 6,000 Assystem experts are being put to the service of developing the production and use of carbon-free electricity (nuclear and renewables) as well as green hydrogen. With over 50 years' experience in highly regulated sectors subject to stringent safety and security constraints, the Group provides engineering and digital services and solutions to optimise the cost and performance of its clients' complex infrastructure assets throughout their life cycles. To find out more visit www.assystem.com / Follow Assystem on Twitter: @Assystem Philippe Chevallier CFO & Deputy CEO Tel.: +33 (0)1 41 25 28 07 Anne-Charlotte Dagorn Communications Director acdagorn@assystem.com (mailto:acdagorn@assystem.com) Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 03 70 29 Agnes Villeret Investor relations - Komodo agnes.villeret@agence-komodo.com Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 28 04 15 Attachment Regulatory News: Mercialys (Paris:MERY): During its meeting on April 28, 2022 following the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors was informed that the company La Forezienne de Participations, a non-independent director, represented by Mr David Lubek, was resigning from its position as a director. This resignation took effect following this Board meeting. This resignation and that of Mr Michel Savart, submitted on April 26, 2022, follow the Casino group's divestment of its remaining interest in Mercialys' capital, as announced on April 4, 2022. Mr Jacques Dumas, a non-independent director, will continue in his office. As Mr Dumas has retired from the Casino group, Mercialys' Board of Directors will be able to continue to benefit from his expertise, particularly regarding legal, financial and real estate aspects. The Board of Directors praised the work accomplished by the Casino group's representatives since Mercialys' initial public offering in 2005, as well as the quality of the dialogue established within its governance structures over the past 17 years, helping develop the Company's economic performance, in line with governance best practices. The Company's Board of Directors, through the work of the Appointments, Compensation and Governance Committee, will recruit directors making it possible to ensure its governance's continued alignment with the best standards, and will notably continue working towards gender parity. Lastly, as the General Meeting on April 28, 2022 voted to approve the renewal of Mr Eric Le Gentil's term of office as a director, he was reappointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors for three years. The terms of office of Mr Vincent Ravat as Chief Executive Officer and Ms Elizabeth Blaise as Deputy Chief Executive Officer were also renewed for the same period. This press release is available on www.mercialys.com. About Mercialys Mercialys is one of France's leading real estate companies. It is specialized in the holding, management and transformation of retail spaces, anticipating consumer trends, on its own behalf and for third parties. At December 31, 2021, Mercialys had a real estate portfolio valued at Euro 3.1 billion (including transfer taxes). Its portfolio of 2,134 leases represents an annualized rental base of Euro 168.8 million. Mercialys has been listed on the stock market since October 12, 2005 (ticker: MERY) and has "SIIC" real estate investment trust (REIT) tax status. Part of the SBF 120 and Euronext Paris Compartment B, it had 93,886,501 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021. IMPORTANT INFORMATION This press release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding future events, trends, projects or targets. These forward-looking statements are subject to identified and unidentified risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to Mercialys' Universal Registration Document available at www.mercialys.com for the year ended December 31, 2021 for more details regarding certain factors, risks and uncertainties that could affect Mercialys' business. Mercialys makes no undertaking in any form to publish updates or adjustments to these forward-looking statements, nor to report new information, new future events or any other circumstances that might cause these statements to be revised. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005773/en/ Contacts: Analyst and investor contact Luce-Marie de Fontaines Tel: +33 (0)1 82 82 75 63 Email: ldefontaines@mercialys.com TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - President Joe Biden will visit South Korea and Japan to further deepen the United States' ties with the governments, economies, and people of the two allied Asian countries. This trip will advance the Biden-Harris Administration's rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to U.S. treaty alliances with the Republic of Korea and Japan, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on the President's Travel plan. The Presidential visit, scheduled for May 20 to May 24, will build on more than a year of Washington's intensive diplomacy with the Indo-Pacific. Biden is hosting the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit on May 12-13 in Washington, D.C. In South Korea, President Biden will hold bilateral meeting with his newly elected counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol. While in Japan, Biden will meet Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. 'The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties, and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results,' Psaki said. In Tokyo, President Biden will also meet with the leaders of the Quad grouping of Australia, Japan, India, and the United States. 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. Improved net result and US operations profitable Strengthened investments for innovation Cash runway over 24 months Back to growth in 1Q22 Regulatory News: SpineGuard (FR0011464452 ALSGD) (Paris:ALSGD), an innovative company that deploys its DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) sensing technology to secure and streamline the placement of bone implants, announced today its full-year 2021 financial results, as approved by the Board of Directors on April 28, 2022 and its first quarter 2022 sales. thousands IFRS audited 2021 2020 Revenue 4 405 4 852 Gross Margin 3 606 4 036 Gross margin (% of revenue) 81,9 % 83,2% Sales, distribution marketing 2 660 2 578 Administrative costs 1 394 1 740 Research Development 791 680 Operating profit (loss) -1 239 -961 Non-recurring operating costs -110 -875 Financial Result -299 -844 Income Tax -76 -37 Net profit (loss) -1 725 -2 716 EBITDA -1 063 -1 284 Pierre Jerome, co-founder, Chairman and CEO of SpineGuard, said: "In 2021, we considerably strengthened the company financially while significantly advancing our innovation pipeline and putting in place the necessary means to boost the commercial dynamic in the United States. We are now back to growth in this first quarter of 2022 despite the impact of the Omicron variant on elective surgery's activity in January and February. This first quarter is already proving particularly fruitful for SpineGuard with consecutively the signing of a very promising partnership with WishBone Medical in pediatric orthopedics, the 19th clinical publication on our DSG technology, our first patent in robotics and the clearance by the FDA for the commercial release of the Threaded PediGuard in anterior approach spine surgery. Three of these four great achievements directly concern the US market, the largest and most strategic for SpineGuard." Net operating result under control and increased investments for innovation The Company increased its investments for innovation and strengthened its commercial activity in the United States while maintaining strict discipline on expenses. The Net Loss was reduced to -1,725K vs. -2,716K in 2020. Gross margin decreased by 130 bps at 81.9% vs. 83.2% mainly due to the lower percentage of sales made in the United States where sales prices are higher than in the rest of the world. Sales prices remained stable in the United States while they increased in the rest of the world due to a significantly different country mix compared to 2020. Operating expenses decreased by 3.1% or 153K reflecting a rigorous control of operational expenses over the year in the still impacting context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Non-recurring operating costs are mainly related to the French "sauvegarde" and US Chapter 11 proceedings at 110K vs. 875K in 2020. Working capital requirements were -133K vs. -176K in 2020. Financial expenses were -299K mainly corresponding to the interest charges of the venture loan with Norgine Venture, Harbert European Growth Capital and Bpifrance. There are 44K of forex rate gains and 179K of non-cash financial expenses, which have no impact on the cash and are related to the compliance with IFRS accounting principles on financing instruments. Cash runway extended over 24 months At December 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents were 5.2M, plus the secured 5.0M of convertible warrants (BSAR) secured with Nice Green. As of March 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were 4.3M. With the balance of the equity line of 5.0M, SpineGuard's cash runway stands at over 24 months. In addition, should 100% of the Warrants be exercised, the free allocation of Redeemable Warrants set up in June 2021 may generate gross proceeds of 5,370K and would extend by 24 month the cash runway. Significant R&D advances Robotic application: In 2021, the collaborative work with the ISIR of Sorbonne University made solid progress with the implementation of a new platform of experimental equipment including a medical grade robotic arm, a programmable drilling set, as well as various equipment. This enabled specific 3rd generation programming for the automated detection of bone breaches and the performance of a large-scale in-vitro study which produced outstanding results: 100% success in 104 drillings with a submillimeter precision. In parallel, the Company took steps for its IP protection. The European collaboration project Faros (Functional Accurate RObotic Surgery) continued, with tangible results expected in 2022, which will reinforce the value proposition of the DSG technology and bring differentiation to orthopedic robots. Robotic DSG application to a smart drill: The company started in 2021 the development of a universal solution called "SUD" (Smart Universal Drill), aiming at enhancing orthopedic power drills currently used in hospitals. This device integrating the fruits of the robotic DSG program will allow for the detection of an impending bone breach to automatically stop the drilling thus preventing neurologic or vascular complications. It will be universal in the field of orthopedic surgery, in spine and beyond, because it will adapt to any drill in the market and to any surgical technique used by the surgeon: manual, navigated, or guided by a robotic arm. Connectivity and signal visualization: The new generation of PediGuard "DSG Connect" products includes a Bluetooth-like transmitter as well as data visualization and processing software on a dedicated tablet. This new platform aims to facilitate the interpretation of the DSG signal by surgeons and to allow them to record data for follow-up and research purposes for the measurement of bone quality. Over a hundred surgeries were performed as part of the pre-launch in Europe, the United States and Brazil despite the constraints of the pandemic. The extremely encouraging feedback from the first users should allow a full commercial launch during the NASS (North American Spine Society) and the Eurospine in October of this year. Bone Quality Measurement (BQM): In 2021, Sorbonne University finalized the collection of DSG data from the surgeries performed at the Trousseau Hospital of Paris to feed the algorithms of our robotics program and measure bone quality. Dental implantology worldwide license and collaboration with ConfiDent ABC, a subsidiary of Adin Group: The partnership with ConfiDent ABC (Adin Group) within the framework of the exclusive worldwide license agreement for DSG technology for dental implantology continues with the objective to launch a disruptive product in this field. Strengthening of intellectual property: In 2021, the Company consolidated and extended its international patent portfolio with the following highlights: Obtention of the "Real Time" patent in Japan and the United States after the 2020 granting in China. These patents extend the protection of DSG technology until 2035 in geographies representing major markets in the sector, Multiple applications were filed in the field of robotics and dental, A total of 80 patents and applications, in 17 families as of today. End of the French 'sauvegarde' and US Chapter 11 proceedings On March 24, 2021, the Commercial Court of Creteil ended the voluntary French 'sauvegarde' proceeding engaged by the Company. The U.S. court of Delaware did the same on August 24, 2021. The company is now executing the agreed plans. 2022 First quarter revenue Global revenue in the first quarter of 2022 was 1,131K vs. 1,049K in Q1 2021 a 7.9% increase as reported in a context significantly impacted by the Omicron variant peaks of infection in January and February which forced many hospitals to defer elective surgeries particularly in the US and in Europe due to staff shortages and in order to face the new influx of Covid-19 patients. SpineGuard sold 1,361 DSG units in the first quarter of 2022 vs. 1,360 units in Q1 2021 of which 569 units in the USA vs. 558 in 2021. US revenue increased by 6% as reported (-2% cc) at 739K vs. 700K. Outside the USA, the positive dynamics initiated in the second half of 2020 continued, and revenue grew by 13% at 392K vs. 348K in the first quarter of 2021. This is the sixth consecutive quarter with double digit growth OUS. 2022 Perspectives SpineGuard is focusing on the following priorities while investing selectively to remain close to breakeven: Boost commercial activities with the launch of the DSG-Connect visual interface and the partnership with WishBone Medical Deploy the DSG digital technology in the surgical robotic field Develop a Smart Universal Drill (SUD) embedding the DSG AI Support ConfiDent with the design and scale-up of the DSG dental applications Sign new strategic partnerships Next events: General Meeting on June 8, 2022 2022 half-year revenue on July 12, 2022 About SpineGuard Founded in 2009 in France and the USA by Pierre Jerome and Stephane Bette, SpineGuard is an innovative company deploying its proprietary radiation-free real time sensing technology DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) to secure and streamline the placement of implants in the skeleton. SpineGuard designs, develops and markets medical devices that have been used in over 85,000 surgical procedures worldwide. Nineteen studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated the multiple benefits DSG offers to patients, surgeons, surgical staff and hospitals. Building on these strong fundamentals and several strategic partnerships, SpineGuard has expanded the scope of its DSG technology in innovative applications such as the smart pedicle screw, the DSG Connect visualization and registration interface, dental implantology and surgical robotics. DSG was co-invented by Maurice Bourlion, Ph.D., Ciaran Bolger, M.D., Ph.D., and Alain Vanquaethem, Biomedical Engineer. SpineGuard has engaged in multiple ESG initiatives. For further information, visit www.spineguard.com Disclaimer: The SpineGuard securities may not be offered or sold in the United States as they have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any United States state securities laws, and SpineGuard does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. This is an announcement and not a prospectus, and the information contained herein does and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or exemption from registration. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005705/en/ Contacts: SpineGuard Pierre Jerome CEO Chairman Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19 p.jerome@spineguard.com SpineGuard Manuel Lanfossi CFO Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19 m.lanfossi@spineguard.com NewCap Investor Relations Financial Communication Mathilde Bohin Pierre Laurent Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 94 spineguard@newcap.eu The Swedish Medical Products Agency (SMPA) has given its approval to treat a compassionate case of osteoarticular infection of a prosthetic joint with the Company's anti-S. aureus phages Regulatory News: Pherecydes Pharma (FR0011651694 ALPHE) (Paris:ALPHE), a biotechnology company specializing in precision phage therapy to treat resistant and/or complicated bacterial infections, today announces the first international approval of a compassionate treatment with its phages, in Sweden. The Swedish Medical Products Agency (SMPA) has given its approval to treat a case of osteoarticular infection of a prosthetic joint with Pherecydes Pharma's anti-S. aureus phages. The treatment should be administered to the patient at Uppsala hospital in the coming days. With the compassionate treatments continuing to be provided in France, Pherecydes Pharma is thus taking the number of patients treated to date to beyond 50. Guy-Charles Fanneau de La Horie, Chairman of the Executive Board of Pherecydes Pharma, stated: "This first international approval for compassionate use with our phages is a major step for Pherecydes Pharma's development. Firstly, it is further proof of the growing global awareness of the health emergency caused by resistant bacterial infections. Indeed, countries' health organizations are closely monitoring this global health issue and are particularly receptive to innovations that provide a therapeutic response. This approval from the SMPA is also recognition of our phages' pharmaceutical quality, one of the criteria scrupulously followed by all health agencies. This decision also confirms that Pherecydes Pharma enjoys a growing international reputation and underscores our strategic approach focusing on compassionate treatment as the first step in positioning our phages prior to their European marketing authorization About Pherecydes Pharma Founded in 2006, Pherecydes Pharma is a biotechnology company that develops treatments against resistant bacterial infections, responsible for many serious infections. The Company has developed an innovative approach, precision phage therapy, based on the use of phages, natural bacteria-killing viruses. Pherecydes Pharma is developing a portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous bacteria, which alone account for more than two thirds of hospital-acquired resistant infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concept of precision phage therapy has been successfully applied in several dozen patients in the context of compassionate use, under the supervision of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). Headquartered in Nantes, Pherecydes Pharma has a team of around twenty experts from the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology sector and academic research. For more information, www.pherecydes-pharma.com Disclaimer This press release contains non-factual elements, including, but not limited to, certain statements regarding future results and other future events. These statements are based on the current vision and assumptions of the management of the Company. They incorporate known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could result in significant differences in results, profitability and expected events. In addition, Pherecydes Pharma, its shareholders and its affiliates, directors, officers, counsels and employees have not verified the accuracy of, and make no representations or warranties about, statistical information or forecast information contained within this news release and that originates or is derived from third party sources or industry publications; these statistical data and forecast information are only used in this press release for information purposes. Finally, this press release may be drafted in French and in English. In the event of differences between the two texts, the French version will prevail. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005817/en/ Contacts: Pherecydes Pharma Guy-Charles Fanneau de La Horie Chairman of the Executive Board investors@pherecydes-pharma.com NewCap Dusan Oresansky Olivier Bricaud Investor Relations pherecydes@newcap.eu T.: +33 1 44 71 94 92 NewCap Arthur Rouille Media Relations pherecydes@newcap.eu T.: +33 1 44 71 00 15 PRESS RELEASE Amsterdam, 28 April 2022 JDE Peet's (EURONEXT: JDEP), the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company by revenue, today announced that, following the decision of Mr. Gerhard Pleuhs to step down from JDE Peet's' Board of Directors (the Board) at the closing of the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 11 May 2022, the Board proposes the appointment of Mr. Jeroen Katgert as non-executive member of the Board. The appointment of Jeroen Katgert is subject to the approval by the general meeting which will be tabled on the agenda of the first general meeting following the 2022 AGM. Until then, Jeroen will temporarily fill-in the vacancy on the Board as a stand-in non-executive member of the Board from 11 May 2022 until the aforementioned anticipated approval. The Board wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to Gerhard Pleuhs for his valuable contribution to the company over the years that he has been actively involved in the continued growth and success of the company. Mr. Jeroen Katgert (1968), Dutch, has been the Senior Vice President Finance, Mondelez Europe since May 2018. Jeroen joined Mondelez Europe in 2008 and held various leadership positions at Mondelez, including Vice President Commercial and FP&A, Vice President Finance Coffee Europe and Vice President Finance "Project One Europe". Prior to joining Mondelez, he spent 16 years at Unilever in a variety of roles, including Vice President Finance Unilever, Supply Chain Europe and Finance Director M&A and Treasury. # # # Enquiries Robin Jansen +31 20 55 81212 IR@JDEPeets.com About JDE Peet's JDE Peet's is the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company, serving approximately 4,500 cups of coffee or tea per second. JDE Peet's unleashes the possibilities of coffee and tea in more than 100 markets, with a portfolio of over 50 brands including L'OR, Peet's, Jacobs, Senseo, Tassimo, Douwe Egberts, OldTown, Super, Pickwick and Moccona. In 2021, JDE Peet's generated total sales of EUR 7 billion and employed a global workforce of more than 19,000 employees. Read more about our journey towards a coffee and tea for every cup at www.jdepeets.com. Attachment H1 2021/2022 RESULTS COMMERCIAL SUCCESS AND INVESTMENTS IN THE GROUP'S DEVELOPMENT Continued strong growth momentum: Hydrogen Stations revenue up 183%; EBITDA loss close to breakeven at 0.7m thanks to tight control of expenses and strong operating performance amid team structuring and strong growth; Net cash position at 41m (excluding IFRS 16); Current order backlog in stations of 70m, multipled by 4 from 17.3m last year; Commercial pipeline of 249m at the prospecting, selection or final negotiation stage; Confirmation of full-year target of doubling Hydrogen Stations revenue. Grenoble, April 28, 2022 - HRS , a European designer and manufacturer of hydrogen refueling stations, presents its interim results for the 2021/2022 financial year[1] (from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021), approved by the Board of Directors on April 28, 2022. Hassen Rachedi, founding Chairman & CEO said: "These half-year results for 2021/2022 once again demonstrate our ability to combine strong growth and control of our operating performance. Our sales momentum accelerated significantly in the first half. We are addressing large-scale projects at the core of the green hydrogen revolution. We have signed contracts for the supply of 45 stations, including the first of the large-capacity stations for Hype. As a result, our order backlog has quadrupled since the same time last year to over 70 million. The needs in respect of hydrogen mobility are mounting significantly, which is why we have also established defining commercial partnerships that will enable us to benefit from growth drivers. One of them is our collaboration with Haffner Energy, where our stations are embedded in a joint offer combining green hydrogen infrastructure, production and distribution. We will step up the pace further over the coming years with large-capacity stations capable of delivering 1 or more tonnes of hydrogen a day. Manufactured in our future industrial site, these stations,which are the most advanced on the market, will enable us to further consolidate our position as sector leader in France and one of the largest manufacturers in Europe. Our achievements underpin our confidence in the continuation of our development plan over the short and medium term." 000 H1 2020/2021 H1 2021/2022 Change Revenue 2,790 4,591 +1,801 Operating expenses[2] -2,473 -5,268 -2,795 Purchases consumed -976 -2,476 -1,500 Personnel expenses -845 -1,877 -1,032 External expenses -625 -878 -253 EBITDA[3] 317 -677 -994 EBIT (before non-recurring items) 4 -1,027 -1,031 Financial income/(expense) 35 -17 -52 Taxes 5 242 +237 Net income/(loss) 45 -794 -839 CONTINUED COMMERCIAL SUCCESS, OPERATING PERFORMANCE UNDER CONTROL The first half of this financial year 2021/2022 saw a major upswing for HRS, as illustrated by the sharp ramp-up in business development. Over the period, HRS was selected to supply 45 new-generation hydrogen stations: 36 for Gaussin, a pioneer in clean and smart freight transport (see press release); 8 stations including 6 one-tonne stations for Hype, operator of the first hydrogen taxi fleet (see press release), with potential for up to 55 additional stations over the coming years; 1 station, after the interim closing date, for Hopium, France's leading manufacturer of high-end hydrogen-powered sedans, which has ordered a 200 kg/day dual-pressure transportable hydrogen refueling station for its testing and development facility (see press release). HRS has started building the first stations under these contracts, which contributed 2.7 million to first-half revenue. Together with the 1.1 million generated from the construction of stations ordered the previous financial year, first-half revenue from Hydrogen Stations totaled 3.8 million, representing stellar growth of 183%. Meanwhile, the legacy Industrial Piping business generated 0.7 million revenue. Total first half revenue amounted to 4.6 million, up 64%. This strong increase in business was accompanied by consummate control of operating expenses, despite extensive hiring to support the Group's expansion. As such, operating expenses amounted to 5.3 million, including 2.5 million in purchases, mainly comprising hydrogen station components, 1.9 million in personnel expenses (up 1.0 million), mainly due to the hiring of 42 new employees in less than a year, including 18 from recently acquired AEI, and external expenses of 1.0 million representing a limited increase of 0.4 million. As a result, the Group recorded an EBITDA loss of 0.7 million for the period, close to breakeven. After net depreciation, amortization and provisions of 0.3 million, the Group posted an EBIT loss of 1.0 million before non-recurring items. After tax income of 0.2 million and a small amount of net financial income, the Group posted a net loss of 0.8 million for the first half of 2021/2022 representing a limited decline of 0.8 million year on year. SOUND FINANCIAL STRUCTURE AND TARGETED STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS 000 6/30/2021 12/31/2021 6/30/2021 12/31/2021 Non-current assets 5,547 18,537 67,905 68,297 Shareholders' equity Current assets 71,226 58,291 2,771 2,936 Non-current liabilities Inventory 533 2,345 1,178 1,293 Loans and borrowings (> 1 year) Trade payables 9,331 10,877 6,096 5,595 Current liabilities Cash and cash equivalents 58,440 42,701 434 386 Loans and borrowings (< 1 year) TOTAL ASSETS 76,773 76,828 76,773 76,828 TOTAL EQUITY & LIABILITIES Operating cash flow for the six months ended December 31, 2021 amounted to a 3.9 million outflow, comprising a gross operating cash outflow of 0.5 million after net cost of debt and tax and a 3.2 million increase in working capital caused by first half business growth, the manufacture of hydrogen stations for delivery and the constitution of inventories of stations and key components in view of the expected increase in orders in the second half of 2021/2022. Meanwhile, cash flow from investing activities amounted to an 11.6 million outflow mainly arising from the 7,0 million subscription to a Gaussin capital increase on September 30, 2021, 0.4 million of R&D expenditure and the development of industrial facilities (3.9 million), of which 3.2 million for the new production and research facility. Cash flow from financing activities amounted to a 0.4 million outflow mainly comprising loan repayments over the period. Accordingly, the Gruoup was in a cash position with gross cash and cash equivalents of 42.7 million as of December 31, 2021, compared to 58 million as of June 30, 2021, and gross borrowings of 1.7 million excluding lease liabilities. Furthermore, HRS is currently awaiting a response for two grants, destined to support investment in the new facility. In addition, out of the 1,129,032 Gaussin shares subscribed in September 2021 at a unit price of 6.2, HRS sold, after the 31th Decembre 2021, 597,200 shares on the date of the press release for a total amount of 4,0 million, at an average price of 6.71, i.e. 0.52 per share more than the price at which they were subscribed. After the closing date, Bpifrance increased its support for HRS's bold development plans by granting three loans (green loan, R&D loan and innovation loan) for a total amount of 3.0 million. In January 2022, to give all employees a stake in the Group's development plan and to reward performance, the Board of Directors decided to implement a plan involving the grant of 23,400 bonus shares to employees. The shares will vest after one year and will then be subject to an additional one-year lock-in period. 2021-2025 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN WELL UNDERWAY The new partnerships signed with Hype and Gaussin are fully in line with HRS's bold development plan to build 100 stations over the 2021-2025 period. As a result, less than a year after its IPO, the Group has already signed contracts for stations to be deployed or already deployed covering nearly half of this target. The Group can also rely on growth drivers through strategic distribution partnerships. The agreement with Haffner Energy is an illustration. It is aimed at establishing a comprehensive green H 2 production/distribution product that will allow the partners to offer joint mobility solutions, including the production of Hynoca, Haffner Energy's green hydrogen, and HRS stations. Order intake since the beginning of the financial year amounts to 71.4 million, bringing the total order intake since the February 2021 HRS' IPO to 82.2 million. Thus, after deducting the revenue already recognized in 2020/2021 and H1 2021/2022, the order book stands at 70.1 million as of April 28, 2022; the corresponding revenue will be recognized between 2022 and 2026. The order book is expected to grow further over the coming weeks. The pipeline of identified projects has increased sharply since the start of the financial year (up 137%), reaching 249 million in potential orders compared to 124 million as of July 1, 2021. In detail, the pipeline comprises: several stations at the final negotiation or selection stage in calls for tenders representing potential revenue of 48 million (up 134% since the start of the financial year), with deliveries staggered over the 2022-2025?period. Some of these deals with key accounts have now reached the final stages and are expected to be closed soon; calls for projects answered by HRS for additional stations to be delivered between 2022 and 2027, representing potential revenue of over 202 million (up 110% since the start of the financial year). CONFIDENCE IN ACHIEVING FY 2021/2022 AND MEDIUM-TERM TARGETS Based on its strong order backlog and rapid accumulation of new projects, HRS is confirming its goal of doubling Hydrogen Stations revenue by June 30, 2022. This objective is based on progress with building stations currently at the assembly stage and the start of construction work on new stations before the end of the financial year, notably through new orders. Besides the order backlog, HRS can count on the strength of current partnerships, particularly Hype, new partners' sales networks, including those of Haffner Energy and Burckhardt Compression in Switzerland, and the finalization of the partnership with Engie covering around 15 projects. The Group is pursuing its business plan aimed at turning it into a European leader in the design and construction of hydrogen refueling stations, with a focus on heavy transport and captive fleets. Management is accordingly pursuing its industrial and commercial deployment plan, particularly in the following areas: development of large-capacity stations.. To that end, in March 2022 HRS signed a partnership with Burckhardt Compression for the joint development of compressors potentially intended for stations with a capacity of over one tonne per day (see press release ) ; the construction of its new production and research facility at Champagnier, near Grenoble. This unique facility, which will make it possible to respond to the significant step-up in demand by increasing production capacity to 180 stations a year, will boast a testing area unrivaled in Europe as well as a wide range of hydrogen equipment and devices. As announced, work began in late 2021, with delivery of the production center and laboratories scheduled for October 2022 followed by the offices in February 2023; HRS has accelerated the structuring of its teams since July 1, 2021 by hiring 24 additional employees, including operating chain managers, a Technical and R&D Director, a Chief Operating Officer, and several specialist engineers in thermodynamics and commissioning. Two new sales representatives, one for Italy and another for Spain and Portugal, have also been hired to expand HRS's area of influence. HRS has 79 employees at December 31, 2021; active participation in key organizations working towards the mass deployment of hydrogen mobility, such as France Hydrogene, European Clean Hydrogen Alliance and Hydrogen Europe. Among other positions, HRS holds the chair of the Hydrogen Europe working group on hydrogen mobility, which is driving the rollout of infrastructure on a European scale. At the same time, the integration of AEI, a company acquired in October last year (see press release), is proceeding according to plan. The new employees will join the historical HRS facility on May 2, 2022, faster than expected in the calendar. It is also planned to carry out the universal transfer of assets from AEI to HRS by May 31. HRS reaffirms its target of generating revenue of 85 million by June 30, 2025, aiming to deliver 100 new stations until then. The Group also confirms its target of achieving an EBIT margin before non-recurring items (EBIT/revenue) of around 20% by June 30, 2025 thanks to the leverage effect of growth on profitability. Next financial press release: 2021/2022 revenue, July 21, 2022 after close of trading ABOUT HRS Founded in 2004, Hydrogen-Refueling-Solutions (HRS), formerly TSM, is pioneer in hydrogen mobility. European designer and manufacturer of hydrogen refueling stations, for over ten years, the Company has been committed to reducing transport emissions. Thanks to its unique experience and know-how, HRS has developed a complete range of hydrogen refueling stations for all types of fuel cell vehicles that is perfectly suited to the needs of a fast-growing European market. At its Champ-sur-Drac site, HRS has mass production capacities that enable it to assemble up to 60 units per year in record time, in as little as 8 weeks. A new 14,300m2 production unit, planned for the fall of 2022, in the Grenoble metropolitan area in Champagnier (Isere), will increase HRS's production capacity to 180 stations per year. The Company posted 2020/2021 revenue of 10.5 million. As of December 31, 2021, the company had 79 employees. (ISIN code: FR0014001PM5 - ticker symbol: ALHRS). CONTACTS Investor Relations ACTUS finance & communication Gregoire SAINT-MARC hrs@actus.fr Tel. +33 1 53 67 36 94 Press Relations ACTUS finance & communication Anne Catherine BONJOUR acbonjour@actus.fr Tel. +33 1 53 67 36 93 [1] These consolidated accounts to IFRS standards include the accounts of HRS as well as the accounts of its subsidiary AEI under full consolidation following the acquisition of AEI by HRS. The group formed by the companies HRS and AEI is hereinafter referred to as the "Group". [2] Excluding depreciation, amortization and provisions [3] According to the definition used by the Group, EBITDA is obtained by eliminating the following items from net income: depreciation and amortization of assets recognized in respect of business combinations; depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment; share-based payment expense, including expensing of the fair value of bonus shares and stock options granted to personnel over the vesting period; other non-recurring operating income and expenses; net cost of debt and other financial income and expense; income tax expense for the year. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: x5xrkZeZl2+XmZ+aZJmbmJdnmm5pm5KbbpKdk2htaJ2YmW2RxZlkmceYZnBll2pp - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-74253-2022_04_28-resultats-semestriels-2021-2022-uk.pdf Quantum Genomics publishes its results for fiscal 2021 and gives an update on its activity Quantum Genomics (Euronext Growth - FR0011648971 - ALQGC), a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of a new class of medicinal products that act directly on the brain in order to address difficult-to-treat/resistant hypertension and heart failure, today reported its full year 2021 results. The annual financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 April 2022. Statutory auditor's report is available on the Company's website: www.quantum-genomics.com. The "Document d'Enregistrement Universel" including the financial report for fiscal year 2021 will be available on the company's website in the coming days. Jean-Philippe Milon, CEO of Quantum Genomics, said: "In an environment still impacted by the pandemic crisis, we continued our research programmes throughout the 2021 fiscal year and signed two new partnership contracts. Our stated ambition is to launch the marketing phase of firibastat for difficult-to-treat or resistant hypertension by the end of 2023. In order to carry out our current projects and to explore new therapeutic indications based on the BAPAIs platform, we have just completed a capital increase, the success of which is a testament to the support and confidence of our historical shareholders, our partner Julphar and new shareholders. We are therefore pursuing our development trajectory with confidence, serenity and determination, and are on track to achieve the first firibastat registration by the end of 2023. This is a fundamental step for Quantum Genomics and its shareholders, and one that has been eagerly awaited by the millions of patients around the world who suffer from resistant or difficult-to-treat hypertension." A strengthen financial situation after the latest capital raise For the full year 2021, Quantum Genomics continued to receive payments due under the partnership contracts announced in 2020. As such, Quantum Genomics invoiced and collected 2.3 million of royalties, corresponding to the upfront payments of the partnership contracts signed in South Korea, Greece and Canada. On top of this amount was the payment of $1 million invoiced in April 2022, corresponding to the first milestone payment following the inclusion of the first South Korean patient in the REFRESH study. At the end of December 2021, operating revenues amounted to 3.2 million compared to 2.3 million a year earlier. Operating income amounted to (19.2 million), compared with (13.9 million) at the end of December 2020. Personnel costs remain under control, with the progress of clinical trials logically meaning an increase of operating expenses. After accounting for the research tax credit of 2.7 million, net income at 31 December 2021 was (16.6 million). Free cash flow (amount of net disbursements related to operations) was (16.9 million) over the period. At the end of this fiscal year, the company's shareholders equity amounted to 11.4 million, to which was added 0.2 million of other equity (conditional advances from Bpifrance). At the start of the year, Orient EuroPharma Co. Ltd (OEP) acquired a stake in Quantum Genomics through a 0.9 million reserved capital increase, strengthening the cooperation between the two companies in Southeast Asia and Oceania. At the end of 2021, cash and cash equivalents amounted to 13.5 million compared to 27.2 million on 31 December 2020, while financial debts amounted to 3.0 million. The latter consist of a 1.5 million state-guaranteed loan granted by BNP and a 1.5 million R&D innovation loan obtained from BPIFrance. On 27 April 2022, Quantum Genomics successfully completed a capital increase for an amount of 17.5 million, including 1.9 million from partner Julphar. This transaction covers the company's needs until the second quarter 2023, while securing the research activities of Quantum Genomics in a difficult global context. The company now has a strengthened shareholder structure and the renewed confidence of its historical shareholders, including Otium Capital and Vatel Capital, its partner Julphar and new institutional investors. Summarized financial information as on 31 December 2021: Data in '000 (French standards) 31/12/2021 31/12/2020 Income 3,162.4 2,261.5 Personnel expenses (2,664.3) (2,328.6) Other operating costs (19,685.1) (13,790.5) Operating income (19,187.0) (13,857.7) Financial result 2.2 (5.0) Current result before tax (19,184.8) (13,862.7) Extraordinary result (32.7) 178.4 Research tax credit 2,661.8 2,147.5 Net result (16,555.7) (11,536.7) Update on the research programmes - Reminder As indicated in the press release from 26 April, the development programme for firibastat, currently in Phase III for difficult-to-treat and resistant hypertension, is on track. Quantum Genomics is confirming its goal of bringing firibastat, in a single daily dose, to registration by the end of 2023, with this formulation promoting better compliance. The company has prioritized its research activities on this first indication and has assembled a first-rate team to carry out this key stage of its development, as illustrated by the recent appointment of Stephane Cohen as Director of Global Operations. As such, despite the health restrictions and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the last patient of the FRESH study, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled efficacy study, should be enrolled in the next few days, for results to be published at the end of October 2022. The study is being conducted under the oversight of an independent data review committee (IDMC) and no serious adverse events have been reported that would require a modification of the protocol. The Phase III REFRESH study was launched in the first half of 2021 with the objective of demonstrating the efficacy at 3 months of once-daily firibastat, as well as the long-term safety (6 to 12 months). Based on the interim results of this study, expected in mid-2023, the marketing application for firibastat will be submitted in the third quarter of 2023, in line with the plan. In the heart failure indication, following the results of QUORUM announced in August 2021, the search for a partner to accompany upcoming development activities is continuing, in parallel with the finalizing of the development plan with the Regulatory Authorities. Quantum Genomics is therefore one step closer to its goal of validating a new class of medicinal products based on an innovative mechanism. In addition to its historical activities, Quantum Genomics intends to build on its development expertise to become a reference company in the development of innovative treatments for needs that are currently being unmet. To this end, the company is exploring new therapeutic areas based on the patented technology platform built around BAPAIs. About Quantum Genomics Quantum Genomics is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of a new class of cardiovascular medicines based on the mechanism of Brain Aminopeptidase A Inhibition (BAPAI). The only company in the world pursuing this innovative approach that directly targets the brain, it is based on more than twenty years of research work by the University of Paris-Descartes and the INSERM/CNRS laboratory headed by Dr. Catherine Llorens-Cortes at the College de France. Quantum Genomics has as its objective to develop innovative treatments for complicated or even resistant hypertension (approximately 30% of patients are poorly controlled or fail to respond to treatment) and heart failure (one out of every two patients diagnosed dies within five years). With its headquarters in Paris, the company is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris (FR0011648971 - ALQGC) and listed on the U.S. OTCQX market? (symbol: QNNTF). More information on www.quantum-genomics.com, our Twitter and Linkedin accounts. Contacts Quantum Genomics contact@quantum-genomics.fr Edifice Communication (EUROPE) Financial and media communication quantum-genomics@edifice-communication.com LifeSci (USA) Mike Tattory Media communication +1 (646) 751-4362 - mtattory@lifescipublicrelations.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: x5ufYcack2iXmXCfZMhtapeUb2tklJKdmJXJxpSeZZeUbWllxmdjZ8idZnBll2Zq - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-74214-28.04.2022-cp-resultats-financiers-2021-eng.pdf Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares For immediate release 28 April 2022 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 41,500 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 825.00p per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 9 February 2022. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 2,115,107; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 222,876,196. The figure of 222,876,196 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 THE Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) has described as shocking some of the questions being asked by Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) enumerators. The country is currently undertaking the 2022 population and housing census which will run up to tomorrow. Citizens have been complaining that they are being asked strange questions by census enumerators such as the type of floor polish they use, their fertility status and other questions which they believe are irrelevant. Speaking during a virtual discussion on enhancing womens capacities to take up political positions, a Zesn official Prisca Dube said: The enumerators are asking questions about relatives in the diaspora and what they are doing there their jobs. Civil society organisations never went to ZimStats to learn about the nature of questions that people will be asked in order to educate them. The census questions have many other variables besides being counted. People are saying questions about whether someone had a still-born baby are shocking. ZimStats public relations officer Roland Chiriga, however, defended the questions, saying they were necessary. Questions about the type of floor polish used show how advanced the country is as they pertain to the type of flooring used. All responses then show us whether we are a developed country (or not). Questions about ones fertility are not weird as we want to know about the growth rate of the population, and whether we have more births than deaths in the country. This helps the Registrar-Generals Office to know the number of birth and death certificates needed, Chiringa said. Newsday Cash position of 7.9 million as of December 31, 2021 Positive clinical results throughout the year Strategic partnership with IRIS Pharma to accelerate development in ophthalmology Regulatory News: ABIONYX Pharma (FR0012616852 ABNX PEA PME eligible) (Paris:ABNX), a new generation biotech company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapies for patients, today presents its annual results 2021 and provides an update on activity to date. Audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements have been carried out. The certification report will be issued after completion of the procedures required for the filing of the universal registration document. Selected financial information (as of 31 December 2021/Consolidated financial statements under IFRS Millions 2021 2020 Revenue 0.7 0 Cost of goods and services sold (0.4) 0 R&D expenditures (3.8) (1.7) Administrative, sales and marketing expenses (2.3) (1.3) Other income and expenses (0.1) Operating income (5.9) (3.0) Financial income 0.3 1.2 Financial expense (0.2) (0.1) Net financial items 0.1 1.1 Net income (5.8) (1.9) Net cash flows related to operating activities (6.7) (0.6) Net cash flow from investing activities 1.3 (0.1) Net cash flows related to financing activities 4.0 1.5 Cash position variation (1.4) 0.8 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 7.9 9.2 Fiscal year 2021 was marked by the acquisition, on December 3, 2021, of 100% of the shares of IRIS Pharma Holding, which itself holds 100% of the shares of IRIS Pharma, a company recognized as one of the world's experts in pharmacokinetics and preclinical research within the ophthalmology community. Details of the main changes in the consolidated financial statements ABIONYX Pharma's activities being dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapies to improve the lives of patients, generated a revenue of 27 K during the fiscal year 2021. Following the acquisition of Iris Pharma, the Group mainly provides two types of services: Pre-clinical activities, for a revenue of 143 K since the acquisition Clinical activities representing a revenue of 505 K since the acquisition. Costs of goods and services sold amounted to 416 K in 2021, corresponding to the costs associated with the pre-clinical and clinical studies carried out in December by Iris Pharma, which has been included in the scope of consolidation since the purchase of IRIS Pharma Holding shares. Research and development expenditures amounted to 3,838 K over the period, compared to 1,698 K in fiscal year 2020, and correspond to the ramp-up of clinical studies in renal indications and ophthalmology and the increase in personnel costs, in particular due to the recruitment of employees for ophthalmology-related activities. However, these costs remain limited in view of all the clinical trials conducted and in progress in LCAT, sepsis and COVID-19 in 2021. As a reminder, the Phase 2a study was entirely funded by the Italian CBVF consortium. Administrative, sales and marketing expenses amounted to 2,336 K in 2021 compared to 1,270 K the previous year. This increase is explained by the growth in activity linked to the integration of IRIS Pharma and by expenses linked to the free share grants on plans that have been definitively awarded and those that have been granted. After taking all these factors into account, operating income fell from a loss of 2,968 K at 31 December 2020 to a loss of 5,952 K at 31 December 2021. The financial income amounts to 130 K on December 31, 2021 against 1,082 K on December 31, 2020, which included the waiver of debt granted by Bpifrance for 900 K on the CER-209 program. The net income thus shows a loss of 5,822 K on December 31, 2021 compared to a loss of 1,886 K on December 31, 2020. Cash and cash equivalents amounted to 7,935 K on December 31, 2021 against 9,154 K on December 31, 2020. Key highlights in 2021 Despite the continuation of the pandemic and for a managed cash burn in view of the tangible results delivered, the year 2021 has been very rich in transforming strategic events and positive clinical results. Initiation of the randomized Phase 2a study named RACERS which concluded with positive interim clinical results The first highlight of the year was the start of the randomized Phase 2a study called RACERS, a RAndomized trial comparing short-term infusions of CER-001 at different doses to prevent induced Acute Kidney Injury in high-risk septic patients. This clinical study is being conducted in partnership with the University of Bari and the Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche (CBVF) consortium, which is funding the entire study. The first patient could only be enrolled in June 2021 due to the pandemic. In April 2022, the Company reported positive interim results for this Phase 2a clinical trial in the treatment of patients with sepsis that demonstrate rapid reversal of the cytokine cascade in sepsis patients, rapid improvement in biomarkers of inflammation, including leukocytosis, compared to standard therapy. No treatment-related side effects were observed during the study. Positive Clinical Results from CER-001 in an ultrarare kidney disease In March 2021, ABIONYX announced positive clinical results from CER-001 in an ultra-rare kidney disease published in exclusively in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. This publication revealed the efficacy of CER-001 in the renal and ophthalmic indication, which constitutes a breakthrough therapeutic innovation in renal diseases and ophthalmology, and the systemic mechanism of action of CER-001. As a reminder, the patient who was about to undergo dialysis due to the rapid decline in kidney function was able to avoid the need for dialysis during his treatment with CER-001. In addition, the patient who was suffering from lipid deposits in the corneas saw the visual blurring disappear. This clear improvement in visual function is still observed after 1 year of follow-up. Strategic partnership with GTP Biologics (Fareva Group) and V-Nano (VBI Therapeutics group) At the end of March 2021, ABIONYX announced the signature of a strategic partnership with GTP Biologics (Fareva Group) and V-Nano (VBI Therapeutics Group) for the bioproduction of the bio-HDL in France. This strategic partnership allows the bioengineering redevelopment of the production of bio-HDL and ensures the relocation of the bioproduction to France. A "raison d'etre" stated in its articles "To develop innovative therapies in indications without effective or existing treatment, even the rarest ones, for the benefit of patients " In June 2021, following these first scientific publications and the graceful availability of its bioproduct in rare diseases, ABIONYX Pharma communicated its "raison d'etre", which was stated in its articles: "To develop innovative therapies in indications with no effective or existing treatment, even the rarest ones, for the benefit of patients". This determination has allowed the remobilization of all ABIONYX Pharma's collaborators, suppliers and shareholders around the common objective of developing innovative therapies and fundamental responsibility towards patients waiting for solutions in the rarest diseases. Orphan Drug Designation from EMA for CER-001 in the kidney indication and ophthalmology In July 2021, ABIONYX Pharma received a positive opinion from EMA within the framework of the the Orphan Drug Designation process for CER-001 for the rare disease LCAT deficiency. This Orphan Drug Designation was one of the first achievements of the new strategy in a rare renal disease and was a key step in the repositioning in renal and ophthalmological diseases. This designation also allowed the securing of the bioproduction of CER-001. Strategic partnership with IRIS Pharma for the development of the first class of bioproducts in ophthalmology In October 2021, ABIONYX Pharma announced positive preclinical results in a model of uveitis that allowed the Company to consider the strategic development of the first class of bioproducts in ophthalmology based on its bio-HDL. These preclinical results led to the initiation of strategic exchanges with IRIS Pharma, one of the world leaders in preclinical and clinical research in ophthalmology, which concluded in November 2021 with the signature of an agreement for the contribution of 100% of IRIS Pharma Holding's capital and the launch of a 4.2 million cash capital increase by private placement. ABIONYX has thus become a specialist in bioproduct candidates for ophthalmology in addition to renal diseases, with a potential portfolio of 3 new bioproducts candidates that could enter the clinical phase and 14 indications in ophthalmology. IRIS Pharma has become a subsidiary of ABIONYX and remains independent in its service activities for the largest pharmaceutical and biotech groups in ophthalmology. New positive clinical results for CER-001 in ultra-rare kidney disease In November 2021, ABIONYX Pharma announced new positive clinical results for CER-001 in renal diseases associated with LCAT deficiency published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. This publication highlighted the efficacy in the renal indication, demonstrated the ability to normalize lipoproteins and further clarified the mechanism of action of CER-001. An equally tight and strategic beginning to 2022 The beginning of 2022 remains equally eventful as in January 2022, ABIONYX Pharma received a Compassionate Access Authorization from the ANSM for its bio-HDL (CER-001) in COVID-19, in which it was able to announce in March 2022 first clinical results published in the journal Biomedecines, demonstrating that CER-001 limits the effects of inflammation, improves reverse cholesterol transport and reduces inflammatory markers and cytokines. At the end of March 2022, ABIONYX Pharma announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted orphan drug designation (ODD) to CER-001 for the treatment of LCAT deficiency, in renal dysfunction and/or ophthalmic disease. The orphan drug designation follows positive results in two compassionate use cases that demonstrated for the first time that bio-HDL treatment can reduce lipid deposition in the kidney, slow the decline in kidney function while eliminating the need for dialysis, beneficially remodel lipoproteins, and alleviate visual impairment due to corneal lipid deposits. The orphan drug designation opens a new strategy for the clinical development of bio-HDL in renal and ophthalmic diseases in the United States. All of the preclinical and clinical results for 2021 and the beginning of this year point to an acceleration of the development of CER-001 in severe renal diseases, which have not seen a breakthrough innovation for a long time, and in ophthalmology with the first class of bioproducts. The Company continues to await further preclinical and clinical results. About ABIONYX Pharma ABIONYX Pharma is a new generation biotech company that aims to contribute to health through innovative therapies in indications where there is no effective or existing treatment, even the rarest ones. Thanks to its partners in research, medicine, biopharmaceuticals and shareholding, the company innovates on a daily basis to propose drugs for the treatment of renal and ophthalmological diseases, or new HDL vectors used for targeted drug delivery. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006031/en/ Contacts: NewCap Investor relations Louis-Victor Delouvrier abionyx@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 98 53 NewCap Media relations Arthur Rouille abionyx@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15 DGAP Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Announcement on Publication of the IFRS version of Annual Report 2021 on Hong Kong Stock Exchange Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Release according to Article 50 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 28.04.2022 / 18:19 Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG Announcement on Publication of the IFRS version of Annual Report 2021 on Hong Kong Stock Exchange Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 28 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 the IFRS version of Annual Report 2021 on Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The IFRS version of Annual Report 2021 is fully available at: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2022/0428/2022042803683.pdf 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. 28.04.2022 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de LONDON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sea Tech Week is back and making waves from 26th - 30th September 2022 at Brest Expo, France. Registration is now open for visitors and exhibitors with an early bird rate available until 31st May. Stakeholders across business, academia, and governmental institutions from all over the world will converge to shape the future of maritime. This year's event invites delegates to share ideas on smarter and greener solutions for maritime transport and to celebrate women's work in marine science and technology. On the agenda: 30 plenary sessions and 3 keynote panel discussions all touching on this year's key theme of innovation in maritime transport. A trade fair B2B meetings Networking events Visits to companies & labs Rocking the boat for 2022 A first for 2022, Sea Tech Week will also play host to the 18th French congress of sedimentology (28-30 September) and the Concarneau meeting (29th September) dedicated to biomimetics. High-level panellists from esteemed organisations from across the world including research centres, academia, the private sector and public institutions will exchange ideas and challenge each other's views in 3 keynote panel discussions. The one-hour sessions will be spread over 3 days from Tuesday 27th - Thursday 29th September, each exploring a different topic: propulsion, data and careers. A deep dive into advances in marine science & technologies Plenary sessions will cover a wealth of topics including wind propulsion, maritime cybersecurity, hydrogen, naval architecture and design, marine pollution and new maritime routes. Already confirmed sessions include: "Highly efficient innovative water-based seawater air conditioning solutions" presented by the Euroswac project "Enabling net-zero through 5G at sea": this session will explore how increased telecommunications and data transfer at sea can contribute to smarter and low-carbon solutions, towards the ambition of "Net-Zero". Cybersecurity: The University of Plymouth will present its Cyber-SHIP Lab and Marine e-charging Living Lab will present its Cyber-SHIP Lab and Marine e-charging Living Lab "Wind Propulsion: blending regional initiatives, national developments, and international networks for sustainable shipping" is to be co-led by the International Wind Ship Association and Bretagne Developpement Innovation (BDI) Among the confirmed speaker line up: Gavin Allwright , Secretary at International Windship Association (IWSA) , Secretary at International Windship Association (IWSA) Sarah Fear , Project Manager, Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab & Plymouth's Marine e-charging Living Lab (MeLL) , Project Manager, Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab & Plymouth's Marine e-charging Living Lab (MeLL) Shrey Goyal , Climate Risk Expert and head of Observer Delegation at COP26 , will present the impact of SWAC on the environment and energy transition, and the impact of energy transition on SWAC development More sessions and speakers are to be confirmed with the full conference programme to be announced shortly at seatechweek.eu. A video teaser has also been released on what to expect at the 2022 edition. To register to attend: www.seatechweek.eu The early bird rate is available until 31st May. For more information, please contact: Catherine Ryall, conseillere presse et communication, Business France Royaume Uni & Irlande catherine.ryall@businessfrance.fr seatechweek.eu @SeaTechWeek / Sea Tech Week / SeaTech2022 About Sea Tech Week Sea Tech Week is an international event dedicated to marine and maritime science and technology. It attracts over a thousand top international experts to Brest, France, every two years, representing a wide variety of ocean-related disciplines. Held every 2 years, Sea Tech Week includes tech and science talks, a professional trade fair, B2B meetings, company and laboratory tours and a gala evening. This event provides the international community of scientists, companies, clusters, students and other stakeholders with the opportunity to share progress in research and innovation, to forge a professional network of contacts and to improve partnerships and cooperation. Sea Tech Week is part of: Sea Tech Week is organised by Technopole Brest-Iroise through Campus mondial de la mer, France's leading community of experts in the ocean. This event is supported by Brest Metropole, the Brittany Region and the EU (ERDF). Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806148/Sea_Tech_Partenaires.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806146/Sea_Tech_Week_Logo.jpg EP Global Opportunities Trust plc (the "Company") Director update The Company announces that it has been informed that Dr Sandy Nairn, a Director of the Company, will step down from his portfolio management responsibilities within the Franklin Templeton group on 31 December 2022. Dr Nairn will continue until that date as the portfolio manager of the portion of the Company's assets managed by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited ("FTIML") under the Company's self-management arrangements previously announced. This will not result in any change to the previously announced plans of the Company's planned self-management arrangements when implemented, including Dr Nairn's overall responsibility as a Director for the management of the Company's portfolio, which will continue beyond 31 December 2022. Details of any changes in the specific arrangements relating to the assets to be managed by FTIML will be announced by the Company in due course. Cahal Dowds, Chair said, "On becoming Chair I spoke to many shareholders and I believe this change gives additional comfort on the proportion of his time Dr Nairn is able to devote to the management of the assets of the Company." 28 April 2022 Legal Entity Identifier: 2138005T5CT5ITZ7ZX58 Enquiries: Kenneth Greig Franklin Templeton Investment Trust Management Limited Tel: 0131 270 3800 The Company's registered office address is: 27-31 Melville Street Edinburgh EH3 7JF Regulatory News: MotorK Plc (AMS: MTRK) ("MotorK" or the "Company") held its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") today. MotorK's shareholders duly passed all the resolutions proposed, including the adoption of the Company's 2021 financial statements and the reappointment of Mr. Marco Marlia as a director of the Company. Each of the resolutions put to the AGM was voted on by way of a poll. Resolutions 1 to 8 (inclusive) were passed as ordinary resolutions and resolutions 9 to 12 (inclusive) were passed as special resolutions. The text of all the resolutions is contained in the Company's Notice of Annual General Meeting dated 5 April 2022, which is available for inspection on the Company's website at www.motork.io. The results of the polls (incorporating the proxy votes lodged in advance of the meeting) taken on the resolutions have today been uploaded to the Company's website at www.motork.io. Important information This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). ABOUT MOTORK PLC MotorK (AMS: MTRK) is a leading software as a service ("SaaS") provider for the automotive retail industry in the EMEA region, with over 400 employees and ten offices in seven countries (Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, the UK and Israel). MotorK empowers car manufacturers and dealers to improve their customer experience through a broad suite of fully integrated digital products and services. MotorK provides its customers with an innovative combination of digital solutions, SaaS cloud products and the largest R&D department in the automotive digital sales and marketing industry in Europe. MotorK is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Kemp House, 152 City Road, London EC1V 2NX3 Company Registration: 9259000. For more information: www.motork.io or www.investors.motork.io. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006073/en/ Contacts: MotorK Investor Relations Etienne Jacquet +33 6 22 18 39 09 MotorK Corporate Communications press@motork.io MONTREAL, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) will publish its financial results for the first quarter of 2022 on May 5, 2022. On the same day, Bombardier will hold its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders ("Meeting") in a virtual format. Quarterly Conference Call On May 5, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. EDT, Bombardier will hold a webcast/conference call intended for investors and financial analysts to review the company's financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. A live webcast of the call and relevant financial charts will be available at https://ir.bombardier.com Stakeholders wishing to listen to the presentation and subsequent question-and-answer period by telephone may dial one of the following conference call numbers: In English: Toll-free dial-in number Participant passcode: 2230833# In French Participant passcode: 4427560# Media Call May 5, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. EDT, members of the media are invited to dial in to a short Question and Answer session following our quarterly earnings call and before the virtual Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders. Eric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier, will be available to answer your questions related to the Q1 2022 financial results. Media who would like to attend the Q&A session are asked to RSVP by emailing heather.neale@aero.bombardier.com. Bilingual: Toll-free dial-in number Participant passcode: 2423914# Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders On May 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. EDT, Bombardier welcomes all registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders who wish to participate in the online Meeting to do so by joining the live webcast available at https://bombardier.com/en/agm2022. Only registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be allowed to vote and ask questions during the live Meeting. Non-registered shareholders, guests and media will be able to watch online via the live webcast available at the same link. Instructions on how to vote and participate in the online Meeting, including submitting questions to management and to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bombardier, will be available on the Corporation's website hereand on the online Meeting platform. Bombardier encourages shareholders to vote and submit their proxies prior to the Meeting. The live webcast and relevant documents for both the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and the conference call will be available at https://bombardier.com/en/agm2022. A recording of the Meeting and the call will be posted on Bombardier's website shortly after the end of the webcast. 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 is a registered trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. For Information Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTCQB: BVTEF) (FSE: YQGB) (the "Company" or "Iconic") is pleased to announce that it has been approved and upgraded to the OTCQB Venture Market and will continue to trade under the symbol "BVTEF". Investors will be able to find current and Real-Time disclosure for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. The Company continues to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ICM". Iconic Mineral's CEO, Richard Kern stated, "We are pleased that upgrading to the OTCQB Venture Market will allow Iconic the ability to continue to improve greater awareness for our current, and potential shareholders, while we advance towards completing our pre-feasibility study on the Bonnie Claire lithium property." Bonnie Claire Property The Bonnie Claire Property is located within Sarcobatus Valley, which is approximately 30 km (19 miles) long and 20 km (12 miles) wide. Quartz-rich volcanic tuffs containing anomalous amounts of lithium occur within and adjacent to the valley. Drill results from the salt flat have included lithium values as high as 2550 ppm Li and a 1560 foot (roughly 475 meter) vertical intercept that averaged 1153 ppm Li. The current 43-101 resource from the PEA report for borehole mineable portion of the resource is 3,407 million tonnes grading 1,013 ppm Li or 18,372 million kilograms of lithium carbonate equivalent. The gravity low within the valley is 20 km (12 miles) long, and the current estimates of depth to basement rocks range from 600 to 1,200 meters (2,000 to 4,000 feet). The current claim block covers an area of 74 km2 (28.6 mi2) with potential for brine systems and further sediment resources. On behalf of the Board of Directors SIGNED: "Richard Kern" Richard Kern, President and CEO Contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development (604) 336-8614 For further information on Iconic, please visit our website at www.iconicminerals.com. The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Option, the Joint Venture, the amount of the Offering, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering and the future business plans and exploration activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "will", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals required for the Option Agreement and the future development of the Company's projects in a timely manner. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, including on the Smith Creek Property, requirements for additional capital, future prices of lithium and gold, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the business, financial condition and exploration and development activities of the Company, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including of the TSX Venture Exchange in respect of the Option Agreement and the Offering, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with the Canadian Securities Authorities. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122045 Year-over-year revenue grows 12%, operating profit up 5%, non-GAAP operating profit up 5% Note: A webcast of ResMed's conference call will be available at 4:30 p.m. ET today at http://investor.resmed.com SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ResMed Inc. (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) today announced results for its quarter ended March 31, 2022. Third Quarter 2022 Highlights All comparisons are to the prior year period Revenue increased by 12% to $864.5 million; up 14% on a constant currency basis Gross margin contracted 140 bps to 56.8%; non-GAAP gross margin contracted 150 bps to 58.1% Income from operations increased 5%; non-GAAP operating profit up 5% Diluted earnings per share of $1.22; non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.32 "Our third-quarter results reflect strong performance across our business, resulting in double-digit top-line revenue growth including extraordinary demand in our sleep and respiratory care business segment as well as solid high-single-digit growth in our software-as-a-service segment," said Mick Farrell, ResMed CEO. "I am proud of our global team's ability to pivot and drive continued growth while ongoing supply chain disruptions and a competitor's recall continue to limit our ability to meet the incredible demand for our products. We remain focused on delivering products, software, and services for patients, working closely with our supply chain partners as well as physicians, providers, and beyond, to prioritize care for patients who most need it. "While the current industry and macroeconomic environment remain uncertain, our long-term strategy allows us to keep our focus on helping 250 million lives in 2025. Our end-market demand from patients and providers remains strong, and our digital health technologies continue to deliver value. We are supporting patients with the world-leading portfolio of sleep apnea therapy, respiratory care therapy, and digital health solutions they need, as we deliver value for all of our customers." Financial Results and Operating Metrics Unaudited; $ in millions, except for per share amounts Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 % Change Constant Currency (A) Revenue $ 864.5 $ 768.8 12 % 14 % Gross margin (B) 56.8 % 58.2 % (2 ) Non-GAAP gross margin (B) 58.1 % 59.6 % (3 ) Selling, general, and administrative expenses 182.4 160.4 14 17 Research and development expenses 66.8 55.9 19 22 Income from operations 234.3 223.4 5 Non-GAAP income from operations (B) 253.0 241.8 5 Net income (loss) 179.0 (78.5 ) NM Non-GAAP net income (B) 193.3 190.4 2 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 1.22 $ (0.54 ) NM Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (B) $ 1.32 $ 1.30 2 NM Not meaningful Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 % Change Constant Currency (A) Revenue $ 2,663.4 $ 2,320.7 15 % 15 % Gross margin (B) 56.4 % 58.1 % (3 ) Non-GAAP gross margin (B) 57.6 % 59.8 % (4 ) Selling, general, and administrative expenses 544.5 488.9 11 13 Research and development expenses 189.3 165.4 14 15 Income from operations 744.9 662.0 13 Non-GAAP income from operations (B) 801.3 733.4 9 Net income 584.4 279.4 109 Non-GAAP net income (B) 631.5 582.2 8 Diluted earnings per share $ 3.97 $ 1.91 108 Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (B) $ 4.30 $ 3.98 8 (A) In order to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying businesses performed excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, we provide certain financial information on a "constant currency" basis, which is in addition to the actual financial information presented. In order to calculate our constant currency information, we translate the current period financial information using the foreign currency exchange rates that were in effect during the previous comparable period. However, constant currency measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to U.S. dollar measures that reflect current period exchange rates, or to other financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. (B) See the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the table at the end of the press release. Discussion of Third Quarter Results All comparisons are to the prior year period unless otherwise noted Revenue grew by 14 percent on a constant currency basis, driven by increased demand for our sleep and respiratory care devices and increased demand following a recent product recall by one of our competitors. Revenue in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, excluding software-as-a-service, grew by 18 percent, primarily due to the factors discussed above and recovery of core sleep patient flow that was previously impacted by COVID-19. Revenue in Europe, Asia, and other markets grew by 11 percent on a constant currency basis, primarily due to the factors discussed above. Software-as-a-service revenue increased by 8 percent, due to continued growth in our Durable Medical Equipment category and stabilizing patient flow in out-of-hospital care settings. Gross margin decreased by 140 basis points and non-GAAP gross margin decreased by 150 basis points, mainly due to higher freight and manufacturing costs, partially offset by favorable product mix changes and increase in average selling prices. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by 17 percent on a constant currency basis. SG&A expenses increased to 21.1 percent of revenue in the quarter, compared with 20.9 percent in the same period of the prior year. These changes in SG&A expenses were mainly due to increases in employee-related expenses. Income from operations increased by 5 percent and non-GAAP income from operations increased by 5 percent. Net income for the quarter was $179.0 million and diluted earnings per share was $1.22. Non-GAAP net income grew by 2 percent and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share grew by 2 percent, predominantly attributable to strong sales, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Operating cash flow for the quarter was $117.4 million, compared to net income in the current quarter of $179.0 million and non-GAAP net income of $193.3 million. During the quarter we paid $61.4 million in dividends. Other Business and Operational Highlights Announced appointment of Urvashi Tyagi as new Chief Technology Officer and Bobby Ghoshal transitions to be President of ResMed's software-as-a-service business segment full-time. Tyagi leads ResMed's digital health technology team, driving innovation and adoption of world-leading cloud-based digital health platforms and investments in emerging technologies. Published 2022 Global Sleep Surveys as part of National Sleep Awareness Week (March 13-19) and World Sleep Day (March 18). The surveys, conducted in the first quarter of the calendar year, asked nearly 25,000 respondents in 12 countries what's keeping them up at night; the results aim to build awareness of the critical role good sleep plays in physical and mental health. Dividend program The ResMed board of directors today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.42 per share. The dividend will have a record date of May 12, 2022, payable on June 16, 2022. The dividend will be paid in U.S. currency to holders of ResMed's common stock trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Holders of CHESS Depositary Interests ("CDIs") trading on the Australian Securities Exchange will receive an equivalent amount in Australian currency, based on the exchange rate on the record date, and reflecting the 10:1 ratio between CDIs and NYSE shares. The ex-dividend date will be May 11, 2022, for common stockholders and for CDI holders. ResMed has received a waiver from the ASX's settlement operating rules, which will allow ResMed to defer processing conversions between its common stock and CDI registers from May 11, 2022, through May 12, 2022, inclusive. Webcast details ResMed will discuss its third-quarter fiscal year 2022 results on its webcast at 1:30 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time today. The live webcast of the call can be accessed on ResMed's Investor Relations website at investor.resmed.com . Please go to this section of the website and click on the icon for the "Q3 2022 Earnings Webcast" to register and listen to the live webcast. A replay of the earnings webcast will be accessible on the website and available approximately two hours after the live webcast. In addition, a telephone replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the webcast by dialing +1 877-660-6853 (U.S.) or +1 201-612-7415 (outside U.S.) and entering the passcode 13727876. The telephone replay will be available until May 12, 2022. About ResMed At ResMed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) we pioneer innovative solutions that treat and keep people out of the hospital, empowering them to live healthier, higher-quality lives. Our digital health technologies and cloud-connected medical devices transform care for people with sleep apnea, COPD, and other chronic diseases. Our comprehensive out-of-hospital software platforms support the professionals and caregivers who help people stay healthy in the home or care setting of their choice. By enabling better care, we improve quality of life, reduce the impact of chronic disease, and lower costs for consumers and healthcare systems in more than 140 countries. To learn more, visit ResMed.com and follow @ResMed. Safe harbor statement Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements as contemplated by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements - including statements regarding ResMed's projections of future revenue or earnings, expenses, new product development, new product launches, new markets for its products, the integration of acquisitions, litigation, and tax outlook - are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to materially differ from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in ResMed's periodic reports on file with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. ResMed does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited; $ in thousands, except for per share amounts) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 Net revenue $ 864,500 $ 768,767 $ 2,663,390 $ 2,320,722 Cost of sales 362,321 310,585 1,128,314 933,021 Amortization of acquired intangibles (1) 10,982 10,924 33,271 34,066 Restructuring-cost of sales (1) - - - 5,232 Total cost of sales $ 373,303 $ 321,509 $ 1,161,585 $ 972,319 Gross profit $ 491,197 $ 447,258 $ 1,501,805 $ 1,348,403 Selling, general, and administrative 182,401 160,446 544,483 488,904 Research and development 66,801 55,941 189,258 165,409 Amortization of acquired intangibles (1) 7,730 7,445 23,175 23,377 Restructuring-operating expenses (1) - - - 8,673 Total operating expenses $ 256,932 $ 223,832 $ 756,916 $ 686,363 Income from operations 234,265 223,426 744,889 662,040 Other income (expenses), net: Interest income (expense), net $ (5,462 ) $ (5,823 ) $ (16,770 ) $ (18,341 ) Loss attributable to equity method investments (2,627 ) (4,969 ) (5,927 ) (9,895 ) Gain (loss) on equity investments (1,735 ) 4,666 (527 ) 9,442 Other, net 1,878 705 729 1,205 Total other income (expenses), net (7,946 ) (5,421 ) (22,495 ) (17,589 ) Income before income taxes $ 226,319 $ 218,005 $ 722,394 $ 644,451 Income taxes 47,307 296,486 138,018 365,046 Net income (loss) $ 179,012 $ (78,481 ) $ 584,376 $ 279,405 Basic earnings per share $ 1.22 $ (0.54 ) $ 4.00 $ 1.92 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.22 $ (0.54 ) $ 3.97 $ 1.91 Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (1) $ 1.32 $ 1.30 $ 4.30 $ 3.98 Basic shares outstanding 146,240 145,513 145,969 145,217 Diluted shares outstanding 146,962 145,513 147,034 146,394 (1) See the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the table at the end of the press release. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited; $ in thousands) March 31, 2022 June 30, 2021 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 201,769 $ 295,278 Accounts receivable, net 508,580 614,292 Inventories 664,943 457,033 Prepayments and other current assets 329,008 208,154 Total current assets $ 1,704,300 $ 1,574,757 Non-current assets: Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 513,250 $ 463,490 Operating lease right-of-use assets 141,173 128,575 Goodwill and other intangibles, net 2,302,301 2,320,483 Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets 244,240 240,820 Total non-current assets $ 3,200,964 $ 3,153,368 Total assets $ 4,905,264 $ 4,728,125 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 149,797 $ 138,008 Accrued expenses 326,276 320,599 Operating lease liabilities, current 24,130 23,585 Deferred revenue 112,449 109,611 Income taxes payable 42,646 307,963 Short-term debt 11,967 12,000 Total current liabilities $ 667,265 $ 911,766 Non-current liabilities: Deferred revenue $ 94,094 $ 91,496 Deferred income taxes 10,711 11,319 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 127,254 114,779 Other long-term liabilities 5,103 6,802 Long-term debt 668,735 643,351 Long-term income taxes payable 53,298 62,933 Total non-current liabilities $ 959,195 $ 930,680 Total liabilities $ 1,626,460 $ 1,842,446 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock $ 585 $ 583 Additional paid-in capital 1,645,453 1,622,199 Retained earnings 3,480,163 3,079,640 Treasury stock (1,623,256 ) (1,623,256 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (224,141 ) (193,487 ) Total stockholders' equity $ 3,278,804 $ 2,885,679 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 4,905,264 $ 4,728,125 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited; $ in thousands) Nine months ended March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 584,376 $ 279,405 Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 122,198 120,034 Amortization of right-of-use assets 26,636 25,805 Stock-based compensation costs 49,265 47,032 Loss attributable to equity method investments 5,927 9,895 (Gain) loss on equity investment 527 (9,442 ) Restructuring expenses - 8,673 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net 98,158 (39,899 ) Inventories, net (209,476 ) (48,393 ) Prepaid expenses, net deferred income taxes and other current assets (127,977 ) (41,036 ) Accounts payable, accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other (277,973 ) 158,119 Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities $ 271,661 $ 510,193 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant, and equipment (106,192 ) (74,805 ) Patent registration and acquisition costs (17,449 ) (11,149 ) Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (35,915 ) (30,704 ) Purchases of investments (16,614 ) (20,038 ) Proceeds from sale of investment 6,802 - (Payments) / proceeds on maturity of foreign currency contracts (5,309 ) 26,306 Net cash used in investing activities $ (174,677 ) $ (110,390 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net 26,269 18,759 Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards (52,278 ) (49,938 ) Payments of business combination contingent consideration - (3,500 ) Proceeds from borrowings, net of borrowing costs 160,000 90,000 Repayment of borrowings (136,000 ) (536,000 ) Dividends paid (183,853 ) (169,917 ) Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities $ (185,862 ) $ (650,596 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash $ (4,631 ) $ 18,272 Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (93,509 ) (232,521 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 295,278 463,156 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 201,769 $ 230,635 Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited; $ in thousands, except for per share amounts) The measures "non-GAAP gross profit" and "non-GAAP gross margin" exclude amortization expense from acquired intangibles related to cost of sales and are reconciled below: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 Revenue $ 864,500 $ 768,767 $ 2,663,390 $ 2,320,722 GAAP Cost of sales $ 373,303 $ 321,509 $ 1,161,585 $ 972,319 Less: Amortization of acquired intangibles (A) (10,982 ) (10,924 ) (33,271 ) (34,066 ) Less: Restructuring-cost of sales (A) - - - (5,232 ) Non-GAAP cost of sales $ 362,321 $ 310,585 $ 1,128,314 $ 933,021 GAAP gross profit $ 491,197 $ 447,258 $ 1,501,805 $ 1,348,403 GAAP gross margin 56.8 % 58.2 % 56.4 % 58.1 % Non-GAAP gross profit $ 502,179 $ 458,182 $ 1,535,076 $ 1,387,701 Non-GAAP gross margin 58.1 % 59.6 % 57.6 % 59.8 % The measure "non-GAAP income from operations" is reconciled with GAAP income from operations below: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 GAAP income from operations $ 234,265 $ 223,426 $ 744,889 $ 662,040 Amortization of acquired intangibles-cost of sales (A) 10,982 10,924 33,271 34,066 Amortization of acquired intangibles-operating expenses (A) 7,730 7,445 23,175 23,377 Restructuring-cost of sales (A) - - - 5,232 Restructuring-operating expenses (A) - - - 8,673 Non-GAAP income from operations $ 252,977 $ 241,795 $ 801,335 $ 733,388 Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited; $ in thousands, except for per share amounts) The measures "non-GAAP net income" and "non-GAAP diluted earnings per share" are reconciled with GAAP net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share in the table below: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 GAAP net income (loss) $ 179,012 $ (78,481 ) $ 584,376 $ 279,405 Amortization of acquired intangibles-cost of sales, net of tax(A) 8,374 8,395 25,373 26,136 Amortization of acquired intangibles-operating expenses, net of tax(A) 5,894 5,721 17,673 17,936 Reserve for disputed tax position(A) - 254,776 4,111 254,776 Restructuring-cost of sales, net of tax(A) - - - 4,663 Restructuring-operating expenses, net of tax(A) - - - 7,730 (Gain) loss on equity investments(A) - - - (8,476 ) Non-GAAP net income(A) $ 193,280 $ 190,411 $ 631,533 $ 582,170 GAAP diluted shares outstanding 146,962 145,513 147,034 146,394 Anti-dilutive shares excluded from GAAP - 858 - - Non-GAAP diluted shares outstanding 146,962 146,371 147,034 146,394 GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 1.22 $ (0.54 ) $ 3.97 $ 1.91 Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share(A) $ 1.32 $ 1.30 $ 4.30 $ 3.98 (A) ResMed adjusts for the impact of the amortization of acquired intangibles, reserve for disputed tax positions, restructuring expenses and the (gain) loss on equity investments from their evaluation of ongoing operations, and believes that investors benefit from adjusting these items to facilitate a more meaningful evaluation of current operating performance. ResMed believes that non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is an additional measure of performance that investors can use to compare operating results between reporting periods. ResMed uses non-GAAP information internally in planning, forecasting, and evaluating the results of operations in the current period and in comparing it to past periods. ResMed believes this information provides investors better insight when evaluating ResMed's performance from core operations and provides consistent financial reporting. The use of non-GAAP measures is intended to supplement, and not to replace, the presentation of net income and other GAAP measures. Like all non-GAAP measures, non-GAAP earnings are subject to inherent limitations because they do not include all the expenses that must be included under GAAP. Revenue by Product and Region (Unaudited; $ in millions, except for per share amounts) Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 (A) March 31, 2021 (A) % Change Constant Currency (B) U.S., Canada, and Latin America Devices $ 250.8 $ 192.9 30 % Masks and other 224.7 210.0 7 Total Sleep and Respiratory Care $ 475.4 $ 402.9 18 Software as a Service 101.1 93.8 8 Total $ 576.6 $ 496.7 16 Combined Europe, Asia, and other markets Devices $ 182.3 $ 172.8 5 % 10 % Masks and other 105.6 99.2 6 13 Total Sleep and Respiratory Care $ 287.9 $ 272.1 6 11 Global revenue Devices $ 433.1 $ 365.7 18 % 21 % Masks and other 330.3 309.2 7 9 Total Sleep and Respiratory Care $ 763.4 $ 674.9 13 15 Software as a Service 101.1 93.8 8 8 Total $ 864.5 $ 768.8 12 14 Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 (A) March 31, 2021 (A) % Change Constant Currency (B) U.S., Canada, and Latin America Devices $ 771.5 $ 595.3 30 % Masks and other 681.8 637.5 7 Total Sleep and Respiratory Care $ 1,453.3 $ 1,232.8 18 Software as a Service 297.7 277.8 7 Total $ 1,751.0 $ 1,510.6 16 Combined Europe, Asia, and other markets Devices $ 608.3 $ 536.9 13 % 15 % Masks and other 304.2 273.3 11 14 Total Sleep and Respiratory Care $ 912.4 $ 810.1 13 15 Global revenue Devices $ 1,379.7 $ 1,132.1 22 % 23 % Masks and other 986.0 910.8 8 9 Total Sleep and Respiratory Care $ 2,365.7 $ 2,042.9 16 16 Software as a Service 297.7 277.8 7 7 Total $ 2,663.4 $ 2,320.7 15 15 (A) Totals and subtotals may not add due to rounding. (B) In order to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying businesses performed excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, we provide certain financial information on a "constant currency basis," which is in addition to the actual financial information presented. In order to calculate our constant currency information, we translate the current period financial information using the foreign currency exchange rates that were in effect during the previous comparable period. However, constant currency measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to U.S. dollar measures that reflect current period exchange rates, or to other financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For investors For media Amy Wakeham Jayme Rubenstein +1 858-836-5000 +1 858-836-6798 investorrelations@resmed.com news@resmed.com RICHMOND, Va., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) announced today that Morris Taylor has been appointed Chief Information Officer for Markel's insurance operations. In his new role, Taylor will lead the IT function globally and continue to build on critical partnerships across Markel's insurance operations. "Morris is a recognized leader in information technology, who understands the critical role the function plays in the overall operational effectiveness and success of a global corporation," said Jeremy Noble, Chief Financial Officer. "He has been instrumental in defining our IT vision to provide exceptional services and support across our insurance operations to help Markel execute on its strategic priorities." Taylor joined Markel in 2018 and most recently served as Head of Global Technology. Prior to joining Markel, Taylor worked at Capital One for over two decades in a wide range of technology leadership roles. He began his career in operations. Taylor will report to Noble and is based in Markel's Glen Allen, Virginia office. About Markel Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The company's principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company's businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. Markel is a registered trademark of the Markel Corporation. Visit Markel on the web at markel.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/73238/markel_event_insurance_markel_logo.jpg South Africa: Millions committed to help flood survivors In the midst of the disaster left by the floods in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, SASSA has provided Social Relief Distress (SRD) to more than 3 000 affected individuals, to the tune of almost R5 million. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has also purchased uniforms for learners to the value of R372 000, targeting flood victims in eThekwini and iLembe Districts. This was announced by the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster at a briefing on Thursday, led by Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, accompanied by the Ministers of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga and Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu. The National Department of Social development (DSD) and its provincial offices have been engaging with corporates and stakeholders to provide support in the form of urgent humanitarian relief for affected areas. The department has two dedicated storage facilities in Pietermaritzburg and Dube Trade Port in Durban. Speaking at the briefing, Phaahla said many organisations, churches and community members have answered the call and provided support in a variety of forms, including cash, food, clothes, sanitary towels - to mention a few. Government also received donations and pledges from various countries through their embassies, which is welcomed with much appreciation, he said. Zulu has visited Ndwedwe (Ward 15 and 17) and Mandeni Local Municipalities in iLembe District to engage with communities, and provide SRD and support. Similarly, Social Development Deputy Minister, Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu, visited KwaNkosi Ngcobo and eMaqadini. In the Western Cape, SASSA continues to provide support to the more than 765 people affected by the fire in Langa, as well as the 30 people affected in Gugulethu. Phaahla said support, in the form of hot meals, blankets, mattresses and dignity packs, has been provided. R350 grant While the focus of the briefing was meant to be about governments response to the disaster, Phaahla said they thought it important to include some input on the much-anticipated COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350. He said having reviewed some of the media comments over weekend, they felt it important to add it to this briefing to clarify and address some of the concerns that have been expressed. During his State of the Nation Address, the President announced that the R350 Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant will be extended for the period of a year, to March 2023. Phaahla said the Social Department anticipated the end to the National State of Disaster and embarked on developing the regulatory framework for the payment of the COVID-19 SRD, within the legal provisions of the Social Assistance legislative framework. In February this year, the department published the regulations for public comments. We know that we reduced this period for public comments a bit to accommodate the shortened time period we had. We wish to thank all the contributors and participants for their fruitful inputs and helpful comments, which went a long way to enhance the regulations, he said. Unfortunately, he said the process for developing regulations took longer than expected, but the department has now finally come to the end of this process and proclaimed the regulations on 22 April 2022. With the application portal on the SASSA website having opened on 23 April 2022, Phaahla said government encourages everyone who needs the grant to apply within the remaining few days of the month. We are a bit concerned that just under seven million applications have been received, as we were hoping to receive at least 12 million applications by the end of the month. Our systems have been coping very well with the applications thus far, as weve been receiving about one million applications per day, which is about double the volumes weve seen in the previous iterations, he said. Prospective applicants can apply using the SASSA website at https://srd.sassa.gov.za. This include people who were receiving the grant previously. Firstly, many people want to know whether or not they should reapply for the COVID SRD. Given that this form of COVID SRD will now be provided for within a new legislative framework, and that additional qualifying and assessment criteria have been added, those in need of assistance will need to apply for the grant, or reapply if they were already receiving the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress provided for under the disaster management framework, Phaahla said. Government will be retaining its digital platforms for the application process in order to enable millions of people to apply in a relatively short space of time. All applicants are reminded that they will be considered for the grant from the month in which the application is lodged, meaning that all applications lodged in April will be considered as from April. I am appealing to all South Africans in need of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress to embrace this opportunity and apply. There are still three days left to the end of the month. Our application channels are available 24 hours a day and can handle very high volumes, the Minister said. SASSAs call centre will be opened to assist and process enquiries. It can be reached on 0800 60 10 11. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-04-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Bulgaria should be part of efforts for peace in Ukraine: president Xinhua) 15:10, April 28, 2022 SOFIA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said here on Wednesday that his country should be part of the efforts for peace in Ukraine, according to the presidential press office. "Bulgaria should be part of the efforts for peace and ending the conflict as soon as possible, because its prolongation will have disastrous consequences in many dimensions," Radev told reporters. Radev once again categorically said that he was against the provision of military aid to Ukraine from Bulgaria. This would mean a step towards Bulgaria's direct involvement in this conflict, Radev said. Answering a question about the upcoming visit of a Bulgarian delegation led by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to Ukraine, Radev said that he did not consider such a visit necessary. "The sovereign Bulgarian position is being worked out in Sofia, not in Kyiv," Radev said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Eleven people were arrested, and dozens of illegal decoders were seized during police raids over the past two weeks, as police broke a TV-decoder smuggling ring. The cross-border smuggling ring is involved in bringing Openview decoders from South Africa into Zimbabwe, in contravention of customs, trademark and copyright laws. Raids and seizures are set to continue across the SADC region as a regional clampdown on content piracy continues. The Openview decoders are used to access content from the SABC and eMedia in South Africa. The content is not licensed for viewing in any other countries in the region. We commend the Zimbabwe police on their detective work in breaking the smuggling ring and making the arrests, says Antonio Lee, COO of Openview parent company eMedia Group. We are working with law enforcement in several SADC countries to share information about illegal trade in our decoders. We look forward to more major busts and more arrests being made soon. Lee says Openview decoders can only be legally sold in South Africa, and that retailers who sell the set-top boxes in other countries are guilty of crimes of content piracy the unauthorised duplication and sale of copyrighted content. Anyone purchasing an Openview decoder in Zimbabwe is robbing the country of customs duties, he says. They can expect no after-sales service. Also, Zimbabwes TV professionals suffer when viewers watch foreign content instead of home-made Zimbabwean shows. Illegal decoders are a form of grey-market content piracy, which involves distributing and selling a product or a service outside the geographical area where it is licensed. The raids follow an intensive investigation across key Southern African markets, which has identified retail outlets selling the Openview decoders. In total, eleven outlets were raided and 81 decoders including 1094 records containing Openview serial numbers were seized. Follow-up investigations are likely to lead to further arrests and confiscations of devices. Openview supports these raids, and we take this issue extremely seriously, says Lee. Pirating content using our devices is illegal. Both retailers and viewers are guilty of crimes. Having an illegal decoder in your store or in your home means you can be arrested at any time and prosecuted. Lee says that training has been conducted with law enforcement, customs agencies, and border officials on what to look out for in fighting content piracy and decoder smuggling. He says that if smuggled decoders are identified, they can be blocked remotely, so that they become useless. Lee says he appeals to Zimbabwe consumers not to buy Openview decoders. Several national and international laws are being broken if you use pirate decoders. You will get no customer support, they can be switched off at any time, and you are engaging in illegal, criminal activity that makes you liable to arrest and prosecution. H Metro Artificial Intelligence-powered matchmaking platform fostered global B2B networking during virtual conference focused on business opportunities throughout Africa NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), an international trade organization connecting over 300 World Trade Center (WTC) locations in nearly 100 countries, gathered nearly 600 participants from more than 60 countries at its 2022 General Assembly (GA), which was held virtually from April 18-22. Attendees participated in two days of livestream sessions featuring prominent keynote speakers discussing business opportunities in Africa and a full week of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered B2B matchmaking opportunities across all time zones. Focused on the theme, "Exploring New Horizons," the GA demonstrated the strength of the WTCA network, and offered attendees the opportunity to learn from leading experts and to connect with each other virtually. "Even though our association's premier global annual event was held virtually again this year, our AI-powered B2B matchmaking platform continued to offer attendees the ability to maximize time spent establishing business connections - with valuable access 24/7 around the world," said John E. Drew, WTCA Chair, Board of Directors. "During this year's event, we explored the wide range of industries and sectors in Africa, and the qualities that makes the continent an investment destination. Africa is in a geo-strategic location to support both the Asian and European markets from a nearshoring perspective, and is a viable partner for our members and their global business networks." The 2022 GA offered a series of informative livestream events, including fireside chats, panel discussions and presentations on topics intended to showcase the African business community. The keynote address featured Atsuko Toda, acting Vice President for agriculture, human and social development of the African Development Bank, who discussed the acceleration of the African agriculture transformation. Other notable sessions included a fireside chat with Soji Awogbade, Partner and Lead of the International Trade, Energy and Natural Resources and Agriculture Practice Groups at ?LEX, talking about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); as well as a panel discussion on doing business in Africa with WTCA members from Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mauritius and Nigeria. "This year's GA uncovered that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the crux of the African economy and there is so much potential for global trade and investment," said Robin van Puyenbroeck, WTCA Executive Director-Business Development. "Our global network of World Trade Center businesses is critical to drive opportunities throughout the continent because each represents hundreds, sometimes thousands, of SMEs. It is through this connectivity and power of our network that our association can help facilitate business on a global scale across industries and sectors." Attendees were also briefed on many different updates across the WTCA, including the official announcement of the winners of the 2021-2022 WTCA 2021-2022 WTCA Champions Awards. "With a renewed focus on business in Africa, we hope this GA provided a glimpse into the opportunities available at next year's, which will be hosted in Accra, Ghana by World Trade Center Accra," Drew announced. The 2023 WTCA GA will be held from April 23-28. To view recordings of the livestream sessions from the 2022 WTCA GA, please click here. MEDIA CONTACT: World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Chanelle Kasik Phone: +1 212 432 2644 Email: ckasik@wtca.org About World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in 92 countries. As the owner of the "World Trade Center" and "WTC" trademarks, the WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for Members to use in conjunction with their independently-owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its Members, the goal of the WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe through Member engagement. To learn more, visit www.wtca.org. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/704442/WTCA_Logo.jpg VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Scorpio Gold Corporation ("Scorpio Gold" or the "Company") (TSX-V:SGN) announces that it has obtained bridge loans (the "Loans") from Ian Dawson and Bruce Dawson (collectively, the "Lenders") in the aggregate principal amount of US$450,000, payable on demand, which accrue interest at a rate of 123/8% per annum, compounding monthly. The Company has delivered promissory notes to the Lenders as evidence of the Loans. The purpose of the Loans are to ensure sufficient cash is available to the Company to sustain its general working capital requirements. The Lenders are related parties of the Company by virtue of the fact that they are directors of the Company, and as a result, the Loans constitute a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). There has not been a material change in the percentage of the outstanding securities of the Company that are individually owned by the Lenders as a result of the Loans. The Company is relying upon exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements under MI 61-101 in respect of the Loans, in reliance on Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, as the fair market value of the Loans does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The board of directors of the Company approved the Loans pursuant to consent resolutions, with the Lenders declaring their interest and abstaining from voting on the consent resolutions. No special committee was established in connection with the Loans, and no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION Chris Zerga President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: (775) 753-4778 Email: czerga@scorpiogold.com Website: www.scorpiogold.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested by the forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include, but are not limited to, the use of funds for the Loans. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where applicable. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE: Scorpio Gold Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699353/Scorpio-Gold-Loans-in-Principal-Amount-of-US450000 New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Burn Floki, a new Play2Earn NFT-based MetaVerse MEME racing game platform, has announced the introduction of its hyper-deflationary token. It is built on the Binance Smart Chain and will allow investors to send and receive the BFLOKI token automatically. Although the platform is in its development phase, there are plans for Burn Floki to have its own wallet after the launch of its BurnSwap. According to the project coordinator, "BurnFloki will have its own MEME Launchpad for projects that want to get launched on a MEME Launchpad," nick-named after a famous celebrity. Burn Floki Introduces a Play2Earn Platform To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8717/122053_edaba9b3b4aadbac_001full.jpg Unveiling its Burn Floki Swap The Burn Floki Swap will serve as the official decentralized exchange for the Burn Floki community. It intends to give token holders the ability to swap their tokens independently with other BEP-20 tokens. PancakeSwap will power the Burn Floki swap. Notably, PancakeSwap is one of the worlds trusted and safest decentralized exchanges. In addition, the PancakeSwap exchange will serve as the foundation for most of BFLOKI's ongoing community development plans, which will come with additional functionality and features exclusive to Burn Floki token holders. The potential is unlimited as it recently signed a big partnership with India's top NFT gaming company. How to buy the Burn Floki $BFLOKI token The token is a decentralized binance smart contract meme token available for everyone to purchase. You need to use the PancakeSwap platform to swap your token. When buying through PancakeSwap, you have to set the slippage to 10 to 12%. Overall, the total supply of $BFLOKI available is 1,000,000,000,000,000. The token comes with a 10% buy/Sell Tax. This 10% Buy/Sell Tax is allocated to Liquidity/Marketing & Development/FLOKI rewards. Holders will get $FLOKI rewards just by holding $BFLOKI in their wallets. A certain percentage is kept for the marketing and development of the project, along with adding the Liquidity, to ensure the BurnFlokii project stays stable. The Burn Floki project is already listed on prominent platforms such as CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap, LiveCoinWatch & Nomics and many more. CoinMarketCap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/burn-floki/ CoinGecko: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/burnfloki Social Media Handles: Telegram: https://t.me/BurnFloki Twitter: https://twitter.com/burnfloki Manager Telegram: @BFLOKI Contact Info: Organization: BurnFloki Name: Shahbu Mistry Email: info@BurnFloki.com Location: US/NY Website: https://burnfloki.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122053 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Cypherpunk Holdings Inc. (CSE: HODL) (OTC Pink: CYFRF) (" Cypherpunk " or the " Company "), a sector leader for blockchain, metaverse, privacy and cryptography focused investments, announces that it will host an investor webinar with the CEO and President, Jeff Gao on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 10:00 EDT to discuss the Company's business outlook and progress since the last webinar. 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. The Forex industry is not the easiest to get around with. Numerous trends, major life events and other external factors are constantly changing the way traders approach FX. Just like in any other financial trading industry, brokerages play a significant role in Forex. The goal of a forex brokerage is to provide investors/traders with easy access to the forex trading market and generate profit along the way. Many of them will even help you learn a bit about how to trade by providing educational content, webinars and other informational resources. There are different types of brokerages out there, big and small ones, some specializing in one financial market e.g. Crypto, Forex, CFDs, etc., but at the end of the day, they all work in a similar manner. Finding the best FX brokers with ECS One of the most challenging parts is finding the right Forex brokerage that suits your needs and your trading preferences. Elite CurrenSea (ECS) is a financial institution with a combined trading experience of 30 years. With a solid background and expertise in Forex, ECS scouted the most trusted brokers in the market so you did not have to come across scamming companies and enjoy an effortless trading experience. The company suggests traders choose from the top 3 leading FX brokerages. Each of them has its own unique style and approaches to trading. Key to Markets The list begins with one of the famous British brokerages, Key to Markets(KTM). The brokerage is famous for its Algorithmic trading capabilities. Offering more than 65 currencies to trade with the company takes the lead with its trading instruments. The company, like many others, offers PAMM account services where investors of all experience levels can maximize their profitability. PAMM accounts are especially beneficial for who are earning money while learning important trading lessons. Individuals have the opportunity to join the PAMM account through a very easy process that is completed in a few hours. The overall procedure is largely customizable where investors have the choice of which PAMM to join and the account managers can set the flexible fee structures. AvaTrade The second on the list is AvaTrade. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is regulated on all the continents making it the safest broker (low-risk) for trading CFDs and forex. The company is famous for its innovative approaches to trading. AvaTradeGO is a prime example of how the company prioritizes imaginative solutions. AvaTradeGO is an application that can be installed on both android and ios mobile devices, that enables traders to complete their orders from anywhere. AvaTrade takes pride in the transparency of its work. Do not expect to have any hidden fees when working with this brokerage. Having a minimum deposit of $100 AvaTrade is undoubtedly one of the best choices for both experienced and novice traders. XM Probably the most popular brokerage on our list, XM is one of the best Forex brokerages on the market. Since 2009, having more than 600 professionals working under the company, with all of the experience combined XM supports more than 30 languages which makes it the best choice for any level of traders all over the world. The international approach that the company took made it have the best customer support offering help 24/7 with a personalized approach to all of your problems or inquiries. The process of opening an account with XM is really easy, taking only 2 minutes. The company makes sure you have all the right information and resources to tackle this competitive and complicated industry. Jyoti Bansal, CEO and cofounder, Harness Harness, a San Francisco, CA-based software delivery platform provider, raised $230M in Series D funding at a USD3.7 billion valuation. The round, which includes $175m in equity and $55m in debt financing, was led by Norwest Venture Partners with participation from J.P. Morgan, Capital One Ventures, Splunk Ventures, Adage Capital Partners, Balyasny Asset Management, Gaingels, Harmonic Growth Partners, ServiceNow, Menlo Ventures, IVP, Unusual Ventures, Citi Ventures, Battery Ventures, Alkeon Capital, GV, Sorenson Capital, Thomvest Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank. The company intends to use the funds to continue to grow its talent and further expand platform. Led by CEO Jyoti Bansal, Harness provides developers with a software delivery platform that uses machine learning to detect the quality of deployments and automatically roll back failed ones, saving time and reducing the need for custom scripting and manual oversight. The company currently employs approx. 700 people. FinSMEs 27/04/2022 Implicity, a Cambridge, MA-based provider of a remote patient monitoring and cardiac data management solutions, raised $23M in Series A funding. The round was led by Credit Mutuel Innovation and Bpifrance, with participation from BNP Paribas Development, Serena, XAnge and Karista. The company intends to use the funds to: Increase the companys market presence in the US and support expansion into new markets Develop additional medical device software to strengthen the technological leadership of the company Led by CEO Dr. Arnaud Rosier, Implicity is a software company that provides a universal cardiac remote monitoring and research platform to clinics and service companies. Its AI-based technology and cardiac data management solutions enable healthcare professionals around the world to have a more holistic approach to caring for cardiac patients. This new funding comes months after the company received FDA clearance for a novel AI algorithm that analyzes ECG episodes from Implantable Loop Recorders (ILRs). IMPLICITY covers more than 60,000 patients in 100 medical facilities across the United States and Europe. FinSMEs 27/04/2022 Sealed, a New York-based climate tech company, raised an additional $29.5m in Series B funding. The round, which now amounts at $45.5m, was led by Fifth Wall Climate Tech with participation from Robert Downey Jr.s FootPrint Coalition, CityRock Venture Partners, Cyrus Capital and Keyframe Capital. The company, which has raised $62.5m, intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach. Led by CEO Lauren Salz, and Andy Frank, President, Sealed designs, manages and finances home weatherization and electrification projects for homeowners that stop energy waste, enhance comfort and slash greenhouse gas emissions. After a remote home assessment, the company determines the right combination of home improvements to reduce energy waste, including insulation, air sealing, smart thermostats, lighting, and heat pump HVAC. Resulting efficiencies can cut energy use by as much as 50% while balancing out temperatures across the house and eliminating fossil fuel heating sources. FinSMEs 28/04/2022 JOURNALIST Hopewell Chinono yesterday accused Zanu PF of trying to grab his goat rearing project in Murewa. In a series of tweets yesterday Chinono said a Zanu PF youth league member Taurai Kandishaya was behind the plot to grab his project. There is a Zanu PF national youth league member who is planning to invade my village goat project. His name is Taurai Kandishaya. This is why we say there is no rule of law in Zimbabwe, Chinono said Publicly encouraging Zanu PF youths to loot my private property, said Chinono. The Zanu PF government has never given me a single goat for my project; this is further evidence of lawlessness that we are subjected to by Zanu PF. I will not be silenced through threats of violence and my property looted. Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa refused to comment on the allegations, saying Chinono should focus his energies on exposing opposition parties for poor service delivery in municipalities. He (Chinono) goes outside the country blasting the country, why should he not instead blast the opposition parties for neglecting the urban councils poor roads, infrastructure and that is the reason we have started to win in local councils as Zanu PF, Mutsvangwa said. Everyone knows that development starts from the local government, Mutsvangwa added. Newsday HUMAN rights group, Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) has petitioned National Assembly speaker Jacob Mudenda to intervene in the alleged ill-treatment of Vice-President Constantino Chiwengas ex-wife, Marry Mubaiwa. In a letter dated April 25 addressed to Mudenda, ROHR Zimbabwe United Kingdom chapter secretary Alvina Chibhamu said the manner in which Mubaiwa was being treated was unacceptable. We write to your august House with regards to the apparent continued persecution of Marry Mubaiwa, which, in our view, is a typical case of lawfare waged against a citizen by a State whose institutions are captured by an elite few, the ROHR letter read. We are concerned about Mubaiwa-Chiwengas health condition and how she is being denied the opportunity to travel and seek medical assistance outside Zimbabwe. Chibhamu added: Marry is gravely ill with lymphoedema among a slew of other ailments. Her condition is life-threatening. She is now hospitalised. Lymphoedema is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes swelling in the bodys tissues. A medical report by John Nyahunzvi dated March 29, 2022 indicated that amputation of her forearm is now necessary once she is deemed medically stable. Mubaiwa was arrested in 2019, and she has since been denied the opportunity to seek medical attention outside Zimbabwe while her condition continues to deteriorate. She has collapsed twice outside the courts, which have, however, not shown compassion towards her predicament. In contrast, Priscah Mupfumira a former government minister who was allegedly implicated in the looting of millions of State funds was given permission to not attend court because she said she was not mentally fit to attend court and was even granted permission to travel abroad on a business trip. The double standards are so glaring. This is such a glaring case of abuse of power against a mother and by extension, her innocent children, Chibhamu said. ROHR said the countrys health facilities were inadequate for Mubaiwas health needs, hence she should not be denied an opportunity to travel abroad to seek medical attention. This is despite the courts being advised by medical professionals in 2020 that failure to access specialist treatment would have dire consequences for Marry. The specialists advice was ignored. Chibhamu said the refusal to allow Marry to travel for treatment outside Zimbabwe was a violation of section 76 of the Constitution, which stipulates the right to healthcare. At some point, the law was rationally applied by the High Court and Marry was allowed to see her children, but her estranged husband Chiwenga appealed to the Supreme Court several times and irrationally won against all odds. ROHR pleaded with Parliament to look into the issue as Mubaiwa was being denied her rights as a mother. The situation is coming across as if VP Chiwenga and the government are using Marrys situation as a weapon against citizens, especially women. Last month, Mubaiwa was fined $60 000 after being convicted of lying that Chiwenga had consented to solemnise their marriage. She is back in court on a charge of assaulting her domestic worker. Newsday Leader of South Africas opposition political party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema has urged Zimbabweans domiciled in South Africa to go home and vote in the 2023 harmonised elections in order to remove Zanu PF from power. Malema, who has always been vocal against xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiments targeting Africans, said Zimbabweans had a civic duty to participate in their elections so that they deliver a progressive government to change their fortunes. Speaking at a Freedom Day celebrations event in Tshwane Wednesday, the EFF leader assured Zimbabweans the country would always provide a home to them but pleaded for them to go back to Zimbabwe and vote for change. Zanu PF has destroyed what was a promising land for Zimbabwe and the current leader of Zimbabwe (Emmerson Mnangagwa) is as clueless as the South African leader (Cyril Ramaphosa). They are the same like they are twins. So, to the people of Zimbabwe, we want to make a plea, please when you are here, dont worry, you are at home but when there are elections at home go there in your numbers and vote, he called out. Remove that nonsense that is happening in Zimbabwe and come back if you want to come back. You cannot just fold your hands. The people of Zimbabwe must rise here in South Africa and go to vote for a proper government in Zimbabwe. Malema emphasised that solving the Zimbabwe crisis required civic collective action. Lets help each other so that there is a proper government in Zimbabwe and will bring a proper government in South Africa, we become one big happy family, he said to applause. Lets not be comfortable and think no, all is well, as long as we are in South Africa. He urged Zimbabweans to remember that voting was their part in delivering a better Zimbabwe. Lets not forget that as Zimbabweans we have a duty at home to deliver a progressive government that will respect human rights, that will make sure the economy of Zimbabwe grows, make sure it defeats poverty and unemployment, Malema said. A progressive and developing Zimbabwe is a solution to the problems of South Africa so we want to help Africans who are helping themselves. The firebrand leader argued that once South Africans are done with xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, such as Nigerians and Zimbabweans, their anger will turn to small tribes within the country such as the Shangaan people. He said once foreign nationals are out of South Africa, depending on the province, locals would start blaming other tribes for the unemployment crisis. Malema used the example of telling Zulu people to go back to KwaZulu Natal and Xhosa people to return to the Eastern Cape, noting that poverty, hunger and inequality would remain, as forcing foreign nationals out of the country will not solve the countrys unemployment crisis. CITE Much of the cast has changed, and so has some of the crew. Even the directing staff has undergone a revision. But the story of Matilda, the little girl with the big powers, hasnt changed except that now it might be even more relevant, said directors Moth Kelley and Rebecca Douglas. After a two-year global pandemic delay, Roald Dahls Matilda: The Musical is once again ready for The Majestic Theatre. Opening night is Friday, April 29, and the show will run through May 22 at the Majestic, 115 SW Second St. in Corvallis. Performances are at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Details and tickets are available at the website, majestic.org. Matilda tells the story of a little girl with exceptional intelligence and extraordinary talents. Although neglected by her parents and terrorized by her headmistress, she finds a way to use her powers to stand up for her friends and build a happy future for herself and her favorite teacher. Audiences familiar with the 1996 Hollywood movie version of the story may be surprised to see and hear it set in its original location of Great Britain. They also may not know the songs, which the directors said help to deepen and define the story. The directors said theyre expecting crowds to be wowed by the sheer energy of the 33-member cast, more than half of whom are under 18. During rehearsal breaks, Douglas said, they often keep going, and they are the first to point out when the breaks end. They make sure that we know, because they want to get back to work. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times. The production was originally to take the stage in May 2020, and Kelleys cast was ready to roll. When the governor first issued pandemic restrictions, the directors tried to set up Zoom rehearsals and looked into outdoor venues, but in the end had to set the show aside. When youre having to tell kids that its over, kids who worked hard in this process that was heartbreaking, Kelley said. Live theater productions in general went dark for the next year and a half. But then came coronavirus vaccines, reductions in caseloads and hospitalizations, and a gradual lifting of restrictions. The Majestic had paid Music Theatre International for rights to Matilda, and they allowed for a delay in the timing of the show, Douglas said. Theyve been very flexible and kind, especially with community theater. In late fall 2021, Kelley recalled, the phone rang. It was Jimbo Ivy, supervisor of The Majestic. We got a phone call from Jimbo: Matildas a go; do you still have a team? Kelley recalled. My reaction was, Oh. OH. Happy! Scared! Oh, my gosh, are people going to be around to do this? People were. Not all the people, but many of them. Douglas, originally the vocal director, said she was thrilled to step up to co-direct, as the original co-director, Laura Blackwell, had other obligations. Jason Seivers and Christa Antrim were still available to be Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, Matildas spiteful and disparaging parents. But Freya Harte and Eila Howe, who were cast as the lead in split roles for 2020s Matilda, had outgrown the part, Douglas explained, which meant Matilda herself had to be recast. Harte and Howe instead have rejoined the cast in other roles. It speaks to their character as young people that theyve been as gracious as they have, Douglas said. The 2022 double-cast list includes Piper Moss and Sabina Berglund as Matilda; Melissa Gutierrez and Sharon Chang as Miss Honey, Matildas sweet, helpful and nurturing teacher; and Brady Moss and Bentley Michaels as Miss Trunchbull, the sadistic headmistress who makes Matilda a special target. Double-casting the main roles is insurance, Kelley said, because anybody could get sick at any time. Theres two of us, even, he said, nodding at Douglas. We have contingency plan upon contingency plan upon contingency plan. Neither director believes in using understudies, arguing that if you work that long and hard on a part, you ought to be able to showcase it for an audience. Also, both say, they appreciate the different approaches each actor brings to the character. One new cast member who isnt sharing a role this time is Bill Brown, who took on the part of Sergei, the Russian mafia boss who comes to get his revenge on Matildas con-man father. He is among the people in the show who realizes the little girl is someone very special. Browns wife, LaVelle Grandy-Brown, was the costumer for the show in 2020, but lost her battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, before it was rescheduled. When the directors spoke to him about joining the show himself, he decided he would do so as a tribute to his wife. Plus, he joked, he gets to sing: 11 notes exactly. I thought, you know, this would be a great way of honoring LaVelle, to be in the show that would have been her show as the costumer, he said. Its a way of doing something that kind of honors her memory in something that she loved to do. The presence or lack of love is a theme in Matilda, as characters without it increasingly lose their humanity, and characters who have it find it gives them the strength to stand up for themselves and one another. In this current climate, I think it rings true now more than ever that you need to stand up to bullies, you need to stand up for yourself, Kelley said. I think Matilda says it best herself: Just because lifes not fair doesnt mean you have to grin and bear it. Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 An Albany painting and construction company was fined $17,200 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for what the agency characterized as hazardous waste violations, according to a news release from the DEQ. The owner of the company, however, says the allegations are bogus. The state agency sent a formal notice of civil penalty to Fitzpatrick Painting Inc. and owner Timothy Fitzpatrick on March 11. The document alleges the painting and construction company disposed of hazardous waste on its Albany property, which does not have a hazardous waste disposal permit. The DEQ also claims the company did not determine whether the waste generated at the facility was hazardous. Additionally, the agency cited Fitzpatrick Painting without penalty for offering hazardous waste for offsite treatment, storage or disposal, using an inaccurate hazardous waste manifest. But Fitzpatrick isnt simply going to pay up. Im definitely fighting it, he said. The fines and allegations are completely inaccurate. The allegations According to the DEQ notice of civil penalty, the agency inspected the Fitzpatrick Painting Albany property on June 29, 2020. During this inspection, there were reportedly around 80 containers of various sizes containing waste discarded on the ground. There were allegedly five 5-gallon containers of unknown liquid residues. As of the inspection date, the DEQ alleges Fitzpatrick Painting had not performed any hazardous waste determinations on these unknown residues. According to the document, the company conducted a hazardous waste determination after the inspection on the five containers and discovered that four of the five contained ignitable hazardous waste. The DEQ also alleges on Nov. 24, 2020, Fitzpatrick Painting offered up waste for shipment, and a manifest shows that the company was disposing of 400 pounds of waste paint material. However the notice claims that the actual amount of hazardous waste shipped and disposed was 1,376 pounds. On Dec. 9, 2020, the manifest was corrected to reflect the actual amount of waste, according to the notice. 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 hazardous waste shipped fell under two waste codes: methylene chloride and xylene, according to the DEQ. Furthermore, during the June 29, 2020, inspection, the agency claims there were 2 cubic yards of construction debris disposed on the property, including bricks, concrete, drywall and asphalt. There was also allegedly red and white staining on the ground near the main building on the property where some painting equipment had been cleaned, according to the DEQ. The rinse water containing water-based paint was reportedly disposed on the ground. Next steps Fitzpatrick isnt going down without a fight, he said. He maintains that the claims made by the DEQ are simply not true. Fitzpatrick said he has hired an attorney. According to DEQ Public Affairs Specialist Dylan Darling, Fitzpatrick Painting filed an appeal to the case on March 31 and requested a hearing. Darling said if the case proceeds, it will go before an administrative law judge, but a settlement may be reached before then. Maddie Pfeifer covers public safety for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6091 or Madison.Pfeifer@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @maddiepfeifer_ Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 3 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. I had been at work for about an hour when my editor came rushing in with a very important announcement: The scooters are here! Obviously I dropped everything I was doing to run out and see them for myself, as Mid-Valley Media has been following the Bird Inc. e-scooter saga for weeks, attending Albany City Council meetings to keep the public informed on the pending arrival of this eco-friendly transit option. Luckily our ever-talented crime reporter Maddie Pfeifer has some video skills in her back pocket, and she too answered the call to action by abandoning her duties to document an inaugural ride for our loyal readers. The city decided in March to engage in a 12-month pilot program with Bird, bringing a bunch of e-scooters to the historic downtown area and anywhere else area free-market forces dictate to provide locals with a healthier option of getting around amid soaring gas prices and crowded streets. The app is very user-friendly once you have it downloaded, you tap a blue icon to scan the QR code located on the handlebars of each bike. Youre charged by the minute, and my 25-minute ride cost me $6.85. Theres an electronic speedometer in the center of the handlebars so you can clock your speed, which can go up to 15 miles per hour on level ground. I cannot confirm this, as I think I got up to 10 miles per hour at my absolute craziest. Once you scan the QR code and unlock the bike, you will be greeted by cute little chirping sounds that most definitely will remind you that youre riding a Bird brand scooter. But be forewarned: These adorable tweets will turn into ominous screeches, however, if you attempt to lift the scooter or ride it once it locks up. Don't ask me how I know. So, unless you want to attract stares from people searching for an invisible flock of angry birds, dont do that. Once I got going, I pressed a lever on the handlebars that immediately accelerated my speed, causing my knees to shake until I slowed down. You may have guessed that I am hardly a daredevil, dear reader, as I choose to spend my time attending school board meetings and writing about murals. I glided around the courthouse for a while before heading in the direction of Two Rivers Market, where I was tempted to take a taco break at Taqueria Alonzo out of sheer exhaustion. But this sample ride was for work, not play, so I kept chugging along past the Albany Fire Department and Hasty Freez before heading back to the newsroom to pen this masterpiece. All in all, Id say it was a fun ride, albeit a little more strenuous than I expected. I didnt feel like I was going to fall, which is good because I was not wearing a helmet an encouraged step when reading the safety instructions in the app and Oregon law. Youre also not supposed to ride the scooters on the sidewalk, so do as I say, not as I do, and stay in the bike lanes on the street. City of Albany spokesperson Matt Harrington said the Birds arrived Wednesday morning. The city created a webpage, www.cityofalbany.net/bird, to help answer questions about the scooters as they come up. People of Albany: Go out and ride these e-scooters to your favorite downtown small businesses! Theyve arrived just in time for a sunshine-filled spring, which we are all hoping to experience ... any day now. And make sure you TWEET about your experience on the Bird! Well, maybe not while you're ON the Bird. Joanna Mann (she/her) covers education for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6076 or Joanna.Mann@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @joanna_mann_. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The new Knife River training facility in Albany promises to give workers from a variety of industries a place to hone their skills and learn from their peers in real-world scenarios. Its 80,000-square-foot dome is home to a dirt arena big enough to house a semi-truck to train licensed truck drivers and a concrete viewing platform. About 230 acres of the place is dedicated to outdoor training areas for maritime simulations, among other exercises. This fall, it will host "SimTown," a mock urban training ground featuring overhead and underground hazards. The Knife River training facility broke ground in July 2020. It began holding outdoor classes in February 2021 while it was being built, and indoors class activities have been held since January. Funded by the Knife River Corp., a construction materials company, the facility on 35973 Kennel Road Southeast boasts 16,000 square feet for classrooms and conference rooms with capacity for up to 350 people. The facility was intended for Knife River employees and other companies. Among those companies is Peterson Cat, a Caterpillar construction equipment dealer based in Western Oregon and Southwest Washington. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times. "It's quite unique and really a big investment," said Rich Bolen, rental operations manager at Peterson Cat. "I think it's going to pay a lot of dividends in the future." Bolen said he was impressed with the facility's classrooms, where students can watch audio and video of their peers after an exercise to break down what went right and what went wrong. "We were able to have people train on every piece of equipment," Bolen said. "Then they could bring that audio and video of the trainer and the trainee inside, so that everybody could see what was going on." Bolen said Cat Peterson's new and existing employees intend to train at the facility at least a half-dozen times per year. According to Albany fire Lt. Tom Henke, there's no such thing as too much training. The Knife River facility wasn't specifically designed for search and rescue training, Henke said, but it turned out it was a perfect fit for his fellow firefighters. The most valuable opportunities the Knife River facility has provided for the department, he said, is a place for trench rescue. The Fire Department, Henke said, has worked with a host of contractors over the years to dig its firefighters trenches to train in, including Albany's Public Works, at Albany's Fire Station 12. Trenches rescues can be extremely dangerous, according to Henke. When a trench begins to collapse, the soil can move as quickly as 40 miles per hour and trap rescuers. "That trench, once it's collapsed, is highly unstable and can continue to collapse," Henke said. "That's why having a team capable of performing trench rescue, recognizing hazards and having people with training and the equipment to rescue somebody is really important." Henke said the Fire Department plans to train at one of the property's ponds for water rescue training in the near future. The Knife River training facility is having a grand opening at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 28, complete with an equipment demonstration. Speakers at the event include Knife River President and CEO Dave Barney, Commissioner of Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries Val Hoyle, Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler and National Ready-Mix Concrete Association Executive Director Mike Phillips. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund warned of an increased risk of measles spread, with worldwide cases up nearly 80% so far in 2022 compared with 2021. "Almost 17,338 measles cases were reported worldwide in January and February 2022, compared to 9,665 during the first two months of 2021," the organizations said in a news release on Wednesday, noting there were 21 "large and disruptive" outbreaks, many in Africa and the East Mediterranean region. "Pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines, and the diversion of resources from routine immunization are leaving too many children without protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases," the organizations said, adding that as cities and countries relax Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, measles outbreaks become more likely. "It is encouraging that people in many communities are beginning to feel protected enough from COVID-19 to return to more social activities. But doing so in places where children are not receiving routine vaccination creates the perfect storm for the spread of a disease like measles," Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director, said in the release. Twenty-three million children missed out on childhood vaccinations in 2020, the organizations said. Childhood vaccination campaigns have been hindered recently by the Covid-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Afghanistan. As of April 1, "57 vaccine-preventable disease campaigns in 43 countries that were scheduled to take place since the start of the pandemic are still postponed, impacting 203 million people, most of whom are children," the organizations said. "Of these, 19 are measles campaigns, which put 73 million children at risk of measles due to missed vaccinations." According to WHO and UNICEF, "coverage at or above 95 per cent with two doses of the safe and effective measles vaccine can protect against measles." In all five countries with the highest cases in the last year, first dose coverage was below 70% in 2020. In the US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data last week that showed measles vaccinations in kindergarten students dropped to 93.6% in the 2020-2021 school year. "We are concerned that missed routine vaccinations could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough, which are extremely contagious and can be very serious, especially for babies and young children," Dr. Shannon Stokley, deputy director of the CDC's Immunization Services Division said of the release of the vaccination data. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. A PASTOR with the Assemblies of God Church based in Simatelele, Binga, was on Tuesday murdered in cold blood in the Junamina area by people masquerading as vehicle dealers. Pastor Albert Mudenda was allegedly killed together with a local businessman, whose name was not supplied, but is said to be based in Siachilaba. Their bodies were dumped in a well. Sources told Southern Eye that Mudenda had hired the businessmans vehicle to travel to Junamina, where he was supposed to meet car dealers who had promised to sell him a car. However, on arrival at Junamina, the pastor and the businessman were robbed by the suspects. They were murdered and thrown into a deep well. The robbers then fled the scene using the businessmans vehicle. Their bodies were found the following day by villagers floating in the well. Brother to the now-deceased pastor, Ellias Munkuli, yesterday confirmed the incident to Southern Eye. I am yet to get full details of what exactly transpired as I am in Bulawayo, but the pastor is my brother. He intended to buy a car before he was murdered, he said. Matabeleland North province police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said he was at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and referred all questions to Assistant Inspector Namatirai Mashona, who said she was in Victoria Falls, hence had no information pertaining to the case. Village head Gregory Munsaka said the incident had shocked the Binga community. Life cant be lost this way. We hope the police will do their job and bring the culprits to book, Munsaka said. Newsday TORONTO, April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the Company or PharmaTher) (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM), a leader in specialty ketamine pharmaceuticals, is pleased to announce that PharmaTher has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Gesval S.A., a public limited company incorporated by the University of Liege, Belgium, for the development and commercialization of a patented continuous-flow process technology for the preparation of ketamine and ketamine analogs (the Ketamine Technology). The Ketamine Technology strengthens the Companys patent portfolio of ketamine and it will complement the Companys expanding ketamine pharmaceutical pipeline for use in hospitals, clinics and homes. PharmaTher is developing and commercializing novel uses, delivery forms and formulations of ketamine and ketamine analogs. As part of its short-term product strategy, the Company is developing its own Ketamine Injection and Infusion product to support the Companys expected pivotal clinical studies for Parkinsons disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrigs disease), future FDA 505(b)(2) regulatory submissions in mental health, neurological and pain disorders, and its commercialization plans in the U.S. via an FDA Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for anesthesia and procedural sedation. The Company expects to file the ANDA in Q4-2022 for commercialization in the U.S. In addition, the Companys long-term product strategy is to develop novel ketamine formulations and drug delivery systems, including its patented microneedle patch and proposed wearable pump device for the intradermal and subcutaneous delivery of ketamine, respectively. Ketamine was approved by the FDA in 1970 and is clinically used for analgesia, sedation, and anesthetic induction. Ketamine is also emerging as a viable treatment option for various mental health, neurological and pain disorders. However, the methods generally used for the production of ketamine are time-consuming and typically based on stepwise macroscopic batch processes resulting in low productivity, reproducibility and flexibility due to poor mixing and heat transfer. The Ketamine Technology, developed at the Center for Integrated Technology and Organic Synthesis (CiTOS, ULiege) headed by Professor Jean-Christophe Monbaliu, relates to a scalable, safe and efficient continuous-flow process in micro/mesofluidic reactors for the production of ketamine and ketamine analogs, thereby addressing the shortcomings of the ketamine batch processes to improve yield production, reproducibility, purity profile, and requiring smaller footprint for production. In addition to improving the production process of racemic ketamine, the Ketamine Technology provides various methods for synthesizing ketamine analogs (i.e. arylcycloalkylamine derivatives) by using continuous-flow conditions with a drastically improved efficiency relative to batch procedures, which is of paramount importance for developing next-generation ketamines. We are excited to advance patented technology for the novel development and production process of ketamine and ketamine analogs from the University of Liege, said Fabio Chianelli, CEO of PharmaTher. We remain committed to our goal of becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of novel ketamine pharmaceuticals and this license not only strengthens our global patent portfolio for ketamine, but also complements our strategy in commercializing novel uses, delivery forms and formulations of ketamine and ketamine analogs to serve the unmet medical needs for mental health, neurological and pain disorders. In addition, the Company expects to form partnerships with research labs, ketamine clinics and pharmaceutical companies that are: seeking a secure supply of cGMP ketamine and ketamine products for current portfolios; exploring alternative dosage forms for multiple existing indications; developing novel ketamine analogs; and requiring support to develop and eventually commercialize specific ketamine products for new indications. Under the terms of the Agreement, PharmaTher gained exclusive worldwide development and commercial rights to an intellectual property portfolio consisting of a granted patent (Europe patent: 3700887B1) and patent applications (PCT/EP2018/097033) titled, Methods for the preparation of arylcycloalkylamine derivatives in the U.S., China and Canada. Consistent with industry standards, PharmaTher paid a one-time fee for entering into the Agreement, and all other future payments are based on clinical trial and revenue milestones reached by PharmaTher. About PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM) is focused on the development and commercialization of specialty ketamine pharmaceuticals for mental health, neurological, and pain disorders. Learn more at PharmaTher.com . For more information about PharmaTher, please contact: Fabio Chianelli Chief Executive Officer PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. Tel: 1-888-846-3171 Email: info@pharmather.com Website: www.pharmather.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "potential", "aim", may and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the "Company") current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Company's management's discussion and analysis for the period of November 30, 2021 ("MD&A"), dated January 27, 2022, which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction. NEW YORK, April 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wall Street Reporter, the trusted name in financial news since 1843, is highlighting the latest CEO comments and news from companies recently presenting at its highly acclaimed NEXT SUPER STOCK investor conferences, which engage an estimated 12 million investors globally each year. This weeks momentum leaders with accelerating news flow include: DeepMarkit (OTC: MKTDF) (TSX.V: MKT), NexTech AR Solutions (OTC: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR), ORAGIN Foods (OTC: OGGFF) (TSX.V: OG), and Nova Mentis Life Sciences (OTC: NMLSF) (CSE: NOVA). Wall Street Reporters NEXT SUPER STOCK conferences feature disruptive innovation leaders with +10X upside potential. These emerging growth companies are pursuing multi-billion dollar market opportunities, and are at a key inflection point in their growth trajectory - with multiple catalysts in-place to drive transformational growth, and shareholder value. This selective focus on ultra high-potential leaders, has already delivered eight 10X-50X wins in the past 20 months. DeepMarkit (OTC: MKTDF) (TSX.V: MKT) CEO Ranjeet Sundher: Monetizing Carbon Credits On Blockchain is Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity DeepMarkit (OTC: MKTDF) (TSX.V: MKT) a featured presenter at Wall Street Reporters NEXT SUPER STOCK investors conference is monetizing the nearly trillion dollar market for carbon credits onto the blockchain, with its Mint Carbon platform. The value of traded global markets for carbon dioxide (CO2) permits grew by 164% to a record $851 billion in 2021 according to analysts at Refinitiv, and is viewed by institutional investors and hedge funds as the next hot asset asset class. This market is expected to surge ten-fold during this decade as more enterprise adopts net-zero carbon emissions. DeepMarkit (OTC: MKTDF) (TSX.V: MKT) is capitalizing on this megatrend by helping carbon credit holders monetize their credits via its Mint Carbon platform into tradeable NFTs on the Ethereum-powered, Polygon blockchain for liquid sale on the global market 24/7. MKTDF expects to onboard its first batch of 25 million credits in the coming weeks (worth about $250 million). MKTDF generates revenues by charging a 10% minting fee to carbon credit holders, and then generates recurring revenues of about 1% every time the NFTs trade. In his interview with Wall Street Reporter, MKTDF CEO Ranjeet Sundher shared that key milestones to watch in the coming weeks are new issuers joining the MintCarbon platform, and the first NFTs being minted. Sundher says that MKTDFs first-mover advantage in the carbon credit NFT space, combined with its deep pipeline of projects create the potential for significant revenue growth and valuation upside in coming months. Watch DeepMarkit (OTC: MKTDF) (TSX.V: MKT) Next Super Stock video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/03/16/deepmarkit-otc-mktdf-monetizing-trillion-dollar-carbon-credits-on-blockchain/ NexTech AR Solutions (OTC: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) CEO Evan Gappelberg: NexTech is On-Ramp to Metaverse & Web 3.0 for $5.5 Trillion E-Commerce Market NexTech AR (OTC: NEXCF), a featured presenter at Wall Street Reporter's "Next Super Stock" investor conference series, recently shared with investors how NEXCF is emerging as a key player in the $5.5 trillion global e-commerce market transition to web 3.0 and the metaverse. NEXCF Augmented Reality solutions enable to view products in lifelike 3D, in their own living room. This AR shopping experience bridges the gap between the physical world, and what was once a flat 2D online e-commerce experience. NEXCFs AR shopping experience is a game changer for the 5.5 trillion global e-commerce industry (source: Statisa 2022). Watch NEXT SUPER STOCK (OTC: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) Video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/04/06/next-super-stock-nextech-ar-otc-nexcf-cse-ntar-on-ramp-to-metaverse-web-3-0-for-5-trillion-e-commerce-market/ NEXCF AR solutions create billions of dollars in potential profitability and cost cost-savings for e-commerce leaders by driving +93% increases in click through rate, and -40% reductions in product returns. This value creation and ROI is driving growing demand and industry adoption of NEXCF AR solutions. Nearly 2 billion of the worlds population now shops online. Most importantly, over 72% of e-commerce is now done by mobile phone - a native platform for Augmented Reality apps like NEXCF. Global blue chip brands utilizing NexTech AR, include: Ford Mach EV, Kohls, CB2, Crate & Barrel, Pier 1, and Segway. NexTechs AR solutions are rapidly becoming a must-have for e-commerce leaders to succeed in todays hyper-competitive market, where even marginal improvements in metrics like click-though and return-rates can mean the difference of billions of dollars to a companys bottom lineWere at an inflection point now, where industry demand and adoption for NexTechs AR is accelerating and going mainstream. As E-Commerce shifts to Web 3.0 and the Metaverse, the demand for AR/3D product models becomes essential. NexTech is emerging as the on ramp to the Metaverse and Web 3.0 for the $5.5 trillion e-commerce industry. With over 200 million product SKUs in e-commerce worldwide - NexTech has a potential revenue pipeline worth billions of dollars in coming years. Watch NEXT SUPER STOCK (OTC: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) Video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/04/06/next-super-stock-nextech-ar-otc-nexcf-cse-ntar-on-ramp-to-metaverse-web-3-0-for-5-trillion-e-commerce-market/ April 14 - NEXCF launches Nextech Metaverse Suite. This Suite of Metaverse SaaS products unifies Nextechs entire technology stack of 3D and AR products and apps into one, end-to-end seamless and easy to use SaaS subscription based platform. Nextech views SaaS as a significant advancement of all its 3D modelling and augmented reality solutions. SaaS integration has enormous implications for scalability and the company's future revenue growth. With this SaaS rollout, the Company is moving away from its managed solutions and moving toward monthly recurring revenue (MRR), business scalability, and low to no-touch AR for ecommerce. April 12 - NEXCF launches Shopify freemium 3D model pricing, updating the Companys Shopify app , initially launched in January , allowing merchants to create 3D/AR models for their ecommerce site. NEXCF is also planning to integrate this same Freemium pricing with more ecommerce platforms, including BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Magento, and is targeting Q2 2022 for completion of these integrations. These integrations will collectively place Nextechs AI-powered 3D/AR model creation solution in front of millions of merchants globally. April 6 - NEXCF files four pivotal non-provisional utility patents with respect to its Aritize 3D and ARitize CAD products for 3D model making, further strengthening the Companys intellectual property position. Fenwick & West represented Nextech AR in the filings. The patents filed are as follows: THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) MODEL GENERATION FROM TWO- DIMENSIONAL (2D) IMAGES - Covers core AI algorithms for creating 3D models automatically from 2D photos and is the core of Threedy tech. THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) MODEL ASSEMBLY - Covers the virtual assembly line concept that helps scale 3D content creation from 2D photos. MATERIAL ESTIMATION FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) MODELING - Covers the AI/ML techniques for creating 3D textures and materials automatically from 2D reference photos. THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) MODEL GENERATION FROM CAD DATA - Describes the technology and process we have built to convert 3D CAD files and other solid designs into optimized 3D meshes suitable for real-time visualization on the Web and AR. NEXCF CEO Evan Gappelberg, commented: "These patents represent the future of our IP and is a huge step forward for Nextech. Since the founding of the company we have been very strategic in strengthening our intellectual property position as we look to cement ourselves as the worlds leading 3D model factory." He continues, "We are in the market and generating revenue with most of this technology today while we are building the groundbreaking, disruptive technology of tomorrow that is critical for 3D and AR experiences for the Metaverse. These patent applications are foundational as we lay the groundwork in preparation for the mass adoption of everything 3D. We are witnessing the 4th industrial revolution happen as the global demand for 3D/AR models is growing exponentially, and 3D technology is quickly transforming from a "nice to have '' to a "must have" for brands and businesses particularly in the 5 trillion dollar ecommerce industry." Watch NEXT SUPER STOCK (OTC: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) Video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/04/06/next-super-stock-nextech-ar-otc-nexcf-cse-ntar-on-ramp-to-metaverse-web-3-0-for-5-trillion-e-commerce-market/ ORAGIN Foods (OTC: OGGFF) (TSX.V: OG) CEO Matt Lurie: Ready to Scale with Plant-Based Brands and Next Gen Organic Retailing ORAGIN Foods (OTC: OGGFF) a featured presenter at Wall Street Reporters NEXT SUPER STOCK investor conference, is capitalizing on twin megatrends in the booming plant-based foods space and specialty organic retailing. In his recent presentation, OGGFF CEO Matt Lurie shared with investors how OGGFF is positioned for explosive growth in the coming months, as it scales its Organic Garage specialty retail stores and expands its portfolio of CPG brands focusing on the the plant-based and organic lifestyle. Watch ORAGIN Foods (OTC: OGGFF) (TSX: OG) Next Super Stock livestream video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/03/01/oragin-foods-otc-oggff-tsx-og-unleashes-30x-upside-potential/ OGGFFs Organic Garage specialty retail stores have built up a cult following among millennial shoppers in Toronto, Canada through a fun experiential retail concept and discount pricing - Healthier Food For Less. OGGFF currently has four stores generating over $30 million in revenue, at strong gross margins - and is now at an inflection point - ready to scale rapidly with new locations. In his interview with Wall Street Reporter, OGGFF CEO Matt Lurie discusses the possibilities for scaling the Organic Garage brand globally, whether through company owned stores, partnerships, and or franchises. CEO Matt Lurie is especially excited about the growth potential for OGGFFs branded CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) business focused on the $30 billion plant-based foods and lifestyle sector. OGGFF is leveraging its retailing domain expertise into the plant-based foods space. With a strong insight and data on what sells on retail shelves and what todays consumers want, OGGFF is developing a suite of plant-based CPG brands through acquisitions, and internal development with a significant focus on expansion in the US market. One of OGGFFs recently launched CPG brands Future of Cheese (targeting the $900 billion dairy alternatives market) is already gaining significant traction. Developed by the worlds leading cheese experts, Future of Cheese is rolling out a full line of cheese, butter and other exciting plant-based dairy products. The brand is a hit with consumers and products are selling out on shelves weekly. OGGFF is now expanding its product portfolio to 8-10 SKUs in coming months which will help drive market penetration with international retailers, and restaurants. OGGFF expects significant revenue growth potential as it further develops a diversified suite of synergistic CPG brands through acquisitions in coming months. Watch ORAGIN Foods (OTC: OGGFF) (TSX: OG) Next Super Stock livestream video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/03/01/oragin-foods-otc-oggff-tsx-og-unleashes-30x-upside-potential/ March 23 - OGGFF appoints Matthew Merson to the Companys Advisory Board to support growth and expansion of the Companys Consumer Packaged Goods ("CPG") division. Mr. Merson is an industry executive with over 30 years of leadership roles with some of the most recognized food and beverage brands including dairy giant Danone, Coca-Cola, Glaceau, sustainable water brand Boxed Water, leading coconut water brand ZICO, and most recently, plant-based poultry company Simulate, owner of the popular brand NUGGS. Under Mr. Mersons sales leadership, Simulate has obtained listings in over 10,000 U.S. stores including Walmart, Target, Safeway and Kroger. April 6 - OGGFF receives FDA registration, allowing the companys Future of Cheese CPG brands, to commence production and sales plans within the U.S. market. The U.S packaged foods industry is estimated at over $1 trillion in annual sales, according to GrandView Research. Nova Mentis Life Sciences (OTC: NMLSF) (CSE: NOVA) CMO Marvin Hausman, M.D.: Novas Psilocybin-based Therapeutics Showing Vast Potential for Autism and Other Neuroinflammatory Disorders Nova Mentis Life Sciences (OTC: NMLSF) (CSE: NOVA) a featured presenter at Wall Street Reporters NEXT SUPER STOCK investor conference is advancing psilocybin-based novel therapeutics, targeting autism spectrum disorders, an unmet medical need with multi-billion dollar market potential. NMLSF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marvin Hausman, M.D., has a decades-long track record of success advancing new drugs through the FDA regulatory pathways, into commercialization, generating billions of dollars in revenue. Dr. Hausman, is now bringing the same playbook to NMLSF for its psilocybin-based therapeutics targeting Fragile X, then potential expansion to treat other neuroinflammatory disorders, including alzheimers, and parkinsons. NMLSF plans to submit a clinical trial application to Health Canada for a Phase 2A study evaluating its psilocybin microdose therapy for Fragile X Syndrome, in the coming weeks. NMLSF is a global leader in first-in-class psilocybin-based therapeutics and complementary diagnostics for neuroinflammatory disorders. NMLSF is the first biotech company to achieve FDA Orphan Drug Designation in both the United States and European Union for the use of psilocybin in the treatment of FXS. In his interview, with Wall Street Reporter, Dr. Hausman explains his strategy for advancing NMLSFs drug pipeline through commercialization, as he has successfully accomplished with other novel drugs during his decades-long career. Watch NEXT SUPER STOCK Nova Mentis (OTC: NMLSF) (CSE: NOVA) Video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/03/25/next-super-stock-nova-mentis-life-sciences-otc-nmlsf-billions-opportunity-w-autism-psilocybin/ "The recently completed preclinical study of repeat low doses of our psilocybin drug - every other day for 2 weeks, showed clinical responses that greatly exceeded our expectations. We significantly modulated behavioural and cognitive defects, such as recognition memory, in FXS." NMLSF plans to submit a clinical trial application to Health Canada in the coming weeks for a Phase 2A study evaluating psilocybin microdose therapy for FXS. "Autism spectrum disorder ("ASD") and especially FXS, the largest genetic cause of ASD, continue to have unmet medical needs. Scientists at NOVA, over the past two years, have laid the groundwork for development of potential novel psilocybin-based microdose treatment of ASD," said NMLSF Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marvin S. Hausman, MD. April 8 - NMLSF contracts with Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology to formulate and manufacture psilocybin microdose capsules for its upcoming Canadian Phase 2A fragile X syndrome clinical study. NMLSF has already manufactured a large supply of >98% pure psilocybin for clinical studies and commercialization following drug approval. March 23 - NMLSF begins patient enrollment process for its North American Observational study: Establishing a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Index in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). NMLSFs Observational Study will study the neuroinflammatory mRNA genetic profile contained within cheek cells from ASD and FXS patients, as well as measure serotonin levels in patient saliva. The research objective is to develop a genetic neuroinflammatory and serotonin data bank that will help establish a "Diagnostic Index" an objective set of tools that helps to differentiate subtypes of ASD, as well as FXS, and to develop more accurate methods of diagnosis and treatment. Collected data will be analyzed using customized machine learning algorithms and used to guide design of upcoming clinical trials that will test the efficacy of psilocybin-based therapeutics in ASD and FXS. Patients enrolled in this Observational Study will have a high priority position to be enrolled in planned psilocybin microdose clinical trials in Canada and the United States. NOVA is aiming to recruit at least 300 qualifying participants; 200+ ASD/FSX patients and 100+ neurotypical controls. Patient enrollment information at: novamentis.ca/autismstudy "Families caring for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and fragile X syndrome (FXS) deserve new scientific and therapeutic options to improve diagnosis, quality of care and treatment outcomes. The goal of our North American ASD and FXS Observational Study is to uncover novel and meaningful ways to diagnose and treat ASD and FXS, which is particularly relevant for statistical separation between the multitude of ASD subtypes, currently differentiated rather crudely, based on behavioural analysis," says NMLSF Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marvin S. Hausman MD. February 16 - NMLSF successfully completes an oral microdose psilocybin preclinical study, in the laboratory of Dr. Viviana Trezza, Rome Tre University, Rome, Italy. The results exceeded all expectations with the findings that a very low dose of the Company's proprietary psilocybin significantly modulated behavioural and cognitive defects, such as recognition memory, in a genetic model of fragile X syndrome (FXS). "The science team led by Dr. Hausman, together with Dr. Viviana Trezza from Roma Tre University, continues to deliver promising preclinical results. The recent oral microdose data set not only confirms but exceeds our original injectable formulation results," says Will Rascan, CEO of NOVA. "The clear positive data is critical as we prepare to submit our clinical trial application to Health Canada for a Phase 2A study evaluating psilocybin microdose therapy for fragile X syndrome." Watch NEXT SUPER STOCK Nova Mentis (OTC: NMLSF) (CSE: NOVA) Video: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/2022/03/25/next-super-stock-nova-mentis-life-sciences-otc-nmlsf-billions-opportunity-w-autism-psilocybin/ WALL STREET REPORTER Wall Street Reporter (Est. 1843) is the leading financial news provider, focused on giving investors direct access to CEOs of promising, publicly-traded companies, and market experts. www.WallStreetReporter.com . Nothing in this news summary shall be construed as investment advice. Quotes/content may be edited for brevity and context. Full disclaimer, and relevant SEC 17B disclosures here: https://tinyurl.com/2x4eznd5 About Wall Street Reporters Next Super Stock conference: Wall Street Reporter's NEXT SUPER STOCK Live! conference is dedicated to featuring select companies that have near-term catalysts in place which can drive transformational growth (and stock appreciation) in the months ahead. Click here to join next livestream event: https://www.wallstreetreporter.com/next-superstock-online-investor-conference/ CONTACT: WALL STREET REPORTER (212) 871-2057 ext 7 Tokyo, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The energy storage has become one of the market dynamics for the global hydrogen energy storage market. The hydrogen energy storage helps in the power and electricity generation on a large scale. One of the factors driving the growth of the global hydrogen energy storage market is growing emphasis on the clean and green energy. For this, the government of established and emerging nations is working with key market players for the development of the market. In addition, the growing initiatives for the research and development in the field of energy are also driving the growth of the global hydrogen energy storage market over the projected period. The expansion of automobile and transportation sectors are propelling the expansion of the worldwide hydrogen energy storage market. The hydrogen is widely used in the vehicles. This helps in the reduction of toxic gases. Thus, this is boosting the demand for hydrogen energy storage in the global market. Get the Sample Pages of Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/1661 Furthermore, the strict government regulations against the greenhouse gas emissions and global warming are supporting the growth of the global hydrogen energy storage market. Moreover, the major market players are collaborating with the government agencies for the development of hydrogen energy storage market. Additionally, the government of developed and developing countries is providing subsidies and tax rebates for the production plant of hydrogen. This factor is also boosting the growth of the worldwide hydrogen energy storage market. Scope of the Report Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 15.52 Billion CAGR 7.5% from 2022 to 2030 Largest Market Asia Pacific Fastest Growing Market North America Companies Covered Steelhead Composites Inc., Air Liquide, Air Products Inc., ITM Power, Iwatani Corporation, Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology BV, Cummins Inc., Engie, Nel ASA, Linde PLC Report Highlights: Based on the technology , the compression storage technologysegment dominated the global hydrogen energy storage market in 2021 with largest market share. The compressed form of hydrogen is used as fuel for the automobiles and vehicles on a large scale. This factor is driving the growth of the segment. , the compression storage technologysegment dominated the global hydrogen energy storage market in 2021 with largest market share. The compressed form of hydrogen is used as fuel for the automobiles and vehicles on a large scale. This factor is driving the growth of the segment. On the ba sis of physical state , the solidsegment holds the largest market share the global hydrogen energy storage market in 2021. The large amount of hydrogen is stored as solid form as this can be used as liquid or gas form in later stages. , the solidsegment holds the largest market share the global hydrogen energy storage market in 2021. The large amount of hydrogen is stored as solid form as this can be used as liquid or gas form in later stages. Based on the application , the industrial segment dominated the global hydrogen energy storage market in 2021 with largest market share. There is surge in demand for electricity in industrial areas. This factor is driving the segment growth during the forecast period. , the industrial segment dominated the global hydrogen energy storage market in 2021 with largest market share. There is surge in demand for electricity in industrial areas. This factor is driving the segment growth during the forecast period. North America region is the fastest growing region in the hydrogen energy storage market. The government of developed countries such as the U.S. is constantly striving for the conservation of energy. Various activities are being carried out for creating awareness about conservation of energy among people. In addition, the existence of major market players in the region is propelling the growth of the hydrogen energy storage market in the region. is the fastest growing region in the hydrogen energy storage market. The government of developed countries such as the U.S. is constantly striving for the conservation of energy. Various activities are being carried out for creating awareness about conservation of energy among people. In addition, the existence of major market players in the region is propelling the growth of the hydrogen energy storage market in the region. Asia-Pacific is the largest segment for hydrogen energy storage market in terms of region. The growing demand for clean and green energy is contributing to the expansion of the growth of the Asia-Pacific hydrogen energy storage market. Moreover, the hydrogen is widely used for various industries. Ask here for more customization study@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/customization/1661 Future of Hydrogen Energy Storage Market According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the demand for hydrogen has increased dramatically over the period of time. Many of the countries have started supplying hydrogen for industrial purposes. The hydrogen is used in various industries such as transport, construction and buildings, and power generation. The hydrogen is used to curb the greenhouse gases emissions and carbon emissions. Thus, due to all of these factors, the market for hydrogen energy storage is expected to expand in the near future. COVID-19 Impact Analysis: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the global hydrogen energy storage market was negative. This is due to the decline in the rate of production of electricity during the pandemic. Even energy industry saw decline in the growth. This is attributed to the shut down of manufacturing costs and supply chain disruption. Thus, the recovery of the global hydrogen energy storage market is expected as lockdown restrictions are being removed. Related Reports Key Developments in the Marketplace: South Korea had 15 hydrogen powered buses and ten hydrogen powered trucks in July 2020. Throughout 2021, the nation expects to introduce at least 80 new hydrogen powered trucks to the hydrogen energy storage market. Hydrogen de France and Ballard Power Systems signed a deal in December 2019 to develop and integrate a multi megawatt scale fuel system into HDF Energys Renewable power plant for stationary power usage. Its a multi megawatt baseload system that uses electrolysis to store significant amounts of intermittent renewable energy in the form of hydrogen. Market Segmentation By Technology Compression Liquefaction Material Based By Physical State Solid Liquid Gas By End User Residential Commercial Industrial By Application Stationary Power Transportation By Geography North America Europe Asia-Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa (MEA) Click Here to View Full Report Table of Contents Buy this Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/1661 You can place an order or ask any questions, please feel free to contact at sales@precedenceresearch.com | +1 9197 992 333 About Us Precedence Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Precedence Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defense, among different ventures present globally. For Latest Update Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/precedence-research/ https://www.facebook.com/precedenceresearch/ https://twitter.com/Precedence_R TORONTO, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (TSX: DPM) (DPM or the Company) today confirmed that its Chelopech and Ada Tepe mines, located in Bulgaria, continue to have a secure supply of power, and the Company does not anticipate an impact to the operations as a result of the recent announcement that Russia is suspending natural gas deliveries to Bulgaria. It is business as usual for our operations in Bulgaria, and we continue to operate with a steady supply of energy from Bulgarias national power grid, said David Rae, President and Chief Executive Officer. Bulgaria is a net exporter of power and is not reliant on imported natural gas from Russia for its electric power needs. The main sources of Bulgarias electric energy are nuclear and coal facilities, which together comprise approximately 80% of Bulgarias total energy generation. Although Russia has recently announced that it is halting natural gas deliveries to Bulgaria, approximately 5% of Bulgarias total energy supply is generated from natural gas1 and DPM does not anticipate any disruption of power supply to its mines as a result. Furthermore, the Company does not source any supplies from Russia or Russian companies. As a result, the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the Company has been limited to increased costs for energy, fuel and other direct materials. DPM continues to closely monitor and proactively manage the potential impacts stemming from this evolving situation. About Dundee Precious Metals Inc. Dundee Precious Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based international gold mining company with operations and projects located in Bulgaria, Namibia, Ecuador and Serbia. The Companys purpose is to unlock resources and generate value to thrive and growth together. This overall purpose is supported by a foundation of core values, which guides how the Company conducts its business and informs a set of complementary strategic pillars and objectives related to ESG, innovation, optimizing our existing portfolio, and growth. The Companys resources are allocated in-line with its strategy to ensure that DPM delivers value for all of its stakeholders. DPMs shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: DPM). For further information please contact: David Rae President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: (416) 365-5092 drae@dundeeprecious.com Jennifer Cameron Director, Investor Relations Tel: (416) 219-6177 jcameron@dundeeprecious.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward looking statements or forward looking information (collectively, Forward Looking Statements) that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward Looking Statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as plans, expects, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, outlook, intends, anticipates, believes, or variations of such words and phrases or that state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions. The Forward Looking Statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the expected impact to the Companys operations as a result of the suspension of natural gas deliveries to Bulgaria by Russia, including disruption to the Companys power supply to its mines. Forward Looking Statements are based on certain key assumptions and the opinions and estimates of management and the QPs, as of the date such statements are made, and they 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 other future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward Looking Statements. In addition to factors already discussed in this news release, such factors include, among others, the impact of the conflict in Ukraine, including resulting changes to the Companys power supply to its operations, supply chain and costs of supplies; product shortages; delivery and shipping issues; closures and/or failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; employees and contractors being affected by the conflict; lost work hours; labour force shortages; fluctuations in metal and acid prices, toll rates and foreign exchange rates; limitation on insurance coverage; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; cyber attacks and other cybersecurity risks; as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Companys annual MD&A and AIF for the year ended December 31, 2021, and other documents filed from time to time with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of Canada and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The reader has been cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors which may have been used. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward Looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. The Companys Forward Looking Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date hereof. Unless required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update Forward Looking Statements if circumstances or managements estimates or opinions should change. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward Looking Statements. WILMINGTON, Del., April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Entrepreneurs are people who find solutions to the different problems and inconveniences one can face in their everyday life. Nihar Gala is one such figure who has found success in his ventures as a businessman and entrepreneur. He has recently taken even greater strides in his journey of helping others through his recently announced scholarship program, the Nihar Gala Scholarship for American Entrepreneurs. The scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to the lucky student which will go towards paying their education and tuition fees. Nihar regularly announces his annual scholarship as an attempt to help students who have similar interests as him in pursuing the same profession. The scholarship is open to all graduating high school students or currently enrolled college students with a desire to open a business after graduation. Having spent several years as a business owner and entrepreneur himself, Nihar sympathizes greatly with students who wish to pursue the same profession but dont have the financial security to establish themselves with the necessary foundation to become a knowledgeable and trained entrepreneur. Universities play a key role in finding success in ones life as it helps you develop key skills with the lessons and training, they provide. Scholarships like this help serve to bridge the financial gap and allow others the same opportunities as other students. Personal achievements serve as one of the biggest measures of success in ones life as major milestones like purchasing something expensive like a house or car or even simpler things like earning a respectable amount of money from work. Our careers serve as one of the major sources of achievements we might be able to accomplish and we often look to them as opportunities to prove something to people around us and ourselves. The kind of career path we decisively take determines just how challenging and satisfying our journeys will be towards fulfilling it, this makes deciding the kind of career we will be studying all the more crucial. Entrepreneurship is one of the more interesting things to study and pick up because of the opportunities you get to find and create. Everyone can become an entrepreneur if they have the determination and motivation for it. However, motivation and perseverance can only take you so far in your journey as you can end up facing a wall that you cant easily overcome. Education plays a significant role in taking down this wall and opportunities for them should never be wasted. If you would like to learn more about the Nihar Gala Scholarship, please visit the official website at https://nihargalascholarship.com to find out all the details about how to apply. Name: Nihar Gala Website: https://nihargalascholarship.com CALGARY, Alberta, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prospera Energy Inc (TSX.V: PEI, OTC: GXRFF, FRA: OF6B) (PEI) is pleased to provide its shareholders with the following corporate update summarizing the significant milestones achieved over the past 1.3 years. Prospera has now positioned itself to develop three large heavy oil fields (>42,000 acres) with significant OOIP (390 mmbbl) that have had no modern drilling or recovery methods applied. Historical production has accounted for only 30 mmbbl. PEI Restructure 2021 Commencing 2021, PEI was restructured to be compliant and profitable. PEI restructuring efforts were coordinated throughout 2021 and accomplished the following: Structured Equity and Convertible Debenture Private Placement financing that raised 7.6 million Cdn$. These proceeds were used to: Settle both the secured and unsecured creditors through a combination of monthly payments and share debt settlement arrangements Settle historical liabilities to surface landowners, local municipalities and trades of more than $7.1 million (58%), which is reflected in the December 31, 2020, financial statements Address all 400+ outstanding environmental and regulatory non-compliances Perform facility & pipeline maintenance to ensure safe operating conditions Deploy working capital to optimize production to the current 600 boepd resulting in over $2.0 million in peak monthly revenue Increased PEI ownership from an average of 40% - 80%+ in all core properties Restructured the Board of Directors with diverse business and technical backgrounds and formed an experienced management team focused on technical delineation and financial discipline to optimize oil recovery in a safe and cost-effective manner. The board is focused on development, expansion, and growth whilst being ESG friendly. Licensed and ready to spud re-entry horizontal drilling program in Summer 2022: The incremental production is expected to increase total gross production to 1,500+ bpd Secured a letter of intent (LOI) for an adjacent (strategic fit) heavy oil property similar to the current three Saskatchewan assets Executed a commitment letter to acquire a proximal light oil play with a development plan to increase production by 1,000+bpd Core Assets Background PEIs core assets are medium to heavy oil properties (12-17 API) located along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border: Cuthbert, Heart Hills, and Luseland. An image accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/708f28c0-468c-4841-8c03-94d77acbed3e These three assets were initiated by Wascana Energy in the late 1980s and developed by multinational Nexen (CanOxy) in the 2000s and attained peak rates of 10,000 bpd through vertical wells at reduced spacing. Nexen built all the infrastructure to transport emulsion to a central battery that was controlled and monitored by state-of-the-art automated systems. Nexen also initiated 3D seismic program over the entire pool of all three assets. In 2010, industry economics dictated the transfer of these three assets to an intermediate company, Cona Resources (Northern Blizzard Resources), whom applied further vertical drilling to increase heavy oil recoveries, however, were focused on other prioritized assets. Consequently, production from these three assets declined to less than 1,500 bpd due to the lack of reservoir management and pressure maintenance required to offset the primary depletion. The low production rates were unable to support the high fixed operating costs (surface lease and property tax) stemming from the numerous reduced spacing vertical locations. In 2018, these three assets were divested to a junior company, Prospera Energy (Georox Resources), and various joint venture partners. Towards the end of 2020, PEI found itself in a challenging position. It had become difficult to continue operations due to high and long-term liabilities. These circumstances were further amplified by the pandemic and drastic reduction in produced volumes (less than 200 bpd). In December 2020, Mr. Samuel David was appointed as President & CEO and to the Board of Directors of PEI. Mr. David recognized that there was considerable oil remaining in the ground. The properties were older and mature, but only an average of 8 percent (~30 mmbbl) had been recovered up to this point of the original oil place (390 mmbbl). Furthermore, the recovery was almost exclusively with vertical wells. Vertical wells have smaller drainage areas with as low as 20-30 meters of effective radius from the vertical well. This means that, with heavy oil that doesnt move efficiently, a lot of the remaining oil is left in the ground. Horizontal well technology was a tough option 20 years ago because geosteering was still evolving. Getting a horizontal well across a 3-meter net pay without dipping into the oil-water contact was a challenging task. With todays downhole guide systems and directional drill bits, the challenges are no longer a problem. PEI can easily draw out a 500-meter horizontal lateral from an existing wellbore and stay in the sweet spot. Instead of a vertical well exposed to a couple meters of net pay, you get a horizontal well accessing two hundred times that amount. Tapping more reservoir means more oil to the wellbore and more recovery from the reservoir. These assets attained peak rates of 10,000 bpd of heavy oil with just vertical wells. Working in PEIs favor is that, while the oil is heavy, the assets are very high permeability reservoirs. Permeability is a measure of how well the oil flows in the reservoir. The bigger the number, the better it moves. These formations are porous (~30%) and permeable (3 -5 Darcies). Current recoveries at these three properties are 6 - 10%. PEI believes that they can raise recoveries to at least 20%, and as high as 40%, using horizontal wells and well-designed polymer floods. Look Forward - 2022 PEI is entering the second phase of its corporate development plan: the re-entry horizontal from existing vertical wellbores. These new wells will access undrained reserves and capture the significant remaining reserves within these three large heavy oil fields. These re-entry wells are low-cost operations and already tied into the existing infrastructure. High permeability reservoirs also mean no need for fracks or costly completions. Along the path of the lateral section, PEI can eliminate depleted, low-rate, vertical wells, effectively reducing abandonment liabilities and the associated high (fixed) operating costs related to the vertical wells. PEI is licensed and poised to spud in Summer 2022. Supporting production, flattening the decline and further cost reduction can be obtained using a polymer flood application. The polymer flood is expected to provide improved reservoir support compared to a traditional water flood. The polymer is thicker, thereby sweeping the oil more efficiently, whilst building pressure more effectively. There are proximal analogue reservoirs where polymer flood has been applied that has resulted in substantial recovery and incremental production. Multiple adjacent properties operated by private companies have completed polymer flood applications resulting in improved recoveries and cost reductions. PEI is assessing the polymer technology to enhance the recovery from the three Saskatchewan fields. Expansion & Upside: PEI has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire an adjacent heavy oil property with similar reservoir qualities to the current three Saskatchewan assets. This acquisition will double the size of PEI in terms of reserves and production. PEI has also signed a commitment letter on a proven light oil play for a path to an additional 1,000+bpd. These assets are strategic to expand the core assets and to diversify the product mix to higher margin light oil. Full details will be unveiled after the asset transfers to PEI are confirmed. A few larger peers like Gear Energy (GXE TSX) have heavy oil exposure. Gear trades at an EV/Flowing Barrel of about $70,000. At $0.08/share, PEI has a fully diluted market cap of $30 million. By executing its development plan, PEI would expect to be about 1/5th the price of Gear. Additionally, PEI has the same tailwind that all the oil producers have today buoyant oil prices. While the industry has witnessed a big move up in valuation for producers, they continue to remain at an attractive price point. A further sector move could drive PEI market cap up further. ESG Plans: Whilst focusing on growing revenue and profitability and ultimately increasing shareholder value, PEIs management team is keen on sustainability and ESG initiatives. PEI has refurbished three central batteries, infrastructure and monitoring equipment to code and safe operating conditions to avoid spills and downtime. PEI is committed to eliminate all emissions through ESG technologies. Furthermore, PEI development entails reducing its environmental footprint by eliminating over 160 surface locations through re-entering existing vertical wellbores and placing laterals from them. This will not require any additional surface disturbance. PEI is actively pursuing oil upgrade technologies that will improve revenue pricing and operating netbacks. The company has been in active discussions that offer disruptive technologies that would potentially improve PEIs economics and allow for a more ESG-friendly output. PEI hopes to share further details regarding this in the near future. PEI is currently producing at a stable rate of 600 boepd and with the development plan expects to exit the year at 1,500 boepd. About Prospera Prospera is a public oil and gas exploration, exploitation and development company focusing on conventional oil and gas reservoirs in Western Canada. Prospera will use its experience to develop, acquire and drill assets with potential for primary and secondary recovery. For further information: Samuel David, President & CEO Calgary, Alberta FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Corporation and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as will, may, should, anticipate, expects and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding plans and objectives of the Corporation, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Although Prospera 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 Prospera can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Prospera. As a result, Prospera cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward- looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Prospera does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by Canadian securities law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Prospera Energy Inc. NEW YORK, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dante Labs , a global leader in genomics and precision medicine, is pleased to announce the company has been selected as the genetic testing provider for Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), the Abu Dhabi-based specialist healthcare center focused on cell therapy and regenerative medicine. In parallel, a joint R&D program has been launched focused on the development of a mRNA vaccine platform to identify individual cancer treatments. This collaboration with ADSCC is an important step forward in our strategy to provide the best clinical genetic services now to United Arab Emirates and in the Region. The goal is that partnerships like this will pave the way to a much wider adoption of genomics in additional clinical fields, said Andrea Riposati, CEO of Dante Labs. It is clear that the UAE has become a global leader in the field of genomics, and we are pleased to invest in this innovative country. Effective April 18, 2022, Dante has begun providing clinical genetic testing to ADSCC patients covering a wide spectrum of medical specializations and all testing will take place in Dantes new Dubai laboratory. We are very excited and are looking forward to our upcoming collaboration with Dante, said Dr. Yendry Ventura Carmenate, General Manager at ADSCC. The combined experience of the professionals at the helm of this collaboration gives us absolute assurance in the success of this very ambitious endeavor. Working together with Dante Labs provides us with an excellent opportunity to further boost the status of United Arab Emirates as the worldwide leader in both genomics and innovative healthcare practices, aimed at the eradication of deadly diseases throughout the world for the greater good of humanity. In addition to genomic testing services, Dante and the ADSCC will partner on the launch of an R&D program with a focus on personalized treatments for oncology patients, and eventually the development of cancer vaccines. "The hope with testing programs like ours with ADSCC is that it will pave the way for wider adoption of genomes in other areas such as R&D and training programs, said Professor Mattia Capulli, Chief Scientific Officer of Dante Laboratories. The mRNA technology is extremely promising for infectious diseases. We are convinced that the joint R&D program will deliver solid results in oncology treatments very soon and will lead to new types of vaccines in oncology and other clinical areas. About Dante Labs Dante Labs is a global genomic information company building and commercializing a new class of transformative health and longevity applications based on whole genome sequencing and AI. The Company uses its platform to deliver better patient outcomes from diagnostics to therapeutics with assets including one of the largest private genome databases with research consent, proprietary software designed to unleash the power of genomic data at scale and proprietary processes which enable an industrial approach to genomic sequencing. About Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) is an Abu Dhabi-based specialist healthcare center focused on cell therapy and regenerative medicine techniques, as well as delivering cutting-edge research on stem cells in the region. The Center was founded in March 2019 to meet growing domestic and regional demand for highly specialized medical services and treatments. Equipped with the latest technologies, medical devices which are unique to the region, and a team of internationally recognized doctors working hand in hand with researchers, ADSCC is the first of its kind in the UAE. The Center focuses primarily on harvesting, processing, characterizing and storing cell products for clinical application in both regenerative medicine and hematopoietic transplantation. It aims to streamline and develop new processes related to stem cell therapy and research, in order to both serve our team of doctors clinical needs and become a referral center for the region. Contacts: Laura DAngelo VP of Investor Relations ir@dantelabs.com Im +39 0862 191 0671 www.dantelabs.com info@adscc.ae Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76811dae-c095-4504-a5b6-34da0ca44892 OAKLAND, Calif., April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Democratic Candidate Dr. Eugene Allen hits the campaign trail in Oakland starting Thursday, April 28, 2022, to meet with local officials. The Los Angeles doctor is making waves throughout the Democratic Party, as the top third candidate to challenge incumbent Ricardo Lara and Assemblyman Marc Levine. Dr. Allen announced his run for candidacy in October of 2021. During this visit, Dr. Allen plans to meet with Oakland NAACP and Alameda County Pastors, with a local stop at Scott's Seafood Jack London Square on Thursday, April 28th, to meet with locals and the general public. The African American candidate has begun to receive increasing support as the campaign moves towards the June primary. Dr. Allen has received a windfall of endorsements and donations, while becoming more visible to California residents over the last two months. Team Allen reports a 150% boost in website visits, receiving 71k new visits this month, at times knocking down the servers. Candidate Allen states: "I look forward to meeting with the community of Oakland, the residents deserve to have their voices heard. My goal is to find a common solution and offer assistance with the growing need for insurance reform in California." Dr. Allen is known for his community leadership in Los Angeles. Candidate Allen has plans to return to Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and the wine country in the upcoming weeks. Dr. Allen is the founder of Dusk to Dawn Urgent Care facilities, located throughout Southern California. For 20 years, Dr. Eugene Allen and his wife, Dr. Connie Yu, have centered their commitment to improving the communities of Los Angeles. Campaign Headquarters Dr. Allen for California Insurance Commissioner 701 East 28th Street Suite 401 Long Beach, Ca 90806 Phone: (310) 386-6404 Election Website: www.electdrallen2022.com Media Inquiries: Derrick Dzurko Email: derrick@e1mgmedia.com Phone: (888) 231-6942 Related Images Image 1: Dr. Eugene Allen Candidate DR. Eugene Allen for Insurance Commissioner 2022 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia and IRVINE, Calif., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PowerTap Hydrogen Capital Corp (NEO: MOVE) (FWB: 2K6B) (OTC: MOTNF) (PowerTap or the Company or MOVE) is pleased to provide an update on its zoning application activities for its initial stations in Northern California, development, final engineering of its Gen3 modular blue hydrogen production and dispensing unit (MHPDU), and on the supply of renewable natural gas for our newly developed Gen3 units. With some delays due to pandemic constraints, zoning approval is moving forward for the first Andretti station incorporating a PowerTap Gen3 MHPDU, located in Fortuna, in Humboldt County, California. The initial public hearing is scheduled for May 2022 and the PowerTap team is gearing up for full participation in the hearing. With zoning approval of the Fortuna station, the company anticipates construction and installation permits processing to yield approvals in Q3/Q4 2022, with construction to follow. In reference to final engineering, PowerTap has engaged with T2M Global (T2M) to complete the final prototype engineering for manufacturing using the breadth of T2Ms technology development, commercialization, strategic advisory and business/supply chain development services. The T2M team has best in-class engineers with depth and significant expertise in hydrogen, specifically, the critical technical arenas of heat transfer, compression, and storage, as well as station deployment. T2M will work with our contract manufacturer, Capstone Green Energy, to develop and deploy a world class PowerTap manufacturing process in Capstones facilities. Regarding PowerTaps supply of renewable natural gas (RNG) or biomethane for production of hydrogen through the Gen3 MHPDU, the Company has established a non-binding letter of intent with an RNG vendor to provide supply of RNG through 2027 at very competitive pricing as it pursues its plan to deploy blue hydrogen MHPDUs across California and beyond. The RNG vendor has agreed, through its project partners, to provide RNG that would provide a total carbon intensity (CI) of zero or less in a blend of 41% RNG to 59% fossil fuel natural gas required to produce hydrogen through the Gen3. It is this blend of RNG that enables PowerTap to maximize the carbon credits it expects to earn via the State of California Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program. PowerTap CEO Raghu Kilambi commented, We continue to make progress in our goal to build the PowerTap hydrogen highway. ABOUT POWERTAP HYDROGEN CAPITAL CORP. PowerTap Hydrogen Capital Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, PowerTap Hydrogen Fueling Corp. (PowerTap), is focused on installing hydrogen production and dispensing fueling infrastructure in the United States. PowerTaps patented solution has been developed over 20 years. PowerTap is now commercializing its third-generation blue hydrogen product that will focus on the refueling needs of the automotive and long-haul trucking markets that lack hydrogen fueling infrastructure. There are currently under 100 operational publicly available hydrogen stations in the United States with most of the existing stations purchasing industrial hydrogen from industrial manufacturers and shipping hydrogen to individual stations via tanker trucks. www.PowerTapcapital.com www.PowerTapfuels.com PowerTap Hydrogen common shares are listed on the NEO Exchange. Please visit the company's profile on the NEO Exchange website at https://www.neo.inc/en/live/security-activity/MOVE#!/market- depth. Investor Contact: Tyler Troup, Circadian Group IR MOVE@circadian-group.com PowerTap Contact: Raghu Kilambi raghu@hydrogenfueling.co +1 (604) 687-2038 NEITHER THE NEO EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, forecasts, estimates, expectations, and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of PowerTap. Some assumptions include, without limitation, the timing of and likelihood of the success of the zoning application; the timing for the completion of the MHPDU prototype; the availability of the supply of RNG; the global addressable market for hydrogen; the renewable energies sector and the Companys future plans. 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 or be achieved. This press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, among other things, the timing and ability of the Company to complete any potential investments or acquisitions, if at all, and the timing thereof. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Although the Company believes that the material factors, expectations, and assumptions expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available to it on the date such statements were made, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements and such statements are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking information contained in this release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and is made as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. ANAHEIM, Calif., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CURE Media Group, the industry-leading multimedia platform devoted to cancer updates and research that reaches more than 1 million patients, survivors and caregivers, today announced Margaret Campbell, B.S.N., RN, as the winner of the 2022 Extraordinary Healer award for oncology nursing. Campbell was recognized for her dedication and expertise in caring for patients during an awards ceremony tonight in conjunction with the 47th Annual ONS Congress in Anaheim, California. Patrick Dempsey, award-winning actor, producer, cancer advocate and founder of the Dempsey Center, served as the event's keynote speaker. We are honored once again to celebrate the remarkable oncology nurses so steadfastly dedicated to going above and beyond every day, particularly over the last few years of working through a global pandemic, said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, parent company of CURE Media Group. As we mark our 20th anniversary, CURE Media Group is thrilled to host this event in person and to express heartfelt gratitude to the nurses who, like Margaret, are the healing heroes that patients and loved ones need in their time of greatest worry. Campbell is a research nurse in the breast oncology program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where she cares for patients in clinical trials. When she first joined the Institute in 2003, she had never heard the term research nurse. But after working in the inpatient sphere, including surgery, the emergency department and the intensive-care unit, and as a visiting nurse for years, she began searching for something different. With a love for patient contact, Campbell wanted to remain in the clinical setting. When a colleague explained research nursing, she was intrigued and decided to pursue it, earning a certificate as a clinical research associate at Boston College. Referring to her as a quiet hero, her colleagues cite her incredible dedication to her patients and ability to balance patient obligations with the demands of the clinical trials. Her contributions to health care not only benefit her patients, but also countless others in the United States and around the world who gain access to better cancer treatments. Oncology nurses continue to deliver care to patients under extraordinary and challenging circumstances, and the finalists for the 2022 CURE Extraordinary Healer award have been recognized for their exceptional leadership, resilience and empathy, said Pearl Pugh, vice president, sales & marketing, hematology at Janssen Oncology. Janssen Oncology is proud to sponsor this award for the fourth year in a row, championing the important work that oncology nurses do every day to support patients along their treatment journey. Bristol Myers Squibb is honored to help recognize the significant role oncology nurses play during a cancer patients treatment by supporting the Extraordinary Healer award for our sixth year, said Lee James, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, US medical oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb. Congratulations to all of the finalists for their tremendous dedication in caring for oncology patients, and especially to Margaret for taking home the top honor at tonights awards ceremony. Founded in 2007, the annual Extraordinary Healer award for oncology nursing has received hundreds of nominations and it continues to grow each year. The men and women honored by the award during the past 16 years have been nominated by colleagues, patients, friends and family of outstanding oncology nurses from around the world. The other 2022 finalists were Tammy Allred, RN, OCN, of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Livia Szeto, B.S.N., RN, OCN, of University of Chicago Medicine. This event is supported by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and Bristol Myers Squibb. About CURE Media Group CURE Media Group is the leading resource for cancer updates, research and education. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, CURE has become the most widely distributed and read consumer publication in the United States for patients with cancer, survivors and their caregivers. The platform includes its industry-leading website curetoday.com; innovative video programs; a series of educational and inspirational events; and CURE magazine, which reaches more than 1 million readers. CURE Media Group is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , YouTube , Facebook and Instagram . CURE Media Group Contact Lisa Trapani, 410-245-0094 ltrapani@rosecomm.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fded2551-7f53-4f6b-a1bf-b05c31410a05 English German TORONTO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franchise Global Health Inc. ("Franchise Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: FGH) is pleased to announce the Company's wholly owned Danish subsidiary, Rangers Pharmaceutical A/S ("Rangers"), has successfully established Europe's first legal and registered seedbank in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2021 it received a third-party audited value of C$9.5 million. The seedbank, which is arguably the largest globally, and the 286 strains held within, including several world-class genetics and winners of 19 Cannabis Cups, is a key component to Franchise Global's IP strategy and exemplifies Franchise Global's long-standing heritage to premium quality. The seedbank is licensed to store, sell and export cannabis seeds globally under legal international trade frameworks and import/export permits. Franchise Global has decided to offer a number of strains to the market and has subsequently signed numerous seed purchase orders and strategic agreements with many emerging cannabis cultivators and wholesalers to further expand global commercialization opportunities. These orders will be fulfilled in the coming quarters, creating a new source of revenue for the Company and solidifying new global strategic alliances. Franchise Global will retain its most distinguished strains for its own internal flower production for global markets. Franchise Global Executive Chairman and CEO, Clifford Starke, said: "Our goal is to become Europe's most trusted source of high-quality EU-GMP cannabis. This will be achieved in part by establishing our seedbank as a source for high-quality, Cannabis-Cup winning genetics. Essentially this is 30 years worth of IP from land races all around the world with strong genetic heritage including from Thailand, Colombia and other highly sought after sources of origin." About Franchise Global Franchise Global, through its subsidiaries, is a multi-national operator in the medical cannabis and pharmaceutical industries, with principal operations in Germany and with operations, assets, strategic partnerships and investments internationally. Franchise Global's business objective is to develop a fully-integrated, leading European medical cannabis business, with the goal of providing high-quality pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis to distribution partners and, ultimately, to patients, at competitive prices. For further information, please contact: Franchise Global Health Clifford Starke, Executive Chairman and CEO Via Buchanan www.franchiseglobalhealth.com Media Enquiries Buchanan Jamie Hooper / Ariadna Peretz Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000 FGH@buchanan.uk.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction, including in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including without limitation statements regarding the business of Franchise Global and its prospects. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information is based on management's current expectations, estimates, beliefs and/or opinions and is based on information currently available to them (including information obtained from third party industry analysts and other third-party sources) and on assumptions they believe not to be unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that 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 the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to general economic conditions, counterparty risk, regulatory factors, the financial markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition. Accordingly, readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Please refer to the filing statement of the Company available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for more details on the risks and uncertainties faced by Franchise Global. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking information contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable law. 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. NCX 470 Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial in glaucoma at over 98 % recruitment D evelopment pathway for NCX 4251 i n dry eye disease confirmed following meeting with the U.S. FDA First quarter 2022 U.S. prescriptions for VYZULTA increased by 43% over first quarter 2021 Cash position of 42.0 million as of December 31, 2021 and 35.1 million as of March 31, 2022, confirming the Company is financed to Q4 2023 April 28, 2022 release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, France Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced the financial and operating results for Nicox and its subsidiaries (the Nicox Group) for the year ended December 31, 2021, as approved by the Board of Directors on April 27, 2022, along with a business update and financial highlights for the first quarter 2022, and provided an update on key upcoming milestones. We are very pleased by the rapid progress of the NCX 470 Mont Blanc phase 3 trial and are eagerly expecting its completion which will mark a major inflexion point for our Company and a turning point in the development of drugs for the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. said Michele Garufi, Chief Executive Officer of Nicox. Key Upcoming Milestone Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial on NCX 470 in glaucoma: recruitment advances more quickly than anticipated and thus topline results fully on track. First Quarter 2022 and Recent Events and Pipeline Updates Product candidates NCX 470 NCX 470 is a novel nitric oxide (NO)-donating prostaglandin analog currently in a Phase 3 clinical program for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. is a novel nitric oxide (NO)-donating prostaglandin analog currently in a Phase 3 clinical program for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Owing to a better than expected enrollment rate in recent months, over 98% of the patients required to complete the NCX 470 Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial have been enrolled. Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial have been enrolled. Patient enrollment is continuing in both the United States (U.S.) and China in the ongoing Denali Phase 3 clinical trial on NCX 470 in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Denali, which also includes a long-term safety extension, has been recruiting patients in the U.S. since November 2020. Approximately 670 patients are expected to be randomized at approximately 60 clinical sites in the U.S. and China, with approximately 80% of the patients to be recruited in the U.S. and the remaining 20% of the patients to be recruited in China. The topline results will not be available by the end of 2023 as previously communicated due to several hurdles (including the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the U.S. and China). The Company will announce a new date for availability of the results when we have more visibility on the overall timelines of the trial. in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Denali, which also includes a long-term safety extension, has been recruiting patients in the U.S. since November 2020. Approximately 670 patients are expected to be randomized at approximately 60 clinical sites in the U.S. and China, with approximately 80% of the patients to be recruited in the U.S. and the remaining 20% of the patients to be recruited in China. The topline results will not be available by the end of 2023 as previously communicated due to several hurdles (including the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the U.S. and China). The Company will announce a new date for availability of the results when we have more visibility on the overall timelines of the trial. The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration has granted Nicox a formulation patent for NCX 470 in China to 2039. With the equivalent U.S. and European patents already granted, the formulation is now covered in most major global territories. NCX 470 is also covered by granted composition of matter patents. NCX 4251 NCX 4251 is a novel, patented, ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals in clinical development stage for dry eye disease. Following the encouraging post hoc results from the Mississippi Phase 2b clinical trial and a subsequent meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the future development of NCX 4251 will be focused on dry eye disease. The Mississippi post hoc results, reported on November 30, 2021, suggest that once-daily dosed NCX 4251, fluticasone propionate ophthalmic suspension 0.1%, is effective in reducing dry eye symptoms in patients who score more highly for a key sign of dry eye disease. The Company is currently exploring how to best advance the development of NCX 4251 in dry eye disease and will communicate its strategy at a future date. is a novel, patented, ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals in clinical development stage for dry eye disease. The Japanese Patent Office has granted a new patent expiring in 2040 for NCX 4251. Patent JP.7021301 covers ophthalmic suspensions comprising a specific form of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals and the method for manufacturing the ophthalmic suspensions. It complements the recent granting of a patent from the same family in Europe. Corresponding patent applications are under examination in the U.S., China and other territories. Commercial Out-licensed Products VYZULTA (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024% U.S. prescriptions 1 increased by 43% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to first quarter 2021, however revenue remained unchanged due to an increased level of rebates. As of December 31, 2021, VYZULTA, exclusively licensed worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, was commercialized in 7 territories: United States (2017), Canada (2019), Argentina (2020), Mexico (2020), Hong Kong (2020), Taiwan (2021) and Ukraine (2021). VYZULTA is also approved in 9 other countries, namely Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. VYZULTA is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024% U.S. prescriptions increased by 43% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to first quarter 2021, however revenue remained unchanged due to an increased level of rebates. As of December 31, 2021, VYZULTA, exclusively licensed worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, was commercialized in 7 territories: United States (2017), Canada (2019), Argentina (2020), Mexico (2020), Hong Kong (2020), Taiwan (2021) and Ukraine (2021). VYZULTA is also approved in 9 other countries, namely Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. VYZULTA is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Our partnership with Samil Pharmaceutical concerning ZERVIATE in South Korea has been expanded to include Vietnam. in South Korea has been expanded to include Vietnam. Our Chinese partner Ocumension Therapeutics successfully completed a Phase 3 clinical trial of ZERVIATE (cetirizine ophthalmic solution), 0.24% in Chinese patients with allergic conjunctivitis in which ZERVIATE was compared to emedastine difumarate ophthalmic solution, 0.05%, an antihistamine marketed under the brand name EMADINE. ZERVIATE was found to be non-inferior to emedastine difumarate in the primary efficacy endpoint of change from baseline in the itching score in the 24 hours prior to the Day 14 visit. ZERVIATE was safe and well-tolerated with no difference in the proportion of patients with adverse events compared to emedastine difumarate. This Phase 3 clinical trial was required for Ocumension to be able to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for approval to commercialize ZERVIATE in China. Other partnerships The U.S. FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation for naproxcinod for the treatment of sickle cell disease, which affects an estimated 100,000 Americans. Naproxcinod is a nitric oxide (NO)-donating naproxen combining the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity of naproxen with that of nitric oxide developed by Nicox and exclusively licensed to Fera in the U.S. Nicox has tested naproxcinod in over 2,700 patients in osteoarthritis, generating a significant package of clinical safety data which is available to support Feras development of naproxcinod, and ultimately an NDA submission for sickle cell disease. Management and Advisors In December 2021, we announced the appointment of Doug Hubatsch as Chief Scientific Officer to lead all of the Companys non-clinical and clinical development activities. Based in Nicoxs U.S. subsidiary Nicox Ophthalmics Inc., he is responsible for setting the research and development strategy of the Group and is a member of the Nicox Executive Committee. In July 2021, we announced that two internationally recognized experts in glaucoma, Robert N. Weinreb, M.D., Distinguished Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology and Director, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, and Sanjay G. Asrani, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology, Duke University, joined the Nicox Glaucoma Clinical Advisory Board. 2021 Financial Summary Net revenue2 for the full year 2021 was 7.2 million (2.4 million in net royalties, 4.8 million in license payments), compared to 12.9 million (2.4 million in net royalties, 10.5 million in license payments) for the full year 2020. The principal difference in revenue is due to an IFRS treatment of a licensing payment received from our partner Ocumension Therapeutics in 2020. Operating expenses for the year 2021 increased to 25.1 million from 19.5 million for the previous year among which 5.2 million comes from non-clinical and development expenses due to the advancement and progress of the Phase 3 trials on NCX 470. Net loss of the Nicox Group for the full year 2021 was 43.8 million against 18.1 million for the full year 2020. However, the 2021 net loss includes 27.8 million of non-recurring, non-cash items due to a reduction in the estimated fair value of ZERVIATE (of 12.7 million) and of NCX 4251 (of 15.1 million) reflecting, respectively, the changes in the allergic conjunctivitis market in the U.S. and the changes in the development plan and timeline for NCX 4251. As of December 31, 2021, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of 42.0 million, as compared with 47.2 million at December 31, 2020, and as previously announced, the Company is financed until Q4 2023, assuming the development of NCX 470 alone. As of December 31, 2021, the Nicox Group had financial debt of 20.5 million, consisting of 18.5 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019 and a 2 million credit agreement guaranteed by the French State, and granted in August 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. First Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights As of March 31, 2022, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of 35.1 million as compared with 42.0 million at December 31, 2021. Net revenue2 for the first quarter of 2022 was 0.7 million (entirely composed of net royalty payments). Net revenue2 for the first quarter of 2021 was 1.7 million (including 0.7 million of net royalty payments). As of March 31, 2022, the Nicox Group had financial debt of 20.5 million consisting of 18.5 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019 and a 2 million credit agreement guaranteed by the French State, and granted in August 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only the figures related to the cash position, revenue and debt of the Nicox Group as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are audited; all other figures of this press release are non-audited. English Lithuanian On 8 April 2022, Invalda INVL (company code 121304349, registered office address Gyneju str 14, Vilnius, Lithuania) announced the draft resolutions prepared by the Board of Invalda INVL for the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 30 April 2022. The above-mentioned announcement can be found https://view.news.eu.nasdaq.com/view?id=b3d3092d609445ef655c1cc769bbdb16a&lang=en On 27 April 2022, the Board of Invalda INVL AB decided to submit a new draft resolution on item No. 4 of the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 30 April and to submit an editorial revision of the draft resolution on item No. 10. On the 4th agenda item, the Board of Invalda INVL AB, having assessed the need for future investments as well as receivable dividends and other cash flows, submits a new proposal on profit (loss) distribution, proposing a dividend of EUR 0.65 per share of Invalda INVL. There was an error in 10th item of the agenda, so the year when the share options, granted in 2022, are exercised is being corrected (it was indicated in 2024, it is changed to 2025). The draft resolutions of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Invalda INVL AB to be held on 30 April 2022: 1. Presentation of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL consolidated annual report for 2021. Shareholders of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL are presented with the Consolidated Annual Report of the Company for 2021 (attached). There is no voting on this issue of agenda. 2. Presentation of the independent auditors report on the financial statements and consolidated annual report of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL. Shareholders of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL are presented with the independent auditors report on the financial statements and consolidated annual report of the Company (attached). There is no voting on this issue of agenda. 3. Approval of the consolidated and stand-alone financial statements for 2021 of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL. To approve the consolidated and stand-alone financial statements for 2021 (attached) of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL. 4. Resolution regarding profit distribution of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL. To approve the profit distribution of the joint-stock company Invalda INVL in accordance with the draft profit distribution proposed by the Board and presented in the Annex No. 3. (both proposals of the Board of the company adopted on 8 April 2022 and on 27 April 2022 regarding the distribution of profit are attached; the shareholders vote for or against on only one of these proposals). 5. Decision on approval of the Remuneration Report of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL. To approve the Remuneration Report of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL for 2021 (presented as Annex 4 to the Consolidated Annual Report). 6. Regarding the election of the members of the Board of Invalda INVL for a new term of office. At the end of the term of office of the members of the Board of Invalda INVL, to elect the candidates with the highest number of votes to the Board of Invalda INVL from the nominees for 4 (four) years term of office. The nominees are: - Tomas Bubinas (nominated as an independent member of the Board), - Alvydas Banys - Indre Miseikyte. The newly elected members of the Board shall take up their duties upon adoption of this decision. 7. Regarding the determination of remuneration for work in the Board of the company. 7.1. To enter into Agreements with the elected members of the Board on the activities of the member of the Board and to set the following remuneration for the work in the Board of Invalda INVL (all taxes and fees applicable to the member of the Board, except for VAT (when the member of the Board becomes liable to pay VAT), inclusive): 7.1.1. to set a salary of EUR 200 per hour for an independent member of the Board, which shall be paid at least once per quarter for the hours actually spent by a member of the Board in attending and preparing for meetings, according to the report of the member. 7.1.2. to set a fixed monthly remuneration of EUR 1,500 for the other members of the Board, and a monthly fixed remuneration of EUR 2,000 when the member of the Board serves as the Chairman of the Board. The monthly remuneration may be reduced proportionately or not paid at all if a member of the Board does not attend the meetings of the Board of the company or does not perform other functions assigned to him. 7.2. To instruct the Board of the Company to determine other terms of the Agreements by a jointly adopted decision. 8. Approval of the salary change in accordance with the provisions of the Remuneration Policy. Pursuant to the provisions of the Remuneration Policy approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company on 30 April 2020, amendments to the existing remuneration levels of the members of the Board of the Company must be approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders. If the remuneration of the existing members of the Board is changed without the approval of the General Meeting of Shareholders, such changes in remuneration shall be submitted to the next General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company for approval. In accordance with the provisions of the Remuneration Policy of the Company, to approve the monthly salary of the member of the Board, acting as the advisor in the company, in the amount of EUR 4,625 as of 1 May 2022. 9. Resolution regarding purchase of own shares of the public joint-stock company Invalda INVL. Until the day of the General Shareholders meeting the reserve for the purchase of own shares which is equal to EUR 9,888 thousand is not used. To use the reserve (a part of it) for the purchase of own shares and to purchase shares in Invalda INVL under these conditions: 1) The goal for the purchase of own shares is to ensure shareholders a possibility to sell companys shares. 2) The maximum number of shares to be acquired - the nominal value of own shares may not exceed 1/10 of the share capital. 3) The period during which the company may purchase its own shares - 18 months from the day of this resolution. 4) The maximum and minimal one share acquisition price: the maximum one share acquisition price - value of consolidated equity per one share calculated according to the last publicly announced data of the consolidated equity of Invalda INVL before the decision of the Board is taken; minimum one share acquisition price - EUR 1. 5) The conditions of the selling of the purchased shares and minimal purchase price: Purchased own shares (including the shares acquired before the adoption of this decision) may be cancelled by the decision of the General Shareholders Meeting or by the decision of the Board granted the right to acquire the shares for the employees upon conditions of the Rules for Granting Equity Incentives, or sold by the decision of the Board upon the condition that minimum sale price for one share isnt lower than value of consolidated equity per one share calculated according to the publicly announced data of the consolidated equity of Invalda INVL before the decision of the Board is taken, and the sale procedure will ensure equal possibilities for all shareholders to purchase these shares. The Board of Invalda INVL is delegated, on the basis of this resolution and the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, to adopt decisions regarding purchase and sale of own shares, to organise purchase and selling procedure of own shares and to determine an order and timing for purchase and sale of own shares as well as the amount of shares and shares price, and to complete all other actions related with purchase and sale procedure of own shares. From the date of this resolution the resolution of the General Shareholders Meeting on 30 April 2021 on the acquisition of own shares expires. 10. Resolution regarding the specific number of ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL for which employees shall be offered stock options contracts during the year 2022 and regarding the price of the shares. Both proposals of the Board of the company adopted on 8 April 2022 and on 27 April 2022 are presented; the shareholders vote for or against on only one of these proposals. Draft resolution proposed by the Board on 8 April 2022: It is offered for the employees of Invalda INVL and of the companies, in which Invalda INVL owns 50%or more of shares, during the year 2022 to sign stock options contracts, on the basis of which, according to the procedures and terms established in stock options contracts, in year 2024 employees will be able to exercise the right to acquire up to 50,000 ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL of EUR 0.29 nominal value, by paying for every acquired share EUR 1 (one). If a decision requiring payments to shareholders is made prior to the signing of the share purchase agreement, the transfer price of 1 (one) euro per share would be recalculated by reducing it by the amount paid per share. The acquisition price of the shares is fixed and does not change depending on the performance of the company and / or other group companies or the price of ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL on the regulated market. Editorial revision of the text of the draft resolution proposed by the Board on 27 April 2022: It is offered for the employees of Invalda INVL and of the companies, in which Invalda INVL owns 50%or more of shares, during the year 2022 to sign stock options contracts, on the basis of which, according to the procedures and terms established in stock options contracts, in year 2025 employees will be able to exercise the right to acquire up to 50,000 ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL of EUR 0.29 nominal value, by paying for every acquired share EUR 1 (one). If a decision requiring payments to shareholders is made prior to the signing of the share purchase agreement, the transfer price of 1 (one) euro per share would be recalculated by reducing it by the amount paid per share. The acquisition price of the shares is fixed and does not change depending on the performance of the company and / or other group companies or the price of ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL on the regulated market. 11. Resolution regarding the exercise of stock options granted to Invalda INVL Group employees in 2019. Pursuant to the decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders of 30 April 2019, on the basis of which stock option agreements on the acquisition of shares of Invalda INVL in 2022 were concluded with the employees of Invalda INVL AB and companies in which more than 50% of the shares are owned by Invalda INVL, to establish that the right of the employees to acquire the said shares is exercised by submitting to the employees for subscription no more than 69,479 newly issued shares of the company. 12. Resolution regarding increase of authorised capital of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL. Increase the authorised capital of the joint stock company Invalda INVL by additional monetary contributions from EUR EUR 3,473,786.17 to EUR 3,493,935.08. 13. Class, number, nominal value and minimum issue price and payment of the issued shares. The authorised capital of Invalda INVL is increased by issuing 69.479 ordinary registered shares with a nominal value of EUR 0.29. (i) On 30 April 2019, the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company passed a resolution, based on which in 2019 stock option agreements were entered into with the employees. In accordance with the procedure and terms established in the valid stock option agreements, in 2022 the employees will acquire the right to acquire up to 69.479 ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL, paying a price of 1 (one) euro for each share to be acquired. The acquisition price of the shares is fixed, it does not change depending on the performance of the company and / or other group companies or the price of ordinary registered shares of the joint-stock company Invalda INVL on the regulated market, (ii) on 30 April 2020, the general meeting of shareholders of the Company passed a resolution on the payment of dividends of EUR 0.80 per share, (iii) The Rules for Granting Equity Incentives, approved by the resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders of 30 April 2018, which should be applied to the option agreements concluded in 2019, stipulate that if before the conclusion of the share purchase agreement the General Meeting of Shareholders of the company makes decisions on the payment of dividends, the issue of changing the number of shares and (or) the price of shares permitted to be acquired by employees must be considered in such a way as to maintain the economic logic of the share purchase agreement and the balance of interests between the parties, to establish that when exercising the 2019 share options, the share purchase sale price shall be 0.20 euros, and the minimum issue price per share shall be EUR 0.29 (minimum total issue value - EUR 20,148.91). Newly issued shares are granted against partial payment. The issue price of the newly issued shares is paid in cash as follows: (i) part of the issue price, equal to 0.20 euros per share, is paid by the person subscribing to the shares, (ii) the remaining part of the issue price is paid by the company from the reserve set up by the company to grant shares. The subscription agreements for the issued shares are concluded until 8 June 2022. If not all shares are subscribed for during the subscription period, the authorised capital will be increased by the sum of the nominal values of the subscribed shares. On the basis of this decision, the Board of the Company must amend the Articles of Association and the number of shares accordingly in the Articles of Association and submit the amended Articles of Association to the Registrar of Legal Entities. 14. Cancellation of the pre-emptive right of shareholders of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL to acquire shares issued by the Company. Pursuant to the provisions of Article 57 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, to cancel the pre-emptive right of the shareholders of Invalda INVL to acquire 69,479 ordinary registered shares with a nominal value of EUR 0.29 each. Priority will be revoked according to the decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders held on 30 April 2019, on the basis of which employees of the public joint-stock company Invalda INVL and employees of the companies where more than 50 per cent of the shares are owned by the Company, signed stock option contracts to acquire ordinary registered shares of the public joint-stock company Invalda INVL. Accordingly, the pre-emptive right to acquire the newly issued 69,479 ordinary registered shares of the public joint-stock company Invalda INVL is granted to the employees of the joint stock company Invalda INVL and employees of the companies with more than 50 per cent of the shares owned by Invalda INVL, who have concluded the aforementioned option contracts and for whom the right to acquire the newly issued shares has not been revoked on the grounds established in the Rules for Granting Equity Incentives (the list of persons who are entitled to acquire the newly issued 69,479 ordinary registered shares of the public joint-stock company Invalda INVL is stored in the premises of Invalda INVL, in order to ensure the protection of the personal data the list is not published). 15. Amendment of the Articles of Association of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL and approval of the new wording of the Articles of Association. Taking into account: (i) the decisions of the agendas items 11 - 14; (ii) the provisions of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania that if a supervisory board is not formed in a public limited company whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market, the Articles of Association of the company must provide that a board is formed in the company, and the board performs the supervisory functions established in Paragraph 11 of Article 34 of the Law on Companies; and in accordance with the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, to approve the new wording of the Articles of Association of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL (the draft Articles of Association is attached), changing the entire text of the Articles of Association (without separately approving the amendment of each clause of the Articles of Association). To authorise Darius Sulnis, the President of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL, to sign the new wording of the Company's Articles of Association. 16. Regarding the adjustment of the terms of payment for audit services for the audit services of 2021 annual financial statements To set an additional remuneration not exceeding EUR 3,500 per year (value added tax is calculated and paid additionally in accordance with the procedure established by legal acts) to the Company's audit company KPMG Baltics, UAB, registered address Lvivo str 101, Vilnius, company code 111494971, for the audit services of the annual accounts for 2021 in order to meet the requirements of the Articles 3 and 4 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/815 of 17 December 2018 supplementing Directive 2004/109/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards on the specification of a single electronic reporting format. The person authorized to provide additional information is: Darius Sulnis, President of Invalda INVL E-mail Darius.Sulnis@invl.com Attachments English Estonian The Q1 2022 results of AS Tallink Grupp will be introduced at an Investor Webinar held today at 15:00 (EEST). To participate, please join via the following link; we kindly ask participants to provide their questions latest by 12:00 by email to: investor@tallink.ee. Further details available in a previously published announcement. In the first quarter (1 January 31 March) of the year, Tallink Grupp AS and its subsidiaries (the Group) carried 720 261 passengers, which is 169.5% more than in the first quarter last year. The number of cargo units transported increased by 19.7% in the same comparison. The Groups unaudited consolidated revenue increased by 97.5% or EUR 52.4 million to a total of EUR 106.1 million. Unaudited EBITDA was EUR -11.0 million (EUR -6.3 million in Q1 2021) and unaudited net loss was EUR 40.0 million (net loss of EUR 34.4 million in Q1 2021). In the beginning of the quarter, the Groups operations and operating results were continuously influenced by the COVID-19 Omicron variant in all home markets. The demand for travelling increased after the travel restrictions were lifted in February in Finland and Sweden, and in Estonia from mid-March. However, the demand was negatively affected by the geopolitical and military conflict that emerged by the end of February. The operational factors impacting results were following: during the quarter 2 shuttle vessels, 3 cargo vessels, 3 cruise ferries and 3 hotels were operating; 3 cruise ferries and 3 hotels were operating; 3 cruise ferries were operated in limited capacity, of which 2 started operations in the end of the quarter; long-term charter of cruise ferry Romantika from late March; planned dockings of 8 vessels, totalling 98 days; significant and rapid increase in the global fuel prices; lifting of travel restrictions in Sweden, Finland and Estonia; cost savings from previously implemented measures. Operations during the quarter Given the uncertainty regarding the duration of the crisis and the course of the post-crisis recovery with progress of vaccinations, as well as developments with the geopolitical and military conflict in Europe, the business environment has remained challenging. In the current situation, the focus has remained on costs and cash flow management to ensure the sustainability of the Groups core business. During the quarter, operations of the cruise ferry Baltic Queen on the Tallinn-Stockholm route were suspended for about a month. Cruise ferry Baltic Queen operated 5 return trips on the Tallinn-Helsinki route replacing the shuttle vessel Megastar. Operations of the cruise ferry Silja Europa were suspended during the quarter, except for 4 return trips on Tallinn-Helsinki route replacing the shuttle vessel Star. Cruise ferry Romantika was chartered out on a long-term charter agreement from March. Operations of the cruise ferry Silja Serenade were restarted from the end of March after being suspended throughout most of the quarter. Operations of the Riga-Stockholm route as well as the cruise ferry Victoria I were suspended during the quarter. Tallink City Hotel, Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel and Tallink Express Hotel were all operating during the first quarter. Tallink Hotel Riga has remained closed since October 2020. Estonia-Finland routes shuttle vessels Megastar and Star, cargo vessel Sea Wind, Paldiski-Kapellskar route cargo vessels Regal Star and Sailor, and the three Finland-Sweden routes cruise ferries continued their operations throughout the quarter. Sales and segments In the first quarter of 2022, the Groups total revenue increased by EUR 52.4 million to EUR 106.1 million. Total revenue in the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 was EUR 53.7 million and EUR 154.9 million, respectively. Revenue from route operations (core business) increased by EUR 46.8 million to EUR 91.4 million. The passenger operations and segment results on all routes were still significantly affected by the COVID-19 situation. The number of passengers carried on the Estonia-Finland routes increased by 112.4% compared to last year. The number of transported cargo units increased by 21.5%. Estonia-Finland routes revenue increased by EUR 16.6 million to EUR 41.3 million. The segment result improved by EUR 3.6 million to EUR -1.4 million. The segment effectively reflects operations of two shuttle vessels and one cargo vessel, as well as expenses of the suspended cruise ferry Silja Europa. The number of passengers carried on the Finland-Sweden routes increased by 310.0%. The number of transported cargo units increased by 11.2%. The routes revenue increased by EUR 22.8 million to EUR 37.6 million and the segment result decreased by EUR 0.5 million to EUR -13.8 million. The segment reflects the operations of Turku-Stockholm and Helsinki-Stockholm routes. On Estonia-Sweden routes the number of passengers carried increased by 544.8% compared to last year. The number of transported cargo units increased by 23.4%. Estonia-Sweden routes revenue increased by EUR 7.4 million to EUR 12.3 million and the segment result decreased by EUR 3.6 million to EUR -6.8 million. Estonia-Sweden route reflects operation of two cargo vessels and one cruise ferry, as well as expenses of the suspended cruise ferry Victoria I. The Latvia-Sweden route operations were suspended. The EUR -5.0 million segment result reflects the expenses of the suspended cruise ferries Isabelle as well as Romantika before the start of her charter period. Revenue from the segment other increased by a total of EUR 6.0 million and amounted to EUR 15.2 million. The increase was mainly driven by accommodation sales, various retail activities and to a lesser extent by chartering out vessels. Earnings In the first quarter of 2022, the Groups gross profit improved by EUR 75 thousand compared to the same period last year, amounting to EUR -19.9 million. EBITDA decreased by EUR 4.6 million and amounted to EUR -11.0 million. In the first quarter, the net amount of government assistance from Groups home markets was limited at EUR 3.5 million (EUR 5.0 million in first quarter of 2021). In addition, the reduction in fairway dues in Estonia amounted to EUR 0.5 million (EUR 1.1 million in first quarter of 2021). Amortisation and depreciation expense in the first quarter amounted to EUR 23.7 million (EUR 23.7 million in 2021). As a result of increased interest-bearing liabilities, net finance costs increased by EUR 1.0 million compared to the first quarter of last year. The Groups unaudited net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was EUR 40.0 million or EUR 0.054 per share compared to a net loss of EUR 34.4 million or EUR 0.051 per share in 2021 and net loss of EUR 30.2 million or EUR 0.045 per share in 2020. Investments The Groups investments in the first quarter of 2022 amounted to EUR 8.9 million. In the first quarter there were planned dockings of eight vessels: Megastar, Baltic Queen, Victoria I, Regal Star, Isabelle, Star, Silja Europa and Romantika. The planned service breaks of eight vessels totalled 98 days in the first quarter of 2022. Due to the changed economic environment and suspension of vessel operations, ship-related investments were kept to minimum and only critical maintenance and repair works were performed. Investments were also made in the development of the online booking and sales systems as well as other administrative systems and in relation to the opening of Burger King restaurants. Dividends Due to a complicated operating environment and considering the Companys long-term interests, the Management Board has decided to prepare a proposal to the shareholders annual general meeting not to pay a dividend for 2021. Financial position At the end of the second quarter of 2021, the Group agreed with financial institutions on the amendment and the prolongation of the waivers of financial covenants and the postponement of principal payments under existing loan agreements. From the second quarter of 2021 until the end of first quarter of 2022 repayments in the total amount of EUR 82.1 million were deferred and added to the last payment of each respective loan facility. The deferrals for the 2021 financial year amounted to EUR 67.4 million. At the end of the first quarter of 2022, the Groups net debt had sby EUR 25.0 million to EUR 688.5 million compared to the end of the first quarter 2021. As at 31 March 2022, the Groups cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 101.0 million (EUR 14.8 million at 31 March 2021) and the Group had EUR 123.4 million in unused credit lines (EUR 81.7 million at 31 March 2021). The total liquidity buffer (cash, cash equivalents and unused credit facilities) amounted to EUR 224.4 million (EUR 96.4 million at 31 March 2021). The current trade and other payables amounted to EUR 84.6 million (EUR 61.9 million at 31 March 2021). Personnel As at 31 March 2022, the Group had 4 740 employees (3 953 at 31 March 2021). The number of employees includes 181 employees on maternity leave. In the first quarter of 2022, staff costs amounted to EUR 32.9 million (EUR 23.4 million in 2021), which is an 40.6% increase compared to the same period last year*. The effective change compared to the first quarter of last year is 16.2%. In the first quarter of 2022 the Group did not receive any salary support from governments. *The staff costs in the first quarter of 2021 were impacted by salary support in total amount of EUR 2.0 million from the government of Estonia, paid directly to employees in March. In addition, the workload and remuneration of a part of Estonian and Latvian personnel was reduced to 70%, majority of Finnish personnel were on unpaid leave, workload was reduced to 20% for a large part of Swedish personnel and up to 80% was remunerated by the Swedish Government. Salary support was also paid by the government of Sweden in total amount EUR 2.9 million that was recognised as other operating income. Economic Environment The Group has the most exposure to the economic and travel restriction developments in Finland, Sweden and Estonia. In the first quarter of 2022, the Groups economic environment was still affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter, the cargo business remained solid supported by the continuously robust business confidence on all home markets. The market conditions regarding the price competition remained challenging. Despite some easing of travel restrictions in Groups home markets during the quarter, the confidence of consumers on all home markets declined throughout the quarter. The confidence was also negatively affected by the rise of the geopolitical and military conflict in Europe. The latter contributed significantly to the rapid increase in global fuel prices. Measured in euros and weighted with the Groups consumption volumes, the global fuel prices increased, on average, by 129% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to last year. Increase in the fuel prices was the main cause of the Groups overall fuel cost increase by 153%, or by EUR 17.1 million compared to the same period last year. High levels of vaccination together with signs of decrease in new infection rates in Finland and Sweden resulted in governments decision to lift travel restrictions from February 2022. From March 2022, the restrictions were also lifted in Estonia. This contributed to demand for travel, which was evident in the increase in the number of bookings made for the upcoming periods. For the foreseeable future, the key risks are related to developments with the COVID-19 situation, the ongoing geopolitical and military conflict, and their impacts on the economic environment. Events in the first quarter Opening of Burger King restaurants In January 2022, one new Burger King restaurant was opened in Latvia. The Group continues preparations for opening additional Burger King restaurants in 2022. Easing of travel restrictions in Groups home markets Starting from February 2022, travel restrictions were lifted in Groups home markets in Finland and Sweden, from March 2022 in Estonia, which contributed to the increase in the number of bookings. Compromise for termination of dispute with AS Tallinna Sadam On 11 February 2022, AS Tallink Grupp and AS Tallinna Sadam concluded a settlement upon approval of which by the court, the court dispute between the parties concerning the fees of port services provided to passenger vessels at Old City Harbour is terminated, AS Tallink Grupp waives all the claims filed in the matter and AS Tallinna Sadam will amend the port fees applied to passenger vessels visiting the Old City Harbour. Geopolitical and military conflict in Europe The geopolitical and military conflict in Europe that started at the end of February is expected to have a negative impact on the demand of certain customer groups, mainly customers from the countries directly participating in the conflict and from Asian countries, together with the risk of an increase in some input prices, mainly fuel and raw materials. The exact magnitude and duration of the potential effects from the conflict remain difficult to assess. Long-term charter of Romantika In late March, the cruise ferry Romantika was chartered out for three years with extension options (3+1+1) to international routes between Norway and the Netherlands. Events after the reporting period and outlook Short-term chartering of cruise ferry Isabelle In the beginning of April, the Group signed short-term charter agreement for cruise ferry Isabelle to provide temporary accommodation for refugees arriving in Estonia. The cruise ferry was chartered out to the Estonian authorities from 7 April 2022 for four months with extension options (4+2+2). Due to the chartering out of cruise ferries Romantika and Isabelle, the Group does not intend to operate the Riga-Stockholm route in 2022. Disposal of the cargo vessel Sea Wind In April 2022, the Group disposed of the cargo vessel Sea Wind operating on the Muuga-Vuosaari route, the route will be further operated by the cargo vessel Regal Star. Completion of the new dual fuel shuttle vessel MyStar The new dual fuel (LNG, MGO) shuttle vessel, built in Rauma Shipyard, is expected to be delivered and start operating on the Tallinn-Helsinki route in the third quarter of 2022. Earning s The Groups earnings are not generated evenly throughout the year. The summer period is the high season in the Groups operations. In managements opinion and based on prior experience most of the Groups earnings are generated during the summer (June-August). Despite the uncertainties in the outlook of the economic environment the management expects a quicker recovery in the passenger traffic from the second quarter of 2022. Research and development projects The Group does not have any substantial ongoing research and development projects. The Group is continuously seeking opportunities for expanding its operations in order to improve its results. The Group is continuously looking for innovative ways to upgrade the ships and passenger area technology to improve its overall performance through modern solutions. The most recent technical projects are focusing on the solutions for reduction of the ships CO2 footprint. Risks The Groups business, financial position and operating results could be materially affected by various risks. These risks are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently believe are immaterial or unlikely, could also impair our business. The order of presentation of the risk factors below is not intended to be an indication of the probability of their occurrence or of their potential effect on our business. Protracted geopolitical and military conflict in Europe COVID-19 situation and developments Governmental restrictions on business activities Accidents, disasters Macroeconomic and labour market developments Changes in laws and regulations Relations with trade unions Increase in the fuel prices and interest rates Market and customer behaviour Key figures For the period Q1 2022 Q1 2021 Change % Revenue (million euros) 106.1 53.7 97.5% Gross profit/loss (million euros) -19.9 -20.0 0.4% EBITDA (million euros) -11.0 -6.3 -73.6% EBIT (million euros) -34.6 -30.0 -15.5% Net loss for the period (million euros) -40.0 -34.4 -16.1% Depreciation and amortisation (million euros) 23.7 23.7 0.0% Capital expenditures (million euros) 8.9 4.2 111.8% Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 743,569,064 669,882,040 11.0% Earnings/loss per share -0.054 -0.051 -4.6% Number of passengers 720,261 267,224 169.5% Number of cargo units 101,938 85,156 19.7% Average number of employees 4,634 3,986 16.3% As at 31.03.2022 31.12.2021 Change % Total assets (million euros) 1,560.2 1,585.9 -1.6% Total liabilities (million euros) 907.6 893.4 1.6% Interest-bearing liabilities (million euros) 789.5 779.9 1.2% Net debt (million euros) 688.5 652.4 5.5% Net debt to EBITDA 12.8 11.2 14.7% Total equity (million euros) 652.5 692.5 -5.8% Equity ratio (%) 42% 44% Number of ordinary shares outstanding 743,569,064 743,569,064 0.0% Equity per share 0.88 0.93 -5.8% Ratios Q1 2022 Q1 2021 Gross margin (%) -18.7% -37.2% EBITDA margin (%) -10.3% -11.7% EBIT margin (%) -32.6% -55.8% Net profit/loss margin (%) -37.7% -64.1% ROA (%) -2.7% -6.4% ROE (%) -9.2% -15.2% ROCE (%) -3.3% -7.6% 1 Alternative performance measures based on ESMA guidelines are disclosed in the Alternative Performance Measures section of this Interim Report. 2 Does not include additions to right-of-use assets. EBITDA: result from operating activities before net financial items, share of profit of equity-accounted investees, taxes, depreciation and amortization EBIT: result from operating activities Earnings per share: net profit or loss/ weighted average number of shares outstanding Equity ratio: total equity / total assets Shareholders equity per share: shareholders equity / number of shares outstanding Gross margin: gross profit / net sales EBITDA margin: EBITDA / net sales EBIT margin: EBIT / net sales Net profit margin: net profit or loss / net sales Capital expenditure: additions to property, plant and equipment additions to right-of-use assets + additions to intangible assets ROA: earnings before net financial items, taxes 12-months trailing / average total assets ROE: net profit 12-months trailing / average shareholders equity ROCE: earnings before net financial items, taxes 12-months trailing / (total assets current liabilities (average for the period)) Net debt: interest-bearing liabilities less cash and cash equivalents Net debt to EBITDA: net debt / EBITDA 12-months trailing Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income Unaudited, in thousands of EUR Q1 2022 Q1 2021 Revenue (Note 3) 106,143 53,746 Cost of sales -126,043 -73,721 Gross profit/loss -19,900 -19,975 Sales and marketing expenses -7,329 -5,073 Administrative expenses -11,128 -9,956 Other operating income 3,734 5,038 Other operating expenses -5 -13 Result from operating activities -34,628 -29,979 Finance income (Note 4) 39 5 Finance costs (Note 4) -5,698 -4,677 Profit/loss before income tax -40,287 -34,651 Income tax 298 220 Net profit/loss for the period -39,989 -34,431 Net profit/loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the Parent -39,989 -34,431 Other comprehensive income Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss Exchange differences on translating foreign operations -1 174 Other comprehensive income for the period -1 174 Total comprehensive profit/loss for the period -39,990 -34,257 Total comprehensive profit/loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the Parent -39,990 -34,257 Profit/loss per share (in EUR, Note 5) -0.054 -0.051 Consolidated statement of financial position Unaudited, in thousands of EUR 31.03.2022 31.03.2021 31.12.2021 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 100,977 14,762 127,556 Trade and other receivables 30,622 25,680 29,298 Prepayments 15,441 12,491 11,924 Prepaid income tax 0 25 0 Inventories 41,048 29,561 34,631 Current assets 188,088 82,519 203,409 Investments in equity-accounted investees 165 245 165 Other financial assets and prepayments 2,817 508 555 Deferred income tax assets 21,840 20,270 21,840 Investment property 300 300 300 Property, plant and equipment (Note 6) 1,311,910 1,349,398 1,323,353 Intangible assets (Note 7) 35,047 39,267 36,293 Non-current assets 1,372,079 1,409,988 1,382,506 TOTAL ASSETS 1,560,167 1,492,507 1,585,915 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (Note 8) 272,159 149,511 244,436 Trade and other payables 84,625 61,886 91,687 Payables to owners 6 6 6 Income tax liability 47 10 47 Deferred income 33,508 22,238 21,734 Current liabilities 390,345 233,651 357,910 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (Note 8) 517,296 578,777 535,489 Non-current liabilities 517,296 578,777 535,489 Total liabilities 907,641 812,428 893,399 Share capital (Note 9) 349,477 314,844 349,477 Share premium 663 663 663 Reserves 67,417 69,516 67,930 Retained earnings 234,969 295,056 274,446 Equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent 652,526 680,079 692,516 Total equity 652,526 680,079 692,516 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 1,560,167 1,492,507 1,585,915 Consolidated statement of cash flows Unaudited, in thousands of EUR Q1 2022 Q1 2021 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net profit/loss for the period -39,989 -34,431 Adjustments 29,037 28,223 Changes in: Receivables and prepayments related to operating activities -6,462 -3,307 Inventories -6,417 -854 Liabilities related to operating activities 5,561 -11,814 Changes in assets and liabilities -7,318 -15,975 Cash generated from operating activities -18,270 -22,183 Income tax repaid/paid -41 -39 NET CASH FROM/USED OPERATING ACTIVITIES -18,311 -22,222 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets (Notes 6, 7) -8,891 -4,201 Proceeds from disposals of property, plant, equipment 41 7 Interest received 1 0 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES -8,849 -4,194 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayment of loans received (Note 8) 0 -14,667 Change in overdraft (Note 8) 11,431 37,581 Payment of lease liabilities (Note 8) -4,215 -4,225 Interest paid -6,332 -5,144 Payment of transaction costs related to loans -303 -201 NET CASH FROM/USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES 581 13,344 TOTAL NET CASH FLOW -26,579 -13,072 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period 127,556 27,834 Change in cash and cash equivalents -26,579 -13,072 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period 100,977 14,762 Joonas Joost Financial director AS Tallink Grupp Sadama 5 10111 Tallinn, Estonia E-mail joonas.joost@tallink.ee For the period Attachments Barcelona and Athens, 26 April 2022 - Adevinta Ventures, the investment arm of Adevinta, today announced its investment in Spotawheel, a leading exchange to exchange (E2E) automotive digital platform. The new funding round closes at 110M in equity and asset-backed debt, led by VentureFriends joined by Adevinta Ventures, Uniqa Ventures, Rockaway Ventures, Velocity Partners, FJ Labs, Collective Spark and other notable investors, coupled by a floor plan facility mix from leading European credit and banking institutions. The additional funding will primarily fuel Spotawheels team growth adding +700 people in the next 12 months (currently scaling up Germany local operations while establishing teams throughout Western Europe), introducing in parallel new online consumer offerings in the course of the coming quarters. Founded in 2016 by Charis Arvantis, Christos Zis and Kiriakos Agadakos, Spotawheel uses innovation to improve the process of selling and buying used cars. Since creation, the company has expanded rapidly, evolving into one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe and establishing itself in the market through its proprietary sourcing engine, blending advanced technologies like Big Data with human innovation. This provides a competitive advantage, enabling the business to efficiently predict demand and supply, as well as market trends valuation with remarkable precision and scale. Spotawheels new digital business model, with more than 60% of its customers using the online touchless shopping feature, provides a strong differentiation point for the business, further supported through provision of additional features such as Written Technical Inspection of 200+ points, a 5 Year Warranty, 14 Day Money Return Policy and country-wide vehicle delivery. Building on its strong market position, this funding round will support Spotawheels continued expansion plans, with the business expecting to soon add Romania to its Central & Eastern Europe retail market portfolio of 100B used cars market, after its successful growth in Poland and Greece. The business is also expected to exceed its projected 200M revenue run rate milestone within 2022. In addition, Spotawheel is looking to increase its vehicle offering across its platforms, while also expanding in-house preparation capacity to 50.000 cars per annum to help drive further growth. Jordi Iserte, Investment Director at Adevinta Ventures, said: "Fully transactional and frictionless experiences are the new norm and the motors industry has also started to move into that direction. With its focus on transparency and strong data capabilities, we see Spotawheel as the player to unlock the European cross-country arbitrage (Western-Eastern) and we are thrilled to support Charis and his talented team along this journey. Charis Arvanitis, Spotawheel founder and CEO, commented: Its amazing to be accelerating our journey of digitally transforming the CEE used car landscape, backed by our customers, our people and our funding partners. We want our customers to enjoy the largest assortment of great quality cars while offering them the best options to own or just drive any of them. Fintech products in our pipeline such as our fresh used car subscription offering follows that exact logic, allowing more flexibility for any person to drive truly great and safe cars. -end- Notes to editors Media contacts Adevinta Melodie Laroche Corporate Communications T: +33 (0) 6 84 30 52 76 melodie.laroche@adevinta.com Spotawheel Katerina Paschou katerina.paschou@spotawheel.gr T: + 30 210 256 1466 Outstand Communications Alexia Sakellariou a.sakellariou@outstand.gr T: + 30 210 331 1000 About Adevinta Ventures Adevinta Ventures is the early stage investment arm of Adevinta, a global online classifieds specialist, operating leading digital marketplaces in 15 countries. Adevinta Ventures invests in fast-growing European startups that can shape the future of marketplaces. Leveraging the top positions of Adevinta's brands (e.g. leboncoin, Mobile.de, Fotocasa, Coches.net, Subito, Marktplaats) Adevinta Ventures adds strong value and is a long-term partner to portfolio companies. Current portfolio and key investment areas include proptech (Kodit, Flatfair), future of work (Medwing), mobility (Spotawheel, 2trde, PaulCamper, Bipi-exited) and fintech (Lovys). Find out more at adevinta.com/ventures About Spotawheel Starting as a group of car mechanics under the name Spotmechanic that dreamt of a sincere market of used cars, Spotawheel is continuing this effort, re-defining the term trust in the car industry. The company is among the fastest-growing platforms of buying and selling used cars in Europe based on the transparency it offers: Written Technical Inspection of 200+ points, Free Test Drive, up to 5 Years Warranty, Delivery throughout Greece and Poland, 7 and 14 Days Money Return Policy while it is the only company in the industry that offers touchless purchases. Spotawheel is supported and funded by prominent Greek and foreign investors, while it has entered into valuable partnerships with the largest companies in the field. The Spotawheel team currently counts more than 350 employees and operates in Greece, Poland, Germany and soon in Romania, with the sole purpose of providing the ultimate experience to its customers, owners and buyers. Discover more at www.spotawheel.gr Dublin, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Indonesia Construction Market Size, Trends and Forecasts by Sector - Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis, 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Indonesian construction industry's output grew by an estimated rate of 3.1% in 2021, as the government eased social restrictions towards the end of the year. The industry's output in coming quarters may be affected by a possible decline in economy activity, with the emergence of the Omicron variant and a rise in Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases potentially requiring the reimposition of containment measures. The construction industry registered year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth of 2.4% in the first three quarters of 2021, according to the BPS (Badan Pusat Statistik), although this growth mostly reflects the low base in 2020, when construction output fell by 2.4% in the first three quarters of 2020. The industry's performance will be supported by the government's emphasis on the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects under the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). Under which the government plans to develop 5,000km of new toll roads, 3,000km of new national roads, 38,726m of bridges and 31,053m of flyovers and underpasses by 2024. The industry's output over the forecast period (2023-2026) will also be supported by the Electricity Procurement Plan (RUPTL) 2021-2030, under which the government plans to add 40.6GW of additional capacity by 2030, of which 4.7GW will be solar, and 51.6% will be from renewable sources. Over the remainder of the forecast period, the construction industry is expected to register an annual average growth of 5.8%, supported by the government's focus on the development of infrastructure, as well as energy and utilities construction projects. Improvements in consumer and investor confidence and positive developments in regional economic conditions will also provide momentum. The industry's output will also be supported by the government's plan to invest IDR6.2 quadrillion ($430 billion) on infrastructure projects by 2024, to support long-term social and economic development, which was unveiled by the government in 2020. Scope Historical (2017-2021) and forecast (2022-2026) valuations of the construction industry in Indonesia, featuring details of key growth drivers. Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline. Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Construction Industry: At-A-Glance 3 Context 3.1 Economic Performance 3.2 Political Environment and Policy 3.3 Demographics 3.4 Covid-19 Status 3.5 Risk Profile 4 Construction Outlook 4.1 All Construction Outlook Latest News and Developments Construction Projects Momentum Index 4.2 Commercial Construction Outlook Project Analytics Latest News and Developments 4.3 Industrial Construction Outlook Project Analytics Latest News and Developments 4.4 Infrastructure Construction Outlook Project Analytics Latest News and Developments 4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction Outlook Project Analytics Latest News and Developments 4.6 Institutional Construction Outlook Project Analytics Latest News and Developments 4.7 Residential Construction Outlook Project Analytics Latest News and Developments 5 Key Industry Participants 5.1 Contractors 5.2 Consultants 6 Construction Market Data 7 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lxledc Istanbul Turkey, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SU IMC will attend JEC World in Paris for new collaborations Sabanc University Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center (SU IMC) will attend JEC World 2022, the largest international gathering of the composites industry, which will take place on May 3-5 in Paris. Sabanc University Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center (SU IMC), a leading industrial-scale research and technology development center in Istanbul / Turkey, is attending the leading international composites show, JEC World, for new collaborations. SU IMC is an industrial-scale research, technology development, test and application center offering design, analysis, prototyping, manufacturing and process development services in relation to composite materials, additive manufacturing, and robotic manufacturing. All extent of composite and plastic material characterization, mechanical characterization and flammability tests and analysis are carried out in the center. SU IMC has certified with AS9100 aerospace certification and ISO 17025 laboratory test accreditation. SU IMC supports all industries in relation to composite materials, composite part production and additive manufacturing technologies. SU IMC provides an environment of basic and applied research, product development, graduate programs, and lifelong learning programs. It also serves as an open innovation center providing commercialization opportunities for integrated advanced manufacturing technologies as well as ISO 17025 accredited testing for composite and plastic materials. In collaboration with Kordsa, SU IMC inaugurated the Composite Technology Center of Excellence which is a pioneer and an important example in Turkey with its university-industry business model. The Center aims to serve stakeholders throughout different stages of the R&D cycle, based on the customers requirements, starting with R&D, continuing with prototyping, and ending in mass production. SU IMCs CEO Devrim Ozaydn, Composite Product and Technical Development Manager Ali Cansun, and Business Development Leader Aytac Subas will be present at JEC World, HALL 6, D32, to collaborate and to create new partnerships. For further information about SU IMC, please visit https://suimc.sabanciuniv.edu/tr Attachment GUANGZHOU, China, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide, a global leading L4 autonomous driving company announces the launch of Robosweeper, the first mass-produced and purpose-built self-driving sweeper vehicle in China. The launch also represents the roll-off of Robosweeper and the next step towards a large-scale road test in May this year, with a fleet of more than 50 vehicles, to be conducted in Nansha District, Guangzhou. Robosweeper is designed and produced for city-level environmental services under a strategic collaboration between WeRide and Yutong Group. First of its kind in the sweeper industry, the Robosweeper features an unprecedented cockpit-free design without a steering wheel, accelerator or brake pedals. It is WeRides second product for mass production and purpose-built self-driving vehicles, after the launch of Mini Robobus. The Robosweeper demonstrates WeRides philosophy of tech for good to prompt a greener environment. This EV has a fully redundant chassis and is powered by WeRide's leading L4 autonomous driving solution, enabling safe, fully driverless and all-day available operations. Under the self-driving mode, the fleet is able to perform comprehensive environmental services, such as sweeping, sprinkling and disinfection spraying. WeRide has also developed a custom-built cloud-based platform to manage the Robosweeper fleet. The platform acts the brain and command center for the smart citys environmental services. The system provides real-time information of routes, operations and autonomous driving status. It facilitates intelligent scheduling, automated activation, remote dispatching and route management, ensuring daily operations, such as charging, water filling, waste discharge, vehicle activation and parking without human intervention. The large-scale road test of Robosweeper fleet will be launched in May, with over 50 vehicles in the first batch, covering the entire Nanshan district of Guangzhou. The fleet will be tested on technological and operational metrics through a road test plan designed to address real-life scenarios of the Nansha District. Road tests will also be conducted past midnight to acquire an in-depth understanding on the frontline. In light of the COVID-19 situation, the Robosweeper is equipped with a spraying system to disinfect with zero-contact. Accommodating the needs from different regions, timeslots, and services, WeRide has combined flexibility with extensive multi-scenario operation experiences. WeRide and the Nanshan government have joined hands in co-creating the leading pilot application of autonomous driving in China. Wei Min, Standing Committee Member of CPC Guangzhou Nansha District Committee, Executive Head of People's Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou addressed, Nansha District is the pioneer to support autonomous driving road tests and operations. WeRide Robosweepers road test in Nansha will be one of the largest in history. WeRide, being the leader in autonomous driving in China, is well equipped with industry-leading expertise in technology development, product innovation and commercial operations. We will work together to promote, explore and practice a high quality digital economy in Nansha. Under the accelerated urbanization process, we observed a surge of needs on environmental services. Meanwhile, with the emerging pandemic like COVID-19, the request on zero-contact environmental services has been raised due to public health concerns, says Tony Han, the founder and CEO of WeRide. By developing the self-driving Robosweeper, WeRide offers a package of environmental services without human intervention, and it will be available for city in a safer, greener and more efficient manner. In case of a public health emergency, the fleet will be the first and the most trusted resource to serve the public with the safe and reliable autonomous driving technology. WeRide has developed a series of innovative products, namely Robotaxi, Mini Robobus, Robovan and the most recent Robosweeper, with the aim to bring smart mobility, smart freight and smart environmental services to commercial applications, realizing the fullest potential of autonomous driving technology. Check out the fleet video at: https://www.youtube.com/embed/i70VVqE5Qi0 About WeRide WeRide is a leading, commercial-stage global company that develops Level 4 autonomous driving technologies. WeRide aims to develop safe and reliable driverless solutions to make mobility and transportation safer, more affordable and accessible. It is the first technology company in the world that holds driverless test permits in both China and the U.S. WeRide has been a pioneer in accelerating the commercialization of autonomous technologies and services around the world. Through strategic alliances with leading OEMs, mobility and logistics service platforms, WeRide offers an all-rounded product mix of Robotaxi, Mini Robobus, Robovan and Robosweeper to provide services including smart mobility, smart freight and smart environmental services. Established in 2017, WeRide is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, and has expanded its R&D and operation centers to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Anqing, as well as San Francisco in the US. WeRide has formed partnerships with top-tier global OEMs including Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, Yutong Group and GAC Group, etc. For more information, please visit: Website: www.weride.ai; Medium: https://werideai.medium.com/; twitter/LinkedIn/YouTube: WeRide.ai. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea1653f2-34c4-42eb-97e7-4d5c8e1f963c VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Riley Gold Corp. (TSX.V: RLYG) (OTCQB: RLYGF) (Riley Gold or the Company) is pleased to announce that an updated review of multiple sets of geophysical and soil geochemical data have revealed new, highly prospective drill target areas (Figures 3,4,5) capable of hosting a large Carlin-type gold deposit at its Pipeline West/Clipper Gold Project (PWC) located in Lander County, Nevada. Riley Golds land package consists of approximately 24.7 square kms of unpatented mining claims and patented (fee) lands in the heart of the Cortez section of the Battle Mountain Eureka Trend (Figure 1). PWC is almost entirely surrounded by Nevada Gold Mines LLC (NGM) which is a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Corporation. On the east, PWCs boundary lies within 1,000 metres (m) from NGMs Pipeline/Gap Mine as well as only 600 m from NGMs Gold Acres open pit, where a window into carbonates of the lower plate of the Roberts Mountains Thrust outcrops (Figure 2). On the north and west, PWC adjoins Ridgeline Minerals (Ridgeline) Swift project which is subject to a earn-in transaction between Ridgeline and NGM whereby NGM can earn up to a 70% interest by spending US$30M (up to 75% by arranging debt funding for Ridgelines portion of development costs). Figure 1: Location of PWC, within the Cortez Structural Zone (Leonardson, 2010) https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f398507a-80aa-4d12-b556-36b9e4a11eef Figure 2: PWC is on strike with NGMs Pipeline, Gap, and Gold Acres mines. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4c65fdc-4d3a-4c66-bbc4-978baf038abd PWC hosts very prospective Carlin-type gold targets along a 3-kilometer trend. These targets are supported by: Past drilling (revealing Devonian Wenban host rocks are within 300 500 m of surface) Open gold-in-soil anomalies Geophysics: Ground and Air Magnetic Surveys Gravity CSAMT Combined, PWC is a compelling prospect for possible future discovery. Relatively shallow target depths combined with overlapping geophysical and geochemical anomalies provide exciting targets for our first round of drilling at PWC. said Charles Sulfrian, Exploration Manager of Riley Gold Corp. and former Barrick Sr. Geologist. The target model is similar to discoveries at the Nevada Gold Mines Joint Venture, Cortez Complex, operated by Barrick Gold Corp. Soil Sampling Figure 3 shows that the soil and lithic sampling by previous operators left open-ended gold in soil anomalies within the target area depicted by the red ellipse. Additional soil sampling is needed to fill in the areas not covered by prior sampling. Thallium, mercury, antimony, and locally arsenic are all locally anomalous pathfinder elements as well. Prior deep drilling was narrowly focused, primarily offsetting known mineralization from even older drilling. There is no drilling in the target area identified by Riley Gold. Figure 3: Gold in soil and lithic sampling* (ppb). Three principal grids are shown Illustrating the gaps in sampling and open-ended gold anomalies. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/de95c2f9-dbab-41ae-86be-d5831094857a Geophysical modeling: Geophysical data review and modeling were conducted with Riley Gold staff by Mr. Chet Lide, VP & Managing Geophysicist of Zonge International in Reno, Nevada. New and detailed analyses of ground and aero-magnetic data, gravity, and Controlled Source Audio-Frequency Magneto-Telluric (CSAMT) surveys from past operators revealed multiple overlapping anomalies that point to structurally-controlled, high value drill targets within the Lower Plate of the Roberts Mountain Thrust system. Research into prior drilling at PWC proved that units of the Devonian Wenban are present within PWC. Additionally, that older drilling intersected gold mineralization in the Lower Plate stratigraphy, with results up to 2.594 grams per tonne gold. However, large areas of PWC remain undrilled and open for potential discovery. A significant portion of these areas also offer drill targets at or above 500 m depth. Figure 4: Gravity Horizontal Gradient Derivative. Emphasizes high-angle density contrasts (faults or contacts). Note the strong northwesterly trend within the red ellipse. Overlapping, northwest-trending geochemical and geophysical anomalies provide a strong indication of very prospective drill targets along this 3-kilometre northwesterly trend. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4364f7ea-8288-4421-ba72-61174e7c2a02 Figure 5: This aero magnetic map shows the Reduced to Pole (RTP) horizontal gradient which highlights the rate of change from non-magnetic facies to higher magnetic areas. This information helps constrain structures and suggests areas for further investigation. The high rate of change area indicated could represent an area of increasing magnetic sulfides, such as pyrrhotite within hornfels and skarn surrounding the Gold Acres stock. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6bf0574-0025-4402-9f55-377c10650f95 Note that such a gradient is highlighted within the red ellipse. Gold Acres pit is also aligned on the edge of a steep gradient. Inferred structural intersections coincident with soil geochemical and geophysical anomalies make compelling drill targets. About Riley Gold Corp. Riley Gold is an exploration and development company focused in Nevada, USA. The Companys primary focus is on its two cornerstone assets: the Tokop Gold Project located within the Walker Lane Trend and the Pipeline West/Clipper Project located in the Battle Mountain Eureka Trend. Riley Golds founders and leadership team have a proven track record of maximizing shareholder value during each phase of the mining life cycle: exploration, development, and production. Qualified Person This news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Sulfrian, CPG., Exploration Manager, of Riley Gold and a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on PWC, particularly in regard to the historical drill sample results. However, the Qualified Person believes that drilling and analytical results were completed to industry standard practices. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of PWC but may not be representative of expected results. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Todd Hilditch Chief Executive Officer Tel: (604) 443-3831 Or Mars Investor Relations Tel: (778) 999-4653 RLYG@marsinvestorrelations.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary statement regarding forwardlooking information Certain disclosures in this release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (such statements being referred to as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as the following: expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, assumes, potential and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the exploration program at PWC, including results of historical drilling, sampling, geophysics, interpretations and future exploration plans at PWC. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its planned activities, and the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies. The reader is referred to the Company's public disclosure record which is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Dublin, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "CBD Gummies Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Category and Distribution Channel" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The CBD gummies market was valued at US$ 2,133.48 million in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 12,182.21 million by 2028. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 28.3% from 2021 to 2028. CBD or cannabidiol is an active component in cannabis (marijuana). It is gaining huge traction due to its medicinal and healing effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD demonstrates no effects suggestive of any misuse or dependency potential in people. Based on distribution channel, the CBD gummies market is segmented into specialty stores, online retail, and others. The specialty stores segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020. The online retail segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. E-commerce platforms have registered significant growth as they provide lucrative services, such as home delivery, discounts, offers, cashback, to the customers. Moreover, customers can choose among a wide range of products by comparing different alternatives available. A variety of CBD gummies brands are available on e-commerce platforms like Amazon.com. Thus, the high availability of CBD gummies brands at affordable prices is one of the key factors driving the online retail segment. Based on region, the CBD gummies market is segmented into North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World. In 2020, North America held the largest share of the global CBD gummies market, whereas Europe is projected to register the fastest growth over the forecast period. Europe has a significant concentration of cannabis consumers. Recently, the European Union has legalized CBD; hence, manufacturers of CBD gummies have a strong growth potential across European nations such as France, Germany, the UK, and Poland. CBD gummies consumption is proliferating rapidly across markets in Europe as manufacturers are focusing on lowering the THC content and using clean-label and organic ingredients. Moreover, CBD regulations are getting softer as authorities in EU Member States now regard CBD as a novel product for food, beverages, and food supplements. These factors are projected to support the growth of the CBD gummies market across Europe over the coming years. The leading players in the CBD gummies market include Aurora Cannabis, Inc.; Canopy Growth USA, LLC; CBD American Shaman; CV Sciences, Inc.; Diamond CBD; CBDfx; Sunday Scaries; Medix CBD; Reliva CBD; and Fab CBD. Reasons to Buy Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies. The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the global CBD gummies market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long-term strategies. Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets. Scrutinize in-depth the market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it. Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation, and industry verticals. Key Market Dynamics Market Drivers Growing Awareness Regarding Health Benefits of CBD Rising Adoption Among Athletes and Sportspersons Market Restraints Stringent Regulations Regarding Production and Consumption of CBD Market Opportunities Product Innovations Future Trends Surging Influence of Social Media and Celebrities Company Profiles Dixie Brands Aurora Cannabis Inc. Canopy Growth Corporation Sunday Scaries Diamond CBD CBD American Shaman CV Sciences, Inc Medix CBD CBDFx Elixinol For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5xbpy Attachment Pune, India, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global robotaxi market size estimated to grow from USD 0.50 billion in 2020 to USD 11.10 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 61.2% during the 2020-2027 period. Robotaxi market size was USD 0.40 billion in 2019. The increasing demand for autonomy in the automotive sector is propelling the demand for advanced robotaxis worldwide. These autonomous taxis are equipped with technologically advanced LiDAR, RADAR, and other types of sensors to ensure smooth and driverless experience. This information is published by Fortune Business Insights in its latest report, titled, Robotaxi Market Forecast 2020-2027. Moreover, the growing focus on developing electric charging infrastructures is expected to boost the demand for the market in the forthcoming years. For instance, in November 2020, Tesla announced that it will be setting up about 20,000 charging stations across the U.S. Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/robo-taxi-market-103661 Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2020-2027 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 61.2% 2027 Value Projection USD 11.10 billion Base Year 2019 Market Size in 2020 USD 0.05 billion No. of Pages 200 Segments covered Application, Component, Propulsion, and Region Growth Drivers Increasing Incidence of Road Fatalities to Augment Growth According to the World Health Organization, around 1.35 million people die in road accidents every year globally. Robotaxi Market Growth Factors: Increasing Incidence of Road Fatalities to Augment Growth According to the World Health Organization, around 1.35 million people die in road accidents every year globally. The increasing cases of road accidents is driving the demand for advanced technologies that can help to reduce road congestions and save several lives across the globe. This is expected to boost the adoption of robotaxis that do not require any human intervention and can efficiently ply on roads with the help of advanced sensors. Therefore, the growing demand for advanced driverless cars to reduce the road fatalities is expected to contribute to the global robotaxi market growth in the forthcoming years. The effect of the global pandemic, COVID-19, has been felt across several economies that are facing unprecedented loss. Owing to the lockdown announced by the government agencies, several industries have been on a standstill with limited operational activities. However, a collective effort from the government as well as the industries is likely to bring the economy back on track and aid in resumption of industrial activities. Click here to get the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on this Market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/robo-taxi-market-103661 Robotaxi Market Regional Insights: Asia-Pacific The region is expected to hold the largest global robotaxi market share in terms of revenue in the forthcoming years. This is ascribable to the factors such as the increasing incidence of road accidents and the growing demand for advanced autonomous technologies that will propel the adoption of robotaxis in the region. Asia-Pacific stood at USD 0.14 billion in 2019. North America The region is expected to hold the second-largest position in the market backed by the presence of established players in countries such as the U.S. that are focusing on developing advanced automotive systems to promote the adoption of driverless-vehicles between 2020 and 2027. Market Segmentation: We have categorized the market on the basis of application type, component type, propulsion type, and region. Based on application type, the market is divided into goods, passenger, infotainment, and driver assistance. Additionally, based on application type, the passenger segment held a market share of about 65.0% in 2019 and is expected to experience exponential growth during the forecast period. This is attributed to the increasing adoption of passenger vehicles due to their safety and reliability. On the basis of component, the market is bifurcated into LiDAR, RADAR, camera, and sensor. Moreover, based on propulsion type, the market is segregated into electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cells. Lastly, on the basis of region, the market is segmented into Asia-Pacific, Rest of the World, Europe, and North America. What does the Report Include? The global market for robotaxi report includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of several factors such as the key drivers and restraints that will impact growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different regions, which are contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies by them to announce partnerships, introduce new products, and collaboration that will further contribute to the growth of the market between 2020 and 2027. Moreover, the research analyst has adopted several research methodologies such as SWOT and PESTEL analysis to extract information about the current trends and industry developments that will drive the market growth during the forecast period. Quick Buy - Robotaxi Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/103661 Industry Development: June 2020 - DiDi Chuxing announced the launch of self-driving service in Shanghai. The company further plans to deploy more than 1 million robotaxis through its platform. Robotaxi Companies Profiled in the Report: Tesla Inc., (California, United States) Waymo LLC (California, United States) Aptiv (Dublin, Ireland) Uber Technologies (California, United States) Daimler AG (Stuttgart, Germany) Lyft Inc., (California, United States) Baidu (Beijing, China) Didi Chuxing (Beijing, China) Amazon (Washington, United States) Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/robo-taxi-market-103661 Global Robotaxi Market Segmentation: By Application Type: Goods Passenger By Component Type: LiDAR RADAR Camera Sensor By Propulsion Type: Electric Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles Fuel Cell By Geography: North America (USA, Canada) Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, Southeast Asia and Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America) Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC, and Rest of Middle East & Africa) Table of Content: 1. Introduction 1.1. Research Scope 1.2. Market Segmentation 1.3. Research Methodology 1.4. Definitions and Assumptions 2. Executive Summary 3. Market Dynamics 3.1. Market Drivers 3.2. Market Restraints 3.3. Market Opportunities 4. Key Insights 4.1. Key Industry Developments - Merger, Acquisitions, and Partnerships 4.2. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.3. SWOT Analysis 4.4. Technological Developments 4.5. Value Chain Analysis Continued Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/robo-taxi-market-103661 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Attachment MONACO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) ("Scorpio Tankers" or the "Company") today reported its results for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Companys common stock. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company had a net loss of $84.4 million, or $1.52 basic and diluted loss per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company had an adjusted net loss (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $14.9 million, or $0.27 basic and diluted loss per share, which excludes from the net loss (i) a $67.7 million, or $1.22 per basic and diluted share, aggregate write-down of vessels held for sale and loss on the sale of vessels, and (ii) $1.9 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, write-off or acceleration of the amortization of deferred financing fees on the debt or lease financing obligations relating to these vessel sales and related debt extinguishment costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company had a net loss of $62.4 million, or $1.15 basic and diluted loss per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company had an adjusted net loss (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) of $57.3 million, or $1.05 basic and diluted loss per share, which excludes from the net loss $3.9 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, of losses recorded on the transaction to exchange $62.1 million in aggregate principal amount of its existing Convertible Notes due 2022 for $62.1 million in aggregate principal amount of new Convertible Notes due 2025, and $1.3 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, of write-offs of deferred financing fees related to the refinancing of certain credit facilities. Declaration of Dividend On April 27, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, payable on or about June 15, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of May 20, 2022 (the record date). As of April 27, 2022, there were 59,401,013 common shares of the Company outstanding. Summary of First Quarter 2022 and Other Recent Significant Events During the first quarter of 2022, the Company entered into agreements to sell 17 vessels, consisting of two LR2s, 12 LR1s, and three MRs. Seven of these sales closed within the first quarter of 2022 (six LR1s and one MR), raising $91.6 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, three of these sales have closed within April 2022 (two LR1s and one MR), raising $39.8 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, and the remaining seven vessels are expected to close before the end of the third quarter 2022. These remaining vessels are expected to raise $112.7 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and estimated selling costs. In April 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to sell an LR2 tanker, STI Nautilus, for $42.7 million. This sale is expected to raise approximately $22.0 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and estimated selling costs, and it is expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2022. Below is a summary of the average daily Time Charter Equivalent ("TCE") revenue (see Non-IFRS Measures section below) and duration of contracted voyages and time charters for the Company's vessels (both in the pools and directly in the spot market) thus far in the second quarter of 2022 as of the date hereof (See footnotes to "Other operating data" table below for the definition of daily TCE revenue): Total Vessel class Average daily TCE revenue % of Days LR2 $ 24,300 44 % MR $ 30,000 42 % Handymax $ 30,000 33 % Below is a summary of the average daily TCE revenue earned by the Company's vessels (both in the pools and directly in the spot market) during the first quarter of 2022: Vessel class Average daily TCE revenue LR2 $ 14,475 LR1 $ 12,320 MR $ 16,305 Handymax $ 15,949 The Company has $38.3 million of additional liquidity available from previously announced financings or refinancings that have been committed. These drawdowns are expected to occur at varying points in the future as certain of these financings are tied to scrubber installations on the Companys vessels. Sales of Vessels During the first quarter of 2022, the Company entered into agreements to sell 17 vessels, consisting of two LR2s, 12 LR1s, and three MRs. The sales prices of the two LR2s (STI Savile Row and STI Carnaby) are $43.0 million per vessel, the 12 LR1s (STI Excelsior, STI Executive, STI Excellence, STI Pride, STI Providence, STI Prestige, STI Experience, STI Express, STI Exceed, STI Excel, STI Expedite, and STI Precision) are $413.8 million in aggregate, and each of the three MRs (STI Fontvieille, STI Benicia, and STI Majestic) are $23.5 million, $26.5 million, and $34.9 million, respectively. Seven of these sales closed within the first quarter of 2022 (six LR1s and one MR), raising $91.6 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, three of these sales have closed within April 2022 (two LR1s and one MR), raising $39.8 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs, and the remaining seven vessels are expected to close before the end of the third quarter 2022. These remaining vessels are expected to raise approximately $112.7 million in aggregate new liquidity after the repayment of debt and selling costs. During the first quarter, the Company recorded an aggregate loss on the sale of vessels or write-down of vessels held for sale of $67.7 million for the 17 vessels that were agreed to be sold. Additionally, the Company wrote-off, or accelerated the amortization of deferred financing fees of $1.9 million with respect to the debt or lease financings relating to these vessels during the first quarter of 2022. Additionally, in April 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to sell an LR2 tanker, STI Nautilus, for $42.7 million. This sale is expected to raise approximately $22.0 million in aggregate new liquidity, after the repayment of debt and estimated selling costs. This sale is expected to result in a gain of approximately $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, and it is expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2022. Diluted Weighted Number of Shares The computation of earnings or loss per share is determined by taking into consideration the potentially dilutive shares arising from (i) the Companys equity incentive plan, and (ii) the Companys Convertible Notes due 2022 and Convertible Notes due 2025. These potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings or loss per share to the extent they are anti-dilutive. The impact of the Convertible Notes due 2022 and Convertible Notes due 2025 on earnings or loss per share is computed using the if-converted method. Under this method, the Company first includes the potentially dilutive impact of restricted shares issued under the Companys equity incentive plan, and then assumes that its Convertible Notes due 2022 and Convertible Notes due 2025, which were issued in March and June 2021 were converted into common shares at the beginning of each period. The if-converted method also assumes that the interest and non-cash amortization expense associated with these notes of $6.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were not incurred. Conversion is not assumed if the results of this calculation are anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Companys basic weighted average number of shares outstanding were 55,409,131. There were 57,130,119 weighted average shares outstanding including the potentially dilutive impact of restricted shares issued under the Company's equity incentive plan for the three months ended March 31, 2022. There were 64,467,902 weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2022 under the if-converted method. Since the Company was in a net loss position in both periods, the potentially dilutive shares arising from both restricted shares issued under the Company's equity incentive plan and under the if-converted method were anti-dilutive for purposes of calculating the loss per share. Accordingly, basic weighted average shares outstanding were used to calculate both basic and diluted loss per share for this period. Conference Call The Company has scheduled a conference call on April 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time and 5:00 PM Central European Summer Time. The dial-in information is as follows: US Dial-In Number: 1 (855) 861-2416 International Dial-In Number: 1 (703) 736-7422 Conference ID: 3295797 Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information. There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the internet, through the Scorpio Tankers Inc. website www.scorpiotankers.com . Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. Webcast URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/u6omf566 Current Liquidity As of April 27, 2022, the Company had $280.5 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. In the next few days, the Company is expected to receive $33.8 million from the sale of one LR1 tanker (after estimated selling costs). The debt for this vessel was repaid prior to April 27, 2022. Our pro-forma cash balance, including the net proceeds from the sale of this vessel, was $314.3 million as of April 27, 2022. Drydock, Scrubber and Ballast Water Treatment Update Set forth below is a table summarizing the drydock, scrubber, and ballast water treatment system activity that occurred during the first quarter of 2022 and that is in progress as of April 1, 2022. Number of Vessels Drydock Ballast Water Treatment Systems Scrubbers Aggregate Costs (in millions of U.S. Dollars) (1) Aggregate Off-hire Days in Q1 2022 Completed in the first quarter of 2022 LR2 3 3 $4.4 93 LR1 2 2 7.3 65 MR Handymax 5 3 2 $11.7 158 In progress as of April 1, 2022 LR2 1 1 $2.5 11 LR1 3 3 11.0 104 MR 2 2 2.0 24 Handymax 6 2 4 $15.5 139 (1) Aggregate costs for vessels completed in the quarter represent the total costs incurred, some of which may have been incurred in prior periods. Set forth below are the estimated expected payments to be made for the Company's drydocks, ballast water treatment system installations, and scrubber installations through 2023 (which also include actual payments made during the second quarter of 2022 and through April 27, 2022): In millions of U.S. dollars As of March 31, 2022 (1) (2) Q2 2022 - payments made through April 27, 2022 $ 3.4 Q2 2022 - remaining payments 14.1 Q3 2022 10.5 Q4 2022 7.5 FY 2023 16.8 (1) Includes estimated cash payments for drydocks, ballast water treatment system installations and scrubber installations. These amounts include installment payments that are due in advance of the scheduled service and may be scheduled to occur in quarters prior to the actual installation. In addition to these installment payments, these amounts also include estimates of the installation costs of such systems. The timing of the payments set forth are estimates only and may vary as the timing of the related drydocks and installations finalize. (2) Based upon the commitments received to date, which include the remaining availability under certain financing transactions that have been previously announced, the Company expects to raise approximately $11.3 million of aggregate additional liquidity to finance the purchase and installations of scrubbers once all of the agreements are closed and drawn. These drawdowns are expected to occur at varying points in the future as these financings are tied to scrubber installations on the Companys vessels. Set forth below are the estimated expected number of vessels and estimated expected off-hire days for the Company's drydocks, ballast water treatment system installations, and scrubber installations (1): Q2 2022 Vessels Scheduled for (2): Off-hire Drydock Ballast Water Treatment Systems Scrubbers Days (3) LR2 2 70 LR1 81 MR 1 46 Handymax Total Q2 2022 2 1 197 Q3 2022 Vessels Scheduled for(2): Off-hire Drydock Ballast Water Treatment Systems Scrubbers Days(3) LR2 LR1 MR 6 4 1 140 Handymax Total Q3 2022 6 4 1 140 Q4 2022 Vessels Scheduled for(2): Off-hire Drydock Ballast Water Treatment Systems Scrubbers Days(3) LR2 LR1 MR 3 1 2 100 Handymax Total Q4 2022 3 1 2 100 FY 2023 Vessels Scheduled for(2): Off-hire Drydock Ballast Water Treatment Systems Scrubbers Days(3) LR2 LR1 MR 6 6 240 Handymax Total FY 2023 6 6 240 (1) The number of vessels in these tables may reflect a certain amount of overlap where certain vessels are expected to be drydocked and have ballast water treatment systems and/or scrubbers installed simultaneously. Additionally, the timing set forth in these tables may vary as drydock, ballast water treatment system installation and scrubber installation times are finalized. (2) Represents the number of vessels scheduled to commence drydock, ballast water treatment system, and/or scrubber installations during the period. It does not include vessels that commenced work in prior periods but will be completed in the subsequent period. (3) Represents total estimated off-hire days during the period, including vessels that commenced work in a previous period. Debt Set forth below is a summary of the principal balances of the Companys outstanding indebtedness as of the dates presented. In thousands of U.S. Dollars Outstanding Principal as of December 31, 2021 Outstanding Principal as of March 31, 2022 Outstanding Principal as of April 27, 2022 1 Credit Agricole Credit Facility (1) $ 73,591 $ 53,578 $ 17,535 2 Citibank / K-Sure Credit Facility (2) 78,401 37,881 18,736 3 Hamburg Commercial Credit Facility 37,024 36,201 36,201 4 Prudential Credit Facility 44,832 43,445 42,983 5 2019 DNB / GIEK Credit Facility 45,450 43,672 43,672 6 BNPP Sinosure Credit Facility 86,314 89,761 84,402 7 2020 $225 Million Credit Facility (3) 145,636 103,818 103,818 8 2021 $21.0 Million Credit Facility 19,245 18,660 18,660 9 2021 $43.6 Million Credit Facility (4) 43,550 21,222 21,222 10 Ocean Yield Lease Financing 127,263 124,460 123,525 11 BCFL Lease Financing (LR2s) 79,321 76,560 75,630 12 CSSC Lease Financing 135,843 132,202 130,988 13 BCFL Lease Financing (MRs) 68,888 65,115 63,793 14 2018 CMBFL Lease Financing 111,986 108,734 108,734 15 $116.0 Million Lease Financing 95,789 93,246 92,345 16 AVIC Lease Financing (5) 106,405 86,316 86,316 17 China Huarong Lease Financing 103,416 99,208 99,208 18 $157.5 Million Lease Financing 109,657 106,121 106,121 19 COSCO Lease Financing 61,050 59,125 59,125 20 2020 CMBFL Lease Financing 41,332 40,521 40,521 21 2020 TSFL Lease Financing 43,928 43,098 43,098 22 2020 SPDBFL Lease Financing 90,006 88,382 88,382 23 2021 AVIC Lease Financing 91,886 90,073 90,073 24 2021 CMBFL Lease Financing 74,565 72,935 72,530 25 2021 TSFL Lease Financing 54,377 53,282 53,282 26 2021 CSSC Lease Financing 53,893 52,577 52,139 27 2021 $146.3 Million Lease Financing 146,250 143,583 140,288 28 2021 Ocean Yield Lease Financing 69,783 68,341 67,860 29 IFRS 16 - Leases - 3 MR 29,268 27,314 26,630 30 $670.0 Million Lease Financing (6) 546,730 535,061 505,743 31 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2025 70,209 70,571 70,571 32 Convertible Notes Due 2022 69,695 69,695 69,695 33 Convertible Notes Due 2025 (7) 208,133 210,897 211,702 Gross debt outstanding 3,163,716 2,965,655 2,865,528 Cash and cash equivalents 230,415 242,684 280,527 Net debt $ 2,933,301 $ 2,722,971 $ 2,585,001 (1) In March 2022, the Company closed on the sale of STI Excelsior and repaid $18.4 million on the Credit Agricole Credit Facility as a result of this sale. In April 2022, the Company repaid $36.0 million on the Credit Agricole Credit Facility related to STI Exceed and STI Expedite. The sales of both vessels have closed as of April 27, 2022. (2) In March 2022, the Company closed on the sales of STI Executive and STI Excellence and repaid $39.5 million on the Citibank / K-Sure Credit Facility as a result of these sales. In April 2022, the Company repaid $19.1 million on the Citibank / K-Sure Credit Facility related to STI Express, the sale of which is expected to close in the next few days. (3) In March 2022, the Company closed on the sales of STI Pride and STI Providence and repaid $38.7 million on the 2020 $225.0 Million Credit Facility as a result of these sales. (4) In March 2022, the Company closed on the sale of STI Prestige and repaid $21.2 million on the 2021 $43.6 Million Credit Facility as a result of this sale. (5) In February 2022, the Company exercised the option to repurchase STI Fontvieille and repaid $17.2 million on the AVIC Lease Financing in advance of the sale of the vessel, which closed shortly thereafter. (6) In April 2022, the Company exercised the option to repurchase STI Majestic and repaid $25.6 million on the $670.0 Million Lease Financing in advance of the sale of the vessel. The sale of this vessel has closed as of April 27, 2022. (7) The outstanding principal balance reflects the par value of the Convertible Notes Due 2025 of $200.0 million plus the accreted principal balance as of each date presented. The Convertible Notes Due 2025 are scheduled to accrete at an annualized rate of approximately 5.52% per annum, with the total balance due at maturity equal to 125.3% of par. The Convertible Notes Due 2025 also bear interest at a cash coupon rate of 3.0% per annum, which is calculated based upon the par value of the instrument. Set forth below are the estimated expected future principal repayments on the Company's outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2022, which includes principal amounts due under the Company's secured credit facilities, Convertible Notes due 2022, Convertible Notes due 2025, lease financing arrangements, Senior Notes due 2025, and lease liabilities under IFRS 16 (which also include actual scheduled payments made during the second quarter of 2022 through April 27, 2022): As of March 31, 2022 (1) In millions of U.S. dollars Total Less: scheduled repayments on vessels to be sold (2) Pro forma total - excluding scheduled repayments vessels to be sold Maturities of unsecured debt Vessel financings - 2022 and 2023 maturities, excluding vessels to be sold Vessel financings - scheduled repayments, in addition to maturities in 2024 and thereafter, excluding vessels to be sold Q2 2022 - principal payments made through April 27, 2022 $ 100.9 $ 80.8 $ 20.1 $ $ $ 20.1 Q2 2022 (3) 233.0 113.9 119.1 69.7 49.4 Q3 2022 84.3 20.0 64.3 64.3 Q4 2022 (4) 86.7 86.7 17.5 69.2 Q1 2023 63.8 63.8 63.8 Q2 2023 69.6 69.6 69.6 Q3 2023 63.8 63.8 63.8 Q4 2023 68.7 68.7 68.7 2024 and thereafter 2,194.9 2,194.9 281.5 1,913.4 $ 2,965.7 $ 214.7 $ 2,751.0 $ 351.2 $ 17.5 $ 2,382.3 (1) Amounts represent the principal payments due on the Companys outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2022 and do not incorporate the impact of any of the Companys new financing initiatives which have not closed as of that date. (2) The repayments of debt set forth in this column represent the previously scheduled repayments due on vessels that have recently been agreed to be sold whose sales had not yet closed as of March 31, 2022. These credit facilities and lease financing arrangements are expected to be repaid in full prior to the closing of each vessel sale, which have occurred, or are expected to occur during the second and third quarters of 2022. The repayments include two LR1s under the Citibank / K-Sure Credit Facility, three LR1s under the Credit Agricole Credit Facility, one LR1 under the 2021 $43.6 Million Credit Facility, one MR under the $157.5 Million Lease Financing, one MR under the $670.0 Million Lease Financing and three LR2s under the 2020 $225.0 Million Credit Facility. (3) Repayments include the scheduled maturity of the outstanding face value of the Convertible Notes due 2022 of $69.7 million. (4) Repayments include the scheduled maturity of the outstanding debt related to one vessel under the 2021 $21.0 Million Credit Facility for $17.5 million. Explanation of Variances on the First Quarter of 2022 Financial Results Compared to the First Quarter of 2021 For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded a net loss of $84.4 million compared to a net loss of $62.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The following were the significant changes between the two periods: TCE revenue, a Non-IFRS measure, is vessel revenues less voyage expenses (including bunkers and port charges). TCE revenue is included herein because it is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance irrespective of changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot voyages, time charters, and pool charters), and it provides useful information to investors and management. The following table sets forth TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021: For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021 Vessel revenue $ 174,047 $ 134,165 Voyage expenses (2,023 ) (1,385 ) TCE revenue $ 172,024 $ 132,780 TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased by $39.2 million to $172.0 million, from $132.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Overall average TCE revenue per day increased to $15,415 per day during the three months ended March 31, 2022, from $11,166 per day during the three months ended March 31, 2021. TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 reflected an improving spot market for product tankers, particularly at the end of quarter, which was triggered by myriad factors including (i) the easing of COVID-19 restrictions around the globe which triggered increased personal mobility and the demand for refined petroleum products; (ii) strengthening refining margins which, combined with low global refined petroleum product inventories, increased demand for the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products, and; (iii) the volatility brought on by the conflict in Ukraine, which has disrupted supply chains for crude oil and refined petroleum products, changing volumes and trade routes, and thus increased ton-mile demand for refined petroleum products. TCE revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflected the adverse market conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for crude and refined petroleum products remained low during this period as inventories that built up during 2020 continued to be drawn, and most countries throughout the world continued to implement restrictive policies in an effort to control the spread of the virus. Vessel operating costs for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased by $1.5 million to $84.8 million, from $83.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Vessel operating costs per day increased to $7,290 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $6,891 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Vessel operating costs per day increased across most vessel classes, driven by increased repairs and maintenance, and spares and stores expenses. Depreciation expense owned or sale leaseback vessels for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased by $4.7 million to $44.1 million, from $48.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This decrease is attributable to 17 of the Company's vessels being designated as held for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2022. These vessels were written down to their net realizable value upon being designated as held for sale, and depreciation expense ceased being recorded upon that designation. Therefore, depreciation expense for these vessels only reflected a partial period during the three months ended March 31, 2022, and the Company expects depreciation expense to decrease slightly in subsequent quarters to reflect the full impact of these vessel sales. Depreciation expense - right of use assets for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased by $2.1 million to $9.7 million from $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Depreciation expense - right of use assets reflects the straight-line depreciation expense recorded under IFRS 16 - Leases. Right of use asset depreciation expense was impacted by the expiration of the bareboat charter-in agreements on four Handymax vessels at the end of the first quarter of 2021. The Company had four LR2s and 18 MRs that were accounted for under IFRS 16 - Leases during the three months ended March 31, 2022. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022, decreased by $1.1 million to $12.5 million, from $13.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in restricted stock amortization. Financial expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased by $3.9 million to $38.0 million, from $34.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the accretion of convertible notes, which increased to $4.1 million from $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This increase was due to the issuance of the Convertible Notes due 2025 in March and June 2021. Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income or Loss (unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars except per share and share data 2022 2021 Revenue Vessel revenue $ 174,047 $ 134,165 Operating expenses Vessel operating costs (84,832 ) (83,302 ) Voyage expenses (2,023 ) (1,385 ) Depreciation - owned or sale leaseback vessels (44,108 ) (48,784 ) Depreciation - right of use assets (9,720 ) (11,841 ) General and administrative expenses (12,454 ) (13,560 ) Loss on sale of vessels (67,738 ) Total operating expenses (220,875 ) (158,872 ) Operating loss (46,828 ) (24,707 ) Other (expense) and income, net Financial expenses (38,001 ) (34,067 ) Loss on Convertible Notes exchange (3,856 ) Financial income 188 225 Other income and (expense), net 193 11 Total other expense, net (37,620 ) (37,687 ) Net loss $ (84,448 ) $ (62,394 ) Loss per share Basic $ (1.52 ) $ (1.15 ) Diluted $ (1.52 ) $ (1.15 ) Basic weighted average shares outstanding 55,409,131 54,318,792 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding(1) 55,409,131 54,318,792 (1) The computation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 excludes the effect of potentially dilutive unvested shares of restricted stock and the Convertible Notes due 2022 and Convertible Notes due 2025 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) As of In thousands of U.S. dollars March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 242,684 $ 230,415 Accounts receivable 70,274 38,069 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 11,110 7,954 Inventories 15,373 8,781 Restricted cash 2,006 4,008 Assets held for sale 342,760 Total current assets 684,207 289,227 Non-current assets Vessels and drydock 3,217,112 3,842,071 Right of use assets for vessels 718,933 764,025 Other assets 93,190 108,963 Goodwill 8,900 8,900 Restricted cash 783 783 Total non-current assets 4,038,918 4,724,742 Total assets $ 4,723,125 $ 5,013,969 Current liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 274,636 $ 235,278 Lease liability - sale and leaseback vessels 189,293 178,062 Lease liability - IFRS 16 78,067 54,515 Accounts payable 16,689 35,080 Accrued expenses 31,079 24,906 Total current liabilities 589,764 527,841 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt 508,507 666,409 Lease liability - sale and leaseback vessels 1,390,073 1,461,929 Lease liability - IFRS 16 483,644 520,862 Total non-current liabilities 2,382,224 2,649,200 Total liabilities 2,971,988 3,177,041 Shareholders' equity Issued, authorized and fully paid-in share capital: Share capital 659 659 Additional paid-in capital 2,854,455 2,855,798 Treasury shares (480,172 ) (480,172 ) Accumulated deficit (623,805 ) (539,357 ) Total shareholders' equity 1,751,137 1,836,928 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 4,723,125 $ 5,013,969 Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021 Operating activities Net loss $ (84,448 ) $ (62,394 ) Depreciation - owned or finance leased vessels 44,108 48,784 Depreciation - right of use assets 9,720 11,841 Amortization of restricted stock 4,494 6,192 Amortization of deferred financing fees 1,806 1,825 Write-off of deferred financing fees and unamortized discounts on sale and leaseback facilities 1,586 1,275 Accretion of convertible notes 4,128 1,922 Loss on sales of vessels 67,738 Accretion of fair value measurement on debt assumed in business combinations 889 847 Loss on Convertible Notes transactions 3,856 Share of income from dual fuel tanker joint venture (174 ) 49,847 14,148 Changes in assets and liabilities: (Increase) / decrease in inventories (2,589 ) 1,157 Increase in accounts receivable (27,137 ) (12,069 ) Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets (3,156 ) (600 ) Increase in other assets (27 ) (147 ) (Decrease) / increase in accounts payable (17,162 ) 2,428 Increase / (decrease) in accrued expenses 5,758 (6,745 ) (44,313 ) (15,976 ) Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities 5,534 (1,828 ) Investing activities Net proceeds from sales of vessels 225,815 Distributions from dual fuel tanker joint venture 240 Drydock, scrubber, ballast water treatment system and other vessel related payments (owned, leased financed and bareboat-in vessels) (14,279 ) (16,601 ) Net cash inflow / (outflow) from investing activities 211,776 (16,601 ) Financing activities Debt repayments (191,163 ) (224,757 ) Issuance of debt 3,806 273,421 Debt issuance costs (184 ) (3,643 ) Principal repayments on lease liability - IFRS 16 (13,666 ) (14,856 ) Issuance of convertible notes 76,100 Decrease in restricted cash 2,003 Dividends paid (5,837 ) (5,809 ) Net cash (outflow) / inflow from financing activities (205,041 ) 100,456 Increase in cash and cash equivalents 12,269 82,027 Cash and cash equivalents at January 1, 230,415 187,511 Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, $ 242,684 $ 269,538 Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Subsidiaries Other operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, 2022 2021 Adjusted EBITDA(1) (in thousands of U.S. dollars except Fleet Data) $ 79,425 $ 42,121 Average Daily Results TCE per revenue day(2) $ 15,415 $ 11,166 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,290 $ 6,891 LR2 TCE per revenue day (2) $ 14,475 $ 11,947 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,228 $ 6,675 Average number of vessels 42.0 42.0 LR1 TCE per revenue day (2) $ 12,320 $ 11,228 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,170 $ 6,646 Average number of vessels 10.7 12.0 MR TCE per revenue day (2) $ 16,305 $ 11,281 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,364 $ 6,974 Average number of vessels 62.6 63.0 Handymax TCE per revenue day (2) $ 15,949 $ 8,844 Vessel operating costs per day (3) $ 7,231 $ 7,280 Average number of vessels 14.0 17.3 Fleet data Average number of vessels 129.3 134.3 Drydock Drydock, scrubber, ballast water treatment system and other vessel related payments for owned, sale leaseback and bareboat chartered-in vessels (in thousands of U.S. dollars) $ 14,279 $ 16,601 (1) See Non-IFRS Measures section below. (2) Freight rates are commonly measured in the shipping industry in terms of time charter equivalent per day (or TCE per day), which is calculated by subtracting voyage expenses, including bunkers and port charges, from vessel revenue and dividing the net amount (time charter equivalent revenues) by the number of revenue days in the period. Revenue days are the number of days the vessel is owned, sale leasebacked, or chartered-in less the number of days the vessel is off-hire for drydock and repairs. (3) Vessel operating costs per day represent vessel operating costs divided by the number of operating days during the period. Operating days are the total number of available days in a period with respect to the owned, sale leasebacked or bareboat chartered-in vessels, before deducting available days due to off-hire days and days in drydock. Operating days is a measurement that is only applicable to owned, sale leasebacked, or bareboat chartered-in vessels, not time chartered-in vessels. Fleet list as of April 27, 2022 Vessel Name Year Built DWT Ice class Employment Vessel type Scrubber Owned, sale leaseback and bareboat chartered-in vessels 1 STI Brixton 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 2 STI Comandante 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 3 STI Pimlico 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 4 STI Hackney 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 5 STI Acton 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 6 STI Fulham 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 7 STI Camden 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 8 STI Battersea 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 9 STI Wembley 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 10 STI Finchley 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 11 STI Clapham 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 12 STI Poplar 2014 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 13 STI Hammersmith 2015 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 14 STI Rotherhithe 2015 38,734 1A SHTP (1) Handymax N/A 15 STI Amber 2012 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 16 STI Topaz 2012 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 17 STI Ruby 2012 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 18 STI Garnet 2012 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 19 STI Onyx 2012 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 20 STI Ville 2013 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 21 STI Duchessa 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 22 STI Opera 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 23 STI Texas City 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 24 STI Meraux 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 25 STI San Antonio 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 26 STI Venere 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 27 STI Virtus 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 28 STI Aqua 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 29 STI Dama 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 30 STI Benicia 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes (5) 31 STI Regina 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 32 STI St. Charles 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 33 STI Mayfair 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 34 STI Yorkville 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 35 STI Milwaukee 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 36 STI Battery 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 37 STI Soho 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 38 STI Memphis 2014 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 39 STI Tribeca 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 40 STI Gramercy 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 41 STI Bronx 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 42 STI Pontiac 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 43 STI Manhattan 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 44 STI Queens 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 45 STI Osceola 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 46 STI Notting Hill 2015 49,687 1B SMRP (2) MR Yes 47 STI Seneca 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 48 STI Westminster 2015 49,687 1B SMRP (2) MR Yes 49 STI Brooklyn 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 50 STI Black Hawk 2015 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 51 STI Galata 2017 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 52 STI Bosphorus 2017 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 53 STI Leblon 2017 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 54 STI La Boca 2017 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Yes 55 STI San Telmo 2017 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 56 STI Donald C Trauscht 2017 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 57 STI Esles II 2018 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 58 STI Jardins 2018 49,990 1B SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 59 STI Magic 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 60 STI Mystery 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 61 STI Marvel 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 62 STI Magnetic 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 63 STI Millennia 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 64 STI Magister 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 65 STI Mythic 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 66 STI Marshall 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 67 STI Modest 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 68 STI Maverick 2019 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 69 STI Miracle 2020 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 70 STI Maestro 2020 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 71 STI Mighty 2020 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 72 STI Maximus 2020 50,000 SMRP (2) MR Yes 73 STI Excel 2015 74,000 SLR1P (3) LR1 Yes (5) 74 STI Experience 2016 74,000 SLR1P (3) LR1 Not Yet Installed (5) 75 STI Express 2016 74,000 SLR1P (3) LR1 Yes (5) 76 STI Precision 2016 74,000 SLR1P (3) LR1 Yes (5) 77 STI Elysees 2014 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 78 STI Madison 2014 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 79 STI Park 2014 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 80 STI Orchard 2014 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 81 STI Sloane 2014 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 82 STI Broadway 2014 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 83 STI Condotti 2014 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 84 STI Rose 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 85 STI Veneto 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 86 STI Alexis 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 87 STI Winnie 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 88 STI Oxford 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 89 STI Lauren 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 90 STI Connaught 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 91 STI Spiga 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 92 STI Savile Row 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes (5) 93 STI Kingsway 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 94 STI Carnaby 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes (5) 95 STI Solidarity 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 96 STI Lombard 2015 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 97 STI Grace 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 98 STI Jermyn 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 99 STI Sanctity 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 100 STI Solace 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 101 STI Stability 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 102 STI Steadfast 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 103 STI Supreme 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Not Yet Installed 104 STI Symphony 2016 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 105 STI Gallantry 2016 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 106 STI Goal 2016 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 107 STI Nautilus 2016 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes (5) 108 STI Guard 2016 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 109 STI Guide 2016 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 110 STI Selatar 2017 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 111 STI Rambla 2017 109,999 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 112 STI Gauntlet 2017 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 113 STI Gladiator 2017 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 114 STI Gratitude 2017 113,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 115 STI Lobelia 2019 110,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 116 STI Lotus 2019 110,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 117 STI Lily 2019 110,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 118 STI Lavender 2019 110,000 SLR2P (4) LR2 Yes 119 STI Beryl 2013 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 120 STI Le Rocher 2013 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed 121 STI Larvotto 2013 49,990 SMRP (2) MR Not Yet Installed Total owned, sale leaseback and bareboat chartered-in fleet DWT 9,223,160 (1) This vessel operates in, or is expected to operate in, the Scorpio Handymax Tanker Pool, or SHTP. SHTP is a Scorpio Pool and is operated by Scorpio Commercial Management S.A.M. (SCM). SHTP and SCM are related parties to the Company. (2) This vessel operates in, or is expected to operate in, the Scorpio MR Pool, or SMRP. SMRP is a Scorpio Pool and is operated by SCM. SMRP and SCM are related parties to the Company. (3) This vessel operates in the Scorpio LR1 Pool, or SLR1P. SLR1P is a Scorpio Pool and is operated by SCM. SLR1P and SCM are related parties to the Company. (4) This vessel operates in, or is expected to operate in, the Scorpio LR2 Pool, or SLR2P. SLR2P is a Scorpio Pool and is operated by SCM. SLR2P and SCM are related parties to the Company. (5) The Company has entered into an agreement to sell this vessel, which is expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2022. Dividend Policy The declaration and payment of dividends is subject at all times to the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. The timing and the amount of dividends, if any, depends on the Company's earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, fleet renewal and expansion, restrictions in loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors. The Company's dividends paid during 2021 and 2022 were as follows: Date paid Dividends per common share March 2021 $ 0.10 June 2021 $ 0.10 September 2021 $ 0.10 December 2021 $ 0.10 March 2022 $ 0.10 On April 27, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, payable on or about June 15, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of May 20, 2022 (the record date). As of April 27, 2022, there were 59,401,013 common shares of the Company outstanding. $250 Million Securities Repurchase Program In September 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new Securities Repurchase Program to purchase up to an aggregate of $250 million of the Company's securities which, in addition to its common shares, currently consist of its Senior Notes due 2025 (NYSE: SBBA), which were originally issued in May 2020, Convertible Notes due 2022, which were issued in May and July 2018, and Convertible Notes due 2025, which were issued in March and June 2021. No securities have been repurchased under the new program since its inception through the date of this press release. COVID-19 Since the beginning of calendar year 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has resulted in a significant reduction in global economic activity and extreme volatility in the global financial markets, the effects of which continued throughout 2021. While the easing of restrictive measures that were put in place to combat the spread of the virus, and the successful roll-out of vaccines in certain countries served as a catalyst for an economic recovery in many countries throughout the world, the Company expects that the COVID-19 virus will continue to cause volatility in the commodities markets. In particular, the spread of more contagious and vaccine resistant variants, along with the continued implementation of restrictive measures by governments in certain parts of the world, have hampered a full re-opening of the global economy, thus preventing demand for refined petroleum products from reaching pre-pandemic levels. The scale and duration of these circumstances is unknowable but could continue to have a material impact on the Company's earnings, cash flow and financial condition. An estimate of the impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, and future performance cannot be made at this time. Conflict in Ukraine The recent military conflict in Ukraine has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the trade of refined petroleum products. This conflict has resulted in the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, among other countries, implementing sanctions and executive orders against citizens, entities, and activities connected to Russia. Some of these sanctions and executive orders target the Russian oil sector, including a prohibition on the import of oil from Russia to the United States or the United Kingdom. The Company cannot foresee what other sanctions or executive orders may arise that affect the trade of petroleum products. Furthermore, the conflict and ensuing international response has disrupted the supply of Russian oil to the global market, and as a result, the price of oil and petroleum products has experienced significant volatility. The Company cannot predict what effect the higher price of oil and petroleum products will have on demand, and it is possible that the current conflict in Ukraine could adversely affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations, and future performance. About Scorpio Tankers Inc. Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns, lease finances or bareboat charters-in 121 product tankers (42 LR2 tankers, four LR1 tankers, 61 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 6.3 years. The Company has recently agreed to sell four LR1 tankers, three LR2 tankers and one MR tanker. These sales are expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2022. Additional information about the Company is available at the Company's website www.scorpiotankers.com , which is not a part of this press release. Non-IFRS Measures Reconciliation of IFRS Financial Information to Non-IFRS Financial Information This press release describes time charter equivalent revenue, or TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss, and adjusted EBITDA, which are not measures prepared in accordance with IFRS ("Non-IFRS" measures). The Non-IFRS measures are presented in this press release as we believe that they provide investors and other users of our financial statements, such as our lenders, with a means of evaluating and understanding how the Company's management evaluates the Company's operating performance. These Non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company believes that the presentation of TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss with adjusted earnings or loss per share, basic and diluted, and adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors or other users of our financial statements, such as our lenders, because they facilitate the comparability and the evaluation of companies in the Companys industry. In addition, the Company believes that TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss with adjusted earnings or loss per share, basic and diluted, and adjusted EBITDA are useful in evaluating its operating performance compared to that of other companies in the Companys industry. The Companys definitions of TCE revenue, adjusted net income or loss with adjusted earnings or loss per share, basic and diluted, and adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as reported by other companies in the shipping industry or other industries. TCE revenue, on a historical basis, is reconciled above in the section entitled "Explanation of Variances on the First Quarter of 2022 Financial Results Compared to the First Quarter of 2021". The Company has not provided a reconciliation of forward-looking TCE revenue because the most directly comparable IFRS measure on a forward-looking basis is not available to the Company without unreasonable effort. Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Per share Per share In thousands of U.S. dollars except per share data Amount basic diluted Net loss $ (84,448 ) $ (1.52 ) $ (1.52 ) Adjustments: Loss on sales of vessels 67,738 $ 1.22 $ 1.22 Write-offs of deferred financing fees and debt extinguishment costs 1,855 0.03 0.03 Adjusted net loss $ (14,855 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.27 ) For the three months ended March 31, 2021 Per share Per share In thousands of U.S. dollars except per share data Amount basic diluted Net loss $ (62,394 ) $ (1.15 ) $ (1.15 ) Adjustment: Loss on Convertible Notes exchange 3,856 0.07 0.07 Write-off of deferred financing fees 1,275 0.02 0.02 Adjusted net loss $ (57,263 ) $ (1.05 ) (1 ) $ (1.05 ) (1 ) (1) Summation difference due to rounding. Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA For the three months ended March 31, In thousands of U.S. dollars 2022 2021 Net Loss $ (84,448 ) $ (62,394 ) Financial expenses 38,001 34,067 Financial income (188 ) (225 ) Depreciation - owned or finance leased vessels 44,108 48,784 Depreciation - right of use assets 9,720 11,841 Amortization of restricted stock 4,494 6,192 Loss on Convertible Notes exchange 3,856 Loss on sales of vessels 67,738 Adjusted EBITDA $ 79,425 $ 42,121 Forward-Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forwardlooking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forwardlooking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forwardlooking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "target," "project," "likely," "may," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements. The forwardlooking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forwardlooking statements include unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, length and severity of the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including its effect on demand for petroleum products and the transportation thereof, expansion and growth of the Companys operations, risks relating to the integration of assets or operations of entities that it has or may in the future acquire and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized within expected timeframes or at all, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of offhires, and other factors. Please see the Company's filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties. Scorpio Tankers Inc. 212-542-1616 Dublin, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Personal Care Ingredients Market by Ingredient Type (Emollients, Surfactants, Rheology Modifiers, Emulsifiers, Conditioning Polymers), Application (Skin Care, Hair Care, Oral Care, Make-up) and Region - Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The personal care ingredients market is estimated to grow from USD 11.8 billion in 2021 to USD 14.9 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 4.0%. The personal care ingredients market is driven mainly by changing lifestyle and the increasing purchasing power of consumers in developing countries. However, government regulations against cosmetics products are expected to restrain market growth. The personal care industry is growing rapidly due to the rising population, along with an increase in spending on better personal care products. The retail sector is getting organized in emerging economies such as China, India, and Brazil, which is also helping the personal care industry to flourish. The industry is continuously evolving to comply with changing consumer preferences. Rheology modifiers expected to be the fastest-growing ingredient type of the personal care ingredients market, in terms of value, between 2022 and 2027 The rheology modifiers segment is estimated to witness the highest growth rates in the personal care ingredients market in terms of value in 2021. This is due to its usage in almost all the personal care products to increase the viscosity of the formulation without significantly changing the performance of personal care products. The hair care application segment is estimated to witness the highest CAGR of the overall personal care ingredients market, in terms of value, between 2022 and 2027 The personal care ingredients market based on the application is segmented as skincare, hair care, make-up, oral care, and others. The hair care segment is estimated to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the development taking place in the hair care segment in order to combat problems associated with hair such as dandruff, itchy scalp, greying of hair, hair fall, and hair thinning, among others, which are on the rise. This drives the demand for various types of ingredients in hair care products. Middle East & Africa is estimated to witness the highest CAGR, during the forecast period The Middle East & Africa is projected to register the highest CAGR of 6.1% in the personal care ingredients market between 2022 and 2027, in terms of value. The growth is mainly attributed to the growing demand for halal-certified products, which is boosting the demand for a variety of personal care products. This, in turn, is increasing the demand for personal care ingredients in the region Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Significant Opportunities in Personal Care Ingredients Market 4.2 Personal Care Ingredients Market, by Region (2022-2027) 4.3 Asia-Pacific: Personal Care Ingredients Market, by Application and Country, 2021 4.4 Personal Care Ingredients Market Size, by Ingredient Type Vs. Region 4.5 Personal Care Ingredients Market, by Key Countries 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics of Personal Care Ingredients 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Changing Lifestyle and Increasing Purchasing Power of Consumers in Developing Countries 5.2.1.2 Rapid Growth in Multifunctional Personal Care Ingredients 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 Governmental Regulations Against Cosmetic Products 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 High Market Potential in Emerging Economies 5.2.3.2 Global Demand Shifting Toward Sustainable and Bio-Based Products 5.2.4 Challenges 5.2.4.1 Toxicity of Some Personal Care Ingredients 5.2.4.2 Volatility in Raw Material Prices 5.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3.1 Threat of Substitutes 5.3.2 Threat of New Entrants 5.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.3.4 Bargaining Power of Buyers 5.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry 5.4 Key Stakeholders & Buying Criteria 5.4.1 Key Stakeholders in Buying Process 5.4.2 Buying Criteria 5.5 Supply Chain Analysis 5.6 Personal Care Ingredients Market: Realistic, Pessimistic, Optimistic, and Non-COVID-19 Scenarios 5.7 Technology Analysis 5.8 Future Market Trends for Personal Care Ingredients 5.9 Ecosystem of Personal Care Ingredients 5.10 Case Study 5.10.1 Institute for in Vitro Sciences and Basf on Its Non-Animal Testing Approaches for the Safety Assessment of Cosmetics and Ingredients 5.10.2 Plant-Based Alternative to Silicone from Solvay 5.11 Trade Data Statistics 5.12 Key Conferences & Events in 2022-2023 5.13 Global Regulatory Framework and Its Impact on Personal Care Ingredients Market 5.14 Average Selling Price 5.15 Macroeconomic Indicators 5.16 Impact of COVID-19 5.17 Patent Analysis 6 Personal Care Ingredients Market, by Ingredient Type 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Emollients 6.2.1 Emollients Used in Almost All Personal Care Products 6.3 Surfactants 6.3.1 Middle East & Africa is Fastest-Growing Market for Surfactants 6.4 Conditioning Polymers 6.4.1 Conditioning Polymers Used to Improve Skin Feel and Hair Manageability 6.5 Rheology Modifiers 6.5.1 Rheology Modifiers Used in Skin Care Products to Increase Viscosity of Formulations 6.6 Emulsifiers 6.6.1 Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific are Fast-Growing Markets for Emulsifiers 6.7 Others 7 Personal Care Ingredients Market, by Application 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Skin Care 7.2.1 Growing Production of Skin Care Products to Cater to Various Skin-Related Problems to Drive Demand 7.3 Hair Care 7.3.1 Growing Problems Related to Hair to Drive Market in Hair Care Application 7.4 Make-Up 7.4.1 Growing Demand for Lipstick, Mascara, Foundation, and Blushers to Drive Market 7.5 Oral Care 7.5.1 Increasing Awareness Regarding Maintenance of Oral Hygiene to Drive Market 7.6 Others 8 Personal Care Ingredients Market, by Region 9 Competitive Landscape 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Key Players' Strategies 9.2.1 Overview of Strategies Adopted by Key Personal Care Ingredients Manufacturers 9.3 Market Share Analysis 9.3.1 Ranking of Key Market Players, 2021 9.3.2 Market Share of Key Players 9.3.2.1 Basf Se 9.3.2.2 The Dow Chemical Company 9.3.2.3 Solvay Sa 9.3.2.4 Clariant Ag 9.3.2.5 Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc. 9.3.3 Revenue Analysis of Top Five Players 9.4 Company Product Footprint Analysis 9.5 Company Evaluation Quadrant (Tier 1) 9.5.1 Terminology/Nomenclature 9.5.1.1 Stars 9.5.1.2 Emerging Leaders 9.6 Startup/Sme Evaluation Quadrant 9.6.1 Progressive Companies 9.6.2 Responsive Companies 9.6.3 Dynamic Companies 9.6.4 Starting Blocks 9.7 Competitive Situations and Trends 9.7.1 Product Launches 9.7.2 Deals 9.7.3 Other Developments 10 Company Profiles 10.1 Major Players 10.1.1 Basf Se 10.1.2 The Dow Chemical Company 10.1.3 Solvay 10.1.4 Evonik Industries Ag 10.1.5 Clariant Ag 10.1.6 Ashland Global Holdings Inc. 10.1.7 Nouryon 10.1.8 Croda International plc 10.1.9 Lubrizol Corporation 10.1.10 Adeka Corporation 10.2 Other Key Players 10.2.1 Air Liquide 10.2.2 Corbion N.V. 10.2.3 Eastman Chemical Company 10.2.4 Elementis plc 10.2.5 Dupont 10.2.6 Innospec Inc. 10.2.7 Koninklijke Dsm N.V. 10.2.8 Merck KGaA 10.2.9 Momentive Performance Materials Inc. 10.2.10 Kao Corporation 10.2.11 Galaxy Surfactants Ltd. 10.2.12 Givaudan S.A. 10.2.13 Oxiteno 10.2.14 Symrise Ag 10.2.15 Stepan Company 10.2.16 Wacker Chemie Ag 11 Adjacent & Related Markets 12 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/onamuh Attachment New York, New York, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NANO Nuclear), a company emerging from the shared micro Small Modular Reactor (SMR) ambitions of a world-class nuclear technical team working alongside business and industry professionals, possessing strong relationships with both government as well as the private and public nuclear industries, is pleased to announce that Winston Chow has been appointed to the role of Chief Policy Officer (CPO) and as part of the Board of Directors of NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. The Path to Zero starts here. NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. strives to disrupt the SMR space, principally in underdeveloped nuclear areas, and advance micro SMRs towards development and deployment in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. NANO Nuclear Energy is committed to building smaller, cheaper, and safer nuclear energy while incorporating the latest technology into its own proprietary mobile and on-demand capable nano nuclear reactors, novel reactor designs, intellectual properties, and research methods. Mr. Winston Chow has served as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy on East Asia, where he implemented two US-China Agreements on clean energy between Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao. Hes also worked across Asia and Africa as a diplomat for intergovernmental U.N. observer organization, Global Green Growth Institute, to decarbonize Chinas global Belt and Road Initiative. The U.S. Department of Energy has bestowed two meritorious service awards for his work. Mr. Chow has led the international adoption of sustainable energy and infrastructure for almost two decades, helping finance and deploy over $2 billion in projects. Mr. Chows career in the renewable energy space involved building the worlds largest solar power plant and providing access to clean energy to more than 37 million people. It is a great pleasure to welcome Winston to the NANO Nuclear team, said Jay Jiang Yu, Founder, Chairman and President of NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Winston has a wealth of knowledge and knowhow that will be extremely important in ensuring that NANO Nuclear stays at the front of the pack and continues to bring about innovative changes to this growing market. His accolades at the government level, in particular with the DOE, will be essential to navigating regulatory hurdles and challenges. His meticulous and detail-oriented nature makes Winston the perfect fit for the role, and I am convinced that his work ethic and international presence will help take this company to the next level. The importance of government involvement in accelerating innovation in the nuclear space has come to the fore in recent years, as numerous countries have laid the groundwork to help develop the marketplace. In 2020, the NRC issued the first of its kind final safety evaluation report for an SMR in the United States. In 2021, TerraPower, a start-up co-founded by Bill Gates, chose Kemmerer, Wyoming, as the preferred location for its first demonstration reactor. On the other side of the Atlantic, the U.K. government backed Rolls-Royce SMR project with a 210 million investment. This year, a strategic plan on the use of SMRs was released on March 29th by the governments of New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Shortly thereafter, on April 7th, the Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland outlined Canadas commitment to including nuclear technologies in efforts to shift towards a net-zero economy and meet ambitious climate plans, with specific funding for SMRs. Furthermore, the U.K.s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, accelerated a timeline set by his own government in regards to SMRs in the United Kingdom on March 30th and South Korea's SK Group was said to be mulling investments in small-sized nuclear reactors on April 11th. Additionally, on April 19th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to seek applications and sealed bid submissions under the $6 billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program (CNC) to support the continued operation of U.S. nuclear reactors. Ive never seen such momentum as we are currently witnessing in this market landscape, especially in terms of government support and assistance for the nuclear industry. All in all, I believe this is a critical moment, not only for this market, but for the future of humanity and our planet, Mr. Winston Chow, Chief Policy Officer and Board Member of NANO Nuclear Energy Inc., stated. Micro SMRs are the next logical step to ensuring that we achieve sustainable and clean energy and foster independence from foreign nations oil, gas, and coal by supplementing existing renewable energy grids with rapidly deployable and highly scalable modular reactors. Mr. Chow will oversee Nano Nuclear Energys government funding opportunities, both domestically and abroad, while co-leading the companys international expansion strategy. About NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. The Path to Zero starts here. NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. is a company emerging from the shared micro Small Modular Reactor (SMR) ambitions of a world-class nuclear technical team, working alongside business and industry professionals, possessing strong relationships with both government, and the private and public nuclear industries. Our Company is looking to disrupt the SMR space, principally in underdeveloped nuclear areas, and advance micro SMRs towards development and deployment in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. NANO Nuclear Energy is committed to building smaller, cheaper and safer nuclear energy, while incorporating the latest technology into its own proprietary mobile and on-demand capable nano nuclear reactors, novel reactor designs, intellectual properties, and research methods. For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/ For further information, please contact: Email: Info@NanoNuclearEnergy.com Business Tel: (212) 634-9206 PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE: NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE NANO Nuclear Energy TWITTER NANO Nuclear Energy INSTAGRAM Attachment Ottawa, ON, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Building trades leaders from across Canada will gather at Canadas Building Trades Workers Monument located in Majors Hill Park in Ottawa on Thursday morning for the National Day of Mourning Ceremony. The National Day of Mourning Ceremony serves to remember those who have been hurt or killed in the workplace and reaffirm our commitment to continue to fight for better health and safety measures and enforcement. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Minister of Labour Seamus ORegan will be among those in attendance. What: National Day of Mourning Ceremony When: 11:00am-12:00pm, Thursday April 28th Who: Labour, government, industry and business leaders Where: Majors Hill Park, Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa -30- Media Contact: Kate Walsh 613-298-0652 kwalsh@buildingtrades.ca About CBTU Canadas Building Trades Unions are an alliance of 14 international unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries that collectively represent 600,000 skilled trades workers in Canada. Each year, our unions and our signatory contractor partners invest over $300 million in private sector money to fund and operate over 195 apprenticeship training and education facilities across Canada that produce the safest, most highly trained and productive skilled craft workers found anywhere in the world. Canadas Building Trades Unions represent members who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations, and generate six per cent of Canadas GDP. For more information, go to www.buildingtrades.ca Raipur, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stratview Research, a leading market research firm , has launched a report on the Military Airborne Electro-Optics Market which provides an in-depth analysis of the market dynamics, current and emerging trends, industry forecast, and competitive landscape. Click Here to Download a free sample pdf: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/2475/military-airborne-electro-optics-market.html#form What is Military Airborne Electro-Optics? The use of military electro-optics is very abundant in military applications such as airborne, land-based, and naval platforms. Electro-opticals, also mentioned as EO systems, cover a wide range of distinct technologies based on their missions. These sensors include both visible spectrum and infrared sensors, due to which these systems provide total situational awareness during both day and night, even in low light conditions. Due to the rapid surge in conflicts, terrorism, border confrontations, and other threats, modern airborne electro-optics have become indispensable. How is the Report Helpful? The report has a very high utility for the key decision-makers and strategists in terms of accurate market insights, future growth opportunities, and key success factors. Most importantly, the report analyses the possible impact of COVID-19 on the market dynamics which offers cushioning against the uncertain business environment and helps in streamlining the resources and investment decisions in a fruitful manner. What are the Top Market Drivers? According to the report, the Military Airborne Electro-Optics Market is driven by a host of factors, some of which are noted below: Increased focus on the development and deployment of stealth aircraft by countries such as China, India, Germany, and France, in the forthcoming years to strengthen their aerial defense capabilities. The rapid increase in military aircraft programs along with the increasing need for surveillance and early warning solutions. The report also includes growth rate estimates based upon the intensity of drivers and constraints and provides the users with several graphical illustrations of the key insights. Run through the TOCs of the report, here . Market Segmentation: Stratview Research has segmented the market in the following ways which fulfill the market data needs of multiple stakeholders across the industry value chain. Aircraft Type - Military Helicopters, Military Aircraft, and Military UAV. Military Helicopters, Military Aircraft, and Military UAV. Product Type - Hyperspectral and Multispectral. - Hyperspectral and Multispectral. Region - North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Military Airborne Electro-Optics Market Insights by Aircraft Type The military aircraft segment held the major market share, followed by military helicopters, and military UAVs. On the other hand, the military UAV segment is expected to witness the fastest market growth during the forecast period due to a large focus of several countries on the production of UAVs. by Product Type Multispectral electro-optics is expected to remain the dominant as well as the faster-growing market segment during the forecast period. This is because the multispectral systems are of a lower cost and provide effective results for all types of military aircraft. Which region offers the best opportunity and growth? North America is expected to remain the largest market for military airborne electro-optics during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is likely to be the fastest-growing region in the market during the forecast period, due to the rising military expenditure in countries such as China, Japan, India, and South Korea. COVID-19 Impact on the Military Airborne Electro-Optics Market COVID-19 has put an immediate halt to many industries across the globe. Lockdown norms in several countries have swiftly affected the global economy by affecting the supply chain, production, and demand in the market. Both direct, as well as indirect impacts of the pandemic, have been incorporated in this report. To know more about the covid-19 impact, get a free sample report, here: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/2475/military-airborne-electro-optics-market.html#form Who are the Top Market Players? Electro-optical systems for airborne is considered to be a specialized product with the presence of limited players. Most of the major players are extremely diversified with the presence in other business segments. The following are the key players in the military airborne electro-optics market: L3Harris Technologies, Inc. Raytheon Technologies Corporation Lockheed Martin Corporation Leonardo S.p.A. Elbit Systems Ltd. Thales Group Northrop Grumman Corporation IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) Teledyne FLIR LL HENSOLDT What deliverables will you get in this report? - In-depth analysis of the Military Airborne Electro-Optics Market. - Detailed market segmentation. - Competitive-landscape analysis. - Historical, present, and future market size analysis. - Industry trends, technologies, and advancements. - Growth and operation strategies adopted by key players. - Potential segments/regions offering promising growth. - Geographical presence of the key players. Related reports which might be useful: Military Platform Electro-Optics Market Size, Trends, and Forecast. Drone Defense System Market Size, Forecast, and Trends. About us Stratview Research is a global market research firm that offers reliable market reports, market entry strategies, strategic growth consulting, and more. The market experts compile high-quality market information to help users obtain granular level clarity on current business trends and expected future developments. Stratview Research also offers customization of the reports. Reach out to the analysts to customize the given report according to your priority/requirement. Stratview Research has also launched 'Composights', an online portal that offers free thought leadership reports, whitepapers, market report synopsis, and much more for Composites and allied industries, worth US$ 20,000 every year. Dublin, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market, by Modality, by Technology, by End User, and by Region - Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2021 - 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Oxygen concentrators are widely used to treat patients with deficient supply of oxygen or who lack adequate amount of oxygen in blood. This device can be operated by being plugged into an energy source or using batteries. Oxygen concentrators are better alternative to oxygen cylinders that are heavy to carry everywhere. Oxygen concentrators can either be fixed devices or portable. Therefore, these devices can also be used at home. However, a prescription from a registered physician is required to purchase oxygen concentrators. Patients with severe respiratory disorders (asthma, nocturnal hypoxemia, terminal malignancy, and hypoxia) and cardiovascular diseases are prescribed oxygen concentrators. Moreover, oxygen concentrators are widely used in military or in case of disasters where carrying/using oxygen tanks could be risky due to its highly combustible nature. Market Dynamics The increasing number of surgeries is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global medical oxygen concentrators market. Generally oxygen is provided to patients at the time of surgery to prevent or treat acute hypoxaemia. For instance, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Hospitals at a glance 2017-18 report updated in August 2019, admissions for emergency surgery increased between 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 by 2.9% in public hospitals and by 5.1% in private hospitals in Australia. Key features of the study: This report provides in-depth analysis of the global medical oxygen concentrators market , and provides market size (US$ Mn) and compound annual growth rate (CAGR%) for the forecast period (2021-2028), considering 2020 as the base year It elucidates potential revenue opportunities across different segments and explains attractive investment proposition matrices for this market This study also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approval, market trends, regional outlook, and competitive strategies adopted by key players It profiles key players in the global medical oxygen concentrators market based on the following parameters - company highlights, products portfolio, key highlights, financial performance, and strategies Key companies covered as a part of this study include Inogen Inc., Invacare Corporation, OxygenToGo, LLC, Koninklijke Philips N.V., ResMed Inc., Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare LLC, Precision Medical, Inc., Besco Medical Co. Ltd., O2 Concepts, LLC, and GCE Group Insights from this report would allow marketers and the management authorities of the companies to make informed decisions regarding their future product launches, type up-gradation, market expansion, and marketing tactics The global medical oxygen concentrators market report caters to various stakeholders in this industry including investors, suppliers, product manufacturers, distributors, new entrants, and financial analysts Stakeholders would have ease in decision-making through various strategy matrices used in analyzing the global medical oxygen concentrators market Key Topics Covered: 1. Research Objectives and Assumptions 2. Market Purview Report Description Market Definition and Scope Executive Summary Market Snapshot, By Modality Market Snapshot, By Technology Market Snapshot, By End User Market Snapshot, By Region Coherent Opportunity Map (COM) 3. Market Dynamics, Regulations, and Trends Analysis Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Market Opportunities Impact Analysis Key Developments Regulatory Scenario PEST Analysis COVID-19 Impact Analysis 4. Global Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market- Covid-19 Impact Analysis COVID-19 Epidemiology Supply side and Demand Side Analysis Economic Impart 5. Global Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market, By Modality, 2017 - 2028, (US$ Million) Overview Market Share Analysis, 2021 and 2028 (%) Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2018 - 2028 Segment Trends Portable Overview Market Size and Forecast, and Y-o-Y Growth, 2017 - 2028, (US$ Million) Stationary Overview Market Size and Forecast, and Y-o-Y Growth, 2017 - 2028, (US$ Million) 6. Global Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market, By Technology, 2017 - 2028, (US$ Mn) Overview Market Share Analysis, 2021 and 2028 (%) Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2018 - 2028 Segment Trends Pulse Flow Overview Market Size and Forecast, and Y-o-Y Growth, 2017-2028, (US$ Million) Continuous Flow Overview Market Size and Forecast, and Y-o-Y Growth, 2017-2028, (US$ Million) 7. Global Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market, By End User, 2017 - 2028, (US$ Mn) Overview Market Share Analysis, 2021 and 2028 (%) Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2018 - 2028 Segment Trends Hospital Overview Market Size and Forecast, and Y-o-Y Growth, 2017-2028, (US$ Million) Home care Overview Market Size and Forecast, and Y-o-Y Growth, 2017-2028, (US$ Million) Ambulatory Surgical Centers Overview Market Size and Forecast, and Y-o-Y Growth, 2017-2028, (US$ Million) 8. Global Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market, By Region, 2017 - 2028, (US$ Mn) 9. Competitive Landscape Inogen Inc. Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies Invacare Corporation Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies OxygenToGo, LLC Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies Koninklijke Philips N.V. Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies ResMed Inc. Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare LLC Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies Precision Medical, Inc. Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies Besco Medical Co. Ltd Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies O2 Concepts, LLC Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies GCE Group Company Highlights Product Portfolio Key Highlights Financial Performance Market Strategies 10. Section For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nvpc6f Attachment Program Highlights: Thermador builds upon its Diversity in Design Pipeline initiative with the Interior Design Society, opening applications for the second year for its scholarship and mentoring program promoting diversity in the design sector. House Beautiful Director of Editorial Special Projects Carisha Swanson and HGTV Design Star Alum Justin Q. Williams return to the Diversity in Design Pipeline Selection Committee, joining International Designer Tyler Wisler, Design Principal David Charette, and Award-Winning Brazilian Interior Designer Juliana Oliveira. Five recipients receive a scholarship package including $10,000, a yearlong mentorship program with acclaimed interior design professionals, IDS membership, and access to exclusive trade events, training and career resources. IRVINE, Calif., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thermador, the iconic American luxury home appliance brand, is opening the application period for the second year of its Diversity in Design Pipeline initiative, which in partnership with the Interior Design Society (IDS) aims to empower a new generation of design talent from underrepresented communities. Along with a comprehensive prize package that includes a financial scholarship of $10,000 toward tuition, five students entering their senior year at an accredited interior design program will receive a tailored yearlong mentorship from revered design experts to further their burgeoning careers within the industry. Invitations to key industry events, exclusive training, and a one-year student membership to IDS round out the package. As a brand that remains at the forefront of design and innovation, it is equally important to us that we focus on diversity in an industry which represents a critical segment of our brand, says Beatriz Sandoval, Director of Brand Marketing for Thermador. Thermador has identified a need to promote inclusivity in the space, and we consider it an honor to be able to foster an environment for deserving students and to have the opportunity to further uncover the depths of their talents, interests and creativity in their desired career field. We want to help make sure that when they are ready to enter the workforce, they feel the support and encouragement from our brand and our partners in this initiative. Experienced industry leaders will also participate in the Diversity in Design Pipeline by serving on the student Selection Committee. The panel, chosen by Thermador and IDS, will select five incoming college seniors to receive this opportunity to jumpstart their careers with necessary tools upon graduation. The esteemed panel of judges includes: House Beautiful Director of Editorial Special Projects Carisha Swanson, HGTV Design Star Alum Justin Q. Williams, International Designer Tyler Wisler, David Charette, Founding Principal of Britto Charette, and Award-Winning Brazilian Interior Designer Juliana Oliveira. "I'm absolutely pleased to be a part of the Diversity in Design Scholarship Program, said Justin Williams, panel judge and HGTV Design Star Alum. This program is key to initiating diversity and representation for those who may often be overlooked. I am looking forward to the candidates and reviewing their submissions." To further provide the recipients with the necessary knowledge they will need to successfully embark on their up-and-coming careers within the industry, Thermador and IDS invite professional designers to participate in the program by lending their expertise as a guiding resource to student winners. Five trade mentors will be hand-selected by the same panel of judges and will act as subject matter experts throughout the yearlong program as outlined by Thermador, and will be invited to attend industry events hosted by the brand and IDS. Coming off our inaugural year for this initiative, IDS is thrilled to once again lend our voice to help pave a pathway for the next generation of up-and-coming talent, said Jenny Cano, Executive Director for Interior Design Society. To be a part of this journey alongside Thermador, and the judges whose own remarkable work is inspiring the future leaders of interior design, is not only rewarding but also a truly invaluable experience. Providing this design foundation as well as impactful networking opportunities to deserving students is why we at IDS do what we do. Interior design students from underrepresented communities interested in the Diversity in Design Pipeline, along with certified designers interested in becoming program mentors, can both apply via the Interior Design Society (IDS) online application portal now through May 30, 2022. Applicants will be reviewed by the IDS Selection Committee, before the winners and selected mentors are announced in July 2022. For more information about the Diversity in Design Pipeline initiative, please visit the Thermador website. About the Judges Carisha Swanson House Beautiful Director of Editorial Special Projects Carisha Swanson is a Georgia native, now living in Charlotte, North Carolina. After completing her BA with Honors in American Studies, she moved back to Atlanta, GA to work for the publisher W.W. Norton & Co. She subsequently left for Connecticut to continue her work in book publishing with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. It was during this time, that her passion for design led her into the world of retail management and magazine publishing. She began to work concurrently as a manager for retailer Crate & Barrel and freelance as Market Editor for Moffly Media, a publisher of six luxury regional and shelter magazines in Fairfield County, CT. Over the next five years, she would become a full-time editor at Moffly Media, help launch two new titles, and act as the lead on several custom projects, including their annual Luxury Gift Portfolio and Beauty Book. In 2013, Carisha joined Hearst as Market Editor for the Hearst Design Group, which included House Beautiful, Veranda and ELLE Decor, with a focus on kitchen, bath, building and technology. She was later promoted to Senior Market Editor, and in 2018, she became Market Director for House Beautifuls print and digital properties. In 2022, her title changed to Director of Editorial Special Projects, focusing on brand partnerships, consumer facing programming and 360 editorial content creation. She continues to be a brand ambassador leading design conversations globally. Tyler Wisler International Designer Tyler Wisler is an international, influential and sought-after designer. Hes been featured on hit shows including HGTVs Design Star, ABCs Good Morning America, NBCs George To The Rescue, and Lifetimes The Way Home. Most recently, Tyler has starred as a judge and mentor on Asias biggest design competition show, "The Apartment" where he is known for tough love and sound, practical advice. His work has been seen in Architectural Digest, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Elle Decor and Better Homes and Gardens. Tyler is currently the Chief Designer & Creative Lead at Point 21, which is Malaysia's premier source for luxury furniture, lighting, accessories and lifestyle goods. Justin Q. Williams HGTV Design Star Cast & Founder of Trademark Design Company Justin Q. Williams is an Atlanta-based Interior Designer whose love for decor and design developed into starting his business at age 21, Trademark Design Company. Along with being featured in magazines such as HGTV Magazine, House Beautiful, Atlanta Magazine, AM HOME, Modern Luxury Interiors, and many others, he is also featured in Picture Perfect Parties, a Rizzoli International cookbook filled with stylish solutions for entertaining. Born in the small city of Opelika, Alabama Justin is now a highly sought-after Interior Designer with a vast amount of exposure to all elements of design, which includes photo styling. As a photo-stylist, Justin has worked styling interiors that have graced the pages of many publications. Justins hope is to make fashionable yet functional spaces for people who seek him. His lifes work has been helping others live better and he will continue to do that by elevating spaces, one home at a time. David Charette Award-Winning Designer and Founding Principal of Britto Charette David Charette is an award-winning licensed interior designer with vast international experience, having completed compelling design projects around the globe. Davids progressive design initiatives include corporate campuses, GSA, higher education, commercial, retail, and multimillion-dollar residential. David earned a BA and MA in architecture from the University of Detroit and has more than 20 years of experience in urban planning, master planning, zoning, streetscapes, and interior design. As Principal of his own firm, Britto Charette, he specializes in ultra-luxury interiors. Charette's cutting-edge designs have garnered international press and many accolades, including Interior Design magazine's Best of Year award, while his integrity and work ethic have earned him the respect of his clients, team, and peers in the design industry. Juliana Oliveira Awarding-Winning Brazilian Interior Designer Juliana Oliveira is a Brazilian interior designer and owner of Beyond Interior Design, a full-service interior design firm based in Dallas, TX. With over a decade of experience, her work is rooted in modern luxury with international influence for residential and commercial properties. With a background in wellness design, the award-winning interior designer co-founded Athlete Centric Design, a design concept and experience that transforms pro athletes homes to recharging stations grounded in health and wellness elements. With community betterment at the forefront of her work and as a former IDS Diversity & Inclusion Committee Member, Oliveira aims to advocate for the importance of diversity and inclusion within the industry for the current and next generation of interior designers and creatives to thrive. Oliveira has been recognized as the 2020 Texas Designer for Business of Homes 50 States Project and the 2022 DHomes Best Designers List. Her work and expertise lives in Forbes, AD PRO, Rue Magazine, House Beautiful, Apartment Therapy, The Dallas Morning News, D Home, Modern Luxury and more. About Thermador Since 1916, Thermador has introduced innovative breakthroughs from the worlds first wall ovens and gas cooktops with the patented Star Burner, to the Freedom Induction Cooktop, the first full-surface induction appliance, as well as the Freedom Collection, the first modular built-in fresh food, freezer and wine preservation columns. Thermador products span two completely redesigned collections: Masterpiece and Professional. These collections establish a true connection with consumers through Home Connect, which provides access to personalized content, unique partnerships and customized product guidance. Thermador is part of BSH Home Appliances Corporation, a fully owned subsidiary of BSH Hausgerate GmbH, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the industry worldwide. For more information, visit www.thermador.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at: www.facebook.com/thermador, @Thermador and @ThermadorHome, respectively. About the Interior Design Society (IDS) The Interior Design Society (IDS) is one of the country's largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry. Its a group of like-minded professionals interested in broadening their network, professional development, and continued education. IDS offers its members a place to belong within a supportive and welcoming design community through local chapters nationwide, and the new Virtual Chapter! IDS was initially founded in 1973 by the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) with a goal of supporting interior designers working in furniture stores. IDS has long since elevated and expanded its focus to provide support to professional interior design entrepreneurs nationwide. The national headquarters is located in High Point, North Carolina, the home furnishings capital of the world. For more information, visit interiordesignsociety.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/IDSNational/, @IDSnational respectively. Media Contact: Allison Field Allison.Field@FinnPartners.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31041c0b-56ba-445d-9f19-9a1406312c16 MCLEAN, Va., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today reported its first quarter 2022 financial results and filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The companys Form 10-Q and earnings press release are available now on its website, www.FreddieMac.com/investors, along with the first quarter 2022 financial results supplement. The company will hold a call at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) today, April 28, 2022, to share its results with the media. The call will be concurrently webcast, and the replay will be available on the companys website for approximately 30 days. Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, weve made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders, and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Macs blog FreddieMac.com/blog. MEDIA CONTACT: Frederick Solomon 703-903-3861 Frederick_Solomon@FreddieMac.com INVESTOR CONTACT: Laurie Garthune 571-382-4732 Dublin, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Net-Zero Energy Buildings Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global net-zero energy buildings market exhibited strong growth during 2015-2020. Looking forward, the market is set to grow at a CAGR of around 27% during 2021-2026. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor. Net-zero energy (NZE) buildings refer to the constructions that are optimized to use on-site renewable resources to meet energy requirements. They use passive solar heat gain through photovoltaics (PV) and geothermal energy systems to stabilize temperature variations in the complex throughout the day. The buildings also include highly efficient heating and cooling equipment, appliances, walls & roofs, windows and doors. They aid in maintaining the desired insulation, natural ventilation and air sealing, thereby minimizing the overall energy consumption and wastage over time. As a result, these buildings are widely used as residential complexes, office spaces, educational facilities and public buildings. The increasing utilization of renewable resources for power generation across the globe represents one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, the implementation of favorable government policies and initiatives to minimize carbon emissions and promote sustainable development is also driving the market growth. For instance, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) implemented a long-term efficiency strategy plan to promote the construction of new NZE buildings. Additionally, various product innovations, such as the development of innovative gas water heaters and other heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, are acting as other growth-inducing factors. These systems aid in maintaining the indoor air quality and safety and ensuring a non-hazardous environment in low-rise buildings. Other factors, including extensive research and development (R&D) activities, along with rapid infrastructural development, especially in developing countries, are anticipated to drive the market further. Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global net-zero energy buildings market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global net-zero energy buildings market? What are the key regional markets? What is the breakup of the market based on the offering? What is the breakup of the market based on the building type? What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry? What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry? What is the structure of the global net-zero energy buildings market and who are the key players? What is the degree of competition in the industry? Competitive Landscape: The report has also analysed the competitive landscape of the market with some of the key players being Altura Associates LLC Daikin Industries Ltd. General Electric Company Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd. Johnson Controls International plc Kingspan Group Plc Sage Electrochromics Inc. (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A) Schneider Electric Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Solatube International Inc. Sunpower Corporation (Total SE) Key Market Segmentation: Breakup by Offering: Equipment Lighting Walls and Roofs HVAC Systems Others Solutions and Services Software Solutions Designing Services Consulting Services Breakup by Building Type: Commercial Residential Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/p026rd Hugoton Farm-out Venture Begins Multi-Year Drilling and Exploration Program for up to Fifty Vertical or Horizontal Wells Inside the Hugoton Gas Field in Haskell and Finney Counties, Kansas Lenexa, KS, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Noble Gas, Inc. (OTC-QB: IFNY) (AMGAS or the Company). An independent oil, gas and noble gas exploration and development company announced that the drilling rig has moved on location today and is in process of spudding the initial well and setting surface casing. This marks the commencement of exploratory drilling operations regarding AMGASs participation in its previously announced farm-out agreement (the Hugoton Farm-out Venture) to develop its natural gas, helium and brine mineral interests in the Hugoton Field in Haskell and Finney Counties Kansas. The Hugoton Farm-out Venture has been granted a permit by the State of Kansas for its initial well in which AMGAS has acquired a 40% participation together with three other venture partners and has commenced exploration drilling operations with surface casing to be cemented within thirty-six (36) hours and the target pay-zone formations expected to be reached with testing beginning on or about May 3rd 2022. The initial exploratory well will evaluate multiple members of the targeted formation applying normal and unconventional evaluation methods. Such methods will include appropriate gas detection, electric and radioactive logging in order for the Hugoton Farm-out Venture to determine the commercial viability of the natural gas and helium reserves in place. While utilizing unconventional methods, our exploratory well may reveal important data on previously untapped gas in-place reserves of natural gas and helium gas which may indicate the discovery of substantial new reserves within the Hugoton Gas Field. AMGAS and its Venture partners will perform all testing of the target zones it considers necessary to determine the existence of natural gas and helium reserves in-place including the commercial viability of producing both natural gas and helium in the exploratory well. The exploratory well will be completed for production activities pending results of the relevant testing procedures and processes. The Company will apprise shareholders of its progress including the release of appropriate test data and initial production data assuming the exploratory well is completed for production. Management commentary: Stanton E. Ross, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMGAS remarked that the Hugoton Farm-out Venture of which we are a 40% participant, will be applying unconventional methodologies and technologies to discover and reinvigorate previously unexplored target zones contained within the Hugoton Gas Field. The Hugoton Gas Field has previously been considered a depleted conventional gas field. The Hugoton Farm-Out Venture sees the logic of its unconventional theories and the potential impact it may have, in particular the helium reserves that the field may still contain, commented Stan Ross, Chairman and CEO. He further stated, "I am at a point in my career that I want to pioneer a project that can have an impact on the entire noble gas industry, not just AMGAS and the Hugoton Farm-Out Venture. Rest assured, AMGAS and its Hugoton Farm-Out Venture will enjoy the benefits of its discovery, in the event we make one, very soon. The Hugoton Farm-Out Venture has the contractual rights to explore and develop natural gas, helium and other noble gases as well as brine minerals contained in the Hugoton Gas. The Hugoton Gas Field is currently recognized as containing the largest reserves of helium in the United States even though it is currently considered as depleted. We believe that commercial-level reserves of helium may remain present in the acreage, included in our Hugoton Farm-out Agreement. The Companys newly appointed advisory board and our service agreement with US Noble Gas, pairs us with specialists who can provide invaluable help to the Hugoton Gas Field Venture for developing its reserves of helium and brine minerals. Helium is a rare noble gas with considerable value relative to natural gas (methane). It is used in many high-value applications such as MRI coolants, space exploration and microchip manufacturing. The world is currently facing a well-publicized shortage of helium and the world needs helium, added Mr. Ross, The Hugoton Gas Field Venture is spudding its first exploratory well in the coming days and will test gas that is produced from its test well and report such analysis in updates to follow, further we remain keenly interested in the brine mineral potential." concluded Mr. Ross. About the Hugoton Gas Field: The Hugoton Gas Field is a prolific natural gas and helium gas field located in the States of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Its name is derived from the town of Hugoton Kansas near which the Hugoton Field was first discovered. Natural gas in the Hugoton gas field was first discovered in 1919 near Liberal, Kansas at a depth of 2,919 feet below surface but was shut-in for three years because it did not find oil. In 1922 the well was completed as a gas well, but there was little demand for natural gas in the area and it was years before another gas well was drilled in the field. In 1927, gas was discovered at about 2,600 feet below the surface southwest of Hugoton, Kansas which is now considered the center of the Hugoton Field. By the end of 1928, five wells had been drilled in the field and the first pipeline was transporting gas to local markets. In 2007, the Hugoton gas area produced 358 billion cubic feet of gas, making it the 5th largest source of natural gas in the United States. The Hugoton currently (2022) ranks second in cumulative natural gas production and eighth in estimated total reserves globally. The natural gas in the Hugoton field of Kansas and Oklahoma, plus the Panhandle Field of Texas, contains unusually high concentrations of helium, from 0.3% to 1.9%. Because of the large-size of these fields, it is recognized to contain the largest reserves of helium in the United States. Helium is separated out as a byproduct from natural gas, from the Hugoton field, the Panhandle field in Texas, the Greenwood field in Kansas, and the Keyes field in Oklahoma. About American Noble Gas, Inc.: AMGAS has recently acquired current oil & gas production and the mineral rights to approximately 11,000 acres in the Otis/Albert Field located on the Kansas Central Uplift. Prior to the recent acquisition, AMGAS had been involved in oil and gas exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil in Texas and the Rocky Mountain region of the United States as well as an oil field service company located in Eastern Kansas, Northern Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming prior to December 2012. AMGAS was founded in 1987, is headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas and its common stock is listed on the OTC-QB under the symbol "IFNY". The Company's financial statements and additional information are available on the Internet at www.otcmarkets.com. Forward-Looking Statement: This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe", "estimate", "project", "expect" or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include the following: whether the Company will be successful in exploring for noble gases including developing commercially efficient production of its noble gas reserves, developing the oil & gas reserves of the Oil & Gas Properties; whether the TORP Agreement will provide the desired beneficial engineering and development data to increase production of oil & gas from the Oil & Gas Properties, whether the Company will be successful in workover/stimulation activities of existing producing oil & gas wells that result in increased production of the Properties; whether the Company will be able to execute its exploration and development plans for the Properties, including obtaining the required financing; whether the required financing for the exploration & development of the Properties can be obtained on terms favorable to the Company and its shareholders; the quantity of hydrocarbons beneath the Properties and whether they can be economically extracted; the accuracy of the consultants' preliminary analysis and estimate of the recoverable oil & gas reserves (including noble gas reserves) on the Properties and their underlying assumptions; whether or to what extent the relevant geological zone contains hydrocarbons and/or noble gas; the inability to predict, in advance of drilling and testing, whether any particular prospect will yield oil in sufficient quantities to recover drilling and/or completion costs or to be economically viable; the fact that the process of estimating the quantity of oil in a prospect is complex, requiring the interpretation of available technical data and many assumptions; the potential for significant inaccuracies in such interpretations and assumptions that could materially affect the Company's estimates or those of its consultants; the necessity for estimates to be based upon available geological, geophysical and engineering data that can vary in quality and reliability; the inherent lack of precision in estimates involving the quantity of oil and noble gases in the development project in Kansas as a result of the foregoing; whether the Company will be successful in exploring for the existence of mineral reserves other than oil & gas in commercial quantities including the development of the underlying reserves of such reserves and its ability to find a qualified partner, if necessary, with whom to pursue its exploration and development program on terms and conditions acceptable to the Company; the Company's ability to extract oil and gas from the Properties and the costs and technical and other challenges of extracting oil from the Properties; variations in the prices of oil and gas, unexpected negative geological variances, governmental uncertainties in Kansas; operating risks, delays and problems, the availability of services on acceptable terms, the results of drilling and completions; changes United States regulation respecting oil and gas; and actions by creditors with respect to debt or other financial obligations of the Company; and its ability to resolve its liquidity and capital requirements. Additional information respecting factors that could materially affect the Company and its operations are contained in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For Additional Information, Please Contact: Stanton E. Ross, CEO, at 816-955-0532 MINNEAPOLIS, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trex Commercial, a national leader in engineering and manufacturing architectural railing systems for commercial building applications, is taking outdoor design projects to new heights with the introduction of Ocula, its newest glass windscreen system. Inspired by the success of the companys award-winning Ascent post-supported glass windscreen, Ocula offers optimal versatility with its innovative post-free, clamp-supported design. Our new Ocula system not only provides protection from the elements, but also enhances views and sophistication with its sleek, unobstructed styling, said Laura Rygielski Preston, president of Trex Commercial. The innovative clamp support system delivers a virtually invisible barrier and is highly customizable to accommodate any outdoor setting. Ideal for pool surroundings, balcony dividers and elevated overlooks, or to mitigate wind tunneling in courtyards and other open areas, Ocula is an ultra-streamlined windscreen system designed to divert wind while elevating architectural aesthetics. At guardrail height (43), the system can withstand winds loads up to 86psf 8x the amount of a standard windscreen. As height is increased, it can withstand wind loads up to 54psf, still far exceeding industry standards. Ocula features stainless steel clamps suitable for interior or exterior applications and can be paired with view-optimizing clear glass for a barely-there look, or frosted or fritted glass for enhanced privacy. The system is offered in three standard heights for guardrail (43), pool surround (48) or balcony divider (60). Custom heights are also available, along with multiple top cap and handrail options. A glass windscreen offers the perfect marriage of form, function and freedom, noted Rygielski Preston. Architects no longer have to rely on visually obstructive and confining walls to protect patrons and property from unpleasant dust and gusty winds. With systems like Ascent and Ocula, they can create open, airy environments that celebrate surrounding views while keeping patrons comfortable and sheltered from wind and debris. For more information about windscreen options from Trex Commercial, visit TrexCommercial.com. About Trex Commercial Trex Commercial is a national leader in architectural railings for commercial applications. Since 1990, the company has been committed to elevating the abilities of all people to safely access and enjoy amazing life experiences, while building an industry-leading reputation for quality and customer service. Based in Minneapolis, Trex Commercial, Inc. is a subsidiary of Trex Company, Inc. To learn more, visit www.trexcommercial.com. About Trex Company, Inc. Trex Company, Inc. [NYSE: TREX] is the worlds largest manufacturer of high-performance wood-alternative decking and railing, with nearly 30 years of product experience. The #1 brand in outdoor living is proud to have been named to Forbes 2021 List of Americas Best Mid-Size Companies and to Fortune magazines 2020 list of the worlds 100 Fastest-Growing Companies. Stocked in more than 6,700 retail locations worldwide, Trex outdoor living products offer a wide range of style options with fewer ongoing maintenance requirements than wood, as well as a truly environmentally responsible choice. For more information, visit trex.com. You can also follow Trex on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/trex-company/), Twitter (@Trex_Company), Instagram (@trexcompany), Pinterest (trexcompany) or Houzz (trexcompany-inc), like Trex on Facebook (@TrexCompany) or view product and demonstration videos on the brands YouTube channel (TheTrexCo). A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea09b40a-4c70-45bb-b5a5-d0902907d4ec Sterling, Va., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BarTrack, a hospitality technology company revolutionizing the way that bars, breweries, restaurants and stadiums, manage their beverage alcohol inventory, closed its second round of equity growth capital in March, raising $10.5 million. BarTracks draft monitoring system, featuring the first beverage sensor with no moving parts and no obstructions to draft lines, solves the quality, accuracy, and maintenance challenges associated with traditional industry monitoring. Removing turbine flow meters and manual processes from the draft monitoring process, BarTrack improves beverage quality and reduces waste through its sensor technology and real-time metrics. We were excited by the challenge of bringing new technology to an industry that has been starved for innovation over the past 20 years, says Brett Danielson, BarTrack CEO. Our mission is to improve the quality and delivery of beer, cocktails, wine, soda, and nitro coffee to create a consistent, first-rate drinking experience while maximizing profits for our customers. As a fully integrated solution, BarTracks draft monitoring system uses plug-and-play sensors that install easily into any draft system and measures a dozen beverage-specific variables to produce detailed reports on: flow and keg levels, line temperature, pressure, cooler health, line cleanliness, and more. BarTracks real-time reporting helps streamline day-to-day operations and draft management. Through POS Integration, BarTrack reporting displays actionable KPIs based on pours and sales, allowing management to pinpoint where, when, why and how waste occurs. BarTracks consultants help turn the data into action, guiding the implementation of processes that drive real value to an establishments bottom line by eliminating waste due to draft-system related issues and human error. BarTracks technology is leading the next generation of BevTech. Our proprietary turnkey solution delivers powerful, timely metrics to hospitality businesses, with customers reporting as much as a 30% boost in profitability, says Eric Major, the executive chairman of BarTracks Board of Directors. BarTrack has raised $15 million to date from both venture capital and angel investors, including veteran hospitality industry leaders such as G.J. Hart, the former CEO of Texas Roadhouse, California Pizza Kitchen and Torchys Tacos. BarTrack is the future of smart inventory, better quality and increased visibility both behind the bar and beyond, says Hart. With this latest financing injection, BarTrack plans to expand production capacity to keep up with demand, support sales and customer support team expansion and fuel R&D initiatives to grow the companys expanding solutions portfolio. BarTrack provides my restaurants with actionable, real-time insight on draft waste identification, temperature and carbonationall while reducing inventory inefficiencies by eliminating the need for manual inventory counts. Simply put, I believe BarTrack is the future of the hospitality industry, says restauranteur Scott Parker. BarTrack is now working closely with leading brands, producers, suppliers and draft system installation companies across the supply chain, domestically and internationally. About BarTrack Founded in 2018, BarTrack is a hospitality company that has revolutionized the way bars, breweries, restaurants, and stadiums manage their inventory and eliminate costly waste. BarTracks flagship offering is a first of its kind non-intrusive beverage sensor technology platform with no moving parts. The companys sensors and web-enabled software empower better inventory management and improved draft system diagnostics through the monitoring of a dozen beverage specific variables. This, in combination with point-of-sale integration, delivers a comprehensive view of the causes and impact of waste on the bottom line. Learn more at bartrack.beer. Attachment ATLANTA, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Managr announced today that it has been named a Top 10 Innovative Technology Company by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). TAG is the states leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of the states technology industry. The Top 10 were selected from the Top 40 Innovative Technology Companies for showing innovation; the market need their innovation addresses; and how the innovation benefits the Georgia technology economy. The Top 10 was announced at the Georgia Technology Summit, which took place at the Georgia World Congress Center on April 26 and 27th. We are excited to be selected as a Top 10 Innovative Technology Company at this years event, said Michael Gorodisher, Founder and CEO of Managr. Weve built our company with Georgia talent along with prominent Georgia-based investors and look forward to continuing to expand our footprint in the state. Gorodisher was inspired to build Managr after being a longtime salesperson and experiencing the outdated, painful process of CRM data entry that often took valuable time away from selling. I knew there had to be a better way, said Gorodisher. Managr makes data entry a frictionless experience for salespeople. It lets them work 20x faster, log more data back to their CRM and is accessible from where they live via a browser, Slack or mobile device. Using smart workflow automations, Managr turns even the most time-consuming processes into simple tasks. Last May, Gorodisher along with engineers Zachary Bradley and Edward Roberson launched Managr, and within nine months grew the team to eight people. The company has been quietly gaining momentum and now has more than 200 paying users across 12 countries. Managr plans to grow the team to 15 by the end of this year and double in size by the end of 2023. To learn more about Managr, visit www.managr.ai. For more information about the 2022 Georgia Technology Summit visit https://GeorgiaTechnologySummit.com. Follow the conversation on Twitter through #GTS2022. About the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) TAGs mission is to Connect, Promote, Influence and Educate Georgias technology ecosystem to advance the innovation economy. Through those four foundational strategies TAG serves the technology community, helping to support, grow and ignite tech leaders, companies and the overall Georgia economy. TAG serves more than 30,000 members statewide through regional chapters in Metro Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon/Middle Georgia, and Savannah. TAG hosts more than 150 events each year and serves as an umbrella organization for 26 professional societies. TAG provides networking and educational programs; celebrates Georgias technology leaders and companies, and advocates for legislative action that enhances the states economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit www.tagedonline.org. About Managr Managr is a workspace designed to make sales teams more efficient by leveraging the latest in automation technology. Managr strives to modernize the pipeline management process by providing salespeople an experience that is conducive to how they work. Founded in 2021, Managr is a privately owned company based in Atlanta, GA. To learn more, visit www.managr.ai. For updates, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Attachments New York, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cancer Biomarkers Market Research Report by Biomolecule Type, Cancer Type, Technology, Application, End User, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260417/?utm_source=GNW The Global Cancer Biomarkers Market size was estimated at USD 16.97 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 18.98 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 12.04% to reach USD 33.58 billion by 2027. Market Statistics: The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2019 and 2020 are considered historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered the forecast period. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Cancer Biomarkers to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Biomolecule Type, the market was studied across Epigenetic, Genetic, Metabolic, and Proteomic. Based on Cancer Type, the market was studied across Blood Cancer, Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer, and Stomach Cancer. Based on Technology, the market was studied across Bioinformatics, Cytogenetics, Imaging Technology, Immunoassays, and OMICS Technology. Based on Application, the market was studied across Diagnostics, Drug Discovery and Development, Prognostics, and Risk Assessment. Based on End User, the market was studied across Academic and Cancer Research Centers, Hospitals, and Speciality Centers. 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 Cancer Biomarkers 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 Cancer Biomarkers 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 Cancer Biomarkers Market, including Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Biomerieux, Danaher Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, GE Healthcare, Hologic, Illumina, Inc., Merck & Co., Myriad Genetics, Qiagen N.V., Quest Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics, Sysmex Corporation, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. 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 Cancer Biomarkers Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Cancer Biomarkers Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Cancer Biomarkers Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Cancer Biomarkers Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Cancer Biomarkers Market? 6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Cancer Biomarkers Market? 7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Cancer Biomarkers Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260417/?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. __________________________ Fairfield, NJ, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StayinFront , a leading global provider of mobile, cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) solutions for life sciences organizations, announced today a partnership with Strata Skin Sciences, a medical technology company dedicated to developing, commercializing, and marketing innovative products for the treatment of various autoimmune skin diseases. StayinFront will provide its advanced mobile solution, StayinFront TouchRx , for Stratas field representatives to access critical CRM information. Our cost-effective solution offers a broad range of features that will allow Strata representatives to effectively prioritize target accounts in their territories, manage interactions, and track use of the XTRAC laser within healthcare facilities. StayinFront TouchRx also provides Stratas management the ability to utilize StayinFronts suite of PowerBI reports to track coverage and performance across territories. StayinFronts solution is backed by a highly experienced team that has worked with Life Science companies for more than 20 years. We are looking to provide tools to our field representatives that improve their ability to manage and grow our business commented Robert Moccia, Stratas Chief Executive Officer. StayinFronts platform enables us to more effectively guide our field teams efforts and track their effectiveness with built-in analytics, dashboards, and KPIs. Life sciences companies are looking for cost-effective ways to maximize the productivity of field teams. They are looking to leverage partners with experience and a proven record of delivering effective tools along with best-in-class support. StayinFront TouchRx delivers results with an intuitive interface that empowers field teams and managers, said Ken Arbadji, Vice President Sales, North America at StayinFront. About Strata Skin Sciences STRATA Skin Sciences is a medical technology company in dermatology dedicated to developing, commercializing, and marketing innovative products for the in-office treatment of dermatologic conditions. Its products include the XTRAC, XTRAC Momentum 1.0, and Pharos excimer lasers, VTRAC lamp systems, and TheraClear acne treatment system utilized in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, acne, and various other skin conditions. The Companys proprietary XTRAC, XTRAC Momentum 1.0, and recently acquired Pharos excimer lasers deliver a highly targeted therapeutic beam of UVB light to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema, atopic dermatitis and leukoderma, diseases that impact over 31 million patients in the United States alone. The technology is covered by multiple patents. Additionally, Stratas recently acquired assets related to Theravant Corporations TheraClear system allows the company to expand into the U.S. acne care market. Stratas unique business model in the U.S. leverages targeted Direct to Consumer (DTC) advertising to generate awareness and utilizes its in-house call center and insurance advocacy teams to increase volume for the companys partner dermatology clinics. About StayinFront StayinFront is the selling technology partner for Life Science companies of all sizes. Pharma and Biotech companies rely on StayinFront to optimize field team performance and streamline sales operations by reducing the complexity, time, and costs of CRM. StayinFronts products provide companies with timely, accurate field data, streamline compliance with Federal and State regulations, and deliver actionable insights, empowering managers and field reps to Know More, Do More, and Sell More. Headquartered in New Jersey, StayinFront has offices in Chicago, Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Ireland, Poland, India, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, with customers in fifty countries using our platform. Visit https://www.stayinfront.com/life-sciences-pharma-crm to find out more. StayinFront Contact Ken Arbadji Vice President of Sales, North America karbadji@stayinfront.com +1 (973) 461-4800 x3247 Fort Worth, Texas, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- insightLPR a technology company providing proprietary license plate recognition (LPR) software, hardware and data products to help companies and communities increase their value and safety announces its plan to expand its services to support recovery agents serving the automotive industry. In conjunction with this move, the company has made impactful additions to its management team. insightLPR has built its reputation deploying LPR fixed and mobile camera solutions for a myriad of private and public entities, including law enforcement, parking enforcement, international airports, and residential communities. The company is introducing a unique business model and LPR strategy to the auto repossession industry that ensures recovery agents have more control over the LPR data they collect, enabling them to complete quicker repossessions, increase recovery rates, and add value to their businesses. Leading the team is President John Nethery, who brings more than 25 years of experience to the company building partnerships and delivering growth. Prior to insightLPR, Nethery served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Digital Recognition Network, Inc. (DRN), where he was instrumental in growing the company from the startup stage to a successful acquisition by Motorola Solutions, Inc. "There are tremendous opportunities ahead and I'm looking forward to leading insightLPR in its next stage of growth, said Nethery. We have an outstanding team and a talented organization of professionals, and I am confident that we will set the standards for excellence and drive innovation in the industry for our partners." Joining insightLPR as chief product officer is Oscar Nunez. Nunez is an accomplished product, strategy, and operations leader that brings expertise in data analytics, auto finance, lease programs, repossession operations, and commercial use of LPR technology. Prior to insightLPR, Nunez served as VP of product and new markets for DRN and held senior roles with UBER and Capital One. With a track record of building successful teams and customer facing products, Nunez will lead product strategy and development as well as strategic partnerships. Stephen Nethery joins insightLPR as the companys chief revenue officer. Nethery has built his career cultivating relationships and leading sales for large organizations. Prior to insightLPR, Nethery served as SVP of business development for DRN and held business development roles with Lockheed Martin and various other companies. Nethery has a track record of communicating with customers to understand their needs and equip them with the right products and services. In his new role, Nethery will assist with insightLPRs entrance into the auto repossession industry and lead its expansion within the commercial and residential real estate business verticals. Serving the team as chief data officer is Eric Balsa. Balsa is an accomplished software engineer and technologist with expertise in repossession case management, LPR, and software as a service delivery. Prior to insightLPR, Balsa served as VP of engineering for DRN, where he managed day-to-day technology operations for the entire DRN technology stack. Before DRN, Balsa was an original owner and the technology architect of RDN, leading up to the OPENLANE acquisition in 2010. In both instances, Balsa helped usher in the transactions by leading technical due diligence, eventual integration, and technology vision post-acquisition. Balsa also served as senior software engineer at Yahoo! and has held various IT and technology roles over the course of his career. Jon Armstrong closes out insightLPRs management additions as the companys VP of vendor management. Armstrong has over 18 years of leadership experience in customer service, business process improvement, strategic planning, and operations management. Prior to joining insightLPR, Armstrong served as the director of operations for Indiana Recovery Services and played an instrumental role on the senior leadership team at PAR North America, where he served as the senior recovery services manager for seven years. Armstrongs expertise, leadership, and knowledge of the repossession industry position him to lead the development of insightLPRs recovery agent network. We are in active discussions with multiple participants in the repossession industry and the feedback we have received in response to our model has been overwhelmingly positive, said Nethery. The insightLPR team will be attending the North American Repossessors Summit June 21 22 in Denver, Colorado, and we look forward to officially releasing our solution to the auto repossession industry. For more information on insightLPRs model and strategy for the auto repossession industry, please visit insightlpr.com. About insightLPR insightLPR is devoted to providing law enforcement agencies, commercial real estate owners, homeowners, and automotive finance companies with the promise of security and value through cutting-edge technology solutions. With real-time alerts and searchable LPR data, along with a longer read range and higher vehicle speed capture than the leading competitors, customers can have confidence that they are receiving the best service with the best security and value. For more information, visit insightlpr.com. SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shareholder Rights Law Firm Johnson Fistel, LLP, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE: TDOC). Specifically, Johnson Fistel's investigation seeks to determine whether the Company issued false or misleading statements or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. What is Johnson Fistel investigating? On April 27, 2022 Teladoc reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Additionally, Teladoc lowered revenue guidance for the balance of the year. The Company had previously had told the market at their analyst day that in November 2021 that its revenues would grow by 28% year over year in 2022. Then, in February 2022, Teladoc again revised guidance upwards. Following this news, shares of Teladoc plunged over 45% in early morning trading on April 28, 2022. What actions may I take at this time? If you purchased Teledoc securities and suffered significant losses on your investment, contact Johnson Fistel, LLP to submit your losses: Contact Lead Securities Analyst Jim Baker at jimb@johnsonfistel.com or (619) 814-4471 or (619) 814-4471 Click or paste the following web address into your browser to join the investigation: https://www.johnsonfistel.com/investigations/tdoc-alert-did-you-lose-money-on-your-teladoc-investment For more information, visit our website at https://www.johnsonfistel.com/faq There is no cost or obligation to you. What if I have information relevant to the investigation? Individuals with nonpublic information regarding Teledoc should consider whether to assist our investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the SEC program, whistleblowers who provide original information may, under certain circumstances, receive rewards totaling up to thirty percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, contact Jim Baker at (619) 814-4471 or jimb@johnsonfistel.com . About Johnson Fistel, LLP: Johnson Fistel, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. Johnson Fistel seeks to recover losses incurred due to violations of federal securities laws. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonfistel.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contact: Johnson Fistel, LLP Jim Baker, 619-814-4471 jimb@johnsonfistel.com Denver, Colo., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thanks to a generous gift of $27,500 from Travois to the American Indian College Fund, 10 American Indian college students received scholarships to attend mainstream and tribal colleges and universities for the academic year 2021-22. Travois, a Certified B Corporation focused exclusively on promoting housing and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, created the Travois Tribal Scholarship Program to provide financial support for eight students pursuing careers in affordable housing and economic development and two students pursuing arts degrees. Currently only 15 percent of American Indians have a bachelors degree, which is less than half the national average. That compounded with the fact that a high percentage of American Indians are currently under the age of 24 makes providing access to a higher education to Native students crucial for the sustainability of Native communities as well as students and their families. Jon-Anthony Henry (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation), a business administration student at Salish Kootenai College (SKC), is a four-year tribal college in Pablo, Montana who wants to use his degree to give back to his community. He plans to work for his tribe to helping tribal business owners the skills and assistance they need to succeed. Giving back to my community has always been a passion for me because I see how many Native Americans are struggling on my reservation, Henry said. I also want to be an inspiration to the youth and show them that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. I want to encourage the youth to continue education because college is very important in todays world. I strive to be a positive role model for youth and to help make a positive change in my community. Henry knows firsthand why role models are important. He lost his beloved uncle who was his own role model when he was a high school student. Encouraged by his mother, he began focusing on academics and said he felt happiness again. His mother shared how college helped her through her own life and he said, I decided to follow in her footsteps and continue my education. It has been the best decision Ive ever made. Tiffani Zamudio (Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation) attempted to return to school several times, but motherhood and illness in the family thwarted her attempts. After assuming the role as a housing case manager for her tribes housing authority for nearly six years, she developed a passion for helping people in her tribe. She enrolled at Northwest Indian College, a tribal college in Bellingham, Washington, where she plans to use what she learned in her career as she works toward a new one after completing a bachelors and masters degree in social work. I want to work with our tribal and extended communities to battle homelessness and provide support services to an underserved population. This scholarship will allow me to further my education and continue to grow in my position. All that I am learning, I have been able to apply to my everyday life as it pertains to my personal and professional life. Were thrilled to support American Indian college students working toward a brighter future for themselves and their families, said Elizabeth Glynn, CEO of Travois. In our work helping tribal governments finance affordable housing and create jobs in American Indian communities across the country, we see firsthand the incredible creativity and leadership of this next generation. Were excited to see what the future holds for this talented group of students. Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said, Our students passion to give back to their communities with thoughtfulness and intention is evident in their stories. On behalf of the College Fund, I want to share our appreciation for Travois, a partner that role models what it means to empower our students to make a difference through their own vision and hard work. About the American Indian College Fund The American Indian College Fund has been the nations largest charity supporting Native higher education for 32 years. The College Fund believes Education is the answer" and provided $15.5 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2020-21. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $259 million in scholarships, programmatic and community support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nations 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators and is one of the nations top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org. LUZERN, Switzerland, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- getAbstract revealed a new brand focus and visual identity that highlights the company's organizational evolution and redefined strategy encapsulated in the new slogan, "Know Better. Do Better." getAbstract's refreshed logo, color palette and typography take a minimalist and laid-back approach to keep focus on the company's core mission: to deliver relevant, unbiased, compressed and actionable knowledge. More than ever, getAbstract is dedicated to helping people and organizations acquire knowledge and apply it in a way that supports their goals. The rebranding project overhauled getAbstract's messaging to make sure that it speaks to the needs and challenges of its customers and end-users by focusing on clarity and ease of use. "We made many incremental changes over the years, but it was time to take a leap. We needed a trigger for innovation," says Thomas Bergen, CEO of getAbstract. He continues: "We needed to give getAbstract a clearer voice, as well as a new look and feel. The rebranding is just the beginning of our new journey. We're also bringing new tools to our customers to better serve our mission. It's the most exciting time in our history." Elements of getAbstract's new visual identity include: New Logo: The signature curly bracket is here to stay, but geometrical shapes and a grid system were used to reconstruct it. This approach makes the logo unique and connected to the logotype. New Brand Colors: New colors have been added to getAbstract's cerulean palette. A digital-first approach focuses on increased contrast and screen presence over the limited and habitual print tints. New Typography: Akkurat, a Swiss neo-Grotesk typeface, is aesthetically pleasing and easy to read: a must when content comes first. New Visuals: getAbstract renewed its commitment to authentically represent employees and audiences through diverse images and illustrations. Stylized color effects add consistency and echo the primary color palette. For the full story behind getAbstract's extensive rebranding project, visit getab.li/rebrand. ABOUT GETABSTRACT The right insight at the right time can make all the difference. By providing easy access to summarized expert knowledge, getAbstract helps professionals worldwide find solutions to real-life challenges and use knowledge efficiently. Our library of 25,000 summaries in seven languages covers a broad range of business-relevant topics and helps learners put knowledge into action in 15 minutes or less. we work with clients around the world, including more than one-third of the Fortune 500, to help professionals put knowledge into action. Know Better. Do Better. about getAbstract | getAbstract Journal MEDIA CONTACT Catherine Bell catherine.bell@getabstract.com (305) 936-2635 Related Images Image 1: Know better. Do better. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Oakland, Calif., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deem, a leading mobile-first corporate travel management software provider, was named the winner of two Bronze Stevie Awards in the Best User Experience, Mobile Corporate Travel App and Achievement in Product Innovation categories in The 20th Annual American Business Awards for its travel management software, Etta. Organizations from a variety of industries and of all sizes submitted more than 3700 nominations. Deems win for Best User Experience highlights Ettas focus on its human-centered design and accessibility. Etta is currently the only corporate travel management software that meets the AA-level guidelines for accessibility as defined by the Worldwide Web Consortium. Deems Achievement in Product Innovation win highlights the platforms modern architecture, fresh brand re-design and innovative features including Travel SafetyCheck, which provides dynamic travel and destination safety information, and accessibility functionality that are built for todays business traveler. Our objective at Deem is to create a modern business travel app for travelersall travelersfirst, said Deem President David Grace. Today, that means a mobile-first app thats designed around providing the information travelers need and the way they use technology. To win two more of these prestigious awards this year is a meaningful validation for our entire team and inspires us to keep evolving for the benefit of travelers and their companies. The judges responses to Deems entries illustrate the impact Etta is making, including these: Solid applicant! A human-centered design approach with modern microservices architecture enabled Etta to cater to business travelers with a consumer-grade experience, and this product is imagined, designed, and made for people in the future of work. Its rare to see companies putting a huge effort on accessibility. This app, aside from looking great and easy to use for general users, seems to have amazing accessibility features. It has a great flow and [is] very straightforward, making it simple for users to use the app to achieve the result theyre looking for. The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominationspublic and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. Corporate travel software Etta, powered by Deem, makes it easy for business travelers to shop, book, and manage all segments of their trips including flights, hotel, and car transportation. Etta has won numerous awards for its Travel SafetyCheck feature, accessibility features, and design, and is highly rated by users on G2 and mobile app stores. Deem recently announced a new collaboration with Ubers enterprise arm, Uber for Business. The new integration will enable business travelers to request on-demand and scheduled rides with Uber for Business directly within the Etta desktop and mobile corporate travel booking platform. Learn more about how Ettas traveler-centric approach helps stop leakage and save companies time and money at Deem.com. About Deem Deem is on a mission to transform travel. Starring Etta, its award-winning, mobile-first, corporate travel booking and management software, Deem offers employees everything they need to easily make the right travel decisions for themselves and their company. Deems travel technology plugs into major travel agencies and expense solution providers, empowering more corporate customers and the worlds largest travel management companies. Deem is a wholly owned and independently run subsidiary of Enterprise Holdings. The company is headquartered in Oakland, California, with offices in Dublin, Ireland and Bangalore, India. Learn more at Deem.com. Attachments HERNDON, VA, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Serco Inc., a provider of professional, technology, engineering, and management services, announced today that the Company has been awarded a new prime contract, Naval Sea Systems Command Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) Product Support Facility (PSF), with the PMS 485 PEO Undersea Warfare Systems, Maritime Surveillance Systems Program Office. The contract has a total estimated value of $39.8 million, if all options are exercised. It includes a one-year base period plus four option years. Serco will provide life cycle logistics support and product support facility operations for all IUSS ship and shore systems worldwide. Work under the contract will be performed primarily at the IUSS Operations Support Center in Virginia Beach, VA. The Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) mission is to provide global maritime acoustic surveillance and timely, accurate antisubmarine warfare (ASW) reporting using persistent, long-range, fixed, and mobile systems. This mission is accomplished through detection, classification, tracking, reporting and dissemination of data on surface ships, submarines, and high interest aircraft. Additional mission areas include gathering long-term oceanographic and geophysical information, support of environmental assessment projects, marine mammal research and counter-narcotics efforts. The Serco team is proud to have been selected to support IUSS and their mission, said Dave Dacquino, Serco Inc.'s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Serco has a 15-year history of working with the U.S. Navys integrated undersea surveillance systems. We understand how critical the IUSS component is to the Navys anti-submarine and undersea warfare capabilities. WICHITA, Kan., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE American: UAVS) (AgEagle or the Company), an industry-leading provider of full-stack drone, sensor and software solutions for commercial and government/defense use, today announced that the Company was named the third place winner in the Hardware and Systems Design category of the XCELLENCE Awards by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) for its eBee TAC Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). AgEagle was selected from a pool of accomplished applicants for their work in uncrewed systems technology. Winners were publicly congratulated during the Technology Innovation XCELLENCE awards ceremony during AUVSI XPONENTIAL on Wednesday, April 27 in Orlando, Florida. Barrett Mooney, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AgEagle, stated, We are very proud that our eBee TAC continues to earn such high industry praise and recognition for its technological innovation and powerful capabilities. It is a direct reflection of the hard work and engineering skill of our team which remains obsessed with delivering advanced autonomous robotics solutions that set the bar for excellence and high performance. Following a decade of development by senseFly, an AgEagle company, eBee-branded drones have been the best-selling commercial fixed wing UAS in the U.S. over the past three consecutive years, according to data supplied by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). Recently Blue UAS approved for procurement by the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies, the NDAA compliant eBee TAC operates in disconnected environments, providing a higher accuracy mobile solution to map and locally share aerial imagery data on rapidly changing field conditions to analyze and provide near real-time situational awareness to ground forces. Weighing only 3.5 pounds and featuring a digital camouflage skin for increased stealth and up to 90 minutes flight time and silent mission mode, the eBee TAC can be rapidly deployed, from assembly to hand-launch, in three minutes by a single user to generate 3D modeling, terrain and thermal maps. During AUVSIs 50th anniversary year, we are celebrating the accomplishments of the uncrewed systems industry within the last half-century, reflecting on lessons learned, and looking ahead to our vision for the future, said Brian Wynne, President and CEO of AUVSI. The 2022 XCELLENCE award winners represent some of the leading innovations and organizations that will help us reach our shared vision of assured autonomy. The AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards honor innovators with a demonstrated commitment to advancing autonomy, leading, and promoting safe adoption of uncrewed systems and developing programs that use these technologies to save lives and improve the human condition. For more information about AUVSI visit AUVSI.org. For more information about the AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards and XPONENTIAL 2022, visit xponential.org. About AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. AgEagle is a global UAV industry pioneer engaged in delivering a unified line of high-performance drones, sensors and software that have earned the longstanding trust and fidelity of customers in more than 70 countries worldwide. Founded in 2010, AgEagle was originally formed to pioneer proprietary, professional-grade, fixed-winged drones and aerial imagery-based data collection and analytics solutions for the agriculture industry. Today, AgEagle is a leading provider of full stack drone solutions for customers worldwide in a broad range of commercial verticals, as well as for U.S. government agencies, all branches of the U.S. military and allied nations. For additional information, please visit our websites at www.ageagle.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain 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 statements involve risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from managements current expectations include those risks and uncertainties relating to our competitive position, the industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of regulation and events outside of our control, such as natural disasters, wars, or health epidemics. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. AgEagle Aerial Systems Contacts: Investor Relations: Media Inquiries: Gateway Group, Inc. media@ageagle.com Matt Glover or Cody Cree Phone: 949-574-3860 Email: UAVS@gatewayIR.com OAKLAND, Calif., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sage Institute for Psychedelic Therapy , a 501c3 non-profit which provides high-quality training and accessible psychedelic therapy to underserved communities, today announced the arrival of its new executive director, Dr. Deidra Somerville. Dr. Somerville has a background in social work and many years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, community development, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) facilitation. She believes in a human-first model of working within organizations, prioritizing community and relationship building. Originally from San Francisco, Somerville will be returning to the Bay Area from Illinois where she currently resides. "On behalf of the Sage Institute board of directors, we welcome Dr. Deidra Somerville as our incoming executive director, said Kat Conour, Sage Institute for Psychedelic Therapy board chair. Given Dr. Somervilles expertise and clear dedication to fostering health and well-being for diverse and underserved communities, we trust that our mission and all those we serve will be in the right hands. We are confident she is the ideal person to grow Sage Institute into what we always envisioned it could be, and more. Somerville Offers Great Change and Opportunity for the Entire Sage Institute Community Sage Institute is the only organization that offers low-fee sliding-scale ketamine-assisted therapy alongside paid training for intern therapists gaining hours towards licensure as social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists. Committed to training the next generation of diverse clinicians and leaders in the field, Sage Institute also offers a scholarship program to assist clinicians from diverse backgrounds to overcome financial and structural barriers to their participation. Somervilles top priorities for the next three months are to: Further strengthen Sage Institutes capacity to serve an ever-growing client base Diversify the organizations revenue streams with thriving partnerships Develop a pipeline to licensure for graduates of the training program I'm honored and excited to join Sage Institute, said Somerville. This is a time of great change and opportunity for our beloved community of practitioners, partners, volunteers, donors and the individuals, families, and communities we serve. I believe Sage Institute to be well positioned to effectively lead and serve during this time of momentous growth. We are training practitioners, providing much needed access to psychedelic therapy to underserved communities, and building pathways to contribute to the body of research on the risks and benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy with diverse client populations. I am eager to bring my experiences as an advocate, organizer, fundraiser, researcher, administrator and healer to lead and serve the Sage Institute community. About Dr. Deidra Somerville, PhD, MSW An experienced executive, educator and administrator with a demonstrated history of advocacy for social justice, Dr. Deidra Somervilles career has been devoted to the nonprofit and higher education industries. She was most recently responsible for sponsored programs, research services and human research protections at Roosevelt University and an adjunct member of the Psychology department at DePaul University. In addition, she maintained a consulting practice providing support for grant administration, organizational development and diversity, equity and inclusion training. Somerville received her PhD in community psychology from National Louis University, her Master of Social Work from Boston University and her undergraduate degrees from University of California, Santa Cruz. About Sage Institute for Psychedelic Therapy, Inc Sage Institute provides high-quality training and accessible psychedelic therapy, fostering effective and culturally-responsive mental health treatment for underserved communities. The organizations management and staff imagine a world where people from all backgrounds have access to cutting-edge, affordable, and holistic health care that supports healing of the body, mind, spirit, community, and environment. Sage Institute is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. Learn more at SageInst.org . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38e8df01-a94c-412e-b41e-eb5b8f81613b NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Twitter, Inc. (Twitter or the Company) (NYSE: TWTR). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Twitter and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On April 4, 2022, Elon Musk (Musk) disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that he owned 9.2% of Twitter stock. On this news, Twitters stock price rose $10.66 per share, or 27.12%, to close at $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022. Then, on April 5, 2022, in another SEC filing, Musk disclosed that he had purchased more than 5% of Twitter stock on March 14, 2022, which, per applicable SEC rules, should have been disclosed by March 24, 2022. The same April 5, 2022 filing also indicated that Musk had acquired approximately 13.1 million Twitter shares at an average price of $39.06 per share after March 24, 2022, and before Twitters stock price rose to $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022, thereby potentially saving him millions of dollars at the expense of other investors that could have sold their Twitter stock at a higher price, had they been similarly and timely informed of Musks large stake in the Company. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . TORONTO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The potential for another major animal to human zoonotic disease outbreak is very real according to the findings of a recent study, warns the Animal Protection Party of Canada (APPC). The study investigated samples of the superbug Clostridioides difficile in intensively confined pigs, which showed multiple antibiotic-resistant genes are shared between pigs and people. This discovery provides evidence that animal to human zoonotic transmission is possible. Over 20 million pigs are raised and slaughtered domestically in Canada each year. C. difficile is a bacterium normally found in the human gut in regular balance with other bacteria. But when a C. difficile infection does occur, it is difficult to treat as it is resistant to all but three current antibiotics. Because of the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture and in treating human illness, dangerous antibiotic resistant strains have emerged that can cause severe illness and death. Canada is also currently experiencing the spread of Avian Influenza in poultry flocks, which is causing significant loss of animal life. Avian flu is also a zoonotic disease that poses a threat to human health. Approximately three-quarters of a billion chickens are slaughtered in Canada each year for food. The APPC is raising the alarm for the government to take immediate steps to address the ongoing spread of zoonotic diseases by transitioning the animal agriculture sector to plant-based alternatives. Jordan Reichert, APPC deputy leader, stated that the government must start by acknowledging the problem, which it has yet to do. It is time for us to address the ticking time bomb of animal agricultures role in disease transmission and phase out this industry. Zoonotic diseases are a real threat, whether it is COVID, avian flu, or C. difficile, and status quo politics wont stop them. More than a decade before the COVID pandemic, the United Nations was warning world governments about the potential for large-scale zoonotic disease transmission. With the extreme social and economic consequences of the ongoing pandemic, the Canadian government has continued with business as usual and taken little action to address the potential for zoonotic disease transmission through the animal agriculture sector. Liz White, leader of the APPC, said the government has an obligation to protect the health of the population by educating people about the dangers of animal agriculture. Our politicians have a responsibility to protect the health of the population against further zoonotic pathogens and the most urgent action they can take is to phase out the farming and slaughter of millions of animals in Canada for food each year. The Animal Protection Party of Canada is the only federal party to call for a transition to a plant-based agricultural system with biocyclic vegan agricultural practices that eschew animal fertilizers and encourage ecological integrity in agriculture. Liz White Jordan Reichert Leader Deputy Leader 416-809-4371 250-216-0562 liz@animalprotectionparty.ca jordan@animalprotectionparty.ca English French MONTREAL, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) will publish its financial results for the first quarter of 2022 on May 5, 2022. On the same day, Bombardier will hold its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (Meeting) in a virtual format. Quarterly Conference Call On May 5, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. EDT, Bombardier will hold a webcast/conference call intended for investors and financial analysts to review the companys financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. A live webcast of the call and relevant financial charts will be available at https://ir.bombardier.com Stakeholders wishing to listen to the presentation and subsequent question-and-answer period by telephone may dial one of the following conference call numbers: In English: Toll-free dial-in number (Canada/U.S.): 1-800-898-3989 Local dial-in number: 514-861-3304 International dial-in numbers Participant passcode: 2230833# In French (with translation): Toll-free dial-in number (Canada/U.S.): 1-877-395-0279 Local dial-in number: 514-392-1587 International dial-in numbers Participant passcode: 4427560# Media Call May 5, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. EDT, members of the media are invited to dial in to a short Question and Answer session following our quarterly earnings call and before the virtual Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders. Eric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier, will be available to answer your questions related to the Q1 2022 financial results. Media who would like to attend the Q&A session are asked to RSVP by emailing heather.neale@aero.bombardier.com. Bilingual: Toll-free dial-in number (Canada/U.S.): 1-800-952-5114 Local dial-in number: 416-406-0743 International dial-in numbers Participant passcode: 2423914# Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders On May 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. EDT, Bombardier welcomes all registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders who wish to participate in the online Meeting to do so by joining the live webcast available at https://bombardier.com/en/agm2022. Only registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be allowed to vote and ask questions during the live Meeting. Non-registered shareholders, guests and media will be able to watch online via the live webcast available at the same link. Instructions on how to vote and participate in the online Meeting, including submitting questions to management and to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bombardier, will be available on the Corporations website here and on the online Meeting platform. Bombardier encourages shareholders to vote and submit their proxies prior to the Meeting. The live webcast and relevant documents for both the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and the conference call will be available at https://bombardier.com/en/agm2022. A recording of the Meeting and the call will be posted on Bombardiers website shortly after the end of the webcast. About Bombardier Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardiers 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 companys 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 Bombardiers Environmental, Social and Governance report, visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardiers industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. Bombardier is a registered trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. For Information NEWPORT NEWS, Va., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE:HII) announced today that Virginia-class submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) was recently launched into the James River at the companys Newport News Shipbuilding division. The 7,800-ton submarine, which had been in a floating dry dock since being transferred from a construction facility in March, was submerged and moved by tugboats to the shipyards submarine pier for final outfitting, testing and crew certification. Achieving this construction milestone is a very rewarding event to our shipbuilding team, said Jason Ward, Newport News vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction. Our shipbuilders and suppliers have dedicated years of hard work to this critical capability that will maintain our customers undersea superiority. We now look forward to executing our waterborne test program, and working toward sea trials so we can deliver to the Navy. Video and photos accompanying this news release are available at: https://newsroom.hii.com/releases/new-jersey-ssn-796-launch. Through the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat, approximately 10,000 shipbuilders, as well as suppliers from 50 states, have participated in New Jerseys construction since the work began in 2016. New Jersey is approximately 92% complete. Virginia-class submarines, a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, are built for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions to replace the Navys Los Angeles-class submarines as they are retired. Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations that increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth to significantly enhance their warfighting capabilities. These submarines are capable of supporting multiple mission areas and can operate at speeds of more than 25 knots for months at a time. HII is an all-domain defense and technologies partner, recognized worldwide as Americas largest shipbuilder. With a 135-year history of trusted partnerships in advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities ranging from the most powerful and survivable naval ships ever built, to unmanned systems, ISR and AI/ML analytics. HII leads the industry in mission-driven solutions that support and enable an all-domain force. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs skilled workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information please visit: HII on the web: https://www.hii.com/ HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII HII on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wearehii HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearehii Contact: Danny Hernandez Danny.J.Hernandez@hii-co.com (202) 580-9086 Hauppauge NY, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Long Island officials, school districts, and law enforcement officers came together today to commemorate Operation Safe Stop, a public awareness event hosted by the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT), BusPatrol, the New York State School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA), and the Suffolk County School Bus Safety Committee. The annual one-day Operation Safe Stop initiative prioritizes school bus traffic enforcement. For the last two decades, New York State law enforcement agencies have doubled down on student safety by following and riding onboard school buses to watch for stop-arm violations. This year, for the first time, police officers leveraged new AI-powered tools and data to help curb dangerous driver behavior, targeting high-risk areas identified through the Suffolk County School Bus Safety Program. With the recent adoption of automated school bus enforcement technology in communities across New York State, stop-arm programs enable law enforcement officers to monitor and enforce dangerous driving behavior around school buses every day of the year. Speaking at the event, Joe Lesnick, Vice President at Suffolk NYAPT, said: "For almost two decades, we have been working to bring awareness to the dangers of stop-arm violations. In New York State, motorists unlawfully pass stopped school buses up to 50,000 times a day. Now, municipalities and school districts across the state are equipping their school buses with automated enforcement technology to help local law enforcement capture and enforce stop-arm violations. NYAPT is proud to be working with BusPatrol on this initiative to make roads safer across the state." This year's event also marks one year since the launch of the Suffolk County School Bus Safety Program. Through the program, school officials from over 70 participating school districts, local law enforcement, and BusPatrol, collaborate to educate motorists through targeted-awareness campaigns and automated enforcement efforts. Jean Souliere, CEO and Founder at BusPatrol was also in attendance. He said: "Student safety is not just the responsibility of bus drivers, or the schools, or the police department. It is all of our responsibility. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that our kids can get to school and back home safely. School bus safety programs like Suffolk County enable local law enforcement to capture every violation. With this technology, every school day is like Operation Safe Stop as we ensure that motorists respect stopped school buses and help keep children safe." BusPatrol school bus safety programs are live in Suffolk County, Dutchess County, and the City of Niagara Falls. School districts in Albany County and the Town of Hempstead are set to launch stop-arm safety programs with BusPatrol in the new school year. Communities that are interested in learning more about making roads safer with BusPatrol are encouraged to visit https://buspatrol.com/join/ Attachments More than half of Americans have been infected with COVID-19: CDC Xinhua) 15:14, April 28, 2022 A medical worker collects a swab sample from a woman at a COVID-19 testing site in New York, the United States, March 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) *Some 58% of the overall U.S. population and more than 75% of younger children have been infected with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, a study by the U.S. CDC has reported. *These findings illustrate a high infection rate for the Omicron variant, especially among children, said the CDC. NEW YORK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- More than half of Americans show signs of a previous COVID-19 infection, including three in four children, a new report released on Tuesday showed. The estimated proportion of people in the United States with detectable, infection-induced antibodies jumped from 33.5 percent in December 2021 to 57.7 percent by February 2022, according to the report of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During the December to February period, 75.2 percent of children aged 11 and younger had infection-related antibodies in their blood, up from 44.2 percent in the prior three-month period. Among those aged 12-17, 74.2 percent carried antibodies, up from 45.6 percent from September to December. As of February 2022, approximately 75 percents of children and adolescents had serologic evidence of previous infection with COVID-19, with approximately one third becoming newly seropositive since December 2021. These findings illustrate a high infection rate for the Omicron variant, especially among children, said the CDC. "Seropositivity for anti-N antibodies should not be interpreted as protection from future infection. Vaccination remains the safest strategy for preventing complications from COVID-19 infection, including hospitalization among children and adults," said the report. A student gets a hug from a teacher as she arrives at Rogers Fine Art Elementary School in Chicago, the United States, on March 14, 2022. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua) CDC's Kristie Clarke, co-author of the report, told a media briefing Tuesday that the finding means many people have at least some immunity to the virus. But CDC officials recommend all eligible persons stay up to date with vaccination, including those with previous COVID-19 infection, because vaccination provides the strongest, broadest protection against getting seriously ill. COVID-19 cases continue to rise, going up 23 percent last week to 44,416 a day. Deaths continue a months-long decline to 314 a day, or 13 percent less than the week before. Hospitalizations rose for the second week in a row, up 6.6 percent over the previous week, largely driven by subvariants of Omicron, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said during the briefing. According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States has exceeded 81 million, with 991,940 related deaths so far. Walensky said the BA.1 variant, which caused the Omicron wave, now only accounts for 3 percent of U.S. transmission and that a subvariant of BA.2.121, first discovered in upstate New York, makes up nearly 30 percent of cases in the country. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Knockaround and Capstone Races are pleased to announce that Knockaround, the original, affordable sunglasses and lifestyle brand out of San Diego, will be the Official Eyewear sponsor of the 2022 Bay to Breakers 12K. Held in San Francisco, the iconic Bay to Breakers race is a glorious celebration of the human spirit. This year, the 111th annual event, will be held Sunday, May 15, 2022. As part of Knockaround's sponsorship, the brand will infuse its own personality into the energy of Bay to Breakers. A dedicated Knockaround aid station will feature volunteers dressed as Magnum PI, sharing their tropical, smooth, lifestyle vibes with participants on-course. At the finish line festival, there will also be an opportunity to capture a groovy team photo with a retro VW bus and potentially win Knockaround sunglasses for a year by taking a swing at the Pinata Farm (taking on mini pinatas with pool noodles). "We are excited to be a part of this pillar event in San Francisco culture. Every year thousands of runners, walkers, and spectators fill the streets to celebrate - some racing to compete and others dressing up in costumes to party. It is the perfect blend of the Knockaround sport and culture brought to life in an event," said Adam Moyer, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Knockaround. "Bay to Breakers is a marquee event in the San Francisco community, embodying the competitive and fun part of running and walking, which is why Knockaround is the perfect partner," said Charlie Mercer, CEO of Capstone Events which produces Bay to Breakers. "Their fun-loving vibe and eclectic choice of products and colorways is a perfect fit for our diverse set of participants." Knockaround has evolved into a lifestyle brand with a broad assortment of non-prescription eyewear that includes polarized sunglasses, blue-light-blocking glasses, sport sunglasses, ski and snowboard goggles, and a custom design eyewear program. Knockaround's focus on creativity and authenticity along with building a culture around the brand has established a loyal fan base, positioning the company to achieve accelerated growth and realize its vision of becoming the leading sunglasses brand for consumers and athletes everywhere. Bay to Breakers is a 100-plus-year-old event, built by the people. Since 1912, over 2 million costumed runners, walkers, and centipedes have completed the iconic 12K journey from the San Francisco Bay to the breakers on Ocean Beach. Runners come from across the globe to experience the quintessential San Francisco experience, featuring thousands of spectators lining the route, live music, and more. About Knockaround Knockaround is the original, affordable sunglasses company from San Diego, founded by Adam "Ace" Moyer in 2005. Centered around durable shades that are both practical and stylish, Knockaround provides high-quality sunglasses that won't break the bank. Knockaround has grown to offer numerous different frame styles in a wide range of colors as well as ongoing Limited Edition special releases, collaborations, and an interactive "design your own" custom sunglasses shop. Knockaround Sunglasses have been featured in GQ, US Weekly, and The Today Show, and have been worn by countless celebrities including Matthew McConaughey, John Mayer, Natalie Portman, Snoop Dogg, and John Legend. For more information, visit Knockaround.com or follow (@knockaround) on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Media Contact: Tony Martinez, Director of Marketing E: tony@knockaround.com T: 619-997-3717 Related Images Image 1: Knockaround & Bay to Breakers Logo Knockaround "K" Logo alongside the Bay to Breakers logo This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment INDIANAPOLIS, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBank Indianapolis" or "Bank") declared its first quarter 2022 dividends on Class B-2 activity-based capital stock and Class B-1 non-activity-based stock at annualized rates of 3.50% and 1.00%, respectively. The higher dividend rate on activity-based stock reflects the Board's discretion under our capital plan to reward members that use FHLBank Indianapolis in support of their liquidity needs. The dividends will be paid in cash on April 29, 2022. Earnings Highlights Net income for the first quarter of 2022 was $28.6 million, a decrease of $1.3 million compared to the corresponding quarter in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower net hedging gains on qualifying fair-value hedging relationships1, substantially offset by lower amortization of mortgage purchase premiums resulting from lower prepayments. Hedging gains (losses) on qualifying fair-value hedging relationships are reported in net interest income2. As a result, net interest income for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 included net hedging gains of $2.0 million and $18.6 million, respectively. In general, the Bank holds the derivatives and associated hedged items to the maturity, call, or put date. As a result, we expect that nearly all of the gains and losses on these financial instruments will reverse over the remaining contractual terms of the hedged items. 1 The Bank uses interest-rate swaps to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of certain of its advances, available-for-sale securities and consolidated obligations. These derivatives are designated as fair-value hedges. Changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative and, to the extent these relationships qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value of the hedged item that are attributable to the hedged risk are recorded in earnings. 2 FHLBank Indianapolis earns interest income on advances to and mortgage loans purchased from its Michigan and Indiana member financial institutions, as well as on long- and short-term investments. Net interest income is primarily determined by the spread between the interest earned on those assets and the interest cost of funding with consolidated obligations. Because of the Bank's inherent relatively low interest-rate spread, it has historically derived a substantial portion of its net interest income from deploying its interest-free capital in floating-rate assets. Affordable Housing Program Allocation 3 For the three months ended March 31, 2022, FHLBank Indianapolis allocated $3.2 million to its Affordable Housing Program ("AHP"), which provides grant funding to support housing for low- and moderate-income families in communities served by our Michigan and Indiana members. Full-year 2022 AHP allocations will be available to the Bank's members in 2023 to help address their communities' affordable housing needs, including construction, rehabilitation, accessibility improvements and homebuyer down-payment assistance. Condensed Statements of Income The following table presents unaudited condensed statements of income ($ amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Interest income (a) $ 120.3 $ 133.6 Interest expense (a) 55.7 59.1 Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 0.1 Net interest income after provision for credit losses 64.6 74.4 Other income (loss) (b) (7.4 ) (13.0 ) Other expenses 25.4 28.1 AHP assessments 3.2 3.4 Net income $ 28.6 $ 29.9 (a) Includes hedging gains (losses) and net interest settlements on fair-value hedges. (b) Includes impact of purchase discount (premium) recorded through mark-to-market gains (losses) on trading securities and net interest settlements on derivatives hedging trading securities, while generally offsetting interest income on trading securities is included in interest income. Adjusted Net Income, a Non-GAAP Financial Measure The Bank reports its results of operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Management believes that a non-GAAP financial measure may also be useful to shareholders and other stakeholders as a key measure of its operating performance. Such measure can also provide additional insights into period-to-period comparisons of the Bank's operating results beyond its GAAP results, which are impacted by temporary changes in fair value and other factors driven by market volatility that hinder consistent performance measurement. As a result, the Bank is reporting adjusted net income as a non-GAAP financial measure. 3 Each year Federal Home Loan Banks allocate to the AHP 10% of earnings, defined as income before assessments, plus interest expense on mandatorily redeemable capital stock. Adjusted net income represents GAAP net income adjusted to exclude: (i) the mark-to-market adjustments and other transitory effects from derivatives and trading/hedging activities, (ii) interest expense on mandatorily redeemable capital stock ("MRCS"), (iii) realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities, and (iv) at the discretion of management, other eligible non-routine transactions. These adjustments reflect (i) the temporary nature of fair-value and certain other hedging gains (losses) due to the Bank's practice of holding its financial instruments to maturity, (ii) the reclassification of interest on MRCS as dividends, (iii) the sale of investment securities, primarily for liquidity purposes or to reduce exposure to LIBOR-indexed instruments, the gains (losses) on which arise from accelerating the recognition of future income (expense), and (iv) any other eligible non-routine transactions that management determines can provide additional insights into period-to-period comparisons of the Banks operating results beyond its GAAP results. Non-GAAP financial measures are not audited. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures have no standardized measurement prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. While management believes that adjusted net income is helpful in understanding the Bank's performance, this measure has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of earnings reported in accordance with GAAP. The following table presents unaudited reconciliations of the Bank's GAAP net income to adjusted net income ($ amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, Reconciliation of Net Income 2022 2021 GAAP net income $ 28.6 $ 29.9 Adjustments to exclude: Fair-value hedging (gains) losses (a) (2.0 ) (18.6 ) Amortization/accretion of (gains) losses on active and discontinued fair-value hedging relationships (b) 16.8 5.4 Trading (gains) losses, net of economic hedging gains (losses) (c) 0.1 9.0 Net unrealized losses on other economic hedges 1.8 0.4 Interest expense on MRCS 0.2 1.1 Total adjustments 16.9 (2.7 ) AHP assessments (credits) on adjustments (1.6 ) 0.4 Adjusted net income (non-GAAP measure) $ 43.9 $ 27.6 (a) Changes in fair value on hedged items (attributable to the risk being hedged) and associated derivatives in qualifying hedging relationships. (b) Gains (losses) resulting from cumulative basis adjustments on hedged items. (c) Includes both (i) unrealized (gains) losses on trading securities and (ii) realized (gains) losses on maturities of trading securities. Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2022 was $43.9 million, an increase of $16.3 million compared to the corresponding quarter in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to lower accelerated amortization of mortgage purchase premiums, resulting from lower prepayments, and higher interest spreads, partially offset by lower earnings (excluding net gains) on trading securities. Balance Sheet Highlights Total assets at March 31, 2022 were $63.0 billion, a net increase of $3.0 billion, or 5%, from December 31, 2021, driven primarily by a net increase in cash and short-term investments. Advances 4 Advances outstanding at March 31, 2022, at carrying value, totaled $26.6 billion, a net decrease of $910 million, or 3%, from December 31, 2021. The par value of advances outstanding decreased by 2%, which included a net increase in short-term advances of 3% and a net decrease in long-term advances of 4%. The par value of advances to depository institutions - comprising commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions - and insurance companies decreased by 12% and increased by 10%, respectively. Advances to depository institutions, as a percent of total advances outstanding at par value, were 48% at March 31, 2022, while advances to insurance companies were 52%. Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio 5 Purchases of mortgage loans from the Bank's members for the three months ended March 31, 2022 totaled $460 million. Mortgage loans held for portfolio at March 31, 2022 totaled $7.7 billion, a net increase of $86 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2021, as the Bank's purchases exceeded principal repayments by borrowers. Liquidity 6 The liquidity portfolio, which consists of cash and short-term investments as well as U. S. Treasury securities, at March 31, 2022 totaled $14.3 billion, a net increase of $3.3 billion, or 30%, from December 31, 2021. Cash and short-term investments increased by $2.5 billion, or 36%, to $9.6 billion. U.S. Treasury securities, classified as trading securities, increased by $806 million, or 20%, to $4.7 billion. As a result, cash and short-term investments represented 67% of the liquidity portfolio at March 31, 2022, while U.S. Treasury securities represented 33%. Consolidated Obligations 7 FHLBank Indianapolis' consolidated obligations outstanding at March 31, 2022 totaled $57.8 billion, a net increase of $3.3 billion, or 6%, from December 31, 2021, which reflected increased funding needs associated with the net increase in the Bank's total assets. 4 Advances are secured loans that the Bank provides to its member institutions. 5 The Bank purchases mortgage loans from its members to support its housing mission, provide an additional source of liquidity to its members, and diversify its investments. 6 The Bank's liquidity portfolio consists of cash, interest-bearing deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, federal funds sold and U.S. Treasury securities. Such portfolio enables the Bank to be a reliable liquidity provider to its members. 7 The primary source of funds for FHLBank Indianapolis, and for the other FHLBanks, is the sale of FHLBanks' consolidated obligations in the capital markets. FHLBank Indianapolis is the primary obligor for the payment of the principal and interest on the consolidated obligations issued on its behalf; additionally, it is jointly and severally liable with each of the other FHLBanks for all of the FHLBanks' consolidated obligations outstanding. Capital 8 Total capital at March 31, 2022 was $3.4 billion, a net decrease of $183 million, or 5%, from December 31, 2021, primarily due to repurchases of capital stock. The Bank's regulatory capital-to-assets ratio9 at March 31, 2022 was 5.33%, which exceeds all applicable regulatory capital requirements. Condensed Statements of Condition The following table presents unaudited condensed statements of condition ($ amounts in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Advances $ 26,588 $ 27,498 Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net 7,702 7,616 Cash and short-term investments 9,566 7,048 Investment securities and other assets (a) 19,159 17,843 Total assets $ 63,015 $ 60,005 Consolidated obligations $ 57,805 $ 54,478 MRCS 46 50 Other liabilities 1,791 1,921 Total liabilities 59,642 56,449 Capital stock (b) 2,122 2,246 Retained earnings (c) 1,192 1,177 Accumulated other comprehensive income 59 133 Total capital 3,373 3,556 Total liabilities and capital $ 63,015 $ 60,005 Total regulatory capital (d) $ 3,360 $ 3,473 Regulatory capital-to-assets ratio 5.33 % 5.79 % (a) Includes trading, held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities. (b) Putable by members at par value. (c) Includes restricted retained earnings at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 of $292 million and $287 million, respectively. (d) Consists of total capital less accumulated other comprehensive income plus mandatorily redeemable capital stock. 8 FHLBank Indianapolis is a cooperative whose member financial institutions and former members own all of its capital stock as a condition of membership and to support outstanding credit products. 9 Total regulatory capital, which consists of capital stock, mandatorily redeemable capital stock and retained earnings, as a percentage of total assets. All amounts referenced above are unaudited. More detailed information about FHLBank Indianapolis' financial condition as of March 31, 2022, and results for the three months then ended will be included in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Bank's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Safe Harbor Statement This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events and performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will," "believes," "may," "temporary," "estimates," and "expects" or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release reflects FHLBank Indianapolis' current beliefs and expectations. Actual results or performance may differ materially from what is expressed in any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. FHLBank Indianapolis undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Readers are referred to the documents filed by the Bank with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which include factors that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. These reports are available at www.sec.gov . Building Partnerships. Serving Communities. FHLBank Indianapolis is a regional bank included in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members' customers. FHLBanks are privately capitalized and funded, and receive no Congressional appropriations. FHLBank Indianapolis is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. For more information about FHLBank Indianapolis, visit www.fhlbi.com. MONTGOMERY, Ala., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GovDeals, the leading online auction platform for government agencies and educational institutions to sell their surplus assets, has recently hosted several successful miniature train auctions for multiple sellers across the United States. Over the last two years, GovDeals has experienced an influx of these smaller-sized locomotives for sale as agencies look to accumulate additional streams of revenue from retired, or no longer needed, equipment. Miniature trains are ground level railways that typically haul passengers using locomotives that are smaller models of full-sized railway locomotives powered by diesel or petrol engines. Miniature trains are most often used in amusement parks, zoos and other kid-friendly establishments to move many guests from one place to another. Enhanced health and safety measures across the US have halted many close contact attractions, including miniature trains. As a result, agencies have been left with viable rail equipment that they can no longer use or earn revenue from but may be costing them maintenance and storage fees. After nearly two years of no use, the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government decided the nearly $1 million that was needed to get their two 2012 miniature passenger trains back into operation was not a feasible option for their county. As a result, they turned to GovDeals to recoup some of their already spent funds. One of the trains, a yellow 2012 Severn Lam Miniature Passenger Train, was sold locally to a distillery in nearby Frankfort, KY. The locomotive sold for $228,000 after receiving 45 bids during its five-week auction. Kristie Wooldridge, the distillerys public relations associate manager, told the State Journal, It is exciting news to be able to bring a train engine to the site for visitors to enjoy. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a long-standing historical connection to the railroad, and it was of critical importance to prosperity of the distillery back in the day. The other train, a 2012 Severn Lam Miniature Passenger Train, sold for $250,000 after receiving 57 bids during the five-week auction. In addition to the trains sold in Kentucky, several other sellers have found success in their recent sales of miniature trains. Some of the recently sold trains include: The Wheeling Park Commission in West Virginia listed two 1977 Chance C.P. Huntington Trains for sale. The first received 90 bids during the two-week sale and sold for $130,250. The second 1977 Chance C.P. Huntington Train sold by Wheeling Park Commission received 39 bids and sold for $66,900 after a two-week sale. A 1953 MTC Miniature Train sold by the City of Goldsboro, NC. During the three-week sale, this train received 18 bids and sold for $28,900. These 2004 and 2015 CP Huntington 102 Amusement Park Trains sold by Oklahoma City Zoological Trust received 24 bids during the three-week auction and sold for $179,001. The many recent sales indicate there is a market for miniature trains. If your government agency or educational institution has a train to sell, miniature or otherwise, or is interested in offering any of your surplus items to more than 4.7 million qualified buyers around the world, please visit GovDeals.com/AboutUs to learn more. Auctions on GovDeals are open to the public. To bid on any auction on GovDeals, all buyers must register a bidder account with GovDeals. New bidder registration can be completed at GovDeals.com/Register. About GovDeals GovDeals is the worlds leading marketplace for surplus government and educational assets, ranging from heavy equipment and transportation assets to industrial machinery and real estate properties. GovDeals specializes in surplus disposition technology, partnering with government agencies and related entities to sell "as is, where is" surplus equipment and materials in a transparent fashion. Sellers can directly launch and manage their listings in just days with more control and lower fees than traditional auction solutions. GovDeals is powered by one of the most experienced and trusted companies in the surplus industry: Liquidity Services (NASDAQ: LQDT), which has supported millions of customers across the globe. GovDeals buyers have direct access to all the surplus assets across Liquidity Services network of marketplaces in one centralized location. ORANJESTAD, ARUBA, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After two long years, the 4th Annual Long Table Aruba hosted by Wind Creek Aruba returns to the island for a one-night, white-hot dinner thats billed as The only meal worth $40,000 for Aruba. This years event is slated for Sunday, August 28 and will feature the beloved 1,000-foot-long table setting for 1,000 guests located outside Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort in downtown Oranjestad, overlooking the marina. Tickets are $40 and go on sale June 15th. Since its inception in 2017, Long Table Aruba has raised more than $75,000 for Aruba-based charities and is the marquee giving event for Wind Creek operations in Aruba. This years event also marks the fifth anniversary of the Wind Creek Hospitality acquisition of Renaissance Aruba. To celebrate the milestone, Wind Creek Hospitality will award one local charity $40,000 - a sum greater than all previous Long Table Aruba event donations. Our properties across the globe are committed to weaving ourselves into the fabric of the communities where we live and operate, said Wind Creek Aruba General Manager Paul Gielen. Events like Long Table Aruba offer hospitality in the best sense - a chance for community members to engage and embrace each other, all while encouraging the supportive spirit of what makes this island more than home to many of us. This years event will feature a community-driven process for deciding which organization will benefit from the event's proceeds, to be announced at a later date. Community impact and disaster relief is a tenet of Wind Creek Aruba property operations. Since arriving to the island, Wind Creek Aruba has raised funds through their on-site hallmark events, Long Table Aruba and Winter Wonderland, in addition to providing in-kind hospitality and food donations year-round to organizations in need of disaster relief. Gielen continued, The last two years have brought hardships, and hope, to this island. We want to hear from organizations directly about what they need, how we can help make an impact and how we can use community-based insights to evolve our giving program. Were looking forward to sharing those details soon, and to seeing the Long Table return for a memorable night. ### ABOUT WIND CREEK ARUBA Located in the capital city of Oranjestad, Wind Creek Aruba is the islands premier destination. Featuring a partnership with Renaissance Aruba, the resort provides two distinct experiences: the adult exclusive Renaissance Marina Hotel and the secluded Renaissance Ocean Suites. The resort is the only property in Aruba offering its own private island exclusive to resort guests and accessible only by water taxi. Other resort amenities include over a dozen dining options including Jimmy Buffetts 5 OClock Somewhere Bar & Grill and Starbucks, a marina, upscale retail boutiques, local merchants, two casinos, the 3,500 square-foot Okeanos Spa, a six-theatre cinema, and a convention center housing Aruba's largest meeting facility. For more information or reservations, visit WindCreek.com/Aruba ABOUT WIND CREEK HOSPITALITY Wind Creek Hospitality is an authority of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized Indian Tribe in the state of Alabama. Wind Creek Hospitality manages the Tribe's gaming facilities including: Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Aruba, Wind Creek Bethlehem, Wind Creek Chicago Southland (opening 2023), Wind Creek Curacao, Wind Creek Montgomery, Wind Creek Wetumpka, Wa She Shu Casino in Nevada, WindCreekCasino.com as well as racetracks in Alabama and Florida. Visit www.windcreek.com for more information. Attachment WESTPORT, Conn., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the Worlds #1 digital platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world, is excited to be hosting its 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation Executive Leadership Summit on May 10. HMG Strategys highly interactive events bring together the worlds most distinguished and innovative business technology and security leaders to discuss the most pressing leadership, innovation, strategic, cultural, technology and career challenges and opportunities that they face today and into the future. The 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation Executive Leadership Summit will bring together the industrys top technology and AI leaders to explore the most compelling business and operational use cases for AI, machine learning and automation along with recommendation from practitioners on the top attributes of AI-powered products and services. Our 2022 Technology Research Agenda which is based on peer insights from the 400,000+ technology executives in the HMG community reveals that corporate technology leaders are extremely interested in identifying effective use cases for AI, machine learning and automation that can deliver quantifiable business and operational value to the enterprise, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO at HMG Strategy. World-class technology executives and industry experts speaking at the 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation Executive Leadership Summit will include: Judith Apshago , Vice President of Information Technology, Amtrak , Vice President of Information Technology, Amtrak Bob Bruns , CIO & CISO, Avanade , CIO & CISO, Avanade Michael Frankel , Founder and Managing Partner, Trajectory Capital Partners , Founder and Managing Partner, Trajectory Capital Partners Dax Grant , CIO, Global Operations, HSBC , CIO, Global Operations, HSBC Frank Kelly , VP of Enterprise Transformation, Automation Anywhere , VP of Enterprise Transformation, Automation Anywhere Haresh Keswani , Director - Commercialization IT Business Partner (Oncology, Immunology and Cardiovascular), Bristol-Myers Squibb , Director - Commercialization IT Business Partner (Oncology, Immunology and Cardiovascular), Bristol-Myers Squibb Quintin McGrath , Former Global Senior Managing Director, Technology Management & Enablement, Global Shared Technology Services, Business Solutions, Deloitte (Retired) , Former Global Senior Managing Director, Technology Management & Enablement, Global Shared Technology Services, Business Solutions, Deloitte (Retired) Manav Misra , Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Regions Financial Corporation , Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Regions Financial Corporation Michol Porter , Senior Manager of Digital Vehicle Solutions, Daimler Trucks North America , Senior Manager of Digital Vehicle Solutions, Daimler Trucks North America Dr. Kenneth Russell , Chief Innovation Officer, Curran Biotech , Chief Innovation Officer, Curran Biotech Raju Sankuratri , VP & CIO, Facilities Services, Aramark , VP & CIO, Facilities Services, Aramark Asha Saxena , Founder and CEO, Women Leaders in Data & AI , Founder and CEO, Women Leaders in Data & AI Jeff Wald, Co-Founder and Chairman, Sonero Valued Partners for the 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation Executive Leadership Summit include Aisera, Akamai, Automation Anywhere, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Fortinet, Globant, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SIM Portland, SIM Seattle, Skybox Security, Strata, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. To learn more about the 2022 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. The 2022 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit will bring together the top technology executives from Arizona and the surrounding area who will share their recommendations for fostering the cultural change thats needed along with practical advice on how to act as a talent magnet to win the global war for talent. World-class CIOs, technology executives and industry experts who will be speaking at the 2022 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include: Mike Anderson , Chief Digital and Information Officer, Netskope , Chief Digital and Information Officer, Netskope Renee Arrington , President, COO & Director, Pearson Partners International, Inc. , President, COO & Director, Pearson Partners International, Inc. Max Chan , CIO, Avnet , CIO, Avnet Jamey Cummings , Partner Cybersecurity and Technology, JM Search , Partner Cybersecurity and Technology, JM Search Gary Desai , CIO, Discount Tire , CIO, Discount Tire Gunjan Goel , CIO, ST Engineering , CIO, ST Engineering Frank Grimmelmann , Founder, President & CEO/Intelligent Liaison Officer, Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance , Founder, President & CEO/Intelligent Liaison Officer, Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance Vishwa Hassan , Director Data and Analytics, USAA , Director Data and Analytics, USAA Laura Hemenway , Founder and Principal, Paradigm Solutions LLC , Founder and Principal, Paradigm Solutions LLC Scott Hicar , SVP & CIO, Benchmark Electronics , SVP & CIO, Benchmark Electronics Firasat Hussain , CTO, arrivia , CTO, arrivia John Iannarelli , Former FBI Special Agent and Senior Executive Advisor, FBI , Former FBI Special Agent and Senior Executive Advisor, FBI Mike Josephson , Senior Solutions Architect, OutSystems , Senior Solutions Architect, OutSystems Sheila Lehker , SVP, Cizek Associates, Inc. , SVP, Cizek Associates, Inc. Ralph Loura , SVP & CIO, Lumentum , SVP & CIO, Lumentum Michael McAndrews , Chief Technology and Security Officer, PacketWatch , Chief Technology and Security Officer, PacketWatch Mark Morawski , CTO, ZaloPay , CTO, ZaloPay Jon Relvas , Director, Business Development for Corporate Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Arizona State University , Director, Business Development for Corporate Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Arizona State University Dan Saltich , CIO, Shamrock Foods Company , CIO, Shamrock Foods Company Kris Singleton , President & CIO, Enseo , President & CIO, Enseo Diane Smigel , President and CEO, Palladium IT Advisors , President and CEO, Palladium IT Advisors Todd Stewart , VP of IT Data Centers and Network Engineering, Honeywell , VP of IT Data Centers and Network Engineering, Honeywell Simon Taylor , President, SIM Arizona; EVP, PacketWatch , President, SIM Arizona; EVP, PacketWatch Hakan Yaren, CIO, APL Logistics Valued Partners for the 2022 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit include Akamai, Apptio, BetterCloud, Centripetal, Darktrace, Fortinet, Globant, Moveworks, Netskope, Nutanix, OutSystems, Palo Alto Networks, ReliaQuest, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SIM Arizona, Skybox Security, Strata, Tanium, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here. To learn about all of HMG Strategys Upcoming CIO & CISO Summits, click here . About HMG Strategy HMG Strategy is the world's leading digital platform for connecting technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. The HMG Strategy global network consists of more than 400,000 CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, senior business technology executives, search industry executives, venture capitalists, industry experts and world-class thought leaders. HMG Strategys global media model generates more than one million impressions per week, providing vast opportunities for business technology leaders and sponsor partners to promote themselves and their brands. HMG Strategy was founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a leadership expert who has worked side-by-side with Fortune 2000 executives with strategic planning and career ascent for the past 30+ years. HMG Strategys regional and virtual CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven guidance from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent. HMG Strategy offers a range of peer-led research services such as its CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) program which bring together the worlds top CIOs, CISOs and technology executives to brainstorm on the top opportunities and challenges facing them in their roles. HMG Strategys Global Peer Actionable Insights Services Stack is a unique set of research services that are designed to keep business technology executives up to speed on the latest leadership, business, technology and global geo-economic trends that are impacting businesses and industries. HMG Ventures is a venture capital unit thats designed to connect CIOs, CTOs, CISOs and other technology executives with innovative early-stage technology companies from Silicon Valley to Tel Aviv. HMG Ventures provides technology executives with a window into hot emerging technology companies that can help move the needle for their businesses while also offering these executives unparalleled personal investment opportunities. One early-stage investment in an enterprise-level AI-powered service management provider has generated a 100X return. HMG Strategy also produces the HMG Security Innovation Accelerator Panel, a new webinar series thats designed to connect enterprise technology and security leaders with the most innovative technology and cybersecurity companies from across the world. To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b40d89d2-225f-4c8a-bb6e-05bc269b2202 Toronto, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Police Association of Ontario is very excited to learn of Ontarios planned $45 million investment in supporting the mental health of first responders, announced today in the provincial budget. The PAO has advocated for the need to ensure that police personnel and other first responders have access to quality, specialized care in relation to mental health struggles that too often stem from on-the-job traumas. Member mental health and wellness has been a top priority of the PAO and of mine for a number of years. When we brought this initiative to Solicitor General Jones, she made it clear that the wellness of our membership was a priority for her and for her government, said PAO President Mark Baxter. Im really encouraged to see that this government recognizes the need to provide 24/7 wellness support for police personnel and their families. As part of the provincial budget, the Solicitor General will administer a program to distribute $45 million over three years to support organizations and programs that provide public safety personnel (PSP) with access to specialized mental health services. The focus is on mental health promotion and resiliency, as well as early intervention and treatment. Funding will support police, corrections, emergency health services and fire. The funding will also include programs to support employee and family assistance programs. The Solicitor General is also going to invest $0.5M to create an online province-wide inventory of regionally available mental health programs restricted to wellness coordinators across fire, police, corrections and emergency health services. These programs will focus on mental health promotion, resiliency, early intervention and treatment for PSP including municipal police and fire and emergency health services, as well as provincial correctional employees, the Ontario Provincial Police and their families. The PAO is looking forward to working with the Solicitor General to get these programs implemented across the province for our members and for all first responders across Ontario, said Baxter. Ontarios police personnel need 24/7 crisis support and the resources to help themselves in order to effectively help others. They need to feel safe and they need dedicated care. This program needs to make a real impact in reducing the stigma attached to mental health in policing and hopefully also help to reduce the rise in PTSD cases that were seeing in first responders. We know that one in five first responders develop PTSD in their lifetime. We also know that between three and five police suicides happen every year and 30% have had suicidal thoughts. Having dedicated resources for police personnel is vital for helping to reduce these numbers. This $45 million in mental health funding for first responders comes just a few months after the announcement that the province is building a dedicated mental health facility for first responders, with the provincial and federal governments each providing $1 million for the capital planning stage of the facility. The Runnymede First Responders PTSI Rehabilitation Centre is due to be completed in late 2024. -30- About the Police Association of Ontario (PAO): Founded in 1933, the Police Association of Ontario (PAO) is the official provincial representative body for over 28,000 sworn and civilian police personnel from 45 police associations across Ontario. A unifying voice for advocacy in policing, the PAO provides its member associations with representation, resource, and support. SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) congratulates director Scott Syphax on being named to the 2022 NACD Directorship 100 list, an annual recognition of influential peer-nominated directors and governance professionals by the National Association of Corporate Directors. Syphax joined the Board of Directors of FHLBank San Francisco in 2002 and was vice chair of the board from 2010 to 2012. He is the organizations longest-serving director. In addition to the FHLBank San Francisco board, he serves on the boards of the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation, ProAssurance Corp. and NORCAL Mutual Insurance Co. Syphax is CEO of Syphax Strategic Solutions Inc., a management consulting and business development firm in Elk Grove, California, that focuses on the real estate development, health care and community finance sectors. He previously served as CEO and chairman of Nehemiah Corporation of America, a community development corporation in Sacramento, and as manager of public affairs for Eli Lilly & Company. We are proud that Scott has been recognized by NACD for his leadership in the boardroom, said Simone Lagomarsino, chair of the FHLBank San Francisco Board of Directors. He is an indisputable asset to our board and our organization, and we truly value his wisdom, perspectives, sage advice and thoughtful approach. We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition. Scott has consistently demonstrated excellence in the boardroom, and we are delighted to see his innovation, courage and integrity honored, said FHLBank San Francisco president and CEO Teresa Bryce Bazemore. His impact extends well beyond FHLBank San Francisco, as he has led a decades-long effort to open doors for diverse director candidates and help organizations enhance their governance and performance by harnessing the power of diversity and inclusion. Directorship 100 honorees will be recognized at the 2022 NACD Directorship 100 Awards Gala on June 22 in New York City and will be highlighted in the NACD Directorship magazines annual list of the Most Influential People in Boardrooms and Corporate Governance. In 2021, FHLBank San Franciscos board was among three winners of the NACD DE&I Award, which highlights forward-thinking boards that leverage the power of diversity, equity and inclusion to enhance their governance and create long-term value for their organizations and stakeholders. About Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California and Nevada strengthen communities, create opportunity and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies and community development financial institutions promote homeownership, expand access to quality housing and boost economic development. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient. About NACD For more than 40 years, NACD has been on the leading edge of corporate governance, setting standards of excellence that have elevated board performance. NACD arms todays directors with insights and education that drive their mission forward, while preparing a new generation of boardroom leaders to meet tomorrows biggest challenges. NACD is a community of more than 23,000 directors driven by a common purpose: to be trusted catalysts of economic opportunity and positive change in businesses and in the communities they serve. To learn more about NACD, visit www.nacdonline.org. Vaughan, Ont., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) welcomes the Ontario Governments continued focussed investment in critical infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing province. The $25.1 billion in todays Ontario Budget for highway expansion rehabilitation, roads and bridges, including the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413, is crucial to keeping people and goods on the move across Ontario and the provinces long-term prosperity. These critical infrastructure investments reflect an understanding that we must start to build the infrastructure of tomorrow, today. said Nadia Todorova, Executive Director of RCCAO. By building the Bradford Bypass, Highway 413, and transit across the province, the government is acting with welcomed foresight in laying the foundation for Ontarios long-term continued economic development and prosperity." The prioritization of critical infrastructure from the Ontario Government will meaningfully address the infrastructure deficit caused by years of under-investment. Additionally, it lays the foundation to meet the demands of a growing province, while modernizing Ontarios transportation grid that includes both roads and public transit. The budgets allocation of $61.1 billion for transit will help grow transit-oriented communities in the provinces fastest growing regions. As the population of the province grows, demand will increase on all infrastructure, from transit, highways, roads, bridges, water and wastewater to housing. Inaction would have real consequences. Congestion already costs the Greater Toronto Area $11 billion per year in lost productivity. Todays budget ensures that the mistakes of the past are not repeated and infrastructure assets across Ontario will be built and maintained for everyones long-term prosperity. RCCAO is also pleased to see the province continue to support municipalities with the impacts of the pandemic on their operating budgets. The $316.2 million financial assistance matching the Federal Governments contribution for municipalities is crucial to ensure cities state-of-good-repair projects proceed without interruptions or cuts, said Nadia Todorova. RCCAO welcomes the governments continued focus on increasing housing supply in the province with the creation of Housing Supply Action Plans annually for the next four years. The housing crisis has a real cost for the people of Ontario. RCCAO will be a collaborative participant to see more homes built each and every year across the province. RCCAO members are ready to work to build critical infrastructure and housing to realize the prosperous future for the people of Ontario. ------------------------ RCCAO Executive Director Nadia Todorova is available for interviews. Background on RCCAO: The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) is a labour-management construction alliance. Since its formation in 2005, RCCAO has been a leading industry advocate for infrastructure investment. It has commissioned 60 independent, solutions-based research reports to help inform decision makers. www.rccao.com Attachment Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States Toronto, Ontario, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avante Logixx Inc. (TSXV: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) (Avante or the Company) announces the grant of stock options to certain officers and directors of the Company for the purchase of up to 1,100,000 common shares of Avante, effective as of today. Emmanuel Mounouchos, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has been granted options to acquire up to 800,000 common shares of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Companys 10% rolling stock option plan. Twenty-five percent of Mr. Mounouchos options will vest on the first anniversary of the date of the grant, at an exercise price of $0.88 per share. The remaining options vest as follows: (i) an additional 25% upon the second anniversary of the date of the grant, at an exercise price of $0.97 per share, (ii) an additional 25% upon the third anniversary of the date of the grant, at an exercise price of $1.07 per share, and (iii) an additional 25% upon the fourth anniversary of the date of the grant, at an exercise price of $1.18 per share. All of Mr. Mounouchos options have a term of five years from the date of grant. In addition, Leland Verner, Robert Klopot and Wesley Hall, each of whom are directors of the Company, have been granted options to acquire 100,000 common shares of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Companys 10% rolling stock option plan. The options granted to each of Mr. Verner, Mr. Klopot and Mr. Hall will have an exercise price of $0.88 per share, and will be fully vested immediately upon grant. All of the options granted to each of Mr. Verner, Mr. Klopot and Mr. Hall have a term of five years from the date of grant. About Avante Logixx Inc. Avante Logixx Inc. (TSXV: XX) is a Toronto based provider of high-end security services operating with two subsidiaries. Logixx Security supports enterprise customers across Canada, while Avante Security serves residential customers located in Toronto and Muskoka regions of Ontario, Canada. With experienced teams, a focus on customer service and development of innovative solutions, we remain committed to providing our shareholders with exceptional returns. Please visit our website at www.avantelogixx.com. Avante Logixx Inc. Emmanuel Mounouchos CEO 416 923 6984 manny@avantesecurity.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. GUADALAJARA, Mexico, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (the Company or GAP) announces that in accordance with the resolution approved in the Annual General Ordinary Shareholders Meeting held on April 22, 2022, regarding the dividend payment of Ps.14.40 (FOURTEEN PESOS 40/100 M.N.) per each outstanding share, the Company decided to execute it in different installments. The first installment of the dividend payment will be equivalent to Ps. 7.20 (SEVEN PESOS 20/100 M.N.) per each outstanding share and will be paid on May 16, 2022. Company Description Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexicos Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAPs shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PAC and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GAP. In April 2015, GAP acquired 100% of Desarrollo de Concessioner Aeroportuarias, S.L., which owns a majority stake in MBJ Airports Limited, a company operating Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In October 2018, GAP entered into a concession agreement for the operation of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica and took control of the operation in October 2019. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts and are based on managements current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, plans and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and article 42 of the Ley del Mercado de Valores, GAP has implemented a whistleblower program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that June involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party that is in charge of collecting these complaints, is 01 800 563 00 47. The web site is www.lineadedenuncia.com/gap . GAPs Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Silver Bull Resources, Inc. (TSX: SVB, OTCQB: SVBL) (Silver Bull or the Company) is pleased to announce the detailed voting results of the proposals considered at its annual meeting of shareholders held on April 19, 2022 (the Meeting). A total of 15,598,424 or 44.49% of the Companys issued and outstanding shares were represented at the Meeting. The following nominees, as listed in Silver Bulls proxy statement, were re-elected as directors of the Company: Director Votes For % Withheld Votes % Brian Edgar 10,829,832 96.61% 379,569 3.39% Timothy Barry 10,827,432 96.59% 381,969 3.41% Daniel Kunz 10,830,821 96.62% 378,580 3.38% David Underwood 10,833,956 96.65% 375,445 3.35% Silver Bull is also pleased to announce that the Companys shareholders have ratified and approved the appointment of Smythe LLP, as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2022 (15,392,503 or 98.68% voted For, 20,101 or 0.13% voted Against and 185,812 or 1.19% abstained from voting). The Companys shareholders also voted to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys named executive officers (10,531,387 or 93.95% voted For, 568,766 or 5.07% voted Against, and 109,248 or 0.97% abstained from voting). Finally, a majority of the Company's disinterested shareholders voted to approve and adopt the Company's amendment to the 2019 stock option and stock bonus plan (10,442,723 or 93.16% voted "For", 677,334 or 6.04% voted "Against", and 89,344 or 0.80% abstained from voting) and all unallocated entitlements issuable thereunder (10,472,908 or 93.43% voted "For", 637,445 or 5.69% voted "Against", and 99,048 or 0.88% abstained from voting). Full details of the proposals are fully described in the Companys definitive proxy statement filed on February 25, 2022 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. About Silver Bull Silver Bulls primary asset is the Sierra Mojada deposit located in Coahuila, Mexico. Sierra Mojada is an open pittable oxide deposit with a NI 43-101 compliant Measured and Indicated global Mineral Resource of 70.4 million tonnes grading 3.4% zinc and 38.6 g/t silver for 5.35 billion pounds of contained zinc and 87.4 million ounces of contained silver. Included within the global Mineral Resource is a Measured and Indicated high grade zinc zone of 13.5 million tonnes with an average grade of 11.2% zinc at a 6% cutoff, for 3.336 billion pounds of contained zinc, and a Measured and Indicated high grade silver zone of 15.2 million tonnes with an average grade of 114.9 g/t silver at a 50 g/t cutoff for 56.3 million contained ounces of silver. Mineralization remains open in the east, west, and northerly directions. The constraining pit was optimised and calculated using a NSR cut-off based on a silver price of US$15/oz, and a zinc price of US$1.20/lb and assumed a recovery for silver of 75% and a recovery for zinc of 41%. Approximately 60% of the current 3.2 kilometer mineralized body is at or near surface before dipping at around 6 degrees to the east. CATEGORY TONNES (MT) AG (G/T) CU (%) PB (%) ZN (%) AG (MOZS) CU (MLBS) PB (MLBS) ZN (MLBS) MEASURED 52.0 39.2 0.04% 0.3% 4.0% 65.5 45.9 379.1 4,589.3 INDICATED 18.4 37.0 0.03% 0.2% 1.9% 21.9 10.8 87.0 764.6 TOTAL M&I 70.4 38.6 0.04% 0.3% 3.4% 87.4 56.8 466.1 5,353.9 INFERRED 0.1 8.8 0.02% 0.2% 6.4% 0.02 0.04 0.4 10.7 For a full summary of the Sierra Mojada resource, please refer to Silver Bulls press release dated October 31, 2018 and filed on its profile at www.SEDAR.com , or by visiting the following link: https://www.silverbullresources.com/news/silver-bull-resources-announces-5.35-billion-pounds-zinc-87.4-million-ounces-silver-in-updated-sierra-mojada-measured-and/ The technical information of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Tim Barry, a Chartered Professional Geologist (CPAusIMM), and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors Tim Barry Tim Barry, CPAusIMM Chief Executive Officer, President and Director INVESTOR RELATIONS: +1 604 687 5800 info@silverbullresources.com Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources: This press release uses the terms measured resources, indicated resources, and inferred resources which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. We advise U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the SEC. The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. Disclosure of contained ounces in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute reserves by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101. Cautionary note regarding forward looking statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Silver Bulls and Arrass future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the Mineral Resource estimates for the Sierra Mojada projects and the development of the project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Silver Bulls and Arrass exploration projects, the industry in which Silver Bull operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Silver Bulls management. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, continues, may, variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to future periods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including such factors as whether managements focus will be as described in this news release, the results of exploration activities and whether the results continue to support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption Risk Factors in Silver Bulls Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the interim period ended January 31, 2022, and our other periodic and current reports filed with the SEC and available on www.sec.gov and with the Canadian securities commissions available on www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Costa Mesa, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costa Mesa, California - Costa Mesa, CA The Hulu drama series Dopesick is a harrowing look at the beginnings of the opioid crisis in America. It traces the situation to a pharmaceutical companys high-pressure marketing campaigns that hooked countless pain patients and brought many of them to tragic endings. The series takes the usual liberties that most docu-dramas do, such as creating fictional characters from facts that apply to various real people, but its most important elements are, unfortunately, all too true. Resurgence Behavioral Health, a California addiction treatment center fighting the opioid epidemic on the front lines, welcomes Hulus contribution to raising awareness of the current crisis. The hit series has also been praised by families who have lost loved ones, many of whom were only seeking relief from intense physical pain but fell victim to addiction. Released in 2021, the limited series is based on the book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy. It argues that pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, made billions of dollars by deliberately promoting the false claim that their OxyContin painkiller was harmless that only 1 percent of users would get addicted to it. Over the course of the series, the Sacklers and the employees are shown ratcheting up the OxyContin campaign as more and more users have their lives ruined by addiction. At the same time, it dramatizes the U.S. Department of Justices long and often frustrating criminal investigation of Purdue Pharma. The Sacklers have consistently denied any personal responsibility for the opioid addiction crisis, claiming they acted lawfully and ethically. They have continued to insist on their lack of responsibility even as they agreed to a settlement reached in March 2022. The agreement calls for them to pay as much as $6 billion to states and individual claimants for the damage their product inflicted. Real people portrayed in the series include members of the Sackler family and the federal investigators. Other characters are fictional but represent real situations. They include pain patients who began taking OxyContin for severe physical pain but quickly become crushed by addiction. One is a young mine worker, one of many residents of the Appalachia region who the series presents as particular targets of the OxyContin campaign. Another is her doctor, played by Michael Keaton, who unwittingly contributed to his patients addictions by prescribing the drug for their intense pain. The doctor eventually begins taking it himself for an injury in a car accident and becomes addicted. Producers of the series have said they were determined to portray Appalachia and its people accurately and fairly, aware of the many inaccurate stereotypes often presented about the region. They say they did extensive research for all portrayals, speaking in detail with people from small towns who were struggling with opioid use disorder. They also consulted a doctor who had been addicted to OxyContin, whose experience helped inform Keatons character, Dr. Samuel Finnix. The series includes segments following Dr. Finnix into drug rehab after he loses his medical license due to his addiction. These episodes accurately depict the desperation that brings many addicts to finally seek help and offer a realistic view of the rehab experience. Resurgence Behavioral Health offers comprehensive treatment for substance-use disorders involving alcohol, drugs, and prescription painkillers and for associated mental health issues. Anyone searching for addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one may begin the process of recovery by visiting Resurgence Behavioral Health online or calling 855-458-0050. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzrLrUG2QVk ### For more information about Resurgence Alcohol & Drug Rehab Costa Mesa, contact the company here: Resurgence Alcohol & Drug Rehab Costa Mesa +19498996003 Fort Lauderdale, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Fort Lauderdale, FL Addiction can be a dark and lonely place, and its easy to lose hope. But even when a person feels theyve lost the battle, everything can change, and hope returns. That was the experience of a Fort Lauderdale woman who found sobriety after 10 years of struggling. She was so grateful she wrote a heartfelt 5-star review of the treatment center where she found success. Amy achieved her long-sought recovery at Serenity Oaks Wellness Center, an addiction treatment center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I cant say enough phenomenal things about this place, Amy wrote about Serenity Oaks. Going through their program gave me my life back. I had lived in a fog for over a decade and felt like I had no hope. From the time I walked through the door, I was treated with respect and compassion by every staff member. Serenity Oaks Wellness treats many different addictions involving both drugs and alcohol. The goal is to help clients clarify the source of their addiction, look at the habits and influences that led to their using drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms, and find new healthier patterns. Treatment is customized according to the nature of the misused substance, whether thats alcohol, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, or prescription drugs. Therapy is also offered for dual diagnosis, in which substance abuse is accompanied by an underlying mental or emotional disorder. Many clients also are admitted for poly-drug use, combining multiple substances at once. The program takes a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment. Like many others, it integrates medical and behavioral modalities but adds life skills and recreational therapy to cover all of the clients needs: physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Its treatment specialists know that dependence affects all aspects of the clients life and must be addressed holistically. For Amy, the most valuable element of Serenity Oaks was the treatment team she worked with there. It is truly a team effort there, she wrote. From the therapists to all the behavioral techs, nurses, and everyone I encountered there, they all contributed to my recovery. Bella was my assigned therapist, but I had many others that always had their door open for me. Bella was wonderful and will always have a special place in my heart. Honestly, there are so many staff members there that I will never forget. Team truly describes the philosophy at Serenity Oaks Wellness. Here, clients and staff work together as one community. They walk each clients journey together, creating a peaceful, fulfilling life free of chemical or alcoholic stimulation. In this judgment-free zone, clients can focus on their recovery and know that they have partners who are there to help them succeed. Serenity Oaks physical facilities are a crucial part of the recovery process. They are located on 7.5 acres of naturally landscaped grounds, which creates an atmosphere of tranquility essential to recovery. Deluxe accommodations with comfortable amenities are not just pampering luxuries; they enable clients to focus on their recovery, feel positive about themselves, and see that a sober life can be a happy one. For Amy, everything about Serenity Oaks Wellness was a positive experience. Dont waste time trying to beat addiction on your own, she urged. Take advantage of this place. Take it from someone who was terrified and didnt want to admit that I needed help, and trust them. You wont regret it! For more information on drug or alcohol addiction treatment, including related emotional or psychological disorders, visit Serenity Oaks Wellness Center or call (833) 720-0708. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tf1x2wT_RA ### For more information about Serenity Oaks Wellness Center, contact the company here: Serenity Oaks Wellness Center (954) 289-9980 4200 SW 54th Ct, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 Following a three-month feasibility study, Aviation H2an Australian-owned company seeking to achieve net-zero emissions in the aerospace sector through green hydrogenhas selected the use of liquid ammonia to turbofan combustion as the best route to carbon-free flight and will soon start modifying turbofan engines to test and prove the concept. The company, which is launching a $500,000 capital raise via the online platform VCEX to fund the construction of its first modification prototype, says the results from their studies were very positive. Their research shows that converting a Falcon 50 to Liquid Ammonia Turbofan Combustion is the most efficient and commercially viable avenue to building a hydrogen-powered plane. The companys team of engineers say they now have a clear pathway to having Australias first hydrogen-fuelled aircraft in the skies by the middle of 2023. By implementing this power path, Aviation H2 can fly aircraft with hydrogen fuel using significantly less weight than alternative power paths while generating the same amount of power. There are multiple reasons why liquid ammonia was selected. Chiefly its advantages include high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen density that makes it lighter and easier to transport while providing a greater energy conversion rate. In fact, the stored weight of liquid ammonia energy is substantially lighter than gaseous hydrogen and can be kept at a much lower tank pressure. Aviation H2 Director, Dr Helmut Mayer Dr Mayer says this is supported by anhydrous ammonia reaching liquification point quicker, which makes it a lot simpler to store when compared to liquid or gasified hydrogen. Additionally, worldwide transportation and handling of liquid ammonia has been around for many years, making ammonia as a carbon-free fuel even more appealing. The company has selected the Dassault Falcon 50 business jeta long-ranged international business charter jet aircraftfor the flight test. The jet has three engines, of which only two are required for flight, allowing the third engine to be used to test a smaller engine modified to use liquid ammonia before moving on to modify the main engines. Aviation H2 Directors Dr Helmut Mayer & Christof Mayer inspecting a Falcon 50 engine. Falcon 50s also have a larger weight capacity, reducing the risk posed by weight challenges. The costs for the test program are no larger than when using a smaller and newer type of jet. They are also relatively common in Australia, meaning there is a time-saving in getting the aircraft ready for testing. Falcon 50 in flight. The company believes making use of current technologies and infrastructure will be important to future customers because it allows them to modify the aircraft they have already invested in, rather than buy a whole new fleet. Once the test flight is successful in the middle of 2023, Aviation H2 will have a patentable method for modifying aircraft so they operate on carbon-free fuel. They will quickly seek to certify and commercialise this product via a planned public listing on a major exchange in Q4 of 2023. The contract between the city and City Administrator Reed Clevenger is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, according to documents reviewed by the Green River Star. Clevenger has been Green Rivers city administrator for seven years, having been originally hired in 2015 after working as executive director of the Sweetwater One Foundation in Rock Springs. The current contract was approved in 2018. Councilman Gary Killpack said he and Mayor Pete Rust have talked about Clevengers contract. He said the process allows the mayor to renew the contract without immediate approv... Green River Police Department reports for April 17 At 11:40 a.m., officers responded to a report of trespassing at Club 86 Lounge and Liquor. Officers met with staff who requested to have two individuals trespassed from the property. Officers attempted to locate the individuals, later met with one of the individuals who had returned to the establishment, escorted them from the property, issued the trespass warning, and completed a report of the incident. April 18 At 3:11 a.m., officers observed an individual believed to have an active warrant at Maverick. Officers confirmed the warrant an... A number of incumbents have announced their intent to seek re-election to county offices. Long-serving Sweetwater County Coroner Dale Majhanovich announced he would seek another term last week. Majhanovich, a Democrat, has served as the county coroner since 1993 and was first appointed Deputy Sweetwater County Coroner in 1982. Majhanovich is a Rock Springs native, having graduated from Rock Springs High School and attended Western Wyoming Community College and San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He received his Wyoming State Embalmers License in 1979. He is a member of the Wyoming Co... Bonnie Macy, 72 passed away Friday, April 22, 2022 at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Mrs. Macy was a life-long resident of Rock Springs. She was born July 13, 1949 in Rock Springs, Wyoming; the daughter of Albert Branch and Viola Muniz. Mrs. Macy attended schools in Rock Springs, Wyoming and was a 1968 graduate of Rock Springs High School. She married Tim Macy on May 2, 1969 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Mrs. Macy worked for the Sweetwater County School District #1 for many years until her retirement in 1994 as a Teacher's Aide. She was a member of the Holy Sp... Barbara Smith, a retired English instructor and poet, reads from her recently-published book "Putting a Name on It" during a reading Friday at Western Wyoming Community College. "People stop along the highway to outline names in rock against the alkali sand and salt. A rock might anchor a name in this wind and shifting light." Barbara Smith read these lines from her poem "Putting a Name on It" to a room full of people at Western Wyoming Community College last Friday night. The poem is also the namesake of Smith's newly released book - her first full-length poetry collection. Smith taught at Western for 38 years, was chair of the Humanities Division, and directed the Wesswick Lecture Series in the Arts and Education, bringing almost 100 visiting writers to campus,... Rosy Rivera, Yamid Castaneda and Patricia Parra swirl their skirts during a traditional Mexican dance as part of International Night. Manami Kinjo was busy last Wednesday night - performing the Japanese love song "Cherry" along with Nana Ito, wearing a traditional Japanese kimono as part of a fashion show, and generally supervising and helping ensure the annual International Night event ran smoothly. Kinjo is the current president of Western Wyoming Community College's International Club, which hosts International Night at the Rock Springs campus every spring. She decided to become president because of the impact the club had on her when she left Japan to study at Western. "When I came here, the International Club helped... Eleven streets of Green River's Rancho Subdivision, south of the Green River and east of Uinta Drive, were named for servicemen who died during the course of their military service in World War II or the Korean War. The streets originally bore names that included those of explorers and pioneers such as Ashley, Powell, and Bridger, but in 1952 the Green River Town Council passed an ordinance that changed them to those of servicemen who died while serving in the armed forces from 1942 to 1945, plus one soldier who was killed in Korea in 1951. The men, in alphabetical order, were: Paul Andre... A Norwalk resident and mixologist appeared on Paramount's "Bar Rescue" on Sunday night. Chantel Anderson, 31, has been specializing in creating signature cocktails and mocktails for six years. She travels and trains bartenders, bar staff and does consultant work for bars and restaurants to create their drink menu for her own company, Bar Juicy. She learned her craft by joining the "Diageo Learning Skills For Life Programme," where she learned how to bartend and was able to start a new career. "This program was for people who were currently in hardship. I was living in Norwalk housing at the time and to me this was more than just a new skill to learn. I wanted to find something where I can show off my personality," she said. Contributed / Chantel Anderson Bar Rescue is a series in which host Jon Taffer visits struggling bars around the country and revamps them for success. Last year, Anderson reached out to Taffer on all social media platforms and kept him in the loop on everything she was working on. She has been a fan of the show and was fascinated and inspired by his knowledge on transforming the food and drink industry. "He left me on seen for about four months," she said. "One day, I sent him a project I did for Diageo 'The Future of Mixology' and he sent me his email address." Three weeks later, Anderson received a call from the show's production team for an interview to be the mixology expert for an upcoming episode. "It took about six weeks but I got a call saying they had a bar in Atlanta that needs rescuing and they thought I'd be a good fit due to my resume and the fact I was in Atlanta for two months during COVID also," she said. On Sunday's episode, Fredericka Jones, owner of "Sandtown Pub," decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a bar and opened it in her hometown of Atlanta. She believed she could use her knowledge and experience in the fast-food industry to be successful in the bar industry. She sunk her life savings into opening the bar but then learned the bar business is nothing like the fast-food industry. "They were known to be a chicken spot, so culinary expert Jason Santos and myself worked together to see what our theme would be. I wanted to give the cocktails a southern comfort feel that would work with the food menu and theme of the restaurant," Anderson said. The main drink the show highlighted was "The Rosa," which contains vodka, lemonade, blue curacao, agave and is garnished with cotton candy. Anderson said she was inspired by a mural "Sandtown Pub" had honoring African American women that was kept during the remodel. The mural shows Rosa Parks, Breonna Taylor and others. Anderson said being on the show was an amazing experience and she "can't wait to see what's next for her and Bar Juicy." The forced experiment of allowing local boards and commissions to meet virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic has been deemed a success worth continuing by the Connecticut General Assembly. The Senate gave final passage Wednesday to a bill giving local boards and commissions the option to continue meeting remotely, as is currently allowed by an emergency pandemic law that expires on May 1. Im particularly happy weve had this experiment forced on us, said Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Windham, the bills lead sponsor as the co-chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee. Flexer, a working mother, said the ability to participate remotely as a member of the public or as a public official allows local government to embrace the same flexibility adopted by many businesses as a new normal. Her happiness was not universally shared. Opponents, most of whom say they welcome remote participation as an element of public meetings, objected to the notion that local meetings could move out of town hall entirely and exist only on the web. The debate is whether or not we are going to allow local government to stop having in-person meetings, said Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, the ranking Republican on the GAE committee. That is the issue. The Senate voted 25-11 for passage for House Bill 5269, with two Republicans, Sens. Paul Formica of East Lyme and Kevin Witkos of Canton, joining all 23 Democrats in support. The House voted 101-40 for passage on April 13, with eight Republicans in support. Sampson said the ability to participate remotely in meetings has expanded public participation, but it should continue as an adjunct to in-person meetings and not a replacement. Flexer replied that it would be a local decision made by every board and commission. The bill is simply permissive, she said. It allows public entities to meet and operate remotely if they so choose. NEWTOWN Parents of two slain Sandy Hook boys and a Norwalk native who won defamation suits against Alex Jones in Texas have joined Newtown families who won a suit in Connecticut to urge a federal judge to dismiss Jones bankruptcy filings. In court papers filed one day after attorneys for the Sandy Hook families in Connecticut asked a federal judge to dismiss Jones bad faith bankruptcies, attorneys for four Sandy Hook parents and man falsely accused by of being the shooter in a Florida high school massacre filed their own motions to dismiss Jones bankruptcies, arguing, the purpose of the bankruptcy code is to afford the honest but unfortunate debtor a fresh start, not to shield those who abuse the bankruptcy process in order to avoid paying their debts. There are no honest debtors here, and there are certainly parties that are attempting to abuse the bankruptcy process, wrote attorneys for defamation victims in Texas, where the first of three trials to award damages was set to begin Monday before Jones sought bankruptcy for three entities he controls. The bankruptcy is nothing more than a transparent attempt to evade the impending jury trials and resulting judgments in both Texas and Connecticut, and avoid the need for transparency relating to Jones and Free Speech Systems ability to pay what they rightfully owe to their victims. Federal Judge Christopher Lopez has called all sides to a conference on Friday in Southern Texas Bankruptcy Court. It was not clear on Thursday how soon Lopez would rule on the Sandy Hook families motions or how soon the judge would rule on Jones three bankruptcy cases, which the judge refused to sanction at the first bankruptcy hearing last week. For Jones part, the emergency motions to dismiss his cases by Sandy Hook families dont give him adequate time to respond, his lead attorney wrote to the judge this week. Here, the Connecticut (families) filed their emergency motion less than 72 hours before the time that they seek a hearing, wrote Jones attorney Kyung Lee. A hearing on the requested time frame does not comport with due process. Lee argued last week that bankruptcy is a fitting and proper venue for Jones, who has suffered financially since he called the 2012 shooting of 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. To date, Jones has spent $10 million in legal fees and has lost $20 million in product sales because of the defamation cases in Texas and Connecticut, Jones representatives said in court. Jones himself did not file for bankruptcy for fear it would damage his reputation in the conspiracy theory community and further hurt his ability to sell products to his listeners, his representatives added. Jones has proposed using the bankruptcy system to set up a trust to fund defamation damages. Since two of his entities seeking Chapter 11 protection have no cash and the third entity has an income of only $38,000 per month, Jones has proposed to fund the settlement trust himself, staring with $10 million. Attorneys for the Sandy Hook parents in Texas argued that plan amounts to nothing more than an impermissible litigation tactic establishing the debtors bad faith. Had these (Jones-controlled entities) truly been interested in assuring payment in full of all claims, they could have allowed the state court proceedings to advance to trial, determine the total pool of damages suffered by all of the victims, and then filed bankruptcy petitions if the judgment debtors assets were insufficient to satisfy the judgments, the parents attorneys wrote. Instead, Jones has orchestrated a bankruptcy proceeding designed to evade facing any jury, minimize damages, and limit any transparency into his finances and wherewithal to pay judgments against him and his companies. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 Susan Walsh/AP WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden will travel next month to South Korea and Japan, his first trip to Asia since taking office last year, to consult with allies on growing threats from China and North Korea. White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced the May 20-24 trip Wednesday. Both allies host significant U.S. military contingents, and the trip comes as North Korea has escalated its nuclear missile testing and China has grown more assertive in the region. House lawmakers on Wednesday approved their own package of childrens mental health care initiatives to supplement a $25 million expansion of pediatric, school-based and other mental health services passed by the Senate this week. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, House Speaker Matthew Ritter, D-Hartford, said the House bill included even more money as much as $35 million to fund a bi-partisan list of health care priorities, spanning more than 90 pages. The legislation passed the House by a unanimous vote of 149-0, sending it to the Senate. Among the dozens of provision included in the bill are authorization to use federal COVID-19 relief funding to deliver mental health services at schools and colleges, new screening tools for school districts to determine when mental health is contributing to chronic absenteeism, support for peer-to-peer support programs and new funding for the suicide prevention hotline. The bill would also establish a pilot program in Waterbury to open a federally qualified health clinic where youths can receive intensive outpatient treatment for mental health services. It would also require the state Department of Public Health to develop a plan for establishing a license reciprocity program to attract behavioral health care providers who are licensed in other states to practice in Connecticut. I can honestly say that I firmly believe that there has never been such transformative legislation that attempts to get to all those things at once, said state Rep. Liz Linehan, D-Cheshire, the co-chair of the legislatures Childrens Committee. When combined with Senate legislation and a third bill to expand physical and mental health services in schools, lawmakers say their investments in childhood mental health care this session could reach $100 million. The issue has been cited as a priority for members of both parties, who point to the surge in pediatric patients seeking treatment for mental and behavioral issues at Connecticut hospitals during the pandemic. In March 2021, for example, Yale New Haven Health reported that 42 percent of its pediatric patients had screened at high risk for suicide, up from 16 to 20 percent of patients the previous year, according to the CT Mirror. While there were mental health issues prior to the pandemic, the issues have been exacerbated and the gaps have been highlighted as a result, said state Rep, Tammy Exum, D-West Hartford. During several hours of debate over the legislation on Wednesday, Republicans sought to lay some of the blame for rising mental health needs among children with the COVID-19 mitigation strategies, such as requiring facemasks and shifting to remote learning early in the pandemic. Our kids, in my opinion, have been done a tremendous disservice in the last 18 months, said state Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington. "I guess its water under the bridge now, but the problem is our kids are where they are and I think that we owe it to them as a state for what we have done to them. State Rep. Kimberly Fiorello, R-Greenwich, also voted for the bill, but only after she expressed strong reservations about its scope and last-minute changes that were adopted as the House began its debate Wednesday. I dont have any faith that all of these things in this bill will actually be accounted for and that we will sunset programs that dont work, Fiorello said. Rather, Im concerned that theyll just keep going and all the new people hired will keep going on, and we have just put in motion this machine of government on the topic of childrens mental health. Exum, a mother of three who serves as deputy majority leader, ended the lengthy debate on Wednesday with a personal story of her experience taking a young family member for treatment for an eating disorder at Connecticut Childrens Hospital during the pandemic only to find overcrowded with children seeking care for other mental health issues. They dont have places to put them because theyre not stable, I saw it, Exum said. And when it was time for me to get my loved one out, we were supposed to have someone meet us at our home and put together a plan. No one showed up. The reason for the delay, she said, was because of a lack of the kind of intensive outpatient treatment services in Connecticut similar to those that would be offered under the Waterbury pilot program. That program, which would begin in October, would serve as an alternative to inpatient treatment for children with severe mental health issues, allowing them to go to school and participate in other daily activities. Linehan said Waterbury was chosen due to its central location in the state. If successful, lawmakers said it could serve as the basis for the expansion of similar programs in other areas of the state. Staff writer Ken Dixon contributed to this story. GREENWICH Elementary physical education teachers at Greenwich Public Schools once again are leading Orienteering Adventure Days, an interdisciplinary project that blends fitness, map reading, and team building skills. PE teachers, staff from Camp Seton Scout Reservation, and all fifth graders from the 11 elementary schools of GPS will participate in a day of adventure this week. The event is designed to give students the opportunity to meet and interact with those students who will be in their sixth grade class in middle school next year. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicos government on Thursday proposed a dramatic overhaul of the nation's electoral system and the agency that oversees it one of the countrys most trusted institutions. It would reduce the size of Congress and state legislatures while having the federal elections board chosen by voters, potentially adding a higher degree of politics to what has been an independent body. The proposal also would reduce federal funding of political parties and spending on elections in general a repeated target of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has often feuded with the National Electoral Institute. The proposals presented by Lopez Obrador and several members of his Cabinet would create a new federal elections authority to replace the institute, as well as eliminating similar state-level bodies. There is no intention of imposing a single party, Lopez Obrador said. What we want is that there is a true democracy in the country and that electoral frauds end ... to leave a true democratic state established. But the path for what will surely be a controversial reform package would be difficult. Lopez Obradors party and its allies do not have the two-thirds majority in Congress required to make constitutional changes. The main opposition parties have already said they oppose such changes. Another major constitutional reform proposed by the president, to shake up the energy sector, fell well short of the votes needed last week. Lopez Obrador appeared to acknowledge that the proposed reforms are unlikely to pass. He called on the Congress to study each element of the proposal, make the public aware and then decide. He said it was his responsibility to present it even if it's not approved. Even if Lopez Obrador is unable to pass his constitutional reform, he could again cut funding to the electoral institute in his next budget, which could put the 2024 presidential elections at risk. Lopez Obrador has spent decades battling electoral authorities. He considers himself a victim of electoral fraud on multiple occasions, though it was the National Electoral Institute that confirmed his landslide presidential victory in 2018. The proposals would reduce the number of legislators in the lower chamber of Congress from 500 to 300 and senators from 128 to 96 by eliminating at-large lawmakers. Those are not directly elected by voters, but appear on party lists and get seats based on their partys proportion of the vote. Political parties would only receive public funding during campaigns rather than yearly, as they do now. Rules against officials and agencies promoting their programs during campaign seasons would be eased. Currently, even many government websites are inactivated during campaigns. Lopez Obradors administration argues that the changes would save Mexico $1.2 billion and allow citizens to select honest people to run elections. Georgina de la Fuente, a member of the Latin American Political Reform Observatory, termed the proposals very unfortunate and said they represented important setbacks in some areas. There are things that could be perfected, she said, but there are a lot of good practices that work and work well. Lorenzo Cordova, the president of the National Electoral Institute, said as much in an interview with Nexos magazine that he shared Thursday via Twitter. He said there are things that can be improved like reducing the money given to political parties and implementing electronic voting, but stressed there must be consensus among the parties or there will be mistrust. De la Fuente said moving toward a centralized election system not only goes against international trends, but contradicts the executives objective to make elections cheaper, because eliminating state level electoral bodies will only transfer the costs, not eliminate them. The idea of a popular vote for election officials has been panned before by academics. They contend the people in those positions must be experts and having them voted in could lead to political bias in the way elections are run. To think that an electorate so varied and so uninformed would have the ability to select electoral council members and magistrates is pure demagogy and pretense, said Clara Jusidman, founder of the nongovernmental organization Citizen Initiative and Social Development. She said those in power would steer their supporters to vote for who they wanted. Several of the proposals would undo or loosen reforms that helped Mexico break free of the single-party domination that lasted from 1929 to 2000. The at-large legislators were created to give smaller parties representation in Congress initially largely symbolic -- at a time when the Institutional Revolutionary Party had an iron grip on elections and rarely recognized any opposition victories. The independent electoral agency was created by a series of reforms in the 1990s following public outcry over alleged fraud in the 1988 presidential election, which like earlier votes had been run by the federal Interior Department. That helped lead to an opposition party victory in the 2000 presidential election. Nothing today announced that it is releasing its Nothing Launcher for other Android devices on the Google Play Store. The Nothing Launcher, currently in beta, is very similar to a no-nonsense stock Android launcher. It features a set of standard circular app icons and a single custom wallpaper. For those who like to use widgets, the launcher comes with two, a clock and a weather widget. Both feature the same dot matrix typography as Nothing's branding and both can be had with a clear or black background. The launcher also includes an interesting feature called Max Icons and Max Folders. You can press and hold on any icon or app folder on the homescreen and click a button to supersize it. This makes the icon or folder go from a 1x1 size to 3x3. Nothing says the launcher will be available on Samsung Galaxy S21 and S22 series, Google Pixel 5, and Google Pixel 6 series, with OnePlus support coming later. However, we were able to install and run the launcher on a OnePlus 10 Pro just fine. You can download the launcher from the link below. Additional wallpapers and ringtones by Teenage Engineering can be downloaded here. Download The Samsung Galaxy M51 was long overdue to get Google's latest OS, but, on the other hand, this is almost a two-year-old mid-range handset, so kudos to Samsung for pushing a second major update. Anyway, the handset is reportedly getting Android 12 in Russia with build number M515FXXU4DVD1 and it will likely hit other markets pretty soon. That's how the company usually distributes updates. It's worth noting that this is pretty much the end of the road for the Galaxy M51 in terms of major firmware updates. The device won't be getting Android 13, although it will continue to receive essential monthly security patches from Google for another year. Source A man allegedly tried to kidnap a woman who was carrying a child. Phillip Andre Barcinas Torre, 31, was charged in the Superior Court of Guam in connection to a kidnapping attempt on April 21, according to court documents. The woman, known to Torre, is accusing him of pushing her into his car while she was dropping off a child at her home. When she tried to resist, Torre pulled her hair and pushed her into the car again, charging documents state. Torre was able to get the woman in the car and ran to the drivers side of the vehicle. The woman was able to get out of the car before Torre ran back to stop her, documents state. Another woman who came out to see what was happening, was met by Torre who said, Anyone who wants to get involved, lets do it, according to court documents. The kidnapped woman was then able to get out of the car and ran into her home before Torre approached her and threatened to kill her and her boyfriend, documents state. The woman told police it was not the first time Torre was violent toward her. A review of surveillance footage showed there was an argument between Torre and the woman, and that Torre put his arm around the womans shoulder and neck and started pushing her into the car. He continued to do so even as the woman resisted. According to the court documents, the woman was seen carrying a child throughout the entire incident. Torre was charged with attempted kidnapping as a first-degree felony, two counts of terrorizing as third-degree felonies and family violence as a misdemeanor. The U.S. Supreme Court needs to decide if the Insular Cases should be overruled, according to a petition filed Thursday with the court, asking it to hear a territorial rights case related to citizenship in American Samoa. The high court, which typically rejects about 97% of petitions, is expected to decide later this year whether to hear the appeal in Fitisemanu v. United States. The Insular Cases are a series of race-based U.S. Supreme Court rulings from the early 1900s that have been used to deny access to federal programs, voting rights and equal rights to people living in U.S. territories. The cases describe the territories as home to alien races and savage people. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in a Supreme Court opinion issued last week, said he hopes the day comes soon when the Supreme Court overrules the Insular Cases. The Fitisemanu case, which involves the question of whether people born in American Samoa are U.S. citizens, is an appropriate vehicle for the Supreme Court to overrule the Insular Cases, Fitisemanus petition states, because a federal appeals court used the Insular Cases to make its decision in the case. Utah resident John Fitisemanu, who was born in American Samoa, sued in March 2018 to be recognized as a U.S. citizen, citing the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Unlike residents of other U.S. territories, those born in American Samoa are considered U.S. nationals instead of U.S. citizens because Congress never authorized birthright citizenship for American Samoa. The American Samoa government opposes birthright U.S. citizenship, citing concerns related to cultural preservation and self-determination. Fitisemanu won his case in the Utah district court, but lost in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which in June 2021 ruled that it is up to Congress to decide whether to grant birthright citizenship to American Samoa. This ongoing denial of citizenship imposes significant harms which fall disproportionately on those who relocate from American Samoa to other parts of the United States, Fitisemanus petition states. They are considered second-class citizens who are unable to vote, even if they live in the states, the petition states. It asks the Supreme Court to consider the question: Whether persons born in the United States territories are entitled to birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendments Citizenship Clause, including whether the Insular Cases should be overruled. Fitisemanus legal team includes civil rights attorney Neil Weare, a former Guam resident. Weare is president and founder of Equally American, which advocates for equal rights for residents of the U.S. territories. The Insular Cases are a stain on the Supreme Court, and it is gratifying to see Supreme Court justices begin to acknowledge that directly, Weare said Thursday. Lawmakers on Thursday discussed Bill 197, a measure that would provide $5 million to the University of Guam for two new construction projects. UOG already has secured a $21.7 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay for a new School of Engineering building and a new student services center. But according to Sen. Joe San Agustin, sponsor of the bill, the university will be shouldering the increase in construction due to the increase in price and materials, manpower and other construction costs. UOG also is racing against a five-year timeline to use the loans, which were issued in 2020, but building projects cant proceed until local funding is guaranteed, San Agustin said. The University of Guam has been trying to get the student services center and other School of Engineering buildings constructed for about a decade, he said. The current student center is outdated, and services cant be provided because of a lack of space, while engineering students have complained that they dont have proper instructional resources, he added. UOGs Board of Regents approved a full School of Engineering in 2016, and a full Bachelor of Science in civil engineering program three years later, but the new school is still without a building. We did graduate the first 12 engineers in December, and we have more coming this next month, and weve got a couple hundred students in the program. So were moving ahead, UOG President Thomas Krise told lawmakers. Currently, the school is looking to be accredited with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and the facility is really important to getting that done, Krise said. The student services center has a contractor locked in and the engineering building has a final bid due on May 20. This is the last step, so once we begin we can lock in the project and then we can proceed, said Krise. Bill 197 would take $5 million from the General Fund, which is on track to collect an excess of $68 million in revenue this fiscal year. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero observes as war survivor Jesus Reyes Garrido, 83, pays respects to the memory of his father, Ramon Garrido Garrido, at the Tinta massacre site in Malesso on July 15, 2019. Haiti - FLASH : At least 20 civilians killed in gang fighting zones Since Sunday, April 24, 2022, the "400 mawozo" Gang which controls Croix-des-Bouquets has been facing the rival "Chen Mechan" Gang which controls the areas of Croix-des-Missions and Butte Boyer. The men of "400 mawozo" are trying to regain control of territory lost in 2018 to the benefit of "Chen Mechan", in particular Butte Boyer. According to the latest reports from the Directorate of Civil Protection at least 20 civilians were killed between 24 and 26 April, including a family of 8, three young women and three children. As of April 26, "Medecins Sans Frontieres France" had already received 22 injured people in its hospital in Tabarre. No less than a dozen houses were burned down, particularly in the Marecage and Butte Boyer neighborhoods. The information collected from the affected people indicates that the majority of the population of the neighborhoods of Tabarre 16, Tabarre 14, Impasse Bellevue and Aquafine have fled their homes. Civil Protection specifies that all this information has not yet been verified due to the complexity of access to combat zones... Several hundred people from Butte Boyer, Croix-des-Missions, Marecage and Mapou were forced to leave their homes between 24 and 27 April following violent armed clashes between the "400 Mawozo" and "Chen Mechan" gangs in Cross of the Bouquets Residents including from Butte Boyer and Santo 17 took refuge in a public square in Clercine and the Town Hall of Tabarre. Sleeping in makeshift shelters the displaced, exposed to the risk of gender-based violence for women, girls and children... Businesses, stores and schools in the areas of confrontation have all closed. The conflict zone is highly strategic for the Gangs because it allows control of road access to the northern half of the country as well as between the Haitian capital and the Dominican Republic. In this context, access to the North departments of North, North-West, North-East and Artibonite and the Dominican Republic by RN#1 and RN#3 is currently compromised, which risks further isolate the capital since the national road 2 linking the southern departments is already under the control of armed gangs. Note that the confrontation zone is located a few hundred meters north of Toussaint Louverture International Airport and that earlier this week a stray bullet hit the helicopter of the United Nation Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) which was on the tarmac of Guy Malary domestic airport, adjacent to the international airport. The Haitian authorities and the National Police of Haiti (PNH) have made no statement on this gang war that paralyzes all activity in the North of Port-au-Prince nor provided any assessment... The Citizen Protection Office (OPC) "denounces the silence of the authorities" in the face of the violence of armed gangs in the area of the plain of the cul-de-sac and "condemns the inaction of the current leaders which translates, in many ways, a form of cynicism or contempt for human rights, particularly the right to life and security." The OPC believes that the conflict is likely to intensify in the coming days, which will lead to new victims and new population migrations... See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36512-haiti-flash-gang-war-the-plaine-du-cul-de-sac-transformed-into-a-battlefield.html SL/ PI/ HL HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Is the CIA involved in the assassination of President Moise ? The United States Department of Justice has asked the federal judge in the State of Florida, handling the case against former Colombian soldier Mario Antonio Palacios who was voluntarily extradited to the United States last January https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35640-haiti-flash-palacio-extradited-to-the-usa-first-official-indictment-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html ) accused of having participated in the assassination plot of President Jovenel Moise https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html , to take steps to protect (under the CIPA Classified Information Procedures Act) certain classified information shared with the defense, which could become evidence in this case, from being made public to the court. The request, which was granted, reinforces the suspicions of a still unknown link between the assassination of President Moise and the alleged role of agents or informants of the American Government. While such a request is not unusual, an evidence protection order is "revealing of a source with intelligence ties or an accused with ties to intelligence information that could be exculpatory or incriminating," said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor. Richard Gregorie, another former federal prosecutor who has led several cases involving US government informants, agrees and confirms that this decision "means that there is evidence that includes classified information." According to Jake Johnston, a Haitian-born observer from the Center for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR) in Washington, "This request [by the US Government] once again raises questions about what, precisely, the United States has done in Haiti and what information they might have regarding the plot to assassinate the President." Additionally, according to court documents, due to the "unusual and complex" nature of the ongoing investigation, the government prosecutor also requested a postponement of Palacios' trial due to "the need for the parties to participate in certain processes related to classified information." To be continued See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36347-haiti-flash-former-colombian-soldier-mario-antonio-palacios-pleads-not-guilty-in-the-usa.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35886-haiti-assassination-moise-hearing-postponed-to-march-4-palacios-will-plead-not-guilty-in-the-usa.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35867-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35696-haiti-flash-palacios-confessed-that-the-final-plan-was-to-assassinate-the-president-of-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35640-haiti-flash-palacio-extradited-to-the-usa-first-official-indictment-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... A DGI executive shot dead Boyer Leger, an executive of the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) was shot dead in Delmas 83 while trying to escape a kidnapping attempt according to witnesses. Dom. Republic : Maternal mortality, 56% are Haitian women In the Dominican Republic, maternal mortality mainly affects Haitian women. According to Doctors Mario Lama and Martin Ortiz, respectively directors of the National Health Service (SNS) and the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Service, 33% of births in public hospitals in the country this year correspond to Haitian mothers but 56 % of all maternal deaths in the country concern Haitian mothers because they arrive at hospitals in very precarious health conditions, without follow-up or prenatal examinations, with high levels of anemia, problems with hypertension and d various infections, which also leads to premature births. Sunrise Airways : Mail Service Available "Our Mail Service is available to all our domestic destinations: Port au Prince, Cap Haitien, Jeremie and Les Cayes. Call us at (509) 4895 4529" informs Sunrise Airways Reactions to the Death of Dieudonne Lherisson Tuesday April 26, 2022 Dieudonne Lherisson, leader of the Platfom Nasyonal sekte Popile Ayisyen (PLANSPA) died at the Canape-Vert hospital. Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry : "The news of the death of Dieudonne Lherisson, politician and educator, affects me deeply. The country has just lost a citizen devoted to the cause of democracy and change. I extend my condolences to his family and to his PLANSPA comrades." Senator Joseph Lambert : "I learned with emotion of the departure for the afterlife of Prof. Dieudonne Lherisson, leader of the PLANSPA party. Hoe of dialogue and compromise, he has always defended his convictions with force. Sympathy to his wife, Y. Mezile, his family and the members of PLANSPA plunged into desolation." Michel and Sophia Martelly : "I learned with great sadness of the death of Dieudonne Lherisson, head of the National Platform of the Haitian Popular Sector (PLANSPA), a reliable ally of the PHTK. Sophia and I offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife Yanick Mezil, former President of PHTK." Knight in the Order of Montreal, awarded to two Haitians The title of Knight in the Order of Montreal was awarded to Frantz Voltaire author, researcher, historian and professor in Haiti, Mexico, Chile and Montreal. In 1983, he founded the only francophone research center on black communities in Canada. This title of Chevalier was also awarded to Samuel Pierre, Full Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering at Polytechnique de Montreal and Founding President of GRAHN-Monde, which aims to "build a more egalitarian society, based on , sharing, solidarity, education, respect for the environment and worship of the common good." HL/ HaitiLibre By William Schwartz | Published on 2022/04/27 Even though "Business Proposal" and "Twenty Five Twenty One" finished their runs earlier this month, both romantic dramas have shown surprising resilience on the official Netflix leaderboard. According to recently released figures from the international streaming service, "Business Proposal" was fourth place 20,380,000 viewed hours and "Twenty Five Twenty One" was seventh place with 11,340,000 viewed hours. These rankings reflect the week of April 18th to April 24th only for non-English shows. Advertisement Both dramas have now reached an unusual benchmark- they have been in the Netflix Top 10 for more weeks than they were actually premiering new episodes. "Business Proposal" was only actively premiering new episodes for six weeks, yet has now been in the Netflix Top 10 for seven weeks. Likewise, "Twenty Five Twenty One" was only actively premiering new episodes for eight weeks, yet has now been in the Netflix Top 10 for eight weeks. These aren't the only dramas to show unusual persistence on Netflix either. "Forecasting Love and Weather" did not appear in the Netflix Top 10 this week, but had eight straight weeks there up until last week. But the even bigger surprise is the zombie-themed "Happiness - Drama" which finished airing new episodes last December. "Happiness - Drama" was recently licensed by Netflix for a large number of international markets, and had 10,820,000 viewed hours for eighth place this week. The strength of "Happiness - Drama" is especially surprising given that it is not licensed for the United States, which is generally considered to be Netflix's largest individual market. Worldwide Netflix has become increasingly prominent as a distribution mechanism for South Korean cultural contents for a wide variety of genres. A new South Korean project becoming a Netflix hit now seems inevitable given the staying power even of older dramas. Written by William Schwartz Published on 2022/04/27 | Source Actress Lee Sun-bin (28) has been on the rise. After the success of the popular TVING original drama "Work Later, Drink Now", she has been well received for the movie "Air Murder" and continues to be popular. Advertisement In "Work Later, Drink Now", which aired late last year, Lee Sun-bin properly represented the hearts of women in their 20s and 30s and showed off her presence as an actress of six years after debut. She even took off the label of 'Lee Kwang-soo's girlfriend', which was mentioned before the title of 'actress' after announcing their public relationship in 2018. "Work Later, Drink Now" entered Cannes as it was invited to the 2022 Cannes International Series Festival. She was on the pink carpets with Jung Eun-ji, who worked with her in the drama, and she said, "I was very happy to be invited to Cannes with an OTT (online video service) drama". After returning from Cannes, she is leading the favorable reviews with her main film "Air Murder", which was released on the 22nd. In the movie based on the humidifier disinfectant disaster, she plays the role of a prosecutor struggling to tell the world the truth after learning that the cause of the lung disease that killed her sister and nephew was humidifier disinfectant. She meets the audience with a character that is completely different from "Work Later, Drink Now" by adding desperate andemotional acting while keeping her unique true charm intact. "I lost weight throughout the filming because I felt responsible for expressing the pain of the victims well", she said, who even studied vast amounts of incident materials for the character. After finishing the last shoot, I even had a nosebleed", she said, expressing her sincerity in her work. Recently, she has challenged a new field by confirming her appearance in the audio film "Reverse - Audio", which fills the story only with voice without video. She plays the role of a woman who lost her memory in an explosion and works with Lee Joon-hyuk, who plays her fiance. After recording "Reverse - Audio", she will continue filming "Work Later, Drink Now - Season 2". A GIRL who escaped the war in Ukraine started school in Henley this week. Ariana Ihnatko, seven, has been given a place at Rupert House, an independent school in Bell Street. She last attended primary school in Kyiv, where she lived with stepfather Oleg Belash and mother Liubava Ihnatko until nine weeks ago. The family, including her grandmother Nataliia Pakholiuk, fled the country amid reports that the Russian forces were committing atrocities against civilians. They were put in touch with Tim Brassey and his wife Dr Lisa Silver, of St Andrews Road, who sponsored them to come to the UK, and have been living with the couple since April 7. Arianas last day in the classroom was the day before the Russian invasion so she was excited to return to lessons and be with other children again on Wednesday. Mr Belash, 53, said the family were very fortunate to be offered a place for her at Rupert House. He said: Getting Ariana into school was the main event, I would say, for our family. All that we are doing is around Ariana. We know the UK has one of the best education systems in the world and thats why we are happy. It is through our sponsor familys efforts that Rupert House has taken Ariana but Lisa and Tim told us that all the schools in the Henley area are very good. They proposed that we try Rupert House as they know the school because their kids went there. All the people we have met have said good things about it. It is important to have Ariana in school as, just like any other Ukrainian child, her education has been disrupted by the war. A lot of children have left Ukraine and are in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany and Denmark and are doing lessons online. Mr Belash said he hoped going to Rupert House would give Ariana more confidence to speak English, which she has been learning since pre-school. He said: Ariana has been excited for the last two weeks and has been counting the days. She misses other children and its in her nature to be social and she makes new friends easily. It is important, of course, that she will get English lessons but she has picked up English very well. In Ukraine, at pre-school you are taught 50/50 in Ukrainian and English and she loved learning the two languages. Ariana knows a lot of words, its just the confidence to use them she needs to work on. She is very talented and is good at maths and has been able to read quicker than most other pupils and she likes to make up her own stories. Mrs Ihnatko said: Ariana is a creative person and loves music and art. It is very important to me as her mother that Ariana is going to an English school because the system here is spoken of very highly regarding the opportunities it gives children. The uniform colours of Rupert House are yellow and blue, the colours of Ukraine, and so it must be fate. Ariana said: I am very excited to be starting at a new school, to make new friends and seeing my new teacher. I have missed school. I want to go to classes but I also want to play with my friends. Since arriving here, the family have done lots of walking and spent time by the river. On Easter Sunday they had a barbecue at the home of Mr Brassey and Dr Silvers daughter in Watlington and Ariana was given chocolate eggs. Ukraine celebrated Orthodox Easter Day on Sunday, a public holiday, which was also Ms Pakholiuks 53rd birthday. But Mr Belash said: We have not been celebrating because this is not the proper time for a celebration. In Ukraine we would go to church and some people would stay there all night and there would be a large table with lots of meals and you would invite your family, friends and friends of friends. Ms Pakholiuk, a primary school teacher, has continued to give lessons online to her pupils five mornings a week. She said: There are sometimes difficulties with the internet as not all the children can be connected all the time but all my children want to be in school. Of course, it is better to be in school than online but there is no other way. Mr Belash worked in real estate in Ukraine and is looking for similar work here or in business or project management. Mrs Ihnatko has secured a trial working at the Daisy Love coffee shop in Station Road. Mr Belash said: Now we have arranged things regarding Arianas school, we need to focus on our work. As a husband, father and a man, I need to provide for my family so I need to spend some time looking for a job. In the meantime, we have been following the news and while some expect the war to stop soon, Liubava doesnt think there has been enough progress to stop it and, to her, Russia is getting worse and worse. Rupert House headteacher Nick Armitage said: We can all see the efforts of the Henley community in supporting the people of Ukraine and we wanted to do our bit, too. When we found out Arianas age, I wrote to the year 2 parents to say what we would like to do and they all supported it. We wanted to make it possible because we have an ideal setting here as we have lots of children who have joined us from around the world and the learning support team is confident that we will be able to support Ariana. She has come from a very different educational experience and we will give her all the support she needs to access the curriculum here. The idea is not to throw her too much in at the deep end as it will be a big change for her and our first job will be to help her settle and feel part of the community here. We want to help her grow by the experience she has here, not just by learning a language and a culture, and we are keen to learn from her and will adapt accordingly. It is such a privilege for us to be able to support Ariana and her family and we are so pleased that Tim approached us and maybe we will support other families in the future as we have had some enquiries. JOHN HOWELL has been sanctioned by Russia after publicly condemning its invasion of Ukraine. The Henley MP has regarded the move, which means he is unable to enter the country, as a badge of honour. Mr Howell has not officially been told why he has been sanctioned but believes it is down to his work in getting Russia removed from the Council of Europe. He said: You are talking to a sanctioned member of Parliament, and I am absolutely delighted. It is the biggest badge of honour I have ever had. The Russians have clearly found an old parliamentary list, probably from 2017, as they have decided to sanction a whole bunch of people, some of whom arent currently members of Parliament, people like Dominic Grieve. This just gives me more confidence in that Russia is not doing well in their war with Ukraine if they cant get a correct list of parliamentarians right. While I am banned from entering Russia, I have no intention of ever going back there. Mr Howell is currently in Strasbourg with the Council of Europe which is discussing how to make sure Russia can be held to account for the genocide in Ukraine. China launches learning app for middle, primary school students Xinhua) 15:30, April 28, 2022 BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China has launched a mobile app to provide middle and primary school students with more convenient ways to study online amid COVID-19 resurgence, according to the Ministry of Education. The app is based on a website learning platform, utilizing the same resources as the website such as course teaching, after-school services, and family education, said the ministry. It also includes more interactive elements, as students who encounter problems in learning can communicate with teachers through the app, the ministry added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Last year, when Heritage requested nominations for a Human Service Award recipient, Marvin Friedman of Oviedo told the editor, Christine DeSouza, he wanted to nominate Rabbi Sholom Dubov. DeSouza thanked him for wanting to nominate Dubov, however, she explained a Human Service Award recipient must be someone who is not financially compensated for his/her work in the community. Friedman understood this, and still wrote his letter of recommendation of Dubov, saying, "To be clear, I understand that the award does not go to individuals performing activities for which they are paid. Rabbi Dubov... (JTA) That's one way to "never forget." A peculiar item of clothing went viral this week after a comedian tweeted about a pair of leggings emblazoned with artwork inspired by "Schindler's List," Steven Spielberg's 1993 Holocaust drama. The pants show an artist-made poster with characters from the film. The symbolic "girl in the red dress" is featured most prominently, standing on train tracks overlooking the Auschwitz death camp. Beside her float the heads of Liam Neeson, as German factory owner Oskar Schindler; Ben Kingsley, as his Jewish employee Itzhak Stern; and Ralph Fiennes, as... An onion roll from Edith's in Brooklyn, whose all-day dining menu features twists on Jewish staples. (New York Jewish Week) - House-smoked fish platters. Plates of malawach, the Yemeni flatbread. A labneh parfait. And for Passover, "milk and honey" slushies and matzah brie with bitter herb salad. Since opening up as a pop-up shop during 2020, Edith's Eatery and Grocery in Williamsburg has embraced Jewish food from all over the Diaspora. The brainchild of Chicago-born Elyssa Heller, the store and restaurant is a celebration of Jewish cuisine outside of the narrow lanes of traditional Ashkenazi or familiar Israeli menus. "People seem really open to the idea of a more inclusive perspective... A surprising answer to why so many Jews become comedians. When Robin Williams, arguably one of the greatest comedians died, some people gave him an interesting title: honorary Jew. Why the Jew label? Couldnt he have been left as a brilliantly comedic non-Jew? Well if you look back at most of the great comedians from the previous generation, they were predominantly Jewish. This is a group it seems some people badly wanted him to be part of. Here is a short list of some Jewish comedians, with their real names: Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky), Mel Brooks (Melvyn Kaminsky), Milton Berle... (JNS) About 14,000 Birthright Israel participants from nearly 900 universities and colleges in North America are expected to land in Israel in the coming months as part of Birthrights summer season. The flights, which begin on May 1, mark Birthright Israels long-awaited return after a series of suspensions since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The trips are an opportunity for North American students to have a life-changing experience in Israel with their college friends and meet new people from their campus. They are usually timed to coincide with the schools summer and... (JTA) - French prosecutors indicted two men for assaulting a Jewish man, Jeremie Cohen, seconds before he ran under the wheels of a tram and was fatally wounded. One of the two suspects, aged 27, is accused of "intentional violence in public." The other one, aged 23, is being charged with "intentional violence which led to involuntary manslaughter," according to a statement Friday by the prosecutor's office of Bobigny, the Paris suburb where the incident occurred on Feb. 16. The indictment does not mention any antisemitic motive, according to the CNews television channel. The family of Co... Sam Friedman spent four years as Hillel director at Stetson University and was ready for a change. He was inspired by the new vision of Shalom Orlando, a guide to all things Jewish in Greater Orlando, and with his own youthful perspective, applied for and was chosen as the chief development officer at Shalom Orlando. My last day at Stetson is May 18, and my first day at Shalom Orlando is June 1. Its been an incredible, impactful, four years at Stetson and Im definitely going to miss my students and colleagues, Friedman told Heritage via email. Friedman will be leading... Hadassah Orlando presents internationally recognized author and theatrical producer Yvonne David at its May 3 monthly in-person meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland. Yvonne David was born in Nairobi, Kenya, raised there and in London, England. Passion for language and literature has long been at the center of David's life. Her qualifications from the Language Tuition Centre in London, England, include interpreter/translator in French and English. She earned a degree in English and Organizational Communications, graduating summa cum... (JTA) Just days before Jews around the world gathered with their families and friends to read the Haggadah as part the Passover holiday, one family of reunited Holocaust survivors filed a lawsuit to reclaim a 700-year-old haggadah that they say was lost to them during the rise of Nazi Germany. Since 1946, the Birds Head Haggadah has been in the possession of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem where it has been examined by countless scholars and displayed prominently for millions of visitors who have passed it by. The medieval manuscript features illustrated figures with human bodies and... Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2021 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando this summer. For more than 30 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the Central Florida community have been honored with the selection and presentation of this award, said Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last years recipient was Hank Katzen. Former recipients have included Sarah Stern (2017), Howard Lefkowitz (... At the Orlando Senior Help Desk of the Jewish Pavilion, we are frequently asked to recommend a home care company. There are a few things to consider such as years of experience. Ideally, the caregiver you hire has worked with other individuals with similar medical condones. You want a home companion who has had good training and continuing education. There are many personal attributes that are imperative such as warmth and compassion, attentiveness, patience, good communication skills etc. Agencies should be checking the references and criminal records of all of their employees. Here is a... In an interview with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour about Israel's policies to control violent rioting on the Temple Mount and "settlements" - i.e. Jewish communities - in Judea and Samaria, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett didn't hold back. Pushing the narrative that stalled peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians are the reason for terror and that both sides are caught in a cycle of violence, Amanpour asked Bennett about his efforts on that front. "I object to the notion of 'both sides.' No," the prime minister replied. "When they don't attack us, we have no issues with them. But when... (JNS) The Jewish Federations of North America announced on Monday that it has surpassed its fundraising goal of $50 million for aid to Ukraine. According to a news release, the funds have been allocated to 35 NGOs operating on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Some of these groups include the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and World ORT, which the release called its core partner groups. The funds are being used to provide housing, clothing, cash assistance, medical attention, mental-health services, life-saving rescue operations... Rendering of the new Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity in downtown Orlando. (JTA) - Situated beside the building that houses the Jewish community center, the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Academy of Orlando lies a tiny, hidden gem of a Holocaust museum. Despite its small size - a mere 7,000 square feet - the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida has been a fixture in Central Florida for the last three decades. For Orlandoans who went to middle or high school during that time, there's a high chance they interacted with the museum or its programs at some point. Established by Holocaust survivor and Orlando resident Tess Wise in the 1980s, the... Hundreds of protestors gathered at the Israel Mission in Manhattan on Wednesday to support Palestine. (New York Jewish Week) - Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Consulate General of Israel in Manhattan on Wednesday in what was billed as an emergency rally to support Palestinian resistance and liberation "by any means necessary." As dozens of police officers lined up around the area, the protesters began calling to "globalize the intifada." Tensions are high in Israel, where Palestinian rioters have clashed with police on Jerusalem's Temple Mount and Israeli security forces have conducted raids in the West Bank. Multiple activist groups organized the rally, including Within O... Dan Cohen and his family at a bat mitzvah in Tel Aviv. (J. The Jewish News of Northern California via JTA) - Koby Geduld clocks into work at 7 p.m. most nights. He's a project coordinator for Tile, the San Mateobased maker of Bluetooth-enabled tracking devices. He boots up his laptop from his home, responding to messages and having meetings until 3 a.m. No, Geduld isn't nocturnal (at least not naturally). He's working overnight hours because he no longer lives in the Bay Area. Instead, he's 10 hours ahead, in Jerusalem - where he and his wife moved last summer. And the 24-year-old isn't alone. Guy Rosen, an Israeli and a vice president at... (JTA) The Temple Mount is closed to Jewish visitors until further notice, the organization that coordinates visits by Jews said on April 23, after a fresh round of clashes between Israeli police and Muslim worshippers at the Jerusalem holy sites Al-Aqsa Mosque. The move was expected to last through Ramadan, but the Temple Mount Administrations language suggests the ban could last longer, according to the Jerusalem Post. The Administration separate from the Waqf, the Muslim authority that controls the site is a joint steering committee of Jewish Temple Mount activists... Ukrainian refugees to join March of Living at Auschwitz for first post-COVID commemoration By Cnaan Liphshiz (JTA) Refugees from Ukraine are scheduled to join the March of the Living commemoration event at Auschwitz. The refugees are among 2,500 people from 25 countries who have signed up for the mission to the former death camp, the first since March of the Living suspended such activities due to COVID-19, the educational group said in a statement. The March brings young people from around the world to Poland and Israel to study the history of the Holocaust. The event on April 28 wi... A photo posted to Twitter by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff showed wine from the Psagot winery on the table at the White House seder, Apr. 16, 2022. (JTA) - Wine from a West Bank settlement was on the menu at this year's White House Passover seder on Friday hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Dough Emhoff. But a spokesperson for Harris said the choice should not be construed as a political statement about Israeli settlement in the West Bank. "The wine served at the seder was in no way intended to be an expression of policy," Herbie Ziskind, an adviser to Harris, said in a tweet. The response from the Harris spokesman came after reporters spotted a bottle of wine from the Psagot winery in a photo of the seder that... (JNS) According to the February annual Gallup poll of country favorability, 71 percent of Americans accord Israel a very favorable and mostly favorable rating. This matches Israels average favorability since 2013, compared to 58 percent in 2002, 71 percent in 2012, 69 percent in 2019 and 75 percent in February 2021. Israels all-time high favorability was in February 1991 (79 percent) in the aftermath of the January-February Iraqi Scud missiles striking Tel Aviv. Israel is ranked seventh among countries rated by Gallup, trailing Canada, Britain, France, Japan, Germa... If there was ever proof that Israel is not an apartheid state actively discriminating against its Arab minority, all one needs to do is look at the recent statement of Israeli Arab Knesset member Ayman Odeh. Not only does this reflect the reality that Israeli Arabs are equal parts of Israels democracy, that he can make statements that go against the interest and security of the state shows what a hyper-democracy Israel in fact is. As all this has unfolded, the thought I cannot shake is how much Israels Arabs deserve better. Odeh used the occasion of a recent Ramadan greeting from Jer... (JNS) One Tuesday night in February, a small group of Jewish students at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I serve as a shaliach (Israeli emissary) for the Jewish Agency for Israel, logged into the weekly Zoom meeting of the Student Union Assembly to support the adoption of a working definition of antisemitism. The resolution referenced the definition written by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which has been endorsed by countless governments and organizations. The IHRA definition maintains that, among other things, a fair critique of Israel is acceptab... (JNS) In February, the Anti-Defamation League announced that it had developed what it called an online hate index to monitor antisemitism on social-media platforms. The effort was conceived as a way to adequately measure the amount of hate speech being posted on sites like Twitter and Reddit, which the group thinks are not vigilant enough about detecting and removing such offensive material. ADL CEO and national director Jonathan Greenblatt conceded that Twitter had made substantial strides towards shutting down those posting vile content; still, he believed they had a lot... The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) partnered with the African American Behavioral Health-Center of Excellence (AABH-COE) at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia to host a roundtable event on the mental health of students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The event was held on April 21, 2022, at the Morehouse School of Medicine, which is part of the Atlanta University Center, the oldest and largest consortium of Black higher education in the world. Students and administrators from 25 HBCUs across the country participated in the discussion. You can watch the full roundtable event here on YouTube. The roundtable was attended by Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), with welcoming remarks provided by Dr. Valarie Montgomery-Rice, President of Morehouse School of Medicine. It was moderated by HHS Regional Director Antrell Tyson, Esq. (Region 4: Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia), Regional Director Sima Ladjevardian, J.D. (remotely) (Region 6: Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana), and Dr. Dawn Tyus, Principal Investigator of the African American Behavioral Health-Center of Excellence (AABH-COE), which is located at the Morehouse School of Medicine and funded by SAMHSA. The roundtable also featured administrators and counselors from both HHS regions, including Paul Quinn College (Dallas. TX), Dillard University (New Orleans, LA), Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, GA), as well as Clark Atlanta University and the Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA). This roundtable event was part of an HHS-wide initiative to tackle the nations mental health crisis and is part of HHSs National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health. Following President Joe Bidens State of the Union Address on March 1, 2022, Secretary Xavier Becerra and HHS leaders kicked off the National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health to hear directly from Americans across the country about the behavioral health challenges they are facing and engage with local leaders on innovative ways to strengthen the mental health and crisis care system in our communities. More information on the National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health is available at HHS.gov/HHSTour. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data, almost 95% of Black people in the U.S. received no treatment for a substance use challenge and 63% received no treatment for their mental illness, and access was almost non-existent for those with co-occurring challenges. Assistant Secretary Dr. Delphin-Rittmon stressed the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to strengthening the emotional wellness of our country. This past year, the Administration invested an historic $7 billion into our countrys mental health and substance use systems, in the form of block grants to states and territories to provide more comprehensive mental health and addiction services. Some of the mental health stressors emphasized during the roundtable conversation included an increase in suicide and the lasting impacts of childhood trauma. Other behavioral health staff noted that many students battle with loneliness and isolation and more. Assistant Secretary Dr. Delphin-Rittmon encouraged continued dialogue of the challenges faced by students and administrators as a significant first step towards recognizing mental health vulnerabilities. The roundtable discussion, hosted by HHS, SAMHSA, and the Morehouse School of Medicine, had diverse participation in-person and virtually from students, administrators, and behavioral health specialists at HBCUs and non-HBCU institutions, including: HBCUs Morehouse School of Medicine (host) Albany State University Alcorn State University Allen University Bennett College Charles R. Drew University Clark Atlanta University Dillard University Fayetteville State University Fort Valley State University Howard University Jackson State University Langston University Morehouse College/Candler School of Theology Norfolk State University North Carolina A&T State University Paul Quinn College Savannah State University Southwestern Christian College Texas Southern University University of Texas Xavier University Non-HBCUs Our Lady of the Lake University Regent University University of Houston University of Maryland University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law Below are Assistant Secretary Dr. Delphin-Rittmons opening remarks, as prepared for delivery: Thank you so much. And, good morning, everyone. I bring greetings from Secretary Becerra, who is unable to be here today. Since 2002, we have celebrated National Minority Health Month every April, and asked organizations to build awareness about the burden of premature death and illness experienced by people from minority groups and take action through health education, early detection, and control of disease complications. Im honored to be here today to celebrate National Minority Health Month with you. Todays discussion on the mental health crisis and how it disproportionally impacts communities of color is crucial, and I applaud our stellar panelists for coming together on this important topic. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen people with mental illness experiencing worsening mental health problems and associated symptoms, such as thoughts of suicide. Others developed new mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder. In addition to COVID 19, civil unrest, cost of living increases, social media and other factors have contributed to our nations mental health crisis. We know the past few years have been difficult for many people in our country, particularly for communities of color. I often rely on data to underscore that mental health challenges are real and especially impacting African American communities. According to the CDC, we know that Blacks experienced feelings of sadness at rates over 1.5 times greater than white populations. We also know that both Black male and female high schoolers had higher rates of suicidal ideation than white high schoolers. And from SAMHSA data, we know that almost 95% of African American received no treatment for their substance use challenge and 63% received no treatment for their mental illness, and access was almost non-existent for those with co-occurring disorders. This Administration has shown a strong commitment to the emotional wellness of our country. This past year, the Biden-Harris Administration invested over an historic $7 billion into our countrys mental health and substance use systems, in the form of block grants to states and territories to provide more comprehensive mental health and addiction services. And at last months State of the Union address, President Biden announced his Strategy to Address Our National Mental Health Crisis. This Unity Agenda is framed around three elements: strengthen system capacity; connect more Americans to care; and create a continuum of support, with the goal of transforming our health and social services infrastructure to address mental health holistically and equitably. Two weeks after President Biden outlined the Unity Agenda for the nation, SAMHSA made dramatic increases in funding to expand the availability of certified community behavioral health clinics, or CCBHCs, across the nation. CCBHCs are evidence-based mental health and substance use programs that provide essential behavioral health services such as 24/7 crisis services, screening, and case management. These clinics are a crucial access point to mental health and substance use disorders, and are an important pathway to care for vulnerable communities that otherwise lack access to such services. We are working to transition the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from 1-800-273-TALK to an easy-to-remember, three-digit number: 988. By contacting 988, users will be connected to care and support for anyone experiencing distress whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. We expect the formal launch of 988 this July. SAMHSA has a number of long-term partnership with HBCUs. For example, Albany State University is part of our Center for Mental Health Services Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program. The purpose of the program is to develop a comprehensive, collaborative, well-coordinated, and evidence-based approach to reduce the adverse consequences of serious mental illness and substance use challenges, including suicidal behavior, substance-related injuries, and school failure. And, our HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health was awarded to Clark Atlanta University in Georgia. The purpose of this Center is to recruit students to careers in the behavioral health field to address mental and substance use disorders, provide training that can lead to careers in the behavioral health field, and/or prepare students for obtaining advanced degrees in the behavioral health field. When we speak about recruiting and training a more diverse workforce, I would be remiss in not mentioning the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). The MFP program, of which Im a proud alum, aims to improve behavioral health care outcomes for racial and ethnic populations by growing the number of racial and ethnic minorities in the nations behavioral health workforce. The program also seeks to train and better prepare behavioral health practitioners to more effectively treat and serve people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I hope you can see how committed SAMHSA is to tackling health disparities and keeping equity at the core of everything we do, which includes making sure every person in this country has equitable opportunities to access needed mental health and substance use services. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. I look forward to todays panel and thank our panelists again for being here today to share their stories. Thank you! Dalata Hotel Group Plc ("Dalata" or "the Group"), the largest hotel operator in Ireland, today officially opens The Samuel Hotel in Dublin, adding 83 jobslocally. The opening of the hotel comes as the Group reports strong recovery across all markets since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in early February. Overlooking the River Liffey, the 39 million four-star Samuel Hotel is a stunning new addition to the city's docklands area, ideally located close to large event centres such as the Convention Centre Dublin, Croke Park, The 3 Arena and The Bord Gais Energy Theatre. The hotel boasts 204 air-conditioned bedrooms, excellent meeting and event facilities with innovative technology, a Red Bean Roastery coffee shop and The Samuel Bar & Grill. The Samuel Hotel is a new brand concept from Dalata, offering guests a new bespoke high-quality Ground Floor experience, with the Group's four-star bedroom experience. A five-minute walk from Dublin's iconic Samuel Beckett Bridge and located in Spencer Place, The Samuel pays homage to the city's Nobel Laureate with subtle references to his works throughout the hotel. The hotel has been designed and constructed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification and has an A3 Building Energy Rating (BER). At least 20% of materials used in the build were sustainably sourced, helping to reduce the buildings ecological footprint. Hotel website Scandic Hotels has signed a long-term lease agreement with property owner Totaleiendom AS for a new hotel with 305 rooms on 12 floors in the new Vervet area in Troms, Norway. Scandic already operates two hotels in the city with a total of 390 hotel rooms. The new hotel, which is expected to open in 2025, will be an important addition to meet the demand from the growing leisure segment. The hotel will be located in the new Vervet district that is currently being built on the waterfront in downtown Troms. It will feature 305 hotel rooms, a restaurant, a sky bar, a rooftop terrace and meeting facilities that can also be used for private events. The property will be built with sustainability in focus, with the aim to attain a BREEAM environmental certification rating of Excellent. Scandic's guests will have access to an underground garage with 250 parking spaces equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles. Troms is an attractive hotel market for international leisure travelers, a segment that is expected to increase over time. The city is also an attractive destination for cruises as well as Northern Lights and mountain tourism, and Scandic already operates two hotels in Troms with a total of 390 hotel rooms. Construction of the new hotel will begin at the turn of the year 2022/2023. The hotel is expected to have a total area of 16,500 m2, making it the largest hotel in Northern Norway. Hotel website An accomplished employee relations and operations expert with more than 30 years of experience, Mia previously oversaw MMGY Global's human resources, talent acquisition and employee engagement. She now broadens her oversight to include MMGY Global's DEI and cultural enrichment initiatives for over 400 international staff. She will continue to be responsible for all people strategies, ensuring the international workforce has both the team and organizational capabilities to enable significant company growth over the next decade. As a member of the company's Global Leadership Team, Mia also informs overall company strategy and investment, reporting to MMGY Global CEO Clayton Reid. Since joining the company in 2020, Mia has led MMGY Global through increased globalization, a strategic benefits review and consolidation, and the implementation of COVID-19 protocols and practices that enabled the safe reopening of all global offices. Mia has held a wide range of management positions throughout her career, including operations, human capital management and employee relations with companies such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Upfield. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a master's degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis. Google is quickly becoming the complete funnel for many of the searches and transactions we make online. When we first published this article in 2018, Google already made significant strides within the hotel and travel space and was in the process of adding even more features and functionalities. According to a recent study by Similarweb (2022), as of October 2021, nearly 20% of keyword searches resulted in a search engine results page (SERP) feature on the results page. In January 2020, that percentage was lower than 5%. Hoteliers are no stranger to Googles SERP features like hotel listings, map packs, pricing tools, and ad-supported spaces. Ultimately, its Googles way of keeping its nearly 90% search market share within its search and buying ecosystem. In this article, we are going to look at the updates Google has made over the past several years to its hotel and travel SERP results and features, and their effects on hotels and OTAs. Table of Contents Google Improves the Hotel Listing Experience Back in October 2018, Google made a significant announcement that they would be rolling out a suite of design and functionality improvements to the hotel shopping experience. The gist of the announcement is that the information you can find within Googles own environment would rival that of TripAdvisor and other OTAs. In doing so, Google put the finishing pieces on what has arguably become the most complete hotel shopping and booking system available. Within Googles hotel shopping ecosystem, youll find price comparisons, hotel details and overviews, Google reviews, reviews sourced from around the web, and hotel photos. Source: TravelBoom As a hotel, its on you to ensure the information on your hotel listing is accurate. Just in case you havent read our Google Business Profile for Hotels guide, Google Business Profile is going to be the place to start for any hotelier. By ensuring you have an optimized hotel listing, compelling photos, and are responding to guest reviews, you will put yourself in a position for success. Improved Hotel Searching and Filtering In 2018, Google rolled out a new search and filtering system to the search engine results page for hotel searches. In 2022, similar features still exist in addition to new hotel highlight icons and hotel listing callouts. Source: TravelBoom Data has already proven that a vast majority of hotel decisions begin with a search and, based on the ever-evolving hotel SERP tools, customers will continue to stay on Googles system for much longer as they slice and dice to find their perfect hotel. Googles push to gather more and more reviews makes searches even more valuable. Back in 2018, Google was revealed as the number one online review site, outperforming Tripadvisor and other OTAs. Today, Google continues to be a leading source for hotel reviews. Now, searchers can get enough information from Google to validate a booking decision without having to visit Tripadvisor or an OTA. Read the full article at TravelBoom PITTSBURGH - For more than 20 years, PCH Hotels & Resorts, a Mobile, Ala.-based hotel management and development company, relied on Aptech for back-office accounting. When the company learned that its existing software was being phased out and replaced by Aptechs next generation enterprise accounting solution, PVNG, the corporate finance team had some big decisions to make. Do they remain with Aptech, a company that PCH President Tony Davis has been familiar with and successfully using for more than 35 years across his hospitality career, or do they move on and try something new? We performed due diligence and took a close look at the many accounting solutions on the market, said Kristen Chastang, Corporate Director of Finance for PCH Hotels & Resorts. We decided to stay with Aptech because their companys values and culture aligns very closely with ours at PCH. They feel like family to us, and we know we can rely on them. Not all companies that provide accounting software understand the hospitality business the way that Aptech does. Because they develop solutions that are hotel specific, they get our lingo, and their support team can answer questions immediately where others outside of hospitality would never understand. They are reliable and honest people to work with. "PVNG is a game-changer in the world of hotel accounting. It features the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, Statistics, Financials, and Bank Reconciliation that todays hotel operators are seeking with much-needed browser navigation. Its OCR invoice processing, myriad of payment options, drill-down capabilities in financial statements and reports, ability to handle single or multi-property accounting, and the fact that it can be deployed as a hosted service, explains why this accounting solution is in such high demand. All these features played an important role in PCHs decision to remain an Aptech customer," Chastang said. Because PVNG is cloud based, we no longer have to be connected to the company network to do our jobs, Chastang said. Multiple users can be in the system and post at the same time. That was a big reason we were eager to stay with Aptech. Also, the price point of the solution, the great relationship we already have with Aptech, and the look and ease of navigation of the system ultimately tipped the scales towards PVNG. Another major win with this new software is that we no longer must consolidate results at the end of the month. We have two owners for all 15 of our entities, so we do a lot of consolidating. With PVNG, we can have real-time consolidated results at any given moment." Additionally, when making changes to a financial statement, it can be done and pushed out to all companies at one time instead of having to make the change in each company code, she said. Setting up and assigning user roles was very straightforward and is helpful for audit purposes to determine what access each user has. Overall, transitioning to PVNG was seamless we received weekly updates on the project, and the knowledge, communication, quick responses, and friendliness of the team at Aptech has been incredible. Staying loyal to Aptech was an easy decision. One of the biggest feature enhancements, Chastang said, is within Accounts Payable. PCH can now import invoices, W9s, etc. and then drill down into those invoices while running financial statements and trial balances. Soon, the company will further automate AP by leveraging Aptechs OCR-based invoice processing. The AP automation will enable the PCH finance team to receive critical invoice information accurately and efficiently while eliminating paper, removing manual data entry errors, and capturing cost savings. This will enable PCH to improve efficiencies and save significant time and money. Time and again, when our customers are faced with migrating to our next generation solutions or switching to another vendor, they tend to remain loyal to Aptech, said Jill Wilder, Aptech Vice President. In the case of PCH Hotels & Resorts, they did their homework, and we are so glad they did because the result speaks volumes to our core competency and dedication to hospitality. Aptech has not just been providing financial management solutions to hotels for more than 50 years, but we have been cultivating relationships that cannot be broken. We are thrilled that PCH Hotels & Resorts chose to remain a satisfied Aptech customer, and we look forward to working with them side by side for the next 20 years and beyond. About Aptech Computer Systems Inc. Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement. The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner. Incorporated in 1970, Aptechs state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information, please visit www.aptech-inc.com. About PCH Hotels & Resorts PCH Hotels & Resorts manages a diverse portfolio of upscale business and resort hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Autograph and Staybridge Suites brands, including the historic Grand Hotel on beautiful Mobile Bay. Through our commitment to owners, associates, and guests, we create a warm and welcoming environment that showcases the best of authentic hospitality. We leverage our decades of experience and our relationships within our communities to achieve maximum value for our ownership and unforgettable experiences for our guests. Today, the ultimate travel experience is emotional: its that which surpasses our guests expectations - with a beautifully unique stay or moment that cannot be found just anywhere. With their level of personalized services and the warming comfort of a home away from home, Accors luxury brands are ideally positioned to meet this consumer need for richer, different experiences, with greater meaning. In its transformation into a leading global hospitality player, the Group has significantly grown its brand ecosystem over the last decade, going from 16 to 40+ brands, which include 8 distinct world-recognized luxury brands, with more than 280 hotels between them. With globally-respected names like Raffles, Fairmont Sofitel, and Rixos offering exceptional personalized services, the Groups luxury brands are ideally positioned to meet evolving guest expectations. Luxury and premium offerings represent close to 40% of future openings, driving up the value of the portfolio and making luxury a key driver of Accors future growth. JEAN-JACQUES MORINdeputy CEO and CFO: Everyone wants to get something different from a hotel. That's what people have been calling the mega trend of experiential hospitality. Accor is home to two of the worlds most revered and prestigious brands, Orient Express and Raffles. Jean-Jacques Morin, Deputy CEO & CFO, and Stephen Alden, CEO Raffles & Orient Express, discuss our ambition for those two brands and the strategic importance of luxury moving forward. Renewing the legacy of luxury STEPHEN ALDENCEO Raffles & Orient Express: Raffles is about fusing illustrious heritage with a modern form of hotel craft without losing the specialness of the original intent, that of personal service, that of beautiful spaces to enjoy. Today Accor is relaunching the mythical Orient Express, born in 1883, as both a luxury rail service and, in a world first, as a collection of hotels. Rooted in history, when the first Orient Express La Dolce Vita rolls out of Rome and throughout Italy in 2023, it will be exactly 140 years since the legendary train's maiden voyage from Paris to Istanbul in 1883. Marking the return of high-end rail travel in Europe, the fleet of six deluxe trains, a partnership between Accor and Italian luxury hospitality company, Arsenale, aims to provide the ultimate luxury experience, while also encouraging more environmental train journeys. With five-star service and Italian art of living decor, to board the Orient Express La Dolce Vita is to go back in time, while travelling onwards. And just as the Orient Express formed a bridge between Orient and Occident, Accor is to open the worlds first Orient Express hotel, bridging the journey and the destination, in Minerva, the historic district of Rome, in 2024. In the same bridging of East and West, Orient Express has developed retail collections with several maisons and artisans, including but not limited to Atelier Philippe Allemand, Casarialto, Eric Bompard, Smythson, Trudon, and more, which provide the savoir-faire and elegance of luxury travel for customers to take anywhere they go. Orient Express La Dolce Vita Photo by Accor Orient Express La Dolce Vita Photo by Accor Orient Express La Dolce Vita Photo by Accor Creating legendary hospitality experiences since 1887, Raffles, will nearly double its hotels over the next five years. Each Raffles is designated in a unique location, a historic landmark or its own island, to continue the Raffles legacy of curating experiences like nowhere else. From a private oasis on water at Raffles Udaipur, India, a Royal Escape gives guests the chance to soak up the views of the Udai Sagar Lake over high tea or a tour with the in-house naturalist or morning yoga with the resident master. Or, in the capital of England at Raffles London at The OWO opening this winter, Londoners and visitors alike can enjoy category-defying contemporary cuisine at the chefs table of Michelin-starred Mauro Colagreco, within the Grade II* listed Old War Office building, the mythical headquarters for many a Bond film, where Ian Fleming was inspired to create the original Bond, and where Winston Churchill commandeered his forces during WWII. STEPHEN ALDENCEO Raffles & Orient Express: Raffles is about fusing illustrious heritage with a modern form of hotel craft without losing the specialness of the original intent, that of personal service, that of beautiful spaces to enjoy. Beyond meeting todays travel expectations, our most prestigious luxury brands, with their unique locations and stories, are well positioned to create the most unexpected, emotional experiences of tomorrow. Raffles Udaipur Photo by Accor Raffles Udaipur Photo by Accor Raffles London at The OWO Photo by Accor View source Beware the ides of March. But for the global hotel industry, the month was anything but a tragedy. First-quarter hotel performance ended strong with March profit surging across most global regions, a sign of stronger revenues, better conversion rates and new worries over a COVID upsurge not discouraging would-be travelers. European GOPPAR hit 35.97, the highest the number has reached since it peaked in October 2021, though still around 12 lower than March 2019. After GOPPAR dropped into negative territory in January, its now up 229% YTD compared to the same time in 2021. Feeding into the increase in GOPPAR was a concurrent lift in both RevPAR and TRevPAR, with both metrics up high triple-digit percentages in March versus the same month last year. Though occupancies crept up, it was average daily rate that boosted hotelier fortunes. ADR across Europe was at its highest level since September 2019, with March ADR 25 euros higher than at the same time in 2019. On the other side of the ledger, expenses saw a bit of a reduction in March, but overall costs are proving recalcitrant. Total labor on a per-available-room basis was still below 2019 levels but up significantly YTD since last year143%. At the same, other departmental costs are not abating, including utilities, which, at 7.50 on a PAR basis, were up 107% in Q1 versus the same time last year. They are also significantly higher than at any time pre-pandemic. Star-Spangled Performance The U.S. saw a similar uptick in its operating fortunes. GOPPAR in March 2022 was up some $70 over January 2022 and at $90 was closing in on March 2019s level. It was the highest profit month in the U.S. since February 2020, the last normalized month of performance before COVID-19 reframed the world. Much of the trends in the U.S. followed Europe, with ADR growth leading the way in the recovery. March ADR on a nominal basis was at its highest level since October 2018. Operators managed to convert much of the revenue bounce into profit, evidenced by a flow-through rate (defined as the percentage of incremental profit that flows to the bottom line from each incremental dollar of top-line revenue) of more than 50% in the month. Although labor costs are moving upward month to month, they arent moving at a rate higher than the increases in total revenue. Though corporate business continues to stay muted, association and convention volume increased in March and was at its highest rate since March 2020. Middle East March Up Expo 2020 concluded in March and proved to continue to underpin operating performance in the Middle East region. In fact, March GOPPAR of $114.33 marked the highest-performing month for the metric in the Middle East since before 2018 and 41% higher than in 2021an astonishing feat. TRevPAR was at its highest point since April 2018, bolstered by a boost in F&B revenue, which hit $71.87 on a PAR basis. F&B revenue could continue its upward momentum, especially since places like Dubai have relaxed their food and beverage rules during the month of Ramadan, April 1-May 1. Ramadan curtains were made optional by Dubais Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which stated: For Ramadan, restaurants in the emirate [Dubai] can choose whether or not to place curtains to cover their facades for serving food during fasting hours in line with last years guidelines. DET also announced that venues can serve food and drinks within authorized working hours without the need for pre-authorization or permits. In previous years, F&B outlets were closed until the fast was broken at sunset. China Drop China did not have a similar fortune enjoyed by many other regions, as COVID lockdowns reemerged, dragging hospitality down with it. Shanghai has been in lockdown for about a month now while a COVID spike in Beijing is prompting city officials to act to contain it. March was a grim month for Chinas hotels, with GOPPAR moving into negative territory for the first time since February 2020, around when the pandemic began. As GOPPAR dwindled to -$3.83, payroll costs dove with it, signalling a cut back in the workforce. Total payroll on a PAR basis fell to $28, the lowest its been since July 2020. About HotStats HotStats provides monthly P&L benchmarking and market insight for the global hotel industry, collecting monthly detailed financial data from more than 8,500 hotels worldwide and over 100 different brands and independent hotels. HotStats provides more than 550 different KPIs covering all operating revenues, payroll, expenses, cost of sales and departmental and total hotel profitability. HotStats Limited +44 (0) 20 7892 2241 HotStats Limited There is a lot of confusion about parity performance affecting conversion ratefor hoteliers. But we wanted to simplify things and help you understand the nitty-gritty elements surrounding rate parity and how parity performance can impact the conversion rate of the hotel businesses. You need to understand multiple things before we jump onto the core part. So, without further ado, lets understand the basics. What Is Rate Parity? The agreement between the online travel agencies (OTAs) and hotels restricts the hotels from tweaking the prices on different booking mediums and showcasing different prices. You need to use the same terms and rates for a specific room, irrespective of your selected distribution channel. Hoteliers have the freedom to update their prices, but the change must be consistent across multiple networks, and you cant tweak the prices directly or indirectly on specific booking channels. It helps OTAs prevent business owners from taking away their business by pricing high prices on their platform and charging less on their direct booking websites. It also ensures that the hoteliers dont favor one OTA platform and hinder the market opportunity for the others. Depending upon the country and the parties involved, the rate parity agreement differs and is broadly categorized into two. Wide rate parity A wide parity restricts the hotels to not undercut the room prices set on one OTA channel. The agreement applies to other distribution channels, including the hotels direct booking website. Narrow rate parity In Europe, the rate parity agreement has received a lot of backlash and has been banned across different countries. So the narrow rate parity clause allows hoteliers to lower their rates compared to the OTAs but not on the public platforms. Hotel businesses can offer indirect discounts and offers using different offline channels, including telephone booking, emails, or loyalty programs. It enables hoteliers to minimize the dependency on the OTAs and create a strong, loyal customer base of their own. It can help them save multiple-fold commission money that they pay to the OTA platforms. Countries like Germany and Sweden have banned the rate parity clauses for some OTAs, and different big OTA players have agreed to adapt to narrow parity clauses in different countries. Countries like France, Austria, Italy, and Belgium also have made strict changes to encounter the drawbacks of rate parity clauses and give hoteliers the freedom to decide their room prices according to their choice. But how are rate parity clauses and news surrounding it related to the conversion rate of your hotel business? The price of your hotel on major OTAs and your direct conversion booking channels affect the conversion rate. A recent study conducted by Pegasus collected relevant data from different small and large properties, branded and independent spaces, casinos, and resorts, among others, and found that: Two situations were analyzed during the research. One is when the hotel's direct price is higher than the OTAs and the other when the hotel's direct price is the same or lower than the OTAs. Over 67000 availability searches around multiple hotel sizes and segments were conducted to dig deep into how is parity performance affecting conversion rate of the booking engine of a hotel brand. As you can see in the details, when the hotel's direct price was higher than the OTAs, the conversion rate was around 2.98%. But when the hotel's direct price was the same or lower than the OTAs, the conversion rate shot up to 4.66%. Here are the concluding results. A surge in conversion rate by 56% When the hotel prices on their website were similar to or lower than the OTAs, they witnessed a whopping rise in the conversion rate by 56%. If the hotel prices their rooms higher than the OTAs, people prefer to choose the OTAs as their transaction medium. Increasing the prices on the direct booking portals can cause businesses to pay higher commissions to the OTAs and decline their direct conversion rate. Statistical significance greater than 99% It was found out that the statistical significance of the data was greater than 99%, and the P-value was 0.0000. Out of 16,260 visitors, only 485 converted when the hotel's direct booking price was greater than the pricing on OTAs. And out of 51,318, the converted customers were measured at around 2,393 when the price of the direct booking website is in parity to or lower than the room prices on OTAs. The digitization in the hotel booking process and the rise of multiple OTAs globally have enabled customers to choose from multiple options for hotel booking. Your guest will check on multi-channels and investigate different prices to decide. So if you want to increase your business conversion rate, minimize the dependency on OTAs and lower the high commissions; you need to maintain a similar or lower number of your room prices across all the distribution channels. If you take action on how is parity performance affecting conversion rate and improve it, numerous business opportunities are available that can deliver you significant results in terms of business numbers and conversion rates. Its time you step towards improving your parity performance. A Dedicated Channel Manager Can Assist You A powerful channel manager can help your business create a flawless ecosystem to manage your online distribution channels and update the dynamic prices on different OTAs and your website. Based on the availability of the room, local market trend, and different factors, you can automate updating the prices on multiple online booking platforms to escape the hassle of manual processing. You can shift your focus from maintaining the price to improving the productivity of your workforce and enhancing the guests on-site experience. But finding the right channel manager out of hundreds available in the market is a hectic task at hand. Dont worry. We got you covered. AxisRooms Is Your Ideal Solution Being one of the advanced and professional complete platforms for small, large, and independent staying spaces, AxisRooms has a dedicated channel manager that can simplify your business operations. Using the channel manager, you get a birds eye view of different pricing on all your online distribution channels, and within a few clicks, you can simultaneously update them. The simplified and easy-to-use UX/UI enables you to explore multiple powerful functionalities of the platform like a dedicated booking engine, vacation rental software, property management system, revenue management system, and rate shopper. AxisRooms can deliver tailored solutions to your major and minor hotel distribution, operations, pricing, and other problems to help you scale your business revenue and profits. Explore the power of AxisRooms by accessing the free demo version of the tool and improve your performance parity to witness a rise in your business numbers. We offer 24*7 dedicated customer support to help you bypass different unfortunate hiccups and problems you may encounter while using the platform. We have helped multiple leading hotel brands and OTAs to scale their hospitality sector business, and now it's your time to turn the tables around. AxisRooms Editorial Desk AxisRooms, a software suite provider for the hospitality industry, is committed to aiding your business growth, not just with our state-of-the-art products and services, but also with the latest updates from the travel and hospitality industry. Got something to say? Write to us at: [email protected] I recently received an email from Iryna Sidletska, president of the Ukrainian Hotel & Resort Association, and Mariana Oleskiv, chairperson of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine. In it, they make a case that all global hotel brands should join other Western companies in pulling out of Russia completely, in protest of its attack on Ukraine. Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced in mid-March that they were closing their corporate offices in Moscow and would put new openings, future development activity and investment in Russia on hold. Similarly, Hilton closed its corporate office and is also suspending new development activity. Still, hotels in Russia continue to operate under all three companies' flags. On April 15, Hyatt, which has only five hotels in Russia and had earlier said it would suspend development and new investments there, announced it will end service provisions at a property in Sochi (meaning guests can't access World of Hyatt benefits) and that it was ceasing "association, contracts and relationships" with the Hyatt Regency Moscow Petrovsky Park. Best Western has gone the furthest, suspending all participation in Russia, where it has five franchisees. Many of these same companies have announced war-related humanitarian assistance: Marriott earmarked $1 million to support employees impacted by the war; Hyatt has been providing accommodations for refugees across Europe; IHG has donated room nights, as well, and has also contributed money to the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Hilton, in partnership with American Express, has donated 1 million room nights for refugees and those supporting humanitarian efforts. Hilton said it will also donate any profits from business operations in Russia to humanitarian relief efforts. Although Accor suspended openings and stopped services and distribution to its hotels in Russia, CEO Sebastien Bazin, speaking at the Skift Forum Europe on March 24, defended his company's choice to nonetheless allow its hotels to remain open in Russia. He noted the company's 50-year tradition of neutrality; the importance of maintaining accommodations for Western media, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and diplomats as they carry out duties in Russia; and the need to distinguish Russian citizens employed by Accor from the actions of the Russian state and the imperative to provide them with continued employment. The Ukrainian professional travel associations, however, want nothing less than complete withdrawal and have openly criticized anyone stopping short of that. Sidletska and Oleskiv rejected each of Bazin's points in detail. Their arguments can be summed up thusly: A precedence of neutrality is a weak argument for addressing an event that parallels Nazism, which predated Accor's founding. Would France-based Accor have remained neutral, they ask, as World War II broke out? Would they host the Nazi elite in their Black Forest spas after Germany invaded France? Just one hotel in Moscow would be sufficient to host the dwindling number of media and NGOs who haven't left or been forced out under increasingly restrictive rules. The majority of hotel staff are not Accor employees but work for the hotel's owner and can be retained regardless of which flag the hotel flies. The Ukrainian travel associations are not calling for a boycott of these companies but are seeking to pressure them with a call to conscience to participate completely in sanctions against Russia. They assert that whatever business difficulties the hospitality companies encounter while pulling out pale compared to the difficulties and horror that Ukrainians are experiencing. They suggest that corporations, like individuals, make choices that either contribute to or work against responsible outcomes. Although travel boycotts as a means of protest are not necessarily effective, as was discussed in our March 7 cover story ("The boycott dilemma"), the coordinated global economic sanctions being imposed on Russia do appear to put pressure on the Russian economy, a critical pillar in the Western coalition's efforts to end the war. Given the unique relationships between hotel management companies and hotel ownership, there's no doubt that extricating a hotel brand from Russia would be thornier than would, say, a global retail brand. Neither Best Western nor Hyatt, which appear to have taken the most concrete steps to quit Russia, have large footprints there. Those brands each have about a fifth of Hilton's 25, Marriott's 26 and IHG's 28 locations, and only about a tenth of Accor's 53 properties. But nevertheless, Best Western and Hyatt have shown it can be done. That Hyatt has only withdrawn fully from one property and partially from another may indicate that each individual ownership contract presents a different degree of difficulty. Marriott and IHG have said they are reviewing contracts. Given these complexities, perhaps additional withdrawal announcements, citing disengagement with individual properties, will be forthcoming, rolling out incrementally, as lawyers work through the issues. I hope to hear about more withdrawals. The West's economic sanctions rely on the cooperation of Western-based global companies, and among these companies, I'm not convinced that hospitality should be exempt. Source: travelweekly.com View source As it became apparent on Monday that the richest man in the world was going to become the sole owner of Twitter, I was camped out in a potential alternative to that social network, watching newcomers flow in like refugees fleeing a war. News that Elon Musk had reached an agreement with Twitters board to pay about $44 billion for the company hit hard many of its users, who were concerned based on his past declarations that he would gut protections again harassment, hate speech and trolling. There was a panic on Monday as upset users sought safe havens elsewhere. But heres the problem. Yes, there are other social networking platforms, but theres really nothing else that matches Twitter in terms of speed of news, size of the audience, ease of use and influence in the real world. Ive spent the past few days exploring other services, and theres no robust and viable alternative that checks all those boxes. That said, different people rely on Twitter for different things, and if youre looking for options, theyre out there. Ill explore the most interesting one shortly, but first, lets talk about Twitter itself. The company launched in 2006 as a way to share short, blog-like dispatches with friends via text messages at first, it didnt even have a web page. Less than a year later, it found utility at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, where it became a hit by letting attendees communicate quickly with each other, with messages (they werent yet called tweets) posted on public screens. The service caught on with sectors of society that raised its profile. Artists and celebrities found it was an easy, low-cost way to communicate directly with millions of fans. Politicians discovered it could bypass gatekeeping media. And journalists found it was a great tool for both reporting news and distributing their work. In its early days, Twitter was considered a free-speech haven. I remember the service that I first joined in 2007 as being a place where you could speak your mind, have rational discussions and folks were willing to help each other. It reflected the unbridled optimism of what tech could do to improve humankinds lot. On HoustonChronicle.com: Hey, Netflix moochers! The days of sharing logins are almost over But as Twitter grew, that changed. Every online community at some point experiences an influx of, to put it politely, jerks people who are rude, disparaging, abusive, scamming and offensive, and who consider that behavior to be cool. Eventually, the bullies, harassers and trolls shout louder than anyone else, driving away those seeking rational discourse and connection. And I can speak from professional experience here. For much of the existence of first Chron.com and then HoustonChronicle.com, the free and subscriber websites, I was in charge of comment moderation. I initially wanted a light touch, believing that the cure for bad speech is more speech. But I quickly learned thats just naive. Firm, swift and consistent moderation based on clear terms of use is the key to making sure everyone feels comfortable participating. (And yes, if you ever had a comment deleted or you were banned from our sites during my tenure, its very possible I was involved. Sorry, not sorry.) In recent years, Twitter has made great strides in moderation and building tools that let users protect themselves. Many of those lessons were learned after the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and the flood of health misinformation in the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people will tell you Twitter remains a cesspool particularly for women, the LGBTQ community and people of color. And indeed, the company still has a way to go. But the gains it has made are threatened if Musks proclamations are to be believed. As he began pursuing his bid for the company, Musk who already oversees four businesses, including SpaceX and Tesla declared (on Twitter) that the platform is the planets de facto public town square and said that it was failing to adhere to free speech principles. In an interview at a TED conference earlier this month, Musk made it clear there would be fewer content removals and outright bans under his ownership. If in doubt, let the speech, let it exist. If it's a gray area, I would say let the tweet exist, he said. But obviously in a case where there's perhaps a lot of controversy, that you would not want to necessarily promote that tweet. But I do think that we want to be just very reluctant to delete things, just be very cautious with permanent bans. Its important to note that the deal selling Twitter to Musk likely wont close for another six months; a lot could happen in that time. Musk is notoriously mercurial and impulsive. The agreement to purchase includes language preventing him from disparaging Twitter or its employees, but on Tuesday he amplified tweets that attacked one of the companys top lawyers. And when confronted with the reality of managing the behavior of Twitters 217 million daily active users of which only 38 million are U.S. citizens he may shift his position closer to the pragmatic. His statements caused even longtime Twitter users to rethink their presence there this week, and why I wound up creating an account on CounterSocial, a Twitter alternative that first launched in late 2017. Behave or be banned Located at counter.social, it is built on Mastodon, a software platform created as a decentralized clone of Twitter and run by an anonymous, grey-hat hacker. Calling himself The Jester, he made news in the past by attacking anti-American, jihadist and homophobic sites. Its rules for behavior are stricter than those of Twitter, and bad behavior is not tolerated. In fact, some entire countries are banned from CounterSocial, including Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Syria. The site looks a lot like Tweetdeck, Twitters own client for power users. It allows for multiple columns for mentions, people you follow, lists and the Community firehose, which is everything flowing through the service at the moment. On Monday, the firehose was rockin, but as the panic calmed so did the stream on Tuesday. There are no ads and no algorithm choosing which posts to show you. On HoustonChronicle.com: Can HPE make Houstons tech sector a contender? CounterSocial has promise, but may be challenging for some Twitter users. Its not quite as intuitive, and theres no way to check your contact list for anyone you know, making it hard to find friends. And earlier this week, the site was so overwhelmed that it frequently crashed. Some features are not free and require a Pro account. Pay up and you can build your own virtual reality environment, get warned if a site youre about to click on deals in fake news or even watch streaming cable news. It may take a while for CounterSocial or any Twitter alternative to gain critical mass and become a true contender. For now, its the most interesting one Ive found, and you can follow me there as @dsilverman. dsilverman@outlook.com twitter.com/dsilverman The Texas Public Utility Commissions February 2021 emergency rules allowing an increase in wholesale electricity prices of $9,000 per megawatt hour to address massive power shortages and widespread outages were invalid and ineffective, system, lawyers representing several large energy companies told a Texas appeals court Wednesday. Lawyers for Dallas-based Luminant Energy asked a three-judge panel of the Texas Third Court of Appeals in Austin to declare that the PUC illegally adopted two pricing rules during last years winter storm that allowed the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to increase the emergency price of electricity 650 percent for five days. The PUCs action wreaked havoc of the power system. In response, the PUC argued that the energy companies suing the agency are simply upset at losing money during the frigid weather that knocked about half the states power generation offline, and are asking the judges to second-guess decisions made by the PUC and ERCOT under extreme weather conditions. Legal experts say the PUC decision to set rates at $9,000 for the five days during the storm forced some retail electric providers to pay billions of dollars to provide power to their residential and commercial customers, while other electric companies profited by selling power at those high rates. The decision by the Court of Appeals in Austin will dramatically affect the efforts by more than a dozen electric providers challenging their ERCOT invoices. The epic winter storm hit Texas Feb. 14, 2021, bringing with it snow, freezing rain and sub-zero temperatures. A cascade of power plant failures, knocking out power often for days for more than 4 million customers, including more than 1 million in the Houston area. The PUC, at a six-minute meeting Feb. 15, decided to address the gap between supply and demand by issuing an emergency rule that reset the maximum price at $9,000 per megawatt hour - up from $1,200 at which power was trading in wholesale markets at the time. It made the $9,000 price retroactive to Feb. 14. The next day, Feb. 16, the PUC met again and rescinded the retroactive part of its order. On HoustonChronicle.com: Ex-ERCOT chief says Abbott directed freeze blackouts to stop before decision to run up billions in bills The high-stakes litigation pits the energy companies against each other. For example, Houston-based Pattern Energy, Exelon Generation and Constellation NewEnergy are supporting Luminant in the litigation. All are fighting multibillion-dollar charges as a result of the $9,000 price. Houston-based Calpine Corporation, Talen Energy and TexGen Power support the PUC position. Spring, Texas-based DGP2 and Distributed Solutions argue that the first PUC rule is valid, but the second-day rule rescinding retroactivity was illegal. Allyson Ho, a lawyer for Luminant and partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, told the Austin appellate judges that both emergency pricing rules were invalid for multiple reasons, including the PUCs failure to file the rule change with the Secretary of State. This is a case where the agency disregarded legal procedures. It did not follow the law, Ho argued Wednesday. It is not too much to ask the PUC to follow the rules, follow the law. Texas Assistant Solicitor General Lisa Bennett, who represents the PUC, told the judges that the PUC didnt violate Texas law because the agencys actions were merely a direction to ERCOT, not rulemaking. She argued that the law provides wide discretion for the PUC to make such decisions. The PUCs actions were taken during an extreme emergency and because there was a flaw in the system, she said. Supply was seemingly meeting demand only because the severe shortages had cut off one-third of the states electricity customer from the grid. We were at negative reserves, but the price was not going up, Bennett told the judges. Baker Botts appellate partner Macey Reasoner Stokes, who represents Calpine and Talen, contended that companies like Luminant are using the litigation to improperly shift resulting market losses to other parties. When the emergency passed, however, market participants assessed the financial outcomes of the complex actions they and others had taken in the market during the storm, and some suffered staggering losses, Reasoner Stokes argued in written briefs filed with the appellate court. In hindsight, some market participants now blame the PUC for their losses and argue that the orders were illegal all along.xxx For a longer version of this article, go to texaslawbook.net A huge Kendall County property just outside of the city of Boerne or about five minutes from a George Strait-owned Hill Country resort may soon change hands. The Less Ranch, a 2,269-acre tract of land just off Texas 46 complete with creeks, springs and a dramatic cave, has hit the market this week for $54 million, according to a listing by Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales. On HoustonChronicle.com: George Hill socially distanced at his Hill Country ranch with kangaroos and zebras The Less Ranch has been owned by Greli and John Less for nearly 70 years. Among the ranchs neighbors is the Strait-owned Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort. The propertys southwest boundary borders the Kronkosky State Natural Area. Its so rare to find something this large with its proximity to San Antonio, Dullnig told the Express-News. The ranch is about 20 minutes from the Alamo City. Its refreshing too to see one that is so untouched, Dullnig added. As impressive as it sits now, its unique to find a semi-blank canvas, where it could be turned into something more polished. Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales The propertys main 3,200-square-foot limestone home is believed to have been built in 1935, according to the listing. The living and dining rooms each have rock fireplaces and are complete with knotty pine boards and vaulted beamed ceilings. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales Show More Show Less Theres also a 400-square-foot covered porch and a concrete-floored basement beneath the fully equipped kitchen. The adjoining garage and workshop are about 924-square-feet. The 1,280-square-foot guest house is made of native rock veneer with a concrete beam foundation and concrete piers. It features four bedrooms and two baths. On HoustonChronicle.com: Why millionaires are flocking to Wimberley in Hays County, Texas The large living room and kitchen are positioned in the center, accented with a rock fireplace, and a loft above each set of bedrooms. There is a 336-square-foot porch offering views and access to the swimming pool. There is also a 1,109-square-foot caretakers house. This building has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a foot porch. Theres also a barn and a shed on the property. Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales The property has both low perimeter fencing and high perimeter fencing. There is also a scenic paved road from the entrance to the house. Several dams are located on the creek. Creek tributaries and lakes are found throughout the property. Over a mile of the Frederick Creek traverses the northeast side of the property. It provides two lakes and runs through the ranch for 4 miles, and includes 2 miles of other springs, seeps and drainages. Several stock ponds are also found on the property. Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales The ranch is also highlighted by a dramatic cave with an artesian-type water feature, discharging an estimated 19,000 gallons of water a day and captured for decades in a 40,000-gallon cistern. The water feature flows continuously into an old spring box from the top of the cave. The water is captured and provides water to the home and lakes, which is supplemented by an electric well. The property also boasts of light hunting opportunities for whitetail deer, Axis deer, turkeys, dove and hogs. The water features also provide plenty of opportunities for fishing and duck hunting, according to the listing. Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales Courtesy of Robert Dullnig of Dullnig Ranch Sales timothy.fanning@express-news.net Sonoma in the Heights, the wine bar at 801 Studewood, will close on June 26 after 10 years of operation in the Heights neighborhood. Owner Farrah Cauley, who built three Sonoma Wine Bar concepts in Houston and Katy, said she was unable to continue her lease at the Heights location. Sonomas other locations at 2720 Richmond and 9920 Gaston Road in Katy are unaffected by this decision and will remain open. This was not the outcome I had hoped for after several months of negotiations with the landlord, but I had to make this extremely tough and sad decision based on what my business can afford, she said of Sonoma in the Heights. UCHIKO HOUSTON: Uchi's sister concept from James Beard Award-winning chef opening May 23 Sonoma in the Heights The Heights location remains open through June 26. On that day she plans a grand try before you buy wine tasting with 50 different wines from 2 to 6 p.m. Cauleys decision to close Sonoma in the Heights doesnt spell the end of her presence in the area. She said she currently is seeking a lease for a new location in the Heights area. Ive been dealing with this since October, she said of lease negotiations for Sonoma in the Heights. As soon as I realized what I was in for I started looking to have a backup plan. Yelp Cauley opened Sonoma in the Heights on White Linen Night in 2012. She helped design the store, a former frame shop, as a casual wine bar that has come to serve a variety of dishes including pizza, pasta, salads, and tapas-like appetizers. The original Sonoma Wine Bar opened in Upper Kirby in 2007; the Katy location opened in July 2021. When she finds a new location for Sonoma in the Heights, it will operate like the Katy location, which is a wine shop with a more retail focus serving a small selection of cheese and charcuterie. I want to thank all the employees (past and present) that have contributed to make Sonoma in the Heights what it has become, Cauley said. I want to thank all of our guests, for which showed an enormous amount of love and support over the years, especially throughout the pandemic. Sonoma in the Heights is going out on a positive note: we have two months to pour as much wine and serve as many tasty dishes as we can, Cauley said. Wed love to see you all. Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture. Nothing beats an adventure in nature to restore your serenity. I just returned from a vacation in Utahs scenic Zion National Park with a group of friends. This wasnt my first trip, but I was eager to hike The Narrows again; I love pushing though the water in the slot canyon the trail is actually in the ice-cold Virgin River. On this visit, I also did a solo hike one afternoon up to Angels Landing. Its only about 3 miles, but its straight up with a series of 21 steep switchbacks. The last half-mile is a narrow path of stones and boulders with sharp drop-offs on either side. Hikers grip the chains lining the path and try not to look down. I arrived at the summit, 5,790 feet up, at sunset and practically had the view to myself before it was time to scramble back down in order make the last shuttle back to Zion Lodge. Melissa Aguilar / Elizabeth Conley / Staff The theme of this issue is explore. Our team ventured to some favorite spots in Texas: Writer Nora Mishanec and photographer Elizabeth Conley take us on a tour of the famous Painted Churches. Food editor Greg Morago visits Austin to see whats on the menu at the capital citys new restaurants. And writer Paul Stephen samples German food in New Braunfels. Veterans in one downtown Houston housing complex have formed an unlikely bond with nearly 40 feral cats that have taken up residence in the complex. The housing complex offers transitional housing for homeless veterans and their families. The unadoptable cats living at the complex were diseased, mangy and overpopulated due to uncontrolled litters, but thanks to the efforts of a Katy charity, the cats have been trapped, given medical care and returned to the veterans free of charge. Citizens for Animal Protection is a 501(c)(3) no-kill animal shelter in Katy. In addition to facilitating pet adoptions, the charity also offers humane education, wellness clinic services and a feral cat trap-neuter-release program. Through the feral cat program, volunteers humanely trap cats that are wild and unadoptable. The cats are sedated and spayed or neutered and given vaccinations. The cats ears are then clipped at the end, signifying that the cat has been altered and treated. After treatment, the cats are released back into the wild. The feral cat colony at the veteran's complex was growing out of control, so Shari Wilson, a veteran living at the complex, reached out to CAP. "There were just so many animals," Wilson said. "Everywhere you looked, there were cats, and some of them were very sick. One kitten had mange so bad he couldn't even open his little eyes. It was heartbreaking, really." Compounding the issue- many of the veterans have service dogs, Wilson said, and sarcoptic mange can be spread from cats to dogs. "We have to protect our service animals as well," Wilson said. "If our service dogs get sick, it's a major, major problem. A lot of us can't live without our service dogs." Wilson contacted CAP but was adamant that the animals not be harmed or permanently removed. Shari said, We have all these cats, and theyre sick or mangy, and theyre having too many litters, said Bianca Burrascano, media relations for CAP. They wanted medical treatment for the cats, but they didnt want the cats removed because the veterans were so attached to the cats. More Katy news: Katy Police Department substation to bolster security at Katy Mills Mall The cats and veterans give each other comfort, said Daiva Paskauskaite, head of the feral cat program at CAP. The veterans in the shelter are homeless, and the cats are unadoptable, so they formed a strong bond. The veterans cant afford to buy cat food, Paskauskaite said, so they share their meals with the cats. The veterans sometimes have PTSD and are homeless, and they do understand those animals, because those animals are homeless too, she said. So they share their meals, which are mostly donated by Meals on Wheels, with those cats. The cats are unadoptable due to their feral nature, Burrascano explained, but most of them are friendly, allowing the veterans to pet and hold them. Some of the veterans have been caring for the cats since they were kittens, so while they're technically feral, they're accustomed to being held and cuddled by the veterans. "Some of the cats even have names and collars," Wilson explained. "So they may be wild, but they're very much like pets to some of us." When the veterans first learned that the cats would be trapped and treated, they resisted the volunteers, Burrascano said. "We actually had to put locks on the cages because the veterans were going in behind us trying to let them out," Wilson recalled. "They didn't understand at first that we were trying to help." The CAP volunteers held a meeting with the veterans to explain the process, emphasizing that the cats wouldn't be harmed or taken away. We had to explain the procedure to them because they didnt understand the program, and they thought we were going to euthanize the cats, Burrascano said. You could tell that these cats really were so important to them. On HoustonChronicle.com: Former KPRC anchor Dominique Sachse talks about leaving TV, divorce and her new book Life Makeover Once the veterans understood that CAP would be treating the cats and then returning them to the complex, they welcomed the volunteers. These cats are really loved by these veterans, and once they understood we werent going to harm the cats, they were completely on board, Paskauskaite said. There was so much gratitude. On April 21, volunteers with CAP trapped 39 cats. The animals were treated over the next two days and released back into the housing complex on April 23. The volunteers also trapped numerous kittens who were still young enough to be suitable for adoption. Those kittens were given medical attention and are now in foster homes. CAP also gave the veterans bags of food for the animals so the veterans would no longer have to share their meals with the cats. It just broke my heart to know that these veterans were having to share what little they had to keep the cats fed, Paskauskaite said. These cats clearly are loved and cared for, and we at CAP knew we had to step in to keep the cats and veterans together. The veterans are grateful to CAP for their endeavor, Wilson said. "I've never seen anything like these volunteers- the way they came in and got to work and made such a huge difference for us," she said. "Now we have healthy cats, and we don't have to worry about litters getting out of control. These people are absolutely amazing." The incoming new chief for Pearland Fire Department vows to continue the operations record of excellence, which includes recently earning a top rating that could pay off in the citys economic development efforts and in competitive fire insurance rates for property owners. Hired after a nationwide search, Jack J Taylor III will assume his role as fire chief on May 16, replacing Vance Riley, who retires April 29 after 11 years at the helm. Curtis Birt, the departments assistant chief, will serve as chief in the interim. Taylor, who boasts nearly three decades of fire experience, comes from Trophy Club, a city outside of Dallas where he served as fire chief from 2020-2022. We will strive to be the fire department that others in Texas look to as a template for success, Taylor said. Being progressive and creative as an organization will allow us to raise the bar of exceptional services PFD already provides to the community. The fire departments Insurance Services Office rating of Class 1 the highest public protection classification certifies it as among the best in the country. The ratings originate with the ISO, an advisory organization registered with the Texas Department of Insurance. The Texas State Fire Marshals Office, which is part of the state department, approves or disapproves each rating before its recorded by ISO and relayed to the community, TDI representative Gardner Selby said. For more information, visit www.tdi.texas.gov//fire/fmppc.html. Among the more than 45,000 ISO-ranked U.S. fire departments, Pearlands is one of 459 to be labeled Class 1, an improvement from its 2015 ranking as ISO Class 2. During the April 25 City Council meeting, Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole called the new certification an honor. Basically, 1 percent of cities (that have an ISO rating) achieve what were achieving here tonight, he said. Cole congratulated Riley for his work not only within the fire department, but his collaboration with other city departments such as the police force and public works to earn the top ranking. The ISO ranking examines five elements of city services that impact firefighting capabilities: community infrastructure, fire mitigation geographics, the fire department itself, water supply and community risk reduction. The ranking takes into account many factors, including the distance from properties to fire stations and hydrants, emergency communications and fire stations equipment, training and personnel. Other factors taken into account are the citys available water supply measured against its needs to combat fires, as well as fire investigation capabilities and public fire prevention education efforts. Riley thanked Police Chief Johnny Spires, the Pearland Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) and Robert Upton, the city director of engineering, for working with his team to make the distinction possible. The fire department was graded on a scale of 1-100, earning 92.97 points to be labeled Class 1. Riley said 39.67 of a possible 40 points came from the citys water system, which he called very strong. The ranking system looked at Pearland's water supply and tested hydrants size, type and installation among other inspection points. Riley also lauded the successful collaboration between emergency dispatchers and the fire department to quickly alert firefighters to where they are needed. We have to be able to dispatch the fire department to get those right resources, he said. Those dispatchers team up with our fire contractor and they do a fantastic job, and they almost got a perfect score. Riley said the EDC helped the fire department fund a study to determine that it was eligible for the ISO rating. Riley said he hopes the city keeps striving to keep the ranking. Youve got to keep going forward, he said. As the city builds new areas, youve got to add more personnel and stations to maintain this. Taylors hiring was confirmed by the City Council on April 11. The vast majority of Taylors career was spent in Irving, where he worked from 1995 until 2020 and earned the rank of assistant chief. He worked his way through that department, also serving as its public information officer and administrative chief. Taylor has a master of science degree in organizational leadership from Columbia Southern University, a bachelor of science in biology from Southwest Oklahoma State University and associate degrees in kinesiology and emergency medical service professions. WASHINGTON (AP) The Energy Department on Wednesday authorized additional exports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from planned terminals in Texas and Louisiana. The orders allow Golden Pass LNG Terminal near Port Arthur, Texas, and Magnolia LNG Terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to export additional natural gas as LNG to any country not prohibited by U.S. law or policy. The $10 billion Golden Pass LNG export project is expected be operational in 2024, with Magnolia coming online by 2026. The two terminals are expected to produce more than 3 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The approvals come as the United States seeks to boost LNG exports to Europe amid Russia's war with Ukraine. The Energy Department approved expanded permits for two other LNG terminals in Texas and Louisiana last month. Cheniere Energy Inc. said its Sabine Pass facility in Louisiana and its Corpus Christi plant in Texas have been improved and are making more gas than covered by previous export permits. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said last month that the U.S. is exporting every molecule of liquefied natural gas that we can to help European buyers of Russian fuel. U.S. LNG exports have reached new highs of about 12 billion cubic feet per day and are expected to grow to more than 13 billion cubic feet by the end of the year, with most going to Europe, the Energy Department said. The U.S. and its allies also have released oil from their strategic reserves to counter Russia's aggression. The U.S. has banned imports of Russian oil. The U.S. and other countries will act quickly to hedge against energy disruptions,'' Granholm said at the International Energy Agencys ministerial meeting in Paris. We will not allow Vladimir Putin to wedge our nations apart. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, hailed the new permits Wednesday as a tremendous victory for Texans, American jobs, trade and our European allies who will now have greater access to our clean natural gas exports.'' A source familiar with his thinking said Cruz planned to release a Senate hold on Brad Crabtree, President Joe Biden's nominee to be assistant Energy secretary for fossil energy and carbon management. Golden Pass is jointly owned by ExxonMobil Corporation and Qatar Petroleum International Limited, while Magnolia is owned by the Glenfarne Group LLC. SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) The European Union wants to start formal membership talks with North Macedonia by early this summer and renew efforts to address objections from Bulgaria that have held up the process, a top EU official said Wednesday. Oliver Varhelyi, the EU s enlargement commissioner, said during a visit to North Macedonia that the bloc is eager to break the two-year deadlock. Hastening the process of admitting new members has taken on more urgency for the EU following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. North Macedonia is part of Europe! No time to waste to speed up the procedures! Varhelyi tweeted after a meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski. Bulgaria, which joined the EU in 2007, argues that North Macedonia has failed to honor parts of a 2017 friendship deal between the neighboring countries. KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded when a Russian missile hit a 25-story apartment building in Kyiv on Thursday evening and set off a fire, which partially destroyed the first and second floors. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum NATO chief says Finland, Sweden could join quite quickly Biden seeks new powers to use oligarchs assets for Ukraine A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers After a rocket: One second and you are left with nothing Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had very substantive and warm talks on energy and defense cooperation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Zelenskyy said they agreed that damaged Ukrainian military equipment could be repaired at Bulgarian plants and then sent back to Ukraine. Another issue we agreed on was the supply of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the joint use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline to diversify energy supplies in the region, Zelenskyy said late Thursday in his nightly video address to the nation. Russia this week cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and also to Poland, two NATO members which have been among the strongest European supporters of Ukraine in the war. Although Bulgaria gets over 90% of its gas from Russia, the cutoff does not immediately put the country in dire trouble because of other potential suppliers. The Trans-Balkan gas pipeline runs from Greece through Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine. __ ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine An 11-year-old Ukrainian boy was one of at least three people wounded in what emergency officials are calling the first Russian strike in a residential area of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia since Russias invasion began. The city has been a crucial waypoint for tens of thousands of people fleeing the besieged southern port of Mariupol. The rocket strike came Thursday as parts of southern Ukraine prepared for a further onslaught by Russian forces who seek to strip the country of its coastline. Residents said at least eight homes in the modest neighborhood were damaged or destroyed. Glass shards cut the boys right leg to the bone. The injured boys father, Vadym Vodostoyev, said it just takes one second and youre left with nothing. __ KYIV, Ukraine Russia struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shortly after a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday evening. At least one person was killed and several were injured, including some who were trapped beneath the rubble, according to rescue officials. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city was hit twice, causing fires in at least two high-rise buildings. The explosions, which sent plumes of black smoke into the air, came just shortly after the two leaders held a press conference in which Guterres condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia retreated. Authorities said the U.N. chief and his team were safe. Appearing to be one of boldest attacks on Kyiv since Russian forces retreated from around the capital weeks ago, the explosions came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing number of people have been out and enjoying the spring weather. __ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines prosecutor on Thursday identified 10 Russian soldiers she accused of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, one of the wars major flashpoints that helped galvanize Western support of Ukraine. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said on Facebook that the 10 soldiers in Russias 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Ground Forces Brigade who occupied Bucha were involved in the torture of peaceful people. She did not specifically say that her office had filed criminal charges, and appealed to the public to help develop evidence. The Russian government denies it targets civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently honored the brigades work, and Venediktova said he bears responsibility for the soldiers actions as their commander-in-chief. During the occupation of Bucha, they took unarmed civilians hostage, killed them with hunger and thirst, kept them on their knees with hands tied and eyes taped, mocked and beat them, Venediktova said, adding that the Russian soldiers threatened to shoot the hostages and looted houses. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visiting Bucha on Thursday, called for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes. Ukrainian authorities have said they are investigating thousands of possible war crimes, including killing of civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture, sexual crimes and use of prohibited weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address to his nation, renewed a pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes. He added about the 10 suspects identified Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There, theyll receive retribution from our military. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. Instead of saying that the Ukrainians, equipped with some capability to resist Russian forces, are doing this, theyve got to tell their people that the United States and all of NATO is engaged, Biden said. He added that no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons and called doing so irresponsible. ___ LONDON The British government says a U.K. national has been killed in Ukraine, and another is missing. The Foreign Office confirmed Thursday that it is supporting the family of a British national killed in Ukraine. It also said it was urgently seeking further information on another Briton who is missing. The government did not provide further details. Sky News reported that the Britons were believed to have been fighting with Ukrainians against the Russian invasion. Volunteers from Britain and many other countries have traveled to Ukraine to fight, despite being discouraged from doing so by their governments. ___ ISTANBUL Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says both U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin have told him that their talks in Moscow earlier this week were positive. Erdogan told reporters before leaving for a trip to Saudi Arabia, that he held separate telephone calls with Guterres and Putin. Mr. Guterres ... informed me that the talks (with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov) were positive. In our discussion with Mr. Putin yesterday, Putin expressed the same views. Erdogan added that the Russian president had conveyed the opinion that a U.N. intervention is positive for the future. He did not elaborate. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian troops defending a steel plant that is the last Ukrainian bulwark in the key port of Mariupol say an intensive Russian bombing has inflicted more casualties. The Azov Regiment holed up at the giant Azovstal steel plant on Thursday posted a video showing people combing through the rubble to remove the dead bodies and help the wounded after the Russian bombing overnight. The Azov said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people and wounding others there. The video couldnt be independently verified. The Russian troops have pummeled the mammoth seaside plant with relentless airstrikes and artillery barrage, trying to uproot its defenders holed up in a 24-kilometer (15-mile) maze of underground tunnels, passages and bunkers. Ukrainian officials say that up to 1,000 civilians also were sheltering in Azovstal. They are demanding that Russia provides a safe exit for them under the United Nations aegis. ___ WARSAW, Poland Polands border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings into Poland from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, while there have been 904,000 crossings into Ukraine. Border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska said Thursday that the number includes people who cross a number of times because, for example, they regularly do shopping in Poland and then go back. Polish authorities say some 1.6 million refugees have applied for and received special ID numbers that will allow them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. ___ VIENNA The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says radiation levels in excavations found in the exclusion zone around the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant were well below the maximum authorized levels for plant workers. Ukraines state power company said after Russian troops withdrew at the end of March that they received significant doses of radiation from digging trenches in the area. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said Thursday that, during a visit this week, experts from his agency took measurements from excavations probably made by occupying soldiers. He said that the levels were three times or more lower than the authorized levels for workers in areas exposed to radiation. As for whether anyone was actually exposed to those radiation levels, he said: We have asked about possible exposures or situations; we havent received any answer. Although that suggested the health risk wasnt as great as feared, Grossi stressed that its not a place to have a picnic or excavate. ___ BRUSSELS Senior European Union officials say countries or companies bowing fully to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting that they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions. The Kremlin says importers should establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. They would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The officials warn that Russias central bank could hold on to the money before converting it and in essence use the funds as a temporary loan for the national economy or to prop up the ruble. The EUs sanctions prohibit any transaction with the Russian Central Bank. One official said Thursday that if the member states and the European companies apply strictly the decree it will constitute a breach of the sanctions. His job description does not allow him to be named publicly. The violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has said that companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars, as per their contract, and then notifying Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. Ultimately, its up to the 27 EU countries to judge whether the rules are being broken. Some of those countries are heavily reliant on Russia for gas. By Lorne Cook. ___ TOKYO German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending his countrys ongoing purchase of gas and other fossil fuels from Russia. Speaking during a visit to Japan on Thursday, Scholz said that it is a challenge that many European countries, including Germany, are dependent on imports of fossil resources from Russia. Scholz said his government aims to end imports of Russian coal and oil this year. He said that the same will happen for gas, but that is a process that will require more time. Asked whether he was concerned Russia might stop shipping gas to Germany, like it did this week for Poland and Bulgaria, Scholz acknowledged that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. He said this was also the reason why there no sanctions have so far been imposed on energy supplies from Russia, adding this had been decided in close cooperation with our partners who themselves are energy exporters and therefore in a different starting position, such as the United States. Scholz said: Whether and what decisions the Russian government takes in this regard one can only speculate, but it makes little sense to do so. ___ ANKARA, Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders also discussed a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that took place in Turkey on Wednesday. Erdogans office said he told Putin on Thursday that Turkeys mediation in the exchange was an indication of the importance Ankara attaches to peace, dialogue and cooperation. He reiterated Turkeys readiness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and its wish to establish peace in the region by increasing the momentum generated in face-to-face talks that were held between the two countries delegations in Istanbul late last month. It was the second telephone call between the two presidents this week. On Tuesday, Erdogan urged Putin to agree to direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is asking Congress or new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of a new funding request to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russias invasion. In remarks at the White House on Thursday morning, Biden will formally ask for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending earmarked for supplying Ukraines military, bolstering its economy and supporting the millions of refugees who fled Russias invasion two months ago. The White House said he will also seek new authorities from Congress to strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian government and those who profit from it, the White House said. Biden is asking lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. ___ MOSCOW Russia says that Turkey gave it advance notice before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory. She added that the reasons for that were clear to us and the Russian side isnt using that route. Zakharova made the comment when asked about Turkeys weekend announcement that it had halted Russian flights to Turkey over its territory from the start of this month. It wasnt clear whether the move was related to Russias military operation in Ukraine. Turkey has close relations with both countries and has positioned itself as a mediator. Russia and Turkey have backed opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. ___ SOFIA, Bulgaria Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said during a visit to the Ukrainian town of Borodyanka that he hopes Bulgarian lawmakers will agree next week to send military assistance to Ukraine. Petkov was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv later Thursday. He said after viewing damage caused to Borodyanka during the initial Russian advance that we cannot be indifferent. We cannot say that this is a Ukrainian problem, we cannot say some people are dying but we are not interested in that. He criticized the argument of some politicians in Bulgaria that denying military aid to Ukraine would bring about a faster peace. Petkov said: If this is the price of peace, if the Russian state continues to fire and no one can defend himself is this the peace we want? ___ KYIV, Ukraine Mariupol authorities are sounding the alarm about unsanitary conditions in the ravaged port city that they say pose a deadly danger to its remaining residents. Mariupol City Council said on the messaging app Telegram Thursday that deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewerage, the decomposition of thousands of corpses under the rubble, a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. It said that the lives of 100,000 people who still remain in Mariupol, out of 450,000 pre-war residents, may be in danger pointing to diseases like cholera and dysentery. The Telegram post cited Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko as saying that the invaders are not able to provide the remaining population with food, water and medicines or are simply not interested in that. He said that living conditions in the ruined Mariupol are now medieval and that an immediate and complete evacuation is needed. ___ WASHINGTON A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying its not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) A group opposing Donald Trumps endorsement of JD Vance in Ohios contentious Republican Senate primary is making the former president the target of a new ad campaign. The ad from the conservative Club for Growth, which supports former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel in the race, questions Trump's decision to endorse Vance, the Hillbilly Elegy author who has had to backtrack from previous criticism of the former president. The TV spot from the group's super PAC features audio of Vance bashing Trump back in 2016. Has Trump seen this? asks a man in a flannel shirt. A woman labels Vance a fraud for once denouncing but now embracing Trump. The ad, which first aired Wednesday, also notes Trumps past endorsement of a man who is now one of his biggest rivals: Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah. Hes getting it wrong with JD Vance, too, the ad says. The Vance campaign slammed the new ad, saying, Josh Mandel and his allies have declared war on President Trump and the entire MAGA movement." The ad campaign only escalates the fight that has erupted in Ohios Republican Senate race over Trumps highly coveted endorsement, which came just three weeks before the states May 3 primary. The candidates competed with one another for months to earn the support of the former president, who remains widely popular among the GOP base. The night before Trumps announcement, Vance opponents across the state, including supporters of fellow Republican Senate candidates Jane Timken and Mike Gibbons, mounted a failed last-ditch effort to stop the endorsement from happening. The $1.7 million ad campaign heightens tensions between Trump and the Club for Growth, a major force in Republican politics that has spent millions to back its chosen candidates in this year's elections. While the group opposed Trump when he ran for the White House in 2016, it realigned itself after he became president. In the years since, the club's president, David McIntosh, has become a close confidant and trusted adviser of Trump. Donald Trump Jr., the former president's son and a top Vance supporter, has taken particular umbrage to the club's efforts to defeat Vance. The people that are funding Josh Mandel, they spent $10 million in 2016 to fight Donald Trump, he said at a recent campaign event. In an interview, McIntosh said the organization continues to support Mandel as Ohio's best choice for the open Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Rob Portman. The ad speaks for itself," he said. "We think Josh is the best Make America Great candidate and were going to continue to support him. Just weeks ago, Trump and McIntosh appeared together at a rally in North Carolina for U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, who has the support of both Trump and the Club for Growth in North Carolina's Republican Senate primary. Trump invited McIntosh to join him on stage and called him a very powerful man and very good friend of mine. We are undefeated when we work together, Trump said. Hes a winner, thats who it is. Before Trump's endorsement, the group's super PAC, Club for Growth Action, had spent $4.5 million in Ohio on Mandel's behalf, mostly to pillory his rivals. The former president's endorsement of Vance disappointed many of the state's Trump loyalists. Some tea party Republicans protested at Trump's Ohio rally last Saturday, and one conservative group, Ohio Value Voters, urged its members to either boycott the event or boo Vance when he came on stage. ___ Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report from New York. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Houston police officer on Wednesday fatally shot an armed man who had been wanted on three felony warrants in the Pleasantville area, where friends say the man grew up. The 29-year-old man was pronounced dead at Ben Taub Hospital. He did not appear to fire his gun, officials said, and no police officers were injured. The Chronicle learned the mans identity but is withholding his name pending notification of family members. During a news briefing at the northeast Houston shooting scene, HPD Executive Chief Matt Slinkard said a tactical team with the Houston Police Department had been searching for the man since 10 a.m., looking to apprehend him on warrants for three felony charges: aggravated assault, evading arrest in a vehicle and felon in a possession of a weapon. Those charges stemmed from a police report filed on March 19, when the mans girlfriend of three weeks told police that he beat her and pointed a gun at her, according to court records. Police on that day pursued the man while he fled the scene of the alleged assault in a Mitsubishi Outlander, records show. The man eventually abandoned the vehicle and got away on foot, records show. Police said they recovered a handgun in the vehicle. On Wednesday, the tactical team spotted the man getting into the passenger seat of an SUV. Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, Slinkard said, but the driver did not stop. A brief pursuit continued to the 8700 block of Josie Street, where officers used an "intervention technique" to stop the vehicle, Slinkard said. When the SUV came to a stop on Josie Street, body camera footage showed the man exiting the passenger side with a "bag in his hand," Slinkard said. One approaching officer fired their weapon, striking the man. Police later found that the bag was concealing a handgun, Slinkard said. The driver of the SUV is in custody on a charge of evading arrest and will be questioned further. Many people who knew the slain man gathered around the busy scene Wednesday evening, as a throng of police moved in and out of the neighborhood. One man, Wendel Thomas, said they grew up together in the area. He considered him family. Im not going to lie, Im hurt, he said. Thomas said the man had a young daughter and operated a dog breeding business. Two longtime neighbors, Michael Parks and Linda Knox, said the man had recently rented a home a few houses down from where the shooting happened. Knox said he took care of her dog on occasion. Parks, who had known the mans family for many years, was surprised to hear he was involved. He wasnt a bad guy at all, Parks said, later adding, Very polite young man. The Harris County District Attorneys Office and the Houston Police Departments Special Investigations Unit will investigate the shooting. Body camera footage will be released within 30 days, per department policy, Slinkard said. julian.gill@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Dr. Lucy Graubard recently welcomed two students from the University of Houston to her home with a surprise. She made us bourekas, which was pretty amazing! said one of the students, Miranda Ruzinsky, about the baked pastry that is very popular in the Sephardic Jewish gastronomy. She added that Graubard's food offering couldnt have been more effective to break the ice for the specific purpose that brought them to her house. LATINO LEADERS: Extraordinarios! 10 Houston Latinos who are making a difference Ruzinsky and her classmate Carla Peterson Mora were part of a group of 16 University of Houston students participating in the Sephardic Latinx Oral History Project documenting histories of Latinos with that Jewish background in collaboration with the Holocaust Museum Houston, which on Monday launched a public display of the project. The project, directed by Mark Goldberg, a history professor at the university and director of the UH Jewish Studies Program, aimed to shed light on often overlooked communities in the intersection of being Latinos and Jewish, two heritages that many people dont associate, he said. This is a typical American story in that this is a migration story, Goldberg said. It's about preserving culture after migration and its complex dynamics, and I think this would speak to all people, not just Latinos, or Jews, or Jewish Latinos. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Bill Orlin listens during a Yom HaShoah ceremony for Holocaust Remembrance Day on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston. Goldberg said that these cultural interconnections have rarely been studied in the U.S. and doing so in Houston was of particular importance. Being in Houston, which is a global, diverse (city), I thought it was important to show the different ways of being Latino, and also, the different ways of being Jewish, said Goldberg. The professor said that the number of Latino Sephardic Jews in Houston is unknown as there is a scarcity of studies looking at Hispanic Jews. But he added that a survey from the American Jewish Committee published in 2015 identified between 130,000 and 227,000 Latino Jews in the U.S., although it didnt identify if they were Sephardic, Ashkenazy, or other Jewish diversities. NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here. The project focused on the Sephardic Jews who typically descended from 13th-century Jewish populations that resided in the Iberian Peninsula before their expulsion by Spanish and Portuguese royalty. Likewise, many Latinos in Houston and the U.S. share ancestry roots in that region. During the project, the students learned the history and customs of Jewish communities and how they settled in Latin America before migrating to the U.S. They tracked 16 Sephardic Jewish in Houston who immigrated from Latin America for the project and documented their stories in oral history videos. More from Olivia P. Tallet: UH communication school's telenovelas project takes students to little Hollywood Ruzinsky and Peterson Mora documented the story of Graubard, who is a pediatrician practicing in northwest Houston. She is a Sephardi Jew but also has Ashkenazy heritage from one of her parents. Ruzinsky said she realized during the interview that the bourekas and both Jewish and Hispanic heritage food were important for Graubard to preserve her traditions. I think it was something that meant so much to her; the way that her face lit up when she talked about it, the student said. I think that (food) was the way of her family for expressing their Jewishness and Latin heritage; an expression of love and community in their social interactions. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer For the Holocaust Museum, this project is part of its Latino Initiative Program created six years ago, which has presented exhibits such as Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program in 2017 and Withstand: Latinx Art in Times of Conflict last year, among other programs. This project is particularly important to the museum because Latinx history and Jewish history are interconnected, said Laurie Garcia, senior associate director of education at the Holocaust Museum. Were thrilled to be able to host this () to show how these histories and interwoven together. Garcia said that after launching the project Monday at the museum, the institution will use its growing Latino archive to host bilingual school programs, student and teacher workshops, and other initiatives. She said the museum hopes teachers would identify this oral history project as a potential educational resource to incorporate into their classrooms. The project, including its numerouns oral history videos, is hosted at hmh.org/SephardicLatinx. For the University of Houston students in Goldberg's history class, the project provided a unique experience. CAMPUS LEGEND: UH community mourns the loss of professor emeritus Michael Olivas Sitting down with a person, asking questions, and listening to their stories is critical for historians, said Goldberg. I thought this would be an outstanding experience for our students. Student Ruzinsky said the Latino-Jewish intersection wasnt something new to her. I am Jewish!... and I am Latina too. I grew up going to religious school, I had my Bar Mitzvah (and) I'm part of the Jewish Houston Young Professionals group. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Ruzinsky said she was born in Houston to a Catholic Hispanic mother who converted to Judaism when she married her Ashkenazy father. I learned a lot about the history of Judaism beyond the Ashkenazi traditions. However, something was new to Ruzinsky. I learned a lot about the procedure of doing oral history from a mindful, compassionate way, and the open-mindedness that one needs to have when dealing with human subjects, Ruzinsky said. We learned that a lot of the times people are socially conditioned to believe that their stories are not special enough or that they are not really part of history. But having people recount their lives or their families' brings certain realizations of uniqueness and specialness that I feel was important. On HoustonChronicle.com: Dozens of Latino law students to get scholarships in Houston Ruzinsky said she valued that the project focused on those heritage intersections and found exceptional the opportunity to participate in an educational initiative hosted by the museum. I thought this experience was pretty revolutionary, she said. olivia.tallet@chron.com Twitter.com/oliviaptallet This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Eric Black was not a church-goer. But after learning that a little girl, Jazmine Barnes, was killed in the shooting he purportedly participated in he testified that he desperately looked for a Houston house of worship hours after the incident and stepped inside. The co-defendant in the capital murder case took to the witness stand Wednesday as part of a deal to lessen his charge to murder in connection to the December 2018 drive-by shooting that left the 7-year-old child dead and her mother wounded. Police have accused Black of driving the vehicle used in the attack. BARNES CASE: Harris County deputy recounts finding lifeless body of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes after shooting Black, 23, testified that he texted family members about which church to go to and where. No one questioned why he wanted to go so badly. By 11 a.m. about four hours after the childs death, with details of the investigation already surfacing in news reports he told his mother that he was in church. Prosecutors outlined Blacks text messages and phone calls in the second day of the capital murder trial of 27-year-old Larry Woodruffe the accused gunman. Within an hour of the shooting, Black texted a friend asking for videos from a strip club that he planned to post to his social media as an alibi attempt, he said in court. He was unable to reach Woodruffe as the day dragged on and he became increasingly nervous. At 7:55 p.m., Woodruffe finally responded. We good, he said. When a sketch of a man who looked nothing like Black or Woodruffe came out, he felt more calm. I was going to get away with it, Black told the court. RELATED: Shes part of us: Killing of child strikes hard in Jazmine Barnes neighborhood A traffic stop days later changed that. Homicide investigators ferried him to a Harris County Sheriffs Office interrogation room, where he spent the next 12 hours. Woodruffes defense attorney, Paul Morgan, attempted to question Blacks character by dwelling on his odd behavior in the interrogation room. He frequently vomited in a garbage can. Jurors were shown images from within the room of Black taking his shirt off and crawling on the floor. Morgan said investigators became increasingly annoyed by Blacks behavior and incomprehensible tangents. When asked, Black testified why he had acted that way. During this whole interrogation, you were high, Morgan said. Correct, Black responded. He had taken Xanax earlier and was still under its effect, Black said. Prosecutors have offered to reduce Black's charge to murder following "truthful testimony" as a state witness in Woodruffe's trial. As part of a plea bargain, the state would cap the punishment range at 35 years. The sentencing would take place at a later hearing and a judge would decide the punishment. As for what prompted the shooting, Blacks explanation is that Woodruffe opened fire on the Dodge Avenger believing that it was the same one that a dangerous drug competitor drove and who they earlier clashed with. Black would not identify that competitor. You made him up, Morgan said, an allegation that Black denied. Black's defense attorney, Alvin Nunnery, would not allow his client to comment on his testimony while leaving the courtroom. Black made bond in June 2019 and has been free since. Maybe after the trial but not now, Nunnery said. BACKGROUND: Were missing a piece to our puzzle: Jazmine Barnes mother urges killer to turn himself in Jazmines mother, LaPorsha Washington, testified on Wednesday morning, along with her two daughters. She cried while recalling details of the shooting and a photo of the gunshot wound to her shoulder was shown to the jury. The bullet is still in my arm until this day, Washington said. Her daughters testified to seeing a white man with blue eyes in a red truck and that description is what turned into a widely-distributed police sketch. One of the girls, Ebony Gilbert, now 17, said she saw the man at an intersection. When the light turned green they went faster than that vehicle. She then heard popping and breaking glass over the sound of their loud rap music in the car. Gilbert testified that she did not see who fired the gunshots or from where and she never saw the man in the red truck brandish a firearm. The man misidentified from the police sketch, Robert Cantrell, took his own life in July 2019 in a Montgomery County Jail cell. The two men charged in Jazmines death are Black. The trial started Tuesday with testimony from Sgt. Trevor Windsor, who was among the first law enforcement officials to reach the crime scene. Dash-cam footage from his patrol vehicle showed the siblings standing outside their familys bullet-riddled vehicle. He checked on Jazmine but she was lifeless, the sergeant testified. The trial, with Judge Vanessa Velasquez overseeing the case, could reach a verdict as early as Friday. The case is among four murder and capital murder trials going on at the criminal courthouse. A second, high-profile case, also involving a child victim, is continuing in another courtroom. In that case, defendant Andre Jackson is charged with murder in the 2016 death of 11-year-old Josue Flores. nicole.hensley@chron.com The languid meanders of the Rio Grande are deceiving. Sections where migrants usually cross from Mexico into the U.S. are mostly shallow and no wider than the length of about four cars. But in places, deeper currents can rip fast and cruel. On Monday, Spc. Bishop Evans of the Texas Army National Guard, 22, deployed to the border for Gov. Greg Abbotts Operation Lone Star initiative, was pronounced the latest victim of the river after a four-day search turned up his body. His name joins a list of at least 23 people who have drowned just this past month. The others were migrants just like the two people Evans gave his life to save. That river looks like its not dangerous but its very dangerous, Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber, a former U.S. Border Patrol officer, said when Evans was reported missing. Thats why they call it the Rio Bravo in Spanish. Bravo means like a bull, like an angry bull. Youd think, knowing how treacherous those waters can be, particularly in the area near Eagle Pass where Evans was stationed, the Texas Military Department would have outfitted the guardsman with a flotation device. A rope. Anything. Instead, seeing a woman struggling in the water, the young soldier threw off his jacket and armor, dropped his radio and jumped in without a second thought. He wouldnt ask you who you were before he tried to help you. He just wouldnt, Evans grandmother Jo Ann Johnson, who raised him, told the press on Monday. It doesnt matter your nationality, how you look, your color hair. Thats who my baby was. What Evans did was heroic. It also shouldnt have been necessary. Abbott and his Republican supporters would likely agree. They argue that President Bidens open border is to blame. While the border isn't open if it were, migrants wouldnt put their lives on the line by crossing the river the responsibility for managing it lies with the federal government, as we have noted time and again. Congress and the president must do more to address the root of unauthorized migration. A good start would be improving processing at ports of entry so that migrants can be efficiently assessed to determine whether or not they are admissible to the United States or whether there's evidence for removal proceedings. Yet, Biden isnt the one in charge of Operation Lone Star, which has mandated the deployment of 10,000 troops with little training or support and is costing Texas taxpayers more than $2.5 million a week. And Abbott has nothing to show for it. Though he touts fentanyl seizures as the goal of targeting migrants on state trespassing charges, Abbott has been unable to point to clear data attributing any seizures to his operation; instead hes filled local jails with migrants who are there on questionable legal grounds and shifted resources away from the counties experiencing the greatest influx of immigrants and drugs. Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Featherston, a Texas Army National Guard veteran who helped oversee the soldiers deployment, said he recalls commanders saying things such as, Were going back to the border, the governor is trying to get reelected. Evans, a native of Arlington, joined the Texas Army National Guard in 2019 and served as a field artilleryman in Kuwait and Iraq. He is at least the fifth guard member who has died since Operation Lone Star began in March 2021; four were reported incidents of suicide. Poor working and living conditions for troops as well as ongoing pay problems only further illustrate the priorities of an operation more focused on politicking than meaningfully working to find solutions to the crisis at the border. Investing in some measly life jackets might not facilitate the dramatic photo ops that patrol boats and surveillance aircraft do, but one life jacket could have saved Evans life. The Texas Military Department only ordered water rescue equipment 11 months after the start of Operation Lone Star, and it didnt reach Evans in time. This latest loss should be a bipartisan wake-up call. It is a reminder that the liquid delineation between Mexico and the U.S. does not discriminate. Within the roiling waters of the Rio Grande two tragedies converged: desperate migrants willing to risk their lives for a slippery dream of better conditions and a young man willing to risk his own life for that of a stranger in need. As U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) put it in a tweet on Wednesday: Republicans and Democrats should be talking about one thing today Specialist Bishop Evans. And how we can prevent the next death along our Southern Border. We agree. Evans was just a kid, a year above the legal drinking age, who loved to dance. He was a fan of anime and family game nights. (He) was a human being, Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, adjutant general for Texas, said. He saw a human being drowning and he jumped in the water to save them. Evans isnt the only one who would put his life on the line for anyone regardless of creed, race or nationality. A great majority of the troops would. They all deserve so much more than to be treated as political pawns. Regarding Opinion: I lost my daughter to gun violence. We need an equitable stop-and-frisk policy., (April 24): If law enforcement personnel would take the lead in fighting for common-sense gun reform, we might have a chance of actually changing something. They have good reason to do this since many officers have lost their lives or been seriously wounded from gun violence. The plethora of guns makes their jobs riskier, and their fear affects their tendency to shoot first lest they be shot. The police are often the targets of criminals. When other groups try to lead on gun reform, they are opposed by the NRA and right-wing groups. Those groups tend to give the police their full support; therefore, if the police were to take the lead, there would be no knee-jerk accusation that it is just another liberal attempt to revoke the Second Amendment and take away all guns. Whenever a police officer is killed, there is often a huge show of support, with officers lining the street and organizations raising money for the family. How about doing something to save their lives rather than just showing support after the person is dead? Police officials have supported getting rid of automatic weapons in the past in addition to supporting universal background checks and closing gun show loopholes. It is in the interest of law enforcement and everyone else for them to do this. Given the divisiveness in society, they may be the only ones who can. Sarah Frates, Houston Regarding Rugby star Pedrie Wannenburg killed after pursuit ends with multi-vehicle crash in Harris County, (April 22): There were two incidents reported in last Sundays Chronicle which I believe could have been avoided if our police officers had better training. The first incident resulted in the death of Pedrie Wannenburg. Police officers should not have chased a suspect at nearly 100 mph because he ran a red light. The second incident involved an off-duty San Antonio police officer who fired at a driver who had pointed a gun at him. The officer could have slowed down or pulled over and let the other car drive away. Nancy Berry, Lake Jackson Regarding At least 7 deaths this year tied to Houston-area police pursuits, (April 24): So far this year 8 deaths have been caused by high-speed pursuits in Houston and Harris County. If we keep up at this rate we'll have chalked up 24 deaths by 2023. Has anyone stopped to ask themselves what would happen if police didn't engage in pursuits, but kept track of the drivers and the direction they were going and tried to apprehend them in a safer place? The agencies that participate in these high-speed chases seem to be totally data-resistant. While being stared in the face with these startlingly high numbers, they continue to allow adrenaline, rather than reason, rule their policies. What logic is there in killing a bystander just to give a kid a traffic ticket? Susan Miller Jackson, Houston Firearm regulation Regarding Opinion: Ted Cruz is right. Bidens ghost gun ban is a distraction from his crime problem., (April 20): One has to stare in amazement and alarm at our governing officials proposing that all firearms have serial numbers when practical experience shows that such a regulation is so easy to evade. Years ago I reported for duty in San Antonio and asked the post Military Police if there were any requirements for registering personal weapons, as one is supposed to do. A few days later I got a call from them that my pistols serial number, a reproduction cap-and-ball black powder revolver built from a kit, had been reported stolen, along with around forty other similar kits, all with the same serial number. Fortunately I still had the receipt. Any identification is easily removed after a few seconds with a cheap Dremel tool. I dont give politicians much credit for practical knowledge, except for getting elected, but arent their staff supposed to advise them to avoid stupidity? Chris Elhardt, Houston Biden's approach to protecting our lives by outlawing privately made guns is not an attack on our rights. It is highly unlikely that the good people who own guns for sport are going to want to make a gun. The argument that Cruz makes is a fallacy of composition and almost laughable. Good people aren't unhappy about not being able to print a gun. We don't feel deprived. I want a future where we don't feel the need to have 10 guns for every American citizen but instead at least one meal a day. It may be that not allowing us to print a gun, along with a receipt from our internet order, is the beginning that we can all live with. Waiting until children are killed by the gun that comes off the printer just doesn't seem to be the answer. Patricia Garris, Spring In response to the letters from Aidan Johnston of Gun Owners of America and Mark Overstreet, formerly of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action in the Chronicle: Mr. Johnston noted that "Privately made firearms are rarely used in murders." Putting aside the callousness of that statement, don't murder victims, gunshot wound victims and police officers have a right to know who killed, wounded or shot at them regardless of how the gun was manufactured? Wouldn't "good people" with guns want that for gunshot victims or police officers? He does know that the number of ghost guns being used and recovered has increased tenfold from 2016, right? Mr. Overstreet's sign off noted that he is a retired senior research coordinator for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. Just a reminder that the NRA is a morally bankrupt organization that is allegedly dedicated to grifting money from its members to personally enrich Wayne LaPierre. With greater access to guns through looser gun laws and increased gun sales, people are using guns in increasing numbers to settle arguments, get revenge for perceived slights, intimidate others and shoot indiscriminately as if the gun knows exactly who they are aiming for. None of this makes society safer. Julie Marinucci, Houston You probably breathed a deep sigh of relief when you heard that Emmanuel Macron trounced Marine Le Pen by a 17-point margin in Sundays French presidential election. A Le Pen victory would have been a boon to Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban and Steve Bannon and a disaster for NATO, Europe and France. The center held, thank God because Macron governed from the center. He was hated by the far left and the far right and never entirely pleased those closer to the center. But he also became the first president to be reelected in France in 20 years. Theres a lesson in that for the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress, especially when it comes to immigration. It has become an article of progressive faith in recent years that efforts to control immigration are presumptively racist. A border wall is a monument to white supremacy, according to a piece published in Bloomberg. The remain in Mexico policy is racist, cruel and inhumane, according to the Justice Action Center. An essay published by the Brookings Institution calls U.S. immigration policy a classic, unappreciated example of structural racism. It wasnt long ago that Bernie Sanders was an avowed restrictionist on the view that immigration depresses working-class wages. Did that position make him a racist? The Wall Street Journals editorial board, where I once worked, used to make the case for open borders with Mexico. Were we left-wing progressives? People of goodwill should be able to take different and nuanced views on immigration and change their minds about it without being tagged as morally deficient. But thats no longer how it works in progressive circles. The results are policy choices that are bad for the country and worse for Democrats and are an unbidden gift to the far right. The issue is now acute with the Biden administration simultaneously seeking to end the Trump administrations Remain in Mexico policy in a case before the Supreme Court while accepting a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to let the use of Title 42, which allowed border authorities to expel illegal immigrants as a public health measure, expire May 23. Theres not much doubt as to what will happen if the administration gets its way: An already straining southern border will burst. In fiscal year 2020 there were 646,822 enforcement actions at the border. In 2021 the number was a little shy of 2 million. Without the authority of Title 42, under which 62 percent of expulsions took place in 2021, the number of migrants seeking entry in the United States will increase drastically. You dont have to be opposed to immigration as a general matter to have serious doubts about the administrations course. Is there a practical and available legal alternative to regulating immigration through Title 42 enforcement? Where is the logic of ending Title 42 even as the administration seeks to extend mask mandates because the pandemic is far from over? Given housing shortages, how much capacity is there to absorb the next wave of migrants? Even if an overwhelming majority of migrants are merely seeking a better life, what system is there to find those with less honorable intentions? More to the point: What does the administrations utter failure at effective control of the border say about its commitment to enforcing the rule of law? To raise such questions should be an invitation to propose balanced and practical immigration legislation and try to win over moderate Republicans. Instead it tends to invite cheap accusations of racism, along with policy paralysis in the White House. As Politico reported last week, some think the administrations secret policy is to call for an end to Title 42 to satisfy progressives while crossing fingers that the courts continue it which a federal judge did on Monday, at least temporarily. Leading from behind Trump-appointed judges is probably not what Americans elected Joe Biden to do. Which brings us back to the example of France. When Jean-Marie Le Pen made his first presidential bid on an anti-immigration platform in 1974, he took 0.75 percent of the ballot in the first round fewer than 200,000 votes. When his daughter Marine ran on a similar platform this year, she took 41.5 percent in the second round, or more than 13 million. The Le Pens are thoroughgoing bigots. But decades of pretending that only bigots had worries about immigration only made their brand of politics stronger. As president, Macron tacked right on immigration not to weaken Frances historic position as an open society, friendly to newcomers, but rather to save it. He has cracked down on some asylum-seekers, demanded that immigrants learn French and get jobs and taken a hard line against Islamic separatism. But hes also tried to make France a more welcoming place for legal immigration. The left thinks of him as Le Pen lite, the right as a feckless impostor. Maybe hes both. Then again, he also saved France for the free world. Democrats could stand to brush up on their French. Bret Stephens is a columnist for the New York Times. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate What a blessing to be a father. I tell terrible dad jokes. I indulge my daughters ice cream sandwich addiction. She makes me smile every day, even when times are tough. Still, every parent will confess: They worry. The world is a dangerous place filled with threats to kids safety and well-being. For Black, Latino and Native American parents, one of those threats is white supremacy. Case in point: the killing of Patrick Lyoya, an unarmed Congolese refugee. A white police officer shot him on April 4 during a routine traffic stop in Grand Rapids, Mich. Seems Patrick feared the white police officer. In a video of the encounter, he appears confused, he runs and, in fear, resists the police officer who pins him down. The officer did not show the kind of restraint the Jan. 6 white insurrectionists enjoyed from police when they stormed the Capitol. The publicly posted videos captured by a bystander and home surveillance system end with the officers handgun discharged at point-blank range to the back of Patricks head while he tussled on the ground, with the officer atop his back. Another name added to a regrettably long list of forgotten Black men and women. His parents wont forget, though. During a news conference last week and via translator, Patricks dad, Peter Lyoya said, My life was Patrick, my son. His mom, Dorcas Lyoya said, I was thinking it was my son who would bury me, but I am the one burying my son. Their words hit me like bricks. I still think about Breonna Taylor. My step-sister looks like her. When I see my nephew, I see Elijah McClain. My brother-in-law resembles Walter Scott. I had nightmares months after seeing Alton Sterling murdered. Same with Philando Castile. I cannot forget. I cannot pretend. I cannot move on. I cannot be the only one who feels this way. If George Floyds murder is not on your mind still, then youre lucky. If videos showing killings of unarmed citizens who are typically Black men do not haunt you, then youre privileged. If you thought the racial reckoning in summer 2020 would fix everything, then youre foolish. In a few weeks, once the news coverage of Patricks death fades, Peter and Dorcas will be left scarred. Wanting. Empty. We cannot forget those who must carry on, living without a child, husband, brother, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, etc. Their suffering endures and no number of clever hashtags and well-attended protests and touching murals will heal them. As COVID-19 becomes endemic and Black people, Latinos and Native Americans continue to die at disproportionate rates, and as the protests from 2020 fade, many people want to get back to normal. I hear it all the time where I work at Rice University, broadcast by powerful people unfamiliar with trauma, oblivious to how racially hostile white spaces can be for many of us. What they dont seem to realize is that their normal is our traumatic. For many Black people, racism-produced trauma is inescapable. Shouting Black lives matter ignores the reality: Three-fifths is the highest value a Black life has ever had relative to a white one. In this messy society where racism is foundational, how can I raise a happy and healthy and well-adjusted kid? Better yet, how can I keep her safe from the quotidian and dramatic ways white supremacy reduces her value? First, my kid gets extra hugs tonight. Because Patricks two daughters will never know that comfort again. Never. Second, we should say their names and their parents names too. Chattel slavery and Jim Crow racism account for more than 80 percent of U.S. history. Across time, Black parents tried as best they could to protect their kids, despite everything. What a Herculean task. Third, if white supremacy is durable, if critical race theory is the new boogeyman, if voters could again elect Donald Trump (or a facsimile) in fall 2024, and so on, then fight smaller yet equally important battles. Buy banned books and distribute them to kids who deserve to know the truth about racism. Buy from minority-owned businesses. Put your savings in minority-owned banks. Do the little things. Find triumph despite tragedy. Fourth, pull out your cell- phones and push record. Anytime you think someone might be unfairly treated for any reason, document it. For far too long, white people have been allowed to ignore the data. The facts. The truth. Their ignorance must die. Finally, just live. A line from an Audre Lorde poem seems germane: We were never meant to survive. White supremacy means surviving is an act of political and radical resistance. My condolences to the Lyoya family. Tony N. Brown is a professor of sociology at Rice University. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his eleventh immigration-related suit against the Biden administration on Thursday, this time directed at a proposed policy that would allow asylum officers, not just immigration judges, to rule on the validity of asylum claims made by immigrants seeking to stay in the U.S. The suit alleges that the Department of Homeland Securitys new rule for processing asylum-seekers upends the entire adjudicatory system to the benefit of aliens. I protested the proposed version of these rules back in October 2021, and, unsurprisingly, Biden found a way to make it worse, so Im suing, Paxton said in a statement. The last thing Texas needs is for this administration to make it easier for illegal aliens to enter the U.S. and obtain asylum through false claims and less oversight. The new rule is set to take effect May 31 and will allow asylum officers with legal training to consider the claims of immigrants who assert a fear of persecution or torture if they return to their home countries and pass the required credible fear screening, allowing them to avoid immigration courts. If the officer does not grant asylum, the person can appeal to an immigration judge. This rule is a core piece of Biden's plan to handle the surge in migrants attempting to cross the border. Last month, Border Patrol encountered more than 200,000 people crossing, the highest monthly total on record since 2000. Federal officials expect the number of crossings to grow this summer, as the Biden administration rolls back a pandemic health order put in place by former President Donald Trump thats been used to immediately expel nearly 2 million immigrants at the border. Its yet to be seen whether the courts will allow the rollback; a federal judge earlier this week temporarily blocked the administration from moving forward on its plans to end the policy, known as Title 42. Administration officials have said the policy change is meant to address court backlogs that have caused the asylum review process to take six to eight years on average, and they expect it will reduce that time to about two months. ALSO READ: Bidens border plan calls for 23,000 officers, slashing asylum processing time Through this rule, we are building a more functional and sensible asylum system to ensure that individuals who are eligible will receive protection more swiftly, while those who are not eligible will be rapidly removed, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a statement last month announcing the change. We will process claims for asylum or other humanitarian protection in a timely and efficient manner while ensuring due process. The asylum backlog has ballooned from about 105,000 cases at the end of fiscal year 2012 to more than 660,000 in fiscal year 2021, making up just under half of all cases in the overall immigration backlog, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. The Department of Justice, which represents federal agencies in court, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Paxtons lawsuit argues that the rule violates the U.S. Constitutions Appointments Clause because asylum officers are civil service, nonappointed members, unlike judges. He also argues it violates several federal laws by allowing the officers to exceed their authority and by changing policy in an unreasoned way that he suggests will encourage immigrants to file meritless asylum applications. We know whats going to happen when the rule goes into effect in May 2022: wave upon wave of illegal aliens claiming asylum, Paxton said in his statement. Its true that our immigration system is extremely backlogged. But the answer is to secure the border, not overwhelm it even more by enacting cheap, easy incentives for illegal aliens to get into the United States. ICYMI: Supreme Court hears arguments in Texas-led remain in Mexico case Paxton also criticized estimates that the new policy would reduce the number of cases referred to immigration judges by about 11,250 to 45,000 on top of its existing backlog of about 1.3 million cases. Thats not enough of an impact to justify the strain on Texas resources and ability to provide essential services, such as emergency medical care, education, drivers licenses, and other public safety services, he said. The administration failed to consider alternatives, such as the Trump-era remain in Mexico policy, which requires immigrants to await their hearings in Mexico rather than the U.S., the suit says. Paxton has also sued over the administrations termination of that program. Lower courts ordered Biden to reinstate the program in December, and on Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case. Washington staff writer Ben Wermund contributed to this report. Three private defense attorneys, representing 15 migrant men arrested under Gov. Greg Abbott's border operation, have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to end the governors policy of arresting migrants on criminal trespass charges, which the suit argues is racially discriminatory and infringes on the federal government's immigration authority. The lawsuit is the first to challenge Abbott's Operation Lone Star in federal court, though defense attorneys have raised similar arguments in ongoing state litigation. The federal suit, filed Wednesday in the Austin-based U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, asks the court to scrap the governors border initiative altogether and order the release of migrants arrested under what it calls a separate criminal prosecution and detention system. The criminal process is rife with civil rights violations that have led to extreme, outrageous delays in cases that often end in dismissal or non-prosecution, the lawsuit states, alleging state authorities filed fraudulent probable cause affidavits, failed to appoint attorneys for some defendants, and waited too long to file charges for numerous migrants. Under orders from Abbott, state troopers and National Guard troops have arrested more than 3,000 migrant men since last July for allegedly trespassing on private property along the border. The operation has allowed Texas officials to jail migrants without running afoul of legal precedent that largely prevents states from enforcing federal immigration law. The federal suit argues, however, that the entire program including the trespass arrests is intended to rival or supplant federal immigration policy and interferes with federal enforcement priorities. It argues that while the Biden administration has ordered immigration authorities to prioritize the most serious offenders, such as those with violent criminal history, Operation Lone Star targets any and all suspected aliens without regard to dangerousness. Defense attorneys have used a similar argument in a pending state lawsuit that seeks to dismiss the cases of more than 400 migrants arrested under Texas border initiative. That lawsuit is modeled after an earlier case in which a Travis County judge tossed the trespass charge against Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma, an engineer from Ecuador who was arrested in September. RELATED: Attorneys launch sweeping challenge to over 400 of Gov. Abbotts migrant border arrests Curipoma and his attorneys, Angelica Cogliano and Addy Miro, are also part of the federal lawsuit filed Wednesday. An Abbott spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. The governor has touted his border operation as a necessary mechanism for confronting a spike in illegal border crossings under the Biden administration. Additionally, the defense attorneys say several hundred migrant men have been detained for longer than 30 days without being formally charged with a crime, which they say violates state laws intended to ensure due process and, by extension, various constitutional protections. Some of those arrested, including those listed as plaintiffs, were also jailed after they had posted bond, entered a plea or had their charges dismissed, the lawsuit states. Many defendants also have faced dramatic delays in, and in some cases outright refusal of, appointed counsel, which the suit says is a violation of Sixth Amendment rights guaranteeing a speedy trial. Last September, about two months after the trespass arrests began, a state district judge ordered the release of more than 200 migrants on cashless personal bonds, after finding the men had been detained for weeks without charging documents being filed in court. The federal lawsuit further alleges that migrants are routinely arrested under Operation Lone Star without probable cause, in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and based on their perceived ethnicity and immigration status, resulting in systemic discrimination. The attorneys cited arrest affidavits filed by Department of Public Safety troopers that refer to detainees as Spanish or Hispanic and undocumented, or reference their country of origin. Such statements suggested that the individuals perceived ethnicity was relevant to the DPS troopers understanding that that person was not welcome on the property, the lawsuit reads. The suit seeks monetary damages of $18,000 for each day that migrants were unlawfully incarcerated or unlawfully re-incarcerated, amounting to $5.4 million. Much of the language from the lawsuit mirrors that of a complaint filed by civil rights groups with the U.S. Department of Justice last December, in which the groups urged the Biden administration to investigate Operation Lone Star. The Justice Department has yet to step in against Abbotts initiative. jasper.scherer@chron.com Development should continue to be priority on UN peacebuilding agenda: Chinese envoy Xinhua) 15:30, April 28, 2022 UNITED NATIONS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Development should continue to be a priority on the peacebuilding agenda of the United Nations, China's deputy permanent representative to the world body said Wednesday. Sustainable development is the basis of lasting peace, and this is an underlying notion inherent to the UN peacebuilding architecture, Dai Bing told a General Assembly high-level meeting on peacebuilding financing. Supporting the comprehensive development of the countries concerned is central to the peacebuilding process, around which peacebuilding activities should be planned, strategic objectives specified, and the resources of UN agencies mobilized, so as to create strong synergy, he said. Noting the existing peacebuilding fund-supported projects do not pay enough attention to sustainable development, Dai called for efforts to channel more resources into areas where such urgent needs as poverty eradication, infrastructure, education, health, and vocational skills training exist for developing countries, he said. Traditional donors should continue to shoulder the primary responsibility for peacebuilding financing, said Dai, stressing that developed countries have a moral obligation to help developing countries develop faster. China has been actively supporting the nation-building and development efforts of developing countries through bilateral and multilateral channels, and has made multiple tranches of contributions to the UN peacebuilding fund, he said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Update: On Thursday, Estrella's family his sister, Elina Estrella, and his mother, Marisol Estrell released a statement that they would not be commenting on the Pittsfield Police report but that they "are eagerly awaiting the independent review being conducted by the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to it." "We also remain eager to hear details that have not been released that are part of that investigation, including the 911 calls, witness interviews and police reports. Given that the investigation continues, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further," they wrote. They asked the community and media to respect their privacy. "Our family and loved ones continue to grieve over the tragic loss of our beloved Miguel, who was a kind, caring and compassionate man who loved his family, friends and community. We appreciate all of the many well-wishes and support we continue to receive in this troubling time." PITTSFIELD, Mass. A preliminary investigation by the Pittsfield Police Department has found the officers involved in the death of Miguel Estrella to have been in compliance with established guidelines for use of force. The Force Investigation Team's report detailed the actions of Officers Christopher Coffey and Nicholas Sondrini on the evening of March 25 and their interactions with Estrella, who was shot and killed by Sondrini after repeated attempts to de-escalate the situation, including the use of TASERs. The report describes Estrella as intoxicated, threatening a woman with a knife, and refusing to follow the orders of the responding offices. "Based on a review of the evidence and information available to the Department during the initial call for service to 279 Onota Street, Mr. Estrella did not meet the criteria of a 'person in crisis,'" according to the FIT report. The preliminary FIT report was released on Wednesday afternoon by Police Chief Michael Wynn. A separate independent criminal investigation of the shooting is being conducted by the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. The results from an autopsy by the Chief Medical Examiner's Office has not been released yet. Estrella's death has triggered a significant community response with many demanding better mental health resources for people in crisis. At Tuesday's City Council meeting, members of the community said Estrella's apparent mental health crisis was a "death sentence." Community members have also called for body cameras on the Pittsfield Police Department. The preliminary report states that the 22-year-old Estrella was not engaged in any self-harming behavior and made no threats and/or statements of self-harm during the initial call for service. It states that all parties reported that his visible existing injury had occurred earlier in the day. A statement released shortly after the incident said Estrella had an apparent self-inflicted laceration to his face. According to the report, Coffey arrived back at the scene to find Estrella in a "physical altercation" with a third party, was armed with a knife, and was within arm's length of a woman. "Officer Coffey further observed that, at one point, Mr. Estrella moved towards the female with the knife raised in a threatening manner," the report reads. "Officer Coffey assessed the risk to both this female and himself (based on his proximity to Mr. Estrella) as a deadly threat." Coffey reportedly tried to create some distance and calm Estrella but he did not drop the knife, so Coffey discharged a taser that had a minimal effect and did not incapacitate him. The officer was described as "continuing to verbally engage, create distance, and deploy his taser." Sondrini then arrived on the scene and both officers used their tasers, which were ineffective. "Following Officer Sondrini's TASER [sic] deployment, Mr. Estrella took a fighting stance, raising his fists with a knife in one hand and advanced toward the Officers. Recognizing that Mr. Estrella's continued assaultive behavior, refusal to comply with any verbal commands and failure to respond to de-escalation techniques presented an imminent deadly threat to himself, Officer Coffey, and the female party, Officer Sondrini then transitioned from his TASER to his firearm," the report reads about the moment Estrella was shot. "Both Officers continued to create distance and engage Mr. Estrella verbally, physically restraining the female party from approaching Mr. Estrella, and requesting additional less-lethal options to the scene. Mr. Estrella continued advancing on the Officers until they had reached the middle of Onota Street, and traffic traveled dangerously close to their position. At this point, Mr. Estrella turned and focused his attention on Officer Sondrini. He bladed his body, clenched his fists while still holding the knife, raised them upward, and moved toward Officer Sondrini at a fast pace. Recognizing this eminent deadly threat within a few feet of his position, Officer Sondrini fired 2 rounds from his firearm, striking Mr. Estrella with both rounds. The Officers immediately disarmed Mr. Estrella and rendered medical treatment." According to the preliminary FIT report, Coffey's taser deployment was within use of force guidelines, and Sondrini's taser deployment and subsequent use of his firearm were also in compliance. Initial estimates of the distance officers had retreated between the taser deployments and the shots fired is 120 feet. Wynn convened the FIT on March 26, the day after the shooting, to conduct an administrative inquiry and determine if the uses of force complied with relevant policies and training guidelines. FIT submitted its preliminary report on April 8 and Wynn sent it back on April 14 for additional evaluation requirements contained in the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2020 and the state's Use of Force Regulations. On April 21, the FIT re-submitted its revised preliminary report. Both Coffey and Sondrini had been on administrative leave since March 25; on Wednesday, their status was modified to limited duty. Coffey has been on the force for four years and Sondrini for nine. Both have received previous commendations for their work. "This outcome is tragic," the report reads. "The Pittsfield Police Department extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Estrella. The Department also recognizes the impact on the Pittsfield community, and extends great effort in: Following established protocols, Navigating unexpected factors, and Complying with new/changing state/national requirements." A slide shown on a Williamstown Fire District telecast shows the conditions at the current station, left, compared to how firefighters' turnout gear should be stored. Williamstown Fire District Presses Case for New Station A slide shown on a Williamstown Fire District telecast lists some of the carcinogens that potentially seep into firefighters' equipment during a structure fire. WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Firefighters face the risk of death every time they battle a blaze. They should not be endangered at the firehouse. That is the message the Williamstown Fire District is trying to spread as it moves toward a potential vote this year to bond a new fire station. On Monday, two officials from the district's Building Committee and Fire Chief Craig Pedercini addressed the Select Board to talk about efforts to replace the aging, cramped facility on Water Street with a new station on a Main Street parcel the district acquired in 2017. "The fire station does not meet OSHA requirements," Building Committee Chair Elaine Neeley said. "The working conditions there are dangerous to their health and well-being, and all you have to do is look at the way the engines are parked and figure out how the heck they're going to get their gear on, which is hung on the wall in the engine room and get on an engine and get to a fire in a reasonable time. "It's a liability that we're not in compliance. If someone gets hurt, we're negligent. That's obvious, but wasn't obvious is the cancer risk and the lack of effective decontamination space and equipment." The specter of liabilities due to an inadequate facility is familiar in public safety building discussions in town. It was one of the major arguments in favor of relocating the Williamstown Police Department from its former quarters at Town Hall to the new station on Simonds Road. The police station was a town project conceived by the then town manager under the supervision of the select board. The fire district is a separate governmental entity apart from town government governed by its five-person Prudential Committee and answerable to residents who are eligible to participate in the district's annual meeting, generally held one week after the May annual town meeting. Recognizing the need to generate broad political support ahead of a bond exclusion vote, the fire district used the platform afforded by Monday's Select Board meeting to reach constituents who may not be aware of the deficiencies in the current station. As Neely noted, the most obvious is space. The Water Street facility was built in 1950, when it was adequately sized for the fire trucks of the day. Those trucks have only gotten larger. "The fire engine now is a mini fire station on wheels," said Robert Mitchell, a designer hired by the Williamstown Fire District. He made the analogy during the telecast, "The Modern Fire Station: What's Included," a 45-minute production on Willinet, the town's community access television station. Select Board Chair Andy Hogeland on Monday recommended that viewers of the meeting also look at "The Modern Fire Station" to understand the difficulties posed by the current fire station and how they could be addressed in a new building. As Neely mentioned, a big failing of the current facility is no adequate equipment to clean the turnout and clothing that firefighters wear while extinguishing structure fires. In the telecast, Mitchell, a nationally-recognized designer based in Voorheesville, N.Y., explains that building materials and furnishings have changed dramatically since the middle of the 20th century, when the current station was built. "The materials now are not predominantly wood and wool and cotton," Mitchell said. "They're whatever was brought on a cargo container and sold by Ikea." The resulting threat to firefighters comes when the carcinogenic materials in a modern home burn and the smoke seeps into the firefighter's clothing and, eventually, into his or her skin. In the 1950s, firefighters would bring their turnout gear home and be responsible for laundering their own clothing. Given the harmful chemicals that leach into that material, it needs to be safely cleaned at the station in equipment that the WFD neither owns nor has room to install. "Most all existing stations do not have a proper place to clean breathing apparatus," Mitchell says in the Willinet production. "In Williamstown, it's cleaned in a kitchen sink." Other deficiencies in the current station include the lack of space for training or sleeping areas for firefighters. "In some regards, [training] is the most important thing that is done," Mitchell said. "Your neighbors who go out and fight fires on your behalf, luckily, don't have as many fires to respond to as they do in Philadelphia. So they need to train to make sure they're safe and effective. It benefits them to be safe, benefits the community to be safe and benefits the person they're trying to help." As for bunk spaces, they may not be needed with the current setup of the Williamstown Fire District as a call-volunteer department. But a national decline in volunteerism is leading more and more communities to need full-time firefighters on staff, Mitchell argued. Someday, the Williamstown department may give in to that trend and need a place where firefighters can sleep while in the station. At the same time, he argues in "The Modern Fire Station" that by building a station that both allows for adequate training and creates esprit de corps, the Williamstown Fire District could attract and retain volunteers, putting off the day when it will need those full-time firefighters. "If you lose the ability to have volunteers, you'll be looking at significant costs," Mitchell says in the Willinet production. "It's $90,000 to $100,000 in salaries and benefits, typically [for a full-time firefighter]. That payment will pay for a little less than $2 million of the mortgage to support a new building." The district does not know how much money it will need to borrow to build a new station. On Monday, Mitchell said a recently retained estimator will begin running the numbers "shortly," in advance of the planned autumn vote. But in addition to potentially helping to save on long-term costs by retaining volunteers, forward motion on the building project sooner rather than later will have another financial benefit, according to Mitchell. "The cost of this construction escalates faster than other kinds," he said. "From 2015 to 2021, [the increase] averaged 4.1 percent per annum. And in the last year, it's been higher. "The sooner you do it, the better. I know this project was looked at in 2008. The cost to do it was half of what it is now." Pittsfield School Committee OKs $72M Fiscal 2023 Budget PITTSFIELD, Mass. The School Committee on Wednesday adopted a $72 million operating budget for fiscal 2023. It will go to the City Council in early June for final approval. The budget of $72,398,262 is a 7.56 percent, or $5,086,562, increase from this year. Most of the increase is in contractual obligations, which increased by about $4.7 million. Superintendent Joseph Curtis said this includes resources to ultimately settle with the American Federation of Teachers. Members of Local 1315 AFT, which includes bus drivers and attendants, cafeteria workers, custodians, paraprofessionals, and educational secretaries, have called for better compensation from the district. "In other words, we're bargaining in good faith here," Chair William Cameron said at the committee's meeting on Wednesday. Within the budget is $1,895,347 for administration, $55,822,847 for instructional, $4,526,341 for other school services, $6,372,746 for operations and maintenance, $472,358 for fixed costs, $68,074 for adult learning, $234,047 for acquisition of fixed assets, and $3,626,502 for tuition payments. With $570,000 in school choice revenues and $50,000 in Richmond tuition revenues, the total budget amounts to $73,018,262. Mayor Linda Tyer expressed concern for the district and the citys agreement with non-resident student tuition. The Cruckfather Wins Lever's 2022 Mohawk Trail Entrepreneur Challenge NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Cruckfather, LLC of Shelburne was selected by a panel of judges on Wednesday during the 2022 Mohawk Trail Entrepreneur Challenge (MTEC) pitch event at Foolhardy Hill in Charlemont, winning a $25,000 Lever Innovation Grant for their innovative timber frame construction business model. The Cruckfather and three other wood-based businesses from the Mohawk Trail region pitched their ideas at the MTEC, the culmination of Lever's startup acceleration program that helped each refine their business plans and work with mentors. Hall Tavern Farm of Charlemont was declared the runner-up. This is Lever's second MTEC event; Foolhardy Hill's owners, Katie and Patrick Banks, won the first competition in 2021, and have gone on to operate a highly sought-after private campground space in Charlemont. Designed with a focus on sustainability and job creation in the Mohawk Trail region, the MTEC is supported by a $60,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA). The MTEC aims to maximize regional economic impact through businesses that can attract revenue from areas outside the Mohawk Trail region, create new jobs, and attract financing from multiple sources. "I can't imagine a better place to hold this Challenge than Foolhardy Hill, who took what they learned during the first MTEC and used it to build an incredible business that is drawing people to the Mohawk Trail region and creating long-lasting affinity for the area," said Jeffrey Thomas, Lever's Executive Director. "I have no doubt that every finalist in today's Challenge will do the same. This is why we do the work we do: To help business owners create new opportunities in the region and contribute to a cycle of economic development that only gets stronger as new people take part." Lever worked with the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP) on both Challenge programs and reviewed applicants from the MTWP's member towns. MTWP is a multi-community consortium focused on conserving forests and supporting sustainable management as a way to advance economic development in rural communities along the Vermont and New York borders. The program provides funding to assist towns in the Commonwealth's most rural and forested region to plan for the care of forests in the face of climate change, prepare forest offset projects, and improve nature-based tourism by improving trail networks, infrastructure, and educational exhibits. About the MTEC Finalists The Cruckfather, LLC, Shelburne The Cruckfatheruses the old New England construction tradition to create timber-framed structures of all shapes and sizes. The Cruckfather's owner, Alan Spooner, aims to branch out into small-scale manufacturing, creating small-scale timber frames and structures on-site in Charlemont in addition to its on-location construction services. Larkitecture, North Adams Larkitecture is planning to address a major issue many people have with camping: uncomfortable sleep. The company plans to build and sell a "teardrop"-style camping trailer (a pod design with a retro feel) that is comfortable for overnight stays, no matter where it's parked. Their design will feature locally harvested wood products. Hall Tavern Farm, Charlemont Hall Tavern Farm is the oldest privately owned tree farm in Massachusetts. Its 350 acres, used as a farm since the 1920s, have been conserved through a state Agricultural Preservation Restriction, and it also offers custom sawing and milling services. Hall Tavern's team is planning to develop an on-site wood processing and forest education center that would serve as an incubator and equipment share for other wood-based businesses. Coopers Wood Products, North Adams Coopers Wood Products creates custom wood signs, mantles, beer taps, cabinets and more, frequently using reclaimed barn wood for its products. Coopers also produces large-volume wood items for other artists. Coopers' goal is to increase the amount of reclaimed wood used in its projects. SVMC Celebrates National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 30 BENNINGTON, Vt. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), is proud to participate with local organizations to share National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 30. The observation provides a reminder for community members to look through their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of medications that could cause harm to others. SVMC hosts a MedSafe collection box, which is available 24 hours every day for the anonymous disposal of unneeded medications. During a major renovation of the Emergency Department and Main Entrance, the box, which had been in the lobby, is located in the Emergency Department registration and waiting area. Those interested in disposing of medications should enter through the Canopy Entrance, take a left inside the door, and continue straight into the Emergency Department registration and waiting area. Disposing of unused and expired medications at a drug take-back location prevents them from being abused or sold. In the past, people often flushed medications down a toilet or drain, which can cause pharmaceutical contamination of the water supply. In the more than 4 years since the MedSafe box installation at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, it has facilitated retrieval of more than 2,000 pounds of unwanted medications from homes and the street. The box looks like a mailbox, featuring a one-way medicine drop. It can be used to dispose of unused or expired controlled substances, non-controlled substances, and even over-the-counter medications. The program is made possible through The Collaborative; Regional Prevention Partnership, a grant from the Vermont Department of Health; and cooperation from the Bennington Police Department, notably Chief of Police Paul J. Doucette and Lieutenant Camillo Grande. Several community members also generously provide funding for MedSafe's ongoing expenses. Lenox Library To Hold Historical Novel Discussion With Author LENOX, Mass. The Lenox Library will host Carolyn Kay Brancato, author of "The Night Belongs to the Maquis:" A World War II Novel in conversation with Bill Everhart, former Editorial Page Editor of The Berkshire Eagle on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. This program will be held in person as well as on Zoom. Webinar details may be found on the Library's website at https://lenoxlib.org . The event is free and open to the public. Books also will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of The Bookstore. According to a press release, "In The Night Belongs to the Maquis," Brancato weaves a tapestry of courage by ordinary people who rise to face the evil of Nazi occupation. Set in the small village of Foix, in the vivid Pyrenees of Southern France, the novel follows the dramatic, suspenseful journey of the Maquis, a band of resistance fighters shepherding Allied pilots to safety across the mountains. While a work of fiction, Brancato based many events in the novel on personal interviews she conducted some years ago with three members of the French Resistance (the Maquis). One was the leader of the circuit that escorted 500 Allied pilots over the Pyrenees and into Spain. He was captured by the Gestapo, tortured by Klaus Barbie, and personally gave Brancato his deposition in the Barbie trial in Lyon, asking her to please tell the story of his compatriots in the resistance. Carolyn Kay Brancato writes historical fiction. She has worked in theatre as a director and playwright and her plays have been mounted at such venues as Steppenwolf in Chicago and the John Houseman Theatre in New York City. She earned her B.A. from Barnard College and a Ph.D. from NYU. Carolyn lives in the Berkshires with her husband; together they were among the founders of The Guild of Berkshire Artists. Many IFJ affiliates are taking action to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. Here is a non exhaustive list of their initiatives. Brazil: The National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ) and the Journalistic Ethics Observatory (objETHOS) will launch next Tuesday, May 3, the dossier "Attacks on Journalism and its Right to Information", a publication that deepens the debate on violence against journalism in Brazil and its impact on the rights of society, such as the right to information. To commemorate World Press Freedom Day and to present the dossier, a live broadcast on YouTube brings together the president of the federation, Maria Jose Braga, and the coordinator of the research group, Rogerio Christofoletti. The live begins at 19:30 with simultaneous broadcasting by journalists' union channels across Brazil on Facebook. Cambodja: CamboJA, in collaboration with UNESCO and other CSO partners of the World Press Freedom Day working group, will organise a face-to-face debate during World Press Freedom Day to discuss and better understand the potential impact of restrictive legislation on fundamental freedoms, including the sub-decree on the establishment of the National Internet Gateway (NIG), the sub-decree on the management, use and security protection of personal identity data (PID) and the draft law on cybercrime. This year's main theme will be in line with the overarching theme "Journalism under digital siege". Canada: Unifors Media Sector in Canada is planning to launch some results from an union survey on harassment of journalists. The results/media release will also highlight a new section on our website that offers information for journalists both union, non-union and freelance on how to respond to harassment and get help. The website launch and survey results wont be ready until AFTER World Press Freedom Day. They are also partnering with the Council of Canadians to publish an opinion piece in a major Canadian newspaper, highlighting the problem of harassment and how it impacts journalists and democracy, and is ultimately a press freedom issue. On World Press Freedom Day, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance is calling on all political parties to act on a range of reforms that are needed to ensure journalists can continue to perform their essential work finding facts, seeking the truth and holding power to account. Croatia: On World Press Freedom Day, the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists and the Croatian Journalists' Association paid tribute to journalists killed in Ukraine and all the journalists whose freedom of speech is threatened. In a statement sent to all newsrooms, the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists' Union reiterated the need for better protection of journalism as an indispensable factor in any true democracy. Increasingly insecure and temporary work in the media, especially on numerous portals and other online media, reduces the ability of journalists to protect themselves and their profession and thus defend the credibility of the media in which they work and collaborate. Estonia: The Estonian Association of Journalists marks the WPFD2022 with the hybrid discussion In Crisis with Ethics on media ethics, media freedom and journalists role in the time of crisis. The presenters come from Estonia, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. Finland: The Finnish Journalists' Union is celebrating World Press Freedom Day in a special event in Helsinki, that will host a panel discussion about what is missing in Finnish media and journalism. France: The National Union of Journalists (SNJ-France) is organising on 3 May at 12:30 pm, Place Ghislaine-Dupont-Claude-Verlon-Camille-Lepage in Paris (2nd arrondissement), a special ceremony for journalists "who died for information" in the presence of Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary and Dominique Pradalie, IFJ Executive Committee member. The SNJ and IFJ are also organising a screening of the film "Hacking Justice" and a debate "Freedom, Rehabilitation and Compensation for Julian Assange" on 3 May from 6pm to 10pm at the auditorium of the Paris City Hall. In the presence of Cedric Villani, MP; a member of Julian Assange's family; Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary; William Bourdon, lawyer; and David Dufresne, journalist and director. The International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) organises a conference on human rights and unions' rights in Afghanistan on 2 May in Paris. Speakers include ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow, IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger and General Secretaries of French unions CGT, CFDT et FO as well as an ILO representative. Gambia: In the context of the press freedom situation in The Gambia, journalists still operate under the threat of digital surveillance and digital intrusion due to the existence of an authoritarian legal and technological framework, put in place by the former administration, that still allows unchecked government surveillance of Information Communication Technologies. GPU urges the Gambian government to speed up reforms to the media law and to respect its commitment to press freedom. Indonesia: This year's WPFD celebration is parallel to Eid Al-Fitr, a holy day for most Indonesian muslims. Therefore, the Indonesian Independent Journalists Association celebration will take place after 3 May. The union will hold various events in 20 cities, such as debates, radio and TV talk shows, photo exhibitions and training of journalists on holistic violence. The highlight of the event will be held on 6 June with the launch of the report on press freedom in Indonesia. Italy: On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2022, the Italian National Press Federation (FNSI) will be in Conselice, little town in Emilia-Romagna that hosts the Monument dedicated to press freedom: an old printing press similar to the one used by clandestine printers who during the Liberation struggle worked to inform about what was happening on the front of the National Liberation Committee. The initiative is promoted in collaboration with the Press Association of Emilia-Romagna, Emilia-Romagna Region, Province of Ravenna, the Union of Municipalities of Lower Romagna, the Municipality of Conselice. Together with the FNSI general secretary, Raffaele Lorusso, and local authorities, will be present some threatened reporters, such as Paolo Berizzi, president of the Observatory on press freedom born in Conselice last year. Since 2019 Berizzi is forced to live under guard due to threats received from neo-Nazi and neo-fascist groups. Myanmar: The Myanmar Journalists Association will celebrate World Press Freedom Day on 3 May at the MPC office in Yangon with a round table discussion on "Real News" to reach out more to the people and fight against fake news. Pakistan: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has planned a number of programs at the federation level and regional union levels. The following events are being scheduled in the coming days in connection with World Freedom Day: Seminar at Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad; Candle Vigil in memory of martyred journalists; Rallies at regional Union level and Memorandum to be send to the government authorities. Somalia: Shining a light on Journalism Under Digital Siege in Somalia is the focus of this years World Press Freedom Day. While the journalism industry in Somalia has become deft and vigilant about physical attacks against journalists, the same sense of importance is needed to address a rise in online attacks, NUSOJ says. The digital environment has brought new and targeted threats to both male and female journalists as it offers relatively easy opportunities to follow and harass members of the media community. Spain: The UGT Grouping of Journalists (AGP-UGT) calls for the protection of journalists, firstly to safeguard their own lives - whether in their country of origin or as war correspondents - and secondly to be able to freely exercise the profession of journalism, in celebration of World Press Freedom Day, which was established by the United Nations at its General Assembly in 1993. The Journalists' Group and the Media Sector of Comisiones Obreras join the call of the International Federation of Journalists, of which they are members, for governments to heed the call of the trade unions to negotiate and draw up protective regulations to prevent any kind of spying on the work of the press, and for professional communications to be inviolable. Sri Lanka:The Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU) will hold a seminar on "Press freedom and journalists' responsibility" near the International Media Centre, Gogotagama, Galle face. The Free Media Movement and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association have jointly organised a panel discussion on the theme "Democracy, Social Responsibility and Responsible Journalism", especially in the light of recent developments in Sri Lanka. Journalists who wish to attend this discussion are invited with that link. Switzerland: Press freedom is under pressure all over the world. In Switzerland, too. The Media Syndicate presents three current examples: super-provisional decisions, which amount to muzzling media professionals, must be simplified. The Banking Law prevents investigative reporting. And the police are increasingly obstructing media professionals in their work. On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the union opposes any form of restriction in Switzerland and other countries. United Kingdom: National Union of Journalists (NUJ) is holding a month-long series of online events with speakers exploring global threats to journalism. Sessions will cover the union's work campaigning for the safety of journalists, consider the use of spyware, the abuse of harmful legal challenges through SLAPPs and much more. Registration details will be live on the NUJ website soon. Members can attend all sessions for free. The Slapps Event is on May 10. Uruguay: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), together with the Uruguayan Press Association (APU) and the International Federation of Journalists of Latin America and the Caribbean (FEPALC), will hold a panel discussion at the UNESCO Global Conference on World Press Freedom Day, which takes place on 3 May. The panel will focus on the situation of press workers in the region in the face of digital surveillance and the need for collective organising tools to address it. Thursday 28 April 2022, 18:20 - Last update: 29 April, 15:01 Now the butchers of Bucha , at least some of them, have a name and a face. To reveal their identity, the attorney general of Kiev, Iryna Venediktova, who on Facebook posted personal details and photographs of ten officers and non-commissioned officers of the infamous 64th Russian motorized rifle brigade from Siberia. The list is opened by Sergeant Vyacheslav Lavrentyev, a little further down by Corporal Andriy Bizyaev, and in the group also a general, Albert Radnaev. Almost all of them, like their ferocious leader, Lieutenant Colonel Omurbekov Azatbek Asanbekovich, show the typical features of the Buryats, a population between Russia , Mongolia and China that represents the largest Siberian ethnic minority. The Ukrainian authorities have issued the first charges of war crimes against them, asking anyone who recognizes them to provide evidence of their involvement in the massacre of civilians in the Kiev region. Demydiv, the inhabitants flood the Ukrainian village to slow down the Russians: "We saved Kiev" The tortures Here is Bucha, where after the retreat of the troops from Moscow at least 400 bodies were found on the street, in houses, in mass graves. Some with their hands tied behind their backs and a blow to the back of the head, victims of real executions. Executing them were the same men to whom Vladimir Putin conferred one of the highest honors in Russia a few days ago, praising them for their heroism. "It is proof that it was the Kremlin who orchestrated the massacres," explains the Ukrainian prosecutor, who in the post describes the violence committed by the ten identified torturers. Some of them appear very young, some portrayed in camouflage and in combat gear, some in civilian clothes. According to what was established by the investigations, writes Venediktova, "during the occupation of Bucha they took unarmed civilians hostage, made them die of hunger and thirst, robbed them, kept them on their knees with their hands tied and blindfolded, mocked and beaten . Fists and butts were used. The people - continues the prosecutor - were beaten up for information and some were tortured for no reason . The Russian military also allegedly "threatened to kill the victims and even staged the execution of their prisoners." Moscow rejects all accusations and continues to talk about fake news. But the Kyiv prosecutor's office, in the hours when the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was visiting the places of the horror of the war in Ukraine, made it known that it had identified over 8,000 Russian war crimes since the beginning of the conflict . The civilian death toll, in the Kiev region alone, on the other hand, rises to over 1,150 In business, stagnation is death. The story of MySpace teaches us that. Embracing change is critical, but not only for your company. It's also important at times to be able to reinvent yourself on an individual level as a leader. Immigrants like my father have done it since the beginning of time. His second act in America came after he'd grown up in Nigeria during the Biafran War. The trick is evolving in a way that allows you to accomplish your goals while remaining true to yourself. When my best friend in high school was killed in a drive-by, I promised myself that I would do everything I could to get away and access a better life. Two hard years and 19 college applications later, I ultimately landed 900 miles away at Northwestern University. My baggy clothes, fitted hats, and thick East Coast accent gave me away instantly as an outsider. After freshman year I had an internship at Pratt & Whitney, a leading aerospace company, and I noticed that all the top executives dressed, walked, talked, and acted similarly -- not at all like I did. From my perspective, these guys had made it and I wanted so badly to be where they were. So what did I do? I focused on my goal, and I reinvented myself. My pants rose from my knees to my waist and I replaced the chain around my neck with a tie. I gathered hours of audio from speakers I admired ranging from professors to actors to then Newark mayor Cory Booker, and I practiced talking like them in the mirror. Fair or not, after my "remake," I ended up with a broader set of friends, better grades, and an internship the following year at GE--several steps closer to my goal. Not every change since has been so radical, but I've continued to transform throughout my career. My reinventions allowed me to pursue international development in Liberia at a time when I'd never been overseas, and just last year, to transition from an executive role at a nearly 200,000-person corporation to be a partner at a fast-growing consulting firm that only recently broke 200. Mastering the art of personal reinvention can unlock countless doors in your life. There are many ways to go about it, but I've found that there are seven steps that always remain consistent: Know your why. Transforming for the sake of transforming is dangerous, but transforming when you know what you're trying to achieve is growth. Know your values. Draw bright lines around the beliefs and qualities you are not willing to compromise and protect those at all costs. When entering a new space, understand the qualities of those who have found success there. Figure out which you want to mirror, which you want to adapt, and which you want to avoid. If success in the space seems to require attributes that would compromise your values, you may want to reconsider whether this is the right move for you. Create a persona and practice playing the part. For Beyonce in 2008, that persona was Sasha Fierce. The more time you spend acting like the leader you want to be, the more natural it will become over time. Think about your reinvention holistically. Details matter. If you want to be seen as edgy and creative, you may need to lose the suits in favor of something trendier. Also, it's not just about how you show up in big meetings or in front of the group, but also who you are at the water cooler and in email responses. Be comfortable with discomfort. The transition will be hard. Everyday. It's supposed to be. Resist the urge to revert back to your comfort zone when the going gets tough. Keep adapting. You don't need to be the perfect product right out of the gate. Much like a new iPhone at launch, your goal is to be functional, fresh, and compelling on day one. Keep watching others, learning what's working and what isn't, and adding new skills to your repertoire, and before long, the bugs will be worked out. Keep in mind, rarely is one transformation the end all and be all. As you've probably heard, what got you here won't get you there. Be prepared for the possibility that you may benefit from undergoing this process multiple times over the course of your career and try to keep an open mind. With the rate of new Covid cases declining, and mask restrictions relaxing, many have wondered: When will the pandemic be declared over? Well, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S.'s chief medical adviser and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it officially is. "We are certainly, right now, in this country, out of the pandemic phase," Fauci said on PBS NewsHour Tuesday. "Namely, we don't have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now." Cases in the U.S. have tumbled dramatically over the past couple of months. As of April 25, the U.S. seven-day moving average is roughly 47,000 cases a day, down from almost 900,000 cases a day during the Omicron peak in January, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For businesses, this means we've entered a choose-your-own-adventure stage of the pandemic. "More and more, the relaxation of public health requirements, mandates, has placed responsibility on the individual and the employer," Saskia Popescu, an infectious-disease epidemiologist and an assistant professor at George Mason University, told Wired. Companies are free to welcome employees back to the office mask-free, or take a wait-and-see approach and with a hybrid or fully remote model. They can choose to mandate masks at the office, or not, social distance, or not, as long as they comply with local laws and regulations, which have mostly lifted. Though it's crucial to note that when Fauci says the pandemic is over, he doesn't mean Covid-19 is gone. SARS-CoV-2 is essentially an endemic virus, meaning ongoing transmission will keep it present in our population for a while, but, as Fauci notes, its impact will remain fairly manageable and integrated into society as long as people are intermittently vaccinated. It's also likely that the virus will pop up in hot spots with local transmission rates fluctuating over time. Substantial transmission is defined as 50 to 100 cases per 100,000, or a positivity rate between 8 and 10 percent. High transmission is defined as 100 or more cases per 100,000 people or a positivity rate of 10 percent or higher. Indias largest B2B marketplace, IndiaMART, and payment platform, Tazapay, have entered into a partnership to facilitate cross-border transactions for exporters in India. The partnership will help exporters have a customized seamless payment solution for B2B trades. Currently, merchants not only have to navigate complex negotiations with payment service providers, but they also have limited options when it comes to making and accepting payments on the global stage. The partnership between IndiaMART and Tazapay will help the B2B exporters get coverage in key economic markets like South-East Asia, the USA, the UK, the EU, and many more. On top of offering local payment methods such as local bank transfers, credit cards, and QR code payments - similar to UPI - for buyers and sellers alike, merchants will be able to deal with international clients like a local while enjoying competitive platform fees, and the best FX rates. The partnership will ensure that all transactions meet international trade compliance requirements, including issuance of Foreign Inwards Remittance Advice (FIRA) where required. The association between IndiaMART and Tazapay bodes well for exporters of goods based in India and exporters of service. The partnership with Tazapay also further strengthens the value proposition offered by the IndiaMART Verified Export Services (IVE). IndiaMART launched the IVE service in 2020 enabling its merchants to expand their business across the globe by tapping into the pool of more than 10 million foreign buyers every month coming from more than 100 countries. Being the end-to-end businesses solution provider, we are constantly working to provide ease of doing business to our patrons. We have around 50,000 sellers on our platform who are export-oriented. So, we looked for a partner with a customer-friendly track record that can handle cross-border payments seamlessly. Now, these exporters registered on our marketplace will also be able to make and track payment for their export business, said Dinesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, IndiaMART. Having a seamless payments experience is increasingly crucial for B2B traders as more businesses digitize and look towards international expansion as a viable means to grow. However, cross-border B2B transactions remain as complex as ever, said Rahul Shinghal, CEO of Tazapay. Through this integration with IndiaMART, we hope that our solution can ease the burden of building trust and paying business partners promptly overseas and bring Indian exporters to a more competitive level on the global market. IndiaMART is an end-to-end solution for businesses to connect with buyers and sellers online, with 75 million monthly visitors to the website and carrying more than 97000 product verticals. Tazapay is a payment platform that provides escrow as a service, specialising in providing security for high value transactions, processing millions in transactional volume per month and covering more than 173 countries worldwide. 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. https://ift.tt/fOBwRV6 BML Munjal University (BMU), a Hero Group initiative, through the Atal Community Innovation Center (ACIC) and Propel incubator at BMU organized Propel Pitchfest22, announced the results of grand finale of Propel Pitchfest22 on April 21st, 2022. The University's objective through this fest was to be able to provide a platform for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and innovative ventures, and network with successful entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders of the start-up ecosystem. The winning ideas were presented by BlisCare, First Helpers and Hivericks Technologies under the Product-based, Service-based and Women founded startup categories respectively. Each winning team received a cash award of INR 50,000, a seed funding of 2 Lakhs INR from Incubation at ACIC-BMU | Propel in addition to the other benefits. Along with the winners, three other runners-up namely We-Moove, Smart PAPA and AgriVijay trailed closely at the contest. Each runners-up team received a cash prize of INR 30,000 and a seed funding of INR 1 Lakh from Incubation at ACIC-BMU | Propel along with the other benefits. The winners, runners up and the finalists won awards worth INR +15 lacs (+1.5 Mn) and an opportunity to pitch to various angel investor networks - namely Lead Angels, ah! Ventures, IAN and numerous benefits through the Passport by TheOneValley, membership to TiE Delhi etc. This year's Pitchfest saw a great response from 541 registrations received from 343 teams from across the country and had tracks on startups with women founders as well. The first day of Propel Pitchfest22 had the keynote address by Dr. Chintan Vaishav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog and Mr. Vineet Rai, Founder & Chairman Aavishkaar Group. The organizing committee also held Masterclass sessions by Mr. Sriram Sundarajan, CEO and Co-founder, Hyperstack, USA and Mr. Durjay Puri, Founder Member Delhi Chapter & Advisor - Lead Angels on topics - 'Entry and Growth for SaaS Startups in North America' and 'Making Start-ups Fundable' respectively. The first day of PitchFest also witnessed a Panel discussion on Building Successful Start-Ups with Purpose with Nupur Sarda (Co-founder of Vahdam Tea), Ariba Khan (Founder-Jumping Minds), Meghana Narayan (Founder of Slurrp Farm), Utkarsh Singh (Founder of BATX Energies). The session was moderated by Dr. Dhruv Nath, Author and Angel Investor, Director - Lead Angels. The first day of Pitchfest22 had a fireside conversation with Rahul Garg, CEO & Founder Moglix, who spoke about how there is no age bar to explore entrepreneurship instead the question should always be what is the problem that you are solving. He further mentioned now being the right time for India as we are having an opportunity to play far bigger roles in the global supply chain and building technology and manufacturing solutions for consumers. The budding startups were also provided with the opportunity of individual networking sessions with investors and legal experts. The eminent jury for Propel in the Panel 1 for Product and Service based start-up tracks consisted of Manish Johari (Senior Vice President Lead Angels), Sandro Stephen (Vice President Indian Angel Network), LV Sastry (Board Advisor & CXO Mentor Internet Start-Ups), Shantanu Chaturvedi (iCreate Head CoE-Ev). The Jury for Panel 2 for the Women Founder based start-up track consisted of Kruti Raiyani from Lead Angels, Upasana from TiE Delhi NCR and Manglesh Yadav from AIM. Every startup idea that was presented was judged based on innovation, creativity, originality and challenge it set-out to solve. Congratulating the winners Prof. Manoj K Arora, Vice Chancellor, BML Munjal University said, "It gives us immense pleasure on successfully hosting the Propel Pitchfest22 at BMU. The faculty and students have come together for this year's pitchfest and the response was incredible that we have received from the start-up ecosystem. I congratulate all the winners for their stupendous performance. We shall continue to provide a platform for students so that more such new ideas emerge and get an opportunity to become a reality in the days to come." About Propel Incubator @ BML Munjal University Propel Incubator @ BML Munjal University has been established to encourage and support the 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. About BML Munjal University 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 a 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), BSc Computer Science, LLB (Hons), BBA 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. Ajay Devgn and Kichcha Sudeep engaged in a healthy war of words on Twitter. However, a lot was lost in translation after the debate started. The to and fro of comments began after Bollywood actor Devgn asked if Hindi is not the national language of India, why are movies made in different languages and eventually dubbed. Ajay's comments on Wednesday were in response to a statement by south star Kichcha Sudeep. Instagram/AjayDevgn Hindi is no more our national language, Sudeep said at a film launch event last week when he was asked how he viewed the record-breaking pan-India success of the Kannada film KGF: Chapter 2. Addressing the media in Kannada, Sudeep had said, Kannada Actor @KicchaSudeep said ,"correct it,Hindi is no more the National Language, its no more a National language"! In a film launch & a huge applause from the crowd & the media. Hope the efforts of Kannada activists are reaching the intended places.#stophindilmposition pic.twitter.com/qpj06HJseG -Ravi (@AaladaMara) April 23, 2022 Hindi (filmmakers) should say they are making pan India movies. They have been dubbing those (Bollywood) movies into Tamil and Telugu, etc., and they are struggling. They are not able to. Today, we just make films that reach everywhere. Sudeep's comments had sparked a debate on social media over the apparent imposition of Hindi, with many fans of the actor defending his stand. The Hindi version of which alone has minted Rs 336 crore since its April 14 release. The film has reportedly earned Rs 850 crore worldwide. Devgn, who recently starred in filmmaker SS Rajamoulis pan-India blockbuster RRR, tagged the Karnataka-based actor on Twitter and wrote, .@KicchaSudeep , ? , Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 27, 2022 Hindi was, is and always will be our national language. The actor-filmmaker, who is looking forward to the release of his film Runway 34 on Friday, wrote: My brother, according to you if Hindi is not our national language then why do you release your mother tongue movies by dubbing them in Hindi? Devgn wrote in Devanagari, the Hindi script. Devgns tweet prompted Sudeep to post a reply explaining that his statement was perhaps taken out of context. Indiatimes Sudeep, who has also featured in Hindi films like Dabangg 3, Phoonk and Rann, said he didnt want to hurt, provoke or to start any debate. Hello @ajaydevgn sir The context to why I said that line is entirely different to the way I guess it has reached you. Probably will emphasise on why the statement was made when I see you in person. It wasnt to hurt, provoke or to start any debate. Why would I sir." I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest,,, as I said the line in a totally different context. Mch luv and wshs to you always. Hoping to seeing you soon. Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) April 27, 2022 I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest as I said the line in a totally different context. Much love and wishes to you always. Hoping to seeing you soon, he wrote in English. In a follow-up tweet, Sudeep said he understood what Devgn wrote in Hindi but wondered what his fellow actor would do if his response was in Kannada. And sir @ajaydevgn, I did understand the text you sent in Hindi. Thats only because we all have respected, loved and learnt Hindi. No offense sir, but was wondering whatd the situation be if my response was typed in Kannada! (sic) he wrote. Dont we too belong to India sir, Sudeep asked Devgn. Devgn then thanked Sudeep for clearing up the misunderstanding and said he simply wanted to ensure that people respect all languages. Hi @KicchaSudeep, You are a friend. thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. Ive always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 27, 2022 Hi @KicchaSudeep, You are a friend. thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. Ive always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation (sic) he added. Translation and interpretations are perspectives, Sudeep said in his response to Devgn. afp Thats the reason not reacting without knowing the complete matter matters. I dont blame you, @ajaydevgn, sir. Perhaps it would have been a happy moment if I had received a tweet from you for a creative reason. Love and regards (sic), Sudeep concluded. Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Hindi should be accepted as an alternative to English and not to local languages. Financial Express/Representational image Presiding over the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee in Delhi, Shah had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided that the medium of running the government is in the official language, and this would increase the importance of Hindi. Eminent composer A R Rahman, whose mother tongue is Tamil, had also weighed in on Shahs remarks, saying, Tamil is the link language. Representational Image India doesnt have a national language, and Hindi and Kannada are among the 22 languages listed in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. Sudeeps upcoming actioner Vikrant Rona is also billed as a pan-India film, expected to be released in Hindi apart from Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. (With inputs from PTI) (To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.) 1. 'Hindi Was Never Our National Language', Ex-Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah On Ajay Devgn's Tweet Indiatimes His tweet read, "Hindi was never & will never be our National Language. It is the duty of every Indian to respect linguistic diversity of our Country. Each language has its own rich history for its people to be proud of. I am proud to be a Kannadiga!!" The debate had sparked when Kichcha Sudeep's answer on KGF 2 being referred to as a pan-India film had made headlines. The South star had said that Hindi isn't a national language anymore and Bollywood should say that they are 'pan-India films'. 2. Amitabh Bachchan Reveals The Dance Moves In Khaike Paan Banaraswala Were 'Copied' From Abhishek Indiatimes Sharing a video of the song on Instagram, Big B wrote, "Some of the moves were a copy of Abhishek when he was a kid , he used to dance like that .. he moved sideways always." The edited video shows a segment from the song from Don with Abhishek Bachchan's song Macha Macha Re from Dasvi playing in the background. 3. Andrew Garfield Wants To Take A Break From Acting, Craves To Feel 'A Bit Ordinary' For A While Twitter In an interview with Variety, Andrew Garfield said that he 'is going to rest for a little bit'. The actor then added, "I need to recalibrate and reconsider what I want to do next and who I want to be and just be a bit of a person for awhile. Because as you know, that is a washing machine, that awards season. 4. James Cameron Confirms Official Title 'Avatar: The Way Of Water', Footage Teased At CinemaCon Twitter According to a report in Variety, it was revealed that the title of the Avatar sequel will be Avatar: The Way Of Water. The film is slated for a December 16 release this year. The same report also reveals that footage from the film was screened at the event for the attendees, who got a glimpse of the film wearing 3D glasses. The video was one minute long and had no dialogues. It focused on the film's setting, in the crystal blue waterbodies of Pandora. The footage also showed the people of the planet, the Na'vis, in their element, interacting with varied creatures. 5. After Being Charged With Rape, Vijay Babu Gets Brutally Slammed For Naming The Survivor Twitter "A rape case was registered against him first. As he disclosed the victim's identity, another case was also filed. It seems that he is out of the station and absconding now," a senior police officer told PTI. After Babu's live session on Facebook, people slammed him for revealing the survivor's identity. Calling him an example of 'toxic masculinity (To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.) As Johny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation case is proceeding, there are new twists and turns every day. Amid the bitter battle between Depp and his Ex-wife Amber, it looks like fans have started to side with Depp. A petition on change.org demanding Amber Heard's removal from Aquaman 2 is gaining traction. Agencies According to the petition, heard should be dropped from the upcoming Aquaman 2 movie. The petition filed on Change.org has already crossed the two million signature mark. Screengrab For the uninitiated, Depp, who portrayed the role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, was fired by Disney in the fifth installment after allegations that he had abused his ex-wife. Agencies Heard plays the role of Princess Mera in Aquaman. Jason Momoa plays the lead role of the superhero in the film. According to the petition: Screengrab She has been exposed as a domestic abuser by Johnny Depp, Her appearance in Aquaman 2 should be canceled to prevent the alleged abuse from being glamorized. Also, Amber Heard was arrested in 2009 for abusing a former domestic partner, Tasya Van Ree, demonstrating a repeated pattern of abuse by Amber Heard, the petition further says. According to Variety, Depp has launched a legal battle against Heard after she penned a Washington Post op-ed in 2018 stating that she is a survivor of domestic abuse. Screengrab Although Heard did not mention Depp (58) by name in the column, she accused him of domestic violence after filing for divorce in 2016. Depp is pursuing a USD 50 million defamation lawsuit against Heard. Her plea to dismiss the suit after Depp lost his libel case in the UK was denied. Depp has since argued that Hollywood is "boycotting" him, pointing to the long-delayed release of his biopic "Minamata." (With agency inputs) (To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.) With the massive success of films like Pushpa: The Rise, RRR, and the recently-released KGF: Chapter 2, there is no doubt that audience in the North love the South Indian content. The Hindi-dubbed versions of these films have been an immense success and the popularity of South Indian Films in the north keeps growing day by day. RRR broke all records and collected more than a whopping Rs 100 crore on its opening day. On the other hand, KGF: Chapter 2 minted over Rs 50 crore on day 1. file Commenting on the success of South Indian films, Manoj Bajpayee says that it has 'sent a shiver down the spine of all mainstream filmmakers from Mumbai'. While speaking to TOI, the actor said, " Itni blockbuster ho rahi hai (from the south)... forget about Manoj Bajpayee and the likes of me for a minute, it has sent a shiver down the spine of all the mainstream filmmakers from the Mumbai film industry. They really dont know where to look." The actor also applauded South industry for their filmmaking and explained what sets them apart from the rest. He said, "They are unapologetic, they are passionate, and every shot they take as if they are taking the best shot in the world. And so much thought and passion goes into it. Not even once do they talk about the audience in a demeaning way. They dont say that the audience will understand. Yeh massy hai, yeh chal jayega they never talk in this language. They shoot a film as they have envisioned it, they dont dumb it down for the audience because they hold their audience in the highest regard and their passion is supreme." Speaking about Pushpa, RRR and KGF, the actor said that the making of these films is 'immaculate.' file He added, "Each and every frame is actually shot in a manner as if it were a life and death situation. This is what we lack. We started thinking about mainstream films only in terms of money and box office. Hum criticise nahi kar sakte na apne aap ko. So hum unko different keh kar alag kar denge. But its a lesson. This is a lesson for Mumbai industry mainstream filmmakers on how to make mainstream cinema." Coming to Manoj Bajpayee, the actor was last seen in OTT films like Silence...Can You Hear It? and Dial 100. He will next be seen in Gulmohar. The film went on floors last month and is being directed by Rahul V Chittella. (For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.) (Trigger Warning: The story contains details and photographs of violence and rape, which could be triggering for some readers.) The life of a 14-year-old teenager from Ukraine has toppled upside down. At an age where she should be living a life free of worries, she is burdened by a heavy choice: Where to keep her unborn baby or not. Reuters According to reports, a 14-year-old girl is pregnant after being raped by five Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Agencies A report in Mirror.co.uk claims that the girl has decided to keep the child and go ahead with the pregnancy after doctors warned her against the abortion. She has been told that if she aborts this child, she might not be able to conceive again. The story has been corroborated by psychologist Oleksandra Kvitko, who works on the ombudswoman's hotline for psychological assistance, with the consent of the victim's parents. Reuters The psychologist is now working with the teenager and helping her learn how to accept her child. The report further states that Kvitko is working with five girls between the ages of 14-and 18 who have allegedly conceived after being raped by Russian troops. A Belarusian photographer Pavel Krichko created a portrait of Putin from 1,500 photographs taken during the 57 days of the war in Ukraine. Horror, pain, suffering, death, mutilated destinies, crimes, inhumanity, evil - everything is in this image. #RussianWarCrimes pic.twitter.com/aXP9vXbika Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) April 23, 2022 The youngest victim in Kvitko's group is only ten years old. Agencies In an interview with Radio Svoboda, she said, "Girls aged 14, 15, 16 are often raped. After the war, there will be many pregnant teenagers in Ukraine". The ombudswoman's hotline has reportedly received reports of 101 cases of sexual crimes in the Ukrainian territories, which were recently freed from Russian troops. These figures were compiled on April 25. In a conversation with Radio Svoboda, Ombudswoman Lyudmila Denisova confirmed that 12 cases of forced pregnancy had been reported, but the number of unreported cases could be way more. On 13th April, Oleksandra Matviychuk, the Civil Liberties Center chairwoman, took to Twitter to share: A silent rally was held in Vienna against the sexual violence of Russian soldiers who raped Ukrainian women#RussianWarCrimes The author of photo is unknown pic.twitter.com/qODIjsO23h Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) April 15, 2022 "Ukrainian women who were raped by Russians and left to Poland cannot have abortions there. Under Polish law, abortion is allowed in case of rape, but there is no criminal case, yet Psychologists in Poland are convincing her that a new life is wonderful. They destroy the lives of both." Ukrainian women who were raped by Russians and left to Poland cannot have abortions there. Under Polish law, abortion is allowed in case of rape, but there is no criminal case yet Psychologists in Poland are convincing her that a new life is wonderful. They destroys lives of both Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) April 13, 2022 She added: "We talked to our colleagues in Poland. Elena Racheva: One of the people killed in Ukrainian Odesa by a direct hit of a Russian rocket, was 28 y.o Valeria Glodan, her 3 months old daughter Kira and her mother. Valeria's husband went grossery shopping and survived. Can't stop scrolling Instagram accounts of dead people pic.twitter.com/ye5ihwGVaG Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) April 25, 2022 "They will conduct an information campaign so that victims of sexual violence know to whom they can apply and how they can leave Poland if necessary. "Because rape is the most hidden crime, we don't know everyone who needs help." For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Signalling a longer wait for crypto enthusiasts to gain clarity on India's cloudy crypto future, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said, "India will not rush into any decision on cryptocurrencies and will take a well-considered view." She was recently interacting with students and faculty at Stanford University in California, U.S. "It has to take its time for all of us to be sure that at least, with the given available information, we are making a discerned decision. It can't be rushed," Sitharaman further said, as per a report in ET. The free-wheeling conversation at Stanford covered a variety of topics, including crypto. Earlier in the day, the Finance Minister held an engaging and lively interaction with a group of students studying at @Stanford. The free-wheeling conversation covered a variety of topics. https://t.co/UW0G68Ec7u pic.twitter.com/4UdVDEkzXk Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) April 26, 2022 India's Finance Minister also said "There is impatience outside saying what are you doing about crypto.. I understand the impatience but I'm sorry, that's how it is going to be." The finance minister also clarified that the government is open to promoting innovation and well-grounded progress made in the distributed ledger technologies, which are coming in the blockchain. She stated, "Our intention is in no way to hurt this (innovation around crypto)...but (we need to) define for ourselves." FM Sitharaman further said, Despite the positive aspects of the technology, there are concerns over its possible misuse for money laundering and terror financing. Cryptocurrencies with all their positive contributions can also be manipulated toward not so desirable ends. "These are some of the concerns," she added. Quick To Tax It These latest statements come after a string of harsh announcements surrounding crypto in India since the Budget 2022 speech. While the 30% tax on crypto is already effective since April 1 2022, the 1% TDS will come into effect from July 1st 2022. As per ET, the government has maintained that imposition of the tax did not mean giving these assets recognition and that they would be dealt with separately after intensive consultations. On the other hand, Indias central bank RBI has for long been vocal about concerns surrounding crypto, and even stated that it favours a ban on it. Also Read: Crypto-assets Can Increase Financial Inclusion, Says Infosys' Nandan Nilekani For the latest financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here. For nearly two decades, April is celebrated as the national financial literacy month in the US. It's an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach citizens how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits. And in Prince George's County, which is located in the U.S. state of Maryland, students are learning all things finance. The school system, one of the most diverse in Maryland, now requires students to complete financial literacy classes, as per a report by News4's Prince George's County Bureau Chief Tracee Wilkins. A financial literacy class in Crossland High School goes beyond balancing a chequebook, as it challenges students to divide and conquer the complications of money. A ninth-grade student named Shiloh McCray said she's learning about investing, income and loans! It's true that managing money begins with understanding it. shutterstock Also Read: Ditch The Traditional Piggy Bank And Try These Simple Ways To Teach Money Management To Kids Nikki Guy-Dixon, a financial literacy teacher at the Crossland school, said she taught students about redlining, the housing crash and predatory lending. Whereas another ninth-grader, Kenneth Pinkney, said "It's important to spend your money wisely and make sure you manage it well." In the school, they also discuss why some communities have more than others. Financial Literacy teacher Susan Bistransin had taught financial education as an elective for years and has pushed to make it a system-wide requirement this year. This program is a big deal for Prince George's County because they are the 8th school district to require financial literacy for graduation in the state of Maryland. Certainly, it would be great if more schools across states and nations start including financial literacy lessons for students. This would provide them with a solid foundation and understanding of how to manage finances, which is a lifelong task, isn't it? Financial Literacy Lessons In Prince George's County "Financial literacy is incredibly important. You are going to use every single lesson you learn in this class for the rest of your life because money is our common denominator," said Bistransin, financial education and empowerment coordinator for Prince George's County Public Schools, as per NBC Washington. Another ninth-grader named Dhamari Bonner said that as a kid overwhelmed by social media marketing and influencing, he's learning to be a smart money manager and consumer. "You have to do what you have to, and not try to gloat for anybody on social media because you don't know what happens behind closed doors for them, and you don't want to try to think you have this big lifestyle when you don't," he said. The financial literacy class lasts for one semester. What more? The class of 2024 will be the first to be required to have the class in order to graduate. Also Read: Simple Life Lessons Young Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Shark Tank India For the latest and interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here. April 28, 2022 This page has been automatically translated by Original news Fincantieri delivers second corvette for Qatar It was built in the Muggiano shipyard Today at the shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia) of the Fincantieri group, the delivery of Damsah , second unit of the "Al Zubarah class" of four corvettes commissioned by the Ministry of Defense of Qatar. The units, designed in accordance with the RINAMIL settlement, will be highly flexible with the ability to carry out multiple tasks, ranging from patrolling with rescue capabilities at sea to the role of a fighter ship. Around 107 meters long, 14.70 metres wide, will be equipped with a combined diesel and diesel propulsion system (CODAD), they will be able to reach a maximum speed of 28 knots by hosting 112 people on board. The corvettes will also be able to employ RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat)-type means, and will be able to ship them through a side crane and a ramp located at the extreme stern. The flight deck and the hangar will be equipped to accommodate a NH90 helicopter. Booking.com Index Home Page News - Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY phone: +39.010.2462122, fax: +39.010.2516768, e-mail A Massachusetts man said in a lawsuit filed Monday that he was wrongfully charged with murder based on his race and what his attorneys called fabricated evidence. Dana Gaul, 43, said in the federal suit against the city of Worcester and five city police officers that he was charged in the November 2020 stabbing death of Jehlon Rose, 19, based on coerced statements and because he is Black. Witnesses at the scene described the perpetrator as a thin, light-skinned or white man, about 5 feet, 7 inches (1.7 meters) tall, while Gaul is Black, weighs 200 pounds (91 kilograms) pounds and is 5 feet, 10 inches (1.8 meters) tall, his lawyers said. Plaintiff is a Black man, and but for his race, defendants would not have targeted him for unlawful arrest, imprisonment, and/or malicious prosecution based on the flimsy evidence it had, the lawsuit said. In fact, the witnesses to the murder described the assailant as white, a description that does not match plaintiff. Investigators coerced some people none of whom were actually at the scene of the stabbing into saying that grainy surveillance video of the suspect looked like Gaul, according to the suit filed by Debra Loevy and Mark Reyes. In addition, DNA found on the victims body and clothes was compared to Gauls DNA, but did not match, according to his lawyers. Gaul did not know Rose and was nowhere near the scene of the stabbing, his lawyers said. The city will conduct its own investigation, according to a spokesperson for the city managers office. The complaint will be forwarded to the Worcester Police Departments Bureau of Professional Standards who will conduct an investigation, Robert Burgess said in an email. Worcester police Lt. Sean Murtha said in an email that the department does not comment on pending litigation and the case remains open. Gaul, a father of four from Leicester, was arrested last June and spent five months in prison before he was released. The Worcester district attorneys office dismissed charges against him in February and investigators have focused on a different suspect. Plaintiff was entirely innocent and there was never any legitimate evidence connecting him to the murder, the lawsuit said. Gaul is happy to be free but lives his life in fear, Reyes said. Defendants misconduct continues to cause plaintiff pain and suffering, humiliation, constant fear, anxiety, and other physical and psychological effects, the suit said. The suit seeks a jury trial, unspecified damages, and attorneys fees. Topics Lawsuits Massachusetts Indias Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) is struggling to find a vessel to ship 700,000 barrels of crude from Russias Far East, in a growing sign that complex trades involving one of Moscows biggest partners are being interrupted by Western sanctions, sources say. Several Indian companies including ONGC have stakes in Russian oil and gas assets, and India has been buying more Russian crude since Moscow invaded Ukraine, snapping up the popular Urals crude grade, while other buyers have shunned Russian exports. Exxon Mobil Declares Force Majeure on Its Russian Sakhalin-1 Operations ONGC has a 20% stake in the Sakhalin 1 project that produces a Russian grade known as Sokol, which ONGC exports through tenders. Sokol is mostly bought by North Asian buyers and loaded from South Korea. However, Moscows ability to ship that grade, which requires vessels that can break through ice, is becoming harder due to concerns from shippers over reputational risk and the increasing difficulty for Russian assets to find insurance coverage. Normally, cargoes of Sokol oil are first shipped from the De-Kastri terminal in Russias Far East using ice class vessels to South Korea, where they are then reloaded onto a conventional tanker. Indian refiners rarely buy the Sokol grade, as difficult logistics make the crude costly. There are a limited number of ice class vessels in the global merchant fleet that can be deployed at any time. ONGC relies on ice-class vessels provided by Russias state-owned Sovcomflot (SCF) for the transportation of crude to Yoesu port in South Korea, and from there the Indian company exports to buyers, mostly in North Asia. However, sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States, Britain, the European Union and Canada after Moscows invasion of Ukraine, in addition to specific restrictions on SCF, are making it harder for Russian ships including SCFs fleet to maintain insurance and reinsurance cover for voyages, shipping sources said. Shipping companies are also less willing to move Russian oil in Asia, fearing the potential reputational risks involved with charters, the shipping sources added. Last month, ONGC did not receive any bids in its tender for export of Sokol as buyers backed out due to Western sanctions. That led to ONGC selling one cargo each to Indian state refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp. and Bharat Petroleum Corp. (BPCL). BPCLs cargo was scheduled for lifting early next month from Yeosu port in South Korea, while HPCL was awarded the cargo for lifting in end-May, according to shipping sources. BPCL had floated an enquiry to charter a vessel from the South Korean port and sought to book the vessel Atlantis for early May shipments, shipping reports show. The fixture failed, however, as ONGC could not arrange a vessel to Yeosu port partly due to issues with securing insurance for the voyage, sources said. ONGC, HPCL and BPCL did not respond to Reuters emails seeking comment. This year, India has bought more than twice as much crude from Russia in the two months since its invasion of Ukraine as it did in all of 2021. Russias maritime sector is grappling with the winding down of services including ship certification by leading foreign providers such as Britains LR and Norways DNV. Marine fuel sellers have stopped serving vessels flying the Russian flag at major European hubs including Spain and Malta in another blow to Moscows exports, sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The EU in March listed SCF among Russian state-owned companies with which it was prohibited to directly or indirectly engage in any transaction after a wind down period ends on May 15. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma and Jonathan Saul; additonal reporting by Florence Tan in Singapore; editing by Mark Potter) Photograph: Suezmax crude oil tanker SCF Surgut, operated by Sovcomflot. Related: Topics Russia Energy Oil Gas India Philippe Donnet, who has been CEO at Europes third-largest insurer since 2016, is running for reappointment with the backing of Generalis outgoing board and its leading shareholder Mediobanca. Donnets candidacy is opposed by Italian tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, Generalis second-largest investor, who has proposed former Generali executive Luciano Cirina instead. Following is a summary of the main stakeholders and their stances: IN FAVOR OF DONNET Mediobanca Milanese bank holds 12.8% of Generali, which accounts for a third of its profit. To counter challenger investors at AGM it has secured a temporary 17.2% voting stake. De Agostini Italian publisher has praised Donnet and is expected to back his reappointment before completing planned disposal of its 1.44% Generali stake. Norges Bank, CPP, Calpers, SBA Florida, Union Investment, Deka Generali shareholders Union Investment and Deka Investment have both told Reuters they back Donnet. Read full storyRead full story Proxy voting records show that Norways sovereign wealth fund Norges Bank, U.S. investors CalPERS and SBA Florida, Canadas CPP are also in favor. Swiss foundation Ethos, comprising more than 220 pension funds, has recommended a pro-Donnet vote. *** AGAINST DONNET Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone Seventy-nine-year-old construction and newspaper magnate has a 9.95% Generali stake, which he has gradually increased in recent years. Before stepping down in January, Caltagirone had been a Generali board director since 2007, also taking on the role of vice chair in 2010. He will likely have a seat on the board again even if his bid to oust Donnet fails. Leonardo Del Vecchio Billionaire founder of Italian eyewear giant Luxottica is third-largest shareholder in Generali with a stake of around 8%. Del Vecchio, who is also the biggest investor in Mediobanca with a near 20% stake, has sided with Caltagirone. Fondazione CRT Banking foundation with a 1.7% stake supports Caltagirones plan for Generali. Benetton Family With 4% Generali stake and close ties to both camps, Benettons are set to back rival slate and want to promote dialog and cooperation after AGM. Cassa Forense Italian lawyers pension institute is reported to back the rebel billionaires with its 1% stake. *** YET TO DECIDE Institutional Investors Hold in aggregate 35% of the insurer. Their AGM attendance in recent years has been at around 20% but this year overall attendance is set to be markedly higher. Their vote is usually oriented by the recommendations of leading governance advisers Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis which have both backed Donnet. Fund shareholders include BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, Vanguard, Thornburg Investment Management. A group of 11 institutional investors holding 0.64% of Generali has filed a separate slate, which does not include a CEO candidate. Retail Shareholders Small savers made up mostly of wealthy families in Italys northeast hold around 22% of Generali. For retail shareholders the focus is the dividend policy, which Donnet in December pledged to boost. (Reporting by Gianluca Semeraro and Valentina Za; editing by Kirsten Donovan, Alexander Smith and Keith Weir) Topics Generali Life Assurance (Thailand) Plc. Amazon.com Inc. should better prepare workers for extreme weather events, according to federal regulators who investigated a deadly tornado strike on a company warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois. The storm ripped through the facility in December, killing six workers and injuring several others, prompting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch a probe. At the time, Amazon said the facility complied with all construction regulations and that proper safety procedures were followed when the tornado struck. But several workers told Bloomberg that training for such events was minimal and mostly entailed pointing out emergency exits and assembly points. An OSHA report released on Tuesday echoed those concerns. The agency said a bullhorn that was supposed to be used to tell workers to take cover was locked up in a cage and inaccessible. In interviews with investigators, some employees couldnt recall ever participating in emergency drills and said they mistakenly took shelter in a bathroom on the south side of the building rather than in designated restrooms on the north side. OSHA didnt levy any fines since emergency safety plans are recommended not required. But the agency urged Amazon to review and improve its emergency procedures. These tragic deaths have sparked discussions nationwide on the vital need for comprehensive workplace emergency plans, said William Donovan, OSHAs regional administrator in Chicago. Employers should re-evaluate their emergency plans for the safest shelter-in-place locations and prepare before an emergency to ensure workers know where to go and how to keep themselves safe in the event of a disaster. The warehouse in Edwardsville, near St. Louis, was damaged when a string of tornadoes ripped through six states, leaving a trail of destruction that stretched more than 200 miles (322 km). The twister struck during Amazons busy holiday shopping season, prompting outcries from workers who have long accused the company of putting the timely shipping of products before their safety and well-being. Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said warehouse managers did their best given the sudden, severe storm. Employees receive emergency response training, and that training is reinforced throughout the year, she said. OSHAs investigation did not find any violations or causes for citations, but were constantly looking to innovate and improve our safety measures and have already begun conducting additional safety and emergency preparedness drills at our sites and will carefully consider any OSHA recommendation that we have not already. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Amazon United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that Donisha Lee,age 32, of Harvey, Louisiana, was sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, by United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance, arising out of a staged automobile collision with a tractor-trailer occurring in New Orleans. According to documents filed in federal court, Donisha Lee,along with her co-defendants, Dewayne Coleman (Coleman), Erica Lee Thompson (Erica Lee), Aisha Thompson (Thompson), Passenger A, and another individual, conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged collision with their former co-defendant, occurring on September 6, 2017. Thus far, the total number of defendants convicted in Operation Sideswipe is thirty-seven (37). Donisha Lee admitted that on September 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, she was a passenger in Erica Lees 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashedinto a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express. After the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and told Erica Lee to get behind the wheel of the RAV4 to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident. The defendants contacted the NOPD and falsely claimed that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the collision. Passenger A falsely claimed to the NOPD that she was Thompson. Approximately one or two days after the staged accident, Coleman, Donisha Lee, Erica Lee, Thompson, and another individual went to an attorneys office for the purpose of collecting money from the insurance and trucking company. Coleman, Donisha Lee, Erica Lee, Thompson, and another individual sought medical treatment from doctors and healthcare providers. Thompson was treated despite not being in the RAV4 at the time of the staged accident. Donisha Lee retained counsel and made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Averitt accident was $30,000. On March 26, 2019, Donisha Lee, and two of her co-defendants, provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. On April 9, 2019, Thompson provided false testimony in a deposition taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. In these depositions, Donisha Lee, and her co-defendants, lied about the September 6, 2017 accident including, but not limited to, who was driving the RAV4 and the extent of their injuries. United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced Donisha Lee to 10 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, 100 hours community service, restitution in the amount of $121,076.75, and a $100.00 special assessment fee. Source: Department of Justice Topics Louisiana That plan to strip the Disney Corp. of its special municipality status in Florida? Its more complicated than many Florida officials may have realized. A week after the Florida Legislature acted with lightning speed to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a 25,000-acre parcel near Orlando controlled by Disney, with its own firefighting and other municipal services, indications are that the move will ultimately amount to few real changes. I dont think this would have an impact either way and I dont think it will ultimately happen, said Geoff Bichler, an Orlando attorney who has represented employees in workers compensation claims against the district. The Legislature, at the request of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, voted to end Disneys 55-year-old self-governing status in retribution for Disneys criticism of Floridas Dont Say Gay law that restricts what can be taught in public schools. The effective date of the dissolution is June 2023, when its expected that the municipal services and workers would be absorbed by Orange County and Osceola County governments. The law immediately raised questions about what would happen to Reedy Creek employees benefits, including workers compensation payments for injured workers, and other insurance contracts the district may be a party to. The president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association, Jon Shirey, told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper that dissolving the district will end first responders lifelong health insurance paid by the district, along with complimentary lifetime Disney passes. Workers also have access to other perks, including a discount on Met Life auto insurance. For our retirees who plan their lives and their finances around a benefit that they were promised for life, this is incredibly concerning, Shirey said. Others, though, have said that at least some benefits will be left untouched if the Disney city goes away. Reedy Creek employees, like other municipal workers in the state, will likely remain part of the state employees retirement system. And the self-insured district is required to keep enough reserves to pay lifetime and long-term workers comp benefits well into the future, even if the district ceases to exist, attorneys said. If an agency/district dissolves, there is a process or procedure in place for existing claim and future claims, explained Tonya Oliver, an Orlando lawyer who has handled many Reedy Creek firefighter workers comp claims. Another question may be harder to answer: Would the county governments that absorb the district be any more accepting of comp claims than the Disney district was? During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, fire workers criticized Reedy Creek administration for fighting comp claims and time off for sick and exposed first responders. Eight firefighter/paramedics fell ill from the virus in summer, 2020, but the district denied the claims, forcing the men to burn through their personal sick time and vacation time, workers said. A spokesman for the district said at the time that firefighters in the Magic Kingdom already had plenty of time off, including unusually large amounts of union-negotiated leave time. A check of Florida workers compensation court records shows that 61 comp claims filed by Reedy Creek workers in the last 20 years have been contested. In the end, concerns about dissolving Reedy Creek may all be for naught. The district posted a notice to investors last week that the Legislatures actions violated a 1967 agreement with the district, in which the state pledged to pay off all of the districts bond debt if it altered the rights of the district, the Miami Herald reported. That bond debt could be as much as $1 billion, according to news reports. Disney said it will continue operating as it has. In light of the State of Floridas pledge to the Districts bondholders, Reedy Creek expects to explore its options while continuing its present operations, including levying and collecting its ad valorem taxes and collecting its utility revenues, paying debt service on its ad valorem tax bonds and utility revenue bonds, complying with its bond covenants and operating and maintaining its properties, the statement from Reedy Creek reads. The punitive action against Disney is also getting pushback from the county that would have to absorb part of the district. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings told reporters last week that if Reedy Creek were to be entirely dissolved, it would be catastrophic for his countys budget, according to news reports. The district currently reimburses the sheriffs office when its services are needed, including those for two smaller municipalities controlled by Disney that were created at the same time as Reedy Creek. Law professors also have said that Disney will have a valid constitutional argument and will likely prevail in litigation over the dissolution. Lawmakers appeared to act to punish the Disney Corp. because of what it said publicly about the Parental Rights, or Dont Say Gay, law. That retribution could be seen by the courts as a violation of the corporations and its officers right to free speech. Ironically, the Reedy Creek model was once touted as a potential solution to some of Floridas property insurance woes. In 2010, the Competitive Enterprise Institute argued that Disney had been able to survive several hurricanes without significant damage, partly because the district was able to set building codes at a level that made structures more wind resistant. Development in the district also was done in a holistic manner that minimized flooding, and the relatively affluent district did not have a diverse constituency to consider and was able to set taxes high enough to enforce building codes and ordinances to help minimize storm damage. The self-governing approach could work in other parts of Florida, the Institutes Arin Greenwood proposed. Other questions remain on the logistics of it all, including what would happen to excess liability and other insurance contracts the district it may hold. Officials with the district could not be reached this week, but the head of the Florida Association of Special Districts said that Orange and Osceola counties would probably be able to assume most of the districts self-insured assets and liabilities without disruption. It would be more like a merger than a dissolution, said David Ramba, executive director of the FASD. Statutes also have provided for a relatively seamless way to reconstitute the district, if necessary, he said. Most observers reached by the Insurance Journal predicted that the dissolution wont happen, once cooler heads prevail in the Legislature, perhaps after the November election. But some perks now enjoyed by the district could be scaled back next year. One of those perks that could be done away with is Reedy Creeks ability to build its own nuclear plant if it so desired. Ramba said its highly unlikely Disney officials would ever want that. But as the law now reads at least until June 2023 a nuclear cooling tower next to the Cinderella Castle is perfectly legal. Photo: Associated Press Topics Legislation Florida Federal prosecutors say a former Mississippi pharmacist has been sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison for a $180 million health insurance fraud scheme involving unnecessary prescriptions for expensive pain creams and other medications. Mitchell Chad Barrett, 55, now of Gulf Breeze, Florida, was sentenced Tuesday in Mississippis Southern District, a news release said. He is among more than a dozen people who have pleaded guilty or been convicted in connection with the scheme. Prosecutors say he paid kickbacks for referrals of medically unnecessary prescriptions. He was involved in more than $180 million in fraudulent billings, including more than $50 million paid by federal health care programs, the statement said. Barrett pleaded guilty in August 2021 to conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Prosecutors said in 2018 that pharmacy fraud in Mississippi totaled more than $400 million. Pharmacists figured out how to hand-make medications typically skin creams with ingredients for which insurers would pay big money. They also hired marketers to seek and sometimes pay off physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists and others who could prescribe the drugs, prosecutors alleged. A marketer, Thomas Wilburn Shoemaker of Rayville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty last August. Pharmacist Thomas E. Spell Jr. of Ridgeland pleaded guilty in 2018 to helping run a fraud that collected $244 million from a federal military health insurer, and was sentenced to 10 years. A statement acknowledged that he personally received more than $29 million between December 2014 and January 2016. In 2019, pharmacy owner and manager Glenn Doyle Beach of Sumrall pleaded guilty in a plot that collected more than $200 million from a federal military health insurer and others. His sentence is 14 years. Pharmacist and pharmacy co-owner David Jason Rutland, of Bolton, pleaded guilty in 2021 to federal charges of conspiracy to solicit and pay kickbacks and bribes. He got a 5-year sentence. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida Mississippi COVID-19 was the leading cause of work-related fatalities in Washington for the second straight year, accounting for one-fourth of the 106 workers who died, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. L&Is claim records show 26 people died in 2021 after contracting COVID-19 while working in hospitals, prisons, manufacturing jobs, or other workplaces. Another 15 workers died following long battles with other occupational illnesses. Even as we believe that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, we find ourselves looking back on another year where COVID was the leading cause of job-related deaths, Joel Sacks, L&Is director, said in a statement. We will not forget those who lost their lives to COVID or other causes. We all need to do everything in our power to ensure every worker goes home safe at the end of the day. In 2021, the number of COVID-19 deaths increased, while the overall number of workplace fatalities declined by 13 from the previous year, when there were 119 workplace deaths, according to the figures. Construction was the most dangerous industry, claiming 22 lives. Transportation/warehousing and public safety workers accounted for 16 and 14 deaths, respectively, according to the data. The number of fatalities in agriculture fell by nearly half, with 11 worker deaths compared to 21 in 2020, however the number of deaths from motor vehicle crashes tripled, from seven to 21. Worker deaths from falls remained about the same at 10, according to L&I. Topics COVID-19 Washington The New Mexico sheriff investigating the fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin described complacency, disorganization and neglected safety measures in the making of the low-budget movie Rust. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that he is waiting on a forensic analysis of the weapon, projectile, fingerprints and more from the FBI and state medical examiners before turning the 6-month-old case over to prosecutors to decide whether criminal charges will be filed. There is a degree of neglect. Whether that reaches the criminal level, that will be up to the district attorney to determine, the sheriff told Good Morning America. On Monday, he released virtually the entire case file of the investigation after a live round of ammunition killed Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza during rehearsal on Oct. 21, 2021. Filming for the Western took place at a ranch on the outskirts of the city of Santa Fe. The vast trove of newly released law enforcement files includes lapel camera video of the mortally wounded Hutchins slipping in and out of consciousness as an evacuation helicopter arrives. Witness interrogations, email threads, text conversations, inventories of ammunition and hundreds of photographs round out the collection of evidence. In one newly released video, a sheriffs deputy arrives as medics attempt to attend to Hutchins inside a small wooden church where she was shot during a rehearsal in preparation for filming. Halyna, deep breath. There you go, good girl, says a medic, urging Hutchins to take in air through an oxygen mask. Outside, a medical evacuation helicopter lands in the desert. A law enforcement officer keeps watch over Baldwin, still in 19th century costume, as the actor smokes cigarettes from other members of the film cast. The evidence was made public in response to media requests for records and as an effort toward transparency in the investigation. Mendoza, a Democrat, is running for reelection this year, with a competitive June primary. Newly published documents show authorities have scraped cellphone accounts for text messages, images and audio files created by the cast, crew and munitions suppliers for Rust. Text messages recount two firearms misfires on the set prior to the deadly shooting, though none involved live ammunition. Other videos show investigators as they debrief Baldwin within hours of the fatal shooting, talking with him inside a compact office and rehearsal clips that show Baldwin in costume as he practices a quick-draw maneuver with a gun. An attorney for Baldwin says the newly released files corroborate that the actor and Rust co-producer was careful with guns on the set. Mr. Baldwin welcomes this investigation, said attorney Luke Nikas in a statement. The information that has been revealed by the authorities demonstrates, once again, that Mr. Baldwin acted responsibly. Under questioning by two investigators, Baldwin says that as the gun went off, he was unaware initially that Hutchins would die and shocked to learn that he had been holding a gun loaded with live ammunition. Baldwin said in a December interview with ABC News that he was on set pointing the gun at Hutchins at her instruction when it went off without his pulling the trigger. Baldwin told the investigators that the gun should have been empty for a rehearsal with no filming. There should have been nothing. It should have been a cold gun with no rounds inside or dummy rounds, Baldwin says. I take the gun out slowly. I turn, I cock the pistol. Bang, it goes off. She (Hutchins) hits the ground. Baldwin repeatedly says there were no prior problems of any kind with firearms on the set of Rust. Those statements conflict with more recent findings by state occupational safety regulators, who last week issued the maximum possible fine of nearly $137,000 against the Rust film production company. New Mexicos Occupational Health and Safety Bureau delivered a scathing narrative of safety failures in violation of standard industry protocols, including testimony that production managers took limited or no action to address the two other misfires. The bureau also documented gun safety complaints from crew members that went unheeded and said weapons specialists were not allowed to make decisions about additional safety training. Rust Movie Productions has indicated it will dispute the findings and sanction. At least five lawsuits have been filed over the shooting, including a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Hutchins family against Baldwin and the movies other producers. The lawsuit on behalf of widower Matt Hutchins and his 9-year-old son alleges a callous disregard in the face of safety complaints on the set. Photo: This photo shows the Bonanza Creek Ranch one day after an incident left one crew member dead and another injured, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 in Santa Fe, N.M. A prop firearm discharged by veteran actor Alec Baldwin, who is producing and starring in a Western movie, killed his director of photography and injured the director Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at the movie set outside Santa Fe, authorities said. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal) Related: Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Mexico New Mexico Austin, TX., April 28, 2022. The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research today announced the release of the Certified Environmental Strategist (CeS) self-paced course. Created by Chris Bunbury, Environmental Strategist and President of Environmental Strategist, Inc. (ESI), the course educates insurance professionals on how to advise clients as they manage and transfer their environmental exposures. The four-hour self-paced course developed with The National Alliance for insurance Education & Research is for professionals looking to expand their book of business into the environmental insurance marketplace. Due to factors that include regulatory enforcement, environmental claims are expected to increase by 15-20% annually. Businesses who remain unprepared for such exposures risk financial ruin and may leave management liable for the consequences. The CeS course helps insurance professionals navigate that with clients. Paul Martin, Director of Academic Content and Curriculum Development, shared this about the new course: This one-of-a-kind program builds new skills in identifying the environmental risks that every business faces. What youll learn will only deepen your ability to protect your clients. Participants of the CeS course can expect a robust learning experience that ensures successful execution of environmental strategy at an introductory level. The course includes an environmental insurance submission checklist, a training manual, a step-by-step plan for how to develop and execute an environmental management strategy, and a comprehensive environmental efficiency evaluation survey. About Chris Bunbury, eS Chris Bunbury is an Environmental Strategist and President of Environmental Strategist, Inc. (ESI), located in LeLand, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources. In 1988, he worked in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry as a retail commercial insurance producer. As the environmental insurance industry evolved, it was a natural transition for Chris to move into this evolving field. About The National Alliance: The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research, a registered 501(c)(3), is an insurance education provider, recognized throughout the industry as a preeminent resource for technical training, designations, and continuing education in risk management and insurance. Boasting over 150,000 program participants, the National Alliance has set the standard for industry education since its inception in 1969. Media Contact: Paul Martin, Director of Academic Content Pmartin@scic.com Topics Pollution Answers Global sodium myristate market trend 2025-2026 Is Sodium Myristate Natural? by Newsintegra927 According to statistics from China Chemical and Physical Power Supply Industry Association China's export volume and export value of lithium-ion batteries have continued to increase. In 2021, China's exports of lithium-ion batteries were 3.428 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 54.34%. The export of lithium-ion batteries was 28.428 billion DOLLARS, up 78.34% year on year. From the battery export destination, so far. China's lithium-ion batteries are mainly exported to the Asia Pacific and the United States and other places. In terms of price, the price of sodium myristate, led by lithium-ion batteries, is expected to expand globally. Overview of Sodium Myristate Sodium myristate is a chemical listed under CAS 822-12-8. The chemical formula is C13H27COONA, which is easily soluble in water and some organic solvents. Myristic acid is found in the seeds of the tropical tree Nutmeg. Sodium myristate is a saturated fatty acid in the long-chain fatty acid subgroup. It is present in most animal and vegetable fats and oils in the form of glycerides. Sodium myristate is mainly found in milk fat. Compared to oleic acid, myristic acid, a form of hypercholesterolemia, increases LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in healthy people. Myristic acid delays gastric emptying. Sodium myristate may trigger the release of one or more hormones that delay gastric emptying. Sodium myristate is used as an ingredient in soaps, cosmetics and shaving creams, usually in the form of isopropyl myristate. In current usage and concentration practices, sodium myristate is safe as a cosmetic ingredient. Is Sodium Myristate Natural? Sodium myristate, commonly known as the sodium salt of stearic acid, is a naturally occurring fatty acid. Sodium Myristate - A fatty acid that belongs to a more complex group of natural lipids. How is sodium myristate produced? Sodium Myristate - an emulsifier, hardener and surfactant; the sodium salt of myristic acid, produced when lye reacts with myristic acid. Coconut oil and palm oil are two great sources of myristic acid. Is Sodium Myristate Natural? It is commonly referred to as the sodium salt of stearic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid. Sodium myristate - a fatty acid that belongs to a more complex group of natural lipids. Application of Sodium Myristate Sodium myristate is a white or light yellow paste. Sodium myristate is often saponified and used together with sodium laurate. Sodium myristate is the main ingredient in soap. Sodium myristate is also used in the preparation of textile auxiliaries. The main roles of sodium myristate in cosmetics and skin care products are surfactants, detergents and emulsifiers. The risk factor is 2, which is relatively safe and can be used with confidence. Generally, it has no effect on pregnant women, and sodium nutmeg does not cause acne. Sodium myristate price The price of sodium myristate will change randomly with factors such as production cost, transportation cost, international situation, exchange rate, and market supply and demand of sodium myristate. 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 Sodium Myristate, please feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest price of Sodium Myristate. Sodium Myristate Suppliers As a global supplier of water-based sodium myristate, Tanki New Materials Co., Ltd. has extensive experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced engineering materials. The company has successfully developed a series of powder materials (including oxides, carbides, nitrides, single metals, etc.), high-purity targets, functional ceramics and structural devices, and provides OEM services. Sodium Myristate Powder Properties Other Names SODIUM MYRISTATE 822-12-8 Sodium tetradecanoate, Tetradecanoic acid, sodium salt, Myristic acid sodium salt CAS No. 822-12-8 Compound Formula CH3(CH2)12COONa Molecular Weight N/A Appearance white fine powder Melting Point N/A Solubility in water N/A Density N/A Purity >98% Particle Size 200 mesh Boling point N/A Specific Heat N/A Thermal Conductivity N/A Thermal Expansion N/A Young's Modulus N/A Exact Mass 478.387252 Monoisotopic Mass 478.387252 Sodium Myristate Powder Health & Safety Information Safety Warning N/A Hazard Statements N/A Flashing point N/A Hazard Codes N/A Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A RTECS Number N/A Transport Information N/A WGK Germany N/A Europe's immediate goal of reducing its dependence on Russian gas in response to the conflict with Ukraine presents a rare opportunity for the United States, the world's largest gas producer. America's LNG exporters have made a fortune this time. Investors are bullish on the future of natural gas, as evidenced by the recent record high share price of Energy company Chenier. But the outlook for more than a dozen new LNG projects is highly uncertain as construction costs rise, US gas prices soar and climate policymakers seek to move away from a long-term reliance on fossil fuels. Even the most advanced projects can take years to become operational. Currently, the total U.S. LNG sodium myristate are expected to continue to rise in the future. Inquery us Products Global graphene market trend 2023-2026 What exactly is graphene? by Newsintegra927 Europe's largest economy, Germany, recently activated an emergency plan to manage gas supplies that the natural gas could be rationed if supplies are disrupted or disrupted by a stand-off over Russian demands to pay for fuel in rubles. German Vice-Chancellor, minister of economy and climate protection, said Germany's gas supplies were secure for now, but he urged consumers and businesses to reduce consumption, saying "every kilowatt of electricity counts." Germany's gas network regulator can ration gas if supplies run short. Plants would be the first to be affected. Special treatment will be provided to private families, hospitals, and other important institutions. Half of Germany's 41.5 million households use natural gas for heating, and industry consumption accounts for a third of the country's 100 billion cubic meters of gas demand in 2021. The price of many energy and commodities like the graphene could be affected. Graphene was the first material ever discovered to consist of a single layer of atoms. The carbon atoms are connected in a hexagonal grid. The graphite used in pencil is equivalent to the stacking of countless graphene layers, and the carbon nanotube is the graphene rolled into a tube. The relationship between graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and spherule. Due to the properties of the chemical bonds between carbon atoms, graphene is very tough: it can be bent to large angles without breaking and withstand high pressures. And because there is only one layer of atoms, the movement of electrons is confined to a plane, giving it entirely new electrical properties. Graphene is transparent in visible light but not breathable. These characteristics make it ideal as a raw material for protective layers and transparent electronics. But what is suitable is suitable, and it is not that fast. One of the problems: is the preparation method. Many studies have shown us graphene's unique features, but there's a catch. These beautiful properties place very high demands on sample quality. To obtain graphene samples with the best electrical and mechanical properties, the most time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive method is required: the mechanical peeling method - tape is attached to the graphite, and the graphene is peeled off by hand. Don't laugh; this is how Novoselov and the others prepared graphene in 2004. Graphite, graphene, and tape were donated by Novoselov's team to Stockholm. The signature "Andre Geim" on the tape is the Nobel Prize winner with Novoselov. Although the required equipment and technical content seem to be very low, the problem is that the success rate is lower. Is it okay to get some samples for research and industrial production? Joke. In terms of industrialization, this method is useless. Even if you master the graphite mines in the world, you can peel off a few pieces a day... Of course, now we have many other ways to increase productivity and reduce costs - the trouble is that the quality of these products has dropped again. We have liquid phase exfoliation: put graphite or similar carbonaceous material in a liquid with super high surface tension, and blast the graphene snowflakes off with ultrasonic bombardment. We have chemical vapor deposition: a carbon-containing gas is allowed to condense on the copper surface, and the resulting thin layer of graphene is peeled off. We also have a direct growth method, where we try to grow a layer of graphene directly between two layers of silicon. There are also chemical redox methods, which separate graphite sheets by inserting oxygen atoms. There are many methods, and each has its scope of application, but so far, there is no technology that is suitable for industrialized large-scale production. Why can't these methods make high-quality graphene? For example. While the central part of the graphene sheet is a perfect six-membered ring, the edge parts tend to be disrupted into five- or seven-membered rings. This may not seem like a big deal, but a "slice" of graphene produced by chemical vapor deposition is not really a complete one grown from one point. It is actually a "polycrystalline" produced by the simultaneous growth of multiple points, and there is no way to ensure that the small pieces grown from these multiple points can be completely aligned. As a result, these deformed rings are not only distributed on edge but also exist inside each "piece" of graphene, which becomes a structural weakness and is easy to break. To make matters worse, this breaking point in graphene is not self-healing like polycrystalline metals and is likely to go all the way. The result is that the strength of the entire graphene is halved. Materials are a tricky area, and it's not impossible to have both, but it's certainly not that fast. The second problem: is electrical performance. A promising direction for graphene is in display devices - touchscreens, e-paper, etc. But at present, the contact point resistance of graphene and metal electrodes is difficult to deal with. Novoselov estimates the problem can be solved within a decade. But why can't we just ditch the metal and use graphene? This is its deadliest problem in the field of electronics. Modern electronics are all built on semiconductor transistors, which have a key property called a "bandgap": the interval between an electron's conducting and non-conducting energy bands. It is precise because of this interval that the flow of current can be asymmetric, and the circuit can have two states: on and off. However, the electrical conductivity of graphene is so good that it does not have this bandgap and can only be turned on and off. . Only wires without logic circuits are useless. So to create future electronics with graphene, replacing silicon-based transistors, we have to artificially implant a bandgapbut simply implanting graphene loses its unique properties. There is indeed a lot of research in this field: multilayer composites, adding other elements, changing the structure, etc.; but Novoselov and others believe that it will take at least ten years to solve this problem. The third issue is environmental risks. The graphene industry also has unexpected trouble: pollution. One of the most mature products in the graphene industry may be the so-called "graphene oxide nanoparticles," which are very cheap. Although they cannot be used in high-end fields such as batteries and bendable touch screens, they are pretty good for electronic paper and other uses; But this thing is likely to be toxic to humans. It doesn't matter if it is poisonous; as long as it stays in electronic products, there is no problem; but not long ago, researchers found that it is very stable and easy to spread in surface water. While it's too early to make any assertion about its environmental impact, it's a potential problem. High-quality graphene supplier Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to developing, producing, processing, selling, and technical services of lithium-ion battery anode materials. After more than 10 years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase, and other negative materials (silicon-carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium-ion digital power and energy storage batteries. If you are looking for Lithium battery anode material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com. New Delhi: India is seeking to increase its purchases of crude oil from Brazil, the country's oil minister said recently after meeting his Brazilian counterpart. India is the world's third-largest importer and consumer of crude oil. Brazil currently supplies only a fraction of India's crude oil imports. India's state-owned companies Bharat Petroleum Corp and Oil and Natural Gas Corp have invested in oil and gas exploration in Brazil. India, which imports about 84% of its crude oil needs, is reducing its import bill by increasing biofuel use, among other things. India's state-owned fuel retailers are increasing ethanol storage capacity by 51 percent and the country plans to double the biofuel blend in petrol to 20 percent by 2025. India and Brazil are currently cooperating on biofuels and ethanol. The prices of many commodities like the graphene are expected to increase in the future. Inquery us Housing refugees in hotels will hit tourism but any negatives will be balanced out by positives, public representatives in one of Irelands top tourist destinations have said. Their comments come as the Government says it has allocated 11,500 beds as of this week in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs to the 16,400 Ukrainian refugees looking for accommodation. Earlier this month, Failte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly told the Oireachtas that relying on hotel accommodation to house refugees would impact on the industry. He warned the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media debate on April 6: "If core tourism accommodation stock, such as hotel bedrooms, is taken out of the system, there will be significant knock-on impacts elsewhere. "For every euro a visitor spends on accommodation, he or she will spend 2.50 in other parts of the economy, whether going to restaurants, pubs or visitor attractions, using transport and so on. "If a significant volume of tourism accommodation stock comes out of the market over the summer, that will limit our ability to recover and make things difficult for pubs, restaurants, activity providers and visitor attractions that rely on those visitors. If potential visitors cannot get a bed, they will not come." Tralee-based auctioneer and county councillor Jim Finucane said he did not think it will impact tourism negatively. "I think that there will be positives because a lot of Ukrainian refugees will apply for seasonal positions in the tourism and hospitality sector. So technically, the influx of refugees into Tralee is more of a plus than anything else. Niall Kelleher, Killarney-based county councillor and president at Killarney Chamber, says there are going to be issues. However, he believes they are more likely to affect other parts of the country than Killarney, which has more than 2,500 hotel beds in 39 hotels. It takes a lot to fill Killarney, and not all of the events that used to be on in the town are on this summer. Yes, rooms are going to be taken up, and there are going to be issues. But I believe it's going to be a good tourism season. In many places around the country, I think there might be a difficulty, but in Killarney, I'm not too sure," he said. Galway councillor John Connolly said he doesnt believe tourism in the county will be impacted as most of the citys hotels are already heavily booked. "I wouldnt be overly concerned about the impact refugees have on the tourism season, to be honest. There are very greater needs at stake here. The welcome in Irish schools for Ukrainian children has been nothing short of extraordinary", Education Minister Norma Foley told Catholic school principals at their annual conference in Killarney on Thursday. Just short of 4,000 schoolgoing children and teenagers have arrived in Ireland, and are at a variety of institutions, including both co-educational and single-sex schools. However, some have not felt able to join the school system yet. We have made significant resources available and additional hours, said Ms Foley. The minister was given a warm welcome by the more than 300 at the Joint Managerial Body/Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools Deis seminar, in the five-star Hotel Europe. Tutors of English through the Department of Higher Education are to be deployed to help not just children but also their parents, Ms Foley said. She said it was her experience, having met many Ukrainians, that older children had good levels of English. However, many of the adults did not, and tutoring would be made available in schools and from a family and community approach to include everyone. Education Minister Norma Foley with AMCSS/JMB president Deirdre Matthews at the AMCSS/JMB annual conference. Picture: Don MacMonagle Some of the schoolgoers were in line to finish their schoolwork in Ukraine and to sit exams, and while many of the children here were attending school, some are not, the minister said. She said that this was because every child takes time to make the transition. It has been nothing short of extraordinary how welcoming schools have been, she said. Asked if the flag-waving was excessive in the school environment some schools held Ukrainian flag days and many prominently displayed the Ukrainian flags and if it was upsetting for Russian children already in Irish schools, the minister said the Ukrainian colours had simply been a gesture. All our children are welcome in school as a place of safety and welcome, said Ms Foley. Speaking of the different experiences between the Ukrainian school system and the Irish, Adrian Gibbs, the principal of North Presentation Farranree in Cork, said it had come to his attention that wearing a school uniform was one of the strangest experiences for the refugees. A number of other teachers at the conference said it was their experience that the maths skills of students from Ukraine were very good, and generally exceeded those of Irish students. Co-education, mixed-gender schools seemed to be the norm in Ukraine, and some of the children found the single-sex school system here strange, some also said. A woman who is believed to have been one of the youngest postmistresses ever appointed in Ireland is set to retire on Friday after a remarkable half a century of service to her community. Ann Cagney, who began working with her parents in Croom post office as a teenager in 1971, and who was appointed postmistress at the age of 22, will pull the shutters down for the final time on Friday afternoon to enjoy her retirement with her husband, Martin. Its been part of my life now for 50-odd years. I dont know where the time has gone, Ann said. I loved the job itself. Its a very demanding job, five-and-a-half days a week, but I loved it, and I loved meeting the people. I was blessed with good health, I was never sick and always had great energy." Anns parents, Dan and Rita Hogan, sold the family pub, Hogans, on Crooms High St, and took over the running of Croom post office in 1971 from the Ryan sisters, who had run the business in separate premises for decades. The Hogans moved into a former hardware and drapery shop on High St, a property known locally as The Arcade, which was owned by a recently deceased grandaunt, Julia Walsh, and the ground floor was converted into the post office, which opened on September 1, 1971. After Ann completed her Inter Cert exams, she started working behind the counter with her parents at the age of 15. Sadly, Rita died in 1980, and Ann was made postmistress, before tragically, her father, Dan, died the following year. Ann married Martin Cagney, a psychiatric nurse, in August 1985 Martin gave up nursing to work in the post office and the couple has two children, Emma, a pharmacist who works at University Hospital Limerick, and Jennifer, a primary school teacher in Croom. They live just outside Croom. Ann said computerisation transformed the post office network, vastly reducing paperwork and making balancing the books a little easier. Ann said she enjoyed meeting the public, helping people fill out forms, and giving advice on social welfare issues when she could. She said she is looking forward to being able to swim more regularly and travel with Martin if they can get someone to mind their dogs. The second of five children and the only girl in the family, her older brother, James, and younger brothers, Donal and the twins, Sean and Liam, paid tribute to her. Sean said she was an incredible support to him and his twin brother who were studying engineering in college in Limerick at the time their parents died. We were able to continue through college almost as if nothing had happened. She kept everything going. She was a great supporter of her brothers, always, he said. Pat Dunlea, An Posts business development manager for the region, also paid tribute to her. An Post would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Ann for her outstanding service to the people of Croom over many years. "She has been an integral part of the daily life and business of Croom for many years. We wish her well in her well-earned retirement, he said. Padraig Broderick, who runs the local Spar nearby, has been awarded the franchise for Croom post office, with the business due to transfer from next Tuesday. The biggest problem with the Fermoy bypass is not the bypass. It is, say people in the town, the tolls that go with it. They are seeing levels of congestion returning to the point at which they are, once again, having a negative impact on the town. The bypass may have helped lead to a revival in the town, but now there are calls for better access to the M8 or the construction of a relief road at the east end of the town. One of the biggest problems in the town is not the bypass, because the bypass was a great idea for the town, says Cork County Council councillor Noel McCarthy. Unfortunately, Fermoy suffers because of tolls on the motorway. "People who dont want to pay the toll have to go through Fermoy, and that includes what the bypass was supposed to discourage in the first place - the drivers of heavy goods vehicles." Drivers heading towards Dublin from Cork and who want to avoid the toll have to get off at Watergrasshill Junction 17 and travel up the R639 through Kilshannig and Rathcormac. They then travel under Junction 15, where there is a toll booth, and on into Fermoy and keep going along the R639 over the River Blackwater via the Thomas Kent Bridge and then up to Junction 14 at Moorepark to re-enter the M8. Drivers heading to Cork from Dublin just repeat the same steps but in the opposite direction. The two entry points are the only way to get on the M8 from Fermoy. That these people do not realise that to save on the toll, they are using more diesel or petrol and taking up more time is beyond me, Mr McCarthy said. There are so many disadvantages for doing this, but they still do it. I firmly believe that half the traffic going through Fermoy has no business or connection to Fermoy whatsoever. I think they are mostly coming through to avoid the toll. I see it every day of the week. The congestion going through Fermoy is unbelievable. He concedes that the toll is not the only driver, there is also the national route, the N72, for people who are travelling across areas between Killarney, Co. Kerry, at one end and Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, at the other. He adds: This is my personal opinion, but the toll has really become an obstacle for people living in Fermoy because of the traffic it is generating through the town. He does believe the town has benefitted from the bypass, especially businesses close to the motorway, like the towns Amber Station, where trucks come off and stay overnight. Early morning traffic on Patrick Street in Fermoy. Cork County Council councillor Noel McCarthy believes most traffic is "mostly coming through to avoid the toll". Picture: Dan Linehan But he believes the lack of an on-off, the M8 at the east of the town is a huge disadvantage. He now believes there should be a relief road built involving the Mill Road, off the N72 that passes through the town, down to the Thomas Kent Bridge and new traffic lights installed to control traffic. When the then-Transport Minister Martin Cullen travelled to Cork on October 2, 2006, to officially open the M8 Rathcormac/Fermoy bypass, the heading on the press release accompanying his visit read: One of the country's worst bottlenecks removed . . ." He was in an ebullient mood, trumpeting the fact that not only was the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project completed eight months ahead of schedule but that the bypass would remove 17,000 vehicles every day away from Fermoy town centre. Mr Cullen said the new 18km bypass would be of great benefit to people and businesses in Rathcormac and Fermoy and surrounding areas. The significant reduction of through traffic in both towns will also have a beneficial impact on the quality of life for many people, who will be able to go about their daily business in a more efficient way, he said. Improved access will encourage industrial, tourist and commercial activity in the locality, and the improvement of journey times between Cork and Dublin will have positive implications for the overall regional development." But it wasnt long after the bypass opened that concerns raised before it opened re-emerged. Chief among them was the lack of an access route from Fermoy to get on or off the motorway that didnt pass through a toll booth. And this then had the knock-on effect of forcing people to go through Watergrasshill and Rathcormac, or back into Fermoy if they wanted to avoid paying the toll. A new form of congestion has started to build up at the east of the town, from the area on the N72 from Fermoy Community Hospital, through to where stores such as Lidl are located and the town hall. Traffic on Pearse Square in the centre of Fermoy. The lack of an access route from Fermoy to get on or off the motorway that didnt pass through a toll booth is one contributing factor to the increased traffic in the town. Picture: Dan Linehan Last December, Tesco lodged plans for a supermarket on the old Barrys Timber Yard site near Fermoy Town Hall, off the N72 Courthouse Road end of the town. Submissions on these plans have since raised concerns about the impact that extra traffic heading to Tesco will have on the town. In 2014, the Fermoy Enterprise Board raised the issue in a debate about the County Development Plan (CDP), requesting that the provision to provide a third access point to the M8 be included in the CDP and that the National Roads Authority (NRA) be pursued vigorously to make financial provision to put this in place. Mr McCarthy is loath to criticise any politicians who oversaw the bypass for not getting this third access point, as he believes they may have just not foreseen the need for it that now exists. They were delighted to get the toll, he said. Maybe that's the only way they could fund the road but Fermoy was - and now is - the bigger sufferer because of that. Fellow councillor Frank OFlynn is in little doubt about the benefits of the bypass. It was a gamechanger and we are lucky to have it, he said. It gave the town back to the people. There was a lot of dust and fumes and one or two-mile queues. That is not the situation now, although - yes - we do still have large lorries going through the town that should not be there. Like Mr McCarthy, he recognizes that the lack of a third access point to the M8 is an issue. He says he does not miss the pre-bypass dust, dirt and long waits. He said: Fermoy was a no-go area. People living outside Fermoy were shopping in other towns like Midleton and Mallow. Since the bypass people have come back into Fermoy and they are staying local and shopping local and supporting local businesses. Cllr Frank O'Flynn at Kent Bridge in Fermoy which, according to him, is lucky to have the bypass. Picture: Dan Linehan The bypass has given them that opportunity. Family butcher Barry Fitzgerald, of Fitzgeralds Butchers on Pearse Square, in Fermoy, admits his familys business has done well out of the bypass, but sees other issues now affecting the town. People weren't coming into town to shop because they couldn't get in, he said. They are now and a lot of businesses, including our own, have benefited. But a proportion of motorists still dont want to pay the toll. That said, I think a lot more motorists recently have discovered rightly that the cost of diesel going through Fermoy, the wear and tear, the delays sitting in traffic, that it doesn't pay to go through the town for the sake of saving a few euro on a toll. Barry Fitzgerald: "I think a lot more motorists recently have discovered...that it doesn't pay to go through the town for the sake of saving a few euro on a toll. Picture: Dan Linehan Setting the M8 and its toll-dodgers aside, it is worth bearing in mind the population growth experienced by Fermoy. In 2006, the year the bypass opened, the town had a population of 5,873. This increased to 6,489 by 2011 and the population is on course to be just shy of around 7,590 by the end of the year. The town and its hinterland are expanding and that in itself - helped by the bypass and other factors - must play a role in increasing traffic and congestion in the town. But it is clear the question over the provision of a third access point to the M8 bugs people in the town. Pharmacist Michael Lyons, and chair of the Fermoy Forum, wants the issue of a third access point put back on the table. Such proposals could ease the new wave of congestion in the town, he says. He said: I think it needs to happen because it's not attractive to travel into Fermoy unfortunately anymore. You always welcome a busy town, but it's not busy if it's (just) people avoiding the toll and (who) have no intention of stopping in Fermoy. That's no good to us. His biggest concern is that the growing congestion in the town makes it unattractive to potential customers who are not going to want to have to face a 40-minute traffic jam through the town. The town desperately needs, he believes, a totally revamped traffic management system. What's in place at the moment needs to be reviewed, he said. Michael Lyons: You always welcome a busy town, but it's not busy if it's (just) people avoiding the toll and (who) have no intention of stopping in Fermoy." Picture: Denis Minihane. And thats putting it in a nice way. Do they just put a template and just use what they use in Mallow and other towns for Fermoy? Fermoy is unique. Having a toll road and having that bypass, having the parking issues . . . is it the number of parking spots that we have or is it just access to the parking? It really needs to be thought out because the current situation isn't working. Summer Time As many of you start dreaming about your summer holidays, our famers are getting busy in their fields as hay and silage season gets underway. Not only is it busy but this is a very important time of the year as farmers must cut and store enough silage to feed their livestock over the winter months. With so much work to do, this is not something that can be done by one person, therefore contractors are employed to help with mowing, gathering and baling. There can be multiple cuts of silage taken over the course of the year. After each cut farmers will spread fertiliser on the freshly mowed fields which helps the grass grow once again in preparation for the next cut. As well as silage, hay and haylage are also made this time of the year. Pic credit: SAS Contracting, Tipperary What is Silage? Silage is grass that has been pickled / fermented. Fermentation is the process of removing oxygen thus preserving the grass and its nutrients. When is it cut? Mostly in May! Silage is cut just before the grass has fully matured as this is when they contain their highest nutrient levels. The evening is the best time to cut the grass, as the sugar content will be at its highest after the grass has photosynthesised, (when plants turn sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into food (sugars) and oxygen). What happens next? Farmers then attach a tedder to the back of their tractors which is a machine that shakes out the grass so that it can dry and wilt. If making hay or haylage the grass is left longer so that the grass can continue to wilt. Within 24 hours the silage grass is then collected into trailers and brought to a pit where it is compacted (flattened) by heavy machinery. Compacting the grass removes the oxygen which is neecessary to allow the grass to ferment. This is a vital part of silage making as if not done correctly it may not be properly preserved, reducing its nutritional value. If the silage is stored as bales, the baling machines will compact the grass as they work. Old tyres help weigh silage grass down. Finally! The next step is to seal the compacted grass with plastic to keep oxygen out and keep it weighed down, usually with old tyres. Did you know: Money has been raised for many charities by farmers wrapping their bales in brightly coloured plastic! #WrapItPink #WrapItPink Experiment time Fermentation using sugar and yeast Fermentation is when bacteria, yeast or tiny organism break down substances such as sugar to create heat and gas. What you will need: Warm water 3 Balloons 1 teaspoon Powdered yeast 3 Glass or Plastic bottles Sugar Paper triangle - to create a funnel! Warm water What to do: 1. Create a paper funnel using the paper triangle. 2. Insert it into the bottle and add the dry ingredients. 3. Add 2 tsps. of yeast into each bottle. 4. Add 1 tsp. of sugar into the first bottle, 2tsps. into the second and NO SUGAR into the third. 5. Fill two thirds of each bottle with the warm water. 6. Cover each bottle and gently shake to mix the ingredients. 7. Over the opening of each bottle place a balloon. 8. Now store it in a warm dry area for 1 hour and see what happens!!!! The result: The yeast reacts with the sugar and water and creates gas which inflates the balloons. The bottle with the most sugar will have more gas and a bigger balloon! This is fermentation. Animal Spotlight Horses Did you know: Horses were used in times before tractors which is why the power/ speed of a tractor is still referred to as its horse power. Horses cannot vomit. Horses are measured in hands. 1 hand = 4 inches About Horses In the past horses were highly valued on a farm. Pulling farm machinery such as ploughs in the fields or trailers, laden with farm produce, to markets. The Connemara is native to Ireland. They were also a source of transport for the farmer and their family. The Irish draught breed descended from this time due to its versatility for both farm work and riding. Horse breeds in Ireland Connemara Irish Draught Irish Sport Horse Kerry bog pony Irish Warmblood Irish Cob Thoroughbred Horse Sense Did you know horses use their ears to communicate with us? Check out the pictures below to see what the horses are saying. When the ears are (left to right); Forward & Relaxed = Interested in what Is going on. Forward & Stiff = Alarmed & looking out for danger. Back & Relaxed = Listening to rider & possibly what is going on behind Back & Stiff = Annoyed & worried. Warning: Risk of getting kicked Droopy ears and head lowered = Calm and relaxed. Also look out for the tail: Tucked down tightly: Nervous and may buck or kick Switching: Annoyed & irritated by flies, another horse or its rider! Farm Safe Focus Tractor Safety: Know the blind spots This time of the year is really busy with farm machinery and the farm yard should be out of bounds to those not working. The blind spots are the areas where the driver cannot see. Do you know where the blind spots are? Sitting so high up, the driver has poor visibility and they will not see you if you approach. The closer you are to a tractor the less likely you will be seen and the more danger you are in. Look at the pictures below and see where the blind spots are located. Sun Smart Code Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland with 13,311 cases in 2020 (sce. Cancer.ie). Those working outdoors such as farming and the construction sector are at great risk of developing skin cancer. Lets all be Sun Smart this summer by following the Sun Smart Code. Meet the Farm Contractor Richie White, Contractor, Co Tipperary Along with his brothers John & Martin, Richie White runs Slievenamon Agricultural Services (SAS) near Fethard in South Tipperary. Richard White (left), with his brothers Martin & John of SAS Agri Contracting. Our drivers are busy throughout the year, eg. hedge-cutting, slurry and fertiliser spreading, harvesting, ploughing and planting many varieties of crops. During the summer, our main emphasis is on silage harvesting where we operate two large harvesters and a self-propelled mower as well as round balers. Why did you become a contractor? Farm contracting has been in our family for many years, our father started cutting silage in the 1960s. I have always liked working with farm machinery and after a year at Gurteen Agricultural College, I came home to work with our then-contracting business. How does your day begin? Usually after 8am by checking and making sure tractors and machines are ready for work. We then allocate the work to different drivers, depending on the weather and type of work to be done. If the tractors work in groups we spend time planning operations to provide the most efficient service to our farmers. How does your day end? We try to work a normal day. During busy times, which are always dictated by the weather, we will work longer days. When the weather goes wrong everything goes wrong and the best of plans have to change accordingly. What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy working with machines and tractors which are constantly evolving. Nowadays we have GPS technology and auto-steer systems as well as field mapping, there is great satisfaction in learning these new skills and putting them to practice. I enjoy meeting people and the farm contracting job is a very sociable lifestyle. Each day, Im calling farmers and meeting new people. I also enjoy mentoring new entrants to the business and advising them how the business works, some even go on to running their own farm contracting businesses. No two days are the same in the life of a farm contractor, despite challenges, its always an interesting way of life. What do you not enjoy? Managing accounts is the part of the business I enjoy least. Sometimes machines test us in terms of their reliability and ease of use, but we always see that as a challenge that forces us to work harder to get things right for our farmer customers. What is your advice to our young readers who might want to be a farm contractor someday? Get educated especially in areas of business. Get as much knowledge and experience as you can in understanding, operating and repairing tractors and machinery. Learn a European language, preferably German. Many of the machines that we use are manufactured in Germany and there are great advice videos and manuals in the German language thats why I would strongly advise learning German. Lastly, I would advise working away from the home farm or contracting business before getting set up at home or on your own. Preferably work abroad, see how others do what we often take for granted, travel broadens the mind. Have you a safety tip? I know that silage pits are the most dangerous place on a farm, especially during silage harvesting. I often drive our wheeled loaded on the silage pit and there are so many blind spots for the loader driver, that children should not be allowed near this work area. We are always happy to see young people admire our work and in time possibly join our team of drivers at some stage, but in the interim, the safest place is well back at a safe distance from the silage pit. Agri Art Congratulations to ten-year-old Saoirse Bury from Tuam, Co. Galway! Saoirse is our On the Farm Agri Artist for summer and winner of our Flogas goodie bag. Saoirse loves to draw and wants to be a vet when she is older. Check out her winning piece below; Saoirse's winning art. www.flogas.ie www.agrikids.ie Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of lightning-fast retaliation if countries interfere in Ukraine, while US President Joe Biden was set to comment on Thursday in support of Ukraine's fight against "Russia's brutal war". Russia has told the United States to stop sending arms to Ukraine, saying large Western deliveries of weapons were inflaming the conflict. Addressing lawmakers in St Petersburg on Wednesday, Putin said the West wanted to cut Russia up into different pieces and accused it of pushing Ukraine into conflict with Russia. "If someone intends to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside, and create strategic threats for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast," said Putin, according to video of his address supplied by Russian media. "We have all the tools for this, things no one else can boast of having now. And we will not boast, we will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know that." Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on February and has reduced towns and cities to rubble and forced more than five million people to flee abroad. Western countries have responded with sanctions and weapons for Ukraine to fight a war that has brought fears of wider conflict in the West, unthought-of of for decades. Russia calls its intervention a "special operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West says this a false pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression by Putin. Biden will deliver remarks on Thursday in support of "Ukrainians defending their country and their freedom against Russia's brutal war", the White House said. President Joe Biden arrives at Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Picture: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik While Russia presses its military assault in eastern and southern Ukraine, its economic battle with the West threatens gas supplies to Europe and is battering the Russian economy as it struggles with the worst crisis since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. Ukraine said Europe should stop depending on Russia for trade after it halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland for not paying in roubles. "The sooner everyone in Europe recognises that they cannot depend on Russia for trade, the sooner it will be possible to guarantee stability in European markets," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late on Wednesday. Germany, the biggest buyer of Russian energy, hopes to stop importing Russian oil within days but warned that a Russian energy embargo or blockade would tip Europe's largest economy into recession. Gazprom, Russia's gas export monopoly, suspended gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland on Wednesday for not paying in roubles, a move aimed to soften the impact of sanctions. While the president of the European Commission said Gazprom's suspension was "yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail". France will host a meeting of EU energy ministers on May 2. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, third from left, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, forth from left, attend their meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, fourth from right, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia remained a reliable energy supplier and denied it was engaging in blackmail. He declined to say how many countries had agreed to pay for gas in roubles. Sanctions are taking a heavy toll on Russia, with its economy ministry indicating in a document the economy could shrink by as much as 12.4% this year. Canadian lawmakers voted unanimously on Wednesday to call Russia's attacks in Ukraine a "genocide", with members of parliament saying there was "ample evidence of systemic and massive war crimes against humanity" being committed by Russia. Canada's parliament said in a motion Russia's war crimes included mass atrocities, wilful killing of civilians, the desecration of corpses, forcible transfer of children, torture, physical and mental harm, and rape. Russia denies targeting civilians. Since the Russian invasion force was driven back at the outskirts of Kyiv last month, Moscow has refocused its operation on eastern Ukraine, starting a new offensive to fully capture two provinces known as the Donbas. Russia's Black Sea fleet retains the ability to strike Ukrainian and coastal targets, despite its losses of the landing ship Saratov and the cruiser Moskva, Britain's defence ministry said. About 20 Russian navy vessels, including submarines, are in the Black Sea operational zone, the ministry said on Twitter. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 April 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/kGpbSP2o7L #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/PKEHRgHGJ6 Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) April 28, 2022 Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Ukraine said Russian forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a pro-Ukraine rally in Kherson, the first big city it has seized. A series of powerful explosions caused by rockets hit Kherson later on Wednesday, Ria News agency reported. Blasts were heard earlier in three Russian provinces bordering Ukraine, authorities said, and an ammunition depot in the Belgorod province caught fire. Kyiv has not confirmed responsibility for these and other incidents but has described them as payback. "Karma is a cruel thing," presidential adviser Mikhaylo Podolyak wrote on social media. An aide to the mayor of the ruined port city of Mariupol said Russian forces had renewed their attacks on the Azovstal steel plant, where fighters and some civilians remain holed up. Concern has also increased over the prospect of the conflict widening to neighbouring Moldova, where pro-Russian separatists have blamed Ukraine for reported attacks this week in their region, occupied since the 1990s by Russian troops. Polish President Andrzej Duda denounced Russias war against Ukraine as he joined Holocaust survivors and people from around the world at an annual observance at the former site of Auschwitz. We are here to show that every nation has a sacred right to life, has a sacred right to cultivate its traditions, has a sacred right to develop, he said. Mr Duda joined more than 2,000 young Israelis and others who joined the March Of The Living, a commemoration taking place on Israels national Holocaust memorial day that pays tribute to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The route begins under the Auschwitz gate with the notorious slogan Arbeit Macht Frei (German for work will set you free) and leads to Birkenau, the largest site of mass extermination during Germanys occupation of Poland and other parts of Europe during the Second World War. A woman holds a Ukrainian flag at the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland (Czarek Sokolowski/AP) This years march, the first after being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, also included delegations from Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Mr Duda, walking as Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg held him by the arm, took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Death Wall in Auschwitz, where prisoners were shot to death. Later, during a ceremony at Birkenau, Mr Duda spoke out against war, antisemitism and other forms of hatred, and paid tribute to Jewish victims of the Holocaust as well as the other victims of Nazi Germany, including Poles, Roma and Russians. We come here to show that while during the Second World War, Nazi Germany managed to wipe my country off the map, wipe it out and murder Poles, including Polish Jews, we will never again allow something like this to happen, he said. Polands President Andrzej Duda, centre left, and Auschwitz survivor from US Edward Mosberg, centre right, attend the March Of The Living annual observance (Czarek Sokolowski/AP) We are also here to show that there is absolutely no consent to the attempt to take freedom and kill the Ukrainian nation with impunity, as is happening today in the occupied territories of Ukraine, he said. More than 1.1 million people were murdered by the Nazis and their henchmen in Auschwitz. Most who were killed were Jews, but the victims also included Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and others. In all, about six million European Jews died during the Holocaust. When the Soviets liberated the camp, they found about 7,000 survivors. Interview Myanmars Revolution Must Succeed: NUG Humanitarian Minister The National Unity Governments humanitarian affairs and disaster management minister, Dr. Win Myat Aye. Myanmars military regime has killed civilians, torched houses and looted valuables in resistance hot spots across the country. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by fighting and Dr. Win Myat Aye, the humanitarian affairs and disaster management minister in the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), recently talked to The Irrawaddy about how his team is helping displaced people. The former rector of the Magwe University of Medicine served as the social welfare, relief and resettlement minister in the National League for Democracy government before the 2021 coup. Many people have been left homeless by junta raids. How is the NUG taking care of civil war victims? Many places are suffering from violence and Kayah, Chin, Sagaing and Magwe have been hit hardest. We are working to ease their plight. According to the UNHCR, around 566,100 people have been recently displaced by fighting. It is difficult for us to help all of them. So far we have reached 354,194 people. We have provided 2.7 billion kyats (US$1.4 million) in relief aid and 62 percent of that was given to Kayah, Karen, Chin, Sagaing and Magwe. We are trying to expand our outreach and cover all the areas. How is the NUG cooperating with residents and ethnic organizations? Some 14.4 million people are going hungry across the country. We have only been able to help a small percentage. The NUG alone cant handle it. The process calls for cooperation. Most of the war victims are in ethnic-minority areas and along the borders. So it is critically important for us to cooperate with ethnic organizations. When we provide assistance, we need to reach social organizations that can work with us. There are organizations networked with ethnic revolutionary groups and ethnic organizations. We need a coordination committee to network with those organizations. A coordination committee has been formed independently. It was not formed by the NUG and it is not operating under the NUG. All the stakeholders suggested that it will be effective if community-based organizations and civil society organizations can coordinate relief efforts. So we formed an independent coordination committee. This committee is working out relief efforts after adopting policies and procedures. We assume that this coordination has enabled us to better serve the people over the past year. What are the challenges? Can public donations fund the NUGs relief efforts? We were empty-handed after we initiated relief efforts. We need funds. We are the government during the revolution. We rely on the people. The people only have each other. We mainly rely on expats. People have actively helped with boundless goodwill. Some donors are helping through us and others directly help those in need. Some are helping through social organizations. Regional countries and the United Nations have called for the delivery of humanitarian assistance through ASEAN. Will the regime listen to their calls? We can only fulfill some of the many needs of the people so international assistance is necessary. But for now, Myanmars people help each other and they havent received international assistance. We are paving the way for the delivery of international humanitarian assistance. ASEAN has formed a humanitarian team for Myanmar which has received huge contributions. The assistance must reach people. The regime views civilian victims as the enemy. So assistance will not come through the regime. The international community must know how to help the people. The international community can help through the coordination committee and the NUG. We have international agencies and non-governmental organizations partnering with us. Humanitarian assistance can be provided through them. We can also help them contact community-based civil society organizations to work with. Financial aid will not reach the people through the regime. The international community has to take a practical approach to help the people. Social welfare was neglected under previous military regimes but it was pushed to the fore under the NLD government. As a former social welfare minister, what is your assessment of the regimes social welfare ministry? There is a huge gap between the past and present. We were an elected government and we could help people in real-time when they were in trouble. We went to affected areas in person and received their recognition. We were close to the people and provided help to the displaced and ethnic minorities. But I now realize we could not fully understand their feelings although we met them. Though we met cordially with displaced people, we did not have a chance to have open discussions with them. It has become obvious now that it was because of military influence in the administration. The military did not allow us to visit some displacement camps, citing security reasons. It concealed the real situation and suffering from us. This has been clearly revealed by the regimes violence against the people. It is difficult for the NUG to carry out relief efforts but we fully understand the feelings of displaced people. We are very sad about how much they suffered in the past. I want to apologize to them. The NLD government planned to largely increase the humanitarian budget. In the past, the defense budget got the lions share and humanitarian assistance was underfunded and things have gone back to zero since the coup. The NUG is helping those affected. But our assistance is very limited because we rely on donations. Our social welfare ministry does a good job but the regimes ministry fails to provide any services. We are working with civil society organizations, peoples authorities and peoples defense forces to provide services. There has been greater unity since the revolution started. What else would you like to say? Regime troops torch villages, destroyed property, loot belongings and deploy in villages. Residents are forced from their homes into forests and other villages. When junta troops leave, nothing is left. We are trying to help people and have designed plans. But we need funds. We are holding talks with international organizations to gain funds. There will be results soon. The most important thing is the revolution must succeed. Everything else can be handled if the revolution succeeds. We keep our eyes fixed on the success of the revolution in whatever step we take. If the revolution succeeds, power will be handed to the people and we will be able to establish the federal democracy which all the people want. We have to remain firm in this revolution and we are propping up the resistance. You may also like these stories: Pregnant Woman Miscarries, 4 Detained as Myanmar Regime Cracks Down on Six Twos Protest Myanmar Junta Asks UNs Top Court to Drop Rohingya Genocide Case at Hearing in The Hague Cobra Gold Military Exercise Kicks Off in Thailand Without Myanmar Burma Myanmar Junta Officially Endorses Militias to Attack Anti-Regime Civilians Junta forces outside the National League for Democracy headquarters in Yangon in February 2021. / The Irrawaddy Myanmars regime has officially endorsed pro-junta militias that are increasingly targeting civilians who oppose military rule. Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun told the regime-controlled media in Naypyitaw on Wednesday that the regime was implementing a public security system and will strengthen them to eliminate terrorist forces. He said the system has been developed with regime supporters, the army and police in some areas where resistance forces have escalated attacks on junta targets. We will support them with manpower and equipment, he said. His comments come as pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias are increasingly terrorizing civilians and ambush resistance fighters alongside regime troops in resistance strongholds like Sagaing, Magwe and Mandalay regions. The first Pyu Saw Htee named after a legendary historical hero militias were formed in mid-May last year after the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) began forming peoples defense forces (PDFs) to resist the regime. The groups emerged as attacks on military-appointed administrators and administrative offices were increasing. The Pyu Saw Htee largely consist of military supporters, retired military personnel, members of the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party and ultra-nationalists. The Progressive Voice rights group recently reported that the Pyu Saw Htee are becoming increasingly violent and are permitted by the junta to make arrests, kill PDF members, loot and destroy property and assassinate political leaders. On March 3 in Lel Yar village, Magwe Region, junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee members torched around 200 buildings, destroying homes, livestock feed, a water pump and crops, Progressive Voice reported. Approximately 1,700 civilians, including 500 children, fled Lel Yar after hearing gunfire as their houses began to be set alight. On March 4, junta and Pyu Saw Htee personnel raided Letpan Hla village, setting fire to around 30 homes and destroying property. The junta also used artillery. Around 14 resistance fighters in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, were killed in mid-February by Pyu Saw Htee members disguised as civilians. Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun denied the newly emerged pro-junta Thwe Thout group was endorsed by the regime. He did not mention taking legal action against the group that is seizing civilians and leaving them dead with the groups lanyards. After the brutal murders of National League for Democracy supporters in Mandalay at the weekend, Thwe Thout said in a statement that it will murder other party members and supporters and the families of resistance fighters. Pro-junta social-media personalities and military informants shared the groups statement and its potential targets. On Wednesday, the NUGs defense ministry released a statement calling for members of the Pyu Saw Htee and other groups trained and armed by the regime to surrender to resistance forces. The ministry said it will protect those defecting while saying militia members guilty of war crimes will face the same justice as members of the armed forces. Burma NLD Lawyer Goes Missing Amid Pro-Regime Militia Attacks NLD lawyer Daw Ywat Nu Aung. A prominent lawyer from the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) Party went missing on Wednesday in Mandalay. It is feared that Daw Ywat Nu Aung has either been arrested by the military regime or kidnapped by a pro-junta group responsible for the recent murders of NLD supporters in Mandalay. She is part of the legal team acting for ousted Mandalay Chief Minister and NLD vice chairman Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, who is currently on trial in Mandalays Obo Prison for alleged corruption. One of Daw Ywat Nu Aungs colleagues said she last saw the lawyer on Wednesday, just before she left Dr. Zaw Myint Maungs trial at the prison. I met her just before she left [the prison]. If she was arrested, it could be around 3:30 or 4pm, said the colleague. As of Thursday afternoon, the lawyers fate is still unknown. Many suspect that Daw Ywat Nu Aung may have been arrested by the regime because she is defending a high-profile NLD figure. However, her disappearance comes at a time when Mandalay has been rocked by the extrajudicial killings of NLD members by the Thwe Thout Group, a pro-regime militia. The group has vowed to respond to an anti-junta forces pledge to attack regime supporters, security forces and their family members. Since last week, Thwe Thout Group has claimed responsibility for the murders of at least two NLD supporters. As well as representing Dr. Zaw Mying Maung, Daw Ywat Nu Aung is also representing other prominent NLD figures detained by the junta, including NLD chair U Win Htein. She is also the NLDs senior official for Mandalay Region. The lawyer came to prominence for her work on a high-profile child rape case held in the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw in 2019. The Irrawaddy was unable to contact the regimes spokesperson for comment. You may also like these stories: EU Adds More Myanmar Companies, Regime Officials to Sanctions List Junta-Appointed Chief Minister Attacked For Sixth Time in Upper Myanmar Myanmar People Urged to Join Six Twos Revolution General Strike Against Regime Burma Open Letter Warns China of Attacks on Projects in Myanmar Anti-regime protesters at the Chinese Embassy in Yangon in February 2021. / The Irrawaddy More than 500 civil and political organizations have warned China of possible attacks on its investments in Myanmar if Beijing maintains its ties with the military regime. In their open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, 558 civil society organizations, groups representing striking staff, academics, political parties, labor unions and parliamentarians said they feared Chinese investment would be targeted by resistance forces. Despite the public rejection of the regime, China is still engaging with the junta and is one of the top investors in Myanmar with energy pipelines and a proposed port in Rakhine State that would give China access to the Indian Ocean. China recently said it was ready to work with Myanmars junta to develop its major projects no matter how the situation changes. The affirmation sparked threats of resistance attacks on Chinese-owned copper mines in Sagaing Region. The open letter to the Chinese Embassy in Yangon said China could be seen as an accomplice to the oppressive junta. So China should resume its relations with Myanmar to support in rehabilitation only when the military regime is toppled, it said. Ko Ye from Stop Blood-Stained Money, an activist group lobbying to cut off the regimes financial sources, which signed the letter, said if China supports the regime diplomatically or financially, the revolution will last longer. Chinese investments will be safe if China either stands with the people or stays neutral, he said. Tayzar San, a prominent anti-regime protest leader in Mandalay, denounced China. China needs to respect the will of the people. It has to stop supporting the junta, he said. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Regime Backs Russias Invasion of Ukraine Myanmar Junta Threatens to Disband Two Major Parties After They Refuse to Submit Financial Records Cambodian, Malaysian PMs Call on Myanmar Junta to Implement ASEAN Consensus Analysis Who is Myanmar Regime Apologist Ko Ko Hlaing? (Right) Myanmar regime Minister for International Cooperation U Ko Ko Hlaing at the ICJ in the Hague. (Left) A caricature of U Ko Ko Hlaing by Myanmars late revolutionary cartoonist Harn Lay, after people scornfully call him Frog and Fish Catcher Ko Ko Hlaing or Candle Ko Ko Hlaing. Few people in the West or even in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) know who is who when it comes to the ministers of Myanmars junta. But one minister they should know is U Ko Ko Hlaing, as he is the military regimes Minister for International Cooperation and the juntas point man for dealing with the international community. U Ko Ko Hlaing is also the chair of the Working Committee on Supervision of United Nations (UN) Agencies and International Non-Governmental Organizations in Myanmar. In addition, he is the head of the Task Force on Humanitarian Assistance, meaning that the 65-year-old oversees international aid efforts in Myanmar. His recent visitors include David Carden, the deputy humanitarian coordinator for the UN in Myanmar. If those jobs were not enough, in February the former Lieutenant Colonel also led Myanmars defense at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands against allegations of genocide committed by the Myanmar military. Furthermore, he was among the few people ASEANs Special Envoy for Myanmar, Prak Sokhonn, met when he was in Myanmar last month. The envoy discussed humanitarian assistance issues with U Ko Ko Hlaing. He impressed the special envoys delegation with his friendliness and his 75-minute long discussion with the envoy was praised for being fruitful. But what foreign visitors dont know is that U Ko Ko Hlaing has been a staunch apologist for not only this military dictatorship but the previous one as well. He is infamous among the Myanmar people, many of whom refer to him scornfully as Frog and Fish Catcher Ko Ko Hlaing or Candle Ko Ko Hlaing. Looking back at his career, it is easy to understand why that is. Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has appointed a number of ministers and advisors who previously served in U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government. U Ko Ko Hlaing, who served as the chief political advisor to U Thein Sein, is one of them. He is also a confidant of former dictator Senior General Than Shwe. U Ko Ko Hlaing graduated from the 18th intake of the Defense Services Academy, and he and two of his classmates are reportedly regular visitors to Than Shwes residence in the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw. One of those classmates is U Than Htay, the current chair of the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party. The other is retired Lieutenant General Wai Lwin, who served as defense minister in U Thein Seins administration and organized pro-military rallies in Yangon ahead of Min Aung Hlaings February 1, 2021 coup. U Ko Ko Hlaing did not hold high military or civil positions in Than Shwes regime, unlike his two classmates, but he played an important part in the regimes propaganda efforts as a writer and researcher. In 2004, he resigned as a Lieutenant Colonel from the research department of the defense ministry and transferred to the Information Ministry. Under Information Minister U Kyaw Hsan in the regimes State Peace and Development Council government, he served as an advisor to the information ministry, often publishing pro-military books as well as newspaper articles. One of his most notorious articles concerned Cyclone Nargis, which in May 2008 swept through Ayeyarwady Region and southern Myanmar, killing over 138,000 people and destroying and damaging some 750,000 buildings. In the immediate aftermath of the worst recorded natural disaster in Myanmars history U Ko Ko Hlaing, writing under the pseudonym Hlaing Aung, wrote that the Shwedagon Pagoda Myanmars most sacred Buddhist site could now be seen clearly from a distance and worshipped with ease, thanks to Nargis having blown down so many trees in Yangon. At the time, U Ko Ko Hlaing was living near Shwedagon Pagoda in Bahan Township. But while he was enjoying the view of the Shwedagon from his home, hundreds of thousands of residents in the hard-hit Ayeyarwady Region were left homeless by Nargis and were struggling without food and shelter amid the rotting corpses of humans and animals. To make matters worse, U Ko Ko Hlaing argued in his article that as the Ayeyarwady Region is rich in fertile soil and water resources, its shattered residents could catch frogs and fish to eat along with the vegetables that grow in the region. Defending the xenophobic refusal of Than Shwes regime to allow international aid into Myanmar, U Ko Ko Hlaing said that the meals he suggested were tasty and nutritious and more than enough for Nargis refugees to survive on, so they had no need for chocolate bars donated by the international community. The article was published in the regime-run English-language newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, and attracted hordes of disparaging remarks from both local and international readers. Despite that, U Ko Ko Hlaing continued to be favored by the generals and, in 2011, was appointed as chief political advisor to then President U Thein Sein. Later, his wife Daw Thida Tin transferred from the education ministry to the information ministry. She is currently serving as Deputy Director-General of the Information and Public Relations Department. From being a propagandist who dared not use his real name and was told what to write by the military regime, U Ko Ko Hlaing became an important figure as a presidential advisor. But his old habit of defending the boss he served was far from over. When Myanmar experienced long and frequent power cuts in 2014, U Ko Ko Hlaing again aroused controversy by saying: I want to say with goodwill. Why dont you switch off lights and light candles at your homes? Everything will be fine then. After U Thein Seins government lost the 2015 general election to the National League for Democracy (NLD), U Ko Ko Hlaing left Naypyitaw to serve as an advisor to the Myanmar Study Department of Yunnan University in Kunming, China. From there, he criticized the NLD governments handling of Chinese investments, and was personally engaged in promoting the interests of Chinese companies in Myanmar. He returned to Naypyitaw when Min Aung Hlaing appointed him as Minister for International Cooperation Minister. U Ko Ko Hlaing is just a year older than the coup leader, who graduated from the Defense Services Academy in 1977, a year after U Ko Ko Hlaing became a commissioned officer. U Ko Ko Hlaing has continued his propaganda efforts for his new boss, doing his best to cover up the regimes human rights violations. After many people died in July and August last year due to the regimes weak handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, he wrote a number of articles blaming striking health workers and western countries for failing to provide vaccines. I dont want to complain, but I have to. Western countries that have long said that Myanmar is on the verge of collapse due to COVID-19 and is in urgent need of international assistance have not yet provided a single dose of COVID-19 vaccines. The US$350 million lent by the International Monetary Fund to remedy the COVID-hit economy was part of the US$1 billion frozen by Uncle Sam. Nearly US$300 million in loans long promised by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank for the health of the people and agriculture has been stalled in the name of sanctions, he wrote in junta-controlled newspapers. Earlier this year in February, in another sign of the regimes faith in him, U Ko Ko Hlaing was chosen to lead Myanmars defense of the Myanmar military at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands against genocide allegations. In short, if you mention international cooperation minister U Ko Ko Hlaing to any ordinary Myanmar people you meet, you will see puzzlement on their faces as they have no idea who he is. But if you try Frog and Fish Catcher Ko Ko Hlaing or Candle Ko Ko Hlaing, they will reply: Yes, the regimes stooge. The international community needs to be mindful, too, that the facade of friendly minister U Ko Ko Hlaing hides a long-time apologist for military dictatorships. You may also like these stories: Pregnant Woman Miscarries, 4 Detained as Myanmar Regime Cracks Down on Six Twos Protest Myanmar Junta Asks UNs Top Court to Drop Rohingya Genocide Case at Hearing in The Hague Cobra Gold Military Exercise Kicks Off in Thailand Without Myanmar Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the First Innovation Exchange Conference for Craftsmen of the Nation, which opened in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for contributing wisdom and strength to high-quality development and the implementation of the strategy to build the country into a leader in manufacturing. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended sincere greetings to skilled workers, model workers and general workers ahead of the International Labor Day. Xi stressed that skilled workers are a significant force to shore up China's manufacturing and innovation. Encouraging workers to strive to meet the needs of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation in today's world, Xi called on them to continuously enhance technical skills and contribute wisdom and strength to promoting high-quality development, implementing the strategy of making China a leader in manufacturing, and building a modern socialist country in all respects. Party committees and governments at all levels should deepen reforms in the cultivation of industrial workers and attach importance to giving play to the roles of skilled workers to fully stimulate their innovation capacity, Xi said. Held by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the conference showcases the superb skills and innovation outcomes of Chinese workers, and serves as an exchange platform for highly-skilled workers. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday it had sighted a report sent to the White House and the US Department of Commerce alleging that Yangtze Memory Technologies Co was supplying chips to Huawei. The report was said to be from TechInsights, a company that examines parts used by consumer electronics. In May 2019. the US placed Huawei on its Entity List, thus preventing it from obtaining American products without a licence from the Department of Commerce. Huawei got around this by buying what it needed from branches of American firms in other countries. The only thing it could not source were the proprietary apps that come with Google's Android mobile operating system. It developed its own operating system, HarmonyOS, using the open-source port of Android as a base. In May 2020, the US put in place further restrictions to cut off Huawei's supply of semiconductors which it gets made mostly by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. This was done through the Foreign Direct Product Rule that makes it necessary for any company American or foreign that sells American products or those made using American technology to require a permit before selling to Huawei. On top of that, new export control rules were imposed by the US Government in August 2020 and these made it well-nigh impossible for Huawei to obtain the SoCs it needs to build its flagship smartphones. The FT report said the chips supplied to Huawei by YMTC were reportedly made in February 2021 and used in the Enjoy 20e smartphone sold by the former. iTWire has contacted YMTC for comment. Enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources provider Workday has appointed Jo-Anne Ruhl as vice president and managing director of Workday Australia and New Zealand. Stephen Jack, who previously held the role for more than four years, continues as a director with Workday ANZ, helping advise and support Jo-Anne on business and customer strategies. Jo-Anne Ruhl joined Workday in 2018 and successfully led and helped grow Workdays ANZ mid-enterprise and customer experience team. She has built her career in the technology industry in a variety of leadership roles over the last two decades, including roles at Oracle and Infor. Workday Australia and New Zealand, which has been operating in the region for more than a decade, says it continues to see strong customer momentum with organisations such as The Warehouse Group, Carlisle Homes, Chorus, and Swyftx, having selected Workday to support their businesses in the changing world. Jo-Annes ability to build high performance teams and deliver on strong customer and business outcomes perfectly aligns with leading our ANZ business into the next phase of its growth. It is always a pleasure to promote from within and Jo-Anne is ideally positioned to partner with our customers on their digital transformation journey, said Workday APJ president David Webster. "I'm so excited to take on this opportunity at Workday, leading a strong and dynamic team and continuing the growth of the ANZ business,Ruhl said. As I take on this new role, I see an even greater opportunity to partner closely with our customers, as they look to deploy innovative finance and HR solutions to support their needs in the changing world of work." Autonomous driving technology company Pony.ai has been approved to operate public driverless robotaxi services in Beijing, with the public now able to experience a driverless robotaxi for first time in the Chnese capital. Pony.ai was one of two robotaxi operators awarded a permit by Beijing city authorities to offer driverless service in southeastern Beijing, and Pony.ai has had a permit to driverless test since October 2021 but not with the general public in the car. To ensure safety during the pilot program, a Pony.ai safety supervisor will sit in the front passenger seat. The new program, which is free to the rider, is in addition to an existing test program in which Pony.ai can offer fee-charging robotaxi service to the general public that retains a safety driver behind the wheel monitoring the ride. Pony.ai is now approved to conduct public facing driverless robotaxi rides in a 60 square kilometre area in a pilot zone in Yizhuang, Beijing - triple the operating area from the previous driverless 20 square kilometer testing area. Approximately 300,000 residents in the area can now hail a driverless Pony.ai robotaxi using the PonyPilot+ app from 9am to 5pm, with hundreds of pick-up and drop-off locations including public facilities such as subway stations, parks, and stadiums, alongside central business centres and residential areas. Pony.ais approval to operate driverless robotaxis in Beijing is a critical milestone in the transition from testing driverless autonomous vehicles within Pony.ai to offering driverless robotaxi rides to public passengers, said Pony.ai co-founder and CEO James Peng. Peng said that to obtain its driverless permit, Pony.ai passed stringent safety test qualifications and criteria, including: driverless navigation of unprotected left-turns, temporary construction zones, smog, heavy rain and snow conditions, drivered mileage, and the number of orders received. Since the launch of driverless testing, Pony.ai has demonstrated the technical quality of our system by successfully handling a wide range of extreme and complex scenarios. We did this by conducting multiple technical validations and iterations of driverless scenarios, and by improving system redundancy design, remote assistance platform development and fleet operation management, said Pony.ai co-founder and CTO Tiancheng Lou. Pony.ai received approval to conduct driverless testing without passengers in Beijing in October 2021 and in November 2021 became one of the first two autonomous driving companies to start charging fares for robotaxi services in Beijing. In Guangzhou, Pony.ai started driverless testing in June 2021 and recently became the first and only autonomous driving company to receive a taxi license in China. This Guangzhou license officially permits Pony.ais autonomous vehicles to operate as taxis, a milestone for the commercialisation of robotaxis in China. Pony.ai says that as of April 2022, its autonomous vehicles have driven over 11 million real-world autonomous kilometers globally, including over 200,000 driverless kilometres. Customer relationship management platform HubSpot and ticketing platform Humanitix collaborate to reimagine how marketers and event organisers manage and operate ticketing solutions. Starting today, HubSpot users can synchronise their contacts and ticketing information via the new Humanitix integration. The new feature leverages HubSpots custom objects to collect leads and track existing registrations throughout the customer journey within the HubSpot CRM platform. Both will streamline the ticketing process. Not only will this save event organisers and marketers time, but it will also provide them with access to key customer data to help inform future customer communications and marketing efforts. The Humanitix integration follows a number of integration collaboration between HubSpot and Australian and New Zealand companies, including Canva, Envato, MessageMedia, and Xero. Built with event organisers and marketers in mind, the Humanitix integration takes away the stress of siloed event management, says HubSpot APAC marketing director Kat Warboys. With the events industry emerging from the pandemic as one of the hardest hit, streamlined processes are no longer just a nice-to-have but critical for the revival of the events sector. Just as the pandemic changed the face of the events circuit in Australia, it also altered customer expectations. As a customer relationship management platform, HubSpot is committed to providing event organisers and marketers with the tools they need to surpass these expectations at every stage of the customer journey through thoughtful communications, value alignment and human touch. Selling tickets to help support disadvantaged children around the world is what gets us out of bed in the morning. Empowering our event partners to maximise that social impact at scale comes part and parcel, says Humanitix CEO and co-founder Adam McCurdie. The integration with HubSpot is game changing for us. Not only will it allow our partners to seamlessly synchronise customer data across both platforms, but it will also free them up to provide a level of customer service unmatched in the event ticketing industry. The Remarkable Woman business manager Emma Plummer is a long-time user of both HubSpots CRM and Humanitixs ticketing platform, and is confident the integration will help her team to further streamline and personalise the ticketing journey for both in-person and virtual events. All events we put on have had to go through HubSpot and Humanitix separately. We had to take our attendee lists from Humanitix, move them to HubSpot and manually track movements along the customer journey. This integration means we now have a centralised view of the customer journey and can better deliver for our community, Plummer concludes. GUEST RESEARCH: Only 6% of businesses globally use, access, and share data and data services in a way that grants them all the business benefits provided by a robust data strategy, according to new research from Snowflake, the data cloud company. The study of 1,000 business leaders and technology managers highlights the significant hurdles that the majority of organisations face in participating fully in the data economy. The data economy, as defined by Snowflake, enables businesses to tackle the most complex business problems and elevate the services they can offer above their competitors. It allows them to build new revenue streams by taking tailored data products and services to their customers, partners, and any other organisation participating in the data economy. At the helm of the data economy, according to the research, are the 'data economy leaders', companies which develop strategies that democratise access to data, integrate new technology, and demonstrate the true business benefits of capitalising in the data economy. While many companies have ambitions to take advantage of data to give them the business edge needed to be successful, these organisations require guidance to lay the right foundations. In fact, according to the study, only 38% of businesses surveyed globally and 40% across APAC are using data to inform the business decisions they make. As part of the study, Snowflake identified the four key attributes an organisation needs to possess to become a data economy leader. These include: Providing unimpeded access to data, no matter where the data users reside; Using data to inform all or most business decisions; Using data to a great or significant extent to advance strategic goals, such as growing revenue and identifying new business opportunities; Having the ability to share and access data securely with external organisations. The organisations that possess these four attributes are considered data economy leaders, and as a result achieve significantly more than those that don't use, access or share data in these ways. For example, 77% of data economy leaders globally experienced annual revenue growth over the past three years, while just 36% of 'laggards' - the lowest-performing businesses surveyed - can say the same. Moreover, 60% of leaders saw their market share grow over this period, compared to only 31% of laggards. The businesses that aren't using their data to its full potential are being left behind by the competition, which actively use data to strategically support the company and make critical business decisions. For example, 85% of organisations surveyed globally and 83% across APAC reported that they use data or are soon planning to use data to identify risk and prevent fraud within their business - the most common use for how data is used - demonstrating a growing trend for businesses to use data in a preventative way, to protect themselves and their customers. In addition, 80% of organisations globally use or soon plan to use data strategically to launch new revenue streams or pricing models. Similar trends are seen across organisations in APAC. 82% of organisations globally use or are soon planning to use data to reveal new market opportunities, while in APAC it is 80% of organisations. "Successful organisations will attain the business advantage that comes from access to data, data services, solutions, and collaboration - which can only be found in the data economy", said Snowflake principal data strategist Jennifer Belisssent. "Forward-thinking organisations are using all that the data economy offers to solve the most complex business problems, improve customer experiences and crack down on fraud. The laggards that don't yet have total control over all of the data they possess will find themselves falling behind the competition, and potentially at increased risk of security threats". The data economy challenge To join the data economy, businesses need to first get to grips with their data. However, many struggle to manage and effectively extract value from it. The ability to access all forms of data is an integral part of a data strategy, yet less than half 45% agree they can easily access all available data through a single system/application and just half agree their data users have ubiquitous data access regardless of their location. Many organisations also fail to break down internal data silos, impeding data sharing and collaboration across an organisation's business units only 55% say that sharing can happen freely in their organisation. Asked about the top barriers to using data strategically, a lack of investments from leadership teams was ranked fifth according to 13% of global respondents. 14% of global respondents cited trust barriers, while 15% cited cultural barriers to using data strategically. The top two barriers identified were lack of proper skills (19%), and the right tools and platforms (16%). In fact, just about half (51%) agree that they have a C-level mandate to become more data-driven, whereas almost two thirds (63%) of data economy leaders have such a mandate. Many companies also believe that the technologies they use are not fit for the data economy. An effective data platform must be scalable and elastic and manage a near-unlimited amount of data, yet fewer than one-third of the IT respondents say their data management solutions are easily scalable. More importantly, less than one-quarter say their solution lets them share, access and integrate data in near real-time. "Technology is a fundamental barrier stopping laggards from fully participating in the data economy," adds Belissent. "Most of these organisations are still using legacy on-premises technology which is not scalable or suitable for modern data needs. In contrast, leaders are capitalising on data platforms in the cloud, enabling easier data management and access to near real-time data." Leading the data economy While only constituting 6% of businesses surveyed, the data economy leaders are present in all industries from healthcare and life sciences to technology to retail and CPG. Once plugged into the data economy, they are part of a mutually beneficial ecosystem, both providing and receiving significant advantages from sharing data and data-driven insights with other participants via data management technologies. A number of Snowflake's customers are data economy leaders, using data to reveal new market opportunities, streamline processes and deliver a more personalised customer service. Australians back data diversity, but need more structure Over half (58%) of Australian respondents have a fully developed and clearly articulated data strategy, and an internal data/analytics centre of excellence structure to centrally support this work. Two-thirds (66%) of Australian businesses have a data literacy program in place, and 63% are measuring outcomes although only 41% say the "majority" of all decisions are currently informed by data. The study shows Australian data professionals have done a lot of the difficult preparatory work to have access to clean, reliable data: 61% can share and access data between internal business units, and similar proportions express confidence in the lineage, security and accuracy of data holdings. However, the data still isn't all in one place: 60% of Australian respondents can't easily access all available data through a single system or application. In fact, 91% of the survey's IT respondents say data is split between multiple cloud systems, a mix of cloud and on-premises systems, or only on-premises systems, which impacts ubiquity of access. Australian data users are also the least likely of any geography in the study to still access data even when technical system issues arise. "Australia is a case study for the overall research finding that technology is a fundamental barrier to data economy participation," says Snowflake ANZ managing director Theo Hourmouzis. "As data professionals, we've had it drilled into us over a number of years the critical importance of starting with good, clean data. Many businesses now have the data basics down, but now need to ramp up their investments in technology platforms to pool and manipulate the data, making it more accessible, shareable, easily analysed and resilient to failure, if they are to realise their full data economy potential." Australian data leaders are most likely to run advanced analytics and AI on use cases such as forecasting business performance, targeted marketing and campaign optimisation. For most other data-oriented use cases from fraud prevention and lead qualification, to personalisation, resource allocation and price modelling access to more data from diverse sources was seen as the most valuable tool to achieve these outcomes A deeper analysis of the data economy leaders globally revealed several other areas in which its members considerably outperform their peers, with their strengths exhibited across three main pillars; people, process and technology. People Strong leadership is essential if a business is to thrive in the data economy. For almost two-thirds (63%) of global data economy leaders, there is a C-level mandate to become data forward. Process Leaders are better at aligning data objectives across teams, with 62% having a data or analytics centre of excellence that coordinates data policies, and 54% enabling users to access all available data through a single system or application. Technology At the core of every data economy leader's technology strategy is a cutting-edge cloud data platform offering the latest cloud architecture and features. Twice as many IT respondents in data economy leaders (50%) describe the data storage and management technologies they use as 'easily scalable and elastic'. Leaders draw upon a greater volume of data, in different forms, while breaking down silos and collaborating with both internal and external partners. To find out more about the data economy, why it matters and how businesses can succeed within it, read the How to Win in Today's Data Economy report. Methodology The survey was commissioned by Snowflake and was completed in November and December 2021. The survey was carried out across eight countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). The 1,000 respondents consisted of C-level business executives and board members and senior technology managers. About Snowflake Snowflake enables every organisation to mobilise their data with Snowflake's Data Cloud. Customers use the Data Cloud to unite siloed data, discover and securely share data, and execute diverse analytic workloads. Wherever data or users live, Snowflake delivers a single data experience that spans multiple clouds and geographies. Thousands of customers across many industries, including 241 of the 2021 Fortune 500 and 488 of the 2021 Forbes Global 2000 (G2K) as of 31 January 2022, use Snowflake Data Cloud to power their businesses. Learn more at snowflake.com. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Today A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High 86F. WNW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 55F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Tomorrow Mainly sunny. High 82F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Dachshund dogs wait in a box before competition at a dog show in Dortmund, Germany, in 2017. Research released on Thursday confirms what dog lovers know every pup is truly an individual. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close BLOUNTVILLE The land at the Tri-Cities Airport Authority Aerospace Park is vast with sprawling stretches of green, East Tennessee acreage stretching in all directions. The only thing bigger might be the opportunity for the site and its surrounding areas. She is 60 years old, but Laetitia Ngendakumana still cries like the 10-year-old girl she was in 1972 when her father disappeared in a wave of ethnic massacres in Burundi now classified as genocide by a government commission. Like thousands of others, Ngendakumanas world collapsed half a century ago when Burundis Tutsi-dominated government arrested her father, a Hutu banker in the countrys largest city, Bujumbura. We never knew where they took dad. What I know is that we lost everything we had, she said, wringing her hands during an interview with AFP at her home surrounded by lush banana trees near Gitega, Burundis political capital. Neither her marriage to a teacher nor the birth of their 14 children 12 survived nor an end to the bloodletting erased her pain, which feels as fresh today as it did in 1972. For a long time, the massacres were a taboo subject in the public sphere, with Burundians referring to the period between the end of April and June 1972 as ikiza (the scourge in Kirundi, the countrys official language). But in 2019, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) set up by the authorities announced a plan to reopen mass graves to count and possibly identify the victims. Ngendakumana immediately reached out to the commission. Identifying human remains after five decades was a near impossible task, but the farmer clung to a single hope: her fathers dentures. My father had had an accident and lost his teeth. He was wearing gold prostheses, she said. The tip about the metal dentures led the investigators to discover her fathers remains, which were found on a wooded hillside, just a few kilometres (miles) from her home near Gitega. The state killed its people Since independence in 1962, hundreds of thousands of Burundians have lost their lives to ethnic violence between the Hutu and the Tutsi, and to a civil war. The 1972 massacres seen by some as the darkest chapter in Burundis history began on April 29, when Hutu extremists attacked Tutsis living mainly in the countrys south. This was followed by reprisals that quickly escalated into massacres of the Hutu elite including executives, teachers and school students. An estimated 100,000 to 300,000 people died in the violence the majority of them Hutu, who account for 85 percent of Burundis population, with the Tutsi at 14 percent. The killings engulfed the entire country, but Gitega was the epicentre, hosting a military camp where the victims were held in transit before being killed and dumped in pits. Out of the nearly 20,000 victims whose remains were exhumed across Burundi, an estimated 7,000 were found in nine mass graves in and around Gitega. Many graves have never been found. When we say 7,000 victims, it is only in relation to the graves that we have already found, confirmed, exhumed, the TRCs chairman Pierre Claver Ndayicariye told AFP. After a three-year investigation, the TRC last December published a provisional report saying that the killings amounted to genocide and crimes against humanity. In 1972, the state killed its people, Ndayicariye said, emphasising the role played by then president Michel Micombero, an ethnic Tutsi, in orchestrating the massacres. It is a genocide because the state planned, organised, carried out this genocide, he said. Political agenda But his views are not unanimous, with some observers accusing the current Hutu-dominated regime of exploiting the TRC to further its own aims. The TRC whose members mostly belong to the ruling party has faced allegations of bias for largely focusing its excavations on sites where Hutus were buried while ignoring the graves of Tutsi victims. There is actually a problem of political agenda in this story, historian Evariste Ngayimpenda told AFP, deploring the tendency of successive governments to play the ethnic card. When the Tutsi were in power the avoidance of the Hutu menace was a constant theme and today, it is the opposite, it is the avoidance of the Tutsi menace, which is also a constant theme. According to the rector of the Bujumbura-based University of Lake Tanganyika, the TRCs efforts also exhibit methodological shortcomings with regard to the dating of graves and the absence of any recourse to international expertise, particularly that of the United Nations. As the 50th anniversary of the massacres approaches, skulls, bones and bags of tattered clothing found near Gitega lie piled up in a small dark room inside a government building, awaiting the day when they will become part of a public memorial. Although the authorities have not announced any plans to mark the anniversary, Ngendakumana and her husband, Emmanuel Berakumenyo, hope their government will seize the opportunity to heal the countrys painful past. These are conflicts that may draw to an end little by little, but the administration must lend a hand, said Berakumenyo, a former teacher who survived the massacres. The head of the UN arrived in Ukraine Thursday, calling war an absurdity, after Brussels warned Russia it will not bend to blackmail over its support for Kyiv over the Kremlins decision to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called war an absurdity in (the) 21st century as he visited Borodianka outside Kyiv, the scene of alleged civilian killings by Russian forces. Guterres will later meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on the visit, which follows talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Guterres is also expected to visit Bucha and Irpin, sites of further alleged Russian war crimes. Putin has said that if Western forces, which are supplying increasingly heavy weaponry to Kyiv, intervene in Ukraine, they will face a lightning-fast military response. We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having, the Russian leader told lawmakers, implicitly referring to Moscows ballistic missiles and nuclear arsenal. We wont boast about it: well use them, if needed, he said. The dire threats came as Moscow claimed to have carried out a missile strike in southern Ukraine to destroy a large batch of Western-supplied weapons. As the war, which has already claimed thousands of lives, entered its third month, Kyiv conceded that Russian forces had made gains in the east. Russias military offensive saw it capture a string of villages in the Donbas region, now the focus of its invasion. And in its economic standoff with the West, Moscow cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, two EU and NATO members backing Ukraine in the conflict. However, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said Poland and Bulgaria are now receiving gas from their EU neighbours. Blackmail She described the announcement by Russias state energy giant Gazprom as another provocation from the Kremlin. It comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us Our response will be immediate, united and coordinated. Both Poland and Bulgaria are now receiving gas from their EU neighbours, she said. The era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe will come to an end. European powers have imposed massive sanctions on Russia since Putins invasion, while shipping weapons to Ukraines defenders. But they have moved slowly on hitting Moscows vast exports, with many EU members notably industrial giant Germany reliant on Russian energy. Putin has intensified pressure by insisting on payments for gas in rubles hoping to force his foes to prop up his currency. Gazprom announced the halt of gas to both Poland and highly dependent Bulgaria, saying it had not received payment in rubles from the two EU members. But von der Leyen said that about 97 percent of all EU contracts explicitly stipulate payments in euros or dollars and warned importing firms paying in rubles would breach sanctions. The European Commission sought to lend Kyiv economic support by proposing a suspension of import duties on Ukrainian goods, though the idea still needs to be approved in a vote by the blocs 27 members. Zelensky welcomed the plan, saying Russia was trying to provoke a global price crisis and stir chaos in the worlds food market. Missile strikes The first phase of Russias invasion failed to reach Kyiv or overthrow Zelenskys government after encountering stiff Ukrainian resistance reinforced with Western weapons. The campaign has since refocused on seizing the east and south of the country while increasingly using long-range missiles against west and central Ukraine. In Kharkiv, whose northern and eastern districts are less than five kilometres from the front, at least three people died and 15 were injured in shelling, Governor Oleg Synegoubov said Wednesday. Defenders of the besieged Azovstal factory in the strategic port city of Mariupol described massive bombardments, with Sergey Volyna of the 36th Marine Brigade pleading for extraction for the 600 wounded soldiers and hundreds of civilians he said remain trapped there. Russias defence ministry, meanwhile, said its forces had destroyed a large batch of weapons and ammunition supplied by the United States and European countries. Russia hit hangars at an aluminium plant near the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia with high-precision long-range sea-based Kalibr missiles, the ministry said. Local authorities denied that weapons had been stored at the factory, which they said had not been operational for six years. Tensions are also rising in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova that borders southwestern Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists in the area claimed shots were fired across the border towards a village housing a Russian arms depot after drones flew over from Ukraine. Dangerous deterioration The unrecognised region has reported a series of explosions in recent days that it called terrorist attacks, leading Kyiv to accuse Moscow of seeking to expand the war further into Europe. Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu called the events a dangerous deterioration of the situation. Popescu said the Transnistrian authorities announced they would prevent men of fighting age from leaving the region. Russias targeting of Western-supplied arms came as the United States and Europe started to heed Zelenskys call for heavier firepower. Western allies remain wary of being drawn into war with Russia but have stepped up military support as Ukraine has maintained its fierce resistance. In a speech from London on Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss made a fresh call for an increase in arms deliveries to Ukraine, including heavy weapons, tanks and planes. US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, is set to deliver remarks Thursday on support for Ukrainians defending their country and their freedom against Russias brutal war, the White House said. burs-dc/gw/jv GAZPROM The UN chief called war an absurdity during a visit to Ukraine Thursday, after Brussels warned Russia it will not waver in its support for Kyiv following Russias decision to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called war an absurdity in (the) 21st century as he visited Borodianka outside Kyiv, the scene of alleged civilian killings by Russian forces. Guterres will later meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on the visit, which follows talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Guterres is also expected to visit Bucha and Irpin, sites of further alleged Russian war crimes. Putin has said that if Western forces, which are supplying increasingly heavy weaponry to Kyiv, intervene in Ukraine, they will face a lightning-fast military response. We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having, the Russian leader told lawmakers, implicitly referring to Moscows ballistic missiles and nuclear arsenal. We wont boast about it: well use them, if needed, he said. The dire threats came as Moscow claimed to have carried out a missile strike in southern Ukraine to destroy a large batch of Western-supplied weapons. As the war, which has already claimed thousands of lives, entered its third month, Kyiv conceded that Russian forces had made gains in the east. Russias military offensive saw it capture a string of villages in the Donbas region, now the focus of its invasion. And in its economic standoff with the West, Moscow cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, two EU and NATO members backing Ukraine in the conflict. However, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said Poland and Bulgaria are now receiving gas from their EU neighbours. Blackmail She described the announcement by Russias state energy giant Gazprom as another provocation from the Kremlin. It comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us Our response will be immediate, united and coordinated. Both Poland and Bulgaria are now receiving gas from their EU neighbours, she said. The era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe will come to an end. European powers have imposed massive sanctions on Russia since Putins invasion, while shipping weapons to Ukraines defenders. But they have moved slowly on hitting Moscows vast exports, with many EU members notably industrial giant Germany reliant on Russian energy. Putin has intensified pressure by insisting on payments for gas in rubles hoping to force his foes to prop up his currency. Gazprom announced the halt of gas to both Poland and highly dependent Bulgaria, saying it had not received payment in rubles from the two EU members. But von der Leyen said that about 97 percent of all EU contracts explicitly stipulate payments in euros or dollars and warned importing firms paying in rubles would breach sanctions. The European Commission sought to lend Kyiv economic support by proposing a suspension of import duties on Ukrainian goods, though the idea still needs to be approved in a vote by the blocs 27 members. Zelensky welcomed the plan, saying Russia was trying to provoke a global price crisis and stir chaos in the worlds food market. Missile strikes The first phase of Russias invasion failed to reach Kyiv or overthrow Zelenskys government after encountering stiff Ukrainian resistance reinforced with Western weapons. The campaign has since refocused on seizing the east and south of the country while increasingly using long-range missiles against west and central Ukraine. In Kharkiv, whose northern and eastern districts are less than five kilometres from the front, at least three people died and 15 were injured in shelling, Governor Oleg Synegoubov said Wednesday. Defenders of the besieged Azovstal factory in the strategic port city of Mariupol described massive bombardments, with Sergey Volyna of the 36th Marine Brigade pleading for extraction for the 600 wounded soldiers and hundreds of civilians he said remain trapped there. Russias defence ministry, meanwhile, said its forces had destroyed a large batch of weapons and ammunition supplied by the United States and European countries. Russia hit hangars at an aluminium plant near the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia with high-precision long-range sea-based Kalibr missiles, the ministry said. Local authorities denied that weapons had been stored at the factory, which they said had not been operational for six years. Tensions are also rising in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova that borders southwestern Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists in the area claimed shots were fired across the border towards a village housing a Russian arms depot after drones flew over from Ukraine. Dangerous deterioration The unrecognised region has reported a series of explosions in recent days that it called terrorist attacks, leading Kyiv to accuse Moscow of seeking to expand the war further into Europe. Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu called the events a dangerous deterioration of the situation. Popescu said the Transnistrian authorities announced they would prevent men of fighting age from leaving the region. Russias targeting of Western-supplied arms came as the United States and Europe started to heed Zelenskys call for heavier firepower. Western allies remain wary of being drawn into war with Russia but have stepped up military support as Ukraine has maintained its fierce resistance. In a speech from London on Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss made a fresh call for an increase in arms deliveries to Ukraine, including heavy weapons, tanks and planes. US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, is set to deliver remarks Thursday on support for Ukrainians defending their country and their freedom against Russias brutal war, the White House said. burs-dc/gw/jv GAZPROM UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday visited sites of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, decrying war as an absurdity in the 21st century and urging Russia to cooperate with an international investigation into atrocities. Making his first visit to Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion on February 24, Guterres toured several towns and villages outside Kyiv where Russian forces are accused of killing civilians. I imagine my family in one of those houses that is now destroyed and black. I see my granddaughters running away in panic, the UN chief said in Borodianka, a ruined town north-east of the Ukrainian capital. The war is an absurdity in the 21st century. The war is evil, he added. In neighbouring Bucha, where dozens of bodies in civilian clothes, some with their hands tied behind their backs, were discovered this month after a Russian withdrawal, Guterres backed an International Criminal Court investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine. I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept, to cooperate with the ICC, he implored the Kremlin. The UN head will later meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On Tuesday, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, repeating calls for both countries to work together to set up safe and effective humanitarian corridors in war-torn Ukraine. Nearly 5.4 million Ukrainians have fled their country since the invasion, according to the United Nations, and more than 12 million others are displaced internally. One hope We feel bad, we shouldnt be standing here, said Svitlana Gordienko, a nurse forced to relocate to the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, as she queued for food at a humanitarian hub. Were left with only one hope: to return home, added pensioner Galina Bodnya. With the war now into a third month and claiming thousands of lives, Kyiv has admitted Russian forces are making gains in the east, capturing a string of villages in the Donbas region. The first phase of Russias invasion failed to reach Kyiv or overthrow Zelenskys government after encountering stiff Ukrainian resistance reinforced with Western weapons. The Russian campaign has since refocused on seizing the east and south of the country while using long-range missiles against west and central Ukraine. Ukraines Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov warned of extremely difficult weeks as Moscow tries to inflict as much pain as possible. Senior presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak insisted Kyiv has the right to strike Russian military targets, suggesting direct attacks on facilities inside Russia. The defence ministry in Moscow said its forces had destroyed two arms and ammunition depots in eastern and southern Ukraine overnight with high-precision missiles. It said its air force also targeted 67 Ukrainian military sites while air defence systems destroyed a Ukrainian fighter jet in the Lugansk region. Russia has in recent days targeted Western-supplied arms, as the United States and Europe increasingly heed Zelenskys call for heavier firepower. Unacceptable threats In a defiant speech Wednesday, Putin said if Western forces intervene in Ukraine and create unacceptable threats, they will face a lightning-fast military response. We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having, he told lawmakers, implicitly referring to Moscows ballistic missiles and nuclear arsenal. The Kremlin reiterated the warnings Thursday, saying Western arms deliveries threaten Europes security. Western allies remain wary of being drawn into war with Russia but have stepped up military support. The German parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of providing Kyiv heavy weapons, a major shift in policy. It drew praise from Podolyak, Zelenskys senior aide, as marking the return of (German) leadership in Europe. The White House proposed using assets seized from Russian oligarchs to compensate Ukraine for damage caused by Moscows invasion of the country, part of a US attempt to ratchet up economic punishment on the Kremlin. President Joe Biden was to announce the proposed legislation alongside his request to increase funding by Congress for Ukraines military later Thursday. Meanwhile the civilian and military administrator of the Russian-controlled region of Kherson in southern Ukraine was quoted as saying that the ruble will soon be introduced in areas under Moscows control. Ukraines ombudsman condemned the move as act of annexation and gross violation of UN Charter articles. Blackmail In its economic standoff with the West, Russia cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, both EU and NATO members, Wednesday. Bulgarias Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on Thursday urged Europe to be stronger and wean itself off Russian gas as he also visited Ukraine, arguing everybody in Europe should be able to. Bulgaria and Poland are since receiving gas from EU neighbours, as Brussels warned it will not waver in its support for Kyiv, accusing the Kremlin of attempted blackmail. With the 27-member bloc, which has heavily depended on gas from Russia, scrambling to diversify its energy sources, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared: The era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe will come to an end. European powers have imposed massive sanctions on Russia since Putins invasion but have moved slowly on hitting Moscows vast exports. Last year, Russia supplied 32 percent of the total gas demand of the European Union and Britain, according to the International Energy Agency, although Europes biggest economy, Germany, is particularly reliant on Russian energy. Tensions have also risen in Transnistria, an unrecognised breakaway region of Moldova that borders southwestern Ukraine. Authorities there have reported several explosions and incidents this week that it called terrorist attacks, leading Kyiv to accuse Moscow of seeking to expand the war further into Europe. We are alarmed by the escalation of tensions in Transnistria, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, saying Moscow expected a thorough and objective investigation. burs-jj/jm Bulgarias Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on Thursday urged Europe to be stronger and find alternatives to Russian gas, during a visit to Ukraine. Russia on Wednesday cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, both EU and NATO members in a move Brussels described as blackmail. We have to be stronger. We have to be tough, the Bulgarian prime minister said in Irpin, one of the commuter towns outside Kyiv where Moscow is accused of committing war crimes following its February 24 invasion of Ukraine. Bulgaria has alternative choices to Russian gas flows, Petkov said, adding that: If we are able to do it, everybody in Europe should be able to. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has said Warsaw and Sofia are now receiving gas from their EU neighbours. Last year, Russia supplied 32 percent of the total gas demand of the European Union and Britain, up from 25 percent in 2009, according to the International Energy Agency, although the situation varies significantly from country to country. Petkov said Moscow, which wants countries to make their payments in rubles since its invasion of Ukraine, cannot be seen as a trusted supplier. Today we have to pay in rubles. Tomorrow it will be the price. The next day it will the quantities, he said. You either have a contract that you respect, or nobody respects you, he added. Standing where alleged Russian atrocities were committed in Irpin, Petkov said Bulgaria stands with Ukraine and pledged to provide all the help necessary. Russian President Vladimir Putin should realise that he cannot win this war, the Bulgarian politician said. Ukrainian prosecutors said Thursday they were investigating 10 Russian soldiers on suspicion of war crimes in Bucha where dozens of bodies in civilian clothes were found after Russian troops retreated. Ten servicemen of the 64th motorised infantry brigade of the Russian armed forces, part of the 35th army, are suspected of cruel treatment of civilians and other violations of laws and customs of war, the prosecutor generals office said in a statement. The suspects will be declared wanted in order to detain them and bring them to justice. Prosecutors said the suspects had allegedly harmed civilians during their occupation of Bucha just outside Kyiv in March, and were also being investigated for premeditated murder. Horrific images of dozens of bodies in civilian clothes lying in the streets, some with their hands tied behind their backs, in Bucha and other towns around Kyiv, shocked the world when they emerged earlier this month. Prosecutors alleged the suspects held hostage civilians who did not take part in hostilities and did not have weapons. According to their investigation, the Russian servicemen put people on their knees, blindfolded them and tied their hands with plastic ties. They allege the suspects tried to extract information on the whereabouts of Ukrainian troops and inflicted body injuries on them to that end. People had been thoroughly beaten up and were also hit with gun butts, it said. The soldiers also looted the local population, removing personal belongings and household appliances, it said. There have been widespread reports of theft by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Moscow has denied killing civilians in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin bestowed honours on the 36th brigade which Ukrainian officials had previously said was behind the alleged war crimes in Bucha. A retired Bosnian Muslim forces general was sentenced to eight years in prison on Thursday for war crimes committed by foreign jihadists during Bosnias brutal 1990s conflict. Sakib Mahmuljin, 69, was tried for his role at the top of the command chain of foreign fighters that executed more than 50 Bosnian Serb prisoners of war in Vozuca and Zavidovici in the northeast of the country. Mahmuljin was at the time commander of the 3rd corps of the Bosnian army, composed mainly of local Muslims. The crime was carried out by the El Moudjahid unit attached to his corps, which was made up of hundreds of mainly foreign jihadists from Africa, the Middle East and some Western countries who joined forces with Bosnian Muslims. Mahmuljin was found guilty by a Sarajevo appeals court of war crimes against wounded and sick people and against prisoners of war, including murder and inhumane treatment. As a commander, he failed to prevent these crimes from being committed and knew or had every reason to know that members of this unit were preparing to commit crimes, the court said. The verdict is final and Mahmuljin can no longer appeal. This is one of the few convictions of former senior Bosnian military officials for crimes committed by foreign jihadists during the Bosnian intercommunal conflict that killed nearly 100,000 people between 1992 and 1995. The war crimes in question took place between July and October 1995, in the wake of two Bosnian offensives. The El Moudjahid unit had acquired a sinister reputation because of the crimes committed against Bosnian Serb or Bosnian Croat prisoners of war. Most of Islamist fighters left the country after the war under pressure from the United States, which at the end of 1995 hosted the negotiations on the Dayton peace agreement which effectively ended the conflict. Ukrainian prosecutors said Thursday they were investigating 10 Russian soldiers for alleged war crimes in Bucha and had identified more than 8,000 suspected war crimes cases since Russia invaded. In Washington, US President Joe Biden said he would ask Congress for a $33-billion package to further arm and support Ukraine and blasted Moscow for idle comments on the possible use of nuclear weapons. Were not attacking Russia, Biden said in a statement from the White House. We are helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. On the ground, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on his first visit to Ukraine since Russias February 24 invasion now into a third month toured Bucha and two other towns where Russian forces are accused of crimes. He decried war as an absurdity in the 21st century and called on the Kremlin to cooperate with an International Criminal Court investigation into the accusations. Speaking at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later on Thursday, Guterres acknowledged the UN Security Council failed to do everything in its power to prevent and end this war. Later Thursday, Russian strikes hit Kyiv, in the first such bombardment of Ukraines capital since mid-April, according to AFP correspondents and Zelenskys office. Oligarch assets The prosecutor generals office in Ukraine said the 10 servicemen under investigation served in Russias 64th motorised infantry brigade. They are suspected of premeditated murder, cruel treatment and other violations of the laws and customs of war during their occupation of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, in March. In an interview with a German TV channel, Ukrainian prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova also revealed the countrys investigators had identified 8,600 cases of possible war crimes. They include killing civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture and sexual crimes reported during Russias occupation of various parts of Ukraine, she said. The $33-billion package sought by Biden is a significant increase on previous requests and comes after the Russian leader warned Wednesday that if Western forces intervene in Ukraine and create unacceptable threats, they will face a lightning-fast military response. The bulk $20 billion would be military and other security assistance, while $8.5 billion will be economic aid to help Ukraines government respond to the crisis. Biden also outlined proposals to use assets seized from Russian oligarchs to compensate Ukraine for war-time damage, as Washington tries to ratchet up economic punishment on the Kremlin. Nearly 5.4 million Ukrainians have fled their country since the invasion, according to the United Nations, and more than 12 million others are displaced internally. One hope We feel bad, we shouldnt be standing here, Svitlana Gordienko, a nurse forced to relocate to the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, told AFP as she queued for food at a humanitarian hub. Were left with only one hope: to return home, added pensioner Galina Bodnya. With the war claiming thousands of lives, Kyiv has admitted Russian forces are making gains in the east, capturing a string of villages in the Donbas region. The first phase of Russias invasion failed to reach Kyiv or overthrow Zelenskys government after encountering stiff Ukrainian resistance reinforced with Western weapons. The Russian campaign has since refocused on seizing the east and south of the country while using long-range missiles against west and central Ukraine. Ukraines Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov warned of extremely difficult weeks as Moscow tries to inflict as much pain as possible. Russias defence ministry on Thursday said its forces had destroyed seven Ukrainian fuel and ammunition depots with high-precision missiles. German vote Russia has targeted Western-supplied arms, as the United States and Europe increasingly heed Zelenskys call for heavier firepower. Western allies remain wary of being drawn into war with Russia but have stepped up military support. The German parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of providing Kyiv heavy weapons, a major shift in policy. It drew praise from Ukrainian senior presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak as marking the return of (German) leadership in Europe. Meanwhile the civilian and military administrator of the Russian-controlled region of Kherson in southern Ukraine was quoted as saying that the ruble will soon be introduced in areas under Moscows control. Ukraines ombudsman condemned the move as act of annexation and gross violation of UN Charter articles. In its economic standoff with the West, Russia cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, both EU and NATO members, Wednesday. Bulgarias Prime Minister Kiril Petkov urged Europe to be stronger and wean itself off Russian gas as he also visited Ukraine, arguing everybody in Europe should be able to. Blackmail Bulgaria and Poland are since receiving gas from EU neighbours, as Brussels warned it will not waver in its support for Kyiv, accusing the Kremlin of attempted blackmail. Biden said the West would not allow Russia to use their oil and gas to avoid consequences for their aggression. European powers have imposed massive sanctions on Russia since Putins invasion but have moved slowly on hitting Moscows vast exports. Last year, Russia supplied 32 percent of the total gas demand of the European Union and Britain, according to the International Energy Agency, although Europes biggest economy, Germany, is particularly reliant on Russian energy. Tensions have also risen in Transnistria, an unrecognised breakaway region of Moldova that borders southwestern Ukraine. Authorities there have reported several explosions and incidents this week that it called terrorist attacks, leading Kyiv to accuse Moscow of seeking to expand the war further into Europe. We are alarmed by the escalation of tensions in Transnistria, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, saying Moscow expected a thorough and objective investigation. burs-jj/imm/har The French army on Thursday rejected accusations by Mali of espionage and violation of the West African nations airspace. Mali had on Tuesday accused the French army of spying and subversion when it used a drone to film what France alleged were mercenaries burying bodies near a military base. The drone illegally flew over the Gossi base on April 20, the day after French forces handed the site back to Mali, the ruling junta said in a statement. The following day, the French army shared a video it said showed Russian mercenaries covering bodies with sand to falsely accuse the departing troops of war crimes. Two soldiers could be seen filming the half-buried corpses. French army spokesman Pascal Ianni told reporters in Paris on Thursday that we were in our right since Gossi was not in the temporary prohibition zone, for overflying. Ianni noted that the temporary no-fly zone had been extended to include Gossi on Wednesday. France, Malis former colonial power, is winding down its almost decade-long, anti-jihadist military operation in the West African state. But in February, it decided to pull out its troops after falling out with the military junta, especially over its rapprochement with the Kremlin. France officially handed control of Gossi to Mali last week as part of the staggered withdrawal. But under the existing agreement to station French forces in Mali, concluded in March 2013, they have total freedom of movement and action in the fight against armed terrorist groups, Colonel Ianni stressed. Responding to the espionage accusation, the army spokesman said the French action had avoided a major informational attack. If we had not managed to capture these images, French forces would have been accused of war crimes, he said. France and the United States have accused mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked security firm Wagner of deploying in Mali, where the junta claims the Russians are just military instructors helping to restore order. Vast swathes of Mali lie beyond government control because of the jihadist insurgency, which began in 2012 before spreading three years later to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. The impoverished and landlocked Sahel state has been ruled by a military junta since an August 2020 coup that was propelled by protests against the governments handling of the war against the jihadists. The conflict was said to have led to thousands of military and civilian deaths and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. The junta initially promised to restore civilian rule, but it failed to meet an earlier commitment to West African bloc ECOWAS to hold elections in February this year, prompting regional sanctions. Lee Soo Hyuk set the bar high for grim reaper roles after landing the role of the cold-hearted angel of death in "Tomorrow." The model-actor stars with SF9 Rowoon, Kim Hee Sun, and Yun Ji On as they portray grim reapers whose goal is to prevent people from committing suicide. The webtoon-based action fantasy K-drama is lauded because of its unique storyline, featuring various social problems like bullying, suicide, and harassment. Also how the actors portray their roles, especially Lee Soo Hyuk. Lee Soo Hyuk's Grim Reaper Versus the Webtoon Netizens lauded how the 33-year-old star played the character with his stunning visuals. Viewers pointed out how he carries himself as the intimidating grim reaper who hates people committing suicide. In addition, others also mentioned his similarity with the webtoon character. Lee soo hyuk character in Tomorrow Webtoon. ARE WE GONNA SEE SOOHYUK IN HANBOK AFTER YEARS ??? HELLO#LeeSooHyuk #Tomorrow # pic.twitter.com/fGsurrnwuw lee soo hyuk pics (@forleesoohyuk) January 8, 2022 Based on the original version, his character, Park Joong Gil, has sleek hair, dark under eyes, and an aura that would make everyone terrified of him. However, in the K-drama adaptation, the grim reaper turns heads with his stunning fashion style because Lee Soo Hyuk used to be a model before trying his luck as an actor. From Runway to K-drama He debuted as a model in 2006 and graced various runways and fashion magazines like Vogue, Marie Claire, and GQ Korea. Cementing his name as a leading fashion model Lee Soo Hyuk walked in London and Paris Fashion Weeks in 2013. He showed off his strut and unique visuals for designers like Balenciaga, J.W. Anderson, and more. With a stable career in fashion, Lee Soo Hyuk tried being an actor and landed a supporting role in the historical K-drama "Tree With Deep Roots." The rest is history for the actor after he was able to build a name for himself in showbiz. Now, he is considered one of the sought-after leading men in K-dramaland, headlining series from fantasy, rom-com, drama, and more. With his years of career as a model and actor, let's see how much Lee Soo Hyuk has earned through the years. Lee Soo Hyuk Net Worth 2022: This Is How Rich the 'Tomorrow' Star Is Juggling work as an actor and model, there is no doubt how he earned millions throughout his career. As noted by modelfact.com, Lee Soo Hyuk's net worth is estimated at around $15.1 million. His wealth is from his acting and modeling career, which includes dramas, movies, and endorsements. In 2020, he was tapped by skincare brand Nivea Men to be their new model and represents global brands like Adidas and Bulgari. Lee Soo Hyuk's Obsession with Legos One of Lee Soo Hyuk's pastimes is building legos if not busy with tapings and shoots. During his interview with W Korea, he shared that he likes building and assembling things with his hands, hence the lego. "Once upon a time, when I was in the studio for a while, I also liked sculpture. I like to do everything by hand," he said. KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Ahead of its premiere, tvN dropped "Eve's" poster, featuring the classy yet fierce character of Seo Ye Ji. 'Eve' Poster: Seo Ye Ji Exudes Class in New Teaser Seo Ye Ji immerses herself as a fierce, classy and smart woman who wants revenge for her family in her forthcoming revenge drama "Eve." tvN unveiled Seo Ye Ji's first character poster ahead of the drama's premiere in May. Clad in elegant black dress, she looks stunning yet dangerous as she exhibits strong emotions in her eyes. The "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" star will play Lee Ra El, a chaebol daughter who has influential parents and is considered one of the elites. She is described as a "dangerous flower" with an alluring charm. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Eve' Actress Seo Ye Ji Releases Statement For the First Time Addressing Controversy With Kim Jung Hyun After the shocking death of her father, revenge is already established in Lee Ra El's mind. She wants to destroy Kang Yoon Kyum (Park Byung Eun), the CEO of Ly Group who made her family's life miserable. "The Sixth Sense'' mainstay and actor Lee Sang Yeob will play Seo Eun Pyeong, the youngest lawmaker from a human rights lawyer. Park Bong Seop is in charge of producing the drama while Yoon Young Mi will write the script. "Eve" is slated to premiere on May 25 on tvN at 10:30 p.m. (KST). It will have its regular broadcasting every Wednesday and Thursday. Seo Ye Ji's Much-Awaited Comeback On April 22, tvN surprised fans after releasing "Eve's" first behind-the-scenes clip. The drama is also Seo Ye Ji's first drama after the romance-thriller in 2020, "It's Okay to Not Be Okay." Meanwhile, Seo Ye Ji's "Lawless Lawyer" co-star, Lee Joon Gi, stars in the ongoing megahit K-series "Again My Life." The award-winning actor has also been hailed as No. 1 most buzzworthy K-drama actor for the third week of April, according to Good Data Corporation. Watch for more updates about the forthcoming series on tvN's social media accounts. Are you excited about Seo Ye Ji's comeback drama? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, follow and subscribe to KDramastars. KDramastars owns this article. Shai Collins reported this. Hussein Borhot is seen in a courtroom illustration in Calgary on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Borhot, who pleaded guilty to terrorism-related activities with the militant group Islamic State, told a judge he didn't know any better. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mary Haasdyk We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Day two of the Punchestown Festival continues on Wednesday afternoon with an excellent eight-race card. The action gets underway at 3.40pm and concludes at 7.45pm. The ground at the track is currently Good to Yielding and there is watering taking place at the track. The forecast is for scattered showers. We have previewed the action with our race by race guide and you can find the more tips at www.Irishracing.com 3.40pm Handicap Hurdle (2m 3f) Life In The Park was a facile winner at Tramore and an opening mark of 119 looks fair. He has to be on the shortlist, along with Dads Lad who disappointed on his last two starts, but is a danger on the pick of his best form. Selection: Life In The Park 4.15pm Hurdle Final (2m 3f) An ultra-competitie event. I A Connect is a dual winner already this term and is respected off top-weight. However, preference is for Glengouly. A dual winner at Gowran Park and Leopardstown this season, there could be more to come going forward. Selection: Glengouly 4.45pm Hurdle (2m 3f) Classic Getaway is a potential danger having scored in good style at Punchestown in January. However, he did disappoint when pulled-up at Cheltenham in March. Nicky Henderson saddles Fils Doudairies who is respected following a good second at the track in Aintree. Ganapathi also merits inclusion, but this demands more following a third at Cork last time out. Gibraltar is another interesting contender following a second at Cork and looks open to more progress. Selection: Gibraltar 5.20pm Grade One Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (3m) The Nice Guy is unbeaten in four starts and plundered the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle in fine style at the Cheltenham Festival, defeating Minella Cocooner in the process. Minella Crooner missed that race through injury, but does look a fascinating runner here having previously finished second to Minella Cocooner in Grade One company. Grade Two winner Bronn is another who commands respect. However, Journey With Me could relish the step up to three miles and can be forgiven when falling on testing ground in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last time. Selection: Journey With Me 5.55pm Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup (3m) Allaho heads the market for this event and he was brilliant when successful for the second time running in the Ryanair Chase. However, he is yet to win in two starts over three miles and that has to be a slight concern. Clan Des Obeaux is the defending champion in the race and is clearly a leading player having won the Aintree Bowl. Fakir Doudairies also brings winning Grade One form having scored at Aintree last time out. Other contenders include this years Cheltenham Gold Cup second Minella Indo, fourth Galvin and the sixth Al Boum Photo. Galvin is interesting in this event given his winning course and distance form and he is taken to return to winning ways here. Selection: Galvin 6.30pm Bumper (2m) Facile Vega, the brilliant son of Quevega, puts his unbeaten record on the line here. He was simply awesome when powering to victory in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and it is hard not to see the five-year-old retaining his unbeaten record here. American Mike was second in the Champion Bumper, but is respected along with Seabank Bistro who was fourth in the contest and Redemption Day who disappointed, but is capable of more progression. 7.05pm Handicap Chase (2m 5f) Willie Mullins looks to hold a strong hand and preference is for Ciel De Neige. He has run a number of excellent races this term and was narrowly denied in Grade Three company last time out. Royal Rendezvous has also run a number of good races this season and can give his stablemate the most to think about. Selection: Ciel De Neige 7.45pm Mares Bumper (2m) Dorans Weir was a winner in Listed company at Fairyhouse in April and should go close here. She defeated Pink In The Park and they face off again here. However, preference is for Lily Du Berlais. The six-year-old is unbeaten in two starts and showed brilliant battling qualities when successful at Leopardstown in February. She is open to so much more progression and is taken to score here. Selection: Lily Du Berlais Staff members chat behind Chinese and US flags displayed at the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing, on Sept 4, 2021. In an interview with Voice of America last week, George Friedman, the US geopolitical forecaster and strategist, said that, "I think the reality that China needs to face is that there is no East or West problem, but China and the United States". He went on to suggest that the US is willing to have a reasonable discussion with China and find a solution, implying that China was not. While this gets to the nub of the matter in rightly pointing out the crux of the problem is the failure of the two countries to communicate, he wrongly puts the blame for it on China, claiming that it chooses to present the US as hostile for "internal political reasons". For whatever purpose that is misleading, as it is the US that is portraying China as hostile for internal consumption, and it is the actions of the US that demonstrate its hostility, not the imaginings of China. His argument does not hold water as it ignores the fact that Beijing has repeatedly sought to initiate dialogue, even going so far as to provide Washington with a "Dummy's Guide on How to Ensure Dialogue Is Fruitful" by giving it two lists one detailing the mistakes the US is making in its relations with China and how to rectify them, lest the US be in any doubt. The second is a list of its core concerns just in case Washington has too much on its plate and has trouble recalling them. These include the Taiwan question, on which the US has been increasingly trying to push the envelope on its commitment to one China. To such an extent that there is growing speculation that it is trying to lure Beijing into a proxy war. Indeed, the US has become increasingly brazen in displaying the ill-will it harbors toward China, which has had the nerve to successfully follow its own development path avoiding putting the nation in hock to US designs and politics. Apart from waging a trade war against China, high-ranking US officials have openly called China the primary rival and a strategic adversary of the US, only stopping short of naming China an enemy. Washington has also targeted Chinese companies that have grown to be multinationals, especially those in the high-tech sector, and banned them from doing business in the US. But this is only the tip of the iceberg compared with the strategic containment and encirclement the US has instigated against China both on the regional level and on China's wider periphery. Also, in his summary dismissal of an East-West divide, Friedman conveniently ignores Washington's penchant for rallying its Western allies around its anti-China banner and its action-oriented clique-building with them targeting China, as well as its efforts to decouple China from the global system through a process of exclusion. Washington is clearly not extending the hand of friendship to Beijing with such moves. Nor has it responded in any meaningful way to Beijing's urging that the channels of communication that were shut down by the previous US administration be reopened. Dialogue is indeed the key to better China-US relations, but it is Washington, not Beijing, that is unwilling to talk. Lynn Grooms writes about the diversity of agriculture, including the industrys newest ideas, research and technologies as a staff reporter for Agri-View based in Wisconsin. By James M. Dorsey Russia and the Nordic countries' pavilions at this year's Venice Biennale, the world's most prestigious art exhibition, project two different concepts of civilization, nationalism and sovereignty that have come to blows in Ukraine. Newly renovated, brooding and inward-looking, Russia's art nouveau pavilion stands empty and abandoned after its Lithuanian curator and artists resigned in protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A lone armed guard is what is left of what would have been Russia's cultural contribution. The pavilion, located in Giardini, a Venice city park, is expected to attract protesters instead of visitors. By contrast, the modern structure representing the Nordic states, Sweden, Norway and Finland radiates light and openness at a time that Russia's actions have prompted Swedes and Finns to consider trading in their long-standing neutrality for membership in Moscow's nemesis, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Nordic pavilion also breathes the kind of inclusiveness and historical reconciliation that is diametrically opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's concept of a Russian world whose borders are defined by representations of Russian civilization rather than international law. By dedicating their gazebo to the Sami and letting artists from an indigenous minority populate it, Scandinavians opted to project an ethnicity that views them as colonizers. "It acknowledges the Sami as a nation that exists across contiguous borders; it makes space for a different notion of nation," said Jolene Rickard, an art historian specializing in indigenous art and a member of the Tuscarora Nation, a Native American tribe. The unprecedented gesture projects a national and ethnic identity that, even though it crosses internationally recognized boundaries and is civilizational, is all-encompassing, welcoming and harmonious. It jars with the civilizationism advocated by Putin and his autocratic counterparts in Asia, Europe and the Americas that is fueled by anger, grievance, righteousness and a quest for an imaginary past. By implication, the Nordic pavilion puts forward a 21st-century notion of sovereignty that acknowledges that multiple 21st-century common challenges and identities transcend national borders. It is a notion that embraces globalization rather than a definition of sovereignty that puts the nation-state beyond international law and the supervision of supranational organizations like the United Nations, views the nation as a homogeneous, ethnocultural entity where minorities or immigrants are accepted only if they agree to assimilate and embraces economic protectionism as a defense against globalization. A traditionally semi-nomadic people who number some 100,000, the Sami are scattered across northern Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia's Kola Peninsula. For much of the last two centuries, they were culturally repressed and endangered by deforestation and settlement on lands where they lived, hunted and herded reindeer. Definitions of nationalism, civilizationism and sovereignty are one aspect of the Sami struggle and perhaps not the one that is foremost in Sami minds. More immediate for them are their critical 21st-century challenges that have shaped their quest: the impact of climate change, the building of wind turbine farms on their land, land dispossession for mineral extraction and dam construction. The Sami-themed pavilion in Venice is the latest Nordic step in recognizing the groups' rights and addressing past wrongs. Despite having their own elected parliaments in Scandinavia that focus on cultural, educational and developmental issues, many Samis feel that racism remains rife and that they still have little say about what happens on or to their land. As a result, Samis may feel that Nordic states could do more. Even so, the principles underlying the Nordic engagement entail a vision of identity, nationalism and civilization that holds out the prospect of a world in which grievances and challenges are addressed non-violently in accordance with accepted norms and rules. Despite the rise of populist anti-immigrant sentiment in countries like Sweden, Nordic engagement contrasts starkly with Russia's track record of violent confrontation, brutal military aggression and land grabs in violation of international law. The juxtaposition of the Russian and Nordic pavilions at the Biennale graphically illustrates the battle for the shape of this century's world order that is being fought in the streets of Ukrainian cities, towns and villages. It is a battle not only over Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity but also over the definition of the concepts of sovereignty, nationalism and civilization. Dr. James M. Dorsey (jamesmdorsey@substack.com) is an award-winning journalist and scholar, a senior fellow at the National University of Singapore's Middle East Institute and adjunct senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. By Kim Sang-woo The apparent attack and sinking of the Black Sea Fleet's flagship, the Moskva, represents a symbolic blow to the Kremlin. The Moskva was the pride of its fleet and the most prestigious vessel involved in the war against Ukraine. "The sinking of the Moskva is not just a significant loss, it is emblematic of the shambolic Russian military campaign," said Michael Kofman, the research program director and a Russia expert at the Center for Naval Analysis. Confirmation of the sinking came as CIA Director William Burns warned that Vladimir Putin may resort to using a tactical or low-yield nuclear weapon in light of his country's military setbacks. During a speech in Atlanta, Burns said: "Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons." The Kremlin placed Russian nuclear forces on high alert shortly after beginning the war on Feb. 24, and furthered its nuclear rhetoric on April 14 when it said it would be forced to strengthen its defenses in the Baltic if Finland and Sweden join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including by deploying nuclear weapons. Burns, however, said the U.S. has not seen "a lot of practical evidence" of any actual deployments that could cause more worry. Recently, Russia successfully tested the Sarmat ICBM and President Vladimir Putin boasted: "This truly unique weapon will ensure the security of Russia from external threats, and make those who try to threaten our country think twice." Asked about Putin's comments, a senior U.S. defense official called them irresponsible. "We find that rhetoric to be unhelpful certainly it's not the kind of thing that we would expect from a responsible nuclear power, especially in the current environment." Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said that the Sarmat's ability to carry ten or more warheads and decoys and Russia's option of firing it over either of the earth's poles, posed a challenge to ground and satellite-based radar and tracking systems: "This complicates where you've got to look." Launching the Ukraine invasion, Putin made a pointed reference to Russia's nuclear forces and warned the West that any attempt to get in its way "will lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history." Failure in Ukraine could put Putin's own political survival at risk. His ultimate risks are his removal from office, imprisonment, and possibly even execution. Accordingly, Putin is far more likely to press harder in Ukraine than to acquiesce to a negotiated settlement that leaves him without tangible gains. The use of tactical nuclear weapons inside Ukraine is also a possibility in a last bid to achieve a military success. As NATO's nuclear umbrella doesn't extend over Ukraine, Putin may discount the possibility of retaliation. The shock of such an event would be profound and could even lead to Ukraine submission or acceptance of unfavorable terms. To counter the threat of a Russian first-use nuclear strike and regain freedom of action, the United States and NATO must return to the core deterrence principles of capability and credibility. NATO's nuclear forces, though much reduced, are absolutely capable of overwhelming Russia's. NATO's credibility, on the other hand, is constantly undermined when leaders publicly express fears that Putin will employ his nuclear arsenal, and they must at all costs avoid pushing him into a corner. A resolve not to be bullied is essential. Deterrence works best when leaders are direct, unambiguous, resolute, and calm. As President Emmanuel Macron reminded Russia recently, the West has nuclear weapons too. Over the last few weeks, such nuclear talk has arisen over a myriad of issues. If the war continues to go badly for Russia, at what point will a seemingly erratic Putin begin issuing nuclear redlines to Ukraine and its allies? Would a crushing military defeat push Putin over the edge facing the possible end of his regime? Ukraine nuke talk spins off into lots of other places. Nuclear North Korea is resuming its ballistic missile launches to intimidate non-nuclear South Korea and Japan. China is rapidly expanding its nuclear stockpiles as well. On April 17, North Korea test-fired a new type of tactical guided weapon designed to boost its nuclear fighting capability. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim Jong-un and other top officials observed the launch. It said that the weapon tested has "great significance in drastically improving the firepower of the frontline long-range artillery units, enhancing the efficiency in the operation of (North Korea's) tactical nukes and diversification of their firepower missions." The mention of the word "tactical nukes" suggests that the weapon is likely capable of carrying a battlefield nuclear warhead that could hit strategic targets in South Korea, including U.S. military installations. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul said, "Pyongyang's purposes likely exceed deterrence and regime survival. Like Russia employs the fear it could use tactical nukes, North Korea may want such weapons for political coercion, battlefield escalation and limiting the willingness of other countries to intervene in a conflict." Lately, the media seems fixated on hyping the relative stockpiles and megatonnage of various nuclear states, as if they were GDP or energy output data. The world seems nuclear-obsessed. Is there a danger in normalizing the abnormal and casually thinking the unthinkable? "The prospect of nuclear conflict, once unthinkable, is now back within the realm of possibility," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last month. This "strange voyage," in Winston Churchill's words, is a journey into the unknown, as all wars are. The best we can do is to prepare for the worst. At stake now is an international order founded on something other than brute force and imperial ambition. Kim Sang-woo (swkim54@hotmail.com) is a former lawmaker and is currently the chairman of the East Asia Cultural Project. He is also a member of the board of directors at the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation. By Nancy Qian CHICAGO After signaling that it was moving to a more nuanced COVID-19 policy, Shanghai a city of 26 million was pressured by the central government to lock down in late March, and has only just started to ease restrictions after almost one month. The official reason for this drastic policy shift is that citywide testing had revealed high infection rates. Yet one is left wondering why the authorities didn't opt for a less costly alternative to a complete lockdown. After all, Omicron, which now accounts for almost all new cases globally, has only mild effects on vaccinated people. And while China's elderly population does have a surprisingly low vaccination rate (around 60 percent), immunizing this cohort is well within the country's messaging and mobilization capabilities. Moreover, complete lockdowns have high economic costs. Economists estimate that Shanghai's closure could reduce overall Chinese GDP by 4 percent this year. And Chinese authorities have introduced additional economic uncertainty by shifting suddenly from a four-day lockdown to an indefinite one. Shanghai officials did not have time to set up the infrastructure needed to sustain a prolonged lockdown, and residents were unable to stock up on enough food before being confined to their homes. The fact that the city has recorded only 17 deaths (as of April 20, 2022) has added to the public's anger and frustration. Two facts are crucial to understanding the rationale for the lockdown. First, while the Chinese government aims to be a global leader in vaccine production, Chinese vaccines are widely considered to be less effective than those being produced and administered elsewhere. If an easing of the lockdown were to result in higher mortality rates among vaccinated Chinese (compared to vaccinated populations elsewhere), China would be deeply and publicly embarrassed. Second, there is an ongoing competition within the Chinese leadership between those who believe in strong centralized authority and those who prefer more decentralized governance. After the disastrous one-size-fits-all policies of the Great Leap Forward in the 1950s, the post-1978 reform government devolved decision-making to regional governments, which were given much more autonomy over economic policy and were encouraged to compete with one another. Fiscal federalism was very effective at promoting growth, but it also gave regional governments a taste for independence. To counter this tendency, the central government has invested a large share of its growing revenues since the early 2000s in centralizing mechanisms, such as by expanding the bureaucracy and strengthening tax enforcement. But, because regional governments' interests are not always aligned with those of the national government, re-centralization has been unpopular in many provinces. A recent example is the trade war with the United States, which generated nationalist support but damaged the economies of coastal manufacturing cities like Shanghai. The central government's argument for re-centralization is that it allows Chinese authorities to mobilize resources and make investments that are good for the country but that local governments would never pursue on their own. One example is China's rapid infrastructure development. A highway connecting two cities can provide large benefits overall, but if a town along the route objects to its construction and has a say in the matter, the project might not proceed. China's strong centralized decision-making avoids such problems. The most highly publicized example of beneficial centralized power is China's response to COVID-19 during the first phase of the pandemic. Through rapid lockdowns, mandatory quarantines, and mass testing, it achieved some of the lowest infection and death rates in the world a remarkable feat for a middle-income country with one of the world's highest population densities. Shanghai, however, refused to impose a mass lockdown. In addition to being the largest urban economy in China and the glittering jewel of the post-1978 reforms, the city has a history of free thinking. Reflecting the post-Opium War melting pot of European colonists and adventurers, White Russian and Jewish refugees, Chinese triads, and other groups, it has long been the place where East meets West. Modern political leaders from Communist Party founders to Kuomintang figures such as Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek as well as some of the greatest twentieth-century Chinese writers (Lu Xun, Qian Zhongshu, Eileen Chang) have had deep ties to the city. Today, Shanghai's residents are among the most educated, well-traveled, and wealthiest in China. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the city often experienced rates of per capita income growth as high as 28 percent per year, generating massive revenues for the central government in Beijing and making it accustomed to having a greater say over its affairs than most other cities. When it comes to economic and administrative management, Shanghai's residents often feel superior even to Beijing. Merited or not, these beliefs, combined with the importance of the Shanghai economy, mean that the central government must manage the city delicately. That is why Shanghai previously was permitted to deviate from the national lockdown policy. It pursued a more flexible approach, locking down individual blocks instead of the entire city. And when rising Omicron cases became inevitable, it distributed (voluntary) at-home antigen tests, a measure that one is more likely to see in Western countries than in other parts of China. The fact that Beijing ultimately overruled the Shanghai leadership can be viewed as a sign that the centralizers are asserting their power over the proponents of decentralized decision-making. But who will shoulder the blame for the wide-ranging economic and social costs that resulted from the lockdown? Will it fall on Shanghai for letting infection rates rise, or on those who forced the city into the sudden lockdown? The answer will be an indication of the future of China's recentralization efforts. Nancy Qian, professor of managerial economics and decision sciences at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, is founding director of China Econ Lab and Northwestern's China Lab and leads the Kellogg development economics initiative. This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). By Tom Plate Ever since my first meeting with Lee Kuan Yew a quarter of a century ago, Singapore has remained in my mind as a special place. By the time of the founding prime minister's passing at age 91 in 2015, that assessment was going global; even in Hong Kong circles, where desultory governance and economic factors, especially housing, seemed to inspire spasms of exodus, Singapore seemed a smart option. It was not always thus. There was a time when Western media barely noticed the island city-state, and when it did the storyline was predictably a rehash of the 1994 caning of a visiting American teenager, or of odd restrictions on chewing gum sales. No longer. Today's Singapore storyline might be imagined as a combination of Hollywood films such as "Crazy Rich Asians" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Perhaps even that encomium somewhat shorts Singapore. For government and political science nerds (like myself), the Southeast Asian polity offers almost textbook lessons on how to pull off professional modern governance. Employing the utilitarian standard that only better economic and social outcomes can justify government, Singapore has set exemplary standards. And those outcomes high per capita income, state-of-the-art public infrastructure engineering and an exemplary educational system remain on display as the city-state moves to select its fourth prime minister since its 1965 founding. At this point, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has successfully emerged as the compromise leader of the dominant People's Action Party, tabbing him as presumed successor to Lee Hsien Loong, now 70, eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore's prime minister since 2004. Not everyone is stuck on Singapore, of course. Some people persist in viewing it as a one-off oddball of a city-state. Then there is scoffing at its population size: 5.5 million. So what? Prominent countries with comparable population sizes include Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway. Size is important but it's not everything. Some of my American colleagues trash-talk it as little more than a claustrophobic one-party state. Really? Consider Japan, arguably a one-party state embraced by the octopus known as the Liberal Democratic Party: It's nonetheless a key ally of the U.S. (struggling, by contrast, with its non-exemplary two-party system). History may be nudging Singapore, with a per-capita income 1.5 times that of Japan, closer to Tokyo's role as a Washington comfort pillow. At their joint media appearance at the White House last month, the two emphasized their bilateral connections. Midway through his carefully prepared statement, Lee noted: "Singapore is the second-largest Asian investor in the U.S., and the U.S. is the largest investor in Singapore." He then pointedly underlined his government's concurrence with the U.S.' condemnation of Russia's military assault on Ukraine's sovereignty: "We cannot condone any country arguing that another country's independence is the result of historical errors and crazy decisions." Niftily put; easily the best quip of the press appearance. Singapore's value to the U.S. is enhanced by its littoral location in Southeast Asia near Indonesia and Australia, by its role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and by its reputation, justified or not, as an East-West go-between with Beijing. An American reporter even dangled the phrase "China Whisperer" to Lee in a press meeting, but Lee was having none of that, even after the reporter persisted with, "Well, could you be?" The prime minister was not for turning: "No we cannot, we are not part of the family. We are an ethnic Chinese majority country in Southeast Asia. Multiracial, multi-religious with independent, national interests and priorities and [the Chinese] treat us as such. And we remind them that that is so." Singapore's shyness on this point will not convince everyone. It is well known that it cooperates with the Pentagon in Washington and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It even houses what might be described as a military hostel for the U.S. Navy on its turf. At the same time, it does enjoy a certain kind of special connection with China. This goes back to the young Lee Kuan Yew's famous effort half a century ago to be sherpa, cordially but carefully, to the economic reformer Deng Xiaoping's foray into the brave new world (for China) of 20th century capitalism and non-state entrepreneurship. Singapore may not want to be seen as working both sides of the China-U.S. street but surely it's an asset to have such a strategically located service on hand, whispered or not. As former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo once put it: "Singapore's relationship is that of a relative. We are not family, but we get pulled into the family's conversations from time to time. We cannot avoid being affected by the grand drama of the Chinese mainland. Singapore's involvement in the affairs of China goes back to the last days of the Qing Dynasty." What's Singapore's secret? Any number of factors, surely, but one, in particular, resurfaces in volume 2 of journalist Peh Shing Huei's recent biography of the second prime minister, Goh Chok Tong (1990-2004). The book is lengthy, but superb in detail and quality of storytelling. Chapter Six is titled: "To Not Be Mediocre." That might well qualify as the Singapore moniker. This exceptional nation fields its best brainiacs as well as anyone. May it proceed apace, if not grow, as both "China Whisperer" and "Washington Comfort Pillow." Peace needs all the help it can get, however it can get it. Tom Plate (platecolumn@gmail.com), a distinguished scholar of Asian and Pacific affairs at Loyola Marymount University, is the author of "Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew: How to Build a Nation" (Giants of Asia series). He is also vice-president of the Pacific Century Institute in Los Angeles. The above article was distributed by the South China Morning Post. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Tai chi instructor Greg Vick of Auburn leads exercises on World Tai Chi Day one year ago in the Eckhart Public Library park of Auburn. This years observance will be Saturday from 10-11 a.m. in the park and is open to the public. On April 27, 2022, Dreamcatcher announced the dates for their concerts in the United States, in line with their second world tour. Keep on reading for all the details here. Dreamcatcher Announces U.S. Dates for 2nd World Tour On April 27, 2020, Dreamcatcher took to their social media accounts to announce the United States show dates for their second world tour, "[Apocalypse : Save us]." For the United States leg of the tour, Dreamcatcher is expected to start in New York on June 28 and end in Los Angeles on July 17. ALSO READ: Dreamcatcher Draws Applause for Live Vocals During Encore Stage As mentioned, Dreamcatcher's first show date will be on June 28 in New York City, New York. The girls will perform at the Palladium Times Square. This will be Dreamcatcher's only concert in June. Their second show date is July 1 and will be in Reading, Pennsylvania. The girl group will perform at the Santander Arena. Then, on July 3, Dreamcatcher will perform in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Old Forester's Paris town Hall. On July 7, Dreamcatcher will perform in Chicago, Illinois, at the Radius Chicago. The following show date will be July 9, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They will perform at the Skyway Theater. After, Dreamcatcher will perform in Denver, Colorado, on July 12 at the Filmore Auditorium. They will then go to San Francisco, California, and perform at The Midway on July 14. ALSO READ: Dreamcatcher Reveals Members Stopped Doing This Amid 5th Year Together Their final show date in the United States is July 17, in Los Angeles, California. Dreamcatcher will perform at The Wiltern. [] 2022 Dreamcatcher() World Tour [Apocalypse : Save us] in USA Ticket Open 22.04.29 (FRI) AM 08:00 (PST) 22.04.29 (FRI) AM 11:00 (EST) 22.04.30 (SAT) AM 00:00 (KST) [New York] 6/28 Palladium Times Square https://t.co/WKhaXsajUX pic.twitter.com/hfKgqJEGBW Dreamcatcher (@hf_dreamcatcher) April 27, 2022 Currently, these are the only confirmed show dates. However, they might add more dates if there is a demand. Will you be attending one of Dreamcatcher's shows? Tell us in the comments below! Dreamcatcher Recent Activities On April 12, 2022, Dreamcatcher released their second Korean-language full-length album, "Apocalypse: Save Us." and its title track, "MAISON." On April 19, Hanteo Chart announced that Dreamcatcher broke their first-week sales record, with "Apocalypse: Save Us" achieving 85,123 sold. Their previous record was 75,551 for "Summer Holiday." "Apocalypse: Save Us" became the first K-pop girl group album to ever hit number one on the U.S. iTunes Tops Albums Chart in 2022. They are the fifth K-pop girl group in iTunes history to achieve this feat. On April 20, Dreamcatcher won their first-ever music show win of their career with "MAISON" on MBC's "Show Champion." It took Dreamcatcher over 1,900 days to win a music show trophy. The girl group took home their second music show win for "MAISON" on April 26 on "THE SHOW." For more K-Pop news, follow and subscribe to KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Alexa Lewis ENHYPEN member Jungwon was selected as the idol with the cutest rice cake-like cheeks. Keep on reading to see the complete list here! ENHYPEN Jungwon Selected as Idol With Cutest Rice Cake Cheeks From April 14 to April 29, StarPlay held a poll titled "The idol with cute, soft rice cake cheeks." In the survey, users are encouraged to select the idol with cute cheeks that are so squishy "that you can feel even through the screen." Voters are also encouraged to choose the idol that captivates their hearts with their chubby cheeks. Their cheeks must be so cute that "you can't stop crying." The idol who wins first place will win one Seoul Station CM board video advertisement. In addition, several Korean media outlets will also write about their win in this poll. Ranking in the first place is ENHYPEN's leader, Jungwon. The rookie male idol received 754,330 votes. This is approximately 57.94% of the total votes cast. He is the only member of ENHYPEN to rank in the top ten. Though he is the leader of ENHYPEN, the fans and the members often praise Jungwon for his adorable energy when he is off stage. The members have stated that they thought he was cute the first time they met Jungwon. When he is not performing, he has a cute personality. Due to his wide array of charms, it is no surprise that Jungwon ranked first! His cheeks are home to one of Jungwon's charming points his dimples! When Jungwon smiles, his cheeks are more pronounced, and fans can see his adorable dimples. When he smiles, his eyes become more feline-line, which ENGENEs love. Second place went to DKZ member Jae Chan, while third place went to NCT member Jisung. Congratulations, Jungwon! These 10 K-Pop Idols Have the Cutest Rice Cake Cheeks 1. ENHYPEN Jungwon - 754,330 votes (57.94%) 2. DKZ Jae Chan - 176,008 votes (13.52%) 3. NCT Jisung - 171,812 votes (13.20%) 4. Kim Jaehwan - 102,723 votes (7.89%) 5. Kep1er Mashiro - 54,613 votes (4.19%) 6. aespa Ningning - 20,051 votes (1.54%) 7. MONSTA X Hyungwon - 11,180 votes (0.86%) 8. BLACKPINK Jennie - 5,720 votes (0.44%) 9. STAYC Isa - 4,922 votes (0.38%) 10. NMIXX Kyujin - 660 votes (0.05%) Did your favorite K-pop idol make the top ten? Tell us in the comments below! ENHYPEN Recent Activities In March 2022, ENHYPEN was named the model for the 2022 Nike Air Max promotions in Japan. The boys were appointed as models by ABC-Mart, a Japanese footwear company. Those who purchase shoes will received special benefits, such as AR experience and original stickers. On February 11, 2022, ENHYPEN member Sunwoo tested positive for COVID-10. On February 15, it was announced that the idol had fully recovered and was discharged from protocolary quarantine. He returned to group activties on February 16. For more K-Pop news, follow and subscribe to KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Reported by Alexa Lewis Welcome Guest! You Are Here: U.S. Highway 12, eastbound towards Lake Geneva, will be closed for emergency repairs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 29. "This closure is required for emergency pothole repair," according to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. If repairs are not completed, the road will be close again from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 2. The closure will be from the County Highway NN interchange in Elkhorn to the State Highway 120 interchange in Lake Geneva. For more information, follow the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on Twitter @WisDOTsoutheast or visit https://projects.511wi.gov/region/southeast/ The closure is weather dependent and subject to change. State health officials are investigating four cases of children with significant and unexplained liver damage, including one child who needed a liver transplant and one who died. A state Department of Health Services health alert Wednesday asked doctors to be on the lookout for cases of acute hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, combined with infection of a particular type of adenovirus that usually causes diarrhea or vomiting. Clinicians should consider adenovirus testing in pediatric patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology, said the alert from Dr. Ryan Westergaard, a chief medical officer with the state health department. No details were provided on the ages or locations of the children. DHS spokesperson Jennifer Miller declined to provide the information, citing privacy concerns. Public Health Madison and Dane County spokesperson Morgan Finke said she has not been aware of any of these cases being in Dane County. An April 21 health advisory by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nine such cases in Alabama and North Carolina, involving children who tested negative for hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E. The World Health Organization said Saturday that at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis in children have been reported in 11 countries, including 17 who needed liver transplants and one death. Most of the cases have been reported in the United Kingdom. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain and jaundice, the Wisconsin alert said. Adenoviruses are spread by close personal contact, respiratory droplets and objects such as utensils or furniture. They typically cause respiratory illness but some, such as the type 41 adenovirus involved in the hepatitis cases, cause gastroenteritis, or diarrhea and vomiting. Corner 17 called out an Instagram influencer for his negative review after the restaurant turned down his offer to give a promotional pitch for $100. New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI/PNN): An Indian graduate, Raul Rath, with a Bachelor of Design from the University of Melbourne, encourages us to consider how millions of trees are cut down every year for the creation of physical business cards. To help minimize this issue of deforestation in a world where the effects of climate change are a cause for serious concern, Raul Rath's design studio, WISQEY Studios, has recently released an innovative mobile app - LYNKE - that allows us to create and share personalized business cards. This completely free app, now available on the Play Store and the Apple App Store, makes creating, updating and sharing digital business cards extremely convenient. The best part is that it allows us all to do our bit for the environment by going paperless when it comes to our business cards. LYNKE, a very simple app to use, makes it easy for anyone with a smartphone to create their own personalized digital business card - their own 'LYNKE'. When you first download the app, you can create a new account for yourself by verifying your email address and entering some basic registration details. You can then choose a custom theme and LYNKE ID for your digital business card, adding information to your card that is displayed through interactive icons. Your digital business card is then ready to share. To make this app even more game-changing, you can edit your business card as often as you like (as opposed to paying for a set of new business cards every time your phone number changes), add others to your contacts list (never lose someone's business card again), and share your LYNKE business card across a variety of platforms. Also Read | IPL 2022: Congress Leader P Chidambaram Wants SRH Pacer Umran Malik Inducted into the Indian National Cricket Team. LYNKE was created keeping in mind the global challenges that we are faced with today. Raul believes that "the impacts of climate change can be catastrophic, and the continued use of paper to make physical business cards is only making things worse. The team behind LYNKE hopes to change this story." Roughly 100 billion business cards are produced each year, leading to the loss of approximately 6 million trees. Considering almost 88 per cent of all business cards are thrown away within a week, LYNKE offers us a much more environment-friendly option. "The fact there are about 6.6 billion smartphone users worldwide, we need to rethink our choices when it comes to how we share our personal or professional information." COVID-19 on the other hand, with social distancing, no-contact policies, remote-working, and the risk of infection, has created other issues for the exchange of physical business cards. LYNKE allows digital business cards to be updated in real-time and shared with others from a distance - no contact necessary. "This aims to solve the problems that traditional business cards carry," says Raul. Considering the world has made great advancements in technology, it is time to put a stop to deforestation for the production of business cards. "Physical business cards are difficult to manage and impossible to update," Raul explains. The app's advanced yet easy-to-use editing options means that even after a LYNKE has been shared, it will always hold the most up-to-date information. This cutting-edge mobile app offers us a solution to the pressing issues that surround us. Also Read | Gujarat Day 2022 Date, History and Significance: Everything You Need To Know About Gujarat Sthapana Divas or the Formation Day of Gujarat. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) (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 28 (ANI): As Delhi breached the 40-degree temperature mark this week, a private forecaster, Skymet Weather on Wednesday issued a warning with the prediction that heatwaves will last until the end of this month and may witness a downfall at the beginning of May. The national capital recorded the highest temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius at Siri Fort Complex on Wednesday. A 'yellow alert' has also been sounded for Delhi. Also Read | Sony Likely To Launch New Xperia Smartphones on May 11, 2022. Skymet Weather said that the heatwaves will not only restrict to Delhi but will also affect the residents of North India. Taking to Twitter, Skymet Weather wrote, "These heatwave conditions will last until the end of this month with sultry conditions affecting the residents of North India. However, heatwave conditions may see a backseat at the beginning of May." Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: SSB Jawan Booked For Allegedly Raping 24-Year-Old Woman in Lakhimpur Kheri. "Temperatures are expected to be shooting above 43 degrees. The state of Rajasthan may see maximums above 45 degrees Celsius as well. The states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are all set to see a comeback of heatwave conditions, starting April 28 until the end of the month," the weather forecasting department further said in a tweet. Meanwhile, IMD scientist RK Jenamani also informed that northern India will likely experience a dust storm on April 29, causing a drop in temperature from May 1 onwards. As per the IMD, heatwave conditions in isolated pockets are very likely over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, interior Gangetic West Bengal, interior Odisha and northern parts of Gujarat State. In addition, Manmohan Singh, director of Meteorological Centre Chandigarh also said that the temperature is being recorded as warmer than normal. "In the coming days, the temperature will rise, heatwave warning has been issued for some places in Punjab and Haryana," he added. Notably, Northwest India this year recorded the hottest March in 122 years, with an average maximum temperature surpassing the previous record of 30.67 degrees Celsius in 2004. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Diphu/Dibrugarh/Guwahati (Assam), Apr 28 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while speaking at a rally at Diphu, 250 kms east of Guwahati, said efforts are on to remove AFSPA completely from the northeast region. Also Read | OnePlus 10R 5G Launched in India; First Sale on May 4, 2022. Later, addressing a rally at Dibrugarh in Assam after inaugurating seven cancer care centres and laying the foundation stone for seven others across the state, Modi said that he does not want anyone to fall ill but if they do, we have built hospitals for them to get the best treatment without any financial burden. Also Read | 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: Former Congress Leader Sajjan Kumar Gets Bail in Murder Case. Addressing a 'Peace, Unity and Development' rally, he said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act could be withdrawn from various parts of the region as the law and order situation has improved in the last eight years. "As the (law and order) situation improved with 75 per cent decrease in violence in the region, there have been changes in the imposition of laws. The AFSPA was first revoked in Tripura and then in Meghalaya," he said. The previous governments in Assam in the last three decades had extended it again and again as there was no improvement in the law and order situation, Modi said. "Due to the proper control of the situation in the last eight years, the AFSPA has been removed from most parts of the state. We are trying to withdraw it from the remaining parts too. "The Act is applicable in some areas of Nagaland and Manipur, and we are working speedily to revoke it completely," he said. Earlier this year, the Centre had announced reduction of the disturbed areas imposed under the AFSPA in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur from April 1. Prime Minister Modi also said the effect of the BJP's "double engine" government is evident in the return of permanent peace and speedy development in Assam. The term "double engine" is used by BJP leaders to refer to the party being in power at the Centre as well as in a state. The government has entered into peace agreements in Assam's Karbi Anglong and in Tripura, while efforts are on to ensure permanent peace and speedy development in the entire region, he said. "Several outfits of Karbi Anglong returned to the mainstream to march forward in the path of peace and development. The Bodo Agreement in 2020 paved the way for peace in the region and in Tripura, the NLFT also came forward for the peace, while the two-and-a-half decade long Bru-Reang issue was resolved," he said. Permanent peace returned to the region, and speedy development in the northeastern states was ensured due to a collective effort of the Centre and the state governments, Modi said. He stated that this process is "on and will continue in the future." "Earlier, the northeast was known for bomb blasts and violence and the worst sufferers were our mothers, sisters and children. Now as I see the smile on their faces when the youths have given up their arms, I feel God is showering blessings on me," the Prime Minister said. The Centre has always tried to resolve difficulties of people in Karbi Anglong and other tribal areas with the policy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas' (with everybody, for everyone's development and with everyone's belief), he said. Besides, efforts have been made to solve border disputes among states in the region in a cordial manner, he said. The recent boundary agreement between Meghalaya and Assam will encourage the others to resolve the issues and help them march forward, he said. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for colleges of veterinary science and agriculture and a model government college in Karbi Anglong and also launched 2,985 'Amrit Sarovar' projects across Assam. The Rs 1000-crore projects for Karbi Anglong will give new opportunities to youths, particularly those who have returned to the mainstream to participate in the nation-building process, the PM said. "These foundations are not just that of any building or institution but are the foundations for the bright future of the youths of Karbi Anglong," he said. Speaking on 'Amrit Sarovars' in the state, as a part of the Azadi ke Amrit Utsav to commemorate 75th anniversary of India's Independence, the prime minister said he had started this in Jammu and Kashmir last week, and in Assam, "these facilities will not only be a source of water but also of income generation". Later, addressing a rally after dedicating seven cancer care centres and laying the foundation of an equal number in Dibrugarh, the Prime Minister said that the government is committed to further strengthen the health infrastructure and facilities to provide the best and the cheapest treatment to the ill, particularly those suffering from cancer. He said that he does not want anyone to fall ill but if they do, ''we have built hospitals for them to get the best treatment without any financial burden''. There was a time when setting up one hospital in seven years was a big achievement but times have changed with seven cancer hospitals inaugurated on the same day while three more will be ready in the next few months, he said. ''Hospitals are necessary and the government is setting these up, but I pray for the good health of all and do not want anybody to go there. If hospitals are empty, I will be happy but if people fall ill, they can go there without any hesitation and get the best treatment'', Modi said. Cancer is detected in large numbers not only in Assam but the entire North East and the worst affected are the poor and the middle class. Earlier, people had to go outside the state for treatment and this resulted in a huge financial burden for them, he said. During the last five to six years, the former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, present Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata have taken the initiative to set up the Assam Cancer Care Foundation to provide cheap and effective treatment to cancer patients, Modi said. ''This is a great service to humanity and I thank them for taking this initiative'', he added. The Prime Minister said that the centre has also focused on cancer treatment in the Rs 1500 crore Special package earmarked for the North East in this year's Union budget as this serious disease weakens the economic condition of the cancer patients family with many forced to take loans. Medicines will be made available to cancer patients at half the price under the 'Jan Aushadi' scheme and make 900 medicines available at a lower rate. Meanwhile, AAP, a new entrant to Assam politics, staged state-wide demonstrations against price rise coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the northeastern state. Police detained several AAP members who were protesting in Guwahati, while demonstrations were also staged in Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Dhubri and Tinsukia. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday lashed out at Telanagana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrashekar Rao and said that he has no right to speak about communal clashes alleging that his party aligns with parties which give communal statements. His statement comes after Rao said that politics over hijab and halal do not bode well for the country's image. Also Read | Vivo T1 Pro 5G, Vivo T1 44W Smartphones To Be Launched in India on May 4, 2022. "KCR does not have the right to speak a word about the communal clashes. KCR aligns with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party which gives out with anti-Hindu statements like 'if security forces are withdrawn for 15 minutes in the country, we (Muslims) will finish 100 crore Hindus'," Reddy told ANI. He further alleged that Majlis party incited communal clashes in Hyderabad and also forcibly occupied the houses of the Hindus in the area dominated by the party. Also Read | Poco M4 5G Smartphone Launching Tomorrow in India; Key Specifications Revealed. On the increasing fuel prices, Reddy said that it is affected by the international market. "Petrol and diesel prices are more in countries like America, England, Garmany, Japan and others when compared to India. Due to the latest crisis, the fuel prices saw a steep increase but not much was increased in India. The Central government does not get any profit by increasing the fuel prices." He also said that the Central Government has reduced the VAT on petrol and diesel, and already at the same time, an appeal was made to all the provinces to reduce the state-level taxes. "Many BJP-ruled states and some others have reduced the VAT but some still have not. They must do it. Petrol and diesel rates have increased a lot in the world because in the international level crude oil rate has gone up and it has also affected rates in India. In this view, state governments must come forward to reduce VAT," Reddy said. Hitting out at TRS ruled Telangana, Reddy alleged that the highest fuel prices are in Telangana. "Telangana government is repeatedly giving speeches against the Central Government on petrol-diesel prices. They should instead come forward and give people some relief by reducing the prices," 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) Mumbai, April 28: PM Narendra Modi has appealed to states to reduce tax on petrol and diesel, but imported oil is taxed first by Centre and then the states, so the Centre should also reduce tax, said Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar on Thursday. Pawar said the state government did not increase any tax in the State budget this year. Maharashtra reduced tax on CNG due to which the state suffered a loss of Rs 1000 crores, he added. Pawar said that just like the Centre bought 'one nation, one tax' policy to promote the idea of Goods and Services Tax (GST), it should bring about the same change when it comes to levying taxes on petrol and diesel in the country. Speaking at a press conference today, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "Firstly, it remains to be seen how much GST money will come from the Centre to the state. PM Modi appealed to States and UTs to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel. In response, I would say that the Maharashtra Government did not increase any tax in the budget this year." No Fuel Price Hike in Telangana Since 2014, Centre Has No Right to Ask State to Reduce Taxes: KCR. "We can discuss petrol-diesel prices in cabinet today. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will tell us what happened in the meeting with PM Modi yesterday. Everyone in the country has to accept that the imported oil is taxed first by the Centre and then states, so the Centre should also reduce tax," Pawar said. The Minister said, "Like 'One Nation One Tax' policy, the Centre should consider making a policy on petrol and diesel. The Maharashtra government gives the maximum amount of taxes to the Central government. The Centre should take note of this fact." This comes a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed the Centre by saying that the state government cannot be held responsible for the hike in fuel prices. Thackeray told reporters on Wednesday after attending a meeting with the Prime Minister virtually, "Today, in the price of one litre of diesel in Mumbai, Rs 24.38 is for the Centre and Rs 22.37 is for the state. In petrol price, 31.58 paise is central tax and 32.55 paise state tax. Therefore, it is not a fact that petrol and diesel have become more expensive due to the state." The Maharashtra Chief Minister said, "Maharashtra collects the highest GST of 15 per cent in the country. Combining both direct taxes and GST, Maharashtra is the number one state in the country." On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a COVID-19 review meeting with Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel were amongst those present in the meeting. In the meeting, Prime Minister Modi appealed to the States ruled by non-BJP parties to reduce tax on fuel. He said prices of fuel were higher in many opposition-ruled states and urged them to reduce Value Added Tax in "national interest" and as a part of "cooperative federalism" to benefit the common man. (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, April 28: On the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the ties between the two countries have deepened in every sphere, be it strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts. The recent visit to India by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the annual summit laid out a roadmap for deepening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries in a post-Covid world, Modi said in a tweet, adding that he looked forward to continue working with Kishida to realise that objective. PM Narendra Modi To Visit Assam Today To Lay Foundation Stone for Several Developement Projects. He said, "As we celebrate 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan today, I am happy to see that our ties have deepened in every sphere, whether strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts." India and Japan established diplomatic relations on April 28, 1952, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 28 (ANI): Two Al-Badr terrorists were killed during an encounter in the Mitrigam area of Pulwama, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Thursday. "We had received information about three terrorists in Mitrigam village of Pulwama on Wednesday and as soon as the police launched cordon and search operation, firing began from the opposite end," said Vijay Kumar, the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: 19-Year-Old Delivery Boy Rapes Schoolgirl, Records Criminal Act on Phone in Surat; Arrested. According to the IGP, these two terrorists were a part of the group of four terrorists killed earlier this month, in the Shopian encounter (April 14). The police have recovered two AK 47 rifles from their possessions. Also Read | ONGC Recruitment 2022: Apply For 3614 Apprentice Vacancies at ongcindia.com; Check Details Here. Earlier on Sunday, three terrorists, including a deputy commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and a Pakistani terrorist, were killed in an encounter in Pulwama. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], April 28 (ANI): Lashing out at the Centre for asking the States to reduce VAT (value-added tax) on fuel, Telangana Industry and Commerce Minister KT Rama Rao on Wednesday demanded the central government to scrap the Cess on petrol and diesel across the country. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Centre responsible for the rising prices of petrol and diesel. Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: Case Registered Against Unidentified Miscreants for Dishonouring National Flag in Rajouri. "Fuel prices have shot up because of NPA (non-performing asset) Central government. Name calling states for not reducing VAT even though we never increased it; is this the cooperative federalism you are talking about Narendra Modi ji?. Telangana has not increased VAT on fuel since 2014 and rounded off only once," Rao tweeted. "We do not get 41 per cent of our rightful share because of the Cess imposed by your government. In the form of Cess, you are looting 11.4 per cent from the state and we are getting only 29.6 per cent for FY23. Please scrap Cess so we can give Petrol at Rs 70 and Diesel at Rs 60 all over India. One Nation - One Price?" added KTR. Also Read | Tecno Phantom X Premium Smartphone To Be Launched in India on April 29, 2022. In view of the increasing COVID cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of all the states via video conferencing and discussed various issues. The Prime Minister called upon opposition-ruled states to follow the Centre's decision by reducing taxes on petrol and diesel to provide relief to the people from the price hike. "In order to reduce the burden of rising petrol and diesel prices, the central government reduced the excise duty last November. We had urged the states too to reduce their taxes. Some states reduced the tax and provided benefits to the consumers but some did not do so," said PM Modi in the meeting. Naming opposition parties ruled states, PM Modi said, "Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu did not follow the advice of central government and people in these states are burdened with price rise." "I request these states to do now what they should have done in November. By reducing the VAT you can lower the burden faced by the residents," he added. The central government in November had reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively. Following the Center's decision, 25 states and Union Territories, mostly ruled by BJP or their allies had reduced VAT on petrol and diesel to give relief to consumers. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Apr 28 (PTI) Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey has written a letter to the Central Industrial Security Force's Director General to look into the role of the CISF personnel who were accompanying BJP leader Kirit Somaiya when the latter's SUV was allegedly attacked outside a police station here last week, an official said on Thursday. Also Read | Twitter Must Remain Politically Neutral, Says Elon Musk. Former BJP MP Somaiya enjoys 'Z plus' category CISF security cover. Also Read | India-Japan Ties Have Deepened in Every Sphere in 70 Years, Says PM Narendra Modi. In the letter written on Tuesday, Pandey asked the CISF's director general what their personnel were doing when the alleged incident took place, the official said. Somaiya had gone to the Khar police station on Saturday evening to meet arrested independent MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana when some Shiv Sena supporters allegedly hurling water bottles and footwear on the BJP leader's car. The BJP leader had later tweeted that he was injured in the attack by "Shiv Sena goons" and was going to the Bandra police station to file a complaint. Based on Somaiya's complaint, the police had registered an FIR and later arrested former Mumbai mayor Vishwananth Mahadeshwar and three other Shiv Sena members for allegedly vandalising the BJP leader's car. A delegation led by Somaiya had later met officials of the Union home ministry in connection with the incident. (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 28 (PTI) Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told a visiting European Union delegation, including EU special representative for human rights Eamon Gilmore, that constitutional and religious rights of every section are absolutely safe in India, sources in the ministry said on Thursday. The six-member delegation, which included Gilmore and EU Ambassador to India Ugo Astuto, called on Naqvi in Delhi, a day after they met National Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra and other members of the panel. Also Read | OnePlus Nord Buds Now Official in India, Priced at Rs 2,799. According to sources in the Minority Affairs Ministry, Naqvi told the delegation that constitutional and religious rights of every section are absolutely safe in India but "nobody has the right to indulge in forceful and fraudulent religious conversion". The minister told the delegation that some people have been constantly trying to "defame" Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India as a part of a "conspiracy", the sources said. Also Read | Heatwave in India: IMD Issues Orange Alert for Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, Temperatures Cross 45 Degree Celsius in Several Parts. He said that sometimes they write letters, while at other times they raise the "bogey of Islamophobia", according to the sources. Naqvi emphasised that the Modi government has given scholarships to over five crore minority students in the last eight years. He also told the delegation that the percentage of minorities in central government jobs has significantly increased to above 10 per cent. The sources said the minister told the delegation that the terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS may have been successful in their "nefarious designs" in Europe and other countries but they never succeeded in India. This is only because of India's strength of cultural co-existence and unity in diversity, he said, according to the sources. There was no official word from the side of the EU delegation on the meeting with Naqvi. (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 28 (ANI): Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday accused the Centre of "taunting" the Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories in the recent meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Chief Ministers were told that PM Modi would hold a meeting on COVID-19 situation in the country. Instead, PM Modi taunted the Chief Ministers of non-BJP states regarding petrol and diesel prices. It's not right. PM Modi was not expected to do so but CMs Uddhav Thackeray and Mamata Banerjee have given the answer," Raut said to reporters today. Also Read | Indias Ambassador to Japan, Sanjay Kumar Verma Inaugurated Ayurveda Day Organised Latest Tweet by Prasar Bharati News Services. This comes a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed the Centre by saying that the state government cannot be held responsible for the spike in fuel prices. Thackeray said to reporters on Wednesday after attending a meeting with the Prime Minister virtually, "Today, in the price of one litre of diesel in Mumbai, Rs 24.38 is for the Centre and Rs 22.37 is for the state. In petrol price, 31.58 paise is central tax and 32.55 paise state tax. Therefore, it is not a fact that petrol and diesel have become more expensive due to the state." Also Read | Maharashtra Government Collected Rs 79,412 Crore as Fuel Tax, Says Union Minister Hardeep Puri. The Maharashtra Chief Minister added, "Maharashtra collects the highest GST of 15 per cent in the country. Combining both direct taxes and GST, Maharashtra is the number one state in the country." On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a COVID-19 review meeting with Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel were amongst those present in the meeting. In the meeting, Prime Minister Modi appealed to the States ruled by non-BJP parties to reduce tax on fuel. He said prices of fuel were higher in many opposition-ruled states and urged them to reduce Value Added Tax in "national interest" and as a part of "cooperative federalism" to benefit the common man. (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 28 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it will hear on May 18 the plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as the Delhi Police Commissioner. A bench headed by Justice Justice DY Chandrachud said to list the petition on May 18, 2022. Also Read | AIIMS Bhopal Recruitment 2022: Apply for 159 Senior Resident Posts; Check Details Here. The NGO 'Centre for Public Interest Litigation' (CPIL) through its advocate Prashant Bhushan, mentioned listing the matter for hearing. The NGO though Prashant Bhushan had approached the apex court in an appeal against the October 12, 2021 order of the Delhi High Court which had upheld the Centre's decision to appoint Asthana, Gujarat cadre 1984-batch IPS officer, as Delhi Police Commissioner four days before his superannuation on July 31, saying there was "no irregularity, illegality or infirmity" in his selection. Also Read | EAM S Jaishankar Hands Over PM Narendra Modis Invitation to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to Visit India. In the affidavit filed by the Centre, it has been maintained that he was picked "to provide effective policing on the recent law and order situation which arose in the National Capital Territory of Delhi". The Central government has informed the Supreme Court that there was a "compelling need" to appoint Indian Police Service Rakesh Asthana as the Delhi Police Commissioner taking into consideration the national capital's "extremely challenging situations" of public order, policing issues, and their implications on national security. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) while justifying the appointment of Asthana as the Delhi Police commissioner, has informed the apex court through an affidavit that Asthana was appointed police chief of Delhi as a "special case of public interest". The affidavit was filed on a plea of NGO CPIL against the Delhi High Court's order of upholding Asthana's appointment as police chief. Eight Delhi Police Commissioners had been appointed by the same procedure without any complaints from the petitioner, the Centre had said while accusing the petitioner of harbouring a personal vendetta against Asthana. The affidavit had stated, "Delhi being the capital of the country has a specific and special requirement which witnessed certain untoward and extremely challenging public order problems/riots/crimes which have an international implication. This necessitated the appointment of an experienced officer having diverse, multifarious experience of heading a police force in any large State/Central Investigating Agency/Para-military Security Forces, etc, to head the Delhi Police force." It had sought that the petitions challenging the appointment to be dismissed. Asthana had also filed a separate affidavit in the court saying petitions were filed in the top court following a scathing social media campaign to malign his reputation and that petitioner NGO and Prashant Bhushan harboured a personal vendetta against him. The Delhi High Court while dismissing a PIL challenging Asthana's selection had said the justification and reasons given by the Centre for appointing Asthana are plausible, calling for no interference in judicial review. Asthana, who was serving as the Director-General of Border Security Force, was appointed the Commissioner on July 27, 2021, after being shifted to the Union Territory cadre from the Gujarat cadre for the tenure of one year. The NGO's petition has urged the top court to set aside the Centre's order to appoint Asthana after extending his service period. It had termed the extension of Asthana's tenure as well as an appointment as "illegal" as he did not have a residual tenure of mandatory six months of service at the time of his appointment as Commissioner of Police since he was to retire within 4 days. The petition had further claimed that the Centre's order violated the policy regarding Inter-Cadre deputation of All India Service Officers. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 28 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday appealed to the religious leaders for their support and cooperation to uninstall loudspeakers from religious places and organise the celebrations of upcoming festivals peacefully. Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department, Awanish Kumar Awasthi said, "It has been requested to all the religious leaders to provide all possible cooperation in order to successfully organise all our festivals. Our district administration and police officials have talked to about 30,000 to 40,000 religious leaders. We have received support. This work is in continuous progress." Also Read | Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Centre To Set Up Renewable Energy-Based Power Supply Project With Japanese Aid. Awasthi said that the people and the religious leaders have been cooperative in removing the loudspeakers. This has given a good message to the society, he said, adding the department will ensure a balanced dialogue, in case of any difficulty in removing the loudspeakers. "So far, the volume of 39,000 loudspeakers has been reduced in the entire state. Around 17,000 loudspeakers have been uninstalled from various religious places. In the first phase, the Chief Minister did video conferencing with senior officers, yesterday he talked to the Tehsil level officers, it was his instruction to talk to the Gurus of all religions by meeting them," added Awasthi. Also Read | Google Now Allows the Removal of Phone Number, Email Address From Search Results: Report. The home department asked the police to remove the loudspeakers and those flouting the noise limit standards at religious places across the state. The order to remove loudspeakers from religious places in the state was issued on April 24. A compliance report from the districts in this regard has been sought by April 30. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray congratulated UP CM Yogi Adityanath for successfully conducting the drive to remove the loudspeakers from the religious places. While congratulating the Yogi government, he targetted the Maharashtra government and termed them "hedonists". He wrote, "I wholeheartedly congratulate and stand grateful to the Yogi government for having removed the loudspeakers from religious places, especially the masjids. Unfortunately, in Maharashtra, we don't have any yogism, what we have are bhogis (hedonists). Here hoping and praying good sense prevails. The Yogi government on Wednesday uninstalled a total of 10,923 loudspeakers from various religious sites in the state and lowered the volume of 35,221 loudspeakers as per the parameters till 4.00 pm. The order to remove loudspeakers from religious places in the state was issued on April 24. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on April 21 directed that the loudspeakers at religious places should not play loud and the sound must be confined to the premises only. He also said that the microphones should not be installed and that no new loudspeakers would be allowed at religious places. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) DAMASCUS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Four Syrian soldiers were killed and three others wounded in an Israeli missile attack early Wednesday on several sites near the capital Damascus, state news agency SANA reported. Citing a military source, SANA reported that the missile strikes carried out just after midnight caused damage to the targeted sites. The source added that the Syrian air defenses intercepted the missiles and downed some of them. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the Israeli strikes destroyed weapon depots belonging to pro-Iran militias in the countryside of Damascus. The Britain-based watchdog said nine soldiers were killed and eight others wounded by what it called the 10th Israeli attack on Syrian sites since the beginning of 2022. Cairo [Egypt], April 28 (ANI/Xinhua): At least two people were killed and 43 others wounded on Wednesday after a bus overturned in Egypt's South Sinai Province, the Egyptian Health Ministry announced in a statement. The wounded passengers were taken to the nearby Sharm El Sheikh international hospital, according to the statement. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. A total of 25 ambulances were sent to the site of the accident, which was on a highway leading to the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, according to Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokeswoman for the Health Ministry. The bus was coming from Upper Egypt's Minya Province and heading to Sharm El-Sheikh, local media reported. Also Read | China Concerned Over Falling Birth Rate Amid Decline in Marriage Registrations. The investigation is underway to find the cause of the accident, according to the Egyptian prosecutors. (ANI/Xinhua) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], April 28 (ANI): Days after Tesla Chief Elon Musk take control over Twitter, he said that for the microblogging site to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral. "For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally," Musk tweeted. Twitter on Monday (local time) confirmed the sale of the company to Musk for USD 44 billion. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. Under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive USD 54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own, matching Musk's original offer and marking a 38 per cent premium over the stock price the day before Musk revealed his stake in the company, CNN reported. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said that he was proud of the employees who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise. Also Read | China Concerned Over Falling Birth Rate Amid Decline in Marriage Registrations. "I took this job to change Twitter for the better, course-correct where we need to, and strengthen the service. Proud of our people who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise," Agrawal tweeted. Meanwhile, the former CEO of the microblogging site Jack Dorsey dropped a series of tweets, suggesting that he supports the move. "In principle, I don't believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company. Solving for the problem of it being a company, however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness," Dorsey tweeted. For those unaware, Dorsey, the maverick co-founder of Twitter, on November 29, 2021, suddenly announced his resignation. Parag Agarwal, an IITian who was CTO at Twitter, was named his replacement. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], April 28 (ANI): Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday reached Dubai after his name was removed from the list of Exit Control List (ECL). PPP's co-chairman met his daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari after reaching Dubai, ARY News reported citing sources. Also Read | Potentially Hazardous Giant Asteroid Set To Zoom Past Earth on Thursday, Says NASA. Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also left for Saudi Arabia. Taking to Twitter, PM Sharif said that he and Arabia's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz will discuss wide-ranging matters. Also Read | Elon Musk on Fun Trail, Says Buying Coca Cola Next. "Today I am embarking on a visit to Saudi Arabia to renew & reaffirm our bonds of brotherhood & friendship. I will have wide-ranging discussions with Saudi leadership. KSA is one of our greatest friends & as Custodian of the Two Holy Places, has a special place in all our hearts," PM Sharif Tweeted. Recently, several high-profile names, including Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, were removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). Last Friday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced that the newly formed government had brought about changes in the rules for having an individual's name on the ECL, and through it, several thousands of people will have their names removed from the list, Geo tv reported. He had said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a committee to update the rules of including a person's name in the ECL. "Therefore, with a quick pace, federal minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Asad Mehmood, Naveed Qamar, and Azam Nazeer Tarrar put forth their suggestions and the cabinet has approved it," Sanaullah had said. According to government sources, the names of former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ahsan Iqbal have also been removed from the ECL. Sources added that the process of removing names from the ECL under the new policy will continue for the next few days. As per local media reports, the names of more than 100 political personalities have been removed.The names were placed on the ECL on the recommendations of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).Exit Control List (ECL) is an ordinance to provide for the control of the exit of certain persons from Pakistan who have been involved in any economic crime involving government funds, mass corruption, or misuse of authority. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Singapore, Apr 28 (PTI) An Indian-origin senior citizen in Singapore has been jailed for five days for lying about his vaccination status to gain entry into a bar amidst the COVID-19 outbreak last year, according to a media report. Utheyakumar Nallathamby, 65, had impersonated Indian-origin Malaysian Kiran Singh Rughbir Singh, 37, to enter the bar, The Straits Times newspaper reported on Wednesday. Also Read | Elon Musk on Fun Trail, Says Buying Coca Cola Next. Utheyakumar admitted to cheating by using the TraceTogether app, which displays the vaccination status and was compulsory for getting into the bar. Singh told the court that he and his girlfriend met Utheyakumar on September 9 last year and went to the island resort Sentosa for drinks and decided to go to the Bikini Bar. Also Read | US President Joe Biden to Meet PM Narendra Modi at Quad Summit in Tokyo Next Month, Says White House. However, an assistant manager of the bar did not allow Utheyakumar as he was unvaccinated. Singh suggested that Utheyakumar enter the bar using Singh's TraceTogether application and vaccination status, Deputy Public Prosecutor Shen Wanqin said. Utheyakumar agreed to Singh's suggestions and went to another bar with the woman while Singh waited outside. As Utheyakumar was consuming drinks, the assistant manager of the Bikini Bar spotted him at the nearby bar and recalled denying him entry at her workplace as he was unvaccinated. Acting on her tip-off, employees approached Utheyakumar and found that he was impersonating Singh. Immediately, the matter was reported to a duty manager of the Sentosa Development Corporation. Singh, who had allowed Utheyakumar to pose as him, was also given a five days' jail term in February after he pleaded guilty to a similar charge. For cheating by personation, an offender can be jailed for up to five years and fined. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kyiv, Apr 28 (AP) In the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, a series of explosions boomed near the television tower late Wednesday and at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. The Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said missiles and rockets were fired at the city from the direction of the Ukrainian forces to the northwest. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. Kherson has been occupied by Russian forces since early in the war. Ukrayinska Pravda, an online newspaper, said the strikes set off a fire and knocked Russian television channels off the air. Also Read | China Concerned Over Falling Birth Rate Amid Decline in Marriage Registrations. RIA Novosti said the broadcast later resumed. It said Russian channels began broadcasting from Kherson last week. Russia has been determined to strengthen its control over the city, but residents have continued to come out onto the streets to protest the occupation. ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: BERLIN An independent research group says Germany was the biggest buyer of Russian energy during the first two months since the start of the war in Ukraine. A study published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air calculates that Russia earned $66.5 billion from fossil fuel exports since Russian troops attacked Ukraine on Feb. 24. Using data on ship movements, real-time tracking of gas flows through pipelines and estimates based on historical monthly trade, the researchers reckon Germany paid Russia about 9.1 billion euros for fossil fuel deliveries in the first two months of the war. The German government says it can't comment on estimates and declines to provide any figures of its own. __ LONDON Britain's top diplomat says Western allies should send tanks, planes and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying inaction would be the greatest provocation. NATO nations have supplied Ukraine with military supplies including missiles and armored vehicles. But so far they have been reluctant to send fighter planes for fear of escalating the conflict. U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said this is a time for courage, not caution. Despite Truss' call for jets, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said there were no plans for the U.K. to send planes to Ukraine. Truss also said Russia's attack on Ukraine must be a wake-up call for international institutions. She called for a new focus on military strength, economic security and deeper global alliances. __ BOSTON Cyberattacks by state-backed Russian hackers have destroyed data across dozens of organizations in Ukraine and produced a chaotic information environment, Microsoft says in a report released Wednesday. Nearly half the destructive attacks were against critical infrastructure, many times simultaneous to physical attacks, the report notes. A top Ukrainian cybersecurity official, Victor Zhora, told reporters in a news briefing on Wednesday that cyberattacks on telecommunications have sometimes coincided with artillery and other physical attacks. Microsoft assessed that Russia-aligned threat groups were pre-positioning for the conflict as early as March 2021, hacking into networks to obtain footholds they could later use to collect strategic and battlefield intelligence or to facilitate future destructive attacks. During the war, Russia's cyberattacks have at times not only degraded the functions of the targeted organizations but sought to disrupt citizens' access to reliable information and critical life services, and to shake confidence in the country's leadership, the company's Digital Security Unit says in the 20-page report. Kremlin cyber operations have had an impact in terms of technical disruption of services and causing a chaotic information environment, but Microsoft is not able to evaluate their broader strategic impact, the report says. ___ ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Wednesday that Russia's war on Ukraine screams that the world needs to stop importing oil and gas from Russia and instead move toward other forms of energy. At an international forum on offshore wind energy in Atlantic City, Granholm said the U.S. as well as its energy industries are on a war footing, and called for a rapid acceleration of renewable energy including offshore wind power. Her comments were echoed by Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy, who noted that Europe recently committed itself to a large-scale move away from Russian fossil fuel imports, and considers wind energy an important part of that transition. Their comments came as Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday and threatened to do the same to other countries, dramatically escalating its standoff with the West over the war in Ukraine. European leaders decried the move as blackmail. Germany and Italy are among Europe's biggest consumers of Russian natural gas but have already been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. Russia is waging a war in Ukraine and the imperative to move away from Russian oil and gas, for the world to move away from Russian oil and gas screams that there is an imperative that we electrify, said Granholm, the former Michigan governor. Offshore wind is just a huge component in that. ___ UNITED NATIONS The U.N. says its humanitarian office is mobilizing an experienced team from around the world to coordinate the complex evacuation of civilians from the besieged steel plant in the battered Ukrainian city of Mariupol with the International Committee of the Red Cross. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to U.N. and ICRC participation in the evacuation from the plant during a nearly two-hour, one-on-one meeting Tuesday. The sprawling Azovstal complex, which has been almost completely destroyed by Russian attacks, is the last pocket of organized Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol. An estimated 2,000 troops and 1,000 civilians are said to be holed up in bunkers underneath the wrecked structure. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Wednesday that the U.N. is trying to translate the Guterres-Putin agreement in principle into an agreement in detail and an agreement on the ground. And ultimately what we want is to make sure that a cease-fire would be respected that would allow us to move people safely, he said. Haq said U.N. officials are having follow-on discussions Wednesday with authorities in Moscow and Kyiv to develop the operational framework for the timely evacuation of civilians. He said the exact timing depends on the outcome of discussions between the U.N. humanitarian office and Russia's Ministry of Defense in Moscow as well as between the U.N. crisis coordinator for Ukraine, Amin Awad, and the authorities in Kyiv, where Guterres will be meeting Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. ___ OTTAWA, Ontario The Canadian government said Wednesday that it has imposed sanctions on more than 200 people who are loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Russian forces have been backing separatist rebels in the Donbas area for eight years following Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The Canadian sanctions are focused on the renewed Russian attempt to annex areas of the Donbas by targeting people attempting to support the next phase of the two-month-old Russian war on Ukraine. Canada will not stand idly by and watch President Putin and his accomplices attempt to redraw the borders of Ukraine with impunity, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement. International law must be respected. Global Affairs Canada, the governmental department that manages the country's diplomatic relations, said the new measures target 11 senior officials and 192 other members of the People's Councils of the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk for supporting Putin's attack on the area. ___ WASHINGTON The White House says President Joe Biden will tour a Lockheed Martin facility that makes weapons systems, such as Javelin anti-tank missiles, that the administration is providing to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's 2-month-old invasion. Biden plans to visit the facility in Alabama on May 3. A Javelin is a long-range guided anti-tank missile that can be carried by one person. The United States says it has provided several thousand of the systems to Ukraine. ___ MADRID Russia announced Wednesday it was withdrawing from the United Nations World Tourism Organization just hours before the body's assembly voted to temporarily suspend the country's membership over the invasion of Ukraine, officials said. UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili made the announcement on his official Twitter account. He said it was the first U.N. body to address Russia's membership. The organization went ahead and approved the suspension at a special meeting in Madrid on Wednesday, where the organization has its headquarters. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's military offensive is an attack on the founding principles of the United Nations and on the values that tourism represents, such as peace, prosperity and universal respect and the observance of human rights, Spanish Industry, Trade and Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said in a statement following the decision. The assembly resolution included a clause that said the suspension could be reversed if a change in the politics of the Russian Federation were noted. Spain was one of 22 European nations that had promoted the motion. ___ COPENHAGEN, Denmark Norway's Energy Minister Terje Aasland said Wednesday that the Scandinavian country's position as a stable, predictable and long-term supplier of energy to the European market is only becoming more important. It is underlined by what is now happening on the part of Gazprom, Aasland told Norwegian news agency NTB. The state-controlled Russian giant said it was shutting off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday because they refused to pay in Russian rubles, as President Vladimir Putin had demanded. Russia threatened to do the same to other countries, dramatically escalating its standoff with the West over the war in Ukraine. European leaders decried the move as blackmail. Norway exports about 95% of its gas via an extensive subsea pipeline network linking it to terminals in Germany, Britain, France and Belgium. Last month, Denmark decided to resume the construction of the Danish part of Baltic Pipe, which will connect Poland to Norwegian gas fields. ___ MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to Russia's parliament that the goals of the country's military operation in Ukraine will be achieved. Putin said in an address on Wednesday to both houses of parliament: I want to emphasize again that all the tasks of the special military operation we are conducting in the Donbas and Ukraine, launched on Feb. 24, will be unconditionally fulfilled. That, he said, will guarantee the security of the residents of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine that Russia recognized as independent shortly before launching its military action in Ukraine, as well as Crimea which Russia annexed in 2014 and our entire country in the historical perspective. ___ BERLIN Germany's economy minister says the government is considering all scenarios for a Russian-owned oil refinery that supplies much of the petroleum used in and around Berlin. Robert Habeck told reporters Wednesday that the German government's goal is to ensure the country becomes independent of Russian energy supplies, and companies established to procure fossil fuels from Russia are not helpful in that regard. The refinery at Schwedt is controlled by Rosneft, a Russian state-controlled oil and gas company. Asked whether Germany would go so far as to nationalize the refinery, an option foreseen in a regulatory change approved by Cabinet this week, Habeck said that we are in a situation where the government must expect and prepare for all scenarios. There are likely to be some we haven't thought of, he said. But we are considering everything conceivable and making political preparations. Habeck said Russia's decision to stop supplies of gas to Poland and Bulgaria was an example of the reality where energy is used as a weapon. He acknowledged that Germany was and remains one of the biggest consumers of Russian fossil fuels worldwide, though it is making all efforts to diversify its supplies, reduce consumption and switch to renewable energy so that we are not defenseless. ___ KYIV, Ukraine A Ukrainian presidential adviser has hinted that his country might be involved in a series of fires in border regions of Russia in recent days. On Wednesday, the governor of the Belgorod region said an ammunition depot was burning after several explosions were heard. Earlier this week, there was a blaze at an oil storage facility in Bryansk. Ukraine hasn't officially taken responsibility for those and other incidents, and Russian officials haven't publicly ascribed them to Ukrainian attacks. But Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in a Telegram post Wednesday that karma (is) a harsh thing. He said that Russian regions where the incidents happened are now also actively studying the concept of demilitarization.' Without directly admitting any Ukrainian involvement, he said that sooner or later the debts will have to be repaid. ___ ROME Premier Mario Draghi's office says the Italian leader will meet President Joe Biden in Washington on May 10. Draghi's office said in a statement on Wednesday that Ukraine will be at the center of discussions, including coordinated measures to support the Ukrainian population and to counter Russia's unjustified aggression. The leaders will also discuss energy security. Italy is among European countries that get a large proportion of their natural gas from Russia. Draghi and his ministers have been working to get alternative sources. ___ WARSAW, Poland Security authorities in Poland say that a Russian and a Belarusian man have been arrested on allegations that they spied for Russian intelligence. A spokesman for Poland's state security bodies, Stanislaw Zaryn, said Wednesday that material gathered by Polish military intelligence led to their arrest. He said that they were gathering sensitive military information, including about Polish troops in the area near Poland's border with Belarus. The men were arrested separately last week. ___ SOFIA, Bulgaria The Bulgarian government says the prime minister and defense minister will go to Ukraine to meet with that country's leaders. The goverment press office said Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Defense Minister Dragomir Zakov were being accompanied on Wednesday by members of Parliament. In Kyiv, they will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and with members of the 200,000-strong Bulgarian community in Ukraine. They also will visit Borodyanka, Bucha and Irpin, in the Kyiv region, to see damage caused by the Russian invasion. ___ BRUSSELS The head of the European Union's executive Commission says energy companies in the 27-nation bloc that agree to Moscow's demands to pay for gas deliveries in Russian rubles will be breaching the sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen spoke after Polish and Bulgarian officials said Moscow was cutting off natural gas deliveries to their countries due to their refusal to pay in rubles, a demand made by President Vladimir Putin after sanctions were levied against his nation. Von der Leyen said Wednesday that our guidance here is very clear. She said that to pay in rubles, if this is not foreseen in the contract, is a breach of our sanctions. We have round about 97% of all contracts that explicitly stipulate payments in euros or dollars, so it's very clear. And the request from the Russian side to pay in rubles is a unilateral decision and not according to the contracts. Von der Leyen said Russia's decision to cut off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria is another provocation from the Kremlin and an attempt to blackmail the EU. She said that, following an urgent meeting of member states, both Poland and Bulgaria are now receiving gas from their EU neighbors. ___ COPENHAGEN, Denmark Russia has expelled three Norwegian diplomats following the expulsion from Norway earlier this month of three Russian diplomats. Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfelt said Wednesday that the Norwegians being kicked out were doing regular diplomatic work. She vowed that Norway will continue to stand with our close allies and partners against Russia's aggression and in our support for Ukraine, Huitfeld told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that like other European countries and allies, we have reduced contact with the Russian authorities to a minimum. On Tuesday, Russia expelled four Swedish diplomats. The Foreign Ministry in Stockholm said they too were engaged in normal diplomatic activities. ___ The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced sanctions against 287 British lawmakers in response to the U.K. sanctioning 368 members of Russia's lower house of parliament. The ministry on Wednesday released a list of both government and opposition lawmakers, and a few former lawmakers. They are now barred from entering Russia because they took the most active part in the establishment of anti-Russian sanctions instruments in London (and) contribute to the groundless ramping-up of Russophobic hysteria in the U.K. The ministry's statement said that hostile rhetoric and far-fetched accusations coming from the mouths of British parliamentarians not only condone the hostile course of London aimed at demonizing our country and (at) its international isolation, but are also used by opponents of mutually respectful dialogue with Russia to undermine the foundation of bilateral cooperation. Responding to the announcement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that those 287 should regard it as a badge of honor. ___ MOSCOW The Kremlin has criticized a statement by a Ukrainian presidential adviser holding the door open to possible military action in the separatist Trans-Dniester region of Moldova. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday described the statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's adviser Oleksiy Arestovych as quite provocative. Asked in a video stream if Ukraine could send its forces into Trans-Dniester, Arestovych said it could do that but only if Moldova asks for it. Trans-Dniester, a sliver of land with about 470,000 people, has been under the control of separatist authorities since a 1992 war with Moldova. Russia bases about 1,500 troops in the breakaway region, nominally as peacekeepers. Tensions in the region have escalated in recent days with a series of explosions, for which no one claimed responsibility, raising fears of broader hostilities. ___ BERLIN The German government has rejected criticism that it has been slow to provide Ukraine with weapons requested by Kyiv. Following domestic and international pressure, Germany announced this week that it would allow the delivery of self-propelled armored anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine to help it fend off Russia's military attack, backing off earlier reluctance provide heavy weapons to the country. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, said that the federal government and chancellor have looked with great seriousness at the difficult situation Ukraine, Europe and the entire world are in, and taken a very balanced decision." He told reporters in Berlin: I don't see a change of position on the part of the government, but continuity. ___ KYIV, Ukraine The International Atomic Energy Agency's director-general says the level of safety at Europe's largest nuclear plant, currently under Russian occupation in Ukraine, is like a red light blinking as his organization tries in vain to get access for work including repairs. In an interview with The Associated Press, Rafael Grossi said that the IAEA needs access to the Zaporizhzhia plant in southern Ukraine so its inspectors can, among other things, reestablish connections with the Vienna-based headquarters of the U.N. agency. And for that, both Russia and Ukraine need to help. The plant requires repairs, and all of this is not happening. So the situation as I have described it, and I would repeat it today, is not sustainable as it is, Grossi said. So this is a pending issue. This is a red light blinking. He spoke in an interview Wednesday, a day after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the issue. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth commissioned the newly procured Passenger Variant Dornier (PVD) under the Indian LOC and received the leased the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv from India, said the High Commission of India in Port Louis on Wednesday. Taking to Twitter, the High Commission of India in Port Louis said, this is another milestone in the India-Mauritius relationship. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. "The platforms will enhance the operational capabilities of Mauritius Police Force and help them in catering to ever-increasing maritime challenges in the IOR," the High Commission tweeted. Recently, the Mauritius Prime Minister was on an eight-day visit to India. He also met External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in New Delhi. Also Read | China Concerned Over Falling Birth Rate Amid Decline in Marriage Registrations. During the visit, the Mauritius Prime Minister offered prayers at Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The Mauritius PM also held a meeting with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar in the presence of the Mauritius Prime Minister and Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO). PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister after the inauguration of the Global Ayush Summit and discussed the ongoing development partnership and cooperation in defence. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that PM Modi and the Mauritius Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the Metro Express Project and the proposal for an AYUSH Centre of Excellence in Mauritius. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], April 28 (ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and said the country got rid of him, local media reported. While addressing the PML-N Workers' Convention in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz said, "Those who are predicting the end of Nawaz Sharif's politics have seen him being honour despite staying in London, on the other hand, someone sitting in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has been disgraced," ARY News reported. Also Read | Brazils Vale Announces Share Buyback Program Latest Tweet by Reuters. She said that Nawaz Sharif has just ousted a government from London and soon, he will bury the politics of his rivals. Maryam Nawaz further slammed Imran Khan and said he had promised to construct 5 million houses for the nationals but he has just constructed his own house in Zaman Park, ARY News reported. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. With the Pakistan government being led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, brother and Former PM Nawaz Sharif has been issued a new passport that will enable him to travel to the country, reported local media outlet citing sources. Nawaz Sharif's new passport is valid for 10 years till April 2032. The passport's status is "active" as per the evidence shared by a trusted source and it is not diplomatic but "ordinary". This is a key development as ousted PM Imran Khan's government had refused to renew Nawaz's passport after it expired in February last year. The PML-N supremo was granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds in October 2019, and a month later, he was allowed to travel abroad for treatment for four weeks but he is still in London to date, reported the media outlet. Imran Khan had been slamming Nawaz for going abroad for treatment. Earlier in February, the ousted PM noted that letting the PML-N supremo leave Pakistan was a "major mistake" of his government. (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 28 (ANI): Marking the 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the deepening ties between the two countries. "As we celebrate 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan today, I am happy to see that our ties have deepened in every sphere, whether strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts," tweeted PM Modi. Also Read | Elon Musk on Fun Trail, Says Buying Coca Cola Next. "The recent visit of my friend PM Kishida @kishida230 to India for the Annual Summit laid out a roadmap for deepening our Special Strategic and Global Partnership in a post-COVID world. I look forward to continue working with PM Kishida to realize that objective. #IndiaJapanat70," he added. Notably, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida came on a two-day visit to India on March 19-20 for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi which saw the signing of several agreements on bilateral cooperation between the two countries. This was PM Kishida's first bilateral visit to India. Also Read | US President Joe Biden to Meet PM Narendra Modi at Quad Summit in Tokyo Next Month, Says White House. During the visit, the Indian and Japanese counterparts held deliberations on a wide range of topics and welcomed the launch of several new initiatives between the two countries, on clean energy partnership, development of India's northeast and bamboo cultivation and processing. Further, PM Modi will likely meet his Japanese counterpart again next month as the summit of leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) nations, that is, the United States, Australia, Japan and India, will be held in Tokyo on May 24. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ankara [Turkey], April 28 (ANI/Sputnik): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a two-day visit at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to discuss the relations and cooperation between their countries. "President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Saudi Arabia on April 2022, upon the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia," Erdogan's office said in a statement, as quoted by Turkish news agency Anadolu. Also Read | Potentially Hazardous Giant Asteroid Set To Zoom Past Earth on Thursday, Says NASA. The sides will review bilateral relations, as well as "the possibilities of developing cooperation," the statement said. The meeting will also focus on "regional and international issues as well as bilateral relations," it added. (ANI/Sputnik) Also Read | Elon Musk on Fun Trail, Says Buying Coca Cola Next. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London [UK], April 28 (ANI): As the United Kingdom realize its growing dependence on Bejing for the development of new nuclear power projects, the country has recently begun to mull preventive actions to save the strategic sector from getting into Chinese hands, said a media report. Di Valerio Fabbri, writing in Geopolitica.info said the UK government is reportedly working on a deal aimed at removing China from a 20-billion project to construct a nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. The Sizewell C power station project, which is still in the planning and development phase, is owned by a French state-backed power giant EDF with an 80 per cent holding, and the China General Nuclear (CGN) having the remaining 20 per cent. UK government now plans to acquire a stake in the project, alongside the EDF, which would result into the removal of CGN from the project, said the report. Also Read | China Concerned Over Falling Birth Rate Amid Decline in Marriage Registrations. The existing nuclear facilities in the UK are owned by EDF along with Centrica, a British energy company. The company had to shut down many plants ahead of schedule and four out of the seven stations are due to retire by March 2024. As a result, there has been an increasing push to build more nuclear power plants in recent years. The exigency has proved to be quite conducive for China to enter UK in a big manner, said the report. A nuclear deal signed during a visit to London of Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2015 cleared the road leading to China's future dominance in nuclear industry of UK. Under the deal, China got to fund Hinkley and Sizewell nuclear power projects, and then install its own reactors at a third site at Bradwell in Essex. However, what stoked analysts' fears was the deal's scope of letting China be a majority owner of a proposed plant of its own design, at a site about 50 miles from London, the report said. Meanwhile, the fears appear to be coming true with the indigenous Hualong-I reactor design of CGN getting the approval of UK's nuclear regulators for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Environment Agency for construction in Britain in February 2022. With this, it joined the league of two other reactor designs approved in 2012 and 2017. CGN already owns 33.5 per cent in the project coming up at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, which is due for completion in 2026, Fabbri said. According to Fabbri's report, the recent development demonstrates that containing China's increasing inroads in the strategic sector is easier said than done for London. Notably, the United States has also been cautioning the country against heavy reliance on China for nuclear power plants citing national security concerns. In 2019, Washington blacklisted CGN over allegations of stealing nuclear technology. The Chinese company and its subsidiaries China General Nuclear Power Corp., China Nuclear Power Technology Research Institute, and Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute were reported to be trying to acquire advanced US nuclear tech for military use. The former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in mid 2020 urged Britain to choose sides in the battle to develop nuclear technology, saying it "stands ready to assist our friends in the UK with any needs they have", Fabbri said. According to the report, London's difficulties in dealing with Chinese companies have been increasingly apparent in recent years. A couple of years ago the UK government announced a ban on Huawei, a Chinese telecoms equipment manufacturer, from participating in its 5G mobile phone network, citing national security concerns. The two countries have also differed on other issues including the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, a former British colony, and the harsh treatment of Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang region. UK's handling of the latest issue is of great concern and it would certainly test its ability to balance its energy needs with security concerns, the report added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kyiv [Ukraine], April 28 (ANI): Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday (local time) congratulated Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for becoming the youngest Foreign Minister of Pakistan in the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Taking to Twitter, Kuleba said that he is looking forward to working together with the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. "Looking forward to working together with the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari @BBhuttoZardari. We count on further developing bilateral ties and our mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan," Kuleba tweeted. On Wednesday, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and the chief of coalition ally PPP, took oath as the new Foreign Minister from Pakistan's President Arif Alvi, in Islamabad, Geo News reported. Also Read | China Concerned Over Falling Birth Rate Amid Decline in Marriage Registrations. Meanwhile, congratulations poured in after Bilawal Bhutto took oath as Foreign Minister of Pakistan. "Heartiest congratulations to @BBhuttoZardari on the start of his public service career. I am confident he will add tremendous value to our foreign policy and inject it with a fresh perspective. I wish him the very best & look forward to working with him," Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted. "Congratulations @BBhuttoZardari Prayers for your success," Maryam Nawaz Sharif, vice president of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) tweeted. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Apr 28 (PTI) A Hindu body here called the USCIRF report on religious freedom a work of "Hinduphobic" commission members while Muslim and Christian groups hailed the observations made in it, demanding that the US declare India as a "country of particular concern". The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report recommended to the Biden Administration to designate India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and 11 other nations as "countries of particular concern" in the context of religious freedom. Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Visits LoC, Lauds Combat Readiness of Troops. The recommendations are not binding on the US government. HinduPACT, an initiative of the World Hindu Council of America, in a statement alleged that the USCIRF has been taken over by "Indophobic and Hinduphobic members". Also Read | China Concerned Over Falling Birth Rate Amid Decline in Marriage Registrations. The American Muslim Institution (AMI) and its associate organisations applaud the USCIRF recommendation, saying religious freedom conditions in India "significantly worsened" in 2021. The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations and the Indian American Muslim Council in separate statements also applauded the USCIRF recommendation. During a special virtual congressional briefing, a day after the release of the report, USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava had alleged that Indian government officials were tolerating and engaging in religious persecution of Muslims and Christians with prolific mob violence. India has dismissed such allegations. Senior US government officials have told lawmakers that India has a vibrant civil society, an independent judiciary and a mature functional democracy, which has enough mechanisms to address the internal human rights concerns if any. HinduPACT in a statement slammed the USCIRF. "This year's report follows a pattern of reports that have appeared in previous years. Based on publicly available information on topics like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Kashmir, the USCIRF report is a copy-and-paste of talking points peddled by an agglomeration of Islamist groups working with radical Islamist group Justice for All on whose platform USCIRF commissioners appear regularly," alleged Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduPACT. "It is now obvious that the USCIRF has been taken over by the Indophobic and Hinduphobic members. Many of these members have attended India and Hindu bashing events. It is no surprise that their selective observations are meant to promote a political agenda and further their electoral reach in select communities," said Ajay Shah, president of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). In a statement, Koshy George, Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations, recommended that the president and the US Administration accept the USCIRF recommendations and name India as a "country of particular concern" while it could still help protect American interests in that region for the long-term. "This could also go a long way in helping the Union of India remain a functioning liberal democracy with respect for all religious and linguistic minorities," he said. Indian-American Muslim Council executive director Rasheed Ahmed said they commend the USCIRF for "refusing to cave in to the lobbying of US-based right-wing Hindu nationalist groups and making clear that the ground reality of minorities in India is of constant harassment and violence". "Given the damning information presented in this report, US State Department officials must now act on the recommendations made by the USCIRF by officially designating India as a CPC and by imposing targeted sanctions upon the Indian government to hold officials responsible for encouraging hate," said Syed Afzal Ali, president of the IAMC. (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, April 28: With an aim to provide stable and clean power supply to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Ministry of Home Affairs will set up a renewable energy-based power supply project with Japanese aid. On March 31, the government had signed a grant agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide a loan of $133 million. This project is being executed by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' administration and expected to be completed by February 2024. Once completed, this will help the administration to reduce the carbon footprint in the islands by replacing diesel-based power generation with clean renewable energy, according to government officials. The proposed renewable energy based power supply will provide power supply in the most sensitive South Andaman region in particular by utilising power generated from renewable energy sources through equipment and facilities such as storage battery system and grid interconnection system. As per government data, the total population of union territory in 2021 was 400,647, which is dependent on diesel generation in the individual islands. The power generation is through 53 power plants in 19 inhabited Islands, out of which 12 power houses are in North and Middle Andaman. The officials also said that the South Andaman is more eco-sensitive that houses the indigenous Jarawa tribes. Earthquake of Magnitude 4.4 Hits Andaman and Nicobar Islands Campbell Bay. Many parts of South Andaman are protected areas, therefore, the option of renewable energy is the best option, they added. This project will also cater the clean power supply to the defence forces deployed to keep an eye on the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 28, 2022 02:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Lakhimpur Kheri , April 28: A Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawan has been booked for allegedly raping a 24-year-old woman in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said. The survivor alleged that the accused had taken her photographs while she was taking a bath and then blackmailed her. A departmental enquiry has also been set up against the jawan and the police have registered a case under IPC sections 376 (rape), 452 (house trespass after preparations to assault) and 506 (Criminal intimidation). According to the complaint, the SSB jawan often used to visit a neighbour of the survivor and one day he managed to make an alleged video while she was in the bathroom. The accused allegedly blackmailed the woman and forced her to have sexual relations with him. Ahmedabad Shocker: Four Men Gang-Rape Differently-Abled Migrant Woman Several Times; Booked. Kotwali Station House Officer, Arun Kumar Singh on Thursday said, "The FIR has been registered against the jawan and his unit has been informed. We have registered the complainant's statement and she will be produced before a magistrate to record her statement under section 164 CrPC. We have not included the section of IT act in the FIR as no video or picture has been recovered so far." (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 28, 2022 08:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). SNAP benefits 2022 recipients can use the progam to save 50 percent on their Amazon Prime membership. SNAP benefits are usually used to purchase fresh groceries and other qualified products on Amazon, according to a Go Banking Rates report. However, recipents can also check if they are qualified for the 50 percent off Prime by visiting its website, where they will be asked to enter their EBT number, upload an image of their card, and select the state that issued the card from the dropdown menu. Amazon wants qualifying recipients to be aware that their EBT card will not be used to pay for the discounted membership, which is $6.99 per month. Other beneficiaries of government assistance programs--such as Medicare, Direct Express, the National School Lunch Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Supplemental Security Income--may also qualify for the benefit. Recipients for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Women, Infants, and Children could also get the benefit. For a limited time, users can upload an Economic Income Payment card to apply for the discount. READ NEXT: SNAP Benefits 2022: Texas, California, Florida, Other States Payment Updates SNAP Benefits 2022 Update SNAP benefits were being issued even before the pandemic started. With that said, it will continue to support families who need an extra assistance across the United States. However, the pandemic saw an emergency rate increase implemented. Seven states have announced that they will continue to offer a high level of SNAP payments in May, according to a Marca report. States such as New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin are among the states to offer a higher level of SNAP payments in May. The higher rate will also be maintained for the time being in Washington D.C. All households in states with increased SNAP benefits will receive emergency allotments of at least $95. Households receiving $95 or more will remain to receive that same amount. SNAP benefits are usually paid out through an electronic benefits transfer card or EBT card. However, some states may give this program a bit differently. In New Mexico, it is called the Fiesta Card while California calls the program CalFresh, according to another Go Banking Rates report. To be qualified, residents are required to meet income and resource requirements, which are updated annually. Amazon Prime Amazon Prime is a subscription service that gives members access to various Amazon perks, which include fast shipping, access to exclusive Amazon deals, as well as free movie streaming, per a Toms Guide report. Amazon recently raised its rates from $119 per year to $139 per year, with month-to-month rates increasing from $12.99 per month to $14.99 per month. After March 25, existing members started paying the new rates. Meanwhile, Amazon announced a new benefit for its 150 million Amazon Prime members, which is Amazon Prime Gaming. It is the latest freebie in Amazon Prime's digital perks. Prime Gaming is a rebranding of Twitch Prime. READ MORE: SNAP Benefits 2022: Schedule of April Payments in Oregon, Emergency Allotments Revealed This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: 12 Surprising Things You Can Buy with Food Stamps on Amazon - from Low Income Relief At least 20 people from Haiti were reported dead on Wednesday following the gang wars that continue to occur in the four neighborhoods of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince. According to Associated Press, the fighting between gangs reportedly sparked on Sunday, in the neighborhoods north of the country's international airport. The number of casualties in the recent gang wars was confirmed by Haiti's Civil Protection Agency. A family of eight, including six children, was among those killed since the fight between gangs started. Resident Lucien, who lives in the northern slums, told AFP on Wednesday that armed men from the 400 Mawozo gang set fire to his house and killed several of his neighbors before they also set fire to their residences, via France 24. "They rape women and girls when they manage to get into a house," Lucien added. The residents of Port-au-Prince were not the only ones affected by the siege between gangs in Haiti. Associated Press mentioned that one bullet had also hit an empty United Nations humanitarian Air Service Helicopter that is stationed near the airport. The Miami Herald also mentioned residents claiming that the fight between gangs also affected the operations of the public transportation and street markets between Croix-des-Missions and Bon Repos. "The conflict is likely to escalate in the coming days, leading to further casualties and new population migrations," the Civil Protection Agency said. Officials warned that the main road leading to Haiti's northern region could be cut off as a result of the gang wars. READ NEXT: Death of Mexican Teenager Sparks Massive Protests in Monterrey; Gender Violence Crisis in Mexico Intensifies Haiti: Thousands of Families Displaced Over Fighting of Gangs Reports claim that thousands of people from the country's capital were displaced due to the gang wars that started on Sunday. The specific number of displaced locals from Port-au-Prince was not mentioned by authorities. AP noted that families with children stayed at a park near a local mayor's office. According to the Miami Herald, over 20,000 Haitians were displaced from their homes in Martissant and surrounding communities. The said community is located in the southern part of the country's capital. France 24 added that residents were also placed in dire straits, with some of the locals claiming that they have no food and water. One young woman was mentioned by the outlet claiming that they can't get any medicine for his father who is in critical condition. The father was reportedly suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. "We are in a situation where the only thing you can think about is your security. Not schooling, not anything else. There is no living here. The insecurity situation has paralyzed the country. ... If you don't have a need to go out in Haiti, you don't go out," Haiti's leading human rights defender Pierre Esperance told the Miami Herald. What Gangs Are Responsible for the Violence in Haiti? According to the Civil Protection Agency, this week's violence in Haiti's capital centered on the 400 Mawozo gangs and the Chen Mechan gang. Reports did not mention what was the issue that ignited the fight between the rival groups. The Miami Herald noted that a voice note circulating on social media warned the Haitian Police to stay away from their fight. A statement from Haiti's Ombudsman-like Citizen Protection Office has condemned the gang wars that continue in the capital. The office criticized the political leaders, claiming that their inaction and silence brought a "form of cynicism or contempt for human rights," specifically the right to life and security of the people. READ NEXT: Haiti Protests: 1 Dead, 2 Injured After Police Fired into Haitian Protesters in Port-au-Prince This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Gang Violence Running Rampant Throughout Haiti - From CBS News Police in Mexico had unearthed a pile of about 150 skulls in a cave near the Guatemalan border. At first, the Mexican police thought they were looking at a crime scene, taking the bones to the capital of Chiapas state. However, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said Wednesday that the skulls were from sacrificial victims killed between AD 900 and 1200, The Guardian reported. The INAH noted that it took a decade of tests and analysis to determine that the skulls brought to Tuxtla Gutierrez in 2012 were sacrificial victims. Experts said the victims in the cave had probably been ritually decapitated, and the skulls were put on display as a kind of trophy rack known as a "tzompantli." Spanish conquistadores wrote about the said racks in the 1520s, with some Spaniards' heads ending up in the same rack. It was common practice among the Aztecs and other cultures, with experts saying that the cave skulls may have rested atop poles rather than being strung on them. Typically, the Mexica expertly decapitated victims and carved standardized holes in the skulls' sides so they could be arranged on wooden poles and posts into a rack called the tzompantli, which held hundreds or even thousands of skulls. READ NEXT: Mexico Creates National Guard Special Team to Recover Stolen Archaeological Pieces Skulls Discovered in Mexico Were Sacrificial Remains There were reportedly more women than men among the sacrificial victims, and none of them had any teeth. In light of the cave experience, archaeologist Javier Montes de Paz said people should probably call archaeologists and not the police, Washington Post reported. Montes de Paz noted that when people find something that could be in an archeological context, they should not touch it and notify local authorities or the INAH. Archaeological evidence seemed to suggest that human sacrifice was indeed a regular aspect of Aztec culture and religious practices. But historians and archaeologists said the conquistadors were prone to exaggerating the terrors of human sacrifice to demonize the Mexica culture. The INAH has already confirmed the existence of tzompantli. In 2015, INAH archaeologists discovered and excavated the remains of a skull rack and one of the towers underneath a colonial period house on the street that runs Mexico City's cathedral. Aztec Culture of Sacrificial Remains According to Science News, much of the Templo Mayor survived to be discovered. The Templo Mayor was the main temple of the Mexica in their capital city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City. The Mexica people had built it in seven phases between 1325 and 1521, corresponding to the reign of a king. The Spanish destroyed the temple's final phases, with the smaller temples from earlier reigns were paved over but left relatively not ruined. Those ruins are now part of the Templo Mayor Museum. However, many structures surrounding the ruins remained hidden beneath the colonial city, now the modern megalopolis. Human sacrifice was mainly an important practice in Mesoamerica, with many of the region's cultures having believed that human sacrifice nourished gods. Most cultures that practiced human sacrifice include Maya and the Mexica. They believed that without human sacrifice, the sun would stop rising, and the world would end. They also believed that sacrificial victims earned a special "honored place" in the afterlife. Social scientists noted that costly offerings and painful rituals, such as bloodletting ceremonies, can help define and strengthen group identity. READ MORE: Mexico City Replacing Christopher Columbus Statue With One of Indigenous Woman; City Mayor Says It's to Deliver "Social Justice" This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Tenochtitlan -The Venice of Mesoamerica (Aztec History) - From Invicta The United States and Russia have carried out an unexpected prisoner exchange in a time of spiraling tensions, trading U.S. Marine Trevor Reed for a convicted Russian drug trafficker on Wednesday. Reed was a U.S. Marine detained in Russia for nearly three years. The trade would have been a notable diplomatic maneuver even in times of peace. But it was more surprising since it was done during Russia's war with Ukraine, according to the Associated Press. Russia received on their end as part of the deal Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving a 20-year federal sentence for conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. Reed's father, Joey, told the AP that the U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange occurred in Turkey when "the two planes pulled up side by side... and then they got out." "I think it's going to really hit home for him and for us when we finally get to see him and touch him," Joey told the outlet. Reed is a 30-year-old former Marine from Texas. He was arrested in the summer of 2019 after Russian authorities said he assaulted an officer while being driven by police to a police station after a night of heavy drinking. Russian authorities sentenced him to nine years in prison, which the U.S. government described as being "unjustly detained." READ NEXT: U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Meet With Ukraine Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv Trevor Reed Released via U.S.-Russia Prisoner Exchange Trevor Reed's parents received a call from President Joe Biden, whom they met in Washington D.C. last month. Biden noted that Joey was "totally gracious and wonderful and kind," Yahoo News reported. He also told Reed's parents that he hoped they would be able to meet with them again soon. Biden has confirmed Reed's release in a statement. The president noted that he was delighted to be able to share with Reed's family the good news about the former Marine's freedom. Biden said the negotiations that allowed them to bring Reed home required difficult decisions that he does not take lightly. Biden noted that Reed's safe return was a "testament to the priority" that his administration places on bringing home Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki commented on Konstantin Yaroshenko's release, saying that he had already served the majority of his prison sentence for a nonviolent drug crime. Psaki added that their overriding priority was the safe return of Reed, whose health had reportedly deteriorated. Russia-Ukraine War U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that he hopes to move toward reopening the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv in the next few weeks while U.S. diplomats started returning to Lviv for day trips on Tuesday. Blinken noted that the administration would put forward a request for supplemental funding in the "next couple of days" after Biden exhausted the budget in his presidential drawdown authority to aid in providing weapons and other military assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Microsoft released a detailed report of what it described as "destructive" Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine, ABC News reported. Microsoft has reportedly observed nearly 40 attacks targeting "hundreds of systems," with 32 percent of the destructive attacks directly targeting Ukrainian government organizations. READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky Says if Pres. Joe Biden Acted Sooner 'There Would Be No War' This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Timeline: Trevor Reed's Detention in Russia and Release - From ABC News A man in Mexico exhumed his dead mom's body, put it on a cargo tricycle, and took it through the streets of a town in Quintana Roo on Thursday night. Authorities said Wilbert Puch Hau, 47, took his dead mother back to their home in the Maya community of Noh-Bec in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto as he believed that she was still alive. According to Mexico News Daily, Hermelinda Hau Mis had recently died, and the 70-year-old mom was buried in the community cemetery. Noh-Bec mayor Aurelio Aguilar Hernandez reported that someone had entered the town's pantheon at around 10:40 p.m. Thursday, desecrated a tomb, and exhumed a body. Witnesses said Puch Hau claimed to have had "a revelation" that his mother was only sleeping, which prompted him to dig out the recently buried body. Puch Hau's 81-year-old father, widower Longimo Puch Chuc, admitted to the police who went to their home that his son exhumed his wife's body. Longimo also said his son told him that he had a dream that his mom was still alive. Other family members spoke to Puch Hau and told him he was mistaken. They persuaded him, saying he could not keep his dead's mom body. At around 1:20 a.m. on Friday, the body was returned to its coffin and reburied. Relatives sealed the tomb. Longimo did not pursue any complaint against his son for the theft of the body, El Universal reported. READ NEXT: El Chapo Sons' Hitman Shot Dead by Rival Gang of Sinaloa Cartel While Eating His Last Taco in Mexico Bodies Exhumed in Mexico Eustaquio Pech Ku, a public attorney for indigenous issues, said the state Attorney General's Office had received a complaint from police. Pech Ku noted that the act could be probed "as a crime against respect for the dead and against the rules of burial covered in the criminal code of the state." In 2015, Mexican authorities investigated whether forensic officials illegally transferred some 150 bodies from morgues to two mass graves. Morelos state prosecutor's office has started the investigation after the release of a video showing forensic officials in white protective suits exhuming bodies in the village of Tetelcingo, ABC News reported. At that time, Morelos chief prosecutor Javier Perez said they would review whether the forensic officials acted within the protocols required by law. Mayans in Mexico Bring Out Dead in Intimate Graveyard Rite Grieving Maya Indians in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula cleaned the remains of their late loved ones during a unique annual family reunion with the dead. According to Reuters, the tradition dates back centuries. After three years in the grave, families in Pomuch exhumed their dead and transferred their dried bones and skulls, often with hair attached, to wooden crates on permanent display in open funeral niches. Families gather every year in a two-day ritual preceding the November 1 and November 2 Day of the Dead festival at the painted tombs to replace the boxes' embroidered cloth linings and give the remains themselves spruce up. According to the beliefs of the Pomuch people, the dead are believed to be "purified" during the first three years after their death. They are then dug out and welcomed back as highly respected members of extended families. One theory suggests that villagers may have begun exhuming their dead for sanitary reasons after they were faced with an overflowing cemetery. READ MORE: El Chapo's Sons of Sinaloa Cartel Organized a 'Narco Fiesta' Ahead of Christmas Day in Mexico Town, Raffled off Brand New Cars This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Narco Cemeteries in El Chapo's Hometown - From Stories A new official supermarket has been announced for Electric Picnic which returns this September to Laois. Aldi has signed a new three-year deal with Electric Picnic to become the Official Supermarket Partner to Irelands premier music festival. After three long years without festivals, Electric Picnic 2022 sold out in minutes and the #TeamAldiIreland are excited to join festival goers in Stradbally this year, for what is sure to be one of the best festivals yet. Melvin Benn, Festival Republic Managing Director said it will give "huge value" to festival goers. Its been three years since our last Electric Picnic so we cannot wait to entertain our fans with the very best line-up to date and cater for their every need. We are delighted to welcome Aldi as our newest partner at this years festival, who will be there to provide the essentials across the campsite, giving huge value to festival attendees, he said. So, what can you expect from Aldi at Electric Picnic? The retailer will have a pop-up store with all of your festival essentials, located conveniently for festival campers and will remain open for festival attendees to shop throughout the three-day festival. Festival goers will be able to purchase breakfast foods, snacks, sweet treats, beauty items and sun cream to the all-important festival Specialbuys to fully kit out your camping area when you arrive. Items such as sleeping bags, festival pop-up tents and camping chairs will be available for those who leave their packing to the last minute. Camping can be enjoyed all year around, so Aldi and Electric Picnic are encouraging festival goers to bring home their tents and camping essentials after the festival to enjoy for years to come. Aldi has two stores in Laois, at Portlaoise and Portarlington. However all 150 stores will be celebrating AldiFest throughout the summer, whether youre attending Electric Picnic personally or hosting a mini festival at home. In the run up to Electric Picnic, Aldis social channels and in store will offer chances to win the Ultimate Festival Experience with great festival themed prizes, from special access Electric Picnic tickets and glamping to pop-up tents and picnic tables. Niall OConnor is the Aldi Group Managing Director. This is a significant announcement for Aldi customers and employees alike as we finally reveal this very exciting partnership. Weve been working with Electric Picnic over the last few months to finalise our plans which includes a festival orientated Aldi supermarket at the event. At Aldi, value is at the heart of everything we offer, and we know that going to a festival means people still want that value in their pockets - and in their tents. Our customers continue to demand more from us, and we are confident that our presence at Electric Picnic will add to festival goers experience. Those attending can look forward to all the best Aldi offers from Specialbuys and grocery essentials to last-minute forgotten items and campsite snacks. To be able to bring our offering to Stradbally is a special milestone for us as a business bringing together Irelands favourite supermarket with Irelands favourite festival! Prison Officers have claimed that they are ending up before judges on false accusations of assault because of claims made by inmates. The allegation was made at the Prison Officers Association Annual (POA) Delegate Conference in Sligo in a speech by Tony Power, the association's President. We are deeply concerned about continuing false statements made by prisoners, leading to unjust and unnecessary court appearances by our members He said he raised that when he addressed 2019 Annual Delegate conference a colleague was in court. "At that exact time one of our members was in the dock of a Circuit Court, accused of assaulting a prisoner and of making a false statement to Gardai. CCTV quite clearly showed that the officer had done nothing wrong and the only one false statement that was that of the prisoner. This officer followed his training to the letter of the law, it was textbook, straight from the Irish Prison Service Control & Restraint Manual, a manual the judge said held no weight in his court but a manual that is still in use today. "Despite the fact that two independent expert witnesses were willing to testify that the actions of this officer on the day were exemplary and that the CCTV footage of the incident could be used as a Training Video, despite all this Minister, the officer and his family had to endure the stresses of an entire trial because the Prison Service refused to stand up and protect their staff member. This officer stood in court and listened as his employer offered him no protection in front of the judge. The employer merely stated that the Irish Prison Service had no role to play. How convenient I might say?" said Mr Power. The POA president said jury found the officer not guilty. He als described a second such incident at the conference. In the recent past at another of the states prisons our members had to deal with another violent uncompliant prisoner. Again, these officers used all their specialized training in Control and Restraint. Control & Restraint training in the Irish Prison Service is scenario-based, and while it is recognized as the most effective training system, it can never fully replicate the challenges faced by staff in some live situations. While every effort is made by staff to ensure the safety of the prisoner it is inevitable that at times people will get injured, both staff and prisoners. "In the incident in question the prisoner, while violently resisting staff, allegedly suffered a black eye. This prisoner was at the time one of the most high-profile prisoners in the state and when the Director General was made aware of the situation, she immediately visited the prison in question insisting that the staff involved be suspended without any procedure or investigation. Thankfully, in this case, the governor intervened. "These two incidents go to highlight the difficulty our members are facing on an almost daily basis. All it takes is for a prisoner to make a category A complaint and our members are under investigation for Doing their Job. "In court the Irish Prison Service is refusing to take the stand to outline the training staff receive, staff adherence to IPS Policies and the C&R Manual, which is a 300-page blueprint of all C&R tactics and techniques. The IPS and the Chief States Solicitor are also refusing to indemnify staff who may find themselves in front of the courts for following their training .and the rulebook," he said. Mr Power said the Prison Officers Association will continue to support our members in these situations but he predicted a change in practice if his colleagues are to protect themselves. "The day is fast approaching when we will have to advise our members when there is trouble in our prisons to step back and just call the Gardai. This is something we would not wish to do, however, we have a duty to protect our members, he said. Power concluded by stressing to the Minister for Justice who attended the conference that prison officers can no longer be asked intervene in disturbances if this puts their livelihood at risk A planning appeal that was going to further delay a long awaited new special school in Laois has been withdrawn, with the project now "full steam ahead". Kolbe Special School for severely disabled children in Portlaoise, was approved for a new building last month, but the school then lodged an appeal over one planning condition set by Laois County Council. The condition relating to road access would have raised the project cost. All is now straightened out, according to Sean Fleming TD, Minister of State in the Department of Finance. "I am pleased to announce that it is full steam ahead for Kolbe School in Portlaoise. "Plans are now proceeding immediately for the preparation of and drawing up of the tender documents so this project can go to tender and then to construction as quickly as possible. "There had been a delay in this project as the school had lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala which has now been withdrawn. "I had stated that a new Kolbe School for Portlaoise was my Number 1 priority during the last General Election campaign and I restated that on several occasions since," he said. Minister Fleming explained the issue. "Recently Laois County Council announced that they were granting planning permission for the new school, but the issue of an adequate buffer zone to the western side of the site to provide access way and a roadline route from the Stradbally Road to the Dublin Road had to be dealt with before the development could proceed. "The school lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala in the event that an agreement would not be reached at local level. "However I personally on a number of occasions spoke directly with Kolbe School Management, the Department of Education, the Minister for Education and senior officials in Laois County Council who were dealing with this in an effort to resolve the issue. "I am pleased to confirm that following these discussions, and discussions between Laois County Council and the school authorities regarding revised proposals in relation to reducing the buffer zone that this matter is now fully resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned. The new school project is now at tender preparation stage. "Preparation of the tender documents had already commenced but was on hold while this matter was before An Bord Pleanala. This process is now resumed. "In the interest of clarification, I wish to confirm that while I did deal with Kolbe School, the Department of Education and Laois County Council on this matter at no stage did I make contact with An Bord Pleanala. "I am very pleased now that the appeal has been withdrawn and the Department of Education, Kolbe School and Laois County Council are fully satisfied with the outcome and this project can proceed as originally intended. "I want to thank everyone involved for their constructive approach in bringing this matter to a speedy conclusion and I look forward to this project going out to tender as soon as possible. "As always I am available to help all schools in the County in relation to proposed capital or other projects in their schools and I will assist in every way I can," the Minister of State said. Kolbe is the only school for children with profound special needs in Laois, with 41 pupils but five of the seven classes are in prefabs. A new school has been on the Department of Education's list since 2001. The new replacement school building will be on a greenfield site, set aside for many years beside the school on the Block Road. The single storey building will have 8 classrooms and ancillary accommodation including a General Purpose room, a Home Economics Room, a Daily Living Skills room, library and resource area. The family of a 26-year-old mother of two who had a brain tumour and died eight years ago has settled High Court proceedings against two GPs and two hospitals over the care she received before her death. Laura McDonnells family settled several actions including for nervous shock against two GPs, St Jamess Hospital, Dublin and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. The familys counsel, Gabriel Gavigan SC with Barbara McGrath BL, told the court it was very sad and tragic and it was their case that if Lauras brain tumour had been caught earlier, her life could have been saved. Brain stem tests on February 19, 2014 at Beaumont Hospital showed no brainstem activity and Ms McDonnell was declared dead. Counsel said it was their case that the GPs, one of whom she visited on four occasions complaining of headache allegedly misdiagnosed her condition as sinusitis and there was an alleged failure to consider any other diagnosis. Mr Gavigan told Mr Justice Paul Coffey, Ms McDonnell should have been referred on to hospital but the situation took a terrible turn for the worse. She was referred to St Jamess Hospital on January 30, 2014, but he said was discharged from A&E without a proper clinical assessment. Counsel said Ms McDonnell returned to the hospital A&E the next day, but it was their contention there had been an alleged delay of about 17 hours without proper assessment. After she was transferred to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin Counsel said there was an alleged failure to arrange for an urgent MRI. She had a tumour on her brain. Our experts would say if it was caught earlier her life could have been saved, Counsel said. Laura McDonnells partner, Graham Byrne of Liffey Valley Park, Lucan, and Lauras mother Bernadette McDonnell of Palmerstown, Dublin had sued GPs, Dr Orla Johnston of Grange Cross Medical, Grange Cross, Ballyfermot, Dublin and Dr Fiona McGrath of the same practice along with St Jamess Hospital Dublin and Beaumont Hospital Dublin. They had sued for nervous shock claiming alleged negligence and breach of duty over the provision of clinical services and in the clinical assessment and management and treatment of Laura Mc Donnell and her death on February 19, 2014. It was claimed Ms McDonnell attended Dr Johnston on November 26, 2013, complaining of a persistent headache and a clinical diagnosis of sinusitis was made and she was started on antibiotics. A few days later she reattended with the same GP and was diagnosed with persistent sinusitis. She went to Dr Johnston again on January 28, 2014, complaining of feeling rotten and it was claimed a decision was made to trial saline sinus washouts with antibiotics and steroids if needed. It was claimed on January 30, 2014, she attended with Dr Fiona McGrath and complained of feeling worse and the clinical notes recorded that she described head pressure. Ms McDonnell attended another GP and was referred to St Jamess Hospital Dublin for urgent assessment and to rule out meningitis. It was claimed when she arrived at the hospital there were significant queues and delays and she was advised to return the following morning. When she returned to St Jamess Hospital the next day and was clinically assessed, and it was concluded that she had an upper respiratory tract infection with headache, and she was advised to continue taking antibiotics and do follow up with her GP. On February 15, 2014, Ms McDonnell attended an out of hours GP service and was referred for a CT scan. It was claimed at St Jamess Hospital she was assessed by a doctor and later had a CT scan which showed a lesion on her brain. She later had to be intubated and ventilated and was transferred to ICU at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Ms McDonnell arrived at Beaumont Hospital at 4.35 AM on February 17, but, it is claimed, did not get an MRI scan until after midday. In the early hours of February 18, Ms McDonnell deteriorated suddenly and was found unresponsive. A decision was taken in to bring her to theatre where an emergency craniotomy was carried out. Brainstem tests were later carried out and Ms McDonnell was declared to have died. The claims were denied. Approving the settlements which includes 100,000 for nervous shock for Mr Byrne and a separate confidential settlement for Mrs McDonnell, Mr Justice Paul Coffey offered his deepest sympathy to Lauras partner and extended family. A Wicklow man who became obsessive with his first love after a road traffic accident changed his attitude to their relationship has been given a suspended sentence for harassing the woman. Denis Condron (23) had been dating the woman for a number of months when he was involved in a car crash. The woman later told gardai that after the accident Condrons attitude changed and he became paranoid, obsessive and possessive. Garda Joseph Melvin told Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting that the woman said Condron would ring her about 15 times a day and would ask her to take photographs to prove who she was with. On occasion he would video call her as she was going to bed in her own home and ask her to leave the phone open. When she awoke the following morning Condron would still be on the call looking at her. The woman ultimately ended the relationship after numerous attempts to do so. Each time she had tried to break up before that Condron would try to stop his behaviour and would improve but would fall back into the same pattern, the garda confirmed. He said after the relationship ended Condron regularly threatened to kill himself. He also threatened to send the womans parents intimate photographs she had sent him during the course of their relationship. Condron of Derry Drive, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to harassing the woman between December 2019 and March 2020. Keith Spencer BL, defending, said his client found it very difficult to let the relationship go. He should have let grief be a fallen leaf and move on, Mr Spencer said. Counsel said it had been a very good relationship at the beginning and Condron had wanted to hold onto it at all costs. He refused to accept that she had moved on, Mr Spencer said before he added that this had been his clients first relationship, his first love. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that the relationship had been going well but it at some point Condron became abusive, and it seems that the car accident changed his personality and changed the relationship. He said Condrons cumulative behaviour of continually texting the woman after the relationship ended and the threats he issued meant he had harassed the woman. Judge Nolan accepted that both Condron and the woman have since gone their separate ways and there has been no contact since she made a statement to the gardai. He said that given the harassment lasted for three months it was at the less serious end of the spectrum of such an offence and Condron does not deserve a custodial sentence. Judge Nolan imposed a sentence of two years which he suspended in full for two years. He also ordered that Condron have no contact whatsoever with the woman for the next 30 years. If you do contact her, you will be committing a criminal offence and will be brought back to court and in all likelihood will go to jail, Judge Nolan told Condron. Running and hiding Gda Melvin told Ms Duffy that on some occasions when the woman met Condron in public she would end up running away and hiding because she was afraid of him. She also contacted Condrons mother because she feared he would harm himself after Condron told her his life was not worth living without her. In February 2020 Condron arrived at the womans home and at her college. At one point he followed her on a bus into Dublin city. When she got off the bus, she called into a nearby garda station and Condron followed her in. A garda walked the woman back to her bus and Condron followed her back onto the bus and to her home. Both she and her mother were concerned for Condron and offered to buy him food and a bus ticket home. He eventually did leave. In the weeks after the woman continued to receive texts and calls from Condron. She contacted the gardai because she was not sure what to do about the situation. Gda Melvin confirmed that while the woman was in the station making her statement to gardai Condron regularly messaged her. He accepted that Condron has not been in touch with the woman since. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read out. He agreed with Mr Spencer that Condron told gardai later in interview that the way the woman finished things messed with his head. Avoca has opened the doors on its new homewares and food store in Kildare Village. This brings to 14 the number of its stores in Ireland, and the new branch will create 34 new jobs. The 196 ft shop will have a food market, clothing and interiors. To mark the launch, Avoca will stage a series of pop-ups in store from Thursday, April 28, to Sunay May 1, including singing waiters in store and throughout the village, as well as a live screen print bar where customers can design and create their own tote bag. The new Avoca store at Kildare Village The store will feature exclusive designs from Avoca's own brand collections, including cashmere scarves and knitted accessories for women, men and kids, beauty and gift items, interior decor and home accessories including printed ceramic ranges, cushions, home fragrances and candles. The store will also stock a collection of throws and soft goods hand woven in their County Wicklow mill. The brands signature tree can be found at the heart of the store, decorated with beautiful wisteria flowers. Outside, a premium Parisian food hut takes centre stage providing shoppers with convenient, delicious lunches and snacks such as coffee, soups, sandwiches, toasties and Avocas signature sweet treats. Visitor's food market range, including its own brand produce, gourmet grab and go meals and freshly baked pastries and bread, will also be on sale. The interior of the new Avoca store at Kildare Village Shane Flynn, managing director at Avoca, said: "It is a very exciting day for the business, and we are thrilled to finally be partnering with Value Retail to open a prime location in Kildare Village. We are dedicated to showcasing quality Irish produce and unique products woven from the Avoca Mill to our customers and this new store will help us achieve that. The store promises to deliver an inspiring retail and food experience for the local community and destination shoppers. We are committed to expanding in bricks and mortar this year and Kildare Village is the first of many launches to come. The shop will be open Saturday to Wednesday, 9am to 7pm, and Thursday and Friday, 9am to 8pm. Independent Deputy Marian Harkin brought up the granting of prospecting licences in Leitrim in this week's Dail Eireann. She stated, "Despite significant local opposition from landowners and business people and a unanimous vote from Leitrim County Council to oppose the application, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has granted a prospecting licence for gold, silver and base metals in 47 townlands in north Leitrim. "I know it is a prospecting licence and not a mining licence but it is a foot in the door for Flintridge Resources, a subsidiary of the Canadian gold mining company, Galantas Gold. We will be told, of course, that it is mining for base metals but it is a gold-mining company and it will mine for gold. We do not need it. We already have a supply of more than 500 years of gold mined globally. Can we look at the possibility of banning gold mining in Ireland? It is unnecessary, as well as being an energy-intensive, carbon-heavy process. As Coillte owns much of the 25% of land already planted in Leitrim, what will its stance be? Will it go against the local communities and allow access to its lands?" Responding Taoiseach Micheal Martin, "It is a prospecting licence and therefore it is not extraction at this stage. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, has to operate within the legal framework. I would like to examine the situation more deeply before making any kind of commitment in terms of banning anything in that regard and to hear the background to this and people's concerns." One exceedance of the pesticide MCPA has been detected in the South Leitrim Regional public drinking water supply in 2021. This exceedance was detected as part of Irish Waters public water supply monitoring programme. MCPA is still the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water sources and is present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control thistles, docks and rushes. There was a significant reduction in the number of exceedances for pesticides in public drinking water supplies in Leitrim last year, according to Irish Water. In 2020 the utility detected four exceedances of Glyphosate as part of its ongoing monitoring, however, this had reduced to one exceedance of MCPA in 2021. The South Leitrim Regional water supply abstracts raw water from the River Shannon, which is vulnerable to runoff from land. Irish Water is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products to continue to consider the vulnerability of their local drinking water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to local homes and businesses in the community. Irish Water, working in partnership with a range of organisations involved in the NPDWAG, is asking the farming community, greens keepers, grounds keepers, and also domestic users of pesticides, to consider in each case whether they need to use pesticides at all. Minimising pesticide use not only helps to protect water quality but also has wider environmental benefits. For example, leaving areas unsprayed can help native flowering plant species to grow and support a range of insects including bees and other vital pollinators. One third of Irelands bee species are threatened with extinction and by helping the bee population survive and thrive we are also helping to protect our precious water sources. For more information on practical ways to help bees and other pollinators, check out the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan at www.pollinators.ie. Farmers should also bear in mind that application of herbicides reduces sward species diversity and could negatively impact on payments in future agri-environmental schemes. Where pesticide use is considered necessary, the NPDWAG is working with local communities to ensure that best practice measures to protect drinking water sources and biodiversity are always followed. Farmers and other landholders dealing with the challenge of rushes should note Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) guidance on the sustainable management of rushes. This approach is based on the concepts of containment or suppression and aims to minimise the use of pesticides. More information on this can be obtained from your local farm advisor or on www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/ sud/waterprotection The NPDWAG is chaired by the DAFM and involves key stakeholders from a range of Government departments and agencies, local authorities, industry representative bodies, farming organisation, water sector organisations and amenity sector organisations. Dr Pat OSullivan, Irish Waters Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: In Co Leitrim, the exceedance of the drinking water regulations for MCPA was noted in the South Leitrim Regional public water supply following routine sampling. While our consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels we are detecting do not represent a threat to public health, they are still however undesirable in drinking water and it is therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives. Adding to this, Dr Aidan Moody, DAFM and Chair of NPDWAG commented: We need the continued engagement of all stakeholders, working in partnership, make further progress. Users of pesticides must always consider alternatives in the first instance and if the application of pesticides is considered essential make sure that they follow best practice measures to protect water quality. The name of the first president of South East Technological University (SETU) has been announced. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, today (Thursday April 28) confirmed the designation of Professor Veronica Campbell as the inaugural president of SETU, the amalgamation of Institutes of Technology in Carlow and Waterford. The appointment will now be put forward for ratification by the new university's governing body at its first meeting on establishment day, May 1 2022. Chairperson Designate of the Governing Body of SETU, Professor Patrick Prendergast warmly welcomed the news. He said, "This is a truly exciting time for the south east of Ireland. This Sunday we will have achieved our long-standing ambition to deliver a university for and of the region. And today Im particularly delighted to welcome Professor Veronica Campbell as first president of what I know will be an ambitious and innovative technological university. "Professor Campbell comes to us with years of experience in senior academic and management roles in higher education in Ireland and abroad. She will bring an energy, vitality and leadership to the role and drive our ambition to be a leading European technological university. Professor Veronica Campbell holds a degree in Pharmacology from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Neuropharmacology from the University of London. She was awarded a Health Research Board post-doctoral fellowship in 1996 and was appointed to an academic post in the Department of Physiology, School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin in 1998. Professor Campbell has extensive undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience and a productive research record in cell biology, pharmacology and tissue engineering. She has held several senior leadership roles in Trinity College, including Dean of Graduate Studies and Bursar & Director of Strategic Innovation; in the latter role from 2015 to 2021 Prof Campbell oversaw the commencement of a 300m capital project portfolio in the university. The professor currently serves on the Board of the Atlantic Institute based in Oxford University, and was the inaugural chair of the Global Brain Health Institute of Trinity College and UCSF. She is a former President of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (Biomedical Sciences Section). This Sunday (May 1), SETU will be formally established. The new university will officially celebrate its launch in September in a ceremony to mark its first academic year and the first intake of university students presided over by the new president. One exceedance of the pesticide MCPA has been detected in the South Leitrim Regional public drinking water supply in 2021. This exceedance was detected as part of Irish Waters public water supply monitoring programme. MCPA is still the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water sources and is present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control thistles, docks and rushes. There was a significant reduction in the number of exceedances for pesticides in public drinking water supplies in Leitrim last year, according to Irish Water. In 2020 the utility detected four exceedances of Glyphosate as part of its ongoing monitoring, however, this had reduced to one exceedance of MCPA in 2021. The South Leitrim Regional water supply abstracts raw water from the River Shannon, which is vulnerable to runoff from land. Irish Water is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products to continue to consider the vulnerability of their local drinking water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to local homes and businesses in the community. Irish Water, working in partnership with a range of organisations involved in the NPDWAG, is asking the farming community, greens keepers, grounds keepers, and also domestic users of pesticides, to consider in each case whether they need to use pesticides at all. Minimising pesticide use not only helps to protect water quality but also has wider environmental benefits. For example, leaving areas unsprayed can help native flowering plant species to grow and support a range of insects including bees and other vital pollinators. If pesticides have to be used, the basic steps to reduce risks to drinking water sources and the aquatic environment are: Choose the right pesticide product (note that products containing MCPA are NOT approved for use in weed-wipers, and are not permitted to be used from the end of September until the beginning of March) Read and follow the product label Determine the right amount to purchase and use Dont use pesticides if rain is forecast in the next 48 hours Make sure you are aware of the location of all nearby water courses Comply with any buffer zone specified on the product label to protect the aquatic environment. Mark out the specified buffer zone from the edge of the river or lake or other water course and drainage ditches Avoid spills, stay well back from open drains and rinse empty containers 3 times into the sprayer. Store and dispose of pesticides and their containers properly. Never fill a sprayer directly from a water course or carry out mixing, loading or other handling operations beside a water course Following his trip to Russia UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced his arrival to the war-torn Ukraine where he will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, the UN chief said: "I have arrived in Ukraine after visiting Moscow. We will continue our work to expand humanitarian support & secure the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones. "The sooner this war ends, the better for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world." In a meeting with Guterres in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to the involvement of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal plant in Ukraine's besieged city of Mariupol. The UN is following up on an agreement with Russia to coordinate the evacuation of civilians in Azovstal, a spokesman of the world body announced on Wednesday Follow-on discussions were to be held with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Russian Defense Ministry. During their meeting, Putin also told the UN chief that the Ukrainian issue arose after the 2014 "unconstitutional coup" in Kiev and people in Donbas remained under blockade and military pressure even after the Minsk agreements on a peaceful settlement were reached. According to the Russian President, the Donbas "republics" have the right to declare their sovereignty and Russia has the right to recognise their independence and provide them with military assistance in full accordance with the UN Charter. Guterres proposed creating a contact group where the UN, Russia and Ukraine can discuss the situation together so that the humanitarian corridors are truly effective. The 'Blue Shield' marking system is being used to protect various sites and monuments, in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 13, 2022. @TIMLEBERRE / TWITTER An architecture graduate, Cameroonian Lazare Eloundou Assomo is the head of UNESCO's World Heritage Center. He is overseeing operations introduced at the start of the war to protect Ukrainian heritage. UNESCO has uploaded a list of 102 buildings with significant heritage value that have been damaged since the war in Ukraine began. Does this list reflect the level of losses incurred? Having led heritage protection operations in other countries such as Mali and Iraq, I know how difficult getting an idea of the level of destruction is while still at war. Once you can actually go there, what you find is usually much more serious than anything you could have imagined. When we do get to Kherson, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Irpin and all those cities where the war is now focused, the toll will increase considerably. Based on what has been documented so far, the scale of the disaster is already colossal. We haven't seen anything like this in a long time, especially in a country with such a rich heritage. Seven sites are included on UNESCO's World Heritage List, including six cultural sites; the tentative list all the sites for which Ukraine believes that one day it could apply for inclusion on the World Heritage List has 17 . Those aside, there are 650 museums, medieval churches, cathedrals, archaeological sites, monuments, buildings dedicated to cultural activities and masterpieces of the Constructivist period. None of the buildings from the Constructivist period are on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and only one, the Derzhprom in Kharkiv, is on the tentative list. Are the Ukrainian authorities unwilling to award any value to this Soviet heritage? There are also historical centers on this list with buildings from different eras. The historical center of Lviv, for example, is rooted in the Middle Ages, but is also home to 20th-century buildings. The same is true of the center of Chernihiv, or the port of Odessa. How does the "Blue Shield," the marking system supposed to protect heritage buildings in the event of armed conflict, work? This tool was conceived under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Ukraine and Russia are both signatories to this convention. The "Blue Shield" is an emblem marked on buildings. It is a tool that countries can use to protect their heritage. The emblem may be painted, glued, stuck on a door or even laid out on the ground. The principle is the marking. Anyone can do it. As soon as a building is marked, parties to the conflict are supposed to have seen it. Since the very early days of the war, we have been encouraging Ukrainian authorities to mark their sites and monuments with the "Blue Shield." You have 55.54% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. SpaceX has launched four astronauts to the International Space Station for Nasa, less than two days after completing a flight chartered by millionaires. It is the first Nasa crew comprised equally of men and women, including the first black woman making a long-term spaceflight, Jessica Watkins. This is one of the most diversified, I think, crews that weve had in a really, really long time, Nasas space operations mission chief Kathy Lueders said on the eve of launch. The astronauts were due to arrive at the space station last night (Wednesday April 27), 16 hours after their pre-dawn lift-off from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Anyone who saw it realised what a beautiful launch it was, Ms Lueders told reporters. After an express flight comparable to travelling from New York to Singapore, the crew will move in for a five-month stay. SpaceX has now launched five crews for Nasa and two private trips in just under two years. Elon Musks company is having an especially busy few weeks: it just finished taking three businessmen to and from the space station as Nasas first private guests. A week after the new crew arrives, the three Americans and German they are replacing will return to Earth in their own SpaceX capsule. Three Russians also live at the space station. Both SpaceX and Nasa officials stressed they are taking it one step at a time to ensure safety. The private mission that concluded on Monday encountered no major problems, they said, although high wind delayed the splashdown for a week. SpaceX Launch Control wished the astronauts good luck and Godspeed moments before the Falcon rocket blasted off with the capsule, named Freedom by its crew. Our heartfelt thank you to every one of you that made this possible. Now let Falcon roar and Freedom ring, radioed Nasa astronaut Kjell Lindgren, the commander. Minutes later, their recycled booster had landed on an ocean platform and their capsule was safely orbiting Earth. It was a great ride, he said. The SpaceX capsules are fully automated which opens the space gates to a broader clientele and they are designed to accommodate a wider range of body sizes. At the same time, Nasa and the European Space Agency have been pushing for more female astronauts. While two black women visited the space station during the shuttle era, neither moved in for a lengthy stay. Ms Watkins, a geologist who is on Nasas shortlist for a moon-landing mission in the years ahead, sees her mission as an important milestone, I think, both for the agency and for the country. She credits supportive family and mentors including Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space in 1992 for ultimately being able to live my dream. Also cheering Ms Watkins on was another geologist, Apollo 17s Harrison Schmitt, who walked on the moon in 1972. She invited the retired astronaut to the launch, along with his wife. We sort of consider ourselves the Jessica team, he said, chuckling. Those of us who rode the Saturn V into space are a little bit jaded about the smaller rockets, Mr Schmitt said after the SpaceX lift-off. But still, it really was something and on board was a geologist I hope it will stand her in good stead for being part of one of the Artemis crews that go to the moon. Like Ms Watkins, Nasa astronaut and test pilot Bob Hines is making his first spaceflight. It is the second visit for Mr Lindgren, a physician, and the European Space Agencys lone female astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti, a former Italian air force fighter pilot. Ms Cristoforetti turned 45 on Tuesday, so she really celebrates and is very happy with a big smile in the capsule, said the European Space Agencys director general Josef Aschbacher. Shes really a role model and shes doing an enormously fabulous job on doing exactly that. The just-completed private flight was Nasas first dip into space tourism after years of opposition. The space agency said the three people who paid 55 million dollars (43.7 million) each to visit the space station blended in while doing experiments and educational outreach. They were accompanied by a former Nasa astronaut employed by Houston-based Axiom Space, which arranged the flight. The International Space Station is not a vacation spot. Its not an amusement park. It is an international laboratory, and they absolutely understood and respected that purpose, said Nasa flight director Zeb Scoville. Nasa also hired Boeing to ferry astronauts after retiring the shuttles. The company will take another shot next month at getting an empty crew capsule to the space station, after software and other problems fouled a 2019 test flight and prevented a redo last summer. A SPECIALIST team will be sent to University Hospital Limerick to try and alleviate the record number of patients on trolleys. The expert team has been ordered to the hospital by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, who wrote to HSE Chief Paul Reid on Tuesday with the request. Last week, UHL recorded the highest numbers of patients on trolleys ever with 126 people waiting for a bed. Today, there are 95 people waiting on trolleys at the hospital, down from the 111 that were recorded yesterday. All but the most time-critical activity has been suspended at the hospital as they remain at the 'highest level of escalation'. INMO representative at UHL Ann Noonan told RTE News At One that she wants the team of specialists to "talk to those on the ground". "I totally understand that there is a cost affect of all of this and a shortage of staff in other disciplines however, I am the nurse representative and at the end of the ay the one discipline that is there 365 days a year, 24/7 is the nurses." A spokesperson for the University of Limerick Hospital Group said they look forward to receiving full details on the expert team and its work in due course. THE trial of two anti-war activists accused of causing criminal damage to the perimeter fence at Shannon Airport and of trespassing there on March 17, 2019 has reached closing stages. US army veterans Ken Mayers, aged 85, of Monte Alte Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Tarak Kauff, aged 80, of Arnold Drive, Woodstock, New York are charged with causing criminal damage to a perimeter fence at the airport on St Patrick's Day three years ago; trespassing with the intent to commit an offence or unlawfully damage property, and interfering with the operation, safety or management of an airport by entering a runway area and causing it to be closed. They have both pleaded not guilty, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, to all charges against them. Both are former members of the United States military who became anti-war activists in the 1960s and are also members of a US-based group, Veterans for Peace. The prosecution case finished on Wednesday and the two defendants gave evidence in their own defence. Following closing speeches tomorrow, Judge Patricia Ryan is due to charge the jury in the law before sending it out to begin deliberations. In their evidence on Wednesday both defendants acknowledged cutting a hole in the fence and walking onto the airport. They said they did so to protest against the United States' military use of Shannon as a stop-over en route to and from areas, many of them in the Middle East, where the military is involved. They said they also wanted to highlight what they maintained was a breach of Irish neutrality, in which they say the Irish Government is complicit, contrary to the demands of international law. The men said they wanted to inspect a civilian aircraft contracted to the US military and which was parked at the airport. Justifying their actions, they told the jury that they were defending international law, and were mandated by God in pursuit of a "higher purpose". The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister is expected to raise the Northern Ireland Protocol during his visit to meet with senior officials in the Biden administration. Minister Simon Coveney will visit Washington DC and Boston, with the three-day trip from April 27-29 set to include meetings with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. He is also set for meetings on Capitol Hill. The meeting comes amid ongoing negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol, as well as days before the Assembly elections on May 5. Mr Coveney is also expected to raise both the war in Ukraine and the upcoming elections during his visit, as well as the Northern Ireland Protocol. The protocol is aimed at avoiding a hard border with Ireland, but has created a series of economic barriers on Irish Sea trade. President Joe Biden has been a vocal opponent of any moves perceived to pose a threat to peace in Northern Ireland and the stability of the Good Friday Agreement. The UK Government has refused to be drawn on reports that the Queens Speech on May 10 may include legislation to unilaterally suspend the protocol if a negotiated solution does not emerge. Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Coveney said: Ireland and the United States have deep and warm relations built on a foundation of historic ties and shared values. Strengthening this relationship further is a priority for the Government. This visit to Washington DC and Boston is an important opportunity to discuss shared approaches to confronting global challenges, and to re-engage with our diaspora community and other friends of Ireland in the United States as we emerge from the pandemic. Iran is ramping up oil exports and benefiting from a rise in oil prices as its main buyer, China, pulls back on its purchases of Russian oil due to the war with Ukraine. Iran oil exportswhich go almost exclusively to China apart from rare deliveries to Syria and Venezuelarose to 750,000 barrels a day in the first three months of the year, up 12% from an average of 668,000 barrels a day in the full-year 2021, said commodities data provider Kpler. China cut back its purchases of Russian oil by 14% in March, according to data from Chinese customs administration. Irans growing exports illustrate how the invasion of Ukraine is redrawing the worlds energy trade routes, as energy consumers look for alternatives to Russian oil and gas to avoid Western sanctions. The changes are expected to accelerate as more Russian oil comes off the market, with the International Energy Agency predicting that the countrys production will fall by more than a quarter. Irans exports grew faster than any other Middle Eastern nation in the first quarter, and marked the highest level of oil that Iran has exported since President Trump reimposed sanctions on Tehran in 2018 after pulling out a 2015 nuclear accord signed under President Obama, according to Kpler. Russia and Iran have aligning interests on a range of issues, including supporting President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and opposing the U.S.-led global order. But in the oil market, they are competitors, as some of Irans crude has a similar composition to Russian grades that makes it easy for refineries to substitute them for each other. Iran is now selling more oil to China despite charging higher prices than Moscow after oil prices rose to a decade high in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Moscow is selling its oil at a discount of $30 a barrel compared with international prices, while Iran offers smaller rebates of $20 a barrel, according to an Iranian official. Irans oil exports rose by 40% in the year ended March 20, the countrys oil minister, Jawad Owji, told state media earlier this month. As a result, the government received about 10% more than the amount of oil revenue it had initially expected, Mr. Owji said. The opportunity to sell more oil comes at an especially opportune time for Iran. It had been preparing to increase its oil output in anticipation of a nuclear deal with the U.S. that would have included an end to the embargo on Iranian oil. Talks to revive the pact have stalled. In recent months, Iran launched testing drills to restart onshore wells that were idle for years because of the sanctions, Iranian officials say. We are going to be ready to sell more oil," said an Iranian official. The aim was to substantially increase production to be able to export an additional 1 million barrels of oil a day as soon as the deal became effective, the officials said. Iran also sent tankers carrying millions of barrels of oil for temporary storage ready to be snapped by buyers, these people said. Data from shipping-tracker MarineTraffic shows the locations of the idling vessels include a northern Chinese port that is near South Korea, which has said it would restart Iran oil purchases if sanctions are lifted. But since then, oil deliveries from Russiathe worlds biggest oil and gas exporter-have been coming under pressure with many buyers shunning its products while others, such as the U.S., are banning them outright. State-run China National Offshore Oil Corp. halved its imports from Russia to 60,000 barrels a day in March while it boosted its Iran oil imports by 30,000 barrels a day, Kpler said. China remains cautious over how to handle the Ukraine crisis," an analyst with Kpler said. While at the same time, it does not expect to be hit by the U.S. over Iran because Washington has its plate full with Russia." While most countries have so far condemned Moscows actions in Ukraine, China has refrained from calling the Russian assault on Ukraine an invasion. But in talks with the U.S., China has presented itself as a neutral party and insisted it advocates respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries. Tehran doesnt disclose official data for its oil exports, which are carried through covert tactics such as vessels going dark or transferring their cargoes to other ships to conceal their origin. An Iranian official said oil shipments were higher than the Kpler figures, saying they hit 1.2 million barrels a daywith an additional 300,000 barrels a day delivered to China through third-party countries. Another Iranian official said Russias increased isolation on the world stage in the wake of the Ukraine invasion means Moscows oil is now much more difficult to sell than Irans crude. Ukraine changed everything" for Tehrans oil sales, the Iranian official said. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text Click here to read the full article. The general counsel of the ACLU testified on Thursday that Amber Heards op-ed in the Washington Post about domestic violence was timed to capitalize on the release of Aquaman. The op-ed alluded to Heards allegations against ex-husband Johnny Depp, though Depp was not named. Depp is now suing Heard for defamation, claiming that the op-ed destroyed his career and cost him a sixth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The American Civil Liberties Union was involved in conceiving, drafting and placing the op-ed, which used Heards experiences to address issues including the Violence Against Women Act and sexual assault on college campuses. At the trial on Thursday, Depps attorneys played a video deposition of Terence Dougherty, the ACLUs general counsel. Dougherty was asked about a Dec. 11, 2018, email from Jessica Weitz, the ACLUs director of artist engagement, in which she wrote about the timing of the piece. The goal is to get this out this week to capitalize on the tremendous campaign for Aquaman,' Weitz wrote. Aquaman in which Heard starred as Mera was due to be released on Dec. 21, 2018. Dougherty explained that the publicity campaign for the film would help get more attention for the op-ed. Heard also agreed that the timing was important, he said. From the ACLUs perspective, Amber is about to receive an incredible amount of press and be in the public eye, Dougherty said. So what better a time would it be than now to put out this op-ed, so that it generates significant readership about our issues. Depp alleges that Heard fabricated her abuse allegations and used them to advance her own career at his expense. Heard denies that, and her attorneys have argued that #MeToo accusations have generally not helped the accusers careers. Depp and Heard had issued a joint statement upon resolving their divorce in 2016, in which each denied making false allegations for financial gain. They also agreed to issue no further public statements. Depp has testified that he wanted to fight Heards claims at the time, but reluctantly took the advice of his lawyers to settle the case and move on. Doughertys testimony included internal ACLU emails about the drafting of the op-ed. Earlier drafts included explicit references to Heards restraining order in which she alleged domestic violence but those references were taken out on the advice of her lawyers. In one email, Weitz wrote that Heard would love to see a way to have that part in bold somehow put back in. In the final draft, Heard described herself as having been a public figure representing domestic abuse, but did not go into any further detail about her relationship with Depp. Heards lawyers have stressed that she followed her attorneys advice in the drafting of the op-ed. At the time of their divorce, Depp agreed to pay Heard $7 million, which she promised to donate to the ACLU and to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, with $3.5 million going to each charity. Dougherty testified that the ACLU actually received $1.3 million of that pledge including $350,000 directly from Heard, $500,000 from a fund tied to Elon Musk (whom Heard dated briefly), $350,000 from another fund and $100,000 from Depp. Dougherty said that the ACLU learned in 2019 that Heard was having financial problems and could not fulfill the remainder of the pledge. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Rob Kardashian, the admittedly reclusive younger brother of Kim Kardashian, made a rare public appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and claimed his ex-fiance Blac Chyna tried to kill him during a wild fight in 2016 that allegedly included a gun to his head, strangulation with an iPhone cord and a beating with a 6-foot metal rod. The sole Kardashian son, 35, started off slow, telling jurors he was at his weakest, lowest point when he started dating Chyna in 2016 after spending time in the hospital related to his diabetes. He said the relationship, which quickly hit warp speed, was mostly fueled by Chynas quest for celebrity, not real love. Describing the blowout fight on Dec. 15, 2016 thats now at the center of Chynas defamation claims against his mom Kris Jenner and sisters Khloe and Kim Kardashian and youngest sibling Kylie Jenner, Rob claimed Chyna was drunk, high and relentless. He claimed Chyna pointed a gun at his head in the kitchen, then again in a bedroom, wrapped an iPhone cord around his neck and broke down a door to beat him with a metal rod in a bedroom and its closet. She landed several blows to my body, my face, my back. Yeah, there were several, he testified Wednesday, saying with each new stage of Chynas alleged violent attack, he simply weathered the blows and tried to remove himself from the situation without fighting back. She tried to kill me, he said at one point, with mom Kris and sister Kim watching in the courtroom gallery. Rob, whos due to face a separate revenge porn trial next month over naked photos of Chyna he posted on his Instagram account in July 2017, then turned visibly agitated when Chynas lawyer confronted him on the witness stand with photos and videos in which he had no apparent marks on his face and neck in the days immediately following the Dec. 15 fight. One video shown to jurors depicted Rob visiting his dentist on Dec. 16, 2016, the next day, smiling and appearing uninjured with Chyna by his side. The video was shot by the production company behind the Rob & Chyna reality show. Rob testified that while he had scratches and marks on his body, he didnt sustain any bruises to his face, and whatever minor marks he had on his neck shortly after the fight were no longer visible. You testified under oath that Chyna hit you in the face with a 6-foot metal rod, and yet youre saying it didnt leave a mark of any kind on your face? Chynas lawyer Lynne Ciani asked. Correct, Rob responded. Did you have as much as a Band-Aid on you after this alleged severe beating by Chyna? Ciani asked. No, I didnt need a Band-Aid on my face, which I already testified to. I had no mark on my face, he replied, appearing to lose his patience. How did you not have a mark on your face? the lawyer asked, incredulous. Because it didnt leave a mark. Im just confused. I just told you it didnt leave a mark on my face. And you have three different pictures to prove that. And Im trying to tell you it did not leave a mark on my face, he responded, appearing to get more worked up. Right, and Im trying to Ciani continued before Rob cut her off. The gun to my head two different times in the night didnt leave a mark to my temple. The cord around my neck, Im sure it left a mark around my neck. It doesnt mean Im going to go to the hospital and put a Band-Aid around my neck, Rob responded. When Ciani tried to switch the topic back to the metal rod, Rob cut her off again. I never said I had bruises and marks all over my face. Youre acting like the thing didnt happen. Everything I testified to happened. She strangled me. She put a gun to my head, twice. She was on cocaine and alcohol. She has a history of doing this to her ex-baby daddy. She has a history of doing this type of thing, he said. Stop putting it out there like that. Its not fair, he demanded. Rob was called to the witness stand by Chynas lawyer on the seventh day of a trial accusing Kris, Kim, Khloe and Kylie of defaming Chyna and interfering with her contract to film a second season of Rob & Chyna. In her testimony last week, Chyna told jurors she and Rob were celebrating at home together the night of Dec. 14, 2016 after E! released a press release saying Season Two of their show had been picked up by the E! network. She testified that she was being silly with Rob, throwing money around, picking up an unloaded gun and placing an iPhone cord to his neck in lighthearted bids for his attention. She testified that Rob later stole her cell phone in a fit of jealousy and locked himself in a room with it, refusing to give it back. The 33-year-old model and influencer admitted she smashed a gingerbread house, a television set and a door in the Hidden Hills, California mansion owned by Kylie because she was frustrated and wanted her phone. She was adamant she never physically abused Rob. She said it was true she moved out of the house hours after the confrontation, but she testified she still considered herself engaged to Rob and spent time with him over the holidays and into the New Year, filming scenes for Season Two and parenting the couples newborn daughter Dream. In her underlying lawsuit filed in November 2017, Chyna claims that Kris, Khloe, Kim and Kylie conspired to kill the second season of Rob & Chyna with defamatory claims that she battered Rob during the Dec. 15 fight and was generally abusive in what they called the couples fake and toxic relationship. Kris boyfriend Corey Gamble testified Tuesday that he raced over to the house the morning of the fight and witnessed Chyna toss something resembling a rod to the ground before punching Rob several times. On Wednesday, when Ciani showed jurors a SnapChat video of Rob smiling and celebrating New Years Eve 2016 with Chyna at a steakhouse, two weeks after the alleged attack, she asked Rob if the seemingly happy social media post reflected a good time. No, Rob responded. I have social anxiety. Im very insecure with my body. I gained a lot of weight. I dont like to leave the house because it upsets me, and she forced me to come up out the house, said shed pick me up. And of course, Im just trying to keep it cool. Its New Years, so I went to dinner, and that was that. But I wasnt happy, to answer the question. Rob testified the relationship was based on a lie, from the beginning. When you became engaged to Chyna, were you in love with her? Ciani asked. No, that engagement was just all for her to pitch a television show to networks the next day. Thats not even my character. I dont even take selfies, let alone a selfie with her in a car going to a strip club, you know, somewhere where she was getting paid. Its just going to bring more money to her to get a TV show the next day, he said. You said you were obviously with her, engaged to Chyna, but your testimony is that you didnt love her? Ciani continued. Not real love, Rob said. I have a child with her. It wasnt a mistake. Things did happen quickly, but my child was not born out of spite, but it was never a real type of love, or else we would have been married. Click here to read the full article. The last time there were as many trombones in a movie as there are in Take Me to the River: New Orleans, Harold Hill was probably leading a parade. The ongoing vitalization of the Crescent Citys music culture really is like something out of a horn salesmans fever dream, with younger generations readily taking up New Orleans traditional second-line culture in a way that can only make the aging elders of other regional music scenes green with envy. Its this intergenerational mix, as well as the citys world-famous melting pot of styles, that director Martin Shore means to celebrate in his latest documentary, the bulk of which consists of recording sessions hes set up that foster collaborations between the old guard and new. The spirited end result suggests that New Orleans might be the one major city in America with no musical generation gap to speak of. In Take Me to the River: New Orleans (which opened in its title city last week and moves into New York and L.A. this weekend), the performances start with 60s hitmaker Irma Thomas bonding in a duet with Ledisi, the 21st-century Grammys favorite. From there, we get the late Dr. John with relative youngster Davell Crawford, and Cyril Neville with Dumpstaphunk, among other examples. Soul legend William Bell is joined by Snoop Dogg and G-Eazy on a climactic cover of the Allen Toussaint-penned hit Yes We Can Can, representing probably the only time Snoop will ever be the featured artist on a track that hinges on the repeated use of the word darn. (Its not clear why Snoop, a Cali kind of guy, is in the movie, but hes credited as an executive producer, so maybe doing Gods work on a project like this has its privileges.) One session has brass greats Donald Harrison and Christian Scott hooking up with the Tipitinas Interns, experiencing an internship that is about 10,000% funkier than any apprenticeship previously known. What the filmmaker also provides, between live recordings, is an overview of New Orleans musics past and present that covers surprising historical ground for a running time clocking in under two hours. Most of the topics are touched on so fleetingly that you might wish Ken Burns would do a miniseries thatd allow every topic or style coming up for quick discussion to get its own hour-long episode. When its mentioned that traditional music was well on its way out of New Orleans in the 1950s, before a revival of interest that turned into a tidal wave, you might wonder why that was. There is no time to find out, as the movie skips ahead to touching on other fascinating subjects, like the Mardi Gras Indians and their mix of colorful, fancy dress and battle-ready fierceness. (Theres a warrior culture, but for the most part, its about being pretty, says one participant.) One subject that does get a bit more screen time, to briefly sad effect, is Hurricane Katrina, which dispersed many musicians who once were tight-knit neighbors to other cities and states, some never to return. But its easy to forgive how quickly Shore moves on from the historical burning questions he raises or the thematic rabbit holes he so quickly explores, since the performance footage is really the movies main reason for being. The interstitial history and context? Thats really gravy on top of the gumbo, as it were. Take Me to the River: New Orleans devotes enough screen time to those musical sequences, in fact, that it almost falls into the concert film genre, even though none of it was shot at a gig. What transpired at the studio performances Shore captured does arguably add up to a last waltz, of sorts, given the inevitable changing of guards. Four who appear have died since the performances were filmed Art and Charles Neville in 2018, Dr. John in 2019 and hip-hop artist 5th Ward Weebie in 2020 so time was not a-wasting when it came to getting a cross-section of generations on film. (If only hed started filming in time to get Toussaint, who died in 2015 and is much-discussed toward the end of the film.) The doc includes one of Dr. Johns last performances, and a certifiably final one for the Neville Brothers as a group, as theyd called it quits as an act in 2015 but reunited briefly to film a reunion that brought in their children and grandkids. Itd be easier to feel sorrowful about these losses if the screen werent filling up with so much joy an exuberance that also makes you forget just how un-pretty the recording studios initially appear. The movie doesnt always trust that an audience will relax into these studio sessions. Initially, especially, theres an overabundance of cutting, as if a summit between Irma Thomas and Ledisi needed to be edited like a screwball comedy. On more than one occasion, there is the irritation of having songs interrupted so we can hear some voiceover about the importance of carrying on musical heritage, like anyone whod sit down to watch this needs the homily. But eventually the film finds its own rhythm. A movie that includes this disproportionate an amount of the worlds leading experts in syncopation would be hard-pressed not to. Reviewed online, March 22, 2022. Running time: 111 MIN. Running Time: Running time: 111 MIN. Production (Documentary) A 360 Distribution, Inc. release and presentation of a Social Capital production. Producers: Martin Shore, Cody Dickinson, Dan Sameha, Eric Heigle, Eric Krasno, Ian Neville, Ted Chung. Executive producers: John Beug, Zach Fawcett, Snoop Dogg. Crew Director: Martin Shore. Writers: Shore, Robert Gordon. Camera: Chad Chamberlain, Rob Davis, Alex Glustrom, Per Larsson, Ralph Madison, Loy Norrix, Christian Ortega, Sam Rider, Joshua Roberts. With The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Ledisi, Big Freedia, PJ Morton, Galactic, George Porter Jr., Christian Scott, Snoop Dogg, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ani DiFranco, Cheeky Blakk, Joseph Monk Boudreaux. Narrator: John Goodman. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Since the 1960s, many scientists have argued that the emergence of eukaryotes cells containing a clearly defined nucleus happened in response to the oxygenation of Earths surface environment. But new research led by Stanford University and University of Exeter scientists suggests eukaryotes in fact emerged in an anoxic environment in the ocean. We can now independently date eukaryogenesis and key oxygenation transitions in Earth history, said lead author Dr. Daniel Mills, a researcher in the Department of Geological Sciences at Stanford University, the Department of Biology at Portland State University, and the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center. Based on fossil and biological records, the timing of eukaryogenesis does not correlate with these oxygen transitions in the atmosphere (2.22 billion years ago) or the deep ocean (0.5 billion years ago). Instead, mitochondria-bearing eukaryotes are consistently dated to between these two oxygenation events, during an interval of deep-sea anoxia and variable surface-water oxygenation. The emergence of mitochondria the energy-producing powerhouses of eukaryote cells is now thought to be the defining step in eukaryogenesis. Mitochondria have different DNA to the cells in which they live, and the new study addresses the possible origin of this symbiotic relationship, famously championed by the biologist Lynn Margulis (then Lynn Sagan) in 1967. The 2015 discovery of Asgard archaea offers a major clue, Dr. Mills said. Mitochondria-bearing eukaryotes likely resulted from a merger between archaea and bacteria, and the DNA in modern Asgard archaea is more closely related to the DNA found in eukaryote nuclei today than it is to other archaea. This is additional evidence that the host that took in the bacterium was an archaeon. Asgard archaea live in anoxic ocean sediments, and they can live symbiotically with bacteria possibly the same situation that led to the metabolic coupling that created the first eukaryote cells. The new evidence supports the hydrogen hypothesis that mitochondria were acquired in anoxic conditions first put forward in 1998 by Bill Martin and Miklos Muller, said senior author Professor Tim Lenton, director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. The idea that oxygen led to eukaryogenesis has been taken for granted. In fact, mitochondrial aerobic respiration probably emerged later, having only become globally widespread within the last billion years as atmospheric oxygen approached modern levels. Our review was intended to bridge a gap between biology and geology, as connections were waiting to be made following breakthroughs in both disciplines. The teams paper was published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. _____ D.B. Mills et al. Eukaryogenesis and oxygen in Earth history. Nat Ecol Evol, published online April 21, 2022; doi: 10.1038/s41559-022-01733-y Post-release offenders might not be alone anymore as they may have a new light waiting for them to get back on their feet or start a new beginning. The Be The Light: The Honorable George P. Kazen Empowerment Center ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Laredo Federal Courthouse with a slew of city and county dignitaries including Mayor Pete Saenz, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa and others. The facility -- located inside the Laredo Federal Courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street -- honors the late U.S. district judge who served for close to 40 years in the Laredo community. The facility will offer recently released prisoners a place where they can find a job or prepare for an interview. United States District Court Judge Diana Saldana, who worked with Kazen during his time in office, offered the keynote speech to the opening of the facility and stated how much it serves to remember his legacy. The facility will offer post-release offenders the one-stop experience of getting the clothes necessary for a job interview, see where they are hiring around the community and help them start fresh. "We are just really excited to be a part of Laredo, Saldana said. I think Laredo is a very special community, as I love it dearly, and we have so much to offer. "I think that people who come to Laredo from out of town and relocate here realize the love and the warmth of this community. So I am just excited that we are entering into this partnership with our other agencies in the community to meet that goal of trying to help and empower people who need help." Saldana states that for her personally, Kazen was her light. He helped show her the way to get where she is while setting the tone in such an important profession on how to treat others with respect and dignity. "He was the light to me by showing me through his actions on how he valued every human being that he came in contact with, whether it was here in the courthouse or whether it was out in the community. He really taught that me through his actions, Saldana said. I still remember the day that he called me, and he told me that he was going to take me as the liaison judge for Laredo. I think that is where he passed over that baton if you will, as the light had already been given to me from the moment that I met him. I think he knew that I was going to continue the work. Kazens family, which includes his two sons and daughter, were also present at the event and shared what they believe the facility means to them and their fathers legacy. "The family is extremely proud, and I am happy that the court system has dedicated this to his memory," said George Kazen, the eldest of the siblings. "This is something that dad firmly believed in and was something that he had a strong passion about -- both him and my mom, as my mom spearheaded the Bethany House program here in Laredo. Dad was also concerned about the direction of lives after they did their duty to society and always believed that they should have the chance to make a fresh start when they go out." Kazen stated that he believes that the new facility was a perfect way to establish his legacy. He thinks he would be extremely proud, even though he knew his father -- a humble man -- would not have looked forward to seeing a building under his name. "Everyone talks about how he guided and taught and loved, but from a family perspective, it was that and even more so," George Kazen said. "He was always the mentor of the family always giving advice and direction, and always showing us the right way and guiding us. Each one of us is a testament to his accomplishments." Kazens only daughter, Elizabeth, was also at the ceremony. She stated that he was his best mentor and always treated her the same as her siblings. She credited her father's teachings for everything she has accomplished. "I feel very proud of my dads legacy, and I am very happy that Judge Saldana has taken the time and effort to continue his light and that was his purpose," Elizabeth Kazen said. "He was my everything. I believe he was not just my light but rather everyones light, as he showed by his actions the way he thought I should be. I admire him for the way he was and everything he did, and I just aspire to be like him." Saldana stated that she was glad that the late judges family went to the event to see the facility and how much he continues to be remembered, even a year after his passing. "I am honored to have the family here," Saldana said. "I am honored to work with Magistrate Judge Kazen, because his father was really my mentor, the biggest inspiration in my professional life." Saldana states that the opening of the facility now leads to the next phase, which is working with the various partner agencies and groups they have around the community to connect the people that need these services. We are going to be partnering with different community agencies to be able to provide services for post-release offenders for resume building, job training, giving them access to and knowledge on who is hiring, and giving them the clothes that they can feel confident them in dress for success such as business shoes or whatever they need to be successful as they enter the workforce, Saldana said. According to the district judge, the facility and the court will also soon install some computers in an effort to help the released offenders with anything they need to find employment or any other resources. However, many of the facilities they will be working with will be external to the court, as they plan to partner with local agencies and organizations to gather all the resources that the post-release offenders might need in one area. She states that partnering with partners who already have the computer labs and other necessary things is a form of bridging the gap that exists between these agencies in an effort for them to work together. All of the services that the new facility will offer to the post-release offenders are free of charge. During the ceremony, Tijerina offered several words as to why he believed Kazen was a remarkable man and how his light will help people struggling for a new start and a better beginning to accomplish that through the facility. And Cigarroa also remembered the late judge for all the times he saw him speaking to his father at their home and how he was also someone that taught him about life and the importance of freedom and justice. As the Be The Light: The Honorable George P. Kazen Empowerment Center opens its doors, Saldana said that this is only the beginning, as she does have plans for the center to become much more important in and around the community. "Right now, we are going to be focusing on our post-release offenders, but the goal is to really expand to our community and to go and do outreach to ensure that anyone who needs these types of resources are able to get them," Saldana said. "Then if we are able to put them in touch with the different partners, we are going to do that, but that is another aspect of this, which is really kind of reaching out and being that light in the community to ensure we dont have people into the criminal justice system. That would be the goal." Saldana states that people interested in getting help from the new facility can do so by visiting the Laredo Federal Courthouse, going to its website and looking at contact information, or by calling the federal probation department at the federal courthouse. A man was drunk when he caused a head-on crash that killed two people in February near the Webb and Zapata County line, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. On Wednesday, Matias Cerda, 24, was served with arrest warrants that charged him with two counts of intoxication manslaughter. The case unfolded on Feb. 26, when a trooper was notified about a possible fatal crash reported on U.S. 83 South near the Webb and Zapata County line. First responders encountered a silver Volkswagen Beetle on the median on the wrong side and a black Ford Explorer with heavy front damage. Authorities blocked off the crash site. Then, Webb County Sheriffs Office deputies told the trooper that two people had died and that two more were taken to the Laredo Medical Center. Deputies also stated that they found alcohol inside the Volkswagen and that the driver seemed intoxicated when they arrived. DPS identified the driver as Cerda. DPS said that Cerda was driving his Volkswagen on the wrong side of the road on U.S. 83 South when it struck the Explorer, causing the death of two occupants and the injuries to a third passenger, states the arrest affidavit. DPS identified the deceased as Erick Alberto Moreno Rodriguez, 46, and Brayan Morales Alvarez, 25, both of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The trooper then observed an unopened green apple Smirnoff, a broken Smirnoff glass bottle and a small black bottle of Tequila Rose inside the Volkswagen. A blood specimen was drawn from Cerda. The results revealed Cerda had a 0.084 blood alcohol concentration. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08, the affidavit states. By the time the firetrucks arrived at the home of a prominent Dallas attorney in May 2016, the garage was overwhelmed with thick black smoke as flames tore through the enclosed space. Ira Tobolowsky was missing, his wife told the firefighters. First responders feverishly fought the blaze as they searched for the 68-year-old man. Then they found him - dead on the ground beside his car, his body burned after being doused with gasoline. The medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide from thermal burns, smoke inhalation and blunt-force trauma. From the very start, Tobolowsky's family pointed to a man who had been embroiled in a heated lawsuit with the attorney: Steven Aubrey. Almost six years passed with no arrests. That changed Wednesday, when Aubrey, 61, was charged with capital murder in Tobolowsky's death - a serious offense in Texas that is eligible for the death penalty. He was arrested in Broward County, Fla., jail records show, and is being held on a $2 million bond. It is unclear if Aubrey has an attorney. The Dallas Police Department did not specify what new evidence led to the arrest but noted that Aubrey has been a person of interest since the beginning. "Ultimately the information and evidence gathered during the years-long investigation have resulted in making the arrest," the police department said in a news release. In a statement to KTVT, Tobolowsky's son Michael said the arrest is "amazing news we have long waited for." Tobolowsky's gruesome death on May 13, 2016, horrified the public, making national headlines. Tobolowsky was a prominent, well-respected attorney in Dallas with deep roots in the Jewish community. He once successfully argued a case in the U.S. Supreme Court. About 1,200 people attended his funeral, according to D Magazine. Soon after Tobolowsky's death, police asked the family if the lawyer had any enemies. They identified Aubrey and his partner, Brian Vodicka, who in the months leading up to the incident had been on the opposite side of a caustic lawsuit. (Police have not implicated Vodicka in Tobolowsky's killing.) Tobolowsky and Aubrey met in August 2014 when the attorney represented Aubrey's mother in a lawsuit Aubrey filed after being written out of her will. Throughout the course of the case, Aubrey allegedly grew increasingly antagonistic toward Tobolowsky. Aubrey accused the attorney of several crimes, including witness tampering and bribery, according to D Magazine. He filed a motion that called Tobolowsky an "ISIS butcher," referring to the terror group, and at one point scheduled a deposition during the Jewish high holiday Rosh Hashanah, the magazine reported, and Tobolowsky filed a motion of contempt, accusing Aubrey of making "anti-Jewish remarks that are insulting, cruel, and evil." Aubrey eventually dropped his case. But Tobolowsky filed a defamation lawsuit against Aubrey and Vodicka in the summer of 2015. He also successfully argued that Aubrey should be declared a vexatious litigant, which creates guardrails for someone who files countless frivolous lawsuits. Aubrey would no longer be able to sue someone without a judge's permission. The case was ongoing when Tobolowsky was killed. After suspicions that the murder could be connected the case, police provided the judge presiding over it with extra security. He recused himself about a week after the fire. Tobolowsky's family won $5.5 million in the suit in May 2017. Evidence pointed to a planned attack from someone who knew Tobolowsky, police said. Tobolowsky's family also discovered a hole in the fence, giving a direct line of vision to the garage. Detectives suspected the killer had been watching Tobolowsky for days, tracking his schedule. Investigators searched Aubrey and Vodicka's home three times in the days following the incident, according to police. Records show they were looking for evidence that could tie them to a juice bottle filled with gasoline found at the crime scene, medical supplies used to treat burns and a drill used to make the hole in Tobolowsky's fence. They also looked for electronics and said they found a computer with a wiped hard drive. In the meantime, the couple remained aloof, dodging police when they visited their home and eventually staying in a second apartment they owned in Dallas, D Magazine reported. They were brought in for questioning about a week after the lawyer's death. Police called in a doctor to assess whether marks on Aubrey's arm were burns. The doctor's findings were inconclusive, according to D Magazine. At that time, detectives could not compile enough evidence for an arrest. In November 2016, the detective on the case told one of Tobolowsky's sons that his team had circumstantial evidence that Aubrey was involved in the incident but had nothing to prove that he was at Tobolowsky's house on May 13, D Magazine reported. But in the years that followed, Tobolowsky's sons did not give up hope. The family started working with private investigators and posted an ad on a billboard over a major Dallas highway offering a $25,000 reward for anyone who came forward with evidence that would lead to an arrest. Aubrey, who is in custody in Oakland Park, Fla., will be extradited to Texas, police said. A downtown bar was banned from selling alcoholic beverages for 90 days following an investigation that yielded evidence of narcotics trafficking, prostitution and drink solicitation, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The investigation that prompted an emergency order at Reynas Club on 511 San Agustin Ave. began in May. MADRID (AP) Algeria has threatened to suspend its gas exports to Spain, the latest twist in a complex triangle of diplomatic tensions between the gas supplier, the gas importer and their shared neighbor Morocco all against the background of skyrocketing prices driven by Russia's war in Ukraine. Spain has been in talks with Morocco about helping the North African kingdom boost its gas supplies. That could possibly be done by allowing Morocco to use processing facilities in Spain that could handle imports by ship of liquified natural gas, which could come from a variety of suppliers. Gas could then be sent to Morocco via an existing pipeline that crosses the Strait of Gibraltar. Spain, however, also imports natural gas from Algeria. And Algeria is in the midst of a deep diplomatic freeze with Morocco, with which it shares a land border. Algeria severed ties with Morocco last August. Then it choked off one of Moroccos sources of gas by switching off a gas pipeline that runs across their shared border. Morocco has turned to Spain for help in trying to make up the shortfall a prospect that appears to be raising hackles in Algiers. In a statement late Wednesday, Algeria's energy ministry warned that gas supplies it sends to Spain via a separate pipeline under the Mediterranean could be suspended if the gas is then diverted elsewhere. Such a diversion could be regarded as a contract breach, and, as a consequence, could lead to the breaking of the contract, the ministry warned. With Spain heavily dependent on Algerian gas, its energy ministry scrambled to calm the storm, saying in a statement that in no case will the gas acquired by Morocco come from Algeria. Until last October, part of the supplies of Algerian gas to Spain came via the pipeline through Morocco. Morocco got a sliver of that supply, getting enough gas to produce 10% of its electricity. But the kingdom lost that energy source when the 25-year gas distribution agreement ended on Oct. 31, with Algeria refusing to renew it. Algeria still sends gas to Spain through a second, longer pipeline direct from Algeria to Almeria on Spains southeastern shore and in the form of LNG shipped in tankers. But deprived of gas from its neighbor, Morocco has to go hunting much further afield. Spain's energy ministry said Morocco could acquire LNG on international markets and unload it at a re-gasification plant on the Spanish mainland. Once processed, the gas could then be exported to Morocco by sending it down the pipeline that, until October, used to carry Algerian gas up to Spain. The Spanish ministry said the plans were devised after it was approached by Morocco for help in guaranteeing its energy security. The ministry said it had spoken to Algeria in past months about activating this mechanism and communicated its plans to Algerias energy minister on Wednesday. Spain wants to strengthen ties with Rabat, a key player in the EU's efforts to manage an increase in immigration from Africa northward. The triangular tensions over gas come amid a broader international crisis over supplies and prices for the fossil fuel driven by the war in Ukraine. Major supplier Russia is using gas for leverage against countries that oppose its invasion of Ukraine. Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom this week informed Poland and Bulgaria, both members of the European Union and NATO, that it is suspending their supplies. Polish and Bulgarian leaders accused Moscow of blackmail. As European countries seek alternatives to Russian gas, supplies from Algeria have taken on added importance. Italy, which is also scrambling to wean itself off Russian energy, struck a deal this month to boost gas imports from Algeria. Spain is a leader in wind and solar power but continues to rely on energy imports with Algeria providing more than a third of its natural gas. The spat between Morocco and Algeria has forced Spain into a delicate balancing act. The feud between Morocco and Algeria is largely rooted in the disputed region of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony in North Africa that is rich in phosphates and borders fertile fishing grounds. It was annexed by Morocco in 1976. Algeria backs the Polisario Front independence movement in Western Sahara. In March, it recalled its ambassador to Madrid in protest when Spain backed a Moroccan plan to give more autonomy to the contested territory. ___ AP writer John Leicester contributed to this report from Paris. picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I Tesla CEO Elon Musk was offered free land to move Twitters headquarters to Texas. As first reported by Austonia, Jim Schwertner, president and CEO of farming and ranching company Schwertner Farms, offered Musk 100 acres of land for free in Schwertner, Texas, which is in Williamson County north of Austin. Elon Musk, move Twitter to Schwertner, TX, Schwertner wrote in the tweet on April 26. 38 miles North of Austin in Williamson County, and we will give you 100 Acres for FREE. Russian metals producer Nornickel continues backing efforts to revive studies of permafrost, an area of continuously frozen soil, which covers a significant part of Russia, including the world's northernmost city of Norilsk, home to many of the company's operations. The second scientific and technical conference "Experience and prospects for the construction of buildings and structures on permafrost soils" at the Norilsk Industrial Institute (NII) gathered scientists and business officials, represented by Nornickel managers. Zhanna Petukhova, director of NII's Research Center for Construction Technologies and Monitoring of Buildings and Structures in the Arctic, thanked Nornickel for promptly "packing" the research center's permafrost laboratory with equipment. The head of the laboratory, Mikhail Elesin, has already tested the equipment during a unique expedition to the islands of Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. Professor Elesin briefed the participants and guests of the forum on the actual geophysical research in the archipelagos in a separate speech. Nornickel's Polar Division Deputy Chief Engineer Anton Pryamitsky, who oversees the company's large-scale project to monitor the state of industrial buildings and structures at Polar Division facilities, noted that the satellite monitoring programme of Russian space agency Roscosmos might join the project. The geotechnical monitoring system, launched in Norilsk in the summer of 2021, was launched into pilot operation late last year and almost immediately showed its effectiveness. At the first stage, the system has already covered 165 facilities. Before the launch, comprehensive surveys were carried out at all facilities to determine their condition and draw up design schemes. All readings from the equipment on the main parameters of the facilities' safety end up in a database in the system's control room in real time. Pryamitsky knows all the participants of the scientific and technical forum. With many of them, the Polar Division "has interacted, is interacting and will continue to interact." Dmitry Sergeev, the head of the geocryology laboratory of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Geoecology Institute, briefed the conference on the developments on substantiation of indicators and analysis of geocryological monitoring data. Before flying to Norilsk, the scientist made a presentation on this topic for Nornickel's engineering team, and in the northern city, he wanted to understand what is a priority in the territory today, what tasks should be addressed first. "Science cannot and should not stew in its own juice," Sergeev said. Mikhail Korolev, the head of the Laboratory of Geomechanics and the deputy director of the Institute of Applied Mechanics, who has repeatedly advised Norilsk enterprises on permafrost soils, presented a report "Promising methods for determining the mechanical characteristics of permafrost soils." NII rector Dmitry Dubrov hopes that the conference would become regular and contribute to the training of local permafrost experts and to the second stage of construction in Norilsk, which is impossible without scientific support. New Zealand seafood company Sanford Limited (SAN) has agreed the unconditional sale of its spiny (red) rock lobster quota in Fisheries Management Areas CRA7 and CRA8. Sanford has reached an agreement to sell these quota holdings to Deltop Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Fiordland Lobster Company Limited, for a total consideration of $49.3 million, with a completion date of 29 April 2022. Sanfords shareholding represented 0.3% of CRA7 and 2.3% of CRA8. The company is also considering the sale of its CRA2 quota holding. This transaction is not considered material and an update will be provided in the interim report. Sanford CEO Peter Reidie says we concluded that our lobster quota did not provide the best return on investment and the value realised from this quota sale will be reinvested in the business. It will ultimately help improve shareholder value by contributing to the significant investment required over the next five years to meet our primary strategic outcomes. These include the growth of our salmon and mussel businesses and sustainable investment in wildcatch operations. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: My Food Bag FY22 Results Briefing Details SKC - EXTENSION OF DEBT COVENANT RELIEF PHL - CEO Appointment 10th May 2022 Morning Report Chatham Commences Scoping Study for Phosphate Export Mine 9th May 2022 Morning Report CHI - Indicative Interest Margin for Bond Offer ARG - FY22 Annual Result Announcement Date and webcast Marsden Maritime Holdings commences due diligence MCK appoints Stuart Harrison as Managing Director The Government will not walk away from a plan to restrict turf sales in Ireland, with Eamon Ryan insisting it's "not an outright ban". The Environment minister said there was an urgent need to tackle the health damage caused by the burning of smoky fuels as he warned TDs that 1,300 lives were lost in the state every year as a result of air pollution. Green Party leader Minister Ryans comments came amid robust Dail exchanges with Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty. Deputy Doherty accused politicians from the two other government parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, of cowardice for failing to support Sinn Feins proposal to axe the planned restrictions on turf, scrap the imminent increase in carbon tax and remove excise duty on home heating oil. The Sinn Fein motion was defeated in a Dail vote yesterday (Wednesday April 27). Several Fine Gael and Fianna Fail TDs had expressed concern about Mr Ryans move to clamp down on turf burning at a time when fuel bills are rising sharply, but when it came to the vote the coalition parties rejected the opposition proposal. The Government has been accused of mixed messaging over the planned turf restrictions, which had been earmarked to come into force in September. Yesterday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said there would be no ban on turf sales for the remainder of the year. In the Dail today, Minister Ryan said what was being proposed was not an outright ban, indicating it would relate to larger scale commercial sales rather than small scale cutting and sharing of turf among neighbours within rural communities. Deputy Doherty said the Governments approach on the issue had been marked by chaos, confusion and contradiction. Yesterday, the Rural Independent group of TDs proposed a separate motion that would have axed the current carbon tax. It was also defeated. Noting that Sinn Fein had voted for that motion as well, Minister Ryan accused the party of a sudden policy change as he said its position up until that point was to retain the tax at its current rate, just not increase it. The carbon tax increase is due to come into effect on May 1. Defending the planned restrictions on turf, the minister added: It would be so easy to walk away and say no, we wont do that because it is difficult. But what number of deaths should we tolerate? What should we do in ignoring reality across the country? I dont believe we should ignore it and we wont, this government will act and will deliver practical measures that are not there to punish anyone, that are part of a way of actually managing this so that we can protect people from fuel poverty and protect lives at the same time. And Im very confident we can and will do that. He added: What we will do is we will start saving those 1,300 lives, we will not walk away as two previous governments have done, as a series of ministers have done. We will do what needs to be done while maintaining and helping our people through fuel poverty, but not ignoring the health issue, not ignoring the loss of life, that would be reckless and disregard of our duty. Referencing the ministers remarks about 1,300 excess deaths, Deputy Doherty responded by saying there were 2,800 deaths every year due to fuel poverty in Ireland. Minister Ryan disputed that figure, claiming it was 25 years old, an assertion Deputy Doherty rejected. Turf has been one of the only forms of heating not to see prices spiral in the last number of months, yet you still plan to punish individuals, to punish communities who rely on turf from September, Deputy Doherty told the minister. We know that the days of fossil fuels are coming to an end. We all recognise in this House the need for climate action, but the way that youre doing it is causing deep anger and deep upset and deep resentment in communities right across the state. You should not naively believe that a ban on turf is a solution because it is not. Deputy Doherty said, in some rural counties in Ireland, 30% of homes relied on turf as their sole source of heat. These communities need to be supported instead of facing the punishment that youre dishing out when there is no realistic alternative for them to heat their homes to keep their families warm and safe. So where minister is the just transition in telling these households who rely on burning turf as their main source of heating their homes that it is to be banned from September of this year? Crime By Chris Boyle Published: April 28 2022 $1K Fast-cash rewards issued within 72 hours of arrest. The Suffolk County Police Department and Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are highlighting several unsolved cases on the departments social media pages during National Crime Victims Rights week through April 30. Crime Stoppers is offering $1K fast-cash rewards for information leading to an arrest in each of the cases. The rewards will be issued within 72 hours of an arrest. Crime Stoppers has been proven to be an effective crime solving program since its inception in Suffolk County in 1994. During that time, more than $687,000 has been rewarded to tipsters who reported information anonymously with more than 2,800 arrests made. The Crime Stoppers partnership is essential to the Suffolk County Police Department, allowing individuals, who may be reluctant to speak to police, to stay anonymous while providing critical information about criminal cases, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison said. We hope by highlighting these unsolved cases, someone comes forward with details that will bring justice to these victims and their families. Members of Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are dedicated volunteers from the community who work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to reduce crime in our communities, Suffolk County Crime Stoppers President Nick Amarr said. While we are featuring these five unsolved cases, we encourage people to come forward with any information about criminal activity that could aid police. Cases being featured include: Colin Jerrick is wanted for the fatal shooting of Ajala Carpenter-Toney during a Wyandanch party on June 13, 2020. He is also wanted in connection with the murder of Elbert Wright in North Amityville on July 31, 2020. Marco Castro, 32, of Patchogue, was walking on North Ocean Avenue, just south of Roe Boulevard, when he was struck by a motor vehicle that fled the scene on February 21, 2021 at approximately 3:55 a.m. Elvis Galvez Menjivar, 27, of Bay Shore, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run vehicle on eastbound Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore on April 17, 2021. The vehicle is described as a dark-colored SUV, possibly an Acura. A Commack man was stabbed at his home on February 2, 2022 following a dispute with a former co-worker, known only to the victim as Luis. The victim spent more than a month in the hospital recovering. Luis is described as Hispanic, approximately 35 years old, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall with a medium build and brown hair. The suspect was last seen fleeing the residence in a gray Nissan Xterra with New Jersey plates. Luis has family in New Jersey. Jaifield Gordon was found shot inside a 2013 BMW after the vehicle had crashed into a parked vehicle and fence in front of 55 Beach Drive in Coram on September 1, 2019. The shooting occurred on Judith Drive a short time prior. Gordon, 18, of Medford, was pronounced dead at a hospital. Others, Local News, Health & Wellness By Long Island Published: April 27 2022 Congress Has Already Taken Action Against Firefighting Foam Used at Airports and Military Installations; Gillibrand, Kildee Bill Would Go a Step Further to Fully Ban Use of AFFF. Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Dan Kildee (MI-05) held a video press conference to announce the introduction of their landmark bill, the PFAS Firefighter Protection Act. Per- and polyfluoroalykl substances (PFAS) are a class of toxic chemicals found in a special foam used to fight fires called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), and have been linked to certain cancers, thyroid disease, reproductive problems, decreased immune function in children, and other serious adverse health effects. For years, firefighters have been exposed to these chemicals through the use of AFFF and face a higher risk of developing cancer and other diseases. This bill would ban firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals. Gillibrand and Kildee were joined by Liz Hitchcock, Director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, the federal policy program of Toxic-Free Future, and Edward A. Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. during the press conference. PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of firefighters who have put their lives on the line to protect our communities. To make matters worse, the runoff from this foam can quickly lead to widespread PFAS contamination in the drinking water of surrounding communities near the facilities where it is used, said Senator Gillibrand. AFFF is harming our firefighters, our military communities, and innocent families who live near these facilities, and it has to stop. My PFAS Firefighter Protection Act would do just that by permanently banning the use of harmful firefighting foam in the United States. For decades, firefighters have been exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam, which are known to cause cancer and other health issues, said Congressman Kildee. Our firefighters put themselves in harm's way to protect usand we must protect them by getting rid of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam. I am proud to introduce this legislation with Sen. Gillibrand to protect our brave firefighters. "PFAS firefighting foams have contaminated drinking water for communities in New York State and across the country. States from Washington and California to Colorado and New York have banned PFAS foams. Fluorine-free foams are available and in use around the world, with more and more entering the marketplace. It's time for the federal government to ban these dangerous toxic foams to protect firefighters and the communities they serve," said Liz Hitchcock, Director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, the federal policy program of Toxic-Free Future "Fire fighters serve as this nations frontline emergency responders. While combatting fires, our members are exposed to PFAS-laden firefighting foams. This exposure subjects us to higher risks of occupational cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The time has long passed to accept this as a hazard of our work, said Edward A. Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The 326,000 members of the IAFF support Senators Gillibrands legislation banning the manufacture and distribution of toxic PFAS-laden foams, and she has my gratitude for taking up this battle with us to save lives and communities from this deadly exposure. For decades, PFAS-laden firefighting foam has been one of the biggest sources of pollution from toxic forever chemicals, especially in communities near military bases, airports, and fire training sites, said Melanie Benesh, Environmental Working Group Legislative Attorney. Its also a major source of exposure for the firefighters who risk their lives to protect those communities and suffer from higher rates of cancer and other serious health harms. Safer alternatives to PFAS in firefighting foams are already widely available and PFAS Firefighter Protection Act will finally turn off the tap on this use of PFAS. Congress has already passed legislation removing the legal requirement for AFFF containing PFAS to be used at many commercial airports and military installations. To better protect our firefighters in New York and across the country, Senator Gillibrands legislation would go a step further by putting prohibitions in place against firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals. Specifically, the PFAS Firefighter Protection Act would: Ban the manufacturing, importation, and sale of all firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals within two years of enactment. Set firm deadlines for airports for prohibiting the use of PFAS firefighting foams. Current law states that the FAA shall not require airports to use firefighting foam that contains PFAS. This legislation would prohibit its use by 2024. Experts estimate that the drinking water supplies of more than 200 million Americans are contaminated with PFAS. PFAS chemicals do not break down in the environment and have been found in groundwater and drinking water across the United States, and are commonly used in products like firefighting foam, water-repellent clothing, and nonstick cookware, among others. For the full bill, please click here. Downer EDI Limited (Downer) announced today it had been selected by the Department of Defence to deliver the Planning Phase of the Australian Defence Forces proposed Riverina Redevelopment Program. The Planning Phase will commence this year and is scheduled to be completed in late-2023, generating revenue of $30 million for Downer. Subject to Government and Parliamentary Approvals, a Delivery Phase may follow and would involve an estimated $1.1 billion worth of works for the joint venture over five years. The Redevelopment Program will be delivered as part of a 50:50 joint venture with CPB Contractors. The program of works involves the delivery of major upgrades to accommodation and training facilities, as well as general remediation works to infrastructure services. The program spans New South Wales and Victoria, and incorporates three projects: - RAAF Base Wagga Redevelopment - Albury-Wodonga Military Area Redevelopment - Kapooka Military Area Redevelopment. The Chief Executive Officer of Downer, Grant Fenn, said the proposed Riverina Redevelopment Program would continue Downers proud history of supporting Defence. This contract reflects Downers strong credentials that stem from an 80-plus-year relationship with the Department of Defence, Mr Fenn said. In that time, our Defence business has expanded to include the Department of Defence, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other Commonwealth national security agencies. We look forward to working closely with the Department to develop these important Defence facilities, which is proposed to support Defence capability for the next 30 years. Authorised for release by Downers Chief Executive Officer, Grant Fenn. About Downer Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand and customers are at the heart of everything it does. It exists to create and sustain the modern environment and its promise is to work closely with its customers to help them succeed, using world-leading insights and solutions to design, build and sustain assets, infrastructure and facilities. For more information visit downergroup.com. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: My Food Bag FY22 Results Briefing Details SKC - EXTENSION OF DEBT COVENANT RELIEF PHL - CEO Appointment 10th May 2022 Morning Report Chatham Commences Scoping Study for Phosphate Export Mine 9th May 2022 Morning Report CHI - Indicative Interest Margin for Bond Offer ARG - FY22 Annual Result Announcement Date and webcast Marsden Maritime Holdings commences due diligence MCK appoints Stuart Harrison as Managing Director Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc / Index: AIM / Epic: EOG / Sector: Oil & Gas 28th April 2022 Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc ("Europa" or "the Company") Appointment of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc, the AIM traded UK, Ireland and Morocco focused oil and gas exploration, development, and production company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Will Holland as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of the Company effective 1 June 2022. Mr Holland is a proven financier with a career spanning over 25 years in the upstream industry. He started as an engineer focussed on North Sea operations before moving into upstream banking at Macquarie Bank. Since 2013 he has run a successful consulting business which advises energy companies on commercial, financial and M&A matters. Mr Holland has significant experience in corporate acquisitions, establishing and growing small cap E&P companies, debt and equity financing, balance sheet restructuring and investor relations, much of which was gained working on deals across the UK and Europe. He has an engineering degree from Warwick University and an MBA from Heriot Watt University. Simon Oddie, CEO said: "I'm delighted that Will has agreed to join Europa in a full-time capacity. He has been consulting for Europa since November 2021 and orchestrated the equity raise for the Serenity farm-in. He brings a wealth of corporate, financial and M&A experience in the upstream sector that will be of crucial importance as we continue to grow the business and I look forward to working with him at this very exciting time for the Company." Further information on William Peter Holland as required in accordance with Schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies: William Peter Holland, aged 49 Current Directorships Past Directorships (last 5 years) Grafton Energy Ltd Aleph Saltfeetby Ltd Aleph Energy Ltd Viathan Power (Mauritius) Limited Independent Resources (Sahara) Limited Independent Resources (Ksar Hadada) Limited Independent Resources (Tunisia) Limited Grafton Energy Advisors Ltd Tethys Oil Services U.K. Limited Echo Energy Holdings (UK) Ltd Echo Energy Bolivia (Hold Co 1) UK Ltd Echo Energy Bolivia (OP Co 1) UK Ltd Echo Energy Bolivia (Hold Co 2) UK Ltd Echo Energy Bolivia (OP Co 2) UK Ltd Echo Energy Argentina Holdings Limited Echo Energy Tapi Aike Ltd Echo Energy C D and LLC Ltd Echo Energy TA OP Ltd Echo Energy CDL OP Ltd The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. * * ENDS * * For further information please visit www.europaoil.com or contact: Simon Oddie Europa mail@europaoil.com Murray Johnson Europa mail@europaoil.com Christopher Raggett finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Simon Hicks finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Peter Krens Tennyson Securities +44 (0) 20 7186 9033 Patrick d'Ancona Vigo Consulting + 44 (0) 20 7390 0230 Finlay Thomson Vigo Consulting + 44 (0) 20 7390 0230 Notes to Editors Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc has a diversified portfolio of multi-stage hydrocarbon assets which includes production, development and exploration interests, in countries that are politically stable, have transparent licensing processes, and offer attractive terms. Production in the half-year to 31st January 2022 was 208 boepd. The Company holds two exploration licences offshore Ireland, which have the potential to host gross mean un-risked prospective resources of 1.5 trillion cubic feet ('tcf') gas. Inishkea is a near field gas prospect in the Slyne Basin which the Company classifies as lower risk due to its close proximity to the producing Corrib gas field and associated gas processing infrastructure. In September 2019, Europa was awarded a 75% interest in the Inezgane permit offshore Morocco. Initial results of technical work have identified 30 prospects and leads that have the potential to hold in excess of one billion barrels of unrisked oil resources. In December 2021, Europa announced a collaboration between Baker Hughes and CausewayGT to conduct a geothermal clean heat project at the Company's West Firsby field. If this project is successful it will prove the operational ability to extract and use geothermal heat from the site. Download Image: Web Brenda Alston-Mills, Ph.D., 66, will address students, families, faculty, and staff as the keynote speaker at Lycoming Colleges 174th commencement on Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m., on the Fultz Quadrangle. In recognition of her distinguished, extensive and inspiring contributions to higher learning as a faculty member, student adviser, researcher, administrator and trustee, the College will award Alston-Mills with an honorary Doctor of Laws, L.L.D., during the ceremony. Alston-Mills is an emeritus trustee for Lycoming College and a biology professor emeritus at North Carolina State University. As a respected alumna, she came to be known as an ambassador for Lycoming College Prep, a program that brings high-achieving, first-generation rising seniors from across the nation to the Lycoming campus for a hands-on introduction to the liberal arts, college life, and mentoring programs that help them pursue a post-secondary education. Born in Philadelphia and educated in the public school system, Alston-Mills graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls and earned a bachelors degree in biology with a minor in chemistry at Lycoming College. She continued her education at Michigan State University receiving both a masters degree and a doctoral degree in zoology with a major emphasis in physiology. A strong interest in culture led Alston-Mills to attain a minor in French language and to study in Pau, France. She traveled to the Caribbean, Ghana, Brazil, Venezuela, Norway, England, Scotland, Italy, and Spain. Her travels and understanding of other cultures allowed her to be a strong mentor for students from all countries and backgrounds. Her knowledge of languages, coupled with her academic training, enabled her to pursue studies in the biology of mammary glands as it relates to breast cancer research, and to share her philosophy of teaching and her research nationally and internationally. At the beginning of her career at Camden County College in New Jersey, Alston-Mills saw first-hand that many students seemed unable to absorb information in class. As she began to investigate, she found that it was not due to lack of intelligence, but rather lack of opportunity. That put me on a path toward working with women and underrepresented groups in science. As I became more educated in the matter, the whole concept of equity and equal access to information emerged as the primary reason these lower-income students were having difficulty at the college level, she said. It was then that Alston-Mills began morphing into a social scientist, and the whole concept of social justice and equity quickly became a passion, leading her to Michigan State University, where she served as associate dean and director in the Office of Organization and Professional Development for Diversity and Pluralism. To teach is to learn, she said. No matter the class, students always manage to say things that are ah-ha moments for me. Alston-Mills was recognized by the College in 2001 with the Dr. James E. Douthat Outstanding Achievement Award for alumni. Lycoming Colleges Black Student Union awarded her the Black Alumni Achievement Award in 2018 in special recognition of her achievements. In addition to her service as a Lycoming College Trustee, she served on the Alumni Association Executive Board from 1989-1995. Dr. Rutul J. Dalal to receive Honorary Doctor of Sciences Dr. Rutul J. Dalal, chair of Infection Prevention and Control, and program director of Infectious Diseases at UPMC North Central Region, will also receive an honorary degree at this years commencement ceremony. Dalal joined the medical staff at UPMC North Central Region in 2013. He is on the medical staff faculty at the Family Medicine Residency Program and has chaired multiple task forces charged with preventing blood stream, catheter, surgical and other infections. In addition, Dalal spent two years as an associate professor of medicine at the Commonwealth Medical College. He is president-elect of the medical staff at UPMC Williamsport. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dalal has led UPMCs efforts to diagnose, treat and prevent the deadly virus, working tirelessly to coordinate care and directly treat thousands of patients. Dalal also chaired the UPMC Covid-19 Containment Task Force and was the spokesperson for media outlets, schools, and local governments. As Lycoming College and other organizations in the region developed and executed COVID-19 plans, he provided invaluable expertise, advice, and counsel. In recognition of his excellence as a physician and the extraordinary service rendered to the College and to the citizens of Northcentral Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lycoming College will award Dalal an Honorary Doctor of Sciences. Fayla Guerin to deliver Senior Greeting Graduating senior Fayla Guerin, a corporate communication major with a minor in film and video arts from Baltimore, Md., will deliver a greeting from the senior class at the ceremony. She was selected for this honor by the Senior Class Officers, and the faculty and staff who serve on the Senior Greeting Selection Committee. Guerins leadership on campus includes her serving as treasurer of Student Senate during her junior year, and as president during her senior year. She has been a strong voice and advocate for the student experience at Lycoming, helping various clubs and organizations navigate pandemic protocols while seeking to maintain student engagement in campus life. As a sister of Gamma Delta Sigma, Guerin served as vice president for her sorority, and worked for Admissions and a campus tour guide. Algeria warned today that it would terminate gas supplies to Spain if Madrid sold any Algerian gas to other countries, citing what it said was a Spanish decision to supply gas to Morocco via a pipeline. Algeria has previously said it will stick to its contract with Spain despite withdrawing its ambassador over a dispute between the two countries relating to the Moroccan-held territory of Western Sahara. Spain's energy ministry confirmed it planned to ship gas to Morocco but stressed that none of that gas would be of Algerian origin. North African gas supplies to Europe have grown increasingly important this year as the Ukraine crisis has cast doubt on Russian energy exports, and Algeria has agreed to raise its supply to Italy. Algeria wants to take advantage of higher demand for its gas after years of declining energy sales that have eaten into its foreign currency reserves. Meanwhile, ties between old rivals Algeria and Morocco have worsened over the past two years and last year Algeria broke off diplomatic ties with its neighbour. Algeria supports the Polisario Front movement that is seeking independence for Western Sahara, a territory seen by Morocco as its own. Spain last month said it backed Rabat's plans to offer the territory autonomy. Algeria also decided last year not to extend a deal to export gas through a pipeline running through Morocco to Spain that made up nearly all Morocco's gas supply. It is supplying Spain through a direct subsea pipeline and by vessel. Morocco now wants to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Spain by reversing the flow of the pipeline while it moves to develop its own longer-term LNG import terminals, as Reuters first reported last year. Algerian television, reporting the warning, said that Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab had received an email from his Spanish counterpart notifying him of Spain's decision to allow a reverse flow of the pipeline. However, Spain's energy ministry said that in no case would gas acquired by Morocco come from Algeria and that it had discussed the plan with Algiers in recent months. "Morocco will be able to purchase LNG on the international markets, unload it at a regasification plant on the Spanish mainland and use the Maghreb gas pipeline to bring it to its territory," the ministry said on today. Last week Algerian President Abdulmadjid Tebboune said "We assure the Spanish friends, the Spanish people that Algeria will never abandon its commitment to supply Spain with gas under any circumstances." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MANISTEE Michigan had more than double the number of reported antisemitic incidents in 2021 compared to 2020, according to the Anti-Defamation League's annual audit. Michigan saw an increase of antisemitic incidents reported, from 51 in 2020 to 112 in 2021, the report shows. The reports came from 32 cities across the state and the Michigan spike parallels national numbers, said Carolyn Normandin, ADL Michigan regional director, in the news release about the audit. Overall findings There was a significant increase in antisemitic incidents in Michigan, Normandin said. The data reflects a disturbing all-time high, both in our state and across the U.S. Michigan was tied with Texas for the fifth highest number of antisemitic incidents in the United States. Incidents were reported in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. The states with the highest number of incidents were New York with 416, New Jersey with 370, California with 367, Florida with 190, Michigan with 112 and Texas also with 112. These states accounted for 58% of the total incidents, according to the ADL survey data. The Anti-Defamation League describes itself on its website as "... a leading anti-hate organization that was founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry. Today, ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur and continues to fight all forms of hate." Nationally, ADL reported a total of 2,717 cases of assault, harassment and vandalism. This was the highest number of incidents on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979 an average of more than seven incidents per day and a 34% increase year over year, the organization said. Of the 112 incidents reported in Michigan in 2021, the ADL broke those incidents down into three categories: harassment, vandalism and assault. According to the ADL data of those three categories: There were 104 harassment incidents, cases where one or more Jews reported feeling harassed by antisemitic language or actions. There were eight vandalism incidents, cases where property was damaged in a manner that harmed or intimidated Jews. Swastikas, which are generally interpreted as symbols of antisemitic hatred, were present in a number of these incidents. There were no antisemitic assaults reported to the Michigan office in 2021. Manistee Two of the incidents of vandalism happened in Manistee. One in August and one in September, were documented by the ADL. Several swastikas were painted on multiple streets along Fox Farm Road and parts of Red Apple Road in Manistee in September. A resident named Ed Jones expressed concerns to the News Advocate in September about the incidents. "I am concerned that the community leaders have not denounced the recent frequent displays of hateful swastikas along Red Apple and Fox Farm Road. The city passed a (resolution) promoting inclusion and diversity (in 2020). Let's be more than just politically correct. Unfortunately, residents had to step up and get their paint cans and paint over the hateful symbols. And, I apologize to folks visiting our quaint little community, possibly looking for a place to live only to see these symbols of hatred. Obviously, and sadly, it does exist here," Jones told the news via email in September. Another resident named Rhonda Greene told the News Advocate in September that said she saw swastikas in downtown Manistee along the Riverwalk. She said she removed them herself. "We walk the Riverwalk from end to end multiple times a week so they couldnt have been there for more than a day or two before we removed them. We also removed one on another day prior to this but I dont recall the exact date and location. On (Sept.) 17 I decided to document one of them because I was annoyed that they seemed to be suddenly everywhere," Greene said and posted a video on Instagram. Greene said she did not make a report to the police or Manistee City Council and added that she believed there were was a likelihood of others cleaning up the symbols and not reporting them. Homicide There was once incident described as an extremist homicide by the ADL's hate, extremism, antisemitism, terrorism interactive map. The incident was reported to have occurred in August in Grand Haven. The description of the incident from the HEAT map notes the following: "... 19-year-old Aidan Ingalls shot a man and wife at a pier in South Haven, MI killing the man and wounding the woman. Police found swastikas and 'white supremacy markings' on the gun used by Ingalls. A search of his bedroom revealed books on Hitler as well as on violent topics ranging from serial killers to the Columbine shooting." In addition to the 112 reported antisemitic incidents in Michigan in 2021, there were 153 reported incidents in Michigan of what ADL considers white supremacist propaganda, according to the HEAT map. Many of the incidents, particularly in northern Michigan were by one group called Patriot Front, which is described as a white supremacist group by the ADL. They distributed several flyers, which had different statements that read "America First, "For the nation, against the state" and "Not stolen, conquered," among others. Incidents in 2022 So far in 2022, there have been four antisemitic incidents and 90 reported accounts of white supremacist propaganda. Those four incidents were not classified separately than the white supremacist incidents since the ADL notes on the HEAT map website that antisemitic incidents are a separate data set and results in that category are not filterable by ideology. Propaganda Many of the incidents reported this year are allegedly committed by separate white supremacist groups, according to the data in the HEAT map tool. All of the incidents reported occurred in the southern half of the state but two were reported in west Michigan. Once incident happened in Walker, near Grand Rapids in January. The description of the incident notes the following: "Folkish Resistance Movement (formerly Folksfront), a neo-Nazi group, distributed propaganda that read: 'White Lives Matter,' 'Resistance is duty' and 'Victory Through Unity."' According to the ADL HEAT map description, "other propaganda featured a Star of David and read: 'Resist Zionism.'" Another incident happened in Sparta and consisted of propaganda distributed by Folkish Resistance Movement which read: "Victory through unity," "United in blood" and "Blood and soil." Other propaganda featured a Star of David which read: "Break debt slavery." The other group allegedly responsible, according to the ADL, for one of the four incidents is called White Lives Matter. A description of the incident which occurred in Saline, southwest of Ann Arbor, in March notes the following: "Individuals associated with White Lives Matter, a network of anonymous white supremacists, distributed propaganda that read: "White Lives Matter." Other propaganda promoted an antisemitic film called"Europa The Last Battle." Screenshot/ADL.org The ADL audit for Michigan also noted that the Folkish Resistance Movement helped to drive the increase in antisemitic incidents noting in the report that "12 of Michigans incidents were classified as extremist related; Folksfront, a neo-Nazi group was very active with propaganda across the state," part of the 2021 ADL Michigan audit read. The ADL said that nationally and in Michigan there were many incidents that occurred in May, when fighting broke out in the Gaza strip between Israeli's and Palestinians. A group in Ann Arbor was also responsible for many of the reported incidents in 2021: "Witness for Peace, an antisemitic and anti-Israel group, continued its weekly protests outside an Ann Arbor, Michigan synagogue throughout 2021 (these protests began in 2003). WFP members typically hold signs with slogans like, Israel: No Right to Exist, Prof. Victor Lieberman: Heil Hitler! AMERICA First NOT Israel. WFPs founder is a Holocaust denier and says he convenes the protests because the synagogues support for Israel makes the congregation complicit in Israels nationalist agenda, a section of the audit reads. The ADL said it "believes it is antisemitic to target Jewish people and Jewish institutions engaged in religious observances for harassment because of their real or assumed support for Israel and hold them responsible for the policies of Israels government." The organization also said it updated its methodology in 2021 at least for the Michigan chapter of the ADL "... to more accurately reflect the disruptive and traumatic impact that these weekly violations are having on many Jews in Ann Arbor." WFPs weekly agitation of the congregants at the synagogue for nearly two decades is outrageous, Normandin said. Courtesy graphic/Anti Defamation League However, Normadin also noted that the Witness for Peace's activity was only part of the reason for the spike in reported incidents. Although the degree of the spike in Michigan was impacted by the change in counting methodology for the WFP incidents, even excluding those numbers, Michigan still saw a 56% increase, Normandin said. Find more information from the audit at adl.org/audit2021. WASHINGTON (AP) A veritable who's who of Washington's political and foreign policy elite gathered Wednesday to pay their last respects to the late Madeleine Albright, a child of conflict-ravaged Europe who arrived in the U.S. as an 11-year old girl and became America's first female secretary of state. The trailblazing diplomat and champion of her adopted country as the world's indispensable nation was joyously remembered by President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton as a no-nonsense, valued adviser who did not suffer fools or tyrants and was most concerned about Russia's war with Ukraine when she died last month of cancer at 84. Biden said Albrights name was synonymous with the idea that America is a force for good in the world. In the 20th and 21st century, freedom had no greater champion than Madeleine Korbel Albright, he said. Today we honor a truly proud American who made all of us prouder to be Americans. He said he had learned of Albright's death while flying to Brussels for an emergency NATO summit on Ukraine and was struck by the memory of her key role in pressing for the expansion of the alliance in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union to protect Europe from a repeat of the carnage of World War II and the Cold War ideological battle between communism and democracy. And Clinton, the man who appointed her first as his U.N. ambassador in 1993 and then as secretary of state in 1996, said his last conversation with Albright just weeks before her passing were dominated by the situation in Ukraine and her fears about the future of democracy at home and abroad. He recalled that Albright didnt want to talk about her declining health at a moment when the West is on edge following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Albright, Clinton recalled, assured him that she was getting the best care she could, but didnt want to waste time talking about that. The only thing that really matters is what kind of world were going to leave to our grandchildren, Clinton recalled Albright told him. He added, She made a decision with her last breath she would go out with her boots on. Biden and Clinton, along with former President Barack Obama and several of Albright's successors as secretary of state, including Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, John Kerry and current office-holder Antony Blinken, were some 1,400 mourners who attended the funeral at Washington's National Cathedral. The service was punctuated at points by tears, laughter and applause during reminiscences from Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Albright's three daughters, Anne, Alice and Katharine, who remembered her as a doting mom" and Granny Maddy to their own children even amid a hectic work schedule that often took her around the world. That schedule didn't let up when she left government service in 2001 and returned to teaching at Georgetown University, started a successful international consulting company, served on the boards of numerous women's and human rights groups and became a best-selling author. Hillary Clinton recalled stories that she had lobbied for Albright to serve as secretary of state, a role that Clinton would serve in herself during the Obama administration. Its been said that I urged my husband to nominate her as our first female secretary of state," she said. Unlike much thats said, this story was true. The two developed a strong friendship over the years. and Hillary Clinton recalled a pair of stories about her and Albright on visits overseas during which they bonded. Once on a walk in a drenching rainstorm in the Czech capital of Prague, Clinton said they laughed so hard they forgot they were wet. On another occasion in Beijing, Clinton recalled that she and Albright had marched through mud in a torrential downpour and confronted Chinese security forces to meet women's rights activists. Clinton in her own tribute recalled some lighter memories of Albright, including the time she taught the foreign minister of Botswana the Macarena and danced the night away with a young, handsome man at her daughter Chelsea's wedding. She also remembered Albright as a fearless diplomat that broke barriers and then counseled, cajoled and inspired women to follow in her footsteps. The angels better be wearing their best pins and putting on their dancing shoes, Clinton said. Because if as Madeleine believed theres a special place in hell for women who dont support other women, they havent seen anyone like her yet. On the eve of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and one month before her death, The New York Times printed what would be Albright's last published writing. She wrote that Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion would be a historic error that would cement his legacy as one of infamy. Until the end, she was still in a hurry to do good, Clinton said. Other top current officials who attended the service included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director Bill Burns, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Mark Milley and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The members of the VIP audience were masked, as Albright's family had requested. Foreign dignitaries invited to the funeral included the presidents of Georgia and Kosovo and senior officials from Colombia, Bosnia and the Czech Republic. Albright was born in what was then Czechoslovakia, but her family fled twice, first from the Nazis and then from Soviet rule. They ended up in the United States, where she studied at Wellesley College and rose through the ranks of Democratic Party foreign policy circles to become ambassador to the United Nations. Bill Clinton selected her as secretary of state in 1996 for his second term. Although never in line for the presidency because of her foreign birth, Albright was near universally admired for breaking a glass ceiling, even by her political detractors. Several senior Republican lawmakers, including Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, attended the service. As a Czech refugee who saw the horrors of both Nazi Germany and the Iron Curtain, she was not a dove. She played a leading role in pressing for the Clinton administration to get involved militarily in the conflict in Kosovo. My mindset is Munich, she said frequently, referring to the German city where the Western allies abandoned her homeland to the Nazis. As secretary of state, Albright played a key role in persuading Clinton to go to war against the Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic over his treatment of Kosovar Albanians in 1999. As U.N. ambassador, she advocated a tough U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the case of Milosevics treatment of Bosnia. NATOs intervention in Kosovo was eventually dubbed Madeleines War. She also took a hard line on Cuba, famously saying at the United Nations that the 1996 Cuban shootdown of a civilian plane was not cojones but rather cowardice. Bill Clinton recalled the moment in his tribute, remembering that Albright faced criticism at the time that the sharp barb was undiplomatic and unladylike." He absolutely loved it. I called her and I said ... 'This is the best line developed and delivered by anybody in this administration," Clinton said. In 2012, Obama awarded Albright the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, saying her life was an inspiration to all Americans. Born Marie Jana Korbel in Prague on May 15, 1937, she was the daughter of a diplomat, Joseph Korbel. The family was Jewish and converted to Roman Catholicism when she was 5. Three of her Jewish grandparents died in concentration camps. Albright was an internationalist whose point of view was shaped in part by her background. Her family fled Czechoslovakia in 1939 as the Nazis took over their country, and she spent the war years in London. After the war, as the Soviet Union took over vast chunks of Eastern Europe, her father brought the family to the United States. They settled in Denver, where her father taught at the University of Denver. One of Korbels best students was Condoleezza Rice, who would later succeed his daughter as secretary of state. Albright graduated from Wellesley College in 1959. She worked as a journalist and later studied international relations at Columbia University, where she earned a masters degree in 1968 and a Ph.D. in 1976. She then entered politics and what was at the time the male-dominated world of foreign policy professionals. Restaurant Brands total sales for the first quarter to 31 March 2022 were $275.4 million, an increase of 6.0% over the equivalent quarter last year. The increase in sales of $15.7 million for the quarter was across all four regions the business operates in. COVID-19 continues to adversely impact the business, with the high case numbers from the Omicron variant causing disruptions to staffing levels and dine-in transactions. Company owned store numbers were up by 11 on the equivalent period last year to 364, primarily due to new store construction. New Zealand First quarter sales for New Zealand were $118.5 million, an increase of 2.9% in total and a decrease of 0.5% on a same store basis. KFC same store sales growth was reduced by shorter trading hours for some stores due to staff isolation requirements and the lack of dine-in traffic due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, particularly within the Auckland region. Pizza Hut and Carls Jr. showed solid same store growth, whilst the newly opened Taco Bell stores continue to trade at expected levels. Store numbers increased by one during the quarter to 138, with the opening of two new stores (KFC Whangarei South and Taco Bell Cuba Street, Wellington), partly offset by the closure of the Queen Street Carls Jr. store in Aucklands CBD. Australia First quarter sales for Australia were $A58.8 million ($NZ63.1 million), an increase of 8.7% in total (local currency), due to new store openings late last year and store acquisition activity. Same store sales were up 1.6% (local currency). The high COVID-19 case numbers in New South Wales were reflected in a higher drive-through sales mix, with mall and in-line inner city store sales still to recover to pre-COVID-19 levels. Store numbers increased by one during the quarter to 75, following the opening of the new Taco Bell store in Broadway, Sydney. Hawaii First quarter sales in Hawaii were $US35.6 million ($NZ53.0 million), an increase of 0.4% in total and 2.1% on a same store basis (local currency). With the easing of dine-in restrictions in Hawaii, the market saw a shift back to dine-in rather than delivery sales. This resulted in a strong lift in sales for Taco Bell, partly offset by a partial pulling back in the previous large Pizza Hut delivery growth. Store numbers remain unchanged at 73 stores during the quarter. California First quarter sales in California were $US27.4 million ($NZ40.7 million), an increase of 3.4% on a total basis and 0.3% on a same store basis (local currency). The sales growth of the prior year has been maintained, despite rolling over two large Federal stimulus payments made in January and March 2021, which resulted in strong KFC sales growth during the first quarter of 2021. Store numbers increased by three during the quarter to 73 stores, following the opening of two KFC stores (Waterman Ave (San Bernardino) and Perris), coupled with the acquisition of a KFC store in Desert Hot Springs from an independent franchisee. Annual Shareholders Meeting The Annual Shareholders Meeting of the company will be held on Thursday 26 May 2022, commencing at 10.00 am. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: My Food Bag FY22 Results Briefing Details SKC - EXTENSION OF DEBT COVENANT RELIEF PHL - CEO Appointment 10th May 2022 Morning Report Chatham Commences Scoping Study for Phosphate Export Mine 9th May 2022 Morning Report CHI - Indicative Interest Margin for Bond Offer ARG - FY22 Annual Result Announcement Date and webcast Marsden Maritime Holdings commences due diligence MCK appoints Stuart Harrison as Managing Director Law enforcement implemented a search at A$AP Rocky's LA house. They turned up multiple guns and will run ballistic tests to verify if A$AP Rocky possesses the firearm used in an argument in Hollywood. The ballistic test will determine if A$AP Rocky was the triggerman who shot a man. Police will also determine if the firearms are legal. They will run a background test on every weapon and assure the origin of every gun. TMZ reported last week about A$AP Rocky's detention at a private Los Angeles terminal. The rapper came back from Barbados and Rocky was taken into custody for assault with a deadly weapon. The arrest relates to an incident that happened on November 6, 2021, in which an alleged victim assured that Rocky shot them three or four times, grazing his left hand. Officials claim that A$AP did know the alleged victim. Events & arrest The victim and the rapper argued. After the incident between the two, the shooting would have happened, information corroborated by LAPD, according to TMZ. According to Rocky's legal team, they were surprised and shocked by the arrest and the allegations about the shooting. Law enforcement decided to arrest A$AP Rocky arriving at the airport and on his jet. It was a surprise element tactic for avoiding any calls to hide all his weapons before the search process. A$AP flew from Barbados, where he was with Rihanna, to Los Angeles on a private jet. The police were already waiting for him at a private LAX terminal, where the musician was detained and handcuffed. Police footage shows moment Alec Baldwin was told Halyna Hutchins had died after Rust shooting Police footage shows moment Alec Baldwin was told Halyna Hutchins had died after Rust shooting Tragedy struck on October 22, 2021, on the set of a film set in New Mexico, as Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a gun during the filming of the movie 'Rust'. The American actor fired an assumedly blank gun during the filming of the movie, which discharged into the woman's chest and killed her. Dave Halls, the assistant director who gave Alec Baldwin the gun, admitted that he did not check the gun before rehearsing the scene because he was convinced it contained dummy bullets. Baldwin's shock after hearing the news of Hutchins' accidental death "I could have killed myself if I thought I was responsible for Halyna Hutchins' death," Baldwin admitted. "I dream about the accident constantly. I wake up the moment the gun goes off." Footage of Alec Baldwin's statement has leaked A video from the day of the incident has now surfaced in which police investigating the death of the cinematographer are taking a statement from Alec Baldwin. At the beginning of the interview, the 64-year-old actor was told the harrowing news. "No," said Baldwin, who immediately put his hand to his mouth. Alec Baldwin in shock A deafening silence fell over the interrogation room for a few long seconds as Alec Baldwin was in complete shock, covering his mouth and putting his hand over his heart. "I want to call my wife," he stated. Baldwin then walked out of the room with his hand to his forehead on one of the worst days of his life. Update narration See full narration Welcome to our American Finances live blog this Thursday, April 27, in which we discuss the latest financial news and updates across the United States. This includes some of the benefits programs on offer, in addition to money-saving tips. Today's blog will have a look at the monthly $500 checks being sent out in Chicago to low-income residents, as well as $150 Gas Cards that are on offer in the city. There will also be an update on the $850 check on offer in the state of Maine. As news continue to filter in from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about tax refunds, we will keep you up to date on when you can expect your payment and much more. What's more, there is likely to be an update on a potential monthly payment coming as part of the Supplemental Security Income program. There is a lot to discuss in this Thursday's live blog on the latest financial news in the U.S., so stay with us to find out what is going on. The most recent updates will be at the top of the updates. Weve teamed up with Takamaka to give you an opportunity to go on a rum-soaked trip to the Seychelles! On the island of Mahe in the Seychelles lies a distillery. One that operates on an estate was founded by French settlers over 200 years ago. Since 2002, it has been the first and only commercial rum producer and exporter in the Seychelles, and today produces a range of delicious spirits using sugarcane grown across Mahe by independent farmers, which is crushed, distilled, aged and blended on-site. Were talking, of course, about Takamaka rum. But why are we telling you all this? Because were inviting you to come and see the distillery for yourself. In the actual Seychelles. Nope, were not pulling your leg. This is a real competition. What you win This VIP trip means flights for 2 people from the United Kingdom to the Seychelles International Airport, airport transfers from and to said airport; and accommodation for 2 people at the self-catering Takamaka House, in Mahe, Seychelles. Theres also a complimentary tour of the Takamaka distillery, including rum tasting and an optional visit to the sugar cane fields, as well a complimentary welcome pack with essential food items and drinks at the accommodation, free use of kayak and snorkels provided with the accommodation, AND the possibility of a guided hike into the Seychelles mountain jungles or trek to explore hidden beaches. How to enter Easy. Just purchase a bottle of Zepis Kreol, Extra Noir, Pti Lakaz, and/or Grankaz. You can buy as many bottles as you want from the following selection, and the advantage of doing it this way means that even if you dont win youll still have a terrific bottle of rum to call your own. You have until 8 May to enter for the chance to win a trip of a lifetime, best of luck everyone! MoM Takamaka Rum Giveaway Competition 2022 open to entrants 18 years and over. Entries accepted from 10:00:01 UK Time 28 April 2022 and closes at 23:59:59 UK Time GMT on 8 May 2022. Date and travel restrictions apply. Winners chosen at random after close of competition. See full T&Cs for details. BEIJING, April 28 -- Japan's efforts to break through Exclusively Defense-Oriented Policy are alarming indicators that the international community should be extremely watchful and concerned about, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday. Senior Colonel Tan made the remarks when commenting on the reports about Japanese defense minister's statement on Japan's 2023 defense budget. According to reports, the Japanese defense minister suggested that the capability to attack enemy base should be taken into consideration for the budget. Besides, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan proposed that China and Russia should be classified as security "challenges" on a par with the DPRK in the new version of National Defense Program Guidelines, and that Japans defense budget should be boosted further. In response to these, Tan said that in order to seek the so-called capability to attack enemy base, strengthen its military strength and enhance its defense expenditures, Japan has recently been making all kinds of excuses and spreading irresponsible remarks. Such efforts to break through the Exclusively Defense-Oriented Policy are alarming indicators that the international community should be extremely watchful and concerned about. Senior Colonel Tan stressed that, in the past, Japanese militarists launched wars of aggression under the pretext of external threats, bringing untold sufferings to the people of China and other countries in the region. The Chinese side urges Japan to take history as a lesson, restrain its words and deeds and do more to maintain regional peace and stability. 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ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS. IstitutoComprensivo Chieti is an urban school in Chieti with about 1,000 studentsages 4-14 years. The schools STEAM program includes lessons and projects for students at every grade level in the school. Previous school years have engaged students in robotics,and enabled studentsto participate in the INDIRE project (coding and robotics).Students have also participated in project ESA "Zero Mission- Astro Pi", and in 2021 met with ESA Astronaut Luca Parmitano. Members of the amateur radio team from Pescara are supporting the school for this ARISS contact, including instructing students on the equipment required to make the contact and installation of the communication equipment. This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask questions of Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, amateur radio call sign IZUDF. Local Covid-19 protocols are adhered to as applicable for each ARISS contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station. The amateur radio ground station for this contact is located in Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy. Amateur radio operators will use the call sign IZ6BMP to establish and maintain the ISS connection. The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April29, 2022 at9:49 amCEST (Chieti)(07:49UTC, 3 :49 am EDT, 2:49am CDT, 1:49am MDT, 12:49 am PDT). The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlAR81pM4kM As time allows, students will ask these questions: 1. Come si e sentitaquando e statoannunciato a lei di andarealla base spaziale? 2. Quandotornidallospazio, in cui non c'egravita, alla terra chesensazionihai? 3. Cheeffettoti fa vedere la terra girare? 4. Chetipo di test haidovutosuperare per entrarenella NASA? 5. Tiseimaisentita sotto pressione? 6. Chi o checosati ha ispirato e dato la forza di perseguire la carriera di astronauta? 7. Qualistudisidevono fare per diventareunastronauta e in particolaretuqualihaifatto? 8. Quanto tempo ha impiegato per entrarenella ESA? 9. Qualicompetenzetecniche e informatichesononecessarie e perche? Attraversoqualicorsi di studio siacquisiscono? 10. Quanto dura laddestramento per andarenellospazio? 11. E stato difficile abituarsi a muoversi con la mancanza di gravitanellospazio? 12. Com'epossibile la trasmissione di datidallospazioalla terra in tempo reale? 13. Qual'eil tempo massimo per rimaneresullastazionespaziale? 14. E maistatosperimentatounmetodo per vedereesattamentecosac'edentro la luna? 15. Quantoimpegno e sacrificio e necessario per diventareastronauti? Quale gioiasiprovaadessereastronauti? Translation 1. How did you feel when you were told you would go to the space station? 2. How do you feel when you come back on the Earth, when you come back to gravity? 3. How do you feel when you see the Earth rotation? 4. What kind of test did you have to pass to enter NASA? 5. Have you ever felt under pressure? 6. Who or what inspired you and gave you the strength to pursue your career as astronaut? 7. What studies do you have to do to become an astronaut and in particular which ones have you done? 8. How long did it take you to enter the ESA? 9. Which technical and I.T. skills are needed and why? How can you get them? 10. How long is the training to go to space? 11. Was it hard to learn to move in lack of gravity in space? 12. How can data be transmitted from space to Earth in real time? 13. What is the maximum time to stay on a space station? 14. Have people ever tested a way to see what's inside the moon exactly? 15. How much effort and sacrifice does it take to become an astronaut? What joy does it feel to be an astronaut? About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) and NASAs Space communications and Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org . Media Contact: Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR ike us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW YORK (AP) Holocaust survivors across the world have united to deliver a message on the dangers of unchecked hate and the importance of remembrance at a time of rising global antisemitism. In a video released Thursday to mark Yom HaShoah -- Israels Holocaust Remembrance Day -- 100 Holocaust survivors asked people to stand with them and remember the Nazi genocide to avoid repeating the horrors of the past. The 100 Words project video was released by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. The group represents the worlds Jews in negotiating for compensation and restitution for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs, and provides welfare for Holocaust survivors around the globe. The world is full of strife from the pandemic to the crisis happening in Ukraine on remembrance days like Yom HaShoah, it is so important to stop and reflect, Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference, said in a statement. The call to action these survivors put forth today is not only one of remembrance, but one of action, a reminder that we do not have to be bystanders. We can all stand up in our own way and we can choose to not let our collective history repeat itself. The project is being released as Russia faces widespread revulsion and accusations of war crimes over attacks on civilians in its invasion of Ukraine. It also comes at a time when Holocaust survivors -- now in their 80s and 90s -- are dying, while studies show that younger generations lack even basic knowledge of the Nazi genocide, in which a third of the world's Jews were annihilated. If we do not remember them, we are murdering them twice because we have forgotten them. And we have forgotten the tragic travesty that was visited upon millions of people, said Ginger Lane, a Holocaust survivor who along with her siblings was hidden in a fruit orchard near Berlin by non-Jews. It is important to remember because it is a part of our heritage and our legacy that we pass on to the younger generation, said Lane, whose mother was killed at the Auschwitz death camp, and who has made it her lifelong mission to educate others. Holocaust denial, we know it has always existed, but it seems to be on the upswing and ... a huge number of young people dont even know what the word Holocaust means These young people are eager to move forward with their lives. But their lives today are shaped by the past. And they need to know what happened in the past. In a 50-state study of Millennials and Generation Z-age people in the U.S. in 2020, researchers found that 63% of respondents did not know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust and 48% could not name a single death camp or concentration camp. The 100 Word Project statement by Holocaust survivors says: Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day We all survived the Holocaust We are here to give voice to the six million Jews who were murdered We are a reminder unchecked hatred can lead to actions, actions to genocide Just over 75 years ago, one-third of the worlds Jews were systematically murdered Among them, over 1.5 million children were killed in the name of indifference, intolerance, hate Hatred for what was feared Hatred for what was different We must remember the past or it will become our future On Holocaust Remembrance Day we ask the world to stand with us and remember. The annual remembrance known as Yom HaShoah is one of the most solemn on Israels calendar, with the nation coming to a standstill during a two-minute siren on Thursday morning. According to the Hebrew calendar, Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising the most significant act of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Although the uprising ultimately failed, it is remembered in Israel as a symbol of strength and the struggle for freedom in the face of annihilation. It means resilience, tenacity, strength. Its the hallmark of being a Holocaust survivor, the very concept of surviving, of everyday problems, of fighting until the end, said Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference. And for some people, unfortunately, the end was the gas chamber. For other people the end was the Warsaw ghetto, where a very small group of people who werent well-equipped held out for nearly a month, Schneider said. "And thats why its such an important day in Israel, and around the world for the Jewish community because it symbolizes the fight of certainly the Jewish people, but of any people facing this type of incredible adversity. The Claims Conference is working with its partners, among them the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC, to get as many Holocaust survivors out of Ukraine as possible. Thousands of people have been killed and more than five million have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24. Holocaust survivors from Canada, England, France, Germany, Israel, the United States and Ukraine were part of the video statement. Survivors from many different countries and languages who have vastly different persecution experiences -- some were in concentration camps, some were in ghettos, some fled, some were in hiding, Schneider said. And yet they come together to speak in one voice of the hope for the future. __ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. More of Huron Countys American Rescue Plan Act funds have been spent, this time going toward helping firefighters. The board of commissioners allocated $25,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to go toward the Bad Axe Fire Department, which is working on a new training facility for firefighters. Bad Axe Fire Chief John Hunt could not provide further details about the proposed facility at the moment, saying they are still working on putting its plans together. The resolution stated that on April 13, 2022, the Huron County Fire Chiefs Association approved a motion at its meeting recommending using funds to assist in establishing a training facility, which would go toward construction, outfitting, and training props. With this allocation, Huron County has spent $2.074 million of its approximately $6 million in ARPA funds so far. Projects that have been given some of these allocated funds include: $100,000 to Guidehouse Consulting for overseeing how these funds are distributed. $317,130 for renovating the fiend of court of juvenile court office. $63,810 for a sewer project at the county fairgrounds. $495,033.91 for Sheriffs Office premium pay. $40,558 for janitorial staff premium pay. $109,307 for upgrading the countys 911 phone system. $246,705,80 for upgrading the countys 911 radio system. Another $3 million of the funds are already planned to be set aside to cover any potential county budget general fund shortfalls for the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years, $1.5 million for each. Of the $6 million the county is due to receive in ARPA funds, it receieved $3 million back in May 2021 and is due to get another $3 million in May 2022. Of those funds, $5.54 million has been designated for different projects so far. The funds are part of $65.1 billion distributed to counties nationwide as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, with the funds coming from the Department of Treasury. Recipients can use the funds to support public health expenditures, address negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, replace lost public sector revenue, provide premium pay to essential workers, and invest in water, broadband, and sewer infrastructure. The county has until Dec. 31, 2024, to obligate how these funds are spent and until Dec. 31, 2026, to spend all of its allocated funds. HONESDALE, Pa. (AP) A candidate in next month's Republican primary for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor was ordered this week to stay away from his home after his wife made claims of physical and mental abuse in obtaining a protective order. Teddy Daniels was accused of making threats, saying he would kill the family dog and grabbing his wife by the shirt. The woman also told a Pennsylvania judge that Daniels stalked her at work, screaming at me, making me cry and that he continually cursed at her and threatened to throw her out of the home. Daniels, 47, is one of nine candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the state's May 17 primary, running with the endorsement of a leading candidate for governor, Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County. Both are vocal supporters of former President Donald Trump. Daniels has said he, like Mastriano, was outside the U.S. Capitol during the insurrectionist riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Responding to his wife's accusations, Daniels vowed to stay in the race and claimed without evidence that he was the target of political terrorism meant to damage his campaign. In an email Thursday afternoon, Daniels said unfounded allegations were a politically motivated attack on me and my family and directed questions to an attorney. Daniels did not explain how his wife's allegations would be politically motivated. A Wayne County judge granted a temporary protection from abuse order to Daniels' wife on Tuesday. Under the order, Daniels was removed from his home in a gated community in the Poconos and forbidden from having any contact with her. The judge also gave Daniels' wife temporary custody of their child and ordered Daniels to turn over his guns. In a three-page, handwritten petition, the wife wrote that Daniels, who is 6-foot-4 and 360 pounds (1.9 meters and 163 kilograms), is always angry at me and continuously curses at her, threatening to kick her and their son out of the house if he loses the campaign. He has hurled verbal abuse toward their son, she said in the petition. He also prevents her from seeing her family and told her she couldnt attend a family funeral, she wrote. Daniels' wife told authorities in her request for the protective order that he had numerous guns and knives in the house. I am afraid of him and what he will do to me, she wrote. She sought the protective order after she said Pennsylvania State Police troopers came to their Lake Ariel house for a wellness check on Sunday. After they left, she said, Daniels was verbally abusive and became very agitated about who called the state troopers. She said she then called state police, who suggested that her husband go elsewhere for the night to cool things down. At 6 a.m. Monday, she wrote, her husband returned to the house, asked if she planned to seek a protective order and tried to prevent her from leaving, she wrote. Daniels then followed her to the courthouse, she wrote. Last August, she said, Daniels grabbed her shirt, pulled her to his face and said, Dont you ever speak to me like that, the petition said. He also threatened to kill the family dog and has made two previous attempts to take his own life, his wife said. A hearing on the protective order was scheduled for next week. Daniels has a combative campaign style that has drawn complaints of name-calling from two other candidates, and he recently told one opponent during a back-and-forth of Facebook videos that he planned to confront him in person. The Pennsylvania lieutenant governor chairs the state Pardons Board and is next in line in case the state's chief executive becomes disabled or dies. Daniels issued a statement late Wednesday that said state police were investigating the situation with his wife. Without offering evidence, he accused Rolling Stone magazine, which first published news of the protection-from-abuse order, of being closely involved with a series of phone calls made to police from out-of-state in which false police reports were made against me at my home. Rolling Stone editor-in-chief Noah Shachtman responded Thursday to Daniels' claims with a short emailed statement: We stand by our story. Daniels also posted a half-hour live video on Facebook on Wednesday in which he said he had been swatted, or targeted with bogus calls leading police to his home. I have been hit with numerous cannon balls at point blank range, Daniels said on the broadcast. Folks, I ain't dropping out of nothing, and I ain't quitting. He said his wife had asked him several times to quit the race because of the weight of the world coming down on us. And I told her, I said, 'I love you, but I aint dropping. I ain't dropping. This is what they want, and I'm not going to let them win.' Earlier this month, Daniels warned fellow Republican lieutenant governor candidate Russ Diamond that he would confront him over Diamond's Facebook post, made April 14, that raised questions about Daniels' law enforcement background, disability status and family life. Im curious to see what youre going to do with a man standing in front of you, now that you want to bring my wife into things, Daniels told Diamond. You are the lowest, scummiest, dirtiest form of a thing on the face of the earth. And boy you poked the wrong bear. Two other GOP lieutenant governor candidates have made a public appeal for Daniels to stop what they consider negative attacks and name calling. A former police officer and Army combat veteran, Daniels recently promoted a campaign-related giveaway of a customized rifle. A helmet-camera video Daniels recorded of himself being shot on patrol in Afghanistan has been viewed online millions of times. ___ Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. One of the highest-paid comedians with six Grammy nominations under his belt is set to bring his latest tour to Michigan. The earliest date for Jim Gaffigans The Fun Tour is in July at the Traverse City Cherry Festival. Gaffigan will perform on the Pepsi Bay Side Music Stage at 6 p.m. on July 6. Tickets start at $50 and are on sale via the Traverse City Cherry Festival website here. Previously announced performers at the 2022 National Cherry Festival include R&B legends Boyz II Men and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top. The festival annually attracts thousands of people to Northern Michigan. The festival was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A revised festival without parades or airshows was held in 2021. Later this year, Gaffigan plans to stop in Grand Rapids and Detroit. Gaffigan will be at Van Andel Arena on Friday, November 18, and at the Fox Theatre on Saturday, November 19, according to his website. Gaffigan tweeted to remind Michiganders that presale tickets for the Grand Rapids and Detroit shows went on sale Thursday morning. Tickets are set to be available to the general public on Friday, April 29, at 10 a.m. Gaffigan recently released his 9th stand-up special, Comedy Monster, on Netflix. In 2020 he was awarded for being the first comedian to reach one billion streams on Pandora. In addition to two seasons of the critically acclaimed semi-autobiographical "The Jim Gaffigan Show," which he wrote and produced with his wife Jeannie, and his stand-up comedy specials, Gaffigan has guest-starred on many television comedies and dramas, ranging from "Portlandia" and "Bobs Burgers" to the HBO cult hit "Flight of the Concords" to dramatic roles in "Law & Order." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LANSING The Michigan Democratic Party said Wednesday it challenged three top Republican gubernatorial candidates' nominating petitions, alleging forged signatures and other issues that could keep them from qualifying for the GOP primary. Complaints were lodged Tuesday with the Board of State Canvassers over petitions submitted by ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig, businessman Perry Johnson and Tudor Dixon, the former host of a conservative TV news show. Michigan Strong, a super PAC tied to Dixon, filed a separate challenge alleging fraud against Craig, who has led in polling and is among 10 Republicans who turned in signatures by last week's deadline. The primary winner will face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the fall. The Democratic-drafted complaint alleges that at least eight of Craig's circulators engaged in a forging technique known as round-robining in which a small group of people fakes signatures across multiple petition sheets using a list of real voters. Various signers mix in their writing styles in an attempt to fake authenticity. More than 6,900 of his 21,000-plus signatures were obtained that way and should be invalidated, according to the filing. If true, that would put Craig below the 15,000 valid signatures needed to qualify for the August primary ballot. The challenge also says defective circulator certificates should negate about 1,900 signatures. I have never seen such evidence of forgery and fraud in a petition drive in the nearly 40 years I've been practicing election law in Michigan, said attorney Mark Brewer. Michigan Strong spokesperson Fred Wszolek said it was super easy to catch the fraud, saying sheets from one Craig circulator, for instance, all have handwriting that looks alike and were submitted in sequential order. Craigs campaign tried filing an additional 4,200 signatures on April 19 to get more of a cushion but was 20 minutes late, he said. Craig campaign spokesperson Marli Blackman said his campaign has total confidence in the signatures, calling the complaints a last-ditch effort" by opponents who are terrified" by his support and momentum. The challenge against Dixon says her almost 30,000 signatures should be tossed because the petitions inaccurately say the next gubernatorial term ends in 2026 when it expires on Jan. 1, 2027. Lawyer Steven Liedel, who brought the complaint, said while state law does not require a gubernatorial candidate to provide a term expiration date on a nominating petition, he or she cannot make false statements on the form if they do. Dixon issued a statement calling it a desperate, bogus challenge. Democrats, she said, will do anything to protect Gretchen Whitmer from having to face me. The complaint against Johnson a self-funder who has spent more than $3 million on advertising also alleges forgery, noting his campaign used six circulators accused of forging Craigs petitions. One of them also collected signatures for Dixon. There are sufficient quality-control problems with the Johnson petitions to put his candidacy in serious doubt, Liedel said. Johnson campaign consultant John Yob said Democrats are scared of Johnsons momentum. Even if every absurd accusation made by the Democrats was legitimate, they still failed to challenge enough to impact his ballot access, he said. Perry will be on the ballot and we look forward to seeing the results of the more statistically consequential challenges made of other candidates. The state elections bureau will review the challenged candidates signatures and make recommendations to the bipartisan, four-member canvassing board, likely in May. Ballots are printed in June. The board typically accepts the determinations. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate If youre driving through Elkton this weekend and see some folks in gold vests standing at the intersection of M-142 and Main Street, you might stop and throw a couple of bucks their way. Theyre members of the Elkton Lions Club, and theyll be collecting donations as a part of White Cane Week. The white cane serves as a symbol of the Lions efforts to provide aid to the visually impaired, but the funds theyll raise this weekend will be used in several different ways to benefit the community, Elkton Lions President Gary Sweeney said. Donations have paid for canes, wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, batteries for motorized wheelchairs and eyeglasses for those in need, Sweeney said. The Lions Club Internationals history with the White Cane campaign goes back almost 100 years. In 1921, James Biggs, a photographer from Bristol, England, became blind following an accident. Because he was feeling uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home, he painted his walking stick white to be more easily visible. In 1930, George A. Bonham, President of the Peoria, Illinois Lions Club introduced the idea of using the white cane with a red band as a means of assisting the blind in independent mobility. The Peoria Lions approved the idea, white canes were made and distributed, and the Peoria City Council adopted an ordinance giving the bearers the right-of-way to cross the street. News of the clubs activity spread quickly to other Lions Clubs throughout the United States, and their visually handicapped friends experimented with the white canes. Overwhelming acceptance of the white cane idea by the blind and sighted alike quickly gave cane users a unique method of identifying their special need for travel consideration among their sighted counterparts. Also in 1931, in France, Guilly dHerbemont recognized the danger to blind people in traffic and launched a national white stick movement for blind people. She donated 5,000 white canes to people in Paris. Today white cane laws are on the books of every state in the U.S. and in a few other countries, providing persons who are blind a legal status in traffic. The white cane universally acknowledges that the bearer is blind. ROSCOMMON COUNTY An Evart man is facing several charges after allegedly leading police on a 53-mile, three-county pursuit through northern Michigan. Jesse Stanley Mobley, 37, of Evart, was arraigned Tuesday, April 26, in the 82nd District Court of Roscommon County on charges of fleeing and eluding; reckless driving; driving while license revoked, second offense; no insurance; and unlawful use of a registration plate. According to a news release from the Roscommon County Sheriff's Office, the charges stem from an incident that began in Markey Township in Roscommon County. A caller reported a suspicious female at a vacant residence. Before deputies arrived, the caller informed dispatch that the female had been picked up by a male. A description of the vehicle and subjects was provided. Deputies spotted a vehicle matching the description on M-55 in Denton Township in Roscommon County and stopped it for additional motor vehicle violations. The vehicle pulled into a parking lot and stopped, according to the news release, however, as deputies approached, the driver sped away. The pursuit continued west on M-55 into Missaukee County at speeds exceeding 100 mph, then south on 8 Mile Road onto M-66 in Osceola County through Marion. At one point, the vehicle slowed and the female passenger jumped out, police said. Several miles later, the driver ran from the moving vehicle, according to police, and a foot pursuit commenced. Once apprehended, deputies discovered Mobley had several outstanding warrants out of Big Rapids, Reed City, and Osceola County and his driver's license was revoked. The Pioneer previously reported that Mobley had been arraigned Feb. 12, 2021, in Osceola County 49th Circuit Court on single counts of assault with intent to murder; assault to do great bodily harm less than murder; assault with a dangerous weapon; destruction or injury of personal property greater than $1,000 but less than $20,000; aggravated assault; and operating a vehicle while license suspended or revoked. Mobley pleaded not guilty to all charges. The charges stem from that incident that took place Aug. 25, 2020, where Mobley allegedly tried to run the victim a neighbor over with his truck. The victim and Mobley are not related. Mobley is alleged to have tailed the victim on his motorcycle, eventually running him off the road and assaulting him, Osceola County Prosecutor Anthony Badovinac told the Pioneer at the time. Badovinac said Mobley then fled the scene and was found several weeks later hiding out at another residence, where he was arrested by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. During his arraignment, Barnhart requested Judge Scott Hill-Kennedy modify her client's bond and asked his GPS tether be removed. Hill-Kennedy denied the request but said he would reconsider the motion later. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate UNITED NATIONS (AP) For the first time, key players seeking accountability for atrocities during the Ukraine war have come together at an informal meeting of the U.N. Security Council to spur investigations into abuses that many Western countries blame on Russia. The session Wednesday included the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor, the chair of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry, Ukraines top prosecutor and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who has opened over 8,000 investigations into alleged violations of the laws and customs of war, said that Russias actions amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes and the pattern resembles the crime of genocide. Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka, who co-sponsored and chaired the meeting, said that as a veto-holding member of the Security Council, Russia is supposed to be a guardian of international peace but has embarked on a war of choice against a neighbor committing immeasurable crimes in the process. Frances deputy U.N. ambassador, Nathalie Broadhurst, the other co-sponsor, said the images of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and other areas after Russian forces withdrew are unbearable and may amount to war crimes. Beth Van Schaack, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, said the United States has concluded Russia committed war crimes, pointing to credible reports of individuals killed execution-style, bodies showing signs of torture and horrific accounts of sexual violence against women and girls. She said Russia's political and military leadership and rank and file will be held accountable. The legal chief at Russias U.N. Mission, Sergey Leonidchenko, dismissed their statements, saying: What we heard today was another portion of unsubstantiated claims and even fakes seasoned with lies, hypocrisy and pompous rhetoric. Russia has denied responsibility for any atrocities and repeatedly blamed Ukrainian nationalists and neo-Nazis. Leonidchenko said Ukrainians responsible for all these heinous crimes will be brought to justice. He said Russia is collecting witness statements and evidence across Ukraine, including in the besieged city of Mariupol. He said Russia plans to hold an informal council meeting May 6 to present what he claimed will be facts not fakes. Other council members Mexico, Gabon, Ghana, Brazil, India, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates didn't seek to lay any blame. They said investigations need to establish the facts behind the killings and attacks. China, which is close to Russia, said the cause of civilian deaths should be established and verified. Any accusations should be based on facts before the full picture is clear, Chinese diplomat Huang Lijin said. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said a record 43 countries have referred the Ukraine situation to the court, which is responsible for prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. He opened an investigation March 2, and said nine other European nations are also conducting probes. On Monday, he said, the ICC signed an agreement for the first time for a joint investigative team with Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. This is a time when we need to mobilize the law and send it into battle, not on the side of Ukraine against the Russian Federation or on the side of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, but on the side of humanity to protect, to preserve, to shield people who have certain basic rights, Khan said. Calling this a critical juncture, he said its time to uphold the law and move quickly on collecting evidence. He said he deployed a team to the region immediately after announcing the investigation and has visited Ukraine twice and will do so again. Khan told the council he sent three communications to Russia and had not received a reply, and he welcomed Leonidchenko's presence before the Russian spoke. "My door is open, Khan told him. Leonidchenko was critical of the ICC, claiming the court is not impartial. Khan told reporters afterward that he is not for or against Russia or Ukraine, saying the court is interested only in upholding the law. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced strong support for the ICC after seeing the devastation in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha on Thursday and appealed to Russia to cooperate with the court. He said the horrendous" scene in Bucha, where tortured bodies and mass graves were found after Russian troops withdrew, made him feel how important it is to have a thorough investigation and accountability." British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said the United Kingdom is supporting international efforts to see justice delivered and will provide 1 million pounds ($1.25 million) in additional funding to the ICC. Frances Broadhurst said her government has sent two judges and 10 investigators to join the ICC team in Ukraine and made an additional 500,000 euro ($525,000) contribution to support its work. Van Schaack said the United States, which is not a party to the ICC, is supporting its investigation into atrocities in Ukraine. Norwegian judge Erik Mose, who chairs the U.N. Human Rights Councils Commission of Inquiry, said it is recruiting staff and will investigate all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, building on the work of U.N. human rights monitors in Ukraine. He said it will establish contact with the ICC in the near future and will seek to contact Russia and Ukraine, victims, civil society groups, governments and others. Mose stressed his commission's independence and its mandate to identify where possible individuals and entities responsible for violation or abuses of human rights of international humanitarian law or other related crimes. Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. human rights chief, reiterated that war crimes may have taken place and efforts aimed at redressing violations must begin now." As of Wednesday, she said, her office had documented and verified 2,787 civilians killed and 3,152 injured, with actual numbers considerably higher and rising. Amal Clooney, who was representing the Clooney Foundation for Justice, urged the council not to let the efforts lose steam. What worries me as I sit here today is that the resolute action weve seen in the first 50 days of this war will turn out to be the high point instead of the starting point of the legal and diplomatic response -- that your actions will slowly fade into a predictable pattern, a wealth of investigations and committees and reports and a dearth of prosecutions and convictions and sentences, politicians calling for justice but not delivering it. We cannot let that happen, she said. SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra A new study says that minority women with a Vitamin D deficiency could have an increased risk of breast cancer. In the journal "Cancer" from the American Cancer Society, seven different Ph.D researchers/authors report that Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latina women with low Vitamin D are more than likely to develop breast cancer, as opposed to women with more efficient numbers. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SCOTTVILLE When Manistee High School teacher Amanda Clemons nominated senior Solana Postma to be a Michigan Education Association Region 13-B Academic All-Star, she opted to emphasize Postma's accomplishments outside of the classroom. "When I talked about her for the MEA All-Star (award) I really focused not on her academic accomplishments, because so many students have those and that's wonderful, and I will never discount a student who works hard and is successful at the classroom part of school but rather on what drives her, which is changing the world," Clemons said. Postma and three other Manistee County students were among the 10 seniors who received certificates of achievement April 13 at 13-B's 26th annual Academic All-Stars Banquet at West Shore Community College. Region 13-B is comprised of Manistee, Benzie, Oceana and Mason counties. The banquet is held every spring to honor area students for their academic success and leadership skills. Manistee County students honored were Postma; Keera Groenwald, of Bear Lake High School; Gavin Rudlaff, of Brethren High School; and Ellery McIsaac, of Onekama High School. Clemons served as Postma's presenter at the banquet. Groenwald was presented by teacher Lori Mullet, Rudlaff by teacher Emily Griffin and McIsaac's presenter was teacher Kelly Kelley. Rounding out the award winners were Mason Cantu, of Hart High School; Abigail Bandstra, of Ludington High School; Nicole Bowen, of Mason County Central High School; Eli Shoup, of Mason County Eastern High School; Mikaylyn Kenney, of Pentwater High School; and Lilian Fessenden, of Walkerville High School. 2022 marked the third year 13-B voted to honor one of the winners with a $500 award based on scholarship, leadership, character and service. Postma was selected from the pool of 10 to receive the honor. "I'm so grateful to my teacher, Ms. Amanda Clemons, for nominating me for this scholarship," Postma said in an email. "It is thanks to her and the community of teachers at Manistee High School that I have received this honor." Postma said she will attend Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore this fall, and hopes to double major in public health studies and environmental science. Clemons said Postma was drawn to public health studies in part because of the Flint water crisis. "The Flint water crisis and the doctor who discovered what was happening as lead was literally poisoning children was a huge inspiration," Clemons said. "Mona Hanna-Attisha is from Michigan and was just a normal person living their life when the situation forced her to do something about an issue. This began Solana's interest in public health and policy." Postma was inspired by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg to lead climate strikes in the area. "She leads by modeling, decreasing her own carbon footprint and fighting to make others aware of the impact they have on the worsening climate crisis," Clemons said. Clemons said she credits Postma's family for making her a "world-changer." "Solana is the daughter of science teachers, and Kevin (Postma) and Kate (Thomson) have supported her exploration of the world, allowing her to see how wonderful it can be as well as the terrifying parts," Clemons said. "... I think what I see in Solana is a person who is prepared to travel any path even if it has to be cleared of debris as opposed to a person who expects the path to be cleared for them. And that, to me, is part of what makes her a world-changer." David Kenyon/MI Dept. of Natural Resources/Courtesy The Michigan DNR's Becoming an Outdoors Woman program will be hosting a turkey hunting workshop on Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14, at the Cass City DNR Field Office. The workshop will be an introduction to turkey hunting and will include firearm training, target practice, biological education on turkeys and other useful hunting information, such as regular turkey habits, their breeding period, locations to hunt them, spring vs fall hunting, and legal requirements. Walt Unks/AP HICKORY, N.C. (AP) A North Carolina city is suing three companies over the collapse of decorative, 40-ton wooden arches along a pedestrian walkway in February. The lawsuit was filed by the city of Hickory in Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, the Hickory Daily Record reported. It names Neill Grading & Construction Co., Mooresville-based subcontractor Dane Construction and Oregon-based arch manufacturer Western Wood Structures. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) After New York's highest court threw out new congressional district maps drawn by the state Legislature, the task of redrawing them has fallen to a rural judge and a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. Democrats' hopes of crafting an electoral map heavily favorable to their party suffered a big blow Wednesday when the state Court of Appeals ruled that the Legislature's maps were unconstitutionally gerrymandered. The high court handed responsibility for creating a new set of maps to state Judge Patrick McAllister the lower-court jurist who had initially declared the maps unconstitutional. Anticipating that higher courts would agree with him, McAllister had already chosen an independent expert to help him craft the maps, Jonathan Cervas, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Institute for Politics and Strategy. The pair now face a tight deadline to come up with new maps, even as state officials try to figure out what to do about the state's primary election, scheduled for June 28. The state may still to hold primaries in the contests for governor and state Assembly on that date, but primaries for congress and state Senate might be moved to August. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said the states leaders were still deciding what to do. It is a very fluid and new situation, she told reporters on Thursday. The appeals court judges yanked the responsibility for crafting the new maps away from the Legislature, ruling it had exceeded its authority by unilaterally creating its own Congressional and state Senate maps. The Legislature had taken that move after the states Independent Redistricting Commission made up of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats failed to produce a consensus map. Cervas, who will take the lead in crafting replacement maps, previously played a key role as a consultant who helped create legislative district maps for Pennsylvanias Legislative Reapportionment Commission. He also served as an assistant in court-supervised redistricting programs in Utah, Virginia and Georgia. He declined an interview request from The Associated Press on Thursday but said, I am thrilled to assist the New York courts in delivering constitutional maps that will provide equal representation for all New York residents for the next decade. Cervas is scheduled to hold one public hearing May 6 on a courthouse in Bath, New York. Under the judges schedule, he would have to produce a draft map by May 16. The final version would have to be done no later than May 24. On Thursday, state elections commissioners asked the judge to stick to that schedule, or even speed it up, if the state is to meet a series of legal deadlines before the November election. An August primary would allow time to adopt new maps, send correct information to voters, finish the candidate petitioning process, and comply with federal voting laws. Ballots for military and overseas voters must get mailed out at least 45 days before a primary. In past years, New York held primaries as late as September. You cant turn a statewide election around on a dime or in a month, said New York Law School professor and redistricting expert Jeffrey Wice. Lawmakers can pass legislation to delay the primary to August. A state Board of Elections spokesperson, John Conklin, said the judge could also decide a date without needing legislative approval. One potential wrinkle in rescheduling the primary could be a decade-old court order that the state's congressional primaries be held the fourth Tuesday in June. Conklin said state elections officials believed that order contained enough flexibility for the date of the vote to be moved, although the state would be consulting with the U.S. Justice Department to see if a federal court might need to review any change. Legislative leaders didn't immediately provide a response Thursday when asked if they would move to reschedule the primary. Hochul said she wasn't too concerned with the delay, or with the fact that judges had struck down maps authored by Democrats. The Democrats engaged in a process that has happened in state legislatures all across this country, sometimes it ends up in litigation, sometimes theres a different outcome. Its just part of what happens every decade, Hochul said. As for potentially appealing the Court of Appeals decision striking down the Legislature's maps, Wice said Democrats have no real option. Democrats could, he said, adopt a strategy used by Republicans in North Carolina. In February, North Carolina Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a congressional redistricting plan that state judges drew. The GOP legislative leaders argued the state judges had overstepped their authority because the U.S. Constitution gives state lawmakers the power to determine the manner of holding U.S. House elections. The Supreme Court is set to weigh that question in their fall term beginning in October. But Wice said he doesn't recommend that New York Democrats mimic a strategy that he said calls into question state courts' authority to invalidate other laws passed by lawmakers. Democrats could also sue to challenge maps adopted by the state court, according to Columbia Law School professor Richard Briffault. ___ Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York City contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate International Dance Day is on Friday and it highlighs the versatility of dance. Explore the beauty of the ballet and ballroom dances, or watch modern dancers bust a move in these movies available at Manistee County Library and the Michigan Electronic Library, MeL. Here are some ways to celebrate this art form that crosses all barriers. Submitted photo/Manistee County Library Ballet Black Swan is a look at the pressures a ballerina must endure as she prepares for a dual role in a production of Swan Lake. His working class family would never understand, but the dreams of a young boy take flight when he secretly joins a ballet class. Share his triumphs in Billy Elliot. Behind the iron curtain, a former Soviet dancer struggles to escape once again. White Nights brings Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines together to dance their way to freedom. Tchaikovskys The Nutcracker'' was first performed in 1892 and has become a Christmas tradition for many. The magic begins when a young girl receives a toy nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve. A battle with the Mouse King ensues leading them through magical realms and introducing new friends. Performances by the San Francisco Ballet, the Bolshoi Corps de Balet and The Royal Ballet are available through MeL. Swan Lake, also composed by Tchaikovsky, is a love story. During a hunt, a prince encounters the Swan Queen, who transforms into a beautiful woman. She tells him that she and the other swans have been cursed by an evil sorcerer, and only someone who has never loved another can break the spell. At his birthday ball, the Prince is tricked into proposing to another woman. Realizing his mistake, the Prince and the Swan Queen decide to put an end to the curse and the sorcerer. Children will delight in their own versions of these classic ballets with Barbie in the Nutcracker and Barbie of Swan Lake. Broadway The 1961 film West Side Story was adapted from the Broadway musical, and was remade in 2021. Inspired by Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, tensions between street gangs are not enough to keep two teenagers from falling in love in this perennial favorite. Chicago delivers an all-star cast in a jazz-age setting. Two women, looking for fame and fortune on the stage, are accused of murder. They become rivals as they present their cases in the press. Later, they join together as vaudeville performers to great success. The machinations of a street orphan have entertained generations. Annie began as a comic strip and was made into a movie in 1932. Most viewers remember the 1982 version based on the Broadway play. Fall in love with Annie as she enchants Daddy Warbucks and thwarts the con artists bent on a get-rich-quick scheme. Submitted photo/Manistee County Library Ballroom The dance moves are the highlight of Singin in the Rain. When his marriage plans go awry, Lucky hops on a train to New York in an attempt to set things right. Meeting a pretty lady soon sets him on a different course. In this 1936 comedy, alls well that ends well. Dirty Dancing proves that love conquers all. The dancing is spectacular at a small resort, and Baby wants to join in, but her father has other ideas. Pushing the boundaries, Baby shows off her moves and follows her dreams. Things arent always what they seem in Shall We Dance? An unhappy lawyer finds his spark when he impulsively signs up for dance classes. As he improves and becomes entangled with the other students lives, his wife is convinced her husband is having an affair. What happens when a classically trained dancer takes a job as an instructor at an inner city school? Take the Lead combines ballroom dancing and hip hop to tell the real-life story of Pierre Dulaine. Students and teachers learn from each other in this musical drama. Modern Stuck in a boring job, Tony lives for dancing on the weekends. Eager to win a big dance competition, he asks Stephanie to be his partner. As the two spend more time together practicing, they realize its not all about the competition in Saturday Night Fever. Fame showcases auditions at the New York High School of Performing Arts. Dealing with the everyday pressures of homework and relationships is doubled as the demands of performance are made clear. The repercussions of a small town tragedy are too much for newcomer Ren to live with as he fights with a local minister to allow dancing again. The original Footloose was released in 1984 and remade in 2011. Feel the Beat follows a young woman whose dreams of dancing on Broadway fail to materialize. A new dream surfaces as she works with a group of new students. Taking them to dance competitions allows everyone to learn to rise to any challenge. Manistee County Library has many of these titles available at our six locations. Visit manisteelibrary.org to access our online catalog or click on the MeL link to request other titles. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT Police continued to investigate Thursday the weekend incident that led to devastating injuries for a 6-year-old boy. Dominick Krankalls family said he suffered second- and third-degree burns on his face and legs when he was hit by a ball set on fire. As police worked to piece together the events that led to Dominicks injuries, a parade of dozens of emergency vehicles passed by Bridgeport Hospital Thursday morning to show support for the little boy. It almost makes me want to cry, said Kayla Deegan, Dominicks older sister, as she watched the parade of police, fire, and ambulance vehicles, lights flashing and sirens blaring. From a hospital room several floors above, Dominick waved under a sign on the window that thanked those who participated. The parade organized by the city - drew emergency responders from more than 20 municipalities and agencies across the state, as far away as Danbury, New London, and East Hartford. Two Bridgeport police vehicles led off the parade, followed by a phalanx of 10 motorcycle cops, who paused in the traffic circle in front of the hospital to wave at Krankall. A Bridgeport SWAT van followed and stopped in front of the hospital, where Mayor Joe Ganim took the mic of the vehicles PA to wish Dominick well. We feel so terrible about what has happened, Ganim said. Youve touched everyone in this state with your courage and your strength. Im amazed that the community put this together for him, Deegan said. I dont even have the words for it, its an amazing thing that they did this for him. I see him up there and I bet he has the biggest smile on his face. Deegan said her brother had a bad day yesterday but hes improving a little bit each day. We are very honored to be able to take care of Dominick during this time, Dr. Magna Dias, the hospitals director of pediatrics, said. Dominick remains hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns on his face and legs, according to family. A GoFundMe created by the family surpassed $400,000 in donations as of Thursday evening. Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury police chief and president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, said the group was contacted to help organize the parade. It is a very tragic situation for young Dominick and we hope that this little gesture will have a big impact on him, Ridenhour said. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and we all wish him a full and speedy recovery. Police said up to four children were left unattended and seen Sunday afternoon with gasoline and lighting objects on fire on Louisiana Avenue in the citys upper East Side. Police said one child was transported to the Bridgeport Hospital burn unit. Police have not provided more information and have not said whether charges are pending. A city spokesman said Thursday the incident remains under investigation with fire inspectors awaiting an analysis. Images shared by the family show Dominick in the hospital with his face completely covered in bandages. The boys father, Aaron Krankall, said his son is expected to recover, but may have permanent scars or discoloration on his face. I wouldnt wish this upon anybody, especially my little Dominick, Krankall said. Hes just the nicest kid. At the parade, Francis DiScala, a lawyer who said hes representing the family, said he hadnt yet seen any police reports in the case. Im just amazed at his courage and the familys stability to endure the unthinkable, he said. The family is waiting to see how the police investigation concludes, he said. Theres plenty of time to look at the reports and see how it pans out, DiScala said. Its still early. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The attorney for an Iowa teenager accused of helping a classmate kill their high school Spanish teacher argued in court Thursday that his case should be moved from adult to juvenile court, which would allow for his release in less than a year. Jeremy Goodale and Willard Miller were both 16 when they were arrested in the killing of 66-year-old Nohema Graber, who taught at Fairfield High School. Graber had been beaten to death with a baseball bat. Her body was found Nov. 3 hidden under a tarp, a wheelbarrow and railroad ties at a park in the city, about 95 miles (150 kilometers) southeast of Des Moines. She had been reported missing earlier that day. Goodale, now 17, and Miller are charged with her first-degree murder. Goodale's attorney, Allen Cook, presented testimony from a clinical psychologist who diagnosed Goodale with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Cook told Judge Shawn Showers that Goodale should be sent to the juvenile court system where if he is convicted he can begin treatment much sooner than if he is convicted as an adult and sent to prison. Cook also argued that research has shown brains of teenagers are not fully developed and can benefit from early intervention and psychotherapy. Cook said Goodale's mother left the family when he was 12, that he had to switch schools from the private Maharishi School in Fairfield to the public schools and he felt isolated due to the pandemic. These are all factors that we need to take into account, your honor, because again we're dealing with a child, he said. He said Goodale has a loving family and a support system in the community if he were to be released and that, despite attempts to portray him as a monster, he is just a kid who would benefit from juvenile rehabilitation programs. County prosecutor Chauncey Moulding said there's no evidence to show that ADHD caused Goodale's alleged actions. He said Goodale wouldn't be in the juvenile system for long enough to be rehabilitated before his 18th birthday, when he would be released into the community. Two teenagers shouldn't be allowed to be free so soon after allegedly killing someone, he said. If thats what the programming is for such a heinous act, it will be open season on teachers in this country, Moulding said. Just the idea of allowing for such a limited consequence for such a heinous crime is completely unspeakable and should never be entered into. Goodale and Miller are charged as adults, as required by Iowa court procedures, which say anyone 16 or over charged with a forcible felony is automatically waived to adult court and is subject to the same criminal procedures and penalties as adults. The judge said he would rule in due course" on the request to move to juvenile court. The adult sentence for first-degree murder in Iowa is life in prison, although in 2016 the Iowa Supreme Court banned judges from imposing sentences of life without parole for people convicted of murder under age 18. The court said such sentences amount to cruel and unusual punishment under the Iowa Constitution. Goodale and Miller would likely serve lengthy prison sentences if convicted as adults. Miller's attorneys also requested a hearing on moving his case to juvenile court. It is set for May 6. The judge scheduled Goodale's trial for Aug. 23 and Millers to start Nov. 1. HONOLULU (AP) A Hawaii man charged with murder in the shooting death of his wifes lover should be locked up because of his wealth and the danger he poses to his family, a prosecutor said. Honolulu prosecutors filed a motion this week asking a judge to revoke Eric Thompsons $1 million bail. Thompson posted bail and was released after he was arrested on Valentine's Day, but prosecutors said that after he was indicted last week and now faces trial, hes more likely than he was before to try to flee. Prosecutors said Thompson shot acupuncturist Jon Tokuhara four times in the face in January because he found out his wife and Tokuhara had a sexual relationship. The cold-blood killing was calculated, prosecutors said. Tokuhara had been treating Joyce Thompson for back pain and fertility issues, police said. Eric Thompson owns a home worth more than $2 million in the upscale Honolulu neighborhood of Kahala and has a bathtub accessibility modification business, the motion said. Defendant sought to end his feeling of betrayal by ending Jon Tokuharas life. But Defendants wife, Joyce, is still in risk of danger, as are her family, and anyone else Defendant views as responsible, a prosecutor wrote in the no-bail motion. After learning of the affair in July, Thompson forbade his wife from seeing Tokuhara and her siblings, the motion said. Thompson wrongly believed his brother-in-law and sister-in-law knowingly facilitated the affair by babysitting the Thompsons' 1-year-old child when Joyce Thompson went to see Tokuhara, the document said. These individuals are persistently in danger, the motion said. Eric Thompson has followed all bail conditions, his attorney, David Hayakawa, said Wednesday. The state is just upset that he was able to post bail, Hayakawa said. If prosecutors believed Thompson was a danger or could flee then they should have requested that he be held without bail earlier, the defense attorney said. Thompson will plead not guilty at an arraignment scheduled for Thursday, Hayakawa said. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee lawmakers closed out their annual legislative session Thursday, striking a deal that would let a politically appointed panel remove books from public school libraries statewide through a new veto power over local school board decisions. The Republican-supermajority Legislature also worked out last differences on an education funding formula overhaul sought by Gov. Bill Lee and tougher campaign finance and ethics rules amid a federal investigation that has already seen one House Republican plead guilty and resign. Those proposals and others head to the Republican governor, concluding a session in which lawmakers pushed further on conservative hot-button issues targeting transgender athletes, imposing scrutiny over school libraries and blocking COVID-19 safety requirements. The election-year session began in January. Advocates of strict scrutiny of the materials in public school libraries said changes were necessary to boost transparency, their calls coming amid a national spike in book challenges and bans. School librarians in particular have become the target of scorn from Republican lawmakers in a push for more oversight of those contents provided to children especially those touching on racism and LGBTQ issues. The final bill would give the states textbook commission all political appointees ultimate say in an appeals process over whether a book can or can't stay in school libraries. When someone challenges a book, the elected school board makes a ruling. Under the bill, if a parent, student or school worker doesn't like the decision, they could appeal to the textbook commission, whose choice will apply to school libraries statewide. Republican bill sponsor Rep. Jerry Sexton drew criticism after saying before Wednesday's House passage that any inappropriate book should be burned. He later noted he isn't on the textbook commission and didnt think any book-burning was likely to occur. Lawmakers negotiated the bill Thursday, backing off from the House's proposed requirement that schools provide the commission a list of library materials to review for possible removals, and settling on putting the commission atop the appeals process. Several Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the negotiated bill Thursday. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro noted that it doesn't specify how long a removed book stays out of libraries, or becomes eligible for reinstatement. These are permanent bans on books," Yarbro said. If this had been the law when we started school libraries, our libraries would have about 150 books in them. Already, the governor proposed and signed legislation that requires school libraries to post their contents online and regularly review their policies to make sure the materials are age-appropriate and suitable for the children. Librarians have countered that schools already have policies for parents and educators to review school library books. They stress the need for better resources and possibly adding a state library coordinator to promote literacy and education statewide. Lawmakers also agreed on terms for new campaign finance and ethics requirements. Politically active nonprofits, ranging from the National Rifle Association to Americans for Prosperity, have been monitoring the proposal closely, concerned it could require revealing their donors. The backlash drew a response recently from Senate Speaker Randy McNally, who assured that the bill sheds light on spending without censoring free speech or requiring disclosing nonprofit donors. The version approved Thursday says certain nonprofits must disclose spending totaling at least $5,000 within 60 days of an election on communications that contain a state candidate's name or likeness. Exceptions exist for activities such as lobbying, or communicating with members of their organization or people who register to receive updates. The wide-ranging bill also requires leaders of political committees to submit proof of identification; makes candidates and officeholders sign disclosures of financial interest under penalty of perjury; and increases reporting requirements in the 10 days before an election for candidates and political committee contributions and spending, due by the next business day. The changes come after GOP Rep. Robin Smith resigned and then pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud in an alleged political consulting kickback scheme, which implicated former House Speaker Glen Casada and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren. Federal prosecutors allege that three claimed the political firm, Phoenix Solutions, was run by a certain Matthew Phoenix," but in reality it was Cothren under an alias. Casada, who is not seeking reelection, and Cothren also have been subpoenaed in a state investigation into a separate shadowy political committee. Its treasurer told state regulators she is Cothrens former girlfriend and opened the PAC at Cothrens request, but took no additional action. Lawmakers also finished work on a new K-12 education funding plan, which would add Tennessee to nearly 40 other states that attach a set amount of money per student. Boeings CEO is lamenting the deal that his company cut with former President Donald Trump to produce new Air Force One jets. David Calhoun said it was a public negotiation and we took some risks in accepting a fixed-price contract that made Boeing responsible if it cost more than expected to convert two Boeing 747 jumbo jets into presidential planes. Air Force One Im just going to call a very unique moment, a very unique negotiation, a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably should not have taken, Calhoun said Wednesday, but we are where we are, and were going to deliver great airplanes. Calhoun commented on the planes when an analyst asked him about the matter during a call to discuss Boeings first-quarter earnings results. The company lost $1.2 billion and took a $660 million write-down for Air Force One. Calhoun was on the board but he was not CEO when Boeing agreed to the $3.9 billion deal with the White House in 2018, and when it took a fixed-cost contract to build a new military training jet, which Boeing just wrote down by $367 million. Yes, they were written off the day we took them, knowing that we would be investing a fair amount of our own money in the planes, Calhoun said. Back in 2018, Boeing tweeted that it was proud to build the next generation of Air Force One, providing American presidents with a flying White House at outstanding value to taxpayers. The Trump White House said the deal would save taxpayers more than $1.4 billion. The jets are being outfitted with advanced communications equipment, work spaces, sleeping areas and other features that make it a flying office for the president. The work is taking place in San Antonio, Texas. Boeing sued a subcontractor that it blamed for delays last year. On Wednesday, Boeing officials said the pandemic and supply-chain issues have also slowed the work. It's unclear what the planes will look like. Trump took a keen interest in the planes and even promoted his own paint job which is still displayed on Boeing's website. However, many purists have called for keeping the current livery, which dates to the time of President John F. Kennedy. Air Force officials said last fall that no decision had been made. Boeing promised to deliver the planes by December 2024 under a contract negotiated by then-CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who was fired in late 2019 in the fallout from two deadly crashes of Boeing 737 Max jets. Calhoun said he doesnt want any more fixed-price contracts. Read the original article on Coffee or Die Magazine. Follow Coffee or Die on Instagram. KYIV, Ukraine -- Two Americans volunteering in Ukraine's armed forces were wounded by artillery fire during combat in southeastern Ukraine on Wednesday, April 27. U.S. Army veterans Paul Gray and Manus McCaffery were on a mission to destroy a Russian tank near Orikhiv, a small city in the path of Russia's ongoing military offensive in the south and east of Ukraine. The pair were waiting for a Russian tank to appear on a road when an artillery round struck nearby at roughly 2:35 p.m., Gray told Coffee or Die Magazine via text message. McCaffery suffered serious shrapnel wounds to his face, head, shoulders, and torso. A concrete wall fell onto Gray, momentarily trapping him and injuring his left foot. "Manus is really badI'm sick about it," Gray said, adding that he was about five feet from McCaffery when the artillery struck. "I couldn't help him because a concrete wall fell on my legs. He remained talking the whole time. Extremely hard young man." A native of Ohio, McCaffery, 20, served in the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment and deployed to Afghanistan. Gray, who is originally from Texas, deployed to Iraq three times as a soldier in the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. Both men are no longer in the US armed forces and were civilians when they volunteered to join Ukraine's armed forces via legal pathways. The two American volunteers served within a Ukrainian special operations unit and worked together as a team targeting Russian tanks and vehicles with U.S.-made Javelin anti-tank missiles. As of this article's publication, Gray and McCaffery are hospitalized at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Ukrainian doctors have already operated on McCaffery to remove shrapnel; it is unclear if he will suffer any long-term wounds to his eyes, Gray said. Gray, who has lived in Ukraine for more than a year, volunteered to serve in Ukraine's armed forces immediately after Russia's invasion on Feb. 24. McCaffery traveled to Ukraine after the full-scale war began to serve as a volunteer soldier. Both men saw combat while serving in a Ukrainian unit during the Battle of Kyiv. "We were next together this entire deployment. Every minute," Gray said about McCaffery, adding, "He's such a great fighter." Nolan Peterson is a senior editor for Coffee or Die Magazine and the author of Why Soldiers Miss War. POKROVSK, Ukraine Ukraine said Thursday that Russias offensive in the east picked up momentum, with several towns coming under intense attack as Moscow's forces attempt to surround Ukrainian troops. In a reminder of the horrific toll the war has taken since it began Feb. 24, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited towns outside the capital of Kyiv where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russias retreat from the area. The fighting gathered pace after Russia suddenly cut off natural gas to two NATO nations on Wednesday, in what was seen as a bid to punish and divide the West over its support for Ukraine ahead of the potentially pivotal battle in the eastern industrial region of the Donbas. Origin APNews The General Staff of Ukraine's military said Russian forces were exerting intense fire in several places as they pushed on with the second phase of their invasion. The most intensive action was around Donetsk and close to Kharkiv, which lies outside the Donbas but is seen as key to Russias apparent bid to encircle Ukrainian troops there. Tatiana Pirogova spoke of the intense fear of living under constant bombardment. Its not just scary. Its when your stomach contracts from pain" the Kharkiv resident said. "When they shoot during the day, its still OK, but when the evening comes, I cant describe how scary it is. The General Staff said that over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian forces have repelled six attacks in the Donbas, control of which is now Moscow's primary focus ever since its initial offensive faltered and failed to take the Ukrainian capital. Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said the Russian army shelled the residential area in his region 29 times by aircrafts, multiple rocket launches, tube artillery and mortars. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press also showed evidence of intense Russian fire on Mariupol in recent days. The images show how concentrated attacks have greatly damaged a central facility at the Azovstal steelworks, the last redoubt of Ukrainian fighters in the key battleground city. An estimated 1,000 civilians are sheltering along with about 2,000 Ukrainian fighters in the steelworks, a massive Soviet-era complex with a warren of underground facilities built to withstand airstrikes. Russia, meanwhile, said a city under its control in the south also came under fire. With the war now in its third month, Guterres on Thursday toured towns outside Kyiv, including Bucha, that have seen some of the most horrific attacks of the war. Civilians always pay the highest price, he said as he visited the bombed out suburb of Irpin. "And this is something everyone should remember, everywhere in the world. Wherever there is a war the highest price is paid by civilians. Evidence of atrocities was discovered in the towns Guterres visited on Thursday after the Russians retreated from the area in the face a fiercer than expected Ukrainian resistance, bolstered by Western arms. In what could be a further Ukrainian counterattack, a series of explosions boomed near the television tower late Wednesday in southern Ukraines Kherson, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early in the war. The blasts at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment so it can continue its fight. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that up to date, NATO allies have pledged and provided at least 8 billion U.S. dollars in military support to Ukraine. And we see the importance of further stepping up our support to Ukraine. While Russia's initial blitz was stunted and it suffered the humiliating loss of a massive warship Britain's Defense Ministry said the Russian navy still has the ability to strike coastal targets in Ukraine. In an intelligence briefing posted Thursday morning, the ministry says that about 20 Russia naval vessels, including submarines, are currently operating the Black Sea zone. But the ministry says Russia isnt able to replace the guided-missile cruiser Moskva, which sank earlier this month in the Black Sea, because the Bosporus Strait remains closed to all non-Turkish warships. Russia also lost the landing ship Saratov, which was destroyed by explosions and fire on March 24. While it presses its campaign in the east, Moscow has also piled on the pressure by leveraging its biggest export product energy, cutting off NATO members Poland and Bulgaria from its natural gas on Wednesday. European leaders blasted that decision as blackmail, saying the move and the Kremlins warning that it might cease shipments to other countries is a failed attempt to divide the West over its support for Ukraine. The tactic against the two EU countries could eventually force targeted nations to ration gas and deal another blow to economies suffering from rising prices. At the same time, it could deprive Russia of badly needed income to fund its war effort. The gas cuts do not immediately put the two countries in any dire trouble. Poland, especially, has been working for many years to line up other suppliers, and the continent is heading into summer, making gas less essential for households. Gazprom said it shut off the two countries because they refused to pay in rubles, as President Vladimir Putin has demanded of unfriendly nations. The Kremlin said other countries may be cut off if they dont agree to the payment arrangement. European countries have balked at Russias demand for rubles. Moscow has since proposed a system that it says satisfies its demand but that the Europeans say means they are still paying in either euros or dollars. Europe (and) Germany will make payments in euros and others may pay in dollars, and not in rubles, Germanys Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Wednesday. The conversion, once the payments have been made, is a matter for Gazprom. We have discussed this with the European Union. We will continue down this path. Still, the cutoff and the Kremlin warning that other countries could be next sent shivers of worry through the 27-nation European Union. Germany is the worlds biggest buyer of Russian energy, and Italy is also a significant consumer, though they, too, have been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. ___ Gambrell reported from Lviv, Ukraine, and Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland. Associated Press journalists Jill Lawless in London, Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, David Keyton in Kyiv, Oleksandr Stashevskyi at Chernobyl, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report. Gary Anderson is a retired colonel who served as the director of Marine Corps Wargaming. He retired as the chief of staff of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. It is almost unheard of for retired Marine Corps general officers to criticize the policies of the sitting commandant, but three have recently done so. They joined Former Navy Secretary James Webb in criticizing Gen. David Berger's Force Design 2030 plan to revamp the Corps' warfighting strategy. Retired Gens. Charles Krulak (a former commandant himself), Jack Sheehan and Anthony Zinni penned an April 22 editorial in The Washington Post criticizing the new strategic vision. They appear to speak for a much larger group of retired general officers. This is not a group of reactionary Colonel Blimps; they represent some of the most innovative minds that the Corps has produced in a half century. Berger's vision, which he is actively pursuing, is to concentrate the Marine Corps' attention on China. He hopes to disrupt China's anti-navy, access denial strategy designed to foil U.S. power projection in that region. The concept calls for having Marine Corps units occupy islands in the South China Sea to counter China's attempt to dominate that body of water using long-range anti-ship and anti-air missiles. The intent is to assist the Navy in disrupting the Chinese reconnaissance strike-complex that is designed to deny U.S. naval and Air Force access to the South China Sea. Once that is accomplished, U.S. and allied forces would be able to operate more freely. To buy a new range of capabilities, Berger is divesting the Marine Corps of many of its legacy combat systems. Most notably, he wants to mothball tanks. But also on the chopping block are helicopters and much of the Corps' tubed artillery, as well as some heavy engineering and logistics assets. The four-star critics make some telling arguments against Berger's strategic direction. They point out that overspecialization against China degrades the Marine Corps' traditional mission as a force ready to rapidly deploy anywhere in the world, and that the discarded systems would be useful in surprise conflicts such as the one in Ukraine. They also point out that most of the new systems that Berger wants to buy already are prevalent in the Army, Navy and Air Force. They also observe that the new vision was not coordinated with the combatant commands, the Joint staff, or the nations laying claim to the target islands. There are also concerns regarding the feasibility of resupplying forces once engaged. Focus on a specific potential enemy is not new to the Marine Corps. Marines developed their expertise in amphibious warfare in the years between the two world wars specifically to conduct operations in an expected conflict with Japan. Even then, there was internal debate over the wisdom of this approach. At the time, the Marine Corps had been involved in small wars in the jungles of the Caribbean and Central America. The concept of being America's "force in readiness" was already deeply ingrained in the Corps. However, the difference between then and now is that the capabilities developed to conduct amphibious warfare were additive. The Corps divested itself of nothing to develop amphibious tractors, shore party organizations, and the use of carrier-based aviation as artillery early in landing operations before big guns could come ashore. Today, significant equipment has been retired without guarantees on investment. Berger's defenders argue that the current Ukrainian conflict proves that tanks are obsolete. However, despite their success in tank killing, additional tanksm along with jet fighter-bombers, top the Ukrainian wish list for military aid as fighting ratchets up in the Eastern theater of that conflict. Both the Trump and Biden administrations came to the realization that China has become a near-peer regional military threat, and the Marine Corps should be congratulated for giving serious thought to that fact. However, before further mothballing more hardware, the service should consider an approach that could realize the useful parts of Berger's vision while avoiding a nasty resource fight with the other services and maintaining the ability of the Marine Corps to fight in unexpected contingencies worldwide. III Marine Amphibious Force on Okinawa is the organization tasked with carrying out Berger's strategy. An alternative would be to configure III MEF as a joint task force headquarters with augmentation from the other services to carry out early operations to disrupt China's anti-access strategy, with the Marine Corps' new littoral regiments as the nucleus for sub-joint task forces. The other services would provide the long-range missiles and anti-air capabilities that the 2030 vision requires. III MEF has configured as a joint task force nucleus for real-world joint missions (mostly humanitarian) before and routinely participates in joint exercises in that capacity. This would ease friction with the other services and the combatant command outside of the Indo-Pacific theater. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would do well to sponsor a series of war games that would compare the joint and Marine Corps concepts. Single war games do not validate anything, but a series of four or five might give a good evaluation of the relative merits of both. The results might even challenge the strategic concept of defending the islands. Warfighting strategy is too important to be left to a single service. By the time the Normandy invasion began, Brig. Gen. Teddy Roosevelt Jr. was serving in his second world war and had accumulated a slew of military awards. When Roosevelt arrived at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, he already was deeply respected by the soldiers he led. It was easy to see why. At his core, Roosevelt was one of them. Never one to lead from the back, the son of the United States' 26th president refused to ask his men to do something that he wasn't prepared to do himself. Roosevelt had what Laura Jowdy, archivist and historical collections manager for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, calls gumption. "He was so desirous to be in the fight and to be where he felt he could make a difference," Jowdy said in a phone interview with Military.com. That was never more evident than on D-Day. Roosevelt was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which Secretary of War Henry Stimson presented to his widow in September 1944. Roosevelts actions on Utah Beach were later described by Gen. Omar Bradley as the most heroic he had ever witnessed in combat. The highest-ranking American and the oldest soldier on the beach that day, Roosevelt, 56, did not arrive in France in the best of shape. He had heart issues (which he had not disclosed to Army doctors), used a cane because of arthritis and was coming off a bout of pneumonia. Roosevelt's age and health problems concerned his commanding officer enough that he initially did not want to place Roosevelt in such a leadership role during the invasion. Only after Roosevelt pleaded his case in writing did Maj. Gen. "Tubby" Barton relent. Nancy Reagan puts down a bunch of flowers at the grave of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. at the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach, France, as Pres. Ronald Reagan stands behind her amidst the crosses, June 6, 1984. (Bob Daugherty/AP Photo) Armed with a cane and pistol, Roosevelt wanted to be out front so he could help reassure young troops, especially after the landing craft arrived more than a mile off course from its intended landing site. As one of the first soldiers off the vessel, Roosevelt led the U.S. 4th Infantry Division's 8th Infantry Regiment and 70th Tank Battalion as they fought their way inland. Despite being constantly bombarded by enemy fire, Roosevelt remained resolute. "Legend says, he would use the cane to point out targets to his men," Jowdy said. Roosevelt greeted each regiment and, when he wasn't helping to clear a path for trucks and tanks on the beach, he tried in his own unique way to boost the soldiers' spirits for what lay ahead by reciting poetry and telling anecdotes about his father to calm his men's nerves. "Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strongpoints and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties," Roosevelt's Medal of Honor citation said. "He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France." Roosevelt died of a heart attack five weeks after D-Day, leaving behind a legacy that spanned the military, business and politics. Already a successful businessman and banker, Roosevelt received a reserve commission into the Army and was sent to France in 1917. He survived being shot in his left kneecap -- an injury so severe that the decision by his brother-in-law, a doctor, to have Roosevelt transfer hospitals probably saved his leg and maybe his life -- and a severe gas attack. After the war, he was instrumental in founding the American Legion and was appointed assistant secretary of the Navy by President Warren Harding in 1921. Roosevelt was ensnarled in controversy during the Teapot Dome Scandal, when he executed leases of U.S. Navy oil fields to a private oil company, where his brother, Archie, worked. Although both Roosevelts were eventually cleared of wrongdoing, which involved kickbacks they said they were unaware of, the lingering publicity would inhibit Roosevelt Jr.s future political ambitions. Roosevelt then was appointed the governor of Puerto Rico in 1929 and governor general of the Philippines in 1932. He remained in the Army Reserve between the wars, then took part in Operation Torch in North Africa and the Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II. He was sent to Britain in early 1944 to help lead the Normandy invasion. "What he did on D-Day on Utah Beach, he did apparently three or four other times throughout the war already, which is to be out front, to personally be guiding his men, to have an energy and enthusiasm about him for them to succeed," Jowdy said. "He was this great inspirational figure, and the men who served under his command loved him." Roosevelt is buried next to his brother Quentin, who was killed in WWI, at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. -- Stephen Ruiz can be reached at stephen.ruiz@military.com. Want to Know More About the Military? Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. How to use the mindat.org media viewer Click/touch this help panel to close it. Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image) Controls - all media types Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device. 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If coronavirus vaccinations are rolled out widely, life could return to normal by next winter, one of the scientists behind the front-running coronavirus vaccine told British television on Sunday. Ugur Sahin, the Turkish co-founder of the German firm BioNTech, told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show that this winter will be hard, without any major impact from vaccinations. Together with US giant Pfizer, BioNTech is developing the leading candidate in the worldwide chase for a vaccine. Israel has ordered millions of units of the vaccine, hoping that the first deliveries will arrive in the country by January. Affected by the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market growth. This year-on-year upward trend in the market indicates that the next November 2020-2026 will show an oval but steady growth. The price of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline continues to be affected by factors such as market growth momentum, various opportunities and challenges. However, during the forecast period from 2020 to 2026, the global Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline sales market is expected to continue to be above average. The growth rate will continue to increase. It is expected that from today to next week, the price of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline will increase to a certain extent. Due to changes in consumer demand, import and export conditions, and various investigations on the development of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline, the cost of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline is constantly changing. Taking into account the current market macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis, channel partners, demand and supply, the cost of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline will also be affected to a certain extent. It is estimated that the cost of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline will increase slightly from today to next week. The market trend of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline? The global Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystallinemarket is constantly changing. The latest Global Market Report provides clear and accurate statistics and market estimates of the global Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline target market. The report includes an analysis of the different factors driving the market growth. It includes market drivers, constraints, opportunities and trends. This report is written by experienced and knowledgeable market analysts and researchers. It is an amazing compilation of important research that explores the competitive landscape, segmentation, geographic expansion, and revenue, production and consumption growth of the global Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline target market. In addition, the report provides a series of different market segments and applications that can promote market development during the forecast period. In-depth information is based on historical milestones and current trends. In addition, the Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline market report also covers development policies and plans, manufacturing processes and cost structures, marketing strategies, and then analyzes top Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline producers, distributors, marketing channels of Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline, potential buyers and Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline History of development. The report also lists import and export, supply and consumption data as well as costs, prices, revenue and gross margins by region. The market demand for Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline? The world's leading Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline target market report contains research on competitive dynamics. It also has a specific awareness that can help you choose the right business execution and steps. Market reports systematically display information in the form of organizational charts, facts, charts, statistics and graphs, which represent the status of related transactions on global and regional platforms. In addition, the report also includes the entire business chain, through which the growth rate and decline rate of specific industries in the market can be analyzed. The report also describes the total cost of manufacturing the product and analyzing its assembly process. In addition, the report also includes major developments in the market. The report involves value chain analysis and represents the workflow in the market. In addition, the market is classified by category, process, end-use industry and region. The report divides the market based on geographic location. TRUNNANO (aka. Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd.) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials. As a leading nanotechnology development and Neodymium(III) chloride hydrate (NdCl3 xH2O)-Crystalline manufacturer, Luoyang Tongrun dominates the market. Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries, create value, and easily cope with various challenges. Please send an inquiry as needed. Li3N is short for lithium nitride, which is a metal nitrogen compound that is a purple or red crystalline solid, showing a light green luster under reflected light and a ruby color in transmitted light. At room temperature, metallic lithium can partially generate lithium nitride when exposed to air, and lithium generates lithium nitride in a nitrogen stream 10 to 15 times faster than in air. At this time, all lithium is converted into lithium nitride. Learn more knowledge about Lithium nitride from nanotrun website. Inquery us Answers Global Cr3C2 powder market trend 2025-2028 High Purity Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 CAS 12012-35-0, 99% by Newsmis-asia The roble had hit a record low after the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. Russia's president recently ordered exports of Russian gas to "unfriendly" countries to be settled in robles. The speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament said Moscow was prepared and could shift supplies to markets such as Asia if Europe refused to buy Russian energy. European countries, which pay mostly in euros, say Russia has no right to reset contracts. The G7 rejected Russia's demand and urged companies not to agree to pay in robles, saying most contracts stipulated payment in euros or dollars. Wholesale gas prices in Europe have risen further recently on concerns about potential supply disruptions. The Kremlin spokesman said, "According to the March 31 deadline set by Russia's president, we are developing all payment methods to get a simple, understandable, and feasible system for relevant European and international buyers," The markets and prices of more commodities like the Cr3C2 powder would be affected because of the volatile international political situations. About Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder: Chromium carbide powder is a very hard refractory ceramic material. It is a fine gray powder and is rarely the natural mineral Tongbaishi. Chromium carbide has strong corrosion resistance and high-temperature oxidation properties, and its thermal properties are similar to steel. It is an excellent material for many commercial industries. Several different chromium carbide compounds can be formed, each of which has slightly different mechanical properties and applications. Chromium carbide is used as a thermal spray material for protecting the underlying metal surface, and as an additive to corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant materials. Chromium carbide applications are particularly effective where sliding abrasion is present. Feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest price if you would like to buy Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder in bulk. How is Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder produced? Producing chromium carbide by a combination of aluminothermic reduction and vacuum furnacing at temperatures of 1500C and above. A blend of chromium metal, chromium oxide and carbon is prepared and then loaded into a vacuum furnace. The pressure in the furnace is reduced and the temperature increased to 1500C. The carbon reacts with the chromium oxide to form chromium metal and carbon monoxide gas, which is drawn off into the vacuum pumps. The chromium metal then combines with the remaining carbon to form the chromium carbide. The exact balance between the chromium oxide, chromium metal and carbon determines the grade of chromium carbide that is produced. This is vigorously controlled to ensure that the product quality is suitable for markets as exacting as aerospace. Performance of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder : Chromium carbide, containing 13.34% carbon, is a gray powder, orthorhombic crystal structure, insoluble in water, resistant to acid and alkali. Density is 6.65-6.68 g/cm3, melting point: 1890 degrees, boiling point: 3800 degrees. It is a high melting point inorganic material with good wear resistance, corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance in a high-temperature environment (1000-1100 degrees). It is used as a thermal spray material for metal surface protection and is also often used as a hard alloy. Grain refiners and other wear and corrosion-resistant components. The Chromium carbide-based cermet has excellent oxidation resistance at high temperatures, and the surface is only slightly darkened after 5 hours of heat exposure at 982 C. Under the same conditions, 18-8 stainless steel has been significantly damaged, and WC-6Co alloy is completely oxidized. Technical Parameter of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder : Total C Free C O N Fe Ca Si Mo Al Na 12.8 0.30 0.50 0.10 0.15 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.02 0.01 Application of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder : Chromium carbide Cr3C2 powder is a high melting point material with good wear resistance, corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance in high-temperature environments. It is made of hard alloy particles made of nickel-chromium alloy and adopts a plasma spraying method, which can be used for high-temperature resistance and wear resistance. 1. Oxidation resistance, oxidation resistance and acid resistance coatings are widely used in aircraft engines and petrochemical machinery and equipment, which can greatly increase the service life of machinery. It is also commonly used as a grain refiner for cemented carbide and other wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant parts. Cermets based on Cr3C2 have excellent oxidation resistance at high temperatures. 2. Used for chromium carbide ceramics. Coarse chromium carbide is used as a melt-blown material to form a melt-sprayed layer on the surface of metals and ceramics, thereby imparting wear resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance and other properties to the latter. It is widely used in aircraft engines and petrochemical machinery to greatly increase the life of machinery. It is also used for spraying semiconductor films. 3. As a thermal spray material, used to protect the metal surface below 4. Additives used to manufacture wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials 5. As a coating for seals, bearings, valve seals 6. As the microcrystalline phase in cemented carbides (such as vanadium carbide), is used to inhibit the growth of sub-micron grains during pressing and sintering. Storage Condition of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder : Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder should be stored in dry, cool and sealing of the environment, can not be exposure to air, in addition should avoid the heavy pressure, according to ordinary goods transportation. Packing & Shipping of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder : It is packed in double plastic bags inside, which can be filled with argon in vacuum; it can be vacuumed and filled with argon for protection.. Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder packing: vacuum packing, 100g, 500g or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request. Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder shipping: could be shipped out by sea , by air, by express as soon as possible once payment receipt. Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc. If you are looking for high-quality Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected]) Chromium Carbide Properties Other Names chrome carbide, chromic carbide, trichromium dicarbide, chromium carbon, Cr3C2 powder CAS No. 12012-35-0 Compound Formula Cr3C2 Molecular Weight 180.01 Appearance Gray to Black Powder Melting Point 1895 C Boiling Point N/A Density 6.68 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 179.821536 Chromium Carbide Health & Safety Information Signal Word N/A Hazard Statements N/A Hazard Codes N/A Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A Transport Information N/A Southern Copper Corp (SCCO.N) recently said its Peruvian mine remained closed after a six-week standoff with protesters and blamed the Peruvian government for failing to intervene in the safety of its 1,300 workers and their families. The company said in a statement that a recent agreement to end protests at the Cuajone mine required the company to withdraw complaints against protest leaders because railways transporting minerals and supplies remained blocked. Production has been suspended since the end of February. Peru's Energy Ministry said in a separate statement that it had also reached an agreement with Southern Copper to start talks to find common ground with local communities. "If we shut down for a year, the government will stop receiving more than 3.1 billion soles ($830 million) in taxes and royalties, and 8,000 direct and indirect jobs will be lost. This is what we want to avoid, "Southern Copper added in the statement. Peru has faced a wave of protests from indigenous communities, who accuse mining companies of not providing enough jobs and funding to poor local residents. Central bank officials said last week that protests against copper mines such as MMG's Las Bambas and Southern Copper's Cuajone were dragging down the economy. Peru is the world's second-largest copper producer and mining is an important source of tax revenue for the country. It is estimated that the supply and prices of the Cr3C2 powder will be influenced by that. Inquery us Answers Global Lithium-ion batteries market trend 2024-2026 Progress in the field of research on anode materials for lithium-ion batteries by Newsmis-asia 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 Lithium-ion batteries will continue to be influenced by international situations. Lithium-ion batteries have become hotspots in energy research due to their higher energy density, long service life, and smaller volume compared with lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, and other batteries, and no memory effect. One. The negative electrode material is one of the critical components of lithium-ion batteries. It acts as the acceptor of lithium ions and realizes the insertion and extraction of lithium ions during the charging and discharging process. Therefore, the quality of the negative electrode material directly affects the overall performance of the lithium-ion battery. Graphite and modified graphite are widely used as anode materials for commercial lithium-ion batteries. Still, their theoretical capacity is only 372mAh/g, which significantly restricts the development of high-energy power batteries. Group IV element (silicon, germanium, tin)-based anode materials have become a research hotspot for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacities (3579mAh/g, 1600mAh/g, 994mAh/g, respectively). However, silicon, germanium, and tin-based anode materials have the problem of significant volume expansion during the charging and discharging process. Long-term charging and discharging will cause the pulverization of particles and the shedding of active materials, thus affecting the cycle stability of lithium-ion batteries. In recent years, the advanced lithium-ion battery team led by Han Weiqiang, a researcher at the Institute of New Energy Technology affiliated with the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has made a series of progress in high-capacity silicon, germanium, and tin-based anode materials. In terms of high-performance silicon-based anode materials, researchers have developed a low-cost, high-capacity, and high-stability porous silicon-based anode material technology. By carbon coating, the porous silicon, the performance of the silicon-based negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries is further improved. The capacity retention rate of the silicon-carbon composite electrode material was 86.8% after 300 charge-discharge cycles. Related research has applied for Chinese invention patents (201410150747.5, 201410276413.2), and the research results were published in NanoEnergy (2015, 11, 490-499) in the form of Communication. Based on the previous work, the team synthesized and prepared a series of new phase MSn5 (M=Fe, Co, Fe0.5Co0.5) alloy nano-anode materials using the wet chemical method of improving polyols. The synthesized FeSn5 alloy nanoparticles have a theoretical capacity of 929mAhg-1 when used as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries, which is the material with the highest theoretical specific capacity among the reported M-Sn (M is an electrochemically inert metal) alloy. The researchers prepared a series of Fe0.5Co0.5Sn5 new phase alloy nanoparticles with a 30-50nm particle size range, which further expanded the Co-Fe-Sn phase diagram. Related achievements have applied for invention patents (2013104705134, 201310706760X, 2103715406A). At the same time, the charge-discharge mechanism was deeply discussed and explained by in-situ XAFS, in-situ XRD, and electrochemical test methods. The research on the electrochemical mechanism of this series of tin-based new phase alloy anode materials provides effective theoretical guidance for the team's subsequent development of high-performance tin-based anode materials. Relevant results were published in JournalofMaterialsChemistryA (2015, 3(13):7170-7178) and ACS Appl.Mater.Interfaces (2015,7,7912-7919). The team has also made progress in the research and development of long-life titanium-based anode materials, applying for an invention patent (201310685139. X), and the relevant results were published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry (2014(2), 10599-10606). High-quality lithium-ion batteries supplier Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to developing, producing, processing, selling, and technical services of lithium-ion battery anode materials. After more than 10 years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase, and other negative materials (silicon-carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium-ion digital power and energy storage batteries. If you are looking for Lithium battery anode material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com. The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the supply and prices of commodities is widening, and commodity prices remain at high levels. There is still great uncertainty about the future price of the Lithium-ion batteries. Inquery us News Global Cr3C2 Powder market trend 2022-2028 What is Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder? by Newsmis-asia The purchasing pace at the demand end of the international thermal coal market continues to slow down and the international thermal coal price continues to decline. Prices for thermal coal at major international ports continued to fall last week as buyers in Europe slowed in recent days for April, coupled with weaker-than-expected import demand from End users in China. According to China Coal Market net monitoring: Australia Newcastle port thermal coal price index was 253 USD/ton, compared with 309.02 USD/ton, down 56.02 USD/ton, down 18.13%. South Africa's Port Richards thermal coal price Index was $264.5 / mt, down the US $62.72 / mt or 19.17% from US $327.22 / mt. The European ARA Tri-port thermal coal price Index was $281.8 / ton. Does the price of thermal coal in major international ports continue to decline to affect the price of the Cr3C2 Powder? Introduction to Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder Chromium carbide is an inorganic compound with the molecular formula Cr3C2 and the molecular weight is 180.01. It is gray powder with a rhombic system, A =2.821, B =5.52, C =11.46. The melting point is 1890 and the boiling point is 3800. The micro-Vickers hardness (load 50 g) is 2700kg/rnrn2, thermal expansion coefficient is 10.310-6/K. It has properties of good wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and oxidation resistance in high-temperature environments (1000~1100). It belongs to a type of cermet. Because of its special high-temperature performance, it is widely used as a thermal spraying material for the metal surface protection process and as an additive in cemented carbide industry. Physicochemical Properties of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder Chromium carbide has many excellent properties, such as strong chemical stability, high-temperature hardness, thermal hardness, acid and alkali corrosion resistance, good wear resistance, and it has a high melting point. When chromium carbide is used as inhibitors, it can effectively control the grain growth of cemented carbide. Moreover, chromium carbide is not only a good abrasion resistance of explosive bonding material additives, but also a high-quality cermet raw material, can also be used as a spraying powder, such as spraying powder at high temperature has good candle resistance, oxidation resistance, and wear resistance. It has been widely used in the metallurgical industry, electronic industry, high-temperature resistant coating, aerospace, and other fields. In the field of cutting tools, chromium carbide usually plays an important role as a surface coating. In Fe-Cr-c alloy, chromium carbide is an important precipitated phase, which makes the material have excellent wear resistance. Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder Properties Other Names chrome carbide, chromic carbide, trichromium dicarbide, chromium carbon, Cr3C2 powder CAS No. 12012-35-0 Compound Formula Cr3C2 Molecular Weight 180.01 Appearance gray to black powder Melting Point 1895 C Boiling Point N/A Density 6.68g/cm3 Solubility in H2O insoluble Exact Mass 179.82 Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder CAS 12012-35-0 Preparation Methods of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder Metal chromium powder carbonization method: 325-mesh metal chromium powder was made by grinding carbon black at 13.5% ~ 64% (mass) ratio (more than the theoretical combined carbon content of 11.33%) with electrolytic chromium, and then used as raw material after dry mixing with a ball mill. Add 1% ~ 3% stearic acid as forming lubricant. Use pressure molding above 1 T/cm2. The pressurized molding powder into the graphite disc or crucible, with Taman furnace or induction heating furnace, in the hydrogen flow (hydrogen dew point at -35 or so), heated to 1500 ~ 1700, and keep 1h, so that chromium carbonization reaction, chromium carbide generation, after cooling, chromium carbide. The reaction equation is: 3Cr + 2C Cr3C2 Applications of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder 1. Can be used as carbide additives (such as tungsten carbide-based carbide grain refiner), so as to be used in mining, mechanical processing, and other aspects. 2. Can be used as welding material additives. The welding rod made of chromium carbide surfacing welding on the working surface of some mechanical equipment (such as coal mill, ball mill, jaw plate, etc.), can improve the service life of equipment several times more. 3. Used as thermal spraying materials used for metal surface protection process. Main Supplier of Chromium Carbide Cr3C2 Powder Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc. If you are looking for high-quality chromium carbide Cr3C2 powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected]) Researchers at the Centre for Translational Atomic Materials at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia have developed a new graphene film that absorbs more than 90% of sunlight while eliminating most of the infrared thermal emission losses, a highly efficient A solar-heated metamaterial capable of rapidly heating to 83 degrees Celsius (181 degrees Fahrenheit) in an open environment with minimal heat loss. Proposed applications for the film include thermal energy harvesting and storage, solar thermal power generation, and seawater desalination. Our company provides graphene Cr3C2 Powder, if you need to buy graphene and Cr3C2 Powder, please feel free to contact us. Inquery us Products Global Prestressed Concrete market trend 2023-2026 What is Prestressed Concrete by Newsmis-asia The latest forecast from consulting firm AlixPartners is that the chip shortage may cost the global auto industry $110 billion; it will reduce global auto Prestressed Concrete. What is Prestressed Concrete? Prestressed Concrete is a kind of concrete component mainly used in construction engineering and bridge engineering. To avoid premature cracks in reinforced concrete structures, make full use of high-strength steel bars and high-strength Concrete, and try to reduce the tensile stress generated by the components by applying external forces before the concrete structures or components are subject to the service load, even in a state of compressive stress. Concrete elements are below. How Prestressed Concrete Works The pre-compression stress is used to reduce or offset the tensile stress of Concrete caused by the load, to control the tensile stress of the structural components to a small range, even in a compressed state, to delay the appearance and development of concrete cracks, thereby improving the resistance of the components. Crack performance and stiffness. Advantages of Prestressed Concrete 1. Good crack resistance and high rigidity. Due to the prestressing of the components, the appearance of cracks is significantly delayed. Under the action of the load, the components may not appear to crack, or the cracks may be delayed, so the stiffness of the components is improved, and the durability of the structure is increased. 2. Save materials and reduce self-weight. Because its structure must use high-strength materials, it can reduce the number of steel bars and the section size of components, save steel and Concrete, and reduce the self-weight of the structure, which has obvious advantages for large-span heavy-load structures. 3. It can reduce the vertical shear force and primary tensile stress of concrete beams. The curved reinforcement (bundle) of the prestressed concrete beam can reduce the vertical shear force near the support in the beam. Because of the existence of prestress on the concrete section, the principal tensile stress under the load is also reduced. This is beneficial to reduce the web thickness of the beam so that the self-weight of the prestressed concrete beam can be further reduced. 4. Improve the stability of compression components. When the compression member is relatively long and slender, it is easy to be bent after receiving a certain pressure, resulting in loss of stability and destruction. If prestressing is applied to the reinforced concrete column so that the longitudinally stressed steel bars are tensioned very tightly, not only the prestressed steel bars themselves are not easy to bend, but they also can help the surrounding Concrete to improve the ability to resist bending. 5. Improve the fatigue resistance of components. Because the rebar with strong prestress has relatively small changes in stress caused by loading or unloading during the use stage. It can improve fatigue strength, which is very beneficial for structures that bear dynamic loads. 6. Prestress can be used as a means of connecting structural components to promote the development of new systems and construction methods for large-span structures Some requirements for prestressed steel bars: (1) The strength should be high. The tensile stress of prestressed steel bars will cause various stress losses during the entire fabrication and use of components. The sum of these losses can sometimes reach more than 200N/mm if the strength of the steel bar used is not high, the stress established during tension will even be lost. (2) It must have good adhesion with Concrete. Especially in the pretensioning method, there must be a high bond self-anchoring strength between the prestressed steel bar and the Concrete. For some high-strength smooth steel wire, it is necessary to go through "scoring," "pressure wave," or "kink" so that it can form scored steel wire, corrugated steel wire, and kinked steel wire to increase the bonding force. (3) There must be sufficient plasticity and good processing properties. The higher the strength of the steel, the lower its plasticity. When the plasticity of the steel bar is too low, especially under low temperature and impact loading conditions, a brittle fracture may occur. Good workability means that the welding performance is good. When the upsetting head anchor plate is used, the upsetting of the steel bar head does not affect the original mechanical properties, etc. TRUNNANO is a concrete additives supplier with over 12 years experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development. We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea. If you are looking for high quality concrete additives, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. sales@cabr-concrete.com 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 Prestressed Concrete will continue. Inquery us The Convention Peoples' Party (CPP) has slammed its leader and Chairperson, Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah whom they accuse of fueling chaos and discord in the party. The CPP chairperson on Monday reported five national executive officers of the party to the Adabraka Police station in Accra for allegedly making derogatory statements about her. The five have since been granted self-recognizance bail. In a Citi News interview, the General Secretary of the Convention Peoples' Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah, said the actions of the chairperson are unfortunate. She doesn't know what it does to members when these things happen. We are all together as one irrespective of whatever happens. This is what we call democratic centralism. We may have our differences but when it comes to unity and sanctity of the party, we need to protect it and this woman has not protected it. How do you take members of your party to the police station? The CPP is not a war zone, she just has to step aside for a re-run. The Central Committee of the CPP directed Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah to step aside after she gained 43% of the total votes cast in their chairmanship elections of August, 2020. Its said, the votes she garnered do not make her qualified for the position she occupies. In a statement, the Central Committee said it has resolved to conduct a run-off election between Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong- Kumankumah and the first runner-up, Comrade Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim. However, she has criticized attempts by the party's central committee to remove her from office. Ms. Kumankumah said calls for her to step aside are needless, given that she legitimately won the election based on the majority of votes. As the Council of Elders said, I did not elect myself. I did not swear in myself. They decided to use a simple majority which I got more than 240 to the next person and I won in ten regions. I was elected and properly sworn in, and I have been in this position for almost two years, she said on Eyewitness News. Ms. Kumankumah asked the committee to resort to the right procedures in getting their concerns addressed if they felt the processes leading to her election were illegal. Our Constitution is clear. If they have any problem they have to go through the internal mechanisms of our party. This issue has already gone to court, and it has already been settled in court, so anybody that has a problem has to go through the party's structures. Meanwhile, the CPP Council of Elders has condemned the Committee's attempts to remove Ms. Kumankumah from office. citinewsroom The Bolgatanga Taxpayer Service Centre (TSC) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in the first quarter of 2022, exceeded its set target by over 50 per cent in tax collection. This was disclosed by the Manager of the Taxpayer Service Centre (TSC), Bismark Shaibu Mahama, in an interview with our Correspondent Emmanuel Akayeti at Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region. Mr Mahama indicated that the centre was given a target of GHC 4.8 million for the first quarter, and as of the end of 31st March 2022, tax collected amounted to GHC 8.2 million, a difference of GHC 3.4million. He attributed the success story to God and support from the taxpaying public of the catchment area, adding that, as far as revenue mobilisation is concerned, they are on course and hope the trend continues till the end of the year. He, however, stated that payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) is not encouraging simply because taxpayers do not file and pay the right amount. He assured that GRA will continue its compliance activity to shore revenue mobilisation. He further disclosed that GRA has gone paperless and taxpayers can now file their returns and pay taxes online by downloading the application ( taxpayersportal.com) from the google play store. He said, through digitalization, GRA has come to the doorsteps of the taxpayer. These innovations he added are to help ease the drudgery of cueing at GRA offices to pay or file tax returns during peak periods. Mr Mahama added that the payment of the taxes does not attract E-levy charges. He advised employers that when filing their monthly PAYE returns, they should state the TIN or Ghana Unique Identification numbers (GUIN) of every employee on the return form to facilitate the speedy processing of the returns. According to him, by the 1st of May 2022, any returns that will be submitted to GRA offices without the TIN or GUIN, will not be accepted. In the same way, withholding agents are expected to indicate the TIN or the GUIN of the withholdees on the return form. He stressed that failure to do so GRA will not be able to accept and process such returns. He further explained that where these returns are kept by the taxpayers because of rejection for any period of time they will continue to accrue penalty and interest for failure to file return and pay tax on due date. According to him, GRA is open to suggestions that will improve the relationship between tax administration and the taxpaying public. 27.04.2022 LISTEN A police officer has allegedly committed suicide in Accra. The officer allegedly shot himself while on duty on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at Graphic Road, Abossey Okai, Accra. The Ghana Police Service has said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the officer. According to a statement by the Police service, In line with our standard operating procedure, the name and further details of the deceased officer have been withheld and will be communicated after his family has been formally notified of the incident. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has cautioned the public to desist from any engagement with the company advertising SIDICOIN. According to the central bank, neither the company nor the promoters of its impending launch have been approved to operate in the banking sector. Bank of Ghana has taken note of the impending launch of a cryptocurrency investment scheme named SIDICOIN. The public is hereby cautioned that neither this investment scheme nor the Promoters of the company have obtained the approval of Bank of Ghana, to operate in the banking and payment services sector, a BoG statement signed by the Financial Stability Department has announced. The BoG statement adds, The general public is advised to exercise caution with regards to trading in cryptocurrencies and other unregulated investment schemes. Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana has also cautioned all regulated institutions including banks, specialized deposit-taking institutions, dedicated electronic money issuers, and payment service providers to desist from facilitating cryptocurrency transactions and unlicensed investment schemes, through their platforms or agent outlets. Below is a copy of the Bank of Ghana press release: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chapter in Germany has applauded the efforts of Afarinick Company Limited and Kumad Global Impact Limited to produce millions of plantain seedlings for use in the country annually. The two Ghanaian companies riding on the back of the digitalisation agenda of the ruling government have been able to develop a technology that produces millions of plantain seedlings in a year. In a press release from the NPP Germany chapter, it has heaped praise on President Akufo-Addo for his leadership that has inspired Afarinick Company Limited and Kumad Global Impact Limited. It is great news to behold that a collaboration between two Kumasi-based supply chain and management firms Afarinick Company Limited and Kumad Global Impact Limited has produced about 117 million plantain seedlings for yearly planting. They formed this partnership when they realized Cocobods agenda to plant a cover of about 360,000 hectares of land in place of Cocoa swollen shoot affected farms in their land recovery program. "God bless this visionary leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his abled men for uplifting the self-reliance spirit of our motherland. Long live Ghana, the NPP, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, parts of the NPP Germany chapter press release reads. Below is the full release: Press Release NPP Germany 27.04.22 GHANA IS A PLACE OF INNOVATION AND GROWTH Ghana as a country has developed tremendously over the past years. What makes her development very remarkable in recent times is the ability to transform from a manual economy to more digitized ways. Ghana is growing and growing in more innovative and tech-driven ways. The leadership has developed a mechanism to shore up agricultural strength of the country. After investing in research and data based analytics and decision making, various projects were put in place to help boost cocoa production, food crop and other cash crop productions. Pineapples, cocoa, plantain amongst others have been top priorities for government. What is more intriguing now is how these decisions are propelling companies to develop innovative implementations. Two companies in Ghana have been able to develop a technology that produces millions of plantain seedlings in a year. It is great news to behold that a collaboration between two Kumasi-based supply chain and management firms Afarinick Company Limited and Kumad Global Impact Limited has produced about 117 million plantain seedlings for yearly planting. They formed this partnership when they realized Cocobods agenda to plant a cover of about 360,000 hectares of land in place of Cocoa swollen shoot affected farms in their land recovery program. God bless this visionary leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his abled men for uplifting the self-reliance spirit of our motherland. Long live Ghana, the NPP and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. ...Signed... Nana Osei Boateng, NPP Germany Branch Communications Director. Which part of the constitution proscribes a president from flying beautiful ladies in a private jet or drinking a tot of red Italian wine in a private lodgment with male or female guests deep into the night? Am I hearing correctly that the Minority in Parliament is thinking of impeaching President Akufo Addo over the wild accusations and explosive bragging of Serwaa Broni on YouTube? Tell the Minority to stop sabotaging our ears. If there is anyone worthy of impeachable transgression in Parliament, it is the Minority. They have failed Ghanaians probably more than Nana Addo and his government combined. They are the ones most qualified for impeachment! Why would a successful political party like the NDC which has won four presidential elections in Ghana since 1992 and is copiously acquainted with our electoral laws supervise the election of a candidate into Parliament who owns allegiance to another country at the time of filing for elections? The constituents of Assin North queued in the sun for hours to cast their vote for a man who is fundamentally unfit for election as MP. And yet, the NDC with all its electoral credentials supervised the spectacular deviation with aplomb. The result is that not only is the NDC a minority party in Parliament today, thanks to his disqualification from the Honorable House by the courts. Most disastrously, the party has wilfully denied the people of Assin North representation in the Legislature. The NDC should blame itself for the mess in which it now finds itself and stop venting their spleen on the judgment of the courts. My other dissatisfaction with the NDC in Parliament, is their decrepit management of the E-Levy doctrine, which is set to unleash a regime of harsh taxation with dire consequences for individual pockets. Despite their loud promises to avert the passing of the obnoxious E-Levy, the MPs timidly staged a walk-out at the eleventh hour, (their tails in between their legs) in a shocking surrender to the Majority. And now they want the courts to take the wheels under the E-Levy train which is already in motion. Why recourse to the courts when you can solve the problem on the floor of parliament? Thats how the Minority dashed the hopes of many Ghanaians, and permitted the passage of the draconian bill into law. And by staging a walk-out, the Minority is basically telling Ghanaians to blame the NPP, not the NDC for passing the bill. What an astute, politically expedient way of throwing sawdust in our eyes! And now they are talking about impeaching His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for allegations strictly convivial in nature, romantic in character, and bothering on privacy rather than publicity. Which part of the constitution proscribes a president from flying beautiful ladies in a private jet or drinking a tot of red Italian wine in a private lodgment with male or female guests? Why would the opposition waste precious time on bushfire allegations without proof, witnesses, or professional analysis rather than working to reduce the economic anxiety among Ghanaians? Nobody heard her cries when she flew around town with him in the expensive jet. Now that His Excellency is working hard on his repentance (he is only human) and the Cathedral is fast taking shape, awaiting consecration soon whats her name again SB surfaces from nowhere, demanding her pound of flesh by making sweeping allegations that only professionals can ascertain! Tell the Minority in Parliament that under the current harsh economic conditions in this country, impeaching Nana Addo is the last thing on anyones mind. The politicians have lost touch with us, sadly! Wa West lawmaker, Peter Toobu, says theres no need for Ghana to reject or politicize the U.S Department of States 2021 annual country report on human rights infractions. The report cited Ghana for a number of human rights abuses including clamping down on free speech, politically motivated killing, inhumane treatments, arbitrary arrests, and denial of fair trial among others. Peter Toobu, also a former police officer views the content of the report as extremely crucial and that efforts must be made to correct the negative image on Ghana. He says the report said nothing new except to collate various abuses that have been reported on in Ghana over a given period. The picture the report painted is unfortunately actually what the situation in Ghana is. It's a damning report and very challenging. For me, government should take it in good faith rather than politicizing it, he said on Eyewitness News. The report highlighted works by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) in addressing issues such as rape and domestic violence but said, pervasive cultural beliefs in gender roles, as well as sociocultural norms and stereotypes, posed additional challenges to combatting domestic violence. Some specific cases mentioned in the report included the killing of social activist, Kaaka in Ejura, and the arrest and abuse of Citi FM/Citi TV's Caleb Kudah. There is nothing in that report that hasn't been reported by any media house in this country. The constitution guarantees certain rights which have been violated as the report has shown. No matter how frustrating it is, this is the state of this country in terms of its human rights record, the MP added. In the meantime, Peter Toobu is proposing a number of interventions government can adopt to reverse the trend. I have said that, if we have a system where the security agencies are being controlled by a civilian authority, there is a possibility of abuse. There are no checks and balances in the criminal justice system. I have proposed that, if we have district Attorneys in all districts responsible for prosecution and doing the work of the Attorney General, then the police can go back to preventing and investigating crime. citinewsroom 28.04.2022 LISTEN The Director of Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Kwesi Aning, has downplayed the US Department of States 2021 annual Country Reports on Human Rights Violations. Mr. Aning said the report on Ghana highlighted issues that had already been widely criticized by several individuals in the public domain. Whatever is in that report is what Ghanaians have spoken about. What is it that makes the state department talking about problems we talk about on a daily basis much more important than we do? This report is just a routine annual raid. The report, which was released on April 12, 2022 observed that corruption was still prevalent in Ghana. It also cited a number of human rights abuses including clamping down on free speech, politically motivated killing, inhumane treatments, arbitrary arrests, and denial of fair trial among others. In Mr. Aning's view, a report by Ghana, indicting the U.S for similar actions would have been ignored by the latter. Were we to have a foreign policy that is solid and proactive and we also wrote an annual report about police brutalities against African Americans, I can assure you the U.S will not be bothered. He believes the report exposes the need to respect and dignify the Ghanaian voices that speak to bring the rule of law, the respect for human rights, transparency, accountability instead of always denigrating ourselves and placing emphasis on other peoples perception. citinewsroom 28.04.2022 LISTEN The Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana says it will meet with President Nana Akufo-Addo next month over the controversial Electronic Transfer levy (E-Levy). Although the 1.5% tax is set to take off from Sunday, May 1, 2022, the mobile money agents are seeking audience with the President because they were never consulted on the move. Speaking to Citi News, the President of the Association, Dela Dunstan Abotsi, said he hopes the engagement with the President would bring a resolution to their concerns. The president has given us an invitation to come for a meeting next month, hence our hands are tied on making any move until we meet with him. We wouldn't want to do anything that we will be sorry for later. Imagine taking a decision and after meeting with the president, everything goes well. Meanwhile, ahead of the highly anticipated implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) in May 2022, 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. citinewsroom Mali's media regulator has ordered the definitive suspension of RFI radio and France 24 television in the country, a month after its ruling military junta accused the news organisations of reporting false allegations of abuse by the Malian army. The broadcasters' parent company, France Medias Monde (FMM), has strongly contested the decision. Radio France Internationale and sister TV station France 24 have been suspended in Mali since 17 March. The West African country's media regulator, the Haute Autorite de la communication, said on Wednesday that their suspension would be definitive. The French broadcasters are subsidiaries of FMM, a state-owned holding company. They are followed by a third of Mali's population. Responding to the regulator's order, FMM said it strongly contested the decision and would study all avenues of appeal. The group also reiterated its unwavering commitment to the independence and freedom of the media. FMM said it would continue to cover the news in Mali. It pledged to provide technical solutions to ensure Malians could continue to access the two broadcasters. 'Destabilising strategy' Mali's junta accuses RFI and France 24 of a premeditated strategy aimed at destabilising the political transition, demoralising the Malian people and discrediting the Malian army. The junta has staged two coups since August 2020. It has been accused of violations by several human rights groups, including in a 15 March report by Human Rights Watch, which accused Malian soldiers of responsibility for the killing of at least 17 civilians since early December. The allegations of abuse in Mali were also made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and subsequently reported by RFI and France 24. The French government had called Mali's initial suspension of the French broadcasters a grave attack on the liberty of the press. I condemn with the greatest firmness this decision, which seems to me totally at odds with the values espoused by the people of Mali since its independence, President Emmanuel Macron told a press conference. Earlier this year, France announced the withdrawal of its troops from Mali after a breakdown in relations with the junta. French troops were in Mali on a military mission, fighting against al Qaeda and Islamic State group-linked jihadist groups in the Sahel area. French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday chaired what is likely to be his final Council of Ministers meeting after two years at the helm of the government. The 56-year-old confirmed on Tuesday that he and his government would resign without delay to allow for a new phase as freshly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron begins his new term on 13 May. Government sources say his resignation can be expected in the coming days most likely early next week. Dozens of ministers, deputy ministers and secretaries of state were present at the Elysee Palace on Thursday morning for the meeting, which needed to be moved to the Elysee's party room to accommodate the high number of guests. They've all been invited to attend a buffet lunch, described in the French press as a last supper of sorts, to mark the end of the 2017-2022 term. Jobs on the line Many face slim chances of reappointment to ministerial posts in the upcoming government reshuffle. "It's going to be strange to find ourselves toasting around a glass, when most of us probably won't be here next week," one unnamed minister told French daily Le Parisien. "This is the last meal of the condemned." An adviser to the Elysee confirmed to Le Parisien that some government staff would find themselves unemployed in six days' time. "There are those who know their best chances are not to cause a fuss (government spokesman) Gabriel Attal, (Overseas Minister) Sebastien Lecornu, (Interior Minister) Gerald Darmanin, (Public Services Minister) Amelie de Montchalin and (Agriculture Minister) Julien Denormandie, the source told the paper. Ambitious ministers with smaller portfolios would be hoping to climb the ranks, while bigwigs such as Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer and Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot were worried, the source added. Meanwhile there is much speculation as to who Macron will choose to succeed Castex as Prime Minister, someone he described as "a man of heart with social fibre. Other ministers hailed Castex for being loyal to the end. On Wednesday Macron said the new head of government would be someone attached to social and environmental issues. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has served notice that it will not accept proxy voting in the upcoming delegates conference to elect Constituency Executives across the country. According to the party, this is to ensure fairness and create a level playing field at the polls for all aspirants. Transfer of votes will also not be tolerated as part of the process. The act of voting by proxy is where a delegate who is not able to attend the conference, asks someone to vote on his/her behalf. The Constituency delegates conference is expected to start today, Thursday, April 28, and end Monday, May 2, 2022. Mr Evans Nimako, Director of Elections at the NPPs headquarters in Accra maintained that all delegates must be present to be able to cast their votes. He asked all delegates to appear at the conference center with their party card, voter's Identity Card, or their Ghana card for identification by the electoral officers from the Electoral Commission. Mr. Nimako warned that issues that will contradict the internal mechanisms of the party will also not be entertained. He said the party is doing everything possible to ensure fairness at the polls. He added that voting has been put on hold at Ablekuma West, Dome-Kwabenya, and Ododiodiodioo Constituencies in the Greater Accra Region for security reasons. Mr. Nimako made this disclosure on Accra-based Joy FM on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Source: Classfmonline.com Nigerias military has announced offensives, including air strikes against bandit hideouts across the northwest, but the criminal gangs are proving elusive. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI AFP When dozens of gunmen raided Abubakar Aliyu's village in central Nigeria two weeks ago, they stormed in on motorbikes, each carrying one or two attackers who opened fire and chased down residents. By the time security forces arrived, more than 100 villagers were dead and scores of homes destroyed after gunmen targeted four villages simultaneously, residents and local officials said. Aliyu escaped the Sunday morning attack with workers on his construction site, but not before he and others were shot and one colleague killed. "I tried to run away when I felt the bullet hit my eye," Aliyu told AFP in a Jos city hospital where he was recovering with a bandage over his face. A hundred villagers died and scores of homes were destroyed after gunmen rampaged through four villages. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI AFP "Three of us are alive, only one died among us, then they killed others in the town." The April 10 attack on Kanam district in Plateau state was the deadliest of raids this year blamed on heavily armed criminal gangs known locally as bandits who have long terrorised parts of Nigeria. But the raid also illustrates the complexity Nigeria faces to stop growing banditry that is devastating communities across northwest and north central states. With roots in clashes between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers over land and resources, violence in the northwest has spiralled into much wider conflict. Daily headlines spotlight killings, mass abductions and raids by bandits, but some data shows fatalities rival Nigeria's long jihadist insurgency in the northeast. Security personnel stand guard after gunmen hit four villages in central Nigeria. By - AFP Just in March and April, gangs bombed and attacked a train travelling from the capital Abuja, kidnapping dozens, attacked a security patrol killing 19, slaughtered dozens of local vigilantes, and stormed a set of villages killing another three dozen. Nigeria's military has announced offensives, including air strikes against bandit hideouts in vast forests across the northwest, but the criminal gangs are proving an elusive enemy. Plateau state, sitting between Nigeria's mostly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south, struggled with intercommunal clashes in the past. But attacks by bandit gangs were rare. Map of Nigeria locating attacks in the past two months. By Elonore HUGHES AFP "Those responsible, from the information and intelligence we've gathered so far, are criminals," Major Gen. Ibrahim Ali, the army's 3rd Division commander in Plateau said of the attacks, blaming gangs shifting from other states. "They are looking for safe haven, where they can take shelter and run away from our onslaught in the northwest." Northwest conflict? After 12 years of fighting, Nigeria's jihadist conflict centred in northeast Borno state has killed more than 40,000 and displaced 2.2 million more. But recent statistics show violence in northwest and central states appears more deadly than the insurgency involving Boko Haram and an Islamic State affiliate ISWAP. According to the research group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, bandit militias killed more than 2,600 civilians in 2021, an increase of over 250 percent from 2020. It said the figure far exceeds civilian fatalities resulting from the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies. A Nigerian risk analysis group SBM Intelligence said a tally of media reported deaths shows 782 people killed in the northwest region compared with 441 in the northeast over the first three months of this year. Nearly 4,000 people were displaced by the attacks in Kanam district, mostly women and children. By - AFP But the impact goes far beyond death tolls. Last year, bandit gangs targeted schools for mass abductions and ransom. More than 1,400 students were abducted, though most were later released. UNICEF estimates one million young Nigerians were likely out of school this year. The UN's migration agency IOM figures show northwest and central Nigeria had 728,000 displaced people in 2020. That number rose to 980,000 last year. Nearly 4,000 people were displaced by the attacks in Kanam district, mostly women and children, with many fleeing to the urban centre of Dengi and nearby camps. "The attack was never expected," local government chairman Dayabu Ibrahim Garga told AFP. "To come to our door-step, to experience this is really traumatising." Jihadist cooperation Murtala Ahmad Rufai, a historian at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, who has researched banditry, said most of the land rights and justice grievances at the root of the violence were no longer at play. Major General Ibrahim Ali, army 3rd brigade commander in Plateau said the gangs were running 'from our onslaught in the northwest'. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI AFP "The conflict has taken a different dimension," he said. Several northwestern states have negotiated amnesty deals with bandit leaders, but most quickly fell apart. The federal government recently characterised bandit gangs as terrorists to allow the military more flexibility. But the challenge is huge, especially in vast rural areas with little state presence. Zamfara state government estimates around 30,000 bandits operate across the northwest, posing a massive task for already stretched security forces. Last year, several northwestern states shut down telecoms in a bid to curtail intelligence gathering and movement by bandit gangs. But three security sources said military operations were often "piecemeal" and failed to target gangs across the region, allowing bandits to escape. "When they are attacked in one place, they move to another," one source said. "They change locations depending on threats from security personnel." More complex for some analysts are indications jihadists may be increasing cooperation with bandits, such as in the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train, where explosives were used on the track. Government officials have blamed elements of Boko Haram who shifted from the northeast to join gangs. "Wherever there is such an increase in numbers... the level of atrocities and level of crime, of attacks will dramatically increase," Rufai said. 28.04.2022 LISTEN Dancehall musician, Stonebwoy, has denied any formal association with Sidicoin, a supposed cryptocurrency yet to be launched. According to him, the promotion of Sidicoin on his social media page was only to encourage people to learn about NFTs and get information on what is becoming a global phenomenon. The artiste has come under serious criticism for promoting Sidicoin which the Bank of Ghana has recently issued a warning about. In a public disclaimer, Stonebwoy said he does not seek to lure or encourage people in any way to invest in an unlicensed financial scheme. I am not an ambassador for Sidicoin, I am not associated with the product nor have I been rewarded to promote it My advocacy was for people to join a club for us to learn further information on how not to be left out of the new global order, not to encourage people to invest in a financial scheme of any sort, he explained. Read the full disclaimer below: For the avoidance of doubt, I am not an ambassador for Sidicoin, I am not associated with the product nor have I been rewarded to promote it. The developing world of NFTs, Web3.0, the metaverse, and digital/crypto-assets and their ability to change peoples financial fortunes has caught my attention in recent times and I simply thought I was sharing a Ghanaian version I had discovered for people who are as interested as I am to join me on my learning path. My advocacy was for people to join a club for us to learn further information on how to not be left out of the new global order, not to encourage people to invest in a financial scheme of any sort. In hindsight, I should have hastened slowly, but I blame over-enthusiasm for all the interesting things I am discovering about the adoption of these disruptive technologies. May we all do as the Bank of Ghana says and exercise caution even as we strive to do better for ourselves and our communities. Thank You. The Bank of Ghanas recent statement on Sidicoin said neither the cryptocurrency investment scheme nor its promoters have any approval from the Bank of Ghana to operate in the banking and payment services sector. The public is advised to exercise caution with regard to trading in cryptocurrencies and other unregulated investment schemes. The Bank further cautions all regulated institutions including banks, specialized deposit-taking institutions, dedicated electronic money issuers, and payment service providers to desist from facilitating cryptocurrency transactions and unlicensed investment schemes, through their platforms or agent outlets, the statement added. ---citinewsroom Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday, 27 April 2022, received a team from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and Oracle Technologies led by Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister. Dr Bawumia and the team discussed opportunities for leveraging Ghanas leadership role in digitalisation on the African continent to maximize benefits for citizens, local technology firms and businesses. According to Bawumia, Ghana is now set to move on to the next phase of digitalisation with a commitment to build on the current digital platforms and use data analytics and artificial intelligence to provide life-impacting solutions for the ordinary Ghanaian. We are determined that Ghana will not miss out on the fourth industrial revolution, he stated. President Nana Akufo-Addo will today, April 28, address the nation today. He will be speaking at 5pm today on the 30th anniversary of the referendum that approved the 1992 constitution. The 1992 Constitution, which ushered Ghana into the Fourth Republican dispensation, was approved in a referendum on April 28, 1992. It defined the fundamental political principles, establishing the structure, procedures, powers and duties of the government, structure of the judiciary and legislature, and spelt out the fundamental rights and duties of citizens. The 1992 Constitution provided also for greater freedom of the press and human rights guarantees. GNA The Electoral Commission (EC) has filed its witness statement in the case where one Joshua Emuah Kwofie is challenging the eligibility of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, Dorcas Afo-Toffey, to contest the seat. It would be recalled that at the last court sitting, the EC indicated that it will file its witness statement before the full trial of the case on June 6, 2022. In the witness statement filed at the Sekondi High Court, the EC revealed that it complied with all laws pertaining to parliamentary elections in Ghana during the 2020 elections in the Jomoro Constituency. It however, indicated that, if the current MP for the area had multiple nationalities, she ought to have disclosed and renounced same before filing her nomination to contest the parliamentary election. According to the EC, its Returning Officer, Samuel Mensah, the Jomoro District Electoral Officer, complied with the constitutional and statutory obligation in the organisation and conduct of the parliamentary election in the Jomoro Constituency in the 2020 general elections. The Electoral Officer stated that he was directly responsible for the conduct and supervision of the election being questioned in the proceedings. He said the nomination process for parliamentary candidates in the said constituency was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down by law. The law requires that at the time of nomination, a candidate for parliamentary election deliver to the Returning Officer, a statutory declaration stating that he/she is qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament and is not disqualified from being elected as such. The law further requires that the statutory declaration be made before a judge or a person authorised by law to administer an oath, and who shall certify the statutory declaration under the signature of the candidate, he explained. He said, It is only after the submission of the nomination form which contains the statutory declaration together with the other requirements that a candidate is eligible to contest for election as an MP. The EC said it adjudged the 1st respondent qualified to contest for election as a MP for Jomoro based on the statutory declaration submitted together with the nomination forms. According to the EC, upon the conduct of free and transparent nominations, voting and declaration of results, the 1st respondent was declared the winner of the parliamentary election for the Jomoro Constituency. ---citinewsroom The National Network Coordinator of THE West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP), Mr Albert Yelyang, has urged the security agencies in Ghana to scale up security in Bawku and along the borders following intelligence that some Burkinabe fighters were reportedly involved in the conflict. A letter written by ACP Alex Kwame Safo-Adu, some Burkinabe nationals from the Boulgou province were seen retreating to Burkina Faso following an operation by Ghanaian security forces to arrest perpetrators of violence in the area. It said there was information that some of the arms used in the recent disturbances in the area were reportedly smuggled from Burkina Faso. However, there are no established links between the Burkinabe fighters and terrorist cells. Although the Burkinabe nationals involved in the Bawku conflict may be motivated by tribal ties and financial gains, the security situation in the area could serve as a conduit for jihadists and violent extremists to infiltrate and radicalise the local populace to advance their course, the letter warned. Reacting to this on the News @10 on TV3 Wednesday April 27, Mr Yelyang said I think that coming from the security intelligence it is something that we need to do a lot more introspection to be able to come to terms with what they are indicating through the media. If you look at what is happening, there has been that concerns, for sometime now we have been thinking about this dynamics that are happening in our own conventional conflicts and then also the threats from the Sahel and also in Burkina Faso. The number of violence incidences in Burkina Faso arising from extremists activities. "So if that intelligence is what the security has picked up and has found its way into the public domain in the media we need to all look at it very seriously. and begin to have strategies. Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed his Chief Staff Officer to write to the Upper East Regional Commander of the Ghana Police Service to beef up security in Bawku. the IGP wants security heightened in the area as jihadist-related activities have been recorded in the Boulgou province and pose a serious security threat to the country. ---3news.com Karpowership Ghana has donated some food items to the Muslim community at Bawaleshie in East Legon. The items donated include bags of rice, cartons of tin tomatoes, cartons of milk, cartons of soft drinks, and cartons of milo. We are pleased to share in your holy month of fasting on this day, Sandra Amarquaye, Communications Specialist for Karpowership said. The gesture, she said, was Karpowerships way of expressing love and generosity to the Muslim community. She added that the donation symbolises how significant the Islamic month of Ramadan is to us. Ms Amarquaye expressed gratitude to Muslims for using the period of Ramadan as a moment to step up their expression of generosity towards others through almsgiving and feeding of the destitute and needy. The Imam of the East Legon Central mosque Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Alfadul upon receiving the products, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Karpowership and prayed to the Almighty for blessings for the company. He also praised the organization for its diverse support of communities across the country. BEIJING, April 28 -- "The ASEAN Regional Forum Defense Officials' Dialogue will be held on April 29 by video conference. China will co-chair the meeting with Cambodia, the rotating chair of ASEAN for 2022," said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, at a regular conference on Thursday. According to the spokesperson, with the theme of "Enhancing Solidarity and Cooperation to Achieve Harmony and Security", the meeting includes two topics: "The role of defense departments in fighting against COVID-19" and "Strengthening practical cooperation between defense departments in the post-pandemic period". Nearly 50 representatives from 27 ASEAN Regional Forum members will be invited to attend the meeting. Ghanaian controversial speaker, Quotation Master, has mentioned that women are more powerful than men both physically and spiritually. He explained that most men take their power from women and this can happen both physically and spiritually. In an interview with Rev. Nyansa Boakwa on Happy 98.9FMs NsemPii, he said, Female spirits are stronger than that of the male, but consider men as the heads for everything because we have been made to accept and believe that women cant lead. In the Ashanti Kingdom, Its the queen mother who destools and enstools a king. She is the only one who can do this because the power belongs to women, but they cannot use it to uplift themselves because no matter how powerful they are, they will always be under a man and need a man in their lives, he explained. Quotation Master also disclosed that men can also get their powers from women through sex. This can bring you good or bad luck. There are some women who will bring you down as soon as you have sex with them, while others will also cause you to prosper, bringing you good luck after having sex with them. The spiritualist emphasized that, a lot of people who are blaming others for their misfortunes in life might be getting it all wrong. You might not know about this and youve been having sex with multiple women, hence the predicaments you keep finding yourself in. He noted some men probably might have had sex with people who had bad luck and its having an effect on them. This is why you should not be having sex with just anyone, he advised. ---happyghana.com The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Ghana has unveiled modalities to build a Centre of Excellence for Information Communication and Technology based Startup and Asian Research Centre in Ghana. The KOICA Ghana and University of Ghana officials signed the $9-million Ghana-Korea Centre of Excellence project which is to be known as GK-IMPACT will be built at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon. The construction is expected to start this year, through to 2025. Mr Jung-Taek Lim, Korea Ambassador to Ghana signed on behalf of his country and Professor Nana Aba Amfo, the Vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana signed for the country which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) at Accra. It aimed at building an advanced innovation centre that can share Korea's advanced ICT and development experiences while enhancing Ghana's research and ICT capabilities to increase ties between Ghana and Korea. The facility, a hub for establishing startup incubation programmes, would also host Ghana-Korea business conferences Coordinated by UNICEF through MEST Africa, creating jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth after-the effects of COVID-19. Mr Jung-Taek Lim, said the project was based on a request by the UG to the Embassy. He commended Ghana for taking steps in building a robust infrastructure to facilitate the operations of startups, drive entrepreneurship and promote research, adding that it would be enhanced by Korea which had an advantage in Information Communication and Technology (ICT). The Ambassador said GK-IMPACT resonates with the Vice chancellor's vision of enhancing the experiences of students, among other stakeholders through digitalization. Professor Nana Aba Amfo, said the institution cannot train students without providing them with ICT training, adding that the offer was timely, which will help the University to synchronize two areas of interest digitalization and Asian studies. She said it also is to promote a culture of research teaching and learning, administrative processes, and extension services driven by technology. The Vice-chancellor said in recognition of global trends in ICT and the area of technology, the University is training students who are critical thinkers, culturally sensitive, and technologically alert and will be ready to provide leadership both locally and internationally. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania is a spectacular area made up of expansive plains, forests and savanna. It's also home to a huge caldera a depression that forms when a volcano erupts and collapses known as the Ngorongoro Crater. The Conservation Area, covering about 8,292km2 , is special for the large number of wildlife that live there which led to it being declared a World Heritage site in 1979 . It's also special because when it was established in 1959 it was planned as a multiple land use area in which wildlife co-existed with Maasai pastoralists. Pastoralists have grazed this area for at least the last 100 years and were assured permanent land rights . These included movement rights, residence rights and grazing and cultivation rights. But there are concerns that the Tanzanian government is trying to force thousands of people off the conservation area. This is being done through harassment and restrictions such as bans on crop cultivation and limiting access to rivers and rangelands for grazing their livestock. The government argues that relocating the pastoralists will help conserve this World Heritage site. This stems from claims by MPs that the reserve is under threat from a booming human and livestock population. It is true that the number of people has increased over the past 60 years. Between 1959 and 2017 the population in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area rose from about 10,000 to about 100,000 people . The number of livestock usually fluctuates around 250,000 heads per year . In the meantime, over the past 60 years, wildlife species such as African buffalo, Thomson gazelle and giraffe in and around the Ngorongoro Crater have declined or remained stagnant . Such decline has been attributed to both natural stressors, such as changing rainfall patterns, and human stressors, for instance competition over grazing land. As researchers on livestock and the environment and having studied the Ngorongoro conservation area and interventions that support pastoralist communities we argue that removing these communities isn't the answer to conserving the environment. We argue that, if the government's reason is to protect the environment, then it's crucial to support communities that share the area with wildlife. Poverty and conservation Wild ecosystems do not exist in isolation. About with 60% of wildlife in Tanzania lives outside of national parks at any given time . Even if they are in designated conservation areas, they will be affected by what happens outside of them. Wildlife declines are known to be intimately related to poverty levels . For instance, poverty can lead to opportunistic poaching, and coupled with weak governance, it can cause declines in wildlife numbers. Pastoral evictions in other regions of the world are known to have led to the further impoverishment of these communities. We argue that the same fate could await the communities being evicted from this area not only will they suffer but it could lead to new conservation challenges such as poaching and humanwildlife conflicts. We therefore argue that more effort should be made to improve access to education and tackle poverty and unemployment if sound conservation policies are to be achieved. Some answers Education can transfer much of the growing pastoralist population into other sectors of the economy and allow for income diversification . This would ease poverty and reduce pressure on land by reducing the number of people that directly make a living out of it. In Kenya for instance, linking wildlife conservation to better pasture, higher income and the growth of sustainable businesses helped to promote local ownership and contributed to peace. More education can also stimulate voluntary migration away from the area, reducing pressure on the land, and curb population growth . Education leads to lower birth rates, promotes smaller families and slows population growth. This is because schooling delays marriage and education is linked to young women becoming more empowered they are more likely to adopt modern birth control mechanisms and avoid polygamous marriage. This would protect human rights and promote compatible nature conservation, empower communities, and reduce land pressure. In the Ngorongoro district, there's a severe gap in the delivery of both primary and secondary education. For instance , only 40,372 out of 70,000 primary and secondary school-aged children in the southern part of the district were enrolled in school in 2014. Education can also integrate community members into ecosystem management, by providing jobs that depend on conserving ecosystems. This is the basis of the community conservation model. In some places, such as Kenya, it has increased community resilience and fostered a more positive attitude towards nature conservation , making it socially more sustainable. But ecotourism isn't a magic bullet. Diversifying other domains of the area's economy is just as important. For instance, the livestock industry could be developed by adding value to livestock products, including leather, dairy products and certified meat products. Private sector investments or public-private-partnerships in the district could promote products and increase their availability throughout the year. Examples of such successful strategy can be found in different continents and in different pastoralist settings . The current crisis in the Ngorongoro conservation area points to an increasing tension between nature conservation and local livelihoods in Africa. But there is evidence that biodiversity and poverty eradication programmes can coexist, provided long-term strategies hold. We hope that the Tanzanian government takes these into consideration as they can serve to protect communities and serve as a conservation strategy. Pablo Manzano receives funding from the Basque Government through Ikerbasque - Basque Foundation for Science. Lucas Yamat receives funding from Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. By Pablo Manzano, Ikerbasque Research fellow, bc3 - Basque Centre for Climate Change And Lucas Yamat, PhD candidate, bc3 - Basque Centre for Climate Change The National Labour Commission (NLC) expects the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to call off its members strike action by Friday, April 29. At a final meeting on Wednesday, April 27 between CLOGSAG and government led by Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations Bright Wereko Brobbey, the two parties confirmed resolution of the matter. CLOGSAG, however, insists that it is awaiting a letter from the Ministry of Finance to the Controller and Accountant Generals Department (CAGD) before officially calling off its action. We have given ourselves up to Friday to resolve all outstanding issues, said Isaac Bampoe Addo, the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG. We have finished with negotiations, we are waiting for implementation. But Executive Secretary of the Commission Ofosu Asamoah indicated that the Finance Minister, who arrived in Ghana on Tuesday from an official assignment abroad, has been briefed and will, in turn, brief cabinet on the matter on Thursday. He assured that CLOGSAGs Executive Secretary will consult his council members in order to officially call off the strike. So, the two proposals or actions seem to be meeting the Minister is meeting cabinet [Thursday] and Friday he will issue a letter to the Controller [and Accountant General]. [CLOGSAG] is also meeting its members [Thursday] by a letter, meet on Friday and also call off the strike. So, invariably the process on both sides will end on Friday. He expressed hope that on Wednesday, May 4, the striking civil servants will be in their offices to work. The strike was started by CLOGSAG on Thursday, April 21. ---3news.com 28.04.2022 LISTEN As the day draws closer, pending the historic commemoration of the Aboakyir Festival, the good people of Effutu are waiting with bated breath to showcase to the world how deep rooted they are when it comes to cultural exhibition. One particular reason why this year's celebration is going to be unique is the fact that, the Osimpam Heritage Center which was recently constructed by Hon. Member of Parliment for Effutu Constituency, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin is seriously going to be the center of attraction. The said multifaceted edifice serves as an archival center for the rich history of the good people of Effutu. It houses the various images of Past Emperors, chiefs and the various role they played in those days as well as past and present political figures who have contributed towards the development of Effutu Constituency. A little bit of history tells us that, the name Aboakyer translates as "hunting for game or animal" in the Effutu dialect. The institution of the festival was to commemorate the migration of Simpafo (traditional name given to the people of Winneba). The people migrated from the north-eastern African town of Timbuktu in the ancient Western Sudan Empire to their present land in the central coast of Ghana. The journey from the north-east to the western part of Africa was led by two brothers. The people had the believe that a god, whom they called Otu, had protected them from all dangers during their migration and to show their appreciation, the people consulted the custodian of the god, a traditional priest who acted as an intermediary between the people and the god, to ask the god for its preferred sacrifice. Also, to their surprise, the god asked for a human sacrifice from the royal family. This sacrifice went on for some years but was later stopped as the people were no longer interested in human sacrifices. It is important to understand that, after the people became tired of human sacrifice as a means of showing appreciation to the god, a further request was made to the god to change the nature of the sacrifice, as they believed that sacrificing royalty could eventually wipe out the royal family. The god in return asked for type of wild cat to be caught alive and presented to it at its shrine. After the presentation, it was to be beheaded as a sacrifice. This was to be done annually in a form of festival known as Aboakyir. Before the festival began the people settled the god at a town called Penkye. After the resettlement, the god became known as Penkyi Otu, to signify the final home for the god. To mark the festival, the people sought out the wild cat, as had been prescribed. Many lives were lost in the process as the animal was to be captured live and transported to Penkye. The people made a second appeal to Penkyi Otu to provide an alternative to the wild cat. That appeal resulted in the decision to accept a mature bush~buck. Two hunting groups, the Tuafo (Number one) and Dentsifo (Number two), have since bore the task of capturing the live bush~buck and presenting it to the people at the durbar. This festival is celebrated in the first week of every "May" and it is a major event in Ghana. It is marked by hunting by the warriors ostensibly to catch a bush~buck or deer with bare hands. Dawda Eric (Equity) Citizen Vigilance for Justice Information reaching DGN Online indicates that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)Yendi constituency elections scheduled to take place today April 28, 2022, have been suspended. A statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, listed concerns raised by some members of the party regarding the Yendi internal election and related matters which were brought to the attention of the National Steering Committee at its last meeting as the reason to reschedule the Yendi constituency election. Acting on the authority of the National Steering Committee , after the necessary stakeholders engagement is by this statement directing that the Yendi constituency Annual Delegates Conference originally scheduled for Thursday April 28,2022 be rescheduled for the time being . According to the statement, the rescheduling is to allow for adequate time for the full implementation of the roadmap towards the conduct of the Constituency Annual Delegation Conference among other things to election constituency executives as agreed by the stakeholders for amicable resolutions of the issues at hand in the interest of the party. It is the expectation of the National party that every stakeholder in the election will respect and abide by the agreed roadmap to pave way for the election to be conducted timorously and in line with the party's rules and regulations. There have been agitations by some supporters of the NPP in the Yendi constituency over the compilation of the voters' register for the constituency. Supporters of the Yendi NPP chairman and the Member of Parliament for the Yendi constituency have accused each other over the currently issues of voters album in the constituency. Meanwhile , delegates in the Yendi constituency have converged at Yendi to participate in the constituency elections. Some of them have expressed worry about the current situation in the constituency and called on the party to find a lasting solution to the issues to avert any issues which could affect the party's chances in the 2024 elections. ---DGN online The Ministry of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with indigenous cocoa processor, Niche Confectionery Ghana LTD (Confectionery Ghana), to supply enriched ready-to-drink cocoa beverages to basic school children across the country. The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, signed the pact on behalf of the ministry while the Chief Executive Officer of Niche Cocoa Industry Limited, the parent company of Confectionery Ghana, Edmund Poku, initialed for the confectionery maker. Beneficiaries The agreement signed last Friday in Accra allows Confectionery Ghana, to supply enriched ready-to-drink cocoa beverages to 1.8 million basic school children in the six cocoa growing regions of Ghana. It allows the company to further extend supplies to 5.6 million children nationwide. Per the undertaking, Confectionery Ghana is to provide basic school children in the selected schools with at least one ready-to-drink cocoa beverage per week as part of a collective effort by the government and the company to increase cocoa consumption within the country. Per capita consumption of cocoa in Ghana is currently approximately 0.5 kilograms (kg) although it is the second largest producer of the crop in the world. Nutritional impact Dr Adutwum said after the signing ceremony that the nutrition of every child in school remained one of the priorities of government and the ministry. This is why I am happy to sign an MOU between Confectionery Ghana and the Ministry of Education. The MOU will allow Confectionery to distribute chocolate beverages to primary school children in selected public schools across the country, with preference given to cocoa growing communities, the Education Minister said. This partnership will help make President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's vision of ensuring that every child has access to a cocoa beverage a reality, he added. Aligned vision The Managing Director of Confectionery Ghana, Gladys Amoah, said in an interview that the companys business plan aligned well with the President and the governments vision of giving Ghanaian children access to Ghanaian cocoa-based products. Mrs Amoah said the parent company had a vision of improving the consumption of cocoa by adding value to the cocoa bean and translating that into consumer-ready products. The government is looking to drive the implementation of the School Feeding Program and has the intention of feeding 5.6 million children one meal a day for 100 school days. President Akufo-Addo has a further vision of ensuring that every child has access to a cocoa beverage, which is aligned to our vision to improve the consumption of cocoa in Ghana, she said. Product range Mrs Amoah noted that the company aimed to achieve this while having a positive impact on the economy as well as key communities where cocoa was sourced. This, she said, led to the establishment of Confectionery Ghana to produce consumer-ready products that would be consumed both at home and abroad. She said the company, which already sells a range of chocolate bars in the market, had successfully launched a range of enriched ready-to-drink chocolate drinks and was now about to add a range of powdered chocolate and chocolate spreads to the list. She said the chocolate drink was special to the business as it was formulated with the intension of supporting the nutritional needs of the Ghanaian child. It is fortified with B vitamins and has added minerals such as Zinc and Iron that support child development. The business has considered how it could be involved in supplying the chocolate beverage to children and it is this desire that has led to the signing of the MoU between Confectionery Ghana and the Ministry of Education, the MD said. Cocoa nutrients Mrs Amoah said the company was also concerned about using its operations to impact cocoa farmers positively, and was therefore, excited that the initiative would start within cocoa growing regions. She said cocoa was a nutritious crop, high in fibre, iron and antioxidants, among other essentials and expressed the hope that the operationalisation of the agreement would help to address the nutritional gaps facing Ghanaian children. Citing data from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), she said Ghana had a health and nutrition challenge, with one in 10 children under five showing stunted growth and also lacking appropriate nutrients for development. The bulk of these challenges are within the rural areas, which also happen to be the areas where cocoa beans are sourced from. Having a meal at breakfast supports cognition, especially among undernourished children. The World Food Programme has calculated that for every one cedi invested in feeding a child, you yield GHS3.3 in return. This offers Confectionery Ghana an opportunity to have a positive impact on the community through improving the performance of children in school and also provide a potential future positive impact on the Ghanaian economy, she said. The MD said with the school feeding initiative, many children in farming areas would get to taste finished cocoa products for the first time in their lives, she added. The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Hon Michael Okyere Baafi has said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a blessing to Africa, insisting that Africans must do well to protect and make sure it works for all. According to him, manufacturers and producers must push the African leaders to ratify the agreement, especially the countries that have not ratified yet to help realise the African dream. He made this observation at the opening ceremony of the West Africa Pharma and Healthcare exhibition on the theme: "The Compete International Exhibition of Pharmaceutical Medical and Healthcare Industry In Ghana" at the Accra International Conference Centre on 27th April 2022. Speaking at the event he said, it is an opportunity for Ghanaian pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to collaborate with Indian manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry to grow in the business. "As a matter of fact, for me, it is an opportunity given to Ghanaians; you could see that every India pharmaceutical manufacturing company is here so it is a real opportunity for Ghanaians in the health care centre to go into partnership," he stated. He added that the exhibition will also enhance and expand indigenous businesses to other territories not only Ghana but other African countries. Indian high commissioner to Ghana H.E Mr Suganah Rajaram commended the organizers for organising such an exhibition for manufacturers and distributors in Ghana. He stressed that the relationship between Ghana and India cannot be overemphasis. He added that the event will go a long way to strengthen the good relationship between the two countries. H.E Mr Suganah Rajaram indicated that the West Africa Pharma Exhibition is very important because the health sector is very important to the India-Ghana economy engagement. On his part, Seth Twum-Akwaboa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) said, the event was an opportunity for the members to explore bigger opportunities to grow their business. "One way of growing businesses is to be in partnership with other counterparts in other countries. We are very much import-dependent as a country, we import virtually everything and we don't think that's good enough rather let's promote partnership between Ghanaian companies and others so they establish the business here. The essence of this exhibition is to bring Indians here to showcase what they produce for Ghanaians to partner with them and consider the opportunity to establish a plant and start production in the country. "Already there are a lot of India Companies here producing but the health care in general, we import 70% of health care needs. We are encouraged by the number of Indian Company that are represented here, we are also encouraging Ghanaian companies and industries to explore the exhibition centre do business with them and explore areas of opportunity", he explained. Thomas James, the Project Director of the West Africa Pharma Exhibition said, the exhibition seeks to create a platform for all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry to dialogue and do business. He seized the opportunity to invite the general public to visit the International Conference Centre to partake in the ongoing three days ( 27th to 29th April) exhibition exercise. The event has also presented an opportunity Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to sign an MOU to strengthen the economic bond between the association. 28.04.2022 LISTEN There are rumblings concerning a shutdown of the Internet via a cyberattack. Will complex systems like power grids, financial institutions, and security networks be targeted? Some are predicting a cyber pandemic. The Hacked World Order: How Nations Fight, Trade, Maneuver, and Manipulate in the Digital Age is a 2017 book by Adam Segal. He shows how governments use the web to wage war and spy on, coerce, and damage each other Governments are increasingly developing smarter ways of asserting their national authority in cyberspace in an effort to control the flow, organization, and ownership of information State-backed hacking initiatives can shut down, sabotage trade strategies, steal intellectual property, sow economic chaos, and paralyze whole countries. And of course, Founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Klaus Schwab is going to save the planet with a global solution. Read his article Why global harmonisation of cybersecurity would be music to everyone's ears on his website. Schwab proclaims cybersecurity regulation work is already underway in EU countries. Klaus, a global elite is a major player of the Great Reset (aka One World Order). Why would all nations want only one organization to manage anything? Why would sovereign nations give up cybersecurity power to the WEF. Sounds costly. Sounds fishy. Sounds like global domination. The World Economic Forums (WEF) annual Global Risks Report echoes warnings of a looming cyber pandemic and an erosion of public trust and social cohesion, which serves the unelected globalists agenda for a great reset of social contracts and the global economy. The fourth industrial revolution technologies in the Global Risks Report include: Artificial Intelligence; Internet of Things-enabled Devices; Edge Computing; Blockchain; and 5G. Visit https://sociable.co/government-and-policy/wef-global-risks-report-cyber-pandemic-erosion-trust-social-cohesion/. Sure sounds like Klaus is outlining his takeover plan and how hes going to do it. So, when the world goes black look for Klaus to ride into town and save the day after he has initiated the cyberattacks. He is both the villain and the hero. Freedom-loving citizens do not want a global governance. No matter the crisis, the unelected globalist solutions are always the same the merger of corporation and state, digital identity for all, and a digital surveillance system to monitor, manipulate, and control all citizen behavior for the greater good, says Tim Hinchliffe, editor of The Sociable. Could Klaus Schwab be a narcissist, a megalomaniac, and a psychopath all rolled into one evil dictator? And of course, the other malevolent political leaders will blame the cyberattack on Russia as well. How convenient. Are Klaus tentacles circling the globe? In 2019 the World Economic Forum and the United Nations signed a Strategic Partnership Framework to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. What? Klaus is unelected and he is not the leader of any country. You will own nothing and youll be happy, says Klaus. Resources: The Truth About COVID-19: Exposing The Great Reset, Lockdowns, Vaccine Passports, and the New Normal, 2021 book by Dr. Joseph Mercola and Ronnie Cummins. Watch host Alex Jones on InfoWars at banned.video. Gab is a social network that champions free speech, individual liberty and the free flow of information online. Visit www.gab.com. For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail? Ralph Waldo Emerson Melissa Martin, Ph.D., is a syndicated opinion-editorial columnist. She lives in USA. In February 2022, the annual summit of the African Union (AU) took place in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, also headquarter of the African Union. The principal objective of the meeting was to evaluate AU's achievements over the past year, particularly in the context of the recent surge of military coups and the ways to recover from the COVID pandemic. However, the whole meeting got disrupted because of disputes among its Member States over Israel's observer status in the African Union. As the discussion led to an unprecedented rift among AU's 55 members, AU decided to postpone the debate till next year. In the meantime, a committee consisting of eight Heads of State was announced by the newly elected Senegalese President Macky Sall. The committee was charged to confer with various stakeholders and submit a report regarding the disputed issue before the next AU annual summit. Although the postponement managed to placate the conflict, it can potentially create a schism in the solid African unity in the future. What happened at the recent AU annual summit? On 4th and 5th February, the 35th Ordinary Session and annual Heads of State summit of AU took place under the theme "Building Resilience in Nutrition on the African Continent: Accelerate the Human Capital, Social and Economic Development". As the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU took place virtually in February 2021, the current meeting bore special significance. During the meeting, an agreement was made to work on the most common and emerging challenges such as radical Islamism, climate change and COVID-19. To recall, 2021 has been a turbulent year for the continent, with three attempted and two successful coups. As a matter of fact, Mali, Guinea, Sudan and Burkina Faso were not allowed to participate in the summit because of their undemocratic government resulting from the military takeovers. The Sahel region of West Africa, particularly Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria remained under the severe threat of radical Islamism. The civil war in Ethiopia has taken more than a thousand lives, with millions of others displaced. Though all these issues were discussed in due course, the debate on Israel took centre stage. What is the history of Israel in Africa? Historically, Israel has a religious and theological connection to the African country of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian holy book, the Kebra Nagast, describes that hearing the stories of Israel's King Solomon's fame, Ethiopian Queen of Sheba visited Israel for trade purposes with gold and other precious jewels along with an enormous quantity of spices. According to legends, Ethiopia was created by King Menelik I, the son of Ethiopian Queen Sheba and Israeli King Solomon. This historical bonding was further solidified due to Ethiopia's regular need for military assistance from Israel. Today, about 140,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel, while another 6,000 stay in Ethiopia. When did Israel establish diplomatic relations with Africa? Israel's diplomatic relation with Africa goes back to the mid-1950s, when most African countries started gaining independence. Israel's founding father and first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, considered relations with African countries as a means to reduce Israel's diplomatic isolation beyond the Middle East. This outlook was carried forward by Golda Meir, Israel's Foreign Minister of that time. Her 1958 Africa visit underpins the importance of Africa in Israel's foreign policy of that time. For the record, she was the first Israeli Minister to visit Africa. Previously, Ghana was the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in 1956. The connection between Israel and Africa proved to be spontaneous as Israel established 33 more diplomatic missions within the next ten years. However, the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the ensuing oil embargo declared by the Gulf monarchies motivated most African countries except Malawi, Lesotho, and Swaziland to cut their bilateral relations with Israel. And OAU (Organization of African Unity), the predecessor organisation of AU, backed by Egypt, passed a resolution to oust Israel from the organisation. On a side note, the situation is similar to the fate of India after losing the Sino-Indian war in 1962. Despite strong support for the non-violence policy of Gandhi and later Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) of Nehru, losing the war against China severely dented India's image as a leader, and the majority of the African countries backed China after the war. Currently, Israel has relations with 46 African countries at bilateral level. However, only 44 African countries have established formal diplomatic ties, and merely 17 of them have established Embassies in Tel Aviv, the Israeli capital and 12 have opened General Consulates there. Furthermore, most African countries have signed Cooperation Agreements with Israeli companies in fields as diverse and sensitive as Education/Training, Defence, Security, Intelligence, Nuclear Cooperation, Agriculture, Technological Innovations, Health, Economy and Finance. At this point, the formalisation of relations at the continental level would definitely have led to better cooperation in the fight against both pandemic and terrorism. What's Israel's history with African Union? Previously, Israel was part of OAU. But in 2002, when OAU was dissolved, and AU was created, following pressure from Muammar Gaddafi, late ex-Libyan leader, Israel was deprived of its observer status. Since then, Israel's two separate official bids of 2003 and 2016 got rejected, majorly on the Palestine issue. Inspired by the mediation of the Abraham Accords of 2020 and a new government in Jerusalem, Israel decided to apply for the third time. On 22nd July 2021, the office of the current chairman of the African Union Commission, Chadian Moussa Faki Mahamat announced the decision of granting Israel observer status. When and how the turnaround for Israeli-African relations took place? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a crucial role in reviving Israel's connections with Africa. There were several motivations behind his African rapprochement. First of all, he wanted to explore and acquire fresh markets for Israel's agro-industry and defence sector in Africa. Besides, he was determined to improve African countries' standing on Israel-related issues on international platforms. When Netanyahu visited Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia in July 2016, he became the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit the continent in decades. And in June 2017, he became the first non-African leader to attend and speak at the 51st Summit of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). What is the current dispute? Immediately after Israel's accreditation to AU, Ramtane Lamamra, the Algerian Foreign Minister at that time, backed by 13 other AU members, opposed the decision and accused Faki of giving Israel recognition without valid reasons. South Africa was another country that vehemently opposed Israel's inclusion in AU. During the Apartheid regime, South Africa was one of Israel's few allies and voted in favour of the 1947 UN resolution that resulted in establishing the State of Israel. However, it changed under the ANC and Nelson Mandela over South Africa's strong support of the Palestinian cause. Current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa termed AU's unilateral decision to grant Israel observer status unjust and unnecessary. Finally, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, who was present at the AU summit, pushed member states to de-accredit Israel. In his remarks, he unequivocally stated that Israel should never be honoured for its human rights violations and its apartheid regime on the Palestinian people. What is the possible future of Israel in Africa? Africa and Israel have had a rocky relationship in the past. Nonetheless, many African leaders have realised that they can no longer afford to stay unfriendly to Israel. With the waning United States' influence, Israel, similar to China, India, and Turkey, seeks to assert its place on the continent. Israel's Africa policy indeed lacked any strategic direction for the past few decades. On the contrary, the trade between Israel and African countries culminated in Israel exporting its military weapons and expertise to Africa. Finally, Africa began to take a central position in Israel's foreign policies under Netanyahu. From this perspective, the failure of AU to revoke Israel's observer status indeed portray Israels diplomatic success. Nevertheless, a collective backing by the African bloc is still far away, mainly due to resistance from the countries influenced by the Arab Gulf states and selected regional giants such as Algeria, South Africa, and Nigeria. In fact, Kenya and Ethiopia are the only two countries that have openly supported Israel's membership in the AU. It's part of a long-term strategy, the fruits of which might become visible only years from now or even decades. For Israel, it took thousand years to become a country. In comparison, these are minor roadblocks on the path to an improved Israel-Africa relationship. The current determined efforts reflect vast potential Africa holds for Israel, particularly as a strategic buffer against its hostile neighbours. For the moment, even the adjournment of the debate can be considered as a diplomatic victory for Israel. Until then, Israel's Africa policy might be summarised as "Bilateral Relation, Multilateral Opposition". Johannesburg, April 28, 2022 - Numerous countries in Africa have developed or implemented data privacy and security laws in their countries in the last few years. With the rapid rise in digitisation as a result of the pandemic, the broad implementation of such laws across the continent has never been more urgent. Countries including Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe have been implementing new measures to protect and secure the personal information of their citizens. In Ghana, data protection is regulated under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (DPA) together with Article 18(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which provides citizens with a fundamental right to privacy. Enid Baaba Dadzie, Senior Associate at Kimathi & Partners in Ghana, says that because data protection is a new area in Ghana, there have not been any recent legal developments. "However, we understand that the regulator in Ghana has been discussing this with regulators in other African countries to consolidate and harmonise data protection laws, and adopt standard data protection laws across the continent. This is due to the emerging discussions on data sovereignty, economization and data localization. "The regulator in Ghana is also pushing data protection certification as an eligibility criterion for running a business in Ghana, as well as being in discussions with key persons in Ghana to set up a separate data/cyber court that can swiftly handle fast growing data breaches and cyber-crime. Further, the regulator previously published names of persons who were not compliant with the DPA in newspapers, and has recently become more aggressive with enforcement of the DPA," she explains. In 2019, Kenya passed Kenya's Data Protection Act (DPA), which is the primary legislation governing the collection and processing of personal data in Kenya. Sonal Sejpal, Partner at ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna, explains that the DPA regulates the processing of personal data, provision of rights of data subjects, creation of the obligations of data controllers, and establishes the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC). In addition to the DPA and the DPA Regulations, Kenya has also ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). "Last year, Kenya enacted the Data Protection (Civil Registration) Regulations, 2020 (DPA Regulations), which regulate the processing of personal data by civil registration entities, including the registrars of births, adoptions, persons, marriages and deaths, and entities responsible for issuing passports and any document of identity. Sonal notes that on 16 November 2020, Kenya appointed its first Data Commissioner who heads the ODPC. Under the guidance of the Commissioner, the ODPC oversees the implementation of the DPA and also ensures that data processors and data controllers comply with their obligations under the DPA. "Under the DPA, the Data Commissioner is empowered to issue guidelines or codes of practice for data controllers, data processors and data protection officers (DPOs). On 24 February 2021, in line with its mandate, the ODPC published the Guidance Notes on Consent and Data Protection Impact Assessment (Guidance Notes) and the Complaints Management Manual (Complaints Manual). Although the Guidance Notes and the draft Complaints Manual have been published on the ODPCs website, they did not undergo public participation, which is necessary under Kenyan law," she says. "Additionally, in January 2022, a set of three data protection regulations were gazetted, and are currently in force. These regulations are the Data Protection (General) Regulations, 2021, the Data Protection (Registration of Data Controllers and Data Processors) Regulations, 2021, and the Data Protection (Complaints Handling Procedure and Enforcement) Regulations, 2021. These regulations cater for the procedural aspects of the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019, and cover a wide spectrum, from the transfer of personal data, to how data subjects rights should be provided for, what the thresholds and requirements are for the registration of data controllers and data processors, how complaints relating to infringements and contraventions of the DPA will be handled and how enforcement procedures will be undertaken," Sonal notes. In Madagascar, the privacy of data is mainly governed by the Law No 2014-038 dated January 9 2015, on personal data protection (Malagasy Data Protection Law). Raphael Jakoba, Managing Partner of MCI Law Firm in Madagascar, explains, "The Law No 2014-006, amended and completed by Law No 2016-031 on the fight against cybercrime, also provides for provisions relating to the obligations and responsibilities of operators and carriers of telecommunications and electronic communication services, as well as specific incriminations for breaches of information systems. Law No 2016-056 also includes provisions relating to the data protection and retention obligations of electronic money institutions. These laws are in force. However, the Malagasy Data Protection Law and the Law No 2014-006 on the fight against cybercrime do not yet have implementing decrees." Ammar Oozeer, Barrister at Law at BLC Robert & Associates in Mauritius, says that data security and privacy in the country is governed by the Data Protection Act 2017 (DPA 2017) which is aligned with the Convention for Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (Convention 108). "In September 2020, Mauritius signed and ratified the Amending Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data," Ammar notes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR) is the principal privacy and data protection legislation in Nigeria. Ijeoma Uju, Partner at Templars law firm in Nigeria, said, "Apart from the NDPR which was issued by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in January 2019, in 2020, NITDA released the NDPR Implementation Framework (NDPRIF) to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the NDPR. Most recently in 2021, another significant development has been the Lagos State Data Protection Bill, which seeks to promote the protection of information processed by public and private bodies, and establish minimum requirements for the processing and protection of personal information on a state level," she notes. Emmanuel Muragijimana, Chief Associate at K-Solutions & Partners in Rwanda, explains that in Rwanda, "the draft Law on Data Protection and Privacy 2020 passed through all the parliamentary processes on 12 August 2021 and then underwent translation in the three official languages before submission for presidential assent. The law came into force on 15 October 2021 and is titled Law n 058/2021 of 13/10/2021 relating to the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy. The agency responsible to enforce compliance is the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA)." In South Africa, the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) came into force in July 2021. According to Janet MacKenzie, Partner and Head of the IPTech Practice at Baker McKenzie in Johannesburg, "POPIA promotes the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies, introduces minimum requirements for the processing of personal information, outlines the rights of data subjects, regulates the cross-border flow of personal information, introduces mandatory obligations to report and notify data breach incidents, and imposes statutory penalties for violations of the law. "Further, the Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Act, 2020 was signed into law in June 2021 and came into force on 1 December 2021. It brings the countrys cybersecurity legislation in line with global standards," she notes. "In October 2021, the Information Regulator requested that public comments be submitted on the Amendment of the Regulations Relating to the Protection of Personal Information, 2018( Draft Regulations). The Draft Regulations outline the procedure to be followed in certain circumstances contemplated in POPIA," she says. Kafui Achille Amekoudi, Avocat at AMKA Law Firm in Togo (Cabinet Me AMEKOUDI), notes that since 29 October 2019, Togo had adopted the law N2019-014 relating to Personal Data Protection. Further, on 30 July 2021, the national Assembly adopted a bill authorising the ratification of the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (the Malabo Convention). In Uganda, the Constitution of Uganda, 1995 as amended, the Data Protection and Privacy Act, No.9 of 2019, and the Data Protection and Privacy Regulations, 2021, govern data privacy and security. "The Data Protection and Privacy Act, enacted in 2019 (Act), guarantees the protection of privacy of the individual and of personal data by regulating the collection and processing of personal information. The Data Protection and Privacy Regulations, 2021 (Regulations) were published and gazetted in March 2021 by the Minister of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance," explains Arnold Lule Sekiwano, Partner at Engoru, Mutebi Advocates in Uganda. He notes that the recent passing of enabling Regulations on 12 March 2021 are intended to implement the Act by prescribing for the necessary procedural requirements. Zimbabwe has made significant progress in the past five years in promulgating laws that deal with data privacy and protection. "The Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] was promulgated recently in an effort to address the challenges that have arisen due to technological advancements, " explains Amalia Manuel, Partner at Atherstone & Cook in Zimbabwe. Amalia adds, "On 21 September 2021, Cabinet also approved the principles of the Electronic Transaction and Commerce Bill. We have not had sight of the principles and await further developments regarding the enactment of this law." Ramla Seidu 28.04.2022 LISTEN One of the pieces I always give to young people who approach me with requests of becoming avid readers is a very short speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. Six months before he crossed over to the shores of the afterlife, he gave a heartwarming advice to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967. He gave them an advice whose relevance went beyond the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania to obscure places in the world. This piece of advice affects the lives of the next generation and even the current generation. So, I always start new readers or people who want to go back to reading with that piece. He started by asking the young ones a very serious question. What is your lifes blueprint? Then he likened their lives to a building that is being constructed. Whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint, and that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, and a building is not well erected without a good, solid blueprint. Now each of you is in the process of building the structure of your lives, and the question is whether you have a proper, a solid and a sound blueprint. He then moved to suggest some of the things that are critical to the growth of every young person on earth. First is they being confident in themselves. And this is one issue that is of serious concern to me. At a time when all resources are abounded to us to rise, dare mighty things, and wow the world, that is the time we are so timid in our souls. We lose guard so easily and, in the end, shortchange our lives, the people around us and the world at large. Another thing he touched on belief in oneself. This I believe is still tied to the first one as it obliterates all fears. Our problem is that fear we put in ourselves so much that we fail to achieve what we could have by trying a little harder. We are too afraid to try valuable things like running for office, to try starting an organization or even try a business idea. We fear rejection, we fear to fail, and we fear to even have the confidence of our own minds. Our generation has forgotten the timeless statement that failure is the price of greatness and also an essential ingredient for a high achievement. Our generation needs to be reminded of the great words of Teddy Roosevelt who stated boldly that " far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat. " Number one in your lifes blueprint, he told them should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Dont allow anybody to make you feel that youre nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance. He then proceeded to tell them to aspire towards excellence in whatever fields they decide. That they should brace themselves to overcome the challenges that they will have to face and, in the journey, never to lose sight of the many opportunities that will be available to them. Opportunities their parents never had. He quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson who stated that if a man can write a better book or preach a better sermon or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, even if he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door. He encouraged them to stay in school despite all the sociological reasons and exhorted them to stand for something in life. He then concluded with an oft-quoted, oft-repeated paragraph that is to me the crux of the whole speech he gave the young ones. He stated if it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you cant be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. Be a bush if you cant be a tree. If you cant be a highway, just be a trail. If you cant be a sun, be a star. For it isnt by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are. Deep words. So, I sent this speech to Ramla Seidu, a young lady studying for her degree in Communication at the Ghana Institute of Journalism to read and produce a report on. She enthusiastically read it and in her own words described it as very motivational. I reproduce her report below unedited. Ramla Seidu At the very beginning of reading this speech I questioned myself. What is the purpose of my life? And Im sure most of you have questioned the purpose of your life several times. Everyone indeed needs a solid purpose to drive and fuel a successful life. Everyone with a purpose needs to affirm self-dignity, self-worth, and uniqueness. And with these one would not allow people tell them what they cannot do, or they should be. And that is because you know what youre capable of and the importance of your presence and any stance you take. This is very deep and needs to be reflected on. When one has self-dignity, self-worth, and identity you know what to offer therefore you do not allow people to bring you down. Most of us lack self-confidence and worth. The reason for which we work tirelessly and offer a lot to people only for peanuts and sometimes even for free. We dont even notice the fact that we are being used by people who have noticed our worth and fallouts. Until we discover our worth, dignity and uniqueness people will play opportunistic roles to milk the very best out of us and we will in return get nothing in exchange. It goes further to encourage the youth to choose their goals wisely and be determined to achieve it. As time flies you should choose what you want to do and set out to give the very best. There are so many opportunities out there that were unavailable to our parents as the author said. The greatest challenges will be faced as these doors of opportunities open. As we get admission into schools, we yearn to attend lets be ready to work harder for the best grades, assignments, projects, and others. On the other hand, work might also be demanding a lot from you. Thats when you realize these opportunities come with huge responsibilities that can make and unmake you. Your uniqueness and resilience will open new opportunities for you that you wouldnt be chasing. Opportunities will start chasing you. Do not give up on school because its psychologically draining, neither should you quit your job because its physically exhausting only to chase quick money that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Keep those opportunities as other better opportunities will start finding you. When you finally realize what you want to do, set all out eagerly to achieve it. And seek to do better than anybody else. Let your can-do spirit lead you. Because if you can dream it, you can achieve it. It wont be easy but remember when life gives you lemons you make lemonade right? It will be overwhelmingly stressful, when it does, reflect on the purpose of the journey from the onset and let that boost your energy to keep going. NB: The Writer is a Community Organizer, Youth-Activist, and a Student of Knowledge. Mr. Christopher Perry, the chief political officer of the US Embassy has commended the National Chief Imams offices and the various Muslim groups in Ghana. Mr Perry made the commendation during an engagement with the National Executive Secretary of the Office of National Chief Imam of Ghana, Alhaji Awaisu Bio Salisu for IFTAR at the National Mosque at Kanda in Accra which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult). The US Chief Political Officer in Ghana expressed delight and appreciation for the IFTAR and the opportunity to meet the major Islamic sects in Ghana together with the Office of the National Chief Imam. The four Islamic authorities and schools are the Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana; the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamat; the Ahamadiyya Muslims Mission; and the Shia Muslims. The meeting was to afford the diplomats an opportunity to understand Ramadan and a platform to interact with the National Chief Imams secretaries and build the appropriate contact with the four leading Muslim sects and organizations in Ghana. Present at the IFTAR were: Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, the Executive Secretary of the Tijjaniya Muslims Movement of Ghana (TMMG), Sheikh Swalah Bamba, the National Organizer of the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamat (ASWAJ); and Alhajj Muallim Bashiru Kwaw, representative of the Ahmadiyya Muslims Mission. Alhaji Salisu, the National Executive Secretary of the Office of National Chief Imam of Ghana pledged to hold periodic meetings with other Islamic sects. He said the aim is to build unity and understand each others operations and initiate platforms of communications and sharing of knowledge, and experience, and enhance working relationships between the Office of the National Chief Imam of Ghana and the four leading Islamic sects in Ghana. The representatives discussed a variety of subjects and issues affecting the Muslim community, good governance, and how religious leaders could work together to hold political leaders accountable to their people. They all agreed to expand the representations and include some high profile Muslim figures and organizations that are doing well in the Muslim communities such as the Islamic Council for Development and Humanitarian Services (ICODEHS) and the National Muslim Conference (NMC) in their next round of meeting. Ghana, like most nations around the world, has Islamic bodies and schools and a few other NGOs that formed the Office of the National Chief Imam or Office of the Grand Mufti although they all maintained their independence. The National Chief Imam also doubles as the spiritual leader of the Tijjaniya Muslims Movement of Ghana (TMMG), a very vibrant powerful force and organization among the Tijjaniya authorities in Ghana. Mr. Yves Nii Noi Hanson-Nortey, Member of Parliament for Tema Central has commended government for the upgrade of some roads in Tema Community Seven which forms part of the 100-kilometer road rehabilitation earmarked for the Greater Accra by the Ministry of Roads and Highways. Mr. Hanson-Nortey said the first place of call was the community seven-link road from the harbour dual carriageway to the various communities, as inner roads in the Union Electoral Area, Tema Community seven are receiving bitumen overlay as part of the governments promise to improve road infrastructure in the country this year. He said even though the road was very important to commuters to use to reduce traffic on the dual carriageway, it has seen no rehabilitation since its construction over 50 years ago, making it difficult to drive on due to the many potholes it developed. Mr Hanson-Nortey pledged during inspection of the progress of work as captured by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) that he would continue to lobby the Roads Ministry with the help of the Urban Roads Department and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to get more such rehabilitation for the many deplorable roads in the constituency. The MP identified some bad roads in the Tema Central Constituency as the light industrial area, communities eight and nine, corporative, and the Uhuru Electoral areas, and committed to continue with lobbying for these roads also have the needed facelift. In a related development, Mr. Abeiku Amponsah, a taxi driver who said he has been operating in the area for the past 20 years, appreciated the work and requested that other roads that got muddy especially when it rained should also be looked at immediately. He commended the MP, and the Government for the initiative and called for expansion of the road network. Other taxi drivers operating in the Tema Central Constituency also commended the MP and the Road Ministry for rehabilitating the roads as it has a major effect on the discharge of their work within the community. 28.04.2022 LISTEN The government has been challenged to consider dental care under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) policy to help eradicate the dental problem, Dr. George Nana Brown, a dentist practicing in the United Kingdom has stated. Dr Brown who is a shareholder of Smile 4 Ghana Foundation stated that a survey conducted revealed that many people living in deprived areas in the country do not have the access to dental care mainly because of financial issues, hence the need to classify it under the NHIS. He also called on the government to within the possible time while considering the capturing dental health under the NHIS should make dental care free to all citizens in Ghana regardless of their financial status. Dr. Brown made this call during a free dental screening for the people of Tema Newtown organized by the Smile 4 Ghana Foundation, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. Dr. Brown said it was because of this that was why Smile 4 Ghana Foundation team who are also dentists decided to start the foundation to help people in these areas but they cannot do all since some require surgery. He added that both pregnant and nursing mothers dental care issues should be more convenient to them as it also sometimes contributes to complications during and after childbirth because dental cases could lead to diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Answering a question on the major problem of dental issues that had been detected in Tema Newtown, he said that the major problem there was tooth decay and because the people could not afford to go see the dentist they leave it like that. Dr. Brown said he didnt believe in the fact that some doctors say one must visit the dentist twice a year but an individual has to go see the dentist based on what the issue is with the tooth. He advised the general to cut down on sugary foods, make sure they brushed their teeth both day and night and also try as much as possible to reduce how they spend money on things that will destroy their lives but rather save and be able to see a dentist when the need arises. The fight against corruption is a national issue hence the need for the citizenry to voluntarily blow the whistle on any act of corruption to the right institutions for the necessary investigation and possible prosecution. Corruption could impede investment, with consequent effects on growth and jobs creation, therefore, every citizen is needed to make corruption a high-risk activity to engage in, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) stated at the 12th monthly 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. The monthly engagement also serves as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters towards national development in general and the growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) at Tema. Mr. Michael Boadi, GII Fund-raising Manager spoke on the topic: Is the fight against corruption a mirage or reality?" explained that for the fight against corruption to be a mirage or reality would depend on the active participation of the citizenry by providing tip-offs and shunning the act. He said citizens must play an active role in governance from the local level to the national to ensure that human and financial resources are used efficiently to attract more investment and grow the country more rapidly. He noted that another major weapon to use against corruption is citizens volunteering information to the appropriate state and non-state actors on acts of corruption will accelerate the fight against the canker in the country. According to him act of corruption is perpetuated across the breadth and width of the country hence requiring national solutions adding that the country has been working to mitigate the pernicious effects of corruption in the various public and corporate institutions. Mr. Boadi said, "Ghana has made several efforts over the years through religious leaders being used to preach on morality, public execution of corrupt officials, formulation of draconian laws against act of corruptions, public sector reforms, and review of legislation. He said other state acts against corruption include the enactment of the public procurement laws, the anti-money laundering law, the whistle-blowers act, the financial administrative act, and the Asset Declaration Law. He said the state had also empowered bodies such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), EOCO, and the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor among other key interventions over the years. He said despite the efforts the government must make inroads to route-out corruption, improve the management of its public finance, and make its procurement system more transparent to reduce the colossal misappropriations of public funds that come out after the Annual Auditor Generals Report. He said while speed is understandable, without proper controls it exposes governments to a variety of corruption risks that may undermine the effectiveness of their responses. He noted that corruption is an abuse of entrusted power for private gains which could lead to theft, wastage, and misuse of scarce resources. Mr. Boadi said reform efforts and progress could be achieved through better and more open processes, professional accountability systems, and the use of the latest advanced technologies to capture, analyze, and share data to prevent, detect, and deter corrupt behaviour. Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager entreated both public and private institutions to partner effectively with the media in their programmes and activities to prevent the incidence of corruption. has urged stakeholders in the public service to step up the fight against corruption. Mr. Ameyibor explained that the role of the media was critical in promoting good governance and controlling corruption. The fight against corruption will bear little fruit without the media raising the awareness of public officials and the general public to the dangers of corruption and the duty of every citizen to combat corruption. The media must be empowered to monitor the trend of corruption, practices and avoid sensational stories, saying that bias and sensationalism reporting could undermine the ability of anti-corruption agencies to deal effectively with corruption. Mr. Ameyibor stressed that the media needs to reinforce the work of anti-corruption bodies and strengthen the citizens to resist, condemn and report corruption. He urged the media to collaborate with anti-corruption bodies at the national, regional, and district levels and entreated them to be bold in publishing information about corrupt officials and be prepared to name and shame without compromise. Mr Ken Thompson CEO of Dalex Finance 28.04.2022 LISTEN Recruitment of party loyalists into top managerial positions in the public and civil service sector does not augur well for productivity. The problem is that its very difficult for political appointees to perform even with the required qualifications. Because they are appointed as a reward for something they have done in the past. "Some of the things they might have done in the past included being a serial caller, cooking for party delegates, providing chairs during constituency elections, offering accommodation for party officials, among others," Mr Kenneth Thompson Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance stated in reaction to recent agitations about the remuneration of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the workers neutrality allowance for civil servants. So he or she has done the work already and is being rewarded and therein lies the problem, Mr. Thompson, who was interacting with some media personnel in Tema as monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema on Thursday noted. Mr. Thompson, therefore, adjudged the situation as a bottleneck in the appointment procedure of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Chief Executive Officers and Board of Directors which according to him hinders the maximum performance and the general output of state entities. He said even though the Board of Directors and Chief Executives of State-Owned Enterprises, every year sign a performance contract with the government due to the political influence and connections they are not held accountable for the terms of the contract. Mr. Thompson said the performance contract has become an annual media ritual to send a certain signal to the public that the public officials are performing while in reality, only a few are carrying the load of governance. He noted that the poor performance of CEOs of most SOEs has contributed to the collapse, or liquidation owing to mismanagement and lack of planning. It is hard for SOEs managers to perform as most often their appointment was as a reward for the work done politically, not necessarily based on competence, and their performance is not tied to any performance benchmarks. Some of these contested for Parliamentary Elections and lost but their general contribution to the party winning the general elections must be rewarded through the appointment as CEOs, board members, and other political positions, Mr. Thompson stated. Mr. Thompson explained the hue and cry is not about the quantum of the compensation but the fact that the compensation is not linked to performance. The issue is not how much they are paid. The issue in the public domain is the justification for the huge compensations that most of these CEOs received for doing practically nothing while their staffs are poorly rewarded but they are tasked to undertake all the workload, he said. The Dalex Finance CEO also appealed to the government to make infrastructure and equipment available to SOEs so they can in turn work effectively and produce better results. He called on the government to promote SOEs by providing adequate Information Communication and Technology at workplaces since working with good equipment and materials in an enabling environment is essential. Sheik Alhaji Saleh Iddrisu Marwii, the Chief Imam for Adjei-Kojo and Kanewu has called on the Muslims to always have the fear of Almighty Allah in all their endeavours. He reminded Muslims that every soul shall taste death and account for his or her deeds whether good or bad before the Almighty Allah. The Chief Imam made the call during interaction with the media as monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) at Tema on Thursday with a charge on Muslim faithful to embrace the noble teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, and the society will be a better place. Sheikh Marwii noted, only the fear of God Almighty and constant supplications to by all Muslims faithful can bring an end to the hardship and misfortunes in the country. Everyone shall return to the Almighty Allah and account for his deeds hence there is the need to ensure fairness and intermingle with one another most modestly. The Chief Imam also appealed to wealthy individuals to give their zakat during the holy month. He emphasized that zakat is necessary to alleviate the suffering of the less privileged citizens pointing out the fact that, Ramadan is a period of sharing love, wealth, and goodwill. According to him, Zakat is a pillar of Islam mandated by Allah to improve the standard of living of needy and less privileged in society adding that lets show love, charity and to extend hands of friendship to the less privileged. Dr Stephen Ayisi Addo, Programme Manager for the National AIDS/STI Control Programme has cautioned employers against using the HIV and AIDS status of prospective employees as a prerequisite for employment. He said the act is an affront to Ghanas Health Laws and the Workplace HIV/TB policy. Dr Ayisi Addo who was speaking at the Ghana News Agency-Tema Regional Offices stakeholder engagement seminar noted that management of organizations should not even move to the situation of mandatorily demanding such screening and subsequently using it as a condition. Speaking on the topic, Workplace policy on HIV/AIDS, who enforces it, Dr Ayisi Addo stressed that the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention and the Ghana Aids Commission Act state clearly that no one should be denied employment because of their status, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. .The GNA-Tema stakeholder engagement was a progressive media caucus platform created to allow both state and non-state stakeholders to interact with journalists and address national issues while deepening the working relations with the stakeholders to ensure that both the media and the corporate world work together toward national development. He emphasized that we should not impose screening of HIV on anybody as a condition for employment even though as a Programme we are interested in many people knowing their status, but not as a condition for certain important things in life like employment, and marriage. He disclosed that the programme was engaging with the military to review its policy of mandatory testing for recruitment, saying that, they do it mandatory because they need people of a certain performance rate to be able to thrive effectively in a strong stressful environment, so it is because of that purposes. Dr Ayisi Addo noted that one of the reasons why management could know a persons status was for the placement of the person at a position that would not affect his or her immunity, but not to discriminate against that person. He stressed that help the person with medical care, change his work schedule but not to lay them off because they tested positive. HIV, he said was a workplace issue as it affected people who come to work and one could contract it there, therefore the need for every organization to come out with HIV Workplace Policy on how to better manage positive employees without it affecting their outputs. A workplace is a place for interaction, social intercourse and in the process, there is physical contact and therefore communicable diseases, like COVID-19 and HIV can occur, HIV is created in the workplace and it must therefore be managed in the workplace, he said. He indicated that issues surrounding HIV and TB must be handled with non-discrimination, saying stigma and discrimination were big barriers to HIV prevention. Dr Ayisi Addo explained that stigmatization was tagging something or somebody that leads to people responding to it negatively so the moment I tag something and people start shying away, I have stigmatized the person and we do that sometimes carelessly. New York, April 28, 2022 Malian authorities should reverse the suspensions of French broadcasters Radio France Internationale and France 24, and allow the foreign press to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Malis Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization suspended both broadcasters on March 16, after accusing them of airing false allegations about abuses by the countrys military. On Wednesday, April 27, Malis High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced that those suspensions would be definitive, according to reports by RFI and France 24. Authorities in Mali should reverse their decision to make the suspensions of RFI and France 24 definitive, and cease their efforts to prevent journalists from covering and distributing news, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Malian authorities decision to solidify these suspensions indicates just how committed they are to denying those in their country access to information. The broadcasters state-owned parent company, France Media Monde, announced it would contest the suspensions, according to those reports. CPJ called the High Authority for Communication of Mali and sent questions via messaging app to Sambi Toure, the director of the governments information center, and Harbert Traore, a technical adviser for the Ministry of Communication, but did not receive any replies. 28.04.2022 LISTEN The vice president of the Private Health Facility Association of Ghana (PHFAoG) Mr. Samuel Boakye Donkor has said, to achieve universal quality health care delivery as a nation, government must invest heavily in the health sector. He argues that the health sector needs more financial assistance than the educational sector. According to him, some laws governing the health sector must be amended to improve the quality of healthcare in the sector. "The laws regulating the sector must be amended. We have made laws for so many years life is changing we are in the technological world. Day in and day out things are changing why do we still have to hold on to such laws. Let's adapt to the new system to serve ourselves. Government should have it as a core that we are saving lives therefore no amount can buy it. "If you are in a hospital no matter where you are, you must employ 20 nurses and 3 doctors and also NHIS law says if you a doctor serving at a clinic per your level even if you can save a life don't save a life because that's not your level; the case must be transferred to a hospital must change," he stated. Mr Donkor noted that without good health one cannot go to school or workplace for government to collect taxes to develop the country and grow the economy. "I always say it needs more money than education because we save lives and saving live comes with a cost. A set up to save a life without money we can not buy anything run the facility," he stressed. He pointed out that delayed payment of monies owed service providers by the NHIS puts them in a difficult situation which sometimes affects smooth operations. "NHIS's major challenge is paying us on time. Sometimes it can take six months, a whole year without payment, how do we pay our employees. "Again, our economy is not allowing us to have a stable price for drugs, machines, and not even for payment of salaries. Dollars are always on the rise, manufacturers crying a lot. But the same tariffs NHIS pay us five years ago are the same," he intimated. He revealed this to the journalists while speaking on the topic; " Access to Finance" at an ongoing three days exhibition of West Africa Pharma Exhibition at the Accra international conference centre. 28.04.2022 LISTEN President Nana Addo Dankwa Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said there are coup-mongers who seek to cut short the democracy of Ghana by pronouncing a military takeover in Ghana. According to him, such persons either do not respect the Ghanaian people or fear that they will be rejected in elections hence calling for the overthrow of an elected government. President Akufo-Addo urged all Ghanaians to reject such persons. Delivering his speech on the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana on Thursday, April 28, he said Several attempts to take Ghana down the path of multiparty democracy was met with stiff opposition and cynical response. They will rather have authoritarian rule foisted on the citizens claiming Ghana was underdeveloped and we needed to get things done in a hurry. They claimed that democracy was cumbersome and will divide Ghanaians along tribal lines. However, the word was widespread and unanimous to have a decade-long ban on party-political activities imposed in 1981 lifted and the return to multiparty democracy established. The Ghanaian people wanted a living condition of freedom where there was respect for individual liberty. He added that some people want to return to the dark days of authoritarian rule. Simply because they have no respect for the Ghanaian people, they are either unwilling to subject themselves to the open scrutiny of the Ghanaian people or because they know that they will be rejected by the Ghanaian people. Thus seeking a shortcut to office in power. Let us resist such persons for our common good. The African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has said there is no need for the Government to establish new State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the energy and mining sectors in the wake of continuous losses incurred by existing energy sector SOEs. ACEP said its perusal of the 2020 State Ownership Report indicated that energy sector SOEs posted a cumulative loss of GHS 9.1 billion between 2018 and 2020. On the back of this, the energy policy think tank at a press conference in Accra today, Thursday, April 28, expressed concerns over Government's establishment of three new investment vehicles in the mining sector. It said the establishment of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), the Ghana Integrated Steel Development Corporation (GISDEC) and the Mineral Income Investment Fund (MIIF) may not achieve their intended purpose as it had been the case with other SOEs. Briefing the media on emerging issues in the energy sector, Mr Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director, ACEP, said the energy sector "maintains the top spot on the hierarchy of waste generation sectors." "The recent State Ownership reports show that the trend in the failures of many state-owned enterprises has not changed. There is no policy clarity on how these new agencies would differ to attract the needed investment in mining. "Already, the performance of these entities is exposing the quality of assumptions made for their establishment" he said. Mr Boakye said there was an urgent need to restructure the energy sector institutions to enhance their performance. He said agencies that could be efficiently managed by the private sector and regulated by the state "do not need to exist, as government agencies are susceptible to political interference and the generation of unwarranted losses." Mr Boakye said there was also the need to examine all energy sector SOEs with clear and trackable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to warrant continuous public investments. "If we take 1.3 billion cedis from the budget and give it to MIIF to go and manage they'll generate more return - a hope that history tells us never exist. "We are only risking the opportunity to save lives by building roads but throwing monies at political entities, which may not result in the ultimate benefit for the Ghanaian people," he said. GNA President Nana Akufo-Addo has sided with calls for any amendment of Ghanas 30-year-old 1992 constitution to reflect the dynamics of modern day democracy. He is of the view that, despite the democratic gains and decades of stability, the countrys laws cannot remain sacrosanct, thus efforts must be made to seal loopholes if necessary. In a national address to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the referendum approving the 1992 Constitution, President Akufo-Addo maintained that Ghanaians should be open to constitutional amendments when the time is ripe. On this anniversary occasion, I am proud and believe strongly the values and principles of the constitution that emerge from the Referendum and this democratic heritage of the constitution of Ghana. I am calling on all Ghanaians also to accept vigorously this same belief. We should never forget though that the constitution is a living document, and so whenever circumstances require, we should be prepared to make the necessary amendments to affect the needs of contemporary and future times. The 1992 constitution of Ghana is the most enduring, lasting over two decades and earning Ghana the reputation of a beacon of democracy in Africa In January 2010, the Constitution Review Commission was set up to consult with the people of Ghana on the operation of the 1992 Constitution and on any changes that need to be made to the Constitution. The Commission was also tasked to present a draft bill for the amendment of the Constitution in the event that any changes are warranted. But years down the line, some experts believe portions of the document come with many challenges that need to be addressed to make it better. Many believe the country missed an opportunity to review portions of it despite the extensive work done by the Commission at a huge cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer. Meanwhile, 30 years after Ghana decided to adopt the democratic system of government, President Nana Akufo-Addo says it's been the country's best decision so far. On April 28, 1992, the country went to the polls to vote for democracy after the late president Jerry John Rawlings came into power through a coup in 1981. The results came out that the majority of the citizens wanted democracy, hence they voted in favor. It was 3,408,119 for the motion, and 272,855 against the motion, representing 92.59% and 7.41% respectively. the constitution was later overwhelmingly approved in the referendum and set up a liberal democratic state founded on the separation of powers with exclusive power in the judiciary to superintend and enforce the constitution and protect the fundamental human rights of the citizenry. We have since then experienced the longest uninterrupted and stable constitutional governance in our history. The benefits are showing, we have over the last 30 years witnessed sustained growth in every facet of national life. There has been considerable improvement in Human Development Index, simply put, democracy has been good for us, President Akufo-Addo said. ---citinewsroom President Nana Akufo-Addo says he has not given up on his quest to amend Article 55 (3) of the 1992 constitution to pave way for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on partisan basis. He maintains that a repeal of the law that prohibits political parties from sponsoring candidates for elections at the local level will deepen decentralization and democracy in the country. In 2019, the Akufo-Addo administration initiated moves to democratize the selection of leaders at the local government level with a proposal for the amendment of Article 243 (1) and a further amendment to Article 55 (3) of the Constitution, to enable political parties to participate in local level elections. But the plan hit a dead end following a lack of bipartisan backing for the referendum to amend Article 55 (3), pushing the President to withdraw these reforms. Nana Akufo-Addo, while addressing the nation on the 30th anniversary of the referendum approving the 1992 Constitution, said it will still not be out of place for these discussions to be had again. I have said it before and I will repeat it, I will continue to work for the extensive national consensus on this issue and should such a consensus be attained for a repeal of Article 55 (3) of the constitution and an agreement reached for political parties to partake and sponsor candidate for elections in the district assemblies. At any point during the remainder of my tenure of office as President of the republic, the matter will be brought back again to the front-burner of our public discourse for the necessary action. I am hoping after completing the necessary consultation, I will surely be in the position to announce the way forward on this important matter, he said. Although the 1992 Constitution, in Article 55 (3), gives the mandate for the organisation of political party elections, it excluded the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives. Article 55(3) states that Subject to the provisions of this Article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office other than to District Assemblies or lower local government units. Currently, the President nominates all MMDCEs for confirmation by their assemblies. But he argued that the turnout of national elections in the fourth republic has been 72 percent; one of the highest in the world with that of non-partisan local government elections always hovering around 30 percent. He wants this trend reversed once and for all because no significant commitment has since been made to ensuring the election of MMDCEs. One primary goal of the constitution was to decentralize the structure of the country so that government will be brought closer to the people. One fundamental barrier to the realization of this goal has to do with the ramifications of Article 55 clause 3 of the constitution which currently bars political parties' involvement in district assembly elections and local government. The attempt I made in 2019 to repeal this provision and allow for the participation of political parties in local government was aborted because of the lack of broad national consensus when the opposition NDC signaled its inability to back the repeal. It was and continues to be my view that the repeal or modification of an entrenched clause of the constitution should attract widespread support to make it acceptable and healthy for the body politic. We should further bear in mind the strong attachment of the Ghanaian people to multiparty democratic elections. ---citinewsroom The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has agreed with calls for the 1992 Constitution to be amended on the condition that it will be beneficial to future generations. In the past year, several Civil Society Organisations including the Economic Fighters League have called for a review of the countrys Constitution. While many argue too much power is given to the executive arm of government, there have been proposals for several amendments. In his address on the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Constitution on Thursday, April 28, 2022, President Akufo-Addo said any necessary amendment to the Constitution should be made if needed. The Constitution is a living document and so whenever circumstances require, we should be prepared to make the necessary amendments to affect the needs of contemporary and future times, the president said. Touching on coups in his address, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged the Ghanaian citizenry to reject people with such an archaic ideology. According to the President, such people have no respect for the Ghanaian people. Simply because they have no respect for the Ghanaian people, they are either unwilling to subject themselves to the open scrutiny of the Ghanaian people or because they know that they will be rejected by the Ghanaian people. Thus seeking a shortcut to office in power. Let us resist such persons for our common good, President Akufo-Addo said. The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the Ghanaians to stand firm and oppose devilish sermons from coup mongers. According to H.E Nana Akufo-Addo, people who preach coup are only seeking a shortcut to power and have no respect for the masses. Delivering an address on the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Constitution on Thursday, April 28, 2022, President Akufo-Addo stressed that all coup mongers must be opposed. They will rather have authoritarian rule foisted on the citizens claiming Ghana was underdeveloped and we needed to get things done in a hurry. They claimed that democracy was cumbersome and will divide Ghanaians along tribal lines. However, the word was widespread and unanimous to have a decade-long ban on party political activities imposed in 1981 lifted and the return to multiparty democracy established. The Ghanaian people wanted a living condition of freedom where there was respect for individual liberty, President Akufo-Addo said. He continued, Simply because they have no respect for the Ghanaian people, they are either unwilling to subject themselves to the open scrutiny of the Ghanaian people or because they know that they will be rejected by the Ghanaian people. Thus seeking a shortcut to office in power. Let us resist such persons for our common good. Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also responded to calls for parts of the 1992 Constitution to be amended. In his address today, the President noted that if necessary, parts of the Constitution that need amendment should be considered. He, however, emphasised that it should be on the condition that it will be for the good of both contemporary and future generations. The Constitution is a living document and so whenever circumstances require, we should be prepared to make the necessary amendments to affect the needs of contemporary and future times, the president indicated. 28.04.2022 LISTEN A former Parliamentary Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Tamale North Constituency and a member of the 2020 Northern region campaign team, Chief Akilu Sayibu has called on the various contestants in the party's constituency elections to accept the outcome of the results. "To those who will emerge victoriously, celebrate moderately and reach out to the losers for unity ahead of the 2024 elections. Let's remain united for victory 2024", he stated. He spoke to the press in an interview ahead of the elections slated for Thursday, April 28, 2022 across the country. Chief Akilu Sayibu who is also the publisher of the Voiceless media also used the occasion to appeal to the media to give positive coverage to the elections to ensure less or no tensions after the elections. The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), is set to hold its Constituency Delegates Conference from April 28, 2022, to May 2, 2022 to elect constituency officers. A statement from the party said the congress will come off despite the statutory holidays of May Day and Eid-Ul-Fitr. The party has entreated the Constituency Election Committees to determine the appropriate day within the given period to conduct the conference and hold the elections under the supervision of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, in accordance with the partys rules and regulations. ---The Voiceless Media April 28, 2022 Ukraine Open Thread 2022-56 Only news & views related to the Ukraine conflict ... Only news & views related to the Ukraine conflict ... Posted by b on April 28, 2022 at 12:05 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page Higher U.S. menu prices and easing COVID-19 restrictions in Europe helped McDonalds offset troubled markets like China and Russia during the first quarter. Revenue rose 11% to $5.66 billion in the January-March period, topping Wall Street expectations of $5.57 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. The Chicago burger giant said U.S. prices were up 8% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year as the company struggled with inflation. McDonald's initially predicted U.S. costs for commodities like cooking oil and paper would rise 8% this year; now, the company expects those costs to rise between 12% and 14%, Chief Financial Officer Kevin Ozan said during a conference call with investors. Labor costs are also 10% higher after McDonald's raised workers' pay at its company-owned U.S. stores last year, which account for about 5% of its domestic store base. Some consumers appear to be choosing cheaper menu items or ordering fewer items at a time. But McDonald's President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said demand is still strong. The overall U.S. consumer from our vantage point is in good shape," he said. U.S. same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, rose 3.5% in the January-March period. Kempczinski said McDonald's is analyzing its options in Russia, where it temporarily closed 850 stores in early March. Kempczinski said the company will provide an update on its next steps no later than the end of the second quarter. Ozan said McDonalds is losing around $55 million per month in sales from the Russian store closures. McDonald's continues to pay its 62,000 employees in Russia. It also closed 108 restaurants in Ukraine in February and is paying its employees there as well. McDonalds said it spent $27 million on salaries, leases and supplier payments in Russia and Ukraine during the quarter. The company also said it has $100 million worth of inventory it will probably dispose of since its restaurants are closed. Excluding costs in Russia and Ukraine and other one-time items, McDonald's earned $2.28 per share for the quarter, well ahead of analyst forecasts of $2.17 per share. But the Ukraine war costs and inflation took a toll on profits. McDonald's said its net income dropped 28% to $1.1 billion during the quarter. Global same-store sales rose nearly 12% for the quarter. The easing of COVID restrictions in many markets, including the United Kingdom, France and Brazil, boosted sales, McDonalds said. McDonald's said sales in many major markets, including Canada and Australia, have returned to pre-pandemic levels. But China reported negative same-stores sales as it struggled with a COVID resurgence and new restrictions. McDonald's Corp. shares were up 2% in morning trading Thursday. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted their first official film screening at the White House on Thursday. The Bidens showed HBOs The Survivor, in honor of Yom HaShoah and Holocaust Remembrance Week, in the White House movie theater on the ground floor of the East Wing. FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) May 27, 2016, was the day that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's marriage went from private misery to public, career-killing spectacle. Heard, who had just filed for divorce, arrived at a Los Angeles courthouse that day to seek a temporary restraining order, showing up with a clear mark on her face, which she said Depp inflicted during a fight six days prior. Photographers captured the scene, and the allegations became tabloid fodder across the globe. Depp says he never hit her, and now he's suing Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court. On Wednesday, jurors in the case heard from police officers who responded to the couple's penthouse immediately after the fight. None of the officers saw the red mark that was so prominent six days later. Officer Tyler Hadden, one of the officers who responded to the couple's penthouse apartment on May 21, 2016, said Heard refused to talk to officers and had no signs of an injury, although he acknowledged she'd been crying and was red-faced. Just because I see a female with pink cheeks and pink eyes doesn't mean something happened, he said in a recorded deposition played for jurors Wednesday. Depp had already left the penthouse by the time officers arrived. Officers said they had no idea who Heard was, or that she was married to Depp. He said neither Heard nor anyone at the penthouse complex was willing to tell him or the other officers who Heard's husband was. Jurors heard similar testimony Tuesday from an officer who accompanied Hadden to the penthouse. An officer who made a follow-up visit that night, William Gatlin, testified Wednesday that he saw no injuries either, though he acknowledged that his visit was brief and he got no closer than 10 feet (3 meters) from Heard. He said his check was a perfunctory one because it appeared that the call was just a duplicate to the one that Hadden had already responded to. The jury saw bodycam video of Gatlin's response, which was less than two minutes. Heard could only be seen at a distance. Heard's lawyers, in their questions, have suggested that Heard could have covered her injuries with makeup, because at that point she still wanted to protect Depp. They also asked officers why they didn't investigate a potential case of domestic violence more thoroughly. The officers' testimony is some of Depp's best evidence that Heard contrived the allegations against her ex-husband. It complements earlier testimony from witnesses who say they saw Heard and her sister practicing fake punches in the days after the attack. It's far from definitive, though. Heard's lawyers have yet to put on their case, and some of her friends say they were at the penthouse when Depp allegedly attacked her. And even if jurors were to conclude that Depp never assaulted his wife on May 21, they have heard evidence of other alleged assaults before and during the couple's brief marriage. Depp sued Heard for libel after she wrote an op-ed piece piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse. The article doesnt mention Depp by name, but his lawyers say the article defames him nevertheless because it's a clear reference to the highly publicized allegations Heard made when she filed for divorce in 2016 and obtained a temporary restraining order as well. Jurors also heard recorded testimony Wednesday from Christian Carino, an agent who represented Depp and Heard and was friends with both. He said he believes the abuse allegations scuttled Depp's participation in a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film, but he did not pin the loss of that film specifically on Heard's 2018 op-ed piece. Heard's lawyers told jurors in opening statements that there must be proof that the Post article specifically damaged Depp's reputation for him to prevail in a libel case. Carino also testified that Heard twice tried to reconcile with Depp, even after she filed for divorce once in 2016 and again in 2017. At one point in 2016 he brokered a meeting between Heard and a reluctant Depp that ended in a fight. He also testified briefly about Heard's subsequent relationship with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Heard texted Carino in 2017 professing sadness about her breakup with Musk. Carino seemed incredulous, and texted in response to Heard, You told me a thousand times you were just filling space. A 8,000-square-foot facility has been reimagined to meet the changing needs of the community. Renovations were three years in the making, but now the Fredda Turner Durham Childrens Museum will reopen this Sunday. The reopening event will be free to the community with fun activities, inflatables, music, games, dinosaurs and more. The childrens museum features two major art projects from two Dallas-based artists. Muralist Mari Pohlman, who created a mural for the Museum of the Southwest during SeptemberFest, came back to town to create a mural on the ceiling of the childrens museum. The new mural resembles the work Pohlman has done on the outside of the Museum of the Southwest. This mural was definitely a little bit challenging since it was on the ceiling, she said. It went really smoothly and I paced myself. The mural took 11 days for her to complete. Pohlman is a resident artist at the Cedars Union arts incubator in Dallas. She has completed large-scale artworks throughout the D-FW area (and beyond) for clients, such as Heineken, Frost Bank, Lyft and Wal-Mart. I wanted this mural to coordinate with the other one, Pohlman said. I made sure that I incorporated a similar type of shapes and similar colors so they would tie together. This one has a lot more symmetry because I wanted to work with the octagon shape of the ceiling. This mural was purely abstract, while the other mural has shapes correlating to the museum and Midland. It doesnt have the figurative elements that the other mural has but it still used a similar type of shape to connect the two murals, she said. This was also the first ceiling she painted because she usually avoids painting on those spaces because it can be hard on her neck. She saw a picture of the ceiling, which she said had so much potential for a cool design, and started brewing up ideas. When I saw the octagon shape, I had a vision in mind because it was something Ive wanted to do for a while, she said. I talked to Matthew, the curator, to let him know I had a vision for a design kind of like a mandala or a kaleidoscope coming out from the center. She added that it was her goal to make an inviting and colorful design to welcome guests into the museum. Follow Pohlman on Instagram and TikTok @marpohl. -- The childrens museum also features a fun collaboration between kids from the community and award-winning glass artist Simon Waranch. She created a special project art piece for the reimagined childrens museum. The Dallas-based artist has ties to Midland through Trinity School of Midland director of Fine Arts Paige Gates. I was a teachers assistant for a class at the Corning Museum of Glass, he said. One of the students was Paige Gates in 2019. She had just started blowing glass and had a mobile glass studio. He has visited Midland many times for glass-blowing demonstrations with Gates, using the Glass Hopper, a mobile glass-blowing studio. The last time he came for a demonstration was during SeptemberFest and thats how he got connected with people at the museum. In his talks with curator Matthew Ward about doing a show at the museum the topic of community engagement came up. At that time the museum was in the midst of renovating the childrens museum, Waranch said. What came about was an open call for the community where kids could draw a 2D, hot air balloon then we picked the winners and I turned them into glass sculptures. The museum ended up getting 600 submissions for the collaboration. About 30 glass air balloons with baskets ended up being hung in a balcony at the childrens museum. The childrens museum will host a day camp this summer. Discover Camp will explore art and science. The camp will be a half-day camp from 1 to 5 p.m., and there will be two sessions, one for second and fifth graders and one for sixth and eighth-graders. Register at https://www.museumsw.org/programs?fbclid=IwAR3PeFLGOmV0EkvagVvH2Iw4hDN_Yx16O9A-NbcgKagNXG8b-k5w3RjSTRk. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Lone River Beverage Co. has produced another canned seltzer encapsulating far West Texas culture. The new margarita-style beverage, Lone River Ranch Rita, launched this week. The Ranch Rita is made with agave nectar and a taste of lime -- a premium take on a canned margarita-style beverage with quality ingredients, full flavor and a 6 percent ABV. Lone Rivers CEO, founder and native Midlander Katie Beal Brown is excited for the brand to continue to push the envelope when it comes to canned seltzers. We are really excited for this new chapter and evolution beyond Ranch Water by bringing something new to the consumer, Brown said. Our mission stays true to celebrate the culture of West Texas and share that with more people. Upon introducing the Ranch Rita, Brown said that the company loved the story and fact that the margarita cocktail was invented in far West Texas. She said it has been the company's intention to bring that story to the masses. Lone River Beverage Co.s Ranch Water was originally launched in April 2020. The brands dollar share of the total hard seltzer category has more than tripled on a national scale, with it now sitting as the No. 8 hard seltzer brand overall. I think we really pioneered the agave style seltzer space when we introduced Ranch Water a few years ago, she said. Its been amazing to see Lone River grow beyond our single-brand into a category. Brown added that the company is looking to grow the seltzer category as a whole with the introduction of the Ranch Rita. The margarita is the No. 1 cocktail in America right now, so we thought it was a natural progression, she said. Want to know more? Visit https://www.loneriverbevco.com. See More Collapse There are occasions when Texans reach for a ranch water cocktail and others when they reach for a margarita cocktail, Brown said. The company saw the room and opportunity for both cocktails in an agave style category. The company wanted to give customers the same convenience of their Ranch Water in a package that could be taken around West Texas and beyond. We created Ranch Water to be as close to the real thing as possible with quality ingredients and real juice, she said. Especially with our Ranch Rita, it has a fuller flavor and its really closer to what someone would experience if they made a margarita at home. The Ranch Rita is different from a Ranch Water due to the higher alcohol content and because it has more flavor. The packaging is more cantina style. There are some embellishments that lean more into the cantina-style of things verses the sleek design of Ranch Water, Brown said. We can authentically own the margarita space because the cocktail itself was invented in far West Texas so while a lot of the other brands look at it as a trend in product we look at the Ranch Rita as an extension of celebrating the culture of where we come from, Brown said. The launch of the new seltzer is supported by a multi-million dollar advertising campaign run across TV, digital, social, audio, out-of-home and point-of-sale nationally throughout the summer. The campaign launched its TV debut during the CMT Awards earlier this month. The brand has once again featured country musician and Yellowstone star Ryan Bingham in its campaign alongside a new face for the brand. Mayans and Jungle Cruise actress Sulem Calderon has joined Bingham in the campaign. Its been such a dream for me because I feel like Ryan Binghams music has almost been a soundtrack to our journey, she said. To work with him as a creative partner and have him in our commercials not only for Ranch Water but also Ranch Rita, its been amazing. Whats different for this campaign is that Bingham has a leading lady, Calderon, alongside him. We wanted to cast her as the embodiment of Rita and almost a siren, really attracting people to a good time, Brown said. That was fun to also see him interact with another lead in our campaign. Brown said consumers have also been requesting a 6-pack Prickly Pear Ranch Water, which currently only comes in the variety 12-pack Ranch Water. Thats one of the most requested things we hear, she said. I could never have anticipated how popular the flavor would become but I do agree with most consumers that it is one of our best. The Prickly Pear 6-pack isnt on the immediate horizon, but Brown said there is definitely an opportunity to expand that way in the future. Brown added that the company and her family have been so thankful for the support of the West Texas community and Midland specifically. We know we wouldnt be here today without that support, she said. The Ranch Rita joins the Lone River portfolio at major retailers nationwide this month. The Bites --Nominate a favorite bar or restaurant during the Midland Reporter-Telegrams Readers Choice awards. Visit mrt..com/readerschoice to nominate. Nominations are open until Sunday. --Tall City Brewing Co. will release two limited beers on May 4. There will also be trivia with Geeks Who Drink Pub Quizzes with a special Star Wars theme. Doors open at 3 p.m., and trivia starts at 7 p.m. --The Garlic Press will host a Moffett Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. on May 5. Tickets are $80 per person. The menu will feature a brie and pear tart with micro herb salad, blue corn sopes with duck confit, morita guajillo mole, huilachoch, pickled red onion; boar osso bucco with brandied plum sauce, creamy polenta, Flying Y Farms Asian greens, sweet potato chips and a mixed berry clafoutis with candied orange brandy snap. To purchase tickets visit https://www.thegarlicpress.net/events/. --Micro Market will host another Bar Crawl. This event will reach outside of the downtown area. Participating bars include Lost Books, Buffalo Nickel, Tall City Brewing Co., Pi Social, The Blue Door, Eccentric Brewing, Bourbon Street, SIP Haus and The Reserve. Each bar will have specials available to participants with wristbands. The event is from 5 p.m. to midnight on May 6. Wristbands are $20 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midland-tx-bar-crawl-tickets-314873574337?fbclid=IwAR3p6AEdctlJgbt4sMmhCkBNucJLev0-eGz6Wz0g2zWmlYvEcCx-MBIXOHM. --Derby Day May 7 at The Blue Door will feature juleps. --The Museum of the Southwest is bringing back A Day at the Races at 4:30 p.m. on May 7. The event will feature mint juliettes, lawn games, live auction, bourbon tasting, derby hat and bow tie contest during live derby viewing. The event is $50 for museum members and $75 for nonmembers. --The first Spirits of the West -- a wine and beer festival -- will be May 27 to 29 in Alpine. This new event will showcase signature beef bites from local beef companies to honor our area's long-time tradition of cattle ranching. In addition, handpicked Texas wineries and distilleries will participate to provide a homegrown pairing to highlight West Texas gourmet fairs. Several hand-selected local artists will be participating in the celebration of our unique heritage. For tickets visit https://www.artwalkalpine.com/spirits-of-the-west. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) With the revival of earmarks after a decadelong pause brought on by high-profile abuses linked to corruption, U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn says he hopes that his colleagues in both chambers see the renewed process as more transparent and accountable, to the benefit of all constituents regardless of party. Theres nothing political about serving people and getting the greatness of this country accessible and affordable to everybody, the No. 3 House Democrat told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "The things that are great in this country are too expensive for low-income, poor people, and they cant have access to it in rural communities. That, to me, is sinful. Clyburn's comments came as the window for the next fiscal year closes on the requests, which are solicited by members via online portals, then submitted to relevant appropriations committees for consideration. The once-popular practice of member-directed funding requests often called pork barrel spending, because lawmakers would divert funds to pet projects in their states was banished from Congress a decade ago. Critics thought too many projects went to a handful of powerful lawmakers and fostered a pay to play culture in which campaign contributions were often solicited from lobbyists and others. Now, rebranded as community project funding, the process has returned, as lawmakers in both parties grew frustrated by their inability to shape spending legislation. On that point, Clyburn said no one is better suited to know a districts needs than the member representing it. Nobody out in California gives a hoot about the little town of Santee, South Carolina, or those communities in Calhoun County, Orangeburg County, Bamberg County, Colleton County, Clyburn said, of the rural areas he represents that have benefited from one of his projects, the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency. The new arrangement has more guardrails than in the past, requiring members to submit certification that neither they nor their immediate families have financial interests in projects they request. Its supporters promote the framework's transparency, although Clyburn acknowledged an ingrained potential for problems. I dont care what you do with a system: Somebody will attempt to abuse it, Clyburn said. Be transparent, but thats not going to stop people who think they can work around the system. Thousands of the first earmarks in a decade are sprinkled throughout the governmentwide $1.5 trillion bill recently signed by President Joe Biden. According to an Associated Press examination of items attributed to specific lawmakers in legislative documents, the bill includes nearly 5,000 such projects, worth $9.7 billion. Among them are $41 million for Clyburns projects, which include rural water infrastructure efforts, crime-reduction initiatives and small-business development, benefits for largely rural, low-income areas of his district he argued would be disadvantaged without earmark opportunities Theres not a single earmark that I have ever requested that I would not be pleased with it being on street corners in neon lights, because what I was trying to do was respond to the wishes of people in those communities, he said. Most House Democrats requested projects for this years bill, compared with about half of Republicans. In the 50-50 Senate, the items were sought by 46 Democrats and their two allied independents, but just 16 Republicans, according to APs review. Breaking with more than 100 congressional Republicans, who refused to earmark as a matter of principle, the bill also includes millions in requests from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the only other member of South Carolinas delegation to submit projects. Many in the GOP remain outspoken against earmarks. Rep. Ralph Norman, Grahams fellow South Carolina Republican, has several times introduced a ban on the practice, saying last year that the way we appropriate federal dollars has deteriorated into a national disgrace" and warning an earmark revival is sure to lead to more corruption and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. To Clyburn, the undertaking's benefits should be straightforward and apolitical. If you believe in making this countrys greatness accessible and affordable for all of its citizens, then thats all it is," he said. But if youre more interested in making a headline which is what some of my Republican friends seem to be interested in than making headway, I dont know if I can talk to you. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man charged with killing 18 older women in the Dallas area over a two-year span was found guilty of murder Thursday and sentenced to life in prison in one of the cases against him after an earlier mistrial. Jurors took about 45 minutes to convict Billy Chemirmir, 49, of capital murder in the March 2018 smothering of 81-year-old Lu Thi Harris. Prosecutors said that after Chemirmir and Harris were both at the same Walmart, he went to her home, killed her and stole her jewelry. It was Chemirmirs second trial in her death, after the first jury to hear the case deadlocked in November. Prosecutors weren't seeking the death penalty, so state District Judge Raquel Rocky Jones immediately sentenced Chemirmir to life in prison without parole. Chemirmir, who has maintained that hes innocent, is charged with capital murder in the deaths of 12 other women in Dallas County and five in nearby Collin County. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot has said he plans to try Chemirmir for at least one more death. Relatives of those he's accused of killing praised Thursday's verdict at an emotional news conference. "This one conviction represents justice for all of the families, said Shannon Dion, whose 92-year-old mother, Doris Gleason, was killed in 2016. Defense attorney Kobby Warren said during closing arguments that prosecutors hadnt proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Chemirmir was ever at Harris home, calling the states case all bark, no bite. As in the first trial, the defense didn't call any witnesses and Chemirmir did not testify. Prosecutor Glen Fitzmartin told jurors that he gave them more than enough evidence to convict. This is an easy decision, mainly because we bit so much off, said Fitzmartin, who noted that when Chemirmir was arrested, he had Harris jewelry and the keys to her home. Jurors also saw surveillance video of Harris and Chemirmir at the same Walmart on the day she was found dead. Though Chemirmir was being tried this week only in Harris death, prosecutors also presented evidence to jurors about an attack that 91-year-old Mary Annis Bartel survived the day before Harris was killed and the killing of 87-year-old Mary Brooks about six weeks earlier. Chemirmir was arrested the day after Bartel said a man forced his way into her apartment and held a pillow over her face. Fitzmartin said police subsequently found that a few days earlier there had been a report of a suspicious person at the independent living community where she lived. A license plate number led officers to Chemirmir. Police detectives testified about going to Chemirmirs nearby apartment complex and watching as he drove into the parking lot. Detectives said he threw items into a dumpster and then, as they got him out of his vehicle, he was holding jewelry and cash in his hand. Police have said that a large red jewelry box in the dumpster contained documents that led them to Harris home. They found her dead in her bedroom, lipstick smeared on her pillow. The number of people Chemirmir was accused of killing grew as authorities reinvestigated deaths previously thought to be natural. Most of the people were found dead in their apartments at independent living communities for older people, where Chemirmir has been accused of forcing his way into apartments or posing as a handyman. Some lived in private homes, including Harris and the widow of a man Chemirmir had cared for in his job as an at-home caregiver. M.J. Jennings, whose 83-year-old mother, Leah Corken, was killed in 2016, said she hoped the conviction would be the first step of healing for all of these families. Bartel died in 2020, but jurors heard a taped deposition of her describing opening her door the day she was attacked. She said she immediately focused on green rubber gloves the person was wearing, and tried to push the door shut but was overpowered. He said: Dont fight me, lie on the bed, Bartel said. She said her attacker slammed the pillow to her face and used all his weight to keep me from breathing. She said she couldnt remember details about the mans appearance. Bartel, who lost consciousness, later discovered she was missing her wedding band, diamond engagement ring and other jewelry. Prosecutors presented evidence that Chemirmir listed jewelry belonging to Bartel and Brooks for sale online. Pool/Getty Images Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is doubling down on bringing Twitter to Texas. In response to an Austin-area man offering Tesla CEO Elon Musk 100 acres of free land to move Twitters headquarters to the Lone Star State, Abbott said he would declare the area a free speech zone and rename it Twitter, Texas. Think about it, the Governor wrote in a tweet late on April 27, tagging Musk. MBABANE The tension within the Deputy Prime Ministers (DPM) Office was laid bare yesterday after the executive admitted there was internal conflict. This was during the DPMs Office appearance before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday; where the Under Secretary (US), Hlobisile Dlamini, who is also the PAC chair in the office, stated that it was becoming more and more difficult to constitute a meeting to respond to the recommendations of the PAC. In response to her statement, the PAC Chairperson, Gege Member of Parliament (MP) Musa Kunene, said he would chuck the DPMO team out if they continued to bring such responses. Dlamini, responding to the chairperson, said the reason behind her response was because the team was not gelling well and, therefore, could not cohesively work on the PAC recommendations. We got the PAC recommendations on time, which was around October, and the meeting was convened, but heads of department did not meet or gel well as a team, she said. Kunene said the responses previously given by the DPMs Office team demonstrated that they were not a team but a group of officials who had come before the PAC. Observe Corroborating Dlaminis statement was the Principal Secretary (PS) in the DPMs Office, Makhosini Mndawe, who said he was glad that the PAC was able to observe the indifferences within the ministry. He said they had tried to keep their challenges within the office, but it was becoming more evident that there were disagreements within the office. There is no trust between officers in the ministry, the trust has eroded. We know the problems and have placed measures to try and repair the relationship, he said. The PAC chairperson, in response to this, asked the team to go back and re-work on the PAC recommendations once they had sorted their in-house issues, stating that the committee would grant them a timeframe to work on the recommendations and return to give an update. However, Mndawe insisted that the PAC gets to the bottom of the matter, stating that if the matter was left unresolved, they would return with the same issues. I would appreciate if the committee would try to get to the bottom of this issue now, because as you can see there are problems within this ministry, which are making it hard for the team to be productive. My fear is that if we leave here without solving the issue, we will return with the same problems and the same responses, without anything changing, said Mndawe. The PAC chairperson, however, was adamant that the PS or controlling officer was more than capable of ensuring that the team was in sync without the assistance of the PAC. Despite what the PAC chairperson had stated, the controlling officer continued with his request for the matter to be attended to, so much that he eventually requested for a caucus with the committee. The submissions made by the US and PS on the DPM teams relationship emanated from the PACs query on the audit of uniform and protective clothing which amounted to E339 625.27. The anomalies included the uniform and protective clothing not being recorded in Inwards Book and Goods Received Notes, unaccounted for uniform and protective clothing worth E105 958.17, missing uniform and protective clothing worth E72 031.17 and missing supporting documents of uniform worth E33 927. In its recommendations, the PAC had said the controlling officer was urged to quarterly update the committee on the investigations, failing which he would be charged with contempt of Parliament. Appreciate The PAC chairperson said he appreciated the offices attempt to respond to the committee although it was evident that there were internal issues which were making it impossible for the sitting to proceed. Angfuni nikhombane phambikwetfu, go and sort your issues out and return ready to proceed with the sitting with thought after and appropriate responses, said Kunene. Meanwhile, yesterday the PS in the DPMs Office, Mndawe, disclosed that the office was yet to meet with its stakeholders with regard to developing guidelines for the disbursement of disability grants. This is despite the PAC having recommended that the office developed these guidelines last year. COVID-19 has been a huge hindrance to the development of these guidelines, because we had to use Zoom for meetings and we could not do so because some of our stakeholders are living with disabilities and it was not practical to include them in the meetings as they would not be able to participate, he said. The controlling officer further said they had met with the United Nations (UN) in drafting the guidelines and promised to continue with completing them. Lubombo Region MP, Lorraine Nxumalo, decried the principal secretarys response, stating that it had been three years without these guidelines and it was surprising that the ministry was comfortable with that. I am worried that the controlling officer is citing COVID-19 as a reason behind the non-completion of the guidelines, yet there have been many regulations which have been eased to ensure that people are able to physically meet. We want another solid answer, he said. The MP further said in the PACs recommendation, the PS had been given 30 days to return with a solution but had not done so, thus flouting Parliament rules, which warranted a penalty. Mtfongwaneni MP Roy Fanourakis said the DPMs Office was not sensitive to the issue at hand and was not making an effort to ensure that the money was given to people living with disabilities. What is the progress so far with the guidelines? Can the PS give us a definite percentage? asked Mangcongco MP Oneboy Zikalala. Vice Chairperson of the PAC Madlangempisi MP Sibusiso Scorpion Nxumalo reminded the PS that the penalty fee had gone up from E400 to E4 000. In his response to the debate, the controlling officer said it was not fair to criticise the COVID-19 excuse as, according to him, every ministry had at some point had challenges with productivity due to the pandemic. Going forward we will be able to meet as we have adapted to COVID-19, he said. Mndawe said there were approximately 167 000 people living with disabilities registered, but it was challenging to incorporate all of them into the grants due to budget limitations. He further said the office was in no way comfortable with not having guidelines for the disbursement of the grants. Manzini Region MP questioned the PS on how many disability grant beneficiaries had done so unduly, stating that during the last PAC sitting with the office there was mention that a person was benefitting for having tuberculosis. Mangcongco MP asked how often the updating of data on the beneficiaries was done, while the Accountant General, Manqoba Dlamini asked why the budget was being blamed because the elderly were added onto the list of grantees everyday, but same was not done for those with a disability. Figure In response, the PS said he did not have the exact figure of those who wrongly benefitted, he said they had to get back to the PAC after proper analysis. However, after a few minutes an official, from the ministry forwarded the number 431 as being the number of people who have benefitted from the grant unduly. The exercise, on finding wrong beneficiaries was ongoing. Just recently, I received a call from a concerned citizen informing me that there was a family who was benefitting from the elderly grant, yet the elder was now deceased and we were able to get to the bottom of that issue and now we were recovering the money. Mntfongwaneni MP, Fanourakis, questioned why the office relied on people for such information and said the office should simply work with the Ministry of Home Affairs and link death certificates to the grant system to avoid unduly beneficiaries. The PS said they were currently using this system but it was inefficient. He said that there were people who chose not to update the details of their relatives deaths intentionally, so as to benefit from receiving their grants. The reason why people with disabilities cannot be added to receive grants automatically was because of budget constraints. Every year we request for the budget to be increased, in order for us to do this, but this does not happen, said Mndawe. He further said they were using the assistance of bucopho to verify whether these elderly were alive or deceased and whether indeed the person benefitting from the disability grant has disability. The vice chairperson of the PAC further recommended that the committee give the controlling officer 30 days to submit on the issue of beneficiaries. Litiko litsemba kakhulu bantfu. Why are we using bucopho instead of healthcare workers to find out if a person has disability, can we not get a doctors report? Why are we also not computerising some of our systems, I am worried that the ministry is not moving forward, he said. The issue of the grants disability guidelines was brought up again, with the PAC chairperson stating that the drafts should be pushed and followed up. The attempt the ministry is making is not helping, there should be a sense of urgency, as many days have passed, said Kunene. The controlling officer said they had submitted the drafts to the Attorney Generals (AG) Office and have had a meeting with the AG. The legal advisor in the DPMs Office also said the process was at a complete stage. The building exterior of the New York County Supreme Court is seen in Manhattan, New York City. Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, delivers a speech during a campaign rally in Lipa, Batangas province, south of Manila, April 20, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting of the Council of Legislators at the Federal Assembly in Saint Petersburg, Russia, April 27, 2022. SITEKI A group of close to 100 youth members of KaMbhoke community under Kubuta Inkhundla yesterday torched a Bell tractor loader backhoe (TLB) worth over E1 million, after five homesteads built on a farm at Mooihoek were demolished, allegedly by the farm owner. According to KaMbhoke Umphakatsi Indvuna Day Dlamini, about eight homesteads were built on the farm whose ownership was allegedly marred by controversies as about three different groups of people came in various years, claiming the farm ownership and instructing the farm dwellers to vacate it. Chief Roads Engineer Vincent Dlamini said TLB brands like Caterpillars and Bells cost not less than E1 million in the market. According to Lawyer Celiwe Dlamini, who was representing the owner of the farm, Juliet Litchfield, they went to the place to execute an eviction order only to be confronted by a mob that chased away the driver of the TLB and police until they reached a dead end of the road. The lawyer said some of the youth members came from the affected homesteads while others came on board two vans. Escape Celiwe said the police managed to escape. This was when some of the youth burnt the TLB. Giving a brief background of the matter, she said the home owners were told to vacate the farm in 2012 but they were not being cooperative until a court order was issued in 2019. About five homes had been demolished at the time when the mob attacked the driver of the TLB and police. We will continue executing the order because the families were aware of the eviction that it will eventually take place, she said. The indvuna said the situation was regrettable due to the fact that some of the homesteads had been on the farm for almost 100 years after the owners left it. The indvuna had said the issue of the purported ownership of the farm was old as there were three people who claimed its ownership and came with documentation supporting their assertions. He said according to his understanding, there were eight homesteads which were built on the farm and he was informed that five of these were demolished yesterday after the lawyer, in the company of the police, came armed with an eviction order and informed the home owners that they had come to execute the order. Mobilise They came with a TLB and the lawyer was armed with the court order. Some of the youth members went to mobilise others from an area called New Haven and they came aboard two vans and found the driver of the TLB busy demolishing the houses, said the indvuna. Indvuna Day said according to information he obtained from one of the home owners, the driver of the TLB tried to run away but he failed to outsmart the angry youth and left the TLB. He said the youth went on to set it alight and it was on that premise that police officers called for back-up. As such, more police officers arrived in about six vans, resulting in the youth members running helter-skelter and some hid in the KaMbhokane mountains. The indvuna said there was an instance whereby the rightful owners tried to sell the farm to the community 40 years ago but they failed to raise the required funds. The ownership of the farm is a conflicted one because I made my own investigations and ascertained that the farm does not belong to anyone, he claimed. The indvuna further urged government to intervene in the matter and assist the affected families with shelter and food. Kubuta Inkhundla Indvuna Vusi Vilakati said he would be meeting the affected families this morning to give moral support and ascertain the extent of the damage. I was told that the owners of the farm came with an eviction order and the TLB to demolish the homesteads built on the farm. It is a sad scenario considering that the affected families have been residing on this farm for a long time, Vilakati said. Kubuta Inkhundla Member of Parliament (MP) Derrick Masuku said he was yet to assess the damage caused during the demolition. Farm The MP said even though he did not have much details about the incident; he suspected that there were new owners who had bought the farm. Masuku further urged the business community to assist with humanitarian aid to the affected families. I will be going to meet the families as they might need shelter and food. It is unfortunate that the incident happened when I am away, he said. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superitendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. Vilakati said there was a report of a burnt TLB and police were still investigation the circumstances leading to the incident. Human Rights Lawyer, Sipho Gumede said he was representing two of the affected families in this matter. Gumede said one family withdrew from utilising his services but the matter was still in court. The lawyer said he advised the home owners to defend the demolition after the matter was brought into the fore, but some were reluctant, claiming that such could not happen as they had been residents on the farm for almost 100 years. He said he told them that the matter needed the attention of a judge to decide on its merits. Conflicted It is unfortunate that I am conflicted in this matter because I have a client after another opted to withdraw. I have made my analysis on how feasible that someone can come back 100 years later and claim ownership of the farm, he said. Chairman of the Human Rights and Integrity Commission Sabelo Masuku said it was unfortunate that the matter had not yet been brought to the commission. The chairman said human rights defenders usually, in such cases, looked at how the affected parties should be compensated, considering a number of factors. Making an example of a similar scenario, Masuku said the commission made recommendations to government that there was a need for the improvement on the policies on farm dwellers on how they should be compensated and allocated land when such incidents took place. I cannot expand much in this case because I am not aware of the circumstances, he said. Meanwhile, last year in February, the High Court granted the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) an order to demolish new structures that were constructed on Farm 319 at Madonsa in alleged defiance of a previous court order. According to a letter from the ENPFs lawyers from Robinson Bertram, addressed to the affected residents, they were accused of illegally occupying the farm in defiance of the ruling by the Farm Dwellers Tribunal and the High Court of Eswatini. The residents were expected to vacate the farm by March 5, 2021. Memory" is an interesting title for the latest Liam Neeson thriller. Do you remember the last Liam Neeson thriller? Or the one before that? Who was it that got took in that one? It began getting hard to tell these films from one another years ago, and yet they've kept coming. Key & Peele" only seems more prophetic for making the actor's name plural. Liam Neesons is right. He contains, and kills, multitudes. Memory, which opens in theaters Friday, doesn't much alter the formula but makes for a brutal and bleak variation on the Liam Neeson theme. It casts a broader, more interwoven noir tapestry set around the Texas borderlands, with an ensemble cast including Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci, and Ray Stevenson. If you come to Memory hoping Neeson is going to growl one-liners like Commit THAT to memory! or If memory serves me correctly, you're toast!" you may be surprised to find a movie less interested in such action-star heroics than it is something murkier and more cynical. Does that make it good? Well, I wouldn't go that far. The filmmaking, by Martin Campbell, the British director of thrillers both glossy ("Casino Royale") and gritty ("Edge of Darkness"), lacks the texture and sense of place that could have made Memory (much of which was shot in Bulgaria) something more than a throwaway. But the performers Neeson and particularly Pearce don't phone anything in. Neeson plays an El Paso, Texas, assassin named Alex Lewis who tilts more toward bad guy territory than most of the actor's protagonists. Of course, though, Alex has a moral compass that won't tolerate certain things. He smashes one guy's head against the bar for his rude behavior toward a prostitute. And he won't kill kids. When Alex refuses to kill a 13-year-old girl (Mia Sanchez), a crime syndicate seeking to cover up a child trafficking ring comes after him. At the same time, Alex is beginning to experience early onset Alzheimer's. That, curiously, only seldom affects his mission to protect the girl and bring down the syndicate, but it does make Alex even bolder; his life is fading away, anyway. At the same time, the FBI agent Vincent Serra (Pearce) is trying to bring down the ring and is watching over the very same teenage girl, but his higher-ups keep pushing him toward other cases. Pearce's very presence in a memory-loss thriller is a nod to Memento. In one scene, when Neeson writes clues on his forearm to help himself remember, you half expect Pearce to grab the pen and give him a few pointers. There's much that's familiar in Memory, a remake of the 2003 Belgian thriller Memory of a Killer. Alex and Vincent form a loose partnership as two men trying to carry out one act of justice in a place without it. If the Liam Neeson thriller has cast Neeson as a kind of globe-trotting vigilante and defender of justice in a fallen world, it's fitting that he should make his way to the U.S.-Mexican border. Credit Memory for summoning outrage for the plight of young Mexican immigrants along the border. Pearce, sweaty and grungy, steadies Memory; it's his film as much as Neeson's. But if anything, they seem like actors who ought to be in something better than this, an often slipshod movie populated largely by stock and half-formed characters like Bellucci's somewhat ridiculous millionaire, an El Paso mogul pulling strings to cover for her son. There's just enough here to imagine a better, more memorable iteration of Memory. Memory, an Open Road release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for for violence, some bloody images and language throughout. Running time: 114 minutes. Two stars out of four. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP Duncan_Andison/Getty Images/iStockphoto South Jacksonville trustees are scheduled to meet in special session at 6:30 p.m. today in Village Hall, 301 Dewey Drive. Trustees will meet in a closed session, after which action could be taken on the appointment of Clay Johnson as temporary village clerk and compensation could be added for additional duties of the village president. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for $33 billion to bolster Ukraine's fight against Russia, signaling a burgeoning and long-haul American commitment as Moscow's invasion and the international tensions it has inflamed show no signs of receding. The package has about $20 billion in defense spending for Ukraine and U.S. allies in the region and $8.5 billion to keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government providing services and paying salaries. There's $3 billion in global food and humanitarian programs, including money to help Ukrainian refugees who've fled to the U.S. and to prod American farmers to grow wheat and other crops to replace the vast amounts of food Ukraine normally produces. The package, which administration officials estimated would last five months, is more than twice the size of the initial $13.6 billion aid measure that Congress enacted early last month and now is almost drained. With the bloody war dragging into its third month, the measure was designed to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that U.S. weaponry and other streams of assistance are not going away. The world must and will hold Russia accountable," Biden said. And as long as the assaults and atrocities continue, were going to continue to supply military assistance. Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. in his nightly video address to his nation. President Biden rightly said today that this step is not cheap," he said. But the negative consequences for the whole world from Russias aggression against Ukraine and against democracy are so massive that by comparison the U.S. support is necessary. Biden's request to Congress comes with powerful Russian offensives underway in eastern and southern Ukraine, and pleas from Zelenskyy for long-range and offensive weapons. The U.S. and others have pledged to step up deliveries of such equipment, and summaries of Biden's plan mention artillery, armored vehicles and anti-air and anti-tank weapons and munitions. Biden said the new package addresses the needs of the Ukrainian military during the crucial weeks and months ahead and begins a transition to longer-term security assistance thats going to help Ukraine deter and continue to defend against Russian aggression. The proposal also comes as Russia has halted gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria, increasing anxieties that the war and its repercussions, in one form or another, could ultimately spread elsewhere. Biden promised that the U.S. would work to support its allies energy needs, saying, We will not let Russia intimidate or blackmail their way out of the sanctions. Bipartisan support in Congress for Ukraine is strong, and there is little doubt that lawmakers will approve aid. But Republicans said they were examining the proposal's details, including its balance between defense and other expenditures, and would not reflexively rally behind Biden's $33 billion figure. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate GOP leader, said that while Republicans are committed to helping Ukraine, Its a pretty eye-popping number. Biden's billion request is more than half the entire proposed $60 billion budgets for next year for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. The $20 billion defense portion of Thursday's package amounts to about one third of Russias entire military budget and is well over Ukraines $6 billion defense expenditures. Both figures are for 2021 and were compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Institute, a Swedish organization that studies defense issues. Biden has proposed $800 billion for the Pentagon for next year. According to Brown Universitys Costs of War Project, the U.S. has spent nearly $2 trillion for Iraq, and another $2.3 trillion for Afghanistan, since Sept. 11, 2001. The costs of the post-9/11 wars in total for Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are over $8 trillion. The biggest potential stumbling blocks in Congress are Democrats' desire to also consider billions more to combat the pandemic, and a GOP drive to force an election-year vote on renewing some Trump-era immigration restrictions that seems likely to divide Democrats. But combining those ingredients yields a complicated political brew that could slow the Ukraine money when every day counts for Kyiv's outnumbered forces. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he wants to combine the Ukraine and COVID-19 spending the virus money gets only tepid GOP support but was notably silent on that question Thursday. Biden seemed to open the door to letting the Ukraine measure move separately, which would accelerate its pace. They can do it separately or together, Biden said, but we need them both. Biden asked lawmakers Thursday to provide $22.5 billion for vaccines, treatments, testing and aid to other countries in continuing efforts to contain COVID-19. But that request, which he also made last month, seems symbolic. In a compromise with Republicans, Senate Democrats have already agreed to pare that to $10 billion, and reviving the higher amount seems unlikely. Biden also asked Congress on Thursday for new powers to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs, saying the U.S. was seizing luxury yachts and homes of bad guys. He proposed letting the government use the proceeds from selling those properties to help the people of Ukraine. The president wants lawmakers to make it a crime to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. In recent weeks, the U.S. and global allies have sanctioned dozens of oligarchs and their family members, along with hundreds of Russian officials involved in or deemed to be supporting its invasion of Ukraine. The White House says the new tools will toughen the impact of the sanctions on Russia's economy and its ruling class by making sanctions more difficult to evade. Of the new money Biden is requesting for military purposes, $6 billion would be to arm Ukraine directly and $5.4 billion to replace U.S. supplies sent to the area. There is also $4.5 billion for other security assistance for Ukraine and U.S. allies and $2.6 billion for the continued deployment of U.S. forces to the region. The proposed spending also has $1.2 billion to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing to the U.S. with cash assistance, English language instruction and help to school districts with Ukrainian students. There is $1.6 billion for global food programs to compensate for shortages prompted by the war's impact on Ukraine's food production. ___ Associated Press writers Chris Megerian, Fatima Hussein, Lolita C. Baldor and Matthew Lee contributed to this report. __ In a earlier version of this story, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the U.S. has spent about $2.2 trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since Sept. 11, 2001, according to Brown Universitys Costs of War Project. The correct costs, according to Brown Costs of War, are an estimated nearly $2 trillion for Iraq, and another $2.3 trillion for Afghanistan. The costs of the post-9/11 wars in total for Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are over $8 trillion. Bobbi Wiseman/Memorial Health Jacksonville Memorial Hospital emergency department nurse Rachel Allen of Murrayville has been honored as the hospital's Colleague of the Month for March. Allen is a Registered Nurse and has worked at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital for 13 years. Since moving to Jacksonville, Scotty DeWolf has grown a lot of things, including a historic bed and breakfast and a performing arts venue. Now hes hoping to get people to join him in growing sunflowers in a show of support for war-torn Ukraine. The news accounts are just gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, DeWolf said, referring to coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war. I thought it was a good thing for us as a town to show solidarity with Ukraine. If we all do it all of State Street, College lined with these wonderful flowers. While DeWolfs initial idea imagined those two busy streets near his Villa DeWolf Bed and Breakfast and Ayers Mansion II extended-stay suites on State Street awash in sunflowers, he would love to see the entire city embrace the idea, he said. This is something that transcends politics, he said. If youre any kind of human being at all, your heart has to be drawn to what those people are going through. I almost have to look away (from the news coverage). I cant imagine what it would be like to be living through those conditions. Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, when the Soviet Union was dissolved, and since has become a democratic nation seeking closer ties to the West. In 2014, Russia forcibly annexed Crimea, which is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine, and since has supported pro-Russian separatists in portions of Ukraines Donbas region. In February, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drawing international condemnation for breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty. In the weeks since, news reports indicate Russia has deliberately targeted Ukrainian civilians, including residential neighborhoods and a maternity hospital, and has buried unknown numbers of Ukrainian dead in mass graves. For me, its not so much being Ukrainian, said Dr. Alex Hrynewych, a first-generation Ukrainian-American whose grandparents and parents fled Ukraine as Russia threatened a takeover after World War II. This whole war is just so black and white. Most wars are not black and white. This is just wrong. Russia has a long history of trying to erase Ukraine, saying its people are simply lesser Russians" rather than an independent people with their own language and culture, Hrynewych said. Hrynewych is all for DeWolfs idea to plant sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, as a show of support, he said. Its just something (DeWolf) brought up in casual conversation, Hrynewych said. It would be a nice project to show some support and solidarity for this underdog thats getting attacked. I worry as time progresses, peoples attention span is short. This is a way to say, This is still happening. Its a nice sign of solidarity. DeWolf still is working out details of the project but has enlisted the help of Michael Woods, who started the agribusiness program at Illinois College and now oversees natural resources for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. From the standpoint of planting them, the beauty is if you plant them in May, theyll come up in midsummer, Woods said. I like to stagger my sunflowers (so they bloom) into the fall. Woods is working to get a large bag or two of sunflower seeds donated for the project and he and DeWolf are hoping an FFA group or 4-H chapter or a few will volunteer to help them sort the seeds into individual packets for distribution. Woods suggested that there are a lot of seniors who arent able to do the planting themselves, DeWolf said. If we engage 4-H and FFA members, they can maybe help the seniors plant their seeds. The sunflowers would be smaller blooms on single stems 3- to 4-foot sunflowers instead of the kind that tower 8 feet or more into the sky because that is the kind common to Ukraine, Woods said. Its the type of sunflowers Ukrainians grow for sunflower oils, he said. The beauty of the smaller ones is that you can put them next to each other in container pots. DeWolf promised more details about the project would be forthcoming as soon as he has them. In the meantime, anyone who wants to participate either by planting sunflowers or in some other fashion can contact DeWolf at Villa DeWolf bed and breakfast or via his ElijahLovejoyHall Facebook page. Truly, as a human being, Im so in sympathy with what theyre going through, DeWolf said of the Ukrainian people. "Its so tragic, yet theyre so brave, unbelievably resilient and patriotic. I think thats an inspiration to all democracies around the world. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Taiwan, which had been living mostly free of COVID-19, is now facing its worst outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic with over 11,000 new cases reported Thursday. Cases have been on the upswing since late March. In April, the islands central authorities announced that they would no longer maintain a zero-COVID policy like the Chinese government's in which they would centrally quarantine positive cases. Instead, the government is asking people to quarantine at home if they test positive, unless they show moderate to severe symptoms. Chen Shih-chung, the island's health minister, announced Thursday they had found 11,353 new cases, along with two deaths. During the daily press briefing held by the Central Epidemic Command Center, he said 99.7% of the cases in the current outbreak either had no symptoms or had mild symptoms. Chin Siz-rong, a 24-year-old travel agent in Taipei, isnt planning to take any extra precautions because he already got a booster COVID-19 vaccine and is used to wearing a mask. He said he switched to takeout when he eats out alone, but still will go to restaurants with friends. I already got three shots, and now everyone is saying its severity is like a cold. So Im not too afraid for myself, said Chin. Most of Taiwan's 858 COVID-19 deaths came from summer 2021. Until this month, it had been the island's one major outbreak in the pandemic. Taiwan has been relatively lucky throughout the pandemic, but also has maintained strict border controls with a two-week quarantine on arrival required for all visitors. Domestically, mask wearing is universal both outdoors and indoors. Masks are legally required on public transportation and in places like shops and theaters. In the past few weeks, as cases have ratcheted up, people scrambled to buy up rapid tests with stores selling out in just a few hours. Convenience stores across Taipei were unsure where their next delivery would come from. Difficulty buying rapid tests is likely due in part to the government's thought throughout the pandemic that there are few benefits to mass testing. The health minister last year said that public funds and medical resources could better be used elsewhere. That changed with last year's outbreak. The central government this month said it would work with Taiwanese companies who manufacture tests to ensure that everyone would have access. A system was rolled out Thursday that limits each person to buying one pack of five tests per trip. Each purchase must be linked to an individual's national ID to ensure that there is no stockpiling. Experts are worried about the 5 million people who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Those who did not complete a full vaccination course are four times more likely to get moderate or severe symptoms compared to those those who have gotten a booster, said Ho Mei-Shang, a vaccine expert in Taiwan who has also worked for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Central News Agency. Most vulnerable in Taiwan's outbreak this time are children and the elderly. The vaccination rate among people over 75 is 72.5%. However, only 59.1% in the same age group received a booster. Wang Zi-yu, 78, said she overcame her hesitation and got three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. I thought not getting the vaccine is worse. In the beginning with the AstraZeneca vaccine, I was worried," she said, referring to concerns that the vaccine could cause a rare blood clot. And then later I got the Moderna shot and didnt have any negative reaction. It was fine. Many of her friends are concerned about the side effects of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, Wang added. Society's youngest are also not protected. Some schools have switched back to remote learning based on the number of positive cases each school is reporting. The island is opening up vaccine shots to children ages 6-11 next week. A 2-year-old boy in New Taipei City died last week, the youngest victim of COVID-19 in Taiwan. His condition deteriorated rapidly after testing positive in a rare case. Still, officials urged the public to not panic, saying that Taiwan was better prepared with vaccines and ways to ensure moderate and severe cases would get prompt attention. We want to tell the public, from the medical world, please rest assured, said Chiu Tai-yuan, a lawmaker who also heads the Taiwan Medical Association. Last years outbreak situation is not like the one we face today. Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents. JACIL KIP Cafe: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living, 15 Permac Road. | Marilyn Webster, financial trainer from the National Disability Institute, discusses programs. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Program at noon. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers can be picked up at side door. Walking for Wellness: 12:30-3 p.m., First Christian Church, 2106 S. Main St. Free | Indoor walking program offered year-round Monday-Thursday. For more information, call 217-243-6445. Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen: 3:30-4 p.m., Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, 105 E. Dunlap St. Free | Serving meals to go for anyone in need. Chess Club: 6 p.m., Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave. | For more information, go to jaxpl.org or call 217-243-5435. White Lightnin': 7 p.m., Curve Inn, 3219 S. Sixth Street Road, Springfield. | Live music. Comedian Ron White: 7:30 p.m., UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, Springfield. Tickets $49-$95 | For tickets and more information, go to uispac.com or call 217-206-6160. For mature audiences. "You on the Moors Now": 7:30 p.m., Illinois College Sibert Theatre, 1101 W. College Ave. IC faculty and staff $5, IC students free. | For reservations, call 217-245-3471 or go to ic.edu/theatre. Friday Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents. Blood Drive: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Routt Catholic High School, 500 E. College Ave. | To donate, contact Lisa Hall at lhall@routtcatholic.com or 217-883-9996, call ImpactLife 800-747-5401, or go to bloodcenter.org and use code 60072 to locate the drive. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers can be picked up at side door. Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 12:30-1 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. Free. Scott & Karl: 6 p.m., The Loading Dock, 401 Front St., Grafton. | Live music. UIS Chorus Concert: 7 p.m., UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, Springfield. Free | Event at UIS Studio Theatre and streamed online. For event link, go to uis.edu/music. Disney's "Moana Jr.": 7 p.m., Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., Springfield. $18 | Fog machine and strobe lights will be used. For tickets and more information, go to hcfta.org or call 217-523-2787. "You on the Moors Now": 7:30 p.m., Illinois College Sibert Theatre, 1101 W. College Ave. IC faculty and staff $5, IC students free. | For reservations, call 217-245-3471, or go to ic.edu/theatre. MANZINI - There are arson attack threats against bus operators who will charge below the gazetted bus fares. This was revealed by some of the members of Swaziland Bus Association (SBA) during their meeting on the new fares, which was held at Swazi Commercial Amadoda Hall in Manzini yesterday. They suggested that the executive members of the association should approach the Ministry of Public Works and Transport about the issue of non-compliance among public transport operators like the issue of kombis which ranked along the routes and were charged people below the gazetted fares. You (executive committee) need to ask the ministry what are inspectors and the Road Transportation Board doing and why they were not implementing the law by taking such operators to task, they added. Their argument was that if they failed to address the matter, the public transport business would die a natural death. Some kombi operators had mentioned that by 2022, buses will be no more and now, they are threatening to burn us if we do not charge the maximum gazetted fares, said one of the members of SBA. Attendees In that regard, some of the attendees of the meeting supported the view that they should charge the gazetted bus fares. They added that this would also make government not to ask many question when they applied for another hike. They argued that sometimes, government, in particular Parliament, was reluctant to entertain bus fares hike applications because they always charged lower than the gazetted fares. Again, they added that if they charged lower than the gazetted fares, they would lose as public transport operators and the clients would benefit. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Syndicated Show More Show Less 3 of 3 President Bidens agenda has stalled on Capitol Hill, where Democrats have been unable to overcome Republican opposition in the Senate to pass bills like the Build Back Better Act and voting rights reform. Democrats are increasingly concerned that failure to pass more of their legislative agenda before Novembers midterm elections could cost them control of Congress. Many Democrats point to the Senate filibuster an old bugbear in American politics as to why they cant deliver on their campaign promises. They claim that Republicans want to deny Democratic candidates legislative accomplishments on which to run in the coming elections. But abolishing the filibuster will not make it easier for Democrats to pass their legislative priorities. This is because filibustering Republicans are not presently preventing Democrats from legislating. Unfortunately, calls to abolish the filibuster miss this critical fact and, by extension, overlook how Democrats can overcome Republican opposition to their legislative priorities simply by using the Senates existing rules. Behind the Democratic effort to abolish the filibuster is the assumption that Senate majorities cannot pass legislation over a minoritys objections. However, the Senates rules do not empower a majority to end debate on a bill as long as a senator wants to speak on it. The Senate first permitted unlimited debate on legislation in 1806. That decision empowered a minority of senators to filibuster legislation supported by the majority, but only for as long as those senators were willing to stand up and talk on the Senate floor. In 1917, the Senate adopted a rule empowering a super-majority to end a filibuster by invoking cloture. The cloture rule altered how the Senate operated over time. Instead of waiting out filibusters, as in the past, Senate majorities presently try to invoke cloture to get to a final vote on a bill. As a result, the majority gives the minority an opportunity to block a final vote that they would not otherwise have because the Senates cloture rule requires more votes to end debate (typically 60) than to pass legislation (typically 51). But the filibuster has not always operated this way. In the past, the practice facilitated negotiation and compromise between senators. That is why legislation approved by the Senate often included minority-favored provisions in addition to those supported by the majority. But the prevalent view today is that partisanship and polarization prevent senators from compromising. The filibuster is a veto, according to this view, that Senate minorities can use to block legislation favored by the majority. Yet the filibuster can only operate like a veto with the majority partys consent. This is because the filibuster is not a veto. It instead merely grants senators the opportunity to speak on the Senate floor for as long as they are able. Using the filibuster to obstruct on a prolonged basis requires filibustering senators to expend considerable effort to succeed. And they can only succeed by persuading a majority of senators to join them in opposition to the underlying bill because a senator cant stand up and talk forever. At some point he or she must sit down. And when that happens, the Senate votes. And the success rate of past filibusters suggests that they succeed only when mounted at the end of a legislative session. Democrats presently use the cloture process to end debate instead of forcing senators to filibuster and then waiting them out because it is easier to control and more predictable. It also injects a degree of free-wheeling decision-making into a process that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, would rather control. Finally, forcing unsuccessful cloture votes gives Democrats the ability to blame Republicans for not delivering on their campaign promises during election season. Democrats do not have to use cloture to overcome Republican opposition. They can instead force Republicans to stand up and talk while using the Senates existing rules to make filibustering as painful as possible for them. Senate history suggests that if Democrats want to end a filibuster, requiring Republicans who do not want to vote to hold the floor and speak is just as effective in overcoming their opposition as invoking cloture. And it doesnt require 60 votes to work. The filibuster is not the problem. Democrats are. And if they want to pass President Bidens agenda, they should use the Senates rules instead of blowing them up to abolish the practice. Close your eyes and let your imagination transport you back to the ninth-grade. Do you remember a teacher standing at the front of a classroom explaining the three branches of government? Division of power? Checks and balances? Me too. But Im increasingly concerned that many of our elected officials have no memory of basic high-school-level civics. The Houses Congressional Progressive Caucus, which consists of nearly 100 representatives and Sen. Bernie Sanders, recently released what it is calling an Executive Action Agenda. The agenda calls on President Biden to issue executive orders lowering healthcare costs, canceling federal student loan debt, expanding worker power and raising wages, advancing immigrants rights, delivering on the promise of equal justice under law, combating the climate crisis and reducing fossil fuel dependence, investing in care economy jobs and standards, and regulating for economic and tax fairness. Those are stunningly huge issues for the president to be tackling unilaterally. According to my own ninth-grade civics teacher, only Congress can make laws. Its disturbing enough that over the last decade presidents have decided to bypass Congress and use their executive power to legislate. It is loads more disturbing to see members of Congress demanding that the president bypass them on major issues. Members of Congress should not be eager to surrender the institution over to the president. The term danger to democracy has become a cringe-worthy cliche over the last few years, but its a perfect phrase to describe Congress encouraging the president to usurp their legislative authority. How broken is Congress when its own members are trying to surrender to the executive branch? How did we get here? The answer is simple. The Senates legislative filibuster is to blame. Senators constantly defend the filibuster claiming that it encourages unity, bipartisanship and compromise, but take an honest look at the national mood and the current functionality of our government. Does it seem like unity, bipartisanship and compromise are winning the day in America thanks to the Senate? What the legislative filibuster actually encourages is the opposite of its stated goals. It encourages partisanship, obstruction and political chicanery tricks that lead to inferior legislation being passed or Congress being bypassed altogether. Requiring a consensus of three-fifths of senators in order to pass simple legislation is anti-constitutional. The Constitution creates several supermajority requirements for the sole purpose of making things difficult. It requires two-thirds of senators to remove an impeached official from office, two-thirds from the House or Senate to expel one of their members, two-thirds of the Senate to approve a treaty, two-thirds of both houses to propose a constitutional amendment, three-fourths of states to ratify a constitutional amendment, and two-thirds of both houses to override a presidential veto. Those extraordinary thresholds are there to make those actions extremely difficult. The framers chose not to place an extraordinary threshold on passing simple legislation because its already difficult. For a bill to become a law, an identical version has to pass through both houses of Congress, where it is approved by the peoples representatives and the states representatives. Then, it has to be signed into law by the executive. Thats difficult enough. Requiring 60 votes in the Senate to be able to pass legislation makes Congress basic function of lawmaking nearly impossible. Why should it be? It stands to reason that if people vote to put one party in charge of the White House, the House and the Senate, that they want that party to govern. Why is it the Senates job to stop from governing? Because of the legislative filibuster, we now live in an era of inferior legislation being passed through Congress because senators are forced to misuse the Reconciliation process or presidents decide to misuse their executive power to legislate. Now, the CPCs Executive Action Agenda makes it appear that weve reached the point where a substantial segment of Congress actually wants the president legislate unilaterally. The Senates legislative filibuster gives the minority party in Congress a veto power that is anti-democratic and anti-constitutional. As executive power continues to grow, we need a Congress that provides a strong check over the executive and insists on controlling the countrys legislative destiny. Democrats should nuke the legislative filibuster today. If they dont, then whichever party wins the majority in 2022 should make it their first order of business. BEIJING, April 28 -- "Taiwan question is different from the Ukraine issue in essence. It is China's internal affair and brooks no outside interference," said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a regular press conference on Thursday. According to reports, some US officials recently indicated publicly that they would steadfastly fulfill the commitment to safeguarding Taiwan, and "help Taiwan in the same way they support Ukraine" to improve Taiwan's self-defense capability. And according to Taiwan's defense authorities, in response to the threat from the mainland, Taiwan military would adopt the "combination of training and combat preparation" mode to verify its combat plan and battlefield construction, and carry out "Lian Hsiang exercise" to simulate the PLA's attack on Taiwan. In his response, Senior Colonel Tan pointed out that certain US officials have recently made numerous erroneous remarks on Taiwan, while some US senators have visited Taiwan in an attempt to rally support for "Taiwan independence" separatists. This is seriously incongruous with the US commitment not to support "Taiwan independence" and demonstrates that the US has no credibility. China is vehemently opposed to it, said Senior Colonel Tan. Tan added that the DPP authorities, out of their own political selfish interests, disregard the safety and well-being of the Taiwan compatriots, and attempt to divide the country in collusion with external forces. This is an utterly wrong calculation. There will be an increasing number of Taiwan compatriots who see through the DPP authorities' scam of "relying on the US to seek independence", recognize the truth about their forgetfulness on the origin and the betrayal of the motherland, and thus refuse to fall victim to "Taiwan independence" separatists "seeking independence by force. Tan mentioned that in response to the US officials' provocative visit to Taiwan, the Chinese PLA has recently conducted military operations in the seas and airspace around the Taiwan Strait. "From now on, we will not tolerate any provocation by the DPP authorities for seeking "independence" or interference by external forces, and we will continue to demonstrate firm resolve to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity through resolute actions." stressed Senior Colonel Tan. MANZINI - Tension is brewing between bus and kombi owners over the new bus fares and this will benefit commuters. This is because after the publication of the gazette on the increased bus fares, members of the Swaziland Buses Association (SBA) have resolved to increase the bus fares but not charge the maximum gazetted amounts. The resolution was taken by the branch leaders of the association during a meeting which was held at Swazi Commercial Amadoda Hall at KaKhoza, Manzini. The meeting was chaired by SBA Chairman Duma Msibi. At the beginning of the meeting, Msibi said since the gazette for the new bus fares had been published, they would either charge the maximum fares as stipulated in the gazette or set a minimum fare. He mentioned that this question arose from the fact that they (bus owners) and kombi owners did not see eye-to-eye. In fact, he said they did not work hand-in-hand, instead they competed. Meeting One of the attendees of the meeting said it would be difficult for them to charge commuters according to the gazette because they would lose customers to kombis, which ranked anywhere and lured passengers by charging them lower fares. He said in Nhlangano, for example, kombis loaded passengers at various areas outside the bus rank and charged them discounted fares. He said in the end, most customers did not reach the bus rank where buses parked. Another bus owner said most of the time, since buses operated based on a schedule, they usually went from Manzini to Nhlangano, for example, with the passengers they loaded at the bus rank because at the bus stops, commuters boarded kombis which ranked there and charged them lower fares. Again, another public transport operator, who concurred with his colleagues, said in order to compete with kombis, they should charge fares which would be below the gazetted ones. He said they should remember that they had an advantage since buses had a bigger carrying capacity than kombis. He emphasised that what they needed to do was to cushion the bus fares and beat their competitors, instead of charging the maximum fare, which were contained in the gazette. Thereafter, they said since it was not in doubt that they needed to adjust the bus fares, operators who serviced the various routes should meet, discuss and agree on how much they would charge, above the old gazette but below the newly-published fares. For example, they said buses, which operated between Manzini and Mbabane, were charging E20; they might increase it to E25. It is worth noting that according to the old gazette, it was supposed to be E26.50 to travel from Manzini to Mbabane. According to the new gazette, the new fare is E30.50 for this route. In that regard, the bus owners agreed that the bus fares they would charge for the various routes, would be implemented on May 1, 2022 and said they should post the list of routes on their vehicles before May 1, 2022 in order for their customers to see them. Worth noting is that some kombis have already implemented the new gazetted fares and are charging the maximum fares. On another note, the operators agreed that they should take a leaf from what was happening in South Africa, in terms of punishing operators who would defy a resolution which was taken in a meeting. They said in South Africa, public transport operators who were found charging bus fares lower than those agreed upon, were suspended from operating for a certain period of time. The SBA chairperson said a punishment which would come from the members of a certain route for defiant operators, would be supported by the association. In fact, he said such would be contained in their regulations, which they were in the process of drafting. Agreement It is worth noting that even though the aforementioned agreement was reached, some of the members of the association raised a point that usually it was bus operators who set the tone in as far as bus fares were concerned. They argued that if they could charge the maximum fares, it was high likely that even kombis would do the same. Their worry was that since they had agreed to charge commuters lower than the gazetted fares, kombis would also do likewise and the fares could continue to be lowered as they would be competing against each other. Live updates | Russia-Ukraine War View Photo KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded when a Russian missile hit a 25-story apartment building in Kyiv on Thursday evening and set off a fire, which partially destroyed the first and second floors. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum NATO chief says Finland, Sweden could join quite quickly Biden seeks new powers to use oligarchs assets for Ukraine A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers After a rocket : One second and you are left with nothing Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had very substantive and warm talks on energy and defense cooperation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Zelenskyy said they agreed that damaged Ukrainian military equipment could be repaired at Bulgarian plants and then sent back to Ukraine. Another issue we agreed on was the supply of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the joint use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline to diversify energy supplies in the region, Zelenskyy said late Thursday in his nightly video address to the nation. Russia this week cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and also to Poland, two NATO members which have been among the strongest European supporters of Ukraine in the war. Although Bulgaria gets over 90% of its gas from Russia, the cutoff does not immediately put the country in dire trouble because of other potential suppliers. The Trans-Balkan gas pipeline runs from Greece through Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine. __ ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine An 11-year-old Ukrainian boy was one of at least three people wounded in what emergency officials are calling the first Russian strike in a residential area of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia since Russias invasion began. The city has been a crucial waypoint for tens of thousands of people fleeing the besieged southern port of Mariupol. The rocket strike came Thursday as parts of southern Ukraine prepared for a further onslaught by Russian forces who seek to strip the country of its coastline. Residents said at least eight homes in the modest neighborhood were damaged or destroyed. Glass shards cut the boys right leg to the bone. The injured boys father, Vadym Vodostoyev, said it just takes one second and youre left with nothing. __ KYIV, Ukraine Russia struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shortly after a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday evening. At least one person was killed and several were injured, including some who were trapped beneath the rubble, according to rescue officials. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city was hit twice, causing fires in at least two high-rise buildings. The explosions, which sent plumes of black smoke into the air, came just shortly after the two leaders held a press conference in which Guterres condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia retreated. Authorities said the U.N. chief and his team were safe. Appearing to be one of boldest attacks on Kyiv since Russian forces retreated from around the capital weeks ago, the explosions came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing number of people have been out and enjoying the spring weather. __ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines prosecutor on Thursday identified 10 Russian soldiers she accused of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, one of the wars major flashpoints that helped galvanize Western support of Ukraine. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said on Facebook that the 10 soldiers in Russias 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Ground Forces Brigade who occupied Bucha were involved in the torture of peaceful people. She did not specifically say that her office had filed criminal charges, and appealed to the public to help develop evidence. The Russian government denies it targets civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently honored the brigades work, and Venediktova said he bears responsibility for the soldiers actions as their commander-in-chief. During the occupation of Bucha, they took unarmed civilians hostage, killed them with hunger and thirst, kept them on their knees with hands tied and eyes taped, mocked and beat them, Venediktova said, adding that the Russian soldiers threatened to shoot the hostages and looted houses. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visiting Bucha on Thursday, called for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes. Ukrainian authorities have said they are investigating thousands of possible war crimes, including killing of civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture, sexual crimes and use of prohibited weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address to his nation, renewed a pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes. He added about the 10 suspects identified Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There, theyll receive retribution from our military. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. Instead of saying that the Ukrainians, equipped with some capability to resist Russian forces, are doing this, theyve got to tell their people that the United States and all of NATO is engaged, Biden said. He added that no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons and called doing so irresponsible. ___ LONDON The British government says a U.K. national has been killed in Ukraine, and another is missing. The Foreign Office confirmed Thursday that it is supporting the family of a British national killed in Ukraine. It also said it was urgently seeking further information on another Briton who is missing. The government did not provide further details. Sky News reported that the Britons were believed to have been fighting with Ukrainians against the Russian invasion. Volunteers from Britain and many other countries have traveled to Ukraine to fight, despite being discouraged from doing so by their governments. ___ ISTANBUL Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says both U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin have told him that their talks in Moscow earlier this week were positive. Erdogan told reporters before leaving for a trip to Saudi Arabia, that he held separate telephone calls with Guterres and Putin. Mr. Guterres informed me that the talks (with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov) were positive. In our discussion with Mr. Putin yesterday, Putin expressed the same views. Erdogan added that the Russian president had conveyed the opinion that a U.N. intervention is positive for the future. He did not elaborate. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian troops defending a steel plant that is the last Ukrainian bulwark in the key port of Mariupol say an intensive Russian bombing has inflicted more casualties. The Azov Regiment holed up at the giant Azovstal steel plant on Thursday posted a video showing people combing through the rubble to remove the dead bodies and help the wounded after the Russian bombing overnight. The Azov said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people and wounding others there. The video couldnt be independently verified. The Russian troops have pummeled the mammoth seaside plant with relentless airstrikes and artillery barrage, trying to uproot its defenders holed up in a 24-kilometer (15-mile) maze of underground tunnels, passages and bunkers. Ukrainian officials say that up to 1,000 civilians also were sheltering in Azovstal. They are demanding that Russia provides a safe exit for them under the United Nations aegis. ___ WARSAW, Poland Polands border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings into Poland from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, while there have been 904,000 crossings into Ukraine. Border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska said Thursday that the number includes people who cross a number of times because, for example, they regularly do shopping in Poland and then go back. Polish authorities say some 1.6 million refugees have applied for and received special ID numbers that will allow them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. ___ VIENNA The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says radiation levels in excavations found in the exclusion zone around the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant were well below the maximum authorized levels for plant workers. Ukraines state power company said after Russian troops withdrew at the end of March that they received significant doses of radiation from digging trenches in the area. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said Thursday that, during a visit this week, experts from his agency took measurements from excavations probably made by occupying soldiers. He said that the levels were three times or more lower than the authorized levels for workers in areas exposed to radiation. As for whether anyone was actually exposed to those radiation levels, he said: We have asked about possible exposures or situations; we havent received any answer. Although that suggested the health risk wasnt as great as feared, Grossi stressed that its not a place to have a picnic or excavate. ___ BRUSSELS Senior European Union officials say countries or companies bowing fully to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting that they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions. The Kremlin says importers should establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. They would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The officials warn that Russias central bank could hold on to the money before converting it and in essence use the funds as a temporary loan for the national economy or to prop up the ruble. The EUs sanctions prohibit any transaction with the Russian Central Bank. One official said Thursday that if the member states and the European companies apply strictly the decree it will constitute a breach of the sanctions. His job description does not allow him to be named publicly. The violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has said that companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars, as per their contract, and then notifying Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. Ultimately, its up to the 27 EU countries to judge whether the rules are being broken. Some of those countries are heavily reliant on Russia for gas. By Lorne Cook. ___ TOKYO German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending his countrys ongoing purchase of gas and other fossil fuels from Russia. Speaking during a visit to Japan on Thursday, Scholz said that it is a challenge that many European countries, including Germany, are dependent on imports of fossil resources from Russia. Scholz said his government aims to end imports of Russian coal and oil this year. He said that the same will happen for gas, but that is a process that will require more time. Asked whether he was concerned Russia might stop shipping gas to Germany, like it did this week for Poland and Bulgaria, Scholz acknowledged that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. He said this was also the reason why there no sanctions have so far been imposed on energy supplies from Russia, adding this had been decided in close cooperation with our partners who themselves are energy exporters and therefore in a different starting position, such as the United States. Scholz said: Whether and what decisions the Russian government takes in this regard one can only speculate, but it makes little sense to do so. ___ ANKARA, Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders also discussed a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that took place in Turkey on Wednesday. Erdogans office said he told Putin on Thursday that Turkeys mediation in the exchange was an indication of the importance Ankara attaches to peace, dialogue and cooperation. He reiterated Turkeys readiness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and its wish to establish peace in the region by increasing the momentum generated in face-to-face talks that were held between the two countries delegations in Istanbul late last month. It was the second telephone call between the two presidents this week. On Tuesday, Erdogan urged Putin to agree to direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is asking Congress or new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of a new funding request to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russias invasion. In remarks at the White House on Thursday morning, Biden will formally ask for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending earmarked for supplying Ukraines military, bolstering its economy and supporting the millions of refugees who fled Russias invasion two months ago. The White House said he will also seek new authorities from Congress to strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian government and those who profit from it, the White House said. Biden is asking lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. ___ MOSCOW Russia says that Turkey gave it advance notice before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory. She added that the reasons for that were clear to us and the Russian side isnt using that route. Zakharova made the comment when asked about Turkeys weekend announcement that it had halted Russian flights to Turkey over its territory from the start of this month. It wasnt clear whether the move was related to Russias military operation in Ukraine. Turkey has close relations with both countries and has positioned itself as a mediator. Russia and Turkey have backed opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. ___ SOFIA, Bulgaria Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said during a visit to the Ukrainian town of Borodyanka that he hopes Bulgarian lawmakers will agree next week to send military assistance to Ukraine. Petkov was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv later Thursday. He said after viewing damage caused to Borodyanka during the initial Russian advance that we cannot be indifferent. We cannot say that this is a Ukrainian problem, we cannot say some people are dying but we are not interested in that. He criticized the argument of some politicians in Bulgaria that denying military aid to Ukraine would bring about a faster peace. Petkov said: If this is the price of peace, if the Russian state continues to fire and no one can defend himself is this the peace we want? ___ KYIV, Ukraine Mariupol authorities are sounding the alarm about unsanitary conditions in the ravaged port city that they say pose a deadly danger to its remaining residents. Mariupol City Council said on the messaging app Telegram Thursday that deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewerage, the decomposition of thousands of corpses under the rubble, a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. It said that the lives of 100,000 people who still remain in Mariupol, out of 450,000 pre-war residents, may be in danger pointing to diseases like cholera and dysentery. The Telegram post cited Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko as saying that the invaders are not able to provide the remaining population with food, water and medicines or are simply not interested in that. He said that living conditions in the ruined Mariupol are now medieval and that an immediate and complete evacuation is needed. ___ WASHINGTON A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying its not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. By The Associated Press Putin gas cutoff shakes up Europe at little cost to Kremlin View Photo BRUSSELS (AP) Cutting off natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria cost Russian President Vladimir Putin very little but it is adding stress on European countries wrestling with how to reduce the energy imports feeding the Kremlins war chest and how to keep a united front on the war in Ukraine. European Union officials say yielding to Putins demand to pay for gas in rubles would violate Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Poland and Bulgaria were cut off after refusing the demand and say they will manage because they were already working to end their dependence on Russian energy supplies. Analysts say there is enough ambiguity in the European stance to allow the Kremlin to keep trying to undermine unity among the 27 member countries even if an implied threat to cut off major customers such as Germany and Italy may turn out to be an empty one because it would cost Russia heavily. The cutoff sent a chill through EU officials wondering how their utility companies will heat homes and generate electricity next winter. Putin got maximum disruption of what he regards as a hostile alliance for minimal costs because Poland and Bulgaria are relatively minor customers who were about to end their contracts at years end anyway. Polands entire gas import was only 10 billion cubic meters per year, out of total European imports of 155 billion from Russia. Gas in roughly that amount is already flowing to Poland from other European countries pitching in to help. Russian energy giant Gazprom has lost relatively little revenue but opened a new front in its confrontation with Europe. Putin is creating a system where he can basically divide countries as we are seeing for the ones that dont want to comply with this new scheme will be cut off, while others will try to comply and essentially go against the European Union indication, said Simone Tagliapietra, an energy expert and senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels. European payments for Russian oil and gas amount to $850 million a day even as governments condemn the war. Its the result of decades in which Russia was regarded as a reliable supplier of cheap gas despite warnings from Poland and other central and Eastern European countries that Russia could use energy as a weapon. While Europe needs the oil and gas, those sales are the main pillar of the Kremlins budget. John Lough, an associate fellow in the Russian and Eurasia program at the Chatham House think tank, said Russias cutoff of Poland and Bulgaria was meant as a signal to major importers Germany and Italy, which both get 40% of their gas from Russia. But if they have to follow through on their threats, then they have to cut off the nose to spite their face, he said of Russian officials. And thats a big problem. So its a kind of game of chicken. A wide-ranging gas cutoff would hit industrial users that cant easily substitute other energy sources. Liberty Ostrava steel works in the Czech Republic has no short-term solution to replace natural gas because a changeover would take nine to 12 months, spokeswoman Barbora Cerna Dvorakova said. European Union countries or companies that agree to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions, senior EU officials said Thursday. Around 97% of European gas contracts with Russia are in euros or dollars. Under Putins new payment system, the Kremlin has said importers would have to establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias third-largest bank, Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. The importer would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The sanctions violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account because the ruble conversion involves a transaction involving Russias sanctioned central bank. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, says companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars per their contract, then making a clear statement to Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. That leaves an opening for the Kremlin to accept the statement or not a potential pressure point for member countries. Russia has Europe over a barrel in the sense of making it a requirement that if they want any gas, then theyll have to break their own sanctions by paying for it in rubles, said David Elmes, an energy expert at Warwick Business School. And so theyre calling Europes bluff, if you like. Which do you want to do on the gas or do you want the sanctions? Uniper, Germanys biggest importer of Russian gas, said it has been paying in euros and will continue to do so but indicated that it would be prepared to open a second account in rubles. We believe that a change of payments which conforms to sanctions laws and the Russian decree is possible, the company said in a statement. Whats clear is that Uniper will continue to pay in euros. The company declined to say when and under what conditions it would open the ruble account. It said doing without Russian gas at short notice isnt possible, it would have dramatic consequences for our national economy. Thats why EU sanctions so far have avoided Russian oil and gas. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged Thursday that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. Italian officials said they were waiting for further guidance from the EU on whether the payment workaround violates sanctions. Carlo Bonomi, head of Italys main business lobby Confindustria, said he didnt think Russia would cut natural gas deliveries to Italy. Obviously, its a situation in continuous evolution, but regardless, the government is working with the aim of making Italy independent in case of any escalation, he said. We are optimistic. But Putin may be playing a longer game, knowing that next winter will put more pressure on gas supplies. The European Unions executive commission has unveiled proposals to cut reliance on Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of the year through additional supplies of liquefied gas by ship, faster rollout of wind and solar, and tough conservation measures. Coordinated action on diversifying energy sources could be a victim of Putins ruble payment demand as some countries get exemptions and other dont, Tagliapietra said. How can we have a joint energy response if different countries are doing, or not, business with Putin? he said. ___ Kirka contributed from London, and Jordans from Berlin. Karel Janicek in Prague and Maria Grazia Murru and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed. By LORNE COOK, DANICA KIRKA and FRANK JORDANS Associated Press Polish leader calls for Ukraine unity at Holocaust event View Photo WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polish President Andrzej Duda denounced Russias war against Ukraine on Thursday as he joined Holocaust survivors and people from around the world at an annual observance at the former site of Auschwitz. We are here to show that every nation has a sacred right to life, has a sacred right to cultivate its traditions, has a sacred right to develop, he said. Duda joined more than 2,000 young Israelis and others who joined the March of the Living, a commemoration taking place on Israels national Holocaust memorial day that pays tribute to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The route begins under the Auschwitz gate with the notorious slogan Arbeit Macht Frei (German for work will set you free) and leads to Birkenau, the largest site of mass extermination during Germanys occupation of Poland and other parts of Europe during World War II. This years march, the first after being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, also included delegations from Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Duda, walking as Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg held him by the arm, took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Death Wall in Auschwitz, where prisoners were shot to death. Later, during a ceremony at Birkenau, Duda spoke out against war, anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred, and paid tribute to Jewish victims of the Holocaust as well as the other victims of Nazi Germany, including Poles, Roma and Russians. We come here to show that while during World War II, Nazi Germany managed to wipe my country off the map, wipe it out and murder Poles, including Polish Jews, we will never again allow something like this to happen, he said. We are also here to show that there is absolutely no consent to the attempt to take freedom and kill the Ukrainian nation with impunity, as is happening today in the occupied territories of Ukraine, he said. More than 1.1 million people were murdered by the Nazis and their henchmen in Auschwitz. Most who were killed were Jews, but the victims also included Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and others. In all, about 6 million European Jews died during the Holocaust. When the Soviets liberated the camp, they found about 7,000 survivors. ___ More AP coverage of the Holocaust and Russias war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/the-holocaust and https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Greenstone Equity Partners, the leading capital raising firm in the Middle East, has formed its Investor Advisory Board consisting of prominent GCC business leaders. This will provide strategic guidance and support as Greenstone continues its expansion after 11 years of operations in the region. The Investor Advisory Board has been established with the goal to enable and accelerate positive impact across the GCC and deliver unparalleled value to Greenstones GCC investor base and fund manager partners from around the world. The inaugural members of the Greenstone Investor Advisory Board are nationals of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and hold senior leadership positions and board memberships across a variety of financial industries, including Capital Markets, Investment Banking, Islamic Finance, Government-owned Enterprises, and Financial Technology firms. The members of Greenstones Investor Advisory Board are: Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al Hamed (UAE); Chairman and CEO of Al Hamed Enterprises; Chairman of KMK Group; Khamis M. Khamis Buharoon Al-Shamsi (UAE); Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Takaful; previously Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; CEO of Commercial Bank International and Chairman of National Development Bank of Egypt; Sultan Ali Rashed Lootah (UAE); Chairman of Vault Investments; previously Director of Information Technology at the Department of Economic Development in Dubai; and CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation; Khaled Al-Aboodi (Saudi Arabia); CEO of Faidh International Food Co, previously Managing Director of SALIC; CEO of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD); Senior Economist for Saudi Public Investment Fund; and Alternate Executive Director for Saudi Arabia at the World Bank; and Sara Nayef Al-Ateeqi (Kuwait); Vice Chair and acting CEO of Al Mal Investment Company and General Partner of Oasis Capital, a US based Venture Capital Firm. Inaugural meeting The Greenstone Investor Advisory Board recently held its inaugural meeting, covering an extensive set of topics related to key trends in global alternative investment allocations across various GCC investor segments. Sheikh Khalid said: Greenstone has built an impressive brand throughout the UAE and GCC countries. The wealth of critical market intelligence generated by their daily interactions with investors throughout the region is very impressive. Im proud to be part of the next phase of Greenstones growth. Blake Modersitzki, Managing Partner for Pelion Venture Partners, a global leader in venture capital, who made a guest presentation to the Greenstone Investor Advisory Board at its opening meeting, said: It was an honour to discuss topics of global economic importance with the esteemed members of Greenstones Investor Advisory Board. Greenstones Investor Advisory Board launch demonstrates yet another reason why Greenstone is the leading capital raising firm in the GCC. Alex Gemici, Chairman and CEO of Greenstone, said: After 11 years of continued growth, engaging the expertise of such high-calibre, well-connected leaders with diverse professional backgrounds will prove hugely beneficial to the continued growth of the GCC region and its institutional investor base. -- TradeArabia News Service 2022 Light of Hope awards View Photo San Andreas, California Four Calaveras County employees that work with children have received the 2022 Light of Hope Awards. Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras (PCAC) and Calaveras Court Appointed Special Advocates of Calaveras (CASA) started handing out the awards in 2017. Each year, they accept nominations to recognize individuals who have provided remarkable support to children as part of recognizing the month of April as Be the One Month. That support includes child abuse prevention efforts, support of child advocacy, mentorship, and individual work to improve conditions within the county to foster safety, support, and protection of children, detailed organizers. This year, Calaveras Sheriffs Detectives Nichole Alvarez and Zach Glanville and Health and Human Services employees Marci Gallagher and Alisa Gehrke were chosen to receive awards. Both detectives were recognized for their child abuse prevention work and continued advocacy. Det. Alvarez is primarily assigned to investigate crimes involving child sexual abuse. Det. Glanville investigates crimes involving other abuses and neglect of children. Sheriffs officials add, The true calling of both detectives is to mentor, protect, and rescue victimized children while holding their offenders accountable. Both also mentor youth through the sheriffs explorer program, giving teenagers first-hand experience in law enforcement. The health employees are also being honored for their work at the agency to help children. Gallagher is a trained public health nurse and works as a dedicated advocate for foster care youth to get them the medical services they need. A social worker supervisor, Gehrke has more than 25 years of experience and expertise working with children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Adventist Health Sonora View Photo Sonora, CA Recognizing the need for more Certified Nursing Assistants, Adventist Health Sonora will start offering free educational training for prospective candidates interested in the field. The new effort is developed in partnership with California Preparatory College. It offers full scholarships for all admitted students and they may receive conditional offers of employment for successfully completing the program. Adventist Health Sonora President Michelle Fuentes says, We are thrilled to welcome a new group of caregivers to our team through this training program. This is a great opportunity for these students to launch careers in medicine, and its a benefit to our hospital as we expand our services to meet the healthcare needs of our community. Students will take part in 62 hours of online coursework and 100 hours of in-person training at Adventist Health Sonoras skilled nursing facilities (12 weeks). Cohorts will be limited to 15 and courses and clinical work will be conducted on evenings and weekends to accommodate working adults. Participants must be 18 or older by the time of program completion. Applications are due by May 23, 2022. More information can be found here. Oklahoma House sends Texas-style abortion ban to governor View Photo OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma House gave final approval Thursday to a Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. The bill approved by the GOP-led House without discussion or debate now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is expected to sign it within days. The assault on abortion rights is one of several culture-war issues conservatives in GOP-led states have embraced, like restricting LGBTQ rights, that drive the partys base in an election year. A coalition of Oklahoma abortion providers and abortion rights advocates immediately filed separate legal challenges in state court to both the Texas-style ban and a separate bill Stitt signed earlier this month to make abortion a felony. Legal experts say its likely both measures could be temporarily halted before they take effect. House members also voted Thursday to adopt new language prohibiting transgender students from using school restrooms that match their gender identity and requiring parental notification ahead of any classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity. Theyre all concerned about their elections coming up and making sure they have something they can put on a postcard to talk about, said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Midwest City. The abortion bill, dubbed the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, prohibits the procedure once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, which experts say is roughly six weeks into a pregnancy. A similar bill approved in Texas last year led to a dramatic reduction in the number of abortions performed in that state, with many women going to Oklahoma and other surrounding states for the procedure. Like the Texas law, the Oklahoma bill would allow private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion for up to $10,000. After the U.S. Supreme Court allowed that mechanism to remain in place, other Republican-led states sought to copy Texas ban. Idahos governor signed the first copycat measure in March, although it has been temporarily blocked by the states Supreme Court. Although Stitt already signed a bill this year to make performing an abortion a felony crime in Oklahoma, that measure is not set to take effect until this summer. But the ban approved by the House on a 68-12 vote Thursday has an emergency provision that allows it to take effect immediately after the governor signs it. Abortion providers say it will immediately end most abortions in Oklahoma unless a court intervenes. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has repeatedly found that the state legislatures extreme attempts to restrict abortion are unconstitutional, and these bans are some of the most extreme yet, Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. A separate bill that uses the Texas-style enforcement mechanism to ban all abortions, not just after cardiac activity is detected, passed the Senate on Thursday and heads to the House for consideration. The bills are among more than a half-dozen anti-abortion measures introduced in the Legislature this year. We are more concerned at this point about these Texas-style bans because they have, at least recently, been able to continue and remain in effect, said Emily Wales, interim president and CEO at Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates two abortion clinics in Oklahoma. We do intend to challenge those if theyre passed, but because of the emergency clause provisions, there would be at least some period of time when we could not offer care. Before the Texas ban took effect last year, about 40 women from Texas had abortions performed in Oklahoma each month, according to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. That number jumped to 222 Texas women in September and 243 in October, the agency reported. Were serving as many Texans as Oklahomans right now, in some cases more Texans than Oklahomans, Wales said. Tony Lauinger, the chairman of Oklahomans for Life and a longtime anti-abortion advocate in the state, said hes optimistic the measure will be deemed constitutional. Its identical to the bill that was enacted by the Texas Legislature last year, and that bill has passed muster with the United States Supreme Court, Lauinger said. We are hopeful that this bill will save the lives of more unborn children here in Oklahoma as well. ___ This story has been corrected to indicate the bill targets cardiac activity in the embryo, not fetus. By SEAN MURPHY Associated Press Writer Jury begins deliberations in rape trial of Idaho ex-lawmaker View Photo BOISE, Idaho (AP) Jurors in the rape trial of a former Idaho lawmaker are weighing whether the case involves power in the wrong hands used to harm a 19-year-old female intern, or consensual sex after a friendly dinner date. The jury of six men and six women heard both takes during closing arguments Thursday after a dramatic three-day trial in which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying I cant do this. Aaron von Ehlinger, 39, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object both charges carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison and maintains he had consensual sex with the 19-year-old legislative intern. Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening and start again on Friday. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as Jane Doe at her request. Doe told her supervisors that von Ehlinger, who was then a Republican representative from Lewiston, raped her in March 2021 at his Boise apartment after the two had dinner at a restaurant. Von Ehlinger resigned from the House of Representatives last year after a legislative ethics committee recommended that he be banned from the Statehouse because of his conduct with Doe. When the allegations became public largely because of the legislative ethics investigation Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlingers supporters. Her name, photo and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in doxxing incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the floor where where case was being heard. Over the span of three days, jurors heard graphic and sometimes harrowing testimony, including from Doe, who briefly took the witness stand before abruptly standing and leaving the courtroom. Doe haltingly described the moments the alleged assault began. He laid me down he removed his clothes he climbed on top of me in just his boxers. White T-shirt, Doe said. He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees. At that, she stood up. I cant do this, she said, quickly walking out of the courtroom. The judge instructed them not to consider her testimony after Doe fled before she could be questioned by the defense. During closing arguments, Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley told jurors that the case was about power in the wrong hands used to the great devastation of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said. He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her, Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault. Words show lack of consent. Excuses of Why this shouldnt happen, show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent, Farley said. But von Ehlingers defense attorney Jon Cox told jurors the prosecutions case was made up of red herrings, and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story. Judge his credibility, thats all you can do, Cox said. For every assertion that the state has made, or any evidence Aaron has given you a, This is what happened. That, in and of itself, creates reasonable doubt. During his testimony, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, telling them the sexual contact was the culmination of a first date with the intern. She was flirting with me, so I thought, Why not? Go out to dinner with a person? Why not? he said. After eating at a fancy Boise restaurant, he and Doe decided to return to his apartment, where they began making out on the couch, he said. Things were going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom, von Ehlinger said. She said Sure. We got up, held hands and walked into the bedroom. In the bedroom, things became hot and heavy, von Ehlinger said, and he stepped away to disrobe behind his closet door, carefully hanging up his suit jacket, tie and slacks, before returning to the bed. At his suggestion, Doe briefly performed oral sex, he said. He also denied carrying a gun that night, and said he seldom carries one. Very rarely, and certainly not with a suit on, von Ehlinger said. But while under questioning from Farley, he acknowledged that he described the events of that night differently in statements drafted by two different attorneys he previously hired to represent him. In those statements, he said he and Doe took each others clothes off. He also said he generally carried concealed weapons when he did carry guns, most often a small handgun that he would place in the front pocket of his jeans or suit pants. Earlier this week, jurors heard from investigators and a nurse who performed a rape exam. They testified that Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. A nurse also testified that Doe had a goose egg on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlingers grip. By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press Judge halts Kemps unlimited fundraising in governors race View Photo ATLANTA (AP) A federal judge on Thursday ruled that a special campaign committee created by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp cannot raise money unless and until he secures his partys nomination. A state law passed last year and signed by Kemp allowed certain top elected officials and party nominees to create leadership committees that can raise campaign funds without limits, including during the legislative session. Ruling on a motion in a lawsuit filed by Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen said Kemps Georgians First Leadership Committee cannot solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election and any possible runoff that makes him the Republican nominee for governor. Cohen previously ruled that Abrams could not take in unlimited contributions through her own leadership committee, One Georgia, before she officially becomes her partys nominee in the May 24 primary. She had argued that she was already effectively the nominee because no other Democrat qualified to run for governor. Kemp faces a primary challenge from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others and could be forced into a runoff election in June. If he becomes the Republican nominee, Kemp will face off against Abrams in November in a rematch of the 2018 contest he won by a narrow margin. Cohen had already ruled in February that Kemp couldnt spend money from his leadership committee on his reelection bid during the primary after Perdue challenged the constitutionality of the law that allowed leadership committees. The law allows the governor and lieutenant governor, opposing major party nominees, and both party caucuses in the state House and Senate to form leadership committees. Unlike traditional political action committees, they are allowed to coordinate with a candidates campaign. Leadership committees can also collect unlimited contributions, while candidates for statewide office cannot collect more than $7,600 from an individual donor for a primary or general election and $4,500 for a runoff election. In his temporary ruling Thursday, Cohen noted that Kemp and Abrams are running for governor but that neither has yet officially become a party nominee. But the leadership committee law allows Kemp to accept unlimited campaign contributions while Abrams cannot. Cohen said it is likely that as the lawsuit progresses Abrams will likely be able to show that the way the leadership committee law is currently used is an impermissible infringement of her First Amendment rights. Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo applauded the judges ruling. After months and months of Brian Kemp having exclusive ability to raise unlimited funds as a result of the bill he signed, Kemp will no longer be able to raise these funds while Stacey Abrams and One Georgia are denied equal ability to operate under the same rules, she said in a statement. Kemp campaign spokesman Cody Hall declined to comment. By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the dismissal of a discrimination lawsuit filed by a deaf, legally blind woman against a physical therapy business that wouldn't provide an American Sign Language interpreter for her appointments. In a 6-3 ruling with conservatives in the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that businesses that receive federal health care money can't be sued for discrimination under the Affordable Care Act when the harm alleged is emotional, not financial. BRUSSELS (AP) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Finland and Sweden would be embraced with open arms should they decide to join the 30-nation military organization and could become members quite quickly. Stoltenbergs remarks came as public support in Finland and Sweden for NATO membership mounts in response to Russias war in Ukraine. Media speculation in the two countries suggest the two might apply in mid-May. Its their decision," Stoltenberg said. "But if they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be warmly welcomed, and I expect that process to go quickly. He gave no precise time frame, but did say that the two could expect some protection should Russia try to intimidate them from the time their membership applications are made until they formally join. Stoltenberg said hes confident that there are ways to bridge that interim period in a way which is good enough and works for both Finland and Sweden. NATOs collective security guarantee ensures that all member countries must come to the aid of any ally under attack. Stoltenberg added that many NATO allies have now pledged and provided a total of at least $8 billion in military support to Ukraine. Before launching the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that NATO stop expanding and pull its troops back from Russias borders. So the prospect of neighboring Finland, and Sweden, joining the trans-Atlantic alliance is unlikely to be welcomed in Moscow. Finland has a conflict-ridden history with Russia, with which it shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border. Finns have taken part in dozens of wars against their eastern neighbor, for centuries as part of the Swedish Kingdom, and as an independent nation including two fought with the Soviet Union from 1939-40 and 1941-44. In the postwar period, however, Finland pursued pragmatic political and economic ties with Moscow, remaining militarily nonaligned and a neutral buffer between East and West. Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, choosing a path of peace after centuries of warfare with its neighbors. Both countries put an end to traditional neutrality by joining the European Union in 1995 and deepening cooperation with NATO. However, a majority of people in both countries remained firmly against full membership in the alliance until now. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine LVIV, Ukraine (AP) Ever since Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, residents sensed the occupiers had a special plan for their town. Now, amid a crescendo of warnings from Ukraine that Russia plans to stage a sham referendum to transform the territory into a pro-Moscow people's republic, it appears locals guessed right. After Russian forces withdrew from occupied areas around Kyiv in early April, they left behind scenes of horror and traumatized communities. But in Kherson a large city with a major ship-building industry, located at the confluence of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea near Russian-annexed Crimea the occupying forces have taken a different tack. The soldiers patrol and walk around silently. They dont shoot people in the streets, said Olga, a local teacher, in a telephone interview last month after the region was sealed off by Russian forces. They are trying to give the impression that they come in peace to liberate us from something. It is a little scary," said 63-year-old Alexander, who like other residents gave only his first name for fear of reprisals. "But there is no panic, people are helping each other. There is a very small minority of people who are happy that it is under Russian control, but mostly, nobody wants Kherson to become a part of Russia. While the city has so far been spared the atrocities committed elsewhere, daily life is far from normal. After Russia occupied Kherson and the surrounding region, all access was cut off. Kherson now suffers from a severe shortage of medicine, cash, dairy and other food products, and Ukrainian officials warn the region could face a humanitarian catastrophe." Russia has blocked all humanitarian assistance except its own, which troops deliver before Russian state TV cameras, and which many residents refuse to accept. With no cash deliveries to Khersons banks, the circulation of Ukraine's hryvnia currency is dwindling, and damaged communication networks mean credit card payments often fail to go through. Access to Ukrainian TV has been blocked and replaced by Russian state channels. A strict curfew has been imposed. Residents believe Russian troops have not yet besieged or terrorized the city as they did in Bucha and Mariupol because they are planning to hold a referendum to create a so-called People's Republic of Kherson like the pro-Russia breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine. Ballots are already being printed for a vote to be held by early May, Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova warned this month. In an address to the nation on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke directly to residents of occupied Kherson, accusing Russia of planning an orchestrated referendum and urging residents to be careful about personal data they share with Russian soldiers, warning there could be attempts to falsify votes. This is a reality. Be careful, he said. Kherson Mayor Igor Kolykhaiev joined the chorus of warnings, saying in a Zoom interview on Ukrainian TV that such a vote would be illegal since Kherson remains officially part of Ukraine. Russia has been silent about any plans to hold a referendum in Kherson, with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko saying this week he knew of no such proposal. But there is reason for concern. In 2014, a disputed referendum in Crimea amid the Russian annexation was widely believed to be falsified, with results showing nearly 97% of voters supported joining Russia. A series of Russian actions this week have added to the growing sense of panic in Kherson. The mayor reported on social media on Monday that Russian troops had seized City Hall, where the Ukrainian flag no longer flew. On Tuesday, the Russians replaced the mayor with their own appointee. A prominent Russian commander, Maj. Gen. Rustam Minnekayev, announced plans to take total control" of southern Ukraine and the Donbas, eastern Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland, with the aim of setting up a land corridor to Crimea. And Ukrainian military intelligence reported that Russia intends to forcibly mobilize the local population, including doctors, in the southern occupied territories to support the Russian war effort. Kherson is a strategically important city and the gateway to broader control of the south. From Kherson, Russia could launch a more powerful offensive against other southern cities, including Odesa and Krivy Rih. The occupation of the Kherson region would also maintain Russia's access to the North Crimean canal. After the annexation, Ukraine cut off water from the canal, which flows from the Dnieper River to Crimea and previously supplied 85% of the peninsulas needs. Volodymyr Fesenko, a political analyst at the Penta Center think tank in Kyiv, says the Russian militarys softer behavior in Kherson is because units from Crimea and separatists from Donetsk and Luhansk, who are either ethnic Ukrainians or have close connections to the region, are deployed there. Therefore, there have been no atrocities, he said. The situation in the surrounding Kherson region, however, tells a very different story with daily reports of kidnappings, torture, killings or rape. Thousands of people have been deprived of electricity, water and gas. The situation in the Kherson region is much worse and much more tragic, said Oleh Baturin, a local journalist. Kherson is a big city and there arent that many soldiers. It is easier for them to take control of the villages; they are defenseless. On April 19, Russian forces opened fire on the villages of Velyka Oleksandrivka and Rybalche, killing civilians and damaging homes, the Kherson Region Prosecutors Office reported. A week earlier, Russian troops shot dead seven people in a residential building in the village of Pravdyne. After that, intending to cover up the crime, the occupier blew up the house with the bodies of the executed people inside, the report said. Russian soldiers have also kidnapped local activists, journalists and war veterans, according to Kolykhaiev, the Kherson mayor, who said more than 200 people have been abducted. Among them was Baturin, who was seized near his home in Kakhovka, 60 miles (90 kilometers) east of Kherson. The journalist was meeting an acquaintance from another village when a group of Russian soldiers attacked him at the train station. They held him in isolation for a week, Baturin said, interrogating him every day; the soldiers asked for the names of organizers of anti-occupation protests, as well as local soldiers and veterans. From other cells, he could hear sounds of torture. After his release he fled the occupied territory with his family. If I had stayed, I am absolutely certain they would come for me again, Baturin said, speaking by phone last week from Ukrainian-controlled territory after his escape. Fesenko, the analyst, says the referendum plan indicates Russias intention to occupy the region long-term. In Crimea and Donbas, Russia had the support of the local population, but this is not the case in the south of Ukraine, where Ukrainians want to live in Ukraine. And this means that in the event of a long-term occupation, Russia risks facing a broad partisan movement, Fesenko said. Despite the great risk, thousands of protesters gathered daily on Khersons main square during the first weeks of the occupation, draped in Ukrainian flags and holding signs proclaiming, This is Ukraine. Videos on social media showed people screaming at Russias tanks and heavily armed soldiers. The protests are now held weekly and on Wednesday, Russian troops used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse them. Olga, the teacher, regularly takes part. Previously a Russian speaker, she now refuses to utter the language. I will never be able to communicate with Russians ever again. How can I feel about people who bomb maternity hospitals and children? she said. We were flourishing and now they have ruined our lives. There has also been some Ukrainian resistance as well. In what appeared to be a Ukrainian counterattack, a series of explosions rocked the television tower late Wednesday, temporarily knocking Russian channels off the air, both Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. Still, there is a palpable sense of growing trepidation among the city's residents. Mayor Kolykhaiev said that after the warnings about a Russian referendum and mobilization there's been a panicked rush to leave. The queues of people who want to leave our city have grown to five kilometers," he said, adding that around a third of the city's pre-war population of 284,000 has fled. Following Zelenskyy's address to the nation, Olga sent a WhatsApp message to the AP: The situation in Kherson is tense. My family and I want to leave ... but now the Russian soldiers dont allow it at all. Its becoming more and more dangerous here. Late Monday night, Kolykhaiev wrote on Facebook that armed Russian soldiers had entered the Kherson City Council building, took away the keys and replaced the guards with their own. On Tuesday, the mayor posted again, saying he had refused to cooperate with the new administration appointed by the Russian regional military commander, Oleksandr Kobets. I am staying in Kherson with the people of Kherson," he wrote. I am with you. United Nations/Chile Conference on Space Law and Policy: Governance and Legal Perspectives on Space Activities in Earth Orbit and Beyond Virtual Conference 10-12 May 2022 (Virtual) Update: Draft Programme: click here! Registration for the Conference is open until 9 May 2022!, - Register through this form. Introduction The Space Law Conference, which follows a series of 14 annual Conferences and Workshops, is proposed to be organized virtually from Vienna, with the support of the Government of Chile, the Chilean Air Force and the National Academy of Political Studies, ANEPE. International and regional cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space helps to bring the benefits of space technology applications to a wide circle of stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental, and to intensify and diversify national space programmes. Policy and regulatory frameworks at the national, regional and international levels are of paramount importance for providing the necessary basis for States, particularly developing countries, to meet development goals and address challenges to sustainable development. In this connection, it is necessary to continue to strengthen the linkages between international space law and the conduct of space activities. Lately, the topic of space resource exploration, exploitation and utilization brings scientific and technical aspects of space activities and international space law together in a new and undefined ways. While the manner in which such activities are carried out raises novel legal issues, there has been a concerted global push to understand what is permissible under the existing international space law regime. The Conference this year will raise this issue in the context of the newly established working group on space resources under the Legal Subcommittee. The following main areas will be addressed: The legal regime of outer space and governance - an overview Perspectives on space traffic management and the governance of outer space activities Governance of activities on the Moon and other celestial bodies - and the question of space resources Safety, security and sustainability of outer space activities - overall governance perspectives Lately, the topic of space resource exploration, exploitation and utilization brings scientific and technical aspects of space activities and international space law together in a new and undefined ways. While the manner in which such activities are carried out raises novel legal issues, there has been a concerted global push to understand what is permissible under the existing international space law regime. The Conference this year will raise this issue in the context of the newly established working group on space resources under the Legal Subcommittee. Other topical areas included in the Conference are, inter alia: Space traffic management; large constellations and megaconstellations; and dark and quiet skies. The Secretary-General "Our Common Agenda" and the Summit of the Future will also be addressed. As a general background, each year, in its resolutions on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, the General Assembly reaffirms the importance of international cooperation in developing the rule of international law, including the relevant norms of international space law and their important role in international cooperation for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, and of the widest possible adherence to international treaties that promote the peaceful uses of outer space in order to meet emerging new challenges, especially for developing countries. The Assembly recognizes that all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, should contribute actively to the prevention of an arms race in outer space with a view to promoting and strengthening international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. In today's world, where the number of actors that engage in space activities increases every day, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that all actors comply with the requirements of international space law in developing international and regional space cooperation. The successful implementation and application of the international legal framework governing space activities depend on the understanding and acceptance of that framework by policymakers and decision makers. The availability of professionals who can provide suitable legal advice and disseminate information and knowledge about space law, in particular in developing countries, depends on the availability of adequate education opportunities in space law and policy. This Conference will be held in order to promote adherence to the five United Nations treaties on outer space and to assist States in building their capacity in space law, and thus help them to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Conference Objectives The objectives of the Conference are to: Promote understanding, acceptance and implementation of the United Nations treaties and principles on outer space; Consider the contribution of space law to economic and social development; Consider trends in and challenges to international space law; Discuss novel areas in international space law and policy and governance of outer space activities; Consider mechanisms for increasing regional and international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space; Preliminary Programme Draft Programme is Available Above! The Conference will be structured by discussions in the following topics. In addition, renowned experts in the field will be invited as speakers. The Conference will mainly comprise presentations followed by questions and answers. The following topics will be considered in dedicated sessions: Promoting responsible, peaceful and safe use of outer space Long-term sustainability of outer space activities Legal regime of outer space and global governance National legal and policy frameworks related to outer space activities Strengthening capacity-building in space law and policy Kindly note that the Conference organizers may modify the number and themes of sessions of the final programme. Date Dates: The Conference will be held from 10-12 May 2022 Venue: The Conference will take place online via WebEX Working Methods Speakers at the Conference are requested to deliver an oral presentation via WebEx. On 9 May 2020 at 15:00 (CET), the presenters will have the opportunity to conduct a test run of their presentations online. Presentations made at the Conference will be published on the website of the Office for Outer Space Affairs ( www.unoosa.org) before the Conference to facilitate engagement of participants. Videos of the presentations will be made available to the participants via an online platform after the end of the Conference. Target Audience and Expected Participants The Conference is envisioned to reach more than 200 participants. It addresses members of the diplomatic community, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and institutions focusing on space law and policy, policy-and-decision makers, senior experts, legal professionals and practitioners, and university educators, in particular, from developing countries. Representatives from United Nations Member States will be invited to the Symposium, together with representatives of various United Nations entities and other international organizations, with the objective of fostering dialogue not only between policy-makers, but also with the private sector and end users. The Office is committed to achieve 50/50 gender balance in its programmes and ensuring a balanced representation from different perspectives. Women are encouraged to apply. Deadline for Registration Registration for the Conference is open until 8 May 2022!, - Register through this form. Contact For information regarding the organization and registration of the Conference, please contact: Mr. Michael Newman Office for Outer Space Affairs unoosa-spacelaw@un.org Language of the Conference The working language of the Conference will be English and Spanish. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As Don Eversole enjoys his golden years, the 81-year-old has been able reflect on the many unique chapters of his life. From growing up in New Jersey, raising a family and even becoming a Wayland Baptist University professor, the chapters of Eversole's life have been well-written for the longtime Plainview resident. However, for Eversole, some of the most exciting passages of his life were written in the clouds as the former pilot served 22 years in the United States Air Force, ending his career as a major in that branch of the service. During some of the most pivotal moments in our nation's history, Eversole served as an aircraft commander, experiencing everything under the aviation sun from flying nuclear bombers to surviving a horrific crash in South East Asia. "I really enjoyed flying," said Eversole, who retired as a WBU professor in 2000. Though raised in New Jersey, Eversole graduated in Ohio in 1952. Pushed to become an engineer, Eversole said he attended a few years of college, including a stint at the General Motors Technical Center. However, that route wasn't in the stars for the young Eversole, who started to explore different career paths for the future. And the new path came after seeing an advertisement for an aviation cadet program offered through the Air Force. "It was a program that you didn't have to be commissioned or be a college graduate. You could just enroll and they'd send you to train as a pilot. It seemed like a great program" said Eversole. Convinced that his future was in the air, Eversole signed up and headed to San Antonio for training in 1955. Though the physical and discipline aspects of basic training took a little getting used to, Eversole said going up in the air for the first time was a piece of cake. "I wasn't really nervous," said Eversole, who begin flight training in a small Piper Cub airplane. But once Eversole got the basics down, he began piloting bigger planes as he moved on to a WWII T-6, which he learned to fly over North Carolina. After learning to fly a T-33, Eversole was commissioned as a second lieutenant and continued training with the Strategic Air Command program. After graduating from aviation cadet school in 1956, he trained to fly B-47s and B-52s. "They were six engine jets. Bombers built for nuclear weapons. They were good planes," said Eversole. After being promoted to first lieutenant Eversole continued to train, traveling the country with the Strategic Air Command through the end of the 1950s and into the early 1960s. It was during this time Eversole meet his wife and had children. But with the 60s came change and diplomatic unrest, as Cold War tensions heated up and fighting grew in Vietnam. With the nation on alert because of the actions of Communist countries like Russia, Eversole was assigned to his first tour, spending three years in Puerto Rico near Communist Cuba. With threats of nuclear war abuzz, Eversole said SAC was always on alert. "We were ready," said Eversole. As they waited, Eversole, who by this time was promoted to an air commander, said they would often run training missions, sometimes spending two days on practice fly routes. But eventually tensions eased over Cuba and Eversole was sent back to the States for continued training. However, matters were escalating in Vietnam as American forces were fighting in the jungles of Southeast Asia. "Most of us knew we'd be tapped for a session over there," said Eversole. And the pilot was right as he was chosen to lead a team into a tour of Vietnam in 1969. Before departing, Eversole was trained to fly the smaller EB-66C aircraft which specialized in electronic reconnaissance. Heading into Southeast Asia, Everole and his team were stationed in Thailand. From there they would assist ground troops by using equipment to electronically jam enemy radar looking for gun layouts. "We didn't have any armaments in that plane, I flew and the guys would use the jammers," said Eversole. Also during the missions the crew would try to figure out where enemy missile sites were in case they needed to start bombing. Eversole was eventually moved to an airbase in Korat, Thailand. It was there that Eversole had a brush with mortality after crashing-landing in a tapioca field on Oct. 26, 1970. "We were in an old plane coming back from a night combat mission," said Eversole, as he explained that the nighttime darkness was intensified by fog and sheets of rain. With five crew members on the plane, Eversole said they were ready to return to the base and were clear for landing. However, the pounding rain and low visibility made conditions difficult to land. After checking in with the tower, Eversole elected to make the approach to see what conditions were like before diverting if necessary to a clear base at Takhli. According to a report filed by a crew member on the plane, all was going well down to the six-mile point where the aircraft was cleared to the published minimum descent altitude of 1,140-feet. Eversole continued to descend without caution from the navigator, even though neither had the air field in sight. With the navigator announcing the field looked clear, Eversole continued to drop altitude. Unfortunately, the navigator was referring to his radar presentation rather than a visual reference. "We came in too low and took out the tops of two trees," said Eversole. Eversole said the tree limbs entered the engines, causing them to flame out. With no engines, Eversole knew the plane was going to crash. As the plane descended, Eversole's pilot seat was equipped with an ejection seat he could still deploy at that altitude. But fellow crew members needed at least 400-500 feet to eject from the bottom of the plane. "I knew there wasn't any 400-foot trees in Thailand, so I knew there wasn't enough time for them to get out," said Eversole. "I gave the signal for a crash landing and that's the last thing I remember," said Eversole. The next thing Eversole recalls is waking up jammed in the crashed cockpit. "I remember a shadowy figure yelling at me 'Major, we got to get you out of here,' " said Eversole. Stuck in the cockpit, Eversole said he had broken his ankles and three vertebrae in his back. "I could hear hissing and fuel pouring everywhere," said Eversole. Knowing that the engines were hot, Eversole ordered the crew member to run away before the plane exploded. "I said get out of here things are about to explode," said Eversole. Still connected to the ejector seat, Eversole became worried that it would go off, slamming him right into the side of the wrecked plane. With time running out, Eversole said he did all he could to get free. "With rain in my face, I said 'Lord, I got four kids at home, this is not the way I'm going to meet you, " said Eversole. About that time, the seatbelt came loose and Eversole was out the harness. It was then that Eversole saw more fuel heading back to the burning disabled aircraft. "I saw one spot to the left of the cockpit that was not in flames," said Eversole. "I dove for it." With a broken back and ankles, Eversole was able to get to the muddy spot in the tapioca field, which helped soften the landing of the crash. "From there, the crew came back and got me. I was so thankful to be alive," said Eversole. Eversole was transported to a medical facility in Thailand where he was treated for 2-3 weeks before being transferred home. It would be Eversole's last mission. After time passed, Eversole healed nicely and eventually regained his flying status. For the remainder of his flying career, Eversole continued as air commander and flew test flight at Pinker Air Force base in Oklahoma. After retirement, Eversole decided to go back to college where he eventually earned a masters in business from the University of Central Oklahoma. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Provided by Pearl Whitfield Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Provided by Pearl Whitfield Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Author Pearl Whitfield will be at the Unger Memorial Library on Friday promoting her newest book. She will read from her book, APSARA. The event will be from 1-3 p.m. at the library, 825 Austin St. MERIDEN In Latin America, cuisine is an important part of culture. Food brings people together, and for many Latino households its a celebration. When theres a gathering, one of the first things many families do is decide which dish each person will be cooking. Here is a list of some iconic Latin American dishes. Arroz con gandules This dish originated in Puerto Rico after the discovery of gandules, a green pigeon plant. Many Puerto Rican households serve the dish several times a week. Arroz con gandules is made for every family occasion and celebration, said Maria Romero, owner of El Rincon Boricua Restaurant in downtown Meriden. From November to January, the dish becomes a perfect companion for holiday feasts. It is typically served with potato salad, pernil (pork shoulder) and pasteles pork and adobo filling stuffed in a green plantain masa wrapped with banana leaves, Romero said. Mole Mole is a traditional marinade or sauce that contains dried chile. It is used to make many Mexican dishes. There are different types, such as mole poblano or chocolate mole. It has a dark color and is typically used with cacao or Mexican chocolate bars. Another chocolate mole is mole negro, which has hoja santa, a Mexican pepperleaf. Mole can be used in tacos, nachos, enchiladas and burritos. All are typically served with a side of Mexican rice and beans. Ceviche Peruvian ceviche is typically made with fish, chili peppers, red onion, sweet potatoes and lime. According to National Geographic, ceviche only became popular around 60 years ago. Before, it was known as a fishermans dish. The dish can be served as street food or in a restaurant. Other Latin American countries have taken the dish and created their own version. Arepas Arepas have become popular recently due to the Disney channel movie Encanto. On social media platforms, especially TikTok, cooking tutorials on arepas con queso have received many views. Many Colombians are proud to have their food craved by many around the world. Arepas, also known as corn cakes, date back to the Spanish conquest in the pre-Colombian era when different indigenous groups harvested corn, according to Colombia.com. There are over 40 types of arepas in Colombia, such as arepas de choclo, which is made with sweet and tender corn. Arepas can be stuffed with ingredients like pork, beef, eggs and cheese, which makes it a comfort food to many people. Venezuela, Bolivia, Puerto Rico, and other countries have their own variations of the dish. This is also similar to the Salvadorian dish pupusas. After more than a year of construction, H-E-B unveiled its upgraded New Braunfels store with a community VIP celebration a day before the public grand opening. Attendees got a glimpse at the company's third two-story store and H-E-B's first with a two-story True Texas BBQ and Home by H-E-B department on Thursday, April 28. "It is wonderful to have a brand new face to an old friend," said New Braunfels Mayor Rusty Brockman. "We appreciate the commitment that H-E-B has made to our community since 1994 on West San Antonio Street. That commitment has grown into not one, not two, but three big providing grocery stores to our community. It's not just the things on the shelves and the bricks around the building, it is the people that work in these buildings that make my experience at H-E-B so special." Photo by Gabriel Romero The now 122,000 square-foot store broke ground in January 2021. It isn't the first H-E-B to house a True Texas BBQ, but the company wanted this one to be different. Photo by Gabriel Romero New Braunfels H-E-B store leader Katy Segler said there is outdoor seating at other True Texas BBQ locations, but that would not be feasible for this location. So, instead of expanding the store to take up more space, the designers created the second story to give the restaurant the space it needed. "You can see Fischer Park and a lot of New Braunfels from up there," Segler said. "Now, I have store leaders in here that are like, 'When can I get the two-story BBQ store."' H-E-B also donated $10,000 to the McKenna Children's Museum and Communities in Schools of South Central Texas. Photo by Gabriel Romero The New Braunfels location is also the first to feature Home by H-E-B, which has collections from Haven and Key and Texas Proud. They are expected to be in over 100 different H-E-B stores in the next three years, according to Sabina Israelian-Garcia, H-E-B's Group Vice President of General Merchandise, Drug Store and Beauty. "So, from candles to pillows to decor accent furniture, we got it all," Israelian-Garcia said. "We will be in 25 locations by the end of this year." For the public grand opening on Friday, April 29, there will be free goodie bags featuring H-E-B brand products, a polka band, and a mini ribbon cutting ceremony. The store will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Photo by Gabriel Romero "Talk about un upgrade. We're so thankful for the support from this amazing community during this time of growth and we're honored to have you choose our store to provide for your family's needs," said Kyle Stevens, Vice President of H-E-B's San Antonio region. "As this beautiful city grows, we're honored to be able to grow with it improving convenience and expanding products and services available to our customers." Bloomberg photo by Luke Sharrett Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management are offering to acquire retailer Kohl's in a deal that would be worth more than $8.6 billion, according to a report in the New York Post. Simon and Brookfield, which bought rival department-store chain JCPenney out of bankruptcy, have offered $68 a share, according to people with knowledge of the talks who the Post didn't identify. Courtesy of H-E-B LP San Antonio-based H-E-B has once again thanked its employees by gifting them a sweet gesture. This time in $100 gift cards to H-E-B. The beloved grocery giant confirmed the gift to MySA on Wednesday, April 27, saying they wanted to thank its partners for everything they do every day. "Our Partners are at the heart of everything we do, and this gesture is our way of thanking them for taking care of our customers day in and day out," H-E-B, which employs more than 100,000 people, wrote in a statement. For co-directors Maya Cueva and Leah Galant, the abortion debate in America had become a contentious issue that was being argued from echo chambers on both sides of the aisle. Cueva and Galant wanted to make a documentary on the subject while challenging the ideas about what it means to have a stake in reproductive rights and showing audiences that abortion wasnt simply a question of right and wrong. To do this, Cueva and Galant traveled to McAllen, home of the last abortion clinic on the U.S.-Mexico border, in 2014 to tell the stories of some of the people impacted by the sensitive issue. Instead of focusing their film on the women seeking an abortion or the doctors providing the service, they chose to base the narrative on three different perspectives. In On the Divide, Cueva and Galant introduce audiences to Mercedes, a single, Latina mother and former gang member who is part of the pro-life movement; Denisse, a volunteer who compassionately helps women looking for reproductive services; and Rey, a religious security guard who sympathizes with the women who come to the abortion clinic where he works. We really felt drawn to Rey because he is this 67-year-old man of faith who has been Catholic his whole life who started working at this clinic, which started to change his view [on abortion], Cueva told MySA during a recent interview. I had never seen someone like him this older Latino man who has a stake in reproductive health care, so we really wanted to show his story. Courtesy of PBS What Rey, Mercedes, and Denisse share between each other is the fact that all their stories are complex and dont fit neatly on either side of the abortion debate. Cueva and Galant wanted to make sure these stories werent left out, misunderstood, or turned into stereotypes by the media because the people involved were from low-income communities of color. We were growing tired of hearing about the abortion issue being talked about in this polarizing way, Galant said. From the beginning, we looked for people who complicated what it meant to be labeled as being on one side [of the abortion issue] or the other. We wanted to expand what it meant to have a stake in reproductive justice. We wanted to focus this film on those people who were outside of the clinic walls. On The Divide is a timely film, especially for those following the issue in the Lone Star State where the Texas Heartbeat Act was signed into law last September. The new law prohibits abortion when cardiac activity can be detected, which can happen as early as six weeks into pregnancy and oftentimes before a woman even knows shes pregnant. We need to pay attention to these laws that are getting more and more restrictive, Galant said. Things are scary, but we have to make sure we are supporting the [pro-choice] efforts on the ground and turning to the people and organizations who know their communities best. On The Divide is available to stream at pov.org through May 18, 2022. For more than 20 years, Gonzalo Pozo's Picante Grill served smoky-flavored fajitas that gained the notoriety of Texas Monthly's top Mexican food guide. Even after the restaurant closed in 2018, the Picante Grill's presence lingered like the smell of a sizzling fajita skillet with signs looming over Broadway advertising "beyond the border flavor." Now after four years, the emptied spot across from the Witte Museum is readying to welcome a new crowd. While the last enchilada plate at Picante Grill has been served, what's replacing the restaurant will also take customers over international borders. Madalyn Mendoza, MySA.com While still taking shape, The Cottage Irish Pub looks like it was plucked from the Green Isle and plopped onto Broadway with fresh, white paint. "The Cottage" is spread across the Broadway-facing wall in bold lettering. The rust-colored metal fencing that once enclosed the entry to Picante Grill has been changed out with a brick enclosure. Thatched awnings giving the upcoming drinking den a touch of the traditional Irish dwellings replace the clay tiles from the Picante Grill era. Details are sparse and owners were not immediately available to return requests for comment, but the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission issued a license for The Cottage Irish Pub on Monday, April 25, so pints will be plenty. The upcoming hangout made its social media debut in December 2021, providing sneak peeks of what's to come. The online promotions call it a "neighborhood pub and restaurant" coming "soon." Preview photos posted on February show custom carpentry work with stained glass is underway to complete the bar. It appears that the new tenants have also enclosed a portion of the parking lot to serve as a patio. Madalyn Mendoza, MySA.com The Cottage will join a list of new businesses, restaurants, and drinking spots that have recently opened on an artery in and out of downtown. The Soto, Oxbow, and Credit Human buildings recently opened. Sister restaurants Arrosta and Allora are a few months in to serving Pearl-area crowds. The Pink Hill opened in October 2021. Make Ready Market and Jefferson Bank headquarters are underway. The Cottage is located at 3810 Broadway. Mike Sutter /Staff file photo W.D. Deli weekends will soon be a thing at the San Antonio sandwich shop. The added hours are part of a new era of ownership after Steve Clemens and Kelly Palubiak bought the beloved deli from original owners Wayne D. Beers and Michael Bobo in March. When the husband-wife duo first bought the deli, they vowed that they would not subtract any favorites from the menu, but they would instead add to the already beloved restaurant. They seem to be making good on their promise. Starting May 7, the deli will be open on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Though W.D. Deli had weekend hours in the past for special events like Fiesta, W.D. Deli's hours were mostly restricted to weekdays. Mike Sutter /Staff Residents of San Antonio know that it has long been a vacation destination, especially in the spring. Recently, the exploratory publication Travel + Leisure spotlighted San Antonio in its short list of "Best Places to Travel in May 2022." In its description, the magazine has a myriad of suggestions for prospective Alamo City visitors. First among them is a call to explore the city's River Walk, whether that be through "biking, strolling, kayaking, or canoeing." remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) The federal government has finished another environmental review of a proposed transmission line that will carry wind-generated electricity from rural New Mexico to big cities in the West and similar reviews are planned for two more projects that would span parts of Utah and Nevada, the U.S. Interior Department announced Thursday. The regulatory steps came a day after the Biden administration announced a $2.5 billion initiative to make the nations power grid more effective at withstanding catastrophic disasters caused by climate change. It's also part of the administration's goal to create a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. The SunZia transmission project in New Mexico has been more than a decade in the making. After an initial review over several years, the Bureau of Land Management authorized a right-of-way grant on federal lands. That had to be revisited when developers in 2021 submitted a new application modifying the route after the U.S. Defense Department and others raised concerns about the path of the high-voltage lines. A final decision on the right of way application is expected this summer, following a public comment period. The Biden administration is just the latest to promise speeding up development and modernization of the nations energy infrastructure through expedited federal permitting and regulatory reforms. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump also vowed to roll back bureaucracy. While the other two transmission projects are in the early stages of the regulatory process, the experience in New Mexico illustrates the complicated nature of getting electricity from remote areas to population centers. The siting of hundreds of miles of transmission lines, power poles and electric substations often involve a checkerboard of private, state and federal land that sometimes include environmentally sensitive areas. Federal officials said Thursday that the projects have the potential to move 10,000 megawatts of electricity generated by wind and solar resources. "Transmission projects like those advanced today offer a promising path for diversifying our national energy portfolio and connecting more renewable energy, while at the same time combatting climate change and investing in communities, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. Aside from new transmission lines, maintenance and repair costs for existing electricity infrastructure have ballooned to more than $40 billion annually as many utilities struggle to upgrade decades-old equipment. Customers usually bear the costs. Ice storms, hurricanes, wildfires and other extreme weather have knocked out large parts of U.S. electrical networks with increasing frequency in recent years, according to an Associated Press analysis that found power outages from severe weather doubled over the past two decade. New Mexico's renewable energy authority is among those invested in the SunZia project, which would include about 520 miles (836 kilometers) of transmission lines and a network of substations for getting wind and solar power to Arizona and California. The anchor tenant is Pattern Energy, which has been busy building massive wind farms in central New Mexico. The proposed Greenlink West Transmission Project in Nevada would run through seven counties from Las Vegas to Reno. NV Energy has said its investment of more than $2.5 billion in the project is expected to generate $690 million in economic activity and generate thousands of construction jobs. And the proposed Cross-Tie Transmission Project would be made up of 214 miles (344 kilometers) of high-voltage lines between central Utah and east-central Nevada within federally designated utility corridors or parallel to existing transmission facilities. Developers have said the project would relieve congestion on other key regional transmission lines and increase the ability for California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming to import and export renewable energy. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HOUSTON (AP) A group of bipartisan Texas lawmakers on Wednesday visited a death row inmate whose execution they are trying to stop amid doubts about whether she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter. State Reps. Jeff Leach, a Republican, and Joe Moody, a Democrat, led a group of lawmakers to the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Texas, where the state houses women on death row. Melissa Lucio faces execution on April 27. We are blessed to have the opportunity to meet with Melissa, to pray with her, to spend time with her and were more resolute and committed than ever to fighting over the next three weeks to save her life, Leach told The Associated Press in an interview after the meeting. Lucio was convicted of capital murder for the 2007 death of her daughter Mariah. Prosecutors say Mariah was the victim of child abuse and there is no evidence that would acquit Lucio of her daughters death. But Lucios lawyers say jurors never heard forensic evidence that would have explained Mariahs various injuries were actually caused by a fall days before her death. They also say Lucio wasnt allowed to present evidence questioning the validity of her confession, which they allege was not actually a confession and was given under duress after hours of relentless questioning. Among those who have doubts about Lucios guilt are a bipartisan group of 83 Texas House members led by Leach and Moody. They sent the states Board of Pardons and Paroles and Gov. Greg Abbott a letter last month asking them to grant an execution reprieve or commute her sentence. A spokeswoman for Abbotts office did not immediately return an email seeking comment. Leach said he and six other lawmakers toured the prison for about two hours before meeting privately with Lucio for about 40 minutes. The meeting was first reported by The Quorum Report, which covers Texas politics. The lawmakers encouraged Lucio and talked with her about their efforts to stop her execution, Leach said. It was just a sweet, sweet time together, very powerful, Leach said. After Wednesdays meeting, Moody tweeted that, She prayed with us & hugged us; today might be the last genuine human contact she has before the state kills her. Efforts to stop Lucios execution have also received support from reality TV star Kim Kardashian West and from several jurors at her trial who are now expressing doubts about her conviction. In an op-ed published Sunday in the Houston Chronicle, juror Johnny Galvan Jr. said he believes jurors werent given all the information needed to make a proper decision and he now feels deep regret for sentencing Lucio to death. The idea that my decision to take another persons life was not based on complete and accurate information in a fair trial is horrifying. There are so many problems in this case that I believe she must not be executed, Galvan wrote. In 2019, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Lucios conviction, ruling she was deprived of her constitutional right to present a meaningful defense. However, the full court in 2021 said the conviction had to be upheld for procedural reasons. Lucios attorneys had asked the appeals court to recall its decision but the request was denied last week. But in a footnote in the brief decision, 5th Circuit Judge Patrick Higginbotham called Lucios case a systemic failure, producing a train of injustice which only the hand of the Governor can halt. Lucio, 53, would be the first Latina executed by Texas since 1863 and the first woman since 2014. Only 17 women have been executed in the U.S. since the Supreme Court lifted its ban on the death penalty in 1976, most recently in January 2021. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 ___ This story has been corrected to show that Lucio would have been the first Latina to be executed by Texas since 1863, not ever. Tom Merton/Getty Images Two men were arrested over the weekend for reportedly skimming gas during two separate occasions in Kyle. On Saturday, April 23, at around 5 p.m. Kyle police responded to the 7-Eleven gas station at 19350 on I-35 after an employee saw two vehicles at the gas pumps pumping gas into hidden compartments.according to a news release The employee noticed the men using multiple gift cards to make separate purchases. One of the vehicles left prior to the officer's arrival. Miguel Angel Vidal Flores, 29, of Austin, was arrested for unlawful use of criminal instrument, a third degree felony, according to the release. Courtesy of Ken Branca The former Marine from Texas who was freed from Russian prison landed in San Antonio in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 28. Trevor Reed, who was freed as a result of prisoner exchange negotiations led by President Joe Biden, landed at Lackland Air Force Base overnight, according to a report from Houston station KHOU-11 as well as photos and video received by MySA. Photos and video show Reed arriving at the military base with his North Texas family waiting to greet him. Sources told KHOU that Reed will possibly be evaluated and receive treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center. Reed's family has said that their son's health was deteriorating and he was showing signs of tuberculosis, KENS reports. At the top of a wall inside The Jerk Shack are five words spelled out in big, bright letters: It was all a dream. The words are from the song by Notorious B.I.G. but they also tell the story of the restaurants origin. Nicola Blaque, owner and founder of the Caribbean restaurant, said she was inspired to open it by a vision received after a 2017 visit to Jamaica for the funeral of her aunt. While there, she ate some of the best jerk chicken of my life. I felt like, honestly, my aunt was talking to me from the grave, Blaque said. When I ate that jerk chicken, I was like, This is what I need to be doing in San Antonio. I need to be paying homage to my heritage and using my chefs skills to the best of my ability. William Luther, Staff Since opening in 2018, the restaurant has received accolades from publications such as Eater and GQ, both of which named it one of the best new restaurants in the U.S. for 2019 and 2020, respectively. Blaque went on to open Mi Roti in the Pearls Food Hall at Bottling Dept. shortly before the pandemic, and shes in talks to open another restaurant at Hemisfair. On ExpressNews.com: Review: Jamaican heat sets The Jerk Shack ablaze Born in Jamaica, Blaque grew up from the age of 5 in the U.S. She learned to cook Caribbean staples by helping her mother in the kitchen. Because her stepfather was in the U.S. Air Force, she spent her childhood moving between such places as New Hampshire, Hawaii and Washington State. She went on to serve 10 years in the U.S. Army with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. After she left the military, her husband who was then her boyfriend encouraged her to pursue her passion for cooking. While attending the Culinary Institute of America, she began a career as a caterer. That led her to become a restaurateur. Blaque designed the interior of the Jerk Shack to bring to mind a typical Caribbean jerk shack a restaurant where jerk chicken is served with wood tables and metal chairs. Many of the meals are served in baskets on top of imitation newspaper. She recently sat with the Express-News to discuss what makes jerk chicken special, her efforts to modernize Caribbean cooking and the difficulties facing female restaurateurs in San Antonio. The following has been condensed and edited for clarity. William Luther, Staff Q: Did you enjoy your time in the military? A: I learned a lot. I learned leadership, I learned camaraderie things that I dont know that a lot of people pick up in life. Q: Have the skills you gained in the military served you well as a restaurateur? A: In the military they have a saying: You never leave your battle buddy. I look at that mentality the same way with my business. I try to do everything that I can, not just for my leadership employees but for all of my employees. I try to know their family situation if theyre in hard times. During the pandemic, I didnt let anyone go. I figured out a way to keep it going because I realized that these people are counting on me to make the best decision. Q: I would imagine your experience as a logistics specialist has come in handy. A: You kind of feel like youre micromanaging, but the military taught me to be organized in every step of the process. I feel like with restaurant owners, you have to know every part of that process and you have to be organized with it. William Luther, Staff Q: There used to be two Jerk Shacks, right? Did you have to close the other? A: I did, just because of manpower and the situation there. I just didnt like it, so Im focusing on this location and the future contract that I have with Hemisfair. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios favorite Jamaican restaurant The Jerk Shack reopening Friday near SeaWorld Q: When do you hope to open your restaurant at Hemisfair? A: Im hoping that by the end of this year I could start breaking ground. You know, the pandemic has put a little bit of financial strain on restaurants. Its harder to get loans. Even with this restaurant, our loan, we couldnt close on it. Because I closed for a few weeks and the banks were like, So many restaurants are closing and defaulting on their loans. How are you not going to let that happen? So I ended up having to go an untraditional route. Q: You have a restaurant at the Pearl, and youre going to have one at Hemisfair two of the most important places in the urban core. A: People ask me, Did you plan for that? And Im like, No, I didnt. When the Pearl had reached out to me, I was eight months pregnant with my son. It was right before the pandemic kicked off. It happened so fast, and it was unexpected. William Luther, Staff Q: Has the location been successful? A: You know, its been a learning experience, I can put it like that. A lot of factors can affect how your business goes there. Weather is a big one. When we have a lot of changes during the pandemic tables in, tables out all of that affects your sales. But for the most part, Im just happy to be there. The fact that Im spreading the word of Caribbean food. Q: Even though you grew up in the U.S., I would imagine there was a lot of Jamaican culture in the house. A: There was. My mom wanted to make sure we understood our heritage and our food and my grandparents would mail us care packages of Caribbean spices, because some of the places we lived you just couldnt get that stuff. Q: When did you become interested in cooking? A: Always, always. Just watching my mom cook in the kitchen, I dont know, since the minute I can hold a knife, probably 7 or 8, Ive just loved it. When I really found out that it was a part of me was probably when I was getting out of the military. The only thing that made me happy was cooking, you know. My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, he was like, If thats what makes you happy, thats what you have to follow. William Luther, Staff Q: How is jerk chicken different from regular chicken? A: Its super-spicy. Its not a spicy like the hot wing, where you taste it first. Its more savory, you know? Whats special about our jerk chicken is we grind it in spices so its got a nice, tender texture to it. Theres a little bit of sweetness and saltiness, and then you start to taste the spice and the thyme and the onion and the garlic and then boom! You feel the heat. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Q: You consider yourself to be modernizing Caribbean cooking. Could you explain how? A: I feel like Caribbean food, its kind of a soulful comfort food, you know? People are used to making it one way. What I mean by modernizing is in techniques, like how to do it in high volume. And fusion, right? I live in San Antonio, Texas, where most people dont even know what Caribbean food is. So Ive had to take my culture in the way that I cook food and merge it with what the city is known for, i.e., tacos. Weve done things like burgers, and we do lamb. Its not so much that Im trying to take away what Caribbean food is, but bring more exposure to it. When you go to a city its very rare that youll find that they have a Carribbean restaurant. I feel like if we can kind of change the techniques, rather than keeping it more comfort and homey and soulful to where only a few of us can enjoy it, well be able to share with the world what Caribbean food is. Q: I noticed you have jackfruit as an option, right? So you cater to vegans? A: My best friend has been a vegan, I think, before anyone was vegan. Shes been a vegan close to 20 years. So I learned a lot about cooking vegan cuisine. I just said, Im going to do it, because I know for people like her it matters. Q: Do you see this becoming a chain? A: You know, I always like to revisit the story of Torchys (Tacos) and how it started out with just one, the trailer. If my story happened like Torchys, Id just know that I helped a lot of people. You know, I look at what hes done and the lives that hes impacted and how successful the brand is and I hope to even be half of what hes done. Q: Is there anything else youd like to share about your business? A: In this city, the community of female minority-owned businesses is so small. We all see each other at the same events. I dont know where the disconnect is for them to open up. When I decided that I was going to open the restaurant, you know, of course I was scared, but I didnt even think twice. I had a vision that was so strong and it was burning so hard inside of me nobody could have talked to me out of it. The hurdle, you know? I wish that more women did that jump. You know, were all here to support you. Q: Do you think there are societal barriers? A: I think there are! Because a lot of times when I walk into a room, if Im walking in with one of my meal chefs and my husband, they automatically assume that theyre the chef and theyre the owner and Im just tagging along for the ride. So many kinds of people, they just underestimate who I am. I do feel like this city has some hurdles for female chefs. Amid a sea of hotels, office buildings, tourist traps and parking lots, Weston Urban is making a big bet on demand for downtown living. The San Antonio firm has begun construction of a 32-story high-rise at North Main Avenue and East Travis Street. The new tower will include about 354 apartments to be rented at market rates. The project, dubbed 300 Main, will have about 6,275 square feet of space for retail and a parking garage. Its expected to cost upward of $107 million and be completed in spring 2024. In two years time, a hot, soulless asphalt parking lot and I bet theres not a person here that can remember when it was anything else will transform by the work of a lot of great San Antonians into 32 stories of beauty and progress and, really, homes, Weston Urban co-founder and CEO Randy Smith said at a groundbreaking ceremony. Itll be a major injection of apartments in downtown, where no project of that size has been built and residential options are few. The areas housing stock includes about 247 apartments at the 17-story Inspire Downtown building at 100 N. Santa Rosa Ave., which was previously known as the Vistana, and about 59 condominiums at the 20-story Arts Residences at the Thompson Hotel at Lexington Avenue and North St. Marys Street. Theres also a sprinkling of apartments in buildings such as the Maverick at East Houston and North Presa streets and the Exchange on East Pecan Street. Courtesy of Weston Urban Rising rents, occupancy The 68 at Hemisfair, an eight-story building with about 151 units, was built through a partnership with the Hemisfair Park Public Facilities Corp., which provides a property tax exemption in exchange for including some apartments for tenants at lower income levels. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio firm getting another shot at Hemisfair development with new deal from City Council There are about 8,231 apartments within a 1.5-mile radius of Weston Urbans planned high-rise, according to an analysis by ApartmentTrends.com, which focuses on the Austin and San Antonio multifamily markets. The average rent among those complexes is $1,435 per month, and average occupancy is 91.1 percent, up about 15 percent and 4.6 percent annually, respectively. Rents are higher but occupancy lower compared to the metro areas overall multifamily market. Across 215,469 units, the average rent is $1,190 and average occupancy 94.3 percent. Metro-wide, thats an annual increase of 15.4 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively. Why hasnt more housing been built downtown? For one, its more difficult to secure financing and investors for downtown housing than for a hotel or a suburban apartment complex. Downtown also has less available land, and what is available is often smaller and pricier. A developer may also need to demolish existing structures, have the land rezoned and receive approval of plans from the Historic and Design Review Commission, said Robin Davis, founder and owner of ApartmentTrends.com. It has just been within the last year that (return on investment figures) have gone up enough for an appropriate rent on a downtown investment to make a new project feasible, Davis said. Another big project Courtesy of Weston Urban More apartments are in the planning phase across 16 projects, according to ApartmentTrends.com. Those include about 385 more units planned at Hemisfair and construction underway on the Floodgate residences along East Commerce Street. On ExpressNews.com: New hotel, restaurants and apartments to remake downtown San Antonio block The groups providing financing for Weston Urbans high-rise are Bridge Investment Group of Salt Lake City and Bank OZK of Little Rock, Ark. The firm is also receiving about $7.5 million worth of incentives through San Antonios now-defunct Center City Housing and Incentive Policy, which was created about a decade ago to spur downtown housing. This 32-story tower will become an important symbol and a part of San Antonios skyline ... and, in addition, sends a clear signal that San Antonio continues to move in the right direction, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said at the groundbreaking ceremony. Weston Urbans package includes a 75 percent rebate on property taxes for 15 years and reimbursements for San Antonio Water System fees. The rebate is worth $8.7 million, but about $2.2 million, or 25 percent, will go into the citys affordable housing fund. The firm will also get a six-year, 40 percent abatement of Bexar County taxes, worth about $712,917. Developer is confident Smith said Weston Urban is confident theres interest in high-rise living downtown, particularly as the metro areas population is swelling, and noted that 300 Main isnt the firms only residential project downtown. I dont think youll catch us delivering 2,000 of these units over the next five years, but we do believe theres demand, he said. It has not been met, and well know in two years. On ExpressNews.com: City panel OKs plans to restore historic buildings and construct 15-story tower Several blocks southwest, it plans to turn a block bounded by San Pedro Creek and Commerce, Dolorosa and Laredo streets into a mix of apartments, offices and commercial space. The firm plans to rehabilitate the Arana and Continental Hotel buildings and construct a 15-story building with about 255 units between the two buildings. The housing is aimed at students, faculty and staff at the University of Texas at San Antonio, which is building its School of Data Science and National Security Collaboration Center nearby. If we can have backpacks and residents and folks after work, that is a cocktail for downtown that we just have not been able to piece together, Smith said. madison.iszler@express-news.net What happened at the PGA wintermeeting (in short)?? At the last European conference of the PGA, we decided to postpone some decisions on organisational questions of PGA until the wintermeeting. One of the problems was that we did not find a new convenor (the group that organises the next conference) The wintermeeting took place on the weekend of the 7th and the 8th of March, in the social centre 'les tanneries' in Dijon, France. This is a short overview of the decisions that were taken, if you are hungry for more take a look at the report that was made from the notes (see attachment). New convenor The DSM (another world is possible) coalition from (ex) yugoslavia proposed to be the new convenor and was accepted. They said they will need lots of help, infopoints should take on some of the work of calling out and networking for the conference. DSM will organise a seminar in June on privatisation, which will be a test-case to see whether they are up for organising a conference. Groups active in PGA are invited to participate in the organisation of the seminar. We will also have our first preparation meeting of the conference just after the seminar. DSM says they cannot organise the conference before the autumn, which basically means it will not take place until April next year, when the temperatures begin to rise again. Gender and PGA There is a lack of importance given to the gender issue in the PGA network. In order to combat that it was decided to put more effort into it. Decisions include having one day of the next conference reserved for Gender, invite groups working on gender, have special spaces at the next conference where gender can be discussed and make a flyer making people aware of gendered social interaction. There is a gender working group coordinating some of the preparations, it can be contacted through the process list: infopoints The global action archive (www.globalaction.tk) is going to be the place where all infopoints can publish and share their materials, calls, ideas etc. Infopoints can get more info at: agpweb lists.riseup.net. Since the convenors are not very experienced the infopoints will take over the role of networking, sending out calls and maintenance of email lists and websites. Webteam They maintain www.agp.org and www.globalaction.tk (both php), and manage the caravan99 email list. However they need lots of help, if you are interested you can contact them at: agpweb lists.riseup.net They will be present at the skill sharing meeting in July in Esturias. Process points What was left undecided at the last conference in Leiden because of lack of time, most of the points concerned the support group. We decided that all the infopoints that want to do supportwork should be seen as the support group, now called the european process group. They will have an open meeting next conference and a skill sharing meeting before. We decided to delete all the other support group points that were left. Global process There was an update from the PGA in other regions and we decided it would be good to have periodical updates on the email lists on this. The European group working on global process will have an open meeting at the next conference. The Escanda proposal The Escanda collective has sent a proposal to organise two different gatherings in Esturias. a meeting with all the PGA convenors around the globe 1-15 of July a skill sharing meeting, as an intro to support work 4-6 and 11-13 of July. We decided at the wintermeeting it was not the right time to have a proposal on a global convenors meeting, more discussion needs to be had on how to advance the global process. G8 Evian A small report back on how it is going with the organisation of the anti-G8 protests in Evian from 1-3 of june. By Klaas Lenaerts, a Research Analyst at Bruegel, and Simone Tagliapietra, a Senior fellow at Bruegel. Originally published at Bruegel. How Can Climate Change Affect Migration? Migration comes in many forms temporary or permanent, local, rural-urban or international, forced or voluntary and happens for many reasons economic or political, or because people are fleeing from acute violence or natural disasters. The ways in which climate change could affect migration are therefore complex. The academic literature distinguishes between impacts from fast-onset events like hurricanes, and slow-onset events like declining agricultural yields or desertification. The former usually have a direct impact resulting in forced, temporary and local displacement, whereas the latter more often have an indirect economic impact causing long-term, gradual and often voluntary migration. Rising sea levels, although a slow-onset event, can nevertheless directly result in forced and local migration, and threatens many densely populated areas worldwide. Moreover, over time the frequency of climate-related natural disasters is expected to increase, which raises questions about the impact of repeated fast-onset events. Another layer of complexity is added by the fact that migration responses differ between individuals, for example because wealthier migrants can afford to move further, while poor farmers might not be able to move at all if their incomes decline due to climate change. Individuals from more developed countries may not even need to move, as their incomes do not depend heavily on agriculture or because they have the means to adapt to the effects of climate change. What Do Empirical Studies Say? The complex reality of migration (and the lack of adequate historical data to capture incipient climate change and consistent data on migration) is mirrored by the contrasting results of empirical studies and models that try to estimate past or future effects of climate change on migration. One 2016 study, for example, found that in middle-income countries rising long-term average temperatures increase migration from rural areas to cities, as well as migration to nearby countries. In poor countries, it found a negative effect for both internal and international migration, which is attributed to exacerbated income constraints on poor agricultural workers. Other studies find positive effects of weather anomalies on migration both within and from sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting that income constraints are not absolute. Another 2015 paper did not find any direct effect of long-term climate factors on international migration but suggested that natural disasters and rainfall shortages can have an indirect effect through income differentials. What does this mean for migration to Europe? Unsurprisingly, the answer is not entirely clear. In line with the idea of income constraints as well as restrictive migration policies, most of the literature suggests that migration from developing countries in response to climate change will grow but will be mostly internal or towards neighbouring countries. Current observations seem to support this. The 2016 study found that climate change only boosts international migration from middle-income countries to similar, nearby countries, which mostly excludes OECD countries as a destination. Similarly, the 2015 paper only reported some evidence for south-south migration, rather than migration to high-income countries. The IPCC therefore states that there is only low confidence about climate change contributing to migration to Europe. However, the extent to which findings based on historical data will hold in the future is debatable. Many low- and middle-income countries have become more prosperous since the start of this century, which may have eased potential financial constraints on migration. Moreover, globalisation has already facilitated migration by creating migrant networks in OECD countries, which can support aspiring migrants both practically and financially. Predictions of climate migrant numbers are often quoted to raise alarm, as migrants are expected to come primarily from the regions surrounding Europe: Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. For example, a report by the International Organisation for Migration is sometimes quoted claiming that up to 1 billion people will be displaced by 2050. What it actually tells us is that no one really knows how many people will be on the move. 200 million is an accepted figure, but the range of estimates goes from 25 million to 1 billion by 2050. It also depends on which scenario materialises for climate action and global development. The high estimate of 1 billion comes from a Christian Aid report, but this report in fact says that only 250 million people will be displaced by climate change-related phenomena. The other refugees are displaced by (possibly related) conflicts and natural disasters (100 million) and development projects (645 million). While this is worrying from a humanitarian point of view, the implications for European migration policies may be less severe, as very few of those will leave their own countries. Similarly, the Institute for Economics and Peace says that 1.2 billion people will be at risk of displacement due to climate change by 2050. However, the report does not say these migrants will all move to Europe or other developed regions, merely that this many people will be living in countries that lack sufficient climate resilience. Another recent report by the World Bank estimates that by 2050, between 125 and 216 million climate migrants could actually move internally in low- and middle-income countries depending on climate outcomes. It does not say how many migrants are expected to move internationally. Estimates of future climate migration to Europe are rarer. Model estimates in one study put the total number of climate migrants over the twenty-first century between 200 and 300 million, 78% of which is internal, while the rest goes to OECD destinations. Importantly, conflicts triggered by climate change could force more than 50 million additional climate migrants to move during this century. In that case, most of these migrants are expected to move to Europe according to the model. Finally, a study extrapolating historical data on temperatures and asylum applications estimated that by the end of the century the EU will receive around 100,000 additional asylum applications per year under the currently most likely climate scenario, an increase of 28% compared to 2017. And Within Europe? Interestingly, the literature on climate-related migration within Europe is scarce and inconclusive. It does not predict large effects, and any migration taking place would be mostly rural-urban. This does not exclude more significant changes in certain regions. Declining agricultural productivity is one of the most prominent factors in climate-induced migration. One might therefore argue that pressure to migrate might increase in rural areas in Europes southernmost regions (especially in EU candidate countries), which at least today depend much more on agricultural employment than the EU average and will also be most exposed to warming temperatures and droughts. Whether people will move to cities within the same country or to another EU country is likely to depend mostly on economic factors. Figure 1: % share of total employment in agriculture, forestry and fishing by region (NUTS2), data for 2019. Source: Eurostat. Figure 2: projected % change in annual precipitation by mid-century (2041-2070) by region (NUTS2), in a high-emission scenario (RCP 8.5). Source: Climate-ADAPT. Conclusion Overall, the literature on climate-induced migration suggests that people are moving already because of climate change and that increasing numbers will do so in the future, either voluntarily or not. Quantifying future migration is tricky due to complexity and data limitations, and outcomes depend on future climate scenarios and on the definition of a climate migrant. It is also not clear what the main driver will be (sea levels, income losses or instability etc), whether it will be poorer or more prosperous migrants that move, and how many will travel across borders, including to Europe. Most displaced persons may not travel far, but it does seem reasonable to expect a higher number of arrivals in Europe if climate change triggers instability and conflicts over resources in the surrounding regions. Within Europe, only the southernmost regions are likely to see emigration to nearby cities or to other EU countries, which may require a response at the EU level. Ahead of Thursdays big event at First Horizon Park, we caught up with all four of our Iron Fork competitors: Lyras Hrant Arakelian, Butcher & Bees Chris DeJesus, Anzie Blues Star Maye and Thai Esanes Nina Singto. Theyve got a diverse array of skill sets and backgrounds, but they all have a couple of things in common theyre all talented chefs, and theyre all in it to win it. Check out our profiles below. Hrant Arakelian, Lyra Even if you dont recognize his name, if youve been dining out in Nashville, youve likely eaten chef Hrant Arakelians food. His resume reads like a whos-who of our dearly departed favorites: Sunset Grill? Check. Flyte? Check. Deb Paquettes Zola? Check. Rumors East? Check. Holland House Bar & Refuge? Check. In 2018 Arakelian and his wife Elizabeth Endicott (who has her own long list of Nashville culinary royalty on her resume) opened their dream restaurant in the old Holland House space. In fact, it was Arakelians connection with Holland House that gave them a leg up on securing the coveted corner building at Eastland and McFerrin avenues; they were able to approach the landlord early in the process. We were very lucky to get that space, Arakelian says. With Lyra (pronounced LIE-rah), the couple transformed the way in which East Nashville experiences Middle Eastern food. Born in Lebanon, Arakelian lived in Oman until he was 7 years old and his family immigrated to Nashville. Arakelian weaves into his food the flavors and traditions of the places hes lived and the kitchens in which hes worked. Some people come in [to Lyra] with preconceived notions of Middle Eastern food, with kabobs and hummus and rice, says Arakelian. We hope that when they come to Lyra that they learn about the variety of Middle Eastern cuisine and some things that they are not as familiar with. You can expect to see that modern approach at Iron Fork, a challenge about which he says he is both excited and nervous. Arakelian had been planning to participate in Iron Fork in 2020, which was canceled due to the pandemic, so hes had a lot of time to think about how best to tackle such a cooking contest. Recent weeks have seen Arakelian brainstorming with his sous chef, thinking about which of the regular spices and spice blends they use at Lyra would be good to bring to the competition, and looking for options that could work with a savory or sweet secret ingredient. The food we do at Lyra plays off sweet and salty and earthy and bright and floral to develop a well-rounded flavor, and so we hope to do that at Iron Fork. Lyra is a passion of ours that we have wanted to do forever, he adds. We just love that the city is embracing a variety of cuisines, and we are happy to be a part of it. MARGARET LITTMAN Star Maye, Anzie Blue Star Maye is no stranger to competition, having duked it out at Culinary Fight Club, Battle of the Burger and more events during her long culinary career. Maye is used to cooking under pressure, including during a stint at City Winery, where she would sometimes have to feed 500 people before two shows a night or discover that nobody wants a pre-concert meal and just roll with the punches. I learned to work fast, she says. Flip it and burn it! Now, as the executive chef at CBD-centric cafe Anzie Blue, Maye is excited to introduce herself to Nashville diners. She was born in Jamaica and raised in rural Alabama, and then spent time in Pensacola, Fla., during a stint in the military. I grew up on a farm, she says. I learned to cook soul food in the kitchen with my grandmother. Mayes culinary career took her around the world to cook in some unusual venues, including on cruise ships, on an oil rig and at fish camps in Alaska. These experiences taught her to think on the fly. On an oil rig, you cant count on getting supplies, so you just make do with what you can find in the kitchen. And in Alaska, they eat every bit of the salmon big 50-pounders that I had to learn how to clean and figure out how to do something with the eyeballs! Ive cooked just about every kind of food, Maye says. Thai, Middle Eastern, African, Italian, French, Jamaican and American. But since we only serve breakfast, brunch and lunch at Anzie Blue, people think I can only cook eggs. I feel like the underdog, but everybody loves an underdog! Competing alongside her Anzie Blue sous chef Emily Costa, Maye has simple expectations. None but to win! she vows. Emily is also great at pastry, so were bringing an air fryer. I dont care what the secret ingredient is. Gimme whatever, and Ill do whatever I can with it. She doesnt rule out adding some CBD to her dish, one of the specialties of the food and drinks at Anzie Blue. I hope I get to go first or last, so that the judges will know that Im the reason they start to feel really good about 20 minutes after tasting my dish! CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN Chris DeJesus, Butcher & Bee Chris DeJesus may not have the professional competitive cooking experience of some of his Iron Fork competitors, but that doesnt mean he isnt ready to march into battle. My wife and I play Chopped every now and again, DeJesus tells the Scene. For dinner well challenge each other to shop for each other at the grocery store, and well do it by surprise and pick each others basket. Sometimes Ill cook dessert, and shes a pastry chef so sometimes shell have to cook savory stuff. Its even more of a challenge in that respect. Its pretty fun. It gets me a decent amount of practice. DeJesus has been the executive chef at Butcher & Bee for the past two years, and he says having to adapt to supply-chain issues during the pandemic has strengthened his ability to work on the fly. When one of the ingredients in Butcher & Bees famous whipped feta went missing, he had to get creative with his sourcing. Weve been struggling to get cream cheese spoiler alert, its one of the ingredients in the whipped feta, he says with a laugh. Weve had to get it from different purveyors. Weve had it in, like, 30-pound blocks. Ive had to get Amazon to deliver it from Whole Foods. I had to order eight cases at a time, which means Im carrying like 200 pounds of cream cheese on hand. I cant run out of that whipped feta, cause thered be riots in the street. Presenting a version of the whipped feta isnt off the table Thatd win everyones hearts, right? But DeJesus probably wont have to fall back on old favorites. His sous chef for the day is Butcher & Bee partner and Redheaded Stranger partner and chef Bryan Lee Weaver, and DeJesus is confident in his ability to get creative with a variety of different ingredients. So much so that he hasnt bothered to get involved in much pregame trash talk. Im not a huge trash talker, he says. I like to be silent and then let my work speak for itself. But I saw some trash talk from Star Maye over at Anzie Blue a little bit, and Im down for that. I like a little friendly banter. We had some fun at the Scene offices when we were there for our meeting. But Im more of a silent kind. I just like to stay quiet and hopefully things work out. MEGAN SELING Nina Singto, Thai Esane If Iron Fork presented a Miss Congeniality award, Thai Esane owner/chef Nina Singto would win in a landslide. Her ebullient personality has made her a diners favorite ever since she first opened her first small Thai/Laotian restaurant on 12th Avenue, and she was raring to go as an Iron Fork competitor in 2020 before, well you know what happened in 2020. While she waited for her chance to show off her chops, she opened two new outposts of Thai Esane one in Brentwood and one downtown at 5th + Broadway to join her attractive and modern flagship location at the head of Demonbreun Hill. Singto has plenty of experience in competition on television, including winning Guys Grocery Games and taking part in episodes of Bite Club and Chopped, where she was unfortunately stymied by the secret ingredient of Limburger cheese in her ingredient basket. (We dont use cheese in Thai cooking, she laments. The judges hated it, but have you seen how many cheese ramen dishes have come out since then? I was a trendsetter!) Shell be cooking with her brother at this years Iron Fork, and theyre in it to win it. Im ready to bring my all, Singto says. Ive done well on television, but I want to win at home. I want people to say, Nina, youre good! Im going to bring my culinary style and be as creative as I can be. That style often includes blindingly spicy food. Longtime Thai Esane fans know the restaurant has a special Nina Hot level above the hottest normally offered, and shell do her best to hurt you with kindness if she knows you. The Iron Fork judges had better bring the Pepcid if Singto is feeling especially spicy that evening. As for a secret ingredient shed like to see at the competition, shed love a fun vegetable. (No dairy! Singto adds.) With meat, you can do anything. Id rather see something like an exotic fruit. As long as I can pronounce it. In addition to her brother as sous chef, Ninas secret weapons will be her favorite brand of oyster sauce and a mortar and pestle to grind up her spice blends. Dont bring me no Kikkoman, she jokes. After her long wait to take the stage in the Iron Fork kitchen, Singto should provide some stiff competition. CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN (Natural News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has no authority to make decisions for Americans. This was the contention of health freedom advocate Leslie Manookian when she joined host Dr. Daniel Bobinski in the April 21 episode of Keep the Republic on Brighteon.TV. CDC is supposed to be an agency that provides guidance and recommendations, not issuing edicts and directives to 330 million people. And so if you look at the CDC vaccination schedule, its recommended, its up to the states to decide what they will do with respect to those, said Manookian, founder of the Health Freedom Defense Fund (HFDF). And what this really comes down to is constitutional authority. Health powers are reserved to the states; theyre not given to the federal government. And so the CDC, as a federal health agency under the executive, doesnt have the authority to make these kinds of decisions for everybody. That said, the administrative state has gained a lot of power. Whether its constitutional and right or not is another question. Manookian, a former Wall Street business executive and award-winning documentary film producer, said she founded HFDF because she was very concerned about all the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) measures and the egregious violations of basic American liberties. CDCs job is to do research and provide information She pointed out that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has admitted that it wants to preserve the CDCs authority and power. These people who lead these federal health agencies and other bureaucracies, these bureaucrats are unelected and unaccountable. And if they can promulgate rules which then have the full force and effect of the law on every single person in America, thats a huge amount of power. And they dont want to give that up. They are basically preparing for another possible opportunity during which they might want to deploy this power. Thats what this is really about, said Manookian. Bobinski agreed, saying that the CDC only has an assumed authority and is just trying to insert itself into the lives of Americans. The best-selling author and popular speaker mentioned that a group of doctors told him that the CDC is neither a full government agency nor a regulatory or legislative body. The CDCs job is to do research and provide information to the administration, and the administration makes decisions. Thats precisely the reason why HFDF challenged the CDC mask mandate. Manookian said the federal health agency does not have the statutory authority to issue the mandate. The health freedom advocate added that the CDC didnt follow the proper procedure and failed to justify the mask mandate. The mask mandate was a political decision made by the Joe Biden administration and there was no scientific reason behind it. (Related: Biden wants to enact a federal a mask mandate immediately after inauguration.) Bobinski said the CDC has already admitted that cloth masks are ineffective in preventing viral transfer, but has still maintained the travel mask mandate. Manookian said the CDC published a meta-review in May 2020, which was a comprehensive analysis of 14 different randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of masks in preventing transmission of the influenza virus. What the CDC found was that masks have a negligible impact in preventing transmission of the virus. Follow HealthFreedom.news to know more about the people opposing COVID-19 mandates. Watch the full April 21 episode of Keep the Republic below. Keep the Republic with Dr. Daniel Bobinski airs every Thursday at 4-5 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: White House RESCINDS mask mandate for public transportation following federal court ruling. Group files suit over CDCs mask mandate for travelers. Tyrannical vaccine mandates continue even as COVID-19 subsides. Sources include: Brighteon.com LeslieManookian.com TheIceCommunity.com (Natural News) Volunteers clad in personal protective equipment (PPE) dubbed as Big Whites became ubiquitous during Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns in China. These volunteers also reflected the communist regimes abuse of power and medical tyranny through draconian COVID-19 lockdowns. Mark Liu, 33, is one such Big White who stepped forward to help authorities deliver goods. The new Shanghai resident said he volunteered to get more transparent information on the COVID-19 cases in his area. But Liu soon grew disillusioned after seeing firsthand how his fellow Big Whites abused their newfound authority. Liu was unable to learn more details about COVID-19 outbreaks during his stint as a Big White. Worse, he saw some volunteers spying on neighbors and purchasing e-cigarettes as a group a luxury denied to ordinary Shanghainese. He added that other Big Whites were not even taught how to properly wear and dispose their PPE. Being a big supporter of authority and power seems to be deeply rooted in some residents mindsets. There are not many people who question authority, or the very validity of the [zero-COVID] policy, said Liu. The Big White moniker comes from the Chinese name of Baymax, the inflatable robot in the 2014 Disney animated movie Big Hero 6. Chinese state media had adopted the name since the COVID-19 pandemics onset in 2020. However, common folk vilified the volunteers with some even dubbing them the White Guards in the same manner as Mao Tse-Tungs Red Guards. The volunteers work with neighborhood committees to ensure locked-down residents get food and other essentials to keep daily life running efficiently. They are also responsible for mass COVID-19 testing in districts under stringent lockdown. But German expatriate Ralf, 48, remarked that talking to Big Whites was similar to talking to children as they did not have any real knowledge about COVID-19 and were unable to explain the rules associated with the central governments zero-COVID policies. If you accept the system of the need for them to control us like the secret police as being good for you and the city, then these people are doing a tremendous job. But they are prison guards, said Ralf. Viral videos show Big Whites abuse of power Footage circulating on Chinese social media show Big Whites engaging in seemingly absurd activities, such as disinfecting empty streets. The same videos also revealed their brutal side including locking people inside their homes, mauling pets and mistreating elderly residents. One footage showed Big Whites beating a corgi to death in the Pudong area of Shanghai. The dogs owners were forced to hand over their pet to the areas neighborhood committee for culling after they tested positive for COVID-19 and were sent to a quarantine facility. According to Chinese authorities, household pets and other animals can carry the virus responsible for COVID-19. (Related: Authorities in Chinese city round up and KILL pets of COVID patients.) Another viral footage showed a Big White following a solitary man in Shanghai who took a walk outside in violation of the citys static management policy for COVID-19. The volunteer held a megaphone to the mans face and repeatedly shouted go home. The Epoch Times also reported on the brutality of some Big Whites who beat residents breaching COVID-19 lockdown protocols. One video showed at least eight Big Whites repeatedly punching and kicking a young resident in the Songjiang areas Lianyang community. The victim is seen burying his head in his hands while being beaten by the volunteers. Six of the Big Whites are said to be police officers. A second video showed a Big White pushing a male resident in the Chedun community, also in Songjiang, before stomping on his head and repeatedly kicking him in the back. Footage of this was later deleted following pressure from authorities. A local police officer in Shanghai did not confirm or deny the beating incident in Lianyang, adding that all inquiries should be directed to the citys public security bureau. The officer added: The pandemic prevention is the top priority [in Shanghai], everything else is less important. Whats the point of reporting the negative side of such an issue? MedicalTyranny.com has more stories about the abuse of power by the Big Whites in different Chinese cities. Watch the footage of Big Whites beating unarmed residents with poles below. This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chinas draconian zero-COVID policy leading people to SUICIDE. ANIMAL CRUELTY: China slaughters pets as part of its zero-COVID measures. Shanghai residents are being ASSAULTED by authorities for not complying with COVID-19 lockdown orders. Sources include: Bloomberg.com TheEpochTimes.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Chinese stock markets plummet as investors become increasingly concerned over the resurgence of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns. The zero-COVID strategy imposed upon the entirety of the country by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been a total failure. Not only have cases continued to surge in Shanghai, but more infections are also being detected all over the country, including in the capital of Beijing. There are concerns about the COVID situation in Beijing evolving into what happened in Shanghai with some prolonged lockdowns that bite the economy, said Kevin Li, portfolio manager for Hong Kong-based GF Asset Management Ltd. Some of Chinas largest stock indexes, including in Hong Kong, all fell in value, with the Shanghai Composite Index falling by as much as 5.132 percent to 2,928. This is the biggest single-day drop in the Shanghai Indexs value since the beginning of the pandemic. The index is now down 20 percent year-to-date and down 14 percent from the same time last year. The CSI 300 Index, which tracks the largest blue-chip stocks trading in Shanghai and Shenzhen, dropped by 4.9 percent on Monday, April 25. This index is down 23 percent year-to-date and 25 percent year-over-year. ChiNext, the main index for tech companies in Shenzhen, one of the primary hubs for tech start-ups in China, fell by five percent to 2,181.44. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index, one of the main indexes where Chinese companies operating in Hong Kong are listed, plunged by 3.7 percent on Monday. The value on the index is down 31 percent year-over-year. The Hang Seng Index has also regressed to a level not seen since January 2007. The drops in value in Chinas stock indexes represent billions of dollars worth of investments that have been sold off. Chinese stock traders unconvinced by pledges of support from Beijing Chinese President Xi Jinping is attempting to draw investors back in by offering commitments to boost infrastructure construction. The construction industry has been one of the primary drivers of economic growth in China, and in recent years the property development sector has slowly collapsed, hitting the communist nations economic growth hard. (Related: Chinas Evergrande indefinitely suspended from trading in Hong Kong Stock Exchange.) The verbal commitments from Xi and other high-ranking CCP officials have failed to draw significant investor influence. On Tuesday, April 26, the Peoples Bank of China, the countrys central bank, attempted to boost stocks with a plan to support small businesses. But this commitment did not last through the day, and the CSI 300 closed 0.8 percent lower. The lack of interest in mere words supports the view that the main factor preventing investors from returning to Chinese stock markets is the zero-COVID strategy and the extreme economic restrictions that follow it. Widening lockdowns across the nation are damaging business confidence and disturbing supply chains, yet top officials have shown no indication of moving away from this stance, wrote Bloomberg. The market is no longer responsive because theres no easing up of the negative in view right now, said Yang Ziyi, a fund manager for Shenzhen Sinowise Investment Co. We just need to wait. We saw the same kind of numbness towards vocal support during the burst of the 2015 bubble and in 2018. A revelation has hit traders that Chinese policymakers are facing an impossible trinity of goals here. Theyre not going to hit the 5.5 percent growth target and limit the amount of leverage in their system and also have a zero-COVID tolerance policy, said Eli Lee, head of investment strategy for the Bank of Singapore. And this means, at the margin, the thesis for the Chinese renminbi and equities is weaker. Learn more about the latest events in China at CommunistChina.news. Watch this video as financial analyst Gregory Mannarino talks about tanking stocks and the crisis in the economy. This video is from the What Is Happening channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chinas shutdown of Shanghai port will ripple across the entire world by summer. Food scarcity alarm bells ringing in CHINA as farmers face a collapse of fertilizer availability. First Shanghai, now Beijing: China goes on another lockdown spree. Chinas draconian COVID restrictions are CRIPPLING supply chains worldwide. Communist China controls LME commodities exchange; regime changes the rules at whim to protect key traders linked to China. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com SeekingAlpha.com BloombergQuint.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The left-wing Circuit Attorney for St. Louis, Missouri played with fire and got burned while attempting a corrupt prosecution against ex-Missouri Governor and U.S Senate candidate Eric Greitens. (Article by Adam Wilson republished from 100PercentFedUp.com) A former FOX News contributor attempted to obtain information relating to the prosecution, including the Circuit Attorneys contacts and her office failed to respond to the request. The attorneys office attempted to appeal the judgment against her, which the judge struck down today. Kimberly M. Gardner, the attorney in question has received financial backing from liberal billionaire George Soros. Soros was also one of the contacts she was attempting to hide from the records request. The St. Louis Dispatch Reported The Missouri Court of Appeals at St. Louis on Tuesday upheld a judges ruling against the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office for failing to respond to a lawsuit that alleged violations of the states open records law. The appeals courts unanimous ruling said Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners appeals had no merit. She had challenged St. Louis Circuit Judge Christopher McGraughs ruling and $5,000 penalty for refusing to produce records and respond in time to a January 2020 lawsuit filed by conservative journalist John Solomon. Based on this whole record, we hold the trial court did not err in finding (Gardners) failure to file a timely response to (Solomons) amended petition was not the result of an unexpected or unavoidable hindrance, accident, or mishap, but was instead the result of (Gardners) carelessness, inattention, and deliberate disregard, the court said. Solomon, a former Fox News contributor who runs the website Just the News, sought all of Gardners contacts with staff and other key players in the 2018 criminal investigations of then-Gov. Eric Greitens. Those people include Missouri Times publisher Scott Faughn, Clayton lawyer Albert Watkins, billionaire mega-donor George Soros and former state Reps. Stacey Newman and Jay Barnes. Read more at: 100PercentFedUp.com (Natural News) Newly uncovered emails suggest that along with the deep state media and intelligence apparatus, the Defense Department likely also played a role in Spygate the collective operation to subvert the 2016 campaign of the most feared presidential contender in a century: Donald Trump. After spending weeks dismissing concerns about its work with Russia hoax-connected researchers, a newly discovered email from The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to a Georgia Tech researcher with the subject line Mueller case casts doubt on DARPAs denials, The Federalists Margot Cleveland reported last week. Continuing, Cleveland noted that in March, she first reported on an email exchange that was obtained from Georgia Tech that suggested special counsel John Durham is investigating the Democratic National Committee hack that occurred at some point during the 2016 campaign cycle. Manos Antonakakis, the Georgia Tech researcher branded Researcher-1 in the special counsels indictment of former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann, penned the email shortly after being questioned by one of Durhams top prosecutors, she wrote. Last fall, Durhams office charged Sussmann with one count of lying to the FBI when he brought forth information allegedly showing a secret communications channel between the Trump campaign via Trump Tower and Russia-based Alfa Bank, which has connections to the Kremlin. In addition, a court filing by Durhams office noted that two Georgia Tech researchers, now identified as Antonakakis and David Dagon, were receiving and analyzing Internet data in connection with a pending federal government cybersecurity research contract. Cleveland further notes: The then-unidentified government contract originated with DARPA, with DARPA eventually awarding Georgia Tech more than $17 million for the project dubbed Rhamnousia, after the mythical Greek goddess of divine retribution, Rhamnous. As part of its investigation into Sussmann, the special counsels office subpoenaed both Antonakakis and Dagon and later granted Dagon immunity. While Durham did not provide Antonakakis immunity, Antonakakis nonetheless spoke with the special counsels office after receiving assurances that he was merely considered a witness in the investigation. After he spoke with Durhams team, Antonakakis told Georgia Techs general counsel as well as members of the universitys administration that he was asked directly by Andrew DeFilippis, Durhams lead prosecutor: Do you believe that DARPA should be instructing you to investigate the origins of a hacker (Guccifer_2.0) that hacked a political entity (DNC)? Antonakakis, according to his email, informed DeFilippis that was a question for DARPAs director. Cleveland, per her March report, noted that this represented a seeming confirmation that DARPA had, as the special counsels question presumed, directed Antonakakis to investigate who bore responsibility for the DNC hack, although it is unclear whether Antonakakis task concerned solely the supposed identity of Guccifer, or more broadly the question of who hacked the DNC. A few days later, however, DARPA denied any involvement in attempting to attribute the DNC hack, though an agency spokesman did acknowledge that the agency did meet with Durhams investigators. The spokesman added that during the course of that meeting, DARPA did not discuss matters related to the DNC hack, Guccifer 2.0, or leaked DNC emails provided to Wikileaks. However, as Cleveland notes in her most recent report, a new email obtained by The Federalist shows that Chris Schneck, who is with the agencys Information Innovation Office, otherwise known as I2O, wrote to Antonakakis on Sept. 25, 2018, with Mueller case in the subject line. Much of the email is redacted, of course, but Cleveland notes that the subject line and Schneck writing great work in the email actually suggest that the DARPA-funded Georgia Tech researcher was assisting with special counsel Robert Mueller in some way. The only apparent pending Mueller case at the time of the email appears to have been that special counsels case against the 12 officers of the Russian military intelligence organization known as GRU, who had been indicted two months earlier and charged with crimes related to the hacking of the DNCs emails in 2016, Cleveland noted. Though the email isnt clear about any DARPA role in Muellers DNC hack probe, Cleveland notes that a chat log for the DARPA Rhamnousia project shows both Georgia Tech researchers talking about the hack and GRU: One text reads: For FBI to give a heads up to the DNC in fall 2015, this means that the attack was active for many months before. In another message, one of the researchers jokes that if GRU sends the Russian beauty Annet Mahendru after him, hes giving up his colleagues. Moreover, another email reviewed by The Federalist reveals that Dagon told Durhams team that the entire set of Rhannousia chat logs were pertinent to the Special Counsels investigation. Again, extensive redactions in the chat logs make it impossible to determine for certain if the Georgia Tech researchers were actually involved in assisting the Mueller investigation into the DNC hack. But if so, it raises serious questions, the foremost of which is: Why did DARPA claim no DARPA-funded researchers assisted the FBIs or Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation of the DNC hack? Cleveland asked. Sources include: TheFederalist.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The FDA is warning that certain prenatal screening tests used to detect genetic abnormalities have a high chance of returning a false positive, and the stakes could not be higher as the results of these tests lead some women to get abortions. At the heart of the concern are Noninvasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) tests, which are used to assess a babys risk of having a genetic abnormality rather than definitively confirming one or ruling one out. However, labs often claim that they are highly accurate and reliable, and women are making life-and-death decisions based on their results. The FDA said that it is concerned that these claims may not be supported with sound scientific evidence and that there is a particularly high chance of getting a false positive when screening for rare disorders such as microdeletions. The agency also noted that it was aware that women have been getting abortions based solely on the results of these tests. They warned that there is no way to know if a baby actually has a genetic abnormality indicated by the screening without getting a confirmatory diagnostic test. In some cases, a screening test may indicate the presence of a genetic abnormality only for a diagnostic test to later find it does not exist. Women are not being told that positive results arent very accurate Part of the problem is that NIPS tests results are indeed accurate when they are negative. In fact, they enjoy a 99.9% chance of accuracy on negative results. However, when the results come back positive, the rate of accuracy is considerably lower depending on the abnormality in question and many women arent aware of this fact. Of all the abnormalities, the tests reliability for the detection of Down syndrome in positive results was the highest at 90 percent, which means there is still a notable 10 percent chance of getting a false positive. The numbers are much worse for other disorders. For example, for microdeletion disorder such as Di George Syndrome, which causes delayed language acquisition and heart defects, the FDA notes that the positive predictive value ranges from 2 to 30 percent. Therefore, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not recommend using these tests for detecting microdeletions. According to the FDA, the notice was prompted by an increase in the use of NIPS tests and concerns raised in recent media reports. They may be referring, at least in part, to a New York Times report on January 1 that revealed microdeletion tests yield 85 percent false positives. A geneticist quoted in the story said they knew of a woman who had aborted her baby over the results only to discover when follow-up test results came in later that the baby had actually been healthy. In interviews with 14 patients who were given false positives for genetic disorders, the publication found that more than half of them said they were never given any information about the possibility of false positives, and five of them characterized their doctors treatment of the test results as definitive. Another story in the Boston Globe quoted a doctor discussing three abortions after unconfirmed positive results in these tests. The Times also found that many of the patient and doctor brochures from popular testing companies do not mention the possibility of false positives occurring, and only one indicated how often each test gets a positive result wrong. With a third of all pregnant women in the U.S. taking these tests every year and many women basing decisions about whether to terminate on the results, this deception needs to stop, and companies and healthcare providers need to be more up front about the limitations of these tests. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com NYTimes.com FDA.gov (Natural News) A group of intensive care unit nurses in Utah has tried to cover up the fact that one of their patients who is fully vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) is coughing up fibrous clots from one of his lungs. This was according to Dr. Jane Ruby, who spoke about the incident on the April 25 episode of her show, the Dr. Jane Ruby Show, on the Stew Peters Network. Ruby got the information from Tracy, an individual from her Telegram channel who indicated that she was a nurse in a hospital in Utah. According to Tracy, one of her colleagues shared with her a photograph of a fibrous-looking clot that was coughed up by a 32-year-old patient in the hospitals ICU. The patient, an otherwise healthy man, is fully vaccinated. (Related: Nurse activist: Healthcare workers who supported COVID-19 hospital policies should stand trial for deaths they enabled.) Ruby did her due diligence as a researcher and vetted Tracy and the information she gave her. She came to the conclusion that this information is accurate. Upon further questioning, Ruby also found out that the nurses assigned to the patient initially dismissed their case because they claimed the clots were due to his use of electronic cigarettes. Ive never seen anything like this related to vaping, commented Ruby, who herself is a veteran practitioner of medicine. Now it could be, but Ive just never seen it, and you would think that vaping patients were coming in and coughing up or extruding clots like this [all the time]. According to Ruby, the picture of the clot sent to her by the nurse whistleblower resembled the white fibrous clots pulled from the bodies of patients who died due to COVID-19 vaccine complications. Dead bodies of fully vaccinated have the same fibrous clots These fibrous clots pulled from dead bodies were first discovered by Richard Hirschman, a board-certified embalmer with over 20 years of experience handling cadavers. According to Hirschman, he first started noticing odd-looking fibrous blood clots in 2021. By January of this year, around 65 percent of the cadavers of fully vaccinated individuals he examined exhibited these same fibrous clots. In an interview with Ruby back in January, Hirschman described the fibrous clots as filling the cadavers blood vessels and making it difficult for him to do his job properly. When I do the embalming, I have to go into the vein. And in order [to complete] the embalming process, I have to allow blood to be drained. So I actually pulled this huge, long clot fibrous-looking clot out prior to an embalming, said Hirschman. Typically, a blood clot is smooth. Its blood that has coagulated together. But when you squeeze it, or touch it or try to pick it up, it generally falls apart. You can almost squeeze it between your fingers and get it back to blood again. But this white fibrous stuff is strong. Its not weak at all. You can manipulate it, its very pliable. Its not hard; it is not normal. I dont know how anybody can live with something like this inside of them. The first time Hirschman saw one of these clots, it was from a fully vaccinated individual who contracted COVID-19 anyway. The individual had to be hospitalized and was later released a few days later after testing negative. The person died a few days later probably because he was full of blood clots, remarked Hirschman. Hirschman consulted his colleagues and found out that they have all seen these kinds of fibrous clots but had chosen to remain quiet. I hope that more people do come forward in my field, he said. Learn more about the unfortunate victims of the COVID-19 vaccines at VaccineDeaths.com. Watch this episode of the Dr. Jane Ruby Show and hear Ruby talk in detail regarding the Utah patient who coughed up fibrous clots. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Dr. Jane Ruby: Gene editing therapy is dangerous and damaging Brighteon.TV. Dr. Jane Ruby tells Mike Adams: Big Pharma companies are running the tables worldwide and know what they are doing Brighteon.TV. Dr. Jane Ruby: Nurses that stayed in hospitals allowed COVID death protocol to remain Brighteon.TV. Dr. Jane Ruby: Lots of relevant information missing from released Pfizer vaccine data Brighteon.TV. Dr. Jane Ruby exposes incompetence of people who administer COVID vaccines to children Brighteon.TV. Sources include: Brighteon.com DeepRootsAtHome.com (Natural News) I dont think white privilege is a thing, said journalist Sarah Hernandez last week. I think Brown privilege is a thing because I get away with a lot of stuff. (Article by Selwyn Duke republished from TheNewAmerican.com) Making her comments on a Tucker Carlson Today episode that aired last Wednesday, Hernandez was explaining, among other things, why she could cover 2020s Black Lives Matter riots and white reporters couldnt. She related two incidents in which white men one of whom was a colleague of hers, Elijah Schaffer were assaulted during BLM mayhem solely because of their skin color. Meanwhile, Hernandez told interviewer Tucker Carlson, Me [sic] and Julio Rosas, you know, were Hispanic people; we walk right into the riot, and no one suspects us. But if you dont look a certain way, you cant go into these leftist events or go into a riot without being attacked. Carlson then asked Hernandez if this is all on the basis of skin color, to which she replied, 100 percent, Tucker. The journalist then provided another brown privilege example, stating: Okay, so since the beginning of the face masks, Ive always been against it, and I do not wear face masks in the airport or an airline until somebody physically that comes in tells me to do it. I have sat on planes with Elijah Schaffer right next to me, maskless. As soon as he puts his mask down, just a little bit, they get on him immediately. And Ill be sitting there without a mask on; they wont say anything to me. Its happened multiple times. Ive also gone to several riots and rallies and again on the basis of skin tone, these leftists think that Im immediately a liberal because of the way that I look. And so thats why Im able to get all the footage that Im able to get and the responses that Im able to get; maybe not after this interview, but you know, its because people immediately look at me, and I really do have Brown privilege, Tucker. I dont think white privilege is a thing. I think Brown privilege is a thing because I get away with a lot of stuff . Of course, one would expect anti-white standards at a BLM rally, and some may slough off Hernandezs face-mask story. In reality, though, many observers point out that brown privilege is longstanding and is our societys real systemic racism. Just consider the 2013 pamphlet Black Skin Privilege and the American Dream by David Horowitz and John Perazzo. As blog The Big Answer writes in its review of the work, the authors show that in fact the most insidious bias in our culture today is black skin privilege. Black skin privilege means the press will fail to report an epidemic of race riots targeting whites for beatings, shootings and other violence in major American cities over the last several years. Black skin privilege means that whites as in the case of the Duke lacrosse players will be presumed guilty of racial crimes when they are clearly innocent and then never accorded an apology by those who have stigmatized them. Black skin privilege has created an optical illusion in the liberal culture that white on black attacks are commonplace events when in fact there are five times as many black attacks on whites as the reverse. (As Horowitz and Perazzo note, in 2010, blacks committed more than 25 times as many acts of interracial violence as whites did.) Black skin privilege exists in the affirmative action programs of our system of higher education and in our culture, where a black racist like Al Sharpton could be regarded by the national media as a civil rights leader and then hired as a TV anchor by NBC. A more recent example of such privilege was the 600-plus 2020 BLM riots themselves, where leaders gave miscreants nationwide who wished to destroy space to do that, to quote what ex-Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in 2015 about unrest in her town; this resulted in billions in property damage and many deaths. Why, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy actually said in June 2020 that he cant imagine stopping the BLM demonstrators at the same time that he was prohibiting anti-lockdown protests. This privileged treatment could also be contrasted with the abuse of the primarily white January 6 martyrs, whove been called insurrectionists and had their civil rights violated. Meanwhile, an actual insurrectionist Raz Simone, black warlord of 2020s CHAZ (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone) who was witnessed handing out AR-15s to his comrades, doesnt even appear to have been charged with a crime. One more example: Politically correct hand-wringers were wondering during Barack Obamas 2008 presidential run if America would really vote for a black man, and, sure enough, a later poll found that Obamas race did make six percent of Americans less likely to vote for him. It also, however, made nine percent more likely to vote for him. White privilege? In reality, were there white privilege, there wouldnt be so much talk about it because the truly powerful suppress discussion of their privilege. Was there, for example, incessant talk of white privilege a century ago, when some black-identified people would pass as white to gain advantage? Speaking of which, what says it all is that blacks no longer masquerade as white. Instead, whites sometimes masquerade as black. So unless you think people such as Shaun King and Rachel Dolezal are masochists, its clear where the privilege lies. Read more at: TheNewAmerican.com (Natural News) Advertisers are planning to employ dream-hacking techniques to promote brands. A recent essay by researchers from Harvard University, the University of Montreal and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Aeon Mag said about 77 percent of all marketers and advertisers plan to use the strategy within the next three years. The essay focused on the latest Molson Coors beer marketing campaign, where the company gave free beers to people in exchange for taking part in a dream incubation study. Participants of the dream study had to watch a brief marketing video that showed talking fish, hypnotic visuals, mountainous landscapes and dancing beer cans looking like something from a wild PCP trip. The video also featured One Direction star Zayne Malik livestreaming himself falling asleep while watching the video on Instagram. We now find ourselves on a very slippery slope. Where we slide to, and at what speed, depends on what actions we choose to take in order to protect our dreams, the scientists said in the Aeon Mag essay. The scientists went on to say that they are baffled by the lack of public outcry over the mere idea of having our nightly dreams infiltrated, at a grand scale, by corporate advertisers, adding that what was once science fiction has now become a reality. Analysts foresee the procedure will be imposed in the same way the American Federal Trade Commission imposes its federally mandated rules opposing the use of untaught consent of subliminal advertising. Subliminal advertising has been banned in many nations around the world because of the ethical issues about the act of implanting thoughts into an individuals subconscious without their consent. Dream incubation has been applied by several ancient cultures and it goes back more than 4,000 years to ancient Egypt. Sleepers lay in sacred beds in the ?aqq?rah Serapeum to receive divine dreams; to ancient Greece, where ailing people went to dream in oracular temples; to today, where dream incubation plays a key role in healing, therapeutic and spiritual practices such as yoga nidra and Mohave shamanism, Aeon Mag stated. Dream advertising could soon turn into a nightmare A group of sleep researchers said the next frontier for advertising isnt virtual reality or holograms, but human dreams. And they warned that this method could soon turn into a nightmare. (Related: Can the wrong food give you nightmares?) The scientists, in an open letter published on op-ed website DXE, denounced the concept of dream advertising in which companies come up with ads into a persons subconscious through audio and video clips. They pointed out in the letter that not only does the method already exist, but a beer company has publicly tested it out in the lead-up to Super Bowl LV last year. The sleep researchers mentioned a real bizarre February 4 press release as an example. In the release, Molson Coors Beverage Company, which owns well-known brands like Coors Light, Miller Lite and Blue Moon, acknowledged that it could manipulate human dreams so people can collectively see visions of alcoholic beverages dancing through their heads. The release stated that it was no surprise the stress of the pandemic has caused many people to have difficulties sleeping and, in turn, experience weird, bizarre dreams called quarandreams. Typically we cant control what we dream about, but what if we could? Coors Light and Coors Seltzer want to ensure youll have a refreshing dream using the science of guiding dreams. In their letter, the sleep scientists expressed worry about this kind of invasive dream advertising. As sleep and dream researchers, we are deeply concerned about marketing plans aimed at generating profits at the cost of interfering with our natural nocturnal memory processing, the group said. Writing the letter were three researchers from MIT and Harvard while dozens more sleep researchers from around the world signed it. According to sleep researchers, targeted dream implantation has a history that dates back thousands of years especially among groups who valued dreams for spiritual practices. At present, scientists have completed experiments showing the actual ways in which dreams can affect waking lives. This means implanting dreams can alter real-world outcomes. Watch the video below to know about lucid dreaming. This video is from the ActOn Energetics channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 7 of the most common dreams and what your subconscious may be trying to tell you. Scientists explain why we easily forget our dreams. Remember, and even control, your dreams with 3 easy steps to lucid dreaming. 6 Pressure points to activate for a good nights sleep. Separating fact from fiction: Sleep expert debunks popular sleep myths. Sources include: StrangeSounds.org PopularMechanics.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Proof has emerged showing that death from Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is not always an immediate thing. Dr. Avindra Nath, a physician from the United Kingdoms National Health Service (NHS) who cares for the vaccine-injured, said he personally knows of a previously healthy 61-year-old man who died about a year after getting injected for the Fauci Flu. Within days post-injection, the man developed severe neuropathy. And over the course of the following year, his body gradually clotted up before he suffered a massive stroke and perished. The NHS knows about this case but still refuses to acknowledge it or any of the other cases just like it, for that matter. The coroner confirmed the vaccine caused the death, reported Steve Kirsch. This man was perfectly healthy before the vaccine and his health changed just days later with symptoms consistent with vaccine injured. The blood clots in the autopsy are unique to COVID vaccine recipients and not seen in prior years. People everywhere say fully vaccinated friends and family members are suddenly dropping dead Chances are that the NHS will never report this death publicly. The government-run health care system will probably also never admit that COVID injections cause any health problems at all. To confess this would be to confess that the jabs never should have been released in the first place because they are dangerous and ineffective at preventing disease though it can take a while for the adverse events to appear. The bottom line is this: the death window for the vaccine isnt days or weeks; its at least a year and possibly more, Kirsch said. (Related: COVID vaccines also cause AIDS) So just because you got your vaccine and are still alive 3 months later, it does not mean that youre out of the woods. Kirsch asked his readers to report any cases they know of in which a person died from the jab(s) more than a year after getting needled. The following are some of their stories. One person wrote that he knows of at least four men, all in their 40s and 50s, who suddenly dropped dead at some point after getting injected. Another wrote that her 41-year-old son was previously in good health but suddenly dropped dead from cardiac arrest after getting jabbed. He had two Pfizer shots in the past year, the mother further wrote. The coroner report indicated his heart was seriously enlarged. Another woman named Margaret wrote that her fully vaccinated friend, who was 43, died on April 15, 2022. The friend was found dead in her bed, and the autopsy report said it was caused by a heart attack. She had gained weight and had high blood pressure, Margaret explained. When do you see 43-year-olds die in their sleep from a heart attack? Someone else wrote that her previously healthy 60-year-old cousin suffered a series of mini-strokes after her Fauci Flu injections. Several other family members, also jabbed, suffered even worse outcomes. My aunt had her health ruined from stroke and inflammation of arteries, and had to sell her house, this person wrote. My healthy 85-year-old uncle dropped dead, presumably after his booster shot, while visiting his family. My moms partner had cognitive impairment and died in the hospital three weeks after reluctantly getting his second shot. Another relative developed sudden stage 4 pancreatic cancer while my friends fiance suffered seizures that his doctor blamed on anxiety over the wedding. No one connects the dots but it is pretty obvious, this same commenter concluded about all of the incidents. Never had this much illness in family, ever. None of them had COVID, but after the injection a few got it. The latest news about Chinese Virus injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources include: SteveKirsch.substack.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) If you think of shipping containers as red blood cells, the jamming up of these containers at the locked-down ports in China is the equivalent of blood clots in the human body. For an individual or a society to survive and thrive, resources must smoothly flow and be distributed across the system. Clot shots (covid vaccines) kill people by blocking that flow, just as deliberate shutdowns of port cities creates an economic arterial blockage with devastating effects. Its fascinating that the globalists, in their desire to tear down human civilization and achieve mass extermination on a global scale, have resorted to the exact same practice at both the nanotechnology (biological) scale as well as the global macro scale. Chinas punishing lockdown of Shanghai is obviously contrived, but Western nations cant condemn China for the lockdowns since they did the same thing to their own citizens. The strategic goal of these lockdowns is two-fold: 1) Eliminate political dissidents by starving them out, even if it means starving an entire building of innocent people at the same time. 2) Disrupting the supply chain of parts and materials to Western nations, wounding their economies and hampering their ability to manufacture munitions and weapons systems (which are being sent to Ukraine to fight Russia). In doing this, China is giving the entire global economy a heart attack, and its not clear whether the patient will survive. Case in point: Raytheon is now saying it cant make any Stinger missiles until 2023, and plans for an updated design of the Stinger missile wont even begin to be manufactured until 2027. (We would point out that America as we know it likely wont exist by 2027, so the entire timeline is moot.) This is a screaming warning sign that America cant manufacture weapons of war with any degree of timeliness or volume. And that means America cant defend itself against an invasion waged by China. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency is calling for climate lockdowns to reduce fossil fuel usage, apparently realizing that since the covid lockdowns didnt exterminate enough people or crush the economy with the desired level of carnage, they need a whole new excuse for yet more lockdowns. Some of their hare-brained suggestions include criminalizing people who drive vehicles on Sundays, which smacks of an attack against church-goers. Is the IEA really suggesting having armed roadway checkpoints every Sunday, arresting or ticketing people who dare to drive their own private vehicles on that day? This will only jam up the roads on Saturdays and Mondays, likely causing the burning of far more fossil fuel since people will be stuck in traffic, idling their vehicles. (These climate tyrants are out-of-their-minds insane, as if they are running a kind of death cult that seeks the complete destruction of human civilization.) I cover all these stories and much more in todays especially entertaining Situation Update podcast, which features various impressions of libtards and left-wing lunatics trying to figure out why people keep buying plastic bags after theyre banned at grocery stores: Brighteon.com/9ccdefe3-5222-4c8e-b9e3-57e5ae90a02e Discover more information-packaged podcasts each day, along with special reports, interviews and emergency updates, at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HRreport Also follow me on: Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@healthranger Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger Parler: Parler.com/user/HealthRanger Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport BitChute: Bitchute.com/channel/9EB8glubb0Ns/ Clouthub: app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/naturalnews/posts Join the free NaturalNews.com email newsletter to stay alerted about new, upcoming audiobooks that you can download for free. Download my current audiobooks including Ghost World, Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind at: https://Audiobooks.NaturalNews.com/ Register to download the new, upcoming audiobook, Resilient Prepping at ResilientPrepping.com (Natural News) A nonprofit organization called Consumers Research has released a new ad campaign aimed at BlackRock called Betting on China in which the group says the U.S. investment giant is siding with Americas biggest global rival and national security threat. The 30-second ad says that the investment firm is putting billions of dollars into Beijing and propping up Chinese communist leaders, while adding that BlackRock has also invested in surveillance firms the Chinese military uses. And it also references billionaire George Soros Wall Street Journal op-ed titled, BlackRocks China Blunder, in which he actually called the firms China ventures a bad investment as well as a tragic mistake. [BlackRock] CEO Larry Fink loves to tell Americans how to live, but he negotiated against America, sucking up to China, the ad says, with The Epoch Times adding: According to Consumers Research, the ad is part of a broader initiative called the Consumers First Initiative. This movement targets allegedly woke companies and their policies while they participate in questionable dealings. The Chinese market represents a significant opportunity to help meet the long-term goals of investors in China and internationally, BlackRock Chairman Larry Fink noted in a letter to shareholders. But critics say otherwise. No amount of woke posturing can hide what BlackRock is really up to. The idea that an American company is taking billions of dollars and using it to bet on Chinas success is extremely concerning. We cannot allow this to continue. Funneling Americans hard earned retirement savings to China is unsafe from both a national security and financial perspective, said Will Hild, president of Consumers Research, in a statement. We cannot let executives like Larry Fink try and tell Americans how to live while simultaneously cozying up to one of the worlds leading human rights abusers, the statement continued. By putting BlackRocks shady dealings out in the open for all to see, were sending a message that companies wont get away with taking advantage of hard-working Americans. Any company trying to use woke politics to mask their misdeeds should see this campaign and know they could be next, Hild added. Soros, in his WSJ piece, speculated that there could be a misunderstanding: BlackRock takes its responsibilities for its clients money seriously and is a leader in the environmental, social and governance movement. But it appears to misunderstand President Xi Jinpings China. The firm seems to have taken the statements of Mr. Xis regime at face value. It has drawn a distinction between state-owned enterprises and privately owned companies, but that is far from reality. The regime regards all Chinese companies as instruments of the one-party state. BlackRock has been called out for China ties in the past. Last month in an interview with CNBCs Squawk Box, host Joe Kernen pressured Finks promotion of so-called climate justice even as he was investing in China, the country that produces the most greenhouse gases, by far. But Fink swatted away Kernens concerns by saying his company allegedly engaged the ChiCom government in the embrace of a green economy while attempting to force a transition away from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, Fink has become ultra-bullish on China, The Epoch Times reported. According to financial services firm Morningstar, BlackRock and HSBC became the largest buyers of Evergrande debt. BlackRock purchased 31.3 million notes of the troubled Chinese real estate developer between January and August, increasing its stake to 1 percent of the assets in its $1.7 billion Asian High Yield Bond Fund. And in a client note in September, BlackRock analysts wrote, We believe the significant repricingChinese equities underperforming U.S. peers by more than 30 percentage points so far this yearand a rise in equity risk premia in Chinese equities are overdone. Investors are compensated for risk at current valuations in our view. All in for China, our main competitor; how is this not aiding and abetting an enemy, given all of Chinas cyberattacks on our country? Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Americans will be required to take an annual COVID-19 vaccine if Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla gets his way. In what is obviously a naked attempt to drive up big pharma profits, Bourla said last week a vaccine that will be taken once a year is way [easier] to administer and have the population be compliant with it, and we are working on that. The CEO made his recommendation during a press conference that was set up by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) in which he talked about the creation of yet another new COVID vaccine. What the world really needs is a vaccine that can last a year, he said, adding that the notion is part of what he termed the optimal public-health solution which, of course, assumes that COVID-19 is going to even be an annual problem (since SARS, MERS, and other coronaviruses that have appeared in the past were no more than one-time occurrences). Asked by media press briefing host Claire Doole about whether he believes there will even be a need for an ongoing vaccine regime, Bourla responded in the affirmative, saying that COVID-19 is very difficult to eradicate. The most likely scenario is that the virus will continue being with us for the years to come, said Bourla, who appears to know something about the virus that most of us do not know. After acknowledging that the current protection offered by the existing vaccines is not long-lasting, the CEO complained about the lack of urgency among most people to take a follow-on booster shot, highlighting the shrinking number of people getting them after each booster is introduced (perhaps thats because the virus is fading fast). The issue is that right now we are in many, many countries in the fourth dose, and that creates a fatigue, he said. Way more people got the second [dose] than the third [and] I think the compliance with the fourth dose will not be as high as we have had [previously]. Strangely, however, he cited the lack of popularity for boosters as the primary reason why there should be an annual vaccine produced. [We] realized that people will not comply with the fourth or fifth vaccination this is why we need to come [up with] scientific innovations that will allow us to have a vaccine that is annual, he said, going on to lament resistance to global COVID-19 restrictions and mandates, including vaccine requirements. He then called the refusal to take the largely still experimental mRNA injections, which have caused millions of adverse reactions around the world, due to politicization of the shots, which he then said was damaging public health. I think that what didnt help at all, and this was a very big issue, was the fact that there was a politicization, he said. It became a political statement [to get] a vaccine or [to] wear a mask or not, and that created tremendous damage to global health. The big pharma CEO was then asked about producing a vaccine that was more suited for the Omicron variant, but went on to talk about the potential of creating one vaccine that will address all known variants. Its easy to do something only against Omicron, he said. What scientifically and technically is more challenging, but that we need to do, is to be effective against everything known so far. Asked if he believed that a vaccine could be ready by the fall of 2022, Bourla said it is a possibility that we will have it by then but thats not a certainty. He told the press conference that currently, hes waiting for more data before he will make a decision about what type of vaccine to produce. Once we have [more] data about that, it will allow us to make a decision as to which one is the best path forward, because in our studies right now we are testing different vaccines, he said. We dont need another annual vaccine, and certainly not one for a virus that is devolving. Bourla is just looking out for Pfizers bottom line and he doesnt care if his product harms anyone. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) A Russian court on Tuesday, April 26, imposed fines on two Big Tech companies for refusing to moderate and delete LGBT content on their platforms. The Tagansky District Court of Moscow fined Meta four million rubles ($52,520) for refusing to remove Instagram posts that promoted non-traditional sexual values to minors. Helmed by Mark Zuckerberg, Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. In a separate hearing, Chinese-owned TikTok was also levied with a two million ruble ($26,260) fine for promoting LGBT propaganda on its platform. Magistrates on the district court ruled that TikTok was guilty of contravening Russias Gay Propaganda Law, which mandated the removal of LGBT-related materials deemed offensive by Russian authorities. Prior to the tribunal levying fines on Meta and Tiktok, Russias state agency for media regulation throttled the speed of social media platform Twitter until May 15. The Roskomnadzor agency said it wants the platform to delete so-called banned content, including child pornography, suicide and drug abuse under threat of a permanent ban. The state-mandated slowdown had been imposed on Twitter since March, with photos and videos taking a longer time to load. According to the regulator, Twitter was removing illegal content within 81 hours of receiving a takedown request. However, it added that this is still much longer than the 24 hours mandated by Russian law. Twitter denied accusations that it is being used for illegal behavior, mentioning its strict policies against child sexual exploitation, suicide and self-harm. It added that it was worried about Moscows move as it impacts on free speech. The penalties on the social media platforms followed censorship efforts by Big Tech companies amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were banning Russian state-sponsored media from their respective platforms. In retaliation, Moscow completely blocked access to Facebook and partially blocked access to Twitter in the country. (Related: Russian propaganda is the latest excuse to expand censorship.) Big Tech no stranger to censoring Russia, pro-life activists The Gateway Pundit reported back in March that Big Tech firms censored Russian state-sponsored media outlets on their platforms as the Russia-Ukraine war progressed. Meta Global Affairs President Nick Clegg tweeted at the time that the company will be restricting access to Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik across the European Union at this time, in response to requests from a number of governments and the EU. Twitter spokeswoman Elizabeth Busby, meanwhile, announced that the social media platform will add warning labels to content coming from RT, Sputnik or other sites affiliated with Russian state media. Since the [Russia-Ukraine war], weve seen more than 45,000 tweets a day from individuals on Twitter sharing these links. The overwhelming majority of content from state-affiliated media is coming from individuals sharing this content, rather than accounts weve been labeling for years as state-affiliated media, she said. TikTok followed suit by deleting the accounts of Sputnik and RT on the platform. But prior to this, the Chinese-owned app had previously censored individuals and groups that espoused pro-life views. In late January 2020, TikTok completely banned the pro-life organization Live Action on its platform over alleged violations of community guidelines. According to Lila Rose, the groups president, the ban stemmed from a video it posted about mothers choosing to spare their babies instead of aborting them. Live Actions videos shared baby photos and videos, and highlighted the illogic of the pro-abortion movement. [On the other hand,] TikTok allows pro-abortion accounts and videos to remain on the platform. This is blatant viewpoint discrimination and an egregious attempt to silence pro-life voices, Rose said in a statement. The Live Action president later confirmed that TikTok reinstated the groups account. The company attributed the ban to human error and offered no further details. TechGiants.news has more about Big Techs censorship and its repercussions. Watch this Russian news report below about Big Tech censorship. This video is from the Marine1063 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Twitter working on new censorship shtick: misinformation warning labels. Censorship AND discrimination if youre ugly: TikTok is social media for the shallow. Facebook fact-checker defends contract with ChiCom-controlled social media app TikTok. DuckDuckGo goes full Google, manipulates search results to push propaganda against Russia. Big Tech eagerly blocks virtually all content from Russia while completely refusing to address Chinese propaganda. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com 1 Reuters.com TheGatewayPundit.com LifeSiteNews.com 2 Brighteon.com (Natural News) Wait, what? Russia is bombing infrastructure in Ukraine and taking its resources? Sounds just like the USA in Kuwait, Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan. Every time the US bombs another country around the world, its 100% justified by the US press, including assassinating leaders (think Muammar Al-Qadhdh?f?, Osama Bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein), killing civilians, annihilating their vital infrastructures, stealing their resources, dealing weapons to rebel forces, and calling it all the installation of democracy. Its always justified when the USA is the aggressor. By bombing key infrastructure in other countries, the USA indirectly KILLS hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, by causing them to starve to death or die from disease. Its always acts of war targeting civilians, one way or another. The USA uses NATO and the UN as a cover, as support for unwarranted aggression, occupation, and flogging of foreign resources we have NO rights to take. Should the world hate us as much as were supposed to hate Russia right now for doing what we are so seasoned at doing over the past 35 years? All US wars are really just false flags for politicians to launder money, run guns, and steal resources while claiming to defend against communist aggression or random terrorists. Weapons of Mass Destruction: From the dirty bombs of mustard gas in WWI to the dirty bombs of bio-terrorism happening right now Dirty bombs have been around for a long, long time. Chemical weapons of mass destruction date back to the mustard gas of World War I. Dial it back to 1915, over a century ago, and German forces shocked the world when they shot over a hundred tons of deadly chlorine gas into Allied forces French colonial divisions, decimating the whole military line. The Germans wiped out 4 miles of the Allied forces front lines, including in the trenches, with windblown poisonous gas. Mustard gas blisters the skin, the eyes, and the lungs. Then it kills you. What you may not know is that the United States also used CHEMICAL WEAPONS as we entered World War I in 1917, firing poison gas at the Germans a year later, killing thousands of soldiers, including 2,000 American soldiers (among the half-a-million soldiers that died from poisonous gas in that war alone). USAs bio-terrorism DISINFORMATION campaign about the War in Ukraine A big part of the disinformation campaign about the War in Ukraine (which fake news calls the Russias War ON Ukraine, has much to do with the United States engineering MORE deadly chemical weapons in provinces that are adjacent to Russia. You will not hear about THIS on the Counterfeit News Network (CNN) or in the D.C. Rag (WaPo). In dozens of laboratories in Ukraine, US scientists are working on gain of function and other bio-terrorism, dirty bombs, right next to Russia, and Russia has already captured much of the evidence and proof. This is what the Biden Regime and NATO are freaking out about, trying to cover up, and stop the bleeding by arming Ukrainians with every weapon the USA owns (leaving us open for attacks here in the USA). Russian officials even warn USA citizens about our evil government (Bidens CCP Regime) that may be about to stage another false flag WMD dirty bomb that could be targeted at Russia, or maybe the whole world soon. Realize that this is why the fake news wants Americans to HATE Russia and believe that THEY are the aggressors, when really, the invasion is most likely their attempt to defend their own country, and expose the dirty virus bombs the USA is hiding in Ukraine. The rest of the propagated WWIII theatre is about controlling, limiting, suspending, and ultimately destroying the food and fuel supplies to America, as an effort to install communism and dismantle the Constitution, once and for all. Tune your internet dial to FoodSupply.news for updates on NATO throwing gasoline on the fire in Ukraine, just adding to the chaos of food shortages around the world, all in the name of fake democracy protection. Sources include: NaturalNews.com FoodSupply.news History.com (Natural News) In less than a month, the World Health Organization (WHO) will vote on whether or not to strip the United States and hundreds of other countries of their national sovereignty. In alignment with the World Economic Forums (WEF) Great Reset agenda, the United Nations arm wants to enact a global pandemic treaty that would eliminate bodily autonomy and the right to make ones own medical decisions. The U.S. Constitution stands in the way of this agenda, as do the constitutions of many other countries. Because of this, the WHO World Health Assembly is convening on May 22 to vote on abolishing all nation-states and merging them into a global governance structure in which the WHO makes everyones medical decisions. From May 22 through May 28, WHO officials will discuss the matter further. Minimal pushback is expected since all eyes have been forcefully shifted away from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and towards the war in Ukraine. The Pulses Joe Martino interviewed Shabnam Palesa Mohamed, a member of the World Council for Healths steering committee, who revealed that the WHOs pandemic treaty will give the UN arm an inordinate amount of power to make decisions in sovereign countries as to how people live and how they deal with pandemics, from lockdowns to mandates over treatment. World Council for Health publishes open letter condemning the WHOs pandemic treaty In an open letter, the World Council for Health warned that countries will lose their sovereignty and be absorbed into the UNs control matrix if the WHO gets its way. The proposed WHO agreement is unnecessary, and is a threat to sovereignty and inalienable rights, the letter stated. It increases the WHOs suffocating power to declare unjustified pandemics, impose dehumanizing lockdowns, and enforce expensive, unsafe, and ineffective treatments against the will of the people. As is usually the case with Marxist agendas, the WHOs pandemic treaty treats all countries and all people groups exactly the same. It aims to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to public health, and of course, taxpayers will be forced to foot the bill for whatever the WHO decides is necessary to address a threat. Everyone will be on the same page and science will cater to GLOBAL political whims, reported En-Volve.com. It will cost millions of dollars or more and money will be laundered by them and their pickpockets. The WHO appears to want to push the treaty through quickly without public participation and input. Mohamed said much the same, calling the WHOs pandemic threat undemocratic and unconstitutional, both of which render the treaty invalid and unlawful before it even arrives. The WHO also has many conflicts of interest, Mohamed further warned. Some 13 different amendments to the proposal illustrate that, and none of them require two-thirds approval from the United States Senate as would normally be required. Its not called a treaty, Mohamed added. Its amending a treaty we are (already) a part of. A simple majority of the 194 WHO member nations is all it will take to pass these amendments. The U.S. will not be able to decide for itself, in other words, whether or not to pass them. If they are approved (as submitted by the United States) by a simple majority of the 194 member countries of the World Health Assembly countries, these amendments would enter into force as international law just six months later (November 2022), warned En-Volve.com about how soon this could all transpire. The details of this are not crystal clear. The latest news about the WHOs attempted takeover of global health and the elimination of national sovereignty can be found on Pandemic.news. Sources include: En-Volve.com NaturalNews.com BRISTOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: A young male wolf, one of five that has recently arrived, explores its new enclosure at The Wild Place Project on March 13, 2014 in Bristol, England. A pack of five all male European grey wolves are the latest residents at the recently opened attraction which is an extension of Bristol Zoo Gardens, just off junction 17 of the M5. Originally from Scotland, the wolves and are now living in the new Wolf Wood exhibit; an area of woodland at The Wild Place Project which has been left as natural as possible to replicate their native woodland habitat in Europe. (Photo : Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) A wildlife photographer shows to the world rare footage of a "majestic predator" in its natural habitat, running alongside the shoulder of the paved road as it howls. The Yellowstone National Park's dark-colored grey wolf kept pace of the car driving past it, just last week. Justin Byerly of Woodlife Photography said that the "iconic animal" was trotting in the same direction on the other side of the road, and pausing to make a skyward howl, NewsBreak reported. In addition, Byerly told USA Today that the encounter happened in the middle of the afternoon, making it even more bizarre knowing that wolves typically move around dawn and dusk. The photographer believes that other wolves were also close but did not show. "I believe it was calling to his other pack members to give his location," he said. Mid-day Howl of a Lone Wolf Byerly said that he was unable to catch a longer glimpse of the lone wolf as it vanished into the woods to the north after their encounter between Norris and Mammoth at about 2:30 p.m. Yellowstone Park is one of the country's top five most popular national parks as of today and has had a handful of wolf sightings, although not many in the present, especially up close. Yellowstone wolves typically roam the Lamar and Hayden Valleys to steer clear of public's eye in most cases. The Wapiti Lake Pack which was what Byerly suspected the howling wolf belongs to was founded by 755M in 2014, according to Yellowstone Wolf. This former alpha male of Lamar Canyon Pack denned in 2019 and produced two litters for a total of 9 pups. At the end of the year the pack was the largest in Yellowstone with 19 wolves. Unfortunately today, the wolf population of Yellowstone National Park, and Montana in general, faces decline. Related article: Woman Gets Hole in Her Belly After Gotten Infected with Very Serious "Flesh-Eating Disease" A "Significant Setback" for the Species While wolf sightings in the National Park are typically rare, it is not totally impossible. Last Christmas Day, another photographer captured footage of a solo wolf howling into a snowy wilderness at dawn, which Park officials believe also belonged to the Wapiti Lake Pack. The wolf population in the area did decline mainly due to wolf hunting in the state. As of December 2021, Yellowstone estimated 95 wolves live within the park - a substantial 23 percent decline from 2020. Hunting wolves in Montana during special seasons is not illegal, as long as it is done outside of the national park boundaries. A hunter in Montana can harvest up to 20 wolves, with restrictions. A legal wolf is defined as any male or female, including pups. However, Park officials issued a statement in early January saying that the high number of wolf kills represented "a significant setback for the species' longterm viability and for wolf research." "Allowances for trapping and especially baiting are a major concern, especially if these tactics lure wolves out of the park," Yellowstone spokesperson Morgan Warthin said. Officials and representatives of the hunting industry note that preservation of wolves inside Yellowstone is still vital and indispensable, but once the animals cross the boundary, sustainable hunting and trapping should be allowed. Related article: 'Mind Altering' Cat Parasite Infecting Millions of People Around the World Linked to Psychotic Episodes Historians are not only known to record historical events, but are also keen observers of the sky, or so it says. Chinese historical documents, which told the history of China from the earliest legendary time to the 4th century BCE, mentions in its text a celestial phenomenon that turns out to be the oldest known reference to a potential aurora. According to SciTech Daily, a five-colored light" seen in the northern region of the sky on a night near the finality of King Zhao's reign was the earliest record of a candidate aurora found in Chinese Annals. The celestial event detailed in the journal Advances in Space Research turns out to be "the oldest known reference to a candidate aurora" and predates the previous reference of an aurora by three centuries. The study led by Marinus Anthony van der Sluijs, an independent researcher based in Canada, and Hisashi Hayakawa from Nagoya University, report their extended knowledge of solar eruptions in the millennial time scale. A "Spectacle of Multiple Colors" The old Chinese document called the Bamboo Annals, or Zhushu Jinian in Mandarin provided surprising new insights, including the record of the "five-colored light" which was found to be consistent with a large geomagnetic storm. While the exact year is unknown, researchers suspect that this set of Chinese court records in bamboo slips hidden in a tomb six miles southwest of the present-day city of Weihui was written in either 977 B.C.E. or 957 B.C.E., providing the earliest described aurora, Live Science reported. According to the team, the mid-latitude aurora is so sufficiently bright that it can present a spectacle of multiple colors. Comparing this historical record much closer to our time, the north magnetic pole was inclined toward the Eurasian continents during the mid-tenth century B.C.E. which means that it was 15 degrees closer to central China than it is now. Therefore, individuals in central China could have witnessed the vibrant geomagnetic storm or at times of "significant magnetic disturbance". Also read: 23 Million-Year-Old Fossilized Spider Glows Under Ultraviolet Light World's Earliest Datable Record of an Aurora While there had been several holders of this distinction, it was only that the chronicle entry of the "five-colored light" was revealed barely two years prior that this finding took a while to recognize. Nevertheless, it is impressive that popular accounts of the northern lights can be traced back this far. Other than that, such historical information is also useful for other purposes including modeling long-term space weather variability and solar activity over timeframes ranging from decades to millennia, beyond the chronological coverage of instrumental observations. In addition, understanding these variations can help society prepare for potential future large-scale solar eruptions and the disruption to technological infrastructure that they may bring, according to the study. To this date, the record is now the only known historical reference to a space weather event before the Homeric Grand (Solar) Minimum (810 - 740 BCE), preferably be called the Neo-Assyrian Grand Minimum to honor Homer's controversial historicity and dates. Related article: Tonga Volcano Officially the Largest Eruption of the 21st Century, New Data Confirms Scientists have found six new species of frogs the size of a thumbnail in Mexico's jungles, one of which has been named Mexico's tiniest frog. When fully developed, all six species are around the size of a British 1p coin (about 15mm long). Adult males of the smallest of these species, Craugastor candelariensis, grow to barely 13mm in length. Six new frog species has been found The newly found species are known as "direct-developing" frogs because, unlike other frogs, they emerge from the eggs as flawless tiny frogs rather than hatching from eggs into tadpoles. They're also so little that they're at the very bottom of the forest food chain. Having millions of such frogs dwelling in the leaf litter, they believe they will play a vital role in the ecology as a source of food for everyone else, from lizards to birds, according to Jameson. The finding, made by scientists from the University of Cambridge, the Natural History Museum in London, and the University of Texas at Arlington, has been reported in the journal Herpetological Monographs. According to Tom Jameson, a scientist at the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology and University Museum of Zoology who conducted the study, these new species have gone undiscovered since they are tiny and brown and seem quite similar to other frogs, as per ScienceDaily. He went on to say that their way of life is very intriguing. These frogs dwell in the dark, damp leaf litter of the forests, which is like a secret realm where we don't truly know what happens. Researchers don't comprehend their behavior, socialization, or breeding habits yet. The project entailed collecting almost 500 frog specimens from museums across the world that had been gathered in Mexico and categorizing the relationships between them using new methodologies. The team used DNA sequencing to divide the frogs into categories based on how equivalent their genes were. CT scanning was then utilized to construct 3D models of the frogs' skeletons, allowing physical features to be compared. Six new frog species were discovered as a result of these two quite distinct lines of evidence. Also Read: German Scientists Develop a New Breathing Technique for Frogs World's smallest frogs Whereas these frogs are little, they do not support the entire record for the tiniest amphibians. For so many years, the Brazilian gold frog was regarded to be the world's tiniest frog (Brachycephalus didactylus). The tiny frog, measuring only 8.6 millimeters in length, was thought to be the smallest terrestrial animal after its discovery in the 1970s. Paedophryne amanuensis, on the other hand, was discovered in Papua New Guinea in 2012. Males are barely 7.7 centimeters long on average, and it was identified after researchers listening to frog sounds zeroed in on its distinct cry. It's still a mystery why animals become so little. In the case of bigger species, the process of insular miniaturization, in which populations separated in tiny settings diminish in size, is associated with lower predation pressure and higher survival rates. Furthermore, for creatures that are already tiny, such as frogs, reducing might put their bodies to the test. It can result in bone loss, thinner skeletons, and the omission of stages of their lifespan. Many little frogs, for example, never develop into tadpoles, instead of emerging from the egg fully formed by the process of direct development, as shown in the Craugastor species. Increasing the lifespan and restricting development may allow miniaturized creatures to emerge faster than their bigger counterparts, giving them an advantage in reproduction. Furthermore, because these creatures are tiny, they may make use of a variety of food resources and environments, such as the leaf litter inhabited by P. amanuensis. Related article: Eccentric Frogs Believed to be Extinct Returns to the UK Southeast Africa has been hit by another storm as the so-called Tropical Cyclone Jasmine recently struck Madagascar and Mozambique, killing at least one person and resulting in the disappearance of three other people. Tropical Cyclone Jasmine With a maximum wind speed of 102 km/h, Tropical Cyclone Jasmine caused relatively low humanitarian impact yet minimum damage to Southeast Africa, according to the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), a joint initiative by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and the European Commission (EC). Jasmine made landfall near the city of Tolliara, Astimo-Andrefana Region, in Southwest Madagascar on Tuesday evening, April 26, according to the EC's Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), as cited by the news site Farmers Review Africa. The ECHO stated that Jasmine, which was already a tropical depression, was located over Tsivory Commune in the Anosy Region, Southern Madagascar, with maximum sustained winds of 53 kilometers per hour (km/h). The strong winds were accompanied by heavy rain and large waves due to a potential storm surge in Southeast Madagascar, threatening coastal areas. Also Read: South Africa: Torrential Rain Causes Flash Floods and Landslides in KwaZulu-Natal Province Fatality and Missing Persons All of the said victims were near the city with multiple houses and roads damaged. The one fatality occurred in Toliara-Ville when a young man fell while fixing the roof of his house in the Mahavatse suburb. The man eventually died in the hospital due to suspected sustained injuries from the fall. Moreover, the reported disappearances involved three fishermen who were attempting to park their canoes near the town of Ambohitsabo, as per the local source L'Express De Madagascar. Prior to the landfall of Jasmine, Madagascar has mobilized all of its sectors for the purpose of natural disaster preparedness. There were no immediate reports of other casualties or damage at this time. Short-Range Forecast Although Jasmine has relatively weakened and moves further away into the region, there were reported concerns that the storm may hit the south of the Nampula Province, Mozambique, this week. However, Madagascar's Natural Disaster Management Agency reportedly stated that Tropical Cyclone Jasmine has been forecasted to reach the southern portion of the Indian Ocean as a tropical storm on Wednesday, April 27, and dissipate on Thursday, April 28, as cited by Farmers Review Africa. GDACS Storm Impact The GDACS designated Jasmine a storm impact score of 0.5 under its "Green Alert" category, as a basis and measurement for the weather system's intensity. The Green Alert is the lowest of the three levels, with the "Orange Alert" being the second, and the "Red Alert" being the strongest. As of Wednesday afternoon, Tropical Cyclone Jasmine was getting closer to the island country of Reunion as a tropical depression, according to Meteo-France La Reunion, as cited by France TV. SADC Region Storms The passage of Jasmine comes after five consecutive tropical cyclones by the name of Ana, Batsirai, Dumako, Emnati, and Gombe hit the southern African Development Community (SADC) region between January and March. The said storms have caused widespread disruption to travel, businesses, and casualties. Ana left 58 people dead between January 22 and January 25; Batsirai with 121 fatalities between January 27 and February 9; Dumako with 14 between February 13 and February 16; Emnati with 15 between February 16 and February 24; and Gombe with one death between March 7 and March 12, as per GDACS. Related Article: Storm Alert: Tropical Cyclone Emnati Threatens Madagascar with Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Landslides Anak Krakatau Volcano recently erupted this week, spewing ash into the sky and prompting the Indonesian government to raise the alert level of the volcano. The elevated alert means there is a life-threatening risk based on Krakatau's increased volcanic activity. Volcano Alert Level Indonesian authorities on Monday, April 25, placed the threat posed by Anak Krakatau Volcano at alert level three, the second to the highest level out of a four-tier volcanic alert system used by the country. This came after the volcano erupted on Sunday, April 24, spewing an ash cloud up to 3,000 meters high, as per The Jakarta Post. Sunday's eruption is reportedly the largest one after the Indonesian administration witnessed an influx of volcanic activity over the past month. In the coming hours and days, renewed volcanic eruptions Also Read: Scientists Linked a Powerful Volcanic Eruption in 2020 to Prolonged Thunderstorm Exclusion Zone As part of precautionary measures, the Indonesian government has widened the exclusion zone around the crater of Anak Krakatau, warning residents in the affected areas to wear face masks when going outside. The protective gear is essential since the ash emitted by the volcano may result in respiratory or pulmonary health problems, especially when a person inhales the airborne particles. In addition, land and air travel in the said area can be at risk since smoke from the volcanic eruption may reduce visibility. The government has increased the status level from two to three and recommended the public avoid getting closer to a five-kilometer radius from the crater, according to Hendra Gunawan, the head of the Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, who made the statement during a press conference, as cited by the Kuala Lumpur-based newspaper Malay Mail. There were no immediate reports of casualties, damage, or evacuations. Child of Krakatoa Anak Krakatau Volcano, also called Child of Krakatoa, is a so-called 'offspring' of the infamous Krakatoa Volcano in Indonesia. Situated in the Krakatoa archipelago, Sunda Strait, the Krakatoa Volcano was the site of one of Earth's strongest volcanic events when it erupted in 1883. The Krakatoa volcanic explosion was massive, it left more than 36,000 people dead. It is also considered to be one of the most catastrophic and deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Anak Krakatau formed as a fourth yet small island in the archipelago in 1927, emerging from the seafloor eruption of Krakatoa that year, and has been an active volcano since the early 20th century until its next significant eruption in the 21st century. In December 2018, the Child of Krakatoa was responsible for a large tsunami, which will be known in the years to come as the 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami, which killed more than 400 people, and injured at least 14,000 others, damaged over 2,500 houses, and destroyed above 500 ships. The tsunami occurred on the evening of December 22 that year, with people not receiving any warning or sensing any earthquake, according to The New York Times. However, it was clear that the volcanic quake from Krakatau caused the massive tidal wave. Related Article: Experts Say Tonga Underwater Volcanic Eruption Broke Two Historical Records New England is likely to receive a downpour of rain and snow by the end of the week due to a looming coastal storm, according to US weather authorities. The severe weather will affect mostly the northern parts of the region, causing potential flight disruption. power outages, and other security risks. Coastal Storm Warning The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Weather Service (NWS) on Wednesday, April 27, issued a weather warning for New England as a low-pressure area is strengthening over the Gulf of Maine and has been forecasted to "pivot" near the Bay of Fundy from the evening. The potent storm system may produce torrential rain and higher elevation snow that will cover most of upper New England, notably Northern Maine which may reportedly experience snow accumulations of up to four to eight inches. The weather forecast indicates the coastal storm will be equivalent to impacts caused by a minor winter storm. The specific dissipation of this adverse weather is not yet determined, as it will slowly move as it may linger near Greenland, as per the US weather agency. The NOAA - NWS weather alert will be in effect until Saturday, April 30. However, the update or issuance of new weather advisories is still possible in the coming hours and days. The weather phenomenon this week is expected. In fact, AccuWeather meteorologists on April 16 issued their forecast that a Nor'easter will cause a blast of winter in late April, affecting multiple cities such as New York City, Richmond, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, and other areas across the Northeast. Also Read: NOAA - NWS Warns of Late-Season Winter Storm, Critical Fire Weather Conditions, and Severe Weather Across the US Other Areas Affected Until late Friday, April 29, northwesterly winds and snow showers will cover the region. Moreover, the cold air will flow across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in the next few days with below-average temperatures. It may possibly reach the Midwest and the northern Plains. Furthermore, freezing temperatures may also occur in the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic, where "Freeze Warnings" are in effect from Thursday, April 28, until Friday, as per the NOAA - NWS. Thunderstorm and Fire Weather Meanwhile, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) of the NOAA - NWS also issued a thunderstorm warning for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across western Nebraska for Thursday. The thunderstorm alert also highlights the occurrence of severe weather from Texas into western Oklahoma in the afternoon or evening. In addition, severe storms are also possible as far as Idaho and western Wyoming. Under thunderstorms, there is a risk of flash floods due to heavy rain, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes. Since March, a number of thunderstorm-driven tornadoes affected the central, southern, and eastern portions of the US. In Iowa, a tornado outbreak killed a total of seven people in early March. By month's end, a series of tornadoes amounting to approximately 30 tornadoes due to inclement weather affected seven states in the Midwest and Southern US, with two people killed in Washington County, Florida, according to ABC News. On the other hand, the SPC on Thursday also issued a warning for critical fire weather conditions across the southern High Plains and the southern Rockies. Such climatic conditions, including humidity, wind pattern, soil moisture, and hot temperature, will increase the risk of wildfires. Related Article: Nor'easter: Late-Season Winter Storm to Hit New England, Appalachians; Extreme Cold Weather Expected A stunning footage of a new species of deep-sea jellyfish was captured at Monterey Bay Aquarium. The "unusually large" deep-sea crown jelly was observed to have thorny projections around the margin of its bell which made it distinct from all ten previously described species. Researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) detailed the new discovery in Animals, describing the new species as distinctive deep-sea red medusa with coiled tentacles in the family Atollidae, with ten presently accepted species in the genus Atolla. To honor the first volunteer at Monterey Bay Aquarium and MBARI's education and conservation partner, Jeff Reynolds, the researchers named the species 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," MBARI Senior Education and Research Specialist and lead author George Matsumoto said in PetaPixel. "They have graciously given their time to educate the public about the wonders of the ocean." The lead author notes that aquarium volunteers have been instrumental in making the public aware of the fragility of the ocean and inspire people to care more about the health of the ocean. About the "Crown Jelly" The recently identified species in the family Atolla is distinguished by a deep groove running through their bell, found in the ocean's midnight zone in deep water around the world. Like many other deep-sea jellies, Atolla jellyfish have a deep red hue, but actually appears completely black to predators, according to Twilight Zone. "To date, scientists recognize 10 species in the genus. Atolla chuni, A. gigantea, and A. vanhoeffeni are the most recognizable-they have unique features that make them relatively easy to identify," MBARI says. "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." 15 years ago, a large jelly that looked like Atolla was also spotted by MBARI researchers "but lacked the telltale trailing tentacle." Also read: Woman Gets Hole in Her Belly After Gotten Infected with Very Serious "Flesh-Eating Disease" One of the Largest in the Genus At 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) in diameter, the newly discovered species was considered one of the largest in the genus, according to MBARI researchers. While the A. reynoldsi lacked that signature trailing tentacle, it is often observed with coiled tentacles which varies considerably from one individual to the next. Sightings of A. reynoldsi are generally rare, with only 10 seen between April 2006 and June 2021. So far, it is only known to live in Monterey Bay at depths of 1,013 to 3,189 meters (3,323 to 10,463 feet). The study provides potential starting points for a new key to the genus and adds to the increasing number of new deep-sea species described today. As undersea technology advances, genetic sequencing is becoming more available, paving the way to document the diversity of life deep beneath the waters before it's gone forever. Related article: 10 of the Weirdest, Most Bizarre Creatures Seen in 2021 From 11 to 15 April 2022, eleven Members of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) held a meeting to continue the ongoing work towards the development of a common external tariff (CET) for the Central African region. The meeting took place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was organized in close cooperation with the WCO, in the framework of the EU-WCO Programme for Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme), funded by the European Union. The meeting brought together tariff experts from Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe, as well as the Secretariats of the CEMAC, the ECCAS and representatives of the WCO. It was preceded by thorough preparatory work done by the Steering Committee on the Rationalization of RECs in Central Africa to develop a draft harmonized CET. On behalf of the HS-Africa Programme, tariff experts from Customs administrations of Algeria and France participated in that review and provided their advice with regard to aligning the draft CET on the HS 2022 version. The CEMAC and the ECCAS have been working towards creating an integrated regional space to guarantee optimal conditions for a wider market within the Central African region. Development of a harmonized CET is viewed as a concrete step towards achieving these objectives and an important prerequisite for the regional integration and trade facilitation. The meeting provided an opportunity to continue this important work and finalize the draft CET based on the 2022 version of the HS. In his opening address, H.E. Gilberto Da Piedade Verissimo, ECCAS Commission President, welcomed meeting participants highlighting the significance of the harmonized CET for the ECCAS as one of the most essential pillars in the legal architecture of the Customs union to be established by ECCAS countries. These remarks were echoed by H.E. Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, Minister of Regional Integration and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who stressed the need for continued efforts to take the Community to a higher degree of integration so that trade and industry within the region could thrive and prosper. The meeting was attended by representatives of both Customs administrations and Ministries of Trade from ECCAS Member states. Meeting participants examined the outstanding questions related to the HS 2017 version of the draft harmonized CET as well as its HS 2022 version. The work accomplished during the meeting is also an important landmark in the development of a framework of migration of the CET to new versions of the HS, to ensure that the Community and its Members implement HS amendments in a timely and coordinated manner. In conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that the ECCAS would continue its cooperation with the WCO to fully implement the harmonized CET, with the support of the HS-Africa Programme. For more details, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. On 26 April 2022, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, addressed participants at the 2022 edition of eCommerce Week organized by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) and taking place from 25 to 29 April 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme Data and Digitalization for Development. Dr. Mikuriyas speech was part of the eTrade for all leadership dialogue: Connecting the dots for more inclusive development. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we have promoted digitalization of border procedures towards paperless trade, underlining the importance of utilizing the massive amount of data that digitalization produces, stressed Dr. Mikuriya. He went on to highlight the importance of access to reliable data on small and low-value shipments crossing the borders of both developed and developing countries and explained that the WCO had developed the Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce which recommends that Member Customs administrations enhance their partnerships with e-commerce stakeholders, including e-commerce platforms, in order to obtain advance electronic data while complying with data protection provisions. Secretary General Mikuriya also drew attention to the WCOs work in the area of disruptive technologies, pointing out that blockchain, the Internet of Things, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) may be mobilized to facilitate trade and enhance safety, security and fair revenue collection. Dr. Mikuriya concluded his speech by drawing a parallel between the WCOs theme for 2022, Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem, and the theme of this years eCommerce Week. The address of the WCO Secretary General is available to the eCommerce Week participants on the event-website. Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). Multimedia Specialist Anthony Zilis is a multimedia specialist at The News-Gazette. His email is azilis@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@adzilis). Our County Editor Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com. Among the items in chapter 2 of our new weekly feature: Unit 4's proposed capital projects, an Urbana school district building coming up for sale, a message from Danville's mayor on misinformation, plus news from Arcola, DACC, Gibson City, Henning, Mahomet, Newman, Oakwood, Potomac, Rantoul, Tolono, Tuscola and Westville. One phase will be training dealers in the casino games including craps, roulette, poker and blackjack. Training will also be offered for slot-machine technicians, security and surveillance. South Africa: Humanitarian relief continues in KZN Government, working in collaboration with other stakeholders, is executing its role in the provision of humanitarian relief in KwaZulu-Natal. To date, there are 98 shelters where over 8 400 people are housed in community halls, religious facilities, and other temporary structures. This comes after Cabinet declared a National State of Disaster in response to floods, which have wreaked havoc in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape. Speaking during the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster media briefing on Thursday, Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, said that the majority of the people housed in shelters are women to the total of 4700, children under ten years totalling 1700, older persons to the total of 1000 with 217 people with disabilities. Working with the province and local municipalities, where shelters are identified, Department of Social Development (DSD) teams have been providing cooked meals, blankets and dignity packs working with NPOs, Churches, Corporates and Committee Members to displaced individuals, he said. Community Nutrition and Development Centres (CNDCs) have also been providing this support on a daily basis with specific focus on children who have been displaced from schools and those who have lost family members or belongings. A comprehensive assessment of each community, household and individuals were conducted and all affected were provided with much needed counselling, de-briefing, water, food, matresses, blankets and some families were re-integrated. Those that lost their loved ones were also provided funeral arrangements and continuous counselling. All individuals and families that were affected were reached for these services, he explained. Meanwhile, social workers have reached over 15 983 individuals in this regard, and these services are ongoing. A total of 2 713 people have been affected in Eastern Cape in the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts. The minister said that assistance in the form of social relief of distress is being provided to the affected families. Women, Youth and Persons With Disabilities Minister Phaahla said that Women, youth and persons with disabilities as particularly vulnerable groups will be most impacted by shortages, in their homes and in their businesses. He said that the Department Women, youth and persons with disabilities is facilitating the rollout of Womens Economic Assembly (WECONA) to provinces. KZN is a priority. WECONA Executive is developing a programme of action in an effort to enlist assistance to women and children who are victims of the floods, he said. He said that a donation of shipping containers has been secured from Transnet and they will work with the Solidarity Fund and National Empowerment Fund on how best to allocate them to cater to women and children in need of shelter services. He said that issues of school infrastructure also come to the fore with respect to water supply, sanitation and hygiene. This situation is exacerbated by the floods in terms of access to water, sanitation and pads. We are also going to contribute sanitary pads to KZN to assist flood victims. Plans are advanced in terms of ensuring that the donation reaches displaced and deserving women and girls affected by the floods, working closely with the department of social development to ensure effective distribution in this regard. He said that a distribution mechanism will be put in place to ensure women in need get access to these personal hygiene products. As the department, through the Office of the Premier in KZN, we will be monitoring accessibility of services to women who have been displaced, and facilitate interventions where there are needs identified. We will also monitor the safety of women and girls at shelters for displaced persons to ensure incidents of GBVF are prevented, he said. Health A total of 66 health facilities were affected by the heavy downpours resulting in mainly roof leaks and flooding. The breakdown of affected facilities per district is as follows: eThekwini 24, Ugu 15, uMgungundlovu, 9, iLembe 8 and King Cetshwayo 2. There has been minimal disruption to health care services in the most affected districts. The cost estimate for the repairs is in the region of R185 million. These assessments are subject to revisions, Minister Phaahla said. Healthcare services continue to be rendered to displaced communities that are currently sheltered in community halls including ensuring the dispensing of chronic medication. Water has been partially restored in some facilities but others are still supplied through water tankers. Water supply has been restored in Gamalakhe CHC, St Andrews CHC, Ekuhlengeni CHC and 10% in GJ Crookes Hospital. Water is still being supplied to the following facilities with reservoirs: Wentworth Hospital, Prince Mhiyeni Memorial Hospital, Osindisweni Hospital and Park Rynie. He said that there is a challenge at Prince Mshiyeni where the reservoirs cannot be filled due to incompatible coupling between tanker and reservoir. The challenges are currently being addressed. He said that the Ugu District is not exempt from load shedding, which is affecting water supply. The Minister announced that 363 post-mortems have been conducted to date. An additional seven sessional pathologists were brought in to expedite the post-mortems. All deaths because of the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding are determined to be unnatural. As such, in terms of the law, there is a legal obligation as government to conduct these post-mortems, he said. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, together with the National Department of Health, continue to monitor the situation and are addressing the challenges accordingly. Minister Phaahla who led the briefing, was accompanied by Ministers of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga and Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu who have visited the areas affected by floods in the past few days. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-04-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A boy serves water during Iftar, the meal to end fast at sunset, at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 27, 2022. During this important time in the Islamic calendar, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka has been hosting a massive nightly meal every day to cater for those abstaining from food and drink, between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. (Xinhua) People have Iftar, the meal to end fast at sunset, at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 27, 2022. During this important time in the Islamic calendar, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka has been hosting a massive nightly meal every day to cater for those abstaining from food and drink, between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. (Xinhua) People have Iftar, the meal to end fast at sunset, at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 27, 2022. During this important time in the Islamic calendar, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka has been hosting a massive nightly meal every day to cater for those abstaining from food and drink, between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. (Xinhua) People have Iftar, the meal to end fast at sunset, at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 27, 2022. During this important time in the Islamic calendar, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka has been hosting a massive nightly meal every day to cater for those abstaining from food and drink, between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. (Xinhua) AP World leaders and the U.S. political and foreign policy elite joyously remembered America's first female secretary of state as mourners paid their respects to the late Madeleine Albright More than 1.7 billion people-; or a quarter of the world's population-; are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial strain that causes tuberculosis (TB). For years, scientists have been working to develop an effective vaccine, but current TB vaccines are only partially protective. New research by a team including investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Harvard Chan) has identified helpful and unhelpful aspects of the immune response that determine whether the body can keep TB infections under control. The findings, which are published in Immunity, may be helpful for designing a more effective vaccine. Although the body's immune system can often keep M. tuberculosis infections under control so that people don't experience any symptoms, there were more than 10 million active cases in 2017, with 1.6 million TB-related deaths. In response to active infection, which usually attacks the lungs, the body forms granulomas-; tiny clusters of immune cells and other tissue-resident cells. In some granulomas, immune activity promotes bacterial clearance, but in others, bacteria persist and grow. These different granuloma responses can even be seen in the same individual. "Identifying which cellular and molecular features associate with bacterial control could potentially point to new therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for TB," says co-senior author Alex K. Shalek, PhD, a principal investigator who conducts research through the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard as well as through the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, the Department of Chemistry, and the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. To do so, Shalek and his colleagues used their single-cell profiling tools and teamed up with scientists in the lab of JoAnne Flynn, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, who had helped develop a monkey model that recapitulates the features of human TB and had also devised ways to track and quantify bacterial load and killing in individual granulomas. With TB, the immune response is pretty good but not great, and until recently, the field has tackled that problem with very rudimentary tools. This collaboration is bringing the very best tools and the very best minds to bear on a really hard, really important problem that most of the world ignores because it primarily impacts the global poor." Sarah Fortune, MD, co-senior author, chair of the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard Chan and associate member of the Ragon Institute The collaborators' efforts revealed that bacterial persistence occurs in granulomas enriched with certain cells-; specifically mast, endothelial, fibroblast and plasma cells-; that signal amongst themselves via particular pathways. Granulomas that supported bacterial clearance are characterized by other kinds of cells-; including type 1-type 17, stem-like, and cytotoxic T cells-; and use other types of signaling pathways. "Our findings highlight new targets-; such as specific cell subsets-; to guide next-generation vaccines," says Shalek. "We can also begin to consider how we might directly manipulate entire granulomas through modulating intercellular signaling to combat the bug more effectively." Fortune stresses that until the COVID-19 pandemic, TB was the leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide. "An effective vaccine is the only way that we are really going to control TB, which shares many of the features that has made controlling COVID-19 hard: its airborne transmission, its infection in many people, and its ability to transmit before people are diagnosed," she says. Unlike COVID-19, which is caused by a virus, TB is caused by bacteria, and current treatment involves multiple months of aggressive antibiotic therapy. "This study's new insights into how the immune system clears, or in some cases helps, TB are critical in figuring out what a new vaccine should do," says Fortune. This work was supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Searle Scholars Program, the Beckman Young Investigator Program, Sloan Fellowship in Chemistry, the National Institutes of Health, the American Lung Association, the National Science Foundation, Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellowship, and Wellcome Trust Fellowship. To say that college years are a time of great change is an understatement; whether you stay at or close to home, or move away to a four-year university, the posthigh school years are often a time of new experiences, unfamiliar responsibilities, growing pains, and learning curves. They can also be a time when some students have to navigate their own physical and mental health for the first time without parental support. College is a key developmental time; the age of onset for lifetime mental health problems also directly coincides with traditional college years-;75 percent of lifetime mental health problems will onset by age 24." Sarah K. Lipson, assistant professor of health law, policy, and management, Boston University School of Public Health For more than 10 years, she's studied college student mental health with the Healthy Minds Network, a national project she coleads with researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. In a new study, Lipson and her colleagues reveal just how common depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are, and how these issues take a toll on students of color unequally. The paper looks at survey data collected by the Healthy Minds Network between 2013 and 2021 from 350,000 students at over 300 campuses. It's the first long-term, multicampus study of its kind to parse out differences in treatment and prevalence of mental health issues across race and ethnicity. The study was coauthored by Lipson and other members of the Healthy Minds Network team. "As a budding clinician of color, I think the tracking of these trends helps support efforts related to stigma reduction and [mental health] education that can be targeted toward certain communities," says Jasmine Morigney, a clinical psychology doctoral student at Eastern Michigan University and a coauthor on the study. The researchers used screening tools to measure mental health symptoms, levels of flourishing, and whether a student received treatment during their time at college; participants self-identified their race and ethnicity. They found that the mental health of college students across the United States has been on a consistent decline for all eight years of data analyzed, with an overall 135 percent increase in depression and 110 percent increase in anxiety from 2013 to 2021; the number of students who met the criteria for one or more mental health problems in 2021 had doubled from 2013. Need for mental health support outpacing resources American Indian/Alaskan Native college students were found to have the largest increases in depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other mental health problems, as well as the largest decreases in flourishing. Back in 2016, about a third of American Indian/Alaskan Native students screened positive for depression, a similar level to other racial and ethnic groups in the study. But by the 2019 and 2020 semesters, half of those respondents were screening positive for depression. "There has not been nearly enough research on this population," Lipson says. "My hope is that these data document the urgency around understanding some of the unique factors shaping these students' mental health. American Indian/Alaskan Native students need to be brought into the conversation for universities to invest in resources that align with their preferences." For white students, the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury and symptoms of eating disorders increased most significantly compared to other groups. In all other categories-; depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and one or more mental health problems-; increases were seen the most among non-white students. During the semesters of the COVID-19 pandemic, American Indian/Alaskan Native students and Asian/Pacific Islander/Desi American (APIDA) students reported the most significant increases in mental health concerns, according to the data. Although more students overall are seeking help and access to mental health services on college campuses than they were in 2013-; which is good news, says Lipson-; the prevalence of mental health issues seems to be outpacing the number of students finding and receiving support. And some groups of students are actually less likely to get help than a decade ago. For example, Arab American students experienced a 22 percent jump in mental health issues, but had an 18 percent decrease in treatment over the eight years of the study, highlighting a critical gap between onset of symptoms and accessing help. During the semesters of the pandemic-; when many schools went remote-; fewer students of color were accessing necessary services. "I find the change in treatment rates among students of color in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to be quite surprising," Morigney says. Treatment declined the most in 2020 among APIDA and Black students. "Given the impact of the pandemic on this community and concentrated traumatic racism, it makes this finding quite alarming," she says. Not just a pandemic problem Though researchers tracked significant increases in anxiety and depression during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lipson says the numbers show a continuation of a troubling trend rather than a singular spike. "The crisis related to mental health exists beyond the college and university setting," Lipson says. But the potential to intervene and reach students at a uniquely important time of life is huge. "It might not be perfect, but many four-year colleges offer some of the best resources people will ever have," Lipson says, since these institutions can use their resources to remove many barriers to care, such as a lack of available providers, long wait times, and financial restraints. University policies to address and eliminate racial discrimination on campus and in healthcare settings can also reduce the mental health risk factors that many students of color experience. "I would love to see universities work to enhance and promote diversity in their behavioral health staff," says Morigney. Students of color may not know if their campus counseling centers have staff with similar cultural backgrounds and could be reluctant to seek out services, she says. "The majority of mental health professionals are white, and universities are critical for not only providing students with culturally and ethnically diverse care, but also providing opportunities for clinicians of color to serve these student bodies." Providing training opportunities to encourage students of color to enter the field of mental health is also a huge opportunity. "One of the most important aspects of this study is documenting these inequalities and communicating them to folks who can use this information to enact change," Lipson says. For colleges across the country worried about retention rates-; many colleges are seeing more students quit before completing their studies-; she says the conversations about retaining students and mental health need to be brought together. It's often the "same students who have the lowest rate of retention in higher education [who] are the same students who are least likely to access mental health services when they are struggling, and mental health is a predictor of retention," she says. "In the big picture, we need to bring mental health into the classroom so that it doesn't require a student needing to make time or getting motivated to seek help," Lipson says. "There is a lot we can do to bring mental health into the default of students' lives." In a recent study published in PLoS ONE, researchers analyzed acute kidney injury (AKI) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pediatric patients. Background Kidney-related complications due to COVID-19 have become prevalent, with AKI accounting for higher mortality rates. In a previous meta-analysis, researchers of the present study evaluated the incidence and outcomes of AKI among adult and pediatric COVID-19 cases. More than 30% of pediatric COVID-19 patients developed AKI than 15.9% of adult COVID-19 patients. Overall, they observed a 2.55% mortality rate in children and 14.6% in adults. Despite the age discrepancy, renal association with COVID-19 has been an adverse prognostic factor. While several research groups have been studying AKI epidemiology in pediatric COVID-19 cases reporting varying incidence rates, a large-scale, pan-North America assessment has not been carried out. About the study In this retrospective study, researchers analyzed COVID-19 cases in the pediatric population (aged 21 years or lower) requiring intensive care (ICU) across North America using the virtual pediatric systems (VPS) database. Pediatric patients with AKI and those with a current or previous history of COVID-19 were analyzed. COVID-19 patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases tenth revision (ICD-10). The team investigated the epidemiology, risk factors of AKI, treatment results, and mortality. The following variables were utilized: patient demographics, diagnosis, laboratory results, imaging results, respiratory support modality, medications, kidney replacement therapy (KRT) modality, interventions and procedures, discharge status, pediatric index of mortality 2 (PIM2), and PIM3, length of stay (LOS). Patients were categorized into AKI and non-AKI groups. AKI group patients were further classified based on the severity stage of AKI per kidney disease, improving global outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. Continuous outcome variables were hospital LOS, PIM2 probability of death, and PIM3 probability of death. Categorical variables were mortality, respiratory and airway support, kidney support, cardiovascular support, and vascular access. Continuous variables were summarized as inter-quartile ranges (IQR) and medians, while categorical variables were represented as percentages and frequencies. Each variable was tested for normality by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and Fischer exact or chi-squared test for categorical variables were performed as univariate analyses to examine the unadjusted relationship between variables or different outcomes. Significant variables in the univariate analysis were subject to multivariate linear or logistic regression analysis after adjustment. Findings Among the 2546 COVID-19-positive pediatric cases as of July 2021, 274 (10.8%) had AKI. Of these, 62 patients were diagnosed with stage 3 AKI, and 40 others had stage 2 AKI. The median age of AKI patients (5 years) was significantly higher than those without AKI (4 years). There was no statistical significance in gender, ethnicity, race, baseline pediatric overall performance, and baseline pediatric cerebral performance category between the two groups. Comorbidities such as respiratory, endocrinal, cardiovascular, and hematologic dysfunctions were significantly higher in those with AKI than in non-AKI patients. Many laboratory parameters were higher among AKI patients: serum potassium and glucose, creatinine, leucocyte count, blood urea nitrogen, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Bicarbonate levels and pH were significantly lower in the AKI cohort than in the non-AKI cohort. Both categorical and continuous outcome variables were significantly higher in the AKI subset than in the non-AKI cohort. For instance, in the univariate analysis, hospital LOS was 9.04 days for the AKI cohort compared to 5.09 days for the non-AKI group. PIM2 and PIM3 probability of death was 1.2% and 0.98% in the AKI group, respectively, compared to 0.96% and 0.78% in the non-AKI cohort. For continuous variables, the crude odds ratios (ORs) were 5.01 for mortality, 1.63 for respiratory and airway support, 3.57 for cardiorespiratory support, 12.52 for kidney support, and 4.84 for vascular access. Even after adjustment, the categorical and continuous outcome variables were greater in AKI patients than in non-AKI cases. Adjusted ORs were 1.61 (respiratory and airway support), 2.69 (mortality), 3.51 (vascular access), and 5.34 (kidney support). When continuous or categorical outcomes were compared to different AKI stages, statistically significant results were obtained for hospital LOS, airway and respiratory support, and vascular access but not for PIM2 or PIM3 probability of death. Conclusions The study observed a higher incidence of AKI among pediatric COVID-19 patients in ICUs than previously reported by multiple studies. Moreover, mortality rates were higher among patients in the AKI group. Given the retrospective nature of the study, a few limitations exist. Notably, the results presented here are representative of North America only from select pediatric ICUs in the region and could not be applied globally. Notwithstanding the lower risk of severe COVID-19 in children, it is critical to continue to build the knowledge base of COVID-19-related manifestations in children. A better understanding of the disease could potentially address the increased morbidity and mortality rates in the future. Yoga is often equated with acrobatic stretching exercises that are supposed to induce relaxation and a better body awareness. This benefit has been scientifically proven. What has been little researched so far is how different yoga techniques such as the so-called "sun salutation" or breathing exercises as well as meditation work in combination. Dr. Karin Matko, research associate at the Professorship General and Biopsychology (Head: Prof. Dr. Udo Rudolph) at Chemnitz University of Technology, addressed this question as the first author. Prof. Dr. Peter Sedlmeier, head of the Professorship Research Methods and Evaluation at Chemnitz University of Technology, and Dr. med. Holger C. Bringmann from Charite Berlin collaborated in the study. In her evaluation of results from 19 meta-analyses of a total of 330 studies - a so-called "meta-synthesis" - the psychologist found that the combination of different yoga techniques is related to their benefits. Thus, a combination increases therapeutic or preventive benefits. "Our results, which are mostly consistent across the studies we examined, show that combining different elements in yoga is better. In almost all cases, combined interventions were superior to simpler interventions," says Karin Matko - regardless of whether the problem is high blood pressure, diabetes or depression. The combination of physical exercises with breathing techniques or meditation was particularly effective. However, there were also particularities: "In the case of asthma, for example, yoga only works if it includes breathing exercises," says Matko, who is also a trained yoga teacher. Results also confirmed experimentally In another study, Matko was also able to confirm this result experimentally. She compared the effects of four different combinations of yoga, meditation and the ethical foundations of yoga on healthy subjects with no previous experience: "If you want to avoid or reduce stress, the combination of yoga and meditation seems to be particularly helpful," she explains. In addition, Matko and her colleagues Sedlmeier and Bringmann show that a combination of meditation and ethical education can sustainably increase well-being: "The intense engagement with oneself during the ethical education sessions seems to have had a really lasting effect on our participants." The researcher concludes that it may be well worth decorating yoga with its original "icing on the cake" and practicing it together with meditation or other traditional practices. The results of this research have been published online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. and in Frontiers in Psychology. About one-fifth of often deadly head and neck cancers harbor genetic mutations in a pathway that is key to normal cell growth, and scientists report those mutations, which enable abnormal cancer cell growth, can also make cancer vulnerable. Keys to targeting that vulnerability include individualized genomic analysis to identify a patient's specific mutation, and finding the drugs that directly target it, investigations that should be given more attention in cancer therapy development, they report in a review article in the journal NPJ Genomic Medicine. The MAPK pathway is a "signaling hub" for cells important to the usual development of the head and neck region, and activating key pathway constituents, like the genes MAPK1 and HRAS, is known to drive the growth of a variety of cancers, says Dr. Vivian Wai Yan Lui, molecular pharmacologist and translational scientist at the Georgia Cancer Center and Medical College of Georgia and the paper's corresponding author. But the mutations in the genes in the MAPK pathway that enable tumor growth can also make it sensitive to drug therapy, says Lui. While a lot of discovery is still needed to find more mutations in the MAPK pathway and the drugs that target them, Lui says they are among the most logical treatment targets for this tough-to-treat cancer. As she speaks, she is looking in her lab for drugs that kill head and neck primary tumors from patients, and at the genetics behind how they kill. It's critical to the survival of the cancer." Dr. Vivian Wai Yan Lui, Molecular Pharmacologist and Translational Scientist, Cancer Center and Medical College, Augusta University And every cancer type likely has one or more drug-sensitizing mutations that may vary in individuals depending on how they got cancer. If these types of studies continue to find the methodology works, gene panels might need to be developed to expedite target discovery in this very heterogenous cancer, the scientists write. More clinical trials around the globe at institutions like MCG and the Georgia Cancer Center are essential to identifying these specific mutations and drugs that target them in a precision manner, Lui notes. Also, next on the horizon is combining this "precision medicine" approach with immunotherapy that better enables a patient's immune system to also target the cancer, she says. Lui's interest in the MAPK pathway solidified almost a decade ago at the University of Pittsburgh where she did her postdoctoral studies and eventually joined the faculty. Her mentor was Dr. Jennifer R. Grandis (now at the University of California, San Francisco), who led the head and neck cancer program there. The patient in his 30s, a heavy smoker and drinker, had stage four head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that had metastasized to his lymph nodes. The patient went to Pittsburgh for removal of the lymph nodes and the primary tumor but was fortunate enough to be eligible for a "window of opportunity" trial there. Before starting any standard treatment, he received a trial drug for 13 days, in his case an epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR, blocker. The receptor is involved in cell growth, and is found on some normal cells, including in the head and neck area where there is a lot of natural cell turnover because of exposure to things like food and drink. However, in cancer cells, including head and neck cancer cells, EGFR is abundantly expressed for the rapid growth critical to a tumor's spread and survival. The patient was given the drug, erlotinib, which was not known to be particularly effective in these cancers but was being looked at to see if it would quieten signaling of this factor that was important to the cancer's growth. When he went for surgery following the trial, the surgeon called to report there was no cancer on his tongue and studies of his 36 lymph nodes indicated they also now showed no evidence of cancer. The patient was still doing well by the time the Pittsburgh colleagues published the paper two years later in 2015 in JAMA Oncology. His was rightly called an "exceptional response," the first Lui and her colleagues had found in head and neck cancer, and she had to figure out the mutation the drug targeted to enable such a response. Exceptional responders are how the National Cancer Institute describes people who have more than a six-month response to a therapy when they are running out of treatment options. An EGFR gene mutation was a logical choice for his mutation. Harvard investigators had previously found that in non-small cell lung cancer, EGFR activating mutations could activate tumor cell growth, which also made tumor cells "addicted" to the signal from the mutated EGFR. The drug erlotinib could break the addiction and inhibit cancer cell growth. Lui didn't find an EGFR mutation in this young man's pretreatment biopsy but reasoned the mutation had to have something to do with the receptor's signaling network. She was surprised -; and the first -; to find it was a MAPK1 gene mutation, MAPK1 p.E322K specifically, that could also be found in liver, breast and other cancers. When they later engineered the mutation in head and neck cancer cells, the already aggressive cells grew even faster, Lui says of a mutation that can result from habits like heavy smoking and drinking. They would also find that the particular mutation was very common in the United States in patients with head and neck cancer, while there was a wider spectrum of mutations present in Asians with the cancer. Erlotinib had actually failed in clinical trials because it wasn't given to the right patients, which is what precision medicine is, Lui notes. In fact, laboratory studies had indicated that activation of MAPK1 confers resistance to erlotinib, she says, while this patient's response clearly counters that. Follow up work by Grandis indicated that in patients actually, the higher the MAPK1 activation, the better the cancer responded to erlotinib. To help move cancer treatment forward, Lui encourages physicians who come across these types of "exceptional responses" to report them, work with scientists to study them, then pursue clinical trials when appropriate. For patients, her message is not to give up because with more high-level analysis of tumors, there might be a certain mutation that makes their cancer vulnerable to a specific medication, she says of these "gene-drug responses" that are the focal point of her translational work. "There are secrets that make the cancer vulnerable," Lui says. "When cancer cells have an important gene mutation that they are activating or that cancer cells are addicted to for survival, then when you hit that signaling pathway, the cancer cells will die or be really well controlled." Prior to the era of genomic medicine, when scientists began to identify and target a specific gene mutation, "non-precision" drug treatment of the MAPK pathway in head and neck cancers as well as other cancers were "futile," and typically "failed miserably" in clinical trials, Lui and her colleagues write. While the reasons may be uncertain, they likely include the wrong drug for that specific, problematic mutation, Lui says, as well as the fact that some MAPK pathway mutations are known to convey drug resistance. Either way, there is a lot of work to do. Today there are just a handful of drugs that target specific, cancer-causing mutations in head and neck cancer but there aren't effective precision drugs for about 80% of patients, Lui and her coauthors write. But there is mounting evidence that targeting specific MAPK pathway mutations in the pathway like MAPK1, HRAS, KRAS and BRAF can be very effective for these patients. As an example, the RAS inhibitor tipifarnib received Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the Food and Drug Administration in February 2021 for patients with a specific recurrent or metastatic HRAS-mutant head and neck squamous cell cancer. HRAS is involved in cell growth signaling. Also, studies indicate that EGFR targeted therapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, increases progression-free survival to a median of 18.9 months and median overall survival beyond three years and reduces death rates about 52%. In 2016 the Food and Drug Administration modified its approval of erlotinib to treat non-small cell lung cancer patients with the specific EGFR mutations. In 2020, the FDA approved erlotinib in combination with ramucirumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, which tumors use to grow the blood vessels they need to thrive, as a frontline treatment for these cancers. The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to tipifarnib, an inhibitor of a protein which has the downstream effect of interfering in this case with mutations of the gene HRAS, which is also involved in cell division and in the MAPK pathway. There are now more than 1.5 million people with non-small cell lung cancer on precision medicine because of investigators who continued to examine the initial few responders, Lui says. Lui is a native of Hong Kong, who was on the faculty of The Chinese University of Hong Kong before joining the MCG faculty in October 2021. In 2020 Lui and her colleagues reported that MAPK pathway mutations are a factor in about one-fifth of head and neck cancer patients and that "unexpectedly" these mutations are associated with longer patient survival than other causes like human papillomavirus. Head and neck cancer is typically aggressive and often both the disease and its treatment are painful and disfiguring. It carries a higher risk of suicide than many other cancer types. The incidence of head and neck cancer is going up across the world, with causes including tobacco and/or alcohol use, air pollutants, cancer causing viruses like the sexually transmitted HPV, and Epstein-Barr virus, one of the most common viruses that is primarily spread by saliva and can cause problems like infectious mononucleosis. Other causes include poor dental hygiene and chewing betel nut, a stimulant which comes from the Areca palm plant, and is used as a recreational drug and as a still-unproven treatment for problems like schizophrenia and glaucoma. Chewing betel nut is a common cultural practice in South and Southeast Asia and the Asian Pacific. It's often chewed with products like tobacco and has been associated with cancer and a host of other medical problems like a slow heart rate and stomach ulcers. The carcinogens largely damage the lining of the head and neck region resulting in one or more mutations that can lead to cancer. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently awarded a Phase 1, 5-year $10.9 million Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) award, entitled Research Expanding Access to Child Health (REACH) Center to Anne Kazak, PhD, Enterprise Director, and Melissa Alderfer, PhD, Director of the Center for Healthcare and Delivery Science (CHDS) at Nemours Children's Health. It has long been known that there are many factors outside of the health system that affect a child's overall health. Therefore, the goal of this award is to address the myriad of complex social and ecological factors that hamper access to child health and contribute to health inequities and disparities in care. The grant and Nemours supported REACH Center will work with community partners to harness the power of technology to address barriers to health care access and foster the development of new, innovative care models. By elevating existing expertise and research infrastructure through core resources, the Center will support health equity research for children, and establish a core group of independent multidisciplinary investigators. We are thrilled to advance the creation of the REACH Center which will further expand upon Nemours Children's 'well beyond medicine' strategy that supports each child's whole health, including the social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors that affect their lives and future health. I look forward to see communities, researchers and physicians come together as part of this newly established center, all with the shared vision to create the healthiest generations of children." Mary M. Lee, MD, Nemours Children's Chief Scientific Officer and Physician-in-Chief, Delaware Valley Nemours Children's Health, as one of the nation's largest multi-state pediatric health systems, is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for children's health equity research. Currently, research is underway to meet the criteria of this grant. Thao-Ly Phan, MD, a physician within Nemours Children's Weight Management Clinic, is working to advance technology to improve access to care for children with obesity in rural Delaware. Erica Sood, Ph.D, a Nemours Children's clinical psychologist is developing ways to help families cope and educate themselves about a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease in preparation for their baby's arrival. In an effort to address infrastructure, a training program focused on state-of-the art research approaches will be available to multidisciplinary investigators within Nemours and across Delaware through the IMPACT (Intervention Methods: Provision and Connections through Technology) Core, led by Kimberly Canter, PhD. In addition, the PROMISE (Pediatric Research Optimizing Methods in Stakeholder Engagement) Core, led by J.J. Cutuli, PhD, will support investigators in taking a community-based, participatory approach in their research. Finally, REACH Center staff will provide extensive mentoring to assure that scientists will be successful in growing their innovative research and will fund competitive pilot grants for projects in the early stages of development. This is the second NIH COBRE grant awarded recently to Nemours Children's Health. Researchers at Nemours Children's Health, Delaware received a $10.5 million grant to support the Delaware Comprehensive Sickle Cell Research Program in 2021. Scholars from HSE University and the RAS Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry have demonstrated the efficiency of T-cell immune response against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. In approximately 90% of vaccinated Europeans, T-cell immunity was as effective against Omicron as with other variants. The results of the study were published in PeerJ. The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 caused a new wave of the global pandemic. The new mutations help the virus spread more effectively and avoid antibodies, which is why those who have already had the disease or who have been vaccinated are getting infected more often. At the same time, recent data shows that the severity of the disease in vaccinated patients is significantly lower than in people who have not contacted the virus. The researchers assume that this can be explained by several factors. First, the Omicron variant is slower at infecting the human cells; second, there is a hypothesis that a lighter course of the disease is related to effective action of T-cell immunity. To confirm this assumption, a team of researchers from the HSE Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology and the RAS Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (Stepan Nersisyan, Anton Zhiyanov, Alexey Galatenko, Maxim Shkurnikov, Maria Zakharova, Irina Ishina, Inna Kurbatskaia, Azad Mamedov, Alexander Gabibov, and Alexander Tonevitsky) studied the Omicron variant for mutations that help it avoid the T-cell immune response. The development of T-cell response starts from the recognition of virus peptides (short fragments of proteins) with the molecules of the human major histocompatibility complex (HLA). The more peptides that are recognized, the faster and more efficient T-cell immunity is. Virus mutations can change such peptides, which is why they can stop being recognized by HLA molecules, and the T-cell response will be less effective. T-CoV, a bioinformatics algorithm, demonstrated that the Omicron variant avoided none of the HLA molecule variants. But it detected several HLA molecule variants that started to become less effective at recognizing the Omicron's S-protein. An outstanding discovery was the HLA-DRB1*03:01 variant of the molecule. The most important peptide of the virus managed to avoid it. Interestingly, both types of Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2 (also known as 'Stealth'), evaded immune response recognition, though this was achieved by completely different mutations. The bioinformatics calculations were verified experimentally in a laboratory. The researchers proved that there is no binding between Omicron peptides and the HLA-DRB1*03:01 molecule, which was expressed in vitro. The researchers emphasize that the initial peptide from the Wuhan basic variant, as well as the Delta peptide, are recognized effectively by this molecule. The authors emphasize that the detected HLA-DRB1*03:01 variant is present in a big share of the global population: for example, in 8.9% of Europeans. Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine are studying why neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as apathy and irritability, appear in most Alzheimer's disease patients before the onset of memory loss. The study, led by Yao-Ying Ma, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology, was recently featured in the publication Molecular Psychiatry. The team of researchers identified a receptor in the brain that leads to a loss of neurons and synaptic structure when used in an Alzheimer's disease model. The investigation focused on the nucleus accumbens, a critical brain region processing motivation. Located in the ventral striatum, this region is not studied much among Alzheimer's disease researchers, Ma said; it's mainly researched to understand motivational and emotional processes. Previous studies, Ma said, have shown that the volume of nucleus accumbens, like the cortical and hippocampal regions in the brain, is reduced in adults with Alzheimer's disease. Ma, who is relatively new to the field of Alzheimer's disease research, has a background in drug addiction studies and synaptic communication-;the process by which neurons talk to each other in the brain. Some of the neuropsychiatric symptoms among people who suffer from substance abuse-;apathy, mood swings, anxiety-;are also found in Alzheimer's disease patients. Even before the onset of cognitive deficits, a significant number of Alzheimer's patients start showing mood swings, and they have a greater chance to have symptoms of depression." Yao-Ying Ma, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Indiana University These neuropsychiatric symptoms, however, tend to occur earlier than memory loss, but no effective treatments are available, Ma said. She emphasized that there is an urgent need to understand why those symptoms exist and how they correlate with cognitive deficits. Ma said this study identified synaptic calcium permeable receptors (CP-AMPARs) in the nucleus accumbens in an Alzheimer's disease model. The receptor, which is normally absent in that part of the brain, gives permission for calcium to enter the neurons. This leads to an overload of calcium, which leads to a breakdown of its synaptic structure. In turn, calcium accumulation triggers a cascade of intracellular changes that can be lethal to the neuron by amplifying calcium overload via a positive feedback mechanism. This synaptic loss in the brain causes motivation deficits. Knowing this, Ma said that targeting these receptors in the brain and blocking them could prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease associated neuropsychiatric symptoms, and ultimately cognitive deficits. "If we can postpone the pathological progression in one of the affected areas, like the nucleus accumbens," Ma said, "that may delay pathological changes in other regions." IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability. A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) explored the effects of unvaccinated and vaccinated population mixing on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. Study: Impact of population mixing between vaccinated and unvaccinated subpopulations on infectious disease dynamics: implications for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Image Credit: GoodStudio / Shutterstock Background During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the speed with which COVID-19 vaccines were developed was impressive. Although the inequitable global SARS-CoV-2 vaccine distribution and the emergence of immune-evasive viral variants posed a threat to vaccine efficacy, the COVID-19 vaccines have saved several lives. The anti-COVID-19 vaccine sentiment partly fueled by coordinated disinformation campaigns has resulted in low vaccine uptake in several countries, leading to adverse economic and health implications. Although the option to refuse vaccination is sometimes framed as an individual's freedom to choose, such arguments overlook the possible disadvantages to the larger community that result from low vaccine uptake. Non-vaccination is predicted to increase disease transmission among unvaccinated subpopulations. Yet, since infectious illnesses are communicable, non-vaccination also increases the risk for vaccinated groups when vaccines provide only partial protection. Furthermore, because SARS-CoV-2 has an airborne transmission trait, short-range physical mixing of persons from vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts is not required for disease transmission across groups. About the study The goal of the present study was to evaluate how the mixing of COVID-19 unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals affected the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the vaccinated people. The researchers built a simple susceptibleinfectiousrecovered compartmental model of COVID-19 with two correlated subpopulations: vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. In order to better understand the implications of the interplay between these two populations, the researchers replicated the interaction between vaccinated and unvaccinated subpopulations in a substantially vaccinated community. The team established a variety of mixing patterns between vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts, varying from random mixing to complete assortativity (like-with-like mixing), where people only interact with those who have had an identical vaccination status. The researchers investigated the dynamics of an epidemic inside each subgroup and throughout the entire population. They compared subpopulation contributions to the epidemic magnitude and risk estimations. Then, they analyzed the influence of mixing unvaccinated and vaccinated subjects on projected disease dynamics. Results The study results demonstrated that despite its simplicity, the present model provided a graphical representation of the assumption that even with highly efficient COVID-19 vaccines and high vaccination coverage, a significant percentage of new cases will occur in vaccinated people. This indicated that rates, rather than absolute numbers, were the reasonable metric for proffering the impact of vaccination. However, the researchers discovered that the extent to which individuals engage differently with people of similar vaccination status significantly influenced disease dynamics and risk in people who opt to get vaccinated. Impact of mixing between vaccinated and unvaccinated subpopulations on contribution to risk and final epidemic size for (A) varying reproduction numbers and (B) vaccine effectiveness. Both panels show the impact of increasing like-with-like mixing on outbreak size among the vaccinated subpopulation and contact-adjusted contribution to the risk of infection in vaccinated people by unvaccinated people (). As like-with-like mixing () increases, the attack rate among vaccinated people decreases, but increases. This relation is seen across a range of (A) initial reproduction numbers and (B) vaccine effectiveness. These effects are more pronounced at lower reproduction numbers and are attenuated as vaccines become less effective. We used a base case estimate of 6 for the reproduction number in the sensitivity analysis on vaccine effectiveness and a base case estimate for vaccine effectiveness of 0.8 in the sensitivity analysis for R. Random mixing of vaccinated subjects with unvaccinated lowered the SARS-CoV-2 attack rates among the latter cohort by acting as a viral transmission buffer. Further, the probability of infection was significantly greater among unvaccinated individuals than among vaccinated ones under all mixing models. Unvaccinated participants exhibited a disproportionate contribution to infection risk following contact count adjustment. The authors observed unvaccinated people infected vaccinated subjects at a greater rate than the contact numbers alone-based predicted levels. COVID-19 attack rates among vaccinated persons declined from 15% to 10% when like-with-like mixing expanded and elevated from 62 to 79% among unvaccinated people. Nevertheless, the contact-controlled contribution to risk within vaccinated people obtained from interaction with unvaccinated people rose. Since this excess contribution to risk could not be remedied by high like-with-like mixing undercuts the notion that vaccination was a personal choice and upholds robust public actions intended to increase vaccine uptake and limit access to public areas for unvaccinated people. The researchers also mentioned that regulatory and legal instruments to control practices and behaviors that put the public at risk stretch past communicable infectious illnesses, such as smoking bans in public places. The researchers discovered that when vaccination efficiency was poor, like-with-like mixing was less protective in the setting of immune evasion exhibited with the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. This discovery emphasizes the pandemic's dynamic character and the necessity for policy to adjust responsibly as the disease's nature and the protective effects of vaccinations change. Conclusions Collectively, the present work depicted that although the risk of not being vaccinated during a severe pandemic falls chiefly on the unvaccinated people, their decisions impact the chance of viral infection among the vaccinated in a way that was disproportionate to the number of unvaccinated individuals in the community. The authors mentioned that unvaccinated persons face a risk that cannot be deemed self-regarding. Further, the concerns about equality and justice for individuals who choose to be vaccinated and those who choose not to be vaccinated must be factored into vaccination policy design. Given the wide range of sensitivity analyses, the current findings can be employed in future assessments when new SARS-CoV-2 variants arise, and novel vaccine preparations become available, as it illustrates the length of time vaccination imparts protection. A new study projects that a U.S. ban on menthol cigarettes, proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will lead more than 1.3 million smokers to quit. Among them, Black smokers will see the greatest impact. Researchers from the University of Waterloo led the study, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Toronto and seven U.S. universities. To make the projection, the team evaluated the impact of Canada's ban on menthol cigarettes, which came into force nationally in 2017. They combined data from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project) and the Ontario Menthol Ban Study, which surveyed people before and after the ban. Smokers of menthol cigarettes in Canada quit smoking at a rate of 22.3 per cent, compared to 15.0 per cent of non-menthol smokers. The difference of 7.3 per cent is highly statistically significant. Our study confirms that Canada's menthol cigarette ban led to substantial public health benefits. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death and disease in Canada, the United States, and globally." Geoffrey T. Fong, professor of psychology and public health sciences, University of Waterloo and lead author of the study Fong is also senior investigator at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and principal investigator of the ITC Project. To estimate the impact of a U.S. ban on menthol cigarettes, the study applied the effect the Canadian ban had on quitting to U.S. statistics on menthol smokers. The study projected that a U.S. ban on menthol cigarettes would lead to an increase in quitting of 1,337,988 U.S. smokers. Because 80 per cent of Black smokers smoke menthols-;compared to about 35 per cent of U.S. smokers overall-;the impact of a menthol cigarette ban in the U.S. would be proportionately greater for them. The projections are that 381,272 Black smokers would quit after a U.S. ban on menthols. "These findings provide the foundation for the U.S. and other countries considering menthol cigarette bans to estimate the possible impact of such bans on reducing smoking," said Michael O. Chaiton, scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, director of research at the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, and principal investigator of the Ontario Menthol Ban Study. For more than a decade, public health experts, scientists, civil rights groups, and anti-tobacco organizations-;including the World Health Organization-;have called upon governments to ban menthol cigarettes. In addition to Canada, more than 30 other countries have banned menthol cigarettes, including all member states of the European Union. Menthol is added to cigarettes because it creates a cooling sensation that takes the edge off the harshness of cigarette smoke, making it easier to start smoking and facilitating addiction, all reasons why public health experts have called for a menthol ban. (Newser) Update: The FDA on Thursday made one of its biggest moves in more than a decade to curb smoking by unveiling a plan to ban menthol cigarettes, reports the New York Times. Now comes a 60-day period for public comments, followed by any needed revisions. It could be at least a year before the rule takes effect, at which point it's expected to have the biggest impact on Black smokers, most of whom use menthols. Our original story from April 2021 follows: When the Food and Drug Administration started regulating tobacco products in 2009, it promptly banned flavored cigarettesjust not the flavor preferred by the vast majority of Black smokers. The Biden administration is now planning to propose a ban on menthol cigarettes as well, a move that both antismoking and civil rights groups have long pushed for, the Washington Post reports. The FDA says more than 85% of Black smokers prefer menthol cigarettes, compared to 46% of Hispanic smokers and 29% of white smokers. The FDA says across all races, more than half of smokers 12 to 17 years old choose menthol. Advocates of a menthol ban say Black communities have been aggressively targeted by tobacco companies promoting menthols, which researchers say are more addictive. Sources tell Politico that the plan to ban menthol cigarettes will be released Thursdaythe court-ordered deadline for the FDA to respond to a 2013 citizen petition from public health groups seeking a ban. The issue has long been stalled by opposition from the tobacco industry and lawmakers from tobacco-growing states. Trump-era FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb ended up leaving the administration months after proposing a menthol ban in 2018. The Post notes that the Biden administration has the authority to ban menthol cigarettes without going through Congress, though the ban will probably take years to implement. (Read more menthol cigarettes stories.) (Newser) Donald Trump has split with the conservative anti-tax Club for Growth in Ohio's messy GOP Senate primary and the feud is escalating, CNN reports. The group, which supports former state treasurer Josh Mandel, has refused Trump's requests to stop airing an ad attacking Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance, who was endorsed by Trump earlier this month. In response, Trump reportedly sent group president David McIntosh a message via an aide reading, simply, "F*** you." The group then said it would boost spending on the ad, which highlights years-old anti-Trump remarks from Vance. The cluband Vanceopposed Trump before the 2016 election but did U-turns afterward. In the years after the election, the Club for Growth became a reliable Trump ally and McIntosh gave him advice on GOP races around the country, the New York Times reports. On April 9, the week before the Vance endorsement, Trump praised McIntosh at an event in North Carolina, saying, "He's a winner. He's a fighter. We are undefeated when we work together," per CNN. Sources tell the Times that Donald Trump Jr., who spent months persuading his father to endorse Vance, is now planning to pressure the club to remove McIntosh as president. An ad for the Club for Growth Wednesday targets Trump himself as well as Vance, reports the Cincinnati Enquirer. It highlights Trump's support of Mitt Romney in 2012 and features a man saying, "Look, I love Trump, but he's getting it wrong with JD Vance." Vance issued a statement Wednesday attacking Mandel. "Having been rejected by Trump after begging for his endorsement, Mandel has returned to his roots: with millions of dollars from the pro-China Club for Growth propping up his failing campaign," Vance said. "There is a war for the soul of the Republican Party, and Im proud to be on the side of President Trump." (Read more Election 2022 stories.) (Newser) A Delta Air Lines passenger accused of attacking a flight attendant in first class gave FBI investigators an "excuse" that isn't going to help his case. According to a criminal complaint, Christopher Alexander Morgan told investigators that "he is homophobic and that it is possible he could have been intimidating the flight attendants," NBC reports. "He said that his homophobia may have caused his temper towards the flight attendant to escalate," the complaint states. Investigators say Morgan refused to put on his seat belt or put his seat in the upright position before the Friday flight from Atlanta to Phoenix took off, the Sacramento Bee reports. When the flight was in the air, he received one alcoholic drink but became angry when he asked for a second one and was offered a nonalcoholic beverage instead, according to the criminal complaint. Morgan allegedly used homophobic slurs and threw a glass of ice at the attendant, investigators say. When the attendant grabbed a phone to notify the captain, Morgan allegedly grabbed the phone out of his hand and hit him with it before using another homophobic slur. Morgan told the FBI that "the flight attendant was homosexual and that this made him uncomfortable," according to the complaint. "When the flight attendant refused to serve Morgan another drink, he became angry." Delta says the plane was met by law enforcement when it landed in Phoenix, USA Today reports. The airline says it has "zero tolerance for unruly behavior and discrimination at our airports and aboard our aircraft." (Read more Delta Air Lines stories.) (Newser) Federal prosecutors announced a sweeping racketeering case Wednesday aimed at dismantling the leadership of the Mexican Mafia that controlled street gangs in part of southern California. The indictment unsealed in US District Court against three members of the group and 28 associates includes allegations of two murders, six attempted killings, extortion, and drug trafficking in Orange County, the AP reports. Prosecutors said the case would not eradicate the organization, which mainly operates from behind bars to call shots on crimes in prison and on the streets. But the prosecution would disrupt the leadership that arose when the longtime kingpin who controlled gang activity in Orange County for decades was convicted of racketeering in 2016. "The message that this case sends is that if you rise to power in that vacuum, we will come for you," US Attorney Tracy Wilkison said. "No gang member is beyond our reach. Twenty-one of those charged were already in custody and nine others were arrested in the past two days. One is still a fugitive. The Mexican Mafia, which was started in the 1950s at a juvenile jail and now controls smuggling, drug sales, and extortion inside Californias penal system, is made up of leaders of different street gangs. Leaders direct associates to collect "taxes" on drugs proceeds and order hits on enemies or people who betray them or violate their rules. The indictment describes a series of crimes carried out as part of a racketeering conspiracy that range from shaking people down for money or dealing drugs to murders plotted for showing disrespect or violating orders. Brian Gilhooly of the FBI said that one of the goals of bringing the case is to lock up leaders in federal prisons farther from their home turf, where it's harder to smuggle contraband. "We are going to make sure that these individuals get lengthy sentences, and get sent to other prisons throughout the country," Gilhooly said. (Read more Mexican Mafia stories.) (Newser) Elon Musk has vowed to make Twitter "an inclusive arena for free speech" if his deal to buy the company goes throughbut his own tweets will remain restricted. A federal judge in New York has rejected Musk's bid to end an agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission that limits what he can post about Tesla, the BBC reports. The 2018 deal to settle an SEC lawsuit requires Musk to obtain approval from Tesla's lawyers before he tweets about the company. Musk, Tesla's CEO, was also required to step down as chairman under the settlement. Musk was accused of violating securities laws after he tweeted that he had secured funding to take Tesla private. The SEC found that he had only held preliminary talks with investors. US District Court Judge Lewis J. Liman rejected Musk's argument that he only accepted the settlement to avoid putting financial pressure on Tesla, the New York Times reports. "Musk cannot now seek to retract the agreement he knowingly and willingly entered by simply bemoaning that he felt like he had to agree to it at the time but nowonce the spectre of the litigation is a distant memory and his company has become, in his estimation, all but invinciblewishes that he had not," the judge wrote. The judge also rejected Musk's bid to end an SEC investigation of tweets Musk made last year asking Twitter users whether he should sell Tesla stock, which may have violated the 2018 agreement. (Tesla's falling share price could complicate the Twitter deal.) (Newser) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has toured devastated areas outside the Ukrainian capital that were occupied by Russian troops. Speaking to journalists on Thursday at several points, Guterres urged Russia to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, the AP reports. Thats after the bodies of civilians were found in areas once held by Russian forces, some shot with their hands bound. Guterres, who visited Bucha, Borodyanka, and Irpin, and also said that "civilians always pay the highest price in any war. "When I see those destroyed buildings, I must say what I feel. I imagined my family in one of those houses that is now destroyed and black. I see my granddaughters running away in panic, part of the family eventually killed," he said. "So, the war is an absurdity in the 21st century. The war is evil. And when one sees these situations our heart, of course, stays with the victims." He added: "When we talk about war crimes, we cannot forget that the worst of crimes is war itself." The BBC reports that the UN chief, who held talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, "chose his words carefully, talking about war in general and not blaming or criticizing Russia directly." (Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.) (Newser) A record-breaking heat wave in India and Pakistan is affecting more than a billion people and the worst is still to come. Reuters reports that the extreme heat making life almost unbearable across a wide swath of the subcontinent this week follows the hottest March since the India Meteorological Department started keeping records more than 120 years ago. Forecaster say things will keep getting hotter this week, with India's capital, New Delhi, expected to see temperatures above 111 Fahrenheit, the BBC reports. In some regions, temperatures could rise over 120, per the Washington Post. Heat waves aren't unusual in India, but they've arrived much earlier than usual this year, with monsoon rains still weeks away in many areas. "Temperatures are rising rapidly in the country, and rising much earlier than usual," Prime Minister Narendra Modi told heads of India's state governments this week, per Reuters. In March, rainfall was 71% below the long-term average. The heat has damaged harvests and led to a surge in demand for power that has caused blackouts in some cities, the New York Times reports. Health services are struggling to deal with a rise in patients with heat-related illnesses, worsened by a "heat island" effect that means cities aren't cooling down enough at night. The heat has also caused spontaneous combustion in landfills in and around New Delhi, where a fire enveloped the city in acrid smoke on Tuesday, the AP reports. Analysts say that while several atmospheric factors have contributed to the current heat wave, the root cause is climate change, as temperatures are rising from a higher baseline. (Read more India stories.) (Newser) Smoke was detected on EgyptAir Flight 804 shortly before it plunged into the Mediterranean on May 19, 2016, killing all 66 aboard, and initial analyses pointed toward terrorism. Now, a report from French investigators points to something far less nefarious: a fire caused by a cigarette smoked by one of the pilots, per CBS News. According to a nearly 140-page document seen by the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, the fire that eventually doomed the plane headed from Paris to Cairo was probably the result of combustion caused by a leak in the co-pilot's oxygen mask and "a spark or a flame" from the cigarette in question being smoked by either the pilot or co-pilot. The report notes that a maintenance engineer had left the co-pilot's oxygen mask in "emergency" mode rather than in "normal" mode after a mask replacement three days before the crash, per Al Jazeera. It's not clear why such a replacement was made, but in 2018, experts who spoke before a Paris court noted that "the replacement of this equipment requires very careful verification ... oxygen leaks being particularly dangerous," reports CBS. The French investigators' report also details a hissing or "rustling" sound picked up by a microphone on the mask in the minutes before the accident. The Independent notes that smoking in the cockpit was still permitted by the airline at the time of the crash, and that pilots regularly did so. France's air accident investigation agency said in 2018 that it believed a fire in the cockpit led to the crash; findings from Egyptian officials' own investigation were never made public. Victims' families can't believe it's taken this long to get closer to the truth, saying the process has been exhausting. "We want to know why we lost our loved ones, and we [didn't] know that till this day," a woman who lost both her brother and father in the crash tells Corriere Della Sera. (Read more EgyptAir stories.) (Newser) In Congress, Kevin McCarthy appears to be weathering controversy over leaked audio clips that reveal he disparaged then-President Trump and some of Trump's most fervent supporters in the aftermath of the Capitol riot. In his home district in California, however, the House minority leader is enduring a public backlash, reports Newsweek. A Republican group has put up six billboards around Bakersfield reading, "We've heard the tapes, Kevin. Stop lying about January 6th." The billboards illustrate the squeeze McCarthy is under from both sides of the political spectrum as he maneuvers to become House speaker should Republicans prevail in the midterms. In this case, the group behind the billboardsthe Republican Accountability Projectaccuses McCarthy of being too soft on Trump. The group is made up of conservatives who dispute the former president's claims of a stolen election, per the Washington Post. The RAP accuses McCarthy of reversing himself on Trump as he vies to shore up support to become speaker. At the same time, because of the sentiments he voiced in the audio clips, McCarthy runs the risk of losing the support of Trump loyalists in the House, which could torpedo his speakership chances. "We're just trying to at least inform the people that vote for him that he lies and continues to lie," a spokesman for the RAP tells the Post. "When he goes back home, there are going to be some people that question him about it." On Wednesday, McCarthy met with House Republicans to defend himself in regard to the leaked audio and received a standing ovation. "I think the (Republican) conference is satisfied," GOP Rep. Jay Obernolte tells Fox News. Also of note, Trump himself has not split with McCarthy. (Read more Kevin McCarthy stories.) (Newser) President Biden will ask Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion, two administration officials said Thursday, per the AP. Biden's latest proposalwhich the officials said was expected to last for five monthshas more than $20 billion in military assistance for Ukraine and for bolstering defenses in nearby countries. There is also $8.5 billion in economic aid to help keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's government functioning and $3 billion for food and humanitarian programs to help civilians and other spending, said the officials. The new proposal would be more than twice as large as the initial $13.6 billion package of defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies that Congress enacted last month and is almost exhausted. It seemed to signal a long-term US commitment to staving off Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to expand his nation's control of its neighbor, and perhaps beyond. The request comes with the fighting, now in its ninth week, sharpening in eastern and southern parts of the country and international tensions growing as Russia cuts off gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria. There is wide, bipartisan support in Congress for giving Ukraine all the assistance it needs to fight the Russians, and its eventual approval seems certain. But Biden and congressional Democrats also want lawmakers to approve an additional $22.5 billion for vaccines, treatments, testing, and aid to other countries in continuing efforts to contain COVID-19, and that along with a Republican push to entangle the measure with an extension of some Trump-era immigration restrictions leaves the proposal's pathway to enactment unclear. In a compromise with Republicans, Senate Democrats have already agreed to pare the $22.5 billion figure to $10 billion. (Read more Ukraine stories.) Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Mainly cloudy with snow showers around in the morning. High near 45F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 28F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Moderating temperatures will change morning snow showers to rain showers by late day. High 42F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Rain showers in the evening changing 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 Bahrain is committed to continue promoting and protecting human rights and ensuring political, civil, economic, social and cultural freedoms in accordance with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. This was emphasised by Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani as he chaired the 32nd meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee for Human Rights remotely. He extended thanks and gratitude HM the King and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the continuous attention attached to respect rights, human dignity and fundamental freedoms. It was part of a framework of equality and equal opportunities without discrimination, under the National Human Rights Plan, which was approved by the Cabinet. Dr Al Zayani expressed thanks to the members of the committee, praising their efforts in partnership with the legislature and civil society in preparing the national human rights plan. They discussed the first national report before the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights last February in Geneva, and their success in performing their national duties. Likewise, the session discussed Bahrains preparation to submit the fourth national report of the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, before discussing it next November. Bahrain has fulfilled 90% of the recommendations of the previous report, and announced its candidacy for membership in the Human Rights Council for the years 2023-2025, for the fourth time in its history. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The royal leaderships allout support strengthens Bahrain frontline workers resolve to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) and motivate the people to do the same. Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed reaffirmed the appreciation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the sincere efforts of all frontliners in cushioning the negative impact of the pandemic. The Minister praised the efforts of BAC and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) employees in carrying out their duties for the good of Bahrain, emphasising that even greater efforts are required to maintain the Kingdoms achievements to date, realise its national goals, and raise its profile on regional and international stages. His comments came during a ceremony honouring BAC and TRA employees with the Prince Salman bin Hamad Medal for Medical Merit, in line with a royal order and directives by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to present medals to members of the health sector, the Bahrain Defence Force, the Ministry of Interior, and all supporting bodies. Kamal congratulated the recipients, expressing his thanks and appreciation to all the honorees for their valuable contributions towards Team Bahrains efforts to address the pandemic, and wishing them continued success. The honorees expressed their pride in receiving this prestigious award, which is an incentive to continue giving their best in serving the nation. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandMedical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) held a portrait-unveiling ceremony at its campus in Busaiteen to announce the recipient of the 2021 Inspiring Excellence Award. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Head of School of Medicine, Professor Alfred Nicholson; Chief Operating Officer, Mr Stephen Harrison-Mirfield; Head of Recognition, Careers & Alumni, Mr Fadi Ghosn; Careers and Alumni Manager, Ms Anusha Sundaram and Alumni Relations Specialist, Ms Loreen Bahour congratulated Dr Ali Abdulnabi in a ceremony to unveil his portrait, placed alongside the portraits of previous winners of the award. President of RCSI Bahrain, Professor Sameer Otoom, commented: Congratulations to Dr Ali Abdulnabi for being the recipient of the 2021 Inspiring Excellence Award. Dr Abdulnabi has produced and contributed to numerous research publications both during and since his time with us at RCSI Bahrain. He has also given back to the RCSI Bahrain community by taking part in a series of Alumni Talk events to share his insights and experiences with students. Dr Abdulnabi has exhibited excellence through his outstanding achievements thus far and we all look forward to seeing more of his success in his future career. Dr Ali Abdulnabi, a School of Medicine Class of 2013 graduate, was selected from a shortlist of outstanding candidates, by a panel comprising of Mr Stephen Harrison-Mirfield, Professor Nicholson; Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Rebecca Jester; Head of School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Professor Stephen Atkin and Communications Manager, Ms Celine Durand. The panel highlighted Dr Abdulnabis career progression in medical oncology, his extensive work in research and his efforts in giving back to the University, as key factors in his selection. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Court of Cassation sentenced two Asians to five years and one-year imprisonment each for forcing a worker to engage in prostitution after luring her through fraud. The court also ordered them to pay the costs of sending the victim, also an Asian, to her home country, and their deportation once they served their sentence. The victim had entered the Kingdom of Bahrain through a labour office to work as a maid in a sponsors home. Looking for a higher salary, she used Facebook to contact a woman of her nationality who lives in the Gulf, who referred her to another woman living in the kingdom. She was offered a better-paying job, prompting her to abandon her original sponsors house. The first defendant took her to the womans residence where she stayed for a week. The defendant then claimed to provide her employment and took her to a hotel where he detained her and revealed that she would work as a prostitute. Despite the victims refusal, the defendant forced her to perform prostitution for clients he brought and handing him the money, which amounted to BD20 per session. The defendant relocated her to several hotels, repeating the practice. The second defendant worked in coordination with the first to deliver clients to the hotel. The victim was unable to leave for fear of the first defendant and his accomplices brutality. She was finally able to contact the officials of her labour office who informed the policemen who came to her rescue. Falling to his knees and placing his forehead on the floor, the president of the tour boat company operating the Kazu I, which disappeared Saturday in the Sea of Okhotsk with 26 people aboard, apologized Wednesday, saying that the ships captain made the decision to go ahead with the tour that morning. (Skipper Noriyuki) Toyoda said it was possible to depart at 10 a.m., although the weather might turn bad that afternoon, Shiretoko Yuransen President Seiichi Katsurada told a packed news conference in the port town of Shari, on Hokkaidos Shiretoko Peninsula, where the boat had left for a sightseeing tour of the natural World Heritage Site. But Katsurada also said he ultimately approved the decision to go ahead with the tour. It was the first public appearance by Katsurada and came after he briefed the families of the victims on Wednesday afternoon. In a dramatic move, Katsurada got down on his knees three times at the news conference, apologizing to the victims and their families. Im deeply sorry for causing such a grave accident and for placing such a heavy burden on the bereaved families of the victims, Katsurada said. I cant apologize enough. A police helicopter searches on Saturday for the passengers of a tour boat that disappeared Wednesday off of Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido. | KYODO A police helicopter searches on Saturday for the passengers of a tour boat that disappeared Wednesday off of Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido. | KYODO The Kazu I disappeared around 2 p.m. Saturday after Toyoda reported the boat was listing 30 degrees. Communication was then cut off. The cause of the accident remains unclear, but investigators plan to build a criminal case against the boats operator on charges of professional negligence resulting in death, as well as boat damage due to negligence. Eleven passengers had been found dead as of Wednesday evening, and the search continues for the remaining 13 passengers and two crew members, including Toyoda. The Battle of Ridgefield was the only inland battle fought in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. It came on April 27, 1777. This weekend, Ridgefield will remember and honor the event with three days of events in town. Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi said the event is good to go after year-long planning produced events that include reenactments, historic tours, and a ceremonial burial. There were so many variables going into the planning of this event, Marconi said. We expect substantial crowds every day and weve got everything covered. Tracy Seem has done the heavy lifting for planning this event and Doug Crawford has been invaluable. When we started planning this Doug said you handle the event planning and I will put together the reenactment of the battle. He was able to get 100 people to serve on both sides. Seem is the president of the Ridgefield Historical Society and Crawford is commander of the Connecticut 5th Regiment. Crawford said preparations for the reenactment of the battle and for the funeral have gone on the past two months. The reenactment is scheduled for Saturday and the burial of two soldiers discovered in Ridgefield in 2019 is set for Sunday. Weve had two drill days and several in person and zoom meetings about this event, Crawford said. The last drill was last weekend (April 23) and one previously on March 23 at Putnam Memorial Park in Redding. We have also been practicing the historically accurate funeral procession as well with research done b y The Brigade of the American Revolution, our parent organization. We have been planning this event with the town for over a year. We are ready and eager to go. The event begins on Friday at 6 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School where experts will discuss what theyve discovered about the battle through the discovery of skeletal remains. Four Revolutionary War soldiers skeletal remains were unearthed in Ridgefield in 2019. The panel discussion will follow a performance from the Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra. Among the events on Saturday are the Battle of Ridgefield reenactment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the Musket Ball at Lounsbury House concluding the days events. You need to have a ticket to attend the Musket Ball that can be purchased online at eventbrite.com/e/the-musket-ball-tickets-248910557177. Dinner is included. We encourage people to attend the Musket Ball and mingle with reenactors, said Suzanne Brennan, executive director of Lounsbury House. Commanders and generals will attend for cocktails, there will be Revolutionary guards and costumed guests. Its a community celebration of what it was like in the earlier days. The weekend events will end with a ceremonial funeral procession and memorial on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the tradition of the late 1700s for the Revolutionary War soldiers discovered in Ridgefield in 2019. It will involve a horse drawn carriage procession, period caskets and musket salute. Crawford said the town is building wagons and has horses to pull caskets. The Brigade of The American Revolution and other invited units will provide a military honor guard. The procession starts at Ballard Park and will parade to the town cemetery and ending back at Ballard Park. It took a lot of hard work to get this done, Marconi said. Weve worked with police, fire and volunteers and everything is in place. We have a videographer in place to record what will be an event of a lifetime. A complete list of events can be found at https://www.ridgefieldct.org/community/events/118081. FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) Amber Heard pushed to have details of her marriage with fellow actor Johnny Depp included in an op-ed piece that she wrote about domestic violence, even though her lawyers wanted those passages removed from the article, which is now the subject of a libel lawsuit, according to evidence introduced Thursday at the trial. Jurors in the libel lawsuit Depp filed against Heard heard testimony Thursday from Terence Dougherty, general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. It was the ACLU that drafted the article under Heard's name, reflecting her role as an ACLU ambassador on gender violence issues. Dougherty testified about the push-and-pull that occurred between first draft and publication of the op-ed piece in The Washington Post in December 2018 strategically timed by both the ACLU and Heard to coincide with the release of Aquaman, a movie in which she played a prominent role. Depp sued in Fairfax County Circuit Court after the article was published, in which Heard says that two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our cultures wrath for women who speak out. Depp's lawyers say that's a clear reference to abuse allegations she levied against Depp in 2016 that Depp says are untrue. Dougherty testified that numerous ACLU lawyers reviewed the article at various stages, and asked Heard's lawyers to review the piece as well to ensure it did not run afoul of a non-disclosure agreement she had with Depp in connection with the couple's 2016 divorce. During those discussions, Heard sent back an edited version approved by her lawyers that specifically neutered much of the copy regarding her marriage," according to an email from Jessica Weitz, an ACLU employee who coordinated with Heard. According to the email, though, Heard was looking for a way to have a deleted passage restored to the article. The various drafts of the articles were not shown to the jury so it's not clear how many personal details were in the first draft and how much Heard's lawyers had excised. But the final version contains very little about Heard's personal experiences. It doesn't mention Depp at all. In addition to the passage about a public figure representing domestic abuse, in another passage she writes, I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse. Much of the article talks about legislative priorities for advocates of domestic abuse prevention. Other passages refer to parts of her personal life unrelated to Depp. Dougherty testified that "the language that wound up in the final op-ed piece was very different from the original language" in the draft, Dougherty said. It did not refer directly to Ms. Heard's relationship with Johnny Depp. While the trial is supposed to be over whether Depp was defamed in the article, very little testimony in the first three weeks, leading up to Thursday, has related to the article itself or its contents. Heard's lawyers predicted at the outset of the trial that it would become a mudslinging soap opera that would delve into messy details of Depp and Heard's personal lives. Heard's lawyers, though, have said that even if the jury were to believe that she was never abused by Depp, Heard should still prevail in the lawsuit because the article is not about Depp, does not defame him, and Heard's free-speech rights allow her to weigh in on matters of public importance like domestic violence. Much of Dougherty's testimony also centered on whether Heard has fulfilled a promise to donate $3.5 million half of her $7 million divorce settlement with Depp to the ACLU. Dougherty testified that the ACLU credits her with contributing $1.3 million so far and expected the money to come in over a 10-year period, but that she has made no contributions since 2018. Jurors also heard briefly from Depp's business manager, Ed White. White said he intervened in 2016 to resolve financial difficulties for Depp, including unpaid taxes and a cash crunch. When he blamed Heard for an excessive wine bill that featured multiple $500 bottles of Spanish Vega Sicilia wine, Heard's lawyers responded with a barrage of questions over Depp's spending excesses, including spending millions of dollars to shoot journalist Hunter S. Thompson's ashes out of a cannon. Depp and Heard met during filming of The Rum Diary, an adaptation of a Thompson novel. Depp testified earlier that he and Thompson were friends, and that Depp actually found the lost Rum Diary manuscript when he was going through Thompson's papers. An average of nine new medicines per quarter have been approved in Canada through the pandemic, with many more products moving through clinical trials. OTTAWA, ON, April 28, 2022 /CNW/ - Two new reports released by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) detail the current status of the market for new medicines in Canada, finding an uptick in the number of new medicines approved and a brimming drug pipeline. Forty-seven new medicines were first approved in the US, Europe, and Canada in 2019 and an additional 50 medicines gained approval in 2020. Many of these new approvals were high-cost specialty treatments, and nearly 60% of the 2020 new approvals listed an orphan designation from the FDA and/or the EMA. By the end of 2020, Canada had approved and sold nearly a quarter of the 2019 new approvals, exceeding the median rate for comparator countries. Canada also ranks competitively in terms of the time-to-market for new medicines approved over the last five years, with results above the median for the 11 countries the PMPRB will compare Canadian prices to when the amended Patented Medicines Regulations come into force in July 2022. An analysis of the drug pipeline suggests these trends are likely to continue. Nearly 8,500 new medicines were under clinical evaluation globally in 2021, including 663 vaccines and therapies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Over one third of those in late stages of evaluation were indicated to treat rare diseases. These results are published in two PMPRB reports, both produced through the National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System (NPDUIS) research initiative. The latest editions in the annual Meds Entry Watch and Meds Pipeline Monitor seriesnow available on the PMPRB websiteprovide information on new medicines approved and undergoing clinical trials in Canada and internationally. Quick Facts Of the new medicines approved internationally between 2015 and 2019, 37% had Canadian sales by the end of 2020. This group of medicines accounted for 85% of all new medicine sales in the OECD in Q4-2020, indicating that the higher-selling medicines continue to be among those approved and sold in Canada . . Forty-seven new medicines were approved in 2019, with an additional 50 medicines gaining approval in 2020. Nearly 60% of the 2020 new approvals had an orphan designation from the FDA and/or the EMA. Over half of the new medicines approved in 2019 were high-cost: 26 medicines, of which 10 were indicated to treat cancer, had treatment costs exceeding $10,000 per year or $5,000 per 28-day cycle. Nearly 75% of the 2020 new medicines with available sales reached the same threshold. per year or per 28-day cycle. Nearly 75% of the 2020 new medicines with available sales reached the same threshold. In 2021, the drug pipeline contained nearly 8,500 new medicines in various stages of evaluation, of which over one third (35%) were indicated for the treatment of cancer. Of those in Phase III and pre-registration, 33% had an orphan designation. As of September 2021 , 663 vaccines and therapies were undergoing clinical evaluation globally for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Health Canada was reviewing the safety and efficacy of 18 new and supplemental drug submissions for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as of January 2022 . Associated Links Follow us on Twitter: @PMPRB_CEPMB SOURCE Patented Medicine Prices Review Board For further information: PMPRB Media Relations, [email protected] According to police, another terrorist has been slain in the ongoing encounter in Pulwama's Mitrigam region According to police, another terrorist has been slain in the ongoing encounter in Pulwamas Mitrigam region. On Wednesday, terrorists and security forces engaged in combat in the Mitrigam region of Pulwama. Earlier in the encounter, a terrorist was killed. IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar stated that the terrorists killed in the encounter were involved in a series of attacks on outside laborers in the district in March-April 2022. The terrorists who were killed have been identified as Aijaz Hafiz and Shahid Ayub, both of them are members of the Al Badr terror group. According to the authority, both of them are local terrorists. However, police found them with two AK 47 rifles. Later, IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar also stated that two-three terrorists, including a Pakistani terrorist from the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) organization, were detained inside the cordon. The operation was halted in the middle owing to civilian evacuation. Ajay Devgn, who is anticipating the release of his new film, 'Runway 34,' on Thursday, got into an argument with South actress Kichcha Sudeepa over the latter's remark that Hindi is no longer India's national language. Ajay Devgn, who is anticipating the release of his new film, Runway 34, on Thursday, got into an argument with South actress Kichcha Sudeepa over the latters remark that Hindi is no longer Indias national language. During an event, Sudeepa remarked that Hindi is no longer a national language. Following this, Devgn rushed to Twitter to share his thoughts on Sudeepas remark. He wrote in Hindi, If Hindi is not our national language, why do you distribute your native language [mother tongue] films by dubbing them in Hindi, Kiccha Sudeep, my brother? Our mother tongue and national language, Hindi, was, is, and always will be. Jan Gan Man is a fictional character created by Jan Gan Man. .@KicchaSudeep , ? , Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 27, 2022 Sudeepa responded to this tweet from the Shivaay actor by writing, Hello, @ajaydevgn sir the context in which I stated that statement is very different from how it appears to have reached you. When I encounter you in person, Ill probably emphasize why the statement was made. It wasnt meant to offend, provoke, or generate controversy. Why, sir, would I do such a thing? Hello @ajaydevgn sir.. the context to why i said tat line is entirely different to the way I guess it has reached you. Probably wil emphasis on why the statement was made when I see you in person. It wasn't to hurt,Provoke or to start any debate. Why would I sir https://t.co/w1jIugFid6 Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) April 27, 2022 He further stated that Sir, I adore and respect all of our countrys languages. Id like to put this subject to rest because I said the line in a completely different context. Many blessings and best wishes to you at all times. I want to meet you soon. And sir @ajaydevgn ,, I did understand the txt you sent in hindi. Tats only coz we all have respected,loved and learnt hindi. No offense sir,,,but was wondering what'd the situation be if my response was typed in kannada.!! Don't we too belong to India sir. Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) April 27, 2022 In a series of tweets, Sudeepa continued saying, Explaining further, sir Ajay Devgn, I did understand the Hindi text you provided. It is only because we have all respected, loved, and studied Hindi. No offense, sir, but I was curious as to what would happen if my response was typed in Kannada.!! Sir, dont we also belong to India? Devgn praised Sudeepa for clearing up the misconception after hearing his version of the story. He wrote on Twitter, Hello, @KicchaSudeep, Youre a good friend. Thank you for putting an end to the misunderstanding. Ive always considered the film industry to be a single entity. All languages are respected by us, and we want everyone to respect ours as well. Perhaps something was misunderstood in the translation. Hi @KicchaSudeep, You are a friend. thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. Ive always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 27, 2022 Sir, translation, and interpretation are both points of view. That is why, without fully understanding the situation, matters, matters, and so @ajaydevgn sir, I dont blame you. Perhaps if I had received a tweet from you for a creative cause, it would have been a pleasant time. Love & Regards, As this Twitter chat came to a close, Sudeepa answered. Translation & interpretations are perspectives sir. Tats the reason not reacting wothout knowing the complete matter,,,matters.:) I don't blame you @ajaydevgn sir. Perhaps it would have been a happy moment if i had received a tweet from u for a creative reason. Luv&Regards https://t.co/lRWfTYfFQi Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) April 27, 2022 Meanwhile, Ajay recently announced his next project, Bholaa, a Hindi version of the popular Tamil film Kaithi. It will be released on March 30, 2023, and Tabu will play a key part as a super-cop. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam today to lay the foundation stone for a number of projects Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam today to lay the foundation stone for a number of projects. At roughly 11 a.m., the Prime Minister will speak at the Peace, Unity, and Development Rally in Diphu, Karbi Anglong District. PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for several education initiatives during the programme. According to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for Diphu Veterinary College, West Karbi Anglong Degree College, and Agricultural College (Kolonga, West Karbi Anglong). These initiatives are estimated to be worth more than Rs 500 crore to provide new chances for skilling and employment in the region. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for around 2,950 Amrit Sarovar projects as part of the initiative. The state plans to spend roughly Rs 1,150 crore on these Amrit Sarovars. In a statement, the PMO said, The recent signing of a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) by the Government of India and the Government of Assam with six Karbi terrorist organisations exemplifies Prime Minister Narendra Modis unshakable commitment to regional peace and development. The new era of peace in the region has begun thanks to the MoS. The Prime Ministers speech at the Peace, Unity, and Development Rally will give a significant boost to regional peace efforts This is Prime Minister Modis first visit to the Karbi Anglong district since the districts six militant factions and the government signed the Karbi Peace Accord. PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh at approximately 01:45 p.m. to dedicate the facility. He will then attend a public gathering at Khanikar ground in Dibrugarh at around 3 p.m., where he will dedicate six additional cancer hospitals to the nation and lay the foundation stone for seven new cancer hospitals. Assam Cancer Treatment Foundation, a joint venture of the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts, is building South Asias largest inexpensive cancer care network, with 17 cancer care hospitals distributed across the state, in Dibrugarh. It has been stated that seven of the ten hospitals built as part of Phase 1 of the project have been completed, while three others are in various stages of construction. The projects second phase would see the construction of seven additional cancer hospitals. The Prime Minister will dedicate seven cancer hospitals that were finished as part of the projects first phase. Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Darrang, Tezpur, Lakhimpur, and Jorhat have all developed cancer hospitals. He will also lay the foundation stone for seven new cancer hospitals to be built in phase 2 of the project in Dhubri, Nalbari, Goalpara, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Tinsukia, and Golaghat. In addition, the Assam government has announced April 28 as a state holiday in both districts. However, Assam administration has made extensive preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modis day-long visit to the state. Yes Bank's Rana Kapoor, who is in jail for money laundering, told the ED that he was forced to buy an MF Husain painting from Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, and that the proceeds were used to pay for Sonia Gandhi's treatment. The Congress did not deny the transaction, but stated that it occurred in 2010. The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) exchanged barbs over allegations by Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor that he was forced to buy an MF Husain painting from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and that the sale proceeds were used by the Gandhi family to pay for Sonia Gandhis treatment in New York. The BJP lashed out at the Congress on Sunday, with Union Minister Anurag Thakur demanding answers from the party. He claimed that the only job of the grand old party was to sell the country. Of course, the Congress attacked the BJP government, accusing it of political vendetta, and questioned Rana Kapoors credibility, calling him a crook and a fraudster. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was keeping a close eye on Yes Bank and was dissatisfied with its governance practises. The bank has risky loans and has accumulated non-performing assets as a result. Even though Kapoor had the boards support, the board denied him an extension after his term expired. He was eventually granted an extension until January of 2019. After leaving the bank, Kapoor sold his stake, and by November 2019, he owned 900 shares in Yes Bank Capital (India) Private Limited. The RBI imposed a temporary moratorium on capital-starved Yes Bank in March 2020, capping withdrawals at 50,000 per account. Two days later, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kapoor under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for allegedly failing to cooperate in the investigation. During an interrogation, Rana Kapoor told the ED that he was forced to buy the MF Hussain painting from Priyanka Gandhi. The former Yes Ban CEO also claimed that then-petroleum minister Murli Deora told him that refusing to purchase the painting would not only prevent him from developing a relationship with the Gandhi family, but would also jeopardise his chances of receiving the Padma Bhushan, the countrys third-highest civilian award. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will speak at the Naval Commanders Conference, a forum for todays military-strategic discussions on vital maritime issues. This Conference provides an institutionalized forum for Naval Commanders to debate key maritime issues at a military-strategic level as well as communicate with senior government officials. The Chiefs of the Indian Army, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, and the Indian Air Force, Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, will also meet with the Naval Commanders to discuss the convergence of the three Services in terms of a common operational environment, as well as ways to improve Tri-Service synergy and readiness. Chief of Naval Staff and other naval commanders will assess the Indian Navys significant operational, materiel, logistics, human resource development, training, and administrative actions for the last six months, as well as discuss future plans for important activities and initiatives. The conference will also discuss the dynamics of the geostrategic situation in the context of regional security scenarios, as well as difficulties posed by the current Russia-Ukraine war. Indian Navy is committed to being a combat-ready, credible, and cohesive force with a forward-looking attitude, and it is continuing to diligently carry out its mission. In line with Indias rising maritime interests, the Navys operational tasking has grown significantly over the years. Indian Navys reputation as a Preferred Security Partner has risen in tandem in recent years. As part of the governments SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in Region) agenda, Indian naval ships have launched various COVID-related outreach operations to offer food and medical aid to IOR littoral nations and beyond in 2020-21. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HAMDEN Family and friends remembered Lucien DiMeo as a source of good advice, who knew how to get things done and was happy to help others any way he could. DiMeo, a former state lawmaker and Hamden mayor, died April 23 at 92. DiMeo held Hamdens top office from 1974 to 1979. He represented the 103rd District in in the state House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973, and then again from 1992 to 1996. He liked to do almost everything, said Diane Adam, DiMeos partner of almost 20 years. He loved to keep busy. Adam described DiMeo as loving, charming, always wanting to do something, always wanting to do good. He was her close loving partner and best friend, she said. The two met after DiMeos decades entwined in town and state politics had ended, and it wasnt until a year into their relationship that DiMeo confessed he had been politician, according to Adam. She remembered joking with him that they might not be together had she known. We had a wonderful life. It was kind of a second life for both of us, Adam said. I guess (our relationship) was an accident that was meant to happen. It was wonderful. In addition to his stint as mayor and time in the state legislature, DiMeo served on Hamdens Bicentennial Commission and Planning & Zoning Commission, he told the New Haven Register when he was running for reelection to the General Assembly in the 1990s. Im back for two reasons, DiMeo told the Register when asked why he was returning to the legislature after nearly 20 years. First, I got a little bored, and second, I saw the madness that was going on in Hartford. DiMeo also did aid work in Haiti, building an outpatient clinic for tuberculosis patients at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles. He visited the country twice as a missionary, according to his obituary. Professionally, DiMeo was a developer. He built several Hamden apartment complexes, according to Michael Iezzi, the former chairman and a longtime member of the towns police commission. He was a very complex individual, a very bright individual, and he was very historically knowledgeable of the town of Hamden, said Iezzi. He would often invite me to his home up at (Cape Cod) and we would take long walks, and we would have long chats. DiMeo also loved to go clamming, Iezzi remembered. He stuck to the coastline in later years, living in Old Saybrook with Adam. Though Iezzi was in college when DiMeo was mayor, the two met later, when Iezzi entered the political scene, Iezzi said. Ive heard that when he was the mayor he expected excellence, Iezzi said. (DiMeo) probably was looked upon as one of the most successful mayors that the town has had. Carl Amento, who served as mayor between 1999 and 2005, said DiMeo was a role model. I looked up to Lucien, he said. He was just very fatherly to me. He was always dispensing advice, and it was always good advice. As a builder, DiMeo always was looking to help the town in tangible ways, according to Amento. Amento recalled planning an Italian festival one year. He told DiMeo he wanted bocce courts at the facility where the event was taking place, and DiMeo made it happen, Amento said. He could always be counted on to help in any way he could, Amento said. DiMeos portrait can now be found in government center, hanging in the hallway by the mayors office. As a mayor, DiMeo ensured badly-needed projects were completed, according to Amento. Lucien as a mayor was always getting things done, he said. In addition to his political legacy, DiMeo leaves behind a large family. He had four children, 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, according to his obituary. In place of flowers, his family has asked for donations to Connecticut Hospice. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BOSTON (AP) Russia's relentless digital assaults on Ukraine may have caused less damage than many anticipated. But most of its hacking is focused on a different goal that gets less attention but has chilling potential consequences: data collection. Ukrainian agencies breached on the eve of the Feb. 24 invasion include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which oversees the police, national guard and border patrol. A month earlier, a national database of automobile insurance policies was raided during a diversionary cyberattack that defaced Ukrainian websites. The hacks, paired with prewar data theft, likely armed Russia with extensive details on much of Ukraines population, cybersecurity and military intelligence analysts say. Its information Russia can use to identify and locate Ukrainians most likely to resist an occupation, and potentially target them for internment or worse. Fantastically useful information if youre planning an occupation, Jack Watling, a military analyst at the U.K. think tank Royal United Services Institute, said of the auto insurance data, knowing exactly which car everyone drives and where they live and all that. As the digital age evolves, information dominance is increasingly wielded for social control, as China has shown in its repression of the Uyghur minority. It was no surprise to Ukrainian officials that a prewar priority for Russia would be compiling information on committed patriots. The idea was to kill or imprison these people at the early stages of occupation, Victor Zhora, a senior Ukrainian cyber defense official, alleged. Aggressive data collection accelerated just ahead of the invasion, with hackers serving Russias military increasingly targeting individual Ukrainians, according to Zhoras agency, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection. Serhii Demediuk, deputy secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said via email that personal data continues to be a priority for Russian hackers as they attempt more government network breaches: Cyberwarfare is really in the hot phase nowadays. There is little doubt political targeting is a goal. Ukraine says Russian forces have killed and kidnapped local leaders where they grab territory. Demediuk was stingy with specifics but said Russian cyberattacks in mid-January and as the invasion commenced sought primarily to destroy the information systems of government agencies and critical infrastructure and included data theft. The Ukrainian government says the Jan. 14 auto insurance hack resulted in the pilfering of up to 80% of Ukrainian policies registered with the Motor Transport Bureau. Demediuk acknowledged that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was among government agencies breached Feb. 23. He said a small part of the ministry's data was stolen but so far no case of its use has been established. He did not provide specifics. Security researchers from ESET and other cybersecurity firms that work with Ukraine said the networks were compromised months earlier, allowing ample time for stealthy theft. The data collection by hacking is a work long in progress. A unit of Russias FSB intelligence agency that researchers have dubbed Armageddon has been doing it for years out of Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. Ukraine says it sought to infect more than 1,500 Ukrainian government computer systems. Since October it has tried to breach and maintain access to government, military, judiciary and law enforcement agencies as well as nonprofits, with a primary goal of exfiltrating sensitive information, Microsoft said in a Feb. 4 blog post. That included unnamed organizations critical to emergency response and ensuring the security of Ukrainian territory, plus humanitarian aid distribution. Post-invasion, hackers have targeted European organizations that aid Ukrainian refugees, according to Zhora and the cybersecurity firm Proofpoint. Authorities have not specified which organizations or what may have been stolen. Yet another attack, on April 1, crippled Ukraines National Call Center, which runs a hotline for complaints and inquiries on a wide array of matters: corruption, domestic abuse, people displaced by the invasion, war veteran benefits. Used by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, it issues COVID-19 vaccine certificates and collects callers personal data including emails, addresses and phone numbers. Adam Meyers, senior vice president of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, believes the attack may, like many others, have a greater psychological than intelligence-gathering impact aiming to degrade Ukrainians' trust in their institutions. Make them scared that when the Russians take over, if they dont cooperate, the Russians are going to know who they are, where they are and come after them, Meyers said. The attack knocked the center offline for at least three days, center director Marianna Vilshinska said: We couldn't work. Neither phones nor chatbots worked. They broke down all the system. Hackers calling themselves the Cyber Army of Russia claimed to steal personal data on 7 million people in the attack. However, Vilshinska denied they breached the database with users' personal information. They didn't get any valuable information, she said. She confirmed that a contact list the hackers posted online of more than 300 center employees was genuine as well as a spreadsheet with employee passwords. But she said other files the hackers posted listing 3 million names and phone numbers and 1 million addresses were not from the center. Spear-phishing attacks in recent weeks have focused on military, national and local officials, aimed at stealing credentials to open government data troves. Such activity relies heavily on Ukraines cellular networks, which Meyers of CrowdStrike said have been far too rich in intelligence for Russia to want to shut down. On March 31, Ukraines SBU intelligence agency said it had seized a bot farm in the eastern region of Dnipropretrovsk that was controlled remotely from Russia and sent text messages to 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers, police and SBU members urging them to surrender or sabotage their units. Agency spokesman Artem Dekhtiarenko said authorities were investigating how the phone numbers were obtained. Gene Yoo, CEO of the cybersecurity firm ReSecurity, said it likely was not difficult: Subscriber databases of major Ukrainian wireless companies have been available for sale by cybercriminals on the dark web for some time as they are for many countries. If Russia is successful at taking control of more of eastern Ukraine, stolen personal data will be an asset. Russian occupiers have already collected passport information, a top Ukrainian presidential adviser tweeted recently, that could help organize separatist referendums. Ukraine, for its part, appears to have done significant data collection quietly assisted by the U.S., the U.K., and other partners targeting Russian soldiers, spies and police, including rich geolocation data. Demediuk, the top security official, said the country knows exactly where and when a particular serviceman crossed the border with Ukraine, in which occupied settlement he stopped, in which building he spent the night, stole and committed crimes on our land. We know their cell phone numbers, the names of their parents, wives, children, their home addresses, who their neighbors are, where they went to school and the names of their teachers, he said. Analysts caution that some claims about data collection from both sides of the conflict may be exaggerated. But in recordings posted online by Ukrainian Digital Transformation Minister Mikhailo Fedorov, callers are heard phoning the far-flung wives of Russian soldiers and posing as Russian state security officials to say parcels shipped to them from Belarus were looted from Ukrainian homes. In one, a nervous-sounding woman acknowledges receiving what she calls souvenirs a womans bag, a keychain. The caller tells her she shares criminal liability, that her husband killed people in Ukraine and stole their stuff. She hangs up. ___ AP data journalist Larry Fenn in New York and Inna Varenytsia in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LONDON (AP) British lawmakers headed back to their constituencies across the country Thursday at the end of a parliamentary year overshadowed by scandal. They left a Parliament where one lawmaker stands accused of watching porn in the House of Commons, another has been found guilty of bullying, and Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in peril for breaching the lockdown rules he imposed on the nation during the coronavirus pandemic. Parliament was formally suspended, or prorogued, on Thursday in a tradition-steeped ceremony involving ermine-draped members of the House of Lords and an official proclaiming the queen wills it in Norman French. A new session will begin May 10 with a pomp-filled State Opening of Parliament and a new slate of legislation from the Conservative government. Johnson hopes the new term will mark a fresh start after months of turmoil in which he became the first prime minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law in office. He was fined 50 pounds ($62) by police for attending his own surprise birthday party in June 2020 when lockdown rules barred social gatherings. Johnson has apologized, but denies knowingly breaking the rules. He faces the possibility of more fines over other parties police are investigating a dozen gatherings and a parliamentary investigation into whether he misled lawmakers about his behavior. He also faces discontent within his own party, which could grow after local elections across the country on May 5. The Conservatives fear a backlash from voters amid soaring food and energy prices driven by the war in Ukraine, Brexit and the disruption from the coronavirus pandemic. A bad result for the governing party could lead Conservatives to try to replace Johnson with a less tarnished leader. The partygate scandal has shaken the prime ministers grip on power, but troubles for Britains politicians extend beyond Johnson. Thursdays headlines were brimming with misconduct allegations, including a Conservative lawmaker accused by female colleagues of watching pornography on his phone in the House of Commons chamber. Parliamentary officials are investigating the claim. The lawmaker has not been named. Home Office Minister Rachel Maclean said the alleged behavior was deeply sickening and disgusting. Action needs to be taken and I very much hope we will see him out of Parliament, out of the party, she said. Earlier this week, female lawmakers reacted with outrage after a newspaper quoted an unnamed Conservative legislator who accused Labour Party Deputy Leader Angela Rayner of trying to distract the prime minister during debates by crossing and uncrossing her legs. The prime minister condemned the comments as sexist, misogynist tripe. Also Thursday, opposition Labour Party lawmaker Liam Byrne was handed a two-day suspension from the House of Commons for bullying a member of his staff. The constant drip of allegations has taken a toll on politicians morale, and on their already tarnished public image. Long known for its boozy, macho atmosphere, Parliament is now a more diverse place, but lawmakers and staff still say bullying, harassment and inappropriate behavior are rife under a system that largely allows legislators to regulate themselves. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said there was a problem with the overall culture of the House of Commons. It is late sitting, long nights with bars, and that very often leads, and it has done for decades, to behavioral challenges, he told Sky News. Johnson's critics say problems are worsening under a prime minister who has faced a series of scandals over his finances and judgment. The scandals are an unwelcome distraction for a government that wants to focus on easing the cost-of-living crisis and revamping Britains economy in the wake of the countrys departure from the European Union. But some bills announced when the last session of Parliament began in May 2021 have been delayed or abandoned. Others including new powers for police to curtail noisy protests and a requirement to show photo ID before voting faced stiff opposition but were pushed through Parliament after bruising debates because of the Conservatives large majority. As Parliament shut down on Thursday, House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle sent lawmakers on their way with thanks for the session just ending. Lets hope its a little calmer in the next one, he said. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media WEST HAVEN A local man was sentenced to four years in prison Thursday after he sold crack cocaine to undercover officers, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. Chaz Reddick, 39, previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon in December, officials said in a release. HARTFORD With about a week before the state Democratic convention sorts through its candidate endorsements for the top state offices, state Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown on Thursday announced one of the worst-kept secrets in Connecticut: he is running for Secretary of the State. During an announcement in a windy Veterans Memorial Park outside the Legislative Office Building, Lesser, who was first elected to the General Assembly in 2008, said he is enjoying good support in an admittedly crowded field of potential candidates. Ive never taken our democracy for granted, said Lesser, the co-chairman of the legislative Insurance & Real Estate Committee, who was backed by a couple dozen unionized auto and construction workers. My mother is an immigrant who grew up in a dictatorship in Latin America and my grandmother is a refugee who survived the Holocaust, Lesser said. Every night we watch on the news Ukrainians fighting for their democracy, grateful that we can live in a country where we settle our differences at the ballot box. But thats in peril. He warned that many Latino and Black voters have limited access to the polls that takes away their voices in determining public policy. These are real serious threats to democracy around the country and the work here in Connecticut is unfinished, Lesser said. He said that while other hopeful candidates for secretary of the state are fine people, he has the most experience. I know how critical it is to support our front-line elections workers and provide them the resources cities and towns need to hold free and fair elections, he said during a brief announcement and news conference. Lesser acknowledged that Democratic leaders usually seek to pick constitutional officers that reflect the states racial and ethnic diversity for the ticket that includes governor, lieutenant governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General. Only Attorney General William Tong is seeking reelection. Treasurer Shawn Wooden is not seeking reelection, while Comptroller Kevin Lembo recently resigned for health reasons. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is also not seeking reelection. I think that because there are a lot of things in play, I think well be able to come to the voters in the fall with a strong, diverse ticket that reflects the values and the base of the Democratic Party, Lesser said, noting that voting rights has become politicized. I think the right to vote is what unifies us in the country. Thats how we settle our differences. Asked about getting feedback from delegates, Lesser said hes getting positive responses from throughout the state. While there are a lot of folks in this race who have regional pockets of support, Ive been able to build support across our five congressional districts and every corner of the state, Lesser said. Other Democratic hopefuls who will come before delegates on Saturday, May 7 include state Rep. Stephanie Thomas of Norwalk, Rep. Hilda Santiago of Meriden, Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden and Maritza Bond, the health director for the city of Norwalk. Republicans who are seeking the party nomination include state Rep. Terrie Wood of Darien, Dominic Rapini of Branford and Brock Weber of New Britain. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Millionaire candidates and billionaire investors are harnessing their considerable personal wealth to try to win competitive Republican primaries for open U.S. Senate seats in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mike Gibbons, an Ohio investment banker, leads the pack of self-funders in both states after lending his campaign almost $17 million. Three other wealthy candidates in the Ohio race state Sen. Matt Dolan, whose family owns the Cleveland Guardians baseball team; former Ohio Republican chair Jane Timken, whose husbands family founded the steel giant Timken Co.; and Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance have lent or contributed a combined $14 million to their campaigns. In Pennsylvania, heart surgeon-turned-TV celebrity Mehmet Oz, former hedge fund CEO David McCormick and former real estate investment firm CEO Carla Sands report that they have lent their campaigns more than $20 million combined. Billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, has poured money into a super PAC backing Vance, while hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin has contributed millions to a super PAC supporting McCormick. The influx of money into the Ohio and Pennsylvania primaries illustrates the importance of the two Senate seats, which could help determine party control of the chamber in November. The highly competitive races for the seats being vacated by Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman and Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Pat Toomey are expected to be among the most expensive contests in this year's midterm elections. While the money alone may not determine who wins, it can definitely help. Sheila Krumholz, executive director of OpenSecrets, a research group that tracks campaign spending, said self-funding has become an increasingly appealing option for wealthy candidates because the lack of limits on personal giving allows them to fight fire with fire against deep-pocketed super PACs and dark money groups. The massive spending by super PACs and outside groups with anonymous sources means that candidates really can never stop fundraising, Krumholz said. They can never have enough money, so self-funded candidates have that built-in advantage. Youre not only raising money to fight an opponent or opponents, you need money to fend off attacks that could come from anywhere, at any moment, in any amount of money." Some of the less well-known candidates, such as Gibbons and McCormick, have spent some of their fortunes on TV advertising to introduce themselves to voters. More high-profile contenders, like Oz and Vance, have funneled money into ads to remind voters they have the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who remains popular with the Republican base. In Ohio, Josh Mandel, the state's former treasurer, is the only Republican Senate candidate in the seven-person race who hasnt given himself a personal loan. But he is backed by Club for Growth Action, the super PAC of the conservative Club for Growth, which has spent more than $4.6 million pillorying his rivals, particularly Vance, ahead of the state's May 3 primary. For his part, Vance has the support of Protect Ohio Values, a super PAC into which Thiel has invested $13.5 million. In Pennsylvania, the states seven-way Republican Senate primary election on May 17 has been transformed by three wealthy and well-connected candidates who moved from out of state blue states, no less to spend their riches on a campaign in the presidential battleground. In their financial disclosures, Sands, Oz and McCormick report being worth tens of millions if not hundreds of millions and owning properties across the country. McCormick, who resigned from his $22 million-a-year job as CEO of a hedge fund in Connecticut to run for the Senate, grew up the son of a college professor, administrator and president who became the chancellor of the states university system. McCormick often talks about working on a Christmas tree farm owned by his family. But asked last week if someone as wealthy as he is can understand average Pennsylvanians, McCormick told KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh that I didnt have anything growing up. His campaign later said McCormick had a humble upbringing and had been trying to explain that he worked for the wealth he has now. A rival Republican candidate, Kathy Barnette who has talked of being the product of rape when her mother was 11 and growing up on a pig farm in a house with no running water or insulation took aim at what she called the GOPs habit of electing the richest person. How has that served us? Picking the richest person, just because they are the richest person, Barnette said at a forum in late March while sitting just feet away from Oz and McCormick. Addressing voters, she said: How many times have you called your elected official who just so happened to be the richest person in the room and asked them to stand up for you? And how many of them over the past two years have stood up for you? McCormick and Oz are being boosted by super PACs and the airwaves are blanketed with their TV ads, helping put the men atop polls in the Republican primary. A super PAC supporting McCormick and attacking Oz has reported spending more than $13 million so far, powered by $7.5 million from Griffin, the hedge fund billionaire. All the cash can concern voters, said Terry Casey, a Republican strategist in Ohio. The voters, with reason, are legitimately skeptical of candidates spending millions and millions, because who's giving it to them and why? he said. So there's an argument that if you're self-funding, maybe you're less tainted, but then it raises the question of, Is this an ego or vanity campaign? ___ Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pa. John Locher/AP LAS VEGAS (AP) Former President Donald Trump is endorsing Joe Lombardo, the sheriff who heads the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, in his Republican bid to challenge the Democratic governor of Nevada. Trumps endorsement late Wednesday pointed to Lombardos military service and his more than 30 years as a police officer and administrator fighting criminals and defending communities from the horrific violence enabled by the Radical Left across our great country. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MADISON A town resident is suing the Connecticut chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, arguing the prospective sale of the Connecticut Yankee Councils Deer Lake property in Killingworth would imperil the natural resources of the area, contradicting the organizations charitable mission. The 255-acre Deer Lake property, a Scout camp, is home to the Richard English Bird Sanctuary. Birders regularly visit the sanctuary and it has become part of the public trust in the environment of the state of Connecticut, according to the lawsuit from David Stephenson. In the suit, Stephenson notes he has a deep appreciation for Connecticuts divers and precious natural resources, including, among other things, wild and scenic open spaces and the myriad wildlife to which Connecticut is home. Stephenson argues the local chapter, known as the Connecticut Yankee Council, has an obligation under its charitable mission to provide for the protection and stewardship of biological, ecological, and cultural resources of the camp property, as described in the National Camp Accreditation Standards for the Boy Scouts of America. But the potential decision to sell the property to Fortitude Capital LLC., a real estate company seeking to purchase it for $4.6 million, likely will imperil the bird sanctuary, Stephenson said. The prospective sale agreement contains no conservation restrictions or other provision for the maintenance of the Richard English Bird Sanctuary, Stephenson said. Defendants failure to perform its obligations under its charitable mission, its non-profit charter and as steward of the Deer Lake property threatens to cause the reasonable likelihood of unreasonable harm to natural resources of the State by the discontinuance of a charitably-established wildlife sanctuary and the general development of the Deer Lake property itself for non-charitable private uses in contravention to (state statute), wrote New Haven-based attorney Keith Ainsworth, representing Stephenson. Stephenson is seeking a declaratory judgment that the Deer Lake property should be permanently preserved as a bird sanctuary. The suit also seeks an order requiring any sale of the Deer Lake site to include a deed or conservation restriction prohibiting any material alteration of the property inconsistent with its charitable use as a bird sanctuary, as well as attorney fees and costs. In April, according to past reporting, the Boy Scouts of America postponed the closure of bids for the site until May 1. State Attorney General William Tong previously stepped in to review legal questions raised regarding the sale of the camp. The Connecticut Yankee Council had imposed a March 31 deadline to consider a superior offer to that of developer Margaret Streicker, CEO of Fortitude Capital, who previously had made an offer for $4.6 million on the 255-acre camp. Scouts, former Scouts, parents, town officials, residents, environmental and conservation groups strongly advocated to keep Deer Lake as a camp or as priceless green space, since it was first put up for sale this past fall. Officials with the Connecticut Yankee Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, on Thursday, cautioned Abia State Governor, O... The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, on Thursday, cautioned Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and a few other politicians in the southeast region for allegedly working against the pursuit of Igbo Presidency. The group threatened that they will not take it lightly with anyone who tends to betray the collective efforts of Igbo leaders in achieving the goal of a president of Igbo extraction in 2023. The leadership of MASSOB made this known in a statement signed by its National Director of Information, Edeson Samuel and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. MASSOB, however, condemned in totality the support given to the presidential aspiration of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State by some Igbo governors. The group expressed dissatisfaction over the activities of Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu in giving support to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, urging him to retrace his steps. The group said, It is very disappointing and unpatriotic that some Igbo political leaders whom Ndigbo gave the mandate to represent Igbo interest will work against the Igbo agenda to clinch the president of Nigeria. How could some of our political leaders support a man who openly denied his Igboness, a man whose pathological hatred against Ndigbo is overwhelmingly seen? MASSOB warned Igbo leaders to stop their selfish actions that are capable of distorting the overall interest of the southeast region because MASSOB will never tolerate such political selfishness now. Governor Nyesom Wike is not interested in aspiring for the presidency, he is an errand boy to his master, Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto State, our Igbo political leaders should know that Nyesom Wike is deceiving them. 2023 is the turn of the southeast to produce the next president of Nigeria. These South-East governors played the same game in the 2019 general election with General Muhammadu Buhari and the APC ruling government, which they promised Buhari 25% of our vote because of their selfish interest. Our intelligence report has revealed that the Governor of Abia State is in agreement with Nyesom Wike, because of the crisis of who should control the state structures and the list of the party delegates that will be submitted to the party national secretariat in Abuja for the incoming primaries. MASSOB is making it clear that any governor or national Assembly members from Igbo land found working against any presidential aspirants from South East, shall be treated as saboteurs and a betrayer of his own brother. We can never forgive any Igbo leader that betrays our collective interest in 2023, irrespective of his position, we shall mark them they stated. Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel has said the uncertainty surrounding the clubs ownership is giving their rivals an early advantage in the su... Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel has said the uncertainty surrounding the clubs ownership is giving their rivals an early advantage in the summer transfer market. Blues owner, Roman Abramovich, has been sanctioned by the UK government and the Premier League outfit is in the process of being sold. Under the terms of a special licence allowing the club to function, Chelsea are banned from signing players or agreeing contract extensions with existing members of their squad. This has led to Antonio Rudigers decision to leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer. Andreas Christensen is also in advanced talks to join Barcelona when his contract runs out in June. As it stands, Chelsea cannot approach possible replacements or look to strengthen their squad in other areas at a time when many others are beginning to take steps in the market. [In a normal season], you are never fully sure but we would have some targets and we would have for sure contacted some players and found out about their situations. Of course, now our hands are tied. We can still have talks inside the building but we cannot act. The situation is not ideal, Tuchel said. The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, on Thursday in Abuja, said the Nigerian government is still seeking justice for Itun... The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, on Thursday in Abuja, said the Nigerian government is still seeking justice for Itunu Babalola, a 21-year-old trader who was wrongfully jailed in Ivory Coast and died in custody late last year. He also said that staff members of the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, paid out of their pockets to procure legal services for Itunu Babalola, who was wrongfully jailed in the country. Dada disclosed this during the 36th Session of the State House Briefing holding at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. In November 2021, it was reported that Babalola, who was based in Bondoukou, Cote dIvoire, was jailed after her apartment was burgled by an Ivorian in September 2019. Babalola had reported the incident to the police but the Divisional Police Officer informed her that the suspect was his nephew. He reportedly offered her a settlement worth roughly N100,000 to drop the case, an amount lesser than the N300,000 worth of stolen effects. Babalola was subsequently arrested when she refused the settlement, charged to court for human trafficking and sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, millions of Nigerians were shocked on November 14, 2021, when a journalist, David Hundeyin, who had been following the case, gave serial updates that Babalola contracted an infection in the Ivorian prison which led to her eventual death. The new update came eight months after the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission promised to ensure justice was served on the matter and secure the ladys freedom. Yet Babalola remained behind bars in the Francophone West African nation. The development came with widespread criticism with Nigerians blaming the Abike Dabiri-Erewa-led NIDCOM for not securing Babalolas release early enough. Responding to a question by our correspondent on Thursday, the Foreign Minister of State said: Were talking about a sovereign nation and this matter was taken to a court. The only recourse we have as a nation is to go back to that court to appeal. We have gone to court to appeal that process. It was in that process that she fell sick and died. We insisted that an autopsy be done on her body, which has been done. We are still following the appeal in court. It is their law which we have to respect. Again, diplomacy is the only way to go. We have the tacit supper of the House Committee on Diaspora. At the time, the consulate staff of the Nigerian Embassy contributed from their pocket to assist this lady who was in difficulty. They used it to procure legal services for the treatment meted to her. And we know that the case is still in court. The ambassador also paid out of his own money. Lance Corporal Jibrin, an instructor with the Nigerian Army battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, has committed suicide. He took his life after... Lance Corporal Jibrin, an instructor with the Nigerian Army battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, has committed suicide. He took his life after he was arrested for allegedly conniving with Boko Haram insurgents who attacked Yobe communities recently. Jibrin, who disappeared from his duty post few days ago, was said to have been sighted among the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked Geidam town last week. Military sources said the soldier was tracked by army intelligence unit and was found in Gashua, some hundreds kilometers from his duty post, on Tuesday. The Army authorities in Gashua were intimated and Jibrin was nabbed at a checkpoint after he boarded a bus to Gombe and disguised himself as a civilian. He was handcuffed and on interrogation he revealed a lot which led to the arrest of some of his collaborators. On transit to Geidam, he snatched a gun from one of his escorts, over powered the other and shot himself When contacted Army spokesman headquarters of sector II operation Hadinkai Damaturu, Lt Kennedy Anyewau, confirmed the incident. He said Yes we received a report about soldier who committed suicide yesterday evening, and full investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident. That is all I can disclose about the matter for now. But an officer who pleaded anonymity gave more details about the incident. It is true that Jibrin was arrested and he later killed himself, he was very skillful soldier, he was part us and upon realising that his moves became suspicious he disappeared. No wonder the last Boko Haram operation in Geidam shocked all of us because we had prepared for them but they took us unaware by using a new strategy different from what they are known for, they sneaked into the town silently without vehicle, and no sound of gun shot was heard. We suspected that they must have informants from within and after a beam light was set out the question mark falls on Jibrin, the source added. Artist completes replica of toppled statue of Columbus A group is now looking for its new home A man walks past an Iranian bank in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 28, 2021. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua) The repeated interference from non-regional major countries in Middle Eastern affairs has hurt the region and its people. Fortunately, as the Middle East takes matters into its own hands, Washington's interference is becoming increasingly unpopular. The room for its manipulation is narrowing. by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng TEHRAN, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Tehran and Riyadh have recently resumed talks to restore ties and ease regional tensions. Such rapprochement between the two Gulf archrivals could set an example for resolving regional problems without relying on outside players. Saudi Arabia and Iran have been locked in confrontation due to religious and geopolitical factors. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in protest against attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric. The discord between the two Gulf countries has created an opportunity for outsiders to intervene. The United States has been working tirelessly to destabilize the region by, among others, dividing it into pro- and anti-U.S. or pro- and anti-Iran camps. For instance, the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump peddled U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries by portraying Iran as the biggest threat to the region. Yet a fast-changing geopolitical landscape has prompted Middle Eastern countries to reconfigure their ties with the United States. The Iran-Saudi talks are a step in that direction. The Capitol and a stop sign are seen in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) The attempt at dialogue is in the interests of Iran and Saudi Arabia, and even the entire region. The two countries, which face each other across a maritime border in the Gulf, are "neighbors forever," as Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said in March. "We cannot get rid of them, and they can't get rid of us," he said, "so it's better for both of us to work it out and to look for ways in which we can coexist." For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian recently said, "We have different views and approaches on some issues in the region, but the management of differences by the sides can serve the interests of the two nations." Meanwhile, dialogue between the two is widely expected to improve security in the Middle East, de-escalate tensions and enhance regional engagement and reconciliation. But U.S. politicians and analysts still impose a "zero-sum" frame on the Middle East, believing that other countries might fill the "power vacuum" in the region left behind by the United States. File photo shows U.S. President Joe Biden leaving the White House in Washington, D.C. March 8, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) Regional countries, for their part, are tired of outside interference, which has unsettled Washington. They prefer to make their own choices based on complex international politics and in line with their own interests. That is why UAE leaders received Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in March despite U.S. opposition and why Saudi and Emirati leaders reportedly declined calls with U.S. President Joe Biden during the Ukraine crisis. The repeated interference from non-regional major countries in Middle Eastern affairs has hurt the region and its people. Fortunately, as the Middle East takes matters into its own hands, Washington's interference is becoming increasingly unpopular. The room for its manipulation is narrowing. Many public servants leverage their governmental experience into private sector lucre, but most have the patience to leave public service first. Jonathan Rhodes apparently is a man in a hurry. As Mayor LaToya Cantrells director of utilities, Rhodes is literally a department of one. On the side, he represents himself to big tech companies and potential investors (the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive, Rhodes admits) as an expert on smart cities technology that can bring low-cost internet access to the underserved masses and generate gazillions in profit for the investors. To that end, Rhodes and another Cantrell aide, IT advisor Christopher Wolff, formed a Delaware corporation called Verge Internet Inc. A company profile touts Verge as disrupting the outdated model of internet service providers and solicits $5 million from investors, even as both men work full-time at City Hall on a local smart cities program. In truth, Verge has no client list, no assets, no employees, nor even a bank account. Rhodes admitted that much and more under oath before the City Council on April 27. His testimony was compelled by council subpoena and kicked off a formal council investigation into the local smart cities program. During three hours of intense questioning, Rhodes made other interesting admissions. He provided free assistance to Qualcomm as the tech giant drafted a smart cities proposal to the City of Los Angeles. He arranged a Jan. 5, 2021, meeting of Cantrell, Wolff, and representatives of Qualcomm and tech consultant Ignite Cities to discuss the scope of a smart cities project in New Orleans. Two days after that meeting, Ignite Cities managing partner George Burciaga emailed meeting participants (including Rhodes and Wolff) seeking another meeting to review procurement requirements and other related topics. On Jan. 21, Rhodes emailed Burciaga a draft of the citys Scope of Services for a comprehensive smart city program, asking for his insight. That was three months before Team Cantrell issued a formal request for proposals for the smart cities contract. Rhodes initially claimed he played no role in drafting the bid specs, but later admitted he and Wolff did play a role. As utilities director, Rhodes would oversee the smart cities program. As luck would have it (wink-wink, nudge-nudge), the Qualcomm-Ignite Cities consortium scored highest and inked a deal with Cantrell. Second-place finisher Cox Communications cried foul, setting off a spate of revelations that led to the council investigation. On April 25, two days before Rhodes testified about his pro bono dealings with Qualcomm and other potential conflicts of interest, the consortium abruptly pulled out of the deal, citing significant uncertainty surrounding the future of the project. Unlike Rhodes, Qualcomm knew when to cut bait. Rhodes, an attorney, appeared before the council without counsel. District B Council Member Lesli Harris, also an attorney, later told me Rhodes testimony was literally unbelievable. District C Council member Freddie King III, another attorney, pointedly asked Rhodes, Do you at all see how this looks, publicly, how this looks bad? I do, said Rhodes. That much, at least, was believable. As law enforcements go-to expert for search and recovery missions in waterways throughout southeast Louisiana, Mark Michaud has found and retrieved about a dozen bodies over the last 10 years. But hes 0-6 in the Mississippi River. That rivers a beast, Michaud said Tuesday after another day of searching under the Crescent City Connection for the bodies of three children who fell into the water in Algiers Saturday evening. It doesnt obey a lot of the rules that other bodies of water do. By nightfall, the river had denied the recovery team's efforts yet again, though the NOPD continued to search Wednesday and said it would be back out looking again Thursday morning. Michaud, a retired Slidell police officer who volunteers with local agencies to retrieve bodies, went back Wednesday to training divers through his company, Southeast Louisiana Underwater Search & Recovery, after being thwarted a seventh time. Michaud and other divers with the assistance of a high-tech underwater rover owned by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office had been focusing on an area out to about 100 feet away from the bank, under the westbound span stretching downriver about 700 feet. He was using a sonar scanner that sat on the river bottom where the water is 40-feet deep, just inside of where the river's current exerts its strongest pull. Beyond that point it's simply not practical or safe to work, Michaud said. Even along the waters edge, broken concrete, exposed rebar and metal cables can make work difficult. A lot of that makes the shallows really dangerous for us, he said. Dangerous waters Experts say the Mississippi River is a notoriously dangerous place for those who find themselves in the water by accident, or get swept away after entering the water voluntarily. The force of the water, the depth of the channel, the vortices and undertows that form near obstructions along the banks, the heavy ship and barge traffic and the occasional large debris moving swiftly beneath the surface all combine to create a difficult environment in which to survive. Some have jumped. Others have fallen off of bridges, vessels and grain elevators. Still more have entered at the water's edge. The U.S. Coast Guard could not furnish any data on the number of rescue missions initiated on the Mississippi River in recent years. The area where Kevin Poole Jr., 15, Brandy Wilson, 14, and her sister Ally Berry-Wilson fell into the water near Lamarque Street, is one of the deepest, swiftest junctures of what is one of the most treacherous bodies of water in North America, according to Captain E. Michael Bopp, who has piloted vessels along he river for 25 years. Its over 100 feet deep at Algiers Point, Bopp said. At some points, its only 50 feet, but in that area, theres so much current that digs it out, and an eddy works there. Eddys are areas of swirling water that form in portions of the river, usually behind obstacles, creating dangerous conditions close to the water's edge. Even with a life jacket, you can be pulled down, said Bopp, who survived a fall from a barge into the Mississippi River about 30 years ago. Youre not going to swim against the current. Its impossible. The weight of the water is so heavy, and the velocity is so strong. Youre helpless. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Paul Frasier, owner of Gulf States Dive & Rescue, said water below the 50-degree range can cause people who fall in to reflexively inhale, which can cause them to swallow water. The water was 62 degrees Tuesday when the three kids fell in the river, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Chief Warrant Officer Nick Alphonso, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Station New Orleans, said river traffic is a major danger. And for anyone who has fallen off a vessel and attempted to swim ashore, it's been key to head with the current towards a spot downriver, as any attempt to swim straight for the banks involves fighting the current, which can be exhausting. When youre fighting against it, you cant win, agreed Michaud. Rodney Madere, chief deputy with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office and a diver with three decades of experience, said that while the surface of the water may look clear from the banks, neutrally buoyant objects such as large trees can be floating just under the surface. Frasier said he's seen fiberglass bathtubs and and boat wreckage being carried down the river. This debris, he said "can hit someone standing on the edge of the water who may not realize (it's coming) before its too late, he said. Madere, who has pulled two bodies and two vehicles out of the river during the years, said currents near the banks can suddenly slam you into debris. He had his side pierced by a submerged tree branch near Killona. There are places in the river you can actually get trapped underwater, he said. Its just a dangerous thing when you cant control your own movement." Obstacles to recovery Some bodies that do enter the Mississippi River eventually surface Michaud estimates about half but they usually do so via the same natural forces that took them under, not because of the heroic efforts of the men and women who try to retrieve them. Michaud, whose efforts focus on recovery, not rescue, said the depth of the Mississippi in the channel can make recovery difficult. While a person on the surface will often be drawn toward the banks, down around 100 feet, the sheer weight of the water will hold a body down and prevent it from rising. And cold water, below 40 degrees or so, will prevent gasses from building up that will bring a body to the surface. Michaud worked a recovery in Baton Rouge last year in which the body was located by sonar well before it could be recovered because it was too difficult to get to. He said its a common misconception that a body can be swept out to the Gulf of Mexico. Theres too many bends and curves and places where people can catch (onto), he said. This, Michaud said, creates natural collection points that are worth focusing recovery efforts on. He noted that the body of a New Jersey man missing since December was found at the foot of Canal Street in March, months after he disappeared. "He stayed in place until it was time for him to surface," he said. A bill that would put the first substantial limits on Louisianas biggest but least-regulated commercial fishery cleared the state House of Representatives this week but could face fierce opposition in the Senate. House Bill 1033 would cap the menhaden catch in Louisiana waters at 573 million pounds per year and require menhaden fishing vessels to report daily locations and catch amounts to the state. The menhaden industry has avoided regulation in Louisiana while other Gulf of Mexico states have tightened rules, enacting catch limits and fishing exclusion zones to protect the many species that depend on the pencil-length fish for food. The measure passed by a wide margin 75 to 22 on Wednesday but the industry has more allies in the Senate, said the bills sponsor, Rep. Joseph Orgeron, a Republican from Larose. Last year, another bill aimed at limiting the menhaden industry passed the House but died amid negotiations in a House-Senate conference committee. A Senate vote on the bill has yet to be scheduled. As Ive always said, small fish, big debate, Orgeron said. Menhaden, also called pogies and bunker, serve as a key food source for birds, whales and fish popular with anglers. Fast-breeding menhaden are not considered at-risk, but many menhaden eaters, like speckled trout and dolphins, have suffered population declines in recent decades. Caught by the millions off the Louisiana coast each year, menhaden are processed into fertilizer, animal feed and health supplements. More pounds of menhaden are netted each year in the states waters than the combined hauls of the states better-known fisheries, including shrimp, crab, oysters and crawfish. This years bill was backed by conservation and recreational fishing groups but opposed by the menhaden industry and some of the communities that depend on it for jobs and tax dollars. South African company Daybrook Fisheries indicated the bills catch limits may force it to shut down its menhaden processing plant in south Plaquemines Parish, potentially putting 300 people out of work. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The other menhaden processing plant in Louisiana is south of Abbeville. Owned by Omega Protein of Canada, the plant employs nearly 280 people and pays about $1 million in local taxes each year, said Rep. Ryan Bourriaque, R-Abbeville. Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, rejected the idea that Louisiana fishery rules should follow the lead of other states. Texas has menhaden catch limits and near-coast exclusion zones, Alabama and Mississippi have exclusion zones, and Florida prohibits all large-net fishing in its waters. East Coast states also have menhaden catch limits and other restrictions. The restrictions in other states are not necessary in Louisiana because our coast is different; we have a working coast, Amedee said. Being different, in this case, is nothing to be proud of, said Rep. Scott McKnight, R-Baton Rouge. We constantly talk about how (Louisiana) is last, he said, referring to the states frequent poor performance in national education, health care and other rankings. Well, here we are again, the last state, this time in protecting our natural resources. In a public showdown that Mayor LaToya Cantrell dismissed as a "spectacle" and City Council members said was much-needed accountability, a Cantrell deputy testified Wednesday that he was seeking investors to build a broadband company at the same time he was involved in a City Hall project to expand internet access. Jonathan Rhodes, head of the Mayor's Office of Utilities, argued that a startup he cofounded, Verge Internet, was unrelated to his work on the New Orleans "smart city" broadband bid solicitation and that his "pro bono" advisory work in Los Angeles for one of the private companies who won the deal did not raise any ethical issues. But over hours of testimony, the City Council remained skeptical. They grilled Rhodes on his outside work while probing his relationship to the bidders and a consultant allegedly involved in shaping the city's bid request. And by day's end, Cantrell and two council members had exchanged bitter letters that demonstrated how badly the relationship between the branches of local government had crumbled. In her letter, sent to council members Tuesday and released publicly as the meeting began Wednesday morning, Cantrell accused the council of scuttling a critical deal to bring internet to underserved residents and abusing its power by seeking to parade out a series of public servants under investigation. The obstructive climate is far too similar to what we have seen at the federal level. Its negative and divisive at a time when our people are already traumatized by four years of ugliness and dysfunction in Washington, Cantrell wrote. Hours later, At-Large Council member JP Morrell and District B Council member Lesli Harris sent a letter back to Cantrell. "The tone-deaf nature of your correspondence, which reads as a litany of grievances perpetuated by the Council against you personally, is as jarring as it is disheartening," they said. "Accountability is not an attack." Rhodes under oath The war of words centered on a probe into the city's "smart city" project, which proceeded Wednesday under a formal and public City Council investigative process that hadn't been employed by the council in more than three decades. Wearing a smart blue suit, Rhodes raised his right hand and took an oath to tell the truth as council members launched into more than three hours of questions. There were elements of courtroom drama. The dais was packed with council members and their staff. TV cameras trained their lenses on Rhodes, who sat alone and stone-faced at the table that faced his questioners. For weeks, Rhodes has been at the center of many of the concerns around the smart city plan, which came to a sudden demise Monday as the private consortium known as Smart+Connected NOLA that was supposed to contract with the city pulled out of talks. The smart city deal was aimed at bringing more broadband access to New Orleans while adding new internet-connected streetlights and other city infrastructure. But it has faced questions about how the deal would be structured and what it would specifically accomplish. According to official city documents, the Office of Utilities was the sponsoring agency for the solicitation, issued in April 2021. Emails showed that Rhodes, the sole employee of the office, engaged in frequent correspondence about smart city projects with a consulting company called Ignite Cities and members of the Smart+Connected NOLA consortium, which included technology-giant Qualcomm. On Wednesday, Rhodes presented the smart city project as a noble venture aimed at expanding internet access in low-income neighborhoods. But he was also asked about what role private companies played in writing the solicitation, an accusation at the heart of contract-steering allegations directed at the city. None at all, Rhodes said, and neither did he. Yet under repeated questioning from Council President Helena Moreno, Rhodes acknowledged that he did provide input on the plan. Meeting the mayor Moreno also plumbed the role of Ignite Cities and its managing partner, George Burciaga. Rhodes said Wednesday that outside advice played a key role in the decision to begin a formal bidding process at all. It was only after a Jan. 5, 2021, virtual meeting between Cantrell, Ignite Cities, Qualcomm and other parties that the city realized that it needed to issue a formal solicitation, said Rhodes. There was a point in time, probably right around here, where we realized, 'Hold on, we cant just do this, we have to procure this.' Ultimately the city is either going to have to either spend money or grant some access to rights of way, or something that is going to require the citys engagement with these companies, he said. Two days after the meeting with Cantrell, Burciaga sent city officials an email stating that the balance of the team is working on a draft scope to present to you. Then, 17 days after the meeting, Rhodes sent Burciaga an email asking for insight on the attached Scope of Services for a comprehensive smart city program. But that dialogue didnt play into the final solicitation, Rhodes said. The (request for proposals) was written by the city entirely without any input of these parties, he said. The IT staffers who wrote the request for proposals summarily dismissed suggestions from outside companies, according to Rhodes. A missed 'red flag' Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Rhodes claimed he had no knowledge that Ignite Cities, his liaison for many conversations about smart cities, was in a $75 million business relationship with Qualcomm and an investment firm called JLC Infrastructure that had been trumpeted in press releases. Those connections were at the heart of allegations of bid rigging made by the second-place bidder on the deal, Cox Business. Nor did he know that another partner in the winning consortium, IKE Smart Cities, was represented by a lobbyist who did double duty as an Ignite Cities partner, he said. I think if we had known that at the time, that might have caused some concern, said Rhodes. Yeah, it would be a red flag if there was a lobbyist working with the city at the same time as representing a company for profit. Moreno and other City Council members also questioned Rhodes' relationship with one of the bidding firms. Rhodes and the city have acknowledged that through Verge Internet, a company he cofounded with a city IT employee, he provided pro bono advice to Qualcomm for a Los Angeles project at the same time that the New Orleans procurement was being prepared. Rhodes said that he never expected to gain financially from his Qualcomm relationship. He said that free advice was never disclosed to the city. We did not believe there was any conflict in providing that information, said Rhodes. Pitching for millions Rhodes said Verge Internet never had any revenue and never opened a bank account. Yet he acknowledged that the start-up company, with a focus on expanding broadband access, had pitched investors on $5 million in funding at the same time that he was working on the smart city project at City Hall. Qualcomm, Ignite Cities and other companies involved in the winning bid were never asked for money, according to Rhodes. District A Council member Joe Giarrusso questioned Rhodes on why he and the other city staffer, Christopher Wolff, chose to incorporate the company in Delaware, a state that is the home of many corporations in part due to the secrecy it establishes around corporate entities. Giarrusso noted that Rhodes had previously incorporated 11 limited liability companies in Louisiana. "I see where youre going," said Rhodes. "The reason that a startup company would create a company in Delaware is really about how the share structure works in a Delaware corporation." Summing up hours of dialogue about what Rhodes was doing on and off the city clock, District C Council member Freddie King III asked a blunt question. Do you at all see how this looks, publicly, how this looks bad? said King. I do, said Rhodes. Just to be straight. Yes. Its a nuanced situation. I dont believe theres been any kind of unethical activity, but I do see why questions have been asked. 'Those kids need help' Cantrell was less understanding in her letter to the council, which accused members of putting Rhodes on the witness stand for their own political ends. In her first lengthy public statement on the smart city controversy, she said the probe and other recent steps to rein in mayoral power were dividing the city, costing it investments and state funding and in the end would result in fewer residents getting critical services. "If you live in District A, about 90% of your neighbors have internet access. If you live in District E, that number is barely 50%," Cantrell wrote. "The story here is that disadvantaged kids in the east are losing out children who went through the pandemic and distance learning, students who are subject to 'digital redline' and losing progress. Those kids need help." Cantrells claims that it was the councils fault that Black New Orleanians were losing out was the subject of pointed responses from several members Wednesday. Moreno said that the federal government is already expanding internet access through a program included in President Joe Bidens infrastructure law. The children of New Orleans East and low-income families, they are going to be able to get low cost internet that is a fast internet service, because of the Biden-Harris administration, not because of anything that was in this plan, Moreno said. Meanwhile, Morrell and Harris said that it was the city's fault for entering into a "bad deal" with ethical problems, and laid the mayors larger critique about frustrated residents back at her feet. "As far as the children of New Orleans East, we appreciate the administration's concern. However, the people of New Orleans East are equally as concerned with trash pickup, lights in public thoroughfares, blight and lack of economic investment over the last four years," they said. They also accused the mayor of ignoring crime concerns. "You do not acknowledge the actual challenges our citizens face, instead choosing to pivot and distract by bullying and rhetoric about issues the administration prefers," the council members said. As word got around Oakmont Apartments on Thursday that the city will clear out the hazardous complex in Algiers and pay to relocate tenants a move Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration calls unprecedented several tenants were either packing up, or scrambling to find apartments to keep from being sent to hotel rooms. When stuff like this happens, I try not to let it break me, said Ashanta Hoffman, 31. Not that she wants to stay at Oakmont. None of the residents do, advocates say. Hoffman's apartment walls are streaked with orange spray paint applied last year to mark mold that no one has come to remove. Mushrooms sprout from the crevices of her empty kitchen closet, which is caked in mold and a haven for roaches. Hoffman, who said she holds down three jobs while in veterinary school, said the city directed her to nearby Jackson Landing and a bloc of apartments officials have reserved for Oakmont evacuees. Id rather take that than a hotel, Hoffman said. Im just going to take the apartment, whatever they want to do. Im willing to take that blessing, because it could have been worse. The citys help, along with a notice that tenants must be out of Oakmont in two weeks, was received as a mixed blessing by some who remained Thursday at the 336-unit complex. Cantrells administration said Tuesday that it will relocate dozens of residents from a complex that has fallen into grim disrepair, overtaken by squatters, vermin, raw sewage, mold and deadly gunfire. Landlord Joshua Bruno placed Oakmont and four other rental properties into bankruptcy in January. A month later, the last two staffers on site quit. Marjorianna Willman, director of the Mayors Office of Housing Policy and Community Development, said in an interview that as many as 130 people remain in about 60 units at Oakmont, including 40 units with federally subsidized rents. The city also is working with local groups to relocate several squatters before the complex is "vacated and secured," she said. Willman said the city sent out fire department and code enforcement officials after a three-alarm blaze broke out at Oakmont on March 28. Residents said a drug addict threw a makeshift bomb into an apartment, setting it aflame. They came back basically saying its uninhabitable. Its unfit for anyone to live there, Willman said. It made us look at it differently and take it up a notch. Were being aggressive given the situation. Its just not an acceptable place to live. The city previously offered relocation costs to Oakmont tenants, but is now insisting they leave. Officials are now offering them rooms at New Orleans hotels for three months; help from housing navigators to scout permanent homes; a deposit and three months forward rent. The city also has offered reimbursement for storage to Oakmont tenants. Willman said the city has booked 70 hotel rooms through emergency contracts held by the Louisiana Housing Corporation. The availability of emergency rental aid from the U.S. Treasury made the unprecedented step possible, Willman added. The conditions at Oakmont which Willman called "the worst in the city" made it necessary. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Tenants said conditions at Oakmont turned south during the pandemic before falling apart following extensive Hurricane Ida damage. Advocates blame Bruno, who claims Fannie Mae has held up repair work by balking on insurance payments. Before then, Brunos lender, Fannie Mae, also known as the Federal National Mortgage Association, was pushing to foreclose on Oakmont and the other Bruno properties. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Grabill has set a hearing date next month over a request by Fannie Mae for Grabill to appoint a trustee to manage the properties. Fannie Mae claims Bruno cant be trusted, citing millions of dollars in suspect insider transfers from his rental properties to other entities he controls. In the meantime, the New Orleans Police Department has stationed a 24-hour patrol car outside of the 16-acre complex, the scene of multiple fatal shootings in recent weeks. Postal carriers stopped delivering to mailboxes in Oakmont shortly after Hurricane Ida. This was done for the safety of our carriers and for the security of the mail, a U.S. Postal Service spokesperson said. Tenants said vandals tore open the mailboxes to steal pandemic stimulus checks. I dont come out here at night. Dont try to order a pizza, said tenant Dwayne Massey, noting few working outdoor lights in the complex. I guess once the word got out that nobody was overseeing the property, thats when the crime came. Daiquiri Jones, an advocate with the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly, said Thursday that many tenants remained confused over the forced relocation. They arent sure if they can bring their pets to the hotels, or what sort of proof theyll need of their Oakmont leases. While some tenants praised the city for the help, several were adamant against an extended hotel stay. Hotel? Thats a no. That's like jail. Thats a setup, Crystal Jordan said. Somebodys going to (mess) up and then everyone is out. Why am I setting myself up like that? But for Nina Desvignes, a retired federal Social Security worker with a bullet hole in her window and a crumbling ceiling back at Oakmont, arriving by Uber to a downtown hotel Thursday spelled relief. This is all I need to give me that break I need to get a minute to get a dollar to put in my pocket, she said. I dont need them to navigate. I will get out here and find my own. Im just thankful for the opportunity to get out of that place. The Galaxy M53 5G is now orderable in Europe, but for less than its 469 expected price. In fact, the Galaxy M53 5G costs less than the Galaxy A53 5G, and will begin shipping on April 29. The Galaxy M53 5G ships with a Dimensity 900 SoC and a 108 MP camera, among other features. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Benchmark , Biotech , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Education , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel , Intel Evo , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Leaks / Rumors , Linux / Unix , List , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Raptor Lake , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Wi-Fi 7 , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) , Zen 4 Ticker Nearly three weeks have passed since Samsung introduced the Galaxy M53 5G, another mid-range smartphone by the company. However, Samsung is still yet to provide information about how much the handset should cost, a theme common across its recent Galaxy A and Galaxy M releases. Earlier this month, two leaks suggested that Samsung would sell the Galaxy M53 5G for at least 469, but that no longer appears to be the case. Instead, Amazon Germany has listed the Galaxy M53 5G for just 419. As far as we can tell, the listing if official, seeing as Amazon will be selling and fulfilling it. As the image below shows, the price includes VAT and makes the Galaxy M53 5G slightly cheaper than the Galaxy A53 5G. For reference, the Galaxy A53 5G retails for 449 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. CROWN POINT A Lake Criminal Court judge revoked bond Wednesday for a Gary man arrested recently on auto theft charges while he was free on bond in an attempted murder case. Shamar Walker, 20, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges linked to allegations he shot a 13-year-old girl in the back Jan. 24, 2020, after she refused to have sex with him. He posted a $5,000 cash bond in that case in December 2020. He was arrested April 5 after a Gary police officer spotted him driving a blue Ford F-150 that had been reported stolen March 27, according to court records. Walker is accused of leading the officer on a chase and running from the truck in the area of Pierce Street and 35th Avenue. He was taken into custody after a K-9 found him couched in thick brush, records state. Walker's attorney, Matthew LaTulip, asked Judge Samuel Cappas to consider releasing Walker on his previously posted bond. In the alternative, the defense asked Cappas to place Walker on house arrest or send him to the Lake County Community Corrections program while his cases are pending. LaTulip said Walker disputes the allegations in his new case, which has complicated plea negotiations in his prior case. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Bruno said Walker was a danger to the community and his behavior showed a disregard for the court's orders. Walker was on bond in a misdemeanor gun case in 2020 when he was accused of shooting the teen girl, Bruno said. He spent about 10 months in the Lake County Jail before Cappas granted his request for bond reduction in the attempted murder case, but he failed to comply with the conditions of bond when he was arrested in the auto theft case, the deputy prosecutor said. Cappas scheduled a jury trial in Walker's attempted murder case for the week of Oct. 3. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. will be prohibited from carrying a handgun in public, both on- and off-duty, beginning July 1. A new Indiana law authorizing all adult Hoosiers age 18 and older to carry a handgun in public without needing to obtain a state permit ironically bars Lake Countys chief law enforcement officer from doing the same due to a pending felony charge against Martinez. Under current law, county sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel automatically are exempt from the states handgun permit requirement. But that exemption was deleted by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in House Enrolled Act 1296 because beginning July 1 no one will need a permit to carry a handgun in public. At the same time, the new law denies the right to carry a handgun in public to convicted felons; fugitives; some non-citizens; a person convicted of domestic violence, domestic battery or criminal stalking; a person under a restraining order; a person under indictment; a person formally deemed dangerous or mentally defective; or a person dishonorably discharged from military service. According to court records, Martinez was indicted by a Lake County grand jury in January on a felony charge of resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor reckless driving. Martinez is accused of failing to stop while driving an unmarked, county-owned Jeep TrackHawk at up to 50 mph over the posted speed limit on Taft and Main streets in Crown Point and Merrillville in September as two Crown Point police officers chased him with their lights and sirens activated, records show. The Democratic sheriff has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial tentatively is scheduled for August, though it could be delayed while Martinez asks the Indiana Court of Appeals to consider tossing his criminal indictment. A special judge on Wednesday granted Martinezs request to certify for immediate appeal the judges prior refusal to dismiss the sheriffs indictment, even before the sheriff is tried on the charges. However, during that hearing, Martinezs attorneys, Michael Woods and Paul Stracci, also acknowledged the sheriffs indictment will make Martinez ineligible to carry a handgun when Indianas new permitless carry statute takes effect. State Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, the sponsor of the permitless carry law, said hes not personally familiar with Martinezs legal troubles. But Smaltz confirmed under the new law any person under indictment for felony, including a county sheriff, is ineligible to carry a handgun in public beginning July 1. Martinez actually wont be the only Indiana sheriff disarmed that day. Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelly, a Republican, was indicted in March, accused of official misconduct and conflict of interest for his alleged mishandling of hundreds of thousands of dollars of jail commissary and other funds. An unknown number of local police officers throughout the state with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions also will lose their ability to carry a handgun in public under the law. Notably, the restriction only applies to prohibited persons carrying a handgun in public. Both before and after July 1 any person in Indiana legally entitled to own a long gun or rifle, including the AR-15 and other rifles previously classified as assault weapons, can carry it in public with few restrictions. Under Indiana law, handguns and rifles remain prohibited at school buildings and court houses. In addition, businesses and homeowners retain the right to bar customers or guests from bringing a firearm onto their property. Aside from how it personally affects his ability to carry a handgun, Martinez said at a recent sheriff candidates debate he believes Indianas permitless carry law is a very scary situation. He said under the law, for example, officers who spy a handgun in a vehicle during a traffic stop no longer automatically will have a basis to check whether the person carrying the handgun has a valid permit to do so. Youre not going to know if that individual is a convicted felon, has been arrested for domestic battery, has any mental illnesses so thats tying the hands of law enforcement officers, Martinez said. That is a bad idea. I think it risks public safety and officer safety. Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter unsuccessfully made the same argument earlier this year when the new law was under consideration at the Statehouse and prior to it being signed March 21 by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb. Carter, along with representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police, said eliminating handgun carry permits will make the 18,000 Hoosier police officers less safe because there no longer will be an easy way to confirm a person with handgun is legally entitled to be carrying it. "If you choose to support this bill you will not be supporting us. You will not be supporting the front-line officer," Carter said. "Shifting the burden from the individual who applied for the permit to the front-line officer is wrong on so many levels. But that's what you're doing." State Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, vehemently disagreed with the characterization that permitless carry will increase crime and endanger law enforcement. "You absolutely can support law enforcement and support this bill," Freeman said. "You either trust the citizens of Indiana or you don't." Among Northwest Indiana lawmakers, the new law was backed by state Reps. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point; Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie; Hal Slager, R-Schererville; and Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso; and state Sens. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores; and Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell. Region lawmakers opposing the measure were state Reps. Mike Andrade, D-Munster; Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron; Pat Boy, D-Michigan City; Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago; Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary; Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond; Chuck Moseley, D-Portage; and Vernon Smith, D-Gary; and state Sens. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso; Michael Griffin, D-Highland; Eddie Melton, D-Gary; Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton; and Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. VALPARAISO Susan Jones told jurors Thursday morning that she was at her overnight nursing job July 24, 2016 when she received word from her then-husband Curtis Jones that her eldest son had slipped in the shower and injured himself. "Brantley's going to have a black eye tomorrow," the text message reportedly said. Susan said she called home urging Curtis to keep the boy awake as a precaution. She then received word from Curtis that 6-month-old Braxson, also left in his care, was in trouble. Jones, 52, who is a former Porter County police officer now living in Florida, is accused of battering Braxson that night at their Lakes of the Four Seasons home and leaving the boy disabled and with a much shorter life expectancy. After removing half his skull to make way for brain swelling, a team of doctors at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago determined Jones had suffered "abusive head trauma," Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Kristen Klink said. Curtis is on trial on felony counts of battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person less than 14 years of age and two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury. Each of the felony counts carries a potential sentence of three to 16 years behind bars. Susan told jurors Thursday that she and Curtis were going through a high-stress period at the time of the alleged offense, with her working one and a half jobs and Curtis working, in school and trying a second time to pass his nursing exam. All the while, the couple was raising two young boys. While the defense has portrayed Braxson as having health problems prior to the alleged abuse, Susan testified that there was nothing but bouts with congestion, an incident of vomiting and dehydration, and hiccuping, which turned out to be nothing unusual. She said Braxson was hitting all his developmental "milestones," including earlier on the day in question. Jurors were showed a video from that day of Braxson interacting with his older brother. Jurors were also shown a video taken by Curtis of Braxson's birth and shown photos updating his normal development up to the alleged abuse. Klink said during opening statements Wednesday that Braxson was fine and playing with others when Susan left him in the care of a babysitter on the night in question. When Curtis arrived home from his job around midnight, he found Braxson in good condition as he went on to study for a nursing exam, Klink said. After reporting to Susan throughout the night that all was well, Curtis called Susan shortly before 5 a.m. to report Braxson was breathing strange, was cold and would not wake up. Susan had to direct him to call 911, and Klink told jurors they would later hear how Curtis carried on "chit chat" with the dispatcher and asked if she remembered him as a police officer before the dispatcher had to prompt Curtis nearly two minutes into the call to explain the problem with his son. While Braxson can be heard on the call struggling to breathe, Curtis tells the dispatcher there is no need for emergency responders to use sirens or lights, the prosecutor said. Braxson, who is now 6, survived, but is in need of constant care, Klink said. He is blind, needs diaper changing, is fed through a tube, must be moved by others and no longer communicates on his own, she said. Defense attorney John Vouga countered that his client, Curtis, is not guilty of the alleged offense, saying the child had prior medical problems and lacked associated signs of shaking abuse such as fractures, whiplash or torn ligaments in the neck. Vouga warned jurors that prosecutors will be trying to paint his client as a monster and reminded them they had agreed to decide the fate of Jones based on facts and not sympathy. What prosecutors won't reveal is that Curtis is a "caring, loving" father, who regularly checked on Braxson and had been raising alarm, along with Susan, about the child's health problems since birth. Braxson has had preexisting problems with projectile vomiting and difficulties with breathing and sleeping, Vouga said. "This is not just something that suddenly erupted on July 24," he said of the child's health problems. Vouga said there are no claims that Curtis abused the other boy, who was also at home on the morning in question. Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish set aside nine days for the trial. Curtis had worked as a county police officer from April 1996 through October 2005, Porter County Sheriff Dave Reynolds has said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GLENWOOD A woman died at a Munster hospital following a crash in the Village of Glenwood, Illinois. A 67-year-old woman from Chicago Heights was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m. Wednesday, according to a report from Lake County Coroner David Pastrick. The woman's name has not yet been released. The Lake County Coroner's office was dispatched to Franciscan Health Munster, where she died. The coroner's office determined she died of blunt force trauma from a vehicle crash. The crash happened in the southbound lanes of Illinois 394 between Thornton-Lansing and Glenwood-Lansing roads in Glenwood, Illinois. According to Illinois State Police, first responders were called to a single-vehicle rollover crash at 2:56 p.m. Wednesday. Four occupants were in the vehicle and one passenger was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she died. Police said no further information is available at this time. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A Lake Criminal Court judge sentenced a Gary woman Wednesday to 50 years in prison and five on probation for the murder of her 1-year-old foster child in 2017. Jamilia Hodge, 37, was convicted in March by a jury after a weeklong trial where Lake County prosecutors presented videos of detectives' interviews, which showed Hodge admitted she placed a hand over baby Emma Salinas' mouth and smothered her because she was crying. Judge Salvador Vasquez said the case was difficult, in part, because Hodge had no contacts with law enforcement before her arrest in the murder case. Before Hodge began caring for Emma and her three siblings in October 2016, she had cared for another group of siblings who were successfully reunited with their family, the judge said. There were no indications that any of the other children placed in Hodge's care were injured, and there was no pattern of conduct to suggest Hodge might harm Emma, Vasquez said. "Something went horribly wrong, and as a result of that an 18-month-old child died," the judge said. "This will have a lasting impact on those involved, including Emma's mother, her siblings and law enforcement." Lake County Supervisory Deputy Prosecutor Michelle Jatkiewicz said the state presented evidence to the jury showing Hodge was the only person who fit into the timeline and confessed to killing Emma. During the nearly five years Hodge's case was pending, the state's goal was always to get justice for Emma, Jatkiewicz said. "Emma deserved better. She was a tiny little girl asleep in her crib," she said. "Perhaps a little fussy, perhaps a little uncomfortable." If Emma were alive today, she would be nearing the end of first grade, Jatkiewicz said. "Instead, Emma is buried 6 feet under the dirt," she said. The prosecutor read a statement written by Emma's mother, Angela Salinas, who said her life will never be the same. Salinas cries every time she thinks of Emma or hears her name. "I just don't understand how people can be so ugly and crazy," she wrote. Salinas said she went "through hell" dealing with the Indiana Department of Child Services and hopes the system never again allows a foster parent to kill a child. Defense attorney Scott King said he advised Hodge not to give a statement and asked Vasquez to grant Hodge's request to appoint an appellate public defender. Evidence presented at trial did not explain "how an injury of this magnitude was inflicted" on Emma, King said. Emma suffered a fracture to her cervical spine and had a mark on her face, indicating she had been suffocated. Whether Hodge's statements to police were voluntary will be a "major issue on appeal," he said. In a 2021 ruling, the court denied Hodge's motion to suppress her statements. "We have to, as professionals, honor and respect the verdict," King said, even if he personally disagreed that the evidence presented at trial met the standard for prosecution. King said Hodge continued to pursue an education after high school and was supporting her own daughter, her boyfriend, his adult relative and the foster children in her car at the time of Emma's death. The defense attorney recommended Vasquez give Hodge a minimum sentence of 45 years. Jatkiewicz asked for a sentence of 60 years because of Emma's young age and the position of trust Hodge held for the child. Murder carries a possible penalty of 45 to 65 years in prison. Vasquez said Hodge's lack of criminal history and relationship with her own now-6-year-old daughter warranted a shorter sentence, but he agreed with Jatkiewicz that Emma's age and Hodge's role as caregiver were aggravating factors. "Ms. Hodge received a fair trial, a very proper trial," the judge said. Vasquez said Hodge likely would be released from prison in her 60s and would be on parole for life. He granted her request to appoint an appellate public defender. "We should never ever be in court on the death of an 18-month-old," he said. "It's bad enough we have to be here for murder cases generally." Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OGDEN DUNES The waiting is over for the family of a 22-year-old Indianapolis man who has been missing since falling through ice Feb. 21 along the West Beach shoreline of Lake Michigan. Bryce Dunfee's body was found Thursday morning on the nearby Ogden Dunes beach by a local resident, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. "His body was found approximately a half-mile from where he went missing on Feb. 21," the DNR said in a prepared release. The Ogden Dunes resident notified authorities shortly before 7 a.m. after spotting the man's body along the nearby shoreline, DNR Conservation Officer Alex Neel said. Those responding to the 100 block of Shoreline Drive included the DNR; police officers from Ogden Dunes, Portage and Gary; National Park rangers; and the Porter County coroners office. Dunfee had just moved to Portage and he grew up in Fort Wayne and also recently lived in Indianapolis, family previously told NBC Chicago. Loved ones said he was unfamiliar with the dangers of shelf ice. The 22-year-old loved spending time with family and friends, playing video games, listening to music and singing, according to an obituary posted on dignitymemorial.com. "Bryce was a loving young man with a calm demeanor and infectious laugh that would light up a room," family wrote. Dunfee, who was a father of one, had a celebration of life held in March in Fort Wayne. Dunfee was visiting the West Beach section of the Indiana Dunes National Park site at about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 21 with four friends when he fell into the frigid lake waters after venturing onto the shelf ice, DNR Public Information Officer Nicole Baumann said at the time. A search began immediately and was curtailed the following day by deteriorating weather conditions and melting shelf ice, officials said. The search was complicated further in that the frigid water temperature is known to keep a body submerged, Neel said. In addition, the low temperatures could result in the shelf ice rebuilding along the shoreline. "The shelf ice is elevated," Baumann said. "They had to climb up a little hill onto the snow. A little piece of the shelf ice broke off, and he tripped and fell into the lake." The friends were believed to be in their 20s, officials said. The others were local, hailing from Portage and Lake Station. The four other people who walked out onto the shelf ice tried to rescue their friend, but the lake reportedly pulled him in. They called 911 and were able to return to shore safely, Baumann said. "Shelf ice is beautiful to look at, but it's just that, it's a sight to see," Neel said. "It is extremely dangerous and no one should venture out on it." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Bob Kasarda Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident. Follow Bob Kasarda Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., filed legislation Thursday aimed at preventing Democratic President Joe Biden from taking unilateral action to forgive any portion of the $1.6 trillion in student loan debt owed to the federal government by some 43 million Americans. So far, the president generally has resisted calls to outright cancel student loan obligations. Though Biden has continued a policy begun in 2020 under Republican President Donald Trump that temporarily suspended student loan interest accrual and repayment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent days, however, Biden also has hinted he might be open to some kind of partial student debt cancellation, perhaps up to $10,000 per borrower. But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said any decision on student debt forgiveness won't be made until closer to the Aug. 31 expiration of the current repayment pause. Braun's proposal would take that decision out of Biden's hands by barring the president from using the COVID-19 national emergency, or any other future emergency, as a basis for a total or partial cancellation of Americans' student loan debt. It also would limit to 90 days any temporary suspension of student loan repayment due to a national emergency and deny repayment deferral to any borrower whose income is over 400% of the federal poverty level, or greater than $54,360 for a single individual. Braun said postponing student loan interest payments due to the national public health emergency already has "cost" the federal government $100 billion, with most of the benefits going to doctors who borrowed heavily to complete their medical training. "The majority of Americans do not have college degrees," Braun said. "Why should they be forced to pick up the tab for college degrees in the name of pandemic relief? "This transfer of wealth is not a move to 'advance equity,' but rather a taxpayer handout to appease far-left activists." Braun's proposal is co-sponsored by four Senate Republicans and also supported by U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind. "The Biden Administration is once again succumbing to pressure from the far left by asking working Americans to pay for the college educations of doctors and lawyers," Young said. "Seventy-five percent of repayment dollars under Joe Bidens plan to cancel student debt would go to the top 40% of income earners. Asking Hoosiers who didnt go to college or who have already paid off their debt to foot the bill for others is an egregious mistake that will do nothing to make higher education more affordable, which is what we should really be focused on." The legislation likely has little chance of winning approval in the Democratic-controlled Senate, though a shift in party control following this year's general elections might improve its odds. Federal data show student loan debt is the second-highest consumer debt category after mortgages, with the average federal student loan debt balance sitting at $37,113, not including any money borrowed from banks or other private institutions. Approximately 58% of all student loan debt belongs to women and 68.6% of indebted student borrowers are between 25 and 50 years old, records show. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HOBART The sixth annual World Civility Day was truly a day of celebration, said Chuck Hughes. The event, sponsored by the Gary Chamber of Commerce, brought together participants from throughout Northwest Indiana as well as those from throughout the United States and even other countries. This is truly a world civility day, said Hughes who serves as the chambers CEO. The day began at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center in Merrillville with workshops on civility and ended with a dinner and awards at the Avalon Manor in Hobart. A stellar lineup of speakers at the evening dinner included Robert A. Rohm, an author and corporate trainer, and the Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, a human rights and civil rights attorney. Rohm, during his speech, said that civility, education, success and connectivity are all good words. But how do you connect with a person? Rohm asked, adding, When you walk in a room people either say 'oh good' or 'oh boy.' Rohm also questioned participants on whether they considered themselves outgoing or reserved then asked for a show of hands. You have to understand yourself and others in order to build better teams and have better relationships. In other words, you have to be more civil, Rohm said. Wilson, who serves as the senior advisor to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., spoke about it being an unusual moment in the world with what is fast approaching as World War III in the Ukraine. It reminds me of the Holocaust and for me, even slavery, Wilson said. She told those in the audience to challenge each other to fight for others. Where are you going to go from here? Wilson said. Community Civility Counts started as an initiative of the Gary Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee and has expanded to include many partners both locally and nationally and in some 154 countries, said World Civility Ambassador Dr. Clyde Rivers, the president and founder of iChangeNations. "An idea that was birthed in the Gary chamber board rooms has been recognized by Clyde Rivers, local governments, county government and the Indiana House of Representatives and state Senate," Hughes said. "We have been joined by many affiliate groups such as our universities, school districts, Boys & Girls clubs and other organizations and businesses." Earlier in the day, Indiana University Northwest educator Helen Marie Harmon led off the workshops with "Civility Must Haves: Still Needed." Harmon started off her program with an interactive session that invited students in the audience to come forward. Those students and later those seated in the audience were asked to provide, in one word, must-haves for civility. The long list Harmon compiled included integrity, respect, compassion, good communication, self-respect, love, perseverance and many more. "Simple, easy, natural. Is that civility? It's something that should be simple, easy, yet we're still challenged by it," Harmon said. Harmon said that the pandemic lent itself to increased incivility since many during the last two years either worked or attended school remotely. "I've seen it in the classroom. We sent you away for two years and now you are back with people. It's real. Students are still getting used to working with people again," Harmon said. Her speech ended on an even livelier note when a student in the audience asked how to address a bully or someone picking on you. Mariah Swain, a junior at West Side Leadership Academy, answered, "I believe in killing with kindness." Swain said she and another girl, when both were younger, exchanged words then at the urging of her mom, she gave the girl a Christmas gift. "We were friends," Swain said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sales revenue from these potent plant extracts in the United States increased by nearly 40 percent from 2014 to 2018. By 2025, theyre projected to reach more than $5 billion in total sales, according to market research firm Grand View Research. But theyre not just being sold in shops and online. Ms. Sheie said that shes increasingly had to politely sidestep sales pitches from people in her social circles who are selling the oils for two of the largest essential oil companies, doTerra and Young Living. These manufacturers use multilevel-marketing strategies, where the people who sell their products profit from their own sales as well as those of others they recruit (think Avon or Herbalife). I most often run into it at church and on social media, especially in my mom groups, she said. But can they improve your health? Some sellers along with particular social media posts and websites that expound the oils benefits attest with a kind of evangelical zeal that certain essential oils can help treat a range of ailments, from attention deficit disorder and depression to Alzheimers disease, cancer, skin abrasions, infections, teething pain and more. Companies commonly market essential oils to parents for their purported ability to boost kids immune systems and to improve focus, mood and sleep. But the bulk of the research done on essential oils has been performed in petri dishes and on rodents. There are few human studies, and they are mostly small and of low quality, Dr. Smith said. And of the research that has been done on humans, said Dr. Smith, the bulk of the studies on essential oils effectiveness and safety has been performed on adults. A few studies in children suggest that inhaling lavender oil can have a calming effect; that topical applications of tea tree oil may be useful against acne, lice and warts; and that peppermint oil capsules may help with irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal pain. However, theres no evidence to support essential oils more common uses, such as for treating fever, cough, congestion, allergies, teething symptoms and (the one that makes me the most frustrated) behavior problems, Dr. Smith wrote in a column for Cook Childrens Health Care System in 2015. Unlike with prescription and over-the-counter drugs, the makers of essential oils do not have to prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their products are safe and effective for certain conditions, or even that they contain what they say they do on the label. And by law, oil makers are not allowed to advertise that their products can prevent or treat disease. Jon, did you find that the accounts of Mormon history in the series held up vis-a-vis your own research? JON KRAKAUER The history is absolutely accurate. You have to remember that this church until 2014, refused to acknowledge publicly that Joseph Smith [the churchs founder] had more than one wife. The church is going to say, Blood atonement is nowhere; youll never find that term in any of our doctrine, and theyre right. Except that numerous Mormon leaders have referred to blood atonement, and say how necessary it is. So its there, and Lance got that right. I remember feeling when I read the book that it certainly wasnt intended to be comfortable reading for Mormons. KRAKAUER No. And I dont think the series is intended to be comfortable viewing. But it does seem, Lance, that you take pains to show another side of Mormonism in a thoughtful and touching way. How intentional was that? DUSTIN LANCE BLACK I think I took a different view of the book, and I bet a lot of Mormons did as well. The P.R. department of the Mormon Church has their response. But there are many Mormons who, I would be willing to bet, read Jons book and had that lightning strike to their heart of, Im going to listen to my doubt for a minute. That hurt is uncomfortable, but its a growing pain. So I bet more people than not found some comfort in the relief of confusion. Because so much of whats in there, we just arent taught. Its not that its even debated; youve just never heard it before. To me, the television series attempts to do the same. We now just have flesh and blood people standing in for the reader, which is why I wanted one [detective] to be Mormon and one [played by Gil Birmingham] to be an outsider. Beijings testing surge Beijing is racing to test nearly all of its 22 million residents three times over five days in a high-stakes bid to avoid a similar fate as Shanghai, where millions of residents have been forced into an almost unbearable monthlong lockdown. Today millions of Beijing residents took their second round of tests, and officials from the Chinese capital announced that they had uncovered an additional 46 cases. The city identified three more neighborhoods today as high-risk and four more as medium-risk, designations that both prompt lockdowns. Overall, it has been a stressful week in the capital, said my colleague Keith Bradsher, The Timess new Beijing bureau chief, who lives a half-hour walk from the main outbreak a square-mile area now under police-enforced lockdown. Many here in Beijing were terrified on Sunday when city officials said that the virus had slipped into the city and gone through multiple rounds of transmission for at least a week, Keith said, and Beijing residents feared a harsh lockdown like Shanghais. Beijing residents flocked to supermarkets to stockpile food, emptying shelves. But the authorities and businesses have swiftly ramped up food shipments. Polands prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, called the gas shut-off a direct attack. Poland has been a prime conduit for arms shipments to Ukraine and is sheltering millions of Ukrainian refugees. Gas prices surged after the cutoff, but the immediate economic impact of the move was limited. Poland has worked for at least a decade to avoid being held ransom by Moscow. Bulgaria, which said Russia was using its gas supplies as a political and economic weapon, is more dependent on Russian gas, but it received a pledge of assistance from Greece. The shut-off serves as a warning of more serious potential gas cutoffs as the war grinds on. It came a day after Germany, which still relies heavily on Russian energy supplies, announced that it would supply its first heavy weapons to Ukraine since the war began. Germanys economy minister, Robert Habeck, said today that a sudden halt of Russian gas, which accounts for 35 percent of the countrys supplies, would trigger a recession for Europes largest economy. He also said Germany is prepared to seize control of a refinery mostly owned by the Russian energy company Rosneft, which could set the stage for a European Union embargo of Russian oil. This month, the E.U. approved a ban on Russian coal in response to atrocities that Russian troops carried out in the Ukrainian suburb of Bucha. The U.S., Britain and Canada have already stopped importing oil from Russia, the worlds third-largest producer after the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Bidens chief medical adviser, told PBS NewsHour that certainly America is now out of the pandemic phase of Covid-19 as our rates of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths continue to ebb. But, he added, Were not going to eradicate this virus. Our best hope is to keep that level very low, and intermittently vaccinate people, possibly as often as every year. Put another way, the endemic has arrived. As Fauci later told The Washington Post, Were really in a transitional phase, from a deceleration of the numbers into hopefully a more controlled phase and endemicity. The cost to get here has been almost incalculable. There have been 81 million recorded Covid cases in America and nearly a million deaths. The United States is now averaging about 360 deaths a day from Covid, which would be an alarming number in almost any other context, but it looks like progress when measured against the pandemics peak, when thousands of people were dying each day. Still, this moment doesnt feel as celebratory as it did last summer. In a triumphant speech on July 4, Biden declared that 245 years ago, we declared our independence from a distant king. Today, were closer than ever to declaring our independence from a deadly virus. He was, however, quick to say that the battle against Covid was far from over: Weve got a lot more work to do. For other older parents, the changes wrought by the pandemic helped clarify their limitations, in ways that were painful even as they brought them something akin to wisdom. Sarah Balcomb, a writer who has a 9-year-old daughter and lives in Lexington, Va., realized that she was permanently done with reproduction the way that Hemingway once described going broke: gradually, and then all at once. Ms. Balcomb, who is 47, had been trying various fertility treatments for years, and, in early 2020, was contemplating a round of I.V.F., which her insurance would cover. But she and her husband adopted a puppy in late March, and the nighttime trips from crate to yard and back gave her visceral flashbacks to the punishing first months of life with a human newborn. On the second night, she said, the sleep deprivation produced a revelation. As she went to answer the puppys whimpers, The weight of all of it came crashing down on me, she said, listing the pandemic, polarized politics, climate change, economic inequality and systemic racism among the reasons. I knew that night it was over. Now, she said, though she has some regrets about her daughter not having a sibling, there is nothing that could change her mind short of a sudden utopia breaking out. Even if we were super-wealthy and could hire full-time help, no thanks. If the planet was miraculously fixed and there was no more war and we were wealthy, well, then. And then there are pandemic divorces. Rates went up across the country after the first year of the pandemic (though its tough to say, of course, if these were pandemic related; the bump could be the result of courts having been largely closed). For the parents of young children who didnt make it through the pandemic with their relationships intact, the prospect of having more children in the future seems much less likely than it once might have. Prosecutors said it appeared to be a chance coincidence. After two men entered an apartment in the Coconut Grove section of Miami on Jan. 17, 1990, and one of them fatally shot a man during a robbery, witnesses and tipsters said the gunman was named Thomas James or Tommy James. That led the police to put a photo of Thomas Raynard James in a lineup, setting in motion a case of mistaken identification that led Mr. James, then 23, to be convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery on Jan. 11, 1991. He was sentenced to life in prison. But Mr. James never gave up trying to prove his innocence. He investigated his case while in prison, and his mother, Doris Strong, knocked on doors, looking for answers, according to Mr. Jamess lawyer, Natlie G. Figgers. On Wednesday, their efforts were finally validated when a judge approved a motion by prosecutors to vacate Mr. Jamess conviction and sentence, setting him free after he had spent more than half of his life over 31 years in prison. If Democrats could bottle Mallory McMorrow, the Michigan state senator who gave a widely viewed speech condemning Republicans push to limit discussions about gender and sexuality in schools, they would do it. McMorrows big moment, which we wrote about on Monday, made her an instant political celebrity on the left. Her Twitter following has rocketed past 220,000. Democrats raising money for state legislative races have already found her to be a fund-raising powerhouse. McMorrows five minutes of fury was so effective, Democrats said, in part because it was so rare. It tapped into a frustration many Democrats feel about their party leaders hesitation to engage in these cultural firestorms, said Wendy Davis, a former Texas lawmaker whose filibuster of an abortion bill in 2013 made her a national political figure. What were fighting for There comes a point when you simply need to stand up and fight back, Davis said. The strategy of not meeting the right wing where they are can only take you so far, she added. I think people have been really hungry to see Democrats pushing back and pushing back strongly, like Mallory did. WASHINGTON For nine weeks, President Biden and the Western allies have emphasized the need to keep the war for Ukraine inside Ukraine. Now, the fear in Washington and European capitals is that the conflict may soon escalate into a wider war spreading to neighboring states, to cyberspace and to NATO countries suddenly facing a Russian cutoff of gas. Over the long term, such an expansion could evolve into a more direct conflict between Washington and Moscow reminiscent of the Cold War, as each seeks to sap the others power. In the past three days, the American secretary of defense has called for an effort to degrade the capability of the Russian military so that it could not invade another country for years to come. The Russians have cut off gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria, which joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after the collapse of the Soviet Union; Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, immediately denounced the move as an instrument of blackmail. Explosions have rocked a disputed area of Moldova, a natural next target for the Russians, and gas depots and even a missile factory in Russia have mysteriously caught fire or come under direct attack from Ukrainian forces. And with increasing frequency, the Russians are reminding the world of the size and power of their nuclear arsenal, an unsubtle warning that if President Vladimir V. Putins conventional forces face any more humiliating losses, he has other options. American and European officials say they see no evidence the Russians are mobilizing their battlefield nuclear forces, but behind the scenes, the officials are already gaming out how they might react to a Russian nuclear test, or demonstration explosion, over the Black Sea or on Ukrainian territory. It was a moment many Colombians thought they would never see. A military general and 10 others acknowledged this week that they had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, testifying at an emotional two-day hearing that was the first of its kind in a special court set up to confront the legacy of Colombias crushing civil war. Seated on a stage at a theater in Ocana, a small city in northern Colombia that was the scene of many of the crimes, the general, nine other military officials and a civilian admitted to orchestrating the killings of at least 120 civilians and trying to pass them off as rebel combatants in a case known as the false positives scandal. The killings, which were used to bolster the countrys argument that it was winning the war, has become one of the most emblematic of the countrys traumatic internal conflict, which dates back to the 1960s. The relatives of the dead many of them the mothers, fathers and siblings of murdered young men have long called for accountability. And many sat on the stage, opposite the accused perpetrators as they spoke. One week. Thirty ballets. Twenty of them new. Seven choreographers. Forty crates of vodka. Innumerable hours of work. New York City Ballets 1972 Stravinsky Festival was an improbable, impractical, financially reckless, creatively extravagant declaration of love and gratitude from the choreographer George Balanchine to the composer Igor Stravinsky, who had died the previous April. The two met in 1925, when Balanchine made a dance to Stravinskys Le Chant du Rossignol for Diaghilevs Ballets Russes. Balanchine would go on to choreograph around 40 works to Stravinskys music, including the masterworks Apollo Agon, Symphony in Three Movements, Violin Concerto and Duo Concertant. The last three were made for the 1972 festival, an outpouring of choreographic brilliance perhaps unmatched in the history of ballet. Balanchine created nine ballets, Jerome Robbins five (they shared duties on Pulcinella), and John Taras, John Clifford, Richard Tanner, Lorca Massine and Todd Bolender all contributed works. On Tuesday, City Ballet begins a two-week celebration of the 50th anniversary of the festival, performing 14 ballets by Balanchine, Robbins and Justin Peck, to Stravinskys music. Most were part of the original festival, or in the case of Pecks two works set to scores used in it, while a new piece, by Silas Farley, is set to a commissioned score by David K. Israel, inspired by an acrostic poem Balanchine wrote for Stravinskys 65th birthday. BOSTON On Oct. 16, 1970, the American painter Philip Guston, who is the subject of a potent and controversial retrospective at the Museum of Fine Arts here, committed career suicide. Or so it seemed. In his late 50s, he was a star of the Abstract Expressionist movement, then still considered the mandarin market style. But that year, he filled a New York gallery not with his signature flickery, emberlike abstractions, but with paintings of goony, cartoonish figures wearing white Ku Klux Klan hoods. Instantly he plummeted from art world grace. Guston had touched a nerve, though not what might have seemed the obvious one. The Klan images themselves werent the primary source of offense; his betrayal of high art was. At a point when the pre-eminence of abstraction was steadily being submerged under the plastic tide of Pop, Guston had joined the polluters. As it has turned out, the work that got him canceled in 1970 ended up cementing his place in the art historical pantheon, where it continues to inspire generations of artists with its critique of racism, anti-Semitism and bigotry. And recently the same work specifically the paintings of Klansmen has been the source of another, different controversy, one that has brought anathema down on the art establishment itself. Podcasting is no longer the fringe medium it was 10 years ago. Nearly 80 percent of Americans are now familiar with podcasts, more than half listen regularly. According to the Podcast Index, more than 600,000 podcast episodes have posted in the last 90 days. Weve moved from what was more of a niche market to a mass market, Courtney Holt, then the Global Head of Podcasts and New Initiatives at Spotify, said during a conversation in November. (Holt announced his departure from Spotify in mid April.) Yet Holt still believed there was space for innovation, citing the uptick in video podcasts and Spotifys adoption of interactive tools like polls. Rachel Ghiazza, the head of U.S. Content at Audible, pointed to recent projects at her company that have extended what an audiobook can be, including an adaptation of Neil Gaimans Sandman comics and Jesse Eisenbergs When You Finish Saving the World. She also mentioned an upcoming show, Breakthrough, Audibles first venture into the competition format. Its a really exciting time, she said. Technologys getting better. The way that were able to listen is becoming more profound. That really opens the doors to different ways to think about and use audio. Back in August, before recording began, Kasey Barrett, the executive producer of Being Studios and a veteran of shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Born This Way, had plenty of questions about how Being Trans would meet this moment. I keep wrapping my head around the fact that we dont have visual signposts, she said. Creatively, how are we going to orient listeners to where they are and who theyre listening to and whats about to happen? Image His Name Is George Floyd: One Mans Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice, by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa (Viking, May 17) Two Washington Post journalists, building on a series of articles, offer a fuller story of Floyds life, setting out to pull back the curtain on the lifetime of striving that had come before, and to understand the heartbeat of the historic movement for civil rights that followed. Image I Kissed Shara Wheeler, by Casey McQuiston (Wednesday Books, May 3) McQuistons earlier novels, Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop, have been celebrated for their focus on queer love stories. Now, in a Y.A. romance, McQuiston explores the lives of high school students in Alabama, beginning with Chloe, who is set on becoming valedictorian and is thrown off-kilter by an unexpected kiss and the romantic entanglements it brings to light. The enormous aid package is twice the size of a provision approved by Congress last month. It would eclipse all the spending by the United States so far on the war and suggests that the White House expects the conflict to drag on for months. There is broad bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for more aid, but it could get tied up in negotiations over other spending measures. Biden said he was also seeking new ways to punish the wealthy tycoons who support President Vladimir Putin of Russia, with proposed legislation that would make it easier to seize their yachts, airplanes and other assets. The proceeds would be used to help Ukraine fight Russia. Increased military aid from the U.S. and its allies is one of several factors contributing to fears that the conflict may escalate into a wider war beyond Ukraines borders. Gas depots and a missile factory in Russia have mysteriously caught fire or come under direct attack from Ukrainian forces in recent days. Britains defense secretary said today that Ukraine would be justified in using Western arms to attack military targets inside Russia, drawing immediate criticism from Kremlin officials. Chinas Covid stimulus plan As Chinas lockdowns continue and new infections continue to spread in Beijing, the central government has laid out a wide-ranging economic stimulus plan to staunch expected losses. The government will subsidize businesses, pausing unemployment insurance payments if companies avoid mass layoffs, as well as electricity and internet charges. Young people graduating from college will be subsidized if they start their own businesses, since few jobs are available. Two large, affluent ports, Shenzhen and Ningbo, have started giving residents gift certificates for shopping and dining, with a total value of $122 million. Nationwide, truck drivers will also receive more permits to bypass Covid roadblocks, and unemployed migrant workers will get government allowances. Whats next: Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, also began planning for accelerated infrastructure investments, a tactic China has historically used to fight economic slowdowns. Though a minority at most nonprofessional workplaces, college-educated workers are playing a key role in propelling them toward unionization, experts say, because the college-educated often feel empowered in ways that others dont. Theres a class confidence, I would call it, said Ruth Milkman, a sociologist of labor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. A broader worldview that encompasses more than getting through the day. While other workers at companies like Starbucks and Amazon are also supportive of unions and sometimes take the initiative in forming them, the presence of the college-educated in these jobs means there is a layer of people who particularly have their antennae up, Ms. Milkman added. There is an additional layer of leadership. That workers who attended college would be attracted to nonprofessional jobs at REI, Starbucks and Amazon is not entirely surprising. Over the past decade, the companies appetite for workers has grown substantially. Starbucks increased its global work force to nearly 385,000 last year from about 135,000 in 2010. Amazons work force swelled to 1.6 million from 35,000 during that period. The companies appeal to affluent and well-educated consumers. And they offer solid wages and benefits for their industries even, for that matter, compared with some other industries that employ the college-educated. More than three years after he earned a political science degree from Siena College in 2017, Brian Murray was making about $14 an hour as a youth counselor at a group home for middle-school-age children. He quit in late 2020 and was hired a few months later at a Starbucks in the Buffalo area, where his wage increased to $15.50 an hour. The starting wage was higher than anything Id ever made, said Mr. Murray, who has helped organize Starbucks workers in the city. Such examples appear to reflect broader economic forces. Data from the past 30 years collected by the economists Jaison R. Abel and Richard Deitz at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that unemployment for recent college graduates shot up to over 7 percent in 2009 and was above 5.3 percent the highest previously recorded as late as 2015. We wish he could stay longer, but we are very proud he made CBS his American home and that this partnership will extend one more season on The Late Late Show, George Cheeks, the president of CBS, said in a statement. Mr. Cordens impending departure is one of the most significant changes for the late-night comedy lineup since 2014 and 2015, when veteran hosts like David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jon Stewart left their shows, and a new generation of stars, including Mr. Corden, Comedy Centrals Trevor Noah and HBOs John Oliver, went on the air. There is a feeling of uncertainty in late night beyond Mr. Cordens departure. Jimmy Kimmel, the longtime ABC host, has a contract that will end soon and has said publicly that he was unsure if he would renew. Stephen Colbert, whose show precedes Mr. Cordens on CBS, also has a contract that expires next year. Chris Licht, the longtime executive producer of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, left last month to become the chairman of CNN. And Jimmy Fallons Tonight Show recently went through yet another showrunner change, the fourth in four years. There are questions throughout the entertainment industry over the longtime viability of the late-night talk show genre. Over the last few years, as viewing habits have rapidly changed, ratings for the shows have nose-dived. Five years ago, roughly 2.8 million people were tuning into Mr. Cordens show as well as NBCs 12:30 a.m. show, Late Night With Seth Meyers. By 2022, that figure had dropped to about 1.9 million, according to Nielsens delayed viewing data. Talk shows which depend on topical relevance and audiences who make it a daily habit to tune in have also not fared well on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. G/O Media, the owner of websites that once belonged to the blog empire Gawker Media, has acquired the business news site Quartz, the latest deal in a wave of consolidation among digital publishers. Zach Seward, a co-founder and the chief executive of Quartz, will stay on at the company as Quartzs editor in chief and general manager, said Jim Spanfeller, the chief executive of G/O Media. The companies declined to disclose the deal price. Mr. Spanfeller said Quartz was an attractive acquisition because of its high-quality global business journalism, which has the potential to lure subscribers and valuable advertisers like the consulting firm Accenture to G/O Media. The company is focused on buying websites that broaden G/Os editorial focus and expand into new categories, Mr. Spanfeller said, and at the top of that list is business journalism. Every year, tens of thousands of people enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans are denied necessary care that should be covered under the program, federal investigators concluded in a report published on Thursday. The investigators urged Medicare officials to strengthen oversight of these private insurance plans, which provide benefits to 28 million older Americans, and called for increased enforcement against plans with a pattern of inappropriate denials. Advantage plans have become an increasingly popular option among older Americans, offering privatized versions of Medicare that are frequently less expensive and provide a wider array of benefits than the traditional government-run program offers. Enrollment in Advantage plans has more than doubled over the last decade, and half of Medicare beneficiaries are expected to choose a private insurer over the traditional government program in the next few years. In Oren Gerners Africa, a son observes as his father tries, futilely, to deny the inexorable advance of old age. Based on the real-life experiences of Gerners family and friends in the Israeli community settlement of Nirit, and starring the directors parents and relatives as themselves, this docu-fictional drama finds Meir, Gerners 68-year-old father, at a painful crossroads. Meir is a reluctant retiree whose fragile pride is shattered when he loses his post as the organizer of the towns annual ceremony to a group of teens. Bristling against a sense of obsolescence, he throws himself into building a bed for his grandson, undeterred by a heart condition that has rendered him frail. When Natalya Vorozhbits modern war drama Bad Roads was selected as the Ukrainian submission for best international feature film for the 94th Academy Awards back in September, it failed to make enough of a dent with Oscar voters to earn a nomination. But times have changed, and the anthology film, playing now in theaters and on virtual cinemas, has garnered renewed attention for its wide release during the ongoing Russian invasion. Viewers looking for precise commentary on current events will be disappointed, though this is hardly Vorozhbits fault. Rather, the four wartime stories in Bad Roads fall short on delivering any meaningful insight into the nature of conflict, relying instead on moments of lackluster tension and shock value that greatly overstay their welcome. Once, movies released on home media came with an ancillary disc holding a catalog of behind-the-scenes extras. Daniel Raims gleefully reverent documentary Fiddlers Journey to the Big Screen has the feeling of such specials, mingling interviews and movie clips to chronicle the making of Norman Jewisons 1971 musical movie and salute its enduring success. Despite his name and a lifelong interest in Judaism, Jewison is Protestant, and he worried that fact would preclude him from directing Fiddler on the Roof. Hollywood proved him wrong. Raim is interested in how Jewison sought to preserve the storys essence while making creative updates, and in doing so Fiddlers Journey touches on issues of Jewish representation but does not interrogate them. HONG KONG Kenneth Tsang, a Hong Kong actor known for his tough-guy supporting roles as cops, crime bosses and kung fu masters, and as a ubiquitous television pitchman for hair dye, died on Wednesday while in hotel quarantine here. He was 87. His death was confirmed by his manager, Andrew Ooi. A cause of death was not immediately reported. Mr. Tsang was undergoing mandatory quarantine as part of the standard requirement for travelers entering Hong Kong from abroad and had tested negative for the coronavirus a day before he was found dead, the public broadcaster RTHK reported. Hong Kong requires most arrivals to spend at least one week in hotel quarantine. Mr. Tsang appeared in more than 200 Hong Kong and Hollywood films. He was often cast as a tough mob boss, a police officer or a military official; his roles included a North Korean general in the 2002 James Bond film, Die Another Day. He also had several roles in the director John Woos films, appearing as an ex-con turned cabdriver in A Better Tomorrow (1986), a police sergeant in The Killer (1989) and a crime boss in The Replacement Killers (1998). His roles in Mr. Woos action films led to opportunities in Hollywood. He was seen in the 2005 period drama Memoirs of a Geisha and the 2001 action comedy Rush Hour 2, in which he played a Hong Kong police captain alongside Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. New York City has canceled one of three homeless shelters it planned to open in Chinatown, amid fierce resistance from Chinatown residents who fear that more homeless shelters will mean a further increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, many of which have been linked to homeless people. The city will no longer open a shelter at 47 Madison Street, which would have housed 49 men. The cancellation comes two days after a community board in a different part of Chinatown passed a resolution asking the city not to open a shelter on Grand Street. That shelter is planned for a site around the corner from where a 35-year-old Asian American woman was murdered in February. The citys decision to drop the Madison Street shelter appeared to be a concession to local complaints that Chinatown is already overburdened. Julia Savel, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeless Services, said in a statement: We have decided to re-site this shelter capacity to an area with fewer services and shelter for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Our goal is always to work with communities to understand their needs. All three planned shelters are of a specialized type known as safe havens or stabilization hotels, which are intended to appeal to people living on the streets. They typically offer more privacy and social services and fewer restrictions than traditional shelters, which can have upward of 20 people sleeping in one room. After leaving the salon, Mr. Light reached out to Mr. Smith, whose videos were going viral. He sent me a cold email out of the blue, Mr. Smith recalled. Hes like, Hey, Im a Black guy and I speak really good Mandarin, and I learned it by working in a hairdressers in Flushing. And Im like: What? Thats crazy! They filmed themselves walking around Flushing together, ordering spicy duck neck and skewers of lamb on the street. At a hair salon (not MG Hair Artistic), Mr. Light, speaking English, asked the barber for a fade. As the buzzer grazed his head, he switched to Mandarin. So, he said, you ever cut a Black guys hair before? That video Black & White Guys Shock Chinese Hair Salon With Perfect Mandarin got 4.2 million views, launching Mr. Lights YouTube career. Within a few months, 100,000 people had subscribed to his channel. Six months later, that number had doubled. Some viewers quibbled with his pronunciation of certain words, or accused him of trafficking in clickbait. But the response was overwhelmingly admiring. Commenters have praised him for breaking down barriers and for his universal message of inclusiveness and positivity. A fan who identified herself as a teacher in Cleveland wrote that shed been showing his videos to her students. The fact that they get to see other POC thriving, speaking other languages has been really cool, she remarked. An estimated 600,000 people speak Yiddish. About a quarter of them live in the metropolitan area, according to Kriszta Eszter Szendroi, a professor in linguistics at University College London. Still, finding a willing Yiddish speaker on the streets of Hasidic Crown Heights, even during Hanukkah, wasnt easy. A guy throwing a yo-yo outside a kosher grocery store looked promising to Mr. Light, but he turned out to be French. A man handing out religious pamphlets spoke Russian. Several members of the neighborhoods Hasidic community suggested that Mr. Light might have more success in Williamsburg, home of the Satmar, a group of Hasidim who famously avoid unnecessary contact with outsiders. The Chabad-Lubavitch of Crown Heights, by contrast, believe they can hasten the coming of the Messiah by bringing secular Jews into the fold. One consequence is that many members come from non-Hasidic backgrounds, and therefore dont generally speak Yiddish. Another consequence, though, is that they welcome opportunities to engage in religious discussion. On the way to Crown Heights, Mr. Light had worried that they might take offense to his presence; if anything, the opposite seemed true. Here was a telegenic young person expressing interest in their culture, potentially in front of thousands, even millions, of viewers. One particularly exuberant man insisted on giving him a tour of the Mitzvah Tank, a truck used to spread the teachings of their late leader, the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. An Israeli yeshiva student lectured him on the Seven Laws of Noah. The Panel for Educational Policy, the governing body of New York City public schools, blocked the citys proposed formula for determining how much money each school should receive a move that will cause the whole system to blow up, said the schools chancellor, David C. Banks. The vote on Wednesday marked the second time the education panel has balked at proposals from Mayor Eric Adamss administration, a sign that it is flexing its independence after two decades of mostly rubber-stamping the mayors policies. The panel failed to pass the formula because of concerns that it did not properly provide funding for certain groups of students, such as those with disabilities and those in shelters. The formula that the panel failed to pass must be approved before $10.5 billion in state and local funds for around 1,500 individual schools can be allocated. The funding accounts for the majority of school budgets across the city, said Lindsey Oates, the chief financial officer for the education department. Around 95 percent of the money goes toward staffing. We are disappointed in the outcome of this vote, and it will potentially delay school budgets and preparations for the upcoming school year, said Nathaniel Styer, a spokesman for the education department. The ruling threw New York politics into chaos and scrambled the national fight for control of the House of Representatives this fall. Any Democrat in New York today who you get on the phone and tells you anything other than this was an unmitigated disaster, is just not telling you the truth, said Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor who helps lead the Republicans national redistricting effort. Democrats had been counting on the new maps in New York to provide as many as three new House seats, offsetting expected Republican gains through redistricting in other states. The final outcome of the 2022 battlefield may still depend on whether Florida courts strike down Republicans new map there as a gerrymander. But for now, Republicans appear poised to best the Democrats nationally for the second consecutive redistricting cycle, making it increasingly difficult for Democrats to hold onto their slim House majority. The situation in New York was even more tenuous. Not only will it take a court-appointed special master weeks to draw new lines significantly scrambling contests that have already been going on for months but election lawyers said on Thursday that they were not certain how the state could even comply with the order and other election-related requirements. For instance, while it at first appeared that primaries for statewide offices like governor and lieutenant governor had not been affected by the ruling, those contests may be called into question, after all. To qualify for the ballot, the State Board of Elections requires candidates for statewide office to collect petitions from voters in multiple congressional districts. No one could immediately say whether those petitions, filed weeks ago, were now invalid. Boy, that could really upend the elections much more than I originally thought, said Jerry H. Goldfeder, a Democratic elections lawyer who wrote a leading textbook on New York election law, as he puzzled through the ruling Thursday morning. Timmy Klein, a lanky, boyish firefighter, had been on the job only three years in January 2019, but he had taken on a solemn task. His comrade at Ladder 170 in Canarsie, Steven Pollard, had died in the line of duty. Mr. Klein told his crew he wanted to write the eulogy. Mr. Klein wrote and rewrote, coming into the firehouse on his days off to consult with his lieutenant. Nervous, on the day of Mr. Pollards funeral, Mr. Klein approached the altar, crossed himself, turned to the lectern and began to speak. I was with Steve the night he passed, he said, choking up as the crowd inside the sanctuary cried. Steven Pollard died not thinking of himself, but trying to help others. We lost a true hero. Three years later, on a bluebird spring day in Brooklyn, Mr. Klein joined that grim roster himself. He was killed on Sunday during a fiery ceiling collapse at a home in Canarsie. A 21-year-old man was also killed in the blaze. President Bidens accusation that Russia is committing genocide resonated with those appalled by the images of apparent slaughter in Bucha, Mariupol and other parts of Ukraine. Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away, Mr. Biden declared, although he later qualified his remarks, recognizing the need for more evidence. Well let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me. It is understandable that Mr. Biden spoke as he did; his use of the term genocide was, at base, an expression of outrage and revulsion. And yet it is unclear whether he recognized the gap between popular conceptions of the words meaning used as it often is as a synonym for mass murder and its more limited legal definition. I wonder, too, if it was a wise choice of words. While there is evidence of genocidal rhetoric and of acts including killings and rape that may reflect genocidal intent on the part of Russia, the practice of international courts tells us to be cautious, that far more will be needed to sustain a case. The word genocide was invented in the context of World War II by the emigre Polish jurist Raphael Lemkin an amalgam of the Greek word genos (tribe or race) and the Latin word cide (killing). A refugee, Dr. Lemkin credited the idea to his student days at the law faculty in the Polish city of Lwow (today Lviv, in western Ukraine, recently subject to attacks from Russia) as a reaction to intergroup strife, with the hope of creating a category of crime under international law to protect groups. The term first appeared in November 1944 in his book Axis Rule, and the following year, because of Dr. Lemkins persistence, it was part of the Nuremberg trial, as an example of a war crime. I understand the desire to coax your children to think and live as you do. I mean, who wants his or her progeny to reject wholesale the values, tastes and beliefs theyve been brought up in? To pick up ideas, frameworks and plans that we disagree with or even find morally repugnant? Im surely hoping that Sasha and her 9-year-old sister, Sandy, follow in my metaphysical footsteps, in one way or another. Ideally, theyll grow up to be polyglot globe-trotters with predilections for spicy food, subtly funky fashion and making new friends. But as long as they dont end up greedy, selfish or the leader of a fascist personality cult (Im looking at you, Sandy), Jean and I will be satisfied. To me, the more hands-off approach is also the more realistic one. It acknowledges that our children are, in some basic sense, beyond our control: not precious innocents to be culturally cocooned, but thinking, feeling, increasingly independent human beings who are busy making up their own minds (and who are anyhow likely carrying around devices that give them unfettered access to billions of ideas and images, without any meaningful controls). I want my kids to read, watch, and listen to what piques their interest, even if I dont like it myself. Sasha loves Attack on Titan, a luridly violent anime series with fascist undertones, and Im fine with that but I worry about my kids watching 90-Day Fiance and becoming Kardashian-curious. They can tell fantasy from reality, but reality TV from reality? Thats trickier. Still, I wont dictate their preferences: I want them to navigate this huge, messy planet on their own, when theyre old enough to and be ready for things not to go their way. Letting go can be scary at times, as a parent, because they will encounter real dangers. Last year, for instance, we had a delightful discussion about what Sasha should do if or, really, when a man exposes himself to her on the New York City subway. This isnt modern liberal parenting; if anything, its old-fashioned. Before the era of helicopter parents, baby boomers raised Gen Xers like me as latchkey kids who made our own snacks and watched TV for hours. We might not have appreciated it at the time, but it bred a self-reliance that I dont know we would otherwise have developed. Id thank the boomers for that, but I doubt it was a conscious parenting decision on their part. More likely, its just how things went in that era of work, school and American culture. They didnt have much choice, just as we dont actually have much choice today, no matter what we tell ourselves. Were all just making do, fixating on those rare opportunities where we can decide, crossing our fingers and hoping we got it right. Most of all, I want my daughters to see clearly, be prepared and trust their training much of it delivered via dinner table discussion like the one we had about skipping school. So far, this strategy is working out. Recently, Sasha and a friend watched an episode of Euphoria, the HBO show about teenagers navigating a world filled with drugs and sex, and she decided it was too grown-up. (Jean and I watched it to understand and decided it was too adult for us as well.) When Russia invaded Ukraine, the idea that it might lose seemed far-fetched. Vladimir Putin appeared to have a powerful, modernized army, supported by a defense budget a dozen times larger than Ukraines. You didnt have to buy into Ted Cruz-style fantasies about the prowess of a military that wasnt woke and emasculated to expect a quick Russian battlefield victory. And even after Ukraines miraculous defeat of Russias initial attack, one had to wonder about the longer-term prospects. Before the war, Russias economy was about eight times bigger than Ukraines; despite the toll that sanctions are taking on Russian production, the destruction in Ukraine wrought by the invasion probably means that the gap is even bigger now. So you might have expected Russia to eventually win a battle of attrition through sheer weight of resources. But that isnt what seems to be happening. Nobody can be sure about the extent to which Putin himself understands how the war is going; are his terrified officials willing to tell him the truth? But the way Russia is lashing out, with dire but vague threats against the West and self-destructive tantrums like Wednesdays cutoff of natural gas flows to Poland and Bulgaria, suggests that at least somebody in Moscow is worried that time is not on Russias side. And U.S. officials are beginning to talk optimistically, not just about holding Russia off, but about outright Ukrainian victory. How can this be possible? The answer is that America, while not directly engaged in combat, is once again doing what it did in the year before Pearl Harbor: We, with help from our allies, are serving as the arsenal of democracy, giving the defenders of freedom the material means to keep fighting. At the time, I was also thinking through the idea of protest and the meaning of sacrifice. In ways that I can now identify as vain and a bit annoying, I did not understand why my friends, many of whom considered themselves political, refused to give up anything for their causes. (I, of course, did very little myself.) I was fascinated by how someone arrived at the decision to choose such a painful end. People who set themselves on fire were not, as far as I could tell, activists who were simply choosing a spectacular form of suicide, but rather people who had made a conscious decision to end their lives for what they believed in. And yet, the act terrified me as much as it was confusing. And I couldnt really understand why the Dalai Lama, who seemed to have the influence to stop these self-immolations, appeared almost ambivalent about them. Around the time I was talking to Topden, the Dalai Lama had said that he saw the self-immolations as a form of nonviolence. In 2017, he told the TV host John Oliver that he could not condemn them because he did not want the families of the people who had died to feel sorrow that their loved one had gone against the Dalai Lamas wishes. (This article from The Brown Political Review looks at his stance.) I generally try to write in moments of discomfort, but before I was supposed to report the story about the Tibetan activist, there was a larger ethical question that I couldnt quite resolve. Most peoples knowledge of self-immolation begins and ends with the famous photo of Thich Quang Duc, the South Vietnamese monk who burned himself alive in Saigon in 1963 to protest religious persecution by the government of Ngo Dinh Diem. This image captivated the world and inspired other monks in South Vietnam to follow suit. International media coverage continued, including a dispatch written by a young David Halberstam. Since then, the consensus has been that people self-immolate to shock the public into global outrage over an injustice, or, in Wynn Bruces case, an impending catastrophe. This, of course, requires media attention. Over a series of conversations with my editor at the time, I realized that by writing a story about self-immolation, I might inspire someone to do it. It didnt matter that much of the scholarship on Tibetan self-immolation seemed to suggest that international attention wasnt the only motivating factor. As long as the possibility existed, I did not feel comfortable writing the story, and so I let it go. My thoughts about self-immolation receded until 2017, when Aijalon Gomes, a 38-year-old man who had fallen on hard times, was found burned in a park in San Diego. Police werent sure whether he had lit himself on fire by accident or had self-immolated. Over the next 50 years, climate change will drive thousands of viruses to jump from one species of mammal to another, according to a study published in Nature on Thursday. The shuffling of viruses among animals may increase the risk that one will jump into humans and cause a new pandemic, the researchers said. Scientists have long warned that a warming planet may increase the burden of diseases. Malaria, for example, is expected to spread as the mosquitoes that carry it expand their range into warming regions. But climate change might also usher in entirely new diseases, by allowing pathogens to move into new host species. We know that species are moving, and when they do, theyre going to have these chances to share viruses, said Colin Carlson, a biologist at Georgetown University and a co-author of the new study. To understand what that sharing will look like, Dr. Carlson and his colleagues built a computer model of potential spillovers in a warming world. The researchers started by projecting how thousands of mammals might shift their ranges as the climate changes between now and 2070. Dont judge a book by its cover. Dont judge a dog by its breed. After conducting owner surveys for 18,385 dogs and sequencing the genomes of 2,155 dogs, a group of researchers reported a variety of findings in the journal Science on Thursday, including that for predicting some dog behaviors, breed is essentially useless, and for most, not very good. For instance, one of the clearest findings in the massive, multifaceted study is that breed has no discernible effect on a dogs reactions to something it finds new or strange. This behavior is related to what the nonscientist might call aggression and would seem to cast doubt on breed stereotypes of aggressive dogs, like pit bulls. One thing pit bulls did score high on was human sociability, no surprise to anyone who has seen internet videos of lap-loving pit bulls. Labrador retriever ancestry, on the other hand, didnt seem to have any significant correlation with human sociability. This is not to say that there are no differences among breeds, or that breed cant predict some things. If you adopt a Border collie, said Elinor Karlsson of the Broad Institute and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, an expert in dog genomics and an author of the report, the probability that it will be easier to train and interested in toys is going to be higher than if you adopt a Great Pyrenees. But for any given dog you just dont know on average, breed accounts for only about 9 percent of the variations in any given dogs behavior. And no behaviors were restricted to any one breed, even howling, though the study found that behavior was more strongly associated with breeds like Siberian huskies than with other dogs. The city of Redmond, Wash., has reached a $7.5 million settlement with the family of a woman who was fatally shot in her apartment building in September 2020 by a police officer who responded to her 911 call for help. The City Council in Redmond, a city of about 73,000 people across Lake Washington from Seattle, voted to approve the settlement at a special meeting on Tuesday, according to the Police Department and a lawyer for the victim, Andrea Thomas Churna. The lawyer, Kim Zak, said that the settlement agreement, which was reached as the family was preparing to file a lawsuit, showed that the Police Department made errors in how it handled Ms. Churnas call. Ms. Churna, 39, called 911 from her apartment on the night of Sept. 20, 2020, and told emergency dispatchers that she thought someone was trying to kill her, according to an audio recording provided by Ms. Zak. She was worried that a stalker was trying to get her because she had had a bad experience with an ex-boyfriend before, and thats what she was afraid of, Ms. Zak said. Across large swaths of California, brown lawns are making a comeback. Southern California officials this week announced new water conservation rules, including forbidding millions of households from turning on their sprinklers more than once a week. These restrictions, among the harshest ever imposed in the Golden State, reflect just how dire our states drought has become. I want to stress how critical this is: The amount of water we have available to us right now is not going to be enough to carry us through the entire year unless we do something different, Adel Hagekhalil, the general manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said at a news briefing on Wednesday. This is a wake-up call. Despite heavy showers in December and a refresher in April, the bulk of Californias wet season was unusually rain-free. Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a 15 percent voluntary reduction in residential water use, but were far from reaching that goal. The bureau said on Monday that there were 2,550 horses in Canon Citys dusty maze of corrals just a few hundred shy of its 3,000 maximum. Steven Hall, a spokesman for the bureau, said on Thursday that the facility would remain under quarantine as long as necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. Most of the horses affected by the disease were removed last year from a swath of sage-dotted mesas in northwestern Colorado known as the West Douglas Herd Area, officials said. That roundup was done to protect the health of the horses, the rangeland and public land from overuse by excess horses, the bureau said. At the time, a portion of the herd was tested for a potentially fatal virus called equine infectious anemia, which can spread through fly bites. Though all the tests were negative, the West Douglas horses were temporarily kept separate from other horses, according to the bureau. This is the first situation that Im aware of that so many horses died so quickly and so suddenly, Scott Beckstead, director of campaigns for the Center for a Humane Economy, a nonprofit animal welfare organization, said on Wednesday. Mr. Beckstead said he thought the outbreak was an indication that the conditions in the holding facilities were too crowded and filthy. Weve seen photographs of the horses at Canon City, he said. Its cramped. The horses are standing closely together. Its just a perfect environment for disease to spread. Suzanne Roy, executive director for the American Wild Horse Campaign, said in a statement on Wednesday that the bureau was putting the animals in harms way. These are not livestock, she said. They are an iconic and federally protected wildlife species. Ms. Roy also called for a full investigation into the bureaus off-range wild horse holding system. The Bureau of Land Management oversees about 245 million acres of public lands, mostly in the West, and has been overseeing wild horses and burros since they were protected by federal law in 1971. COLUMBUS, Ohio Six years after former President Donald J. Trump paved his way to the White House on nativist and xenophobic appeals to white voters, the 2,000-mile dividing line between Mexico and the United States has once again become a fixation of the Republican Party. But the resurgence of the issue on the right has come with a new twist: Republican leaders and candidates are increasingly claiming without basis that unauthorized immigrants are gaining access to the ballot box. Voter fraud is exceptionally rare, and allegations that widespread numbers of undocumented immigrants are voting have been repeatedly discredited. Yet that fabricated message capitalizing on a concocted threat to advance Mr. Trumps broader lie of stolen elections is now finding receptive audiences in more than a dozen states across the country, including several far from the U.S.-Mexico border. In Macomb County, Mich., where Republicans are fiercely split between those who want to investigate the 2020 election and those who want to move on, many voters at the county G.O.P. convention this month said they feared that immigrants were entering the country illegally, not just to steal jobs but also to steal votes by casting fraudulent ballots for Democrats. John DiStaso, a longtime New Hampshire political reporter who scrutinized a fresh crop of presidential candidates every four years, grilled them on the debate stage and analyzed their foibles and their prospects, died on April 21 in Manchester, N.H. He was 68. The cause was complications of pancreatic cancer, said his wife, Diane DiStaso. Mr. DiStaso began his reporting career in 1980 with the New Hampshire Union Leader, the states largest newspaper. He was writing a weekly political column by 1982, rose to become the papers senior political reporter and before long was regarded given his stature and the newspapers reach and influence as the dean of the states political press corps. For the last seven years, he reported for WMUR, the only commercial television station in New Hampshire. He covered 11 presidential campaigns and was preparing to cover his 12th. He often served as a panelist on nationally televised primary debates and was known for his tough questioning and for not letting candidates off the hook. For the last 40 years, anyone wanting to be president of the United States would have to face John DiStaso first, Adam Sexton, the political director of WMUR, said in a televised tribute to him. WMUR is sometimes called the most influential local television outlet in the country because of the hours it devotes to presidential candidates, who in turn fuel the station with millions of dollars in spending on political ads. The organizational capacity of the Democratic Party in northwest Ohio is the organizational capacity of organized labor, and organized labor is much diminished, he said. Now were at the endgame. The state legislature lopped off the tail of Ms. Kapturs oddly drawn district along Lake Erie nicknamed the Snake on the Lake then extended it west through rural Ohio to the Indiana border. That, Professor Broxmeyer said, signaled that Republicans are coming for the last Democrat. It was not that long ago, 2012, that Barack Obama won Ohios union families, 61 percent to Mitt Romneys 37 percent. But Mr. Trump took 54 percent of those same voters in 2016, then 55 percent in 2020. While on the coasts, prognosticators fret over the former presidents continued hold on the Republican Party, in northwest Ohio, the partys embrace of Trump-era protectionism, immigration exclusion and anti-environmentalism is cheered heartily. A lot of those union workers, theyre not happy with their unions right now, said Craig Riedel, a state representative running in the Republican primary to challenge Ms. Kaptur. They realize that a lot of those union bosses, theyre part of the Democratic machine, and oftentimes, theyre looking at a political outlook of their unions that is in disalignment with their own. Union leaders agree that it is becoming much more difficult to paper over disagreements between local Democrats and their national party when Trump-aligned Republican candidates are using the same anti-China, anti-trade rhetoric that Ohio Democrats use. Erika White, president of the Communications Workers of America local in northwest Ohio, said Mr. Trump had given voice to the anger of white workers, even if he did not deliver on his promises. Ms. White, who is Black, said she spends much of her time listening to the frustrations of the white men who make up about half of her union. Tribal leaders talked about how the law would give them a chance to connect communities with broadband and ensure they had clean drinking water. A Kwethluk city employee waited to give the senator a handout describing a port project, while another village official asked for help with a broken washateria, first built in 1975, that had left them without running water since Christmas. And then there were the constituents who wanted a brief word about Ms. Murkowskis work in Washington. Deventia Townsend, 62, a retired Army veteran and registered Democrat, had come to the forum with his wife, Charlene, to see if they could get help with some home repairs. But when he saw Ms. Murkowski, he stopped her to express his gratitude for her vote for Judge Jackson. She has so much courage, Mr. Townsend said of the senator. She votes from her heart. Later, at a pizza party at a local bar to benefit her campaign, Ms. Murkowski talked to supporters about her friendship with Mr. Manchin and long-gone titans of the Senate in both parties, name-dropping former Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii and quoting former Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska as she recalled a bygone era when camaraderie and common purpose tempered partisanship on Capitol Hill. Perhaps her own candidacy could prove there was still hope for that kind of politics. Youve got to demonstrate that there are other possibilities, that there is a different reality and maybe it wont work, Ms. Murkowski said in the interview. Maybe I am just completely politically naive, and this ship has sailed. But I wont know unless we unless I stay out there and give Alaskans the opportunity to weigh in. Kitty Bennett contributed research. WASHINGTON Dividing 6 to 3 along ideological lines, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that victims of discrimination that is forbidden by four federal statutes may not sue if the only harm was emotional distress. The case concerned Jane Cummings, a Texas woman who is deaf and communicates primarily in American Sign Language. In 2016, she sought treatment for chronic back pain at Premier Rehab Keller, a physical therapy facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, asking it to provide a sign language interpreter at her appointments. The facility refused, saying Ms. Cummings could communicate with her therapist using notes, lip reading or gestures. She sued under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Affordable Care Act, both of which ban facilities receiving federal funds as Premier Rehab Keller had from discriminating on the basis of disability. A federal judge found that the only injuries Ms. Cummings had suffered were humiliation, frustration and emotional distress and ruled that the laws she invoked did not allow suits for such emotional harm. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, affirmed that ruling. WASHINGTON The House on Thursday overwhelmingly passed legislation that would allow President Biden to use a World War II-era law to quickly supply weapons to Ukraine on loan, sending the measure to Mr. Bidens desk hours after he urged Congress to approve tens of billions of dollars worth of additional emergency aid for Kyiv. The 417-to-10 vote to invoke an extraordinary, eight-decade-old law created to battle Hitler reflected a growing bipartisan sense of urgency in Congress to bolster the Ukrainian military as it digs in for an ugly and protracted artillery war in the south and east of the country. The Senate passed the legislation unanimously this month. Passage of that act enabled Great Britain and Winston Churchill to keep fighting and to survive the fascist Nazi bombardment until the United States could enter the war, said Representative Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland. President Zelensky has said that Ukraine needs weapons to sustain themselves, and President Biden has answered that call. The legislation invokes the Lend-Lease Act of 1941, originally proposed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help arm British forces battling Germany. The legislation allowed the president to lease or lend military equipment to any foreign government whose defense the president deems vital to the defense of the United States. A prestigious national academic group charged on Thursday that North Carolinas legislature had politically interfered with the operations of the University of North Carolina for more than a decade, creating a hostile academic and racial climate at its campuses, including the flagship in Chapel Hill. A report by the American Association of University Professors details how Republican lawmakers, after taking over the General Assembly in 2010, wrested control of the university systems Board of Governors as well as the trustees of its 17 individual campuses, influencing chancellor appointments and closing academic centers dedicated to fighting poverty, pollution and social injustice. After reviewing the tensions surrounding the toppling of the Confederate soldier statue at Chapel Hill known as Silent Sam, as well as the decision-making around a job offer to the New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, the report concludes that racism is institutionalized in the system. In a state that is about 20 percent Black, 5 percent of U.N.C. faculty members are Black. Responding to the report, Kimberly van Noort, the university systems senior vice president, said it was a relentlessly grim portrayal of one of the nations strongest, most vibrant, and most productive university systems, and impossible to square with the thriving campuses. She listed accomplishments including lowered tuition, improved graduation rates among low-income and minority students, and investments in six historically minority-serving institutions. The end of a brutal civil war in 1992 ushered in a new force of lawlessness in El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America: gangs that took hold after the United States deported thousands of Salvadorans back to the country, many of whom had built criminal networks in Los Angeles. The gangs fueled a cycle of bloodshed that deepened frustration with a political system that could not deliver lasting peace. Now many Salvadorans have embraced a young leader with an authoritarian bent who, at least temporarily, has given them the stability that has proved elusive. Mr. Bukele, the 40-year-old Salvadoran president, has become one of the worlds most popular leaders. His supporters say thats largely because of the swift decline in gang violence since he assumed office in 2019, as well as his management of the pandemic, during which he kept many afloat with food handouts. Analysts and U.S. government officials believe that violence has only diminished because of a secret truce between gangs and the government, something Mr. Bukele denies. And critics have grown alarmed at the presidents systematic efforts to subvert the countrys brittle institutions and consolidate ever more power into his own hands. His party summarily removed five Supreme Court judges and dismissed an attorney general who was investigating the administration, while relentlessly attacking the media and advocacy groups. SEOUL Two South Koreans have been arrested on charges of stealing military secrets on behalf of a suspected North Korean spy agent who paid them in cryptocurrency, the police said on Thursday. A 38-year-old executive at a cyber-currency company met the agent through an online cryptocurrency community six years ago and has been paid $600,000 in cryptocurrency since February last year to work for him, the South Korean national police said. Together, the executive and the agent tried to hack into the South Korean militarys command communication system, but failed. They succeeded, however, in recruiting a 29-year-old South Korean military officer, who helped steal classified military data by taking pictures with a smartphone, the police said. The police did not provide details about the stolen data, but said that the officer was paid about $38,000 in cryptocurrency by the agent. The two South Koreans were arrested earlier this month and now face criminal charges of breaking the countrys National Security Act. The South Korean police said they could not arrest the agent, who was operating from abroad, but said that they believed he was a hacker working for the North Korean government. My visit is the manifestation of our joint will to start a new period of cooperation as two brotherly countries with historic, cultural and humane ties, he said. Turkey this month granted a Saudi request to transfer the trial in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, a move that shut down the last case that rights activists hoped would further clarify how the murder took place. He was killed in 2018 by Saudi agents inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, and the transfer of the trial was most likely a prerequisite for Mr. Erdogans visit. Sinan Ulgen, a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe who studies Turkish foreign policy, said the visit came after others aimed at improving Turkeys ties with regional countries. Mr. Erdogan visited the United Arab Emirates, a close Saudi ally, in February, and received President Isaac Herzog of Israel in Turkey in March. The visit to Saudi Arabia most likely came later because the issue of the Turkish trial of the suspects in the Khashoggi murder case had to be resolved first, Mr. Ulgen said. It is Erdogan bowing to pressure by the Saudis for the sake of normalization of the relationship, he said. 27 years before the 1992 Riots, the journalist Walter Thompson covered the 1965 Watts Riots. Looking back through his reporting notebook, Thompsons grandson considers what did and didnt change between the two events. By Walter Thompson-Hernandez My aunt Elisa affectionately known in our family as Tia Licha got off work at Nimitz Middle School in Huntington Park an hour before she picked me up from school in the same neighborhood. It was Wednesday, April 29, 1992, her 34th birthday. By the time she locked the textbook room behind her and walked to the employee parking lot that afternoon, there were dark clouds forming to our west. No rain, Tia Licha overheard someone shout before opening their car door. No rain. Probably just a fire or something. When we arrived home, Bear, a retired World War II veteran and the last white man on our block, sat on his front porch. A battery-powered radio played faintly while he watched us walk from across the street. After making brief eye contact with him, I quickly lowered my head. It had been a little over a week since two neighborhood friends and I threw grapefruits in the direction of his home. When more Mexican families began moving into the City of Perfect Balance, as Huntington Park was called, Bear chose hostility. He yelled at my friends and me for running in front of his house or for building our lowrider model cars on the sidewalk. The adults in the neighborhood engaged in shouting matches with him. We kids threw fruit from our parents trees lemons, oranges, grapefruit at his home, clogging his storm drains and shattering his windows. Bear was a vestige of Huntington Parks past. Like other cities in Southeast Los Angeles County, Huntington Park was created for white working-class families in the early 20th century. The short distance to Downtown Los Angeles, close access to a once thriving Pacific Electric Railway system and a five-block stretch of shops on Pacific Boulevard made the area attractive. Top image: Walter Thompson-Hernandezs grandfather, Walter Thompson, writing at his home in Oakland, Calif., date unknown. Directly above: Walters second birthday party in 1987 at his childhood home in Huntington Park. From left: his aunt Tia Licha; his grandmother Elisa Hernandez; his mother, Eleuteria; Walter; and his aunt Mercedes. The 1965 Watts Riots also called the Rebellion, or Uprising, by some historians in order to emphasize the riots political dimensions changed that. When L.A.P.D. officers stopped 21-year old Marquette Frye near his mothers house in the Watts neighborhood on suspicion of drunken driving on Aug. 11, the neighborhood was already a tinderbox. Intense racial segregation in housing, schooling and employment kept Black citizens confined to neighborhoods to the west of Alameda Street, known in those days as the cotton curtain. Alameda was a de facto line in the sand that demarcated the eastern border between Black Los Angeles and more lucrative jobs and better schools in cities like Huntington Park. Wanton police violence, meanwhile, was a persistent menace. Rumors that the police had attacked Fryes mother was one insult too many, and the resulting riots lasted six days. More than 600 buildings were damaged; more than 30 people died; the city suffered roughly $200 million in property damage. The destruction spurred white families in Southeast L.A. County to leave for places like Orange County and the San Fernando Valley. When property values began to decline, newly arrived Mexican families like my own pooled their money together and purchased homes, forming beachheads for others. On Aug. 12, my grandfather Walter Thompson one of the few Black staff writers at The Oakland Tribune drove down to Watts to report on the riot. He kept a small brown notepad in which he described what he saw and heard: Watts residents clinging to the chain-link fences that separated their homes from the chaos of the riot; National Guardsmen returning fire at unseen assailants; a resident advising him to find shelter elsewhere every hotel in the neighborhood, my grandfather wrote, having burned down. Most of all, he described a black smoke emanating from burning structures across the area. What he witnessed was a direct response to a state of socioeconomic misery that had plagued the community for decades. The unrest that spread through Los Angeles 27 years later was, in part, a function of rage at the same privations. A Los Angeles Times editorial 23 years after Watts noted, Serious crime, drug addiction and gang violence did not begin to rise rapidly until after the mid-1960s, and did not begin to reach catastrophic proportions until the mid-1970s. The people who rioted in 1992 were the offspring of that history of abandonment. Looking back on that night, I feel as if Huntington Park and its surrounding communities were stuck in an vicious loop. With every hour that passed, our neighborhood collapsed into a version of itself that it hadnt experienced since August 1965. Business owners shut their doors, nailing pieces of plywood against their windows in hopes of deterring the looters heading toward the brand-name stores on Pacific Boulevard. The skies became tinted with the same blend of azure and pebble gray that my grandfather described that August. Ive always wondered what my grandfather felt when he reported on the violence. What did it do to his psyche to see crowds of Black men and women running through the streets, fleeing the guns and violence of the National Guard? How did seeing Watts residents resort to violence change him? His notes are terse and objective in tone, serving more as a historical archive than a window into his spirit. Every time I read through them, I am left to wonder where his emotional compass steered him that night. But amid the weathered ink, there is one moment that resonates: When my grandfather drove back to Oakland after spending two weeks in Watts, he used the word finality to describe what he had seen, an irrevocable sense that something had come to an end. The experience of living through the 1992 riots produced a similar sense in my mind. Finality is part of what my mother and I experienced when we left Huntington Park in the summer of 1992. A month after the riots turned the sky gray, my family and I celebrated my birthday at the Olive Garden. It was the first time we celebrated two birthdays, my aunts and mine. I was 7. It was a special night, and I was surrounded by the adults who cared for me: my mother, Tia Licha, Tio Eve, Tia Meche and Tio Lulo. It would, however, be the last time I celebrated in Huntington Park. Frustrated and fearful of what further violence the deprivations of life in South Los Angeles would cause, my mother revealed that we would be moving to the Westside at the end of the summer. She boasted about the prestigious elementary school I had been accepted to on U.C.L.A.s campus, and an apartment that had opened up in a graduate housing complex. Walter outside his childhood home in Huntington Park in 1986, with his mother and grandmother. The 1992 riots ultimately led to quick and slow deaths all across the city. More than 60 people were killed over the course of five days. Thousands of people were critically injured. A slew of first-generation business owners lost their livelihoods. I became a part of a generation of young people whose neighborhoods were scarred. Like the communities that were irreparably damaged and abandoned after the riots, our connection to the South Los Angeles of our youth was marked by a slow, aching death. In my case, my body and memory were sundered from the place I called home. I remember that while the adults continued to watch the chaos that night on television, my friends and I met outside to play. The adults retreated into their homes, but the street was filled with children who came out to see the smoke disappear into the night sky. We yelled long into the night and raced one another through the empty streets until the lights came on. We were freer than we had ever been unaware of the lasting effects of the smoke in the sky. As my grandfather wrote in 1965, children are the fearless ones, always too young to recognize disaster. Walter Thompson-Hernandez is a writer and filmmaker in Los Angeles. His forthcoming memoir, We Were Boys, is set to be published by William Morrow in 2023. MUSCAT, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from China and Oman pledged on Thursday to further promote their strategic partnership and boost military cooperation. They made the pledge during a meeting between Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe in Muscat, capital of Oman. Noting that Oman and China enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, Shihab bin Tarik hailed the fruitful results of the Oman-China cooperation achieved in recent years in economy, trade, energy and other areas, adding that he believed that Wei's visit would further promote the bilateral strategic partnership. Oman, which pursues a foreign policy of developing friendly relations with all countries and is keenly aware of the complex factors behind many hotspot issues in the region, expected China to play a bigger role in regional and international affairs, the Omani official said. He lauded the two militaries for having carried out practical cooperation in equipment and personnel training in recent years, while calling for expanding the areas of cooperation so as to further push forward the bilateral military ties. For his part, the Chinese defense minister said that China is Oman's sole strategic partner, which fully demonstrates the uniqueness of the China-Oman relations. Under the guidance and care of their heads of state, China and Oman have witnessed a continuous and in-depth development in their bilateral relations, said Wei, while highlighting China's support for Oman in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and social stability. He also raised concerns about the interference from certain major countries in Middle Eastern affairs, which jeopardizes the stability and security in the region. China appreciates Oman's unique and positive role in promoting the political settlement of regional issues, said Wei, adding that China stands ready to work with Oman to enrich the bilateral strategic partnership and expand friendly cooperation in all areas. Calling the Omani military an important cooperative partner of the Chinese military, Wei said that the Chinese military is willing to work with its Omani counterpart to raise the level of cooperation in joint drills, military technology, logistics support, and personnel training. Also on Thursday, Wei held meetings with Omani Minister of the Royal Office Sultan bin Mohammed al Nomani and Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, during which the two sides had in-depth exchange of views on the regional and international security situations, bilateral military ties, and the Ukraine issue. Brooke Hovey BCW promotes Brooke Hovey as global president. Hovey previously served as BCWs interim President of North America, as well as global chief growth officer. In her new position, she will report to BCWs global CEO, Donna Imperato, and work with teams across all regions to further develop, operationalize and scale the agencys core services. Brookes achievements in running practices, offices and, most recently, our largest region, have paved the way for her to continue to partner with me at the highest level, said Imperato. Marie De Varenne FINN Partners named Maria De Varenne, who was executive editor of the Tennessean from 2011 until 2021, senior partner. During her tenure at the Tennessean, De Varenne oversaw a multi-media newsroom with a staff of more than 100 in seven offices in Middle Tennessee. She previously served in positions including editor and VP of News at the Press-Enterprise (Southern California) and assistant managing editor at the San Bernardino County Sun (California). In her new post, De Varenne will be responsible for overseeing earned media strategy and content across print and digital channels for the companys clients throughout the Southeast. We know Marias talents and perspective will be invaluable in helping us navigate a rapidly changing media marketplace on behalf of those we represent, said FINN Partners managing partner southeast Beth S. Courtney. Doug Zanger Salient MG brings on former Martin Agency director Doug Zanger as SVP of brand, creative and content. Zanger has also served as an editor at Adweek and The Drum. At Salient MG, he is tasked with leading SMG's industry/content professionals as the firm positions itself to grow its content and creative practice. "Zanger brings almost 30 years of global brand thought leadership and storytelling experience to SMG. This helps our clients lean into their visions and position themselves as their industry's leaders," said SMG founder/CEO Mack McKelvey. Nina Prybula CG Life, which works with life science and healthcare clients, hires Nina Prybula as vice president of client services. Prybula most recently served as vp of client services at MERGE, and she has also held senior roles at The Sandbox Agency, InTouch Solutions, and AbelsonTaylor. In her new position, Prybulas primary responsibilities will be to drive integrated marketing and brand strategies for CG Lifes clients, strengthen agency teams through leadership and mentoring, and innovate new ways to help its clients reach their business objectives. Ninas record of tireless commitment and proven success in pharmaceutical marketing speaks for itself, said CG Life managing partner Erik Clausen. MMGY NJF signs on with London & Partners and American Queen Voyages. For London & Partners, which is Londons international trade, investment and promotion agency, the agency is tasked with generating buzz through the promotion of the Lets Do London US campaign, encouraging travelers to visit London now, while also drawing attention to the Platinum Jubilee year and celebrations. MMGY NJF will serve as PR agency of record for American Queen Voyages, drawing attention to the companys river cruises and working to launch its Lakes & Oceans and Expedition itineraries. Other additions to the agencys roster include Apple Leisure Group, Marival Resorts and Montauk Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. J/PR is named agency of record for the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. J/PR will be handling North American PR for the 422-room property, which is set to unveil a complete renovation this summer. The hotel will also be launching an upscale Italian American eatery, The Americano, by celebrity chef Scott Conant, and a state-of-the-art luxury Ila Spa. The agency is also handling North American PR and social media for Rise Nation, which offers vertical climbing workouts. The company has just opened its first NYC studio and is about to open its first Chicago location. Amendola Communications is selected to manage PR, media relations and thought leadership for Iris Telehealth, which provides telepsychiatry services for community mental health centers, community health centers, hospitals, and health systems across the US. Amendolas efforts will be focused on showcasing Iris Telehealths value proposition, services, accomplishments, customer wins, and industry partnerships. The agency kicked off the relationship by supporting the company's recent Series B funding. "We're teaming up with Amendola Communications to drive awareness of our unique value to the healthcare market and our mission of supporting the mental wellbeing of patient populations that need it most, said Iris Telehealth chief marketing officer Dan Ferris. AFTER being delayed for two years due to Covid, a large plaque was finally unveiled in the village of Moneygall on Sunday evening last by Dunkerrin Parish History Society to remember the men and women of the parish who were active in the struggle for independence between 1916 and 1923. On behalf of the Society, Pat Sheedy welcomed the large attendance who witnessed the unveiling by ninety-year old Sean Kenny, who knew many of the generation involved. Guest speaker, local author and historian, Sean Hogan, emphasised the importance of remembering the generation which were central to Irelands Decade of Revolution a hundred years ago. They saw the evacuation of 3,000 members of the British Crown Forces from Tipperary one hundred years ago and gave us that most precious thing - our democratic state in which we now live, he said. This wonderful Comoradh Chogadh Na Saoirse plaque is a permanent reminder to future generations of the sacrifices which that great generation made and how we need to cherish and protect their achievements he said. It is especially important to see that generation of young women being recognised here, as women had such critical roles and had to undertake so much of the work normally undertaken by young men who were on the run. They were also the ones left at home who had to face the much-feared raids of Crown Forces including Black and Tans and Auxiliaries he said. A number of individuals from Dunkerrin parish, like Bill Hoolan and Jack Collison, had central roles in the development of Sinn Fein and its related organisations which changed the course of Irish history. However, Hogan emphasised that it was the every day work of a broad swathe of men and women in the parish, led by local company captain James Toohey, which underpinned the dramatic political change which occurred. Several were imprisoned because of their activities and many families suffered severe hardships. The hills over Moneygall were the main base of the North Tipperarys IRA Active Service Unit or Flying Column. The Column was formed and did their initial training in Moneygall parish and returned there frequently to what they regarded as a safe space. Five men from the parish served in the Column and it was led by Moneygall man Jack Collison in 1921. Supporting the presence of twenty to thirty young men and maintaining their security was a huge trans-generational community effort, he said. Hogan recalled all those killed in the incidents in the parish in both the War of Independence (George Frend, Michael Kennedy and Jack OLeary) and the Civil War which followed. He highlighted the tragedy of the deaths of two young men from the parish who had fought on the same side at the Modreeny ambush in June 1921, but were killed on opposite sides in the Civil War which followed. Jack Collison, an officer in the newly formed National Army was fatally wounded in July 1922 in Laois and his neighbour and former comrade Joe Mangan was killed in an encounter between that same National Army and the Anti-Treaty IRA in Silvermines early in 1923. Two other National Army soldiers from Roscrea, Patrick Byrne and John Gunning, were killed in the parish also. Hogan commended the Dunkerrin Parish History Society on their initiative in commissioning the plaque which was provided by Tim Ryan, Monumental Sculptor in Roscrea. As well as the Societys annual programme of lectures, he said the publication of three volumes of parish history since 2018 is a vital step in achieving the objective of appropriate historical remembering of that great generation and the individuals from Dunkerrin parish. Sean Hogan is author of the The Black and Tans in North Tipperary Policing, Revolution and War 1913 1922. He is a member of the Tipperary in the Decade of Revolution Group of historians who, despite covid restrictions, have staged twelve events at various locations in Tipperary to create awareness of specific incidents of the War of Independence. The Group, which operates under the banner of Remembering and Sharing our Tipperary History is non-political and non-partisan in outlook and is dedicated to remembering the persons involved and affected appropriately and with the respect they deserve for what they have given us. The Taoiseach said voters want politicians to return to power sharing after the Northern Ireland Assembly elections. Speaking at an Irish parliamentary committee this morning (April 28), the Taoiseach urged political parties to work collectively after the election. Voters will go to the polls in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections on May 5. There has been speculation that Sinn Fein could emerge as the largest political party in the Assembly. There are also concerns that the DUP may refuse to return to power sharing amid ongoing opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol and the response of the UK Government to post-Brexit arrangements for the region. Micheal Martin was addressing the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, where he appeared to discuss his Governments shared island project to boost cross-border ties on the island. Next week, the people of Northern Ireland will vote to provide a new democratic mandate for the devolved power-sharing institutions at Stormont, he said. It is vital for the future of Northern Ireland and for relationships on these islands that the political parties take their mandates from the Assembly elections and move quickly to form a new Executive That is what the people of Northern Ireland want. This is a moment for political leaders to live up to the commitments of the Good Friday Agreement, which is overwhelmingly supported by people across this island. Martin also took the opportunity to express concern over the impact Brexit and the protocol have had on the peace process in Northern Ireland. The post-Brexit settlement for Northern Ireland has dominated politics in the region in recent years, amid unionist and loyalist outcry at the creation of new checks on some goods moving across the Irish Sea from Great Britain. The Fianna Fail leader, for whom the shared island initiative is something of a personal passion, called for political leadership to move beyond the ongoing tensions over Brexit. Political leadership by all with a role and responsibility is also fundamental in getting beyond the issues around Brexit and the protocol that have hindered the peace process over the last six years. We need to return the focus to working collectively to support progress and prosperity for all in Northern Ireland and across this island, and to realising the opportunities in our societal, economic, cultural and political relationships through the framework of the Good Friday Agreement. These are the Governments objectives and responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. Martin and his Government have committed a total of 3.5 billion for all-island, cross-border investment over the coming decade. Areas for co-operation include healthcare, education and tourism, as well as transport and biodiversity. The Taoiseach said the aim is to deepen north-south and east-west relationships. He spoke of good engagement with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson as well as politicians in Northern Ireland on the issue. The Government wants to see a deepening of beneficial co-operation and societal connections on the island, in all areas, he told the committee. Protesters have called for the complete independence of the new National Maternity Hospital to ensure womens health services remain secular. Demonstrators have raised concerns about the legal framework surrounding the workings of the new hospital that was recently approved by the HSE. Particular concerns regarding the legal ownership of the site at St Vincents University Hospital have been flagged. The protesters say that there should be no religious involvement in Irelands new national maternity hospital. Protesting outside the FF Women's Health Conference calling for a publicly-owned and secular #NationalMaternityHospital. We've been invited in to hear what the Minister for Health as to say about future of women's healthcare. pic.twitter.com/kBYSCTI6WJ Layla Wade (@laylawade__) April 28, 2022 The planned relocation of the hospital from Dublins Holles Street to a site at Elm Park alongside St Vincents Hospital, as well as its governance and ownership has been the subject of controversy for some time. Activist Layla Wade said, Were here today to call on Minister [for Health] Stephen Donnelly for a 100% public and secular new National Maternity Hospital. We believe that the kind of the legal framework that was announced earlier this week, which paves a way for a deal with the Sisters of Charity and the St Vincents Holding group, for the proposed site at Elm Park, we dont think will provide for the level of maternity care that we all need and want and deserve in this country. Theres two things that were really protesting here today, we want the Minister to answer the question: Why this government would consider investing up to reported figures of a billion euro of public money and hand that over to a private company. The second problem is the wording: The exact language that has been put into those legal assurances that were sought by the Minister for Health and the HSE which refer to the clinical appropriateness and services that are permissibly legal. As Dr Peter Boylan (a former master of the National Maternity Hospital) has said, this is in direct contravention to the Termination of Pregnancy Act, which actually puts it down to the choice of a woman to decide when she would like a determination, if its appropriate for her, rather the clinical appropriateness. If decisions that are being made are put down to the clinical appropriateness and if that potentially is elevated to a board, we believe that the agency and the autonomy that women and people of this country have have voted for, will be taken away. I dont think anyone in this country believes that notions of the Catholic Church or the Vatican or anything should be uttered in the same sentence as healthcare. She said that a full range of health services should be provided at the new maternity hospital, including abortion, sterilisation, and IVF. The Irish electorate voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment in a 2018 referendum, ushering in a major liberalisation of Irelands abortion law and ending what was effectively a constitutional ban on abortion. The protest took place during a Fianna Fail Womens Health Conference, where Minister Donnelly made an address. Fianna Fail Senator Timmy Dooley, who spoke to the protesters, said it is important that the care of women is not influenced by any religious order. The afternoon session at the @fiannafailparty conference focuses on "The Future of Women's Healthcare".While they plan to give away our new National Maternity Hospital. Not on our watch. See you at Smock Alley, 1pm.#DonnellysDeal #HavingNunOfIt #MakeNMHOurs pic.twitter.com/OkSVNCNW4N OurMaternityHospital #MakeNMHOurs #CACOWH (@OurMatHosp) April 28, 2022 He said, Im delighted that theyre here because I think they have pushed an agenda which was really important, which was to separate to the greatest extent possible, the religious order from having any input into the care of women from a health perspective. Its complex, for sure, like lots of things. Theres a historical dimension to it in terms of the ownership of the land. I think what we now need is to move really quickly with getting the facility in place so that its available to those women that need it. For me, the most important thing is that the care of women is not influenced by any religious order, that youre treated based on their need. Anything that I have read or that Ive been in contact with to date, gives me confidence that when this facility is built that the religious order will have no input into the care of women, that all services that are available now anywhere in the world, will be available to women in that facility. Thats, for me, is the important thing. In April 1954, as a result of the defection of Vladimir Petrov from the Soviet embassy in Canberra, the Russian diplomatic staff were recalled from Australia and went home, closing the embassy. The Australian embassy staff in Moscow were expelled, and diplomatic relations were not re-established until 1959. The Labor leader will head to Perth on Friday night but has been told by his doctor to take it easy for the first few days after a week in isolation with COVID-19. The US president has asked Congress for a further $US33bn to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion, signalling he's prepared for a long-term campaign. In a historic move, lawmakers in Germany have given the official green light to send "heavy weapons and complex systems" to Ukraine. But many of them also criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz for not being in Berlin. President Biden called on Congress to approve the additional funds, mostly for military aid. Meanwhile, the UN's Antonio Guterres urged Russia to cooperate with war crimes probes while near Kyiv. DW has the latest. Democrats must make clear Republican Party is not normal and 2022 is not a normal election, even on Elon Musk's Twitter. Don't give up on America. The UN chief is speaking in Moscow following talks with Russian officials. Meanwhile, the US is hosting allies at Ramstein Air Base.. Deutsche Welle 26 Apr 2022 One man says he was captured and taken over the border, where he was blindfolded and beaten. Russian fossil fuel exports are undermining sanctions imposed on the Kremlin over its invasion of Ukraine, a study says. Germany and the EU remain the biggest buyers of Russian energy. A U.S. official says Russian military forces executed Ukrainians who were trying to surrender near Donetsk. Follow the latest Ukraine updates. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. The Israeli leader has called on the world to stop comparing the Holocaust to other events in history. A Ukrainian military commander holed up inside Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks has told Sky News that a Russian aerial bomb has hit a shelter in a military hospital within the plant. There's a kind of altruism that's important, enduring, life-changing. A social platform where politicians argue and we look at pet pictures isn't it. Bundestag President Barbel Bas has taken part in an official Holocaust memorial ceremony. She is the first high-ranking German official to do so. Staff shortages exacerbated by a strike have caused huge delays at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport during the holiday season. The airport has now asked airlines to reduce the number of passengers by cutting flights. India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, R Ravindra on Wednesday (local time) reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of violence and hostilities in Ukraine. He made these remarks at the UNSC Arria-formula meeting on Ukraine. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that Biden will travel to South Korea and Japan May 20-24 for a bilateral visit to the former followed by the QUAD in Japan, during which he will also meet Modi. This trip will advance the Biden-Harris Administrations rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. When Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO of Twitter in November 2021, the company seemed vaguely at peace for the first time in its.. Mashable 26 Apr 2022 Britain's top diplomat called Wednesday for Western allies to send tanks, warplanes and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying fears of escalating the war were misplaced and "inaction would be the greatest provocation." (April 28) Britain denied Thursday it was over-reaching against Russia after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said "the whole of Ukraine" must be liberated, indicating that Crimea must also be regained. "We saved Kyiv!" one villager from Demydiv told the New York Times after troops flooded their homes to stop the Russian invasion's advance. The Dutch government is likely to send a forensic team from the national military police to Ukraine to help investigate possible war crimes, Dutch press agency ANP reported. Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: The Fund received $2.3 billion of limited partner commitments, plus targeted leverage of $1.1 billion. In addition, it received $1.4 billion from separately managed accounts, including leverage. The Fund is Monroe's largest fund to date, exceeding Monroe Capital Private Credit Fund III, which closed in November 2018 at $2.3 billion of investable capital. The Fund primarily targets private equity sponsored and non-sponsored, lower middle-market U.S. companies with less than $35 million in EBITDA. "The Fund will invest in private credit transactions originated and underwritten by Monroe. The investment strategy is focused primarily on senior secured loans and unitranche loans to private equity sponsored, independent sponsored, and non-sponsored lower middle-market companies diversified across multiple industries, located throughout the U.S. and Canada," said the release. Fund investors are located throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, South America, Asia, and the Middle East. Limited partners include leading public and private pension plans, insurance companies, universities, endowments, foundations, religious organizations, non-profits, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and other institutional investors. In addition to the limited partner commitments, the Fund has secured term credit facilities to complement its available capital. As of March 31, 2022, the Fund is actively seeking investment opportunities and has a...................... To view our full article Click here This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Thousands of firefighters continued to slow the advance of destructive wildfires in the Southwestern U.S. but warned they were bracing for the return Friday of the same dangerous conditions that quickly spread the wind-fueled blazes a week ago. At least 166 homes have been destroyed in one rural county in northeast New Mexico since the biggest fire currently burning in the U.S. started racing through small towns east and northeast of Santa Fe on April 22, the local sheriff said. Winds gusting up to 50 mph (80 kph) were forecast Friday in the drought-stricken region. One expert said it's a recipe for disaster on the wildlands where some timber has a fuel moisture drier than kiln-dried wood. Its a very, very dangerous fire day tomorrow, fire behavior specialist Stewart Turner said at a briefing Thursday night on the edge of the Santa Fe National Forest in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Like we saw last Friday, epic fire behavior, Turner said. It's a day that as a firefighter, we'll write about, we'll read studies about. It's going to be a big fire day. A swath of the country stretching from Arizona to the Texas panhandle is expected to be hit the hardest by the return of the bad firefighting weather that has generated unusually hot and fast-moving fires for this time of year, forecasters warned. Red flag warnings were in place Thursday for all of New Mexico and parts of Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. More than 3,000 firefighters were battling fires in Arizona and New Mexico on Thursday about half of those in northeast New Mexico, where more than 187 square miles (484 square kilometers) of mostly timber and brush has been charred. They focused Thursday on preventing it from moving into the rural New Mexico community of Ledoux. That meant bolstering fire lines and sending in crews tasked with protecting structures. Great progress again today, incident commander Carl Schwope said Thursday night. But tomorrow has the potential to be a very destructive day. It will be chaotic if anything close to what happened (last) Friday occurs, added operations chief Jayson Coil. Sheriff Chris Lopez, of New Mexico's Miguel County, confirmed for the first time Thursday night the fire there has destroyed at least 166 residences, 108 outbuildings and three commercial buildings. He joined authorities in neighboring Mora County in pleading with residents to pay close attention Friday to sudden changes in closures and evacuation orders. Falling trees, possibly falling power lines, thats the kind of winds we're looking at, Lopez said. Turner, the fire behavior specialist, said the gusty winds are only part of the problem. He said moisture levels in downed logs and woody debris are extremely dry just 2% in small twigs, pine needles and grasses that actually carry a forest fire across the landscape." Moisture in a small log the size of a 4-by-4 post you buy at the lumber store ... are coming down to 8%, he said. Kiln-dry is 12%. So out there, thats drying to what a kiln would do. In northern Arizona, authorities downgraded some some evacuation orders at a fire that has destroyed at least 20 homes near Flagstaff. It's now estimated to be 43% contained. Another fire 10 miles (16 km) south of Prescott was 23% contained, but officials at both blazes warned of worsening conditions expected Friday. Elsewhere, one national incident team continued to oversee a large prairie fire in Nebraska, where more than 200 firefighters were battling a blaze that has been burning since last week. About 68 square miles (176 square kilometers) of mostly grasses and farmland have been blackened near Nebraska's state line with Kansas, several homes were destroyed and at least one person was killed. That fire was 88% contained Thursday. ___ Sonner reported from Reno, Nevada. Margery A. Beck contributed to this report from Omaha, Nebraska. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Donald E. Heller, University of San Francisco (THE CONVERSATION) Back around when the Pell Grant was created by Congress in 1973 to help students from low-income families pay for higher education, it covered 80% of the costs of attending a public four-year college or university. And it covered over 40% of the costs of going to a private one. Today, thanks to increases in tuition costs and Pell Grants not keeping pace, they cover less than 30% of the costs at a public university and less than 20% of the costs at private institutions, according an analysis I conducted using College Board data. With that history in mind, President Joe Bidens budget, which increases the maximum Pell Grant by $400 from $6,495 to $6,895 for the 2022-2023 school year, should boost the purchasing power of the grant. But it still falls short of restoring that purchasing power to where it was when the Pell Grant was created nearly 50 years ago, a goal for which many in higher education have advocated. I make this observation as a veteran university administrator and as a researcher who has spent the last 25 years studying what factors enable students to enroll in college and get a degree. Pell Grants yesterday and today Over $26 million in Pell Grants were awarded to approximately 6.2 million students in the 2020-2021 school year, with the average recipient receiving just over $4,200. The grants, originally called Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, were renamed in 1980 after the late U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell, a Democrat from Rhode Island and an early champion of the grant. In line with the goals of the Higher Education Act, which was originally passed in 1965, the grants were designed to be the foundation of college funding for students from poor- and moderate-income families. They were also meant to be a mechanism to help eliminate the gap in the rates at which these students attend college and graduate in relation to their peers from wealthier families. The idea was that with a Pell Grant, a student could afford to pay the major components of the cost of attendance at a public four-year institution without having to borrow a lot of money or work a lot of hours at a job, particularly off campus. For students at private colleges, Pell Grants would cover a substantial amount of their education costs, too, but not to the same extent as public colleges, which typically cost less to attend. Losing purchasing power As tuition prices have increased, the size of Pell Grants which are subject to approval from Congress has not kept pace, causing their purchasing power to decline. This erosion of the value of a Pell Grant has affected college access in a number of ways. Poorer students have become more reliant on loans to finance their education, as Pell covers less of the costs. These poorer students are also more likely to be enrolled in a community college because of the lower prices in two-year colleges. The post-graduation job prospects of a student with a community college degree are not as good as they are for one who graduates with a bachelors degree, studies have shown. And the labor market returns to a community college degree are lower than those of bachelors degrees. Pell Grants have helped close the college access gap. While low-income students almost doubled the rate at which they enrolled in college after graduating from high school from 35% in 1975 to 67% in 2016 high-income students also increased their college-going rate. While the poorest students have achieved parity with their middle-income peers, both groups still lag behind the college attendance rates of students from wealthier families. So while Pell Grants have helped close some of the gap, students from higher-income families still attend college at a rate 16 percentage points more than poor students. Increasing the Pell Grants power The $400 increase in the Pell Grant maximum is the largest since the $619 increase in 2009. However, with the price of college continuing to grow, this increase will bring the purchasing power of Pell to just over 30% of the cost of attending college. This is a small step in the right direction, but not nearly enough to help students from moderate-income families. Many higher education organizations, including the American Council on Education, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administators and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, have called for doubling the Pell Grant. This would be an important step toward having Pell Grants cover as much for todays students as they did a generation or two ago. Data from The College Board demonstrates that a $13,000 Pell Grant roughly double this years maximum of $6,495 would provide 57% of the college costs at a public institution. However, this is still well below what it covered in the 1970s. Without increased support, poorer students will continue to lag their wealthier peers in achieving the American dream of a college education. [Over 150,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletters to understand the world. Sign up today.] This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/despite-400-boost-pell-grants-fall-far-short-of-original-goal-to-make-college-more-affordable-for-low-and-middle-income-students-181232. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MOSCOW (AP) Turkey had warned Russia in advance before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory. She added that the reasons for that were clear to us and the Russian side isn't using that route. Zakharova made the comments at a briefing when asked about the Turkey's announcement over the weekend that it had halted Russian flights to Turkey over its territory from the start of this month. Her remarks follow a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said over the weekend that he asked Moscow to stop using the airspace during a visit there in March, and that Moscow agreed to the Turkish request. Russia and Turkey have backed the opposite sides in Syria's civil war, with Moscow joining efforts with Tehran to shore up President Bashar Assad's government, and Turkey backing the opposition. Despite the sharp differences, Moscow and Ankara worked together to negotiate a series of cease-fires in northern Syria. Russia has used a shortcut through Turkish airspace to send warplanes to its base in Syria where they have been deployed since 2015 and fly cargo planes with supplies for troops stationed there. The Turkish ban would now force Russian planes to take a longer route via Iran and Iraq, forcing them to take more fuel and reduce the payload. The Russian planes already used that path during a period of high tensions with Turkey sparked by the 2015 downing of a Russian warplane by Turkish fighter jets on the border with Syria. Tensions later abated after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a series of talks to negotiate compromises on Syria and other issues. It wasn't clear if the latest Turkish ban on Russian flights to Syria was aimed to hinder the possible transfer of Syrian fighters to Ukraine. Russian officials have said that some Syrians have volunteered to join the Russian troops in Ukraine. Some observers said that the Turkish move reflected the weakening of Russia's positions as its troops have been bogged down in military action in Ukraine. NATO-member Turkey has been trying to balance its close relations with Moscow and Kyiv and has positioned itself as a mediator between the two, hosting a round of talks last month between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators. It hasn't joined international sanctions against Russia, but has closed the straits at the entrance of the Black Sea to some Russian warships. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) An opposition liberal party convincingly won Sunday's parliamentary election in Slovenia, according to early official results, in a major defeat for populist Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who was accused of pushing the small European Union country to the right while in office. The Freedom Movement won nearly 34% of the votes, compared with around 24% for the governing conservative Slovenian Democratic Party, state election authorities said after counting over 97% of the ballots. Trailing behind the top two contenders were the New Slovenia party with 7%, followed by the Social Democrats with more than 6% and the Left party with 4%. The results mean that the Freedom Movement, a newcomer in the election, appears set to form the next government in a coalition with smaller leftist groups. The party leader addressed supporters via a video message from his home because he has COVID-19. Tonight people dance, Robert Golob told the cheering crowd at the party headquarters. Tomorrow is a new day and serious work lies ahead. Jansa, an ally of right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, congratulated the relative winner of the election in a speech. The results are as they are, Jansa said, praising his government's work. Many challenges lie ahead for the new government, whatever it may look like, but the foundations are solid. A veteran politician, Jansa became prime minister a little over two years ago after the previous liberal premier resigned. An admirer of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Jansa had pushed the country toward right-wing populism since taking over at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting strong interest in Sunday's election, turnout was higher than usual around 67% of Slovenia's 1.7 million voters cast their ballot, compared with 52% in the previous election in 2018. Golob, a U.S.-educated former business executive, came out as a frontrunner shortly after entering the political scene. The Freedom Movement party has advocated a green energy transition and sustainable development over Jansa's nation-centered narrative. Liberals had described Sundays election as a referendum on Slovenias future. They argued that Jansa, if reelected, would push the traditionally moderate nation further away from core EU democratic values and toward other populist regimes. Opinion polls ahead of the vote had predicted that the leading parties would be locked in a tight race. Jansa's SDS won the most votes in an election four years ago, but couldn't initially find partners for a coalition government. He took over after lawmakers from centrist and left-leaning groups switched sides following the resignation in 2020 of liberal Prime Minister Marjan Sarec. Jansa, in power, faced accusations of sliding toward authoritarian rule in the Orban style, drawing EU scrutiny amid reports that he pressured opponents and public media, and installed loyalists in key positions for control over state institutions. The Freedom House democracy watchdog recently said that while political rights and civil liberties are generally respected (in Slovenia), the current right-wing government has continued attempts to undermine the rule of law and democratic institutions, including the media and judiciary. Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - After more than ten hours of hearing before the judges of the Court of Repression of Economic and Financial Offences (CRIEF), the former president of the National Assembly of Guinea, Amadou Damaro Camara, was jailed Wednesday evening at the Central Prison, sources close to the former ruling party, the People's Rally of Guinea (RPG Arc-en-ciel), said Thursday Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) Sudan's security forces have unlawfully detained hundreds of protesters since December 2021 and forcibly disappeared scores as part of its broader clampdown on opposition to the October 25 military coup, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on different armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to lay down their weapons and work with President Felix Tshisekedi in nurturing peace and stability in the country, an official statement said on Thursday Photo: (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images) A woman has been arrested in Florida after allegedly making a bomb threat to her son's high school. Anaya Metoya Smith was enraged that her son was not being fed enough at the school's cafeteria, according to the Miami Herald. Police arrested the 41-year-old mother in connection with a threatening voicemail Smith left at Cocoa High School on February 3 at around 5:30 p.m. According to the probable cause affidavit, Smith said she would "blow ... up" the school. The city of Cocoa is located about 45 miles east of Orlando, Florida. Smith has now been charged with false report of bombing or arson against state-owned property, which is a felony, and disrupting an educational institution, a misdemeanor. The probable cause affidavit also stated that Smith allegedly told school officials in her voicemail that if they didn't start feeding her children better, she would come round and "blow that mother ... up." Evacuation and search done at Cocoa High School after Smith's bomb threat The school staffer who heard Smith's threatening voicemail the following morning called law enforcement to inform them of the mother's threat. An evacuation and search were done at Cocoa High School, but no evidence of an explosive or harmful device was found. According to the affidavit, Smith did not leave her name on the voicemail, but a search of the school's records found that the number used to make the threat was listed as her cell phone. Court documents also stated that a resource officer at Cocoa High School confirmed that Smith's son got into "a verbal argument" with a cafeteria worker on February 3, with the student wanting extra food. Smith's son was no longer at the school when the affidavit was written on April 7, and attempts to contact her were unsuccessful. A spokesperson for Brevard Public Schools told NBC News that the district is thankful the matter did not escalate. Read Also: Parents of Tyre Sampson File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against ICON Park After Son's Tragic Fall Smith's sister claims police arrested the wrong person Russell Bruhn said over the phone that the school district is very thankful for the responsiveness of law enforcement on the day of the bomb threat and their subsequent investigation regarding the matter. Bruhn also noted that Smith's son no longer attends Cocoa High School. Smith was released from jail on Thursday, April 21, one day after her arrest. Jail records showed Smith posting a cash or surety bond of $5,250. Her attorney's information was not immediately available. After her release from jail, Smith's sister, Andrea Johnson, made a shocking claim, saying that police arrested the wrong person. Johnson told CBS affiliate WKMG that her sister had been falsely accused based on messed-up documentation at Cocoa High School. Johnson claimed that the phone number used in the voicemail did not belong to Smith, and the student listed in the affidavit was not Smith's son. Related Article: A tragedy for Lavender Family as Son Murders Father Just Days Before His 80th Birthday Photo: (Photo : PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) A private military housing landlord deemed one of the largest in the U.S. has continued to disregard the health, safety, and wellbeing of military families living in its facilities despite admitting its deficiencies, neglect, and fraudulent activities from 2013 to 2019. The report prepared by Sen. Jon Ossoff and Sen. Ron Johnson for the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations revealed that thousands of military families are still enduring the "ongoing mistreatment" of Balfour Beatty Communities. Some 150,000 of these families live in private residences managed by the landlord across 26 states, but the Senate's probe focused on the living conditions in Georgia's Fort Gordon and the Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. The findings stated that homes in these bases remain in a state of disrepair as of December 2021, and Balfour Beatty Communities has not been fulfilling its obligation, per CNN. The neglect is similar to the conduct exemplified by the landlord when it admitted to its shortcomings before. Read Also: Russian Families Clash and Block Each Other on Facebook Over Opposing Views of War in Ukraine A Promise Left Unfulfilled In 2019, Balfour Beatty co-president Richard Taylor promised that it would prioritize the health, safety, and wellbeing of its residents. Yet, the residents testified before the Senate and said that they still have molds, leaks, and other environmental hazards in their homes. With the help of their physicians, some of the residents also testified that they had developed health issues like eczema or asthma, which their living conditions have aggravated. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Balfour Beatty Communities was guilty of committing major fraud against the U.S. Armed Forces. It lied about its service to military families while pocketing "millions of dollars in performance bonuses." For instance, it omitted some reports on a house's history, making it difficult for the next military family to move in to verify if repairs and treatments were done to the property. FBI Deputy Director Paul M. Abbate said that the landlord prioritized greed and profit over their obligations to the country's defenders even as Balfour Beatty Communities agreed to pay a $65-million fine after the DOJ case. WATCH: @CBSEveningNews recaps today's bipartisan PSI hearing led by Chair @ossoff investigating the mistreatment of military families in privatized housing. pic.twitter.com/JOWqghuTe1 Ossoff's Office (@SenOssoff) April 26, 2022 As this court battle took place last year, a family in Fort Gordon submitted a repair request to fix a water leak, but the landlord sat on it for over three months. The leak was not fixed until February 2022. Another military family moved into a Balfour home in November 2021 and discovered molds in the vent. Their daughter suffered persistent respiratory issues and fevers. Their repair request was not addressed until three months later. The privatization of military housing facilities was decided in the mid-1990s with a vision that it would provide affordable, reliable, and dependable living conditions for the men and women in uniform and their kids. However, the program has been perennially besieged with problems on top of the sacrifices that military families make for the country. Banning Balfour Beatty Communities Because of the ongoing negligence, Armed Forces Housing Advocate founder Rachel Christian said that Balfour Beatty Communities needs to be "properly held accountable" or banned from receiving contracts from the government. Christian told USA Today that it's not only the Armed Forces who are on the losing end but the servicemen and their children. However, the landlord has defended its practices by saying that Balfour Beatty Communities has made strides in improving its services, prioritizing the needs of the residents, and preparing the homes for the next families moving in. A spokesperson also said that the Senate report painted the company unfairly and inaccurately and even reached for some corrections to be made before it was released to the public. Related Article: U.S. Army Updates Parenthood, Pregnancy and Postpartum Army Directive With 12 Changes Photo: (Photo : Fiona Goodall/Getty Images) Authorities in California said that four people, including a one-year-old girl, Ruby Ann Cervantes, were severely injured in a dog attack in Pico Rivera. Firefighters were called to a home located in the 9600 block of Homebrook Street, near the intersection of Rosemead and Washington boulevards, at around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, for the emergency. Fire officials revealed that several people were injured due to the pit bull attack and family members told FOX 11 that the mauling all happened in just a few minutes. All four victims were taken to a hospital for treatment and required stitches for their wounds. Much of the attention was given to the toddler, with Cervantes rushed to the trauma center at LAC + USC Medical Center. The young girl underwent surgery and will undergo a second surgery for a hip fracture before being moved to the intensive care unit (ICU). Officials say Cervantes suffered wounds to her legs, ankles, and shoulder because of the attack. The mother stabbed the pit bull to save her child's life Jamie Morales, the girl's mother, said that she fought off the dogs to protect her child. She was emotional when recalling the incident, saying, "I stabbed him to get him off of my daughter. It was either him or my daughter, and I chose my daughter. I did what I had to do because he wouldn't let go." Morales, who was bit by the dog in the face and arm while trying to protect her kid, said she felt really bad about killing the pit bull, but she had to. Morales added that she is pretty sure anyone would have done what she did. According to a report by WDBJ7, the entire dog attack lasted no more than three or four minutes. Morales realized then that the dogs were not letting go of her daughter Ruby Ann, so she decided to pick up a knife to save her life. Read Also: Premature Baby Harper Jacobo, the Smallest Ever to Survive With an Incomplete Esophagus Toddler's grandmother owned the blue-nose pit bulls Also injured in the attack were Morales' sister and mother. They both tried to stop the dogs from attacking the toddler, with the two getting wounded in the process. Margaret Morales, the toddler's grandmother, owned the two pit bulls who attacked Cervantes. The family told NBC Los Angeles that they never thought this incident could happen to them. The two dogs that attacked Cervantes were blue-nose pit bulls, both three years old. The grandmother owned the pit bulls since they were puppies from the same litter. The family said that the normally outdoor dogs had just taken a bath and were allowed inside the home. That was when Ruby's mother saw one of the dogs bite the child's leg. Family members said the pit bulls attacked the girl as she might have been holding a toy dog at the time. Related Article: Louisiana Mom Gives Birth to Son in Restroom of Dunwoody Hotel During Business Trip Photo: (Photo : Tanaphong Toochinda via Unsplash) Breakfast is hectic and on-the-go for many busy families, as kids and parents eat whatever is available to get to school and work on time. Breakfast frequently gets ignored, resulting in growling tummies and distracted minds long before midday. Although quick, prepackaged breakfast options are convenient, it is worth attempting to schedule a few extra minutes into your nighttime and morning routines to cook a daily, quick and healthy breakfast. According to the CDC, only 82.4% of children ate breakfast between 2015 and 2018. Here are some healthy breakfast ideas for parents to make for their kids to further boost these stats. Oatmeal Most kids seem to either enjoy or dislike oatmeal, but there are so many various ways to serve it that you are bound to find something your children will enjoy. Play with texture and add-ins. One week, try grated apple or raisins, and the next, diced dry mango or strawberries. Even better, allow them to add their toppings! You can also bake organic oatmeal. Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate them overnight. Then, bake it for a quick and healthy whole grain breakfast for the family. The outcome is a baked good that is soft, slightly sweet, and ideal for reheating. Low Sugar Cereal Having healthy cereals on hand can make mornings much easier, whether eaten dry with milk, a smoothie, yogurt, or fruit. Not to mention, children love it! For a balanced energy supply until snack time, look for goods with minimal added sugar, fiber, and protein. Smoothies There is a baby formula shortage in the United States, with over 30% of popular brands sold out. Parents can create smoothies for breakfast as an alternative. Smoothies are a great way to provide fruit, vegetables, protein, and fat for breakfast. With this formula, you may keep things simple: 1 cup milk cup frozen banana cup of fruit (like berries or mango) cup veggies (like spinach, cauliflower, and sweet potato) 1 tablespoon nut butter or hemp seeds Or, for a nutritious yogurt smoothie, combine cup plain or vanilla yogurt with cup strawberries. Baked French Toast Bake a batch of French Toast on a sheet pan, freeze it and have a super-fast breakfast ready in minutes. This recipe is popular among parents since it includes a banana in the batter for sweetness and potassium, and the fact that it is egg-free, allowing more children to enjoy it. To finish things up, serve with yogurt, applesauce, or dipping sauce, and some fruit. Drinkable Yogurt Drinkable yogurt made with protein, probiotic-rich yogurt, and fresh fruits is also a healthy and low-sugar alternative to address the formula milk shortage. The combination of toast or another simple carbohydrate with this drink makes it an excellent option for breakfast. Breakfast Cookies Breakfast cookies are not only a terrific way to get children to eat breakfast, but they are also a great way to get kids to give you hugs and kisses in the morning! You can obtain protein via a glass of milk, some grated cheese, or an egg as a companion dish. Strawberry Sweet Potato Toast This ingenious, nutrient-dense recipe substitutes slices of sweet potatoes for pieces of bread to create a satisfying and delectable variation on the classic toast recipe. Combine strawberries, Greek yogurt, and granola for a flavorful treat that is healthy and delicious. This recipe is very simple to modify to include any other toppings, such as other fruits, vegetables, or nuts, that your child prefers and anything you happen to have handy in the kitchen. Vegetable Tofu Scramble Anyone who does not eat eggs but wants a high-protein breakfast should try tofu scramble. To create it, saute minced onion in oil before adding mashed, firm tofu, spices, and veggies. Sauteed spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes with fresh basil are some other delicious combos your children might want to try. Conclusion It is important to remember that having something for breakfast is preferable to having nothing. Breakfast does not have to be fancy, complex, or homemade daily to be healthy, delicious, and satisfying. For many busy families, a once a month brunch with no phones is an awesome way to slow down and catch up. Slowing down and enjoying your loved ones over nutritious dishes should help you build healthy eating habits for the entire family, not just your children. Photo: (Photo : FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images) Italy's constitutional court ruled that children born in the country should be given the surnames of both parents, overturning the long-standing tradition by which all newborn babies are automatically named after their fathers. The country's constitutional court said on Wednesday, April 27, that rules requiring Italian children to be given only their father's surname are unlawful. The ruling by Italy's top court refers to kids born to both married and unmarried parents and children who are adopted, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. The court said in its statement that the practice was "discriminatory and harmful to the identity" of the kid, adding that both parents should be able to choose the surname of their child. Kids should be given parents' surnames in the order they decide The Italian court added in the statement that children should be given both parents' surnames in the order they decide unless they both agree that their kid should take just one of them. If the parents cannot decide on the order of their child's surname, the decision will be made by a judge. Italian parliament needs to approve the new legislation, which is required to implement the court's decision. Parliament is expected to approve the new legislation in the coming weeks. Elena Bonetti, Italy's family minister, posted a message on the social media platform Facebook, saying that the Italian government would fully support parliament in this process. She wrote that they need to give substance [to the court's decision], and it is a high priority and urgent task of politics for them to do so. Bonetti added that parents should take equal responsibility for their child's upbringing. Read Also: Kane Tanaka of Japan, World's Oldest Person, Dies at Age 119; Guinness Offers Condolences Lawyers hail court's historic ruling According to a report by Wanted in Rome, the historic court ruling results from a case taken by a family with three kids from Potenza in the southern Basilicata region of Italy. In that case, the first two children in the family were registered with the mother's surname. However, the third child was automatically given the father's surname as he was born after his parents got married. The parents objected to that rule, saying that they wanted their son to have the same surname as his two sisters, which is their mother's surname. Domenico Pittella and Giampaolo Birenza, the lawyers who brought the case to Italy's constitutional court, hailed the ruling, saying that today's "historic result" represents a "small revolution." Meanwhile, Pope Francis and the political leaders in Italy have expressed concerns about the impact of the country's declining birth rate. The cost of raising children is seen as one of the factors, according to the Guardian. There were 404,104 babies born in the country in 2020, down by almost 16,000 from 2019, the lowest birth rate recorded in Italy since 1861. Related Article: Halifax Mom Stephanie Norman Shares Experience After 8-Month-Old Son River Gets Sick With COVID Photo: (Photo : BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) The courtroom drama involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has unfolded some shocking details about the former marriage of these Hollywood stars, and talks have surfaced that Depp will unravel more secrets, including Heard's alleged embryo with ex-boyfriend Elon Musk, the billionaire who recently bought Twitter. According to Your Tango, Depp has accused Heard of having a relationship with the billionaire while she was still married to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star. Her defense was quick to refute the accusation and said that it was Depp who was obsessed about bringing up Musk to his ex-wife. Depp is suing Heard for defamation because she claimed in an op-ed piece in The Washington Post, published in 2018, that she endured an abusive relationship. After this piece came out, Depp was canceled by Hollywood and lost lucrative projects, including the franchise of "Pirates of the Caribbean." The Hollywood stars were married from 2015 to 2017. The actor wants to prove in court that Heard has been lying about the abuse by implying that she's also lying about many other things. Read Also: Gestational Surrogacy: How Does It Work and What Are the Legal Concerns? Amber Heard and Elon Musk Frozen Embryo Lawsuit Depp's camp allegedly also implied that Musk is the biological father of Heard's daughter, born in 2021. In her announcement regarding the birth, the actress said that she is the sole parent of Oonah. She did not reveal any other details, but her fans assumed that the baby was born via surrogacy since Heard was not pregnant. In 2020, documents obtained by Daily Mirror revealed that Heard and Musk had embryos together when they were dating between 2016 to 2020. Christian Carino, Heard's former agent who testified on this case, said that the actress regarded her relationship with Musk as a "filling space," and she was allegedly using the billionaire when she wanted reconciliation with her husband. Carino had text conversations to prove that Heard did not love Musk. #AmberHeard went to dinner with Christian Carino the night of the keith richards thing, when she said #JohnnyDepp gave her a busted lip. He just testified that he NEVER saw her with any injuries. No injuries seems to be a recurring theme.#JusticeForJohnnyDepp steph (@FryingPan67) April 27, 2022 After their relationship soured, the actress was in a legal bind with Musk, who wanted her to turn over her rights to the embryos. He wanted these destroyed but Heard allegedly fought to keep the embryos because she planned on having a baby. These documents were part and parcel of a separate defamation case that Depp brought up against a tabloid, The Sun. Jennifer Howell, a friend of Heard's family, allegedly had knowledge of the embryo lawsuit through Paige, Heard's mother. Paige died in May 2020, so it was Howell who got the court subpoena to testify. But Heard's sister, Whitney Henriquez, said that Howell's testimonies were fabrications. Thus, Musk's embryo lawsuit against Heard was not proven to exist based on Henriquez's claims. Depp's accusation that Musk could be Oonah's biological father and would likely ask him to testify is only speculation. Johnny Depp's Daughter Not in Good Terms With Amber Heard Meanwhile, Depp told the court that his daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, deliberately skipped his wedding to Heard in 2015 because the two women did not get along. Depp also told the court that Heard drove a wedge between him and his children. He cited that his ex-wife would often tell him that he was a bad father and did not know how to parent. However, when Depp tries to be with his kids, Heard would want him to be by her side "at all times for her own needs," Depp said, per Us Weekly. Related Article: Jason Momoa Congratulates Amber Heard for New Baby via Surrogacy Photo: (Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) New York City dad Ceferino Sanchez was charged with murder and manslaughter on Wednesday, April 27, for allegedly killing his 4-month-old son, leaving the young boy with various injuries, including fatal skull fractures. The 34-year-old Manhattan native was ordered held without bail in Bronx Criminal Court after he was arraigned in the horrific assault that happened inside the family's apartment at Lower East Side on Sunday night, April 24. According to a criminal complaint filed by Bronx prosecutors, Sanchez allegedly told a female companion on Monday morning "I f-ked up, I f-ked up." Sanchez was breaking down in tears when he made this confession, just hours after he threw and slammed baby Cairo in a fit of violence, according to the New York Daily News. Sanchez took dead baby to NYU Langone Hospital According to the complaint, the woman, who was not identified but is believed to be the infant's mother, stated that the defendant was crying and telling her that they needed to get their stories straight. The informant further stated that she then saw baby Cairo on the couch wrapped in a blanket head to toe, preventing her from seeing the young child's injuries, according to PIX 11. The complaint said that Sanchez took the baby to NYU Langone Hospital, arriving there shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday "with Cairo in a car seat covered by a blanket." Sanchez told the hospital staff that he accidentally dropped the baby and that the child's injuries were the result of him falling during a feeding and getting hurt. The complaint said that Cairo no longer had a pulse when they arrived at the hospital. An autopsy performed later on the baby revealed that his injuries were extensive, with Cairo having bruising under both of his eyelids, a torn frenulum, abrasions to the nostrils and ears, and abrasions to his face. The city medical examiner ruled Cairo's death a homicide with Sanchez arrested on Tuesday. He was charged with murder and manslaughter. Sanchez was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and assault of a child and ordered held without bail in Bronx Criminal Court on Wednesday. Read Also: Convicted 'Mom Killer' Ike Nicholas Souzer Recaptured By Police After Fleeing California Halfway House Sanchez denies allegations against him Sanchez wore white jailhouse overalls and a mask and was handcuffed behind his back during the arraignment. He repeatedly shook his head while prosecutors described the allegations against him, blurting out "It's not true." The judge then issued an order of protection to keep him away from the mother of the dead baby, over the objection of his lawyer. Legal Aid attorney Michelle Benoit told the judge that she does not believe that there is anything in the complaint that would support an order of protection against the mother. A spokesperson for the city Administration for Children's Services told the New York Post that the agency is working with the NYPD on an investigation into Sanchez's case and that they "have taken action to secure the safety of the other child in this home." The agency said that it does not provide specific information on cases. Related Article: Who Killed Orsolya Gaal? Queens Mom Found Dead Inside Duffel Bag on Popular NYC Walking Path This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Bust of Augustus as a young man Adopted by Caesar, Augustus (c.62 BC 14 AD / Reigned 31 BC 14 AD) had to fight for his throne. His long rule saw a huge expansion in the Roman Empire and the beginnings of a dynasty that, over the next century, would transform Rome, for better and worse. The man who would become one of Romes greatest leaders had an unpromising start in life. Despite prophesies of future greatness , Augustus was a sickly child in a family with few connections. His father died when Augustus was four. His prospects were bleak: Rome was dangerous, engulfed by civil war between power-hungry factions. One of these was led by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. A bit of luck Then Augustus got a lucky break. In 46 BC, Caesar won the civil war and was named dictator of Rome. To secure his position, he needed an heir. With no son of his own, he adopted Augustus. This was a fantastic opportunity for a young man from nowhere. Almost at once, however, Caesar was dead murdered by his own advisors. Augustus was just 19, but immediately threw himself into the backstabbing world of Roman politics . Claiming the throne He formed a strategic alliance with Marc Antony, a successful and ambitious general. Over the next few years, they defeated their enemies in Rome and chased the survivors to Greece, where they finished them off in two of the bloodiest battles in Roman history. The killing over, the empire was theirs and they divided the spoils. Augustus kept Rome, while Antony took Egypt. There he fell under the spell of Cleopatra, Egypts beautiful queen. Trouble in Egypt Romans feared that Cleopatra wanted the throne for herself and his relationship with her made Mark Antony a hated man in Rome. His alliance with Augustus disintegrated but, before Antony and Cleopatra could strike Rome, Augustus attacked. The Battle of Actium in 31 BC destroyed three-quarters of the Egyptian fleet. Cleopatra and Marc Antony killed themselves and, finally, the Roman Empire now included the land of the pharaohs. Local hero Back home, Augustus was a hero. At the age of 32, he had become Romes first Emperor, promising to restore peace and security. Winning the war had been difficult, but was nothing compared to the challenge of winning the peace. He had divorced his wife and married his pregnant mistress, Livia. Many immediately suspected him of wanting to create a dynasty to rule Rome for generations to come. A charm offensive To avoid Caesars fate, Augustus charmed the Senate and the people by pretending to give up power. But a series of disasters panicked Romans. They became convinced that only he could save them and begged the Senate to vote him absolute ruler. Augustus agreed, but did so cleverly. He convinced Romans that he was ruling in the best traditions of the republic, but actually was an absolute ruler creating a dynasty. The Romans bought it. Growing older During his reign, Augustus achieved a lot. He expanded the empire, adding Egypt, northern Spain and large parts of central Europe before invading Germany. At home, he spearheaded a conservative approach that used the glory of Romes past as a blueprint for its future. But problems remained. His moral conservatism had clashed with the public promiscuity of his daughter, Julia. He was forced to banish her. Whats more, Augustus was growing older and weaker. Despite his successes, the plotting continued. Everything that Augustus had worked so hard to achieve was in danger of collapsing as he faced crisis after crisis, both at home and abroad. Nevertheless, Augustus clung onto power for another 10 years. When he died, in 14 AD, the Senate declared him a god. With his two grandsons already dead, power passed to his stepson, Tiberius. So what did he do? Augustus had ended 100 years of civil war and achieved over 40 years of internal peace and prosperity. His vision and power had expanded the Roman Empire to become far more than a collection of countries. Instead, it was a diverse society and enormous marketplace in which people across Europe, north Africa and the Middle East could trade and travel under Romes protection. He had won over the Senate and founded a dynasty. But this would feature as many villains as heroes, and would take Rome on a roller-coaster ride into assassination, insanity and terror. Where to next: Enemies and Rebels Cleopatra and Egypt Religion in Ancient Rome Augustus The future of Qualcomms PC processor development seemingly resides in the hands of Nuvia, the Arm processor design team that Qualcomm bought in early 2021. Qualcomm executives said Wednesday that a finished Nuvia-designed product would reach store shelves in late 2023, and that the timeframe does not represent a delay. At the end of the question-and-answer session with Qualcomm executives following the announcement of its second-quarter 2022 earnings, chief executive Cristiano Amon was asked about the notebook PC market, and Qualcomms plans to penetrate it. We are on track, Amon replied. We have been working with Microsoft for many years. So I think with Windows 11 as I mentioned before, its the first time youll have full supporting 64-bit emulation on Arm, the first time youll have a platform which is ready for commercial and enterprise deployment. We did, within the quarter, launch with Lenovo, the first enterprise ThinkPad, and we have a number of designs with our [Snapdragon] 8cx Generation 3. As we think about the next generation, we have been developing our own CPU that has been designed by the Nuvia team, and we are going after that performance. High scale in the enterprise, and development is on track and we expect to have that in late 2023, Amon added. That appeared to be a delay, given that Qualcomm was relatively specific late last year about its timeframeand its not quite clear what have that means in terms of either sampling the part or shipping it, either. A Qualcomm representative said in an email, however, that the timing was consistent with the roadmap the company presented at its investor day last November. 2023 refers to device launches, the Qualcomm representative said. At Qualcomms investor conference in November 2021, Dr. James Thompson, chief technology officer at Qualcomm, described the current Nuvia roadmap at that time. Theyre pretty far along at this point, Thompson said, talking about the first Snapdragon processors featuring Nuvia technology. Well be sampling a product nine months from now, or something like that. If Thompsons timeframe was accurate, that would have put the sampling period at around August 2022, with a shipping product scheduled for sometime in 2023. Amons statement implies that it would take more than a year to sample the processors to PC companies, who would then design them in and ship the finished product. To be fair, the Nuvia timeline was one of the only question marks on Qualcomms earnings report. Qualcomm reported net income of $2.934 billion, up 67 percent compared to a year ago, on record revenue that climbed 41 percent to $11.164 billion. Handset sales shot up by an incredible 56 percent, Qualcomm reported, and the company captured 75 percent of the processors in Samsungs Galaxy S22 handset. (Samsung typically splits the processors in the Galaxy series between its own Exynos processor as well as the Snapdragon, and the Samsung Exynos 2200, which used an AMD GPU for ray tracing, never really materialized.) Amon said twice during the call that Qualcomm is no longer a communications company. Instead, he said, Qualcomm is a leading connected processor company for the intelligent edge. Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kojo Kyerematen joined HE the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to inaugurate the Atlantics Lifesciences Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company at Larkpleku in the Ningo Prampram District of Greater Accra. In his remarks at the inauguration of the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Mr. Kyerematen noted that 11 out of 13 pharmaceutical companies under the 1D1F Initiative have received support to the tune of GHC415.3M for expansion, retooling, working capital or building entirely new manufacturing facilities in the country. The partnership between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and some financial institutions in the country has provided long term competitive financing to support the pharmaceutical sector. A recent report on Ghanas Pharmaceutical Industry indicates that Ghana would soon become the hub of pharmaceutical production in Sub Saharan Africa The acceptance of Atlantic Lifesciences Limited into the 1D1F programme makes it the 107th company to operate under the programme. According to the Minister, the decision of the Promoter and Management to locate this facility in Ghana underscores the confidence that the private sector continues to show in the Governments programme of industrial transformation, especially the 1D1F Initiative. The report on Ghanas Pharmaceutical Industry further indicated that pharmaceutical sales in Ghana reached US$462 Million in 2020 and US$468 Million in 2021 and it is expected to reach US$544 Million in 2025 and sales are expected to peak at US$896M by 2030. This positive outlook will obviously position Ghana as a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing in the West Africa subregion. Mr. Kyerematen said his sector and other MDAs, will fully support the pharmaceutical sector to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities by; Upgrading pharmaceutical companies to achieve the WHO Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standard; Provide Management and Technical Assistance to enhance operational efficiency; and Establish a Bioequivalence Centre to support the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The Minister was excited that the One District One Factory (1D1F) Initiative, which has become the bedrock of the countrys economy continues to signup more companies to expand the industrial base of the country. . Hon. Alan Kyerematen reiterated that his outfit will continue to support the pharmaceutical sector to become more competitive and produce for both local and foreign markets. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video At least 36 persons were killed, and 269 others suffered injuries in 173 road accidents, across the country, during the Easter festivities. Similarly, 143 accidents involving 28 deaths and 269 injuries were recorded within the same period the previous year. The recent crashes, recorded from April 15 to 18, 2020, involved 147 private vehicles, 95 commercial vehicles and 66 motorcycles. The breakdown of the recorded accidents in the police regions are as follows: Accra 83, Tema, 13, Eastern, 26, Central, 9, Central East, six, Western, one, Ashanti, three, Volta, three, Upper West, two, Upper East, one, Bono, four, Bono East, five, Western North, eight, and North East, three. Other regions, Ahafo, Oti, Savanna and Northern, did not record any accidents. The Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, Chief Superintendent (Chief Supt) Alexander Kweku Obeng, who disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday, stated that the deaths involved 29 males and 7 females. He said the causes of the accidents were speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, wrongful overtaking, and non-compliance with road traffic rules and regulations, which resulted in 37 pedestrian knockdowns. Chief Supt. Obeng noted road accidents affected the country's socio-economic development and called on stakeholders to cooperate to address the menace. He said ensuring road safety was a shared responsibility of all the citizenry and called on the public to support the police to protect lives and properties. Chief Supt Obeng assured the public of the police's continuous determination to ensure that the roads were safe for commuters through effective education. He advised drivers to adhere to road safety regulations to ensure that lives and properties were saved. Chief Supt Obeng said that the police would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute offending drivers to deter others. He advised pedestrians to use designated areas when crossing the road to prevent knockdowns. Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has referred more than 100 public institutions in six regions to the Ghana Police Service for investigations towards prosecution. According to the committee, the institutions had breached some procurement laws flagged by the 2018 Auditor-Generals report. The institutions include universities and district and municipal assemblies in the Bono, Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper West and Upper East regions. 0p+ At the opening of the committee's sitting in Sunyani in the Bono Region last Monday, its Chairman, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, said it was determined to refer institutions for prosecution, especially when it came to procurement irregularities. In the five northern regions, we have a number of institutions that we are referring for prosecution. Here in Sunyani, we will do the same thing. By the time we finish with the whole country, we will have a tall list of candidates for prosecution, he stated. He said in the past, the committee used a system in which it advised entities that breached the Auditor-Generals report to go back to do the right thing. However, Dr Avedzi said, it had realised that those pieces of advice were not being taken seriously, so it had begun to apply the law. It is not the committee that is going to prosecute them; we will recommend to the Attorney-General and police to take up the prosecution mandate, he said. He explained that those who would be found culpable would be made to face the law, saying that for procurement issues, one could be jailed for five years or fined a maximum of GH30,000 or both. When the Attorney-General begins to prosecute them and some of them are jailed, it will serve as a deterrent for others, Dr Avedzi stated. Hearing The PAC sitting in Sunyani, which started last Monday, is expected to end on Saturday, April 30, 2022. It is considering the report of the Auditor-General on technical universities, second-cycle institutions and assemblies in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo and Ashanti regions, covering the period ended December 31, 2018. At the first sitting, it cited issues such as the collection of unapproved school fees from students in second-cycle institutions, unaccounted items and money, among other financial irregularities. Cases of northern sector Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the PAC sitting in Sunyani, a member of the committee, Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, said when the committee concluded sittings last year, it gave a strong warning to institutions that this year it would start prosecuting institutions flagged in the Auditor-Generals report. "After the conclusion of our first zonal meeting in the northern sector in Tamale, which lasted from 18th to 23rd April, we found over 100 cases, being instances of procurement infractions concerning all the assemblies and some educational institutions in the five northern regions," he stated. Procurement infractions Mr Dafeamekpor, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, said there were a lot of procurement infractions that the Auditor-General had flagged in the report the committee was considering. He said the committee had no power to prosecute but had the power to refer matters to appropriate institutions for further investigations and prosecution. The South Dayi MP said the committee had introduced prosecution to make public officials be serious about their work. He said the committee had secured police support and readiness to take up investigations and the prosecution role. He said regional ministers had also been informed of the new development in order for them not to be taken by surprise. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A host of dignitaries, including former United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, Tony Blair, have attended a reception hosted by the British High Commission, in Accra, to commemorate the 95th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, led Ghanas guests to the event on Tuesday, which also saw the launch of the longest-serving monarch's platinum anniversary on the throne. Mr Blair hailed the Queen for being an inspiration to many across the UK and the world while recounting his first encounter with her after his election as Prime Minister before assuming office. He said the Queen's graciousness, kindness and strong devotion to duty were examples to everyone. Praising the deep bilateral ties between Britain and Ghana, Mr Blair said Ghana was a great country, with a future as a global leader. "Everywhere you go in the world, you will meet Ghanaians, who are full of optimism and hope, and they are smart and intelligent people," he stated. This relation between Britain and Ghana is one we are proud of and one we want to deepen. We believe in this country, we believe in its future, we believe in the people, and we know that Ghana is going to be not just one of the great African countries in the future but one of the great global countries of the future. Madam Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner, with her husband, Mr Nick Thompson, and officials of the High Commission welcomed the invited guests to the cocktail reception. The Queens Birthday party could not be celebrated over the past two years due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Madam Thompson noted that on the 6th of February 2022, the Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. She said the Queens extraordinary reign had seen her travel more widely than any other Monarch, undertaking more than 260 official visits overseers, including two to Ghana in 1961 and 1999. On the sidelines of the event was an exhibition of Land Rovers newest Land Rover Defender, which, later this year, would be available as a hybrid vehicle for the first time in Ghana; and the Kofa e-motorbike, which is being powered by a battery technology, to help revolutionize Ghanas automobile industry. She said with much funding from their partners at the UK Charity, the Shell Foundation, she was delighted to announce almost 10 million cedis turbocharge for Ghanas e-mobility, battery and charging sector. Kofa is one of the organisations already benefiting from this investment and I look forward to seeing many others in the future. The High Commissioner expressed gratitude to EY, Mark Brooks Education Limited, Westminster Group, Contracta, Prudential Insurance, B5Plus, DDP Outdoor and Pernod Ricard for their generous support towards the organisation of the event. Dr Awal, on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Government and the People of Ghana, extended his warmest felicitation to the Queen, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the Government and People of the UK. He said the relations between Ghana and the UK were steeped in history and dated back to 1867 when the then Gold Coast became a British Colony. Since March 1957, when Ghana attained independence, the relations between Ghana and the UK had been anchored on their shared history and bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as at the multilateral level. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Governance Lecturer at the Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has jabbed CLOGSAG for demanding payment of neutrality allowance. The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) is calling to be paid neutrality allowance as a compensation for them not being allowed to engage in partisan politics or pursue a political career. Although there's been justification for this demand by CLOGSAG as the neutrality allowance is explained to be an allowance aimed to improve the conditions of service of the civil workers, hence having nothing to do with they not participating in politics, some Ghanaians are however vehemently opposed to this allowance. They describe it as a waste of money while other critics also find it extremely ridiculous that the civil servants would make such a demand. Touching on the issue during a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah wondered how CLOGSAG could even think of receiving such allowance. He argued that should CLOGSAG's demand be granted by government, it will spark agitations in other public organizations and associations like the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) whose demands for better conditions of service remain hanging. Dr. Otchere-Ankrah warned the payment of the neutrality allowance won't augur well for the country, cautioning "we are setting a bad precedent with that neutrality allowance that may boomerang on us". "Who even gave them authority to engage in this negotiation?", he queried. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In Geneva at the High-Level roundtable for the Horn of Africa Drought, the United States announced more than $200 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the Horn of Africa region. This funding will be used to respond to the humanitarian needs from the devastating drought and to address the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons, and people affected by conflict in the region. With this funding, the United States has provided more than $361 million in humanitarian assistance to the region since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2022. This assistance from the American people will enable our international humanitarian partners to meet the humanitarian needs in the region, including the provision of food and nutrition assistance, health services, access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and general livelihood support. "We remain gravely concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. Immediate, full, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations and workers is essential to provide timely, need-based assistance to those affected by the drought and the ongoing conflict, and to save lives". We welcome the contributions of other donors toward this crisis response and urge others to generously support the immediate humanitarian needs created and exacerbated by this historic drought. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has expressed utter disappointment in the Special Advisor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, Yaw Osafo-Maafo. The Governance Lecturer at the Central University was highly diappointed after discovering that Hon. Osafo-Maafo led negotiations regarding CLOGSAG's neutrality allowance. It's emerged that the neutrality allowance was spearheaded by the Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo together with Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare. This disclosure was made when host of Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Kwami Sefa Kayi, affectionately called "Chaiman General", played an audio recording of the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, Dr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, revealing names of the powerful hands that came to the negotiation table. Reacting to Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo's role in the issue, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah, on Kokrokoo, stated; "I am very disappointed because he is someone I hold [him] in high esteem and I won't hide from that. I'm very, very disappointed that he led this." Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The police have initiated investigations into the mysterious death of a policeman who was on duty and reportedly shot himself at a warehouse on Graphic Road in Accra on Wednesday. "In line with our standard operating procedure, the name and further details of the deceased officer have been withheld and will be communicated after his family has been formally notified of the incident," a police statement dated April 27, 2022, signed and issued by the Director-General, Public Affairs, DCOP Kwesi Ofori said. The said policeman according to some people in the area was seen within the premises walking about and reportedly entered the washroom. The police statement said, "the Ghana Police Service is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of one of our own, a Police officer who allegedly shot himself while on duty today April 27, 2022, at the Graphic Road, Abossey Okai, Accra." Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources says despite the strenuous efforts the Ministry is undertaking to end illegal Small Scale mining (Galamsey) activities in the country, a collective effort is needed to totally ride the country of this menace. Mr Duker asserted that the fight against illegal mining is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders and every Ghanaian to ensure the sector is properly sanitized, with deepened community sensitization and education. The Deputy Minister opined that measures to combat "Galamsey", has been reviewed to tackle the issues in a more upfront manner. He mentioned that the campaign to safeguard the countrys waterbodies is vigorously in session with a number of speed boats acquired to patrol major waterbodies by river guards, explaining that this intervention will complement the effort of the Military to stamp out any illegal mining activities on the rivers. "It is pertinent we protect our river bodies which is one of the main logics for this whole fight least we risk importing water in some years to come and honestly without the intervention of the government through the Ministry, such as the Operation Vanguard and Operation Halt 1 and 2, the story would have been worse," he added. He indicated that Reclamation, Alternative Livelihood, Gold traceability, and the establishment of a refinery which he said is about 90% complete are also some of the key interventions being rolled out by government to promote responsible mining and make Ghana the preferred mining hub of Africa. The Deputy Lands Minister also indicated that some of the Ministry's intervention in the fight against illegal Mining (galamsey) is also being tackled through the expansion of Community Mining Scheme (CMS) in which host mining communities are embedded into the mining value chain. He said the initiative, which was launched during the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government's first term, is one of the responses to tackle galamsey, with the aim of creating thousands of new and decent jobs in host communities lawfully, under the purview of the Minerals Commission and exclusively for Ghanaians. Mr Duker said the Community Mining Scheme CMS is a policy which is meant to align with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 which regulates the small-scale mining industry. He also disclosed that the government aims to create jobs through the scheme by legitimising the participation of locals of host mining communities in small-scale mining. The Deputy Lands Minister explained that the sanitization and regulation of small-scale Mining is meant to ensure the clamp down of practices such as pollution of waterbodies adding that the procurement of Gold Katchas by the government is also aiding in this fight. Mr Duker said these on Accra-based Citi TV Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Source: class fm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Keta Police Command is holding a worker of the Keta Municipal Assembly, Geoffrey James Ocloo, and a tanker driver over their involvement in the diversion of a tanker carrying premix fuel meant for fishermen in the Keta municipality. The product was meant for the Nukpesekope Landing Beach Committee (LBC) but was allegedly diverted and offloaded onto another truck at Afife, about 30 kilometres from Keta. Keta community In recent months, fishermen in Keta and its adjoining fishing communities have been complaining about the lack of premix fuel for their fishing business and had suspected diversion of the product. A member of the Keta Vigilante Group told the Daily Graphic that the tanker, with registration number GT 2254 Z, brought the product to Nukpesekope but did not discharge the fuel as intended. After waiting for a few minutes, the vehicle set off through Afiadenyigba to Afife road where it was seen offloading the premix fuel onto another truck. He said a report was made to the Keta Police Command at Afife in the Ketu North Municipal Assembly in the Volta Region. Diversion According to the source, a thorough check by the police showed that the waybill had allegedly been doctored by the Secretary of the Nukpesekope LBC, Mr Ocloo, to indicate that it was meant for a different designation. Currently, he said, the truck loaded with the alleged diverted premix fuel had been taken back to the Keta Police Command for investigation and possible arrest of those who were behind this black market dealings in premix fuel in the Keta Municipal Assembly. When contacted, the Keta Municipal Chief Executive ( MCE), Emmanuel Gemega, who expressed shock at the turn of events, said he received the news of the alleged diversion and arrest of two others from the Commander of the Keta Police Division, Chief Supt. Leonard Abaka, when he was in Accra on an official duty last Tuesday. Mr Gemega, who is also the Chairman of Municipal Security Council, told the Daily Graphic that he had asked the Commander to proceed with the necessary investigations and prosecution. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Five national executive officers of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) have been granted self-recognizance bail by the Adabraka Police in Accra for allegedly making derogatory statements about their National Chairperson, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong-Kumankumah. The national executive officers who reported to the Adabraka Police Station last Monday to give their statements are to report to the police on May 11, 2022. They are the General Secretary, Nana Yaa Akyempem Jantuah; National Organiser, Yirimambo Moses Ambing; National Treasurer, Emmanuel Opare-Addo; National Women Organiser, Hajia Aisha Sulley Futa and National Youth Organiser, Osei Kofi Acquah. The Adabraka Police confirmed inviting the five national officers to the station to give their statements regarding a complaint of insult lodged against them by Nana Sarpong-Kumankumah. According to the police, no charge had been preferred against the five national officers yet but had been granted self-recognizance bail and are to report on May 11, 2022. Briefing Speaking to the media after giving their statements to the police, Nana Yaa Jantuah said they were invited by the Adabraka Police, following a complaint lodged against them by their embattled national chairperson. She said Nana Sarpong-Kumankumah had reported to the police that they (the five national officers) had insulted her and had also made some derogatory statements about her. She said they were therefore summoned by the police to provide them with their statements on the matter. The CPP General Secretary noted that whatever thing that is happening within the party now is about its constitution and not about any individual. The National Women's Organiser of the party, Hajia Aisha Sulley Futa, for her part, described the action taken by the national chairperson of the party against them as unfortunate. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has said that Nana Akomea's suggestion about a "Bawumia-Alan ticket is worth considering as the party prepares to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 general elections. According to him, though it is early days yet to make any presumptions about the Bawumia-Alan ticket, it will not be out place to consider their ticket for the 2024 general elections. A former Director of Communications of the governing NPP, Nana Akomea, has asked the party to halt its planned presidential primaries and convince Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kyerematen to run together in the 2024 presidential election. The two are expected to contest against each other for the first time in a keen contest. Although this will be the Vice President, Dr. Bawumias first attempt, Mr. Kyerematen, the current Trade and Industry Minister, has contested against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo thrice before he was elected President in 2016. According to Nana Akomea, the two leading candidates in the NPP presidential race meet the requirements of the north and south balance, and so taking advantage of that to allow them to run, will prevent a rancorous contest. But speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that it is the party's strong desire to win the 2024 general elections and that anything that will ensure their smooth victory is welcomed. "The party needs a unified front for the 2024 general elections and we will consider any proposal which will enable us win the elections, and just as you have said it is too early to put it into discussion," he said. "We are currently organizing all our elections and we will put the Bawumia-Alan ticket into proper perspective once the coast is cleared, but for now we will have to consider the party's internal elections first," he added. Watch video below Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen says it will be politically suicidal for the embattled Member of Parliament(MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson to contest for the seat again when it is declared vacant for a by-election. According to him there is already a criminal charge against him in court about his dual citizenship which if he is found guilty he may end up in jail. "I believe the party would have to rethink and consider offering another candidate for the by-election should it be opened," he said. He says allowing Hon. Gyakye Quayson to contest again will be a suicidal mission which will gravely affect the largest opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC). Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that though the review matter is in court, it is only proper for the party to begin to restrategize and find an appropriate candidate for the constituency when there is supposed to be a fresh election in the Assin South constituency. "Though I cannot determine the outcome of the Supreme Court review, the substantive ruling bars him from holding himself as a member of parliament and that the party should begin to search for a new candidate for the Assin North constituency." Restrained Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, has urged the Supreme Court to set aside its ruling that barred him from performing parliamentary duties. The embattled MP says the majority 5-2 decision was a patent and fundamental error of the law and a breach of portions of Ghanas constitution. A Supreme Court panel comprising Justices Jones Dotse, Jones Dotse, Agnes Dordzie, Nene Amegatcher, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkonoo, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Emmanuel Y. Kulendi restrained Mr Quayson from holding himself out as a Parliamentarian. Watch video below Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a resident of the constituency, brought the application to the Supreme Court, insisting that James Gyakye Quaysons continuous stay in office despite a High Court Judgment annulling his election offended the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.This, he says, was not fair to the people of Assin North and frowns on the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.A Cape Coast High Court in July 2021 nullified the election of Mr Quayson after it found he owed allegiance to Canada when he filed his nomination to contest as MP in 2020. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghanaian Actor, Director, Philanthropist, and Producer Oscar Provencal, best known for his role as Inspector Bediako in the TV series Inspector Bediako, says Ghanaians have not done enough in honouring Ghanas first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah for his good works. Mr. Oscar Provencal said this on the GTV Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, during the Headlines Segment. In my candid view, we have not done enough as a people to honour Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah after his overthrow and subsequently his death, he stated. Sharing his thoughts on the topic: Remembering Nkrumah: 50 years after his death, the Veteran Ghanaian Actor maintained that looking at the kind of work Nkrumah did for Ghana and Africa during a very difficult period, something monumental should have been done in his honour. The Ghanaian Coup of 1966 overthrew the government of Kwame Nkrumah and his Convention Peoples Party. Nkrumah was a Political Activist in West Africa who led Ghana to Independence. He was an outspoken supporter of Socialism and Pan-Africanism. Source: Gbcghanaonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Latisha Grumbo, left, is seen being led into Court of Queen's Bench in Prince Albert, Sask., by an unidentified sheriff on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Grumbo was sentenced to 6 1/2 years for stabbing her victim outside a mall where people robbed her as she lay dying. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-paNOW-Nigel Maxwell **MANDATORY CREDIT** BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese institution has published a series of data products to support scientific research on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of BRICS countries, according to the BRICS Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development held in Beijing on Wednesday. The products include data from the BRICS countries collected by the satellite SDGSAT-1, and the spatial distribution of the global impervious surface from 2000 to 2020 at a resolution of 30 meters. Also included are the spatial distribution of major built-up areas in cities with a population of over 300,000 in BRICS countries from 2000 to 2020, and the spatial distribution of global forest cover in 2020 at a resolution of 30 meters. The products were developed and published by the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), which is the world's first research institution providing big data services for the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The CBAS is built and operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The products are based on the application needs of BRICS countries to achieve the SDGs, and were developed using Big Earth Data theory and Big Earth Data processing and analysis technology. They provide assessment information for the SDGs of BRICS countries, including human traces, urban development and forest cover, according to CAS academic and CBAS Director Guo Huadong. The forum, held from Tuesday to Wednesday, was hosted by the CAS, the Academy of Science of South Africa, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Indian National Science Academy. An associate professor of history who last month was given the Outstanding Faculty Award by students has been named the new chair of the Department of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences at Pittsburg State. Christopher Childers will assume the new role on June 1, taking over for interim Jamie Oliver, chair of the Art Department, who stepped in to lead the department last year after the departure of the previous chair. I am honored to become the next chair, he said. It's exciting to be a part of such a large, vibrant, multidisciplinary department. Through the Pitt State Pathway courses, our undergraduate majors, professional programs, and graduate study, HPSS plays a role in the lives of so many PSU students. I'm excited to lead our department as we continue to serve students and the PSU community. He brings to the position innovative ideas for approaching recruitment and retention of students, said Dean of College of Arts & Sciences Mary Carol Pomatto. We are looking forward to working with Dr. Childers in this leadership role, she said. Dr. Childers is student -focused and highly respected in his discipline. He is mission-oriented with a positive vision for our collective future. Childers has served as an associate professor of history since August 2016. He has served as coordinator of the history program at PSU since 2020. Previously, he taught at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri, and was a lecturer at PSU for the 2010-2011 academic year. He holds a doctorate in American history from Louisiana State University and a masters in American history from Emporia State University, where he also earned his bachelors and his education degrees. Childers has authored three books about three eras in American history, as well as numerous peer-reviewed scholarly articles and book chapters. Frequently asked to be a presenter and panelist at conferences, he is the recipient of numerous awards, fellowships, grants, and prizes, including having been chosen as a participant in the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar. From 2019 to March 2021, he served as the president of the Kansas Association of Historians, has served as a committee leader for the PSU Faculty Senate, and as a member of the University Press of Kansas Editorial Committee, the University Strategic Planning Council, the Information Technology Council, the Gorilla Advising Council, the Secondary Education Coordinating Council, and is the faculty advisor for the PSU History Club and Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society. Company Phil Ivey is Suing Over Cannabis Investment Files Bankruptcy April 27, 2022 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Table Of Contents Lost Equity Protecting Assets Phil Ivey's odds of collecting on the $1.9 million line of credit he gave a Las Vegas cannabis dispensary investor may have decreased as the company he's suing has filed for bankruptcy protection. On April 11, a company Ivey originally helped bankroll back in 2014 NuVeda, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In June 2020, the poker pro was part of a lawsuit filing against NuVeda and its subsidiaries involving two other plaintiffs Shane Terry and Dotan Melach, seeking money owed from a business loan and an equity stake in the company. That lawsuit still has yet to be settled. According to court documents obtained by PokerNews, Ivey was originally given a 3% equity share in exchange for a nearly $2 million line of credit he gave the business. At the time, NuVeda greatly benefited from the 10-time WSOP bracelet winner's money and financial standing. Iveys significant business experience and financial resources not only provided a solution in support of NuVedas business strategy, but also provided critical proof of financial viability in support of Nuvedas competitive application, including the amount of taxes paid," the lawsuit states. The Poker Hall of Famer was initially listed and approved as an owner by the State of Nevada on all six of NuVeda's licenses. Lost Equity Terry, a co-plaintiff, was promised $1.75 million for his 23% interest in the business but was only paid around $250,000. Both Ivey and Terry have since allegedly had their shares snatched by co-owners Pejman Bady and Pouya Mohajer without the written consent of the plaintiffs. "Shane Terry was supposed to have been paid $1.75 million for his interest, but he only ever received $250k," Adam Stein-Sapir, a bankruptcy expert with Pioneer Funding Group, LLC told PokerNews. "Ivey was supposed to have retained a 3% interest but that appears to have been completely eliminated. It's unclear how much Ivey advanced on the $1.9 million line of credit or whether that has been paid back." Free to Play Slots in the US According to court documents, in December 2015, NuVedas annual license paperwork was due with the State of Nevada. During this time, Bady is alleged to have falsely submitted documentation with the state removing Iveys license interest and redistributed it to himself and Mohajer. As Stein-Sapir stated, the amount drawn on the $1.9 million line of credit is unknown, as is the amount that has been paid back to Ivey, but the 2022 Super High Roller Series Europe champion has been fighting an ongoing legal battle to retain his 3% equity stake in the company. Protecting Assets Bady and Mohajer remain the key principals of NuVeda and its subsidiaries, which still own two dispensaries under The Sanctuary name one in North Las Vegas and the other in the Downtown area, and Ivey is supposed to have interest in those stores. However, NuVeda has recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which could make it even more difficult for Ivey to collect. As Stein-Sapir explains, the bankruptcy filing stops the state court litigation and turns the case over to a bankruptcy judge. "Companies take this action to preserve assets and give themselves breathing room to try to work out a deal with creditors, instead of assets being sold in a fire sale or allowing a creditor to foreclose and take title to them," the bankruptcy expert said. Ivey and Terry are listed along with two other creditors in the Chapter 11 filing. Bankruptcy documents indicate NuVeda claims to have less than $50,000 in assets and between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities. Ivey won two events during the recently completed Super High Roller Series Europe in Cyprus. But his ongoing legal battle against the cannabis company he originally helped bankroll appears to be a losing battle. Sharelines Find out details on Phil Ivey's ongoing lawsuit against a Las Vegas weed dispensary. One of the Charleston area's few speculative office properties to be built during the pandemic has landed its first tenant nearly a year after being completed. Coworking space provider Industrious of New York recently leased 34,028 square feet in the high-profile, five-story structure at 677 King St., between the Crosstown overpasses. The company plans to open its first South Carolina location in November, occupying the second and third floors in the upper peninsula property that was completed last summer. The global office market has been undergoing a transformation after most employees were sent home to work during the height of the health crisis two years ago. Many companies have resorted to either permanent work-from-home policies or a hybrid model, with a return to the office for a few days a week. The Greenville-based landlord at 677 King said it remains bullish on filling up the remaining space, especially with smaller companies such as law firms, accountants or commercial real estate brokers that prefer in-office interaction. "There are people out there looking for office space," said Taylor Norville of building owner Atlantic South Development. "We have chased quite a few deals." He is hopeful the 73,000-square-foot property can be fully leased by the end of the year. Norville said the company is in talks with a couple of other tenants that would bring leased space up to 70 percent by the summer. "Then we would need two or three more to finish it out," he said. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! Chip Shealy of commercial real estate firm CBRE, who represented the building owner in the new lease, said the ground floor and top two floors remain available. The street-level space includes on-site parking as well as room for retailers in a 1,115-square-foot space and another with 3,830 square feet that can be subdivided. The downtown property has struck a chord with its inaugural tenant. An Industrious representative called the site the "perfect location" with its proximity to restaurants, shopping and hotel accommodations. "We are ... breaking into a market that we have been interested in for a long time," said Peri Demeshas, senior director of real estate growth at Industrious. The coworking site will feature 472 seats and offer a range of private offices, shared workspaces for individuals and groups, multiple conference rooms and lounge areas. Founded in 2012, the company operates in more than 50 U.S. markets. Building developer Mitch Norville said Industrious "embodies the exact type of quality tenant that we anticipated during the development of the property." COLUMBIA Richland County's jail subjects detainees with mental illnesses to brutal conditions including misuse of restraint chairs, shower stalls being used as cells and unsupervised solitary confinement, a federal lawsuit filed April 28 alleges. The lawsuit, the latest in a series of issues at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, has been filed to get the county to provide better care, not for financial gain, attorneys in the case said. The special jail section where detainees with mental illnesses are kept at the jail is laden with mold, pests and standing water, thanks to broken plumbing, the attorneys allege. "The county needs to clean up its mess," attorney Stuart Andrews said. "It's inexcusable (and) indefensible to allow the special housing unit and other units within Alvin S. Glenn to function at such a filthy squalor level in which they did." The lawsuit, filed in U.S. district court in Columbia on behalf of the Disability Rights South Carolina nonprofit group, argues that conditions at Alvin S. Glenn violate the U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The plaintiffs are asking that any detainee suffering from a mental illness be removed from the punishment area for uncooperative detainees, where they often have been detained. They also ask that the jail stop accepting transfers from other jurisdictions because it is so crowded that guard-to-detainee ratios are unacceptable. Richland County had no comment on the lawsuit. Disability Rights SC has received calls about other jails around the state, and similar lawsuits are expected elsewhere, said Beth Franco, executive director of the nonprofit. She did not specify where. A lawsuit similar to the one in Richland County was filed in 2020 over conditions in the juvenile wing of the Charleston County jail, said Andrews, an attorney with the Burnette Shutt & McDaniel firm. In that case, Sheriff Kristin Graziano and her team have been in a mediation with plaintiffs to work on ways to resolve the issues, Andrews said. He hopes that Richland County will take similar steps. Often, Franco said, detainees in South Carolina wait in jail without mental health services because there is no room for them in places that provide such care. People with mental illnesses can be picked up on a warrant for such transgressions as missing a court date and then spend years in jail without receiving adequate mental health services, said Kathy Martin, an attorney with Disability Rights SC. The conditions at Alvin S. Glenn are especially brutal for those with mental illnesses or on suicide watch, attorney Sarah J.M. Cox said. Restraint chairs meant to help in the short term with out-of-control detainees are misused, she said. Detainees sometimes are shackled into them for days at a time, Cox said. One detainee in a restraint chair was able to reach a bottle of bleach and drink it in an attempt at suicide, Cox alleged. After a trip to a hospital emergency department, the detainee again was locked to a chair, still wearing a jail uniform stained with bleach and vomit, she said. Small showers with floor space similar to a laundry basket are used as detention cells. Detainees cannot sit down or use a toilet while confined in these small spaces, Cox said. The jail's solitary confinement cells fall far short of adequate supervision, with detainees spending weeks at a time with little human contact. To get the attention of a guard, detainees have to stand on a toilet to reach a small window and shout for help, she said. Guards, even in solitary, can be asked to supervise 50 or more detainees, Cox said, falling far short of standards that call for detainees on suicide watch to be monitored regularly by a guard outside the cell. "These are suicidal people that are put in a situation that would make anyone suicidal," Cox said. The lawsuit is the latest in a series of allegations of problems at Glenn Detention Center. The death of a detainee from Orangeburg in February was ruled a homicide because of jail staff's inaction by County Coroner Naida Rutherford. Lason Butler, 27, died of complications from acute dehydration. The Richland County Sheriff's Department, which does not operate the jail, is investigating the death. The longtime director of the jail resigned in September, weeks after a riot injured two officers. Ronaldo Myers was on an unapproved leave and away from the jail on the day of the riot; his second-in-command also was not at the jail. Parents, politicians and activists flooded school board meetings across the country in recent months, desperate to be heard. In 60-second soundbites, they exploded over masks, books and so-called critical race theory. Their voices often echoed across social media and fueled viral news segments. But hours after those tense meetings ended, teachers and students walked into schools, feeling the reverberations of culture wars that have consumed American education. Many children are trying to be comfortable with who they are even as their identities come up for debate among adults. Educators are left to answer tough questions about history, race and sexuality, hyperaware their responses are under increased scrutiny. Some conservative students feel like their political beliefs arent welcome on campuses while their families are set on taking back school boards, fueled by a desire to expand parental rights and block students from learning about their interpretation of critical race theory. Meanwhile, vague laws passed in response to the ongoing culture wars threaten to chill candid conversations about history. And teachers are watching as attempts to foster inclusivity in their classrooms go punished. Navigating these conversations takes courage, teachers and students say. But its necessary to learn from the conflicts, they stress. Reporters spoke to teens and educators in Alabama, Texas, Washington and Virginia who are working to build a broader understanding amid the political fights engulfing schools. They are searching for their place within their communities. Vega Zaman, Decatur, Alabama Vega Zaman walked into a middle school robotics class last year to find a fellow student playing with a Lego truck. Its a bomb truck, the student told Zaman, asking them if they were Arabian. I was like, Why, do I look Arabian? said Zaman, who is Black and South Asian. And he was like, Yeah, cause Arabians bomb people. And it was out of nowhere! He didnt even know me. Zaman is currently an eighth grader at Decatur City Schools, a North Alabama district that recently obtained unitary status from a decades-old desegregation order. The system has become increasingly diverse, but Zaman said that hasnt stopped the racist comments especially during the pandemic. Recent state actions against divisive concepts and a new law that bans inappropriate discussion of LGBTQ issues also have added a level of confusion to schools ability to address tough topics, educators and students said. COVID made it worse, because you only experience life through a screen, and you dont really have the capacity to see, they said. But when they can actually touch, see, feel, smell, and they can actually see it happening in their community... you never really understand something until you experience it. Thats why Zaman created a 13-page anti-racism guide for school leaders and teachers to use last year. Topics included racial trauma, microaggressions, white privilege and systemic racism, and Zaman suggested readings like Blended by Sharon M. Draper. Ive read this myself. Its a book about a mixed girl torn between her two identities, Zaman wrote next to the entry. Its a good read! But the effort to distribute the guide in Decatur schools fell through, along with a Black History Month assembly that Zaman tried to organize this year. It could have served as an idea, Zaman said of the guide. You know, just a base for something that could be. But it got shot down. A judge ruled the system had eliminated vestiges of past discrimination in 2019, after the district made efforts to diversify its faculty. And in many ways, Decatur has steered clear of controversy, while other majority-white or diversifying districts have made headlines for racist incidents and battles over equity and inclusion efforts in recent years. But two years later, Zaman says the system has much more work to do, and they fear that racist jokes and whitewashed history lessons will only worsen as schools across the state contend with legislation that could limit discussions on race, gender and religion in the classroom. [Equity is] definitely something they dont have to try to work for anymore, Zaman said. Lou Whiting, Granbury, Texas High school junior Lou Whiting thumbed through a thick book with a rainbow cover, the same one thats rested in their bedroom since middle school. This copy, though, was all marked up. A yellow post-it was stuck next to a cartoon drawing of female anatomy. Another one was alongside a paragraph explaining how condoms help prevent sexually transmitted infections. They were among examples of overtly sexual content that trigged calls for banning the text from Granbury schools. Its just sex ed, Lou, a nonbinary student in the district, muttered while scanning the pages of This Book is Gay. Its not porn. Granbury ISD recently held a public inspection of eight books that are now banned from campus libraries after a small committee met behind closed doors and determined they were inappropriate for schools. During the inspection, the books were laid out across two tables in the administration buildings lobby. Each one was littered with multicolored sticky notes, appearing to point the reader to a passage someone had found objectionable. While the committee deemed This Book is Gay inappropriate, its something Lou has turned to five or six times over the years. Lou came out as queer in sixth grade and wants others to have the same opportunity they did to flip through the books pages and find answers. Theres queer stories. Theres how different labels work. Theres stuff about queer history, Lou said. I can look at that and think, Where am I? Sign up for our Education Lab newsletter. Email Sign Up! Across Texas, schools are under pressure from Republican state leaders to scrutinize libraries for books that explore gender and sexuality. Its part of a broader conservative crackdown on the ways schools discuss LGBT issues. Gov. Greg Abbott repeatedly labeled some books on these topics as pornography. A powerful conservative lawmaker circulated a list of more than 800 books many related to sexuality or about race-related issues that he told superintendents to review. His list came amid a swell of anti-LGBT rhetoric from Republican leaders with some setting the stage to copy Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay law next session. Granbury a district of about 7,300 students roughly an hour west of Dallas acted quickly, and the district leader doubled down in support. Lets not misrepresent things, superintendent Jeremy Glenn said during a school board meeting. Were not taking Shakespeare or Hemingway off the shelves. Civil rights groups raised the alarm, saying the targeted books represent diverse stories important to both reflect students experiences back to them and expose others to realities different than their own. The ACLU of Texas argued that Granburys process violated students First Amendment rights. Lou heard from a friend which books were slated for removal. Still, they wanted to show up at the public inspection event to remind school officials that people like them exist, even in this small town. They are continuing to make themselves heard by forming a Gay Straight Alliance, testifying at school board meetings and designing a t-shirt to represent their movement and donating the profits to the Freedom to Read Foundation. More quietly, Lou is supporting LGBT students by lending out their copy of This Book is Gay to classmates who need it. Michal Friesen, Bellevue, Washington A few years ago, when Michal Friesen began teaching third grade at Woodridge Elementary School in Bellevue, Washington, she learned that she was required to teach a unit called Bellevue Then and Now. When she opened a dusty plastic bin of teaching materials for the unit, she saw it included very little history on the dozens of Japanese families who contributed to what was once a thriving farming community. Educated as a historian herself, Friesen had previously researched the World War II era, the federal governments Executive Order 9066, and the subsequent sudden incarceration of thousands of Japanese American residents at isolated camps scattered throughout the United States. So I jumped on that right away, she said. Today, Bellevue a city of 150,000 just east of Seattle is a thriving center of commerce. But in 1940, it was an unincorporated area of about 1,000 people, including 300 Japanese-Americans who put in the hard work of clearing the once-heavily timbered land to make it suitable for growing popular crops, like strawberries, and for building houses. In 1942, those families were ordered out of their communities by the U.S. government for the duration of the war. Its a history that still stings; in 2020, the president and vice-president of Bellevue College left their jobs after they allowed a mural of two Japanese American children in an incarceration camp to be altered by whiting out a reference to anti-Japanese agitation by area businessmen. Japanese incarceration isnt the focus of the Bellevue Then and Now unit. The curriculum is meant to cover the history of its development, from its earliest inhabitants to its current incarnation as a growing metropolitan hub in King Countys Eastside. But Friesen does ask her third-grade students to research their own backyard, think about why Bellevue developed the way that it did and how different it might be if its Japanese residents hadnt been imprisoned in the 1940s. You really cant leave that out of the story. You cannot tell the history of Bellevue without talking about the Japanese immigrants and the community that helped form it, she said. She said third-graders are curious about their communitys history, even the parts some people find disturbing. When we teach these difficult topics, kids respond with a lot of engagement, Friesen said, because they know that its real and they know that its important. Gloria Zelaya, Richmond, Virginia By the time she becomes a teacher, Gloria Zelaya hopes the furor over teaching history will have died down. Zelaya, a senior at George Wythe High School, in Richmond, Virginia, and an aspiring educator, has spent her 10:40 a.m. elective this spring learning about her citys sometimes ugly history and how it informs the present. In the class, REAL Richmond, Zelaya has been introduced to places like Shockoe Bottom, once the center of the citys slave trade, and analyzed maps to help explore questions like why the James River divides Richmond by income. It makes you think, when you go to places, I have the instinct to question, to wonder what the history behind it is, said Zelaya, one of approximately 55 students enrolled in the class in Richmond Public Schools. Since the district launched the course in 2020, history instruction in the state of Virginia and nationwide has become more fraught. In January, Glenn Youngkin, Virginias new governor, signed an executive order banning the instruction of inherently divisive concepts. Youngkin also set up a tip line enabling parents to report teachers who taught students divisive subjects. Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras, who first proposed the idea for the REAL Richmond course REAL stands for relevant, engaging, active and living said he worries the order is a thinly veiled effort to stop the discussion of race and its implications for our community. Hes heard from parents who are worried their kids wont learn about the impact of the domestic slave trade on Virginia, or grapple with current events that are affected by that legacy, he said. Zelaya said that so far, the governors moves havent had a chilling effect in her classroom. She tends to be reserved, she said, but has raised her hand to discuss topics like the Confederate statues that lined Richmonds Monument Avenue until they were removed recently by the state and city. I felt it was justified, she said of protesters who toppled statutes there and elsewhere. It was a constant reminder of what these people put their ancestors through. Zelaya is scheduled to graduate from George Wythe in June. Shes planning to study early childhood education at a local community college with the goal of returning to the Richmond public school system. If this is going on right now, what happens in four years when Im a teacher? Zelaya said. Will I not be able to teach what I was taught? It hits on different levels. She added, Teaching what happened in history is very, very important. Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now This story was produced by The Dallas Morning News, AL.com, The Seattle Times, and The Hechinger Report and is part of a collaborative education reporting effort between those news outlets, as well as the Post and Courier, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Fresno Bee. Editor of Stand News Patrick Lam (center) is escorted by police officers into a van Dec. 29 after they searched evidence at his office in Hong Kong. Former Stand News reporter Gwyneth Ho is among five of the citys democracy advocates nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. AP Photo/Vincent Yu COLUMBIA GOP senators representing Horry County lost their fight to reroute $1 billion in proposed rebates to taxpayers toward constructing an interstate to the Grand Strand, fixing roads across the state and various other one-time expenses. The trio of Republican lawmakers Stephen Goldfinch, Education Chairman Greg Hembree and Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin argued April 27 that more of South Carolina's largest-ever surplus should address longstanding needs, not be sent back to taxpayers as a gimmicky one-time payment of up to $700 per household. They tried multiple ways to divert the money, all of which included spending roughly $300 million on a segment of Interstate 73 a controversial project in the works for decades advocates say is needed to more quickly move traffic in and out of Myrtle Beach. Their other uses for the rest of the $1 billion included repairing local roads and bridges, replacing dilapidated rural schools and providing state employees and K-12 teachers a $1,500 bonus. But all of their amendments failed by overwhelming margins over hours of debate. Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, in his first year as the chamber's chief budget writer, called his committee's plan a "budget for the people." What the Horry County Republicans would do, he argued, is take away taxpayers' money and spend it on a brand new interstate. The floor votes left intact the Senate Finance Committee's $12.6 billion budget plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, which is built off the one-time rebate as well as a $1 billion recurring tax cut. Senators gave preliminary approval late Wednesday. They'll take a roll call vote on the entire package April 28. The Grand Strand trio fought for their plan. "Yall come on. What are we doing here? Are we not going to invest in this state anymore?" asked Goldfinch of Murrells Inlet, whose district extends into Charleston and Horry counties. "We have to spend money on core functions of government," he added. "We are neglecting our duty if we do not. A rebates nice. A tax cuts great. All those things show our conservative bona fides." But in a "year of plenty," the state must do a better job of fixing problems, he said. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! He and Hembree, R-Little River, said they regret voting in March for the earlier bill approving the $2 billion combined income tax cut and rebate. Senators approved Peeler's bill unanimously with almost no debate. But in hindsight, that was a bad idea that deserved more scrutiny, Hembree said. Fixing the state's roads are by far his constituents' top request, he said, adding no one's asked him to return tax money. Maybe legislators should tell residents to use their rebate money to fix their own potholes, he said. Several of his amendments set aside hundreds of millions of dollars toward a future overhaul of the tax code, to include dispensing with the much-maligned law known as Act 388. Heralded as ending growing tension between homeowners and public schools due to skyrocketing property values, the 2006 law took school operating costs off owner-occupied homes and raised the state sales tax by a penny for an intended tax swap. But it created all sorts of unforeseen problems, including transferring higher taxes to rental property and businesses and leaving fast-growing school districts unable to fully collect taxes from new homes. Legislators across the political spectrum have long complained about Act 388, but they won't touch it because undoing it would immediately hike homeowners' property taxes. Now is the time to sock away the money so a fix is possible, Hembree said. "We've got to deal with Act 388, and it's going to cost money. We now have the opportunity to do something transformative in our tax system," he said, adding that while he still likes the budget plan's tax cut, "we've got to go deeper than that." Goldfinch and Hembree warned their colleagues repeatedly the $1 billion rebate likely won't survive the budget process anyway, and the Senate's setting itself up for failure in negotiations with the House. The House's $14 billion spending plan, approved in March, includes a $600 million tax cut but no rebate. Other differences include employee pay. While both chambers' plans give state employees a 3 percent cost-of-living raise, the House also provides a $1,500 bonus. The restaurant review has long been part of The Post and Couriers food section, but the coronavirus pandemic led us along with newspapers nationwide to temporarily suspend that section of the paper. Recently, in March, The Post and Courier brought back its restaurant reviews. Moving forward, readers can expect to find a review inside the Food & Dining section twice a month. This week on Understand SC, we peek behind the curtain with help from The Post and Couriers new contributing critic, Robert Moss. He shared some of the highlights from his first two reviews and talked about why he thinks this isn't the time for star ratings. Moss is the Contributing Barbecue Editor for Southern Living and the author of five books on food and beverage history. His most recent, "The Lost Southern Chefs," was published in February by University of Georgia Press. Moss has contributed to several South Carolina publications including the Charleston City Paper, where he wrote restaurant reviews for years. More Ways to Listen Understand SC is available in all major podcasting apps. Search for us or use one of these links: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Simplecast This episode was hosted by Parker Milner and edited and produced by Emily Williams. Understand SC is a weekly podcast from The Post and Courier that draws from the reporting resources and knowledge of our newsroom to help you better understand South Carolina. Are there any stories you'd like to hear on the show? Contact us at understandsc@postandcourier.com. Related reading: Tourism in Guam and in some parts of Micronesia is starting to return but it would take time for full recovery to happen after the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association. While Guam is anticipating an increase in air seats and passengers, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia have yet to open their borders for any leisure travel, PATA officials said. With zero tourism on these islands since March 2020, their tourism officials on Wednesday asked for an additional waiver of membership dues, among other things. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. 'Emerged stronger, more resilient' But overall, despite the challenges of the past two years, the region has "emerged stronger, more resilient and now excited for the new normal," PATA Micronesia Chairwoman Paula Monk said during the organization's general membership meeting. These new "normal" are geared towards much healthier and safer travel than prior to the pandemic. "Tourism arrivals will slowly pick up and we must all be ready as a destination and as a region, but more importantly as PATA Micronesias chapter," Monk said. Guam, she said, has started seeing the return of visitors from Japan and Korea, as well as from Taiwan and the Philippines, and continues to receive visitors from the United States. Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will be hosting more than 1,000 athletes from 24 participating islands for the 11th Pacific Mini Games from June 17 to 25, Monk said. "The event will encourage travel among islands and will continue to build strong relationships with one another," she said. Palau, which recently hosted the Ocean Conference, continues its efforts toward conservation of the natural environment, she added. "As our neighboring islands, the FSM, and the Marshall Islands, they have maintained to be COVID-free. Of course, the borders remain close. However, their perseverance continues as they continue to have repatriation flights to the FSM and safe travel trips to Majuro," Monk said. This perseverance and resilience, she said, are inherent in islanders. David Sanchez, an engineer and assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, drove this point further when he spoke on island sustainability and innovation and how they could be applied to tourism and other businesses. Because of their geography and isolation, islands are by nature "required to be sustainable" and innovative, Sanchez, the event's guest speaker, said. 'Think about cultural best practices' "Sustainability is really about human flourishing," he said. "Think about cultural best practices, think of traditions that we have, many of these things were built on a culture that evolved over thousands of years that naturally was sustainable." For residents of Micronesia, the effects of the pandemic are far more serious because of geographic location, limited resources and the high probability of the virus to spread uncontrollably, Monk said. "Fortunately, we have risen above the challenges and have come a long way from the past 24 months. We can now see a glimpse of the return of tourism and some sort of new sense of normal," she added. Mark Manglona, marketing manager for the Guam Visitors Bureau, shared some travel trends in the Pacific, starting with the pent-up desire to travel after two years of staying home. This bodes well for island tourism in particular, he said, because travelers are looking forward to destinations that are less crowded with tourists "where they could feel safe and comfortable." Safety, health and hygiene are among factors that drive travel demand, he said, along with tourism offices' right messaging to their consumers that their destination is "safe." In Guam's case, he said, there's a high COVID-19 vaccination rate and many businesses have taken part in the Guam Safe Certification and the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels stamp program to help ease tourists' mind about the safety of the destination. There have been contradictions about our local government's strategy on COVID-19 testing and limitations for those who have come in close cont Read more Matt Walsh has written a book for children called Johnny the Walrus. It satirizes the current transgender craze, which has resulted in an epidemic of irreversible child abuse: Johnny is a little boy with a big imagination. One day he pretends to be a big scary dinosaur, the next day hes a knight in shining armor or a playful puppy. But when the internet people find out Johnny likes to make-believe, hes forced to make a decision between the little boy he is and the things he pretends to be and hes not allowed to change his mind. To the horror of the libs who work at Amazon, Walshs book is selling like hotcakes on that platform. Someone leaked a zoom call on which Amazon employees wring their hands over what to do about Johnny the Walrus. I should note that the statements about the book made by the anonymous caller are entirely false. In typical liberal fashion, she just made them up. The people on the call would know they were false if they took the trouble to read Johnny the Walrus, a kids board book, which probably would have taken two minutes or less. But of course they didnt bother. Ideology is everything. Enjoy: Amazon leadership held a session for employees dealing with the trauma of Matt Walshs book becoming a best seller and dealing with his trolling. They strategize on how to demote it on their site and claim he will get people killed. @MattWalshBlog broke them. pic.twitter.com/AKH8ihO0iV Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 26, 2022 Part 2 https://t.co/3f8YuL7jrz Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 26, 2022 These people sound like caricatures of liberals, but they are real. That is the bad news. The good news is that they didnt succeed in censoring Johnny the Walrus. To be fair, it isnt clear what efforts at censorship they actually made, if any. Be that as it may, at the moment, Johnny is the best-selling book on Amazon: Not to mention first in the categories of Humor and Political Commentary and Opinion. So if efforts at censorship were made, they failed. More broadly, the pattern seems clear: liberal attempts at censorship not only flop, they draw even more attention to already-popular conservative products and themes. From Climatewire (a subscription service, so no link) today: Climate-concerned investors were drubbed yesterday in their first bid to push Wall Street banks to end financial support for new fossil fuel development. . . Activist shareholder groups filed climate resolutions this year at six of the largest U.S. investment banks. The resolutions call on the firms to back their long-term climate commitments with policies that would ensure they do not contribute to the expansion of the fossil fuel industry. Three of the banks Wells Fargo & Co., Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. held their annual shareholder meetings yesterday, giving investors the chance to weigh in. Just under 13 percent of shareholders backed the fossil fuel-related resolution at Citigroup, while 11 percent supported the proposal at both Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Those are some pretty weak numbers. Despite the fact that many large banks and investment houses such as Blackrock have committed themselves to the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, when it comes time to make actual investment decisions, they are going to go with realism instead. On April 19, the National Sheriffs Association and the Border Sheriffs wrote to Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, urging them to retain Title 42 authority for Customs and Border officers. The letter, embedded below, is brief but powerful. Here are a few highlights: We simply have no border left in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas or Southern California. The Administration since day one, phased out remain in Mexico (overturned by courts), reversed asylum restrictions, implemented 100 day pause on deportations and stopped building the barrier which defines our border. Now, the Administration is ending one of our most effective health measures, Title 42, which seeks to return illegal immigrants to their home country during this pandemic. Today, there are thousands of immigrants in the jungles of the Darien gap headed to the US border. We simply dont know their health status and implore you to keep Title 42 as the last policy we have to keep Americans safe from COVID and a host of other communicable diseases carried by these immigrants. We have already reached the million-illegal immigrant mark in just 6 short months. This letter addresses Title 42 so we wont speak about the amount of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ghost guns, ammunition and other deadly substances flowing across our border at this very moment. Why is the Biden administration eager to import millions of illegal immigrants and distribute them around the country by bus and airplane? They are trying to change Americas demographics. They know that many illegals will vote due to our lack of election integrity, and in any event, the children of those millions of illegals will be eligible to vote. Democrats think that most of those new voters will vote Democratic. That is the sole explanation for their eagerness to nullify the immigration laws. Is there anything we can do, prior to the next presidential election, to restore the southern border? Perhaps not, but if Hispanics turn out for the GOP in November, the Democrats might rethink their political calculation. The Axelrod/Atlantic conference on Disinformation and the erosion of democracy held at the University of Chicago earlier this month included a rogues gallery of purveyors of disinformation. We covered the conference in some detail as renegade students at the Chicago Thinker staged a media regime takedown, as the editors put it. The Axelrod/Atlantic conference on disinformation was followed by Barack Obamas April 21 contribution at Stanford University. Obama gave his speech the title Disinformation is a threat to our democracy. Is there an echo in here? Obama captured his theme in the subhead of the linked text: Tech platforms need to recognize that their decisions have an impact on every aspect of society. On the assumption that you can concentrate on Obamas text, the reading time should run 28 minutes. C-SPAN clocks the video at over 1:13:49. On a feels-like basis, its about two days. However, C-SPAN mercifully provides this precis: Former President Barack Obama said people are dying due to disinformation on social media, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic, during a speech at Stanford University on the threats disinformation poses to democracy at home and around the world. He spoke on the importance of free speech and the First Amendment, saying they can produce a healthier society, but that the First Amendment is a check on the power of the state. It doesnt apply to private companies like Facebook or Twitter, any more than it applies to editorial decisions made by The New York Times or Fox News. It never has. President Obama also addressed disinformation associated with Russias invasion of Ukraine and the repeated denial of the legitimacy of the 2020 election results by many Republicans. Obama seems to have heard the footsteps of Elon Musk approaching Twitter. His speech omitted any mention of the Russia hoax orchestrated by the Clinton presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Students of ancient history may recall that it involved his own administration, was disseminated by the mainstream media, and promoted by Democratic officeholders during the Trump administration. It is the greatest scandal by far in American political history, yet mums the word as far as Obama is concerned. And thats not all. When it comes to disinformation, Obama is himself a master practitioner. He has much he could teach us if he werent still plying his trade. Nobody here but us chickens should be his theme song. Oh, yeah. Obama also omitted any mention of the suppression of the news of Hunter Bidens laptop in advance of the 2016 presidential election in the name of disinformation, of course. The disinformation ringleaders included Obamas leading intelligence officials. Whats past was prologue to the announcement by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas yesterday. FOX News covers it here. Mayorkas testified that the Department of Homeland Security has created a Disinformation Governance Board to combat misinformation ahead of the 2022 midterms. It is led by Undersecretary for Policy Rob Silvers and principal deputy general counsel Jennifer Gaskill. Nina Jankowicz will head the board as executive director. Meditate on this: Here's my official portrait to grab your attention. Now that I've got it: a HUGE focus of our work, and indeed, one of the key reasons the Board was established, is to maintain the Dept's committment to protecting free speech, privacy, civil rights, & civil liberties. pic.twitter.com/C4xiEGfhDt Nina Jankowicz (@wiczipedia) April 27, 2022 The Washington Examiners Jerry Dunleavy fills in a little bit of the background. She is the perfect person for the job. This person was just announced to head the Department of Homeland Securitys Disinformation Governance Board. https://t.co/Br5IJO5zoJ Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) April 27, 2022 Speaking of disinformation: Meet your new head of the Homeland Security Disinformation Governance Board, America pic.twitter.com/l1s9BtJ6DO Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) April 27, 2022 If Bidens Disinformation Governance Board prompts you to recall Orwells Ministry of Truth, you wont be alone. The Axelrod/Atlantic conference and Obama speeches set the stage. What we have here seems to be a prime example of what the Nazis called Gleichschaltung (Coordination). The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has issued a 72-page report finding probable cause to conclude that the Minneapolis Police Department has massively discriminated against blacks in the course of its enforcement duties. The department has an investigation page that links to its report as well as its press summary. The Star Tribune is flooding the zone with coverage including an editorial that takes a pass on a key question: Questions also may be raised about some of the statistical conclusions in the report. Data comparing arrests under similar circumstances is critical and damning, but many factors beyond race and bias could complicate drawing broad conclusions about some disparities. The editorial quickly moves on without elaboration. Torey Van Oots Axios story is generally accessible, as is Deena Winters Minnesota Reformer story. Winter also compiled a list of jaw-dropping statements from the report. Reformer editor and former Star Tribune reporter Patrick Coolican comments in the column We knew a lot about Minneapolis police, but we did nothing. This is all worth reading In this post I want only to make a few big-picture observations that bear on the report. Minneapolis is in the throes of a crisis of crime and disorder. The demoralization of the police department proceeds apace and will deepen the crisis. We are living the evidence of the Ferguson effect. The report cites supporting materials including some 480,000 pages of documents, but the report is merely an indictment that barely touches on the underlying materials. I do not believe the underlying materials have been made available. The methodology finding disparate treatment is in critical respects laughable on its face. Even the Star Tribune editors note the issue in the editorial linked above. The report tries to address this issue at critical points by referring to similarly situated persons. Note, however, that the analysis draws on one variable (such as whether the person tensed up during a stop) to support certain findings. Thats a joke. Racial disparities permeate the criminal justice system, from the racial identification of perpetrators by victims to convictions and reflect the vast racial disparities in offending rates. The substantive issue is disparate treatment. The report maintains a discreet silence on the racial disparities in offense rates faced by Minneapolis police on a daily basis. Racial disparities are also reflected in victimization rates. The report maintains a discreet silence on this issue as well. The war on the police in the name of the black community is curiously limited. When you get to key parts of the report, they are about one page long. Is there another side of the story? No other side is presented. Did anyone speak on behalf of the police on the statistical or other analytic issues? I dont see it in the report. The city and the MPD cannot wait to enter into a consent decree with the Human Rights Department. The chief of the MPD from 2017 to January 2022 i.e., this past January was Medaria Arradondo. He is black. Can we go to him for comment? Is he a racist? Does he take responsibility for the departments systemic racism? Municipal authorities might want to ask who in his right mind would now go to work for the Minneapolis Police Department at this time. There is much more to be said, but I doubt anyone beyond Heather Mac Donald can be persuaded to say it. I invite readers with any expertise bearing on the issues to review the report and write us at powerlinefeedback@gmail.com. Nigerian lender Access Holdings witnessed an advance in net income by nearly one-tenth in the first three months of the year, its unaudited financial statement issued on Thursday showed, much as a steep spike in op-ex arrested profit. Gross earnings summed up to N340.4 billion, 53 per cent higher when set beside the figure for the relative period of last year. Access Holdings shares, listed in Lagos, climbed 0.51 per cent following the earnings release. The financial services group incurred N44.6 billion as net loss on financial instruments at fair value in stark contrast to a net gain of N27.1 billion a year earlier. That had implications for operating expenses, shooting it up 76.8 per cent to N161.8 billion. Herbert Wigwe-led Access Holdings completed a conversion to a holding company this March, giving it leave to branch out into other financial services like payments, insurance and asset management. The financial group, which operates in sixteen markets, has revealed an ambition to be numbered among the five largest banks on the continent in five years. My sense is that by 2027, you will see us getting close to one of the top-5 banks in the continent, from its current ranking of 12th, Wigwe told a press conference in Lagos last month. Pre-tax profit for the period in question stood at N65.1 billion, compared to a year earlier when it was N60.1 billion. Net profit climbed 9.2 per cent to N57.4 billion. The lender said in a separate document it would pay on Thursday April 28 the 70 kobo earlier announced on March 18 as the final dividend for 2021 instead as an interim dividend by Asset Holdings. It said last year it planned to set up offices in Hong Kong and Paris by this June, and has stated another aspiration to foray into six new countries. French oil major TotalEnergies has announced it will put up for sale its minority stake in a Nigerian oil joint venture. The firm wants to focus on deep-water fields away from the difficulties of operating in close proximity with local communities, Bloomberg reported Thursday. TotalEnergies is a multinational energy company operating in more than 130 countries. For over 50 years, the company has remained a leader in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Mele Kyari, the group managing director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had in February said International oil companies are leaving Nigeria and shifting their portfolios to where they can add value to the journey towards carbon net-zero commitment. Last year, Royal Dutch Shell announced its plan to offload onshore Nigerian oil assets in a bid to move to cleaner energy. It said it was discussing with the federal government to sell its onshore oil assets in the country. Also, Seplat Energy in February announced it had entered into a contract with ExxonMobil, to buy Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimiteds entire oil assets in Nigeria. That includes all of Exxons entire shallow water assets in the Niger Delta. Disruption of local communities are sources of great concern in the country, Patrick Pouyanne, TotalEnergies chief executive officer was quoted by Bloomberg as saying on a conference call on Thursday. The French energy giant will look to offload its 10 per cent interest in a firm that holds 20 onshore and shallow water permits in the West African country, Mr Pouyanne said. Shell Plc, the operator of the licenses, is already considering bids from four local firms for its 30 per cent shareholding in the company, he said. According to the paper, the other shareholders in the joint venture are the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Co., which holds the majority stake, and Eni SpA, which has yet to reveal if it intends to sell its interest. A famous prophet, Zagabe Chiluza, married four women on the same day in eastern Congo, Bukur, over the weekend. Mr Chiluza is the head pastor of the popular Eglise Primitive du Seigneur, Yeshua Hamashia Church, in Bukur, eastern Congo. Afrimax English shared details of the unusual wedding on YouTube. However, this is his second marriage, as he reportedly married the first wife a few years ago. Biblical backups The man of God claimed that he adopted the idea of polygamy from the Bible, citing Jacob, who had four wives, as an example. He quoted biblical scriptures that show that marrying more than one wife was not a sin, and God always respected those who married more than one wife. He said: Show me where it is written that God said a man should marry only one wife? I am brother Zagabe Chiluza, and I have one wife plus the four I am about to marry. They would have to join the senior wife. Today we will have to celebrate. I will marry more women, and the idea originated from the bible. The acclaimed servant of God said he got saved and believed Jesus as his saviour in 1986 while he was in school. Mr Chiluza, who says he is an ardent Bible student, chose to deviate from other denominations on the idea of polygamy. He said: Jacob married one wife and was awarded another, didnt he? After that, he married more wives. Jacob had many wives, Leah and Rachel, then Bilhah and Zilpa, four wives for one man, he said. He further added that there are a lot of biblical examples of polygamy like Saul, David and others, didnt God not interact with them? I am wondering, how can one refuse to marry more than one wife? he asked. Another pastor in the church, Brother Kalebbe, said God introduced polygamy in the old testament and the entire scriptures support it. Giving scriptural backup to his claims, he said: You can read Matthew 25:1, it reads that, at that time the Kingdom of God would be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom, and we understand that all the brides would be his wives. Unusual wedding Friends, family, and congregation members attended the prophets unusual wedding. Many people gathered to celebrate the anointed man of God on his wedding day. I am glad to have five wives around me. If you want to marry many wives like Abraham, say, Amen. As you rejoice with us, Abraham will see you though he is seated in heaven. May God bless you, the popular cleric told the excited guests at the wedding. The guests, in turn, danced along with the prophet and his four wives, praising God. The church blessed them and officially pronounced them husband and wife. In one of his numerous sermons, Mr Chiluza says men should not marry girls who are virgins. One of his members, Isidore Chibagila, said the church is governed according to prophecy and holy scriptures. The single sister, who supports polygamy, also shares her thoughts on the churchs doctrine, and she says: God himself supports polygamy as Apostle Paul said, it is said that there will only be virgins in heaven. Other controversial doctrines Mr Chiluza said his church serves the people the truth, and they have the option of practising it. Advertisements According to him, one of his unconventional teachings is that Cain is not the son of Adam. The pastor claimed its a long biblical story in the book of Genesis and said that Cain was the son of the serpent. He said those who do not believe in the scriptures are the sons of the serpent, like Cain. Even Jesus, referring to Cain as the son of the serpent, said, Sons of vampires, how would you escape the judgement, he said. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has written to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging the party to include drug test as part of its screening of aspirants on their platforms. . The chairman of the agency, Buba Marwa, stated this on Wednesday during the 2022 First Quarter Best Performing Commands Awards ceremony at the agencys national headquarters in Abuja. Mr Marwas statement was contained in a statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi. Mr Marwa, who said a similar letter will also be written to the main opposition party, PDP, and others, said Nigeria requires a mentally stable set of leaders to pilot its affairs. He said the test will not just be limited to elective office seekers but other appointive office holders. We have advocated and will continue to advocate that drug test be conducted for politicians; some state governments like Kano state is already doing this. Not just politicians, but government appointees. And, I have just sent a letter this morning to the National Chairman of APC, who will be the first of the national working committee I wish to pay an advocacy visit on this issue. I recommended that drug tests be incorporated in the screening process for all those interested in running for public office. We will do the same to the PDP and other important parties, Mr Marwa said. The Nigerian constitution and electoral law does to require drug test for candidates and parties and the electoral commission, INEC, are not bound by the request of the NDLEA. INEC requires all 18 registered political parties to submit the names of aspirant for various elective positions in the 2023 general elections before June 3. The positions are those of the president, governors, federal and state legislatures. The parties are expected to screen the aspirants before the primaries. Read the full statement from the NDLEA below. NDLEA asks political parties to make drug test part of screening for aspirants As Marwa gives 56 Commands/Officers best performing awards for Q1 Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has urged political parties to make drug integrity test part of the screening requirements for aspirants seeking to contest political offices in the 2023 elections on their platforms. Mr Marwa stated this while responding to questions from journalists at the 2022 First Quarter Best Performing Commands Awards ceremony at the Agencys national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday 27th 2022. According to him, for politicians, we have long advocated and I take the opportunity again to repeat the advocacy that when they run for public office it demands a lot of responsibility from the person and we need to be certain if hes a person that is already a drug addict/user who will spend all the money hes given for public service to consume cocaine and his head will not be in a stable condition to handle the affairs he has been entrusted with. For this reason, we have advocated and will continue to advocate that drug test be conducted for politicians; some state governments like Kano state is already doing this. Not just politicians, but government appointees. And, I have just sent a letter this morning to the National Chairman of APC, who will be the first of the national working committee I wish to pay an advocacy visit on this issue. I recommended that drug tests be incorporated in the screening process for all those interested in running for public office; well do the same to the PDP and other important parties. While addressing officers and men of the Agency present at the event, Gen. Marwa said the ceremony has become part and parcel of our corporate culture. Recognizing and rewarding hard work and excellence has always been a pragmatic way of stimulating productivity and enhancing the attainment of organisational goals; making it a tradition for the Agency is our way of enshrining meritocracy in the system. Statistics from the first quarter (Q1) report, indicated that our performance level has not dropped off. Indeed, achieving 3, 539 arrests, 677 convictions and seizures of 65, 916 kg of drugs in three months is no mean feat. Little wonder our performance continually earns the Agency deserved accolades from the right quarters within the country as well as from abroad, especially from international partners and peers. While we have not yet achieved the utopia of a drug-free society, the results showed that we are getting it right. He told the officers that the awrds and commendations are expected to will spur them to surpass their current feats at the next awards ceremony. The ceremony should be a poignant reminder for us not to forget where we are coming from. And there is no better way to say it other than for us to be mindful of the saying that success has a hundred fathers, but failure is always an orphan. No organisation would understand this adage better than NDLEA in the light of our past rock bottom experience. Therefore, we should all be mindful that we hold the fate of NDLEA in our hands, and that fate will be determined by our patriotism and dedication to duty, as well as our collective resolve to work towards the attainment of the Agencys mandate. Let me also seize this occasion to remind you about the importance of propagating the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programme in your various commands. There is much we can achieve when our communities are working hand-in-hand with us. That is why our roadmap, the NDCMP 2021-2025, strongly emphasises collaboration with all the stakeholders in society. We have to woo members of society to work with us on this very important assignment. Therefore, I charge you to ensure that WADA is correctly and deeply entrenched in the spheres of operation of your respective commands, he stated. Advertisements While assuring the officers that the Agency is proud of them, he said the sacrifice of a narcotic officer cannot be quantified in gold or silver, for he is fulfilling a higher calling. As we go about our duty of securing our society against the corrosion of illicit drugs, we should be aware that we are the direct beneficiaries of our work because for every kilo of drugs seized, we are making our streets and society safer for our children, family and kinsmen. NDLEA is proud of its workforce; the Agency treasures the effort of its officers and men; the management shall continue to look out for their best interest. We shall continue to reward hard work and excellence. Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja Wednesday 27th April 2022 Six persons died and one other was injured in a second auto crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday. The crash at Kara turning point came a few hours after a Toyota Hiace bus went up in flames, killing four persons and injuring 13 others at the Fidiwo area of Ogunmakin on the expressway. The Federal Road Safety Corps spokesperson, Florence Okpe, said the latest accident involved a Toyota Previa marked LRG 165 AA. Ms Okpe said that eight persons were involved in the accident, adding that it was caused by excessive speeding and loss of control which led to the vehicle hitting the road median. She said the injured victim was taken to Redeem Hospital for treatment, while the deceased were deposited at a hospital in Sagamu, Ogun. (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said news of his nomination as running mate to then-candidate Muhammadu Buhari in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election came to him as a surprise. He said he was working on a case of a defection of a federal lawmaker at the Supreme Court when he learned of his nomination. Mr Osinbajo narrated the story of his emergence on Wednesday when he hosted members of the State House Press Corps to a breaking of fast (Iftar) at his Aguda Residence at the President Villa, Abuja. I was working on the case at Peniel Apartments in Abuja on December 18, 2014, when at about 1 a.m. in the morning, I received a call from Rauf Aregbesola that they were coming to Lagos to pick me. I said I was in Abuja. He said good because you have been nominated as the vice-presidential candidate and I said is that how you nominate people, Mr Osinbajo said. The vice president added that after his case that day, he returned to his accommodation. He said immediately after he removed his wig, he felt that this is probably the last time I will be wearing it. He said Mr Aregbesola, who is the current interior minister, and former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, later in the day took him to the presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Osinbajo said he was telling his story to the journalists to let them know that an individuals life can change at any minute. He said he has always believed in and worked for a better Nigeria all his life and his decision to run for the office of president in the 2023 election is to enable him to make a difference. He said very few people have the kind of training and experience that he has. He said he has, prior to and after he declared to run for president, met with various groups including governors, delegates and party leaders. He, however, said the Iftar with the journalists is the first one he is holding with a group that will not vote at the party primaries. Mr Osinbajo drew laughter from his audience when he said: I am probably meeting you for your financial contribution. I dont know why you think its a joke, he said, drawing more laughter from the press corps member. The vice president subsequently sought the support of the journalists. Speaking earlier, the interim chairman of the State House Press Corps, Ismaila Chafe, said many members of the corps have been reporting from the Presidential Villa for over a decade. We have seen presidents and vice presidents come and go. But with profound humility, we can say that you have made a difference in the way you have related with the State House Press Corps, Mr Chaffe said. We can recall that not long after you assumed office, you gathered us here in this same hall for a very engaging interaction. The memory of that meeting still lingers in us. And since then, you have maintained a close relationship with the corps. Mr Chaffe said the press corps are very with the vision of the vice president, especially his supportive roles to ensure that this administration leaves a lasting legacy. As a corps, we will continue to play our role in the most dispassionate way, he said. Osinbajos Candidacy Mr Osinbajo, a professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is one of over 10 people seeking to be the presidential candidate of the ruling party, APC. One of his main challengers is Bola Tinubu, the former Lagos governor under whose administration Mr Osinbajo served as commissioner for justice for eight years. Mr Tinubu, an influential leader of the APC, is believed to have played a major role in Mr Osinbajos emergence as Mr Buharis running mate. Apart from Mr Osinbajo, who is now challenging Mr Tinubu for the APC ticket, many other former close allies of Mr TInubu have also fallen out with him. One of them is Mr Aregbesola, who served as works commissioner under TInubu and was considered one of his closest allies. Mr Amosun, who took Mr Osinbajo to Mr Buhari, is also seeking the APC presidential ticket. Advertisements PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Osinbajo had said it would be an injustice if he did not contest the 2023 election considering the vast experience he has acquired in the last seven years as vice president. Other APC presidential aspirants include transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi, Labour minister Chris Ngige and Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi. The APC presidential candidate is expected to emerge at the end of May. President Buhari is ineligible to contest as he is rounding off his constitutionally permitted second term in office. Health officials in Gombe State, on Wednesday, said five pupils and one teacher died of Lassa fever in an almajiri school in Kaltungo Local Government Area of the state, the Sun newspaper is reporting. Almajiri system of education is a form of Islamic education practised in northern Nigeria, where young children leave their homes to live with Islamic scholars to learn about religion. However, the system has come under heavy criticism for allowing pupils to roam the streets of towns across northern Nigeria without guardians or care, begging for alms and committing criminal acts. The coordinator, Kaltungo Primary HealthCare, Comfort Danlami, said 76 suspected cases of Lassa fever were also recorded in the Dogon Ruwa ward in the council area where the almajiri school is located. According to the official, the outbreak at the almajiri school happened during the Easter holiday. Mrs Dalami disclosed this during an advocacy visit by a team from the Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth) to the palace of the emir of Kaltungo, Sale Muhammed, on Wednesday. The incident started when five students from the almajiri school became ill and were taken to a hospital, she said. At first, they were suspected to be suffering from meningitis, but when their samples were taken and examined it was confirmed to be Lassa fever. The five suspected cases were confirmed dead while their teacher who was catering for them later fell ill after their death on Sunday and it was confirmed to be Lassa Fever and died that same day, that makes the number of death six, Mrs Danlami said. She said her team is educating members of the community on how to spot and prevent outbreaks of the disease. She added that a team of epidemiologists has embarked on tracing suspected cases and people were in contact with the confirmed cases in the Dogon Ruwa community and its environs. She said one confirmed case is currently receiving treatment and that samples of 76 other suspected cases are being tested in the state laboratory. She added that the state government has set up an isolation centre where confirmed and suspected cases in the local government are treated. Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness that is transmitted to humans through contact with food, household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons. Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings. There have been relentless outbreaks of Lassa fever in the country despite the governments promises to check the spread of the disease. The chairperson of the civil rights group, the Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP), Dangiwa Umar, Wednesday, appealed to the Nigerian government to hasten efforts to rescue those abducted by bandits during the Kaduna train attack. On March 22, gunmen, locally referred to as bandits, had blown up the train tracks with explosives, almost derailing it, before shooting indiscriminately at the passengers. Nine people were killed in the attack, and several others were taken as hostages. Mr Umar, a retired colonel and former military governor of Kaduna, said this in the statement after the bandits released photos of the hostages in distressing conditions. On Monday, the bandits responsible for the attack on the Kaduna-bound train in March released two photos of their hostages. The release of the photos was the third time the gunmen would be releasing evidence showing that the abductees were alive. The gunmen have previously released two video footage showing some of the passengers. Nine days after the attack, the gunmen released the managing director of the Nigerian Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, after allegedly paying a ransom running to millions of naira. But the bandits, in its first video evidence, claimed Mr Hassan was released due to old age. While relatives of the hostages continue to appeal to the government to facilitate the release of their loved ones, Nigerian authorities have not been able to ascertain the exact number of those abducted. The government has also not made public its efforts in securing their release. The pictures, to say the least, are most disturbing, particularly as they show exhausted and frightened women and children under the most harrowing conditions, Mr Umar. I appeal to the Federal Government to do more to secure the immediate release of these innocent victims. I also appeal to the international community, particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to assist in the negotiations needed to the effect that release. May God touch the hearts of the kidnappers to show mercy on these innocent and vulnerable victims. Amen, he added. A soldier, who was arrested for absconding from his duty post to join fighters of the Islamist group, Boko Haram, to raid a town, has committed suicide while he was being transported. The soldier, Jibrin Biu, a Lance Corporal, attached to the Nigerian Army 159 Battalion in Geidam, under the Nigerian Army 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State, reportedly disappeared for two days before he was tracked and arrested. A source in the army revealed that the soldier was identified among fighters of the Islamist group last Sunday, as they attacked Geidam, a town in Yobe State. His commanding officer subsequently tracked his phone and he was pinpointed at a point in Gashua, in the state. According to sources, including the soldiers colleagues, a signal was sent to the army base in Gashua and dragnets were spread out for him. He was arrested at a checkpoint in a commercial bus travelling to Yobe on Tuesday morning. Following his arrest, he reportedly snatched a gun from a soldier who was transporting him to custody and shot himself dead. The deceased soldier was said to be in the Intelligence Corps of the army before becoming a weapons instructor. He was believed to be paid by the terror group to teach their members how to use firearms. The army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, did not respond to WhatsApp calls and text messages sent to his phone for comments on the incident. Last September, a similar incident occurred in Yobe when a soldier, Victor Ojeamiran, attached to the Nigerian Army 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Gari, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, committed suicide he was allegedly false accused of stealing. The soldier was reportedly punished by his superior in public, while residents of the area shot videos of the punishment and later posted them on some social media platforms. Mr Ojeamiran shot himself after he personally submitted a note to his platoon sergeant for delivery to his superior officer in the Task Force. In his suicide note, he insisted he was innocent of the allegation. The Benue State High Court in Makurdi, on Thursday, acquitted Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, of raping and causing the death of Ochanya Ogbanje, a 13-year-old schoolgirl in 2018. The decision contradicts another Thursdays verdict of the Federal High Court in Makurdi, in a separate case, which convicted Mr Ogbujas wife for negligence over the child, after establishing that he raped the minor. The federal court jailed Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja five months without an option of fine for failing to protect the child from her husband, but the state High Court, about the same time, on Thursday, exonerated the man. Mr Ogbuja and his fugitive son, Victor, who are both maternal relations of the deceased, were accused of serially raping her until she fell ill and subsequently died. Ochanya was admitted at the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi for two months before she died on October 17, 2018. As the police manhunt for Victor had yet to yield any result, the Benue State government, on October 10, 2019, arraigned 54-year-old Mr Ogbuja before the Makurdi High Court on four counts of rape and Miss Ogbanjes death. Delivering judgement on the case, on Wednesday, the judge, Augustine Ityonyiman, of the Benue State High Court in Makurdi, held that the prosecution failed to prove its four-count charge against Mr Ogbuja. The judge held that police investigators failed to subject the defendant to medical examination in order to match his specimen with the findings in the medical reports that were presented before the court. In evaluating the evidence, the judge held that the two autopsy reports from the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi and the Nigerian Police Forensic Laboratory in Lagos, left him in quandary. I cannot pick and choose which of the autopsy reports to rely on in reaching a just conclusion of this case, Mr Ityonyiman said. He said while the autopsy report from the Medical Centre in Makurdi said Miss Ogbanje died of natural cause, the one from the Police forensic Laboratory said the deceased suffered diseases that were related to sexual abuse. Despite narrating her ordeals at the hands of the Ogbujas in a video tendered before the court, Mr Ityonyiman said: it is regrettable that the deceased could not tell her story before she died. I hereby acquit and discharge the defendant of all the four counts charge, the judge held. Another court convicts wife for negligence However, in Mrs Ogbujas case which coincided with that of her husband, on Thursday, the judge, Mobolaji Olajuwon, of the Federal High Court in Makurdi, held that the defendant failed in her duty to protect Miss Ogbanje from being sexually abused by her son, Victor. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) had charged Mrs Ogbuja with negligence leading to the rape and death of Ochanya. The anti-human trafficking agency accused Mrs Ogbuja of failing in her duty to protect the deceased teenager from being raped by her husband and son, Victor. In her verdict, Mrs Olajuwon held that Ochanya was being abused by the son of the defendant, but the defendant who owed the deceased girl the duty of care to ensure that she was protected from such an act, failed in doing so even when Mrs Ogbujas daughter, Winifred, drew her attention to the sexual assault. The judge noted that Mrs Ogbuja made it impossible for the NAPTIP investigating officer to see and interrogate her daughter, Winifred, in the course of the investigation of the matter. Agreeing with the prosecution, the judge said the evidence that Ochanya told the defendant (Mrs Ogbuja) about what was going on, and was not successfully challenged proved NAPTIPs case. The judge also held that Mrs Ogbuja failed to challenge the prosecutions evidence that she threatened to send Ochanya out of her house if she told anyone about the sexual abuse. This evidence has neither been challenged nor controverted. The defendant failed to perform her duty as it concerned the wellbeing of Ochanya, particularly as it comes to her protection from being sexually abused, Mrs Olajuwon said. Recalling the prosecutions evidence, the judge said the fourth prosecution witness in his testimony, said Ochanya upon being presented for medical examination, complained of passing urine uncontrollably and had serious pain at the lower abdomen. When Ochanya was examined, it was discovered that the membrane covering the vagina opening was not there, which is an indication that Ochanya had been disvirgined. Advertisements During examination it was discovered that Ochanya had urinated on her bed as she could not hold her bladder. The medical report further stated that a working diagnoses of the faecal and urinary incontinence in a sexually abused child was made, the court held. Harm would have scarred Ochanya for life Detailing Miss Ogbanjes ordeal at the hands of the Ogbujas, the judge held that aside the physical injuries inflicted on the deceased, the (sexual) abuse itself would have scarred her for life, and I so hold. The court held the prosecution had been able to prove all the ingredients contained in count one of the charge. I hold that the defendant is guilty as charged in respect of count one. hold that the defendant is guilty as charged contrary to Section 314 of the Criminal Code and she is hereby convicted, Mrs Olajuwon declared. Sentencing Before sentencing the convict, Mrs Ogbujas lawyer, Abel Onoja, pleaded for leniency. In his allocutus, Mr Onoja called two witnesses in frantic efforts to save Mrs Ogbuja. The two witnesses -Austin Ochiga and Alexande Ugbe both testified to the good conduct of the convict whom they described as a Christian and a Lady of the Saint Molumba Nighthood of the Catholic church. Messrs Ochiga and Ugbe said the convict had no record of previous convictions, urging the court to temper justice with mercy. After listening to the defence lawyers plea for clemency, the judge sentenced Mrs Ogbuja to five months imprisonment without an option of fine. Taking into consideration the testimonies of witnesses that testified to the defendants character, the number of months contained in the law shall be reduced by the court. Therefore, the defendant is sentenced to five months imprisonment with no option of fine, the court held. Backstory Miss Ogbanje in search of a sound education, left her rural home at Ogene-Amejo for the Ugbokolo township, where she lived with the Ogbujas. Mrs Ogbuja is said to be Ochanyas maternal relation. The Ogbujas residence, where they lived with the deceased, was said to be located on a street almost opposite the Emmanuel Primary and Secondary School where Ochanya obtained her primary education in Ugbokolo, Benue State. Ochanya, who was a JSS1 pupil of the Federal Government Girls College Gboko in Benue State, died on October 17, 2018, of complications linked to alleged serial rape by Mr Ogbuja and his fugitive son. This newspaper had reported how Mr Ogbuja was arraigned on four counts of sexual abuse of the late Ochanya during a period of over five years, which resulted in her death in October 2018. The father and son allegedly abused the late Ochanya while she was living with them. But the son, Victor, disappeared after police started looking for him and his father over the case. Doctors later diagnosed Ochanya of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) attributed to serial rape allegedly by the two men. The police in Rivers State have arrested Farah Dagogo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the state, as directed by Governor Nyesom Wike. Mr Dagogo is a federal lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Rivers State. He was arrested while appearing for the screening of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, according to his spokesperson, Ibrahim Lawal. Mr Lawal disclosed this in a Facebook post on Thursday. Mr Dagogo was arrested in the governorship screening hall by some police officers and taken to an unknown location, he said in the post. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported Governor Wikes declaration of the lawmaker wanted for allegedly hiring thugs to attack PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt. But Mr Dagogo, in his response, denied the allegation. He instead accused Mr Wike of trying to prevent him from appearing before the partys screening panel this Thursday. The federal lawmaker had promised to appear before the state police command after the governorship screening if invited. The police spokesperson in Rivers State, Grace Iringe-koko, did not respond to request for comment from PREMIUM TIMES. The Commissioner for Information in Rivers, Paulinus Nsirim, did not also respond to a request for comments. The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has directed the arrest of the leaders of Benue Hunters and Forest Security, a vigilante group that the government describes as illegal, for the breach of public peace on the streets of the state capital, Markurdi. Video footages showing members of the group forcibly shaving the head of an unidentified lady and harassing other members of the public were greeted with outrage by Nigerians on social media. One of the footage, which emerged on social media on Tuesday, showed members of the group brandishing automatic weapons, and harassing motorists. Another footage showed members of the group using scissors to forcibly cut the hair of a young lady sitting on the ground. In a statement on Wednesday by Nathaniel Ikyur, his media aide, Mr Ortom washes the hands of the state government from the actions of the group. The Hunters and Forest Security Guards is not a creation of the Benue State Government and we absolutely do not have any relationship with it in whatever form. As the Chief Security Officer of the State, I am appalled by the unlawful acts of these people and I condemn this in unequivocal terms and state categorically that my government has nothing to do with this group and its actions, he said. The governor added that his government will not stand by while lawless persons are allowed to maltreat residents of the state. Retired government workers in Abia State protested on Wednesday against unpaid pension arrears by the Abia State Government. The retired workers have not received their pensions for 38 months. They have also not received their gratuity for 20 years, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The pensioners, operating under the aegis of Concerned Abia Pensioners, marched round the major streets of Umuahia. They later marched to the Government House, Umuahia. They accused Governor Okezie Ikpeazus administration of being insensitive to their health amidst the current economic hardship in the country. The pensioners urged the administration to take serious steps to clear the pension arrears and the outstanding gratuity. NAN reported that the retirees carried placards with different inscriptions, such as Abia pensioners: Monthly payment for 38 months now and Non-payment of gratuity since 2002. Other inscriptions were: Let governor cut his security vote and pay pensioners, Why is Abia government so wicked and Stop payment of half pensions. Many of the protesting retirees looked sickly. They expressed disappointment over governments delay in domesticating the Federal Governments harmonised pensions in Abia. The Coordinator of the group, Emeka Okezie, while speaking at the Government House, appealed to the government to be sensitive to the condition of pensioners in the state. We have been dehumanised and subjected to unimaginable sufferings. The death toll of our members ranges from 10 to 15 persons every month. This is due to the unavailability of funds to meet their personal and health needs, Mr Okezie said. The governor, in his response, said the state government was making efforts to ensure regular and consistent payment of pensions. Mr Ikpeazu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, said that the pension remained the right of every retiree. He said that the government was focused on improving the welfare of the pensioners. The Commissioner for Finance, Aham Uko, said a recent forensic exercise conducted by the government on the pensioners payroll exposed 4,422 irregular names. The discovery showed that gratuities attached to the irregular names on the payroll amounted to over N6 billion, Mr Uko said. He said the exercise did not only saved the government from wasting its resources, but would enable it to pay the genuine pensioners. He called for collaboration between the leadership of the pensioners and government to ensure that the irregular names were expunged from the payroll before the gratuity and pensions would be paid. He promised that the payment of pensions in the state would henceforth be regular. Some pensioners, according to him, have started receiving their pensions and, by Friday, more would be paid. (NAN) Advertisements Over dependence on foreign countries for vaccines, poor research capacity, inadequate funding, and lack of accountability, are some key reasons why advancement in local vaccine production in Nigeria has remained slow, health experts said. At a symposium Wednesday in Abuja to mark the African Vaccine Week (AVW), many stakeholders in the health sector gathered to review the progress of immunisation in Nigeria. They agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed several inefficiencies in vaccine production and distribution in Africa. The symposium was organised by the West African Institute of Public Health (WAIPH) with support of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health @scale (PACFaH@Scale/PAS), among other partners. Health experts, government officials, civil society organisations, and international partners attended the one-day high-level event with the theme; Equitable Vaccines Access: Resilient Communities. AVW is an annual event celebrated during the last week of April with the aim of promoting the use of vaccines to protect Africans from preventable diseases. Nigeria vaccine production The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of local vaccine production especially in developing countries like Nigeria that must depend on global arrangements such as COVAX that often prioritises wealthier countries. Meanwhile, more than two years after the pandemic hit Nigeria, the countrys local vaccine production plan, Biovaccine, is yet to take off despite the governments commitment of N10 billion ($26,315,789) to set up a vaccine production company. The situation builds on previous attempts to revamp local vaccination plans in the country which had failed. Attempts to revamp the Federal Vaccine Production Laboratory at Yaba in Lagos State which was locally producing vaccines in Nigeria until it was shut in 1991 has not yielded positive results promoting the continued reliance on imported vaccination and donations. Nigeria lagging Speaking at the symposium, a professor of virology and former president of the Nigeria Academy of Science, Oyewale Tomori, said local vaccine production in Nigeria will remain a tall dream if some key issues hindering the efforts are not addressed. He made a presentation on equitable vaccine access, resilient communities, and addressed the sub-themes that relate to global strategies for leaving no one behind, decolonising vaccine production and strengthening the vaccine learning ecosystem. Tomori, also Chairman of Bio-vaccine Board, the company commissioned by the federal government for local production of vaccines in Nigeria, decried Nigerias poor research capacity. He said for Africa to witness growth in vaccine production, leaders must adopt the knowledge and capacity of young persons for physical development in the country. The professor said countries producing vaccines today have invested in research and development for many years. He added that COVID-19 vaccines in use are products of lots of research work. Mr Tomori said Africa is dangerously lagging in research and development. He described Africas over-dependence on foreign countries as dangerous. He said Africans were amongst the last persons to receive the COVID-19 vaccines because the suppliers must fulfil the needs of their people before sending some doses out. What must be done Also speaking, Abdulsalami Nasidi, a pioneer director of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), stressed the need for African leaders to act fast in setting up policies and an enabling environment that will ensure equitable vaccine production to meet teeming demands. He said investment must be followed with proper accountability and transparency. He noted that the experience of the defunct Yaba vaccine centre should serve as a big lesson to the Nigerian government. Francis Ohanyido, the director-general of WAIPH, organisers of the event, said one of the biggest challenges to vaccine distribution in Nigeria is poor health literacy, especially in rural communities. He said the involvement of civil societies is important for Africa to achieve successful local vaccine production and distribution. Mr Ohanyido also noted that the media has a major role to play in expanding knowledge and awareness of vaccines. Two persons who had served as commissioners in Edo State when Adams Oshiomhole was the governor of the state have kicked against his senatorial ambition. The 70-year-old Mr Oshiomhole, early this month, declared his intention to contest for the Edo North District in the 2023 election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Oshiomhole is also a former national chairman of the APC. The two former commissioners opposing his Senate ambition are Lucky James and Inumidun Idehen. Mr James was the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, while Mrs Idehen was in charge of Women Affairs. The two issued a joint statement in Benin, on Thursday, pitching their tent with the incumbent Senator, Francis Alimikhena. They pledged their support for Mr Alimikhenas re-election. Mr Oshiomhole sacked Messrs James and Idehen from his cabinet in June 2012, one month to the governorship election in Edo. The re-election of Mr Alimikhena, instead of replacing him with Mr Oshiomhole, would guarantee a bigger deal for the senatorial district, the two of them said in the press statement. Edo North APC youths should work in synergy with their respective leaders to ensure victory for Senator Alimikhena, the statement said. The statement said Senator Alimikhena, besides being the first to get the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, has strengthened his campaign organisation, as a sign of his seriousness towards his re-election. It quoted Mrs Idehen as saying, At my age and with my pedigree, I cannot deceive my people. I owe it a duty to lead rightly, and Alimikhena is the right person for the 2023 Senate. She urged the people to do the right thing by nominating and supporting the senator for another term of office. Reacting to the statement, a chieftain of the APC in Akoko-Edo, Ayo Olowojoba, said support for Oshiomhole would drag the senatorial district backward. We cannot be dragging Afemai backward by allowing a new person to go to the Senate. We will deliver Alimikhena with our unity, especially the Owan and Akoko-Edos, he said. (NAN) The State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Anambra State, Charles Nwoji, has called on Nigerians to drop their preference for foreign goods and patronise made-in-Nigeria products. Mr Nwoji made the call on Wednesday at a news conference in Awka. He described the patronage of locally made products against their foreign substitutes as a strategic means to encourage local industries and also grow the nations economy. The economy of any nation, he said, grows rapidly when locally made products and services are promoted and patronised by the citizens. He said, A nation needs to first patronise its own products to grow its economy if the people are sure and proud of their products and services. NOA has been carrying out sensitisation programmes to promote the patronage of local goods, he said. Mr Nwoji said there was a need for a sustained national campaign, continuous sensitisation and re-orientation of Nigerians, especially Anambra people, to change their attitude towards locally made products. He said the country needed strong advocacy to revive the moribund industries in order to create job opportunities and restore the pride of Nigeria as a nation. In the long run, the advocacy would help to boost the nations foreign reserve and promote the Nigerian spirit, he said. Charity, they say, begins at home, and truly no nation will develop when its economy is at the mercy of foreign products and services, he said. He described developed nations of the world as those whose economies are largely based on production. He said that most Nigerians suffer the desire-for-foreign goods syndrome because of social symbols and the claim that foreign products are superior to their locally-made substitutes. Mr Nwoji said although the claim might not be totally wrong, it is worrisome and economically dangerous to abandon locally-made products in preference for foreign goods. The worst is that manufacturers in reaction to the development have resorted to deceptive branding of their products with foreign labels and tags. This translates to giving credit for quality products that were produced in Nigeria to other countries, he said. He said the consequence of identity product theft was capable of leading to capital flight and a decline in the nations Gross Domestic Product. Mr Nwoji said that NOA was ready to continue to encourage Nigerian manufacturers to take pride in their own products. Our local manufacturers need to appropriately and beneficially showcase Nigerian products and services to the world, he said. (NAN) Jimoh Ibrahim, a business mogul, has formally declared his intention to run for Ondo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC. Mr Ibrahim made the declaration on Thursday in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state after meeting with leaders and chieftains of the APC in Igbotako Ward 1 and 2. Mr Ibrahim, a lawyer, appreciated the APC leaders for believing in him, saying that the meeting was to get prepared for the partys primary election scheduled for May. The billionaire noted that there was a need for him to keep the leaders abreast of his political interest. I made the decision after due consultations with family members, APC stakeholders, and chieftains of Igbotako Ward 1 and Ward 2. There is need for a representative who have capacity to make life-changing impacts in the senatorial district. People will benefit more from the largesse in the district when I become a senator because I have a large heart to bring positive transformation to the senatorial district, Mr Ibrahim said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nicholas Tofowomo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who hails from Ile-Oluji/Oke Igbo, is the current senator representing Ondo South at the National Assembly. NAN also reports that Ondo South consists of six Local Government Areas: Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odogbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke Igbo. Mr Ibrahim defected to the APC in 2020, from the PDP where he was a factional governorship candidate four years earlier. His declaration comes amidst a N69 billion debt owed by his companies to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a debt the agency says Mr Ibrahim has no intention whatsoever to pay. The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has granted bail to the Chairman, Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Fatuyi Philips, in his N43.5m fraud trial. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 7 arraigned Mr Phillips alongside his firm, Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited, on two counts of stealing and obtaining a total of N43,502,000 by false pretence. The anti-graft agency accused the defendants of stealing the money from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited under the false promise to sell $98,870 to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited. Mr Philips allegedly committed the crimes in Lagos sometime in 2016, according to a statement by EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail application Mr Philips defence counsel, O. Ajanaku, moved his bail application dated April 7, 2022, when the matter came up in court on Thursday. We urge your lordship to admit the first defendant applicant to bail and for such other order as your lordship may make, the defence lawyer said. He further argued that the defendant, by the Nigerian constitution, was presumed innocent of all charges until proven otherwise. Opposing the bail application, however, counsel for the EFCC, I.N. Ubabudu, urged the court to dismiss the application as lacking in merit. Ruling The trial judge, Mojisola Dada, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum, after The two sureties, the judge ruled, must be residents within the jurisdiction and must present three years evidence of tax payment. The court also ordered the defendant to submit his passport to the respondent to the bail application which is the EFCC. The judge then adjourned the case until June 17 for trial. Charges Count one reads: Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N43, 502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation that you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870.00, a representation you knew to be false. Count two reads: Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole the sum of N43, 502,000.00, property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited. Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has picked the presidential nomination form of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Nigerias ruling party. The governor announced this in a post on Thursday night on his verified social media handles. The governor also displayed the receipt issued him after he paid N100 million for both the expression of interest and nomination forms. Mr Umahi revealed his plan to run for president in January after a visit to President Buhari at the State House, Abuja. He joined the APC in November 2020 from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), the party on whose platform he won two governorship elections. He had previously been the deputy governor and the chairman the PDP in the State. Appeal for support The governor in the statement announcing the purchase of the form urged Nigerians to support him. He said he will replicate the prudent management of the states resources which enabled him to transform the state to the administration of the country if elected as president. Dear Nigerians, I will not disappoint you. With the meager resources at our disposal in Ebonyi State, we were able to transform the state from the dust of the Nation to the Dubai of Nigeria. We can do even better in Nigeria and with your support, we shall achieve imagination forms, he said. His media aide, Nwaze Francis, also confirmed the development in a statement. Mr Nwaze said: The Governor of Ebonyi State, and All Progressives Congress Presidential Aspirant Engr David Umahi, has purchased his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigerians, the time is now. Let all hands be on deck to ensure that Governor David Umahi gets the APC ticket. He is the man that the cap fits and he has ticked all positive boxes right. The time is now. Mr Umahi had last week urged political parties to zone the presidency to the South-east for the sake of equity and fairness. Let the next president come from South for equity, justice, and fairness, if the Presidency is not zoned to the southeast by PDP and APC, they should tell the people why, he reportedly said. Mr Umahi will contend for the APC ticket with other aspirants at the partys convention in May. Some of them are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and former Ogun governor and serving senator, Ibikunle Amosun. The Nigerian Army is set to deploy 197 troops for ECOWAS Peacekeeping Mission in The Gambia. Chief of Operations, Army Headquarters, Olufemi Akinjobi, a major general, disclosed this on Thursday at the graduation ceremony of Nigerian Company 7 which will soon head for the tiny West African state. The ceremony was held at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before now, Nigeria had deployed six separate companies to The Gambia. Mr Akinjobi said Nigeria was committed to deploying quality peacekeepers for global peace and security. NAN reports that out of thea 197 heading to The Gambia, 185 are soldiers and 12 are officers. Mr Akinjobi was represented by Zakari Abubakar, a major general and Director, Peace Operations, Army Headquarters. He explained that Nigeria had successfully participated in 40 peacekeeping missions across the globe and deployed more than 100,000 peacekeepers since 1960. He maintained that the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia was established as an intervention mission to resolve the constitutional crisis that followed the disputed presidential election of 2016. The mission, he said, had helped restore peace and stability. Earlier, Commandant of the Centre, Auwal Fagge, a major general, explained that the centre had within the last four weeks refreshed the troops on some tactical aspects of peacekeeping training. The aspects, he said, included base camp security, patrols, cordon and search, as well as escort of VIPs, amongst others. He enjoined the troops to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and to bring to bear what they have learnt. He asked t m to fulfil the mandate of the mission and strictly adhere to the rules of engagement. Mr Fagge also charged the troops to carry out their duties bearing in mind the multinational nature of the mission as well the cultural and religious diversities in the operating environment. The centre had on April 12 deployed 173 troops to Guinea Bissau for peacekeeping mission. (NAN) Governor Yahaya Bello of on Thursday presented his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest for the 2023 Presidency to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. A statement by the Media Directorate of the Hope23 Yahaya Bello Campaign Council on Thursday in Abuja said the gesture was in respect to the President. According to the statement, Mr Bello, on April 26, bought the form at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat, making him the first amongst other contenders to pay N100 million for the form. The governor had formally declared his intention to run for president on April 2 in Abuja. The Kogi State Governor in his usual practice presented his expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2023 Presidential election. This is to his political father and leader of the nation President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja. The governor received blessings from Mr President ahead of the 2023 presidential election which he is currently the front-runner, it stated. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC National Secretariat was agog with a mammoth crowd on April 27, when Mr Bello picked his forms. Mr Bello stated that he was running for president to restore hope to Nigerians, unite and secure the country. He also noted that he was confident in picking the ticket as he has the support of Nigerians, party stalwarts, the youths, women and persons with disabilities. (NAN) The Oba of Benin, Omo NOba Ewuare II, says aspirants for the position of the President of Nigeria are shivering because of the intimidating dossier of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. The traditional ruler expressed this view on Thursday when he received the vice president on a courtesy visit to his palace in Benin. He said other aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties in the 2023 presidential election are feeling intimidated by Mr Osinbajos credentials. No doubt, your credentials, since you have come out to run for this great office, I think you are going to give a lot of problems to all the other contestants. There is no gainsaying that they all probably are shivering where they are because your credentials, calmness, humility and great respect for culture and being a true man of God, are frightening. If we have politicians in the country that have the fear of God in their heart, not just to go there to rape the treasury and oppress people, whether at the presidential level or gubernatorial level, I think the country will be better for it. But what we see, most of the time, are people rushing to be president, vice president or governors, only to go there and loot the treasury, enrich themselves, leaving the electorate that put them there, hard and dry. This kind of thing should change; they should put the electorate first, he said. The traditional ruler gave his royal blessings to Mr Osinbajos aspiration. As a man of God, if by the grace of God, you are the man, you have a whole lot on shoulder to remove all these vices out of our society and make Nigeria a better place to live and a tourist destination and in all spheres. We want to stay here in Nigeria and enjoy the good things of life in Nigeria, not in Dubai, not in the United States and some other countries, he said. Mr Osinbajo declared his intention to run for president on April 11. (NAN) Nigerias minister of women affairs, Pauline Tallen, has said for Nigeria to achieve a majority of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, it must address issues of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country. The minister said this while speaking at the launch of the movement for good to end FGM in Abuja on Thursday. Ms Tallen said the 2030 targets on health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, decent work, and economic growth cannot be achieved except FGM is eliminated in the country. She noted that the continuous practice of FGM denies girls and women the right to quality education and opportunities for decent work and their sexual and reproductive health is threatened. She said the procedure of FGM has no health benefit for girls and women but rather causes more problems for them. The resulting outcome of FGM are adverse haemorrhage, infection, acute urinary retention following such trauma, damage to the urethra or anus, she said. She added that during the procedure, the victim would struggle through an experience which leads to chronic pelvic infection, dysmenorrhea, retention cysts, sexual difficulties, obstetric complications, bleeding, prolonged labour, leading to fistula formation, amongst others. The mental and psychological agony attached with FGM is deemed the most serious complication because the problem does not manifest outwardly for help to be offered, she said. FGM, a violation of human right FGM, according to United Nations (UN), comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is recognised internationally as a violation of human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women, the global organisation says. The global body says it aims to have the practice eradicated around the world by 2030. Over 200 million girls and women have been subjected to the harmful practice of FGM in 30 countries including Nigeria. With an estimated 19.9 million survivors, Nigeria accounts for 10 per cent of the 200 million FGM survivors worldwide. Speaking at the event, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator, Matthias Schmale, said the prevalence of FGM amongst girls up to 14 years old is still on the rise. Mr Schmale said 86 per cent of these children were mutilated before the age of five, meaning FGM is the s greatest in the early years of life. What this tells us is that the perpetrators of this harmful practice are devising ways to circumvent surveillance and diminish the gains recorded over the years towards the eradication of FGM in Nigeria, by targeting infants who neither knows nor understand the enormity or magnitude of the practice they are being subjected to, he said. He explained that the practice of FGM which he noted is handed over from generation to generation, and culturally justified, is no longer acceptable. He noted that this practice violates womens and girls rights to life, health, and dignity as well as their bodily autonomy. The time to end FGM in Nigeria is now and the responsibility to do so lies with us all, he said. The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, said, at least 200 women worldwide have undergone genital mutilation and more might be affected in the coming years. Ms Blatmann said FGM contravenes the rights of every woman. Indeed to promote the elimination of this scourge, coordinated and systematic efforts involving everyone are needed, she said. In her remarks, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, said FGM harms women and girls across the continent and the US is working with its partners around the world to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence including FGM. Advertisements Ms Leonard said the US government has been steadfast in its partnership with Nigeria. The launch Mr Schmale said the movement launched today will support innovative and safe platforms driven by young people who have pledged their commitment to end the practice of FGM using the hashtag act to end FGM. He said the expansion of digital literacy and increased access to social media platforms in the country presents an opportunity to advance positive social norms that promote the health and well-being of children and in particular girls. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Wednesday imposed a curfew on Gudum Hausawa community located on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis. This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the governor, Mukhtar Gidado. According to him, the move was a sequel to a community clash where three persons lost their lives, many were injured and houses were burnt. Mr Gidado also said that the governor informed the public that security agents had already arrested the perpetrators of the clash. He reiterated that the current administration would not relent in providing lasting peace and security, not only in the area but across all the communities in the state. His Excellency has also directed security agencies to conduct intensive surveillance in order to identify the cause of the incident and condemned the burning of houses and other properties by the unsuspected hoodlums. The governor who also directed for the establishment of a police outfit in the area in a move to enforce security, further urged communities in the area to live in peace and harmony irrespective of their religious or tribal differences as no society can progress and develop without peace, he said. (NAN) Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has condemned the killing of a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The slain politician, Sunday Frank-Oputu, was shot dead in his Yenagoa residence by gunmen on Tuesday night. Mr Diri, in a statement from his spokesperson, Daniel Alabra, on Wednesday in Yenagoa, condemned the killing. He directed the police to fish out the killers. The governor, who was quoted as condemning the killing at the 73rd State Executive Council meeting, described the incident as most unfortunate and unacceptable. Let me say that killing does not settle scores. We cannot bequeath a state of killings to our children, the governor said. Let us build our brothers and sisters, and not to assassinate them, he added. Mr Diri expressed condolences to the family of the slain politician, on behalf of the Bayelsa State Government. He said the state government and the security agencies would do everything within our powers to find the killers and bring them to justice. Our state has been very peaceful and there is no reason for any man to take the life of another, he said. The governor called on politicians to play politics devoid of violence. Governor Diri also condemned the razing of houses belonging to a House of Representatives member and that of his brother in Aghoro Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area. He announced the disbandment of the community leadership in Aghoro. The perpetrators would be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others, he said. He called on the people of the state to embrace peace at all times and learn to be their brothers keeper. (NAN) A Wednesday night fire gutted the residence of T. B. Joshua, the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), the National Emergency Management Agency has said. The prophets private residence is located at Ajisegiri Street, Agodo area of Egbe, in Ikotun-Egbe axis of Lagos State. Ibrahim Farinloye, Coordinator, Southwest Zone of the National Emergency Management Agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the fire started at about 8.20 p.m. on Wednesday. He said firefighters brought it under control at about 9.35 p.m. He commended federal firefighters who worked with NEMA officials to put out the fire. He also commended the church members for their immense support in putting out the fire, which recorded no casualty or injury. Mr Farinloye said he could not explain why the church members prevented people from taking pictures of the fire and the efforts made to put it out. The incident came months after a fire erupted at the SCOAN headquarters during the funeral of the churchs founder, Temitope Joshua (popularly known as T.B. Joshua). Mr Joshua died on June 5, 2021, a few days before his 58th birthday. Emergency responders faced a similar experience in 2014 when a guesthouse within the churchs premises collapsed. Journalists who dared to raise their cameras were brutally beaten up by security men attached to the church. Slaves to fear The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) on Thursday urged its members and friends not to panic over the fire and not be slaves to fear. Reacting to the fire, the church in a statement signed by Evelyn Joshua, said the cause was still unknown, but there was no need for panic and unnecessary speculations. Mrs Joshua is the wife of the late SCOAN founder. Currently, the cause of the fire is unknown, the statement read. To this end, we wish to assure our esteemed members, partners, and friends of the ministry that we are on top of situation. There is no need for panic and unnecessary speculations. As sons and daughters of love, we shall continually uphold the assurances of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has conquered the world for our sakes. Please disregard any alarmist news aimed at creating panic amongst the church members in particular and the general public. We are no longer slaves to fear. We are children of God, she said. She said that the fire outbreak was from a general-purpose store at the old site and was successfully put out through the efforts of the ministrys emergency response team, with no loss of lives or injuries. The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) eliminated more than 23 terrorists, rescued 619 victims and forced 1,159 terrorists to surrender within three weeks in the North-east. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko, a major general, said this while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces in the last three weeks on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Onyeuko said the troops onslaught against the terrorists also led to the arrest of 19 others during the period under review. He added that the surrendered terrorists and their family members comprised 164 men, 367 women and 627 children who according to him, have been profiled and handed over to the appropriate authority. Mr Onyeuko said the troops also neutralised a prominent commander of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abubakar Dan-Buduma and scores of terrorists at Arina-Woje in Marte Local Government Area of Borno. He said that a notorious ISWAP informant and logistic supplier, Abba Lawan, was also arrested at Auno town in Konduga Local Government Area during the period. According to him, the operation led to the destruction of terrorist enclaves and their central workshop where vehicles are fabricated for vehicle borne Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). He said the operations were conducted across Borno and Taraba with impressive successes. The defence spokesperson said troops also killed an unspecified number of ISWAP fighters who attempted an attack on the Nigerian Petroleum Product Company Depot in Diffa near the Nigeria/Niger border. He said the terrorists were mounted on five gun trucks, adding that the Joint forces of Nigeria and the Niger Republic successfully destroyed the gun trucks. According to him, troops arrested one Abdurrazaq Hudu, a logistics supplier to ISWAP at Mutum Biyu village in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State. He added that the troops recovered 49 AK-47 rifles, 728 rounds of 7.62mm, 4 MGs, one G3 rifle, three 60mm mortar, one AA gun, one SMG, six Magazines, one hand grenade and one UXO anti tank RPG bomb among others. A total of 1,158 terrorists and their families surrendered to their troops within the period under review, comprising 164 men, 367 women and 627 children. Also, troops neutralised 23 terrorists, anti-tank619 civilians and arrested 19 terrorists. All surrendered Boko Haram terrorists, recovered items, rescued civilians and captured terrorists have been handed over to appropriate authorities for further actions, he said. (NAN) The police have arrested seven suspected arms dealers in Jos, Plateau State and Ibi local government council of Taraba State. The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in a statement on Thursday, said the arrest was made by operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau Intelligence Response Team. He said during the operation, 57 AK47 rifles and a large catchment of ammunition were recovered in Jos while a suspect who purchased one AK47 rifle and one SMG rifle at the cost of N900,000 was arrested. Three of the suspects in Jos are between the ages of 20 and 25 years while the fourth who is the eldest is 37 years old, he stated. Mr Adejobi added that the Force is making efforts to arrest other collaborators of the Taraba suspect and recover the exhibits. Similarly, operatives of the FIB-IRT acting on a tip-off have smashed and arrested three suspected gun runners in Ibi LGA of Taraba State. The suspects, Bello Sani, Venab Puncat and Yusuf Nahoda, all of Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba, during interrogation confessed to have purchased one AK47 rifle, and one SMG rifle at the cost of Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (#900,000). Concerted effort has been activated to arrest their collaborators and recover the exhibits, the statement said. Read full statement: PRESS RELEASE FIGHTING INSECURITY: POLICE ARREST SEVEN [7] SUSPECTED ARMS DEALERS IN JOS, TARABHEADQUARTERSA Recover Arms, Ammunition, As IGP Harps on Technology-Driven Policing in Nigeria Operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT), in a sting operation, have arrested four notorious arm dealers and recovered 57 AK47 rifles and a large catchment of ammunition in Jos, Plateau State and from other locations across the country. This is in furtherance of the IGPs recent charge to the men of the Nigeria Police Force to be dauntless in the fight against crimes and criminality in the country. The suspects, Hamza Zakari (aka Hamzo) aged 20yrs, Abubakar Muhammed (aka Fancy) aged 22yrs, Umar Ibrahim aged 25yrs and Muhammed Abdulkarim (aka Dan-Asabe) aged 37yrs, all males and residents of Jos, were arrested following a credible intelligence on their nefarious activities in Jos and its environs. The suspects, who confessed to their involvement in arms dealings and other criminal acts, have been identified as one of the major links for the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal elements terrorizing the state and some other parts of the country. The investigation team is on the trail of their accomplices and they are closing in on them. Similarly, operatives of the FIB-IRT acting on a tip-off have smashed and arrested three suspected gun runners in Ibi LGA of Taraba State. The suspects, Bello Sani, Venab Puncat and Yusuf Nahoda, all of Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba, during interrogation confessed to have purchased one AK47 rifle, and one SMG rifle at the cost of Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (#900,000). Concerted effort has been activated to arrest their collaborators and recover the exhibits. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc [+], NPM, fdc, while commending the successes recorded by the FIB-IRT, reassured members of the public of his administrations commitment to the fight against common enemies of the nation who are hell-bent on causing pains, tears and agony to Nigerians. He also called for continuous support for the Police and the security community, as the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership will up its game to ensure public safety, peace and security via intelligence-led, technologydriven and robust communitybased partnership for a better security architecture in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the arrested suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations. CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI mnipr, mipra FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FORCE HEADQUARTRS ABUJA 28TH APRIL, 2022. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, said his party decided to price its presidential nomination form at N100 million because of the importance of the office of the Nigerian president. The APC at a meeting of its National Executive Committee attended by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja announced the fees for its expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2023 General Elections. The fee of N100 million for presidential aspirants is inclusive of N30 million for the expression of interest form and N70 million for the nomination form. The party also fixed N50 million for governorship aspirants, N20 million and N10 million for senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants respectively, and N2 million for state House of Assembly aspirants. However, aspirants under 40 years will get a 50 per cent discount on the fees while women and persons living with disabilities will pay only for the expression of interest forms. Nigerians, especially on social media, were swift in condemning the fees, describing them as exorbitant and exclusionary. Also criticising the APC leadership for the exorbitant fees, the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, in his recent Ramadan Tafsir, said a country like Nigeria with a high rate of poverty, it is out of place to peg a contest form at N100 million for the presidential ticket of a party. But Mr Adamu in an interview with the Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service on Wednesday said those criticising the APC for the amount are members of the opposition who are trying to give the ruling party a bad name to hang it. Mr Adamu said the contest for the Nigerian presidency is not a contest of the motor park union. If a presidential aspirant cannot mobilise at least ten thousand supporters to raise such amount that person is not a serious contestant., Mr Adamu said. Mr Adamu said when youre talking of the presidency of the country, it should not be mistaken with the position of an emir of a town. We are talking about the president of Nigeria, not the emir of your town. Now when the emir of your town dies the person seeking to replace him will spend more than N100 million for just one emirate, Mr Adamu said. Apart from this, there are so many leadership positions that will cost more than 100 million before he is included, he added. Mr Adamu also said in America if someone is contesting to be the president, his supporters will rally around states and contribute money for him to support his candidacy as he can also get a surplus from the donation. For example, someone who is seeking to be president of Nigeria asked 10000 of his supporters each to contribute N10,000 how much will that be. If he lacked supporters to contribute he didnt deserve to contest, I didnt want to belittle you because the president of Nigeria is not the chairman of your village motor park. If you want to kill a dog you will give him a bad name, there is nothing to compare between seeking to be Nigerias president and corruption using the cost of the form. If you can not participate, there is no compulsion, if you dont have N100m you have no business with becoming president. Tell me which country will not fix reasonable numbers to contest the position of the president? No country that practices democracy like ours will not fix the amount to around N100m. In fact, how much is N100m? Even in the recent France election, how much did Macron pay? How much did Le pen pay to participate? How much did president Joe Biden pay in America? How much did former President Donald Trump Pay? This is just an attempt to dent our image, it is the opposition party that is doing that. It will not change our minds or reduce the cost of the nomination form. Anyone that wants to participate let him participate, that is the amount. When I was seeking to be the National Chairman of APC I paid N20 million, and other aspirants paid the same. Our party has principles, if you can follow the guidelines you can participate. And another thing is our party is the ruling party, if we fix the amount less, the same opposition can sponsor some people to come and participate before you know court cases will arise everywhere. Lets see if any devil can pay N100m to sponsor some, he said. Former Vice president and presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, says he already has 11 million votes in the kitty ahead of the 2023 general elections. This, he listed, as one of the reasons the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should give him the presidential ticket. He stated this when he visited the partys National Working Committee (NWC) on Thursday, in Abuja, to solicit the partys support on his presidential ambition. Under normal circumstances this is a guy who already has 11 million votes in his space. And I think as a party, you should give me the right of passage to use the votes, he said beating his chest with cheers from supporters who filled the hall at the PDP Secretariat. Mr Abubakars boast comes barely two days after supporters of another aspirant in the APC, Bola Tinubu, said they have secured 14 million votes for him in the South-west alone. Although he lost out in the 2019 presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Abubakar garnered about 11 million votes in the poll. He did not, however, clarify if he was referring to those votes. Reports from Nigerian elections , however, show an increase in voter apathy over the past years. The former vice president admonished the PDP to provide the right kind of leadership to present a good candidate. His call was swiftly followed by and I am the best candidate. He, however, noted that the PDP practises democracy and asked the NWC to be fair, transparent and credible in producing a flag bearer for the party. The aspirant repeated his agenda for the country if elected president next year. These plans include uniting the country, tackling insecurity, reviving the economy and devolution of powers. While he commended the NWC for hard work and excellent leadership, he urged the party to come out in force and show Nigerians just how much the APC has, and will continue to fail. In his remarks, chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, asked to dismiss the notion that he will work for Mr Abubakar because they are friends. I will not work for you. I will work for all the 17 aspirants. It is left to you to convince thee delegates, market and sell yourself to the delegates, he said. He said the NWC will remain unbiased and will not take sides but that each aspirant will get the support of the party. I know each of you, if given the opportunity, will do better than what APC has been doing. At the primaries we will elect a candidate and we will all rally round that candidate, Mr Ayu said. He further assured that the PDP will work towards winning the election in 2023 and retaining power afterwards. Mr Abubakar is one of 17 aspirants who have indicated interest in the presidential race. The aspirants cut across different regions. Some of them are former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. Others are Anambra governor, Peter Obi, Pius Anyim, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, former Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose, renowned pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa, and Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu. Although the party fixed May 28 and 29 to elect its presidential candidate, it is yet to zone the position to any section of the country. The PDP has also not taken a position on the mode of primaries to adopt in electing its candidates for the February 2023 presidential election. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared a federal lawmaker, Farah Dagogo, wanted for allegedly hiring thugs to attack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt. Mr Dagogo is a PDP governorship aspirant in Rivers. The police must as a matter of urgency arrest Farah Dagogo, wherever he is, and must be made to face prosecution, Kelvin Ebiri, the spokesperson to Mr Wike, said in a statement on Wednesday. Mr Ebiri said Mr Dagogo hired cultists who stormed the party secretariat and disrupted the screening of aspirants. He said the police had arrested some suspects in connection with the incident. Mr Dagogo has, however, said that Mr Wike wants to prevent him from appearing before the PDP screening panel this Thursday. The lawmakers response was contained in a statement posted on Facebook, Thursday, by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Lawal. That the directive for the arrest of Farah Dagogo by Governor Nyesom Wike violates the spirit of Section 14 and 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), the statement said. Mr Dagogo said no incident took place at the party secretariat on Wednesday. He accused Efeturi Irikefe, whom he described as the Camp Commandment to Mr Wike of trying to disrupt the screening by ordering police officers to shoot indiscriminately to scare supporters of aspirants who were outside the venue. This Camp Commandant, Efeturi Irikefe, dehumanized and arrested some PDP faithful who came to give moral support to the aspirants and forcefully arrested some of them and took them to Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt. Mr Dagogo promised to appear before the police after the governorship screening if invited. He urged the commissioner of police in Rivers State to arrest and investigate Mr Irikefes activities on Wednesday at the partys secretariat. The police spokesperson in Rivers State, Grace Iringe-koko, did not respond to the request for comment from PREMIUM TIMES. The Commissioner for Information in the state, Paulinus Nsirim, did not also respond to requests for comment. Who is Mr Dagogo? Mr Dagogo represents Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. He previously served as a lawmaker representing Degema State Constituency in the Rivers House of Assembly before he was elected to the National Assembly in 2019. Mr Dagogo was a field commander with one of the largest militant groups in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, before joining politics. He was among the militants who surrendered their weapons and embraced the federal government amnesty programme in 2009. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, said Thursday, that former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot contest in the 2023 presidential election, citing constitutional provisions barring the ex-president from seeking re-election. The senior lawyer said this in a statement in response to growing calls on Mr Jonathan to throw his hat into the ring ahead of the 2023 election. He said Mr Jonathan, who was Nigerian president between 2010 and 2015, would breach constitutional term limits of two terms of eight years if he runs for the presidency and wins again. He recalled that Mr Jonathan became the President of Nigeria in 2010 following the sudden death of President Umaru Yaradua, Yaradua and later contested and won the 2011 presidential election. Mr Jonathan spent five years in office as President which would make it nine years in office if he contests and wins again, Mr Falana said. Dr. Jonathan is disqualified from contesting the 2023 presidential election. The reason is that if he wins the election he will spend an additional term of four years. It means that he would spend a cumulative period of nine years as President of Nigeria in utter breach of Section 137 of the Constitution which provides for a maximum two terms of eight years, Mr Falana said. The senior lawyer also said that by virtue of section 137 (3) of the Nigerian constitution, Mr Jonathan cannot seek a re-election to the office of the president having completed the tenure of the late President Yaradua and sworn in again for a full four-year term in 2011 upon winning the presidential election in his own name. A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term, the section 137(3) of the constitution cited by Mr Falana reads. The National Assembly had introduced the constitutional provision via the Fourth Alteration No 16 Act 2017 which President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law on June 4, 2018. Mr Falana faulted the argument that the constitutional provision signed into law in 2018 cannot retroactively apply to Mr Jonathan who had left office after his failed reelection bid in 2015. Mr Jonathan lost the keenly contested election to President Buhari. Faulting the argument that Mr Jonathan is exempted from the effect of section 137 (3) of the Nigerian constitution, Mr Falana referenced the failed bid of former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja, to seek an extension of his tenure to cover for the time he was kept out of office through illegal impeachment. Mr Falana recalled that the Supreme Court rejected Mr Ladojas prayer on the grounds that a governor was only entitled to spend a maximum period of eight years or less and not more than 8 years. He said: Some people have said that the amendment is not retrospective and therefore cannot apply to Dr. Jonathan. Assuming without conceding that the amendment is not retrospective it is submitted that under the current Constitution a President or Governor cannot spend more that two terms of eight years. In other words, the Constitution will not allow anyone to be in office for more than a cumulative period of eight years. In Marwa v. Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt.1296) 199 at 387 the Supreme Court stated that Section 180 (1) and (2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has prescribed a single term of 4 years and if a second term, another period of 4 years and not a day longer. In the case of Gov. Ladoja v INEC (2008)40 WRN 1 the Supreme Court rejected the prayer of Governor Ladoja for 11 months extension to cover the period he was kept out of office through illegal impeachment, he said. Calls on Jonathan to run Mr Jonathans silence over months-long speculations about his plan to run for the 2023 election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party that ousted him from office in 2015, gave rise to the growing calls on him to join the race for the next years presidential election. The speculation became rife after he hosted a delegation of the leadership of the APC led by the partys then caretaker chairman, Mai Mala Buni, last year. Mr Jonathan has yet to announce his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party on whose platform he he became the vice president in 2007, and and later the president. But he has scarcely identified with the partys activities since losing his second term bid to President Buhari of the APC in 2015. Mr Jonathan responded publicly for the first time to the growing calls on him to make another shot at the presidency when his committee of friends and some youth from different parts of the country visited him at his Foundation Office in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday. Advertisements But his response to the calls was non-committal. Yes, you are calling me to come and declare for the 2023 presidency, yes I cant tell you are declaring, that the political process is ongoing, just watch out. But the key role you must play is to pray that Nigeria gets a president that will carry the young people along and work very hard to see that some of the countrys problems raised are dealt with, the ex-president had said. His lack of clarity on the issue which many believe confirms that he is testing the waters for the presidential bid, continues to encourage many groups to mount pressure on him to run. One of such political groups, Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPD) Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPD), said in a statement on Monday that anything short of a Goodluck Jonathan ticket would cause the APC to lose the 2023 presidential election. The group advised the APC leadership to use the former president whom it described as the best man for the job of retaining power in 2023. Media reports also speculated that he would soon announce his defection to the APC to enable him to pick the partys nomination form. The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a bail application by a co-defendant standing trial on cocaine trafficking charges alongside a suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, and others. The court dismissed the bail application by Bawa James, an assistant superintendent of police, adjudging him to be a flight risk. This decision came exactly a month after the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, similarly dismissed other defendants bail applications on March 28. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge, had while ruling on other defendants applications, said that of Mr James was not ripe for hearing. After the hearing of the outstanding bail application, the judge ruled on Thursday that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) succeeded in proving beyond doubt that Mr James was not worthy of bail. The judge upheld the argument by NDLEAs lawyer, Joseph Sunday, that Mr James (the 3rd defendant) was likely to jump bail. Mr Nwite also said the 3rd defendant had failed to bring up strong evidence to challenge the anti-narcotic agencys submission that the evidence against him was very serious. He said though the defence argued that the court had the discretionary power to rule in favour of the applicant since the offence was a bailable one, the argument of the prosecution swayed him into rejecting the bail request. The judge, after rejecting Mr James bail application, adjourned the matter until May 26. Background Mr Kyari is standing trial on cocaine-related charges alongside four members of his former police unit, the Intelligence Response Unit (IRT), and two other persons arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, in January this year. The four police officers among Mr Kyaris co-defendants are Sunday Ubua, an assistant commissioner of police; Mr James, an assistant superintendent of police; Simon Agirgba, an inspector; John Nuhu, also an inspector. The two others, who are non-police officers, are Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka A Ezenwanne, The arrest of Messrs Umeibe and Ezenwanne at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, in January this year, led to the arrest of Mr Kyari and members of his former police unit. All the seven defendants were arraigned on March 7 on eight charges of conspiracy, illegal dealing in cocaine, importation of cocaine and obstruction. Mr Kyari and the four other police officers pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for the commencement of their trial. But the two other co-defendants, Messrs Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to the charges, and the court subsequently slated March 28 (today) for review of facts to prepare the ground for their conviction and sentencing. Charges NDLEA prosecutors accused Mr Kyari and the four IRT members of illicit dealing in 21.35kg of cocaine between January 19 and 25, 2022, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act. In one of the charges, the anti-narcotic agency alleged that Mr Kyari and the four IRT operatives illicitly tampered with 21.35kg of cocaine by removing 17.55 kg of it and substituting same with some other substance. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act. The prosecutors also accused Mr Kyari, in a count which features only him as the sole defendant, of attempting to obstruct the NDLEA and its authorised officers by offering $61,400 to a senior anti-narcotics operative as an inducement to prevent the testing of the 17.55kg of cocaine. In three of the counts, Messrs Umeibe and Ezenwanne were accused of importing 21.35kg of cocaine into Nigeria via the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Enugu State, on January 19, 2022. They have since accepted their guilt and are now waiting for the legal process that will lead to their conviction and sentencing. Apart from the narcotic charges, Mr Kyari has pending against him fraud charges in the United States and an extradition suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. (NAN) The federal government has declared Monday and Tuesday public holidays to mark Workers Day and EIdel-Fitr celebrations, a statement by the Interior Ministry said. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government congratulated workers across the country on this years celebration. Also, Mr Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead are incapable of working, the statement signed by the ministrys spokesperson, Shuaib Belgore, said. The end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is therefore the path to national and individual prosperity. He urged workers to raise the bar of their trade in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administrations drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation. He congratulated all Muslims on their successful completion of the Ramadan. Mr Aregbesola called on all Muslims to imbibe and practise the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad. The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper, the minister said. The minister expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all round. Mr Aregbesola assured Nigerians that the administration of President Buhari is committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners alike. He commended all security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against criminals across the country and the peace that has returned to the formerly embattled places. He urged Nigerians to be part of the nations security by being vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to law enforcement agencies nearest to them, noting that security is everybodys responsibility. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has threatened to shut down all polytechnics in Nigeria by next week, if the Federal Government fails to meet up with its demands. This is coming barely a month after the union gave an ultimatum to the Federal Government over their demands. Some of the unions demands include requests for revitalisation funds for the sector, payment of arrears of the new minimum wage, and the review of nomination instruments for institutions and management as well as programmes accreditation among others. The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUP, at the end of the unions 102 National Executive Council meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, in March gave the government a one-month ultimatum. In 2021, the union had suspended a 61-day-long industrial action after they signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government. At the end of its emergency congress held at Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, on Thursday, the ASUP Zone C, insisted that the Federal Government must meet up with its demands by May 4. During the briefing, the Zonal Coordinator, Yekini Asafe, said because of the governments failure to meet their demands, the union may be forced to resume the suspended industrial action. He said the National Executive Council of the union has scheduled a meeting in Abuja on May 4, where they will take a decision on the strike. Mr Asafe also said there has been a delay in the appointment of substantive Rectors at the federal polytechnic in Mubi, Offa, and Ekowe, in Adamawa, Kwara and Bayelsa states respectively. He added that Kaduna Polytechnic and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have also been operating without substantive rectors, despite the conclusion of the process for their appointments in the affected institutions. We are deploying this medium to equally appeal to members of the public to prevail on the government to do the needful and avoid a shutdown of the sector. In choosing to extend the long-expired three months suspension period of our industrial action, we are convinced that the extra window of one month typifies our level of restraint and consideration for our students and other members of the public, even as we hope that the government will take advantage of this opportunity to avoid a shutdown of the sector. President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the bill establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State. The institution is one of the three polytechnics recently approved by the government. The remaining two are to be sited in Kabo, Kano State, and Umunnoechi, Abia State. This is coming amidst protests against the proliferation of tertiary institutions in the country without commensurate funding. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and its non-academic counterparts have grounded activities in public universities over demand for better funding of universities and a halt in the proliferation of tertiary institutions. The unions argued that the government has failed to adequately fund existing universities, and therefore condemned creation of new ones. The new polytechnic The bill for the establishment of the polytechnic was sponsored by the deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, a senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District. According to a statement signed by Babajide Omoworare, the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), he noted that the new institution is to provide full and part-time courses of instruction and training in different fields of study with a view to producing middle and high level manpower. The bill was recently forwarded to the President for assent after passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, he added. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has declared his interest to contest for a second term under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Abiodun made the declaration at the Executive Council Chambers of his office at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, when he received the nomination form bought for him by a group, the Dapo Abiodun Mandate 2023. He also immediately announced the re-nomination of his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, as his running mate. The governor, who expressed surprise at the gesture, recounted the many trials he and his team had passed through in the quest to lead the state. This gesture touches my bone. It is like a balm that soothes all the pain that we suffered in the course of our campaigns. I am happy particularly that this is coming from my home base, he said. The governors declaration comes amidst questions about his eligibility to run for another term in office. But an ally of the governor and former lawmaker, Kayode Oladele, dismissed the petitions against the governor, describing them as frivolous and legally deficient. On Monday, the group had presented a N50 million cheque to the governor to buy the nomination and expression of interest forms. The APC NEC at its meeting on April 20 fixed N50 million as the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for gubernatorial aspirants. Mr Abiodun said they were planning to go to Abuja to get the form before the group delivered it to him. I am happy that nobody prompted you, you did this out of your own volition and the belief you have in us. I promise you that the trust you have in us will be built upon, the governor said. Today is a significant day in my life and because of this gesture, I am officially declaring my intention to run for the second term and in the same vein, I am declaring my deputy as my running mate. You are investing in an administration and I want to assure you that you will not regret, as the only way I can reward you is by more superlative performance. He said his administration has made a significant impact in the lives of the people, noting that the gesture would inspire him to do more. In the last three years, I have fulfilled my promises to you to make Ogun work for all. With your support, we have made this (Ogun) State a better place and changed the face of our State. I did not do it alone; we did it together, because you believed. Our state has remained steadily prosperous because of your positive outlook. I urge you to always stay positive in your personal and communal lives and continue to aspire to great things. Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and leader of the group, Biyi Adeleye, said the performance of the governor and the desire to see him complete his good works, led to the purchase of the form. We taxed ourselves to raise the fund for the form as a result of the confidence we have in the capacity of our brother and boss, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to lead the State to greater heights. history, that is, the history of the two major political parties, could at least give us an idea of who in the APC might get it. There are teachable moments in the journeys of three former candidates Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa YarAdua and Buhari that could provide an insight into how the candidates in the major parties would emerge. I think the most frequently asked question today is, who will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari? With over 35 aspirants openly declaring their interest as of today, a few still in the closet and more coming out, the field has never looked more crowded. And last week, the decision by former President Goodluck Jonathan to put one leg in the ring, while pretending that he is being dragged, got party and non-party members even more confused. Of course, those who are pressing him into the race governor of Yobe State and former All Progressives Congress (APC) interim chairman, Mai Mala Buni; Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and a few ministers from the North wish it would happen. But they know it wont. Buni once led a delegation to Jonathan, to explore the possibility of the former president running with the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as his running mate. The strongest consideration is the potential four-year one-term limit of another Jonathan presidency. But the trap is that a post-election litigation over the 2017 constitutional amendment on swearing-in, could disqualify Jonathan and hand the position over to his running mate, if he wins. After the visit, Jonathan asked for time to consult. It was, however, clear from the criticism that followed that decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and running on the ticket of the APC was a bridge too far. Even if the APC were to grant the entry waiver, which Jonathan requested, he would still have to face the party primaries. And more important, the APC will have to convince its members, and perhaps the larger public, that the same man it branded Jonathan the Incompetent and Jonathan the Clueless has now become Jonathan the Messiah. The renewed buzz about a potential Jonathan comeback, suggests that some elements in the APC still think that they can lead their party back to its vomit. And yet, they dont think its an act of desperation. A number of insiders told me this week that nothing other than a desire to find someone who can preserve Buharis legacy is tempting the APC back to Jonathan. They obviously cant imagine that the public will ask the APC, what legacy? The noise about a possible Jonathan return and concerns that it could be disastrous for other aspirants may be good political gossip, but its a waste of time. Jonathan will not return unless the 18 registered political parties adopt him as their candidate and the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, agrees to write the presidential election result and personally deliver the certificate of return to him in Otuoke. From his time as deputy governor to his tenure as vice president, Jonathan has become so used to a life of ease, and well, good luck, that no matter how hard he tries, he cant bring himself into this contest, except the ducks are lined up for him in a row. Jonathan being Jonathan, unless the elements align again and fall on his lap, which is as likely as the appearance of a blue moon, he wont try for it. But history, that is, the history of the two major political parties, could at least give us an idea of who in the APC might get it. There are teachable moments in the journeys of three former candidates Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa YarAdua and Buhari that could provide an insight into how the candidates in the major parties would emerge. One, there is something in the DNA of the power brokers that resents big political spenders. Although figures are hard to come by, anecdotal evidence suggests that MKO Abiola was probably one of the biggest pre-election spenders in the last three-and-a-half decades. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could also be in the league, but more so because of his repeat races. Abiola, a multi-billionaire friend of the rich and powerful and candidate of the Social Democratic Party (PDP), ran a campaign that was colourful and massively funded. His wealth was not only a source of envy, it was also a source of fear and resentment among the military elite, who couldnt bring themselves to hand over political power to a man who seemed to have it all. If the political transition under military President Ibrahim Babangida was an attempt to depart from the unspoken tradition of not handing over power to candidates who are both rich and politically influential, the power brokers took the lessons from the Abiola misadventure to heart. the main parties would also be looking for political orphans or at least those with a form of political naivety; that is, candidates who do not appear threatening, politically. All the talk about national interest is nonsense. If the candidate is from the South-East, for example, national interest means public repudiation of the Biafra separatist agenda and disavowal of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). From Obasanjo to YarAdua and Buhari, three candidates who emerged between 1999 and 2014, not one, at least as far as the public knew, could fund their own party primaries, much less their election campaigns. Obasanjo was broke when he left prison in 1998. His sprawling farm business was in ruins. He couldnt rehabilitate his chicken coop, much less fund the primaries of the PDP. Neither YarAdua nor Buhari was significantly better off financially. The party primaries and campaigns of all three were funded by interest groups that dragged them into the race. This appearance of inadequacy, a sort of political crutch if you like, is the IOU that ensures that at least in form, if not substance, the interest groups can maintain a leverage on the candidate. Two, the main parties would also be looking for political orphans or at least those with a form of political naivety; that is, candidates who do not appear threatening, politically. All the talk about national interest is nonsense. If the candidate is from the South-East, for example, national interest means public repudiation of the Biafra separatist agenda and disavowal of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). If he is from the South-West, it means rejection of Amotekun, state police, or restructuring. And if, at this time, he is from the North that is anywhere outside the North-West national interest will depend on whether is he Christian or Muslim. Of course, for all regions, religion has increasingly become a dominant issue in the last 30 years. Nothing illustrates the obsession of the cabal with political control more than the story of the failed presidential ambition of former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili. Just like Rotimi Amaechi did for Buhari in 2014, Odili put the treasury of the state at the disposal of the third term ambition of Obasanjo, under the notion that if it failed, he would benefit. The accounts of this gamble in three books Obasanjos My Watch; Peter Odilis Conscience and History My Story; Chidi Odinkalus and Aisha Osoris Too Good to Die; and Nasir El-Rufais 2009 essay on Umaru YarAdua, suggest that Odili was a front-runner, first as presidential candidate and then as running mate, till the eve of the PDP convention. From Obasanjos book, the screening committee dumped Odili, despite the fact that he showed a lot of commitment and loyalty to the party, because for some inexplicable reasons, he does not enjoy the support from other governors. Of course, because they fund the party, governors were important and would still be important, even in the current race. But in a government where the president was famous for running dissenters, including governors, out of town, to suggest that his choice was hindered by gubernatorial mushy-mushy is laughable. Not Obasanjo. The selection default mode appears to be serviceability to the appointors. Usefulness to the country or the task at hand is incidental. Whatever happens in the next few weeks, just as surely as the apple doesnt fall far away from the tree, its improbable that history would disappoint. The unstated reason appears to have been Odilis unacceptability to foreign missions because of spurious allegations of corruption, not to mention the fact that he knew a bit too much and had done a bit too much with the president to be allowed to cash his IOU. Advertisements Three, the history of presidential candidates also favours late, sometimes, unexpected and even unprepared entrants. For some reasons, the system appears to abhor preparation and readiness. Obafemi Awolowo, perhaps one of the most prepared for the office for which reason Odumegwu Ojukwu described him as the best president Nigeria never had, contested twice for the position. Shehu Musa YarAdua, who is perhaps next to Awolowo, at least for resilience and organisation, also never got it. On the contrary, from Shehu Shagari to Obasanjo and from Umaru YarAdua to Jonathan, accidental candidates have had an edge, making you wonder if theres something about the office that cannot coexist with preparation. Even Buhari, who cried a river after three failed attempts, only got elected at his fourth, when he was thought to have given up. Of course, there would always be room for surprises and outliers and any of the over 35 aspirants in the field could buck the trend. Also, it means little to the cabal that in spite of its best efforts and elaborate care to control the process, things still go wrong, sometimes consuming it in its own experiments. Babangida, for example, misjudged Obasanjo, both as candidate and later as president; the same way Obasanjo misjudged YarAdua and was already regretting his role in the late presidents emergence before he died. The selection default mode appears to be serviceability to the appointors. Usefulness to the country or the task at hand is incidental. Whatever happens in the next few weeks, just as surely as the apple doesnt fall far away from the tree, its improbable that history would disappoint. Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP. The police in Kano State on Thursday said they have arrested a former chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, Muhuyi Magaji. Mr Magaji, a governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was reportedly arrested at the Sokoto Governors Lodge in Abuja, where he was being screened by his party as he prepares for the forthcoming party primary election. The police spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Kiyawa, told reporters that Mr Magaji is being investigated for the alleged forgery of a medical report. The police said in April, they got a warrant to arrest Mr Magaji after he (allegedly) jumped bail and refused to honour police invitations In July 2021 the states House of Assembly asked Mr Magaji to step aside as the state anti-graft agency boss for a month after he kicked against the posting of an accountant to the agency from the Office of the Accountant-General of the state. Though he applied for the reversal of his suspension at the National Industrial Court in Abuja, he has not been recalled since. Meanwhile, before he was suspended, Mr Magaji had complained of interference and intimidation from officials of the state. The anti-corruption agency was established in 2008 by a former governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, with the mandate to check bribery and corruption in government and private institutions in the state. The police in Akwa Ibom State on Thursday said they have arrested a man who allegedly killed over 15 people in the state, including a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member. The suspect, Malachi Uwem, 24, is said to be a serial killer and a leader of a gang which specialises in robbing Point of Sales (POS) operators and filling stations. The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Odiko Macdon, in a statement in Uyo on Thursday, said the suspects were traced to their hideouts at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State where they were arrested after a shootout with police operatives. The said Malachi and (the) gang have killed over 15 persons and have left some of his victims permanently maimed, said Mr Macdon, a superintendent of police. Mr Macdon said some victims are still in the hospital, while others have shut down their businesses because of huge losses. The police spokesperson identified the slain NYSC corps member as Lovina Chiwendu. She died last week at a hospital in Enugu, Enugu State, after she was shot on February 20 and robbed of her iPhone, credit card, and N7,000 at Ikot Ambang, the police said. Mr Macdon identified other suspects and alleged gang members as Wisdom Akpan, 31, Ndifreke Ebong, 20, and Annansia Umoh, 33. Only recently, on Monday, 25th April, he shot and killed two young men on the grounds that the village couldnt meet his demand of N20 million, but were only able to raise N5 million, he said. The police spokesperson said the police recovered from the suspects, one cut-to-size pump action gun, one locally-made pistol, many cartridges, one gas head with a resemblance of a gun and some charms. The Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, Uchenna Orji, has denied allegations that the state government is behind the arrest and prosecution of a detained catholic priest in the state, Timothy Ngwuta. In a statement on Wednesday, the commissioner said Mr Ngwuta was arrested by surveillance youths and vigilant team from Nwori village in the community when the cleric wanted to recover a vehicle said to have been abandoned by armed men. Mr Ngwuta was arrested on December 11, 2021 and released on bail 12 days later, on health grounds after he was allegedly tortured by security agencies. He was rearrested on March 8, 2022 and arraigned in court on March 11, for alleged kidnapping, attack and murder of police officers and promoting the protracted Effium/Ezza Effium intra-communal war, among others. The cleric hails from Umuezekaoha Ezza Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. The Catholic Church had alleged that efforts to secure the release of the cleric on bail have been hampered by the Executive Order allegedly made by the Ebonyi State Government preventing any court in the state from entertaining matters relating to the crisis. Matthew Uzoma Opoke, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Abakiliki, the Ebonyi State capital, stated this in a statement on Sunday. He said the priest had been remanded at Abakiliki Correctional Centre and that their latest attempt to secure his release on Tuesday, April 12, was unsuccessful. But, Mr Orji said the matter has to do with a serious security concern and that it is handled by the community and security operatives. Many people suspected to be behind the crime in Effium/Ezza Effium are already facing trial and that of Reverend Father Timothy Ngwuta cannot be an exception, Mr Orji said. He said the state government had earlier chosen to remain silent over the allegations due to the respect the government has for the Catholic Church. The commissioner said the government was forced to make clarifications following series of social media posts and unguided print conversations against it concerning the clerics arrest and detention. Mr Orji stressed that although Governor Dave Umahi has unbridled love for servants of God no matter their faith and has deep respect and shared collaborations with the Catholic Church, he cannot turn a blind eye on the allegation of promoting communal war, on the basis of religion. The offence of conspiracy to promote communal war is (being) viewed seriously by the laws of Ebonyi State and cannot be sacrificed at the altar of religion. More so, we have not been told that Reverend Father Timothy Ngwuta is infallible, he added. Mr Orji urged those he accused of politicising the crisis to allow security agencies to do their work. The commissioner assured the public that justice would be available to both the victims and the accused stressing that justice has limitless jurisdiction and applies to all persons no matter their class or faith. Why the priest was linked to the crisis Effium/Ezza Effium has been enmeshed in an intra-communal crisis for a long time now. Several persons have been killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in the raging crisis. On November 3, last year, five engineers from NELAN Engineering Ltd, who were on duty visit to a ring roa being constructed around Ezza Effium, were killed by armed men suspected to have come from a section of the warring community. Again, on November 28, the armed men attacked security operatives who were in search of the corpses of the five NELAN Engineers. Two security operatives were killed in the attack, according to Mr Or, the information commissioner in the state. Mr Ngwuta hails from Umuezekaoha Ezza Effium, a section of the warring community where the attack reportedly occurred. A Toyota Sienna vehicle, believed to have been used by the armed men, was abandoned at the scene of the attack on security operatives. Advertisements The state government accused the cleric of visiting the scene of the attack alongside two other suspects and attempting to recover the vehicle. But Mr Opoke, the chancellor of the church, said what happened was that the priest went there to help his friend, Jude Ariom, to retrieve a vehicle that was parked there. Mr Opoke said the priest obtained a clearance from Mbeke Police Divisional Headquarters to move the vehicle, but was not aware that the vehicle was used in the commission of crimes as alleged. A former member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Oladele, has reacted to the petition filed against Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, saying arrest is not a conviction. Mr Oladele, who represented Egbado North/ Imeko Afon Federal Constituency in the eighth assembly, condemned the petition, which alleged that Mr Abiodun concealed his criminal records in the United States of America. Mr Oladele, a human rights and constitutional lawyer, said the petition lacks content and form. A member of the All Progressives Congress, Ayodele Oludiran, had petitioned the APC leadership claiming that Mr Abiodun is not eligible for a second term in office. The petitioner accused the governor of concealing criminal offences he allegedly committed in the USA in the 1980s. He said Mr Abioduns candidacy would portend danger for the APC with the damning allegations against him. Mr Oladele, who had represented pro-democracy activists in the past, described the petition against the governor as frivolous and legally deficient, adding that it has no basis in law. Every lawyer knows that an arrest or trial without conviction is not a conviction, he said. The terms are not interchangeable. Anyone can be wrongfully arrested or falsely accused. A criminal conviction, on the other hand, is a judicial ruling that the accused has committed a crime. Even at that, the conviction has to be for a felony to constitute a ground for disqualification under Section 182 ( 1)(e) of the Nigerian Constitution dealing with disqualification to contest for governor. Mr Oladele said the Nigerian Constitution only disqualifies a governor if a felony conviction occurred ten years before the election. How then does the allegation of arrest which allegedly occurred in 1986, about 37 years ago, fall within the ambit of Section 182 (1)(e) of the Constitution? Mr Oladele said candidates cannot be disqualified merely because charges have been framed against them in a criminal case or because of a previous arrest. It is trite that candidates whose heinous criminal cases are still pending in court and are yet to be convicted cannot be barred by INEC to contest for governor using Section 182(1)(e) of the CFRN, he said. Therefore, mere petition or objection by an individual against the failure of a governorship candidate to provide information relating to his previous arrest record or pending criminal cases that have not been finally disposed of or concluded is not sufficient to warrant a disqualification of the candidate under Section 182(1)(s) of CFRN. Mr Oladele said the vast majority of election petitions in Nigeria are very frivolous and vexatious in nature. One of the ultimate aims of such meritless petitions is to attract media attention and perhaps, put an opponent in a bad light, and damage his or her reputation and electability. Unfortunately, it causes distraction, forcing the respondent to expend valuable time, huge financial resources and unnecessary energy and attention to have the irksome petition dismissed. Unfortunately, in the process, the respondents image or reputation might be wrongly affected, particularly as some people might assume its authenticity. The Danish NGC, a government agency and authority within the Danish Healthcare system, was created to implement the Danish Government's National Personalised Medicine Strategy. The core vision of the NGC is to develop more precise diagnosis, targeted treatment and strengthen research within the Danish healthcare system. During the first phase of the strategy, the Danish National Genome Center and its collaborators will recruit and sequence whole genomes of 60,000 patients diagnosed with cancer, autoimmune disorders and rare diseases by 2024. The platform will deliver a next-generation computational infrastructure within Denmark's on-premise supercomputing center, allowing the NGC to meet its vision of establishing and operating a state-of-the-art national infrastructure for personalised medicine while keeping the data at all times in the secure national infrastructure. Only Lifebit with both its genomic data expertise as well as its internationally proven ability of managing such complex Government environments through its patented operating system Lifebit CloudOS was deemed capable to deliver this project. The platform will thus enable researchers with secure access, querying and analysis of this sensitive clinico-genomic data in a fully scalable and flexible way; also allowing for them to collaborate at a global scale. Federation will play a crucial role in enabling the future possibility to collaborate with international partners such as Genomics England, France Genomique, Genomic Medicine Sweden and other biobanks from around the world. Virtually connecting these sensitive datasets, enabling joint analysis that is however performed in situ without moving data, can lead to exponentially higher research findings. In some cases, it can be observed that increasing the number of patients in a study by 10x led to ~100x the number of scientific findings and genomic associations making clear how important real connectivity of these datasets is. "Lifebit continues to guide and power the world's largest national and private precision medicine programmes. We are extremely proud to be delivering this flagship programme for the nation of Denmark. This Federated Trusted Research Environment will enable researchers to more effectively collaborate over this rich dataset at scale and drive international collaboration between other government initiatives - many of which already leverage Lifebit's federated technology." Thorben Seeger, Chief Business Development Officer at Lifebit Other examples of Lifebit's data platform at work include Genomics England , NIHR Cambridge and the Hong Kong Genome Institute . About Lifebit Biotech, Ltd. Lifebit builds enterprise data platforms for use by organisations with complex and sensitive biomedical datasets. Lifebit's patented federated technology securely unlocks access to biomedical data. From providing Trusted Research Environments for national precision medicine programmes to enabling pharmaceutical companies to discover new drug targets faster, Lifebit empowers customers to transform how they leverage sensitive biomedical data. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806414/Lifebit_Biotech.jpg SOURCE Lifebit Biotech NEW DELHI, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Azure Power (NYSE: AZRE), a leading independent sustainable energy solutions provider and power producer in India signed an Expression of Interest (EoI) with Government of Karnataka to develop solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy projects aggregating to 1700 MW capacity. The total investment commitment is INR 13,300 crore. The EoI was signed at the Windergy India 2022 event, between Azure Power and Government of Karnataka, represented by Shri G. Kumar Naik, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the state energy department. Azure Power owns and operates close to 2900 MW of renewable energy assets across India and has a significant presence in the state of Karnataka. Commenting on the announcement, Pawan Kumar Agrawal, CFO, Azure Power, said, "We are extremely pleased to sign the EoI with Government of Karnataka. The state has been at the forefront of clean energy adoption and has one of the highest installed renewable energy capacity in the country. This EoI strengthens our commitment to develop high performing grid scale renewable energy assets in the state and contribute towards India's decarbonization journey." About Azure Power: Azure Power is a leading independent sustainable energy solutions provider, and power producer in India on a mission to create value for all stakeholders through high-performance Renewable Energy assets. We developed India's first utility scale solar project in 2009 and since then, Azure Power has grown rapidly to become a leader in developing and operating large utility-scale renewable energy projects in the country. We also partner with commercial and industrial customers in their decarbonization journey by providing comprehensive solutions for their clean energy needs. For more information about us, visit: www.azurepower.com Investor Contact: [email protected] Media Contact: [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/819565/Azure_Power_Logo.jpg SOURCE Azure Power AUSTIN, Texas, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene, the parent company of Superior HealthPlan, launched an initiative in 2021 encouraging providers to educate members about the benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The top 100 providers in the country with the highest increase in vaccination rates following the initiative would receive a $5,000 grant for medical equipment. Superior announced today that it has awarded $145,000 in grant funding to 29 Texas providers to purchase medical equipment for their facilities. With the ongoing potential for future COVID-19 variants, it remains important for Texans to receive the vaccine. Through this initiative, Centene and Superior worked with Texas providers to conduct engagement campaigns that educated their patients about the importance of getting vaccinated. The additional incentive helped motivate providers to engage their communities as much as possible and increase vaccination rates. Utilizing the grants, award winners can purchase medical equipment to better serve their communities by improving healthcare delivery. "Medical equipment is expensive, especially as providers deal with the repercussions of the pandemic and its impact on their resources," said Dr. David Harmon, Chief Medical Director at Superior HealthPlan. "Pairing vaccination efforts with grants for medical equipment helps providers protect their communities from COVID-19 while supporting their efforts to provide quality healthcare to everyone they serve." Below is a full list of providers who received a $5,000 grant for medical equipment: For more information about Superior, visit SuperiorHealthPlan.com/membersfirst. About Superior HealthPlan Founded in 1999, Superior HealthPlan is a managed care company that delivers quality healthcare throughout Texas. Committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time, Superior supports active local involvement in all 254 Texas counties with nearly 4,000 employees in 8 offices throughout the state. Superior is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. More information on Superior can be found at www.SuperiorHealthPlan.com. SOURCE Superior HealthPlan Global MDM Solution Provider Plugs a Major Data Security Loophole With Its Intelligent Camera Blocking Solution BANGALORE, India, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major breakthrough that can help organizations secure sensitive and proprietary business information better, 42Gears has launched an intelligent camera blocking solution - CamLock. 42Gears is a leading mobile device management solution provider that helps organizations manage, monitor, and secure all their business endpoints through a single console. Recently, 42Gears was also recognized with an honorable mention for its revolutionary Things Management Technology in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for UEM Tools. With CamLock, the company has successfully addressed a key concern that organizations have long been struggling with, raising the bar for data security even higher. The solution is designed to prevent hackers and competitors from gaining access to business-critical information by leveraging a phone's camera. CamLock offers a way to prevent data leaks that often go undetected because they are either unintentional or happen through a medium companies don't control directly, such as employee/visitor phones. Camlock can restrict Android camera access based on a person's activity, location, and/or time of day. "Data breaches are a major concern today. And though most businesses have security policies to restrict data sharing and prevent business-critical information from flowing outside the organization, the eventuality of data being leaked through means that are primarily not being monitored by businesses, like smartphone cameras, can no longer be ignored," said Prakash Gupta, co-founder and COO of 42Gears. "That's the loophole CamLock plugs. It is designed to allow organizations to easily block or unblock phone cameras as employees/visitors enter or leave business premises. And the best part is that it can also be easily integrated with visitor or attendance management systems." According to 42Gears, although the solution will find use in all industry verticals, the government, the military, and businesses in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, banking, automotive, and retail sectors stand to benefit the most from it. For more information on how CamLock works, please click here. About 42Gears 42Gears is a leading UEM solution provider, offering SaaS and on-premise solutions to secure, monitor, and manage business endpoints built on Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, macOS, Wear OS, VR, IoT, and Linux platforms. 42Gears products are used in various industries and trusted by over 18,000 customers in more than 115 countries. For more information, please visit https://www.42gears.com . Media Contact: Surabhi Thakur [email protected] SOURCE 42Gears Mobility Systems AKRON, Ohio, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Interstate 80 crosses through Northeast Ohio, connecting New York to Silicon Valley. Akron Fusion Ventures (AFV) is rebranding and launching a second fund. Its new name, Interstate Fusion Ventures, is a recognition that an Ohio-based venture fund, like Interstate 80, must have connections on the East Coast and West Coast. Interstate Fusion Ventures (IFV) plans to raise a $40 million fund, which it will invest in 40-50 portfolio companies, primarily those with industry-defining technologies and superstar teams The first fund has invested in 21 companies. Those investments collectively have more than doubled in value. The second fund will continue its emphasis on Northeast Ohio, but with a greater inclusion of companies in Silicon Valley and New York. "We have built great partnerships with VCs on the coasts, and several have literally become part of our team" fund manager Bill Manby said. "These relationships have led to access for our investors in deals that would otherwise not be available to them and differentiates us from most other Midwest VCs." Beginning in mid-2020, AFV co-invested with M12 (Microsoft Corp.'s venture arm) in a startup named Pod Foods, run by two Forbes 30 under 30 founders. Pod Foods is a grocery-store supply chain that offers a full-service wholesale marketplace connecting retailers with brands that sell. The company has been recognized for its various successes with articles in Forbes, Fast Company, Cheddar, and TechCrunch. "We were thrilled to add Akron Fusion to our cap table and expanding our reach in Ohio and the Midwest," says CEO and Co-Founder Larissa Russell. As with the first fund, IFV will target companies able to grow substantially toward larger valuations and raise significant follow-on funding. For example, the first fund also invested in the Seed and Series A round raised by Splash Financial, Inc. Splash, a Cleveland company, offers a one-stop shop for comparing loan offers. CEO and Founder Steve Muszynski affirmed "Bill and Akron Fusion provided great early advice to help us navigate towards product market fit. I am excited to work further with them in the future." Last year, Splash raised a $44 million Series B round, led by DST Global and Citi Ventures, which resulted in a 1,732% markup of their investment. For more information, check out interstatefusion.com or contact Bill Manby at [email protected]. SOURCE Interstate Fusion 30 plenary sessions and 3 keynote panel discussions all touching on this year's key theme of innovation in maritime transport, A trade fair, BtoB meetings, Networking events, etc. Describing the event, Michel Gourtay, Vice-President Economy at Brest metropole city council and President of the Technopole Brest-Iroise, said: "The Campus mondial de la mer community is at the forefront of marine science and technology in France. Sea Tech Week is a flagship event, bringing together all our business, scientific and institutional stakeholders to focus on the latest innovations in the maritime sector. The event is also a fixture on the international calendar, with over 30% of participants coming from abroad. Few months after the One Ocean Summit, I warmly invite you to join us in Brest to help us shape the maritime transport of tomorrow." A deep dive into advances in marine science & technologies Plenary sessions will cover a wealth of topics including wind propulsion, maritime cybersecurity, hydrogen, naval architecture and design, marine pollution, and new maritime routes. Already confirmed sessions include: On new fuels: - Distributing hydrogen from offshore wind farms as a fuel for ships - New fuels: behavior in aquatic environments and responses to accidental spills On advances in maritime chemistry: - Sustainable polymer materials for marine applications - Solutions for Monitoring, Mitigation and Prevention of marine litter On transports and natural ecosystems: - Challenges of increasing traffic at the poles: Antarctic/Arctic - Towards the definition of port ecology and the ecological port organized by Institut France-Quebec Maritime (France- Canada) - Underwater noises: Understanding and Preventing it presented by IEEE OES France Chapter (France), Technopole Maritime du Quebec (Canada) and Institut France-Quebec Maritime (France-Canada) On deep tech & cybersecurity: - Enabling Net-Zero through 5G at Sea - AI in Meteorology and Oceanography More sessions and speakers to be confirmed with the full conference programme on www.seatechweek.eu. A video teaser has also been released. Sailing further in 2022 A first for 2022, Sea Tech Week will also play host to the 18th "French congress of sedimentology" (September 28th 30th) and the "Rendez-vous de Concarneau" (September 29th - 30th) dedicated to biomimetics. High-level panellists from esteemed organisations from across the world including research centres, academia, the private sector and public institutions will exchange ideas and challenge each other's views in 3 keynote panel discussions. The one-hour sessions will be spread over 3 days from September, Tuesday 27th - Thursday 29th, each exploring a different topic: propulsion, data and training/careers. To register to attend: www.seatechweek.eu Full pass (5-day pass including lunches and coffee breaks): 350 plus VAT Early bird rate until May, 31st (5-day pass including lunches and coffee breaks): 250 plus VAT @SeaTechWeek / Sea Tech Week / #SeaTech2022 For more information, please contact: Geoffroy Thaumin / [email protected] About Sea Tech Week Sea Tech Week is an international event dedicated to marine and maritime science and technology. It attracts over a thousand top international experts to Brest, France, every two years, representing a wide variety of ocean-related disciplines. Held every 2 years, Sea Tech Week includes tech and science talks, a professional trade fair, BtoB meetings, company and laboratory tours and a gala evening. This event provides the international community of scientists, companies, clusters, students and other stakeholders with the opportunity to share progress in research and innovation, to forge a professional network of contacts and to improve partnerships and cooperation. Sea Tech Week is organised by Technopole Brest-Iroise through Campus mondial de la mer, France's leading community of experts in the ocean. This event is supported by Brest metropole, the Brittany Region, the EU (ERDF) and Credit Mutuel Arkea. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806392/Sea_Tech_Week_Partenaires.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1806391/Sea_Tech_Week_Logo.jpg SOURCE Business France; Technopole Brest Iroise - Seven abstract presentations showcase ongoing research in presbyopia and glaucoma NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan, an AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) company, announced that it will present new data on VUITY (pilocarpine HCl ophthalmic solution) 1.25%, the first and only FDA-approved eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia (age-related blurry near vision) in adults, and DURYSTA (bimatoprost intracameral implant), a first-of-its-kind biodegradable implant to lower eye pressure for glaucoma patients, at the 2022 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 1-4 in Denver, CO. "The variety of data we will present will shed light on our continued commitment to innovate in the areas of presbyopia and glaucoma. We are looking forward to unveiling important studies on both VUITY and DURYSTA to show the advances we are making for those living with these conditions," said Michael R. Robinson, M.D., vice president, global therapeutic area head, ophthalmology, AbbVie. At the meeting, researchers will present new data on VUITY, a once-daily, prescription eye drop that improves near and intermediate vision without compromising distance vision in patients with age-related blurry near vision. The presentation data will include results from the GEMINI studies on pupil size, depth of focus, and duration of efficacy among other important trial outcomes. Presbyopia is a common and progressive eye condition that reduces the eye's ability to focus on near objects. It usually impacts people after age 40, affecting approximately 128 million Americans or nearly half of the U.S. adult population. In addition, attendees will learn of new research findings on DURYSTA. The presentation will focus on the duration of intraocular pressure (IOP) control following DURYSTA administration. A complete listing of the Allergan ARVO 2022 Annual Meeting abstracts can be viewed at: https://arvo2022.arvo.org/abstracts. Details about Allergan's presentations are as follows: About VUITY VUITY is an optimized formulation of pilocarpine, an established eye care therapeutic, specifically designed to treat age-related blurry near vision. It is delivered with proprietary pHast technology, which allows VUITY to rapidly adjust to the physiologic pH of the tear film. This was studied in simulated tear film, and the clinical significance is unknown. VUITY uses the eye's own ability to reduce pupil size and improves near and intermediate vision without compromising distance vision. VUITY Use and Important Safety Information USE VUITY (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) 1.25% is a prescription eye drop used to treat age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia) in adults. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Do not use VUITY if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Use caution when driving at night or performing hazardous activities in poor lighting. Temporary problems when changing focus between near and distant objects may occur. Do not drive or use machinery if vision is not clear. Seek immediate medical care if you experience any sudden vision loss. If you wear contact lenses, they should be removed prior to VUITY use. Wait 10 minutes after dosing before reinserting contact lenses. Do not touch the dropper tip to any surface as this may contaminate the contents. If more than one topical eye medication is being used, the medicines must be administered at least 5 minutes apart. The most common side effects are headache and eye redness. These are not all the possible side effects of VUITY. Please see full Prescribing Information at www.VUITY.com or call 1-833-MY-VUITY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. DURYSTA Consumer Indications and Usage and Important Safety Information Approved Uses DURYSTA (bimatoprost intracameral implant) is a prescription medicine to reduce eye pressure (also called intraocular pressure, or IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma or high eye pressure (ocular hypertension). IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION DURYSTA should not be used if: You have any infection or suspected infection in your eye or surrounding eye area You have corneal endothelial cell dystrophy, a condition in which the clear front layer of your eye (cornea) has lost its ability to work normally and can cause vision problems You have had a corneal transplant or cells transplanted to the inner layer of the cornea (endothelial cell transplant) The sack that surrounds the lens of your eye (posterior lens capsule) is missing or torn You are allergic to any of its ingredients DURYSTA may cause side effects involving the cornea, including increased risk of loss of cells from the inner layer of the cornea. You should not receive DURYSTA more than once in each eye. DURYSTA should be used with caution if you have a limited reserve of the cells lining the inner layer of the cornea. DURYSTA should be used with caution if you have narrow or obstructed iridocorneal angles (the space where the iris, the colored part of the eye, and cornea meet). DURYSTA may cause swelling of the macula, the center spot of the retina (back of the eye). DURYSTA should be used with caution if your eye does not have a lens, if you have an artificial lens and a torn posterior lens capsule, or if you have any risk factors for swelling of the macula. DURYSTA may cause inflammation inside the eye or make existing inflammation worse. DURYSTA may cause increased brown coloring of the iris, which may be permanent. Eye injections have been associated with infections in the eye. It is important that you contact your doctor right away if you think you might be experiencing any side effects, including eye redness, sensitivity to light, eye pain, or a change in vision, after an injection. Your doctor should monitor you following DURYSTA administration. The most common side effect involving the eyes reported in patients using DURYSTA was eye redness. Other common side effects reported were: feeling like something is in your eye, eye pain, being sensitive to light, a blood spot on the white of your eye, dry eye, eye irritation, increased eye pressure, a loss of cells on the inner layer of the cornea, blurry vision, inflammation of the iris, and headache. Please see full Prescribing Information available at www.Durysta.com. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more. About Allergan Eye Care As a leader in eye care, Allergan has discovered, developed, and delivered some of the most innovative products in the industry for more than 70 years. Allergan has launched over 125 eye care products and invested billions of dollars in treatments for the most prevalent eye conditions including glaucoma, ocular surface disease, and retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion. About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. SOURCE AbbVie New devices will enable an even more powerful, reliable, and cost-effective TV experience for any home ELLISVILLE, Mo., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Antennas Direct , the leading HDTV antenna provider, today launched two new products: the Jolt Switch in-line amplifier and the ClearStream HORIZON indoor TV antenna. These innovative products join Antennas Direct's suite of the world's most powerful antennas that deliver high-quality TV experiences. The Jolt Switch is an enhanced version of the Jolt amplifier and offers improved performance, design, and user experience. Using the on/off switch, the Jolt Switch provides amplification when it is needed in real time or bypasses amplification when a TV channel does not need it. When in use, the Jolt Switch increases TV signals to deliver clearer picture and sound, and can even broaden access to channels beyond the antenna's standard range. This new version of the USB in-line amplifier has a higher gain of 18 dB, is compatible with most TV antennas, and later this year will be included with several other Antennas Direct and Mohu antenna models. The Jolt Switch costs $29.99 and is available for purchase from Antennas Direct and Mohu . One of the antennas to include the Jolt Switch is the new ClearStream HORIZON antenna. This amplified indoor HDTV antenna is engineered to receive TV signals 60 miles away from broadcast towers. The ClearStream HORIZON offers a minimalistic design and installs like a soundbar, either mounted on a wall or placed on a flat surface using its included kickstand. It costs $79.99 and is available for purchase today from Antennas Direct . This product will become more widely available on other ecommerce platforms next month. "The cord-cutting movement isn't letting up as Americans ditch their cable packages in droves for more affordable, user-friendly options. But we also know that consumers won't sacrifice high-quality performance for lower cost," said Richard Schneider, CEO and founder of Antennas Direct. "This is why Antennas Direct and Mohu continue to innovate new HDTV antennas and supporting devices that provide cord cutters with an optimal and affordable TV viewing experience. We've always been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement, and we're excited to continue creating products that help consumers maintain access to TV without the hefty subscription fees." For more information about these new products, visit www.antennasdirect.com or www.gomohu.com . If you're not sure which network TV channels are available over-the-air in your area and need to determine the right antenna for you, please visit Antennas Direct's transmitter locator tool . About Antennas Direct: Antennas Direct is the #1 LEADER in antenna technology with a foundation built on a culture of innovation and forward-thinking that has been a driving force for over 15 years. The company is the largest manufacturer of over-the-air outdoor antennas specifically tuned for the core-DTV frequencies broadcast in North America. Antennas Direct are the pioneers of the cord-cutting movement, spreading antenna awareness to millions of consumers since 2003. The company has invested major resources into the discovery and implementation of new antenna designs for digital reception. The firm is a member of the Inc. 500|5000 Hall of Fame and Future of TV Coalition. Visit www.antennasdirect.com for more information. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Antennas Direct OGDEN, Utah, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AvantGuard Monitoring Centers is proud to be the recipient of 'The Monitoring Center of the Year' award in the Enterprise Central Station category from The Monitoring Association (TMA). This achievement recognizes the dedication and effort put forth by AvantGuard's entire team to build a company with a powerful culture centered around innovation and service. Regarding the award, Justin Bailey, President of AvantGuard said, "We are honored to be recognized as The Central Station of the Year by TMA. The depth of experience on our leadership team and throughout all of the organization with focus on our 'We Care FIRST' culture has allowed us to be leaders in service and innovation and helps our team bring their best self to work each day. AvantGuard experienced a tremendous amount of growth in 2021 with some notable accomplishments. AvantGuard's subscriber base grew from 850,000 to nearly 1.2 million subscribers. They launched their new My.AG platform and MLS reporting tool to help dealers better manage their business. They celebrated the grand opening of their third monitoring center in Cedar City, Utah. Additionally, they welcomed new CEO, Steve Richards, in March of 2021, along with VP of Operations, Ray Refuerzo, and VP of Software Engineering, Bo Denkers, to their leadership team. AvantGuard also implemented their cutting-edge AI based automated voice assistant and AG Chat platforms to handle over 800,000 non-urgent signals such as test reminders, low battery or power loss signals, system troubles, and more. AvantGuard is grateful to TMA for this recognition and for all they do to support the monitoring industry. AG also expresses gratitude to their entire team for creating an amazing company culture and to their dealers for their partnership and continued support. AvantGuard is part of the Becklar family of industry-leading connected safety solutions for enterprises and individuals. AvantGuard provides professional monitoring solutions that save lives, protect property, and inspire peace of mind. Contact: Jonathan Knoder Content Manager at AvantGuard Email: [email protected] SOURCE AvantGuard Monitoring CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation today announced the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on Bank of America common stock of $0.21 per share, payable on June 24, 2022 to shareholders of record as of June 3, 2022. The Board also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.75 per share on the 7% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series B. The dividend is payable on July 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of July 8, 2022. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,100 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 54 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for email news alerts. www.bankofamerica.com Investors May Contact: Lee McEntire, Bank of America Phone: 1.980.388.6780 [email protected] Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income) Phone: 1.212.449.3112 [email protected] Reporters May Contact: Christopher P. Feeney, Bank of America Phone: 1.980.386.6794 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation Marks the Necessity of Technology to Meet Obstacles of the Current Global Supply Chain Shift SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Baton announced that it is launching the world's first AI-powered, local, digital fleet in the Los Angeles region. Its proprietary technology is introducing an unprecedented and transformational level of efficiency into the industry, passing the reliability and savings on to shippers and fuel-price-insulated profits on to owner-operators. For the last two years, Baton has been a first and last-mile solution for long-haul carriers on their most challenging freight. Over the course of that time, Baton gathered data and perfected a technology solution that now enables the company to execute seamlessly and with an industry-shifting level of productivity in any local environment. Baton is using this software to expand to support every type of local freight moveserving shippers, intermodal and broker freight. The new software behind Baton's local fleet is a load-planning tool that uses AI to match loads with drivers, adjusting to ever-changing conditions in real-time. It is able to offer predictions on traffic and warehouse patterns and use those predictions to adapt around obstacles and has the ability to optimize driver schedules and easily modify them. For shippers, it plugs in seamlessly to their existing platforms via API and provides them with access and transparency, which is becoming increasingly critical with a shifting global supply chain. "Baton's software allows us to plan owner-operator driver schedules more efficiently, a much-needed solution for drivers trying to make ends meet with equipment and fuel costs on the rise," said Baton Co-founder Andrew Berberick. "We've entered a freight recession where rates on the spot market have declined rapidly and volume is scarce, so Baton is offering drivers a way to earn more." Baton's software has already achieved demonstrably exceptional results. It has led to higher load acceptance (2x industry acreage), better service performance (98.3% 0s grace on 20k loads) and lower costs for shippers (dwell times reduced by 39%). "The schedule-optimization technology we've built is just the tip of the iceberg. One of the core innovations I'm proud of is how we architected our underlying model to represent freight on such a granular level that we can easily apply optimization solutions to virtually any type of freight use-case, whether that's local truckload or event LTL, parcel, etc.," said Baton Lead Backend Engineer Ryan Houlihan, who prior to Baton, developed innovative machine learning systems at NASA, Apple, Kinema Systems (acquired by Boston Dynamics) and Stanford. Baton plans to expand its local digital fleet to the Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and Phoenix regions in the near future. Baton was founded in October 2019. SOURCE Baton LAVAL, QC and VAUGHAN, ON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health" or the "Company") announced today that, in connection with its previously announced intention to separate its eye health business, it has entered into an arrangement agreement with, among others, its wholly owned subsidiary Bausch + Lomb Corporation ("Bausch + Lomb"). The arrangement agreement sets out the terms and conditions of the proposed transactions by which Bausch Health currently expects to transfer all or a portion of the remaining direct or indirect equity interest in Bausch + Lomb following completion of the initial public offering of Bausch + Lomb (the "Bausch + Lomb IPO") and expiration or waiver of the IPO lockup to Bausch Health shareholders. This transfer is expected to occur pursuant to an arrangement under applicable corporate law that will be implemented pursuant a plan of arrangement, the current form of which is appended to the arrangement agreement. The arrangement is currently expected to be implemented pursuant to the public company "butterfly reorganization" rules under applicable Canadian tax law. Completion of the arrangement is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the arrangement agreement and in the Master Separation Agreement previously entered into by the Company and Bausch + Lomb as of March 30, 2022. These terms and conditions include, without limitation, the receipt of applicable regulatory or other approvals, an opinion of U.S. tax counsel (and, if the Company so elects, a tax ruling requested from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to certain aspects of the arrangement) regarding U.S. tax treatment and the tax ruling requested from the Canada Revenue Agency confirming the tax-free treatment of the transaction to Bausch Health and Bausch + Lomb and their respective shareholders, and receipt by the Company's Board of Directors of one or more opinions from an independent appraisal firm confirming the solvency and financial viability of the Company prior to the arrangement and of the Company and Bausch + Lomb and its successor after consummation of the arrangement. Completion of the arrangement is also subject to receipt of applicable shareholder approvals and receipt of and compliance with the interim and final orders from the British Columbia Supreme Court. There can be no certainty, nor can Bausch Health provide any assurance, that all conditions precedent to the arrangement, whether under the arrangement agreement or otherwise, will be satisfied or waived, or, if satisfied or waived, when they will be satisfied or waived. The arrangement agreement and the plan of arrangement are also subject to amendment or termination in accordance with their respective terms. A copy of the arrangement agreement will be filed under Bausch Health's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. It is expected that the shareholders of Bausch Health will have an opportunity to consider this transaction at a special meeting of shareholders to be called and held in due course following completion of the Bausch + Lomb IPO. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and otherwise in accordance with applicable securities laws in any other jurisdiction. About Bausch + Lomb Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies, Inc., is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with more than 12,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey. About Bausch Health Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health") is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. Bausch Health develops, manufactures and markets a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. Bausch Health is delivering on its commitments as it builds an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. Forward-looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements about the potential distribution of the common shares of Bausch + Lomb that Bausch Health will continue to hold following completion of the Bausch + Lomb IPO, which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "subject to" and variations or similar expressions, including statements about the ultimate terms and conditions of the arrangement agreement and plan of arrangement, the structure of such distribution (including that it is intended to occur under the "butterfly reorganization" rules under applicable Canadian tax law and that tax opinions or rulings will be obtained in respect of the tax treatment of such distribution), the satisfaction or waiver of the applicable terms and conditions in the arrangement agreement and master separation agreement (including as to the time at which such conditions will be satisfied or waived, if at all), that the distribution will occur on any particular terms and conditions or at all, the potential for amendment of the arrangement agreement and/or plan of arrangement in accordance with their respective terms, the expectation that shareholders of Bausch Health will receive additional information regarding and have an opportunity to consider the proposed arrangement and that a special meeting will be called on any particular timeline or at all. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the transaction not being timely completed, if completed at all, including due to the shareholder, court and other approvals required in connection with the transaction and the timing of receipt of such approvals; the possibility that the other approvals for or conditions to the transaction are not received or satisfied or waived on a timely basis or at all, including achievement of targeted leverage ratios; changes in the anticipated timing for closing the transaction; business disruption during the pendency of or following the transaction; diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the ability to retain management team members; risks related to the reaction of customers and other parties to such transaction; the impact of such transaction on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties; the risk that the proposed structure of the distribution of Bausch + Lomb common shares to Bausch Health's shareholders does not occur in the manner or on the timelines anticipated or at all; and other events that could adversely impact the completion of the transaction, including industry or economic conditions outside of Bausch Health's control. In particular, Bausch Health can offer no assurance that any IPO or distribution will occur at all, or that any such transaction or transactions will occur on the timelines, in the manner or on the terms anticipated by Bausch Health. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Bausch Health's overall business, including those more fully described in Bausch Health's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch Health undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law. SOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc. Small businesses comprise more than 99% of all U.S. employers and employ 58.9 million citizens, 1 yet more than half of small business owners do not have their financial needs met by current financial institutions. 2 A disproportionate majority of those refused capital are historically underrepresented and underserved groups. Sixty six percent of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or person of color) business owners receive at least a percentage of the requested funding from banks, as compared to 80% of white business owners. 3 In addition, minority business owners who are approved for financing pay on average 7.8% in interest, as compared with 6.4% for non-minority firms. 4 SMB lending is one of the least automated parts of the U.S. banking system. Nearly all current banks rely on manual underwriting for SMB loans, which involves commercial bankers making personal judgments about SMB borrowers. "As a child, I watched my father repeatedly let down by our financial system," said Seke Ballard, CEO of Beta Financial Services and Founder of BetaBank. "He was a successful business owner in North Carolina, but when he needed capital to expand his business to nearby states, he was denied 13 times. Small business owners deserve a better way to bank. BetaBank is committed to building a digital bank that provides small business owners an unbiased and efficient way to access the flexible capital their businesses need to thrive." Ballard created a proprietary algorithm that uses cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) to weigh risk, calculate qualification, and determine the likelihood of default on a loan with significantly more accuracy and speed, and at a lower cost, than traditional banks. This helps lower the barrier for a broader range of small businesses to access the capital they need to scale and grow. BetaBank will operate entirely on cloud technologies, making it one of the first digital banks in the U.S. to be built on Google Cloud from the ground up. Beta Financial Services selected Google Cloud as the cloud infrastructure on which to build, run, and manage BetaBank. Google Cloud provides a scalable, secure, and sustainable infrastructure to help grow BetaBank's business and support its networks, while enabling regulatory compliance, fraud prevention, and overall security. "We are proud to work with BetaBank to build a digitally native bank whose mission of financial inclusion aligns closely with Google Cloud's goals of creating equitable products that drive better outcomes for everyone," said Janet Kennedy, vice president, North America, Google Cloud. "Combining Google Cloud's cutting-edge infrastructure with BetaBank's powerful vision and lending algorithm will help enable the bank to provide its customers with access to the services they need in a safe and secure environment." "BetaBank has the opportunity to push the industry to catch up with society's demand for representation as shared values become the influencing factor in selecting products and services, and we at Deloitte are proud to support their mission to deliver digital banking to historically underserved small business segments," said Nick Cowell, Affinity Banking lead, Deloitte Consulting LLP. Deloitte worked closely with Ballard and his team of engineers to design the technological infrastructure to meet the demands of a digitally native bank. Deloitte also supported the design of BetaBank's digital customer interface, allowing for accessible and comprehensive banking services at significant cost savings to both BetaBank and its customers. When BetaBank opens for business, Deloitte will continue to provide a full suite of managed services to support BetaBank's operations. BetaBank is currently in formation and scheduled to open to customers in early 2023. To sign up to join the waitlist and receive updates about BetaBank's launch, visit betabank.com . About Beta Financial Services Beta Financial Services is the holding company of BetaBank, currently in formation. BetaBank is one of the first digital banks in the United States to be built entirely on Google Cloud from the ground up. Born from founder and CEO Seke Ballard 's belief that when small businesses succeed, everyone succeeds, BetaBank's mission is to offer small business owners the opportunity to thrive through a bank that's easy to access and equitable to its core. Sources: SOURCE BetaBank The app offers a version developed to address the social media marketing needs of businesses like event planners, ETSY shop owners, bloggers, crafters, artists, creators, brick and mortar stores, you name it. "Owners of such businesses often wear all of the hats" said K Lawson, one of the company's founders. "With the Buzzbie app in the palm of their hand, they can instantly access a catalog of guided posts and ideas, compelling imagery and fonts, and instant sizing for top platforms. There's also hashtag guidance, and user-friendly branded design tools, plus they can add logos, save favorite hashtags and more." The hashtag portion of the app is not automated, but built upon research, and all of the in-app content is custom crafted. The creators believe that by staying authentic, and using what Buzzbie Apps have to offer, users will be able to do more for less. There are real marketers behind the Buzzbie Business apps. And while many apps either prioritize hashtag intelligence, or design, the Buzzbie apps do both, and more, like brand management and customization. The Real Estate version the app also includes fonts, brand palettes and logo features specific to the industry, saving time and energy so that agents have polished looking content that is quick, branded, and fun to create. Users can enjoy Buzzbie for Real Estate agents for $12.99 per month, and Buzzbie for Small Business for between $4 and $13 a month depending upon yearly or monthly billing. The soft launch saw users enjoying access to trendy fonts, shapes and design elements, and preselected color combinations to stay "on brand" and recognizable. It's a winning combination of tech and creative. The app is free to try for 3 days. Buzzbie for Business is available for iOS. And Buzzbie for Real Estate Agents is Available for iOS and Android Links: Website: https://www.buzzbieapp.com Assets for use: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bg16u4hvOc86yUjZcOx_8JUjO13R0Gyd?usp=sharing iOS Buzzbie for Business Marketing: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/buzzbie-for-business-marketing/id1610067464 iOS Buzzbie for Real Estate Agents: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/buzzbie-for-real-estate-agents/id1586700852 Android Buzzbie for Real Estate Agents: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fortysevendegreesnorth.buzzbie Videos: https://www.buzzbieapp.com/post/wondering-what-size-images-for-instagram-pinterest-linkedin https://www.buzzbieapp.com/post/how-to-save-your-favorite-hashtags-in-the-buzzbie-app https://www.buzzbieapp.com/howtocreate SOURCE Buzzbie App The 32 total companies form an unprecedented cluster of Israeli-founded unicorns in a single state. Tweet this Over the past year, 16 companies reached or surpassed the billion-dollar valuation threshold: At-Bay ($1.35 billion), BigPanda ($1.2 billion), Cloudinary ($2 billion), Exabeam ($2.4 billion), Firebolt ($1.4 billion), Hailo ($1.1 billion), Honeybook ($2.4 billion), Noname Security ($1 billion), Placer.AI ($1 billion), RapidAPI ($1 billion), Salt Security ($1.5 billion), SpotOn ($3.2 billion), Sunbit ($1.1 billion), Veev ($1 billion), Viz.ai ($1.2 billion), and Wiliot ($1 billion). California picked up an additional unicorn when Cato Networks ($2.5 billion), a company valued at more than $1 billion since November 2020, relocated its headquarters from Alpharetta, Georgia to San Jose. Ten of the other 15 Israeli-founded unicorns in California increased their valuations since April 2021, when USIBA issued its last Unicorn Report: Armis (from $2 to $3.5 billion), Deel (from $1.3 to $5.5 billion), Dremio (from $1 to $2 billion), Gong (from $2.2 to $7.25 billion), Gusto (from $3.8 to $9.5 billion), Redis Labs (from $2 to $4 billion), Tipalti (from $2 to $8.3 billion), Trax (from $2.3 to $3 billion), TripActions (from $5 to $7.25 billion), and Wiz, the Palo Alto cybersecurity darling that increased its valuation from $1.7 billion to $6 billion in less than six months. Fundbox, a credit start-up, explored a special purpose acquisition company merger based on a $1.5 billion valuation in 2021. The merger did not materialize and Fundbox closed a $100 million round in November at a $1.1 billion value. Israeli-Founded Unicorns Based in California Company Valuation Unicorn Date City Solution Exabeam $2.4B June 2021 Foster City Security automation Placer.AI $1.0B Jan. 2022 Los Altos Foot traffic analytics Sunbit $1.1B May 2021 Los Angeles Buy now, pay later Rapyd $15.0B Dec. 2019 Mountain View Payments platform Redis Labs $4.0B Aug. 2020 Mountain View Database management BigPanda $1.2B Jan. 2022 Mountain View IT software solution Next Insurance $4.0B Oct. 2019 Palo Alto Insurance for small businesses Armis $3.5B Jan. 2020 Palo Alto Agentless device security Gong $7.25B Aug. 2020 Palo Alto Revenue intelligence Houzz $4.0B Sept. 2014 Palo Alto Home design and decorating Salt Security $1.5B Dec. 2021 Palo Alto API security TripActions $7.25B Nov. 2018 Palo Alto Corporate travel management Wiz $6.0B Mar. 2021 Palo Alto Cybersecurity for cloud Wiliot $1.0B July 2021 San Diego IoT Platform Cloudinary $2.0B Dec. 2021 Santa Clara Media experience platform Dremio $2.0B Jan. 2021 Santa Clara Big data curation AppsFlyer $2.0B Jan. 2020 San Francisco Mobile marketing analytics At-Bay $1.35B July 2021 San Francisco Cyber insurance Deel $5.5B Apr. 2021 San Francisco Payroll and compliance Firebolt $1.4B Jan. 2022 San Francisco Data warehousing Fundbox $1.1B Sept. 2019 San Francisco Cash flow optimization Gusto $9.5B July 2018 San Francisco Payroll, benefits, and HR Hailo $1.1B June 2021 San Francisco AI chipmaker HoneyBook $2.4B May 2021 San Francisco Workflow platform RapidAPI $1.0B Mar. 2022 San Francisco API marketplace SpotOn $3.2B May 2021 San Francisco Restaurant & retail payment Trax $3.0B July 2019 San Francisco Retail analytics Viz.ai $1.2B Apr. 2022 San Francisco AI disease detection & care Cato Networks $2.5B Nov. 2020 San Jose SaaS platform Noname Security $1.0B Dec. 2021 San Jose API security Tipalti $2.0B Oct. 2020 San Mateo Accounts payable Veev $1.0B Mar. 2022 San Mateo Home-building tech Rapyd, the Mountain View-based payments platform provider, took the biggest leap since last April, with its valuation increasing sixfold, from $2.5 to $15 billion. Founded in 2016, Rapyd has raised $770 million total and is the highest valued Israeli-founded unicorn in the world today. "The Israeli-founded companies in Silicon Valley are raising eye-popping funds," Kaplowitz said. "But, as far as impact goes, those dollars pale in comparison to the number of local jobs these companies create and the revenue they bring to their communities." California also lost six Israeli-founded unicorns to initial public offerings: Hippo, Innoviz, ironSource, Otonomo, SentinelOne, and WalkMe. Orca Security, which increased its valuation from $1.2 to $1.8 billion last year, outgrew its Los Angeles office and, in December, moved to Portland, Oregon. San Francisco saw its Israeli-founded unicorn total rise from eight last April to 12 today. It now has the second most Israeli-founded unicorns among U.S. cities and trails New York, which boasts 26 Israeli-founded unicorns, the most of any city outside of Tel Aviv. Although many signs seem to indicate that 2022 won't be as prolific of a fundraising year for Israeli-founded companies as 2021, California has already added six Israeli unicorns this year. About the United States Israel Business Alliance The mission of the United States Israel Business Alliance is to strengthen the economic relationship between individual states and Israel. Learn more about the impact Israeli companies are having on local communities at www.nyisrael.org. SOURCE United States - Israel Business Alliance "I'm absolutely thrilled to join Callan and support its mission to be an invaluable fiduciary to its investors," said Ms. Mays. "I'm honored to partner with a firm that invests in diversity, equity, and belonging across the organization and industry. I look forward to working with this talented group of colleagues." Most recently, Ms. Mays was senior vice president at Beacon Capital Partners where she managed investor relations for a number of differing fund types. Prior to that, she served endowment and foundation clients at Wellington Management Company. Ms. Mays earned her BA from Hamilton College and her MBA from Boston University School of Management. "We are excited to have Christine become part of Callan's Real Assets Consulting group," said Ms. Haskins and Mr. Robinson in a joint statement. "Her experience working with institutional plans and her deep understanding of the real assets market will enhance our research efforts and benefit our clients." About Callan Callan was founded as an employee-owned investment consulting firm in 1973. Ever since, we have empowered institutional clients with creative, customized investment solutions backed by proprietary research, exclusive data, and ongoing education. Today, Callan advises on more than $3 trillion in total fund sponsor assets, which makes it among the largest independently owned investment consulting firms in the U.S. Callan uses a client-focused consulting model to serve pension and defined contribution plan sponsors, endowments, foundations, independent investment advisers, investment managers, and other asset owners. Callan has six offices throughout the U.S. Learn more at callan.com. Media Contact: Elizabeth Anathan [email protected] 415-274-3020 SOURCE Callan LLC MILWAUKEE, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- We Energies filed proposals with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) today for regulatory reviews that will set customer rates for electricity, natural gas and steam for 2023. The filing comes as We Energies is in the midst of the largest clean energy transition in company history. "We have set some of the most aggressive goals in our industry for reducing carbon and methane emissions. This rate plan will help us reach those goals and provide customers with the affordable, reliable and clean energy they depend on," said Scott Lauber, president We Energies. The proposal includes critical investments in storm hardening and grid resiliency, including plans to bury 800 miles of power lines over the next decade. The request which includes millions of dollars of savings from the closure of older, less-efficient fossil fuel plants marks only the second time in eight years the company has asked for an increase in base rates. The plan submitted for consideration would increase the typical electric bill for residential customers by approximately $5 to $6 a month in 2023, or roughly 5 to 6%. Average bills would remain below the national average and in line with the Midwest average. Electricity In the rate filing, We Energies points to three cost drivers: Capital investments in new solar, wind and battery storage many of which have already been approved by the PSCW. Reliability investments, including grid hardening projects to bury power lines and strengthen the delivery network against severe weather. Changes in wholesale business with other utilities. Natural gas and steam We Energies natural gas customers would see a small increase in their monthly bills in 2023 as part of the filed plan. Bills for We Energies steam customers in downtown Milwaukee would remain relatively flat in 2023. Next steps In late-May, We Energies will update the filing to include more specific information on the impact for each customer group. The company also will provide this information to customers through a bill insert and on we-energies.com. The PSCW will conduct hearings on the We Energies proposals and is expected to make a final decision later this year. New rates are expected to take effect in January 2023. We Energies serves more than 1.1 million electric customers and 1.1 million natural gas customers in Wisconsin. We Energies is the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Co. and Wisconsin Gas LLC, subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group Inc. (NYSE: WEC). Visit We Energies at we-energies.com and WEC Energy Group at wecenergygroup.com. Forward-looking statements Certain statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding regulatory actions and decisions, expected rate case filings, and impact on customers. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in each of WEC Energy Group, Inc.'s, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and in subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements: the possibility that the PSCW's order will differ from the terms of the proposals; the timing, resolution and impact of rate cases and other regulatory decisions; general economic conditions, including business and competitive conditions in WEC Energy Group, Inc.'s service territories; the extent, duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or any future health pandemics; WEC Energy Group Inc.'s ability to continue to successfully integrate the operations of its subsidiaries; availability of generating facilities and/or distribution systems; unanticipated changes in fuel and purchased power costs; key personnel changes; varying, adverse or unusually severe weather conditions; continued industry restructuring and consolidation; continued advances in, and adoption of, new technologies that produce power or reduce power consumption; energy and environmental conservation efforts; WEC Energy Group Inc.'s ability to successfully acquire and/or dispose of assets and to execute on its capital plan; cyber-security threats and data security breaches; construction risks; equity and bond market fluctuations; changes in WEC Energy Group, Inc.'s and its subsidiaries' ability to access the capital markets; changes in tax legislation or WEC Energy Group, Inc.'s and its subsidiaries' ability to use certain tax benefits and carryforwards; the impact of legislative and regulatory changes, including changes to environmental standards and greenhouse gas regulations, the enforcement of these law and the regulations and changes in the interpretation by regulatory agencies; supply chain disruptions; inflation; political developments; current and future litigation and regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; changes in accounting standards and the ability of WEC Energy Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries to obtain additional generating capacity at competitive prices. Except as may be required by law, WEC Energy Group, Inc., and Wisconsin Electric Power Company expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information. SOURCE WEC Energy Group HONG KONG, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883, SSE: 600938) announced changes to its board of directors and senior management team. Mr. Xu Keqiang has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and has been re-designated from Executive Director of the Company to Non-executive Director. Mr. Zhou Xinhuai has been appointed as an Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Yan Hongtao has been appointed as a Vice President. The aforementioned changes take effect from 28 April 2022. Mr. Xu Keqiang has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2019. With his deep insights into the industry and rich management experiences, Mr. Xu has been conscientiously fulfilling his duties and responsibilities, leading all staff to forge ahead and overcome difficulties, successfully completing all the strategic and operational targets set by the Board of Directors and has made excellent achievements, which has been highly recognized by the shareholders. Mr. Wang Dongjin, Chairman of CNOOC Limited, said, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Xu for his outstanding contributions to the Company during his tenure and to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Zhou upon his appointment as an Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company will stick to the profit-driven strategy, continue to promote high-quality development and create greater value for shareholders." Mr. Zhou Xinhuai's Resume Born in 1970, Mr. Zhou is a professor-level senior engineer. He graduated from Chengdu University of Technology with a Master's degree in Coalfield Oil and Gas Geology and Exploration. In 2008, he received a Ph.D. degree in Energy Geological Engineering from China University of Geosciences. Mr. Zhou has worked with the CNOOC Group since 1996 holding several positions. From August 2003 to April 2014, he was the project manager and geological chief engineer of the Technology Department of the CNOOC (China) Limited Tianjin Branch, a subsidiary of the Company. He served as the Chief Geological Engineer of Bohai Oil Research Institute of CNOOC Bohai Petroleum Administrative Bureau, and as the manager of Exploration Department of CNOOC Bohai Petroleum Administrative Bureau and the manager of Exploration Department of CNOOC (China) Limited Tianjin Branch from April 2014 to March 2017. Mr. Zhou served as the Chief Geologist at CNOOC East China Sea Petroleum Administrative Bureau and the Chief Geologist at CNOOC (China) Limited Shanghai Branch, a subsidiary of the Company from March 2017 to October 2019. He also worked as the General Manager of the Exploration Division of the Company from October 2019 to March 2021. He was appointed as the General Manager of CNOOC (China) Limited Hainan Branch, a subsidiary of the Company, and Chairman and General Manager of Hainan Energy Co., Ltd., from March 2021 to March 2022. He was appointed as the Deputy General Manager of the CNOOC Group from March 2022. From 28 April 2022, Mr. Zhou has been appointed as an Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Yan Hongtao's Resume Mr. Yan Hongtao was born in 1970 and graduated from China University of Petroleum (Beijing) with a master's degree in petroleum storage and transportation. Mr. Yan has served as Deputy General Manager of the Company's Development and Production Department, Deputy Director of the CNOOC Eastern South China Sea Petroleum Administrative Bureau, Deputy General Manager of the CNOOC (China) Limited Shenzhen Branch, a subsidiary of the Company, and Deputy General Manager, General Manager, Deputy Safety Director and General Manager of Development and Production Department of the Company. Mr. Yan served as General Manager of CNOOC (China) Limited Tianjin Branch, a subsidiary of the Company from January 2022. Mr. Yan is appointed as Vice President of the Company on 28 April 2022. Notes to Editors: More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com. *** *** *** *** This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, macro-political and economic factors, changes in the tax and fiscal regimes of the host countries in which we operate, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, environmental responsibility and compliance requirements, the Company's price forecast, the exploration and development activities, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations. *** *** *** *** For further enquiries, please contact: Mr. Su Yuchi Media & Public Relations CNOOC Limited Tel: +86-10-8452-5897 Fax: +86-10-8452-1441 E-mail: [email protected] Mr. Bunny Lee Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group Tel: +852 3150 6707 Fax: +852 3150 6728 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE CNOOC Limited College Decision Day is rapidly approaching, and for many students, cost is a top consideration. Tweet this A key factor in this decision? Cost. "On average, college costs American undergraduate students $35,331 per year, says College Consensus founder Jeremy Alder. "Not only is this number egregious, the vast majority of students don't have this kind of money on handand hesitate to take out massive loans to cover the cost. That's where affordable colleges really shine." "Affordable colleges allow students to receive a quality educationwithout breaking the bank and setting themselves up for a lifetime of loan repayment," continues Jeremy Alder. To determine the Most Affordable Colleges, College Consensus ordered colleges from lowest to highest out-of-state tuition & fees for full-time undergraduates using the latest tuition data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The Top 10 Most Affordable Colleges for 2022 are: United States Merchant Marine Academy Brigham Young University-Idaho Aspen University Columbia Southern University Brigham Young University-Hawaii Brigham Young University Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies United States University Huntington University of Health Sciences Visit the ranking to view the full list. "It's no secret that large-scale changes need to be made to reduce the cost of college for students, continues College Consensus founder Jeremy Alder. "In the meantime, students should have access to reputable information about the price tag of college so they can make the best decision for themselves and their futures." In addition to offering an innovative approach to college and graduate school rankings, College Consensus also offers expert advice and guidance on all aspects of college life, from finding the perfect college, to getting accepted, paying for it, applying to and attending graduate school, and finding a professional path after graduation. For information on leveraging this award, winners may contact College Consensus' licensing partner, Wright's Media, at [email protected]. Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Instagram SOURCE College Consensus ASHLAND, Ohio, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction is underway on a new transmission substation in Ashland County, Ohio, owned by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary American Transmission Systems, Incorporated, to meet the area's future energy demands and support economic growth. The work is also expected to help reduce the frequency and duration of power outages experienced by customers in the area. The new infrastructure, which includes construction of two short, high-voltage lines along with the substation, will strengthen the transmission system and benefit customers in the region, including more than 22,000 Ohio Edison customers in Milton Township, Ashland and nearby communities. "The new substation will act as a hub, tying in several adjacent transmission lines to provide increased flexibility and resiliency to our system," said Carl Bridenbaugh, FirstEnergy's vice president of Transmission. "These upgrades are designed to enhance service reliability for our customers now and also in the future as we continue to experience economic growth in the region." As part of the $11.6 million project, utility crews recently began laying the foundation and will begin to erect steel structures at the new 89,500-square-foot substation site in Milton Township this spring. In addition, crews will construct two short power lines to connect the new substation to existing 138-kilovolt (kV) lines located nearby. Such ties offer a backup power feed that will help keep the lights on for customers if wires or equipment on their regular line are damaged or need to be taken out of service. When complete, the new facility will tie in five high-voltage power lines that will channel power to local lines serving towns and communities. A steel monopole will be installed on each side of the substation to connect the new power lines to the facility. The work underway in Ashland County began in September 2021 and is expected to be completed this August. Additional work completed in the area includes the installation of new automated technology and equipment to enhance service reliability for hundreds of residents and businesses. The project is part of Energizing the Future, a multi-year initiative designed to upgrade FirstEnergy's transmission system with advanced equipment and technologies that will reinforce the power grid and help reduce the frequency and duration of customer outages. Since launching the initiative in 2014, FirstEnergy has achieved a 50% reduction in equipment-related transmission outages across its Ohio service area, as well as the Penn Power and West Penn Power territories in western Pennsylvania. Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison and online at www.ohioedison.com. FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Attorney Michael Hackard has developed the Hackard Method, making it easier for the disinherited to secure legal representation using contingency fee agreements. SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In all estate matters in California, there are standard statutes of limitation during which a person can make a claim against an estate. Time is of the essence, and attorney Michael Hackard, a Sacramento attorney, understands the nuances of estate law and is committed to advocating for aggrieved beneficiaries. The law does not favor people who wait. In fact, there are time limitations that apply uniformly throughout the state of California with regard to estate challenges. Unfortunately, all too often, people who face disinheritance are swept up in the emotions that come along with the loss of a loved one, in addition to the issues regarding their inheritance. Veteran attorney Michael Hackard recommends, "When it appears that you are cut out of an estate, probate distribution or inheritance from a trust, you should probably seek legal counsel. It may be possible to hire an attorney on a contingency basis using the time-tested Hackard Method." If you seek an attorney for representation in an estate dispute, it may be expensive, especially if the attorney utilizes hourly rates. A contingency fee arrangement may be appropriate in certain circumstances when a money recovery or something of value might be awarded. Attorney's fees can even be recovered if there is a favorable outcome. The contingency fee percentage is usually based on any award, verdict, judgment, settlement or compromise. Arrangements can be tailored to each case and can be the key to giving an aggrieved beneficiary a fighting chance. With over four decades of experience, the attorneys from Hackard Law are committed to broadening their knowledge base and are fully dedicated to their clients. From initial consultation through each stage of a lawsuit, they ensure that each client receives the personal attention they deserve. Hackard Law supports a wide range of legal needs, including elder abuse, estate, trust and probate litigation, as well as providing legal support to businesses. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Hackard Law Stevie Winners Will Be Presented with Their Awards on June 11 in New York SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cymbiotika, a leading nutritional supplement brand known for creating pure, clinically backed supplements, was today named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award in the 'Fastest Growing Company of the Year Up to 100 Employees' category in the 20th Annual American Business Awards. The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Monday, June 13. Tickets are now on sale . More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year, among others. Cymbiotika was nominated and recognized as a winner in the Fastest Growing Company of the Year Up to 100 Employees category for Consumer products. "We are honored to receive this prestigious award and be recognized among such an exceptional group of companies," said Shahab Elmi, CEO and Co-Founder at Cymbiotika. "This win speaks volumes to the hard work and dedication that our team has put into Cymbiotika, helping to make us one of today's fastest-growing health and wellness lifestyle brands, as well as our company's understanding of what consumers are searching for on their journey to optimal wellness." Founded in 2017, Cymbiotika has grown exponentially since its inception, becoming one of today's fastest-growing health and wellness lifestyle brands. Despite being a small business with little over nine employees at the beginning of the pandemic, the company has since overcome unforeseen challenges and increased its staff to 42 employees. Cymbiotika has grown its revenue over 7,000% in recent years and is rounding out its product offerings in 2022 with the introduction of nine additional SKUs that are currently in lab testing, with more on the way. The brand is continuing to bring its innovative supplements from the e-commerce space to brick-and-mortar, and will accelerate its international expansion, adding Australia, UK, EU, and AUE (Gulf states) in the future. Cymbiotika received laudable acknowledgments for its considerable growth from the Stevie Award's panel of expert judges, including a commendation for "excellent growth numbers" and having "a product portfolio that is really appreciated by their customers." Additionally, the judges shared that "[Cymbiotika's] year on year revenue growth and growth in the number of employees shows "great evidence of a fast growing company," as well as complimenting the company by saying, "This is amazing growth. 'Explosive' comes to mind. Well done!" More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners. "We are so pleased that we will be able to stage our first ABA awards banquet since 2019 and to celebrate, in person, the achievements of such a diverse group of organizations and individuals," said Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2022 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA . About Cymbiotika Cymbiotika is an innovative wellness brand based in San Diego. With the motto, "Your mind and body deserve the best," Cymbiotika is driven by the higher purpose of inspiring everyday people to achieve their optimal health. Founded in 2017, Cymbiotika uses the most advanced bioavailable absorption technology and sources only the highest quality plant-based nutrients to resolve specific nutritional deficiencies and support healthy aging, detoxification and longevity. Cymbiotika never uses synthetics, GMOs, fillers, chemicals, preservatives, additives or sugars in its products. For more information, visit www.cymbiotika.com . About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com . Sponsors of The 2022 American Business Awards include HCL America, John Hancock Financial Services, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro. SOURCE Cymbiotika Photo taken on April 6, 2022 shows a sculpture and flags at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) The two countries' potential application for NATO membership has been in the spotlight since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as they are both neighbors of Russia. Finland shares a 1,340-km border with Russia. BRUSSELS, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The applications by Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will be processed quickly should the Scandinavian countries choose to do so, the military alliance's Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Thursday. "If they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be welcomed with open arms to NATO. Finland and Sweden are our closest partners," Stoltenberg told reporters at the European Parliament in Brussels. Both Finland and Sweden have long pursued a policy of military non-alignment. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, NATO has failed to win over the two countries several times. But the two countries have made some changes in their positions in face of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, delivering weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. People bask in the sun at the stairs of the Helsinki Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland, March 16, 2022. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) "We know that their armed forces meet NATO standards, are interoperable with NATO forces. We train together, we exercise together and we have also worked together with Finland and Sweden in many different missions and operations," Stoltenberg said. He also addressed the security of Finland and Sweden during the interim period between the two countries' potential applications and the date they become actual members of the organization, saying that "we will be able to find arrangements" so that "no uncertainty" is left. The two countries' potential application for NATO membership has been in the spotlight since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as they are both neighbors of Russia. Finland shares a 1,340-km border with Russia. People walk at the inner yard of the Stockholm City Hall after snow in Stockholm, capital of Sweden, April 5, 2022. A snowfall hit Sweden late Monday night, covering buildings with light sparkling veil of snow in the Nordic spring. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua) When answering a question about the prospect of the countries which may join NATO, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters earlier this month that further expansion of NATO, including the admission of Finland and Sweden into the alliance, will not contribute to security in Europe. "In itself, the alliance is rather a tool sharpened for confrontation. This is not an alliance that ensures peace and stability. Further expansion of the alliance, of course, will not bring additional security to the European continent," the Kremlin spokesman said. Privacy-safe solution's performance on par with cookie-based NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dstillery , the custom audience solutions company, today announced its new programmatic advertising solution, ID-free Custom AI. This revolutionary targeting technology, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), allows advertisers to reach their best customers without user tracking. Dstillery's patented, privacy-by-design technology works by reaching ad impressions, not users, across all internet browsers. The technology gives agencies and brands the ability to deliver advertising performance that rivals today's best cookie-based solutions without using IDs. ID-free Custom AI is neither a new identifier nor is it contextual targeting. It's a new category of behavioral targeting that uses AI to predict the likelihood of conversion based on privacy-safe signals like URL, DMA and time of day. "In a future without third-party cookies, brands will have to deliver a substantial proportion of all digital advertising impressions without user identifiers," said Melinda Han Williams, Chief Data Scientist, Dstillery. "This creates a clear need for solutions that deliver efficient targeting and scale, the two main reasons advertisers invest in digital advertising, regardless of the presence of a user identifier. ID-free Custom AI addresses this need today, allowing advertisers to identify the most valuable impressions for their brands while achieving a high ROI." Extensive performance testing with select media agencies and top-tier brands began in late 2020. Dstillery's ID-free audiences are already available on several major demand-side platforms, with more to be added in the coming months. AMP Agency and its client, Stop & Shop supermarket, were among the earliest customers. Stop & Shop is one of the largest grocery retailers in the Northeast, with more than 400 locations in the region. "The future of digital advertising is constantly evolving. As an agency, we've worked to stay ahead of these trends to maintain our clients' ability to reach their target customers," said Samantha Weiss, VP of Data Strategy & Programmatic, AMP Agency. "Dstillery's innovation in this area provides a clear alternative to third-party cookies, and AMP was a proud early adopter. We realized results from ID-free Custom AI every bit as strong as cookie-based solutions. The campaign performance for our client, Stop & Shop, has allowed us to assure other AMP clients that privacy-friendly signals can deliver results. That's a top priority for our clients and us, given the changes coming in the advertising industry." Only about half of the internet today is addressable a proportion that will diminish as third-party cookies are retired. Dstillery is making ID-free Custom AI available to help agencies and brands better prepare. "We built ID-free as the solution to help brands continue to find their best customers and future-proof for a post-cookie web, but it's equally relevant today as a means to reach consumers that already lack identifiers," said Williams. "ID-free is a solution that brands should begin using now to complement their existing ID-based targeting efforts and have the best of both worlds." ID-free Custom AI uses the same machine learning-based predictive modeling as Dstillery's industry-leading ID-based Custom AI but targets ad impressions instead of users. The new product opens up opportunities for the future of targeted digital advertising, with targeting capabilities to reach 100% of browsers. The use of ID-free Custom AI has already demonstrated advertising performance on par with cookies. Further, Dstillery's ID-free solution consistently outperforms contextual targeting across campaigns in multiple verticals: In a sneaker brand retail campaign, ID-free targeting outperformed contextual targeting's cost per acquisition (CPA) by 73%. In a B2B logistics campaign, ID-free targeting outperformed contextual targeting's CPA by 83% and rivaled ID-based targeting's efficiency. ID-free targeting outperformed contextual targeting's CPA by 71% in a financial services campaign and, notably, outperformed ID-based targeting's CPA by 50%. To learn more about Dstillery's ID-free Custom AI, visit www.dstillery.com/id-free-custom-ai . About Dstillery Dstillery , the custom audience solutions company, empowers brands and agencies to reach their best customers across the programmatic web. Backed by our award-winning Data Science, Dstillery has earned 16 patents (and counting) for the AI technology that powers our precise, scalable solutions. Our newest innovation, ID-free Custom AI, is a privacy-by-design behavioral targeting solution that performs on par with cookies without user tracking. Our ID-based premier product, Custom AI Audiences, is a just-for-your-brand targeting solution that continuously scores hundreds of millions of users to deliver the best audiences for your brand. To learn more, visit us at www.dstillery.com or follow us on LinkedIn . About AMP Agency With more than 200 employees and teams in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Austin, AMP Agency is architected to affect change at all touchpoints between a brand and its customers. The agency, named to Adweek's inaugural Fastest Growing Agencies list , uses proprietary data, behavioral analysis and predictive analytics to inform its insights and investment strategies and create beautifully useful marketing ecosystems, digital products and customer experiences that grow businesses. AMP Agency's client list includes Facebook, Sam Edelman and others across technology, CPG, beauty, fashion, retail, consumer electronics, travel, financial services and healthcare industries. Its body of influential work can be found on AMP Agency's website. AMP Agency is a division of Advantage Solutions, a leading provider of technology-enabled sales and marketing solutions. For more information, visit ampagency.com . About Stop & Shop Supermarket A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, today's Stop & Shop is refreshed, reenergized and inspired, delivering new conveniences for customers. Committed to helping its communities enjoy better food and better lives, Stop & Shop has a longstanding history of giving back to the neighborhoods it serves with a focus on fighting hunger and pediatric cancer care and research. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs nearly 60,000 associates and operates over 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit stopandshop.com . Media Contact Raven Carpenter BLASTmedia for Dstillery [email protected] 317-806-1900 ext. 171 SOURCE Dstillery SAO PAULO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EMBRAER S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3) releases its First Quarter 2022 Earnings Results. HIGHLIGHTS Embraer delivered 14 jets in the first quarter, of which 6 commercial aircraft and 8 executive jets (6 light and 2 mid-size). in the first quarter, of which and (6 light and 2 mid-size). Firm order backlog ended 1Q22 at US$ 17.3 billion (+US$0.3 billion versus 4Q21). This is the highest quarter backlog since 2Q18, driven by solid order activity. ended 1Q22 at versus 4Q21). This is the since 2Q18, driven by solid order activity. Revenues reached US$ 600.9 million in the quarter, down 26% compared to 1Q21, with almost one month of production shut down due to system and legal reintegration of Commercial Aviation in January. In contrast, reported consolidated gross margin of 20.1% was higher than the 9.5% reported in 1Q21 due to better performance in all segments. reached in the quarter, down 26% compared to 1Q21, with almost one month of production shut down due to system and legal reintegration of Commercial Aviation in January. In contrast, reported due to better performance in all segments. Adjusted EBIT and EBITDA were US$ (27.0) million and US$ 13.2 million , respectively, yielding Adjusted EBIT margin of -4.5% and Adjusted EBITDA margin of 2.2% . This includes nonrecurring expenses of US$17 million for the quarter. and were and , respectively, yielding of and of . This includes nonrecurring expenses of for the quarter. Free cash flow (FCF) in 1Q22 was a usage of US$ (67.8) million , representing a significant improvement compared to the US$ (226.6) million in FCF in 1Q21, and best FCF for 1Q since 1Q10, consistent with working capital optimization measures and enterprise efficiency. in 1Q22 was a usage of , representing a significant improvement compared to the in FCF in 1Q21, and best FCF for 1Q since 1Q10, consistent with working capital optimization measures and enterprise efficiency. FX Variation & Hedge - in 1Q22 we recognized credits of USD 0.8 million related to payroll expenses due to cash flow hedge, mitigating our exposure to FX variation, which is approximately 13% of total costs. in 1Q22 we recognized credits of related to payroll expenses due to cash flow hedge, mitigating our exposure to FX variation, which is approximately 13% of total costs. The Company finished the quarter with total debt of US$ 3.6 billion , or US$0.5 billion less in line with the strategy to improve our capital structure. We reaffirm all aspects of our 2022 financial and deliveries guidance, with no material variation. Main financial indicators in millions of U.S dollars, except % and earnings per share data IFRS 1Q21 4Q21 1Q22 Revenue 807.3 1,301.3 600.9 EBIT (33.1) 60.6 (36.3) EBIT margin % -4.1% 4.7% -6.0% Adjusted EBIT (29.6) 56.2 (27.0) Adjusted EBIT margin % -3.7% 4.3% -4.5% EBITDA 14.5 111.4 3.9 EBITDA margin % 1.8% 8.6% 0.6% Adjusted EBITDA 18.0 107.0 13.2 Adjusted EBITDA margin % 2.2% 8.2% 2.2% Adjusted net income (Loss) (95.9) 57.2 (78.5) Adjusted earnings (losses) per share - ADS basic (0.5219) 0.3116 (0.4274) Net income (loss) attributable to Embraer Shareholders (89.7) 2.1 (31.7) Earnings (losses) per share - ADS basic (US$) (0.4882) 0.0114 (0.1726) Adjusted free cash flow (226.6) 452.6 (67.8) Net debt (1,902.2) (1,392.2) (1,453.2) For additional information, please check the full document on our website ri.embraer.com.br INVESTOR RELATIONS Leonardo Shinohara, Jose Triques, Caio Pinez, Marilia Saback and Viviane Pinheiro. (+55 11) 3040-6874 [email protected] ri.embraer.com.br CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION Embraer will host a conference call to present its 1Q22 Results on: Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 09:00 AM (NY Time) The conference call will also be broadcast live over the web at ri.embraer.com.br Conference ID: EMBRAER Telephones USA / Canada: +1 (412) 717-9627 / +1 (844) 204-8942 / UK: +44 20 3795 9972 Telephones Brazil: +55 (11) 3181-8565 / +55 (11) 4090-1621 We recommend calling 15 minutes in advance. SOURCE Embraer S.A. "Buyer demand in this area and in Northgate Ranch has remained strong into the new year, and our builders' success is apparent," said Randy Rollo, Developer of Northgate Ranch. "Larger yards, space and more privacy continue to attract homebuyers to Northgate Ranch, so we are please to offer new acre homesites to meet the pent-up demand for larger lots." The new one-acre homesites are a rare opportunity. Northgate Ranch Sections 1 & 2 quickly sold out of lots by the end of 2021. The community showcases a laid-back lifestyle, an abundance of open green space and convenient access to the small-town charm of Liberty Hill. Liberty Hill continues to be a magnet for growth as companies large and small establish offices throughout the greater North Austin corridor. Additionally, expansion of the 183A Tollway is underway and anticipated to be open to traffic in 2025. Liberty Hill is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after places in Texas to call home. The youngest residents of Northgate Ranch will also attend the exemplary Liberty Hill High School, Liberty Hill Junior High, Liberty Hill Intermediate and Bill Burden Elementary. All schools were all rated by Great Schools with above the Texas average for test scores in multiple subjects. Northgate Ranch features model homes to tour by Drees Custom Homes, Giddens Homes and Monticello Homes. To reach the community from Austin, head North on Hwy 183 and turn left at the intersection of HWY 29. Keep straight until turning right onto CR 214. Northgate Ranch is located a few miles ahead, on right. For more information, please visit www.NorthgateRanch.com. SOURCE Randolph Texas Development Animation TV is the only streaming platform that brings all facets of animation culture together and gives back to its community as well. SAVANNAH, Ga., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Animation has not been traditionally a representation for people of color. Coupled with this is the reality that animation distribution for creators is limited. The time has come for animation enthusiasts to rejoice; it's time to delve into a world never experienced before. Husband and wife duo Jermaine and Whaketa Hargrove plan to launch the first-ever Black-owned streaming animation network, Animation TV , in Summer 2022. Animation TV is the first and only animation streaming platform that streams all aspects of animation culture. Jermaine & Whaketa Hargrove Founders of The Animation TV Network Animation TV will become the sole medium that can introduce viewers to the versatility of animation and all it has to offer. This platform will allow viewers of all ages and nationalities to experience the beauty of animation culture. Animation TV will offer its content with a subscription and linear channel model for ease of access to viewers. Animation TV will work in collaboration with Small Town Animation Studios to deliver original, exclusive animation content such as the highly anticipated diabetic superhero movie Gumshe: The Type 1 Protector , or faith-based series The Sunday Schoolers, and other originals like Animate My Life, Welcome to Gamerville, Princess Tatenda and the award-winning series Shelly: The Dancing Spider. Animation TV is intentional about giving back and makes it a part of its business model. Animation TV is the only animation streaming platform that creates opportunities for future animation industry professionals by using a portion of its revenue to provide animation scholarships for students from under-served communities. In line with this initiative, Animation TV has partnered with some of the biggest names in animation, including Kit Bash 3D and The Animation School in South Africa. The Director and Co-founder of The Animation School, Nuno Martins, has this to say about the initiative, "The Animation School continues to drive diversity through partnerships such as Animation TV. These [partnerships] highlight the importance of building a diverse community within the international animation industry." CEO and Founder of Animation TV, Jermaine, also commented on his impending launch, stating, "We are using Animation TV and exclusive content to bring awareness to the lack of diversity and inclusion in the animation industry. By offering distribution to global animation creators, we will amplify the voices that sometimes go unheard. Structuring a theatrical partnership with a major film Studio for some of our stronger animation IP's is also a goal of Animation TV. We are currently looking to finance, develop and distribute all forms of animation content(2D/3D) from creators all over the world." Please send all submissions here . Animation TV is poised to be a platform that translates animation culture into real-world value by tapping into the Metaverse and NFTs as features of the platform. Animation TV will also be distributed globally for users of all operating system interfaces, including iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV, and the worldwide web. For more information, please visit Animation TV . About Animation TV Animation TV is a Black-owned, streaming, Animation Network located in South-East Georgia. The Animation TV network is owned by husband and wife Jermaine & Whaketa Hargrove and is the first and only streaming platform in the world that distributes all aspects of animation culture. Media Contact: Destiny Hargrove Animation TV 912-417-9658 [email protected] SOURCE The Animation TV Network As air travel in West Michigan nears pre-pandemic levels, Ford International Airport gathered federal, state and regional business and community leaders to commemorate the project, which will create 125 new construction jobs and add 157,000 square feet of space to Michigan's second largest airport. The expansion of Concourse A is part of the Elevate program, which has designated nearly $500 million in infrastructure investments to improve the guest experience while positioning the Airport for continued growth. Today's celebration comes more than two years after the Elevate program was first announced. The expansion will: More than double the current capacity of Concourse A by adding eight new gates for a total of 15. Widen the 66-foot concourse to 120 feet and lengthen it by 510 feet for a total of more than 900 feet. Increase the number and variety of food and beverage options by introducing a marche, or market-style open concept area featuring regionally inspired cuisine, along with other vendor spaces. Add an executive lounge on an elevated level overlooking Concourse A that will cater to the needs of business travelers, putting Ford International on a par with larger airports, including Chicago , Boston and Atlanta . , and . Grow the number of retail operations. Provide a greater variety of seating options to accommodate guest needs, including tables, pods and soft seating options offered by West Michigan manufacturers. manufacturers. Take advantage of natural lighting and the views to create a visually pleasing and energy-efficient space. Reflect the look, feel and culture of West Michigan as the first thing guests see when they come into town and the last thing they'll remember when they leave. "Today has been a long time coming, and we could not be happier to gather today to celebrate this significant investment in the future of travel in West Michigan," said Airport Authority Board Chair Dan Koorndyk. "Prior to the pandemic, Ford International Airport enjoyed double-digit passenger growth for nearly two years, necessitating we undertake this monumental transformation of what will become our signature concourse. "As the pandemic continues to subside, our travel numbers continue to increase, putting our recovery ahead of our initial projections. Now is the time to begin the work that will position us to resume our anticipated growth trajectory for the next 20 years and ensure we can deliver a world-class experience as West Michigan's gateway to the world." Construction on Concourse A is expected to take 24 months, with the first phase scheduled to open in spring 2023 and be completed by the end of that year. Concourse A will remain open during construction. The Christman Company is serving as general contractor for Concourse A while Mead & Hunt is the design project manager and HKS is the architect of record. Subcontracts are already in place with more than 30 West Michigan subcontractors who will bring their expertise and local suppliers to the project. The expansion of Concourse A received the full support of Ford International Airport's airline partners, including legacy carriers American Airlines, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc., low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines and ultra-low cost carriers Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines. Upon completion, Concourse A will be home to the legacy airlines while low-cost and ultra-low cost carriers will operate out of concourse B. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer and have been instrumental in helping Ford International Airport secure federal funds needed to launch the expansion. "GRR is often the first and last thing people see when they visit West Michigan" explained Meijer, who gave remarks via video during today's beam raising. "The employees in management here have fully embraced their role as ambassadors for our community. While West Michigan continues to experience tremendous growth, with this new expansion at GRR it will be able to better meet the demands of a growing population." As it prepared to design the expansion, HKS led a visioning session with Airport stakeholders to ensure the principal concepts of community and the physical attributes of West Michigan were brought into the space. Architect Jorge Barrero likened the journey of walking the length of the new concourse to exploring West Michigan and its many offerings. "We wanted the new space to mimic the experience of arriving in West Michigan, which is reflected in the colors and textures chosen for the expansion," Barrero explained. "From the blue of Lake Michigan and natural tans of the sand dunes to the greys and purples of the urban core to the greens of the forests and farmland in between, your walk from the ticketing counter to your gate parallels the beautiful geography of West Michigan. "Your travel experience will start when you arrive at Ford International Airport, which wants to be part of your journey not simply a building." Plans for additional infrastructure improvements under the Elevate program are also underway, including: The addition of a federal inspection station, or FIS, which will enable the Airport to offer nonstop international commercial passenger flights. This project was announced in August 2019 , and the first phase the addition of a new baggage claim area, restrooms and operations infrastructure has been completed. These enhancements are being used for domestic flights until the full FIS project is complete. , and the first phase the addition of a new baggage claim area, restrooms and operations infrastructure has been completed. These enhancements are being used for domestic flights until the full FIS project is complete. The relocation of the current air traffic control tower, or ATCT, to make way for diverse terminal-area developments such as additional tenant hangars and more parking. The Airport selected a new site, which was reviewed and approved virtually by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2021 the first-ever such virtual sighting of an ATCT. A proposed consolidated rental car facility with an enclosed walkway from the terminal that will offer additional transportation accommodations to travelers visiting West Michigan . . The proposed addition of parking infrastructure to accommodate additional guest traffic. A proposed upgrade to the Airport's checked baggage inspection system, which will enhance safety while streamlining the process for staff and guests. "We are gratified to find support at all levels local, state and national for our plans to enhance the infrastructure at Ford International Airport so we can better meet the needs of our business and leisure guests today and tomorrow," said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. "We pride ourselves on our ability to connect West Michigan to the world and vice versa. The investment being made today to expand Concourse A marks another evolutionary step in our history. "We are grateful for the continued confidence and commitment of our elected officials, our team, our airline partners, our tenants and vendors and all who choose to Fly Ford." Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek, who spoke at today's event, stressed the importance of having quality infrastructure in the county. "The Ford International Airport is often the first impression travelers have of our community and the last they have while leaving," Stek said. "We must continue to invest to have a first-class Airport that delivers a world-class experience for business and leisure guests alike." The Ford International Airport is offering community members an opportunity to sign a 14-foot steel beam that will become a permanent piece of the newly expanded concourse. The beam will be placed in the Amway Grand Hall near the screening checkpoint from May 2-9 for guests to sign their name. No local taxpayer dollars will be used to finance any of the projects included in the Elevate program, which will be paid for with a combination of federal and state grants, municipal bonds issued by the Airport and user fees. About the Ford International Airport The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second busiest airport in Michigan, serving business and leisure travelers with nonstop and connecting flights on six airlines. The Ford International Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. For more information, visit www.flyford.org or follow the airport on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram @FlyGRFord. SOURCE Gerald R. Ford International Airport Download free sample report 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 Major Category Management Objectives for Pharmaceutical Formulation Sourcing: A targeted strategic approach to pharmaceutical formulation sourcing will provide several opportunities. However, in the absence of actionable intelligence on pharmaceutical formulation, buyers may end up focusing on a tactical sourcing strategy without any focus on cost-saving opportunities. Hence, this report focuses on category management initiatives such as top-line growth, scalability of inputs, and green initiatives, which will assist buyers to formulate a strategic procurement strategy. This report explains the key category management objectives that should form the base for sourcing strategy: www.spendedge.com/report/pharmaceutical-formulation-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-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 2%-3%. Identify favorable opportunities in Pharmaceutical Formulation 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. SpendEdge presents a detailed picture of this procurement market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our Pharmaceutical Formulation market procurement report covers the following areas: Some of the top Pharmaceutical Formulation suppliers listed in this report: This Pharmaceutical Formulation procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies. Merck & Co. Inc Pfizer Inc. Mylan NV 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 WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM) Manufacturing Leadership Council has selected GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, as a winner of the 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Award in the Operational Excellence category. NAM provides annual recognition to transformative projects and outstanding operational leaders shaping the future of global manufacturing. GM Defense opened a 75,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art, low-rate manufacturing facility in Concord, North Carolina, in May 2021. In just over 90 days from the start of construction to the start of vehicle production, the advanced facility began manufacturing the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) as part of a $214.3 million contract award. With a U.S. Army acquisition objective of 2,065 vehicles over eight years, the plant features some of the most advanced manufacturing tools available to meet U.S. Army requirements. Incorporating GM's global quality standards to improve production efficiency and enhance overall equipment effectiveness, the ISVs have been steadily rolling off the line in Concord and met the important first unit equipped milestone in April 2022 delivering vehicles to the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. "NAM's Manufacturing Leadership Award affirms our ability to leverage the world-class manufacturing knowledge and expertise that has been gained over the last century at GM and bring those advanced principles to our Army customer," said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. "I'm incredibly proud of the team, whose efforts have brought credibility to our growing defense business and have helped give us a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Our Concord plant represents agility, quality and innovation, and we look forward to supporting additional defense and government programs out of that facility." The Operational Excellence award recognizes GM Defense's ability to adopt GM's high volume manufacturing processes optimized for maximum speed, efficiency and effectiveness to support a very technical build at a lower rate production typical of military programs. GM also received three awards from the Manufacturing Leadership Council in the Digital Supply Chains, Engineering and Production Technology and Transformational Cultures categories, recognizing GM's prowess in global manufacturing. For the latest GM Defense news, please visit www.GMDefenseLLC.com and follow GM Defense on LinkedIn and Twitter. About GM Defense LLC GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power & propulsion, and mobility & autonomy solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense's technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, please visit www.gmdefensellc.com. SOURCE GM Defense LLC HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoegh LNG Partners LP (the "Partnership") (NYSE: HMLP) advises that its 2022 Annual Meeting will be held on June 9, 2022. The record date for voting at the Annual Meeting, at which a member of the Board of Directors of the Partnership will be elected, is set to May 9, 2022. The notice, agenda and associated material will be distributed prior to the meeting. The 2022 Annual Meeting will be held at Appleby, Canon's Court, 22 Victoria Street, Hamilton, HM12, Bermuda at 4:00 P.M. local time. Media: The IGB Group, Bryan Degnan, +1 (646) 673-9701 / Leon Berman, +1 (212) 477-8438 www.hoeghlngpartners.com SOURCE Hoegh LNG Partners LP NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Car Wash Advisory, LLC ("CWA"), a nationwide investment banking and car wash advisor and broker to car wash owners and operators, is pleased to announce the successful sale of its client Horizon Drive Car Wash (Horizon). A Colorado based, long standing and well-established car wash operating for 14 years. Owner TJ Stevens has created a positive community brand with strong customer loyalty through fostering a positive wash experience for her customers. Car Wash Advisory, LLC announces the successful sale of its client Horizon Drive Car Wash (Horizon). Harry Caruso, Founder and CEO of Car Wash Advisory, alongside of his CWA team, represented and provided advisory services to Horizon Drive Car Wash on the transaction. "What a privilege to continue to work with great owners and operators like TJ. After every transaction I am more and more impressed with this industry as a whole and furthermore the genuine operators willing to pass the baton and transition ownership. This only results in ongoing success for the industry," commented Harry Caruso. Brittany Webb remarks, "It's always special when we work with operators like TJ. TJ embodies an operator who has built a legacy through years of work and dedication to create a standout regional favorite wash." About Horizon Drive Car Wash Horizon Drive Car Wash has been the magnet for washes in Grand Junction CO. With top-of-the-line equipment and unique renewable solar energy efficiencies, this brand has succeeded for 14 years. A family-owned operation since 2008 and owners who have only progressed forward due to dedication and commitment. About Car Wash Advisory Car Wash Advisory is a leading nationwide investment banking and brokerage firm based in New York City specializing in and focused solely on the car wash industry. Founded by CEO Harry Caruso, Car Wash Advisory's team of financial professionals provides sellside M&A advisory and debt and equity capital raising services to car wash owners and operators across the United States. To learn more or reach out to the CWA team, visit www.carwashadvisory.com Disclaimer The principal Harry H. Caruso of CWA Capital Partners is a registered representative offering securities and investment banking services through Britehorn Securities, a registered broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Britehorn Securities and CWA Capital Partners are not affiliated entities. Media Contact: Robin Sisk [email protected] 347-893-7358 SOURCE Car Wash Advisory HOUSTON and ALAMEDA, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Identity Automation , the digital identity platform for education, and Global Grid For Learning (GG4L), a membership-based collaborative providing schools and EdTech vendors a foundation for digital transformation, today announced a partnership that aims to simplify and streamline the deployment of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions for K-12 schools throughout the United States. Committed to helping the nation's school districts navigate an ever-increasing cybersecurity talent shortage and the ever-present balancing act between classroom productivity, security and privacy, both Identity Automation and GG4L are slated to offer an expanding portfolio of solutions for the 2022-2023 school year. Through the partnership, Identity Automation's RapidIdentity digital identity platform, including pre-set configurations for authentication, identity management, provisioning and credential monitoring, will be offered as add-on components to GG4L's well-known School Passport iPaaS. Meanwhile, Identity Automation will extend their rostering and data governance capabilities by leveraging GG4L's OneRoster and LTI compliant School Passport platform. School districts will now be able to leverage GG4L's School Passport IDM Module to receive automated account provisioning services that support Google Workspace, Microsoft's Azure 365, on-premise Account Directory, and Azure AD. Soon, Districts will also be able to take advantage of additional cybersecurity capabilities, including Multi Factor Authentication (MFA), credential monitoring and phishing protection. "Cybersecurity solutions for schools must offer powerful protections without sacrificing instruction time and this partnership represents the latest efforts from both Identity Automation and GG4L to provide that balance that schools consistently seek," said Identity Automation CEO Jim Harold . "Delivered through the trusted School Passport platform, our award-winning IAM solutions are now much more accessible and ready to deploy. We're pleased to work with fellow innovators such as GG4L to emphasize simplified access to the latest authentication and security technologies." "We are excited about this strategic partnership with Identity Automation," said Robert Iskander , GG4L Founder and CEO. "It brings together an affordable, easy-to-deploy, fully integrated solution to thousands of small to midsize school districts that desperately need a more secure digital automation infrastructure to sustain the increased demand on their increasingly over-burdened IT staff ." About Identity Automation Identity Automation provides identity and access management (IAM) solutions for K-12 and higher education. Its flagship platform, RapidIdentity, safeguards learning environments, maximizes instructional time, and minimizes the load on Information & Educational Technology teams. Technology leaders turn to RapidIdentity for its best-in-class security capabilities, time-saving automation, and flexible approach to managing digital identities. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Identity Automation is trusted by Chicago Public Schools, Public Schools of North Carolina, University of Rochester, Houston Community College, and hundreds of other institutions. To learn more about partnering with Identity Automation, visit www.identityautomation.com . About Global Grid for Learning (GG4L), a Public Benefit Corporation Founded in 2018, GG4L is a membership-based collaborative providing schools and EdTech vendors a foundation for digital transformation. GG4L's School Passport is an Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS), offering a suite of cloud integration services to 25,000+ schools, financially sustained by hundreds of EdTech vendors and Corporate Sponsors. With industry-leading PII Shield protection, GG4L advocates for open standards based data integrations, governed data exchange, and strict data privacy compliance. As a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation, GG4L is an impact-driven Edtech company supporting continuous school improvement through strategic impact initiatives. Visit www.gg4l.com . SOURCE Identity Automation Since 2018, January Ventures has invested in 50 early stage tech startups. Now the firm announces oversubscribed Fund II$21 million USD to continue investing in formation stage B2B software startups. BOSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Securing early funding is pivotal to a startup's ultimate success, but has traditionally required founders to have a certain pedigree, network, and location. Now, with the launch of an oversubscribed Fund II, January Ventures aims to be the on-ramp for early stage B2B technology startups, providing both funding and a transformational network to help them succeed. January Ventures invests in startups building technology for the empowered individual. The woman-owned venture capital firm focuses on replacing the friends and family round, fully capitalizing founders from the start as they turn moonshot ideas into mainstream solutions. "Technology is enabling people to take control of their lives like never before, particularly as it relates to their work and their physical, mental and financial health," says Jennifer Neundorfer, co-founder and Managing Partner of January Ventures. "We're investing in the infrastructure layer powering this shift, including the future of work, fintech, and digital health." To find visionary founders, January Ventures takes a different approach than most venture capital firms. The firm's goal is to invest early in founders with the best ideas, not the best connections, so January doesn't require a warm introduction. With this sourcing strategy, January Ventures has built one of the most diverse portfolios in venture 90% have a female founder, 32% have a Black or Latinx founder, and 42% have an immigrant founder. "The problem with the traditional friends and family round is that not everyone has access to one, which has caused a lot of the inequity in tech," says Maren Bannon, co-founder and Managing Partner for January Ventures. "We believe the founders of the next decade will look fundamentally different: more female, more diverse, and more distributed. We back founders based on their tenacity and ambition, not their pedigrees or who they know." In addition to funding, January Ventures connects founders to an operator network with more than 100 tech leaders who have worked at over 50 unicorn companies, including Uber, Twitter, Miro, Compass, Toast, Airbnb, Google, Amazon, and Stripe. January Ventures has invested in 50 startups, including Ethena , Kapwing , PlanetFWD , Sonantic , Ntropy , Sorcero , Gable , Oula Health , Kinside and Elektra Health . Out of this new $21M Fund II, the firm plans to invest in 35 to 40 companies. Julia Collins, founder and CEO of Planet FWD - a January portfolio company, said, "I'm so excited for the continued growth of January Ventures. Jen and Maren are at the forefront of redefining the future of venture capital. Their commitment to creating a more just and equitable tech ecosystem will have a huge impact on this generation and those to come. It's been such an honor to be a part of the amazing diverse community that they have created around their firm." January Ventures has proactively built an investor base that reflects the diversity of its portfolio - 60% of its LPs identify as women. Fund II investors include leading institutions like Wellington Management, Bank of America, IDEAL Investments, and The Kapor Foundation. About January Ventures January Ventures was founded in 2018 by two operators-turned-investors who believe in an equal opportunity tech ecosystem. The firm is headquartered in Boston and London, and invests in early stage tech startups across the US and Europe. Their portfolio currently includes 50 companies focused on future of work, fintech, and digital health. January Ventures is a woman- and Latina-led fund. MEDIA CONTACTS: Jennifer Neundorfer [email protected]; 917.697.8070 Maren Bannon [email protected], +447799018106 SOURCE January Ventures In honor of Mental Health Awareness month and in partnership with On Our Sleeves, the movement for children's mental health, Jeni's releases Sunshine ice cream COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams releases Sunshine, the deceptively gray yet citrusy ice cream, in honor of Mental Health Awareness month and in partnership with On Our Sleeves , the movement to break stigmas around children's mental health. Sunshine is designed to get people talking. Inspired by Depressed Cake Shop , it looks as muted gray as a rain cloud, but tastes like a ray of sunshine. A fun play on the mind and a pleasant reminder that things aren't always what they seem. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams x On Our Sleeves Sunshine is meant to raise awareness of and spark conversations about children's mental health. Jeni's is proud to donate $25k to help On Our Sleeves distribute Kindness Kits to 30,000 kids in classrooms nationwide. Each kit includes curriculum and activities for children to learn about and practice kindness together. Additionally, Jeni's is accepting donations to support On Our Sleeves in scoop shops throughout May. "Even before the pandemic, we were seeing alarming trends in children's mental health," notes Dr. Ariana Hoet, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital and clinical director of On Our Sleeves. "This is why it's important to provide parents, caretakers and teachers with resources and information to better understand the children in their lives. By having important conversations and building daily check-in habits, we're equipping kids with the resources they need to build their mental wellness and feel comfortable seeking help when they need it. We're so excited by Jeni's commitment to supporting pediatric mental health and continuing these conversations over a scoop of Sunshine." Jeni's has also partnered with streetwear brand Lonely Ghost on a hoodie inspired by Sunshine to benefit On Our Sleeves. The hoodie drops on Lonely Ghost's site on May 4 at 9pm EST and is expected to sell out quickly. Sunshine is available in shops and online at jenis.com . Throughout May, Jeni's shops will also feature conversation starters from the behavioral health experts at On Our Sleeves to spark conversations with kids, inviting ice cream fans to check in over a scoop of Sunshine. About Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Jeni's is a modern American ice cream company devoted to making the world's best ice creams. Founded in Columbus, OH in 2002 by James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker Jeni Britton, Jeni's makes unforgettable flavors with Direct and Fair Trade ingredients and milk from family dairies. Jeni's is a Certified B Corporation with 64 scoop shops, an online shop at jenis.com, and distribution in grocery stores nationwide. Media Contact: The Brand Guild [email protected] / [email protected] About On Our Sleeves: Children don't wear their thoughts on their sleeves. With 1 in 5 children living with a significant mental illness and half of all lifetime mental health issues starting by age 14, we need to give them a voice. On Our Sleeves, powered by behavioral health experts at Nationwide Children's Hospital, aims to provide every community in America with free resources necessary for breaking child mental health stigmas and educating families and advocates, because no child or family should struggle alone. Since the inception of On Our Sleeves in 2018, more than 3 million people have interacted with our free pediatric mental health educational resources at OnOurSleeves.org and our educator curricula have reached more than 1.1 million students across the United States. Contact: Amanda Dove, Director of Corporate Partnerships (866) 317-5437, [email protected] SOURCE Jenis Splendid Ice Creams Celebrated in many countries, International Workers' Day, also known as Labor Day, commemorates the struggles for rights made by laborers and calls for greater attention to protecting their interests. China also observes such traditions. However, as time goes by, the holiday in China is no longer limited to ensuring workers' rights as defined in Western countries. People celebrate this day now to promote the spirit of model workers. Every year on May 1, individuals and groups who have excelled in their work are honored in China. Zheng Chunhui, a master wood carver from China's southeast Fujian province, is one of the workers being honored. Using multiple techniques such as openwork and Putian wood carving, Zheng managed to reproduce "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", an ancient scroll painting by Song dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan (1085-1145), engraving it on a 13-meter-long tree trunk. Each of the 2,275 human figures in the painting required more than a hundred cuts to carve. The most amazing part in the carving is the 66-centimeter-long rope, which has a diameter of only four millimeters. On the back of the tree trunk, Zheng engraved another version of the scroll, which was completed in 1736 and is now in the Taipei Palace Museum's collection. Such designs represent a hope for national reunification. Zheng received the National Labor Award Medal on Labor Day in 2019. There are of course other kinds of workers besides craftsmen like Zheng. Wen Xiaozhen works at a factory that manufactures permanent magnets in Jiangxi province. Fondly referred to as "tomboy" by her colleagues, Wen is a machine operator who can make 2,000 molds every day, while others can only produce around 1,300. She can identify and fix machine failures, and in her spare time helps her three dozen colleagues get the hang of operating procedures and improve efficiency. Over the years, she has created tens of thousands of products, none of which has been found to be defective. An extremely high level of diligence in positions viewed as "ordinary" also perfectly reflects the spirit of model workers. In addition to craftsmanship, diligence and the sense of responsibility, innovation is also a key part of the spirit of China's model workers. For example, recipient of this year's National Labor Award Medal, Zhang Rongqiao, is the chief designer on China's Mars exploration mission. He and his team spent six years tackling difficulties to ensure the successful landing of the Zhurong Mars rover on the Red Planet, which marked a significant step forward for China and even humanity in the field of aerospace. Zhang is also a model worker and an inspiration for others. The list of National Labor Award Medal recipients also includes ordinary delivery drivers and senior engineers. Although they work in different industries and bear distinct responsibilities, they all stand out for their hardworking spirit and are equally inspiring. As Labor Day approaches, we hope that everyone can carry forward such spirit, work to improve themselves, and make the world a better place. China Mosaic http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm Labor Day in China honors more than just 'labor' http://www.china.org.cn/video/2022-04/28/content_78192549.htm SOURCE China.org.cn DALLAS, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Loopback Analytics, a leading provider of data-driven solutions for hospitals and health systems, is thrilled to announce it is collaborating with University of Michigan Health to continue advancing their specialty pharmacy services. "University of Michigan Health will leverage Loopback's data analytics platform for our growing specialty pharmacy program," says Brandon Harkonen, Assistant Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services at University of Michigan Health. "We plan to use the Loopback platform for access to data insights that will help us improve patient care and access to life-saving medications." Specialty pharmacy is an increasingly important aspect of health care and academic medical centers such as Michigan Medicine play a significant role in providing effective care and support for their patients. The Loopback platform will enable this effort through its easy-to-use analytics and seamless data integration. "We are delighted to work alongside a prestigious organization like University of Michigan Health to accelerate their specialty pharmacy growth and patient care with our data analytics," said Neil Smiley, Loopback Analytics CEO. About Michigan Medicine At Michigan Medicine, we advance health to serve Michigan and the world. We pursue excellence every day in our five hospitals, 125 clinics and home care operations that handle more than 2.3 million outpatient visits a year, as well as educate the next generation of physicians, health professionals and scientists in our U-M Medical School. Michigan Medicine includes the top ranked U-M Medical School and University of Michigan Health, which includes the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University Hospital, the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Metro Health and the Rogel Cancer Center. The U-M Medical School is one of the nation's biomedical research powerhouses, with total research funding of more than $500 million. More information is available at www.michiganmedicine.org. Media contact: JD Smiley 214-552-3023 [email protected] SOURCE Loopback Analytics - All "kawaii" Members Willing to Become 3D Idols to Extend Their Field of Activities - TOKYO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LOY inc., based in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, announced the launch of a "kawaii idol project" on April 28, 2022, to enhance its musical activities. On the same day, the company started a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of hosting a live performance with 3D models of its affiliated VTubers. Image: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107150/202204220343/_prw_PI1fl_dT4vRCJ5.jpg Purpose of crowdfunding campaign Currently, all of the "kawaii-affiliated" VTubers, delivering "kawaii" to the world every day, are in the 2D world. This crowdfunding campaign aims to offer 3D models to all of them so that they can become idols and provide enjoyable experiences to not only the current fans, but also other audiences who haven't heard of "kawaii." Moreover, LOY has chosen the method of crowdfunding as it had a strong desire to create the next step for its VTubers with the fans who have supported its production for the past year. The company hopes that fans can support their idol activities as part of "Team kawaii" as if you were their producers. Why are 3D models essential for idol project? Idols of "Production kawaii" are currently expanding their activities based on online streaming not only to make their fans smile, but also to deliver "kawaii" to more individuals throughout the world. Therefore, LOY thought it should not stay in the world of the Internet. In the 2D world that they live in presently, they can't dance in front of fans. They are already full of "kawaii-ness," so it's such a waste to keep it as it is. Therefore, for sure 3D models are necessary for the performances, such as dancing and singing, in order to enjoy time with fans and deliver more of "kawaii" to the world. Crowdfunding overview Project page: http://kck.st/3vHnfDK Period: 40 days from April 28, 10 a.m. JST (April 27, 6 p.m. PDT) Target amount: 10,000,000JPY *All 8 VTubers' 3D models will be produced by character designer Pompucho ( https://twitter.com/paint002 ). Examples of rewards limited to crowdfunding only -Donator's name on the credit line at the end of YouTube video (to be released in February 2023) -Invitation to 1-on-1 talk session with "kawaii" VTuber -Voting privilege to pick a center for the 1st original song as an idol group -Original merchandise (can badges or pinback buttons, acrylic standees, autographed postcards, etc.) *Rewards may vary by pledged amount. What is "Production kawaii"? "Production kawaii" is a VTuber production launched on April 28, 2021. Currently, a total of 8 VTubers are delivering cute and entertaining content in English. URL of "Production kawaii" VTubers: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107150/202204220343/_prw_PA1fl_q1kYe4L9.pdf Company information Company name: LOY inc. CEO: Kyosuke Kinoshita URL: https://production-kawaii.com/ Business description: VTuber management SOURCE LOY inc. De Havilland Canada Dash 7 Selected in Novel Collaboration with NASA, AeroTEC and Air Tindi EVERETT, Wash., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- magniX, a manufacturer of electric propulsion systems for aircraft, today announced two key industry partners, AeroTEC and Air Tindi, for its NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. Through magniX the NASA program aims to demonstrate electric propulsion technology to power a hybrid De Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft, with first flight planned for 2025. Air Tindi, a commercial operator from Yellowknife, Canadian Northwest Territories, will provide the aircraft. AeroTEC of Seattle, Washington, USA is a leader in integrating electric propulsion on airplanes, and will design, modify, and flight-test the demonstrator aircraft at its Flight Test Centre at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington. The retrofitted DHC-7 aircraft will be powered by two PT6 engines and two magniX magni650 electric propulsion units (EPUs). The distributed propulsion system is designed to reduce operating costs and noise while increasing power efficiency. The prototype has the potential to accelerate the introduction of hybrid electric flight technologies for commercial aviation. "magniX has proven its leadership in clean, electric aviation with the ground-breaking flights of the eBeaver and eCaravan," said Dominique Spragg, Chairman of magniX. "This collaboration with AeroTEC highlights the Pacific Northwest as leaders in sustainable aviation and our joint commitment to showcase the core technologies that will power the future of commercial aviation." Advancing Electric Flight NASA is accelerating the learnings of the integrator and providing valuable data and insights to the industry from a certification, regulatory and planning aerospace perspective. NASA's prior research and knowledge on electrification will be "operationalized" through this demonstration. The demonstration flight is part of a multi-year program, after NASA awarded magniX $74.3 million in 2021 to rapidly advance Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) technologies through ground and flight-testing demonstrations over five years. magniX will also collaborate with other NASA projects on EAP development, flight test instrumentation and data analysis. "The EPFD project provides an exciting collaboration with industry partners to advance electrified aircraft propulsion in order to expedite the use of hybrid electric systems for commercial air-travel," said Lee Noble, NASA's Director of Integrated Aviation Systems Program. "Introducing these innovative electric propulsion technologies for existing and next-generation aircraft will help meet the aviation community's future sustainability goals." A Mission to Serve Vulnerable Communities "We are incredibly inspired by the partnership forged with magniX, NASA, and AeroTEC on the EPFD project," said Chris Reynolds, President at Air Tindi. "We currently fly the Dash 7 with passengers and cargo to remote regions in Canada. Many of these communities are exposed to food insecurity due to high energy prices and a lack of infrastructure. We see this partnership as an opportunity to change this dynamic, and positively impact these regions by reducing CO2 emissions and dependence on fossil fuels." "AeroTEC's mission is to accelerate the evolution of aerospace by partnering with innovative companies like magniX as an aircraft integrator to develop and ultimately certify new technologies," said Lee Human, President & CEO of AeroTEC. "We are honoured to have been selected by magniX and NASA as the integrator on the EPFD project. This is not only a major win for AeroTEC, but a win for Washington State, which is rapidly becoming the nation's leader in the advancement of sustainable aviation technologies." About magniX Headquartered in Everett WA, magniX is dedicated to enabling an era of clean and affordable commercial air travel with all-electric propulsion. magniX offers a range of revolutionary solutions including all-electric motors which produce zero emissions and increased efficiency for various aviation applications. For more information, please visit www.magnix.aero. About NASA The Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project is a part of NASA's Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP) which conducts flight-oriented, system-level research and technology development to mature and transition advanced aeronautic technologies into future air vehicles and operational systems. IASP focuses on the execution of highly complex flight tests and related experiments to support all phases of NASA's aeronautics research. About AeroTEC AeroTEC develops, tests and certifies new aircraft products, using innovative and scalable development, test and certification techniques to help aerospace companies everywhere bring their products to market quickly, easily and efficiently. For more information, please visit www.aerotec.com. Contact FINN Partners for magniX [email protected] Emily Brown AeroTEC [email protected] J D Harrington NASA [email protected] SOURCE magniX WINNIPEG, MB, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Medicure Inc. ("Medicure" or the "Company") (TSXV: MPH) (OTC: MCUJF), a company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for patients and prescribers in the United States market, today reported its results from operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021. Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2021 Highlights: Recorded total net revenue of $21.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; during the year ended compared to for the year ended and; Recorded total net revenue of $6.8 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 compared to $2.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 and; during the quarter ended compared to for the quarter ended and; Recorded total net revenue from the sale of AGGRASTAT of $11.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; of during the year ended compared to for the year ended and; Recorded total net revenue from the sale of ZYPITAMAG of $3.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $453,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; of during the year ended compared to for the year ended and; Diversified product portfolio with revenues from the Marley Drug business of $6.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 and; during the year ended and; Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA 1 ) for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2.1 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of negative $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; ) for the year ended was compared to adjusted EBITDA of negative for the year ended and; Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $727,000 compared to $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 ; Financial Results The increase in AGGRASTAT revenues when compared to the same periods in the previous year, as described above, is the result of increases in the volume of AGGRASTAT sold in 2021 when compared to 2020, in conjunction to improvements in contract price management. ZYPITAMAG contributed $3.1 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $453,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in revenue is primarily as a result of improved patient access and fill rate through Medicure's subsidiary Marley Drug, which also results in reduced fees to wholesalers and pharmacy benefit managers. The Marley Drug business, acquired on December 17, 2020, contributed $6.9 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021. Marley Drug is a US pharmacy licensed to ship medications to all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. It serves thousands of customers and has proven success in marketing based on accessible pricing of generic drugs and a focus on cash price without use of insurance. It provides another channel for direct-to-consumer marketing, distribution and improved profit margin for ZYPITAMAG. Sodium nitroprusside contributed $59,000 of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $116,000 of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2020 which is lower primarily as a result of pricing pressure from competitors. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.6 million compared to negative $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The increase in adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2021 is the result of higher revenues when compared to the same period in 2020 despite increases in cost of goods and selling expenses. Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2.1 million compared to negative $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Increased adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 resulted from higher revenues of ZYPITAMAG, including a full year of operations of Marley Drug, reduced general and administrative and research and development expenses, partially offset by higher cost of goods sold and selling expenses as a result of the full year of Marley Drug operation. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $402,000 in government assistance resulting from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The funding has been recorded as a reduction of the related salary expenditures within general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021. Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.9 million or $0.18 per share compared to net loss of $4.4 million or $0.41 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The main factors contributing to the increase in net income recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2021 were a $1.8 million gain based on the year-end fair value assessment of the contingent consideration recorded in the prior year in relation to the acquisition of Marley Drug, higher revenues of ZYPITAMAG, including a full year of operations of Marley Drug, and reduced general and administrative and research and development expenses, partially offset by a $1.3 million inventory write down, higher cost of goods sold and selling expenses as a result of the full year of Marley Drug operation. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $710,000 or $0.07 per share compared to $6.8 million or $0.64 per share for the year ended December 31, 2020. The main factors contributing to the decrease in the net loss recorded for the year ended December 31, 2021 were a $1.8 million gain based on the year-end the fair value assessment of the contingent consideration recorded in the prior in relation to the acquisition of Marley Drug, a $491,000 recovery from PREXXARTAN, higher revenues of ZYPITAMAG, including a full year of operations of Marley Drug, and reduced general and administrative and research and development expenses, partially offset by a $1.3 million inventory write down, higher cost of goods sold and selling expenses as a result of the full year of Marley Drug operation. At December 31, 2021, the Company had unrestricted cash totaling $3.7 million, up from $2.7 million of unrestricted cash held as of December 31, 2020. Cash flows from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $3.9 million compared to $2.2 million used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020. All amounts referenced herein are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. The Company plans to hold an investor conference call in May 2022 to present the results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 with date and dial in information to be provided. The full financial statements are available at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.medicure.com. Notes (1) The Company defines EBITDA as "earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other income or expense" and Adjusted EBITDA as "EBITDA adjusted for noncash and non-recurring items". The terms "EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDA", as it relates to the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 results prepared using IFRS, do not have any standardized meaning according to IFRS. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. About Medicure Inc. Medicure is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the U.S. cardiovascular market. The present focus of the Company is the marketing and distribution of AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection and ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets in the United States, where they are sold through the Company's U.S. subsidiary, Medicure Pharma Inc. Medicure also operates Marley Drug, Inc. ("Marley Drug"), a pharmacy located in North Carolina that offers an Extended Supply drug program serving all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Marley Drug is committed to improving the health status of its patients and the communities they serve while reducing overall health care costs for employers and other health care consumers. For more information visit www.marleydrug.com. To learn more about The Extended Supply Generic Drug Program call 800.286.6781 or email [email protected]. For more information on Medicure please visit www.medicure.com. For additional information about AGGRASTAT, refer to the full Prescribing Information. For additional information about ZYPITAMAG, refer to the full Prescribing Information. To be added to Medicure's e-mail list, please visit: http://medicure.mediaroom.com/alerts Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information: Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "may", "plans", "will", "estimates", "continues", "anticipates", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. federal securities laws (such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are hereinafter collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements, include estimates, analysis and opinions of management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors which the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, the Company's future product revenues, expected results, including future revenue from P5P, the likelihood of receiving a PRV, expected future growth in revenues, stage of development, additional capital requirements, risks associated with the completion and timing of clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval to market the Company's products, the ability to protect its intellectual property, dependence upon collaborative partners, changes in government regulation or regulatory approval processes, and rapid technological change in the industry. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: general business and economic conditions; the impact of changes in Canadian-US dollar and other foreign exchange rates on the Company's revenues, costs and results; the timing of the receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's research and development projects; the availability of financing for the Company's commercial operations and/or research and development projects, or the availability of financing on reasonable terms; results of current and future clinical trials; the uncertainties associated with the acceptance and demand for new products and market competition. The foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of factors, other than as may be required by applicable legislation. Additional discussion regarding the risks and uncertainties relating to the Company and its business can be found in the Company's other filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities or the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and in the "Risk Factors" section of its Form 20F for the year ended December 31, 2021. AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection, ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets, and Marley Drug are registered trademarks of Medicure International Inc. Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) As at December 31 2021 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,694 $ 2,716 Restricted cash 3 1,394 Accounts receivable 4,659 5,253 Inventories 3,329 5,139 Prepaid expenses 869 1,174 Total current assets 12,554 15,676 Noncurrent assets: Property and equipment 1,611 1,640 Intangible assets 11,212 13,596 Goodwill 2,974 2,986 Other assets 57 156 Total noncurrent assets 15,854 18,378 Total assets $ 28,408 $ 34,054 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 6,668 $ 6,979 Current portion of royalty obligation 423 362 Current portion of acquisition payable 634 637 Holdback payable - 1,876 Current portion of contingent consideration 293 1,925 Current income taxes payable 114 164 Current portion of lease obligation 380 367 Total current liabilities 8,512 12,310 Noncurrent liabilities Royalty obligation 65 335 Acquisition payable 591 1,132 Contingent consideration 40 51 Lease obligation 789 1,080 Total noncurrent liabilities 1,485 2,598 Total liabilities 9,997 14,908 Equity: Share capital 80,917 80,917 Contributed surplus 10,429 10,294 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,640) (6,497) Deficit (66,295) (65,568) Total Equity 18,411 19,146 Total liabilities and equity $ 28,408 $ 34,054 Consolidated Statements of Net (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) For the year ended December 31 2021 2020 2019 Revenue, net Product sales, net $ 21,744 $ 11,610 $ 20,173 Cost of goods sold 9,032 6,480 7,272 Gross profit 12,712 5,130 12,901 Expenses Selling 10,312 5,359 13,399 General and administrative 2,697 4,579 3,395 Research and development 1,796 3,299 4,349 14,805 13,237 21,143 Other expense (income): Other Income (1,828) Revaluation of holdback - - 3,623 Impairment loss on intangible assets - - 6,321 (1,828) - 9,944 Finance (income) costs: Finance (income) expense, net 525 (765) (1,115) Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net (31) (497) 2,570 494 (1,262) 1,455 Net loss before income taxes $ (759) $ (6,845) $ (19,641) Income tax recovery (expense) Current 32 - (22) Deferred - - (123) 32 - (145) Net loss $ (727) $ (6,845) $ (19,786) Item that may be reclassified to profit or loss Exchange differences on translation of foreign subsidiaries: (143) (746) (683) Item that will not be reclassified to profit and loss Revaluation of investment in Sensible Medical at FVOCI - - (6,336) Comprehensive loss $ (870) $ (7,591) $ (26,805) Loss per share Basic $ (0.07) $ (0.64) $ (1.32) Diluted $ (0.07) $ (0.64) $ (1.32) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) For the year ended December 31 2021 2020 2019 Cash (used in) provided by: Operating activities: Net (loss) income for the year $ (727) $ (6,845) $ (19,786) Adjustments for: Current income tax expense (recovery) (32) - 22 Deferred income tax expense (recovery) - - 123 Impairment of property and equipment - - 95 Impairment of intangible assets - - 6,321 Revaluation of holdback receivable - - 3,623 Amortization of property and equipment 406 307 485 Amortization of intangible assets 2,739 2,466 1,438 Sharebased compensation 135 317 417 Write-down of inventories 1,339 682 1,983 Change in fair value of contingent consideration (1,803) Finance (income) expense, net 525 (765) (1,115) Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (31) (497) 362 Change in the following: Accounts receivable 593 5,081 (318) Inventories 471 723 (4,072) Prepaid expenses 305 703 842 Other assets 99 - 78 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 20 (3,802) (4,992) Interest received (paid), net 49 22 1,685 Income taxes paid - (306) (477) Royalties paid (99) (326) (1,355) Cash flows (used in) from operating activities 3,989 (2,240) (14,641) Investing activities: Acquisition of Marley Drug, Inc, net of cash acquired - (7,238) - Investment in Sensible Medical - - (6,337) Receipt of holdback receivable funds - - 6,719 Redemptions (purchase) of short-term investments - - 47,747 Repayment of holdback payable (1,876) Acquisition of property and equipment (377) (2) (186) Acquisition of intangible assets (441) - (13,660) Cash flows from investing activities (2,694) (7,240) 34,283 Financing activities: Repurchase of common shares under substantial issuer bid - - (26,139) Repurchase of common shares under normal course issuer bid - (522) (4,145) Proceeds from exercise of stock options - - 20 Repayment of lease liability (316) (244) - Cash flows used in financing activities (316) (766) (30,264) Foreign exchange (loss) gain on cash held in foreign currency (1) (3) (552) (Decrease) increase in cash 978 (10,249) (11,174) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,716 12,965 24,139 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 3,694 $ 2,716 $ 12,965 SOURCE Medicure Inc. YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The stylish Mills Park Hotel, located at 321 Xenia Avenue, in downtown Yellow Springs, Ohio, has been sold to an employee and his spouse. Ryan Aubin, the marketing manager for the hotel since 2019, and his husband, Alex Price, have purchased the property and business for approximately $4.5 million. The Dayton couple was one of several parties who made offers when the owners first announced their intent to sell nearly a year ago. MIlls Park Hotel in Yellow Springs, Ohio purchased by employee and spouse! Alex Price (left) and Ryan Aubin - The new owners of Mills Park Hotel in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mills Park Hotel, Yellow Springs, Ohio Mills Park Hotel was the project of developer Jim Hammond and his family, who have owned and operated the property from the start. Construction was completed in 2016 and forever changed the look of the small, eclectic, Greene County village. The 28-room, 31,000 square-foot southern-style hotel, with its sprawling front porch and grand foyer, rises three stories and houses a restaurant, gift shop, banquet hall, fitness room, and conference space. The hotel's design was modeled after the 19th Century home of William Mills (1814-1879), an early settler who first came to Yellow Springs in 1827. While the original home no longer exists, every attempt was made to incorporate its charm and style into the hotel. Some of the furnishings were even built from trees that grew on the property. According to Aubin, the community and hotel staff have been very encouraging. "Obviously, there are questions, but everyone has been assured all along that Alex and I do not intend to change anything," he said. "We just want to build on the great product that the Hammond family started." Mills Park Hotel is ranked in the top 2-percent of properties on Hotels.com and Expedia. It is a favorite of destination travelers who want to experience the relaxed, diverse charisma of the village, yet be only footsteps from great outdoor adventures, museums, performing arts, and the Dayton area's many historic attractions. Aubin and Price intend to continue to offer a unique experience for guests and keep the hotel a shining star in the community. "We've got an amazing staff that cares about how wonderfully our guests are treated," Aubin said. "We do everything we can to make them feel like they are staying in a presidential suite but with the personal touches of a bed-and-breakfast." For reservations or booking information, visit millsparkhotel.com. Media inquiries should be directed to their publicist, Gery Deer at GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd., 937-902-4857 or [email protected]. Video story available at https://youtu.be/8JI27CBo2Fw. SOURCE Mills Park Hotel Families who were already struggling to make ends meet before the pandemic have since faced compounding variables that have made daily life even more challenging--from surges of new COVID variants, devastation from natural disasters, and worsening of food access, to possible job loss, decreased public transportation options, and increased food costs. According to a report 1 released in April, grocery prices rose by 8.8 percent during the last 12 months, impacting millions of families. Kraft Heinz, Americold and Feed the Children have been working together to bring hope, love and nutritious food to families whose lives have been severely impacted during this unparalleled time. By collaborating, the organizations have been able to distribute food more quickly to those who need it. It is estimated 1 in 6 children are food insecure due to the economic affects of the pandemic. That's why Feed the Children works with public and private partners to help families gain access to the safe, healthy and nutritious food they need. By working with a vast network of community partners, like Partners in Hope, Feed the Children provides food and essentials, support for educators, and disaster response to help children and their families achieve stable lives, while providing food and resources to help them today. "Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the risk of food insecurity has risen in our service areas," said Keith Sharp, president of Partners in Hope. "Receiving a donation such as this is such a blessing for our communities. Providing our low-income families with food has a dramatic impact on their lives. The benefits to their physical and mental health are incalculable." Atlanta-based Americold has a passion for defeating hunger. Playing an integral role in the food supply chain, Americold owns and operates 250 temperature-controlled warehouses around the world, with approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of storage. Its facilities connect food producers, processors, distributors and retailers to consumers, ensuring that food is preserved and protected on its journey from farm to fork. "Our partnership with Feed the Children is incredibly meaningful because it is one way that we show our commitment to fighting hunger. We're proud of the unique ways we are able to support their efforts to provide for families experiencing food insecurity. By sharing our supply chain expertise and donating temperature-controlled transportation, we are reducing the time it takes to get food to those who need it. While families across the country face ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 and disasters, we remain committed to supporting the communities where our associates live and work in any way we can," said George Chappelle, CEO of Americold. Americold has been a generous partner of Feed the Children for more than five years. During its partnership, Americold has donated critical funds, and travelled hundreds of thousands of miles providing complimentary temperature-controlled transporation services of chilled and frozen goods that have helped feed hundreds of thousands of families across America. The organization also provides volunteer opportunities for their associates at Feed the Children community events. "Kraft Heinz is committed to providing nutritious meals to those in need and, as a company, aspires to deliver 1.5 billion meals to those in need around the world by 2025," said Rashida La Lande, Global General Counsel and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer of Kraft Heinz. "We've seen unparalleled suffering during the COVID-19 global pandemic, and we are grateful for partners like Feed the Children who continue to help meet the needs of families and communities across the United States." Kraft Heinz and its predecessors have been a valued partner of Feed the Children for many years. Through this partnership, Kraft Heinz has donated food and committed to supporting hunger relief efforts across the nation by providing critical resources to those who need it most. Kraft Heinz continues to share its resources to help generate the most impact for families facing devastation through natural disasters or to combat food insecurity. "The Americold and Kraft Heinz partnership means so very much to Feed the Children, and more importantly, to the families we serve," said Travis Arnold, president and CEO of Feed the Children. "Those living paycheck-to-paycheck do not have a safety net. Our partners are a critical part of providing compassionate support to those who are facing tough decisions about how to care for their families." Feed the Children believes it takes everyone - the nonprofit sector, corporations, community organizations, government officials and food suppliers - to come together to do good for those who need it. When efforts are combined, a greater impact is achieved. Visit feedthechildren.org for more information about supporting the nonprofit's mission to provide hope and resources for those without life's essentials. About Americold Americold is the world's largest publicly-traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisitions and development of temperature-controlled warehouses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Americold owns and operates 250 temperature-controlled warehouses, with approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of storage, in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Americold's facilities are an integral component of the supply chain connecting food producers, processors, distributors and retailers to consumers. Visit www.americold.com for more information. About The Kraft Heinz Company We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company, inspired by our Purpose, Let's Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2021 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we're dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Feed the Children At Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in 8 countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships. Visit feedthechildren.org for more information. 1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm) SOURCE Feed the Children Latest participant in CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech program recruiting apprentices for 'earn and learn' opportunities in four IT occupations ANAHEIM, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Horizons Learning Group, a leader in technical, application and business skills education and training, has launched a new apprenticeship program in California for aspiring information technology (IT) professionals in collaboration with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and CompTIA. New Horizons is the latest organization to join CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech, a national initiative to help employers fill current and long-term IT staffing needs through an "earn and learn" apprenticeship program that is also creating employment opportunities for people from a diversity of backgrounds. "We believe that the timing is perfect to introduce our Information Technology Apprenticeships to businesses in our communities," said Cindy Sutherland, president, New Horizons Learning Group. "Our partnership with AIR and CompTIA will support businesses in California with their hiring needs by supplying them with the skilled and qualified talent they are struggling to find in today's employee driven workforce." New Horizons is serving as a multi-employer sponsor serving employers and apprentices under a United States Department of Labor (USDOL) standards-based Registered Apprenticeship. The company is currently recruiting apprentices for its first cohort for training in four high-demand IT job roles tech support specialists, network support specialists, cybersecurity support technicians and tech project coordinators. "We will be identifying individuals who will benefit from our training and are either new to IT or upskilling to new positions through our apprenticeship program," Sutherland said. Employers across the United States listed job postings for more than 115,000 open IT positions in the month of April. In California job postings for IT occupations surpassed 54,000.1 Training delivered through the apprenticeship program is based on National Guideline Standards created by CompTIA and approved by the USDOL. These standards detail the competencies in technical and employability skills that apprentices need to join the IT workforce. "Apprenticeships have long been a proven method for building skills and expanding employment opportunities, and they're gaining traction in the IT workforce as employers seek out new ways to develop tech talent," said Amy Kardel, senior vice president for workforce relationships at CompTIA. "New Horizons has a well-deserved reputation for preparing people for careers in technology. We are pleased to welcome them to our apprenticeship program." To learn more about CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech visit https://www.comptia.org/content/lp/apprenticeships-for-tech. About New Horizons Learning Group New Horizons has been serving businesses and individuals in the Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah communities since 1982. With eleven convenient locations we offer a wide range of technical, application and business skills courses. As the world of computer technology continues to evolve at light speed, New Horizons helps the world's workforce stay proficient with the latest technologies and achieve their career goals. It's what we've been doing better than anyone else for years, and what we plan to do well into the future. https://nhlearninggroup.com/ About CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech is a national initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to increase the number of skilled technology workers and expand tech career opportunities for diverse populations, including women, individuals with disabilities and people of color. Maher & Maher, an affiliate of the American Institutes for Research and a recognized leader in building innovative and successful apprenticeship initiatives, and CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the IT industry and workforce, were selected by the USDOL to serve as a national Industry Intermediary for expansion of apprenticeship in tech occupations. built according to the Registered Apprenticeship Program model. For more information visit https://www.comptia.org/content/lp/apprenticeships-for-tech. Media Contact Steven Ostrowski CompTIA [email protected] 630.678.8468 1 CompTIA Tech Jobs Report, April 1, 2022. SOURCE CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech Having the resources to support our members and the industry allows us to protect consumers' rights to rent. Tweet this "If we are to defend our industry from misunderstanding and overreaching regulation, it is imperative that we have the financial means to do so," Milo said. "The reality is, the fight isn't going away, and having the resources to support our members and the industry allows us to protect consumers' rights to rent throughout the country." To date, the VRMA Advocacy Fund has produced economic impact studies, marketing campaigns, housing affordability studies, and lobbying assistance directly to member alliances in need. In 2021, the fund raised $420,000, a record high. "When we started [the Advocacy Fund] only a few years ago, I never imagined that we would grow at this pace, to nearly half a million dollars in support," said Toby Babich, VRMA past President. "It's truly outstanding." As the Spring Forum's opening session drew to a close, VRMA President Miller Hawkins asked for continued support. "We have a goal today to raise $250,000, and I would like to invite anyone willing to donate $10,000 or more to please come to the stage," he said. One by one, VRMA members made their way to the stage without hesitation to pledge. Within 10 minutes, VRMA had raised more than $300,000. The chatter throughout the room grew louder as Milo took the microphone to say he would match any donation that Inhabit IQ pledged. Inhabit IQ has been the single largest contributor to the fund in the past two years. Kimberly Lang, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Inhabit IQ, committed $60,000 the single highest pledge and Milo followed with a match. The final total, including online donations made by members in the audience, reached an all-time, single-day fundraising record of more than $400,000. In 2021, VRMA began a marketing campaign to position professional managers as taxpaying, local, and consistent in their high standards. The campaign targets elected officials and government staff to highlight best practices and local community involvement. This year, VRMA will expand on this campaign, in addition to developing advocacy resources for its members. The fund also has committed to producing economic impact studies annually, similar to what was recently done in Maryland and South Carolina. Thanks to the following companies, VRMA is in a position to lead comprehensive efforts to protect the ever-growing vacation rental industry. $60,000: Inhabit IQ, VTrips $50,000: Vacasa $20,000: Avalara, C2G Advisors, Dormakaba, Elliott Realty, RedSky Travel Insurance, TravelNet Solutions, VacayHome Connect $10,000: AvantStay, Behome247, DoneRight Management, Got2Go, Panhandle Getaways, PriceLabs, Scenic Stays, Silicon Travel, StoicLane, Weatherby Consulting Donations made directly from attendees: $22,600 These donations mark a total of $432,600 raised at the VRMA Advocacy Fund kickoff. To pledge your support, visit the VRMA website . ABOUT VTRIPS Founded in 2006 by visionary Steve Milo as a management solution for his own Florida rental properties, VTrips is one of the fastest-growing vacation rental management companies in the United States. Now with more than 5,000 private vacation villas, condominiums, and homes in resort destinations throughout Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, VTrips believes in staffing its nationwide offices with local experts dedicated to exceeding the expectations of both property owners and vacationers. More information at VTrips.com. ABOUT VRMA Founded in 1985, the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) is an international, professional trade association of the vacation and holiday rental property management and hospitality industries. Membership includes professional vacation rental manager and supplier members throughout the world. SOURCE VTrips Launched in 2021, P.E.A.R.L. Pledge was developed with the purpose of championing the success of Black women and girls in the U.S. and is based on five key pillars: Prosperity , Empowerment , Access , Representation and Leadership . Recognizing the importance of Black women in the brand's history and the need to provide more support for Black women and girls today, P.E.A.R.L. Pledge offers funding to 501c3 organizations that are working to make positive changes in their communities and beyond. "As we enter year two of P.E.A.R.L. Pledge and reflect on the amazing work of the 2021 grant recipients, we feel more inspired and grateful to be a resource to organizations that understand the importance of supporting and empowering Black women and girls," says Michelle McAlister, Senior Director of Marketing. "We've only just scratched the surface on the role we can play in our communities, so we're excited to continue this journey and welcome a new class of grant recipients this year." How to Nominate and Apply Those who wish to apply for a P.E.A.R.L. Pledge grant this year must meet the following criteria: Based in the U.S., serving communities within the country Categorized as a nonprofit organization with 501c3 Public Charity status Offer programming serving Black women and/or girls Aligns with P.E.A.R.L. Pledge mission and pillars Grants will be awarded based on several factors, including how the chosen organizations will use the funding. In addition to opening applications for eligible nonprofits, Pearl Milling Company also encourages people to nominate organizations that align with the P.E.A.R.L. Pledge program and criteria to apply for a grant. Starting today, both nominations and applications can be submitted at www.pearlmillingcompany.com/pearlpledge . Nominations will close by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 9, 2022, and applications will close by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 18, 2022. To help select the grant recipients, Pearl Milling Company will once again work with an Advisory Council made up of women with a passion for addressing critical needs being faced by Black women and girls today, bringing expertise in areas such as racial and social justice and entrepreneurship. In 2021, 14 nonprofit organizations from 11 cities across the country received grants to create or expand upon programming benefitting Black women and girls in their communities. The funds were granted for a variety of initiatives including fighting food insecurity, providing access to education and job training, and raising awareness of the health disparities affecting Black women. For the full list of the 2021 grant recipients and more information on each organization, visit www.pearlmillingcompany.com/pearlpledge/recipients. In 2020, PepsiCo announced its Racial Equality Journey (REJ) Initiative investing more than $400 million over five years focused on increasing Black representation at PepsiCo, supporting Black-owned businesses, and uplifting Black communities in the U.S. As an extension of PepsiCo's REJ efforts, P.E.A.R.L. Pledge adds to PepsiCo's community investment to drive long-term change by addressing systemic barriers to economic opportunity for Black Americans. For more information about P.E.A.R.L. Pledge, visit www.pearlmillingcompany.com/pearlpledge and follow Pearl Milling Company on social media at www.facebook.com/pearlmillingcompany and www.instagram.com/pearlmillingcompany/ for updates on the program. About Pearl Milling Company Pearl Milling Company, owned by The Quaker Oats Company, a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., provides great-tasting pancake mixes, syrups, cornmeal, flour and grits products that have been helping families create memorable breakfast moments for over a century. Founded in 1888, Pearl Milling Company began as a small mill in St. Joseph, Missouri producing flour, cornmeal and, beginning in 1889, the famous self-rising pancake mix that would go on to be known as Aunt Jemima. Its pancake mix varieties include Original, Buttermilk, Whole Wheat, Cap'n Crunch's Berrytastic Pancake Mix, as well as its Pancake On The Go products in Chocolate Chip, Buttermilk & Maple, Double Chocolate and Blueberry. Syrup varieties include Original, Lite, Butter Rich, Butter Lite, and Country Rich, in addition to several cornmeal, cornmeal mix and grits offerings. For more information, please visit www.pearlmillingcompany.com , www.facebook.com/pearlmillingcompany or follow us on Instagram @pearlmillingcompany. About The Quaker Oats Company The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 140 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Quaker Oats, Quaker Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com , www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Quaker. About PepsiCo PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $79 billion in net revenue in 2021, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive (pep+). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE The Quaker Oats Company The appointment comes on the heels of the recent announcements of HR tech veterans Jonathan Reyes and Michael Johnson, and latest $21 million funding round SYDNEY and SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Workforce intelligence platform Reejig , continues to grow in the US market by announcing the hire of Trent Peterson as Vice President, Global Customer Success. US-based, Peterson will be responsible for driving a world class customer experience for Reejig's global clients focused on driving zero wasted potential to support Reejig's agressive growth. "We are pleased to welcome Trent to the growing US-based Reejig team," says Siobhan Savage, CEO of Reejig. "His success and experience building and scaling global customer-focused organizations will be an immense asset to us as we break into new regions and help our customers achieve zero wasted potential." With over 24 years in the industry, Peterson is a people leader and influencer with a proven history of delivering technology products and professional services supplemented with business development, most recently spanning across the cyber security and e-agreement industries. Peterson's start in tech was with SAP in 1997 where he held a number of roles including instructing corporate clients on the SAP platform. From there, Peterson worked with startups as well as McAfee/Intel for 15 years until 2017 where he honed his Customer Success strategies. During Peterson's most recent tenure at Docusign, he built and scaled the APAC Customer Success division. On joining Reejig, Peterson says: "There are so many layers to peel back with the products Reejig has to offer to both businesses and individuals. Its application of independently audited ethical AI to help businesses understand their overall potential from employee's skills, personal and career goals alongside the obvious many benefits that flow from this to the employees, is a massive game changer that you wouldn't go without in today's environment. For me, understanding and helping my individual team members to achieve their career goals and become the best version of themselves, is a personal value of mine. This coupled with my career now devoted to building teams, my decision to join Reejig was an easy one." Additional Resources Read our newest blog entry about Trent here Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and Join our team of co-creators as we build a world with zero wasted potential: https://reejig.com/careers/ About Reejig: Reejig is a leading workforce intelligence platform that enables global organizations to find, retain, and upskill talent at scale. Powered by the world's first independently audited ethical AI, Reejig acts as your central nervous system for all talent decisions, enabling zero wasted potential. Learn more by visiting reejig.com , or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter Media contact Clarity for Reejig Jocelynn Stidham [email protected] SOURCE Reejig TORONTO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill") (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), will release its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Bret Kidd, President and CEO, and Steve Thompson, Interim CFO, will host a conference call and audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET the same day. Webcast Information The live audio webcast will be available at: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1544749&tp_key=0b55de646a Dial-in Information To access the call from Canada and U.S., dial 1.888.664.6392 (Toll Free) and U.S., dial 1.888.664.6392 (Toll Free) To access the call from other locations, dial 1.416.764.8659 (International) Replay Information Webcast replay will be available for 365 days at: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1544749&tp_key=0b55de646a Telephone replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on May 12, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 19, 2022, at: 1.888.390.0541 (Toll Free North America) or 1.416.764.8677. Conference ID: 97185837 and Replay Passcode: 185837 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, via organic growth of the Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC (ETC) and International Road Dynamics, Inc. (IRD) 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, visit www.quarterhill.com SOURCE Quarterhill Inc. "Special Report: Gender Identity Biden Redefines 'Sex' in Schools," hosted by award-winning investigative journalist John Solomon airs on Real America's Voice on April 28 at 6pm EDT WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Changing the definition of "sex" in Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments to include gender identity is an attempt to force acceptance of radical gender identity theory in schools across the country, an upcoming television special will show. "Tonight's special report will demonstrate the true intentions of the Biden administration as it rewrites Title IX, a civil law authored 50 years ago that bans sex-based discrimination," said Just the News CEO John Solomon. "This administration is going to use a redefined Title IX in a way that will financially and personally impact every American family and force every school in the country that accepts federal funding to submit to its agenda," Solomon also said. Special Report: Gender Identity Biden Redefines "Sex" in Schools will air on Real America's Voice on Thursday, April 28 at 6pm EDT, and will feature interviews with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Meese Center Legal Fellow Sarah Parshall Perry, Kansas State Senator Renee Erickson (R), Young Women for America ambassadors Chloe Satterfield and Macy Petty, and Jessica Anderson, Executive Director of Heritage Action. You can watch Special Report: Gender Identity Biden Redefines "Sex" in Schools on Thursday, April 28 at 6 p.m. EDT at https://realamericasvoice.com or by downloading the app on Apple or Android . Real America's Voice is also available on DISH Network, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, and Roku. SOURCE Real Americas Voice ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Innovations, Inc. (RII), a provider of critical national security technology solutions, today announced the award of a contract by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MoD) to expand the piloting of RII's Collaborative Mission Management (CMM) capability to support Strategic Command. The contract follows a successful piloting of RII's CMM capability to support the British Army's Information Activities and Operations Program through a previous contract awarded in 2021. By experimenting across a myriad of use cases, this contract will explore the advancement of joint all-domain and artificial intelligence-enhanced technology that promotes true situational awareness and quickens decision making across Defence and with allies. "As Allied Defence Ministries seek to quickly organize around principles core to Multi-Domain Integration, the British Military is among the leaders in this space, which makes this project that much more exciting for our team," said Nick Woodruff, Vice President of Information, Analytics, and Command and Control (IAC2) at RII. "The Ministry of Defence is leaning forward, preparing to fail fast and learn, and truly partnering with commercial experts as opposed to preserving the norm of historically transactional relationships between industry and government. Strategic Command is at the forefront of all of this and their willingness to dive in and partner in the evolution of cutting-edge capability, and not just 'buy' technology, is incredibly encouraging, especially given the extraordinary national security challenges our nations face." The software solutions will be built using RII's RapidAdapt platform, which currently provides Multi-Domain Command and Control (MDC2) solutions for a variety of requirements from the highest strategic levels to the tactical edge, with thousands of users across the U.S. joint forces and with selected allied partners. "This contract directly supports Strategic Command's transformative strategy to help Defence become more agile, responsive, and able to act in an integrated way," said Doug Greenlaw, Chief Growth Officer at RII. "Our technologies go to the heart of Strategic Command's role as Defence's integrator, ensuring every part of Defence can work seamlessly together, with other Government departments, and with allies, enabling the optimisation of Defence's global posture." The underlying technologies used on this contract were built expressly to support Multi-Domain Integration, operations in the information environment, and globally integrated operations. This effort will be executed primarily in the UK, leveraging RII's growing team of scientists and operational specialists. About Research Innovations, Inc. With offices in Alexandria, VA, Melbourne, FL, San Antonio, TX, and St. Petersburg, FL, as well as staff embedded with key customers globally, RII supports critical defense, intelligence, and cyber customers across the U.S. Government and select international customers. RII is a leader in Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) efforts with its cutting-edge solutions, rapidly delivering transformative technology to customers and end-users to achieve its core purpose of "Creating RIIdiculously Awesome solutions that make the world safer." Visit www.researchinnovations.com for more information. SOURCE Research Innovations, Inc. VARMA WON'T SIT DOWN EVEN IF THE DEBATE COMMITTEE WANTS HIM TO LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate Ramit Varma has spoken out after it was announced that he would not be included in the main mayoral debate occurring on May 1st at California State University Los Angeles. Meeting with debate organizers, Varma called into question the institute's perspectives on who should be included in the debate itself. Many of the metrics for inclusion are subjective and, in objective measures such as polling and fundraising, Varma emerges at the top of the list. Varma vs The Machine Of the news that he was not invited to the debate, Varma laid out the criteria for participation. "Only 1 has any subjectivity to it and that one has the 4 parts outlined below. If you'll indulge me, I'd like to give you my thoughts on each one 1 Media Exposure Media exposure is massively biased toward 'insider candidates'. Using media appearances to determine who gets media appearances is literally the definition of structural bias.The entire foundation of the social justice movement is based on the idea that this kind of reasoning is flawed. (eg- women are underrepresented on corporate boards because they don't have corporate board experience) 2 Fundraising - Including the $2.5M contribution that I will placing, my fundraising total is over $4M. That puts me in second place behind only Caruso. It puts me ahead of Bass and miles ahead of anyone else in the race. The fact that it is a personal contribution shouldn't matter as it hasn't mattered that Caruso's entire war chest is from his personal contribution. 3 Polling According to the latest poll (with a +- 3.5 point margin of error) I am statistically dead even with Feuer and Buscaino. So you have Caruso / Bass, a distant third in De Leon, and then everyone else. 4 Endorsements Firstly, endorsements are another category biased toward the 'insiders'. Of course the entrenched special interests will favor entrenched candidates. In conclusion, on the only indisputable metric (fundraising) I am number 2. I am statistically even with 2 of the 5 candidates on the other quantitative metric (polling) and I am systemically disadvantaged on the other 2 (media and endorsements). I think this definitely warrants inclusion in the debate. Ultimately, the League of Women Voters was created to help prevent a male dominated hierarchy. I can't imagine their mission is to replace that with another biased system." Over the weekend, Varma contributed an additional $2.5M to his campaign. The total fundraise is now over $4M. This puts Varma at #2 (in fundraising) with a sizable lead over Bass. In a further statement, Varma comments: "I want to live in a city, and a country and a society where ideas and energy rule the day not favoritism and political expediency. I understand that there will be some work to include me in the debate. And I understand that the simplest and most expedient course is to leave the debate as is. But what is the real downside of including me? That 6 candidates will share 90 minutes instead of 5? That's 15 minutes per person on average as opposed to 18. That one more podium would need to be set up on stage? Ultimately, the challenges are relatively trivial compared to the magnitude of the statement that the debate is truly inclusive and fair that the public would be able to see a candidate who is not a Democrat, who is of a different generation, and who is a true outsider. The committee has the opportunity to do something important and positive for the city, for the electorate and for all those people who are so discouraged by the idea of local politics that they throw up their hands and ask to be left alone." It remains vital for Varma to be included in this debate in the name of a fair democratic election truly for everyone in Los Angeles. You might've seen the billboards or advertisements around the city, but you really need to feel Varma's energy when he speaks aloud. Above all, he loves Los Angeles, resides here with his wife and kids, and believes in its potential to be the greatest city in the not only the U.S., but the world. So, his platform is simple and focused on three core pillarsHomelessness, Affordability, and Public Safety. If elected mayor, Varma will "Reboot LA" by helping people get off the streets, fighting to decrease the cost of living, and holding politicians accountable. Varma is running as an independent without ties to any political party or special interest as these problems affect everyone and demand a non-partisan solution. Be sure to meet him at his next event to be announced soon. He's a New Kind of Mayor. For more information on the #VoteVarma campaign, visit www.votevarma.com. ABOUT RAMIT VARMA: As the son of immigrants, the value of opportunity was never lost on Ramit just as his father came to the US to build a better life for himself and his family, Ramit came to Los Angeles to do the same. After receiving his MBA from UCLA, he co-founded Revolution Prep, an online tutoring platform dedicated to making tutoring more effective and higher education more attainable for America's youth. He built a company from the ground up centered around giving kids and young adults more opportunities to succeed in life. Ramit is running for Mayor of Los Angeles because he loves this city. He lives here with his wife and kids and knows first-hand its potential as the greatest city in the world. Like every other Angeleno, however, he has seen that potential become clouded by instability and lawlessness. Varma is running as an Independent and is not tied to any political party or any special interest. He believes the issues our city is facing are non partisan and we need a non partisan leader who will approach things with practicality, rationality, and empathy. SOURCE Varma for Mayor 2022 New five-year partnership to establish ambitious, measurable sustainability goals for groundbreaking progress across ship, sea and shore MIAMI, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), announced its new commitment to the next phase of its ongoing partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for guidance and counsel in establishing bold environmental goals and sustainable business practices. "Healthy, sustainable oceans are paramount to our mission of delivering the best vacations responsibly," said Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty. "Our partnership with WWF encapsulates our belief in continuous improvement and our commitment to advancing our environmental, social and governance (ESG) work. The support and assistance of WWF will be invaluable to realizing this mission as we work to set and achieve our sustainability goals." Royal Caribbean Group first partnered with WWF in 2016. Since then, WWF has advised Royal Caribbean Group to embed sustainability into the core of the company's business and across the industry, promote responsible tourism in priority coastal destinations and help protect the oceans by investing in conservation programs globally. This included establishing bold 2020 sustainability goals that the company has met or exceeded, with the exception of the sustainable seafood sourcing target, which was impacted by global suspension of service from the pandemic. The next five years of the partnership will focus on setting ambitious, measurable sustainability targets around the reduction of carbon emissions, the sustainable growth and development of the business, sustainable commodity sourcing and tourism, the elimination of single-use plastics and waste management, among other areas. "Scale matters, particularly in the face of global challenges like climate change and ocean conservation. We're grateful for the progress Royal Caribbean Group has made toward achieving its sustainability goals since 2016, and we're energized by an ambition for even greater things to come," said Carter Roberts, President and CEO of WWF-US. "Our work together is grounded in the reality that people everywhere from local communities and Indigenous peoples to urban residents and tourists rely on the ocean for food, livelihoods, and enrichment. We're committed to doing everything possible to keep ocean ecosystems thriving for the benefit of all people, as well as the many other creatures for whom the ocean is their home. This year, WWF and Royal Caribbean Group will work together to establish sustainability goals across three key areas of Ship, Sea and Shore: Ship Continuous improvement of operational sustainability, including emissions, marine mammal protection, seafood sourcing, plastics reduction, and food waste. Continuous improvement of operational sustainability, including emissions, marine mammal protection, seafood sourcing, plastics reduction, and food waste. Sea Investing in ocean health through targeted philanthropy; engaging with a global science-driven agenda and consumer-facing education and fundraising campaigns. Investing in ocean health through targeted philanthropy; engaging with a global science-driven agenda and consumer-facing education and fundraising campaigns. Shore Embedding principles of sustainable development in projects and increasing sustainability and certification of tour operators. Royal Caribbean Group will also continue to provide financial support to WWF's global ocean conservation work through a $5 million philanthropic contribution and collaborate with WWF to build global awareness about ocean conservation issues among Royal Caribbean Group's millions of guests. The renewal of the partnership with WWF builds on Royal Caribbean Group's broader decarbonization strategy, focused on establishing Science-Based Targets (SBT). To learn more about Royal Caribbean Group's sustainability efforts visit https://sustainability.rclcorporate.com/. Click here to learn more about Royal Caribbean Group's "Destination Net Zero" strategy. Stay up to date by following @NewsfromRCGroup on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. About Royal Caribbean Group Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the world with a global fleet of 63 ships traveling to more than 1,000 destinations around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three award winning cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an additional 10 ships on order as of March 31, 2022. Learn more at www.royalcaribbeangroup.com or www.rclinvestor.com. SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group The launch of the Phantom UL ZeroATP Surgical Access System pioneers an innovative approach to the surgical corridor anterior to the psoas muscle. Starting the surgical approach in a partial, 25-degree lateral decubitus patient position to secure the targeted disc space, the surgeon continues patient access by repositioning to a supine position (zero degrees) for disc preparation and interbody placement. This modified surgical technique leverages anatomical gravity to facilitate access to the targeted disc space in the more familiar supine patient position, enabling landmark recognition in the disc preparation and implant deployment phase. Utilizing existing TSI technologies, the ZeroATP solution complements the Phantom AL Anterior Lumbar Surgical Access System, for a seamless upgrade to an all-in-one access solution for traditional ALIF and ZeroATP procedures. "ZeroATP together with the Phantom AL system provides the surgeon with a solution for both the anterior and oblique corridors to the lumbar spine in one single system, "stated Dr. Thomas Terramani. "Not only offering the safety and ergonomic benefits of the supine patient positioning for disc exposure and instrumentation, the ZeroATP approach allows the spine team the flexibility to address multi-level cases from L2-L5. In short, either direct anterior or oblique ATP pathways to the lumbar spine can be used with a single retractor system and single patient position." Phantom UL ZeroATP Surgical Access System will be featured at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, April 29 May 2, 2022. To learn more about TSI's Phantom UL ZeroATP Surgical Access System visit https://youtu.be/L1WFqHzIW_Q or call 877-726-0886. About TeDan Surgical Innovations TeDan Surgical Innovations, Inc. (TSI) is a global leader in surgical access systems with a specialty focus in spine, neuro, orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery. For over fifteen years, TSI has been at the forefront of innovation in surgical access and instrumentation recognized by global industry leaders, teaching institutions and clinician thought leaders around the world. Its company founders, with a combined market experience of over 75 years, have driven numerous successful initiatives resulting in profitable business. Phantom UL and Phantom ATP are trademarks from TeDan Surgical Innovations Inc. For more information: https://youtu.be/L1WFqHzIW_Q Media Contact: PHONE: 713-726-0886 EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE TeDan Surgical Innovations In an artistic collaboration with illustrator Maddie Dai, the Scotch whisky unleashes an enchanting NFT providing access to exclusive, real-world experiences NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its birth in 1879, The Glenrothes rewards those who choose to look beyond the ordinary. Today, the storied distillery meets contemporary curiosity with The Glenrothes 36 Year Old Single Cask Scotch whisky. With only 168 bottles available, the rare, limited single malt includes a non-fungible token (NFT) designed by The New Yorker illustrator Maddie Dai, who has melded the iconic worlds of Scotland and New York City to extend the whisky experience beyond the bottle. The Glenrothes 36 Year Old Single Cask Scotch Whisky, 168 bottles in total, is now available, including an NFT that unlocks exclusive experiences for its owners. The Glenrothes 36 Year Old Single Cask Scotch Whisky, 168 bottles in total, is now available, including an NFT that unlocks exclusive experiences for its owners. Upon purchase of The Glenrothes 36 Year Old, consumers will first experience the NFT artwork on the whisky's packaging before receiving it in their digital wallets. Maddie Dai's black and white etch which pays homage to the iconic New Yorker style transforms through unexpected moments where Scotland and New York come to life. A once-static image will surprise whisky lovers with subtle movements that reveal special elements found in Maddie's art. Furthermore, Maddie's monochrome sketch will be enhanced through strokes of color highlighting both the whisky and the two worlds that inspired its creation. "The Glenrothes is a hidden gem among single malt Scotch whiskies, one with a storied background, prized by those who care to look beyond the norm and understand the rewards that can follow," said Gregory Cozzolino, Marketing Director of Breakthrough Brands at Edrington. "Today's release embodies the ethos of what it means to explore beyond what is expected and cherish a deeper perspective, by starting with a complex, beautifully balanced whisky, then inviting exploration of a bigger world that bridges The Glenrothes and New York City through the vessel of an NFT that our innovative founders undoubtedly would have embraced." The Glenrothes NFT will live on the forward-thinking Solana, one of the most sustainable blockchains in the market. The NFT experience not only compliments the value of the limited 36-year-old bottle of whisky, but offers a unique opportunity for purchasers to delve deeper into the story of The Glenrothes distillery. To further be immersed in The Glenrothes world, consumers will also have the opportunity to attend rare and exclusive real-life experiences in New York City and across the globe, including the potential to tour the distillery which traditionally has been closed to visitors. Like all Glenrothes Exclusive Single Cask releases, The Glenrothes 36 Year Old aged patiently at the distillery's on-site cooperage in a sherry-seasoned refill hogshead cask. The result is a delicate, balanced experience of orange zest and vanilla sweetness, light oak and gentle spice. "This individual cask was identified years ago as something special. When it reached 36 years, the liquid was considered optimal in terms of its maturation and flavor development," said Laura Rampling, Master Whisky Maker for The Glenrothes. "This wonderful liquid has all the typical fruity character of The Glenrothes as well as notes of fresh almonds which are often apparent in our older editions. There is also a unique fragrance to it, including hints of rose oil and gentle spice, which are a product of its aging in this particular cask." The Glenrothes 36 Year Old 1978 Single Cask #3631 has an SRP of $3,600 and is available at select fine spirits retailers across the U.S. and online exclusively through ReserveBar.com. To look beyond, visit TheGlenrothes.com and join the #SpiritOfRothes at @theglenrothes. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe peaches, candied peel, sweet ground ginger, fresh almonds, and a hint of rose oil fragrance Taste: Tropical fruit and orange zest balanced with vanilla sweetness, light oak and gentle spice Finish: Richly sweet, fruity and gently fragrant Note: Images and video from launch event available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ak0g9748zrcu9r0/AADHK4T4GKCCRyC5Vv2epdWKa?dl=0 About The Glenrothes The Glenrothes distillery has been making whisky quietly, and without compromise, since 1879. Its rich and rounded, award-winning single malt is crafted by a community of whisky makers in a hands-on, no-frills distillery in Rothes, Scotland, nestled and nurtured by the river Spey. Their craftspeople remain respectful of tradition, yet ever-curious about what could be passion-driven with a penchant to Look Beyond. From the mashing room to the stillhouse to Master Whisky Maker Laura Rampling, everyone who expertly contributes at the distillery supports the values or "Four Corners" that have guided The Glenrothes from its very beginnings. About Edrington Edrington's vision is that we will give more by building the world's leading portfolio of exceptional super premium spirits. Our strategy is to intensify our focus on becoming the world's leading super premium brand builder. The Macallan is our central focus supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing Single Malt category and Naked in the Blended Malt category. We have strategic partnerships with Wyoming Whiskey, Noble Oak Bourbon and London No. 3 Gin in the dynamic American Whiskey and Gin categories. Our portfolio is completed with The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky and Brugal premium rum in the Dominican Republic. Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs over 3,500 people in its wholly owned and joint venture companies, with over 70% employed overseas. We own our route to market in 15 countries and distribute our brands to more than 100 countries around the world through joint ventures and third-party agreements. Edrington Americas is headquartered in New York, NY with regional offices in Mexico City, Miami and Orange County. To learn more visit https://www.edrington.com, and to find our brands visit https://www.findourspirits.com. Our principal shareholder is The Robertson Trust, which has donated over 300m to charitable causes since 1961. Our business model is underpinned by the Edrington values of giving, integrity, excellence and respect. SOURCE The Glenrothes MIAMI, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The World Perfumery Congress (WPC)the premier global event for fragrance artistry, ingredients, technology and brandsis returning in-person to Miami Beach, Florida June 29-July 1, 2022. Presented by the American Society of Perfumers and produced by Allured Business Media, the WPC will explore the future of fragrance with unique insights from fragrance creators and experts, an exhibition of the latest fragrance ingredient launches and technologies, in-person networking opportunities with global professionals, and much more. Registration is now open at worldperfumerycongress.com . Attendees should prepare for a lineup of the industry's global innovation leaders, including perfumers, R&D specialists, marketers and product developers, executives, market analysts and more. Major names in fragrance are already set to take the stage, including Dior perfumer creation director Francis Kurkdjian, Givaudan vice president Calice Becker, Procter & Gamble research fellow Phil Porter, as well as representatives from Victoria's Secret, Reckitt, L'Occitane, Firmenich, Symrise, Mane and IFF. In addition, the event will feature a bustling expo hall featuring unique fragrance ingredients from every corner of the globe, as well as the latest scent technology innovations. New to WPC 2022, the closing night of the congress will feature an evening ceremony for the American Society of Perfumers Awards and the 8th Annual Art and Olfaction Awards, thereby honoring the worlds of traditional, artisanal, independent and experimental perfumery. It has been four years since the record-breaking WPC was held in Nice, France, which hosted more than 1,800 attendees, including more than 200 perfumers. Following an unprecedented period of upheaval, this coming event is set to be one of the most exciting yet. "It is time once again to safely gather to reconnect, celebrate olfactive creativity, dig into new trends, get acquainted with the latest innovative technologies, and collectively address current challenges and opportunities in the industry," says Jenna Rimensnyder, conference director and managing editor of Perfumer & Flavorist+ magazine. Visit www.worldperfumerycongress.com to learn more and register. SOURCE Allured Business Media DUBLIN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "US Cut Flowers Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Analysis - by Flower Type, Application and Distribution Channel" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Increase in Demand for Cut Flowers for Decorative Purposes Driving US Cut Flowers Market US Cut Flowers Market is expected to grow from US$ 9,206.39 million in 2021 to US$ 12,771.94 million by 2028. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028. Cut flowers are flowers or buds separated and cut from their bearing plant. These flowers are mostly used for decorative and gifting purposes during special occasions, such as anniversaries, birthdays, and other events. The increase in demand for cut flowers for decorative purposes in the US is one of the factors driving the market. Fresh cut flowers are mostly used for decorative purposes, including vase arrangements and bouquets at formal events, decorations at weddings and funerals, gifts on occasions, in times of illness, on holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, and as informal displays to beautify homes and public places. According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, interior home decoration is one of the major reasons behind the high consumption of cut flowers in the US. The increased emphasis on interior decoration and providing an aesthetic look to homes have increased this country's demand for cut flowers. Holland America Flowers, LLC; Continental Flowers; Farm Fresh Flowers; Dummen Flowers; Washington Bulb Co., Inc; Selecta One; Multiflora; The Queen's Flowers; Oserian; and The Kariki Group are the key players operating in the US cut flowers market. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Cut Flowers Market Growth The demand for cut flowers was growing in the US market before the COVID-19 pandemic due to the increased usage of cut flowers for decorative purposes and being used for their various health benefits. Most of the cut flowers in the US were imported from countries such as Colombia and Ecuador. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the consumer goods industry, with the shutdown of manufacturing facilities, challenges in procuring raw materials and components, and restrictions on logistic operations. The disruptions in the supply of raw materials to manufacturers and containment measures hampered cut flowers production, thus restraining the market growth. The trade-related restrictions also impacted the import of cut flowers, which negatively impacted the US cut flower market. However, businesses are gaining ground as the government of the US has eased out the previously imposed restrictions. Overall, online shopping has increased, and many local cut flower businesses have added digital components to their offerings within the last few years. The pandemic has also caused an increase in the usage of e-commerce sites and interest from new generations recognizing the benefits of nature, which is supporting the US cut flowers market. The 'US Cut Flowers Market Analysis to 2028' is a specialized and in-depth study of the consumer goods industry, focusing on the US cut flowers market trend analysis. The report aims to provide an overview of the market with detailed market segmentation. The US cut flowers market is analyzed on the basis of flower type, application, and distribution channel. Based on the flower type, the market is segmented into rose, carnation, lilium, chrysanthemum & gerbera, and others. Based on application, the market is segmented into home and commercial. Based on the distribution channel, the market is segmented into supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty stores/florists, online retail, and others. Key Market Dynamics Market Drivers Increase in Demand for Cut Flowers for Decorative Purposes Various Health Benefits Associated with Cut Flowers Market Restraints Stringent Conditions for US Cut Flowers Market Opportunities Growth in E-Commerce Penetration Future Trends Marketing Strategies Adopted by the Market Players Company Profiles Holland America Flowers , LLC , LLC Continental Flowers Farm Fresh Flowers Dummen Flowers Washington Bulb Co. Inc Selecta One Multiflora The Queen'S Flowers Oserian The Kariki Group For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ie52o2 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 Working with art historian/writer, Vanessa Rosa, and AI art expert, Gene Kogan, the crypto press, Untitled Frontier, published its third story: "Little Martians & The Human Memorial Monument." NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Using NFTs as digital merchandise, Untitled Frontier has successfully managed to chart a new way for short science fiction writers. In previous releases, writers have made more than $10,000 each from their short stories. In this new short story that's free to read and listen to , a girl in the far future, Diana, comes to terms with her new reality after an adventure through humanity's memorial. Readers are able to support the story until 16th of May 2022 , by purchasing smart contract generative art in the form of "Little Martians" & generative AI art scenes NFTs in collaboration with pioneer Gene Kogan. The writer and artist Vanessa Rosa said, "Taking the Little Martians to a new story universe with Untitled Frontier and getting supported by sales of NFTs has a lot of potential for writers!" The machine learning expert, Gene Kogan, said, "It was a joy to employ new techniques in machine learning to craft 3 dimension zoom to Vanessa's existing artwork. This intersection of storytelling, AI, and web3 will change stories forever." About Untitled Frontier Untitled Frontier was founded by Ethereum pioneer Simon de la Rouviere. He has co-designed the most popular token standard (ERC20), invented token bonding curves, and recently published his debut novel. His crypto artwork has found critical acclaim through magazines like Bijutsu Techo, & exhibitions from the State Hermitage in pushing boundaries of art through crypto. Untitled Frontier continues to push the boundary of art, storytelling, and technology. About Vanessa Rosa Vanessa Rosa is a Brazilian visual artist and art historian. She creates projects that mixes public art, community activities, technological experiments and historical research, usually having painting as her main medium. She has done mural paintings, exhibitions and other projects in South and North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Some of the most important projects include: the children's book 'Diana's World', a painting about domestic violence for UN Women, a large scale mural for Pioneer Works (New York City), participation in Street Heroines Documentary, mural for Le Centre in Cotonou (West Africa), and coordinated the Sankofa project during Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games (an anti racism community painting). About Gene Kogan Gene Kogan is a leading artist and programmer with interests in generative art, collective intelligence, autonomous systems, and computer science. He is the creator of the popular open source software: machine learning for artists (ml4a) and is attempting to build the first artist in the cloud. SOURCE Untitled Frontier Vendor Insights Web Performance Market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Some vendors are also adopting inorganic growth strategies such as M&As to remain competitive in the market. The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including: Akamai Technologies Inc. AT and T Inc. Broadcom Inc. Cavisson Systems Inc. CDNetworks Inc. Cisco Systems Inc. Cloudflare Inc. DigitalOcean Holdings Inc. DreamHost LLC Dynatrace Inc. Equinix Inc. F5 Networks Inc. International Business Machines Corp. Micro Focus International Plc New Relic Inc. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. Radware Ltd. SolarWinds Corp. TransUnion WPEngine Inc. ZenQ Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings, Read our Sample Report. Geographical Market Analysis North America will account for 39 percent of market growth. In North America, the United States and Canada are the most important markets for web performance. The market in this region will increase faster than the markets in South America and the Middle East and Africa. The rise in the number of cyberattacks, the shift from traditional IT services to Internet-based IT systems, and the number of IT enterprises and start-ups in countries like the United States will all help the web performance market grow in North America throughout the projected period. Furthermore, countries such as the US, Canada, China, Germany, and the UK are expected to emerge as prominent markets for the Web Performance Market during the forecast period. Know more about this market's geographical distribution along with a detailed analysis of the top regions. Download Detailed Sample Report. Key Segment Analysis The on-premises segment's web performance market share will expand significantly. The on-premises model is more secure than cloud-based solutions, which will increase its popularity in the coming years among large companies that are more concerned with functionality and security than cost. View Sample Report : to know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years. Key Market Drivers & Challenges: The increased number of cyberattacks is one of the primary elements driving the worldwide web performance industry's growth. Another trend that is predicted to have a favorable impact on the industry in the projected period is the need for mobile web performance solutions. The high deployment costs, on the other hand, are one of the major roadblocks to the worldwide web performance industry's growth. Download Sample Report for highlights on market Drivers & Challenges affecting the Web Performance Market. 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Related Reports: Video Managed Services Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Offshore Structural Analysis Software Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Web Performance Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.69% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 3.03 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.89 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key consumer countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Akamai Technologies Inc., AT and T Inc., Broadcom Inc., Cavisson Systems Inc., CDNetworks Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Cloudflare Inc., DigitalOcean Holdings Inc., DreamHost LLC, Dynatrace Inc., Equinix Inc., F5 Networks Inc., International Business Machines Corp., Micro Focus International Plc, New Relic Inc., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., Radware Ltd., SolarWinds Corp., TransUnion, WPEngine Inc., and ZenQ Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Deployment Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 09: Parent market Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 12: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2021 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026 Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.7 Market condition Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026 5 Market Segmentation by Deployment 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Deployment - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Deployment - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Deployment Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Deployment Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Deployment 5.3 On premise - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on On premise - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on On premise - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on On premise - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on On premise - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Cloud - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Cloud - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Cloud - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Cloud - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Cloud - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Deployment Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Deployment ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 59: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 87: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Akamai Technologies Inc. Exhibit 89: Akamai Technologies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 90: Akamai Technologies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 91: Akamai Technologies Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 92: Akamai Technologies Inc. - Segment focus 10.4 Broadcom Inc. Exhibit 93: Broadcom Inc. - Overview Exhibit 94: Broadcom Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 95: Broadcom Inc. - Key news Exhibit 96: Broadcom Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 97: Broadcom Inc. - Segment focus 10.5 Cavisson Systems Inc. Exhibit 98: Cavisson Systems Inc. - Overview Exhibit 99: Cavisson Systems Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 100: Cavisson Systems Inc. - Key offerings 10.6 Cloudflare Inc. Exhibit 101: Cloudflare Inc. - Overview Exhibit 102: Cloudflare Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 103: Cloudflare Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 104: Cloudflare Inc. - Segment focus 10.7 Dynatrace Inc. Exhibit 105: Dynatrace Inc. - Overview Exhibit 106: Dynatrace Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 107: Dynatrace Inc. - Key news Exhibit 108: Dynatrace Inc. - Key offerings 10.8 F5 Networks Inc. Exhibit 109: F5 Networks Inc. - Overview Exhibit 110: F5 Networks Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 111: F5 Networks Inc. - Key news Exhibit 112: F5 Networks Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 113: F5 Networks Inc. - Segment focus 10.9 International Business Machines Corp. Exhibit 114: International Business Machines Corp. - Overview Exhibit 115: International Business Machines Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 116: International Business Machines Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 117: International Business Machines Corp. - Segment focus 10.10 Micro Focus International Plc Exhibit 118: Micro Focus International Plc - Overview Exhibit 119: Micro Focus International Plc - Product / Service Exhibit 120: Micro Focus International Plc - Key news Exhibit 121: Micro Focus International Plc - Key offerings 10.11 New Relic Inc. Exhibit 122: New Relic Inc. - Overview Exhibit 123: New Relic Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 124: New Relic Inc. - Key news Exhibit 125: New Relic Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 126: New Relic Inc. - Segment focus 10.12 TransUnion Exhibit 127: TransUnion - Overview Exhibit 128: TransUnion - Business segments Exhibit 129: TransUnion - Key news Exhibit 130: TransUnion - Key offerings Exhibit 131: TransUnion - Segment focus 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 132: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 133: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 134: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 135: Research methodology Exhibit 136: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 137: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 138: List of abbreviations About Us: Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio - Conference Call Scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT Today - EXTON, Pa., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) today announced its financial results for the first-quarter 2022 and updated full-year 2022 financial guidance. First-Quarter 2022 Summary (comparisons to prior-year period) Net sales of $720.0 million grew 7.4%; organic sales growth was 11.0%. grew 7.4%; organic sales growth was 11.0%. Reported-diluted EPS of $2.29 increased 15.1%. increased 15.1%. Adjusted-diluted EPS of $2.30 increased 12.2%. increased 12.2%. The Company is reaffirming full-year 2022 financial guidance of net sales in a range of $3.050 billion to $3.075 billion . The Company is raising full-year 2022 financial guidance of adjusted-diluted EPS to a new range of $9.30 to $9.45 , compared to a prior range of $9.20 to $9.35 . to . The Company is raising full-year 2022 financial guidance of adjusted-diluted EPS to a new range of to , compared to a prior range of to . The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has approved a third-quarter 2022 dividend of $0.18 per share. The dividend will be paid on August 3, 2022 , to shareholders of record as of July 20, 2022 . "Adjusted-diluted EPS" and "organic sales growth" are Non-U.S. GAAP measurements. See discussion under the heading "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" in this release. "We delivered a solid first-quarter 2022 and remain on track to increase capacity throughout the year to satisfy the growing demand for our high-value products (HVP)," said Eric M. Green, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our team members across the globe continue to demonstrate their passion to improve patient lives as they remain focused on executing our strategic initiatives despite macroeconomic challenges. Even with these challenges, and headwinds related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, we remain well positioned for continued net sales growth and margin expansion. We are reaffirming our full-year 2022 net sales guidance, raising our full-year organic sales growth guidance, and raising our full-year 2022 adjusted-diluted EPS guidance." Proprietary Products Segment Net sales grew by 10.6% to $601.3 million. Organic sales growth was 14.4% with currency translation negatively impacting sales growth by 380 basis points. High-value products (components and devices) represented more than 70% of segment sales and generated double-digit organic sales growth, led by customer demand for NovaPure and Westar components. The Biologics market unit had double-digit organic sales growth. The Pharma and Generics market units had high-single digit and mid-single digit organic sales growth, respectively. Contract-Manufactured Products Segment Net sales declined by 6.6% to $118.7 million. Organic sales decline was 3.8% with currency translation negatively impacting sales growth by 280 basis points. Segment performance was impacted by a decline of sales of components for diagnostic devices. Financial Highlights Operating cash flow was $151.2 million, an increase of 70.5%. Capital expenditures in the quarter were $65.8 million. Free cash flow (operating cash flow minus capital expenditures) was $85.4 million, an increase of 151.2%. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 390,000 shares for $147.1 million at an average share price of $377.23 under its share repurchase program. Full-Year 2022 Financial Guidance The Company is reaffirming full-year 2022 net sales guidance to be in a range of $3.050 billion to $3.075 billion . to . Organic sales growth is expected to be in a range of 11% to 12%, compared to prior guidance of approximately 10%. Net sales guidance, based on current foreign exchange rates, includes an estimated full-year 2022 headwind of $115 million , compared to prior guidance of a $70 million headwind. , compared to prior guidance of a headwind. The Company is raising full-year 2022 adjusted-diluted EPS to be in a range of $9.30 to $9.45 , compared to a prior range of $9.20 to $9.35 . to , compared to a prior range of to . Full-year reported-diluted EPS guidance range, based on current foreign currency exchange rates, includes an estimated headwind of $0.38 , compared to prior guidance of a $0.21 headwind. , compared to prior guidance of a headwind. The revised guidance includes a $0.12 EPS positive impact from first-quarter tax benefits from stock-based compensation. EPS positive impact from first-quarter tax benefits from stock-based compensation. For the remaining quarters of the year, our EPS guidance range assumes a tax rate of 23% and does not include potential tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Any tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation beyond those recorded in the first-quarter 2022 would provide a positive adjustment to our full-year adjusted-diluted EPS guidance Full-year 2022 capital spending is expected to be $380 million . This includes incremental capital spending to support capacity expansions at existing HVP facilities. First-Quarter 2022 Conference Call The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results and business expectations at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. To participate on the call please dial 877-930-8295 (U.S.) or 253-336-8738 (International). The conference ID is 6690124. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available at the Company's website, www.westpharma.com, in the "Investors" section. Management will refer to a slide presentation during the call, which will be made available on the day of the call. To view the presentation, select "Presentations" in the "Investors" section of the Company's website. An online archive of the broadcast will be available at the website three hours after the live call and will be available through Thursday, May 5, 2022, by dialing 855-859-2056 (U.S.) or 404-537-3406 (International) and entering conference ID 6690124. Forward-Looking Statements Certain forward-looking statements appear in this release and include such words as "raising," "increase," "growing," "continue," "remain," "reaffirming," "expected," "to be," "includes," "estimated," "assumes," "would provide," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this release. There is no certainty that actual results will be achieved in-line with current expectations. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The following are some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying our forward-looking statements: the duration and severity of the global COVID-19 pandemic, including prevailing economic conditions and general uncertainties relating thereto that may be unknown and unforeseeable; customers' changing inventory requirements and manufacturing plans and customer decisions to move forward with our new products and product categories, including any re-prioritization of product needs due to COVID-19; other potential impacts from COVID-19, including interruptions or weaknesses in our supply chain, illness in our workforce and access to transport for our products; average profitability, or mix, of the products we sell; dependence on third-party suppliers and partners; increased raw material costs; fluctuations in currency exchange; and the ability to meet development milestones with key customers. This list of important factors is not all inclusive. For a description of certain additional factors that could cause the Company's future results to differ from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements, see Part I Item 1A , entitled "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Except as required by law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures For the purpose of aiding the comparison of our year-over-year results, we may refer to net sales and other financial results excluding the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Organic net sales exclude the impact from acquisitions and/or divestitures and translate the current-period reported sales of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar at the applicable foreign exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period. We may also refer to financial results excluding the effects of unallocated items. The re-measured results excluding effects from currency translation and excluding the effects of unallocated items are not in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and should not be used as a substitute for the comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures are incorporated into our discussion and analysis as management uses them in evaluating our results of operations and believes that this information provides users a valuable insight into our overall performance and financial position. A reconciliation of these adjusted non-U.S. GAAP measures to the comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures is included in the accompanying tables. WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Net sales $720.0 100% 670.7 100% Cost of goods and services sold 435.4 60 398.8 59 Gross profit 284.6 40 271.9 41 Research and development 14.6 2 12.2 2 Selling, general and administrative expenses 83.4 12 80.2 12 Other (income) expense (3.1) - 3.9 1 Operating profit 189.7 26 175.6 26 Interest expense, net 1.9 - 1.8 - Other nonoperating (income) expense - - (1.1) - Income before income taxes 187.8 26 174.9 26 Income tax expense 21.2 3 28.7 4 Equity in net income of affiliated companies (7.2) (1) (5.0) (1) Net income $173.8 24% $151.2 23% Net income per share: Basic $2.34 $2.04 Diluted $2.29 $1.99 Average common shares outstanding 74.4 73.9 Average shares assuming dilution 76.0 75.8 WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES REPORTING SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (in millions) Three Months Ended March 31, Net Sales: 2022 2021 Proprietary Products $601.3 $543.7 Contract-Manufactured Products 118.7 127.1 Eliminations - (0.1) Consolidated Total $720.0 $670.7 Gross Profit: Proprietary Products $260.7 $251.9 Contract-Manufactured Products 23.9 20.0 Gross Profit $284.6 $271.9 Gross Profit Margin 39.5% 40.5% Operating Profit (Loss): Proprietary Products $193.4 $182.6 Contract-Manufactured Products 19.1 16.4 Stock-based compensation expense (5.5) (5.9) General corporate costs (17.1) (13.9) Adjusted Operating Profit $189.9 $179.2 Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 26.4% 26.7% Other unallocated items (0.2) (3.6) Reported Operating Profit $189.7 $175.6 Reported Operating Profit Margin 26.3% 26.2% WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data) Reconciliation of Reported and Adjusted Operating Profit, Net Income and Diluted EPS Three months ended March 31, 2022 Operating profit Income tax expense Net income Diluted EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $189.7 $21.2 $173.8 $2.29 Unallocated items: Pension settlement (1) - 0.1 0.5 - Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) 0.2 - 0.7 0.01 Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $189.9 $21.3 $175.0 $2.30 Three months ended March 31, 2021 Operating profit Income tax expense Net income Diluted EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $175.6 $28.7 $151.2 $1.99 Unallocated items: Restructuring and related charges 1.2 0.2 1.0 0.01 Pension settlement (1) - 0.2 0.5 0.01 Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) 0.2 - 0.7 0.01 Cost investment impairment 2.2 - 2.2 0.03 Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $179.2 $29.1 $155.6 $2.05 (1) The Company recorded a pension settlement charge within other nonoperating (income) expense, as it determined that normal-course lump-sum payments for our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan exceeded the threshold for settlement accounting. (2) During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $0.2 million of amortization expense within operating profit associated with an intangible asset acquired during the second quarter of 2020. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $0.5 million of amortization expense in association with an acquisition of increased ownership interest in Daikyo. WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data) Reconciliation of Net Sales to Organic Net Sales (3) Three months ended March 31, 2022 Proprietary CM Eliminations Total Reported net sales (U.S. GAAP) $601.3 $118.7 $ - $720.0 Effect of changes in currency translation rates 20.6 3.6 - 24.2 Organic net sales (Non-U.S. GAAP) (3) $621.9 $122.3 $ - $744.2 (3) Organic net sales exclude the impact from acquisitions and/or divestitures and translate the current-period reported sales of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar at the applicable foreign exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period. WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data) Reconciliation of Reported-Diluted EPS Guidance to Adjusted-Diluted EPS Guidance 2021 Actual 2022 Guidance % Change Reported-diluted EPS (U.S. GAAP) $8.67 $9.26 to $9.41 6.8% to 8.5% Pension settlement 0.02 Cost investment activity 0.06 Restructuring and related charges 0.02 Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 0.04 0.04 Asset impairment 0.04 Royalty acceleration (0.25) Tax law changes (0.02) Adjusted-diluted EPS (Non-U.S. GAAP) (4) $8.58 $9.30 to $9.45 8.4% to 10.1% Notes: See "Full-year 2022 Financial Guidance" and "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" in today's press release for additional information regarding adjusted-diluted EPS. (4) We have opted not to forecast 2022 tax benefits from stock-based compensation in upcoming quarters, as they are out of the Company's control. Instead, we recognize the benefits as they occur. In the first-quarter 2022, tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation increased adjusted-diluted EPS by $0.12. Any future tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation that we receive in 2022 would provide a positive adjustment to our full-year EPS guidance. In 2021, tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation increased adjusted-diluted EPS by $0.41. WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES CASH FLOW ITEMS (UNAUDITED) (in millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Depreciation and amortization $29.6 $29.1 Operating cash flow $151.2 $88.7 Capital expenditures $65.8 $54.7 WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED) (in millions) As of March 31, 2022 As of December 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents $667.7 $762.6 Accounts receivable, net $498.7 $489.0 Inventories $416.5 $378.4 Accounts payable $248.2 $232.2 Debt $252.5 $253.0 Equity $2,326.2 $2,335.4 Working capital $1,105.7 $1,147.9 Trademark Notices Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., in the United States and other jurisdictions, unless noted otherwise. Daikyo, Daikyo Crystal Zenith and Daikyo CZ are registered trademarks of Daikyo Seiko, Ltd. Daikyo Crystal Zenith technologies are licensed from Daikyo Seiko, Ltd. SOURCE West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary PALM BEACH, Fla., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, Bank of America released a research note showing that spot prices for uranium had increased significantly in the last couple of months and one big Player, Bank Of America projects that uranium prices will spike more than 50% in 2022, according to a Mining Newswire report. The investment bank expects the mineral to experience further gains in the future as the demand for the use of nuclear energy as an alternative to non-renewable energy sources also grows. Russia plays a central role in the international uranium supply chain, making up over 15% of total uranium supplied this year. In terms of enrichment, Russia makes up roughly 45% of global capacity. In conversion, the Eastern European country makes up nearly 30% of the estimated production of this year and about 20% of international capacity. According to the report: "An analyst at Bank of America, Lawson Winder, stated that the increase in price observed was primarily driven by concern about disruptions in the uranium supply chain. Bank of America added that most of the activity fueling the rise in price was driven by the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, as opposed to producers or utilities that were actively participating in the market. This is based on a report by UxC, an industry consultancy firm." Active companies in the markets today include: BASIN URANIUM CORP. (OTCPK:BURCF) (CSE:NCLR), Denison Mines Corp. (NYSE:DNN) (TSX:DML), Centrus Energy Corp (NYSE:LEU), Paladin Energy Ltd (OTCQX:PALAF) (ASX:PDN), Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) (TSX:CCO). The investment bank explained that the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust was currently the largest fund holding actual uranium instead of futures contracts. Earlier in March, the price of uranium hit a new record, its highest figure in more than a decade. This substantial increase is believed to have been prompted by reports that the Biden administration was in talks to gauge the impact of imposing possible sanctions with concerns to Eastern Europe conditions and how that would affect America's nuclear industry. BASIN URANIUM CORP. (CSE:NCLR.CN) (OTCPK:BURCF) BREAKING NEWS: BASIN URANIUM COMPLETES FIRST HOLE AT MANN LAKE AND ADVANCES PERMITTING FOR WRAY MESA BASIN URANIUM CORP. ("Basin Uranium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has completed the first diamond drill hole at the Mann Lake uranium project in Saskatchewan's prolific Athabasca Basin. The Mann Lake project is located 25km southwest of the McArthur River Mine, the largest high-grade uranium deposit in the world, and 15 km to the northeast along strike of Cameco's Millennium uranium deposit. In addition, the Company has engaged Star Point Enterprises to prepare Utah state exploration permits for an exploration and drill program on its Wray Mesa project. Highlights: First diamond drill hole was completed to a depth of 731 metres Second diamond drill hole underway at a current depth of ~185 metres (target depth of 700 metres) Core logging and composite lithogeochemical sampling remains ongoing with samples being prepared for shipment to the Saskatchewan Research Council Commencement of geophysical survey expected in early May 2022 Engaged permitting consultant for Wray Mesa exploration and drill program "Drilling at Mann Lake is off to a smooth start. Our experienced exploration team continues to make excellent progress on our ongoing exploration program, which remains on time and budget." commented Mike Blady, CEO of Basin Uranium. "Contemporaneously, we are developing an exploration program for our Wray Mesa project with the engagement of Star Point to assist us in the preparation and submission of the permit applications." Mann Lake Drilling & Exploration Update - The first hole was collared and completed to a target depth of 731 metres, having intersected the unconformity at approximately 650 metres vertical depth. The hole is being logged and will be sent along with the second hole to the Saskatchewan Research Council for chemical assays. The rig has now moved to the second location and is currently at a depth of approximately 180 metres and is planned for a total of 700 metres. The second hole is hole is designed to test an interpreted basement conductor (2014 MT resistivity survey), corresponding with ground UTEM conductor (A3), magnetic low (interpreted metasediment basement) and is along the edge of a gravity low. The Company's geophysical contractor is expected to be on site at the beginning of May to complete moving loop electromagnetic and gravity surveys to identify targets for an additional fall/winter drill program. Wray Mesa Permitting Update - Star Point Enterprises, Inc. of Moab, Utah is a preeminent permitting, management, and compliance firm. The Company has retained Don Hamilton, Principal and Project Manager, to assist with both federal and state-level agency permitting. The Company is currently compiling and reviewing the historical data, which includes over 400 holes / 200,000 feet of previous drilling, in conjunction with developing an extensive exploration and drill program for the property. The Company expects to finalize the purchase of the Wray Mesa project within the coming days. CONTINUEDRead the BASIN URANIUM full press release by going to: https://basinuranium.ca/news/ In other news and developments of note in the markets this week: Centrus Energy Corp (NYSE-American:LEU) President and CEO Daniel B. Poneman recently congratulated Clean Core Thorium Energy and Texas A&M on successfully fabricating the first sample pellets of a next-generation nuclear fuel called ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life). Centrus and Clean Core have been working together under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed earlier this year to promote Clean Core's advanced nuclear fuel, which will combine thorium with High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) produced by Centrus. Based on more than 15 years of research and design, the new HALEU-Thorium ANEEL fuel is suitable for new and existing CANDU and other Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). ANEEL can reduce the amount of waste produced in CANDUs/PHWRs by more than 80 percent, minimizing waste management costs and safety concerns, while offering nonproliferation benefits. Paladin Energy Ltd (OTCQX:PALAF) (ASX:PDN) recently announced that it has completed an institutional placement (Placement) of new fully paid ordinary shares in Paladin (New Shares). The Placement will raise approximately A$200 million (before costs) through the issue of approximately 278 million New Shares at an offer price of A$0.72 per share. The offer price represents: 8.9% discount to the last closing price of Paladin shares on ASX of $0.79 on March 30, 2022 (being the last date Paladin shares traded prior to announcement of the Placement); and 12% discount to the 5-day volume average weighted price (VWAP) up to and including March 30, 2022. Proceeds of the Placement, in conjunction with the proposed Share Purchase Plan which seeks to raise up to an additional A$15 million (together the Equity Raise), will be applied to fund the restart of uranium mining operations at the Langer Heinrich Mine, and for working capital expenses and fees. Cameco (TSX:CCO) (NYSE:CCJ) recently announced that it will issue its first quarter results before markets open on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Cameco invites investors and the media to join its first quarter conference call with the company's senior executives on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. Cameco will discuss trends in the market and the execution of its strategy before opening the call to questions from investors and the media. To join the call, please dial 800-319-4610 (Canada and US toll-free) or 604-638-5340. An operator will put your call through. The slides and a live webcast of the conference call will be available from a link at cameco.com. Denison Mines Corp. (TSX:DML) (NYSE:DNN) recently reported the discovery of multiple new high-grade intercepts of unconformity-hosted uranium mineralization in the final three drill holes completed during the winter 2022 exploration program on the Waterfound River property ("Waterfound"). The results were highlighted by drill hole. WF-68, which returned a broad zone of uranium mineralization, including a peak interval of 5.91% eU3O8over 3.9 metres (0.05% eU3O8 cut-off) with a sub-interval grading 25.30% eU3O8 over 0.7 m, located approximately 800 metres west, along the La Rocque Conductive Corridor, of the previously discovered high-grade mineralization (including 4.49% U3O8 over 10.53 metres) at the Alligator Zone. PDF Version 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. 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Contact: Email: [email protected] Phone: +1(561)325-8757 SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com TESSA technology is a novel process for transfection-free, scalable manufacture of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) and represents a major advancement in AAV manufacturing by improving AAV yields and particle quality. TESSA technology produces significantly more AAV than plasmid-based manufacturing, generating enough material to address the growing demand in healthcare needs for patients suffering from cancer and other life-threatening diseases. As part of this collaboration, WuXi ATU will supply the materials, equipment, funding, and training required to further develop and commercialise TESSA technology in Singapore. BTI will contribute research expertise, facilities and access to its network of partners to support WuXi ATU in its research and development in cell and gene therapy in Singapore. "We are delighted to launch this collaboration with Singapore's renowned Bioprocessing Technology Institute," said David Chang, CEO of WuXi Advanced Therapies. "We hope that working together on the development and commercialisation of TESSA technology will be the first step in a long-term partnership." Dr Koh Boon Tong, Executive Director of A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute added, "With BTI's extensive experience in bioprocessing science and engineering, we are excited to collaborate with WuXi ATU in the area of advanced cell and gene therapy and further R&D together. This is a significant step towards Singapore's goal to be an innovative biotherapeutics bioprocessing R&D hub." About WuXi Advanced Therapies (WuXi ATU) As the advanced therapies business unit of WuXi AppTec, WuXi Advanced Therapies is a Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CTDMO) that offers integrated platforms to transform the discovery, development, testing, manufacturing, and commercialization of cell and gene therapies. Our services and solutions accelerate time to market and support customer programs around the world. For more information, please visit https://www.advancedtherapies.com About WuXi AppTec As a global company with operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable global pharmaceutical and healthcare industry to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients. Through its unique business models, WuXi AppTec's integrated, end-to-end services include chemistry drug CRDMO (Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization), biology discovery, preclinical testing and clinical research services, cell and gene therapies CTDMO (Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization), helping customers improve the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. WuXi AppTec received AA ESG rating from MSCI in 2021 and its open-access platform is enabling more than 5,800 collaborators from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need and to realize the vision that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated." Please visit: http://www.wuxiapptec.com About A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) is a research institute under A*STAR. Established in 1990, BTI is positioned as Singapore's pillar of research and development for the biomanufacturing sector. BTI's core capabilities span across the bioprocessing value chain, largely comprising Product Innovation, Cell Line Development, Media Development, Downstream Processing, Process Development and Scale-up, and Analytical Science & Technologies. Through strategic partnerships and application-driven research, BTI seeks to create value and impact in product markets including biologics, cell and gene therapy, exosomes, vaccines, engineered tissues, process analytical technologies and cell culture systems. For more information on BTI, visit www.a-star.edu.sg/bti. About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg. Follow us on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter For media enquiries, please contact: Davy Wu Executive Director, Brand & Corporate Communications WuXi AppTec Tel: +86-21 2066 3111 Email: [email protected] Yip Min Ting Assistant Head, Corporate Communications Agency for Science, Technology and Research Tel: +65 6517 1977 Email: [email protected] SOURCE WuXi AppTec Credit unions using Zest software achieving five-fold increases in instant-decisioning rates More inclusive loan approvals draw on deep insights from credit reports and loan histories in markets served LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zest AI announced a partnership today with the Kentucky Credit Union League and the Nebraska Credit Union League to bring Zest's industry-leading AI lending software to members across both states. Chosen as CUNA Strategic Services' exclusive alliance provider in 2021, Zest AI facilitates models that use thousands of data points and better math than traditional national models. This approach safely approves more members overlooked by legacy scoring, achieving 25% to 30% higher approvals with no added risk. "Transparent AI-driven lending technologies permit fairer, more accurate and compliant lending activity, all of which will have a significant impact across Nebraska and Kentucky," says Jose Valentin, Senior Vice President of Partnerships at Zest AI. "Bringing these tools to members across these leagues will enrich lives by expanding fair access to more affordable credit." "Zest has proven success in delivering value, and this partnership represents an opportunity to both do well and do good at the same time a win-win for both consumers and credit unions alike," says Scott Sullivan, President of the Nebraska Credit Union League. "We're continually working to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to promoting and empowering inclusive access, while ensuring our members have access to high-quality products and services that meet their needs," says Debbie Painter, President of the Kentucky Credit Union League. "Joining forces with Zest AI achieves exactly that." About Zest AI Zest AI software helps lenders make better decisions and better loansincreasing revenue, reducing risk, and automating compliance. Since 2009, it has made fair and transparent credit available to everyone and is now the leader in software for more inclusive underwriting. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Learn more at www.zest.ai and connect with us on Twitter at @Zest_AI or Zest AI's Insights blog. About Nebraska Credit Union League The Nebraska Credit Union League is the state's sole credit union advocacy organization, representing approximately 96 percent of Nebraska credit unions and their 547,000 members. Visit www.nebrcul.org for additional information. About the Kentucky Credit Union League The Kentucky Credit Union League is an association of credit unions operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is a non-profit corporation owned and controlled by member credit unions through their elected representatives and is solely supported by the dues of its member credit unions. For more information about the Kentucky Credit Union League, visit www.kycul.org . About CUNA Strategic Services CUNA Strategic Services develops strategic alliance relationships to bring credit unions innovative solutions that will drive membership growth and operational excellence at an attractive price. The company is majority-owned by Credit Union National Association and state Leagues. For more information, visit www.cunastrategicservices.com . Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Zest AI GUANGZHOU, China, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "For China's economy, the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) means expanded foreign trade and vibrant commercial activities among RCEP member countries," said Cheng Shi, Chief Economist of ICBC International, during a Canton Fair RCEP-themed forum. He believed that the RCEP regulations will strengthen China's competitiveness in goods and services exports as well as trade cooperation between China and other RCEP members. On 1 January, 2022, the RCEP officially entered into effect, which has boosted the confidence of Chinese foreign trade companies in securing trade orders. The Canton Fair, China's largest B2B import and export trade platform and an all-round opening-up platform, has adopted new approaches in this session to encourage and guide Chinese companies to further explore global markets under the RCEP. The Canton Fair has actively established partnerships. It has signed cooperation agreements with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Business Association of China in Vietnam and the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council, which brings the Fair's total number of global partners to 170, covering all RCEP member countries. in and the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council, which brings the Fair's total number of global partners to 170, covering all RCEP member countries. The Canton Fair has held a "Trade Bridge" matchmaking event specially targeting the RCEP market. The online event, which was participated by Chinese home furnishing companies and RCEP's major furniture industry associations and large sourcing groups, has provided an effective platform for exhibitors and buyers to communicate and identify trade cooperation opportunities. The Canton Fair has held several RCEP-themed forums With the RCEP benefiting more people, the Canton Fair will continue to play an important role in fostering regional economic integration as well as regional and global economic growth. In this session, 117 exhibitors of the International Pavilion were from the RCEP member countries, accounting for nearly 30% of the total. Xu Bing, Spokesperson of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, said that the International Pavilion has helped RCEP member countries expand the Chinese market, as well as benefit from the Fair's vast global buyer resources to export to the global market and share trade opportunities. Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US for more opportunities. SOURCE Canton Fair Southeast Elevator, based in Fort Pierce, is a leading residential elevator company and sought a commercial elevator partner to ensure its commercial accounts had the very best service and technical support. Excel Elevator was excited to assist. The existing Southeast Elevator team, led by Tim Fischer and Scott McGee, will support Excel during the transition. Dustin Bozek joined the 3Phase family in June 2021 as part of a merger with West Virginia Elevator which he cofounded in 2012 after working for Thyssenkrupp and Otis. "I'm excited to begin servicing the Southeast commercial customers and ensuring they are fully compliant with the latest safety standards," said Bozek, who plans to spearhead an initiative around door lock monitoring services which is now part of the commercial code and must be in place in 2023. "This is a mutually beneficial partnership and allows each of us to better serve customers," said Southeast Elevator CEO Tim Fischer. "The entire Southeast Elevator team is excited about having an exceptional partner such as 3Phase Excel to serve the commercial needs of customers in the region, while we focus on our core residential business." Southeast President Scott McGee added, "We are excited to partner with the 3Phase family of independent elevator service providers. Their customer-first philosophy will be well received and give us peace of mind that our customer relationships will be well cared for in the future." "Southeast has built an impressive commercial portfolio in Florida and we are excited about working with them and supporting their commercial customers to provide quality service in this market," said Mike Strachan, CEO of 3Phase Elevator. "Combining the Southeast and Excel units together will create an excellent base in Florida and we are excited about Dustin leading the effort." Maven Elevator served as financial advisor to Southeast Elevator for this transaction. About 3Phase Elevator Founded in 1997, and headquartered in Canton, Mass., 3Phase Elevator is a leading independent provider of elevator and escalator maintenance, repair, and modernization services in 18 states across the United States, and the District of Columbia. The company has grown in part through 16 acquisitions of other independent elevator and escalator providers. 3Phase maintains more than 22,000 units for building owners and property managers. The company is built on a foundation of exceptional customer service. For additional information, visit www.3phaseelevator.com. SOURCE 3Phase Elevator Free Resources Identify Top Scams Facing Mississippi's Military Community and Ways to Fight Back JACKSON, Miss., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mississippi's more than 200,000 military veterans and active-duty service members are at risk of being targeted by scammers. AARP recently launched the AARP Veterans Fraud Center, a new online education and resource center to help protect veterans, service members and their families against fraud. According to an AARP survey, one in three military/veteran adults reported losing money to scams that are specifically trying to take advantage of the trust they have in the military community. Veterans, active-duty service members and their families are 40% more likely to lose money to scams and fraud than the civilian population. These individuals lost more than $267 million in 2021, up from $102 million in 2020 (a 162% increase), according to the Federal Trade Commission. "Targeting scams at members of the military community is unconscionable," said AARP Mississippi State Director Kimberly L. Campbell, Esq. "AARP has launched this effort to alert veterans and their families of the latest scams and how to avoid them." Top scams aimed at veterans include: Benefit Buyouts: Turning over U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension and/or disability benefits for a supposed lump-sum payment that never materializes (47%). Fraudulent records scam: Paying for updated personal military records (32%). The fake charitable giving request: Donating to fake veteran charities (32%). Free resources in the AARP Veterans Fraud Center include: Some top tips from AARP's Fraud Watch Network recommendations include: signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry and using a call-blocking service; using strong and unique passwords for each online account; using two-factor authentication when available; and placing a free security freeze on credit reports at each of the three major credit bureaus. Also, veterans never have to pay for their service records or earned benefitsif told otherwise, it's a scam. To learn more about the AARP Veterans Fraud Center and to download a free copy of the new Watchdog Alert Handbook: Veterans' Edition, visit www.aarp.org/vetsfraudcenter. For additional resources and information on AARP's support for veterans and military families, including caregiving, competing in today's job market, and connecting with earned service benefits, visit www.aarp.org/veterans. About AARP AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media. MEDIA CONTACT: Ronda Gooden, 601-898-5417 (office) 601-209-1812 (cell) SOURCE AARP Mississippi PINELLAS PARK, Fla., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reporter Newsletter is a service of Access Ready Inc. which is an independent, non-profit, cross-disability education and advocacy organization promoting a policy of inclusion and accessibility of information and communications technology (ICT). For people with disabilities, accessible information and communications technology is a necessity, not a luxury or a convenience, which fosters independence, economic self-sufficiency, and active, meaningful participation in civic life. Imagine that you are a blind person who wants to help the people in war-torn Ukraine. The television news anchor tells viewers to point their phones to a QR code on the screen to get information on how to donate. How will a blind person use the phone camera to find that information on the screen? How will a person who is deaf find out what was said in an online video chat about high gas prices when there are no captions in place to provide details of the conversation. Everyone relies on media outlets for so many facets of their daily lives, but the disabled are often left in the cold, on the outside looking in, so to speak. When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990, the Internet as we know it today did not exist as the ubiquitous marketplace for information, goods and services. Neither did the Information and Communications Technology-(ICT) driven media environment. Read More BIG STORY MASTERCARD CREATES AD FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO MATCH ITS ACCESSIBLE CARDS When advertisers promote their products, they seem remarkably adept at targeting the right audienceexcept when accessibility comes into play. It's often expected that the abled persons in the circles of people with disabilities would see those commercials and buy those products for their friends, but the intended users are far more capable than others credit them to be. Mastercard walks the talk with a thoughtful spot that encapsulates what its accessible-design, differentiated cards are all about Read More TENNESSEE BANS PAYING LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Read More 'THE SIMPSONS' MAKES HISTORY WITH FIRST DEAF VOICE ACTOR AND USE OF AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE Read More BRINGING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE TO LOCAL WEATHER ALERTS Read More EMPLOYEE'S UNWANTED BIRTHDAY PARTY NETS HIM $450,000 AFTER LAWSUIT AGAINST KY COMPANY Read More CURRENT LEGAL ACTIONS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EXPANDS ARIZONA LAWSUIT ALLEGING DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN ACCESS TO SURGICAL CARE Read More SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT ATTORNEY BOUDIN ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING CIVIL PROSECUTION AGAINST LAW FIRM FOR EXPLOITING ADA TO FILE THOUSANDS OF FRAUDULENT LAWSUITS AGAINST SMALL BUSINESSES Read More ELECTION ACCESSIBILITY NY TO MAKE ABSENTEE BALLOTS MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES Read More ACCESSIBILITY 'TOP OF MIND' IN PLANNING FOR 2023 ELECTION ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS FOR OLDER VOTERS AT THE POLLS Sponsored by VOTEC HOTELIERS NOT CATERING TO THE ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL MARKET MIGHT BE LEFT BEHIND HALLMARK'S NEW ROMANCE MOVIE WILL BE LED BY AN ACTOR WITH DOWN SYNDROME GOVERNMENT SPOTLIGHT GSA LOOKS INTO FACIAL RECOGNITION BIAS AND IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY IN FEDERAL WEB SERVICES Read More NORTH ADAMS NOT COMPLIANT WITH ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED ORDER ISSUED LAST YEAR FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING Read More HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY UNITED STATES PREVENTIVE TASK FORCE GUIDELINES CALL FOR SCREENING KIDS AS YOUNG AS 8 FOR ANXIETY Read More ALS IS ONLY 50% GENETIC - IDENTIFYING DNA REGIONS AFFECTED BY LIFESTYLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS COULD HELP PINPOINT AVENUES FOR TREATMENT Read More WHAT IS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, THE CONDITION GILBERT GOTTFRIED DIED FROM? Read More TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT TOP TECH TIDBITS The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in adaptive technology. Read More Sponsored by Commonlook Content Curation sponsored by Microassist Circulation sponsored by eReleases Assistive Technology curation sponsored by Top Tech Tidbits Contact: Douglas Towne 727-531-1000 [email protected] SOURCE Access Ready Inc. MEXICO CITY, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V. ("Aeromexico") (BMV: AEROMEX), today reported its unaudited consolidated results for the first quarter 2022. KEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2022 On June 30 th, 2020 Aeromexico announced that it and certain of its affiliates filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions in the United States ("Chapter 11","C11") to implement a financial restructuring. 2020 Aeromexico announced that it and certain of its affiliates filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions in ("Chapter 11","C11") to implement a financial restructuring. On March 17, 2022 . Grupo Aeromexico, informed that the resolutions adopted by the Shareholders Meetings of the Company held on January 14 and February 14, 2022 became effective. As a result, Aeromexico consummated its Plan of Reorganization ("Plan"); and it successfully concluded its financial restructuring process and emerged from its Chapter 11. As set forth in the Plan, the equity value of the reorganized Company ("Plan Equity Value") is approximately US$2.564 billion dollars . . Grupo Aeromexico, informed that the resolutions adopted by the Shareholders Meetings of the Company held on and became effective. As a result, Aeromexico consummated its Plan of Reorganization ("Plan"); and it successfully concluded its financial restructuring process and emerged from its Chapter 11. As set forth in the Plan, the equity value of the reorganized Company ("Plan Equity Value") is approximately . Grupo Aeromexico's first quarter capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASKs), increased by 40% compared to first quarter 2021, primarily driven by the sequential recovery in domestic and international markets. Grupo Aeromexico's first quarter 2022 revenue reached $12.9 billion pesos; an 88.4% increase compared to same period 2021. During the quarter, revenue per ASK (RASK) reached $1.296 pesos, a 34.5% increase year over year. pesos; an 88.4% increase compared to same period 2021. During the quarter, revenue per ASK (RASK) reached pesos, a 34.5% increase year over year. During the quarter Aeromexico recognized net restructuring benefits of $1.6 billion pesos related to the ending of its C11 exit process and non-recurring items. The restructuring benefits mainly included the valuation of general unsecured claims liability at its fair value, previously recognized at its amortized cost, for balances incurred before Chapter 11 restructuring process. pesos related to the ending of its C11 exit process and non-recurring items. The restructuring benefits mainly included the valuation of general unsecured claims liability at its fair value, previously recognized at its amortized cost, for balances incurred before Chapter 11 restructuring process. EBITDAR amounted to $2.9 billion pesos, an improvement of $3.4 billion pesos year over year. pesos, an improvement of pesos year over year. First quarter 2022 operating profit reached negative $763.4 million pesos; an improvement of $2.7 billion pesos compared to first quarter 2021. pesos; an improvement of pesos compared to first quarter 2021. Cost per ASK (CASK), excluding fuel and restructuring items, was $0.049 dollars , a 6.2% decrease year over year. This reflects the Company's structural cost efficiency achievements. , a 6.2% decrease year over year. This reflects the Company's structural cost efficiency achievements. Aeromexico's cash position as of March 31 st , 2022, amounted to $28.0 billion pesos, equivalent to approximately $1,4 billion dollars . Excluding restricted cash, and outstanding claims, Aeromexico's cash balance amounted to $24.6 billion pesos, equivalent to $1.2 billion dollars . , 2022, amounted to pesos, equivalent to approximately . Excluding restricted cash, and outstanding claims, Aeromexico's cash balance amounted to pesos, equivalent to . During the quarter, the Company executed diverse settlement payments in accordance with the Chapter 11 Exit Plan effectiveness for $7.9 billion pesos pesos As of March 31 st, 2022, Aeromexico's operating fleet comprised 134 aircraft, a 26% increase year over year. SOURCE Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V. Cannabis retailers using Flowhub's point-of-sale platform can now offer compliant, cashless payments to customers CHICAGO and DENVER, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aeropay, the cannabis industry's leading digital payments provider, and Flowhub, the leading national cannabis point-of-sale platform for dispensaries, have announced an integration partnership to enable ACH payments via Aeropay for over 1,000 dispensaries powered by Flowhub's software. Retailers using Flowhub can now offer cashless payments at checkout, which increases sales by more than 25% per transaction, based on data from Aeropay. Flowhub "Flowhub is a leading platform for cannabis retailers across the country, and this integration will allow thousands of businesses to offer a modern and efficient shopping experience," said Daniel Muller, CEO and founder of Aeropay. "This partnership is a consequential milestone in Aeropay's mission to help cannabis businesses efficiently scale by eliminating operational friction points. We look forward to extending compliant omnichannel payment solutions to even more dispensaries and brands as consumer demand for contactless alternatives to cash payments accelerates." This integration makes checkout convenient and easy: By simply scanning a QR code, customers can complete their purchase without cash or cards. They simply link to their bank and pay. Several of the cannabis industry's largest dispensaries and delivery companies utilize Aeropay's payment processing solutions to optimize their operations and retail experiences. Aeropay's payment method facilitates reliable and compliant payments for cannabis businesses across the United States. "Flowhub is proud to work with Aeropay as our first ACH payments integration partner," said Kyle Sherman, founder and CEO of Flowhub. "Both teams are committed to helping make cannabis products more easily accessible to consumers and reduce reliance on cash. This integration is a stepping stone for innovative payment processing of legal cannabis sales." Flowhub processes over $3 billion in cannabis sales annually while simplifying compliance and operational workflows for retailers. In October 2021, the company received $19 million in strategic funding from a consortium led by venture firms Headline and Poseidon, including a personal investment from Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. About Aeropay Aeropay is a financial technology company providing alternative payment processing solutions to state-legal cannabis businesses. With Aeropay, cannabis businesses can offer a compliant and cashless digital payment option to their customers. Aeropay has regulatory approval in every state that it operates in. For more information, visit www.aeropay.com or email [email protected] Media Contact MATTIO Communications 732-642-6446 [email protected] About Flowhub Flowhub is the leading national cannabis retail software company that helps dispensaries by providing compliance, point of sale, payments, inventory tracking, and business intelligence solutions. As the first Metrc integrator with first-to-market mobile check in and inventory management applications, Flowhub processes over $3 billion in cannabis sales annually and empowers more than 1,000 cannabis retailers to simplify their daily dispensary workflows. Flowhub is proud to be a founding director of the U.S. Cannabis Council, an organization committed to advancing social equity and federal cannabis legalization. Flowhub has awarded over $3 million in free software products through its social equity program. Founded in Denver in 2015, Flowhub is a privately held, remote-first company. Investors include Headline, Poseidon, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, and Evolv Ventures (The Kraft Heinz Company venture arm), the founders of Venmo, and more. For more information visit flowhub.com . SOURCE Aeropay Ross & Baruzzini's Kansas City office has worked on notable projects over the past half-decade, including the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise and Research Center at the University of MissouriKansas City. ST. LOUIS , April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross & Baruzzini, a leading technology consulting and engineering firm in North America, celebrates five years in Kansas City, Missouri, this April. Kansas City was a natural next step for the St. Louis-based firm, which has offices throughout the country in locations such as Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, and Atlanta. "Our goal was to become a trustworthy and reputable engineering partner in the Kansas City area," says Bill Overturf, CEO of Ross & Baruzzini. "In order to serve important clients on the other side of the state, we wanted to expand our services and have support within the community on projects." Since opening, the Ross & Baruzzini Kansas City office has grown to 13 full-time team members, including seven registered mechanical, electrical, and fire protection engineers. It has also completed over 75 projects totaling $300+ million in combined construction costs. Most notably, the Kansas City team worked on the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise and Research Center at the University of MissouriKansas City, completed science laboratory renovations for Johnson County Community College, and handled renovations at the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. "Based on the success we've seen in Kansas City in a short time, we're excited to see what the future holds," says Dan Phelan, office director for Ross & Baruzzini's Kansas City office. "These projects helped demonstrate our ability to provide our clients with innovative solutions and exceptional service, particularly on challenging, multi-phase renovation projects. As our office continues to grow, we look forward to providing our clients with the full spectrum of our firm's engineering and consulting services to deliver leading-edge solutions to their most complex problems all while providing top-notch customer service." The Kansas City team plans to move to a larger office space in Overland Park, Kansas, to better serve its Missouri and Kansas clients while providing ample space for the growing team. The team is currently located in Prairie Village, Kansas. Ross & Baruzzini offers consulting and design expertise for various markets, including aviation, education, government, healthcare, mobility systems, and science and technology. The firm prides itself on combining its whole-building approach with personal service to solve client challenges and build a better world for everyone. "We have several exciting projects on the horizon, so I don't see our momentum in the Kansas City region slowing down," says Elizabeth Graff, business development director for Ross & Baruzzini's Midwest region. "With several upcoming projects at the University of Kansas Medical Center, University of MissouriKansas City, and Johnson County Community College in addition to several significant opportunities in the healthcare, science and technology, and public sectors I'm confident we'll continue to build on our successes for many years to come." About Ross & Baruzzini Ross & Baruzzini provides consulting and design expertise for diverse industries and plans the systems that enable buildings to perform, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, communications, and more. By ensuring that these systems are fully integrated with each other and with the building structure, Ross & Baruzzini helps people, equipment, and processes operate with maximum efficiency and value. Discover where innovation is made personal at rossbar.com. For more information about this topic, please contact CMO Eric Emmenegger at 314-391-2115 or [email protected]. Contact: Eric Emmenegger Ross & Baruzzini 314-391-2115 [email protected] SOURCE Ross & Baruzzini "Some of the primary growth drivers for this market are increasing emissions of GHGs, growing incentives for the development of alternative fuels, and surging cessation of World Bank financing for upstream oil and gas projects after 2019," says a senior analyst at Technavio. Awareness of environmental issues that are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels is increasing globally. The main sources of GHG emissions are transportation, electricity generation, and industrial activities. GHG emissions lead to drastic climate changes, a rise in global temperature, and an increase in sea levels. The benefits of using alternative fuels include lower pollution levels, a positive impact on the environment, and improvement in vehicle performance. Governments worldwide provide tax incentives to encourage the use of alternative fuels. These benefits are predicted to drive the growth of the alternative fuels market during the forecast period. However, the fluctuations in global crude oil prices will be a major challenge for the alternative fuels market during the forecast period. Over the years, global crude oil pricing has witnessed several fluctuations that do not follow any set pattern.The uncertainty in global oil and gas prices poses a challenge for the alternative fuels industry as these fluctuations in the oil and gas industry also leads to disparities in the demand for and supply of conventional fossil fuels, thereby affecting the demand for alternative fuels. Download Market Report Sample for Additional Analysis on Factors Influencing the Market Revenue-generating Segment Highlights The alternative fuels market has been segmented by application into automotive and aviation segments. The automotive market is currently highly dependent on fossil fuels for operation, and an increase in automotive sales is likely to lead to a similar rise in the demand for fuel. Revenue-generating Regional Segment Analysis 45% of the growth will originate from the APAC region. China, South Korea , and Japan are the key markets for alternative fuels in APAC. , and are the key markets for alternative fuels in APAC. The initiatives being taken to reduce carbon emissions will facilitate the alternative fuels market growth in APAC over the forecast period.Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. Download Sample Report and Know about Other Growth Contributing Segments Notes: The market is anticipated to record a YOY growth rate of 5.84% in 2022. Increasing use of natural gas in the transportation sector to emerge as key trend. The market is fragmented due to the presence of many established vendors holding significant market share. The research report offers information on several market vendors, including Ballard Power Systems Inc., Blossman Propane Gas and Appliance Inc., BP Plc, Chevron Corp., China Petrochemical Corp., CNOOC Ltd., ENGIE SA , Equinor ASA, Exxon Mobil Corp., Gevo Inc., Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., LanzaTech Inc., Neste Corp., Nuvera Fuel Cells LLC, OMV Aktiengesellschaft, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, PJSC Gazprom Neft, PJSC LUKOIL, Plug Power Inc., Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA, Red Rock Biofuels LLC, Shell plc, and UGI Corp. Get Sample Report Copy Right Here for getting a detailed report on each vendor Related Reports: Advanced Biofuel Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Biodiesel Market by Feedstock Type, Application, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Charcoal Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 LNG-as-a-fuel Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Alternative Fuels Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.97% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 66.89 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.84 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 45% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, South Korea, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Ballard Power Systems Inc., Blossman Propane Gas and Appliance Inc., BP Plc, Chevron Corp., China Petrochemical Corp., CNOOC Ltd., ENGIE SA, Equinor ASA, Exxon Mobil Corp., Gevo Inc., Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., LanzaTech Inc., Neste Corp., Nuvera Fuel Cells LLC, OMV Aktiengesellschaft, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, PJSC Gazprom Neft, PJSC LUKOIL, Plug Power Inc., Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN SA, Red Rock Biofuels LLC, Shell plc, and UGI Corp. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Content 1. Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Product Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2. Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 09: Parent market Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics 3. Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 12: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2021 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026 Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 4. Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five Forces Summary Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.7 Market condition Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026 5. Market Segmentation by Application 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Application Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Application 5.3 Automotive - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Automotive - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Automotive - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 30: Chart on Automotive - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Automotive - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Aviation - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Aviation - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Aviation - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 34: Chart on Aviation - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Aviation - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Application ($ billion) 6. Customer landscape Technavio's customer landscape matrix comparing Drivers or price sensitivity, Adoption lifecycle, importance in customer price basket, Adoption rate and Key purchase criteria 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7. Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 43: Data Table on APAC- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 44: Chart on APAC- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on APAC- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 47: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 48: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 China- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on China- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 63: Data Table on China- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 64: Chart on China- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 65: Data Table on China- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 US- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on US- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 67: Data Table on US- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 68: Chart on US- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 69: Data Table on US- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 Japan- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on UK- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 71: Data Table on Japan- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 72: Chart on Japan- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on Japan- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 Germany- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Germany- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 75: Data Table on Germany- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 South Korea- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on South Korea- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 79: Data Table on South Korea- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion) Exhibit 80: Chart on South Korea- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on South Korea- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 8. Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.1.1 Increasing emissions of GHGs 8.1.2 Incentives for the development of alternative fuels 8.1.3 Cessation of World Bank financing for upstream oil and gas projects after 2019 8.2 Market challenges 8.2.1 Fluctuations in global crude oil prices 8.2.2 Need for special infrastructure to support alternative fuels 8.2.3 Increasing emissions from airlines 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 8.4.1 Increasing use of natural gas in the transportation sector 8.4.2 Adoption of fuel cells in the transportation sector 8.4.3 Research on third-generation biofuels 9. Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio "We are deeply committed to being an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees feel respected, valued and driven to reach their full potential," said Tracey Gibson, vice president and chief diversity officer at Andersen. "We are proud to be recognized for the work we have accomplished and we will continue to make meaningful changes to support our current and future employees, better understand our customers, grow our business and improve the communities where we live and work." Last year, Andersen participated in the 2021 Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the first time, measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. In 2022, Andersen earned a top score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Furthering its inclusive and equitable workplace policies, in 2021, Andersen expanded benefits eligibility to same- and different-gender domestic partners and their children. Additionally, the company updated its parental leave to include added flexibility offering employees the ability to take their paid parental leave in one-week increments versus requiring employees to use it all at once. "Andersen was founded almost 120 years ago on the philosophy that every employee contributes to our success that we are stronger when we work 'all together' toward a shared mission. As we continue on our journey be a company everyone loves, we are honored by the Forbes recognition and remain dedicated to this important work that makes Andersen a special place to work for all," said Chris Galvin, Andersen president and chief operating officer. Andersen continues to build organizational capabilities to advance diversity, equity and inclusion goals through employee education, workplace policies and practices and community engagement. Recent initiatives include: 67 employees participated in a program to earn the designation of a Certified Diversity Executive, helping to champion diversity, equity and inclusion into day-to-day operations. 11 senior leaders completed a six-month transformational program sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on expanding equity. 38 employees of color participated in a seven-month development opportunity called Power of Choice, a program designed to accelerate talent and enhance retention of underrepresented talent. 48 employees participated in "English @ Work," onsite English language classes, available to Andersen employees at no cost, specifically designed to help an employee navigate the language of the business, support employees to build foundational skills that add value to their daily work and prepare them for future career paths and opportunities within Andersen. Creation of 10 employee resource networks that encourage personal and professional development, promote diversity and drive company and individual growth. Launching in 2022, Andersen will provide and cover the costs of a new GED Program which offers an advisor to all participants, including the option of a Spanish bilingual advisor. View the full list of Forbes Best Employer for Diversity 2022 award-winners. *2020 Andersen brand survey of U.S. homeowners ABOUT ANDERSEN WINDOWS & DOORS Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Every day, the company's more than 12,000 employees are empowered to imagine what's possible and do what's right. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style. Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, EMCO and MQ brands. Andersen, a privately held company, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2021 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersenwindows.com. SOURCE Andersen Corporation NAPLES, Fla., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Titans of American Business, today launched the International Order of T. Roosevelt in order to preserve Nature's precious resources through conservation, education, and stewardship in order that future generations may enjoy what the past has entrusted to our generations' care. The vision of this 501(c)3 is to follow the United States' heritage and use ingenuity to ensure a sustainable future for the world's most precious wildlife and their habitats. The Foundation has selected Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto as its new CEO. As the 22nd Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, she led the agency of 8,500 employees and managed over 850-million land and water acres for the benefit of the American people. As a sportswoman, lawyer and a biologist, she has the experience and expertise to lead The Order and deliver sustainable solutions to the most pressing wildlife and habitat challenges. The Foundation is following in the footsteps of President Teddy Roosevelt who in 1903, established the first national wildlife refuge at Pelican Island to protect pelicans, egrets, and ibises. Known as the father of America's Conservation Movement, President Roosevelt used his authority to preserve our nation's land resources by creating the National Park System and the Forest Service. Directors of The Order are committed to continuing President Roosevelt's legacy by contributing their wherewithal to the protection of vulnerable wildlife species and their habitats and to the education of youth and adults on practices designed to promote long-term sustainability. Through the exercise of all rights under the U.S. Constitution, and in partnership with organizations that share their values and priorities, the foundation will make a significant, positive environmental impact for generations to come. "I am humbled and excited to be leading this organization that will revolutionize the path toward positively impacting our most precious resources fish, wildlife, and their habitats," Giacometto commented. "Our success hinges on creating sustainable models aimed at preserving these species and their environmental surroundings. It's an honor to be working with this Board of successful business-minded individuals, who understand that ingenuity is the key to making a true and lasting difference, and that the most important element of environmental stewardship is when all people play a role." The Board of Directors include Wesley Bates, John Thodos, Lori Clem, Walter Boomer, Mike Ingram, Patrick Hogan, Bill Shields, Rick Steiner, Warren Sackman, Alan Sackman, Jim Mitchell, Randall Garrett, Dan Genter and Peter Larsen. "I am excited about the founding of the International Order of T. Roosevelt and to have Aurelia S. Giacometto at the helm," said President of The Order, Wesley Bates. "We will accept the challenges to bring back species on the brink of extinction, to educate youth about their heritage and the importance of ensuring that our wildlife and their habitats persist into the future, and we will work across other conservation organizations to strengthen the investment in our wildlife." The Order is continuing the tradition of hosting an annual convention, formerly known as the Shikar Safari Club International Foundation's Fundraiser, to raise awareness and support for major preservation projects. The inaugural Annual Fundraiser will be held April 27 - 29th, 2023, more details to follow at our website: www.T-Roosevelt.org For Press Inquiries Contact: Aurelia S. Giacometto CEO, The International Order of T. Roosevelt, [email protected] SOURCE International Order of T. Roosevelt NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ukraine's sovereignty, democracy, land, people, and culture have withstood a brutal attack by Russia in recent months, but now a new global coalition of AI-artists, digital innovators, educators, and advocates are teaming up to present MINT FOR UKRAINE - a first-of-its-kind, one-million piece AI-generated NFT collection to preserve Ukrainian art and raise aid and relief money. The collection can be viewed at https://mintforukraine.org #MintForUkraine Mint For Ukraine "There is no nation without its culture. Now with the help of AI and the blockchain, we have a chance to make pieces of Ukraine stay forever in the world's history. While we are fighting for the freedom of our country, join us in the fight for our culture and help Ukraine," said Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of the Kyiv School of Economics, former minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine, and Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Pittsburgh A joint effort by four Ukrainian Ministries (Digital Transformation, Culture, Health, Foreign Affairs), the Kyiv School of Economics Foundation, Artificial Intelligent Mind Collective, Ukraine.ua, Reface, Polygon, Polygon Studios, and OpenSea break all the rules of typical NFT launch. #MintForUkraine NFT collection is not only the largest art collection in history containing one million artworks, it can also be minted for free. The collection is created by visionary artist Phil Bosua and artificial intelligence. "I think the human/AI collaboration is the next great art movement. We now have a direct line from thought to expression and we can create as much art as we can imagine. When we pair these ideas with a global cultural crisis, art has the ability to cause change on a scale we've not yet imagined," comments Phil. This NFT collection is not solely for crypto-communities; because the attack on Ukraine affects us all, @MintForUkraine invites everyone to mint for free by easily creating a wallet and donating via the currency of choice or crypto. The website includes a How To Guide for those new to the crypto or web3 space, drawing on the themes of the project to engage and involve all who want to aid Ukraine and protect and preserve its culture. Additionally, for the first time, a partnership with NFT marketplace OpenSea is directing 100% of all resale value to relief efforts, making every NFT a perpetual fundraising vehicle for the relief effort. Up to 10% of donations are directed to support the Ukrainian culture (artists and cultural institutions), while the remaining 90% are devoted to humanitarian support of Ukraine, through the vetted network of charities. Help includes supply of medical kits, medical care and humanitarian support to citizens of Ukraine, grants for students, scientists and tech communities whose work was disrupted by the invasion. Further on, the funds will be used for the Ukraine recovery projects. As of April 18th, KSE Institute estimates the value of damaged infrastructure at USD 85 billion. The Ukrainian Government evaluates that at least USD 600 billion will be needed to rebuild the country including hundreds of schools, hospitals and thousands of residential buildings that were destroyed. "The enemy, devoured in their hysterical hatred for Ukraine, attempts to destroy everything. Our past, our present, our future. It is up to us to recover all those things," - said Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. The minting starts on April 28th - join the cause via: https://mintforukraine.org About the Kyiv School of Economics as a Founding Partner: In a world of colliding economic, political, technological, and nature-led forces, the Kyiv School of Economics is one of Ukraine's strongest business education institutions. The Kyiv School of Economics helps build the intellectual foundation for a strong and innovative economy of Ukraine, combining real-world practitioners, leading experts in business education, intellectual rigor, and academic excellence. About the team: A team consists of rockstar artists, expert AI engineers, amazing blockchain developers, and serial entrepreneurs preparing for a mission. Check out the full team at https://mintforukraine.org/about Contact: James Barnes 2022279171 [email protected] SOURCE Mint For Ukraine SUZHOU, China, and ROCKVILLE, MD, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK), a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancers, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and age-related diseases, today announced that updated results from seven studies involving the company's five novel drug candidates will be presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. The company will present clinical trials involving the third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) olverembatinib (HQP1351); as well as the following investigational agents: (1) Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax (APG-2575); (2) MDM-p53 inhibitor alrizomadlin (APG-115); (3) ALK inhibitor APG-2449; and (4) dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor pelcitoclax (APG-1252). The ASCO Annual Meeting showcases the most cutting-edge research in clinical oncology and state-of-the-art advanced cancer therapies and is the world's most influential and prominent scientific gathering of the clinical oncology community. This year's ASCO Annual Meeting will take place both online and in-person (McCormick Place; Chicago, IL) on June 37, 2022. "This is the fifth consecutive year in which Ascentage-sponsored clinical results have been selected for presentations at the ASCO Annual Meeting," said Dr. Yifan Zhai, Chief Medical Officer. "We are pleased to be offered a further opportunity to showcase our company's progress on multiple clinical trials and demonstrate our ample capabilities in global innovation and R&D," she said. "In addition to the updated results on lisaftoclax and alrizomadlin, two key drug candidates in our apoptosis-targeted pipeline, we will also release the first-in-human data of APG-2449, a promising drug candidate with potential as the first China-developed third-generation ALK inhibitor," according to Dr. Zhai. "We also look forward to disseminating new clinical data on recently approved third-generation TKI olverembatinib in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)," Dr. Zhai added. "We look forward to sharing these detailed results during the meeting. Moving forward, we will continue to accelerate these and other global clinical development programs, in an effort to expeditiously bring more therapeutic alternatives to patients as soon as possible." These seven clinical studies to be presented at this year's ASCO Annual Meeting are as follows: Olverembatinib (HQP1351): Promising antitumor activity of olverembatinib (HQP1351) in patients (pts) with tyrosine kinase inhibitor- (TKI-) resistant succinate dehydrogenase- (SDH-) deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Format: Poster Discussion Lisaftoclax (APG-2575): A phase Ib/II study of lisaftoclax (APG-2575), a novel BCL-2 inhibitor (BCL-2i), in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (R/R CLL/SLL). Format: Poster Presentation Phase Ib/II study of BCL-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax (APG-2575) safety and tolerability when administered alone or combined with a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor in patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER) breast cancer or advanced solid tumors. Format: Poster Presentation APG-115: Alrizomadlin (APG-115): Newly updated activity results of alrizomadlin (APG-115), a novel MDM2/p53 inhibitor, plus pembrolizumab: Phase 2 study in adults and children with various solid tumors. Format: Poster Discussion APG-2449: First-in-human phase I results of APG-2449, a novel FAK and third-generation ALK/ ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), in patients (pts) with second-generation TKI-resistant ALK/ROS1 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or mesothelioma. Format: Poster Presentation APG-1252: Pelcitoclax (APG-1252): Updated study results of pelcitoclax (APG-1252) in combination with osimertinib in patients (pts) with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Format: Poster Presentation First-in-human study of pelcitoclax (APG-1252) in combination with paclitaxel in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory small-cell lung cancer (R/R SCLC). Format: Online Publication About Ascentage Pharma Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK) is a globally focused biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancers, chronic hepatitis B, and age-related diseases. On October 28, 2019, Ascentage Pharma was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code 6855.HK. Ascentage Pharma focuses on developing therapeutics that inhibit protein-protein interactions to restore apoptosis, or programmed cell death. The company has built a pipeline of eight clinical drug candidates, including novel, highly potent Bcl-2, and dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitors, as well as candidates aimed at IAP and MDM2-p53 pathways, and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Ascentage Pharma is also the only company in the world with active clinical programs targeting all three known classes of key apoptosis regulators. The company is conducting more than 50 Phase I/II clinical trials in the US, Australia, Europe, and China. Olverembatinib, the company's core drug candidate developed for the treatment of drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), was granted Priority Review status and a Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and is already approved for the indication. In addition, olverembatinib was also granted an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and a Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the US FDA, and an Orphan Designation by the EU. To date, Ascentage Pharma has obtained a total of 15 ODDs, 2 FTDs, and 2 Rare Pediatric Disease (RPD) designations from the US FDA and 1 ODD from the EU for four of the company's investigational drug candidates. Ascentage Pharma has been designated for multiple Major National R&D Projects, including five National Major New Drug Discovery and Manufacturing projects, one New Drug Incubator status, four Innovative Drug Programs, and one Major Project for the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. Leveraging its robust R&D capabilities, Ascentage Pharma has built a portfolio of global intellectual property rights and entered into global partnerships with numerous renowned biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and research institutes such as UNITY Biotechnology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Merck, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer. The company has built a talented team with global experience in discovering, developing, launching, and commercializing innovative drugs and is setting up world-class commercial manufacturing and Sales & Marketing teams. One pivotal aim of Ascentage Pharma is to continuously strengthen its R&D capabilities and accelerate its clinical development programs, in order to fulfil its mission of addressing unmet clinical needs in China and around the world for the benefit of more patients. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, Ascentage Pharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development. SOURCE Ascentage Pharma With these permits issued by the head office of the Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD), ten autonomous vehicles without drivers behind the steering wheel will offer rides to passengers in a designated area of 60 square kilometers in Beijing. These licensed cars will join an existing fleet provided by Apollo Go, Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service, in the capital city of China. Starting April 28, 2022, users will be able to hail a driverless ride using the Apollo Go mobile app in daytime from 10:00 to 16:00. Currently, Baidu has the largest autonomous driving fleet in China. In expanding its driverless vehicle services, Baidu has worked to meet the unique technical challenges of Beijing's complex traffic environment. The company plans to add 30 more such vehicles at a later stage, expanding its fleet to provide more convenient driverless services to the public. The new permit represents Beijing's collaborative and safety-first approach to autonomous vehicle regulation, progressing from the manned autonomous driving stage to the driverless stage. It also represents a benchmark regulation for the global autonomous vehicle industry, given the complexity and high density of urban traffic in Beijing. Baidu's success in securing this regulatory permission can be attributed to its strong foundation in AI and its leading test-drive mileage. Baidu has a proven track record of over 27 million kilometers (16 million miles) of road testing accumulated in the past 9 years with zero traffic accidents, including mileage recorded by driverless test cars in multiple cities across China as well as in California. Today's announcement also brings Baidu closer to a scalable operation of autonomous ride-hailing services in Beijing. In September 2020, Baidu became the first company in Beijing to offer autonomous ride-hailing services. Starting in November of last year, Baidu has been charging fees for the Apollo Go autonomous services offered to the public under granted commercial permits, though safety operators are required in the driver's seat. Apollo Go has expanded to 9 cities in China since its first launch in 2020, including all first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou), and five other cities (Chongqing, Changsha, Cangzhou, Yangquan and Wuzhen). There have been 213,000 orders on Apollo Go in Q4 2021, making it the global leader by order volume. About Baidu Founded in 2000, Baidu's mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under "BIDU" and HKEX under "9888." One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares. SOURCE Baidu, Inc. TETIAROA, French Polynesia, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Climate Initiative (BCI) announced that its inaugural Blue Climate Summit for accelerating ocean-related solutions to climate change will take place in French Polynesia on May 14-20, 2022. This high-profile, global event will galvanize task forces, launch major announcements, present impact investment opportunities, and provide Pacific Islanders an international forum to spearhead action on ocean and climate issues. The program will focus on accelerating collaborative projects that target six missions: climate change mitigation, ocean protection, CO 2 removal, healthy blue communities, sustainable tourism, and improved ocean understanding. The Blue Climate Summit is an endorsed action of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and is co-hosted by the Government of French Polynesia. The Blue Climate Summit will be held in French Polynesian on May 14-20th to accelerated ocean-related solutions to climate change. The Summit is to be co-convened by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Marc Benioff, Nainoa Thompson, Laura Turner Seydel, and Dr. Andrew Forrest. Over 200 scientists, innovators, policymakers, business and financial experts, community leaders, and environmental and youth activists will come together to work on ocean and climate strategies. The event is an endorsed action of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development . Co-hosts and sponsors include the Government of French Polynesia, Atitia Center, Fare Natura, Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l'Environnement (CRIOBE), University of California Gump Research Station,Tetiaroa Society, The Brando, Pacific Beachcomber, Ponant, Air Tahiti Nui, Forsythia Foundation, Algenist, and others. The Summit will commence at the Presidential Palace on May 15 with a welcome address from French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch followed by the presentation of $1 million to BCI's Ocean Innovation Prize winners. Other events include a convening of Tahiti's voyaging canoe Fa'afaite, the legendary Hokulea, and Pwo navigators, including Nainoa Thompson, at the UNESCO World Heritage site Taputapuatea, and a public benefit concert on the Papeete waterfront. The concert will bring together international and local artists to raise public awareness and inspire action for ocean and climate. BCI will fully double offset the event's footprint by investing in a carbon sequestration project in the tropical IndoPacific and an emissions reduction project in French Polynesia. "Why is it important to organize the Blue Climate Summit in French Polynesia? Because we have the largest managed marine area in the world covering 5 million km; because we have the largest biosphere reserve in the French network covering 19,000 km; and because, above all, the people of the largest ocean continent carry a message to offer to the world. On the occasion of the Blue Climate Summit, I invite the world to come to French Polynesia, to listen to us, and above all, to hear us," says Mr. Edouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia. Read the full press release here . About Blue Climate Initiative Blue Climate Initiative, sponsored by the nonprofit organization Tetiaroa Society, accelerates ocean-based solutions to climate change. It enables innovation, research, and collaboration while protecting our oceans and unlocking solutions on urgent challenges like renewable energy, sustainable food supplies, improved human health, flourishing biodiversity, stewardship of the ocean's resources, and vibrant ocean economies. Contact Julie Mai Program Officer, Communications 7143168012 [email protected] Blueclimateinitiative.org SOURCE Blue Climate Initiative Bob Evans Farms Partners with Operation Purple Camp to Send 100 Additional Military Children to Summer Camp in 2022 Tweet this "We have long supported the men and women who serve our country, and believe it is equally important that our dedication extends to their families as well," said Thyme Hill, CMO of Bob Evans Farms. "We are proud to amplify our initiative with a commitment to Operation Purple camp and provide military kids the opportunity to be celebrated for the sacrifices they make. We understand that when parents serve, kids serve, too. With frequent moves and long-distance parenting, children of those serving in the military face uncertainty and constant change. In their own way, their lives also provide service to their country, which is why we are growing 'Our Farm Salutes' to include a new program focused on helping military families." "Bob Evans Farms has been a great partner to the military, and we are thrilled that their donation will help Operation Purple welcome additional campers this year," said Besa Pinchotti, Executive Director and CEO of National Military Family Association. "We thank Bob Evans Farms for recognizing the important role military kids play and allowing us the opportunity to provide them with fun experiences that can help them adapt to the everchanging military lifestyle." For more information on Our Farm Salutes and the Purple Heroes program, visit bobevansgrocery.com/our-farm-salutes and for more information about Bob Evans Farms, visit www.bobevansgrocery.com. About Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is a brand born and raised on the promise of farm-fresh goodness. For more than 70 years, the company has been making delicious, quick-to-table, farm-fresh food that is sold in grocery stores all over the country. Today, Bob Evans brand mashed potatoes and macaroni & cheese products are the #1 selling refrigerated side dishes in the United States*. Based in Columbus, Ohio and owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company, Bob Evans Farms is also a leading producer and distributor of refrigerated potato, pasta and vegetable-based side dishes, pork sausage, and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans, Owens and Pineland Farms brand names. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com. * SOURCE: IRI Total US MULO Latest 52 W/E 03/20/22 About NMFA The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving all military families. Since 1969, NMFA has worked to strengthen and protect millions of families through its advocacy and programs. They provide spouse scholarships, camps for military kids, and retreats for families reconnecting after deployment and for the families of the wounded, ill, or injured. NMFA serves the families of the currently serving, veteran, retired, wounded or fallen members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA. To get involved or to learn more, visit www.MilitaryFamily.org. SOURCE Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Starting the week of May 9, Chipotle will randomly select 2,000 medical professionals tagged in fans' comments to receive free Chipotle for a year. Chosen healthcare heroes will be notified through direct messages. "The morale of our healthcare heroes becomes more and more important each year," said Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer. "With the help of our fans, we're starting a movement for genuine recognition of our medical professionals that will fuel many of them with real food for a full year." Round Up for Healthcare Heroes Starting today, Chipotle is featuring the American Nurses Foundation in its real change platform on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com. Through May 31, guests can round-up their change to the next highest dollar amount on the app or website to help provide support for nurses across the country. In 2021, Chipotle gave away 250,000 burritos to healthcare heroes and invited fans to thank medical professionals in their community through a virtual thank you wall. The brand also launched a gift card program where 10% of special egift card purchases were donated to the American Nurses Foundation. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & DC, 13 years or older (minors must have parental consent). Enter between approximately 12:01 am PT on 4/28/22 approximately 11:59 pm PT on 5/6/22. Enter by nominating a healthcare professional. Limit: 1 nominee per comment. For Official Rules including how to enter, definition of healthcare professional, entry limitations, odds, and prize descriptions visit https://chipotle.com/healthcareheroes. Sponsor: CMG Strategy Co., LLC ABOUT CHIPOTLE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over 3,000 restaurants as of March 31, 2022, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognized on the 2022 list for Fortune's Most Admired Companies. With over 100,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM. SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. LAS VEGAS, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CISEVE, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, has announced that they are one of the first ten companies to be authorized by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) as a CMMC Certified Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). According to the President, Andrew Erne, "This is the culmination of a corporatewide effort to ensure that we not only met the CMMC Level II requirements but improved on them. When further asked how there is room for improvement, Mr. Erne expressed that not everything published as "cyber secure" meets the resiliency standards that CISEVE places on itself. "We improved upon many of the controls because strengthening them makes our environment that much more secure.," commented Mr. Erne. Michael Dempsey, the COO for CISEVE, was tasked with applying his extensive knowledge of NIST, ISO and assessment methodology to CISEVE's commitment to helping secure our nation. According to Mr. Dempsey, "The uptick in Cyber threats and hacks against both the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and private companies within the United States propelled CISEVE to enter the CMMC ecosystem," Dempsey continued. "It was our goal to enter the CMMC space to bring our extensive experience to helping the DIB and subsequently the United States." CMMC requires that all defense contractors be evaluated every three years. "We as a nation should be striving to lead the world in cybersecurity and that starts with CMMC," commented Mr. Dempsey. While the Department of Defense (DoD) has not begun allowing companies to be assessed by C3PAOs, CISEVE is ready to assist organizations in their preparation. CISEVE is uniquely qualified to provide consulting and recommendations to clients implementing the CMMC processes. Additionally, CISEVE has the "secret sauce" that allowed them to pass their assessment efficiently and effectively with no Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&MS) and 100 percent compliance. When pressed for more information, Mr. Dempsey commented, "We will be releasing the "recipe" shortly, as CISEVE is committed to helping the DIB." He added, "We are staggering the release and currently focused on assisting other candidate C3PAOs." For more information see www.CISEVE.com .CISEVE obviously has a validated grasp on cybersecurity, but their commitment to the community, the DIB, and the nation is starkly different than the average company. CISEVE fully intends to not only participle, but also to be a key player in its advancement. SOURCE CISEVE The Citadel Heart of Learning Award program started 21 years ago in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to recognize local teachers who show dedication in and outside of the classroom with a unique sense of heart and dedication. The award also specifically spotlights teachers who go above and beyond to foster connection with students and ensure the desire to learn is never compromised. This is the first year there will be an in-person event now that the program has fully expanded to the full Greater Philadelphia region. All 31 winners receive a hand-blown glass heart award, $1,000 to spend in their classrooms, gift cards, prizes, and will be honored at Citadel's Award Ceremony at the Mann Center on May 2. In addition, three (3) Grand Prize winners each receives an additional $4,000 to use in their classroom and $5,000 for their school, along with a colorful Grand Prize glass heart. Each Grand Prize Winner will give an acceptance speech. "Citadel is proud to recognize 31 educators who each has a unique background and their own story. Across Greater Philadelphia, our counties, towns, and districts have varied challenges and students with diverse needs. What all areas have in common is there are dedicated teachers building strength in education," said Mike Schnably, Senior Vice President, Citadel Credit Union. "Celebrating teachers, the unsung heroes who mold our children, continues to be one of Citadel's proudest moments as an organization each year." Citadel Heart of Learning Award 2021-22 Winners by Grade Level: Level Name of Winner School Elementary School Elena Carlson Gladwyne Elementary Elementary School Shawntae Brabham Disston Elementary Elementary School Michelle Jacobs Warwick Elementary Elementary School Matt Rogers Salisbury Elementary Elementary School Miriam Coppola Wayne Elementary Elementary School Amy Hess French Creek Elementary Elementary School Jason Baughman Jordan Bank Elementary Elementary School Jennifer Burns Robeson Elementary Center Elementary School Dawn Oldenski Chadds Ford Elementary Elementary School Deb Rooney Bradford Heights Elementary Elementary School Jennifer Franz Sarah Starkweather Elementary Level Name of Winner School Middle School Riley Paolino Rudolph Blankenburg Middle School Kristi Gases Maple Point Middle School Middle School Ryan Hipp Donegal Junior High Middle School Linda Homer Darby Township Middle School Lisa Adamski Scott Sixth Grade Center Middle School George Hankins Colonial Middle School Middle School Lisa Gray Phoenixville Middle School Level Name of Winner School High School Marissa Regad Central Bucks HS West High School Veronica Vladimirova-Cambria Harriton High School High School Louis Lozzi Paul Robeson High School High School Elyse Minder JPMcCaskey High School High School Chrissa Kuntz Penncrest High School High School Mike Deegan Mastery Charter Harrity Upper School High School Kyle Sollenberger TCHS Brandywine High School Michael Kowalski Avon Grove High School High School Kyle Hess Great Valley High School High School Wendy Kotz Kennett High School High School Kelly Holub Octorara Junior/Senior High School High School Orlando Carvajal Conestoga High School High School Dante Coles Malvern Preparatory High School The Citadel Heart of Learning Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 2 from 7:30-9:00 at the Mann Center. There will be three student performances from the following groups; MadBeatz Drumline of West Philadelphia, CAPA Octet of Philadelphia, and the Downingtown East Accapella. Stay tuned for the reveal of the Grand Prize winners, which will be announced following the event. To learn more, visit CitadelHeartofLearning.com About Citadel Credit Union Citadel Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution that provides banking, investments, and insurance services to more than 220,000 members. At over $4.6 billion in assets, it is one of the Greater Philadelphia area's largest credit unions, proudly serving residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Citadel is recognized as a Forbes 2021 Best-in-State Credit Union and ranked first in the 2021 Callahan & Associates Return of the Member scoring index among all credit unions in Pennsylvania. In addition, Citadel has been named one of the best performing credit unions in the nation by SNL Financial. For more information, visit CitadelBanking.com . SOURCE Citadel Credit Union 100 Holocaust Survivors Participated In A Powerful Video Op-Ed Commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day Asking The World To Remember The Past So It Does Not Become Our Future NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gideon Taylor, President of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), today published the 100 Words project, a video Op-Ed made by 100 Holocaust survivors asking the world to stand with them and remember on Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah). Gideon Taylor, President of the Claims Conference, said, "The world is full of strife from the pandemic to the crisis happening in Ukraine on remembrance days like Yom HaShoah, it is so important to stop and reflect. The call to action these survivors put forth today is not only one of remembrance, but one of action, a reminder that we do not have to be bystanders. We can all stand up in our own way and we can choose to not let our collective history repeat itself." The 100 Word Project statement declared by Holocaust survivors around the world: Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day We all survived the Holocaust We are here to give voice to the six million Jews who were murdered We are a reminder unchecked hatred can lead to actions, actions to genocide Just over 75 years ago, one-third of the world's Jews were systematically murdered Among them, over 1.5 million children were killed in the name of indifference, intolerance, hate Hatred for what was feared Hatred for what was different We must remember the past or it will become our future On Holocaust Remembrance Day we ask the world to stand with us and remember The Claims Conference has published many survivor-led campaigns over the years, including their most recent #DontBeABystander campaign - a campaign highlighting Righteous rescuers, the non-Jews who saved Jews during the Holocaust, reminding everyone that standing-by while hatred goes unchecked is a choice. This call to action from Holocaust survivors in these 100 words is unmistakable; no matter what is going on in the world, it is our moral imperative to take time for remembrance. Greg Schneider, Claims Conference Executive Vice President, said, "The reminder survivors are giving us in this statement isn't just about remembering the past. This is a call to action to ensure our past does not become our future. We were especially touched that Ukrainian survivors we recently evacuated wanted to participate, despite their upheaval." Schneider continued, "More than six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust one and a half million of them were children, murdered just because they were Jewish. Our task is to remember those we lost, care for those who survived, and educate future generations so that the atrocities of the Holocaust are never again repeated." Survivors from around the world participated in the powerful statement including survivors from the United States, Germany, Israel, France, England, Ukraine, and Canada. In addition to the Holocaust survivors, a handful of social welfare agencies supported this project including: Amcha Rehovot Israel; American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC); Bikur Cholim Chesed Organization; Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children's Services of Palm Beach County; Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County; Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island; Jewish Family Service of Colorado; Jewish Family Service Houston; Jewish Family and Children's Services of Northern NJ; Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley; Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, Inc.; Selfhelp Community Services; The Association of Jewish Refugees of Great Britain; and The Central Welfare Board of Jews in Germany, Budge Stiftung. "I am so proud to be one of the 100 Holocaust survivors participating in this video op-ed reminding those watching that hate must not remain unchecked and that remembrance is vital," stated Abe Foxman, Holocaust survivor and member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. "As a survivor, not only do I know what happens when evil is allowed to flourish, I also know the urgency of continuing to tell the world of the atrocities that allowed one-third of a population to be murdered. Only through remembrance can we be sure this will never happen again." Selfhelp Community Services CEO Stuart Kaplan stated, "Holocaust survivors are eager to add their voice to campaigns like the 100 Words project. For each and every survivor, remembrance and education are their legacy. This is how they ensure that future generations will remember and will not have to live through the hatred they endured." To see the 100 Words video statement and a complete list of Holocaust survivors who participated in the project, please visit: https://www.claimscon.org/100words/ The video will also be live on our Facebook page: https://fb.watch/cCNEeWbIhv/ In addition to the work being done to empower survivors to share their voice during this year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Claims Conference has been working to support survivors impacted by the crisis in Ukraine. Through a close partnership with the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) on the ground, the Claims Conference has ensured everything from advanced funding to humanitarian supplies, and evacuations, and will continue to do so throughout the conflict. For more information about the Claims Conference, please visit: www.claimscon.org About the Claims Conference: The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), a nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Israel and Germany, secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world. Founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organizations, the Claims Conference negotiates for and disburses funds to individuals and organizations and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust. As a result of negotiations with the Claims Conference since 1952, the German government has paid more than $90 billion in indemnification to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. In 2021, the Claims Conference distributed approximately $820 million in compensation to over 210,000 survivors in 83 countries and allocated over $650 million in grants to over 300 social service agencies worldwide that provide vital services for Holocaust survivors, such as homecare, food and medicine. SOURCE Claims Conference Federal judge greenlights trial against Starbucks over allegations that it racially profiled a Black customer before sending him to the hospital on a stretcher WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday March 25, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejected the latest attempt by Starbucks Corporation to avoid a trial on claims by Harold Stanley Jackson arising from an incident that occurred in one of its stores in April 2018. According to Mr. Jackson, Starbucks employees racially profiled him, falsely accused him of shoplifting, and shoved him to the ground when he refused to leave the store. Mr. Jackson was rendered unconscious and taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2022. After the close of a lengthy discovery process involving the exchange of documents (including surveillance video) and depositions of several witnesses, Starbucks Corporation moved for summary judgment on the grounds that no reasonable juror could find the company liable. In a meticulous 31-page opinion [clintonpeed.com], Judge Rudolph Contreras held that Mr. Jackson's claims could move forward. The opinion, among other things: Cited sworn testimony from the shift supervisor on duty during the incident, who testified under oath that some of the staff believed that the white manager "'had implicit bias,' as demonstrated by referring to black employees as 'ratchet,' 'ghetto,' and 'savage' when they did not perform well." Quoted testimony by the same supervisor asserting that the other Starbucks employees "were surprised" that Mr. Jackson had a white girlfriend, "because 'she was a white lady . . . she looked all right, and he was a black man, and he looked a little beat up or grungy and they were together.'" Held that the evidence of racial discrimination "is bolstered by evidence of bias both in Starbucks nationwide" and that particular store, noting that "[a]round the same time as this incident, Starbucks employees in Philadelphia called the police on two black men in an incident the company's CEO acknowledged as 'reprehensible.'" called the police on two black men in an incident the company's CEO acknowledged as 'reprehensible.'" Rejected what the Court called Starbucks's "primary argument": that black people cannot discriminate against other black people as a matter of law. Acknowledging "that a shared racial identity may undermine an inference of discriminatory intent," the court recognized that a shared race "do[es] not foreclose the possibility that an individual might discriminate against someone of their own race." (Of course, this argument was inapplicable to the actions of the white store manager, "whose actions allegedly contributed to Mr. Jackson's injuries.") Adopted the reasoning of a recent Fourth Circuit opinion that described the nuanced ways in which discrimination can manifest: "[I]t is unlikely today that an actor would explicitly discriminate under all conditions; it is much more likely that, where discrimination occurs, it does so in the context of more nuanced decisions that can be explained based upon reasons other than illicit bias, which, though perhaps implicit, is no less intentional. . . . [I]mposing unique burdens or stereotypical expectations upon an individual based upon her membership in a protected group is illicit discrimination, even though the defendant may not discriminate consistently against every woman or minority under all conditions." Woods v. City of Greensboro , 855 F.3d 639, 651-52 (4th Cir. 2017). woman or minority under conditions." , 855 F.3d 639, 651-52 (4th Cir. 2017). Became (we believe) the third trial court opinion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia adopting the test for discrimination in the retail context as articulated in Callwood v. Dave & Buster's Inc. , 98 F. Supp. 2d 694, 704-08 (D. Md. 2000). adopting the test for discrimination in the retail context as articulated in , 98 F. Supp. 2d 694, 704-08 (D. Md. 2000). Noted that "[t]his is not one of the rare cases in which a plaintiff's testimony is so undermined by other evidence in the record that the Court can set it aside at the summary judgment stage." Acknowledged that, in the context of the D.C. Human Rights Act: "Discrimination on the basis of race and discrimination on the basis of personal appearance are not mutually exclusive, and in some instances may in fact reinforce each other." The Court also ruled that several of Mr. Jackson's other claims (e.g., negligence and battery) can proceed to trial. Copies of the parties' briefs, and the evidence on which they rely, may be accessed through Pacer. Tim Clinton, lead counsel on the case, is the founding partner of Clinton & Peed. Tim handles cases in a broad range of legal and factual contexts, including complex commercial and contract disputes, civil rights and discrimination cases, personal injury and medical malpractice, and high-profile criminal defense matters. This case marks the latest in a long history of Clinton & Peed's deep and abiding commitment to the cause of civil rights and equal justice under the law. SOURCE Clinton & Peed In her book, Caught in the Storm of War: Memoirs of a War Reporter, (En Fuego Cruzado: Memorias de una Reportera de Guerra) , the journalist recounts her personal experience and contributes a female point of view to what she witnessed from the trenches of the FARC, the paramilitaries, and the government at the turn of the 20th century. Aristizabal's words seek to pay homage to the victims of the conflict; "it is a book that also seeks to pay homage to the journalists murdered in Colombia". The author will join the Colombian Minister of Culture, Angelica Mayolo, in an interactive conversation. The presentation of this book is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th, at Corferias (hall 6, 1st floor, 314 A stand). The book, published by Intermedio Editores, will be launched at the International Book Fair of Bogota (FILBo) -Feria Internacional del Libro de Bogota (FILBo). The event will be organized into two phases: the first, a conversation held with the minister of culture, Angelica Mayolo, about the new roles and challenges that exemplary women have assumed in the cultural, social and political fields (12:00 pm to 12:45 pm); and a second phase for the books' signing by the author (1:00 pm to 2:00 pm) in the stand of Intermedio Editores. At present, the renowned journalist is the CEO and Founder of iVoice Communications, a global public relations agency which she started in 2013. Adriana Aristizabal holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, a master's degree in Administrative Science, and a master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. In 2020, HOLA! Magazine (la revista HOLA ! ) selected her as one of the 100 most influential Latinas in the United States. Through her company, and since 2017, Adriana Aristizabal has served as spokesperson for NYC & Company, the organization that promotes New York City worldwide. During the Covid-19 pandemic, her work for New York City was highly relevant. Adriana was one of the key Hispanic voices supporting the reopening of the tourism industry, a sector that, in 2019, received 66.6 million visitors, created 400,000 jobs, and generated $70 billion-revenue for New York City. Adriana has been a news anchor for NY1 Noticias, a flagship TV station in the Big Apple, as well as a guest columnist for the Huffington Post, Thrive Global and a lecturer at various universities in the United States. In 2017, she joined the 50 Latinas Mas Poderosas ( 50 Most Powerful Latinas) event as a panelist at Columbia University, chosen by Fortune Magazine and the ALPHA organization. Likewise, last March, Revista Forbes invited her to the first international women's summit held in the United Arab Emirates, where Adriana had the opportunity to share her life lessons learned during her career. MEDIA ASSETS HERE Book cover https://spaces.hightail.com/space/yFBGH9IjM2 Photos https://spaces.hightail.com/space/La9MB33chU Video https://spaces.hightail.com/space/YSrHw6537A ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR OF BOGOTA FILBo For 34 years, FILBo has brought together all relevant actors in the book industry (authors, publishers, editors, proofreaders, translators, distributors, agents, and booksellers) who, together with readers, make up this book ecosystem that grows stronger and stronger every year. Since 1998, the Colombian Book Chamber and Corferias have hosted the Bogota International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro de Bogota), a successful alliance that has positioned this cultural event as one of the most important in the Spanish-speaking world. This fair has been the most relevant and longest running cultural event in Colombia and the second largest book fair in Latin America for a long time. Personalities like Nobel Prize winners Svetlana Aleksievich, Jose Saramago, J.M. Coetzee, and Mario Vargas Llosa have taken part in this event, among others. ABOUT INTERMEDIO EDITORES Intermedio Editores is a publishing house created from Circulo de Lectores. This publishing company has been in the Colombian market for over 45 years. It is part of the media group of El Tiempo Casa Editorial. Intermedio has published books by influential journalists who show us unique ways of interpreting the world and the situation of Colombia through their stories, interviews, columns and chronicles. They have also published books of general interest in various genres: journalistic chronicles, narrative, children's and young people's literature, as well as self-help. For further information, please contact: Daniela Botero iVoice Communications [email protected] +57 (311) 363-0802 Gabriela Ibanez Intermedio Editores, [email protected] +57 (319) 784-0321 SOURCE iVoice Communications Based on in-depth research with underserved consumers, Commonwealth's design resources provide practical insights for developing products as a lever to improve financial security BOSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Commonwealth , a national nonprofit that builds solutions to enable financial security and wealth building for all, has launched a resource center for inclusive product design for fintech and financial services. The resource center presents actionable insights and recommendations based on more than 20 years of research with people living on low to moderate (LMI) incomes, who are disproportionately female, Black and Latinx. Commonwealth's insights address the systemic issues that can be barriers to developing financial products that serve the needs, wants and aspirations of LMI people. "Inclusive, human-centered product design is an invaluable lever for improving financial security and opportunity for people traditionally left out of the financial system," said Commonwealth Co-Founder and Executive Director Timothy Flacke. "Ultimately, building more inclusive products is a pathway for closing the racial and gender wealth gaps, and core to our mission of achieving financial security and wealth for all." While having access to great products doesn't replace access to financial resources particularly for systematically excluded groups there is an opportunity for product designers to serve the unique needs of LMI customers and increase engagement through inclusive design. Commonwealth's research, made possible with the support of MetLife Foundation, along with real world field testing, demonstrates that more inclusive design must account for consumers' present and historical context. Commonwealth's resource center highlights the benefits and importance of inclusive product design and outlines four foundational design principles: designing for system change, fostering agency, designing for dignity, and focusing on aspirations not just the present situation. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the tools and insights to practically design financial and benefits products that can address systemic financial inequities. "Commonwealth's inclusive design toolkit presents a tremendous opportunity for product designers to more effectively support the needs of those who are financially underserved," said Tia Hodges, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "MetLife Foundation is proud to support Commonwealth as they deliver these actionable insights to the financial services industry." The insights from Commonwealth focus on: Framing financial security as a journey, including providing support at important moments, building steps and fostering agency. Connecting to community, including leveraging community networks to inspire and connecting consumers with resources and knowledge Tapping into positive aspirations and values, including centering goals around values and individualizing the experience. For more information on Commonwealth's resource center for inclusive design, visit: https://buildcommonwealth.org/our-work/beyond-financial-factors/inclusive-product-design . There, you can view the current insights and sign up to be notified of new research or updates. About Commonwealth Commonwealth is a national nonprofit building financial security and opportunity for financially vulnerable people through innovation and partnerships. Black, Latinx, and female-led households disproportionately experience financial insecurity due in large part to longstanding, systemic racism and gender discrimination. Addressing these issues is critical to Commonwealth's work of making wealth possible for all. For nearly two decades, Commonwealth has designed effective innovations, products, and policies enabling over 1.5 million people to accumulate more than $6 billion in savings. Commonwealth understands that broad changes require market players to act. That's why we collaborate with consumers, the financial services industry, employers, policymakers, and mission-driven organizations. The solutions we build are grounded in real life, based on our deep understanding of people who are financially vulnerable and how businesses can best serve them. To learn more, visit us at www.buildcommonwealth.org . About MetLife Foundation At MetLife Foundation, we are committed to expanding opportunities for low- and moderate-income people around the world. We partner with nonprofit organizations and social enterprises to create financial health solutions and build stronger communities, while engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help drive impact. Since 1976, MetLife Foundation has contributed nearly $1 billion to build stronger communities. Our financial health work has reached more than 17.3 million low- and moderate-income individuals in 42 markets. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit metlife.com . CONTACT: Kristen Elworthy [email protected] 978 539 7171 SOURCE Commonwealth SHANGHAI, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CooTek (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: CTK) ("CooTek" or the "Company"), a global mobile internet company, today announced that it plans to change the ratio of its American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") to its Class A ordinary shares (the "ADS Ratio"), from the current ADS Ratio of one (1) ADS to fifty(50) Class A ordinary shares to a new ADS Ratio of one (1) ADS to six hundred and fifty (650) Class A ordinary shares. For CooTek's ADS holders, the change in the ADS Ratio will have the same effect as a one-for-thirteen (13) reverse ADS split. A post-effective amendment to the ADS Registration Statement on Form F-6 will be filed with the SEC to reflect the change in the ADS Ratio. The Company anticipates that the change in the ADS Ratio will be effective on or about May 9, 2022 (U.S. Eastern Time), subject to the effectiveness of the post-effective amendment to the ADS Registration Statement on Form F-6 on or before that date. Each ADS holder of record at the close of business on the date when the change in ADS Ratio is effective will be required to surrender and exchange every 13 existing ADSs then held for one (1) new ADS. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the depositary bank for CooTek's ADS program, will arrange for the exchange of the current ADSs for the new ones. CooTek's ADSs will continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CTK." No fractional new ADSs will be issued in connection with the change in the ADS Ratio. Instead, fractional entitlements to new ADSs will be aggregated and sold by the depositary bank and the net cash proceeds from the sale of the fractional ADS entitlements (after deduction of fees, taxes and expenses) will be distributed to the applicable ADS holders by the depositary bank. The change in the ADS Ratio will have no impact on CooTek's underlying Class A ordinary shares, and no Class A ordinary shares will be issued or cancelled in connection with the change in the ADS Ratio. As a result of the change in the ADS Ratio, the ADS trading price is expected to increase proportionally, although the Company can give no assurance that the ADS trading price after the change in the ADS Ratio will be equal to or greater than 13 times the ADS trading price before the change. About CooTek (Cayman) Inc. CooTek is a mobile internet company with a global vision that offers content-rich mobile applications, focusing on three categories: online literature, scenario-based content apps and mobile games. CooTek's mission is to empower everyone to enjoy relevant content seamlessly. CooTek's user-centric and data-driven approach has enabled it to release appealing products to capture mobile internet users' ever-evolving content needs and helps it rapidly attract targeted users. For more information on CooTek, please visit https://ir.cootek.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident," "optimistic" and similar statements. CooTek may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about CooTek's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: CooTek's mission and strategies; future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; the expected growth of the mobile internet industry and mobile advertising industry; the expected growth of mobile advertising; expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; competition in mobile application and advertising industry; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the industry and the development and impacts of COVID-19. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and CooTek does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law. For further information, please contact: CooTek (Cayman) Inc. Mr. Robert Yi Cui Email: [email protected] ICA Investor Relations (Asia) Limited Mr. Kevin Yang Phone: +86-21-8028-6033 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE CooTek (Cayman) Inc. San Diego Trial Lawyer Craig R. McClellan has been selected as a member of the Lawdragon 2022 Hall of Fame class. SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Craig R. McClellan, a renowned civil trial lawyer and Founder of The McClellan Law Firm, has been inducted into the Lawdragon 500 Hall of Fame. Established in 2015, the Lawdragon Hall of Fame shines a spotlight on attorneys who've demonstrated unparalleled success in their areas of expertise and whose contributions to the practice of law are well known and respected by peers. Inductees are selected from a variety of legal professions from the plaintiffs' bar, corporate litigation, and dealmaking to public interest work and academia. McClellan, a plaintiffs' trial lawyer, is joined by fellow honorees such as Supreme Court Justice Steven Breyer and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. After being featured year-after-year in Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers guide, McClellan's selection to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame is a testament to a career spent fighting for the injured and wronged. About Craig McClellan Craig R. McClellan is a nationally recognized civil trial lawyer and one of Southern California's most successful litigators. He's the first and only San Diego lawyer to become a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invite-only group of the nation's top 100 plaintiffs' attorneys, and is a respected authority in matters of products liability, auto defects, serious personal injury, and other complex civil claims. As Founder of San Diego-based The McClellan Law Firm, McClellan has recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for plaintiffs, including over 140 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million each. He's litigated against some of the nation's largest corporations and insurance carriers and has secured results that have set records, shaped the practice of law, and inspired important legislation. This includes a defective product case litigated against Ford Motor Co. that became the impetus for legislation that now protects consumers in California against the dangers of lap-only seat belts. In addition to his inclusion in Lawdragon guides, McClellan has accumulated many other distinctions. Year after year, he's been selected to annual listings published by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, in which he's also garnered awards such as the Plaintiffs Product Liability of the Year, and has helped his firm earn yearly inclusion in U.S. News' "Best Law Firms" rankings. Most recently, McClellan was inducted into the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. For more information about Craig McClellan and The McClellan Law Firm, visit: www.McClellanLaw.com. Media Contact: Craig McClellan [email protected] SOURCE The McClellan Law Firm FREMONT, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Privacera , the unified data access governance leader founded by the creators of Apache Ranger, is accelerating growth in 2022 as the data governance, security and privacy industry continues its rapid expansion. Foundational to the growth is the executive leadership additions of Jabari Norton as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Alliances and Slawek Ligier as Senior Vice President of Engineering. Norton and Ligier are part of a rapid period of employment growth at Privacera, which has tripled its team since the beginning of 2021. The company has also grown its footprint among Fortune 100 customers and expanded strategic relationships with partners like AWS, Snowflake, Databricks, Starburst and Dremio. "Now is a pivotal time for businesses to prepare themselves for the future and take control of their data," Privacera CEO Balaji Ganesan said. "Privacera is trusted by dozens of Fortune 1,000 companies to automate sensitive data discovery and simplify high-fidelity data access policy enforcement across modern analytical workloads. We've seen tremendous growth in the last year and are positioned to help even more customers get up to speed and stay compliant." To support the growth of the business, as SVP of Worldwide Sales and Alliances, Norton brings 20-plus years of sales leadership experience in multiple high growth SaaS companies. Norton has a track record of driving early and mid-stage companies to successful IPOs. Prior to joining Privacera, he was VP of WW Partner Sales and Alliances at Sumo Logic. His previous experience includes time with firms in both security and data analytics including Confluent; MapR; ScanSafe (now Cisco); Qualys; and Postini (now Google). Norton holds a BS in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis. Ligier brings more than 20 years of executive experience managing product development, engineering and operations. Most recently he was focused on building cyber security solutions for enterprises of all sizes. He was part of the executive team bringing new and innovative products to the market at companies such as McAfee, Skyhigh, Barracuda, Safenet, Symantec and Verisign. He is a sought after speaker at industry events and appears frequently on both local and national news stations, bringing security awareness to the general public. "Adding experienced leaders like Jabari and Slawek to our existing management group is exciting for Privacera as we look to continue our rapid expansion and move into the future," Ganesan said. "Jabari will be pivotal in driving new business and Slawek's knowledge and expertise will help take our development team to the next level." The company continues to rack up awards and recognition. In February 2021, Privacera was named an Enterprise Tech 30 (ET30) by Wing Ventures. It was recognized as one of an elite set of companies that has "the most potential to tectonically shift how enterprises operate for the better." Privacera was selected from more than 15,000 venture-backed, enterprise technology startups that cannot lobby or submit themselves. Also in 2021, CRN named Privacera to its 2021 Emerging Vendors list. Privacera was later awarded in the Datanami Readers' and Editors' Choice Awards in the Top 3 Data and AI Startups category. About Privacera Privacera's SaaS-based data security and governance platform enables analytics teams to access data without compromising compliance with regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and HIPAA. Privacera provides a single pane of glass for securing sensitive data across multiple cloud services such as AWS, Azure, Databricks, GCP, Starburst and Snowflake. Privacera's platform is utilized by Fortune 500 customers across finance, insurance, life sciences, retail, media, consumer industries and federal agencies/government to automate sensitive data discovery and easily manage high-fidelity policy management at petabyte scale on-prem and in the cloud. Headquartered in Fremont, California, Privacera was founded in 2016 by the creators of Apache Ranger. SOURCE Privacera Firms combine national and local expertise to bring innovative solutions to Central United States SANTA ANA, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DATAMARK, the public safety geographic information systems (GIS) team of Michael Baker International, announced today that the firm has entered into a strategic partnership with Spatial Data Research (SDR), a Kansas-based GIS services firm with experience in public safety and Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1). With a combined 120 years of experience between the two companies, the partnership will provide innovative support to rural customers and accelerate NG9-1-1 GIS adoption for urban and metropolitan customers. "NG9-1-1 will create a robust infrastructure for providing emergency services, ultimately leading to increased public safety. However, with public safety and NG9-1-1, we recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable," said Jason Bivens, ENP, Vice President of DATAMARK, Michael Baker International. "DATAMARK and SDR's deep bench of GIS professionals means our clients have access to the largest group of GIS professionals leveraging innovative cloud-native solutions that are customized to enable states to achieve statewide NG9-1-1." "The combination of SDR's 30+ years of thought-leadership in the Central United States public safety GIS market and DATAMARK's national leadership delivers a winning solution to states like Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas a solution where our customers win. We share a core philosophy with a focus on education, training and client success driven by innovative technology. True partnerships are developed with the clients we serve at the local, regional and state level. SDR is excited to launch our partnership with DATAMARK for a better client experience," said Susan Cunningham, President at SDR, Inc. This partnership combines the expertise and experience of DATAMARK and SDR to extend capabilities and staff capacity and to provide a unified approach to GIS services, validation and aggregation solutions, addressing solutions and mapping solutions. About DATAMARK As trusted advisors in public safety, DATAMARK brings comprehensive, real-world expertise in police, fire, EMS and 9-1-1 leadership roles to Next Generation 9-1-1 transitions. The DATAMARK team leads the industry by shaping rules and legislation, and by building a suite of products and services that ensure accurate emergency response location data in life-critical situations. DATAMARK empowers its team and stakeholder partners to foster trusted relationships and cultivate data integrity for informed decision making. DATAMARK, the public safety GIS team of Michael Baker International, has decades of proven experience in mission-critical government addressing projects. The team works with clients to solve their complex needs, from data quality checks and addressing to workflow analysis and more. Learn more about the company at www.datamarkgis.com and follow DATAMARK on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . About Michael Baker International Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services. The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner, providing comprehensive services and solutions to commercial clients and all branches of the military, as well as federal, state and municipal governments. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations like intelligent transportation and design-build project delivery Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/ . About Spatial Data Research Spatial Data Research is a GIS consulting firm serving the 9-1-1 and Public Safety community, with a special focus on rural America. Since our incorporation in 1993, SDR has partnered with hundreds of local government and public safety agencies across the US to deliver sustainable GIS solutions meeting and surpassing national norms while remaining attentive to available local resources and budgets. An early innovator in GIS-based interval addressing solutions and GPS technology, SDR built and maintains GIS software to enable our clients to maintain their 911 GIS data with the tools and technologies that we use to develop it and with the accessible support of our dedicated staff. Our clients know we are always available for help with a GIS or addressing question, for historical perspective on an issue, or to move forward into the NG911 world. Learn more about SDR at www.sdrmaps.com or on Linkedin and Facebook. Contact: Julia Covelli [email protected] (866) 293-4609 SOURCE DATAMARK TSX.V: DME U.S. OTC: DMEHF Frankfurt: QM01 VANCOUVER, BC, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (OTCQX: DMEHF), (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company. The Company has released a corporate demonstration showcasing our general drilling and casing procedures which exceed state regulatory requirements. Cementing and casing costs have increased by over 19% by following these procedures but are deemed necessary by our technical team. These procedures not only protect aquifers but also limit produced water content from our helium gas wells. "This not only protects Arizona's precious aquifers for future generations but makes sound business sense for the Company," says CEO Robert Rohlfing. The video of DME's procedures can be viewed here, or you can view the PDF version here. 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. Includes Multiple Studies Demonstrating that Post-Translational Modifications of Conformational Variants of p53 Are Associated with the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease MILAN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diadem SpA, a company developing the first blood-based test for the early prediction of progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD), today announced release of a new peer-reviewed publication, Post-Translational Modifications of the p53 Protein and the Impact in Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of the Literature, in the current issue of the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. The article reviews the extensive scientific literature that elucidates how post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the protein are associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. Diadem is leveraging the relationship between p53 conformational variants and AD to develop blood-based prognostic and diagnostic assays for Alzheimer's disease. Its most advanced product, the AlzoSure Predict assay, is a simple, non-invasive plasma-based biomarker test to accurately predict whether or not a patient with asymptomatic mild cognitive impairment will progress to Alzheimer's dementia up to six years before the disease fully manifests. Study author Rakez Kayed, PhD, Professor and John Sealy Chair for Parkinson's Research at the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, commented, "Increasing evidence suggests that certain conformational variants and post-translational modifications of the p53 protein may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. This review aims to summarize what researchers have uncovered to date about the transformation of p53 into variants and PTMs that impact amyloid, tau and other pathways implicated in the neurodegenerative processes that ultimately result in symptomatic AD. This knowledge is contributing to our growing understanding of the pathophysiology of AD, as well as the development of novel prognostic and diagnostic biomarker tests that could enable use of more effective therapeutic interventions earlier in the disease process." In the new publication, the authors note that the p53 protein, known as "the guardian of the genome" for its role in cancer, plays diverse roles in maintaining cellular function, and that changes in the protein's functional activity can affect its downstream impact. The p53 protein has more recently gained attention for its possible role in the early evolution of Alzheimer's disease, partly through its involvement in the regulation of oxidative stress, which is a critical factor in AD initiation and progression. Oxidative stress also has a strong relationship to amyloid and tau-induced neurotoxicity, fueling feedback loops that may accelerate disease progression. A key focus of the review is p53 post-translational modifications, which are seen as the most widespread and effective cellular mechanisms controlling p53 function. PTMs affect the conformation of p53, increasing its ability to adopt multiple structural and functional states. A number of these are implicated in the development of AD, including functional dysregulation and loss of function in cellular response pathways. The authors also cite multiple studies showing that the conformational unfolding of p53 impacts its role, directly increasing or decreasing the activation of specific AD-associated pathways. They conclude that there is significant evidence supporting the potential role of p53 PTMs in Alzheimer's pathogenesis, and recommend additional studies to further elucidate PTM mechanisms and their involvement in the development of AD. Paul Kinnon, CEO of Diadem, noted, "Our AlzoSure blood-based test for the early prediction of AD is based on decades of research on the role of p53 and its conformational variants in the development of Alzheimer's disease. This new publication adds to the growing evidence that the loss of p53 function via post translational modifications to the linear sequence of the protein can result in upstream and downstream effects on amyloid and tau metabolism, as well as on other pathways involved in AD pathogenesis. It is consistent with the results of our clinical studies showing that AlzoSure Predict can identify whether individuals will or will not progress to Alzheimer's dementia years before the disease is fully symptomatic." AlzoSure Predict is a non-invasive biomarker blood test that can identify with high accuracy whether individuals over the age of 50 with signs of cognitive impairment will or will not progress to Alzheimer's disease up to six years before definitive symptoms are apparent. Its utility is supported by clinical data from a large longitudinal study that was the basis for AlzoSure Predict's recent CE-IVD marking, which allows the test to be marketed in the E.U., as well as for a Breakthrough Device designation from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. The company's technology uses an analytical method that includes a patented antibody developed by Diadem and designed to bind to U-p53AZ and its target sequences. U-p53AZ is a conformational variant of the p53 protein that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD in multiple studies. About Alzheimer's Disease There are about 50 million people suffering from dementia worldwide. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form and accounts for 60-70% of cases. At present there are no disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer's, and therapies to treat symptoms are limited. There are about 10 million new cases per year, and the incidence is rising rapidly as the population ages. The current total cost of care is enormous--estimated at $1 trillion in the U.S. annually and expected to double by 2030. Currently, diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is slow, inconclusive, invasive and expensive. Development of effective therapies for Alzheimer's has been hindered by the lack of accurate and cost-effective prognostic and diagnostic methods. About Diadem Diadem was founded as a spin-out of the University of Brescia (Italy). The company is developing the first blood-based prognostic test for the early detection of dementia, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease. The lack of accurate, accessible and affordable diagnostic tools is a major contributor to the absence of effective treatments for this devastating condition. As a result, patients are not diagnosed until late in the illness, when effective treatment is no longer possible. Diadem's rapid, accurate and cost-effective blood-based prognostic test makes it possible for the first time to identify patients early in the disease process, when effective interventions and better outcomes are far more feasible. The utility of the approach has been demonstrated in longitudinal clinical studies that were the basis for awarding CE-IVD marking in the E.U. and a Breakthrough Device designation in the U.S. Additional retrospective and prospective clinical trials are ongoing to further validate clinical claims and support widespread adoption and use. Diadem is preparing for commercialisation of AlzoSure Predict in collaboration with global strategic partners. The company is also developing AlzoSure Confirm, a blood-based diagnostic test for AD that has shown promising results in early studies. For more information, visit diademdx.com/. Corporate: Media: Diadem Barbara Lindheim Paul Kinnon BLL Partners for Diadem CEO [email protected] [email protected] +1 (917) 355-9234 SOURCE Diadem SpA Company outlines vision at annual Security Summit to help customers manage trust across their digital footprint LEHI, Utah, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At its annual Security Summit, DigiCert, Inc., the world's leading provider of digital trust, along with top security industry pundits, addressed the role of digital trust in enabling individuals and businesses to successfully operate in a connected world challenged by growing cybersecurity threats. The company outlined its vision for cybersecurity today and how it will evolve as digital transformation continues to expand the surface area of where and how the world engages online. "DigiCert is delivering comprehensive digital trust for its customers with leadership in industry standards, operations and compliance, as well as a platform for trust management that enables customers to secure their digital footprint," said DigiCert Executive Vice President Deepika Chauhan. "Digital trust is the foundation for securing the connected world," said Jennifer Glenn, Research Director for IDC. "Identity, integrity and encryption are essential building blocks for organizations looking to instill confidence among their customers, employees and partners that online business processes and interactions are secure." The DigiCert Security Summit included commentary from company leaders as well as some of the world's leading independent minds in cybersecurity, such as Graham Cluley, Adam Savage, Wolfgang Goerlich, Brian Honan and Pablos Holman, addressing global trends including: Acceleration of remote work and digital transformation: Deloitte reported that 77% of CEOs say the pandemic has accelerated their plans for digital transformation. Yet Gartner reports that 53% of organizations surveyed remain untested and uncertain in their digital transformation readiness. Companies are adopting zero-trust networks for secure remote access. Deloitte reported that 77% of CEOs say the pandemic has accelerated their plans for digital transformation. Yet Gartner reports that 53% of organizations surveyed remain untested and uncertain in their digital transformation readiness. Companies are adopting zero-trust networks for secure remote access. Heightened cyberattacks on critical infrastructure: Attacks on critical infrastructure, such as Colonial Pipeline and SolarWinds, have led to heightened focus from industry and governments on the need for digital trust for connected ecosystems. Attacks on critical infrastructure, such as Colonial Pipeline and SolarWinds, have led to heightened focus from industry and governments on the need for digital trust for connected ecosystems. Rapidly expanding attack surfaces: In 2021, the FBI reported an unprecedented increase in cyberattacks and malicious cyber activity in America, with ransomware and business email compromise as two of the top threats. Public and private trust management is essential. As the leading provider of digital trust, DigiCert provides the building blocks necessary to the market, including shaping global standards, delivering global compliance and operations, providing certificate lifecycle management for public and private trust, and extending trust into supply chains and connected ecosystems. About DigiCert, Inc. DigiCert is the world's leading provider of digital trust, enabling individuals and businesses to engage online with the confidence that their footprint in the digital world is secure. DigiCert ONE, the platform for digital trust, provides organizations with centralized visibility and control over a broad range of public and private trust needs, securing websites, enterprise access and communication, software, identity, content and devices. DigiCert pairs its award-winning software with its industry leadership in standards, support and operations, and is the digital trust provider of choice for leading companies around the world. For more information, visit digicert.com or follow @digicert. SOURCE DigiCert, Inc. Utilizing a conversational approach through WhatsApp, Dis-Chem's millions of customers can: register for a Benefit Card and existing members can update their personal details; check their loyalty points balance; report lost or stolen cards and receive a digital replacement immediately; and register for Dis-Chem's Baby Program. Dis-Chem will also use the channel to alert customers when their repeat medication is due for collection or when delivery from their preferred store is ready through "Pack My Meds", which is Dis-Chem's online repeat medicine ordering platform. Lastly, the channel provides a general FAQ section that has information about clinic services, delivery services, and other store information. "Consumers have shown they prefer to use chat channels, and WhatsApp in particular, to engage with each other and with their favorite brands. It makes excellent sense for Dis-Chem to offer WhatsApp as a fast and cost-effective way for their customers to do business with the retailer," said Werner Lindemann, Clickatell's Commercial Senior Vice President for Growth Markets. "What's more, it provides them with a platform that is perfectly designed to administer support and time-efficient responses and new functionality anytime. We are looking forward to building the partnership with Dis-Chem over the coming months and years as we innovate and co-create new services using the chat app that will meet their customers' growing digital expectations." Retailers using Chat Commerce technology can enjoy significant gains including higher revenue growth, stronger customer retention, reduced service costs, and increased marketing effectiveness. An Aberdeen Research survey commissioned by Clickatell shows organizations can benefit from a 75% boost in annual revenue growth and a 48% increase in customer retention rates. "Clickatell's close relationship with Meta as an enterprise Business Service Provider, as well as their extensive experience helping local and global retailers boost their CX through chat made the choice of partners an obvious one for us. Delivering the WhatsApp channel to our customers resolves an immediate customer experience need, adds to our ability to continue to deliver superior convenience, and gives us an excellent opportunity to expand our digital offering in the future. Our teams have worked closely to ensure our customers will find the user interface intuitive and the service immediately convenient and valuable," comments Lynne Blignaut, Head of Loyalty & Customer Rewards at Dis-Chem. For more information about Clickatell's Chat Commerce technology, visit www.clickatell.com. About Clickatell Clickatell is the global Chat Commerce leader powering businesses to connect, interact, and transact with consumers anytime, anywhere in chat. The low / no-code, feature-rich Chat Commerce Platform sits at the intersection of communications (CPaaS, CCaaS) and commerce (digital payments). Clickatell serves over 10,000 customers, many of which are Fortune 500 companies and leading global brands activating their own digital commerce transformations. Clickatell is headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA, and has offices in Canada, South Africa and Nigeria. Learn more at www.clickatell.com. About Dis-Chem Pharmacies JSE-listed Dis-Chem, the pharmacists who care, is South Africa's first choice in pharmacies since 1978. With a footprint of over 250 stores, it is a leading specialist in beauty, fragrance and cosmetics; health food, nutrition, baby food, baby clothing and products; sport supplements, health and well-being; along with expert in-store advice from pharmacists, nurses and nutritionists. It increasingly prioritises its primary healthcare mandate by increasing the provision of healthcare access to broader segments of the population. Its nationwide stores consist of linked dispensaries, family clinics, wound-care clinics and comprehensive self-medication centres. Media Contacts SOURCE Clickatell ARR increased by $5.1m QoQ to $55.1m (62% pcp) QoQ to (62% pcp) Revenue for 12 months to March 2022 was $33.7m consistent with reported ARR at March 2021 was consistent with reported ARR at Revenue increased by $900,000 QoQ to $9.25m (40% pcp) QoQ to (40% pcp) Cash receipts increased by $2.9m QoQ to $8.5m QoQ to Net cash outflows decreased by $7.1m Dubber subscribers exceed 540,000 Launch of Notes by Dubber at Mobile World Congress Finalised multiple network UCR agreement with TDC Nuuday of Denmark Established core infrastructure for acceleration of future growth Dubber is fully funded with in excess of $97.5m cash on hand A video update is available at the following link: Dubber Quarterly Update Continued growth in key metrics, reduction in cash outflows, expansion of Total Addressable Market The March quarter saw the Company continue to grow its customer base and revenues, scale its core infrastructure to accelerate future growth while reducing cash outflows. Most of the Company's activities were conducted in the UK, Europe and North America and saw shifts in foreign exchange rates. For reasons of comparative performance evaluation, a constant currency comparison has been added to applicable metrics. Subscribers In a quarter which is typically subject to seasonal fluctuations due to telecommunications service provider 'embargo' periods, the Company added $5.1m to its Annualised Recurring Revenue, reflecting growth of circa 10% in the quarter via a combination of 'standard' SaaS and Foundation Partnership subscriptions. On an adjusted basis, which takes into account foreign exchange fluctuations, the Company has ARR of $55.1m. ($56.8m on a constant currency basis). The Company's 'standard' SaaS subscriptions grew organically by over 30,000 during the quarter and the Company was able to secure Foundation Partner agreements whereby a Dubber service is embedded as a standard feature of every subscription on a network. As previously stated, the Company continues a policy of not including Foundation Partner Program subscriptions in its overall numbers for reasons of consistency and commercial sensitivity. The Company will continue to re-assess its reporting of these subscriptions on an ongoing basis. Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) The Company's ARR is calculated as the next 12 months of subscription revenue net of any incentives. Demonstrating this, the Company reported an ARR number of $34m to the ASX on 29 April 2021, with actual revenue for the 12 months to March 31 2022 of $33.7m in-line. The Company advises that its December 2021 Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) figure reported in the Company's most recent investor presentation contained an item of professional services revenue, which was non-recurring, thereby creating an incorrect expectation of $450k of actual revenue in the March quarter. The reported ARR was correct. For commercial reasons, the Company reached an agreement with a major global service provider, whereby it would provide a subsidy in Q3 FY22 as part of offsetting cancellation costs associated with the migration of a substantial legacy recording customer base to Dubber. Quarterly revenue relating to this service provider is forecast to be in excess of $700k. The Company's current reported ARR is unaffected and as previously stated is expected to generate ~$55.1m revenue over the next 12 months to 31 March 2023. Revenue Revenue for the quarter grew by over $900,000 to $9.25m ($9.85m on constant currency basis), an increase of 40% pcp. Total Operating Revenue for FY2021 was $20.33m, this has been surpassed in the third quarter with the Company recognising revenue in excess of $25.6m for FY2022 to date. Cash Receipts, Net Outflows and Current Position Cash receipts for the quarter were $8.5m ($9m on constant currency basis) to bring receipts for FY2022 to $23m. The Company was able to significantly reduce its net cash outflows without impacting its underlying growth strategy. Net cash outflows were reduced by $7.1m compared with the previous quarter as a result of the combination of increased receipts and reduction of previously reported extraordinary items including those relating to the establishment of future growth infrastructure. The March quarter also included some extraordinary items over core operating costs and are outlined in Notes to Appendix 4c (below). Closing cash balance at 31 March was in excess of $97.5m ($97.8m constant currency), providing excellent balance sheet strength and demonstrating that the Company's long-term business plans remain fully funded. The Company's core operating cost structure does not relate to maintaining its current revenue levels but, rather, to enable future accelerated growth against its operating plan. Use Case Diversity and Total Addressable Market Dubber's business plan disrupts traditional legacy recording models in that it is a uniquely scalable platform served from the source of the calls, the communications network, as opposed to on-premise, hosted and/or contact centre infrastructure. Dubber's customers are the carriers of communication traffic, the Service Providers, and, once available, the Dubber services can be switched on immediately as a network service without any deployment delays or associated costs. Dubber, therefore, has a substantially broader addressable market than legacy providers where there is a strong perception and reality that call recording is aimed primarily at compliance and regulatory requirements for the financial services sector. Dubber is capable of, and will continue, to serve this sector but its business philosophy and platform allows for the ability to capture all calls and convert those calls into a usable and content rich source of data. To Dubber, call recording, as a standalone product, is merely one of the use cases in the long-term business model. To date the Company reports user numbers largely associated with call recording solutions, however its end user customer base is significantly broader than strict compliance, with financial services customers reflecting 11% of the total customer base, currently. The expansion of business operations and delivery of advanced product offerings such as 'Notes' creates an opportunity whereby the total addressable market is the entire customer base of a connected network with the potential for multiple services in each account. To date, Dubber has experienced zero 'churn' with regards to network connectivity and, almost without exception, the Dubber Platform is the only recording service connected to the networks with which we operate. Expansion of network footprint remains a priority for the Company, augmented by the continual release of additional revenue generating products and services to the core network capability. Agreement with TDC Nuuday During the quarter, the Company finalised an agreement with TDC Nuuday, the national carrier of Denmark. The agreement provides for the Dubber platform to be connected to multiple networks including mobile and Unified Communications, and the migration of existing recording users to the Dubber platform, delivering Unified Call Recording for Nuuday customers. The agreement also establishes a footprint for Dubber in the Nordics, an area of focus for additional expansion. 'Notes' by Dubber released at Mobile World Congress A landmark event for Dubber was the release of 'Notes' which coincided with the Company's attendance of Mobile World Congress, the premier annual event for mobile network operators. A common theme at the event was the appetite for carriers to seek innovative solutions which generate revenue and provide differentiation in a sector which has traditionally been underpinned by utility models relating to price and data usage. 'Notes' by Dubber, enables calls on a network to be transcribed with AI outcomes delivering a comprehensive capability which automates typical note taking requirements, providing speaker separation and identification, topics discussed, action items and calendar/meeting co-ordination. As a stand-alone product 'Notes' has appeal for all users of a network across all demographics, meaning that the Dubber platform services enjoy a Total Addressable Market of potentially every user on a given network. The Dubber Platform has attained recognition as the industry standard and the desire to turn communication across an entire mobile network into a usable and previously untapped data source is a compelling proposition for mobile network operators. The Dubber Platform has a unique capability to deliver on these industry requirements and the Dubber brand resonates with carriers, representing proven reliability, capability and innovation. 'Notes' by Dubber was also a core product demonstration for Samsung at the event, highlighting the advanced user experience with the Samsung flip phone range. 'Notes' is a standalone product which is available as a Foundation Partner solution, an individual product or in conjunction with other Dubber services from the Dubber Platform, however, the underlying data is the fundamental asset from which Dubber's network data capability can be expanded with unlimited use cases and revenue potential for the Company, its service provider partners, and their end user customers. The 'Notes' launch is a landmark step towards the original business philosophy of the Company, namely that the Dubber Platform is capable of delivering 'AI for every phone.' Dubber's Unique Position with Global Unified Communications Service Providers Dubber continues to maintain a unique and valuable position in the Global Unified Communications sector where its products are offered as a standard feature of every Cisco Webex Calling subscription and a unique capability for Unified Recording via Microsoft Teams service providers. The Company continues to benefit from this position in terms of its current and near-term user growth and aims to establish deeper commercial relationships with both Cisco and Microsoft accordingly. Scaling the business As previously reported, the Company has focussed on building its business operations to a scale which is commensurate with its opportunities and, indeed, its platform capability. During the quarter, the Company continued to successfully integrate the business operations of acquired companies Speik and Notiv, expanding the team and product capability. The Company has been successful in attracting world class talent to fill key roles, many of whom have held significant roles with major organisations including some of our service provider partners. The Company's business plan includes significant operating leverage from its single global cloud infrastructure which can deliver gross margin at 'Cloud' scale when utilisation is achieved. The scaling of the business has not been achieved to maintain current and near-term recording revenues relating to that business mode but, rather, to accelerate Dubber's future position as a global presence following the capital raise in July 2021. The Company now comprises approximately 260 employees, up from 160 at the same time last year. Notes to the Appendix 4C Cash outflows for the quarter were subject to a decreased number of extraordinary items, in line with the Company's upscaling of operations which included: Payment of $1.35m for PAYE relating to previous periods as per an agreed 'Covid Relief' payment structure. This appears in line 1.2(e) of the Appendix 4C attributed to Staff Costs for PAYE relating to previous periods as per an agreed 'Covid Relief' payment structure. This appears in line 1.2(e) of the Appendix 4C attributed to Staff Costs Technical Consultants which appears in line 1.2(a) Research and Development Continued investment into footprint infrastructure including in Australia and the UK to accommodate new FTEs as shown in line 2.1(c) of the Appendix 4C The amounts shown at line 6.1 of the Appendix 4C relate to director fees and salaries. The expenditure incurred on the activities described in this report are materially salaries and operating costs set out in the Appendix 4C. Steve McGovern, CEO, Dubber: "The Company was able to maintain its growth trajectory established in the last year, in a quarter which is typically seasonally challenging due, largely to Service Provider embargoes which restrict 'adds, moves and changes' to network infrastructure over the year end/new year period. Growth continues across the entire business when compared with the full year results for FY2021. "Underpinning our financial results, we have built a core operating team which has strength across the business, including the successful integration of the Speik and Notiv business units and their teams. This will enable us to develop the Company towards our goal of becoming a significant global operator in our field. The commitment to the development of platform capability and release of additional revenue generating products will accelerate the Company's performance against its original 5-year plan, which was largely based on continuing to sell recording services to additional carrier customers. "We have largely borne the infrastructure costs associated with our growth plan and were able to significantly reduce cash outflows during the quarter, without restricting those plans. Our investments into cloud infrastructure in previous quarters should provide economies of scale which will enable greater gross margins as we increase our utilisation of the Dubber Platform. "The over-riding belief of the Company is that we are well positioned, with great capability at scale, at a time when our Service Provider customers are seeking value added service revenue in the face of potentially stagnating or declining utility revenues. "Service Providers carry enormous amounts of content rich data in their calls and communications. To date, this rich source of commercially valuable data has remained untapped. As Service Providers seek to derive value from that content, Dubber is uniquely positioned and fully funded with a technology and brand which has enabled us to establish ourselves in a market leading position." This ASX release has been approved for release to ASX by Steve McGovern, CEO & Managing Director. About Dubber: Dubber is unlocking the potential of voice data from any call or conversation. Dubber is the world's most scalable Unified Call Recording service and Voice Intelligence Cloud adopted as core network infrastructure by multiple global leading telecommunications carriers in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Dubber allows service providers to offer call recording for compliance, business intelligence, sentiment analysis, AI and more on any phone. Dubber is a disruptive innovator in the multi-billion-dollar call recording industry, its Software as a Service offering removes the need for on-premise hardware, applications or costly and limited storage. For more information, please contact: Investors Media Simon Hinsley Terry Alberstein [email protected] [email protected] +61 (0) 401 809 653 +61 (0) 458 484 921 SOURCE Dubber Taking the next step towards faster cross-border payments, banks from both sides of the Atlantic are preparing to exchange payments across TCH's and EBA CLEARING's real-time payment systems. BRUSSELS and NEW YORK and PARIS, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EBA CLEARING, SWIFT and The Clearing House (TCH) announced today that they plan to launch a pilot service for immediate cross-border (IXB) payments with the support of banks from both sides of the Atlantic. The pilot service is scheduled to begin by the end of this year with several participants joining the service in a phased approach. It is being designed with the contribution of 24 financial institutions, including those that are preparing to join the pilot. (A non-exhaustive list of financial institutions engaged in the development of the IXB service is included at the end of this press release.) The development of this pilot marks another important step in the IXB initiative launched by the three private-sector, member-owned companies to improve cross-border payments by utilising the fastest domestic payment options. It follows a proof of concept completed in October 2021, with the contribution of seven financial institutions. The proof of concept demonstrated the ability to synchronise settlement in one instant payment system with settlement in the other and to convert real-time messages between both systems. Since October 2021, the group of supporting financial institutions has continued to grow and has formed an IXB Sounding Board to provide input on the development of this cross-border payment service leveraging existing real-time infrastructure, technology and standards. Based on state-of-the-art building blocks, such as ISO 20022 message standards, SWIFT Go and the instant payment systems of EBA CLEARING and TCH, the service initially will support instant payments in the U.S. dollar and euro currency corridor. It is developed with a view to being extended to other currency channels and payment systems. "The RT1 and RTP networks are perfectly positioned to deliver a better cross-border experience with a very short time to market," said Russ Waterhouse, Executive Vice President for Product Development and Strategy at The Clearing House. "The trans-Atlantic pilot service will provide valuable input for the development of a fully-fledged IXB service to meet customer expectations across the globe." "We are pleased that the IXB development benefits from the expert input of 24 banks from 10 countries," said Erwin Kulk, Head of Service Development and Management at EBA CLEARING. "Aside from delivering a simple and transparent service for end users, our key aim is to keep things easy for financial institutions: the fact that there is no need to connect to a separate payment system should make the service very attractive for RT1 and RTP participants of all sizes." "The interlinking of instant payment systems promises a new way of moving money across borders safely, quickly, and at low cost," said David Watson, Chief Strategy Officer at SWIFT. "SWIFT's enhanced platform and transaction management capabilities create a flexible and efficient way to interlink multiple instant payment schemes, while enabling banks to re-use their existing investment, and we look forward to supporting the development of the IXB pilot service." "In cross-border payments, our customers are demanding faster execution, more transparency in fees and traceability end-to-end," said Raouf Soussi Laghmich, Head of Strategy for Enterprise Payments at BBVA. "For BBVA, IXB is the right collaborative solution to respond to customers' needs." "We are excited to work with our industry peers to lead the charge in launching cross-border real-time payments across the globe, starting with the U.S. and E.U." said Carl Slabicki, Co-Head of Global Payments at BNY Mellon. "This effort is another crucial milestone leveraging proven and scalable infrastructure to deliver instant, safe, and secure payments 24/7/365 for our international clients." "Intesa Sanpaolo, always a front-runner in innovation, is proud to be part of the IXB pilot phase after having successfully contributed to the Proof of Concept in September 2021 with EBA CLEARING, SWIFT and The Clearing House," said Stefano Favale, Global Head of Global Transaction Banking at Intesa Sanpaolo Bank. "Intesa Sanpaolo looks at the IXB initiative as one of the most innovative solutions that truly meets the speed requirements in the cross-border payment field." "We are eager to progress the Immediate Cross-Border (IXB) service from Proof of Concept to something beneficial for our clients," said Cyrus Bhathawalla, Global Head of Real Time Payments at J.P. Morgan. "With our global footprint and experience with instant payments and FX, we provide a consistent faster payment experience end-to-end and across regions." "The domestic payment ecosystems have been shaped by numerous flourishing instant payment systems over the last decade and we will continue to advocate their international decompartmentalization and enhanced interoperability," said Jean-Francois Mazure, Head of Cash Clearing Services at Societe Generale. "From a user experience perspective, we believe that the IXB initiative represents a significant step towards a faster trans-Atlantic payment corridor, removing frictions and bringing value to all our customers, both individuals and corporates." "At Wells Fargo, we are focused on our customers first and committed to enabling simplicity, speed, and security to the businesses and customers we serve globally. Through this transformative solution, we see the possibilities of enabling faster, more frictionless cross border payments, and providing a better end-to-end customer experience. Wells Fargo will continue to be a leader in this work and we are excited to engage and grow the IXB initiative," said Ulrike Guigui, Executive VP and Head of Enterprise Payments for Wells Fargo. It is envisaged that the IXB pilot service will be followed by a full service offering in 2023. The key features of the service will be aligned with the focus areas related to speed, access, cost and transparency, as outlined by the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and Financial Stability Board (FSB) for enhancing cross-border payments. By providing a model that can be replicated across other currency corridors and payment systems, the IXB initiative is expected to provide even greater opportunities for financial institutions and their customers around the globe. List of banks engaged in the IXB initiative: ABN AMRO Bank Allied Irish Banks Bank of America Bank of New York Mellon BBVA Group BNP Paribas Credit Agricole Deutsche Bank ERSTE Group Bank Helaba HSBC ING Intesa Sanpaolo Bank KBC J.P. Morgan PNC Bank Societe Generale Toronto Dominion UniCredit S.p.A. UniCredit Bank (HypoVereinsbank) Wells Fargo About EBA CLEARING EBA CLEARING is a provider of pan-European payment infrastructure solutions processing over 17 billion transactions per year. Founded in 1998, the Company is owned by 48 of the major banks operating in Europe and is based on a country-neutral governance model. The payment systems of EBA CLEARING are pan-European by design and desire: they are developed in close co-operation with the Company's multinational user community and best-of-breed technology partners. EBA CLEARING manages and operates the payment services EURO1, STEP2 and RT1. Both EURO1 and STEP2 have been classified as systemically important payment systems (SIPS) by the European Central Bank. RT1, the first pan-European real-time payment system, processes euro instant payments complying with the European Payments Council's SEPA Instant Credit Transfer Scheme. R2P, the Company's pan-European request to pay infrastructure messaging service, was developed and implemented with the support of 27 payment service providers from 11 European countries. Learn more at www.ebaclearing.eu. About SWIFT SWIFT is a global member-owned cooperative and the world's leading provider of secure financial messaging services. We provide our community with a platform for messaging, standards for communicating and we offer products and services to facilitate access and integration; identification, analysis and financial crime compliance. Our messaging platform, products and services connect more than 11,000 banking and securities organisations, market infrastructures and corporate customers in more than 200 countries and territories, enabling them to communicate securely and exchange standardised financial messages in a reliable way. Headquartered in Belgium, SWIFT's international governance and oversight reinforces the neutral, global character of its cooperative structure. About The Clearing House The Clearing House operates U.S-based payments networks that clear and settle more than $2 trillion each day through wire, ACH, check image, and real-time payments. It is the nation's most experienced payments company, with a long track record of providing secure and reliable systems, payments innovation, and strategic thought leadership to financial institutions. Most recently, The Clearing House has revolutionized U.S. payments infrastructure with the RTP network, which supports the immediate clearing and settlement of payments, along with the ability to exchange related payment information across the same secure channel. These RTP capabilities enable all financial institutions to offer safer, faster, and smarter digital transaction services for their corporate and retail customers. Learn more at www.theclearinghouse.org. SOURCE The Clearing House PALO ALTO, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As extreme weather increases in frequency and intensity, along with society's dependence on electricity, the need for a comprehensive and consistent approach to physical climate risk assessment is an increasing imperative. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is leading a new, three-year initiative, Climate READiTM: Power ( RE silience and AD aptation i nitiative), convening global thought leaders and industry stakeholders to develop a common framework to address this challenge. The Climate READi framework produced from this effort will embody one of the most comprehensive, integrated approaches to physical climate risk assessment. Climate READi will enable global energy companies, climate scientists, regulators, and other stakeholders to proactively analyze and apply climate data, allowing for the planning, design, and operation of resilient energy systems of the future. There are 13 founding Climate READi members: Alliant Energy Corporation, Ameren Corporation, American Electric Power, Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Exelon Corporation, National Grid PLC, New York Power Authority, Pacific Gas & Electric, Portland General Electric, Puget Sound Energy, Southern California Edison, Southern Company, and WEC Energy Group. "As the world's weather and climate are changing, so too must the energy sector's approach to ensuring a more resilient power system," said EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor. "Proactively strengthening grid resilience against potential climate and weather impacts, now and in the future, will require unprecedented collaboration among the energy sector and its stakeholders." Today's formal launch was held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Joining Mansoor at today's event were representatives from some of Climate READi's members and Battelle: Southern Company Executive Vice President of Operations and Chairman, President, and CEO of Southern Company Services Stan Connally Consolidation Edison Co. of New York Senior Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions Leonard Singh American Electric Power Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Barton Battelle Executive Vice President for National Laboratory Management and Operations Mark Peters "Climate READi will provide a platform that enables us to deliver a comprehensive, consistent framework to ensure resilient energy for customers in a decarbonized future," said Connally, who chairs EPRI's board of directors. "Collaboration across our industry is essential as we address evolving climate-related risk and invest in resilience on behalf of the customers and communities we are privileged to serve," he added. "This initiative will enable robust planning for the years and decades ahead, and will be critical to ensuring we have the resilient and reliable electricity networks our customers deserve," said David Wright, chief engineer at National Grid PLC, the first international company to join Climate READi. "The global applications of the framework will arm energy companies like National Grid with valuable insights and capabilities to proactively strengthen and reinforce power systems against the disruptive impact of extreme weather events. We will play an active part, working closely with EPRI and sharing our experiences and expertise to help inform the framework." EPRI's unique combination of deep energy system modeling and climate risk assessment capabilities, plus 50-year collaboration with members, universities, national labs, and other energy stakeholders, provide the foundation to convene and develop the Climate READi framework. Learn more about Climate READi here: www.epri.com/READi Contact Rachel Gantz Media Relations Advisor 202-293-7517 [email protected] About EPRI Founded in 1972, EPRI is the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, with offices around the world. EPRI's trusted experts collaborate with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable, and equitable access to electricity across the globe. Together, we are shaping the future of energy. SOURCE Electric Power Research Institute VANCOUVER, BC, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Equinox Gold Corp. (TSX: EQX) (NYSE American: EQX) ("Equinox Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive drill results from 2021 exploration drilling in the 70-km-long greenstone belt in Bahia State, Brazil that hosts the Company's 100%-owned Fazenda and Santa Luz gold mines ("Bahia Belt"). Exploration has identified multiple near-mine and regional discoveries that highlight growth potential in the Bahia Belt. "The 2021 exploration program in the Bahia Belt has led to the discovery of significant gold mineralization at multiple targets within haulage distance to our existing mines," said Scott Heffernan, EVP Exploration for Equinox Gold. "Drilling at the Canto 2 target adjacent to our Fazenda Mine was particularly important, intersecting very high grades and clearly highlighting the potential for both open pit and underground resource growth and mine life extension at Fazenda. Equinox Gold also secured exploration permits covering an additional 323 square km, bringing the total land package in the Bahia Belt to nearly 1,300 square km covering the majority of this highly prospective but underexplored greenstone belt. "The 2022 exploration program is well underway and includes over 70,000 metres of drilling across targets ranging from early to advanced-stage exploration, a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey covering the entire Bahia Belt, and geologic mapping and geochemical sampling to further refine targets in advance of drilling." BAHIA BELT 2021 EXPLORATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Exploration targets in the Bahia Belt were identified by integrating multiple datasets including airborne geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, outcrop and soil sampling, and historical drilling. During 2021 Equinox Gold tested 17 targets throughout the Bahia Belt, drilling 56,918 metres ("m") in 479 diamond and reverse circulation ("RC") drill holes (Figure 1). Of the 479 holes, 372 intersected anomalous to ore-grade gold mineralization and of these, 126 intersected significant gold mineralization and identified several gold-mineralized systems close to Equinox Gold's Fazenda and Santa Luz mines. Highlight results are presented below, and a complete table of drill results can be downloaded here. Canto 2 Deposit The Canto 2 deposit was previously operated as a shallow open-pit mine and is directly adjacent to Equinox Gold's operating Fazenda open-pit and underground mine complex. A total of 12,212 m in 46 holes (Figure 2) was drilled to test mineralization continuity along strike and up to 400 m below surface with the objective of increasing both open-pit and underground mineral resources and upgrading the existing resource classification from Inferred to Indicated. Every drill hole intersected economic-grade gold mineralization and several intersected newly identified bonanza grades including 69.0 g/t Au over 3.5 m and 7.53 g/t Au over 5.2 m in hole FBD010, 67.2 g/t Au over 4.0 m and 3.43 g/t Au over 17.4 m in hole FBD011, 50.8 g/t Au over 2.0 m in hole FBD013, and 3.31 g/t Au over 29.0 m in hole FBD040. Equinox Gold plans to undertake further exploration at Canto 2 in 2022 to further test expansion potential at depth and along strike. An updated Fazenda Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve statement, which will incorporate Canto 2 drill results, is planned for late 2022. Canto 2 Drill Highlights (Figure 2) 6.88 g/t Au over 3.6 m from 128.0 m (FBD007) from (FBD007) 69.0 g/t Au over 3.5 m from 131.0 m and 7.53 g/t Au over 5.2 m from 138.8 m (FBD010) 67.2 g/t Au over 4.0 m from 106.0 m and 3.43 g/t Au over 17.4 m from 141.8 m (FBD011) 50.8 g/t Au over 2.0 m from 69.6 m (FBD013) 2.96 g/t Au over 9.0 m from 233.0 m (FBD015) from (FBD015) 4.68 g/t Au over 10.0 m from 78.0 m (FBD022) from (FBD022) 2.53 g/t Au over 6.0 m from 191.0 m (FBD027) from (FBD027) 2.38 g/t Au over 18.0 m from 142.0 m (FBD037) from (FBD037) 3.31 g/t Au over 29.0 from 259.0 m (FBD040) 2.23 g/t Au over 8.4 m from 155.0 m (FBD053) from (FBD053) 2.03 g/t Au over 8.2 m from 171.8 m (FBD055) from (FBD055) 2.10 g/t Au over 13.0 m from 32.0 m (FBD056) Rufino Target The Rufino Target is a new discovery approximately 11 km from the Fazenda Mine. It is hosted in a mafic rock package within a shear zone at least 4 km in length. One quarter of the mapped 4-km strike length was tested with 20 drill holes, 18 of which intersected gold mineralization. Grade-thickness values generally increase to the southeast, culminating with the intercept of 2.35 g/t Au over 55.0 m in hole FBP110. Farther to the southeast, 2.5 km of the mapped shear zone remains untested. Rufino Drill Highlights (Figure 3) 8.96 g/t Au over 2.0 m from 134.0 m (FBD059) from (FBD059) 0.78 g/t Au over 27.0 m from 17.0 m (FBP108) from (FBP108) 2.35 g/t Au over 55.0 m from 35.0 m (FBP110) Mansinha & Mansinha Sul Targets The Mansinha and Mansinha Sul Targets lie on the same structural corridor as the Santa Luz Mine, representing a potential gold-mineralized zone more than 11 km in length. The target is hosted in a shear zone within a felsic package of volcaniclastics and subvolcanic intrusive rocks. Artisanal mining and limited historical shallow drilling have occurred, but no thorough modern exploration has taken place prior to Equinox Gold's 2021 exploration program. Approximately 5 km of the 11-km-long shear zone was tested with 148 drill holes of which 134 encountered gold mineralization. The target has been tested to depths greater than 100 m in only a few locations, leaving significant exploration potential at depth. Mansinha Drill Highlights (Figure 4) 2.28 g/t Au over 7.0 m from 37.0 m and 1.49 g/t Au over 14.0 m from 51.0 m and 1.38 g/t Au over 11.0 m from 77.0 m (SLP036) from 1.49 g/t Au over from 1.38 g/t Au over from (SLP036) 1.31 g/t Au over 17.0 m from 61.0 m (SLP045) from (SLP045) 4.66 g/t Au over 12.0 m from 20.0 m and 3.90 g/t Au over 6.0 m from 42.0 m (SLP046) from 3.90 g/t Au over from (SLP046) 2.20 g/t Au over 8.0 m from 26.0 m (SLP050) from (SLP050) 1.20 g/t Au over 20.0 m from 84.0 m (SLP103) from (SLP103) 9.43 g/t Au over 3.0 m from 16.0 m (SLP123) from (SLP123) 0.91 g/t Au over 25.0 m from 62.0 m (SLP160) from (SLP160) 0.76 g/t Au over 25.0 m from 10.0 m (SLP161) from (SLP161) 1.90 g/t Au over 10.0 m from 32.0 m (SLP162) from (SLP162) 1.35 g/t Au over 13.0 m from 45.0 m (SLP163) from (SLP163) 0.69 g/t Au over 35.0 m from 28.0 m (SLP165) from (SLP165) 0.67 g/t Au over 39.0 m from 73.0 m (SLP166) from (SLP166) 2.45 g/t Au over 10.0 m from 71.0 m and 4.48 g/t Au over 3.0 m from 101.0 m (SLP169) from 4.48 g/t Au over from (SLP169) 4.04 g/t Au over 6.0 m from 64.0 m (SLP183) from (SLP183) 2.77 g/t Au over 24.0 m from 55.0 m (SLP218) Mansinha Sul Drill Highlights (Figure 5) 7.61 g/t Au over 15.0 m from 53.0 m (SLP153) from (SLP153) 1.07 g/t Au over 11.0 m from 16.0 m and 3.79 g/t Au over 9.0 m from 38.0 m (SLP172) from 3.79 g/t Au over from (SLP172) 1.89 g/t Au over 13.0 m from 25.0 m (SLP174) from (SLP174) 3.63 g/t Au over 9.0 m from 55.0 m (SLP175) from (SLP175) 1.72 g/t Au over 20.0 m from 37.0 m (SLP178) from (SLP178) 2.35 g/t Au over 15.0 m from 16.0 m (SLP179) from (SLP179) 1.65 g/t Au over 13.0 m from 71.0 m (SLP181) from (SLP181) 2.30 g/t Au over 16.0 m from 34.0 m (SLP187) from (SLP187) 2.89 g/t Au over 6.0 m from 28.0 m (SLP191) from (SLP191) 3.14 g/t Au over 5.0 m from 41.0 m (SLP194) from (SLP194) 1.25 g/t Au over 16.0 m from 19.0 m (SLP196) from (SLP196) 4.30 g/t Au over 6.0 m from 49.0 m (SLP201) from (SLP201) 1.25 g/t Au over 27.0 m from 65.0 m (SLP205) from (SLP205) 1.60 g/t Au over 13.0 m from 13.0 m (SLP212) from (SLP212) 0.52 g/t Au over 35.0 m from 12.0 m (SLP216) from (SLP216) 2.47 g/t Au over 14.0 m from 29.0 m (SLP227) from (SLP227) 1.90 g/t Au over 9.0 m from 59.0 m (SLP251) LAND PACKAGE INCREASE Following a metallogenic review of the Bahia Belt and favourable preliminary regional exploration results, Equinox Gold obtained new exploration permits covering an additional 323 square km (Figure 1). These new permits filled gaps in the existing land package, expanded the Company's exploration territory around highly prospective targets, and opened new targets for exploration. The total land package now covers approximately 1,292 square km. Equinox Gold plans to fly an aeromagnetic survey over the entire land package in Q2 2022, to be followed by geologic mapping and geochemical sampling in high-priority areas identified by the survey. ABOUT EQUINOX GOLD Equinox Gold is a growth-focused Canadian mining company operating entirely in the Americas, with six operating gold mines, a mine in commissioning, and a clear path to achieve more than one million ounces of annual gold production from a pipeline of development and expansion projects. Equinox Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX and the NYSE American under the trading symbol EQX. Further information about Equinox Gold's portfolio of assets and long-term growth strategy is available at www.equinoxgold.com or by email at [email protected]. CAUTIONARY NOTES Qualified Person and Disclosure Statement Scott Heffernan, M.Sc., P.Geo., the Company's EVP Exploration and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved that the technical information contained in this news release is accurate. Drill composites for underground targets were calculated using cut-off values of 1.0 g/t, 3.0 g/t and 5.0 g/t gold as specified in the drill table and contain no more than 3m, 1m, and 1m of internal waste, respectively, and were located at down-hole depths of 100m or greater. Drill composites for open-pit targets were calculated using cut-off values of 0.3 g/t, 1.0 g/t and 3.0 g/t gold as specified in the drill table and reported intercepts above 1.0 and 3.0 g/t contain no more than 3m and 1m of internal waste, respectively, and were located at down-hole depths of less than 100m. Drill intersections are calculated using uncut assays and are reported as drilled thicknesses. True widths of the mineralized intervals are interpreted to be 60 to 90 percent of the reported lengths depending on the angle of intersection of the drill hole relative to the mineralized zone. Samples were submitted to ALS Chemex in Belo Horizonte, Brazil or SGS Geosol in Belo Horizonte, Brazil for sample preparation. ALS Chemex prepared sample pulps were then sent to ALS Chemex in Lima, Peru for geochemical analysis for gold by fire assay of a 50-gram charge with an Atomic Absorption finish (AA) and for a 33 multi-element geochemical suite by 4-acid digestion and Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). SGS prepared sample pulps were analyzed for gold by fire assay of a 50-gram charge with an Atomic Absorption finish (AA) and for a 37 multi-element geochemical suite by 4-acid digestion and Inductively-Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Samples with AA gold values over 10.0 g/t are re-assayed by Screen Metallics fire assay. Control samples (accredited standards, blanks, and duplicate samples at the field and preparation stages) were inserted on a regular basis. Results were monitored upon receipt of assays. Cautionary Note to U.S. Readers Concerning Estimates of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Disclosure regarding the Company's mineral properties, including with respect to mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates included in this news release, was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) generally applicable to U.S. companies. Accordingly, information contained in this news release is not comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies reporting pursuant to SEC disclosure requirements. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this news release relate to, among other things: the strategic vision for the Company and expectations regarding exploration potential, production capabilities and future development of Santa Luz, Fazenda and other exploration targets; and the Company's ability to successfully advance its growth and development projects, including ramping Santa Luz up to full capacity. Forward-looking statements or information generally identified by the use of the words "objective", "growth", "preliminary", "potential", "clear path", "target", "strategy" and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "could", "would" or "should", or the negative connotation of such terms, are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company has based these forward-looking statements and information on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and these assumptions include: Equinox Gold's ability to achieve the exploration, production, cost and development expectations for Santa Luz and Fazenda and its other operations and projects; prices for gold remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; ramp-up at Santa Luz being completed and performed in accordance with current expectations; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; availability of funds for the Company's projects and future cash requirements; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates and the assumptions on which they are based, including the conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services; no labour-related disruptions and no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction, development and production, including by blockade; the Company's working history with its workforce, unions and communities; that all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. The Company cautions 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 and 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: fluctuations in gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services; fluctuations in currency markets; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and hazards; employee relations; relationships with, and claims by, local communities and Indigenous populations; the Company's ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner or at all; changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining; risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry; and those factors identified in the Company's MD&A dated March 23, 2022 for the year ended December 31, 2021, and its Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2022 for the year-ended December 31, 2021, both of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Forward-looking statements and information are designed to help readers understand management's views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement or information contained or incorporated by reference to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements and information. If the Company updates any one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. SOURCE Equinox Gold Corp. CULVER CITY, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EdTechnologyFunds is pleased to announce that our E-rate Documentation Management and Compliance Software, ErateSync, has been named an "Administrative Solution" Finalist in the 2022 EdTech Cool Tool Awards. ErateSync combines an automated interface to USAC or Google Drive to centralize E-rate and ECF records by funding year. Additionally, ErateSync provides fast and intelligent file searches, a modernized records reporting tool, and real-time funding award details to enable entities to respond to program reviews and audits more efficiently. MODERNIZED E-RATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT "We are delighted to be named an Administrative Solution Finalist by the EdTech Digest Cool Tool Awards," said Beverly Sutherland, EdTechnologyFunds CEO. "With the availability of funding through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program to support students and staff working remotely during Covid-19 closures, we found that entities are challenged with the management of records such as the information required to support unmet needs as well as the tracking of where devices & services are being delivered. Entity leaders were looking for ways to build confidence in their compliance while keeping students engaged in learning. ErateSync simplifies the retention of entity ECF and E-rate records and allows staff to focus on what they do best preparing our students and communities for a more digital world." Many ErateSync Subscribers Agree: The Oakley Union Elementary School District has participated in E-Rate funding since 2005. Director of Technology, Renee Stewart explains the challenges associated with E-rate record management and compliance, "For years, we were challenged with managing and storing the mounds of E-Rate documentation stored in binders and/or on our Google Drive. Transitioning our records to ErateSync from our Google Drive was effortless with the built-in automatic upload and tag process. We plan to onboard all records going back to 2005 using this valuable tool." ABOUT ERATESYNC ErateSync is a subsidiary of EdTechnologyFunds, Inc., which was founded in 2010 by Beverly Sutherland to help schools and libraries get funding from the E-rate and Emergency Connectivity Fund programs. Beverly, a former software engineer and worldwide product manager, started EdTechnologyFunds because she believes technology can be a "game-changer" in students' lives and their families as it has been for hers. ErateSync is a cloud-based E-rate and ECF records compliance software that makes the management of the E-rate and ECF program simple and accessible, decreasing the risk of future audits of funds allocated to helping our students and communities. Maintaining compliance with federal and local requirements is no longer an obstacle to getting the funding needed to support on-campus and remote learning. For more information on ErateSync, schedule a demo here: https://info.eratesync.com/ or email us at [email protected]. Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/eratesync/ and @eratesync here: https://twitter.com/eratesync ABOUT EDTECH DIGEST AND THE EDTECH AWARDS EdTech Digest, a leading source of cool tools, interviews, and trends showcasing the future of learning annually honors the best and brightest people, products and groups working in edtech with The EdTech Awards. Cool Tool, Leadership, and Trendsetter honorees span the K-12, Higher Ed, and Skills & Workforce sectors. Further information about The EdTech Awards is available here. Celebrating its 12th year, the US-based program is the world's largest recognition program for education technology, recognizing the biggest names in edtech and those who soon will be. For more, see #EdTechAwards and follow @edtechdigest here: https://twitter.com/edtechdigest, https://www.facebook.com/edtechdigest/ Media Contact: Walt Pitts 626-296-6284 [email protected] SOURCE EdTechnologyFunds, Inc. Contract intelligence company recognized in multiple categories including Medium-Sized Legal Company of the Year SAN MATEO, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stevie Awards today announced that Evisort was named a winner in 10 categories of The 20th Annual American Business Awards. Evisort is the leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for contract management and analytics. Evisort won gold in the following categories: Company of the Year - Legal - Medium Legal Information Solution Business or Competitive Intelligence Solution Legal Solution Evisort won silver for: Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year - Up to 2,500 Employees Technical Innovation of the Year - At Organizations With Up to 1,000 Employees Achievement in Growth Achievement in Product Innovation Achievement in Sales or Revenue Generation Achievement in Science or Technology The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Monday, June 13. Tickets are now on sale . "Evisort is honored to be recognized by the Stevie Awards in so many diverse categories that reflect our commitment to our customers and advancing our vision for intelligent contract management. We extend our sincere congratulations to all organizations nominated," said Dwight Krossa , Vice President of Product, Evisort. Of Evisort, one judge for the category of Legal Information Solution noted, "I love this idea and the future perspective is huge. Very clear about what they're trying to accomplish. The company feels like a breath of fresh air, with a true startup drive to make things successful." Another judge remarked, "The company's achievements in the past year and the feedback from clients about their product are astonishing." More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners. Over 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2022 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA . About Evisort Founded in 2016 by Harvard Law and MIT alumni, Evisort is the leading provider of contract management and AI technology for legal, procurement, sales, finance, and IT teams. Evisort's Contract Intelligence Platform offers implementation within 30 days and fast ROI by centralizing contracts without file migration, using AI to search and automatically track metadata and provisions without manual data entry, and enabling teams to efficiently draft, redline, approve, sign, report on, and renew contracts, all in one place. Evisort is headquartered in Silicon Valley and backed by leading strategic and institutional investors including General Atlantic, Vertex Ventures, M12 (Microsoft's venture fund), Amity Ventures, Village Global, and Serra Ventures. For more information, go to evisort.com, dial (888) 384-7678, like our LinkedIn page, and/or follow us on Twitter: @evisort . About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com . Sponsors of The 2022 American Business Awards include HCL America, John Hancock Financial Services, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro. Contacts Kimberly Dimicco [email protected]evisort.com SOURCE Evisort Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- By issuing proposed rules today to prohibit menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars, the FDA is taking historic and long-overdue action to protect our nation's kids, advance health equity and save lives, especially among Black Americans and other populations that have been targeted by the tobacco industry and suffered enormous harm from the predatory marketing of these products. For decades the tobacco industry has deliberately targeted Black communities with marketing for menthol cigarettes, with tragic consequences. The industry also uses these flavored products to lure kids into a deadly addiction. These rules will, once and for all, put an end to these predatory and deadly practices. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exposed the stark health disparities that exist in the United States. Tobacco use is a significant contributor to these disparities, and Black Americans die at higher rates from tobacco-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. The FDA's proposal to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars will have a profound and certain impact in reducing these health disparities. The Biden Administration and the FDA deserve immense credit for standing up to the tobacco industry and moving forward with this bold, lifesaving policy, as they promised to do one year ago. Once implemented, these rules will represent some of the strongest actions our nation has ever taken to drive down the number of kids who start smoking and the number of Americans who are sickened and killed by tobacco. Once again putting profits before lives, the tobacco industry is going all-out to fight these rules and push false claims that they will subject Black Americans to more law enforcement abuse. The FDA has made it crystal clear that these claims are without merit. The FDA has stated that its rules will apply to manufacturers and retailers and that it "cannot and will not enforce against any individual consumer possession or use of menthol cigarettes or any tobacco product." Racial bias in policing is a critical issue that must be addressed. But the tobacco industry's cynical fearmongering cannot hide the fact that the industry itself has caused so much harm to Black Americans through the targeted marketing of menthol cigarettes. There is strong support for prohibiting menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars from a wide range of organizations, scientists and elected officials including from leading Black organizations and members of Congress. Supporters include the NAACP, other Black civil rights and public health organizations, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a broad coalition of 77 public health, medical, education and community organizations. In a letter this month, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson powerfully stated, "We do not agree with the tobacco industry's message and strategy presented by a few Black leaders: prohibiting menthol cigarettes would be discriminatory. We reject this view. The failure to prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes and products would be discriminatory and counter the goal and function of the FDA to protect and promote public health for all, including the African-American community." Because of the profound impact these rules can have on our nation's health, the FDA has an obligation to finalize and implement them with utmost urgency. The faster these rules are implemented, the faster we can stop the tobacco industry's lethal targeting of Black and other communities, the more kids we will prevent from smoking, and the more lives we will save. Additional Information: Why Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars Must Be Eliminated These rules are long overdue and supported by overwhelming scientific evidence. It has been more than a decade since the FDA's Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee concluded in a landmark 2011 report that the removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States. Based on the scientific evidence, the FDA has found that menthol cigarettes are easier for kids to start smoking, more addictive and harder for smokers to quit. Eliminating menthol cigarettes will protect kids from tobacco addiction. Menthol cools and numbs the throat and masks the harshness of tobacco smoke, making it easier for kids to start smoking and eventually become addicted. According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 41% of all current high school smokers use menthol cigarettes. Eliminating menthol cigarettes will save lives and reduce health disparities, especially among Black Americans. For more than 60 years, the tobacco industry has deliberately targeted Black communities with marketing for menthol cigarettes through magazine ads, sponsorship of community and music events, free samples and other tactics. In the 1950s, less than 10% of Black smokers used menthol cigarettes. Today, that number is 85%. The industry's targeted marketing of menthol cigarettes has caused enormous harm to the health of Black Americans. Tobacco use is the number cause of preventable death among Black Americans, claiming 45,000 Black lives each year. Largely because of more addictive menthol cigarettes, Black smokers have a harder time quitting smoking and die at higher rates from tobacco-related diseases like cancer, heart disease and stroke. A 2021 study found that menthol cigarettes were responsible for 10.1 million additional smokers and 378,000 premature deaths in the U.S. from 1980 to 2018. This research underscores that Black Americans have been disproportionately harmed: While making up 12% of the U.S. population, Black Americans represented 15% of the additional smokers and a staggering 41% of the premature deaths due to menthol cigarettes 157,000 premature deaths among Black Americans altogether. Eliminating flavored cigars will also protect kids and reduce health disparities. Cheap, flavored cigars are sold in over 250 flavors like banana smash, cherry dynamite and chocolate, as well as menthol. These flavored products have flooded the market in recent years and fueled the popularity of cigars with kids. 74% of youth cigar smokers report that they smoke cigars "because they come in flavors I like." The 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that cigars are the second most popular tobacco product (after e-cigarettes) among all high school students and are especially popular among Black high school students. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids WINNIPEG, MB, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - 24-7 Intouch, a global leader in contact center and technology solutions, has been recognized as one of the Best Employers for Diversity in 2022 by Forbes and Statista Inc. This recognition comes after 24-7 Intouch was named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for 2022, and a Top Employer for New Grads. "24-7 Intouch has always recognized that embracing diversity and having a culture where people feel included, supported, and invested in is foundational for our company," said Greg Fettes, Founder and CEO of 24-7 Intouch. "The diversity of our employees has opened up important perspectives, harvesting dialogue, and igniting creativity and innovation which further propels our company and client relationships forward." 24-7 Intouch is listed alongside such direct to consumer global brands as Nike, LuluLemon, Netflix, and Sephora, and was among five Business Processing Outsourcer companies on the list. The Company currently operates in the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Greece, India, and the Philippines. 24-7 Intouch has made significant investments to promote diversity, inclusion and equity within the organization, as well as within the communities in which it operates. In 2019, the company launched Intouch Communities, Employee Resource Groups that provide employees with support, networking opportunities, and community engagement opportunities. The Company has also invested heavily in leadership roles geared specifically towards advancing its well-being, inclusion, sustainability, and community initiatives. "As a global company with client partnerships that are rapidly expanding their footprints around the world, we recognize their end-consumers are also diversifying," said Deanne Harrison, Head of People and Organizational Management at 24-7 Intouch. "By viewing this responsibility through a lens of diversity and inclusion, we are able to make a true impact on our programs and alongside our people, their families, and the communities we're in." Over 60,000 U.S. employees in companies with a minimum of 1,000 employees were surveyed to identify The Best Employers for Diversity. Companies were evaluated on four criteria, including direct feedback from employees on a series of statements regarding age, gender, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQA+ and general diversity in their workplace; participants' evaluation of diversity among other employers in their respective industries; diversity among a company's top executives and Board of Directors; and various diversity engagement indicators. Click here to view the full list on Forbes.com. Individuals interested in a career at 24-7 Intouch are encouraged to apply through the Company's website . About 24-7 Intouch 24-7 Intouch is a global digital customer care and technology company that provides value-driven, future-forward solutions. For over 20 years, we have been the people and technology behind the world's biggest brands, empowering human potential through our artificial intelligence division, Laivly, and driving change for our client partners through actionable insights and analytics. SOURCE 24-7 Intouch BOSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GED LAWYERS, LLP a highly regarded law firm with the principal offices in the state of FLORIDA is going national with two new locations in MASSACHUSETTS. A law firm with 30 years of experience representing both consumers, healthcare providers and businesses against multi-billion-dollar insurance companies. The law firm is expanding into greater BOSTON with fully staffed offices in REHOBOTH and MIDDLETON MASSACHUSETTS. The exceptional practice experience of GED LAWYERS includes Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases, Personal Injury Protection lawsuits, First Party Property Damage cases and Products Liability cases. With many lawyers and a legal support staff of over 100 professionals the law firm will provide the people of the entire state of MASSACHUSETTS the highest level of legal resources which already has produced over $100 million dollars in settlements and jury verdicts. This amount represents 1000's of satisfied clients with compassion, integrity and professionalism recognized by the entire spectrum of legal representation. GED LAWYERS through constant in person communications and public announcements, will continue to keep the residents of MASSACHUSETTS, and other areas served by the firm, fully apprised of its expansion of legal services to suit the public's need. The founders of GED LAWYERS, C. GLEN GED ESQ. a distinguished member of the MASSACHUSETTS Bar with a particular and long-lasting relationship with MASSACHUSETTS and Managing Partner MARIUS GED ESQ. announce this expansion with enthusiasm and expectation of continued highest reputation for excellence in the legal community for which it serves. GED LAWYERS can be reached by calling 844-4GEDLAW or by visiting www.gedlawyers.com today. SOURCE GED LAWYERS, LLP During GenNx360's investment in Salford, the Company experienced impressive organic growth and enhanced its profitability through product enhancements, instillation of a culture of operational excellence, and continuous attention to its customers' requirements for a high-quality product and short lead times. Salford also completed three strategic acquisitions during this time, BBI, Aerway and Valmar, which helped the Company expand its operating footprint and create a more comprehensive product portfolio. "The success of our investment in Salford demonstrates GenNx360's ability to execute on our investment strategy to substantially increase the Company's revenue and profitability through synergistic acquisitions, operational efficiencies, and an unyielding commitment to customer service," said Lloyd Trotter, a Founder and Managing Partner of GenNx360. "We backed a strong management team headed by Geof Gray, Salford's President and Chief Executive Officer. We are excited that this exit positions Salford for continued success, while also generating an attractive return for GenNx360's Limited Partners," added Lloyd. Winston & Strawn, McCarthy Tetrault, and Siskinds acted as legal counsel to Salford. Lincoln International served as the exclusive financial advisor to Salford on this transaction. About GenNx360 Capital Partners GenNx360 Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on acquiring middle market business-to-business services and industrial companies. GenNx360 invests in companies with proven and sustainable business models in expanding industries, with the objective of implementing value-enhancing operational improvements to accelerate growth, deliver efficiencies and generate strong financial returns. Target industries include outsourced business services, industrial machinery and components, industrial services, automation & industrial technology, packaging products, equipment services, environmental services, and food ingredients/equipment/services. GenNx360 was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New York City. www.gennx360.com About Salford Group Salford Group, founded in 1978 is headquartered in Salford, Ontario with three manufacturing locations in Canada and two in the United States. The Salford product lineup includes both pneumatic and spinner-type fertilizer spreaders, cover crop seeders, and a range of tillage equipment and Air Flow applicators, Aerators, Spinner Spreaders, and Tillage product lines. Salford's products are engineered and built to be durable, innovative, and complementary to mainline OEM products with distinct performance advantages related to higher productivity, greater efficiency and environmental sustainability. The company has been able to leverage technological developments in precision agriculture to allow producers to manage their crop production on an ever-increasing degree of resolution. www.salfordgroup.com For media inquiries about this press release, please contact: GenNx360 Capital Partners Carmen Rojas, Investor Relations Manager Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 212.257.6772 SOURCE GenNx360 Capital Partners DUBLIN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Generic Injectables Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product Type, Container Type, Application and Route of Administration and Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Generic Injectables Market for Vials Segment to Grow Significantly During 2021-2028 Generic Injectables Market is projected to reach US$ 150.65 billion by 2028 from US$ 74.74 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2021 to 2028 Generic injectables are counterparts of branded injectables that are not protected by drug patents. They are as effective and safe as the innovator drugs since they have equivalent quality, active ingredients, strength, dosage, form, etc. The R&D cycle of generic injectables is shorter and cheaper. Generic injectable manufacturers do not require much investment in R&D and clinical trials. The generic injectables market growth is attributed to low R&D, marketing, and manufacturing costs, and the rising prevalence of chronic illness cases are expected to drive the growth of the market. However, critical inspection systems for prefilled injection and supply chain- related challenges may hinder the growth of market growth. Increasing Patent Expiry of Branded Injectables Creating Opportunities for Generic Injectables Market Players The patents of branded injectables in several regions are likely to expire in the upcoming years, offering numerous remunerative opportunities to the generic injectables manufacturers. As per a recent publication by Business Standard, patented drugs worth US$ 240 billion will lose patents globally over the coming years. In India, the shortage of branded medicines and the expiry of branded drug patents have prompted generic injectable's manufacturers to introduce advanced drug delivery systems, including self-injection devices. Biological E Limited, an Indian biotechnology and biopharmaceutical company based in Hyderabad, Telangana, is gaining recognition for broadening its portfolio with the addition of 20 routine and injectable products. Thus, generic injectables companies are tapping regulated markets and exploring other markets to generate incomes and establish stable revenue streams. Additionally, manufacturers in the generic injectables market are becoming future-ready by maintaining adequate supply chains to prevent vulnerabilities, such as those caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Zydus Cadila is significantly reducing the price of its generic version of Remdesivir, namely Remdac. Thus, the nearing expiry of patent validity of branded injectables is likely to provide significant opportunities to generic injectables manufacturers. Product Type-Based Insights The generic injectables market, based on product type, has been bifurcated into large molecule injectables and small molecule injectables. The large molecule injectable segment held a larger share of the market in 2021. However, the small molecule injectable segment is expected to register a higher CAGR in the generic injectables market during 2021-2028. Container Type-Based Insights The generic injectables market, based on container type, is segmented into vials, premix, prefilled syringes, ampoules, and others. The vials segment held the largest generic injectables market share in 2021 and is anticipated to continue to be the largest shareholder in 2028. Application-Based Insights The generic injectables market, by application, is segmented into oncology, infectious diseases, cardiology, diabetes, immunology, and others. In 2021, the oncology segment held the largest generic injectables market share. However, the generic injectables market for the diabetes segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during 2021-2028. Route of Administration-Based Insights The generic injectables market, by the route of administration, is segmented into intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and others. In 2021, the intravenous segment held the largest share of the market. However, the intramuscular segment is expected to register the highest CAGR in the generic injectables market from 2021 to 2028. AstraZeneca; Baxter International Inc.; Biocon; Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA; GlaxoSmithKline plc; Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC; Johnson and Johnson Services, Inc.; Lupin; Merck & Co., Inc.; Viatris Inc.; and Pfizer Inc. are among the leading companies operating in generic injectables market. Key Market Dynamics Market Drivers Low R&D, Marketing, and Manufacturing Costs High Demand for Affordable Drugs Market Restraints Critical Inspection System for Prefilled Injection Market Opportunities Increasing Patent Expiry of Drugs Future Trends Government Support for Generic Injectables Production and Healthcare Cost Reduction Company Profiles Astrazeneca Baxter International, Inc. Biocon Fresenius Se & Co. Kgaa GlaxoSmithKline plc Hikma Pharmaceuticals Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. Lupin, Ltd. Merck & Co. Inc. Mylan N.V. Pfizer, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/orim8u 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 NOIDA, India, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Geospatial World is proud to announce the release of its annual GeoBuiz 22: Global Geospatial Industry Outlook Report. The GeoBuiz Report 2022 provides businesses and governments alike with demonstrable evidence of the broader value of unlocking geospatial capabilities and sets out key implications, suggestions, and ambitions to spearhead the shared vision of increasing the adaptability of geospatial information and technology. Some of the key highlights include: The global geospatial market is forecasted to be USD 681 billion in 2025, in 2025, The market is estimated to grow at a much faster rate post-2025, making it USD 1.44 trillion by 2030, on the backbone of strategic public policy reforms, industry acceleration strategies, and innovations in the digital twin and metaverse paradigm, by 2030, on the backbone of strategic public policy reforms, industry acceleration strategies, and innovations in the digital twin and metaverse paradigm, The current growth in the market is driven by technology innovation, integration of workflows, and augmentation of spatial analytics in business processes, Increasing government investments, strategic public policy reforms, and the evolving role of national geospatial agencies and governments is expected to drive the market growth post-2025, GNSS and Positioning is forecasted to be the largest and growing geospatial technology segment with approx. 45 percent of the total market share, followed by GIS and Spatial Analytics at approx. 25 percent and earth observation at approx. 17 percent, The economic impact of geospatial technologies on the global economy is currently estimated to be in the range of USD 2.2 trillion to 5.4 trillion, while it shall expand in the range of USD 5.4 trillion to USD 10.2 trillion in 2025. "The global geospatial industry is one of the fastest-growing industries today, and is transforming from being a product driven to a solutions driven industry, with embedment across mainstream IT and engineering technologies. By 2030, the revenues of this market is expected to be more than $1.4 trillion, owing to strategic public policy reforms, industry acceleration strategies, and innovations in the digital twin and metaverse paradigm. Geospatial World's GeoBuiz-22: Global Geospatial Industry Outlook Report extensively elaborates on futuristic technologies and business dynamics that are expected to impact the geospatial, and allied industries in the near future. The Innovation to Impact Matrix, is definitely something that would interest geospatial industry leaders as it entails information pertaining to the relative position of the major market competitors within the geospatial space", says Ms. Ananya Narain, Director - GW Consulting, Geospatial World. The GeoBuiz-22 report has been developed after a comprehensive exercise of interaction with 500 geospatial industry leaders and with quality survey respondents of over 1500+ stakeholders from the geospatial ecosystem. Download PDF Brochure of Table of Contents and Research Design The report will provide industry leaders with answers to the following questions What is the current global market size and forecast for 2025 by technology, sub-type, application and region? What are the technology and business trends driving innovation and public policy reforms? How are business models evolving in the geospatial industry ecosystem and what is the future outlook of technology companies? How has the mergers & acquisition and partnership trends evolving in the geospatial industry? What is the current geospatial human resource map and what are the skills which are presently in demand by leading geospatial companies? What is the economic impact of geospatial technologies across industry verticals (application areas)? How are public policy reforms and industry acceleration strategies going to impact the geospatial market growth by 2030? Where do leading technology companies stand against each other in the Innovation to Impact matrix? Get the full report - GeoBuiz-22: Global Geospatial Industry Outlook Report About GeoBuiz Report The GeoBuiz-22 report brings forth the geospatial market size and forecast of geospatial technologies, and it's subsegments by technology sub-type, application, and region from 2022 to 2025 and analyses the various macroeconomic and microeconomic factors affecting the market growth. The report also brings forth a vivid picture of the human resource map and skill requirement of the geospatial industry and throws light on the potential economic impact of geospatial technologies on industry verticals in 2022 and 2025 and the probable impact of public policy reforms and accelerator strategy on the geospatial market in 2030. In addition, the report brings you the Innovation to Impact Matrix, which aims to provide technology businesses with a wide-angle view of the relative position of the major market competitor About GW Consulting GW Consulting, the market research and consulting division of Geospatial World, is a trusted market intelligence disseminator with over 10 years in research and consulting in the geospatial and allied technology domain. With advanced analysis of rich data and analysis that crosses industries and geographies, we provide impactful insights to leaders in the commercial, public and social sectors to develop and facilitate more profound knowledge and understanding of geospatial technologies and their contribution to the world economy and society. Interested in buying the GeoBuiz Report 2022? Book your copy now! Contact: Mr. Pulkit Chaudhary Product Manager GW Consulting, Geospatial World A-145, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201309, India Phone no: 0120 461 2500 Email: [email protected] GW Knowledge Hub: https://www.geospatialworld.net/consulting/industry-reports.html Company Website: https://www.geospatialworld.net/ SOURCE Geospatial Media and Communications Pvt. Ltd. DUBLIN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Micro-LED Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Application (Display and Lighting), By Display Type, By Lighting Type, By Panel Size, By Vertical, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Micro-LED Market size is expected to reach $19.8 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 76.6 % CAGR during the forecast period. LED stands for abbreviation Light-emitting diode. A LED is a semiconductor device that emits light whenever an electric current run through it. LEDs are considered cutting-edge technology and are used in energy-saving lighting. In comparison to halogen or incandescent lights, LED lighting helps in minimizing electricity expenses by reducing energy consumption by approximately 85%. In addition, they also comprise a longer lifespan, greater light quality, and are more durable, which makes them popular in industrial and residential applications including modular lighting, task lighting, kitchen under-cabinet lighting, refrigerated case lighting, as well as recessed downlights. Over the last few years, LED lights have been established as a potent lighting source. These lights have rapidly acquired prominence in the lighting sector across numerous industries due to their multiple advantages over traditional lighting technologies. Although, the LED lighting industry is rapidly becoming popular all over the world and it has significant opportunities for growth over the upcoming decades. For instance, India is one of the largest lighting markets in the world, which makes it a lucrative hub for LED producers to set up their businesses. A sustainable atmosphere for the LED industry is provided by skilled labor, the convenience of doing business, and geographical advantages. The development of the LED light industry is continuously being supported by various businesses of all sizes, namely large-sized enterprises, small-sized enterprises, and medium-sized enterprises. For instance, massive displays, such as CLEDIS, micro-displays, and the Apple Watch are rapidly becoming popular among people across the world. However, the diffusion of application development is trending across the world, due to which, there is a cut-throat competition among key market players. COVID-19 Impact Analysis The COVID-19 outbreak caused a major impact on various economies across the world. A significant number of businesses were completely demolished due to the sudden outburst of the infection. Moreover, supply chains across the world were significantly disturbed, which led various industries to a shortage of raw inputs or materials. In addition, governments all over the world had to impose lockdown over their countries for the containment of the novel coronavirus. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the worldwide micro-LED business. Various new projects were delayed due to the lockdown, as well as stringent travel restrictions on national and international transportation services. Market Growth Factors: The rising trend for smart wearables The popularity of virtual reality and augmented reality, as well as breakthroughs in ultra-high definition micro-display panels, is constantly increasing. The adoption of extended reality and the development of virtual reality glasses, which significantly improved micro displays to offer users an enhanced experience, is expected to continue to drive micro display adoption in wearable devices in the forecasting years. In addition, the desire for thin, efficient displays made of OLED materials is propelling the micro displays industry forward. Micro displays are more compact than regular displays and offer good quality, high resolution, and low power consumption. It's great for consumer electronics, aerospace & defense, as well as healthcare applications, gadgets, and equipment because of these characteristics. Rising demand for efficient and brighter display panels A micro-LED display is the latest technology that comprises a cluster of tiny LEDs that forms a single pixel element. In comparison to typical LED and OLED display technologies, it provides better contrast. Additionally, as compared to other technologies like LEDs and OLEDs, the power consumption of micro-LED displays is lower. As a result, the penetration of this technology is increasing due to the high demand for brighter and more energy-efficient devices. In addition, micro-LEDs are light-emitting diodes with a diameter of a few micrometers that can be used to make self-emitting displays. As a result, micro-LEDs do not require a backlight panel, making them brighter and more energy-efficient. Micro-LEDs are a new technology that can be used in lighting and display applications. Marketing Restraining Factor: Fragile supply chain along with limited patents The three key supply chain steps required for mass production of micro-LED displays are micro-LED manufacture, mass transferring, and panel manufacturing. These three processes should be well-aligned for large-scale display production. Micro-LED displays have a more difficult and lengthy supply chain than LCD or OLED panels. As the technology improves, the LCD supply chain, which includes a variety of materials and components, becomes more established. The OLED supply chain is changing, yet, because there are lesser components in the display panel, a lesser number of market players can control the supply chain. Every operation in the micro-LED supply chain is crucial, and managing each stage of the supply chain by one or two parties is expected to be difficult. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology Chapter 2. Market Overview 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 Overview 2.1.1.1 Market Composition and Scenario 2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market 2.2.1 Market Drivers 2.2.2 Market Restraints Chapter 3. Global Micro-LED Market by Application 3.1 Global Display Market by Region 3.2 Global Display Market by Type 3.2.1 Global Smartphones & Tablets Market by Region 3.2.2 Global Smartwatch Market by Region 3.2.3 Global Television Market by Region 3.2.4 Global Near-to-Eye Devices Market by Region 3.2.5 Global Head-up-displays Market by Region 3.2.6 Global Digital Signage Market by Region 3.2.7 Global Other Display Type Market by Region 3.3 Global Lighting Market by Region 3.4 Global Lighting Market by Type 3.4.1 Global General Lighting Market by Region 3.4.2 Global Automotive Lighting Market by Region Chapter 4. Global Micro-LED Market by Panel Size 4.1 Global Small & Medium-sized Panel Market by Region 4.2 Global Large Panels Market by Region 4.3 Global Micro Display Market by Region Chapter 5. Global Micro-LED Market by Vertical 5.1 Global Consumer Electronics Market by Region 5.2 Global Advertising Market by Region 5.3 Global Automotive Market by Region 5.4 Global Aerospace & Defense Market by Region 5.5 Global Others Market by Region Chapter 6. Global Micro-LED Market by Region Chapter 7. Company Profiles 7.1 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group) 7.1.1 Company Overview 7.1.2 Financial Analysis 7.1.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis 7.1.4 Research & Development Expense 7.1.5 Recent strategies and developments: 7.1.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements: 7.1.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions: 7.1.6 SWOT Analysis 7.2 Sony Corporation 7.2.1 Company Overview 7.2.2 Financial Analysis 7.2.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis 7.2.4 Research & Development Expenses 7.2.5 Recent strategies and developments: 7.2.5.1 Product launches and Product Expansions: 7.2.6 SWOT Analysis 7.3 Apple, Inc. 7.3.1 Company Overview 7.3.2 Financial Analysis 7.3.3 Product and Regional Analysis 7.3.4 Research & Development Expense 7.3.5 Recent strategies and developments: 7.3.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements: 7.3.6 SWOT Analysis 7.4 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. 7.4.1 Company Overview 7.5 Lumens.com 7.5.1 Company Overview 7.6 Konka Group Co., Ltd. 7.6.1 Company Overview 7.6.2 Recent strategies and developments: 7.6.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions: 7.7 Tianma Microelectronics Co., Ltd. 7.7.1 Company Overview 7.7.2 Recent strategies and developments: 7.7.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions: 7.8 X-Celeprint Limited (Xtrion N.V.) 7.8.1 Company Overview 7.8.2 Recent strategies and developments: 7.8.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements: 7.9 Nanosys, Inc. 7.9.1 Company Overview 7.9.2 Recent strategies and developments: 7.9.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements: 7.9.2.2 Acquisition and Mergers 7.10. Visionox Technology, Inc. 7.10.1 Company Overview For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sqxdu8 Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets There are 632 regional centers currently registered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but only 17 of them (that are IIUSA-member regional centers) actually took the families that invested in their EB-5 projects all the way through the final step of the EB-5 immigration process. These companies were recognized with the I-829 award by EB-5 industry trade group Invest In the USA (IIUSA). The accolade was received by GGG Managing Director, Legal & Compliance Mine Ekim, at the IIUSA EB-5 Industry Achievement Awards ceremony on April 12, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Golden Gate Global has again been awarded by IIUSA the I-829 award for receiving I-829 approvals for its EB-5 investors Founded in 2005, IIUSA is the national membership-based 501(c)(6) not-for-profit industry trade association for the EB-5 Regional Center Program. The I-829 petition is the culmination of an investor's EB-5 visa process. As the last step in their EB-5 journey, an I-829 petition approval from the USCIS removes the investor's conditional residency restriction so that the investor, their spouse, and their unmarried children under the age of 21 can live in the United States permanently. This honor underscores GGG's extensive list of accolades, including IIUSA's Regional Center of the Year Award (2019), and Public-Private Partnership of the Year Award (2018). Moreover, as a long-standing member of IIUSA and its board of directors, GGG leadership has been and continues to be a driving force in the effort on Capitol Hill to further regulate, expand market transparency, and strengthen the EB-5 Regional Center Program for years to come. "Each I-829 petition approval is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team focused on delivering the best outcome for each of our clients. We are thrilled that our investors and their families achieved the ultimate EB-5 immigration milestone," said Steven Kay, Golden Gate Global Founder and Co-CEO. "We thank our investor families for putting their immigration and investment trust in us. As we celebrate over a decade in this industry, GGG will continue to finance the strongest real estate development projects and guide our investors' immigration investment journeys." About Golden Gate Global Golden Gate Global is an award-winning regional center operator headquartered in San Francisco, California. Established in 2011, Golden Gate Global has been offering institutional quality real estate projects with partners such as Lennar Corporation, JMA Ventures, Sacramento Kings, and Signature Development Group to EB-5 investors from all over the world. Golden Gate Global enjoys a 100% USCIS project approval rate and has been successful servicing over 1,300 EB-5 investors. For more information: +1 (415) 986-8888 / [email protected] / www.3gfund.com SOURCE Golden Gate Global LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE: GBX) will be presenting on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the 2022 Wells Fargo Industrials Conference held in New York City, New York. The presentation will be webcast live, beginning at 2:40 pm ET, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Listeners can access the webcast directly through the OpenExchange website at https://kvgo.com/wells-fargo/greenbrier-companies-may-2022. To register for or listen to the webcast, follow the link and enter your name, company and email address. About Greenbrier Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures, Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America, Europe and Brazil. We are a leading provider of freight railcar wheel services, parts, maintenance and retrofitting services in North America through our rail services business unit. Greenbrier manages 431,000 railcars and offers railcar management, regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and other railcars owners in North America. GBX Leasing (GBXL) is a special purpose subsidiary that owns and manages a portfolio of leased railcars that originate primarily from Greenbrier's manufacturing operations. GBXL and Greenbrier own a lease fleet of 11,000 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com. # # # SOURCE Greenbrier Companies, Inc. Attorney Aaron Osten and Attorney Alan Van Gelder of Greene Broillet & Wheeler in Los Angeles, California, have secured a $12.2 million jury verdict for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury after slipping and falling in her office. LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A Los Angeles jury awarded a $12.2 million judgment on Thursday to a young woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a slip and fall incident in her office building. The plaintiff, 38-year-old Jessica Vu, worked as a counselor for children with autism in an office building in Hermosa Beach. On August 29th, 2016, Vu was working late studying for her licensing credential exam at the office. That evening, the defendants, a carpet cleaning crew working for DFS Flooring Inc., hired by the defendant building owners, 2447 PCH LLC, and property managers, Mar Ventures Inc., arrived and cleaned the common area hallways. Vu and two co-workers eventually needed to clear out their offices for the carpet cleaning. During the 3-week trial, the plaintiff's legal team argued that the defendants improperly cleaned the carpet and failed to warn Vu about the wet carpet. "They cleaned the carpet and just left it behind; wet, no warning signs, no-slip mats, and just ignored the basic precautions causing a catastrophic injury to our client who was simply trying to go home," said trial attorney Aaron Osten. While exiting the building, Vu walked across the wet carpet, opened the door to the stairwell, and walked across an epoxy landing. The epoxy landing had been recently installed and did not have adequate grip-and-slip resistance. According to the complaint, the wetness on Vu's shoes caused her to slip and fall down a flight of stairs hitting her head on the concrete steps. Vu drove herself home after the fall and went to urgent care the next day, where doctors diagnosed her with a head injury. 48 hours later, she began to suffer headaches and cognitive issues. Within several weeks, Vu's mental and cognitive abilities had declined, forcing her to resign from a career she loved and move back to her hometown in Florida. Six years after her slip and fall, Vu continues to suffer from memory problems, issues with executive function, difficulty multitasking, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. She also has emotional problems and anxiety arising from her brain injury. "We are enormously grateful that the jury recognized the insidious nature of a lifelong traumatic brain injury and our client's need for compensation," said lead trial attorney Alan Van Gelder. "There's more public awareness now about head injuries, which are often difficult to see until you understand the science and how it has affected the individual," added Van Gelder. The jury found the defendants 100-percent liable for Vu's injury and awarded her for future medical treatment, future and past loss of earnings, and past and future non-economic damages. The plaintiff's legal team included partners Alan Van Gelder, Aaron Osten, and attorney Jenna Edzant with Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP. The Los Angeles law firm has recovered billions of dollars for clients in California and nationwide. Its team of attorneys litigates complex personal injury casessuch as cases involving motor vehicle accidents, insurance bad faith, sexual abuse, catastrophic injuries, and moreexclusively working on the plaintiffs' side. To learn more about the premier firm and its award-winning trial lawyers, inquiring parties should visit https://www.gbw.law. Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP Jessica Hogan, [email protected] 866-634-4525 SOURCE Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP Joins Governor Abbott, Local Officials and Community Leaders in Announcing Location of the Premiere Energy Infrastructure Project of the Decade HOUSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HIF Global, in partnership with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation, and various community partners, announced its selection of Matagorda County as the location of its first industrial-scale eFuels facility in North America. When the HIF Matagorda eFuels facility is fully operational, HIF anticipates producing approximately 200 million gallons a year of a carbon-neutral gasoline substitute that will decarbonize over 400,000 vehicles in the United States. HIF plans to make a capital investment of approximately $6 billion, creating approximately 3,000 direct jobs during the construction phase of the HIF Matagorda eFuels facility and more than 125 permanent operating jobs. The project is also expected to create and sustain thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the region. The company expects construction at the site to begin in 2023. The carbon-neutral gasoline substitute can be used in vehicles without any modification to existing engines or the infrastructure on which they depend. The carbon-neutral gasoline is produced by combining CO2 captured from the atmosphere with green hydrogen from renewable wind power. HIF USA CEO Renato Pereira said, "I am grateful to the citizens of Matagorda County for welcoming the first American eFuels facility to the south coast of Texas. We are honored that Governor Abbott could be at this site announcement, demonstrating the commitment the state of Texas has to innovative businesses that will drive the future. Once again Texas has shown its leadership as the heart of America's energy sector, galvanizing new energy supplies for the United States and the world." "We chose this site because of its unique combination of incentive support, available real estate, tax and regulatory stability, and commitment to protecting the environment through responsible and sustainable economic development. Carbon-neutral eFuels represent the energy sector's next frontier, enabling renewable resources to fuel our mobile economy. We expect to start construction in 2023 and produce eFuels from the pioneering HIF Matagorda eFuels facility in 2026," HIF USA CEO Renato Pereira added. The Honorable Judge Nate McDonald, County Judge of Matagorda County said, "The State of Texas has long been the champion of energy in the United States. I am proud to say our Economic Development team here in Matagorda County, along with the ever-present support of the Governor and his office, have brought to fruition a new energy sector that will put Matagorda County on the map. I'm proud of the work Matagorda and HIF teams displayed throughout this process and could not be happier they selected Matagorda County for their U.S. flagship." About HIF Global HIF Global is the world leading eFuels company, developing projects to convert hydrogen made using low-cost renewable power into carbon neutral liquid eFuels that can be transported and utilized in existing infrastructure. The name HIF represents the mission of the company: to provide Highly Innovative Fuels to make decarbonization of the planet possible. HIF Chile, HIF USA and HIF Australia are wholly owned subsidiaries of HIF Global. HIF Chile is currently constructing the Haru Oni Demonstration Plant in Magallanes, Chile. For more information, visit www.hifglobal.com. CAUTIONARY INFORMATION ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Information in this press release includes various statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as "can," "expect," potential," "to be," "will," and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements and convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things, our expectations of our plans, strategies, and objectives, including with respect to the timing and other aspects of the HIF Matagorda eFuels facility. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include (without limitation): our ability to timely obtain or maintain necessary permits to construct and develop the HIF Matagorda eFuels facility; our ability to execute operational objectives on a timely and successful basis; legislative, policy, fiscal and regulatory developments; the outcome of commercial negotiations; our ability to raise financing; consumer preferences or demand; and various economic, business, and competitive factors affecting our business. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this paragraph. HIF Global urges you to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements made in this press release and cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. HIF Global undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE HIF Global ATLANTA, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Although "Corporate Philanthropy" is normally associated with massive global brands, that's not stopping this local Atlanta Animation and Graphic Recording studio from giving back to the community. Since 2018, The Sketch Effect's " Drawing Good " program has donated tens of thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours of service, and dozens of projects to Atlanta-area non-profits. The Sketch Effect The Sketch Effect "A few years ago, we dreamed up what 'Drawing Good' could be, selected three local non-profits we felt passionate about, and have been supporting them ever since." says Founder & CEO William Warren. The non-profits are Love Beyond Walls, which advocates and supports Atlanta's homeless population, The Good Samaritan Health Center, which provides holistic healthcare to the city's neediest, and Refuge Coffee Company, which offers mentorship and job training to the refugee population in Clarkson, Georgia (and also serves great coffee). The "Drawing Good" program is simple, consisting of three components. The first is "give," which quite simply is a cash donation from annual profits to each of the three organizations. "Charitable giving is something my family and I do on a personal level, so it had to be part of my business as well," said Warren. "We like to make a big deal of it with our team. Everyone gets excited that we can just write these big checks and give away money. It's an amazing privilege." The second component is "serve," which sends the entire Sketch Effect team out of the office for a day of community service with each non-profit partner. The team has pulled crops on the Good Samaritan urban farm, made meals for the homeless with Love Beyond Walls, and served a "Friendsgiving" lunch to the refugee population in Clarkston with Refuge Coffee Company. "I love the service days because we get to step out of our normal day-to-day, spend time with these amazing people, meet a real need, and have a ton of fun," says Sketch Effect COO Meg Harrison. "Plus, it's great for our team culture." The final component is "draw," in which The Sketch Effect donates one pro-bono project, per year, to each partner. The work is treated as real client work (with the exception that the final invoice is for zero dollars). "This is our greatest way to magnify the impact these amazing organizations are having," says Warren. "We'll do what we do best, which is making animated videos, illustrating, or sketching, to help them do what they do best." These donated projects have been used for capital campaigns, other fundraising, education, events, marketing, social media, and other purposes all of which further the mission of each of these organizations. "We are for-profit, but we are also FOR Atlanta," says Warren. "And 'Drawing Good' is how we show that." Media Contact: William Warren (404) 458-4926 [email protected] SOURCE The Sketch Effect BEIJING, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Founded in 2020, Huatai International Private Equity Fund ("HTPE") is the USD private equity fund management platform launched by Huatai Securities, one of China's largest financial conglomerates who just celebrated its 30th birthday. As the debut dollar-denominated blind-pool fund, HTPE focuses on mid-to late-stage growth equity and mid-market buyout investment opportunities in China and beyond, covering semiconductor, technology, healthcare, as well as consumer sectors. Although born at a difficult time amidst the pandemic, HTPE's fundraising was not affected by the melancholy of the market. It receives commitments from prestigious institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals around the globe, including large insurers, corporates and family offices. Just within one-year stint, HTPE has already notched up several remarkable investments in industry-leading companies such as LiDAR sensor company Hesai Technology, MEOL semiconductor foundry house SJ semi, automotive chipmaker Semidrive and single-use bioreactor manufacturer JYSSBIO. "The establishment of this fund is a new venture for both Huatai and myself," said Yang Lei, Managing Partner of HTPE, "We are a value-added investor who are fully equipped with broader capabilities and resources to underpin the growth of innovative companies in varied industries. We contribute professional expertise and multi-level support to help companies realize their full potentials, growing into industry leader in China and internationally. HTPE is well positioned for continued momentum to capture the boundless opportunities with industrial innovation and upgrading in China and beyond." Extensive transaction, operating and strategic expertise across whole industry chain The fund is comprised of a diversified high-caliber team with deep industry background and professional investment capabilities. Via its "Capital boosts Industry" investment philosophy, HTPE dives into every link of the whole industry chain, seeks to understand the structural economic and industrial shifts caused by mega trends, and translates the structural opportunities into tangible support to its portfolios as well as China's economy. Since 2020, the unexpected changes of domestic policies and international situations have brought China's semiconductor industry back into the spotlight. Under such circumstance, HTPE invested in SJ Semiconductor Corp. (SJ Semi), one of the leading companies in the advanced packaging localization. "We believe that China's semiconductor packing market is going to resume its world leading growth and even achieve a higher level in the near future, as a result of rejuvenation of global supply chain and the incremental market demand brought by emerging applications such as 5G, automotive electronics and smart wearable devices," said Yang Lei. While in healthcare, long before domestic pharmaceutical companies became highly concerned about the domestic replacement of bioreactors and pharmaceutical equipment, HTPE had completed its investment in JYSSBIO, a leading Chinese biopharmaceutical upstream company, which validates the strength of its investment strategy and leading capabilities in healthcare industry. Integrated support to portfolio companies through full cycle of corporate lifespan HTPE differentiates itself as a farsighted pure-play investor with capabilities covering through growth equity, M&A integration, to post-IPO public market, providing deep insight and multi- dimensional support to its portfolio companies for the whole capital market lifecycle. The team understands the unique and often complex needs of today's entrepreneurs throughout all the phases of their corporate development to help them navigate the maze of growing complexity, fierce competition and fragmented markets. This allows the fund to deliver innovative and bespoke solution supports during different phases, helping grow grand visions into great companies. As the USD investment platform of China's top financial group, HTPE is buoyed by Huatai's full-suite financial businesses and enjoys its well-established resources and networks, not only for growth equity and buyout investment, but also for IPO advisory backed by investment banking team, M&A opportunities for horizontal or vertical integration or even spin-offs that are adapted to different phases of its portfolio companies. One such demonstration is its investment in Hesai Technology, a global leader in LiDAR sensors for autonomous driving and smart vehicle. In mid-2021, HTPE took part in Hesai's over US$370 million Series D financing, together with a number of first-tier PE houses and industry giants including Xiaomi Group, Hillhouse Venture, Meituan and CPE. As a key strategic partner of Hesai, HTPE provided operational value-add through introducing downstream OEM customers, fostering key industry collaboration and partnerships, as well as advising on Hesai's IPO plan together with Huatai's investment banking division. In addition, HTPE invested in Semidrive Semiconductor during Q3 2021, a highly reputable company in the automotive chip industry who has made notable progress by HTPE introducing significant national-level investors and industry endorsement which facilitate the rapid growth of its R&D and manufacturing. Global vision across the international ecosystem As a technology-driven securities group listed in Shanghai, Hong Kong and London who also successfully acquired AssetMark and completed its spin-off listing in the United States, Huatai has built a reputation of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit with global vision. The precedent US$630 buyout deal of Norwegian largest furniture manufacturer Ekornes, partnered with Qumei Home Furnishing Group, is a testament to Huatai's international footprints in private equity investment. This deal set record among Chinese financial institutions in terms of both transaction scale and overseas influence. Founded with the legacy of Huatai's global vision and extensive network in international capital markets, HTPE is uniquely inherited with cross-border capabilities to foster the expansion of its portfolio companies from different dimensions. With global network of internal and external professionals across international value chain, HTPE is dedicated to back the next-generation innovative technologies and business models reshaping its target market, and leverage its unique access to both Chinese and overseas resources as well as in-depth market understanding with international ecosystem. "There is tremendous opportunity for PE investment with China's developing economy and technology innovation, and we look forward to bringing our unique offering to a market that is well positioned for long-term growth. The rapid growth we have achieved so far demonstrates our sizable long-term capital base, solid experience in sourcing and structuring transactions, as well as advanced management techniques," said Yang Lei at HTPE's AGM held in last December, "underpinned by Huatai's global platforms and financial resources across different sectors, we are uniquely well-positioned among Chinese PE investors, offering bespoke add-on value to our portfolio companies. We remain steadfast in our ambition to build a thriving ecosystem to integrate capital with industry, as a pioneer with best practices among international private equity brands." About HTPE Huatai International Private Equity Fund ("HTPE") is a USD private equity fund under Huatai Securities, one of China's largest financial conglomerates. HTPE is focused on mid-to late-stage growth equity and mid-market buyout investment opportunities in China and beyond, covering healthcare, semiconductor, deep tech, TMT, and consumer sectors. The core investment team is comprised of investment veterans with more than ten years of experience in private equity and capital markets. Leveraging on Huatai's solid platforms and networks in China and worldwide, HTPE utilizes a unique multi-pronged strategy and integrates its global best practice, broad know-how, deep industry understanding, as well as comprehensive local expertise and experience to capture high growth potential across a variety of sectors, to identify and work with top-notch companies with promising capabilities at different stages. SOURCE Huatai International Private Equity Fund (HTPE) The new collection features iconic art that spans Gorillaz' 20-year adventure TORONTO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Inkbox, the cutting-edge, semi-permanent tattoo brand announced its latest partnership with the world's most successful virtual band, Gorillaz. The new exclusive 15-piece tattoo collection features designs ranging from old school artwork to present-day iconography. INKBOX TEAMS UP WITH LEGENDARY VIRTUAL BAND GORILLAZ TO LAUNCH NEW SEMI-PERMANENT TATTOO COLLECTION "Partnering with a band as culturally renowned as Gorillaz is the perfect opportunity to broaden our lineup of musical collaborations and continue to celebrate the creative nexus of tattoos and music," said Inkbox CEO and Co-founder, Tyler Handley. "Both Inkbox and Gorillaz are committed to celebrating self-expression, spontaneity, and individuality, making this collaboration a natural fit." The Gorillaz collection honors the band's iconic career and mischievous antics with designs that highlight each band member Murdoc, Noodle, 2D and Russel in addition to well-known logos and symbols. The semi-permanent tattoos are designed with Inkbox's patented For Now Ink that offers the appearance and feel of a genuine tattoo and keeps the designs visible for 1-2 weeks. Each semi-permanent tattoo is skin-safe, waterproof and cruelty-free. "Dozens if not millions of my fans have already got Murdoc tattoos, and all I can say is, I salute you," said Murdoc Niccals, bass player and founding member of Gorillaz. "But if you're one of those sensitive types who doesn't enjoy pain, then try my new Inkbox tats! It's the next best thing to having me around forever. Also comes in 2D, Russ and Noodle styles, apparently." The Gorillaz collection will be available to shop starting today, shipping worldwide from www.inkbox.com. To stay up to date on all Inkbox launches and partnerships, subscribe to the email newsletter, and follow Inkbox on Instagram , Twitter, and TikTok. About Inkbox: Inkbox creates beautifully produced, artist-designed, impermanent tattoos that last 1-2 weeks, fading as the skin naturally regenerates. Since inception in 2015, millions of people from more than 150 countries around the world have worn Inkbox tattoos as style accessories to express their identity, and test drive permanent tattoo ideas before going all in. With a growing catalogue of more than 10,000 designs, the Freehand Tattoo Marker, and a Custom tattoo platform used to bring any idea to life, Inkbox now ships tens of thousands of tattoos every week. It has also come to be an important avenue of creative expression for many of today's most respected tattoo artists, who now count on it as a way to build their brand and supplement their income. Headquartered in downtown Toronto, where it operates the permanent tattoo studio Inside Out, Inkbox now employs 150+ people across Canada, Japan, and the United States. For media inquiries, please email [email protected], or visit inkbox.com/our-story. About Gorillaz: Co-founded by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz have seven albums to their name, Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018) and Song Machine: Season One Strange Timez (2020). Gorillaz is a truly global phenomenon, achieving success in entirely new and unique ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, Montevideo to Manchester and winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor. SOURCE Inkbox DUBLIN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Veterinary Software Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Product (Practice Management Software and Imaging Software), By Delivery Mode, By End-use, By Practice Type, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Veterinary Software Market size is expected to reach $919.2 million by 2027, rising at a market growth of 9.4% CAGR during the forecast period. Veterinary software helps veterinary and equine practices, hospitals, and clinics to run smoothly. Patient data, patient's certificates, customer history, and appointment administration are all included in these systems. Veterinary software includes various other features such as farm Management software, Horse software, and Kennel software. In addition, veterinary medicine is the discipline of medicine that deals with animal disease, disorder, and injury diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment. Aside from that, it also deals with animal husbandry, breeding, nutrition research, and product creation. Veterinary medicine covers a large range of animal species, including domesticated and wild, as well as a wide range of diseases that can affect them. Veterinary medicine is frequently practiced, both under professional supervision as well as without it. Professional care is usually provided by a veterinary physician, also called a veterinarian, veterinary surgeon, or vet, although it can also be provided by para-veterinary workers like veterinary nurses and technicians. Other paraprofessionals with specific expertise, such as animal physiotherapy or dentistry, and species-specific jobs, such as farriers, can perform this. Veterinary software can be used on a web or mobile device application, but it is often available for both, and it helps vet clinic employees to handle both the animals that are their patients and the pet owners who are their clients. Veterinarians and their staff work with both pets and their owners at the same time, using veterinary practice management software to keep track of everything. COVID-19 Impact Analysis The rapid diffusion of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the economy of the world. Numerous businesses, irrespective of their sizes, were completely demolished by the advent of the novel coronavirus. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic also devastated the healthcare infrastructure of various developed, developing, and under-developed nations as they were unable to fulfill the healthcare requirements of the patients. In addition, for the containment of the spread of the infection, governments all over the world imposed an industrial lockdown, due to which, all the industries were either shut or slowed down. However, veterinary services are considered vital services in most areas, and they were operational even throughout the lockdown. This has contributed significantly to the continued utilization of veterinary software. Market Growth Factors: An increasing number of companion pet owners The number of pet owners has risen dramatically in recent years around the world, and this trend is estimated to continue in the following years. In the modern era, there is a significant number of people who are adopting companion pets such as dogs, cats, and others. In addition, companion pet adoption is rapidly becoming a trend all over the world. There are several benefits of adopting companion pets, for instance, adopting a companion pet tremendously reduces loneliness in people. According to the News in Health, having a companion pet significantly reduces the stress and heart health of pet owners. Moreover, the organization also mentioned that interacting with a pet can dramatically reduce the risk of cortisol and lower blood pressure in people. The advent of cloud and web-based models The on-premise veterinary software offers various features to its users. However, it needs a heavy desktop to be operated. Due to this, the focus of people is considerably shifting toward cloud or web-based veterinary software. Web-based/cloud-based software is gaining popularity in the veterinary software industry because it offers numerous benefits such as reduced upfront, maintenance, and operational costs, data centralization capabilities, increased interoperability, storage flexibility, and automated upgradation. Despite the fact that there are only a few manufacturers who are selling web-based/cloud-based veterinary software, several established players, as well as new entrants, are also focusing on this market sector to leverage the advantages of the possible growth prospects. Because this sector of the market has a small number of players, companies can enhance their market positions by efficiently fulfilling the customers' demand for web and cloud-based veterinary software and services. Marketing Restraining Factor: Lack of government support and efforts Animal welfare is continuously becoming a major focus of people and NGOs across the world. However, governments around the world offer minimal support to the veterinary software industry. In comparison to healthcare IT solutions, like human EHR, veterinary software adoption is quite low all over the world. This can be ascribed to the lack of government efforts and funds for veterinary software deployment in clinics and hospitals. This factor is restricting various new players from entering the veterinary software market. Moreover, there is a lack of government funds and investment in animal care, due to which, animal care clinics and hospitals are unable to deploy veterinary software across their infrastructure. Additionally, government assistance for the installation of veterinary software is extremely limited in emerging nations. Companies find it difficult to operate in these areas as a result of this. Therefore, the lack of government efforts toward animal welfare is hindering the growth of the veterinary software market. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology Chapter 2. Market Overview 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 Overview 2.1.1.1 Market composition and scenario 2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market 2.2.1 Market Drivers 2.2.2 Market Restraints Chapter 3. Strategies Deployed in Veterinary Software Market Chapter 4. Global Veterinary Software Market by Product 4.1 Global Practice Management Software Market by Region 4.2 Global Imaging Software Market by Region Chapter 5. Global Veterinary Software Market by Delivery Mode 5.1 Global On-premise Market by Region 5.2 Global Cloud Market by Region Chapter 6. Global Veterinary Software Market by End-use 6.1 Global Hospitals/Clinics Market by Region 6.2 Global Reference Laboratories Market by Region Chapter 7. Global Veterinary Software Market by Practice Type 7.1 Global Food-producing Animals Market by Region 7.2 Global Small Animals Market by Region 7.3 Global Mixed Animals Market by Region 7.4 Global Equine Market by Region 7.5 Global Others Market by Region Chapter 8. Global Veterinary Software Market by Region Chapter 9. Company Profiles 9.1 Animal Intelligence Software, Inc. 9.1.1 Company Overview 9.2 Onward Vet 9.2.1 Company Overview 9.3 Veterinary Information Systems 9.3.1 Company Overview 9.4 ClienTrax 9.4.1 Company Overview 9.5 VetZ GmbH (Heska Corporation) 9.5.1 Company Overview 9.5.2 Financial Analysis 9.5.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis 9.5.4 Research & Development Expenses 9.6 Hippo Manager Veterinary Software, Inc. 9.6.1 Company Overview 9.7 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. 9.7.1 Company Overview 9.7.2 Financial Analysis 9.7.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis 9.7.4 Research & Development Expenses 9.7.5 Recent strategies and developments: 9.7.5.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions: 9.7.5.2 Acquisition and Mergers 9.8 Henry Schein, Inc. 9.8.1 Company Overview 9.8.2 Financial Analysis 9.8.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis 9.8.4 Recent strategies and developments: 9.8.4.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions: 9.8.4.2 Acquisition and Mergers 9.9 Patterson Companies, Inc. 9.9.1 Company Overview 9.9.2 Financial Analysis 9.9.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis 9.9.4 Recent strategies and developments: 9.9.4.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements: 9.9.4.2 Acquisition and Mergers For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pk8m1u 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 New tool assists food manufacturers in discovering cost savings using antioxidants in multiple edible oils SINGAPORE, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has developed a new cost-savings indicator for Kemin Food Technologies Asia customers in the region's frying industry to better understand and see the benefits of using antioxidants to extend the shelf life of frying oil, especially during times of market volatility. Scan the QR code to learn more about Kemin Food Technologies Asia. Leveraging company expertise and internal studies conducted by Kemin scientists over the years, Kemin Food Technologies Asia developed its cost-savings indicator as a tool to help food manufacturers learn more about using antioxidants to extend the life cycle of frying oil and save costs on oil usage. Through Kemin's historical data, the cost-savings indicator illustrates cost-saving scenarios based on the inputted information. "On average, we found that effective adoption of antioxidants in vegetable oil can provide as much as 40% more frying cycles for frying oil and increase product shelf life by approximately 30%, which helps reduce the cost of using oil and ease pressure on the supply chain," said Michelle Lim, President, Kemin Food Technologies Asia. Adding antioxidants to vegetable oil provides production-cost savings and extends shelf life. Longer product shelf life reduces the use of raw materials, enhances logistical efficiency and minimizes food wasteall of which can impact climate change. As fats and oils experts, Kemin Food Technologies Asia recognizes the importance of vegetable oil in food manufacturing and how costly discarding sunflower, canola and palm oil can be for producers. The global challenges of the past few years have had a tremendous impact on the food industry, which continues to face rising costs and price fluctuations. To fulfill its role as part of the global food supply chain, Kemin Food Technologies Asia is managing the impact of these variations to maintain pricing stability for its customers. Kemin Food Technologies Asia provides food processors, manufacturers and formulators the ability to reduce costs and control inventory, all while providing the visual appeal and flavor protection that consumers demand. To learn more, scan the QR code. About Kemin Industries Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries. For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products. Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States. Media Contact: Joanne Tan, Senior Regional Marketing Manager, Kemin Food Technologies Asia, [email protected], +65 6264 1839 SOURCE Kemin Industries Inaugural Technology Partners of "Tech for Refugees" Initiative Include Airbnb.org, Flexport.org and Spotify Seed Donation of $100 Million Pledged by Breakthrough Prize Foundation Established by Yuri and Julia Milner Initiative Will Help Partners to Support Refugee Relief and Humanitarian Programs in Ukraine and Worldwide SAN FRANCISCO , April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today some of the leading technology companies and organizations including Airbnb.org, Flexport.org and Spotify together with the Breakthrough Prize Foundation established by Yuri and Julia Milner, announced the launch of the Tech For Refugees Initiative. The new initiative will further efforts to bring humanitarian assistance to refugees around the world. The initial commitment from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation is $100 million, the majority of which will be directed to support civilians fleeing from Ukraine, as a first step toward extending the initiative to other regions. Coordinated international aid for refugees is urgently needed, given the ongoing human tragedy created by the war in Ukraine and a worldwide refugee crisis that has grown to historic proportions. Global crisis, catastrophe in Ukraine According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, the number of people worldwide forced to flee their homes has more than doubled since 1990, to at least 84 million people representing 1 in every 95 people on the planet. Of these, more than 26 million are refugees seeking safety in foreign countries. Since the crisis in Ukraine began in late February, more than 5 million people, mostly women and children, have been forced to flee the country, the largest and fastest displacement of people in Europe since World War II. As well as dealing with the physical and emotional trauma of war, and the death and absence of loved ones, many refugees are now in urgent need of shelter, food and other vital necessities. Tech for Refugees is inspired by the Stand With Ukraine GoFundMe campaign launched by Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher in March, which has so far raised nearly $36 million for refugees fleeing from the war in Ukraine, including $5.5 million from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and DST Global. Tech For Refugees The new initiative will leverage the expertise and networks of leading tech firms and organizations to make a difference in the lives of refugees from Ukraine and across the world. Airbnb.org, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is offering free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, drawing upon Airbnb's network of Hosts, technology, and trust and safety infrastructure. Flexport.org, the impact arm of digital freight forwarder Flexport, uses the company's logistics platform and partnerships with trusted international aid organizations to deliver hospital beds, emergency medical equipment and other critical aid. It has already delivered over 880,000 lbs (or twenty two Boeing 737s full) of essential aid such as hospital beds and medical equipment to Ukrainian refugees. Spotify Premium will be offered at no cost to Ukrainian refugees, and Spotify will separately embark on a multi-year effort to use the power of music and audio to support the healing of children affected by war. Tech For Refugees aims to both support existing humanitarian programmes, and fund new programs that provide much needed assistance to refugees. This initiative is open to new partners in the technology sector and fresh ideas for programs to address the global refugee crisis. "Right now, we all need to ask ourselves, 'how can we help?' We are grateful for the generosity of the Yuri and Julia Milner Foundation and their Tech for Refugees initiative. Their support will help Airbnb.org continue to provide housing to as many refugees as we can," said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. "We're honored to join the Tech for Refugees initiative together with Airbnb and Spotify," added Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of Flexport. "The support of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation will let Flexport.org help humanitarian aid organizations conquer one of their toughest challenges: getting the right goods to the right place at the right time." "In times of crisis, music has the power to provide comfort, lift people up, and bring them together. This initiative will give Ukrainian refugees around the world access to the power of audio and the shared human experiences it creates,", said Daniel Ek, co-founder and CEO of Spotify. Yuri and Julia Milner said, "We have been devastated by the heartbreaking suffering of the Ukrainian people. We believe that this initiative, in partnership with some of the world's most creative technology companies and organizations, can provide practical assistance for people living in turmoil outside their homeland." About Airbnb.org Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. About Flexport.org Flexport.orgthe impact arm of Flexportwas created to optimize logistics for social and environmental impact, working with trusted international aid agencies and nonprofits to deliver relief supplies wherever they're needed and helping organizations meet their sustainability goals with greater ease and lower costs. Since 2016, Flexport.org has delivered over 16M lbs of aid to 60+ countries; reached 100M+ people with shipments funded by the Flexport.org Fund; and helped more than 300 companies offset their carbon emissions from shipping. About Spotify Spotify is the world's most popular audio streaming subscription service with a community of 406 million Monthly Active Users and 180 million Premium Subscribers. With a presence in 184 markets, and more than 82 million tracks including over 3.6 million podcast titles, it has transformed the way people access and enjoy music and podcasts. About the Breakthrough Prize Foundation The Breakthrough Prize Foundation is a charitable foundation founded by science philanthropist and technology investor, Yuri Milner ( yurimilner.com ), and his wife Julia, dedicated to advancing fundamental knowledge, celebrating scientific achievement, and utilizing scientific and technological innovations to improve people's lives and inspire future generations. The Foundation's programs include the Breakthrough Prize ( breakthroughprize.org ), which recognizes the world's top scientists in the fields of Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics and Mathematics; the Breakthrough Junior Challenge ( breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org ), an annual global video competition for students to inspire creative scientific thinking; and the Breakthrough Initiatives ( breakthroughinitiatives.org ), a suite of space science programs investigating the fundamental questions of life in the Universe. Most recently, other philanthropic activities of Yuri and Julia Milner have included humanitarian efforts both in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian refugee crisis. SOURCE Tech For Refugees ORLANDO, Fla., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LSQ , a leading provider of working capital finance and payments solutions, recently funded a $65 million working capital facility for Continuum Global Solutions, a provider of omnichannel contact center services worldwide via voice and non-voice channels such as chat, email, and social media. Continuum will use LSQ's invoice finance facility to replace an existing line of credit. LSQ will also be providing the company with comprehensive accounts receivable management solutions, including customer credit, risk management, and collections through the LSQ FastTrack platform. "This new facility with LSQ allows Continuum to continue our growth plans for the foreseeable future," said Michael Flodin, CEO at Continuum. "The structure of the arrangement also allows us the flexibility needed to achieve these goals" LSQ worked extensively with strategic partner Skyview Capital to complete the financing for its portfolio company Continuum, according to Miguel Serricchio, LSQ Executive VP of Channel Management and Strategy. "The company is looking forward to this new relationship and appreciative for the creative structure which allows Continuum to stay on its growth trajectory," said Dean Estrada, Managing Director at Skyview Capital. "We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity to work with Continuum as they continue to grow their business," said Serricchio. "Working with partners like Skyview is the lifeblood of all that we do to serve clients, and we are honored that they put their trust in us to help further their business relationships." About LSQ | lsq.com LSQ is a market leader and pioneer in working capital finance and payments solutions. For more than 25 years, LSQ has leveraged innovative technology, credit and risk expertise, and proprietary data that empowers thousands of businesses to optimize their working capital, automate and accelerate payments, manage collections, and mitigate risk. Every year, we accelerate billions of dollars in payments to businesses and their suppliers through our LSQ FastTrack platform to help them obtain the funds they need to grow and thrive. LSQ is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Learn more at www.lsq.com . About Continuum Global Solutions | continuumgbl.com With more than 17,000 employees, Continuum Global Solutions provides omnichannel contact center services worldwide via voice and non-voice channels such as chat, email, and social media. Continuum has a 100-percent focus on customer experience services in which the delivery of flexibility, high employee and customer satisfaction, and reduction of end-to-end costs are central to the organization. About Skyview Capital | skyviewcapital.com Skyview Capital LLC is a privately held investment firm headquartered in Los Angeles, operating our worldwide portfolio of assets. We specialize in acquiring and unlocking unrealized potential within market-leading businesses across a variety of sectors. Founded and led by Alex Soltani, our firm combines entrepreneurial acumen with focused expertise and resolve. SOURCE LSQ Funding "With no offices to support, these employers are singularly focused on providing the best quality of experience for their remote talent. They're ahead of the curve in cultivating community among fully dispersed teams, which is a critical contributor to remote workers' quality of life," said MakeMyMove Co-founder Evan Hock. "Having the freedom to choose where you live is a life-changing benefit, but these companies don't stop there: their benefits packages are designed specifically for distributed teams and ensure workers get what they need to thrive both on and off-the-clock." To rank the companies, MakeMyMove consulted a variety of popular "Best Employers" lists, researched ratings at Glassdoor and Blind, documented the role remote work plays in each company's hiring brand, and measured the geographic diversity of the employees. Benefits, employee count, and location data was primarily self-reported. Leading the list is: Hubstaff , a time-tracking, workforce and project management platform for teams with more than 90 remote workers in 28 countries; , a time-tracking, workforce and project management platform for teams with more than 90 remote workers in 28 countries; Swiftly , a transit data software platform that improves urban mobility, has 105 employees working in 25 different U.S. states, Costa Rica , Japan and Ukraine ; and , a transit data software platform that improves urban mobility, has 105 employees working in 25 different U.S. states, , and ; and Doist , a software app that builds tools to help users achieve a more simplified life, employs more than 100 remote workers in more than 30 countries. See the full list here . "Fully remote companies recognize the tight labor market and are committed to meeting employees where they are, but the companies also benefit," Hock noted. Swiftly is a good example. "Having the ability to hire without borders allows us to identify and attract a greater number of top talent and not be restricted by a ZIP code. As a result, we've been able to build a diverse and inclusive workforce that brings new ideas to the table and makes Swiftly stronger each day," said Toni Richins, Chief Human Relations Officer. MakeMyMove is the nation's first and only marketplace that matches remote workers to communities across the country offering relocation incentives. MakeMyMove was founded by former Angie's List executives Bill Oesterle and Evan Hock. SOURCE MakeMyMove Two years after its initial funding, award-winning legal tech organization opens new office and hires more staff to support exponential growth PRINCETON, N.J., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Malbek , today's most cutting-edge, AI-fueled Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) platform, today announced the grand opening of its new headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey. The new office provides room for growth and demonstrates the company's continued investment in innovation and strategic expansion as more enterprises turn to Malbek to meet their evolving CLM needs. "We are thrilled to call Carnegie Center Princeton our new headquarters and begin this new chapter in our company's history," said Matt Patel, COO and co-founder of Malbek. "Since our founding in 2017, we have focused on using cutting-edge technology to simplify contracts and the entire CLM user experience. This new office provides a hybrid model for our team to enjoy a vibrant and collaborative workspace so we can continue to find new ways to delight current and future customers." "We are thrilled to call Carnegie Center Princeton our new headquarters." - Matt Patel, COO and co-founder, Malbek Tweet this The organization marks this milestone as it commemorates the two-year anniversary of its initial $3 million funding by Osage Venture partners. In September 2021, Malbek received $15.3 million in its Series A funding round, led by Noro-Moseley Partners with participation from Osage Venture Partners and TDF Ventures. "We remain as impressed with the Malbek team as when we initially invested, and we congratulate them on the opening of their new headquarters," said Nate Lentz, managing partner of Osage Venture Partners. "This team is made up of talented people, building a great product and meeting an unmet need in the market. With that winning combination, we are confident in their continued success." Patel also credits support from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) with helping to fuel the company's growth. Representatives from Malbek previously attended one of the NJEDA's New Jersey Founders & Funders events, where they gained invaluable feedback during one-on-one discussions with seasoned investors. In its early days, the company participated in the NJEDA's Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program. Malbek was born with a vision to offer next-generation contract management that delights the user and accelerates ROI. In a very short period, the company has proven itself as a trusted contract management solution provider for large, international customers across multiple industries, more than tripling its customer signups and its team size in the last year, while continuing to attract and hire top talent. To learn more about open roles at the company, visit https://www.malbek.io/all-careers-page . About Malbek Malbek is today's most modern, cutting-edge CLM solution with a proprietary AI core that empowers the enterprise to do more with less. By supporting the growing contracting demands of your entire organization, including Sales, Finance, Procurement, and other critical business units, Malbek's CLM solution delights every user. Malbek provides end-to-end contract management with out-of-the-box integration to popular business applications, like Salesforce, NetSuite, Slack, Office 365, and others, allowing your contract data to flow seamlessly while dramatically reducing cycle times. That's contracts reimagined! To learn more, visit www.malbek.io . Press Contact: Rebecca Holloway VP of Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Malbek Leading Pizza Franchise Adds Expertise at Every Franchisee Decision Point Financing, Real Estate, Design, Construction TOLEDO, Ohio, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, reveals major enhancements to its franchise development program set to fuel rapid growth as the 1,000-plus unit brand aims to reach its expansion goal of 1,500 units by the end 2023. Notably, stores continue to open at a rapid rate and the enhancements have provided attractive incentives for multi-unit growth, while making it easier to secure financing from preferred lenders. With more than 200 stores in development, Marco's is on the fast-track to achieving this growth goal. As franchise development continues to surge, leadership prioritizes investments in new technology, personnel, strategic vendor partnerships, and more to accelerate the brand's growth strategy. With these enhancements, Marco's franchise development support is world-class, creating opportunity for sophisticated entrepreneurs and operators to grow their multi-unit portfolios. "I've been with Marco's for 11 years and can confidently say that the level of sophistication and detail of the franchise development program has never been stronger," said Area Representative and Franchisee Robert Pina, who just signed a 46-store deal, one of the largest deals in Marco's brand history. "Marco's makes it easy to become an empire builder in the system. If you're looking to grow a robust pizza portfolio, you won't find a more dedicated and supportive team than this. Marco's leadership and devotion to franchise growth and franchisee support is simply unmatched." Designed to bring ease to the development process, Marco's created enhancements in four critical areas: financing, growth incentives, real estate, design & construction. Strategic Support to Secure Financing: Understanding the challenges surrounding lending, Marco's Director of Franchise Financing, Brad Fletcher , and the finance team, have established partnerships with eight preferred banks and lending institutions. Through quarterly meetings, the Marco's finance team provides key updates on the state of the business, growth, and performance. As a result, banks are in a better position to offer favorable lending terms to individual Marco's franchisees. According to FRANdata, a leading research and advisory firm that analyzes the franchise market, Marco's 2021 FUND Score is in the top 1% of all evaluated franchise systems and is among the top three scores for all QSR brands. Understanding the challenges surrounding lending, Marco's Director of Franchise Financing, , and the finance team, have established partnerships with eight preferred banks and lending institutions. Through quarterly meetings, the Marco's finance team provides key updates on the state of the business, growth, and performance. As a result, banks are in a better position to offer favorable lending terms to individual Marco's franchisees. According to FRANdata, a leading research and advisory firm that analyzes the franchise market, Marco's 2021 FUND Score is in the top 1% of all evaluated franchise systems and is among the top three scores for all QSR brands. Multi-Unit Growth Incentive: Marco's offers a long-term incentive for multi-unit owners, including franchisee fee discounts, reduced royalties, and growth acceleration bonuses download the Franchise Information Report for more information. Marco's offers a long-term incentive for multi-unit owners, including franchisee fee discounts, reduced royalties, and growth acceleration bonuses download the Franchise Information Report for more information. Strengthened Real Estate Support Team: Marco's continues to add real estate expertise and support to help accelerate site selection and guide franchisees at key decision points. Marco's continues to add real estate expertise and support to help accelerate site selection and guide franchisees at key decision points. Streamlined Design & Construction Process: Marco's recently formalized a partnership with a single architect to streamline the design process. This partnership has helped shorten the build-out process by approximately two weeks. Furthermore, the architect shepherds the process through permitting on behalf of the franchisee so they do not have to take on additional responsibility with local municipalities. Marco's has also brought in several general contracting experts who will provide franchisees with assistance in reviewing the bid, aligning pricing, conducting a pre-construction meeting, and reviewing schedule for project completion. "As a result of strategic enhancements, our development team is able to act soundly as consultants to franchisees by providing information, insights, and recommendations at every key decision point and milestone," said Keith Sizemore, Vice President of Development for Marco's Pizza. "This, paired with the fact that several members of our team are also franchisees themselves, brings a unique perspective to the support process. Franchisees are given the confidence that they are making the right decisions." In addition to its robust franchise development support, Marco's continues to invest in building its brand through a multi-channel national advertising program. This has played a significant role in driving sales as the brand projects to reach $1B in annual systemwide sales in 2022. "There's never been a more opportune time for both existing and prospective franchisees to grow with Marco's," said Steve Seyferth, SVP and Chief Experience Officer at Marco's Pizza. "With plenty of territories available for growth, our development and performance strategy remain centered on finding multi-unit franchisees who align with our business strategy and culture, while continuing to prioritize innovation and maximize unit-level profitability." With strong growth and performance, Marco's sets its sights on becoming the No. 4 brand in pizza. The brand experienced an 12.8% increase in year-over-year Average Unit Volume (AUV), and the Top 50% of Marco's franchised stores generated $1,198,201 AUV for 2021*. For more information on Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit https://www.marcos.com/franchising/ or call 866-731-8209 to speak with Shannon Iverson, Vice President of Franchise Sales. ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA Marco's Pizza is America's Most Loved and Most Trusted Pizza Brand, according to the 2019 Harris Poll EquiTrend Study. Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,000 stores in 34 states with locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Most recently, Marco's Pizza was ranked No. 2 in the Pizza category on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2022 "Franchise 500" ranking, and No. 4 in the Fastest Growing category on Restaurant Business' 2021 "Top 10 Fastest Growing Chains" ranking. Other recent accolades include a first-time presence on Newsweek's 2022 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, ranked No. 42 on QSR's Top 50 and has been featured five consecutive years on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking. *Based on the Average Unit Volume of the top 50% of our Franchised Stores for fiscal year 2021. Based on fiscal year 2021, 146 of 389 Franchised Stores in the category (38%) met or exceeded this average. This information appears in Item 19 of our 2022 FDD please refer to our FDD for complete information on financial performance. Results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well. SOURCE Marco's Pizza WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, is pleased to announce that Marion Phillips, III has joined as its Senior Vice President of Community Development & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). A former senior vice president of community relations for Empire State Development (ESD), Phillips is tasked with aligning the corporate DEI vision and supporting initiatives for U.S News business strategies in the community. "Marion Phillips was instrumental in strengthening New York State's innovation-based economy through partnerships, promoting equality of economic opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses and ensuring that community organizations had a voice in important development projects," said U.S. News Executive Chairman Eric Gertler. "Moreover, his experience in developing community partnerships and establishing practices for corporate responsibility will be immensely important for our next phase of growth." Phillips joins U.S. News with an exceptional track record of liaising with community groups and other relevant organizations to raise awareness of key social issues. For more than 20 years at Empire State Development, he built coalitions in support of large-scale projects and presented projects to community stakeholders, elected officials and local municipalities. Phillips previously served as the deputy chief of staff to the deputy mayor for planning & community relations and director of community relations for the New York City Office of the Mayor, where he developed a community relations strategy for New York City and served as a liaison to city agencies that reported to the deputy mayor. In addition to his leadership in community development, Phillips led the RFP process of a DEI consultant for ESD and oversaw the resulting implementation plan to diversify the organization. "We're thrilled to welcome Marion to U.S. News and have him lead our DEI and community outreach initiatives," said Bill Holiber, president and CEO. "He has demonstrated success in working collaboratively to develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies focused on building a diverse workforce. His hiring underscores our commitment to find and grow diverse talent at every level." "The U.S. News mission of helping people make life decisions is how I was raised to live," said Phillips. "I am excited to join a company known for providing trustworthy information across every aspect of our livesfrom news to education to finances to real estate and healthand which allows our communities to better understand the world in which we live." The role is based in New York. About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C. SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P. HUDDINGE, Sweden, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Momentum in several areas, not least the development of our cutting-edge project fostroxacitabine bralpamide January March Financial summary for the quarter Net turnover amounted to SEK 0.5 (9.9) million. The loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to SEK -31.4 (-7.2) million. Basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to SEK -0.59 (-0.18) and SEK -0.59 (-0.18) respectively. Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK -39.9 (-1.5) million. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period amounted to SEK 180.8 (269.3) million. Significant events during the quarter In January, it was announced that the WHO had selected fostroxacitabine bralpamide as the official generic name for the patented candidate drug MIV-818, which is in clinical development in primary liver cancer. Jens Lindberg assumed his position as CEO of Medivir on January 24 , 2022. assumed his position as CEO of Medivir on , 2022. On February 3 , additional data from the phase I study with fostroxacitabine bralpamide were presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Liver Cancer Summit. , additional data from the phase I study with fostroxacitabine bralpamide were presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Liver Cancer Summit. In February, a subgroup analysis of Medivir's phase II study with MIV-711 for osteoarthritis was published, showing significantly reduced osteoarthritis-related pain. Conference call for investors, analysts and the media The Interim Report January - March 2022 will be presented by Medivir's CEO, Jens Lindberg. Time: Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 15.00 (CET). Phone numbers for participants from: Sweden + 46 8 505 583 57 Europe +44 33 3300 9262 US +1 646 722 4902 The conference call will also be streamed via a link on the website: www.medivir.com The presentation will be available on Medivir's website after completion of the conference. CEO's message I took on the role as CEO of Medivir at the end of January with confidence and enthusiasm. Medivir is going through an exciting transformation journey and today has a focused strategy with a clear priority for our cutting-edge project fostroxacitabine bralpamide (fostrox) while we create value through partnerships for our other projects. 2021 was an eventful year with clear momentum in several areas, not least in terms of development for fostrox. Our vision is to improve the lives of cancer patients through transformative drugs, and after my first months at work, I feel confident that we are well equipped to do just that. We have a unique "first-in-class" project in liver cancer, a dedicated and competent team and clear priorities, so it is with confidence that I look forward to an exciting 2022. In January, our cutting-edge project MIV-818 received the official generic name fostroxacitabine bralpamide from the World Health Organization WHO, something we see as an important step towards a product for the treatment of HCC. Fostrox has the potential to become the first liver-targeted and orally administered drug that can help patients with various cancers of the liver. Its unique mechanism of action means that it does not directly compete with other treatment options but instead enables attractive combination treatments with other drug alternatives in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and HCC is the most common form of cancer that arises in the liver. The effect of today's medications is often limited and mortality remains at a high level. In December, the first patient with HCC was dosed in our ongoing phase 1b/2a combination study with fostrox, at one of our clinical trial centers in the UK. Fostrox is given in two different combinations in the study, either with Lenvima, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, or with Keytruda, an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. Lenvima and Keytruda (approved in the USA) are currently approved as monotherapy for the treatment of HCC. During Q1, we have focused on initiating additional clinical trial centers in Spain and South Korea. Just over 40% of the centers are based in South Korea, which is of great importance for the future development of fostrox in Asia. Additional biomarker data from the proof-of-concept demonstrated by fostrox in the completed phase I study were presented on February 3 at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Liver Cancer Summit in an e-poster titled "Liver biopsy biomarkers in a phase 1 study of the prodrug MIV-818 demonstrates proof-of-concept for cancer in the liver". These data confirm, among other things, that fostrox shows a tumor-selective effect in the liver by causing the desired DNA damage and cell death in tumor cells in the liver but not in normal or healthy liver cells. In early November 2021, we announced that our collaboration partner, IGM Biosciences, Inc., had initiated a phase I clinical study in solid tumors with birinapant in combination with its own DR5 agonist antibody IGM-8444. IGM has also announced that the combination is completed without any limiting safety issues in the first dose group, and that recruitment in the next dose group is initiated. The licensing agreement with IGM can potentially provide milestone payments up to a total of approximately USD 350 million as well as tiered royalties up to "mid-teens" The continued focus for our business development lies on our two clinical projects for partnerships, remetinostat, for different types of skin cancer, and MIV-711, for osteoarthritis. Both projects come with very robust data packages. In 2021 the business development potential for remetinostat was significantly strengthened through the renegotiated multi-party agreement and additional positive data from investigator-initiated phase II studies. For MIV-711, which has the potential to become the first disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis, an article was published at the end of February this year in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2022. The article shows that in the subgroup of patients with pain in only one knee in the phase IIa study with MIV-711, a statistically significant reduction in osteoarthritis-related pain was observed after treatment. This occurred in parallel with positive structural changes in the knee joint. These interesting results provide good guidance for further clinical trials with MIV-711. Our business development opportunities are important, not least as they provide good conditions for progressing the clinical development program for our cutting-edge project, fostrox. Our goal is to develop an effective drug for liver cancer that makes a real difference for patients and for healthcare and thus also for our shareholders. I look forward to a continued eventful 2022. Jens Lindberg Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact Magnus Christensen, CFO, +46 (0)8 5468 3100 E-mail: [email protected] This report has not been subject to auditors' review. The information was submitted for publication at 08.30 CET on April 28, This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/medivir/r/medivir-ab---interim-report-january---march-2022,c3555109 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/652/3555109/1570460.pdf MEDIVIR AB a" INTERIM REPORT JANUARY a" MARCH 2022 (PDF) SOURCE Medivir Memberful's Strategic Partners Lead, and CEO of El Camino Travel have partnered to deliver the keynote. SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Memberful , a membership software that helps creators, entrepreneurs, podcasters, and educators create sustainable businesses, today announced its keynote participation in this year's TravelCon being held in Memphis, Tennessee. Memberful has selected current customer and CEO of El Camino Travel, Katalina Mayorga, and Jen Matichuk, Strategic Partners Lead at Memberful to deliver Memberful's keynote address. Together, Katalina Mayorga and Jen Matichuk will deliver first-hand insight into the power of membership. The keynote will delve into the ways membership can help creators establish a genuine connection with their audience while monetizing their passion. Matichuk, who has been helping entrepreneurs launch membership programs for over two years, will show travel content creators how to improve their quality of life by implementing membership as a revenue stream. The audience will learn of the symbiotic relationship between Memberful and the travel industry and how the software enables creators to form authentic relationships while sustaining their passion for travel. "So many travel creators exchange their time for money, unaware of the resource that membership can be in their lifestyle. I'm eager to show them how to utilize Memberful to take control and ownership of their content," said Jen Matichuk, Strategic Partnerships Lead at Memberful. Memberful is excited to offer globetrotting professionals the opportunity to acclimate to the current state of the travel media landscape with its best-in-class software. As TravelCon is the conference to improve one's craft while learning about the latest advances in travel media, Katalina Mayorga and Jen Matichuk are enthusiastic about providing travel creators with a resource they will be pleased to embrace. Memberful has been featured on Tech Crunch , JumpStart Magazine , The Verge , and more. About Memberful: Memberful is a membership software that helps creators, entrepreneurs, podcasters, and educators create sustainable businesses. Through tools that empower customers to reach a larger audience and make a living out of what interests them most, Memberful makes running a successful membership-based business easy. Press Inquiries Tribe Builder Media Kristen Shea 929-367-8993 [email protected] SOURCE Memberful Mint Eco's Vice President of Recruitment and Development, Angel Lantigua, nominated Mint Eco Car Wash's co-founders, Geoffrey Jervis and Vic Monteleone for this award. Angel has served in the Florida National Guard for over 17 years in various roles, including as a recruiter. Recently, Angel has begun his transition out of the military and back into the civilian work force. As someone with extensive leadership experience and recruitment skills, he has helped grow the Mint Eco team since his arrival. "Geoff and Vic have been extremely helpful with the transition from being full time active duty, to moving into a reserve capacity. I was looking for an organization that believed in the same kind of principles I have learned during my career so faraccountability, teamwork, integrity. Mint Eco has proven to be an employer that cares about their people, and cares about their community and country," quoted Angel Lantigua in his submitted nomination. The ceremony took place at Mint Eco's newest location on Okeechobee Boulevard just West of the Turnpike, with representatives of the Office of the Secretary of Defense present to award the certificates. Geoffrey Jervis, CEO of Mint Eco, shared with those present, "We live in the greatest country in the world, and this country was won with blood on a battlefield. We keep it that way through what the Department of Defense does daily, and we support that effort wholeheartedly. We want to thank all service members for their sacrifice. They will always have a job opportunity here with the Mint Eco family." The awards were presented by Rebecca and Peter Caspari, Florida Directors of Employer Outreach for the Department of Defense ESGR program, who shared: "We want to say, 'thank you' to patriotic employers such as Mint Eco Car Wash for their support in letting their National Guard and Reserve Component service members leave their civilian job to do what they need to do with the Reserve and National Guard." About Mint Eco: Mint Eco Car Wash is bringing A Fresh Approach to Washing Cars across Palm Beach County, with its unique mission statement: "We exist to make people happy. We believe a clean car makes you feel good and makes you optimistic about the rest of your day. And we LOVE being in the business of selling happiness." Founded in 2019 in West Palm Beach, Mint Eco has grown to over 100 employees and has washed hundreds of thousands of cars in Palm Beach County to date. They were also recently voted "2022 Best Car Wash in Palm Beach County" by the Palm Beach Post. Mint Eco currently operates three car washes in Palm Beach County: Mint Eco Car Wash Downtown, located at 316 Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Mint Eco Car Wash Jupiter, located at 220 Maplewood Drive in Jupiter, and Mint Eco Car Wash Okeechobee/Turnpike, located at 1950 Golden Lakes Boulevard in West Palm Beach, with plans to develop 50 more locations over the next several years. To learn more visit, www.mintecocarwash.com. About ESGR: Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense program that for 50 years has developed and promoted supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve and National Guard through outreach, recognition and educational opportunities. These initiatives increase the awareness of the value of hiring Reserve and National Guard service members and recognize the sacrifices of employers to support the service member and our national defense. To learn more about ESGR, visit our website at www.esgr.mil or contact us at 904-823-0336. Media Contact: Shannon Hunihan Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] 941-587-4965 SOURCE Mint Eco Car Wash Tourists enjoy leisure time at a resort in Lunang Township, Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 26, 2020. Lunang is described as an oxygen bar with alpine beauty comparable to that of Switzerland. Tourists flock to the township to escape from the summer heat and enjoy the natural beauty here. (Xinhua/Zhang Rufeng) LHASA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region pooled more than 500 million yuan (about 76.2 million U.S. dollars) into tourism infrastructure projects to boost its tourism industry in 2021, said the regional tourism development department Wednesday. The money went to the construction of 39 tourism infrastructure projects and public service facilities across the region, as well as significant cultural protection projects and tourism projects in border and rural areas, said Wang Songping, head of the department. Last year, breakthroughs were made in attracting investment for tourism in the region, with 126 projects signed and an investment of 3.6 billion yuan in place. The area received over 41.5 million visitors in 2021, increasing 18.5 percent compared with figures in 2020. Tourism revenue generated during the period totaled 44.2 billion yuan, rising 20.6 percent. Rural tourism attracted more than 12.7 million tourists last year, creating over 64,500 jobs. "Moe's is currently in the middle of a transformation, and we are committed to revitalizing the brand through improved operations and brand positioning in the marketplace," said Tory Bartlett, Chief Brand Officer of Moe's Southwest Grill. "Annica and Mike have a combined 40+ years of restaurant operations and consumer marketing experience, and with their expertise and leadership, I am confident in the brand's forward momentum." Annica Conrad joins Moe's from FAT Brands where she most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer of the QSR Division. Annica brings a strong understanding of consumer marketing, having worked at the enterprise level at FAT Brands, supporting an international portfolio of five brands with over 1,400 locations. Mike Smith served as the COO of Taziki's for the past two years, successfully overseeing in-restaurant technology, training, supply chain and purchasing and store support teams. Working at Hooters and Taziki's throughout his career, Mike has over 20 years of experience in restaurant operations. In March 2022, Moe's Southwest Grill announced Tory Bartlett as Chief Brand Officer. Most recently, Tory served as the Schlotzsky's Chief Brand Officer, leading the brand to a record growth year in 2021. The addition of these two new vice presidents completes the Moe's Southwest Grill leadership team. Both Annica and Mike report directly to Tory and will lead all marketing and operations functions for Moe's Southwest Grill. About Moe's Southwest Grill Welcome to Moe's! Founded in 2000 and based in Atlanta, GA, Moe's Southwest Grill is a fast-casual restaurant franchise that serves high quality and fresh southwestern food. Moe's has an extensive variety of menu items to please the entire family from burritos to specialty items like quesadillas, nachos and stacks. Whether you visit one of the 650+ franchised locations across 38 states or have us cater your next event, free chips and salsa come with every order. Check us out online at www.moes.com to find a store near you, and then connect with us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. About Focus Brands Atlanta-based Focus Brands is a leading developer of global multi-channel foodservice brands. Focus Brands, through its affiliate brands, is the franchisor and operator of more than 6,400 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shoppes, and bakeries in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and over 55 foreign countries under the Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli, and Schlotzsky's brand names, as well as the Seattle's Best Coffee brand on certain military bases and in certain international markets. Please visit www.focusbrands.com to learn more. Contact: Abby Leary [email protected] SOURCE Moe's Southwest Grill "I am excited to bring a fresh take on classic dishes to this incredible event," said Samuelsson. "With the finesse of the Monogram appliances that I use in my own kitchen, I hope to excite fans watching around the world with some tasty bites that expand the palate for Derby entertaining. There's nothing quite like the magic of the Derby and I can't wait to experience the festivities." With the Twin Spires behind and the excitement of the racetrack all around, Samuelsson will demo the Derby recipes in between races on the Finish Line Suites balcony. Recipes will be available after the segment @Monogramappliances on Instagram and through @KentuckyDerby handles. Samuelsson will use the iconic Monogram Hearth Oven specially installed at the track for this segment. Monogram is a new, luxury sponsor of Churchill Downs Racetrack for Kentucky Derby 148. "The Kentucky Derby celebrates the longest continually held sporting event in the United States along with its fashion and culinary traditions. Monogram luxury appliances is proud to participate this year with celebrity flair. Chef Samuelsson has an unmatched prowess of delighting audiences with his expertise and culturally diverse flavors. He will undoubtedly up the excitement at the Kentucky Derby by offering this elevated experience," said Julie Burns, executive director of Monogram. "The Derby draws a global audience, and we are thrilled for Chef Samuelsson to showcase his worldly culinary perspective using Monogram appliances." Monogram recently launched a digital series called "My Mark" to celebrate individuals who have honed their talents while making a distinctive mark with the passion they dedicate towards elevating experiences. The series launched as a three-part episode with Chef Marcus Samuelsson who provides an intimate look at the life of a chef at home and inside his personal kitchen using terroir, global experiences, and personality to craft memorable recipes. Follow along on Instagram @monogramappliances. Monogram Contacts Wendy Treinen [email protected] Bobby Hammelman [email protected] About Monogram For more than 30 years, the Monogram luxury appliance brand has been synonymous with impeccable craftsmanship and sophisticated design. Through artisan-inspired quality control and a relentless commitment to innovation, Monogram offers unique kitchen solutions to discerning consumers. For more information, visit www.monogram.com . MARCUS SAMUELSSON is the acclaimed chef behind many restaurants worldwide including Red Rooster Harlem, MARCUS Montreal, Marcus B&P, Red Rooster Overtown and Marcus Fish + Chop House in the Bahamas. Samuelsson was the youngest person to receive a three-star review from The New York Times and was the guest chef for the Obama Administration's first state dinner. He has won multiple James Beard Foundation awards for his work as a chef and host of No Passport Required, his public television series with Vox/Eater. Samuelsson was crowned champion of Top Chef Masters and Chopped All-Stars and is the head judge of the new show Top Chef Family Style. A committed philanthropist, Samuelsson is co-chair of Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which focuses on helping underserved youth. Samuelsson co-produces the annual Harlem EatUp! Festival, which celebrates the food, art, and culture of Harlem. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Samuelsson converted his restaurants Red Rooster Harlem, Marcus B&P in Newark, and Red Rooster Overtown in Miami into community kitchens in partnership with World Central Kitchen, serving over 230,000 meals to those in need. He has an audio project with Audible, titled Our Harlem, and co-hosts This Moment podcast with Swedish rapper Timbuktu on ACAST. He is the author of several cookbooks, including The New York Times bestselling memoir Yes, Chef: A Memoir and his latest book The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food. ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK Churchill Downs Racetrack ("CDRT"), the world's most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The saddling paddock and the stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com . SOURCE Monogram WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program has chosen 110 U.S. small businesses for continued technology development. The range of projects support space exploration and improvements to life on Earth from foldable solar array technology that could help power astronauts' work on the Moon to antenna technology that could improve satellite internet service. NASA's SBIR program provides early-stage funding and other non-monetary support to small businesses with pioneering ideas to help advance NASA's missions, as well as the aerospace ecosystem. The new round of awards gives almost $95 million to small businesses across 123 projects. "NASA is working toward ambitious, world-changing missions missions that require innovative solutions from a variety of innovators, including small businesses," said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. "It's crucial that we continue to find imaginative small businesses that have the expertise to help our agency solve our common challenges, and the SBIR program is one of the key ways we do that." The companies previously received NASA SBIR Phase I awards during which they successfully established the feasibility of their technologies. As Phase II awardees, each small business now will receive up to $750,000 to develop, demonstrate, and deliver their technologies to NASA over two years. Among the awardees are nine women-owned small businesses and five veteran-owned small business. Thirty-six of the small businesses are first-time Phase II recipients. "It is both a program mission and passion to increase the diversity of collaborators we're bringing into the agency's work," said Gynelle Steele, deputy program executive for NASA's SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "We are especially excited about the chance to work alongside our first-time companies as they bring their ideas from paper to prototype in Phase II." Below are some of the companies chosen for their first Phase II awards and, as well as the full list of Phase II recipients. Teltrium Solutions LLC, a minority-owned and women-owned small business based in Greenbelt, Maryland, received two Phase II awards in this cycle. With one of its Phase II awards, the company plans to create a lens that improves the performance of parabolic antennas commonly used at satellite ground terminals for data delivery from satellites, direct-to-home broadcasting, internet to underserved areas, and more by improving the efficiency of these antennas without significantly increasing their price. This new lens could enhance the performance of the ground antennas used to support NASA spacecraft, particularly as more ambitious missions drive higher communications performance requirements. Outside of NASA, the technology is showing promise in helping improve data throughput for businesses. Read more about the company's other Phase II award. Gendell Associates, a small business based in Hoboken, New Jersey, doing business under the name Folditure, was awarded its first Phase II award to help meet NASA's need for new lunar surface solar array structures to power future robotic and human exploration of the Moon. The company, which also creates foldable, space-saving furniture for consumers, spent its Phase I period validating the design, packing efficiency, scalability, and retractability of its Sunflake Solar Array and Ultra Compact Tripod Tower. In Phase II, the company will fully develop the kinematics and structure of the solar array which will be more compact than what currently is available and begin its environmental testing. If successful, this new solar array could be used on NASA missions that require lightweight, portable, high-efficiency solar energy, including human landers, future lunar outposts, or orbital stations planned under Artemis. Recon RF Inc., a veteran-owned small business based in San Diego, received its first Phase II award after proving its concept for an improved S-Band solid-state power amplifier module, which could meet some of NASA's remote sensing needs on data collection platforms in space that have size, weight, power, and/or cost restrictions, such as CubeSats or other small satellites (SmallSats). In Phase II, the company will create the prototype that could eventually be used to study surface topology on Earth and other planets. The NASA SBIR program is open to U.S. small businesses to help them develop an innovation or technology. To apply for its sister program, STTR, the small business must partner with a U.S. research institution. NASA SBIR/STTR is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate and is managed by NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. Learn more about the SBIR/STTR program and submit to future solicitations at: https://sbir.nasa.gov SOURCE NASA The acquisition represents Evernest's foray into the Kansas City market, complimenting the 16 other real estate markets already served by the firm. "The combination of Hunter Properties' local property management footprint in Kansas City, along with our full-service real estate offerings, will ensure an ideal experience for their current clients and allow us to build something special in the Kansas City market," said Matthew Whitaker, Evernest Founder and CEO. "Owners, residents, and investors will continue to receive the high-quality care they have come to expect, but now with Evernest's touch." "Evernest's commitment to client care is one of the primary reasons for this deal," said Hunter Properties owner, Robin Hunter. "I have confidence in their ability to serve my valued clients and, as I'm retaining the real estate side of my business, I'm now able to focus primarily on buying and selling homes for my clients." Hunter Properties is the 18th organization purchased by Evernest. "Our goal is to find best-in-class property management providers who are ready to exit the industry. We take the legacy they've built and infuse it with our distinctive culture, including a national brand, in-house brokerage services, and in-house underwriting." In other words, this acquisition also opens the door for real estate investors looking to break into Kansas City. "As Evernest moves into KC, we're excited to help residents, owners, and investors achieve their real estate goals, whatever those may be," said Whitaker. Evernest is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and operates in 17 real estate markets across the country. It is one of the nation's largest single-family and small multi-family investment brokers and property management providers. The firm manages more than 6,500 homes for over 3,000 owners, brokers more than 700 investment deals annually, and has made the Inc5000 list five of the last six years. Learn more about Evernest - https://www.evernest.co/about-us/ Contact: McKenna Keller 205.940.6363, ext. 5 [email protected] SOURCE Evernest First-of-its-kind endorsement for fire fighters in Nebraska LINCOLN, Neb., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nebraska Professional Fire Fighters Association (NPFFA) is proud to announce our first-of-its-kind endorsement for Bob Evnen for Nebraska Secretary of State. Representing over 1,400 professional fire fighters and paramedics across the state, the NPFFA is the voice of public safety in Nebraska. Jared Stockwell, Communications Director for the NPFFA, said, "The NPFFA choose to get involved and support Bob Evnen for Secretary of State because of his experience and record in keeping our elections secure, free and open. During the pandemic, as Secretary of State, Bob developed systems for voters in Nebraska to continue to exercise their rights as free citizens to vote while working with community health experts and public safety leaders to ensure the process was as safe as possible." Evnen worked with the Unicameral to increase security measures around all voting drop boxes, the NPFFA said. He helped to cultivate and build relationships and promoted Nebraska as second to none. Firefighters find Evnen to be a leader with integrity, who stays calm and communicates well all attributes of a leader. "Bob Evnen is a leader we need in Nebraska," Stockwell added. "He has the integrity, judgment, and experience to serve Nebraskans well and has earned the support and endorsement of your Nebraska Professional Fire Fighters. Join us and vote to re-elect Bob Evnen for Secretary of State." CONTACT: Jared Stockwell, Communication Director, Nebraska Professional Fire Fighters Association, [email protected], 308.380.8064. SOURCE Nebraska Professional Fire Fighters Association U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance and National Crime Prevention Council Launch National Public Service Effort WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Community engagement between law enforcement and the public is key to violent crime prevention. It is also the focus of a new campaign launched by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). The public service announcements highlight the family of a police officer and brings awareness to the critical link between the community and law enforcement. The campaign will use the trusted iconic figure McGruff the Crime Dog to provide educational materials to help people learn simple steps they can take to prevent crime. "Violent crime can be reduced," said Paul DelPonte, NCPC Executive Director. "Success in crime prevention starts at the community level. It will take all of us. People need to work together with the police, and the police need to reach out to the community. The more that happens, the more crime will be reduced." The multifaceted campaign includes a TV PSA, social media posts, and radio, print, and billboard ads. This effort is expected to reach tens of millions of households and is part of a broader effort to boost crime prevention across the U.S. To learn more visit https://www.ncpc.org/preventviolentcrime/ and follow NCPC on social media. About the National Crime Prevention Council The nonprofit National Crime Prevention Council, along with McGruff the Crime Dog, have helped generations of Americans Take A Bite Out Of Crime. NCPC is the leader in crime prevention for millions of Americans, their families, and their communities. NCPC's work is funded with the help of government agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals who want to stop crime before it happens. To learn more, visit https://www.ncpc.org/ and follow NCPC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. SOURCE National Crime Prevention Council Agencies Team Up with DrivenData and HeroX to Offer $35,000 Prize Purse for Winning Solution WASHINGTON , April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced that they have teamed up with DrivenData and HeroX , in collaboration with Wild Me and NASA , to launch the crowdsourcing competition, Where's Whale-do? , to help NOAA Fisheries researchers accurately identify endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales from photographic images. Participants are competing for a prize purse of $35,000. NOAA and BOEM Team Up with DrivenData and HeroX to Offer $35,000 Prize Purse for Winning Solution Measuring up to 15 feet and 3,500 pounds, beluga whales are extremely sociable mammals that live throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. The population of Cook Inlet beluga whales, the subject of this competition, began declining in the 1990s from overhunting and are currently at risk of extinction. There are only 300 surviving Cook Inlet belugas, and they are tracked using overhead photographs from drones and lateral photographs from ocean vessels. To help monitor and protect the whale population, wildlife researchers visually match these photographs to existing images based on whale features such as color, unique marks and scratches, and dorsal ridge shape. However, processing and analyzing these photographs is largely manual and consumes significant time and resources. Scientists are seeking innovative methods using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate this process and accurately match the same individual whale in different survey images. "Our goal is to be able to analyze our overhead photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales quickly and accurately to produce annual estimates of abundance and calf production in a timely manner," said Paul Wade, beluga whale researcher, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center. "This will allow us to monitor the population and try to understand what may be hindering the recovery of this endangered whale population." "We are pleased to support this important research," said Dr. Christina Bonsell, an ecologist in BOEM's Alaska Regional Office. "BOEM's Environmental Studies Program looks for innovative solutions to resource management challenges. Leveraging crowdsourcing can help ensure effective management and protection of this critically endangered marine mammal population." "These kinds of open AI challenges channel the efforts of skilled experts and enhance the tools available to our nation's public agencies," said Greg Lipstein, Principal at DrivenData. "This solution will have the immediate potential to be used for whale image matching, a critical step in the effective and timely conservation of these endangered belugas." "Keeping endangered animals safe is top-of-mind for me, and I am excited to have the talented community of HeroX solvers engaged in this important challenge," said Kal K. Sahota, CEO, HeroX. The Challenge: NOAA Fisheries is looking for an automated solution to integrate into the existing Flukebook platform for Cook Inlet beluga whales created by Wild Me. Prizes will be awarded based on the accuracy of model matches. Accelerated and scalable matching is critical to effective measurement, management, and protection of the Cook Inlet beluga population. Machine learning has the potential to expedite the creation and analysis of large datasets of images. Eligibility to Compete and Win Prize(s): The prize is open to anyone aged 18 or older participating as an individual or as a team. Individual competitors and teams may originate from any country, as long as United States federal sanctions do not prohibit participation (some restrictions apply). Additional eligibility requirements or limits can be found in the challenge rules. To accept the challenge, visit https://belugas.drivendata.org/ ABOUT DRIVENDATA DrivenData is a social enterprise dedicated to bringing the data tools and methods that are transforming industry to the world's biggest challenges. As part of that work, DrivenData's competition platform channels the skills and passion of data scientists, researchers, and other quantitative experts to build solutions for social good. These online machine learning challenges are designed to engage a large expert community, connect participants with real-world data problems, and highlight their best solutions. See our past competitions and learn more at www.drivendata.org . ABOUT HEROX HeroX is a platform and open marketplace for crowdsourcing innovation and human ingenuity, co-founded in 2013 by serial entrepreneur, Christian Cotichini and XPRIZE Founder and Futurist, Peter Diamandis. HeroX offers a turnkey, easy-to-use platform that supports anyone, anywhere, to solve everyday business and world challenges using the power of the crowd. Uniquely positioned as the Social Network for Innovation, HeroX is the only place you can build, grow and curate your very own crowd. Explore the latest challenges at www.herox.com ABOUT NOAA FISHERIES, Alaska Fisheries Science Center The mission of NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center is to provide science and services in support of productive and sustainable fisheries, recovery and conservation of protected resources, and healthy ecosystems in the marine waters of Alaska. ABOUT BOEM BOEM's mission is to manage development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf energy and mineral resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way. BOEM develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research studies to inform its policy decisions on offshore energy and mineral resource development. Media Contact: Alexandra Pony [email protected] 250-858-0656 SOURCE DrivenData and HeroX DNA Identification Platform for Dogs Introduced at Multiple Build-to-Rent Communities in the United Kingdom KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PooPrints , the first and largest commercial DNA Pet Waste and Pet Identification Management Company, today announced an expanded roll out of its premiere platform to an additional 10 build-to-rent (BTR) communities in the United Kingdom, bolstering its portfolio of more than 6,000 BTR communities internationally. Established in 2009 as a way to promote responsible pet ownership, protect the environment and expand pet access, the PooPrints platform now spans six countries across the globe, including the U.S., Canada and the U.K. With more than 600,000 dogs currently on its patented DNA World Pet Registry Database, the company analyzes samples of unscooped pet waste left behind at a BTR community to help identify the pet it belongs to and its owner. PooPrints' database of dog DNA profiles also assists owners trying to find a lost or stolen dog. . "Our program operates in thousands of BTR communities across the world and we're receiving an average of 300 waste samples each day," said J. Retinger, CEO of PooPrints. "With more pet owners choosing to live in BTR communities and operators allowing pets onsite, we don't anticipate it slowing down anytime soon. We understand that most pet owners are responsible and clean up after their pet, we simply offer a proactive measure that will effectively address the issue on a larger scale." Through the PooPrints platform, operators collect a DNA sample via a cheek swab of pets new to a BTR community that is logged with the company's world registry. When unscooped pet waste is found onsite, a small portion of the waste is collected using safe, non-toxic materials and sent to the PooPrints owned and operated BioPet laboratory. The genetic profile is analyzed and matched to the offending canine and owner. Operators utilizing PooPrints have reported a 95% reduction in fouling incidents since implementing the service. "PooPrints offers a simple, seamless process for dog registration," said Russell Markou, head of operations at Quintain Living. "The pet DNA registry allows us to effectively manage our pet population and also provides added services for our residents. Responsible dog owners do not oppose registering their pets' DNA to proactively avoid dog poop being left around the community. As a result, we haven't had any issues with dog mess since we launched our pet-friendly buildings and started the programme." PooPrints also uses DNA samples from its database to help identify lost dogs and reunite them with their owners. PooPrints has reconnected more than 50 dogs with their owners throughout its U.S. database. With an increase in stolen animals in the U.K., PooPrints' DNA World Pet Registry Database allows dog owners to keep their dog's DNA on file in case they become lost or are stolen. Unlike microchipping a dog, which can be removed, PooPrints' lost-and-found technology is an immutable form of tech that lasts a lifetime as DNA cannot be altered. PooPrints BioPet laboratories adhere to the strict protocols of the FBI DNA testing guidelines, being an ISO accredited lab and guaranteeing operators accurate results and rapid processing. "Our goal is to help society in multiple facets with DNA identification technology," Retinger said. "DNA identification of dogs not only drastically improves the overall cleanliness of a BTR community and the environment, but it also helps reunite owners with lost or stolen dogs and promotes responsible pet ownership." Once a community signs on with PooPrints, the company and pet owners can reap the benefits of additional pet amenities through PooPrints' Pet Parent Perks that are offered to those who register their pet with the program. The perks for pet owners include credits with pet stores and services and the BioPet LifePlan, as well as having their dog's DNA profile in the database to help in case of theft or a lost incident. About PooPrints PooPrints is the original and largest DNA pet waste management solution for apartments, parks, and more. The PooPrints goal is to promote responsible pet ownership, protect the environment, and expand pet access to public and private properties by holding pet owners responsible via pet waste DNA testing. With a dedicated representative network, PooPrints is able to deliver the DNA solution to all 50 states, Canada, and the United Kingdom. To learn more about the cutting-edge program, visit PooPrints.com SOURCE Poo Prints VANCOUVER, BC, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE: PRR) (OTC: PRRSF) (FRA: OED) is pleased to announce the appointment of Metal News Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Allen Alper as a Director, and "Prospector of the Year" Tom Morgan as lead prospector. These two professionals are incredibly exciting additions to the Prospect Ridge team bringing with them the experience from decades of successful careers. Dr. Allen Alper received a PhD in Economic Geology and Petrology from Columbia University in New York City. He has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, the Founder, Editor-In-Chief and CEO of Metals News, and is the Founder and President of Alper Consulting. Dr. Alper has and continues to facilitate mergers, acquisitions, offtakes, and funding for mining companies. He was a Director of Largo Resources, one of the largest producing vanadium miners in the world. He was Vice President and General Manager of OSRAM Sylvania and directed their tungsten powder and tungsten carbide businesses, the largest in the western world. He also directed its global molybdenum, rare earths, cobalt, & tantalum businesses. In addition, he was President of Walmet Corporation, for Sylvania, in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Alper is also on the Advisory Board of Providence Gold Mines Inc. Previously, he was at Corning Glass Works, Corning, New York, as a Research Manager and a Senior Research Fellow of Ceramics. Dr. Alper has edited 11 books on high temperature materials and phase diagrams of metals and oxides. He served on Penn State's Materials Advisory Board, was a member of the Pennsylvania Business Round Table, and holds 33 patents. Bradley Scharfe is the President, Co-Chairman & CEO of Scharfe Group of Companies, and is an accomplished financier with over 25 years of expertise in North America's capital markets. Mr. Scharfe has spearheaded financing efforts and assembled robust companies in the areas of resources and commodities, clean technology and renewable/alternative energy, oil and gas, and biotech and tech. Mr. Scharfe is an expert at raising, deploying, and managing venture capital for companies in the early growth phase of their development. His focus is on backing emerging companies that require early-stage financing, public market support and management structuring and collecting strategic experts who can appropriately contribute to the company's ongoing and expansive growth. For 12 years, Mr. Scharfe was a successful venture capital stockbroker with Canaccord Capital Corporation, a premier Canadian investment firm. While at Canaccord, he was part of the Chairman's Club, based on outstanding achievement. Mr. Scharfe holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto, where he majored in Commerce and Economics. Mr. Tom Morgan is a well-known, respected, and very successful prospector who was awarded Yukon Prospector of the Year in 2004, and has appeared on the TV series Yukon Gold. Tom is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, and has since lived and worked in many different places including the Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, California, the Phillipines, and Russia. Mr. Morgan attended St. Francis Xavier University at Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Michael Iverson, CEO states, "The addition of Dr. Alper, Brad Scharfe, and Tom Morgan to the Prospect Ridge family is very exciting, confidence inspiring, and makes us stronger and more capable. Both gentlemen see the enormous potential we have on the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail properties and believe we are going to prove-up the next major gold property. With Dr. Alper and Brad in the boardroom, and Mr. Morgan in the field we are additionally set up for success. 2022 is going to be a year for the record books." Qualified Person All scientific or technical information included in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Rein Turna, P.Geol., a consultant to the Company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Holy Grail & Knauss Creek The Holy Grail Property is 10 kilometers outside of Terrace within 45 km from a smelter and deep sea port. The property is easy-accessible bounded by two highways with CN rail, high tension power crossing the property and a network of logging roads over approximately 80% of the property which will make for a very cost-effective exploration and strong feasibility. Some of the key areas are located below tree line and can be worked nearly year-round. The Holy Grail district sized package now contains over 70,000 hectares. The property was selected based on regional geological, structural, and geochemical resemblances that coincide with mineralization 50 km northwest in the Golden Triangle. The company believe the project has the potential for a district scale hydrothermal system and will extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to cover this vast under-explored region. The Knauss Creek property is underlain by Upper Jurassic to Mid-Cretaceous Bowser Lake Group sedimentary rocks and Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic Hazelton Group volcano-sedimentary rocks. Bowser Lake and Hazelton group rocks have been intruded by the Eocene aged Carpenter Creek Pluton in the southwestern part of the property and by Eocene rhyolite dykes in the central part of the property. Regionally, significant east-west trending faults cut the area, with veining and faulting showing a similar general trend. Mineralization is structurally and stratigraphically controlled and is hosted within argillaceous sedimentary rocks and diorite intrusions, which are also likely the driver of the mineralized system. Auriferous-polymetallic-quartz veins on the property have returned values up to 240 g/t Au, 1644 g/t Ag, 2.3% Cu, 50.22% Pb and 13.88% Zn. The Knauss Creek property covers 3 known mineral occurrences and the past producing Doreen mine. In 1952, 476 tonnes of ore were shipped, producing 3266 grams of Au, 8118 grams of Ag, 3137 kg of Pb and 1342 kg of Zn. An alternate occurrence in the zone displays multiple near vertical sulphide-rich veins up to 2.5m wide occur in sub-parallel sets with broader alteration halos containing disseminated sulphide. Ore minerology consists of pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and tetrahedrite. About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a BC based exploration and development company focused on strategic mineral exploration in Canada concurrently with developing a location in British Columbia and Quebec. Prospect Ridge's technical team and management with over 100 combined years of mineral exploration experience believes the Holy Grail to have the potential for a district scale hydrothermal system and will extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to cover this vast under-explored region. 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. This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects and the Company's use of proceeds from the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will not be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. SOURCE Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, OR TO ANY PERSON RESIDENT AND/OR LOCATED IN, ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (the "Issuer") announces the Early Expiration and Early Tender Results of the Tender Offer for cash made by BNP Paribas (the "Offeror") for up to U.S.$1,100 million in aggregate principal amount of the Issuer's Existing Notes listed below. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this announcement have the meanings given in the Issuer's announcement dated April 13, 2022 (the "Announcement") in relation to the Tender Offer. ** EARLY TENDER RESULTS SUMMARY ** The Early Expiration Deadline in relation to the Tender Offer occurred at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on April 27, 2022. As of the Early Expiration Deadline, the Offeror has received valid Early Tender Instructions under the Tender Offer as outline below: Series of Existing Notes / ISINs (RegS;144A) / Aggregate principal amount tendered / Percentage tendered (of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes) USD 1,000m 6.530% 2028 Notes / USY7140WAC20; US74445PAC68 / U.S.$653,133,000 / 65.31% USD 750m 6.757% 2048 Notes / USY7140WAD03; US74445PAD42 / U.S.$376,779,000 / 50.24% USD 1,250m 5.710% 2023 Notes / USY7140WAB47; US74445PAB85 / U.S.$424,932,000 / 63.02% ** FINAL MAXIMUM ACCEPTANCE AMOUNT ** The Offeror further announces that the final Maximum Acceptance Amount in relation to the Tender Offer shall be U.S.$ 1,100 million in aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes. As the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes in respect of which valid Early Tender Instructions were received as of the Early Expiration Deadline exceeds the final Maximum Acceptance Amount, no Subsequent Tender Instructions received at or prior to the Expiration Deadline will be accepted by the Offeror. ** EXPIRATION DEADLINE AND FINAL RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT ** The Expiration Deadline of the Tender Offer will be 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on May 11, 2022, unless extended, terminated or withdrawn. The Offeror will announce the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes tendered, whether the conditions to the Tender Offer (including the Financing Condition and the Accounting Condition) have been satisfied or waived, any Scaling Factors, the principal amount of Existing Notes accepted for purchase and the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes that will remain outstanding following completion of the Tender Offer as soon as reasonably practicable following the Expiration Deadline. ** SETTLEMENT ** All Existing Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase by the Offeror will be settled at the Final Settlement Date, which is expected to be on or about May 16, 2022, unless otherwise extended by the Offeror. On or about the Final Settlement Date, Holders of Existing Notes which have been validly tendered at or prior to the Early Expiration Deadline and accepted for purchase will be paid (x) the Early Tender Consideration plus (y) the relevant Accrued Interest. It is therefore confirmed that all Existing Notes tendered and accepted will be settled on the Final Settlement Date (and with the relevant Accrued Interest being paid to (but excluding) the Final Settlement Date), provided that the conditions to the Tender Offer have been satisfied or waived and subject to the Offeror's right, in its sole discretion, to extend, re-open, amend, waive in whole or in part any condition to the Tender Offer and/or to withdraw or terminate the Tender Offer, subject to applicable law. ** DEALER MANAGERS ** BNP PARIBAS ([email protected]; [email protected] / +852 2108 5228) J.P. Morgan ([email protected]) Mandiri Securities ([email protected] / +65 6589 3880) ** THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT ** Morrow Sodali Limited (Email: [email protected] / Tender Offer Website: https://bonds.morrowsodali.com/MindID / +44 20 4513 6933 / + 852 2319 4130 / +1 203 609 4910) Requests for information in relation to the procedures for tendering Existing Notes and participating in the Tender Offer should be directed to the Information and Tender Agent. Questions and requests for assistance in connection with the Tender Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers. ** DISCLAIMER ** This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Tender Offer Memorandum dated April 13, 2022, prepared by the Issuer. No offer or invitation to acquire or exchange any Existing Notes is being made pursuant to this announcement. This announcement and the Tender Offer Memorandum contain important information which must be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer. If any holder of Existing Notes is in any doubt as to the action it should take, it should seek its own legal, tax and financial advice, including as to any tax consequences, from its legal, accounting, financial and other advisers. None of the Offeror, the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent (or their respective directors, employees or affiliates) makes any representation or recommendation whatsoever regarding the Tender Offer Memorandum or the Tender Offer, and none of the Issuer, the Offeror, the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent (or their respective directors, employees or affiliates) makes any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender Existing Notes in the Tender Offer. The Information and Tender Agent is the agent of the Issuer and owes no duty to any Holder. Nothing in this announcement constitutes an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell securities, including any New Notes, in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The Existing Notes which are the subject of the Tender Offer and any New Notes have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of the United States or any State thereof or the applicable laws of any other jurisdiction. The Tender Offer does not constitute a public offering or private placement in Indonesia under Law No. 8 of 1995 on Capital Market ("Indonesian Capital Markets Law") and its implementing regulations and the Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) Regulation No. 30/POJK.04/2019 on Private Placement of Debt Securities and/or Sukuk Issuance ("OJK Regulation No. 30"). This announcement and the Tender Offer Memorandum may not be distributed in Indonesia, to Indonesian citizens, wherever they are domiciled, or to entities, or to Indonesian residents, in a manner which constitutes a public offering or private placement under the Indonesian Capital Markets Law and OJK Regulation No. 30. NEITHER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE TENDER OFFER MEMORANDUM NOR ANY RELATED DOCUMENT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS ANY SUCH DOCUMENT BEEN FILED WITH OR REVIEWED BY ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY COUNTRY. NO AUTHORITY HAS PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE TENDER OFFER OR ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS, AND IT MAY BE UNLAWFUL AND A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY. Tenders of Existing Notes in the Tender Offer will not be accepted from Holders in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities or other laws require the Tender Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, any actions in connection with the Tender Offer shall be deemed to be made on behalf of the Offeror by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. SOURCE PT INDONESIA ASAHAN ALUMINIUM (PERSERO) VANCOUVER, BC, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (the "Company") (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) was held on April 27, 2022. Each of the matters voted upon at the Meeting is discussed in detail in the Company's Proxy Statement dated March 15, 2022, which can be found on the Company's website at: https://s24.q4cdn.com/560830410/files/doc_financials/2022/ar/2022-Proxy-Statement-(Web-Version).pdf Per TSX reporting requirements, the Company wishes to disclose that the total number of shares represented by shareholders in person and by proxy at the Meeting was 95,506,182 shares, representing approximately 86.33% of the Company's outstanding shares. The voting results for the election of directors were as follows: Name of Director For Withheld Erik Olsson 86,616,756 7,384,092 Ann Fandozzi 93,698,494 302,354 Christopher Zimmerman 92,155,252 1,845,596 Bob Elton 91,804,953 2,195,895 Sarah Raiss 92,059,991 1,940,857 Adam DeWitt 93,155,283 845,565 Lisa Hook 93,136,177 864,671 Mahesh Shah 93,694,591 306,257 Carol M. Stephenson 93,623,983 376,865 On April 28, 2022, the Company filed a report of voting results on all resolutions voted on at the Meeting on www.sedar.com. About Ritchie Bros . Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers , the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E , a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Ritchie List , a self-serve listing service for North America; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales; and sector-specific solutions GovPlanet , TruckPlanet , and Kruse Energy . The Company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC , which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system; SmartEquip , an innovative technology platform that supports customers' management of the equipment lifecycle and integrates parts procurement with both OEMs and dealers; plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services . For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com . SOURCE Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National probate litigation law firm RMO LLP announced today that Orange County, California office Managing Attorney Meghan Glaspy has been selected as an honoree by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the city's most influential women attorneys. The "Women of Influence: Attorneys" list, recognizes women lawyers "for exceptional legal skill and achievement across the full spectrum of responsibility, exemplary leadership as evidenced by the highest professional and ethical standards, and for contributions to the Los Angeles community at large," writes the publisher. "Meghan's expertise, legal prowess, and ability to get results efficiently, cost-effectively and with empathy, make her the ideal recipient for this recognition. We're very proud of her," said Founder and Managing Partner Scott Rahn. A former deputy district attorney, Glaspy "[has] extensive trial experience and works closely with clients through complex and emotionally-charged probate disputes, including will and trust contests, breach of fiduciary duty claims, financial elder abuse protection, and contested conservatorships, representing beneficiaries, as well as individual, professional and corporate fiduciaries (administrators, executors, trustees and conservators)," reports the feature. Glaspy grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from University of California, San Diego with a B.A. in Literature and English. She studied law at Georgetown University Law Center, where she was a published author in the Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy. RMO LLP provides personal, cost-effective litigation services to individual and institutional clients. The firm's attorneys focus on litigation contested trust, estate, probate, and conservatorship matters. RMO has offices serving clients with probate disputes throughout California, Florida, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. For more information, please visit https://rmolawyers.com/. SOURCE RMO LLP Former CyrusOne executive to lead data center leasing and origination for flagship Cumulus hyperscale campus outside Berwick, Pa. and accelerate replication across Talen Energy footprint THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cumulus Data ("Cumulus"), a subsidiary of Talen Energy Corporation ("Talen Energy"), today announced that it has appointed Scott Hanna to the role of chief revenue officer. In this newly created role, Hanna will lead revenue generation and data center leasing for Cumulus Data including sales, marketing and customer support, while accelerating platform expansion strategic initiatives. Mr. Hanna will report to Alex Hernandez, CEO of Cumulus Data and Talen Energy. Hanna joins Cumulus with over 30 years of successful sales management and marketing experience, including leading and developing the sales organization for CyrusOne, a $15 billion data center technology real estate investment trust (REIT) that serves Fortune 1000 companies as well as Hyperscale companies worldwide. His focus initially will be on marketing Cumulus Data's flagship digital campus outside Berwick, Pennsylvania, which will be powered via direct interconnect to Talen Energy's carbon-free Susquehanna nuclear generation facility with generating capacity of 2.5 Gigawatts. "Our company is at an important inflection point as we transition from an operational turnaround to strategically re-positioning Talen Energy for long-term value creation. The growth of Cumulus Data, underpinned by customer relationships and key power infrastructure, is a key part our transformation and value creation agenda," said Chief Executive Officer Alex Hernandez. "Scott's leadership capabilities, track record of value creation, and data center industry experience strengthens Cumulus to solve the energy 'trilemma' for digital infrastructure customers, while growing the Cumulus platform. I welcome Scott to the Talen Energy and Cumulus Data leadership team," Hernandez continued. "I am pleased to join Cumulus Data in this new role to position Cumulus and Talen Energy to lead the digital infrastructure transition," Hanna said. "I look forward to working with Alex, chief data center officer, Kevin Dalton, chief financial officer Dustin Wertheimer, and the Talen-Cumulus management team to secure tenants for our world-class facilities, create a template for future expansion and provide significant opportunities for the communities in which we operate. Cumulus offers a differentiated solution at scale, providing data centers that are directly connected to carbon-free, reliable, low-cost electricity without intermediation by legacy utilities," continued Mr. Hanna. The first Cumulus data center, a 48 Megawatt powered shell designed for hyperscale cloud applications, is currently under construction and will be completed in the second half of 2022. Two additional 48 Megawatt powered shells are in advanced development to deliver a total of 150 Megawatts of capacity in Phase I over the near term and an aggregate capacity for the Cumulus Data hyperscale campus of 475 Megawatts. For additional information regarding the Cumulus Data campus and customer solutions, please visit the Cumulus Data website. Hanna brings a wealth of market specific knowledge as well as long-standing customer and partner relationships to Cumulus Data. During his tenure with CyrusOne he played an integral role in leading and developing the sales organization in advance of its successful IPO in January 2013. Hanna also held sales, management, and marketing leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies including Nestle, Anheuser Busch, Boston Scientific, and EMC where he was the enterprise sales director. He grew EMC2's business from $20M annually to $130M annually and helped to create its partnership with Dell Technologies. A graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications. About Cumulus Data Cumulus Data, a subsidiary of Talen Energy, is developing a 475 Megawatt hyperscale data center campus located outside Berwick, Pa., with the potential to expand operations to other sites across the United States. The flagship Susquehanna campus will be powered by >1 Gigawatt of ultra-reliable, carbon-free, 24x7 nuclear power with the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) for cloud data center customers in the United States. Cumulus also offers customers the ability to supplement its carbon-free offering with 400 Megawatts of solar generation capacity under development. Cumulus Data has broken ground on its digital campus and anticipates having its first data center available for lease in the second half 2022. For more information, visit: https://cumulusinfra.com/ About Talen Energy Corporation Talen Energy, through its subsidiary Talen Energy Supply, LLC, is one of the largest competitive power generation and infrastructure companies in North America. The company owns and/or controls approximately 13,000 Megawatts of generating capacity in wholesale U.S. power markets, principally in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas and Montana. Talen Energy is also developing a large-scale portfolio of renewable energy, battery storage, and digital infrastructure assets across its expansive footprint with a goal of leading the clean energy and digital infrastructure transition and being a Force for Good for its people and communities along the way. For more information, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/esg-focused-future/ Customer Contact Cumulus Data Scott Hanna Chief Revenue Officer Cumulus Data 281-203-5800 [email protected] Investor Contact Olivia Sigo Managing Director, Capital Planning 281-203-5387 [email protected] Media Contact Taryne Williams Director Corporate Communications 610-601-0327 [email protected] SOURCE Talen Energy Corp. and Cumulus Data HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill" or "the Company") announces today that it has been awarded three contracts by a leading operator for the West Ariel, West Cressida, and West Leda for work in the Middle East. The firm-term of each contract is three years with expected commencement between Q1 2023 and Q2 2023. Total contract value for the three contracts is approximately $404m (inclusive of mobilization revenue). Upon commencement of the three contracts, Seadrill will operate seven units directly and have a further three units on bareboat charter in the Middle East. Seadrill has a long successful track record in the Middle East, providing safe and efficient operations since 2013. Simon Johnson, Seadrill Chief Executive Officer, commented, "With our imminent re-listing in Oslo, news of this award confirms Seadrill's status as a preferred partner in a rapidly recovering rig market. Upon commencement of operations early next year, these rigs will add to Seadrill's strong market share in the Middle East, leading to significant economies of scale by clustering rigs of similar design in a market segment where we see strong signs of recovery and long-term demand." About Seadrill Seadrill is a leading offshore drilling contractor utilizing advanced technology to unlock oil and gas resources for clients across harsh and benign locations around the globe. Seadrill's high-quality, technologically-advanced fleet spans all asset classes allowing its experienced crews to conduct operations from shallow to ultra-deep-water environments. The Company owns and/or operates 30 rigs, which includes drillships, semi-submersibles, and jack-ups. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes forward-looking statements. Such statements are generally not historical in nature, and specifically include statements about the Company's plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its business and the markets in which it operates. These statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks described from time to time in the Company's regulatory filings and periodical reporting. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward looking statement. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com Media questions should be directed to: Sara Dunne Director of Communications [email protected] + 1 281 630 7064 Analyst questions should be directed to: Hawthorn Advisors [email protected] +44 (0) 203 7454960 SOURCE Seadrill Limited Operator of comprehensive, high-quality auto body collision repair facilities repaired and donated a 2014 Honda Pilot to a deserving local veteran OKLAHOMA CITY, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Service King is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and is continuing its efforts through its involvement in the National Auto Body Council's (NABC) Recycled Rides program. Service King Collision Repair NABC Recycled Rides is a unique community action initiative through which members of the NABC and others in the auto body repair industry unite with local nonprofit organizations to provide deserving individuals and families with the gift of a fully restored vehicle. Service King has consistently donated vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides program for several years. Earlier this month, Service King repaired and donated a vehicle to Oklahoma City veteran Merinda Anderson. Geico Insurance provided the car that Service King repaired. Anderson, who served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as a firefighter and a truck driver, was nominated by Honoring America's Warriors and received a 2014 Honda Pilot. She was deployed in 2007-2008 as a prison guard in Iraq. After her deployment, she faced some personal challenges all while raising her two young sons by herself. She is now involved in several nonprofit organizations focused on other veterans, and helps them find ways to cope with tragedies witnessed while deployed. She is also a fulltime student at the University of Central Oklahoma and is in the process of obtaining her bachelor's degree in Studio Art, with hopes of using her degree to show other veterans how to utilize art as a form of therapy. Her new car will allow her to continue her education, take care of her family and support other veterans in need. "Service King is honored to have repaired and donated this vehicle to Merinda," said Jeff McFadden, President of Service King. "Our company is committed to giving back to the communities we serve and it's very rewarding to be able to live out our commitment through the NABC Recycled Rides program. We're excited for Merinda and her family to regain their independence through reliable transportation. Our passion to help others through the act of service will remain steadfast throughout 2022 and beyond as we continue to transform the lives of deserving individuals and families by providing them with dependable vehicles." This is the 7 vehicle that Service King has joined hands with the National Auto Body Council to restore this year, with several additional donations planned for the remainder of 2022. To learn more about Service King, visit serviceking.com. About Service King Collision Service King Collision, which is now celebrating more than 45 years of experience in the automotive repair industry, is a leading national operator of comprehensive, high-quality auto body collision repair facilities. The organization is consistently recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction, quality workmanship and giving back to the industry through innovative training and recruiting initiatives. Service King traces its roots back to Dallas, Texas and founder Eddie Lennox who opened the very first Service King in 1976. Today, Service King operates locations in 24 states and the District of Columbia across the U.S. For more information and to find a local Service King, visit serviceking.com and follow Service King on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact: Jordan Sandler, Service King Collision 972.953.5432 [email protected] SOURCE Service King Collision Repair Download Now! Major Price Models in the Sodium Bisulfite Sourcing and Procurement Market The report discusses in detail each pricing model and the pros and cons attached to every pricing model prevalent in the market. Also, the report provides insights with respect to the category supply chain and the margins of various suppliers within the supply chain. The most widely adopted pricing models in the Sodium Bisulfite Sourcing and Procurement Market Volume-based pricing model Spot pricing model Learn about various other pricing models: Request for a FREE sample report Spend Growth and Demand by Region The Sodium Bisulfite Sourcing and Procurement market will register an incremental spend of about USD 104.75 Million during the forecast period. However, only a few regions will drive the majority of this growth. Moreover, on the supply side, North America, Europe, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base. The growth is expected to be primarily driven by increasing demand and adoption of the category across those few regions. To get a detailed analysis of the regional factors driving the Sodium Bisulfite Sourcing and Procurement Report: Download the sample report now! Subscribe to our "Free Limited Period Starter Procurement Plan" to get the following: View 6 full reports View 800+ report samples Pre-order upcoming reports Dedicated account manager Subscribe Now for FREE! Most Adopted Procurement Strategies by Buyers Across the Sodium Bisulfite Sourcing and Procurement Market The report provides a detailed insight of the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries and analysis of these strategies with respect to innovation, regulatory compliance, quality, supply, and cost. Adoption of these procurement strategies will enable the buyers to reduce category TCO and achieve cost savings, while sourcing for thermal equipment requirements. To get the exact information on various procurement strategies: Get the FREE Sample Report Now! This Sodium Bisulfite Sourcing and Procurement Market report answers help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers, for instance: Am I engaging with the right suppliers? Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers? Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for? What are the workplace computing devices category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx? Download 5 Reports EVERY MONTH! Get instant access to download 5 reports every month and view 1200 full reports. With every purchase, we also offer complimentary research add-ons and Covid-19 impact assessments. Download this Report Our Top Selling Procurement Reports: 1. Asset Recovery Services - Forecast and Analysis: The asset recovery services will grow at a CAGR of 9.49% during 2021-2025. Asia Asset Recovery Pte Ltd., TES-Amm Singapore Pte Ltd., and Iron Mountain Inc. are among the prominent suppliers in asset recovery services market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. 2. Vulnerability Management Sourcing and Procurement Report: Vulnerability Management Procurement Market, prices will increase by 4%-6% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a Moderate bargaining power in this market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. 3. Celebrity Talent Management Services - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their celebrity talent management services requirements. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. 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. Contact SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge SYDNEY, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CANVAS, a leading DeFi and Layer 2 (L2) infrastructure company, today announced it has partnered with Starkware, a Pioneer in Zero Knowledge Proofs to bring gasless transactions to leading Ethereum dApps. The service called "CANVAS Connect", is a Layer 2 scaling solution specifically for DeFi and will leverage StarkWare's ZK rollup StarkEx engine to solve the prohibitively high gas costs incurred when accessing all Layer 1 (L1) dApps on the Ethereum network. Known as "DeFi pooling", multiple DeFi transactions are batched into a single proof which allows investors to 'split the L1 bill' and benefit from efficient, gasless and ultra-low-cost transactions whilst continuing to have the security offered by Ethereum mainnet. StarkWare CEO, Uri Kolodny added: "DeFi's original values were about financial inclusion and open access. As network gas costs have risen, DeFi has turned into a whales' game. DeFi Pooling ensures it remains inclusive and fair. Mainstream retail adoption of DeFi is only feasible when clients can both enter and exit positions at any time without incurring large transaction fees on their investment." CANVAS CEO and Co-Founder, David Lavecky said: "Today, DeFi transactions on Ethereum are expensive. It's like flying on a private jet with all gas costs paid by one individual. We see CANVAS Connect as the commercial airline that will safely & securely transport many DeFi transactions to their preferred destination, reducing fees for all. We're on a mission to onboard the next billion people. We believe DeFi Pooling will revolutionise the way people transact on Layer 1 Blockchains and unlock DeFi for all." CANVAS Connect will offer access to leading Ethereum dApps such as AAVE, Compound, Balancer, Uniswap, and Yearn as well as permissioned dApps like AAVE Arc & Stakewise where only whitelisted, KYC'd participants can access, unlocking DeFi for regulated institutions. The service will launch Q2 on testnet and on Mainnet in Q3. About StarkWare StarkWare ( https://starkware.co ) develops ZKP technology to solve two of the biggest problems of blockchains: scalability and privacy. Focusing on scalability, StarkWare has the fastest in-class technology for asserting computational integrity via succinct, transparent and post-quantum-secure proofs. StarkWare solves the two most pressing problems of permissionless blockchains: scalability and privacy. StarkWare's cryptographic proofs are zero-knowledge, succinct, transparent and post-quantum secure About CANVAS CANVAS ( https://canvas.co ) creates Layer 2 Infrastructure for DeFi with a suite of services built on ZK rollups to access DeFi destinations cheaply, easily, and securely. CANVAS' mission is to onboard the next billion people to DeFi, both permissioned and permissionless. Current clients include Financial institutions, Hedge funds, Fund Managers and High Net Worth individuals from around the world. CANVAS was founded by successful tech entrepreneurs, David and Daniel Lavecky. Their previous fintech - Pure Commerce was sold to Euronet Worldwide in 2013 and was the largest Fintech sale in Australia at the time. Starkware contact: Nitzan Shemer-Grossman [email protected] +61414835726 SOURCE Canvas Digital TORONTO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) will release its first quarter 2022 financial results on Wednesday, May 11, after markets close. Sun Life will hold its earnings conference call and live webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET the following day. Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022 Time: 10:00 a.m. ET To listen to the live webcast and view the presentation slides, visit www.sunlife.com/QuarterlyReports 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation. An archive will be available on the website following the event. To listen via telephone, please call 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time as follows: Participant Dial In (Toll Free): 1 (877) 658-9101, conference ID 6588671 Participant Dial In (International): (602) 563-8756, conference ID 6588671 A replay of the conference call will be available from Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 1 p.m. ET until 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 26, 2022 by calling 404-537-3406 or 1-855-859-2056 (toll free within North America) using Conference ID: 6588671. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance, and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.44 trillion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars Media Relations Contact: Krista Wilson Director, Corporate Communications T. 226-751-2391 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Yaniv Bitton Vice-President, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Markets T. 416-979-6496 [email protected] SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc. Automated and streamlined interface cuts integration of external solutions required to meet AML requirements TAIPEI, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain security firm CoolBitX has unveiled Sygna Hub, the latest AML/CTF-focused product to help virtual asset service providers (VASPs) meet evolving crypto regulations. The comprehensive new API-based solution provides an easy-to-use platform boasting a modular integration of optional AML services from industry leaders such as Chainalysis and Elliptic, including advanced blockchain analytics and sanction screening, as well as Sygna Bridge, the Travel Rule protocol that is made to be interoperable with other protocols, like TRISA, through the Hub solution. Changing regulatory landscape for VASPs Sygna was launched in 2019 in response to the Financial Action Task Force's Recommendation 16 update that mandates Travel Rule compliance for VASPs. Since then it has built out a Sygna Alliance network of VASPs and collaborated with the world's biggest AML firms, including Chainalysis , Elliptic, CipherTrace , Merkle Science and ComplyAdvantage . "In the path toward mass institutional adoption of crypto, integration still remains a major challenge for the industry," said Mriganka Pattnaik, Co-founder & CEO of Merkle Science. "Travel Rule, sanctions screening, and blockchain analytics all play key roles in the fight against illicit activity in crypto. The Sygna Hub platform allows for integration and communication between previously siloed parts of this objective and Merkle Science is glad to be an active member of this initiative." With FATF's latest reviews and updates to its Risk-Based Approach to Virtual Assets and VASPs adding new complexity to the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies, Sygna has been broadening the scope of its service offering to better meet the needs of crypto companies. Michael Ou, Founder/CEO of CoolBitX said: " The Sygna team has again demonstrated that they fully understand VASPs' compliance pain points and how to alleviate them through intelligent product design. Sygna Hub represents our most ambitious AML endeavour as of yet. It has required many months of hard work, where we had to not only leverage our existing proprietary travel rule protocol Sygna Bridge, but also combine forces with industry leaders to create something unique for the greater good of the crypto industry as it faces evolving regulatory requirements." Sygna Hub and Sygna Gate, its simplified browser-based version, constitute the end result of these efforts, providing VASPs with the tools to build a robust compliance system to fulfill their regulatory duties. Juntao Zhu, CEO/Co-Founder of Hodlnaut, a Sygna Hub client, said: "Hodlnaut is elated to be partnering with Sygna to comply with the regulatory changes in Singapore. We are tirelessly working towards providing a great user experience and collaborating with Sygna will help us achieve the same." Key features of Sygna Hub Sygna Hub aims to solve the following current pain points in crypto compliance: Integrated and Enhanced Risk Screening Hub's integrated third-party blockchain analytics and sanction screening services makes it an excellent fit for VASPs operating in countries like Singapore and Japan with mature and sophisticated existing regulatory frameworks. Both Sygna Hub and Gate offer the latest integrated AML blockchain analytics services from Elliptic, Chainalysis (KYT V1 and V2) and Merkle Science. Sygna Bridge, the standalone VASP-focused Travel Rule protocol, is also built into Sygna platforms at a software level. Sygna achieved live interoperability, offered through Gate and Hub solutions, with CipherTrace's TRISA in February 2022, and with a similar cooperation with Shyft Network's Veriscope targeted for Q2. Other leading Travel Rule solution providers are in the works to follow later this year. Sunrise issue Sygna previously adopted IVMS101, the industry messaging protocol and has been working diligently to address the onerous so-called "sunrise issue" , which refers to an uneven roll-out of FATF-required Travel Rule regulation across member countries. As a result, Sygna clients and VASP counterparties that are using different or no Travel Rule protocol will still be able exchange the necessary data as various features of Hub are released. " Satoshi Test " for private information identification An increasing number of jurisdictions such as Singapore, Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein are starting to require further due diligence on the VASP side, which has led to increasing demand on establishing proof of ownership of non-custodial wallet addresses. To facilitate this identification, Sygna Hub's new Sygna Private Wallet Ownership Tool (SPOT) leverages a "Satoshi Test" by requesting the unhosted wallet address owner conduct an on-chain-transaction to establish proof-of-wallet ownership. ISO 27001-certified data privacy & information security Authorities globally are cracking down on companies misappropriating the data of their customers. As an on-premises-only product, the Sygna Hub portal allows clients to manage all of their customers' information without the risk of exposure on external servers. All Sygna products are officially ISO 27001 certified and strictly follow ISMS standards, which can now also be adopted with ease by Sygna VASPs. CoolBitX CEO Michael Ou is available for media interviews. About CoolBitX CoolBitX Ltd. (CBX) is an international blockchain security company building the next-generation infrastructure necessary to maximize digital asset adoption. Founded in 2014 by Michael Ou and backed by SBI Holdings, CoolBitX provides solutions for a rapidly-changing blockchain industry in order to foster the mass adoption of virtual assets through its two product lines: CoolWallet and Sygna. CoolWallet is a credit card-sized hardware wallet that allows for Bluetooth-enabled pairing with users' mobile phones. The Sygna line of regulatory compliance products are tailored toward Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), simplifying the compliance efforts of VASPs through the use of effective and secure technology. For more information on CoolBitX, visit https://coolbitx.com/ . About Sygna Sygna is a line of AML compliance services created by CoolBitX based on the FATF Recommendation 16 "Travel Rule" and other global virtual asset regulations. With three compliance solutions, Bridge (a first-to-market Travel Rule protocol), Gate (SaaS browser gateway), and Hub (integrated AML platform), Sygna aims to help VASPs meet the demands of global financial regulators simply and effectively, while maintaining the highest information security standards in order to safeguard user data privacy. For more information on Sygna, visit https://sygna.io/ SOURCE CoolBitX ROCKVILLE, Md., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Simba Information, top educational textbook publishers around the country were stunned when the state of Florida rejected a full 41% of math textbooks adopted by Florida's schools as not meeting the state's newly revised standards and requirements. As these books were already selected through the standard textbook adoption process, rejected publishers were taken by surprise and other educational publishers are uncertain as to the status of their own textbooks. The American Library Association has reported that attempts to ban books are surging to their highest levels in 20 years, and PEN America, a nonprofit literary association, stated on its website that over 150 "gag" bills have been introduced in state legislatures since January 2021. "This current state of uncertainty for educational publishers leaves this sector in a very vulnerable position," explained Robert Berkman, Managing Editor of Simba Information's newsletter Education Market Advisor, which recently published an article titled "School Book Bans: What You Need to Know." Berkman recommends a series of steps that can help publishers better prepare for potential challenges related to censorship, particularly for content related to critical race theory, LGBTQ issues, and other areas targeted by conservative and parental choice movements. These include: Creating a scenario planning task force composed of key persons drawn from the major representative segments of the company: editorial, marketing, sales, school relations, public relations, and other key stakeholders. Re-examining and committing to the organization's ethics, and mission. Task force discussions should be driven primarily by the founding principles of the organization. Inventorying texts that could be challenged by certain states and understanding how the legal notion of local community standards could be relevant and play out when one's books are examined. Knowing options for objecting and appealing any books initially adopted but then rejected by states and school boards. "As this is a political year and a hot button issue, this topic is not going to go away anytime soon" Berkman added. "Educational publishers need to get ahead of the curve, and not just be passive recipients or victims of what can be a non-transparent and even arbitrary rejection process by state and regional school officials." To download a free copy of Education Market Advisor and its featured article "School Book Bans: What You Need to Know," please visit: https://www.simbainformation.com/Content/School-Book-Bans-What-Education-Publishers-Need-to-Know About Simba Information Simba Information is widely recognized as the authority for market intelligence in the media and publishing industries. Its extensive information network delivers top quality, independent perspectives on the people, events, and alliances shaping the industry. Simba routinely assists clients and the press with publishing and media industry analysis. Please direct all media inquiries to: Robert Berkman [email protected] 585-545-9506 SOURCE Simba Information The 2022 Small Business Risk Report found employee issues are top of mind, with over two-thirds of small businesses rating employee dishonesty as a major risk area. And while employee dishonesty takes the top spot among small business owner concerns, surprisingly, only 54% are extremely confident that they are well protected from these sorts of risks. Business owners recognize proper protection is critical to their success, creating opportunities for independent agents to discuss emerging risks identified in the report. Other key highlights from the study include: Independent agents are viewed as a key resource to small business owners for insurance buying. More than half (57%) of respondents say that advice or recommendations from an agent are critical to their decisions. More than half (57%) of respondents say that advice or recommendations from an agent are critical to their decisions. Small businesses are typically not reviewing insurance policies regularly. 42% of respondents indicated they have not reviewed their policies within the past 12 months. 42% of respondents indicated they have not reviewed their policies within the past 12 months. Small businesses may be unaware they need more specialized insurance protection. 78% of small businesses engage in one or more activities that present a professional liability risk exposure and 69% engage in activities that present a marine risk exposure. 78% of small businesses engage in one or more activities that present a professional liability risk exposure and 69% engage in activities that present a marine risk exposure. Relationships matter. 90% of companies purchased either all or some of their insurance coverage through local independent insurance agents. 90% of companies purchased either all or some of their insurance coverage through local independent insurance agents. Claims handling influences insurance carrier selections. - 56% of respondents who changed workers' compensation carriers did so because they were dissatisfied with claims handling. This speaks to the importance of expert claims handling as a key component of a workers' compensation solution. 56% of respondents who changed workers' compensation carriers did so because they were dissatisfied with claims handling. This speaks to the importance of expert claims handling as a key component of a workers' compensation solution. Protection is more important than cost. 79% of small businesses agree that proper coverage is more important than price. "After a challenging couple of years, small business owners are looking to protect their companies, employees, and customers, and to be sure they can overcome the uncertainties that may arise," said Michael R. Keane, president of core commercial at The Hanover. "Our 2022 Small Business Risk Report highlights that business owners value risk mitigation guidance and the advice and expertise of their independent insurance agent. By sharing these insights and opportunities, we hope to empower our agents and customers with the insurance products and services they need. The report concludes that small business owners' risks and preferences continue to evolve. We are committed to providing resources and services to support our agents and small business customers." To view the results of the 2022 Small Business Risk Report, please visit https://sites.hanover.com/2022-small-business-risk-report/. For more information about The Hanover's insurance products and services, please visit https://www.hanover.com/agents/agent-solutions/commercial-lines. About The Hanover The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. The company provides exceptional insurance solutions through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agent partners, The Hanover offers standard and specialized insurance protection for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. For more information, please visit hanover.com . About Statista Statista offers its clients customized services in addition to its successful business data platform. With its expertise and the extensive experience of its analysts, industry experts, and market researchers, Statista Q helps to make customer projects more fact-based and more successful. Statista Content & Information Design especially understands how data can be visually processed in the best way possible. The team of consultants, editors, designers, and digital marketing experts analyze and process content to create engaging infographics, presentations, videos, microsites, and more. For more information, please visit q.statista.com and statista.design/en. All products are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates ("The Hanover"). Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to the company underwriting guidelines and the issued policy. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage. For more information about The Hanover visit our website at www.hanover.com. SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. COPPELL, Texas, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoomies Pet LLC is excited to announce the launch of their pet-centric mobile app, Zoomies: Your Pet Neighborhood . Zoomies is the pet lovers' source for everything about pets in your local area. Zoomies is centered around the lives of pets in your local community The Neighborhood Pet App for Humans Hits the Market Connect with other pet owners in your neighborhood, be alerted to lost and found pets, discover local pet-related events, locate pet-friendly businesses, track pet activities, find volunteer opportunities and join community groups. "We built Zoomies because we wanted a safe, fun, and helpful place for everyone that loves pets as much as we do. None of the politics or negativity found in other social networks just 100% pure pet-centric joy!" said Curtis Simmons, Zoomies CEO and Co-Founder. Additionally, Zoomies offers a Library filled with helpful pet-related resources from subject matter experts. Two notable pet experts, Sam Stocking and Dr. Hunter Finn, recently joined Zoomies to provide training tips, health advice, and a few laughs as well. Sam Stocking (aka, Korey the Kanine) is a certified dog trainer and Dr. Hunter Finn is an Integrative Veterinary Expert. Purrfect for Local Businesses Zoomies is not just geared for pet owners. The app also offers a new channel for businesses to connect with their community whether they sell pet products and services, or simply open their doors to four-legged customers as a pet-friendly business. Importance of Pets on Human Wellness One study measuring the impact of the pandemic found that 11.38 million U.S. households welcomed a new pet last year, reinforcing the important place animals hold in our lives. Pets have an overwhelmingly positive effect on human wellness. Scientific studies have shown that owning a pet can lead to decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol levels, decreased triglyceride levels, decreased feelings of loneliness, increased exercise and outdoor activities, and increased opportunities for socialization. Record Growth in the Pet Industry The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced the pet industry has reached $123.6 billion in sales in 2021, the highest level in history. Considering that 70% of US households own at least one pet and 95% consider their pet to be a part of their family, Zoomies is well-positioned to be the nexus for pet owners, pet-related suppliers, and pet-friendly businesses to socialize, support, and learn from each other in a hyperlocal community. About Zoomies Pet LLC Founded in 2021, Zoomies Pet LLC is dedicated to providing a safe, fun, educational and helpful social platform for everyone who enjoys, cares for, helps, serves, and loves pets. The app is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store . Contact Information: Curtis Simmons CEO / Founder, Zoomies Pet LLC +12147021913 [email protected] https://www.zoomies.pet https://www.facebook.com/zoomiesapp https://www.instagram.com/zoomiesapp https://www.linkedin.com/company/zoomiesapp SOURCE Zoomies Pet LLC STOCKHOLM, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- One immediate impact of the war in Ukraine and the sanctions by Western countries has been a dramatic reduction in exports of forest products from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The total exports from these three countries were valued collectively at 17 billion dollars in 2021. In addition to the sanctions, the Russian forest industry will struggle to source parts, equipment, and finance, which will force even non-sanctioning countries, such as China, to adapt to changes in trade flows. The new Focus Report, Ukrainian war fallout - disruptions in global trade of forest products, investigates the short-term and potential long-term implications of the war and its impact on worldwide shipments of lumber, panels, wood pellets, logs, wood chips, pulp, and paper products. Softwood lumber accounted for almost half of the export value for Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine in 2021. The disruption in trade has significantly impacted global markets since the three countries accounted for nearly 25% of worldwide lumber trade last year. The halt in lumber shipments to Europe and some countries in Asia has had the most significant impact. Still, trade with non-sanctioning countries is also likely to change as Russian and Belarusian companies struggle to make financial transactions and secure credit, and their forest products are designated "conflict timber." In addition, Russian sawmills, which in the past have shipped lumber to customers in Europe, cannot quickly shift to other markets in the short term. For example, sending lumber by ship or rail from sawmills in northwestern Russia to China meets logistical challenges, and the MENA region, which is a lower-grade wood market, is currently not in a robust expansion mode. Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine exported 8.5 million m3 of softwood lumber to Europe in 2021, almost ten percent of the continent's total demand. European sawmills could short-term redirect overseas shipments to the European market if financially expedient to mitigate the lost supply from the three countries. Longer-term, some lumber-producing companies may consider investing in new production capacity, although log supply in many regions of Europe is becoming tighter. In addition, the major overseas markets (China, the US, Japan, and the MENA region) are diverse in product demand, price acceptance, exchange rate volatility, political stability, and consumption outlook. These varied market conditions could result in European exporters limiting their overseas exposure to fewer markets that fit their product mix and risk tolerance. Selected statistics for Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine (BRU) in 2021 Value/volume Note Forest products exports (BRU) 17 billion USD Lumber ~45% Forest products imports (BRU) 4 billion USD Predominantly paper and panels Softwood lumber exports (BRU) 34 million m3 China (47%), Europe (25%) Softwood lumber exports (Rus only) 28 million m3 21% of global trade Lumber exports to Europe (BRU) 8.5 million m3 9% of European demand From Focus Report: Ukrainian war fallout - disruptions in global trade of forest products (2022) The excerpt above is from the just-released Focus Report Ukrainian war fallout - disruptions in global trade of forest products" published by Wood Resources International LLC and O'Kelly Acumen. For more information about the study or to inquire about purchasing the 65-page report, please contact either Hakan Ekstrom ([email protected]) or Glen O'Kelly ([email protected]). In addition, a Table of Contents of the report is available on our website. Click here! CONTACT: Wood Resources International LLC, a ResourceWise Company Hakan Ekstrom [email protected] www.woodprices.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/wood-resources-international-llc/r/the-war-in-ukraine-will-tighten-lumber-markets-both-short-and-long-term--particularly-in-europe-but-,c3555197 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/1902/3555197/1570576.pdf WRI-Market Insights - Impact on forest markets from the Ukranian war Apr 25 2022 SOURCE Wood Resources International LLC DUBLIN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Horizontal Carousels Market - Forecasts from 2021 to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The horizontal carousel market is estimated to be valued at US$722.177 million in 2019 and is projected to reach US$1,063.059 million in 2026 at a CAGR of 5.68% during the forecast period. A horizontal carousel is a vary of bins that rotate on an associate oval track. Each bin has shelves that are adjustable to 0.75" and are organized for a myriad of special and customary applications. Associate operator directly inputs a bin variety, half variety, or cell location, and also the carousel rotates through the shortest path. Multiple horizontal carousels group action a pod of carousels are established with the pick-to-light technology and a list management package, for higher-order fulfillment. Carousels choose things that are either little each-picked things or that have a low movement rate. Horizontal carousels increase storage density and potency while reducing needed labor hours. This material handling instrumentality gives a low-floor-space manner of storing, securing, and retrieving different raw materials and finished or intermediate merchandise. Rising disposable incomes and rising living standards, feverish work life, and growing awareness regarding physiological state and fitness are boosting the expansion of worldwide food process trade that, in turn, drives the demand for horizontal carousel in food process factories and units to scale back choosing the time and use less labor to confirm a healthful atmosphere for the assembly of fine quality food and liquid merchandise. The lesser floor area demand is calculable to be one of the foremost factors that have a positive impact on the expansion of the market. The enhanced usage of horizontal carousels within the retail e-commerce operations function as an efficient resolution for a line of work to the massive e-commerce orders. The market growth is propelled by the increasing demand for Horizontal Carousel in many industries for improved accuracy, productivity, and potency in the offer chain, in conjunction with higher inventory management. By industry, retail trade uses this carousel for implementation in large megastores comprising a colossal selection and number of products kept at one location. This Carousel with efficiency manages the storing and retrieving of merchandise in minimum time. Additionally increasing competition in retail because of the rise in online, e-commerce, and m-commerce platforms have crystal rectifiers the house owners of convenience and specialty stores to adopt innovative technologies for rising storage density. Growth factors Increased demand for horizontal carousels in the pharmaceutical industry The enhanced demand for horizontal carousels within the pharmaceutical industry is a key driver contributing to the market growth. Pharmaceutical warehouse systems contain horizontal carousels to supply high-density storage in conjunction with extra benefits like high productivity, choosing flexibility, and accuracy. Investments, Expansions associated with this trade can enhance the market. Moreover, the adoption of automatic carousels permits the pharmaceutical industries to effortlessly amend their work choose station numbers to fulfill current progress necessities. This cost-efficient system allows them to fulfill the strain with efficiency. Technological advancements in horizontal carousels The introduction of voice recognition in choosing method in the horizontal carousel has created many producing facilities to adopt this method. Voice choosing in horizontal carousel supports the necessities of peak seasons and also the variable SKU locations in retail warehouses. Light directed choosing assists the operator in locating successive choices and amounts to be chosen to any increase the accuracy and pick rates. Therefore, these technological advancements are analyzed to drive the market. Impact of COVID-19 on the horizontal carousels market Ongoing pandemic has been compacted the horizontal carousel market. The enhanced use of automation is one of the foremost factors of propulsive market growth. However, factors like volatile steel costs can hamper market growth. The market is driven by the enhanced use of automation. additionally, the introduction of voice recognition within the choosing method is anticipated to spice up the expansion of the horizontal carousel market. Organizations across the planet are progressively adopting automation within the material handling method to scale back prices and intervals. Horizontal carousel machines are extremely variable to automation as they are doing not need an associate operator. Competitive Insights Some of the market leaders in the Global horizontal carousel market are BEUMER Group, Konecranes, Bastian Solutions, Inc., Kardex Remstar, ULMA Handling Systems, SencorpWhite, and Dexion (Constructor Group). Kardex Remstar's horizontal carousels are appropriate for a range of various applications and things. At intervals the carriers, users, select individual shelf distances and adapt them to the things they keep. They even have the efficiency to store large things up to the complete carrier height. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1. Market Segmentation 4.2. Market Drivers 4.3. Market Restraints 4.4. Market Opportunities 4.5. Porter's Five Force Analysis 4.5.1. Bargaining Power Of Suppliers 4.5.2. Bargaining Power Of Buyers 4.5.3. Threat Of New Entrants 4.5.4. Threat Of Substitutes 4.5.5. Competitive Rivalry In The Industry 4.6. Life Cycle Analysis- Regional Snapshot 4.7. Market Attractiveness 5. Global Horizontal Carousels Market By Product Type 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Top Drive 5.3. Bottom Drive 5.4. Twin Bin 6. Global Horizontal Carousels Market By Industry Vertical 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Pharmaceutical 6.3. Food and Beverage 6.4. Warehousing and Logistics 6.5. Retail 6.6. Manufacturing 7. Global Horizontal Carousels Market By Geography 7.1. Introduction 7.2. North America 7.2.1. U.S. 7.2.2. Canada 7.2.3. Others 7.3. South America 7.3.1. Brazil 7.3.2. Argentina 7.3.3. Others 7.4. Europe 7.4.1. UK 7.4.2. Germany 7.4.3. France 7.4.4. Italy 7.4.5. Others 7.5. Middle East And Africa 7.5.1. Saudi Arabia 7.5.2. UAE 7.5.3. Israel 7.5.4. Others 7.6. Asia Pacific 7.6.1. Japan 7.6.2. China 7.6.3. India 7.6.4. Australia 7.6.5. Others 8. Competitive Intelligence 8.1. Market Share Analysis 8.2. Investment Analysis 8.3. Recent Deals 8.4. Strategies of Key Players 9. Company Profiles 9.1. BEUMER Group 9.2. Konecranes 9.3. Bastian Solutions, Inc. 9.4. Kardex Remstar 9.5. ULMA Handling Systems 9.6. SencorpWhite 9.7. Dexion (Constructor Group) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gh5tzx Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets "THINK Surgical's open-platform is an excellent option for AI-powered applications." Prof. Hassan Rivaz Concordia Univ. Tweet this "This grant will support ground-breaking research intended to improve the performance of existing and new clinical systems, thereby benefiting patients through improved clinical outcomes," said Prof. Hassan Rivaz, the project's primary investigator. "THINK Surgical's open-platform is an excellent option for AI-powered applications." Prof. Rivaz directs the IMage Processing and Characterization of Tissue (IMPACT) laboratory at Concordia University and is also an associate editor of IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging. "We collaborated with Prof. Rivaz on a previous NSERC Alliance project with extremely positive results," said Sunil Rottoo, Director of Advanced Development at THINK Surgical's Software Innovation Lab in Montreal. "This new, three-year grant will allow us to deepen our expertise in AI while exploring new areas, including image registration." THINK Surgical's Software Innovation Lab was established in 2015 to lead the software development for THINK's next-generation robotics solutions. The research conducted at Concordia University's IMPACT laboratory focuses on development of novel image analysis techniques to improve healthcare and the development of novel techniques for ultrasound imaging, image-guided interventions, and image registration. About THINK Surgical, Inc. THINK Surgical, Inc., a privately held U.S.-based medical device and technology company, develops, manufactures, and markets active robotics for orthopedic surgery. The TSolution One Total Knee Application includes the only commercially available, active robot for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) utilizing an open implant library, supporting a variety of implant options. The core technology of the TSolution One has been used in thousands of successful total joint replacements worldwide. THINK Surgical actively collaborates with healthcare professionals around the globe to refine our orthopedic products, improving the lives of those suffering from advanced joint disease with precise, accurate, and intelligent technology. Please refer to the instructions for use for the TSolution One Total Knee Application for a complete list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. For additional product information, please visit www.thinksurgical.com. THINK Surgical and TSolution One are registered trademarks of THINK Surgical, Inc. 2022 THINK Surgical, Inc. All rights reserved. Media Contact: Charlie Seitz [email protected] http://www.thinksurgical.com/ SOURCE THINK Surgical, Inc. GUANGZHOU, China, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 50 "Trade Bridge" virtual promotion events were held to match suppliers and buyers and boost trade. Selected high-quality products have been displayed on social media via "Discover Canton Fair with Bee and Honey" activities to provide followers with an immersive shopping experience. Millions of customized invitation emails have been sent to regular buyers. According to the Canton Fair, with targeted promotion activities, this session has delivered more outcomes for buyers and suppliers. Themed Activities Hosted by Bee and Honey Gained Popularity This session, Bee and Honey, the Canton Fair's mascots initially introduced in the 130th session, hosted several livestreams on social media. The "Discover Canton Fair with Bee and Honey" activities, a series of virtual promotion events built on last session's "Bee and Honey Virtual Tour", have effectively connected suppliers with buyers in real-time. Each of the eight virtual activities attracted over 160,000 views worldwide, with a peak of over 200,000. The eye-catching figures reveal the great appeal of the Canton Fair to global buyers. Effective matchmaking via targeted online trade promotions "Trade Bridge" virtual promotion activities have reached 57 countries and regions. To improve interaction efficacy, this session made great preparation based on previous experience and a thorough investigation on the needs of the participants. Each event featured a targeted market, extensive and professional content and global coverage, facilitating active and successful contact between suppliers and buyers. According to the International Communication Department of China Foreign Trade Centre, Canton Fair staff fully investigated the needs of the attendees and sent invitations to all trading delegations in advance. During the events, they made it easy for suppliers and buyers to connect. They also kept track of the participants' feedback and solved their problems after the events. According to Maggie Pu, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Canton Fair, the continuing success of the session's online promotion depended on the exhibitors' and buyers' recognition and confidence in the Canton Fair, China's No.1 Fair. Building on the new success, the Fair will continue to optimize services with even better measures and capabilities, contributing more to the new development pattern fueled by domestic and international circulations. Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US for more opportunities. SOURCE Canton Fair DUBLIN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenRAN radio specialist Benetel announced today that its radio units (RUs) have been selected by TLC Solutions for integration into the company's Indigo 5G tactical systems. The Benetel RAN650 RUs will be used in a variety of TLC Indigo 5G mission-critical deployment scenarios to support defense communications and situational awareness for public safety. Benetel's RAN650 5G outdoor RU supports the full scope of 5G compliant capabilities required for TLC's critical communications solutions. Instrumental in TLC's selection of the RAN650 was the recently announced n78 variant which supports a 7.2x functional split and up to 100MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. When combined with a 4T4R antenna configuration, the RAN650 delivers a total output of 20W and an OpenRAN architecture compatible with industry standard distributed unit (DU) and centralized unit (CU) elements. "The nature of TLC's mission-critical deployments requires high-performance hardware that is easy to implement and highly reliable. Additionally, the Indigo 5G systems support a compact form factor for maximum portability as well as low and high powered operations," Lee Sanders, President of TLC Solutions explains. "The RAN650 delivers the requisite performance and capabilities that fit hand in glove with the overall TLC Indigo 5G solution. Building on our extensive cooperation with Benetel delivering 4G, it was clear that the RAN650 is the right choice for 5G." "The features and functionality of our latest RU, plus the use of OpenRAN-based approach, translate into real benefits. TLC's selection of the RAN650 is yet another powerful endorsement of the scope that Benetel's technology combined with TLC Solutions' expertise can cover," adds Olli Andersson, Senior Vice President Americas at Benetel "TLC was the first company to commence testing with the new n78 variant of our RAN650 RU. We are proud to have them as the lead customer for this product. The RAN650 is now ready for additional customers to integrate, complementing the n77u variant that is already commercially available." For more information about what Benetel offers the mobile communications market please visit www.benetel.com Learn more about TLC Solutions at www.tlcsolutions.us For accompanying images, please download via this link. SOURCE Benetel The impact of consumerism within the broader healthcare ecosystem is evidenced by the growth of telehealth services , the adoption of self-pay platforms, and the demand for price transparency. Research shows that Americans expect these same user-friendly, technology-centric experiences from life science and pharmaceutical companies. 1 PSPs offer a robust suite of services to reduce the administrative barriers commonly associated with accessing and affording specialty healthcare products. These service offerings, when combined with a self-service digital experience, represent one of the most significant opportunities to align with the life science industry's shift toward healthcare consumerism. "The consumerization of the US healthcare system, a crowded specialty healthcare market, and the rapid proliferation of digital technology have created an urgency to change the way life science companies deliver support and engage with patients," said Scott Dulitz, TrialCard's President and Chief Strategy Officer. "Today, meeting patients where they are is no longer a 'nice to have' it's an imperative." Programs delivered through PatientLink are accessible across multiple platforms and communication channels, including mobile, web, SMS text, and email. Through PatientLink, patients can choose from an array of support services, including compliant payment vehicles, click-to-chat capabilities, and dynamically delivered and curated branded content. Online eligibility checks and copay estimator tools help patients understand their insurance coverage and anticipated out-of-pocket costs. Cross-platform interoperability, standard API libraries, and a robust configurability engine expedite time to market while providing a more holistic representation of a patient's longitudinal health journey. "The integration of digitally enabled communication channels into traditional PSPs can also drive significant operational and cost efficiencies. Over 80% of inbound calls into our Patient Experience Center are related to patient copay card questions," added Joe Abdalla, President and Chief Commercial Officer at TrialCard. "We can now significantly reduce call volume and cost for our clients by making that information available to patients on an on-demand and self-serve basis." "PatientLink by TrialCard brings next-generation technology empowered patient support to the life sciences industry," said Molly Stallings, Vice President, PatientLink and Patient Experience at TrialCard. "It's exciting that TrialCard is at the forefront, leading our clients through this transitional period." To learn more, please click here or contact us at [email protected] for a demonstration of the PatientLink by TrialCard platform. Reference: 1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/debgordon/2022/03/11/need-a-doctor-new-survey-shows-90-want-help-from-drug-makers/?sh=4cadb2566c10 About TrialCard TrialCard Incorporated is a full-service life sciences commercialization company that provides comprehensive solutions that span the entire biopharmaceutical value chain. In addition to a foundation of fully integrated, digitally enabled patient support services, its broader offerings include everything from late-stage clinical trial supply management to post-marketing HCP engagement services and proprietary data-as-a-service payer intelligence and insights. Founded in 2000, TrialCard provides commercialization support for more than 400 life science customers and has connected over 36 million patients with more than $22 billion in branded drug savings to date. The company is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina. For more information about TrialCard, please visit www.trialcard.com. Contact: Landy Townsend VP, Marketing & Communications TrialCard Incorporated [email protected] SOURCE TrialCard Incorporated SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After the successful launch of their Dermatology CRO , the fast-growing San Francisco healthcare company, Vial, has disclosed plans to launch an Ophthalmology CRO . The company's announcement comes ahead of the one of the largest ophthalmology research conferences in the world, ARVO 2022. Vial is a next-generation CRO on a mission to disrupt the clinical trials industry with best-in-class study management and CRO services. The new Ophthalmology CRO will distinguish itself by leveraging Vial's nationwide site network of top investigators to ensure faster, higher-quality trial outcomes for sponsors. In addition, their tech-enabled trial management system, streamlined study startup processes, centralized pre-screening call center, and an unparalleled approach to patient recruitment will successfully deliver a superior CRO experience. "Our mission at Vial has stayed the same since day one running clinical trials faster and more efficiently in order to drive results for sponsors in record time. We are excited to keep up the momentum we've created with our Dermatology CRO and replicate its success in the ophthalmology industry", said Jason Shuris, Vial's Head of Sales. Jason brings 11 years of CRO experience to the Vial CRO team. Prior to joining Vial, he held senior positions at both ophthalmology and dermatology focused CROs, namely Ora and Innovaderm. Vial is currently developing their ophthalmology site network, which will power the CRO, by partnering with top ophthalmologists across both anterior and posterior segment specialties in preparation for the expansion. Earlier this year, the company brought on Dr. Joseph Tauber, Founder and CEO of Tauber Eye Center and world-renowned specialist in the anterior segment, as their Head of Ophthalmology research. In addition, Dr. Arshad Khanani, a vitreo-retinal specialist and Director of Clinical Research at Sierra Eye Associates, joined Vial as its first advisor, and stated, "I am looking forward to guiding Vial as they continue to make strides in reimagining the clinical trial infrastructure in ophthalmology." See the full release here . About Vial: Vial's mission is to run clinical trials with faster execution and higher quality in order to bring new therapies to market. Vial has 90+ employees and is based in San Francisco, California. Vial partners with Dermatologists and Ophthalmologists to support their research teams and has created a network of 35+ clinics that have contributed to 750+ trials. SOURCE Vial Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan will give keynote remarks in conversation with CDC Foundation President & CEO Dr. Judy Monroe. Speaker panels and free resources to be launched at the event will offer concrete steps for building a supportive workplace culture, centering equity in mental health programs and helping employees access professional care. LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan and other business leaders will share their companies' innovative actions to support employee mental health at the Workplace Mental Health Action Summit, a virtual gathering on Thursday, May 5, co-hosted by Health Action Alliance and Mental Health Action Day, in partnership with the Ad Council, One Mind At Work, SHRM Foundation and the American Psychological Association. The event is expected to draw over 1,000 business leaders, human resource professionals, managers and experts to address one of the most pressing workplace issues in the aftermath of COVID-19. In the face of challenges around worker burnout, loneliness stemming from the pandemic, anxiety about a return to the office and other persistent mental health conditions, the Workplace Mental Health Action Summit will feature leading actions companies are taking to strengthen psychological safety at work, improve access to mental health benefits, and center equity in their mental health strategy. The Summit is free to attend for anyone interested in strengthening workplace health. Register at healthaction.org/register . Moynihan will delivery keynote remarks in conversation with Dr. Judy Monroe, President & CEO of the CDC Foundation. The Summit's other featured speakers will include Tinisha Agramonte, Chief Diversity Officer, Motorola; Maysa Akbar, PhD, Chief Diversity Officer, American Psychological Association; Brianna Cayo Cotter, Senior Vice President, Social Impact, Paramount Global; Chris Clermont, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Vox Media; George Demos, Chief People Officer, O'Melveny; Malcom Glenn, Senior Equity Advisor, Health Action Alliance; Cathryn Gunther, Global Head of Associate Health & Wellbeing, Mars; Shelie Gustafson, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Jacobs; Craig Kramer, Global Mental Health Ambassador, Johnson & Johnson; Jim Link, Chief Human Resources Officer, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); Lars Minns, Chief Human Resources Officer, Mercedes-Benz; Lisa Sherman, President & CEO, Ad Council; and Daryl Tol, Executive Vice President, One Mind. During the event, Workplace Mental Health Action Summit organizers will release a suite of new tools and resources to guide employers in implementing best practices at their companies. To get companies started, the Summit will include an interactive workshop on building workplace mental health action strategies. The Workplace Mental Health Action Summit is a prelude to Mental Health Action Day on May 19, an open-source movement organized by MTV to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. About Health Action Alliance The Health Action Alliance is a joint initiative of the Ad Council, CDC Foundation, de Beaumont Foundation, National Safety Council and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundationin partnership with Meteorite. Our free tools, training and events help employers, large and small, navigate evolving health challenges, improve the health of workers and engage with public health partners to build stronger, healthier communities. Learn more at healthaction.org . About Mental Health Action Day Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement of brands, organizations and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. The second Mental Health Action Day will take place on May 19, 2022 with a mission to encourage and empower people to take their first steps towards mental health actionwhether for themselves, for their loved ones or to advocate for systemic changesbecause mental health is health. Learn more at www.MentalHealthActionDay.org SOURCE Health Action Alliance DUBLIN, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Men's Grooming Appliance Market 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global men's grooming appliances market is anticipated to grow at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. The rising focus of men towards good looks is a key factor driving the growth of the global men's grooming appliances market. Social media has been extremely important in the world of fashion, which has had a significant impact on the men's grooming business by encouraging men to use new and effective grooming appliances. As a result, growing promotions, such as advertising for men's grooming appliances in various media channels, are capturing buyers' attention that is boosting the market growth. The global men's grooming appliances market is segmented based on type and distribution channel. Based on type, the men's grooming appliances market is segmented into shaver's, stylers, and epilator. Based on distribution channel, the men's grooming appliances market is segmented into supermarkets, speciality stores, online stores, and others. Geographically, the global men's grooming appliances market covers the analysis of four major regions including North America (the US and Canada), Europe (UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World. Some of the companies operating in the global men's grooming appliances market include Eltron, the Procter and Gamble, Wahl Clipper, Panasonic, Philips, and Remington Products, among others. Market Segmentation Global Men's Grooming Appliances Market Research and Analysis by Type Global Men's Grooming Appliances Market Research and Analysis by Distribution Channel The Report Covers Comprehensive research methodology of the global men's grooming appliances market. This report also includes a detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights. An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations. Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the global men's grooming appliances market. Insights about market determinants that are stimulating the global men's grooming appliances market. Detailed and extensive market segments with the regional distribution of forecasted revenues. Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Summary 2. Market Overview and Insights 2.1. Scope of the Report 2.2. Analyst Insight & Current Market Trends 2.2.1. Key Findings 2.2.2. Recommendations 2.2.3. Conclusion 3. Market Determinants 3.1. Motivators 3.2. Restraints 3.3. Opportunities 4. Market Segmentation 4.1. Global Men's Grooming Appliance Market by Type 4.1.1. Shaver 4.1.2. Styler 4.1.3. Epilator 4.2. Global Men's Grooming Appliance Market by Distribution Channel 4.2.1. Supermarkets 4.2.2. Specialty Stores 4.2.3. Online Stores 4.2.4. Others 5. Regional Analysis 5.1. North America 5.1.1. United States 5.1.2. Canada 5.2. Europe 5.2.1. UK 5.2.2. Germany 5.2.3. Italy 5.2.4. Spain 5.2.5. France 5.2.6. Rest of Europe 5.3. Asia-Pacific 5.3.1. China 5.3.2. India 5.3.3. Japan 5.3.4. Rest of Asia-Pacific 5.4. Rest of the World 6. Company Profiles 6.1. Andis Company 6.2. Conair Corp. 6.3. Koninklijke Philips NV 6.4. Panasonic Corp. 6.5. Procter & Gamble 6.6. Spectrum Brands Inc. 6.7. Syska 6.8. Wahl Clipper Corp. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9pzn34 Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets - WuXi Biologics has aligned its ESG strategy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as with its stakeholders' interests in sustainable business performance. - One example of WuXi Biologics' contribution to society is its rapid, robust pandemic response -- enabling nearly 30 Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) for COVID-19 projects, manufacturing more than 1500kg of COVID-19 neutralizing antibody, and delivering hundreds of millions COVID-19 vaccine doses. - WuXi Biologics has set mid- to long-term targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 50% by 2030 compared with 2020, and achieve a 18% reduction in water consumption intensity by 2025 compare with 2019. The company outperformed its 2021 targets, reducing GHG emissions intensity by 8% and water consumption intensity by 13%. - A culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is cultivated and well managed at WuXi Biologics. The number of employees in China, Ireland, the United States, Germany and Singapore has surpassed 10,000, of which more than 53% are women. - As part of global corporate social responsibility (CSR), WuXi Biologics encourages its workforce to contribute to the welfare of their localities around the world. In 2021, 798 employee volunteers from nine cities in four countries mobilized by the "PROUD" culture contributed a total of 3,192 service hours to their local communities. - WuXi Biologics' response to the July 2021 Henan floods included an immediate CNY 10 million donation for disaster relief by the WuXi Biologics Charity Foundation, programs to subsidize reconstruction efforts and financial support from the company for impacted employees. - WuXi Biologics is committed to building a sustainable supply chain and leveraging a "Multi-Sourcing and Safety Stock" approach to mitigate any potential risks from supply chain disruptions, which allow the company to ensure the delivery of high-quality products and services to clients. - WuXi Biologics' efforts have been widely recognized by the rating agencies, including being named by Sustainalytics as an "ESG Industry Top-Rated Company" for comprehensive compliance management. HONG KONG, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics ("WuXi Bio") (2269.HK), a global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) service company, published its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report of 2021. It comprehensively introduces what the company has achieved on greening development, enabling clients, giving back to society and responsible governance in the past year. In 2021, WuXi Biologics established a CEO-led ESG committee at the board level. The company also set up an ESG steering group and an ESG department. WuXi Biologics aligns its goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has enhanced its ESG strategy accordingly. Throughout the year, the company's ESG governance structure was continuously optimized to ensure that the sustainable development concept remains entrenched in the company's strategy and provides an overarching context for its daily operations, creating maximum benefit for both society and the environment. Greening Development To actively address climate change, WuXi Biologics set a mid- to long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and water consumption target: reduce its ratio of Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions intensity by 50% by 2030 compared with 2020, and deliver an 18% reduction in water consumption intensity by 2025 from a 2019 base year. An independent and accredited professional agency's comprehensive audit in 2021 based on the ISO 14064 standard confirmed an 8% year-on-year decrease in GHG emissions intensity. In addition, WuXi Biologics' large-scale adoption of environmentally friendly single-use technology saves approximately 70% of water and 30% of energy compared to traditional stainless-steel technology. The application of single-use technology also helped to decrease water consumption intensity by 13% year on year and improve energy efficiency for three consecutive years. Sharing on sustainability efforts for green manufacturing, the biologics facilities in Dundalk, Ireland is designed to save energy, reduce emission and recycle resource. Expected to be operational soon, the site has fully applied WuXi Biologic's "Factory of the Future" principles. In China sites, energy efficiency is improved through a series of energy-saving initiatives and green development concepts including reutilizing steam condensate. Enabling Clients Leveraging its expertise and supporting global efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most significant ways WuXi Biologics gives back to society. By the end of 2021, the company had enabled nearly 30 COVID-19 Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for its clients, delivered more than 1,500 kg of COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies, and produced hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses, contributing greatly to global public health. Behind these outstanding milestones were enabling innovation as the company's driving force and quality as its hallmark. Multiple innovative technology platforms represent WuXi Biologics' efforts to provide more efficient and cost-effective processes for global clients, resulting in more affordable and accessible biologics that can be brought more quickly to market. And the successful completion of 22 inspections by worldwide pharmaceutical regulatory agencies and over 180 client GMP audits demonstrates WuXi Biologics' unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest global quality standards for clients, patients and society at large. Giving Back to Society All of the company's milestones and achievements are inextricably linked to the expertise and dedication of the people at WuXi Biologics. The company is committed to the well-being of all employees and to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). WuXi Biologics now has more than 10,000 employees in China, Ireland, the United States, Germany and Singapore, more than 53% of whom are women. With a focus on occupational safety, the company conducted more than 100 safety and health training sessions in 2021, totaling more than 50,000 hours of training time and covering all employees and contractors. WuXi Biologics has consistently practiced social responsibility and encouraged employees to give back to their communities. In 2021, 798 employees from nine cities in four countries contributed a total of 3,192 hours to volunteer initiatives, covering public health, environmental protection, and youth education. WuXi Biologics' response to the July 2021 Henan floods included an immediate CNY 10 million donation for disaster relief by the WuXi Biologics Charity Foundation, programs to subsidize reconstruction efforts and financial support from the company for impacted employees. Responsible Governance Compliance is a cornerstone of WuXi Biologics' business and key to sustainability. The company is guided by shared values of integrity and has zero tolerance for business ethics violations. In 2021, all staff completed compliance training, with a 100% participation and pass rate. Emphasis is placed on information security and intellectual property protection, and measures implemented in these areas enabled the company to obtain ISO 27001 certification at two of its sites in 2021. The company's animal facilities earned accreditation from the International Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) in 2021, too. As part of its commitment to maintaining a sustainable supply chain, WuXi Biologics works with suppliers who are socially and environmentally responsible, and who share its high standards, as outlined in its Code of Conduct for Business Partners. In addition, while pandemic circumstances continue to impact many around the world, the company's "Multi-Sourcing and Safety Stock" approach allows it to mitigate any potential risks from supply chain disruptions, and ensures the company can deliver quality products and accelerate project timelines to meet client needs. WuXi Biologics has been well recognized for its excellent ESG performance by international agencies. The company was assessed as "Low Risk" and recognized as an "ESG Industry Top-Rated Company" by Sustainalytics, received an "A" ESG rating from the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG rating, and was cited for "Best ESG" by Institutional Investor. Dr. Chris Chen, WuXi Biologics' CEO and Chairman of the ESG Committee, commented: "Since its inception, WuXi Biologics has been committed to creating greater value for clients, employees, investors, as well as the community at large, while adhering to principles of sustainable development. With our ESG strategies in place, we look forward to refining our corporate governance, enhancing green operations, and actively fulfilling our social responsibilities. As a trusted partner, innovation enabler and contributor to the healthcare industry, we will continue to accelerate and transform the discovery, development and manufacturing of biologics through a comprehensive open-access platform, empowering our global partners and benefiting patients worldwide." To view the report in full, please visit: https://www.wuxibiologics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-ESG-Report.pdf About WuXi Biologics WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) is a global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) offering end-to-end solutions that empower partners to discover, develop and manufacture biologics from concept to commercialization for the benefit of patients worldwide. With over 10,000 skilled employees in China, the United States, Ireland, Germany and Singapore, WuXi Biologics leverages its technologies and expertise to provide customers with efficient and cost-effective biologics discovery, development and manufacturing solutions. As of the end of 2021, WuXi Biologics is supporting over 480 integrated client projects, including nine in commercial manufacturing. WuXi Biologics views Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities as an integral component of our ethos and business strategy, and we aim to become an ESG leader in the biologics CRDMO sector. Our facilities use next-generation biomanufacturing technologies and clean energy sources. We have also established an ESG committee led by our CEO to steer the comprehensive ESG strategy and its implementation, further enhancing our commitment to sustainability. For more information about WuXi Biologics, please visit: www.wuxibiologics.com. Contacts Media [email protected] ESG [email protected] SOURCE WuXi Biologics The " M Series '' power stations use a metal housing to dissipate heat instead of fans. This allows for a smaller product that runs quieter and is less susceptible to dust and water. Without fans, SuperBase 1000M and 600M create a fraction of the noise that traditional power stations produce. The new power stations peak at around 30Db, approximately as quiet as a whisper. The quiet operation makes it an ideal choice for users who hope to sleep near their power stations. SuperBase 1000M and 600M can be charged from a variety of sources, including the power grid, solar panels or a car's "cigarette lighter" port. This versatility should prove attractive for people who live off the grid or who want to upgrade their home emergency preparedness kits. Zendure's power stations offer pure sine wave AC output and a total of 9 output ports: two 1,000W AC outputs, a 100W USB-C PD port, three 12W USB-A ports, a 126W "cigarette lighter" output (100W input), and two 72W DC outputs. The arrangement of the ports is intended to accommodate a variety of use scenarios, including home emergency preparedness, van-life, camping, parties, and outdoor work around the house. SuperBase M is now available for pre-order on the company's website, with "Early Bird" discounts available for a limited time. 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 Srinagar, April 28 : Two terrorists were killed and a soldier was injured in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Mitrigam area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, said police officials on Thursday. "One more terrorist killed (Total 2). Operation over," police said. Earlier, the police added that a group of two to three terrorists were holed-up and the priority was to prevent collateral damage and to evacuate the civilians. The firefight between terrorists and security forces took place after a joint team of the police and the security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about the presence of terrorists. As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter. Srinagar, April 28 : Two terrorists killed in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at the Mitrigam area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district have been identified, said police officials on Thursday. The encounter took place on Wednesday. The two terrorists killed were involved in several terror attacks on migrant labourers belonging outside Jammu and Kashmir in Pulwama district during March and April this year, police said. "Both killed terrorists identified as local terrorists namely Aijaz Hafiz and Shahid Ayub, of Al-Badr outfit. Two AK rifles recovered. They had been involved in series of attacks on outside labourers in Pulwama in the month of March-April 2022," Jammu and Kashmir Police quoting Inspector General Police, Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar, tweeted. The firefight between terrorists and security forces took place after a joint team of the police and the security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about the presence of terrorists. As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kiev, April 28 : Ukraine is seeking to receive $5 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) per month, Ukraine's media outlet Hromadske reported, citing the country's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. "We are talking about 5 billion dollars a month -- the need for this amount has been confirmed by both the IMF and the World Bank. These are the funds that the budget of Ukraine needs in order to fulfill all our social and humanitarian obligations," Shmyhal said on Wednesday. He added that the IMF has already set up a special administrative account through which Ukraine's partners will provide assistance for Kiev in the form of grants and loans, Xinhua news agency reported. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, April 28 : There is a peculiar link between his family's exodus from Kashmir and his getting into cooking. When he moved to Bangalore from the Valley in face of growing threats to the Pandit community, things were bleak and food was hard to come by. Chef Sandeep Pandit recalls that his parents would often overtime. "I clearly remember making a cup of tea for my mother when I was nine-years-old. She was quiet and moved to tears. That was a very powerful moment in my life and I started believing in the power of food to change moods and influence them. Kitchen has since then become my happy place and I have never looked back," recalls Pandit, a former MasterChef Australia contestant. When Gary Mehigan tasted his 'Smoked Masala Lonster' in one of the episodes, he had said, "The angels are singing somewhere." The Australian media christened him 'The Spice Angel', and now he has launched the brand of spices 'The Spice Angel' in India too. "My vision is to preserve traditional foods, dishes, cuisines across the world. Through this brand, we wish to bring chemical and preservative-free food that is based on traditional flavours or their inspirations." Stressing that the ability of food to influence someone's mood and feelings continues to fascinate him, he considers food spiritual. "I believe what you eat is what you become," says Pandit, who studied Chemical Engineering and followed it up with an MBA degree. Recalling his experience as a MasterChef Australia participant, the Chef says that while one hand it was humbling, it also helped him become a household name in many parts of the world. "I realised that there's so much more that I needed to learn about Indian and global cuisines. It also opened my eyes to the magnificent Australian local and native produce. I was sharing the kitchen with some of the finest chefs on the planet." Talking about changing food trends and eating habits post the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chef says that more people have taken up cooking and many are now suddenly conscious of what they are consuming. "Having said that, I do not think a vast majority is moving towards healthy eating. With the majority of the world (me included) working from home, managing a healthy lifestyle has become harder than before. I just hope that we all get used to this idea of hybrid working soon and modify our eating habits accordingly." Stressing that Chefs and the government can take several measures to make Kashmiri cuisine more popular, he feels that those in the kitchen must ensure that traditional food and techniques (Kashmiri and others) find a place in the food curriculum at various culinary schools. "I think many institutions are obsessed with everything French, Continental or Tandoori. The government must work towards getting GI (Geographical Indication) tags for Kashmiri produce like Kashmiri Chillies," says the Chef, who is hoping to start a cloud kitchen and his own restaurant in the near future. (Sukant Deepak can be contacted at sukant.d@ians.in) Lucknow. April 28 : In a second such incident this month, a nine-year-old boy was attacked by a pack of dogs in the congested Maulviganj area of state capital Lucknow. The victim was rushed to Balrampur hospital with multiple bites and was later discharged after treatment and vaccination. According to Maulviganj BJP Corporator, Mukesh Singh Monty, the victim is a resident of Gausnagar and was returning home from a shop late on Wednesday evening when a pack of dogs started following him. "The boy got sacred and started running and the dogs chased him. They caught up with him within seconds and sunk their teeth at several places in his body. Hearing his screams, locals chased away the dog and rescued the boy," Monty said. The BJP leader claimed there are many stray dogs in this locality, but no drive has been undertaken by municipal authorities to sterilise them. Earlier on April 6, a five-year-old boy was killed after he was mauled by dogs while his sister was critically injured in the incident. Panaji, April 28 : Water should be privatised and excess rain water should be blocked by building a network of dams in the state and exported to Gulf countries in exchange for fuel, Goa's Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik has said. Speaking at a government function on Wednesday, Naik also said that the harvested water could also be sent to drought-prone regions in Maharashtra. "We import petrol from foreign countries. We can export them water and import petrol. Goa witnesses around 126 inches of rain. If we block this water by building dams across Goa (it can be done)," Naik said. "The work should be given to a private company and there should be a dam in every taluka. We can send the water to Arab countries or even to Maharashtra where there is shortage. "If Arabs can charge us for petrol extracted from under the earth, let us do the same with water which we can source by blocking rainwater," Naik said, adding that private entities should be tasked with harvesting all the rainwater and keeping some aside for use in the state. "It does not require a lot of engineering. Just build a dam across two mountains." Naik's statement comes at a time when various parts of the state are facing acute water shortage in summer months. Washington, April 28 : The White House has announced that President Joe Biden will embark on a trip to South Korea and Japan in May "to further deepen ties between our governments, economies, and people". According to a statement attributed to Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Biden will travel to the two countries from May 20-24, marking his first visit to Asia since taking office in January 2021. "This trip will advance the Biden-Harris administration's rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to US treaty alliances with South Korea and Japan," Psaki was quoted as saying in the statement issued late Wednesday. During his trip to South Korea from May 20-22, Biden will meet his incoming counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol, who is set to take office on May 10. Earlier this month, Yoon had sent a special delegation to Washington to deliver a letter to Biden, in which the incoming South Korean leader reportedly expressed his hope to further expand and upgrade the Washington-Seoul alliance into a "more comprehensive and strategic" relationship, reports Yonhap News Agency. On the second leg of his trip in Tokyo, Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Psaki said. In Tokyo, the US President will also attend a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) summit, along with the leaders of Australia, India and Japan, the Press Secretary added. South Korea and Japan were also the destination of the first overseas trip by both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2021. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kiev, April 28 : Following his trip to Russia UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced his arrival to the war-torn Ukraine where he will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, the UN chief said: "I have arrived in Ukraine after visiting Moscow. We will continue our work to expand humanitarian support & secure the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones. "The sooner this war ends, the better - for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world." In a meeting with Guterres in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to the involvement of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal plant in Ukraine's besieged city of Mariupol. The UN is following up on an agreement with Russia to coordinate the evacuation of civilians in Azovstal, a spokesman of the world body announced on Wednesday Follow-on discussions were to be held with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Russian Defense Ministry. During their meeting, Putin also told the UN chief that the Ukrainian issue arose after the 2014 "unconstitutional coup" in Kiev and people in Donbas remained under blockade and military pressure even after the Minsk agreements on a peaceful settlement were reached. According to the Russian President, the Donbas "republics" have the right to declare their sovereignty and Russia has the right to recognise their independence and provide them with military assistance in full accordance with the UN Charter. Guterres proposed creating a contact group where the UN, Russia and Ukraine can discuss the situation together so that the humanitarian corridors are truly effective. Before his trip to Moscow, the UN chief met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday in the capital Ankara. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Jaipur, April 28 : As Rajasthan reeled under severe heat wave, the temperature soared above 45 degree-mark in seven districts of the state in the past 24 hours. While Banswara recorded the highest temperature of 45.5 degrees on Wednesday, Vanasthali clocked 45.4 degrees, Dholpur -- 45.4, Barmer -- 45.1, Jodhpur's Phalodi -- 45.2, Bikaner -- 45.2 and Karauli was at 45 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature in eight districts was above 44 degrees with Pilani registering 44.4 degrees, Churu -- 44, Sriganganagar -- 44.7, Nagaur -- 44.5, Bundi -- 44.5, Baran's Anta -- 44.2, Dungarpur -- 44.4 and Jalore -- 44.4 degrees. At 10 districts, temperatures were above 43 degrees. These include Chhittorgarh which recorded 43.2 degrees, Hanumangarh -- 43.6, Sirohi -- 43.3, Sawai Madhopur and Alwar had 43.5 each. Kota clocked 43.6 degrees, Jaisalmer -- 43, Jodhpur -- 43.6, Ajmer and Bhilwara -- 43 degrees each. Chittorgarh recorded temperature of 42.5, Alwar -- 42.2, Jaipur -- 42.4, Sikar -- 42 and Udaipur's Dabok had 41.6 degrees. The highest minimum (nightly) temperature in the state was recorded in Jodhpur at 30.9 degrees and in Barmer at 30.8 degrees. Met department has given heat wave warning in Rajasthan for Thursday in 17 districts --Banswara, Nagaur, Bundi, Baran, Dungarpur, Jalore, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Churu, Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sri Ganganagar districts. In four districts, which are Bharatpur, Jaipur, Bikaner and Jodhpur, dusty winds will blow at a speed of 25 to 35 km. It has warned ederly, children and sick people to be extra careful and take precautions during heat wave. Elderly, children and sick people can become victims of heat due to heat wave. Avoid dehydration or lack of water. Drink a good amount of water. ORS solution, lassi, lemonade, buttermilk, etc. can be drunk. Farmers are advised to irrigate the fields regularly in the morning and evening to protect the crops from heat stress. Necessary steps should be taken to protect animals and wild animals from heat wave, says advice from the met department. Chennai, April 28 : A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Madras High Court will on May 15 commence its probe on the 19 elephant deaths between 2014 and 2018 in the forest areas of Tamil Nadu. The team will have to submit a status report before the court on June 10. The SIT will probe the elephant deaths that were reported at the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Sathyamangalam, Erode and Hasanur divisions. A division bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justices V. Bharathidasan and N. Sathish Kumar had ordered the constitution of the SIT as the pace of the CBI investigation into the case was slow. The SIT comprises Superintendent of Police (CBI) Nirmala Devi, former Chief Wildlife Warden of Tamil Nadu Shekhar Kumar Niraj, Tamil Nadu Forest Training College principal B. Rajmohan, Deputy Superintendent of Police Santhosh Kumar and Mohan Nawas, Additional Superintendent of Police, Naxalite Special Division, Nilgiris. The court also directed that the SIT can engage the services of officers from the police and forest departments after taking necessary permissions from the departments concerned. It also allowed the team to conduct an investigation under the Code of Criminal Procedure as well as the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Of the 19 elephant deaths, only five were due to poaching. The rest were either due to electrocution or other reasons. The Madras High Court also directed the SIT to conduct an investigation and arrest the accused in poaching and recover ivory from the smugglers. The court said that this would act as a deterrent to those who commit wildlife crimes like poaching and killing of protected species and other wild animals. The Madras High Court has also said that it will decide on whether more members should be included in the SIT . Chennai, April 28 : Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Thursday urged the Centre to remove cesses and surcharges on petrol and diesel revert to the 2014 rates, an act which is fair and simple. "We have repeatedly urged the Union government to reduce the cesses and surcharges being levied and merge them with the basic tax rates so that States get their rightful share from the proceeds of the Union taxes," Rajan said. He was responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call on Wednesday to states to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel "in the spirit of cooperative federalism". Modi also cited the Central government reducing petrol and diesel prices by Rs 5/litre and Rs 10/litre, respectively. According to Rajan, since Tamil Nadu levies 'ad valorem' taxes which are applied after Central taxes, this move by the Cebtre will cause an additional loss of about Rs 1,050 crore in annual revenue to the state. "Given that the Union Government's taxes continue to be exorbitant, it is neither fair nor feasible for the State Government to further reduce taxes." He hoped that the Central government would heed to this reasonable request in the "true spirit of cooperative federalism". He said the Centre's levies on petrol have gone up substantially in the past seven years since Modi took charge for the first time in 2014. Listing out the basic points and the tax rates on petrol and diesel, Rajan said on August 1, 2014, the basic price was Rs 48.55 per litre for petrol and Rs.47.27 per litre for diesel. On November 4, 2021, the basic price of petrol was Rs 48.36 per litre while that of diesel was Rs 49.69 per litre. On August 1, 2014, the Centre's taxes were Rs. 9.48 per litre on petrol and Rs 3.57 per litre on diesel. At that time, the state government taxes were at Rs 15.67 per litre on petrol and Rs 10.25 per litre on diesel. "Prior to the reduction of taxes on petrol and diesel by Union Government, the levy of tax, including cesses and surcharges by Union Government on petrol was Rs 32.90 per litre and Rs.31.80 per litre on diesel," he said. "This has been reduced to Rs 27.90 per litre for petrol and Rs 21.80 per litre for diesel after the cut. So, when compared to 2014 (when basic price was roughly the same), the Union Government still levies an additional tax of Rs 18.42 per litre for petrol (an increase of roughly 200 per cent) and Rs 18.23 per litre for diesel (an increase of over 500 per cent) compared to the taxes in effect when it took office in 2014. "Though the revenue to the Union government has increased manifold, there has not been a matching increase in the revenues to States. This is because the Union government has increased the cess and surcharge on petrol and diesel while reducing the basic excise duty that is shareable with the states. "In 2020-21, the revenue to the Union government from levies on petrol and diesel was Rs 3,89,622 crore which was 63 per cent higher than the revenue of Rs 2,39,452 crore in 2019-20. On the other hand, the government of Tamil Nadu in 2020-21 received only Rs 837.75 crore as share of the tax devolution from the Union Excise Duties on petrol and diesel as against the Rs 1,163.13 crore received in 2019-20," the Minister added. According to Rajan, after the advent of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the states have lost substantial powers to levy their own taxes and raise revenue. "Further, the GST compensation regime comes to an end on June 30 and most states including Tamil Nadu have already requested the compensation to be extended considering the strain caused by the pandemic on state finances. However, there is no clarity from the Union government on whether the compensation will continue or not after June 30." New Delhi, April 28 : Ahead of the next year Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, top state BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, are likely to meet party's Central leadership on Thursday. BJP chief J P Nadda and national general secretary (organisation) B L Santosh will meet the party leaders from Madhya Pradesh in the national capital and discuss the party's preparation for November-December 2023 assembly polls and other organisational issues. The meeting was called after the recent Bhopal visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "Review of Chouhan government working and poll preparation will be discussed in the meeting. RSS leaders from the state are likely to be present in the meeting," the sources said. The key issues likely to be discussed are: next year assembly polls, strengthening organisation and better coordination between government and organisation. "Cabinet expansion and some appointments of heads of some corporations and boards may also be discussed," a party insider said. State BJP in-charge AP Murlidhar Rao, state president V D Sharma, national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, union minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Madhya Pradesh home minister Narrotam Mishra and other leaders are likely to attend the meeting. Since 2003, the saffron party has been in power in the state, except for 15 months between December 2018 to March 2020 when Congress leader Kamalnath was Chief Minister. In March 2020, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was again sworn-in as chief minister after the Kamalnath-led Congress government toppled. Gearing up for the next year assembly polls, the state BJP has already launched several plans to reach out to voters and it will intensify in coming days. New Delhi, April 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed happiness over 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Prime Minister Modi further said that the ties have deepened in every sphere, whether strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts. In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Modi said: "As we celebrate 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan today, I am happy to see that our ties have deepened in every sphere, whether strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts." "The recent visit of my friend PM Kishida @kishida230 to India for the Annual Summit laid out a roadmap for deepening our Special Strategic and Global Partnership in a post-COVID world. I look forward to continue working with PM Kishida to realize that objective," he added. Chennai, April 28 : The Textile mills in Tamil Nadu are expecting a reduced price for Cotton yarn that is to be announced in May. Presently, the price of Cotton yarn in Tamil Nadu for all varieties is in the range of Rs 400 per kg. The traders and industry is expecting a reduced price as the production of Cotton this time is high in the state as compared to the same period the previous year. The cotton bags have started arriving at the Mulanur cotton market in Tiruppur district from various parts of the state like Dindigul, Tiruchi, Erode, and Coimbatore. M. Dinakaran, senior superintendent of Mulanur cotton market, told IANS, "In the past few days, more than 10,000 bags of cotton have arrived in the Mulanur market. Each bag contains 30 to 40 kg of cotton and the arrival of cotton in huge volume is expected to reduce the price of yarn which will give a big boost to the textile industry." He said that during the same period last year, only 7,000- 8,000 bags had arrived in the Mulanur cotton market in a week. Generally, cotton arrival commences from May - June months, but this year, the cotton has started arriving from April 1 and with good rains, farmers have started cultivating cotton in good volumes. Raja Shanmugham, Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA), told IANS, "Arrival of good volumes in April is a good sign for the industry and with the Central government removing duty on cotton, the arrival has increased. The industry will have a good volume of raw materials and the whole industry is buoyed up." Sirohi, April 28 : For decades, the Adivasi community of Rajasthans Sirohi district has remained backward in terms of socio-economic development. With no formal education and minimal access to necessities, the community lived in isolation and was majorly dependent on farming and labour work to make a living. However, a few years ago, things changed for the better after an NGO stepped in to educate the women of the community and help them achieve financial independence. Over the years, the women gained enough knowledge and confidence to successfully run their own backyard poultry and goat-rearing businesses, most of which were set up after the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, making their newfound success even more commendable. "As markets were closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, it became difficult for us to survive. Farming and the sale of cattle were our only source of income," said Manisha Devi (27) from Sirohi's Doli Fali village on the challenging circumstances of 2020. She belongs to the Bhil tribal community, historically known for their use of weapons such as bows and arrows. Timely assistance and guidance arrived in the form of Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), a non-government, non-profit organisation that works towards empowering disadvantaged communities in rural India. They run the Aravali Pashupalak Sangathan (APS), a special programme that's part of Bajaj Allianz's CSR project, Promotion of Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Sirohi. The main objective of the APS, which focuses on livestock-based activities such as goat-rearing and backyard poultry, is empowering women by enhancing their sources of income. They are provided with opportunities through a women-centric microfinance system known as the "Internal Loaning System", wherein a loan is granted to the beneficiary for the livestock activities. The women later need to repay this loan to the APS after the prescribed moratorium period. Since its launch in September 2020, APS has helped around 180 women launch their own businesses by granting them seed money. After they repay the loan, the women reinvest their profits back into their businesses, thus ensuring financial security for themselves and their families. Self-help groups lead the way "Earlier, we were only involved in farming, but then PRADAN helped us set up livestock activities," Manisha added. "They gave us loans and trained us in breeding the animals. We now know about the kind of food and medicines they need to be given and also help train other women." PRADAN team co-ordinator Anif Khan explained to 101Reporters: "Our focus is on enhancing their livelihood. We mainly work in the areas of agriculture and livestock. Since the literacy level among women is low, we use pictorial representations to add to their knowledge. The terrain in these regions is tough, and houses are quite far from each other. So bringing the women together was initially a difficult task." The self-help groups (SHG) established in 2009 have been instrumental in the progress and development of rural women in these parts of Rajasthan. "In 2020, when migrant workers returned to Sirohi, there was no work or income. When the matter was discussed within the SHG, the women decided that new employment opportunities were needed, and that's how we launched the APS," Khan added. The SHG have two major focus points: microfinance, under which the women are provided loans for their businesses, and livelihood enhancement, which includes imparting knowledge and training. For instance, women are informed about livestock farming and the measures they could take to make it more profitable. Currently, around 1,800 women are part of these SHGs. Reaping the benefits of poultry farming Under the APS scheme, women were not only being trained on the correct methods to go about backyard poultry farming and goat-rearing, but were also being assisted in travelling to the markets and selling their produce. Now well-informed about the market rates and ways to get better opportunities, these women today manage to sell their products on their own. While they don't sell their eggs, they earn around Rs 300 for their roosters and chickens on a good day. Surabhi Devi, also from Doli Fali village, has no formal education and was married at a young age. She's always been a farmer, but it was only a year ago that she began to notice a skill-change within her. "Before this, we had no idea how beneficial poultry farming could be for us," the 40-year-old said. "With PRADAN coming to our village, the women who became associated with it were given education about the business. Over time, we learnt how we could benefit from it."The Rajasthan government has framed a handful of farming-focused schemes like Rajasthan Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project (RWSLIP) launched in 2019 which aims at providing subsidies to marginal farmers for adopting modern agricultural techniques, but such schemes often fail to reach isolated villages like Dholi Fali. "We do not know about any schemes of the government if our crop fails or if there is no water. How can we think of availing such schemes when we are clueless?" questioned Manisha. Casteism and gender-specific challenges While development is a major obstacle for these tribal women farmers, they have also had to fight patriarchy. "Before we started experimenting with various businesses, the men in our households were not supportive," 40-year-old Vasuli Bai from Jamburi village told 101Reporters. "I'm not educated, but I now educate other women in these aspects. We are aware of how patriarchy affects our lives. The men in our society are just like all other men. In our community, while women and men work together in the field, it was difficult for us to start our own businesses." Echoing Vasuli's views, Manisha emphasised: "We urge women to focus on the education of their daughters. We are not educated, but our daughters should be." Casteism is yet another challenge these women face. For instance, the women of Doli Fali were not allowed to draw water from the well of an upper-caste man. They said this happened every time they tried to fetch water from the neighbouring villages. The women also claimed there were times they are not allowed to enter upper-caste inhabited areas when conducting surveys. For a clearer picture of caste-based differences, a comparison between Doli Fali and Tarungi village, a few kilometres away, can be made. While Doli Fali resembles a desert with a few acres of farmlands and mud houses, Tarungi, inhabited by the upper-caste Thakur community, has beautiful brick houses with clear signs of greater development. Tackling water scarcity Dry deciduous forests are common in this part of Sirohi district, while the higher elevations of Mount Abu are covered in coniferous forests. This difference in terrain has resulted in a major water crisis in the region, with many farmers losing their crops and plunging into severe debt. Devi Bai, one of the core members of the village and a member of an SHG, pointed out that this water scarcity was why they started growing vegetables along with bajra (pearl millets) and corn (makkai). "We grew only makkai earlier, but a year ago, it was suggested that we grow vegetables, too. The water shortage does create an issue for us, but we try to work through it," the 40-year-old added. The crisis forces these women to travel far and wide to fetch water for their homes and farms. Moreover, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and delayed rains led most of these female farmers to lose their vegetable saplings. This was when Rekha Bai, a 28-year-old from Phoola Bai Khera village, put in even more effort on her vegetable farm. She now has one of the most successful farming businesses in the village. "I started tomato farming four years ago. It was very difficult initially, but I taught myself how to do it. Farming requires care and attention," she said, emphasising on the water scarcity further. Water woes, gender bias, patriarchy and casteism notwithstanding, the tribal women of Sirohi have beaten the odds and emerged successful through sheer grit and determination. (The author is a Delhi-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.) Hyderabad, April 28 : Hyderabad has been consolidating its position as the most dynamic scientific centres in Asia and globally, said Telangana's Information and Technology Minister K. T. Rama Rao on Thursday. Inaugurating Thermo Fisher Scientific's India Engineering Centre (IEC), he noted Hyderabad is also known as a cradle of life sciences research and development, a great hub for talent in various disciplines and a catalyst of intersection of life sciences and technology. The new R&D and engineering facility of Thermo Fisher has come with the annual planned R&D investment of approximately $15 million and will create employment of over 450 people, throughout the value chain. Spread across 42,000 square feet, this facility is specifically curated to support new product development and product optimisation of laboratory equipments for laboratory and analytical solutions at Thermo Fisher's global sites. In addition to life sciences and pharmaceuticals, IEC will focus on product development, analytical instruments for soil and water analysis, laboratory equipment and instruments for lithium ion batteries. Thermo Fisher Scientific, which has more than 100 locations worldwide, invests more than $1.4 billion annually in R&D. KTR, as the minister is popularly known, said he was delighted that Thermo Fisher choose Hyderabad for IEC which reinforces Hyderabad's research and innovation prowess. The minister noted that Hyderabad is one of the most-preferred locations to set up GCCs in general and in life sciences and healthcare in particular. He said marquee players like Novartis, Medtronic, Providence, Nektar Therapeutics, Intel, Micron, One Plus, Oppo and AMD have set up their GCCs in Hyderabad. KTR said a recent study by fDi Benchmark points out that Hyderabad is the most competitive location for life sciences and R&D functions compared with life sciences clusters across the world. "We have consistently tried to retain this momentum by establishing centre specific clusters like Genome Valley which has become a major innovation and life sciences cluster in Asia," he said. The minister claimed that Hyderabad not just offers competitive industrial infrastructure but a comprehensive ecosystem for life sciences including plug and play labs, shared scientific infrastructure, testing facilities access to CROs and highly skilled talent pool "Hyderabad is where biology meets technology, life sciences meets data sciences, north of India meets south of India. That's the beauty of Hyderabad. We are a melting point. This exciting point of intersection Ais what makes us special," he said. Tony Acciarito, President, Asia Pacific & Japan, Thermo Fisher Scientific noted that Hyderabad city is a hotspot for talent acquisition, home to world-renowned R&D institutes, and is one of India's fastest-growing engineering, life sciences and IT knowledge hubs. "The expansion of the facility is a testament to Thermo Fisher's unwavering commitment to supporting change by accelerating innovation, improving time to market for new products," he said. Amit Chopra, Managing Director, India and South Asia, Thermo Fisher Scientific, said that the new infrastructure at Hyderabad is uniquely placed to drive technological advances and excellence in developing new products and solutions that strengthen our offering and leadership position in the research, industrial and clinical market. Washington, April 28 : A potentially hazardous giant asteroid is set to zoom past Earth with a 37,400 km/h speed on Thursday, according to NASA. The asteroid, named 418135 (2008 AG33), has an estimated diameter between 350 to 780 metres, revealed NASA's Centre for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). NASA defines any space object that comes within 193 million km of Earth as a "near-Earth object" (NEO) and any fast-moving object within 7.5 million km as "potentially hazardous". According to the Centre, as they orbit the Sun, the NEOs can occasionally approach close to Earth. However, it explained that a "close" passage astronomically can be very far away in human terms: millions or even tens of millions of kilometres. Asteroid 418135 is thus expected to skim past our planet without any risk of impact, Live Science reported. At its closest point, the asteroid, travelling at more than 30 times the speed of sound, will come within about 3.2 million kilometres of Earth, which is roughly eight times the average distance between Earth and the Moon. Asteroid 418135 was first discovered on January 12, 2008, by asteroid surveyors at the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter observatory in Arizona and last zipped past Earth on March 1, 2015, according to CNEOS. The asteroid swings by our planet roughly every seven years, with the next close flyby predicted to come on May 25, 2029. But it may not be the biggest space rock to hurtle past Earth. Another asteroid, named 467460 (2006 JF42) is touted to be the biggest so far to zoom past Earth, the report said. The space rock has an estimated diameter between 380 to 860 metres and will be travelling at roughly 40,700 km/h when it passes Earth on May 9. Several space agencies are already working on ways to possibly deflect asteroids flying straight at Earth. Last November, NASA launched a spacecraft as a part of its Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission, which plans to redirect a non-hazardous asteroid by ramming it off course. China is also in the early planning stages of an asteroid-redirect mission. By slamming 23 Long March 5 rockets into the asteroid Bennu, the country says it would be able to divert the space rock from a potentially catastrophic impact with Earth, the report said. New Delhi, April 28 : Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani is reportedly planning a takeover bid for the UK high street chain Boots, a media report said. Ambani is the biggest shareholder and chairman of retail-to-energy group Reliance Industries. Reliance is reportedly working on the potential bid with US buyout firm Apollo Global Management, reports the BBC. Earlier this year, the Walgreen Boots Alliance announced a review of the Boots business and reportedly put the company up for sale. The deal could see Boots expand into India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, according to The Financial Times, which first reported the joint bid citing people familiar with the matter. Under the plan, Reliance and Apollo would reportedly own stakes in Boots, although it was not clear whether they would be equal partners in the business, the BBC reported. Boots, which has more than 2,200 pharmacies, health and beauty stores in the UK, could be valued at as much as $7.5 billion. The Walgreen Boots Alliance, Reliance and Apollo have not responded to the development. Khartoum, April 28 : A comprehensive dialogue among the Sudanese political forces is scheduled to be held from May 10-12, the African Union's (AU) Special Envoy to Khartoum Mohamed El Hacen Ould Lebatt announced. The dialogue was brokered by a tripartite mechanism of the UN, AU and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, an eight-country trade bloc in Eastern Africa, reports Xinhua news agency. The mechanism seeks to raise the awareness of the country's political forces to hold a fair and transparent national dialogue and agree on a political process that would bring all actors back to a democratic constitutional situation for the transitional period, according to the envoy. Head of the UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan Volker Perthes cautioned that unless the current political crisis in Sudan is solved, the country risks becoming even more unstable. The country has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan staged a coup on October 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government. Since then, protests in Khartoum and other major cities have persisted to demand a return to civilian rule. New Delhi, April 28: Wiped-out in the five states during recent polls, the Congress cannot hope for better days in Himachal Pradesh, slated to witness elections by the year's end. Having run-out of leadership in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress is seeing a hope in the legacy politics ahead of the polls. It precisely aims to encash the sympathy factor in favour of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Six-time Chief Minister and a Congress stalwart indeed, Virbhadra died last year at age of 87. On Tuesday, the Congress appointed his wife Pratibha Singh, a sitting MP as new state party president, apparently unable to find a potential second line leader to lead the Congress to the poll, against the well-entrenched BJP or counter AAP's buzz in the Shimla hills. The Congress has also revamped the party organisational structure and appointed four working presidents for 'caste and regional balance'. A former PCC president Sukhwinder Singh, one of Chief Ministerial post aspirants, has been made Chairman of the Congress campaign committee while Congress Legislature Party leader Mukesh Agnihotri, another CM post claimant, will continue to hold his position. Both Sukhwinder Singh and Mukesh Agnihotri were opposed to Pratibha Singh's candidature for the party post but their inability to decide who should take-up the party post persuaded Congress to handpick Pratibha Singh, a Rajput face. Pratibha Singh was elected to Parliament from Mandi in November 2021 in a bypoll, which she had fought on the sympathy factor for Virbhadra Singh. The Congress feels Virbhadra Singh's death could once again help the party to return to power in Himachal Pradesh in the 2022 elections. The BJP had won all four Lok Sabha seats with a record margin in 2019 polls. It had also retained two seats - Dharamshala and Rajgarh in the Assembly bypolls. But, when Pratibha Singh got elected in the bypoll, along with Congress candidates in three other assembly constituencies, the opposition saw it as a morale booster for the party cadres. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur admits that by poll defeat was a big lesson for the party though it was primarily due to sympathy factor for Virbhadra Singh, who was a stalwart and had a larger-than-life image in the state. "The Mandi bypoll or other assembly seats won by the Congress was neither a result of anti-incumbency nor a vote against governance. Ever Since then, the BJP has done quite a lot homework and congress should not think same sympathy card will work in the state assembly poll," Jai Ram Thakur told India Initiative. The BJP victory in the four states is a signal that the party will break the myth about the ruling party not returning to power again on the basis of the state government's performance, he says. The appointment of Pratibha Singh may or may not work as well as it could have, if Virbhadra Singh was alive. Nevertheless, it has strengthened a powerful Congress camp, which always stood with Virbhadra Singh. He was undoubtedly a mass leader yet he could never repeat two successive Congress governments. Virbhadra not only had fought BJP in Himachal Pradesh to stay in politics for 55 years, he also took cudgels against his own party high command to become Chief Minister in 1993 against party's choice for former union minister Sukh Ram. Later in 2003, he fought back against veteran party leader Vidya Stokes. Pratibha Singh is no match her husband in popularity or leadership qualities. Her appointment will also not be going to end factionalism in the Congress, rather could aggravate infighting. Appointment of four working presidents - first time in Himachal Pradesh history as a small state , are unlikely to be on the same page. The BJP charge against the Congress promoting dynasty politics, and believing in 'legacy raj' will be a potent weapon in the hands of the saffron party. The family - Pratibha Singh and MLA son Vikramaditya Singh, also have pending CBI and ED cases against them. "The Congress is gradually wiping-out from the country and also Himachal Pradesh. We are going to form the government as the Congress neither has leadership nor issues for the next election," Jai Ram Thakur claimed. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Lucknow, April 28 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, on Thursday, slammed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for suggesting that she could become President of the country. She said that she has never aspired to be one and that the SP leader was 'day dreaming'. Mayawati's remarks came a day after Yadav said in Mainpuri that the BSP had transferred its votes to the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Akhilesh had said, "BSP has transferred its votes to the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh polls. Now it will be interesting to see whether the BJP makes Mayawati President or not in return." Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati said: "I have never dreamt of becoming the president of the country. All I know is that the work I am doing of making the downtrodden stand on their feet, can be achieved by becoming chief minister and Prime Minister but not the President and so the Samajwadi Party should forget it." She said that "Akhilesh is dreaming of making me the President of the country in order to clear the path for him to become the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh". New Delhi, April 28 : Muslim bodies have appealed for calm and peace ahead of Eid next week in the wake of the recent communal violence. An open letter signed by the President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and 14 other bodies, said: "All Muslims should remain calm and composed both on their way to the Eidgah and also while returning home. They should not fall prey to anyone who tries to provoke and instigate them. Use very careful and clear language in the Eid sermon, so that nothing you say can be distorted. "Religious festivals that provide an opportunity to foster mutual brotherhood, love and unity have been turned into a means of spreading hatred and furthering vested political interests by the anti-social and evil elements. Among all these developments, the month of Ramzan continues with the Eid-ul-Fitr coming a few days later. "Muslims gather in large numbers on the last Friday of Ramadan and the 'Lailatul Qadr' (27th of Ramadan). Muslims should celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr by sharing their joys with their compatriots, making it an occasion for developing cordial relations with all and establishing peace and amity." The letter further said that no anti-social and evil element should get a chance to create mischief. To curb anti-social elements, the Muslim bodies have advised holding of meetings with peace committees in their respective colonies and localities. "If anyone tries to do mischief, then lodge a complaint with the local administration. Hold meetings with the local administration and try ensure that they will not allow the law and order to be affected under any circumstances. "Meet with the representatives of other religions at the state, district, and local levels. An appeal should also be issued to them so that people do not do anything under the pressure of any political party or any mischievous group which will spoil the atmosphere of the country," the letter added. The bodies also called for efforts to ensure the presence of important personalities and journalists outside the Eidgah, as well as the provision of CCTV cameras. Responding to the appeal, Maulana Jalal Haider Naqvi of the All India Shia Council, said that "this is a precautionary measure so that community doesn't get involved if provoked but maintain peace and harmony". Kiev, April 28 : Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said that no agreement has been reached on a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. "The time of the meeting of the presidents of the two countries and the context of the meeting have not been determined yet," Xinhua news agency quoted Podolyak, also a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the peace talks with Russia, as saying. Consultations at the level of working subgroups, which are preparing the positions of the parties in legal terms, are underway, he said. Earlier Wednesday, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said his country hopeed that a meeting between Zelensky and Putin would take place in the next few days as the war rages on. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, April 28 : Even though the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras is an autonomous institution under the Minister of Education of the Government of India, the premier institution will play the Tamil state anthem, 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' henceforth in its official functions. The 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' is the state anthem of Tamil Nadu penned by Manonmaniam Sundaran Pillai and music by M.S. Viswanathan. A senior administrative officer with IIT- Madras told IANS that the Union education ministry will soon send a circular regarding this to the institution. It may be recalled that the Tamil Nadu Higher Education minister K. Ponmudi had written a letter to the then director of IIT- Madras, Dr. Bhaskar Ramamurthi that during convocation ceremony in November 2021 at the institute, the Tamil state anthem, 'Tamil Thai Vaazthu' was not rendered. The minister in the letter, according to sources has mentioned that in all the future functions, 'Tamil Thai Vaazhtu' must be rendered. The senior administrative officer at IIT - Madras told IANS that the 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' will be rendered along with the Vande Mataram and the National Anthem. He also said that the Union Education Ministry has already directed the IIT- Madras that as part of promotion of Indian culture and tradition, the state anthem is to be rendered. Varanasi : , April 28 (IANS) Trouble is brewing in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where a group of students burnt the effigy of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) after he organised an Iftar party on campus. The agitated students alleged that the country is moving towards a Uniform Civil Code but the VC Dr Sudhir Kumar Jain is trying to indulge in appeasement politics here. The students, most of them owing allegiance to ABVP, raised slogans in front of the VC's residence on the campus, saying that this was against the culture of the university. The protesters alleged that the VC chose Mahila Mahavidyalaya to organise the event so that he could polarise the women students and create a divide with his "anti-Hindu" mindset. After the ruckus over the Iftar party on Wednesday night, posters appeared on the BHU campus on Thursday with definite communal overtones. BHU officials were unwilling to comment on the incident. District officials said that police forces had been put on alert in view of the situation. Chennai, April 28 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Thursday blamed the BJP-led central government for hiking the petrol and diesel prices. Speaking in the state Assembly, Stalin said as the excise duty has to be shared with the state, the Central government reduced that while hiking the cesses and surcharges which are not shared with the states. The two Ministers were responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call on Wednesday to states to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel "in the spirit of cooperative federalism". Modi on Wednesday lit the fuse citing the Central government reducing petrol and diesel prices by Rs 5/litre and Rs 10/litre, respectively, while many states have not followed suit. Stalin said hiking the cesses and surcharges the Central government increased the burden on the common man while earning for itself lakhs of crore of rupees. As per the figures of Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), the total contribution of the petroleum sector to the central exchequer galloped from Rs 172,065 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 419,884 crore in 2020-21 and for the nine month period in FY22, it was Rs 310,155 crore. On the other hand, the state's revenue went up from Rs 160,554 crore in FY15 to Rs 217,650 crore in FY21 and Rs 207,658 crore for the nine month period in FY22. "While both, the Central and the state governments, say that they get the revenue for investments in infrastructure, the PPAC figures show that the Central government has further leeway to reduce the rates," an industry official told IANS on the condition of anonymity. According to Stalin, owing to some state elections, the central government reduced the oil prices and after winning the polls, the prices were hiked fast. Meanwhile Rajan urged the Centre to remove cesses and surcharges on petrol and diesel revert to the 2014 rates, an act which is fair and simple. "We have repeatedly urged the Union government to reduce the cesses and surcharges being levied and merge them with the basic tax rates so that states get their rightful share from the proceeds of the Union taxes," Rajan said. According to Rajan, since Tamil Nadu levies 'ad valorem' taxes which are applied after Central taxes, this move by the Centre will cause an additional loss of about Rs 1,050 crore in annual revenue to the state. "Given that the Union Government's taxes continue to be exorbitant, it is neither fair nor feasible for the State Government to further reduce taxes." He hoped that the Central government would heed to this reasonable request in the "true spirit of cooperative federalism". He said the Centre's levies on petrol have gone up substantially in the past seven years since Modi took charge for the first time in 2014. Listing out the basic points and the tax rates on petrol and diesel, Rajan said on August 1, 2014, the basic price was Rs 48.55 per litre for petrol and Rs.47.27 per litre for diesel. On November 4, 2021, the basic price of petrol was Rs 48.36 per litre while that of diesel was Rs 49.69 per litre. On August 1, 2014, the Centre's taxes were Rs 9.48 per litre on petrol and Rs 3.57 per litre on diesel. At that time, the state government taxes were at Rs 15.67 per litre on petrol and Rs 10.25 per litre on diesel. "Prior to the reduction of taxes on petrol and diesel by Union Government, the levy of tax, including cesses and surcharges by Union Government on petrol was Rs 32.90 per litre and Rs 31.80 per litre on diesel," he said. "This has been reduced to Rs 27.90 per litre for petrol and Rs 21.80 per litre for diesel after the cut. So, when compared to 2014 (when basic price was roughly the same), the Union government still levies an additional tax of Rs 18.42 per litre for petrol (an increase of roughly 200 per cent) and Rs 18.23 per litre for diesel (an increase of over 500 per cent) compared to the taxes in effect when it took office in 2014. "Though the revenue to the Union government has increased manifold, there has not been a matching increase in the revenues to States. This is because the Union government has increased the cess and surcharge on petrol and diesel while reducing the basic excise duty that is shareable with the states. "In 2020-21, the revenue to the Union government from levies on petrol and diesel was Rs 3,89,622 crore which was 63 per cent higher than the revenue of Rs 2,39,452 crore in 2019-20. On the other hand, the government of Tamil Nadu in 2020-21 received only Rs 837.75 crore as share of the tax devolution from the Union Excise Duties on petrol and diesel as against the Rs 1,163.13 crore received in 2019-20," the Minister added. According to Rajan, after the advent of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the states have lost substantial powers to levy their own taxes and raise revenue. "Further, the GST compensation regime comes to an end on June 30 and most states including Tamil Nadu have already requested the compensation to be extended considering the strain caused by the pandemic on state finances. However, there is no clarity from the Union government on whether the compensation will continue or not after June 30." On bringing petrol and diesel under the GST regime, Rajan had earlier said it can be done provided the Central government scraps the cess and surcharge levied on them. On the other hand, AIADMK's late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was a strong advocate for changing the fuel pricing formula. She had argued that the fuel rates should be determined based on import costs and refining charges and rates of domestic crude oil and the refining charges for the same instead of basing it on trade parity Price. New Delhi, April 28 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR and the plains of northwest India over continued heatwave conditions until May 1. "There has been no significant rainfall since February 25. In between, on April 14 and April 21, there were dust storms in Rajasthan and Haryana but there was no significant rain. Hence the long dry spell has resulted in high temperatures," senior IMD scientist R.K. Jenamani told mediapersons. A Western Disturbance on May 2 will bring in some relief for northwest and central India, he said. Asked if this month's maximum temperatures for the entire country were creating any record, Jenamani said: "April 2010 was the hottest till date for all India. "This year, even when northwest India and large parts of central India are witnessing extreme heat, the northeast region, Kerala, large parts of Tamil Nadu are experiencing heavy rainfall. So, we have to wait till April 30 to see how it averages out." In an advisory, the IMD said that under the influence of another fresh Western Disturbance likely to affect northwest India from May 2, light/moderate isolated/scattered rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning is likely over the Western Himalayan Region during May 2-4. "Because of this, isolated light rainfall is likely over plains of northwest India during May 3 and 4." For now, heatwave conditions will prevail over large parts of India. The IMD has predicted heatwave conditions over northwest and central India during next four days and over east India during next two days and it will abate thereafter. Hea wave conditions will prevail in isolated pockets over west Rajasthan during April 28-30 with severe heatwave conditions on May 1-2; heat wave conditions in some/isolated parts over Vidarbha, west Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Delhi & east Rajasthan during next five days; east Uttar Pradesh May 1, Bihar, Jharkhand, interior Odisha, Chhattisgarh & Gangetic West Bengal April 30 and Telangana till May 1. New Delhi, April 28 : The artworks have been hung, the performers have been prepared, and the India Art Fair is all set to celebrate Indian and South Asian art. The Fair which opens today in the Capital has a features a series of soirees and events around art and culture. This calendar ensures you don't miss out on the best it has to offer: NFTEASE April 30, 2022, 4 p.m. Leading NFT artist Raghava K.K. and platforms Terrain.art and BeFantastic will demystify the world of NFTs. THROUGH THEIR EYES: RAGHU RAI AND EMMANUEL LENAIN May 1, 2022, 4 p.m. Iconic Indian photographer and French Ambassador to India will discuss their passion for photography. BMW ART TALK: ATUL DODIYA April 30, 2022, 2 p.m. Dodiya will be the first ever Indian artist to give the prestigious BMW Art Talk. THE CHANGE IS YOURS May 1, 2022, 2 p.m. Young artists and collectives will speak about the importance of peer-support and creative sustainable art platforms. Performance art and outdoor Projects REFLEX: HETAIN PATEL Location: Auditorium, April 30, 2022, 5 p.m. The artist will reflect on his identity as a second generation British-Indian, using choreographed movements to explore his inherited family history. GHAR-GHAR: GURJEET SINGH Location: The Studio, April 28, 2022, 5 p.m. A performance about child-like wonder and make believe featuring Singh's signature soft sculptures. THE FUTURE IS FEMME: ARAVANI ART PROJECT Location: India Art Fair grounds A massive 50-feet mural imagining a binary-free future, supported by Saffronart Foundation. I LOOK AT THINGS WITH EYES DIFFERENT FROM YOURS: SHILPA GUPTA Location: India Art Fair grounds A special T-shirt designed by the artist being worn and brought to life by fair volunteers. 360 MINUTES OF REQUIEM: ARPITA AKHANDA Location: The Studio, April 29, 2022 & April 30, 2022, 3 p.m. Over two days of the fair, the artist will deconstruct 360 feet of barbed wire fence as a meditation on partitions and divisions. ENGULF: NARAYAN SINHA Location: India Art Fair grounds A large metal sculpture pointing to balance and harmony in the midst of chaos, supported by Arts Ananda Trust. Sign up for an art workshop DOTS, LINES AND SHAPES Location: Inclusion Lab, April 29, 2022, 11:30am A workshop that demonstrates the many ways to interpret and perceive information. INVITING NATURE: STOP-MOTION WORKSHOP Location: Workshop Space, April 30, 2022, 3 p.m. Learn how to make collages and short stop-motion animations reflecting your individual concerns about the environment. GIFT A FLOWER, MAKE A FRIEND: PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP Location: Workshop Space, April 29, 2022, 3 p.m. Artist Paula Sengupta will lead a printmaking workshop, open to all. SEEING ME THROUGH YOU: ART APPRECIATION WORKSHOP Location: Workshop Space, April 29, 2022, 3:30pm & April 30, 2022, 2 p.m. How do you begin to look at art? Join this guided workshop perfect for those making their start in art. (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) Seoul, April 28 : The South Korean government on Thursday called on North Korea to refrain from escalating tensions in the region, responding to a threat by its leader Kim Jong-un to strengthen the regime's nuclear capabilities. "Our government and the international community have maintained the stance that North Korea should stop all acts that heighten tensions, including the advancement of its nuclear capabilities, and to return to the negotiating table," a Unification Ministry official said. South Korea will continue efforts to achieve denuclearization and bring peace to the Korean Peninsula in close coordination with Washington while keeping a close eye on the North, Yonhap News Agency quoted the official as saying. On Monday, North Korea showcased a massive intercontinental ballistic missile and other strategic weapons at a military parade, during which Kim vowed to beef up the country's nuclear capabilities at the "fastest possible speed". Kim also warned any forces that seek to violate the "fundamental interests" of the North will be met with its nuclear forces. On the meaning of "fundamental interests", the Ministry official said North Korea has often used the expression without elaborating, as Kim's statement has added to rampant speculation on his intentions. "It is considered to be used by the North as a concept with the existence of its nation and regime at its core value," he said. Apparently, many observers say, regime security is Kim's top priority. No messages were directed at the South or the US in Kim's latest public speech, the official noted.' The North appears to have staged the military parade on the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) to solidify internal unity under Kim's leadership and stress his legitimacy, he added. Another official told reporters on condition of anonymity the ministry is still conducting an analysis to confirm whether or not Kim has been promoted from "marshal" to "grand marshal." "Grand marshal" is the highest position in the North's military held only by its late state founder Kim Il-sung and late leader Kim Jong-il. Kim showed up at the night-time military parade in a white military suit wearing an epaulet with a grand marshal insignia on his right shoulder. New Delhi, April 28 : The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has complimented the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for conducting raids on the offices of Cloudtail and Apario, both sellers of Amazon. It is a much awaited welcome step of CCI which will surely vindicate the substance of various complaints made by the CAIT against Amazon and Flipkart, said CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, while commenting upon the action of the CCI. Since past three years, the CAIT has been raising strong objections against alleged mal-practices of Amazon and Flipkart and filed complaints with CCI beside strongly fighting delaying tactics of Amazon and Flipkart in various courts as well. Khandelwal, in a statement said that role of Narayan Murthy should also be investigated while conducting raid. The situation demands that all the records in paper and computers of both the sellers pertaining to the complaints of should be confiscated so that these can not be tempered. "The seizure of records will amply substantiate the charges made by CAIT against Amazon and Appario. Beside, these two sellers, other top 20 sellers of Amazon in last five years, should also be properly scanned since Amazon is flouting all laws and FDI policy of the Government and trying to creating a monopolistic market in India since a long time and there is no transparency on Amazon e-commerce portal thereby causing huge damage to small retailers of the country and collateral damage to the consumers," said the statement. The trade body further said that predatory pricing, deep discounting, loss funding, exclusive sale of branded products in collusion with respective corporate companies, owing inventory are some of the fundamental issues raised by the CAIT."All these practices are explicitly prohibited under Press Note 2 of FDI policy of 2018," the statement added. Biggest hit verticals due to mal-practice of Amazon and Flipkart include Mobile, FMCG, Consumer Durables, clothing, Readymade Garments, Beauty care products, Watches, Gift items, and furnishing fabric, it said. New Delhi, April 28 : If Prime Minster Narendra Modi's subtle and yet categorical message from Diphu in Assam on Thursday is to be understood, perhaps it was for Naga militants. "Baaki jagaon mein bhi sthai shanti ke liye hamare prayas lagatar chal rahen hain, gambhirta se chal rahen hain (All across northeast, our sincere efforts are on to establish a lasting peace. Efforts are continuing, they are being pursued with all seriousness)," the Prime Minister said in Diphu located in the Karbi Anglong region, which shares a border with Nagaland. While his reference could be seen from a general perspective for all militant groups, it was obviously more relevant for Naga militants and the state of Nagaland as the Naga peace parleys that began in 1997 are understandably at a final stage. The Prime Minister said: "Last September in Karbi Anglong region, many organisations have decided to take the path of peace and development. In 2020 the Bodo Accord opened avenues for a lasting peace. In Tripura, the NLFT took the step towards peace. For two and half decades, there was a problem of Bru-Reangs That has been resolved also." Of course the Prime Minister did not dwell specifically or in details on the Naga issue, but his remarks have special significance for the Nagas and the state of Nagaland. The Centre had last week deputed its peace representative A.K. Mishra, a former intelligence official, to visit Nagaland and interact with all stakeholders including NSCN (IM), its general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, NNPG leaders and also representatives of various social organisations and pressure groups. N. Kitovi Zhimomi of NNPG (umbrella organsiation of seven Naga militant groups) is already keen to sign a peace pact and so he insists that the formality and the last stage in any talks should be tried in all sincerity. Mishra has reportedly submitted a report to the Union Home Ministry on his return earlier this week. Among other things, he has been categorical to NSCN (IM) that there is no question of revisiting the contentious issues of Flag and a separate Naga Flag. While the potent militant group (NSCN-IM) does not want to compromise on Flag and Constitution, any government in Delhi would ever give up or even can afford to make any compromises on Flag and Constitution. Modi's visit to Karbi Anglong, which is in very close proximity to Nagaland, was largely aimed at giving a new momentum to peace and development in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) region. The fact that Diphu is hardly two hours from Dimapur in Nagaland also triggered speculation in certain quarters that Modi could make use of the opportune time to give a few critical messages to Naga groups and the common people. "Brothers and sisters in last few decades you all have gone through tough and challenging times. But after 2014 challenges of the northeast were being constantly addressed and people are getting the benefits of development," he said adding: "Today when people come to tribal areas of Assam or other states in northeast then people feel happy about improvement in situations." "Karbi Anglong or other tribal-infested areas in the northeast are firmly and constantly following the path of' Vikas and Vishwas' (Development and trust). We all are aware that our government have been working on the problems of these northeastern states. The problems can be solved we work as a member of your community As your brother and son, I have tried to understand all your problems," he said. The Prime Minister said he is more than glad that "people have also tried to make the government understand the problem more by your heart than brain". "When we all together look for solution all problems like family members, there is sensitivity, appreciation of the pain and troubles the locals have to undergo. "Today, the entire nation is what watching that in last some years our work is showing results. Once upon a time, when people used to talk about northeast they were either on bomb explosions and sound of gunfire. Today we have thunderous clap all-around," he added. Of course the Prime Minister's statement also dwelt around other issues. He referred to the partial withdrawal of AFSPA from 23 districts of Assam and also other states including Manipur and Nagaland. The Prime Minister said the days of violence and the sound of guns and blasts are gone from Assam. Referring to the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan, a commander in the erstwhile Ahom Kingdon, Modi said: "His life was an example of patriotism, and I salute him from the core of my heart." Modi also laid the foundation stones of projects worth Rs 500 crore in Karbi Anglong, which includes an agriculture college, model college and a veterinary college. He also laid the foundation stone of the ambitious Amrit Sarovar project. The Assam government would develop 2,985 water bodies in the state for water conservation with a budget of Rs 1,150 crore. Addressing the huge gathering, Modi said: "The enormous love and blessings you have shown to me will be returned with interest as development works." It may be pointed out Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his deputy Y. Patton (of the BJP) have indicated that things could take a more concrete shape by August 15 when India completes 75 years of Independence. Even otherwise the country is celebrating Amrit Mahotsav and the Prime Minister is more often inclined to refer to the milestone. It is only relevant that Nagaland, Naga communities and various groups operating both within the state and outside are taken on board in India's onward journey towards greater glories. A sizable Rengma Naga population reside in Diphu and the adjoining areas of Assam. Some Nagas in traditional attire enthusiastically attended the function and even danced merrily. Besides Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other Assam and Karbi leaders, the function was also attended by Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi, who is also holding the additional charge of Nagaland. (Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, 'The Talking Guns: North East India' and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views are personal.) Kolkata, April 28 : The West Bengal government faced yet another major embarrassment on Thursday after a sitting senior legislator of the party and a former member in the Mamata Banerjee-led cabinet appealed for a higher security cover because of constant life-threats that he is receiving in his own constituency. Shyamal Mondal, the ruling party MLA from Basanti Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, has made a written application to the office of the district police superintendent for this higher security. On Thursday, Mondal told mediapersons that he had been receiving life threats since he had been vocal about police actions against individuals involved in illegal activities like extortion in different localities in his constituency. Mandal is a former state Sunderban affairs and irrigation & waterways minister. "Whenever I have witnessed illegal activities in my constituency I have protested. Recently, I complained to the local police against a group of extortionists in the locality who are also involved in other illegal activities. Since then, I had been receiving life threats. As an elected legislator I have to move around in different places within my constituency. But after these threats I'm feeling helpless and hence I approached the police for higher security cover," Mondal said on Thursday. He also said that after a recent blast at Fulmalancha village panchayat under Basanti where one person was killed, he had a public meeting there, where he requested all concerned to surrender the illegal firearms and explosives in the possessions. "But till date there had not been a single surrender on this count," he said. Meanwhile, political debates have already started over the issue. The BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said that when the legislator of a ruling party, who is also a former state minister, feels helpless because of life-threat, then it is easily imaginable how pathetic is the law & order situation in the state. Trinamool Congress's state vice-president, Jaiprakash Majumdar said that BJP leaders do not have the moral right to speak on such issues considering the fact their own leaders in BJP- ruled stated always move with a large number of security personnel. Karachi, April 28 : A major development occurred in the investigation into the Karachi University (KU) attack after law enforcers raided the house of the alleged suicide bomber's father in the city. Four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed and four others sustained injuries in a suicide attack carried out by a burqa-clad woman outside the Confucius Institute in KU's premises on Tuesday, Geo News reported. Laptops and other evidence, including documents, were taken into custody during the raid. Sources privy to the matter said movement of a car bearing a government number plate to and from the raided house was observed, Geo News reported. Meanwhile, the investigators also searched the apartment of the alleged suicide bomber in Gulistan-e-Johar block 13 and sealed it afterwards, the sources said. They said that the apartment is rented and the bomber had been living there for the last three years. The woman, who was involved in the Karachi terrorist attack, belonged to a family with an educated background and was pursuing MPhil. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Majeed Brigade has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. The organisation has used a female suicide bomber for the first time. Talking about the family of the woman involved, Wajid said her family was unaware of her activities. However, the family confirmed her identity through a picture published by Majeed Brigade, Geo News reported. The woman belonged to Kech District in Balochistan's Turbat and was married to a doctor. She moved to Karachi along with her husband for higher education and last visited the Kech District at her sister's wedding. She was also a government teacher. Wajid further said that several members are government officers. Her father was a registrar at the University of Turbat. New Delhi, April 28 : Delhi government on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakhs on North Delhi Municipal Corporation in connection with Bhalswa landfill fire. On Tuesday, a massive fire broke out at North Delhi's Bhalswa landfill. After the investigation of the fire case, the Delhi Pollution control Committee(DPCC) submitted the report to the Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday. It has alleged negligence on the part of MCD in its report. Minister Gopal Rai has imposed fine on the basis of DPCC investigation report. Four fire tenders are still working to bring down the flames. Gopal Rai, on Wednesday, blamed "corruption" in the municipal corporation as one of the reasons for frequent fires at landfills in the city. Reportedly, three incidents of fire have been reported this year at east Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site. Bengaluru, April 28 : Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Bengaluru Peter Machado said on Thursday that it is not good to give "Bible colour" to all Christian schools in the state. Responding to the controversy over the Clarence High School in connection with making Bible compulsory for all students, the archbishop stated it is not possible to separate religion and morality. Clarence High School has a history of 100 years. He further stated that the 75 per cent of the children studying in the school follow Christianity. It is incorrect to charge that the Bible is made compulsory of all students. It is not mandatory for students belonging to Hindu and Muslim communities. "It is not correct to paint all Christian schools with Bible colour. If the government wants to investigate the matter, let them conduct an inquiry. Let them find out how many children have been converted," he said. First Churches were targetted, later they were attacked and destroyed. "Now they have focused on our educational institutions. Former Vice-President L.K. Advani had stated that he studied in a Christian school. Likewise, Union Minister Piyush Goel also studied in a Christian institution. The Christian education institutions have given many dignitaries to the society, the Archbishop said. A complaint was filed by a Hindu group alleginging that Bible reading is made compulsory for all students and admission is being denied if the consent is not given for students to undergo preaching of Christian religious matters. Education Minister B.C. Nagesh has also reacted sharply to the issue and stated that he has sent a notice to the school regarding making Bible compulsory. The Department of Education has also given a direction for the Block Education Officers (BEO) to inspect all the Christian institutions in the state regarding the issue of making reading of Bible compulsory for schoolchildren. New York, April 28 : Ahead of Twitter's imminent takeover by Elon Musk, the world's richest man, its CEO Parag Agrawal replied to a quip by a parody account -- @NotParagAgrawal -- "I thought we were fired", with a "nope! we are still here". The reticent Agrawal also launched into what analysts interpret as a dare. The embattled CEO wrote, "I took this job to change Twitter for the better, course correct where we need to, and strengthen the service. Proud of our people who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise." This comes when Musk has little doubt of incompetence going right up to the Twitter board. The battle lines have been drawn in his public tweets, as also gory annexes in the filings before the US Securities and Exchange Commission. If the incoming owner thinks Team Twitter is no good, Agrawal would be pushing back, lauding his folks for working constantly towards the betterment of the company. "Thank you but don't feel for me. What matters most is the service and the people improving it," he retorted in the face of a patronising tweet which read, "I feel for the current ceo of Twitter (@paraga) - he had all these plans and now lives with the same uncertainty of his whole team." Musk's castigation Wednesday of Vijaya Gadde, Twitter's legal eagle and the one responsible for deplatforming a sitting US President, has hardened premonition that firing squads are not too far away. The Politico reported that Gadde is distraught at Twitter selling out to Musk and when news came out she sobbed. Musk hit back that the platform's (read Gadde's) decision regarding a news story in 2020 was "incredibly inappropriate". He followed this up on Wednesday night with a meme that took fresh potshots at Gadde. Following his tweet, a number of Twitter trolls have hurled racist slurs and abuses at Gadde, 48, an immigrant at the age of three. Gadde found support in present employees, including Twitter spokesperson Trenton Kennedy. Likewise, CEO Dick Costolo. Attacking Musk for posting a meme of podcaster Joe Rogan and Vijaya Gadde, Costolo wondered what was going on. He asked Musk as a reply, "What's going on? You're making an executive at the company you just bought the target of harassment and threats." In another tweet, Costolo put it bluntly, "Bullying is not leadership." Never one to back off, when Tweeple pointed to "a video mocking Twitter employees for being too sensitive was flagged by Twitter for sensitive content", Musk replied with two emojis of "ROFL!" He also batted for encryption at the level of Signal and plans to serve the 80 per cent who are neither far left nor extreme right. Twitter is due to report its first-quarter earnings on Thursday before trading opens on Wall Street. (Nikhila Natarajan tracks Big Tech and tweets @byniknat) Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text April 28 : Samantha Ruth Prabhu has turned 35 on Thursday. Besides her South industry friends, many of her Bollywood colleagues have also wished the actress. While Varun Dhawan called her a dog mother, Taapsee Pannu lauded her for breaking her own benchmarks. Varun Dhawan, who is working with Samantha in Raj and DKs Indian version of the upcoming Amazon Prime series, Citadel, took to his Instagram stories and wished Samantha. He wrote a sweet note, which read as, Happy birthday dog mother. Wishing all the love happiness and peace." In the picture shared by Varun, Samantha can be seen with two pet dogs. Image Source: Instagram/varundvn Varun Dhawan wishes Samantha on her 35th birthday Samantha and Taapsee Pannu are reportedly teaming up in a women-centric pan-Indian project. The movie will be based on powerful, female-oriented subjects. However, the makers are still in talks with the two actresses. Taapsee took to Instagram and showered the birthday girl with a lot of praises. "Happy birthday to the woman who keeps breaking her own benchmarks and who creates reality beyond the walls of expectations," Taapsee wrote on her Instagram stories. Kangana shared a picture of Samantha on her Instagram stories, and wrote, Happy birthday @samantharuthprabhuoffl. You gorgeous talented hottie," and followed it with fire and crown emojis. Filmmaker Atlee shared his picture with Samantha and wrote, Happy happy bday Thambi! Wishing you a blockbuster year ahead. Tamannaah Bhatia also wished the birthday girl on Instagram. Happy Birthday Dearest @samantharuthprabhuoffl. Have a great year ahead and keep shining. Image Source: instagram/@kanganaranaut,@tamannaahspeaks,@kiaraaliaadvani Kangana, Tamannaah and Kiara wish Samantha on her birthday Kiara Advani shared a monochrome picture of the birthday girl and wrote, Happy birthday to the supremely talented and absolutely stunning @samantharuthprabhuoffl. May this year be your bestest yet. Lots of love always! The makers of Samantha starrer Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal released the film on her birthday. In the romantic comedy, she will be seen with Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara. Samantha also has three more Telugu films in pipeline, including Shaakuntalam and Yashoda. Talking about her Bollywood projects, Samantha made a very impressive OTT debut with Manoj Bajpayee starrer, The Family Man 2. She was highly applauded for her power-packed action portrayal of Raji, an Sri Lankan Tamil liberation fighter who was on a suicide mission. April 28 : As Salman Khan is gearing to start shooting for his much-awaited film, Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali, the film has been creating a lot of buzz for different reasons. Now, it is speculated that TV actor Shehnaaz Gill, who had participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 13 in 2019, will debut in Bollywood with the much-anticipated film Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali. Shehnaaz, who debuted as an actress in Punjabi film Sat Shri Akaal England in 2017, share a good bond with the Bigg Boss host, Salman Khan. Post Bigg Boss 13, Shehnaaz was seen in a Punjabi film, Honsla Rakh, alongside Diljit Dosanjh. According to an India Today report, Shehnaaz will join Salman Khan in Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali. Helmed by Farhad Samji, Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali stars Salman Khan, Pooja Hegde and Venkatesh in pivotal roles. The film is based on a cross-cultural love story, with dosages of comedy, romance, and action. Produced by Salman Khan Films, the movie is slated to hit theatres in early 2023. Recently, Salmans brother-in-law, Aayush Sharma also confirmed that he has joined Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali. Shehnaaz will reportedly be seen opposite Aayush in this film. Aayush will play an important role in the forthcoming film. In an official statement, the actor expressed his excitement about being a part of this film. Yes, I am a part of the film and Im looking forward to experimenting with my cinematic aptitude with this project. From a romantic drama to an action film and now a family drama, Im grateful with how my innings in the film industry have panned out. Ive never wanted to limit my creative aesthetics within one genre and my creative aptitude has always been a reflection of versatility and diversity. Going forward Id love to explore newer genres and newer formats that leverage my innate authenticity and passion for the performing arts, he said. While Salman has almost completed Maneesh Sharmas Tiger 3, it is reported that the actor will start shooting for Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali by May 15 in Mumbai. The pre-production work is in full swing, and as soon as Salman is free from Tiger 3, he will start shoot on Farhad Samji directorial. Earlier, Farhad had said in an interview that the film will release on December 30, 2022. New Delhi, April 28 : Keeping the morning session gains intact, the Indian equity benchmarks settled Thursday's trade on a positive note. On Thursday, Sensex settled at 57,521 points, up 702 points or 1.2 per cent, whereas Nifty was at 17,245 points, up 207 points or 1.2 per cent. Even though the indices were in the green, analysts expect volatility to continue in Dalal Street. "Volatility is expected to continue in the short-term due to weakening global trade and we suggest investors to have rational expectations focusing on domestic growth sectors like Capex, banking and defensives," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services. Investors' preference is shifting to safe-haven assets due to volatility in the equity market and besides the global uncertainties indicated by rising US dollar index, Nair added. Chennai, April 28 : India's atomic power major, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) on Thursday began the excavation work for construction of two 700 MW power plants at Karnataka's Kaiga. According to the NPCIL, the two units - fifth and sixth- at Kaiga are part of the ten indigenous 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) sanctioned by the government. The components for the plant and the civil works will be done by the Indian industries. Once completed, the total nuclear power generation capacity at Kaiga will be 2,280 MW. Presently, the NPCIL has four atomic power units of 220 MW each at Kaiga, and is building four more 700 MW PHWRs - two each in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The 700 MW plant at Gujarat's Kakrapar was connected to the western grid in 2021. Queried about the commercial power generation by Unit-3 at Kakrapar, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman and Atomic Energy Secretary K.N. Vyas had told IANS that KAPP-3 is the first of its kind reactor in the country. "The data collected by NPCIL is under review by the AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board). Next step will be taken as per guidelines prescribed by the AERB," he had said. "In 2022, work on KAPP 4 (Kakrapar Atomic Power Project 700 MW), RAPP 7&8 (Rajasthan Atomic Power Project - 2x700 MW), KKNPP 3,4,5 & 6 (Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project - 4x1000 MW) and GHAVP 1&2 (Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana - 2x700 MW) projects under construction will be speeded up," Vyas had told IANS. "All efforts will be made to complete construction of KAPP 4 and RAPP 7 during the year 2022. In addition to this, start of construction of Kaiga 5&6 (2X700 MW) is also planned for the year 2022," he had said. According to him, different units at Kakrapar and Rajasthan are under various stages of completion. "In RAPP-7, testing and commissioning of systems and equipment are under progress. An important milestone of Primary Heat Transport System Hydrotest has been achieved. In RAPP-8, civil construction and erection of equipment and components are in progress," Vyas said. New Delhi, April 28 : The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has once again highlighted that being self-reliant without dependencies is a vital necessity, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday. Speaking during the Navy's Commander's Conference, Singh said that the Indian Navy, which has been at the forefront of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative of the government, must continue to lead the way and remain a necessary guarantor of India's maritime trade, security and national prosperity. "It is heartening to note that in consonance with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, the Navy has re-invested over 64 per cent of its capital budget into the economy. I am told that the percentage share of modernisation budget is bound to grow up to 70 per cent towards indigenous procurement in this current financial year," he said. The Defence Minister commended the Navy on the commissioning of major Naval units since the last Commander's Conference namely INS Visakhapatnam, the first ship of the P15B project, the fourth P75 submarine INS Vela and the Navy's second P8I squadron INAS 316 at INS Hansa, Goa. He also said that out of the 41 ships and submarines which are on order, 39 are being built in Indian shipyards. "While the Navy has been at the forefront of indigenisation, it is important for us to leverage on the momentum that we have gained thus far. "I urge the senior leadership to maintain their focus on futuristic capability development, to ensure that the nation's maritime power grows in tandem with our economic interests," he said. The delivery of first indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant, would be another milestone event. "I am aware that the ship has successfully completed three sea trials. All-out efforts need to be made so that the ship is delivered and commissioned in the 75th year of our Independence. This would be a fitting tribute to the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' initiative," he said. Singh also said that Indian Navy has taken numerous initiatives to progress military diplomacy. These include gifting two fast interceptor craft to Mozambique, technical support towards refit of ships from friendly foreign countries, joint surveillance of exclusive economic zone of friendly nations and conduct of bilateral and multilateral exercises in the last six months. "I was also happy to note the overwhelming participation of 39 friendly foreign countries in the MILAN multi-national naval exercise," the Defence Minister said. He highlighted that the Navy has also been providing training to foreign personnel in India and over 19,000 personnel have been trained in the last four decades from over 45 friendly foreign countries. Jointness in operations is critical in any future wars and restructuring of military commands and establishment of joint theatre commands is the way ahead, he said. "I am aware that adequate progress has been made towards the study on maritime theatre command," Singh added. He also applauded the Navy for appointing women officers onboard frontline ships and ship-borne flights. Further, the Navy would also be inducting women cadets through the National Defence Academy from June this year. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bhopal, April 28 : Veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, on Thursday resigned from the post of leader of opposition in the state Assembly. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has accepted his resignation and appointed Govind Singh as the leader of opposition in his place. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal wrote to Kamal Nath on Thursday, saying, "This is to inform you that the Congress President has accepted your resignation from the post of Leader, Congress Legislature Party, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect. The party wholeheartedly appreciates your contribution as the CLP Leader, Madhya Pradesh." Kamal Nath was holding the posts of leader of opposition and state Congress President. Now he is only the chief of the state unit of the party. Kamal Nath had said that he had already made up his mind to give up one of the two posts, but the party had asked him to continue working on both positions. Kamal Nath has been the target of the BJP for the last few days for the dual posts he held with the saffron party continuously raising questions about his responsibilities. The allegation was that all the posts were with Kamal Nath. Guwahati, April 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that digitisation of the health services is underway in India to provide best, quick and trouble-free medical treatment and various health services to the people. Addressing a big rally in Assam's Dibrugarh, Modi said that 16 new AIIMS and one medical college in each district of the country will be set up to provide the best medical treatment to the people. "Policy has been changed so that students can be taught in the medical colleges in their local languages and mother tongue," Modi said after inaugurating the Dibrugarh Cancer Centre at the Assam Medical College and Hospital. From Dibrugarh, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated seven cancer hospitals and laid the foundation stone for seven more across Assam. The seven cancer hospitals that were inaugurated by the Prime Minister are in Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar and Darrang while foundation stones were laid at Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Nalbari, Nagaon and Tinsukia districts. Cancer is a major problem in the northeastern region, Modi said adding that with the setting up of seven more cancer hospitals and laying of the foundation stones of seven more such hospitals, the patients would get the best treatment in their district itself. Modi said that with the government's efforts, over 900 medicines are now available at a very cheap rate. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that with the opening and laying of foundation stones of these cancer hospitals with world call facilities and services, not only the people of Assam and other northeastern states would be benefited, but the people of the South-East Asian countries would also be benefited. Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata, central minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta among others also spoke to the gathering. Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi, central Minister Rameshwar Teli and former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi among others were also present at the event. Tata Trust has contributed a lot to set up these cancer hospitals in Assam. Earlier in the day, addressing the first public rally at Loringthepi in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, the Prime Minister said that with the restoration of peace, resolving the insurgency problems and ethnic issues, development has accelerated in the northeastern region of India. "With the decline of violent activities by 75 per cent over the years, the AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958) has recently been withdrawn from large parts of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur," Modi said. Chennai, April 28 : The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed an election petition challenging the victory of Udayanidhi Stalin, son of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. A bench of Justice V. Bharathidasan dismissed a petition filed by Premalatha. R of Chepauk against the actor-turned-politician, holding that were no substantial materials that necessitate a full-fledged trial. The judge agreed with senior counsel N.R. Elango, representing Udayanidhi Stalin, that Premalatha's complaint was bereft of material evidences and hence should not be entertained by the court. Udayanidhi Stalin had filed an application in the court through Elango stating that the petitioner had challenged his victory on various grounds such as making false statements, including on criminal cases pending against him, and that he had indulged in corrupt practices but there were no material particulars to substantiate her claim, and hence the petition should be rejected. He said that he had disclosed details of all 22 criminal cases pending against him before various police stations in the state related to public protests.A He also said that the petitioner had made a wild allegation against him that the presiding officer of the election was his wife's former teacher. "The petitioner has however not averred as to how that had affected the election. Having stated that the presiding officer acted in collusion with the applicant, the election petitioner did not state what is the collusion and what are the things done by me so that I could answer the same." Counsel for the petitioner, Shakthivel said that the deliberate and intentional filing of a "false affidavit" had materially affected the election outcome and therefore the court must declare the election of Udayanidhi Stalin as null and void after ruling that the acceptance of his nomination form was not in accordance with the law. However, this did not find any favour with the court. New Delhi, April 28 : The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested one person from West Bengal who is said to be a key accused in the April 16 communal clashes in Jahangirpuri, official sources said here on Thursday. The accused, identified as Farid alias Nilu, was arrested from his relative's place at Tamluk in East Midnapore district of West Bengal. Official sources told IANS that a team of the Special Cell has already left West Bengal for Delhi along with the accused. The sources further said that Farid is accused of instigating the violence in Jahangirpuri. "Soon after the violence, he left Delhi and went to West Bengal to evade arrest," the sources said. Communal clashes had erupted in the Jahangirpuri area in northwest Delhi on April 16 during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in which nine people, including eight policemen, were injured. The police have till now arrested 39 people besides apprehending two juveniles, while one of the arrested person's relative was bound down for injuring a police inspector by pelting stones at him. The ongoing investigation into the communal clashes has revealed several accused's previous involvement in various criminal cases. The focus of the probe is currently on the prime accused -- Md Ansar -- whose pictures of flaunting a lavish lifestyle has even forced the Delhi Police to seek ED's help in the matter. Sources claimed that Farid had some connection with Ansar. New Delhi, April 28 : In a change of strategy to downplay the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expansion plan by contesting the upcoming Assembly polls, the BJP has asked its cadres to ignore the new entrants in their states and focus on the party's own work. After its success in the recent Punjab Assembly polls, the AAP has now planned to contest the year-end Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls. Arvind Kejriwal's AAP has also planned to contest Karnataka and other state Assembly polls scheduled next year. In a message to its cadre in poll bound Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the BJP leadership said not to give too much importance to the AAP and to completely ignore their presence. "Poll bound state units are told not to fall into the trap of false narrative built by the AAP in the run up to the polls. AAP is creating a false environment to showcase its huge presence in the state. But in reality, it has no ground presence. BJP units in poll bound states are told to ignore AAP, focus on its own work to win the Assembly to form the government for another term," a party insider said. A senior functionary pointed out that talking about the AAP will give them unnecessary importance. "Instead of talking about anyone else, we will talk about the work of the BJP government at the Centre and the poll bound states. We have a list of achievements of the BJP government and the cadre advised us to talk about that instead of others, he said. On Monday, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur had said that the AAP has no acceptance in the state. "AAP has left nothing in the name of leadership in the state. Its State President and its Women Wing State President are joining the BJP. One must understand that Himachal Pradesh never accepted a third alternative." Last month in an interview to IANS, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had said that in a democracy, everyone has the right to contest elections. "During elections a number of parties can come. But this is not the case with the BJP. The BJP has never been an election oriented party and it works throughout the year. Our workers keep on working throughout the year at every level. The workers themselves keep on working for the people, to solve the issues of the public at their own level," Patel said. London, April 28 : Russia has deployed trained military dolphins at its naval base in the Black Sea - possibly to protect its fleet from an underwater attack - according to a new analysis of satellite images, the media reported. The US Naval Institute (USNI) reviewed satellite imagery of the naval base at Sevastopol harbour, and concluded that two dolphin pens were moved to the base in February at the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, The Guardian reported. Russia has a history of training dolphins for military purposes, using the aquatic mammal to retrieve objects or deter enemy divers. The Sevastopol naval base is crucial for the Russian military, as it sits in the southern tip of Crimea which Moscow seized in 2014. According to the USNI's analysis, many of the Russian ships anchored there, while out of range from missiles, are potentially vulnerable to undersea attacks, The Guardian reported. Ukraine had also trained dolphins at an aquarium near Sevastopol, in a programme born out of a Soviet-era scheme that fell into neglect in the 1990s. During the Cold War, both the US and the Soviet Union developed the use of dolphins whose echolocation capabilities can allow them to detect underwater objects such as mines. The US has spent at least $28 million maintaining its own troops of dolphins and sea lions - which are also trainable - to potentially help with conflicts. The Sevastopol programme was resurrected in 2012 by the Ukrainian navy, but the mammals fell into Russian hands after the 2014 invasion of Crimea. Ukraine unsuccessfully demanded the return of the animals, and RIA Novosti reported that Moscow planned to expand the scheme. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Moscow, April 28 : Intelligence obtained by Russia suggests that Poland and the US are working on a plan to regain control of Ukrainian areas that Warsaw considers as "historically belonging" to it, chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, has said. According to the alleged plan, the first stage of this "reunification" will see Polish "peacekeepers" deployed in western Ukraine under the pretext of "protection from Russian aggression", Naryshkin revealed in a statement on Thursday, RT reported. The details of the operation are now being discussed between Warsaw and the Joe Biden administration in the US, he claimed, adding that it's going to be carried out without a NATO mandate, with only volunteer countries taking part. Warsaw has so far been unable to find any other nations to join its cause, he added. But the Polish authorities aren't bothered by it as they're themselves interested in having less "unnecessary witnesses" to their actions, Naryshkin said. Despite the announced goal of countering Moscow, the Polish troops are planned to be deployed in parts of Ukraine where they'll have almost no real chance of engaging Russian forces, he pointed out, RT reported. According to the Russian data, the actual "tactical objective" of the Polish troops will be reclaiming control of strategic facilities from the Ukrainian National Guard. Poland's intelligence services are now apparently searching for "reliable" members of the Ukrainian elite, who would be willing to form a pro-Warsaw counterbalance to the Ukrainian nationalists. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War New Delhi, April 28 : Twitter has reached out to its advertisers, reassuring them that Elon Musk's position as a 'free speech absolutist' and other threats to drastically rejig the platform won't put the brands in bad light, the media reported on Thursday. According to Financial Times, Twitter has contacted advertising agencies -- including campaigners and car manufacturers -- to reassure them that Musk's plans won't make the platform an inhospitable place for brands. Twitter under Parag Agrawal fears that Musk's 'free speech' agenda can hurt its $4.5 billion a year advertising business. According to an email seen by the Financial Times, Twitter reached out to ad agencies to allay such fears, telling them that the advertisements won't appear alongside offensive content. Advertisers are having nightmares as free speech can hamper their prospects on the platform as their brand's name may appear alongside hate speech and abusive or dangerous content without moderation. If Twitter under Musk "tweaks or revamps its moderation policies, reinstate banned users, or allows hate speech and other dangerous and abusive content to return, then advertisers may leave", according to TechCrunch. Agrawal on Thursday said that "despite the noise" coming from Musk after his successful $44 billion takeover of the company, he and the entire team will continue to do the job to change Twitter for the better. After the Twitter board accepted his takeover bid earlier this week, Musk has been tweeting about changes that he wants to bring into the micro-blogging platform, from 'free speech' to making its algorithms 'open source'. "We know firsthand that hate and extremism in digital spaces can lead to physical violence, particularly against Jews and other marginalized communities," Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of Anti-Defamation League (ADL), told Haaretz. "Twitter has made some strides in tackling this hate in recent years. So while we want to be cautiously optimistic about how Elon Musk will run the platform, he hasn't demonstrated any focus on these issues to date. We worry he could take things in a very different direction," he added. Chennai, April 28 : The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly on Thursday witnessed a verbal duel between the BJP and the Congress over the hike in petroleum and cooking gas prices. The BJP charged at the Congress for leaving behind the payment pending in lieu of oil bonds of over 1.36 lakh crore and the Congress retorted asking why the saffron party had provided relief to specific corporates after collecting Rs 26.5 lakh crore as fuel taxes. Congress legislative party leader K. Selvaperuthungai raised the issue of rising fuel prices in the House during zero hour. Referring to the virtual meeting the Prime Minister had with the Chief Ministers on Wednesday, he lashed out at the BJP government at the Centre over the rising fuel prices and said that the people are stretched out over the fuel price hike. He added that this is leading to spiralling prices of essential commodities also. BJP floor leader Nainar Nagenthran said that the policy of the UPA government that ruled the country till 2014 was the reason behind the hike in fuel prices, referring to the pending oil bond payments. The BJP leader said that the Congress had ruled the country for several years and added that it was the BJP that had cut down on fuel prices. Nainar Nagenthran also acknowledged the DMK government that had cut down the state tax on fuel prices. Selvaperunthagai accepted the argument on oil bonds but said that the BJP government had collected Rs 26,51,919 crore as fuel taxes since 2014 and asked why the BJP government had given huge loan waivers to specific corporates, led by Ambani and Adani. Both the BJP and Congress legislators joined the discussion leading to a shouting match even as the BJP floor leader accepted that the Centre has collected Rs 26,51, 919 as fuel tax and added that the money was used for several social and welfare measures in the country. London, April 28 : A fatal design flaw in Russian tanks dating back to the Gulf War has made them 'sitting ducks' for Ukrainian attacks, experts have revealed, Daily Mail reported. Unlike in Western tanks, Russian vehicles store up to 40 shells in a carousel at the base of the turret, making them extremely vulnerable. Even an indirect hit can spark a chain reaction, igniting all the ammunition at once and decapitating the vehicles dubbed 'mobile coffins' by Western military experts, Daily Mail reported. The 'jack-in-the-box effect' has contributed to the devastating loss of up to 970 Russian tanks, the Ukrainian military claims. It explains why dozens of charred tanks with their turrets completely blown off have been spotted during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with videos showing the top part of the vehicles flying high into the air. Sam Bendett, an advisor for the Russian Studies Programme at the think-tank Center for a New American Security, told CNN: "What we are witnessing with Russian tanks is a design flaw. Any successful hit quickly ignites the ammo causing a massive explosion, and the turret is literally blown off." The flaw came to the attention of the West during the Gulf Wars of 1991 and 2003 when Iraq's Russia-made T-72 tanks were similarly exposed. The design has benefits, allowing for extra space inside and giving the tanks a lower profile, making them harder to hit. Subsequent models, including T-90 and T-80, had the same vulnerability due to the missile loading system. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Gurugram, April 28 : The Gurugram Police have arrested two snake charmers dressed as 'sadhus' for snatching a gold bracelet from a woman. The accused have been identified as Farman Nath and Rohit Nath, both residents of Sapera Basti in Delhi. The duo was arrested from the Gwal Pahari area on Wednesday evening. Two snakes and the snatched gold bracelet were recovered from their possession. The complainant, Megha Jaitley, told the police that when she came out of her car outside a coffee shop in Sector-54 on Wednesday morning, a man dressed in saffron robes with a snake in his hand waylaid her and asked for money. "She gave him Rs 100. Soon another man dressed in similar clothes arrived and asked for money, which she refused. The man then asked her for her gold bracelet. When she refused, the duo snatched the bracelet and fled," the police said. The complainant said she was scared by the snakes that the accused were carrying. YAOUNDE, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China held a two-day virtual seminar on Tuesday and Wednesday with 22 Francophone countries in Africa under the theme "Exploration and Practice of Democracy in the Legislatures of China and Africa." The African representatives praised China-Africa cooperation, recognized the advantages of China's whole-process people's democracy, and expressed belief that China and Africa should jointly explore democratic paths suited to their national conditions so as to make contributions to improving people's well-being and promoting the democratization of international relations. Pape Biram Toure, chairman of the committee for foreign affairs, Senegalese abroad and African integration of the National Assembly of Senegal, said that the seminar provided a platform for African and Chinese lawmakers to "further strengthen their cooperation already very dynamic." Konan Rene, a member at the National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire, said "through this seminar, China allowed us to understand what is happening in China, and what we can learn from China." Mahamat Mouhsine Adam, president of the foreign affairs and international cooperation committee of Chad's transitional council, said "democracy in China is a whole-process democracy where all major legislative decisions are made only after democratic deliberations and thorough procedures to ensure sound and democratic decision-making. This, in my opinion, is one of the best forms of democracy." Joseph Mbossa, president of the China-Congo friendship committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of the Congo, said the seminar allowed the Congolese lawmakers to benefit from the experiences of others, to better serve the interests of the Congolese people. Memounatou Ibrahima, 2nd vice president of Togo's National Assembly, said the seminar was conducive to the building of a Chinese-African community of a shared future, as "it calls for a new vision of friendship between the peoples of China and Africa." Theodore Datouo, vice president of Cameroon's National Assembly, said "Chinese model of democracy is indeed good, and we will learn from it," adding that the diversity of democracy should be encouraged, which is necessary for world peace and mutual understanding. Boris Wada, a member of the Gabon-China friendship committee at Gabon's National Assembly, said the whole-process people's democracy suits China's national condition, and the system truly represents the Chinese people's voices, which has offered experience for other countries to learn from. New Delhi, April 28 : A Special CBI court here has granted bail to former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, in connection with the killing of a father and son duo by a violent mob allegedly led by him during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. However, the former lawmaker will remain in jail as he was convicted in another riots case in 2018 and currently undergoing life imprisonment. In the 29-page order, Judge M.K. Nagapal said the bail application filed by Sajjan Kumar is allowed. He is admitted to bail in this case on furnishing of a personal bond in the sum of Rs 1,00,000 with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of this court, read the order dated April 27. On December 7, the same court had announced charges against Kumar in the case. He was charged with rioting, murder, and dacoity under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in connection with the double murder. As per the case, Jaswant Singh and his son Tarun Deep Singh, residents of Raj Nagar in west Delhi killed by an unruly mob consisting of several thousand persons allegedly led by Sajjan Kumar during the anti-Sikh riots that took place in Delhi and various other parts of the country following the murder of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. During the hearing, his counsel argued that the accused is aged around 76 years and is suffering from various age-related ailments and in August, 2021, he had even remained hospitalised in Safdarjung Hospital for around 21 days. It is argued that he is a former member of Parliament and was elected as such thrice with huge margins and he is also a permanent resident of Delhi, having deep roots in society and he commands great respect, love and affection. On the other hand, the prosecution highlighted grounds of gravity of alleged offences and severity of punishment prescribed therefor; reasonable apprehensions of extension of threats or influencing of witnesses by the accused and tampering of evidence by him being an influential person. After the detailed hearing, the court allowed him bail on certain conditions including surrendering of passport and not leaving the country without prior permission of the court.It was also directed that he shall not threaten or influence the witnesses of this case and shall not even make an attempt to do so in any manner whatsoever and he shall not tamper with the evidence of this case and shall not even make an attempt to do so. New Delhi, April 28 : After a gap of six years, a conference of Chief Justices of high courts, followed by a joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices would be organised in the national capital on April 29 and 30 respectively. Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana will chair the 39th conference of Chief Justices of high courts - scheduled on April 29 on the Supreme Court premises - with an aim to address and resolve the issues concerning judiciary. "The conference shall review the progress made on the resolutions passed in the previous Chief Justices' conference 2016 and also to consider further steps that need to be taken to improve the justice delivery system in the country," said an official statement. "Besides the evaluation progress made vis-a-vis resolutions of Chief Justices' Conference 2016, following major issues are to be deliberated upon in the Chief Justices' Conference 2022: strengthening of the network and connectivity of all courts complexes pan India on priority basis; human resources/personnel policy; infrastructure and capacity building; institutional and legal reforms; appointment of high court judges," added the statement. This conference will be followed by a joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices at Vigyan Bhawan on April 30. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event. "Supreme Court of India has been organising the conference of Chief Justices of high courts with the object to deliberate on issues related to the judiciary. The first Chief Justices' conference was held in November, 1953 and till date 38 such conferences have been organised. The last conference was held in 2016," added the statement. --IANS ss/vd A New Delhi, April 28 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir. The MEA's response came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had termed Modi's recent visit to Jammu as "staged". "I do not understand the word 'staged' that Shehbaz Sharif used. Everyone knows about the changes in J&K. It means they are trying to present a view that the visit did not take place. Pakistan has no locus standi on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan commenting on this matter is wrong," MEA spokesperson Arndam Bagchi said. He also said that Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome in J&K on April 24 and therefore Pakistan's statement on the PM's visit was absolutely inappropriate. Responding to a question on the government's efforts to launch new Vande Bharat trains, Bagchi informed that the plans have been stalled due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as some components of these trains are made in Ukraine. However, he added that the government has been exploring alternate options such as supply from other countries. India had placed an order for 36,000 wheels at a cost of $16 million with a Ukraine-based firm for Vande Bharat trains. On whether the Russia-Ukraine war will be discussed during Modi's visit to Germany, Denmark and France from May 2-4, Bagchi said. "We would have to wait and see how it goes; it is early for us to say anything as of now." Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Hyderabad, April 28 : Human skeletons found in Ajnala town of Punjab eight years ago belonged to residents of the Gangetic plain region, killed in 1857, according to a study. Dr J.S. Sehrawat, anthropologist from Panjab University, collaborated with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Hyderabad, the Birbal Sahni Institute, Lucknow, and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to establish the roots of these martyrs using DNA and isotope analyses. The study was published on April 28 in journal 'Frontiers in Genetics'. Researchers have used 50 samples for DNA analysis and 85 specimens for isotope analysis. A large number of human skeletons were excavated from an old well in Ajnala town in early 2014. Some historians believe that these skeletons belong to the people who were killed in riots during the Partition of India and Pakistan. The other prevailing belief, based on various historical sources, is that these are skeletons of the Indian soldiers killed by the British during the 1857 revolt. However, the identity and the geographic origins of these human remains have been under intense debate due to lack of scientific evidence. "DNA analysis helps understanding ancestry of people, and isotope analysis sheds light on food habits. Both the research methods supported that the human skeletons found in the well were not of people living in Punjab or Pakistan. Rather, DNA sequences matched with the people from UP, Bihar, and West Bengal," said Dr K. Thangaraj, Chief Scientist, CCMB, Director, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, and a senior member of this team. The results from this research are consistent with the historical evidence that the 26th Native Bengal Infantry Battalion consisted of people from the eastern part of Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," stated Dr Sehrawat, the first author of this study. As per historical records, soldiers from this battalion were posted at Mian-Mir, (now in Pakistan) and killed British officers in a revolt. They were captured by the British army near Ajnala and executed. Dr Niraj Rai, the lead researcher of this team and expert on ancient DNA, said that scientific research done by this team helps look at history from a more evidence-based way. Prof Gyaneshwer Chaubey, Department of Zoology, BHU, who played a crucial role in the DNA study, stressed that the findings of this study would add a significant chapter in the history of the unsung heroes of India's first freedom struggle. "Ancient DNA study is a powerful tool not only to understand our past and also help us in understanding historical perspective. He further said that CCMB plans to take up a large-scale ancient DNA study, which would unravel several historical and pre-historical facts," said Dr Vinay Nandicoori, Director, CCMB. Mumbai, April 28 : In a bizarre development, at least half a dozen IndiGo pilots were detected to have misused an Emergency Frequency to discuss salary issues with objectionable language, according to sources here on Thursday. The alleged incident took place on April 9 when the pilots were reportedly overheard airing their ire with rude language on the 121.5MHz frequency, that is reserved for use only during emergency communications in times of flight risks. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has taken strong cognisance of the indiscretion of the pilots and initiated a probe into the matter, as the emergency frequency is monitored closely by the Air Traffic Control. Confirming the same, IndiGo official sources told IANS that "the airline was made aware of the matter and it is now with the regulator to take appropriate action". It is not immediately clear what may have prompted the pilots to use the emergency frequency instead of the 123.45MHz frequency used by them to communicate with other pilots. However, in the first week of Aprilm IndiGo had suspended a few pilots who were planning to go on a strike on April 5 to protest against pay cuts of around 30 per cent effected by the airline during the Covid-19 pandemic, and was in the process of restoring the salaries gradually in April and later in November if there were no disruptions in flight operations. New Delhi, April 28 : The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Andhra Pradesh government for failing to file a reply on a plea alleging diversion of hundreds of crores of Covid ex-gratia funds to a personal deposit account. Counsel for the Andhra Pradesh government submitted before a bench headed by Justice M.R. Shah that the affidavit could not be filed as the father of the Finance Secretary was hospitalised. At this, the bench, also comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna, said: "The government is run by the Finance Secretary?..... We want the Chief Secretary's affidavit." The counsel submitted that it was necessary that the affidavit should be filed after the Finance Secretary's approval, and that he has been instructed to submit that no amount was diverted from Covid disaster management funds, and the funds transferred were meant for drought relief, sanctioned in 2018. The top court emphasised that it is serious, if funds were used for other purposes. After a hearing in the matter, the bench said it was giving the last chance to the Chief Secretary to explain the issue and scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 13. On April 13, the Supreme Court restrained the state government from transferring funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to personal deposit account, saying it is a very serious issue. The plea filed by Palla Srinivasa Rao, a resident of Andhra Pradesh, said when the top court is actively and continuously monitoring the implementation of its October 2021 order, dealing with the issue of disbursing ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 to next of kin of those who died due to Covid-19, the diversion of funds by the AP government from the SDRF to personal deposit account is not only against the law of the land but is also contemptuous in nature. Advocate Gaurav Bansal, representing Rao, had submitted that AP government diverting funds from SDRF to personal deposit account, is not permissible under the Disaster Management Act. The plea cited a letter issued on March 12, by the Union Minister of State for Finance, which crystal clearly says that Andhra Pradesh government received an amount of Rs 324.15 crore as the central share of State Disaster Response Fund and an amount of Rs 570.91 crore under National Disaster Response Fund from the Centre. The letter also mentioned that Andhra Pradesh has transferred the funds from state Disaster Response Fund to Personal Deposit Account without spending on immediate relief, the plea said, contending that as the statute prohibits utilisation of funds deposited under National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund, the Andhra Pradesh government has no authority to divert the said fund to any other use. The plea also sought a direction to the Andhra Pradesh government to submit the details of funds which they have utilised under State Disaster Response Fund during the Covid pandemic. Kolkata, April 28 : In a sea-borne strike, terrorists took control of a large bulk carrier anchored off the Paradip Port in Odisha. The crew of the ship, including the Master, are being held hostage in the bridge of the ship. The terrorists have placed their demands. If they are not met, the ship and the crew will be blown up, the terror outfit behind this attack has stated. Apart from the loss to human life, the blast will cause oil spillage along the Odisha coast, endangering marine species, including the endangered Olive Ridley turtles that migrate there from thousands of nautical miles away to roost and lay eggs. The authorities do not press the alarm button to prevent panic and information about impending operations from reaching the terrorists. Indian Coast Guard Dhruv-III helicopters hover around the ship, providing live footage of the situation onboard to commandos preparing for a raid. The helicopters are also a distraction for the terrorists who expect a heli-borne rescue attempt. There is a lot of chatter on the radio. The panic-stricken terrorists keep on repeating their threats and demand that the helicopters move away. Calm and composed voices from the other end just ask them to lay down their arms and surrender. While all this happens, marine commandos have already boarded the ship and neutralising any explosives that may have been placed. After ensuring that the ship can no longer be blown up, it takes a few minutes for the commandos to eliminate the terrorists onboard and rescue the crew unscathed. Blue Team wins. This was one of the simulations carried out by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) between Wednesday morning and Thursday evening along the Odisha coast as part of Ex Sagar Kavach. This was a real-life situation where the lives of seafarers (some of them from abroad) were at stake. Evaluations on whether all procedures were followed will be taken up by a team of independent observers. Their recommendations will help tighten security along India's coastline. The Indian Coast Guard Headquarters (North East), based out of Kolkata, carried out the Ex Sagar Kavach along the Odisha coastline. The aim of the exercise was to evaluate the seaward threats emanating, given the present geo-political situation in the region and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are in place. This was also an evaluation of the three-layered security that is supposed to be in place along the Indian coasts. First, there is aerial surveillance. In the second layer, Indian Navy ships and large Coast Guard vessels are supposed to track and intercept any suspect vessel and destroy it if necessary. The third layer of security involves the use of ICG interceptor boats, boats of the state marine police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Customs and the forest department. "Those involved in Ex Sagar Kavach included the Indian Navy, CISF, marine police, personnel of the forest and fisheries departments of Odisha, Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), Customs, Paradip Port Trust, the Interim Test Range (ITR) and the Army Air Defence (AAD) College at Gopalpur, apart from several intelligence agencies. "This exercise was to evaluate the levels of efficacy at every level. The participants were divided into Red Team (attacking) and Blue Team (defending) and real-time simulated exercises were conducted. Every team did its best to win. Every aspect was evaluated and the SOPs studied," a senior ICG official said. The purpose of the exercise was to strengthen the co-ordination between all coastal security stakeholders, develop progressive synergy, validating SOPs, identify grey areas and enhance the coastal security mechanism along the Odisha coast. New Delhi, April 28 : Global technology brand OnePlus on Thursday launched premium 10R 5G and affordable OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G smartphones, along with Nord Buds in the Indian market. The OnePlus 10R with 150W SUPERVOOC Endurance Edition and the OnePlus 10R 80W SUPERVOOC start at Rs 43,999 and Rs 38,999, respectively. The company has debuted the industry-leading 150W charging technology with the OnePlus 10R Endurance Edition. Nord CE 2 Lite will be available starting from Rs 19,999 and the OnePlus Nord Buds will be available at Rs 2,799, said the company. In India, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite will go on sale on April 30 and the OnePlus Nord Buds will go on sale on May 10. OnePlus 10R comes pre-installed with OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12. The device will receive three major Android updates and four years of security updates, the company said in a statement. "The OnePlus R series exists to make the seamless integration of top-of-the-line hardware and software more accessible to a wider audience of gaming enthusiasts," said Navnit Nakra, India CEO and Head of India Region, OnePlus India. "Our fastest ever charging technology, combined with the MediaTek Dimensity 8100-MAX chipset, a high refresh rate display, and an advanced cooling system enable the OnePlus 10R to deliver truly exceptional performance," he added. The Nord CE 2 Lite is a power-packed device offering a fast, energy-efficient chipset, a massive battery with fast charging, and a 120 Hz display. With the launch of Nord Buds, OnePlus has forayed into the entry-level TWS audio category in the country. On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord Buds boasts a refreshing new design, an excellent audio experience, and great battery life with super-fast charging. Islamabad, April 28 : The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has decided to form a commission to probe the allegation of ethnic profiling involving Baloch students in the country and to investigate enforced disappearances, the media reported. The court on Thursday ordered the Home Secretary to put in place a mechanism to redress complaints from Baloch students, Samaa TV reported. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that ethnic profiling cannot be accepted and courts would not turn a blind eye to human rights violations, Samaa TV reported. He criticised the present government -- which recently took charge -- and reminded the ministers that they must walk the talk on the issues they used to highlight while in opposition. "Were not they going to the families of missing persons until yesterday," he asked. In a democratic society, it is the responsibility of the political leadership to resolve such issues, Minallah said. These real issues have been overlooked by successive political leaders of the country, Minallah said, adding that ethnic profiling was happening. The chief justice demanded the names for the commission members and told the Home Secretary to come up with a redressal mechanism. He also ordered the Home Secretary to to visit the ancestral towns of Bloch students and address their concerns. In another case, Minallah directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General and Islamabad Inspector General of Police to not harass journalist Arshad Sharif. He has summoned both the officials before his court on Friday. Sharif's counsel filed a petition before the court on Thursday, saying that on the previous night the journalist had instructed him to approach the court before he lost contact with him. Social media users claimed that people in plainclothes raided Sharif's house at 1:30 am on Thursday, though no one was arrested. London, April 28 : NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the military alliance is ready to support Ukraine for years to come in the war against Russia, the media reported. Speaking at a youth summit in Brussels, Stoltenberg said, "We need to be prepared for the long term," BBC reported. He added that "there is absolutely the possibility that this war will drag on and last for months and years", the report said. NATO countries -- alongside nations that are not part of the alliance -- met in Ramstein, Germany, earlier this week to discuss how they can support Ukraine's defence and security. The Nato chief said Ukraine's allies are preparing to provide it with NATO-standard weapons. Several countries have been sending military assistance and financial aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion on February 24. The Kremlin has warned the West that sending heavy weapons to Ukraine threatens security on the European continent, BBC reported. Russia's Foreign Ministry singled out the UK for criticism, saying it was encouraging Ukraine to attack Russia within the Russian territory. "Further provocation prompting Ukraine to strike against Russian facilities will be met with a harsh response from Russia," a spokesperson said. Russia would not allow Western officials visiting Ukraine to deter it from launching retaliatory strikes on nearby Ukrainian targets, the spokesperson warned, adding: "Advisers from Western countries staying in Ukraine's decision-making centres will not necessarily be a problem for Russia's response measures." Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Hyderabad, April 28 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao appears to have given up his plans to forge a front of various parties opposed to both the BJP and the Congress, at least for now, if his remarks at the TRS plenary are any indication. For now, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief is likely to focus on preparing, what he calls, an alternative national agenda to bring a qualitative change in the country. At the day-long plenary of the TRS held in Hyderabad on Wednesday to mark 21st foundation day of the party, he also hinted at floating a national party. Since he did not mention at the plenary about his meetings with leaders of various political parties and Chief Ministers of some states, this added credence to the buzz that the TRS chief is toying with the idea of forming a national party. During his inaugural speech, Rao said some legislators suggested that the TRS be changed into the BRS (Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi). During the day long deliberations on 13 resolutions, all TRS leaders urged KCR, as Rao is popularly known, to play an active role in national politics "as the country needs a visionary leader like him". In one of the resolutions, the TRS said that it will play a key role in national politics in the coming days. The party observed it needs to play a constructive role and fill the political void at national level. To bring a qualitative change in the country on the lines the Telangana achieved with desirable results in education, irrigation, health and economic sectors, the country should be free from the evil forces and end the 'Bulldozer rule' and divide and rule policies adopted by the rulers in the country, says the resolution. Responding to the requests made by the party leaders, KCR said he was ready to play an active role to the best of his ability. The plenary saw delegates repeatedly raising slogans of 'Desh ka neta KCR'. The TRS chief repeatedly remarked that the country should come out of the routine political system of fronts. "Four parties or four leaders coming together to remove somebody from the post of the Prime Minister and install another person in his place is not the solution," he said. He pointed out that the country has seen many fronts in the past that did not yield desired results. He also narrated an incident in which some Communist leaders came to him and expressed the desire to bring together various parties and he told them that if this was aimed at only removing somebody from power, he would not be part of it. "We have seen many fronts. We need a front which works for the people. We need an alternative agenda, a new integrated agricultural policy, a new economic policy and new industrial policy," he said. He also announced the plans to formulate an alternative people's agenda after consultations with economists, intellectuals and retired All India Service officers. KCR said a detailed analysis will be made of the national politics, the resources the country has and the direction in which the country should march ahead. "All the aspects will be analysed and discussed for 15-20 days by economic experts from the country and abroad. I will also invite intellectuals. Some will be coming from Harvard University," he said. The TRS leader said a meeting of 200 retired All India Service officers will be held in Hyderabad to help identify the key issues that need to be addressed. The plenary also made it clear that KCR wants to project the successful model of Telangana to start a debate as to when a state formed only seven years ago could achieve all-round progress, why can't the country achieve it. "We can dream and we can also make those dreams come true. Telangana has shown this," said KCR, who believes that the people's aspirations remained unfulfilled even after 75 years of independence. KCR had earlier called for developing 'Bangaru Bharat' (golden Bharat) saying the country has the potential to become more prosperous than the US. In February, KCR had visited Mumbai, where he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar as part of his renewed efforts to cobble together an anti-BJPAfront. He later went to Ranchi, where he met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The TRS leader had earlier held talks with leaders of CPI and CPI-M, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal-Secular of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda. During his speech, KCR made no mention of the meetings with leaders of other parties. Political observers believe he may have given up the idea of the front in view of past experience. The TRS leader had made similar efforts before 2019 Lok Sabha elections to forge an alliance of regional parties as an alternative to both BJP and Congress. This could not become a reality as some of the parties were opposed to the idea of keeping Congress out of the proposed formation. As some regional parties still believe that the Congress should be a part of any alliance to take on the BJP, KCR is likely to adopt a wait and watch policy. He may unveil the alternate national agenda and depending on the response of various parties, chalk out his future course of action. "This is a process. What happens in this process, only time will tell," he remarked at the plenary. Political analysts say another possibility could be a post-poll alliance of like-minded parties. He is believed to have discussed this issue with election strategist Prashant Kishor. Chandigarh, April 28 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday filed a complaint with Delhi Police alleging that a few leaders who had deserted the party are trying to take illegal possession of its office in the Gurdwara Rakabganj complex in the national capital and demanded due action be taken against them as per the law. A senior delegation of the party, including Balwinder Singh Bhundur, Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, met the DCP, New Delhi, in this regard. The delegation submitted that the law enforcement agencies take due action to ensure the working of the SAD office is not disrupted in any manner whatsoever. Simultaneously, SAD initiated Akhand Paath at the office premises to express solidarity with Sikh prisoners and pray for their early release. The community is awaiting the release of Sikh prisoners who have served more than their life sentence in jail and have not been released even after the same was approved by the Centre in 2019 on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. SAD Delhi President Paramjit Singh Sarna, who served as the President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee earlier, also paid his obeisance on the occasion and extended his support to the cause of the release of Sikh prisoners. Meanwhile, talking to the media in Delhi, Daljit Singh Cheema and Virsa Singh Valtoha said the Sikh community is dismayed that the Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, have not been released on the occasion of the 400th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur which was commemorated by the Centre recently. "The entire Sikh community was hopeful that the Sikh prisoners would be released on this occasion. Now we hope the same will happen by April 30 by which time the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to take a decision on the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana," they said. New Delhi, April 28 : A woman was arrested in the national capital on Thursday, while trying to sell deer horns, a Delhi Police official said. According to the official, a tip-off was received regarding the supply of deer horns near BD Estate, Timarpur, Delhi by a woman. Police, accompanied by Forest and Wildlife Department officials conducted at the spot, and arrested the woman, a resident of Aruna Nagar, Majnu ka Tilla, Delhi. A total of 3 kg deer horns of barahsinga (swamp deer), valued at Rs 1.5 crore in international market, were seized from her possession. On questioning, the woman revealed that she brought the horns from Gopal Thakur of UP's Bahraich to supply in Delhi. The police have registered a case under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and further probe is on. New Delhi, April 28 : Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday that the thermal power plants (TPPs) have 21-22 million tonnes of coal which will last for 10 days. "The thermal power plants hold 21-22 million tonnes of coal which are enough for 10 days and replenishment is done daily," Joshi said. Due to severe heatwave across the country, power demand has gone up rapidly in recent days. The Power Ministry said on April 26: "The maximum all-India power demand met is 201.066 GW at 14:51 hours. It has surpassed last year's maximum demand met of 200.539 GW which occurred on July 7. The rising power demand reflects the economic growth of the country." The minister reviewed mining operations and coal offtake from eastern coal fields and appreciated the hard work of coal miners to fulfil energy demands of the nation, and urged them to further scale up production and dispatch. "In a review meeting with CMD of @CCLRanchi and other senior officials. Carried out detailed discussion on further increasing coal production and offtake from CCL. Also worked out ways to free land from all encumbrances, with the help of State administration," Joshi tweeted. The government had said on Wednesday that there is appropriate amount of coal stock in the country and there is no need to panic. Joshi said: "The country has enough coal stock. The thermal power plants have more than nine days' coal stock, and the situation is reviewed each day." He said the coal stocks are sufficient in the country and there is no need to panic. On Monday, Power Minister R.K. Singh and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had held a meeting to discuss short-term and long-term strategies for dealing with the situation. Singh had urged all the stakeholders to work together for unhindered power supply. The issues discussed at the meeting included increasing operational efficiency for loading and unloading of coal, increasing percentage of rakes allotment for power sector, and other logistical issues. New Delhi, April 28 : Three persons belonging to the Scheduled Caste community have alleged that they were brutally thrashed by a wine shop owner, who also used casteist slurs against them, but the Delhi Police did not lodge a case under the SC/ST Act. The matter has been reported from South Delhi's Mehrauli area. The SC/ST commission is also looking into the matter and has written to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana. Speaking with IANS, Joginder, a relative of the victims, said Ram Singh, Raj Kumar and Mangal, were brutally thrashed by their employer. "They have suffered severe injuries. They have wounds all over the body. The accused used filthy language that lower caste people are born to be beaten. We approached the Delhi Police but they didn't lodge a case under the proper sections and under the SC/ST Act," alleged Joginder. IANS has accessed the CCTV footage and FIR copy of the matter. The victim Ram Singh along with his brother Raj Kumar works for the alleged accused Mohan Lal Mann, the wine shop owner. "Singh has alleged that Mann and his friend Chitwan along with one Imran brutally thrashed him and his colleague Mangal. Singh's hand was tied so that he couldn't resist. His brother Raj Kumar was also thrashed," read the FIR. Arun Halder, the vice chairman of the SC/ST commission, said that they want an inquiry into the matter. The SC/ST commission has also written a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana. Congress MP Udit Raj took to Twitter and wrote that the police didn't help the victims. The police said that they were looking into the matter. New Delhi, April 28 : Even for a rich-city state such as Delhi, the upfront capital investment required for a roof-top solar (RTS) system is still a barrier for a large section of residential consumers, according to a latest study. Affordable and accessible financing options are required to convert consumer interest to on-the-ground installations, finds the study implemented by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and others in two urban areas of Delhi. With a technical potential of 210 GW in urban areas, residential rooftop solar (RTS) holds critical importance in achieving India's ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. RTS also presents economic and environmental savings for consumers and electricity distribution companies (discoms). However, RTS deployment in general has remained poor - 6.4 GW of installed capacity against the total solar installed capacity of 49.34 GW. In fact, a recent report earlier in the month pointed out that India is set to miss the 2022 solar target by 27 per cent as it is projected to fall well short of its target for 2022 of having 100 GW of installed solar capacity, largely due to slow uptake of rooftop solar. With an aim to accelerate residential RTS adoption in India, the US-India Clean Energy Finance Task Force, co-led by the US Department of State and Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), piloted the Solarise Delhi campaigns that involved interactions with the community, both in person and virtually in view of the pandemic. The campaigns successfully engaged with 1,400 consumers over three months, and generated interest for 140 kW of RTS installations. The findings and recommendations of the study report by Akash Som Gupta, Bhawna Tyagi, Neeraj Kuldeep and Selna Saji, 'Unlocking Demand for Residential Rooftop Solar in India: Learnings from Solarise Delhi Campaigns' included suggested that by bundling together information in one place, providing compelling offers, and leveraging community trust, the Solarise pilot campaigns very effectively initiated conversations and elicited consumer interest in RTS in an innovative manner. The study also pointed out that with committed stakeholders and a supportive ecosystem including financing options, Solarise campaigns (and campaigns of a similar nature) can become a powerful tool for increasing RTS adoption in the residential sector. The Solarise campaigns were also effective in raising consumer awareness about RTS with 43 per cent of the participants stating that the campaigns helped increase their awareness levels. Along with the two power discoms, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL), the Solarise campaign pilots were implemented by collaborating partners of the Task Force - the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), SmartPower Inc., and WeeGreen Inc - along with the local discoms and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to increase the adoption of RTS at the household level. Thiruvananthapuram, April 28 : Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla on Thursday said that the Centre is ready to help Kerala for the betterment of minority communities, if the state government come up with suitable proposals. "The Kerala government should cooperate with the Central government for creating awareness about Central schemes among minority communities in the state, as there are several schemes for them," he said while interacting with the media here after calling on Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis and other leaders from the Christian community here. "Minority communities' students have got a few schemes which provides interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies and it should be availed," he added. Barla also said that the Christian community has contributed a lot towards nation building and made many sacrifices in educating the country. In Kerala, of the 3.30 crore state population, 54 per cent are Hindus followed by the Muslim population at 26 per cent and the Christian community at 18 per cent. Quetta, April 28 : Following the suicide attack on the premises of the University of Karachi which killed three Chinese teachers and a driver on Tuesday, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) member of Balochistan Assembly, Bushra Rind said that the incident is being used to tarnish the image of the Baloch nation, media reports said. Addressing a press conference alongside Parliamentary Secretary for Women Development and Climate Change Mahjabeen Sheran and ex-minister for defence production and BAP MNA Zubaida Jalal in Quetta, Rind condemned the suicide attack in the strongest terms and said that the incident was being used to give a bad name to the Baloch nation, adding that "no one will be happy with such actions", Geo News reported. Rind added that attempts were made by "external forces" to worsen the situation in Balochistan. About the suicide bomber involved in the attack, who has been identified as Shari Baloch, Rind said that her husband was taken into custody for interrogation a day ago. "Shari's husband has revealed that she was mentally ill and was on medication," Rind told journalists. "This incident is also an attempt to keep Baloch women away from education. I am here today to bring an end to the negative impression which is being projected against Baloch women." She further said that while "foreign elements" are trying hard to eradicate love and harmony from Pakistan, it would be impossible for them to succeed, Geo News reported. Jalal expressed sorrow over the deaths of innocent people and said this was a painful time for Pakistan. "For the first time, a woman was involved in a suicide attack. This is very unfortunate," the BAP leader said, noting that the attack would have "far-reaching implications" on the area where she hailed from. "She must have not even thought about that. Such incidents have occurred in the past and just like before, we will have to work together to counter them," Jalal said. Jalal lamented that "no one" had ever thought that a Baloch woman would be involved in a suicide attack, but said that the facts behind the incident would come to light once the investigation concludes. Mahjabeen Sheran said it was unfortunate that she and the suicide bomber hailed from the same area - Kech. "The suicide bomber's husband was arrested and he has admitted that she was mentally ill. It is noteworthy that she hailed from a respectable family," Sheran said. Mumbai, April 28 : With an aim to document native natural resources and conserve them with the help of the local community that will ensure not just biodiversity conservation but also inclusion of traditional knowledge, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday approved the 'Maharashtra Gene Bank', a first-of-its-kind project in India. While clearing the proposal for the Maharashtra Gene Bank, the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray considered that the recommendations of the two-volume report of the pilot project by the same name, if implemented properly, would help in better conservation of the state's rich biodiversity that will also ensure availability of natural resources for the future generation. The Cabinet's decision would guarantee the permanent continuation of the project that was run as pilot by Maharashtra government's Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission across 27 districts. It would now be run by the State Biodiversity Board to sustain and continue the work. "The Chief Minister understood and supported that biodiversity conservation cannot be a time-bound project. It is essential for survival, especially in these times of changing climatic conditions. Now, it will be a permanent institutionalised system cutting across 10-12 departments," member secretary, Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB), Praveen Srivastava, told IANS. The Maharashtra Gene Bank is unique because it has tried to authenticate traditional knowledge by scientific institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, Srivastava said, adding that CSIR institutions, several agricultural universities in Maharashtra and 25-odd NGOs too were part of the pilot project. The government also sanctioned Rs 172.39 crore for implementing the action plan for the next five years. Earlier, the Maharashtra government budget had created a separate account head for the same, which will benefit the local communities using traditional and scientific knowledge for sustainable development. Marine biodiversity; local crop/seed varieties; indigenous cattle breeds; freshwater biodiversity; grassland, scrubland and animal grazing land biodiversity; conservation and management plans for areas under forest right, and rejuvenation of forest areas are the seven main themes identified for the Gene Bank work. Ecologist and former Secretary in the government of India, Madhav Gadgil, had conceptualised the project that aims to bring the members of the grass-roots community and the scientific community together. New York, April 28 : Richard Olson, a former US ambassador to Islamabad, has admitted before a federal court that he is guilty of not properly disclosing a travel gift he had received from a Pakistani-American businessman and of lobbying illegally. In a document filed with the federal court in Los Angeles on April 7, Olson said "I wish to plead guilty to offences charged" by the Justice Department that he did not disclose the gift received in the form of travel worth about $18,000 as required by law. He was also charged with lobbying for Qatar in violation of rules against such activities within a year of leaving office. The Department said in its court filing that Olson had also received a payment of at least $20,000 soon after his retirement from government in 2016 through a company he had set up. A career diplomat, Olson was the US Ambassador to Pakistan from 2012 to 2015 and the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2015 to 2016. In the US legal system, an accused person can plead guilty -- admit to the charges -- and be automatically convicted. Usually in exchange for a guilty plea, the prosecutors can reduce the charges or recommend that the judge give a lenient penalty as it will save them the trouble of going through a trial. The Justice Department said Olson had received air travel to London, lodging there and expenses from the Pakistani-American businessman, whose name was not disclosed in court papers but identified only as a "naturalised US citizen born in Pakistan", who operated several businesses and lobbied, and was the go-between for another deal. The Department said Olson aided Qatar to "influence decisions" of US officials, including those in the National Security Council, within a year of retiring as the special representative. The Department's court filings threw spotlight on how legal political contributions work in the US. It said that the Pakistani-American was "retained by foreign governments and individuals" and "received funds from foreign clients, used those funds to make political campaign contributions to US politicians, parlayed those contributions into political influence in the US and lobbied with US officials on behalf of his foreign clients". The Department said in court filings that Olson set up a company, Medicine Bear International Consulting, through which at least one payment of $20,000 was routed to him after the Pakistani-American had "agreed to retain" his services for $20,000 per month plus expenses. The London trip Olson took at the Pakistani-American's expense was to meet a Bahraini businessperson regarding a one-year contract worth $300,000, according to the Department. Court papers did not identify the Bahraini businessperson or say if the contract was signed or what it would have entailed. The Department said that the Pakistani-American's company received $5.8 million from a Qatar official and it involved lobbying the US government to set up pre-clearance facility at the Doha airport for passengers travelling to the US. Olson, it said, advised the Pakistani-American and another businessperson on how to "sell" idea to US officials. Another former US Ambassador, Robin Raphel, had also run into problems with the Justice Department but was ultimately not charged with any wrongdoing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation had raided her home in 2014 while investigating if she had provided secret information to the Pakistani government. The State Department had put her on administrative leave and suspended her security clearance while the investigation was taking place. The Justice Department ultimately informed her that she was not suspected of espionage and closed the investigation in 2016. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) Guwahati, April 28 : The sessions court in Assam's Barpeta on Thursday reserved its order on the bail application of Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, who is presently in five-day police custody. Mevani's lawyer Angshuman Bora said that they submitted their arguments and urged the court to grant bail to Mevani, who's also the Convener of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch. "The order has been reserved by the sessions court. We expect the court's decision on Friday," Bora told the media. The 41-year-old legislator, who was elected from the Vadgam Assembly constituency, was first arrested by the Assam police on April 20 (from Gujarat) in connection with an "objectionable" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was re-arrested by the Assam police on April 25 on different charges, including "outraging the modesty of a lady police officer". Mevani was sent to five-day police custody by Barpeta's chief judicial magistrate on April 26 on charges of "voluntarily causing hurt", "criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty" and "force on a woman cop intending to outrage her modesty". Meanwhile, the Congress led by its senior leaders, including state unit chief Bhupen Kumar Borah and opposition leader Debabrata Saikia, on Thursday staged sit-in demonstrations against the arrest of Mevani, who had earlier pledged outside support to the party, in all the 34 districts of the state. The police detained Congress leaders and workers at many places, but subsequently released them. The Gujarat legislator was first arrested on April 20 following a complaint filed against him by an Assam BJP leader seeking action against Mevani under the IT Act. Shillong, April 28 : Various organisations, including the influential Meghalaya United Christian Forum (MUCF), on Thursday voiced "apprehension and shock" over the state governments decision to legalise gambling and online betting for tourists coming to the state. MUCF Secretary Synsharlang Kharshiing said that if gambling, online betting and casinos are legalised, it would have far-reaching consequences on the lives of young and vulnerable men and women and their families, irrespective of community or belief. He said that online gambling and casinos might generate a lot of revenue for the government, but the bigger question is whether people are willing to pay the price and are they ready to bear the repercussions of such an endeavour on the society at large. "The leaders and the government functionaries should introspect before jumping with excitement without considering the destruction the decision may cause to the present and future generations," the MUCF said in a statement. Few other local organisations are also against the decision and want the state government to reconsider it. The state's Law and Taxation Minister, James P.K. Sangma, had announced last week that the state government is considering to introduce casinos and online gambling only for tourists coming to the state to generate revenues. "No residents of Meghalaya would be allowed to participate or contribute in the proposed legalised gambling and online betting," he had told the media. The groundwork for preparing Meghalaya as a hub for online gaming, online betting, and legalised gambling began in February last year when the Meghalaya Prevention of Gambling Act, 1970 was nullified by the state government. Subsequently, the state cabinet approved the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Ordinance, 2021. Though for the past 20-25 years, gambling has been going on in the state with traditional archery games being betted upon on a daily basis, the state government doesn't earn any revenue from this informal betting. New Delhi, April 28 : Union Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Jitendra Singh, on Thursday refuted media reports wherein the son of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao claimed that the PMO sent a message that KCR, as the Telangana CM is popularly known, should not be a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis programmes when the latter visited Hyderabad earlier this year. Referring to the Prime Minister's visit to Hyderabad in February, Singh denied the PMO sending any such message. "According to some media reports, the son of Telangana CM has claimed that the PMO sent a message that KCR should not be a part of PM's programmes when he visited Hyderabad. This is patently untrue. No such message was sent by the PMO," Singh tweeted. "In fact, the CM of Telangana was expected at the events on 5th February when PM visited Hyderabad. It was the CM's office which informed the PMO that the CM was not feeling well and hence would not be attending," he said in another tweet. Earlier in February, BJP MLA from Telangana, T. Raja Singh, had said that KCR was scared of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that is why he did not go to the airport to receive the PM. Modi was on a one-day visit to Hyderabad in February to unveil the 216 feet statue of Saint Ramanujacharya. New Delhi, April 28 : The Delhi High Court has dismissed the petition filed by Sikka Motors Pvt Ltd seeking to restrain Hyundai Motor India Ltd from taking any coercive actions or initiating any termination process against it over a dealership dispute, citing the lack of jurisdiction on the matter. A bench of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said in the present case, Clause 12 of the agreement specifically agrees to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Chennai. It held that the courts at Delhi would not have the jurisdiction to entertain any proceedings arising out of the subject dealership agreement and the competent courts at Chennai alone would have exclusive jurisdiction. "Since this court does not have jurisdiction to entertain the petition, this court would also not have jurisdiction to grant any interim protection or continue the same," the court said in the order dated April 27. As per the plea, Sikka Motors, a dealer of Hyundai India since 2004, and the car maker had a dealership agreement initially for a period of three years, which has been renewed on the same terms and conditions from time to time and has been last renewed on August 5, 2020. During the course of the hearing, Hyundai had objected to the maintainability of the petition and contended that the mediation should be conducted in Chennai as there was an exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Chennai. Without going into the question of jurisdiction, the Delhi High Court had referred the parties to mediation and directed that till further orders no coercive action shall be taken pursuant to the notice dated November 25, 2021. Thereafter, the matter was adjourned from time to time. Mediation was not successful and the respondent filed an application seeking vacation of the interim protection as also for the dismissal of the petition. Mumbai, April 28 : After the super bowling by Kuldeep Yadav (4/14) and Mustafizur Rahman (3/18), David Warner and Rovman Powell played remarkable knocks to help Delhi Capitals beat Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets in Match 41 of the IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday. Kuldeep looked at his brilliant best against his old franchise and bowled like he had something to prove. He tossed up the ball, mixed the wrong'un and sliders well, and varied the pace. He and Mustafizur overshadowed a fine rearguard half-century by Nitish Rana (57 off 34) as Kolkata Knight Riders were restricted to 146/9 in 20 overs after Delhi won the toss and elected to bowl. In reply, Delhi Capitals reached 150/6 in 19 overs thanks to vital knocks by Warner, Lalit Yadav (22) Axar Patel (24) and Powell (33 not out) as they scored their fourth win in 8 matches. Chasing a modest target, Rishabh Pant's side got off to a worst-possible start as opener Prithvi Shaw was out for a first-ball duck in the first over, caught and bowled by Umesh Yadav. Mitchell Marsh, too, departed soon, out for 13 runs off seven balls before becoming Harshit Rana's first IPL victim and Delhi were reduced to 17/2. David Warner (42) and Lalit Yadav (22) raised 65 runs for the third wicket before the Aussie was out, trying to negotiate a difficult bouncer on the middle by Umesh Yadav and holing out to Sunil Narine just two yards inside the rope. Though the other batters were struggling, Warner looked in control, hitting Tim Southee to two boundaries in the 4th over and two boundaries off successive deliveries by Nitish Rana in the ninth over. Delhi lost their way a bit after that as Lalit Yadav and skipper Pant fell in quick succession but Axar Patel kept them in the hunt as he blasted a 17-ball 24 to take them to 36 off 30 deliveries at one stage. Patel was run-out at a crucial juncture, caught short going for a second run as Shreyas Iyer made a brilliant throw running in from the boundary. But Rovman Powell saw them through in the end, hitting a 16-ball 33 to help them record their fourth win and move to sixth position with eight points. KKR remained in the eighth position with six points from nine matches. Delhi had to chase a modest target thanks to Kuldeep Yadav, who looked at his brilliant best against his old franchise and bowled like he had something to prove. He sent back KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer (42), Baba Indrajith (6), Sunil Narine (0) and Andre Russell (0) to finish with 4/14. It was a pity that he did not get to bowl his fourth over or could have completed a fifer. Mustafizur claimed three wickets in the 20th over, sending back Nitish Rana, Tim Southee and Rinku Singh -- Rana and Southee off successive balls. KKR could reach a modest total thanks mainly to Nitish Rana (57), who shared a 62-run partnership off 35 balls with Rinku Singh. Rana continued the onslaught in death overs as he hammered Lalit Yadav for 17 runs in the 17th over, including a six off a beamer wide of off-stump and another blasted another six off a wide half-volley over point. Rana and Rinku Singh shared a 62-run partnership off 35 balls for the seventh wicket that really propped up the KKR innings. They could have got a few more runs but Rinku was out off the second ball off the final over by Mustafizur Rahman and after Umesh Yadav had scampered for one leg-bye, Rana holed out to sweeper cover trying to force some quick runs. Mustafizur gave away only two runs in the 20th over and claimed three wickets, thus applying the brakes on KKR's free-scoring that had produced 43 overs in three overs from 17-19. Earlier, KKR got off to a poor start, losing Aaron Finch in the second over and were soon down to 35/4 losing Venkatesh Iyer, Baba Aprajith and Sunil Narine with each of them scoring in singles digits. Skipper Shreyas Iyer halted the procession and raised 48 runs with Nitish Rana, building the innings brick-by-brick with singles and in between hitting four boundaries -- all of them of Axar Patel. He was given out by the video umpire, falling to a wrong'un by Kuldeep as Rishabh Pant completed a low, shin-high one-handed catch. KKR lost the plot in the middle overs as Kuldeep and Axar ruled the roost, Pant made some strange bowling changes -- giving three overs to Lalit Yadav, which cost them 32 runs while Kuldeep and Chetan Sakariya, who gave away 14 and 12 runs respectively in three overs were denied the fourth. Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 146/9 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 42, Nitish Rana 57; Kuldeep Yadav 4/14, Mustafizur Rahman 3/18) lost to Delhi Capitals 150/6 in 19 overs (David Warner 42, Lalit Yadav 22, Axar Patel 24, Rovman Powell 33 not out; Umesh Yadav 3/24). DC won by four wickets. Jakarta, April 29 : The Indonesian Navy has said the authorities were strengthening supervision over export ships and would seize any of them trying to bring crude palm oil (CPO) out of the country. The supervision on Thursday follows Indonesia's policy on the prohibition of exports of CPO, refined palm oil, refined, bleached and deodorised palm olein, palm oil mill effluent and used cooking oil that took effect as of Thursday. "As the President (Joko Widodo) has banned the CPO exports, we will seize all ships that try to bring CPO abroad. We keep in touch with related authorities," Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Yudo Margono told reporters. He said more navy personnel have been deployed at the departure ports and distribution channel that are usually used for CPO exports, Xinhua news agency reported. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto has said the export ban would last until the price of cooking oil in the country has reached below 14,000 rupiahs ($0.96) per litre. New Delhi, April 29 : Activist Sharjeel Imam has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the trial court order which refused him bail in a larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. Imam's appeal is likely to be heard on Friday before the division bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Rajnish Bhatnagar. "There is absolutely no material has been adduced by the prosecution, attributed to the Appellant from which it could even remotely be suggested that the Appellant at any point in time had any intention to cause/incite violence. Rather from the material relied upon by the prosecution itself, which the Ld. Special Court has failed to take into consideration, it is manifestly clear that the Appellant to the contrary had on multiple occasions very categorically and emphatically called the protestors to not resort to violence at any cost," said his appeal. Special Judge Amitabh Rawat on April 11 had dismissed the bail application of Sharjeel. According to the police, Imam made alleged inflammatory speeches in Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, on December 13, 2019, and Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, on January 16, 2020. He has been in judicial custody since January 28, 2020, and is currently lodged in Tihar jail in Delhi. The order on the bail application of 'United Against Hate' campaign founder, Khalid Saifi, who is allegedly involved in a larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, will be pronounced on March 31. The riots broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020 after clashes between the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-CAA protesters took a violent turn. The mayhem, which coincided with the then US President Donald Trump's maiden trip to India, saw more than 50 people lose their lives and over 700 injured. Patna, April 29 : An officer in-charge of a police post in Saharsa district of Bihar was suspended on the alleged charge of forcing a woman for his body massage, a police official said. A video of this alleged incident went viral on social media and Saharsa Superintendent of Police, Lipi Singh has taken cognisance of the matter and suspended the alleged police officer with immediate effect. The alleged officer, Shashi Bhushan Sinha was posted as Sub-Inspector and In-charge of Daghar police post under Nauhatta police station in the district. As per the viral video, a woman came to Daghar police post and urged Sinha to release his son from the jail. Sinha took advantage of her helplessness and asked her to do mustard oil massage on his body. As per the viral video, the officer was in a semi-nude state with just a towel on his mid-part of the body. While the woman was busy doing an oil massage on his body and another woman was sitting in front of him. Sinha was talking to a lawyer and requesting him to arrange for the bail of the woman's son. During his interaction with the lawyer, Sinha is heard saying that the woman is poor and cannot pay him money. The alleged police officer also told the lawyer that he will pay him Rs 10,000, adding that he will send the two women before him with necessary documents for the bail of one of the women's son. "After a video went viral on social media, we have set up an inquiry committee headed by a SDPO rank officer. Following his recommendation, we have suspended the alleged officer with immediate effect," Lipi Singh said. In another incident, Nawada Superintendent of Police, D.S. Savlaram suspended a Station House Officer of Mufassil police station on the alleged charge of taking bribes from truck drivers. The alleged officer is identified as Lal Bihari Paswan. An audio clip of Paswan and a truck driver went viral on social media on Wednesday. United Nations, April 29 : The Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the University of Karachi in Pakistan, which led to the deaths of three Chinese nationals and one Pakistani and several injuries. In a press statement, the members of the Council on Thursday condemned in the strongest terms Tuesday's heinous and cowardly terrorist attack, which was claimed by the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army, Xinhua news agency reported. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and the governments of Pakistan and China, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured, said the press statement. The Council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They urged all states to cooperate actively with the governments of Pakistan and China, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard. The Council members reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter and other obligations under international law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Washington, April 29 : US President Joe Biden has requested that Congress appropriate $33 billion to help Ukraine defend itself from the ongoing military operation by Russia. Delivering remarks from the White House, Biden on Thursday elaborated on how the newly proposed supplemental funding will be used. Of the $33-billion sum, according to a fact sheet by the White House, $20.4 billion will be military and security assistance to Kiev, $8.5 billion will be spent in economic assistance for the Ukrainian government and people, and $3 billion will be allocated for additional humanitarian assistance and food security funding, and targeted funding to address economic disruptions caused by the war. "It's critical this funding gets approved and approved as quickly as possible," the President said. Biden also proposed legislation to hold Russian oligarchs accountable for their alleged role in supporting the military operation. One of the aims of the proposed legislation is to improve the United States' ability to use forfeited oligarch funds to remediate harms caused to Ukraine by Russia's military operation, said a separate fact sheet by the White House detailing the proposal, Xinhua news agency reported. In an effort to assuage speculations over the possible use of nuclear weapons as the hostility between Russia and Western powers shows no sign of abating, the President added "no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons or the possibility of the need to use them." He criticised Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for making "irresponsible" remarks earlier this week on the prospect of a nuclear conflict. Lavrov told Russian media in an interview broadcast on Russian TV on Monday that preventing nuclear war is Moscow's "key position on which we base everything. The risks now are considerable." He added: "I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it." Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Placencia Airport, Placencia, Belize [ PLJ / ] If you are planning to travel to Placencia or any other city in Belize, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. 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PLJ - Placencia Airport IATA Code The largest MLS in Florida (Stellar MLS) and Georgias largest MLS (FMLS) announced a data-sharing partnership that significantly increases the combined footprint of both organizations. Stellar MLS serves nearly 77,000 customers in Florida and Puerto Rico, while FMLS provides services to more than 57,000 members and partners in Georgia and across the state line in Alabama. Were constantly looking for ways to give our customers an additional advantage in the market, and the opening of new markets provides new sources of revenue, according to Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS. Throughout the pandemic, and hopefully post-pandemic, were seeing much more movement in Florida and the Southeast in general, as more and more people can work where they want. This provides our customers with an even larger market to serve buyers and sellers across the region, Cowen states. This agreement aligns two of the most progressive MLSs in the US in a way that seamlessly integrates inventory and geography, explains Jeremy Crawford, President, and CEO of FMLS. Our footprint extends throughout Georgia and Alabama, while Stellar MLS covers a large footprint in central Florida and is also rapidly growing. This creates enormous referral opportunities and a dynamic marketing opportunity for brokers, agents, and partners of both organizations, Crawford concludes. The agreement provides local brokers and agents with direct access, in real-time, to reliable listing data from each others markets. In addition, both MLSs are natively Platinum Certified on RESO listing data standards, making a partnership like this much easier to implement and maintain. The partnership is happening amid a seismic market shift, with more and more people moving to Southern states. In 2021, the Southeast saw more incoming moves than any other region, partly because of lower housing costs, lower overall costs of living, and better weather. According to both organizations, its the right time to break data boundaries that no longer prove efficient for brokers and agents. Expanding the combined MLS service area allows Stellar MLS and FMLS to focus on whats best for real estate professionals and consumers. With inventory at historic lows, this enhanced footprint provides brokers and agents of both MLSs with even more networking and referral opportunities. The data share is expected to go live for members of Stellar MLS and FMLS in the 2nd quarter of 2022. About Stellar MLS: Headquartered in Altamonte Springs, FL, Stellar MLS (Stellar) is Floridas largest multiple listing service (MLS) company, with nearly 77,000 customers in Florida and Puerto Rico. Offering a comprehensive suite of the industrys best products and world-class customer service, Stellar MLS is committed to helping brokers and agents thrive in tomorrows competitive real estate market. Learn more at stellarmls.com. About FMLS: The First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) was founded 65 years ago by four brokers who wanted to share real estate listings and connect buyers and sellers. Today, FMLS is the fourth largest MLS in the US, and as Georgias largest MLS, it serves nearly 57,000 members in their home state and through MLS partnerships in Alabama. In addition, its world-class technology platform and FMLS Training Institute fuels the growth of agents, brokers, and appraisers across the region. Find out more at FirstMLS.com. William Morice II, MD, PhD BrandDataLab CEO, Dr. Chet Rao says We are delighted to welcome Dr. Morice to the BDL family. He brings a wealth of demonstrated experience in healthcare, laboratory medicine, and business acumen that will help propel BDL to new heights. Dr. William (Bill) Morice brings to BrandDataLab a deep understanding of healthcare markets and opens up global connections. He currently is the Chair of the Mayo Clinic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and President of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Dr. Morice is an accomplished medical and business leader and serves as a bridge between clinical innovations and sustainable financial performance. Under his leadership, a partnership between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and WuXi Diagnostics was created to deliver top-tier clinical testing to patients in China. Committed to driving the field forward, Mayo Clinic Laboratories has been at the forefront of efforts to secure investments in the Rochester biomedical hub in partnership with world-leading diagnostic companies such as ThermoFisher Scientific. As Department Chair, he has maintained oversight of 8 divisions, 60+ testing labs, 190+ physician-scientist staff, and 3000 allied health staff. Dr. Morice says Continuously expanding and improving the tools of diagnostic medicine is fundamental to promoting healthcare quality and equitability. As an accomplished strategic and clinical leader, he has a history of advancing operations and delivering on objectives for a globally-recognized pathology and laboratory services provider. His mission is to assist healthcare providers worldwide in increasing access to specialized, cutting-edge testing that leads to improved patient outcomes. With a futurist mindset, he has enhanced efficiency and reduced costs to create additional value in existing and novel clinical laboratory technologies and methodologies. BrandDataLab CEO, Dr. Chet Rao says We are delighted to welcome Dr. Morice to the BDL family. He brings a wealth of demonstrated experience in healthcare, laboratory medicine, and business acumen that will help propel BDL to new heights Dr. William Morice Background Dr. William has twenty-two years of experience as a medical innovator combining operational expertise, clinical proficiency & strategic acumen. The research performed by Dr. Morice is critical in establishing the presence of chronic leukemias of NK cells and providing greater insights into the pathology and clinical manifestations of T-LGL. Dr. Morice's research benefits patients with these enigmatic disorders, as more accurate laboratory diagnoses have improved the ability of clinicians to diagnose, manage, and avoid over-treating these usually indolent diseases. Professional highlights Chair, American Clinical Laboratory Association Board of Directors (March 2021 to present) Co-Chair of the Industry-Advisory Group to the Access to Covid Tools Accelerator-Diagnostics sponsored by FIND and the Global Fund Chair, Division of Hematopathology, Mayo Clinic (2009-2015) Member, Research and Innovation Advisory Board, Brussels Academic Hospitals Laboratory Founding member, Bone Marrow Pathology Group (2016-2019) Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Consultant, Division of Hematopathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Dr. Morice is a graduate of Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (MD/Ph.D.) and Indiana University, Bloomington (BS - Biochemistry). Brand Data lab, Inc Background Brand Data Lab specializes in data extraction, integration, and AI/ML analyses for industry-leading clients. We complement and enhance data-driven planning and decision-making with quantifiable return on investment. BDL builds industry-leading visual interfaces for the C-Suite to analyze trends, offer insights and predictions, and help them in planning and decision-making. We have worked with multinationals across Healthcare, Consumer Goods, and Hospitality sectors to develop end-to-end solutions. Our team is led by some of the most experienced AI/ML, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, M&A talent, with a collective experience of more than 200 years, and more than $10 Billion worth of transaction experience. We have a team of 126 (and growing) finest data scientists & AI developers, already trusted by premium names in fortune 100, ACOs, Big Box retailers, & Silicon Valley VCs. For More Information Contact Dr. Chet Rao Brand Data Lab, Inc 5151 California Ave, Irvine, CA 92617, USA consult@branddatalab.com Web: http://www.branddatalab.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-data-lab/ Adadot's co-founders Alex Harris and Jason Spiliotopoulos Jason Spiliotopoulos, CTO & co-founder: " Adadot is uniquely developer-centric because at the end of the day people manage people, not just projects. Empowering each individual to improve their performance is the only way to make success sustainable." Adadot, an intelligent analytics software, raises $1M to make success and wellbeing sustainable in the workplace for millions of skilled professionals. Adadot is powered by highly advanced technology, which is applied to understanding and managing the correlation between performance and wellbeing at work. The software integrates productivity and collaboration tools used on a daily basis to help developers improve how they work and feel. Similarly to a fitness tracker, it provides unique visibility into what good looks like for each individual whilst identifying areas for improvement. The solution is privacy-first by design giving full control and value to the individual while only providing aggregate team data to managers. The founding team Alex Harris and Jason Spiliotopoulos spent most of their working life after graduating from Oxford and Imperial respectively running remote technical teams for companies like Ocado and have experienced the challenges of the hybrid ways of working. Alex Harris, co-founder and CEO: When not everyone is in the office it's really challenging to understand if you are moving in the right direction both as an individual and as a team. Most software focuses on tactical information such as the status of tasks. The burning questions however are at a completely different level: Are we getting faster or better, and are we burning out in the process? The team is backed by stellar investors and advisors such as VC funds LAUNCHub and daFUND, Charles Songhurst (ex-Head of M&A at Microsoft), James Isilay (CEO, Cognism), Jane Gilson (ex-Microsoft and Google executive) and others. LAUNCHub Venturess Stan Sirakov: Doing well while being well at work is no longer a matter of a trade-off. Technical people in both in-house and remote environments need key metrics and useful insights on their performance, collaboration and wellbeing patterns. We are excited to back Alex and Jason in their quest for a more efficient and balanced work-life with a tracking solution rewarding the top performers and sounding the alarm for the overworked. By investing in Adadot we want to be a part of that positive change in the Future of Work. Darko Butina from daFUND shared their reason to back the company: Adadot addresses some of the most pressing issues connected with todays modern work environment - the increasing burn-out issues as well as how we can better collaborate remotely. We believe that the team, spearheaded by Alex and Jason, will deliver on its promises and make todays modern and at least partially remote work environment better and more enjoyable - and save a few people from burn-out in the process. Adadots recent launch on Product Hunt reached the coveted #1 Product of the Day spot with volumes of positive comments from the community. Adadot has also won the very competitive Innovate UK SMART Grant in collaboration with the University of Warwick to expand its offering in Artificial Intelligence and create a smart recommendation system. The company is currently intensively looking for new innovative tech companies to add to its roster of clients. About Adadot: Maker of the cloud-based SaaS platform setting the global standard for Future of Work analytics. Adadot contact: Alex Harris, 07531788280, alex.harris@adadot.com About LAUNCHub: LAUNCHub Ventures is South-Eastern Europes leading early-stage venture fund that is devoted to scalable businesses with initial traction and passionate founders, originating from South-Eastern Europe and the broader CEE region. The fund is focused on seed and series A LAUNCHub Contact: info@launchub.com About daFUND: daFUND is a pan-European venture capital fund and is powered by experienced entrepreneurs, executives, start-up founders and investors together with Business Angels of Slovenia. daFUND invests in early-stage (pre-seed) start-ups that are primarily focused on B2B and are solving challenges with software and digital solutions. daFUND contact: Darko Butina, +41 79 179 06 99, dare@dafund.eu Our partnership with TICAL is dynamic, including connecting high-quality products with Method Man's formidable cannabis brand, representing racial equity and inclusivity, and honest and serious issues Method Man has been advocating for for years. Northern California's fastest-growing Equity Trade Certified cannabis company, Hummingbird-Verde (HMBV), announced it is the exclusive partner of California cannabis for TICAL, the iconic cannabis brand founded by hip hop legend, actor, and cannabis activist, Method Man. HMBV Partnership Expands TICAL Brand Today's announcement establishes HMBV as a partner with TICAL to further develop and expand the brand in California by handling all production and distribution of TICAL products. The partnerships products will feature expertly curated, hand-selected flower cultivated by some of the top cannabis brands in California, with Method Man himself making the final selections used in the production. TICAL's acronym "taking into consideration all lives" was initially conceived by Method Man in 1994, with the release of his solo album with the same title. It represents advancing racial and social equity in the cannabis industry. TICAL TAKEOVER IN LA Customers and fans are invited to come celebrate at the Krush Groove Pre-Party for an exclusive preview of TICALs newest strains: Cheeba, Love Jones, and The Method. The party takes place Saturday, April 30th from 1-7 PM at the LitCo dispensary at 1323 Flower St., Los Angeles. Attendees will have a chance to experience the new TICAL strains produced by HMBV, enjoy music with Wu Tang Clans official DJ, Allah Mathematics and 3x Female DJ of the year, DJ Carisma. In addition a graffiti artist will be featured, as well as, food trucks, giveaways, and TICAL merchandise. And, "special guest appearances are expected ahead of Method Man performing at Krush Groove on stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Other opportunities to engage with TICAL occur on May 5th and 6th, when HMBV brands are featured at the Hall of Flowers, Palm Springs, in the Continuum / Cresco booth.https://www.hallofflowers.com/#about. Advancing Socially Conscious Flower TICAL products will reach more cannabis consumers in dispensaries across California with this collaboration, and this deal is a testament to the success of supporting private-owned, equitably grown cannabis companies and racial inclusivity within the cannabis industry. HMBV's presence in California's cannabis space has been a model for social equity businesses. As a female-co-founded social equity and family-owned company, HMBV has built a reputation for its limited release, small-batch collaborations that allow adult-use consumers access to marijuana for enjoyment and healing. HMBVs premier brands are BeMore Blunt, Shaman Extracts, and Everyday. The company culminated in working decades under Prop 215, when patient focus and compassionate care were the centers of California's cannabis industry. "We've come a long way, but our objective remains the same: providing high-quality products and being a socially-conscious, social equity business," said Maribel Diaz, co-founder of HMBV. "Our partnership with TICAL is dynamic, including connecting high-quality products with Method Man's formidable cannabis brand, representing racial equity and inclusivity, and honest and serious issues that Method Man has been advocating for. There's a lot happening in the weeks ahead that center around Method Man, TICAL, and HMBV, and I couldn't be more excited," Diaz said. About Hummingbird-Verde: Hummingbird-Verde is an Equity Trade Certified cannabis company, based in Oakland, California. For more information email sn@blackhatmgmt.com. About TICAL: TICAL was founded by artist, actor, and cannabis activist Method Man. The company is based in New York, New York. For more information email contact@ticalofficial.com. Chinola passion fruit liqueur is awarded the highly competitive Double Gold medal by the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Chinola Liqueur is awarded the highly competitive Double Gold medal by the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The handcrafted passion fruit beverage made in the Dominican Republic is rated among the finest products in the world. Chinola, the handmade beverage crafted from distilled spirits and fresh passion fruit, is honored to announce its Double Gold Medal win by the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), the oldest and largest competition of its kind. The Double Gold award is given to those who received a gold medal rating by all members of the judging panel, a highly competitive honor thats given among the finest products in the world. We are extremely grateful to be awarded such an influential accolade by one of the top competitions in the world. We take pride in not only the quality of our product but our philosophy and authenticity. It is a great honor to stand out and be recognized in this years competition, especially because we are the only Latin American and Caribbean liqueur to receive this award, said Andrew Merinoff, Co-founder and Chairman of Chinola. The SFWSC received a record-breaking number of entrants this year and all those who participated were judged by some of the most well respected experts in the spirits industry, led by Executive Director Anthony Dias Blue and Head Judge Wilfred Wong. As a brand, Chinola (chee-noh-lah), recently grew its presence from six to twenty states and launched internationally in less than a year. Gaining widespread popularity since arriving on the spirits scene in 2015, Chinola as the passion fruit is referred to by locals in the Dominican Republic, has a unique blend creating an old-world artisanal style liqueur that balances tart and sweet essences with tropical aromas. The result of this blend is an unparalleled taste and versatility that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with any spirit to create a high-quality cocktail. For information on where to purchase, visit shopChinola.com/shop. For cocktail recommendations and other news, visit Chinola.com and follow Facebook @ChinolaOfficialPage and @Chinola on Instagram. ### About Chinola Chinola passion fruit liqueur is a handcrafted beverage made from distilled spirits and fresh passion fruit. Chinola, recently awarded with the Double Gold Medal by the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, is a creative collaboration of hospitality experts, spirit industry professionals, and a multi-generational master blender. Their dream was to create an old-world style liqueur from fresh fruit and in 2013, they discovered the magic of the Dominican passion fruit locally called chinola (chee-noh-lah). The fruits unique tartness is balanced perfectly with natural sweetness and tropical essence which makes it ideal for creating sensational cocktails. Chinola is produced in the Dominican Republic with a commitment to authenticity and sustainability practices. Available in the United States, Australia, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, Follow the journey by visiting Chinola.com and follow us on Facebook @ChinolaOfficialPage and @Chinola on Instagram. "At our core, we empower quality analysis by anyone, anywhere, all the time, said Damien Fischer, Vice President of Sales U.S. "We are thrilled to partner with Sonoma Technology to provide their commercial and industrial clients with world-class service reflective of their deserved reputation." Sonoma Technology, Inc. (Sonoma Technology) is pleased to announce a partnership with Syft Technologies (Syft), a Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) manufacturer that is based in New Zealand. As an expert in air quality and atmospheric sciences, Sonoma Technology provides innovative environmental consulting, software, and monitoring services to a wide variety of end markets. Syft instruments are an ideal fit for many Sonoma Technology clients, as they offer powerful, portable monitoring solutions for a varied range of applications. Syft instruments include real-time solutions that offer instantaneous quantitation of VOCs and inorganic gases using a fully integrated, extensive chemical ionization library. They are optimized for industrial, research, and commercial applications. Syft has also designed and deployed a mobile laboratory that is housed in a standard Sprinter van. The vehicle was outfitted with electrical power, instrument gas lines, storage, and bench space to transport the SIFT-MS instrument and collect measurements in a highly portable manner. "At our core, we empower quality analysis by anyone, anywhere, all the time, said Damien Fischer, Vice President of Sales U.S. Our trace gas analysis platform delivers data in real time, providing unique solutions to diverse challenges. We are thrilled to partner with Sonoma Technology to provide their commercial and industrial clients with world-class service reflective of their deserved reputation." As part of this joint venture, Sonoma Technology will use Syfts novel demonstration van for field measurements as needed and will provide basic technical support for Syft products throughout the U.S. Sonoma Technology is excited to support Syft in North America and apply their cutting-edge technologies to a wide range of monitoring projects. Syft creates high-quality air quality instruments that would be an excellent fit for many of our clients, said Lyle Chinkin, CEO of Sonoma Technology. We are particularly excited that this partnership will allow us to use the Syft instrument and van to rapidly respond to concerns from communities and industrial clients. About Sonoma Technology Sonoma Technology was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Petaluma, California. Sonoma Technology specializes in providing environmental solutions with a particular focus on air quality and atmospheric sciences. For more information, visit http://www.sonomatech.com/. About Syft Technologies Syft Technologies is a leading manufacturer of Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) monitoring products based in Christchurch, New Zealand. For more information, visit https://www.syft.com/. Woodchuck Commits to Reducing Plastics and Aligns with American Forests In observance of Earth Month and Earth Day, Woodchuck Hard Cider, the brand that started the American cider revolution in 1991, is pleased to share that it has prioritized its commitment to reducing plastics by introducing new packaging. Now in effect, Woodchucks award-winning cider portfolio, which includes Amber, Bubbly Pearsecco, Mimosa, Berry Snap, Sangria, Granny Smith, Bubbly Rose and Pumpkin, has done away with plastic carriers for its 6 packs of 12.0z cans and has switched to 6 pack cartons. Furthermore, in addition to removing plastics from Woodchuck 6 packs, the company is pleased to align with American Forests, a non-profit organization leading the movement to reforest America. From cities to large, rural landscapes, Woodchuck supports their Resilient Forests Program via a social media campaign, which kicked off earlier this month. For every follow, like, share and comment on Woodchucks April 1st Instagram post, the company will be donating $1 to the Resilient Forests Program through the end of this month. Every dollar donated supports the planting of one tree. A direct link to the campaign post can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb0XDhQspgp/ Through this transition, we will be reducing the use of an estimated 55,000 lbs. of plastic per year. Woodchuck is committed to preserving the environment as our fans recreate in our lakes, rivers, forests, and oceans. We are proud to be able to take this step in reducing plastics in our packaging and partnering again with American Forests as we continue to strengthen our commitment to preserving the environment, says Bridget Blacklock, Chief Commercial Officer, Vermont Cider Company. About Woodchuck Hard Cider As Americas original hard cider, we have always done things our own way, forging a tradition of quality and craftsmanship with every cider batch we craft. At Woodchuck, our Cider Makers meticulously oversee the details of every cider before any can, bottle or keg leaves our Cidery. Its this special attention and passion for cider that ensures we always deliver a premium hard cider that is true to our roots. Enjoy the brand that started the American cider revolution. About Vermont Cider Company We reinvigorated American hard cider in 1991 and continue to lead the category through our commitment to crafting innovative and refreshing hard ciders. Vermont Cider Co. crafts a variety of ciders for a variety of consumers. Our portfolio is as diverse as our fans. Theres iconic Woodchuck, fruit-forward Wyders as well as the classic Magners and Blackthorn, rounding out our import offerings. In 2021, Vermont Cider Co. introduced Day Chaser, a spirit based RTD canned cocktail. Having the breadth of expertise at our side to help build the product, scale operations, and capitalize the company enables us to increase our visibility on the world stage and scale the business much faster than we could do on our own Fiberify, Inc. announced today that in anticipation of bringing its flagship product to market, it has formed a strong board of advisors across a wide ranging, but critically applicable backgrounds in telecom, high tech, rural broadband, infrastructure, fiber optic planning & construction, corporate finance, and fiber optic field services. The Board of Advisors will meet once per quarter and offer the Company structure guidance and additional resources to help expand its capacity to grow and scale in more countries. Fiberify is currently deployed in 3 countries on premise at telecom service provider facilities in India (5 metros), Bangladesh (2 metros), and Somalia (8 metros planned). Initial Board members include: Kaitki Agarwal: Kaitki Agarwal is a serial entrepreneur, founder, President and CTO of A5G Networks. She also founded Parallel Wireless and drove Open RAN movement as Chief Product Officer. Kaitki is a result-oriented executive with extensive leadership and management experience in wireless, wire line and cable industries. She is an expert in global operations, building and leading geographically distributed high-performance teams and managing the products from conceptualization stage to evolving products to market leadership. Miq Millman: Miq specializes in complex program management, including the design, deployment and operations of large technology projects with security dimensions. He has worked in 130 countries including Latin America and Africa, where he achieved on-time and on-budget delivery of 10 national scale projects. He has served as chief technical consultant for multi-phase programs modeling broadband networks, proving broadband can be supplied economically to rural populations. Bill Narin: Bill specializes bringing disruptive technologies to market in a way that generates rapid adoption, market leadership, and optimizes financial returns. Bill has been a leader in multiple firms that were acquired or went public including Virata, InVision, and Chorus Systems. Bill received his MBA from MIT. Currently, he works for the IEEE International Standards & Technology Organization. Vishwas Manral is the co-chair of CSAs Serverless working group and a contributor to the Application Containers and Microservices working group. He has served as a presenter at the CSA Virtual EU Summit 2020, and as chair of the Silicon Valley chapter. He is the head of container security and Chief Architect-Cloud at McAfee. Dinakar Kallaru is a telecom service provider who has worked with Airtel, Jio, Reliance, Vodafone, Idea and other major operators. He has been in field operations, fiber rollout & maintenance, and telecom site maintenance in Bangalore providing field agent support for the top 3 network operators for more than 12 years. Gopa Shappillayar is an infrastructure expert who managed Cloud and DevOps for several fortune 500 companies, including HP and Cadence Design Systems. He has built global infrastructures from the ground up at companies like Skyhigh Networks (acquired by McAfee), and Speedera Networks (acquired by Akamai). Its an absolute privilege to work alongside so many extremely proven and talented leaders that have joined us in bringing a world-class solution like Fiberify to global markets., stated Fiberify CEO, C. Rich Wilson. Having the breadth of expertise at our side to help build the product, scale operations, and capitalize the company enables us to increase our visibility on the world stage and scale the business much faster than we could do on our own., he concluded. About Fiberify - Fiberify is a software platform that optimizes the health of fiber optic networks by automating processes in the monitoring, maintenance, and management supply chain and pairing network operators with expert field technicians in real time through a two-sided platform specifically designed to decrease fault time to resolution and improve the broadband customer experience. http://www.fiberify.com Piedmont University will offer a new degree program for aspiring accountants beginning in fall 2022. We listened closely to what our students needed, and we responded with the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program, said Dr. J. Kerry Waller, dean of Piedmonts Walker College of Business. We are pleased to offer this degree as a direct, comprehensive path to a successful career in the accounting field. Previously, Piedmont offered accounting as a concentration of its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program. Now, students will be able to earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. The new degree program is designed to help students meet all educational requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant. We took a close look at the curriculum, and made changes where necessary, to ensure were covering all major content areas of the CPA exam, said Assistant Accounting Professor Savannah Brookshire, who along with Assistant Accounting Professor Jay Long III, led the creation of the new accounting program. Piedmont accounting students will be preparing for the CPA exam from their very first day in the program. Were making every minute count toward their professional preparation. To become a licensed CPA, students must have completed 150 college credit hours, including 30 upper-level accounting credit hours. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program are able to seamlessly transition into the Master of Business Administration program. In doing so, they will earn two degrees in just five years and meet CPA education requirements. (CPA requirements vary slightly from state to state. Piedmont will assist accounting students in understanding and meeting licensure requirements in their intended state of practice.) This is a direct path straight into the workforce, Waller said. Weve created a step-by-step path for aspiring accountants to enter their chosen career. Piedmonts Bachelor of Science in Accounting includes all necessary prerequisites for upper-level coursework, making it an ideal choice even for students who intend to complete their graduate work at another institution. Another requirement for CPA licensure is that students must complete a certain number of professional working hours. Piedmont maintains close relationships with accounting firms throughout Georgia. Long and Brookshire will work closely with accounting students to understand their interests and aspirations, then direct them to professional opportunities that align with their life goals. Both Brookshire and Long hold CPA licensure and have numerous years of experience in the field. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be about 135,000 openings for accounting positions over the next decade. For more information on Piedmonts new degree, visit piedmont.edu/accounting. Jeff Blumenfeld, author of the book, "Travel with Purpose" Thanks in part to the pandemic, volunteers can lend a hand around the world by sharing skills and expertise via Zoom or Skype you dont even need a passport. Its no wonder the world of voluntourism has become a $3 billion a year industry. Volunteers get to travel internationally and out of pocket costs are nominal since volunteers are essentially trading the experience for their skills. And, of course, there is the good feeling side of helping make the world a better place. While these are all great reasons for getting involved, "Travel with Purpose" author Jeff Blumenfeld tells ExpertFlyer that well-intentioned volunteers need to be wary of scammers whose heart may be located a bit closer to their wallet. "Thanks in part to the pandemic, volunteers can lend a hand around the world by sharing skills and expertise via Zoom or Skype you dont even need a passport, explains Jeff Blumenfeld during his One-on-One interview with ExpertFlyer.com. But you have to do your homework in vetting not-for-profits in this space. Another point to be mindful of is respecting those you are there to help. This act of generosity should not be confused with virtue signaling. Ive seen younger volunteers snapping selfies with poverty-stricken locals to up their Instagram creds. Theres a way to document your story and give light to an important cause. Just stay true to the mission, which is about making a difference in the world however small it may be." Although a $3 billion a year industry will always attract unscrupulous behavior, Blumenfeld is quick to note that the overwhelming majority of organizations are upstanding and beneficial to local communities. In fact, Konstantinos Tomazos, a senior lecturer in international tourism management at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, told NPR that Habitat for Humanity estimated its trips alone brings $6.9 million to the drivers, hotels, restaurants and gift shops that serve international volunteers when they visit. So, how does someone begin to find the right volunteer opportunity? Blumenfeld found his opportunity through contacts at The Explorers Club, a New York-based exploration society founded in 1905. In his book, Travel with Purpose, Blumenfeld describes about 30 different opportunities to consider with 30 reputable organizations. And if you cant commit to a few weeks as a volunteer, there are many opportunities to help without skipping a beat from everyday travels. Pack For A Purpose is a group that matches a countrys needs with scheduled travel plans. For example, if youre planning to visit Honduras, the organization might say, thats great. That country needs aspirin. Can you bring five pounds of aspirin with you, and someone will meet you when you arrive? Blumenfeld also likes an organization called Hope Floats, which caters to cruise ship passengers. Instead of taking daylong excursions, cruisers can volunteer with local charities. And for those in the U.S. who dont wish to travel internationally, Blumenfeld suggests a group called Volunteermatch.org. This is the Match.com of volunteering, he quips. The site links volunteers in the United States with literally thousands of opportunities around the country or in their own neighborhood. The point is there are endless volunteer opportunities around the world. You just need to do your homework and align yourself with trusted organizations. But many travelers still wonder if the process is worth the effort. Jeff Blumenfeld recalls his time in Nepal volunteering with DooleyIntermed.org where many people are blinded by cataracts due to a lack of medical care, high altitude, and scarcity of sunglasses. I remember seeing this one woman named Chinja. She was 65 years old, and her son had to carry her into the village on his back. Due to cataracts, she'd been blind for three years and didn't like to wear shoes because she couldn't feel the ground. After the surgery, she suddenly has her sight back and sees her son for the first time in years, and her grandchild for the first time ever. And just that one experience for me makes it all worth it. To listen to the full interview with author Jeff Blumenfeld, visit ExpertFlyers blog. About Jeff Blumenfeld A resident of Boulder, CO, Jeff Blumenfeld is editor and publisher of Expedition News, an online publication (expeditionnews.com) he founded in 1994 to cover news about the adventure marketing field. Excerpts from Expedition News also appear in The Explorers Club quarterly Explorers Journal. A Fellow of The Explorers Club (explorers.org) based in New York, he is chairman of its Rocky Mountain chapter and a member of its prestigious Legal Committee. In addition, Blumenfeld is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society based in London. His first book was Get Sponsored: A Funding Guide for Explorers, Adventurers, and Would-be World Travelers (Skyhorse, 2014). About ExpertFlyer.com Each month, ExpertFlyer's One-on-One blog goes face-to-face with the travel industry's leading decision makers to discuss and address topics relevant to many of today's business and frequent travelers. ExpertFlyer.com was conceived and created by an eclectic team consisting of a veteran elite tier frequent flyer, an airline captain and corporate travel manager, and information technology professionals to deliver a 24/7 real time powerful air travel information service. The company provides its subscribers and corporate travel managers alike with a complete, concise, and efficient way to access the ever-changing details of worldwide air travel information. For more information, please visit expertflyer.com. Stuck in the middle seat again? Download the free Seat Alerts app from ExpertFlyer and get the window or aisle seat without hassle or frustration. # # # GroGuru Logo We are thrilled to have Aqua Intelligence, Sustainable Hydrology, and Western Prairie Ag join the GroGuru family as regional service providers, which significantly expands GroGuru's deployable coverage footprint. GroGuru, Inc., a technology leader in strategic irrigation management, recently added three service provider partners as part of an effort to accelerate its market penetration strategy in the US Midwest Region. These service providers will focus on expanding GroGurus already strong dealer network in the Midwest, with a specific focus on Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan. This Midwest region is the heartland for growth of broad acre row crops, like corn and soybeans, but also represents additional crop types that can benefit from the deployment of GroGurus breakthrough water management solutions. There are 273,000 acres of harvested cropland, of which 28,000 acres is irrigated. This represents 75 percent of the total farmland acreage and over 50 percent of the irrigated acreage in the Unites States. The three service providers, Aqua Intelligence, Sustainable Hydrology, and Western Prairie Ag, have regional domain expertise and significant technical expertise in GroGurus solutions, namely GroGuru WUGS, which uses GroGurus patented wireless underground system that enables the permanent installation of soil sensors in annual field crops, and GroGuru InSites, a market leading software as a service (SaaS) solution that helps farmers make water management decisions to maximize crop yield while more efficiently using scarce resources like water, energy and fertilizer. We are thrilled to have Aqua Intelligence, Sustainable Hydrology, and Western Prairie Ag join the GroGuru family as regional service providers, which significantly expands GroGuru's deployable coverage footprint, said Patrick Henry, president and CEO of GroGuru. GroGuru provides a hardware-enabled software as a service (SaaS), where we collect data at the root zone of the crop, pass that up to the Cloud, apply machine learning and artificial intelligence, and other information from our partners like weather forecasts and crop models and how much irrigation water is provided, and then we provide insights to farmers about when and how much to optimally irrigate their crops. Farmers that are currently using the GroGuru solutions love the results, and the timing was right to bring these service providers onboard to accelerate our market growth. "We formed Aqua Intelligence because we wanted to provide the technology that our farmers and dealers need to harness the power of their soil, said Daniel "Boone" Raney, Principle at Aqua Intelligence. We love how the GroGuru InSites platform really allows us to unlock that potential; and our partnership with GroGuru also allows us to provide wider technical support, which is a win-win for both companies." "At Sustainable Hydrology we really believe in promoting good agronomy and soil health, and in such a dry environment as ours, irrigation management is a critical component, said John Brewer, Principle at Sustainable Hydrology. The precise control, ease of use and scalability provided by the GroGuru InSites platform really allows us to provide an extremely high level of service to our customers and dealers, which is key to our business." "I have worked in this industry for over 10 years and every year we used to have to install and remove probes - which I used to really hate. However, now that I can use the permanent probes from GroGuru, it is one and done, which really allows me to grow my business, said Eric Betschart, Principle at Western Prairie Ag. The growers also really like the year-round data and not having to pay for installation every year." About GroGuru GroGuru, Inc. is a privately held company based in San Diego, CA, founded in 2014. GroGuru supplies precision soil and irrigation monitoring and management systems to the commercial agriculture industry. GroGuru is all about strategic irrigation management, helping farmers make more money by increasing crop yield and more efficiently using water in a sustainable way. GroGuru has a patented wireless underground system (WUGS) for soil monitoring, an AI-based recommendation engine in the Cloud, and an intuitive farmer-friendly user interface that farmers can access on their tablet, computer, or mobile device. GroGuru sells an innovative hardware-enabled subscription-based solution to farmers that enables optimal irrigation, as well as a software as a service (SaaS) marketed as GroGuru InSites. GroGurus patented WUGS technology enables the permanent installation of soil sensors, even in annual field crops. GroGuru has been a part of the OCTANE LaunchPad, EvoNexus, AgLaunch, the Yield Lab, SVG-Thrive and Plug & Play AgTech accelerator programs. From mountains, volcanoes and glaciers to fjords, lakes, forests, and black sand beaches, to progressive, environmentally-minded cities, The Nordics offer extraordinary landscapes and experiences for travelers." The European Travel Commission together with The Nordic Council of Ministers is pleased to announce the launch of a new sustainable tourism marketing campaign for The Nordics, a coalition of the seven Nordic tourism boards of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The campaign is designed to reinvigorate travel to the region as COVID-19 restrictions ease and will incorporate B2B and B2C initiatives through work with consortia partners, tour operators, and the media. It will appeal to open-minded individuals who travel to broaden their minds and develop new perspectives while connecting with local culture, eating local food, enjoying nature, and experiencing local traditions all in a responsible manner. The countries unified approach to tourism is bolstered by a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, natural creativity and itineraries that seamlessly connect multiple Nordic countries to create unforgettable travel moments. From mountains, volcanoes and glaciers to fjords, lakes, forests, and black sand beaches, to progressive, environmentally-minded cities, The Nordics offer extraordinary landscapes and experiences for travelers, said Christina Koontz, U.S. Project Manager for The Nordics. Collectively, we recognize the fragility of our natural environment our greatest asset and are determined to both provide sustainable tourism solutions and educate our visitors to ensure future generations of residents and visitors alike can enjoy our breathtaking destinations. Myriad activities that exemplify sustainability await visitors to The Nordics. Finland, home to 41 national parks, 3 million saunas and outdoor activities like off-road biking and ice paddling, plans to be carbon neutral by 2035. Various areas of Sweden are gaining a reputation for being eco-friendly, including Gothenburg which has been named the worlds most sustainable destination in the Global Destination Sustainability Index for five consecutive years; Stockholm, where nearly 80 percent of hotels are sustainability accredited by a third-party certifying body; and Skellefea which aims to become an early adopter of electric aviation. In addition to hiking Norways magnificent fjords, visitors may opt to experience the coastal route by sailing on hybrid-electric boats. The Faroe Islands are known for attracting birders and hikers, but their farm tours and heimablidni (Faroese for home hospitality) experiences are quickly gaining in popularity. Heimablidni allows locals to share their culture and local cuisine while emphasizing the importance of serving sustainable food from the hosts own farm. During oyster safaris in the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Denmark, participants are guided to oyster beds at low tide where they fill their buckets in a true sea-to-table experience. Further afield, the sustainable energy islands of r and Bornholm have adopted ambitious sustainable energy policies that allow them to make more energy than they use. With two brand new international airports with direct access from the U.S., Greenland will be a short 4.5-hour flight away from New York by the end of 2024. With its indigenous Inuit culture, and majestic nature, this exclusive and undiscovered destination visited only by a few tourists a year offers a wide range of sustainable activities, including midnight sun, icebergs, kayaking, and glamping in the summer, and northern lights, dog sledding, and snow-shoeing in the winter. Not only does the island nation of Iceland offer a wide range of activities, geothermal pools and wildlife, along with three UNESCO World Heritage sites and two UNESCO Global Geoparks, but it has also taken a firm stand in the fight against climate change by aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2040. Visitors can travel to Iceland more sustainably by taking the Icelandic Pledge to be a responsible tourist and calculating and offsetting their carbon footprint. About The Nordics Located in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, the Nordics are comprised of seven countries: Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. In this open and welcoming region, diversity, equality and respect for all people are paramount. It is a place where creativity has the opportunity to grow and where dreams and new ideas can be realized. Living traditions and cultural heritage are both protected and respected. In the Nordics, visitors can interact with nature, learn from nature, and eat what is found in nature. The Nordics are not just a beautiful background but the essence of a transformational trip. For more information, contact: christina@cornersun.com. Like PatientPoints experience, implementing Congas solutions streamlines the document management process and optimizes workflow to accelerate project management and reduce costs to help successfully navigate these new market dynamics. Conga, the global leader in scalable revenue lifecycle management solutions, today announced it is helping leading patient engagement platform PatientPoint digitize and automate its contract processes with a unified, end-to-end solution, empowering the company to save time, money, and resources and allowing for greater productivity among its sales teams. PatientPoints innovative, tech-enabled patient engagement platform delivers more personalized, relevant, and effective doctor-patient interactions across the entire care journey. More than 140 thousand healthcare providers and 500 hospitals trust PatientPoint to help them increase practice efficiencies, enhance the patient experience and improve outcomes. Prior to partnering with Conga, PatientPoints processes involved a manual PDF-based operation that included several steps across many departments. The Cincinnati-based companys Local Client Solutions team processes about 12,000 documents annually, and in many cases, documents were incomplete or needed to be redone. At the same time, the PatientPoint team was having difficulty keeping track of projects reported across different Salesforce objects and lacked a unified location where a sales representative or manager could manage active projects. Prior to Conga, all PatientPoint document systems were housed in different places and didnt interact. To address these challenges, PatientPoint implemented a full contract lifecycle management solution with Conga Contracts for Salesforce, including tools such as Conga Composer, Conga Orchestrate, Conga Grid, and Conga Sign to automate the companys document activity, including document generation, routing and approvals and signatures. This has led to improved operational efficiency, accelerated sales cycles and faster time-to-revenue. By implementing Congas solutions, PatientPoints time to process a contract decreased from 30-45 minutes to just 3-5 minutes and contributed to a return on investment equal to a full-time employee. In addition, PatientPoint experienced a significant reduction in cost savings per seat with Conga Sign compared to its previous eSignature provider, leading to substantial annual savings. Conga is the leader in managing contracts end-to-end, streamlining contract and lifecycle management for efficiency and insights. Through its Composer, Grid, Sign, Orchestrate and broader revenue lifecycle management solutions, Conga helps thousands of organizations transform manual and disjointed processes to improve employee and customer experiences, increase accuracy, speed cycle times and lower risk. As digital transformation and the demand for increased productivity continues to rise, more companies recognize the need for automated and scalable business operations solutions, said Zachary Thomas, Vice President of Product Marketing, Conga. Like PatientPoints experience, implementing Congas solutions streamlines the document management process and optimizes workflow to accelerate project management and reduce costs to help successfully navigate these new market dynamics. We are delighted to partner with PatientPoint to help support their digitization efforts for continued business success. For more details on Congas revenue lifecycle solutions, visit https://conga.com/products/revenue-lifecycle-suite. About Conga Conga crushes complexity within an increasingly complex world. With our revenue lifecycle management solution, we transform your unique complexities for order configuration, execution, fulfillment, and contract renewal processes with a single critical insights data model that adapts to ever-changing business requirements and aligns the understanding and efforts of every team. Our approach is grounded in the Conga Way, a framework of entrepreneurial spirit and achieving together to champion our 11,000+ customers. Were committed to our customers and to removing complexity in an increasingly complex world. Our solutions quickly adapt to changing business models so you can normalize your revenue operations. About PatientPoint PatientPoint is the patient engagement platform that more providers trust. Our innovative, tech-enabled solutions create more effective doctor-patient interactions and deliver high value for patients, providers, and healthcare sponsors. Through our nearly 140k unique healthcare provider relationships, PatientPoints solutions impact roughly 750 million patient visits each year, further advancing our mission of making every doctor-patient engagement better. Learn more at patientpoint.com. Bloom360 Learners with art they created with Lela. I am very honored to join the Partners of Vista360 who consistently display the highest of personal and professional standards and a team that faithfully takes action to help make the world a better place, shared Harris. Vista360, a management consulting firm celebrating 20 years in business in 2022, today announced that senior consultant, Lela Harris, has been promoted to Partner. Vista360 serves a nationwide client base of investment advisers and mutual funds with customized, practical regulatory compliance and business consulting advice. The firms philanthropic endeavors include helping to found Bloom360 Learning Community, a nonprofit school for neurodiverse Learners. Lela Harris joined Vista360 in 2016 and has 14 years of investment industry experience. She is instrumental in advising clients in regulatory compliance and complex organizational initiatives including process improvement, product launches/redesigns, team development and culture enhancements. She also helped the firm open Bloom360 Learning Community in 2017 and serves on the Board of Directors, as well as volunteers her time to teach art and mindfulness. Lelas significant contributions to Vista360 and Bloom360 are admirable and inspiring and Im proud to welcome her into our partnership, shared Laura Rauman, Founder of both Vista360 and Bloom360. Her commitment to helping people and organizations be their best is rooted in her signature strengths of love of learning, perspective, creativity and curiosity. I am very honored to join the Partners of Vista360 who consistently display the highest of personal and professional standards and a team that faithfully takes action to help make the world a better place, shared Harris. Together, we serve as trusted resources for an amazing group of clients and our collective effort to launch and help with Bloom360 Learning Community is among the most rewarding endeavors of my life. The unique relationship between Vista360 and Bloom360, now in its fifth year of serving children and young adults, shows what is possible when an educational environment is built from the ground up to meet the Learners unique needs. The Vista360 team led the initial research and development effort which harnessed worldwide best practices for special education and child development. Now, the Vista360 team members serve as trusted mentors for the Bloom360 Learners as well as volunteer their time and donate a percentage of their profits to support the school. With Vista360s stewardship, Bloom360 has earned recognition statewide from the Force for Positive Change competition managed by The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and Marquette University as well as with other grants and major news coverage. Internationally known child psychologist, Dr. Mona Delahooke, wrote that Bloom360 is: Leading innovation by shifting the paradigm to approaches that should become a new standard in education across the world. About Vista360 LLC: Vista360, LLC is an independent, employee-owned consulting firm serving a nationwide client base. Since 2002, Vista360 has provided investment advisers and funds with customized, practical regulatory compliance and business consulting advice. As experienced business owners and investment industry practitioners, it comes naturally to us to provide advice that complements your business as a whole, while digging deep into the details to support managements achievement of its goals and project objectives. We use a strengths-based, team approach when working with clients; something we believe enhances our clients experience. We help people and organizations be their best. For more information about Vista360, LLC, visit: http://vista360llc.com/ About Bloom360 Learning Community: Bloom360 Learning Community is a nonprofit school in southeastern Wisconsin serving neurodiverse Learners with an innovative education model that supports whole-child growth in the five areas of human development: social, emotional, body, spirit (purpose) and mind. Developed from the ground up, the Learners average 15 percent annual growth toward their individualized social-emotional goals. For more information about Bloom360 Learning Community, visit: http://www.bloom360.org/ People have shared concerns about Cook County access for years but no company was influential enough with the right vision to change the status quo. It took a business with the purpose and stature of InformData to move this forward." InformData, LLC, the leading wholesale data provider to the background screening industry, and result of the 2021 merger of SJV Data Solutions and Wholesale Screening Solutions, announces the doubling of court records research terminals in often inaccessible Cook County, Illinois. The paucity of court records research terminals has been a chronic factor in slow turn-around times and general lack of people-data access required to make informed hiring, tenancy and career advancement decisions. Cook County has historically provided only 37 public records access terminals, a number that grossly underserves one of the most populous regions of Illinois. As a result of InformDatas efforts, Cook County has agreed to nearly double that count adding 30 new terminals in the coming weeks. I want to recognize the efforts of our data access team in working with the Cook County court system to secure these new terminals for all researchers, said Scott Vanek, InformData CEO. People have shared concerns about Cook County access for years but no company was influential enough with the right vision to change the status quo. It took a business with the purpose and stature of InformData to move this forward. This is one small but critically important example of InformDatas commitment to making people-data equitably accessible to all. We will continue pursuing this vision for a more open data industry and hope that CRAs and others who share our commitment to information access will join us. Using these new terminals, InformData will expand its direct-source data initiative, eliminating middlemen and providing more transparent information, with more efficiency and improving total cost of ownership for CRAs. While this is a step in the right direction, demand continues to exceed supply and InformData is committed to helping CRAs secure research in Cook County in a more predictable and reliable fashion. InformDatas objective with its powerful product approach, 90+% direct source county coverage and CRA-friendly pricing models, is to bring CRAs closer to the data they need to compete for screening contracts while increasing reliability, performance and security to reduce the overhead associated with managing multiple data providers. Access to direct-source data is provided through InformDatas API First Framework. Customers and 3rd party providers use secure digital hooks into direct-source data, built on productized intelligent access. The result is a future-proof, high-performance data ecosystem that provides CRAs with more visibility and control over the information they need. Treating people-data as a supply chain enables real-time monitors for critical metrics measuring data availability and request timelines and provides reporting that empowers CRAs to manage expectations, lower risk and scale request volume predictably. InformDatas people-data ecosystem seamlessly integrates with both proprietary systems and all of the leading third-party background screening platforms and is available immediately to current customers using InformDatas data and data management systems as well as to new customers. About InformData: InformData is transforming how Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) help businesses make choices about hiring and maintaining their most valuable assets: people. Today, InformData, the leading independent wholesale provider of people-data, leads the background screening data industry in innovation, using an API first technology model, a supply chain methodology that puts CRAs closer to the data and metrics they need, and a simplified business model that eliminates transactional expenses and provides people-data the way businesses buy screening results from CRAs. InformDatas six targeted people-data solutions Criminal Records and Court Data, Resume Verification, Medical Compliance, International Data, National Criminal Data and Continuous Court Records Monitoring provide the most comprehensive background screening insights and empower CRAs to help their end-users make informed decisions. The entire InformData team is dedicated to creating the best products and to making the world a better-informed place. Be informed. Please visit http://www.informdata.com We are proud to have our work recognized at such a prestigious award. said Alex Otanez, Shockoe CEO Our team and clients push us each day to create new groundbreaking solutions and to be recognized alongside industry leaders is an honor. Today, Richmond based Shockoe announced it was honored at the 26th Annual Webby Awards in two categories: Apps & Software - Connected Products & Wearables, and Apps & Software - Experimental & Innovation for its work on the Throne customer app for Throne Labs. These recognitions highlight the quality of Shockoes innovative mobile experiences and industry leading advancements. We are proud to have our work recognized at such a prestigious award. said Alex Otanez, Shockoe CEO Our team and clients push us each day to create new groundbreaking solutions and to be recognized alongside industry leaders is an honor. The customer facing mobile solution designed by Shockoe was built to create a seamless and easy to use brand experience for Throne users. Working in tandem with the client, Shockoes team developed a solution that allows users to find, book, and open a Throne bathroom location all from their phone. Honorees like Shockoe are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet, said Claire Graves, President of The Webby Awards. It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from more than 14,300 entries we received this year. Hailed as the Internets highest honor by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet. Shockoe was selected as an honoree in two categories from more than 14,300 entries that spanned 70 countries this year. The Shockoe team looks forward to building on the recent prestigious honor as it works with companies large and small on measurable mobile solutions. Learn more about Shockoe at https://shockoe.com/ About Shockoe: Shockoe is an award-winning app development company based in Richmond, VA. Founded by Edwin Huertas in 2010, Shockoe has been featured in Inc 5000, Entrepreneur Magazine, and recognized as one of Virginias fastest-growing digital companies, as well as one of Richmond Times Dispatchs Best Places to Work. Together with its clients Shockoe builds tech for a future that is immersive, predictive, and connected. From mobile and wearables to Web 3.0, AR/VR, and kiosks Shockoes digital experiences make life easier. 2022 Toyota Highlander is Now Available at Cecil Atkission Toyota Toyota Highlander has a diverse customer base that has been growing with time. It has established its worth as a rugged and tech-savvy SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle). The Toyota Highlander is updated every year to remain competitive in the crowded SUV market. Due to a bevy of standard features, the 2022 Toyota Highlander will continue the trend. Visit Cecil Atkission Toyota in Orange, Texas, if you are seeking an SUV with best-in-class performance ratings, innovative safety, driver-assistance technology, and eye-catching accent lines. Starting at $35,205, the 2022 Toyota Highlander offers excellent value for money. The SUV is available in eleven different grades, including hybrid and gasoline models, all of which are designed to meet clients' needs. Under the hood of the standard Toyota Highlander rests a 3.5-liter 24-valve Atkinson-cycle-capable D-4S injection engine with Dual VVT-i. The standard drive train is a front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. The power from the engine is transmitted to the wheels using an eight-speed Direct-Shift-8AT automatic transmission in the 2022 Toyota Highlander. A 2.5-liter 16-valve L4HV powertrain with Dual VVT-iE powers the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, generating a net of 243 horsepower and 175 pound-feet. The hybrid variants get an ECVT (Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox. SUV aficionados in and around Orange, Texas, may call the Cecil Atkission Toyota dealership at (833) 378-1225 or book a test drive online to learn more about the new 2022 Toyota Highlander. Those interested in finding out more about the 2022 Toyota Highlander may visit Cecil Atkission Toyota's website at https://www.ceciltoyota.com or stop by the store at 2500 IH-10 West in Orange, Texas 77632. With his extensive experience in higher education and business development, Jeremy is the perfect fit to continue this growth and momentum, and lead our talented corporate partnerships team," said Joe Diamond, CEO of AllCampus AllCampus, which partners with leading, traditional higher education institutions to grow online enrollment and maximize market share, today announced the appointment of Jeremy Walsh as Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships to lead the companys expansion of its extensive network of enterprise and university partners. Walsh brings more than 20 years of experience leading and driving growth in the learning technology and higher education industries to AllCampus. He joins AllCampus at a time when leading employers are expanding their investments in employee education benefits and implementing learning and education as a corporate strategy. In his new role, he will oversee AllCampus' deep collaboration with employer partners and the companies expanding their focus on career connected education. Walsh will also expand AllCampus' growing efforts to support employers in the new and emerging demands for upskilling and reskilling. Over the past year, we have significantly expanded our network of corporate partners and the graduate and certificate programs were able to provide to their millions of employees nationwide to help close the pervasive skills gap, said Joe Diamond, CEO of AllCampus. With his extensive experience in higher education and business development, Jeremy is the perfect fit to continue this growth and momentum, and lead our talented corporate partnerships team. Prior to joining AllCampus, Walsh served as Vice President of Sales for Jenzabar, where he led the companys go-to-market efforts, innovation strategy and growth plans. He also previously served as Founder & General Manager of Wiley Beyond and Senior Vice President of Enterprise Learning Solutions at Wiley, and held executive roles at Learning House and Kaplan. Im honored to join AllCampus and continue to expand on the great work the team is doing for the students and employers we support," said Walsh. AllCampus already has a vast network of enterprise partners, and Im looking forward to working with these impressive companies and our equally impressive university partners to deliver career-centered education solutions for millions of students and employees nationwide. Launched in 2015, AllCampuss corporate partner network comprises over 4,000 companies, representing 60 industries including engineering, financial services, healthcare, IT and more and reaching over 20 million working professionals with online degree and certificate programs from AllCampuss partner institutions, including the University of Florida, Purdue University and Vanderbilt University. Current corporate partners featured within the network include Amazon, Goldman Sachs, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Pfizer and United Healthcare. To learn more about or join AllCampuss network of corporate partners, please visit: https://www.allcampus.com/for-companies/. For more information on how the network benefits universities, please visit: https://www.allcampus.com/online-program-management/corporate-partnerships/. To learn more about AllCampus and its services and university partners, please visit: http://www.allcampus.com. About AllCampus AllCampus creates value for leading universities by expanding their reach and cultivating relationships with students who seek to advance their lives through education. It offers comprehensive, tailored online program management (OPM) services, powered by industry-leading technology all with the universitys unique identity and brand top of mind. It has built its reputation on delivering measurable results, being an honest broker, and providing high levels of service to its two primary constituencies: prospective and enrolled students, and university administrators. AllCampus deep research, powerful insights and understanding of current job market and employer needs helps its partners tailor their offerings to optimize student outcomes and return on investment. The companys flexible payment and service options include bundled or unbundled offerings and fee-for-service management or a customized low and sustainable revenue share plan. Brandon Lovell Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for two-year college students to succeed and for putting college completion within reach. Brandon, a student at Salt Lake Community College, has been named a 2022 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship. New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 students were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). We congratulate Brandon for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and the AACC to recognize these outstanding achievements, said Phi Theta Kappas President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for two-year college students to succeed and for putting college completion within reach. About The Coca-Cola Foundation The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit coca-colagivingback.com. About The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org. About Phi Theta Kappa Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nations colleges. Learn more at ptk.org. About Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake Community College is Utahs largest two-year college, proudly educating the states most diverse student body in 8 areas of study at 10 locations and online. The majority of SLCC graduates transfer to four-year institutions, and thousands more are trained in direct-to-workforce programs. In 2023, SLCC will celebrate 75 years of providing Utahns with education and training in fields that contribute to the states vibrant economy and high quality of life. New state-of-the-art high-speed filling line at Catalents facility in Morrisville, RTP (courtesy of Dara Pharmaceutical Equipment) Our team in Morrisville has a long history of success in developing and commercializing nasal drug products, and we are witnessing a growth in this field from innovators looking to exploit its advantage, such as its fast onset of action and being non-invasive. Catalent, the global leader in enabling biopharma, cell, gene, and consumer health partners to optimize development, launch, and supply of better patient treatments across multiple modalities, today announced that it has successfully completed a significant expansion of its nasal capabilities at its Morrisville, Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina, facility, to provide world-class services for the development and manufacturing of unit and bi-dose nasal spray products. This marks the first phase of a multi-million-dollar investment at the site to expand and modernize its nasal drug delivery capabilities, substantially increasing technology and capacity to support projected growth for existing and future customers. The expansion is in response to the growing interest in the potential for nose-to-brain drug administration, and as an alternative route for the delivery of systemic drugs, rescue therapies, and vaccines. Catalents RTP site has supported numerous nasal programs from early formulation, clinical, and commercial production, and the newly completed first phase investment will provide a flexible, high speed micro vial filling line, automated inspection, and high-speed assembly line capable of supporting unit and bi-dose programs. The additional technologies are intended to allow seamless transition for all clinical and commercial manufacturing within an ISO 7 environment and spray testing development and release. Our team in Morrisville has a long history of success in developing and commercializing nasal drug products, and we are witnessing a growth in this field from innovators looking to exploit its advantage, such as its fast onset of action and being non-invasive, said Jonathan Arnold, President of Oral and Specialty Delivery at Catalent. This initial investment at the site has allowed us to integrate expertise across a range of disciplines, including analytical sciences, formulation development and manufacturing, with the latest in product filling technology, enabling researchers to accelerate nasal drug product programs, and commercialize new medicines as fast as possible. Catalents 186,000-square-foot facility in Morrisville is located within the Research Triangle Park, and is the companys center of excellence for nasal drug development, as well as providing services for analytical services, biologics, supporting small and large molecule projects. About Catalent Catalent is the global leader in enabling pharma, biotech, and consumer health partners to optimize product development, launch, and full life-cycle supply for patients around the world. With broad and deep scale and expertise in development sciences, delivery technologies, and multi-modality manufacturing, Catalent is a preferred industry partner for personalized medicines, consumer health brand extensions, and blockbuster drugs. Catalent helps accelerate over 1,000 partner programs and launch over 150 new products every year. Its flexible manufacturing platforms at over 50 global sites supply over 70 billion doses of nearly 7,000 products annually. Catalents expert workforce exceeds 19,000, including more than 2,500 scientists and technicians. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, the company generated $4 billion in revenue in its 2021 fiscal year. For more information, visit http://www.catalent.com. More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied. MSSI is important because it firmly supports CCBCs vision of diversity, equity and inclusion, said Sunni Solomon, MSSI program director. MSSI was started in 2013 under a grant-funded iniatitive. After the grant ended and funding depleted, the program dwindled. Following the death of George Floyd, CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis renewed the colleges commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and shone a spotlight on MSSI. She declared the program a priorty, provided it with new leadership and dedicated $250,000 in funding to give the program a fresh start. CCBC is proud to breathe new life and new leadership into a much needed program, said President Sandra Kurtinitis. Investing in scholarships, staffing, mentoring, and wrap around supports for this important cadre of students significantly increases their confidence and self image as well as their chances for retention and completion. More than 130 students are currently enrolled in MSSI with a campaign underway to enroll at least 100 more. The goal is to create a brotherhood of young men who are committed to unlocking the power of education, serious about professional development and focused on earning their associate degree and/or successfully transferring to a four-year institutuion. Each student is paired with a dedicated success mentor and group that coincides with their academic major, with the expectation that they meet regularly throughout the sememster. Success mentors facilitate services including tutoring and academic support, supplemental instruction, financial aid, career workshops, and assistance in transferring to a four-year college. MSSI also partners with businesses such as Stanley Black and Decker to provide internships for students. In addition to academic support, the group schedules brotherhood and social engagement activities that allow students to bond. Weekly gatherings take place to communicate important information and dates, as well as provide space for students to share personal and academic success stories. The addition of a dedicated space allows them to engage with their peers and program staff in between classes and study sessions. MSSI is important because it firmly supports CCBCs vision of diversity, equity and inclusion, said Sunni Solomon, MSSI program director. Identifying and addressing the challenges that can often take our male students of color off track will play an important role in this process. If we can create a better support system and connect the college to our MSSI students on a more personal level I believe it will lead to to better academic outcomes. About the Community College of Baltimore County (http://www.ccbcmd.edu) Since 1957, CCBC has opened the doors to accessible, affordable, high-quality education empowering generations of area residents to transform their lives and the lives of others. Each year, nearly 50,000 students enroll at the colleges main campuses, extension centers and online to make their starts, earn degrees, launch and build careers. CCBC offers the regions most expansive selection of degree, certificate and workplace certification programs that prepare students for transfer, job entry and career advancement in such industries as business, education, health care, information technology, cybersecurity, construction, and transportation. Designated as the Best Community College among the Maryland Daily Records 2021 Reader Rankings, CCBC is also nationally recognized as a leader in innovative learning strategies and among the nations top associate degree producers. Certified Pre-Owned Toyota Vehicles for Sale in Janesville, Wisconsin Toyota has always been dedicated to designing and manufacturing high-quality vehicles. This commitment is evident in all their vehicles. A Certified Pre-Owned Toyota has everything one looks for in a used car, plus so much more, with outstanding reliability and durability and the newest technology, comfort, and safety features. There are numerous benefits to owning and driving a Toyota Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. A used Toyota must pass a series of tests and inspections before being designated as a Certified Pre-Owned Toyota vehicle, ensuring that it meets Toyotas commitment to quality. Drivers in and around the Janesville area in Wisconsin who want to purchase good condition certified used vehicles can now buy them at the Hesser Toyota dealership. Certified used vehicles go through a thorough inspection before being available for sale. Customers can verify the AutoCheck reports available for the certified used vehicles at the dealership. From Certified Pre-Owned Toyota crossovers and SUVs to pickup trucks, sedans, hybrids, hatchbacks, and electric cars, Hesser Toyota has them all for sale. Customers in the area can take them for a test drive anytime. Additional benefits of the Toyota Certified Used Vehicles include: 160-point quality assurance inspection 7-year or 100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty 7-year or 100,000-mile Roadside Assistance Free CarFax Vehicle History Report 12-month or 12,000-mile Limited Comprehensive Warranty Interested residents of the area can stop by Hesser Toyota to learn more about the current selection of Certified Pre-Owned Toyota models. Contact the dealership on the dealership website or call the dealership at 608-754-7754. Interested buyers of Janesville can also head out to the showroom located at 1811 Humes Rd., Janesville, Wisconsin, 53545, to see the current selection in person. The studies on hospital water usage are abundant and alarming. Yet there are ways healthcare environmental service (EVS) providers can help. We hope these suggestions, which can be easily implemented, will give them food for thought. To honor Earth Day, Custodial and Infection Prevention Leader Servicon issued a report detailing how hospital and healthcare center Environmental Services (EVS) providers can scale back water usage to become more sustainable. Across Southern California, hospitals continuously look for ways to improve their efficiency and reduce waste. Servicon has made great advances to become a more sustainable infection prevention organization, leading with innovative initiatives in the healthcare industry. Having received the prestigious ENERGY STAR rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Servicons building ranks among the top 25% of its kind in energy efficiency. Their facilities have been recognized for their energy conservation and a step closer to a goal of net zero carbon emissions. Continuing their mission to provide exemplary environmental, custodial and maintenance services for Southern California and across the nation, Servicon extends its sustainability efforts in the field of work inside hospitals. With this in initiative in mind, Servicon suggests these daily practices for hospitals and EVS providers: Communication: Getting the entire hospital EVS team on board with any EVS provider's water saving efforts should be the first step. This begins with a discussion of the "whys" for water conservation, which include helping the environment and future generations while also saving money for the hospital. The "when" should be as soon as possible, followed by the "who," which includes everyone from top management to EVS frontline personnel. Finally, talk about "how." This should include specific actions, such as the ones listed below, to assist the EVS team in conserving water. Use microfiber. Microfiber can clean a surface dry just as well as it can clean it wet in many circumstances. Microfiber holds more water while taking up and retaining more debris than other cloths if a damp towel is required. As a result, EVS personnel will be able to clean surfaces more effectively while using less water. Dust first. Microfiber cloths can be used to clean many areas where surfaces are rarely touched, such as storage spaces or infrequently used conference rooms, without the use of water. When cleaning with water is required, dusting to remove dirt and loose particles can cut down on the amount of water needed to get a clean surface. Explore healthcare innovations. There are many new technologies designed to reduce water consumption that are ideal for healthcare EVS, including: - The iMop, which reduces water consumption while producing superior results. String mops were great in their time, but they use a lot of water, leave a lot of water behind, and require buckets to be constantly emptied and refilled. Opt for a more sustainable choice. - Choose floor care equipment such as the Square Scrub Pivot orbital floor machine that can complete many jobs without water. - Bonus: With a noise level of only 69 decibels, the machine is music to the ears of hospitals looking to reduce noise levels and raise patient satisfaction and HCAHPS scores. - The Protexus by EvaClean is a cordless, lightweight electrostatic sprayer that eliminates mixing messes and mistakes, while each 2.25-gallon tank covers 100,000 square feet with a spray range of five to eight feet. The 360-degree wraparound technology provides precision surface targeting and adherence for incredibly less water waste. President and CEO Laurie Sewell says: The studies on hospital water usage are abundant and alarming. If consumption continues at its current rate, it is only a matter of time before hospitals and other healthcare institutions will be forced to ration water to avoid running out, especially in areas already plagued by shortages. Yet there are ways healthcare environmental service (EVS) providers can help. We hope these suggestions, which can be easily implemented, will give them food for thought. Servicons sustainable initiatives is one of many ways on how they look to elevate the industry and provide healthy environments for people to thrive. About Servicon At Servicon, we are dedicated to providing exemplary environmental, custodial, and maintenance services for complex facilities throughout California. We live by our purpose to elevate the industry and provide healthy environments for people to thrive. Women-owned and operated, we work and live by our vision of creating a better working future. For more information, visit servicon.com. The New Start for Children Foundation Its an easy way to make a huge difference! Were asking travelers to save a little space in their suitcases for some much-needed supplies. Once you arrive at the resort, all you have to do is drop those items off at the front desk and youre done. Its that simple! As part of its ongoing Divi Cares initiative, Divi Resorts is proud to announce that Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and Oceans at Divi Little Bay on St. Maarten have joined forces with Pack for a Purpose, an organization that allows travelers to make a difference in the local community by saving room in their suitcase for needed supplies. Pack for a Purpose is thrilled to welcome Divi Resorts as a participant on our website, said Rebecca Rothney, Founder and Chairperson for Pack for a Purpose. We are also delighted to be adding a new country, the island nation of St. Maarten. We are honored to promote the wonderful work that they do in their community. Pack for a Purpose is a non-profit organization that positively impacts communities around the world by assisting travelers who want to take meaningful contributions to the destinations they visit. The supply lists for destinations on packforapurpose.org are provided directly by the local community-based projects that receive and use the supplies, enabling travelers to make informed decisions and take items that meet the needs of those who will be using them. The donations received at Divis St. Maarten resorts will support The New Start for Children Foundation, a local foster home for children of all ages, and SECDA, an umbrella organization of St. Maartens independent daycare centers. Its an easy way to make a huge difference! Were asking travelers to save a little space in their suitcases for some much-needed supplies. Once you arrive at the resort, all you have to do is drop those items off at the front desk and youre done. Its that simple, said General Manager Anne-Marie Brooks. Weve worked with the New Start for Children Foundation many times in the past, so were overjoyed to have another opportunity to support this wonderful cause. Plus, SECDA is another great organization that supports children in our community by providing opportunities for them to thrive and learn in afterschool programs. To learn more and see what supplies are needed on St. Maarten, travelers can visit http://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/caribbean/sint-maarten/divi-little-bay-beach-resort. Its easy to donate and youll make a priceless impact in the lives of local children and families, said Marco Galaverna, President & COO of Divi Resorts. To help travelers choose St. Maarten as a destination, were offering 30% off both Divi Little Bay and our newly launched Oceans at Divi Little Bay. From now until June 1, 2022, vacationers can take advantage of these discounted rates for travel throughout 2022: Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, St. Maarten $209 per night (room only), $226 per person, per night (all-inclusive) Oceans at Divi Little Bay, St. Maarten $249 per night (room only), $250 per person, per night (all-inclusive) To check availability, travelers can visit http://www.diviresorts.com/specials or use promo code 30OFF. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-367-3484 (toll-free) or 1-919-419-3484 (international). About Divi Resorts: The Caribbean vacation experts for over 50 years, Divi Resorts features a collection of seven premium resorts spanning the five stunning islands of Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix, and St. Maarten. Divi Resorts offers a best price guarantee, optional travel insurance, travel agent rates, a Divi Devotion Discount, and other programs. For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484 or visit http://www.diviresorts.com. The world of insurance can be complex. We receive inquiries regularly from individuals looking to make a career change. One of the most common questions asked is about the differences between an independent insurance adjuster and a staff claims adjuster. Clermont, Florida based Educational Services & Consulting (ESC) announces the launch of their April blog series. Co-Owner and Chief Strategy Officer, Natalie Zimmerman, states The world of insurance can be complex. We receive inquiries regularly from individuals looking to make a career change. One of the most common questions asked is about the differences between an independent insurance adjuster and a staff claims adjuster. While both positions require individuals to have their all-lines adjuster license, there is a significant difference in the roles and responsibilities for each position. As an independent insurance adjuster individuals handle claims for several firms as opposed to working with a single firm. A staff claims adjuster works for a single firm and handles only their firms claims. As an independent, you would be covering a territory and be working directly in the field that could stretch for miles and even hours to cover the entire territory. In their blog series, ESC discusses the differences between the two different types of adjuster positions. They also discuss skillsets needed to work in each role, the benefits, the pay differences and the type of license needed. Zimmerman adds Both the independent insurance adjuster and the staff claims adjuster positions require individuals obtain to their all-lines adjuster license. To earn this, candidates must earn their 6-20 Accredited Claims Adjuster designation which is one course we offer online. Once individuals take our 40-hour online course and pass our exam they will be eligible for their state license which grants them their all-lines adjuster license. By taking our online course the Florida state exam is waived. We make it extremely easy and affordable for individuals looking to make a career change and become an adjuster. To read both blogs in the series visit: https://escconnected.com/what-is-a-staff-claims-adjuster/ and https://escconnected.com/what-is-an-independent-insurance-adjuster/ Educational Services & Consulting offers a 40-hour self-paced online course for individuals looking to earn their 6-20 Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) designation. ESC also offers a 40-hour self-paced online course for individuals looking to earn their 4-40 Registered Customer Service (RCSR) designation. Both of these courses offer an online final exam and when passed candidates can apply for their license. Once individuals pass the end of course final exam they are exempt from having to take the state licensing exam. Educational Services & Consulting has partnered with several colleges and universities over the years to assist educational institutions with expanding their course offerings. Enrolled college students can take either of ESCs online designation courses through their school. Students register for the ESC courses as any other college class and ESC offers a revenue share to the participating schools. Zimmerman adds Its a win-win for the schools to participate in a revenue share with us. For every student that registers in either of our courses we pay the school back per student. The school does not have to facilitate the technology for the courses or offer faculty to teach. We handle all of those details. We rely on the schools to feature our courses in their course catalogues, and we do the rest. Its that easy!" In addition to their educational partnership program, ESC also partners with all branches of the U.S. military. Both the 6-20 Accredited Claims Adjuster designation and the 4-40 Registered Customer Service designation courses have been very attractive opportunities for military personnel who are retiring or taking an active leave. The ACA designation has been most popular with military personnel in part due to the roles and responsibilities as an All-Lines Adjuster. Over the years ESC has had several military personnel earn their ACA designation and eventually work as an independent insurance adjuster with great success. Educational Services & Consulting has a robust blog on their website, https://escconnected.com/blog/, that offers a variety of information. Different topics are discussed such as How Do I File A Car Accident Claim?, Ive Had An Auto Accident, How Can An Accredited Claims Adjuster Help Me?, What Credentials Are Needed To Become An Accredited Claims Adjuster? and several other topics. Educational Services & Consulting is located at 4327 S Highway 27, Suite 204 in Clermont, Florida 34711. For additional information on registering for ESCs 6-20 Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) designation course or their 4-40 Registered Customer Service (RCSR) designation course, visit online at: https://escconnected.com/ or call 1-800-309-2549. ENGEO grows an impressive list of over 420 Australian businesses in becoming a B Corporation Were ecstatic to announce ENGEO (PTY) Australia has certified as a B Corporation. We are always exploring better ways to do business and serve our clients. ENGEO, one of the most comprehensive geotechnical consultancies has announced it is joining the B Corporation (B Corp) movement by certifying its employee-owned business in Australia. B Corp is a growing global business movement committed to the highest levels of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. ENGEO, with offices in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Adelaide, achieved certification, joining a growing and impressive list of over 420 Australian businesses and 4,750 globally, across 78 countries. ENGEO is now one of a few committed Australian Geotechnical companies, who have taken this rewarding step. The rigorous certification scheme was established by B Lab, a US-based non-profit organisation founded in 2006, that advocates using business as a force for good. Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. B Lab is unique in their ability to measure a companys entire social and environmental impact. Today, some of the worlds best-known brands such as The Body Shop, Kathmandu and Ben & Jerry's count themselves as part of the global B Corp movement, including local Australian firms like Bank Australia and Aesop. Commenting on the certification, ENGEO AU / NZ CEO Guy Cassidy said, Were ecstatic to announce ENGEO (PTY) Australia has certified as a B Corporation. We are always exploring better ways to do business and serve our clients. While the journey to certification isnt an easy one, we are committed to transform our business to be a force for good. Read more about ENGEO Australias B Corp journey here https://www.engeo.com.au/b-corp ENGEOs B Corp scorecard is publicly available at B Labs website here. About ENGEO: Founded in 1971, ENGEO has helped companies and public agencies manage their project development risk, drive down construction costs, and improve schedules. ENGEO is an employee-owned firm of approximately 400 geotechnical and civil engineers, geologists, hydrologists, water resources engineers and other specialists. The company serves a diverse range of public and private clients on projects in transportation, infrastructure, water resources, geologic hazard abatement, flood control, disaster recovery, energy and residential and mixed-use communities. ENGEO has offices located in Australia, New Zealand, California, Nevada, Guam, and Washington, and has been consistently recognised as one of the Best Places to Work in the Nation by Fortune and the Great Place to Work Institute, as a Top Workplace in the Bay Area by San Francisco Business Times and Bay Area News Group and recently won Westpac Champion Canterburys 2021 Champion Workplace Award in New Zealand. With financial assistance, people are able to buy what they need most, rather than what others think they need, said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the South Sudanese Development and Relief Agency (SSUDRA) of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan as it responds to recent civil unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. In collaboration with the Diocese of Salisbury and Christian Aid, SSUDRA is providing assistance to families in northwest South Sudan who have been impacted by the violence. The Church is also implementing COVID-19 educational campaigns in the central part of the country. In early January 2022, the village of Yith Pabol was invaded by Sudanese extremists, leaving much destruction in their wake. Houses, other buildings and crops were destroyed. Almost 2,400 families were displaced. Respiratory infections and other diseases are spreading rapidly due to overcrowding and lack of access to healthcare or clean water. People have lost their crops and livestock, making it challenging to find adequate food sources. SSUDRA is providing cash assistance to 840 families who have been displaced. Volunteers will distribute the aid while taking appropriate measures to ensure the security and safety of all involved. With financial assistance, people are able to buy what they need most, rather than what others think they need, said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development. Direct cash support will also benefit the local economy and is the most cost-effective way to distribute aid, as storage and transportation costs are reduced. Episcopal Relief & Development has a long-standing relationship with the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. Disaster management teams, trained by Episcopal Relief & Development, have led emergency responses to crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall of 2021, the organizations launched an educational campaign in the Diocese of Juba to dispel misinformation about the coronavirus and to enhance public awareness about preventive measures. SSUDRA staff and volunteers distributed personal protective equipment such as masks and sanitizers to help reduce the spread of the virus in public places such as churches, mosques, offices and markets. COVID-19 cases and deaths are still low today, particularly in Western Equatoria, but this is likely a misleading number due to a lack of testing and contact tracing. Many people in rural villages dont have access to accurate information about the virus and how it is spread. SSUDRA, in collaboration with the local government and Episcopal Relief & Development, is planning a two-day workshop for 750 diverse volunteers to address these issues. The workshop will include information about the virus and how to reduce its spread and strategies for how the volunteers can bring this information back to their communities. Additionally, the diocese is implementing a campaign that will take advantage of mass media such as radio to reach 50,000 people with COVID-19 educational messaging. Episcopal Relief & Developments emergency COVID-19 response is funded by a generous grant from Trinity Church Wall Street and other donors. Learn more about the organizations COVID-19 programs here. ABOUT EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT: For more than 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for close to 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate. Foods and Wines from Spain (FWS) announces its attendance at this years Catersource in Anaheim, CA. Nine exhibitors will showcase the regions high-quality products and innovations at the trade conference on Wednesday, May 4th and Thursday, May 5th and Chef Mat Schuster of Canela Bistro & Wine Bar (SF) will create small dishes using all Spanish brands food products. CaterSource is the top conference and tradeshow for catering and event professionals, offering experiential culinary workshops, cutting edge business leadership education sessions, informative keynote speakers and festivities. The one-stop shop for education within the industry encompasses influence and inspiration from more than 300 suppliers, brands and suppliers that are shaping the catering and events industry. Caterers and event professionals from across the globe will host informative discussions, reveal evolving products and build new partnerships along the way. Attendees are invited to explore the Foods from Spain booths (#1681 and #1679) where Chef Mat will serve authentic Spanish delicacies through a unique gastronomic menu. I am thrilled to partner with Spain again and be part of the 2022 CaterSource Show, says Schuster. I am preparing a unique menu to highlight some high quality Spanish products which will give guests a taste of Spains eclectic flavors. Attendees will be able to sample Chef Mats strawberry gazpacho and a variation of pintxosa small snack traditional in northern Spain and especially popular in the Basque country, Navarre, La Rioja, Cantabria, and Asturiasincluding one with Murcia al Vino (goat cheese) and honey, another with olives, mussels and guindilla (peppers), and a third version topped with white beans, pulpo (octopus) and cured chorizo. Other samples will include a Bocadillo (an authentic Spanish sandwich) with Mahon cheese, capers and roasted piquillo peppers. Chef Schuster will use products from the participating Spanish brands in his crafted dishes, including the below: -Mieles Anta S.L honey -Conservas Portomar S.L canned seafood from -Valgosa S. L herbs and spices -Agua De Sant Antiol S.L. natural mineral water -Aceites Albert S.A, Tierra Callada S.L, Goya En Espana SAU, Marques De Grinon Family Estate S.A , VEA S.A. olive oils For the full menu and additional information, please visit the Foods and Wines From Spain events page! Stay connected via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, Foods from Spain will have an important presence with two unique booths featuring Murcia al Vino cheese PDO this wine-bathed cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk in the Murcia region of Spain. And Mahon-Menorca cheese PDO a soft to hard white cheese made from cows' milk, on the island of Menorca off the Mediterranean coast of Spain. In this space attendees will be able to sample these cheeses with Spanish accompaniments such as membrillo (quince paste) marcona almonds and diverse fruit logs. This activity can be eligible for co-financing with European Union Funds. # # # About Foods and Wines From Spain Foods and Wines from Spain is ICEX Exports and Investments brand for a wide range of promotional activities designed to inform trade, media and consumers abroad about quality Spanish products. Their role is to promote Spain's exports of food, wine, beverages internationally including the USA and to connect Spains companies with American importers, distributors, retailers and consumers. Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP added Real Estate Practice Attorney Ashley Aten as a shareholder in its Dallas office. Aten joins the firm from Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. Aten advises clients on diverse and complex real estate transactions, focusing on commercial real estate development, ownership, acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and leasing. She also counsels landowners, investors, developers, public companies, operators, equity partners, and retailers on matters involving retail, multifamily, office, and industrial properties, both in Texas and throughout the United States As Greenberg Traurig continues our strategic growth in Dallas, we are fortunate to do it with such skilled and highly regarded attorneys like Ashley, said Joseph F. Coniglio, managing shareholder of the firms Dallas office. Ashley brings with her an unwavering passion for real estate law, as well as a steadfast commitment to client services that will benefit our clients in Texas and beyond. We are thankful that she has chosen to join our collaborative international platform at Greenberg Traurig, and we are excited about all that she will accomplish for our clients and the Dallas community in the years ahead. In Greenberg Traurig, I found a top tier law firm that not only focuses on a client-centric approach but has an empowering and inclusive culture. I couldnt be any more excited to join the team, expand my practice, and work collaboratively across the firm to provide my clients with unparalleled services, Aten said. Aten received her J.D. from Southern Methodist University - Dedman School of Law, and a B.B.A. from The University of North Texas. In addition to Aten, the firms three offices in Texas have strategically added attorneys in core areas over the past 18 months, including Shareholders Steven E. Bartz (Corporate), Vernon L. Lewis (White Collar Defense & Special Investigations), Nicole Kintop Smith (Public Finance & Infrastructure), and Austin R. Wyker (Tax); and, as of counsel, Lauren Harrison (Litigation), Martye Kendrick (Public Finance & Infrastructure), and Jennifer S. Kukla (Real Estate). About Greenberg Traurig's Real Estate Practice: The Greenberg Traurig Real Estate Practice is a cornerstone of the firm and recognized leader in the industry. The firms real estate attorneys deliver diversified and comprehensive counsel for property acquisition and investment, development, management and leasing, financing, restructuring, and disposition of all asset classes of real estate. The team draws upon the knowledge and experience of more than 500 real estate lawyers from around the world, serving clients from key markets in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The groups clientele includes a broad range of property developers, lenders, investment managers, private equity funds, REITs, and private owners. The firms real estate team advises clients on a variety of matters across a broad spectrum of commercial, recreational, and residential real estate, including structured equity and debt and the hybrids. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and the firms history. With approximately 140 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firms global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the states future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2400 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm, often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono, reported gross revenue of over $2 Billion for FY 2021. The firm is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, NLJ 250, and Law360 (US) 400. On the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard, it is a Top 15 firm. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com. new website "We've launched our new website with one objective: finding valuable tax relief information easier for our customers." Innovative Tax Relief LLC, a leading A+ BBB-accredited tax resolution and IRS tax relief services firm, has launched a new and improved website to aid Americans struggling with back taxes and tax debt. "We've launched our new website with one objective: finding valuable tax relief information easier for our customers. So we've redesigned the site navigation and added a resource section and success stories. We also gave our website a new look and modern feel. Now it's easier than ever to find the answers or reach out to our agents to help with any tax challenges." says Ozzie Gomez, founder of Innovative Tax Relief LLC. "It was also important that our new site reflects who we are as a company and brand. We're committed to solving tax challenges; in fact, we are highly rated in the industry and we have a 5-star average in customer reviews. We focus on protecting our clients and resolving their IRS tax debt or getting them back on track with their back taxes situation and that's evident through the messaging and imagery on the website." Key enhancements on the new site include: New, lighter look and feel: the website received a complete refresh to its overall look and feel. Easy-to-navigate design: a new, simplified main menu navigation. New, improved homepage with a video and link to contact our team with a simple click. Improvements were also made to enhance online search functionality and fully embrace mobile optimization, ensuring users have a seamless experience no matter the type of device they use to browse the web. We will continue to enhance the user experience and simplify our process to support our customers. About us: Innovative Tax Relief LLC is a full-service tax resolution and tax planning firm that has helped numerous businesses find relief from tax issues. Our tax experts are licensed by the IRS to practice in all 50 states. For more information or press inquiries about tax topics, don't hesitate to contact us at questions@innovativetaxreliefllc.com. Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Cerebral Medical Group, P.A., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Cerebral Medical Group, P.A. violated the California Labor Code. The Cerebral Medical Group, P.A. class action lawsuit, Case No. CGC-22-599132, is currently pending in the San Francisco County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. According to the lawsuit filed, Cerebral Medical Group, P.A. allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, and (f) failed to provide wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201, 202, 203, 226, 226.7, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Additionally, Cerebral Medical Group, P.A. allegedly committed acts of unfair competition in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17200, et seq. (the UCL), by engaging in a company-wide policy and procedure which failed to properly classify Plaintiff and other California Class Members as employees. As a result, Defendant allegedly failed to properly pay overtime wages for overtime worked and reimburse for business related expenses, among other allegations. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Cerebral Medical Group, P.A., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** Morgan Craven, Ellen Reddy, and Kameisha Smith April 30th is the International Day to End Corporal Punishment of Children. In this episode of NEPC Talks Education, NEPC Researcher Christopher Saldana discusses the use of corporal punishment in schools with Morgan Craven, National Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement for IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association), Ellen Reddy, executive director of the Nollie Jenkins Family Center (NJFC), and Kameisha Smith, the youth programs coordinator at NJFC. Reddy explains that the use of corporal punishment in schools is protected by law in 19 states. Mississippi state law, for example, allows for the reasonable use of force against students by school personnel to discipline students, promote school safety, or prevent classroom or school disruptions. Reddy and Smith describe how through their work with NJFC they have encountered students with bruises on their buttocks, hands, and back from corporal punishment. They describe how in addition to physical violence, students are also subjected to verbal abuse that leaves them emotionally traumatized. Reddy argues it is immoral that the legacy of corporal punishment continues terrorizing children, especially children of color and children with disabilities. She explains that the practice of corporal punishment is one intertwined with the legacies of racism and white supremacy in the United States. For instance, she notes that corporal punishment is more likely to be used in schools where surrounding communities have a history of lynching Black Americans. Craven adds that several scholars have noted the deleterious effects of corporal punishment on individual and school-level student outcomes, student emotional and social well-being, and school climate. She explains that no researcher has found corporal punishment to be beneficial for children. Craven, Reddy, and Smith explain that national and state-level coalitions are advocating for both federal and state legislation that outlaws the use of corporal punishment in schools, and supports schools in pursuing research-based alternatives. For example, the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act is a federal proposal to prohibit the use of corporal punishment in any school in receipt of federal funds, provide a right of action to the families of children who experience corporal punishment in a school, and allocate grants to schools seeking to implement research-based strategies to discipline and school safety. The Nollie Jenkins Family Center is also involved in state-level and local advocacy. They have several initiatives underway to educate and lobby policymakers to end the use of corporal punishment in schools, including a petition to end corporal punishment in Mississippis K-12 schools. Craven, Reddy, and Smith argue, however, that immediate federal intervention is critical to ending corporal punishment, given the persistent use of the practice against children in more than 19 states. A new NEPC Talks Education podcast episode, hosted by Christopher Saldana, will be released each month from September through May. Dont worry if you miss a month. All episodes are archived on the NEPC website and can be found here. NEPC podcast episodes are also available on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher, under the title NEPC Talks Education. Subscribe and follow! The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), a university research center housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. Visit us at: https://nepc.colorado.edu Dr. Rinoo Vasant Shah, M.D., M.B.A., is board certified in pain medicine, physical medicine, and rehabilitation. I am excited to join Physician Partners of America and look forward to contributing my experience to this practice, says Dr. Shah. PPOA has an exceptional reputation for patient treatment, compassionate pain management, and patient advocacy. Physician Partners of America (PPOA) is pleased to announce the addition of a new board-certified pain medicine specialist to its Fort Worth, TX practice. Dr. Rinoo Vasant Shah, M.D., M.B.A., is board certified in pain medicine, physical medicine, and rehabilitation. He has been practicing medicine since 1995 and completed a residency in clinical anesthesia at Cornell University Medical Center and an accredited fellowship in pain medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The university recognized Dr. Shah as their most outstanding teacher and faculty member. He joins PPOA after practicing as an interventional pain physician at Baylor Scott and White in Dallas. Dr. Shah has also served as a clinical professor of anesthesiology at LSUHSC Shreveport. I am excited to join Physician Partners of America and look forward to contributing my experience to this practice, says Dr. Shah. PPOA has an exceptional reputation for patient treatment, compassionate pain management, and patient advocacy. Dr. Shah has served in clinical pain management roles in Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York and is currently licensed to practice medicine in New York, Texas, and Louisiana. He has also served as the program director for a multidisciplinary pain fellowship and the director of chronic pain services at Ochsner-Louisiana University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He has been recognized by Beckers among 150 Pain Physicians to Know. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology, and medicine from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. A prolific medical writer and editor, Dr. Shahs works have appeared in PAIN Practice, Pain Physician, Spine, and the Clinical Journal of Pain. He has authored peer-reviewed publications in top medical journals and publishers on advanced interventional pain procedures, novel approaches, patient safety, malpractice litigation, patient outcomes, palliative care, evidence-based medicine, and patient access to interventional care. In addition, he has served on the boards of the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. With the addition of the services Dr. Shah brings to PPOA, PPOA will offer more solutions for more patients, giving livelihoods back through personalized, long-term pain treatment. Learn more about PPOA at https://www.physicianpartnersofamerica.com/. Founded in 2013 by a physician-turned-entrepreneur, Physician Partners of America aims to offer patients a safe, seamless healthcare experience. Our company grew from just three employees and one clinic in 2013 to more than 500 employees and nearly 30 locations in 2018. We offer pain management, orthopedics, minimally invasive laser spine surgery, and AAAHC-accredited ambulatory surgery centers. A Laymans Challenge to Galatians is an articulate discussion regarding the book of Galatians. A Laymans Challenge to Galatians is the creation of published author Peter Bellone, a twenty-one-year veteran of both the US Marine Corp and the US Air Force, with two tours in Vietnam. Bellone served as a B-52 gunner and has 120 combat hours in Vietnam. Bellone shares, What is the overriding issue within the book of Galatians? It appears that there are three issues going on during this time of Paul being in Galatia. 1) Is it that the Galatian converts are free from the so-called Law of Moses? 2) Or is it that Christian converts are not subject to the Abrahamic Covenant and therefore are not required to be circumcised? 3) Or is it because there are Christian-Jews that want these converts to become God-fearers or apostolates into the religion of the Jews due to their belief in a Jewish Messiah? This religion of the Jews has been poorly interpreted as Judaism, and today, Judaism has further been defined to also include those nonmainstream Christians who keep the seventh day Sabbath, and Gods seven annual feast days/Sabbaths! So, what is the argument that we see coming out of mainstream Christian teaching in regard to the book of Galatians? It is this: That Paul took all Christian gentile converts and removed them from the odious Law of Moses and in doing so removed all Christians from the law and, in turn, turning Christianity into a religion of lawless peoples! Mainstream Christians, religious, and scholars have even gone so far as to have done away with the seventh day Sabbath, as well as the seven annual feasts/sabbaths, proclaiming these days as ceremonial. Having no Godly authority to do so while bringing into Christian doctrine two days of ceremony called Palm and Easter Sundays! Neither of these days has any meaning to God; otherwise, he would have included them in his pantheon of days of importance (feasts). Nowhere in all the sixty-six books of the bible do we read of God the Father, nor God, the Word of God (who became Jesus and then took up his former position upon his return to his father), doing away with the Sabbath)s)! Therefore, mainstream Christianity while they might pontificate about what Jesus might have said or what he might have meant, they are in violation of the very scriptures that they claim to be an authority of. This is because Paul never did what mainstream Christianity is accusing him of, which is taking Christians away from the law. Circumcision was only for Abraham and all his seed, from the time of the covenant even until today. However, no one born outside of the house of Abraham was required to get circumcised. All Israel saw the Abrahamic Covenant as law; however, they also knew that this covenant of circumcision did not fall under the Mosaic Law. The only reference to circumcision by Moses was making sure that all outside of Israel who participated in the first Passover, were circumcised according to Gods ordinance for the Passover. A secondary issue was that there were those Christian-Jews that believed if a gentile converted from paganism to a Jewish Messiah, then that gentile had to immerse themselves into the religion of the Jews, which required circumcision which when accomplished made a Gentile into a Jew! Therefore, Paul takes a stand against these people who are corrupting the Galatian church which angered Paul so much so that he says in Gal 5:12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! In addition to the above, there were also the Gnostics that were trying to take over all Christianity and were perverting whole households for power and money, by teaching that the sayings of Jesus were Jewish fables and such! These then are some of the arguments that Paul is fighting against! He is not going anti-law, nor is he saying to the gentiles, Here, since you are a convert, you do not have to do this, but as for us Jews, we have to keep the law. Isnt that a house divided? Paul is not guilty of anything more than keeping his charges from getting circumcise while showing them that the laws of God, are to be obeyed as it is what is necessary for salvation! The problem with mainstream understanding of Galatians is they believe it is a Pauline diatribe against the law of Moses when it is in fact a diatribe against circumcising someone who is not of the lineage of Abraham, and therefore Paul is strictly obeying the law, not breaking, or reversing it! Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Peter Bellones new book is an engaging challenge to students of the Bible. Bellone offers a compelling discussion in hopes of furthering the understanding of key points of scripture. Consumers can purchase A Laymans Challenge to Galatians at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about A Laymans Challenge to Galatians, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Lake County Shred-a-Thon, May 14 Were thrilled to bring one of our most popular events to the Lake County community and offer this free service to help people securely dispose of their sensitive documents and e-waste. Redwood Credit Union invites the local community to securely shred old financial statements and other sensitive documents at its first-ever Lake County Shred-a-Thon. The event will be held at Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake Street on Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 9 a.m. to noon, and will feature free document shredding provided by Shred-It and electronic waste (e-waste) collection by Conservation Corps North Bay. Were thrilled to bring one of our most popular events to the Lake County community and offer this free service to help people securely dispose of their sensitive documents and e-waste, said Becky Perez, RCUs Lower Lake branch experience manager. Safely eliminating old financial documents and other confidential information is one of the best measures people can take to protect themselves from identity theft. Attendees may bring up to three standard-sized boxes (15x12x10) of confidential documents for shredding, such as old financial statements, canceled checks, and credit card offers. Conservation Corps North Bay will also be on site to collect and recycle e-waste such as old computers, printers, cell phones, and personal electronics. Monetary donations will be accepted at the event to benefit the Lake County Child Care Planning Council, a group committed to ensuring the availability and accessibility of high-quality child care for the families and children of the community. For additional information and updates about the Shred-a-Thon, visit redwoodcu.org/shred, or follow RCU on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. About Redwood Credit Union Founded in 1950, Redwood Credit Union is a full-service financial institution providing personal and business banking to consumers and businesses in the North Bay and San Francisco. RCU offers complete financial services including checking and savings accounts, auto and home loans, credit cards, online and mobile banking, business services, commercial and SBA lending, and more. Wealth management and investment services are available through CUSO Financial Services L.P., and insurance and auto-purchasing services are also offered through RCU Services Group (RCUs wholly owned subsidiary). RCU has more than $7 billion in assets and serves 400,000 members with full-service branches from San Francisco to Ukiah. For more information, call 1 (800) 479-7928, visit redwoodcu.org, or follow RCU on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for news and updates. Nicola Sturgeon Meets the Team Behind Scotland Largest Water Source Heat Pump Large scale heat pumps have attracted attention in the past few years as the UKs first industrial-scale district heating project, on the River Clyde in Glasgow, proved it could be successful. Star Renewable Energy (SRE) is delighted to have supported the SEABs Joint Business Plan for Unlocking Investment in Scotlands Energy Sector. The report is split into seven essential categories and identifies 75 key actions to address the barriers faced by the energy sector, as Scotland aims for net zero to avert climate catastrophe. Decarbonising heat is high up on the agenda, as the single biggest element of energy use in Scotland. Council district heating networks in Clydebank and Bristol, which SRE designed and manufactured the water source heat pump for, are prime examples of how local authorities can reduce heating bills and carbon footprints using clean, more affordable green energy. Dave Pearson, Group Sustainability Director at Star Refrigeration and Director of Star Renewable Energy, said, The key takeaway from this joint business plan is that the Scottish Government is confident of the technical ability of heat pumps, and it is acknowledged they have the power to immediately play a vital role in heat decarbonisation. The challenge we face is financial viability but policy changes could unlock investment for the sector, and more heat pumps would mean thousands of new jobs for the UK workforce. Large scale heat pumps have attracted attention in the past few years as the UKs first industrial-scale district heating project, on the River Clyde in Glasgow, proved it could be successful. 1,200 homes and businesses in the Queens Quay redevelopment are now provided with low carbon heat, at the same cost or lower than heat provided by fossil fuels. Mr Pearson added, Local authorities and construction developers are interested in exploring alternatives to oil and gas they have to be, because legislation will soon be introduced to ban gas heating in new builds. Heat pumps are an effective long-term solution, they just need effective long-term investment. The UKs rivers, canals and coastline can all be used to extract heat, we just need a sensible deployment strategy. Star Renewable Energy is proposing simple policy adjustments which would unlock the trillions of dollars of pension funds signposted by former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, for investment in the UK heat pump deployment industry. The current electricity charging mechanisms (controlled by the UK Government) mean that despite delivering a carbon saving of around 90%, the cost of running heat pumps is four times as high as it would be if the electricity outside of peak times was priced at a more sensible level of 20% above generation cost. This would be an incentive for organisations exploring green energy, and in turn, the production and deployment of heat pumps could generate billions in tax revenue for the UK economy from the economic activity and jobs. Mr Pearson concluded, It is very clear that UK Government policy on electricity pricing is the bridge to billions of pounds of investment leading to cleaner air and decarbonisation whilst raising huge amounts of tax revenue. We hope they realise their role as the Scottish Government cannot change these policies and yet they would be very easy to adjust. Visiting Stars district heating water-source heat pump for Queens Quay at their factory in Glasgow in 2020, Scotlands First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, praised the company as a great example of how tackling climate change can also be good for jobs and business. Likewise, the latest district heating project in Bristol has recently attracted the attention of Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero and former Labour leader Ed Miliband. After visiting the site in Castle Park Mr Miliband recognised how exciting the heat pump technology is because it could provide cheap, clean, secure power for people. Decarbonising UK cities on a large scale, which heat pumps offer the opportunity to do, would help the UK dramatically towards its net zero targets and Scotland has taken the lead. For more information about the SEABs Joint Business Plan for Unlocking Investment in Scotlands Energy Sector, visit https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/strategy-plan/2022/04/joint-business-plan-unlocking-investment-scotlands-energy-sector/documents/joint-business-plan-unlocking-investment-scotlands-energy-sector/joint-business-plan-unlocking-investment-scotlands-energy-sector/govscot%3Adocument/joint-business-plan-unlocking-investment-scotlands-energy-sector.pdf For more information about Star Renewable Energys water source heat pumps, visit http://www.neatpumps.com The world's largest seafood trade event, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, organized by Diversified Communications, is back in-person and for the first time is taking place in Barcelona, Spain. Until 28 April, the Expo will feature seafood, equipment and service companies offering the latest innovations in the seafood sector. Over the next three days, the 28th edition of Seafood Expo Global will become a showcase for the latest advances in products and services developed by the companies in the sector, aimed at extending the variety of seafood products, improving their commercial life and offering greater added value to adapt to a constantly changing market. Tonight, the event will host its prestigious annual Seafood Excellence Global Awards, which recognizes the best seafood products of the year presented at the expo. More than 80 products were submitted for the Awards competition and 38 finalists from 13 countries were selected. It is clear that many companies did not waste time during the pandemic given the number of new products we are seeing, and they are excited to present them to the global industry, said Liz Plizga, Group Vice President at Diversified communications. Key trends Health Health continues to be a prime motivator for seafood consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted demand for healthy foods such as fish and seafood due to their low-fat protein content. Additionally, consumers are looking for products of higher quality, and many products entered in this years competition are made with premium raw materials. Sustainability and climate-wise food choices Consumers are increasingly demanding information about the origin of fish and seafood they purchase. Most of finalists products have clean labels with more recognizable ingredients. There are more new products with sustainability certifications and companies also mention the climate and energy impact of their products. Ease of preparation Products that are partially prepared for cooking at home and good take-away options in the foodservice category. A variety of products presented for the Seafood Excellence Global Awards are meals that can be prepared in 3 to 20 minutes with no preparation necessary. Seafood Burgers They are popular around the world. The varieties and flavors are expanding to include more seafood species. Burgers are also now a good environmental choice because they enable companies to utilize more of the seafood they process for human consumption. Japanese products and flavors are very popular among the finalists products. Both in the high-quality seafood used to produce traditional saku, tataki and other seafood delicacies as well as prepared Japanese street food like onigiri and takoyaki. Seaweed in traditional Japanese street applications is also included in this trend. Exciting and innovative products Below is a sample of highlighted products that will be displayed at the 2022 edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global. Flambeed salmon burger Finalist Seafood Excellence Global Awards The professionals at the Finnish company Hatala Oy have been perfecting their ability to flambe salmon for more than 80 years. Now, this Finnish favorite is finally available to the rest of the world in the form of a delicious, ready-to-eat burger. Burger is fully cooked and ready to eat after heating in a pan or grill for few minutes. Hatala Oy Stand 4C200 Haddock fillets in cider Finalist Seafood Excellence Global Awards Freshly frozen, hand-filleted chunky white fish fillets with a crispy batter made with Donegal Catch artisan cider, which gives the batter a light sweet apple flavor. Green Isle Seafood Stand 3D201, 3D401 Octopus Takoyaki Finalist Seafood Excellence Global Awards Freshpack has qualified for the Seafood Excellence Global Awards for the first time with its Prawn Mayonnaise Onigiri, a Japanese-inspired rice-based culinary delicacy wrapped in seaweed. Another notable product that can be served as a starter or snack is takoyaki, a ball of seasoned batter containing pieces of octopus. Two innovative products for the hospitality and catering industry. Freshpack Stand 2J601 Octopus with a Provencal twist French company Crusta C will display its latest launch at Seafood Expo Global: thinly sliced marinated octopus with grilled vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, and a marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and pepper combine to give the octopus a decidedly Mediterranean twist. Crusta C 4E400 Packaging to reduce the use of plastic by 80% Ulma will present a thermosealing machine for working in skin film with cardboard or plastic trays. With LeafSkin packaging, the use of plastic can be reduced by up to 80% by using a 100% recyclable cardboard tray. Ulma Packaging 3BB201 Pasta del Mar Finalist Seafood Excellence Global Awards Pescanova presents an enjoyable new way of eating fish with fish-flavoured pasta, including hake spaghetti with cuttlefish ink and salmon noodles. The Salmon Noodles along with ready to eat Turbot with Vegetables, new seafood snack P'tits Duos-Cabillaud & Patate Douce are among Pescanovas products in the running for the Seafood Excellence Global Awards. Pescanova Stand 3F601 Seaweed spread Finalist Seafood Excellence Global Awards This seaweed paste, aimed at the hospitality and catering industry, is ideal as a spread: the seaweed pate can be spread on bread or crackers and is ideal for breakfast, teatime or a delicious snack. GlobeXplore Stand 3D601 Skinpack sustainable packaging After an extensive R&D project, Frigorificos Ferrer has launched its iconic skinpack packaging with a 100% PET mono-material plastic base, made with up to 30% recycled plastic. This base is fully recyclable thus helping to boost sustainability and the circular economy. This concept allows the company to eliminate 48 tonnes of plastic each year and the remaining plastic is 100% recyclable. The company will also display at the Expo its line of products with MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) international certifications. Frigorifics Ferrer Stand 5I403 Sustainable tuna in a range of cuts Finalist Seafood Excellence Global Awards Frime will present its Kldfin Soul range of frozen marinated yellowfin tuna in various formats: from the more common slices to ingots, portions, chunks and cubes... to give free rein to creativity while preparing high-quality and sustainable cuisine. The FlatSkin packaging reduces the use of plastic by up to 60%. Frimes Frozen Marinated Yellowfin Tuna Tataki Block, Frozen Marinated Yellowfin Tuna Cubes and Frozen Yellowfin Tuna Burger, are three of its products shortlisted for the Seafood Excellence Global Awards. Frime Stand 3A201 About Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global form the worlds largest seafood trade event. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exposition to meet, network and conduct business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. SeafoodSource.com is the expositions official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified Communications, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media. http://www.seafoodexpo.com/global About Diversified Communications Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. The companys global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com # # # Media Contact: LLYC Laia Jardi / Mireia Gonzalez / Marta Santacreu ljardi@llorenteycuenca.com/ mgonzalez@llorenteycuenca.com / msantacreu@llorenteycuenca.com +34 628 673 970 Christine Pedersen Marketing Director Diversified Communications cpedersen@divcom.com ...this may appear to have relatively little to do with search. Google has paid a license to Droplets for some time, and Yahoo!'s share of the market is small by comparison. I believe... the outcome of this suit and the push it signifies in the wider market could have significant implications. Terry Cane, COO of global SSL service domain registration and SEO hosting provider SEOHost.net (https://www.seohost.net), believes the outcome of the patent lawsuit between Yahoo! and Droplets could have significant implications for the wider search engine market. Software company Droplets first filed the suit in 2011, alleging that Yahoo! infringed upon its patent, United States Patent No. 6,687,745, "System and method for delivering a graphical user interface of remote applications over a thin bandwidth connection." Also named in the suit were Google, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, and Facebook and United States Patent No. 7,502,838, "System and method for delivering remotely stored applications and information." While the other companies chose to pursue licensing agreements with the company, Yahoo! chose instead to pursue legal action. Last month, a California federal jury found that although Yahoo!'s other products did not infringe Patent No. 6,687,745, the company's Search Suggest feature did. The company was ordered by a federal judge to pay $15 million to Droplets. For its part, the software company stated that the verdict affirms that it "invented technology that changed the Internet." "We've already seen a great deal of movement on the patent front in 2022," says Cane. "First was the ruling by the United States International Trade Commission that Google infringed upon multiple patents held by speaker manufacturer Sonos, then the patent infringement suit Google won around Google Ads, now there's the case with Yahoo! and Droplets. And these are only scratching the surface." "At first glance, this may appear to have relatively little to do with search," she continues. "Google has paid a license to Droplets for some time, and Yahoo!'s share of the market is small by comparison. I believe, however, that the outcome of this suit and the push it signifies in the wider market could have significant implications." Cane points to the outcome of the case between Google and Foundem, in which the search engine giant was accused of anticompetitive practices. Google lost an appeal in November 2021, which ultimately resulted in it being fined 2.4 billion ($2.58 billion USD). Publications such as Reuters have suggested that such rulings could considerably strengthen the European Union's current push to regulate big tech. "The EU has long been a global leader in terms of laws and regulations around technology," explains Cane. "Between the potential for new regulations there and ongoing litigation here, we may be looking at a very different search landscape in the near future." About SEOHost.net: Located in Orlando, Florida, with locations worldwide, SEOHost.Net provides a wide range of services in both the U.S. and the E.U., including domain registration, SSL Hosting for SEO, and VPS, dedicated, and A-Class IP hosting. The company offers exceptional service with a strong service level agreement, multiple geographic locations, and free migration. For more information, visit https://www.seohost.net. "For The Love of Autism" shares powerful, inspirational words from 20 author contributors who share the stories, the travails, the hurdles, and the hopes of being and loving a person with autism. The inspiration behind this book was the need for these stories to make an impact. What drives me more than ever is the need to know that when I leave this world that my son will be fine." Tamika Lechee Morales described the creation of her new book, For The Love of Autism, an anthology that displays the truth, the travails, the hurdles, and the hopes of being and loving a person with autism, but ultimately how love changes the equation in helping us see the beauty that autism has to offer. What started as a love letter to her autistic son Maximilian ultimately turned into a love letter to the world when one of her friends planted the seed for an anthology. Tamika Lechee Morales, a full-time dual language teacher in Elgin School District U-46, explained the importance of this book. With the autism prevalence of 1 in 44 children, a figure from the CDC, there is still a lack of awareness and acceptance of the autism community. With that, there is also a lack of resources and accommodations. The inspiration behind this book was the need for these stories to make an impact. What drives me more than ever is the need to know that when I leave this world that my son will be fine, said Morales. In the book, published by Fig Factor Media, Morales shares her story in addition to 19 author-contributors: Kerry Magro, EdD Temple Grandin, Ph.D. Hugo Morales Eileen Lamb Nicole Gottesmann Andrew Arboe Morenike Giwa Onaiwu, Ph.D Valerie Brooks, BSN, RN Hannah Brooks Letia Motley Belqui Ortiz-Millili Marc Mar-Yohana Adam Otero Kacie Wielgus Buzzard Lila Ayyad-Alharsha, M.Ed., BCBA Mike Catuara Brenda Weitzberg Ana Carolina Uribe Ruiz Justice Alicia Gerez (Graczyk) The creation was an intensive process for Morales who started this writing journey when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Her plate was full from her working as a teacher conducting classes remotely, taking her son to his therapies, and overseeing The Autism Hero Project, a nonprofit organization she created with a vision to prepare kids with autism for the world and prepare the world for them. When you couple all of that with writing your own story, it's very demanding to find the time so you slave over every word and phrase to convey your heart while being sensitive to the perceptions and stigmas that exist around autism, she explained. I also wanted to ensure that I read every author's story and did some initial edits and suggestions to ensure that each story had unique nuances from each other's stories and that it spoke to various parts of the spectrum and from various viewpoints. For this book, finding a diverse group of authors was important to Morales. Some of those connections led her to individuals such as Temple Grandin, Ph.D., a world-renowned autism spokesperson and a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, and Brenda Weitzberg, co-founder of the Evanston, Illinois-based Aspiritech, a QA testing company that empowers individuals on the autism spectrum to fulfill their potential through meaningful employment combined with social opportunity. The authors have opened their hearts and spilled a fraction of it on a page in exchange for you to understand how love transformed them, and in hopes that For the Love of Autism can transform you too, she said. To learn more about the book, visit this link. The book is available on Amazon. About For The Love of Autism: In this first-of-its-kind compilation, autistics, influencers, parents, and siblings dare to unite and amplify their voices and their community. Their goal: is to change the narrative around autism. Each author contributes an honest, raw account of a life changed by autism. Their struggles are not in vain. Their adversity is their advantage. They find healing through resilience and acceptance. They combat stigmas and face broken systems. With vulnerability, they share what matters most. Whether you are just embarking on your journey or have been wandering for a while, these stories show why you should never give in and never give up. They share how we all have something to teach and something to learn. Love changes the equation. Love is at the center of recognizing that we are all uniquely human. This anthology reflects the beauty of autism and the power of acceptance. The mastermind behind The Autism Hero Project, Tamika Lechee Morales, reveals that love can transform hearts and minds in this love letter to the world. About Fig Factor Media: Fig Factor Media Publishing is an international publishing company with a "beeping" heart. Fig Factor Media has helped many authors achieve and support their dream of impacting their communities in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Fig Factor Media is the official publisher of Today's Inspired Latina. For more information, visit http://www.figfactormedia.com.### Bartolini Air, a group of EASA-certified aviation companies and Ryanairs approved flight training partner, has acquired Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft for the Ryanair Mentored Programme. The acquisition followed the P-Mentor's recent launch announcement introducing the model to Tecnams portfolio of premium aircraft. Renowned for one of the worlds highest training standards, Ryanair relies on Bartolini Airs fleet of modern, brand-new aircraft to guide their future pilots from zero to ATPL. The P-Mentor will support the Groups integrated ab-initio courses and is bound to be a gamechanger, especially for Instrument Rating training, thanks to a modern Automatic Flight Control System, PBN/RNAV approval and full glass cockpit environment, combined with the fuel consumption of 14 liters per hour. Latest EASA CS-23 Certification Requirements, operating cost and very low CO2 emissions make the P-Mentor unparalleled by any other competitor. According to Bartolini Airs President Bartlomiej Walas, adding the P-Mentor to the Groups fleet will improve the quality of training while limiting its cost for students and better preserving the natural environment. The similarity between the name of the aircraft and our flagship pilot course the Ryanair Mentored Programme is a pure coincidence, but a very fortunate one, because it is the P-Mentor that will allow future Ryanair pilots to benefit from top quality training at the lowest possible price, said Walas. Bartolini Airs flight school has relied on Tecnams innovative aircraft for pilot training since 2010. The Group currently operates 14 Tecnam aircraft. This is not the first time that we have trusted Tecnam to implement innovative solutions in our pilot training, said Walas. I have no doubt that the arrival of the P-Mentor in our fleet will only confirm our ability to offer the highest quality training throughout the course in just one single aircraft! Ryanairs Director of Sustainability, Thomas Fowler, said: As Europes greenest major airline, Ryanair understands that aviation plays a pivotal role in tackling climate change and through our Pathway to Net Zero decarbonisation strategy, we continue to reduce our CO2 emissions and the impact of our operations on the environment." "We are delighted to see that our approved partner flight school, Bartolini Air, who trains our future Pilots on the Ryanair Mentored Programme, are investing in the newest generation aircraft P-Mentor from Tecnam which will have a hugely positive impact on the environment thanks to a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to current IFR training planes and a fuel consumption of 14 l h, which means a 50% reduction compared to standard training planes, concluded Fowler. Tecnam Aircrafts Managing Director Giovanni Pascale Langer said: The P-Mentor has already generated great interest among forward-thinking flight training organizations like Bartolini Air who trust the Tecnam design, fine flying qualities combined with state-of-art avionics and perhaps most of all, its impressive fuel consumption and CO2 emission cuts. We see this as important steps not only for flight training centres, but in the future of the aviation industry across all its segments. Recent study shows that flight schools operating with TECNAM single and twin-engine fleet can reduce emissions by up to 60%: 10 tons of CO2 for each student by the time they receive their Commercial Pilot License. More info on Tecnam Sustainable Aviation: https://www.tecnam.com/tecnam-aircraft-fleet-reduces-flight-schools-co2-emissions-by-up-to-60/ For more information about this News Release (photos, links, etc.) and News about Tecnam and its products please visit http://media.tecnam.com/ About TECNAM; Quality Aircraft since 1948 TECNAM's roots go all the way back to the Italian brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale who began to develop and produce innovative aircraft soon after the end of WWII. Since those early beginnings, the family has continued to create original models, first gaining worldwide recognition under the name Partenavia, which translates as " Naples Aviation". Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM was established in March 1986 and now operates in two production facilities. The Casoria facility is located adjacent to Naples Capodichino International Airport, while the main factory is next to the Oreste Salomone Airport in Capua. New facilities were established in Sebring, Florida, USA and in Australia to serve and support the needs of Tecnams local owners and operators. About Bartolini Air: Bartolini Air is a group of EASA-certified aviation companies offering flight training, private jet charter and management, aircraft sales and maintenance. Bartolini Air ATO is one of Europes most renowned flight training centres and it has been chosen by Ryanair to become an approved training partner. At Bartolini Air students fly modern, brand-new aircraft at one of the company's two main bases located at international airports equipped with instrument runways. About Ryanair: Ryanair Holdings plc, Europes largest airline group, is the parent company of Buzz, Lauda, Malta Air, Ryanair & Ryanair UK. Carrying 149m guests p.a. (pre Covid-19) on more than 2,500 daily flights from 90 bases, the Group connects over 230 destinations in 37 countries on a fleet of 484 aircraft, with a further 169 Boeing 737s on order, which will enable the Ryanair Group to lower fares and grow traffic to 225m p.a. over the next 5 years. Ryanair has a team of 18,500 highly skilled aviation professionals delivering Europes No.1 on-time performance, and an industry leading 36-year safety record. Ryanair is Europes greenest, cleanest, airline group and customers switching to fly Ryanair can reduce their CO emissions by up to 50% compared to the other Big 4 European major airlines. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved. The MiPAAF (Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies) and the National Wine Committee officially accepted a proposal made in 2019 by the producers of the Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo to introduce the Superiore classification for the regional "d'Abruzzo" DOCs and to reduce eight IGTs to to a single IGT Appellation, Terre dAbruzzo. An epochal turning point for Abruzzo winemaking, the new model is intended to strengthen the common identity of the regions winemaking heritage, while distinguishing individual territories and making the quality scheme more recognizable. The changes will be reflected on wine labels within the next two years. Thanks to the Charming Taste of Europe, there will be numerous initiatives throughout the year to promote the wines of Abruzzo and these new developments both in the US and Canada. Started in 2021, The Charming Taste of Europe is a three-year campaign promoted by the Vini d Abruzzo consortium and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines, along with fruit producers in Greeces Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP) and Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria (Agios Loukas), co-financed by the European Union. This campaign focuses on raising awareness of these high-quality products in the American and Canadian market. "It is a great result, after many years of work, which redefines the production regulations thanks to the so-called Abruzzo Model, explained Valentino Di Campli, President of the Abruzzo wine consortium. This is a decisive step toward even higher quality winemaking undertaken by the producers. This approach aims to lift the regional image of the Abruzzo winemaking by showcasing the different territories of production and the extraordinary diversity. Abruzzo is a region that is increasingly cohesive and able to work as a team. The distinctive Superiore classification for the dAbruzzo DOCs indicates that the wines were made under more stringent production rules. These wines are intended for longer aging and will represent distinctive reserve wines coming from the various provincial territories. Under the new model, it will be possible to find in the market a Montepulciano dAbruzzo Superiore Riserva, with the addition of the provincial mention, such as Colline Teramane, Colline Pescaresi, Terre de LAquila or Terre di Chieti. The recognition of Superiore is the first step toward even more defined subzones such as villages, Additional Geographical Units, and single vineyard mentions. The recognition of a higher quality with the Superiore classification and the common identity of all the DOCs that will fall under the dAbruzzo designation will make it easier to promote and communicate about Abruzzo winemaking and its different areas of production, especially abroad," underlines Di Campli. "On one hand, the wines will be more recognizable in international markets and further establish the link of a wine with its territory of origin. On the other hand, the introduction of a single IGT Terre dAbruzzo, which replaces the current eight IGTs, creates a strong regional image by removing fragmentation. This is a fundamental opportunity for the entire regional wine system that will finally allow Abruzzo wines to demonstrate the unexpressed potential of our territory, lending greater credibility to the region, concludes Di Campli. About the Charming Taste of Europe: Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh fruits from Greece, that showcase Europes charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria Agios Loukas and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign: Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU Instagram: @charmeu_usa YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains "I have long admired The Agencys approach to business and the unique brand theyve sustained over the past decade, especially as theyve grown globally while maintaining their boutique feel and white-glove service for agents," said Mike Schwartz Global real estate brokerage, The Agency is proud to announce veteran industry leader Mike Schwartz joins the team in a leadership position, where he will spearhead the growth of new market strategies. With nearly two decades of real estate experience, Schwartz is welcomed to The Agency after holding managerial positions at Coldwell Banker, and most recently Compass. I am delighted to welcome Mike Schwartz to The Agency team. Mike is an inspiring leader and well-respected professional in our industry, and I am thrilled to work alongside him again, said Rainy Hake Austin, President of The Agency. At The Agency, we continue to fixate on innovative ways we can further elevate the agent while balancing both touch and technology. Mikes ingenious approach to business and admirable management style will be invaluable as we continue to break boundaries in our industry. Having worked in real estate for nearly 20 years, Schwartz is an expert at managing agent and brokerage operations. He has worked in residential real estate management since 2016 and has gained a stellar reputation for the caliber of service he provides to agents, staff, and clients. His passion for market data, economics, strategy, contract-knowledge and adding value for agents is evident in the impressive expansion of agents and offices previously under his management. Schwartz's ability to scale brokerage operations and expand into new markets will be a valuable asset in his leadership role at The Agency, significantly as the firm strategically expands its luxury presence. The Agency is on an impressive track for expansion and were thrilled to welcome Mike Schwartz to our growing team, said Mauricio Umansky, CEO and Founder of The Agency. At The Agency, we are currently hyper-focused on advancing our service and solutions for agents. Mike will be an incredible asset to our leadership team as we continue to innovate and cultivate a seamless, fully-integrated agent experience like no other brokerage has done before. Schwartz joins The Agency from Compass where he held the role of Sales Manager and oversaw approximately 400 agents in offices spanning the areas of Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and Orinda. He led offices responsible for record-breaking production, exceeding $3B in annual production in 2021 alone. As the first-ever sales manager appointed to Compass in the Bay Area, Schwartz is an expert in strategic growth and brokerage management. He also held positions within the firms Diversity Council and always strives to include equity and inclusion in professional and personal endeavors. Before his time at Compass, his first tenure as a sales manager was at Coldwell Banker, where he was one of the top recruiters in the nation, and he doubled the size of the Berkeley office within one year. I am very excited to have the chance to work and collaborate with Rainy Hake Austin and Jeff Samuels, Regional Manager of The Agency Northern California again," said Schwartz. I have long admired The Agencys approach to business and the unique brand theyve sustained over the past decade, especially as theyve grown globally while maintaining their boutique feel and white-glove service for agents. I am most looking forward to the open collaboration and distinctive culture their firm is known for and helping advance their mission to provide the very best service in the business, with the aim to elevate our industry together. In addition to his excellent managerial experience, Schwartz is also recognized for his impressive residential sales achievements. Prior to his aforementioned managerial roles, he served as a top-producing broker at Coldwell Banker. A born and raised New Yorker, has a passion for culture, arts, reading and comedy. He currently lives in Berkeley with his wife Joanna, whom he met in college at UCLA while doing activist work, and their two sons, Ethan and Blake. With solid infrastructure and an internationally renowned brand, The Agency has grown to over 50 corporately-owned and franchise offices across the globe. Poised for further expansion with like-minded partners in strategic markets, The Agency is noted by The Financial Times as one of The Americas Fastest Growing Companies and has ranked among Inc. 5000s list of fastest-growing private companies in the country for six consecutive years. Recently, The Agency ranked 21st on the 2022 RealTrends 500 list and led the top 50 firms in average sales price by sides with a whopping $2.5 million average sales price. As one of the fastest-growing luxury boutique brokerages in the world, The Agency plans to announce more new global franchise partners in the coming months as part of its strategic expansion. About The Agency The Agency is a full-service, luxury real estate brokerage and lifestyle company representing clients in a spectrum of classes, including residential, new development, resort real estate, residential leasing, and luxury vacation rentals. Since its inception in 2011, The Agency has modernized and advanced the real estate industry by fostering a culture of partnership in which all clients and listings are represented in a collaborative environment. Shunning the traditional brokerage model, agents share knowledge, spheres of influence, contacts, and expertise, ensuring clients better representation and a true competitive edge. The Agency has closed more than $41 billion in real estate transactions since its inception and has over 1,00 agents in more than 50 offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Lauren Wolks new novel, My Own Lightning, is a follow-up to her breakout Newbery Honor-winning historical debut Wolf Hollow. In this new installment, when her heroine Annabelle is struck by lightning she gains the ability to perceive the feelings of animals and she forges a bond with a former enemy. Wolk spoke with PW about what prompted her to return to these characters, the complexity and reexamination of her prior villain, and the themes she sees in her work. What inspired you to craft a sequel to Wolf Hollow? Did you feel there was something unfinished? I felt that Annabelle deserved another chapter. I wrote Wolf Hollow as a tribute to my mom who grew up on this little family farm in western Pennsylvania that has been in our family for generations since the Revolutionary War. And I spent a ton of my time there as a child. It was my favorite place and I grew up on her stories about growing up in the 1940s there. When I sat down to write a new book, especially because it was during the pandemic, when I couldnt go anywhere else and when thoughts of home and of days gone by were always in my mind, I decided that I would consider returning to Annabelle even though Wolf Hollow was a book that ended with very few loose ends. But I went back for the place, the people, and because at the time I felt like I needed in my own life to return to Wolf Hollow. The pandemic informed the writing of this book, but so did Black Lives Matter. In fact, if one had more effect than the other, it was definitely the social justice movement. Both had a profound effect on my writing and these characters. One of the villains from the previous book, Andy Goldberry, reemerges in this one. How did you decide to reexamine the complex nuances of this former bully? I write without a map, without having any clue what the story will be. I always start with setting, but then I follow my protagonists lead. The first line usually comes to me in the shower and then I go from there. Annabelle is a very inquisitive, sensitive, and empathetic girl. I discovered pretty quickly that Andy, who had been portrayed as a villain and a bully, partly secondhand but largely deserved, needed a second look as well. In 2020 I was going through a very confusing time. A lot of people I thought I knew well turned out not to be quite the people I thought theyd been, and I myself was changing a lot. And I thought it was very unwise to judge people at first glance or even second glance. I decided to take a harder look at him [Andy] through Annabelles eyes. As I followed her into her new life, quickly, in the very first chapter, I realized that Andy was on the edge of things still and had this sort of dark presence that continued to mystify her, upset her, and pique her curiosity. I just let them interact and decided to see what would happen. And as more light shined on him I saw all these layers. And of course, were all made up of layers, no matter what we present to the world. And I began to see beneath his second skin, and so did Annabelle. It got very complicated, but thats the way life is. One thing Annabelle hasnt known before is that her family is so wonderful. Theres no abuse in her family. Theres no fear in her family. Thats the crux of her intention of getting to know Andy better. Theres clearly a great deal of fear and some abuse in his life. She starts to understand how privileged she really is, which was another big part of 2020. After Annabelle is struck by lightning and a mystery hero restarts her heart, she can sense the perceptions of animals around her, especially the injured dogs cared for by her neighbor. What drew you to this subject? Right as I started to write this book I wrote a lighting strike. I usually get about halfway through a book and then I realize why something is here. And then I go back and develop the first half more. And that was true about the lightning strike. It became clear to me that Annabelle is sort of divided between the external and the internal, and she needs to integrate the two of them to feel like a whole person. Such a small portion of our brain is actually active and we dont understand the vast majority of its potential. Im curious about what we dont know, and also what some people do know. Theyre often dismissed as kooks. After I had started to write this book and had already written about the lightning strike, I was listening to NPR and there was a man being interviewed about how he had had a traumatic brain injury and suddenly could play the piano like a virtuoso. He had never played the piano in his life but after he came out of his coma he walked into a Steinway store in New York and sat down and began to play. I started to do research and found that so many people after being struck by lightning or suffering a traumatic brain injury suddenly have extraordinary abilities they never had before. Theyre mathematical geniuses, or they can speak other languages. I think that proves that theres so much in our brains that is untapped. This is your fourth work of historical fiction for young readers. Do you see any continuing themes in your work? I dont intentionally set out to follow a theme, but the common ones seem to be courage and empathy. I think kids are grossly underestimated. Young people have a kind of courage that a lot of adults lack. Theyre honest in ways that we often are not, and theyre smarter and wiser than we give them credit for, and we should try hard to return to the artistic abilities children have naturally. I think of myself as a real introvert, because sitting at my desk writing is where I feel whole, and yet Ive always had jobs that Ive loved that put me not only in community but in the position to build community, and Ive thrived there. I think were all many people in one skin. So be brave, go forth, and do good. My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk. Dutton, $17.99 May 3 ISBN 978-0-525-55559-9 Bestselling author and poet Elizabeth Acevedo follows up her acclaimed YA novels, including The Poet X and Clap When You Land, with Inheritance: A Visual Poem, a small-format picture book illustrated by Andrea Pippins. In the book, Acevedo spotlights and celebrates the often contentious subject of Black hair through the lens of her Dominican identity. Acevedo spoke with PW about the highly personal inspiration for Inheritance, her most well-known poem, and why she no longer straightens her curly hair. How did you decide to write about the experience of living with Black hair in Inheritance: A Visual Poem? Inheritance is an interesting poem because prior to being conceptualized as a visual poem, it was the poem I wrote as my honors thesis in undergrad. Its very much in response to a real situation where one of my parent figures was talking about my hair and then was talking about my relationship with my boyfriend at the timenow my husbandwho is Black American. It was kind of this question of aesthetics, of what it means to lighten a race, what it means to progress a family lineage. The name Inheritance is a play on the word hair but its also about the internalized beliefs people pass down without interrogating where they come from. How does self-love look when the people who look like you cannot love you? How did you approach answering the question presented in the poem, How do you untangle this shipwrecked history of hair? I was thinking about how you respond to a shipwrecked history, a history that is untethered from so much. Theres so much you dont know. I think it did go back to ancestors. How do you celebrate even when you dont know peoples names? How do you love them even if you dont know what they looked like or what they would have wanted for you? Its why so much of the poem orients around what would folks have wanted for us, for future generations? The cultural beliefs we undo and the cultural beliefs we reclaim. So that answer of a shipwrecked history and what it is to be stranded, the play on those words, is how do you re-tether yourself? I may never know my great-great-grandmothers name but this is a way to attempt to reconnect. Although Inheritance: A Visual Poem centers Black hair, the commonplace albeit contentious designations good hair and bad hair dont appear. What motivated this decision? I think theres already so much guilt and blame around how people style themselves that we create such a morality about it. We have that phrase in Spanish, pelo malo, that we use so colloquially people dont even think about it. For me, the questions felt so much deeper. They ask, if you marry this person, what will your children look like? What kind of hair will they have? Its not just good or bad, we are saying there is hair that will be more respected in the world, that it will allow them to have a cultural currency. I have no qualms with how individual people decide to style their individual hair. But at the societal level and especially when I proposed this poem and was thinking about the Crown Act [a law prohibiting discrimination in public schools and the workplace on the basis of natural hair styles and textures], its not just good or bad. It is literally politicized at a level where certain people cannot get an education because they walk into a class with braids, cannot get a job because they have locs. Its a lot more insidious even than just this moral undertaking of good or bad. Its literally legal or illegal. It felt like this much larger question. Are the themes of self-love and acceptance regarding hair explored in Inheritance reflective of lessons you had to learn growing up as a Dominican woman with African ancestry? Im from the Dominican Republic which is like 80% Afro-descended. I used to get my hair straightened on a weekly basis. Ive played basketball my whole life, high school basketball and college varsity. I had to get my hair straightened, would sweat my hair out and get it straightened again. Terrible financial investment. It was the idea of what was considered elegant, beautiful, and presentable. It didnt always sit right. I liked my curls, but I also really liked straight hair. I felt really beautiful with straight hair. I reached a certain point where I had written the poem, and was still actively straightening my hair when I would go to big events, and there was dissonance that I was carrying in my body between what I was trying to explore in the poem about love and ancestry and this belief that I am most beautiful when my hair is straight. I stopped straightening my hair, honestly, because of this poem. I havent touched a hot iron to my hair, or rollers or anything, in almost a decade because I want to accept who I am. The poem is powerful in terms of what it offered the world, but it was powerful in terms of what I had to face about myself as well. Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo, illus. by Andrea Pippins. Quill Tree, $16.99 May 3 ISBN 978-0-06-293194-8 For some authors, presenting to more than 1,500 elementary students in a 2,000-seat theater would be a daunting prospect. For Chris Grabenstein, author of the bestselling Mr. Lemoncello series, its oxygen. Drawing from his experience as a former comedy troupe member, he gets students involved right away with improv games. Do the students think he can write a story right then and there? Challenge accepted! There are story starter cards with first sentences and last sentences, emergency words, and volunteer helpers. The rules of improv (Yes, and) apply and imaginations are fully engaged. Like his famous puzzle-maker character, Grabenstein sneaks bits of learning into his act. Verbs are the most powerful words in any sentence, audiences learn. Students are empowered to write their own stories, much to the delight of their teachers, Grabenstein says. While the author has put his improvisational skills to good use adapting to Zoom school visits in the past few years, hes happily doing hybrid and in-person events again with the release of Mr. Lemoncellos Very First Game, out May 3 from Random House Books for Young Readers. Grabenstein resumed his on-stage presence April 14 with a long-delayed appearance at the Palace Theater in Marion, Ohio. A 2020 visitscheduled to coincide with the release and district-wide donation of Shine, the middle grade novel he co-wrote with his wife J.J.had to be canceled due to Covid. This months event marked Grabensteins return to connecting in person with readersbusloads of children from the school districts elementary schools. Just like getting back on a bike, he said of the experience. The official Mr. Lemoncellos Very First Game launch on May 3 will be a hybrid ticketed event hosted by Houstons Brazos Bookstore, with a livestream option available. Additional events next week include virtual visits with eight schools (800 students) arranged through Hicklebees in San Jose, Calif., and 21 schools (1,000 students) with Northshire Books in Manchester, Vt. Grabenstein will be one of the headlining authors at the Montclair Literary Festival in Montclair, N.J., which will be held May 58. For the sixth book in the Lemoncello series, readers will learn for the first time about Mr. Lemoncellos backstory. Young Luigi struggles to distinguish himself as the sixth in a family of 10 talented siblings. His brothers and sisters are good at everythingFrancesca, a future brain surgeon; Fabio, already pegged as a lawyer; Arianna, a musical prodigy. Luigi feels like he falls short in everything he tries. What he does love are puzzles and games. As his siblings taunt him for wasting time on frivolous pursuits, Luigis confidence plummets. Plus, hes also being bullied by that jerk Chad Chiltington, whose family name readers will recognize from the other Lemoncello books. But when a carnival comes to town and Luigi meets Professor Marvelmous, his fate begins to change and he discovers that hes got some very special talents, too. Like the character he created, Grabenstein said he grew up in a family of overachieving siblings, now doctors and lawyers. Becoming a writer wasnt necessarily a path he saw as open to him until he got the encouragement of a beloved seventh grade teacher, Mrs. June Garrett, at Signal Mountain Junior High School in Chattanooga, Tenn. With Mrs. Garretts support, he wrote a parody school advice column called Dear Gertrude, and leaned in to his comedic sensibility. While Mr. Lemoncellos Very First Game contains the puzzles and codes that his readers have come to love, Grabenstein said the book is also an homage to the mentors in childrens lives who help them discover their true calling. Lemoncello fans (or Lemonheads as they call themselves, according to Grabenstein) will find the answers to questions that may have intrigued them about some of Mr. Lemoncellos distinctive quirks. Why does he always wear a top hat, for example? How did he start dropping book titles into his conversations? And whats the deal with those banana shoes? But Mr. Lemoncellos first game also works as a stand-alone title for those who have yet to be introduced to the series. Outside of the Lemoncello series, Grabenstein is the author of more than six dozen books for children, including the Max Einstein books, Haunted Mystery series, and the House of Robots books, co-written with his former boss, James Patterson. Before coming to childrens book writing, Grabenstein had a long career in advertising and TV writing (including writing for The Muppets). He also wrote mysteries for adults. Upper elementary school kids are his sweet spot, though. I love writing for this age group, he said. He speculates he might be on the fourth generation of Lemoncello readers already (Theres a new class of fifth graders every year). He still gets at least 20 emails a week from readers solving the puzzles in Lemoncello books, (Only about 1% of readers have solved them, he said, so they receive a gif of balloons in congratulations for their success.) Returning to classrooms, bookstores, and the stage helps inform his work as a writer, Grabenstein said. You learn whats on kids minds. Not to mention the fact that its fun. And like Mr. Lemoncello, the author loves fun and games. Mr. Lemoncellos Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein. Random House, $17.99 May 3 ISBN 978-0-593-48083-0 Insight Editions is teaming with author and pop-up paper engineer Matthew Reinhart to form a new imprint, Reinhart Pop-Up Studio. It will publish eight to 10 titles per year in a list that will ultimately include about half new content and about half titles based on licensed properties. The imprint extends a longtime relationship between Insight Editions and Reinhart that dates back to 2014 and Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros. That title included pop-ups of locations featured in the TV series and required developing a new technique to turn the book into a giant map. They could see where I was going with it right away and that kind of set the tone, Reinhart told PW. Theyre willing to take this medium into new directions and innovate in a new way. The relationship has continued, with projects including Disney Princesses: A Magical Pop-Up World; Star Wars: The Ultimate Pop-Up Galaxy; Jurassic World: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book; and the Clio-award-winning A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts and Beyond. Weve been doing books together constantly for many years, said Raoul Goff, Insight Editions founder and CEO. We just thought we could do so much more if we were married, so to speak. And an imprint is something I felt his work deserved. Innovation is at the core of the new imprint. Ive always had a fascination with pop-up books and have had the chance to work with the worlds great paper engineers, Goff said. Matthew is able to bring paper engineering to another level and create some unusual elements. We want each book to have something unique that the previous book didnt have and that has never been done before. Our books wont be just a one-time read or experience. Each will have some sort of play factor that brings people back, over and over, and allows families to experience it together. Reinhart Pop-Up Studio will house not only Reinharts flagship pop-ups, but a wide range of formats for all ages and at different price points. Well still have the big, special, marquee book every year, but also things at lower price points that are really fun and special, Reinhart said. One example is a line of new Flip Pop transforming paper-engineered figures of characters such as Batman and Star Wars Boba Fett, which will be introduced at San Diego Comic Con. Other formats new to Reinhart include holiday titles, cards and other non-book items, and how-to paper crafting books. Thats a new experience for me, and its exciting, Reinhart said. He is looking forward to working on more original titles, along with the licenses, such as Teeth, Tentacles, and Tail Fins: A Wild Ocean Pop-Up, which will be released this July as the imprints first title. I want to stretch out and do more nonfiction, things that are broadly evergreen, and things that are beautiful for their own sake, he said. On the licensing side, the imprint will release titles that fall within existing Insight licensing relationships, but also bring in new licenses just for the pop-ups and other paper-engineered titles. Examples of the latter so far include Dungeons & Dragons and Minecraft, with others being negotiated. Reinhart will be working with several Insight Editions editors on the development of books under the Reinhart Pop-up Studios imprint, which will be overseen by Vicki Jaeger, v-p and editorial director. The fall 2022 list will see the release of Stranger Things: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book, followed by Dungeons & Dragons: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book and Disney Princess: The Little Mermaid Pop-Up Book in spring 2023. Many publishers have backed away from releasing pop-up books over the years, due to cost or other factors. There can be 1,000 glue points in a book like this, and theres die-cutting and hand assembly, Goff said. Only one or two factories in the world can even make one of these books anymore. We want to demonstrate that this is an area of bookmaking that deserves to have a place in the publishing industry. Reinharts first pop-up book was A Pop-Up Book of Phobias, with Gary Greenberg, released by Rob Weisbach Books in 1999. Since then, he has created and collaborated on more than 50 books for multiple publishers. Lou Satz, a prominent sales head at Bantam Books during the 1960s and 1970s, died of natural causes on April 9. He was 94. Satz headed sales for such reprint titles as The Exorcist, Jaws, and All Creatures Great and Small, helping to establish Bantam as a major player in mass market paperback publishing. Satz began his career in publishing and bookselling in 1953. He spent 23 years at Bantam, starting in 1962 as a wholesaler sales manager, eventually rising to v-p and director of sales. Starting in 1980, he served four years as Bantam's senior v-p and director of diversified markets. After completing his tenure at Bantam, Salz relocated to California, where he cofounded the Scott/Satz Group consulting company with his life partner Gloria Scott, a former Bantam Education executive. Clients included World Book, Passport Books, Random House, and Bantam. A veteran of WWII, Satz also wrote and self-published four books, including Occupation Europe 1945-1946, As Witnessed by a 19-Year-Old GI. 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. When you dont know where to go, you come here: California preps to be a haven for abortion rights When: Wednesday, June 8, 2022, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Where: ArtsTwo Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, Book now The Centre for Law and Society in a Global Context is delighted to welcome Professor Lyndsey Stonebridge, Professor of Humanities and Human Rights at the University of Birmingham, to give the annual CLSGC lecture this year. Professor Stonebridges interdisciplinary work brings literary and psychoanalytical perspectives to the study of human rights and refugees, including Placeless People: Writing, Rights, and Refugees (2018) and Writing and Righting: Literature in the Age of Human Rights. She has written extensively on Hannah Arendt and her new book, What we are doing: Thinking with Hannah Arendt, will be published by Jonathan Cape in 2023. The lecture, Hannah Arendt in Kafr-Qasim, will consider the following topic: Hannah Arendts controversial reports from the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem are well known. But before then another atrocity trial caught her attention: the trial of soldiers accused of a massacre of Palestinians at Kafr-Qasim on the eve of the Suez crisis. This talk returns to that earlier trial to ask questions about the separation between legal and moral responsibility, and the responsibility of memory, today. About the speaker Professor Lyndsey Stonebridges work focuses on twentieth-century and contemporary literature, political theory, and history, Human Rights, and Refugee Studies, drawing on the interdisciplinary connections between literature, history, politics, law, and social policy. Her early work was concerned with the effects of modern violence on the mind in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries (The Destructive Element (1998), Reading Melanie Klein (1998) and The Writing of Anxiety (2007). Over the past ten years her research has focussed on the creative history of responses to that violence in two awarding-winning books, The Judicial Imagination: Writing after Nuremberg (2011), winner of the British Academy Rose Mary Crawshay Prize, 2014, and Placeless People: Writing, Rights, and Refugees (2018), winner of the Modernist Studies Association Best Book Prize 2018, and in her recent collection of essays, Writing and Righting: Literature in the Age of Human Rights (2020). The work of the twentieth-century political theorist, Hannah Arendt, is central to Professor Stonebridges understanding of modern history, violence, statelessness, and judgement. She is currently writing a critical-creative account of the relevance Arendts thinking for today, Thinking Like Hannah Arendt, which will be published by Jonathan Cape in 2022. The interdisciplinary focus of Professor Stonebridges work is key to her wider project to re-cast global histories of human rights and justice across a broad and comparative modern moral and political canvas, such, for example, as in the collaborative Global Challenges project with refugees and their host communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, Refugee Hosts, and with the University of Birminghams Rights4Time Global network. She is a regular media commentator and broadcaster, and has written for The New Statesman, Prospect Magazine. She is co-editor of Oxford University Presss Mid-Century Series, and has held visiting positions at Cornell University and the University of Sydney. In 2017, she was elected as a Fellow of the English Association, and in 2019 was elected as a member of the Academia Europaea. Bachelor alum Vanessa Grimaldi is going to be a mom. ADVERTISEMENT The 34-year-old television personality is expecting her first child with her husband, Josh Wolfe. Grimaldi shared the news Wednesday on Instagram alongside a set of maternity photos. The pictures show Grimaldi embracing Wolfe while baring her baby bump in a white crop top and jeans. "Sorry I've been MIA. I've been busy creating baby Wolfe's tiny little fingers & toes #pregnantbelly #babywolfe," she captioned the post. Fellow Bachelor alums Jenna Cooper, Rachael Kirkconnell and Raven Gates were among those to congratulate Grimaldi in the comments. "Omg aww yayy congrats, beauty!! So excited for y'all," Cooper wrote. "OMGGGG CONGRATS!!!!!!!!" Kirkconnell added. "OH MY GOSH!!!! congrats!!" Gates said. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Grimaldi and Wolfe married in their hometown of Montreal, Canada, in August 2021 after two years of dating. "I'm over the moon!" Grimaldi told People at the time. "Josh is the best partner to have in life and I feel so grateful." Grimaldi was previously a contestant in The Bachelor Season 21, which ended with her getting engaged to Nick Viall. The pair split in August 2017. The B-52s rocked the stage and performed their classic party song "Love Shack" on Jimmy Kimmel Live. ADVERTISEMENT Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson took the stage on Wednesday, minus Keith Strickland, who remains in the band, but quit touring in 2012. The B-52s were joined by a full band and brought new life to the 1989 hit in front of a live audience. The performance ended with someone in a lobster costume dancing in front of the audience -- in reference to their hit song "Rock Lobster" -- as confetti littered the stage. The B-52s started out in 1977 with their original lineup including Cindy Wilson's brother Ricky Wilson, who died of AIDS-related complications in the 1980s. The Athens, Ga., band have toured and released several hits since, including "Planet Claire," "Private Idaho," "Good Stuff" and "Roam." The band announced this week they will be embarking on a farewell tour. The farewell tour kicks off on Aug. 22 at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle before it wraps up on Nov. 11 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. ANKARA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Saudi Arabia late Thursday, as part of efforts to mend ties, his office announced. "All aspects of the relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will be reviewed, and steps aimed at enhancing the cooperation between the two countries will be discussed at the talks to be held as part of the visit," the Turkish presidency said, adding that regional and international matters will also be on the agenda. The Turkish president will meet King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, local media reported. The relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia strained after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, as Turkish officials alleged that Khashoggi was killed by a team of Saudi agents. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have been working on a rapprochement for months as the two sides agree to put the Khashoggi issue behind them. This is also part of a broader effort by Turkey to mend ties with Arab countries in the Gulf after years of strained relations following the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Actors Matthew Goode, Juno Temple and Miles Teller said they found interesting details about the real-life Hollywood players they portray in The Offer, premiering Thursday on Paramount+. ADVERTISEMENT The drama series tells about the people who made The Godfather in 1972, and Goode plays former Paramount Pictures head of production Robert Evans Goode gained some insight when a collector showed him a pair of Evans' glasses bought at an auction after he died in 2019. "They have bite marks all up and down the arms," Goode said on a recent Television Critics Association Zoom panel. "Having seen that, I was like, 'He was stressed, sits there chewing the hell out of them when he's on the phone.'" Today, The Godfather ranks in the top 3 of the American Film Institute's 100 Years 100 Film List. The movie spawned two sequels, and the original film was reissued for its 50th anniversary this year. In the late '60s, Evans and Paramount Vice President Peter Bart optioned Mario Puzo's book in manuscript form. The film stars Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, and Al Pacino as his son Michael, who inherits the family business and continues to run it in the sequels. After heading Paramount Pictures until 1972, Evans continued to produce movies with Paramount and independently. Evans told his stories in the book The Kid Stays in the Picture, which also became a documentary film. "As Bob said himself, about anything, there's always your version, the other person's version and then the truth," Goode said. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Speaking with associates and acquaintances of Evans, Goode said he heard personal stories that weren't written about in books and articles. Evans made enemies in Hollywood and feuded with director Francis Ford Coppola during the making of The Godfather. "There's a lot of contentious stuff about his history," Goode said. "Most of those people would come to you and go, 'He was the nicest. He was the kindest. He was the most generous.'" Coppola, Brando and Pacino appear as characters in The Offer. However, the series focuses on the executives who brought the film together. The Godfather producer Albert Ruddy is played by Teller in The Offer. The real Ruddy is an executive producer of the series. Teller said Ruddy promised to work with him on a project whether or not Teller played him in The Offer. Teller kept in touch with Ruddy during production. "I would text him, "Al, this is so much fun. Like. all these situations you found yourself in was just so much fun, man. Playing you is keeping me on my toes,'" Teller said. The Godfather was Ruddy's fifth produced project, and he collected the Best Picture Oscar as its producer. Ruddy subsequently became involved with popular films The Longest Yard, The Cannonball Run and Million Dollar Baby up to last year's Cry Macho. Teller said he admired the way Ruddy weathered opposition from the studio, from the Italian-American Civil Rights League, which contested the film's depiction of crime families, and even from screenwriters Coppola and author Mario Puzo. The screenwriters butted heads with the studio over the length of the screenplay adaptation. The Godfather runs nearly three hours in its final cut. "He's out of his comfort zone constantly," Teller said. "And yet he just continues to press on." Another important figure behind the scenes of The Godfather was Ruddy's assistant, Bettye McCartt (Temple). Temple said McCartt's career is far less documented than those of Ruddy and Evans. Temple said Dexter Fletcher, director of the first episode of The Offer, gave the cast members homework assignments during rehearsal. Fletcher assigned each actor to spend a weekend writing a backstory for their own character. Temple said all the actors conducted research, whether they found extensive documented history or had to extrapolate from scant records. He said Fletcher's assignment helped her feel what it might have been like for executives embarking on The Godfather. "It was so magical to break the ice like that," Temple said. "Suddenly, you were in a room with these people, and it made sense why they were going to be involved in the making of The Godfather." After The Godfather, McCartt became an agent and manager for actors and directors. Temple said she did not want to know much about what came after the events depicted in The Offer. "Knowing too much information and then using that to kind of navigate your performance feels false," Temple said. "I think the journey for Bettye is navigating her way in Hollywood in a man's world with this extraordinary friendship between her and her boss." New episodes of The Offer premiere Thursdays on Paramount+. Porterville, CA (93257) Today Sunshine and some clouds. High 67F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. Low 38F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Health Editor and Athens Frontline Podcast Host Simran Kaur Malhotra is the current health editor and a member of the D&I committee. As a pre-med student, she is majoring in anthropology & minoring in global health. Simran is the founder and CEO of UGA Doctors Without Borders. Associated: AHCJ; AAJA With the end of the spring semester approaching, UGA students are tackling final projects, exams and all the tribulations that come with wrapping up the school year. To aid students during this stressful time, the Pizza Hut struggle bus paid a visit to Athens following tour stops of the NCAA Final Four, according to a press release. In March 2021, Senate Bill 202 was passed and set new laws for voting in Georgia. With the primary elections for state and federal offices coming up on May 24 and the general elections in November, the bill created a few restrictions that worry voters. Brattleboro Police Capt. Mark Carignan gives a high-five to Braxxon Anderson, 3, before the start for the Strolling of the Heifers parade in 2018. You are the owner of this article. Video information These videos are screened by Vermont News & Media for graphic violence and other related imagery, as well as propagandist messages, implied or expressed, as well as clear copyright issues. We have a native speaker who listens to what's said or shown in the videos, checking for appropriateness. While we can't ensure that all videos are authentic, we make all efforts to only post what appears to be real footage from the frontlines in the war on Ukraine. A sign of the unsettled times: House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, consulted with his caucus Wednesday night about the possibility of the House canceling its Saturday session to avoid two protests. Our caucus was pretty confident that if we needed to come in, we would come in. Were not going to kowtow, Ritter said. We also are not sure if we have to come in Saturday, because the budget may not be ready. Two coalitions on opposite ends of the political spectrum have scheduled rallies at the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon, prompting Capitol police to assess the potential security risk to the General Assembly. Based on ads posted on social media, the scheduling of the rallies appears coincidental, not geared to one another. Black Lives Matter, a shoreline church group and others have advertised a noon-time end hate march to protest the distribution of racist flyers that they fear signals the arrival in Connecticut of a national white supremacist group. A rolling freedom rally organized by groups opposed to vaccine mandates, masks in schools and teachings influenced by critical race theory are supposed to arrive at the Capitol at 1 p.m. Including Thursday, there are only six potential session days in the 2022 session, which must end by midnight next Wednesday. The Saturday before adjournment historically is the last day when a House speaker could reliably call a controversial bill for debate. Come Monday, the balance of power will shift from the House Democratic majority to the Republican minority. In the final days, the calendar is the ally of the minority. The tradition is unlimited debate, and the minority can kill bills by running out the clock. House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora, R-North Branford, said he and Ritter have negotiated a relatively smooth flow of business this year. If were able to accomplish what we need to do on Friday and avoid coming in on a Saturday, not just because of a rally but also because it avoids overtime and costs to the state, we might as well do it, Candelora said. The budget is the major piece of remaining business, though significant measures originating in the House or Senate now are awaiting final action in the other chamber. Legislators and the Lamont administration struck a budget deal on Wednesday, but reducing the agreement to a legislative document typically takes 72 hours. Chief Luiz Casanova of the Capitol police said the force was attempting to assess what could be expected on Saturday. Ritter said the chief had yet to make a recommendation. The legislators and Capitol police are familiar with protests on the Capitol campus in Hartford, overlooking Bushnell Park to the north and east. In fact, the traditional Saturday session often is a draw for demonstrators. Motorcyclists used to schedule a spring ride ending at the Capitol to remind lawmakers of their opposition to a helmet mandate. It was a show, if generally a good-natured one. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Niranjan Shrestha/AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Niranjan Shrestha/AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) Nepal banned imports of cars, alcohol, tobacco and other luxury items Wednesday and shortened its work week to help conserve its dwindling supply of foreign exchange. A notice published in the government gazette said only emergency vehicles can be imported. No imports of any type of alcohol or tobacco products, large-engine motorcycles and mobile phones costing over $600 dollars will be allowed. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut lawmakers voted Thursday to officially set a target of 2040 for having a carbon-free electricity supply, despite skepticism about whether the state can meet that goal and whether ratepayers can afford the cost. The legislation, which codifies an executive order issued in 2019 by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, would make Connecticut the 11th state to set the ambitious objective. By codifying our zero-carbon electric grid target into state law, we are providing a critical direction for state and local agencies, utility companies, and other partners as we collectively plan and implement Connecticuts energy policies over the coming years, Lamont said in a written statement. This is an important action we are taking to help mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis that we are already starting to experience." The governor said he plans to sign the bill into law in the coming days. But state Rep. Cindy Harrison, R-Southbury, said she worries the legislation, which does not include any mandates or penalties for failing to reach the goal, could ultimately lead to higher electric rates for consumers. While these goals may be admirable, I again have my concerns when we do this and we put it (onto) the ratepayers, she said. The bill cleared the House of Representatives by a vote of 113-35 on Thursday, days after the Senate unanimously passed the legislation. Some House members questioned whether the goal of a carbon-free electric supply can be met, considering the state is not on track to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets previously set by the General Assembly. But Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said in recent written testimony that the state has already made substantial progress" toward reaching Lamont's target of a 100% carbon-free electric grid. Dykes noted that the state has zero-emissions renewable energy sources and electricity generated from nuclear energy under contract which are the equivalent to 74% of the power used by customers of the state's two largest utilities. That percentage, she said, is expected to climb to 95% by 2025 when contracted off-shore wind and solar projects are expected to begin commercial operation. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the headline should be 2040. WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. government on Thursday released its long-awaited plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, citing the toll on Black smokers and young people. The proposed rules would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit, said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, in a statement. He added that the ban would also be an important step to advance health equity by reducing disparities in tobacco-related diseases. The Food and Drug Administration said eliminating menthol cigarettes could prevent between 300,000 and 650,000 smoking deaths over 40 years. Menthol accounts for more than a third of cigarettes sold in the U.S, and the mint flavor is favored by Black smokers and young people. Menthols cooling effect has been shown to mask the throat harshness of smoking, making it easier to start and harder to quit. The FDA said it will also seek to ban menthol and dozens of other flavors like grape and strawberry from cigars, which are increasingly popular with young people, especially Black teens. The agencys proposals on both cigarettes and cigars are only initial drafts and are unlikely to be finalized before next year. Companies would then have one additional year to phase out their products. Tobacco industry lawsuits could delay the prohibition for several more years, according to experts. For now, FDA leaders said they will take comments for two months and then proceed as expeditiously as possible. Altria, which sells menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, said it disagreed with the ban. Taking these products out of the legal marketplace will push them into unregulated, criminal markets, the company said in a statement. We will continue to engage in this long-term regulatory process. The FDA has attempted several times to get rid of menthol but faced pushback from Big Tobacco, members of Congress and competing political interests under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Regulators have been under legal pressure to issue a decision after anti-smoking and civil rights groups sued the FDA for unreasonably delaying action on earlier requests to ban menthol. Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not prohibited under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists. The act did, though, instruct the agency to continue to weigh a ban. To date, the FDA has yet to eliminate any traditional tobacco product, though it has had that authority for over a decade. Last April, the Biden administration pledged to try to ban menthol within the year, responding in part to African American groups who say menthol has led to lower quit rates and higher rates of death among Black people. Menthols are used by 85% of Black smokers. Black folks die disproportionately of heart disease, lung cancer and stroke, said Phillip Gardiner of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council. Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars are the main vectors of those diseases in the Black and brown communities, and have been for a long time. In 2020, Gardiners group and several others sued to compel the FDA to make a decision on a ban. More than 12% of Americans smoke cigarettes, with rates roughly even between white and Black populations. In 2019, more than 18 million Americans smoked menthol cigarettes, with higher rates among young people, African Americans and other racial groups, according to the FDA. Menthol smoking declined among white teenagers between 2011 and 2018, but not among Black and Hispanic youth, the agency noted. Thursday's proposals would not apply to electronic cigarettes, including leading brands like Juul and Vuse, which come in menthol. The FDA has been conducting a separate review of vaping products and has so far authorized a handful of tobacco-flavored products from smaller manufacturers. The FDA made several efforts to begin eliminating menthol cigarettes under both the Obama and Trump administrations, but had never previously released a formal roadmap of how to accomplish the ban. This is the first time theres been support from an administration, said Mitch Zeller, who recently retired after nine years leading FDAs tobacco center. If these rules are finalized they become the law of the land and it becomes illegal for menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to be sold. In recent weeks, dozens of interest groups for and against the ban met with Biden administration officials to try and influence the proposed rules, which would wipe out billions in tobacco sales. Conservative and civil rights groups that accept tobacco funding warned officials that banning could menthol could result in increased policing in Black communities. While acknowledging those concerns, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf stressed that the agency's rules would target companies, not smokers. These measures and related enforcement would be on the tobacco industry, not individuals who possess or use these products, Califf told reporters. For decades, tobacco companies focused menthol advertising and promotions in Black communities, sponsoring music festivals and neighborhood events. Industry documents released via litigation show companies viewed menthol cigarettes as a good starter product because they were more palatable to teens. Menthols elimination would be a huge blow to tobacco companies, including Reynolds American, which sells the leading menthol brands, Newport and Kool. With the slow decline of smoking, tobacco companies have been diversifying into alternative products, including electronic cigarettes and tobacco pouches. But those ventures still account for a tiny slice of industry sales. ___ Follow Matthew Perrone on Twitter: @AP_FDAwriter ___ 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. Viktoria Sundqvist / Hearst Connecticut Media A Waterbury man was sentenced to more than two years in prison Wednesday for distributing heroin as part of a drug trafficking organization, according to federal prosecutors. Isaac Wilson, who is also known as Ike, 25, pleaded guilty in November to conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base, or crack. A federal judge in Hartford sentenced him to serve 33 months, or two years and nine months, in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to Leonard Boyle, the United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WINSTED Gov. Ned Lamont visited Northwestern Regional 7 High School Thursday to congratulate students, faculty and staff for winning the 2021 National Blue Ribbon School Award. The award was presented to Northwestern for exemplary high performance, according to Superintendent Judy Palmer. Thursday morning, a group of about 85 freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors wore commemorative T-shirts announcing the honor. They gathered in the Little Theater to meet the governor, presenting him with his own T-shirt. Youre one of the best schools in the state, Lamont said, as he chatted with the group. He was joined by Principal Gary Franklin, Palmer and other administrators and staff. So what does it take to be a Blue Ribbon School? Thats why were here today, he said. Im impressed with the caring and love you have here, especially (because of) the past couple of years and how tough its been. During a sharing session, students explained why they thought their high school had received the designation. Some spoke about Kindness in Motion, a school initiative that encourages groups of students to apply for a $100 grant for a small act of kindness, Franklin said. This year, one group is using their grant to collect personal items for veterans. In the past, students have used the money to help an animal shelter or a local family. Our students are all willing to reach out and help each other, and we all benefit from that, Franklin said. Students are invested in the school, said Maddie Sage, a junior. Its a community. Im proud of our school and our community, said Ciana Ferraro, a freshman. Im lucky to be going here. Other students talked about the course offerings and extra-curricular activities, such as language clubs, theater, band and chorus and others said there were plenty of leadership opportunities. And all said the school is very supportive, and that teachers always have our backs. Lamont encouraged the students to try new things. If your thing is music, thats great but try learning about other things, too, he said. Take other classes. He said he was impressed that the school received the award during the pandemic. As a governor, I try always to emphasize what makes Connecticut such an amazing state, Lamont said. Theres been a lot of friction out there (since the pandemic) and its been so complicated, for all of us. Im amazed how our students and teachers have stepped up. We are very proud of our high school, Franklin said. Northwestern is the only high school in the state to receive the 2021 National Blue Ribbon School Award for Exemplary High Performance. ... (It is) a tremendous credit to our faculty, staff, students, and families. We are grateful for the continued support of our Regional School District No. 7 community, Palmer said. Our success would not be possible without our partnership with families. Northwestern Regional 7 High School in Winsted also serves the communities of Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford and Norfolk. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Karen Jacobsen, Tufts University (THE CONVERSATION) More than 5 million people left Ukraine as refugees between Feb. 24 and April 24, 2022, mostly to neighboring countries Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia. American officials, agencies and communities are working to bring Ukrainian refugees into the U.S., too. But as a scholar of global migration, I believe its worth bearing in mind that many displaced Ukrainians both refugees and what are known as internally displaced persons who have fled their homes but are still in Ukraine want to stay close to home so they can go back when the smoke clears. While Putins army pummels their homeland, and Ukrainian forces defend it as best they can, many displaced Ukrainian women and young people are not planning to migrate to other countries but are waiting on the sidelines. That includes Ukrainians like one young woman, Yuliia Kabanets, who has worked professionally with displaced people and is entering a graduate program in the field. Yuliia, now in Lviv, has also been displaced twice herself within Ukraine, once in 2014 when Russia occupied the part of Donetsk where she lived, and during the current war. She wrote an analysis for me about what shes seen there since the beginning of this war. With her trained eye, she offers a fresh understanding of a lesser-known aspect of the conflict: why Ukrainians are staying in, or returning to, the country, often at great risk to themselves and their families: With the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I found myself fleeing the war for the second time. It was both easier and harder for me: on the one hand, I know what it is like, on the other hand, I have experience[d] pure hate against those who make me do that again. They are doing their best to support the defenders, and longing for the day they can return to their hometowns. They are staying close to home despite the dangers and, for some, despite having been displaced more than once. Fleeing home, staying in Ukraine On April 6, 2022, the Ukrainian government began urging civilians to leave the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine while it was still possible. Russias planned offensive to capture that territory was looming. Parts of Donetsk and Luhansk have been occupied by Russia since 2014. Including people displaced from Russian-annexed Crimea, some 1.46 million Ukrainians were registered as internally displaced people already in 2021. Today the International Organization for Migration, a United Nations agency, estimates that there are 7.7 million people internally displaced in Ukraine, most coming from the east of Ukraine and the Kyiv region. In some Ukrainian cities, internally displaced persons comprise a large percentage of the population: 44% of the people in the Luhansk regions city of Severodonetsk, 20% in the Donetsk region city of Mariupol, and 13% of the Kharkiv region city of Izyum. Those cities have suffered from active hostilities during the two months of the full-scale war. Despite the violence, Yuliia believes shes had relatively good fortune over those months: Ive been lucky: I plan to go back to Kyiv soon my rented flat there has not been damaged (so far), and nor has my familys flat in Donetsk. Meanwhile, people I know who have moved to Mariupol from Donetsk, have now lost their home for the second time: and their property was destroyed or burnt down. Even in longer, more drawn-out conflicts around the world where millions have been displaced, such as Afghanistan and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, many people do not leave their home areas, despite great danger. We are all grateful Why do they stay? Speaking of those who have not left the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, despite warnings from the Ukrainian government, Yuliia says: Even though it seems irrational to stay, I can understand their point. The war has been next to these peoples homes for eight years. Many find it difficult to leave their home and go into the unknown, even if that may save their lives. The lack of housing opportunities in the Western regions of Ukraine does not help to solve the situation either. What about those who leave the country? Do they want to be permanently resettled in countries like the U.S.? Yuliia says Ukrainians are met with open arms in many countries: We all are grateful for that. However nobody wants to run from the war, and being far from your own country during these times can be devastating. One of the big issues is also family separation, as conscription-aged men are not allowed to leave the country because of the war. Yuliia thinks that most Ukrainians who have left where they live plan to return soon or after the war. And many Ukrainians are in fact going back home, despite the continuing danger. Since Feb. 28, 2022, 1.7 million Ukrainians have returned to Ukraine, although it is not clear whether their return is permanent. Thats because some people may come back for a short time to check on or take things from their apartment. Since April 15, 2022, the number of those returning to Ukraine from Poland has been greater than those going to Poland from Ukraine. Emotional reasons People come back for different reasons: lack of available housing or the inconvenience of staying with relatives abroad; the difficulty of finding a job in a new place; or because they want to be with relatives who remained in Ukraine. People also return for emotional reasons. Yuliia briefly left Ukraine in March to visit her partner, who was waiting in Poland. My own experience of being out of Ukraine for a week has shown me that I am not ready to not be in Ukraine now. I was told the same by many people: it is psychologically easier for them to be in Ukraine, even if nowhere is safe, even if their hometown is constantly under shelling from the Russian occupants. Whatever the reasons, it seems clear that many perhaps most want to return to Ukraine from abroad and probably are not looking to migrate further. Inside Ukraine, people return to places that become safer: More and more people are coming back to the relatively safer Kyiv, even though the mayor is asking them to wait. Certainly there are Ukrainians who would like to be resettled as refugees. But many want to stay at home or return quickly. For those who want to help Ukrainians, this is the reality that they should understand, so their efforts reflect the real needs of people driven from their homes, and who just want to go back. [More than 150,000 readers get one of The Conversations informative newsletters. Join the list today.] This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/nobody-wants-to-run-from-the-war-a-voice-from-ukraines-displaced-millions-describes-the-conflicting-pulls-of-home-family-and-safety-181991. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polish President Andrzej Duda denounced Russia's war against Ukraine on Thursday as he joined Holocaust survivors and people from around the world at an annual observance at the former site of Auschwitz. We are here to show that every nation has a sacred right to life, has a sacred right to cultivate its traditions, has a sacred right to develop, he said. Duda joined more than 2,000 young Israelis and others who joined the March of the Living, a commemoration taking place on Israel's national Holocaust memorial day that pays tribute to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The route begins under the Auschwitz gate with the notorious slogan Arbeit Macht Frei" (German for work will set you free) and leads to Birkenau, the largest site of mass extermination during Germany's occupation of Poland and other parts of Europe during World War II. This year's march, the first after being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, also included delegations from Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Duda, walking as Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg held him by the arm, took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Death Wall in Auschwitz, where prisoners were shot to death. Later, during a ceremony at Birkenau, Duda spoke out against war, anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred, and paid tribute to Jewish victims of the Holocaust as well as the other victims of Nazi Germany, including Poles, Roma and Russians. We come here to show that while during World War II, Nazi Germany managed to wipe my country off the map, wipe it out and murder Poles, including Polish Jews, we will never again allow something like this to happen," he said. "We are also here to show that there is absolutely no consent to the attempt to take freedom and kill the Ukrainian nation with impunity, as is happening today in the occupied territories of Ukraine," he said. More than 1.1 million people were murdered by the Nazis and their henchmen in Auschwitz. Most who were killed were Jews, but the victims also included Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and others. In all, about 6 million European Jews died during the Holocaust. When the Soviets liberated the camp, they found about 7,000 survivors. ___ More AP coverage of the Holocaust and Russia's war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/the-holocaust and https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine BRIDGEPORT - A former Stamford school gym teacher, who has already cost the city of Stamford nearly $4 million to settle lawsuits claiming he sexually abused students in the 1970s and 80s, is accused in a new lawsuit of molesting a child at another school. In the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Bridgeport on Tuesday against the City of Stamford and the Stamford Board of Education, Robert Martinez is accused of molesting a young boy at the Toquam Elementary School between 1999 and 2004. According to the lawsuit, Martinez worked as a gym teacher at that school from 1999 until his retirement at age 55 in 2005. In 2018, the City of Stamford agreed to pay $3.25 million to five men who claimed in lawsuits they had been sexually abused by Martinez at Rogers Elementary School in the 1970s and 80s. Last year, the city paid out another $440,000 to a sixth man who alleged he had been abused by Martinez at the same school. We always worried that the sexual abuse of students by Martinez did not end when he left Rogers School, said Attorney Cindy Robinson, who with Douglas Mahoney also represented the previous alleged victims. It takes years for victims to find the courage to come forward with these traumatic claims. Robinson said that years before their latest client was allegedly abused, a student had made reports to school staff at the Rogers School, including the principal, that Martinez had sexually assaulted a student there. Although the Stamford Police Department in 2010 confirmed it was investigating the allegations against Martinez, he has not been arrested and is now living in Florida. He could not be reached for comment. Stamford officials previously stated that they were unaware of the allegations against Martinez at the time. Contacted Tuesday, they did not immediately respond with a comment on the new lawsuit. The suit states that the alleged assaults at Toquam School took place in the schools gym during class and in the gym teachers private office during the school day. It claims that staff and administration officials allowed Martinez to routinely call boys out of class and permitted him to keep boys after class where he had alone time. WINSTED The center area of downtown Main Street, the heart of the business community, is excluded from any cannabis businesses, according to regulations drafted by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Even though the commission included Main Street in its new ordinance, which is heading to public hearings in June, members are restricting exactly where in that area a cannabis business can be. The commission can grant a special permit to allow locating retail, hybrid retail, and micro-cultivation cannabis establishments in the Town Gateway, Town Center, and Production and Innovation, the commissions regulation states. It also excludes Main Street from East End Park to the Beardsley Library. Cannabis businesses, according to the regulation, also cannot be located within 200 feet of a residential zone, school or daycare building, place of worship or playground, (or) located on Main Street from East End Park to the Beardsley Library. Lawmakers gave their final approval for the bill, An Act Concerning Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis, in June 2021, legalizing the sale and cultivation of marijuana for adults over 21. The legislation creates a structure for recreational marijuana markets and eliminates criminal convictions for certain marijuana-based offenses. Adults are allowed to have up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana with them and up to 5 ounces in a locked container in their home or cars glove compartment or trunk. According to the bill, cities and towns can prohibit these businesses through local zoning ordinances, or restrict the location of retail establishments related to schools, churches and hospitals. Residents can also petition for a vote on whether a town should allow them. During a meeting Monday night, members of the zoning commission discussed their next step with the zoning regulation. Alternate member Charlene LaVoie, while reading through it, questioned the Main Street exclusion. No establishment allowed on Main Street, from East End Park to the Beardsley Library? What else is there? she asked. Commissioners said that area was excluded per the Board of Selectmens request, and said there are plenty of other places the new cannabis stores and growers could go. There arent that many commercial zones other than Main Street, LaVoie said. Where else ... Further up North Main? The Winsted PZC zoning regulation identifies town zones where retail sales and cultivation of cannabis would be allowed: town center, the town gateway and production innovation (industrial or manufacturing). During a previous discussion of the commissions draft of the ordinance, Chairman George Closson proposed keeping businesses in the town center zone of Main Street, the town gateway, Route 44, Winsted Road and the industrial/innovation zone, the towns industrial park. Weve got potential on our Main Street, the huge flexibility of what can be done in the town gateway (area), and innovation zone, in case something comes up with the industrial part (of the cannabis) industry, growing it, things like that, Closson said at the time. Monday, zoning officer Pam Colombie pointed to many streets off Main Street in the town center area that are zoned residential/town center. The new zone for cannabis businesses wouldnt be allowed near those neighborhoods anyway, she said. Commissioner Craig Sanden and Closson said the regulation included Route 800 and Route 44 as gateway areas, which are away from the center of town, as an allowed area. Theres a gas station at 787 Main St., were its allowed, Colombie said. Someone could take that and convert it. The commission has scheduled a public hearing on their proposed ordinance for 7 p.m. June 13 at the Winsted Town Hall, which will continue to a second hearing on June 27. Residents can read the proposed ordinance at townofwinchester.org/planning-and-zoning-commission. Connecticut on Feb. 3 opened its first 90-day application period for retailers and disproportionately impacted area cultivators. Application periods for other license types will open on a rolling basis. Torringtons City Council is holding a hearing on its proposed ordinance May 2. It focuses on where cannabis can be used, and where it cant, concerning town parks and other recreation areas, for example. WEST HARTFORD For Lisa Bonner, mentoring is all about consistency. The West Hartford resident has been a big for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut since 2017, when she got involved in the program through her employer, CIGNA. In that time, Bonner has been a volunteer mentor to three different littles from the Annie Fisher STEM School in Hartford. Big Brothers Big Sisters is not your typical organization, Bonner said. They really focus on kids and helping them reach their potential. When I think about myself as a mentor, I think the most important thing you can do is be consistent and show up and listen, and then actively engage wherever they are that day. In May, Bonner will be awarded with the Victoria L. Soto Memorial Award for her efforts. The award was created in honor of Soto, a teacher who was killed in 2012 in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Soto had been a mentor for the program at Windham Elementary School. Bonner said receiving the award named in Sotos honor is a big deal, and she hopes to use her platform to encourage others to join the program as mentors. Were constantly looking for more volunteers, she said. I encourage people to participate. You really can make a difference in a childs life. I am honestly so honored. Im thrilled. I would like to use this a way to get more people interested in the program and more people aware of the need and more people understanding that by putting in time at this level, the payback is tremendous. You can help them see whats possible and whats inside of them. The impact is tremendous. Shasity Rios, who is director of school- and site-based programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut, said consistency, which is important to their process, is one of the reasons why Bonner deserves the honor. She is incredibly consistent, Rios said. Thats the key to a lot of the children that we serve. There have been really inconsistent people throughout their lives. Its really challenging for them to develop trust with someone because of the lack of consistency. Its not that you have to provide them with the most fun activityits just that you show up. She shows up every single time. Bonner has participated in a site-based program in the five years shes been a mentor, where students are brought to her workplace to meet with their mentors. Recently, because of the pandemic, those relationships have moved to a virtual format. She speaks fondly of each of her three littles. Shes stayed in touch with the two who have graduated from the program. Shes attended ceremonies, had lunch dates, visited them at school events and has frequent conversations with them to see where they are at in life. Her first match, she said, is graduating high school later this year. Weve stayed in touch over the years, Bonner said. She texts me. I received a text from her a couple of weeks ago asking me to come to her high school graduation. It brought tears to my eyes. I said to her, I will be there for you. Its about showing up and meeting them wherever they are that day. It was about listening without judgment, and then celebrating and making a big deal about celebrating. Her second match was an aspiring fashion designer, who just needed a little confidence in one area of school, Bonner said. She really struggled with math, Bonner said. By the end of the year, her confidence and her math improved. She didnt have to go to summer school. That was a big win. For her, it was thinking Im good at fashion, to wait a minute, I am good at math. I can do more. She needed that base in math to excel in her other classes. Bonners current little is her youngest match yet at only seven years old. And even though theyve only interacted virtually, Bonner still feels a strong connection to her. We were introduced in a Zoom breakout room, Bonner said. She is vivacious. Shes bubbly. She has these huge headphones that swallow up her head. She has pink braids. With her, meeting her where she is, its about chatting, its about drawing and its about doing the projects about self-esteem, empathy and diversity. Because she is young its about building trust. Its about trying to help her feel special and trying to focus on what shes good at. Bonner said all three relationships have allowed her to reflect on herself and the way she operates in the different roles in her own life. You really learn a lot about yourself when youre in the program, Bonner said. They learn so much from you, they do, but when youre a mentor, it teaches you about yourself and just how you handle certain situations. As Ive grown as a mother, as a parent, as a sister, as a friendI may do some things differently than I would 10 years ago. Rios said Bonner is a great example of how mentors can make an impact on young people. Sometimes I think people overlook mentoring or they may feel nervous about mentoring, Rios said. Sometimes they think you have to be this well established person. But what I always express is that our bigs come from diverse backgrounds, just like our littles. Theyre regular people. Were not asking for any specific degree or job skill to make an impact on someones life. Bonner will be honored at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticuts awards event on May 19, which will be held at the Mark Twain House and Musuem in Hartford. Seam Pluk, president of the National Heart Party, is accused of submitting fraudulent party registration documents. Authorities in Cambodia on Thursday arrested the president of a small Cambodian political party who had been on the run since last week after being charged with forging documents to compete in local elections in June. RFA reported April 18 that Seam Pluk, president of the National Heart Party, had gone into hiding after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest and ordered him to appear in court on April 25. His lawyer, Sam Sok Kong, said that he intended to appear but that the court date did not give sufficient time to prepare to fight the charges. Choung Chou Ngy, another lawyer representing Seam Pluk, told RFAs Khmer Service that the arrest was not legal because the warrant expired two days ago. It is wrong for the police to implement an expired warrant. The court should take action against the police, he said. Choung Chou Ngy also sought to cast doubt over the allegation that Seam Pluk forged registration documents so that his party could participate in elections. The Ministry of Interior did a unilateral investigation without the National Heart Partys participation. Was it an accurate audit? It is a secret, he said. Among the 4,000 thumbprints collected for party registration, the Ministry of Interior only identified 200 that may have been forged, he said. Even if there are forgeries, the party has enough support to register, assuming the remaining prints are legitimate, Choung Chou Ngy said. The political party registration process should not lead to arrests, Kang Savang, a monitor with the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel), said. I havent seen the ministry file a complaint over thumbprint issues. This is new to me. I am concerned they are using the court to deal with the case. It will affect peoples right to participate in the electoral process, Kang Savang said. I think authorities shouldnt use the court to resolve this issue. The ministry should have just refused to register the party, he said. The Ministry of Interior moved to prosecute Seam Pluk after they accused him of receiving funds from exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy to participate in the election, an accusation Seam Pluk has denied. Sam Rainsy is one of two prominent leaders of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017 in a move that allowed Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party to win all 125 seats in Parliament in a July 2018 election. Sam Rainsy, 72, has lived in exile in France since 2015. He was sentenced in absentia last year to 25 years for what supporters say was a politically motivated charge of attempting to overthrow the government. Choung Chou Ngy said he will meet Seam Pluk April 29 in prison to discuss an appeal against his detention. RFA reported last week that another small opposition party, the Candlelight Party, believed that Sam Pluk has been targeted because of his previous support for Candlelight. The Candlelight party has been gaining steam over the past year and its leaders believe it can challenge the CPP in the upcoming elections. After the National Heart Partys registration was denied, Candlelight party leadership encouraged Heart party supporters to join Candlelight. 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. Freedoms monitor Seam Pluks arrest comes as three NGOs released a report that listed hundreds of instances of rights abuses in the country, which Hun Sen has led for decades. Despite the governments duty to respect, protect and promote the freedoms of association, expression and assembly, the report records more than 300 restrictions and violations of fundamental freedoms in every province, the report by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc), and the Solidarity Center said. The reports findings show that fundamental freedom is being restricted while opposition parties are being abused by the state, authorities and third-party actors, Hun Seanghak, who coordinated the report, told RFA. But a spokesperson for a government-aligned rights group dismissed the reports conclusions. When individuals break the law, authorities must implement the law. Is that human rights abuse? In Cambodia people enjoy their freedom, Kata Orn, spokesperson for the pro-government Cambodia Human Rights Committee, told RFA. He said the report was designed to please donors and doesnt reflect the truth about democracy and freedom in Cambodia. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Tainted milk parent-turned-campaigner Guo Li has been denied compensation for wrongful imprisonment by the Supreme People's Court RFA has learned. In 2017, a court in the southern province of Guangdong retrospectively acquitted Guo after he served a five-year jail term for demanding compensation after his infant daughter was sickened by the 2008 melamine-tainted milk scandal. The simultaneous interpreter was handed the five-year sentence by a court in Guangdong's Chaozhou in 2010 for "extortion" linked to his campaign for compensation from Guangzhou-based infant formula maker Scient after his child became ill with kidney stones. Following his release, Guo then lodged an appeal with the Guangdong Provincial High Court, which found that the facts of the case were unclear, that there was insufficient evidence, that the court of first instance had breached due process on two occasions, and that the case was inconclusive. Guo later took his appeal to the Supreme People's Court in Beijing, learning on April 10 that his attempt to win redress had been unsuccessful, he told RFA in a recent interview. He said his claim for state compensation was ruled "inadmissible" because a time limit had expired. "The court found that no compensation should be paid, and my appeal application was rejected," Guo said. "I was advised to deal with the matter through other means." Guo said the ruling was itself in breach of regulations governing state compensation claims. "I think this is a shameful and ridiculous ruling," he said. "I will continue to pursue those responsible for compensation in the Guangdong Provincial People's High Court, via the prison service, and through the detention center system." Beijing-based lawyer Mo Shaoping said the two-year limitation does exist, but that the court should have ignored it. "If the judicial system has wronged a person and that person is eventually acquitted, they it should take the initiative to compensate them," Mo told RFA. Tainted milk scandal Guo's daughter was one of 300,000 made ill by infant formula milk laced with the industrial chemical melamine, which saw a total of 21 people convicted for their roles in the scandal, two of whom were executed. The government said after the 2008 scandal that it had destroyed all tainted milk powder, but reports of melamine-laced products have occasionally re-emerged. Guo has previously described three years of harsh treatment, including beatings and solitary confinement, during his prison sentence, as the authorities put pressure on him to "admit to his crimes." Held in a cell measuring little more than one meter (3.3 feet) wide and deprived of adequate food and water, Guo was given moldy food and dirty ditch-water instead. Campaigners say promises from then-premier Wen Jiabao that the government would foot the medical bills for all of the children affected by melamine-tainted milk haven't been kept. Instead, the scandal has led major health insurance companies in China to start excluding kidney-related diseases from policies, owing to the huge medical bills racked up following the scandal. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Taiwan-occupied Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, is the biggest natural feature in the Spratly islands. An aerial view shows Itu Aba, which the Taiwanese call Taiping, in the South China Sea, Nov. 29, 2016. China has reacted strongly against Taiwans alleged plans to extend a runway on the contested Taiping Island in the South China Sea, saying it was playing with fire. Taiwanese media reported last week that the islands military is planning to lengthen the existing 1,150-meter-long airstrip by 350 meters so that it will be able to accommodate F-16 jet fighters and P-3C anti-submarine aircraft. Taiwanese officials have yet to confirm the plans, reported by United Daily News, a conservative Taiwanese newspaper. But recent satellite imagery suggests some kind of changes on the ground at the western tip of Taiping, which is located in the north-western part of the Spratly islands. Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, is the biggest natural feature in the Spratly islands. It is currently occupied by Taiwan but is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. On Wednesday, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for Beijings Taiwan Affairs Office, warned Taipei of playing with fire with the Taiping extension plan. Any attempt to collude with external forces and betray the interests of the Chinese nation is playing with fire and will surely be punished by both sides of the [Taiwan] Strait, Ma was quoted by the state-run China News Service (CNS) as saying. It will be rejected by the people and punished by history, he said. The island, officially considered a rock under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is named after the warship Taiping that China sent to take over the island after Japan surrendered at the end of World War II. It has been under Taiwans control since 1956. Inherent territory Ma Xiaoguang was quoted as saying that the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), including Taiping Island, are China's inherent territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters. Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday rejected Chinas statement, saying that the islands in the South China Sea belong to the Republic of China (ROC or Taiwan), and the Taiwanese government's determination to defend the sovereignty of the islands in the South China Sea has never wavered, the islands news agency CNA reported. The ministry however did not confirm nor deny the alleged runway extension. Taiwans air force earlier declined to comment. Taiwan, Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, are all claimants of the South China Sea, but China holds the most extensive claim of nearly 90 percent of the sea, demarcated by the so-called nine-dash line. The U-shaped demarcation line was actually first introduced in 1947 by the ROC and it is now being used by both Taiwan and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC or China) to back their claims in the South China Sea. An international tribunal in the case brought against China by the Philippines in 2016 rejected the Chinese historical claims in the South China Sea and invalidated the U-shaped line. Both Taiwan and the PRC refused to accept the ruling. Taiwan was not party to the case but its claims in the South China Sea are similar to those of China. Satellite photos Satellite imagery taken on March 24 and April 23, 2022, appears to show topographical changes at the western end of Taiping Island over the past month. Credit: EO Browser, Sinergise Ltd. Taiping is located in the north-western part of the Spratly islands, 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from Taiwan and 850 kilometers (530 miles) from the Philippines. It is under the administration of Kaohsiung Municipality. The current runway was only built in 2008. Proposed plans to develop the infrastructure on Taiping Island were criticized by the other two claimants the Philippines and Vietnam - as stoking tensions in the disputed South China Sea. Last week, a Beijing-based Chinese think-tank said it had obtained new evidence of the runway extension plan. The South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI) said satellite imagery obtained via the satellite data provider Sentinel Hub shows that reclamation work has begun on the western tip of Taiping Island, supporting the news about the island's intention of extending the existing airstrip to 1,500 meters. Satellite photos from Sentinel taken on March 24 and April 23 and seen by RFA show noticeable differences in the topography of the western areas of the island. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense declined to comment when asked by RFA. In March, the Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-Cheng said that Taiwan had no intention of militarizing Taiping despite reports that China had completed building military facilities on three artificial islands nearby. Most Americans, though, still view China as a competitor rather than an enemy, survey shows. US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after making statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 9, 2017. Negative views of China are growing among U.S. citizens, with around two-thirds of those surveyed in a recent poll considering Chinas rising power and influence in the world a major threat, according to a new report released on Thursday. A survey conducted at the end of March by the Washington-based Pew Research Center shows increasing levels of U.S. concern on a wide range of issues, including Chinas economic relationship with the United States, Chinas partnership with Russia, and growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Unfavorable opinions of China rose in the U.S. during the last year, with around 8 out of 10, or 82%, of the 3,581 adults surveyed reporting negative views, 40% of whom reported holding views described as very unfavorable. [This was] a 6-point increase in negative views from 2021 and a new high since the center began asking this question on its American Trends Panel in 2020, Pew said in its report. Most Americans still see China as a competitor rather than an enemy, by a 62% to 25% margin. Another 10% call China a U.S. partner, the survey said. On economic issues, the United States should take a tougher stance against China rather than strengthening the relationship, more than half of the surveys respondents said. Only 28% said the U.S. should prioritize the economic relationship, even if it means ignoring human rights issues, according to the report. These views have changed little in the last year, Pew said. Police stand at attention while a Chinese national flag is lowered at sunset at Tiananmen Square in Beijing in a file photo. Photo: AP Seven out of 10 respondents to the poll said the U.S. remains the worlds strongest military power, with only two-in-10 saying China now holds the lead. Still, the share who say China is the highest since the question was first asked in 2016 and has more than tripled from 6% who held that view in 2020. Americans have [also] become more concerned about the relationship between China and Taiwan, the report said. While 28% saw the tensions as very serious in 2021, 35% now consider cross-strait tensions a very grave concern. Of special concern to Americans responding to this years poll was Chinas partnership with Russia, now fighting a war against its neighbor Ukraine. About six-in-10 say the relationship poses a very serious problem 15 percentage points higher than the next highest response, Pew said, noting that China recently voted against expelling Russia, which has been accused of serious war crimes in Ukraine, from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Russias Ukraine invasion has drawn heavy scorn from the West, but Pyongyang still views Moscow with nostalgia. A propaganda book highlighting Russo-North Korean friendship published as part of celebrations for the 110th anniversary of national founder Kim Il Sungs birthday, in a file photo. While much of the Western world views Russia as a pariah state over its invasion of Ukraine, North Koreas autocratic government called on its people to focus on the Cold War comradeship it shared with its powerful neighbor and sponsor. As part of the celebration to commemorate the 110th birth holiday on April 15 of Kim Il Sung (1912-1994), the countrys founder, North Korea published a photo book promoting solidarity with Russia and its lost Soviet Union empire. The Great Years of North Korea and Russia encourages readers to relive the relationship much like a family photo album does, only in this case the focus is on Kim Il Sungs friendship with Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. The photobook emphasizes North Koreas friendship with Russia, an official from Pyongyang told RFAs Korean Service April 18 on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The book was displayed at the exhibition halls for the Day of the Sun celebration in Pyongyang from April 8th to the 18th. It is a photo book of 219 pages of propaganda. Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un, was born on April 15, a major holiday now known as the Day of the Sun. The book was on display at three exhibition halls in Pyongyang, including the one that hosted the celebrations opening ceremony, according to the source. But North Koreans, many of whom are struggling under dire economic circumstances largely due to trade restrictions related to COVID, did not seem interested in reliving past glories, even as they were forced to attend celebratory events, sources said. Only the officials from the Propaganda and Agitation Department, and workers from the publishing house attended the opening ceremony the first day. But the exhibition hall was quiet because the number of visitors was small from the next day, the source said. Only a few copies of the booklets were displayed, and copies were distributed as e-books instead, so that reduced the effectiveness of the propaganda, the source said. Authorities encouraged state-run organizations, universities and factories to send employees to the exhibition halls, but the people were less than enthusiastic about attending, he said. Residents who reluctantly visited the exhibition hall under the direction of their affiliated supervisors complained, questioning the intent in emphasizing the friendship between North Korea and Russia at this time, the source said. A resident of the city told RFA that authorities forced people to attend exhibitions that glorified Kim Il Sung, including the photobook exhibition, but actual turnout was lean because companies and organizations reported more attendees than they actually sent. The authorities are trying to emphasize the blood alliance with Russia and focus on promoting long-standing friendly ties, he said. The Pyongyang citizens had no choice but to visit the exhibition emphasizing our friendship with Russia, but that does not change the peoples opinion on Russias invasion of Ukraine, this source said. The Kim Dynasty owes its early legitimacy to Soviet backing. Kim Il Sung led guerilla campaigns in and around the Korean peninsula against the occupying Japanese in the 1930s and 1940s, eventually earning the rank of major in the Soviet Army. When Japan surrendered at the end of World War II, Stalin installed Kim as first secretary of the Korean Communist Party north of the 38th parallel, a position that enabled him to consolidate power and wage war on the South in 1950, largely with Soviet military equipment. Soviet aid played a huge role in propping up the North Korean economy up until its collapse in 1991. The sudden cutoff of aid to the country, along with Kims death in 1994, resulted in a famine that killed millions of North Koreans. Translated by Claire Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whonng. Villagers fear they will not have a say in the Phou Ngoy Dam project, expected to be completed in 2029. A fishing boat passes near a construction site of the Don Sahong Dam near the Cambodia-Laos border in northeastern Cambodia's Stung Treng province, June 20, 2016. UPDATED at 9:42 A.M. ET on 2022-05-02 Lao officials will soon submit plans for the Phou Ngoy Dam and hydropower plant to the Mekong River Commission for review, but villagers whose livelihoods would be hurt by the construction worry they will be left out of the process. We cant tell you what day or when exactly were going to do that, said an official at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, who declined to be named to speak freely. We think well do it at the end of this year. Right now, were preparing the paperwork. The 728-megawatt Phou Ngoy Dam in southern Laos Champassak province will be the seventh of nine existing or planned large-scale hydropower projects on the Mekong River mainstream. Thailands Charoen Energy and Water Asia Co. Ltd. is the lead developer of the U.S. $2.4 billion hydropower dam project, whose power is anticipated will be sold to Thailand. The hydropower dam would be built by two South Korean construction companies: Korea Western Power Co., Ltd. and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. It is slated to be completed in 2029. A power purchase agreement has not yet been signed. Laos government believes that it can greatly boost the countrys economy by becoming the battery of Southeast Asia by selling power generated by dams along the Mekong to its neighbors. But villagers whose lives have been disrupted by the plans say they havent been fairly compensated for being forced to move to make way for the projects. The Mekong River Commission (MRC) is an intergovernmental organization that works with the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to jointly manage the Mekong. The Phou Ngoy Dam will be located 18 kilometers south of Pakse, the capital of Champassak province, and 50 kilometers from confluence of the Mekong River and Mun River, a tributary of the Mekong that flows through northern Thailand. During the MRCs consultation process, states and other stakeholders will discuss and review the benefits and risks of proposed water-use projects that may have potential significant cross-border impacts on water flow, water quality and a host of other environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Surasri Kidtimonton, secretary-general of Thailands Office of National Water Resources, told RFA that the consultation depends on all MRC members. As for Thailand, were right now looking at a lot of documents about the Phou Ngoy Dam project, he said. Were doing our best to protect our interest, he told the National News Bureau of Thailand. The map shows existing and planned hydropower dams along the Mekong River in Laos. Credit: RFA graphic The losers are the local people A representative of the Love Chiang Khong Group, a Thai NGO, expressed concern that project investors and Lao authorities will exclude communities that will be affected by the dam from the ongoing review. The Lao government keeps pushing many projects forward, and the investors keep looking for more benefits. The losers are the local people, the source, who requested anonymity so as to speak freely, said. The investors and the Lao government have not paid any attention to past studies on the projects impact and did not allow locals to participate in the decision-making process, he said. The Phou Ngoy Dam is being built not for the benefit of the locals in the area, but for the benefit of the investors, the person said. This large dam will block the Mekong River, which is the international mainstream river that goes through many countries. Itll destroy our livelihoods, our jobs and our ecosystem. An official at the Lao Ministry of the Information, Culture and Tourism said he was worried in particular about the dams impact on Vat Phou, a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex at the base of a mountain about six kilometers (3.7 miles) from the Mekong River in Champassak province, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Phou Ngoy Dam could have an impact on the Phou Phaphin area close to Vat Phou, he said. If the Lao government and the Phou Ngoy Dam developer really want to build this dam, theyll have to do the Heritage Impact Assessment, similar to the one for the Luang Prabang Dam Project that has been submitted to UNESCO, he said. Plans for the Phou Ngoy Dam and hydropower plant have also sparked concern among residents of Khonken village in Champassak province, who fear they may get a raw deal from Lao authorities and the project developer when it comes to compensation for lost land and forced resettlement in other communities. The project will affect 88 villages, including 57 villages above the dam, and 31 villages below the dam. About 800 residents in more than 140 households in Khonken village are expected to be the most heavily affected by the project. Most of the villagers are farmers who grow rice and vegetables and raise livestock, while others run small businesses like restaurants and guesthouses to accommodate growing numbers of Thai tourists to the area. One resident told RFA in late December 2021 that local Lao authorities and the dam developer had conducted a survey asking villagers about their property, shops and fruit trees. Since then, however, they have not heard anything more about the impending relocation. We dont want to be relocated, he said. We dont know where to move to. Weve been here for years, and we believe that this is our permanent home. Another villager said he wants the Lao government to reconsider building the dam. Yes, the government builds dams for business, but this dam will destroy the natural beauty and our property. Pak Beng Dam MOU Meanwhile, two investors in another hydropower project on the mainstream Mekong signed a tariff memorandum of understanding for the Pak Beng Dam, Laos Vientiane Times reported on Wednesday. China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. and Gulf Energy Development Public Co., Ltd. as project cosponsor inked the deal with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) on Monday in Bangkok. The China-backed Pak Beng Dam will be built in the Pak Beng district of Oudomxay province in northern Laos. RFA reported on April 13 that China Datang Overseas Investment had begun moving machinery to prepare the site and to set up workers camps in anticipation of a power purchase agreement with EGAT. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. CORRECTION: Corrects location of the Phou Ngoy Dam to 18 kilometers south of Pakse. The group placed badges on their victims during the six days of attacks. Soldiers search the headquarters of the National League for Democracy after the coup in Yangon, Feb. 15, 2021. A newly formed pro-junta militia is terrorizing members of the deposed opposition party in Mandalay, residents of Myanmars second largest city said, claiming responsibility for eight brutal killings over the past week by placing a signature badge on the bodies of its victims. All eight of the victims, who were members of the deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) or supporters of the party, were found brutally murdered with badges or cards on their bodies displaying the insignia of a group calling itself the Mandalay branch of the Thway Thauk, or Blood Comrades, militia. A woman close to the Mandalay NLD, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity citing fear of reprisal, said the killings had created a sense of panic among party members in the city. The situations getting worse these days. Theres much more reason to be afraid, she said. Some people wont even dare stay in their own homes because [Thway Thauk] could come in with guns and take them away. Theyd leave the body the next morning. Some [victims] were party members and some werent just party supporters. But everyone is scared. She said death threats were also recently found at the homes of some NLD members and supporters. A Mandalay resident, who also declined to be named, said he believes the attacks are meant to send a message to those protesting the militarys Feb. 1, 2021, coup. Its revenge because soldiers, the police and their families have [since] been attacked [by the armed opposition], so theyre doing the same thing, he said. This group is in civilian clothes, but they must be from the military. In the past, they would at least arrest people under vague laws before killing them. Now, they are openly committing murder. Another member of the Mandalay NLD told RFA that several party supporters who have received death threats have fled their homes, fearing that they may become the Thway Thauks next victims. A badge showing the insignia of the pro-junta Blood Comrades. Credit: S Operation Red On April 21, the group announced via the Telegram social media platform that it had launched Operation Red to destroy members of the NLD party and its supporters, as well as anti-junta paramilitaries with the Peoples Defense Force (PDF). Three days later, the body of an NLD village chairman from Mandalays Maha Aungmyay township was found along a road by residents of nearby Aungmyay Tharzan township, who told RFAs Myanmar Service that a Thway Thauk badge had been conspicuously placed on the victim. The same day, Khin Maung Thein the owner of the Sein Win Win Tea Shop in Mandalays Chan Aye Tharzan township his wife, Daw Kha Kha, and his brother, U Tin, were reported missing in an apparent abduction. On Monday morning, residents found Khin Maung Theins stabbed and bullet-ridden body in front of the district NLD office in Mandalay along with his severely injured wife, sources close to the NLD told RFA. His brothers body was discovered later that day near a low-income housing unit on Mandalays Strand Road. The bodies of both men had Thway Thauk badges affixed to them, the sources said. Daw Kha Kha is currently receiving treatment at an area hospital, they said. Thway Thauk issued a statement on Monday claiming responsibility for the killings and warning of more to come. It said the operation had expanded to include PDF supporters, members of the fake news media, people living abroad and inciting murder on social media, people who are not part of the armed opposition but are calling for the death of so-called Dalans [military informers] and their family members. In the statement, Thway Thauk claimed that it is not affiliated with the police or the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia that has sworn loyalty to the military and targeted civilians in attacks in Myanmars remote border regions. On Monday evening, two more men were found shot to death in Mandalays Patheingyi township, according to sources, who said the pair had yet to be identified. On Tuesday, residents of Maha Aungmyay township found the body of an unidentified man who had been stabbed in the neck and the body of another man was discovered floating in Mandalays Palace Moat. Sources told RFA that all five of the bodies discovered since Monday exhibited gunshot and stab wounds and had cards reading Thway Thauk Group - Operation Red MDY attached to them. Ko Moe, the brother of Maha Aungmyay township NLD lawmaker Zaw Zaw Aung, became the eighth victim in six days when his body was discovered Wednesday morning near Mandalays Thingaza Creek on 26th Street. He had been abducted by an unidentified group two days earlier, according to his family. Group affiliation When asked about the killings on Wednesday, junta deputy information minister, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, said that only one militia group has been formed and no other, in an apparent reference to the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee. In a statement issued Wednesday, the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) said that action will be taken against those committing terror acts against supporters of the NUG and their families, including the Pyu Saw Htee, in accordance with the law. Speaking to RFA, Myanmar-based political analyst Than Soe Naing echoed Mandalay residents who said they believe the Thway Thauk was formed by pro-junta elements to retaliate against the opposition after hundreds of their village and ward administrators were assassinated, mostly by members of the PDF. I dont think the junta itself would directly form such groups, he said. It may have been formed by juntas supporters or the Pyu Saw Htee. And Im sure the junta forces would encourage them or support them. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Dilmurat Abdurehim was arrested by authorities nearly a year ago at the end of Ramadan. A Uyghur educator and high school principal in Ghulja in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region who went missing nearly a year ago is being detained in the city, municipal education officials told RFA. Dilmurat Abdurehim has been missing since the Eid al-Fitr Muslim religious holiday on May 13, 2021, that marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan. He left his home in the citys Dongmehelle area but never returned, said a source with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity for security reasons. Ghulja (in Chinese, Yining) is the third-largest city in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) after Urumqi (Wulumuqi) and Korla (Kuerle) and the seat of the Ili Kazakh (Yili Hasake) Autonomous Prefecture. Abdurehims family members did not give any information to their friends and neighbors about the principals disappearance, the source said. Nevertheless, friends and neighbors began to suspect he had been abducted by police, who warned his family not to disclose his whereabouts, the source added. Abdurehim graduated with a degree in history from Xinjiang University in 1990. He began teaching at Ghuljas No. 7 high school and later became a principal at the Nos. 3, 8 and 9 high schools, the source said. A staff member at the No. 3 High School told RFA that Abdurehim had worked at the school but moved to another school years ago. The official also said he was aware that Abdurehim was in custody. An official at No. 8 High School, where Abdurehim had his longest tenure, said the educator had been detained while he was working at the No. 9 High School. He did not mention the reason for Abdurehims arrest and suggested that RFA contact officials at the No. 9 High School for more information. I dont know how long has it been since he was detained, he said. I dont know the reason behind his arrest since he was not detained while he was in our school. After calls to No. 9 High School went unanswered, RFA again contacted the No. 8 High School and asked whether Abdurehim was being held in a prison or an internment camp. The official said the information was a state secret and that the school was not authorized to comment. Authorities have targeted teachers and intellectuals in Xinjiang as part of an effort to weaken Uyghur culture and identity, Abdureshid Niyaz, an independent Uyghur researcher based in Turkey, told RFA in a 2021 report. More than 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities are believed to have been held in a network of detention camps in Xinjiang since 2017. Beijing has said that the camps are vocational training centers and has denied widespread and documented allegations that it has violated the human rights of Muslims living in in the region. The United States and the legislatures of some Western countries have said Chinese policies toward the Uyghurs constitute a genocide and crime against humanity. Translated by RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Canada would welcome more Uyghur refugees; Britain would bar state purchases of products made with forced labor. The motorcade of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau passes in front of the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 21, 2022. A Canadian parliamentary committee advanced a motion to offer special immigration procedures now granted to Ukrainian refugees to Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities fleeing persecution in Xinjiang, while lawmakers in the United Kingdom moved to ban medical imports from the region in western China. Members of the Standing Committee on Immigration and Citizenship in Canadas House of Commons unanimously approved a motion on Thursday that includes the issuance of temporary resident permits and single journey travel documents to people without a passport. This measure would allow displaced Uyghurs who face risk of detention and deportation back to China to seek refuge in Canada. Last month Canada said it would introduce new immigration policies, including a Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada. The government is obligated to respond to the committees motion within 30 days, in a process that is expected to later involve a debate in the House of Commons and a vote on the motion, said conservative lawmaker Garnett Genuis, a committee member. Genuis said the motion reaffirms a recognition of the ongoing genocide of the Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims in China and calls for recognition of the vulnerability of refugees from Xinjiang. Were seeing a situation in which the Chinese Communist Party is trying to extend its influence beyond its borders and threaten the security of Uyghurs who have already sought asylum in other places, he told RFA. So, it [the motion] calls on the government of Canada to work to support Uyghur refugees and create pathways that recognizes particular challenges. Canadas Parliament, along with some other Western legislatures, including the one in the U.K., have declared that Chinas policies targeting Uyghurs constitute genocide and crimes against humanity. The U.S. government also has declared likewise. In March 2021, the Canada, the U.S., U.K. and European Union announced sanctions against Chinese officials and companies over human rights violations in Xinjiang, bringing swift condemnation of their actions by Beijing along with threats of retaliation. Memet Tohti, executive director of Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project in Canada, said his group lobbied with committee and parliament members to press the demand that Ottawa treat the Uyghur refugees fleeing the Chinese genocide just like the Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. Thursdays passage of the motion with the support four parties means they now have unanimous consensus in the Parliament on resetting Uyghur refugees in Canada, he said. No more blind eyes This week, lawmakers in the U.K. passed an amendment banning the government from purchasing health goods made in the Xinjiang region where China has been accused of forced-labor abuses. The Modern Slavery Amendment was incorporated into a larger health bill to prevent the countrys National Health Service from buying products tainted by modern slavery, including anything made with Uyghur forced labor. A year ago, U.K. lawmakers approved a nonbinding parliamentary motion declaring that crimes against humanity and genocide were being committed against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith, who spearheaded the amendments passage, said he welcomed the move by government health officials to outlaw the purchase of goods and services that come from companies and countries where there is slave labor. With the advance of the amendment, the government has signaled that they will no longer turn a blind eye to forced labor in U.K. supply chains, he said. Rahima Mahmut, U.K. director of the World Uyghur Congress, said the Uyghur activist group has campaigned for years for the government to take meaningful action against Beijings genocide in Xinjiang. This amendment is the most significant piece of U.K. legislation addressing the Uyghur crisis so far, she told RFA. Once the bill comes into law, the Chinese government will no longer be rewarded with million-pound contracts for Uyghur slave-made healthcare products, as they have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Translated by Alim Seytoff for RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. The last Ukrainian fighters in the besieged Azovstal steel plant in the strategic port of Mariupol vowed on May 8 not to give up as they face a bloody final showdown with Russian invaders after the evacuation of civilians. "We will continue to fight as long as we are alive to repel the Russian occupiers," Captain Svyatoslav Palamar, a deputy commander of Ukraine's Azov Regiment, told an online news conference. 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. "We don't have much time. We are coming under intense shelling," Palamar said, pleading with the international community to help to evacuate wounded soldiers from the plant. Officials on both sides said the evacuation of civilians from Azovstal had been completed. Eight buses carrying 174 Mariupol civilians, including 40 evacuated from the steelworks, arrived in Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhya on May 8, AFP reported. Azovstal, with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders holed up in its sprawling network of underground tunnels and bunkers, has achieved a symbolic value in the conflict, with the Russian forces seeking a celebratory win ahead of the Victory Day holiday on May 9. The conquering of Mariupol would also give Moscow a land bridge between the Crimean Peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014, and regions run by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told leaders of the Group of 7 (G7) countries on May 8 that 60 civilians died in the bombing of a school on May 7 in the eastern Luhansk region. "They were hiding from shelling in the building of a regular school, which was attacked by a Russian air strike," he said during a virtual meeting. Serhiy Hayday, the governor of the Luhansk region, told reporters earlier that Russian forces had bombed the school in Bilohorivka where about 90 people were sheltering, triggering a fire that engulfed the building. Hayday said 30 people were rescued from under the rubble. Bilohorivka is an urban settlement about 10 kilometers west of Lysychansk, which is under heavy Russian bombardment. Zelenskiy denounced Russia's heavy shelling in the east of the country, saying Russia has "forgotten everything that was important to the victors of World War II" a day before Moscow commemorates the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany. WATCH: In the first stage of the operation to evacuate civilians from the Azovstal steelworks, which is under attack by Russian forces in Mariupol, over 150 people were brought out by bus. Those who got out told harrowing stories on May 3 of bodies strewn around the plant. After Zelenskiy met with the G7 leaders, the group condemned Russias "unprovoked, unjustifiable, and illegal military aggression" against Ukraine and its "attempts to replace democratically elected Ukrainian local authorities with illegitimate ones." The G7 leaders commemorated the anniversary of the end of World War II by pledging to "spare no effort" to hold Putin and the architects "and accomplices of this aggression," including the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Belarus, accountable for their actions. The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States said Putin's actions "bring shame on Russia and the historical sacrifices of its people." The United States after the meeting announced sanctions against three Russian television stations and executives from Gazprombank along with a ban on Americans providing accounting and consulting services to Russians. Ahead of the virtual meeting, British officials announced an extra $1.6 billion in military aid for Ukraine. The funding includes 300 million pounds of military equipment promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This includes radar systems to target Russian artillery, GPS jamming equipment, and night-vision devices. Earlier in the day, Zelenskiy met with the president of the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, Baerbel Bas, who traveled to Kyiv by train, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced new weapons and equipment for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russian individuals and entities connected with the invasion. He also said the Canadian Embassy would reopen. Zelenskiy said securing the Bundestag's approval of heavy arms deliveries to help Ukraine fend off Russian attacks was one of his country's top priorities. The visit came after a major shift in German policy to send heavy weapons to Ukraine, including self-propelled howitzers and Gepard anti-aircraft systems, also known as the Cheetah system. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced increasing criticism over Germany not doing enough to help Ukraine amid Russia's invasion. But Scholz's government reversed course last month and pledged to export heavier weapons to Kyiv. On May 6, Zelenskiy called on Scholz to take a "powerful step" and visit Kyiv on May 9 -- the date that Russia commemorates as the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. There was no immediate word on whether Scholz had agreed. The German chancellor emphasized Germany's historical responsibility in supporting Ukraine against Russia's war in a televised speech he was to deliver to mark the anniversary. "We have learned a central lesson from our country's catastrophic history between 1933 and 1945," Scholz said, according to a transcript of the address quoted by dpa. "Freedom and security will triumph -- just as freedom and security triumphed over violence and dictatorship 77 years ago," he said. On the battlefront, Russia's Defense Ministry said on May 8 that it had destroyed a Ukrainian Navy ship near Odesa in an overnight missile strike. The ministry's statement added that Russian air defenses also shot down two Ukrainian SU-24 bombers and a Mi-24 helicopter over Snake Island in the Black Sea at night. The reports could not be independently verified. The head of Ukraine's regional military administration said Russian troops launched a series of missile strikes in the Odesa region during the day on May 8. According to Maxim Marchenko, the attacks took place beginning early in the day, and Ukrainian air-defense units shot down four missiles, but an apartment house was hit, wounding a young girl, and a substation was destroyed, knocking out power in six neighborhoods. On May 7, the Ukrainian military said it had destroyed a Russian landing ship near Snake Island, hitting it with an armed drone. There was no immediate comment from Russia. Russian forces launched a new offensive last month along most of Ukraine's eastern flank, with some of most intense attacks and shelling taking place recently around Popasna in the Luhansk region. There has also been fierce fighting around Popasna in recent days amid a sustained Russian assault, and Hayday said Ukrainian forces had been pulling back and that the town had been destroyed. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said his troops had taken control of most of the town. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Bulgaria's main ruling alliance has responded to a Russian gas cutoff by abandoning the hesitancy that has kept that Black Sea state from supplying military aid to Ukraine, capping off two days of political messaging with visiting Prime Minister Kiril Petkov declaring outside the Ukrainian capital that it would be "inhuman to remain uninvolved" as Russia's invasion unfolds. After Gazprom suspended natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland amid escalating fallout from the 8-week-old war, Petkov and his We Continue The Change alliance vowed on April 27 that all 67 of its lawmakers will back military assistance for Kyiv in a vote expected early next month. The provision of such aid would align Sofia more closely with most of its NATO allies -- Hungary aside. But it will also deepen a rift over Ukraine and Russia with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, a retired general and air force commander who has suggested that arming either side merely prolongs the fighting. "The rhetoric we have been hearing for several months is 'Don't give military aid to Ukraine so that peace comes sooner,'" Petkov said during a quickly organized visit to Kyiv and its environs on April 28 to demonstrate support for Ukraine's defenders. "If this is the price of peace, if the Russian state continues to [attack] and no one has the opportunity to defend itself, then do we want this peace?" Petkov had warned alongside a senior party colleague in Sofia a day earlier against siding with "aggressor" Russia instead of Kyiv and said "internal circles" in Bulgaria had been fomenting division since the eight-week-old Ukraine war began. Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO. Energy 'Blackmail' Russia suspended gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria on April 27 over ruble-denominated payments amid massive international financial sanctions to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. While not expected to cut as deeply as it would in other EU countries more reliant on Russian gas, such as Germany or Italy, Moscow's announcement represented Putin's most significant action of the war on European energy markets. 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. Sofia, Warsaw, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have described it as energy "blackmail." Petkov assured Bulgarians that Gazprom's actions won't lead to any gas cutoffs to consumers and stressed that he is coordinating with EU partners. Von der Leyen has said both Poland and Bulgaria are getting gas from neighboring countries. Petkov's liberal government has curbed many long-running ties to Russia since taking over in December 2021. Since Putin's troops invaded nearby Ukraine, the government has welcomed an increased NATO presence, including a new deployment of fighter jets at a base on its Black Sea coast. Sofia has also supported Western political and economic sanctions and other nonmilitary measures to punish Russian actions in Ukraine, whose southern border extends to within 200 kilometers of Bulgarian territory. Bulgaria already hoped to eliminate its Russian gas deliveries by the end of the year, when Bulgargaz's current long-term contract concludes. A gas pipeline from neighboring Greece is due to be finished in June. Petkov said on April 27 that Russia had for years treated EU and NATO member Bulgaria like a "fifth column." On April 28, the Bulgarian prime minister traveled to Ukraine and visited the Borodyanka region where evidence since a Russian retreat has compounded international fears of Russian atrocities against civilians in the town of Bucha and other places. Petkov's delegation -- which included Defense Minister Dragomir Zakov and several lawmakers but no one from the junior coalition partner, the Socialist Party (BSP) -- delivered helmets and body armor as part of its assistance to Ukraine. Petkov was scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose government this week challenged Sofia anew to "take a stand" and deliver weapons to Ukraine and support Kyiv's accelerated EU bid. Speaking in the town of Irpin, outside Kyiv, Petkov pledged that Bulgaria would "provide all the help necessary." He said Bulgarians and the rest of Europe must be "stronger" and "tough," including finding alternative sources of fuel and energy. The Bulgarian National Assembly returns from Easter holidays on May 4 and the junior coalition Democratic Bulgaria party has said it will immediately introduce a proposal on military and other assistance for Ukraine. Clashes With The President The We Continue The Change pledge suggests there could be sufficient support in the resulting vote, although several parties have yet to fully commit to a "yes." Petkov and We Continue The Change co-founder, Assen Vassilev, assured reporters at their April 27 press conference that their support for military aid to Ukraine would not disintegrate the ruling coalition, which took over after months of political crisis spanning two inconclusive elections. President Radev won reelection in a vote held alongside the November 2021 parliamentary vote, and he has repeatedly clashed publicly with Petkov. After the Gazprom cutoff, he demanded that Petkov's government "answer some questions" about Poland and Bulgaria being singled out by Russia. Radev called the gas interruption "a real test of European solidarity" and expressed "bewilderment at how the economy minister will explain to Bulgarians and leftists, who have always been against wars, that Bulgarian weapons fuel the conflict." Only Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orban has emerged as Putin's strongest ally within the European Union, and Germany's main Russian gas importer, have so far flat-out agreed to Putin's terms for ruble-based payments for gas. The Bulgarian coalition's Socialists, a party of many former Communists with pro-Russian sentiments, has said it opposes sending weapons to Ukraine as it would make Bulgaria a party to the conflict. But a handful of opposition parties have hinted at their approval of such a measure. NATO countries are treading carefully, but many have joined the United States, Britain, and Germany in supplying weapons, and now even tanks, to Ukraine's military and militia forces defending the country and its prewar population of 34 million people. Some 5 million Ukrainians have fled and more than that number have been displaced inside the country. Radev questioned Petkov's trip to Kyiv, expressing concerns about the Bulgarian "national interest" and suggesting he should formulate the "sovereign Bulgarian position" instead. In Ukraine on April 28, Petkov pushed back, reassuring reporters that his alliance will vote for providing Ukraine's defenders with military assistance. Petkov's party colleague Vassilev, who is also deputy prime minister, leveled a blunt response to Radev's criticisms a day earlier. "The position of pretending that there is no aggressor in this war does not work. We are not looking for conflict, we are not looking for war, but when it comes to our doorstep, we will meet it and repel the aggressor," Vassilev said. He called Radev's suggestion that arming Ukraine merely perpetuated the war "disgraceful." "It is disgraceful because it implies that Russia will win this conflict and that it is normal and good for Russia to win this conflict," Vassilev said. "I believe that Ukraine will win this conflict and that we must help Ukraine win this conflict." Vassilev said the alternative was "first for Ukraine and then for the whole of Eastern Europe to become vassal appendages again, which this government will not allow." Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service The former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe has said Russia is "not in a good position" as the 2-month-old Ukraine war grinds on, but that its newer focus on the east of the country will make it "a different fight." Retired U.S. Army General Curtis Michael Scaparrotti also argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin's ability to return "as a respectable leader on the world stage is done" and Russians will have to come to terms with the harm that's been done to them as a "nation among nations," including through sanctions and other punitive measures. "Russia is vulnerable, I think, as a nation at this point," Scaparrotti told RFE/RL's Georgian Service in a recent interview, "and the sanctions certainly have impacted their national resources and their economy, etc." A West Point graduate, the 66-year-old Scaparrotti has commanded troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has directed the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, in addition to his transatlantic commands. He encouraged Kyiv to avoid rushing into possible peace negotiations. 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. "I think Ukraine should not seek that until it's in a position of advantage, one that provides it a position to go into negotiations with the belief they can achieve what's acceptable to them as an outcome of this conflict," Scaparrotti said. Responding to reports this week of Turkish efforts to set up a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kyiv negotiator and presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said on April 27 that no such agreement had been reached. Podolyak said "the time of a meeting of the two countries' presidents and the context of the meeting have not yet been determined," Reuters reported. Scaparrotti predicted a "grinding and destructive battle" but said Russia's commitment of forces, its limited battlefield progress so far, and the international response all combine to temper presumptions that it can outlast its much smaller neighbor in a war of attrition. "I think normally you'd say [time is on the side of] the larger country with the greater resources available -- that being Russia. But Russia has committed a substantial portion of particularly their ground forces to this campaign, and they've not done well," Scaparrotti said, noting the Ukrainians' use of their "asymmetric systems." He said Russia appeared to be reconstituting forces that were repelled in Kyiv and building up logistics and command-and-control under the Russians' recently promoted commander, General Aleksandr Dvornikov. The Russians' limited use of firepower to prepare for an all-out assault on eastern Ukraine, including around where Russia-backed separatists have controlled swaths of territory for eight years, invites questions about the next part of their campaign, he said. 'A Different Fight' He said Ukrainians would have to continue to strengthen themselves for the fight, which has forced more than 11 million of them to flee internally or abroad as military, militia, and volunteer defense forces fight for Ukrainian independence and their own survival. "It'll be a bit of a different fight, in the sense that they're [fighting] along the lines in Donbas that they've been on for years, and the Russians' intent will be perhaps to make a breakthrough in the north, near Izyum, and in the south around Donetsk city, and basically envelop that line," Scaparrotti said. Ukrainian forces, he said, will have to reinforce their flanks and counter Russian forces from more fixed defensive positions on flatter terrain. He said he expected a "slow, steady, grinding battle" rather than a swift blow from either side. "If there were to be a breakthrough, it would be a penetration on the flanks that would envelop or encircle a fairly significant part of the Ukrainian forces. I think they'd continue to fight, though, and it would still last weeks," Scaparrotti said. He described a "Russian way of war" that is reminiscent of the type of intense conflict that targets population centers and is discouraged by many combatant countries. "When they can't win through maneuver and with their forces, as we've seen in Syria and other places, they use overwhelming firepower, and they go after populated areas in order to bring about capitulation because of the devastation they're causing," Scaparrotti said. "That's a part of the nature of warfare and high-intensity conflict, and it has been so over the ages. Russia is one that's still willing to use it." He said Putin's new unified command under Dvornikov marks a more dangerous situation than when the Kremlin leader had three military district commanders sharing responsibilities. "It's of benefit to the Russians to put him in charge, but I don't think it's necessarily a game changer, given that he is coming in at a time when the Russian forces' initial campaign failed. And they've been shown to have performed so poorly and to have logistical and communications problems. He still has to try to repair those, and he's fighting with a force that's already damaged." He regards Putin's and other Russian officials' public actions and statements about nuclear-capable weapons like the Sarmat ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) as a sign of desperation to project power when conventional forces have faltered. "Putin now has routinely rattled the nuclear saber, and he continues to do so, frankly, because I think he knows that...he has reduced his conventional advantage that he actually had prior to the 24th of February, and so this is his assurance," Scaparrotti said. "And I think we should expect that, but we shouldn't blink." He said he thinks that, while the West was "probably slower" than it should have been at supplying Ukraine with weapons and other military aid at the start of the invasion, "we very quickly changed and picked up momentum." 'A Brave People' He welcomed debates about whether to provide "offensive or defensive support" and which kinds of systems. "In a military mind, there's not much difference between an offensive and defensive weapon system," he said. "Russia is really not in a position to challenge the West and expand this war, so we should lean forward and give the Ukrainians what they need now, with the intent that they can be successful and place themselves in a position of strength from which to negotiate," Scaparrotti said. "And we can do that if we continue to provide them that equipment and provide them the training they need for newer equipment as well, which is another part of this conversation. They're brave -- a brave people -- and we need to provide them all the support they need." He said the Ukraine war is among the lessons demonstrating "that we have to look at the transatlantic as a whole" and that each country needs to understand "this is a connected world today -- even a fight that Russia intends to be limited to Ukraine." "They've said it's a 'special operation,' not a war, yet we all see that we're affected, that it's connected globally, that it impacts us all," Scaparrotti said. "And I think we need to look at it that way. We need to think strategically. We need to think long term." Putin and his circle, he said, leverage distinctions and differences, "and they always have." He cited "splitting NATO" among Putin's "consistent objectives." "We should give [Putin] less opportunity to do so," Scaparrotti said. "Now, having said that, each of these countries within NATO makes their own sovereign decisions. And I would hope that, over time, Germany, for instance, one of the most prosperous countries within Europe, will choose to put themselves in a better position with respect to energy so that they can be a bigger player in the long term, the right player, without risk to the population, which is part of their concern today." The Russian nuclear threats, implied or otherwise, are part of a perceived credibility problem that Scaparrotti thinks Putin has created for himself more than two decades since the former KGB colonel was appointed to succeed outgoing President Boris Yeltsin. "I think Putin's reputation as a world leader is eternally damaged here, and his ability to reenter as a respectable leader on the world stage is done," he said. "And I think Russia needs to understand the damage that's been done to them as a nation among nations. We cannot seek the former status quo." He said Putin remains determined "to seek his objectives of a sphere of influence in the east [and] of destabilizing the international rules-based order." "He's continually said that for years, and I don't think that this will dampen his enthusiasm if he were to reach some negotiated position that satisfies him for the time being." Scaparrotti warned that the damage and alleged atrocities committed by Russia shouldn't be overlooked in pursuit of peace in the short term. "If we do, I believe we will have to confront Russia and their aggression again in the future," he said. Written by Andy Heil based on an interview by RFE/RL Georgian Service contributor Vazha Tavberidze Near-Russian Exporters Looking To Fill Gaps Created By Exiting US and European Brands The Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce has stated that Irans exports to Russia have increased since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. Several reasons were given, notably the existing positive approach between Russian and Iranian private companies and their governments. The two countries signed a free trade agreement via the Eurasian Economic Union last year. Iran traditionally imports cooking oil and wheat from Russia, although the country is banned from exporting grains by the United States, this is no obstacle for Russia as it is already sanctioned and can essentially do what it wants and ignore Washingtons Iranian position. The Russian government has notified exporters this week that they can export essential goods to Iran based on rationing put in place at the start of the Ukraine conflict, and that will now be lifted in May. Iranian merchants can use the Tourism Bank to transfer money to Russia as Iran, also blocked from SWIFT is linked to Russias SPFS interbank system. Trade with Russia is conducted in Rubles, while Iranian businessmen can also transfer money via Mir Business Bank or other Russian banks in Dubai or use part of their export revenues to import essential goods from Russia. The Iranian government is also looking to exempt Iranian exporters of agricultural products, construction materials, and clothes from returning export revenue to the NIMA system to increase export volumes to Russia. Prominent Iranian clothing brands are starting to use the opportunity to replace European and American brands that have left the Russian market. These include well-established fashion brands with a hit of the east, such as Bodyspinner, Salian, Siawood and Sarak to name just a few. Iranian and Central Asian Fashion events this year will be geared towards the Russian market rather than to the West. Related Reading The City of Vista is throwing its support behind federal litigation against Californias sanctuary state laws, which establish safe zones for immigrants and limits immigration enforcement by local authorities. On Tuesday, the Vista City Council declined to reverse an earlier decision to support the federal lawsuit. As elected officials, I feel its our job to bring our community together and avoid dividing it whenever possible, said Councilman Joe Green, who asked the council to reconsider its decision in June to side with the White House against the state law. This...debate does nothing for our citizens other than divide us. The California Values Act, Senate Bill 54, establishes schools, libraries, courthouses and health facilities as immigration safe zones and prohibits local law officers from asking the immigration status of people they detain, arresting people based on immigration warrants, participating in border patrols, among other things. The Trump administration sued California over that law and other immigration policies, charging that they are unconstitutional and interfere with federal immigration enforcement. Advertisement On June 26, Vista Councilman John Franklin asked the council to issue a letter stating that the California Values Act is inconsistent with the values of the city of Vista, and the city supports the position of the United States Department of Justice in the litigation. That decision passed initially on a 2-1-1 vote, with Councilmembers Franklin and Amanda Rigby voting in favor of the measure. Councilman Joe Green opposed it and Mayor Judy Ritter abstained. Councilman John Aguilera was absent at that meeting. In a second vote, immediately after the first, however, Ritter voted in favor of the measure to support the federal action. Although the deadline has passed for the city to join the lawsuit through an amicus brief, it still intends to submit a letter in support of the litigation to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is hearing the federal case. On Tuesday, however, Green pleaded for the council to stay out of the battle between the White House and California. The decision to write a letter of support for the amicus brief never should have been brought forward at a council level, he said. Resident Maria Weidener, who said she immigrated from Italy 48 years ago, urged the city to reject sanctuary measures, saying she believes they jeopardize public safety. Sanctuary of the criminals? she asked. Is that good for a city? Is that what we want for a city? Most speakers, however, said the city should refrain from weighing in on the matter. Cindy Odo-Amen, who also identified herself as an immigrant, said the California law doesnt interfere with law enforcement. It doesnt prevent cooperation in deportation for anyone in state prison or local jails for hundreds of serious offenses, she said. Others said municipal government should stick to local issues, stating that immigration debates are sowing discord in the community. Our community needs to rekindle the unity we felt after Sept. 11, said resident David Smelser, referencing the anniversary of the terror attack on the World Trade Center, which coincided with Tuesdays council meeting. This issue is tearing our community part, setting neighbor against neighbor, Vista against the rest of the state. I ask you to stand with the rest of California and not join this lawsuit. This story was modified to reflect the final council vote of June 26. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Breakthrough Star: Rebecca Janzen Spanish professor explores aspects of Mexican culture in literature Spanish and comparative literature professor Rebecca Janzen has checked all the North America boxes: She is from Canada, works in the U.S. and her field of study is Mexican literature and culture. And, nine years removed from her Ph.D., she has published four books that all look at some aspect of Mexican culture or government and certain populations inside the country. I research literature and film and other kind of cultural documents, trying to figure out how different groups of people fit into the Mexican government's idea of what Mexico should be, or how they don't fit, she says. Janzens first book looks at how disability is represented in Mexican novels, short stories, and archival documents. Her second book looks at how Mennonites and Mormons were portrayed in photographs, film, television, books and archives. She was attracted to that topic, in part, because she has distant relatives from Canada living in Mexico. Her more recent books examine religion in Mexican film and human rights in Mexican law and literature, respectively. I use all these different kinds of sources to try to answer the question Is this government actually doing what it claims it's doing? Is it doing it effectively? Why is it saying one thing and doing another? Janzen says. For people in literature or the humanities, often our research isn't seen as applied. It's very ethereal. But I think it's important and worthwhile because it helps us think about how we as humans relate to one another. Rebecca Janzen Her interest in Mexico also was sparked by a love of its literary tradition. It was a country that had literature that was interesting in terms of political and social commentary, but also was written in a really beautiful way, she says. Janzens research informs her teaching, including classes on Mexican and Latin American culture, literature, and religion. I have been able to teach on what I'm researching in the moment, she says. Its been really great to be able to talk about my research ideas with undergraduate and graduate students. She has also taken on a mentoring role for graduate students who are where she was a decade ago as she currently serves as graduate director for the languages, literature and cultures department. Dr. Janzen has had an extremely positive impact on our graduate students, providing a leading example of scholarly productivity combined with congenial collegiality, says Jeanne Garane, professor of French and comparative literature. She is actively mentoring graduate students as a member of several dissertation committees. She is also actively involved in professional service as a reviewer for several leading journals and presses in her field. Being named a Breakthrough Star was an honor, Janzen says, adding that she thinks it signals that the university recognizes the value in humanities research. For people in literature or the humanities, often our research isn't seen as applied. It's very ethereal, she says. But I think it's important and worthwhile because it helps us think about how we as humans relate to one another and, in my field of literary and cultural studies, how we can use imaginative or fictional examples from the archives, legal texts, literature, film and other forms of artistic expression, to try and create a better future for all of us. Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about (Photo : CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images) A four-meter long male American crocodile swims in a pond at the Huachipa Zoo, Peru, where it was announced, the birth in captivity of four American crocodiles, an endangered species, after a successful period of 78 days of artificial incubation from the eggs of a pair of adult crocodiles that live in the park. In a new global analysis, researchers evaluated more than 10,000 reptile species and evaluated them employing criteria from the International Union of Conservation of Nature Red List endangered species. Science Alert reported that according to the first major global assessment of the so-called "cold-blooded creatures" of the world, at least one in five species of reptiles are "threatened with extinction" which include "more than half of turtles and crocodiles." Over 20% of Reptile Species Are Now at Risk of Extinction, Scientists Warn https://t.co/wSO0JTyn5f ScienceAlert (@ScienceAlert) April 28, 2022 Disastrous decreases in biodiversity throughout the world are increasingly seen as a threat to life on this planet, not to mention, as essential as the interrelated risk of climate change. Dangers to other creatures have been well documented, as well. Over 40 percent of amphibians, 25 percent of mammals, and 13 percent of birds could experience. However, until now, scientists did not have a comprehensive image of the proportion of reptiles in danger. ALSO READ: New Baby White Rhino Born at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Over 1,800 Critically Endangered Species In their research published in the journal Nature, the study investigators discovered that at least 1,829 animals were found either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered." According to co-author Neil Cox, who's managing the IUCN-Conservation International Biodiversity Assessment Unite, it is just overwhelming the number of species seen as being threatened. A related report from The New York Post specified that Cox, who co-led the research also said, they now know the threats facing every reptile species, the global community can take the next step, and invest in turning around the frequently too under-appreciated and severe biodiversity crisis. Essentially turtles and crocodiles were found to be among the most endangered species, with approximately 50percent and 58 percent of those analyzed discovered to be endangered respectively. The co-lead added this was frequently down to "over-exploitation and persecution." Crocodiles are typically killed for their meat and to take them out from human settlements, said Cox. Turtles, on the other hand, are targeted by the pet trade and used for traditional medicine. A Threat to Climate Another popular species is the terrifying cobra, the largest venomous snake in the world. It can grow to roughly five meters long, feasting on other snakes in forests throughout a huge area from India to Southeast Asia. The snake has been classified as susceptible, indicating it is very near extinction. The co-lead elaborated, that it is a "real iconic species in Asia" and it's "such a shame" that even widespread species like this are really suffering and decreasing in population. Furthermore, climate change was found to pose a direct danger to roughly 10 percent of reptile species, although study authors said that was possibly an underestimate as it does not take into account, long-term dangers such as rise in sea level, or indirect climate-driven risks from things such as diseases. The study investigators were astounded to discover that conservation aimed at mammals, amphibians, and birds had benefited as reptiles as well, to a degree, although they emphasized that the research underscores the need for particular urgent conservation for certain species. To a lot of people, researchers said, reptiles are not charismatic. More so, there has just been a lot more focus on a number of the furrier or more feathery species of vertebrates for conservation. Report about the reptiles threatened with extinction is shown on Reuters' YouTube video below: RELATED ARTICLE: Stuffed Endangered Animals Seized: Over 1,000 Taxidermied Species Discovered in a Shed in Betera, Spain Check out more news and information on Endangered Species in Science Times. When Original Joes was jumping, Adam Richey would be mixing drinks with both hands, carrying on conversations and ringing the fire engine bell behind the bar if the Giants or the 49ers scored. But hed still manage to greet anyone he recognized coming through the door. He just made it feel like this was his living room when you walked in, said former San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr. The number of people he knew by their first name was unbelievable. Richey, who opened the bar at Original Joes in San Franciscos North Beach and Daly Citys Westlake, was involved in designing Little Original Joes, coming soon to the Marina. He took a day off on Sunday, April 10, and attended the weekly neighborhood barbecue on the North Beach alley where he lived with his wife and two daughters. Sometime overnight he suffered a fatal heart attack in his home, said his wife, Michelle. He was 51. Nobody that young should die, and nobody who lived that well should die that young, said former Mayor Willie Brown. Youve got to assume that the Lord was looking for a maitre d. Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle 2010 In a 30-year career in San Francisco that began as a lowly barback and ended as facilities manager, Richey worked the plank at Kuletos, Splendido, Enricos, Momos, Mooses and the SoMa nightclub DV8 before finding his niche wearing a white coat behind the traditional restaurant bars at the Tadich Grill and Wayfare Tavern in the Financial District. He knew how to make hot buttered rum, and he owned the specific bowl for mixing a batch of Tom and Jerry for Christmas. He was not the kind to get out a mortar and pestle to start grinding spices. Twenty-five minutes later youre like, Its ... still ... not ... ready? he once told The Chronicle in describing an encounter with a Mission District mixologist. And hes like, Well, I have to flambe the eggs and I have to do this with the oyster. And youre like, I just wanted a drink. Im not waiting for filet mignon. Richey was old school. He understood that people came into a bar with a thirst for conversation. Presentation of an adult beverage was just the start of the transaction. Ten percent of my job is making drinks, he said. The other 90% is talking to you and listening to your stories. One day in 2005, as he was working at Tadich Grill, a woman came in with her mother for dinner. While they waited at the bar for their table, Richey chatted them up and got the womans name, Michelle Graves, and learned that she was an acupuncturist in the Mills Building. He asked her for her card to call for an appointment, and followed through. The one thing about Adam is that he was such a gentleman, through and through, she said. Six months later they were engaged. They were married in October 2006 under the rotunda at City Hall, officiated by Brown, a Tadich regular. The reception was at Tosca. He outdressed me on my own wedding day, Richey said. Adam Billingsley Richey was born July 10, 1970, in Aspen, Colo. When he was 4, his parents divorced and he moved with his mom to a bungalow 150 feet from the beach in San Diego. His mom later married Kirby Pray, and they combined families. Richey started working in restaurants at age 13, delivering pizzas on his bicycle and washing dishes. At 16, he got a job at a bakery, thinking hed like making cakes. When he was again washing dishes, he switched to Quigs, a seafood restaurant in San Diegos Ocean Beach neighborhood. One night at the end of his shift he came home at midnight and woke his mother up with the exciting news that he wanted to attend culinary school instead of college. She managed to change his mind by offering to pay for his college education provided it was two hours away by car. So Richey chose a school more than eight hours away by car, the University of San Francisco. He enrolled after graduating from San Diegos Point Loma High School in 1988. As soon as hed moved into his dorm, he went downtown and landed a job at Kuletos on Powell Street. Andy Berry Photography 2017 Richey got his bachelor of arts in history and a minor in Spanish in 1992. By then, he was 21 and bartending at Splendido in the Embarcadero Center. He scored a cheap rent-controlled place on Fresno Street and left it only to buy a tenancy-in-common unit two blocks from Original Joes. He got around on a Vespa, but his preferred mode of transit was the 45-Union or on foot. Either mode was good for talking to people. Adam never met a stranger, his mom said. He liked hearing about what people did, their family stories. He cared about people. When Wayfare Tavern opened in 2010, Richey was one of the first employees. Two years later he was hired away by Original Joes, which had lost its beloved Tenderloin location in a fire and reopened on Washington Square. Adam worked the room better than anybody, said general manager Jarrod Brown. He just had a way to make everybody feel like a king or a queen. The true queen of Original Joes is Marie Duggan, whose father, Ante Rodin, opened the restaurant in 1937. Duggan grew up in the joint, started working there as a teenager in the 1960s and has seen a lot of bartenders come and go. 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. Adam was a throwback to the great bartenders like Mike McCourt and Mike Fraser, she said. When the three of them were working together it was like having the old Yankees of Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra. Three weeks ago, Duggan and Richey met for lunch at Roccos Cafe in the South of Market. They were there for three hours, to the point that Roccos owner Don Dials sat down at the table with them. When Richey finally drove off, Marie called him on his cell phone to keep the conversation going. Adam could connect with people on every level, and appreciate what they do, Marie said. Richeys daughters, Elle, 13, and Sloane, 11, attend neighborhood schools, and even when Richey worked nights and got home after 3 a.m. he was up to walk the girls to school in the morning. In the afternoon, hed either be there again to pick them up, or theyd walk to Original Joes to wait in their favorite booth for their mom to come by after closing her acupuncture business for the day. Richey liked to swim with his daughters in the public pool at Joe DiMaggio Playground. In summers they went to Camp Mather, the Rec and Park family camp in the Sierra. Adam was not a native San Franciscan, but he knew things about the city that even we natives dont know, Duggan said. He was an old soul with a modern edge. Survivors include his wife, Michelle Richey, and daughters Elle and Sloane, of San Francisco; mother, Marilyn Billingsley, and stepfather, Kirby Pray, of San Diego; father, H.E. Richey of Aspen, Colo.; sisters, Erica Garcia and August Welch, both of San Diego, and Piper Smith and Reagan Richey, both of Salt Lake City; and brother, Hank Richey of Aspen. Donations in his memory may be made to the Salesian Boys & Girls Club, 680 Filbert St., San Francisco, CA 94133. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf Public memorial: Adam Richey will be memorialized at noon Saturday, April 30, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church on Washington Square. Millions of Californians would get $200 rebate checks under a plan by state senators who say they expect the states extra spending power to reach $68 billion. Senate leaders revealed their plan and economic estimates Thursday, predicting that Californias budget surplus will be more than double what Gov. Gavin Newsom estimated in his January budget proposal. At the time, Newsom predicted a roughly $29 billion surplus in the states general fund when he laid out his spending plan for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Both Newsom and lawmakers have proposed using surplus money to provide relief for sky-high gas prices but havent agreed on details of which residents should benefit and how. The Senate plan released Thursday would send $200 checks to individuals who make less than $125,000 or families that make less than $250,000. It would also provide extra money for people in the states food aid and supplemental income programs for low-income residents. California is so flush with unexpected cash because tax revenue from the states highest earners has continued to come in stronger than analysts predicted. The state taxes its wealthiest residents and businesses heavily, meaning that their financial success in the past couple of years has driven strong state revenue. Lawmakers and Newsom find themselves with so much extra money they run the risk of hitting spending limits in state law. To comply with state spending rules, Senate leaders said Thursday they want to spend a big chunk of the surplus money on infrastructure projects. Despite their rosy projections for the upcoming year, legislative leaders estimate the especially strong tax collections will flatten out in future years, making future surpluses less likely. The lawmakers new estimates come in anticipation of Newsoms revised budget plan, which he will introduce next month. In his initial spending plan from January, Newsom called for more spending on fighting COVID-19, building more infrastructure, expanding state-funded health care to undocumented immigrants of all ages and other priorities. 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 that plan, Newsom had estimates that the total surplus, including in the states general fund and in other areas of the budget, would be about $45.7 billion. For the current fiscal year, which ends in July, Newsoms budget team estimated an $80 billion surplus. Last year, Newsom and lawmakers used part of the surplus to send $600 stimulus checks to millions of Californians. This year, its unclear whether residents will see similar checks and what form they would take. Newsom has proposed a different plan to send Californians money for high gas prices, calling for the state to send $400 per vehicle to drivers, with a maximum of $800 per family. Some state lawmakers have balked at that plan, saying instead the state should prioritize giving money to its lowest-income residents. Newsom and lawmakers must agree on a budget framework by mid-June, although they could continue to hash out details for months after the fiscal year begins on July 1, as they have in recent years. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Dustin Gardiner contributed to this report. Sophia Bollag is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophia.bollag@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophiaBollag A law limiting the presidents authority to fire the chief administrator of Social Security is an unconstitutional limitation on presidential power, a federal appeals court said Wednesday, citing recent Supreme Court rulings striking down similar restrictions on removing the heads of two other federal agencies. The ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco was the first on the issue by a federal court, but it had been anticipated by the Biden administration. Based on as legal opinion by the Justice Department last July, President Biden dismissed Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul, who had been appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019 for a six-year term. Biden named Deputy Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi as acting commissioner until a successor is nominated and confirmed. A 1994 federal law established the Social Security Administration, previously part of another agency, as a separate entity headed by a commissioner who would be appointed for six years and could be removed by the president only for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. Supporters of the law said it was needed to provide job security and independence and prevent high turnover in office. In 2020, however, the Supreme Court rejected a law that allowed removal of the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau only if the president could show inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. In the 5-4 ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts said those restrictions had no basis in history and no place in our constitutional structure. In dissent, the courts liberal justices said the law protected the agencys independence from political pressure. The Supreme Court issued a similar ruling last year striking down a provision that allowed removal of the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency only for cause. In Wednesdays ruling, the appeals court said the Social Security Administration was comparable to the agencies considered by the Supreme Court: Its administrator is appointed to a term longer than the presidents and has broad influence over individual benefits and the national economy. Likewise, Judge Susan Graber said in the 3-0 ruling, the presidents authority to dismiss the administrator can be expanded without affecting the Social Security Act or its beneficiaries. Although Congress approved the limits on presidential authority as part of the law, she said, there is no evidence that lawmakers would have repealed the law or cut off Social Security benefits in order to prevent the president from dismissing the administrator at will. But the ruling did not help a Washington state resident who challenged the law as part of her appeal of a denial of Social Security benefits. Jody Kaufmann filed suit in 2019 after the agency found she was able to keep working as a records clerk and administrator. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Christel of Seattle initially ruled in her favor, but reversed the ruling after the commissioners office cited evidence in the record that Christel said he had overlooked. Kaufmann said the decision was invalid, in part, because the commissioner had too much protection from presidential removal. 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. But Graber said there was no evidence that the commissioners job security had motivated the offices decision to cite the additional evidence to Christel or had any impact on Kaufmanns case. Kaufmanns lawyer, Christopher Dellert, said Wednesday that Kaufmann had to stop working in her mid-40s, at her doctors advice, after suffering severe muscle cramps, pain and fatigue that eventually left her unable to dress herself without her husbands help. He said the hearing officer who rejected her claim, and whose decision was upheld by the Social Security Administration, ignored first-hand evidence in favor of an incomplete medical record assembled by state officials. In upholding that denial, the court made a very technical, theoretical decision, ignoring Kaufmann as a real person, Dellert said. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com One of the three people arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 3-month-old boy in San Jose will not face charges, authorities said Thursday. The San Jose Police Department said that Baldomeo Sandoval, 37, of San Jose would be released from custody. Details regarding Sandovals involvement with this case have come to light and he will not be facing charges at this time, police said in a news release on Twitter. No details were disclosed on why police decided to release Sandoval. Police said the investigation into the kidnapping is continuing. Sandoval was arrested Tuesday with Jose Roman Portillo, 28, and Yesenia Guadalupe Ramirez, 43, both of San Jose, on suspicion of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, child abduction and home invasion after a 3-month-old baby was taken from his grandmothers San Jose home Monday while she was unloading groceries, police said. After a frantic 20-hour search and investigation, the infant was found Tuesday in an East San Jose house that apparently belonged to Portillo, and reunited with his mother, police said. He was uninjured. Police said Wednesday that they believe the kidnapping was premeditated, and that Ramirez, a family friend, who had taken the grandmother and baby to and from the grocery store, had been communicating with Portillo. Portillo then allegedly snatched the baby, placing him in an infant carrier and leaving the grandmothers apartment near Bellarmine College Preparatory high school, police said. Portillo and Ramirez were arraigned Thursday in Santa Clara Superior Court and charged with kidnapping and related felonies that carry prison sentences if they are convicted, according to the county District Attorneys Office. 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 two remain in jail without bail, and the motive behind the broad-daylight, bizarre kidnapping remains under investigation, prosecutors said in a news release. The DAs Office disclosed some new details in the investigation into the kidnapping of the infant, referred to in the release as Brandon Doe. According to prosecutors, a search warrant at Ramirezs residence resulted in the discovery of numerous baby-care items, including baby formula, diapers of the same size worn by Baby Brandon, and a baby rocker. Neither Ramirez nor Portillo is known to have infants of their own or infant relatives living with them, prosecutors noted. Michael Cabanatuan (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan Rats have plagued humans for centuries. They spread diseases; contaminate food; chew through pipes, electrical wires, gas lines and building materials and then theres the ick factor. Controlling infestations is a challenge, especially in California, the first state to ban super-toxic rat poisons because they also kill hawks, eagles, mountain lions and other species that feed on poisoned rats. Now theres a new tool to battle vermin: rat birth control. Call it reproductive management; birth control makes it sound like tiny condoms or something, said Tamara Barak Aparton, spokesperson for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, which deploys the rodent contraceptive ContraPest in city parks as an adjunct to traditional methods such as snap traps and pumping carbon monoxide into rat burrows. San Francisco won the dubious distinction of ranking No. 5 on pest-control company Orkins annual list of the 50 Rattiest Cities in America in 2021, for the second year in a row. Making matters worse, the pandemic exacerbated rat issues nationwide. Restaurant closures prompted mass migrations of rats to residential areas. Felix Uribe / Special to The Chronicle Felix Uribe / Special to The Chronicle Video at top: A motion-activated camera captures rats in San Franciscos Portsmouth Square investigating a bait box containing oral contraceptives. Above: Zach Goetschi sets up the new contraceptive bait at KidsPower Park, left, and installs it in a rat trap at In Chan Kaajal Park, right. Photos by Felix Uribe / Special to The Chronicle Video at top: A motion-activated camera captures rats in San Franciscos Portsmouth Square investigating a bait box containing oral contraceptives. Photos above: Zach Goetschi sets up the new contraceptive bait at KidsPower Park, top, and installs it in a rat trap at In Chan Kaajal Park, above. Photos by Felix Uribe / Special to The Chronicle ContraPest comes in a liquid laden with fat and sugar essentially a rat milkshake that stops the maturation of female rats eggs and interrupts the sperm production of male rats. Drinking an amount equal to 10% of a rats body weight (a typical daily liquid intake) disrupts fertility for about three months, according to SenesTech, the Arizona company that makes it. Rats need to consume it several times to remain infertile throughout their average one-year lifespan. SenesTech said ContraPest quickly breaks down in a rats system and poses no danger to animals higher up the food chain. Studies it performed to win EPA approval show that the only side effect for other species is mild skin irritation. Rats are astonishingly prolific breeders. One couple and their descendants theoretically can produce up to 15,000 vermin a year, according to models from National Geographic, although predators, drought, cold, food scarcity and overcrowding reduce that. Killing rats is only half the equation, said Ken Siegel, SenesTech CEO. The critical factor that drives rodent populations is the birth rate. You cannot kill them fast enough or sustainably enough. The San Francisco parks department has used ContraPest since 2019, said Zachary Goetschi, a pest-management specialist. The milkshake is served in two bottles inside the same type of rat bait stations used for traps or poison. Slightly larger than a shoebox, a bait station typically has two small holes for rodent access and is locked to keep the contents secure from children and pets. The biggest issue, Goetschi said, is luring rats to bait boxes when they already have abundant food sources. His strategy is to get trash picked up more often and to pre-bait boxes with peanut butter. But rats do seem to drink ContraPest, he said, and its made a difference. In Chinatowns Portsmouth Square Park, his team counted 60 burrows, each of which might house four rats. Within two months they had it down to 16 using ContraPest alongside conventional methods. Contraception can be less labor intensive. With traps, exterminators have to visit often to dispose of carcasses. With the contraceptive, they can set it and forget it, he said, checking back after a month. There is no one strategy that is most effective for rat abatement, Aparton said. It is everything together getting rid of food waste, vegetation management, trapping, birth control, etc. Its sort of like Whac-a-Mole, to mix my rodent metaphors. Loretta Mayer, 72, and her wife, Cheryl Dyer, 70, who have doctorates in biology and pharmacology/physiology, respectively, invented ContraPest by accident. After a close friend died of a heart attack, they learned there is a dearth of studies of heart disease in post-menopausal women because lab rats and mice dont experience menopause unless their ovaries are removed. The couple developed a product called Mouseopause to induce menopause in mice then realized its power for pest control. Everyones got the awful story of a dog who got into the rat poison and died, said Mayer, who personally tasted every batch in the early days to make sure the chemicals bitter flavors were masked. They founded SenesTech in 2003, but left the company three years ago and have no financial relationship with it. Mayer and Dyer still work on contraception for wildlife through their nonprofit FYXX Foundation. Their top priority is developing birth control for invasive mice brought by 19th century sailors to the Farallon Islands. This would be an alternative to the controversial plan approved late last year by the California Coastal Commission to drop 3,000 pounds of poisoned bait from helicopters. The poison drop for the wildlife refuge 27 miles offshore from San Francisco would be implemented in fall 2023 at the earliest. The mouse contraceptive compound is basically an herbal supplement, which means it would not need years of a government approval process. But it needs to be solid so it could be delivered by drone drops. I would be the happiest little scientist in the world if the supplement could be deployed instead of poison, Mayer said. The mice have been there since 1850; why cant we wait for a new technology? A Coopers hawk bleeding to death on a Berkeley sidewalk a decade ago spurred Lisa Owens Viani to start Raptors Are The Solution (RATS), a project of Earth Island Institute seeking to end use of rodenticides that also kill birds of prey feeding on rats. Around the same time, her neighbor found fledgling Coopers hawks dead in a kiddie pool. She had the birds tested at UC Davis and discovered they had ingested rat poison, presumably by eating poisoned rats. The group got California to pass AB1788, which bans highly deadly rodenticides, although they can still be used in agriculture, and less toxic ones remain available. Shes a fan of environmentally friendly solutions for rat control, noting that these also include preventative measures homeowners can take, such as cutting tree branches, sealing openings in a house and removing food sources. ContraPest seems promising, definitely an important part of the tool kit to help curtail rats, Owens Viani said. Her group is working on a pilot project in Seattle to test ContraPest at a building slated to be razed. Ordinarily, developers deploy poison before a building is demolished, she said, because otherwise the rats living under it scurry out. RATS project is using ContraPest to try to rein in the rats in advance. In 27 weeks weve seen a 91% decrease in rat population, she said. Its very encouraging. However, she, like others interviewed, thinks the products biggest limitation is that it costs much more than poison or traps. A single tank is about $28, but a big area such as a commercial barn might require about $600 a month, Siegel said, an amount that would decline as the rat population declined. By contrast, a dozen snap traps cost about $20, Goetschi said. Currently, ContraPest is sold only to exterminators and commercial facilities. The company is working to get it on hardware store shelves. While the only studies of ContraPests effectiveness come from the company itself, anecdotally, there are stories of it working as well as stories of rats turning up their noses at the milkshake. Luis Agurto is CEO of Pestec, a pest-management company thats contracted with San Francisco since 1998 to control everything from mosquitoes to rats. In theory we love it, he said of rat contraception. But theres a big however. We spent some time exploring (ContraPest) in a few places and have had a tough time getting rats to eat it, he said. We tried in four different places for months at a time. I do want to give it a fair shot, so we need to keep trying. He said he employs techniques such as pre-baiting with enticing foods to get rats interested and will continue to do so. On the other end of the spectrum, Little Hill Sanctuary said it had spectacular success with ContraPest. Helbard Alkhassadeh and his wife, Camilla, care for about 100 rescued animals goats, sheep, turkeys, chickens, miniature horses and pigs at the Royal Oaks (Monterey County) sanctuary. They soon discovered rats feasting on their stored animal feed. We had created an environment for them that was luxurious like a five-star hotel with a buffet, Alkhassadeh said ruefully. As vegans who wanted to practice compassion toward all animals, they felt it would be wrong to kill one species of animal while rescuing others. So they bought live traps to capture rats and release them on public land. I went into the barn, set a live trap, and the next day there were 12 rats in it, he said. The next day I caught 20 rats. In five days, I caught 70 rats in just one small building. I told my wife, I dont know if this is going to end; theyre everywhere. He found out about ContraPest and set out its bait traps about six months ago in the four different locations where the sanctuary stores feed. The cost was about $250 a month initially, he said, but can taper over time. Within the first six weeks, I noticed something was different, he said. You could tell there wasnt the same type of traffic from the rats in any of the buildings. By the third month, I stopped seeing rats, they were just gone. He thought maybe they were hiding, so he put out live traps again. No rats. I tried everything, no rats, no signs of rat droppings or chewed wood, he said. We dont see any rats; theyre gone. It eliminated them. In San Francisco, where Recreation and Park oversees 225 parks covering about 4,100 acres, five full-time staffers work on pest management, as do outside vendors. Some of those vendors work for free. Our open spaces also benefit from natures rat control raptors, Aperton said. Our larger parks especially, such as Golden Gate and McLaren, provide plenty of habitat for these birds of prey to hunt, breed and nest. Even some of the smaller parks can allow raptors to thrive. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid The woman who faced charges after a viral video showed her coughing on and allegedly assaulting an Uber driver in San Francisco last year has been arrested across the country in an unrelated case of identity theft, authorities said. Arna Kimiai, 25, is suspected of using fake identification to rent an apartment in Miami, according to a spokesperson for the Miami Police Department. The departments Economics Crime Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Kimiai, who turned herself in to authorities on Wednesday night, authorities said. Kimiai faces allegations of grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and fraudulent use of personal information, according to the Miami Police Department. Kimiais lawyer, Seth Morris, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ABC7 reported that it spoke to a former neighbor of Kimiais in Los Angeles who now lives in San Francisco, who told police that Kimiai stole her identity to rent a penthouse apartment in Miami in the neighbors name. When asked to confirm that a police report had been filed against Kimiai for identity theft, San Francisco Police Department spokesman Robert Rueca responded that a woman had come into the Southern Police station on March 5 to report fraud, and stated that she had received multiple inquiries from her credit card company regarding an apartment in Florida and a vehicle dealership in Southern California. Four days later, the woman provided additional information, including the identity of the possible suspect, according to SFPD. However, the department did not disclose any identities in the case to The Chronicle. At this time we are not identifying the possible suspect for this open investigation, said SFPD. Kimiai made national headlines in March 2021 when she was arrested with her friend after their Uber driver, Subhakar Khadka, shared a video of the passengers assaulting him and coughing on him after he ended a ride because one of the passengers refused to wear a mask. 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. After the video of the attack went viral, Kimiai turned herself in and was charged with assault and attempted first-degree robbery, as well as battery on a transit employee and a violation of a local health ordinance. Kimiai was not wearing a mask when she coughed on the driver. That case is pending, with a court date set, the San Francisco District Attorneys Office said Thursday. Annie Vainshtein (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avainshtein@sfchronicle.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate For 100 years, no salmon have made it to their historic habitat in a tributary of the Sacramento River due to dams on its lower reaches. Now, with the rivers population of winter-run chinook dwindling to crisis levels due the worsening drought, wildlife managers are taking unprecedented action to save them. Last week, for the first time, they began trucking adult fish, two or three at a time, to the upper reaches of Battle Creek at the border of Tehama and Shasta counties, which was part of the populations historic habitat before the flow was dammed. The plan is to release 300 fish to spawn there this summer when its expected to get too hot in their usual habitat in the Central Valley. The modeling shows that conditions are going to be difficult this year for winter-run egg incubation, said Jason Roberts, an environmental program manager at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, since high river temperatures during drought kill salmon eggs. The state and federal agencies have been working on developing emergency actions to mitigate those adverse impacts and save as many fish as we can. While the adults arent able to navigate up the creek because of obstacles from hydroelectric facilities, the baby fish spawned this summer will be able to make it down the creek and its waterfalls when they are ready to migrate to the ocean, said Peter Tira, information officer for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The north fork of Battle Creek is fed by springs that keep it cool, said Roberts. That water is really cold because its been underground for so long, and it helps make suitable water temperatures for successful egg incubation. So far, state and federal wildlife officials have moved about 10 fish, which are being caught at a trap at Keswick Dam, at the base of Lake Shasta. Sacramento winter-run chinook salmon, named for the time of year the fish migrate from the Golden Gate to their breeding grounds, are considered one of the most at-risk endangered species in the country by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Other chinook salmon populations that come through at different times of the year include the fall-run, which are part of the local commercial salmon fishery. This will be the third year in a row where winter-run chinook have faced unfavorable conditions of some kind in fresh water, said Roberts, who said it is concerning since the fish typically have a three-year life cycle. 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. An estimated 75% of the eggs that the wild winter-run fish laid in the Sacramento River last year were destroyed when temperatures soared in the part of the river where they spawn below Shasta Dam. That prompted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to release 525,000 baby fish from a hatchery into the river earlier this year. This year, the Bureau of Reclamation estimates that the high river temperatures from critically dry conditions could kill 70% of winter-run salmon eggs that are spawned in the coming summer. Wildlife managers have been trying to re-establish a population of endangered winter-run chinook salmon at Battle Creek for 25 years as droughts made more frequent and severe by climate change often make their habitat in the low-lying Sacramento River too warm. In 2018 they released 200,000 baby salmon into the lower part of the creek, fish that have since returned there as adults. But theyve never moved adult salmon over Eagle Canyon Dam to the north fork of the creek. Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan The Oakland Police Department came closer to exiting federal oversight after a judge said Wednesday that he plans to take the next step in ending control of the troubled agency. Judge William H. Orrick said he expected to issue an order in the next week that will detail when the department can enter into its probationary one-year period to end oversight. The judges decision Wednesday marks a victory for a department that has gone through multiple scandals and 11 police chiefs in nearly 20 years. The federal oversight has cost the city millions of dollars, and the road to ending it has been bumpy. The department has seemed tantalizingly close to ending the oversight in the past, but subsequent problems kept it under scrutiny. A class-action lawsuit in 2000 resulted in the arrangement. Six men in West Oakland argued they were falsely arrested on drug charges and accused four officers, known as the Riders, of assaulting and conspiring to frame them. Three of the officers were tried on criminal charges and never convicted and a fourth officer fled and remains a fugitive, but the civil case resulted in a settlement that required the department to complete dozens of tasks to improve the way it tracks, trains and disciplines officers. Many proponents said oversight was necessary to bring reform to a troubled department. The departments former brass said the result is an agency that can be a model of progress nationwide, while others caution that the department cant let up on repairing its relationship with residents who still mistrust it. Orrick heaped praise on Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong and his laser focus on the reform goals a stark difference in the judges statements from just two years ago when he criticized city leaders after police lost ground on complying with tasks. But Orrick said, there is some work that needs to happen. Orrick said he expected the department would have reached total compliance by now, but it still has one task to complete: reducing disparities in discipline among officers. The judge said that task is critical in ending the courts oversight. He also said he hoped that the department would have fully completed and adopted a social media and cell phone policy by now the result of a racist and sexist Instagram account set up by a former officer. Nine Oakland officers were disciplined for engaging with the content. Mayor Libby Schaaf said in court that the city and department are committed to continuing their work toward achieving reform. Oakland leaders are united in our deep commitment to this continual journey with and without court oversight, Schaaf said. This is not something that will ever be over, Schaaf said in a news conference after the hearing. It is a continual quest for us as Oaklands leaders to ensure that our police department is the national model, is the vanguard for progressive, professional policing. Last week, the city attorneys office and attorneys in the case filed a joint statement to Orrick saying that they are open to starting the one-year transition to a probationary period to end federal oversight. Their joint statement marked a major moment in which all the attorneys in the case agreed on the next steps. Robert Warshaw, the court-appointed monitor, said in his report released Wednesday that the Police Department has reached a significant milestone by complying with all tasks but one. He praised Armstrongs tenacity and commitment. Last year, when Armstrong was appointed to the role of top cop, he said bringing the department into compliance with the federal mandate would be a major priority. On Wednesday, plaintiffs attorneys John Burris and Jim Chanin applauded Armstrongs work. You are on the verge of succeeding in an effort which no one in the Oakland Police Department has accomplished in nearly 20 years, Chanin said. A judge appointed Warshaw as the departments monitor in 2010. In 2014, he was given more power as the compliance director. The city has spent nearly $30 million on all monitor-related expenses, including Warshaw and his team. Warshaws critics argue that he was more interested in getting paid than helping the department achieve compliance. One of his biggest critics was former police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, whose 2020 termination was due in part to Warshaws critical reports on the departments reform efforts. Kirkpatrick told The Chronicle on Wednesday that she is personally glad that Oakland is finally being able to make a case in front of the judge to say its time. Kirkpatrick said the departments rank and file have embraced reform in their efforts to de-escalate and transform the culture of the department. Kirkpatrick said past scandals including the Riders case and a sexual misconduct case involving a teenager were not reflective of who these men and women actually are and yet they carried the scars of that. In 2016, the attorneys in the case, the city and Warshaw were prepared to end the oversight, but changed their minds after allegations came to light that several officers were involved in the sex scandal. 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 a news conference after the hearing, Armstrong said the Police Department has had to overinvest in itself and the community to earn the citys trust, and that he was appreciative of officers commitment to change within the department. We are willing to do whatever it takes to get into compliance, but also to make sure we demonstrate that the cultural change that everyones been waiting for in the Oakland Police Department is here, Armstrong said. This is not the department of 20 years ago; this is a different department today. Former Police Chief Howard Jordan said Wednesdays decision is a positive step. It shows that the department has really embraced accountability, reforms, and that they are a model agency for the police profession, he said. Former interim Police Chief Susan Manheimer said the judges comments are a testament to the departments painstaking focus on achieving compliance. The only way that OPD can move forwards is really working with the community, Manheimer said. Rashidah Grinage, a spokeswoman for Oaklands Coalition on Police Accountability, said the department should keep in mind that there is a new sheriff in town with the hiring in December of the citys first independent inspector general, who is meant to ensure the department complies with its policies. The inspector general, hired by the police commission, is tasked with making sure that there is no backsliding, Grinage said. At Wednesdays news conference, Armstrong and Schaaf called the judges decision a milestone. Im optimistic that we have proven to the public that we have reformed, Armstrong said. We have more work to do. Chronicle staff writers Megan Cassidy and Andres Picon contributed to this report. Sarah Ravani (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded when a Russian missile hit a 25-story apartment building in Kyiv on Thursday evening and set off a fire, which partially destroyed the first and second floors. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum NATO chief says Finland, Sweden could join quite quickly Biden seeks new powers to use oligarchs assets for Ukraine A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers After a rocket: One second and you are left with nothing Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had very substantive and warm talks on energy and defense cooperation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Zelenskyy said they agreed that damaged Ukrainian military equipment could be repaired at Bulgarian plants and then sent back to Ukraine. Another issue we agreed on was the supply of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the joint use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline to diversify energy supplies in the region, Zelenskyy said late Thursday in his nightly video address to the nation. Russia this week cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and also to Poland, two NATO members which have been among the strongest European supporters of Ukraine in the war. Although Bulgaria gets over 90% of its gas from Russia, the cutoff does not immediately put the country in dire trouble because of other potential suppliers. The Trans-Balkan gas pipeline runs from Greece through Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine. __ ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine An 11-year-old Ukrainian boy was one of at least three people wounded in what emergency officials are calling the first Russian strike in a residential area of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia since Russias invasion began. The city has been a crucial waypoint for tens of thousands of people fleeing the besieged southern port of Mariupol. The rocket strike came Thursday as parts of southern Ukraine prepared for a further onslaught by Russian forces who seek to strip the country of its coastline. Residents said at least eight homes in the modest neighborhood were damaged or destroyed. Glass shards cut the boys right leg to the bone. The injured boys father, Vadym Vodostoyev, said it just takes one second and youre left with nothing. __ KYIV, Ukraine Russia struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shortly after a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday evening. At least one person was killed and several were injured, including some who were trapped beneath the rubble, according to rescue officials. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city was hit twice, causing fires in at least two high-rise buildings. The explosions, which sent plumes of black smoke into the air, came just shortly after the two leaders held a press conference in which Guterres condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia retreated. Authorities said the U.N. chief and his team were safe. Appearing to be one of boldest attacks on Kyiv since Russian forces retreated from around the capital weeks ago, the explosions came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing number of people have been out and enjoying the spring weather. __ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines prosecutor on Thursday identified 10 Russian soldiers she accused of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, one of the wars major flashpoints that helped galvanize Western support of Ukraine. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said on Facebook that the 10 soldiers in Russias 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Ground Forces Brigade who occupied Bucha were involved in the torture of peaceful people. She did not specifically say that her office had filed criminal charges, and appealed to the public to help develop evidence. The Russian government denies it targets civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently honored the brigades work, and Venediktova said he bears responsibility for the soldiers actions as their commander-in-chief. During the occupation of Bucha, they took unarmed civilians hostage, killed them with hunger and thirst, kept them on their knees with hands tied and eyes taped, mocked and beat them, Venediktova said, adding that the Russian soldiers threatened to shoot the hostages and looted houses. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visiting Bucha on Thursday, called for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes. Ukrainian authorities have said they are investigating thousands of possible war crimes, including killing of civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture, sexual crimes and use of prohibited weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address to his nation, renewed a pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes. He added about the 10 suspects identified Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There, theyll receive retribution from our military. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. Instead of saying that the Ukrainians, equipped with some capability to resist Russian forces, are doing this, theyve got to tell their people that the United States and all of NATO is engaged, Biden said. He added that no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons and called doing so irresponsible. ___ LONDON The British government says a U.K. national has been killed in Ukraine, and another is missing. The Foreign Office confirmed Thursday that it is supporting the family of a British national killed in Ukraine. It also said it was urgently seeking further information on another Briton who is missing. The government did not provide further details. Sky News reported that the Britons were believed to have been fighting with Ukrainians against the Russian invasion. Volunteers from Britain and many other countries have traveled to Ukraine to fight, despite being discouraged from doing so by their governments. ___ ISTANBUL Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says both U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin have told him that their talks in Moscow earlier this week were positive. Erdogan told reporters before leaving for a trip to Saudi Arabia, that he held separate telephone calls with Guterres and Putin. Mr. Guterres ... informed me that the talks (with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov) were positive. In our discussion with Mr. Putin yesterday, Putin expressed the same views. Erdogan added that the Russian president had conveyed the opinion that a U.N. intervention is positive for the future. He did not elaborate. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian troops defending a steel plant that is the last Ukrainian bulwark in the key port of Mariupol say an intensive Russian bombing has inflicted more casualties. The Azov Regiment holed up at the giant Azovstal steel plant on Thursday posted a video showing people combing through the rubble to remove the dead bodies and help the wounded after the Russian bombing overnight. The Azov said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people and wounding others there. The video couldnt be independently verified. The Russian troops have pummeled the mammoth seaside plant with relentless airstrikes and artillery barrage, trying to uproot its defenders holed up in a 24-kilometer (15-mile) maze of underground tunnels, passages and bunkers. Ukrainian officials say that up to 1,000 civilians also were sheltering in Azovstal. They are demanding that Russia provides a safe exit for them under the United Nations aegis. ___ WARSAW, Poland Polands border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings into Poland from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, while there have been 904,000 crossings into Ukraine. Border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska said Thursday that the number includes people who cross a number of times because, for example, they regularly do shopping in Poland and then go back. Polish authorities say some 1.6 million refugees have applied for and received special ID numbers that will allow them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. ___ VIENNA The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says radiation levels in excavations found in the exclusion zone around the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant were well below the maximum authorized levels for plant workers. Ukraines state power company said after Russian troops withdrew at the end of March that they received significant doses of radiation from digging trenches in the area. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said Thursday that, during a visit this week, experts from his agency took measurements from excavations probably made by occupying soldiers. He said that the levels were three times or more lower than the authorized levels for workers in areas exposed to radiation. As for whether anyone was actually exposed to those radiation levels, he said: We have asked about possible exposures or situations; we havent received any answer. Although that suggested the health risk wasnt as great as feared, Grossi stressed that its not a place to have a picnic or excavate. ___ BRUSSELS Senior European Union officials say countries or companies bowing fully to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting that they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions. The Kremlin says importers should establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. They would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The officials warn that Russias central bank could hold on to the money before converting it and in essence use the funds as a temporary loan for the national economy or to prop up the ruble. The EUs sanctions prohibit any transaction with the Russian Central Bank. 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. One official said Thursday that if the member states and the European companies apply strictly the decree it will constitute a breach of the sanctions. His job description does not allow him to be named publicly. The violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has said that companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars, as per their contract, and then notifying Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. Ultimately, its up to the 27 EU countries to judge whether the rules are being broken. Some of those countries are heavily reliant on Russia for gas. By Lorne Cook. ___ TOKYO German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending his countrys ongoing purchase of gas and other fossil fuels from Russia. Speaking during a visit to Japan on Thursday, Scholz said that it is a challenge that many European countries, including Germany, are dependent on imports of fossil resources from Russia. Scholz said his government aims to end imports of Russian coal and oil this year. He said that the same will happen for gas, but that is a process that will require more time. Asked whether he was concerned Russia might stop shipping gas to Germany, like it did this week for Poland and Bulgaria, Scholz acknowledged that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. He said this was also the reason why there no sanctions have so far been imposed on energy supplies from Russia, adding this had been decided in close cooperation with our partners who themselves are energy exporters and therefore in a different starting position, such as the United States. Scholz said: Whether and what decisions the Russian government takes in this regard one can only speculate, but it makes little sense to do so. ___ ANKARA, Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders also discussed a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that took place in Turkey on Wednesday. Erdogans office said he told Putin on Thursday that Turkeys mediation in the exchange was an indication of the importance Ankara attaches to peace, dialogue and cooperation. He reiterated Turkeys readiness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and its wish to establish peace in the region by increasing the momentum generated in face-to-face talks that were held between the two countries delegations in Istanbul late last month. It was the second telephone call between the two presidents this week. On Tuesday, Erdogan urged Putin to agree to direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is asking Congress or new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of a new funding request to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russias invasion. In remarks at the White House on Thursday morning, Biden will formally ask for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending earmarked for supplying Ukraines military, bolstering its economy and supporting the millions of refugees who fled Russias invasion two months ago. The White House said he will also seek new authorities from Congress to strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian government and those who profit from it, the White House said. Biden is asking lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. ___ MOSCOW Russia says that Turkey gave it advance notice before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory. She added that the reasons for that were clear to us and the Russian side isnt using that route. Zakharova made the comment when asked about Turkeys weekend announcement that it had halted Russian flights to Turkey over its territory from the start of this month. It wasnt clear whether the move was related to Russias military operation in Ukraine. Turkey has close relations with both countries and has positioned itself as a mediator. Russia and Turkey have backed opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. ___ SOFIA, Bulgaria Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said during a visit to the Ukrainian town of Borodyanka that he hopes Bulgarian lawmakers will agree next week to send military assistance to Ukraine. Petkov was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv later Thursday. He said after viewing damage caused to Borodyanka during the initial Russian advance that we cannot be indifferent. We cannot say that this is a Ukrainian problem, we cannot say some people are dying but we are not interested in that. He criticized the argument of some politicians in Bulgaria that denying military aid to Ukraine would bring about a faster peace. Petkov said: If this is the price of peace, if the Russian state continues to fire and no one can defend himself is this the peace we want? ___ KYIV, Ukraine Mariupol authorities are sounding the alarm about unsanitary conditions in the ravaged port city that they say pose a deadly danger to its remaining residents. Mariupol City Council said on the messaging app Telegram Thursday that deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewerage, the decomposition of thousands of corpses under the rubble, a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. It said that the lives of 100,000 people who still remain in Mariupol, out of 450,000 pre-war residents, may be in danger pointing to diseases like cholera and dysentery. The Telegram post cited Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko as saying that the invaders are not able to provide the remaining population with food, water and medicines or are simply not interested in that. He said that living conditions in the ruined Mariupol are now medieval and that an immediate and complete evacuation is needed. ___ WASHINGTON A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying its not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. Regarding BART board to consider restoring mask mandate (Bay Area & Business, April 22): I am immunocompromised and take BART and Caltrain to get home and to work. I now fear using these forms of transportation and will no longer use them if a mask mandate is not reinstated, as crowded transportation creates a large risk for contracting COVID-19. I support the reinstatement of a mask mandate that the BART board is considering at its meeting Thursday. I believe that many Bay Area community members, especially parents with young children, immunocompromised individuals and elders, would feel safer with a mask requirement on public transportation, especially on transportation as crowded as BART. I urge Caltrain, Muni, AC Transit and city taxis to consider reinstatement of a mask mandate on their services as well. I hope other community members who agree will reach out and explain their anger and fears. Olivia Shane, Berkeley I back striking nurses I am writing in support of the striking nurses at Stanford hospitals. I have been a cancer patient at Stanford for over a decade. Through countless treatments, my confidence has been buoyed by the professionalism, competence, and depth of knowledge displayed by the nurses. I have been so moved by the apparently frictionless teamwork of the nurses in the infusion centers. Although their jobs must always be stressful, Ive never been treated with anything other than kindness. Striking is a desperate measure. None of the nurses whove cared for me would have taken such a step unless they were desperate. These dedicated professionals are treasures. I hope Stanford recognizes the essential value nurses provide to patients and to the institution. Invest in your nurses before you lose them! Deborah Robbins, San Francisco Test for lead poisoning Referring to County offers to test youths in juvenile hall for lead (Bay Area & Business, April 24): It is enraging to hear that Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez asked the board to consider offering tests to those who want them. Like Dr. Stephen Harris said in the article, universal testing is important because lead poisoning is a silent threat. It is ridiculous that testing is only optional for now. Why is the advice of a medical professional just being brushed aside? The Custody Health Services Department states that there is no public health or other guidance that recommends universally screening adolescents or young adults. This is infuriating when there are heaps of research that show how detrimental lead poisoning can be on development. How can we expect these incarcerated youth to change their behavior if they now have another barrier to overcome learning disabilities. San Franciscos Redistricting Task Force ratified its final map of new supervisorial districts, putting in place deeply contested boundaries that break up the Tenderloin and South of Market despite community backlash. Task force members voted 5-4 Thursday in favor of adopting the map, one week after they had approved it as a final draft in the wake of a turbulent and unpredictable process. The task forces vote came two weeks after it missed a crucial deadline set by the City Charter, prompting a lawsuit. A once-in-a-decade process required to update the 11 supervisorial districts to account for population changes, San Franciscos latest redistricting efforts have been beset by controversy in recent weeks. Various community groups have staged rallies to protest boundaries and public comment periods have lasted hours, as people passionately demanded changes to various maps. The close vote at City Hall came after the volunteers on the task force spoke in frank and even emotional terms about the remarkably bitter process that surrounded their actions and the reasons they were supporting or opposing the new boundaries. Task force member Chasel Lee, who supported the map, said the divisions among city residents that arose in the lead-up to the new districts approval were always there. This map did not create these divisions. This map exposed us for who we really are, Lee said. Previous maps papered over those divisions. They hid them. And then we pretended not to know that they existed. By moving some neighborhoods into different districts, the map could affect the political balance on the Board of Supervisors. The new boundaries have already been strongly resisted by some of the citys leading progressives, who said it would break up like-minded communities and dilute their influence. All three of the boards appointees to the task force voted against the map. All three of Mayor London Breeds appointees voted in favor. Two of the Elections Commission appointees backed the map; one did not. Three of the nine task force members faced potential removal at one point, four of them walked out at another and some opponents of the map approved Thursday have previously threatened litigation. A core issue for the task force was how to redraw the boundaries of District Six, which had grown 30% above the target population of about 80,000 people, in large part because of new housing projects. The new map resolves the increase in population largely by moving the Tenderloin into District Five, separating it from SoMa over the objections of many community groups and residents who spoke out against the split. Leaders in both neighborhoods said they wanted to remain in the same district because of their longstanding relationships with each other. The citys Transgender District spans part of the Tenderloin and SoMa, for example, and other organizations representing LGBTQ and Filipino people, among others, said their communities would be hurt by the change. Task force member Chema Hernandez Gil sharply criticized the map, saying it divides some of the citys most marginalized and vulnerable people, including in the Tenderloin. These are communities of interest that should be in the same district, Hernandez Gil said. I believe that this can only be described as intentional gerrymandering. But keeping the Tenderloin and SoMa together would have required other changes to District Six, probably by moving the East Cut into District Three. 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. A majority of the task force did not want to make that change, and some argued that it made sense to link low-income communities of color in the Tenderloin with similar populations in the Fillmore area of District Five. This was always going to be the central challenge in the entire map, said task force member Matthew Castillon. We could not keep everything together within District Six. It was just not mathematically possible to do that. Castillon voted to approve the map, as did members Chasel Lee, the Rev. Arnold Townsend, Ditka Reiner and Lily Ho. Members Hernandez Gil, Jeremy Lee, Raynell Cooper and J. Michelle Pierce dissented. After the task force missed its deadline to approve new district lines before April 15, three people sued the group and asked a judge to intervene. But Todd David, one of the plaintiffs, said the litigation is unlikely to move forward now. I cant think of any reason that we would continue with the lawsuit, David said. What we wanted was for the maps to be finalized. The maps are finalized. ... It seems to me like this is done. Unless the new map is somehow stalled or undone through a different lawsuit, it will be in place for the November election, when the District Six supervisor seat will be on the ballot. Supervisor Matt Haney represents the district but is about to join the state Assembly this week. Breed will appoint his replacement, who would have to run for election in November alongside other candidates. In the meantime, the new district boundaries went into effect immediately upon the task forces final vote, according to the City Attorneys Office. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris The Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., is set to receive a new piece for its permanent collection that commemorates San Franciscos Asian American communities protesting racism and discrimination related to COVID-19. The San Francisco Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association will donate a banner that its members used during a February 2020 march in Chinatown, said board member Ding Bong Lee. The 20-foot, bright red banner that reads Fight the Virus, NOT the People in English and Chinese will be the largest COVID-19-related object that the Smithsonian museum will add to its collection, according to museum officials. In 2020, three Smithsonian museums announced initiatives to collect COVID related artifacts to document the pandemic. The museum also received a donated digital image by Lucy Xie that show community leaders marching with the red banner on the day of the march. We are so excited, Bong Lee told The Chronicle on Thursday. The banner will educate our next generation (about) the virus and the hate crimes that arose from the pandemic against Chinese and Asian American communities, he said. We have to pay attention to fight back, he added. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the Bay Area and the United States reported an uptick in racist and xenophobic incidents after the first cases of coronavirus were reported in the country. Bong Lee said San Franciscos Chinatown felt the brunt of the racism and xenophobia as fewer customers visited the historic neighborhoods businesses and restaurants. In response to the racism against Chinese and Asian American communities, hundreds of residents marched from Portsmouth Square in Chinatown to Union Square on Feb. 29, 2020. They carried signs that read Reject fear and racism and Time for science, not rumors, The march is believed to be one of the first protests in the country against COVID-19 related hate crimes directed at Asian Americans and to support Chinese American businesses in San Francisco, according to Smithsonian museum officials. We decided to speak out, have a voice, to say, hey, we all suffer from the virus, too. We are not the enemy, Bong Lee said. Four months later, in June, Bong Lee said Smithsonian museum officials reached out to him to inquire about the banner. In May 2020, three Smithsonian museums the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Anacostia Community Museum announced they were launching projects that aimed to collect COVID-19 artifacts to document the pandemic and how people were impacted. Curators are now collecting and receiving donations from the second year of the pandemic. So far, museum officials said they have added numerous artifacts to its collections and have received more than 500 donation offers, including a 2020 test kit designed by UC Berkleys School of Public Health for an East Bay study to detect asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. 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, the Fight the virus, NOT the people banner, museum officials say, will be the largest object that the National Museum of American History will collect that is related to the pandemic. The San Francisco banner in just one artifact will allow us to capture and tell a number of stories that do tie to the pandemic, museum spokesperson Melinda Machado said in an email. She added that the banner was the most recent artifact being added to the museums collection. The banner ... expands on stories related to hate crimes against Asian Americans as well as the small business and community stories on how Chinatowns and other Asian American owned businesses were affected, she said. Other artifacts collected from San Francisco include more than 70 digital photos by photographer Brandon Buzas that captured the city during the early days of the pandemic and the shelter-in-place orders. Machado said travel restrictions and the ongoing pandemic postponed a donation ceremony where the museums officials and curator were scheduled to accept the banner in person from the San Francisco Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. That ceremony will now take place May 10 at the associations headquarters at 843 Stockton St. Jessica Flores (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores In San Francisco, a plan to give city-funded child care and preschool workers a big raise to a livable wage seeks to solve a shortage of early educators while making it easier for families to remain in the city. Under a $60 million initiative announced Thursday, city officials will give 2,000 workers in taxpayer-funded preschool and child care programs, including community sites and those in private homes, up to a $30,000 raise starting later this year. The early childhood educators will start to see the money in their taxpayer-funded paychecks as of July 1, using funding already allocated for the effort. The hope is to not only lure and retain preschool and child care workers in the city, but also expand the availability of subsidized programs for low- and middle-income families, with children from birth through age 5. City officials said a pervasive shortage of early child educators and the high cost of living in the city result in a shortage of affordable care for families. Mayor London Breed is expected to include ongoing funding for the educator raises in her pending budget proposal, officials said. This is part of our commitment to do more for children and families in this city, she said in a statement to The Chronicle. We know that strengthening early childcare by supporting our educators will make a long-term difference in the lives of kids born and raised in this city. The money is part of tax funds collected under Proposition C, a commercial rent tax passed by voters in 2018, but held up in the courts until last year. Its been a long, long, long wait, said Ingrid Mezquita, executive director of the San Francisco Office of Early Care and Education. We are really hoping with these resources we attract more people in early education. Currently, many of the people working in community preschool programs and home-based care make $18 to $20 an hour, Mezquita said. Thats hard in San Francisco, she said, adding the majority of the workers are women of color. Were really trying to professionalize the field. Under the initiative, they would earn no less than $28 per hour, bringing them closer to preschool teachers working for the school district, Mezquita added. Thats at least an $8,000 annual raise for the educators. These were the workers who were on the front lines during the pandemic, part of essential services, she said. 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 we are saying you are valued, Mezquita said. Prop. C, the Babies and Family Fund, is expected to raise about $120 million annually, with up to half going to worker pay. The rest is expected to provide subsidies, build facilities and pay for teacher education programs. The city has been collecting the tax during the legal challenge, with about $300 million raised over the past three years. That money is now available to spend. The city will be communicating with providers in the coming weeks with information about the plan and eligibility. Mezquita, in the meantime, said she cant wait to start cutting the checks. Its long awaited, she said. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate There is a secret room in Glassdoors new San Francisco headquarters on the 17th floor of 300 Mission St. Push a button and a nondescript wall mechanically opens to reveal an old-time-style speakeasy complete with moody lamplight, navy-blue vinyl booths and a beckoning display of various whiskey, gin and other bottles of varied hues and shapes. But this isnt where fat cats come to make backroom deals: Its one of the cheeky treats for employees in the companys redesigned office. The company soft-opened the space last month after the pandemic delayed the move from its former Marin County headquarters for more than two years. Along with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, the two-floor suite of offices features a video game room complete with soundproofing and a Darth Vader bust, art installations paying homage to company values like grit and a constellation of settings for people to work alone, in groups or with remote colleagues. That meant the originally planned rows of desks, of which there are still some, gave way to a more open space the company hopes will foster spontaneous run-ins and a collaborative atmosphere. The space makes it easy to hang out and talk, while still offering phone booths and sectioned-off desks where employees can slip away to work or take a call. Its all meant to cater to the emerging hybrid style of work, while keeping employees happy and attracting new ones. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle But despite the colorful wallpaper, upbeat music piped into work spaces and conference rooms with names like Krusty Krab (a nod to the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon), CEO Christian Sutherland-Wong said the office alone, no matter how comfortable and convenient, may not be enough to attract the kinds of people Glassdoor, a website that lets employees post ratings of their employers and other company information, needs to continue growing. I think the majority of people we are hiring today are outside of one of our traditional office locations, which include spaces in Chicago and Ohio, Sutherland-Wong said. And he expects that trend to continue. Its one way Glassdoors Work Where You Want policy has been a boon for the company, he said. Their previous headquarters in Marin County and the commute there made it harder to attract people to come on board. We started to outgrow Marin, he said. We wanted to connect with talent who often wouldnt want to commute. With tech talent less focused in San Francisco and the Bay Area than before the pandemic, Sutherland-Wong said being able to hire people anywhere has made it easier to compete with other companies for the right hire, and opened up more ways to bring people from diverse backgrounds into the fold. The increasingly cramped confines of the Marin office were a big reason the company originally leased four floors in the downtown San Francisco building, with a move-in date of March 2020. After the pandemic redefined where many people work, Glassdoor decided it needed only two of the four floors. It eventually subleased one floor to eBay and is looking for another taker for the other. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The company had also been planning to hire around 300 people to add to its pre-pandemic head count of about 1,000, but was forced, like many companies during the pandemic, to lay off 300 people instead. Glassdoor counts about 750 total employees these days, many of whom are not in the Bay Area, further depleting the need for a more sizable space. Sutherland-Wong said the company is growing at a higher rate than before the pandemic, but didnt have a specific hiring target number. The company was founded in Novato in 2007 before moving to Sausalito, and once more to Mill Valley in 2014. Glassdoors website lets employees review their companies anonymously and provide salary data and other insights. The site also serves as a job board and recruiting resource for companies. While the new space offers a smorgasbord of work environments cozy two-chair-and-a-screen setups for small Zoom gatherings, diner-style booth seating for meals or meetings, and floor-to-ceiling whiteboards in some places for spontaneous ideation only about 30 or 40 people have been showing up on most days, with the exception of Tuesdays all-hands meeting, which drew a bigger crowd. Thats out of around 240 employees who live in the greater Bay Area and could make it into the office on a given day. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The space had to be partially redesigned in the summer of 2020 to cater to a collaborative work environment, where most people are coming into the office to interact with others, instead of doing heads-down work, said Glassdoor Chief People Officer Carina Cortez. With the clip of remote hiring expected to continue, Sutherland-Wong said work flexibility itself was an increasingly strong recruiting tool, perhaps outstripping even the allure of stocked bars and game rooms. A company survey of more than 600 employees last month found 58% plan to work remotely full time in the future, while the rest intended to spend some time in person. One study by Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom found that employees were much less likely to quit if allowed to work remotely two or three days a week, instead of being on site for a full five-day workweek. The desire for flexibility long-term is clear, Sutherland-Wong said. We are hiring in a really tight labor market, so it feels crazy to try and buck that trend. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes That flexibility is part of what drew Emily Sung, a manager in recruiting operations, to come on board last year. Being able to still feel that team environment without always physically being together, along with a focus on diversity goals, made the choice easy, she said. Sung said she commutes from Fremont three days a week, avoiding Mondays and Fridays, even though most of her team is in Chicago. She said she gets energy from connecting with people in person, especially after so much time spent working from home. Shes taken most of the different work spaces in the office for a spin, but said her favorite is one corner area called The Birdcage, which features an open design and views of the Ferry Building. Sutherland-Wong said the future is always open to change depending on how the space gets used. He mentioned ideas like opening smaller satellite offices for remote workers, and didnt rule out subletting more space and having fewer desks if they werent needed. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Gathering that data on how things are used or not includes running employee surveys, but also tracking who is in the office through software made by Envoy, as well as sensors in conference rooms and elsewhere that detect heat signatures and can tell how long and how many people were in a space. I dont think weve reached a stable state yet, as far as understanding how the space will be used and and how best to create those serendipitous run-ins with co-workers, Sutherland-Wong said, adding he is still deciding the right amount of time to come in as the CEO. Im still figuring out what I want to do in terms of the number of days I want to come in, he said, adding that he was still asking himself if three days a week was the right blend of office and home time. I need to kind of have a greater set of data to work out the value of those serendipitous moments, plus those connection points versus the commute and all the other things I just could have done at home, he said. One thing is for sure: The speakeasy will still be open for business, whether he shows up or not. Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice Arna Kimiai, the woman who made headlines in 2021 after video footage showed her coughing on a San Francisco Uber driver, is back in the news. Kimiai was apprehended by the Miami Police Department on Wednesday night. A spokesperson for the department said potential charges include fraud theft, organized scheme to defraud and fraudulent use of personal information. ABC7 reported that Kimiai stole the identity of her neighbor, a San Francisco oncology nurse. Emily, who asked the outlet not use her last name, said she lived next door to Kimiai in Los Angeles in September before moving to San Francisco. Emily told the news station that Kimiai rented a Miami penthouse and set up an electric account with Florida Power and Light in her name. The San Francisco Police Department said an individual came into the Southern Police Station on April 5 to report fraud. "The victim stated that in March of 2022 that she received multiple inquiries from her credit card company regarding an apartment in Florida and a vehicle dealership in Southern California, which she did not initiate," San Francisco police said. "The victim reported this incident because she believes that she is a victim of fraud and/or identity theft." SF police said the individual came back to the department, providing additional details from her own investigation, including the identity of the possible suspect. SFPD didn't share the name of the suspect. Kimiai turned herself in after a warrant for her arrest was issued. "As soon as Ms. Kimiai learned that there was a warrant for her arrest, she immediately arranged for her surrender to the Miami Police Dept.," Kimia's Berkeley lawyer, Seth Morris, wrote in an email on Thursday. "She surrendered last night, has been booked and is being processed, and should be released today." Kimiai was first in the news more than a year ago when dashcam footage from March 7, 2021 showed her and another woman, Malaysia King, allegedly attacking, harassing and coughing on Uber driver Subhakar Khadka. After Kimiai and King refused to wear masks, "an altercation ensued, largely captured on video, and one of the passengers reached over the driver from the rear seat area and stole the drivers cellphone." the San Francisco Police Department said. The video footage shared by KPIX-TV went viral, and many were shocked by the women's attack on the driver. The behavior captured on video in this incident showed a callous disregard for the safety and wellbeing of an essential service worker in the midst of a deadly pandemic," Lt. Tracy McCray, who heads the departments robbery detail, said in a statement. "We take this conduct very seriously in San Francisco, and were committed to ensuring that justice is done in this case. Kimiai's case over the Uber incident is ongoing. She's scheduled to appear in court next in June, ABC7 reported. A third woman who was in the car wasnt charged, but Uber said it banned all three riders. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Masks are required again on the San Francisco Bay Areas largest transit system, and the mandate will be in effect on BART trains until July 18, unless its extended again. In a 7-0 vote, the BART Board of Directors voted Wednesday to bring back masks after a Florida federal court decision last week eliminated the mask mandate on public transportation and airplanes nationwide. simonkr/Getty Images A Terra Linda High School teacher was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly teaching class while under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs and cannabis, KRON reported. The teacher, 46-year-old Teagen Leonhart, was held in Marin County Jail and charged with public intoxication and child endangerment. The outlet says she was responsible for 53 students during her workday and had taught classes all morning. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Digital Realty Trust Inc. (DLR) on Thursday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results matched Wall Street expectations. The Austin, Texas-based real estate investment trust said it had funds from operations of $484.5 million, or $1.67 per share, in the period. Elon Musk had a plan to buy Twitter and undo its content-moderation policies. On Tuesday, just a day after reaching his $44 billion deal to buy the company, Musk was already at work on his agenda. He tweeted that past moderation decisions by a top Twitter lawyer were obviously incredibly inappropriate. Later, he shared a meme mocking the lawyer, sparking a torrent of attacks from other Twitter users. Musks personal critique was a rough reminder of what faces employees who create and enforce Twitters complex contention-moderation policies. His vision for the company would take it right back to where it started, employees said, and force Twitter to relive the past decade. Twitter executives who created the rules said they had once held views about online speech that were similar to Musks. They believed Twitters policies should be limited, mimicking local laws. But more than a decade of grappling with violence, harassment and election tampering changed their minds. Now many executives at Twitter and other social media companies view their content-moderation policies as essential safeguards to protect speech. The question is whether Musk, too, will change his mind when confronted with the darkest corners of Twitter. You have said that you want more free speech and less moderation on Twitter. What will this mean in practice? Twitter employees wrote in an internal list of questions they hoped to ask Musk and which was seen by The New York Times. Another question asked, Some people interpret your arguments in defense of free speech as a desire to open the door back up for harassment. Is that true? And if not, do you have ideas for how to both increase free speech and keep the door closed on harassment? Musk has been unmoved by warnings that his plans are misguided. The extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all, he tweeted Tuesday. He went on to criticize the work of Vijaya Gadde and Jim Baker, two of Twitters top lawyers. Gadde has led Twitters policy teams for more than a decade, often handling complicated moderation decisions, including the decision to cut off Donald Trump near the end of his term as president. A former general counsel for the FBI, Baker joined Twitter in 2020. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal did not directly respond to the criticism, but in a tweet, he wrote, Proud of our people who continue to do the work with focus and urgency despite the noise. Employees of Twitter and other social media companies said that Musk seemed to understand little about Twitters approach to content moderation and the problems that had led to its rules or that he just did not care. Some of the suggestions he has made, including labeling automated accounts, were in place before Musk launched his bid. Hes basically buying the position of being a rule-maker and a speech arbiter, said David Kaye, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, who worked with the United Nations on speech issues. That has been really fraught for everybody whos been in that position. In its early years as a small startup, Twitter was governed by one philosophy: The tweets must flow. That meant Twitter did little to moderate the conversations on its platform. Twitters founders took their cues from Blogger, a Google-owned publishing platform that several of them had helped build. They believed that any reprehensible content would be countered or drowned out by other users, said three employees who worked at Twitter during that time. Theres a certain amount of idealistic zeal that you have: If people just embrace it as a platform of self-expression, amazing things will happen, said Jason Goldman, who was on Twitters founding team and served on its board of directors. That mission is valuable, but it blinds you to think certain bad things that happen are bugs rather than equally weighted uses of the platform. The company typically removed content only if it contained spam or violated U.S. laws forbidding child exploitation and other criminal acts. In 2008, Twitter hired Del Harvey, its 25th employee and the first person it assigned the challenge of moderating content full time. The Arab Spring protests started in 2010, and Twitter became a megaphone for activists, reinforcing many employees belief that good speech would win out online. But Twitters power as a tool for harassment became clear in 2014 when it became the epicenter of Gamergate, a mass harassment campaign that flooded women in the video game industry with death and rape threats. If there are no rules against abuse and harassment, some people are at risk of being bullied into silence, and then you dont get the benefit of their voice, their perspective, their free expression, said Colin Crowell, Twitters former head of global public policy, who left the company in 2019. In response, Twitter began expanding its policies. But new threats emerged. In September 2016, a Russian troll farm quietly created 2,700 fake Twitter profiles and used them to sow discord about the upcoming presidential election between Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton. The profiles went undiscovered for months, while complaints about harassment continued. In 2017, Jack Dorsey, CEO at the time, declared that policy enforcement would become the companys top priority. Later that year, women boycotted Twitter during the #MeToo movement, and Dorsey acknowledged the company was still not doing enough. He announced a list of content that the company would no longer tolerate: nude images shared without the consent of the person pictured, hate symbols and tweets that glorified violence. In 2018, Twitter banned several accounts linked to the hack-and-leak operation that exposed Clintons campaign emails, and it began suspending right-wing figures such as Alex Jones from its service because they repeatedly violated policies. The next year, Twitter rolled out new policies that were intended to prevent the spread of misinformation in future elections, banning tweets that could dissuade people from voting or mislead them about how to do so. Dorsey banned all forms of political advertising but often left difficult moderation decisions to Gadde. Twitter also developed a strategy that would allow it to keep up more tweets: Rather than remove them, it added labels to tweets that contained misinformation about elections and limited their ability to spread quickly across the platform. In preparation for the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Twitter banned manipulated videos known as deepfakes and forbade users to share material obtained through hacking campaigns. That policy was tested when the New York Post published an article containing emails purportedly obtained from the laptop of President Joe Biden's son Hunter. Fearing that the materials came from a hack-and-leak operation, Twitter blocked the article from being shared on its platform. Dorsey publicly disagreed with the decision. Days later, Gadde announced that the policy had been changed and that Twitter would allow the Post article to appear in tweets. The episode has become a linchpin in conservative critiques of Twitter and was echoed in Musks critique of Gadde. Musk said he wanted to return Twitter to its early days, when only illegal content was removed. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law, Musk tweeted Tuesday. Musks plans could also face legal problems in Europe. On Saturday, European policymakers reached an agreement on landmark legislation called the Digital Services Act, which requires social media platforms such as Twitter to more aggressively police their services for hate speech, misinformation and illicit content. The new law will require Twitter and other social media companies with more than 45 million users in the European Union to conduct annual risk assessments about the spread of harmful content on their platforms and outline plans to combat the problem. If they are not seen as doing enough, the companies can be fined up to 6% of their global revenue or even be banned from the EU for repeat offenses. Inside Twitter, frustrations have mounted over Musks moderation plans, and some employees have wondered if he would really halt their work during such a critical moment, when they are set to begin moderating tweets about elections in Brazil and another national election in the United States. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. JERICHO, N.Y. (AP) _ Kimco Realty Corp. (KIM) on Thursday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The real estate investment trust, based in Jericho, New York, said it had funds from operations of $240.6 million, or 39 cents per share, in the period. Blair Heagerty / SFGate On Wednesday, the James Beard Foundation announced its latest batch of nominations: the Media Awards. Three Bay Area chefs and cookbook authors made it onto the list of nominees. Brandon Jew, the chef-owner of Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurant Mister Jius, and co-author Tienlon Ho were nominated in the restaurant and professional category for their cookbook Mister Jius in Chinatown: Recipes and Stories From the Birthplace of Chinese American Food. If youve walked past Swan Oyster Depot recently, you may have noticed a new sturdy metal gate dividing its front entrance from the busy streets outside. Co-owner Steve Sancimino refers to the gate as the seafood restaurants moat and one he hopes will hinder the recurring vandalism the business has dealt with in the last few months. Weve resorted to protecting ourselves with an iron gate, Sancimino told SFGATE. The celebrated and controversial 110-year-old restaurant saw a steady rise in smashed windows over the last three years, but Sancimino says vandalism began to ramp up beginning in February when the restaurants storefront windows were smashed early that month, followed by another incident in late February and a third in mid-March. KNTV first reported the defacement at Swan Oyster Depot. By that point, the Sancimino family was fed up with paying about $900 out of pocket each time to replace the damaged windows, so it decided to invest between $5,000 and $10,000 on the iron gate that was installed a week ago. Each time a window was broken, Sancimino said they couldnt make out the person responsible from security footage since they were masked but found that the perpetrators never tried to break into the shop itself. Sancimino added that his restaurant hasnt been the only one affected on the block either. When you walk through our neighborhood, its the same thing, Sancimino said. Most [business owners] walk through these land mines and accept it as the new norm. Its hard to accept it, but we have. Its not like people are breaking in and stealing things. They just break the stores and go on to the next. Its senseless. Courtesy of Swan Oyster Depot This recent string of vandalism at Swan Oyster Depot has been demoralizing for Sancimino, especially as he points to dead-end results produced from filing police reports. He also believes the city can do more to assist small businesses in addressing vandalism. Last September, Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Gordon Mar launched the Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant, which allowed business owners to receive up to $2,000 worth of support for storefront vandalism, which included graffiti or damaged doors, windows or locks. Its unclear how many businesses have applied to the grant since its start. The total number of property crimes is hard to measure since many of them go unreported to San Francisco police, as other business owners have previously told SFGATE, but SFGATE found that San Francisco has also had higher rates of property crimes within the last five years compared to other major cities around the country. Still, in looking at citywide crime data gathered by the San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco has seen a decrease in overall crime rates compared to pre-pandemic levels. Sancimino reports that no vandalism issues have occurred in the week since installing the metal barrier. He shared that during his 50 years of working at the business, he hasnt seen as much vandalism as he has during the past three years. Dealing with this spike throughout the pandemic, he says, has made it all the more challenging. We never closed during COVID, Sancimino said. Its almost like a double whammy. A New Britain man was sentenced Tuesday to six years in federal prison after authorities said he sold cocaine and crack cocaine as part of a network throughout the Hartford region. Aaron Clayton, 54, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in September, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a news release. He pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in September. The office said the arrest was part of a joint investigation by the FBI and Norwich, New London and Hartford police into a narcotics distribution network that stretched from southeastern Connecticut to the Hartford, New Britain and Waterbury areas. That revealed that Clayton purchased large quantities of cocaine from an associate, converted some of the cocaine to crack, and then sold both cocaine and crack to drug distributors and users, a press release said. Authorities searched Claytons home and two other homes connected to the drug trafficking, seizing three kilos of cocaine and some $100,000 in cash, the office said. Clayton and eight others were indicted on June 30, 2020. He was arrested the following day. In a sentencing memo, Claytons attorney, Stephen Manning, described his clients childhood as characterized by poverty, uncertainty, chaos, violence and brutality. Born in the New Britain projects, Claytons father left when he was young, Manning wrote, leaving Clayton with his mother and two other siblings. Arrested and expelled from high school, he opted to join the Navy at the age of 17 to resolve the case. He left after two years following the death of his brother in police custody. Manning also noted Claytons charitable work in the community. For a significant number of years, Mr. Clayton and his family have devoted time, energy and resources to helping community members who are in need, including the homeless, the memo reads. He asked the judge to limit the sentence to 60 months, writing that the impact on his family will be the greatest punishment that Mr. Clayton will bear from the imprisonment that will result from his offense. But the government argued that despite Claytons good deeds in the community, the fact remains that Mr. Clayton was a manager and supervisor in a pernicious multi-city drug network. Although the Government is sympathetic to Mr. Claytons family situation, in many waysit only exacerbates his culpability. He had every reason to be a responsible, dependable adult, Margaret M. Donovan, a federal prosecutor, wrote in the governments sentencing memo. Instead, he deviated from his steady job and loving family, and has now placed his loved ones in a tremendously difficult position. Clayton, also known as Ace, also faces four years of supervised release upon the conclusion of his prison sentence, the news release said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) Heavy gunfire echoed Thursday in a once quiet neighborhood in Haitis capital that has become ground zero in a gang fight that has has killed at least 20 people, injured more than a dozen and forced thousands to flee their homes this week. Parents grabbed children by the hands as they balanced bags on their heads with the few belongings they could salvage after gang members ousted them from their homes. The fighting raging in four districts on the nothern side of Port-au-Prince is a new peak in the criminal violence that has surged as increasingly powerful gangs try to control more territory during the political power vacuum left by the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. I left everything behind, said Kerline Brutus, 35, who fled with her three children from one of the neighborhoods, Butte Boyer, a long quiet district where she has lived more than 25 years. She had to abandon her 96-year-old paralyzed father because she couldnt carry him. I dont know how hes doing, if hes still alive, she said. Brutus said she keeps praying for him as she struggles to find shelter for her family. They have been huddling under the front step of a store with an awning that protects them from the rain, but she is looking for more permanent shelter. It seems like this country has no authorities. No one came here to see us. We dont know how long were going to be here or how long this is going to last, she said, echoing the frustration of Haitians over the rise in violence. Some 100 police officers carrying automatic weapons spread through the neighborhood checking people and their belongings, but barrages of gunfire rang out nearby. The administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry has struggled to improve security even as it gets help from the international community to boost an understaffed and underfunded police department. Defenders Plus, a local human rights group, accused political leaders of being careless, incompetent and unable to ensure one of the basic functions of any State: the security of its territory. It also demanded that authorities assume their responsibilities in order to guarantee the population's right to life and security. Government officials did not return calls for comment. Authorities said the fighting between a gang known as Chen Mechan (Bad Dog in Haitian Creole) and the 400 Mawozo gang, which kidnapped 17 U.S. missionaires last year, began Sunday. The 400 Mawozo gang is considered the more powerful of the two and has long been accused of kidnapping and other violent acts. Government officials have said they worry the violence in that area will worsen and that people will continue to flee. This almost cost me my life because they broke into my home and had me lay on the ground, said Melissa Vital, 25, who has a 3-year-old daughter. Luckily my boyfriend wasnt there because they were killing men that they found in houses. She said the gang members ordered her and her daughter to leave their home in Butte Boyer. I dont know where to go right now, Vital said, adding that she is feeling weak because she is still breastfeeding her daughter but hasnt had much to eat. Ive been with the same clothes since Sunday. Thousands of Haitians affected by a surge of gang violence last year in the Martissan community in the south of Port-au-Prince are still living in crowded and unhygienic government shelters, and it isn't clear where newly displaced families will go. Emmanuel Piersaint, a coordinator with Haitis Civil Protection Agency, told The Associated Press that officials provided displaced families with toiletry kits and gave them dishes of spaghetti, rice and beans. We hope the situation will not worsen, he said. Authorities say the fighting in the Butte Boyer, Croix-des-Missions, Marecage and Mapou neighborhoods could block the main roads leading to Haitis northern region. Warring gangs already occupy the main road leading to Haitis south, making it difficult for aid to reach those affected by a deadly earthquake last year. ___ Associated Press reporter Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report. Currently Reading Alert: Israeli police say Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's family has received 2nd death threat, another bullet in the mail SEATTLE (AP) The Archdiocese of Seattle said Thursday it will pay $375,000 to settle two separate claims of sexual abuse in the 1970s and 1980s. The Roman Catholic archdiocese said in a news release that it settled a case involving allegations of childhood sexual abuse in the early to mid-1970s by David Pearson, a volunteer at St. Joseph Parish in Issaquah. Pearson has died. WASHINGTON - The White House on Thursday announced a proposal to allow U.S. authorities to liquidate the assets of Russian oligarchs and donate the proceeds to Ukraine, seeking what appears to be broad new legal powers to expand America's financial war on the Kremlin. President Joe Biden will send the new plan to Congress as part of his broader request for aid to help the Ukrainians fight Russia's invasion. The White House has not revealed legislative text but said the proposal "would improve" the federal government's ability to send the purposed Russian oligarch assets to Ukraine. Under current law, the U.S. can typically only freeze - not seize or liquidate - the assets of sanctioned individuals. Civil liberties groups had raised concerned that prior congressional proposals to do so ran afoul of constitutional protections by allowing federal law enforcement to circumvent judicial procedure. It was not immediately clear how the White House would seek to change existing statute without violating those protections. "This package of proposals will establish new authorities for the forfeiture of property linked to Russian kleptocracy, allow the government to use the proceeds to support Ukraine, and further strengthen related law enforcement tools," the White House said in a fact sheet. The White House said its plan was released in close coordination with the Treasury Department, State Department, and Commerce Department. Attorney General Merrick Garland previously told congressional lawmakers that he supports the efforts to repurpose seized Russian funds to Ukraine. But even some senior Biden administration officials had emphasized the need for caution around a potentially significant change in precedent to U.S. seizure law. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told reporters last week that lawmakers needed to be careful when asked about a plan to give to the Ukrainians billions of dollars in seized Russian bank reserves. "I would say that is very significant, and it is one that we would carefully need to think through the consequences of before undertaking it," Yellen told reporters last week. "I wouldn't want to do so lightly and it's something that I think our coalition and partners would need to feel comfortable with and be supportive of." The new powers sought by the White House reflect the pressure on the western allies to intensify its economic campaign against Russia over its ongoing war against Ukraine. The Biden administration's proposal also includes a directive to make it a federal crime to "knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government," and the western allies are coordinating a response to Russia's move to cut off natural gas to two NATO countries. The latest White House proposal also calls for improving money laundering protections and would give the U.S. the authority to seize proceeds of attempts to facilitate the evasion of sanctions. From the beginning of the invasion, the Biden administration has led an international financial attack on those close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including by seizing assets such as ships, luxury real estate and private aircraft. Global law enforcement has also ramped up the hunt for their assets. The effectiveness of such measures in deterring the war and helping the Ukrainians has been less clear. The amount of Russian oligarch assets potentially available to U.S. authorities is unknown, in part because federal law enables the oligarchs to effectively disguise their assets. The U.S. Treasury, the administration said in the statement, "has sanctioned and blocked vessels and aircraft worth over $1 billion, as well as frozen hundreds of millions of dollars of assets belonging to Russian elites in U.S. bank accounts." Earlier this month, U.S. authorities seized a 255-foot, $90 million yacht in Spain owned by Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg. Spanish authorities moved to freeze the vessel after the Justice Department obtained a seizure warrant seeking forfeiture in federal court in Washington, alleging U.S. bank fraud, money laundering and sanctions violations. These are relatively minor figures compared to the $84 billion in damages Ukraine has suffered to its civilian infrastructure alone, according to estimates by economists at the Kyiv School of Economics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week said his country had so far suffered $550 billion in economic damage since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. Some Russia experts have also said the oligarch sanctions could backfire by alienating Russia's financial elite from the west and leading them to closer ties with the Kremlin. But the administration's move comes in response to growing congressional clamor to repurpose the Russian oligarch assets. The House passed a mostly symbolic bill Wednesday urging Biden to liquidate assets worth over $5 million belonging to those targeted with sanctions from the U.S. government and send the proceeds to Ukraine. It cruised through with bipartisan support in a 417-8 vote. A Senate proposal has backing from Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss. A prior version of the House bill would have gone further, giving the president that authority, but it was scuttled after the American Civil Liberties Union warned it could run afoul of the Constitution's due-process protections because it did not allow its targets to challenge the government's actions in court. ACLU officials said the measure probably would have been struck down by the judicial branch if enacted as proposed, giving Russia a potential propaganda victory over the United States. The House bill says the funds should be used for weapons for Ukraine's military, the country's reconstruction, humanitarian aid for refugees, and assistance for the Russian people. "The question is where the jurisdiction is, and do these oligarchs have standing to protect their property," said Ariel Cohen, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council Eurasia Center and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. "I'm not necessarily in favor of property being seized without due process . . . What is the source of law to seize, let alone dispose, of these assets?" The amount the Biden administration will seek in aid to Ukraine was not immediately clear. On Monday, Ukraine's finance minister said the country is seeking at least $5 billion per month in international emergency aid. - - - The Washington Post's Andrew Jeong and Spencer S. Hsu contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden said Thursday that he's taking a hard look at canceling additional federal student loan debt and will reach a decision within a month. I am considering dealing with some debt reduction, Biden told reporters in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. The comments came days after Biden had a private meeting with Democratic lawmakers who pressed him on the issue. One of the lawmakers, Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., said afterwards that Biden disclosed he was exploring the possibility. However, Biden signaled in his Thursday remarks that he wouldn't go as far as some activists want, saying $50,000 in debt forgiveness was not under consideration. He did not give a number for what he was considering. I'm in the process of taking a hard look at whether or not there will be additional debt forgiveness, he said. "And Ill have an answer on that in the next couple of weeks. During his campaign, Biden said he wanted to immediately cancel at least $10,000 in student debt per person. So far he's repeatedly extended a pause on requiring borrowers to repay their loans, a moratorium that was put in place under then-President Donald Trump near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although activists have been encouraged by their increasing traction on this issue, some said they were concerned that Biden wouldn't go far enough. President Biden, we agree that we shouldnt cancel $50,000 in student loan debt. We should cancel all of it, said Wisdom Cole, national director of the NAACP Youth & College Division. $50,000 was just the bottom line. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that Biden was still considering whether to tie debt relief to borrowers' income levels, an idea he's floated in the past. She said it's certainly something he would be looking at. She rejected criticism from Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and others that debt relief amounts to a political giveaway. Biden's goal, Psaki said, is to continue to provide relief to people who need it most, to help people get some extra breathing room. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Californias budget surplus has more than doubled since January to a staggering $68 billion, Senate Democrats said Thursday, prompting a flurry of new spending proposals from lawmakers that include giving $8 billion back to taxpayers in a move that highlights a disagreement with Gov. Gavin Newsom. While the pandemic had prompted warnings of multibillion-dollar budget deficits in most states, those fears did not happen as tax revenues across the country increased despite coronavirus-related shutdowns on businesses that caused millions to lose their jobs. This revenue whiplash was most pronounced in California, the nation's most populous state that is home to Silicon Valley and many billionaires. Newsom warned the state would have a $54 billion deficit in 2020 after he issued the nation's first statewide stay-at-home order. Instead, revenues rose sharply as wealthy people who pay much higher taxes in California got richer throughout the pandemic. Last year, California's budget included a $47 billion surplus, which was a record at the time. Thursday's new estimate based on preliminary numbers from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office confirms California is on track to blow by that number this year. The $68 billion surplus in California's general fund would be more than double the $29 billion figure Newsom announced in January. In addition, California is projected to have a $37 billion surplus that must be spent on education an increase from the $16.1 billion Newsom announced in January. The Newsom administration will update its budget proposal by May 15. Thursday, Democrats who have a majority of seats in the state Legislature announced how they would spend that money. Their plan confirms most of what Newsom announced in January, with some new proposals. One of the biggest additions is a plan to send $200 checks to every taxpayer who makes less than $125,000 per year, or $250,000 per year for couples who file joint returns. The plan would also guarantee $200 checks for every dependent, meaning a family of five would get $1,000. That proposal puts Democrats at odds with Newsom, who wants to send checks as large as $800 to people who own cars in California to help offset record-high gas prices. Newsom says his plan will cost about $9 billion. Both Newsom and Democratic lawmakers have said they want to get this money to taxpayers as soon as possible. But so far, they havent been able to agree on how to do it. In general, Democratic lawmakers say they don't like Newsoms plan because the money would only go to people who own cars. Newsoms plan also includes $750 million to give people free rides on public transit for three months. We stand ready to act as soon as the Governor joins us in supporting a plan that provides stronger relief for California families, the Legislatures top two leaders, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, said in a joint statement earlier this week. California's gas tax increases slightly each year because of inflation. The tax is scheduled to increase about 3 cents per gallon on July 1. Newsom had proposed a bill that would halt that increase this year, which must pass before Sunday to have enough time to take effect. But Democratic leaders in the state Legislature never called it for a vote. Republicans, meanwhile, want to temporarily suspend the state's gas tax, which at 51.1 cents per gallon is the second-highest in the country. Thursday, a small group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers revealed a plan that would suspend the entire gas tax for a year, while ordering that the savings be passed on to drivers instead of oil companies. But legislative leaders have already said they won't do that, a sign the proposal likely doesn't have the support to pass. Beyond help for individuals, the proposal from Senate Democrats would also give billions of dollars in aid to small businesses. Businesses pay a tax that pays for people's unemployment benefits when they lose their job. But so many people lost their jobs during the pandemic that the fund ran out of money. California had to borrow money from the federal government, which businesses must pay back. Senate Democrats want to give rebates to businesses with 250 employees or fewer, which would offset some of those taxes. In addition, Democrats want to give about $500 million in grants to businesses with 150 employees or fewer to help pay for a new law that requires them to give workers up to two weeks of paid sick leave because of the coronavirus. The plan wouldnt just spend money. It would also put more money into the states savings accounts, bringing the states reserves to a total of $43.1 billion the most ever. Atkins, the Senate president pro tempore, said the plan is doubling down on our priorities by reinvesting California's wealth in those who need it most, especially struggling families and small businesses. The plan would spend another $3 billion to fight homelessness, or $1 billion more than Newsom proposed in January. Senate Republicans have asked for a $10 billion Mental Health Infrastructure Fund to help pay for care of the states homeless population, which includes many people with mental illnesses. But Republicans only control nine of the Senates 40 seats, meaning they cant pass their budget priorities on their own. Weve ignored the mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of far too many Californians for far too long, mostly because we have failed to invest in the facilities and workforce necessary to provide the needed help, Republican Sen. Patricia Bates said last week. The proposal from Senate Democrats only represents one side of budget negotiations. Any budget proposal must also be approved by the Democratic-controlled state Assembly and Newsom. ___ This story has been updated to correct the day the budget proposal was released. It was released Thursday, not Wednesday. CALGARY, Canada (AP) A Calgary man who traveled to Syria to join the militant group Islamic State pleaded guilty Thursday to terrorism-related activities. Hussein Borhot, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of participating in terrorism group activity between May 9 and June 7, 2014, and the commission of the offence of kidnapping for a terrorist group while in Syria. RCMP arrested him in July 2020 after a seven-year investigation which also involved the FBI and U.S. Department of Defense. An agreed statement of facts says Borhot traveled to Syria through Turkey to join the Islamic State. He signed up as a fighter, received substantial training and excelled as a sniper. He did not tell his wife about the trip, said the document. Court heard that Borhot revealed much of the information to an undercover officer after he returned to Canada. Borhot told the officer that he and some other Islamic State fighters traveled to a village, where they kidnapped a number of opposing fighters, said the document. He also said he had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State and expressed a desire to return and fight in Syria. Court of Queens Bench Justice David Labrenz accepted the pleas and adjourned the case to next month for a sentencing hearing. The maximum sentence on the second offence is life in prison. Borhot remains on bail with strict conditions, including wearing ankle-tracking devices, not applying for travel documents, and heeding a ban on having firearms, ammunition or explosives. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Most of the respondents to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress' spring survey say they support limiting the state's wolf population to 350 animals. The congress, an influential group of sportspeople who advise the state Department of Natural Resources on policy, holds a survey each spring gauging respondents' support for a wide range of outdoor and environmental proposals. This year's survey was conducted online earlier this month. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut legislators on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill that will provide up to $75 million in tax incentives to Sikorsky under an agreement Gov. Ned Lamont has said will keep the helicopter makers headquarters in the state for the next two decades. Lockheed Martin, the parent company of Sikorsky, is bidding on federal contracts for several new helicopter lines, including a replacement for the Black Hawk. The total amount of the state incentives will depend on how much work Sikorsky secures for its facility in Stratford, according to the governors office, which announced the deal last month. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) The Department of Homeland Security is stepping up an effort to counter disinformation coming from Russia as well as misleading information that human smugglers circulate to target migrants hoping to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border. The spread of disinformation can affect border security, Americans safety during disasters, and public trust in our democratic institutions, the department said in a statement Wednesday. It declined The Associated Press' request for an interview. A newly formed Disinformation Governance Board announced Wednesday will immediately begin focusing on misinformation aimed at migrants, a problem that has helped to fuel sudden surges at the U.S. southern border in recent years. Human smugglers often spread misinformation around border policies to drum up business. Last September, for example, confusion around President Joe Biden's immigration policies combined with messages shared widely across the Haitian community on Meta's Facebook and WhatsApp platforms led some of the 14,000 migrants to the border town of Del Rio, Texas, where they set up camp. Some were ultimately expelled and were flown out of the U.S. "We are very concerned that Haitians who are taking the irregular migration path are receiving misinformation that the border is open, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at the time. The new board also will monitor and prepare for Russian disinformation threats as this year's midterm elections near and the Kremlin continues an aggressive disinformation campaign around the war in Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly waged misinformation campaigns aimed at U.S. audiences to further divisions around election time and spread conspiracy theories around U.S. COVID-19 vaccines. Most recently, Russian state media outlets, social media accounts and officials have used the internet to call photographs, reporting and videos of dead bodies and bombed buildings in Ukraine fake. The board will be led by disinformation expert Nina Jankowicz, who has researched Russian misinformation tactics and online harassment. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden, a Democrat, repeatedly said he would push tech companies, including Facebook, to crack down harder on misinformation and conspiracy theories that have overwhelmed social media and its users. Dozens of Republican lawmakers and pundits took to social media on Wednesday to widely criticize the new board and call for it to be disbanded. Rather than police our border, Homeland Security has decided to make policing Americans speech its top priority, a tweet from Missouri's U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley read, in part. Theyre creating a Disinformation Board. DHS said in its statement that the board will protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties as part of its duties. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) A divided Missouri Senate narrowly passed legislation Thursday that could allow thousands of elderly, disabled and homeless residents to spend government food stamp benefits at restaurants something currently allowed in only a handful of states. The legislation revealed deep divisions within the Republican-led chamber, where most GOP members voted against what they described as an expansion of the welfare state even as Republican leaders joined with Democrats to support it. The measure passed 18-15, receiving the bare minimum to advance to the House with just two weeks remaining in the legislative session. Low-income residents receiving aid from the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, informally known as food stamps, generally must get food at retail locations, such as grocery and convenience stores. But the federal government allows states to enact policies authorizing elderly, disabled and homeless residents to buy food at restaurants that agree to sell meals at lower prices. Six states currently allow food stamps to be used at restaurants in at least some locations Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and Virginia, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Illinois is slated to add the restaurant option this spring. The Missouri legislation is projected to allow more than 182,000 households with senior, disabled or homeless members to use their food stamps at restaurants, according to an analysis by the legislative research office. Some Republicans, particularly those in the conservative caucus, claimed their party leaders were were violating a core GOP campaign pledge by supporting the legislation and encouraging low-income residents to squander their benefits. This is the expansion of the welfare state, said Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin, who is running for Congress this year. This program is already out of control, it's prone to fraud and it encourages people to eat in an unhealthy way, added state Sen. Bob Onder, another member of the Republicans' conservative caucus. But other Republicans pushed back against those assertions, noting the bill doesn't increase the overall cost of the program but rather offers options for hot meals for people in need. Those who are disabled or elderly might not be able to cook food, and people who are homeless don't have either refrigerators to store food or kitchens to prepare it, said Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer. There is not even an iota of expansion of benefits, said Luetkemeyer, the Republican whip responsible for rallying votes. The bill passed with the support of all 10 Democrats and eight Republicans, including Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, Assistant Majority Leader Bill White and Luetkemeyer. It was opposed by 15 Republicans. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden doesn't want to just seize the yachts, luxury homes and other assets of Russian oligarchs, he wants to sell off the pricey goods and use the money to help rebuild Ukraine. He's asking Congress to streamline the process to allow that to happen. In the latest attempt to pressure Russia to end its war and to pay for the enormous costs of defending Ukraine, the Biden administration on Thursday called on Congress to enhance U.S. authority to liquidate assets seized from Russian elites the bad guys, as Biden called them. A look at what's afoot: WHAT'S ALREADY BEING DONE? The House on Wednesday passed the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act, with only four lawmakers voting against the measure. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would allow the president to confiscate and liquidate property owned by sanctioned individuals. The money could only be used for specific purposes. The package that Biden sent to Congress goes further to create a new criminal offense, making it unlawful for anyone to knowingly own proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government. Additionally, property used to facilitate sanctions violations would also be eligible for seizure. The White House says the new tools make sanctions more difficult to evade and the administration said it wants to use the money to remediate harms of Russian aggression toward Ukraine. WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT NEED LEGISLATION? Under current federal law, only the Justice Department has the authority to determine how seized funds can be spent. And there are strict rules on who can benefit from seized proceeds. The Biden administration wants to make it easier for officials to decide how to use the proceeds of the blocked and seized property. The White House proposal also wants to make forfeiture decisions reviewable in federal court on an expedited basis. Ryan Fayhee, a former Justice Department prosecutor who now works in private practice on sanctions cases, said that because of the nature of the U.S. sanctions program, we could see a lot of lawsuits as theres a process one could take to challenge the forfeiture itself and they absolutely will, anticipating sanctioned oligarchs' future litigation. HOW MUCH HAS ALREADY BEEN SEIZED? The White House says the Treasury Department has sanctioned and blocked vessels and aircraft worth over $1 billion, and has frozen bank accounts containing hundreds of millions of dollars of assets belonging to Russian elites. During a House committee hearing Thursday, the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's acting director, Himamauli Das, said the agency has received 2,000 suspicious activity reports connected to Russian oligarchs. Of those, 271 were forwarded to intelligence and law enforcement and Treasury's sanctions arm. HOW CAN THE MONEY FROM SEIZED ASSETS BE USED? Among other proposals, the administration's package extends the statute of limitations of money laundering investigations based on foreign crimes from five years to 10 years, adds sanctions evasion to the definition of racketeering activity in the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and would enhance the government's powers to work with other countries to recover assets linked to foreign corruption. The House-passed Asset Seizure proposal is more limited than the president's proposal, where confiscated funds could only be used for specific purposes, including post-conflict reconstruction of Ukraine, support for Ukrainian refugees, weapons for Ukraines military and humanitarian support for the Russian people. Additionally, the administration could only seize assets, within two years of the bill's enactment, if Russia remains engaged in its invasion of Ukraine, the president has imposed sanctions on the owner of the assets due to the ongoing conflict and the assets are worth more than $5 million. Attorneys have said the process of actually liquidating and using the funds could take years. WHAT ABOUT RUSSIAN CENTRAL BANK ASSETS? The package that Biden sent to Congress does not address Russian Central Bank assets. However Russia's more than $600 billion foreign reserve fund has been frozen by the U.S. and its allies. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said last week that the prospect of using frozen Russian Central Bank funds to support Ukraine should be considered but I wouldnt want to do so lightly, adding that it would have to be done in consensus with U.S. allies and partners. In a virtual address to International Monetary Fund and World Bank leaders last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the proceeds of sanctioned property and Central Bank reserves should be used to compensate Ukraine for its losses. HOW WOULD THE NEW LAW ON PROCEEDS FROM CORRUPT DEALINGS WORK? The Justice Department and Treasury are already targeting the assets of Russian oligarchs who they say have evaded sanctions, including a 254-foot yacht that was in Spain and owned by an oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday that the Justice Department's task force focusing on Russian oligarchs known as KleptoCapture anticipates taking on at least 30 complex investigations over time. In order for the Justice Department to seize a yacht, prosecutors must first spell out their case and obtain a seizure warrant from a federal judge. The U.S. government would then need to pay to maintain, transport and dock the mega yachts until they can be sold off at auction. The funds from the sale flow into the Justice Departments asset forfeiture fund. The government wants to use some of the forfeiture funds to support Ukraine, though the law doesnt currently easily allow for that to happen, Garland said at a House subcommittee hearing on Thursday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Two explosions, within minutes of each other, killed at least nine people and wounded 13 in northern Afghanistan on Thursday, a spokesman for a Taliban-appointed police chief said. The blasts targeted two separate vehicles in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, according to Mohammad Asif Waziri, the spokesman. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) Britain's recent decision to send some migrants to Rwanda is questioned by several people resettled in this tiny East African country who say it is not a suitable refuge. One Eritrean refugee who was deported from Israel to Rwanda in 2015 said he found the country too difficult and moved his family to South Sudan, which promised better economic opportunities than Rwanda even though it was gripped by civil war at the time. Berhani, 35, who gave only his first name to avoid possible reprisals, said he knows many other Eritreans resettled in Rwanda who have since left to make new homes in neighboring African countries or in Europe. Questions are swirling around the suitability of Rwanda as a shelter for migrants following Britain's announcement earlier this month that it will send to Rwanda migrants arriving in the U.K. illegally as stowaways on trucks or small boats. Their asylum claims will be processed in Rwanda and, if successful, they will stay there. The new policy is already being challenged in Britain's courts by a rights group that says it is unlawful. Rwanda already is home to more than 130,000 refugees from countries such as Burundi, Congo, Libya and Pakistan, Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Vincent Biruta told reporters after signing the agreement with British Home Secretary Priti Patel in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, on April 14. The plan has been criticized by rights groups and others who say it is cruel, expensive and unworkable. The U.N. refugee agency has described it as contrary to the letter and spirit of the Refugee Convention. And the view of some refugees who years ago were resettled in Rwanda against their wishes is often far from rosy. Rwandan authorities in recent years have given asylum to hundreds of people seeking shelter as a result of arrangements with Israel, the African Union, the United Nations and others. Many were from Eritrea and Ethiopia, including a group that had languished for months in detention centers in Libya. Rwanda's agreement to take migrants that Britain deems illegal appears to ignore the country's own challenges. The small country has about 13 million people, making it the most densely populated in Africa. Competition for land and resources contributed to decades of ethnic and political tensions that culminated in the 1994 genocide in which more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and the moderate Hutu who tried to protect them were killed. President Paul Kagame's government has achieved significant economic progress since the genocide, but critics say it has come at the cost of political repression. Obedience to authorities is widely enforced, one reason Rwandan cities and towns are clean and among the most orderly anywhere in Africa. There is little political opposition. Human Rights Watch has accused Rwandan authorities of targeting poor people in the arbitrary arrests of street vendors, sex workers, homeless people, suspected petty criminals and street children. Some migrants who spoke to AP said they were frightened to be jobless in Rwanda and without opportunities to eke out a living. Berhani, the refugee from Eritrea, said he ended up in the streets of Kigali looking for a job, dependent on friends for food and rent. Life is difficult in Rwanda when you dont have a job," he said. Some of my friends have managed to go back to Europe. One of my relatives has settled in Canada, said Berhani. One day, hopefully, I will manage to join them in Canada. In the Gashora camp for refugees in Rwanda's east, one man said he was one of hundreds of migrants sent from Libya who still plan to reach Europe. Many have left for Sweden already, he said on condition of anonymity for his safety. He said he would leave even if it means death, saying refugees in the camp often don't have adequate food and clothing. But some migrants in Kigali appear to have settled in well. Frezghi Alazar, an Eritrean who co-owns a bakery, said he is grateful Rwanda gave him a chance to thrive over the last 10 years. He spoke of the country as a bastion of order. When you have capital and you start a business, nobody will come and take your business," he said. You dont need to bribe people here. There is security. So, there is some benefit in Rwanda. It remains unclear when the first migrants from Britain will arrive in Rwanda following the deal with the British government, which said the plan will discourage people from making dangerous attempts to cross the English Channel. Rwandan authorities said the agreement would initially last for five years, with the British government paying 120 million pounds ($158 million) upfront to pay for housing and integrating the migrants. They have not said how they would deal with a possible influx when the program gets underway. Plans to accommodate some of the migrants in a hostel in Kigali have upset a group of genocide survivors who have lived in the property for years. They spoke of short notice, raising the possibility of conflict with locals. The migrants will cause land conflict with the citizens and we must avoid this situation, Frank Habineza, an opposition figure and lawmaker, told the AP. Other critics raise tough questions, including what becomes of migrants who fail to qualify for refugee status in Rwanda. Will Rwanda transport them to (their) home countries?" said Tom Mulisa, a Kigali-based lawyer and human rights researcher. Resettlement of migrants who fail the refugee status criteria should be (carefully considered). The responsibility lies to the host state in case they fail to pass the threshold of asylum-seeking." ___ Associated Press journalist Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed to this report. ABILENE, Texas (AP) Republican efforts to stop the Biden administration from changing how asylum claims on the U.S. border are handled widened Thursday as Texas and Arizona asked courts to block new procedures that could decide asylum cases in months, instead of years. The lawsuits pile onto an already busy week over immigration policy. The U.S. Supreme Court is questioning a rule that forces some asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico, and a federal judge in Louisiana temporarily stopped the phaseout of asylum restrictions that were put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BOSTON (AP) Egypt Lloyd couldnt hold back tears when she saw the names her ancestors, Tony, Cuba and Darby in a study chronicling Harvard Universitys involvement in America's slave trade. Lloyd grew up nearby, in Bostons Roxbury neighborhood, but her family learned only recently of ancestors who were kept as slaves by Harvard benefactors during the first decades of the famed institution. I felt that my ancestors were saying Thank you, God, for it finally coming to light, said Lloyd, 42. I think this is the first step toward healing. Among the most startling revelations in Harvard's report was the list of more than 70 people kept as slaves by Harvard leaders and supporters, often on or near the campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their living descendants are estimated to number in the tens of thousands, including some who lived and worked in the Boston area without knowing their family connection to the Ivy League school. The report from Harvard came with a pledge to atone for its wrongs and the profits it reaped from cotton, sugar and other trades that relied on slave labor. The oldest and wealthiest college in the nation, Harvard said it would establish a $100 million fund to enact a series of recommendations in the report. Among them is a call to identify descendants of the slaves and build relationships with them, with the aim of helping them recover their histories, tell their stories and pursue empowering knowledge. For Lloyd and other descendants, the discovery has brought sadness and joy. The Lloyd family learned that it descends from Darby Vassall, the son of Tony and Cuba, an enslaved couple kept by a wealthy family that helped found Harvard's law school. Darby went on to become an abolitionist and prominent figure in Bostons free Black community. They are still living through me, they are still living through my kids, they are still living through my dad, said Lloyd, who lives outside Atlanta and founded a drone servicing company. We cant change the past but we can heal, and it can make us stronger. It was all the more stunning, given her familys chance encounters with Harvard. Her sister, Jordan, for example, once worked as a waitress there. Harvard researchers have been studying the topic for years and so far have identified a few dozen living descendants. They estimate there could be more than 50,000 scattered across the United States. Lloyds family learned of its ancestry in 2019 through Carissa Chen, then an undergraduate at Harvard researching the schools role in slavery with the guidance of a history professor. The descendants often responded with utter shock, said Chen, now a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, in an email. Some felt a wave of joy and excitement, others reacted with a somber sense of understanding and loss. Roberta Wolff, 79, also learned only a few years ago that she descends from Darby Vassall. Wolff grew up in Bostons South End, just miles from Harvard. It was the first time she learned of slavery in her family tree. Wow, it was overwhelming. It still is overwhelming, she said. Wolff had aspirations to become a nurse, but her family didnt have the money to pay for college. She went to work for airlines for over three decades, working ticket counters and other jobs at airports around the country while raising a family. More recently, she was working at a casino near her home in Bellingham, Massachusetts, until the pandemic. She hopes Harvard, through this effort, finds a way to help struggling students. Im hoping Harvard tries to reinvest some of its resources that are tied to slavery so we can help other children in the public schools, like maybe help out the communities that are suffering and low income and help the students go to college. That would be a great idea, she said. Some others have doubts about Harvards commitment. Tamara Lanier sees the report a public relations move and worries there will be no meaningful action. Lanier, 59, of Norwich, Connecticut, is fighting Harvard in court, trying to gain ownership of several 1850 photographs depicting two ancestors who were enslaved in South Carolina at the time. The photos were commissioned by a Harvard scholar whose discredited ideas were used to support slavery. Harvard has used the images to promote its own research on slavery and says the university is the rightful owner. The way they have treated the descendants of slaves, my family in particular, is shameful, she said. I have lost faith in Harvard that they will do the right thing. The new Harvard report calls on the university to make a significant monetary commitment in its reparation efforts, but it does not recommend financial reparations to descendants. Some critics have said reparations should be part of the effort, especially given Harvards $53 billion endowment. Lloyd is among those who thinks Harvard should make direct contributions to descendants. But she also wants the funding to support education and further research. Last year, her family started the Slave Legacy History Coalition, a Boston-area group that meets to honor the lives of slaves and fight the legacy of slavery. Im not looking for Harvard to make me rich, she said. What we would like is for them to come together and support our coalition. Because were all in this together. ___ Melia reported from Hartford, Connecticut. HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii's top public health officials said Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic is still active but is moving into a new phase of the disease, in which people can test themselves at home and ideally avoid serious illness thanks to vaccination and the use of therapeutic treatments. Gov. David Ige described the change as a transition from emergency response to public health management. He said at a news conference that state officials would be handling COVID-19 more similarly to how it copes with other diseases. The adjustment has been underway for a few months, said Dr. Libby Char, the director of the state Department of Health. One example is how the state uses contact tracers. Weve seen a shift from trying to track down every single case and all of their contacts to instead getting the message out so that we all have our own personal COVID-19 preparedness plan, said Dr. Sarah Kemble, the state's epidemiologist. Part of that is because home test kits are now widely available. But another reason is that universal contact tracing isn't the best method to control an airborne disease like COVID-19, she said. People can follow self-isolation guidelines and notify those they've been in contact with about their exposure. Kemble said countries that have fully vaccinated about 85% of their populations didn't see the same spike in deaths and patients admitted to intensive care units even as cases surged. Hawaii has reached that threshold, she said. We do have reasons to be hopeful that more cases does not have to mean a large burden of critical illness and death, Kemble said. There are also multiple therapeutic drugs now available, that if taken within five days of symptoms emerging, can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization. People at high risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 can get a prescription from their doctor. On Wednesday, the Department of Health reported that the number of new daily cases rose by an average of 362 over the past seven days, up from 121 a month ago. Fifty-one COVID-19 patients were hospitalized and two were in ICU wards. Kemble said it's too early to tell whether Hawaii will experience a spike in patients in the ICU from the latest wave of cases. She said that should be more clear in two-to-three weeks. Kemble said the pandemic was still underway, in that there remained ongoing global uncontrolled transmission of COVID-19 and new variant strains continued to emerge. But the disease may be becoming endemic in the islands in that Hawaii may no longer face crises from coronavirus. Its hard for us to know that because COVID has surprised us at every turn, she said. Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Aaaaaaaay! The Fonz is heading to Rhode Island to deliver the commencement address at the New England Institute of Technology. Henry Winkler, 76, an Emmy-winning actor, director, producer and children's author known for his portrayal of Arthur Fonzie" Fonzarelli in the 1970s and '80s television show "Happy Days" is scheduled to address graduates of the private university in East Greenwich on Sunday, the school announced Thursday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. House gave final passage Thursday to legislation that would streamline a World War II-era military lend-lease program to more quickly provide Ukraine and other Eastern European countries with American equipment to fight the Russian invasion. The measure, which passed by an overwhelming 417-10 vote, now goes to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law. House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks of New York said with unified support from the U.S. Congress, Ukraine will win. The bill is the latest from Congress, which is steadily churning out resolutions and resources to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and help the country and its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fight back. The Biden administration announced Thursday it will seek another $30 billion from Congress in military and humanitarian aid, on top of the nearly $14 billion Congress approved last month to help Ukraine fight the war. Months in the making, the bipartisan bill was first introduced in January as part of the U.S.'s posture of deterrence to warn off Putin's aggression towards Ukraine. The measure would update the 1941 legislation Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law to help allies fight Nazi Germany. At the time, the then-U.S. president ushered the Lend-Lease Act through Congress, responding to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's appeal for aid, even as America initially remained neutral in the war, according to the U.S. National Archives. Biden is expected to sign the bill into law, giving the administration greater leeway to send military equipment to Ukraine and neighboring allies in Eastern Europe. It is a real moment in history that we are back on this House floor supporting lend-lease, said Rep. French Hill, R-Ark. The congressman said he hoped the Churchillian idea would end delays in shipping aid to Ukraine, much the way the original law sped help to Britain fighting Adolf Hitlers Germany in World War II. Today we find ourselves in a very similar situation with Putin systematically bombing and shelling the peaceful villages and cities of Ukraine, he said. Speaker Nancy Pelosi also gave nod to the moment, saying the war is a battle between democracy and autocracy, and echoed Roosevelt's call on Americans to provide the fuel to keep light of democracy burning. Our task today remains the same, she said. The Ukrainian people are making the fight for all of us. Zelenskyy has repeatedly pleaded for more military equipment from the U.S. and allies, on top of the Stinger and Javelin missile systems, lethal drones and other weaponry that has already been flowing to the region. The Ukrainian military and its citizens are engaged in a brutal street-level fight to save their country, as Russia bombards cities and villages in Putin's quest to take control of the nation and make it part of Russia. Lawmakers in both parties, Republicans and Democrats, have argued that the U.S. is not moving swiftly enough to help the Ukrainians. Countless members of Congress have trekked to the region to see first-hand the devastation, meet with their counterparts in Ukraine and do what they can to offer help with resettling the flood of more than 5 million refugees. The measure approved by the U.S. Congress would update the 1941 law specifically for the Ukrainian conflict, lifting some reimbursement requirements and allowing military equipment to leant or leased for more than five years. While the updated legislation had backing from both parties in the House and Senate, it stalled in Congress along with other Ukraine-focused bills. Democratic lawmakers tended to defer to the president of their party to take the lead on foreign policy, especially as Biden worked to build support from allies abroad. Then, swiftly and without fanfare, the Senate quietly approved the bill from Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, earlier this month on a voice vote without objections. This week the House pushed it forward on the chamber's agenda as soon as lawmakers returned from a spring recess. But tensions run high in Congress over countless issues, and the House debate quickly devolved. Republicans initially focused instead on immigration issues at the U.S. Southern border with Mexico, leading Democrats to blame the House GOP for harboring pro-Donald Trump factions soft on Putin. We stand for democracy here, not Vladimir Putin, said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wearing a blue-and-yellow tie in the colors of the Ukraine flag, during a floor debate. In a heated moment, Raskin criticized GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene of Georgia for her earlier comments disparaging NATO and Western support for Ukraine. He questioned why she joined the debate to talk about immigration at the Southern border rather than the Russian invasion. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., who was managing the early part of the floor debate, insisted the vast majority of my colleagues support the lend-lease bill and would see it to passage. SINGAPORE (AP) Chinese telecoms equipment and smartphone maker Huawei's sales fell 14% in January-March from a year earlier as it pumped money into research and development while grappling with U.S. sanctions, according to figures released by the company Thursday. Huawei Technologies said its revenue was 131 billion yuan ($19.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 152.2 billion yuan a year earlier. Its net profit margin for the quarter was 4.3%, down from 11.1% in the same quarter of 2021. Huaweis rotating chairman, Ken Hu, said the figures were in line with forecasts. Our consumer business was heavily impacted, and our ICT infrastructure business experienced steady growth, he said. In 2019, Shenzhen-based Huawei was placed on a trade blacklist that restricted American companies from doing business with the major provider of network equipment and smartphones. The sanctions have hit Huawei hard since it relied on Google services and other essential technologies for its handsets. Once the worlds largest smartphone maker, Huawei fell out of the top five brands in 2020 due to the sanctions, and in 2021 similarly fell from China's top five as it grappled with a chip shortage. The company has since invested heavily in research and development, spending some 142.7 billion yuan ($21.6 billion) to develop new technologies as it sought to carve out new business areas less vulnerable to sanctions. Its R&D spending is 22.4% of its sales outpacing rivals such as Samsung and U.S. tech companies such as Apple. Earlier this week, at its annual analyst summit, Hu reiterated Huawei's commitment to developing new business areas such as cloud computing and 5G. Since it was put on the U.S. blacklist, Huawei has also developed its Huawei Mobile Service platform as a workaround for its lack of Google services. The platform allows developers to launch apps for Huawei devices, although Google apps such as YouTube can only be accessed via shortcuts that take users to its mobile site. The company also sold off its lower-priced Honor smartphone brand in November 2020, hoping to revive its sales by insulating it from the sanctions on Huawei. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CHICAGO (RNS) In Americas third largest city, its possible to get a crash course in the worlds religions in a journey of just a few miles from the University of Chicagos majestic, ecumenical Christian Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on Chicagos South Side to the humble Masjid Al-Taqwa, which meets in a converted stable, still under renovation a 15-minute ride to the south. On Orthodox Christian Easter (April 24), 70 or so passengers took that ride on the Interfaith Trolley, a tour of sacred spaces inspired by this months convergence of Ramadan, Passover, Easter, Vaisakhi (celebrated by Sikhs), Ridvan (observed by Bahais) and Ram Navami (a Hindu holiday). ___ This content is written and produced by Religion News Service and distributed by The Associated Press. RNS and AP partner on some religion news content. RNS is solely responsible for this story. ___ Perhaps more reminiscent of speed-dating than a comparative religion course, the tour made brief stops at five religious sites across southeast Chicago, hearing from a series of faith leaders and lay people from different religious groups. Sponsored by local faith institutions such as American Islamic College, the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary, the Parliament of the Worlds Religions and the Hyde Park & Kenwood Interfaith Council, the trolley was intended to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation. This was a beautiful event, far more beautiful than I expected, said Kim Schultz, coordinator of creative initiatives at the InterReligious Institute, part of Chicago Theological Seminary. The words shared and the community shared really struck my heart. This is an incredible opportunity to come together to educate our communities and shape the public narrative about what it means to live well together amidst our religious and cultural diversity and difference, organizers said in announcing the event. At the Rockefeller Chapel, Mayher Kaur, the leader of the Sikh Student Association gave an overview of Sikh practices and explained that Sikh gurus worked to overcome Indias caste system. A Hindu student told participants about Ram Navami, a Hindu holiday that fell on April 10 that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, whose story is told in Ramayana. Shradha Jain, a Jain student spoke of her faiths beliefs and the April 14 festival of Mahavir Jayanti, marking the birth of Jainisms founder. At Ebenezer Baptist Church, Patricia Butts, the churchs clerk, recounted the congregations musical history Thomas Dorsey, composer of Take My Hand, Precious Lord, founded an early gospel choir there in the early 1930s before moving to Pilgrim Baptist Church, where the former bluesman was music director for half a century. Meeting in a former synagogue, Ebenezer remains known for its gospel music and its annual performance of Handels Messiah. Butts also told visitors about the churchs Easter observances, including the seven last words of Jesus, and about its vibrant and dedicated congregation. Our senior deacon is 102 years old and still going strong, she said. At the Claret Center, which offers resources for the human journey, passengers learned about the centers offerings of spiritual direction, meditation and acupuncture, then heard a brief meditation from Heiwa no Bushi, a BodhiChristo teacher from North Carolina, whose spiritual teaching merges Buddhism and Christianity. Bushi encouraged his listeners to love wastefully rather than filling their minds with worry. If you love wastefully, you are living fully, he said. At KAM Isaiah Israel, a Reform Jewish congregation whose Hyde Park neighbors include President Barack Obama, Rabbi Frederick Reeves explained how the congregation was formed over decades as several Jewish synagogues one of them the oldest in the state of Illinois merged, gathering in their current building in the 1920s. He also told visitors about the Jewish observance of Passover, noting that one of its key elements is that it is celebrated at home, meaning every family makes Passover their own. If you go to two Seders at two different houses, youll have two different experiences, he said. The tour ended up at the Masjid Al-Taqwa, a predominantly Black mosque whose members are renovating their own building after worshipping in rented space for years. Most of the renovation is being done by members of the community. Youve got to dig deep. And then you have to roll up your sleeves, Imam Tariq El-Amin told his guests. On the ride back to the Chicago Theological Seminary for an interfaith iftar, Saba Ayman-Nolley, a retired professor and president of the Hyde Park & Kenwood Interfaith Council, gave an overview of the Bahai celebration of Ridvan and of the interfaith councils charitable work. That work includes food pantries, assistance to the homeless and resettling of refugees. In a talk interrupted by a sidewalk hip-hop group that began singing about divine prophecy while the trolley was stopped at a red light, Ayman-Nolley said that Ridvan celebrated the springtime awakening of humans, where people can lay down their weapons and embrace a message of love and brotherhood. Back at the seminary, Timothy Gianotti, president of American Islamic College, gave a brief meditation on the meaning of Ramadan before an interfaith iftar dinner, where he and other Muslims broke their fast as they gathered with those of other faiths. Ramadan is a time of revelation and a time of disruption, he said, in which Muslims draw near to God by breaking away from the distractions of the world. We fast from all the things that are getting in our way, he said. We fast from our own sense of egocentric centrality in the universe. We fast from the habits of mind and habits of being that get in our way or in other peoples way in terms of the spiritual life. Among the passengers on the trolley were Emily Heitzmann, a Lutheran pastor on Chicagos North Side, and her mom, Barbara Heitzmann, who was visiting from Dubuque, Iowa. Emily Heitzmann said the event was a reminder of our common humanity and that people of different faiths still had much in common. Her mom agreed. Were all striving for peace, being centered, and holiness, said Barbara Heitzmann, who said she only wished that the visit to each religious site had been longer. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) A state court judge has set a May 3 deadline for challenges to a revised redistricting plan for Alaska. Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews, in an order dated Wednesday, said the accelerated timeline takes into account a June 1 candidate filing deadline for the August primary. He said given the approaching filing deadline, it would be impossible for the courts to hear and decide challenges to the plan if they were filed as late as 30 days after the revised plan was issued. The Alaska Redistricting Board adopted a revised plan on April 13. The board went back to work after the state Supreme Court ruled that a Senate district pairing part of east Anchorage and the Eagle River area constituted an unconstitutional political gerrymander. Plaintiffs from east Anchorage who challenged the initial plan also asked the court to reject the amended plan. They have raised concerns with the plan splitting the Eagle River area into two Senate districts. Matthews held a hearing on the claim earlier this week. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) Some officials in Juneau have raised concerns about militarization of the police force after learning of the local police departments plans to buy an armored security vehicle that can seat 12 officers. Some have referred to the vehicle as a tank and worry it could harm a transparent relationship between police and the community. Police counter that the vehicle is a way to help protect officers, especially when dealing with people firing weapons, the Juneau Empire reported. Theres a policy question here about militarizing our police force and I dont agree with that, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Carole Triem said. I think weve heard from the community that they really desire transparency when it comes to operations. Triem raised the issue late at Mondays assembly meeting, where she also objected to the police departments ability to buy the vehicle with a grant that doesnt require assembly approval. The Lenco Armored Vehicle BearCat G3 will cost more than $300,000 when custom built to Juneau police department specifications, Lt. Krag Campbell said. Campbell said that despite some in the community describing the vehicle as a tank, its not a military vehicle. Generally, its for our emergency response teams and our fire department, he said. Its sort of a multi-use vehicle for different departments. Its potential uses include high-risk situations involving people with weapons since the vehicles armor can stop high-caliber fire that the departments existing ballistic armor cannot, he said. Juneau does not have the ability to go to other nearby communities for resources if they are needed quickly, Campbell said. The city is accessible by air or water. As technology has advanced throughout the world and these things become more readily available, its really just something you can protect your officers with, he said. He said while the purchase is pending, the department expects to take delivery sometime in 2023. Assembly member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs said police response to protests has been a foremost controversy nationwide, but it has been largely avoided in Juneau because the relationship between police and policymakers has been open. I think one thing in our meeting with the leaders of our police department was that we were happy to have a much better relationship with our police department than other communities do, she said. I have about 200 questions about this tank, assembly member Wade Bryson said. The moment the public hears about a tank, were going to get questions. Police believed the assembly members were aware of the planned purchase, and Campbell said he was working to get them more details. Mayor Beth Weldon said more discussion will be held on the planned purchase. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Some Congolese armed groups in peace talks in Kenya asked for more time before laying down their weapons, Kenyan authorities said Thursday, signaling the talks had not yet made a breakthrough. A few of more than 30 armed groups with representatives at the talks requested to be given more time to appraise themselves with the set conditions but expressed willingness to join hands in building their country, a statement from Kenya's presidency said. Many other groups at the talks accepted efforts by Congo's government to demobilize former rebels and integrate them into the national army, it said. The statement gave no details on which groups had not committed to the peace process, which Kenya is trying to mediate under the banner of the seven-nation East African Community trade bloc. It cited Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi urging the rebels to accept demobilization and integration into the national force as part of efforts to build a strong army. Even as talks proceeded in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, fighting erupted in eastern Congo near the Uganda border as government troops battled the M23 rebel group. Fleeing gunfire, hundreds of Congolese civilians regularly seek shelter in Uganda. Representatives of M23 attended some meetings during ongoing talks in Kenya. It was not immediately possible to get a comment from the group. M23 launched its rebellion in April 2012 as a group of ethnic Tutsi fighters battling Congo's government. Rwandas Tutsi-led government has been accused by U.N. experts and others of backing the M23 and using it as a proxy force to secure access to eastern Congos lucrative mining trade an allegation Rwandan authorities strongly deny. Previous efforts to negotiate with M23 leaders have produced mixed results, with some members picking up arms again. Congo recently became a member of the East African Community, joining neighbors such as Rwanda and Uganda. East African leaders said last week that they would proceed with a plan to urgently deploy a regional force in Congo. That force would be equipped to "contain and, where necessary, fight the negative forces in Congo, they said in a statement at the end of a summit. Despite its vast size and wealth of natural resources, Congo remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Eastern Congo is particularly plagued by rebel violence as several armed groups vie for control of its mineral-rich lands. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Minnesota legislative leaders announced a deal Thursday to refill the state's unemployment insurance trust fund and to pay bonuses to frontline workers, resolving a monthslong impasse. The tentative agreement includes $2.7 billion to replenish the trust fund and pay back a debt to the federal government for jobless aid, as well as $500 million in bonuses for workers who took risks during the pandemic. House Democrats came down from their $1 billion proposal for bonus checks cutting the amount per worker in half to $750 but keeping eligibility at about 667,000 workers. The proposal which would spend all of Minnesota's remaining federal pandemic relief funds of more than $1 billion also includes $190 million for a pandemic response account to support efforts that are already ongoing, like the state's testing apparatus. A House provision making hourly school employees eligible for unemployment insurance during the summer months was cut in the compromise. We tried to get it done earlier, said Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, citing the Senate passage of its unemployment insurance bill in February on a bipartisan 55-11 vote. It took a little bit longer than we'd hoped but the final deal is a good deal for the people of Minnesota and we're happy to get it done. Miller and Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, announced the agreement during a MinnPost Festival panel discussion, saying they reached the compromise with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday night. Hortman told reporters later that the bill was expected to pass the Senate on Thursday before a House vote early on Friday. The goal, the leaders said, is to get the bill to Walzs desk for him to sign on Friday to avoid a Saturday due date for employers who saw their tax bills increase when lawmakers missed a March 15 deadline to replenish the trust fund. But the states employment and economic development agency said it was too late to recalculate and provide updated tax bills. It encouraged employers to pay the increased amount and expect a credit or refund in the coming months. Hortman said at the panel she was ultimately pleased they were able to increase the amount for frontline workers from the $250 million earmarked by a working group of lawmakers last year that was never parceled out. But she told reporters later it was frustrating not being able to keep $1,500 bonuses for workers who braved the worst of the pandemic. I don't understand how Senate Republicans can say that after COVID-19 we want to give businesses $2.7 billion to put them where they were before, but were unwilling to recognize what workers went through, she said. We had to eventually decide whether frontline workers were going to get a bonus or there'd be the risk of nothing. Republican Sen. Karin Housley, of Stillwater, told reporters it will likely take a few months for the bonuses application to be set up and checks to be mailed out. Walz said in a statement that he's proud the divided Legislature was able to come to a bipartisan agreement to get relief to businesses and workers. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce called the agreement welcome but long overdue. Economic recovery cannot wait for partisan politics, and employers face real challenges now, including historic inflation and worker shortages, the group's statement read. We appreciate those lawmakers who supported and took steps to make this fix from the beginning. ___ Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. GONZALES, La. (AP) A south Louisiana deputy in training has been fired after his arrest on multiple counts of child pornography. Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said Brandon Morris, who has been with the agency for eight months in the Patrol Division, was arrested Wednesday following an Attorney General's Office probe. Investigators on Wednesday announced the arrest of an Alabama man in connection with the fatal stabbing of an 11-year-old New Hampshire girl in 1988. Officials with the Essex County district attorney's office announced the arrest of Marvin C. "Skip" McClendon Jr., 74, of Bremen, Alabama, on a fugitive-from-justice charge for an arrest warrant connected to the killing of Melissa Tremblay, 11, of Salem, New Hampshire. On Sept. 12, 1988, Tremblay was found stabbed to death and left in the path of a train in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The sixth-grader had been with her mother at the LaSalle Club, which is a block from the rail yard. Tremblay had wandered out of the club and was never seen alive again. Tremblay was an only child and her mother has since died. In recent years, childhood friends of Tremblay ignited a social media push to bring new attention to the case. Andrea Ganley, a childhood friend of Tremblay's and a longtime advocate who has labored to keep the case alive, said she's having trouble processing the fact that an arrest has been made, but she always believed this day would come. "I always had hope. I just didn't know this day would happen," she said. "It's been so long, and I worked so hard to find some closure to this." Officials said McClendon, a retired Massachusetts Department of Corrections employee, is in the custody of the Cullman County sheriff's office and will be arraigned in an Alabama courtroom on Thursday. "He has been a person of interest for a period of time," Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. "I can't say if he was surprised or not, but we believe we have the right person." Blodgett said evidence found on the girl's body was instrumental in solving the case, but he declined to go into greater details about the nature of that evidence. He said more information will be released when McClendon is arraigned. Tremblay's family, including aunts and a cousin, were notified of the arrest Tuesday night and Wednesday. The district attorney said they were happy and relieved that an arrest has been made. It's unclear when McClendon would be returned to Massachusetts. Blodgett said that will depend on whether he waives extradition. GRUNDY CENTER, Iowa (AP) A man charged with shooting and killing an Iowa State Patrol trooper in Grundy Center plans to plead self-defense, according to court filings in the case. Michael Lang, 42, is scheduled to stand trial May 9 in the April 9, 2021, shooting death of patrol Sgt. Jim Smith. Lang is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and assaulting a police officer. WASHINGTON (AP) A retired New York City police officer charged with assaulting a police officer during the U.S. Capitol riot testified Thursday at his trial that he was trying to defend himself against a rogue cop" who punched him in the face. Thomas Webster, who took the witness stand on the third day of his federal trial, said it felt like he was hit with a hammer or a freight train when Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Webster's face. It was painful, and I was seeing stars, Webster said. It was a hard hit, and all I wanted to do was defend myself. Rathbun, one of dozens of officers injured at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, testified Wednesday that he didnt punch or pick a fight with Webster. A grand jury indicted Webster on six counts, including a charge that he assaulted Rathbun with a dangerous weapon, a metal flag pole. He isnt accused of entering the Capitol on Jan. 6. The trial is scheduled to resume Friday with more testimony from Webster, who was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a U.S. Marine Corps flag on a metal pole when he approached the Capitol on Jan. 6.. Video from Rathbun's body camera shows that the officer touched Webster's chest and shoved his face after the New York man slammed a bike rack at him. Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain behind a row of metal bike racks. After Rathbun made contact with his face, Webster swung a metal flag pole at the officer in a downward chopping motion, striking a bike rack in front of the officer. After Rathbun grabbed the broken pole, Webster charged at the officer and tackled him to the ground. Webster, 56, said he believed Rathbun was about to come after him and recalled thinking, Hes gone rogue. Hes acting in a manner unlike other police officers, and Im concerned for my safety, he said. Rathbun testified that he started choking when Webster grabbed his gas mask, pressing the chin strap against the officers throat. Thats not a position that anyone wants to be in, Rathbun said. Webster said he grabbed Rathbun by the gas mask because he wanted the officer to see his hands. Websters jury trial is the fourth for a Capitol riot defendant and the sixth overall. The first three Capitol riot defendants to get a jury trial were convicted of all charges in their respective indictments. Websters trial is the first among dozens of cases in which Capitol riot defendants are charged with assaulting police. Two other defendants testified at their trials. Dustin Byron Thompson, an Ohio man who was convicted by a jury of obstructing Congress from certifying Joe Bidens presidential victory, said he was following orders from then-President Donald Trump. A judge hearing testimony without a jury acquitted Matthew Martin, a New Mexico man who said outnumbered police officers allowed him and others to enter the Capitol through the Rotunda doors. Websters lawyer told jurors during the trials opening statements on Tuesday that Rathbun started this whole thing by punching Webster. Webster said Rathbun made a hand motion that he perceived as an invitation to fight. It was shocking to see that, Webster said. I've never witnessed a cop doing something like that. Webster said he became upset when he saw others in the crowd who were injured, including a woman with blood on her face, and approached the line of police officers to learn more. Rathbuns body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults at the officer before they made any physical contact. I was voicing my First Amendment right, Webster said. Webster said he went to the Capitol after hearing Trump's speech to petition" Congress to relook at the results of the 2020 presidential election but not to disrupt the joint session for certifying the Electoral College vote. It was a unique moment in history, he said. During her cross-examination of Webster, Justice Department prosecutor Katherine Nielsen showed him video images of Webster swinging the flag pole in Rathbun's direction, charging at him and then on top of him after tackling him. She asked Webster if he saw fear in his face in any of those images. It's anger, isn't it? she asked. Yes, because I got hit," he replied. Rathbun reported a hand injury from a separate encounter with a rioter inside the Capitols Rotunda. He didnt report any injuries caused by Webster, but jurors saw photos of leg bruises that Rathbun attributed to his confrontation with the retired officer. Webster, who lives near Goshen, New York, retired from the NYPD in 2011 after 20 years of service. His department service included a stint on then-Mayor Michael Bloombergs private security detail. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985 to 1989 before joining the NYPD in 1991. More than 780 people have been charged with riot-related federal crimes. The Justice Department says over 245 of them have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) A man who was running through traffic on a busy Tampa street bit a sheriff's deputy who tried to restrain him early Thursday, officials said. Drivers on Causeway Boulevard called 911 around 12:30 a.m. Thursday to report that a man was running between cars on the four-lane highway, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Deputies ordered the man to get out of the road, but he refused, spokewoman Crystal Clark told news outlets. He began running and the deputies chased after him. At that point the man became extremely violent," Clark said The man bit the deputy multiple times on the hand and arm, she said. The man suffered a medical episode after being taken into custody and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Clark said the man was in critical condition on Thursday. Officials said he will face battery on a law enforcement officer charges. The man had multiple drugs in his system, including methamphetamine, she said. The deputy was also taken to a hospital for treatment. The man was held under Florida's Baker Act, which allows the temporary commitment of someone who poses a threat to themselves or others due to mental illness. CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) A 34-year-old man who pleaded guilty to killing a pregnant Florida teenager a decade ago faces a shorter prison sentence if her remains are found before he is sentenced Thursday. Jacobee Flowers was indicted by a grand jury in 2016 in the death of Morgan Martin, 17, who left her St. Petersburg home in pajamas in 2012, telling her sister she'd be back soon, the Tampa Bay Times reported. She never returned. About a year later, police reclassified her case from missing persons to a homicide. Martin had said Flowers was the father of her baby. Authorities believe Martin's remains are in Pike County, Alabama, after Flowers agreed in his plea deal to provide information in exchange for a shorter sentence, the newspaper reported. But there have be no reports that her remains have been located, even after Flowers was taken to Alabama to assist law enforcement in their search, the Times reported. He was scheduled for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. If the body is not located, Flowers faces 40 years in prison. The shorter sentence is 25 years. Court records show text messages around the time Martin disappeared showed a strained relationship, with Flowers begging her not to have the baby because it could affect his existing relationship with another woman. At 24, he was also worried about charges for having sex with a minor, officials said. Martin had chosen Ja'Leah as her baby girl's name, the newspaper reported. She had gone to speak with Flowers the night she disappeared, records show. Detectives used cellphone tower records to track Flowers' movements that night. Records show he drove around her home and then went to his home before heading to a restaurant where he worked the closing shift. He visited the mother of two of his children before going back to the restaurant. He then drove throughout Tampa Bay before returning to St. Petersburg. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying it's not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. Even well-meaning, everyday social media users have fallen victim to the falsehoods, accidentally sharing or liking posts and images that turned out to be inaccurate. About three-quarters of the American public fault the Russian government for advancing misinformation around the war, while many also blame social media users, tech companies and the news media. Far fewer place a great deal of blame on the Ukrainian or U.S. governments. Russias falsehoods about the war are finding millions of eyeballs across social media and in state-media reports. Earlier this month, for example, a chorus of Kremlin media reports, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and Telegram channels tried to refute photographs and satellite images of bodies left by Russian soldiers in the streets of Bucha, Ukraine, by calling the images a hoax. Russias reach is broad, said Darren Linvill, a Clemson University professor who studies disinformation. They have a lot of different outlets that they use everything from state media, in Russian, English and especially Spanish. The poll shows a majority of U.S. residents, about 57%, say they think Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed Russian troops to commit war crimes, while 6% say they think he has not done so. An additional 36% say they dont know enough to say. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the AP and the PBS series Frontline have verified evidence of 178 potential war crimes. The poll shows about 6 in 10 Americans say social media users have significant responsibility for the spread of misinformation about Russias invasion of Ukraine. Roughly half also fault social media companies and the news media. Retiree Kellie Carroll, 58, who lives outside Fresno, California, said she is sometimes frustrated by social media users who share posts about the Russia-Ukraine war but dont cite the source of their information. Youll see things that people are stating as fact, like they are there, Carroll said of posts shes seen on social media around the war. Carroll, who watches local news and listens to conservative talk radio, added that she, too, finds fault with news reporting on the war. She described it as difficult to find news reports around the war that are not injected with opinion. I dont want the opinions, I just want the facts, she said. Half of Americans also blame the Chinese government, which has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, for spreading misinformation around the war. Indeed, China's state-run media outlets have made at least 74 English-language Facebook posts referencing a conspiracy theory that the U.S. is running secret biological warfare labs in Ukraine that have intentionally released deadly viruses, according to a new report from NewsGuard, a technology firm that monitors misinformation. (The U.S. runs biolabs in Ukraine. It's not a secret, and they're not crafting bioweapons there.) A lot of this is definitely geared toward the United States, said Jack Brewster, an analyst for the firm. Theyre echoing the same talking points that Russia is. Somewhat fewer blame the spread of war misinformation on U.S. politicians, with 44% saying they bear significant responsibility and 32% saying the same about the U.S. government. Roger Beaulieu, a 66-year-old New Yorker, said the Russian government is responsible for much of the misinformation around the war. But hes been surprised when he reads The New York Times or watches MSNBC or CNN to see what he describes as misinformation coming from some Republican lawmakers about the war. Beaulieu specifically mentioned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who last month said that Ukraine invited Russias invasion by poking the bear. It just seems that theres more support for Russia than I can possibly understand, Beaulieu said. Large majorities of Democrats and Republicans say Russia has a large share of responsibility for spreading misinformation, and 70% of Democrats along with 55% of Republicans say Putin has directed Russian troops to commit war crimes. About a quarter of Democrats and roughly a third of Republicans say they dont know. But Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say social media companies (63% vs. 50%), the news media (61% vs. 38%) and politicians in the U.S. (52% vs. 38%) also bear a significant amount of blame for misinformation about the war. About a quarter of Americans overall said the Ukrainian government is significantly responsible for the spread of misinformation. Republicans were more likely to say the Ukrainian government had significant blame for spreading misinformation than Democrats, 32% to 15%. About 4 in 10 Americans say the Ukrainian government has little responsibility for the spread of misinformation. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,085 adults was conducted April 14-18 using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The New Hampshire Senate has blocked an attempt to eliminate a registration system created to prevent widespread hepatitis C outbreak years ago. New Hampshire created the Board of Registration for Medical Technicians in response to David Kwiatkowski, who is serving 39 years in prison for replacing painkillers with saline-filled syringes tainted with his blood. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ANAMBRA, Nigeria (AP) Nigerian lawmakers have taken steps to bar the payment of ransoms to kidnappers at a time when thousands are in captivity, including passengers kidnapped during a train attack in late March near the nation's capital. Nigerias Senate has passed a bill amending the countrys Terrorism Prevention Act to bar the ransom payments. It said the amendment will prevent terrorist groups from laundering money. However, the legislation could cause more harm to kidnap victims and their families if the bill is signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, activists and Amnesty Internationals Nigeria office told The Associated Press on Thursday. The West African nation has struggled to stem the rise of armed violence in its troubled northwest, and central regions where remote communities are often targeted by armed groups. Thousands have been killed in the violence, data from the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations shows, while travelers are often abducted and kept in detention for weeks usually in forest reserves until ransoms are paid for their release. The kidnap-for-ransom business is a lucrative enterprise with over $18 million paid to kidnappers between 2011 and 2020, according to Lagos-based SBM intelligence research firm. Nigeria's federal authorities have been trying to target the practice for some time. Earlier this month, federal authorities barred calls from more than 70 million unregistered lines in an attempt to target kidnappers and make it difficult for them to contact the families of those held. When the bill passed on Wednesday becomes a law, it can turn around not only the security situation in Nigeria but even the economic fortunes of our country, said Nigeria Senate President Ahmad Lawan. We have done so much as a government in terms of infrastructural development in all parts of this country, but because the security situation is not the kind of situation that we all want, this tends to overshadow most of these tremendous and remarkable developments in our country, said Lawan. However, activists say the proposed law does not address the root cause of Nigerias security problems and endangers the lives of those kidnapped. If you cannot protect people, why then are you punishing them for finding a way to protect themselves? asked Festus Ogun, a Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist. The bill also creates more opportunities for further violations of peoples rights, Osai Ojigho, Nigeria director of Amnesty International told AP. She identified the lack of resources for security forces to investigate and prosecute crimes as a big challenge in Nigerias quest for peace. Authorities should instead focus on the root cause of the kidnappings rather than criminalizing family members who are distressed by the abduction of their loved ones, Ojigho said. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) Authorities have charged a North Carolina man after shots were fired at a U.S. marshal and a police officer, court records said. The Winston-Salem Journal reports Tyree Ray Long, 25, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, according to an arrest warrant. Specifically, he is accused of firing 10 shots from a handgun at a U.S. marshal, the warrant said. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The North Carolina National Guard will provide military equipment to Ukraine in its war with Russia, Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday. At the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, the N.C. Army National Guard is providing M-113 Armored Personnel Carriers as part of a larger U.S. support package to Ukraine, Cooper said in a news release. VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) A northwestern Indiana middle school student faces a charge of possessing a destructive device after two improvised explosive devices were found inside a backpack, authorities said. A Union Township Middle School administrator notified a resource officer about potential explosive devices in the students backpack, Porter County Police Cpl. Benjamin McFalls said. The officer and administrators relocated classrooms of students near the backpack and secured the area Wednesday until the Porter County Sheriffs Office Bomb Squad arrived, McFalls told The (Northwest Indiana) Times. They discovered and safely removed two improvised explosive devices, he said. The student was taken into custody, police said. NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) A New Castle man wanted in a fatal stabbing outside a Delaware motel has been arrested in Maryland, police said. Police obtained a warrant charging Frank Deshields, 52, with first-degree murder in the April 10 stabbing death of Michael White of New Castle, Delaware State Police said in a news release. The U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force arrested Deshields on Wednesday at a home in Salisbury, Maryland, state police said. Deshields was charged as a fugitive of justice and he's being held pending extradition to Delaware, police said. CAIRO (AP) Egyptian authorities on Thursday released a prominent political activist serving a four-year-sentence on terror charges that rights advocate have deemed baseless. Hossam Monis' freeing came on the heels of the release of several high-profile detainees, days before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is typically a time of amnesty. It followed a pardon by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Wednesday. Following the news, images of Monis hugging friends and family outside the prison walls flooded social media. Prominent film director Khaled Youssef posted a photograph of himself and former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi with Monis as soon as he walked free. Opposition leader Khaled Dawoud wrote on his Facebook page that Monis got into a car with his mother and headed home after his release. Monis was arrested in June 2019, along with seven other people, including Zyad el-Elaimy, a former lawmaker, and key secular activists in the countrys 2011 uprising. Their arrests came shortly after they had met with political parties and opposition lawmakers to try and hash out how to run in the 2020 parliamentary elections. Last year, the Misdemeanors State Security Emergency Court in Cairo found Monis and other defendants guilty of conspiring to commit crimes with an outlawed group. Thats a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt has banned as a terrorist organization. Monis and Hisham Fouad, another activist and journalist, were sentenced to four years in prison each while El-Elaimy received a five-year sentence. The verdicts stirred outrage from local and international human rights groups. Both El-Elaimy and Fouad remain behind bars. El-Sissi on Wednesday passed a decree granting Monis amnesty, a few hours after he had reactivated the Presidential Pardon Committee and appointed new members. The committee, in charge of reviewing cases of prisoners held for political crimes, has been quite ineffective since its creation in 2016. On Sunday, authorities freed 41 detainees including several prominent writers and activists who had been held without a trial date. Some independent observers believe the government is trying to reach out to the political opposition in the midst of a grinding economic crisis sparked by the Russian war on Ukraine. Thousands of political prisoners, however, are estimated to remain in Egyptian jails. El-Sissi's government has in recent years waged a wide-scale crackdown on dissent, jailing thousands of people, mainly Islamists, but also secular activists involved in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) A Washington state doctor has been sentenced to four years in prison for a scheme in which she hired drug addicts and gave them blank prescription scripts for opioid pain medications and other controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose, according to federal prosecutors. Dr. Janet Arnold owned Desert Wind Family Practice in Richland, Washington, and with her co-conspirators pushed thousands of pills on the street to be abused by addicts, and potentially caused others to become addicted to controlled substances," prosecutors said. Dr. Arnold contributed to an epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction in Washington, said Vanessa Waldref, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, on Wednesday. With the stroke of a pen, Dr. Arnold fueled the addiction of people to opioids. Arnold, 63, is the third of five defendants to be sentenced in the case. David Nay, 43, of Kennewick, Washington, was sentenced to 78 months in prison. Lisa Marie Cooper, 55, of Prosser, Washington, was sentenced to two years in prison. Prosecutors said Arnolds receptionist would fill out prescription orders for highly addictive drugs, including fentanyl and oxycodone, both for real and fake patients. Arnold pre-signed hundreds of blank prescription scripts, prosecutors said. Arnold's attorneys contended she was manipulated by others, including her office manager, who was an addict and drug dealer, according to court documents. Arnold was not fully aware of the extent of the actions of her co-defendants in the case, and was willfully blind to the drug dealing with her prescription scripts, rather than willfully participating, said her attorney Paul Shelton. But U.S. District Court Senior Judge Edward Shea said Arnolds actions were calculated. Shea was baffled by why she had a Washington state license to practice as a physician before her practice was raided in 2017. In 2004 she had been accused of prescribing large quantities of narcotics to patients, including 500 to 750 tablets of oxycodone at once to one patient. Her license was suspended from 2006 to late 2007 before she successfully applied for reinstatement, convincing the licensing board she had reformed, Shea said. Arnolds license was suspended again shortly after the May 2017 DEA raid of Desert Winds Family Practice and then permanently revoked. Arnold has never confronted her culpability in the distribution of narcotics, instead blaming her office manager and minimizing her role, Shea said. It was no surprise that she hired addicts and then they acted like addicts, he said. He also sentenced her to three years supervised release, but issued no fine, saying she had no money to pay it. Arnolds attorneys had asked Shea to sentence her to five years probation, including up to two years of home confinement, rather than prison time. Arnold has no previous criminal history and cannot repeat her crime without a medical license, they said. Prosecutors had asked for a nine-year prison sentence for Arnold. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate JOHANNESBURG (AP) South Africa is seeing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases driven by yet another version of the coronavirus, health experts say. Cases had been dropping in the country since February. But a new omicron subvariant that scientists call BA.4 began pushing up cases last week and they have risen rapidly since, said Salim Abdool Karim, who previously advised the government on its COVID-19 response. So far, there has been only a slight rise in hospitalizations and no increase in deaths, said Abdool Karim, who is a public health expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa is recording just over 6,000 COVID-19 cases a day, up from a few hundred just a few weeks ago. The proportion of positive tests jumped from 4% in mid-April to 19% Thursday, according to official figures. Wastewater surveillance has also shown increases in coronavirus spread. The new mutant appears to be quickly achieving dominance over the original omicron and other versions of the virus, but Abdool Karim said its too early to tell whether BA.4 is going to cause a fully-fledged wave. Still, the new version is notable because the omicron variant first emerged in November in South Africa and Botswana before sweeping around the world. There is one concerning trend, said Helen Rees, executive director of the Reproductive Health and HIV Institute at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg: Children are the first to be winding up in hospitals, just like during the original omicron surge. Experts say BA.4 seems to be more transmissible than both the original omicron variant and an omicron relative known as BA.2. Scientists are still studying the new mutant, but it doesn't appear that BA.4 causes more severe disease than other versions of the virus, WHO said in a recent report. In South Africa, gatherings for the recent Easter, Ramadan and Passover holidays, plus massive flooding in the coastal city of Durban, may have contributed to the current surge, Abdool Karim said. BA.4 has shown up in other countries, but it's not clear whether it "its going to become a globally dominant variant, he said. So far, it hasn't made inroads in the U.S., where BA.2 remains the dominant strain and its descendant, called BA.2.12.1, is gaining ground. That descendant is believed to spread faster than previous versions of the virus and caused about 29% of U.S. COVID cases in the latest week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Can BA.4 out-compete BA.2.12.1? Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, a Johns Hopkins University infectious disease expert, said the two variants are spreading in different populations, and he doesn't know of any data that would support a robust direct comparison. Since the start of the pandemic, South Africa has had the lion's share of COVID-19 in Africa. Although the country's 60 million people account for less than 5% of Africa's population of 1.3 billion, South Africa has had more than a quarter of the continent's 11.4 million reported cases and nearly half of Africa's 252,000 deaths. Experts say that may be because it has a more developed public health system and keeps better records of hospitalizations and deaths than other African countries. More than 44% of adult South Africans are vaccinated against COVID-19, according to government statistics. Benido Impouma, a WHO official in Africa, said the latest surge shows that people must remain vigilant and continue to adhere to public safety measures such as wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing. ___ Ungar reported from Louisville, Kentucky. AP journalist Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed. ___ 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. CAIRO (AP) A Sudanese doctor's union said Thursday that 24 children and nine women were among dozens killed in tribal clashes over the weekend between Arabs and non-Arabs in Sudan's western Darfur region. The Sudans Doctors Committee also said that 23 elderly and 144 men were also killed. On Tuesday, Khamis Abdalla Abkar, the provincial governor of West Darfur province, said that the death toll had surpassed 200. The committee, an independent doctors association, said that the actual death toll may be higher, as the count does not include casualties that were not subjected to autopsy or were not even reported. The fighting, some of the deadliest in the region in recent years, grew out of the killing of two Arab herdsmen last Thursday just outside Kreinik, 80 kilometers (around 50 miles) east of Genena, the provincial capital of West Darfur. Large numbers of Arab militias, known as janjaweed, then reportedly stormed the town in retaliation early Sunday with heavy weapons. The violence eventually reached Genena and the main hospital was attacked and then closed. Meanwhile, several smaller private hospitals have opened their doors to receive some of the more than 220 wounded, according to the doctor's group. However, these hospitals could not fill the gap created by the closure of Genena hospital, it said. The World Health Organization said Thursday that two health workers, one in Kreinik and another in Genena, were among those killed. In a statement, the U.N.'s health agency condemned the attacks on healthcare facilities and called for the immediate cessation of violence. Health care workers providing life-saving care to injured civilians are already overwhelmed and should not be at risk of intimidation or attack," said Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO's regional chief. The agency added that the clashes had forced thousands of newly displaced civilians in Kreinik to seek refuge within the towns military compound. The fighting has come at a critical time for Sudan, which has plunged into chaos since a military coup last year. The takeover upended the countrys transition to democracy after a popular uprising forced the removal of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. The Sudanese military said earlier this week that it had deployed a brigade to the province to join a civilian protection force already stationed in Kreinik. However, the clashes raise questions over whether military leaders are capable of bringing security to Darfur, which has been wracked by years of civil war. In 2020, the U.N. Security Council ended its peacekeeping mission there. The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when ethnic Africans rebelled, accusing the Arab-dominated government in the capital of Khartoum of discrimination. Al-Bashirs government was accused of retaliating by arming local nomadic Arab tribes and unleashing the janjaweed on civilians there a charge it denies. Al-Bashir, who has been in prison in Khartoum since he was ousted from power in 2019, was indicted over a decade ago by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated in Darfur. Three days before Joe Biden's inauguration, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene texted White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. She told him that some Republican members of Congress believed the only path for President Donald Trump to change the outcome of the 2020 election and stay in power was for him to declare martial law. The text from Greene, revealed this week, brought to the fore the chorus of Republicans who were publicly and privately advocating for Trump to try to use the military and defense apparatus of the U.S. government to strong-arm his way past an electoral defeat. Now, discussions involving the Trump White House about using emergency powers have become an important - but little-known - part of the House Jan. 6 committee's investigation of the 2021 attack on the Capitol. In subpoenas, document requests and court filings, the panel has demanded information about any Trump administration plans to use presidential emergency powers to invoke martial law or take other steps to overturn the 2020 election. Interviews with committee members and a review of the panel's information requests reveals a focus on emergency powers that were being considered by Trump and his allies in several categories: invoking the Insurrection Act, declaring martial law, using presidential powers to justify seizing assets of voting-machine companies, and using the military to require a rerun of the election. "Trump's invocation of these emergency powers would have been unprecedented in all of American history," said J. Michael Luttig, a conservative lawyer and former appeals court judge. There is no proof Trump ordered any U.S. official to invoke emergency powers, and many of Trump's advisers and attorneys say privately they would have balked at such a request. An adviser to former vice president Mike Pence said he was never asked to invoke any emergency powers. But several advisers said that Trump was interested in seizing voting machines and that he did at times suggest that the election should be done over. Some advisers interviewed for this report spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. A representative for Trump did not respond to a request for comment. Trump listened in White House meetings and on phone calls as allies including Sidney Powell, Mike Lindell, Patrick Byrne and Rudy Giuliani stoked baseless conspiracy claims about voting machines and other matters, according to people present for those conversations. At least some of these figures proposed extraordinary measures, and Trump at times seemed to signal his agreement, according to people present. Trump even suggested Powell should be appointed as special counsel after she proposed some extreme measures, former White House advisers said, and she made several return trips to the building. That notion was eventually scuttled. "Trump had a lot of emotional people around him," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a Trump ally. "You got all these nefarious characters around him pushing him to do things, but it didn't happen." Among the records the panel is examining are memos authored and circulated by Trump allies that centered on using government powers to seize voting machines, as well as text messages showing lawmakers such as Greene and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry directly lobbying Meadows to invoke extraordinary powers on the basis of false conspiracy claims. As it continues to examine and collect such evidence, the House committee is trying to determine just how seriously Trump considered these proposals, according to a member of the panel. Meanwhile, the Jan. 6 committee is also looking to suggest changes to emergency-powers statutes that would provide guardrails against abuse going forward. "I consider it important for us to determine to what extent the president was prepared or preparing to use the Insurrection Act or make use of any other presidential emergency powers," Rep. Jamie B. Raskin, D-Md., a member of the committee, told The Washington Post in an interview earlier this year. "We have to look at how the existence of an arsenal of residual presidential emergency powers threatens the traditional peaceful transfer of power in the country." The Insurrection Act is an 1807 law that gives a president authority to federalize the National Guard to quell local rebellions, conspiracies and violence, offering a way around legal prohibitions against using military forces to enforce domestic laws. Some of the president's backers who were stoking false conspiracy claims presented memos to key members of Congress and other Trump allies, hoping to get Trump's support. It is unclear whether he ever saw the documents, which included proposals for National Security Agency involvement and extrajudicial control of the government. "In our private chat with only Members, several are saying the only way to save our Republic is for Trump to call for Marshall law," Greene texted Meadows on Jan. 17, 2021 - 11 days after the Capitol insurrection. Martial law refers to the temporary military takeover of civilian functions. The Post confirmed the exchange involving Greene and Meadows, which was first reported by CNN on Monday. Meadows has provided thousands of texts to the Jan. 6 committee. Representatives for Meadows and the Jan. 6 committee did not respond to a request for comment. Testifying publicly under oath last week about the events of Jan. 6, Greene said she could not recall whether or she discussed the invocation of martial law to keep Trump in power. A representative for Greene did not respond to a request for comment. Unlike many other countries, the United States does not grant presidents express emergency powers in its Constitution, said Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the liberty and national security program at New York University Law School's Brennan Center for Justice. Instead, presidents rely on several acts of Congress to provide emergency authority. The most sweeping is the National Emergencies Act, a 1976 law that allows a president to declare a "national emergency" at will. Trump declared more national emergencies than any president in a four-year period; his included one that authorized building a wall along the southern border, a wall Congress had declined to fund. Trump would often mock advisers or lawyers who told him such moves were illegal. John F. Kelly, the president's former chief of staff, told other advisers they were wasting their time by telling Trump some of his ideas were against the law. "He doesn't care," Kelly said to others, according to a person with direct knowledge of the comments. These emergency statutes were not intended to allow a president to challenge election results, Goitein said in an interview earlier this year. And the presidential emergency statutes contain fundamental flaws that could lead to abuse, she argued: "It's important for the January 6 committee to be looking at these things and to be worried about them, because there is room for mischief around an election. You have to worry now about how a president might choose to construe these laws and apply them in a way that takes them even beyond their fairly capacious bounds." Goitein also applauded the committee's interest in looking at discussions of involving martial law. "Right now, there is no statutory authority for a president to declare martial law, but a president might assert that he or she has an inherent constitutional authority to declare martial law that Congress cannot restrain," she said. A week after the Jan. 6 insurrection, a news photographer captured a picture of Lindell, the chief executive of MyPillow, outside the West Wing holding a piece of paper with words including "Insurrection Act now . . . martial law if necessary." Advisers say Trump shrugged off Lindell and sent him to White House lawyers, who were dismissive of Lindell and soon shooed him out of the West Wing. But Lindell has stayed in touch with Trump, and the two have at times discussed Trump's reinstatement to the presidency, according to advisers. A committee subpoena to Michael Flynn, who had served as Trump's national security adviser, requested information about a reported Dec. 18, 2020, meeting in the Oval Office during which "participants discussed seizing voting machines, declaring a national emergency, invoking certain national security emergency powers." The subpoena cited an interview Flynn gave to Newsmax the day before in which he talked about "the purported precedent for deploying military troops and declaring martial law to rerun the election." Flynn, who appeared before the committee last month and repeatedly cited the Fifth Amendment, did not respond to a request for comment. Perry, the Pennsylvania Republican, made similar claims in text messages to Meadows, according to records obtained by CNN and independently verified by The Washington Post. "From an Intel friend: DNI needs to task NSA to immediately seize and begin looking for international far related to Dominion," Perry wrote to Meadows on Nov. 12, 2020, apparently urging that Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to order the NSA to investigate an unfounded claim that China had hacked into Dominion voting machines. Perry has declined to cooperate with the House committee's request for an interview. He told The Washington Post on Wednesday that he was still concerned about election integrity and did not regret sending Meadows those texts. "I was concerned then as I'm concerned now, as many Americans are, about the integrity of elections, and asking for investigations into claims of fraud is not out of the realm of what's right for members of Congress to do," Perry said. The committee has also focused attention on the Defense Department, from which it sought "all documents and communications relating to the potential use of military power to impede or ensure the peaceful transfer of power between the election and inauguration day," according to a record of requests made by the committee. It also demanded all documents and communications related to "attempts by President Donald Trump to remain in office" after Inauguration Day. Investigators have interviewed top Pentagon officials - including former acting defense secretary Christopher C. Miller; longtime Trump loyalist Kash Patel, who was appointed as Miller's chief of staff on Nov. 10, 2020; and former Army secretary Ryan McCarthy - as they piece together a comprehensive account of the role the Defense Department played in responding to the Jan. 6 attack, according to court filings and subpoenas issued over the course of the investigation. The committee's request to Patel explicitly asked for all communications relating to "the establishment of martial law, requests to establish martial law, or legal analysis of martial law" and "all documents and communications relating to" invoking the Insurrection Act. "President Trump never had any intention to abuse emergency powers, I was completely open with the committee," Patel told The Washington Post in a statement. "I have also repeatedly asked the committee to release the transcript from my hearing and look forward to that being shared with the American people." Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was so concerned about the threat of a coup attempt by Trump and his allies that he discussed a plan with his fellow joint chiefs to resign rather than carry out orders from Trump that they viewed as illegal, Post reporters Carol D. Leonnig and Phil Rucker wrote in their book "I Alone Can Fix It." Milley, who was concerned about Trump's rash of personnel moves after the election, "told his staff that he believed Trump was stoking unrest, possibly in hopes of an excuse to invoke the Insurrection Act and call out the military," according to the book. Another proposal outlining a plan for Trump to invoke emergency powers surfaced in a committee court filing released last week. Phil Waldron, a retired Army colonel, coordinated with Trump's outside legal team on a proposal to issue executive orders empowering various government agencies to investigate whether there was foreign interference in the 2020 election. Waldron emailed the plan to Meadows on Dec. 22, 2020, the filing shows. Waldron previously told The Post he had sent Meadows a list of IP, or Internet protocol, addresses and other targets for investigation after meeting with Meadows at the White House in December 2020. Waldron said Meadows indicated that he would pass the list on to Ratcliffe but said he did not know whether Meadows ultimately did. Through a spokesman, Ratcliffe said he did not receive such a document. "Reviewing a president's use of emergency powers is an important aspect of this committee's mandate," Richard Ben-Veniste, a Watergate prosecutor, said in an interview earlier this year. He urged the committee to be transparent about what it learns about the discussions that took place in Trump's White House. "Democracies are not self-executing perpetual motion machines," he said. "They require the care and protection of the governed to endure." Part of the committee's emergency-powers inquiry is focused on Jeffrey Clark, former acting head of the Justice Department's civil division, according to court filings and committee requests. Clark drafted a letter to Georgia officials in December challenging the vote there and made inquiries about using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to go after voting-machine companies, according to emails released as a part of a Senate Judiciary Committee report probing the efforts of Trump and his allies to pressure the Justice Department to overturn the results of the 2020 election. That act is generally used to impose economic sanctions on foreign adversaries but is written so broadly that a president can freeze the U.S. assets of American companies if the president deems it necessary to address a foreign threat. On Dec. 28, Clark emailed then-acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen and another Justice Department official, Richard Donoghue, requesting a classified briefing on foreign election interference issues from Ratcliffe, according to the Judiciary Committee report. "I can then assess how that relates to activating the IEEPA and 2018 EO powers on such matters," Clark wrote in the email, referencing an executive order that Trump signed permitting sanctions in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. Clark cited unsupported evidence "in the public domain" that Dominion voting machines had been hacked through a "smart thermostat with a net connection leading back to China." The IEEPA authorizes a president "to declare a national emergency due to 'unusual and extraordinary threats' to the United States and to block any transactions and freeze any assets within the jurisdiction of the United States to deal with the threat," according to the Senate report. Clark did not respond to a request for comment. The Insurrection Act has come up frequently in the Jan. 6 committee's requests for information, in part because it was bandied about by the president's supporters, including the far-right Proud Boys and others alleged to have instigated violence. Trump also had a history of mentioning it. The Insurrection Act has been used in moments of civil unrest - the Civil War, desegregation battles, rioting following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Goitein says the law is far too broad, enabling a president to send in armed forces without the consent of a state's governor. Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, in a 2020 New York Times op-ed, raised the idea of using the Insurrection Act, calling on Trump to invoke the law in response to civil disturbances after the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. Trump mentioned using the act to restrain "leftist thugs" that summer. In September 2020, during an interview with the far-right website Infowars, Trump ally Roger Stone brought it up as a way for Trump to combat election fraud, among other things. In a Newsmax interview on Dec. 19, 2020, Flynn said the president "could take military capabilities, and he could place those in states and basically rerun an election in each of those states." And Trump told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro that September that he would "put down" anti-Trump protests "very quickly" if they broke out after the election: "Look, it's called insurrection. We just send in, and we do it very easy." Trump's interest in emergency powers drew bipartisan calls for change. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced a bill after the election that would terminate any presidential emergency declaration under the National Emergencies Act after 30 days - unless Congress voted to extend it for one year. Trump's expressed interest in mobilizing the military after the election prompted Pentagon leaders to speak out before and after the election. "This isn't the first time that someone has suggested that there might be a contested election," said Joint Chiefs of Staff chair Gen. Milley, in an interview with NPR in mid-October 2020. "And if there is, it'll be handled appropriately by the courts and by the U.S. Congress. There's no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of a U.S. election. Zero. There is no role there." BEIRUT (AP) The United Arab Emirates released on Thursday a Lebanese physician after holding him for more than three weeks over a tweet he published years ago, a person familiar with the case said. The case of Dr. Richard Kharrat came to attention in early April when local media reported that he went missing from his hotel in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE has declined to comment on Kharrats case since he was detained in early April during a visit to the oil-rich emirates. Days after Kharrats disappearance, Lebanons state news agency quoted Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib as saying that Lebanese authorities are following the case of Kharrat who is in detention in the United Arab Emirates. Lebanese activists have launched a campaign on social media calling for Kharrats release. The person familiar with the case, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter, said the arrest was linked to tweets that Kharrat wrote years ago and were seen offensive to the UAE. In one of the widely circulated tweets, Kharrat poked fun at names of people in the UAE and Lebanon. Kharrat, a gynecologist, was to return to Beirut around midnight Thursday. Social media is an often-perilous space in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms where the government retains tight control over traditional media and uses courts to prosecute those who express opposition or criticism online. Earlier this year, the country passed a new, vaguely worded cybercrime law, which rights groups say further restricts online speech and proscribes prison terms for those who use the internet to share, document or report information that could harm the states interests, reputation or prestige. It also criminalizes spreading rumors and fake news. Kharrat's arrest came as relations between Lebanon and the UAE have been tense for months. The UAE withdrew its diplomats from Beirut in October after Saudi Arabia did so in response to comments by a Cabinet minister at the time who criticized the war by the Saudi-led coalition on Yemen. The minister, George Kordahi, later resigned and the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait returned to Lebanon earlier this month. The UAE ambassador still has not returned to Beirut. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) A judge in Fiji is due to rule Tuesday on whether U.S. authorities can seize the luxurious superyacht Amadea worth some $325 million which has been stopped from leaving the South Pacific nation because of its links to Russia. But a vital question remains over which oligarch really owns the Amadea. Only one of the two possible candidates faces sanctions. Is the real owner Suleiman Kerimov? That's what the U.S. claims. Kerimov, an economist and former Russian politician, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for alleged money laundering and has faced further sanctions from Canada, Europe and Britain after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kerimov made a fortune investing in Russian gold producer Polyus, with Forbes magazine putting his net worth at $14.5 billion. Or is the real owner Eduard Khudainatov? Thats what defense lawyers claim. Khudainatov is the former chairman and chief executive of Rosneft, the state-controlled Russian oil and gas company. Crucially, Khudainatov currently does not appear to face any sanctions, unlike many oligarchs and people with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin who have been sanctioned since the war began. As with many superyachts, determining the real ownership of the Amadea is difficult due to the shadowy trail of trusts and shell companies. On paper, the superyacht is registered in the Cayman Islands and owned by Millemarin Investments Ltd., also based in the Cayman Islands. Defense lawyers have claimed in court that Millemarin Investments Ltd. (sometimes spelled Millemarine) is the legal owner of the vessel and that the company is linked to the real, or beneficial, owner, Khudainatov. But U.S. authorities have claimed that behind all the various fronts, the real owner is Kerimov. On April 19, after the yacht had sailed into Fiji from Mexico, the High Court in Suva ordered that the Amadea not leave Fiji until the merits of the U.S. warrant to seize the vessel were determined. Perhaps reflecting the question over ownership, the court later ordered Fijian prosecutors to amend an original summons which named just Kerimov to also include Millemarin Investments Ltd. as a second respondent to the case. For now, the yacht continues to sit in a Fijian harbor with its crew of about 25 rotating on and off the vessel, while a police officer remains on board to ensure it stays put. According to Boat International, the Amadea is 106 meters long and was built in 2017. It features a stainless steel albatross that extends off the bow and weighs more than 5 tons, a live lobster tank in the galley, a 10-meter (33-foot) pool, a hand-painted Pleyel piano and a large helipad. The U.S. Embassy in Suva said in a statement that the U.S. was acting with allies and partners around the world to impose costs on Russia because of its war of choice. 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. BRISTOL, Va. (AP) A jury has acquitted a Virginia police officer who was charged with murder for fatally shooting a driver who police said refused to exit his vehicle and drove toward the officer. After a weeklong trial, jurors deliberated for less than two hours before finding Bristol police Officer Johnathan Brown not guilty Wednesday in the death of 31-year-old Jonathen Kohler, of nearby Bristol, Tennessee, news outlets reported. Brown faced charges of murder, using a firearm in the commission of a felony and shooting into an occupied vehicle. While prosecutors argued that Brown was too aggressive, the defense claimed he acted in self-defense and in accordance with training. A Virginia State Police news release at the time said that on March 30, 2021, Bristol police responded to a motel occupant's report of shots fired and officers encountered Kohler in the drivers seat of a 1994 Ford Mustang. As officers were verbally engaged with Kohler, he backed up and then drove forward in an attempt to exit the parking lot, at which point one of the officers fired at Kohlers vehicle, the state police statement said. Kohler died at the scene and no officers were injured. In closing arguments, defense attorney Heather Howard said Brown shot and killed Kohler because he had no choice when Kohler drove toward him. Brown is white, and so was Kohler, according to officials. The verdict was hard for Kohlers mother, Leigh Ann Milliken, to hear. It was very, very hard. I have a knot in my stomach, Milliken said. Its unreal that they wouldnt convict somebody of murder like that. By Leslie Katz Bay City News Foundation In 1977, three months after Berkeley scientist Arlene Blum climbed Mount Everest and wrote a paper about cancer-causing chemicals in children's pajamas, the U.S. government banned kids' sleepwear treated with tris, the dangerous flame-retardant additive. Today, the winner of 2022 American Alpine Club top honors remains passionate about adventure -- and fire retardants. "I wrote an article, believe it or not, in the 1970s -- 50 years ago nearly -- saying that we don't need flame retardants in our mountaineering and camping tents, and they're still there," said Blum, founder and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute, a Berkeley nonprofit with a mission to reduce harmful chemicals in people and the environment. Noting that California still has standards that require flame retardants in tents while many states don't, Blum said, "There have been studies that [show] when people just pitch the tents, they get the flame retardants on their hands, and when they sleep in the tents, it's in the air. They're in children's play tents, also," she said. Getting rid of such retardants in tents is among her organization's goals, which include working to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other classes of deleterious chemical compounds from everyday goods. "You don't need PFAS in your socks. You don't need them in your bathing suit," said Blum, whose group plans to meet with manufacturers of outdoor products in September, its first in-person gathering since the pandemic hit. Some producers, such as Black Diamond Equipment, are making water-resistant, high-performance outdoor apparel without the additives, she said. "There's legislation right now in seven states, including California, around banning the use of PFAS in textiles. I think that legislation has got the outdoor industry paying attention," said Blum, who has a doctorate in biophysical chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. Blum, 77, who led the history-making American Women's Himalayan Expedition in 1978 (she details the all-U.S., all-female climb in her book "Annapurna: A Woman's Place"), and co-led the first women's team to scale Denali in Alaska in 1970, points to other successes with restricting dangerous chemicals. "We were able to help with changing a bad California furniture flammability standard -- that's a big deal," said Blum. "It used to be that, in pretty much everyone's couch, the foam was 5% by weight a toxic flame retardant," said Blum, noting that studies have shown that the average American child has lost between three and five IQ points as a result of such compounds, which also contribute to cancer, immune, neurological and reproductive problems across the population. In 2013, five years after Blum established the Green Science Policy Institute (following a 26-year break from science in which she raised her daughter), California Gov. Jerry Brown authorized standards that allowed makers of furniture and baby products not to treat their items with what environmentalists call ineffective, unhealthful flame retardants. The chemical industry then sued the state, and lost, Blum said, ultimately making for increased fire safety for all. More recently, efforts to get carpet makers and food-packaging manufacturers to remove PFAS from their products proved fruitful in 2020. And in June 2021, after Green Science publicized a study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters in which researchers found high fluorine levels, revealing probable potentially toxic PFAS in waterproof mascara and liquid lipsticks, lawmakers in both houses of U.S. Congress introduced the bipartisan No PFAS in Cosmetics Acts. While Blum acknowledged that the bills so far haven't resulted in new laws, she said, "We've heard that at least part of the cosmetics industry is removing their PFAS. That's really good." In her own daily life, Blum is a discerning consumer who keeps an eye out for items with possible harmful chemicals. She recommends visiting her website in which four-minute videos describe six groups of "chemicals of concern" that best be avoided -- antimicrobials; bisphenols and phthalates; some solvents; certain metals; as well as flame retardants and PFAS found in products ranging from paint, adhesives and flooring to plastic toys and even cash register receipts. At the same time, she acknowledged, "You know, you just do the best you can. We're not going to be chemical-free." Consumers, though, should be aware that phased-out chemicals often are replaced by others that are equally harmful. Blum, who views mountaineering as a metaphor for facing life's challenges, attributes her accomplishments in mountain climbing and science at a time when few women pursued those vocations, to being determined and having vision. "I've always had an acute case of 'tikkun olam.' Do you know that phrase? It means healing the world. I've always wanted to make the world a better place, and I have a kind of a gift, I guess, of seeing what could be. And once I see what could be, I feel compelled to achieve it. I'm very goal-oriented, whether it's getting the first team of women to climb Denali or Annapurna, or solving complicated scientific problems. But there's usually a greater good involved. "I've never felt like I was that smart, but I have come to realize that I'm good at having these visions or ideas of what should be; and once I have the vision, really trying to get others to share it ... to get a team of people together so we could all climb toward the summit, whether it's a Himalayan summit, or the summit of a healthier world," she said. In February, Blum -- a member of the California Hall of Fame, Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame for Science, Engineering & Technology and part of a Dove soap "Women Who Should Be Famous" campaign, among numerous accolades -- received another big award: an honorary membership from the American Alpine Club in Colorado. "Back when I did my climbing, being a woman climber was tough, and people worried about women being strong enough and having the skills necessary to climb the highest mountains. It was really rewarding, nearly half a century later, to have the American Alpine Club give me their highest honor and a standing ovation," she said. Blum, who grew up in an Orthodox Jewish household in Chicago, describes how she broke out from a sheltered background and dysfunctional childhood in her 2005 memoir "Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life," which she calls a "big therapy project" that took her 20 years to write. Having discovered the life-affirming Jewish Renewal movement, Blum, who no longer climbs mountains, said she is looking forward to the return of the cross-country season and to snorkeling and diving in the Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia later this year. On a professional level, she continues to be optimistic about efforts to stop the use of harmful chemicals in everyday products: "I feel very lucky to have a chance to do work that contributes to everybody being healthier." she said. "It's a great privilege and opportunity." To learn more about or donate to Green Science Policy Institute, visit https://greensciencepolicy.org/. 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. There is a new bill making its way through the California Legislature that could punish doctors for straying from the contemporary scientific consensus for COVID-19: Californias AB 2098 would discipline physicians for disseminating or promoting misinformation or disinformation as it relates to COVID-19. Aside from the problem that the consensus on COVID-19 is constantly changing, the bills language is ambiguous and, as some California lawyers say, almost certainly infringes upon physicians First Amendment right to freedom of speech. While the bill authors intend to protect patients from harm, there are already existing mechanisms for disciplining doctors who harm patients through negligence or by deviating from the standard of care. But the current bill specifically targets speech and would only consider if there is harm, negligence or malicious intent instead of requiring such things for physician punishment. The way the bill is worded would lead physicians to self-silence unorthodox opinions or anything that may not be entirely aligned with consensus, even though those opinions may eventually be proven correct. Physicians who may be ahead of the curve or rapidly adopt new data into patient care may be unjustly punished. Furthermore, science advances because of scientists and physicians who are brave and insightful enough to rightfully challenge orthodoxy. In the last two years alone, we were told by officials that COVID was mostly spread via droplets at short distances, but now we know it is predominantly airborne and lingers in the air. We were told long-term school closures were necessary to slow the spread and protect children, but we now know prolonged closures of school and outdoor spaces were unnecessary and in fact very harmful to children. We were told that cloth masks would protect, but now we know they are highly unreliable. While vaccines continue to offer protection against severe disease from COVID-19, we initially believed they would prevent infection and transmission, but it has now been clarified they are unreliable at preventing both infection and transmission; as stated recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, they will not offer long-term protection against mild illness. We were told there is no evidence for lasting protective immunity to SARS-CoV-2 following natural infection, and its existence was ignored in vaccination guidelines, but now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and numerous additional publications support its robustness, particularly against severe disease, which may be similar to if not superior to vaccination alone. Our understanding of the above and many other topics has advanced because the consensus was challenged by doctors and other medical experts who dared to speak out. Silencing unconventional views would do more harm than good. In a free society, we do not allow the government to determine the current scientific consensus, let alone silence those who disagree. Consider that the consensus still differs on masking young children, with the World Health Organization not recommending masking children under 6, while the CDC recommends masking children starting at age 2. Which one is the current scientific consensus and which one is misinformation? Indeed, it requires a lot of hubris to suggest a small group could ever be entrusted to be arbiters of truth. In this case, it would be the California Medical Board, composed of eight physicians and seven public members appointed by the government. Though I do not think it would be intentional, with members appointed by the existing government, their interpretation of the contemporary scientific consensus and false or misleading information regarding the nature and risks of the virus may be subject to political bias, perhaps now more than any other time in the history of public health in the United States. Furthermore, because of the open-ended wording of the bill, one could imagine a situation where, in scientific areas of uncertainty, a supposed consensus could be reached based on shared opinion rather than objective data. As recently stated by Professors John Ioannidis and Michaela Schippers about the pandemics threat to democracy and science, The idea of arbitrators who select what is correct and dismiss what is incorrect is the most alien possible concept to science. Without the ability to make errors or make (and improve on) inaccurate hypotheses, there is no science. We were warned about a situation like this not only in George Orwells 1984 but also in our own recent history where, according to the Supreme Courts majority opinion in a 2018 California free speech case, regulating the content of professionals speech pose[s] the inherent risk that the Government seeks not to advance a legitimate regulatory goal, but to suppress unpopular ideas or information. ... Throughout history, governments have manipulat[ed] the content of doctor-patient discourse to increase state power and suppress minorities. As Stanford Universitys Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said, AB 2098 could turn doctors into agents of state public health rather than advocates for their patients. Though I believe the intent of the bill is to protect patients, I worry it will have the opposite effect. Physicians may be fearful of being entirely honest with their patients if they are concerned their interpretation of the science differs from the scientific consensus of the California Medical Board. And this is the crux of the problem with AB 2098. A doctors duty is first to serve their patients. There is no question that false information has been harmful during this pandemic. Despite claims that COVID-19 is like the flu, COVID-19 carried a higher fatality risk in adults than influenza at the start of the pandemic (though it may be similar to influenza now in all adults with decreasing virulence and increasing immunity from vaccination and infection). There is no evidence of tracking microchips in COVID-19 vaccines or that UV light or disinfectant should be used internally for COVID-19. There has also been unscientific promotion of drugs like hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19, even by a Harvard hospital, and continued promotion despite lack of evidence and even association with increased mortality. But there are other ways to combat misinformation. As former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy stated about the First Amendment, The remedy for speech that is false is speech that is true. This is the ordinary course in a free society. The response to the unreasoned is the rational; to the uninformed, the enlightened; to the straight-out lie, the simple truth. People in California are seeking the voices and guidance of people they trust. But trust is gained and not coerced. Effective scientific communication is nuanced and includes room for individualization, discussion of trade-offs and transparency about uncertainties. There is an ongoing implied promise to adapt as we learn more. As a practicing physician who has published numerous peer-reviewed studies during the pandemic, including with the CDC, and testified before Congress relating to our pandemic response, I felt compelled to testify against this bill. I worry it would stifle debate around scientific points of uncertainty and interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, where honesty is essential in shared decision making. I urge the people of this state to humbly acknowledge what we have all seen during the pandemic: Science is filled with uncertainty, and consensus can change rapidly with new information. Our understanding evolves because physicians and scientists are allowed to speak freely through their First Amendment rights. This process improves the lives of individual patients and the public in general. AB 2098 may rob physicians of this critical freedom, which would ultimately be detrimental to the people of this state. Tracy Beth Heg is a Danish American physician in private practice in California with a doctorate in epidemiology and public health and is the senior author of multiple peer-reviewed scientific studies of COVID-19 and children. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images If you missed Lizzos headlining performance at Outside Lands last October, fret not: The Grammy Award-winning rapper-singer is coming back to San Francisco this fall. Lizzo born Melissa Jefferson announced her first tour in three years this Monday with a stop at Chase Center on Nov. 12. The two-month concert lineup is in support of her forthcoming fourth album Special which is slated to release July 15. WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 27, 2022 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... North central Oldham County in the Panhandle of Texas... Eastern Hartley County in the Panhandle of Texas... * Until 800 PM CDT. * At 712 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 14 miles west of Channing, or 27 miles south of Dalhart, moving northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible. Hail damage to vehicles is expected. * Locations impacted include... Hartley. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 27, 2022 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northeastern Oldham County in the Panhandle of Texas... Western Moore County in the Panhandle of Texas... Southeastern Hartley County in the Panhandle of Texas... * Until 830 PM CDT. * At 738 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles north of Channing, or 23 miles west of Dumas, moving northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible. Hail damage to vehicles is expected. * Locations impacted include... Dumas, Hartley, Channing and Four Way. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 27, 2022 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northeastern Oldham County in the Panhandle of Texas... Northwestern Potter County in the Panhandle of Texas... Southwestern Moore County in the Panhandle of Texas... Southeastern Hartley County in the Panhandle of Texas... * Until 900 PM CDT. * At 812 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles northeast of Boys Ranch, or 22 miles southwest of Dumas, moving east at 20 mph. HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible. People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. * Locations impacted include... Boys Ranch, Masterson, Four Way and Valley De Oro. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR NORTHEASTERN OLDHAM...SOUTHWESTERN MOORE AND SOUTHEASTERN HARTLEY COUNTIES... At 815 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Four Way, or 9 miles south of Dumas, moving east at 30 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible. Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Locations impacted include... Dumas, Channing and Four Way. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Page Content In 2019, a Kentucky man experienced a panic attack after his employer threw him a workplace birthday party against his wishes. It then fired him for his reaction. Last month, a jury awarded him $450,000 in damages. Kevin Berling, who lives with an anxiety disorder, told his manager at Gravity Diagnostics, a medical laboratory in Covington, Ky., that he did not want his birthday celebrated at work because it would cause him significant stress. The company forgot about his request and held a surprise party five days later, according to the lawsuit. This caused Berling to have an anxiety attack. The next day, he met with his managers to discuss the situation and had another panic attack. He was told to leave work afterward. "They started giving [Berling] a pretty hard time for his response to the birthday celebration, actually accusing him of stealing his co-workers' joy," Tony Bucher, Berling's lawyer, told TV news outlet WKRC. In an e-mail three days later, Gravity Diagnostics fired him over concerns that he posed a threat to his co-workers' safety. Berling had never received a negative performance review nor had he been disciplined by the company prior to his termination, according to court documents. Berling sued the employer for disability discrimination and retaliation. On March 31, jurors concluded that Berling experienced an adverse employment action because of a disability. The jury awarded him $150,000 in lost wages and benefits as well as $300,000 for suffering, embarrassment and loss of self-esteem. Did the Company Violate the Law? Fernanda Anzek, managing director of HR and diversity, equity and inclusion services for HR solutions company Insperity in Houston, said Berling was engaging in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interactive process when he told Gravity Diagnostics that celebrating his birthday would trigger a panic attack. Conditions that significantly limit a person's daily activity, such as chronic stress or an anxiety disorder, are typically covered by the ADA. "The company did not accommodate the employee's request as required under the ADA," Anzek said. "Even though a party is not related to the employee's job, it is an event that takes place at work. And employers still have the same obligation to accommodate a reasonable request." Andrew Gordon, an attorney with law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said the lawsuit wouldn't have happened had the company respected the employee's reasonable wish to not have his birthday celebrated by others. "This is the type of situation that just eats at HR professionals and employment law attorneys," Gordon said. "It's a textbook what-not-to-do scenario in terms of how to handle an employee who asks to be left out of certain nonperformance-related social functions at work for legitimate, and potentially legally protected, reasons." Previous reports by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) suggested that employers should not arrange a birthday celebration without first asking if the employee is comfortable with it. Some companies even ask this question during onboarding. A seemingly innocuous workplace birthday celebration could also spawn lawsuits about age and religious discrimination. For example, an employer could be sued if it holds a party for a worker who is a Jehovah's Witness, a religion that doesn't celebrate birthdays. "If this was something different, like an important team meeting that happened every week and during which important work-related information was discussed, we would possibly be having a different conversation," Gordon said. "But not over a two-minute birthday celebration." Destigmatizing Mental Health Problems Mental illness has long been stigmatized in the U.S. The Mayo Clinic indicated that stigma can lead to bullying, physical violence or harassment in the workplace, which can compromise a company's culture as well as its recruitment and retention efforts. Anzek implored companies to create a work environment that welcomes openness, acceptance and transparency. Business leaders openly discussing their own mental health problems can help create such an atmosphere. "When people in positions of authority talk about their own mental health challenges, it normalizes these conversations for everybody around them," Anzek explained. "It's also important for managers to prioritize their own well-being because it shows employees that self-care is both encouraged and expected." Read about the mental health and wellness initiative spearheaded by SHRM, the SHRM Foundation and mental health education site Psych Hub to build effective mental health strategies in the workplace. Adani Enterprises announced on Wednesday that it has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, namely, AMG Media Networks Ltd. The subsidiary was incorporated on April 26, with an initial authorised and paid-up share capital of Rs 1 lakh each to carry on the business of media related activities, including, inter alia, the publishing, advertising, broadcasting, distributing etc. of content over different types of media networks. AMG Media Networks Ltd will commence its business operations in due course, Adani Enterprises said in a regulatory filing. The new company will carry on the business of media related activities, including publishing, advertising, broadcasting, distributing etc. of content over different types of media networks. According to the Registrar of Companies (RoC), AMG Media Networks has three directors Pranav Vinod Adani , director at Adani Enterprises, Sanjay Pugalia, CEO & editor-in-chief, Media Initiatives, Adani Enterprises and Sudipta Bhattacharya, the chief technology officer of the Adani Group. The company, as per its memorandum of association, will develop content for a range of platforms and media. In March, Quintillion Business Media Private Ltd, an indirect subsidiary of Quint Digital had said that Adani Group will acquire a minority stake in it. Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion on Monday, assuring a more compassionate touch to policing content on the platform where he can endorse his interests, critics and orates on social and economic issues to more than 83 million followers on Twitter. The firm, which went public in 2013, is set to turn private once the deal ends later this year, subject to Twitter shareholders and regulatory approvals. The deal caps raged two weeks at the social media company after it disclosed that Musk had approximately a 9.1% stake in the firm since January 2022. It wasn't surprising, Musk's $44 billion deal to buy social network Twitter. Since the Tesla chief was very serious about acquiring Twitter. The financing from Morgan Stanley is shored up. The agreement contains a fee of $1 billion that he or Twitter would have to pay if they renege on the contract. And Twitter's lawyers even wedged in a so-called "specific performance" clause, which could theoretically force Musk to purchase the company if he threatened to back out. However, this could probably be settled by adding to the break fee in practice. Why Elon Musk wanted Twitter? Elon Musk is a prolific user with more than 83 million followers on the micro-blogging site (Twitter). Musk expressed on buying Twitter as Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated. The worlds richest man talking about free speech and humanitys prospect after buying one of the most influential social media platforms seems to be the most politically correct thing to do. But it is certainly ironic seeing that the billionaire buyer had no doubts over the years about using the social media platform to aggressively uphold his business interests as well as block and, some may say even bully, critics. Musk always stressed what has been a sensitive issue for Twitter in recent years, its inability to convincingly come across as a platform where healthy conversations can occur. Who sold Twitter? Twitter's board at first passed an anti-takeover measure known as a poison pill that could have caused a takeover attempt to be prohibitively expensive. But when Musk summarised the financial commitments he'd lined up to back his offer of $46.5 billion and no other bidders appeared, the board opened negotiations with him. Bret Taylor, head of Twitter's board of directors, reassured employees that the deal with Musk prioritized "operating continuity" until the agreement was completed. Taylor also added, "I think we feel very relaxed that the deal gives this team the capability to continue to make the company successful in between signing and closing the transaction". Twitter's board weighed a circumstance that many shareholders could back him in a tender offer unless it sought to negotiate a deal with Musk. While the poison pill would have stopped Twitter shareholders from tendering their shares, the company was worried that its negotiating hand would have significantly weakened if it was shown to be going against the will of many of its investors. Under pressure, Twitter began bargaining with Musk to purchase the company at the proposed $54.20 per share price. The deal eventually culminated in Twitter's run as a public company since its 2013 initial public offering. What about Parag Agrawal's CEO Run? While Musk will own Twitter outright and will be able to make executive judgments on new features and how they should be run, it's unlikely that he will recreate an active role in the day-to-day administration of the site. Parag Agrawal presently leads Twitter and has praised the deal, saying he was "deeply proud of" Twitter's achievements. Agrawal, an Indian-American software engineer, worked as a research intern at Microsoft Research and Yahoo! Research before entering Twitter in 2011. Agrawal took over from Dorsey as CEO in November 2021, when Dorsey declared his resignation, to be replaced by Agrawal effective instantly. Unlike his predecessor, Agrawal receives $1 million (790,000) in annual salary as CEO and $12.5 million (9.9 million) in stock compensation. But Musk said in his offer document to Twitter's board of directors that he didn't have "confidence" in the current management. On 25th April, Agrawal informed his employees that the company's future was unsure, though he guaranteed employees that there would be no layoffs. "Once the deal closes, we don't know which direction the platform will go". According to Twitter's newest proxy filing, Agrawal and Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal all have "Change in Control" clauses. The clause notably says Agrawal's reporting to the "board of directors of a publicly-traded entity," meaning any plan to take Twitter private would trigger it. Agrawal would receive a $38.7 million (30.5 million) pay package if Musk removed their employment, while Segal would receive a $25.5 million (20. million) deal. Swiggy, Zomato posted hilarious tweets on Musks acquisition Swiggy shared a screenshot of what seemed like Musks order on the app and wrote, We saw what Elon bought next. This order by Musk comprised Twitter, Motichoor Laddu and Kaju Katli, which cost $44 billion, Rs 3,200 and Rs 4,400, respectively. Zomato also said that Musk chooses what company to buy next in less time than people decide what pizza to order next. Zomato stated, Elon Musk takes lesser time in buying companies than I do in deciding what pizza to order. Budget carrier IndiGo reacted to Zomato's tweet and wrote, "Zomato do you want to flatter Musk?. Even 'Go First' tweeted, "Elon Musk didn't think twice before buying Twitter, yet here you are second-guessing whether to go on that trip or not!" The largest-ever initial public offering by the Life Insurance Corporation of India has finally taken place. On Wednesday, the government filed a revised draught red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, ending months of speculation.The day appears to be approaching quickly. According to recent media reports, the date of the LIC IPO has been set for May 4. The LIC IPO is expected to begin on May 4 and end on May 9. The reports appear to have alleviated some of the investors' concerns, who had been anticipating the LIC IPO for quite some time, here are the most anticipated key details on LIC's much-anticipated public offering. Sources:TOI A Brief Walk-Around on the Key Details The much-anticipated IPO will go on sale on May 4 and will close on May 9. Anchor investors, on the other hand, have an advantage here because the IPO will be open to them on May 2. The price range has been set at Rs 902-949 per share. The government will earn approximately Rs 21,000 crore in this upper band. The government has reduced the size of the IPO in the revised DRHP from Rs 60,000 crore to Rs 20,557 crore. Even at this price, LIC's IPO will be the largest ever witnessed by Indian financial markets.This means that instead of offering 5 per cent of the shares for the IPO, as was decided earlier, the government will sell 3.5 per cent stake. LIC will offer 22.13 crore shares for sale at a face value is Rs 10 per share. While, the floor price is 90.2 times the face value of equity shares. Sources:TOI Further, the cap price is 94.9 times the face value, the insurance behemoth said in its DRHP filed with Sebi. About 0.025 per cent of the issue, that is 15.81 lakh shares will be reserved for employees of LIC, while 0.35 per cent or 2.21 crore shares have been reserved for eligible policyholders. In addition, half of the shares are reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), while 15 per cent are for non-institutional investors. India are not eligible to apply for the Policyholder Reservation Portion. The government will sell 3.5 per cent stake in LIC or 22.13 crore of the portion reserved for QIBs, 60 per cent is reserved for anchor investors. Eligible policyholders of LIC will receive a discount of Rs 60 on the issue price, while employees and retail investors will get a discount if Rs 45. One lot of IPO will comprise 15 shares, so investors will need to choose accordingly. They can bid for a lot size of 15 or in its multiples thereof. Successful bidders will be allotted shares on May 12, while unsuccessful bidders will receive refund on the same day. Besides, LIC has received in-principal approval for listing of shares from both BSE and NSE, the prospectus said. Finally, shares of LIC will make their debut on the bourses on May 17. The entire net proceeds of the issue will be paid to the President of India and LIC will not receive any proceeds of the offer, the company said. The pre-offer equity shareholding of the promoter is 100 per cent, and upon completion of the offer the promoter will a certain percentage of the outstanding equity shares, which will allow the promoter to continue to exercise significant influence. As a result, the government will continue to exercise significant influence over LIC's business and all matters requiring shareholders approval, including proposed 5-year plans, revenue budgets, transactions with the government and other controlled entities, among other operations. Sources: TOI What LIC chairman said LIC chairman MR Kumar says that some of the companies in which the insurance company invests will act as domestic investors in the IPO. He stated that while foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are concerned about the IPO, global pension funds are "interested" in it. "There is no doubt that FIIs are concerned, but long-only funds (pension funds) are not concerned because they know they are putting money in for the long haul," Kumar said. LIC has just taken the first step toward its much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO) which will benefit to investors, markets, policyholders, Earlier in the day, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, secretary at the department of investment and public asset management, said the LIC IPO was being brought to market in May due to strong demand and a "solid" anchor investor base. Pandey had also said the size of the LIC IPO is "optimal" in current market conditions, defending its move to cut the stake sale plan from 5 per cent. About LIC Sources:TOI On September 1, 1956, the LIC was formed by merging and nationalising 245 private life insurance companies in India. It began with a Rs 5 crore capital. As of December 31, 2021, LIC is the world's fifth largest life insurer and the country's largest asset manager. Sources:TOI It covers nearly 91% of all districts in India and has the largest individual agency network among Indian life insurance entities, with approximately 1.33 million individual agents. Negotiation skills are essential for most modern-day corporate roles. But what can they contribute to other jobs, particularly those where decisions can mean the difference between life and death? We spoke to a doctor and a fighter jet navigator to find out. OSCAR GROOT Head of Intensive Care, Meander Medical Centre Amersfoort, Netherlands As head of the intensive care unit (ICU) at a top clinical hospital in the Netherlands, Oscar was in the eye of the Covid storm from the beginning. He recalls that as the world woke up to the threat in early 2020, there was, unsurprisingly, a scarcity of information: We had few facts and little data. But as the situation in Italy deteriorated, so we learned more. The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine had an Italian chair and Dutch co-chair and became a valuable resource for those of us at the coalface. This collaboration and information sharing echoes principles that commercial negotiators apply, although albeit for them the stakes aren't generally life-and-death. It was replicated in highly effective inter-country communication too, as Oscar explains. Every hospital in the Netherlands communicated twice daily with each other; how many beds we had, and what capacity we needed, or could offer. The transparency of the system worked well and resulted in a lot of movement between hospitals to accommodate patients. Plus, getting to know each other helped a lot. Oscars own hospital responded quickly to the increased demand, doubling intensive care beds from 14 to 28 by taking over half of the adjacent operating theatres The peak for us was April 2020, with every bed taken. Negotiation played a critical role in team engagement given that, The ICU nurses not only had to work with people from other units that lacked their qualifications, they also had to care for more patients, work longer hours, and change the way they worked. How did they manage this with the nursing team? We were clear we shared a common goal and had to face the pandemic with a common effort. This clarity of objective was crucial in keeping the team motivated and cooperative. Another element was recognizing that, unlike in normal times, perfection was not the goal; the new goal was as many people surviving as possible. Clarity around objectives and pragmatism about what good likes like is another familiar theme from commercial negotiation. A key difference is the public appreciation that Oscar and his team received in those early days It was really special; people were clapping for healthcare workers which proved hugely valuable to morale, given that, We did 12-hour shifts every day. To sweeten the deal for the team, the hospital management took some positive steps; You have to take care of the personal stuff. We listened to staff and made sure they were taken care of; for example they had all of their meals delivered and paid for. And, to ensure they had enough rest after a night shift, with kids at home during the lockdown a complicating factor, we offered staff a hotel to sleep in during the day. This give and take approach was harder to facilitate with surgeons who had patients needing operations a particular backlog was in orthopaedics. Oscar explains, To manage treatment prioritization, the management team set up a committee of surgeons, pulmonary specialists, hospital leaders and so on, meeting twice a week to discuss and agree priorities. These discussions could be intense and we made some difficult decisions. But again, the shared goal was critical in ensuring a decision could be reached. These ongoing and life-changing negotiations are one reason why those in medicine have been on a steep Covid learning curves. Oscars assessment of the response he has been part of is thoughtful and positive. He sums up, The Dutch way of negotiation is quite straightforward, and in a crisis its helpful to say exactly what you need. I learned as I went; Id only had one or two days of negotiation training. My advice? Be straightforward and trustworthy. Do what you say. Be as transparent as is possible. And, collaboration is vital. DAVID COOPER Executive General Manager, Nova Systems and former Commanding Officer, Royal Air Force Davids illustrious decades-long career in the Royal Air Force (RAF) included leading the famous Dambusters squadron and commanding a frontline station of over three thousand people. He also logged over 1,500 hours flying the iconic Panavia Tornado aircraft. In 2020, David left the RAF and joined a leading aerospace, systems and advisory company, Nova Systems, where negotiation is a central part of his role. Drawing parallels between the behaviors of an effective negotiator and those of frontline aircrew might appear at first glance a tricky exercise. But Davids military career required core competencies and skills that will sound familiar to commercial negotiators: stakes were high, risk was ever-present, mistakes could result in serious consequences, and the margin of error was small. But lets start with where it all begins, whether thats a military operation or a commercial negotiation: planning. Effective planning skills were crucial requirements for Davids RAF roles, whether he was mapping out reconnaissance missions, preparing for discussions with foreign counterparts, or conducting strategic reviews of airspace: all needed thorough and aligned plans in order to be successful. However, even the best-laid plans face challenge when circumstances change, or key intelligence or assumptions prove incorrect. As David says, Time in planning is rarely wasted, but theres a famous saying that, Plans are worthless, but planning is invaluable. You can have a plan written down, but you may not stick to it. But by following a planning process you have bricks or constituent parts, and you can rebuild them in a different way depending on how the situation develops. Thats where contingency planning comes in, which David says he and his teams spent a phenomenal amount of time doing, to mitigate against identified risk and facilitate quick reactions when time is at a premium. However, he concedes it can only take you so far when dealing with highly complex situations, or when large numbers of stakeholders are involved in decision-making. The bigger and better the plan gets, the more you rely on stakeholders outside your sphere of influence. Thats where contingency planning falls down it takes too long or relies on too many people to agree. So what do you do if presented with a problem that your plans do not adequately account for? How do you ensure you remain in charge and stay in control? David emphasizes the importance of taking time-outs in high pressure moments, to give yourself time to think clearly also highly appropriate in a negotiation. Within a military context however, situations often require rapid decision-making with no time to pause and reflect. David recounts a time he was leading a large international formation of aircraft and became aware he could lose control of proceedings, presenting a huge risk to the mission. He needed to fix the situation quickly, and the quality that became vital was humility: The first thing you need to do is recognize something has gone wrong. Then you need to stand up and communicate the issue to your peers and superiors. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Andrew Dominik had no clear idea what film he wanted to make when he came to make This Much I Know to Be True, the second music documentary he has made with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. The first film, One More Time with Feeling, was shot six years ago and suffused with Caves grief for his son, Arthur, who died accidentally in 2015. The first one was just Nick asking me to come and do this thing - and it was weird, because the film just didnt matter; there was a situation going on that trumped everything, says Dominik. This time around, he only knew that he wanted to film the songs on the Bad Seeds most recent albums, Ghosteen and Carnage: songs of requiem, grief, acceptance and love. Because I had a connection to them, says Dominik. Id been there when they were made, you know. And it wasnt a great time in my life when they were making those songs, so they really meant something to me. But the motive for making these films is not that I want to say something. I turn up, somethings going on and I film it. Plus it was COVID time. We wanted to hang out, you know what I mean? Do a play date, kind of thing. Bad Seeds composer and multi-instrumentalist Warren Ellis says that their work now overlaps so much with Dominiks that he feels like part of the band. Ellis and Cave wrote the music for Dominiks The Assassination of Jesse James (2007) and the forthcoming Blonde, based on Joyce Carol Oatess imaginary biography of Marilyn Monroe; Dominik stayed around after shooting One More Time with Feeling to help mix Ghosteen. And when we did Carnage, I would send him the mixes. Andrew has an opinion and when youre making stuff, you need an opinion so you can move forward. And Andrew is nine out of 10 times right. Were just waiting for him to join Grinderman so we can make that elusive third album. Ellis used to be wary of the idea of making concert films, because he thought the presence of a camera would change how they behaved. But with Andrew, you know, I dont even notice hes there. Of course, you know youre filming, but I think there is a comfort there that can only come about through trust. The film took shape as they talked about it. When Dominik turned up, as he puts it, Cave showed him the extraordinary figurines he had been making that depicted the story of the Devil. And I realised its just a disguised account of his life, you know. That had to be in there. So did The Red Hand Files, the website where Cave answers readers questions about life with thoughtful essays. Because he was obsessed with them. There was a period when I was living with him in LA and he was making a record at the time but, really, all he cared about was the Red Hand Files. Dominik was also keen to have Marianne Faithfull, whose voice is heard on Carnage, in the film. Both Cave and Ellis are close to her, but nobody pretends she is easy-going on top of which she was suffering the long-term effects of COVID and was in a wheelchair. Warren and Nick started telling me how difficult it was going to be, how impossible it was going to be and then I thought OK, weve got to get her here! Its going to be great! Itll be good! And she was. Dominik has found Caves reconciliation to bereavement moving to watch. Nicks kind of recovered. Which is amazing because I dont think the person in the other movie would have believed such a thing was possible. I guess what Nick found out earlier than most people do is that at a certain point, life is just going to become a series of losses so how do you deal with that? And he has good advice about it. The thing that strikes me, watching the film, is just how sane what he had to say was. The music is melancholy, but the dominant mood of This Much I Know To Be True is thus a quiet joy. Nick was determined, and this seems like a weird thing to say, to make the best of Arthurs death, you know, says Dominik. And he was very diligent about it. So here we are, years later and you know, Nicks a pretty happy guy! He feels pain, Im sure, but as his capacity for that has increased, so has his capacity for everything else. And I guess thats what the film has to say. - STEPHANIE BUNBURY Almost three quarters of a million people across Australia who spent time in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s will become eligible to donate blood after the nations medical regulator lifted the ban. The Therapeutic Goods Administration decided to scrap the ban on donations from people who lived in the UK for six months or longer, which was put in place due to concerns about the impact of the countrys mad cow epidemic. More Australians will be able to give blood after changes to eligibility. Marlon Skeldon gives blood in Sydney CBD earlier this month. Credit:Renee Nowytarger Cath Stone, executive director of donor services at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donation service, which asked the regulator to review the rules, said the approval was so exciting. It is something we hear a lot from people: Oh, Id love to donate, but I cant. For so many people living in Australia, it is just really exciting. The state government has quietly offered a sixfold increase in financial incentives to lure foreign healthcare workers to Victoria amid desperate shortages across hospitals. But medical colleges and unions warn not enough is being done to improve exhausting conditions for workers who are screaming out for help in the third year of the pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has contributed to major workforce shortages in Victorian hospitals. Credit:Getty Images They also raised ethical concerns about a recruitment drive poaching healthcare workers from other countries that may urgently need to retain medical expertise. Staff shortages are crippling regional hospitals, forcing staff to repeatedly declare a code yellow, due to bed and staff shortages. Chinese developers pushing to build a high-rise apartment block in Sydneys inner west allegedly paid a consultant to help the company gain access to Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas, a corruption inquiry heard. The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating claims Tsirekas accepted rewards, including overseas flights and accommodation, from developers in return for favourable planning decisions since 2012. Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas went on trips to China with representatives of collapsed property group iProsperity, including Belinda Li. Credit:ICAC The inquiry has heard Tsirekas, a former state and federal Labor candidate, took trips to Shanghai with his long-time friend, Joseph Chidiac, and representatives of collapsed property group iProsperity, who funded some of his expenses. Those trips coincided with iProsperitys attempts to gain planning permission to build a residential tower, initially of 46 storeys, comprising hundreds of apartments at Rhodes, which Tsirekas supported at council. Readers will recall a certain amount of tizz in various online communities at an act of campaign camaraderie Prime Minister Scott Morrison extended during a campaign stop in western Sydney. The innocuous drinks event somehow became prima facie evidence of big media suckling at the teat of a big government. Or something. Scott Morrison Credit:John Shakespeare That stretch even had ABC journalists (though probably not Laura Tingle) taking to social media to defend (?!) the prime ministers social largesse as routine governmental interaction with the fourth estate. Others pointed out that the opposition leader had done exactly the same thing. But wait, theres more. This week the prime minister and his team doubled down with an invite for the press pack travelling in Rockhampton to attend a laser tag and ten-pin bowling night at Rocky Bowl and Leisure, where a laser tag and ten-pin bowling combi price sets punters back $26. Say it with us, How good is Queensland? Police search for man after Adelaide carjacking Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Queensland lifted isolation requirements at 6pm on Thursday, as the state closed in on 1 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. Close contacts of a COVID-positive person no longer have to isolate, as long as they follow Queensland Health rules, which include taking a test every second day and wearing a mask. Close contact rules will lift from 6pm on Thursday. Credit:Tertius Pickard Across the state, more than 981,000 cases have been formally reported, and the million cases milestone could be reached as early as next week. The easing of restrictions was said to bring Queensland in line with NSW and Victoria. Both states ended isolation requirements at the weekend as they moved past the Omicron peak. Readers will recall a certain amount of tizz in various online communities over an act of campaign camaraderie the prime minister extended to the media during a stop in western Sydney. The innocuous drinks event somehow became prima facie evidence of big media suckling at the teat of big government. Or something. Scott Morrison Credit:John Shakespeare That stretch even had ABC journalists (though probably not Laura Tingle) taking to social media to defend the prime minister (!) and his social largesse as routine governmental interaction with the fourth estate. Others pointed out that the opposition leader had done exactly the same thing. But wait, theres more. This week the prime minister and his team doubled down on the socialising with an invite for the press pack travelling in Rockhampton to attend a laser tag and ten-pin bowling night at Rocky Bowl and Leisure, where a laser tag and ten-pin bowling combi is priced at $26. Say it with us, How good is Queensland? Australias jobless rate has been a cornerstone issue of this election campaign, with the Coalition celebrating record-low unemployment of 4 per cent and Morrison naming jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs as a key election priority. But the rosy national figure ignores the fact that about one in 10 Australians aged 15-24 who could work full-time are unemployed. This is a slight improvement from pre-pandemic figures but it is still alarmingly high, given global evidence that even short periods of youth unemployment are associated with long-term mental health impacts, lasting well into middle-age. It is clear the major political parties have forgotten young people, and as Australias Mental Health Think Tank points out in its latest policy paper, this critical omission will have significant repercussions on the mental health of this group. Bikie boss Mick Murray has faced court over the 2019 shooting death of a former associate of jailed crime boss Tony Mokbel. Murray, 44, was arrested on Thursday at his Lysterfield South home, in Melbournes south-eastern suburbs, and charged with murdering Mitat Rasimi, who was shot dead while in his car in Dandenong on March 3, 2019. Mitat Rasimi was shot dead in March 2019. Credit:Nine News Rasimi, a 51-year-old former associate of Mokbel, was killed over an alleged debt he owed the Comancheros, previous court hearings were told. Two men, aged 27 and 29, were charged with murder in the months after Rasimis death and have already been committed to stand trial. They are in custody awaiting a trial due to start in the Supreme Court next year. A senior detective being investigated by Victorias anti-corruption watchdog is accused of telling a travel agent to pay $20,000 to her employer to end a police investigation into allegations of theft. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission said on Wednesday it would investigate the conduct of Detective Sergeant Wayne Dean, a police veteran of four decades. Detective Sergeant Wayne Dean. The Age and A Current Affair can reveal the 62-year-old is accused of laying false charges against the travel agent in what she claimed was an attempt by her bosses to pressure her not to pursue the business for underpayment. The information is contained in statements made by the woman as part of a WorkCover claim and legal action against her former employer. The introduction of vehicle and fuel emission standards will be required for support from North Sydneys independent candidate Kylea Tink if shes successful in next months election and the Coalition and Labor are unable to form a majority government. In a Sky News debate on Thursday with the seats Liberal incumbent Trent Zimmerman and Labor challenger Catherine Renshaw, Tink did not pick a side when pressed further about which party she would support in the event of a hung parliament. She said it would come down to traction on the issues that mattered to the Australian public that is: faster action on climate so more ambitious carbon reduction targets for 2030 [and the] establishment of a federal integrity commission. Labors Catherine Renshaw, Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman and Independent Kylea Tink debate on Thursday. Credit:Richard Dobson Should a hung parliament emerge, the fate of the government could hang in the hands of a number of independent candidates, and the price of their support is slowly emerging. Independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall said if neither major political party had the numbers, it was indicative that they had not done enough to satisfy Australians. Washington: Memories of the Battle of Guadalcanal will galvanise US Congress to demand action to keep the Chinese from establishing a base in Solomon Islands, according to a senior Democrat on the armed services committee and the AUKUS caucus. Days after the Solomon Islands sent shock waves across the region by signing a security cooperation pact with China, Democrat Congressman Joe Courtney, the co-chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, said he was deeply concerned by the deal and likened Beijings encroachment to boiling a frog, where you turn up the temperature bit by bit. US Democrat Congressman Joe Courtney is on the AUKUS Caucus, which promotes the interests of Australias security alliance with the US and the UK. Credit:Facebook/Joe Courtney Courtney told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that while the war in Ukraine had been a priority this year, news of Chinas latest deal was starting to filter throughout Washington, sparking a growing desire for the US and its allies to do more to safeguard the region. For the US, this is not a development that involves sitting on a barstool, thousands of miles away, having an opinion, said Courtney, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, which has oversight of the Department of Defence and the nations military. Liberal moderate Dave Sharma told a forum last year fossil fuels were a necessary evil in Australias energy system but he didnt support more public money going into oil and gas, in comments unearthed as the Coalition faces a fresh internal struggle over climate action. Labor and independent candidates are capitalising on the government split over net zero as prominent Nationals reignited division within the Coalition over the target, pulling climate change back into the election campaign spotlight. Wentworth incumbent Dave Sharma labelled fossil fuels a necessary evil. Credit:James Brickwood Fossil fuels at the moment, have a necessary but evil impact in our system, Sharma told a Sydney forum about offshore petroleum exploration on August 18. If you like, theyre a necessary evil, but we need to be transitioning away from them. The office of the backbencher, who is defending his patch against independent candidate Allegra Spender, has not responded to questions about whether he stood by the comments in light of the hundreds of millions of dollars devoted to fossil fuels alongside renewables in the federal budget. Grace Tame has revealed senior Labor frontbencher Penny Wong sounded her out about politics, in an interview the former Australian of the Year did with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese for a womens lifestyle magazine. In the InStyle interview, conducted in early March and published on Thursday, Albanese and Tame talk about the strong women in their lives, constitutional recognition for Indigenous people and diversity in Labors ranks and parliament. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese on the cover of InStyle magazine. Where I grew up there was a much better chance of going to jail than going to parliament, Albanese says, after a lengthy discussion about his childhood with a single mother in public housing. Tame replies: I dont know, sometimes when I watch all that I wonder where Id rather be! I was talking to Penny Wong yesterday and she said, would you consider being there? On hospitals and healthcare, meanwhile, the major parties circle the elephant in the room. The pandemic has put the public hospital system under so much strain that patients can be kept in an ambulance outside an emergency department when they should be getting help. Morrisons answer on health this week was to speak about $300 million for rural health, including $66 million for MRI scanners in the regions, while Albanese promises $135 million for 50 urgent care clinics. Yet the health program director at the Grattan Institute, Stephen Duckett, says hospitals need immense help to get them out of the pandemic over the next two years. He suggests a temporary extension in the 50:50 cost-sharing between the federal and state governments on growth funding for hospitals, rather than the federal plan to leave 55 per cent to the states. He also backs the temporary removal of the federal governments 6.5 per cent cap on the increase in its payments to states. Hospitals are stretched because of the pandemic. Credit:Anna Kucera Where is the debate on this? Labor has fought hard on hospital funding in the past but seems wary of doing so now. The reason, Labor people admit, is money. Giving the states everything they want over four years would cost $20.5 billion, which is too much when Albanese wants to avoid being branded as a big spender who will lift taxes. Even so, this suggests Ducketts temporary boost could be done at a lower cost if Albanese wants to pick the fight. At least there are modest health proposals. On university funding there is silence. The Coalition does not hide its disdain for higher education, after cutting universities out of the JobKeeper scheme and cancelling research funding when it does not like the subject matter. Yet Labor is quiet about funding for higher education. Neither side offers a significant boost to this sector even though Peter Hurley, an education policy fellow at the Mitchell Institute, estimates university revenue has fallen by $2.2 billion and there is worse to come. Labor promises 20,000 more university places but its emphasis is on 465,000 fee-free places at TAFE. The Greens have filled the policy gap with a call to scrap student debts and end university fees in other words, going too far in a policy arena where others are not going anywhere at all. We have a shortage of workers, not jobs. Credit:Oscar Colman Theres another issue that is essential but mostly ignored: migration. The campaign rhetoric about job creation is at odds with reality when the immediate issue is the shortage of workers, not jobs. Whether the shortage is in aged care or in tech, the government will have to adjust policy after May 21 to bring in more migrants. While the budget assumes this increase, neither side is talking about how it will happen. Abul Rizvi, a former deputy secretary in the Department of Immigration, says the program to bring in skilled workers is now a mess under the 482 visa, which replaced the 457 visa a few years ago. We are now slower, more expensive and more bureaucratic on the most important visa, for the economy, that there is, he says. That must change. Loading Which side of politics would be brave enough to venture into this field? The orthodox approach is to avoid talking about migration during an election campaign remember the big Australia vision that Kevin Rudd endorsed and Julia Gillard reversed in 2010 but the debate is not about a population target. Some in Labor see it as an economic challenge and believe they can fill a Coalition policy vacuum. I believe we are at our best when we are boldest, said Tony Blair when he led Labour to three election victories in Britain. Yet boldness is in short supply in Australia in 2022. The campaign began with a focus on the cost of living and has ventured into disputes over the economy, climate change and national security. Yet it is running out of big arguments over big ideas. This is because Morrison and Albanese are both playing it safe. Neither side has thrown a bold idea into this contest since the week of the budget even when Labor could certainly do so without going so far as its tax agenda from the last campaign. The incredible timidity of this campaign works in Morrisons favour because he is asking voters to stick with the devil they know. He can survive as a result of the sheer inertia of an electorate that does not find a good reason to make a switch. A former Liberal Party member running as an independent in the marginal inner west Sydney electorate of Reid will direct her lower house preferences to the Labor Party ahead of sitting government MP Fiona Martin in a move that could threaten the Coalitions hold on the crucial seat. Independent Natalie Baini who quit the Liberal Party in protest last year has put Labor candidate Sally Sitou in fifth place on her how-to-vote cards. Martin is in sixth place. Federal Member for Reid, Fiona Martin, during an announcement for a major road upgrade in Olympic Park this week. Credit:Kate Geraghty The Liberal Democrat Party is also directing its voters to preference Sitou ahead of Martin, making Reid one of only two seats in NSW in which the minor party is preferencing Labor ahead of the Coalition. The minor partys top NSW senate candidate John Ruddick said it typically wanted a Coalition government returned, but had agreed to place Labor ahead of the Liberals on how-to-vote cards in both Reid and Bennelong in exchange for Labors fifth-placed preference in the senate. The Liberal National Party is suggesting Queensland voters place One Nation second on their senate ballot papers, in stark contrast to how Scott Morrison treated the right-wing party at the last election. The Coalitions Queensland arm also wants voters to preference One Nation in key lower house seats in the state, even after Pauline Hanson threatened to favour Labor instead. Queensland One Nation senators Malcolm Roberts and Pauline Hanson at an April press conference to announce former Adani executive Raj Guruswamy and former Morrison government backbencher George Christensen as fellow upper house candidates below Hanson on the states senate ticket. Credit:Matt Dennien While Hanson is fielding candidates in every seat and said in a statement on Thursday she would be targeting left-leaning Liberals, these included only incumbent MPs in the Tasmanian seat of Bass, Goldstein and Indi in Victoria, and Sturt in South Australia. That leaves open the possibility of a preference deal in Queensland between the Coalition, through the LNP, and One Nation. The United Firefighters Union has escalated its feud with the Andrews government, launching a campaign to put government candidates last in key seats at the November state election. The UFU is objecting to the Andrews governments changes to compensation legislation for firefighters who develop certain types of cancers. The change replaced references to firefighter to person in a bid to extend the compensation scheme to 90 vehicle and equipment maintenance staff. The United Firefighters Union is campaigning against the Andrews government over presumptive rights compensation legislation. Under laws passed in 2018, firefighters diagnosed with cancer do not have to prove it was caused by their duties to receive compensation. UFU secretary Peter Marshall said members and their supporters would saturate the main streets in the seat of Richmond with a letterbox campaign targeting homes and businesses until the election. A 59-year-old driver was killed in a crash at the Targa Tasmania rally on Wednesday, a year after three competitors died in the annual race. The Brisbane man, later identified as experienced driver Tony Seymour, was competing with his wife in a Lotus when it crashed over an embankment on a closed section of the event in the north of Tasmania. A Brisbane driver died after a crash during the Targa Tasmania rally. Credit:Monte Bovill/ABC News Tasmania police said the man died at the scene and the woman was taken to a hospital for observation but was not injured. Investigations were continuing. Police did not release the mans name. Targa said in a statement that the remainder of the event would be downgraded to non-competitive, meaning that while cars will continue to drive on closed roads, drivers will now be limited the signposted speed limits. London: Australias former foreign minister Alexander Downer has criticised the decision by Foreign Minister Marise Payne to let the UK High Commissioners posting fall vacant during the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations. George Brandis, who is the current High Commissioner to the UK, finishes his four-year posting on April 30 and will fly home to Australia on Saturday. Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne. Credit:Steven Siewert Whoever the Labor or Liberal party picks to replace Brandis would be unlikely to arrive in the UK to take up the position until mid-June at the earliest. The Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking her 70 years on the throne, will take place across the country on the four-day bank holiday weekend from June 2 to 5. In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visits the war damaged Irpinsky Lipky residential complex in Irpin. Credit:John Moore/Getty Images In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boys leg to the bone. Vadym Vodostoyev, the boys father, said: It just takes one second and youre left with nothing. The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians, the UN chief lamented. In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out the windows of the residential high-rise and another building. The capital had been relatively unscathed in recent weeks since Moscow refocused its efforts on the Donbas. Loading The explosions in northwestern Kyivs Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather. It was not immediately clear how far the attack was from Guterres. Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month. Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone. Western officials say the Kremlins apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east. But so far, Russias troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains a senior US defence official described them as covering several kilometres a day taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance. As of Thursday, Russia had launched about 1900 missiles into Ukraine the vast majority fired from outside Ukraines borders, the US official said. Most are strikes on Mariupol and the Donbas. Britains Defence Ministry said Friday that the limited Russian territorial gains have been achieved at significant cost to their forces. It said that Russia was apparently trying to attempt an advance south from Izium toward Slovyansk. Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions. Loading Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt. Its not just scary. Its when your stomach contracts from pain, said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. When they shoot during the day, its still OK, but when the evening comes, I cant describe how scary it is. Ukraines military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to intense fire and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region. Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor. Clothes hung in a closet of a destroyed house after a Russian rocket, hit by Ukraines anti-aircraft system, stroke in a residencial area in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Thursday, April 28, 2022. Credit:Francisco Seco Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off. Many of the Russian troops who were in Mariupol have been leaving and moving to the northwest, the U.S. defence official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment, didnt have exact figures but said a significant number of the roughly one dozen battalion tactical groups that were in the city were moving out. In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraines Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldnt be independently verified. Loading An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol. London: We have been remarkably lucky so far. Human beings invented nuclear weapons 77 years ago, but havent used them to slaughter each other since Nagasaki. We created long-range rockets, as Vladimir Putin reminded us again last week when he unveiled his Satan II Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles, but have avoided using them to annihilate our rivals cities. We are playing with genetic engineering, space travel, AI, and even enhancing the virulence of some pathogens, but have yet to deliberately use any of these technologies for mass warfare. Firefighters try to put out a fire following an explosion in Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit:AP With good fortune comes hubris and complacency: the chances of another major global conflict and, at worst, another world war are much higher than we realise, and are continuing to increase. Nobody knows the exact probability, but even a 10 per cent chance of a global catastrophe this century would be terrifying, and ought to justify an urgent, renewed focus in every Western country on making sure Armageddon can be avoided through robust deterrence, new alliances, vast investments in defensive weaponry and urgent diplomatic engagement. Tudor Gold appoints Mr. Joseph Ovsenek and Mr. Ken McNaughton to the Advisory Board to advance the Treaty Creek gold project in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (Frankfurt: TUC) (the \Company\ or \Tudor Gold\ https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/tudor-gold-corp/ ) is pleased to announce that Mr. Joseph Ovsenek and Mr. Ken McNaughton have joined the Tudor team as members of the Advisory Board to assist in advancing the Treaty Creek gold property located within the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. Ken Konkin, President and CEO, comments aTudor Gold is very excited to welcome Joe and Ken to the Advisory Board. I have had the pleasure of working alongside them for many years during my time at Silver Standard and Pretium Resources.A Both Joe and Ken are experienced and well-respected executives in our industry who have enjoyed incredible success in exploration, development, permitting, financing, building and operating mines.A We believe our Advisory Board members will make vital contributions as the Company advances its Treaty Creek gold project. We all welcome Joe and Ken and look forward to their valued input as the newest members of our team.a Joseph Ovsenek, currently President & CEO of P2 Gold Inc., has over 20 years of international management and legal experience in the precious metals industry. He has been responsible for building teams and leading the growth of public resource companies from early exploration stage to production.A Before founding P2 Gold, Mr. Ovsenek was President and CEO of Pretium Resources Inc. where he led the advance of the high-grade gold Brucejack Mine which has been operating profitably since commercial start-up in 2017. Mr. Ovsenek began his nine-year tenure at Pretium in 2011 as Chief Development Officer and led the financing of the company from exploration stage to operations and was subsequently appointed President in 2015 and President and CEO in 2017. Prior to Pretium he served for 15 years in senior management roles for Silver Standard Resources Inc., lastly as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development responsible for the sale of the Brucejack and Snowfield assets to the newly created Pretium Resources Inc.A Mr. Ovsenek holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto. Mr. Ovsenek is a registered member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and holds the Chartered Director (C.Dir) designation. Ken McNaughton is a professional geological engineer with over 30 years of global experience developing and leading mineral exploration programs. He currently holds the position of Chief Exploration Officer at P2 Gold Inc.A Prior to P2 Gold he was Chief Exploration Officer at Pretium Resources Inc., where he had been responsible for greenfield exploration programs since joining the company in 2011, shortly after it was formed to advance the early exploration-stage Brucejack Project. Prior to Pretium, Mr. McNaughton was Vice President, Exploration at Silver Standard Resources Inc. for 20 years, and he oversaw all exploration activities of the company including the exploration program for the Snowfield Project and the 2009 program when bonanza-grade drilling results established Brucejack as a high-grade gold discovery. Prior to Silver Standard, he was employed by Corona Corporation and its affiliate Mascot Gold Mines Ltd. as a project geologist and engineer for projects in British Columbia. Mr. McNaughton holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and a Master of Applied Science degree in geological engineering from the University of Windsor. About Tudor Gold TUDOR GOLD Corp. is a precious and base metals exploration and development company with properties in British Columbiaa?s Golden Triangle (Canada), an area that hosts producing and past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development. The 17,913 hectare Treaty Creek project (in which TUDOR GOLD has a 60% interest) borders Seabridge Gold Inc.a?s KSM property to the southwest and borders Newcrest Mining Limiteda?s Brucejack property to the southeast. In April 2021 Tudor published their 43-101 technical report, aTechnical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of the Treaty Creek Gold Property, Skeena Mining Division, British Columbia Canadaa dated March 1, 2021, on the Companya?s Sedar profile. The Company also has a 100% interest in the Crown project and a 100% interest in the Eskay North project, all located in the Golden Triangle area. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TUDOR GOLD CORP. \Ken Konkin\ Ken Konkin President and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please visit the Company\-s website at www.tudor-gold.com or contact: Chris Curran Head of Corporate Development and Communications Phone: (604) 559 8092 E-Mail: chris.curran@tudor-gold.com or Carsten Ringler Head of Investor Relations and Communications Phone:A +49 151 55362000 E-Mail: carsten.ringler@tudor-gold.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains aforward-looking informationa within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. aForward-looking informationa includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Companya?s intention to complete the Arrangement and proposed financing of Goldstorm on the terms and timing as anticipated by management and the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the expectation that the Company will set the date of the Companya?s next annual general meeting of the shareholders following receiving comments from the TSX Venture Exchange on the Spin-off Documents. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as aplansa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, abudgeta, ascheduleda, aestimatesa, aforecastsa, aintendsa, aanticipatesa, or abelievesa or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awill be takena, aoccura or abe achieveda or the negative connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company will complete the Arrangement and proposed financing of Goldstorm on the terms and timing as anticipated by management and that the Company will set the date of the Companya?s next annual general meeting of the shareholders following receiving comments from the TSX Venture Exchange on the Spin-off Documents. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companya?s plans or expectations include the risk that the Company will not complete the Arrangement and proposed financing of Goldstorm on the terms and timing as anticipated by management or at all, that the TSX Venture Exchange or the Supreme Court of British Columbia will not provide final approval to complete the Arrangement, the risk that the Company will not set the date of the Companya?s next annual general meeting of the shareholders following receiving comments from the TSX Venture Exchange on the Spin-off Documents or at all and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Laura Krieder/AP ROME (AP) With a round of Happy Birthday in Italian and English, the U.S. Army toasted an Italian woman with a birthday cake Thursday to replace the one that U.S. soldiers ate as they entered her hometown during one of the final battles of World War II. Meri Mion, who turns 90 on Friday, wiped away tears as she was presented with the cake during a ceremony in Vicenza, northwest of Venice. The event marked the anniversary of the day the 88th Infantry Division fought its way into the city on April 28, 1945. Walking up to the New York International Auto Show this month, an electronic VinFast billboard showcasing the Vietnamese automakers VF 8 SUV loomed over the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Odds are few Americans have yet heard of VinFast or the VF 8, but the EV startup is taking aim at the very heart of the crossover market. The VF 8 will take on compact models like the Honda CR-V and the increasing number of EV entries like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Any startup automaker targeting this high-volume, price-conscious market clearly has chutzpah, and VinFasts ambitions are as big as they come. The company began building vehicles only three years ago, but has plans to launch a line-up of five all-electric models, at least three of which are slated to reach the U.S. market, by mid-2023. That will start with the VF 9, a Kia Telluride-sized SUV, and the slightly smaller VF 8 crossover. Two VF 8 trims, Eco and Plus, are confirmed thus far. VinFast offered us the chance to drive bothif we were willing to take the 18-hour flight from San Francisco to Hanoi, followed by a bus ride to the automakers headquarters in the port city of Haiphong. It was an offer we couldnt refuse. Founded in 2017, VinFast built its first vehicles in 2019 but abruptly abandoned internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains in 2020, pivoting directly to electric vehicles. The VF 8 is among the first of is all-electric products. VinFast Whos VinFast and Whats a VF 8? As its name implies, VinFast is a company determined to move quickly. It was formed in 2017 by a conglomerate that operates everything from resorts and spas to hospitals and even a university. Its headquarters and manufacturing operations sit on land originally part of northern Vietnams largest harbor. The companys first product, introduced in 2019, was a reworked, previous-generation BMW X5. Several homegrown models were in the works when company officials decided to shift course and abandon internal combustion engine technology entirely. The first VinFast EVs, since labeled VF 8 and VF 9, dropped at last years Los Angeles Auto Show, with more added at this years CES in January. The VF 8 features a handsome, if conventional, crossover shape jointly developed by Italys Pininfarina and an in-house team led by former General Motors designer Dave Lyon. One-time General Motors design star, veteran vehicles as diverse as the Buick Bengal concept car and Chevrolet Spark, presents the larger VF 9 SUV at the New York show. Paul Eisenstein Upfront, the new brands distinctive V logo is framed by a split lightbar and LED running lights. The main headlamps sit above the bumper. As on many battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), there is no traditional grille since theres no need to push air into the engine compartment, though some functional vents and scoops remain for aerodynamics and battery cooling. The crossover is about the same size as the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Unlike those EVs, the VF 8 was originally designed for a gas engine so the dimensions havent been fully optimized for electrification. The automaker still managed to squeeze a modest-sized frunk under the hood, however. VF 8: Features and Quirks The VF 8 is capacious in both fore and aftindeed, along the lines of the big BMW iX, but expect some controversy over other interior design choices. Theres no standard gauge cluster, for example. Instead, essentials like speed and turn signals are displayed on both the center-mounted infotainment screena-la Teslaand on a head-up display. VinFasts giant center screen is similar to that of a Tesla, and a vast array of functions, even adjusting vents, are routed through touchscreen inputs. It may not be to everyones liking. Alex Kwanten That 15.6-inch touchscreen becomes the heart of the VF 8, much like with Tesla. There are a handful of conventional controls but even the outside mirrors must be activated on screen, and then adjusted using steering wheel toggles. You can use touch or a voice-controlled operating systemjust say, Hey, VinFast, to get it to come to life. The automaker plans an extensive array of features using the infotainment system, from cloud-based navigation to streaming video to a soon-to-be shopping system. A number of the features are still in development, but where things worked the system was impressive, even allowing us to operate the VF 8s sunroof by verbal command. The system balked when we tried to tell it, Hey, Vinfast, Im cold, which should have bumped the temperature up from 60 degrees to something closer to 68. Indeed, we experienced a handful of quirks during a brief series of drives in a trio of VF 8 prototypes at the automakers Haiphong headquarters. On one run, a white Eco prototype unexpectedly lost power several times during hard turns. Chief engineer Huy Chieu blamed a faulty sensor and the issue didnt reappear in two other prototypes, both sportier VinFast VF 8 Plus models. Testing out the VF 8 in Haiphong proved a rewarding experience. The longer-range Eco delivers more mileage, but the more powerful Plus sacrifices only a little range for a considerable uptick in power. Paul Eisenstein Performance, Range and Safety All versions of the VF 8 coming to the U.S. will feature a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup. The base Eco package detunes the motors to a combined 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The Plus model boosts output to 402 horsepower and 457 pound-feet. The Plus model makes good use of its instant torque, providing an aggressive launch feel that had us sinking deep into the crossovers seats. While the Eco model is reasonably quick, it lacks that instant oomph and feels more like the single-motor Toyota bZ4X. As for range, a base 82 kWh lithium-ion battery will deliver an estimated 260 miles per charge in the Eco and 248 miles in the Plus. A bigger 87.7 kWh pack bumps the numbers to 292 and 277 miles, respectivelythough all range estimates are based on the European WLTP standard. Expect the EPAs numbers to dip 10% or more. VinFast has interestingly decided to sell motorists the vehicle itself, but lease the battery pack. The automaker believes that will hold down costswhile also providing an extended warranty in which it promises to replace the pack if it fails or sees range drop below 70% of capacity. A senior VinFast official told Forbes Wheels that motorists would get newer battery technology, even breakthrough solid-state, if available. The VF 8 started out as a combustion-engine design, but even without being fully optimized as an EV platform, it presents a credibly-sized frunk for secure storage in what would otherwise be the engine bay. Paul Eisenstein As for charging, VinFast claims the VF 8 will go from a 10% to 70% state-of-charge in 31 minutes or quicker using a DC fast charger. We did not plug in at any point during the test drives. While the drivetrain on the Plus models proved quick and responsive, one feature was notably absent: one-pedal driving. Electric vehicles normally regenerate powerrecapturing energy lost during braking and coasting and sending it back to the battery while acting as a brake whenever the accelerator is not being pushedbut the VF 8 does not. According to Chieu, that is one of the under development features. If one-pedal driving isnt ready at launch, he explained, it will be added later using the VF 8s over-the-air update capabilities. The Vietnamese automaker also is working on various levels of hands-free driving assistance, but dont expect that at launch or anytime soon. To start, an assortment of advanced driver assistance systems will be standard on both Eco and Plus versions, including forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control. Traffic Jam Assist and Level 2 Highway Assist will be optional. Coming to America VinFast doesnt have a lot of time to pull it all together. It plans to open its first showroom on May 28 though orders will be handled online. The first crossovers are expected to be delivered late in 2022. What we experienced in Vietnam suggests the VF 8 has a solid foundation, but VinFast will need to hustle before launch. With the exception of a few mechanical glitches, such as that faulty sensor on the Eco prototype, Chieu insisted most of what is left is finalizing software. The automaker will have to live up to its name. In terms of pricing, VinFast plans to offer the base 2023 VF 8 Eco model at $40,700 before delivery fees. And that doesnt include the battery pack. There will be two leasing options. The basic plan comes in at $35 a month for the VF 8 and $44 for the VF 9. Motorists will get up to 310 miles of free use each month. Motorists who go above that will pay an additional 11 cents per mile for the VF 8 and 15 cents with the VF 9. An alternate, all-you-can-drive plan will run $110 a month for the VF 8 and $160 for the VF 9. Not every detail is fully ironed out yet, but VinFast is targeting late fall for deliveries. The upstart automaker will have to live up to its name to meet that timetable. Paul Eisenstein By comparison, the dual-motor, AWD VW ID.4 starts at $44,910, while the AWD version of the Kia EV6 comes in at $50,900. But will American motorists take to an EV coming from an unknown start-upfrom Vietnam, no less? Drivers have embraced Tesla and theres growing demand for battery-powered cars in general. For initial sales, VinFast officials plan to take things uncharacteristically slow. But only at first. A $6.5 billion vehicle manufacturing complex in North Carolina was announced last month and the company is planning a U.S. IPO to raise the necessary cash. Whether the companys fast start-up speed will take it to new heightsor lead to a rapid collapseis uncertain, but well know more once the 2023 VinFast VF 8 goes on sale later this year. This article, 2023 VinFast VF 8 First Drive: Targeting The Heart Of Crossover Country, originally appeared on Forbes Advisor. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow's forces retreated weeks ago. Nearly a dozen people were wounded in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin says is its main objective and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive. In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boys leg to the bone. Vadym Vodostoyev, the boys father, said: It just takes one second and youre left with nothing. The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians, the U.N. chief lamented. Separately, Ukraines prosecutor accused 10 Russian soldiers of being involved in the torture of peaceful people in Bucha. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova did not say her office had filed criminal charges, and she appealed to the public for help in gathering evidence. Russia denies it targets civilians. During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy renewed his pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes they commit and said about the 10 identified earlier Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There theyll receive retribution from our military. In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out of windows in at least two buildings including a residential one in the capital, which has been relatively unscathed in recent weeks. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded in the attack, which sent plumes of smoke billowing over the city. The explosions in northwestern Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather. It was not immediately clear how far away the attack was from Guterres. Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month. Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone. Western officials say the Kremlin's apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east. But so far, Russia's troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains, taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance. Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions. Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt. Its not just scary. Its when your stomach contracts from pain, said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. When they shoot during the day, its still OK, but when the evening comes, I cant describe how scary it is. Ukraine's military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to intense fire and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region. Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor. Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off. Many of the Russian troops who were in Mariupol have been leaving and moving to the northwest, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment, didn't have exact numbers but said a significant number of the roughly one dozen battalion tactical groups that were in the city were moving out. Russian forces are making slow, incremental progress in the Donbas gaining only several kilometers on any given day, the official said. As of Thursday, Russia had launched about 1,900 missiles into Ukraine the vast majority fired from outside Ukraines borders. Most are strikes on Mariupol and the Donbas. In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraine's Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldnt be independently verified. An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol. Deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewers, the city council said on the messaging app Telegram. It reported bodies decaying under the rubble and a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment to fend off the Russians. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine. ___ This story was corrected to remove a reference to a man being killed in the attack on Kyiv. He lost a leg in the attack. ___ Associated Press journalists Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine A Hartford man faces up to 40 years in prison for trafficking cocaine from Puerto Rico to Hartford through the U.S. mail, according to federal prosecutors. Javier Acevedo, 41, pleaded guilty in federal court in Bridgeport Wednesday to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, according to Leonard Boyle, the United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. The charges stem from an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Services Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force. The task force was investigating packages, believed to contain controlled substances, that are being shipped from Puerto Rico to various addresses in Hartford, according to court documents. In May 2021, investigators identified a suspicious package from Puerto Rico that was set to be delivered to a home in Hartford. An undercover inspector delivered the package while law enforcement conducted surveillance in the area, court documents said. About an hour after the package was delivered, Acevedo drove to the home in a black Nissan Altima with heavily tinted windows, according to court documents. He parked near the back of the home, picked up the package and drove off at a high speed. Through surveillance, law enforcement saw him commit a motor vehicle violation. As Acevedo began to turn into the driveway of his South Street home, law enforcement stopped him for failing to obey a stop sign and illegal window tinting. Acevedo was removed from the vehicle, and a police dog was called over. Court documents state he became extremely nervous, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. The police dog alerted police to the presence of narcotics in the package. Acevedo agreed to be interviewed by police and, after denying knowing what was in the package, he said there were between one and two kilograms in cocaine inside the box. He also admitted to receiving other packages containing cocaine and told police he was paid to hold the cocaine and others would pick up the drugs from his home on South Street, according to court documents. Police later searched the package and found several newspapers and two white boxes each containing a white brick of cocaine wrapped in saran wrap. Court document state the package, in all, contained about two kilograms of the drug. Acevedo was arrested on a federal criminal complaint in July 2021. After pleading guilty Wednesday, he faces at least five years, and up to 40 years, in prison. He was released on $200,000 bond pending sentencing. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Mayor Caroline Simmons tested positive for COVID-19, just before her first State of the City address. On Thursday morning, the mayors husband Art Linares tested positive for COVID-19 via a PCR test, mayoral spokesperson Lauren Meyer told The Stamford Advocate in a statement. Subsequently, Mayor Simmons took an at-home rapid test and also tested positive. Both the Mayor and her husband are feeling well and (are) now isolating at home. Simmons, who is fully vaccinated and had a COVID booster shot, canceled her appearance at the State of City event, hosted by the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, following Linares positive test. The mayor instead appeared in a prerecorded video. All of Simmonss scheduled appearances for the remainder of the week will be canceled, Meyer said. However, Simmons did attend in-person events on Monday. The mayor attended press conferences for announcements at Synchrony Financial, Mirador and Goodway Technologies; she also visited an after-school music education program at the private King School. Simmons mingled indoors with Gov. Ned Lamont, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman, AdvanceCT CEO Peter Denious and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., among other influential state figures at the gatherings. Neither Lamont, Lehman nor Himes has tested positive for COVID-19 in the subsequent days, staff said. Commissioner Lehman is fully vaccinated and boosted, and does not consider himself a close contact of Mayor Simmons this week, Anthony Anthony, the governors spokesperson, said in a statement. Gov. Lamont takes weekly PCR tests and regular at-home rapid tests due to his busy calendar. He is fully vaccinated, twice boosted, and has antibodies from being COVID-positive weeks ago, he added. The governor encourages everyone who has not been vaccinated or boosted to get their shot as it lessens viral load and severity of sickness on breakthrough cases. Himes tested negative for COVID on Monday evening and is not displaying any symptoms, according to communications director Patrick Malone. State Rep. Hubert Delany, D-Stamford, who was at the Synchrony event, said he tested negative Thursday. Representatives from AdvanceCT did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On the more local level, employees at Stamford Government Center who have had close contact with the mayor who are up to date with vaccines do not need to stay home, but should wear a mask for 10 days when around others, Meyer said. Government Center protocol recommends that close contacts should also monitor for symptoms and test 5 days after exposure or if symptomatic. Staff writer Ken Dixon contributed to this report. veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com In Connecticut, 19 people have died from COVID-19 within the prison system. The lack of nuance in the legal code condemned those without death penalty sentences to death. Connecticut suffers from prison overcrowding, high in-prison deaths and high costs of medical treatment as incarcerated populations grow older inmate health care alone costs taxpayers $100,000 dollars a year. Medical ethicists claim that prisons cannot provide patient-centered care necessary to keep terminally ill patients alive. S.B. 460, An Act Concerning Compassionate or Medical Parole and Credits Awarded for Release During an Emergency Declaration, is a step towards solving this financial and ethical problem. Compassionate release, or the shortening of a prisoners sentence when circumstances such as significant illness or good conduct lessen the need for continued imprisonment, is economically beneficial, does not endanger civilian safety, and is ethically imperative. This bill would provide necessary opportunities for inmates seeking compassionate release by assuring examination of each case by a release panel, broadening the qualifying characteristics for relief, and establishing protocol in times of emergency. Medical parole, especially during a crisis, is necessary to ensure that inmates are not placed at a higher risk for their health when they themselves pose little risk to society. Primarily, compassionate release will alleviate costs levied to taxpayers. The lack of broad compassionate release procedures directly increases average age in prisons by 2030, prisoners over 55 years of age will make up one-third of the Connecticut prison population. As age increases, so does the cost of medical care. Releasing older, medically compromised prisoners would be less costly and prevent prison overcrowding. S.B. 460 achieves this goal by changing previous language saying release would be awarded once prisoners posed no danger to society to significantly reduced risk to society. This diminishes the burden of proof needed for inmates to prove they are dangerous, yet still requires inmates to express a significantly decreased community risk. It is important to note that this poses no increased danger to Connecticut citizens. A Department of Justice review found prisoners released from compassionate parole to have a recidivism rate of 3.1 percent, compared to 30 percent of prisoners released on term. A three-person panel, as stated in S.B. 460, would assess individual cases for societal danger, providing an extra layer of protection. More generally, medically debilitated inmates would not have the physical capability to reoffend. Most fundamentally, this new method of assessment of risk in times of emergency can save lives. The executive director of the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles noted that current compassionate release statutory criteria were not drafted to handle a virus such a s this. We must allow prisoners to avoid the higher rates of COVID-19 than the rest of Connecticut present within prisons. To needlessly put inmates at risk negates their humanity and right to life. Less restrictive requirements for compassionate release are present in many other states. Vermont allows release if a medical condition renders the inmate unlikely to be physically capable of presenting a danger to society. Utah directly applies the significantly reduced risk standard by mentioning a lowering of recidivism rates. More recently, New Jersey implemented a bill in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed people with less than a year left on their sentences to be released up to eight months early. The Connecticut legislature is moving in the right direction. In 2021, the Senate similarly voted to expand eligibility for compassionate parole. However, the bill was not voted on by the House. This session, the Connecticut General Assembly has the opportunity to truly save lives and fix inherent flaws in the carceral system by passing S.B. 460. There is no time to waste. Meridian Monthy is a student at Yale University. The McAdoo branch of Wells Fargo Advisors, 7 N. Kennedy Drive, announced recently that Michael J. Oresick Jr., CFP, of Mountain Top, has joined the company as a financial advisor. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors, he served as a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC for three years, according to a news release. Oresick obtained the CFP designation at Northwestern Universitys School of Professional Studies. He graduated from the University of North Florida and has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Wells Fargo Advisors Greater Pennsylvania offices now have 53 financial advisors serving investors in the Northeast Pennsylvania area. Staff report South Africa: Protect community within the law, Cele urges Pimville residents While communities rights to protect themselves from criminality is enshrined in the Constitution, this must be done within a legal framework. This was on Thursday reiterated by Police Minister General Bheki Cele during a Ministerial Street Imbizo in Pimville, in Soweto. The Minister had returned to the Kliptown policing area to further engage community members on identified crimes and policing concerns. He was accompanied by the national and provincial management of the South African Police Service, City of Johannesburg council leadership and Gauteng Community Safety and Liaison MEC Faith Mazibuko. Cele last week visited the area following a cable theft-related shooting incident that claimed the life of Pimville resident, Kgomotso Diale. Five others sustained injuries. Two people have since been arrested and charged for the murder and attempted murders. During the engagement earlier today, community members raised a raft of crime-related concerns. Responding to the complaints raised, the Minister said: At no stage will we say communities cant rise and defend themselves. At no stage will we say communities cant come together and work for their safety and comfort. However, he said communities must do so within the boundaries of the law. Should residents fail to uphold the law, police officers would be obliged to enforce it. Communities are protected by the Constitution, they can mobilise and defend themselves. That doesnt come from me, its in the Constitution. However, it is specific - you do that in an orderly manner, you march unarmed. Secondly, when you mobilise for the safety and security of your community, you do so by not interfering with the activities of others. When I leave here, I request that you do that - work within the boundaries of the law. The Minister implored police officers to decisively act against law breakers. Cele pointed out that while there may not be enough resources deployed to the police station, they needed to consider that limited officers had to be spread among 1 153 stations across the country. The Kliptown police precinct has five churches and 124 shebeens, 26 schools, 18 bottle stores. On calls for police to rid the areas of criminal foreigners, the Minister said police had an obligation to protect all lives from criminals. My job is to protect lives from those who threaten lives. Lets work together in keeping safe the lives of South Africans and those inhabitants that are illegal be legal so that they are protected by the law, whether criminals are South African or foreigners, he said. Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mwela said an operation on Thursday morning lead police to recover tons of copper cables in Devland, near Soweto. Without your assistance in todays operation we would not have recovered 838 mandrax tablets. We recovered two firearms and R10 000 from a person that tried to bribe police in todays operation. We have also arrested three people for possession of cable. We have arrested 53 undocumented persons. That on its own tells us one thing: working together we can always achieve more, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-04-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. President Klaus Iohannis has signed on Thursday a decree for decorating the Battle Flag of the Deveselu 99 Military Base. According to the Presidential Administration, on the occasion of 10 years since it was established, as a sign of "appreciation of important results achieved by the unit staff in carrying out specific missions, for the contribution brought to promoting the image of Romania's Army," the head of state granted the Order of Military Virtue, in the rank of Knight, with a peace insignia, for soldiers, to the Battle Flag of the 99 Deveselu Military Base, Agerpres.ro informs. The chairman of Social Democratic Party (PSD), Marcel Ciolacu, declared on Thursday that in the next period a meeting will take place, at parliamentary level, between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, which will most likely take place in our country. "I think that together with the President of the Senate we will have a parliamentary meeting with the Republic of Moldova very soon. We will decide where this activity will take place, I think the meeting will take place in Romania, and we will decide whether it will take place in Iasi. We will see whether the meeting will be at the level of the joint Permanent Bureaus or will be with the committees, at least the foreign policy committees will definitely have to participate," Ciolacu said at the PSD headquarters. He added that he would like this action to take place in a week or two. AGERPRES Dunarea de Jos ("Lower Danube") University of Galati (eastern Romania) is the first university in Romania to present a project in the European Parliament, the institution's press office informed on Thursday. According to the cited source, this is the REXDAN Project, a research project worth 20 million euros, which was presented in the European Parliament in a special audience. "The Rector of the Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, Prof. Dr. Eng. Puiu-Lucian Georgescu, Dr. Dan Nica, MEP, alongside Jean-Eric Paquet - Director General of DG Research and Innovation chaired the meeting also attended, in addition to the university delegation, by Aida Liha Matejicek - Head of Unit - Administrative Capacity Building and Program Implementation II, DG REGIO, Apostolia Karamali - Head of Unit, Unit R&I Actors and Research Careers, Michael Vorlander, Head of Unit, Education and Research, Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany, representatives of Serbia, Austria, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria as well as numerous MEPs. The research infrastructure, through its fixed and mobile components, is unique in Europe, being appreciated on the open stage by all European experts," specify the representatives of the University of Galati. The Dunarea de Jos University will have, through the REXDAN project, the largest research ship in the European Union, Agerpres.ro informs. The construction of the ship started at the southern Giurgiu Shipyard, last year. The ship, which will cover more than 2,000 kilometers of the European Union's inland waters in terms of research, will be completed in 2023. The financing of the construction of the research ship and its endowment with state-of-the-art research equipment is achieved through the "Integrated system for research and complex monitoring of the environment in the Danube river area" project, REXDAN, co-financed by the Competitiveness Operational Program. The total value of the project is 91,972,096.30 RON. The Minister of Economy, Florin Spataru, declared in Prahova, on Thursday, that Romania has "the opportunity and responsibility" of ensuring the independence of European economy by reopening mines that can offer critical prime materials. "In this crisis of raw materials, Romania has this opportunity, and I would say even responsibility, of ensuring the independence of European economy and to carry out an exploitation process and reopening some mines, not all of them, of course, but mines that can offer these critical raw materials. (...) I hope that we will make this process as quickly as possible," the Minister said, during a work visit carried out in Slanic salt mine in Prahova. In context, he reminded of the strategy of mineral resources which will be updated, Agerpres.ro informs. "We will have a strategy of mineral resources. We had a first discussion yesterday with companies in the field, with research institutions, with the National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRM), with the Ministry of Economy and I expect that in the following weeks we will be updating the mineral resource strategy, as well as coming with norms for applying the Mine Law and to enter in serious talks with the European Commission in order to valorize these non-energy mineral resources, as quickly as possible," Florin Spataru declared. Today, the European Union, the United States, and several international partners have proposed a Declaration for the Future of the Internet, setting out the vision and principles of a trusted Internet. Partners support a future for the Internet that is open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure and affirm their commitment to protecting and respecting human rights online and across the digital world. So far, 60 partners have endorsed the Declaration, including all EU Member States, and more countries are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks. The list of signatories is available here. The Declaration for the Future of the Internet is in line with the rights and principles strongly anchored in the EU and builds on the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles that the Commission has proposed to co-sign together with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: The Internet has brought humanity together, like never before in history. Today, for the first time, like-minded countries from all over the world are setting out a shared vision for the future of the Internet, to make sure that the values we hold true offline are also protected online, to make the Internet a safe place and trusted space for everyone, and to ensure that the Internet serves our individual freedom. Because the future of the Internet is also the future of democracy, of humankind. The Declaration for the Future of the Internet has been launched today at a hybrid event in Washington, D.C., organised by the White House's National Security Council. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, participated via video conference. The partners in the Declaration affirm that the Internet must reinforce core democratic principles, fundamental freedoms and human rights as reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They share the belief that the Internet should operate as a single, decentralised network of networks, where digital technologies are used in a trustworthy way, avoiding unfair discrimination between individuals and allowing for contestability of online platforms, and for fair competition among businesses. In launching this Declaration, the partners also express their strong concerns about the repression of Internet freedoms by some authoritarian governments, the use of digital tools to violate human rights, the growing impact of cyberattacks, the spread of illegal content and disinformation and the excessive concentration of economic power. They commit to cooperating to address these developments and risks. They also share the vision that digital technologies have the potential to promote connectivity, democracy, peace, the rule of law and sustainable development. The current situation in Ukraine dramatically demonstrates the risk of severe disruption of the Internet, notably in the form of total or partial shutdowns. There is also a risk of fragmentation of the Internet, as the Russian government has been threatening to disconnect partially or totally from the global Internet, as well as of being misused, as there is currently a surge in cyberattacks, online censorship and disinformation. This shows once again the importance of stepping up our actions to defend the global open Internet, which is a driving force for the economies and societies worldwide. Partners will work together to continue to deliver on the promise of connecting humankind and will translate the principles of the Declaration into concrete policies and actions, while respecting their regulatory autonomy. Other stakeholders will be invited, including from civil society and industry, to support the Declaration and facilitate its implementation. Partners will promote these principles globally, within the multilateral system. Members of the College said: Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, said: The Internet is a part of our daily lives. Faced with corporate power and state power Europe's approach to the Internet, is based on a clear guideline: people's power. So our vision is a global, open Internet where people can freely express themselves and companies have a chance to compete and innovate. Many countries around the world are reflecting on how best to maximise opportunities of the Internet and minimise the risks for their populations. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: The Declaration for the Future of the Internet is a clear message in a time of geopolitical and digital upheaval: the EU is committed to maintaining the Internet free, open, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure. We stand against efforts to divide the Internet and will continue to work together with our partners around the world to protect human rights online and across the digital ecosystem. The DFI enlarges the law-governed digital space, brings together coalitions of like-minded partners that share a vision of a human-centric digital transformation. It is a demonstration of the EU's Digital Diplomacy being an effective part of our foreign policy toolbox. Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said: Online, as well as offline, people should be free, safe and empowered to pursue their aspirations. This is in Europe's DNA and we are committed to work with our international partners to promote an open, neutral, interoperable and secure Internet where rights are protected and illegality is removed, where innovation thrives and everyone has access to content and services of their choice. This Declaration will ensure that the Internet and the use of digital technologies reinforce, not weaken, democracy and respect for human rights. Next Steps The Declaration is an inclusive initiative, and the partners will continue to reach other governments to involve them in the Declaration. All partners will reach out to the private sector, international organisations, the technical community, academia, and civil society, and other relevant stakeholders worldwide to work in partnership to achieve the vision of an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure Internet. These efforts will culminate in an event in the summer of 2022, where partners will discuss with the multi-stakeholder community how the Declaration and its principles can elevate and support the future of the global Internet. Workshops on this subject will also take place in the next months. While the Declaration and its guiding principles are not legally binding, it should be used as a reference point for public policy makers, as well as citizens, businesses, and civil society organisations. Background The European Union worked together with the United States and a group of international partners to devise a positive agenda and shared vision for the future of the global Internet. The Declaration for the Future of the Internet is fully consistent with EU values as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the EU Digital Rights Principles as part of Europe's Digital Decade, as well as a broad range of digital policy initiatives led by the EU. It follows the announcement made in the Digital Compass Communication to build on a renewed transatlantic relationship that leads the way to a wider coalition of like-minded partners; one that is open to and developed together with all those who share the EU's vision of the digital transformation. The Declaration is of political nature. Adhering to the principles contained in the Declaration does not create legally binding effects for the European Union and its Member States and does not pre-empt or prejudge our position in other fora. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Wednesday that the first natural gas drill in the Black Sea will happen in the middle of this year, with the new exploitation expected to provide about one billion cubic metres per year, which is 10% of the annual natural gas consumption in Romania. "The first Black Sea natural gas drill will be conducted by Black Sea Oil and Gas in the middle of this year and then we will have an extra billion cubic metres per year provided by this investment. (...) In the Caragele field the first dill will be in 2024, and in the Neptune Deep field, before the end of 2026-2027; we cannot hope for Black Sea natural gas earlier than late 2026-2027. We have to say that Romania is a lucky country, having this very important resource at the moment," Ciuca told TVR1 national broadcaster on Wednesday. According to Ciuca, although there is currently enough gas for consumption by the population and industry, an additional amount of about 20% of annual consumption is needed, of which 10% would be provided by the exploitation of Black Sea Oil and Gas. Ciuca added that talks with the Bulgarian prime minister would be held on Friday on the completion of an interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria, so that liquefied gas could be brought to the Mediterranean and unloaded at terminals in Greece or Turkey. With regard to electricity, Ciuca said that the European Union's renewable energy programmes are being considered, along with steps for the commissioning of the Iernut plant, the Cernavoda III and IV reactors and small modular reactors. In connection with the offshore drilling law, Ciuca gave assurances that it will shortly be approved and forwarded for promulgation. AGERPRES Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu participated on Thursday via video conference in the signing ceremony of the Declaration for the Future of the Internet, an event organized in hybrid format by the US Administration/the White House National Security Council, the Foreign Ministry informs in a release, stating that Aurescu participated in the approval and virtual signing of the Declaration along with senior officials from over 60 states who share its principles and vision about an open and secure internet that respects democratic values and human rights, Agerpres.ro informs. Attending the event were senior representatives of the US, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, as co-initiators of the Declaration. "The launch of the Declaration for the Future of the Internet is the expression of a joint democratic vision of the digital future, by supporting a set of principles that promote an open, free, interoperable and reliable global internet while ensuring the protection of human rights in the digital space. The Declaration promotes a multi-stakeholder approach, establishing and supporting a partnership among governments, authorities, the civil society, industry and any other stakeholders interested in adhering to these principles. The joint initiative is driven by the need for increased and continuous efforts to maintain a single global internet in the context of the growing risks and challenges of the digital space. Today's threats target multiple corporate and economic aspects, including the benefits of internet connectivity, through malicious cyber activities, misinformation, the use of personal data, surveillance and control," the statement reads. Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu reiterated Romania's condemnation of Russia's illegal, brutal, unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine during a briefing at the informal UN Security Council meeting on the call for liability for atrocities committed in Ukraine, initiated by Albania, France and Ukraine, in a hybrid system. According to a press release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES, in this context, the Romanian Minister "reiterated the condemnation, by Romania, of the illegal, brutal, unprovoked and unjustified aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine." He also drew attention to the serious deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the destruction in Ukraine, which he also personally observed during his visit the previous day, including in the localities of Irpin and Borodianka, as part of a delegation led by the Prime Minister of Romania, Nicolae Ciuca, and he called on the armed forces of the Russian Federation to stopped the abuses against civilians, in serious violation of the international humanitarian law. The head of Romanian diplomacy also voiced confidence that no one involved in committing atrocities in the context of the armed conflict in Ukraine will go unpunished. The Romanian official referred to the initiatives in the field of international criminal justice promoted or supported by Romania in connection with the conflict in Ukraine, such as the notification, carried out together with other EU member states and other states that share the same values and objectives, submitted to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate into the crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, the payment of a voluntary financial contribution of 100,000 euros from the MAE budget to the International Criminal Court Trust Fund (ICC) to support the work of the Prosecutor's Office for 2022, and joining the Group of Friends of Responsibility as a result of the aggression against Ukraine. Aurescu also expressed Romania's intention to continue promoting the initiative launched in 2021 to stimulate the widest possible acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and encouraged as many states as possible to join this initiative. The informal meeting of the UN Security Council set out to discuss ways to support and coordinate the various evidence-gathering efforts on the most serious crimes recently committed in Ukraine, with a view to prosecuting those responsible. Speakers at the opening of the meeting were UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan, Chairman of the International Commission of Inquiry into Ukraine of the Human Rights Council Erik Mose, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venedik and civil society representatives (Ida Sawyer, head of Human Rights Watch, and Amal Clooney, Clooney Foundation for Justice). AGERPRES The number of Ukrainian refugees who entered Romania through the Stanca and Radauti Prut border crossing points in Botosani County has increased significantly in the last 24 hours, the representatives of the Prefect's Office inform on Thursday. According to the same source, on Wednesday, through the two crossing points on the border with the Republic of Moldova, 198 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania, double the number recorded the previous day. "The Ukrainian citizens entering Romania through the Radauti Prut and Stanca border crossing points benefit from water, food, medical care and can obtain information about the problems they face. All institutions involved in the management of this situation are permanently connected carrying out activities in an integrated way so that the people who take refuge from the war can go through these moments more easily. The situation is dynamic, the data on accommodation places is constantly changing," the officials of the Botosani Prefect's Office specified. On Thursday morning, at 8.00 am, a number of 78 Ukrainian citizens were accommodated in the temporary accommodation unit provided by the Botosani authorities. AGERPRES The majority of financial analysts of international financial institutions have rather halved their rate of national economy increase this year, as a main consequence of this war on the Romanian economy, said Adrian Codirlasu, deputy chairman of CFA Romania. "The impact of the Ukrainian crisis comes from two places: on the one hand, from the price increase of energy products, as well as food, which reduces demand, and on the other hand, the strong aversion to risk generated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which also leads to a more cautious consumer behavior, as well as of the companies. From here, a tempering of the consumption and investments, and all this lead to a reduction of internal demand, and implicitly to slowing down the GDP's growth rate. We see that most financial analysts from international financial institutions have halved the national economy's growth rate this year. If before the war we could talk about over 4% or somewhere between 4% - 5%, now we are already speaking of numbers around 2%, even under 2%. Basically, the economic growth rate has halved. This is the main consequence of the war on the Romanian economy," Adrian Codirlasu explained, during a conference about Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), organized by Oxygen Events. He highlighted that the PNRR, on the energy component, emphasizes on going towards a more sustainable or green economy through investments in hydrogen, by purchasing batteries that work in parallel with photo-voltaic or wind plants, so that a constant stream can be ensured, by improving Romania's energy infrastructure. "They had something to do with sustainability and lower carbon consumption. Basically, what is happening in Russia - and we are already seeing this at an European level that there was a decision of giving up energy products from Russia, the decision was made, and the PNRR comes to support this decision, - investments are going towards green energy, which is developed locally. I believe that sanctions should be enforced. Why? Because any barrel of oil or gas imported by the European Union basically supports Russia's war against Ukraine. We need to stop these gas and oil imports from Russia in order to stop the financing given by the European Union to Russia in order to support this war," the deputy chairman of CFA Romania also said. He highlighted that carbon emission targets were established, Agerpres.ro informs. "Precisely because of the fact that we still need fossil fuel, it looks that for a while the enforcement of these targets will not be so strict anymore, but, on the long-term, these targets remain. I believe that in the long term these targets should remain the same and that this crisis should be seen as an opportunity of making the conversion to green energy as quickly as possible," Adrian Codirlasu specified. The Palace of the European Commission of the Danube, the current headquarters of the V.A. Urechia Galati County Library, has obtained the title of European Heritage Label, as part of the international competition organized by the European Commission, inform, on Thursday, representatives of the cultural institution. According to the EC, European Heritage sites are milestones in the creation of today's Europe. Spanning from the dawn of civilisation to the Europe we see today, these sites celebrate and symbolize European ideals, values, history and integration. Since 2013, these sites have been selected for their symbolic value, the role they have played in European history and activities they offer. These sites bring the European Union and its citizens closer together. European Heritage sites focus on the promotion of the symbolic European values and the significant role these sites have played in the history and culture of Europe. They also offer valuable educational activities, especially for young people, Agerpres.ro informs. "This distinction is an honor and an immense joy. It is recognition of the particular role that the Palace of the European Commission of the Danube had in the construction of Europe today, as well as the particular involvement in the community and in promoting European values by the library. The County Council (CJ) will continue to be a trustworthy partner and ensure the full support our colleagues need to promote, through all means, the historical moment. In the close future, the Palace of the European Commission of the Danube will be rehabilitated by the CJ and thus better used," said the Galati County Council chair, Costel Fotea. The Palace of the European Commission of the Danube (CED) is a historical monument, on three levels, with a basement and attic. It was built in 1896 as the administrative headquarters of the European Commission of the Danube, the first European institution with the purpose of regulating the navigation regime on the Danube, established following the Paris Peace Congress in 1856. The European Commission of the Danube was headquartered in this building until its abolition in 1948. The monument holds several of the original architectural elements: the semicircle gable, heavily ornamented, supported by two columns clad in hawsers, the French-style door, with crystal glass, from the entry to the main lobby, the stucco on the interior walls, the apparent columns on the first floor, ornamented with plant motifs and specific symbols: the anchor, the trident, the cornucopia, the railings, the marble staircases, the first floor skylight, with transparent glass bordered by colored portions, decorated with laurel leaves, the wainscotting with different types of wood, some rare, with bronze hardware. Starting with 1968, the building became the headquarters of the V.A. Urechia Galati County Library, established by Royal Decree signed by Carol I on December 7, 1889. Romanians have chosen in the last two years to travel around the country because of the pandemic and movement restrictions and to rediscover destinations that are worth being visited, such as natural reservations hidden in the counties of Cluj and Alba or picturesque villages in the Banat area and in the counties of Harghita and Covasna, says Rita Szilveszter, online marketing expert for Travelminit. The online hotel platform proposes during the weekend of May 1 a few atypical places in Romania that are worth being seen. - An adventure in Gradina Zmeilor, a natural reservation, approximately 70 kilometers away from the city of central-western Cluj-Napoca, also known as "Romania's Meteora", due to the atypical geological formations from around, Agerpres.ro informs. - The Red Ravine / Rapa Rosie in the county of central Alba, a geological reservation of national interest, which is distinguished from its countless columns and pyramids of various colors, a truly unique landscape in Romania, which is only 6 kilometers away from the city of Sebes. - The village of Charlottenburg (or Sarlota), which is an hour away from western Timisoara. This is atypical through its circular arrangement, all houses being placed in a circle. Its shape was strategically thought out, so that it would prevent wild animals from entering the village and cause damage. Charlottenburg was founded by immigrants that arrived in the Banat area from Italy and Germany, and is currently a historical monument. - Eibenthal, located two steps away from the Danube, in the village of Dubova in southwestern Mehedinti. There is also a community of Czechs who brought their traditions in the area, so that the tourist will not only enjoy a fairy-tale vacation in the Danube Gorge, but also one of the most beautiful areas in the country, as well as a special cultural experience. - A circuit in the 5 villages in the Bunesti parish, central Brasov county: Bunesti, Crit, Mesendorf, Roades and Viscri, where there are also medieval fortifications that are part of the national heritage, traditions and customs kept for hundreds of years, as well as the famous house owned by Prince Charles in Viscri. - The county of central Harghita with unique hiking trails (Cheile Varghisului, Via Ferrata), off-road tracks and hikes in a few absolutely spectacular areas (Tinovul Mohos, Lacul Rosu, Lacul Sfanta Ana), along with the central county of Covasna, also known as the Land of Mansions, due to its many castles and mansions (Kalnoky, Benke), extremely well preserved. The area offers wellness options, due to the thermal springs in the area, between the resorts of Homorod Baths, Tusnad Baths, Borsec, Corund, Toplita. Founded in Cluj-Napoca, the Travelminit company is one of the largest players on the Romanian hotel reservation market since 2017. The Travelminit portfolio contains 7,500 active places of accommodation (hotels, hostels, apartments) in Romania and covers a wide array of accommodation spots nationwide (seaside, mountain area, spas and big cities), leading the reservation market with voucher cards. In 2021, Travelminit reported sales worth 13.5 million Euro in Romania. Since 2020, Travelminit is been part of the Szallas Group. Romania was recognized as a trustworthy partner for the United States of America from the point of view of intellectual property protection for the first time in 25 years, informs, on Thursday, a press release of the Executive. The United States Trade Representative (USTR), the US government agency that deals with international trade relations, published the Special Report 301 for 2022, in which, for the first time in over 25 years, Romania is removed from the Watch List, thus formally recognizing that Romania has the capacity to overcome barriers in what regards protection of intellectual property rights, Agerpres.ro informs. Romania was placed on the watchlist for the first time in 1995, and after three years of observation, was placed on the list, where it was constantly present from 1999 to 2021, being the only EU member-state on it. Thus, according to the USTR announcement, among the reasons for the positive development were the appointing of the first national coordinator in the domain of intellectual property, Sorin Costreie, advisor to the PM; the establishment of a new unit within the Directorate for Investigating Economic Crime of the Romanian Police General Inspectorate, specialized in cases of online piracy; allotting additional officers for intellectual property investigations and the resumption of organizing by the Service to coordinate the activity of the Public Ministry in the realm of intellectual property laws within the Prosecutors' Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice of meetings of the Working Group on matters of intellectual property rights; a public-private partnership created as a support structure for preventing and combating infringements of intellectual property rights. The Romanian government welcomes the announcement of the Japanese government about organizing in coordination with the UN High Commissioner's Office for Refugees a series of humanitarian aid flights to Ukraine via Romania and other European countries. "The decision underlines the strong convergence of values and the mutual attachment of Romania and Japan to defending international law and human rights against unprovoked aggression," the Bucharest Executive wrote on Twitter, Agerpres.ro informs. The President of the Senate, Florin Citu, said on Thursday that he will lead a delegation of the Upper House of Parliament that will travel to the Republic of Moldova in the next weeks, the visit, established initially after his arrival from the United States, being rescheduled. "We have a scheduled visit from the Senate, a delegation, in the next few weeks. It is a visit that has been postponed. It had to be right after my return from the U.S. We've postponed it a little bit, but we'll go. In the next weeks we will go to Chisinau. (...) It will be for parliamentary collaboration. It is an invitation that we have received for some time from the President of the Parliament in Chisinau and now we are honouring it. We have a cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova for some time, as well as the legal and European affairs committees," Citu said at the Senate, Agerpres.ro informs. He stressed that Romania supports Moldova to be a full member of the EU. "The Republic of Moldova has just signed that it wants to join the European Union. And we can help and go to send our message of support to be an EU member with all the rights," added Florin Citu. Romania can help Ukraine by changing legislation in Parliament to allow refugees to work in Romania, and also offers to assist Ukraine's EU accession process, Senate President Florin Citu said on Thursday after his visit to Kyiv the day before. "On the parliamentary side, we want the best possible cooperation. There are Ukrainian refugees in Romania and, if needed, I requested a change in Romanian legislation to allow these people to work in Romania. I asked for the support of the colleagues in the Ukrainian Parliament and vice versa. Also, for their EU joining process, for the laws that need to be changed, Romania has gone through this experience and we said that we can help them navigate the European Commission's bureaucratic tangles," said Citu, Agerpres.ro informs. According to the Senate head, during his visit to Kyiv he attended a congress of local authorities where President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the reconstruction of Ukraine. "It was important for me to be in Kyiv that day, there was this congress of the local authorities, the first to be held after Russia's aggression against Ukraine on February 24, and it was the first debate where President Zelensky was raising for discussion Ukraine's reconstruction, so it was a turning point, (...) a very important event where I had a 5-6 minute intervention followed by addresses by Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, all having in mind assistance for the reconstruction of Ukraine. However, the highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the devastating effects - both material and human - of this war on Ukraine. The initial program was drawn up at the invitation of my counterpart, [Verkhovna Rada Chairman] Mr. Ruslan Stefanchuk, who sent the invitation to all EU heads of Parliament," Citu said. The head of state of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is looking to the future with optimism and has proposed some "very ambitious" deadlines for the reconstruction of his country, reason for which Romanian state officials were on Tuesday and Wednesday in Ukraine to support them, said, on Thursday, Senate President Florin Citu. "Any effort, even if it includes arms, must not be wasted at this time. The good part was that there was that turning point. The administration in Ukraine and President Zelenskyy are looking forward with optimism and discussing about the reconstruction of Ukraine. They put forth some very ambitious deadlines. We are speaking of 90 billion euro, destruction in infrastructure that they want to rebuild in 2 years. They're focused on bringing back those who left home, refugees. They have done their research very well. There are 300,000 families that lost their homes and those are a priority. Ukraine looks to the future with optimism. It needs support on the reconstruction side. They must be supported in their defence, as well," said Citu in the Senate. The Senate President explained that though the sanctions against Russia are "a discomfort" today, they are to ensure, in the future, national security and integrity, Agerpres.ro informs. "I support what I said since the first day of war, since February 24 - sanctions against Russia. They must be increasingly harsher. It's a discomfort for us today, if we impose sanctions on Russia, in terms of energy. But what we gain, our security, independence, the fact that Russia will not be able to attack any country in the future is much more important. (...) The effort we are making today with the sanctions is in order to ensure national security and integrity," Citu added. Two businessmen are under criminal investigation by anti-corruption prosecutors in a case in which they are accused, among other things, of buying influence and money laundering in relation to the way in which a framework-contract, worth over 50 million RON, for public acquisitions of protective masks was concluded. According to a release from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) sent, on Thursday, to AGERPRES, prosecutors with the National Anticorruption Directorate - the Department to combat crime assimilated to corruption have disposed the start of criminal investigations regarding two businessmen and SC Sanimed International Impex SRL, as they are accused of committing the crimes of instigation to abuse of office if the public servant obtained, for himself or others, undue gains; buying influence, money laundering, as well as forgery and fraud (in different degrees of participation). Anticorruption prosecutors note in the ordinance that the investigations are focusing on the presume illegal way in which, in 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a framework agreement for public acquisitions of protective masks, worth 50 million RON, was concluded, Agerpres.ro informs. In the mentioned context, investigators say, the two businessmen had determined public servants with the National Office for Centralized Acquisitions (ONAC) so that, through infringements to primary legislation, they would allow the signing of a contract between the intermediary company, controlled by the two businessmen and the mentioned public institution, that would regard the acquisition of 1,750,000 protective masks. "Because the intermediary company did not have the capacity to respect the clauses in the contract (timely delivery of masks), several documents were forged to allow it to avoid payment to the Romanian state of penalties worth 12,786,706 RON. In order to ensure the obtaining/conduct in good conditions of the public acquisition contracts for sanitary materials, one of the suspects had paid another person, in the form of a contract for consultancy, representation and services - intermediary, the sum of 568,820 RON," the release mentions, Agerpres.ro informs. Through the described method, DNA said that the interests of the companies participating in the procedure and of the public institutions involved in actions to prevent and respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic were affected. "At the same time, undue gains were obtained, worth a total of 22,906,031 RON, for the companies controlled by the suspects (both for the one concluding the abovementioned contracts as well as intermediary firms)," the prosecutors show. ST. LOUIS COUNTY Boeing on Thursday, in a hangar full of government officials and military brass, unveiled the first T-7A Red Hawk training jet it will deliver to the U.S. Air Force. The pomp and circumstance marked yet another milestone for the T-7, a plane that could help keep workers busy here into the next decade as Boeing works on successors to its larger, aging fighter jet programs. It also offered an opportunity for the company to show off the planes red tail, which honors the Black World War II pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen, whose planes also had red tails. Boeing officials also honored Col. George Hardy, who flew 21 combat missions with the Tuskegee Airmen and was present for the unveiling Thursday. The Air Force is expected to buy more than 300 T-7s worth more than $9 billion, and program manager Paul Niewald said 350 people have been assigned to the project. That could grow if Boeing finds a way to sell the jet internationally, but Niewald said the company is currently focused on fulfilling its domestic orders. Boeing officials said they hope to deliver the first plane to the Air Force next year following additional ground and flight tests. It is currently expected to begin operations in 2025. 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. BRANSON, Mo. Its a bad time to have an impressive title at City Hall here. The city manager is being forced to retire. The chief financial officer has been shown the door. And three incumbent aldermen just lost their seats, two by landslides. The departures mark the latest aftershocks from the fight over pandemic restrictions two years ago. The changes began last year when the city elected the lone alderman to oppose the citys mask mandate as its new mayor. But now, Mayor Larry Milton has a majority, and that majority is flexing its muscles, promising a new era for the city. Plenty of other local governments have seen blowback for their pandemic restrictions: Health directors have been forced to resign, school boards have been ousted, and just a few minutes up the road from Branson, voters in Nixa tried to recall the mayor. But Branson may be the most extensive post-pandemic makeover the state has seen yet. Its like Game of Thrones down here right now, said Nate Horsman, a restaurant server who supported the mask mandate. The new leaders say they are just doing the will of the people. And they say its not just about COVID, but frustration with how the old guard handled everyday issues like neighborhood planning, police funding and tourism promotion. The community didnt feel like their voice was being heard, said Milton, the new mayor. And theyve said very clearly that they wanted this city to go in a different direction. Its difficult to say exactly how much of the community feels that way. Just a quarter of registered voters cast ballots for mayor last year, and fewer voted in aldermanic elections earlier this month. Most people who spoke with the Post-Dispatch on the streets of Branson this week were unaware of the changes at City Hall. But some were. Gale Johnson, 60, who works at one of the many operations selling tourism packages, said he was thrilled. Good ol boys need to get their butts kicked out of Branson, he said. Too much was being done with a nod and a wink. Those kinds of feelings were simmering well before the pandemic. Some were frustrated by the cost of improvements to the section of Highway 76 known as the Strip, home to the live country music theaters that put this city on the map. Others were concerned about the use of a public safety tax passed in 2017. But that was mostly just business. The masking debate got personal. A twist Ive never seen a lack of civility like that in council chambers, said ousted City Administrator Stan Dobbins. And it devolved from there. The issue came before the council in July two years ago as caseloads were hinting at a surge statewide. In more than eight hours of public comment on the matter, speakers equated a mandate with how the Nazis treated Jews, and suggested aldermen were heralding the rise of Soviet-style persecution. Country musician Clay Cooper, who has his own theater on the Strip, said requiring masks would cripple businesses already struggling with fewer visitors. If we do mandate this, we wont have to worry about the virus because there wont be any damn people left to spread the virus, Cooper said. The board passed the mask rules anyway. Except Milton. He said he felt like the plan went against the will of the people. Within months, Milton was running for mayor on that message. It was hardly original. Just north, in Springfield, challengers said the same thing and got stomped by voters, who rejected the anti-mask message. But it worked here: The incumbent mayor and a previous mayor looking to win back the seat split half of the vote, and the rest went to Milton. Cooper also won a seat on the board after the incumbent decided against running for reelection. The mask mandate died quickly after the April elections; Milton called for a vote to end it in the same meeting he was sworn in. Then a battle over police funding took its place. Milton suspected the city was misspending a public safety tax. City staff assured him nothing was wrong. An audit came back clean. But Miltons questions kept coming. One finance staffer, Melissa Sill, got so fed up she left the department for the private sector. They were making employees lives miserable, she said Wednesday. Dobbins, the city administrator, was next in the crosshairs. He disagreed with Milton over police funding one meeting and quickly found himself on the chopping block. The board saved him, but it wouldnt last. On paper, the three aldermen running for reelection early this month were solid candidates: All three were incumbents. All three had deep roots in the community. Bill Skains and Jeff Seay were longtime local business owners, and Jamie Whiteis ran Bransons outlet mall. Why on earth? Whiteis knew they were in trouble when residents kept asking him about masks. People couldnt seem to look forward, he said. He lost by 23 percentage points a landslide to Ralph LeBlanc, a chiropractor featured on televangelist Jim Bakkers show. Marshall Howden, a student and perennial candidate, beat Skains by a similar margin. And Seay lost to Chuck Rodriguez, a veteran who announced himself as a freedom-loving Republican. The pandemic, Howden said, had alerted the public to problems with the Branson establishment. I think it woke people up, he said. The new guys took their seats April 12 and wasted little time making their mark. The deputy city administrator handed in his resignation the same day. Dobbins was placed on administrative leave last Friday with the expectation he would soon retire, which was news to him. Whatd I do wrong? he asked. Except disagree with the mayor? City Finance Director Jamie Rouch, who publicly argued with Milton for questioning the finance department in December, also got a pink slip. Her deputy followed her out the door. Skains, the former alderman whos been in government for more than four decades, said its been embarrassing to watch. Those employees were professionals devoted to Branson, he said, and deserved better. And I dont know how theyre going to replace them, he added. Why on earth would anyone want to come and get in the middle of this? But some in the community thought the house cleaning at City Hall was due. They sometimes forget who their customers are, said Kay Gerken, who runs a real estate business in town. The newcomers say theyre just getting started. In interviews after a board meeting Tuesday, they talked about doing more for police and firefighters, making the citys finances more transparent, better promoting the towns show businesses and listening to residents more. The next set of elections are in a year. Its unclear if there will be a backlash to the backlash. Skains said hes been asked to run, but he might be done. I dont know, he said, whether I want to be subjected to this venom again. 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. Eager to adapt Jon Krakauers book Under the Banner of Heaven, producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer looked for ways to include as much detail as possible in a two-hour film. We worked very hard on it for years, and yet there was a creative frustration that sort of blocked our belief that we should really go forward with it as a movie, Howard says. We couldnt tell the entire story. Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black was on a similar path, trying to figure out how to tell a story of religious extremism. The answer was to expand Krakauers story and provide details over the course of several nights. Enter: Under the Banner of Heaven on FX. I like stories, if they can be honest, that are cautionary tales about the dangers of extremism, Grazer says. This definitely is all about that. That theme is transferable to so many things that are going on in our world today in a larger scale. To connect the dots, Black created a character who investigates the 1984 murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby daughter in a suburb in the Salt Lake Valley. Played by Andrew Garfield, hes a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has his own questions about religion. I grew up in this faith, and at least half of my family is still very active in this faith, Black says. Particularly in very challenging times, we see people move to the extremes to the fundamentals. And in this case, its this family who was faced with a very tough time in Utah. We tried incredibly hard to make the distinctions between modern, contemporary Mormons and fundamentalist Mormons. Like Black, Garfield was intrigued by questions of faith and doubt. Its only there that I think we start to really get into what we are doing here. To make sure church officials wouldnt question the limited series accuracy, Black talked with them and asked for suggestions. He also brought cast members to meet with Mormons so they wouldnt lean into stereotypes or fail to make distinctions between mainstream Mormonism and fundamental Mormonism. The folks in my family who are very traditional and would rather not look to the past, Im sure, arent going to be pleased, he says of the series. But if the truth shall set you free and this is a church that claims to be ever-changing, why are we afraid of the truth? Why are you afraid to look closer? And when is the church going to change? Thats the question. Garfields character reflects that concern. It is about, ultimately, the pursuit of the truth in the face of potential loss of ones family, ones social structure, ones life, he says. Black says the world is wrestling with changes that suggest were moving backward. Theres clearly world conflicts that are deeply concerning. And in times like these, people often turn to God. Unfortunately, when they go back to the fundamental rules, which are mostly incredibly outdated, we get in trouble and you see a turn toward violence and misogyny. We are in one of those times right now, where there is the danger of people turning back to political, legal, historical and religious fundamentalism. This is a cautionary tale about how that happens. Under the Banner of Heaven also delves into the history of the Mormon faith as a way of explaining what prompted Laffertys murder and why those involved felt justified. Wyatt Russell, who plays Dan Lafferty, one of the brothers convicted of murder, says he has encountered fundamentalist Mormons while on vacation. It looked like they were in the 1800s, he says. There was this dichotomy between the world that we live in and the world that they still live in. I couldnt help but wonder if they were born into a different place, what would they be like? They are trapped in this sort of scenario where the outside world is something thats unobtainable. Thanks to the research he and the other actors did, Russell felt a sense of sadness because Lafferty was born into the situation and led down this rabbit hole in a way that only fundamentalist, extremist views can kind of lead you down. What Under the Banner of Heaven When Available now Where FX More info fxnetworks.com/shows/under-the-banner-of-heaven Comedian Nikki Glaser is taking her biggest leap yet into reality TV, and she only had to move back home to St. Louis to make it happen. Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? premieres May 1 on E!, but she ventured into the reality genre as a 2018 contestant on Dancing With the Stars. She was the first dancer eliminated after a salsa with pro Gleb Savchenko and felt as though she had been rejected by America. The DWTS experience was a watershed moment, she says, and changed her view of reality TV. Oh my God, reality shows are real, Glaser says. I was told Im a bad dancer and we dont like you. It was like a claw comes and picks you up and throws you off. I cried every single day. She had a better time hosting (and executive producing) the dating competition FBoy Island last year for HBO Max. A second season has been filmed. But she goes all in and shows her truest self with Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? The eight-episode series details her life after leaving New York City and returning home in the early days of the pandemic, just as her career was poised to reach the next level. The half-hour series kicks off with a two-episode premiere. Fanfare leading up to the debut includes a mayoral proclamation declaring April 28 to be Nikki Glaser Day in St. Louis, with Glaser throwing the first pitch at Busch Stadium. In 2020, Glaser moved back in with her parents, E.J. and Julie Glaser, in Des Peres. She since has gotten her own place in a Central West End high-rise, where she records her successful Nikki Glaser Podcast with friend and fellow comedian Andrew Collin. Glaser is a 2002 graduate of Kirkwood High School. Her big break on TV came with Nikki & Sara Live, an MTV late-night comedy-variety series that ran for a season in 2013. I always wanted to do a reality show because I feel its the closest thing on TV to giving me the same feeling as stand-up, where its on the fly and in the moment, Glaser says in her apartment, during a break from touring. She is flanked by her parents, who also figure prominently in the new series. Her ex-boyfriend Chris Convy, of The Courtney Show on 106.5 the Arch, is also featured. Its a fun show that will keep me in St. Louis and showcase my family at their funniest and freest selves, Glaser says. Were not all gonna be around forever. Its like a photo album I get to show to my niece and nephew. Welcome Home was filmed entirely in St. Louis, with the exception of footage from Glasers stand-up tour that included a sold-out date at the Factory in Chesterfield. Along with her apartment and neighborhood, shooting locations included City Museum, Forest Park, Joes Cafe, her familys river cabin in Eureka and the Hubbard Radio studios. Filming took place from September to November 2021. I like crying on camera I didnt think it was going to be picked up, Glasers mother says. People are gonna be disappointed because we didnt flip over tables, her father quips. Flipped tables or not, the reality format is one Glaser gravitates toward. The emotions and behaviors that come out of the situations are completely real and authentic, she says. I like exploring that. I like crying on camera. The genre is often criticized for being fake and scripted, but its the actual scripted programs that Glaser isnt crazy about those seem more fake to her. She went through a period of auditioning for scripted series because folks told her she needed her own Seinfeld or Everybody Loves Raymond vehicles starring stand-up comedians. I like things based on real events, Glaser says. A couple of years ago, I gave my reps a clarion call and said I dont want to do scripted stuff. Its a waste of energy, and acting isnt my forte. She says Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? was born out of a feeling that she had nothing to hide anymore. If I put it all out there and people like me, I will know I am truly OK, she says. Shes willing to expose the darker sides of herself, including her being a brat to her parents, looking like a scrub and showing her messy bedroom. She was living with her parents when she came up with the idea for the show, one of many projects that kept her busy during the pandemic. She also guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! and hosted The MTV Movie & TV Awards: Unscripted. The original concept for Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? was me working on myself, she says. I was going through a hard time. I was going to therapy, going on dates. By the time we were shooting, it was a different show. By then, she says, I had moved out. By the time we went into production, I was seeing my ex-boyfriend. The show we pitched was one thing, and the show it became was another thing. The show, she says, depicts a woman in her late 30s (shes 37) on the outside of major success, not having it all together and being OK with that, while interacting with her hilarious family. Im really the straight man, Glaser says. Everyone around me is funnier than me. For the first time, I really felt like a producer on a show casting my family. Im the ringmaster. I cant wait for people to see my family and friends in it and see how funny they are. Getting her parents involved was the most crucial part of preproduction. They had already warmed up to reality TV while Glaser was living with them everything from The Bachelor to Summer House. Reality TV is fun to watch as a family, E.J. Glaser says. We ended up caring about them, though we still asked Who is this guy? and Why are they doing that? Family members of the stars With the idea for her own reality show forming, Nikki approached her parents one day in the TV room and asked how they felt about being on a show with her. For her dad, it was a natural progression. We were already used to being on her Instagram, he says. Glaser says her fans wanted even more of her parents after seeing them on social media. She shopped the show around to outlets that produced reality shows she loves. Some were interested, and Welcome Home landed with NBCUniversal, which owns E! I didnt want to work with anyone who didnt get it right away, she says, pointing out that the network had room for a new family reality show after the exit of the Kardashians. Glaser was doing FBoy Island when she got the call informing her that her series was being picked up. Then she called her parents with the good news. It was so far from our minds, Julie Glaser says. Then we got this conference call. We thought she was pregnant. With the project finally moving forward, Julie initially got cold feet and wanted out. I was scared to death, she says. I told her I would recast her, jokes Nikki, who didnt pressure her mother. I wanted her to do it because she wanted to do it. Julie says her husband was excited about getting a new wife. Glasers sister actually did back out. I was fine with that, she says. I didnt want anyone to do this for me. This happens normally with family members of the stars. Once filming got underway, Glasers parents forgot all about the cameras. But Chris Convy, her ex, had a different experience. She says hes uncomfortable on camera and waited awhile before signing the contract. Convy, another St. Louis native, met Nikki eight years ago in New York, working on Nikki & Sara Live. They both ended up in St. Louis during the pandemic, and viewers will see the pair navigating their reunion. Convy and his brother, Tim (of St. Louis band Ludo), both worked on Not Safe With Nikki Glaser, which ran in 2016 on Comedy Central. This is my life, Glaser says. But I kind of want to be in a relationship with someone who is OK with (Convy) being in it with me. The toughest part for Glasers mom was wondering what her house would look like on TV and her perception of her own looks. But I am what I am, she says. This forced me to look at myself. I am who I am as a 63-year-old woman. For E.J. Glaser, it was also a struggle signing on the contracts dotted line. If you had seen the document, you would have never signed it, he says. They could put cameras in the bedroom, put cameras here and there, though they didnt do that. Not that we are aware of, Julie says. There were so many disclaimers you wouldnt believe it, he adds. It wasnt until filming began for the third episode that Glasers parents felt they could trust the production process. Ive pitched so many shows that dont get made and asked them if they would do it and nothing ever happens, and then its happening, Glaser says. Im trying to make them feel good about the experience. Theyre not used to this. Its a lesson in empathy. They need to feel that theyre going to be OK. She hopes viewers will have fun and find something to relate to with Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? Its OK to be a lot; its OK to be flawed, she says. I hope that people just see me. There werent as many lows as I wanted to showcase. I was at a pretty good time in my life. But I kept it real didnt clean up before cameras arrived. I wanted people to see the real me. It was a test for me to put it all out there. Glaser says she expects the show to run for multiple seasons. I think people are gonna want more, she says. I hope they want more. I want to keep making the show. Its not a cash grab thats not me. People are like, Youre so Hollywood now. This is me trying to bring my family together, and I did that. We didnt expect to have Nikki back in our lives like this, Julie Glaser says. The show brought us all together. What Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? When 9 p.m. Sundays, starting with two-episode premiere May 1 Where E! More info eonline.com/shows/welcome_home_nikki_glaser Quick hits with Nikki Glaser On her newest love, playing the guitar The seed was planted early with my dad. I grew up knowing what good guitar was. That's my dad's thing, and I'm not gonna try to be that. I knew I was going to suck when I first started it, and I really sucked. I picked it up during the pandemic. You can get good at something you were especially bad at. "I took lessons, and then I learned I dont want to learn scales and music theory. I just wanna play Taylor Swift songs. Im starting to write my own stuff. I wrote the theme song to the show. Its the first thing I ever wrote. On staying in St. Louis I dont wanna move. I like going to New York City and LA when they need me. Its nice to be at this part of my career where you can fly me out there. "I did my first Tonight Show because Paula Abdul dropped out and I lived down the street. Now Im being booked intentionally and not because I live down the street. "I dont worry about the business here, what Im getting, what Im not getting or whos working harder than me. On Season 2 of FBoy Island, which was filmed in Cavo and airs this year It will have more twists than the last season, more comedy and more of me in it. The best part about it is people know the show going in this time. This time they come in knowing Oh, I cant wait to weed out the FBoys. On "The Nikki Glaser Podcast" Its the best, something I do every day. It keeps me honest and real. I get to do it on good days and on bad days and where Im most myself. I call my listeners besties." Staying in? We've got you covered Get the recommendations on what's streaming now, games you'll love, TV news and more with our weekly Home Entertainment newsletter! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. THURSDAY, April 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Higher vaccination coverage is associated with lower rates of COVID-19 mortality and incidence in the United States, according to a study published online April 27 in The BMJ. Amitabh Bipin Suthar, Pharm.D., from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues conducted an observational study to examine the impact of vaccine scale-up on population-level COVID-19 mortality in the United States. Data were included for residents of 2,558 counties from 48 U.S. states. The impact of a 10 percent improvement in county vaccination coverage was estimated. The researchers found that over 132,791 county weeks, there were 30,643,878 cases of COVID-19 and 439,682 deaths associated with COVID-19. There was an 8 percent reduction in mortality rates and a 7 percent reduction in incidence in association with a 10 percent improvement in vaccination coverage. During the period of predominance of the alpha and delta variants, higher vaccination coverage levels were associated with reduced mortality and incidence rates. "The findings of this study also make clear that many more lives could have been saved, and will be saved, by encouraging people to keep up to date with vaccination in the face of waning immunity and new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants and by achieving even higher population coverage," write the authors of an accompanying editorial. "How many lives is a matter for others to explore. Meanwhile, this new study is another confidence booster for COVID-19 vaccines." Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. The week that Dr. Anthony Fauci declared the pandemic part of covid-19 over was also the week Vice President Kamala Harris and two Democratic members of the Senate tested positive for the virus. That left Democrats without a working majority in the chamber, meaning another week without continued funding for federal anti-covid efforts. Meanwhile, election-year politics continued to block efforts to advance any more of the Democrats health agenda, while opponents of the Affordable Care Act filed yet another lawsuit challenging a portion of the law, in this case the provision of preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost to patients. This weeks panelists are Julie Rovner and Rebecca Adams of Kaiser Health News, Rachel Cohrs of STAT News, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News. Among the takeaways from this weeks episode: The recent report that most Americans have had covid even if they dont realize it surprised a lot of people but may not change many habits. The assurance of vaccines, the growing availability of treatment options and increased immunity because more people have had an infection is providing the public some relief from concerns about the virus. But for people with compromised immune systems or parents of children too young to be vaccinated, the fear of covid is still front and center. Two Democratic senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Vice President Harris are not able to go to Capitol Hill this week because they have tested positive for covid. That brings home again the stalemate over new federal funding for programs to fight the virus. That spending was deleted from a major spending bill in March when lawmakers couldnt agree on the provision. Democrats pledged to bring it up again shortly, but a smaller version that has some bipartisan support has still failed to gain enough votes to be passed. One sticking point in Congress on the covid funding is that many Republicans want to bar the Biden administration from rescinding an immigration policy instituted by President Donald Trump. That policy used public health concerns to stop many people from coming across the Mexican border to the U.S. The clock is ticking on Capitol Hill for the many initiatives, plus traditional spending bills, lawmakers want to pass before Congress leaves to campaign for the midterm elections in the fall. There is much interest in whether the Biden administration and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) can strike a deal to resuscitate part of the presidents Build Back Better plan. Manchin said last year he couldnt support the plan then being debated, and his objections tanked the bill. If they can agree on a proposal, it is expected to be smaller than what the administration originally sought, but Manchin has not made clear what he will accept. Any effort to move a revised Build Back Better package would likely have to be done before Congress takes off for its August recess, because the fall will be busy with election preparations. As the nation awaits a decision from the Supreme Court on a key abortion case, Planned Parenthood has announced plans for a major advertising campaign to alert voters to restrictions being implemented around the country. Former Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who died last weekend, is remembered for his work on health care and his ability to bridge partisan differences to craft important legislation. He generously made time to explain issues to reporters because he cared deeply about the policies. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read too: Julie Rovner: STAT News He Had an M.D. and a Ph.D. but Didnt Match Into a Residency. It Was the Push He Needed to Jump Into Health Tech, by Tino Delamerced Rebecca Adams: The New York Times Its Life or Death: The Mental Health Crisis Among U.S. Teens, by Matt Richtel Rachel Cohrs: BuzzFeed News The Private Equity Giant KKR Bought Hundreds of Homes for People With Disabilities. Some Vulnerable Residents Suffered Abuse and Neglect, by Kendall Taggart, John Templon, Anthony Cormier, and Jason Leopold Anna Edney: STAT News The Doctor Who Is Trying to Bring Back Surprise Billing, by Bob Herman. Also discussed on this weeks podcast: To hear all our podcasts, click here. And subscribe to KHNs What the Health? on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to podcasts. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. USE OUR CONTENT This story can be republished for free (details). ST. LOUIS President Joe Biden on Wednesday granted clemency to 75 people serving long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, including two from St. Louis. The president commuted the sentences of David C. Frazier and Byron James Miller. The two men will continue to serve their sentences in home confinement for one more year. As I laid out in my comprehensive strategy to reduce gun crime, helping those who served their time return to their families and become contributing members of their communities is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism and decrease crime, Biden wrote in a prepared statement. Frazier was charged in May 2013 with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine and maintaining a drug involved premises. He pleaded guilty in October 2013 to all three counts without a plea agreement, according to court records. A judge in May 2014 sentenced him to 12 years in prison followed by five years supervised release. Miller was charged in Missouri in 1996 with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine. He was then charged in Illinois in 1998 with possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of heroin in a federal prison. Between the two cases and one sentence reduction in 2019, Miller was sentenced to serve approximately 40 years in prison and 11 years supervised release. Both men will serve the entirety of their supervised release sentences. This was the first time in his presidency that Biden has granted clemency. While todays announcement marks important progress, my Administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms that advance equity and justice, provide second chances, and enhance the wellbeing and safety of all Americans, Biden wrote. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS A bail bond agent from Louisiana charged with kidnapping a woman in St. Peters has had his own bond revoked for carrying a gun and continuing to hunt fugitives, despite a judges order not to do either. U.S. Magistrate John M. Bodenhausen on Thursday ordered that the bail bond agent, Wayne Lozier Jr., remain behind bars as he awaits trial in the federal kidnapping case. Bodenhausen revoked Loziers bond for violating conditions of the pretrial release. Lozier, 43, was arrested March 31 for the violations in the state of Louisiana and brought to Missouri. He has been held in the Ste. Genevieve County Jail for the last week. In a hearing Wednesday, Matthew Martin with the U.S. attorneys office said Lozier violated multiple conditions for release that Bodenhausen had specifically set: Lozier ventured out of the eastern district of Louisiana for something other than a court appearance. He kept working to hunt fugitives. And he carried a weapon. We dont have one violation, we have admittedly three, Martin said. Lozier is acting as if the law doesnt apply to him or hes above the law, Martin added. Loziers attorney, Ralph Whalen Jr. of New Orleans, claimed the gun Lozier was spotted wearing recently while out on bond was essentially a BB gun that fires non-lethal rubber pellets. Lozier used it for his work as a bouncer in the French Quarter. Lozier didnt consider it a violation of bail conditions because he didnt consider it a dangerous weapon, Whalen said. In his order Thursday, Bodenhausen discounted Loziers claims that the weapon is non-lethal. Bodenhausen reviewed video from a hospital surveillance camera. It showed Lozier with multiple gun magazines on his belt as well as other items consistent with fugitive apprehension work, such as handcuffs and what looked like pepper spray, Bodenhausen wrote. The bond revocation is tied to a court case involving an incident in St. Peters on May 9, 2019. Lozier and his partner, Jody L. Sullivan, were indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in June on kidnapping conspiracy charges. Police reports accuse Lozier and Sullivan of taking a woman, identified only as R.H. in court documents, from a St. Peters home when they were not authorized to operate in Missouri and without notifying St. Peters police. At the Flying J truck stop in Sullivan, R.H. asked the clerk and customers to call the police before she was shocked with a Taser, kicked and punched and then dragged to the bail agents car, reports say. Prosecutors added a kidnapping charge against Lozier and Sullivan on March 2. Both have pleaded not guilty. Whalen concedes that Lozier violated other terms of his release as well. He left the eastern district of Louisiana, but just over a bridge nearby, his attorney said. And he handled the surrender of fugitives because he had no one else to do it, Whalen added. Bodenhausen wrote that Loziers excuse that he was using other people to do the leg work for him actually undercuts his request for release because it demonstrates rather convincingly that (Lozier) will concoct a way to circumvent any condition that he deems inconvenient or unacceptable to him. Whalen had wanted the judge to go easier on Lozier for violating bond conditions. Whalen asked if Lozier could return to Louisiana perhaps under house arrest with an ankle monitor, rather than stay in jail. That way it would be easier for the defense attorney to work with his client on trial preparation, and Lozier could help his pregnant girlfriend prepare for the birth of their child. The judge instead ordered that Lozier be held at a corrections facility. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS Two members of the St. Louis School Board announced their resignations this week. Board president Matt Davis announced veteran educator Joyce Roberts resignation at a meeting Tuesday and thanked her for everything shes done for this board of education and the dedication shes shown, and beyond that, a lifetime of service to students here in the city of St. Louis. Roberts was elected to the board in 2018 after working as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in St. Louis Public Schools. For the past year, she served as the boards president. Her term expires in November. The district announced Wednesday that retired businesswoman Regina Fowler will also resign from the board. Fowler was appointed by Mayor Lyda Krewson in 2020 and her term expires in April 2023. In a letter to Davis, Fowler cited politics and collusion among board members as the reason for her resignation. Because SLPS is considered the lone metropolitan school district under Missouri law, the citys mayor is tasked with appointing new members to fill any board vacancies. In other school districts, the board picks new members through an application process. When Mayor Tishaura O. Jones chooses the two replacements, three of the seven board members will be mayoral appointments, including Alicia Sonnier, also appointed by Jones. Jones released a statement Wednesday regarding the appointment to serve out Roberts term. St. Louis is grateful to Dr. Joyce Roberts for her decades of service to the SLPS community, as a teacher, as a principal, as an administrator, and as a member and president of the school board. I look forward to engaging community stakeholders to find a leader who can ensure continuity and work collaboratively to help deliver equitable educational opportunities for all St. Louis families, reads the statement. Davis suggested that Jones collaborate with the board in the decision process for new members. This is not a political thing, this is something I think would get us in line with every other school district and add a level of transparency, Davis said. The Parkway School District also will have a vacancy to fill on its School Board after Kristy Klein Davis leaves the board in June. Klein Davis plans to move out of the region at the end of the school year. The Parkway board is accepting applications for the remainder of the term, which expires in April 2023. Stay up to date on life and culture in St. Louis. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CHICAGO Illinois political battle of the billionaires has long been thought to be Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the governors nemesis, businessman Ken Griffin. But now a new battle may be shaping up in the race for the Republican nomination for governor. Late Wednesday, conservative megadonor Richard Uihlein, founder of the privately held Uline office supply business, gave $2.5 million to state Sen. Darren Baileys effort for the GOP governor nomination. Thats on top of $1 million Uihlein already contributed to Baileys campaign. Uihlein joins Griffin as one of the larger campaign contributors in the GOP primary. Griffin, the states wealthiest person and head of the hedge fund firm Citadel, earlier this year gave $20 million to Aurora Mayor Richard Irvins June 28 primary bid for the Republican nomination for governor to face Pritzker in November. Two years ago, Griffin pumped millions into defeating Pritzkers proposed graduated income tax amendment. In addition to giving to Bailey, Uihlein also has contributed $1 million to an independent expenditure group headed by right-wing talk show host Dan Proft that is being used for TV ads attacking Irvin. Proft, of Naples, Florida, was an unsuccessful 2010 candidate for the GOP nomination for governor and previously ran Uihlein-funded efforts to win Republican legislative seats with little success. Uihlein and his wife, Elizabeth, are worth an estimated $4 billion, according to Bloomberg. They have donated tens of millions of dollars to national conservative candidates, groups and causes, including organizations that have backed former President Donald Trumps unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. Since 1998, the Uihleins, of Lake Forest, have contributed nearly $35 million to state Republican candidates and groups, according to records from the Illinois State Board of Elections. The couple gave more than $2.6 million to wealthy Republican businessman Bruce Rauners successful run for governor in 2014 but soured on Rauner four years later and gave $2.5 million to his unsuccessful GOP primary challenger, former state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton. Ives and Proft have each endorsed Bailey for the GOP nomination. We are in this position because Ive been expelling truth, hope, the possibility of restoring Illinois, Bailey said Wednesday about his run for governor as he accepted endorsements from anti-abortion groups at Trump Tower in Chicago. Bailey, of Xenia, has seen his candidacy subjected to attacks from Irvin on TV and in mailers, questioning the Downstate senators conservative credentials. Bailey also has questioned Irvins GOP qualifications. Griffin is worth an estimated $27.6 billion, according to Forbes. Griffin gave Rauner $11.5 million in his winning 2014 campaign for governor and another $22.5 million in Rauners losing reelection effort. Griffin spent $53.75 million to successfully fight Pritzkers proposed graduated-rate income tax constitutional amendment. Pritzker spent $58 million in his unsuccessful push for voter ratification. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune and an entrepreneur, is the nations wealthiest politician, worth an estimated $3.6 billion, according to Forbes. Pritzker has already poured $125.5 million of his own money into his reelection campaign, including a $90 million deposit in January. Even with Uihleins latest funding, Bailey trails Irvin and cryptocurrency venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg in the cash race leading up to the GOP primary. Irvin had spent nearly $10 million in ads through the end of March and had $10 million in cash to start April. Sullivan reported $8 million in cash at the end of March. Before Uihleins latest donation, Bailey reported having more than $900,000 in cash to start April. Meanwhile, the elections board removed from the primary ballot a Republican slate running under the We are the people Illinois banner and backing former President Donald Trumps false claims of endemic voter fraud. The board found the group fell short of the valid number of petition signatures to appear on the ballot. It struck the names of governor candidate Emily Johnson of Wheaton; Brett Mahlen for lieutenant governor and his wife, Maryann Mahlen, for U.S. Senate, both from Orland Park; Michelle Turney of Chicago for secretary of state; Patrice McDermand of Lake Bluff for treasurer; and Michael Kinney of Carol Stream for comptroller. 2022 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com.(tncms-asset)82951be6-b524-11ec-a90d-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)8eede158-f86c-51a1-9ae5-a377f84c41fb[1](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)c050f0b6-8dbc-11ec-bd77-00163ec2aa77[2](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)37699189-1785-52a9-b509-fd8f2130a03f[3](/tncms-asset) On Wednesday, Dr. Michael Graham, St. Louis medical examiner, said former state legislator Cora Faith Walker died of heart disease, specifically nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Walker, 37, collapsed and died March 11 after spending the night at Loews Hotel at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis. Dr. Eldin Duderija, general cardiologist at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, said nonischemic and ischemic categories of heart failure are fairly straightforward: ischemic means doctors can see what is causing the failure, namely built-up blockages; nonischemic means the cause of the failure is not visible, so its not as easy to identify. Duderija spoke Wednesday with the Post-Dispatch about the condition. The conversation has been edited for clarity and space. Q. What is nonischemic cardiomyopathy? A. When we think of heart failure, we usually think about the inability of the heart to pump blood, oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body, essentially. Nonischemic cardiomyopathy is, in effect, an umbrella term for all the reasons that can make the heart muscle or heart itself weak. What ends up killing the patient is arrhythmia or electrical abnormality in the heart. Q. What causes the condition? A. Things like sudden or major life stress, high blood pressure, illicit drug use and alcohol consumption are all acquired heart diseases. In other words, the patient would have had to actively do something or receive something for a certain amount of time for it to damage the heart muscle. Now, the flip side of that is the genetic component of nonischemic cardiomyopathy, which is hereditary either the structure of the heart muscle was too abnormal or the electrical system within the heart muscle was abnormal. And so a lot of these sudden cardiac death events end up happening because of genetic reasons in the younger population. For example, when when you think about some of these elite athletes collapsing and the question is, why does a 30-year-old athlete collapse on the field? Well, their heart failure was probably genetic. Q. Can doctors diagnose nonischemic cardiomyopathy? A. People are not aware of the disease a lot of times, especially if its genetic. If its not genetic and somebody actually has a chance to come into your office with the symptoms of acquired heart disease shortness of breath, swelling in their legs, difficulty breathing, chest pain then you have time to put them on medications, you have time to work them up, to maybe put in a defibrillator, which are devices that listen to the hearts electrical system and if the hearts electrical system ever goes bad it shocks you out of it. But in the younger population, people in their 20s, 30s, early 40s, we dont have that warning. Its fascinating, were still learning a lot about it. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Republicans who control the Missouri Legislature gave themselves two issues to campaign on heading into the 2022 election season Thursday. In the House, lawmakers granted final approval to legislation that would again require voters to have a photo ID card to cast ballots as part of the GOPs largely debunked narrative that there is rampant election fraud. At the same time, they included language targeting transgender athletes born as males who want to play girls sports, even though there is no evidence that the issue has been a problem in Missouri. Democrats decried the election year maneuvering by Republicans. Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale, said the legislation is being used as political fodder at the expense of young people. It is disgusting, added Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City. Misogyny is alive and well in this building. Im just really, really disappointed. House Bill 2140 would allow voters without IDs to cast a provisional ballot. Their vote would only count if the voter returned to the polling place with a photo ID or if an election judge can match a voters signature to one on file. Missouri voters in 2016 amended the Constitution to allow lawmakers to require photo identification to vote. But the Missouri Supreme Court in 2020 permanently blocked a central provision of the 2016 law that required voters who lacked a photo ID to make a sworn statement in order to cast a regular ballot. In response, Republicans have been trying to pass a new voter ID bill that is similar to the 2016 law but doesnt include the sworn statement provision that the judges found objectionable. The so-called voting integrity plan, which was sent to the Senate on a 96-47 vote, also would authorize the Secretary of State to audit voter registration lists and require election authorities to remove improper names. Those provisions mirror Republican talking points that surfaced after the 2020 election that saw former President Donald Trump lose reelection amid his claims that the election was stolen from him. Trump easily won Missouri in 2020, earning nearly 57% of the vote. No allegations of fraud marred the outcome. Believe it or not, this bill is about elections, said Rep. Peggy McGaugh, R-Carrollton, who is a former county clerk. In putting the final version of the bill together earlier this week, Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, successfully added language allowing voters within a school district to decide if transgender athletes born as males can play in female sports. The House Thursday also gave final approval, on a 95-46 vote, on House Bill 1973 that would require transgender students to compete on teams that match the biological sex listed on their birth certificates. Democratic Rep. Ian Mackey of St. Louis, who is gay, said the bill creates a talking point for Republicans out of a virtually nonexistent issue. There are less than 10 children in this state that this bill will affect, Mackey said. Both bills head to the Senate, where Democrats have promised to filibuster legislation that attacks transgender youth. A couple hours later, a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, kicked off a Senate filibuster. The proposal brought up for first-round approval Thursday would prohibit transgender girls from participating in middle school, high school and postsecondary womens sports, removing state funding from any schools out of compliance. Democratic senators holding the Senate floor to stall the measure echoed many of the sentiments expressed not long before in the House. The far right wing in our country has always used the LGBT community as a social dividing issue during election years, said Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, before launching into a robust retelling of the gay rights movement in the U.S. Grace Zokovitch of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Boeings CEO is lamenting the deal that his company cut with former President Donald Trump to produce new Air Force One jets. David Calhoun said it was a public negotiation and we took some risks in accepting a fixed-price contract that made Boeing responsible if it cost more than expected to convert two Boeing 747 jumbo jets into presidential planes. Air Force One Im just going to call a very unique moment, a very unique negotiation, a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably should not have taken, Calhoun said Wednesday, but we are where we are, and were going to deliver great airplanes. Calhoun commented on the planes when an analyst asked him about the matter during a call to discuss Boeings first-quarter earnings results. The company lost $1.2 billion and took a $660 million write-down for Air Force One. Calhoun was on the board but he was not CEO when Boeing agreed to the $3.9 billion deal with the White House in 2018, and when it took a fixed-cost contract to build a new military training jet, which Boeing just wrote down by $367 million. Yes, they were written off the day we took them, knowing that we would be investing a fair amount of our own money in the planes, Calhoun said. Back in 2018, Boeing tweeted that it was proud to build the next generation of Air Force One, providing American presidents with a flying White House at outstanding value to taxpayers. The Trump White House said the deal would save taxpayers more than $1.4 billion. The jets are being outfitted with advanced communications equipment, work spaces, sleeping areas and other features that make it a flying office for the president. The work is taking place in San Antonio, Texas. Boeing sued a subcontractor that it blamed for delays last year. On Wednesday, Boeing officials said the pandemic and supply-chain issues have also slowed the work. It's unclear what the planes will look like. Trump took a keen interest in the planes and even promoted his own paint job which is still displayed on Boeing's website. However, many purists have called for keeping the current livery, which dates to the time of President John F. Kennedy. Air Force officials said last fall that no decision had been made. Boeing promised to deliver the planes by December 2024 under a contract negotiated by then-CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who was fired in late 2019 in the fallout from two deadly crashes of Boeing 737 Max jets. Calhoun said he doesnt want any more fixed-price contracts. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. DETROIT (AP) A federal judge has rejected Elon Musks bid to throw out a securities fraud settlement over tweets claiming that Musk had the funding to take Tesla private in 2018. Judge Lewis Liman on Wednesday also denied a motion to nullify a subpoena of Musk seeking information about possible violations of his settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Musk had asked the Manhattan federal court to scrap the settlement, which required that his tweets be approved by a Tesla attorney before being published. The SEC is investigating whether the Tesla CEO violated the settlement with tweets last November asking Twitter followers if he should sell 10% of his Tesla stock. Limon's ruling said that Musk made the tweets without getting pre-approval. The whole dispute stems from an October 2018 agreement with the SEC that Musk signed. He and Tesla each agreed to pay $20 million in civil fines over Musks tweets about having the funding secured to take Tesla private at $420 per share. The funding was far from locked up, and the electric vehicle company remains public, but Teslas stock price jumped. The settlement specified governance changes, including Musks ouster as board chairman, as well as pre-approval of his tweets. Limon's ruling clears the way for the SEC to seek a court order enforcing the subpoena, and for an investigation into another possible violation of the settlement by Musk. Musk attorney Alex Spiro contended the SEC is using the settlement and near limitless resources to chill Musks speech. He wrote in court documents that Musk signed the settlement when Tesla was a less mature company and SEC action jeopardized the companys financing at a critical time. He also alleged that the subpoena from the SEC is illegal, and that the agency cant take action about Musks tweets without court authorization. But in a 22-page ruling, Liman wrote that Musk's claim that economic duress caused him to sign the settlement is wholly unpersuasive. Even if Musk was worried that litigation with the SEC would ruin Tesla financially, that does not establish a basis for him to get out of the judgment he voluntarily signed, Liman wrote. The judge also said the argument that the SEC had used the settlement order to harass Musk and launch investigations was meritless. Musk could hardly have thought that at the time he entered the decree (settlement) he would have been immune from non-public SEC investigations, Liman wrote. It is unsurprising that when Musk tweeted that he was thinking about selling 10% of his interest in Tesla ... that the SEC would have some questions." Now the SEC could ask Liman to enforce the subpoena, which Liman wrote is the proper legal forum for Musk to challenge it. In the settlement, Musk also agreed not to deny the SECs allegations in the 2018 securities fraud complaint. The SEC also could investigate Musk's recent denials. Musk has contended in a recent interview that he did indeed have the funding lined up in 2018. But a judge in a separate case ruled that his tweets about that were false. An SEC spokesman didn't respond to a message asking whether it would try to enforce the subpoena. A message was left Wednesday seeking comment from Spiro about whether Musk will appeal Liman's order. Liman wrote in his ruling that the funding secured tweet allegedly was false. Musk had not discussed specific deal terms with any potential financing partners, and he knew the potential transaction was uncertain and subject to numerous contingencies, Liman wrote. He also agreed with the SEC that Congress gave it broad powers to investigate if someone has violated federal securities laws. Musk may wish it were otherwise, but he remains subject to the same enforcement authority - and has the same means to challenge the exercise of that authority - as any other citizen, Liman wrote. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WASHINGTON (AP) The Energy Department on Wednesday authorized additional exports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from planned terminals in Texas and Louisiana. The orders allow Golden Pass LNG Terminal near Port Arthur, Texas, and Magnolia LNG Terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to export additional natural gas as LNG to any country not prohibited by U.S. law or policy. The $10 billion Golden Pass LNG export project is expected be operational in 2024, with Magnolia coming online by 2026. The two terminals are expected to produce more than 3 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The approvals come as the United States seeks to boost LNG exports to Europe amid Russia's war with Ukraine. The Energy Department approved expanded permits for two other LNG terminals in Texas and Louisiana last month. Cheniere Energy Inc. said its Sabine Pass facility in Louisiana and its Corpus Christi plant in Texas have been improved and are making more gas than covered by previous export permits. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said last month that the U.S. is exporting every molecule of liquefied natural gas that we can to help European buyers of Russian fuel. U.S. LNG exports have reached new highs of about 12 billion cubic feet per day and are expected to grow to more than 13 billion cubic feet by the end of the year, with most going to Europe, the Energy Department said. The U.S. and its allies also have released oil from their strategic reserves to counter Russia's aggression. The U.S. has banned imports of Russian oil. The U.S. and other countries will act quickly to hedge against energy disruptions,'' Granholm said at the International Energy Agencys ministerial meeting in Paris. We will not allow Vladimir Putin to wedge our nations apart. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, hailed the new permits Wednesday as a tremendous victory for Texans, American jobs, trade and our European allies who will now have greater access to our clean natural gas exports.'' A source familiar with his thinking said Cruz planned to release a Senate hold on Brad Crabtree, President Joe Biden's nominee to be assistant Energy secretary for fossil energy and carbon management. Golden Pass is jointly owned by ExxonMobil Corporation and Qatar Petroleum International Limited, while Magnolia is owned by the Glenfarne Group LLC. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. LONDON (AP) A British government ethics advisor on Wednesday cleared Treasury chief Rishi Sunak of wrongdoing over his wifes tax affairs and his possession of a U.S. permanent residents card. Sunak asked Christopher Geidt to investigate potential ministerial conduct breaches after revelations that Akshata Murty, Sunaks wife, did not pay U.K. tax on overseas income and that Sunak held a green card, which requires bearers to file U.S. tax returns. Sunak gave up his green card last year, two years after being appointed chancellor of the Exchequer. There were no allegations of lawbreaking, but critics said the arrangements were inappropriate for the official in charge of taxation and the economy at a time when Britain is facing a cost-of-living crisis fueled by soaring energy prices. Geidt, the adviser on ministers interests, found two instances where Murtys tax status could have given rise to a conflict of interest for Sunak, but said in both cases Sunak had dealt with them properly and openly. He also concluded that there was no inherent conflict of interest in Sunak holding a green card. Geidt said Sunak had been assiduous in meeting his obligations and in engaging with this investigation. Murty owns a stake in Infosys, an Indian IT company founded by her billionaire father, that has received more than 50 million pounds ($63 million) in U.K. public sector contracts since 2015. Geidt said the shareholding was properly declared and the firm has held no Treasury contracts during Sunaks time in office. Sunak, a 41-year-old former hedge fund manager, had been seen as a likely successor to Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, until the financial revelations raised questions about his judgment and damaged his sure-footed image. He has also been fined by police, along with Johnson and some 50 others, for attending a party in the prime ministers office in 2020 that broke coronavirus lockdown rules at the time. Geidt answers directly to the prime minister, and has been accused of going easy on top officials in his investigations. Last year he cleared Johnson of breaking the ministerial code by failing to disclose that a Conservative party donor had funded a pricey refurbishment of the prime minister's official residence. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. KIOWA, Colo. Eighteen months after Donald Trump lost the White House, loyal supporters continue to falsely assert that compromised balloting machines across America robbed him of the 2020 election. To stand up that bogus claim, some Trump die-hards are taking the law into their own hands by attempting, with some success, to compromise the voting systems themselves. Previously unreported surveillance video captured one such effort in August in the rural Colorado town of Kiowa. Footage obtained by Reuters through a public-records request shows Elbert County Clerk Dallas Schroeder, the countys top election official, fiddling with cables and typing on his phone as he copied computer drives containing sensitive voting information. Schroeder, a Republican, later testified that he was receiving instructions on how to copy the systems data from a retired Air Force colonel and political activist bent on proving Trump lost because of fraud. That day, Aug. 26, Schroeder made a forensic image of everything on the election server, according to his testimony, and later gave the cloned hard drives to two lawyers. Schroeder is now under investigation for possible violation of election laws by the Colorado secretary of state, which has also sued him seeking the return of the data. Schroeder is defying that state demand and has refused to identify one of the lawyers who took possession of the hard drives. The other is a private attorney who works with an activist backed by Mike Lindell, the pillow mogul and election conspiracy theorist. Schroeder said in a legal filing that he believed he had a statutory duty to preserve voting records. He declined to comment for this report. The episode is among eight known attempts to gain unauthorized access to voting systems in five U.S. states since the 2020 election. All involved local Republican officeholders or party activists who have advanced Trumps stolen-election falsehoods or conspiracy theories about rigged voting machines, according to a Reuters examination of the incidents. Some of the breaches, including the one in Elbert County, were inspired in part by the false belief that state-ordered voting-system upgrades or maintenance would erase evidence of alleged fraud in the 2020 election. In fact, state election officials say, those processes have no impact on the voting systems ability to save data from past elections. The incidents include a North Carolina case, first reported last week by Reuters, in which a local Republican Party leader threatened to get a top county election official fired or have her pay cut if she didnt give him unauthorized access to voting equipment. In southern Michigan, a pro-Trump clerk who has expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory on social media defied state orders to perform maintenance on a voting machine on the unfounded belief that doing so could erase proof of alleged fraud. In another Michigan case, a Republican activist impersonated an official from a made-up government agency in a plot to seize voting equipment. Some of the people and groups involved in the vigilante election-investigator movement are drawing financial support from Lindell, the My Pillow Inc chief executive and one of the most visible backers of Trumps false fraud claims. Lindell said he hired four top members of one group, the U.S. Election Integrity Plan, or USEIP. The group got Lindells backing about three months after its co-founder advised Elbert County Clerk Schroeder in his effort to copy and leak voting data. In all, Lindell told Reuters he has spent about $30 million and hired up to 70 people, including lawyers and cyber people, partly in support of Cause of America, a right-wing network of election activists. Lindell, who said he hasnt been involved in any data breaches, said his quest aims to prove fraud in the 2020 vote and to reshape American elections by getting rid of electronic voting machines and returning to paper ballots. The Trump ally said his fraud claims will eventually be vindicated in spite of what he described as ridicule from the media. Weve got to get rid of the machines! Lindell said. We need to melt them down and use them for prison bars and put everyone in prison that was involved with them. A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to requests for comment. Destroying voter confidence Four experts in voting law told Reuters the extent of these balloting-data breaches is unprecedented in modern U.S. elections. The violations are especially worrying, say election officials, because they break the chain of custody over ballots and tabulating equipment. Such safeguards allow for the tracking of exactly who has handled sensitive voter data; they are essential to making elections secure and to resolving any challenges or fraud allegations. You need to make sure that those ballots are maintained under strict chain of custody at all times, said David Becker, executive director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research. Its destroying voter confidence in the United States. Such breaches can also constitute privacy invasions by exposing information about individual voters. The Colorado data Schroeder leaked likely included ballot images that showed how people voted, according to the secretary of states office. If so, that would violate a core principle of modern American democracy: the secret ballot, which is intended to protect voters from politically motivated harassment or intimidation and to prevent vote-buying. The secret ballot is a fundamental right in American elections, said Pamela Smith, president of Verified Voting, a nonpartisan group that advocates for secure elections. The incidents examined by Reuters all took place in states that have been competitive in recent elections: Two occurred in Colorado, three in Michigan and one each in Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. At least five of the cases are under investigation by local or federal law enforcement, with three arrests and one conviction, according to state and local officials. Four of the breaches forced election officials to decertify or replace voting equipment that was no longer secure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to comment. The type of data leaked varies; in some cases, the full extent of the losses remains unknown. In Colorados Mesa County, the secretary of state accuses clerk Tina Peters of allowing an unauthorized person to make a forensic image of a voting-equipment hard drive. In addition, confidential passwords required to upgrade the countys election software were published on the internet, according to an indictment of Peters. Like Schroeder, Peters said she was exercising her statutory duty to preserve election records. She accused Dominion and the secretary of state, without evidence, of conspiring to destroy evidence of election fraud. In three other attempts in Ohios Lake County, Michigans Cross Village and North Carolinas Surry County no data is believed to have been accessed. In two other cases, Reuters was unable to determine what data, if any, was stolen. Its also unclear what data, if any, may have been accessed in Michigans Adams Township, where a key component of an election tabulator machine went missing for four days in October 2021. It was eventually found in the office of a clerk who has posted memes indicating support for QAnon on Facebook. QAnon is a conspiracy theory casting Trump as a savior figure fighting a secret war against a cabal of Satanist pedophiles and cannibals, including prominent Democrats. The rise of what election-security officials describe as insider threats officeholders who leak confidential election data or sabotage voting machines coincides with the national pressure campaign by Lindell-backed groups and other Trump allies who are traveling the country and lobbying local officials to replace electronic voting systems with hand-counted paper ballots. The push comes ahead of the November midterm elections that will decide control of the U.S. Congress, now narrowly held by Democrats, and the 2024 presidential election, in which Trump has indicated he could seek a second White House term. County and town clerks are in the thick of things, in some cases as targets of the pressure, in others as the alleged actors. Clerks in the United States are often key election administrators, in addition to managing vital records, such as marriage licenses. The American rights fixation with voting machines intensified in the days after Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump. The defeated incumbent and his lawyers, including former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, started making outlandish claims of rigged machines. The accusations were soon deemed bogus by courts and Trumps own election-security chief, and spurred ongoing defamation lawsuits against Giuliani and others from a prime target of the Trump camp, voting-machine provider Dominion Voting Systems. Dominions machines have been the focus of multiple baseless election conspiracy theories, including that financier George Soros and the family of Venezuelas late socialist President Hugo Chavez conspired with Denver-based Dominion to steal the election. Dominion said statements by Lindell and others about Dominion have been repeatedly debunked, including by bipartisan government officials. Despite the lack of evidence, many Trump allies continue to insist that electronic voting machines were rigged in 2020 and argue for a return to paper ballots. Election officials from both parties warn such a change would make voting less secure. They say electronic voting machines provide more fraud safeguards than paper ballots by reducing human errors and preventing delays that could be exploited by bad actors seeking to block the certification of results. A phony election integrity commission The most recent known attempted breach came in March, when a county election director in North Carolina faced threats from a local Republican Party leader who demanded access to a vote tabulator a machine which, by state law, may only be handled by election officials. William Keith Senter, chair of the Surry County Republican Party, told elections director Michella Huff that he would have her fired if she didnt comply, the state board of elections told Reuters, which first reported news of the incident on April 23. Senter and a prominent election conspiracy theorist, Douglas Frank, met with Huff on March 28, falsely claiming that a chip inside voting machines was used to rig the 2020 results, the board said. Two days before, Frank had given a speech in which he espoused a number of debunked election conspiracy theories in Dobson, a town in the rural county of 72,000 people. Senter and Frank did not respond to requests for comment for this report. Huff refused Senters demands, made as part of a push by local activists to conduct a forensic audit of the 2020 presidential results. During one encounter, the state board found, Senter told Huff: I cant wait to watch you fall. The state board said it reported the threats against Huff to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. No one has been charged in the matter. At one point, Senter told Huff that the county sheriff, Steve Hiatt, would help him get the keys to the voting machines, Huff told the state board. Hiatt, a Republican, did not respond to requests for comment. Huff, a registered independent, said she was dismayed by the threats and spread of disinformation. She said her office must now prepare for voters who may refuse to insert their ballot into the tabulator in the false belief the device will switch their vote. Im very concerned for the voters, Huff told Reuters. Democracy starts here. It starts here in our office. To date, only one of the incidents has resulted in serious criminal charges over the voting data breaches: the case of Peters, the Mesa County clerk in Colorado. Peters, a Republican, was indicted in March on seven felony charges, including attempted influence of a public servant, criminal impersonation and identity theft, and three misdemeanors. The charges could carry a sentence of more than 25 years. She has not yet entered a plea; her arraignment is scheduled for May 24. Peters declined to comment. She has previously said she is a victim of a partisan attack. In Cross Village, Michigan, Tera Jackson faced felony charges after she allegedly impersonated a government official working for a nonexistent agency the Election Integrity Commission and convinced three men to access the towns vote tabulator on Jan. 14, 2021, and try to clone it, law enforcement records show. She told an investigator she was trying to connect the dots on a theory that the county voting tabulator was rigged. But the Emmet County prosecutor cut a deal with Jackson, 56, who in late February pleaded no contest to a single misdemeanor count of creating a disturbance. The felony charges of fraud and unauthorized access to a computer were dropped. She served no jail time. Jackson did not respond to requests for comment. The three men a computer technician, a town trustee and a former law enforcement officer who showed up with a bulletproof vest and a gun talked their way past the town clerk, claiming authority to inspect voting equipment. The computer technician opened parts of the tabulator and attempted to insert a flash drive into several ports but it wouldnt fit, according to video footage taken by the three men and obtained by Reuters in a records request. At one point, the technician used pliers and then tweezers to extract a piece of plastic stuck in the machine, the video showed. The men, who did not respond to requests for comment, believed they were part of an operation approved by the Department of the Defense, according to body camera footage and interviews by sheriffs investigators. The town trustee told the investigators that Jackson said she was working with Sidney Powell, the pro-Trump lawyer who filed multiple unsuccessful lawsuits over the 2020 election, making wild and unfounded claims of voting fraud. Jackson told investigators that she had also been communicating with Phil Waldron, a retired Army colonel who worked with then-President Trumps outside legal team on election-fraud claims. Emmet County Detective Matt Leirstein said investigators found no evidence of Powell and Waldrons involvement in the scheme. Powell and Waldron did not respond to requests for comment. A judge signed an arrest warrant for Jackson in March, but she wasnt arrested until late October. Her whereabouts were unknown for months, said Leirstein, the detective. Some community members, including the townships Republican supervisor, have criticized the prosecutor for going too easy on Jackson and have called for others to be charged, including the three men who accessed the voting equipment. Almost everything doesnt add up, said the supervisor, Stephen Keller, of the sheriffs and the prosecutors handling of the case. Leirstein, the sheriffs detective, said he did not seek charges against the three men working with Jackson because he believed their stories that she had duped them. He said he did recommend charges against the towns former Republican clerk, Priscilla Sweet, who lost her position in the 2020 election. The prosecutor declined to pursue those charges, he said. Sweet was at the scene of the incident about the time law enforcement arrived, according to bodycam video footage reviewed by Reuters. The detective said Sweet told conflicting stories about how she knew it had happened. Phone records, he said, showed that Sweet and Jackson were in contact before the police were called to investigate. Sweet also admitted having told Jackson that she was concerned a pending voting system service would wipe the system of 2020 election data, according to a video of Leirsteins interview of Sweet a few days after the breach. Sweet did not respond to requests for comment. Emmet County Prosecuting Attorney James Linderman did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Preserving proof Another breach came in Michigans Adams Township, a rural area of about 2,000 people. Township clerk Stephanie Scott, a Republican, is accused of resisting state orders to perform testing and maintenance on the machine, which she claimed would erase evidence of potential fraud. At a town meeting in October, Scott said she wanted to find out whats on this machine before destroying anything, adding, We need the proof. We cant just make accusations. On her Facebook page, Scott has expressed support for Trump, Lindell and QAnon. The office of Michigans secretary of state, Jocelyn Benson, sent a letter to Scott in October 2021 pointing out that data from the November 2020 election was not even stored in the tabulator. Benson stripped Scott of her duties in October, citing her refusal to perform legally required maintenance needed to ensure the security and safety of upcoming elections, according to a news release from Bensons office. When Hillsdale County officials, acting on state orders, confiscated the towns tabulator, a crucial component called the scan unit, referred to as the brains of the device, was missing. State police obtained a search warrant and recovered the part from Scotts office. Scott has not been charged; state police say their investigation into unauthorized tampering with the machine remains open. Meanwhile, the town has had to spend $5,500 on a new tabulator. By the time police came to execute the warrant, Scott was represented by Stefanie Lambert, a Detroit attorney who along with Sidney Powell and other pro-Trump lawyers tried unsuccessfully to overturn the states election results, according to police records obtained in a public records request. Lambert did not respond to requests for comment. Scott declined to comment for this story. In February, she sued Benson and others in state court, claiming her powers were unconstitutionally usurped and that she had a duty to preserve election data under federal law. Pressure campaign In Colorado, the breach of voting data came to light in early January, when Elbert County clerk Schroeder admitted to copying the hard drives in a lawsuit he joined with other Republican officials against Colorados secretary of state. The lawsuit argued that the company that tests Dominion election system software, Pro V&V Inc., was improperly certified and that state authorities illegally destroyed election records allegations the state and the company deny. The suit also asserts Colorados top election official, Secretary of State Jena Griswold exceeded her authority when she adopted emergency rules last year to prevent election audits she considered partisan and illegitimate. The case is ongoing. So is the states own lawsuit against Schroeder. In legal filings, the clerk admitted to making a copy of the county election servers two hard drives on Aug. 26. He said he got help from Shawn Smith, a retired Air Force colonel and self-styled election fraud activist, and Mark Cook, an IT specialist who supplied Schroeder with a digital forensic imager costing about $4,000 and capable of transferring data at high speeds. Both Smith and Cook then provided instructions as Schroeder worked to take the data, Schroeder testified. On Sept. 2, he made a second copy of the hard drives, he said. Cook did not respond to requests for comment. Smith declined to comment. Secretary of State Griswold, a Democrat, opened a formal inquiry after discovering Schroeders leak in January and sued the clerk on February 17, seeking the return of the data. Schroeder said in written responses to the inquiry that he gave the copied hard drives to two attorneys, one of whom he refused to identify. The other is John Case, a longtime Colorado attorney who says on his website that hes dedicated to representing citizens petitioning for integrity in elections. Case now represents Schroeder in the state lawsuit against him. Schroeder testified that he did not recall anyone asking him to copy the data. His decision to leak it to unauthorized lawyers, however, followed an intense effort to pressure county clerks across Colorado by an organization co-founded by Smith, one of the men who instructed Schroeder on how to copy the data. Smiths organization, the U.S. Election Integrity Plan (USEIP), emailed all 64 Colorado county clerks and visited at least 10 of them, including Schroeder, demanding they investigate unfounded allegations of 2020 voter fraud, according to Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association. Smith emailed Schroeder directly in early 2021, messages reviewed by Reuters show. In some communications, Smith shared a statistical analysis that purported to suggest that Biden had a suspiciously high number of votes in one precinct of majority-Republican Elbert County. Colorado state officials said the countys votes were accurate. Four of the emails from USEIP members and allies, reviewed by Reuters, referenced the debunked conspiracy theory about rigged voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems and asserted that clerks are legally bound to launch inquiries and preserve alleged evidence. You have an obligation to investigate this evidence and take the appropriate actions, read one message sent on March 15. The heat is more on Republican clerks, said Crane, a Republican who served as Arapahoe County clerk until 2018. They really look at us like traitors. In legal filings, Schroeder said he believed he had a statutory duty to preserve the 2020 voting records and the information he copied should be legally public information, without detailing what the files contained. In court filings, Schroeder said that he was careful to preserve chain of custody with the data he gave the attorneys, asserting on Feb. 3 that the copied hard drives remained in sealed containers. He said the lawyers who took possession of the data including the attorney representing him, Case told him no one had accessed it. Case declined to comment. He referred questions to USEIP co-founder Holly Kasun, who he described as his media consultant. Kasun did not answer questions about Cases involvement in the data leak. Schroeder said he feared a state-ordered upgrade to the voting system would erase records relating to the 2020 election. State officials, however, said the 2020 election records would be retained after the upgrade. No charges have been filed against Schroeder or others involved in the breach of the voting system. The countys district attorneys office declined to comment. Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton said his office had not investigated the incident, which he said was being handled by the state. A Colorado State Patrol spokesperson, Sergeant Troy Kessler, said state police do not handle election matters. New financier Three months after Schroeder leaked the data, USEIPs members landed Lindell as a financial backer. The pillow magnate reached out to USEIP and said the groups work in Colorado was great, Kasun, who co-founded the organization with Smith, said in an interview. Four USEIP members, including Smith, met with Lindell in Colorado Springs late last year and presented their work. At a subsequent meeting a few weeks later, Kasun said, Lindell told the group: Lets scale. Lets do exactly what youre doing with USEIP. The four activists joined Lindell as full-time employees, Lindell confirmed in an interview with Reuters. They now lead the Lindell-backed Cause of America, which coordinates a nationwide network of right-wing election activists. We talk to him every day, Kasun said of Lindell. We keep him updated on what were doing. He also counsels us on how to run things. He offers us what we need to ramp up. Since joining Lindell, Smith has remained at the forefront of Colorados election conspiracy activism. At a Feb. 10 event held in a Colorado church, Smith publicly threatened Griswold, saying: You know, if youre involved in election fraud, then you deserve to hang. Griswold, who did not attend the meeting, said she would not be intimidated. These threats are being fueled by extreme elected officials and political insiders who are spreading the Big Lie that 2020 vote was stolen to further suppress the vote, destabilize American elections, and undermine voter confidence, she said in a statement. Lindell told Reuters that Cause of America is just a small part of his overall effort to prove the 2020 election was stolen and to change election rules. He said he funds South Dakota-registered Cause of America and pays other election-focused employees through Lindell Management, a Minnesota-based LLC registered in 2018. I have over probably 50 to 70 people that I pay, that all theyre doing is on this election, Lindell, 60, said in an interview. I guess Cause of America would be a little piece of that. The group helps connect other groups with lawyers. Lindell, who says he is a former cocaine addict and attributes his reform to his Christian faith, has said he believes God chose Trump to be president. Now Lindell says God endorses his pursuit of election-fraud claims. God has given me an amazing platform, he said. Im using it the best I can. Lindell has publicly praised Tina Peters, the Republican clerk of Colorados Mesa County, who has been charged in connection with one of the most invasive breaches of voting systems. In an interview, Lindell said of the allegations against Peters: She backed up her computers. She did her job. He told Reuters he was paying her legal fees. Im sure its in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, he said. In a subsequent interview, however, Lindell said he was mistaken: I thought I put money towards it, but I never had. A lawyer for Peters, Harvey Steinberg, did not respond to a question about who was paying him. Hometown support Schroeder wasnt the only Colorado clerk approached by the USEIPs Smith for access to secure voting data. In May 2021, Smith told El Paso County clerk Chuck Broerman in a meeting that USEIP would conduct a forensic investigation of his voting systems, Broerman said. Clerk Broerman, we will do this either with you or through you, Broerman recalled Smith telling him. USEIP workers have also harassed Colorado voters in a door-to-door campaign, according to a lawsuit filed in March by the NAACP and other rights groups. Some USEIP workers impersonated government authorities from the county, wearing badges and carrying guns as they interrogated voters about their addresses, whether they participated in the 2020 election, and if so how they cast their vote, the suit alleges. USEIP did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations. The organization has sought to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing it is speculative and without merit. Schroeder, who has described himself as a self-employed entrepreneur, became clerk in this rural, heavily Republican county in 2013. The areas about 27,000 residents in 2020 overwhelmingly backed Trump, who took 74% of votes here. Political signs such as Trump Country and Eat Meat!! Vote Republican dot the town of Kiowa, with a population of about 750. Much of Elbert County supports Schroeder, according to interviews with local officials. The countys Republican chair, Tom Peterson, and two county commissioners defended him. Dallas is a highly respected clerk, said Peterson, who also repeated the false theory that the state upgrade would erase election data. Schroeder isnt letting the state investigation slow him down. He is campaigning for higher office in November, asking voters to elect him to the county commission. Additional reporting by Linda So and Tim Reid. LONDON (AP) British fraud investigators have raided the U.K. offices of the GFG Alliance, owners of the countrys third-largest steelmaker, as part of an investigation into possible fraud and money laundering related to financing from a now-bankrupt lender with ties to former Prime Minister David Cameron. The Serious Fraud Office opened an investigation last year after Greensill Capitals collapse forced the owner of Liberty Steel, which has thousands of staff in the U.K., to seek a government bailout. British media have reported that Cameron lobbied government officials, including Treasury chief Rishi Sunak and then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock, on behalf of Greensill. The fraud office said Wednesday that it is investigating possible fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering in relation to companies within GFG, also known as the Gupta Family Group Alliance, including financing arrangements with Greensill. Investigators have requested documents, including balance sheets, annual reports and correspondence related to the investigation, the agency said. In a memo to employees, GFG denied any wrongdoing and pledged to cooperate with investigators. As part of their ongoing investigation they have today issued procedural requests for information to some of our U.K. sites, as expected, GFG said in the memo. We will comply with the information request orders and will continue to cooperate fully in all manners. The company declined to comment. GFG is led by Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta, who was once praised as the savior of steel for rescuing struggling steelmakers. GFG used supply-chain finance services offered by Greensill. This meant that if GFG sold a product to another company, it could send the invoice to Greensill and be paid right away, rather than having to wait potentially months for the customer to pay its bills. This type of financing can be useful for companies with tight cash flows. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) Members of a U.S. House committee are seeking answers about a natural gas release at a ConocoPhillips Alaska drill site on Alaska's North Slope. The company earlier this month reported it had identified and controlled the source of the gas release first detected on March 4. Three Democrats on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee sent a letter Tuesday to ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO Ryan Lance seeking information about the incident, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The letter, signed by Chair Raul Grijalva and Reps. Katie Porter and Alan Lowenthal, notes the committee has jurisdiction over oil and gas resources on public lands. It seeks responses by May 13. "The ongoing leak and ConocoPhillips response raises a number of troubling questions, including how your company would respond to similar leaks at your proposed Willow project inside the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, the letter states. ConocoPhillips is pursuing the Willow oil project in the northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, but it has faced legal challenges from environmental groups. Rebecca Boys, a ConocoPhillips spokesperson, said the Willow project has undergone extensive environmental and permitting reviews. Boys, by email, said the company was reviewing the letter. She also said lessons learned from the incident will be incorporated into future projects. Boys on Tuesday said intermittent, trace amounts of gas that were trapped beneath underground obstructions are still finding their way to the surface and are being detected near wellhouses, which are structures enclosing the tops of wells. The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which oversees oil and gas drilling in the state, in an update Tuesday said the company was continuing work to plug and abandon a waste disposal well that was being drilled when the leak occurred. The lawmakers, among other things, want to know why it took the company a month to identify the source of the leak and how close the leak was to becoming something more severe. ConocoPhillips continues investigating the cause and what happened at the field, where gas escaped at a drill site called CD1, according to the oil and gas commission. The company has said it has not detected gas outside the gravel drill pad. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Anchorage Daily News. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Thousands of firefighters continued to slow the advance of destructive wildfires in the Southwestern U.S. but warned they were bracing for the return Friday of the same dangerous conditions that quickly spread the wind-fueled blazes a week ago. At least 166 homes have been destroyed in one rural county in northeast New Mexico since the biggest fire currently burning in the U.S. started racing through small towns east and northeast of Santa Fe on April 22, the local sheriff said. Winds gusting up to 50 mph (80 kph) were forecast Friday in the drought-stricken region. One expert said it's a recipe for disaster on the wildlands where some timber has a fuel moisture drier than kiln-dried wood. Its a very, very dangerous fire day tomorrow, fire behavior specialist Stewart Turner said at a briefing Thursday night on the edge of the Santa Fe National Forest in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Like we saw last Friday, epic fire behavior, Turner said. It's a day that as a firefighter, we'll write about, we'll read studies about. It's going to be a big fire day. A swath of the country stretching from Arizona to the Texas panhandle is expected to be hit the hardest by the return of the bad firefighting weather that has generated unusually hot and fast-moving fires for this time of year, forecasters warned. Red flag warnings were in place Thursday for all of New Mexico and parts of Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. More than 3,000 firefighters were battling fires in Arizona and New Mexico on Thursday about half of those in northeast New Mexico, where more than 187 square miles (484 square kilometers) of mostly timber and brush has been charred. They focused Thursday on preventing it from moving into the rural New Mexico community of Ledoux. That meant bolstering fire lines and sending in crews tasked with protecting structures. Great progress again today, incident commander Carl Schwope said Thursday night. But tomorrow has the potential to be a very destructive day. It will be chaotic if anything close to what happened (last) Friday occurs, added operations chief Jayson Coil. Sheriff Chris Lopez, of New Mexico's Miguel County, confirmed for the first time Thursday night the fire there has destroyed at least 166 residences, 108 outbuildings and three commercial buildings. He joined authorities in neighboring Mora County in pleading with residents to pay close attention Friday to sudden changes in closures and evacuation orders. Falling trees, possibly falling power lines, thats the kind of winds we're looking at, Lopez said. Turner, the fire behavior specialist, said the gusty winds are only part of the problem. He said moisture levels in downed logs and woody debris are extremely dry just 2% in small twigs, pine needles and grasses that actually carry a forest fire across the landscape." Moisture in a small log the size of a 4-by-4 post you buy at the lumber store ... are coming down to 8%, he said. Kiln-dry is 12%. So out there, thats drying to what a kiln would do. In northern Arizona, authorities downgraded some some evacuation orders at a fire that has destroyed at least 20 homes near Flagstaff. It's now estimated to be 43% contained. Another fire 10 miles (16 km) south of Prescott was 23% contained, but officials at both blazes warned of worsening conditions expected Friday. Elsewhere, one national incident team continued to oversee a large prairie fire in Nebraska, where more than 200 firefighters were battling a blaze that has been burning since last week. About 68 square miles (176 square kilometers) of mostly grasses and farmland have been blackened near Nebraska's state line with Kansas, several homes were destroyed and at least one person was killed. That fire was 88% contained Thursday. Sonner reported from Reno, Nevada. Margery A. Beck contributed to this report from Omaha, Nebraska. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. PERRY, Ga. (AP) Georgia is welcoming Sasquatch, or at least the Wisconsin-based meat snack company that has adopted the furry creature as a mascot. Jack Link's protein snacks announced Tuesday that it will build a $450 million factory in the middle Georgia town of Perry, hiring 800 people after it opens in late 2023. Link Snacks says it is the largest maker of protein snacks worldwide, making beef jerky and other meat snacks sold under its own name and other brands. Gov. Brian Kemp and members of the Link family who own the Minong, Wisconsin, company, gathered with other officials Tuesday in a 120-acre (50-hectare) pecan orchard in Perry where the factory will be built. Kemp said it's Georgia's largest economic development project outside metro Atlanta this year. When I ran for governor I promised to bring opportunities like this one were celebrating today to all parts of our state, especially rural Georgia," said the Republican, who is seeking reelection and has opposition including former U.S. Senator David Perdue in the May 24 GOP primary. Today is the latest fruit of our hard labor to create more jobs and opportunity for hardworking Georgians. CEO Troy Link, the son of founder Jack Link, said the Georgia plant will be the largest his family's company has ever built. The Georgia facility is going to ensure that we continue to lead the protein snacking category with great innovation, and continue to grow with our customers, consumers and team members, Link said. The company's Sasquatch mascot was on hand, part of its longrunning Messin With Sasquatch campaign Hes been wonderful for our business and we have lots of fun messin with Sasquatch," Link said. Kevin McAdams, the companys North American president, said Link Snacks considered more than 30 sites nationwide. McAdams said the company is hiring immediately for a plant manager, human relations manager, controller, food safety and quality director and plant engineer. McAdams said the company also is doubling the size of its factory in Alpena, South Dakota, and adding onto facilities in Minong, Wisconsin, and Underwood, Iowa. Jack Links also has facilities in Germany, New Zealand and Brazil. Georgia will pay to train company workers, although a value for that incentive wasn't immediately available. Link Snacks could claim various tax breaks, including an income tax credit allowing it to annually deduct $3,500 per job from state income taxes, up to $14 million over five years, as long as workers make at least $28,000 a year. If Jack Link's doesn't earn enough to owe that much in taxes, the state would give it personal income taxes from worker paychecks to make up the rest. The company could also get local property tax breaks. State Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said Jack Link's will add to Georgia's food industry. We have a fantastic food processing industry that is thriving," Wilson said. "Agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Georgia economy. Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) A man accused of shooting at a Louisville mayoral candidate will remain in custody while a federal judge considers his case after a detention hearing Thursday. Western District of Kentucky Judge Benjamin Beaton said he will issue a written ruling sometime next week. A federal magistrate judge had granted Quintez Browns release to home incarceration, but prosecutors appealed. At a detainment hearing on April 15, prosecutors alleged that Brown wanted to kill candidate Craig Greenberg to prevent him from winning the upcoming mayoral election, citing Browns internet search history, text messages and online posts around the time of the February shooting. They also accused Brown of visiting the politicians home the day before the attack but leaving after the gun he brought with him jammed. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Gregory insisted that if released, Brown posed a risk of fleeing and could be a danger to the community. Brown's attorneys pointed to the fact that Brown had been on home incarceration for weeks without any issues before his federal arrest. They also asked the judge to consider the impact of Brown's mental health treatment since the incident. Brown faces federal charges of interfering with a federally protected right, and using and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence by shooting at and attempting to kill a candidate for elective office. Greenberg, a Democrat, said he was at his campaign headquarters Feb. 14 with four colleagues when a man appeared in the doorway and began firing multiple rounds. He was not hit by the gunfire but said a bullet grazed his sweater. One staffer managed to shut the door, which they barricaded with tables and desks, and the shooter fled. If convicted of all federal charges, Brown faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum of life in prison in addition to any sentence he receives on state charges of attempted murder and wanton endangerment. He has pleaded not guilty in state and federal court. Patrick Renn, one of Browns lawyers, said Thursday that the judge seemed very thoughtful, very deliberate with the way that he was going about deciding" whether or not Brown would return to home incarceration. The fact that he is going to take time is actually, I think, in our favor because when you look at all the evidence in this case, under the statute that hes required to follow, that he, too, is going to make a ruling that Mr. Brown should be released," he added. Brown was placed on home incarceration just days after the shooting. He was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor after a group called the Louisville Community Bail Fund paid the $100,000 cash bond. His release to home incarceration drew bipartisan criticism, including from Greenberg, who said it was nearly impossible to believe that someone can attempt murder on Monday and walk out of jail on Wednesday. Before the incident, 22-year-old Brown was known to the community as a social justice activist who was running as an independent for Louisvilles metro council. Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Ridiculous though it might be, I found myself becoming increasingly furious while watching a recent episode of the NBC drama This Is Us that involved matriarch Rebeccas Alzheimers disease. In this episode, Rebeccas son, Randall (our citys own Sterling K. Brown) kept trying to correct his mothers flawed memory. Then, even though he was not living close by, he bombarded her husband and primary caregiver with semi-aggressive questions about her care. The storyline was so accurate that I had to remind myself this was not reality. Both of Randalls actions are exactly what memory-care specialists caution against. And these are the sort of mistakes many people make when a loved one develops dementia. According to scientists, there are hundreds of different types of dementia, although Alzheimers disease is the most prevalent. But regardless of the type of dementia, there are certain actions a caregiver must learn in order to help their person navigate the disease while trying to maintain their own sanity. From personal experience, I can say that this is especially difficult for people used to being problem-solvers like Randalls character on this show. Its hard to accept that neither you nor the afflicted person is in control of the disease. Trying to convince the patients that their delusions or hallucinations are not real wont work, at least not permanently. It can be a heartbreaking and depressing challenge. As I have previously mentioned until the last few months of their lives, I shared my home with my mother and her two older sisters. They lived until they were 93, 103, and 105. Two of the three suffered from dementia. In her last year, my 92-year-old mother developed vascular dementia. Suddenly she believed she couldnt walk despite having nothing physically wrong. Her doctors theorized it was actually a fear of falling. Whatever the cause, trying to get her to stand elicited hysterics, so I got her a wheelchair. Caregivers learn to adapt to the persons reality, whatever it is. That same year, my Aunt Mavis was diagnosed with Lewy-Body dementia. She was 98, well above the usual age when dementia first occurs. Her neurologist said that most people with this form of dementia have horrific night terrors, but not my aunt. Instead, she happily informed me that she was visited by her deceased husband almost every night. I told her to ask him for the lottery numbers the next time he appeared so if I won, we could hire someone to stay with her while I went on a vacation. Every morning, upon entering her bedroom, Id ask if hed provided the lottery numbers. Shed grin and say she forgot to ask, and wed both have a good laugh something caregivers learn to do whenever possible. Like many other diseases, dementia is not homogenous; different people manifest the symptoms differently. Its also progressive, so the way a person acts can morph from one hour to the next. People who have never been aggressive may suddenly try to hit you. They may mistake you for someone from their past, or not recognize you at all. I learned that its quite common for even the most modest or reserved person to strip naked in public. Personal hygiene may vanish. Some people become wanderers. Others start to act inappropriately or spew hate-filled rants, peppered with curse words theyve never uttered before. This is why caregivers can never relax; they can never be sure of what their person might do. Recently the Alzheimers Association projected that without effective therapies 16 million Americans will have Alzheimers and other dementias by 2050, with 9.1 million of those being age 70 or older. If this is correct, the number of caregivers will be just as sizeable. For now, however, if you become a caregiver for someone with dementia, allow the person to believe the delusions dont try to correct the person. And, if youre not the regular caregiver, offer to stay with the patient to allow the caregiver time to take a break. Until the very end, there may be ebbs and flows of happy memories you can share with your loved one. Maybe future episodes of This Is Us will allow Randall to discover that. Janet Y. Jackson is a Post-Dispatch columnist and Editorial Board member. A blueprint for battling the toxic extremism currently gripping much of the Republican Party was provided last week by, of all sources, a Democratic state legislator in Michigan. In a floor speech that went viral, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow issued an epic takedown of a Republican colleague whod called her a sexual groomer of children in a dishonest and indecent fundraising appeal part of GOPs nefarious campaign to use school children as tools in their culture wars. It began with a fundraising email from Republican state Sen. Lana Theis warning, These are the people we are up against. Progressive social media trolls like Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Snowflake) who are outraged they cant ... groom and sexualize kindergarteners or [teach] that 8-year olds are responsible for slavery. The two senators represent different parts of Michigan and have never run against each other, but McMorrow has been outspoken about opposing the GOPs cynical dont say gay legislation in Florida and other efforts like it by conservatives around the country. That, apparently, was enough to merit a mass email that calls McMorrow, the mother of a 1-year-old, a sexual groomer of children. McMorrow responded with a floor speech in which unlike too many other Democrats she didnt play defense or let the right-wing disinformation machine set the parameters of the debate. With appropriate outrage but impressive eloquence, she took the fight to them, exposing their hypocrisy and demagoguery in the process. I am a straight, white, Christian, married suburban mom who knows that the very notion that learning about slavery, or redlining, or systemic racism somehow means that children are being taught to feel bad or hate themselves because they are white is absolute nonsense, McMorrow said. No one in this room is responsible for slavery [but] we cant pretend that it didnt happen or deny people their very right to exist. That is, in essence, what Republican legislatures are trying to do. On sexual orientation issues, as with the supposed danger of critical race theory, they are writing classroom gag laws in such vague and sweeping language as to intimidate schools away from any discussion of race or gender. The stakes are clear. I want every child in this state to feel seen, heard, and supported, not marginalized and targeted because they are not straight, white, and Christian, McMorrow said. We cannot let hateful people tell you otherwise. So call me whatever you want, she concluded. I hope you brought in a few dollars. I hope it made you sleep good last night. I know who I am. I know what faith and service means and what it calls for in this moment. We will not let hate win. McMorrows speech forcefully exposed this crowd for the rhetorical terrorists they are. Other Democrats and Republicans of conscience should take a page from it. Who really needs clean towels and sheets every day on vacation? Ditto for super-long showers. The amount of energy and water that travelers use negatively impacts locals far more than they realize, said Max Shak, founder of SurvivalGearShack.com. Check with your hotel about how they conserve water and what you can do to minimize your impact. Better yet, consider hotels that are actively working to operate more sustainably like the Loews Regency New York (water reduction and temperature adjustments when guests are out of their rooms). The LEED-Certified Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia and the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Minnesota are among those partnering with Clean the World. Their unused portions of bar soaps are recycled for kits sent to impoverished communities. The YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado boasts a solar farm, new electrical vehicle chargers, and has begun to put a Wrap on Plastic Wrap, purchasing reusable options for towels and linens. Cruise lines, including Holland America Line, are eliminating single-use plastic bottles and seeking more sustainable fuel options. Hurtigruten has debuted its second battery hybrid cruise ship while Royal Caribbean has announced a Destination Net Zero strategy to achieve net-zero emissions A large number of hotels are actually committing themselves to being more sustainable through efforts like reducing or eliminating plastic waste. Even with these efforts in place, their price typically doesnt go up, making them a viable option for most travelers. By intentionally choosing to stay at these kinds of hotels, you are supporting sustainable efforts, being more sustainable yourself, and not going out of budget, suggests Nick Mueller, director of Operations for Hawaiianislands.com. That seems especially true in Hawaii. Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach on Oahu announced last month that it is on track to become the first carbon neutral hotel in the state of Hawaii. The resort is now powered by 100 percent renewable electricity, has pledged to plant 100,000 indigenous trees with the Hawaii Legacy Reforestation Initiative and has introduced a sustainable food and cocktail happy hour series centered on locally sourced products. The newly renovated Turtle Bay Resort on Oahus North Shore has a 469-acre on-site Kulima Farm that provides local produce not only to the resort but surrounding communities. Guests are invited to visit and even pick their own ingredients. On Kauai, Hanalei Colony Resort, where the suites have kitchens, is gifting guests new reusable shopping bags with a guide to the island's farmer's markets, farms and roadside stands. This is to encourage guests to buy local and make conscious commerce the part of their visit to Kauai. Certainly, shopping and eating locally, using public transportation or traveling by bike or on foot can all support sustainability efforts and local economies. Locally-owned businesses tend to source their labor and supplies more locally compared to massive chain stores. Not only that, but the vast majority of the money you spend with these businesses stays in the local community through local tax dollars, explains Tim White, founder of MilePro.com. Consider a water bottle with a water purifier filter so you can drink water safely wherever you go. One Water-to-Go water purifier bottle filter replaces 400 single use plastic bottles. ($35.99). For every LifeStraw product purchased, a child in need receives safe water for an entire year. (Squeeze bottles with a filter start at $32.95.) Air travel comes with a big carbon footprint. Consider purchasing carbon offsets from Terrapass. The purchase funds projects to reduce carbon emissions and provide more green jobs. The Coral Reef Alliance created a sustainable travel guide with some simple steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. Obviously, reuse towels and sheets to conserve energy and water, shut off lights, heat and AC when not needed. Take shorter showers and avoid single-use plastics. Use reef-safe sunscreens that dont contain oxybenzone, octinoxate or octoctrylene that harm coral reefs. Look for marine safe logo. Aqua-Aston Hospitality in Hawaii helped pass the worlds first sunscreen law banning chemicals commonly used in sunscreen. The resort companys #ForOurReef campaign aims to educate guests and has now partnered with Little Hands Hawaii, a mom-owned reef-safe sunscreen company. Perhaps the pandemic was the tipping point for travelers wanting to travel more sustainably, suggests research from Booking.com, 83 percent of global travelers surveyed think sustainable travel is vital, with 61 percent saying the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future. More than half (55 percent) of global travelers are planning to take slower modes of transport to reduce their environmental impact in 2022. Additionally, three quarters (76 percent) of global travelers will choose a place to stay if it has good sustainability accreditation. To that end, Booking.com has introduced a new Travel Sustainable badge, helping to connect properties that have implemented a combination of independently verified sustainable practices. It is a first of its kind and it is designed to help travelers find more sustainable options. The platform lists six of the worlds best cities for more sustainable travel, including New York, (easy to walk or take the subway!) and Copenhagen (bike everywhere). The city of San Luis Obispo (SLO), California, has launched Keys for Trees, an initiative that aims to plant 10,000 trees by 2035 the same year this California Central Coast town will become carbon neutral. Every time a hotel room is booked, the funds to plant new trees continue to blossom Costa Rica and Belize have long championed eco-tourism and resorts that have pioneered sustainability initiatives. Like Chaa Creek, which we recently visited and was the first Green Globe Certified resort in the country. Belize is phasing out all single-use plastics, has banned offshore drilling and after a decade of effort, the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest in the northern hemisphere, is being removed from the danger list. Nice work! Happy (sustainable) travel! (For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kids Guide to Philadelphia and The Kids Guide to Camping are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.) Since 2015 it has been a crime to publicize Russian combat casualties, even if they were peacetime losses. That was the year Russia sent a large force to Syria to prevent their longtime Syrian ally and arms purchaser, the Assad government, from being overthrown. There were also casualties in eastern Ukraine (Donbas) where Russia had declared all the fighters to be only ethnic Russian Ukrainians or volunteers from Russia. The reality was that a growing number of the fighters were Russian soldiers, some of them conscripts who were not supposed to be in a combat zone. Keeping these deaths secret in Russia only angered the families of the dead. The anger increased when the government eventually sent them a coffin containing their dead son. The situation was worse in Donbas because the Ukrainians often captured Russians or discovered the names of Russian soldiers who died there. Ukraine would publicize these deaths and POWs (Prisoners of War) and families would hear from Ukraine that their son was dead before Russia got around to admitting it. Families who contacted their government were told such information was secret. This problem got much worse after Russia sent over 150,000 troops into Ukraine and, by Ukrainian count, over 20,000 Russians were killed after two months of fighting. The dead and wounded now include a growing number of Russian sailors killed or wounded in the Black Sea. Russia managed to keep this out of the news until April 14th when the destroyer/cruiser Moskva was destroyed off Odessa. Moskva was the flagship of the Black Sea fleet and carried a crew of 510. Moskva was the third Russian warship destroyed by the Ukrainians since March and the largest. Most of the families of the crew were anxious to discover if their sons were alive. The government responded that such information was a state secret and that a new law had made it a criminal offense to disparage Russian war efforts. This was aimed at angry families seeking information and getting nothing but threats from their government. The disparagement law has been used against journalists and Internet-based commentators but not, apparently, any angry and vocal parents of dead soldiers or sailors. The Moskva losses were particularly embarrassing for the government because it created a lot of unwanted attention to the composition of crews and the number killed or wounded on the lost ships. With a crew of 510, the Moskva casualties were apparently a lot larger than the government initially indicated. Families knew if their sons were on a particular ship and those young conscript sailors usually had low-skill jobs on the ships because conscripts served only 12 months, which was not enough time to train them and get some benefit from that training before the year was up. This was apparently a major reason why the Moskva was lost. The Moskva had four separate systems, one electronic, to protect it from missile attacks. That should have protected the Moskva from the two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles. At least one of those missiles hit the ship. This was confirmed when high-resolution digital photos of the Moskva became widely available. These pictures showed the condition of the ship after it was hit and before it sank while being towed back to its home port in Crimea. The photos clearly show at least one of the large anti-ship missiles carried on the deck in storage/launch canisters exploded and caused significant fires. This indicates two problems with the crew. One is that there were not enough sailors aboard who could maintain and/or operate all the anti-missile systems efficiently. The second problem was that the crew did not have enough sailors trained in damage control procedures to deal with the fire that did not sink the ship but disabled it to the point where the crew was ordered to abandon ship. There were photos of the crew using the life boats but no indication of how many dead or missing crew were left behind. Apparently the government was uncertain about crew losses until the survivors were back in Crimea and a count could be taken. Survivors were told not to contact their families but some did anyway. No families notified like this were prosecuted, especially if they added that they hoped the war against those fascist Ukrainians would soon be over. Some families did criticize the Russian role in the war but punishment for that has not been frequent or much publicized. Suppressing the anger of families who lost sons in a foreign war does not end well, as Russia learned in the 1980s when the Soviet Union still existed and there were similar laws regarding notification of families and criticism of the war in Afghanistan. Russia lost 15,000 dead during the eight years of Afghan fighting back then and it is common knowledge that more than that have been lost during two months in Ukraine. The Russian government no longer speaks of liberating all of Ukraine but a senior Russian general has announced that Donbas and the Ukrainian Black Sea coast will be taken. That better happen soon because more and more veterans of the Ukrainian war are returning home. Many of them were badly wounded and released from service with warnings to keep quiet about what happened. For most veterans silence is not an option and the strict Soviet-era rules and all-powerful KGB no longer exist. These veterans were born after the Soviet Union collapsed and have no nostalgia for the lost empire, especially after facing those fascist Ukrainians and discovering that the Russian liberators were considered the Nazi invaders by Ukrainians who were not fighting for NATO but to maintain their independence. Not all the Russian veterans agreed with that but they could not deny what they encountered and it was news that finds more and more believers inside Russia. NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS April 28, 2022: Russia has threatened to use nuclear weapons rather than lose in Ukraine. Then came a defeat in Ukraine due to radiation. This defeat was self-inflicted and did not reflect well on Russian military leadership. This led to more internal opposition to using nukes on Ukraine. This all began at the start of the Ukraine invasion in which one objective was seized easily. This was Chernobyl, a radioactive town north of Kyiv. Russian troops did not encounter any resistance as they entered the Chernobyl radioactive exclusion zone. A large region around the Chernobyl power plant is still highly radioactive because of the 1986 nuclear meltdown of one of the five reactors. This nuclear disaster, which the Soviets tried to keep quiet, was quickly exposed as a major disaster and one of the reasons Ukrainians were so eager to leave the Soviet Union five years later. Most of the victims of the radioactivity were Ukrainian. The invading Russians replaced the Ukrainian security guards keeping people out of the 2,600 square kilometers (thousand square miles) radioactive exclusion zone near the Belarus border. After 1986 about 250,000 people were moved from the zone and since then only tourists were allowed in, under escort, for short periods. About 5,000 people guard the security zone and monitor the enormous concrete and steel structure now surrounding the still highly radioactive power plant uranium core. Those monitors spend fifteen days at a time in the zone and then two weeks outside it, with their radioactivity levels carefully monitored. Those monitor personnel were allowed to remain, but under Russian control. While Ukrainians comprised most of those killed by the 1986 meltdown, about 70 percent of the initial radiation fell on what is now Belarus. For that reason, it seems unlikely the Russians would arrange for another accident at the entombed nuclear core. Most Belarussians oppose Russia and their own dictator, which is currently kept in power by Russian forces. The main reason for taking control of the exclusion zone was that it is a key element on one of the shortest routes to Kyiv. Chernobyl is still an active work site because two of the other three reactors kept generating power until 2000 and are still undergoing decommissioning. This includes a fifth reactor that was under construction when the disaster occurred right next to the construction site. This exposed the unfinished 5th reactor to high levels of radioactivity. One of the reactors that continued to generate power suffered a fire in 1991 that led to an immediate and safe shut down shortly after Ukraine became independent. Nine years later Ukraine shut down the last two reactors and sought to concentrate on limiting the radioactivity danger in areas outside the exclusion zone. This involves safely storing radioactive materials and making the exclusion zone less of a danger zone. The Russian troops occupying Chernobyl were either not aware of, or ignored the dangers they faced and what to avoid at all costs. The Russian officers were warned that keeping their troops in the exclusion zone for longer periods would lead to higher exposure to radioactivity that would increase the probability of developing cancer or fathering children with birth defects. These warnings had no impact on the Russian troops until some were ordered to dig defensive positions (trenches) in the Red Forest. This was the area close to the reactor explosion that absorbed the most radiation. Personnel are warned to stay out of the area or limit their presence to short visits. Under no circumstances should soil be deliberately disturbed. The Russians did dig the trenches, and commercial satellite photos verified that trenches were indeed dug in the Red Forest and shortly thereafter came reports of Russian soldiers in the Red Forest developing debilitating radiation sickness, something that only occurs to those who receive a very high exposure to radioactivity. That would happen if you dug trenches in the Red Forest. By the end of March Russia withdrew their troops from Chernobyl and sent Ukrainians belonging to the Chernobyl security force to Belarus as prisoners of war. The disturbed soil left the ambient radiation levels 20 times higher than usual and the prevailing winds took the radioactivity to Belarus where it was noticed and generated more public protests. By April 2nd Ukraine was again in control of Chernobyl and working to repair the damage the Russians had done during five weeks of occupation. by Austin Bay April 27, 2022 On April 22 Texas Army National Guardsman Specialist BishopC. Evans drowned in the Rio Grande while trying to rescue two people strugglingin the river. Specialist Evans (Spc. is the military abbreviation) grew up inArlington, Texas. As a soldier serving in a Texas task force deployed to assist the U.S. Border Patrol and police, it's a fair bet Evans knew the individuals were illegally crossing the Mexico-U.S. border. I'm certain Bishop Evans' military mission was to observe and assist police. He had a radio to call for help. However, he saw human beings in immediate danger. So, he acted, disregarding his safety in order to aid endangered human beings. Evans was on duty in uniformed service when he died at the border. In my opinion Evans demonstrated the genuine courage of a decisive soldier willing to sacrifice beyond the call of duty. The tab on his uniform read "U.S. Army." He was an American soldier subject to U.S. military law. We should laud his heroism. Yet small White House voices dismiss his death because he was on "state" duty. Bishop Evans had values. He valued human life. Patriotism is another demonstrated value. In high school he was on the JROTC drill team. He joined the National Guard in 2019 and served overseas. The river took Evans' valuable life. The migrants safely crossed into the U.S. Then Customs and Border Patrol arrested them. CNN and Dailymail.com cited a Texas Ranger source. The two migrants were suspected of being "involved in illicit transnational narcotics trafficking." Drug smugglers. Given the lethality of fentanyl, drug smugglers are a link in a chain that murders Americans by the thousands. Two milligrams can kill a human being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from April 2020 to April 2021, over 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses and fentanyl was involved in two-thirds of the deaths. Fact: Bishop Evans was a very good man who died attempting to rescue two criminals. Their criminal act jeopardized his life. No matter how "woke" leftists feel about immigration, undocumented entrance into the U.S. is a violation of law. Trafficking illegal drugs is criminal. If the Rio Grande Two were smuggling fentanyl, then they were aiding mass murder. Fact: Bishop Evans was an American who happened to be black. I've noticed major media neglect this fact. Evans' life absolutely mattered, to his family, friends, fellow soldiers. Has Black Lives Matter taken a position on his death? The Biden administration avoids addressing his death. It doesn't fit the Democrat Party's current ethnically and culturally divisive narrative. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says the state's border effort has caught "gang members, cartel insiders, cop-killers, rapists, and even suspected terrorists." Other states have assisted Texas' effort. We are seeing a state-led national effort to address a problem the Biden administration intentionally magnifies and inflames. More bitter reality: The Associated Press reports that in March, migrant apprehensions "along the southern border soared to 221,000... a 22-year high." Some six million migrants illegally enter the U.S. annually. Houston, Texas's metropolitan area has about 6.6 million people. The U.S. cannot economically and socially sustain adding a Houston a year in uncontrolled immigration. It's a type of human wave invasion. So, call it the war it is: The Biden Border War. As for the migrants Evans tried to save, they were logistics personnel in China's 21st-century Strategic Drug War. Communist China is the world's primary source of fentanyl. Beijing either ships it directly to the U.S. or smuggles it in via Mexico. The Chinese Communist Party has the power to control fentanyl production but doesn't. In 2017 the National Interest sardonically called China's strategy the "Reverse Opium War." The historically informed get it. From 1839-1842 China's Qing dynasty went to war with Britain to stop the Brits from selling opium in China. The drug threatened Chinese social cohesion. China lost. China also lost the Second Opium War (1856-1860). I'm historically sympathetic, but China is now attacking America with deadly illegal drugs. Bishop Evans died as a soldier fighting in two wars threatening America. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2022 / Honey Badger Silver Inc. (TSX-V:TUF)(OTCQB: HBEIF), the silver-focused mineral company based in Toronto, Canada with an extensive portfolio of interests in the Thunder Bay Cobalt-Silver District and in southeast and south central Yukon, today announced that it will be presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase 2022 at the Bally's Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 5:30PM PST. John H Hill, Director of Honey Badger Silver Inc., will be hosting the presentation and answering questions from investors, as well as, in person, 1-on-1 investor meetings over two days. To access the live presentation, please use the following information: Planet MicroCap Showcase 2022 in Las Vegas Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Time: 2:30 PM Eastern Time/ 5:30 PM Pacific Time Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2862/45111 If you would like to book 1on1 investor meetings with Honey Badgr Silver Inc., and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase 2022, please make sure you are registered here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup 1on1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue. The Planet MicroCap Showcase 2022 website is available here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/ If you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/agenda News Compliments of Accesswire About Honey Badger Silver Inc. Honey Badger Silver is a Canadian silver company based in Toronto, Ontario focused on the acquisition, development and integration of accretive transactions of silver ounces. The Company is led by a highly- experienced leadership team with a track record of value creation, backed by a skilled technical team. With a dominant land position in Ontario's historic Thunder Bay Silver District and advanced projects in the southeast and south-central Yukon including the Plata property 180 kms to the east of the Keno Hill silver district, Honey Badger is positioning to be a top-tier silver company. About SNN.Network SNN.Network is your multimedia financial news platform for discovery, transparency and due diligence. This is your one-stop hub to find new investment ideas, check in on watchlist, gather the most up-to-date information on the Small-, Micro-, Nano-Cap market with the goal to help you towards achieving your wealth generation goals. Follow the companies YOU want to know more about; read and watch content from YOUR favorite finance and investing influencers; create YOUR own watchlist and screen for ideas YOU'RE interested in; find out about investor conferences YOU want to attend - all here on SNN.Network. If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup Contact: Name: Christina Slater Phone: 647-249-9301 Address: 2704-401 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2Y4 Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Honey Badger Silver Inc. via SNN Network View source version on accesswire.com: Thursday, April 28, 8:00 a.m. ET, CAMBRIDGE, MA WHAT: During Modernas (virtual) AGM, protesters will target CEO Stephane Bancel and the company for COVID-19 VAX profiteering WHEN: Moderna VAX profiteering PROTEST held during companys AGM Thursday, April 28 at 8:00 a.m. ET WHERE: 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Moderna HQ) WHO: Approximately 50 community advocates, including AHF and partner organizations NEWS DESK NOTE & B-ROLL VISUALS Sidewalk actions in front of Modernas headquarters with Monopoly-themed posters and signs, Cancel Bancel signs MEDIA CONTACTS: Ged Kenslea, Senior Director, Communications for AHF +1.323.791.5526 mobile [email protected] Tonya Thurman, MHA, Associate Director of Mobilization Campaigns for AHF 614.223.1532 mobile [email protected] QUESTIONS SHAREHOLDER/ADVOCATES WILL TRY TO POSE TO MODERNA DURING VIRTUAL AGM: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220426006363/en/ A postcard mailer by AHF as they target Moderna and its CEO Stephane Bancel for protest during the company's (virtual) AGM over his and the company's profiteering of its successful COVID-19 vaccine. Protest signs feature a Monopoly-themed parody of artwork. (Graphic: Business Wire) With all the profits Moderna has generated during the pandemic, it seems fitting that it would willingly share its know-how and technology to allow other countries to produce more vaccine doses completely independently. Why has that not happened yet? Your CEO Stephane Bancel reportedly sold off nearly $410 million in Moderna stock since 2020. Do you feel it harms your reputation when your leadership and investors are raking in millions in profits while much of the world is still struggling to access vaccines? Why have you priced your vaccine higher than any other mRNA vaccine manufacturer? Why have you only sent 1 million vaccine doses to lower-income countries, when other vaccine makers J&J and Pfizer have sent 25 million and 8.4 million, respectively? Oxfam Americas Moderna Shareholder Resolution AHF would like to acknowledge and thank Oxfam America for successfully placing a shareholder resolution on Modernas 2022 Proxy asking Moderna to study the feasibility of sharing its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine technology with resource-poor countries around the globe. Unsurprisingly, Modernas Board recommends a NO vote on the measure, while AHF enthusiastically supports Oxfams resolution. (Text of Oxfams resolution is in the link below, pp 65-67) Moderna 2022 Proxy Statement (for 2022 AGM) https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001682852/921c1e9a-816c-4794-bec2-367a06e9ee4e.pdf Why has Moderna only sent 1 million vaccine doses to lower-income countries, when other vaccine makers J&J and Pfizer have sent 25 million and 8.4 million, respectively? View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220426006363/en/ Ged Kenslea, Senior Director, Communications for AHF +1.323.791.5526 mobile [email protected] Tonya Thurman, MHA, Associate Director of Mobilization Campaigns for AHF 614.223.1532 mobile [email protected] Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation HERCULES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb), a global leader in life science research and clinical diagnostic products, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. First-quarter 2022 net sales were $700.1 million, a decrease of 3.7 percent compared to $726.8 million reported for the first quarter of 2021. On a currency-neutral basis, quarterly sales decreased 0.8 percent compared to the same period in 2021. COVID-related revenue was approximately $45 million in the first quarter of 2022 versus $94 million in the year ago period. Excluding COVID-related sales, revenue increased 6.5% on a currency neutral basis. First-quarter gross margin was 57.6 percent compared to 55.1 percent during the first quarter of 2021. Life Science segment net sales for the first quarter were $347.2 million, a decrease of 5.3 percent compared to the same period in 2021. On a currency-neutral basis, Life Science segment sales decreased by 2.5 percent compared to the same quarter in 2021. The currency-neutral sales decline was primarily attributed to lower qPCR product revenue due to the decline in COVID related demand, partially offset by the strong growth of Process Media and Droplet Digital PCR products. Clinical Diagnostics segment net sales for the first quarter were $351.8 million, a decrease of 1.9 percent compared to the same period in 2021. On a currency-neutral basis, net sales were up 1.1 percent versus the same quarter last year. The currency-neutral sales increase was primarily driven by the recovery in our Immunohematology business. Income from operations during the first quarter of 2022 was $143.4 million versus $100.9 million during the same quarter last year. Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $3,369.6 million, or a loss of $112.57 per share, on a diluted basis, versus $977.4 million of net income, or $32.38 per share, on a diluted basis, during the same period in 2021. Net income (loss) amounts for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 were primarily impacted by the recognition of changes in the fair market value of equity securities related to the holdings of our investment in Sartorius AG. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 22.9 percent, compared to 24.7 percent for the same period in 2021. The effective tax rate reported in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily affected by an unrealized loss in equity securities and the tax rate reported in the first quarter of 2021 was primarily affected by an unrealized gain in equity securities. As we start the year, we are encouraged by the underlying strength of our core business as COVID-related contributions subside. We continue to closely monitor key macro issues such as pandemic-related lockdowns in China, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the supply chain environment, all with an eye to managing accordingly, said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rads President and Chief Executive Officer. GAAP Results Q1 2022 Q1 2021 Revenue (millions) $700.1 $726.8 Gross margin 57.6% 55.1% Operating margin 20.5% 13.9% Net income (loss) (millions) ($3,369.6) $977.4 Income (loss) per diluted share ($112.57) $32.38 Non-GAAP Results Q1 2022 Q1 2021 Revenue (millions) $700.1 $726.8 Gross margin 58.3% 59.0% Operating margin 22.0% 25.8% Net income (millions) $149.1 $157.4 Income per diluted share $4.94 $5.21 A reconciliation between GAAP operating results and non-GAAP operating results is provided following the financial statements that are part of this press release. Non-GAAP adjustments include amortization of purchased intangibles; acquisition-related expenses and benefits; restructuring, impairment charges and gains and losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable; gains and losses on equity-method investments; significant litigation charges or benefits and legal costs; and discrete income tax events and the income tax effect on these non-GAAP adjustments. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted income per share (non-GAAP EPS) are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading Non-GAAP Reporting. Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2022 was $149.1 million, or $4.94 per share, on a diluted basis, compared to $157.4 million, or $5.21 per share, on a diluted basis, during the same period in 2021. The non-GAAP effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 19.6 percent, compared to 23.6 percent for the same period in 2021. The lower rate in 2022 was driven by the geographical mix of earnings, as well as benefit associated with preferential tax rate related to export sales. The following table represents a reconciliation of Bio-Rads reported net income (loss) and diluted income (loss) per share to non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021: (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 GAAP net income (loss) ($3,369,613) $977,414 Legal Settlements - (536) Amortization of purchased intangibles 6,310 6,940 Legal matters 1,193 4,415 Restructuring costs 44 75,565 (Gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable 4,545,117 (1,179,403) Losses on equity-method investments 990 1,840 Other non-recurring items 2,809 - Income tax effect on non-GAAP adjustments (1,037,710) 271,136 Non-GAAP net income $149,140 $157,371 GAAP diluted income (loss) per share ($112.57) $32.38 Non-GAAP diluted income per share $4.94 $5.21 2022 Financial Outlook For the full year of 2022, the company continues to anticipate non-GAAP currency-neutral revenue growth of approximately 1.0 to 2.0 percent and an estimated non-GAAP operating margin of approximately 19.0 percent. Management will discuss this outlook in greater detail during the first-quarter 2022 financial results conference call. Use of Non-GAAP Reporting and Currency-Neutral In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS, which exclude amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, certain acquisition-related expenses and benefits, restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, gains and losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable, gains and losses on equity-method investments, and significant legal-related charges or benefits and associated legal costs. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS also exclude certain other gains and losses that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, and significant discrete tax events. We exclude the above items because they are outside of our normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. We utilize a number of different financial measures, both GAAP and non-GAAP, in analyzing and assessing the overall performance of our business, in making operating decisions, forecasting and planning for future periods, and determining payments under compensation programs. We consider the use of the non-GAAP measures to be helpful in assessing the performance of the ongoing operation of our business. We believe that disclosing non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, allows for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance. We also believe that disclosing non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results and future prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies. More specifically, management adjusts for the excluded items for the following reasons: Amortization of purchased intangible assets: we do not acquire businesses and assets on a predictable cycle. The amount of purchase price allocated to purchased intangible assets and the term of amortization can vary significantly and are unique to each acquisition or purchase. We believe that excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets allows the users of our financial statements to better review and understand the historic and current results of our operations, and also facilitates comparisons to peer companies. Acquisition-related expenses and benefits: we incur expenses or benefits with respect to certain items associated with our acquisitions, such as transaction costs, professional fees for assistance with the transaction; valuation or integration costs; changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, gain or loss on settlement of pre-existing relationships with the acquired entity; or adjustments to purchase price. We exclude such expenses or benefits as they are related to acquisitions and have no direct correlation to the operation of our on-going business. Restructuring, impairment charges, and gains and losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable, and gains and losses on equity-method investments: we incur restructuring and impairment charges on individual or groups of employed assets and charges and benefits arising from gains and losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable, and gains and losses on equity-method investments, which arise from unforeseen circumstances and/or often occur outside of the ordinary course of our on-going business. Although these events are reflected in our GAAP financials, these unique transactions may limit the comparability of our on-going operations with prior and future periods. Significant litigation charges or benefits and legal costs: we may incur charges or benefits as well as legal costs in connection with litigation and other contingencies unrelated to our core operations. We exclude these charges or benefits, when significant, as well as legal costs associated with significant legal matters, because we do not believe they are reflective of on-going business and operating results. Income tax expense: we estimate the tax effect of the excluded items identified above to determine a non-GAAP annual effective tax rate applied to the pretax amount in order to calculate the non-GAAP provision for income taxes. We also adjust for items for which the nature and/or tax jurisdiction requires the application of a specific tax rate or treatment. From time to time in the future, there may be other items excluded if we believe that doing so is consistent with the goal of providing useful information to investors and management. Percentage sales growth in currency neutral amounts are calculated by translating prior period sales in each local currency using the current periods monthly average foreign exchange rates for that currency and comparing that to current period sales. There are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The non-GAAP financial measures are limited in value because they exclude certain items that may have a material impact on our reported financial results. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP in the United States. Investors should review the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as provided in the tables accompanying this press release. Conference Call and Webcast Management will discuss first-quarter ended March 31, 2022 results in a conference call at 3 PM Pacific Time (6 PM Eastern Time) on April 28, 2022. To listen, call 844-200-6205 within the U.S. or 929-526-1599 outside the U.S., Conference ID: 493268. You may also listen to the conference call live via a webcast that is available in the Investor Relations section of our website under "Events & Presentations" at investors.bio-rad.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for up to a year. BIO-RAD and DROPLET DIGITAL PCR are trademarks of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. in certain jurisdictions. About Bio-Rad Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) is a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of innovative products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. With a focus on quality and customer service for 70 years, our products advance the discovery process and improve healthcare. Our customers are university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as applied laboratories that include food safety and environmental quality. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and has a global network of operations with approximately 7,900 employees worldwide. Bio-Rad had revenues of $2.9 billion in 2021. For more information, please visit bio-rad.com. This release may be deemed to contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements we make regarding estimated future financial performance or results; and for the full year 2022, continuing to anticipate non-GAAP currency-neutral revenue growth of approximately 1.0 to 2.0 percent and an estimated non-GAAP operating margin of approximately 19.0 percent. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "expect," "continue," "will," "project," "assume," "may," "intend," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the duration, severity and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic conditions, supply chain issues, our ability to develop and market new or improved products, our ability to compete effectively, foreign currency exchange fluctuations, reductions in government funding or capital spending of our customers, international legal and regulatory risks, product quality and liability issues, our ability to integrate acquired companies, products or technologies into our company successfully, changes in the healthcare industry, and natural disasters and other catastrophic events beyond our control. For further information regarding the Company's risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" and "Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 to be filed with the SEC. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Net sales $ 700,062 $ 726,796 Cost of goods sold 296,502 326,169 Gross profit 403,560 400,627 Selling, general and administrative expense 197,594 225,853 Research and development expense 62,543 73,912 Income from operations 143,423 100,862 Interest expense 4,048 398 Foreign currency exchange (gains) losses, net (2,128 ) 71 (Gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable 4,545,117 (1,179,403 ) Other income, net (32,597 ) (17,407 ) Income (loss) before income taxes (4,371,017 ) 1,297,203 Benefit from (provision for) income taxes 1,001,404 (319,789 ) Net income (loss) $ (3,369,613 ) $ 977,414 Basic earnings (loss) per share: Net income (loss) per basic share $ (112.57 ) $ 32.77 Weighted average common shares - basic 29,933 29,823 Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Net income (loss) per diluted share $ (112.57 ) $ 32.38 Weighted average common shares - diluted 29,933 30,186 Note: As a result of the net loss for the three months ended March 31 2022, all potentially issuable common shares have been excluded from the diluted shares used in the computation of earnings per share as their effect was anti-dilutive. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) March 31, December 31, 2022 2021 (Unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 802,316 $ 470,783 Short-term investments 1,276,723 404,695 Accounts receivable, net 464,107 423,537 Inventories, net 605,492 572,239 Other current assets 154,783 117,834 Total current assets 3,303,421 1,989,088 Property, plant and equipment, net 485,743 490,952 Operating lease right-of-use assets 198,453 204,798 Goodwill, net 345,728 347,343 Purchased intangibles, net 247,144 253,939 Other investments 9,689,284 14,387,006 Other assets 103,925 102,669 Total assets $ 14,373,698 $ 17,775,795 Current liabilities: Accounts payable, accrued payroll and employee benefits $ 345,193 $ 418,927 Current maturities of long-term debt 504 489 Income and other taxes payable 54,309 46,299 Other current liabilities 248,325 215,223 Total current liabilities 648,331 680,938 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 1,196,739 10,514 Other long-term liabilities 2,345,712 3,417,209 Total liabilities 4,190,782 4,108,661 Total stockholders' equity 10,182,916 13,667,134 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 14,373,698 $ 17,775,795 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Cash flows from operating activities: Cash received from customers $ 649,993 $ 728,013 Cash paid to suppliers and employees (619,809 ) (612,803 ) Interest paid, net (306 ) (309 ) Income tax payments, net (14,324 ) (14,727 ) Other operating activities 30,761 13,436 Net cash provided by operating activities 46,315 113,610 Cash flows from investing activities: Payments for purchases of marketable securities and investments (960,940 ) (74,925 ) Other investing activities 48,978 26,598 Net cash used in investing activities (911,962 ) (48,327 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of Notes, net of debt financing costs 1,186,220 - Payments on long-term borrowings (104 ) (1,401 ) Other financing activities 4,177 (45,946 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,190,293 (47,347 ) Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash 6,877 (7,347 ) Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 331,523 10,589 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 471,133 667,115 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 802,656 $ 677,704 Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Net income (loss) $ (3,369,613 ) $ 977,414 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 32,014 32,736 Reduction in the carrying amount of right-of-use assets 10,018 9,750 (Gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable 4,545,117 (1,179,403 ) Changes in working capital (156,591 ) (57,504 ) Other (1,014,630 ) 330,617 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 46,315 $ 113,610 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted income per share (non-GAAP EPS), which exclude amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; certain acquisition-related expenses and benefits; restructuring charges; asset impairment charges; gains and losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable; gains and losses on equity-method investments; and significant legal-related charges or benefits and associated legal costs. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS also exclude certain other gains and losses that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, and significant discrete tax events. We exclude the above items because they are outside of our normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. We utilize a number of different financial measures, both GAAP and non-GAAP, in analyzing and assessing the overall performance of our business, in making operating decisions, forecasting and planning for future periods, and determining payments under compensation programs. We consider the use of the non-GAAP measures to be helpful in assessing the performance of the ongoing operation of our business. We believe that disclosing non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, allows for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance. We also believe that disclosing non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results and future prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies. Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31, % of March 31, % of 2022 revenue 2021 revenue GAAP cost of goods sold $ 296,502 $ 326,169 Amortization of purchased intangibles (4,461 ) (4,585 ) Legal settlements - 536 Restructuring benefits (costs) (3 ) (23,980 ) Non-GAAP cost of goods sold $ 292,038 $ 298,140 GAAP gross profit $ 403,560 57.6 % $ 400,627 55.1 % Amortization of purchased intangibles 4,461 4,585 Legal settlements - (536 ) Restructuring (benefits) costs 3 23,980 Non-GAAP gross profit $ 408,024 58.3 % $ 428,656 59.0 % GAAP selling, general and administrative expense $ 197,594 $ 225,853 Amortization of purchased intangibles (1,849 ) (2,355 ) Legal matters (1,193 ) (4,415 ) Restructuring benefits (costs) (144 ) (34,735 ) Other non-recurring items (2) (2,809 ) - Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expense $ 191,599 $ 184,348 GAAP research and development expense $ 62,543 $ 73,912 Restructuring benefits (costs) 103 (16,850 ) Non-GAAP research and development expense $ 62,646 $ 57,062 GAAP income from operations $ 143,423 20.5 % $ 100,862 13.9 % Legal settlements - (536 ) Amortization of purchased intangibles 6,310 6,940 Legal matters 1,193 - - 4,415 Restructuring (benefits) costs 44 75,565 Other non-recurring items (2) 2,809 - Non-GAAP income from operations $ 153,779 22.0 % $ 187,246 25.8 % GAAP (gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable $ 4,545,117 $ (1,179,403 ) Gains (losses) from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable (4,545,117 ) 1,179,403 Non-GAAP (gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable $ - $ - GAAP other (income) expense, net $ (32,597 ) $ (17,407 ) Gains (losses) on equity-method investments (990 ) (1,840 ) Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net $ (33,587 ) $ (19,247 ) GAAP income (loss) before income taxes $ (4,371,017 ) $ 1,297,203 Legal settlements - (536 ) Amortization of purchased intangibles 6,310 6,940 Legal matters 1,193 4,415 Restructuring (benefits) costs 44 75,565 (Gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable 4,545,117 (1,179,403 ) (Gains) losses on equity-method investments 990 1,840 Other non-recurring items (2) 2,809 - Non-GAAP income before income taxes $ 185,446 $ 206,024 GAAP benefit from (provision for) income taxes $ 1,001,404 $ (319,789 ) Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (1) (1,037,710 ) 271,136 Non-GAAP provision for income taxes $ (36,306 ) $ (48,653 ) GAAP net income (loss) $ (3,369,613 ) -481.3 % $ 977,414 134.5 % Legal settlements - (536 ) Amortization of purchased intangibles 6,310 6,940 Legal matters 1,193 4,415 Restructuring (benefits) costs 44 75,565 (Gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable 4,545,117 (1,179,403 ) (Gains) losses on equity-method investments 990 1,840 Other non-recurring items (2) 2,809 - Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (1) (1,037,710 ) 271,136 Non-GAAP net income $ 149,140 21.3 % $ 157,371 21.7 % GAAP diluted income (loss) per share $ (112.57 ) $ 32.38 Legal settlements - (0.02 ) Amortization of purchased intangibles 0.21 0.23 Legal matters 0.04 0.15 Restructuring (benefits) costs - 2.50 (Gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable 150.57 (39.07 ) (Gains) losses on equity-method investments 0.03 0.06 Other non-recurring items (2) 0.09 - Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (1) (34.38 ) 8.98 Add back anti-dilutive shares 0.95 - Non-GAAP diluted income per share $ 4.94 $ 5.21 GAAP diluted weighted average shares used in per share calculation 29,933 30,186 Shares included in non-GAAP net income per share, but excluded from GAAP net loss per share as they would have been anti-dilutive 253 - Non-GAAP diluted weighted average shares used in per share calculation 30,186 30,186 Reconciliation of Net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA: GAAP net income (loss) $ (3,369,613 ) -481.3 % $ 977,414 134.5 % Interest expense 4,048 398 (Benefit from) provision for income taxes (1,001,404 ) 319,789 Depreciation and amortization 32,014 32,736 Foreign currency exchange (gains) losses , net (2,128 ) 71 Other income, net (32,597 ) (17,407 ) (Gains) losses from change in fair market value of equity securities and loan receivable 4,545,117 (1,179,403 ) Dividend from Sartorius AG 31,586 18,991 Legal settlements - (536 ) Legal matters 1,193 4,415 Restructuring (benefits) costs 44 75,565 Other non-recurring items (2) 2,809 - Adjusted EBITDA $ 211,069 30.2 % $ 232,033 31.9 % (1) Excluded items identified in the reconciliation schedule are tax effected by application of a non-GAAP effective tax rate. The non-GAAP tax provision is adjusted for items, the nature of which and/or tax jurisdiction requires the application of a specific tax rate or treatment. (2) Incremental costs to comply with the European Union's In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation ("IVDR") for previously approved products. 2022 Financial Outlook Forecasted non-GAAP operating margin excludes 86 basis points related to amortization of purchased intangibles. Forecasted non-GAAP operating margin does not reflect future gains and charges that are inherently difficult to predict and estimate due to their unknown timing, effect and/or significance, such as foreign currency fluctuations, future gains or losses associated with certain legal matters, acquisitions and restructuring activities. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005441/en/ Investor Contact: Edward Chung, Vice President, Investor Relations 510-741-6104 [email protected] Media Contact: Anna Gralinska-Schram, Corporate Communications 510-741-6643 [email protected] Source: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. SHENZHEN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Chinas leading vaping media, Bluehole New Consumption, today publishes an industry comment on the first FDA-authorized closed pod vape equipped with FEELM Tech. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427006228/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Here below is the full article: The FDA (the Food and Drug Administration) has issued marketing granted orders to NJOY Ace and its tobacco-flavored e-liquid pods on April 26. It is the first e-cigarette authorized by the FDA that is equipped with ceramic coils and manufactured by FEELM, the flagship atomization tech brand belonging to SMOORE. NJOY has partnered with SMOORE since 2009. NJOY Ace was launched in 2018 and is powered by FEELM inside, the worlds first black ceramic atomization coil with metallic film. As the first ceramic coil e-cigarette and pod vape authorized by the FDA, NJOY Ace's approval for sale fully showcases the harm reduction potential of FEELM ceramic coil. According to the FDA, NJOY Ace is authorized for sale because "chemical testing was sufficient to determine that overall harmful and potentially harmful constituent (HPHC) levels in the aerosol of these products is lower than in combusted cigarette smoke." Based on PMTA requirements, SMOORE has established a comprehensive analytical testing and safety assessment system, including the vaping industry's first corporate toxicology laboratory, which explores the health impacts of exposure to e-cigarette vapor by means of cytotoxicity test, evaluating the reaction of living cells to different components of e-cigarette vapor. The company has also developed the third generation of in-house safety standards SMOORE 3.0, which covers all of the PMTA tests and HPHCs (Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents) listed by the FDA. The principle of PMTA is to scientifically and systematically substantiate harm reduction performance of the vaping product and show it is appropriate for the protection of the public health (APPH), said Dr. Long, Director of SMOORE Analytical Testing and Safety Assessment Center. "The manufacturer must demonstrate the product's potential to switch adult smokers while preventing youth and non-smokers from nicotine addiction," which could explain that all the FDA-authorized vaping products are tobacco-flavored, and popular flavored products have been issued Marketing Denial Orders. It also indicates that vaping manufacturers shall focus on tobacco flavor reproduction and improve harm reduction performance, in order to be approved under the PMTA pathway. According to Nielsen, for the two weeks ended April 9, 2022, Vuse has surpassed Juul and become the No.1 in the U.S e-cigarette sales, with a market share of 35%. Its flagship product Vuse Alto is also equipped with FEELM ceramic coils. As the No.3 player in the U.S, NJOY accounts for approximately 3.1% market share. Moreover, a federal judge has required the FDA to provide progress reports on PMTAs submitted by major vaping brands. It is expected that more major vaping brands, such as Vuse and Juul, will receive their FDA status reports soon. To read the original article, please visit: https://www.bluehole.com.cn/news/detail/49641 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427006228/en/ Chen Bianji (86)13530848319 Source: Bluehole New Consumption SACRAMENTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Caltrans dignitaries, employees, families and friends gathered solemnly on the west steps of the State Capitol today for the departments 32nd Annual Workers Memorial to remember and honor the 189 public servants who have died since 1921 while building and maintaining Californias transportation system. The yearly memorial in addition to honoring families and giving staff the opportunity to pay respects to their fallen colleagues reminds us to Be Work Zone Alert and Move Over a lane when you see flashing amber lights ahead, or slow down if not safe to do so. Safety is always Caltrans top priority and the tragedies that brought us here today have resulted in intensified safety efforts within the department, said Caltrans Acting Director Steven Keck. Zero deaths on our state highway system is the only acceptable number, and as we recognize those who tragically died while at work on our transportation system we remind all motorists to please Slow for the Cone Zone, Be Work Zone Alert and Move Over when you see flashing amber lights. During the ceremony, Caltrans placed 189 orange traffic cones in a diamond "caution sign" configuration, each bearing the name of an employee lost since 1921. A black cone in the center represented all people killed while working on the state highway system, including private contractors, tow truck drivers, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and other emergency responders. The commemoration also included the Caltrans Honor Guard, who led the symbolic tribute. Additionally, flags are flying at half-staff today at the State Capitol and at all Caltrans facilities in honor of these fallen workers. Todays ceremony marked the third year in a row that no new names were added to the memorial the longest stretch in nearly 75 years though speakers at the memorial stressed the need for everyone to remain vigilant. With the help of Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, as well as the recently enacted federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Caltrans and local agencies now have significant additional funds to repair and maintain Californias transportation system. The additional funding also increases the number of Caltrans employees and contractors working on our roadways, increasing their exposure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, highway construction and maintenance work is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. In 2020, more than 6,500 work zone collisions occurred on California roadways, resulting in an estimated 1,964 injuries and 60 fatalities. Nationally, drivers and passengers account for 85 percent of the people who are killed in work zones. In February, Caltrans announced a new Directors Policy on Road Safety, which commits the department to the Safe System approach and reaffirms the vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050. This policy takes steps to further a shift that began in 2020, as state transportation leaders recognized a bolder and more focused approach was necessary to combat the troubling rise in fatalities and serious injuries on California roads. The states 2020-24 Strategic Highway Safety Plan managed by Caltrans and involving more than 400 stakeholders was updated to include the Safe System approach. Caltrans has partnered with the California Transportation Foundation to develop two funds to benefit the families of Caltrans workers killed on the job. The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces and the Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship is available to the children of these workers. For more information or to make donations, visit the California Transportation Foundation. Shortly following the conclusion of the ceremony, broadcast-quality raw video will be prepared and uploaded for media to download via this link. | CleanCalifornia.com | #BeWorkZoneAlert | #GoSafelyCA | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006043/en/ District: Headquarters Contact: Tamie McGowen Contact: Will Arnold Phone: (916) 956-0633 Source: Caltrans PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: The Board of Directors of Orano has renewed the appointment of Claude Imauven as Chairman of the Groups Board of Directors. Claude Imauven, who was appointed as Oranos Chairman on May 14, 2020, said: I'm proud of the vote of confidence from the Board of Directors with this re-appointment as Chairman, and Im very honored to continue with the mission entrusted to me in 2020. The changes in the energy, climate, and geopolitical context are bringing nuclear energy back to the forefront. Orano is a major nuclear player that is developing technologies and expertise for the climate, the resource economy and healthcare. The Group will continue to have the full backing of the Board of Directors so that it can pursue its development. Claude Imauven is a graduate of the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique and is an Ingenieur au corps des mines (state industrial engineer). He began his career in 1983 at the French Ministry of Industry and went on to hold several management positions in public administration, on the staff of several Ministries (namely Foreign Trade and Industry). His career at Saint-Gobain began in 1993 within the Flat Glass Division, where he became successively Vice-President of Industrial Policy then VP of Industry and Finance. In 1996, he was appointed General Delegate for Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Returning to France in 1999, he joined the Pipe Division as Chief Operating Officer of Pont-a-Mousson SA. In 2001, he became Chairman & CEO of that company and President of the Pipe Division. In April 2004, Imauven was appointed Senior Vice-President of Saint-Gobain and President of the Construction Products Sector. In 2016, he become Chief Operating Officer of the Saint-Gobain Group, a position he held until 2019. He has been a director at the Orano Group since it was restructured in July 2017. About Orano As a recognized international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano groups 16,500 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow. Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value. www.orano.group View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006051/en/ Press Office +33 (0)1 34 96 12 15 [email protected] Investor relations Marc Quesnoy [email protected] Head office: 125 Avenue de Paris, F-92320 Chatillon Tel.: +33 (0)1 34 96 00 00 Fax: +33 (0)1 34 96 00 01 Source: ORANO VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Premier John Horgan took the stage at the 2022 CUPE British Columbia convention with a message of thanks to the union for its members tireless delivery of public services throughout the pandemic and beyond. We have had to deal with crises and catastrophes over the past two years, said Horgan. We have come through it all because of the hard work of first responders and other public servants. Because of your members. We are all so grateful. The lesson for us all is of the importance of a strong, resilient public service. Warmly received by delegates, the Premier reflected on his own history as the son of a CUPE member, and the life-changing impact of fair wages, benefits and other workplace rights on workers and their families. Belonging to a union is a step forward for workers seeking a fair wage and building a more just society, said Horgan, who went on to chronicle recent initiatives by the BC NDP government designed to make life better for workers. The Premier also directly addressed delegates about the ongoing public sector bargaining. Our goal is to arrive at fair agreements for public-sector workers, while ensuring the government has the resources to continue to invest in building a stronger B.C. for everyone, he said. After reflecting on the challenges of recent years, Horgan turned to the important work for his government in the coming months. Were moving forward on many issues at the same time, and they are all related: the economy, the environment, education, health care. Its a lesson we can all take from the trade union movement, which teaches that we each benefit when everyone benefits, he said. No one said building a better world would be easy, but we are doing it. With your support, we are creating a world we once only imagined: A fairer, better world where we take care of one another, and no one is left behind. The Premier closed by thanking CUPE members for their activism on behalf of working people across the province, and for CUPE BCs continued advocacy for a better B.C. for everyone. cope491 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006352/en/ Steven Beasley CUPE Communications Representative 778-903-7394 Source: Canadian Union of Public Employees LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH), the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry, announced that the company's first quarter 2022 financial results will be released after the U.S. market close on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Farfetch will host a conference call to discuss its results at 4:30 p.m. ET the same day. The live webcast of the call, along with the company's earnings press release, can be accessed at the Farfetch Investor Relations website at www.farfetchinvestors.com. Following the call, a replay will be available at the same website. About Farfetch Farfetch Limited is the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries and territories with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,400 of the worlds best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a single platform. Farfetchs additional businesses include Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers, and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch offers its broad range of consumer-facing channels and enterprise level solutions to the luxury industry under its Luxury New Retail initiative. The Luxury New Retail initiative also encompasses Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities and innovations such as Store of the Future, its connected retail solution. For more information, please visit www.farfetchinvestors.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006147/en/ Investor Relations: Alice Ryder VP Investor Relations [email protected] Media: Susannah Clark VP Communications, Global [email protected] +44 7788 405224 Brunswick Group [email protected] US: +1 (212) 333 3810 UK: +44 (0) 207 404 5959 Source: Farfetch PLYMOUTH, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Horizon Global (NYSE: HZN) announced today that it will host a conference call regarding the Companys first quarter 2022 results on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be hosted by Horizon Global's President and Chief Executive Officer Terry Gohl, and Dennis Richardville, Chief Financial Officer. Participants on the call are asked to register five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time by dialing (844) 825-9786 and from outside the U.S. at (412) 902-4185. Please ask to join the Horizon Global call, conference identification number 10165103. The first quarter 2022 results and supplemental materials, including a presentation in PDF format, will be distributed before the market opens on May 5, 2022, and will be available on the Companys website at www.horizonglobal.com prior to the start of the call. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously and in its entirety through the Horizon Global website. Shareholders, media representatives and others may participate in the webcast by registering through the Investor Relations section on the Companys website. A replay of the call will be available on Horizon Globals website or by phone by dialing (877) 344-7529 and from outside the U.S. at (412) 317-0088. Please use the replay access code number 5076799. The telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the end of the call and continue through May 19, 2022. About Horizon Global Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, Horizon Global is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of high-quality, custom-engineered towing, trailering, cargo management and other related accessory products in North America and Europe. The Company serves OEMs, retailers, dealer networks and the end consumer as the category leader in the automotive, leisure and agricultural market segments. Horizon provides its customers with outstanding products and services that reflect the Company's commitment to market leadership, innovation and operational excellence. The Companys mission is to utilize forward-thinking technology to develop and deliver premium products for our customers, engage with our employees and realize value creation for our shareholders. Horizon Global is home to some of the worlds most recognized brands in the towing and trailering industry, including: Draw-Tite, Reese, Westfalia, BULLDOG, Fulton and Tekonsha. Horizon Global has approximately 3,800 employees. For more information, please visit www.horizonglobal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006078/en/ Jeff Tryka, CFA Investor Relations, Lambert & Co. (616) 295-2509 [email protected] Source: Horizon Global Corporation Median overall survival extends to 26.7 weeks for late-stage, chemo-refractory mTNBC (metastatic triple-negative breast cancer) patients treated with Immunopheresis therapy plus chemotherapy, with response measured by RECIST including stable disease (SD), partial (PR) and complete (CR) responses As a measure of response, the clinical benefit rate (CBR) for patients receiving Immunopheresis treatment for greater than four weeks plus chemotherapy was over 40%, and the rate of central nervous system progression, new or preexisting CNS lesions, was observed lower than expected Prof. Piotr Wysocki, Principal Investigator, described Immunicoms Immunopheresis subtractive therapy as especially encouraging in heavily pre-treated mTNBC patients, given its excellent safety and tolerability profile SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Immunicom, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a breakthrough technology platform for immuno-oncology, presented data from its ongoing clinical investigation, Protocol CP7-005 [NCT04004910], at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Conference in New Orleans. The trial data, presented by Principal Investigator, Prof. Piotr Wysocki, detailed continued encouraging data for the Companys LW-02 Cartridge Immunopheresis treatment used with chemotherapy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006112/en/ Principal Investigator Prof. Piotr Wysocki presents the Immunopheresis clinical trial poster at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2022 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA (Photo: Business Wire) Expanding on Part A data where LW-02 Cartridge Immunopheresis was used as a monotherapy, results from Immunicoms Part B & Extensionwhere Immunopheresis is combined with various chemotherapy regimenscontinue to demonstrate effectiveness, safety, and tolerability. Median overall survival (OS) extended beyond six months in patients treated greater than four weeks. In addition, the incidence of brain metastases appears to be less than would otherwise be expected in this heavily pre-treated mTNBC population, and further analyses are underway to confirm this observation. Immunicoms Immunopheresis subtractive therapy selectively removes sTNF-Rs from plasma through therapeutic apheresisa blood-filtering process like dialysisusing Immunicoms unique LW-02 Cartridge (containing the Companys proprietary, high-affinity, molecular ligand subtractive matrix). Removal of sTNF-R from plasma unleashes a patients natural TNF-, an innate molecule in the body, to directly kill cancer tumor cells and upregulate the immune system to attack the tumor. Commenting on the data, Dr. Wysocki stated, We are seeing further confirmation that Immunopheresis is a potentially revolutionary treatment for cancer. In these difficult to treat late-stage cancer patients, the possibility of extending survival and preventing spread of the cancer to the brain, which is common in these patients, is especially promising and opens a new playing field in the battle against refractory cancers. Our longest surviving patient who had progressed three prior lines of treatment before being treated with Immunopheresis therapy had a robust response to treatment that lasted nine months. For this patient, disease progression occurred with reduced frequency of LW-02 Immunopheresis treatment, but a robust response was again observed on increasing the LW-02 treatment to three times per week, demonstrating the ability of LW-02 Immunopheresis therapy to produce a durable and sustained response now out to over 18 months. Immunicoms AACR presentation underscores the burgeoning prospects for the Companys Immunopheresis technology platform on multiple fronts in the fight against cancer and other immunologic disorders. The LW-02 Cartridge has received FDA Device Breakthrough Designation for treatment of solid malignancies and a CE Mark in Europe for use in chemo-refractory mTNBC. Three ongoing clinical trials continue to assess LW-02 Cartridge Immunopheresis as a monotherapy, and/or in combination with chemo- or immunotherapy, with other trials planned to initiate later in 2022. Prof. Wysockis AACR poster presentation is available on Immunicoms website. Subtractive Therapy Immunopheresis and the LW-02 Cartridge Immunicom employs a proprietary, high-affinity, molecular capture-ligand binding matrix within the LW-02 Cartridge to remove specific cytokine receptors, soluble TNF-Receptors 1 and 2 (sTNFR-1/2), which are shed by cancer cells into the extracellular tumor microenvironment. sTNF-Rs serve as decoys, binding tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) before it can bind to its membrane-embedded sTNF-Rs receptor to trigger several cell death pathways. The selective removal of decoy sTNF-Rs by the LW-02 Cartridge unleashes the patients immune system to identify and aggressively attack the cancer. Immunopheresis, like dialysis, is a subtractive therapy that occurs outside the body, in contrast to conventional drug and biologics that are infused into the patient. Immunopheresis is thus much better tolerated than chemo- and immunotherapies, allowing for its use as an adjunct with these therapies, possibly in lower doses to reduce their toxicity. About Immunicom Immunicom, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company with a new technology platform for immuno-oncology. Immunicoms highly selective Immunopheresis blood and/or plasma constituent removal technology is designed to effectively treat a wide variety of cancers and immunological disorders with a safer side-effect profile than conventional treatments. Immunicoms lead product, the LW-02 Cartridge, previously received FDA Breakthrough Device designation in 2018 for Stage IV metastatic cancer, and European regulatory clearance (CE Mark certification) in 2021 for use in patients with advanced, refractory mTNBC. Immunopheresis is currently being evaluated in several globally based oncology trials for multiple cancers. Immunicom is headquartered in San Diego, CA, with operations in Houston, TX, Philadelphia, PA, Krakow, Poland, and Istanbul, Turkey. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006112/en/ Dr. Victoria Manax [email protected] 657-202-6040 Source: Immunicom, Inc. ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Susan H. Black has been selected to receive the prestigious 2022 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Eleventh Circuit. Chief Judge William H. Pryor Jr. will present the award to Black at the Judicial Conference for the Eleventh Circuit on May 5 in Atlanta. Black has been a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit since 1992, when President George H.W. Bush appointed her. Before that, she had been a U.S. district judge in the Middle District of Florida since President Jimmy Carter appointed her in 1979. She served as chief judge of the Middle District of Florida from 1990 until her appointment to the Eleventh Circuit. She began her judicial career as a judge in Floridas Duval County Court between 1973 and 1975 and as a state circuit judge in Floridas Fourth Judicial Circuit from 1975 to 1979. Black assumed senior status in 2011. Black has also been active in training lawyers and judges throughout her career. She has taught at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and spent more than 15 years teaching federal appellate practice at Duke University School of Law. As a state judge, Black was dean of the College for New Florida Circuit and County Court Judges and chaired the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges Education Committee. She was also a faculty member of the National Judicial College. But what makes Judge Black an especially deserving recipient of this award is her long devotion to the American Inns of Court, writes Chief Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the Eleventh Circuit, who seconded Circuit Judge Joel F. Dubinas nomination of Black for the award. She has led and supported the Inns of Court movement from the beginning. Black served on the founding board of trustees of the American Inns of Court Foundation from 1985 to 1991. She was also a founding member of the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court and served as its first president and again from 1991 to 1992. Black earned an undergraduate degree with honors from Florida State University in 1964. She went on to earn a law degree from what is now known as the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law in 1967 and an LLM degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1984. The American Inns of Court, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, inspires the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring. The organizations membership includes nearly 30,000 federal, state, and local judges; lawyers; law professors; and law students in nearly 370 chapters nationwide. More information is available at www.innsofcourt.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005120/en/ American Inns of Court Contact: Cindy Dennis Awards & Scholarships Coordinator (571) 319-4703 [email protected] Source: American Inns of Court Aster will be led by Chen Wei, an Industry Veteran with over Two Decades of Renewables Experience Solar, Wind and Energy Storage Opportunities in Taiwan and Vietnam are Immediate Focus Areas First solar photovoltaic project in Taiwan under commercial operations SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global investment firm KKR today announced the launch of Aster Renewable Energy (Aster), a newly created renewables platform to develop, build, and operate solar, wind and energy storage projects in Taiwan and Vietnam, with a view to expand to other markets in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, Aster looks to invest behind high-quality renewable energy assets by leveraging the teams leading development expertise. Aster will be led by CEO Chen Wei, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience managing and building renewable energy businesses across Asia. Mr. Chen brings to Aster deep expertise and an extensive network, as well as significant experience leading a successful pan-Asia renewables platform. Alongside his leadership team, he will be responsible for identifying, planning, and executing investment opportunities for Aster. In Taiwan, Aster will be led by Country Manager Adam Huang, an experienced renewables developer and investor, particularly in the solar space. Today, Aster operates a commercial solar photovoltaic project in Taiwan as the platforms first project. Asters launch builds on the strong momentum behind renewables investment and development in Asia and KKRs extensive experience in this sector. Since 2011, KKR has deployed approximately US$4.0 billion globally into renewable assets, such as solar and wind, which have an operational power generation capacity of 14.2 GW, as of December 31, 2021. In Asia, KKR sees renewables as core to its infrastructure strategy and seeks to capture the significant opportunities across the region. In 2020, KKR set up Virescent Infrastructure, a renewable energy platform to own and operate renewable assets in India. Michael de Guzman, Managing Director of KKRs Asia Pacific Infrastructure team, said, The launch of Aster reflects KKRs confidence in Asias renewables sector and the important role it plays in our broader Asia infrastructure strategy. We believe we have reached an inflection point where there is a strong convergence of favorable geographical characteristics and resources, supportive government policies, and demand for sustainable energy solutions to meet the regions growing needs. With our global expertise and local knowledge, KKR is well-placed to invest behind and advance the energy transition through Aster across Taiwan, Vietnam, and Asia, and Virescent Infrastructure in India. Mr. Chen said, I am incredibly excited about this unique opportunity to lead Aster to achieve its full potential. There is significant demand and momentum for renewable energy across the region, and I look forward to maximizing our teams experience and networks, as well as KKRs deep expertise, to help Aster capture these opportunities. Aster will continue to invest behind great opportunities and talent to help enhance KKRs infrastructure strategy. KKR established its Global Infrastructure strategy in 2008 and has since been one of the most active infrastructure investors around the world with a team of approximately 75 dedicated investment professionals. The firm currently oversees approximately US$40 billion in infrastructure assets globally and has made approximately 65 infrastructure investments across a range of sub-sectors and geographies. In Asia Pacific, KKR combines the capabilities of its local teams across the region with KKRs global industry and operational expertise to add value to companies. KKR makes its investment from its Asia Pacific Infrastructure Fund. About Aster Renewable Energy Aster develops, builds and operates renewable energy assets across Asia, a region with a rapidly growing population, economy and need for renewable energy. Aster will have an immediate focus in Taiwan and Vietnam, particularly solar and wind, and will look to expand its footprint into other countries in the region. Asters goal is to become a leading renewable development and investment platform in Asia. Our leadership team includes a number of highly talented executives with an average of over 10 years of renewable development and investment experiences across the region. About KKR KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKRs insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life, and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKRs investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKRs website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427005538/en/ Media Wei Jun Ong +65 6922 5813 [email protected] Source: KKR NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Nashville Health Care Council Board of Directors announced today that Apryl Childs-Potter has been named the new President of the organization, effective May 16, 2022. Childs-Potter joins the Council from the Greater Memphis Chamber, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer, leading the economic development teams business intelligence and marketing functions. She also served as Executive Director of the Chambers Center for Economic Competitiveness, a public-private partnership that engages top business, academic, and elected leaders in collective action to improve local competitiveness and galvanize the regions pursuit of quality jobs. The Board is excited to welcome Apryl into one of the most dynamic health care communities in the world, and we are confident that the Council is poised for a vibrant future under her leadership, said David Dill, Chairman of the Councils Board of Directors and Chairman and CEO of LifePoint Health. Given her entrepreneurial experience leading data-driven strategies, community building and alignment, and economic development, she is uniquely positioned to successfully guide the Council through this moment of rapid growth and transformation. We look forward to watching her build on the Council's strong foundation to further align the Nashville health care community, shape the Councils impact at the local, national and global levels, and help us usher in a new era of growth and innovation for health care in Nashville. Childs-Potters introduction follows a thorough, national search process and comes at a momentous time for the Council and Nashvilles expanding health care community. According to the Councils latest economic impact report, the total number of core health care establishments in Nashville has increased by 600 in recent years to reach more than 3,700, including 18 publicly traded companies. The study found that Nashvilles health care ecosystem represents a $66.9 billion industry annually. In her roles at the Greater Memphis Chamber, Childs-Potter worked to promote Memphis and Shelby Countys strong economic assets globally. Key accomplishments during her tenure at the Chamber include launching Memphis Moves, the regions first national economic development marketing initiative, and helping to secure Memphis as one of three markets selected to participate in the Brookings Institutions Inclusive Economic Indicators Lab, a project aimed at developing tools for tracking and driving inclusive economic outcomes for cities. Im thrilled to join the Nashville Health Care Council at such an important time for the city and the health care industry, said Childs-Potter. With rapid change underway, and with the Councils 25th anniversary just behind us, now is the time to set our sights on how our organization can help shape the growth of Nashvilles dynamic health care community for the next 25 years. I look forward to working alongside the Councils highly-respected board and strong team to think big about how we continue to grow Nashvilles unique reach and influence in the health care sector. Prior to joining the Chamber, Childs-Potter founded and led customer insight and brand strategy firm Hyphen Market Solutions, where she worked with leaders across nine regional health care organizations to create a strategic plan for the Memphis Medical District. Childs-Potter is a Mississippi native and graduate of the University of Mississippi. She and her husband have one daughter. She replaces former Council President Hayley Hovious, who served in the role from 2015 until stepping down earlier this year. About the Nashville Health Care Council The Nashville Health Care Council is a premier association of health care industry leaders working together to inspire global collaboration to improve health care by serving as a catalyst for leadership and innovation. Since 1995, the Council has served as a trusted source for information on trends influencing the nation's health care industry. Through regular programs, the Council provides members with unparalleled access to national and international policymakers, industry innovators, and thought leaders. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005872/en/ Christa Pittaluga [email protected] 615-743-3142 Source: Nashville Health Care Council COXSACKIE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The unaudited financial performance of NBC Bancorp, Inc. (Bancorp), (OTCPK: NCXS), for the first quarter of 2022 remained strong, even with the expected reduction of PPP fee income. For the first quarter 2022, net income was $904,960, or $1.91 per share, compared to $949,596, or $2.01 per share, for the first quarter of 2021. Included in the above is PPP fee income, net of taxes, of $210,591, or $0.44 per share in the first quarter of 2022, compared to $427,503, or $0.90 per share in the first quarter of 2021. Total consolidated assets rose year-over-year by $10.3 million. Net loans grew year-over-year by $21.6 million ($49.9 million excluding PPP balances for both periods), or 8% (21% excluding PPP balances for both years). Asset quality at Bancorp subsidiary National Bank of Coxsackie remained solid as demonstrated by the noncurrent loans to total loans ratio of 0.14% at March 31, 2022, compared to 0.20% at March 31, 2021. Bancorp President and Chief Executive Officer, John A. Balli stated, By meeting the financing needs of our communities, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to profitable growth while maintaining balance sheet efficiency. We also continue to prioritize frictionless banking as demonstrated by our new NBC Express business installment loan online portal. In addition, we have introduced our new investor relations website that provides valuable financial information, promotes transparency, and will serve our shareholders well as we grow. NBC Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of The National Bank of Coxsackie (Bank), which is celebrating its 170th anniversary in 2022. The Bank operates eight branches in the New York State counties of Albany, Greene and Schoharie. For more information, please visit www.nbcoxsackie.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006225/en/ Investor relations: Caitlin McCrea, SVP & Chief Financial Officer (518) 731-6161 [email protected] Source: NBC Bancorp, Inc. Ouster shipped the first DF A-sample to its global automotive OEM partner, and plans to present A-samples to over thirty automotive OEMs, Tier 1s, and AV companies this year SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ouster, Inc. (NYSE: OUST) (Ouster or the Company), a leading provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, announced today the manufacture and shipment of the first Digital Flash (DF) series A-sample, delivering on a major milestone in its strategic development agreement with its global automotive OEM partner1. The first DF A-sample marks a significant achievement on the Companys path to series production in 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006290/en/ Ouster Digital Flash Series lidar sensors (Graphic: Business Wire) With zero moving parts, Ousters DF series is the first true solid-state flash lidar on the market. The DF A-sample achieved an 8x reduction in size in less than six months, resulting in a more compact sensor than its predecessor, while delivering market-leading performance on range, resolution, and field-of-view. Ouster Automotive plans to present its first A-sample to over 30 automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and autonomous vehicle companies in 2022. While the Company is in advanced negotiations for multiple series production programs, it expects the A-sample to significantly accelerate its commercial progress by allowing prospective customers and partners to validate the breakthrough form-factor and performance of the DF sensor. Ouster introduced the industrys first high-performance solid-state flash lidar last fall, and produced an A-sample with significantly reduced size in just a few months, said Mark Sandoval, VP of Automotive Products and Programs at Ouster. The DF sensors are already an order of magnitude smaller than other automotive lidar products, and we have a clear roadmap to further reduce size in time for series production. This is critical for automotive companies which are looking for sensors with best-in-class reliability that can meet small form-factor requirements for sleek vehicle integrations. The DF series is a suite of short, mid, and long-range solid-state sensors for high-volume automotive series production vehicles. With absolutely no moving parts, the DF series is built for best-in-class reliability, durability, and affordability to meet automaker requirements for ADAS and automated driving while seamlessly integrating into the vehicle body. We expect the DF series will be available for integration in vehicles with production starting as soon as 2025. OEMs no longer have to compromise on price, performance, and size now that Ouster Automotive can deliver the true solid-state flash sensor theyve been waiting for. Our strategic OEM partner as well as a number of automotive companies were anticipating our first A-sample to move into the next stage of negotiations, said Iain Levy, VP of Automotive at Ouster. As such, we expect the DF A-sample to meaningfully accelerate our pipeline of commercial opportunities for series production programs and strategic collaborations. About Ouster Ouster (NYSE: OUST) is building a safer and more sustainable future through its high-resolution digital lidar sensors for the automotive, industrial, smart infrastructure, and robotics industries. Ousters sensors offer an excellent combination of price and performance with the flexibility to span hundreds of use-cases and enable revolutionary autonomy across industries. With a global team and high-volume manufacturing, Ouster supports approximately 600 customers in over 50 countries. Ouster is headquartered in San Francisco, CA with offices in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.ouster.com, or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding Ousters financial outlook, market positioning, and anticipated results. Forward-looking statements give Ousters current expectations and projections relating to its financial condition, competitive position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and growth, potential revenue opportunity, and market penetration. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as anticipate, estimate, expect, project, plan, intend, believe, may, will, should, can have, likely and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including: Ousters limited operating history and history of losses; the negotiating power and product standards of its customers; fluctuations in its operating results; cancellation or postponement of contracts or unsuccessful implementations; the adoption of its products and the release of new products to accelerate the pipeline of commercial opportunities and the growth of the lidar market generally; its ability to grow its sales and marketing organization; substantial research and development costs needed to develop and commercialize new products; the competitive environment in which it operates; selection of our products for inclusion in target markets; its future capital needs; its ability to use tax attributes; its dependence on key third party suppliers, in particular Benchmark Electronics, Inc., and manufacturers; ability to maintain inventory and the risk of inventory write-downs; inaccurate forecasts of market growth; its ability to manage growth; the creditworthiness of our customers; risks related to acquisitions; risks related to international operations; risks of product delivery problems or defects; costs associated with product warranties; its ability to keep its competitive edge and maintain competitive average selling prices or high sales volumes or reduce product costs; conditions in its customers industries; its ability to recruit and retain key personnel; its use of professional employer organizations; its ability to timely and adequately protect and enforce its intellectual property rights; its ability to effectively respond to evolving regulations and standards; risks related to operating as a public company; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and other important factors discussed in the Companys final prospectus and definitive proxy statement, dated February 12, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), as updated by the risk factors disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022 and in the section titled Risk Factors in its final prospectus dated April 8, 2022 and in other report the Company regularly files with or furnishes to the SEC. Any such forward-looking statements represent managements estimates and beliefs as of the date of this press release. While Ouster may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, other than as required by law, it disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause its views to change. 1Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006290/en/ Ouster: For Investors Sarah Ewing [email protected] For Media Heather Shapiro [email protected] Source: Ouster, Inc. Exploration drilling of 8 holes, intercepts high grade sulfide adjacent to existing underground operations at Yauricocha Mine. Drilling demonstrates high grade mineralization potential which continues and remains open above the 1120 level. TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Drill hole highlights include: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005980/en/ Figure 1.- A map of the Yauricocha Mine is shown with the location of the drills executed between the Esperanza Area and Cachi Cachi Mine. (Graphic: Business Wire) Hole Width (m) Cu (%) Zn (%) CuEq (%) ECF 10 22 02 2.85 0.31 12.94 6.39 4.90 0.33 27.22 11.86 ECF 10 22 04 0.55 0.20 12.18 5.89 ECF 10 22 05 4.80 6.41 3.51 9.38 1.40 0.46 20.3 8.89 ECF 10 22 03 A 1.15 0.16 15.15 6.68 ECF 10 22 04 A 2.65 2.06 8.36 6.13 *True widths have not been determined Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) (Sierra Metals or the Company) is pleased to announce the discovery of a new high grade ore sulfide zone referred to as the Fortuna zone, located adjacent to the current mine operations. The discovery comes as part of an ongoing exploration drilling program at the Yauricocha Mine. To date, 8 holes have been executed from the 720 level of the Yauricocha Mine within the Yauricocha System. These holes have intercepted mineralization containing high-grade Copper, Zinc and Lead zones. These results demonstrate the potential for high grade mineralization within the reported, and surrounding, areas. Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals stated: Todays results represent significant progress in our efforts to expand Yauricochas ore resource within currently permitted levels of the mine. Mining of this readily accessible new high grade zone will increase expected ore grade for the next couple of years. We are working towards accessing part of the orebody as early as Q3 of 2022 which would have a positive impact on head grades in the second half of 2022. Alonso Lujan, Vice President, Exploration of Sierra Metals commented: The reported results from the Fortuna zone, located laterally, between the Esperanza zone and Cachi Cachi Mine demonstrates the continued resource potential within the Yauricocha Mine. He added, The high value ore that has been defined suggests that continued exploration in the area is warranted, to better define its potential. Table 1.1 Shows the results of the drilling program Hole Number From To Width** Ag Pb Cu Zn Au CuEq m g/t % % % g/t % ECF 10 22 02 397.25 400.10 2.85 72 3.91 0.31 12.94 0.30 6.39 404.65 409.55 4.90 95 5.14 0.33 27.22 0.49 11.86 417.00 418.60 1.60 19 0.50 0.10 3.70 0.16 1.72 418.60 424.70 6.10 20 0.56 0.09 1.77 0.17 1.08 424.70 428.70 4.00 134 0.86 0.42 12.98 0.65 6.52 ECF 10 22 04 396.35 396.90 0.55 52 4.43 0.20 12.18 0.15 5.89 ECF 10 22 05 366.40 371.20 4.80 126 1.76 6.41 3.51 0.58 9.38 376.00 382.00 6.00 25 0.57 0.11 5.36 0.18 2.38 433.50 434.90 1.40 172 0.52 0.46 20.30 0.00 8.89 446.20 449.40 3.20 15 0.43 0.12 1.63 0.00 0.89 ECF 10 22 01 A 132.00 133.00 1.00 12 0.12 0.20 1.09 0.04 0.72 135.00 136.00 1.00 30 0.25 1.14 1.18 0.03 1.86 139.40 148.45 8.95 38 1.52 1.19 6.08 0.45 4.19 ECF 10 22 02 A 138.40 138.75 0.35 21 0.42 0.76 2.49 0.28 2.04 138.75 139.70 0.95 24 0.49 0.95 1.86 0.34 2.09 139.70 140.60 0.90 46 0.54 3.31 1.73 0.68 4.81 141.50 142.35 0.85 22 0.43 0.93 1.79 0.25 1.97 155.20 155.50 0.30 7 0.18 0.06 1.97 0.65 1.22 ECF 10 22 03 A 175.35 176.50 1.15 68 2.31 0.16 15.15 0.44 6.68 ECF 10 22 04 A 132.00 134.00 2.00 36 0.78 0.77 3.51 0.16 2.53 134.00 136.65 2.65 71 1.48 2.06 8.36 0.50 6.13 *Prices Consensus Ag 24.05USD/Oz,Au 1806 USD/Oz,Pb 1.0USD/Lb,Zn 1.47USD/Lb,Cu 4.31USD/Lb **True widths have not been determined Method of Analysis Samples are prepared at the Yauricocha lab facilities at the Chumpe Mill, which is located on site. Drill core samples from the mine are assayed utilizing two procedures. Silver, Lead, Zinc and Copper are assayed by atomic absorption. Gold is fire-assayed with an atomic absorption finish. Diamond drill core samples sent for analysis consist of half NQ size or BQ size drill core which is split on site. Quality Control Americo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM CP (Mining Engineer) and Vice President of Corporate Planning, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Sierra Metals Sierra Metals Inc. is a diversified Canadian mining company with Green Metal exposure including increasing copper production and base metal production with precious metals byproduct credits, focused on the production and development of its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new key discoveries and still has many more exciting brownfield exploration opportunities at all three Mines in Peru and Mexico that are within close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company also has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential. The Company's Common Shares trade on the Bolsa de Valores de Lima and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SMT" and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol "SMTS". For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress: Web: www.sierrametals.com | Twitter: sierrametals | Facebook: SierraMetalsInc | LinkedIn: Sierra Metals Inc | Instagram: sierrametals Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the date of the 2020 Shareholders' Meeting and the anticipated filing of the Compensation Disclosure. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 16, 2022 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and other risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively. The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and the Company's actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company's statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005980/en/ Investor Relations Sierra Metals Inc. (416) 366 7777 Email: [email protected] J.Alonso Lujan Vice President, Exploration Sierra Metals Inc. (51) 630 3100 (52) 614 426 0211 Luis Marchese President & CEO Sierra Metals Inc. (416) 366 7777 Source: Sierra Metals Inc. DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vista Gold Corp. (Vista or the Company) (NYSE American and TSX: VGZ) today announced the voting results from its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 (the Meeting). A total of 67,896,888 common shares in the capital of the Company (Common Shares) were represented at the meeting, being 57.55% of the Common Shares. Detailed results for the ballot votes for the election of directors are as follows: Proposal Votes For % Votes Withheld % Election of John M. Clark as Director 98.28 1.72 Election of Frederick H. Earnest as Director 98.67 1.33 Election of W. Durand Eppler as Director 98.32 1.68 Election of Deborah J. Friedman as Director 98.64 1.36 Election of C. Thomas Ogryzlo as Director 98.13 1.87 Election of Michael B. Richings as Director 94.65 5.35 Election of Tracy A. Stevenson as Director 98.37 1.63 In addition, at the Meeting, shareholders appointed Plante & Moran PLLC as auditors of the Company and passed ordinary resolutions to approve: on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys Named Executive Officers, and to approve all unallocated awards under the Companys Long Term Equity Incentive Plan, and all unallocated awards under the Companys Deferred Share Unit Plan. About Vista Gold Corp. Vista is a gold project developer. The Companys flagship asset is the Mt Todd gold project located in the Tier 1, mining friendly jurisdiction of Northern Territory, Australia. Situated approximately 250 km southeast of Darwin, Mt Todd is the largest undeveloped gold project in Australia and, as presently designed, Mt Todd is expected to be one of the top five gold producers in Australia. All major environmental and operating permits have now been approved. For further information, please contact Pamela Solly, Vice President of Investor Relations, at (720) 981-1185 or [email protected]. You may also visit our website at www.vistagold.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as Mt Todd expected to be one of the top five gold producers in Australia are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained in this press release include the following: our forecasts and expected cash flows; our projected capital and operating costs; our expectations regarding mining and metallurgical recoveries; mine life and production rates; that laws or regulations impacting mine development or mining activities will remain consistent; our approved business plans, our mineral resource and reserve estimates and results of preliminary economic assessments; preliminary feasibility studies and feasibility studies on our projects, if any; our experience with regulators; our experience and knowledge of the Australian mining industry and our expectations of economic conditions and the price of gold. When used in this press release, the words optimistic, potential, indicate, expect, intend, hopes, believe, may, will, if, anticipate and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, uncertainty of resource and reserve estimates, uncertainty as to the Companys future operating costs and ability to raise capital; risks relating to cost increases for capital and operating costs; risks of shortages and fluctuating costs of equipment or supplies; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; potential effects on our operations of environmental regulations in the countries in which it operates; risks due to legal proceedings; risks relating to political and economic instability in certain countries in which it operates; uncertainty as to the results of bulk metallurgical test work; uncertainty as to completion of critical milestones for Mt Todd; and uncertainty as to the impact of the ongoing global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; as well as those factors discussed under the headings Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors in the Companys latest Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed in February 2022 and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information; whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428006195/en/ Pamela Solly Vice President of Investor Relations (720) 981-1185 [email protected] Source: Vista Gold Corp. By Laura Sanicola NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices rallied on Thursday after reports that Germany is no longer opposed to an embargo on Russian oil, which could further tighten supplies in the already stressed global crude market. Traders were reacting to media reports of comments on Tuesday from Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who said the EU's largest economy could cope with an EU embargo on Russian oil imports and Germany hoped to find ways to replace Russian oil with other supply. Brent crude futures rose $1.89 to $107.21 a barrel by 1:38 p.m. EDT (1838 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $2.61, or 2.6% to $104.63. Germany relies heavily Russian energy imports and had opposed a full ban. Before the war in Ukraine, Russian oil accounted for about a third of Germany's supply. A month ago, Habeck said the country had reduced its dependence on Russian oil to 25% of imports. "As a result of this, oil from the free world is going to be more expensive, and Iron Curtain oil will plunge further in value and be discounted more heavily," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York. Moscow has started to use energy exports as a cudgel following the response by the United States and allies over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has cut off gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria and is trying to push the EU to adopt its new gas payments system that involves opening accounts at Gazprombank where payments in euros or dollars would be converted to roubles. Russian oil production could fall by as much as 17% in 2022, according to an economy ministry document seen by Reuters, as the country contends with Western sanctions. Despite this expected shortfall, the OPEC+ group of producers comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia is expected to maintain its modest pace of increasing output when it meets on May 5, sources told Reuters. The U.S. dollar surged to its highest levels in two decades on Thursday, propelled by weakness in its major rivals, such as the yen and the euro. A stronger dollar is usually bearish for oil prices which are priced in the greenback, as it makes it more expensive to holders of other currencies. In China, Beijing closed some public spaces and stepped up COVID-19 checks at others as most of the city's 22 million residents embarked on more mass testing in an effort to avert a Shanghai-like lockdown. The most recent lockdown has disrupted factories and supply chains, raising fears over the country's economic growth. But Asia's biggest oil refiner, Sinopec Corp, expects the country's demand for refined oil products to recover in the second quarter as COVID-19 outbreaks are gradually brought under control. A slowdown in global growth owing to higher commodity prices and an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict could further exacerbate oil demand fears. (Additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar and Mohi Narayan in SingaporeEditing by David Goodman, Susan Fenton and David Gregorio) (Updated - April 27, 2022 10:38 AM EDT) Germany is prepared to back a gradual ban on Russian oil, according to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with talks among EU ambassadors. Berline would support a phased approach to targeting oil rather than some other options. Community First Bancorporation (OTC: CFOK) the parent company of Community First Bank Inc. and the Bank's subsidiary SeaTrust Mortgage Company announced today an agreement for the sale of SeaTrust to Primis Bank, Glen Allen, VA. Primis will purchase 100% of the SeaTrust stock in a cash transaction. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of each company and is expected to close May 31, 2022, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions. SeaTrust opened for business in February 2020, is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, and has offices in Wilmington, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Jacksonville, North Carolina, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Jacksonville, Florida, and Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. Richard D. Burleson, President and CEO of Community First, stated: "The sale of SeaTrust is bittersweet. We built a great team of mortgage lenders and a sophisticated technology platform for mortgage originations. However, with our acquisition in 2021 of Security Federal Bank, in Elizabethton, Tennessee we have been able to expand our inhouse mortgage products and now find a reduced need for a mortgage subsidiary. This sale will allow the Bank to focus its resources on expanding its commercial, retail and small business lending offerings in the communities we serve." InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: INFU) announced today it has entered into a three-year master service agreement with a leading global healthcare technology and diagnostic company, effective April 25, 2022. As part of the master service agreement, InfuSystem will be providing its biomedical services, which include annual preventative maintenance and repair solutions, to a majority of the fleet of infusion pumps at hospitals and other medical facilities under contract with this tier one global healthcare company. Service will be conducted on-site at the acute care facility or off-site at one of InfuSystems seven service centers. This global healthcare technology and diagnostic companys preferred customers infusion pump fleet consists of more than 300,000 pumps located in 1,200 medical facilities, including 800 hospital systems in the U.S. and Canada. This preferred national service agreement is estimated to generate approximately $10 to $12 million, after an initial ramp-up period, in annual revenue under InfuSystems DME service platform. Richard DiIorio, Chief Executive Officer of InfuSystem, said, I am extremely pleased the tier one global healthcare company has entrusted InfuSystem to be their preferred national service provider. We will deliver our 'white glove' biomedical services for their infusion pump fleet throughout North America. This master service agreement could potentially lead to additional opportunities to serve this customer to provide other products and services we offer under our DME Services segment. The wide-ranging expertise and capabilities of our DME platform, along with our proven track record of industry-leading service, and our national network of service centers, were important factors in their decision to partner with InfuSystem. This acute care service opportunity is the direct result of effectively integrating our biomedical services acquisitions and creating a highly effective operating unit to service tier one clients in order to drive growth and significantly expand market share. Our certified biomedical service teams will be deployed throughout North America to commence onboarding of the global healthcare companys infusion fleet, and to conduct service and repairs on-site or at one of our national service centers. I believe this preferred national service agreement lays the foundation for long-term growth of our DME business and even greater expansion into the acute care space. This master service agreement represents a significant milestone for the Company. It is a testament to our teams hard work and dedication in providing industry-leading service and repair solutions. We look forward to a long and successful relationship for years to come, concluded Mr. DiIorio. Redwood Trust, Inc. (NYSE: RWT; Redwood or the Company), a leader in expanding access to housing for homebuyers and renters, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Riverbend Funding, LLC and its subsidiaries (Riverbend), a best-in-class private mortgage lender to residential transitional and commercial real estate investors, in an all cash transaction. The addition of Riverbend complements Redwoods existing business purpose mortgage banking platform, CoreVest American Finance Lender, LLC (CoreVest), enhancing CoreVests suite of products, geographic and production footprint, and client base. Following the close of the acquisition, Riverbend will be integrated into CoreVest. Co-founded in 2017 by Emilian Halloran, Sean Robbins and Brian Burke, Riverbend is a leading bridge lender providing financing to experienced real estate investors acquiring residential and multifamily transitional properties with plans to rehabilitate and sell, as well as to professional developers in multifamily properties. Riverbend has over 50 employees and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Over the last twelve months, Riverbend has originated over $1.0 billion of loans across 33 states, with additional key markets targeted for future expansion. Riverbends executive leadership team plans to remain with the business following the completion of the transaction. We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Riverbend, further demonstrating our commitment to strategically growing our mortgage banking platforms in a manner that benefits our partners, said Chris Abate, Chief Executive Officer of Redwood. Riverbends platform adds a complementary product and geographic footprint to CoreVests existing business. The market for bridge loans continues to be exceptionally strong, supported by increasing sales of newly constructed and rehabilitated homes amidst shrinking housing inventory. This acquisition enhances our scale in this market and we believe that our existing partners will benefit from the products, experience, and strategic lift that Riverbend brings to CoreVest. We look forward to working together with Emilian, Sean and the talented team at Riverbend, added Beth OBrien, Chief Executive Officer of CoreVest. Riverbend adds a first-class origination team with a track record of high-touch service and attractive funding times as well as seasoned experience in underwriting and sourcing. The Riverbend team has also been very successful in distributing their loans efficiently through capital markets executions. Riverbends experience will be additive to our existing business purpose mortgage banking platform and distribution capabilities as we continue to capture share in this growing market. Since inception, Riverbend has been committed to providing innovative lending options, putting our borrower needs first and closing on deals with service and speed, said Sean Robbins, Co-founder of Riverbend. CoreVest shares these values and joining forces with CoreVest will help us provide greater financing options for our partners, drive overall productivity and enhance our efficiency. The opportunity we see together is significant. We look forward to working together and executing on our shared vision of providing best-in-class financing, service and products to our borrowers. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. JMP Securities, A Citizens Company, served as exclusive financial advisor to Redwood in connection with the transaction. Riverbend was advised by Piper Sandler. Mayer Brown LLP acted as legal advisor to Redwood. SmartRent, Inc. (NYSE: SMRT) today announced the appointment of Hiroshi Okamoto as chief financial officer (CFO). Joining the Company on May 9, 2022, he will be based at SmartRents headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. Hiroshi will play an important role in SmartRents operational excellence, said Lucas Haldeman, CEO of SmartRent. He brings an impressive track record of leadership in strategy, finance and accounting across early-stage growth companies and established innovators. We look forward to his perspective as we continue to expand our footprint and elevate our brand in the real estate enterprise technology space. Im thrilled to welcome him to SmartRents executive team. Okamoto joins SmartRent from Kinkisharyo International, LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of The Kinki Sharyo Co., LTD, a global leader in urban transit, where he served as CFO since 2017. Previously he served as managing director of Touchstone Capital Group, overseeing cross-border investment banking services focused on Japanese real estate. He has a broad and rich portfolio of experience with finance and accounting, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and business development. He has also been an entrepreneur, investor and advisor, having founded and sold two startups to publicly traded companies. Okamoto holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from UCLA and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. I admire SmartRents mission, model, and leadership, and am proud to join the team, said Okamoto. SmartRent has made a significant impact on the real estate industry in a short period of time, and I look forward to helping the team capitalize on the opportunities on the horizon. To ensure a smooth transition, Okamoto will work closely with SmartRents current CFO, Jonathan Wolter, who will step down on May 9, 2022, and remain with the Company as a consultant through the end of May. Haldeman added: I would like to thank Jon for all that he has done for SmartRent. His leadership and expertise have been critical to our success, and we appreciate his many contributions. (Reuters) -Two powerful blasts were heard on Thursday in the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, two witnesses told Reuters. The blasts were heard in the southern part of the city. It was not immediately clear what caused them and whether there were any casualties or damage. Russia has in recent days reported what it says are a series of attacks by Ukrainian forces in Belgorod and other southern regions which border Ukraine, and has warned that such attacks raise a risk of significant escalation. Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility but has described the incidents as payback and "karma" for Russia, nine weeks after it invaded its neighbour. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the West earlier on Thursday of openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia, and warned it not to "test our patience". (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Jan Harvey and Alistair Bell) FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Brucutu mine owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA is seen in Sao Goncalo do Rio Abaixo, Brazil February 4, 2019. REUTERS/Washington Alves/File Photo By Chris Prentice WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday sued Brazilian miner Vale SA for allegedly making false and misleading disclosures about the safety of its dams ahead of a 2019 disaster that killed 270 people. Beginning in 2016, Vale manipulated dam safety audits, obtained fraudulent stability certificates and misled local governments, communities and investors with its environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures, the SEC alleged in a statement and court filing. "Vale denies the SEC's allegations, including the allegation that it violated U.S. law in its security filings," the company said in a filing, adding it would vigorously defend itself. In January 2019, the company's dam in the Brazilian town of Brumadinho burst, unleashing a river of toxic mining waste that crushed a Vale dining hall and destroyed parts of the nearby countryside. Vale, one of the world's largest producers of iron ore, allegedly knew for years that its Brumadinho dam did not meet internationally recognized standards for dam safety, the SEC said. In addition to the death toll, the disaster caused "immeasurable environmental and social harm" and led to more than $4 billion in losses to Vale's market capitalization, the agency said. "While taking full of advantage of the capital markets in the United States, Vale committed securities fraud by intentionally concealing the risks that one of its older and more dangerous dams, the Brumadinho dam, might collapse," the SEC said. Under Democratic leadership, the SEC has pledged to crack down on public companies that may be inflating their ESG credentials to attract investors and burnish their reputation, or which may be underplaying related risks. The SEC last month unveiled a landmark proposal that required U.S.-listed companies to disclose climate-related risks. Last year, it created an enforcement task force to police misconduct related to ESG issues. The SEC's complaint, filed in federal court in New York, charged Vale with violating anti-fraud and reporting provisions of U.S. securities laws. Vale shares briefly turned negative after news of the SEC charges before rising to trade about 1.3% higher in Sao Paulo. (Reporting by Chris PrenticeAdditional reporting by Tatiana BautzerEditing by Paul Simao and Lisa Shumaker) ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX/NYSE: FTS) will release its first quarter 2022 financial results on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. A teleconference and webcast will be held the same day at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern). David Hutchens, President and Chief Executive Officer and Jocelyn Perry, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will discuss the Corporation's first quarter financial results. Shareholders, analysts, members of the media and other interested parties in North America are invited to participate by calling 1.877.223.4471. International participants may participate by calling 647.788.4922. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. No passcode is required. A live and archived audio webcast of the teleconference will be available on the Corporation's website, www.fortisinc.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until June 5, 2022. Please call 1.800.585.8367 or 416.621.4642 and enter passcode 3996811. Fortis will hold its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern), 10:30 a.m. (Newfoundland), in-person and online. Shareholders can attend the meeting in person at the Holiday Inn St. Johns, Salon A, 180 Portugal Cove Road, St. John's, NL, subject to public health guidance. A link to the virtual platform and how to participate will be available on the Corporation's website, www.fortisinc.com/investor-relations/2022-annual-meeting/. Participants will be able to submit questions for management during the Q&A portion of the webcast. About FortisFortis is a well-diversified leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry, with 2021 revenue of $9.4 billion and total assets of $58 billion as at December 31, 2021. The Corporation's 9,100 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states and three Caribbean countries. Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com, www.sedar.com, or www.sec.gov. A .pdf version of this press release is available at: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/6d7927fb-1a75-427b-9c0c-0f8e2d80680d For further information contact Investor Enquiries:Ms. Stephanie Amaimo Vice President, Investor RelationsFortis Inc.248.946.3572 [email protected] Media Enquiries:Ms. Karen McCarthyVice President, Communications & Corporate AffairsFortis Inc.709.737.5323 [email protected] Source: Fortis Albuquerque, NM, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office, the Business Coalition for a Better Albuquerque and RS21 introduced Quaro, a state-of-the-art criminal data platform that will launch in early fall to support law enforcement and prosecutors in addressing crime. In 2021, the Business Coalition (PNM Resources, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Bank of Albuquerque, French Funerals and Cremations, and New Mexico Mutual) contributed $3 million to the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office and RS21 to fund the development and implementation of Quaro. Quaro is an innovative platform that centralizes and visualizes criminal justice data through intuitive and interactive dashboards to support precise crime mitigation efforts. The initial release of Quaro in early fall is a significant milestone for data-driven solutions to help improve the prosecution of serious crimes and repeat offenders. While Raul Torrezs office will be the first to implement the platform, subsequent releases of Quaro will seek to expand the technology for agencies across the state and nation, providing sophisticated analytics for stewards of public safety. I want to thank the Coalition for underwriting this platform and stepping up to help make this a safer community. My team has been working hard with RS21 over the last several months to develop this tool and we are excited about the prospect of bringing cutting edge data analytics to the fight against crime, said District Attorney Raul Torrez. This effort is a prime example of the kind of public / private partnership that leverages our local talent for the benefit of the entire community. The Business Coalition for a Better Albuquerque is excited about this new tool that will help law enforcement and prosecutors do their jobs more effectively, said Tom Antram, President & CEO of French Funerals & Cremations. We all know that crime directly impacts economic development and business efforts negatively. We are confident Quaro will help build a better and stronger Albuquerque. Were proud to support the District Attorneys vision to set new expectations for criminal data platforms and strategically prosecute crimes to make our communities safer, said Charles Rath, RS21 President and CEO. Quaro brings to life a new way to identify crime patterns and connections that creates a more complete picture of criminal activity. Our team is thrilled to create this legacy-making platform for the District Attorney's Office and for the benefit of our local business owners, community groups, and families and friends. Quaro consists of an Advanced Prosecution Module (APM) and Criminal Network Visualization (CNV) application. The APM consolidates and organizes a detailed data collection on defendants, victims, weapons and other relevant information. Meanwhile, the CNV visualizes connections across attributes to reveal links between people, locations and incidents. In combination, these capabilities will enable law enforcement and prosecutors to identify networks driving serious crime in the community. A conceptual visualization of Quaro demonstrates how the platform is architected and navigated to deliver novel insights. The video can be viewed here, https://youtu.be/vQQM-2aZ2Xo. Joanie Griffin Bernalillo County District Attorney 505-261-4444 [email protected] Source: Bernalillo County District Attorney NEW YORK, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, reminds investors that class actions have been commenced on behalf of stockholders of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY) and Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BKKT). Stockholders have until the deadlines below to petition the court to serve as lead plaintiff. Additional information about each case can be found at the link provided. Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY) Class Period: February 16, 2021 March 23, 2022 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 20, 2022 On March 24, 2022, Blue Orca Capital published a report (the "Report") characterizing the Company as "a near fatal combination of stock promotion, laughable governance, a broken business hemorrhaging cash, and highly questionable Enron-like accounting." According to the Report, Li-Cycle recognizes revenues using an Enron-like mark-to-model accounting gimmick Li-Cycle recognizes revenues months prior to the actual sales of its recycled black mass, based on its own provisional estimate of the future value of the product. This accounting treatment is plainly vulnerable to abuse, giving Li-Cycle discretion over its reported revenues. We suspect that under this framework, Li-Cycle marks up the value of its receivables on unsold products and runs the gains through its revenue line. According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (1) Li-Cycles largest customer, Traxys North America LLC, is not actually a customer, but merely a broker providing working capital financial to the Company while Traxys tries to sell Li-Cycles product to end customers; (2) the Company engaged in highly questionable related party transactions; (3) the Companys mark-to-model accounting is vulnerable to abuse and gave a false impression of growth; (4) a significant portion of the Companys reported revenues were derived from simply marking up receivables on products that had not been sold; (5) the Companys gross margins have likely been negative since inception; (6) the Company will require an additional $1 billion of funding to support its planned growth (which is a figure greater than the Company raised via the merger); and (7) as a result, defendants public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. On this news, Li-Cycles stock price fell $0.47 cents per share, or 5.60% to close at $7.93 per share on March 24, 2022. For more information on the Li-Cycle class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/LICY Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BKKT) Class Period: October 15, 2021 IPO or March 31, 2021 November 19, 2021 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 20, 2022 Bakkt was formerly known as VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings and operated as a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), also called a blank-check company, which is a development stage company that has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated its business plan is to engage in a merger or acquisition with an unidentified company or companies, other entity, or person. On January 11, 2021, the Company and Legacy Bakkt announced entry into a definitive agreement for the Business Combination that would result in Legacy Bakkt becoming a publicly traded company with an enterprise value of approximately $2.1 billion. On March 31, 2021, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the Business Combination, which, after several amendments, was declared effective by the SEC on September 17, 2021 (the Registration Statement). Also on September 17, 2021, the Company filed a proxy statement and prospectus on Form 424B3 with the SEC in connection with the Business Combination, which formed part of the Registration Statement (the Proxy and, together with the Registration Statement, the Offering Documents). On or about October 15, 2021, the Company and Legacy Bakkt completed the Business Combination pursuant to the Offering Documents. Thereafter, the Company changed its name to Bakkt Holdings, Inc. and began operating a digital asset platform that enables consumers to buy, sell, convert, and spend digital assets. The complaint alleges that the Offering Documents were negligently prepared and, as a result, contained untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading and were not prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations governing their preparation, and that throughout the Class Period Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, the Offering Documents and Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company had defective financial controls; (ii) as a result, there were errors in the Companys financial statements related to the misclassification of certain shares issued prior to the Business Combination; (iii) accordingly, the Company would need to restate certain of its financial statements; (iv) the Company downplayed the true scope and severity of these issues; (v) the Company overstated its remediation of its defective financial controls; and (vi) as a result, the Offering Documents and Defendants public statements throughout the Class Period were materially false and/or misleading and failed to state information required to be stated therein. On May 17, 2021, Bakktthen still operating as VIHnotified the SEC of its inability to timely file its quarterly report for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Specifically, the Company advised that, as a result of a statement issued by the SEC, the Company reevaluated the accounting treatment of its public warrants and private placement warrants and is currently determining the extent of the SEC Statements impact on its financial statements[.] On this news, the Companys share price fell $0.13 per share, or 1.26%, to close at $10.18 per share on May 18, 2021. Then, on October 13, 2021, the Company disclosed in an SEC filing that it had also previously failed to properly account for the classification of its Class A ordinary shares and adjust[ed] . . . the initial carrying value of the Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption with the offset recorded to additional paid-in capital (to the extent available), accumulated deficit and Class A ordinary shares. Notably, the Company revised its balance sheet as of December 31, 2020, including, among other changes, additional paid-in capital that was reduced from $9,860,338 to nil, an accumulated deficit that ballooned from $4,861,190 to $29,250,419, and total shareholders equity of $5,000,009 that swung to a total shareholders deficit of $29,249,901. Following these additional disclosures, the Companys share price fell $0.47 per share, or 4.73%, to close at $9.46 per share on October 14, 2021. Finally, on November 22, 2021, Bakkt disclosed in another SEC filing that the Companys management has re-evaluated . . . the accounting classification of the Class A ordinary shares . . . of [VIH] . . . and has identified errors in the historical financial statements of VIH . . . related to the misclassification . . . of the Class A Ordinary Shares prior to the [Business Combination]. Specifically, the Company found that, as a result of errors in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021, Bakkt should restate certain of VIHs condensed consolidated financial statements from those periods. On this news, Bakkts stock price fell $2.70 per share, or 13.69%, to close at $17.02 per share on November 22, 2021. As of the time the complaint was filed, Bakkts Class A common stock was trading between $4 to $5 per share and continues to trade below its initial value from the Business Combination, damaging investors. For more information on the Bakkt class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/BKKT About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact Information: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Brandon Walker, Esq. Alexandra B. Raymond, Esq. (212) 355-4648 [email protected] www.bespc.com OTTAWA, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After waiting three decades, Canadas unions welcome todays decision by the Canadian government to reverse its discriminatory blood donation policy, which had been in place since 1992. This is a positive step in addressing ongoing systemic discrimination experienced by 2SLGBTI people, said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). By ending the ban on blood donation for men who have sex with men, the government and Canadian Blood Services are finally ending this discriminatory and unscientific practice which perpetuated negative homophobic and transphobic stereotypes. The ban reinforced a negative stigma surrounding men who have sex with men and misgendered trans women for the purposes of blood donation, preventing potentially healthy donors from donating blood. It should not have taken such a long time to ensure that all people are treated equally. Fear and negative stereotypes about men who have sex with men made this ban last for three decades, said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President. Today, the government and Canadian Blood Services have adopted criteria that is gender neutral with behaviour-based screening and finally ended this unacceptable homophobic and transphobic policy, once and for all. Now Canadian Blood Services must work to earn the trust of the 2SLGBTQI community and encourage much-needed donations. The federal Liberals made a campaign promise in 2015 to end the discriminatory blood ban following years of activism and pressure from the 2SLGBTQI and human rights advocates. The ban has been challenged at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and in June 2021 the federal government lost an attempt to terminate the tribunals inquiry. Today we celebrate alongside all of the activists and the 2SLGBTQI community and we thank the advocates who have worked so hard to make this day possible, said Bruske. This victory has taken far too long, but todays announcement is about saving lives, and making up for years of missed opportunities for those who were excluded from donating simply because of their sexuality or gender identity. To arrange an interview, please contact:CLC Media Relations[email protected]613-526-7426 Source: Canadian Labour Congress VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) (Ero or the Company) reported the voting results from its annual general meeting of shareholders held today in a virtual-only format conducted by live audio teleconference. A total of 76,996,438 common shares were represented at the meeting, being 85.33% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company as at the March 7, 2022 record date. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the meeting, including the re-election of managements nominees as directors for the ensuing year and the advisory vote on executive compensation. Detailed results of the votes are presented below. Each item of business voted upon at the meeting is described in detail in the Company's Management Information Circular dated March 8, 2022 (the Circular), which is available on the Company's website (www.erocopper.com), on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Each of the nine nominees in the Circular were re-elected as directors of the Company for the ensuing year, and the outcome of the vote by ballot was as follows: Number of Common Shares Voted Percentage of Votes Cast Director Nominee For Withheld For Withheld Christopher Noel Dunn 71,129,099 1,413,951 98.05 % 1.95 % David Strang 72,433,163 109,887 99.85 % 0.15 % Lyle Braaten 67,150,302 5,392,748 92.57 % 7.43 % Steven Busby 71,571,422 971,628 98.66 % 1.34 % Dr. Sally Eyre 64,584,767 7,958,283 89.03 % 10.97 % Robert Getz 71,292,135 1,250,915 98.28 % 1.72 % Chantal Gosselin 72,223,489 319,561 99.56 % 0.44 % John Wright 72,422,185 120,865 99.83 % 0.17 % Matthew Wubs 72,431,725 111,325 99.85 % 0.15 % APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, was re-appointed as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year, and the directors of the Company were authorized to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor, and the outcome of the vote by ballot was as follows: Number of Common Shares Voted Percentage of Votes Cast Appointment of Auditor For Withheld For Withheld KPMG LLP 76,968,226 28,212 99.96 % 0.04 % ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The non-binding advisory say on pay resolution accepting the Companys approach to executive compensation as described in the Circular was approved, and the outcome of the vote by ballot was as follows: Number of Common Shares Voted Percentage of Votes Cast For Against For Against Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation 67,576,063 4,966,986 93.15 % 6.85 % ABOUT ERO COPPER CORP Ero Copper Corp is a high-growth, clean copper producer with operations in Brazil and corporate headquarters in Vancouver, B.C. The Company's primary asset is a 99.6% interest in the Brazilian copper mining company, Mineracao Caraiba S.A. ("MCSA"), 100% owner of the MCSA Mining Complex, which is comprised of operations located in the Curaca Valley, Bahia State, Brazil, where the Company currently mines copper from the Pilar and Vermelhos underground mines and the Surubim open pit mine, and the Boa Esperanca development project, an IOCG-type copper project located in Para, Brazil. The Company also owns 97.6% of NX Gold S.A. ("NX Gold") which owns the NX Gold Mine, an operating gold and silver mine located in Mato Grosso, Brazil. ERO COPPER CORP. /s/ David Strang For further information contact: David Strang, CEO Courtney Lynn, VP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations (604) 335-7504 [email protected] Source: Ero Copper Corp. BRADENTON, Fla., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heal-Corp.org, a Florida-based non-profit organization, is raising funds to pursue its mission in Ukraine. Its mission is to provide injured Ukrainian civilians with the medical care they need. Doctors are currently treating people on the front lines, and Heal-Corp.org is helping to provide them with the supplies they need. The Ukrainian Ministry of Health publishes requests for the most needed supplies and Heal-Corp has been working to fulfill these requests. Most recently, the Nevada Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security has donated over 1.5 million dollars in needed medical supplies to Heal Corp to send to Ukraine. Heal Corp has volunteers preparing the supplies for transport and is raising funds to pay for shipping and logistics. All money collected will be used to support victims of the war in Ukraine. Donated funds will support the immediate needs (airfare and transportation) and long-term needs (doctors, nurses, and medics) of the Ukrainian people. You can use the following link to donate now: https://www.heal-corp.org/ About Heal Movement Corp Founded in 2021, Heal Movement Corp, a 501-C3 (pending) organization, has been supporting charities and providing scholarships for underprivileged youth. As an organization that reaches out and helps its neighbors, it has temporarily refocused its efforts on Ukraine. The organization's board members come from diverse backgrounds including Military, Business, Not for Profit, Air Medical, Aviation, Humanitarian, and Construction fields. ### MEDIA CONTACT: Benjamin Kowal[email protected]718-510-2160 Related Images Image 1: Heal-Corp Heal-Corp Logo This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Source: Heal Movement Corp A Total of 42 Weekly Flights by the End of August Presentation Event in New York Yesterday NEW YORK, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, at the Glasshouse Chelsea in New York, ITA Airways, the new Italian national carrier presented to representatives of the American and International press as well as business partners in the US market the new connections with the American hubs launched with the 2022 summer season. The Company aims at offering six daily flights between the United States and Italy by June, to meet the travel needs of tourists and business passengers. With flight operation available since October 15, 2021, ITA Airways is an efficient and innovative air carrier that will be a reference point in providing Italy with quality connectivity with domestic, international, and intercontinental destinations, thus boosting tourism and foreign trade. This will result courtesy of a strategy that focuses on the best customer service, combined with digitalization and sustainability, declined in its environmental, social and governance aspects. The development of the intercontinental network represents one of the main assets of the Company, a strategy that will be consolidated also thanks to the arrival at the end of May of the new, latest generation Airbus A350 aircraft, which will join the Airbus A330 already operating in the fleet since the start of the summer season on long-haul destinations. In particular, the focus of the expansion of ITA Airways' routes for this summer is the US market, which is the most strategic market after Italy, as well as the one with the highest number of Italian Americans. In fact, by the beginning of June, ITA Airways' program for the US market will be completed: in addition to the routes to New York, Miami and Boston - already operational with direct flights from Rome and Milan Malpensa (New York only) - the program includes the opening of Los Angeles, from June 1, with a direct flight from Rome Fiumicino. The first flight from Rome Fiumicino to Miami started on March 1, followed by the Rome Fiumicino - Boston connection, operating since March 2, and the Milan Malpensa - New York JFK flight launched on April 2, which completed the offer on New York already ensured by the flight from Rome Fiumicino operated from last winter, now including two round-trip flights to JFK. In addition to these five connections already operating to North America, a new destination from Rome Fiumicino to Los Angeles will be added in June, bringing the offer from Italy to the United States to a total of six daily flights. The launch of the new routes consolidates the process of expansion in the US market, which aims to reach a total of 42 weekly flights between the United States and Italy by August. Moreover, through the code share agreement signed last year with Delta, there are more than 100 domestic destinations that ITA Airways customers can access through the hubs in the domestic network of the American company, with 40 destinations served through New York JFK and an array of equally important connections from Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles offered to meet the needs of business and leisure customers. Moreover, the multiple offers of the Rome Fiumicino hub will allow ITA Airways to be the reference carrier from the United States to Italy and via Rome to Europe and the Mediterranean for the Italian community and the main communities of the Mediterranean countries. In fact, the 2022 ITA Airways summer season will also feature the most popular Mediterranean destinations with new flights to the islands of Italy, including Sardinia served from both Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate, as well as Spain, Greece and Croatia, and seasonal flights in August from Rome FCO and Milan Linate to Lampedusa, Pantelleria, Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes, Ibiza, Menorca, and Majorca. Also, in August the destinations of Kefalonia, Dubrovnik and Split will be served from Rome FCO and Thessaloniki from Milan Linate. The summer season will also see the addition of new flights from Rome Fiumicino to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo starting from early June. These new routes will enable ITA Airways to expand into South America, which has always been a preferred destination for Italian holidaymakers and a country with the largest populations of Italian origin, as well as very important destinations alongside the United States for business and freight traffic. The centrality of the US market in ITA Airways' strategy is also reflected in the important marketing campaigns launched in recent months in New York, Boston, and Miami, with billboards in the landmarks of American tourism, including Time Square. The U.S. market is also of primary importance for ITA Airways' Cargo development strategy, given the importance of import and export traffic flows between Italy and the United States and the demand for related transport services by manufacturing companies, with reference to Made in Italy manufacturing and the transport of pharmaceutical products. The expansion of the number of flights and the portfolio of U.S. destinations, therefore, enriches the ITA Airways cargo offer, with direct and connecting transport solutions to and from the main cities in the United States and Europe, which will be further strengthened with the progressive use of the latest generation Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft, featuring greater load capacity and lower CO2 emissions. The local presence is also ensured by the ITA Airways domestic team that works with travel agencies, trade partners, and web to ensure coverage of the main customer segments including business, leisure and VFR traffic. ITA Airways' Cargo team in the United States works with major freight forwarders and in partnership with leading GSSAs, providing customers with all services for the organization and management of shipments. Finally, thanks to the strong commercial partnership established with the major trade partners and corporates, ITA Airways ensures the full distribution of its flights covering each passenger segment in the United States. Launched in early March, ITA Airways' 2022 summer season includes 64 new destinations, of which 23 are domestic, 34 are international and 7 are intercontinental. Thanks to code share agreements with the major international carriers, ITA Airways is continuing to grow its network via partnerships with other global carriers - giving a privileged access route to the markets of greatest interest for the Company, firstly and foremostly in Europe and America, but also in Africa and Saudi Arabia. Codeshare agreements enable ITA Airways to reach the entire domestic network of other international carriers with direct flights from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate to their hubs. In all, 24 codeshare agreements have been signed so far, for a total of over 270 destinations served on which ITA Airways will use its own codes. All ITA Airways flights can be purchased on the ita-airways.com website, from the ITA Airways Call Center, or from travel agencies and airport ticket offices. Volare ProgrammeWith a commitment to maximum customer focus, ITA Airways launched on October 15, 2021 "Volare", its new loyalty program, which is also accessible to American customers. It has been designed as an open ecosystem of services and products, made available by ITA Airways and its partners to ensure that customers have a unique, 360 travel experience of maximum value. Since March, the program has been enriched with new features that increase its flexibility and ease of use and offer frequent flyers everything they could desire from a program dedicated to them. Volare is widening its strength based on the four values on which it was developed: 'Freedom', 'Personalization', 'Choice', and 'Connection': Volare is a 'made to measure' program that consists of four exclusive Clubs, on an upward scale of increasing levels of premiumness and dedicated priority services: these are Smart, Plus, Premium and Executive. With every purchase on ITA flights, customers can accumulate the points they need to upgrade to the higher Club level and take advantage of various benefits and premium services. Furthermore, beginning from Club Smart, as the access threshold increases, the advantage for the customer also increases in terms of multipliers and the services available. There are already many subscribers to Volare, both from Italy and abroad. To date, the program has more than 361,500 members, of which over 40,000 are Elite members (i.e. Club Plus, Premium and Executive). This result is also important because it is consolidated on the international market: suffice to say that 35% of the participants in the Status Match campaign came from foreign companies. For more information:LaPresse SpA Communication and Press Office DirectorBarbara Sanicola - [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/63b5e0e5-c979-4d7c-bebd-e492203668bc The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress. ITA AIRWAYS LAUNCHES THE SUMMER SEASON IN THE AMERICAN MARKET WITH SIX DAILY FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY Pierfrancesco Carino, V.P. ITA Airways International Sales, is pictured during a presentation in New York celebrating the launch of the company's summer season with 6 daily flights between Italy and the U.S.A., including New York, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. ITA Airways is the new Italian national carrier which started its operations in October 2021 and is now offering flights during the summer months to 64 destinations, of which 7 are intercontinental, 23 national and 34 international. (Stuart Ramson/AP Images for ITA Airways) Source: ITA - Italia Trasporto Aereo NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO, OR TO ANY PERSON RESIDENT AND/OR LOCATED IN, ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IS UNLAWFUL April 28, 2022 Amsterdam, The Netherlands Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Royal Philips or the Company) today commenced a tender offer (the Offer) to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 71/8% Series A Debentures due 2025, 73/4% Series B Debentures due 2025 and 7.200% Notes due 2026 (collectively, the Notes), as set forth in the table below. Title of Notes Security Identifier(s) PrincipalAmount Outstanding Reference U.S.Treasury Security Fixed Spread Bloomberg Reference Page AmountSubject to Offer 71/8% Series A Debentures due 2025 CUSIP: 718337AB4 ISIN: US718337AB40 $84,169,000 2.625% U.S.Treasury due April 15, 2025 70 bps FIT1 Any and all 73/4% Series B Debentures due 2025 CUSIP: 718337AC2 ISIN: US718337AC23 $63,285,000 2.625% U.S.Treasury due April 15, 2025 70 bps FIT1 Any and all 7.200% Notesdue 2026 CUSIP: 718337AE8 ISIN: US718337AE88 $136,515,000 2.50% U.S.Treasury due March 31, 2027 75 bps FIT1 Any and all The Offer is being made in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated April 28, 2022 (the Offer to Purchase) and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. The Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 5, 2022, unless extended with respect to any or all series of Notes (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the Expiration Time). Tendered Notes may be withdrawn at any time at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 5, 2022, unless extended with respect to any or all series of Notes (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the Withdrawal Deadline), but not thereafter. Subject to applicable law, the Company expressly reserves the right to terminate, in its sole discretion, the Offer at any time at or before the Expiration Time.In connection with the commencement of the Offer, on the date of the Offer to Purchase the Company also announced: the intention to issue one or more series of new notes of the Company denominated in euros (the New Euro Notes ) under the Companys EUR10,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the New Euro Notes Issuance ); ) under the Companys EUR10,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the ); the invitation by the Company to holders to tender for purchase (a) any and all of its outstanding EUR 500,000,000 0.500 per cent. notes due 2023 (ISIN: XS1671760384) (the 2023 Euro Notes ), (b) any and all of its outstanding EUR 500,000,000 0.750 per cent. notes due 2024 (ISIN: XS1815116568) (the 2024 Euro Notes ) and (c) a capped amount of its outstanding EUR 500,000,000 1.375 per cent. notes due in 2025 (ISIN: XS2149368529) (the 2025 Euro Notes , together with the 2023 EUR Notes and the 2024 EUR Notes, the Existing Euro Notes ) (the Euro Tender Offer ), which is subject to the Financing Condition (as defined below); ), (b) any and all of its outstanding EUR 500,000,000 0.750 per cent. notes due 2024 (ISIN: XS1815116568) (the ) and (c) a capped amount of its outstanding EUR 500,000,000 1.375 per cent. notes due in 2025 (ISIN: XS2149368529) (the , together with the 2023 EUR Notes and the 2024 EUR Notes, the ) (the ), which is subject to the Financing Condition (as defined below); the intention to pursue a proposed make-whole redemption by the Company of any of the 2023 Euro Notes and 2024 Euro Notes that are not purchased in the Euro Tender Offer at their make-whole redemption amount in accordance with their terms and conditions (the Euro Make-Whole Redemptions ), which is subject to the Financing Condition; and ), which is subject to the Financing Condition; and the proposed agreement with the relevant counterparties for early settlement by the Company of the outstanding forward contracts entered into in the third quarter of 2021 under the share buyback program for capital reduction purposes announced by the Company on July 26, 2021 (the Early Forward Settlement), which is subject to the Financing Condition. The acquisition of 19,571,218 shares through the settlement of these forward contracts would result in the early completion of the repurchase program. The Company would then expect to cancel a total of approximately 28.3 million shares (including shares acquired through open market purchases in December 2021 and January 2022 under the aforementioned share buyback program) in the course of 2022, representing 3.3% of the Companys currently outstanding shares. Subject to the Financing Condition, the Company intends to use a portion of the net proceeds of the New Euro Notes to purchase the Notes in the Offer, to purchase certain of its outstanding Euro-denominated notes in the Euro Tender Offer, to make the Euro Make-Whole Redemptions and for the Early Forward Settlement. Any decision by the Company to redeem outstanding notes in the Euro Make-Whole Redemptions or to complete the Early Forward Settlement will depend on various factors at that time.The Companys obligations to accept for purchase, and to pay for, Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer is subject to the satisfaction, or where available, waiver, of the Financing Condition. Financing Condition shall mean the successful completion (in the sole discretion of the Company) of the New Euro Notes Issuance. See The OfferConditions to the OfferFinancing Condition in the Offer to Purchase for further details. There can be no assurance that the New Euro Notes Issuance will be successfully completed.The information contained in this announcement on the Euro Tender Offer and the New Euro Notes Issuance is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell, or any solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of the Company. The securities offered in the New Euro Notes Issuance have not been and will not be registered under the 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 registration requirements. Neither the Euro Tender Offer nor the offering of the New Euro Notes is being made and will not be made directly or indirectly in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, email and other forms of electronic transmission) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national securities exchange of, or to owners of Existing Euro Notes who are located or resident in the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act (each a U.S. Person).The applicable Consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer will be determined as described in the Offer to Purchase in a manner intended to result in a yield to maturity, with reference to the Settlement Date (as defined below), equal to the sum of (i) the applicable fixed spread (the Fixed Spread) specified in the table above for such Notes and (ii) the yield (the Reference Yield) based on the bid-side price of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security specified in the table above for such Notes, as determined by BofA Securities Europe SA and Mizuho Securities USA LLC (the Dealer Managers) at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on May 5, 2022 (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the Price Determination Time). The formula for determining the applicable Total Consideration is set forth on Schedule A to the Offer to Purchase.Holders of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or before the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase will receive the applicable Consideration for such Notes. The date of payment for such Notes is referred to as the Settlement Date. The Settlement Date is expected to be on May 10, 2022, the third business day following the Price Determination Time. No tenders will be valid if submitted after the Expiration Time.Any holder desiring to tender Notes should (a) tender through DTC pursuant to DTCs Automated Offer Program (ATOP) or (b) request the holders broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the transaction (each, a Tender Instruction). If any holder wishes to tender its Notes but such holder either cannot comply with the applicable procedures for the submission of a valid Tender Instruction (including the transfer of book-entry interests in the relevant Notes) or time will not permit such Notes to be tendered on or prior to the Expiration Time, such holder may tender its Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Offer to Purchase (the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures).In addition to the applicable Consideration, holders of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and which are accepted for purchase in the Offer will also be paid accrued and unpaid interest (rounded to the nearest cent) from the last interest payment date for such Notes to, but not including, the Settlement Date (Accrued Interest).The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Notes of any series being tendered. However, the Companys obligations to accept for purchase, and to pay for, Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer is subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction of or, where available, the Companys waiver of, the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase under The OfferConditions to the Offer, including the Financing Condition.This release is qualified in its entirety by the Offer to Purchase and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.The Company has retained BofA Securities Europe SA and Mizuho Securities USA LLC as Dealer Managers in connection with the Offer. Kroll Issuer Services Limited is the Tender and Information Agent (the Tender and Information Agent). For additional information regarding the terms of the Offer, please contact: BofA Securities by telephone at +1 (980) 387-3907 (US), +1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. Toll Free) or +33 1 877 01057 (Europe) or by email at [email protected] or Mizuho Securities by telephone at +1 212 205-7736 (Collect), +1 866 271-7403 (U.S. Toll Free) or +44 20 7090 6134 (In London) or by email at [email protected].Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and any amendments or supplements to the foregoing may be directed to the Tender and Information Agent by telephone at +44 20 7704 0880 or by email at [email protected], or to any of the Dealer Managers at their respective telephone numbers or email addresses above. These documents regarding the Offer are also available at https://deals.is.kroll.com/philips. For further information, please contact: Ben ZwirsPhilips Global Press Office Tel.: +31 6 1521 3446E-mail: [email protected]Derya GuzelPhilips Investor Relations Tel.: +31 20 5977055E-mail: [email protected] About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 78,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified generally as those containing words such as anticipates, assumes, believes, estimates, expects, should, will, will likely result, forecast, outlook, projects, may or similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, because they relate to events that depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the Companys ability to gain leadership in health informatics in response to developments in the health technology industry; the Companys ability to transform its business model to health technology solutions and services; macroeconomic and geopolitical changes; the Companys integration of acquisitions and their delivery on business plans and value creation expectations; securing and maintaining the Companys intellectual property rights, and unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property rights; ability to meet expectations with respect to ESG-related matters; failure of products and services to meet quality or security standards, adversely affecting patient safety and customer operations; breach of cybersecurity; ability to execute and deliver on programs on business transformation and IT system changes and continuity; the effectiveness of the Companys supply chain; attracting and retaining personnel; COVID-19 and other pandemics; challenges to drive operational excellence and speed in bringing innovations to market; compliance with regulations and standards including quality, product safety and (cyber) security; compliance with business conduct rules and regulations; treasury and financing risks; tax risks; and reliability of internal controls, financial reporting and management process. As a result, the Companys actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in such forward-looking statements. In view of such uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. See 9.2 Risk factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 for a discussion of certain risks relating to the business of the Company. Important InformationThis release shall not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. The distribution of the Offer to Purchase in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who come into possession of the Offer to Purchase or any related documents are required by each of the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Tender and Information Agent to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.The Offer to Purchase and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery contain important information that holders are urged to read carefully before making any decision with respect to the Offer. None of the Company, its statutory board, executive committee or supervisory board, the Tender and Information Agent, any of the Dealer Managers or any trustee for the Notes is making any recommendation as to whether holders should tender all or any portion of their Notes in response to the Offer. Holders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender, or refrain from tendering, their Notes, and the principal amount of Notes to tender, if any. Holders should consult their tax, accounting, financial and legal advisers regarding the tax, accounting, financial and legal consequences of participating or refraining from participating in the Offer. *** United Kingdom The communication of the Offer to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Offer is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended. Accordingly, the Offer to Purchase and such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of the Offer to Purchase and such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being directed at and made to (i) those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Financial Promotion Order)), (ii) those persons who are existing members or creditors of the Company and other persons falling within Article 43(2) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) persons who are outside the United Kingdom and (iv) any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). Any person in the United Kingdom who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the Offer to Purchase or such documents and/or materials or any of their content. Any investment or investment activity to which the Offer to Purchase or such other documents or materials relate is available only to and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. BelgiumNeither the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offer have been submitted to or will be submitted for approval or recognition to the Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autorite des services et marches financiers/Autoriteit voor financiele diensten en markten) and, accordingly, the Offer may not be made in Belgium by way of a public offering, as defined in Articles 3 and 6 of the Belgian Law of April 1, 2007 on public takeover bids as amended or replaced from time to time. Accordingly, the Offer may not be advertised and the Offer will not be extended, and neither the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offer (including any memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents) has been or shall be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than a qualified investor (investisseur qualifie/gekwalificeerde belegger) as defined in Article 10 of the Belgian Law of June 16, 2006 on the public offer of placement instruments and the admission to trading of placement instruments on regulated markets, acting for its own account. The Offer to Purchase has been issued only for the personal use of the above qualified investors and exclusively for the purpose of the Offer. Accordingly, the information contained in the Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person in Belgium. FranceThe Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or offering materials relating to the Offer, has been or shall be distributed to the public in France and only (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service dinvestissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), other than individuals, acting for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, D.411-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier, are eligible to participate in the Offer. The Offer to Purchase has not been and will not be submitted for clearance procedures (visa) of the Autorite des marches financiers. ItalyNone of the Offer, the Offer to Purchase or any other documents or materials relating to the Offer has been or will be submitted to the clearance procedure of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa (CONSOB), pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations.The Offer is being carried out in Italy as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended (the Financial Services Act) and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended (the CONSOB Regulation). The Offer is also being carried out in compliance with article 35-bis, paragraph 7 of the CONSOB Regulation.Holders or beneficial owners of the Notes located in Italy can tender the Notes through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of October 29, 2007, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Notes or the Offer. The NetherlandsIn the Netherlands, the Offer will not, directly or indirectly, be made to, or for the account of, any person other than to qualified investors as referred to in the Prospectus Regulation. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any other documentation or material relating to the Offer has been or will submitted to the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (de Autoriteit Financiele Markten, the AFM) for approval. Therefore, neither the Offer to Purchase nor any documentation or material relating to the Offer qualify as an approved prospectus as meant in the Prospectus Regulation. Accordingly, in the Netherlands, the Offer may not be made by way of a public offer within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation and the Offer may not be promoted and is not being made to, any person in the Netherlands (with the exception of qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation). The Offer to Purchase and any other documentation or material relating to the Offer (including memoranda, information circulars, brochures or similar documents) have not been forwarded or made available to, and are not being forwarded or made available to, directly or indirectly, any such person. With regard to the Netherlands, the Offer to Purchase has been transmitted only for personal use by the aforementioned qualified investors and only for the purpose of the Offer. Accordingly, the information contained in the Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or be transmitted to any other person in the Netherlands. Source: Royal Philips Governor DeSantis historic veto saves as many as 52,000 jobs in Florida LEHI, Utah, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumio , the preeminent leader in Home Experience and renewable energy, issued an official statement today regarding the veto of Florida House Bill 741. The bill authorized power utilities to impose additional charges to recover lost revenues resulting from residential solar. It was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Homeowners in Florida were spared a significant cost increase thanks to Governor DeSantis decisive leadership today, said Greg Butterfield, CEO at Lumio. The bill would have been financially crippling for hundreds of thousands of homeowners and could have cost the state tens of thousands of jobs. While the legislation has been divisive, some elements make sense across the political spectrum. Whether constituents are conservative and focused on fiscal responsibility and stewardship, or progressive and focused on stemming climate change and social impact, everyone can agree that updating and diversifying our countrys vulnerable grid while saving tax dollars is an excellent idea. Lumio encourages lawmakers to improve legislation in order to make power personal by giving more homeowners access to clean energy technologies, such as rooftop solar, which can reduce monthly electricity bills, decentralize the power supply, reduce demand on the power grid, and build in protection against outages. Lumio representatives immediately reached out to executives at Florida Power & Light in an effort to work together in designing Floridas power production strategy. Working closely with the power company to support homeowners and diversify power generation is key for Floridas future, said Brian Schonbeck, COO at Lumio. We look forward to power production and storage programs that will update the grid, benefit homeowners, and strengthen FP&Ls ability to service our combined customers and millions of Floridians. Were grateful to Governor DeSantis for giving energy freedom and innovation a chance in Florida and for providing Lumio time to work on a mutually beneficial solution for Florida Power & Lights customers. We anticipate working closely with political leaders and power company officials to develop the future of power in the great state of Florida, said Butterfield. About Lumio Lumio was born in December 2020 when the founders of four leading regional solar companies, and an innovative home services technology company, together with CEO Greg Butterfield (Vivint Solar, Symantec, Altiris, Novell, WordPerfect, and serial investor) set out to decentralize power, elevate communities, and create Earths best home experience. Upon formation, the company instantly became a top-five U.S. residential solar provider. Every day Lumio works to deliver on its promise of the industrys fastest installs and most personalized customer experience. Lumio is extending value beyond the rooftop and into the home with additional connectivity and technology services. For more information about Lumio, visit lumio.com . PR Contact: Codeword for Lumio [email protected] (480) 773-3651 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e3d3005-999d-4e9a-978e-4e7e31ff0f98 Toronto, Ontario, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiniLuxe Holding Corp (TSXV: MNLX), is pleased to announce qualification to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. MiniLuxe Holding Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol MNLXF. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. Trading on the OTCQX Market offers companies efficient, cost-effective access to the U.S. capital markets. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. We are excited by this partnership with OTC Markets Group and the opportunity to expand our reach of prospective investors to the US said Tony Tjan, Chairman and Co-founder of MiniLuxe. Dorsey & Whitney LLP acted as the companys OTCQX sponsor. About MiniLuxe MiniLuxe, a Delaware corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts is a digital-first, socially-responsible lifestyle brand and talent empowerment platform for the nail and waxing industry. For over a decade, MiniLuxe has been setting industry standards for health, hygiene, and fair labour practices in its efforts to transform the heavily-used but highly under-regulated nail care industry. MiniLuxe looks to become one of the largest inclusionary educators and vocational employers, with a diverse, predominantly female and BIPOC workforce on its talent empowerment platform. Today, MiniLuxe derives its revenue streams from talent (provision of nail care and waxing services) and product (sales of proprietary clean nail care products). MiniLuxe is driven by a fully-integrated digital platform that manages all client bookings, preferences, and payments and provides designers with the ability to manage scheduling and client preferences, track their performance and compensation, and access training content. Since its inception, MiniLuxe has performed nearly 3 million services. www.miniluxe.com For further information Anthony TjanExecutive Chairman, MiniLuxe Holding Corp.[email protected] 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. Source: MiniLuxe Holding Corp. Toronto, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) has given the Ford government a failing grade for its election budget. After four years of Ontarios Progressive Conservative government undermining the foundations of public universities and allowing our postsecondary education system to languish behind every other province, this budget promises no improvement to university education quality, research, or accessibility. This budget fails faculty, it fails staff, it fails students, and it fails Ontarians, said Sue Wurtele, OCUFA President. We have a university system in desperate need of additional funding and a government that would rather cut public services than invest in the education and research so vital to Ontarios future and our post-pandemic recovery. Todays budget fails to reverse the Ford governments wage constraint legislation or the deep real dollar cuts to public services and student financial assistance. In fact, the government admits it is likely to spend $685 million less on postsecondary education in 2021-22 than planned, as the Ford government ignores the needs of the sector and takes a free ride on the back of increased federal transfers. The money the Ford government is saving should not be going back into government coffers to be used for the many regressive tax credits included in this budget; it should be supporting faculty and students in the classroom. Under the Ford administration, Ontarios public universities now only receive an average of 33 per cent of their operating funding from the provincial government. The rest comes from private sources, including student tuition fees. Freezing funding while costs soar means a real dollar cut to university support at a time when the province should be investing in high-quality education and research as part of its pandemic recovery strategy. The Ford governments neglect of universities demonstrates a government that is out of step with polls showing that 69 per cent of Ontarians believe that postsecondary education should be a priority and 57 per cent believe the government should increase financial support for universities. After four years in power, the Ford governments track record on postsecondary education is unacceptable, said Wurtele. They clearly dont understand the vital role that Ontarios universities play in creating a resilient society and economy. This government stood idly by while Laurentian University fell into financial crisis and gutted key programs that supported Indigenous, Francophone, and northern communities. On reviewing todays Ontario Budget, OCUFA President Sue Wurtele had a simple message for university students and their parents and grandparents: Its time for a government that values education. Its time for a government that consults with stakeholders. Its time for a government that invests in human capital. Its time to elect a government that invests in public universities. Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 faculty, academic librarians, and other academic professionals in 30 member associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca. -30- Ben Lewis Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations [email protected] Source: Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations PlantX Life (CSE: VEGA) (OTCQB: PLTXF) (Frankfurt: WNT1) today provided a corporate update and announced the expansion of its multi-brand pop-up retail initiative (the Pop-up Initiative) at its brick-and-mortar location in Venice Beach, California. The launch was inspired by the success of pilot initiatives that promoted the companys partner brands Matthew Kenney Cuisine Global LLC (MKC) and BESTIES Vegan Paradise (BESTIES). The Pop-up Initiative is designed to support new and established plant-based brands by offering PlantXs brick-and-mortar retail space in Venice Beach as a pop-up installation space designed to promote selected brands popularity and growth as well as empower the plant-based community. To our knowledge, the PlantX vegan pop-up concept is the first of its kind so far, no-one else in the plant-based space is adopting such market innovation strategies, said PlantX CEO Lorne Rapkin. By paving the way for pop-up opportunities, we hope to revolutionize the plant-based industry and contribute to its growth in novel and creative ways. To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/Llh24 About PlantX Life Inc. As the digital face of the plant-based community, PlantXs platform is the one-stop-shop for everything plant-based. With its fast-growing category verticals, the company offers customers across North America more than 5,000 plant-based products. In addition to offering meal and indoor plant deliveries, the company currently has plans underway to expand its product lines to include cosmetics, clothing and its own water brand but the business is not limited to an e-commerce platform. The company uses its digital platform to build a community of like-minded consumers and, most importantly, provide education. Its successful enterprise is being built and fortified on partnerships with top nutritionists, chefs and brands. The company eliminates the barriers to entry for anyone interested in living a plant-based lifestyle and thriving in a longer, healthier and happier life. For more information, visit the companys investor website at https://Investor.PlantX.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PLTXF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PLTXF About InvestorWire InvestorWire is the wire service that gives you more. From regional releases to global announcements presented in multiple languages, we offer the wire-grade dissemination products youll need to ensure that your next press release grabs the attention of your target audience and doesnt let go. While our competitors look to nickel and dime you with hidden fees and restrictive word limits, InvestorWire keeps things transparent. As part of its service, InvestorWire provides coverage of noteworthy announcements. To further expand visibility of achievements being made throughout a multitude of sectors, InvestorWires syndication partners have extended the digital coverage to include individual broadcasts on financial websites and platforms visited by millions of investors daily. For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: http://ibn.fm/Disclaimer InvestorWire (IW) 8033 Sunset Blvd Suite 1037-IW Los Angeles, CA 90046 310.299.1717 Office www.InvestorWire.com [email protected] InvestorWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - ACME Lithium Inc. (CSE: ACME) (OTCQB: ACLHF) (the "Company", or "ACME") is pleased to announce that President and CEO Steve Hanson will be meeting and presenting to investors at Mines and Money Connect London on May 4th and 5th. https://minesandmoney.com/connect/ Mines and Money Connect, Europe's premier mining investment event, which will take place in London, UK, brings together senior management teams of mining companies and provides the opportunity to connect and meet face-to-face with carefully qualified investors from institutional funds, private equity groups, family offices, and private investors to discuss project updates and share presentations. ACME's CEO Steve Hanson will be presenting an overview of ACME's projects in the United States and Canada. The Company also announces commencing May 1st, 2022 the engagement of Red Cloud Securities Inc. and Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. ("Red Cloud"), an IIROC regulated investment dealer and leading provider of financial services to the global mining sector, with headquarters in Toronto, Canada. Red Cloud will provide ACME with capital markets advisory and marketing services to potential retails investment advisors, institutional investors, fund managers, high net worth individuals, as well as potential strategic corporate investors. Under the engagement, Red Cloud will be paid a fee of CN$10,000 per month for the services it will render for a 12-month period, and the arrangement can renew month-to-month thereafter at ACME's option. ACME has, subject to regulatory approval, granted Red Cloud stock options to purchase 225,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.30 per share for a period of three years ("Options"). Red Cloud does not have, either directly or indirectly, an interest in ACME or it's securities, and does not have a right to acquire any such interest other than the Options. Red Cloud has no other relationship with ACME other than as set out in the engagement letter. About Red Cloud Red Cloud Securities Inc. is registered as an Investment Dealer all Canadian Provinces and Territories and is a member of the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC). Part of Red Cloud's business is to connect mineral exploration and mining companies with suitable investors. For additional information about Red Cloud, visit: https://redcloudfs.com/ About ACME Lithium Inc. Led by an experienced team, ACME Lithium is a mineral exploration Company focused on acquiring, exploring and developing battery metal projects in partnership with leading technology and commodity companies. ACME has acquired or is under option to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in prospective lithium projects in the United States and Canada. On behalf of the Board of Directors Steve Hanson Chief Executive Officer, President and Director Telephone: (604) 564-9045 [email protected] Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("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 and in this news release include but are not limited to the attributes of, timing for and expected benefits to be derived from exploration, drilling or development at ACME's project properties. Information inferred from the interpretation of drilling, sampling and other technical results may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as it constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a project is actually developed. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from the Company's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121944 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Anacortes Mining Corp. (TSXV: XYZ) (OTCQB: XYZFF) ("Anacortes" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the upcoming drilling program at its Tres Cruces gold project in the prolific Quiruvilca Mining District in northern Per. The Company previously reported that its wholly owned Peruvian subsidiary, Aurifera Tres Cruces S.A. ("ATC") received approval on March 11, 2022, of the Ficha Technical Ambiental (FTA), the environmental instrument utilized for permitting the exploration drilling program at Tres Cruces. Subsequent to the approval of the FTA, ATC submitted an application to begin drilling activities, an authorization that includes a further review by the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM). As part of this review process, MINEM requested further information from the Company. ATC has submitted this information and final approval of the drilling program is now expected by mid to late May. In the meantime, drilling contractor Remicsa Drilling S.A. ("Redrilsa") is ready to mobilize, and ATC has selected ALS Global's Peruvian subsidiary, ALS Peru S.A., to carry out the assay services for the drilling campaign. ALS has committed to providing a quick turnaround on assays once drilling commences. Jim Currie, CEO of Anacortes, commented: "While we are obviously disappointed by this slight delay, we are committed to working with the Peruvian regulators and following all applicable rules and regulations related to exploring and developing Tres Cruces. The gold is still there in the ground and awaits the arrival of the drills. We are looking forward to testing holes that Barrick drilled that ended in mineralization, particularly Hole RTC-255, where the bottom 173.0 m from 92.0 m to 265.0 m had a grade of 3.118 g/t Au." The Company will provide further updates as it gets closer to the start of the drilling program. About Anacortes Anacortes is a new growth-oriented gold company in the Americas, which owns a 100-per-cent interest in the Tres Cruces gold project located in Peru. Tres Cruces is one of the highest-grade oxide deposits globally and hosts oxide plus sulphide indicated resources of 2,474,000 oz at 1.65 g/t gold, inclusive of 630,000 oz of high-grade leachable gold at 1.28 g/t gold and inferred resources of 104,000 oz at 1.26 g/t gold. The recently released PEA on the leachable resource at Tres Cruces indicates a robust open-pit, heap leach project. Anacortes is well capitalized and intends to aggressively advance the Tres Cruces Oxide Project through feasibility, permitting and to production as quickly as possible. Additionally, Anacortes will continue to seek further growth opportunities in the Americas, with the goal of creating the next mid-tier multi-asset gold producer. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("Forward-looking Statements"). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward-looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-looking Statements. The Forward-looking Statements in this news release may include, without limitation, statements about the Company's belief that Tres Cruces has exceptional exploration potential at depth, date at which drilling is expected to commence, its intent to aggressively advance the development of the oxide resource, its expectation that its proposed drill program can test the extent of the deposit and increase confidence in the resource, the design of the project as contemplated in the PEA and this press release, the Company's plans to conduct an extensive metallurgical program during 2022 and its expectation that such a program would confirm recovery and, finally, the Company's intent to aggressively advance Tres Cruces through feasibility and to production under a heap leach open-pit scenario. Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipated", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "planned", "reflecting", "will", "anticipated", "estimated", "containing", "remaining", "to be", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements. These risks include changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; political risks; risks relating to the current and potential adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, financial markets and the Company's operations; and risks inherent in mineral exploration and development. Although Forward-looking Statements contained in this news release are based upon what each of the parties believe are reasonable assumptions at the time they were made, such statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that these Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place undue reliance on Forward-looking Statements. The TSXV has in no way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and validated by James ("Jim") Currie, P. Eng., a qualified person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Currie is the President and CEO of Anacortes Mining Corp. For more information visit: www.anacortesmining.com. Twitter: @anacortesmining LinkedIn: Anacortes Mining On Behalf of the Board: James A. (Jim) Currie President & CEO Investor Relations Contact: Kin Communications Inc. 604-684-6730 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122031 Collaboration to Develop Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers for Buntanetap Berwyn, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Annovis Bio, Inc. (NYSE: ANVS) ("Annovis" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage drug platform company addressing neurodegenerative diseases, announced today a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a part of the National Institutes of Health. Under this CRADA, NIA and Annovis will collaborate to develop pharmacodynamic biomarkers for buntanetap, focusing on isolating brain-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) containing potential biomarkers of neuronal function and viability. The team will validate the pharmacodynamic biomarkers by comparing the abundance of the biomarkers in EVs isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as the change in biomarker levels dependent on the buntanetap dose. Biomarkers will be assessed in de-identified plasma and CSF samples of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and control participants from Annovis' Phase 2a clinical trials. Annovis is advancing buntanetap for the treatment of AD and PD. The oral drug reduces the abundance of neurotoxic proteins that aggregate in brain cells and trigger a neurotoxic cascade that results in impaired function and cell death. Buntanetap inhibits well-established neurotoxic proteins, including, Amyloid-beta precursor protein, t-Tau, as well as -Synuclein, thus, reversing the downstream toxic cascade that leads to neurodegeneration. "We are extremely pleased to collaborate with Dr. Dimitrios Kapogiannis and his esteemed colleagues at the National Institute on Aging," said Maria L. Maccecchini, Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO. "This collaboration will confirm and validate the data we obtained from measuring these markers in cerebrospinal fluid and will provide us with a stronger understanding of the correlation between measuring biomarkers in plasma, CSF, and extracellular vesicles." About Buntanetap Buntanetap (previously known as ANVS401 or Posiphen) is an oral translational inhibitor of neurotoxic aggregating proteins (TINAPs), which mode of action leads to a lower level of neurotoxic proteins, and consequently less toxicity in the brain. In a Phase 2a clinical trial in AD and PD patients, buntanetap was shown to be well-tolerated and safe, and its pharmacokinetics were found to be in line with levels measured earlier in humans, meeting both the primary and secondary endpoints. Additionally, exploratory endpoints were also met, as treatment with buntanetap resulted in statistically significant improvement in motor function in PD patients and cognition in AD patients. About Annovis Bio, Inc. Headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Annovis Bio, Inc. (Annovis) is a clinical-stage, drug platform company addressing neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and other chronic neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's in Down Syndrome (AD-DS). We believe that we are the only company developing a drug for AD, PD, and AD-DS that inhibits more than one neurotoxic protein and, thereby, improves the information highway of the nerve cell, known as axonal transport. When this information flow is impaired, the nerve cell gets sick and dies. Annovis conducted two Phase 2 studies: one in AD patients and one in both AD and PD patients. In the AD/PD study buntanetap showed improvements in cognition and memory in AD as well as body and brain function in PD patients. For more information on Annovis Bio, please visit the Company's website www.annovisbio.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release contain "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "will," "may," "should," "estimate," "project," "outlook," "forecast" or other similar words, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the timing, effectiveness, and anticipated results of buntanetap clinical trials. Forward-looking statements are based on Annovis Bio, Inc.'s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Annovis Bio, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. ### Media and Investor Contact: Nic Johnson Russo Partners, LLC (303) 482-6405 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122063 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Bravada Gold Corporation(TSXV: BVA) (FSE: BRTN) (OTCQB: BGAVF) (the "Company" or "Bravada") announces that it has closed the previously announced non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of $1,719,500 through the issuance of 34,390,000 units of the Company at a price of $0.05 per unit. The original $1,500,000 offering, previously announced on March 21, 2022, has been oversubscribed. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase a common share at an exercise price of $0.10 for a period of two years following the closing of the offering. Net proceeds from the private placement will be used to continue exploration drilling at the Wind Mountain property and to incorporate higher-grade gold and silver assay results from 2021 in-fill drilling, as well as results from earlier post-2012 drilling, into an update of the resource calculation and PEA. Net proceeds will also cover property maintenance for the Company's portfolio of Nevada properties and for working capital. All securities issued and sold under the offering will be subject to a hold period until August 29, 2022, which is four months and one day from their date of issuance. In connection with the offering, the Company paid aggregate cash finders' fees of $6,650 and issued an aggregate of 133,000 non-transferable finders' warrants, each exercisable to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.10 for a period of two years. The Company also reports that it has granted incentive stock options under its 10% rolling stock option plan to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company to purchase a total of 5,000,000 common shares at $0.05 per share exercisable for a period of five years. About the Wind Mountain Au-Ag project The Wind Mountain gold-silver property was mined by a former owner, operating an open-pit/heap-leach operation that produced 299,259oz gold & 1.8MMoz silver. Bravada subsequently acquired 100% ownership subject to a small royalty, and after a series of exploration and pre-development initiatives, commissioned in 2012 an independent resource estimate and a Preliminary Economic Evaluation* for Wind Mountain, which reported positive economics and a resource of: 570,000 ounces of gold and 14.7 million ounces of silver in the Indicated category, and 354,000 ounces of gold and 10.1 million ounces of silver in the Inferred category. See the table* below and news release NR-06-12 (April 11, 2012) for details of the resource. Bravada, in 2021, successfully added higher-grade mineralization by in-filling certain portions of the 2012 study area. In addition, exploration drilling at the feeder target in Q4 2020 discovered the top of a banded vein zone beneath mine waste and other overburden, and in 2021 drilling expanded this zone beneath cover for 330 metres of strike and is open-ended in both directions. The Company recently completed permitting five new drill sites to test deeper portions of the vein system where much higher grades are expected based on analogies with similar vein systems in Nevada and elsewhere. The proposed exploration program is designed to add tonnage and higher grades to the mineral inventory as the next step towards mining of the resource. Wind Mountain Resource Table 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5343/122058_36773d0724c89995_001full.jpg *Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be classified as mineral reserves. There is no assurance that any part of the resources will ultimately be converted to mineral reserves. Mine Development Associates compiled the Technical Report and PEA. Thomas Dyer, P.E. is a Senior Engineer for MDA and is responsible for sections of the Technical Report involving mine designs and the economic evaluation, and Steven Ristorcelli, C.P.G., is a Principal Geologist for MDA and is responsible for the sections involving the Mineral Resource estimate. These are the Qualified Persons of the technical report for the purpose of Canadian NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Economic Analyses of Mineral Projects. Details of the PEA produced by Mine Development Associates (MDA) of Reno can be found on SEDAR, as previously reported (see NR-07-12 dated May 1, 2012). Note that although the PEA was encouraging, it is preliminary in nature, it includes Inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. About Bravada Bravada is an exploration company with a portfolio of high-quality properties in Nevada, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. Bravada has successfully identified and advanced properties with the potential to host high-margin deposits while successfully attracting partners to fund later stages of project development. Bravada's value is underpinned by a substantial gold and silver resource with a positive PEA at Wind Mountain, and the Company has significant upside potential from possible new discoveries at its exploration properties. Since 2005, the Company signed 32 earn-in joint-venture agreements for its properties with 19 publicly traded companies, as well as a similar number of property-acquisition agreements with private individuals. Bravada currently has 10 projects in its portfolio, consisting of 810 claims for approximately 6,500 ha in two of Nevada's most prolific gold trends. Most of the projects host encouraging drill intercepts of gold and already have drill targets developed. Several videos are available on the Company's website that describe Bravada's major properties, answering commonly asked investor questions. Simply click on this link https://bravadagold.com/projects/project-videos/. Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr. (AIPG CPG-11513) is the qualified person responsible for reviewing and preparing the technical data presented in this release and has approved its disclosure. -30- On behalf of the Board of Directors of Bravada Gold Corporation "Joseph A. Kizis, Jr." Joseph A. Kizis, Jr., Director, President, Bravada Gold Corporation For further information, please visit Bravada Gold Corporation's website at bravadagold.com or contact the Company at 604.684.9384 or 775.746.3780. 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 may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding general economic conditions, interest rates, commodity markets, regulatory and governmental approvals for the company's projects, and the availability of financing for the company's development projects on reasonable terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Bravada Gold Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122058 Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 28, 2022) - Gold79 Mines Ltd. (TSXV: AUU) (OTCQB: AUSVF) ("Gold79" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has a completed a mapping and sampling program of the 200 foot level ("200L") of the Tyro mine. Results from the chip-channel sampling returned similar grades and widths to the fall 2021 drill program, approximately 600 metres south of that drilling. Sampling highlights: 25.4m at 2.53 g/t gold (chip-channel sample) 12.7m at 2.44 g/t gold (chip-channel sample) Mr. Derek Macpherson, President & CEO stated, "These results continue to demonstrate the potential of Tyro. These near-surface broad zones of gold mineralization of greater than 2 g/t gold from the historical underground workings, coupled with similar broad zones of greater than 1 g/t gold 600m along strike, suggest that Tyro has the potential to become a meaningful open-pit deposit. Importantly, this is just one of multiple targets on our large land package in the Oatman District." Summary The work has detailed about 400 metres of mine workings along a mineralized N30oE trend which accessed 200 metres of the Tyro vein system. Along this portion of the vein system, which has been mapped for over 1 kilometre on the surface (Figure 1), a multistage hydrothermal breccia is flanked by parallel, subvertical quartz-chalcedony-adularia veins up to a metre in width. One crosscut (see Figure 3) has revealed that the breccia/vein complex measures 25.4 metres (true width) at 2.53 g/t Au and a partially exploited mineralized zone about 30 metres wide contains 12.7 metres at 2.44 g/t Au and 5.3 metres at 2.63 g/t Au. Within this interval, about 12 metres of the vein complex had been exploited suggesting higher grades within this broad 2.5 g/t Au interval (see Figure 3). Figure 1:Geologic map of the Tyro claim block showing veins and breccia, workings, roads, 2021 drill holes and surface samples. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5717/121897_78c6baa064bd39c6_001full.jpg Production records from the Tyro mine have not been identified. Prior to 1923, the Tyro shaft was sunk to a depth of 500 feet and limited development occurred on the 200L (see Figure 3) and appears to have followed high-grade veins parallel to the breccia zone. Development, aside from the shaft, did not occur below the 200L. As recently as the 1980's, mining occurred along the surface exposures of the vein over a strike distance of about 400 metres and a decline was sunk below the southern breccia zone (Figure 3). Stopes here suggest that mining was very selective and the majority of the mineralized rock, as observed on the 200L and in the 2021 drilling campaign, was left in place. Sampling occurred approximately 600 metres from the drilling completed in fall 2021; an updated long section is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2:Updated Tyro Long Section, showing new sampling, 2021 drill holes and surface sampling results To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5717/121897_78c6baa064bd39c6_002full.jpg Sampling Results: Sampling on the Tyro 200L resulted in 58 chip samples taken continuously, where possible, across mineralized exposures (see Figure 3). Chip samples ranged up to 10.47 g/t Au with 74% containing greater than 1 g/t Au. In addition to the results shown in Figure 3, several composite (continuous) samples greater than 5 metres in width include: Table 1: Summary of Composite Samples Sample Site Width (m) Number of Samples Assay Composite Breccia Crosscut #1 12.7 8 1.14 g/t Au Breccia Crosscut #2 11.1 7 2.89 g/t Au Crosscut at shaft 25.4 20 2.53 g/t Au South Crosscut (NW) 12.7 9 2.44 g/t Au South Crosscut (SE) 5.3 4 2.65 g/t Au Note: All chip samples are a 'best effort' to acquire a representative amount of material across the sampled interval but do not achieve the quality that would be provided by core or reverse circulation drilling. Geologic Results from Mapping Geologic mapping, shown in Figure 3, has identified a broad zone of quartz-chalcedony-adularia-calcite-(fluorite) veins and multi-stage hydrothermal breccia trending N30oE and dipping 90o +/-10o. The mineralized zone in the mine is up to 30 metres wide and likely extends further to the east as evidenced by surface exposures (see Figure 2). Veins are a fine-grained mixture of chalcedony and adularia and are locally banded; calcite and minor fluorite cut the banded veins. The breccia body is composed of multiple stages of quartz and chalcedony with widespread banding in the crosscutting veinlets. Fragments are composed of weakly to strongly veined Precambrian granite fragments and earlier formed vein fragments. Sulfides were not visible in the breccia and veins and silver values are less than 25 g/t Ag; Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sb and Hg are negligible. Because gold was identified in both the veins and breccia, a specific mineral event associated with gold has not been identified. In the nearby Oatman district, at least 3 gold events have been identified. Figure 3:Geologic map of the Tyro mine 200 Level showing sample results (gold only) along with composite results from Table 1. To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5717/121897_78c6baa064bd39c6_003full.jpg Additional Drill Results from Fall 2021 Drill Program Based on the preliminary assays received from the Fall 2021 drill program at Tyro, the Company took the decision to sample additional intervals from the already released holes. Of note, hole GC21-14 is now 35.2m at 1.25 g/t Au (was 19.8m at 1.85 g/t Au). Additional samples were assayed from holes GC21-13 and GC21-15, but there were no material changes to the mineralized envelopes for those holes. Additional assays are pending from hole GC21-16. Table 2: Updated Assay Results from GC21-14, at the Tyro Vein System Hole No. Total Hole Depth (m) Interval (m) Width (m)* Gold (g/t) From To GC21-14 61.0 13.7 48.8 35.2 1.25 Incl. 24.4 48.8 24.4 1.55 Incl. 29.0 48.8 19.8 1.85 Incl. 30.5 41.2 10.7 4.39 Incl. 30.5 33.5 3.0 6.01 Incl. 39.6 41.1 1.5 5.04 * All widths are down hole and not corrected for true thickness. True thickness is estimated to be about 80% of the mineralized width. Figure 4:Gold Chain Project Showing the Location of the Tyro Claims and gold-in-rock values and select drill holes To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5717/121897_78c6baa064bd39c6_004full.jpg Figure 5:Tyro Mine Pictures To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5717/121897_78c6baa064bd39c6_005full.jpg Figure 6:Tyro Mine Material Pictures To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5717/121897_78c6baa064bd39c6_006full.jpg Qualified Person / Quality Control and Quality Assurance Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo., the Company's Vice President, Exploration is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. Mr. Johansing has also been responsible for all phases of sample collection, labelling, bagging and transport from the project to American Assay labs of Sparks, Nevada. Samples were then dried, crushed and split, and pulp samples were prepared for analysis. Gold was determined by fire assay with an ICP finish, over limit samples were determined by fire assay and gravimetric finish. Silver plus 34 other elements were determined by Aqua Regia ICP-AES, over limit samples were determined by fire assay and gravimetric finish. Standard sample chain of custody procedures were employed during field work until delivery to the analytical facility. About Gold79 Mines Ltd. Gold79 Mines Ltd. is a TSX Venture listed company focused on building ounces in the Southwest USA. Gold79 holds 100% earn-in option to purchase agreements on three gold projects: the Jefferson Canyon Gold Project and the Tip Top Gold Project both located in Nevada, USA, and, the Gold Chain Project located in Arizona, USA. In addition, Gold79 holds two projects with minority interest being a 36.6% interest in the Greyhound Project, Nunavut, Canada under JV by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and a 20% carried interest in the Taviche Project in Oaxaca, Mexico now under option to Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. For further information regarding this press release contact: Derek Macpherson, President & CEO Phone: 416-294-6713 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gold79mines.com. Book a 30-minute meeting with our CEO here. Stay Connected with Us: Twitter: @Gold79Mines Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gold79Mines LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gold79-mines-ltd/ FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business including any private placement financings, the uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Gold79 does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/121897 FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) questions U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies on proposed budget estimates for 2023 for the Department of Justice By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key Democratic senator on Thursday questioned the need to extend electric vehicle tax credits in the face of strong consumer demand and Chinese production of battery components. Senator Joe Manchin, who is a crucial vote in the evenly divided Senate, raised concerns about the tax credit at a Senate hearing with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "There's a waiting list for EVs right now with the fuel price at $4. But they still want us to throw $5,000 or $7,000 or $12,000 credit to buy electric vehicles. It makes no sense to me whatsoever," Manchin said. "When we can't produce enough product for the people that want it and we're still going to pay them to take it -- it's absolutely ludicrous in my mind. Automakers are investing tens of billions of dollars to ramp up EV production and some fear the window is closing for Congress to extend EV tax credits given Republicans may retake control of one or both houses of Congress next year. Last year, many Democrats in Congress and President Joe Biden proposed boosting EV tax credits to up to $12,500 -- including a $4,500 incentive for union-made, U.S. assembled vehicles. Manchin earlier opposed the union-only incentive. Biden also backed a 30% credit for commercial electric vehicles and a $4,000 used EV tax credit and making the current credit refundable at the point of sale. Biden also wants to end the current practice of phasing out automakers' tax credits after they hit 200,000 electric vehicles sold, which would make Tesla Inc, the largest maker of electric vehicles, eligible again for the current $7,500 credit. Tax credits for General Motors vehicles expired in April 2020 and Toyota Motor said this month it expected its credits would expire by the end of 2022 after it hits the cap. Ford Motor sold nearly 160,000 EVs through the end of 2021 and could hit the cap this year. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) MILPITAS, Calif., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- We are proud to announce that Cato is a founding member of the Infrastructure Masons Climate Accord (ICA). The ICA has brought together over 70 companies including Cato, AWS, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, T5 Data Centers and dozens of other global companies, to accelerate the digital infrastructure industry's journey to carbon neutrality. Cato joins Schneider Electric & T5 Data Centers + 70 others as founding members of iMasons Climate Accord. "This incredibly important initiative is uniting the builders of the digital age on carbon reduction, including two of Cato's important partners, Schneider Electric and T5," said Teri Klug, VP of Business Development at Cato. "The most sustainable data center is one that is never built. Cato's M9 software unlocks stranded power capacity in data centers increasing utilization and efficiency slowing the need to build more." At Cato, we believe that digital infrastructure is the foundation for an equitable and inclusive world, where every person on the planet participates in the digital economy. But our digital future won't be better unless it's also sustainable. The iMasons' Industry Sustainability Vision, "Every Click Improves the Future", is a powerful motivator for us. We aspire to create a future where digital infrastructure is able to run itself maximizing utilization and efficiency. Cato M9 software makes that autonomy possible by delivering two major sustainability benefits. First, maximizing usage of existing data center power capacity and reducing the need to build more. Secondly, new data centers are built to be highly optimized from day-one decreasing capital investments and associated embodied carbon. "Cato software allows us to sell more capacity by delivering cloud-like flexibility on-prem to our tenants," said Craig McKesson, Chief Customer Officer at T5. "By enabling elastic power through Cato's M9 software, we help our customers align their workloads to different SLAs, just like cloud. The result is higher utilization, lower costs and lower carbon." T5 is deploying Cato software across three US markets to enable their customers to safely maximize the use of their power infrastructure and lower their costs. This slows the deployment of additional resources, lowering the carbon emitted for every click across the T5 portfolio. "Cato's M9 software is enabled by Schneider Electric intelligent hardware," said Joe Reele, Vice President of Solutions Architects at Schneider Electric. "Data center ecosystems thrive when you achieve a harmonious balance between hardware and software to maximize efficiency, resiliency and sustainability. At Schneider Electric, we remain committed to driving data center sustainability through purposeful innovation and industry collaboration." Cato, Schneider Electric and T5 are partnering to unlock stranded power capacity in data centers across the globe doing their part to deliver on the iMasons Climate Accord to reduce carbon in materials, products and power. To learn more about Cato M9 software, visit cato.digital/M9 About Cato Cato is a software company enabling autonomous digital infrastructure for a better world. By deploying Cato's groundbreaking M9 product, data centers can unlock stranded power capacity increasing revenue and efficiency, deferring capital investments and lowering embodied carbon by safely increasing utilization of existing capacity versus building more. Cato elastic-power offers cloud-like flexibility in on-premise data centers. For Cato media inquiries, please contact: JSA[email protected]+1.866.695.3629 ext. 13 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cato-joins-infrastructure-masons-climate-accord-to-help-data-centers-achieve-carbon-neutrality-301535653.html SOURCE Cato New safes for controlled substances anticipated to help reduce organized retail crimeAll 198 CVS Pharmacy locations in the state now using time delay safe technology WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing commitment to support law enforcement and help build safer communities, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced the completed installation of time delay safe technology in all 198 Arizona CVS Pharmacy locations, including those in Target stores. The safes are anticipated to help prevent pharmacy robberies and the potential for associated diversion of controlled substance medications including opioid medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone by electronically delaying the time it takes for pharmacy employees to open the safe. In addition, the safes are anticipated to benefit the safety and well-being of CVS Pharmacy customers and employees. The company's rollout of time delay safes is in support of the state's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, which was established by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich with support from the state Legislature and the Arizona Retailers Association. "Our office is proud to take such an aggressive stand against organized retail theft," said Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. "We applaud CVS for taking these proactive measures to help deter criminal behavior and reduce the chances of opioid and other controlled substance medications from unlawfully entering and endangering our communities." CVS Health first implemented time delay safe technology in 2015 in CVS Pharmacy locations across Indianapolis, a city experiencing a high volume of pharmacy robberies at the time. The company saw a 70 percent decline in pharmacy robberies among the Indianapolis stores where time delay safes had been installed. Since then, the company has introduced time delay safes 21 states, including Arizona, and the District of Columbia, resulting in a 50 percent decline in robberies at CVS pharmacies in those local communities. "While our company continues to focus on moving the country one step closer to a post-pandemic world by increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines, testing and other measures to help create healthy communities, supporting law enforcement efforts in their battle against organized retail crime also remains a focus," said Thomas M. Moriarty, Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel, CVS Health. "Criminal activities that organized retail crime rings fund are a clear danger to our communities, so it is important that retailers, law enforcement and political leaders work together to solve this problem. Time delay safes can help reduce the theft and diversion of prescription medications and bring added security to our stores, which creates a safe environment for our patients and colleagues." The time delay function cannot be overridden and is designed to serve as a deterrent to would-be pharmacy robbers whose goal is to enter and exit their robbery targets as quickly as possible. All CVS Pharmacy locations in Arizona display visible signage warning that time delay safes are in use to prevent on-demand access to controlled substance narcotics. CVS Health's time delay safe program is one of many company initiatives to help address and prevent prescription medication misuse and diversion. Through its Safe Medication Disposal Program in Arizona, for example, the company has installed 51 drug disposal units in select CVS Pharmacy locations and donated 3 units to local police departments in the state. To date, more than 60,000 pounds of unwanted and expired medication have been collected in Arizona. Presently, the company supports over 4,000 safe medication disposal units in CVS Pharmacy locations and through local law enforcement organizations nationwide. Together, these existing medication disposal units have collected nearly 4 million pounds of unwanted medications that might otherwise have been diverted, misused or ended up in the water supply. For downloadable time delay safe photos, please visit the Media Resource Center. About CVS Health CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and approximately 300,000 dedicated colleagues including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system and their personal health care by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com. Media contactMonica Prinzing831-241-8294[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-completes-rollout-of-time-delay-safes-in-all-of-its-arizona-pharmacies-301535816.html SOURCE CVS Health Company Earns Recognition for Work-Life Flexibility and Compensation & Benefits ST. LOUIS , April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, today announced that it has earned 2022 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards for Work-Life Flexibility and Compensation & Benefits. Issued by Energage, Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards celebrate organizations that excel in specific areas of workplace culture. The Work-Life Flexibility Award celebrates companies that provide options to their employees in how and where they work, as well as having managers who care for their employees' concerns. In addition, the Compensation & Benefits Award celebrates organizations who provide employees not only with material rewards, but also with appreciation for their work. These awards come on the heels of Graybar being named a Top Workplaces USA Award winner for the second consecutive year. "Graybar takes pride in being a company where employees can build successful careers and enjoy a high quality of life," said Kathleen M. Mazzarella, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar. "We are honored to receive these awards because they highlight the strength of our employee ownership culture, the importance of our people, and the way we prioritize our employees' long-term growth and wellbeing." Click here to learn more about the 2022 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards and Top Workplaces USA. Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 300 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR. Media Contact: Tim Sommer(314) 578-7672 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/graybar-wins-2022-top-workplaces-culture-excellence-awards-301535684.html SOURCE Graybar Cruise line bar menu on new ship, Rotterdam, beats top restaurants, hotels and casinos SEATTLE, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line took home a win for "Best Beverage Menu' for its newest onboard bar Half Moon Bar at the 2022 VIBE Vista Awards that were presented during the VIBE (Very Important Beverage Executives) conference this week in Carlsbad, California. The award spans the entire beverage industry and competition included a collection of restaurant groups, hotel chains, casinos and more. Half Moon Bar is an immersive experience looking at the history of cruising through the lens of a cocktail. Holland America Line's Half Moon Bar is a new concept for the brand that was exclusively introduced aboard its most recent ship, Rotterdam, which launched in November 2021. The venue is an immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail. Each drink comes with a fascinating tale of its inspiration that is vividly described in the bar menu for guests to peruse. "Holland America Line has a rich history of nearly 150 years, and with Half Moon Bar on Rotterdam we wanted to create a bar concept that celebrates our story with an immersive menu, and it's quickly become the most popular bar on board," said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development for the cruise line. "We are honored to be named best beverage menu for Half Moon Bar, selected from across the beverage industry, and we thank the panel from Johnson & Wales University for recognizing our commitment to giving our guests an exceptional experience." The creative cocktails at Half Moon Bar aim to take guests back in time, on a journey though Holland America Line's history. Drinks on the menu include: "The Original" celebrates the line's first ship, Rotterdam I, made with a Dutch gin and a hint of single malt Scotch, ingredients inspired by the building of the ship and Holland America Line's Dutch beginnings. "De Halve Moon" is an ode to the Dutch sense of exploration and the botanical wonderland Henry Hudson found in present-day New York, made with Old Duff genever, lemon rosewater shrub and DDG Bitters. "Three Mile Run" is a prohibition cocktail that tells the story of Holland America Line Prohibition-era cruises to nowhere for New Yorkers, where cocktail bars on the ship could be legally open. It is made from a combination of lemon, honey and gin for a Bee's Knees, whiskey for a Gold Rush or rum for a Honey Bee. "May She Be Blessed" is an ode to the godmothers who bless the Holland America Line ships, made with champagne and a choice of essence. "Rotterdam VII" is dedicated to its namesake ship and the ship's unique blend of tradition and innovation, made with smoked gin and maraschino cocktail. The VIBE Vista Awards recognize the top performers in the beverage industry through the creation, training, execution, management and on-going positive results of beverage programs. Entries were reviewed by a panel of Johnson & Wales University beverage faculty, staff and alumni and were judged on positive beverage sales initiatives, efficient operational innovations and training and service programs producing high quality standards. VIBE Conference is the premier annual event for chain and hotel adult beverage executives and suppliers. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. 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 ElvejordPHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890EMAIL: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holland-america-line-wins-best-beverage-menu-for-new-concept-half-moon-bar-at-the-2022-vibe-vista-awards-301535655.html SOURCE Holland America Line SLOUGH, U.K. and RICHMOND, Va., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Indivior PLC (LON: INDV) today announced its financial results for the period ending March 31, 2022. The earnings release, investor presentation and webcast are available at www.indivior.com. The earnings press release can be found at https://www.indivior.com/en/media/press-releases The investor presentation can be found at https://www.indivior.com/investors Indivior will also host a webcast presentation today at 8:00 AM US EST / 13:00 GMT. The webcast event link is https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ogy6nn93 Participants may also access the presentation telephonically: US participants 1-646-741-3167 International participants +44 (0) 2071-928338 Please reference confirmation ID 6687840. A replay of the presentation will be available at www.indivior.com. About Indivior Indivior is a global pharmaceutical company working to help change patients' lives by developing medicines to treat substance use disorders (SUD) and serious mental illnesses. Our vision is that all patients around the world will have access to evidence-based treatment for the chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of SUD. Indivior is dedicated to transforming SUD from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease. Building on its global portfolio of opioid use disorder treatments, Indivior has a pipeline of product candidates designed to both expand on its heritage in this category and potentially address other chronic conditions and cooccurring disorders of SUD. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs more than 900 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 40 countries worldwide. Visit www.indivior.com to learn more. Connect with Indivior on LinkedIn by visiting www.linkedin.com/company/indivior. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/indivior-announces-q1-2022-financial-results-301535013.html SOURCE Indivior WINNIPEG, MB, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Medicure Inc. ("Medicure" or the "Company") (TSXV: MPH) (OTC: MCUJF), a company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for patients and prescribers in the United States market, today reported its results from operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021. Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2021 Highlights: Recorded total net revenue of $21.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; Recorded total net revenue of $6.8 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 compared to $2.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 and; Recorded total net revenue from the sale of AGGRASTAT of $11.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; Recorded total net revenue from the sale of ZYPITAMAG of $3.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $453,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; Diversified product portfolio with revenues from the Marley Drug business of $6.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 and; Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA1) for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2.1 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of negative $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and; Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $727,000 compared to $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020; Financial Results The increase in AGGRASTAT revenues when compared to the same periods in the previous year, as described above, is the result of increases in the volume of AGGRASTAT sold in 2021 when compared to 2020, in conjunction to improvements in contract price management. ZYPITAMAG contributed $3.1 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $453,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in revenue is primarily as a result of improved patient access and fill rate through Medicure's subsidiary Marley Drug, which also results in reduced fees to wholesalers and pharmacy benefit managers. The Marley Drug business, acquired on December 17, 2020, contributed $6.9 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021. Marley Drug is a US pharmacy licensed to ship medications to all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. It serves thousands of customers and has proven success in marketing based on accessible pricing of generic drugs and a focus on cash price without use of insurance. It provides another channel for direct-to-consumer marketing, distribution and improved profit margin for ZYPITAMAG. Sodium nitroprusside contributed $59,000 of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $116,000 of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2020 which is lower primarily as a result of pricing pressure from competitors. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.6 million compared to negative $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The increase in adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2021 is the result of higher revenues when compared to the same period in 2020 despite increases in cost of goods and selling expenses. Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2.1 million compared to negative $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Increased adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 resulted from higher revenues of ZYPITAMAG, including a full year of operations of Marley Drug, reduced general and administrative and research and development expenses, partially offset by higher cost of goods sold and selling expenses as a result of the full year of Marley Drug operation. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $402,000 in government assistance resulting from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The funding has been recorded as a reduction of the related salary expenditures within general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021. Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.9 million or $0.18 per share compared to net loss of $4.4 million or $0.41 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The main factors contributing to the increase in net income recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2021 were a $1.8 million gain based on the year-end fair value assessment of the contingent consideration recorded in the prior year in relation to the acquisition of Marley Drug, higher revenues of ZYPITAMAG, including a full year of operations of Marley Drug, and reduced general and administrative and research and development expenses, partially offset by a $1.3 million inventory write down, higher cost of goods sold and selling expenses as a result of the full year of Marley Drug operation. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $710,000 or $0.07 per share compared to $6.8 million or $0.64 per share for the year ended December 31, 2020. The main factors contributing to the decrease in the net loss recorded for the year ended December 31, 2021 were a $1.8 million gain based on the year-end the fair value assessment of the contingent consideration recorded in the prior in relation to the acquisition of Marley Drug, a $491,000 recovery from PREXXARTAN, higher revenues of ZYPITAMAG, including a full year of operations of Marley Drug, and reduced general and administrative and research and development expenses, partially offset by a $1.3 million inventory write down, higher cost of goods sold and selling expenses as a result of the full year of Marley Drug operation. At December 31, 2021, the Company had unrestricted cash totaling $3.7 million, up from $2.7 million of unrestricted cash held as of December 31, 2020. Cash flows from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $3.9 million compared to $2.2 million used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020. All amounts referenced herein are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. The Company plans to hold an investor conference call in May 2022 to present the results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 with date and dial in information to be provided. The full financial statements are available at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.medicure.com. Notes (1) The Company defines EBITDA as "earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other income or expense" and Adjusted EBITDA as "EBITDA adjusted for noncash and non-recurring items". The terms "EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDA", as it relates to the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 results prepared using IFRS, do not have any standardized meaning according to IFRS. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. About Medicure Inc. Medicure is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the U.S. cardiovascular market. The present focus of the Company is the marketing and distribution of AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection and ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets in the United States, where they are sold through the Company's U.S. subsidiary, Medicure Pharma Inc. Medicure also operates Marley Drug, Inc. ("Marley Drug"), a pharmacy located in North Carolina that offers an Extended Supply drug program serving all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Marley Drug is committed to improving the health status of its patients and the communities they serve while reducing overall health care costs for employers and other health care consumers. For more information visit www.marleydrug.com. To learn more about The Extended Supply Generic Drug Program call 800.286.6781 or email [email protected]. For more information on Medicure please visit www.medicure.com. For additional information about AGGRASTAT, refer to the full Prescribing Information. For additional information about ZYPITAMAG, refer to the full Prescribing Information. To be added to Medicure's e-mail list, please visit: http://medicure.mediaroom.com/alerts Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information: Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "may", "plans", "will", "estimates", "continues", "anticipates", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. federal securities laws (such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are hereinafter collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements, include estimates, analysis and opinions of management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors which the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, the Company's future product revenues, expected results, including future revenue from P5P, the likelihood of receiving a PRV, expected future growth in revenues, stage of development, additional capital requirements, risks associated with the completion and timing of clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval to market the Company's products, the ability to protect its intellectual property, dependence upon collaborative partners, changes in government regulation or regulatory approval processes, and rapid technological change in the industry. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: general business and economic conditions; the impact of changes in Canadian-US dollar and other foreign exchange rates on the Company's revenues, costs and results; the timing of the receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's research and development projects; the availability of financing for the Company's commercial operations and/or research and development projects, or the availability of financing on reasonable terms; results of current and future clinical trials; the uncertainties associated with the acceptance and demand for new products and market competition. The foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of factors, other than as may be required by applicable legislation. Additional discussion regarding the risks and uncertainties relating to the Company and its business can be found in the Company's other filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities or the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and in the "Risk Factors" section of its Form 20F for the year ended December 31, 2021. AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection, ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets, and Marley Drug are registered trademarks of Medicure International Inc. Consolidated Statements of Financial Position(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) As at December 31 2021 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,694 $ 2,716 Restricted cash 3 1,394 Accounts receivable 4,659 5,253 Inventories 3,329 5,139 Prepaid expenses 869 1,174 Total current assets 12,554 15,676 Noncurrent assets: Property and equipment 1,611 1,640 Intangible assets 11,212 13,596 Goodwill 2,974 2,986 Other assets 57 156 Total noncurrent assets 15,854 18,378 Total assets $ 28,408 $ 34,054 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 6,668 $ 6,979 Current portion of royalty obligation 423 362 Current portion of acquisition payable 634 637 Holdback payable - 1,876 Current portion of contingent consideration 293 1,925 Current income taxes payable 114 164 Current portion of lease obligation 380 367 Total current liabilities 8,512 12,310 Noncurrent liabilities Royalty obligation 65 335 Acquisition payable 591 1,132 Contingent consideration 40 51 Lease obligation 789 1,080 Total noncurrent liabilities 1,485 2,598 Total liabilities 9,997 14,908 Equity: Share capital 80,917 80,917 Contributed surplus 10,429 10,294 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,640) (6,497) Deficit (66,295) (65,568) Total Equity 18,411 19,146 Total liabilities and equity $ 28,408 $ 34,054 Consolidated Statements of Net (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) For the year ended December 31 2021 2020 2019 Revenue, net Product sales, net $ 21,744 $ 11,610 $ 20,173 Cost of goods sold 9,032 6,480 7,272 Gross profit 12,712 5,130 12,901 Expenses Selling 10,312 5,359 13,399 General and administrative 2,697 4,579 3,395 Research and development 1,796 3,299 4,349 14,805 13,237 21,143 Other expense (income): Other Income (1,828) Revaluation of holdback - - 3,623 Impairment loss on intangible assets - - 6,321 (1,828) - 9,944 Finance (income) costs: Finance (income) expense, net 525 (765) (1,115) Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net (31) (497) 2,570 494 (1,262) 1,455 Net loss before income taxes $ (759) $ (6,845) $ (19,641) Income tax recovery (expense) Current 32 - (22) Deferred - - (123) 32 - (145) Net loss $ (727) $ (6,845) $ (19,786) Item that may be reclassified to profit or loss Exchange differences on translation of foreign subsidiaries: (143) (746) (683) Item that will not be reclassified to profit and loss Revaluation of investment in Sensible Medical at FVOCI - - (6,336) Comprehensive loss $ (870) $ (7,591) $ (26,805) Loss per share Basic $ (0.07) $ (0.64) $ (1.32) Diluted $ (0.07) $ (0.64) $ (1.32) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) For the year ended December 31 2021 2020 2019 Cash (used in) provided by: Operating activities: Net (loss) income for the year $ (727) $ (6,845) $ (19,786) Adjustments for: Current income tax expense (recovery) (32) - 22 Deferred income tax expense (recovery) - - 123 Impairment of property and equipment - - 95 Impairment of intangible assets - - 6,321 Revaluation of holdback receivable - - 3,623 Amortization of property and equipment 406 307 485 Amortization of intangible assets 2,739 2,466 1,438 Sharebased compensation 135 317 417 Write-down of inventories 1,339 682 1,983 Change in fair value of contingent consideration (1,803) Finance (income) expense, net 525 (765) (1,115) Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (31) (497) 362 Change in the following: Accounts receivable 593 5,081 (318) Inventories 471 723 (4,072) Prepaid expenses 305 703 842 Other assets 99 - 78 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 20 (3,802) (4,992) Interest received (paid), net 49 22 1,685 Income taxes paid - (306) (477) Royalties paid (99) (326) (1,355) Cash flows (used in) from operating activities 3,989 (2,240) (14,641) Investing activities: Acquisition of Marley Drug, Inc, net of cash acquired - (7,238) - Investment in Sensible Medical - - (6,337) Receipt of holdback receivable funds - - 6,719 Redemptions (purchase) of short-term investments - - 47,747 Repayment of holdback payable (1,876) Acquisition of property and equipment (377) (2) (186) Acquisition of intangible assets (441) - (13,660) Cash flows from investing activities (2,694) (7,240) 34,283 Financing activities: Repurchase of common shares under substantial issuer bid - - (26,139) Repurchase of common shares under normal course issuer bid - (522) (4,145) Proceeds from exercise of stock options - - 20 Repayment of lease liability (316) (244) - Cash flows used in financing activities (316) (766) (30,264) Foreign exchange (loss) gain on cash held in foreign currency (1) (3) (552) (Decrease) increase in cash 978 (10,249) (11,174) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,716 12,965 24,139 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 3,694 $ 2,716 $ 12,965 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medicure-reports-financial-results-for-quarter-and-year-ended-december-31-2021-301534819.html SOURCE Medicure Inc. Many still facing hardships from pandemic and aftermath of natural disasters OKLAHOMA CITY, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With a shared heart for serving, Americold, Kraft Heinz and Feed the Children have been working together to deliver nine semi-truck loads of Ore-Ida Frozen Potatoes to families across the nation living below the poverty line. In total, more than 9,400 miles were traveled to bring 125 tons of frozen potatoes to Calif., Washington, Okla., Illinois and surrounding areas. Families who were already struggling to make ends meet before the pandemic have since faced compounding variables that have made daily life even more challenging--from surges of new COVID variants, devastation from natural disasters, and worsening of food access, to possible job loss, decreased public transportation options, and increased food costs. According to a report1 released in April, grocery prices rose by 8.8 percent during the last 12 months, impacting millions of families. Kraft Heinz, Americold and Feed the Children have been working together to bring hope, love and nutritious food to families whose lives have been severely impacted during this unparalleled time. By collaborating, the organizations have been able to distribute food more quickly to those who need it. It is estimated 1 in 6 children are food insecure due to the economic affects of the pandemic. That's why Feed the Children works with public and private partners to help families gain access to the safe, healthy and nutritious food they need. By working with a vast network of community partners, like Partners in Hope, Feed the Children provides food and essentials, support for educators, and disaster response to help children and their families achieve stable lives, while providing food and resources to help them today. "Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the risk of food insecurity has risen in our service areas," said Keith Sharp, president of Partners in Hope. "Receiving a donation such as this is such a blessing for our communities. Providing our low-income families with food has a dramatic impact on their lives. The benefits to their physical and mental health are incalculable." Atlanta-based Americold has a passion for defeating hunger. Playing an integral role in the food supply chain, Americold owns and operates 250 temperature-controlled warehouses around the world, with approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of storage. Its facilities connect food producers, processors, distributors and retailers to consumers, ensuring that food is preserved and protected on its journey from farm to fork. "Our partnership with Feed the Children is incredibly meaningful because it is one way that we show our commitment to fighting hunger. We're proud of the unique ways we are able to support their efforts to provide for families experiencing food insecurity. By sharing our supply chain expertise and donating temperature-controlled transportation, we are reducing the time it takes to get food to those who need it. While families across the country face ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 and disasters, we remain committed to supporting the communities where our associates live and work in any way we can," said George Chappelle, CEO of Americold. Americold has been a generous partner of Feed the Children for more than five years. During its partnership, Americold has donated critical funds, and travelled hundreds of thousands of miles providing complimentary temperature-controlled transporation services of chilled and frozen goods that have helped feed hundreds of thousands of families across America. The organization also provides volunteer opportunities for their associates at Feed the Children community events. "Kraft Heinz is committed to providing nutritious meals to those in need and, as a company, aspires to deliver 1.5 billion meals to those in need around the world by 2025," said Rashida La Lande, Global General Counsel and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer of Kraft Heinz. "We've seen unparalleled suffering during the COVID-19 global pandemic, and we are grateful for partners like Feed the Children who continue to help meet the needs of families and communities across the United States." Kraft Heinz and its predecessors have been a valued partner of Feed the Children for many years. Through this partnership, Kraft Heinz has donated food and committed to supporting hunger relief efforts across the nation by providing critical resources to those who need it most. Kraft Heinz continues to share its resources to help generate the most impact for families facing devastation through natural disasters or to combat food insecurity. "The Americold and Kraft Heinz partnership means so very much to Feed the Children, and more importantly, to the families we serve," said Travis Arnold, president and CEO of Feed the Children. "Those living paycheck-to-paycheck do not have a safety net. Our partners are a critical part of providing compassionate support to those who are facing tough decisions about how to care for their families." Feed the Children believes it takes everyone - the nonprofit sector, corporations, community organizations, government officials and food suppliers - to come together to do good for those who need it. When efforts are combined, a greater impact is achieved. Visit feedthechildren.org for more information about supporting the nonprofit's mission to provide hope and resources for those without life's essentials. About Americold Americold is the world's largest publicly-traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisitions and development of temperature-controlled warehouses. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Americold owns and operates 250 temperature-controlled warehouses, with approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of storage, in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Americold's facilities are an integral component of the supply chain connecting food producers, processors, distributors and retailers to consumers. Visit www.americold.com for more information. About The Kraft Heinz Company We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company, inspired by our Purpose, Let's Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2021 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we're dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Feed the Children At Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in 8 countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships. Visit feedthechildren.org for more information. 1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm) View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-9-400-miles-traveled-with-love-americold-kraft-heinz-and-feed-the-children-partner-to-feed-struggling-families-301535946.html SOURCE Feed the Children 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 NAMERenrose MagnePHONE813-281-2959WEBSITEhttps://www.provintl.com/en View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prov-international-launches-a-stunning-salesforce-center-of-excellence-in-the-dominican-republic-301527394.html SOURCE ProV International. Inc It presents creativity, passion, and love via the color 'red' HONG KONG, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspired by a contemporary art series 'Red Girls' from a Grodno-born artist Skolyshev, also known as Sko1y, Red NFT is going to show its first presence in the digital world. Each Red Girl from Red NFT is representing a little rebel who empowers the world with her creativity and love to bring world peace which will contribute to building the Web3 community. With the unique storyline of Red NFT, it continues to share the message of Red girl: In 2022, when there seems to be no hope left in the world, a girl finds a blood bag filled with mystery power. As she opens it, her face and body start turning red. She's filled with energy and the feeling of love gives her the special power to conquer the negativity in the world. Contrary to the trend that most of the current art NFT projects are derived from digital artists, this new attempt to bring the traditional artist to the NFT market is opening new doors for both the art and NFT industry. It delivers an expanded art experience to the audience from reality to a virtual world and vice versa, filling a gap between metaverse physical galleries, artists, and crypto. "Red NFT is more than just another art NFT project. We are drawing a big picture of building an ecosystem of interactivity, utility, community rewards, growth, collaboration, and so on in the art industry. In the center of this dynamic, there is a community with positive power like red girls," said Thor Chan, co-founder of the 'Red NFT' team. Red NFT project is going to launch in the second quarter of 2022 and minting will proceed on the official website. When it's sold out, it will be listed and traded on OpenSea. Red NFT will live on the Ethereum blockchain as ERC-721A tokens and be hosted on IPFS. After his successful show in Shanghai in 2022, Skolyshev will be represented by Hong Kong Gallery 'Nothing at all' for his first solo show in early June. Red NFT holders will receive a VIP pass to this exhibition. Red NFT Website: http://rednft.ioRed NFT Discord: https://discord.gg/7UP9jKMseuRed NFT Twitter: https://twitter.com/REDNFT_Red NFT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rednft_ About KABOOM Lab:Kaboom lab is the creator behind RED NFT. It is a WEB3 laboratory composed of professionals from the art world to crypto, sharing the same vision to create a dynamic, diverse, empowering digital collectible for a high-end community for art lovers and crypto investors. About Skolyshev: Creativity has always been ingrained in Skolyshev Vladimir's DNA. He chalks up being creative as his ultimate end goal and that his most important life decision was to commit his time and attention solely to his art. Skolyshev's dedication to his craft shines through in his work, which consists of red and black color fills, an assortment of smiley faces, and cartoonish details. One can only imagine the experiences that Skolyshev gains from spending his entire life steadfast to his expertise. It reveals itself through his work, specifically in his Red Girl series, as each painting is a different variation of the same figure with its individual stories. Taking inspiration from legendary artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Picasso, Skolyshev has established his own minimal artistic style from the same foundation to make his mark in the contemporary art space. His painting style is defined by bright colors and bold scenes with positive energy. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/red-nft-inspired-by-contemporary-artist-skolyshev-now-brings-modern-art-to-the-digital-world-301534824.html SOURCE Kaboom WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 400 high school students from across the country will converge on the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on May 6-8 for the 2022 National ProStart Invitational (NPSI), where they will vie for top culinary and restaurant management honors, as well as almost $200,000 in scholarships to support their future aspirations in the restaurant and hospitality industry. High school students to compete at the 2022 National ProStart Invitational happening May 6-8 in Washington, D.C. The three-day event will be held in-person for the first time since 2019. It will feature an opening ceremony, two days of powerful culinary and restaurant management competition and an awards dinner. In addition to a weekend of intense contests among the nation's top culinary students, NPSI will also announce the 2022 recipients of the ProStart Educator of Excellence Awards (EEA), which recognize exceptional ProStart educators in their classrooms. What: The 2022 National ProStart Invitational Who: Almost 400 high school students representing over 80 culinary arts and restaurant management teams from across the country. Competing teams have won their state-level ProStart competitions and gained the chance to participate in national event. When: May 6-8, 2022 Where: The Washington Hilton 1919 Connecticut Ave. Washington, D.C. 20009 Note: A media packet and press release will be issued following the event. A program of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), ProStart is a two-year technical education program found at more than 1,750 high schools and career and technical educational centers nationwide, teaching culinary techniques and restaurant management skills that build a lifetime foundation and support future careers in the restaurant industry. With 145,000 students enrolled across all states, the District of Columbia and Guam, the program teaches students through a combination of classroom and industry instruction. About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF): As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) mission of service to the public is dedicated to enhancing the industry's training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today's and tomorrow's restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready partnering with community based organizations to provide "opportunity youth" with skills training and job opportunities; Military helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center (RHLC) accredited apprenticeship programs designed to build the careers of service professionals. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-high-school-culinary-arts-and-restaurant-management-students-to-compete-for-200k-in-scholarships-at-the-2022-national-prostart-invitational-in-washington-dc-301535666.html SOURCE National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation SHANGHAI, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and HKEX: 2057), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 28, 2022. The annual report can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://zto.investorroom.com as well as the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request. Requests should be directed to the Company's IR Department at [email protected]. The Company has also today published its annual report for Hong Kong purposes pursuant to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("HKEX"), which can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://zto.investorroom.com as well as the HKEX's website at http://www.hkexnews.hk. About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. ZTO is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China. ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain. For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.Investor RelationsE-mail: [email protected]Phone: +86 21 5980 4508 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zto-files-annual-report-on-form-20-f-for-fiscal-year-2021-301535115.html SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. Fidelity Select Portfolios Energy Sector Fund/Ticker Energy Portfolio/FSENX Summary Prospectus April 29, 2022 Before you invest, you may want to review the fund's prospectus, which contains more information about the fund and its risks. You can find the fund's prospectus, reports to shareholders, and other information about the fund (including the fund's SAI) online at www.fidelity.com/funddocuments. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 1-800-FIDELITY or by sending an e-mail request to [email protected] The fund's prospectus and SAI dated April 29, 2022 are incorporated herein by reference. 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 Fund Summary Fund: Energy Portfolio Investment Objective The fund seeks capital appreciation. Fee Table The following table describes the fees and expenses that may be incurred when you buy and hold shares of the fund. Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment) None Annual Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment) Management fee 0.53% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees None Other expenses 0.24% Total annual operating expenses 0.77% This example helps compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. Let's say, hypothetically, that the annual return for shares of the fund is 5% and that your shareholder fees and the annual operating expenses for shares of the fund are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates the effect of fees and expenses, but is not meant to suggest actual or expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For every $10,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total expenses if you sell all of your shares at the end of each time period indicated: 1 year $79 3 years $246 5 years $428 10 years $954 Portfolio Turnover The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 56% of the average value of its portfolio. Principal Investment Strategies Normally investing primarily in common stocks. Normally investing at least 80% of assets in securities of companies principally engaged in the energy field, including the conventional areas of oil, gas, electricity, and coal, and newer sources of energy such as nuclear, geothermal, oil shale, and solar power. Investing in domestic and foreign issuers. Using fundamental analysis of factors such as each issuer's financial condition and industry position, as well as market and economic conditions, to select investments. Principal Investment Risks Stock Market Volatility. Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. Different parts of the market, including different market sectors, and different types of securities can react differently to these developments. Foreign Exposure. Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments and can perform differently from the U.S. market. Energy Industry Concentration. The energy industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations. Issuer-Specific Changes. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than, and can perform differently from, the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. In addition, the fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act), which means that it has the ability to invest a greater portion of assets in securities of a smaller number of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a more diversified fund. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You could lose money by investing in the fund. Performance The following information is intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the fund. The information illustrates the changes in the performance of the fund's shares from year to year and compares the performance of the fund's shares to the performance of a securities market index and an additional index over various periods of time. The indexes have characteristics relevant to the fund's investment strategies. Index descriptions appear in the "Additional Index Information" section of the prospectus. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future performance. Visit www.fidelity.com for more recent performance information. Year-by-Year Returns During the periods shown in the chart: Returns Quarter ended Highest Quarter Return 30.36% December 31, 2020 Lowest Quarter Return (52.25)% March 31, 2020 Year-to-Date Return 40.23% March 31, 2022 Average Annual Returns After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, but do not reflect the impact of state or local taxes. Actual after-tax returns may differ depending on your individual circumstances. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant if you hold your shares in a retirement account or in another tax-deferred arrangement, such as an employee benefit plan (profit sharing, 401(k), or 403(b) plan). Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other returns for the same period due to a tax benefit of realizing a capital loss upon the sale of fund shares. For the periods ended December 31, 2021 Past 1 year Past 5 years Past 10 years Energy Portfolio Return Before Taxes 55.35% (3.38)% 0.17% Return After Taxes on Distributions 54.48% (3.87)% (0.67)% Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 33.32% (2.58)% 0.17% S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) 28.71% 18.47% 16.55% MSCI U.S. IMI Energy 25-50 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) 56.26% (2.15)% 0.48% Investment Adviser Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR) (the Adviser) is the fund's manager. Other investment advisers serve as sub-advisers for the fund. Portfolio Manager(s) Maurice Fitzmaurice (portfolio manager) has managed the fund since January 2020. Purchase and Sale of Shares You may buy or sell shares through a Fidelity brokerage or mutual fund account, through a retirement account, or through an investment professional. You may buy or sell shares in various ways: Internet www.fidelity.com Phone Fidelity Automated Service Telephone (FAST) 1-800-544-5555 To reach a Fidelity representative 1-800-544-6666 Mail Additional purchases: Fidelity Investments P.O. Box 770001 Cincinnati, OH 45277-0003 Redemptions: Fidelity Investments P.O. Box 770001 Cincinnati, OH 45277-0035 TDD- Service for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired 1-800-544-0118 The price to buy one share is its net asset value per share (NAV). Shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form. The price to sell one share is its NAV. Shares will be sold at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form. The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. There is no purchase minimum for fund shares. Tax Information Distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income tax and generally will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, and may also be subject to state or local taxes, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account (in which case you may be taxed later, upon withdrawal of your investment from such account). Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries The fund, the Adviser, Fidelity Distributors Company LLC (FDC), and/or their affiliates may pay intermediaries, which may include banks, broker-dealers, retirement plan sponsors, administrators, or service-providers (who may be affiliated with the Adviser or FDC), for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing your intermediary and your investment professional to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your investment professional or visit your intermediary's web site for more information. Current regulations allow Fidelity to send a single copy of shareholder documents for Fidelity funds, such as prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, and proxy materials, to certain mutual fund customers whom we believe are members of the same family who share the same address. For certain types of accounts, we will not send multiple copies of these documents to you and members of your family who share the same address. Instead, we will send only a single copy of these documents. This will continue for as long as you are a shareholder, unless you notify us otherwise. If at any time you choose to receive individual copies of any documents, please call 1-800-544-8544. We will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days of receiving your call. Fidelity Distributors Company LLC (FDC) is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). You may obtain information about SIPC, including the SIPC brochure, by visiting www.sipc.org or calling SIPC at 202-371-8300. Fidelity, Select Portfolios, Fidelity Investments & Pyramid Design, and FAST are registered service marks of FMR LLC. 2022 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Any third-party marks that may appear above are the marks of their respective owners. wash-20220426 0000737468 FALSE 0000737468 2022-04-26 2022-04-26 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Rhode Island 001-32991 05-0404671 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 23 Broad Street Westerly, Rhode Island 02891 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (401) 348-1200 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) N/A (Former name or address, if changed from last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Item 5.02 Departure of Directors of Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. At the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the 2022 Annual Meeting) of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (the Corporation), held on April 26, 2022, the Corporations shareholders approved the Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. 2022 Long Term Incentive Plan (the 2022 Plan). The 2022 Plan permits the Corporation to grant equity awards to employees and directors in the form of stock options (both incentive and non-qualified options), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock, cash-based awards, and dividend equivalent rights. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2022 Plan is 600,000. The foregoing description of the 2022 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2022 Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporations Form S-8 filed on April 26, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. On April 26, 2022, the Corporation held its 2022 Annual Meeting by remote communication. On the record date of March 1, 2022, there were 17,331,382 shares outstanding and eligible to vote, of which 14,675,846 shares, or 84.7%, were represented at the 2022 Annual Meeting. The following is a brief description of each matter voted on by the Corporations shareholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting, and the number of votes cast for or against, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes, as to each matter. Proposal 1 The election of four individuals to the Board of Directors, each to serve a three-year term and until their successors are duly elected and qualified: Term Votes For Votes Withheld Broker Non-votes Steven J. Crandall 3 years 11,924,202 352,611 2,399,033 Joseph P. Gencarella, CPA 3 years 12,201,105 75,708 2,399,033 Edward O. Handy III 3 years 11,749,161 527,652 2,399,033 Kathleen E. McKeough 3 years 11,844,851 431,962 2,399,033 John T. Ruggieri 3 years 12,185,678 91,135 2,399,033 Proposal 2 Ratification of the selection of Crowe LLP as the Corporations independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022: Votes For Votes Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes 14,638,715 14,721 22,410 Proposal 3 Approval of the Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. 2022 Long Term Incentive Plan: Votes For Votes Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes 11,746,218 507,798 22,797 2,399,033 Proposal 4 Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Corporations named executive officers: Votes For Votes Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes 11,878,206 327,665 70,942 2,399,033 Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP, INC. Date: April 28, 2022 By: /s/ Ronald S. Ohsberg Ronald S. Ohsberg Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer The Air Force is halting a program that sought to reward experienced airmen who put in four or more years at a stateside base with a job at their duty station of choice in the continental United States. The Base of Preference program will be suspended starting June 1, a service spokeswoman said Wednesday. The cancellation affects base selection for eligible airmen who have completed their first contract. First-term airmen still may participate in a similar program and depart for a new base once theyve finished 12 months at a duty station, service officials said. The services personnel center will continue accepting applications for the Base of Preference program through May 31, Air Force spokeswoman Laurel Tingley said. About 4,500 airmen apply for an assignment through the program annually, Tingley said. The top five relocation preferences are: MacDill Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, all in Florida; Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina; and Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. The service expects to save about $8 million annually by discontinuing the program, keeping the Air Force within its projected 2023 budget, Tingley said. The unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page reported the programs cancellation in a post Wednesday that displayed a screenshot of part of an email from Chief Master Sgt. Claudia Carcamo, the Air Forces chief enlisted manager. Tingley told Stars and Stripes on Wednesday that the message was authentic. Carcamos memo said the program has historically matched less than 30% of applicants to their desired location. There are varied reasons for denial of a base preference request, Tingley said. For example, the gaining location may not have requirements for the given grade or career field. Another possibility is that staffing at the gaining or losing location does not support the reassignment. Alternatively, such requests could be rejected if the airman or guardian has already been selected for another assignment or is ineligible to move. In 2018, the Air Force expanded the program to make it easier for eligible airmen in all career fields to find their next assignments. To qualify, enlisted airmen in the ranks of senior master sergeant or below must be assigned to a base in the continental United States and have been at the current location for four years before departure. The personnel center began posting available locations by skill level and career field every quarter so airmen could see what was available before applying. They also could opt to remain in place if doing so met Air Force requirements. Airmen still may move through the Equal Plus Advertisements and Development Special duty, Tingley said, two programs that provide CONUS-to-CONUS assignment experience to help them grow professionally and meet mission requirements. As additional modifications are made to the enlisted assignment process, we will revisit the pause and other alternatives to the program, Carcamos message said. FAIRCHILD AFB, Wash. (Tribune News Service) Two Air Force sergeants are accused of stealing thousands of rounds of ammunition from Washington military bases, federal authorities said. Sgt. John Sanger and Sgt. Eric Eagleton were arrested and charged on April 25 with conspiracy to commit theft of government property and possession of stolen ammunition, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. The two were stationed at the Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane when they were accused of stealing ammunition from about March 12 until April 25, according to a criminal complaint. An attorney for Sanger told McClatchy News they had no comment. Eagletons attorney, David Miller, told McClatchy News that he is presumed innocent under United States law. He is currently in custody, and we are still learning the alleged facts of the case, Miller said. Sanger told an active-duty undercover agent that many members of the 92nd Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training Management section regularly steal USAF ammunition and invited an undercover agent to a shooting range on March 12, according to the criminal complaint. The two met up with Eagleton who was recorded telling the agent he had stolen 3,000 rounds of ammunition, which is split among the members in his section, according to the criminal complaint. Eagleton talked with the two about his anti-Semitic views before Sanger said he liked people who hated the government and the military, the complaint says. The group then went to a shooting range and fired ammunition that was in packaging similar to what is used in U.S. Air Force combat arms training. The agent also met with Sanger to pick up stolen ammunition from Eagleton on March 29, the complaint states. A special agent traced some of the ammunition to another state or country, but most it of was stolen from Fairchild AFB, authorities said. When individuals put their own interests ahead of others and abuse the public trust, those individuals dishonor the countless public servants who dedicate their lives to government and military service, U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref said in a news release. Sangers next court date is April 27 and Eagletons is May 2. 2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany U.S. soldiers moving to Germany, Italy or Belgium soon will have to submit certain documents to the Army electronically upon arrival or risk not getting paid. Soldiers assigned a permanent change of station, or PCS, to Europe have for many years completed a travel voucher with their finance department after their arrival. But starting June 1, they will be required to submit those claims themselves through the Defense Finance and Accounting Services online system, SmartVoucher. Its part of a push by the Army to have more paperwork tasks completed virtually when possible. SmartVoucher is already operating in the U.S. and will be familiar to some soldiers moving overseas. Its rollout in Europe is part of a scheduled expansion of the system, said Kimberly Jordan, a director at the 266th Finance Support Center, part of the Kaiserslautern-based 21st Theater Sustainment Command. Its kind of like a TurboTax system, where it asks questions and then the responses to those questions are what build the PCS voucher, Jordan said. Once completed, the voucher is sent to the soldiers finance office for final review before submission to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Soldiers are being advised to complete the voucher the day they arrive in Europe to help ensure that they get paid correctly and that their salary isnt frozen. Their pay record just wont be right if they dont submit the voucher, Jordan said, adding that salaries would be frozen only in extreme cases that arent rectified within four months. Initially they would be getting paid the incorrect entitlement, Jordan said. They could still be getting paid their old duty station salary, and that could result in an under(payment) or overpayment. Soldiers with a myPay account automatically have access to SmartVoucher, so no registration is needed. Even after filing the claim online, soldiers still need to contact their unit finance office on arrival. Only soldiers are required to submit the claim to SmartVoucher under the new policy; other military branches have their own rules. (Tribune News Service) A small step forward in a fight Colorado lawmakers hope will keep the headquarters of U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs came Wednesday morning, at a posture hearing of the House Armed Services Committee in Washington. The hearing was a chance for committee members to grill U.S. Air Force leaders about the department's $194 billion budget request for fiscal year 2023, and the elements within it most affecting their constituents. For Colorado Springs' Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, a ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, it was a chance to ask questions he later said laid the groundwork for "bombshell" revelations to come from a recently completed investigation by the Government Accountability Office. That report, requested by Lamborn last year and championed by a bevy of Colorado lawmakers, found "significant shortfalls" in the "transparency and credibility" of the process leading up to the January 2021 decision, by the outgoing Trump administration, to award the base to Huntsville, Ala. The findings won't be public for at least another month, but sources with senior-level access and knowledge of what it contains say the conclusions paint a clear picture of a fundamentally flawed process that needs to be revisited, in the name of national security and fiscally sound spending. "The GAO report is going to speak for itself," Lamborn said, after the hearing. On Wednesday morning, Lamborn was the one providing that voice before the committee and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown and Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations with U.S. Space Force, which is organized under the Air Force and headquartered at the Pentagon. Addressing his questions to Raymond during the hearing, Lamborn attempted to set the stage for the GAO's findings, keying off earlier discussions about national security, readiness and the modern ramp-up to a world where space is a "warfighting domain." Getting a permanent U.S. Space Command headquarters up and running in Colorado Springs its current and temporary longtime home, where much of the infrastructure and civilian workforce is already in place is expected to be a two- to three-year process. That process in Huntsville is expected to take at least an additional three years. "I'm deeply concerned that the urgency to receive full operational capability for our space warfighters as quickly as possible was not adequately addressed in the siting decision because of a flawed process," Lamborn said. "And I know you share my concerns regarding the rapid expansion of these threats." Lamborn asked how quickly Raymond expected the global space threat to increase in the next two to three years. "There's a significant threat that exists today," Raymond responded, "and it's a spectrum of threats. ... And all of our intelligence suggests that's not going to slow down." Lamborn also addressed the issue of "co-location," cited as a reason for the Huntsville decision but which wasn't part of the siting criteria during the two-year process leading up to the 2021 announcement. In addition to being the current headquarters of U.S. Space Command, housed at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs is home to The National Space Defense Center, part of the U.S. Space Command's Joint Task Force-Space Defense, based at Schriever Space Force Base. The NSDC is where "Department of Defense experts, intelligence and space experts work side by side," Lamborn said. "They monitor the threats, they train for the threats; that's the nerve center of space warfighting. Why in the world would we take a command and put it somewhere else when they can be right next to the NSDC?" That line of questioning was a dead-end during Wednesday's hearing, but Lamborn later said it nonetheless set the stage for the battle to come. "That's a critical building block in this whole process," he said, speaking with The Gazette during a break between meetings on Capitol Hill. Lamborn added that, once the report is public, there will be more opportunities to address the issues it raises with the nation's military and political leaders, including Space Command Commander Gen. James Dickinson. "We started down the road to get the answers we needed. General Raymond clearly said the threat is so critical that we don't have time to waste," Lamborn said after the hearing. This is "just the beginning of the process." Another investigation by the Pentagon's Office of Inspector General, requested last year by Colorado lawmakers, is also due out soon. (c)2022 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Visit The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) at www.gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Just days before the national holiday this Friday commemorating the birth of the late Emperor Hirohito, Japan got a rude reminder of its inextricable part in the global history of war. It came in the form of an apology from the government of Ukraine. Social media out of Kyiv had released a video about fighting fascism that represented the Axis powers with images of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hirohito - who sat on the Chrysanthemum throne during World War II and oversaw Japans return to prosperity and active non-aggression in the decades after its defeat. Hirohito has been portrayed by some as a helpless puppet of the militarists who ran the empires expansionist policies in the first half of the 20th century. Japans government says its not appropriate to rank him alongside Hitler and Mussolini. The video was re-edited and the government issued a tweet saying, We had no intention to offend the friendly people of Japan. Tokyo has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February. The social-media episode, however, comes amid a potential shift in Japans attitude toward defense in general. And its about time. The nation has enjoyed such a stretch of peace that some talk about a particularly Japanese affliction known as heiwa boke - a phrase which might be translated as peace complacency or perhaps, in the words of harsher critics, peace senility. Safe under the U.S. nuclear security umbrella since 1945, Japan avoided sullying its hands with armed conflict and drifted into a kind of defense dotage - believing in pacifism as a virtue in and of itself, and, therefore, not bearing responsibility for a world full of danger and conflict. That has begun to change. Russias war on Ukraine has stirred up emotions and the nation might just be rousing from its long slumber. Hawkish former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is among those leading calls for the country to boost spending on defense. If Japan, which says it needs the cooperation of other countries for regional peace and stability, doesnt raise its spending it will be a laughing stock, Abe told a symposium in Tokyo last week. A research panel of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is proposing that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at least double defense spending to 2% of GDP. Abe tried and failed to get the military budget beyond the long-held voluntary cap of about 1%. This time, however, public opinion has come out in greater support. Since February, polls have repeatedly backed higher spending on defense. A Nikkei survey this week showed 55% in support of the LDPs 2% proposal. Thats a stunning turnaround from the early 2000s, when government polls showed barely double-digit backing for any increase in defense spending. Just seven years ago, thousands demonstrated against Abes tweaks to security legislation allowing Japan to send troops to fight overseas. The war in Ukraine has clearly touched a nerve. Not only does Japan have its own territorial dispute with Russia, the invasion has brought home the very real risk of an unprovoked attack, in a way that never happened with North Korean missile and nuclear tests, or the repeated naval harassment of shipping boats by Chinas Coast Guard around the disputed islands. Japans hawks have long been aware of an increasingly aggressive China. Right-leaning commentators talk of Japan becoming a second Ukraine unless action is taken. While this may be an overstatement, Japan has legitimate fears of widespread instability and economic chaos that would be the consequence if China invaded Taiwan. Meanwhile, the chaotic Trump presidency and the aloofness of the Obama administration have raised doubts about the vaunted U.S. commitment to Japans defense. Younger voters seem to be tilting conservative on security. Greater defense spending was backed by 65% of those age 18-39, according to the Nikkei. The patriotic reputation of the countrys so-called Self-Defense Forces - in effect, Japans military - has improved because of its heroic disaster-relief operations and, most recently, key role in administering Covid vaccines. The question is: Will Japan wake up fast enough? While attitudes might be changing, the political sphere moves slowly and cautiously. Any debate will be protracted. Already, the LDP proposal is being castigated by proponents of the post-war status quo. It aims to make Japan a de-facto military superpower under the guise of strengthening deterrence, thundered the left-leaning Tokyo Shimbun in an editorial, urging the government not to undermine the principles of the Peace Constitution. Natsuo Yamaguchi, the leader of the LDPs long-standing coalition partner Komeito, has already poured cold water on the idea of breaking the 1% of GDP spending line on defense. Rethinking taboos is no easy feat. A recent white paper on defense was the center of controversy after it put a picture of a samurai warrior on its cover (a previous cover was pink and was illustrated by Mount Fuji and a cherry blossom). But its well past time for Japan to seriously review such hangups. The world is a dangerous place and Japan must realize it has responsibilities. Abe and other hawks are now encouraging a discussion on nuclear sharing: the possibility of deploying U.S. nuclear weapons on Japanese soil, something that would go against the decades-long abhorrence of such apocalyptic armaments. Prime Minister Kishida, a lawmaker representing Hiroshima, swiftly rejected such a move. Still, he is key to any further change in policy precisely because he hails from one of the two cities devastated by atomic bombs. A good start would be for him to make good on the LDPs long-held election pledge to revise the constitution to clarify the role of the Self-Defense Forces. Kishida can also back practical ones: Increased spending to boost the SDFs declining manpower, and moving forward on cybersecurity, space operations and missile defense. He can do this without betraying the legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 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. Pfc. Isaac Romero had completed his first year as a Marine the day before he drowned Sunday just off a beach on the Hawaii base where he was stationed, the Marine Corps said Wednesday. Romero, 22, a Minnesota native, was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Oahu in December after completing training as a combat engineer, according to a Marine Corps news release. His death prompted the base commander to temporarily close several of the base's beaches beginning Wednesday to conduct a review of beach safety procedures and risk management practices, the Marine Corps said. They will remain closed until Wednesday. Romero was swimming in the afternoon from North Beach on the base, leaving a friend behind on land. He had swum out about 60 yards before the friend lost sight of him, the Marine Corps said. The friend called the base Provost Marshal's Office at 2 p.m., and first responders from the base and Honolulu Fire Department soon arrived. They found his body in shallow water about 45 minutes later. He was pronounced dead at 3:42 p.m. at Castle Medical Center, the Marine Corps said. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and local authorities are still looking into Romeros death. Our heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences go out to Isaac's family and friends, and we join them in remembering and mourning this Marine, Lt. Col. Gideon Grissett, commander of Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, said in the news release. "His enthusiasm and devotion to duty inspired others with his positive, upbeat attitude. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to know him and be a part of our Marine Corps family." A memorial service is planned for May 6 at the base chapel. Parking meters are disappearing on Okinawa, at least temporarily, along with the parking spaces associated with them, according to the prefectural police. Of 62 parking meters on the island, service at 54 has been suspended through next March, a spokesman for the Okinawa Prefectural Police traffic management and control division told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday. The remaining eight will be removed, he said. The division is conducting a yearlong study to review the necessity of parking meters on the island, the spokesman said. The Koza area of Okinawa city, near Kadena Air Base, has 35 meters and Naha has 27. The parking spaces next to the meters are off-limits, the spokesman said, and may result in a fine for illegal parking. Failing to follow the rule results in a traffic violation and you will be fined, he said. The fine is 15,000 yen (about $115) for a standard-size passenger car. Gate 2 at Kadena exits into the busy Koza district, whose streets are lined with out-of-service meters now marked pause, although vehicles occupied nearly all the parking spaces Wednesday afternoon. The meters were installed in 1981 to meet the demand for short-time parking. However, an increase in privatized, paid parking lots around the island meet those demands today. At the same time, demand for home-delivery service is increasing and it is more beneficial to limit the parking to delivery vehicles, the spokesman said. Police installed road signs that limit parking to collection and delivery vehicles. Government spokespeople in Japan customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity. higa.mari@stripes.com Twitter: @MariHiga21 TOKYO Another quantity of garbage cans is set to disappear from the citys subway stations. The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation will remove all the garbage cans at its stations on May 9, according to a bureau news release last week. The transportation bureau operates Toei subways and the Nippori-Toneri Liner, a short train line in northeastern Tokyo. The garbage cans near ticket gates at each station will be removed as a safety measure, according to the release. We are sorry for the trouble we may cause the users, but we kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation with taking garbage with you, the release stated. The bureau is not the only train operator removing trash cans from the stations for security reasons and to prevent people from depositing their household garbage in them. Tokyo Metro, which operates subways in Tokyo, removed trash bins from 239 locations in January, the Asahi newspaper reported that month. Odakyu Railways took its receptacles away in March and Odakyu Railways removed trash bins last spring, according to Japanese media reports. Many trash cans were removed from public areas, such as stations and parks, after the 1995 sarin gas attacks in Tokyo. The attack, staged by the Aum Shinrikyo cult, targeted the Tokyo subways and killed 14 people and injured more than 6,000 who were exposed to the toxic gas. However, trash cans slowly reappeared at parks and stations from 2005, according to a 2019 report by Bloomberg News. An increasing number of foreign tourists who are accustomed to trash cans in public places contributed to their return, among other factors, according to the report. To avoid the use of trash cans in terror attacks, some were made transparent, so the contents of the bin may be easily seen; and many garbage cans were placed near ticket gates, within sight of station staff. Trash cans were also sealed off or locked and could not be used when major events or international meetings occurred in Tokyo, such as when former President Donald Trump visited Japan in 2017. The release of Trevor Reed in a prisoner swap with Russia has refocused attention on the plight of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who has been detained in Russia since mid-February. Griner, an Olympic gold medalist and seven-time all-star with the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested Feb. 17 and accused by Russian officials of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow, an offense that could carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. In March, Russian state media reported that her detention had been extended to May 19. We are working very closely with her team. Her case is a top priority for us, State Department spokesman Ned Price told CNN Wednesday morning. I can tell you that with the utmost certainty. Were in regular contact with her team, we regularly are engaging through our embassy in Moscow with their counterparts in order to see to it that shes treated fairly, to see to it that we have the consistent access to her that the Russians are required under the Vienna Convention to provide. We will continue to pay very close attention to this case, to seek its resolution as we seek the release of Paul Whelan. Whelan, a former security executive, has been in custody in Russia since his arrest at a Moscow hotel in December 2018. On Wednesday, Reed, a Marine veteran imprisoned on charges that U.S. officials viewed as bogus, was swapped for a Russian drug trafficker serving a lengthy prison sentence in the United States. Reed has recently been ill with tuberculosis, and his parents had lobbied for a prisoner swap. Griners arrest came as she was returning to Russia, where she often plays for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason. Updates on her condition have been infrequent, although she was visited by a U.S. Embassy official in late March and was described by Price as doing as well as can be expected. The consular officer who visited with Brittney Griner was able to verify that she is doing as well as can be expected under these very difficult circumstances, Price said in a March 23 news conference. Well continue to work very closely with her legal team, with her broader network, to see to it that she is treated fairly and that her rights are respected. Griners high profile has drawn intense attention, but officials and her team have worked quietly for her release, preferring to work under the radar because of the sensitivity of the situation since Russias invasion of Ukraine. Lindsay Kagawa Colas, who is one of her representatives, described the behind-the-scenes work in a Los Angeles Times op-ed Tuesday. I spend hours in communication every day with a dedicated group of people who are working to get BG home. It is a community filled with activists - including WNBA players whove led some of our most important cultural conversations in recent years, Colas wrote. Its a community that chooses its words carefully, thats used to moving together as a unit. For now, that community is doing its best to trust in BGs legal team and have confidence in the White Houses commitment to doing everything in their power to bring Brittney home. LONDON Britains top diplomat called Wednesday for Western allies to send tanks, warplanes and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying fears of escalating the war were misplaced and inaction would be the greatest provocation. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said this is a time for courage, not caution among nations helping Ukraine fight Russia's invasion. Heavy weapons, tanks, airplanes digging deep into our inventories, ramping up production. We need to do all of this, Truss said during an annual foreign policy speech at Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of London. NATO nations have supplied Ukraine with military weapons and gear, including missiles and armored vehicles. But they have been reluctant to send fighter planes despite pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for fear of escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already accused NATO of effectively waging a proxy war against Russia. Western officials deny that, saying the conflict is between Russia and Ukraine due to Russias illegal invasion of its neighbor. Britain has sent 450 million pounds ($565 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including thousands of missiles. But Despite Trusss call for jets, British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman, Max Blain, said there were no plans for the U.K. to send planes. He did not rule out Britain sending planes to another country, such as Poland, that would then give its own jets to Ukraine, but said there were no specific plans to do so. Truss said Russias attack on Ukraine must be a wake-up call for international institutions that failed to prevent the invasion. The architecture that was designed to guarantee peace and prosperity has failed Ukraine, Truss said. The economic and security structures developed after the Second World War and then the Cold War have been bent out of shape so far that they have enabled rather than contained aggression. Truss called Russian President Vladimir Putin a desperate rogue operator who was ripping up the global order and outfoxing international institutions. Russia is able to block any effective action in the U.N. Security Council, where it has a veto as a permanent member, she said, adding that the Group of 20 club of wealthy and emerging nations cannot function as an effective economic body while Russia remains at the table. In response, Truss called for a new focus on military strength, economic security and deeper global alliances among free nations. After years of declining military spending in many countries, including Britain, she said NATOs goal that countries spend 2% of gross domestic product on defense should be a floor, not a ceiling. Truss also called for tougher economic sanctions on Russia, saying the West must cut off Russian oil and gas imports once and for all. That would be an easier thing to do for Britain than for many other European nations. If Putin succeeds, there will be untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe, she said. We would never feel safe again. So we must be prepared for the long haul and double down on our support for Ukraine. BOSTON Russia's relentless digital assaults on Ukraine may have caused less damage than many anticipated. But most of its hacking is focused on a different goal that gets less attention but has chilling potential consequences: data collection. Ukrainian agencies breached on the eve of the Feb. 24 invasion include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which oversees the police, national guard and border patrol. A month earlier, a national database of automobile insurance policies was raided during a diversionary cyberattack that defaced Ukrainian websites. The hacks, paired with prewar data theft, likely armed Russia with extensive details on much of Ukraines population, cybersecurity and military intelligence analysts say. Its information Russia can use to identify and locate Ukrainians most likely to resist an occupation, and potentially target them for internment or worse. Fantastically useful information if youre planning an occupation, Jack Watling, a military analyst at the U.K. think tank Royal United Services Institute, said of the auto insurance data, knowing exactly which car everyone drives and where they live and all that. As the digital age evolves, information dominance is increasingly wielded for social control, as China has shown in its repression of the Uyghur minority. It was no surprise to Ukrainian officials that a prewar priority for Russia would be compiling information on committed patriots. The idea was to kill or imprison these people at the early stages of occupation, Victor Zhora, a senior Ukrainian cyber defense official, alleged. Aggressive data collection accelerated just ahead of the invasion, with hackers serving Russias military increasingly targeting individual Ukrainians, according to Zhoras agency, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection. Serhii Demediuk, deputy secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said via email that personal data continues to be a priority for Russian hackers as they attempt more government network breaches: Cyberwarfare is really in the hot phase nowadays. There is little doubt political targeting is a goal. Ukraine says Russian forces have killed and kidnapped local leaders where they grab territory. Demediuk was stingy with specifics but said Russian cyberattacks in mid-January and as the invasion commenced sought primarily to destroy the information systems of government agencies and critical infrastructure and included data theft. The Ukrainian government says the Jan. 14 auto insurance hack resulted in the pilfering of up to 80% of Ukrainian policies registered with the Motor Transport Bureau. Demediuk acknowledged that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was among government agencies breached Feb. 23. He said a small part of the ministrys data was stolen but so far no case of its use has been established. He did not provide specifics. Security researchers from ESET and other cybersecurity firms that work with Ukraine said the networks were compromised months earlier, allowing ample time for stealthy theft. The data collection by hacking is a work long in progress. A unit of Russias FSB intelligence agency that researchers have dubbed Armageddon has been doing it for years out of Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. Ukraine says it sought to infect more than 1,500 Ukrainian government computer systems. Since October it has tried to breach and maintain access to government, military, judiciary and law enforcement agencies as well as nonprofits, with a primary goal of exfiltrating sensitive information, Microsoft said in a Feb. 4 blog post. That included unnamed organizations critical to emergency response and ensuring the security of Ukrainian territory, plus humanitarian aid distribution. Post-invasion, hackers have targeted European organizations that aid Ukrainian refugees, according to Zhora and the cybersecurity firm Proofpoint. Authorities have not specified which organizations or what may have been stolen. Yet another attack, on April 1, crippled Ukraines National Call Center, which runs a hotline for complaints and inquiries on a wide array of matters: corruption, domestic abuse, people displaced by the invasion, war veteran benefits. Used by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, it issues COVID-19 vaccine certificates and collects callers personal data including emails, addresses and phone numbers. Adam Meyers, senior vice president of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, believes the attack may, like many others, have a greater psychological than intelligence-gathering impact aiming to degrade Ukrainians trust in their institutions. Make them scared that when the Russians take over, if they dont cooperate, the Russians are going to know who they are, where they are and come after them, Meyers said. The attack knocked the center offline for at least three days, center director Marianna Vilshinska said: We couldnt work. Neither phones nor chatbots worked. They broke down all the system. Hackers calling themselves the Cyber Army of Russia claimed to steal personal data on 7 million people in the attack. However, Vilshinska denied they breached the database with users personal information. They didnt get any valuable information, she said. She confirmed that a contact list the hackers posted online of more than 300 center employees was genuine as well as a spreadsheet with employee passwords. But she said other files the hackers posted listing 3 million names and phone numbers and 1 million addresses were not from the center. Spear-phishing attacks in recent weeks have focused on military, national and local officials, aimed at stealing credentials to open government data troves. Such activity relies heavily on Ukraines cellular networks, which Meyers of CrowdStrike said have been far too rich in intelligence for Russia to want to shut down. On March 31, Ukraines SBU intelligence agency said it had seized a bot farm in the eastern region of Dnipropretrovsk that was controlled remotely from Russia and sent text messages to 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers, police and SBU members urging them to surrender or sabotage their units. Agency spokesman Artem Dekhtiarenko said authorities were investigating how the phone numbers were obtained. Gene Yoo, CEO of the cybersecurity firm ReSecurity, said it likely was not difficult: Subscriber databases of major Ukrainian wireless companies have been available for sale by cybercriminals on the dark web for some time as they are for many countries. If Russia is successful at taking control of more of eastern Ukraine, stolen personal data will be an asset. Russian occupiers have already collected passport information, a top Ukrainian presidential adviser tweeted recently, that could help organize separatist referendums. Ukraine, for its part, appears to have done significant data collection quietly assisted by the U.S., the U.K., and other partners targeting Russian soldiers, spies and police, including rich geolocation data. Demediuk, the top security official, said the country knows exactly where and when a particular serviceman crossed the border with Ukraine, in which occupied settlement he stopped, in which building he spent the night, stole and committed crimes on our land. We know their cell phone numbers, the names of their parents, wives, children, their home addresses, who their neighbors are, where they went to school and the names of their teachers, he said. Analysts caution that some claims about data collection from both sides of the conflict may be exaggerated. But in recordings posted online by Ukrainian Digital Transformation Minister Mikhailo Fedorov, callers are heard phoning the far-flung wives of Russian soldiers and posing as Russian state security officials to say parcels shipped to them from Belarus were looted from Ukrainian homes. In one, a nervous-sounding woman acknowledges receiving what she calls souvenirs a womans bag, a keychain. The caller tells her she shares criminal liability, that her husband killed people in Ukraine and stole their stuff. She hangs up. AP data journalist Larry Fenn in New York and Inna Varenytsia in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report. POKROVSK, Ukraine European leaders blasted Russia's decision to cut natural gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria as blackmail, saying the cutoff and the Kremlin's warning that it might cease shipments to other countries is a failed attempt to divide the West over its support for Ukraine. Russia's move Wednesday to use its most essential export as leverage marked a dramatic escalation in the economic war of sanctions and countersanctions that has unfolded in parallel to the fighting on the battlefield. The tactic against the two EU and NATO members could eventually force targeted nations to ration gas and deal another blow to economies suffering from rising prices. At the same time, it could deprive Russia of badly needed income to fund its war effort. Poland has been a major gateway for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and confirmed this week that it is sending the country tanks. Just hours before Russia's state energy giant Gazprom acted, Poland announced a new set of sanctions against the company and other Russian businesses and oligarchs. Bulgaria, under a new liberal government that took office last fall, has cut many of its old ties to Moscow and likewise supported punitive measures against the Kremlin. It has also hosted Western fighter jets at a new NATO outpost on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. The gas cuts do not immediately put the two countries in any dire trouble. Poland, especially, has been working for many years to line up other suppliers, and the continent is heading into summer, making gas less essential for households. Also, Russian gas deliveries to both Poland and Bulgaria were expected to end later this year anyway. Still, the cutoff and the Kremlin warning that other countries could be next sent shivers of worry through the 27-nation European Union. Germany, the largest economy on the continent, and Italy are among Europes biggest consumers of Russian natural gas, though they, too, have been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. It comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Today, the Kremlin failed once again in his attempt to sow division amongst member states. The era of Russian fossil fuel in Europe is coming to an end. Gazprom said it shut off the two countries because they refused to pay in rubles, as President Vladimir Putin has demanded of unfriendly" nations. The Kremlin said other countries may be cut off if they don't agree to the payment arrangement. Most European countries have publicly balked at Russias demand for rubles, but it is not clear how many have actually faced the moment of decision so far. Greeces next scheduled payment to Gazprom is due on May 25, for example, and the government must decide then whether to comply. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told his country's parliament that he believes Polands support for Ukraine and the new sanctions imposed by Warsaw on Tuesday were the real reasons behind the gas cutoff. Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov called the suspension blackmail, adding: We will not succumb to such a racket. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia views gas as a weapon for political blackmail and "sees a united Europe as a target. On the battlefield, fighting continued in the country's east along a largely static front line some 300 miles (480 kilometers) long. Russia claimed its missiles hit a batch of weapons that the U.S. and European nations had delivered to Ukraine. One person was killed and at least two were injured when rockets hit a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv. Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence findings, said Russia has made slow progress in the eastern Donbas region, with minor gains, including the capture of villages and small towns south of Izyum and on the outskirts of Rubizhne. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, conceded that Russia has made some progress in its advance on Rubizhne through its nearly constant bombardment, but that Ukrainian troops are fighting back and retreating only when there is nothing left to defend. There is no point in staying on territory that has been fired on so often that every meter is well known, he said. Maxim, a Ukrainian tank commander in the Donbas who didn't give his last name, offered his rationale for why Ukrainian forces have been able to hold back the better-equipped Russian army: The strength is not in the tank; the strength is in the people. The Western officials said some Russian troops have been shifted from the gutted southern port city of Mariupol to other parts of the Donbas. But some remain in Mariupol to fight Ukrainian forces holed up at the Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold in the city. About 1,000 civilians were said to be taking shelter there with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. The situation is very difficult. There are huge problems with water, food, Serhii Volynskyi, commander of the marine unit inside the plant, said in a Facebook video message. He said hundreds of fighters and civilians were wounded and in need of medical help, and those inside included children, older people and disabled people. In the Black Sea port city of Kherson, which Russian forces have occupied since early in the war, a series of explosions boomed late Wednesday near the television tower and at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. Just across the border from the Donbas in Russia, an ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after several explosions were heard, the governor said. Blasts were also reported in Russia's Kursk region near the border, and authorities in Russia's Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone. Earlier this week, an oil storage facility in the Russian city of Bryansk was engulfed by fire. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak hinted at the country's involvement in the fires, saying in a Telegram post that karma (is) a harsh thing. With the help of Western arms, Ukrainian forces managed to thwart Russian forces' attempt to storm Kyiv. Moscow now says its focus is the capture of the Donbas, Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland. A defiant Putin vowed Russia will achieve its military goals, telling parliament, "All the tasks of the special military operation we are conducting in the Donbas and Ukraine, launched on Feb. 24, will be unconditionally fulfilled. ___ Gambrell reported from Lviv, Ukraine, and Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland. Associated Press journalists Jill Lawless in London, Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, David Keyton in Kyiv, Oleksandr Stashevskyi at Chernobyl, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS For the first time, key players seeking accountability for atrocities during the Ukraine war have come together at an informal meeting of the U.N. Security Council to spur investigations into abuses that many Western countries blame on Russia. The session Wednesday included the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor, the chair of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry, Ukraines top prosecutor and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who has opened over 8,000 investigations into alleged violations of the laws and customs of war, said that Russias actions amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes and the pattern resembles the crime of genocide. Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka, who co-sponsored and chaired the meeting, said that as a veto-holding member of the Security Council, Russia is supposed to be a guardian of international peace but has embarked on a war of choice against a neighbor committing immeasurable crimes in the process. Frances deputy U.N. ambassador, Nathalie Broadhurst, the other co-sponsor, said the images of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and other areas after Russian forces withdrew are unbearable and may amount to war crimes. Beth Van Schaack, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, said the United States has concluded Russia committed war crimes, pointing to credible reports of individuals killed execution-style, bodies showing signs of torture and horrific accounts of sexual violence against women and girls. She said Russia's political and military leadership and rank and file will be held accountable. The legal chief at Russias U.N. Mission, Sergey Leonidchenko, dismissed their statements, saying: What we heard today was another portion of unsubstantiated claims and even fakes seasoned with lies, hypocrisy and pompous rhetoric. Russia has denied responsibility for any atrocities and repeatedly blamed Ukrainian nationalists and neo-Nazis. Leonidchenko said Ukrainians responsible for all these heinous crimes will be brought to justice. He said Russia is collecting witness statements and evidence across Ukraine, including in the besieged city of Mariupol. He said Russia plans to hold an informal council meeting May 6 to present what he claimed will be facts not fakes. Other council members Mexico, Gabon, Ghana, Brazil, India, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates didn't seek to lay any blame. They said investigations need to establish the facts behind the killings and attacks. China, which is close to Russia, said the cause of civilian deaths should be established and verified. Any accusations should be based on facts before the full picture is clear, a Chinese diplomat said. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said a record 43 countries have referred the Ukraine situation to the court, which is responsible for prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. He opened an investigation March 2, and said nine other European nations are also conducting probes. On Monday, he said, the ICC signed an agreement for the first time for a joint investigative team with Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. This is a time when we need to mobilize the law and send it into battle, not on the side of Ukraine against the Russian Federation or on the side of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, but on the side of humanity to protect, to preserve, to shield people who have certain basic rights, Khan said. Calling this a critical juncture, he said its time to uphold the law and move quickly on collecting evidence. He said he deployed a team to the region immediately after announcing the investigation and has visited Ukraine twice and will do so again. Khan told the council he sent three communications to Russia and had not received a reply, and he welcomed Leonidchenko's presence before the Russian spoke. "My door is open, Khan told him. Leonidchenko was critical of the ICC, claiming the court is not impartial. Khan told reporters afterward that he is not for or against Russia or Ukraine, saying the court is interested only in upholding the law. British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said the United Kingdom is supporting international efforts to see justice delivered and will provide 1 million pounds ($1.25 million) in additional funding to the ICC. Frances Broadhurst said her government has sent two judges and 10 investigators to join the ICC team in Ukraine and made an additional 500,000 euro ($525,000) contribution to support its work. Van Schaack said the United States, which is not a party to the ICC, is supporting its investigation into atrocities in Ukraine. Norwegian judge Erik Mose, who chairs the U.N. Human Rights Councils Commission of Inquiry, said it is recruiting staff and will investigate all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, building on the work of U.N. human rights monitors in Ukraine. He said it will establish contact with the ICC in the near future and will seek to contact Russia and Ukraine, victims, civil society groups, governments and others. Mose stressed his commission's independence and its mandate to identify where possible individuals and entities responsible for violation or abuses of human rights of international humanitarian law or other related crimes. Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. human rights chief, reiterated that war crimes may have taken place and efforts aimed at redressing violations must begin now." As of Wednesday, she said, her office had documented and verified 2,787 civilians killed and 3,152 injured, with actual numbers considerably higher and rising. Amal Clooney, who was representing the Clooney Foundation for Justice, urged the council not to let the efforts lose steam. What worries me as I sit here today is that the resolute action weve seen in the first 50 days of this war will turn out to be the high point instead of the starting point of the legal and diplomatic response -- that your actions will slowly fade into a predictable pattern, a wealth of investigations and committees and reports and a dearth of prosecutions and convictions and sentences, politicians calling for justice but not delivering it. We cannot let that happen, she said. BRUSSELS Cutting off natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria cost Russian President Vladimir Putin very little but it is adding stress on European countries wrestling with how to reduce the energy imports feeding the Kremlin's war chest and how to keep a united front on the war in Ukraine. European Union officials say yielding to Putin's demand to pay for gas in rubles would violate Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Poland and Bulgaria were cut off after refusing the demand and say they will manage because they were already working to end their dependence on Russian energy supplies. Analysts say there is enough ambiguity in the European stance to allow the Kremlin to keep trying to undermine unity among the 27 member countries even if an implied threat to cut off major customers such as Germany and Italy may turn out to be an empty one because it would cost Russia heavily. The cutoff sent a chill through EU officials wondering how their utility companies will heat homes and generate electricity next winter. Putin got maximum disruption of what he regards as a hostile alliance for minimal costs because Poland and Bulgaria are relatively minor customers who were about to end their contracts at year's end anyway. Poland's entire gas import was only 10 billion cubic meters per year, out of total European imports of 155 billion from Russia. Gas in roughly that amount is already flowing to Poland from other European countries pitching in to help. Russian energy giant Gazprom has lost relatively little revenue but opened a new front in its confrontation with Europe. Putin is creating "a system where he can basically divide countries as we are seeing for the ones that don't want to comply with this new scheme will be cut off, while others will try to comply and essentially go against the European Union indication," said Simone Tagliapietra, an energy expert and senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels. European payments for Russian oil and gas amount to $850 million a day even as governments condemn the war. It's the result of decades in which Russia was regarded as a reliable supplier of cheap gas despite warnings from Poland and other central and Eastern European countries that Russia could use energy as a weapon. While Europe needs the oil and gas, those sales are the main pillar of the Kremlin's budget. John Lough, an associate fellow in the Russian and Eurasia program at the Chatham House think tank, said Russia's cutoff of Poland and Bulgaria was meant as a signal to major importers Germany and Italy, which both get 40% of their gas from Russia. "But if they have to follow through on their threats, then they have to cut off the nose to spite their face," he said of Russian officials. "And that's a big problem. So it's a kind of game of chicken." A wide-ranging gas cutoff would hit industrial users that can't easily substitute other energy sources. Liberty Ostrava steel works in the Czech Republic has "no short-term solution to replace natural gas" because a changeover would take nine to 12 months, spokeswoman Barbora Cerna Dvorakova said. European Union countries or companies that agree to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the bloc's sanctions, senior EU officials said Thursday. Around 97% of European gas contracts with Russia are in euros or dollars. Under Putin's new payment system, the Kremlin has said importers would have to establish an account in dollars or euros at Russia's third-largest bank, Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. The importer would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The sanctions violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account because the ruble conversion involves a transaction involving Russia's sanctioned central bank. The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, says companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars per their contract, then making a "clear statement" to Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. That leaves an opening for the Kremlin to accept the statement or not a potential pressure point for member countries. Russia has Europe "over a barrel in the sense of making it a requirement that if they want any gas, then they'll have to break their own sanctions by paying for it in rubles,'' said David Elmes, an energy expert at Warwick Business School. "And so they're calling Europe's bluff, if you like. Which do you want to do on the gas or do you want the sanctions?" Uniper, Germany's biggest importer of Russian gas, said it has been paying in euros and will continue to do so but indicated that it would be prepared to open a second account in rubles. "We believe that a change of payments which conforms to sanctions laws and the Russian decree is possible," the company said in a statement. "What's clear is that Uniper will continue to pay in euros." The company declined to say when and under what conditions it would open the ruble account. It said "doing without Russian gas at short notice isn't possible, it would have dramatic consequences for our national economy." That's why EU sanctions so far have avoided Russian oil and gas. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged Thursday that "any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation." Italian officials said they were waiting for further guidance from the EU on whether the payment workaround violates sanctions. Carlo Bonomi, head of Italy's main business lobby Confindustria, said he didn't think Russia would cut natural gas deliveries to Italy. "Obviously, it's a situation in continuous evolution, but regardless, the government is working with the aim of making Italy independent in case of any escalation," he said. We are optimistic." But Putin may be playing a longer game, knowing that next winter will put more pressure on gas supplies. The European Union's executive commission has unveiled proposals to cut reliance on Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of the year through additional supplies of liquefied gas by ship, faster rollout of wind and solar, and tough conservation measures. Coordinated action on diversifying energy sources could be a victim of Putin's ruble payment demand as some countries get exemptions and other don't, Tagliapietra said. "How can we have a joint energy response if different countries are doing, or not, business with Putin?" he said. ___ Kirka contributed from London, and Jordans from Berlin. Karel Janicek in Prague and Maria Grazia Murru and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed. KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Nearly a dozen people were wounded in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin says is its main objective and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive. In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boys leg to the bone. Vadym Vodostoyev, the boys father, said: It just takes one second and youre left with nothing. The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians, the U.N. chief lamented. Separately, Ukraines prosecutor accused 10 Russian soldiers of being involved in the torture of peaceful people in Bucha. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova did not say her office had filed criminal charges, and she appealed to the public for help in gathering evidence. Russia denies it targets civilians. During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy renewed his pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes they commit and said about the 10 identified earlier Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There theyll receive retribution from our military. In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out of windows in at least two buildings including a residential one in the capital, which has been relatively unscathed in recent weeks. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded in the attack, which sent plumes of smoke billowing over the city. The explosions in northwestern Kyivs Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather. It was not immediately clear how far away the attack was from Guterres. Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month. Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone. Western officials say the Kremlins apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east. But so far, Russias troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains, taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance. Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions. Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt. Its not just scary. Its when your stomach contracts from pain, said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. When they shoot during the day, its still OK, but when the evening comes, I cant describe how scary it is. Ukraines military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to intense fire and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region. Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor. Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off. Many of the Russian troops who were in Mariupol have been leaving and moving to the northwest, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment, didnt have exact numbers but said a significant number of the roughly one dozen battalion tactical groups that were in the city were moving out. Russian forces are making slow, incremental progress in the Donbas gaining only several kilometers on any given day, the official said. As of Thursday, Russia had launched about 1,900 missiles into Ukraine the vast majority fired from outside Ukraines borders. Most are strikes on Mariupol and the Donbas. In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraines Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldnt be independently verified. An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol. Deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewers, the city council said on the messaging app Telegram. It reported bodies decaying under the rubble and a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment to fend off the Russians. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine. ___ Associated Press journalists Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report. Former top State official to plead guilty for helping Qatar RICHMOND, Va. A former top-ranking State Department official is set to plead guilty for improperly helping a wealthy Gulf country try to influence U.S. policy and not disclosing on a government ethics form gifts he received from a disgraced political fundraiser. Court records filed earlier this month say that Richard G. Olson, who was the State Department's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the end of the Obama administration, provided "aid and advice" to Qatar on lobbying activities in violation of a "revolving door" prohibition against such behavior for one year after leaving public service. Olson, who also served as U.S. ambassador to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, indicated in a signed filing earlier this month he intends to plead guilty. It's unclear if he's cooperating in other investigations. The case represents one of the more high-profile efforts by the Justice Department in recent years to crack down on unreported or illegal influence campaigns funded by foreign governments aimed at altering U.S. policy. Federal prosecutors also said that while at the State Department, Olson failed to disclose certain financial benefits he received from a California businessman named Imaad Zuberi. Once a major political donor, Zuberi is now serving a 12 year prison sentence for funneling illegal campaign contributions to politicos in both major parties and then peddling the resulting influence to foreign governments. The new court records do not use Zuberi's name, but The Associated Press was able to identify him based on court filings in other cases, letters a Zuberi representative has sent to Congress, and interviews with Zuberi associates. Neither the Justice Department or Olson's attorney immediately returned requests for comment. Shortly after Olson left the State Department, several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, launched a blockade against Qatar that sparked a massive spending spree in Washington on lobbying and other efforts to influence U.S. policy. Olson, Zuberi and retired Marine four-star Gen. John Allen traveled to Doha early in the diplomatic crisis to meet with top Qatari officials and discuss ways of resolving the issue, according to court records and a statement Allen's spokesman provided to the AP last year. Federal prosecutors write in Olson's newly filed court records that shortly after the June 2017 trip, Olson, Zuberi, a Qatari official and Allen, who is only identified as "Person 3," met with several Congressmen "for the purpose of convincing the U.S. lawmakers to support Qatar rather than its regional rivals in the Gulf Diplomatic Crisis." Emails that Zuberi's representative submitted in a letter to Congress also show that Zuberi pushed for Olson and Allen to accompany Qatari officials to a White House meeting with then-National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster. "We should shift this conversation to WhatsApp," Allen replied. "I'll let Rick speak for himself regarding his legal restrictions in dealing with the (U.S. Government)." Allen, who is now president of the influential Brookings Institute think tank, told the AP last year that White House officials were aware of and supported his efforts to revolve the crisis as a private citizen. "General Allen has never acted as an agent of the Qatari government," his spokesman, Beau Phillips, said in a statement last year. The newly filed court documents also show that Olson worked with Zuberi to win U.S. government approval for a preclearance facility at the Doha airport, which would allow U.S.-bound passengers to clear customs before they left Qatar. Such approval would expand the number of U.S. cities the Doha airport could serve and give it an advantage over competitors in the Gulf, prosecutors said. As ambassador, Olson had worked to establish a preclearance facility at the Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE. Zuberi became notorious for courting lawmakers and diplomats like Olson. In 2015, prosecutors said, Zuberi paid for Olson's trip from New Mexico to London, where the then-ambassador met with Esam Janahi, a Bahraini businessman who offered Olson a one-year contract worth $300,000 a year. Janahi was not named in Olson's court records, but the AP identified him through separate court filings and other records. Zuberi detailed that aspect of his relationship with Olson last year in letters to members of Congress, in which a former federal law enforcement officer hired by Zuberi cited a host of irregularities in the fundraiser's prosecution and described his lengthy prison sentence as a "miscarriage of justice." Mustian reported from New York. At a time when Liberty University is already under scrutiny for its handling of reports of sexual assaults, a former student has come forward alleging that the school failed to investigate her claim of rape and retaliated against her for reporting it. The lawsuit claims that the school has a pattern of weaponizing the student code of conduct against victims of sexual assault by leading them to fear that reporting an incident will get them in trouble for violating campus rules. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia on Wednesday afternoon, alleges that the anonymous plaintiff was locked into her room, raped and sexually assaulted by a fellow student in April of last year. The lawsuit claims the university failed to investigate, take action or protective measures, and launched an inquiry into whether the plaintiff, then a junior at Liberty, had violated the school's code of conduct. The university's actions violated the federal Title IX law prohibiting discrimination based on sex at schools that receive federal funding, the lawsuit alleges. A spokesperson for the university said in an email, "The university has not reviewed the lawsuit and therefore declines to make a specific, public comment on the suit at this time. Liberty University will certainly address these claims in court." Attorneys for the plaintiff said they hope the lawsuit will compel changes that make campus safer. "Instead of ensuring Jane Doe's safety, Liberty engaged in classic victim-blaming, compounding her trauma," said Erika Jacobsen White, one of the attorneys. Liberty, a private university in Lynchburg, Va., has been a powerful center for evangelical and conservative Christians, a place with a national reputation and considerable political clout. Last year, the university faced complaints about its policies. In July, 12 women filed suit against Liberty, claiming the school not only failed to help them after they reported sexual assaults or sexual misconduct but made the university more dangerous through its responses. One of the anonymous plaintiffs claimed in that complaint that, at the time of her attack, when she was 15 years old, she was warned by the campus police that she would be criminally charged with filing a false report and later learned that her attacker pleaded guilty in 2016 to the abduction and killing of two Virginia college students. At the time, Liberty officials said the allegations were "deeply troubling, if they turn out to be true," and wrote that they had invested in staff and programs to help victims of sexual assault and had an amnesty provision to encourage students to make reports without fear of disciplinary repercussions. In November, Virginia's senators called for a federal investigation into the university's handling of sexual misconduct claims. This week, Drew LaFramboise, an attorney for the new plaintiff, said, "Liberty has knowingly created and fostered a culture where sexual violence is ignored or swept under the rug, and far too many students have suffered as a result." According to the complaint, the plaintiff tried to escape her attacker through a window, tried to fight him off, and texted a friend for help. She went to a hospital within a few hours of the rape and filed a police report, according to the lawsuit, and several days later asked professors for academic extensions during finals. The lawsuit contends that university officials did not provide academic accommodations that semester or inform the campus community of the assault. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education said the Federal Student Aid office, which administers the Clery Act that requires universities to report on crimes, "does not comment on institutional oversight activities, program reviews, or investigations including the acknowledgment that they exist until the outcome officially has been communicated to the institution." University officials questioned the plaintiff about whether she had violated campus rules, known as "The Liberty Way," by attending social events where alcohol was consumed, according to the lawsuit. The assault took place after a party in an apartment building's pool and common area, the complaint alleges. The code of conduct prohibits "sexual immorality" and "inappropriate personal contact." The lawsuit filed Wednesday brings Title IX claims, negligence claims and disability discrimination claims against the defendants: Liberty, the alleged attacker, and several companies that owned, managed or operated the apartment building. The plaintiff was put on academic probation in August, according to the lawsuit. The university did not investigate the incident that fall, the complaint alleges, but in December it notified the plaintiff that she was on academic suspension. She submitted paperwork in an attempt to appeal the decision, writing that in the previous spring, "I couldn't go to school being I was scared out of my mind that I would run into" the other student. She enrolled in another university, according to the lawsuit, to finish her college degree. The Washington Post's Razzan Nakhlawi contributed to this report. MIAMI (Tribune News Service) The U.S. Coast Guard stopped a total of 84 people from Cuba migrating by sea off the Bahamas and the Florida Keys last week. A Coast Guard cutter, the Paul Clark, returned the people to Cuba on Wednesday, the agency said. They were stopped on the ocean between Sunday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 19. One group was 23 miles southwest of Cay Sal in the Bahamas. The other four groups were interdicted in various areas off the Middle Keys, according to the Coast Guard. South Florida is in the midst of a surge in maritime migration from both Cuba and Haiti. More Haitians are taking to the seas to flee increasing violence and political instability than at any other time since 2004. The Coast Guard said its stopped 3,519 people since the beginning of October. Additionally, more Cubans have been stopped at sea between the island nation and South Florida since the fall than at any other point in more than five years, according to the Coast Guard. So far this fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends in September, the Coast Guard said its South Florida-based crews have interdicted 1,446 people from Cuba. That number is almost on course to surpass the 1,468 people stopped in all of fiscal year 2017. It was the final year of the so-called wet-foot, dry-foot immigration policy, which incentivized maritime migration from Cuba because those who stepped foot on U.S. soil were allowed to stay and apply for permanent residency after a year. Cubans caught on the water were returned under the policy. After the Obama administration ended wet-foot, dry-foot, maritime migration from Cuba dropped year-by-year to the point where by fiscal year 2020, the Coast Guard only caught 49 people trying to make the dangerous journey across the Florida Straits. Experts on Cuba say deteriorating political and economic conditions within the communist country are behind the latest surge. _____ 2022 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. MINNEAPOLIS Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is appealing his conviction for murder in the killing of George Floyd, arguing that jurors were intimidated by the protests that followed and prejudiced by heavy pretrial publicity. Chauvin asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals in a court filing Monday to reverse his conviction, reverse and remand for a new trial in a new venue, or order a resentencing. Last June, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison after jurors found him guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin pinned the Black man to the ground with his knee on his neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. Floyd had been accused of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Three other fired officers face state trial this summer after being convicted in federal court earlier this year of violating Floyds civil rights. Chauvins attorney, William Mohrman, laid out a number of challenges to his conviction, including that the trial should not have been held in Hennepin County, where Floyd was killed. The overwhelming media coverage exposed the jurors literally every day to news demonizing Chauvin and glorifying Floyd which was more than sufficient to presume prejudice, the brief said. In the months that followed Floyds killing, protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis and around the country to protest police brutality and racism. Some of that unrest was violent. Mohrman said several potential jurors expressed concerns during jury selection that if Chauvin was acquitted they would fear for their personal safety and worried about more violence. He said several of them said they were intimidated by the security measures implemented at the courthouse to protect trial participants from protesters. The filing also cited the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by a police officer in nearby Brooklyn Center that sparked mor protests during Chauvins trial. It says jurors should have been sequestered after selection to avoid being prejudiced by reports of that slaying. It also cited a $27 million settlement reached between the city and Floyds family that was announced during jury selection, saying the timing of that prejudiced jurors in the case. Mohrman cited several instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct, claiming untimely sharing of evidence, failure to disclose and document dumping by the government. The filing also says the judge did not apply the sentencing guidelines correctly and should not have included abuse of a position of authority as an aggravating sentencing factor for the former police officer. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has 45 days to respond to Chauvins brief. The appeal came as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights released the results of a nearly two-year investigation launched after Floyds slaying. It found the Minneapolis Police Department has engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade, including stopping and arresting Black people at a higher rate than white people, using force more often on people of color and maintaining a culture where racist language is tolerated. (Tribune News Service) Children playing in the desert near Boulder City, Nev., discovered an explosive apparently dating to World War II, Nevada police reported. The kids found the explosive about 5 p.m. Monday, April 25, Boulder City police said in a news release. Believing it to be an old can of food, the children tried to open it, police wrote in an update. Once they got the can open, they discovered a tag explaining how to arm the explosive. The children took the explosive home and their parents called 911, police said. A Las Vegas bomb squad came to assist police, who evacuated three homes while removing the device. Military ordnance experts from Nellis Air Force Base identified the device as an AN-M120 Bomb Fuse, the release said. The explosive could have been live if armed. Authorities swept the area with bomb-detecting equipment and found no other explosives, police said. Police strongly encourage citizens to contact us when locating any similar suspicious objects in the desert and to not move or touch the objects, the release said. Boulder City is a community of nearly 16,000 people southeast of Las Vegas. 2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Thursday asked Congress for an additional $33 billion in security, economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, with half the funds to pay for Pentagon efforts such as supplying weapons to help the Ukrainians battle Russian forces. Biden said its critical that Congress approves the funding as quickly as possible as Russia launches a renewed military assault on the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine. We said we would not send U.S. troops to fight Russian troops in Ukraine, but we would provide robust military assistance and try to unify the Western world against Russia's aggression, the president said. The funding is estimated to cover what the U.S. needs to support Ukraine for the next five months of this war, a Biden administration official said Thursday on condition of anonymity. This fight could well last months or more. This conflict will continue to test our unity and our collective resolve to provide Ukraine what it needs to succeed. About $16 billion of the requested funding will go toward the Defense Departments efforts supporting Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Thursday at the Pentagon. The Pentagons portion includes $6 billion to procure additional weapons and systems for Ukraine and another $5 billion to allow us to continue providing critical material from our own inventory, he said. The remaining $5 billion will help us pay for the operational cost of bolstering NATO's eastern flank with American troops and equipment, as well as additional investments, Austin said. For instance, it features something we call a critical-munitions acquisition fund, which will allow the department to purchase and establish a strategic reserve of vital munitions like anti-aircraft and anti-tank munitions to surge for this crisis and, quite frankly, crises to come, he said. The State Department will also receive about $4 billion to support its Foreign Military Financing program, which helps partner nations buy U.S. defense equipment, services and training, the administration official said. Despite having no boots on the ground, our assistance has made a significant difference on the battlefield, helping the brave citizens of Ukraine to win the Battle of Kyiv and to continue to deplete the Russian military, the official said. Though the U.S. is by far the largest supporter of Ukraine in funding, most other NATO nations have sent military aid, so some of the newly requested money will also be used to backfill their stocks, the administration official said. We are discussing with them various ways in which we can help make sure that they continue to be able to defend themselves fully, the official said. The rest of the requested money in the supplemental spending bill will address humanitarian and economic assistance to the war-torn country, as well as funding to help support the global food and fuel supply affected by the war. Austin urged Congress to approve our request without delay, which could be made difficult as House lawmakers break Friday for a weeklong recess. Still, Congress is continuing to support Ukraine and pressure Russia in other ways. On Wednesday, the House passed a bill urging the Biden administration to use seized assets from Russian oligarchs to fund reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. The House on Thursday also followed the Senate and passed the Ukraine Democracy Lend-Lease Act, which will allow the Pentagon to send weapons and other critical equipment more quickly to the war-torn country. Congress last approved a supplemental funding bill in early March that included $13.6 billion to assist Ukraine about half of which was earmarked for security assistance and related U.S. military operations in Europe. The new request comes after Biden last week said he would ask Congress for another supplemental funding bill because he had almost exhausted the funds with his latest $800 military aid package approved April 21. "Basically, we're out of money, and so that's why today in order to sustain Ukraine as it continues to fight, I'm sending Congress a supplemental budget request, Biden said Thursday. It's going to keep weapons and ammunition flowing without interruption to the brave Ukrainian fighters." The new request would provide Ukraine additional artillery, armored vehicles, anti-armor and anti-air capabilities, accelerated cyber capabilities and advanced air defense systems, and assistance to clear landmines and other explosives, according to the White House. It would also continue financing U.S. troops deployed in NATO countries, including transportation of U.S. personnel and equipment, temporary duty, special pay, airlift, weapons system sustainment, and medical support, according to the White House. There are more than 100,000 U.S. troops in Europe now, about 20,000 of whom were deployed to countries on NATOs eastern flank since tensions with Russia increased in January when Russian forces began massing at Ukraines borders. Biden said Americans must continue to support Ukraine because when dictators do not pay the price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and engage in more aggression, which also raises Russias threat to America. Every day the Ukrainians pay ... with their lives for this fight, so we need to contribute arms-funding, ammunition and economic support to make their courage and sacrifice have purpose so they can continue this fight and do what they're doing, he said. Biden said he expects other NATO and European Union countries to continue supporting Ukraine with military aid. They're gonna pay their fair share of the costs, as well, but we have to do this, the president said. "It's not cheap, but [Russia's] new aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen. We either back Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine every day, he added. Since taking office in January 2021, Biden has sent Ukraine about $4 billion in military aid an amount that senior U.S. defense officials have said nearly matches Ukraine's defense budget for last year, which was about $4.2 billion. About $3.3 billion of the U.S. aid has been sent to Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine about nine weeks ago, according to the Pentagon. We've sent thousands of anti-armor [systems], missiles, helicopters, drones, grenade launchers, machine guns, rifles, radar systems [and] more than 50 million rounds of ammunition, Biden said. The United States alone has provided 10 anti-armor systems for every Russian tank that is in Ukraine 10 to one. Stars and Stripes reporter Svetlana Shkolnikova contributed to this report. (Tribune News Service) Dion Dawsons early life may have been filled with poverty, hardship and bouts with homelessness, but his last two years have been nothing short of meteoric. In early 2020, Dawson was living in his car and working overnights at an Amazon facility to help several family members pay bills in the midst of a pandemic. But by the end of 2021, following the death of George Floyd, he had started a nonprofit aimed at eliminating food insecurity and earned public recognition in his efforts to provide an oasis in a food desert. This month, Dawson, 34, was one of 18 people from around the globe to be selected for the highly coveted Echoing Green fellowship, which will help fund his initiatives: Project Dream Fridge, a community refrigerator in the heart of Englewood where residents access fresh fruit and vegetables stocked daily, and Dream Deliveries, which delivers free food to homes across the city and suburbs. Ive been blessed to be able to live presently in the moment, Dawson told the Tribune. When you come from a background where your family has struggled, where you have to worry about where your next meal will come from, it feels good to actually live in that moment and be able to relish in the fact that day-to-day operations are secure. Echoing Green is a corporate backed nonprofit that identifies future leaders who have shown bold or innovative problem solving in topics ranging from health, human rights, poverty and racial justice. Former First Lady Michelle Obama was a fellow in 1991. Green fellows receive an $80,000 stipend over 18 months and Dawson said he would use his new funding to expand his food delivery service, which has reached as far north as Evanston and west as Schiller Park. He plans to expand throughout Cook County. Hes looking toward higher goals, with every million dollars raised being used to feed 1,000 families in a 50-mile radius. Echoing Green listened to me, listened to my ideas on where I think we have the best impact in changing the narrative in food insecurity, he said, and this is about getting to the root of the problem and where food insecurity is anywhere, not just in Englewood. The topic of food insecurity has a deep personal resonance for Dawson, the youngest of four sons raised on the streets of Englewood by their single mother. He lived much of his young life in homelessness as his mother struggled with substance abuse. Still, homelessness didnt stop Dawson from finishing school, graduating from Holmes Elementary and Gage Park High schools. After returning from a six-year stint in the U.S. Navy, Dawson found himself homeless again, living in his car, saying he had a hard transition back to civilian life. Dawsons life took an unexpected detour in May 2020 following the death of George Floyd. A community member asked Dawson to do something for his neighborhood in recognition of Juneteenth, an African-American holiday that gained widespread support following Floyds death at the hands of Minneapolis police. I said Im going to feed 100 families, Dawson recalled. What followed was a whirlwind that included two successful crowdfunding campaigns to buy fresh fruits and vegetables for families and the start of his own nonprofit, Dions Chicago Dream. That same year, Dawson and his wife were surprised by talk show Ellen DeGeneres with a $25,000 check on her show for his community work. Dawson said a real point of pride is that his program has grown from 30 households to 250 and that his organization of five owns its delivery vehicles and pays the crew a living wage. Dawson said he remains committed to feeding people no matter where they are. No matter if theyre in Streeterville, Englewood, West Pullman. Food insecurity doesnt look like a certain person and it doesnt come in a certain neighborhood. wlee@chicagotribune.com 2022 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com . WASHINGTON An Army veteran filed a lawsuit Thursday arguing his substance-use disorder in the military should be considered a mental health condition that would qualify him for an upgrade to his other-than-honorable discharge. Mark Stevenson, 63, applied for a discharge upgrade in 2020, but the Army Board for Corrections of Military Records denied his claim. The lawsuit alleges the board didnt adhere to a 2017 policy that requires it to give liberal consideration to veterans looking to upgrade their other-than-honorable discharges, also known as bad paper, in situations in which a service-related medical disorder could have led to their misconduct. The policy has been applied to cases in which veterans were struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma when they separated from the military. If successful, the lawsuit filed Thursday could make it easier for other veterans with substance-use disorders to secure upgrades, too. Substance-use disorders are mental health conditions, said Dena Shata, a law student with Yale Law Schools Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which is representing Stevenson in the case. The Armys choice to declare otherwise goes against the plain language of binding guidance. This decision harms veterans with addictions and bad paper, an already doubly stigmatized group. Stevenson enlisted in 1977 at the age of 19 and deployed to a base in the western portion of Germany. His unit was tasked with missile defense near the border with eastern Germany, which was occupied by the Soviet Union at the time. According to the lawsuit, Stevenson arrived at the base during a period of increased anti-American sentiment in the region and a heightened risk of terrorist attacks against U.S. targets by far-left groups. Stevenson, who is Black, also experienced pervasive discrimination and harassment from fellow soldiers and German locals, the lawsuit states. These factors led Stevenson to develop anxiety, which he treated with whiskey, hashish and eventually heroin. Stevenson went AWOL on three occasions and was kicked out of the military with an other-than-honorable discharge. I made serious mistakes, Stevenson said in a statement. I was young, terrified and had easy access to more alcohol and drugs than I knew what to do with. After the military, Stevenson struggled for decades with addiction and homelessness. Because of his other-than-honorable discharge, he had no recourse within the veterans system at the time, the lawsuit states. Other-than-honorable discharges disqualify veterans from receiving certain health and education benefits, as well as preferential hiring and tax breaks. In 2002, Stevenson checked himself into a rehabilitation center in Bridgeport, Conn. He was treated for his substance-use disorder and has been sober for nearly 20 years. He remarried, earned a degree and became a certified substance-use counselor to help other veterans. I have taken accountability for my actions, Stevenson said. Ive repaired relationships in my life and become a mentor to fellow veterans and others struggling with addiction. A second chance would mean everything to me. Stevenson applied for a discharge upgrade in 2020 and was denied in December 2021. The lawsuit alleges the decision by the Army Board for Corrections of Military Records was inconsistent with legal, medical, scientific and even military understandings of mental health conditions. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut. The court has recently heard other cases brought by the Veterans Legal Services Clinic regarding discharge upgrades. In February, the court ordered the Navy to review and potentially upgrade thousands of general and other-than-honorable discharges dating to 2012. In a lawsuit settlement, the Navy Discharge Review Board agreed to reconsider thousands of cases in which upgrades were denied despite evidence of veterans struggling with medical conditions at the time they were discharged. The court approved a similar settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Army last spring. MOSCOW, Idaho (Tribune News Service) When Michael S. Wells joined the U.S. Army immediately after graduating from Colville High School in Colville, Wash., in 2004, he didn't know what he was getting into. "I had an idea that I was going to go to war, but I had no idea that I would be in actual intense, fierce combat," Wells said. Instead, on April 20, 2008, Wells and his platoon found themselves in a deadly firefight in Sadr City, Iraq, in which Wells managed to kill enemy combatants and allow his platoon to continue its mission. Wells will receive from U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo a long-awaited Bronze Star for, in the words of an Army official, the "quick decisions, courage and superb marksmanship (that) ensured mission accomplishment and protection of his comrades during fierce and intense fighting." The awards ceremony is at 6 p.m. Friday at the Best Western Plus University Inn at Moscow, Idaho, and will be held in conjunction with a campaign event for Crapo. Wells, 36, served two tours in Iraq and was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart during his first 12-month tour. During the second, 15-month tour, Wells was making three patrols a day in a M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. "When we deployed that day ... our job as combat engineers was to clear the route for the U.S. Navy Seals team in Mission Operation Gold Wall," Wells said. "My job was to eliminate (improvised explosive devices) with my 25 mm guns," he said. As Wells approached a concrete wall, he spotted an IED mounted on the wall, capable of destroying his vehicle. "I was able to neutralize the IED trigger man," Wells said. "I killed him." A short time later, another enemy combatant was located at a nearby building with another explosive device that was made to penetrate military vehicles and armored tankers. Wells said he killed that enemy combatant, too. Those moves, he said, allowed his comrades to continue with their mission. "Later that afternoon, my platoon was engaged in a three-hour firefight," Wells said. "I was able to neutralize more than a dozen al-Qaeda fighters who maneuvered around the city blocks on rooftops." During this time, the enemy was engaging in small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and multiple explosive projectiles. As the enemy tried to inflict multiple casualties on the platoon, Wells laid down suppressive machine gun fire from his Bradley fighting vehicle that allowed the medics to treat wounded members of his platoon. "With the finest traditions of military achievement," the U.S. Army citation reads, "Wells ... distinguished himself by his exceptional achievement and outstanding performance provided to the United States. ... Wells' actions on April 20, 2008 live up to the battalion philosophy of 'Fight Like Hell' and is in keeping with the finest traditions of military achievement ... the Silver Lions Battalion and the United States Army." Although the situation was frightening, Wells said the emotional fallout didn't hit him until much later. "I'm not gonna lie I was scared but I didn't have time to be scared. The only thing I could think about was my fellow comrades and to act in the best ability for myself and them. "Afterward, I didn't really have time to grieve and the guilt of my fallen comrades didn't really come to me until I returned back from Iraq." When he arrived home, he enrolled at the University of Idaho and eventually obtained a law school degree. After graduating in 2017, Wells went into private practice and is dedicating his professional career to helping other veterans. Most of his clients, he said, are Vietnam-era veterans some of whom saw the worst fighting of that war and were exposed to chemical weapons such as Agent Orange. "These guys were treated really bad by the U.S. government," Wells said. "My job is to try to get them service-connected (for effects) they have suffered their whole lives and help other vets in the area. "My goal is to help out as many guys as I can, even though it's almost too late (for some of them). And that really is sad," Well said. "One commonality between vets ... it's a camaraderie. War is something that, when we come back from war it changes all of us, whether we like it or not. (Veterans) are just a group that, we've been through the same experiences, suffered that same thing, whether we like it or not. I think more veterans in the area need to know there are resources and I'm available to help them." Wells is married and has two young daughters. khedberg@lmtribune.com (c)2022 the Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho) Visit the Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho) at www.lmtribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. ATLANTA (Tribune News Service) Critical mail including payments and veterans' medical records that should have been processed in hours or days piled up for as much as 10 months in the basement of the Atlanta Veterans Affairs hospital because two feuding departments refused to take responsibility for processing it, a federal investigative report released Wednesday found. The VA Office of Inspector General found nearly 18,000 unopened parcels, boxes and envelopes that contained more than $200,000 in checks, some of which had expired. The piles also included nearly 7,300 claims for payment from local health-care providers and more than 10,000 packets of veterans' medical records. The boondoggle might have left veterans waiting for treatment, hurt them financially, dissuaded local doctors from treating veterans who had been referred for care, and negatively affected VA finances, the report said. The investigation is the latest in a series of probes into lapses at a federal agency criticized for years for substandard and delayed care for the nation's veterans. VA standards say incoming mail must be opened and processed within four to six hours, and that medical records have to be processed and scanned into the system within five business days. The consequences of not doing so can be critical. One medical staffer told investigators that delaying health record entries could hinder patient care if clinicians don't have necessary information. Missing records could also slow referrals to specialists or delay prescriptions. Delays could also cause duplication of services such as lab tests or imaging that might have been performed but not entered into the system. The report says medical decisions could be made with incomplete information, and staff could waste time searching for the lost records. A September story by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution triggered the investigation, the report says. A VA employee sent the newspaper a tip and a photo of pallets at the hospital, which is in Decatur, stacked with mail nearly to the ceiling. The Atlanta VA said then the problem stemmed from mail being reassigned from a group responsible for payments to the mailroom. But it did not answer questions about how it was allowed to stack up for months. After the story, the hospital cleared the backlog in a matter of days. "... If the Atlanta facility was capable of coordinating staff to open and process this mail in September, then it could have processed the mail and cleared this backlog months earlier," the report says. It ordered the Atlanta hospital to try to determine the number of veterans wronged. A document in the report shows the desperation of one affected veteran. Scrawled across a medical bill he or she had mailed in was the plea "PLEASE HELP ME." The AJC is requesting more information from the hospital about affected veterans and disciplinary actions taken by the VA. An initial statement from the Atlanta VA notes it is acting on the inspector general's recommendations, and deployed a plan to ensure prompt processing of all mail. The Atlanta VA also said it has improved training, clarified reporting mechanisms to improve workload management efficiency, and updated the personnel and leadership structure of the mailroom to increase oversight and accountability. ... Officials in Atlanta were aware that the backlog was accumulating as early as January 2021 but did not take adequate steps to reduce the backlog until after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution drew public attention to the problem, the VA inspector generals report said. 'Knock on wood' Veterans have complained to the newspaper for years that mail sent to the Atlanta VA hospital often disappears. Jill Lamb, the wife and advocate for her husband John Lamb, a 65-year-old veteran, said she was unsurprised by the inspector general's findings. The AJC was not able to ascertain if his mail was among the backlog. And the Lambs recently moved from Cherokee County to South Carolina. "The only thing, knock on wood, we have had success with is medications," she said. "Other than that, correspondence or asking for records or anything from the VA, you just don't get it. You don't even get phone calls back half the time." The inspector general's report says the problem started when hospital medical staffers wanted to use space occupied by a VA payments group. In November 2020, managers cut a verbal deal. The payments team agreed to give up its space if the medical center mailroom staff would take over the payments group's mail. But the hospital managers had no idea how complex the mail was to process, they didn't involve mailroom staff in the discussion and didn't know if mailroom staff had the training or manpower to process it, the report said. The problems became obvious within days, with mailroom staff pushing back on the new duties, and the payments group refusing to help or retake its duties. By January, the chief of supply chain management said the mail was just "sitting in the basement," the report says. The volume, meanwhile, continued to grow. Mail was sent to Birmingham then to a Tampa location for processing. But those VA facilities sent it back. Neither the Atlanta mailroom staff nor the payments group would take responsibility for processing it, the report said. 'A day late and a dollar short' If the VA doesn't pay outside doctors who provide services to veterans, the responsibility and bill collection falls on the veterans themselves, causing financial hardships and frustration. Bobby Fisk, a Pickens County veteran, knows that pain too well. Fisk was once hounded by bill collectors and denied a home loan because of medical bills that went unpaid by the VA. "They are still about as backward as you can get. Always a day late and a dollar short," Fisk said. And if those outside doctors don't get paid, they may stop serving veterans, the report says. (c)2022 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.) Visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.) at www.ajc.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON House lawmakers told officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs this week to halt their launch of the agencys new electronic health records system at any other facilities until the problems that caused outages at the first two medical centers to use the new system are fixed. "I think the risks exceed the benefits and have seen no indication that the system is ready for the challenges at those facilities," Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., said Tuesday during a hearing of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs subpanel on technology modernization. "These issues have to be fixed first, and the concerns of the facilities currently using the system need to be addressed. Mrvan was referring to the recent record system crashes at the VA medical centers in Walla Walla and Spokane, Wash. Until these issues are resolved, the committee cannot support VA going live with Cerner at larger, more complex facilities, he said. The VA was set to launch its electronic health record system at the VA Central Ohio Health Care System in Columbus on March 5, but VA leaders pushed the rollout to Saturday. It will be the first VA health care facility outside of the Pacific Northwest to launch the Cerner Corp. records system. David Case, deputy inspector general of the VA's Office of the Inspector General, told House lawmakers that an IG audit report from July 2021 found the Veterans Health Administration did not have a defined role in decision-making or oversight of training on the new system activities prior to its implementation. The inspector general also found training content, delivery and assessment failures. "New workflows result in changes to how end-users perform their jobs, such as scheduling [referrals] or how a provider performs an exam," Case said. "The [Office of Inspector General] found the classroom training and supplemental material were insufficient. Facility leaders and staff told the [IG] that training did not prepare them for going live with the new system, teach them how to apply what they learned to their work or explain the meaning behind the process of which buttons to push." Cerner executives and VA officials said they did not know how often the record system had crashed since it was launched at Spokanes Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in October 2020. The system broke down at Mann-Grandstaff on March 3 amid a routine software upgrade that caused a jumbling of patient data, according to Paula Paige, director of communications of the VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office. When a VA employee received a patient's record, the system occasionally provided the information from a different patient. There was an additional crash Monday and another Tuesday during the House hearing. VA Inspector General Michael Missal said in a video in March that his office received wide-ranging complaints to its hotline and from Congress members since the records system was launched at the Spokane VA. Complaints included unauthorized and inaccurate medication orders, errors in patients' name and genders, issues in scheduling primary care appointments, misdirected links to video medical appointments and lost referrals. An inaccurate medication order occurred in March that caused a veteran to be hospitalized for five days at the Spokane VA for heart failure after the electronic health records system failed to renew essential medication, The Spokesman-Review reported. Terry Adirim, program executive director at VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, told committee members that she would not get into the patient's details due to privacy laws. However, she said, in general, all prescriptions expire after one year across the VA's medical system. "There's a reason why they do that, and the reason why they expire is so that the patient will see their physician and get updated [tests] or determine whether the medication is still working for that patient," Adirim said. "That's just a normal course. With regard to medications falling off the active medication list, that also is a usual thing that happens. It goes to the inactive list." The VA launched its new electronic health record system March 26 at Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. That VA had a system outage Monday. The outages at Walla Walla and Spokane on Monday occurred during VA Deputy Secretary Donald Remy's visit to the Mann-Grandstaff facility, The Spokesman-Review reported. Both facilities also had outages Tuesday during the House subcommittee hearing. But Patrick Sargent, senior vice president and general manager of Cerner's government services, received a text that the system was back up as he testified during the hearing. Sargent, a retired Army major general, said Monday's outage pertained to an update to the information technology system, another normal update that was made during the day and caused the system to crash. He said the company was conducting a root-cause analysis of Tuesday's outage. "VA and Cerner should be spending 100% of their time fixing the persistent technical problems and the electronic health records that are driving staff to quit and putting veterans at risk," said Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont. "However, there has been no concrete action to solve any of these, even after admitting the problems exist. Some VA and Cerner officials are still wishfully debating whether they will simply go away at other sites. There should be no more go-lives or additional funding until every single one of these has a fix." Sargent said Cerner has determined it needs an independent look at the system to ensure they are not missing anything regarding the system's stability and that they are doing everything properly. Don Pirraglia, the former acting functional champion of VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, said the office had recommended the deployment schedule be modified. He left that VA job on April 11. "The recommendation was brought forward to modify the deployment schedule, such that we would not go live at Level One facilities and we would go live at Level Two and Level Three facilities that were recognized as operationally and clinically efficient to sustain safely the implementation and deployment," he said. "Now, I would like to caveat that by saying that we did not say that the sky was falling, we recommended a pivot. While we address some of the issues that you've raised in this committee." The facility levels are determined based on patient population, clinical services such as intensive care units and surgical programs, and education and research such as resident programs, according to the National Library of Medicine. The VA started to overhaul its electronic health record system in 2017. In May 2018, the agency awarded a contract for more than $16 billion to Cerner Corp. to make a system compatible with the electronic health records at the Defense Department. Last year, the VA completed a review of its new project to overhaul the system after hearing concerns from staff in Spokane, where the electronic record system was first implemented. Case said the VA is reevaluating costs following two inspector general audits in 2021. A May 2021 audit found VA medical facilities needed significant physical infrastructure upgrades, such as electrical work, cabling, heating and cooling to deploy the new electronic health records system successfully. The inspector general determined the cost estimates for the records system developed by the Veteran Health Administration were unreliable. "The audit team projected two [Veteran Health Administration] cost estimates were potentially underestimated by as much as $1 billion and $2.6 billion," Case said in his testimony. "This was due in part to facility needs not being well-defined early. The estimates also omitted escalation and some cabling upgrade costs and were based on low estimates at the initial operating sites." A July 2021 audit examined the VA's estimates of its information technology infrastructure upgrades. Case said the electronic health record modernization program's previously estimated cost was more than $16 billion, with $4.3 billion of that for distinct information technology infrastructure upgrades. The audit found the VA did not report to Congress other information technology upgrade costs of about $2.5 billion because the VA's Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization did not include costs other VA components would bear. "Any schedule delays that extend the program beyond 10 years are also likely to result in billions of dollars in cost overruns," Case said. "The [IG] estimated the average cost per year of a schedule delay is potentially about $1.95 billion." The VA is scheduled to launch the new system at Roseburg and White City, both in Oregon, on June 11, Boise, Idaho, on June 25, and Anchorage, Alaska, on July 16. Other VA facilities in the Puget Sound region of Washington state are expected to launch the system on Aug. 27. Port workers are welcoming the government announcement of a range of actions to fix health and safety problems in New Zealand ports, following two deaths in ports in the last two weeks. The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood says the investigation will be held by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. All New Zealanders should return from work safe and unharmed. Recently we have seen a disproportionate number of injuries and fatalities in the port industry. The actions taken today will provide clarity on how we can reduce these serious incidents. We are sending a strong message to the port sector, every player must ensure they are doing all they can to reduce and manage risk. Maritime New Zealand officers and WorkSafe inspectors will be undertaking assessments at each of the 13 major international commercial ports around the country over the next fortnight. Port companies are being asked to review their operations, and industry and worker representatives will be asked if regulatory changes are required. In the last two weeks, there have two work place deaths in New Zealand ports 26-year-old Atiroa Tuaiti died in Auckland on April 19, and a Lyttelton port worker died on April 25, both while at work on ships in port. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says both port workers killed on the job in the last fortnight were Maritime Union members. Craig is attending a Workers Memorial Day service today at Ports of Lyttelton inside the port gates, where workmates of the man killed on Monday 25 April will gather. He says after attending a service on the wharf for Atiroa Tuaiti in Ports of Auckland last week it was hard to see the effect on the workmates and loved ones. The human cost of these deaths is enormous and it has been painful to see the great hurt and grief of family and workmates. Craig says the Unions have been speaking with the government, employers and the Council of Trade Unions over the last few days and there is a recognition that change is needed now. He says it's positive the leadership of Ports of Auckland and Port of Lyttelton are supporting the new health and safety initiatives. Unions have also made a joint statement to express their unity and determination to prevent any more unnecessary deaths in New Zealand ports, and have stated their willingness to work with the Governments initiatives. Rail and Maritime Transport Union general secretary Wayne Butson says many of the workers who have died in New Zealand ports in recent years have been young people. All were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and had families and friends and workmates who have been left devastated by their loss, he says. Workers have a right to come home safely. These workers are carrying out essential work that our nation depends on. They have been failed by the system. Wayne says there are common systemic issues in the industry including staffing levels, fatigue due to excessive hours and shift work, productivity pressures, and failures around training and a safety culture. Michael Wood says the TAIC investigation will provide an independent, safety focused approach to identifying wider circumstances and causes of the accident. "TAIC investigations are systemic, independent and impartial, with extensive legal powers to gather and protect evidence. I know New Zealanders will be rightly concerned about the safety culture at our countrys ports. Today I met with port heads, unions, stevedore representatives and regulators to impress the need for an immediate shift to a safety first culture. Our ports play a crucial role in our economy, and as part of our economic recovery it is essential that they operate efficiently and safely. I want to acknowledge that there has been good process over recent months and I thank the sector for their continued engagement. Other sectors should also take notice from these recent events and remind themselves of their responsibilities to ensure the safety of their workplaces." A Coromandel community is celebrating a win after their uproar over the mass taking of an unprotected fish species has prompted a nationwide regulation change. Last year Tairua residents rallied together, calling on the Government to rethink catch limits after reports of a large-scale taking of pink maomao. Fisheries New Zealand investigations saw the fishermen not prosecuted, but the uproar from the community had a major sway in the agencys decision, says Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker. Coromandel resident Mike Bhana says the change in legislation comes as a relief to a community fearful that a legal loophole would lead to further kaimoana exploitation. This is great news for the community and for it to have happened so quickly is a bit of a coup for the small town of Tairua, says Bhana. Our taste and our communities have changed a lot in the last 20 years the legislation was bought in and species like pink maomao, pigfish and granddaddy hapuka have now become fashionable to eat. So the legislation needed to change, and the reality is that 20 fish per person is a lot and theres absolutely no reason why anyone should take any more than that. The call for change began in June when Bhana a local documentary filmmaker shot a video exposing fishermen with a large chilly bin on a boat full of the longfin perch, or mata. Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker told Stuff he had seen the video that had been posted online, and on the face of it, it looks greedy. This led to Tairua residents blocking access to their main wharf in protest. A petition then circulated online where more than 7100 signatures were received calling for recreational limits to be imposed on pink maomao by the Minister. Of the thousands of finfish species found in New Zealand waters, only 43 species had a daily recreational fishing limit, leaving the rest open to overfishing. This led to a review running from October 6 to November 18 which received 1,467 submissions. Ngati Hei kaumatua Joe Davis says this journey has been a revelation for a lot of people, highlighting just how outdated the regulations were. The community had a real fear that without protection, the pink maomao would become a discovered market, but the Governments quick regulation change shows the tides are changing. Im very happy with this news, says Davis. Kiwis have long had a shell be right kind of attitude when it comes to the moana, but the Governments new regulations and the number of people in support of it shows that attitude is changing. The new regulations, to begin on May 5, will include all finfish species including unprotected ones such as the pink maomao in the combined daily bag limit of 20 fish per person. Finfish species with individual bag limits will also be included in the daily total. Specified baitfish and freshwater eels are not included, and have their own separate limits additional to the combined daily bag limit. An example of a species with an individual daily limit is kingfish, which has a daily limit of three per angler. These individual limits will be retained but are now included within the combined daily bag limit. Parker says there has been a change in what people catch and eat, and the rules need to be updated to reflect this. This puts an end to excessive take, which could affect the sustainability of a species, and also makes the rules more consistent across the country and easier to follow. -Stuff/Sharnae Hope. Nationals campaign chair for the Tauranga by-election says the selection process for Taurangas potential new MP is focused on making sure local voices are being heard. The candidate is set to be announced on Sunday, May 1, which will then give Tauranga people a chance to get to know the new candidate before making their decision. We have a very different process to get our candidate to most other parties, says Todd McClay. For most of them, they end up making the decision largely out of Wellington. For National, it is mostly a local decision. We have 67 party members, who are elected by their branches from Tauranga. They are the ones who make the final decision, and they have about a week to do so. We are a very democratic party, and I think that is the difference. We have always thought local party members should make the final decision on their candidate, as at the end of the day it is local people that make the choice. For other parties, they have a system where the unions or head offices is either part or all of that decision. For National, the decision rests with our local members. Political parties have been announcing their candidates since Tauranga MP Simon Bridges announced he was stepping down. McClay says he's not worried about being one of the last parties to announce their candidate. Its not about being last. Its about Tauranga having the opportunity to choose their MP for the next decade or more. For National, it is always about making sure the local voice is the most important part of the decision making process. In fact, it is the only part of the decision making process. ACT, Labour, New Conservative, Legalise Cannabis, Outdoors and the New Nation party have all put forward a candidate. McClay says the focus for National is to undergo a process that will select the best candidate they can. Its not obvious to me that they [the opposing candidates] have had a lot more exposure. Ultimately, the people of Tauranga have always thought deeply about who they want to represent them and who they want to be a voice for Tauranga, as well as what government they want. I am confident having had the opportunity to talk in detail with the people who have put their hand up for National that each of them will be a very strong advocate for Tauranga, the Tauranga community and will make a great MP. After a candidate is selected, McClay says the Tauranga community will have the opportunity to meet the new candidate, get to know them, listen to them, and decide whether that is the type of person the Tauranga community wants as their MP for the next decade or more. We are looking for someone who is hard working, contentious, and wants to remain a strong part of this community. We also want someone with experience before this role to be able to work hard and deliver in Wellington for the people of Tauranga. Out of the four candidates that have out their hand up, I think all of them would be exceptionally good. Ive been an MP for almost 15 years now, and I think that each of them would be an exceptionally strong voice for Tauranga and would make a great MP. Shortly after a candidate is selected on Sunday, May 1, McClay says a campaign launch will begin. There are a lot of issues we will want to talk about. We will want to discuss congestion, roads, law and order, gangs and democracy in councils. Tauranga is very important. It has the busiest port in New Zealand, and it is the building block of the Bay of Plenty economy. We know at the moment, the economy is not performing as it needs to. If you look at the industries that are important for the Bay of Plenty, they dont have the staff and labour they need. Businesses are saying they are struggling, and the people of Tauranga as is with Te Puke and Rotorua are struggling under the weight of the cost of living, and is hurting hard working families. They are having to choose between paying the mortgage or rent, or feeding the kids. That is not reasonable or fair, and you will hear from our candidate when selected on Sunday what needs to be done and what we can do to make sure the people of Tauranga get a fair crack. Our delegates have got quite a tough job ahead of them. They have to pick between these four very good candidates. Its a very exciting time. A science-based Jobs for Nature-funded project recently launched at Te Waiiti Marae at Lake Rotoiti, is being hailed a crucial step in the fight to protect some of New Zealands best-known native plants. The Myrtle Rust Jobs for Resistance programme - Te Rata Whakamaru is a Scion-led project funded by the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, which is being delivered in partnership with Rotoiti 15 Trust. The project will allow for the development of knowledge in myrtle rust, working with and for mana whenua in the Bay of Plenty. The programme will have eight full-time equivalent staff working for the next three years in Bay of Plenty forests and science laboratories. They will be monitoring the spread of myrtle rust disease, reporting on tree health and identifying if any trees are resistant to the disease. Arapeta Tahana from Rotoiti 15 Trust says he and his fellow trustees are committed to providing opportunities for the taiao, culture and people. This is logical for us to invest in our own people. To increase capacity for learning for our whenua (land) while protecting our ngahere (forests). This is not the sort of work you can outsource, Tahana says. The goal is to provide jobs and build capability within the Bay of Plenty to protect the ngahere (forest) against myrtle rust. We are committed to not only understanding the impact of myrtle rust within our environment, but to connect and understand our environment better. Scion Kauru co-leader, Mariana Te Rangi told the new work team that many of the things New Zealanders enjoy could disappear if the disease spreads out of control. No more manuka honey, no more pohutukawa along our coastline - and no more feijoas. These species may die out in our lifetime if we do not find ways to protect them, she says. The mahi is more important than the forests you are working in you are working on something that all New Zealanders care about. Te Rata Whakamaru is unique. Its science focus means that the team will not just be working in the forests, they will also work in Scions plant health laboratories. As part of their job, they will be upskilled in several areas of forest biosecurity science. This partnership is also part of the nationwide Jobs for Nature $1.129 billion programme led by the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment to revitalise communities through nature-based employment. Its primary focus is to support businesses to provide employment as the economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to unfold while ensuring environmental benefits. Myrtle rust arrived in New Zealand in 2017 and has been spreading quickly. It is a particularly damaging fungal disease that can attack more than 30 native species in New Zealand. Pohutukawa, as well as rata, manuka, kanuka, ramarama together with feijoa and Eucalyptus are all susceptible to the disease. Death of mature ramarama trees has been recently observed in the East Cape and the disease is escalating in the Bay of Plenty. Myrtle rust is a wind-borne disease and is impossible to contain. Scion scientist Heidi Dungey says while this work will not prevent infections, it will help with understanding of when and where the most susceptible myrtle species are within the region and provide ways to support them. We can also identify the most resistant trees and work out what helps them stay healthier while others around them may succumb to the disease. Rotorua-based Scion undertakes research for the benefit of New Zealands forests. The organisation has significant expertise in the identification of myrtle rust, how it interacts with trees and developing tools to stop its spread. Scion will use its specialist skills to train the group in myrtle rust surveillance, seed collection, setting up and monitoring trials to find as many trees as possible with disease resistance. Two people in the Bay of Plenty have died with Covid-19 following Thursdays Ministry of Health announcement. There are 9,047 community cases of Covid-19 reported around the country today, with 484 hospitalisations and 13 deaths. Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of 13 people with Covid-19, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson. The deaths being reported today are for people who have died over the previous nine days, apart from two deaths on April 4. Delays to reporting can also be associated with people dying with Covid-19, rather than from Covid-19, and Covid being discovered only after they have died. These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 723 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 13. Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today, two people were from the Auckland region, three from Bay of Plenty, two from Waikato, one from Taranaki, one from MidCentral, one from Hawkes Bay, and three from Canterbury. Two were in their 50s, two in their 60s, one in their 70s, three in their 80s, and five were over 90 and five were women and eight were men. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment. There are 484 cases in hospital today with 36 in Northland; Waitemata: 74; Counties Manukau: 60; Auckland: 105; Waikato: 33; Bay of Plenty: 14; Lakes: 3; Tairawhiti: 1; Hawkes Bay: 12; Taranaki: 7; Whanganui: 3; MidCentral: 7; Wairarapa: 2; Hutt Valley: 14; Capital and Coast: 9; Nelson Marlborough: 6; Canterbury: 60; South Canterbury: 4; West Coast: 1; Southern: 33 The average age of current hospitalisations is 59 and there are 15 cases in ICU or HDU. Its an ongoing reminder to remain vigilant, the spokesperson says. Please continue to follow public health advice to stay at home, away from school or work if youre feeling unwell. Another way to protect you, your whanau and friends is to get vaccinated, if you arent already. Its free and available for everyone aged five and over. Vaccination remains our best defence against Covid-19 and a booster in addition to first and second doses gives you greater immunity against Omicron and severe illness. Theres a much lower risk of being hospitalised if youre up to date with your Covid-19 vaccinations. So, if you or your whanau are due for a Covid-19 vaccination whether it be a first or second dose or a booster please, make an appointment today. Todays seven-day rolling average of case numbers is 7,705 similar to last Thursday, when it was 7,935. Vaccinations administered in New Zealand Vaccines administered to date: 4,026,504 first doses; 3,977,718 second doses; 31,714 third primary doses; 2,625,636 booster doses: 261,243 paediatric first doses and 112,871 paediatric second doses Vaccines administered yesterday: 46 first doses; 123 second doses; 20 third primary doses; 1,600 booster doses; 104 paediatric first doses and 1,121 paediatric second doses. People vaccinated All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,056,187 first dose (96.4%); 4,006,777 second dose (95.2%), 2,621,890 boosted (71% of those eligible) Maori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 520,959 first dose (91.2%); 503,961 second dose (88.3%), 233,979 boosted (54.8% of those eligible) Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,834 first dose (98.3%); 276,928 second dose (96.6%), 139,456 boosted (57% of those eligible) 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 258,552 first dose (54.3%); 110,228 second dose (23.1%) 5 to 11-year-olds - Maori: 40,754 first dose (35.3%); 12,458 second dose (10.8%) 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,447 first dose (47.5%); 6,209 second dose (12.6%) Note that the number for People vaccinated differs slightly from Vaccines administered as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas. Vaccination rates for all DHBs* Northland DHB: first dose (90.1%); second dose (88%); boosted (67.8%) Auckland DHB: first dose (99.2%); second dose (98.3%); boosted (72.9%) Counties Manukau DHB: first dose (96.2%); second dose (95%); boosted (65.9%) Waitemata DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (70.7%) Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (66.6%) Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (66%) Lakes DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (91.4%); boosted (66.4%) MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (72.2%) Tairawhiti DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (91%); boosted (65.9%) Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.4%); boosted (71.5%) Hawkes Bay DHB: first dose (97.2%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (69.8%) Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.3%); boosted (68.1%) Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95%); boosted (73%) Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (79.4%) Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.7%); boosted (75%) Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (73.4%) West Coast DHB: first dose (92.7%); second dose (91.3%); boosted (71.6%) Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.7%); second dose (98.8%); boosted (74.5%) South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.7%); second dose (93.7%); boosted (74.5%) Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.4%); boosted (73.2%). *Partially and second doses percentages are for those 12+. Boosted percentages are for 18+ who have become eligible 3 months after having their second dose Percentages are based on 2020 HSU data - a health-specific population denominator. As the population continues to change over time, coverage rates can exceed 100%. Hospitalisations Cases in hospital: total number 484: Northland: 36; Waitemata: 74; Counties Manukau: 60; Auckland: 105; Waikato: 33; Bay of Plenty: 14; Lakes: 3; Tairawhiti: 1; Hawkes Bay: 12; Taranaki: 7; Whanganui: 3; MidCentral: 7; Wairarapa: 2; Hutt Valley: 14; Capital and Coast: 9; Nelson Marlborough: 6; Canterbury: 60; South Canterbury: 4; West Coast: 1; Southern: 33 *Average age of current hospitalisations: 59 Cases in ICU or HDU: 15 Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (45 cases / 17.31%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (5 cases / 1.92%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (79 cases / 30.38%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (124 cases / 47.69%); Unknown (7 cases / 2.69%) *Please note the average age of current hospitalisations is for the Northern Region admissions only at this stage. This data is recorded and extracted from the same source as the vaccination status of patients in Northern Region hospitals. We are currently working on a data solution which would include the average age of current hospitalisations from additional DHBs. Cases Seven day rolling average of community cases: 7,705 Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 7,935 Number of new community cases: 9,047 Number of new community cases (PCR): 355 Number of new community cases (RAT): 8,692 Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (276), Auckland (2,519), Waikato (550), Bay of Plenty (335), Lakes (129), Hawkes Bay (281), MidCentral (344), Whanganui (108), Taranaki (215), Tairawhiti (137), Wairarapa (95), Capital and Coast (589), Hutt Valley (236), Nelson Marlborough (358), Canterbury (1,505), South Canterbury (185), Southern (1,065), West Coast (113), Unknown (7) Number of new cases identified at the border: 80 Number of active community cases (total): 53,917 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered) Confirmed cases (total): 912,490 Please note, the Ministry of Healths daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO. Tests Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 3,412 Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 17,483 PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 2,233 Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 22 April 2022): 629,000. Rotorua council has pressed pause on its controversial Maori wards bill, with Labour retracting its support. Thursdays announcement came hours after a fiery exchange in a council meeting that culminated in the resignation of Councillor Peter Bentley. It also followed Attorney General David Parkers finding last week that the bill would be in breach of the Bill of Rights Act if enacted. The pause may not be the end of the bill - but Rotorua MP Todd McClay says the council should throw it in the rubbish bin. Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo / Andrew Warner / Rotorua Daily Post. The bill sought to change electoral rules for the district so those on Maori roll and general roll had an equal influence in electing councillors. The Local Electoral Act currently restricts the number of seats in a Maori ward based on population ratios. In a statement on Thursday, Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said the council's decision to pause the Maori Affairs select committee process was a "sensible one". This will allow council officers to work with legal advisors, parliamentary and government advisors, on strengthening the policy work of the local bill. The council had discussed the issue in a confidential section of Thursday's council meeting in a discussion that was at times fraught, with a councillor resigning in its midst. Chadwick said she would write to the Maori affairs select committee clerk to seek the pause. Given the public interest in this process, I am making the decision public now. We have always said the bill is about the right way forward for Rotorua and have always been committed to working through the parliamentary process with central government. "It is an important discussion and it is important that we get it right for Rotorua. She urged a review of the Local Electoral Act, saying it had resulted in the confusion and anxiety some of our community is currently expressing. The bill had drawn controversy and criticism it violated equal suffrage and undermined democratic principles. Chadwick said delays were "always anticipated" and the local bill stated if it was not passed in time for the 2022 local election the council would use the representation model approved by the Local Government Commission. In April, the Local Government Commission overturned the council's interim governance model and implemented one with three Maori ward seats, six general ward seats and one rural ward seat. Chadwick said the pause enables everyone to get the discussion around the bill right. Rotorua is seeking a local bill for election arrangements here because we have moved on from what the Local Electoral Act provides for our community. We want all our votes to count towards representatives at our council table. In a release shortly after Chadwick's, the bill's sponsor, Labour list MP Tamati Coffey, said he supported the council's decision to "press pause on their bill in order to review the Bill of Rights analysis". Rotorua-based Labour MP Tamati Coffey. Photo / Andrew Warner / Rotorua Daily Post. He said Labour would not continue to support the bill in its current form. As sponsor of this local bill, I will be seeking the support from the Maori Affairs Committee to suspend submission hearings while possible amendments are being considered. As is standard with a local bill, which I was sponsoring on behalf of the Rotorua District/Lakes Council, a Bill of Rights analysis is not undertaken until the bill appears at select committee, as opposed to all other bills where it occurs before the first reading. Once receiving the advice from the attorney general, it was clear that more information was needed, and a suspension will now be undertaken to respond to the attorney generals Bill of Rights analysis and consider other concerns this bill raises. Labour would not have supported the bill further in its current form. The pause allows for the council to work through the options and decide whether the bill could continue in an amended form. Rotorua MP Todd McClay said he viewed the bill as an utter and absolute waste of time and money. The council should not pause the bill, [it] should throw it in the rubbish bin as fast as [it] can. It is the most undemocratic piece of legislation that I have seen. He did not believe the bill had the support of Rotorua people and should be withdrawn from Parliament. National Party justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith characterised the move as a significant u-turn from the Government and a change of heart from the council. In his view, the bill represented a move away from equal suffrage and equal weight for voters. It was totally inappropriate. He said Canterbury Regional Councils local bill had a similar effect in his opinion and he called on that council to take Rotorua Lakes Councils lead and do the same. Rotorua district councillor Reynold Macpherson. Photo / Andrew Warner / Rotorua Daily Post. Rotorua councillor Reynold Macpherson, who had been vocally opposed to the bill, said in his view the vote to pause the process was meaningless. What exactly is to be paused? No answer. I fear that the pause decision will be used to revise the local bill, and then ram it through. He said he believed it was crucial that another means be found to stop this extremely divisive co-governance agenda. Te Tatau o Te Arawa manahautu Jude Pani. Photo / Andrew Warner / Rotorua Daily Post. Te Tatau o Te Arawa manahautu Jude Pani said it was not clear what the bill being paused meant. We dont really know what that means. There are a lot of unknowns. She believed it was wise to take a broader look at electoral matters. Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi was approached for comment. On Wednesday, he said he backed the bill, saying was "brave and progressive and he and Te Pati Maori would defend it. -Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. The combined Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak fires have destroyed more than 200 structures, including homes, in areas northwest of Las Vegas, N.M., according to fire officials. pratyaksh BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dubai/India Posts: 77 Thanked: 292 Times View My Garage Which bus to run on contract basis with different schools / colleges? A little background, I already own three buses, of which, two (2) are Swaraj Mazda (SML) 47 Seaters, and one (1) is Force Traveller 26 seater. These were bought in 2017/18 and are running fine although both have their own drawbacks. SML is the cheapest option out there but is really archaic in its technology and systems, whereas Force is modern but has many niggles especially with its electronics (think of it as the Skoda of Buses, if you will). So, I am looking at getting a couple of more school buses to run on contract basis with different schools/colleges in the city. Since SML, and Force are out of the running; Force also because the dealer has left town, I have narrowed it down to just two options; Tata Eicher It is a mandate to run school buses on CNG-only in the city, therefore, Ashok Leyland is also out of the fray as they offer only Diesel. Bharat Benz has also opened shop but I don't know if they have non-AC, and I expect them to be more expensive, and hard to maintain, what with the availability of parts etc. therefore did not consider. Our requirements are; Safety (definitely up there on No. 1) Cost vs. Value (very obvious) Easy to maintain (ofcourse) Mileage (no brainer for an LCV) Looks (maybe?) 60-70 kms per day (maybe 150 if they get two shifts. With 200 working days a year - the bus should easily last me 15 years / 20 if the fitness goes through) With the streets getting ever smaller, I have decided this time to not buy a large 50 seater bus, even though it makes much more economical sense, instead to focus on the 25-35 seater category. The difference in length between the two is what makes the biggest difference while entering lanes, and avoiding the overhang from hitting trees, parked cars, and other objects alike. LxBxH of the Tata 34 Seater 7190 x 2340 x 2910 mm LxBxH of the Tata 51 Seater 9750 x 2340 x 2910 mm The Starbus LP 407, and LP 909 are the only options available in CNG. The Eicher is; LxBxH of the Eicher 30 Seater 6704 x 2160 x 2970 mm LxBxH of the Eicher 40 Seater 7904 x 2160 x 2970 mm LxBxH of the Eicher 50 Seater 9344 x 2160 x 2970 mm On the power front; Tata has a 3.8 SGI NA engine delivering 85 HP, 285 NM engine; whereas Eicher has a 3.3L 115 HP, 360 NM engine. Not really sure what to make of these engines, and their figures. Anyone able to help in choosing the right engine/gearbox would be much appreciated. I am only leaning towards TATA because of its smashing looks, and also because of the name it carries. Although, I bought my previous vehicles without any help, and I regret not researching thoroughly earlier as well. But there is such little knowledge about these commercial vehicles anywhere, that it is quite difficult to find the right make, and only bland recommendations run high. Even the dealers are clueless as to why one should buy an X over Y or Z. I was surprised at the level of understanding of even the dealers here. My drivers are better, who at least tell me that they like this over that because of the 'softer clutch' or 'can be fixed anywhere' or 'my best friend has fixed many a Tata' Even this post was kind of a difficult write as I do not have enough on these vehicles even though I own a few of them. I am also to blame, as I hardly cared thinking let's buy the cheapest, what do I care if the gearbox is not the slickest or the electronics are not up to the mark. A driver needs to drive it, and will use it like a driver would. Anyhow, attaching a brochure and a screenshot (as neither of the dealers had a proper brochure at hand). Couple of pictures also attached for LCV fans, it is no MACK truck but still - you gotta agree the Tata looks smashing Brochure for Tata: Brochure for Eicher: Pictures of Tata; Pictures of Eicher; Pricing All prices are after initial talks, I am sure they will come down a bit more with some negotiation. TATA 34 Seater MRP 24.7 Lacs After Discount 23 Lacs TATA 51 Seater MRP 29.5 Lacs After Discount 27.5 Lacs Eicher 30 Seater MRP 24.54 Lacs After Discount 22 Lacs Eicher 40 Seater MRP 26.95 Lacs After Discount 24 Lacs Eicher 50 Seater MRP 29.37 Lacs After Discount 25.5 Lacs When compared with full size vehicles (50 seaters), the smaller ones look really expensive. With a difference of only 3.5 lacs for the smallest and the biggest Eicher, the difference is miniscule for the almost double seating capacity. Anyhow, since we should not consider the large vehicles, I am still wondering if at least the 40 seater option should be considered as the difference in length is 6.7m vs 7.9m. Will have to dwell on this a bit. I would request people vote only if they have a fair understanding of the LCV space. Do help out in anyway you can. Much appreciated. I am in a dilemma over which bus to buy, and what better place to get an opinion than here at Team-BHP.A little background, I already own three buses, of which, two (2) are Swaraj Mazda (SML) 47 Seaters, and one (1) is Force Traveller 26 seater. These were bought in 2017/18 and are running fine although both have their own drawbacks. SML is the cheapest option out there but is really archaic in its technology and systems, whereas Force is modern but has many niggles especially with its electronics (think of it as the Skoda of Buses, if you will).So, I am looking at getting a couple of more school buses to run on contract basis with different schools/colleges in the city. Since SML, and Force are out of the running; Force also because the dealer has left town, I have narrowed it down to just two options;It is a mandate to run school buses on CNG-only in the city, therefore, Ashok Leyland is also out of the fray as they offer only Diesel. Bharat Benz has also opened shop but I don't know if they have non-AC, and I expect them to be more expensive, and hard to maintain, what with the availability of parts etc. therefore did not consider.Our requirements are;With the streets getting ever smaller, I have decided this time to not buy a large 50 seater bus, even though it makes much more economical sense, instead to focus on the 25-35 seater category. The difference in length between the two is what makes the biggest difference while entering lanes, and avoiding the overhang from hitting trees, parked cars, and other objects alike.LxBxH of the Tata 34 Seater 7190 x 2340 x 2910 mmLxBxH of the Tata 51 Seater 9750 x 2340 x 2910 mmThe Starbus LP 407, and LP 909 are the only options available in CNG.The Eicher is;LxBxH of the Eicher 30 Seater 6704 x 2160 x 2970 mmLxBxH of the Eicher 40 Seater 7904 x 2160 x 2970 mmLxBxH of the Eicher 50 Seater 9344 x 2160 x 2970 mmOn the power front;Tata has a 3.8 SGI NA engine delivering 85 HP, 285 NM engine; whereasEicher has a 3.3L 115 HP, 360 NM engine.Not really sure what to make of these engines, and their figures. Anyone able to help in choosing the right engine/gearbox would be much appreciated.I am only leaning towards TATA because of its smashing looks, and also because of the name it carries. Although, I bought my previous vehicles without any help, and I regret not researching thoroughly earlier as well. But there is such little knowledge about these commercial vehicles anywhere, that it is quite difficult to find the right make, and only bland recommendations run high. Even the dealers are clueless as to why one should buy an X over Y or Z. I was surprised at the level of understanding of even the dealers here. My drivers are better, who at least tell me that they like this over that because of the 'softer clutch' or 'can be fixed anywhere' or 'my best friend has fixed many a Tata'Even this post was kind of a difficult write as I do not have enough on these vehicles even though I own a few of them. I am also to blame, as I hardly cared thinking let's buy the cheapest, what do I care if the gearbox is not the slickest or the electronics are not up to the mark. A driver needs to drive it, and will use it like a driver would.Anyhow, attaching a brochure and a screenshot (as neither of the dealers had a proper brochure at hand). Couple of pictures also attached for LCV fans, it is no MACK truck but still - you gotta agree the Tata looks smashingBrochure for Tata: SCHOOL BUS BROCHURE.pdf Brochure for Eicher: Eicher Starline School CNG Leaflet.pdf All prices are after initial talks, I am sure they will come down a bit more with some negotiation.TATA 34 Seater MRP 24.7 Lacs After Discount 23 LacsTATA 51 Seater MRP 29.5 Lacs After Discount 27.5 LacsEicher 30 Seater MRP 24.54 Lacs After Discount 22 LacsEicher 40 Seater MRP 26.95 Lacs After Discount 24 LacsEicher 50 Seater MRP 29.37 Lacs After Discount 25.5 LacsWhen compared with full size vehicles (50 seaters), the smaller ones look really expensive. With a difference of only 3.5 lacs for the smallest and the biggest Eicher, the difference is miniscule for the almost double seating capacity. Anyhow, since we should not consider the large vehicles, I am still wondering if at least the 40 seater option should be considered as the difference in length is 6.7m vs 7.9m. Will have to dwell on this a bit.I would request people vote only if they have a fair understanding of the LCV space. Do help out in anyway you can. Much appreciated. Last edited by pratyaksh : 26th April 2022 at 12:17 . What just happened? Amazon has decided to make the temporary lifting of its phone ban on warehouse floors permanent. The company has told employees that warehouse staff will be allowed to keep their cell phones on them while they work, acceding to one of the demands made by workers in Staten Island who unionized earlier this month. Amazon had temporarily lifted the ban on cell phones in its warehouses during the pandemic so workers could keep in touch with their families, but it had intended to bring back the restriction in January 2022. Amazon faced a lot of pushback over its plans to ban cell phones once again after a tornado hit one of its Illinois warehouses in December, killing six contractors and leading to calls for the temporary suspension of the policy to become permanent. Hundreds of Amazon employees at warehouses organized a petition demanding they be allowed to keep their devices on them during work hours. "Taking our phones away isn't about safety; it's about controlling us," it read. The warehouse collapse saw Amazon suspend the reinstating of the phone ban until further notice. Now, the company has made the suspension permanent across its worldwide facilities. "We recognize the desire for employees to keep their mobile phones inside facilities and the last two years have demonstrated that we can safely do so," Amazon said in an email to employees that was seen by Bloomberg. "Therefore, we are making the temporary phone policy permanent, worldwide, in all of our operations facilities." Motherboard notes that Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island who unionized in early April made permanent cell access one of the demands of their campaign. Responding to the news that the suspension would be made permanent, a worker who organized the petition drive said, "This is nice but it doesn't cost them anything and what we really need is a raise. Gas is up. Rent is up. It's getting harder and harder to stretch the money as anyone out there knows. We want a $2 raise to the wage cap and a $3 overall raise." On Tuesday, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a hazard alert letter to Amazon over the warehouse collapse. The agency said its inspection found items that raised "concerns about the potential risk to employees during severe weather emergencies," but it did not issue any violations or citations. What just happened? You can find out a lot about a person just by Googling their name, but Google is now letting people remove more of their personal information from these results that could pose a danger, including physical addresses, phone numbers, and passwords. Google has long allowed people to request certain sensitive, personally identifiable content be removed from its search results, such as confidential government identification, images of handwritten signatures, and bank account/credit card details. Now, Google has expanded its list to include images of ID docs, confidential login credentials, and personal contact info (physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses). Additionally, Google will remove non-consensual explicit or intimate personal images, Deepfakes, images of minors, and doxxing content, which requires explicit or implicit threats or explicit or implicit calls to action for others to harm or harass. "Research has told us there's a larger amount of personally identifiable information that users consider as sensitive," Michelle Chang, global policy lead for Google search, told Reuters. "They are increasingly unwilling to tolerate this content online." Asking Google to remove something from its search results involves sending in URLs that include your personal information and search pages that surface the links. The company will then decide if it warrants removal from the search results but warns that it will try to preserve anything newsworthy, professionally relevant, from the government (part of the public record), or is determined to be in the public interest. Google does remind people that the information is only being removed from its search results, not from the sites hosting it, and can be surfaced through other search engines. Google approves only about 13% of the tens of thousands of removal requests it receives each year, though it expects the removal rate to increase in light of the expanded options. The bleeding edge: This week, Sony unveiled three new home cinema projectors that each boast a crisp native 4K image but are smaller than their predecessors. The laser projectors occupy three very different pricing tiers, but all of them are several times more expensive than some lamp-based 4K models. All three of Sony's new 4K laser projectors support wide dynamic range and dynamic HDR enhancers. These features should offer higher contrast while adjusting HDR quality frame-by-frame. Although these models restrict 120Hz to 2K resolution and don't have variable refresh rate (VRR), they do feature reduced input lag for gaming. Sony claims that at 60Hz, the projectors have just 21 milliseconds of lag and only 13ms at 120Hz. The lowest-tier model is the $6,000 VPL-XW5000ES which offers 2,000 lumens of brightness. The next step up, the $12,000 VPL-XW6000ES, goes up to 2,500lm and includes an Advanced Crisp-Focused lens for a more consistent image across a wider area. The big dog of this lineup is the VPL-XW7000ES, which goes for $28,000 and reaches 3,200lm at 4096 x 2160 resolution. For comparison, the lamp-based and LED-based gaming projectors Acer launched last year support VRR and up to 240Hz in 1080p (or 4K at 60Hz) for a fraction of the cost of Sony's new models. Laser projectors offer increased image quality and last longer than lamp bulbs but for their price premium. Sony plans to launch all three projectors this summer. (Photo : EcoDriver) EcoDriver can also be used in your engine's performance. EcoDriver can be used to improve your vehicle's fuel economy and performance. EcoDriver claims its chip can reduce fuel consumption by up to 35%. Simply plug it in and it will analyze your driving habits. You'll then see an increase in fuel efficiency. What is EcoDriver? What's the purpose of EcoDriver? Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about EcoDriver. (Special Offer) Buy EcoDriver On Official Site Discount Avilable! It is important to consider how much fuel your vehicle consumes. Your vehicle will consume more fuel if it has a high fuel consumption. This could lead to higher gas prices and other problems. EcoDriver can reduce the fuel consumption of your vehicle, even if it is used excessively. Let's find out more about ECODRIVER. What Is EcoDriver? The ECODRIVER is a small, but a highly innovative device that cuts down on vehicle fuel consumption. Manufactured after years of research and development, it comes as an intelligent and environment-friendly, fuel-saving device. It improves fuel efficiency and lowers gasoline prices. The Best Fuel Saver Device? EcoDriver helps reduce car fuel consumption as we've already mentioned. This device shuts down the ECU. This small, yet powerful device can help you save a lot of money. These are only a few benefits offered by. The fuel costs will be lower ECODRIVER will improve the fuel efficiency of your car's ECU. You can also go eco-friendly by using less gasoline It's very simple to use It can be used with virtually all vehicles and models made after 1995. It is very compact Reduce your fuel consumption by 35% These are just a few benefits that this device provides. The installation of the device can be challenging. To help you understand the operation of the ECODRIVER, there is a detailed instruction manual included with it. Check Official Site EcoDriver For Huge Discount Avilable! How Does EcoDriver Work? ECODRIVER can help reduce your car's fuel consumption. You can insert the plug into the engine slot. Every modern car is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) after 1996. It optimizes each car's engines and monitors their performance. The ECODRIVER must be connected to the ECU via OBDII. Once the connection is established, ECODRIVER will be able to gather all necessary data to run EcoDriver for 150 miles. Once it has sufficient information, EcoDriver can turn EcoDriver ON to reduce fuel consumption. Similar devices will need more power to drive a car. It's not about how much power they use but how much fuel they consume. EcoDriver, a fuel-saving tool, can correct these inefficiencies. EcoDriver allows the car owner to pay only for the fuel used. Every vehicle manufactured after 1996 comes with an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is your car's brain. It monitors vehicle performance and provides diagnostic information. Many shops offer vehicle tune-ups. Many shops can tune up your vehicle to improve its fuel efficiency. Modern vehicles are extremely efficient, and shops can adjust ECU performance by using the OBDII ports. OBDII allows you to install a chip that adjusts the vehicle's performance to increase fuel economy. EcoDriver lets you enjoy all the benefits and convenience of a tune-up without ever having to go to a shop. You can order the chip online and have it installed in your vehicle's port. You can then tune your vehicle for better performance. Just plug EcoDriver into the port and wait for it to scan your vehicle's diagnostics. You will see a 15%-35% improvement in fuel efficiency. Benefits Of EcoDriver EcoDriver makes driving easier and more fun for everyone. These are just a few benefits EcoDriver provides to your car's motor. It will increase your car's fuel efficiency. EcoDriver can increase the efficiency of your car by as much as 15% to 35%. This can be attached to the OBDII port. This will help you save a lot of gas Owners who use less gasoline can save money on their daily fuel bills. Do your part to stop climate change EcoDriver reduces gas consumption by using a gas-saving device. It is also eco-friendly. Installation is easy It's easy to install EcoDriver on your car. It is easy to install even for people with no experience. It can be used on any vehicle A vehicle can have an EcoDriver sensor installed. (Today Offer) Get EcoDriver Discount Avilable! How To Install EcoDriver in your car? It's easy to install EcoDriver on your car. It takes only a few minutes. EcoDriver is easy to install in any vehicle, regardless of your experience level. These are the steps to install it. Step 1 Start the engine. Turn off the ignition. To plug the OBDII connector, you can use Step 2 OBD2. The OBDII port can be found usually below the steering column's right- or left side. A cover protects the port. You may also find the OBDII port behind the dashboard, or in the glovebox of other vehicles. Step 3: Turn the key to the second stage, then turn it back on. Do not turn the car on. Step 4ECO The OBD2's reset button is located in step 4. You must hold it for at least five seconds. Step 5 Release your hand and wait another 30-60 seconds. Step 6 Get started. Your car is now ready to go. EcoDriver monitors your car's performance over the next 150 miles and makes any adjustments to improve fuel economy. The EcoDriver system can only be used by the car and its owners. After installation, you can rest assured that there won't be any side effects. How to Use and Calibrate EcoDriver You don't need to be an expert in technology or cars to calibrate EcoDriver. Here's how it works. Step 1 Turn off the engine. Take the keys from the ignition. Step 2 Find the OBDII connector in your vehicle. Every vehicle made after 1996 should have an OBDII port that can be accessed from the driver's side. The OBDII connector can be found either on the upper left or lower right sides of most vehicles. You may need to remove a cover to access the port. You can also find the OBDII port in other vehicles. You will find it behind the dashboard, near the console or in the glovebox. If you are unsure where your OBDII port is, you can search online. Step 3 Connect EcoDriver to your OBDII port by taking it out of its package Step 4 Put the key in the ignition and turn the key to Stage 1. Step 5 For five seconds, hold the EcoDriver reset button down. Release the button, then wait for another 30-60 seconds. Step 6 Follow your usual driving style for 150 miles, then get in your car. You don't need to travel the entire distance at once. EcoDriver can be left in your car so you can continue driving as usual for the next few days. EcoDriver monitors the performance of your vehicle over 150 miles. Then, it adjusts your vehicle's power to improve fuel economy. There are no negatives to the chip: it will only enhance your vehicle's performance, not decrease it. EcoDriver might not cause noticeable changes to your vehicle's power draw. EcoDriver is responsible for the most significant changes in your vehicle's power draw. EcoDriver might not be obvious if your vehicle isn't being driven at maximum power or raced daily. You may notice a drop in your gas consumption over time, even though your vehicle's performance is not affected. Who Is This For? ECODRIVER reduces vehicle fuel consumption cost-effectively and affordably. It can be attached to any vehicle. It will be easier to get the item out of your vehicle. It is impossible with all the available devices and would be extremely expensive. (Official Website) Get EcoDriver Special Discount !! Available! Customer Reviews The product has received amazing reviews and feedback, as you can see. This product is amazing and anyone can use it. EcoDriver is environmentally friendly and has been a great help to many. Where To Get EcoDriver? If you are looking to improve the performance of your car, visit the official website. This website is the only one that sells EcoDriver products. The EcoDriver devices are not currently available due to the current pandemic. EcoDriver will make sure customers receive the correct product, and offer a full refund if it's not. These are the methods you can purchase EcoDriver Retail: 1 for $39.98 + Shipping Most popular: 1 for $59.97 Enjoy a 50% Discount and Free Shipping (starting at $29.50). Get 2 for the price of 1$79.96 with 100% free shipping($26.33/each). Refund Policy EcoDriver offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all purchases. You can get a full refund within 30 days of your purchase. Shipping charges will not be refunded. If EcoDriver results don't meet your expectations or you don't notice any performance improvement, you can ask for a full refund. Click Here To Check EcoDriver Official Website! Who Made EcoDriver? The EcoDriver team spent many years developing and researching the device. The company doesn't provide any information regarding its manufacturing location, its employees or its members. Here's how to reach EcoDriver's creators: Email: support@EcoDrivershop.com Phone: 855-227-0908 You can ask for a full refund. FAQ What's the difference between EcoDriver fuel plugs and others? Many remapping devices available today are costly and intended to be used for a very long time. Once installed, these devices can be difficult to remove. These changes cannot be reversed. EcoDriver is easy to set up and takedown. What should you do if the electronic device in your car suddenly stops working? This is unlikely. The company will reimburse all payments within 30 days if the buyer isn't satisfied with the product/service. What are the requirements for installing electronics on the device's electronic components? No. It's very simple to set up. It is easy to set up and doesn't require any knowledge about car mechanisms. Is the device more expensive than it should be? Yes. You can lower your car's fuel consumption, which can lead to a drop in gas prices. What is the time frame for installation? The activation process takes between 5-and 10 minutes. It is crucial to choose the right place to install it. Final Verdict Many devices can reduce fuel consumption. These devices may require modifications to the car's structural parts. These devices can be expensive and cause more harm than good. It is worth looking for a less expensive, but still effective, device that can make a significant difference. EcoDriver is a feature that car owners want the most. EcoDriver can reduce fuel consumption and costs by as much as chips when compared with similar products. You can attach this cheap solution to any vehicle. These modifications can be reversed or removed from your port. This will not improve your car's engine performance or quality. It is used to increase fuel economy and monitor vehicle performance. Visit The Official Website EcoDriver Order Now! 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Unsplash/LinkedIn Sales Solutions) Zoom A new study shows that the constant muting and freezing and the fear of a colleague doing something unexpected on-screen during Zoom meetings stifles creativity. Zoom Makes People Less Creative According to lab experiments and a field study at a firm with offices worldwide, meeting face to face produced more ideas and ideas that were more creative than videoconference discussions. While the benefits of Zoom and other videoconferencing tools made them indispensable in the pandemic, the study suggests that heavy reliance on the technology comes at a cost to creativity, according to The Guardian. Dr. Melanie Brucks, an assistant professor of marketing at Columbia University in New York, said that it is important to have multiple creative ideas to draw from. Having a larger pot of creative ideas will help increase your probability of success. Also Read: Zoom CEO Suffers from 'Zoom Fatigue' -- JP Morgan and More Companies Prompt Imminent Return to Office Work Soon How Videoconferencing Became a Factor to Lack of Creativity Brucks and her colleague, Jonathan Levav at Stanford University, began their investigation before the pandemic when managers reported having trouble innovating with remote workers. Brucks was skeptical that videoconferencing was a factor, suspecting that difficulties coordinating large teams online might be the problem instead. One of the factors that they've already considered is Zoom fatigue. In order to find out, the researchers recruited more than 600 volunteers who were paired up to tackle a creativity task either together in the same room or through Zoom, according to Telegraph UK. The pairs only had five minutes to develop creative uses for a Frisbee or bubble wrap, and they were only given a minute to choose their best idea. Independent judges ruled that turning a Frisbee into a plate was less creative compared to using it to knock fruit from a tree, while using bubble wrap to send morse code messages was more innovative compared to using it to protect a baby. Overall, those who worked over Zoom only had 20% fewer ideas than those who met face to face. The same effect is seen in the real world. In a field study, the researchers analyzed ideas for new product producers by 1,490 engineers for a multinational company. The engineers from Finland, Hungary, India, Israel, and Portugal, were randomly paired up and given only an hour to brainstorm products either in person or over Webex video conferencing. They then selected their best idea. Writing in Nature, the researchers report that the engineers produced more ideas and innovative ideas when working face to face. Brucks said that they are not only generating a larger number of creative ideas, but their best idea is a lot better. Virtual teams were just as good at selecting the best ideas from a bunch as those that met in person. Things can easily go awry, though. For the field study, the engineers were at their best when brainstorming in the office. But the Polish arm of the company held its idea-generating session in a hotel, leading to rampant non-compliance, driven by a notable preoccupation with the hotel catering's coffee and cookie station. Other experiments in the lab revealed a connection between greater creativity and how much people looked around the room and noticed props. Bruck suspects that on Zoom calls, people are focused on the screen and the person's face instead of what was being said. Zoom fatigue is another factor that causes people to be less creative. Related Article: Zoom Lawsuit Settlement for 'zoombombing,' Privacy Issues; Public to Get as Much as $15 This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A VPN can do a lot of great things for your internet experience. It can unblock content you used to not have acces to, hide your activity online, and most of all, ensure your privacy. But it is not foolproof, more so with the emergence of even more advanced hacking tech - specifically ones powered by quantum computers. But PureVPN has a solution to that: quantum-resistant encryption keys. According to TechRadar, these encryption key are perhaps the most secure ones that any VPN provider will ever implement. This decision is also a way of future-proofing their services, considering how quantum hacking is becoming even more and more mainstream these days. Uzair Gadit, the co-founder and CEO of PureVPN, had this to say about their massive cybersecurity upgrade: "To put it into perspective, mathematical problems that would currently take a traditional supercomputer until the end of time will be solved by a quantum computer in a matter of hours. That's how powerful the technology will be. Quantum computers will outperform even the most powerful supercomputer that exists in this day and age, meaning all current encryption protocols will be broken in time." No Escaping Quantum Hacking To put it in layman's terms, the cybersecurity measures being implemented by your current VPN will soon become obsolete. That's because quantum computers are simply leagues above even the most powerful supercomputers of our age. What's even scarier is that hackers will have access to this kind of hardware whether you like it or not - putting your critical online information at risk of being stolen. Quantum hacking is in the foreseeable future and there's no escaping it, and many cybersecurity experts are convinced. In a study cited by PureVPN from Dimensional Research (via CNET), 89% of a total of 600 experts believe that current encryption protocols will be rendered useless by quantum computers by 2026. Read Also: New Scientific Discovery: Quantum Computers Can be Powered by Ancient Namibian Stone A Fight You Didn't Know Existed Data privacy in an extremely digitalized age is a critical concept to understand. As the new-age saying goes, "data is the new oil" - meaning that the power that crude oil used to hold over the entire world in decades past is now held by people's information. Unbeknownst to the normal folks, there is a cybersecurity battle being fought right now to save the internet from quantum hacking. Adding quantum-resistant encryption to something like a VPN is just a tiny cog in the machine battling the arrival of Q-Day: a day which Nature says will be the day when quantum computing will break the internet. Every single thing you do on the web relies heavily on the use of cryptographic algorithms. Their purpose is to maintain your privacy, secure your payments, and verify your identity online. But the sheer math involved in these algorithms are at the mercy of ultra-powerful quantum hardware which, considering current manufacturing technology, can potentially be mass-produced. The addition of quantum-resistant security measures to a VPN is not the be-all end-all. But it's a start nonetheless. Related Article: Quantum Computing For Dummies: What Is It Exactly, And Why is It Making A Lot of Headlines? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Patrick Pleul - Pool/Getty Images) Following Elon Musk's drastic $44 billion deal to purchase Twitter, which still requires some regulatory hurdles before it is officially set in stone, a weighty exodus of users has proven to show how a majority of the mass public feels about the billionaire's buyout. Yesterday, Apr. 27th, Musk himself took to the proverbial "digital town square," as he himself called it, to weigh in on the growing pains of his newly accepted deal. "For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally," Musk wrote. For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 27, 2022 The Tesla executive has been quite vocal over the past several days since the Twitter board greenlit his proposal to buy Twitter at $54.20 a share. Not 24 hours prior to these words previously cited, Musk also relayed even more depth on his stance regarding free speech and anti-censorship on the network, pointing out these very dilemmas as ever-highlighting the woes most readily felt in regards to the overall steering of the website. "The extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all," he wrote on Apr. 26th, adding in a followup Tweet, "By 'free speech', I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people." Related Article: Tesla Stock Decreases by 9% After Twitter Buyout and Musk's Involvement in Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard Case Despite his sentiments and various convictions, not just on the state of the network itself but the overall reality surrounding free speech in an online form, several Twitter users have already closed their accounts. The exodus can be felt in follower numbers, highlighting a growing trend that leftist social media users are readily fearful of, an ever-growing vocal majority of more right-wing pundits on the platform. Numbers taken from Social Blade prove the volatile swings some of the most prominent Twitter users are now experiencing following Musk's buyout. It's best expressed via users like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a well-known left-wing US representative whose follower count on Twitter has dramatically plummeted by nearly 33,000. On the other side of the fence, however, are users like Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene, both prominent right-wingers, who have gained 120,000 and 148,000 followers, respectively. Obviously, it's not just politically-minded individuals experiencing these volatile swings in followership, as even the likes of Harry Styles (33,000) and Taylor Swift (-17,000) have seen a bump and loss, but the optics clearly aren't ideal. Musk himself even weighed in, showcasing the top charts on Apple's App Store, wherein Truth Social suddenly reigned supreme. Musk explains in a follow-up, "Truth Social (terrible name) exists because Twitter censored free speech." Dick Costolo, Twitter's previous CEO from 2010 to 2015, posted in regards to Musk's most recent rantings targeting the firm's chief legal counsel, Vijaya Gadde, saying specifically, "Bullying is not leadership." Musk replied, "What are you talking about? I'm just saying Twitter needs to be politically neutral." What are talking about? Im just saying Twitter needs to be politically neutral. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 27, 2022 As it would seem, Twitter has no sooner evolved into a political stomping ground, wherein most left-wing pundits are searching for the exits fast as less censorship and more power grow to other angles on the site. Even so, to internal Twitter analysts, the swinging follower numbers prove little in the way of being a directly aftermath of Musk's buyout, but it is clear that a large proportion of the Twitter user base has deactivated their accounts, while even more are only just opening new ones. In reply to right winger Ben Shapiro, Musk says the following: "Attacks are coming thick and fast, primarily from the left, which is no surprise, however I should be clear that the right will probably be a little unhappy too. My goal is to maximize area under the curve of total human happiness, which means the ~80% of people in the middle." Read Also: Twitter Ensures Users That Elon Musk Won't Make Platform More 'Toxic' 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Amazon has lifted its own ban and will now allow warehouse employees to keep their cell phones with them while they work. This decision came after months of criticism aimed at the e-commerce giant. Amazon Now Allows Employees to Carry Cell Phone Amazon released a statement about the decision and said that they recognize the desire for employees to keep their mobile phones with them inside facilities, and the last two years have demonstrated that they can safely do so. The statement also reads that Amazon is making the temporary phone policy permanent worldwide in all of its operations facilities. According to Motherboard, in December 2021, an Amazon warehouse in Illinois collapsed after it was hit by a tornado. The impact killed six people, and it triggered fear amongst workers that mobile phones would once again be banned in warehouses. Also Read: Amazon: Warehouses Scraps Products, Goods Worth Millions Per Year Just to Free Up Storage, Says Report The warehouse workers said that this decision would cut them off from important safety and weather warnings and communicating with family members. Amazon's ban on warehouse employees' mobile phones was paused during the pandemic, but the e-commerce company expressed intention to have it reinstated in 2022, according to Mashable. A petition with 380 signatures created by the Amazon workers movement group called Amazonians United back in December 2021 was circulated to six warehouses. The group said that the phone ban is not about their safety. It is about their control. Amazon workers have long campaigned for better working conditions and pay, job security, and employee rights, including cell phone access, with significant movement within the past few months. Warehouse workers in Staten Island made history by forming the first Amazon union within a company that has historically been anti-union. The workers rallied to unionize in early April, with a second Staten Island warehouse set to vote on whether or not to unionize. Amazon Workers Filed for Union Vote Aside from the workers in Staten Island, the Amazon workers in Canada also filed for a union vote. According to Reuters, Teamsters Canada has brought back a union drive for employees in an Amazon center in south Edmonton. The momentum was built by the first successful organizing effort in New York. A trade union of more than a million members in the United States and Canada, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has made organizing Amazon its top priority, according to Bernie Haggerty, an agent with the Teamsters Local Union 362. This marks Teamsters 362's second attempt at forming a union at the Nisku warehouse after failing to secure a 40% base for a union vote in 2021. An application to unionize must first demonstrate that at least 40% of employees support it, according to provincial regulations. The workers are only authorized to vote for or against unionization once the labor board has granted an application. Unfortunately, Teamsters 362 never made it to that point. Haggerty, who is also one of the lead organizers of the campaign in Nisku, said that this is the perfect time to try unionizing again. Haggerty added that what happened in New York is a motivation for them, and they want to strike as fast as they can now. Related Article: Amazon Tests Warehouse Robots To Replace Humans This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Elon Musk's massive Twitter purchase is still making headlines. The billionaire recently bought the social media giant after paying around $44 billion. Now, here are the latest happenings on Twitter and the activities of Musk on the social media platform. Twitter User Count Error According to Engadget's latest report, Twitter admitted that it made a mistake on its report containing the user count between 2019 and 2021. The online platform explained that the active monthly uses between 2019 and 2021 were incorrectly counted because some users have multiple accounts. "In March of 2019, we launched a feature that allowed people to link multiple separate accounts together in order to conveniently switch between accounts. An error was made at that time," said Twitter via its official document. Twitter $1.2 Billion The Independent UK reported that Twitter was able to reach a $1.2 billion revenue. This was achieved despite the issue with Elon Musk's acquisition. Also Read: Twitter DMs with End-to-End Encryption? Elon Musk Wants It like Signal Messenger The latest billion-dollar income of the social media giant only covers the first quarter of 2022. Around $94 million were generated through its subscription services. Meanwhile, the remaining revenues came from Twitter's data sales and other business-to-business services. Elon Musk's Coca-Cola Purchase Joke According to The New York Post, Elon Musk jokingly said on Twitter that he would purchase Coca-Cola. He said these days after he bought the online platform. The billionaire even said he planned to acquire the multinational beverage firm to bring "cocaine back." Of course, this statement of his is not serious. Recently, the CEO explained that he wants to make Twitter a more enjoyable platform, which shows how he will run the company. This means that you will see more similar remarks from Musk in the coming days or months. Meanwhile, a massive Tesla stock decrease happened after the Twitter buyout. Elon Musk's Involvement in Johnny Depp Vs. Amber Heard Case Recently, Tech Times reported that Elon Musk was a no-show in the defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Although he didn't attend the trials, his name was still mentioned. Some documents claimed that the billionaire visited Heard. Aside from Amber, Depp's lawyers stated that Cara Delevingne was also invited. Musk, Heard, and Delevingne were claimed to be staying in the apartment owned by Amber and Johnny Depp. If you want to see more details about this issue, you can visit this link. On the other hand, the SEC Twitter police agreement will still remain after the petition of Elon's lawyers was rejected by the court. For more news updates about Elon Musk and Twitter, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Twitter Reassures Advertisers and Users That Elon Musk's Free Speech Campaign Won't Make The Site Toxic This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Central African Republic lawmakers unanimously voted on a bill last week that legalizes the utilization of cryptocurrencies as the country's official legal tender. The news was announced via a statement headed by the African president's chief of staff, Obed Namiso, on Wednesday, Apr. 27, marking the country as the second in the world behind El Salvador in adopting digital currencies as official tender. Bitcoin and all assorted cryptocurrencies will now act as legal currencies within the country in tandem with the Central African CFA franc, it is already long-existing tender that is used in five other nations. Despite having a large commodity of valuable minerals, mainly gold and diamonds, Africa still remains among the least-developed and poorest countries, with 2020-dated stats from the World Bank proving nearly 71% of Central Africa's inhabitants live below the international poverty line. To the CFA president, cryptocurrencies and their adoption as legal tender will aid the country in expanding its scope both domestically and abroad. According to Reuters, Namiso explained, "The president supports this bill because it will improve the conditions of Central African citizens." He declined to add anything further but did say that the legislation's passing was "a decisive step toward opening up new opportunities for our country." Although many in the cryptocurrency sphere see this as a positive move forward and potentially additional lengths toward widespread crypto adoption, others aren't so keen. Two former CFA prime ministers together signed a letter in direct distaste for the legislation's acceptance, calling into question the absurdity of the move without prior notification or accepted guidance from the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), which governs the Central African CFA franc. One anonymous BEAC spokesperson told Reuters, "The BEAC learned at the same time as the public of the enactment of a new law on cryptocurrency in Central African Republic." Related Article: Will Crypto Replace Cash? Here's What You Could Expect The adoption of crypto in Central Africa could also potentially alleviate some of the more nascent concerns in the country about utilizing the US dollar in global trade. Analysts consider the move potentially positive, as it would then bolster international trade deals per more steady adoptions of crypto across the globe, diminishing overall dependence on the US dollar for necessities, like oil. But Bitcoin and crypto as a whole are not necessarily the ideal form of tender, given their extreme volatility, which was best witnessed recently in the dramatic fall of prices over the course of several weeks at the start of 2022. Still, experts predict that Bitcoin alone could hit $100,000 by mid-to-late 2022, with several more adding that it may drop to around $75,000 by the end of the year. Bitcoin currently sits at a little under $40,000. Other African governments look at crypto with some positivity, as Tanzania has for nearly a year been attempting to adopt crypto and its regulation through the country's own central bank. South Africa, too, wants to utilize blockchain technology in more varied ways. While Nigeria blocked the use of crypto for smaller, local institutions, its central bank no sooner adopted its own form of the digital asset, coined eNaira. As for El Salvador, which adopted bitcoin last year as its legal tender, things haven't exactly been peachy. According to Bloomberg, which cites a survey from the US National Bureau of Economic Research that analyzed Chivo Bitcoin wallet app downloads in the country: "The most important reason not to download the app, conditional on knowing about it, is that users prefer to use cash, which was followed by trust issues - respondents did not trust the system or Bitcoin itself." On top of this, El Salvador has also experienced a myriad of protests specifically targeting its institutionalization of the Bitcoin Law, with even the International Monetary Fund pressuring the country to cease its use of the crypto coin due to issues over scams and its potential in destabilizing the country's economy. With the CAR's still-ongoing domestic issues, specifically rebel violence and underlying corruption, the use of crypto as a stable form of currency may not be the most positive approach to dealing with the country's financial concerns, but it still remains to be seen how exactly President Faustin-Archange Touadera expects to leverage the bill in favor of bolstering the CAR as a whole. Read Also: Crypto Watch: $34M Crypto Seized from Dark Web Seller, Auto Investment Machines, and Zuck Bucks 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. FDA has approved Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for six-month-olds. The latest Food and Drug Administration authorization covers two new young age groups that can receive the medicine. This latest achievement of the American pharmaceutical is quite helpful, especially for the parents who are always worried about their kids' health. Ever since COVID-19 vaccines arrived, many experts have been quite doubtful about children receiving vaccines. But, Moderna's recent successful trials revealed that its COVID-19 drug is also efficient even with younger individuals. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for 6-Month Olds? According to Ars Technica's latest report, Moderna confirmed that it received FDA's authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine for children. Also Read: UK COVID: Research Shows Seven Out of 10 People In England Are Infected, Longest Infection Lasted for 16 Months The two new age groups cover six months to two years old and two years old to six-year-old children. Thanks to the health agency's approval, more ineligible kids can now receive their vaccines. "We are proud to share that we have initiated our EUA submission for authorization for our COVID-19 vaccine for young children," said Stephane Bancel, Moderna's CEO. She added that their mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine is safe for children's usage. Bancel claimed that Moderna's medicine would also be efficient in preventing COVID-19 infections in kids. When it comes to effectiveness, Moderna is around 44% efficient in six months to two years old young people. On the other hand, it is about 37.5% efficient in two years olds to six years old children. Moderna's New Bivalent Vaccine Moderna seems to be pretty busy as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in some parts of the globe. Aside from achieving FDA authorization for its two new young groups, the pharmaceutical company is also working on its new bivalent vaccine. NPR reported that this new medicine could target both the original variant and the beta strain. Based on Moderna's preliminary findings, the new vaccine is effective since it can produce high levels of antibodies for months. If you want to see further details about the new Moderna bivalent vaccine, you can visit this link. Meanwhile, FDA authorized the new COVID-19 breath tests. On the other hand, recent data revealed that the efficiency of Pfizer's 4th COVID-19 vaccine booster disappears after four months. For more news updates about COVID-19 vaccines and other health topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Updated Moderna COVID-19 Omicron Vaccine Distribution Date Now Confirmed This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Economy Minister Montenegro said that salary increases in the national public sector will apply only to teachers and health workers. On Wednesday night, President Luis Arce announced that he will increase the "national minimum wage" by 4 percent and the "basic wage" by 3 percent. This announcement is made after several hours of negotiations with the Bolivian Workers' Center (COB). "With a lot of work and effort, as well as in unity with the Bolivian people, we returned to the path of economic growth. We must take care of what we have achieved," Arce said before announcing the salary increase percentages. Prior to yesterday's negotiations, the Arce administration had proposed a 1.5 percent wage increase. This proposal was rejected by the workers who requested an increase of 7 percent to the basic salary and 10 percent to the national minimum wage. After the negotiations, the minimum wage reaches US$327. The new amount of the basic salary, which is agreed between employer and worker, will depend on the contract previously agreed between the parties according to working conditions, profession, specialization, occupation, or responsibility. "In #Cuba, we reflect on how capitalism and imperialism don't sleep in their eagerness to continue harming countries that have adopted sovereign policies, free from the IMF and neoliberalism, with States that invest in the economy and in free education and health systems." https://t.co/JzYVYwydBF Bolivia Solidarity Campaign (@bolivia_s_c) April 27, 2022 Economy Minister Marcelo Montenegro said that salary increases in the national public sector will apply only to teachers and health workers. Subnational governments must define whether or not to apply the percentages agreed between the Arce administration and the COB. "In the central government, the largest salary mass is concentrated in teachers and doctors," he explained, recalling that the national public sector comprises 165,000 teachers and 70,000 health workers. Salary increases do not apply to those who work in the Armed Forces, National Police, Bolivian Fiscal Oilfields, and other ministries. [Pick] I thought I was going to have an accident Why was he found not guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol? The Flag of Ukraine, far left, waves in the wind outside City Hall, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Baton Rouge, La. With it are, from left, the French Fleur De Lis Flag, the Flag of Castile and Len, the British Flag, the City of Baton Rouge flag, the Louisiana State flag, and the American Flag. As anyone who drives is aware, petrol prices are up a lot from their 2020 low. First, the global economic recovery drove up oil demand, then Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine cut into Russian oil exports. But prices both at the pump and at the wellhead have stabilised, at least for now. By historical standards, real gas prices prices relative to the overall cost of living arent that high; in fact, theyre lower than they were from 2006 to 2014. And as of Tuesday morning, Texas crude oil was back below $US100 a barrel. Yet, while the energy crunch may be a bit less severe than some imagine, theres a huge crisis in the global food supply. Indeed, over the past year the surge in wheat prices has been much bigger than the surge in oil prices. This hurts especially in poorer nations, where a much larger share of family spending goes to food. Whats behind the food crisis? The surge in wheat prices has been much bigger than the surge in oil prices. Credit:Bloomberg One piece of the story is obvious: Ukraine is normally a major agricultural exporter, but thats hard to do when Russia is bombarding your railroads and blockading your ports. But theres more to the story: Russia has halted much of its own grain exports, apparently in an attempt to hold down domestic prices. Kazakhstan, the regions third-largest agricultural exporter, has followed suit. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Danie Mellor grew up with images of his forebears around him. They were taken in the early 20th century by Queensland photographer Alfred Atkinson and had a significant effect on him: Mellor wondered not only about the lives of the people in the images, but about the underlying meanings of archival photography. Who was it for, what was its purpose and how do we view it today? The people in those photos were from north Queensland. There, on his mothers side, can be found his Indigenous heritage, with his grandmother and great-grandmother descended from the Mamu and Ngagen people. That region, south of Cairns, is special to Mellor, and when walking through its rainforests, he perceives more than the seething vegetation, animal sounds and the dripping atmosphere: he sees a layering of stories and people, where the visible and invisible entwine. Danie Mellor with works from his latest exhibition. Credit:Simon Schluter Mellor has in recent years used infra-red photography in his art, capturing a spectrum the human eye cannot see. His long-term research examines, among other things, the idea of hidden histories and the meanings conveyed by archival photography. Subtly and exquisitely, his work presents a sort of metaphysical archaeology. His latest exhibition, Redux, includes an intriguing series of tiered shelves holding what at first seems to be an eclectic array of historic imagery. There are trees, people, ceremonies, landscapes. Danie Mellor, Redux, 2022. Photographic print on mirror polished stainless steel. Credit:Courtesy Tolarno Galleries and the artist. Gaze at these seemingly disparate pictures his own and archival and connections start to fire up like so many synapses: Indigenous displacement, colonial legacies, ecological destruction and the usurping of land jostle into each other. Likewise, the larger-scale works many printed on metallic photographic surfaces reveal powerful, linking threads the longer they are contemplated. Danie Mellor, Perpetual (ngaray), 2022. Photographic print on mirror polished stainless steel. Credit:Courtesy Tolarno Galleries and the artist. Advertisement Mellor is used to connecting seemingly divergent things: his childhood was spent in many places around Australia and abroad, and his family history stretches in many directions on both sides. On the paternal side, Mellors grandparents were sugarcane farmers in Mackay; his great-grandfather migrated here from California and was a gifted horseman known as Bronco George (or The Arkansas Kid when he was riding in Buffalo Bill Codys Wild West show in the US). On his mothers side, the Atkinson images informed part of Mellors early career research and PhD, and, along with other archives, are a foundation for his current focus. I recall seeing these images from our family archive at a young age and beginning to understand a sense of temporal depth to human life that stretches beyond the experience we have of our own selves, Mellor says. I didnt have words to conceptualise that at the time, but felt it was somehow important, particularly as my great-grandmother was alive into my teenage years, and I was able to hold and look at portraits of her and several generations of our family taken by Atkinson. Danie Mellor, The dream stealer, 2022. Photographic print on mirror finish aluminium. Credit:Courtesy Tolarno Galleries and the artist. Loading Mellor, who has served on the Australia Council for the Arts, and as a senior lecturer at the Sydney College of the Arts, has won many prestigious prizes, and has work in most major Australian collections. He has always kept a tight focus on his work and research, which has included travelling around parts of northern Queensland with Indigenous elders, and hearing of various sites and stories of the ancestors. Mellors images often show a landscape augmented with infra-red, and layered with other historic and cultural references. A simple nature scene a bend in the river at the Tully Gorge, for example might incorporate references to an Indigenous creation story, a tourist stopping for a quick snapshot, or a colonial explorer bent on discovery. Advertisement Mellor says that of the many places he spent time in when he was younger, Sutton Grange (near Bendigo) and Stirling (Scotland), seem to have influenced him in particular, alongside the tropical environments of northern Queensland. I was particularly captivated by the feeling of arriving in a world of heat and swirling humidity when travelling from where we lived for a few years in Sutton Grange on visits back to Queensland, he says. I remember each time when getting off the plane, having travelled north, there was a sense of returning to something very familiar in a deep sort of way. Danie Mellor, Constellations, 2022. Photographic print on milled aluminium. Credit:Courtesy Tolarno Galleries and the artist. Landscape is a tricky concept: the word has long been challenged by scholars and artists, for it implicitly suggests that we humans are separate from nature as we look at the landscape. In his monumental reverie, Landscape and Memory (1996), British historian Simon Schama traces the words origins to the 16th century Dutch term, landschap, which meant a unit of human occupation that might also be a pleasing object of depiction. This contrasts with the Australian Indigenous understanding of Country, which incorporates complex unifying relationships between nature, family and ancestors. Loading My earliest memories of landscape have marked contrasts, from the snow and the melodies of fast-flowing burns in Stirling, against a backdrop of the castle, to the extraordinary granite country of the landscape around Mount Alexander/Lanjanuc, where we lived for a few years, Mellor says. Our house was close by the mountain and I recall the profound, if gentle, impact of seeing it every day and driving over its lower slopes to school in the morning and home in the afternoons. But what seems to have embedded itself the most, he says, is the sensual nature of tropical regions. They are places I can revisit internally or through travel, much like an oasis or well. Mellor says Redux continues his long-range research into a sense of place and history, but also acknowledges how significant those spaces are ecologically, and how they have been affected often disastrously since colonial times. The show also reveals how colonial photography was used to shape the perception of the ownership of land and the environment. Advertisement Adelaide man who shot dead three people applies for day release Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Comanchero bikie boss arrested in relation to 2019 Melbourne homicide Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Where to begin with our attempts to untangle the Gordian knot at the centre of the Minotaurs Labyrinth that the candidates election debates have become? Forgive us if this item is now outdated in the hours since we filed it. We are doing our level best to keep up. Yes, the Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group forum will be held at Brighton Town Hall on Thursday night at 7.30pm with incumbent Liberal MP Tim Wilson and independent challenger Zoe Daniel, as well as the Greens and ALP candidates, whose names we are having trouble recalling. But no, Wilson wont participate in a forum proposed by The Age unless all candidates are invited and The Age wants to stick to the main players. NSW Police address 'violent confrontation' that lead to shooting in Sydney Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Detectives who warned slain gangster Mahmoud Brownie Ahmad that he was a marked man in the days before his brutal execution on Wednesday night also warned his brother Youssef of a price on his head. Brownie Ahmad had recently returned from his native Lebanon and was warned by detectives as recently as last week that he was a marked man with a $1 million bounty on his head. Narelle Crescent in Greenacre where Mahmoud Ahmad, inset, was shot dead. Credit:Kate Geraghty, Supplied The same police warned his brother Youssef that he should lay low, a warning that Brownie did not heed. He continued to associate with people that were part of the criminal milieu and he did not want to hide, homicide squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told reporters on Thursday. His life was always in danger. Youre either going to end up on a slab in the morgue or back in jail. Unfortunately for him, hes in the morgue. Police investigating the abduction of William Tyrrell pursued unrelated historical sexual assault claims against former suspect Bill Spedding because they received a tip-off about it, not because they had actively unearthed the information to get him, a court has been told. Bill Spedding, 70, was initially a prime suspect in Williams disappearance because he worked on a broken washing machine at a Kendall home several days before the three-year-old vanished from the property on September 12, 2014. Bill Spedding arrives at court this week with his wife Margaret. Credit:Oscar Colman He was ruled out after he provided bank records to Strike Force Rosann led by high-profile detective Gary Jubelin which showed he had been at a cafe with his wife on the morning William vanished before the pair went to a school assembly. On Thursday, barrister Adrian Williams, for the state, said he would submit it was not sustainable to say the historical charges relating to two children in 1987 were used as a wedge, or as some strategy of tension or pressure in the context of another investigation. Three Australian residents have accused Scientology of child trafficking, covering up multiple sexual assaults, forced labour and other abuses in a significant legal claim lodged in a Florida court overnight. The plaintiffs, Australian Gawain Baxter and residents Laura Baxter and Valeska Paris, are seeking significant compensatory and punitive damages against Scientology leader David Miscavige and five Church-related organisations for alleged human trafficking. Valeska Paris is making serious allegations of abuse and child trafficking against Scientology. The three were part of Scientologys Sea Org and Cadet Org entities that involved them signing billion-year contracts to provide free or cheap labour to Scientology. The lawsuit alleges that their pay was sometimes withheld or set at a maximum of $US50 per week. They say they endured years of emotional, physical and psychological abuse, in particular while spending more than a decade aboard Scientologys Freewinds cruise ship in the Caribbean in what the lawsuit described as a world filled with abuse, violence, intimidation and fear. The Greens have apologised to Beyond Blue and Alfred Health after a senior doctors work titles were used on a party campaign mail-out in a federal inner-Melbourne seat without the clinicians permission. Nadia Chaves was briefed on the wording, but did not give approval for her positions at the hospital and mental health charity to be included at the top of the letter next to her photograph. Steph Hodgins-May has apologised for the letter, which she says she did not know contained Dr Nadia Chaves titles. Credit:(Main) Wayne Taylor, (inset) Twitter The senior physician complained to the Greens campaign in the federal seat of Macnamara, which takes in suburbs in Melbournes south and around the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay, including Port Melbourne, Albert Park, South Melbourne, and St Kilda. The candidate, Steph Hodgins-May, has since apologised to Chaves and the two organisations. The schools regulator wont take action against an unregistered school operating in Melbournes east and has referred the case to the independent body that oversees the care and safety of vulnerable Victorian children. An investigation into Riverside Grammar School, in Hawthorn in Melbournes east, was launched by the regulator the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) in March after it emerged that the school did not have a registration. Riverside Grammar School in Hawthorn. Credit:Justin McManus Riverside Grammar is not providing a genuine school education to students and is therefore not and has never been a registered school, a spokesman for the authority said in a statement on Thursday. The school, led by registered teacher Dr Jon Carnegie, has been stripped of its registration twice by the authority, the last time being in 2012 for failing to meet minimum standards, however it has continued to operate for the past decade. There was no clear winner in a sometimes fiery but civilised public debate about the environment and climate change at the Brighton Town Hall in the electorate of Goldstein on Thursday night. Liberal incumbent Tim Wilson and prominent independent candidate Zoe Daniel received warm welcomes from a packed town hall meeting organised by the local Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group. Independent candidate Zoe Daniel and Liberal incumbent Tim Wilson at the Goldstein community forum on Thursday evening. Credit:Darrian Traynor The four main candidates in the Goldstein contest including Labors Martyn Abbott and the Greens Alana Galli-McRostie detailed their plans for tackling climate change, then responded to questions from an engaged and vocal audience. A sometimes testy Wilson defended the Morrison governments technology-focused approach to emissions reduction, noting that countries with more ambitious 2030 targets, including the US and UK, were now backsliding from their emissions reductions commitments. Those two things cant be true at the same time. Loading At issue is the impact on exporters from a Labor plan to require gradual cuts to emissions from 215 big emitters (including 62 coal miners) in an existing federal government scheme called the Safeguard Mechanism, which imposes few obligations today but would be adjusted by Labor to meet its 2030 climate target and its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned on Wednesday the scheme would be a carbon tax because it would require companies to pay for carbon credits to offset their emissions. As we know Labor has their sneaky carbon tax on their carbon credits scheme, he said while campaigning in Rockhampton. A sneaky carbon tax which is going to punish and cost our traditional industries not just coal, by the way, oil and gas and many other sectors that will be hit with that measure. But the Labor policy is not a tax, does not put a fixed price on carbon, and does not force companies to trade in carbon credits. It proposes instead that the Clean Energy Regulator would consult with companies on new benchmarks to reduce their emissions. Greens leader Adam Bandt will heighten the debate over coal on Thursday by announcing a policy to phase out coal exports by 2030 and apply a levy of $1 per tonne on thermal coal and $3 on coking coal to raise $21.7 billion over the period before the exports are halted. Greens leader Adam Bandt will outline his partys plan to phase out coal on Thursday. Credit:Paul Jeffers Labor is not proposing that coal miners would pay the government directly. Labor has not finalised the approach to using carbon credits or how industries might be helped to reduce their emissions. If miners pay for credits, the proceeds would go to farmers or others who generate the reduction in emissions. The Business Council of Australia expressed no concern about the Labor policy given both major parties have promised to cut emissions to net zero by 2050. The safeguard mechanism is already in place alongside a suite of other measures to reduce emissions, with careful consultation with industry we believe it is the right incentive to drive investment, deliver more jobs and meet our net zero commitments, the peak business group said. Loading Labor climate spokesman Chris Bowen rejected the carbon tax claim and said the modelling for the Labor policy, conducted by research firm RepuTex, showed there would be no job losses at coal mines due to the Labor policy, separate from any impact from changes to global demand for coal. The Labor policy only makes mining companies responsible for about 33 million tonnes each year of fugitive emissions and other carbon produced in the process of mining. The policy does not make miners pay for the emissions when coal is burned for power, heating or steelmaking. Given that 86 per cent of Australian coal is exported, most of these emissions are the responsibility of countries that take those exports. Wood said the fugitive emissions varied by coal mine but the average was around 0.05 tonnes of emissions for every tonne of coal. Loading It makes sense to offset these emissions somewhere else and for the coal miners to pay for those offsets, he said. A Labor government could allow the coal miners to meet their reduction obligation this way. The government would have to decide what, if any, limits to place on the type of offsets. And this would determine the cost. With Labor treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers noting a price of around $24 per tonne of emissions under existing government policies, the Grattan Institute calculation suggests a cost of $1.20 per tonne of coal on the conservative assumption that all emissions had to be offset immediately. However, Wood noted the cost of the offsets could vary greatly when the governments Emissions Reduction Fund paid less than $20 per tonne to offset carbon while overseas offsets cost less than $2 per tonne. As well, the cost would only apply to some of the emissions under the Labor proposal to tighten the benchmarks in the Safeguard Mechanism at a gradual pace of about 3.3 per cent each year. It would be a small rounding error for quite some time, Wood said. I understand that Labor would look to other ways to work with individual companies and the circumstances. It was Colin Boyce who sparked a new outbreak in the endless culture war over climate policy. Little known outside his home state, Boyce is a former farmer, boilermaker and state MP hoping to secure the crucial Queensland coal and cattle seat of Flynn in the coming election. It could be that Scott Morrison has decided to stand by his own commitments while allowing Canavan to be Canavan and Barnaby to be Barnaby, says Ed Coper. Credit:James Brickwood Zero net carbon emissions by 2050, Morrisons document, is a flexible plan that leaves us wiggle room as we proceed into the future, Boyce told ABC this week, introducing himself to the nation by way of wading into one of its most bitterly contested issues. The problem is that this is not the federal governments position. The government has firmly committed to reach net zero by 2050. Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman has pitted himself against his Coalition colleagues Matt Canavan and Barnaby Joyce during a candidate debate where the North Sydney incumbent dubbed his rival Kylea Tink a disingenuous Simon Holmes a Court independent. When asked about the comments of LNP Senator Canavan, who this week declared his governments 2050 net zero emissions plan dead, Zimmerman moved quickly to distance himself from his Nationals stablemate. Labors Catherine Renshaw, Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman and Independent Kylie Tink at the North Sydney debate. Credit:Pool/Richard Dobson I certainly say another thing to Matt Canavan, Zimmerman said. I am pleased that the PM is on my side on this debate and not on Matt Canavans. Singapore: Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky could face off at this years G20 summit in Bali after the Ukraine president revealed he had been invited by Indonesian leader Joko Widodo. Indonesia has found itself caught between a rock and a hard place after assuming the presidency of the global economic forum this year as Western leaders have pushed for Russias expulsion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not said whether he plans to attend the G20 summit. Credit:AP It faces the threat of a possible boycott if it does not rescind Moscows ticket to Novembers world leader gathering because of the invasion of Ukraine, a move it has been unwilling to make so far. However, Jakartas hopes of salvaging the summit may be improved if Ukraine, a non-G20 member, is also represented this year and Joko, known as Jokowi, has now reached out to him to attend, Zelensky wrote on Twitter. A truck, decorated as a chariot, after an accidental electric shock in Thanjavur district, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, on April 27, 2022. (KK Productions via AP) 11 Die When Truck Hits Power Line at Hindu Festival in India NEW DELHIEleven people were electrocuted when their truck, decorated as a temple chariot, touched an overhead power line during a Hindu festival procession in southern India on Wednesday, police said. The New Delhi Television channel said the electrical spark also set fire to the truck, which was crowded with devotees. The 11 people died and three others suffered burns and were hospitalized in Thanjavur, a city in Tamil Nadu state, a police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The temple chariot procession in Thanjavur, 340 kilometers (210 miles) south of Chennai, the state capital, was organized by a local Hindu temple. Other details were not immediately available. Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. The area is known for its old temples. By Ashok Sharma Travelers walk through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., on April 19, 2022. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) 22 Countries Drop Mask Mandates A total of 22 countries around the world have dropped mask mandates since January this year. As debates over masks have returned to the United States after a judge struck down a federal mask mandate for interstate travel, the nation joined nearly two dozen countries that have ended broad mask and pandemic measures this year. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the withdrawal of mask mandates in public places on Jan. 19, citing information from government researchers suggesting that the worst of the Omicron variant cases had already peaked. Additionally, face coverings are no longer legally required on public transportation in England. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosts various members of the armed services at a military reception at 10 Downing Street on Sept. 18, 2019, in London. (John Nguyen/WPA Pool/Getty Images) On April 18, Scotland implemented its previously discussed changes on masks and dropped the legal requirement for most indoor locations and public transportation. The same goes for the rest of the UK, including Northern Ireland and Ireland: Masks are no longer required, but encouraged in some indoor venues. However, health care facilities are an exception, and wearing a protective face covering is still enforced. Latin America, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, and the Dominican Republic have all ended government-regulated mask requirements. Mexico also relinquished the demand for face coverings in most states. The Dominican Republic, a popular Caribbean tourist destination, ditched its mask mandates in February after the government canceled its COVID-19 state of emergency in October 2021. Its time to recover all our freedoms and way of life, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said. Several countries announced the end of their national health emergencies in April, including Paraguay, Brazil, Italy, and South Africa. Italy, one of the worst-hit countries for severe COVID-19 cases and deaths in the early months of the pandemic, isnt being cavalier in its approach to ending the mandates. Face coverings will no longer be compulsory outdoors, but are still required indoors until April 30, after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi promised a gradual return to normal. Our goal is to reopen fully, as soon as possible, Draghi said during a February speech delivered from Florence, Italy. Health experts arent unanimous on the possible consequences of dropping mask mandates and scaling back COVID-19 preventative measures. Dr. Shruti Gohil, associate medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at the University of CaliforniaIrvine Medical Center said about mask mandates, Youve got to end it sometime. With the arrival of the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron, some experts feel governments have been hasty in abolishing mask mandates. Dr. Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at the Queen Mary University of London, says that while the link between COVID-19 cases and severe outcomes has decoupled, the new variants shouldnt be taken lightly. Although some [deaths after a positive test] are incidental, there is a very large proportion that are deaths due to COVID-19. Its a very concerning situation, Gurdasani said. A doctor works in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at a hospital in Leipzig, Germany, on Nov. 18, 2021. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) Nevertheless, that hasnt stopped a domino effect of countries releasing their people from mask mandates. Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and The Netherlands have all rolled back such requirements. Health care facilities remain the baseline exception across the board. International tourist hubs that took an economic blow from pandemic lockdowns, such as Maldives and Aruba, followed suit by ending mask mandates and appealing to a broader network of travelers. Other European countries jumping on the bandwagon include Poland, Latvia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. Even France has relaxed its strict approach to the compulsory use of face masks, except for public transit and in health care facilities. The United States is a battleground over President Joe Bidens mask mandate after a federal judge suspended the enforcement of the measure on April 18. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which initially issued the mandate, had exceeded its authority and failed to seek public comment before issuing the mandate. Demonstrators gather outside the Massachusetts State House to protest COVID-19 vaccination and mask mandates in Boston on Sept. 17, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) When it comes to ending mask mandates, health experts say the primary concern is preventing the transmission of COVID-19. And Gohil doesnt think ending mandates means the world is done with masks forever. When rates go up, we should get those masks back on, and when rates go back down, we might be able to be more liberal, she said. With the new BA.2 subvariant, data arent showing deaths rising at the same rate as recent cases in most countries, which is consistent with the original strain of Omicron discovered in November 2021. The CDC has identified the Omicron variant and its subvariants as more transmissible, but said they cause less severe illness in patients than earlier strains of COVID-19. Falun Gong practitioners participate in a parade to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the April 25th peaceful appeal of 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in Beijing, in Flushing, N.Y., on April 23, 2022. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times) A State Department Report on Organ Harvesting the CCP Could Love For each of the past 26 years, the U.S. State Department has briefly mentioned the egregious practice of forced organ harvesting in China in its congressionally mandated annual international human rights reports. This years chapter on China creates a new sub-section, titled Organ Harvesting, which held the promise for, finally, some solid coverage of the mountain of documentation now accumulated on this atrocity. As it turns out, the new heading is an empty promise. The reports account of Chinas organ harvesting is skimpier than ever. Merely two sentences long, the new section downplays the single new development that it does bother to mention and omits important findings from its prior reporting. In its entirety, State Departments new Organ Harvesting sub-section states: Some activists and organizations accused the government of forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, including religious and spiritual adherents such as Falun Gong practitioners and Muslim detainees in Xinjiang. In June several UN experts issued a statement expressing alarm concerning allegations of organ harvesting targeting minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims and Christians, in detention in China. Its first sentence is drawn from last years report. Still, it is weakened by the omission of its previously reported pertinent information, such as that Xinjiang authorities collected biometric data from Muslim detainees, including fingerprints, iris scans, and blood types, all procedures required to match organs for successful transplant surgeries. Reenactment of organ harvesting in China on Falun Gong practitioners, during a rally in Ottawa, Canada, in 2008. (The Epoch Times) Moreover, the 2022 report describes the evidence as second-hand accusations from unnamed activists and organizations, while, in 2021, it was presented more persuasively as testimony from internment camp survivors. A former Xinjiang detainee, a Christian who was recently rescued with the help of the State Department and the Victims of Communism Foundation, told me that he, too, had been subjected to blood sampling and a heart check. Over the decades, thousands of Falun Gong detention survivors gave similar reports. The State Departments 2020 report contained another startling survivor account dropped from the current report, namely that healthy young men would be spared the physical abuse that other detainees suffered and given health screenings before disappearing. That report also cited additional persuasive sources, including medical professionals and human rights researchers, who attested to the atrocity and questioned the voluntary nature of the system, the accuracy of official statistics, and official claims about the source of organs. The State Department makes no findings of its own in the 2022 China report, although it did so in the reports from 2001 through 2006. Those unequivocally affirmed that there were no reliable statistics on how many organ transplants occurred using organs from executed prisoners and even concluded in the 2004 report that it was a significant number. The lack of reliable official data on Chinas sourcing of transplant organs continues, as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) treats critical elements of it as national security secrets, but the 2022 report no longer makes the assertion. Despite detailed documentation to the contrary between 2006 and 2017 by the late Canadian member of Parliament David Kilgour, human rights lawyer David Matas, and journalist Ethan Gutmann, the U.S. State Department made the sweeping and unwarranted finding in its 2018 report that in January 2015 the government officially ended the long-standing practice of involuntarily harvesting the organs of executed prisoners for use in transplants. (L-R) David Kilgour, David Matas, and Ethan Gutmann, authors of Bloody Harvest/The Slaughter: An Update, in London, England, on Nov. 25, 2014. (Simon Gross/The Epoch Times) The State Departments source for this claim was Huang Jiefu, whom it identified merely as a former health minister, but who also served as a longtime member of the CCPs Central Committee (see Carnegie Endowment for International Peaces ChinaVitae.com). Huang also was authoritatively quoted in the 2018 report, stating that Beijing has zero tolerance for forced organ harvesting and, in the State reports from 2010 through 2015, promising each year that organ harvesting reform was just around the corner. The 2016 and 2017 State reports raised doubts about the reliability of Chinas data before the 2018 reports unequivocal assuranceadopted as the U.S. State Departments own finding, no lessthat forced organ harvesting had been officially ended. Huangs assertions of reform should be viewed as the naked propaganda that they were. The 2020 report cited a finding that official Chinese data on organ sourcing were falsified, based on statistical forensics by Australian scholar Matthew Robertson in a Victims of Communism Foundation study. The same conclusion was reached that year in the judgment of the prestigious and independent China Tribunal, chaired by distinguished British jurist Sir Geoffrey Nice (lead prosecutor of the Slobodan Milosevic trial at the International Criminal Court). The tribunal added that there is an incomprehensible gap between hospital data on transplants annually and the number of eligible voluntary organ donors reported by Beijing. Both important studies were omitted from mention in the 2022 State report, even as the CCPs claims were repeated by the State Department, year after year. The second and final sentence of the reports Organ Harvesting section refers to allegations that alarmed several UN experts. Unmentioned is that the statement referred to is an extraordinary action, carrying significant weight. It was signed by a dozen top U.N. human rights professionals from various regions, specializing in a wide range of human rights and, significantly, working independently of their governments. Their joining together to sound the alarm represents a remarkable departure from regular U.N. processes. They cite witness testimony that they found credible, including that blood samples and organ assessments consistent with organ transplant protocols were taken from detainees who werent death row prisoners and exclusively from various religious minorities. The State Department makes no comment on these critical revelations. This years report is the first drafted during the Biden administration. The inexplicably muted account of Chinas organ harvesting seems aimed at mollifying the CCP, which takes great pains to hide the facts about this shocking practice and furiously denies that it continues. It also may be aimed at forestalling an important congressional initiative, the Stop Transplant Abuse Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) with bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese (centre) and ACTU President Michele O'Neil (4th left) take part in the 2021 Labour Day March in Brisbane, Australia, on May 3, 2021. (Dan Peled/AAP Image) ACTUs Campaign for Secure Work Is Misguided Commentary The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) drive against flexible working arrangements is set to continue throughout the election campaign, with the release of its latest report: Missing in Action on Secure Jobs. Central to the report is the estimate that up to 4.15 million workers all around the country are currently in insecure work, making up 31 percent of the workforce. Its been noted that this figure, which includes all those in casual work, labour-hire, the gig economy, and those on rolling fixed-term contracts, is far higher than the 2.5 million casual workforce estimate provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. But what is even more interesting is the admission in its own report by the ACTU that insecure work doesnt mean workers feel insecure. A crucial part of ACTUs report is a large survey of 3,800 respondents who are classed as permanent workers or insecure workers. The most significant finding is that a higher percentage of insecure workers feel secure in their jobs than those who feel insecure. Specifically, the survey found that over one-third of insecure workers disagreed with the statement I feel secure in my job, while close to 40 percent agreed. This means that close to two-thirds of workers who were involuntarily labelled as insecure dont actually feel insecure in their jobs. Some may simply prefer the flexibility of a non-permanent work contract; some may wish to be independent and work as contractors; many are likely to enjoy the higher hourly rates associated with casual work despite the risks. After all, since there is a shortage of workers everywhere around the country, getting a casual shift has never been easier. The ACTU, however, seems to be irked by casual staff getting as many shifts as they want: Casual workers are supposed to be engaged for intermittent or temporary work. But many causals do the same patterns of work that permanent employees do, most casual workers work regular hours each week . Recent research shows that most casual employees were still not in permanent employment five years after first being surveyed. Construction workers are seen in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 1, 2021. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image) ACTU bosses would know that long-term casuals with regular work patterns (as described above) are already entitled to switch to permanent employment after a period of 12 months. A casual employee choosing to remain a casual, as opposed to becoming a permanent staff, seems to suggest that they prefer to stay as a casualdespite the unions protest. The inclusion of these long-term casuals as insecure workers, as the ACTU defines them, is likely to be a part of the reason for the aforementioned contradiction in the report: namely, the fact that most ACTU-deemed insecure workers are not insecure at all. Still, the ACTUs intervention into the debate about the future of work in Australia should be welcomed. A well-paid, stable job has been the foundation of the Australian way of life since World War II, providing the basis for homeownership, community participation, and family formation. Yet, in recent decades, traditional industries that provided job security, such as mining, manufacturing, and heavy industry, have declined. It is true many factors have contributed to the changing structure of Australias economy, including, for example, globalisation, improved access to education, and shifting consumer preferences. But the governments energy policy has also been a key contributor to the shift through accelerating the move towards renewable energy and committing to net-zero by 2050. Perhaps no sector has been more of a target from unions and the political class than the mining sector, which happens to be the highest-paying industry in the countryand also has the highest proportion of full-time jobs. Some 96 percent of all jobs in mining are full-time, compared to the economy-wide average of two-thirds. Furthermore, the typical mining worker pulls in around $2,400 (US$1,700) a weekabout double the economy-wide average. Yet these jobs are being threatened in the hastened and short-sighted rush to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050a policy supported by what Australian commentator Gerard Henderson refers to as the Industrial Relations club of big business, unions, employer groups, and the political class. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. NFAC group leader John Johnson talks to his colleagues on April 27 outside the Louisville Central Community Center. (Ken Silva/The Epoch Times) Leader of All-Black Militia Speaks After Trial Is Postponed LOUISVILLE, Ky.It was a sight rarely seen for more than 18 months: The all-black militia that captured headlines during the protests of the summer of 2020 gathered again on April 27 outside the Louisville Central Community Center in Kentucky. Take formation Ive got some ex-military in there who know what theyre doing. Yall got to help them out, said John Johnson, leader of the Not [Expletive] Around Coalition (NFAC), as some two dozen veteran and new NFAC members lined up in rows in front of him. The NFAC had reconvened to support Johnson, who had been scheduled to face trial this week for allegedly pointing a firearm at law enforcement during a protest of the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in September 2020. But at the last moment, District Judge Benjamin Beaton postponed the trial until May 23much to the dismay of NFAC members who took vacation days and personal time to come from around the country. The NFAC gathers after the trial of its leader @TheOfficialGra3 was postponed to next month. Many NFAC members took vacation days to come to Louisville as a sign of support. The postponement was without notice, as reporters around the globe arrive for the Kentucky Derby pic.twitter.com/ptP8mFCbP8 Ken Silva (@KenSilvaEpoch) April 27, 2022 With their initial purpose for coming to Louisville dashed, the NFAC and Johnson still had plans to make a public appearance downtown that night. The place were going to eat at is a black-owned family restaurant, where everybody from the 7-year-old to the father works. Then after that, were going to take a stroll downtown, Johnson said. Were not here to fight nobody; were not here to debate nobody. No one comments, no one says anything. Dont talk about the case, dont talk about the NFAC, dont talk about anything like that. If they want to talk about the sunshine and the fact that the Derby is coming, then talk about that, he said. Were not here to challenge nobody. But even though Johnson wanted his colleagues to stay tight-lipped, one of his friends had thoughts to share about the trial delay. All I know is were here to support him, and for some reason, the trial was canceled. We want to know why. Why, during [Kentucky] Derby week, did you cancel his trial? said the man, who declined to provide his name to The Epoch Times. Court officials havent responded to questions about why the trial was delayed, and the order has yet to be posted on the docket. The man said he was the local liaison for Johnson and the NFAC. Theyre from out of town, and this is my hometown. Theyre using vacation days, personal days, and now their efforts were kind of wasted, he said. Theyre here supporting him, and now theyre stuck here, so I now have to play tour guide, so their time isnt wasted. Johnson stressed that the NFACs planned walk through Louisville that night had nothing to do with his legal process. This is not an NFAC action. Im on trial. This isnt a protest or a march. Anybody who protests a trialits a little too late. Were in the grind now. All you can do is mess up a trial, he said. Thats why you dont see a bunch of people all over the place. I dont want that. Johnson has portrayed the governments case against him as politically calculated. Anybody who plays chess knows that if I get your queen, he said in an interview last December with AllHipHopTV. The U.S. government didnt take long to analyze the movements and realize, If we get him, then at least we can quiet everything down and get things back under control.' However, the U.S. government contends that Johnson aimed his rifle at law enforcement officers during a September 2020 protest with the intent to assault or intimidate them. A short time after initiating surveillance, [the officers] were blinded by a light, which they shortly thereafter determined was a flashlight mounted to the rifle aimed at them by Johnson, the governments complaint against Johnson said. All officers advised they were concerned Johnson might intentionally, or even accidentally, discharge a round at them. To prove Johnson intended to assault or intimidate the officers on the rooftop, prosecutors apparently plan to introduce inflammatory statements he made about the Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd. The governments position in admitting this evidence is that Mr. Johnsons historical animosity and vehement hatred directed towards police in general, over time, shows his motive and intent to assault, or at least intimidate the police on this occasion, Johnsons attorney, Don Maier, said in an April 1 filing. In turn, the defense plans to introduce Johnsons own recorded words and statements. The government contends that it is this so-called historical animosity toward police which permeates Mr. Johnsons thought process, provides motive, and shows intent, Maier said in his filing. The defense intends to submit evidence which suggests there is no such historical animosity. Johnson faces up to 20 years imprisonment if found guilty. He declined to discuss his groups chain of command but said the NFAC would continue operating if he ends up behind bars. The NFAC is not on trial, he said, adding that the organization has self-sufficient chapters around the world. Consider the following bits of text: Doe, a deer, a female deer, Well have Manhattan, Some enchanted evening, Oh, what a beautiful morning! Unless you are wholly ignorant of popular music before the Beatles, you wont be able to read those words without hearing in your head the music that drapes them as perfectly as designer clothes. The words are by Oscar Hammerstein II and Lorenz Hart. The music that makes the words live is by Richard Rodgers. Richard Rodgers in 1948. (Public Domain) Richard Rodgers (19021979) was one of the most important composers of the 20th century. He never wrote a symphony or a concerto, let alone a string quartet or piano sonata, yet his music resides in the subconscious of millions worldwide. Curiously, while his songs and the musicals they come from are widely recognized, the name Richard Rodgers lacks the resonance of George Gershwin and Cole Porter, two of his most illustrious songwriting contemporaries. The reason may be simply that Rodgerss life lacked the stuff of scintillating biography. Gershwin died tragically young, and Porter battled sexual demons, but while Rodgers certainly had his dark side (he was an alcoholic prone to bouts of depression), his outer life conformed to the traditional expectations: 70-plus years of life, a decades-long marriage, children and grandchildren. Extra-Ordinary From this background of an ordinary, 20th-century American life, plagued by ordinary problems, Rodgers produced a catalog of songs so rich that space prohibits listing all the most popular of the 900-plus tunes. The short list includes Manhattan, My Funny Valentine, Where or When, My Romance, Isnt It Romantic? Lover, Blue Moon, Blue Room, Theres a Small Hotel, Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered, You Are Too Beautiful, Falling in Love With Love, Johnny One-Note, The Lady Is a Tramp, Spring Is Here, and This Cant Be Love. Theres more: The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say Were in Love, If I Loved You, Youll Never Walk Alone, It Might As Well Be Spring, Bali Hai, Some Enchanted Evening, Younger Than Springtime, Getting to Know You, I Have Dreamed, The Sound of Music, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Evry Mountain, and Edelweiss. It is said that, in a certain mood, Rodgers would stand up and bow in a restaurant or bar when a song of his was played. If thats true, he must have spent precious little time seated. The songs listed above from the beginning through This Cant be Love have lyrics by Lorenz Larry Hart. From Oh, What a Beautiful Morning on, the words come from Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers composed music for several lyricists, including himself, but these two were his most famous and long-lasting collaborations. Richard Rodgers (L) and Oscar Hammerstein in 1945. (Public Domain) Hart and Hammerstein were of opposite sensibilities. Hart wrote sophisticated lyrics in which arch observations and double entendres often played significant roles. Well have Manhattan comes from the pairs first hit together, the song Manhattan, written in 1925. The night it premiered in a Broadway revue called The Garrick Gaieties, it was encored more than a dozen times and went on to be performed or recorded over the ensuing decades by 189 different artists, from Sterling Holloway to Rod Stewart. Harts lyric pokes gentle fun at aspects of the city. Well go to Greenwich/ Where modern men itch/ To be free. Well go to Coney/ And eat baloney on a roll. But Rodgerss exuberant tune soars, turning it into a love song to New York. Hammerstein, by contrast, was deeply sentimental. When he wrote of a beautiful morning, or June busting out all over, or a lark who is learning to pray, there was no hidden sarcasm, no secret wink. Accordingly, Rodgerss style shifted from 1942, the year he and Hammerstein joined forces to write their first show, Oklahoma! It could be said that the music he wrote with Hart was prose, while the music he wrote with Hammerstein was poetry. Aptly, Rodgerss methods of working with these two were also opposed. For Hart, Rodgers composed the music first. With Hammerstein, the words came first. But in both cases, Rodgers wrote extremely fast. He was famous for it. The Gestation of Song One of the best-known stories about Rodgerss incredible facility concerns the composing of Bali Hai, a pivotal song in South Pacific. In an interview on CNYU-TV in 1975, Rodgers called the incident semi-apocryphal, and admitted to his speed but gave it a fascinating background: We were at lunch at Josh Logans (the director of South Pacific). Oscar came in and handed me the lyric of Bali Hai. I left the room and thought about it for a few minutes, then went to the piano and had the tune. Estimated time of composing: 10 minutes. Rodgers said, I say its semi-apocryphal because no one realizes what goes on inside your head. At this point, the interviewer interrupts: A period of gestation? Rodgers: Exactly what it is. And it can last months. (When Oscar handed me the lyrics,) I didnt have the tune. Not a note of it. But I had the subject. I knew about the island, about the woman who sang it. And I knew all the time the type of music I wanted, so when it came down to the actual writing, it went quickly, which seemed rather miraculous. It wasnt. Id been doing my subconscious homework. We are more than our exterior lives. Finding the Music Inside Rodgers had the ability to glean a character or situation and find the music inside that matched it. Words were usually a part of the set-up, but two great examples of the composers gift are extended instrumental pieces in which, without words, he managed to convey worlds unto themselves. In 1945, Rodgers opened the musical Carousel, book and lyrics by Hammerstein, with a magical waltz that accompanied the carousel where the two main characters meet. After a slow winding-up of energy that portrays the carousel beginning to turn, jewel-like melodies in easy succession pour forth from the orchestra, a wordless evocation of innocent Julie Jordans wide-eyed enchantment before the carousel and its barker, Billy Bigelow. Carousel Waltz projects a sense of wonder and delight. Six years later, Rodgers was faced with the task of evoking an Asian culture with which he and his audiences had little to no familiarity. The Siam of The King and I is musically unrelated to the 19th-century Siam where it is set, and with good reason. If I had used real Siamese music, people wouldve run out of the theater, Rodgers later explained, fully aware of the stark differences between Western and Asian musical cultures. So for a scene in which Anna, the English school teacher, meets her students, the Kings children, Rodgers kept to a rule film composers often cite: Dont make the music about the scenery; make it about the people in it. Anna is set to leave Siam after a series of disappointments, but the beauty and charm of the children reach inside of her, as Rodgerss music reaches inside of us, and we are both convinced she should stay. The March of the Siamese Children exhibits Western orientalism of the sort that might not make it past cultural censors these days, but Rodgerss subconscious gives us something bigger than a cultural meme: It portrays for us the fragility of children. In the hands of a Richard Rodgers, music is indeed a universal language. An Amgen sign is seen at the company's office in South San Francisco, Calif., on Oct. 21, 2013. (Robert Galbraith/Reuters) Amgen Says IRS Seeks Another $5.1 Billion in Back Taxes Amgen Inc on Wednesday said the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking additional back taxes of $5.1 billion, plus interest and penalties, related to the drugmakers 2013 to 2015 accounting for profits between the United States and Puerto Rico, the location of most of its manufacturing operations. Shares of Amgen, which also reported higher first-quarter revenue and earnings, were down more than 6 percent at $233 in extended trading. The companys quarterly financial results held no major surprises, but the tax dispute is notable, Jefferies analyst Michael Yee said in a research note. So were now into $12 billion plus of disputes and the 2016-2018 period is also now being audited, he said. Amgen was already in the process of disputing a previous IRS decision to increase the companys taxable income for 2010-2012 by an amount that would result in additional federal tax of around $3.6 billion, plus interest. The California-based biotech is vigorously contesting the tax notices and expects the legal process to take years to conclude, Chief Financial Officer Peter Griffith said on a conference call. He said U.S. corporate tax law changes made in 2017 greatly reduced the gap between U.S. and Puerto Rico rates. Amgen also said it believes the IRS adjustments for 2010-2015 are overstated by around $2 billion. Any additional tax that could be imposed for the 2010-2015 period would be reduced by up to approximately $3.1 billion of repatriation tax previously accrued with respect to the companys Puerto Rico earnings, it said in a statement. Amgen also said it has made advance tax deposits to the IRS totaling $1.1 billion for the 2010-2015 period, which would further reduce any additional tax that could be imposed. Amgen said its first-quarter revenue rose 6 percent to $6.2 billion as product sales increased 2 percent, and it posted higher revenue from an agreement to manufacture COVID treatments sold by Eli Lilly and Co. Adjusted earnings for the quarter were up 15 percent from a year earlier to $4.25 per share, driven by higher revenue and share repurchases, beating the average analysts estimate by 16 cents, according to Refinitiv. Net profit fell 5 percent to $2.68 per share. First-quarter sales of arthritis drug Enbrel fell 7 percent to $862 million, while sales of psoriasis drug Otezla fell 5 percent to $451 million as prices of both were pressured by increased competition. Sales of Amgens new lung cancer drug Lumakras totaled $62 million for the quarter, in line with analysts estimates. For the full year, Amgen said it still expects adjusted earnings of $17.00 to $18.00 per share on revenue of $25.4 billion to $26.5 billion. By Deena Beasley The Archdiocese of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 2, 2019. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images) Archdiocese of Chicago Reaches $800,000 Settlement in Sexual Abuse Claims An $800,000 settlement has been reached between the Archdiocese of Chicago and individuals who accused five clergymen of sexual abuse, lawyers for the plaintiffs have confirmed. The claims were made against five religious leaders, including the Rev. George Clements, a prominent black Catholic priest, and civil rights activist who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago, Alabama, and Mississippi. He also became the first Catholic priest in the Chicago area to adopt a child in 1981. Clements served as pastor at Holy Angels Parish in the Bronzeville neighborhood from 1969 to 1991, as well as a number of other parishes in Chicago, and became the second black priest to be ordained in the Chicago Archdiocese. He died in 2019 at the age of 87. In August 2019, shortly before his death, an allegation of sexual abuse was made by a now 54-year-old Chicago-area man who said he was between 7 and 12 years old when the abuse occurred. The victim claims that the alleged abuse took place between 1974 to 1979 while Clements was pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Bronzeville. At the time, Cardinal Blase Cupich, who serves as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, asked Clements to step aside from ministry while an investigation was launched. Clements told the Chicago Sun-Times in 2019 that the allegation was totally unfounded. But Boston-based attorney Mitch Garabedian, who represents the abuse victim, confirmed to the Sun-Times on Tuesday that the settlement between the Archdiocese of Chicago and alleged victims was reached in February. Garabedian said that the alleged abuse was the worst you can imagine and took place at least 20 times between 1974 to 1979 in the church rectorywhere priests residein Clementss car, and also during a camping trip. When my client reported the abuse to his mother, his mother locked him in the closet and said, Dont ever talk about Father Clements like that again, Garabedian said. Garabedian said the settlement was the result of investigation and mediation, noting that because the claim fell outside of the statute of limitations, a lawsuit was not filed, the Chicago Tribune reported. Attorney Garabedian said the $800,000 in settlement money will also be shared by the alleged sex-abuse victims of four other Catholic clergymen who were based in Chicago, according to ABC 7 Chicago. Garabedian also called on Tuesday for Cardinal Blase Cupich to place Clements on the archdioceses public list of credibly accused priests. The hiding has to stop. The secrecy has to stop, he said. The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Chicago for comment. A general view of Cairns, Australia, from above taken on April 16, 2021. (Caden Pearson/The Epoch Times) Amid Beijings Pacific Moves, Upgrade of Far North Marine Precinct Incredibly Important: Aussie PM The marine precinct home to Australias HMAS Cairns naval base in Far North Queensland will receive $24 million worth of critical upgrades as part of a coalition Liberal-National Party election pledge. In light of Beijing signing a security pact with the Solomon Islands, a small Pacific island nation just 1,700 kilometres from HMAS Cairns, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the critical upgrades to the marine maintenance precinct were incredibly important. HMAS Cairns has played a very important role [in the Pacific], Morrison told reporters in Cairns on April 28. Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on April 10, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images) This is where were providing patrol boats to every single Pacific Island Forum nation as part of our responsibilities, as we understand it, to help them to secure their own fisheries, Morrison added. This is what weve been doing for some time. As part of its 2020 Force Structure Plan, the centre-right Coalition government under Morrison invested around $155 million in facilities at HMAS Cairns in 2021 to support the Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels as part of the Navy Capability Infrastructure Sub-program. That program was expected to source around 80 percent of its subcontractors from the local region. The promised new upgrades aim to turn the Cairns Marine Precinct into a leading place for maritime services that support tourism, the marine industry, and the needs of the Royal Australian Navy. This will create hundreds of jobs during construction and hundreds more highly skilled jobs once it is fully operational, creating enormous and continued economic benefits for the region, Morrison said in a release. This builds on the regions proud history of supporting the Australian Navy and Border Force and will ensure we can continue supporting naval and other shipping in northern Australia and the entire Pacific region. With the Great Barrier Reef a boat ride away, this will also make Cairns an even more attractive launch pad for private and charter boats, yachts, and superyachts keen to explore the region. Our economic plan is delivering this key strategic investment, securing a strong economy and a stronger future for Queensland, he said. HMAS Cairns, on the northeast coast of Australia, is around 1,700 kilometres from the Solomon Islands, which has just signed a controversial security pact with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which the country and its allies fear will undermine regional stability. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspect honour guards at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 9, 2019. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images) In this handout provided by the Australian Department of Defence, Armadale Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Armidale, sails into the Port of Honiara, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, on Dec. 1, 2021. (CPL Brodie Cross/Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images) The controversial deal creates the framework for the Solomon Islands to allow the CCP to deploy police, troops, weapons, and even naval ships to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands. Earlier in the week, Morrison said any Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands would represent a red line for Australia, saying the deal was a shared concern among governments. Morrison cited the existing $155 million investment as evidence that his government had foresight on the evolving security risks in the region well before the Labor party even found the Pacific in the last few weeks. The jab at his political opponents comes in reference to the opposition centre-left Australian Labor Partys ongoing campaign criticisms that the Morrison government did not do enough to prevent the Solomon Islands from signing the security deal with the CCP in the first place. Australias Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Penny Wong speaks to the media alongside the leader of the opposition, Anthony Albanese, in Melbourne, Australia, on May 18, 2021. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) Labors foreign affairs spokeswoman, Sen. Penny Wong, claimed that a lack of engagement by the Morrison government in the Pacific had opened the door for Beijing, describing the Beijing-Solomons deal as the worst foreign policy blunder. The government should have acted sooner. We live in a world where the strategic circumstances we face are riskier and more uncertain than in any time since the end of World War II, she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on April 20. Labor pledged its own $150 million investment to build a ship-lift facility for the Cairns Marine Precinct on the waterfront the day before Morrisons announcement. Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch downplayed Labors pledge, saying its true cost would likely balloon to $500 to $700 million. The port authority is yet to put down the masterplan. They own the land, Entsch said, according to The Cairns Post. The site that has been identified (by Labor) as a possible site is a swamp. Its going to cost a hell of a lot more than $150 million. Morrison has also rejected Labors criticisms about Pacific engagement, and cited HMAS Cairns as one example of how Australia supports its Pacific neighbours. Between 1987 and 1997, the Australian government provided 22 patrol boats and ongoing training to 12 Pacific island countries to enable them to police their own waters. In 2014, the government unveiled a $2 billion Pacific Patrol Boat program to strengthen security cooperation with its Pacific partners. Morrisons new election pledge promises support for the new Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels that will be based in Cairns, $70 million for NORSTA Maritime to deliver the Royal Australian Navys Regional Maintenance Centre, and $36 million for TAFE Queensland in Cairns to deliver maritime training as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program. The $24 million announced on April 28 comes in addition to $48 million already invested in the projects first stage. The new funding will see additional naval certified hardstand areas, all-weather vessel servicing capabilities, additional docking facilities, longer wharfage to meet in-water maintenance support requirements, improved workshop facilities, plus offices, parking, and other amenities. Entsch said the Coalition government had worked with local operators to design the wharf and ensure it is fit for future purposes. Attack on Senior US Officials Brother May Have China Link Uyghur-American hospitalized in Virginia with alleged punches and kicks to the head News Analysis Nury Turkel, one of the worlds most prominent Uyghurs, is under pressure from Beijing. The Washington-based American lawyer was instrumental in legislative and executive actions by the U.S. government to support Uyghur human rights in China. In the context of rising transnational repression by Beijing, including violent attacks linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Turkels brother was hospitalized in Fairfax, Virginia, with severe wounds, allegedly by an attacker who had previously called Turkel a traitor for his views on China. Turkel co-founded the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) in 2003. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) appointed Turkel to the Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2020, where he currently serves as vice-chair. He has bipartisan support in Congress, including from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who publicly recognized Turkel for his facilitation of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020. That year, Turkel said before Congress that Even testifying at this hearing may cost the lives of my parents, but you know, its the right thing to do. A file image of Nury Turkel, vice-chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, meeting with then-U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Chinese dissidents in Washington on July 2020. (Ron Przysucha/U.S. State Department) On April 2, Turkels father died in Urumqi, the capital of Chinas Xinjiang region, known among independence-minded Uyghurs as East Turkestan. Turkels father was almost 83. Turkel ascribes the death to old age, and health conditions worsened due to harassment, intimidation, and social isolation he endured in recent years. But news of the death came just as Turkel landed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for official U.S. government meetings with senior officials and civil society who work on religious freedom and human rights. Tashkent is also in Central Asia, just 950 miles from Urumqi. Turkel felt guilty, he told me on the phone, for not attending the funeral and visiting his widowed mother in Xinjiang, despite being so close. Traditionally, Uyghur children carry and lower the casket of their parents into the grave and throw dirt on the departed while saying prayers. That is impossible for Turkel, who Beijing sanctioned in December and permanently banned from entering China. Were he to return, he would risk detention in the concentration camps, forced labor, torture, or worse. Attacks on the Turkel-Kadeer Family in Virginia Twelve days after the death of Turkels father, a man named Bilal Ibrahimturkistani allegedly assaulted Turkels brother, Mamutjan Turkel, in the mosque parking lot of a funeral service in Fairfax, Virginia. This raises questions about whether there could be a link to Beijing. Pro-CCP thugs in places like New York, London, and Hong Kong have attacked dissidents and human rights advocates while trying to keep blame from reaching Beijing. The alleged perpetrator is Uyghur, but that does not automatically absolve him from links to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). According to reports cited by the Congressional Research Service, PRC diplomats use informants in Uighur communities in Germany, Sweden, the United States, and elsewhere. According to one of my sources in the Washington area, China has infiltrated the East Turkistani/Uyghur diaspora at all levels and this needs to be addressed. The victim, Mamutjan, is married to the daughter of Rebiya Kadeer, a Uyghur businesswoman who in 2006 was elected president of the U.S. government-supported World Uyghur Congress (WUC) and Uyghur American Association (UAA), and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. In apparent response, Beijing allegedly had her sons beaten in Urumqi, and made her the target of what appears to have been a China-linked vehicular assassination attempt in Fairfax, Virginia, that year. Fairfax has a thriving Uyghur community. The alleged perpetrator of the latest attack in Fairfax, Ibrahimturkistani, has been a member of a Uyghur organization in the Washington area, according to the groups website. It calls itself the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGIE) and purports on its website to be the Sole Lawful Representative of the People of East Turkistan. Demonstrators supporting Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Hongkongers take part in a protest against the Chinese Communist Party as they march along Regent Street toward the Chinese Embassy in London on Oct. 1, 2021. (Matt Dunham, File/AP Photo) There are multiple competing ETGE groups. This one is led by Anwar Yusuf Turani, who established the first such group in 2004. The group later expelled Turani for visiting China and on suspicion of working for the regime, according to a source. Another person linked to the group allegedly previously worked for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Turani did not recognize the expulsion, according to the expelling group, and continued to claim leadership of what became a separate ETGIE. Turanis group allegedly supports violent means and a strict and public independence message that serves as a litmus test and divides Uyghurs between establishment and radical factions. The allegations above could not be independently confirmed, and Turani did not immediately reply to requests for comment. An involved member of his extended family, also questioned about Ibrahimturkistani, referred me to the latters lawyer and refused to comment on any of the allegations. Two sources told me that Ibrahimturkistani is highly critical of China, but not intelligent, and one said he is easily manipulated by others. Ibrahimturkistanis social media shows him training with a punching bag, holding large knives in what looks like a martial arts stance, and showing off a large ring of the type that he allegedly wore while attacking Mamutjan. Members of Turanis group have been publicly critical of U.S. government-supported Uyghur groups or their leaders, according to sources. The WUC, UAA, and UHRP, for example, do not explicitly promote the independence of East Turkestan. Competing ETGIE groups use this against them when appealing to the Uyghur diaspora. Rebiya Kadeer led the three U.S.-supported groups mentioned above from 2006 to 2017. She and those who followed support independence privately, but focus their public work with governments and human rights organizations around the world on the less controversial human rights issues. It is their long relations with U.S. and European governments, and their ability to get legislation that supports Uyghurs in China, that particularly threatens Beijing. For that reason, the CCP has targeted Kadeer, Turkel, and other establishment Uyghur leaders for years, possibly including the alleged assassination attempt against Kadeer in 2006 and cyberbullying and threats against Turkel. Frank Wolf, former representative for Virginias 10th congressional district (including parts of Fairfax County) from 1981 to 2015, raised concerns about a collision between a car connected to the PRC government and Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeers car, according to the Congressional Research Service in a 2010 report. Rebiya Kadeer, president of the World Uyghur Congress, at her office in Washington on Aug. 20, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) It is unclear if the perpetrator was ever apprehended, Kadeers daughter and Mamutjans wife, Akida Rouzi, wrote in an email. We tried inquiring about the case by contacting the police department several times that year and during our last conversation with them, we were told the federal investigators had taken over the case, and the police department could not provide further information. Frank Wolf released several statements and publications after, citing Chinas involvement. Attack on Mamutjan Turkel On April 14, Ibrahimturkistani allegedly punched and kicked Mamutjans head, as well as strangled him, in a parking lot in Fairfax, Virginia. Mamutjans injuries, including a broken bone near his eye, required stitches and the surgical implantation of a metal plate, according to Turkel. Mamutjan described in an email to me, sent by his wife, how Ibrahimturkistani allegedly started the fight with aggressive words and stares while the victim attempted to park his car. Mamutjan tried to avoid the conflict by proceeding to turn around and walk away. That is when I felt the first blow to my face just around my eye, Mamutjan recounted. Mamutjan Turkel in the hospital after an alleged assault by Bilal Ibrahimturkistani in Fairfax, Va. The alleged assault, for which Ibrahimturkistani was charged with a felony of malicious bodily injury, occurred on April 14, 2022. Mamutjan is the brother of U.S. Commissioner Nury Turkel, a Uyghur lawyer and member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. (Courtesy of Turkel family) Ibrahimturkistani allegedly had at least one large ring on his fingers, which caused fractures in my skull and several facial lacerations, according to Mamutjan. That first punch, which took me off guard, caused severe bleeding, dizziness, loss of sight from the right eye, and loss of strength in my body. Nevertheless, Mamutjan then tried to push and punch back, he wrote to me. But the effort was apparently ineffectual. After what felt like minutes of being repeatedly punched in the face and the head, I found myself face down on the ground. As I was trying to push myself up, he kicked my head into the cement I might have lost consciousness at this point I dont remember much. When I regained consciousness, I found him on top and strangling me while I was on the ground. I struggled to get his hands off me, but I managed to do so at some point. Then I remember finally being able to land a few punches on his face. He then fell to the ground and got up very quickly. Mamutjan finally made it back to his car, where he found a metal bar, he said in the email. That apparently deterred Ibrahimturkistani from continuing the alleged assault. Mamutjan wrote that he then saw Ibrahimturkistani take his phone out to record me, and I heard him brag I have just beaten Nury Turkels brother or something similar to that. He then went inside the mosque, and I sat outside and called 911. In the mosque, Ibrahimturkistani promptly and loudly announced the fight to those in attendance at the funeral, including several Uyghur leaders, according to Nury Turkel, who was in the room where the funeral took place. At least one member of the Turani family was also at the funeral, according to a source. Ibrahimturkistani then faced Turkel directly and told him to go take care of his brother, according to Turkel. In the process, he hurled insults at the U.S. official. Turkel found it strange that the man, who had just entered the room, knew exactly where he was sitting. When the police arrived, they sent Mamutjan and Ibrahimturkistani to the hospital, where the latter was shackled to his bed. He was then arrested and a felony warrant issued. He was released on April 25 with a bail of $25,000, but with supervised and restricted movements, according to a source. The court order included malicious bodily injury as the alleged offense. Ibrahimturkistanis lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. US Government Should Investigate and Protect Turkel interpreted the attack on his brother as political and aimed at himself and his extended family of Uyghur leaders. I refuse to live with the fear even given the cyberbullying and hatred being promoted by a group of people, including this individual, Turkel told me. I believe that should concern the American people. U.S. government officials should thoroughly investigate the case and reexamine the alleged assassination attempt against Rebiya Kadeer. They are consistent with the CCPs pattern of violent transnational repression against human rights defenders through front groups that provide Beijing with plausible deniability. If a senior U.S. government official, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and their U.S. citizen family members are not safe in the Washington area, then none of us are, and neither is democracy. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Australian Government Urged to Increase Funding to Save Public Universities: Report A new report has called for the federal government to increase funding for higher education to help universities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and allow domestic students to receive free undergraduate education. In its latest report (pdf), the Australia Institute, a public policy think tank based in Canberra, said that the government could save public universities by raising higher education funding to one percent of GDP annually, which is in line with the OECD average. The report mentioned that Australian universities suffered a massive drop in revenue after the country closed its borders due to the pandemic, preventing international students from coming to Australia. Additionally, it said universities were not eligible to receive the JobKeeper wage subsidy, unlike other businesses. As a result, total university revenue decreased by $1.9 billion (US$1.39 billion) in 2020, causing 40,000 tertiary employees across Australia to lose their employment in 12 months, with three-quarters of the job losses occurring at public universities. The report also found that the countrys public university sector required urgent changes and suggested the next federal government make more investments to fix the problems caused by increased corporatisation of universities, funding cuts and the pandemic. As devastating as the pandemic has been for Australias universities, the sector was being distorted and damaged by corporatisation, casualisation, and privatisation long before COVID arrived, Australia Institute economist and report author Eliza Littleton said. Australia needs an ambitious national vision for higher education that re-aligns the sector with its public service mission and with the needs of students, staff and wider society. Littleton also said that investing in higher education would produce a more robust economy and improve social mobility and democracy. Monash University Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Melbourne, Australia. (Wikimedia Commons) Meanwhile, the report stated that direct public funding of higher education in relation to the size of the economy had gone down since the mid-1980s and currently stood at 0.65 percent of Australias GDP, which was below the OECD average of 0.94 percent of GDP. Under a business-as-usual scenario, higher education will continue to become even more dominated by corporate priorities and cost-cutting, Littleton said. If governments make different choices, a better, more democratic future for this vital public service is possible. However, Glenn Fahey, the director of the Education program at the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, said that using GDP as a barometer for how much funding for education was spent was a flawed measure and what should be used instead was per-student funding. And when we do that, you see that Australian funding at all levels of education, and including higher education, Australian students are funded per student significantly more than other countries around the world, he said in comments obtained by The Epoch Times. Furthermore, he said that the amount of funding was not a good predictor of how good the quality of education was. This was because when looking at Australian higher education funding, it could be seen that funding had gone up, but students satisfaction with their course and graduate outcomes of students had gone down, Fahey explained. Simply increasing funding is unlikely to improve outcomes for Australian students and universities, he said. Meanwhile, the report also provided a number of recommendations to reinvigorate Australias higher education sector, including free undergraduate education for domestic students, sufficient public funding for universities, fully-funded research, secure employment measures, caps on vice-chancellor salaries, and transparency in data collection. It is estimated that Australian taxpayers would have to bear an additional $6.9 billion if the government implemented the above recommendations. This figure amounts to less than one percent of the countrys GDP. Regarding the issue of providing free undergraduate education to make it more accessible to Australians, Fahey said that very few domestic students were prohibited from entering university and that free undergraduate qualifications were unlikely to make a difference in improving the outcomes of students. Today, theres little evidence that theres an accessibility problem to higher education. Our problem is that students are not being prepared well enough for university, he said. And what we see from productivity commission research is that further improving access to higher education includes some students who would otherwise not qualify for an undergraduate degree. Theyre much more likely to drop out. They take a lot longer to complete their degree, and theyre left with years of missed opportunities from the workforce. Bail Set at $1 Million for Boy Accused of Killing 10-Year-Old Girl in Wisconsin By Matt McKinney From Star Tribune CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis.A 14-year-old boy accused of the rape and murder of 10-year-old Iliana Lily Peters appeared Wednesday before a circuit court judge who ordered him held on $1 million cash bail. Appearing in court via video from a juvenile detention facility, the defendantan 8th grader and a lifelong resident of Chippewa County who lives with his mothersat quietly next to his attorneys with his head down, wearing a dark shirt. In arguing for the high bond, District Attorney Wade Newell said the boy told authorities that his intention was to attack Peters from the get-go when he left a house with her to walk a trail. The boy told authorities that he punched Peters, hit her with a stick, and strangled her to the point of death before sexually assaulting her, according to Newell. Her body was found Monday morning just blocks from her aunts house where she had been visiting, about 12 hours after her father reported her missing. The juvenile suspect is charged with three felonies: first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13 resulting in great bodily harm, and first-degree sexual assault, Newell said. The first two charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, while the third carries a sentence of up to 60 years, according to Newell. Defense attorneys asked that bail be set at $100,000, but Newell argued for $1 million, citing the seriousness of the charges and the need to protect the community, as well as the prospect of the defendant trying to flee. Judge Benjamin Lane agreed with the higher amount, saying this was a serious threat to the community and so the court is concerned that this could be a further threat if the individual was no longer in custody. Attorneys and the judge did not name the suspect or disclose how he knew the victim. A second hearing was set for May 5. Peters body was found in the woods at 9:15 a.m. Monday close to a walking trail at the end of Grove Street and the Leinenkugels brewery parking lot, police said. It was in roughly the same area where police earlier said that a bike they believe belonged to the girl had been found. Peters, a fourth grader at Parkview Elementary School, lived about four blocks from her aunts house. Her father notified police about 9 p.m. Sunday that his daughter was missing. Newell said after the hearing that the defendant and the girl left the aunts house together. That house was ringed with police tape on Wednesday morning and a police officer sat nearby. A security guard at the Leinenkugels brewery, meanwhile, said the visitors taproom was closed at least through Wednesday. The employee parking lot had vehicles in it, but a security guard there monitored who came and went. Purple balloons were taped to a bridge nearby, and purple ribbons were strung on the railing of a footbridge. The girls family hasnt spoken publicly, but volunteers who spent Tuesday hanging purple ribbons on city lampposts were interrupted at one point by Lilys grandmother, said Teri Ouimette, who organized the ribbon campaign. She came down and stopped and thanked the volunteers, said Ouimette, saying some of the volunteers broke down when the grandmother told them that purple was Lilys favorite color. Were not ignorant about tragedy in this town, said Ouimette. But nothing like this. Ouimette handed out hundreds of purple ribbons and Justice for Lily fliers on Tuesday and Wednesday, a step she took as the executive director of Main Street, a nonprofit that supports the local business community. The citys spontaneous reaction to decorate with purple was something people could do, said Ouimette. Its that feeling of helplessness, she said. A hair salon was giving away purple hair streaks. A candy store gave away free purple taffy. A local hardware store offered 400 purple light bulbs Wednesday morning, asking customers to take one each. At Foreign 5, a bridal shop in downtown Chippewa Falls, the display window mannequins all wore purple dresses. We all kind of decided to flood the window with as much purple as we could, said Ava Kenealy, a store employee. She said she and her co-workers had been fearful the day after Lilys body was found, walking each other to their cars so that no one would have to be alone. Then authorities announced that a boy had been arrested for Lilys death. Were just trying to provide support for whoever needs it, she said. Were all still processing it, said Ouimette, who had people coming and going from her downtown office on Wednesday for more ribbons. An elderly woman who came into Ouimettes office to get a Justice for Lily flier was on her way out the door when she turned on her heel and approached Ouimette. Thanks for what you do, she said, putting her hand on Ouimettes. The two women stood together for a moment, and Ouimettes eyes turned teary. 2022 StarTribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President Joe Biden gives remarks before meeting with small business owners in the South Court Auditorium of the White House, in Washington, on April 28, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Biden Requests Additional $33 Billion From Congress for Ukraine U.S. President Joe Biden is requesting an additional $33 billion from Congress to further fund Ukraine in its war with Russia. That amount would bring the total U.S. support to Ukraine to nearly $50 billion since Russia first invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Bidens request includes $20.4 billion in military assistance along with $8.5 billion in economic assistance. The package also includes $3 billion in humanitarian assistance to address food shortages around the globe. The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen, Biden said during a live address on April 28. We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine. U.S. officials have predicted that the two-month-old conflict between Russia and Ukraine could continue for months or even years, and some members of Congress have voiced support for Bidens call to boost U.S. spending. If Putin thought he could invade Ukraine with impunity, this request by @POTUS is another reminder that he made a severe miscalculation, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) wrote on Twitter. Now, Congress must act with the urgency this moment demands to approve this additional funding to support Ukraine. Others in Congress are voicing opposition. I will oppose the bill because American taxpayers should not be conscripted into this war, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) write in an email to The Epoch Times. The request from Biden comes alongside an additional ask for $22.5 billion from Congress to combat the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19. When asked if the COVID relief should be tied to the aid to Ukraine in one bill Biden said, well, I dont care how they tiehow they do it. Im sending them both up. I mean, Ithey can do it separately or together. But we need them both. Ukraines military released an April 28 statement saying that Russia is increasing the pace of [its] offensive operation and exerting intense fire in almost all directions. The day prior, Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria for refusing to pay in rubles, and threatened to do the same to other countries. The European Union condemned the action as blackmail. On April 28, Biden once again rejected the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO, despite the West imposing heavy sanctions against Russia and providing Ukraine with weapons. Biden Says He Wont Cancel $50,000 per Borrower in Student Debt, Promises Plan in Coming Weeks President Joe Biden said Thursday hes considering canceling some outstanding federal student loan debt, but ruled out a proposal by some congressional Democrats to cancel $50,000 in debt for each borrower. I am not considering $50,000 in debt reduction, but Im in the process of taking a hard look at whether there will be debt forgiveness, and Ill have an answer in the next couple weeks, Biden said at a White House press conference. Bidens comment comes a day after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reportedly said the president is getting closer to a $50,000 blanket forgiveness for all borrowers. I think the President is moving in our direction. My talks with him and his staff have been very fruitful over the last little while, said Schumer, reported CNN. Were getting closer. Schumer has been calling on Biden to use his executive power to erase up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt for all borrowers and to make sure that the cancelled debt wont be treated as taxable income. Other Democrats, notably Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), have also advocated for $50,000 in debt relief. Not all Democrats agree with Schumers plea. In July 2021, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) suggested many taxpayers dont want their money spent to pay off someone elses debt. She also argued that Biden doesnt have the authority to do it. People think that the President of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness; he does not, Pelosi said at the time. He can postpone, he can delay, but he does not have that power. That has to be an act of Congress. Biden has also expressed skepticism about the benefits of Schumers plan. In a May 2021 interview with The New York Times, he said he disagrees with the idea that you go to [University of Pennsylvania] and youre paying a total of 70,000 bucks a year and the public should pay for that. That being said, Biden promised during his 2020 presidential campaign that he would cancel $10,000 debt for each borrower. An analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York says doing so would wipe out a total of $321 billion of federal student loans, eliminate the entire balance for 11.8 million borrowers, and cancel 30.5 percent of loans delinquent or in default prior to March 2020, when the federal government gave all borrowers a payment break and stopped collecting defaulted loans. If it doesnt come with an income cap, a $10,000 forgiveness plan would benefit mainly those under the age of 40 who have graduate degrees and live in high-income households of majority-white neighborhoods, according to the analysis. The U.S Department of Education said it has thus far canceled more than $17 billion in debt for 725,000 borrowers. That includes $6.8 billion for more than 113,000 public servants, $7.8 billion for more than 400,000 people with severe disabilities, $1.2 billion for those who attended now-defunct ITT Technical Institutes, and about $2 billion for 105,000 students who claimed to be defrauded by their school. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in Washington, on April 26, 2022. (Al Drago/Pool via Reuters) Blinken to Detail US National Strategy for China in Coming Weeks WASHINGTONU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday he will address in the coming weeks a long-awaited national security strategy to deal with the threats posed by the Chinese communist regime. I will have an opportunity I think, very soon in the coming weeks to speak publicly and in some detail about the strategy, Blinken said at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. After more than a year in office, the Biden administration has faced criticism from Republicans and others for lacking a formal strategy for dealing with the communist regime in China. For the past year, the administration has used an interim strategy that recognizes China as a strategic competitor, a designation first developed under the Trump administrations national security strategy. In February, the administration announced a strategy for the Indo-Pacific in which it vowed to commit more diplomatic and security resources to the region to counter the Chinese regimes bid to create a regional sphere of influence. It has said it is working on a separate strategy for China, but has faced significant distractions due to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said the speech was likely to be the only public articulation of the China strategy, unlike the Indo-Pacific strategy, which was released as a 12-page document. I doubt it will contain anything we havent already seen or heard in the first 15 months of the administration, she said. In the hearing, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) noted the latest defense authorization act requires the president to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the threat the Chinese regime poses to the global order and asked Blinken about the military agreement recently signed by the Solomon Islands and China. That is alarming, Romney said. According to a leaked draft of the agreement, Beijing would be able to dispatch police, troops, weapons, and even naval shipswith the consent of the Solomonsto protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands. Blinken said the State Department sent a high-level delegation to the Solomon Islands, where it plans to open an embassy to have a day in, day out presence there. We share the concern about this agreement, Blinken said. The U.S. delegation met with the islands prime minister, who vowed there would be no Chinese military base on the island, he said. We will be watching that very, very closely in the weeks and months ahead, Blinken said. U.S. President Joe Biden will host leaders of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a summit in Washington on May 12 and May 13 and he is expected to visit Asia, including South Korea and Japan, later in the month. Boozman, Cotton Lead Senate Effort to Stop Bidens New Firearms Parts Registry Arkansas Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton have joined a group of 20 other Republican senators sponsoring a Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval (CRA) to stop President Joe Bidens bid to create a national firearms registry. While crime spikes across our nation and especially within our major cities, President Bidens administration continues to push regulations requiring law-abiding citizens to jump through more hoops to exercise their Second Amendment rights instead of targeting violent criminals and those failing to hold them accountable, Boozman and Cotton said in a joint statement. Were proud to defend responsible gun owners against this overreach and ensure the federal government does not create a backdoor national gun registry. Joining Boozman and Cotton in co-sponsoring the CRA are Republican senators Ted Cruz of Texas, who first introduced the resolution; James Lankford and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma; Bill Hagerty of Tennessee; Josh Hawley of Missouri; Roger Marshall of Kansas; Mike Braun of Indiana; Mike Lee of Utah; Steve Daines of Montana; Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven of North Dakota; John Thune and Mike Rounds of South Dakota; Marco Rubio of Florida; Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso of Wyoming; Mike Crapo and James Risch of Idaho; Thom Tillis of North Carolina; and Rand Paul of Kentucky. In their statement, Boozman and Cotton said the CRA is needed because Biden is seeking to institute a final rule redefining a firearm under federal law to not only mean a complete product but also its individual parts often included in a weapons parts kit. If implemented, this new rule would require gun kits and gun parts to be regulated as if they were fully functional firearmsmeaning they wouldnt be able to be sold without a serial number or without the buyer having to undergo a background check, the statement reads. The new rule would also require those with Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL) to retain records permanently, in effect creating a national firearms registry. The current rule, which the Biden administration seeks to change, allows for the disposal of records after 20 years. Bidens proposal was unveiled on April 11 in a White House presentation, based on a regulatory proposal from the Department of Justices Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). The proposed rule is aimed at so-called ghost guns that are assembled from parts obtained from disparate sources or bought together as a kit. The individual parts dont have serial numbers and neither do the completed firearms when the kits are assembled. Biden also announced his nomination of Steve Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney and advocate of stringent federal gun controls, to head the ATF. Earlier this year, Bidens first nominee to head the ATF, David Chipman, drew strong bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill and was withdrawn. Whether the availability of ghost guns has any effect on crime rates, particularly those involving murder and armed robbery, is unknown. The Department of Justice has stated that an estimated 24,000 ghost guns were recovered at crime scenes between 2016 and 2020. But federal data show that just in 2020, there were 19,400 murders reported, more than three times the annual average for ghost guns found at crime scenes. In addition, gun sales totaled nearly 21 million, including both handguns and long guns, so ghost guns represent a minute fraction of all guns in private hands. To date in 2022, there have been 6,082 deaths involving firearms used in homicides or accidents, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The CRA was approved by Congress in 1996 as part of the Republican majoritys Contract With America reforms that led to the partys 1994 election landslide that resulted in the first Republican control of Congress in 40 years. The CRA allows Congress to review major rules issued by federal agencies before the rules take effect. Congress may also disapprove new rules, resulting in the rules having no force or effect, the Government Accountability Office said. Despite being a much-heralded legislative accomplishment by Republicans, the CRA has played virtually no role in reducing the continually growing maze of federal regulations. President Bill Clinton signed the law, but none of his administrations proposed rules were revoked. Only one rule was revoked under his successor, George W. Bush. President Barack Obama saw none of his rules revoked. President Donald Trump, however, had 16 proposed rules revoked by Congress using the CRA process. Biden has had three such revocations to this point in his presidency. Proposed federal regulations are published in the daily Federal Register. The highest annual total of pages for the publication came under Obama in 2016, with more than 95,000. The total dropped to slightly more than 71,000 in 2020, Trumps last full year in office. The Calgary Courts Centre is seen in an undated file photo. (The Canadian Press) Calgary Man Admits to Terrorism Charges Related to Islamic State CALGARYA man who pleaded guilty to terrorism-related activities with the militant group Islamic State has told a judge he didnt know better. Hussein Borhot, 36, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of participating in terrorism group activity between May 9 and June 7, 2014, and the commission of the offence of kidnapping for a terrorist group while in Syria. RCMP arrested him in July 2020 after a seven-year investigation. An agreed statement of facts read in a Calgary courtroom said Borhot travelled to Syria through Turkey to join the Islamic State. He signed up as a fighter, received substantial training and excelled as a sniper. He did not tell his wife about the trip, said the document. Court heard that Borhot revealed much of the information to an undercover officer after he returned to Canada. Borhot told the officer that he and some other Islamic State fighters travelled to a village, where they kidnapped a number of opposing fighters, said the document. He also said he had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State and expressed a desire to return and fight in Syria. When asked by Court of Queens Bench Justice David Labrenz whether the facts were correct, he replied that they were, but said: I didnt know better. Borhot had been free on bail with strict conditions, including wearing ankle-tracking devices, not applying for travel documents, and heeding a ban on having firearms, ammunition or explosives. A four-week trial was to begin Nov. 21. The case will be back in court May 26 to set a date for sentencing. Borhots cousin, Jamal Borhot, is also accused of joining the Islamic State and faces three counts of participating in terrorist group activity. He had a trial date scheduled for October, but is now searching for a new lawyer. He is to return to court May 13. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 27, 2022. (REUTERS/Blair Gable) Canada Lawmakers Vote Unanimously to Label Russias Acts in Ukraine as Genocide Canadian lawmakers voted unanimously on Wednesday to call Russias attacks in Ukraine a genocide, with members of parliament saying there was ample evidence of systemic and massive war crimes against humanity being committed by Moscow. The Canadian House of Commons motion said war crimes by Russia include mass atrocities, systematic instances of willful killing of Ukrainian civilians, the desecration of corpses, forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, torture, physical harm, mental harm, and rape. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it was absolutely right for more and more people to describe Russias actions in Ukraine as genocide, supporting an accusation made by U.S. President Joe Biden a day earlier. Biden had said earlier in April that the Ukraine invasion amounted to genocide but had added that lawyers internationally would have to decide whether or not the invasion met the criteria for genocide. Russia, which denies the genocide charges, calls its action in Ukraine a special military operation and said it was necessary because the United States was using Ukraine to threaten Russia. Moscow in turn accuses Ukraine of the genocide of Russian-speaking people, a charge that Ukraine dismisses as nonsense. Canada is among a number of countries to have imposed sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. On Wednesday, it imposed further sanctions on 203 individuals whom it says are complicit in Russias attempted annexation of certain areas of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. By Kanishka Singh Canadian Health Officials Investigating Cases of Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin in Kids The Public Health Agency of Canada says it is investigating cases of mysterious, severe hepatitis found in children across the country. The federal agency told The Epoch Times that it is working closely with the international community to understand the outbreak, which has affected almost 200 children around the globe. The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with its international partners as well as provincial and territorial partners to gather information on this evolving situation, the agency said in an email on April 28. Potential cases in Canada are being investigated further to determine if they are related to cases in the United Kingdom and the United States. We will continue to provide updates as the investigation evolves and new information becomes available. On April 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) broke the news that at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been reported from a dozen countries, with the UK having the most at 114. The WHO noted the hepatitis cases involved children aged 1 month to 16 years old, many of whom suddenly developed gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, before coming down with jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. The organization also noted that most of them did not have a fever, and none of them had any of the five common hepatitis virusesA, B, C, D, and E. As of its last update, at least one child has died, and 17 children have required liver transplants after they contracted acute hepatitis. Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows a similar trend to the WHO figures. On April 26, the ECDC estimated around 190 cases of unexplained severe hepatitis around the world, with the bulk coming from the UK at 111, mostly in children under 10 years old. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory on April 21 after children in Alabama were discovered to have hepatitis infections and adenovirus, a virus that causes cold-like symptoms. It reported a cluster of nine cases of the mysterious acute hepatitis in children who were admitted to the hospital from October 2021 through February 2022. It is now investigating whether there is a link between the current outbreak and adenovirus, though it stressed that the children were not hospitalized due to COVID-19. The first U.S. cases were identified in October 2021 at a childrens hospital in Alabama that admitted five children with significant liver injury (including some with acute liver failure) without known cause, who also tested positive for adenovirus, the CDC said. Upon investigation, a review of hospital records identified four additional cases, all of whom had liver injury and adenovirus infection; laboratory tests identified that some of these children had adenovirus type 41, which more commonly causes pediatric acute gastroenteritis. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), adenovirus was the most common pathogen found in 40 of 53 confirmed cases tested in the UK. Information gathered through the investigations increasingly suggests that the rise in severe cases of hepatitis may be linked to adenovirus infection but other causes are still being actively investigated, said the UKHSA in a press release on April 25. The British health officials also said they have ruled out possible links to COVID-19 vaccines. There is no link to the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. None of the currently confirmed cases in under 10 year olds in the UK is known to have been vaccinated, the agency said. Reuters and Gabrielle Stephenson contributed to this report Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspect honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 9, 2019. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images) China-Solomons Security Deal Paves the Way for Beijing to Establish Foothold in Indo-Pacific: Expert The newly-signed China-Solomon Islands security agreement seeks to isolate the United States and its allies in the region, according to the former head of intelligence for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The contentious pact, signed last week, would allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)with the consent of the Solomon Islandsto dispatch police, troops, weapons, and even naval ships to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands, based on leaked pages from the document. If implemented to its full extent, the framework agreement will give China the ability to extend its reach beyond the South China Sea and into the South Pacific region, and sever shipping lanes and air links connecting the United States with allies Australia and New Zealand, according to James Fannell, a former director of intelligence and information operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The Solomon Islands occupies a strategic position in the Pacific and is less than 1,200 miles from Australia. Both China and the Solomon Islands have denied that the island would permit Beijing to station its military forces there as a result of the pact. But, in Fanells view, the deal would allow the Chinese military to make stop-offs in the Solomons if needed to refuel and refit, which he described as the beginnings of a kind of a base. It puts a foothold for the first time that the Peoples Republic of China will now have the ability to fully operate military vessels and warships from inside the South China Sea, Fannell recently told Epoch TVs China Insider program, referring to the official name of the regime. Given the islands strategic location in the South Pacific, any Chinese presence on the Solomons would benefit Beijing in a Taiwan invasion scenario by impeding the ability of the United States and allies to respond in the region, Fannell said. The Chinese regime views self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory, to be taken by force if necessary. If China was able to establish a string of bases as an iron bar going across the South Pacific, it essentially would break off Australia, New Zealand, from America, it would break off Australia, from Japan, he said. In such a scenario, the regime would eventually be able to break up the United States network of partners in the Indo-Pacific, namely Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, and expand its own influence there, according to Fannell. Years of Neglect Western countries, including the United States and Britain, have deep historical ties with island nations in the South Pacific, Fannell said. During World War II, thousands of American, British, and Australian soldiers gave their lives in the struggle to liberate the islands from Japanese occupation. Yet over the past decade or so, Western powers have neglected the region, leaving the people there in destitute conditions without providing necessary support, he said. This has paved the way for the Chinese regime to fill the void and offer assistance. They have a lot of natural resources, but they dont have a lot of infrastructure and development that allows them to benefit from their own resources. And so they actually need some help. And China has come in and provided assurances, Fannell said. However, in his view, the people of the Solomon Islands, who are mostly Christian, are not supportive of communist China. They just want to have freedom, they want to have the ownership of their land, they want to have respect and rule of law. They dont want to be influenced by a communist nation like the Chinese Communist Party, Fannell said. Last year, the country was rocked by riots that stemmed from peaceful protests sparked in part by the governments growing ties with Beijing. Thus, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Taiwan, and Japan should work together to offer these island nations development projects that allow these countries to be in control of their own destinies, according to Flannel. He believed that Solomon Islanders would be amenable to offers from like-minded countries, as opposed to the Chinese Communist Party. Flannel emphasized that Washington and its allies should act fast, otherwise, China may expel the United States and its influence from the South Pacific in 15 years. Every day that we delay is another day that the Chinese Communist Party is infiltrating and digging their claws in deeper, he said. Hannah Ng Reporter Follow Hannah Ng is a reporter covering U.S. and China news. Security guards stand at the gates of what is officially known as a vocational skills education center in Xinjiang's Huocheng county in China on Sept. 3, 2018. (Reuters/Thomas Peter/File Photo) Religious Groups in China Forced to Advocate Communism: US Commission Chinas state-sanctioned religious bodies have been made to speak in favor of communist policies, as the regime becomes increasingly hostile toward religious beliefs, a bipartisan U.S. federal government commission said. In 2021, religious freedom conditions in China deteriorated, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in its 2022 annual report (pdf) released on April 25. Findings show that Chinese authorities continued to vigorously implement its sinicization of religion policy and demand that religious groups and adherents support the Chinese Communist Partys rule and ideology. Throughout 2021, the State Administration for Religious Affairs and other agencies issued new legal measures, imposing further restrictions on clergy, religious schools, and religious content on the internet, the report states. Over the past years, the communist regime has increased control over domestic religious affairs. It announced in March 2018 that it would place the religious affairs bureau directly under the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) United Front Work Departmentthe agency responsible for running political influence operations both at home and overseas, with a focus on managing potential opposition groups. Chinese leader Xi Jinping in December called state-controlled religious groups in China the ties between the Party and the believers, who should be united around the Party. On March 25, 2021, the state-run Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, which isnt recognized by the Vatican, held a lecture on the history of the CCP. Last April, Buddhist and Taoist temples in many provinces sent their monks to visit the tombstones and gravesites of communist martyrs and pledge allegiance to the Party. Local authorities organized seminars to indoctrinate monks and nuns at Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, [and] restricted Tibetans access to temples with a heavy security presence, the report reads. They destroyed sites and symbols of religious significance, and detained and punished Tibetans for listening to the Dalai Lamas teachings or possessing his portrait. While the regime further tightened its monitoring of domestic religious affairs, those beyond its control became targets for persecution, including independent spiritual communities and whoever has run afoul of the Party. According to the report, adherents of groups such as underground Catholics, house church Protestants, Uyghurs and other Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners are especially vulnerable to persecution. Researchers said the regime continued to harass and jail Catholic priests who refused to join the state-controlled Catholic association. Police detain a Falun Gong protester in Tiananmen Square as a crowd watches in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2000. (AP Photo/Chien-min Chung) At least 101 [Falun Gong] practitioners died as a result of government persecution in 2021, the report said, citing Minghui.org, a U.S.-based clearinghouse that collects firsthand evidence of the CCPs persecution of the peaceful qigong practice. More than 892 adherents of the spiritual practice, also known as Falun Dafa, were also sentenced to prison as a result of the states persecution. Falun Gong, originating in northeastern China in 1992, features five slow-moving qigong exercises and moral teachings based on the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It gained significant popularity during the 1990s, with up to an estimated 100 million people practicing by 1999. Perceiving this to be a threat to its authoritarian rule, the CCP launched a sweeping persecution of the practice, one that has been ongoing for almost 23 years. The report also detailed abuses in the far west Xinjiang region, such as physical and psychological torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, forced labor, forced sterilization, and abortion while in custody, citing former detainees and witnesses. Moreover, authorities separated as many as 880,000 Muslim children from their parents. Besides Beijing, Moscow also continued to employ an array of problematic legislation to persecute religious minorities, the report said, including Muslims, Protestants, members of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Falun Gong practitioners, and adherents of indigenous religions. The report also noted USCIRF recommendations to be implemented by the U.S. governmentincluding the designation of Russia as a country of particular concern, sanctions on religious freedom violators, and genocide determinations for atrocities perpetrated by China and military-ruled Burma, also known as Myanmar. Moving forward, the United States should take additional steps to support freedom of religion or belief around the world, USCIRF Vice Chair Nury Turkel said in a statement. Chinas UnionPay Reportedly Suspends Cooperation With Russian Banks Over Fear of Western Sanctions Chinas largest credit card brand UnionPay has reportedly suspended its negotiations with Russian banks on issuing new bank cards for their customers over fear of Western sanctions. According to The Moscow Times, the Chinese credit processor has recently halted talks with some major Russian lenders, including Sberbank, Russias largest bank by assets, due to concerns about being implicated in secondary sanctions. Secondary sanctions are intended to prevent third parties from trading with sanctioned countries by threatening to cut off the third partys access to the country that issued the sanctions. Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, payment giants Visa, Mastercard, and American Express have joined Western firms in suspending operations in Russia, leaving Russian banks with limited alternatives, such as Chinas homegrown UnionPay. As Western nations condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has refrained from calling out Moscows actions and continued to allow Chinese companies such as UnionPay to conduct business with Russian partners. The report cited Russias business newspaper RBC Daily, which quoted several unnamed Russian banking sources, adding that UnionPay also suspended negotiations with other sanctioned banks, including some of Russias largest private lenders, Alfa-Bank, VTB, and Otkrytie. The project [to issue UnionPay cards] is temporarily on hold, one of the unnamed sources reportedly told RBC. They dont officially confirm that its tied to sanctions, saying its on pause until further instructions. The Epoch Times reached out to UnionPay through its online service to verify this claim. The company said it had not received any relevant notification or information regarding the situation. In March, amid U.S., UK, and EU sanctions, Russias three largest lendersSberbank, Alfa-Bank, and Tinkoffannounced plans to issue credit cards powered by Chinas UnionPay system. At a press conference on March 3, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) also pledged to continue business and financial operations with no sanctions on Russia. UnionPay claims to be one of the largest global payments processors, but almost all of its business takes place within China. Aided by the Chinese Communist Party, UnionPay is the provider of most card payments in China. Its cards are now accepted in 180 countries and regions, according to its website. Numerous Russian banks, including Rosselkhozbank, Pochta Bank, and Gazprombank, offer services with UnionPay. A Russian state media report on April 13 claimed that there were about 500,000 UnionPay credit cards currently in Russia. Following Visa and MasterCards exit, many in the country turned to UnionPay cards. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during an event in New York City on Feb. 17, 2022. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Clinton Campaign, DNC Misreported Opposition Research as Legal Services: FEC Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) labeled payments that went to Fusion GPS for opposition research against her rival Donald Trump as going to legal services, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has determined. A yearslong investigation into the matter, triggered by multiple complaints, led commission lawyers to conclude that payments reported as legal services actually went to Fusion to dig into Trump, documents released on April 28 show. Invoices demonstrate that Fusion was providing opposition research services related to Trump and Russia, and there is no evidence that Fusion provided services other than this opposition research, the lawyers wrote in a brief. The campaign, Hillary for America (HFA), and the DNC tapped the law firm Perkins Coie to assist them with legal matters ahead of the 2016 election. Perkins Coie contracted Fusion GPS, a firm founded by former Wall Street Journal reporters. Fusion later paid Christopher Steele, the former British spy who compiled the infamous TrumpRussia dossier. The government investigation started in 2018 after the Coolidge Reagan Foundation and two other parties lodged separate complaints asserting the Democratic entities violated federal law that requires political committees to report disbursements over $200 per year. By intentionally obscuring their payments through Perkins Coie and failing to publicly disclose the true purpose of those payments, HFA and the DNC were able to avoid publicly reporting on their statutorily required FEC disclosure forms the fact that they were paying Fusion GPS to perform opposition research on Trump with the intent of influencing the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, the Coolidge Reagan complaint stated. The new documents show the accused objecting to the accusations, alleging that Fusion GPSs work was entirely in support of Perkins Coies legal services for the campaign and the DNC. Fusion GPS was doing research but they were doing research for Perkins Coie at Perkins Coies direction to inform Perkins Coies legal advice that Perkins Coie then provided legal services to HFA and DNC, Elias Law Groups Graham Wilson, representing the Democratic entities, told FEC commissioners at a probable cause hearing. Theres really no evidence in the record that Fusion GPS wasnt in furtherance of Perkins Coies legal services. But a review of the arguments offered by the parties, and the documents they shared in response to subpoenasincluding wire payments, copies of checks, and invoicesprovided evidence that Fusion GPS was performing opposition research, not helping with legal services. Comparing the invoices from Perkins Coie with those from Fusion make clear that Perkins Coie billed the DNC and HFA for 100% of the services rendered by Fusion to Perkins Coie, because the amounts and dates of the invoices match, FEC lawyers said. In their initial report, the counsel said that available information suggests that HFA and the DNC did not properly disclose the purpose of the disbursements to Perkins Coie, for what appears to have been opposition research done by Fusion. They also said there were signs that the entities were aware of Fusions work, including how Marc Elias, formerly of both Perkins Coie and the Clinton campaign, received briefings from Fusions Glenn Simpson on the research and briefed Robby Mook, HFAs campaign manager, on what he learned. Mook, meanwhile, provided the budget authorization to Perkins for research into Trumps businesses. Simpson told congressional investigators that he believed Perkins engaged Fusion on behalf of other parties and knew Perkins represented the DNC. The Clinton campaign and the DNC agreed to pay fines to settle the matter, but admitted no wrongdoing. The new documents provide more insight into the investigation that led to the settlements. Dan Backer, who filed the complaint for the Coolidge Reagan organization, told The Epoch Times recently that the case was the first time that [Clinton] has actually been held accountable for misconduct so I think its a great step for accountability. After the agreements were signed, commission lawyers recommended accepting them and closing the case. The FEC agreed. The commission also dismissed allegations against Steele, Elias, Perkins, and Fusion. As far as the Steele dossier, commission lawyers said information they reviewed suggests Fusion didnt provide a written copy to Elias or Perkins but did share oral reports with Elias, who summarized some of that information for HFA and the DNC. The dossier wasnt mentioned in the followup report. Wilson told commissioners that there was no evidence in the record that the dossier was provided to Perkins, much less HFA or DNC. An advertisement for CNN+ is displayed in Manhattan in New York on April 21, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) CNN+ Streaming Service Shutting Down Earlier Than Announced CNNs streaming service CNN+ will shut down on Thursday, two days earlier than previously announced, according to a recent update of a CNN+ support page. Earlier this month, amid reports of dismal subscriber numbers, the company said the streaming service would shutter on Saturday, April 30. Its not clear why CNN+ is shutting down Thursday. CNN+ will be discontinued on April 28, 2022, the page says. Your CNN+ subscription will be canceled on April 28, 2022, and there will be no further charges. Subscribers will receive a full refund for their subscription by May 28, according to the page. If youre an active CNN+ subscriber, your CNN+ subscription will end on April 28, 2022, and a refund will be issued to your payment method, it reads. Digital Trends first reported on the Thursday end date, noting that the company sent out an email to its subscribers announcing the change. CNN had reportedly spent about $100 million on development costs for the streaming service, while it also hired media personalities from other news outlets. Former Fox News host Chris Wallace joined CNN+ after departing Fox several months ago. Im in good shape, whether its CNN or someplace else. Frankly, what Im mostly concerned about right now, and very, is my team and hundreds of other people that had jobs at CNN+, Wallace said Sunday during an event. Debate moderator and Fox News anchor Chris Wallace directs the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 29, 2020. (Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images) Wallace, who has criticized Fox News since leaving, also claimed that Ive been a victim of all of this in the last week, without elaborating. The idea was youve got to get a foothold in the streaming world because thats where the future of news off the mainstream networks is going to be. Now you have some equally smart people that have come in with a diametrically opposed view, these are the new bosses at CNN+ because of [the Warner Bros. Discovery merger] who have come to the conclusion that to have a narrow niche product like a news streaming service doesnt work, he commented. As CNNs parent company announced it would shut down the platform, there were reports saying that fewer than 10,000 viewers were watching CNN+ at any given time. After the announcement, critics of the networkwhich has adopted an increasingly left-wing bias in recent yearssaid its not clear why CNN would launch a streaming service amid a crowded market. CNN shows also tend to perform poorly against Fox News and MSNBC programs in terms of Nielsen ratings. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said the shutdown of CNN+ was a swift and decisive action in a bid to save money. In an earnings call with investors on Tuesday, he said the company is trying to save about $3 billion. People wait in line for nucleic acid tests to detect COVID-19 next to a poster for vaccinations at a makeshift testing site in the Central Business District in Chaoyang in Beijing, China on April 27, 2022. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) COVID-19 Outbreak in Beijing Raises Fear of Lockdown A COVID-19 outbreak is rapidly spreading in Beijing, causing schools to be shut down in an entire district. Amongst the fear of a city-wide lockdown, residents rush to stock up on food and supplies, and freezers are sold out. On April 28, Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that from April 2728, 56 new local cases were reported in Beijing, many of them are students and wedding guests. Since April 22, a total of 194 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Beijing, involving 12 districts out of a total of 16. Authorities are mass testing all residents in the districts, triggering fear of a city-wide lockdown, as many see mass testing as the prelude to it. Beijing residents are stocking up on food and supplies, having watched residents of Shanghai struggle for food and medicine under the lockdown. Household freezers are out of stock. Some areas in the city have already been locked down for some time. Shi Lei (pseudonym), a villager in Yuzhuang, Doudian Town in Fangshan District of Beijing, told The Epoch Times on April 27, The whole village is closed, and the villagers are quarantined in their homes in the village. It has been 21 days. More than a dozen people have been infected. We are not allowed to enter or leave the village. Delivery of food and supplies has become a problem. The wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing has affected schools, and the number of infected students has continued to rise. As the May Day holiday is approaching, Beijing officials issued a notice to order all the citys elementary and middle schools and kindergartens to be closed for one day in advance of the holiday, and the time when school will resume has not yet been determined. All the schools in the Tongzhou district in the southeast of the city have already been shut down since April 27. Parents received an urgent notice that stated from April 27 classes in elementary and middle schools, kindergartens, and secondary vocational schools in the district would be suspended. Teachers and students should stay at home and take nucleic acid testing in their communities. The Epoch Times called Beijing Huiwen Middle School Chaoyang Chuiyangliu Branch to inquire about the infection status of the students of the school. The first cases of student infections of this current wave were reported in this school. A school teacher Wei Lean (pseudonym) said: Students have all been taken away for centralized isolation. No one has notified us of the specific numbers [of infection], and we dont know how many there are. Weve contacted District CDC, they did not give us specific numbers, maybe because the whole Chaoyang District has a lot of areas with outbreaks, and they are still gathering the numbers, referring to the Chaoyang District Center for Disease Control (CDC). The Epoch Times called Beijing Chaoyang District CDC, the Beijing Municipal Education Bureau, and Tongzhou District Education Bureau, but the calls went unanswered. The spread of COVID-19 in Beijing and the shutdown of many communities have caused some Beijing residents to stock up on food supplies. According to a report by mainland Chinese Zhongxin Jingwei, on April 24 alone, the major appliances retailer Beijing Suning Commerce Group sold more than 300 freezers, roughly equivalent to a months worth of sales. A resident surnamed Li from Daxing District, Beijing, bought a vertical freezer: There was just one left in the mall, and I grabbed it. After buying it, I feel much more at ease, and there is no pressure to stock up on food. Gu Qinger and Hong Ning contributed to the report. With mayors dropping dead, ambulance calls up 40% and insurance companies speaking out, like Humpty Dumpty, it would only be a matter of time until an honest judge somewhere ruled the vaccines are experimental. Is this why the ludicrous claims are dying a natural death? COVID persists, but the COVID vaccine narrative has taken on so much water, the powers that be have stopped bailing, and are going to let these vaccines slowly sink. But what do they have in store for us next? There has been so much bad news about the vaccines in the last few months, it even leaked into the mainstream media. I think the cabals plan, at least in the US but probably everywhere, is to stop propping the ludicrous vaccine claims up and allow them to die a natural death. I explain why below. Reality Check There was just too much bad news, too few getting boosted, too much resistance from parents. Getting 8 or 10 doses into everyone was not going to happen. The terrified obedient masses were becoming fewer and fewer. For example, here is one story that got lots of traction: ABC News covered the fact that At least 72 COVID cases in the fully vaccinated resulted from the Gridiron dinner. Not only did Nancy Pelosi test positive, but several members of Bidens Cabinet and many other Beltway glitterati did too. All of whom had to have been vaccinated in order to attend. There was plenty of happy talk that the afflicted politicians in DC had only mild COVID cases. Good for them. But, if vaccinations caused them to become asymptomatic spreaders instead of spreaders with symptoms, who would know to stay home while sick, the vaccines could actually be doing more harm than good in terms of transmission. They could be causing more COVID cases, not less. By now, it has to be apparent to everyone who walks by a newsstand or turns on the TV that the media are begging much too hard for more shots. It must be obvious to all that the shots do not prevent spread and therefore there is no logical way you can mandate them. Because if my shot does not protect you (and only with lots of fairy dust will it protect me) why would you have any interest in whether or not I am vaccinated? Once you stop caring about my vaccination status, the cabals nexus of control starts to fall apart. That was their ace in the hole. Time for them to move on to something else. A Crime Has Been Committed The kicker for childhood vaccines: the New York state Department of Health study of vaccine efficacy in children. After 2 months, efficacy in the 5-11 year olds had fallen to 12%. In other words, 7 out of 8 vaccinated kids derived no benefit after 2 months, only risk. The data were derived from 365,000 children, and apparently there was no way CDC could spin them, or 12% was the best spin they could put on the data. This report is a huge obstacle to universal child vaccinations. They cabal cannot surmount it. It is important to mention again because we keep forgetting that while the vaccines are nominally licensed for adults, in fact you can only find the EUA (unlicensed) product in the US, and legally an EUA is experimental and therefore forcing someone to be vaccinated is a Nuremberg violation and a violation of federal law. The imposition of mandates for these experimental gene therapy products is therefore a crime, being committed by states, federal government and certain companies and other institutions. It seems that because US law was not designed for situations in which the government is the criminal, it has been very difficult to use the judicial system to change what is happening. But surely if this persisted much longer an honest judge somewhere would finally rule that the vaccines are experimental and the COVID mandate house of cards would then collapse. Like Humpty Dumpty (it is Easter today after all): All the kings horses and all the kings men couldnt put COVID mandates together again. Deaths Are Piling Up What else has been happening that undermines the vaccine story? Well, in addition to all the collapsing athletes, there is now a large collection of mayors suddenly dropping dead throughout Germany. In Australia, Queenslands health minister just admitted that ambulances are being summoned for a lot more calls for cardiac events and sudden deaths: 40% more to be exact. Thanks to Igor Chudov for following this story, and including a video of the clueless minister admitting it, but having no idea why Then there were the 3 insurance companies, one each from the US, India and Germany, that admitted there were about 40% more deaths than expected in working-age people in the second half of 2021. The German official who blew the whistle, a CEO or VP, was immediately fired, which is a strong indication he was telling the truth. Three doctor whistleblowers released a large cache of data from the militarys DMED database showing huge increases in service-member deaths. There has been a lot of confusion about these data. In part, that is because the military then reissued its data for the preceding several years, making the 2021 comparison look less dire. Mathew Crawford has some ideas about what really happened to the data. The only thing that is absolutely clear so far is that there has been a coverup, and the health of vaccinated members of the military appears to have taken a dive. But we dont know how deep. Myocarditis Conspiracy Theory No More Everyone in the world must have heard the term myocarditis by now, and knows that it is a vaccine injury. A lot of people also know that CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said post-vaccination myocarditis was extremely rare but mild, except it isnt and she lied. The rate of myocarditis she cited is at least 10 times too low. About 1 in 2000 young men aged 18-24 sought care for this diagnosis after getting their second mRNA shot. In fact, CDC was so intensely worried about blowback regarding its recommendation to vaccinate teens (despite the risk of myocarditis) it got the heads of about 20 professional medical organizations to sign on to a declaration supporting CDCs recommendation. Wonder how much CDC paid for that. Getting such back-up was an unusual move, but perhaps unsurprising for risk-averse bureaucrats who worry about their own butt but not anyone elses. Rochelle even mentions these cosigners from many medical organizations in her ABC-TV interview. Collecting a bunch of co-signers is actually the proof that CDC knew its vaccine recommendation was going to considerably harm children. While no one in a federal health agency has admitted it, many people must be aware that myocarditis is only the tip of the COVID vaccine injury iceberg. Myocarditis got attention because its life-threatening and almost always happens within 4 days of the second shot it cant be written off as coincidence, the way heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary emboli, sudden deaths and perhaps many other diagnoses have been. As if there wasnt enough bad vaccine news, there was information from the Medicare database that FDA posted last July, but it only recently got attention. FDA revealed that heart attacks, pulmonary emboli, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC, a life-threatening, bleeding plus clotting disorder) and ITP (another bleeding disorder) were related to the Pfizer vaccination in Medicare beneficiaries. FDA promised to study this rigorously, but instead remained silent, and subsequently has never denied the relationship. Ivermectin Success Stories Abound And then there is ivermectin. So many ivermectin stories have been leaking into the popular press. Tennessees legislature made ivermectin essentially an over-the-counter drug last week. New Hampshires house voted in favor of this as well, while the NH Senate is now taking it up. Several states gave healthcare providers an immunity guarantee for the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for COVID. Kansas Senate voted to strengthen religious exemptions and give safe harbor to those prescribing ivermectin, effectively undermining school vaccine mandates if it is enacted. Kansas also refused to enforce any adult vaccine mandates. Coupled with stories about lawsuits against hospitals for refusing to supply ivermectin to dying relatives, like this one, people are finally realizing there is probably something to this drug, and they have been cheated. They were given a shot that barely works, is unsafe, and they were stopped from getting the good drug. And what if they lost their business to the lockdowns? There must be a lot of anger simmering by now. I imagine the Great Reset cabal must be worried about this, and has decided to loosen its grip for the moment and hopefully let off some citizen steam. The Tide Is Turning There is more surprising vaccine news. While many institutions are still imposing mandates (and we need to find out what $ carrots were given to universities and other entities to impose illegal mandates of experimental vaccines) in other, surprising places the mandates are disappearing. Out west in Woke Land, the Washington state Department of Health said it would not require COVID vaccines to attend school after all. Despite Gavin Newsoms 2021 executive order mandating vaccines for school kids as soon as they are licensed, Californias Department of Health has just done the same thing that Washingtons did: killed the COVID vaccine mandate for the 2022-23 school year. Finally, Fauci himself and various media now openly admit the vaccines will not take us to herd immunity (no matter how many shots we get). This is why I am convinced the ship is turning and the current vaccine programs will be scuttled. Those states health departments take their orders from CDC and DC. I do not think FDA is going to be issuing any more fake licenses for COVID vaccines. [I say fake because a) the vaccines do not meet licensure criteria, and b) after issuing the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines licenses for adults, neither licensed product has been distributed in the US for actual use]. The Advisory Committee meeting to deliberate on vaccines for kids aged 6 months up to 5 years was delayed from February to April, and now from April till June. It seems like our unvaxxed kids will be spared. Hallelujah! Invalid Surrogates Used for the EUAs During the April 6, 2022 Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meeting, which I live-blogged and summarized, both briefers and committee members acknowledged that the neutralizing antibody titers that have been used as a surrogate for immunity in order to issue EUAs, were in fact not valid surrogates. This had been obvious for awhile, but a recent Israeli study in healthcare workers made it crystal clear. While neutralizing antibody titers rose tenfold after a fourth vaccination, by 2 months out the Pfizer vaccine had only 30% efficacy against infection, and the Moderna vaccine had only 11%. So the high antibody titers were, in fact, meaningless. This is really important, because Pfizer and Moderna have been relying on titers to get their vaccines okayed for the younger age groups, those below 16 and 18 respectively. They dont have data showing the vaccines are actually reducing cases by 50% or more, which is the standard FDA said was necessary. They dont have data showing that the vaccines prevent serious cases or deaths, another standard. Up until now, FDA accepted titers in lieu of actual efficacy results from clinical trials to issue its EUAs for children but with the recent VRBPAC admissions, which must have been planned in advance (otherwise why did multiple people at the meeting discuss it as settled fact when they had never mentioned it before?) FDA can no longer do so. Another thing that happened at the VRBPAC meeting was that Peter Marks, the head of FDAs Center for Biologics and highest FDA official there, said that if a new type of COVID vaccine is developed for the next booster, then the current vaccines would no longer be used, because it would be too confusing (according to STAT). Too confusing?! I believe this was another effort to prepare us for the demise of the current mRNA vaccines. The fall of the vaccines means the fall of the vaccine passports. This ought to slow down the imposition of CBDCs and all-digital money for a bit. If we dont have to show our vaccine certificate to go shop, eat, etc., (and people stop being fearful of catching something from each Other) people will be a lot less inclined to show their papers to go about their lives. Its our job to explain over and over that this was how the Nazis maintained control. Here I Read the Tea Leaves If there is a new vaccine waiting in the wings, FDA and its briefers were not telling us about it at the VRBPAC meeting, which was the time to do so. For right now, I think the current crop of vaccines and the vaccine passports are going away. I dont think the authorities anticipate another severe COVID wave in the foreseeable future as most people now have Omicron immunity. The COVID fear will dissipate. The original Wuhan strain appeared out of nowhere. No natural progenitor could be found. And the original Omicron strain appears to have also originated in a lab. If I was a member of the Great Reset cabal, I would be quite hesitant about releasing yet a third lab-engineered virus on the population. Because millions of people will be looking for one, and it wont take long before its laboratory provenance is discovered. Then the pitchforks might really come out. On the other hand, I do believe the cabal has bet the farm on their Reset, they cant go back, and they are simply moving on to another means of accomplishing it besides COVID. The over-the-top WHO Treaty/Constitution and its amendments designed to assume sovereignty over the world in the event of a pandemic is an ambitious Plan B. But I dont think it will fly. Too many people know the WHO was wrong about virtually everything regarding management of this pandemic, not to mention the 2009 swine flu. And then there was that little matter of WHO undertaking the SOLIDARITY Trial, in which WHO officials deliberately poisoned over 1,000 COVID patients with excessive doses of hydroxychloroquine and in many cases failed to obtain signed informed consents. The WHO could be liable for manslaughter. Will Russia and China really agree to give up their sovereignty to Tedros? China, maybe. Brazil? India? Indonesia? Japan? Nigeria? Can all of their leaders, and their local power centers, have been sufficiently corrupted to turn over their nations to the cabal? I think that could be a stretch. I suspect the cabal will try their best to get a legal OK to take over the world with the upcoming WHO pandemic treaty, but it wont fly. Too many people already know about these plans. Whats Plan C? After the WHO, the cabal will move on to something else, Plan C. Climate catastrophe? Yet more wars? Aliens? Im guessing it will be a few years before we get hit with another nasty bug. By then maybe the fiat currencies will have finally crashed, and the cabal wont have as tight control of the reins. By then, Fauci, Walensky, Biden, Macron, Johnson, Trudeau, Draghi will hopefully be unpleasant memories. I am not thinking we will all sing kumbaya. I expect a good deal of misery as the cabal pushes all the levers at its disposal. The Shanghai city and port closure (Chinas largest city and the worlds largest port) seems to me a deliberate attempt to interfere with worldwide transit of goods and to reduce food availability. The Chinese know how to treat COVID. They make the drugs and herbs. There is no need for them to lock down. Dont miss all the food warehouses that caught fire recently, or the refusal of the Union Pacific railroad to carry 20% of the fertilizer the USs biggest fertilizer producer expected to ship. We are finally understanding that the awful government policies were deliberate intended to cement control over and impoverish us. But maybe we can start to build something a whole lot better. We are shaking loose of the educational indoctrination system, the ruination of our foods, the user-unfriendly and health-damaging healthcare system. We are starting to grasp that our governments acted with malice aforethought to stupefy and eventually enslave us. People are breaking free and taking responsibility for their future. Where I live, people are learning self-sufficiency skills, creating home-schooling coops, building greenhouses and growing food. The migration to the countryside was deliberate. A better life? It just takes everybody waking up. Despite all the acrimony we have faced, the time is ripe to help our fellows see things clearly. We have to love them, help them, meet them where they are. Maybe it is just to talk about the Gridiron dinner. Or ivermectin. They wont get it in a day. But keep trying. It is our only solution. This article was originally published here. Republished from Mercola.com on Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Damages to Chinas Image Commentary From the beginning of this century until the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China made impressive economic achievements and its leadership spent massive resources building the countrys image. At the same time, the Bush administration was preoccupied with combatting terrorism and the Middle East, which offered China an opportunity to expand its horizons, especially in the Asia Pacific region. The Obama administration tried to redress the balance, but progress was limited. President Donald Trump was concerned about the China threat. He exerted economic pressures on China and confronted China in competition for international support in the ideological arena. Mainstream media and public opinion in the United States began to reassess the Chinese Communist regime. Beijings suppression of Hong Kong and its human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet elicited a lot of protests from the international community. In the past decade or so, the Chinese authorities have attempted to get global mass media to spread the official Chinese views. Their financial resources may recruit talent, but the absence of editorial autonomy fails to remove the impression of propaganda, and the results are far inferior to those of Singapore and Qatar. It is difficult to deceive all the people all the time. Recently, Chinas position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its means of combatting the pandemic in Shanghai have been costly in terms of damaging Chinas image. Since the mid-1950s, the Chinese Communist regime has been telling the world that it upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, safeguards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and that this is the core of Chinas independent foreign policy line of peace. China obviously walks a tightrope on the war in Ukraine. It refuses to condemn Russia and impose sanctions against it; and it declares that sanctions are useless. On the other hand, it says that it upholds the United Nations Charter, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. The world overwhelmingly supports the heroic Ukrainians in resisting Russias invasion, Chinas stance is not only unconvincing but hypocritical. The votes in the United Nations expose Chinas isolation. Various medium and small states may differ in systems and positions, but they certainly oppose the invasion of a small country (Ukraine) by a major power (Russia), especially when it occupies the victims territory and commits war crimes. Chinese leaders often try to occupy the moral high ground, but on the Ukrainian war, it accords priority to the strategic interests of a major power and has failed the Third Worlds trust. The war in Ukraine is a foreign policy issue. The handling of the pandemic in Shanghai is a domestic affair. The Chinese Communist regime is generally perceived to enjoy effective governance and high mobilization power. Chinese leaders are proud of this as reflected in their publicity on the containment of the pandemic. But the Chinese authorities forbid people from discussing the policy options concerned and relevant foreign experiences. The zero case approach is an unshakable state policy and solely relates to the prestige of the leadership. The lockdown in Shanghai has apparently been quite efficient. But the capacity of the cadre corps has limits. Some residents do not have adequate food supplies; sick people cannot secure medication or timely medical treatment, and the communitys mental health has been ignored. Foreign media describe the situation as a humanitarian tragedy, and the peoples anger and frustration were widely reported. The conclusion is obvious: the leaderships prestige is more important than rational policy deliberations and peoples basic rights. Taiwan nationals in Shanghai are now circulating their personal experiences in the city in the Taiwanese community, so people will better understand Chinese Communist governance. The European Community Chamber of Commerce wrote to the Chinese government asking to improve the business environment. The Japanese consulate-general in Shanghai complained to the municipal authorities regarding the operational problems of the over 10,000 Japanese enterprises there; and the South Korean counterpart asked the Fudan University to let the South Korean students return home. Many governments revealed complacency, neglect, and policy errors in combatting the pandemic. But the Shanghai situation is different. Its humanitarian tragedy reflects the nature of the Chinese Communist regime. It is no accident that foreign media compared Chinas zero approach to the campaign to terminate all sparrows in the Great Leap Forward. They are policies of authoritarian leaders who rejected rational deliberations and ignored peoples livelihoods. The war in Ukraine and the Shanghai lockdown act like mirrors showing how the Chinese Communist regime works. Their impact on its image will be significant. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Rescuers join the search action for miners gone missing after a powerful underground tremor and methane gas discharge at the Borynia-Zofiowka coal mine in Jastrzebie-Zdroj, southern Poland, on April 23, 2022. (AP Photo) Death Toll Rises to 18 From Polish Mine Accidents; 7 Missing The death toll from disasters in two Polish coal mines rose to 18 after the bodies of four missing miners were found Wednesday. The rescue operation at the Borynia-Zofiowka mine in southern Poland ended after the last miners missing after a tremor and methane gas discharge on Saturday were pronounced dead. They brought the total number of deaths to 10. Meanwhile, the toll from a series of methane explosions at the nearby Pniowek mine last week rose to eight after a hospitalized worker died Tuesday night. Seven other miners and rescuers remain missing at that mine, but the search for them was suspended when subsequent blasts injured 10 rescue team members. Nineteen people remained hospitalized with burns. Partitions are being built to seal off the blast area from the rest of the mine. Prosecutors have opened investigations. The mines are operated by the Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa company, or JSW. Most Polish coal mines are in the southern Silesia region. Many mines have a high methane content in the rock. Some 70 percent of Polands energy comes from coal, a proportion that has been sharply criticized by the European Union and environmental groups who are concerned about CO2 emissions and meeting climate change goals. Poland has been trying to scale down its use of coal. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki recently said Poland has stopped coal imports from Russia and its ally Belarus in response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine. For years Poland has been reducing its dependence on Russian energy sources that was built in communist-era times before 1990, when Poland was Russias satellite. Russia stopped delivering natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday. Polish leaders said the country was well prepared to end its use of Russian gas. Delta Hospice Society Says Mayors Call to Redirect Charity Funds Chilling Delta Hospice Society (DHS) president Angelina Ireland is calling the actions of Deltas mayor chilling after he urged B.C. Premier John Horgan to redirect private funds from the societys thrift shop to a hospice facility formerly run by the charity. DHS found itself in controversy last year following a provincial directive to require provincially-funded hospices to provide medical assistance in dying (MAiD) onsite. Its refusal to comply led to its privately-owned and operated facility, the Irene Thomas Hospice, to be taken over in February 2021 by the Fraser Health Authority. At its recent annual meeting, DHS changed its constitution and bylaws to exclude MAiD and appointed new board members who agreed with the position. Although it no longer has a facility, DHS continues to own and operate a charity shop in Tsawwassen that funds its operations, including a 1-800 palliative care helpline. In a letter posted to the citys website, Mayor George Harvie of Delta wrote to Horgan on April 13 to say the DHS does not represent the interests of the Delta community as only 2,919 of its 13,518 voting members are from Delta and the DHS has actively recruited members who are sympathetic to their religious and pro-life beliefs. Mayor Harvie wrote, We greatly appreciate the actions you have taken to date to restore the management of the Irene Thomas Hospice to Fraser Health Authority. Nevertheless, I would urge you to take whatever steps you can to ensure that thrift store assets and revenue are restored to the Irene Thomas Hospice as originally intended by the Delta community. After a Surrey Now-Leader article drew attention to the request, Ireland wrote a letter to the editor to decry the mayors request. The Mayor urging Premier Horgan to take whatever steps you can is chilling and should cause concern for all private organizations and businesses, wrote Ireland. We are both a local and national organization committed to providing traditional palliative care advice and supports for all Canadians, coast to coast, the letter said. Traditional palliative care knows no boundaries. Proceeds have also supported the launch and operation of Delta CARES Helpline, which at no cost provides authentic palliative care counselling for individuals and families struggling with difficult end-of-life circumstances or bereavement. Ireland said the mayor should recognize the private organizations democratic process and the results of its April 2 annual meeting where 76 percent of members voted for traditional palliative care which excludes MAiD. She cited a 2019 call to action by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) and the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP), that said palliative care and MAiD are fundamentally different practices and that MAiD is not part of the practice of hospice palliative care. The hospice president said, Any further actions by any level of government towards our Canadian CRA-registered charitable organization would constitute bullying, at best, and outright theft, at worst, as we saw with our previous assets. The Epoch Times reached out to Mayor Harvies office for comment but was told he was not available. Denmark on Tuesday became the first country to suspend its national COVID-19 vaccine campaign after health officials said the pandemic is under control there. Bolette Soborg, director of the Danish Health Authoritys department of infectious diseases, on Tuesday said Denmark is winding down the mass vaccination program, and that invitations for vaccinations would no longer be issued after May 15. We plan to reopen the vaccination programme in the autumn, Soborg said, adding: This will be preceded by a thorough professional assessment of who and when to vaccinate and with which vaccines. Public health authorities cited several factors contributing to the decision to end the national vaccination campaign. These include a decline in the number of new reported infections, stabilized hospitalization rates and an overall high level of vaccination. This decision comes just a few months after Denmark eliminated all COVID-19-related restrictions, becoming the first European Union (EU) member state to do so. On February 1, the country dropped restrictions ranging from vaccine passports to mask mandates. Public health authorities at the time said COVID-19 was no longer considered a critical threat to public health. Despite a surge in reported infections in Denmark, attributed to the Omicron variant, health authorities said these cases are not placing a heavy burden on the countrys health system. Denmarks health authorities are the first to explicitly state that future COVID-19 vaccination drives will be targeted, rather than universal. EU Set to Announce Post-Emergency Phase of Pandemic, Fauci Says U.S. out of Pandemic Phase Denmarks decision comes as several other countries appear to be walking back mass-scale COVID-19 vaccination and related public health initiatives. In an interview Tuesday on PBS NewsHour, Dr. Anthony Fauci said, We [the United States] are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase. However, when asked whether there will be an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said thats an unanswerable question. In the U.K., the countrys Health Security agency this week announced it is slashing its staff by almost half, and reducing its COVID-19 budget by nearly 90% compared to 2021 levels. And the European Commission the executive branch of the EU is reportedly preparing to announce the EU has entered a new post-emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported today, citing a draft document the news agency said it reviewed. Despite there being no official statements yet from EU officials, according to Reuters, the draft document, prepared by EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, states: This Communication puts forward an approach for the management of the pandemic in the coming months, moving from emergency to a more sustainable model. In practical terms, this would mean an end to mass COVID-19 testing, already shut down in several EU countries. This approach contrasts with Chinas zero-COVID policies which have resulted in mass testing and a renewed wave of mass lockdowns. In a possible reflection of the EUs new policy direction and its stark differentiation from Chinas COVID policies Greek health minister Thanos Plevris said recently we are entering the phase of co-existing with COVID we dont believe in the zero-COVID policy, like in China. According to Reuters, the EUs draft document is non-binding on member-states and states that COVID-19 is here to stay, with a likely emergence of new variants and surges, necessitating that vigilance and preparedness remain essential. The document asks EU governments to be ready to re-enact emergency measures if deemed necessary, though the nature of these emergency measures does not appear to be specified. However, the draft document does address the introduction of more sophisticated means of detecting outbreaks of and the spread of COVID-19, highlighting that [t]argeted diagnostic testing should be put into place. Such targeted testing would focus on priority groups, such as people close to outbreaks, those at risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms and medical staff who are in regular contact with vulnerable populations. The draft document also suggests surveillance and tracking of COVID-19 infections should be adapted and targeted, focusing more on genomic sequencing and less on the mass reporting of cases. This new surveillance system would amount to one that, according to Reuters, is similar to that used to monitor seasonal flu, in which a limited number of selected healthcare providers collect and share relevant data. As reportedly stated by the document, [t]he objective of surveillance should no longer be based on the identification and reporting of all cases, but rather on obtaining reliable estimates of the intensity of community transmission, of the impact of severe disease and on vaccine effectiveness. However, unlike Denmarks approach, the document states that vaccines remain essential, with a recommendation that EU member states consider enacting strategies to bolster vaccination levels among children age 5 and up prior to the start of the new school year. Some EU member states, such as Greece, have strongly hinted wide-scale COVID-19 vaccinations and restrictions may resume in September. Originally published on Childrens Health Defense 04/27/22 Childrens Health Defense, Inc. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of Childrens Health Defense, Inc. Want to learn more from Childrens Health Defense? Sign up for free news and updates from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the Childrens Health Defense. Your donation will help to support us in our efforts. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Despite String of Fires, Manufacturers Confident Food Supply Is Secure At least 16 U.S. food processing plants have been destroyed or damaged by fire since November 2021, leaving some to worry that the national food supply is under attack. But food industry experts are not concerned, saying the fires are unrelated. To put it in perspective, the United States had 38,821 food and beverage manufacturing establishments in 2019 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture complied data from the census. That means that 0.0004 percent of the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing facilities have been affected by major fires. Or, 99.99 percent of food manufacturing facilities are still operating. Meanwhile, those impacted by fires are either operating again or rebuilding, according to local news reports covering the individual fires. Still, when grouped together, the incidents make a compelling list. Maid Rite Steak Company in Lackawana County Pennsylvania had a fire in November 2021 that started in a wall where an air purifying systems duct work was, WBRE TV reported. It was part of the plants oven system. The fire was ruled accidental. West Side Food Processing Plant in San Antonio, Texas, suffered smoke damage in December 2021, KSAT TV reported. In January this year, freeze-dried ingredient producer Van Drunen Farms of Momece, Illinois, and potato processor the Oregon Potato Company in Warden, Washington, were destroyed by fires, local news reports show. Bonanza Meat Company in El Paso, Texas; snack food manufacturer Shearers Foods of Hermiston, Oregon; and Wisconsin River Meats in Mauston, Wisconsin, had facilities burned to the ground in February. That same month, Reuters reported heavy damage from a fire at the Louis Dreyfus Company in Claypool, Indianathe largest fully integrated soybean processing and biodiesel plant in the United States. There were more fires in March. The fire at the Penobscot McCrum potato processor in Belfast, Maine, destroyed the building. It started on a converter belt near a large deep-frying machine and spread to the roof and ventilation system, causing 138 people to lose their jobs, according to News Center Maine. The Nestle Hot Pocket factory in Jonesboro, Arkansas, was heavily damaged from a fire on the production line in March; the Maricopa Food Bank in Maricopa, Arizona, was destroyed by fire, and the Rio Fresh onion packing warehouse in San Juan, Texas, was also damaged by fire. So far in April, there have been four fires, including an explosion and blaze that burned for 12 hours at the Cargill-Nutrena Feed Mill in Lecompte, Louisiana; massive damage at Taylor Farms, the packaged salad plant in Salinas, California; Azure Standard, a warehouse distributor of organic food in Dufur, Oregon, and East Conway Beef and Pork in Conway, New Hampshire. Unfortunately, accidents happen in any industry, Sam Gazdziak, communications director at the American Association of Meat Processors told The Epoch Times. You can take a lot of steps to prevent them, but they are just tragic accidents. The association represents more than 1,600 medium and small meat and poultry plants across the country. These facilities have buildings, wiring and machinery various ages, and that, combined with human error, means things can go wrong sometimes, Gazdziak said. While nobody is targeting meat plants or any other kind of plants, this is an opportunity for you to review your fire safety plans and also review your insurance policies, Gazdziak said. From what weve seen in the past, companies can recover from a fire. The fire itself is not the danger to the existence of the company; its having an insufficient amount of insurance or an insurance company that just wont work with you that could be the deal breaker. The biggest disruption the industry ever had was the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, Gazdziak said. Many of the largest facilities either shuttered temporarily or had to reduce capacity for a time. Even then, in the worst of it, nobody starved. There was food available. Maybe you had to go to a different grocery store to find everything needed. If you were looking for ground beef maybe you couldnt find it in your big box grocery store, so you had to go to your neighborhood meat market. But there was always plenty of food available. If an entire global pandemic cant knockout the U.S. food supply, a couple of unrelated fires across the country arent going to do it either. Matt McKinney, communications manager at the Food Industry Association, said in an email to The Epoch Times that the nations food supply is secure. FMI wants to assure the public that they can have full confidence in the security of the nations food supply, McKinney wrote. The food industry implements rigorous measures to safeguard food production and ensure Americans can secure the goods they need to keep their families healthy and fed. We remain confident that food suppliers, wholesalers and retailers will continue meeting the needs of the American public. It is unknown if anyone is investigating the string of fires. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security did not respond to The Epoch Times. The FDA said in an email that it declined to comment. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, which inspects meat and poultry processors, told The Epoch Times it does not keep track of fires. The headquarters of Deutsche Bank is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 19, 2018. (Ralph Orlowski/Reuters) Deutsche Bank Extends Quarterly Profit Streak but Ukraine Clouds Outlook FRANKFURTDeutsche Bank posted a better-than-expected 17 percent rise in first-quarter profit on Wednesday as investment banking revenues climbed, but its share price fell as it warned that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could hurt annual earnings. This year is crucial for Germanys largest lender and Chief Executive Christian Sewing as he tries to deliver on targets he set out in a costly overhaul of the bank embarked upon in 2019. He told analysts the conflict has the potential to impact our full-year results in our important measurement year. Shares traded 5 percent lower early in Frankfurt. The quarterly earnings were a boost for Sewing, who was promoted to the top job in 2018 to turn Deutsche around after a series of embarrassing and costly regulatory failings. Net profit attributable to shareholders came in at 1.06 billion euros ($1.12 billion), better than analyst expectations of around 950 million euros. It was a seventh consecutive quarter of profit, the banks longest streak in the black since 2012, and marks its highest quarterly income since 2014. The bank said it was sticking to its annual targets for now, but warned the current environment is increasingly challenging, and cost pressures have intensified. It said funds set aside for credit losses were expected to rise significantly this year due to the war and slower growth. Chief Financial Officer James von Moltke told journalists the race for talent could also put pressure on costs. Investors have questioned whether the bank will meet its key targeta return on tangible equity of 8 percentthis year, but the bank said it was well-positioned to achieve the goal. The strong quarter came as some of its biggest investors, including the U.S. Capital Group and Cerberus, have shed their stakes, raising questions about its prospects. Analysts with JPMorgan noted costs were elevated but said the results were overall positive. Deutsche Bank has lost more than 9 billion euros over the past decade, and its health remains under the close watch of regulators as one of the worlds most important banks for the financial system. Russias invasion of Ukraine has cast a pall over the bank because of Germanys links to the Russian economy and its own operations there. Deutschelike its U.S. competitorswas hurt by declines in dealmaking amid the uncertainty created by the war, although trading held up because of volatile markets. Revenue from the investment banks origination and advisory business declined 28 percent in the quarter, while revenue for fixed-income and currency trading, one of the banks largest divisions, rose 15 percent. Deutsche said it now expected revenues at the division to be slightly higher this year compared to last. It have previously forecast they would be essentially flat. ($1 = 0.9435 euros) By Tom Sims and Frank Siebelt DHS Sets up Disinformation Governance Board to Fight Misinformation A disinformation governance board has been established at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fight misinformation and will maintain free speech, privacy, and civil rights officials have confirmed. DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas revealed the new initiative to lawmakers during a congressional hearing on April 27 when asked by Congressman Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) about what the department was doing to ensure election security and prevent misinformation from being used in the electrical process ahead of the 2022 midterms. Langevin pointed to previous alleged Russian interference in U.S. elections. We have just established a disinformation governance board in the Department of Homeland Security to more effectively combat this threat, not only to election security but to our homeland security, Mayorkas responded, noting that the new board will also focus on stopping the spread of misinformation in minority communities. Nina Jankowicz, a Russian disinformation expert who served as a Disinformation Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, confirmed in a statement later on Wednesday that she would be executive director of the newly-established board. Cats out of the bag: heres what Ive been up to the past two months, and why Ive been a bit quiet on here. Honored to be serving in the Biden Administration @DHSgov and helping shape our counter-disinformation efforts. https://t.co/uN20vl7qqV pic.twitter.com/JEn4FqLdck Nina Jankowicz (@wiczipedia) April 27, 2022 Honored to be serving in the Biden Administration DHSgov and helping shape our counter-disinformation efforts, Jankowicz wrote on Twitter, adding that a HUGE focus of our work, and indeed, one of the key reasons the Board was established, is to maintain the Depts commitment [sic] to protecting free speech, privacy, civil rights, & civil liberties. More to come as we dig into the big job ahead. For now, thanks for the support, she added. According to her official website, Jankowicz is an internationally-recognized expert on disinformation and democratization and has authored books such as How to Lose the Information War and How to Be A Woman Online the latter of which is set to be published in September and is an examination of online abuse and disinformation and tips for fighting back A graduate of the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies at Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service, and an alumna of Bryn Mawr College, Jankowicz is fluent in Russian. She also speaks proficient Ukrainian and Polish and has advised the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on disinformation and strategic communications under a Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship. However, just weeks before the 2020 election, Jankowicz herself promoted false information about the alleged Hunter Biden laptop scandal, which was run by the New York Post and promptly suppressed by social media sites including Facebook and Twitter, the latter of which also locked the newspapers account for more than two weeks. Back on the laptop from hell, apparently Biden notes 50 former natsec officials and 5 former CIA heads that believe the laptop is a Russian influence op, Jankowicz tweeted on Oct. 23. Trump says Russia, Russia, Russia, she added. Multiple media outlets including The Washington Post and The New York Times later published articles verifying and acknowledging the authenticity of Hunter Bidens laptop. Jankowicz defended her previous comment on Wednesday, writing on Twitter: For those who believe this tweet is a key to all my views, it is simply a direct quote from both candidates during the final presidential debate. If you look at my timeline, you will see I was livetweeting that evening. More recently, Jankowicz said that free speech absolutists make her shudder in an apparent reference to billionaire Elon Musk who reached an agreement to acquire Twitter for $44 billion this week with plans to protect freedom of speech. She has also defended the regulation of speech, saying, The free speech vs censorship framing is a false dichotomy. Responding to news of the newly-established department to be headed by Jankowicz, national security expert Brigitte Gabriel wrote on Twitter that Joe Biden is creating his own Ministry of Truth in reference to George Orwells dystopian novel 1984. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Josh Hawley, sharing screenshots of Jankowiczs previous Twitter posts, said: Rather than police our border, Homeland Security has decided to make policing Americans speech its top priority, while referring to Jankowicz as a leftist radical. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort arrives to his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on June 27, 2019. (Yana Paskova/Getty Images) Durhams Treatment of Clinton Camp Contrasts with Muellers Treatment of Trump Camp The way special counsel John Durham is treating people associated with the 2016 Clinton campaign while investigating them is far cry from how special counsel Robert Mueller treated people associated with the 2016 Trump campaign while investigating them. After Durham last year indicted lawyer Michael Sussmann for lying to the FBI, court documents revealed that the special counsel had long been in communications with Clinton campaign lawyers, hearing them out on why certain subpoenaed documents were protected by attorney-client privilege and thus shouldnt be turned over. Durham only recently asked the court to compel production of the documents or at least have the judge review a sample of them before making a final decision. We have tried for some time to understand better the theory of privilege that is being asserted over various documents, and, you know, we have had conversations and have been unable to get comfort as to the grounding and bases of various privilege theories that have been asserted here, said Durhams lead prosecutor, Andrew DeFilippis, during a March 31 hearing (pdf). Sussmann allegedly lied in September 2016 to then-FBI General Counsel James Baker about his motivation to give him reports and data supposedly showing secret communications between the Trump Organization and Russias Alfa Bank. The FBI determined no such channel existed. Sussmann told Baker in an email that he was going to the meeting not representing any client. However, he billed the time to the presidential campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The data and reports were provided to Sussmann by Rodney Joffe, who has run several tech companies. Sussmann, Joffe, and others were part of a joint venture to dig up dirt on Trump and help Clinton, Durham said, but stopped short of alleging the venture amounted to a criminal conspiracy. Durhams approach contrasts with the methods used by Mueller, who in 2017-2019 investigated supposed collusion between the 2016 presidential campaign of Donald Trump and Russia to sway the election in his favor. No such collusion was found, though Mueller prosecuted or referred for prosecution multiple Trump associates for unrelated or process crimes. In August 2017, a few months after taking over the FBI Russia probe, Mueller had FBI agents raid the home of Paul Manafort, a career political consultant who headed Trumps campaign for several months before his prior foreign dealings were criticized by media. Mueller busted through Manaforts attorney-client privilege, asserting the crime-fraud exemption, which strips the privilege from communications that a judge agrees pertained to committing or planning a crime. Largely based on secret evidence, D.C. District Judge Beryl Howell agreed with Mueller that Manafort downplayed in his lobbying disclosures his companys prior activities in the United States on behalf of a Ukrainian political party (pdf). The judge thus allowed Mueller to question to some degree Manaforts previous lawyer. In April 2019, on a referral from Mueller, New York prosecutors had the FBI raid the office of Michael Cohen, then-personal lawyer of President Trump. Cohens lawyer said at the time that during the raid agents seized privileged communications between Cohen and his clients. In such a case, the government sorts out what is and isnt privileged on its own, usually assigning a team independent of the case investigators to do the sorting. Lawyers for both Manafort and Cohen said the raids were unnecessary because their clients had voluntarily cooperated with law enforcement. Trump pardoned Manafort, but not Cohen, who made substantial efforts trying to implicate his former boss in a crime. Cohen recently told The Daily Beast that unless Manhattan prosecutors bring charges against Trump by April 30, he will cease his cooperation. This picture taken on May 19, 2016, shows an Egyptair Airbus A330 from Cairo taxiing at the Roissy-Charles De Gaulle airport near Paris after its landing a few hours after the MS804 Egyptair flight went missing. (Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images) EgyptAir Crash That Killed 66 Likely Caused by Pilots Cigarette Igniting Fire: Report An EgyptAir flight that crashed in 2016 while traveling from Paris to Cairo was caused by a pilot smoking a cigarette in the cockpit and starting a fire, according to a report. EgyptAir flight MH804 disappeared from radar on May 19, 2016, with 66 passengers and crew on board, all of whom were killed. The wreckage of the Airbus A320 was found near Karpathos Island, about 220 miles southeast of Athens, approximately one month later. The confidential 134-page report, viewed exclusively by Italian news organization Corriere Della Sera, concluded that pilot, Mohammed Saied Ali Shokair, lit a cigarette mid-flightwhich was not forbidden at the time by the carriercausing oxygen that was leaking from his co-pilots mask to start a fire triggered by a spark or a flame. French aviation experts found that the cigarette ignited due to one of the oxygen masks leaking after a valve had been placed in the incorrect position when it was changed by a maintenance worker three days earlier and set to emergency mode. The Airbus manual states that an oxygen leak may occur when a mask is in this position. Meanwhile, another factor supporting Frances Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) investigation is the ashtrays in the aircrafts cockpit needed to be replaced two months before the crash because of reported excessive usage. Two black boxes were recovered from the Airbus A320 wreckage and sent to BEA for examination. Now, six years later, additional details on what might have caused the crash are released. The latest findings are based on audio data of the black boxes that also captured the pilot and co-pilot expressing that they both feel tired from this night flight and from lack of sleep. However, according to the report, experts found that both pilots resting hours were respected. A report conducted in 2018 by BEA concluded that the plane went down because of a fire onboard the aircraft upon an analysis of black box datathough that investigation stopped short of explaining what specifically caused the fire to ignite. Egyptian aviation officials initially said terrorism had been responsible for the incident, claiming they recovered traces of explosives in the remains of victims of the flight. To this day, they have refused to publish a report on the incident and declined to cooperate with French authorities. Paris has ruled out terrorism and Frances aviation safety agency said the aircraft transmitted automated messages indicating smoke in the cabin and a fault in the flight control unit minutes before losing contact. Moments before the plane started sinking, seven dispatch messages were also sent out in two seconds by the ACARS system, which also indicated there was a smoke presence on board the aircraft. The latest findings were sent one month ago to the Paris Court of Appeals, which is currently investigating the deadly plane crash for manslaughter charges, as 15 French citizens were on board the plane. From NTD News Tesla founder Elon Musk leaves a courthouse after testifying in a court case in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 12, 2021. (Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images) Elon Musk Wins $13 Billion Tesla Shareholder Lawsuit Over SolarCity Acquisition A Delaware judge on Wednesday sided with Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a lawsuit brought by the electric vehicle makers shareholders that accused him of coercing the companys board into buying SolarCity. Tesla acquired California-headquartered SolarCity for $2.6 billion in 2016 in a stock-for-stock merger. The company was founded in 2006 by Musks cousins, Peter and Lyndon Rive, and sold and installed solar energy generation systems. At the time, Tesla stated in its blog that the two companies would create the worlds only vertically integrated sustainable energy company and produce fully integrated residential, commercial and grid-scale products that improve the way that energy is generated, stored, and consumed. When it was acquired in 2016, Musk, who served as chairman of the board at both Tesla and SolarCity, owned a large portion of the solar energy entity. However, Teslas shareholders accused the executive of coercing the electric vehicle companys board into the 2016 purchase of SolarCity while also acting in his own interest, stating that it amounted to a bailout of the failing solar company (pdf). Vice Chancellor Joseph R. Slights also noted in his ruling (pdf) that conflicts among other Tesla Board members were not completely neutralized but that with that said, the Tesla Board meaningfully vetted the Acquisition, and Elon did not stand in its way. Equally if not more important, the preponderance of the evidence reveals that Tesla paid a fair priceSolarCity was, at a minimum, worth what Tesla paid for it, Slights added. Shareholders can still file an appeal against the ruling in the Delaware Supreme Court. Slights did, however, note in his ruling that Musk likely could have avoided the case in the first place, had he simply followed the ground rules of good corporate governance in conflict transactions. The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a branch office in Bern, Switzerland on Oct. 28, 2020. (Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters) Shareholders, who said the purchase was the product of breaches of fiduciary duty and other wrongdoing were seeking up to $13 billion in damages. According to the plaintiffs, as Teslas controlling stockholder, Elon caused Teslas servile Board to approve the Acquisition of an insolvent SolarCity at a patently unfair price, following a highly flawed process, in order to bail out his (and other family members) foundering investment in SolarCity, the lawsuit against Musk reads. But while the court on Wednesday found that Musk was more involved in the process than a conflicted fiduciary should be, it ultimately ruled in favor of the Tesla CEO. Attorneys for Musk had denied that he used pressure tactics that went beyond ordinary advocacy to encompass aggressive, threatening, disruptive, or punitive behavior in order to get the Tesla board to go through with the deal. In a July 2016 blog post, the Tesla CEO said that the acquisition allowed the company to create a smoothly integrated and beautiful solar-roof-with-battery product that just works. We cant do this well if Tesla and SolarCity are different companies, which is why we need to combine and break down the barriers inherent to being separate companies, he wrote at the time. Randall Baron, the attorney for the plaintiffs told Bloomberg Law in an emailed statement on Wednesday that the case was about a simple principleloyalty to shareholders. The courts decision recognized there were flaws in the deal approval process and a high degree of involvement from a conflicted fiduciary, Baron said. The Epoch Times has contacted a Musk spokesperson for comment. Meanwhile, Twitter on Monday reached an agreement on Musks $44 billion offer to acquire the social media platform. Emergency Was Charter Compliant Says Minister While Refusing to Provide Supporting Analysis Canadas minister of justice testified before a special joint committee on April 26 that the first-time invocation of the Emergencies Act and associated measures by his government were Charter compliant, yet he does not intend to provide the committee with supporting analysis. Throughout the meeting of the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency, which is composed of MPs and senators from different parties and groups, Minister of Justice David Lametti repeatedly asserted cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege and didnt provide answers to questions posed by lawmakers. Minister, I preface my question by saying I fully understand and agree with cabinet confidence and with client-solicitor privilege, but I want to talk about Charter compliance and vehicles that the government does use to assure parliamentarians of compliance, said Sen. Peter Harder of the Progressive Senate Group. Harder said that when individual bills are presented, the minister of justice also presents a Charter compliance document, and so he asked if Lametti would contemplate providing the committee with a statement of Charter compliance. Lametti replied he is not required to provide it. Under the Emergencies Act, he only has to make sure that it is compliant with the Charter, and I have given you the conclusions that I have come to, that what we have done is Charter compliant, he said. The Emergencies Act replaced the War Measures Act in 1988, and was designed with the intention to better protect civil liberties enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The government invoked the Act on Feb. 14 to deal with the cross-country protests and blockades demanding the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Along with the special committee, the governments action will be subject to an inquiry and it is also before the federal court, being challenged by civil liberties groups. Lametti did not mention cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege to justify not providing the requested document, only that he is not required to by law. In many other instances of the meeting, Lametti did bring up these concepts to avoid answering questions. When asked by Bloc Quebecois MP Rheal Fortin if he had received some written advice with regards to invoking the Act, Lametti said he could not answer. What facts or considerations did he provide in providing advice to the language of the invocation that would have considered section 2, subsection D of the CSIS Act? asked NDP MP Matthew Green, a strong detractor of the Freedom Convoy protesters who likens them to terrorists. Section 2(d) of the CSIS Act relates to threats intended to violently overthrow the government. Lametti said he could not respond. Lametti was asked by Harder at which point the government felt the Act was the best choice for the government to deal with the protests, but Lametti again cited cabinet confidence. We invoked the Emergencies Act when it became clear to us that first of all, the situation was national in scope, that we had met the threshold definitions under the Act, and that the provinces or other local authorities were not capable of handling it on their own, Lametti said. Lametti also refused to say if provincial attorneys general were consulted. Conservative MP Glen Motz said Lametti was not being forthcoming. It would be remiss not to remind that we all have a duty, including yourself, sir, to be fully transparent and accountable to the Canadian public, and thats one of the reasons why were having this review as well as inquiry, Motz said. I know its easy to hide behind cabinet confidence, but that doesnt give the Canadian public confidence. Overthrow Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino had testified before Lametti and repeated government claims that Freedom Convoy protesters sought to overthrow the government by violent and non-violent means, mentioning the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that had been published on a protest organizing website. That MOU said protesters should league with the Senate and the governor-general to remove the Trudeau government and lift pandemic restrictions. It was later removed from the web to avoid unintended interpretations, the originator said. Lametti was asked repeatedly by Conservative MP Larry Brock if he interpreted the MOU as a violent insurrection against the Canadian government. Its a silly question. I took the manifesto for what it was and I gave it the weight that it deserves, Lametti said, acknowledging previously in the exchange that it was a factor used to justify declaring the public order emergency. There is much disagreement on what happened during those three weeks in Ottawa this winter, when the trucker-led Freedom Convoy blocked the downtown core and thousands of people poured in with Canadian flags and placards. While protesters held dance parties, children played in bouncy castles, and free-hugs groups walked around, detractors and some residents complained of noise, pollution, inconvenience, and harassment. Anybody who thinks that the assembly here in Ottawa was peaceful didnt really see it up close, Lametti said at the meeting. I am proud that we did not bring in the army, and I am proud that we resolved this situation without injury, that we resolved it peacefully. Footage of the police clearing operation on Feb. 18 showed protesters being beaten, and one woman was injured by mounted police, while protesters remained non-violent. Ending Border Wall Construction Cost DHS $72 Million: Mayorkas Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told House members Wednesday that it has cost taxpayers roughly $72 million to halt construction on the wall along the U.S. southern border. Mayorkas testifies this week in front of multiple Congressional subcommittees as his department requests a $2.9 billion increase in discretionary spending for the next fiscal year and as lawmakers raise concerns about the nations ongoing border crisis. Mayorkas revealed the cost to DHS for ending wall construction spearheaded by former President Donald Trump during an exchange Wednesday with Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.). The wall projectsthe majority of themrest in the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, said Mayorkas. Those that we ourselves control; I believe that the cost of discontinuing them is approximately $72 million. And I will follow up with you to ensure the accuracy of my statement this morning. Last December, DHS announced a plan to plug gaps in the wall still left after President Joe Biden ordered work to stop on the barrier during his first day in office. That plan calls for the Department of Defense (DoD) to turn over unfinished wall projects to DHS in order to address urgent life, safety, environmental, or other remediation required to protect border communities. We are closing gaps and completing gates, I approved I believe approximately 68 projects in furtherance of that effort, Mayorkas said Wednesday. And we are well aware of our responsibility to spend the funds that have been appropriated to the wall. Mayorkas says an analysis on how best to spend wall funding is ongoing, and a plan on how to execute that spending is forthcoming. During Wednesdays House Appropriations Committee hearing, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) raised concerns about gaps in the wall being used by cartels for human trafficking and displayed a photo of steel meant for wall construction lying near the border unused. This is probably good American steel should have been used to fill the gaps in the wall that, in your memo, you mentioned are being exploited by the cartels right now, Hinson said to Mayorkas. So do you have anything to say to the taxpayers about this right here, these pieces of steel sitting there resting when we have this crisis at our southern border? Mayorkas responded by noting that DHS is obligated to spend monies allocated to the wall and assured that this would be done in a responsible way. Border security concerns have been heightened since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced plans to end Title 42 effective May 23. Title 42 is a public health order that was invoked in March 2020 under then-President Donald Trump to minimize the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus by ensuring that only essential travel occurred at U.S. borders. It has been used for the past two years to quickly expel illegal immigrants at the southern U.S. border. The number of illegal aliens attempting to cross the southern border has surged in recent weeks and DHS has projected that number will likely increase when Title 42 is lifted. Officials have said the current funding level for border agencies will not be sufficient to meet operational needs during the projected surge. Mayorkas laid out a plan Wednesday in a 20-page memorandum, outlining a series of pillars that officials are already putting into place to address the surge. The plan will deploy more resources such as agents to the border, and DHS is working to process illegal immigrants more quickly and expell those who arent allowed to stay under federal law, according to the memo. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. The logo of Russia's energy giant Gazprom is pictured at one of its petrol stations in Sofia, Bulgaria, on April 27, 2022. (Nikolay Doychinov/AFP via Getty Images) EU Calls Russia Suspending Gas Supplies to Poland, Bulgaria Blackmail European leaders have condemned Russias move to cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria as blackmail after the two NATO members had their supplies shut off for refusing to pay in rubles. Moscows state-owned energy corporation Gazprom said in an April 27 statement that it had fully halted gas exports to Polish gas company PGNiG and Bulgarias Bulgazrgaz, which prompted a quick response from European Union leaders. The European Commission has accused Russia of using its export of gas to customers in Europe as an instrument of blackmail and stated that it was already prepared for this scenario. This latest aggressive move by Russia is another reminder that we need to work with reliable partners and build our energy independence, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, noting that both NATO members are now receiving gas from their EU neighbors. The Kremlin stated that other countries may also have gas supplies shut if they dont agree to the payment arrangement. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order last month demanding that buyers from unfriendly countries purchase gas in rubles instead of dollars or euros. Most EU countries have rejected this demand, although it isnt clear how many have actually faced the moment of decision. Greeces next scheduled payment to Gazprom is due on May 25, for example, and the government must decide then whether to comply. Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov called Gazproms announcement to change the payment a gross violation of their contract and [it] is blackmail for using a non-contractual plan for payment in rubles through third parties. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told his countrys Parliament that he believes Polands support for Ukraineand the new sanctions imposed by Warsaw on April 26were the real reasons behind the gas cutoff. Poland has been a major gateway for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, and it confirmed this week that its supplying tanks to its neighbor. Just hours before Gazprom acted, Poland announced a new set of sanctions against the company and other Russian businesses and oligarchs. Russia is one of the worlds largest producers of oil and natural gas, accounting for 17 percent of the worlds natural gas and 12 percent of its oil, and its also Europes biggest oil supplier, providing slightly more than a quarter, or 26 percent, of EU oil imports in 2020, according to data from the blocs statistics office, Eurostat. Germany, the largest economy on the continent, and Italy are among Europes biggest consumers of Russian natural gas, although theyve been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. The Kremlins demand for buyers to purchase gas in rubles could serve to strengthen the value of the Russian currency, which has weakened amid Western sanctions in response to its invasion of neighboring Ukraine. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News The Centers for Disease Control headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., on April 23, 2020. (Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images) EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds of CDC Employees Havent Received COVID-19 Vaccine Nearly 400 employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) havent received a COVID-19 vaccine, according to data obtained exclusively by The Epoch Times. A total of 382 workers at the CDC are unvaccinated, Roger Andoh, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer at the agency, told The Epoch Times. Another nine employees have just had one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, meaning they also dont qualify as fully vaccinated per the CDCs guidelines. Collectively, the number is 3.2 percent of the CDCs workforce. Andoh initially pointed to a statement from the government that contained data as of December 2021 and declined to fully answer The Epoch Times FOIA request, which asked for more detailed figures that were current as of March 15. Please note that this is the most recent and most complete data available and some data elements that you requested are not available, Andoh said initially. When asked to clarify, another CDC officer repeated Andohs statement. After The Epoch Times filed an appeal to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CDCs parent agency, the office changed its stance without explaining why. After an additional search, we are providing you with the following information, Andoh said in the new response. The response I got to your appeal from CDC gave me the impression they didnt mean to withhold any information in the first place, Jonathan Nelson, a FOIA analyst with HHS, told The Epoch Times in an email. Based on that, my (personal) belief is that this was just an accidental omission on their part. In addition to revealing that 391 employees werent fully vaccinated, the CDC said that 12,399 were fully vaccinated, meaning that they had received two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson jab. Additionally, 5,810 employees shared that they had received a booster dose, although the agency stressed that employees dont have to say whether theyve had a booster. The CDC also disclosed that the agency had granted zero requests for exemption to President Joe Bidens federal worker vaccine mandate, which is poised to take effect on May 31 after a months-long suspension due to a court ruling. The CDCs media office didnt reply when asked what would happen to unvaccinated workers who dont have an exemption, and why no exemptions had been granted. The data were current as of April 12. Three other health agencies inside HHS that are deeply involved in promoting COVID-19 vaccination and refused to provide data beyond December 2021 still have not provided the figures requested. They are the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the National Institutes of Health. Map photo showing location of Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, where two explosions occurred, on April 28, 2022. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Explosions in Northern Afghanistan Kill at Least 9, Wound 13 KABUL, AfghanistanTwo explosions, within minutes of each other, killed at least nine people and wounded 13 in northern Afghanistan on Thursday, a spokesman for a Taliban-appointed police chief said. The blasts targeted two separate vehicles in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, according to Mohammad Asif Waziri, the spokesman. The source of the blasts was not immediately clear and the spokesman provided no further details. No one claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban security cordoned off the area. Residents in the area said members of the Shiite minority Hazara ethnic group appeared to be the target. They spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety. The attacks are the latest in a series of deadly bombings to rattle Afghanistan. Last week, 33 Shiite worshippers were killed when a bomb ripped through a mosque and an adjacent religious building school. The ISIS groups regional affiliatea top foe of Afghanistans new Taliban rulersclaimed responsibility for that bombing. Family of Woman Killed in Lamborghini Crash Reaches $18 Million Legal Settlement LOS ANGELESThe family of a woman who was killed when the teenage son of a multimillionaire businessman ran a West Los Angeles red light in a Lamborghini SUV and slammed into her car at nearly 100 mph announced on April 27 they have reached an $18.85 million settlement of their lawsuit against the teens parents. Monique Munoz was killed on Feb. 17, 2021, at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Overland Avenue when her car was struck by the high-end vehicle driven by the then-17-year-old son of James Khuri, described by Forbes as a multimillionaire who owns several real estate firms, manufacturing companies, and an e-commerce business. Attorneys said Munoz, 32, was heading home to Hawthorne from her job at the UCLA (University of CaliforniaLos Angeles) Health in Los Angeles. She was attempting to make a left turn when the teen slammed into her vehicle. During a juvenile court hearing for the teen last year, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Daniel Whitmore, who analyzed the event data recorder from the Lamborghini SUV after the crash, testified that the vehicles speed was recorded at 86 mph five seconds before the impact, with the drivers foot completely on the gas pedal 100% and the vehicles speed reaching 106 mph less than two seconds before the collision. The officer said the data then showed the Lamborghinis driver applying the vehicles brakes, with the SUV moving somewhere between 77 and 92 mph when it collided with Munozs Lexus. Today is a significant milestone because the Munoz family can finally get some closure for this horrific tragedy, attorney Daniel Ghyczy, who represents the family, said in a statement. The family faced numerous hurdles from both private insurance companies and the L.A. District Attorneys office, and experienced the harsh realities of racism and bias against those from underserved communities. The family pleaded for the district attorney to investigate this case and met with the office dozens of times to advocate for their family, he said. It was never about money for the Munoz family, it was about acknowledgment of [the teens] misconduct that resulted in the death of their only daughter and to ensure that he was held accountable. Todays settlement is a testament to their efforts and is a step closer to justice. The teen was ordered last year to serve seven to nine months in a juvenile camp after admitting a Juvenile Court petition charging him with vehicular manslaughter at an April 23 court hearing. Relatives of the victim and activists initially alleged that charges were not quickly filed against the teenthe case was filed in April 2021because of the wealth and influence of his father. Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Brian Wendling told the Los Angeles Times, however, that the Lamborghini drivers arrest was only delayed by the fact that he had to be hospitalized for injuries sustained in the crash. James Khuri apologized earlier to Munozs family via Instagram, offering my support in any way you will allow me to and that he and his family pray for the Munoz family. On April 27, he posted another statement in response to the settlement announcement, saying, As a parent, we hope for the best for our children and words cannot describe how we feel when horrible things happen to our kids. It saddens me that nothing can bring back Ms. Monique Munoz from the car accident between her and my son, and I hope that the $18.75 million insurance settlement will build a new beginning that will honor her spirit. My deepest condolences to those who knew her and miss her. Authorities said the teen had been stopped by Beverly Hills police in October 2020 and November 2020with body-worn video from the two stops indicating that he was cited first for driving 72 mph in a 35-mph zone and then cited for making an unsafe start by accelerating very fast, with that officer deciding to impound the vehicle. In both instances, the officers noted that the teen was supposed to be driving with someone who was at least 25 under the rules of a learners permit. Attorneys for Munozs family noted that the fatal crash occurred just three months after the teens Lamborghini had been impounded. During the Juvenile Court hearing, Judge Sabina A. Helton noted that the teen was driving at high speed in a 35-mph zone at the time of the collision. The tragedy that occurred on that day was a long time in the making , Helton said, calling it an avoidable accident. Helton said the boy had been given a very high-performance car and that his parents were aware he had received two citations in 2020 from Beverly Hills police including one in which the vehicle was impounded and subsequently returned to the teen. David Jaffe, Chief of the Organized Crime & Gang Section, U.S. Department of Justice, speaks at a press conference to discuss federal indictments charging 31 members and associates of the Mexican Mafia in Orange, Calif., on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (Brandon Drey/The Epoch Times) Federal Authorities Indict 31 Members of Orange County Mexican Mafia SANTA ANA, Calif.Federal and local authorities announced on April 27 that three leaders of the Orange County Mexican Mafiaas well as 28 of their associateshave been charged with racketeering, murder, and trafficking drugs and guns. The indictment reflects a sustained team effort to bring people who terrorize our communities to justice for their years of violence and narcotics trafficking in Southern California and beyond, David Jaffe, Chief of the Organized Crime and Gang Section of the United States Department of Justice, said in a news conference. The indictment is for the criminal organization known as La Eme, a gang of gangs, Jaffe said. Federal and local authorities gather at a press conference to discuss federal indictments charging 31 members and associates of the Mexican Mafia in Orange, Calif., on April 27, 2022. (Brandon Drey/The Epoch Times) The gang is primarily made up of seasoned members of Latino street gangs who have controlled, divided, and profited from other Latino street gangs operating in Southern California, according to officials. The Mexican Mafia traffics narcotics, methamphetamine, and heroin in and out of prison jails using sophisticated forms of communication through smuggled phones, codes, or visits from female associates known as secretaries, officials said. Federal and local authorities announced in Orange, Calif., on April 27, 2022, that 31 members and associates of the Mexican Mafia have been charged with racketeering, murder, and trafficking drugs and guns. (Brandon Drey/The Epoch Times) Of those charged in the indictment, 21 were already in custody, and nine were arrested over the last 24 hours, authorities said. No gang member is beyond our reach, U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison said. Working together, law enforcement intends to dismantle street gangs and prison gangs from top to bottom, from shot caller to street soldier. U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison speaks at a press conference to discuss federal indictments charging 31 members and associates of the Mexican Mafia in Orange, Calif., April 27, 2022. (Brandon Drey/The Epoch Times) Wilkison said if convicted, each defendant will face a lengthy prison sentence in federal prisons far from Orange County where itll be much more difficult, if not impossible, to exert their power. An undated still image from a video taken during one of the murder cases outlined in the indictment of 31 members and associates of the Mexican Mafia, which was announced by local and federal officials in Orange, Calif., on April 27, 2022. (Courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation) An undated image of a tattooed La Eme gang member. (Courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation) An undated image of a tattooed La Eme gang member. (Courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation) Val Broeksmit arrives at the premiere of "The Gravedancers" at Lowes 34th Street Theater in New York on April 27, 2006. (Mat Szwajkos/Getty Images for TFF) Federal Informant in Trump Investigation Found Dead A federal informant who worked with federal authorities investigating links between former President Donald Trump and Deutsche Bank was found dead in Los Angeles on Monday, officials said. The Los Angeles County Coroners office said Val Broeksmit was pronounced dead at 7 a.m., Sgt. Rudy Perez of the Los Angeles School Police Department told local media. Los Angeles Police Captain Kenneth Cabrera told the Los Angeles Times that officials dont suspect foul play in his death. Perez added that it appears that Broeksmit, 46, was homeless. The coroners office did not elaborate on his cause of death, according to local outlets. Broeksmit was last seen driving a red Mini Cooper in April 2021 on Riverside Drive, according to Los Angeles police. He was later reported missing by his relatives. A 2019 New York Times report said that Broeksmit was the son of a Deutsche Bank executive who died via suicide in 2014. Later in 2019, Broeksmit told the Forensic News Network that he acquired emails of his late father, Bill Broeksmit, and said that I informed the FBI about several of Deutsche Banks loans to Trump. While speaking to the outlet at the time, Broeksmit, who was born in Ukraine, said he spoke to the Department of Justice in 2016 and said, Im writing in hopes of speaking to someone at the DOJ in reference to the evidence I have showing major fraud at one of the Worlds largest banks. Reports also indicated that Broeksmit allegedly provided documents to journalists and Fusion GPS. Fusion GPS was notably hired by a law firm that was hired by the Clinton campaign in 2016, which, in turn, hired former UK spy Christopher Steele to concoct the infamous and discredited Steele dossier against Trump. Forensic News Network journalist Scott Stedman reacted to Broeksmits death, writing on Twitter: I dont suspect foul play. Val struggled with drugs on and off. Despite having been reported missing, Broeksmits Twitter verified account apparently remained active. Broeksmit appeared to have uploaded a photo of himself on April 5. The U.S. House Intelligence Committee and Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) issued subpoenas to Broeksmit several times as the panel was targeting Trump during his presidency. Several years ago, Trumps son, Eric Trump, said that Democrat lawmakers who were trying to obtain Trumps Deutsche Bank records were abusing their power. This subpoena is an unprecedented abuse of power and simply the latest attempt by House Democrats to attack the President and our family for political gain, he said at the time, while saying the actions set a horrible precedent for all taxpayers. A riveting cinematic experience that details the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ Not Rated | 57min | Documentary, History | 2019 We live in some truly tumultuous times. With threats of a nuclear war, worldwide famine and supply chain breakdowns, duplicitous politicians constantly breaking their word (and even engaging in outright illegal behavior), preachy Hollywood celebrities, and the rise of transhumanism, people are increasingly looking to spiritual guidance for inspiration and divine fortitude. However, articulating scripture can sometimes be a challenging proposal. Host Leonardo Defilippis at the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, Jarusalem in Messiah: Are You The King?. (Cenacle) However, thanks to faith-based media company Cenacle (founded by writer and producer Rick Rotondi), we are offered a condensed version of biblical salvation history that is not only well-told but also easy to articulate. This near-hour long documentary-style film focuses on Jesus as savior, shepherd, and king. It is the distillation of an eight-part series titled Messiah, and is filmed across multiple locales within the holy land. Are you the king? is a question that Pilate asked Jesus at the Messiahs trial and is a question that reverberates throughout history on up to the present day. Messiah: Are You The King?. (Cenacle) Warmly hosted by Leonardo Defilippis, a Shakespearian actor of many years, we are taken on a cinematic pilgrimage throughout ancient historyfrom Abrahams call to the trial, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the eventual legalization of Christianity under Emperor Constantine, who reigned over Rome from A.D. 306 to 337. This fascinating biblical odyssey shows us how Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies as described in the Old Testament and how His merciful actions as the Messiah continue to have profound effects in our modern times. It features five Catholic scholars who discuss various Jewish prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus, with helpful narration by Defilippis. One of the more fascinating featured scholars is Roy Schoeman, a Jewish convert to Catholicism, whose parents fled from Nazi Germany. Roy Schoeman in Messiah: Are You The King?. (Cenacle) Produced during the pre-pandemic period of 2019, we can see metaphors directly linked to Gods grand plan and that we can find spiritual comfort and salvation in embracing His merciful grace. We need only to look at the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for spiritual contentment and realize that God does indeed work in mysterious ways. Messiah: Are You The King? is a well-paced film with an impressive presentation that covers a plethora of theological matters in a cohesive and accessible fashion. Its a riveting cinematic experience that people from all backgrounds should appreciate. Messiah: Are You The King? Director: John Strong Starring: Gail Buckley, Phillip Campbell, Leonardo Defilippis MPAA Rating: Not Rated Running time: 56 minutes Release Date: Sep. 14, 2019 Rated: 5 stars out of 5 Watch on Epoch Cinemavisit the link here. Follow EpochTV on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A great opportunity frequently squandered TV-14 | 1h 41min | Biography, Documentary, Film History | 27 April 2022 (USA) How much you glean by watching the new Netflix documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (MMMUT) is completely contingent on what you already know about Monroe going in. It is more or less an adaptation of the 1985 book Goddess: The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe by heralded non-fiction writer Anthony Summers. I was among the millions who devoured Goddess when it came out which led me down a rabbit-hole of other similar (and largely inferior) books and eventually a dead end. Both the Summers book and this film directed by Emma Cooper (the Louis Theroux franchise) dont end as much as they just stop. Theyre the mystery equivalent of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Last Tycoon, Mozarts Requiem, or Beethovens 10th Symphony: All left unfinished because of the deaths of their creators. Photo of Marilyn Monroe (C) from documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes. (Netflix) The Two Sides of Marilyn In many ways Monroe (born Norma Jeanne Mortenson) was two people. When not on she carried the scars of a tumultuous upbringing into her adult personal life and was understandably never fully able to shake her demons. Her second and third marriages (and various affairs) were always with with high profile men who often performed double duty as father figures, and all of these couplings ended abruptly, mostly with acrimony and mudslinging. When in the public eye or working (which was more than full time) her laser focus was impressive. She knew the power of the persona she largely created and was dedicated to always improving as an actress, which improved with each film in which she appeared. Photo of Marilyn Monroe (C) from documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes. (Netflix) Her friendships with industry professionals and her peers were all on solid footing. There are few people who knew her that believed her drug overdose death in 1962 at the age of 36 was an intentional suicide. Great Out of the Gate Drafting Summers as the host, Cooper gets off to a great start. After a crafty and hook-laden preamble, the movie kicks off in earnest with Summers recounting his visit to Los Angeles from his Irish homeland to cover the 1982 reopening of the case examining Monroes death. What was supposed to take a couple of weeks stretched into two years which culminated in the publishing of Goddess. To her immense credit, Cooper waits until near the end of the film before revealing the outcome of the 1982 hearing and Summerss latest, and perhaps, final revelation regarding her cause of death. Fans of Goddess and the Monroe faithful, hearing the recorded voices of the famous, not so famous, and infamous people interviewed 40 years ago for what was then was just destined for print is the arguable highlight of the entire film, but it comes with a nasty Castor Oil chaser. In a move to perhaps lend the movie more of an oomph-factor and live-action feel, Cooper makes the dubious choice of casting actors to lip-sync these sometimes-cryptic spoken words. It was a terrible idea and immediately infuses the documentary with a reoccurring series of thoroughly unnecessary staged reenactments. Had the subject of the movie been less famous, or if the filmmakers were desperate for source material, that would something different, but multiple photos exist for even the most obscure of Summerss interviewees. Photo of Marilyn Monroe (C) from documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes. (Netflix) As they are all talking about Monroe to some degree or another, Cooper could have easily drawn from the nearly bottomless wellspring of archived images of one of the most photographed women in history. Cooper adds insult to injury by shooting these passages and distressing them in post-production: a misguided attempt at simulating faux airs of authenticity and age. Poor Framing Choices Make no mistake, the audio content here is top-shelf quality and eminently engaging, save for an occasional playback glitch here and there. It is the framing choice that is wanting. Video aside, the two most interesting interviews feature directors John Huston (The Asphalt Jungle, The Misfits) and Billy Wilder (Some Like it Hot, The Seven Year Itch) who each worked with Monroe multiple times. Cooper creates another stumbling block for herself by spending a little too much time with Summers and occasionally the narrative mistakenly positions him as the lead attraction. Not to take anything away from Summers: Hes camera ready, has a commanding yet comforting speaking voice, and the passages showing him rummaging through what appears to be a small warehouse full of documents and research notes is admittedly impressive. Author Anthony Summers from documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes. (Netflix) Excellent Filmography Coverage Despite these two large but easily avoidable formatting missteps, Cooper is spot on when covering Monroes filmography and time spent at The Actors Studio that is peppered throughout. She wisely doesnt include every single title (as some not are worthy of discussion), but the ones brought up, including the little-known Ladies of the Chorus, also come with occasional behind-the-scenes footage and obscure tidbits of trivia that even many in the established Monroe fan base previously werent aware. The final half hour tackles the circumstances surrounding Monroes death and, while there isnt much new information to be found, it is presented in an interesting manner. Monroes relationships with John and Robert Kennedy and their brother-in-law Peter Lawford, the possible participation of union leader Jimmy Hoffa, and what seems like half of the entire U.S. intelligence agencies are discussed which ultimately raise even more questions that will likely never be answered. Photo of Marilyn Monroe from documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes. (Netflix) Even with its notable flaws, MMMUT proves to be a decent primer for the young folks or anyone not already familiar with her troubled but fascinating life story. The fact that Monroe is still a more than relevant cultural icon 60 years after her death speaks volumes to her unique allure, mystique, and everlasting staying power. The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes Director: Emma Cooper Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes MPAA Rating: TV-14 Release Date: April 27, 2022 Rating: 3 out of 5 A Russian worker walking past cranes at the RasonConTrans coal port at Rajin harbour in the Rason Special Economic Zone on Nov. 21, 2017 . (Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images) First Shipment of Russian Coal Paid in Yuan on Its Way to China The first shipments of Russian coal and crude oil, paid for in yuan, will arrive in China in April and May, respectively. Chinese state media used the opportunity to denigrate the United States, claiming that the international status of the U.S. dollar is at risk. However, financial expert Albert Song believes that it will not affect the U.S. dollars status as the leading global reserve currency. Fenwei Energy Information Service Co., Chinas leading information and service provider to the coal and coke industries, revealed that several Chinese companies purchased Russian coal in Chinese currency in March, and the first shipment would be made in April. This is also the first shipment of Russian commodities paid in yuan to arrive in China after Russia was sanctioned by Western countries. Fenwei did not specify on which date the shipment was expected to arrive. In addition to coal, Chinese buyers also used yuan to purchase Russian crude oil. The first ESPO (Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean) crude oil will be delivered in May, according to a commentary published in early April on Cngold.org, a Chinese online media outlet about investing. Citing the purchases from Fenwei, the article stated that payments in U.S. dollars will become less popular. Russia announced that it would only accept payments in rubles for Russian oil and natural gas, which turned the United States and European countries from those who impose sanctions to those who are subjected to sanctions, the commentary said. Chinese yuan seized the opportunity and began to reveal its potential in global trade payments. Now that coal and oil paid for in yuan will arrive in China, the international community [will] become green-eyed [at our success]. On April 23, Albert Song, a researcher at Tianjun, a politics and economics think tank, told The Epoch Times that the recent Chinese purchases of Russian commodities in yuan will not affect the international status of the U.S. dollar, because these are only bilateral trades between China and Russia, not multilateral trades involving other countries. Song has 27 years of professional experience in Chinas financial industry, focusing on research in Chinas politics and economics. According to data released by Chinas General Administration of Customs in mid-April, the quantity of imported coal and lignite to China dropped 39.9 percent year-on-year in March and 24.2 percent year-on-year in the first quarter. However, Russian imports not only retained the top spot in Chinas coking coal imports in March, the quantity more than doubled year-on-year. Chinas total imports from Russia are also growing significantly. The latest mid-April report from the General Administration of Customs showed that in the first quarter of 2022, its total imports from Russia increased to $21.73 billion, a jump of 31 percent year-on-year, ranking second only to Indonesias 31.4 percent. When touting the growing influence of Chinese currency, the article on Cngold.org also revealed that the Chinese regime is currently negotiating with Saudi Arabia, planning to use renminbi to price crude oil, in part. Song disagrees with the commentarys conclusion that Chinese yuan is an emerging star on the international market. The most important thing is that a countrys sovereign currency is recognized by many countries. Although the Chinese Communist Party claims that the renminbi is on the path of internationalization, the share of renminbis international payments over the years has only been 3.2 percent because it is a government-controlled currency and cannot be freely exchanged. It is therefore a currency with poor credit to begin with, Song commented. China Wary of Sanctions On April 7, the European Union announced the fifth round of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on coal imports from Russia. The toughest sanction so far is to cut Russian banks from the global financial system. After Visa and Mastercard suspended services in Russia, Russian banks indicated that they planned to issue cards using Chinas UnionPay system. As Chinas largest credit card brand, Unionpay cards are issued in over 70 countries and regions. However, Russian news agency RBC reported on April 20 that Chinas UnionPay refused to cooperate with Russian banks for fear of being sanctioned, leaving Russia with fewer options for a credit card provider for its global business. China UnionPay chooses not to cooperate with Russian banks, for fear that itself will get implicated in the sanctions. The CCP needs the New York Clearing House interbank payments system to obtain dollars. Sanctions against China will block it from earning foreign exchanges through exports, Song explained. He further elaborated that there are three driving forces for Chinas economic growthforeign trade, investment, and consumption. All three are in decline. If additional sanctions are imposed on China, it will be an unbearable situation for Chinas economy, he said. An employee typing on a computer keyboard at the headquarters of Internet security giant Kaspersky in Moscow on Oct. 17, 2016. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images) Five Eyes Reveal Most Exploited Cyber Vulnerabilities for 2021 Cybersecurity agencies from the Five Eyes nations have outlined the 15 most exploited vulnerabilities of 2021. Agencies from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada said hackers were targeting public and private sectors and warned organisations to implement mitigation strategies. The most commonly exploited vulnerability was Log4Shell, which affects Apaches Log4j library, and involves submitting a specially crafted request to a system that will then allow a cyber actor to take full control. Hackers can then steal information and launch ransomware attacks. We know that malicious cyber actors go back to what works, which means they target these same critical software vulnerabilities and will continue to do so until companies and organisations address them, said Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This report should be a reminder to organisations that bad actors dont need to develop sophisticated tools when they can just exploit publicly known vulnerabilities, said Rob Joyce, cybersecurity director at the National Security Agency (NSA). Joyce encouraged organisations to get a handle on patches and mitigation. Lisa Fong, director of the New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureaus (GCSB) cybersecurity centre said the speed and scale of malicious actors was increasing. This joint advisory underscores the importance of addressing vulnerabilities as they are disclosed, she said. The joint advisory was released by the United States CISA, NSA, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the UKs National Cyber Security Centre, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, and New Zealands National Cyber Security Centre. The agencies recommended regular updates of software, implementing a centralised patching system, implementing multi-factor authentication, ensuring remote employees had strong passwords, protecting controls and architecture, and encrypting network traffic. Cybersecurity has become a more pervasive issue as the world becomes more interconnected but the cost of monitoring and protecting against such threats has also ballooned. A February report found that the average cost of insurance to cover cybersecurity breaches spiked 113 percent in Australia from 2020 to 2021. Ransomware has been, and will continue to be, a plague on organisations and insurers alike, across all industries and segmentsequally challenging for small to medium enterprises, as well as large corporates and the public-government sector, the AON report stated. Organisations or individuals wishing to report any incidents should contact: United States: CISAs 24-7 Operations Center at report@cisa.gov or (888) 282-0870, or an FBI field office. Australia: ACSCs 24-7 hotline on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371), or via https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report Canada: https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/incident-management United Kingdom: https://report.ncsc.gov.uk/ New Zealand: https://www.ncsc.govt.nz/incidents/ Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker (R) and former Mayor Betsy Price (L) look at early voting results at a gathering in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 5, 2021. (Yffy Tossifor/Star-Telegram via AP) Fort Worth, Texas, Becomes First American City to Mine Bitcoin The city of Fort Worth, Texas, has become the first city government in the United States to mine bitcoin, advancing its goal of becoming a leading center of tech and innovation, city authorities announced on April 26. The bitcoin mining pilot program was launched by the Office of Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and the City of Fort Worth in a joint partnership with the Texas Blockchain Council, officials said. Three bitcoin mining machines will run 24/7 in the climate-controlled information technology center at Fort Worth City Hall. The machinesdonated by the Texas Blockchain Councilwill be housed on a private network as a security measure. Today, with the support and partnership of Texas Blockchain Council, were stepping into that world on a small scale while sending a big messageFort Worth is where the future begins, Parker stated. These small but powerful machines mark Fort Worths larger commitment to becoming a leading hub for technology and innovation. By initially testing out just three mining machines, the city will be in a position to manage the program while also assessing its benefits. After six months, the city will reevaluate the program. Taking into account the type and number of mining machines being used, Fort Worth is estimating that each unit will consume energy equivalent to that of a household vacuum cleaner. The value of the bitcoin mined is expected to offset the nominal energy costs. Parker got the idea of starting a bitcoin mining rig in the city after conversing with a few friends from the venture capital (VC) world who informed her that about 80 percent of VC funds are spent in the tech industry, with cryptocurrency being a very attractive opportunity, CNBC reported. Fort Worth is teaming up with mining pool Luxor Technologies, which allows a single miner to combine its mining power with thousands of other miners globally. According to Alex Brammer, vice president of business development for Luxor, the decision to mine bitcoin will strengthen the cryptocurrencys legitimacy as a strategic asset. In the future, it is likely that bitcoin mines will sit alongside industrial-scale battery storage to provide grid-firming services that prevent blackouts and other interruptions to the grid caused by the addition of intermittent wind and solar generation, Brammer told CNBC. In this context, it would make sense for cities to start to fund and build large-scale mining infrastructure themselves, he said. Following Chinas crackdown on the cryptocurrency industry in 2021, the United States emerged as a destination for mining, with Texas being especially attractive due to its mining-friendly laws and cheap power. States like California and Arizona are exploring the possibility of making cryptocurrency legal tender. Meanwhile, lawmakers in New York have advanced a bill aimed at imposing a moratorium on certain cryptocurrency mining operations for a period of two years. Despite its rising popularity, bitcoin remains a highly volatile asset with wild price swings, unlike traditional currencies such as the U.S. dollar. After peaking above $68,500 in November 2021, bitcoin is currently trading at about $39,300 as of April 28, a decline of over 42 percent in a span of about five months. A giant ichthyosaur from the Late Triassic bulk-feeding on a school of squid in an undated artist's photo. (Marcello Perillo/University of Bonn/Handout via Reuters) Fossils of Giant Marine Reptiles Found High in the Swiss Alps Fossils from some of the largest creatures ever to swim Earths oceanswhale-sized marine reptiles called ichthyosaurshave been found in a counterintuitive place: atop three mountains in the Swiss Alps up to 8,990 feet above sea level. Scientists on Thursday described rib and vertebrae fossils from two ichthyosaur individuals: one about 69 feet long and the other about 49 feet. They described from a third individual the largest-known tooth from any ichthyosaur with a base 2.4 inches wide and an estimated length of 6 inches, suggestive of a fearsome predator. The fossils, dating to around 205 million years ago near the end of the Triassic Period, make these three individuals among the largest of the giant ichthyosaurs that inhabited the oceans at a time when dinosaurs were beginning to dominate the land. The tooth is particularly interesting because it could possiblybut unlikelyrepresent the largest animal to ever inhabit Earth, said paleontologist Martin Sander of the University of Bonn, lead author of the study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. It was found atop the Chrachenhorn mountain near Davos. Based on the fact that a 59-foot-long ichthyosaur described last year had a tooth with a base eight-tenths of an inch wide, Sander said, then a tooth 6 centimeters wide could possibly have come from an animal 54 meters (177 feet) in length. The animal likely was not that big but still formidable, perhaps akin to a sperm whale, hunting giant squid, large fish, and smaller ichthyosaurs. Some other giant ichthyosaurs apparently lacked teeth and ate small fish and squid, sucking them up or engulfing them in their mouths. The giant ichthyosaursthe largest-ever marine reptileshad elongated bodies, with relatively small skulls. The fossils were found in the 1970s and 1980s at three sites in the eastern Alps in Switzerland, said study co-author Heinz Furrer, a retired curator at the University of Zurichs Paleontological Institute and Museum who discovered them along with other geology students at the time. The fossils are being described scientifically for the first time. Researchers Martin Sander (R) and Michael Hautmann look over the geological layers where remains of prehistoric marine reptiles called ichthyosaurs were found, on the southern slope of a mountain called Schesaplana in the Swiss High Alps on the Graubunden, Switzerland/Vorarlberg, Austria border, in an undated handout image. (Jelle Heijne/University of Bonn/Handout via Reuters) The inexorable movement of the immense plates that make up Earths crust in a process called plate tectonics explains how fossils that formed in an ancient seabed ended up atop mountains. The Alps have a very complicated structure, with giant slabs of rock consisting of former seafloor, called nappes, piled on top of each other by the African plate pushing into the European plate. The nappe that the ichthyosaurs come from is the highest in the pile. This piling up happened in the last 35 million years or so, Sander said. The remains are too incomplete to definitively determine their species but probably belong to an ichthyosaur family called Shastasauridae. This family includes the biggest-known ichthyosaur: Shastasaurus, with a specimen from Canada indicating a length of 69 feet. Some researchers have proposed longer ichthyosaur lengths based on partial fossils. Until now, giant ichthyosaurs had not been known from so near the end of the Triassic. They apparently disappeared in the mass extinction event at the conclusion of the Triassic about 201 million years agoand no marine creatures got as big again until baleen whales about 3 million years ago. Smaller ichthyosaurs lived until about 90 million years ago. There were three groups of animals in the history of life on Earth that were true giants: ichthyosaurs of the Triassic, which came first but remain mere ghosts; long-necked sauropod dinosaurs on land; and todays baleen whales, Sander said. Todays blue whale, up to about 98 feet long, has been considered Earths largest-ever creature. Sander said future research on giant Triassic ichthyosaurs may challenge this conclusion. By Will Dunham Funeral Costs in China Are Skyrocketing; People Say They Cant Afford to Die Funeral homes in Chinas major cities are charging exorbitant fees for services their clients dont know about, prompting some in Beijing to expose this unscrupulous practice to the media. A Beijing resident surnamed Deng (pseudonym) told Chinese state media that his wife passed away in mid-February. Her body was kept in the mortuary of the Third Hospital of Peking University for two and half days before the cremation. Deng and his family were shocked when they received the bill from the hospital. The person in charge of the mortuary explained to Deng that he was being billed for 28 various service fees, including 5,990 yuan (about $920) for bathing and spa services, 6,800 yuan (about $1,050) for the burial garment, 2,980 yuan (about $460) for urns, up to 10,720 yuan ($1,650) for five flower-related services, plus a long list of other miscellaneous expenses. Some service fees were vaguely defined. For example, there was a service called golden avenue for the soul to rise that cost 1,500 yuan (about $230); another was back pad for 600 yuan (about $90); and miscellaneous ceremonial services for 3,990 yuan (about $610). Deng told the media he was dumbfounded by the meal supply fee of 600 yuan (about $90). Why would the deceased still need meals? various state media quoted him. Deng had to foot the bill, totaling nearly 40,000 yuan (about $6,150), roughly his wifes annual income when she was alive. Another Beijing resident surnamed Zheng (pseudonym) recently encountered a similar situation. Zhengs mother-in-law passed away at the end of March, and her body was also stored in the mortuary of the Third Hospital of Peking University. When Zheng got the bill, she was surprised that the total amount was nearly 20,000 yuan (about $3,080). For example, one of the services listed on the bill, called gratitude and filial piety, cost 5,990 yuan (about $920). Zheng was billed 1,200 yuan (about $185) for a service that involved moving her mother-in-laws body out of the mortuary and transporting her on a golden carpet, which was rolled out by the staff as part of a grand ceremony. There was a fee of 800 yuan (about $120) for a service called flowers leading the way. Zheng also was charged 3,000 yuan (about $460) for comprehensive services. Both Deng and Zheng claimed that the funeral service company never discussed nor informed them of these charges beforehand. Zheng said her family members are part of the working class and called the mortuarys practice unscrupulous. Even for high-income families, this cost is ridiculous, she told the media, adding that ordinary people cant afford to die. A Chinese funeral service in this undated photo. (Via West China Metropolis Daily) Beijing News Radio contacted the hospital and mortuary. A hospital staff member said that the hospitals morgue was contracted out to a third party, and the funeral company became the hospitals business partner through a formal bidding process. The funeral fees were based on the guidelines of the Civil Affairs Bureau Funeral Management Regulations. However, Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau said the hospital directly manages the mortuary, and the bureau is indirectly responsible for how business entities subcontract to other companies or individuals. Among the various fees, the bureau only included a corpse storage fee in its pricing regulation, which is 30 yuan (about $4.60) per day. All the other items are priced based on market demand and supply. Under public pressure, the Third Hospital of Peking University issued a statement in which it said it would pay attention to, investigate, and reflect on the matter. Shortly after the Beijing News Radio program, many Beijing residents came forward to share their stories. A woman surnamed Deng said a mortuary charged more than 45,500 yuan (about $7,000) for funeral services at a local hospital. In her estimation, it was twice the price of the going rate. Another Beijing resident, surnamed Chen (pseudonym), told The Epoch Times that according to Chinese tradition, people must show their respect to the deceased. Nowadays, funeral services take advantage of this tradition and provide over-the-top services without first discussing them with clients. In the end, the family of the deceased are being overcharged, but they feel too embarrassed to argue with the funeral home because of this tradition, she said. But according to Chen, the cost of funeral services is just a tiny fraction compared to the price of a cemetery plot. Chen said her older sister passed away last year. Because her family couldnt afford a cemetery plot in Beijing, they wanted to bury her in their hometown outside of the capital city. In the end, Chen helped them out financially and purchased the smallest plot available in Beijing. It only measured around 2 x 3 feet, and she bought it when the cemetery offered discount prices. Still, the plot cost 40,000 yuan (about $6,450). Chen recalled that one could purchase a large cemetery plot in Beijing for the same amount about seven years ago. Currently, the price per square foot for a cemetery plot in major Chinese cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, is several times that of an apartment. It prompted some investors to switch from speculating in real estate to cemetery plots, referring to it as an investment in grave real estate. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during the celebration honoring the Georgia Bulldogs national championship victory in Athens, Ga., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Georgia Gov. Kemp Signs Bill Authorizing Criminal Investigations of Voter Fraud Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday signed into law a bill that would authorize the states top law enforcement agency to launch investigations of voter fraud. The measure, SB 441, gives the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) the power to initiatie probes of alleged election wrongdoing without a request from an outside official. Previously, only the secretary of states office was responsible for probing alleged election violations. The Republican governor said the measure, which earlier passed 98-69 in the House and 33-22 in the Senate, would help ensure fair and secure elections in Georgia. The bill states that the alleged violation would have to be significant enough to create doubt about the outcome of an election. The GBI would have the power to issue subpoenas for election documents. Building on the strong, commonsense measures in our Election Integrity Act of 2021, this new law will allow us to engage highly-qualified personnel from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to assist in ensuring our elections are secure and fair, Kemp said in a statement. The governor has set aside more than $500,000 for the new GBI investigators in the fiscal 2023 budget. Before the measure was signed into law, Democrats said they believed it would intimidate voters and election workers. It will not only be used against your voters, but could also be used against organizations and those county election board officials or their workers, State Rep. Jasmine Clark, a Democrat from Lilburn, said on the House floor earlier this month. Again, they already have a hard enough time getting poll workers, and now you want to sic the GBI on them. What are we doing here? House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican from Blue Ridge, responded to critics by saying that the GBI authority was not a partisan reaction to the 2020 election. It was a good government measure to be sure that we have competent, professional, thorough investigators, Ralston said. GBI is the best there is in the state. The watchdog group Common Cause in Georgia also criticized the law, citing its costs. If the Bureau is now entrusted with investigating anything that could create doubt about our electionswe suggest they start, first, by investigating those who have been profiting by creating such doubt, Aunna Dennis, a spokeswoman for the group, said in a statement. So many different groups and partisan extremists have been working to undermine confidence in Georgias elections, she added. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The General Motors logo at a Chevrolet dealership in Burbank, Calif., on Aug. 4, 2021. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) GM to Spend $2 Billion on Self-Driving Startup Cruise This Year, Just a Permit Away From Charging Customers General Motors Co. CFO Paul Jacobson said on Tuesday the company will spend about $2 billion on its self-driving taxi fleet Cruise this year. What Happened The legacy automaker said it is just a permit away from being able to begin charging for rides. Inclusive of the incremental stock compensation expenses, we expect full-year 2022 expenses at Cruise to be approximately $2 billion, Jacobson told analysts on a post-earnings call. CEO Mary Barra said the automaker aims to have an installed capacity to build one million EVs in North America by 2025, which will help draw about $50 billion in annual revenue. Cruise competes with Alphabet Inc.s self-driving unit Waymo. Tesla Inc. CEO earlier this month said its dedicated Robotaxi will achieve volume production in 2024. Monetizing Cruise Cruise is yet to deliver its first profit. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt, however, said it is close to being able to charge for rides. Were one permit away from being able to charge for rides, which would be the beginning of our generation of significant revenue with the only AV company in California to have applied for that permit, Vogt said. We are the only AV company carrying members of the public in the urban market. GMs Cruise has been offering light-duty driverless rides to passengers at night in some parts of San Francisco between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time, at a maximum speed limit of 30 miles per hour. By Rachit Vats 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm briefs reporters at the White House in Washington on May 11, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Granholm Grilled on Budget, Anti-Fossil Fuels Stance GOPer, Democrat both complain about Biden administration delays In separate hearings on April 28, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was questioned on her departments proposed 2023 budget, by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Appropriations Committees energy subcommittee. At $48.2 billion, the budget would increase by 21.7 percent from the enacted 2021 level. It envisions $2.1 billion to fund a new under secretary for infrastructure as well as $214 million for the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. The Investments proposed in the FY 2023 Budget Request are necessary for the long-term transition of most of the economy from fossil fuels to domestically produced renewable energy, Granholm said in her written testimony to the energy subcommittee. Granholm reiterated that view in a widely circulated exchange with Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) during the Energy and Commerce hearing. Youre anti-fossil fuels, arent you? Duncan asked. I would like to transition away from unabated fossil fuels to a clean energy future, Granholm responded. How did you transit over here today? Duncan asked. After more back and forth, the energy secretary said she came to the hearing in a vehicle powered by fossil fuels, saying that her security details electric vehicle couldnt be used because we had too many people in the car. In her written testimony to the energy subcommittee, Granholm said that the situation in Ukraine and the impact on gas prices necessitates massive investments in renewable energy and energy-efficient electric appliances. She told the subcommittee that her department is using every tool available to increase oil supply, citing the United States release of 180 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve over six months. That marked the third such SPR drawdown in less than half a year. The Biden administration moved to release 50 million barrels from the SPR in November 2021 and 30 million barrels in early March. Perhaps renewable energy is the greatest peace plan this world will ever know, Granholm said on April 27, while speaking at an offshore wind industry meeting with European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson. In her written testimony to the energy subcommittee, Granholm said her office is committed to securing and advancing environmental justice and equity. The department recently posted a job listing for an environmental justice policy adviser with an annual salary between $148,484 and $176,300. The advisers job duties would include consult[ing] with internal and external federal diversity/equity professionals as well as local/community government and organizers, NGOs, private organizations to ascertain minority and under-represented/under-served groups to determine where and how funds, projects, and programs can be used within those communities nationwide. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who chairs the appropriations committees energy subcommittee, stressed investments in hydrogen, an energy source mentioned just once in Granholms written testimony. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, approved late last year, budgeted $8 billion for regional hydrogen hubs. Kaptur argued that hydrogen produced from nuclear or solar would save money and decarbonize sectors. Ive met with so many of our automotive companies, and when I say, What can I do to keep your production here? their first answer is, Cut our energy costs by a third,' she said. Both Kaptur and her Republican counterpart, ranking Republican member Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), complained to Granholm about not yet receiving the required supporting materials on the departments budget request. A spokesperson for Simpson told The Epoch Times that those materials must come from their respective departments within the Biden administration. A syringe of the COVID-19 vaccine waits to be administered in Toronto on Dec. 14, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn) Hamilton Sticking to Plan to Fire Unvaccinated Employees Amid Calls for a Halt to Vaccination Policy Union representing Hamilton public transit workers says it will fight the city's policy The City of Hamilton, Ont., will proceed with its plan to fire unvaccinated municipal employees at the end of May despite calls from a city councillor to halt its COVID-19 vaccination policy. In August 2021, Hamiltons city council approved a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination verification policy, requiring all city employees to provide proof of vaccination by May 31, 2022. Unvaccinated employees are subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination education course, with continued non-compliance resulting in possible discipline, according to an official document on the policy. During a city council meeting on April 27, the council voted to keep the policy in place for the time being. During the meeting, councillor Esther Pauls of Ward 7 called for halting the implementation of the policy, which will result in the potential termination of hundreds of city employees after May 31. The Reopening Ontario Act expired March 28. The policy is no longer relevant. Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario chief medical officer, had actively encouraged the end of vaccination policy since March 1, citing they are no longer necessary. We as city council and city have followed the province for two years and a half and now we say lets stop following their advice, Pauls said. If we do not implement the vaccine policy verification, when will this vaccination policy stop? How many boosters or new vaccines will be mandated in an updated definition of fully vaccinated?' Pauls, who said she is pro-vaccination, urged compassion for the unvaccinated population, saying that she has been receiving emails and calls from local residents who didnt get the shots for various reasons, but are now about to lose their jobs. I know we will have a high cost to pay, but not only because of the financial aspect, for a human aspect, lets not divide the city, she said. Theres very few in the City of Hamilton that decided not to [be vaccinated]. So lets save their jobs, let them have a roof over their head. The City of Hamilton has said roughly 94 percent of its employees are fully vaccinated and in compliance with the policy, leaving about 500 people who could be terminated from their positions. Pauls questioned the logic of those who blame the unvaccinated 6 percent, when the majority of the population has been vaccinated. Logic tells you if you have 100 balls in a box and all of them are red except six, then if you put your hand in there and pick up a ball, itll be red, she said. So logic tells you that its not the [six percent] that are spreading in the City of Hamilton. Union to Fight the Policy On April 28, a union representing public transit workers in Hamilton said it will fight the city councils policy, reported CP24. It is irresponsible for this city council to cast a vote to terminate hard working employees, who have served on the front lines for the last two years during COVID-19, especially during times without any protection, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 107, which represents workers of the Hamilton Street Railway, said in a statement on April 28. To come to this conclusion now is disrespectful and completely unfair to all frontline city and transit workers who continue to work and serve this community daily. The union said it will file a grievance over the policy, saying that the citys decision could ultimately cost taxpayers $500,000 for unnecessary litigation. Those financial resources could have been better spent on upgrading air treatment equipment on our buses to better protect both workers and transit riders, it said. Our human destiny is to rise above vices Who do we remember as the greatest ancient hero of them all? Hercules. Legend says that the gods honored him for his achievements by granting him apotheosis, or ascendance to the heavens. The powerful 17th and 18th century French kings commissioned magnificent art, including a ceiling painting to celebrate the achievements of the renowned hero and pay homage to the virtues inherent in his character. Francois Lemoyne took four years to complete The Apotheosis of Hercules on the ceiling of the Salon of Hercules at the Palace of Versailles. When the artist began the mural, he had already been trained in the best techniques of Italian painting in Paris at Louis XIVs Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. The purpose of the academy was to gather, preserve, and perfect the classical arts. Initially, Lemoyne wanted to paint the glory of the French monarchy and the royal line, sovereign after sovereign. Through the achievements of the greatest French kings, such as Clovis, Charlemagne, Saint Louis, or Henry the Great, the painter wanted to recognize their immortality, wrote Donat Nonnotte, a former student of Francois Lemoyne, in his treatise on painting delivered at the Academy of Lyon. But Louis XV selected the Apotheosisa subject that glorified virtuesto decorate the ceiling of the former royal chapel in the palace, and the work was finally completed in 1736. Louis XV took the throne officially a few years later, in 1743. The people called him the beloved. But by the end of his reign, Louis preferred the softness of his many mistresses salons to the cool but important solitude of the palace of a great monarch. This decadence began a period of decline in rational thinking that would eventually lead to the unprecedented destruction of French culture at the end of the 18th century by the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. Three centuries later, the colossal work The Apotheosis of Hercules continues to address the destiny of humankind and the tools given to us to rise above our human flaws. The Apotheosis of Hercules The work of art, 59 feet long by 39 feet wide, is the largest painted ceiling in Europe with 142 figures, 62 of which can be seen at first glance. Near the figure of Hercules are nine groups of figures: Apollo on the steps of the Temple of Memory, Bacchus and the god Pan, Mars observing the fall of the monsters, the Renowned Ones announcing Herculess apotheosis from earth, the god of the winds Aeolus, Pluto and the god of the sea, the Muse of Fine Arts, and other muses and angels. In a poem published in the Mercury of France magazine in October 1736, Antoine Joseph Dezallier dArgenville summarized the meaning of The Apotheosis: The Love of Virtue elevates a man above himself and makes him superior in the most difficult and perilous labors; obstacles disappear at the sight of the interests of his King and his Fatherland. Supported by honor and led by fidelity, he arrives at immortality by his actions. The angel named Love of Virtue shows Hercules to his father Jupiter (in muted scarlet). Jupiter presents to his son Hebe, goddess of Youth (in blue), led by the winged goddess Hymen. (Public Domain) Only the Love of Virtue Can Overcome Monsters and Vices In The Apotheosis, the hero is shown riding to heaven in a chariot, guided by an angel called Love of Virtue. This angel, accompanied by putti who pull the chariot of the half-god, presents Hercules to his father Jupiter. Jupiter is seen offering the goddess of youth, Hebe, to Hercules. She is led to him by the goddess Hymen. As he ascends to heaven, Hercules encounters monsters and vices that try to hold him back but are easily overthrown. Because the hero chooses to be guided by Love of Virtue, the monsters and vices cannot endure his glorious progress and grimace as they are thrown down. Four allegorical figures that represent the cardinal virtues sit at the corners of the painted ceiling. These symbolize the values of the hero: Strength, Justice, Temperance, and Prudence. They portray the character of the new Hercules as he elevates to the heavens. Three of the four virtues from the four corners of The Apotheosis of Hercules by Francois Lemoyne, in the Salon of Hercules at the Palace of Versailles. (Public Domain) At the time of the painting, these words had a different meaning than they have today. They belonged to a culture linked with the divine and contained messages about mans destiny. Strength, for example, did not mean physical strength but the mental strength of courage and fortitude. Justice signified steadfastness and a resolve to give everyone their due. Temperance meant the control of ones will over instincts, and the keeping of desires within the limits of common sense. Prudence was embodied in practical wisdom and reason that allowed one to discern true good from true evil. The virtues displayed in this ceiling painting are in direct opposition to vices that besiege man. The first of these vices is Envy (Jealousy). The rest follow, shown in the painting by hideous and tortured figures. Among them are Anger, Hatred, and Discord, which the newly installed god finally triumphs over through Love of Virtue. Envy (Jealousy) is closest to the hero. In the 18th century, this monster was considered the most dangerous and the most relentless of all the vices, and the only one whose rage extends beyond death, as described in the Mercury of France magazine of 1736. It is not Herculess strength but the Love of Virtue, when accompanied by the four cardinal virtues, that allows him to face and to defeat these relentless vices seeking to destroy him. The Apotheosis of Hercules by Francois Lemoyne, in the Salon of Hercules at the Palace of Versailles. (Public Domain) The Universal Message of French Art in the 18th Century The stroke of genius by the French at the end of the Grand Siecle (Great Century) was to unite the classical arts by merging the sacred with reason. French art academies transmitted this to society as French classical arts which, in turn, merged the deep meaning of a work of art with its intrinsic beauty. Three centuries later, when our world has never been so uprooted and cut off from the glorious culture of our past, monsters and vices are redoubling their efforts to make humanity forget its divine destiny. But works like The Apotheosis, with its ancient and universal virtues, enable us to see an upright man overcome all difficulties, pursue the good in all endeavors, resist destructive temptations, and ultimately ascend to heaven. The structures of the universe and the human brain are strikingly similar. In the Eastern spiritual discipline of Daoism, the human body has long been viewed as a small universe, as a microcosm. As billion-dollar investments are made in the United States and Europe to research brain functioning, the correlations between the brain and the universe continue to emerge. The two pictures below illustrate the similarities. The top picture shows the neural network of a brain cell; the bottom picture shows the distribution of dark matter in the universe as simulated by Millennium Simulation. The pictures show a structural similarity in terms of connections and distribution of matter in the brain and in the universe. The photo on the left is a microscopic view, the one on the right is a macroscopic view. The brain is like a microcosm. A study conducted by Dmitri Krioukov of the University of California and a team of researchers published in Nature shows striking similarities between neural networks in the brain and network connections between galaxies. Krioukovs team created a computer simulation that broke the known universe down into tiny, subatomic units of space-time, explained Live Science. The simulation added more space-time units as the history of the universe progressed. The developing interactions between matter in galaxies was similar to the interactions that comprise neural networks in the human brain. Physicist Kevin Bassler of the University of Houston, who was not involved in the study, told Live Science that the study suggests a fundamental law governing these networks. In May 2011, Seyed Hadi Anjamrooz of the Kerman University of Medical Sciences and other Iranian medical scientists published an article in the International Journal of the Physical Sciences on the similarities between cells and the universe. They explain that a black hole resembles the cell nucleus. A black holes event horizona sort of point of no return where the gravitational pull will suck objects into the black holealso resembles the nuclear membrane. The event horizon is double-layered, as is the nuclear membrane. Much like the event horizon, which prevents anything that enters from leaving, the nuclear membrane separates cell fluids, preventing mixing, and regulates the exchange of matter between the inside and outside of the nucleus. Black holes and living cells also both emit pockets of electromagnetic radiation, among other similarities. The researchers wrote: Nearly all that exists in the macrouniverse is mirrored in a biological cell as a microuniverse. Simply put, the universe can be pictured as a cell. I Couldnt Just Sit on the Sidelines Anymore: North Carolina Parents Run for Local School Boards NORTH CAROLINALike many parents who chose to run for their district school boards this year, Crissy Pratt had never been involved in local politics. That changed during the COVID-19 lockdowns when Pratt began watching the live-streamed Guilford County Board of Education meetings in North Carolina to keep up with the ever-changing COVID restrictions. What she saw left her furious. By the end of most meetings I was screaming at the television, Pratt told The Epoch Times. None of the board members were talking about what was best for kids, or how to better educate them and improve their test scores. Pratt, with 10 years of experience in teaching and 12 years in online education, decided to bring to the table a level of insight about childrens needs that she said the current board lacks. Transparency is also a shortcoming of the board, which is an issue many parents are most upset about, she said. Like many other parents, Pratt found that deeper dives into the inner workings of the system unearthed disturbing trends within the curricula. Critical race theory (CRT), a Marxist philosophy that claims society can only be explained by the theory of class struggle between oppressors and the oppressed (specifically labeling white people as the oppressors and all other races as the oppressed), was just the beginning of what Pratt said she saw as a method of indoctrinating children while sacrificing basic learning skills such as math, science, and English. As a parent, she was able to examine her sons homework and found that large chapters of history were being omitted in favor of others. Her son was taking honors-level classes for both U.S. history and world history and hadnt learned about the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, or the Holocaust, Pratt said. The entirety of his U.S. history was civil rights cases, which of course is important, but they do not make up all of U.S. history by any stretch of the imagination, Pratt said. While the board has denied teaching CRT, Pratt said shes aware of several concepts being taught, such as linking gun violence to white privilege, the tenet of the oppressor versus the oppressed, and the idea that a child can choose his or her own gender. As a former teacher, I am fully on the side of the teachers, but there are teachers literally telling their students not to tell their parents what they are teaching, Pratt said. Although Im an advocate for teachers, if you are teaching something that you are telling your child not to repeat to parents, then maybe you should rethink what youre saying in the classroom. All components of the indoctrination, combined with low test scores and a lack of focus on whats best for children, motivated Pratt to run, she said. Like I said, Im not a politician. This is messy and ugly and its getting uglier, she said. But I also feel that as a parent and educator, I just couldnt sit on the sidelines anymore. I had to do something about it. Crissy Pratt, candidate for the Guilford County Board of Education in N.C., in 2021. (Courtesy of Crissy Pratt) Take Back Our Schools Pratt is among five candidates endorsed by the Take Back Our Schools initiative in Guilford County, which began with Greensboro resident Stephanie Mitchell adopting and localizing a larger national movement to investigate harmful school policies. Mitchell started the organization in 2019. The movement was inspired by the book Why Meadow Died by Andrew Pollack, a Florida father who investigated the 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead, including his daughter, Meadow Pollack. While the media reacted to the shooting by focusing on gun control policies, Pollack examined what he postulated were the left-leaning, weak-discipline policies that allowed the shooter to evade a parade of red flags. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitchells organization shifted its focus to address the onslaught of restrictive COVID-19 policies that she said the Guilford County school board enacted without any oversight. For Mitchell, there was a problem long before COVID, but it was COVID that gave other parents the opportunity to finally see it. This is not new, Mitchell told The Epoch Times. In some ways, she said, the pandemic was a gift because remote learning forced more parents to witness what their children were being taught, including those who had previously written off other parents concerns about CRT as an overreaction. Thats when the light bulb went off for people, and it was no longer a conspiracy theory spewed by crazy white moms, Mitchell said. This is real. Mitchell said that private, for-profit companiesbacked by philanthropic organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundationare providing grants to schools with the intent of controlling the curriculum and initiating data mining, social emotional learning (SEL), and political agendas. Once schools get that money, they have to do what theyre told, Mitchell said. On the Take Back Our Schools website, Mitchell details the Broad Foundations relationship with the public school system in the CharlotteMecklenburg and Guilford County school districts through the foundations professional development training company, Broad Academy. By certifying school officials such as superintendents, those superintendents are then propagandized into becoming marketing representatives for social justice propaganda that is then distributed to the students through the curriculum, a process that exists without any transparency, Mitchell said. The biggest thing that Take Back has been promoting is parental rights and transparency, Mitchell said. We do not co-parent with the government, and theres been no transparency on money being spent. In addition to Pratt, Take Back Our Schools endorsed four other candidatesincumbent Linda Welborn and challengers Demetria Carter, Tim Andrew, and Robert Millicanwho are running on these issues, as well as to support teachers and students, Mitchell said. These people are their own candidates, and we at Take Back are supporting and promoting them because we know they can fix our schools, Mitchell said. Were Paying Attention Now Michelle Antoine, a mother of eight with a background in education, has stepped up to run for a seat on the Johnston County School Board, where proficiency in academics has been traded for social justice ideologies, she told The Epoch Times. Like many parents turned investigative journalists, Antoine began researching and laying out her findings in a series of articles published in The Johnston County Report and on her Facebook page, Michelle Antoine JoCo Advocate for Students, Teachers & Schools. My objective has been to make parents aware of what is going on, Antoine said. In an article titled Activists in Our Schools: Big Data, Antoine delved into the origin, financing, and itinerary of how SEL made its way throughout the school system without oversight or parental input. Among the materials she discovered were training modules for local teachers using wildly progressive videos, far-leftist resources, and anecdotal stories that labeled white people in Johnston County as white supremacists with white privilege. I put all of this on blast on social media because I was not getting anywhere with the school board, and they shut down the whole thing, she said. After Antoine published her findings, she said the school terminated its contract with the former districts chief of equity, information, and student services in 2021, though the school didnt give an official statement on its reason for termination. Antoine is running for the school board to bring transparency back to the taxpayers, authority back to the parents, and achievement in proficiency back to the students to restore the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, she said. We havent been paying attention, but I think we finally just got woken up, Antoine said. Were paying attention now. Michelle Antoine, candidate for Johnston County School Board in N.C., at her home in 2021. (Courtesy of Michelle Antoine) Ours is a Last-Ditch Effort to Save Our Schools Jessica Cook of Weddington, North Carolina, decided to run for a seat on the Union County Board of Education after seeing a lack of parental involvement within her two daughters public school, but she was also fighting to end overreaching mask and quarantine mandates. As I worked on that, I would start to discover many other things in the school system, Cook, who is also a member of the Union County division of the parental rights organization Moms for Liberty, told The Epoch Times. CRT curricula and age-inappropriate books were surfacing in her childrens school library system, just as they were in schools across the country, she said. For anyone paying attention, you know this is a nationwide problem, Cook said. In addition to the COVID policies and the CRT curricula, Cook and her parental rights coalition discovered a series of surveys that were being conducted on children that asked them intrusive questions based on the premise of SELs stated purpose of improving education, though many argue the questions stray far from instructional intent. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, according to investigative journalist Sloan Rachmuth with Education First Alliance, had entered into a contract with Panorama Education beginning in 2014, and since then, SEL has taken on a life of its own and only increased since 2020. Panorama Educations founder, Xan Tanner, is the son-in-law of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, who sought to investigate parents who attended school board meetings to ask questions as domestic terrorists in 2021, at the request of the National School Boards Association. This led to numerous state school boards leaving the association and 14 Republican attorneys general suing the Biden administration for not responding to a Freedom of Information request related to the Department of Justices potential surveillance of parents. These social emotional learning programs have a very lucrative price tag, Cook said. Our school paid around $78,000 to let Panorama survey our kids. Each curriculum Cook pored over revealed ulterior motives, Cook said. It became a daily task of researching, sending emails, writing speeches, organizing rallies outside our schools, and lobbying the school board and county commissioners, she said. Pulling her two daughters out of school wasnt an option, as they enjoyed the community their school provided, Cook said, so she has vowed to stay the course by advocating for them. Jessica Cook, candidate for a seat on the Union County Board of Education in N.C., in 2021. (Courtesy of Jessica Cook) Cook drafted a bill of rights that advocates for transparency and parental involvement in schools, which she spoke about during the public comment period of a board meeting in December 2021. Similarly, the John Locke Foundationa nonprofit research institute in Raleigh, North Carolina, that examines issues of freedom, personal responsibility, and limited constitutional governmentwrote a contract between parents and school boards to sway lawmakers who could guarantee parental collaboration with school boards through legislation. Parental bills of rights have emerged in many other states as well, as contentious school board meetings have led parents to believe their voices were being silenced. If we dont step in now, it may be too far gone, because as Ive continued to research, Ive found that this movement is not something new, Cook said. We are just now aware, and I think ours is a last-ditch effort to save our schools. If we dont hold the line, then it will never go back to the way it was. President Ebrahim Raisi (R) and China's minister of national defense, Wei Fenghe (L) greet at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, on April 27, 2022. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) Iran Wants to Expand Military Cooperation With China Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on April 27 that his government wants to expand cooperation with China, its largest trading partner, state media IRNA reported. The remarks were made in Tehran during a visit by Chinas defense minister, Wei Fenghe, who said the visit was aimed at improving strategic defense cooperation between the two countries. Iran and China have boosted their military ties in recent years, with their navies visiting each others ports and holding joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean. Raisi described the ties between the two countries as strategic. He said that closer cooperation between Tehran and Beijing can confront what he called U.S. unilateralism. Confronting unilateralism and creating stability and order is possible through cooperation of independent and like-minded powers, Raisi told Wei. The Iranian president said that implementing a 25-year cooperation agreement with China, signed in March 2021, is high on the agenda, IRNA reported. That agreement involved political, economic, and strategic factors. Wei told Raisi during the meeting that improving ties between Iran and China would provide security, particularly in the current critical and tense situation. He also said the two countries can cooperate in all international matters and that unilateralism is the main factor blocking sustainable economic growth globally, according to IRNA. Wei said IranChina cooperation would have a remarkable impact in defusing unilateralism and fighting terrorism. He also met with his Iranian counterpart, Gen. Mohammad Reza Ashtinai, and reportedly invited him to visit China, as well as with other Iranian military officials. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Irans armed forces, told reporters in Tehran after meeting with Wei that the two countries agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in joint military drills, exchange of strategies, training issues, and other common fields between the two countries armed forces so that we can provide better security for the two countries territories, Al Arabiya News reported. Weis visit comes amid stalled talks to revive Irans nuclear deal with world powersChina, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, requires Iran to restrict its nuclear program in return for an ease in economic sanctions from the United States, the EU, and the United Nations. President Barack Obama said in 2015 that the deal was the best option keeping Iran from wielding nuclear arms, even if temporarily. A seventh round of talks, which started in November 2021 in efforts to revive the 2015 agreement, has been on pause since March 11. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Syrian capital Damascus is shown in red on a map. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Israeli Missile Strike Kills Soldiers Near Damascus Four Syrian soldiers were killed on Wednesday, Syrias defense ministry said, in an Israeli missile attack on positions near Damascus that a war monitor said had hit an arms depot. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported a higher death toll of five Syrian troops and four soldiers of other nationalities, adding that the strike had hit at least five different positions outside the capital. The monitor did not provide more details and Reuters could not immediately confirm its report. An Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. The Syrian ministry, in a posting on Facebook, said the strike caused material damage. Syrias state news agency said the missiles were launched from the town of Tiberias in northeastern Israel, and most were shot down by Syrian air defenses. Syrias military has relied on support from allied fighters from Iran and Russia as well as paramilitaries from Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan to take back territory lost since the start of its civil war in 2011. Israel has regularly targeted what it described as Iranian-linked targets in Syria, seeing them as expansions of Tehrans influence. Its most recent strikes on April 14 hit areas outside Damascus, but did not cause casualties, according to state media. A pro-government commander did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the Israeli strikes early Wednesday had targeted his positions or killed any of his fighters. By Maya Gebeily, Yasmin Hussein, and Enas Alashray Israeli soldiers walk during a search operation in the village of Salem, east of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on June 3, 2021. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP via Getty Images) Israeli Soldiers Kill Palestinian in West Bank Clash, Terrorist Group Says RAMALLAH, West BankIsraeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, medics and a terrorist group said, in clashes that erupted after an arrest raid. It was the second time in two days that Israeli forces have killed a Palestinian during a late-night incursion. The Israeli military said its forces had apprehended two suspects in what it described as counter-terrorism activities in the city of Jenin. Subsequently, it said dozens of Palestinians threw rocks and explosives devices and opened fire at the soldiers, who responded with live ammunition. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the raid, saying the slain man, Ahmad Massad, had been summarily executed. Video circulated on social media appeared to show at least one Palestinian firing a rifle in the street as more gunshots were heard. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group said in a statement that Massad was one of its members and that he had been killed as he confronted the occupying forces. Israel has stepped up incursions in the West Bank following a string of recent deadly Palestinian and Arab attacks which killed 14 people in the country, including three police officers. The subsequent raids into Palestinian towns have sparked deadly clashes in which at least 17 Palestinians, including gunmen and civilians, have been killed by Israeli forces. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014 and prospects of their revival remain dim. The Palestinian Authority, which has limited rule in the West Bank, has regularly condemned the Israeli raids on land they seek for an independent state. By Ali Sawafta and Maayan Lubell John Durham speaks to reporters on the steps of U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn., on April 25, 2006. (Bob Child/AP Photo) John Durham Hasnt Ruled Out Charges Against Tech Executive-1: Prosecutor Special prosecutor John Durhams team suggested this week that a technology executive who was hired by a former Clinton campaign attorney may face criminal charges. Tech Executive-1, who was confirmed to be Rodney Joffe, is currently being investigated by Durhams team, according to a prosecutor. Prosecutors didnt provide more details. We have not at this point charged [Mr. Joffe] with a crime, but as weve been saying all along, this is an ongoing investigation, and we cant say no crime has been committed, prosecutor Andrew DeFilippis said in a Washington courtroom this week. Durhams team is now looking closely into the matter, he said. Joffe had a government contract in 2016, according to DeFilippis, who noted that the statute of limitations for government abuse misconduct charges extends beyond five years. However, its not clear if Joffe will be charged or if those charges are being investigated. DeFilippiss comments were made in the context of Durhams case against former Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee attorney Michael Sussmann, who was indicted last year for allegedly making false statements to the FBI. Sussmann has pleaded not guilty, while his attorneys have recently suggested that aspects of Durhams case are politically motivated. A spokesperson for Joffe, in response to DeFilippiss comment, told CNN on April 27 that the remarks in court are baseless and reckless while accusing Durham of pushing an unfounded political narrative through false innuendo. Mr. Joffe did not defraud or mislead any branch of the U.S. Government, the spokesperson said. Furthermore, the data at issue did not belong to the Government and did not contain private or personal information about any individual, nor was it manipulated in any way. Sean Berkowitz, one of Sussmanns attorneys, argued this week that DeFilippis is trying to pressure Joffe into not providing testimony that could benefit Sussmann. Whats more, he said, prosecutors have shown no evidence that Joffe committed a crime. Telling a witness they continue to face criminal liability is federal government overreach, Berkowitz told the court, according to the newspaper. More than two months ago, a spokesperson for Joffe confirmed that hes Tech Executive-1 as mentioned in several of Durhams filings. Contrary to the allegations in this recent filing, Mr. Joffe is an apolitical internet security expert with decades of service to the U.S. government who has never worked for a political party and who legally provided access to DNS data obtained from a private client that separately was providing DNS services to the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the spokesperson said at the time. Those comments were made after Durham alleged that Joffe conducted surveillance operations against former President Donald Trumps campaign during the 2016 election. Prosecutors also said the surveillance continued after Trump was elected and became president. Sussmann is accused of lying to then-FBI General Counsel James Baker in late 2016 when he said he wasnt working for any client while providing the bureau with potentially damning information about Trump, including a now-discredited allegation that there was a secret backchannel between the Trump Organization and a Russian bank. Earlier this month, Durham alleged that Sussmann, a cybersecurity attorney who had worked for Democrat-aligned Perkins Coie, made false statements to a second intelligence agency in early 2017. Reports have indicated that the agency was the CIA. Around the same time, Sussmanns attorneys accused Durham of trying 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. They requested U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper to deny the special counsels motion to admit Mr. Priestaps and Ms. Andersons notes. The Epoch Times has contacted Steven Tyrell, an attorney for Joffe, for comment. Tyrell wasnt in the courtroom when DeFilippis made his remarks. A group of Hondurans cross the Rio Grande toward Eagle Pass, Texas, from Piedras Negras, Mexico, on April 21, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Judge Orders Biden Administration Not to End Title 42 Border Powers President Joe Bidens administration must stop implementing an order that terminates the Title 42 emergency border powers, a federal judge said on April 27. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had recently started scaling back in its use of the powers in preparation for their termination, currently scheduled for late May. Federal health officials decided the powers, which enable quick expulsion of illegal aliens due to fears of them bringing COVID-19 into the country, were no longer needed due to rising access to vaccines and treatments and the low level of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the United States. Instead of immediately terminating Title 42, the Biden administration announced on April 1 that it would end on May 23. Defendants, including DHS and all of its subdivisions, agencies, and employees, are hereby enjoined and restrained from implementing the Termination Order and are further enjoined and restrained from reducing processing of migrants pursuant to Title 42, U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays, a Trump appointee, said in a temporary restraining order. The block is only in place for two weeks, unless the judge extends it. The order was imposed on the request of 21 states, including Arizona and Missouri. Attorneys general argued the implementation of the termination order violated federal law. Summerhays agreed. The plaintiff states have demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits with respect to their claims that the termination order was not issued in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the judge wrote, echoing his comments during a status conference in which he announced his intent to issue the restraining order. The court further concludes that the plaintiff states have established a substantial threat of immediate and irreparable injury resulting from the early implementation of Title 42, including unrecoverable costs on healthcare, law enforcement, detention, education, and other services for migrants, and further that the balance of harms and the public interest both favor issuance of a temporary restraining order, he added. DHS had acknowledged scaling back use of Title 42 in preparation of the emergency powers ending. The agency has begun in recent weeks to increase the use of expedited removal for some single adults eligible for removal who would otherwise be expelled pursuant to Title 42, Blas Nunez-Neto, acting assistant secretary for border and immigration policy, told the court in a recent declaration. Once Title 42 does end, immigration authorities will rely on a federal law called Title 8 that also enables expulsions, but not if an illegal immigrant claims asylum. Since Nov. 5, 2021, 512,115 expulsions have been completed under Title 42, compared to 529,843 under Title 8, officials said in a filing this week. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before a congressional panel in Washington on April 27, 2022. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) We applaud the court for approving our request for a temporary restraining order to keep Title 42 in place, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, said in a statement. The Biden administration cannot continue in flagrant disregard for existing laws and required administrative procedures. The states that sued the administration are also seeking a preliminary injunction against the order. A hearing on that effort is scheduled for May 13. DHS says its also been expanding its capacity to hold immigrants who cross into the country. The capacity is expected to be 18,000 by the time the powers are terminated, up from 13,000 in early 2021. Officials say they aim to efficiently process immigrants, letting some into the U.S. interior and removing others. Thats one prong of a six pillar strategy that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas published earlier Wednesday. Mayorkas defended the plan during hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, claiming that the administration has effectively managed an unprecedented number of noncitizens seeking to enter the United States since Biden took office and, after Title 42 is terminated, will continue to enforce our immigration laws. Republicans took issue with the portrayal, including Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.). This disaster that we have at our border, the disintegration of our national sovereignty, cannot be sustained. Anyone that has two brains and can perhaps bump into each other would know that its abject failure down there. So if you were to identify our border as effectively managed right now, how would you identify failure? he wondered. Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) said that Border Patrol agents have told him theyre already overwhelmed and understaffed. Agents have also told me that once Title 42 authority ends, there will be an even bigger surge of migrants attempting to crossin fact, unprecedented surgesand they will lose operational control of some or all the southwest border, he said. Students walk to their classrooms at a public middle school in Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) LA Unified Temporarily Fills Most Teacher Vacancies With Credentialed, Non-Teaching Staff LOS ANGELESThe Los Angeles Unified School District has filled nearly all its vacant teaching positions by reassigning qualified staff in non-teaching positions to classroom vacancies, district officials announced this week. Earlier this month, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalhowho took office in Februaryannounced plans to fill 426 vacant teaching positions with administrators and other staff as a part of his 100-day plan to address the districts teacher shortage. During an April 26 LAUSD Board of Education meeting, the districts Human Resources Chief Ileana Davalos said 416or 98 percentof those vacancies have been filled, with the remaining ten classroom reassignments to be finalized within the week. Davalos said the district reassigned only the staff who already have teaching credentials issued by the state and prioritized staffing among middle schools with more economically disadvantaged students. According to a staffing report presented by Davalos (pdf), secondary schools with more high-need studentsincluding homeless youth, foster youth, and students who are economically disadvantaged or chronically absenthave the highest number of teacher vacancies, totaling 111 as of March 28. Davalos said the district prioritized staffing those schools, along with elementary schools and special needs programs. The reassigned staff will be teaching in classrooms until the school year ends on June 10. A teacher teaches a history lesson in Spanish in a Dual Language Academy class at Franklin High School in Los Angeles, on May 25, 2017. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images) Board member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said during the meeting she was very overjoyed to hear the news. You know, staffing has been a concern of mine since June, and Im so super grateful for the team to make some quick strategic moves to fill our classroom vacancies this year, Franklin said. Bryan Johnson, the director of Certificated Workforce Management, which is responsible for the districts recruitment, said during the meeting he hopes to fill all vacant teaching positions with permanent new hires by the beginning of next school year and release the reassigned staff back to their previous positions. Meanwhile, the district is working with local universities to permanently fill vacancies with newly graduated teachers, according to Johnson. Davalos, the human resources chief officer, also said she was proud of the fact that the district has hired more than 2,400 classroom teachers this year to datea more than 50 percent increase in the number of hired teachers from last year. However, only 26 percent of those newly hired teachers are fully credentialed by the state to teach at the time of hire, according to a March 29 report by the districts Board of Education. A nurse practitioner administers a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic for Catholic school education workers including elementary school teachers and staff at a vaccination site at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on March 8, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Carvalhos plan to fill teaching positions with administrative staff and hire uncredentialed teachers received backlash from teachers who were forced to teach online due to a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all district staff. Earlier this month, teacher advocacy group Los Angeles Educators and Parents United gathered outside the LAUSD headquarters, calling on the district to end the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and let unvaccinated teachers return to school campuses to help with the worsening teacher shortage. Since November, the district has fired 800 staff members for non-compliance with the mandate, and about 600 teachers were forced to move out of classrooms to teach remotely in the City of Angels, the districts online learning program, according to LAUSD teacher Francis Moreno, a member of the teacher advocacy group. A spokesperson for the LAUSD did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline. Laguna Hills Sued for Failure to Meet State Housing Element Deadline LAGUNA HILLS, Calif.A nonprofit housing group sponsored by the California Association of Realtors filed lawsuits against the City of Laguna Hills and five other Southern California cities that failed to meet state housing planning requirements. Californians for Homeownership, a nonprofit organization calling for public interest groups to fight local anti-housing policies, according to its website, filed the lawsuits, as an effort to address Californias housing crisis, on April 19 in Los Angeles County and Orange County superior courts. The goal of these lawsuits is to fundamentally change the way that Californias cities and counties approach their housing planning obligations, Otto Catrina, president of the California Association of Realtors, said in a statement. For far too long, cities have treated compliance with these laws as optional, and we hope to put an end to that approach. Matthew Gelfand, the in-house litigator for the nonprofit, told The Epoch Times that the organization is not seeking damages through the lawsuits. What we are seeking is an order requiring these cities to adopt their plans or revised plans within a short period so that we can get things going, Gelfand said. Every eight years, California requires municipalities to update their housing-element plans to follow the 60-year-old state housing mandatethe Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), which asks all cities, towns, and counties to submit housing plans to meet the housing needs of all its residents, regardless of income level. The RHNA process requires cities to have a general plan to make way for a certain total number of new housing units separated into four levels of affordabilityranging from extremely low to moderate-income. Compliant housing-element plans must identify existing non-residential sites, like shopping centers or office buildings, that can be freed up for housing development over an eight-year planning period. Laguna Hills has been working with the Southern California Association of Governmentsthe nations largest metropolitan planning organizationto [take] into consideration how population changes, the regional economy, and the regions transportation network affects the need for housing, according to the citys website. We are working on it diligently, Larry Longenecker, community development director for the city, told The Epoch Times. Were meeting with the City Council, we have a consultant on board whos been working with the city for over two years now, and were moving towards getting a certifiable housing element update. However, the citys delay in planning comes with the challenge of addressing the updated RHNA requirements that mandate many more unitsalmost a 1000 percent jump in eight yearsto be created in the city. Longenecker said that in the previous eight-year RHNA cyclefrom 2013 to 2021the city had to identify sites for only two units. For the current cycle, city officials must locate areas for rezoning to accommodate 1,985 additional units, which he said is not practical considering the limited space available in the city. Laguna Hills, for the most part, is virtually built out, he said. Were analyzing the sites, were updating the element, and we will be compliant with all state law. Aside from Laguna Hills, five other cities in Southern CaliforniaBradbury, La Habra Heights, Manhattan Beach, South Pasadena, and Vernonwere also defendants because they missed the states October 15, 2021, deadline to finalize their housing-element plans. Soldiers stand onboard a Taiwan Navy minelayer in Keelung, Taiwan, on Jan. 7, 2022. Taiwan is bracing for more Chinese military patrols this year after the People's Liberation Army incursions more than doubled in 2021, fueling concern about a clash between the region's big powers. (I-Hwa Cheng/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Learning From Ukraine to Defend Taiwan News Analysis Russias disastrous war in Ukraine has held obvious lessons for China when contemplating an armed attack against Taiwan. At the same time, Taiwan should be drawing important examples of a small state deterring, defendingand even defeatinga larger power. The answer lies in something called asymmetric warfare, and Taipei has been keen to adopt this concept to its unique situation. In Taiwans case, this means rejecting Taiwans traditional defense strategy of attrition warfare, which is based on the American approach to warfare, particularly the ability to project power over great distances and to maximize mobility and networks to take the fight to the enemy with overwhelming superiority, according to Drew Thompson, a visiting fellow at the National University of Singapores Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. This could be playing right into Beijings hands, however. According to Thompson, achieving overwhelming superiority against China would be next to impossible. Instead, Thompson argues that Taiwan should use short-range and defensive systems that can survive initial bombardment from China, which can be used in close-in operations. This is more or less what Ukraine has been doing with its Javelin and NLAW anti-tank weapons and its Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. To give Taiwan its due, it has acquired large numbers of anti-tank weapons (Javelin, as well as TOW, Hellfire, and AT-4) and air-defense missiles (both U.S.-built Stingers and homegrown Sky Swords). It also has highly capable Patriot missiles to defend against both air-breathing and ballistic missile threats. The trick is numbers: Ukraine has used up thousands of these small, man-portable weapons; it is easy to run out quickly. Taiwan will either have to maintain a huge inventory of such weapons in-country, or the United States will need to ensure that it can continue to supply Taiwan amid an armed conflict (which would probably require running a Chinese blockade of the island). That said, Taiwan has one great advantage over its adversary that Ukraine doesnt have with Russia: a 62-mile maritime barrier between it and China. Amphibious operations across the Taiwan Strait are not just complicated; they are dangerous for the invader since this is where Chinese forces would be at their weakest. This decisive battle in the littoral means engaging and destroying, as much as possible, PLA forces while they are in the Taiwan Strait. The main weapons would be anti-ship cruise missiles, both on land and ships. Swarming and shoot-and-scoot tactics would be instrumental during this phase. In addition, the waters close to Taiwans shore would be heavily mined. Any Chinese forces that make it to Taiwans shores would subsequently be confronted by a kill-zone supported by land-based mobile anti-ship systems (including U.S.-made Harpoon missiles recently released for sale to Taiwan) and saturation artillery attacks (such as the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple-rocket system). The Taiwan air force would operate mainly over this zone to deny Chinese fighter jets, bombers, and drones the ability to operate effectively within Taiwanese airspace. U.S. M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers fire salvoes during the African Lion military exercise in the Grier Labouihi region in southeastern Morocco on June 9, 2021. (Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images) At the same time, Taiwan would likely launch counterstrikes on Chinese military installments on the mainland, including naval bases, radar stations, command centers, and missile sites. Augmenting Taiwans beach defenses is the topography of the island itself. Taiwans littoral has been described as a defenders dream come true. It features a complex infrastructure of cliffs and sea walls, paddy fields, bridges, tunnels, overpasses, mountainous zones, and urban jungles. Its hills are honeycombed with tunnels and bunker systems, and there are numerous places where mobile missile launchers can hide. Finally, Taiwans outer islands are bristling with missiles, rockets, and artillery. As Ukraines successful defense against the Russian invaders has shown, asymmetric operations depend heavily on speed, mobility, and swarming with large numbers of less-expensive weapons. This means fewer large platforms, like tanks, and more small, mobile forces. Above all, in the case of Taiwan, it means lots and lots of missiles of all types: anti-tank, anti-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-ship. Fortunately, Taiwan has one of the highest missile densities in the world. At the same time, Taipeis Ministry of National Defense (MND) has stated that it will more than double the annual production of domestic missile systems. In particular, the MND plans to hike the production of the Hsiung Sheng land-attack missile, a longer-range version of the Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missile. The Hsiung Shen has an estimated range of 6001,200 miles, which would allow it to hit targets deep into Chinas interior. Obviously, Taipei has more to do when it comes to implementing and mastering an asymmetric operational capacity. It has to keep up its number of game-changing weapons, particularly modern anti-ship missiles (to stymie amphibious assaults) and anti-armor and anti-personnel weapons (like the Javelin) to stop enemy forces should they make landfall. Taiwan also needs to hone its defenses against Chinese special forces, particularly airborne assaults trying to capture air bases or assassinate political heads (two tactics also used by Russian armed forces in Ukraine, although these resulted in abject failure). In addition to numbers and improved logistics, Taiwan must beef up its training. That probably means extending its conscription period from a measly four months, as well as encouraging a larger, professional army. Asymmetric warfare plays to Taiwans strengths and Chinese weaknesses, but Taiwans weaknesses must also be addressed. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a Javelin anti-tank missile during drills at a training ground in an unknown location in Ukraine, in a photo released on Feb. 18, 2022. (Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation Press Service/Handout via Reuters) RussiaUkraine War (April 28): US Congress Revives World War II-Era Lend-Lease Program for Ukraine The latest on the RussiaUkraine crisis, April 28. Click here for updates from April 27. US Congress Revives World War II-Era Lend-Lease Program for Ukraine The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed legislation on Thursday that will make it easier to export military equipment to Ukraine, reviving the Lend-Lease Act that helped defeat Hitler during World War II. The House passed the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 by 417 to 10, three weeks after it sailed through the Senate with unanimous support. It next goes to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law. The measure revives a World War II-era program that allowed Washington to lend or lease military equipment to U.S. allies. In this case, it will help those affected by Russias invasion, such as Poland and other eastern European countries as well as Ukraine. ___ Blasts Hit Kyiv While UN Chief Visits Russia fired two missiles into the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Thursday during a visit by U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Ukrainian officials said. The rockets shook the central Shevchenko district of the city and one struck the lower floors of a 25-story residential building, wounding at least 10 people, Ukrainian officials said. Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba both said the blasts were caused by Russian missiles. The explosions occurred after U.N. chief Guterres completed talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy focusing on efforts to evacuate civilians from the Russian-besieged southern port of Mariupol. Guterres told Portuguese broadcaster RTP when asked about the blasts: There was an attack on Kyiv it shocked me, not because Im here but because Kyiv is a sacred city for Ukrainians and Russians alike. ___ Biden: Idea of Larger Proxy War Not True President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. He added that no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons and called doing so irresponsible. _____ Kremlin Accuses Britain of Threatening European Security Moscow has warned London that by pumping Ukraine with weapons, Britain is undermining European security. The remark came after the British foreign secretary urged allies to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons, tanks, aeroplanes, while also bolstering the defense capabilities of Moldova and Georgia. Speaking to journalists by phone on Thursday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the tendency itself to pump weapons, including heavy weapons, into Ukraine and other countries is something that threatens the continents security and provokes instability. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss delivered her keynote speech on Wednesday. She argued against the view that we shouldnt provide heavy weapons for fear of provoking something worse, insisting that inaction would be the greatest provocation in the current circumstances. _____ NATO Says Its Ready to Back Kyiv for Years in War Against Russia NATO is ready to maintain its support for Ukraine in the war against Russia for years, including help for Kyiv to shift from Soviet-era weapons to modern Western arms and systems, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday. He spoke after the Kremlin warned that Western arms supplies to Ukraine, including heavy weapons, posed a threat to the security of the European continent and provoke instability. We need to be prepared for the long term, Stoltenberg told a youth summit in Brussels. There is absolutely the possibility that this war will drag on and last for months and years. The NATO chief said the West would continue to put maximum pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a special military operation, through sanctions and economic as well as military aid to Kyiv. NATO allies are preparing to provide support over a long period of time and also help Ukraine to transit, move from old Soviet-era equipment to more modern NATO-standard weapons and systems that will also require more training, Stoltenberg said. Most of the heavy weapons NATO countries have sent to Ukraine so far are Soviet-built arms still in the inventories of east European NATO member states, but the United States and some other allies have started to supply Kyiv with Western howitzers. Germany on Tuesday announced the shipment of Gepard tanks equipped with anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine, the first time Berlin has approved heavy weapons deliveries for Kyiv. Ukraines pleas for heavy weapons have intensified since Moscow shifted its offensive to the Donbass, an eastern region with largely flat, open terrain seen as better suited for tank battles than the areas in the north around the capital Kyiv where much of the earlier fighting took place. _____ Two Powerful Blasts Heard in Russian City Near Ukraine Border: Witnesses Two powerful blasts were heard on Thursday in the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, two witnesses told Reuters. The blasts were heard in the southern part of the city. It was not immediately clear what caused them and whether there were any casualties or damage. Russia has in recent days reported what it says are a series of attacks by Ukrainian forces in Belgorod and other southern regions which border Ukraine, and has warned that such attacks raise a risk of significant escalation. Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility but has described the incidents as payback for Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the West earlier on Thursday of openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia, and warned it not to test our patience. _____ Biden Seeks $33 Billion More for Ukraine U.S. President Joe Biden has asked Congress for an additional $33 billion in funding to prop up Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia. A vast part of the massive package is destined for additional military and security aid, while the rest will be used for economic and humanitarian assistance. The Administration is requesting $20.4 billion in additional security and military assistance for Ukraine and for U.S. efforts to strengthen European security in cooperation with our NATO allies and other partners in the region, the White House said in a statement. Unveiling the package during his speech at the White House, Biden said it was critical for the lawmakers to adopt it. We need this bill to support Ukraine and its fight for freedom, he said, admitting the price was not cheap. But caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen, he stressed. _____ Kremlin Says Musk May Fail in Twitter Mission Billionaire entrepreneur and the new owner of Twitter, Elon Musk is unlikely to bring the free speech he had promised to the platform, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, expressing doubts whether a full palette of opinions could be presented on any Western social media. Russias attitude towards this company is based on the actions of this company, on censorship, selective repressive actions against the companys clients, on the distortion and manipulation of information, Peskov stated on Thursday. Lets see what happens under the new owner. Now, given that this is a global company, we have already heard official voices from Europe that they will not allow absolute freedom there, Peskov added, apparently referring to a warning made by EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton to Musk. The senior EU official cautioned the billionaire against being too lax on content moderation, suggesting the platform could face a continental ban should it fail to abide by the blocs rules. The EU has recently adopted the so-called Digital Services Act, a package of regulations designed to force social network platforms to police their content much more aggressively and to cooperate closer with regulators. We welcome everyone. We are open but on our conditions. At least we know what to tell him: Elon, there are rules. You are welcome but these are our rules. Its not your rules which will apply here, Breton told The Financial Times. Elon Musk bought the social media platform for a staggering $44 billion on Monday, proclaiming himself a free speech absolutist and pledging to return Twitter to its roots as the free speech wing of the free speech party. Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated, Musk said in a statement announcing the purchase. ____ Ukraine Welcomes Back 33 Soldiers and 12 Civilians in Prisoner Exchange With Russia Russia has handed over 33 Ukrainian soldiers, including 13 officers, in an exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Thursday. We are also bringing home 12 civilians, Vereshchuk wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Five of the troops exchanged on Thursday had been wounded, she said. Vereshchuk did not say how many Russians were involved in the exchange. _____ Swedish PM Rejects Referendum on Possible NATO Membership Swedens government does not plan to hold a referendum if its parliament decides to proceed with an application for NATO membership, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Friday. Russias invasion of Ukraine has forced both Sweden and Finland to review long held beliefs that military neutrality is the best means of ensuring national security, with both countries expected to make a decision in the coming few weeks. Andersson said that a referendum was a bad idea. I dont think it is an issue that is suitable for a referendum, she told reporters. There is a lot of information about national security that is confidential, so there are important issues in such a referendum that cannot be discussed and important facts that cannot be put on the table. Swedens parliament is reviewing security policy with a report expected in mid-May. Separately, Anderssons own party, the Social Democrats, are looking at whether to drop their objections to NATO membership. With a majority in parliament backing membership, the ruling Social Democrats are seen as the biggest hurdle to Sweden applying to join the 30-nation alliance. The leader of the Moderates, the biggest opposition party, has also rejected calls for a referendum on the issue. _____ Poland Still Buying Russian Gas: Gazprom Poland continues to buy Russian natural gas from Germany via reverse flows, after its direct supplies were suspended due to non-payment in rubles, Russias energy giant Gazprom said on Thursday. This week Poland refused to pay for the Russian gas with the new terms, in rubles. It was grandly announced that they no longer needed Russian gas and would not buy it any more. But in fact Poland keeps buying Russian gas after the direct supply was halted. It now buys the gas from Germany, and it comes back to Poland with the reverse flow via the Yamal-Europe pipeline, Gazproms official representative Sergey Kupriyanov said. Poland raised its bid for reverse gas supplies from Germany fivefold on Wednesday, data from the German operator of the gas transmission network Gascade showed. ____ Ukraine Military Says Russia Increasing Pace of Attack in Almost All Directions Ukraines military on Thursday warned residents that Russia is now increasing its attacks across the country in all directions. In a statement, Ukraines general staff said Russia is stepping up its main military assault in the eastern portion of the country. The enemy is increasing the pace of the offensive operation. The Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire in almost all directions, the military said on April 28. Read the full article here ____ Biden Wants New Powers to Seize Russian Assets President Joe Biden is asking Congress or new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of a new funding request to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russias invasion. In remarks at the White House on Thursday morning, Biden will formally ask for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending earmarked for supplying Ukraines military, bolstering its economy and supporting the millions of refugees who fled Russias invasion two months ago. The White House said he will also seek new authorities from Congress to strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian government and those who profit from it, the White House said. Biden is asking lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. ___ Russia Warns West: Dont Test Our Patience Russia on Thursday warned the West that there would be a tough military response to any further attack on Russian territory, accusing the United States and its key European allies of openly inciting Ukraine to assault Russia. Two months since Russia invaded Ukraine, Russia has in recent days reported what it says are a series of attacks by Ukrainian forces on Russian regions which border Ukraine, and has warned that such attacks risk a significant escalation. Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility but says the incidents are payback, while Russia has taken umbrage at statements from NATO-member Britain that it is legitimate for Ukraine to target Russian logistics. In the West, they are openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia including with the use of weapons received from NATO countries, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow. I dont advise you to test our patience further. Russias defense ministry said on Tuesday that if such attacks continued then Moscow would target decision-making centers in Ukraine, including those where it said Western advisers were helping Kyiv. Kyiv and West capitals should take the statement from the Ministry of Defence seriously that further inciting of Ukraine to strike Russian territory will definitely lead to a tough response from Russia, Zakharova said. Zakharova cast Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a puppet of the West, who was being used by the United States to threaten Russia. The United States has ruled out sending its own or NATO forces to Ukraine but Washington and its European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger, and anti-tank Javelin missiles. ____ Germany Leader Defends Ongoing Gas Purchases German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending his countrys ongoing purchase of gas and other fossil fuels from Russia. Speaking during a visit to Japan on Thursday, Scholz said that it is a challenge that many European countries, including Germany, are dependent on imports of fossil resources from Russia. Scholz said his government aims to end imports of Russian coal and oil this year. He said that the same will happen for gas, but that is a process that will require more time. Asked whether he was concerned Russia might stop shipping gas to Germany, as it did this week for Poland and Bulgaria, Scholz acknowledged that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. He said this was also the reason why there no sanctions have so far been imposed on energy supplies from Russia, adding this had been decided in close cooperation with our partners who themselves are energy exporters and therefore in a different starting position, such as the United States. Scholz said: Whether and what decisions the Russian government takes in this regard one can only speculate, but it makes little sense to do so. ___ In Call With Putin, Erdogan Calls for Peace, Dialogue, and Cooperation Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders also discussed a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that took place in Turkey on Wednesday. Erdogans office said he told Putin on Thursday that Turkeys mediation in the exchange was an indication of the importance Ankara attaches to peace, dialogue, and cooperation. He reiterated Turkeys readiness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and its wish to establish peace in the region by increasing the momentum generated in face-to-face talks that were held between the two countries delegations in Istanbul late last month. It was the second telephone call between the two presidents this week. On Tuesday, Erdogan urged Putin to agree to direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. _____ Biden Urged to Confiscate Russian Assets The U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding bill on Wednesday, calling on President Joe Biden to impound the assets of wealthy Russian individuals believed to have ties to the Kremlin. Under the plan, confiscated capital would go toward supporting Ukraine. Named the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act, the bill was backed by 417 lawmakers, with eight voting against it. The document urges the U.S. president to confiscate any property or accounts subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, valued over $2,000,000, and belonging to Russian energy companies or to foreign persons whose wealth is derived in part through corruption linked to or political support for the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin. ____ Russian Spy Boss Reveals Polish Plans for Ukraine Split Intelligence obtained by Russia suggests that Poland and the United States are working on a plan for Warsaw to regain control of Ukrainian areas that Warsaw considers as historically belonging to it, Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) chief Sergey Naryshkin has said. According to the alleged plan, the first stage of this reunification will see Polish peacekeepers deployed in western Ukraine under the pretext of protection from Russian aggression, Naryshkin revealed in a statement on Thursday. The details of the operation are now being discussed between Warsaw and the Biden administration, he claimed, adding that its going to be carried out without a NATO mandate, with only volunteer countries taking part. Warsaw has so far been unable to find any other nations to join its cause, he added. But the Polish authorities arent bothered by it all as theyre themselves interested in having less unnecessary witnesses to their actions, Naryshkin claimed. ____ Up to Ukraine to Decide on Attacking Russia, Says US It is up to Ukraine to decide whether to expand the conflict with Russia beyond their own borders, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Senate on Wednesday. His comments come after Moscow condemned a senior British official who said it would be legitimate for Kyiv to use NATO-supplied weapons to attack Russian territory. We are determined to get them what they need to deal with this Russian aggression and to push the Russians out of the country. Its another matter as to whether the Ukrainians should take actions that go beyond their borders, Blinken said on Wednesday afternoon, at a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee considering the State Departments 2023 budget. ____ 4 Dead in Luhansk Region: Local Official Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, said Thursday that four civilians have died in the region over the past 24 hours and four more were wounded. The Russian shelling has also destroyed 10 houses in the city of Popasna, Haidai said in the messaging app Telegram. _____ UN Chief Tours Damaged Areas Outside Kyiv United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has toured areas outside the Ukrainian capital that suffered damage during the Russian advance there. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Guterres said that civilians always pay the highest price in any war. _____ UK: Russian Navy Is Still Able to Strike Ukraine Britains defense ministry says the Russian navy still has the ability to strike coastal targets in Ukraine, even after the losses of two warships. In an intelligence briefing posted Thursday morning, the ministry says that about 20 Russian naval vessels, including submarines, are currently operating in the Black Sea operational zone. But the ministry says Russia isnt able to replace the cruiser Moskva, which sank earlier this month in the Black Sea, because the Bosporus remains closed to all non-Turkish warships. Russia also lost the landing ship Saratov, which was destroyed by explosions and fire on March 24. ____ Poland Says Countries Paying for Russian Gas in Rubles Should Be Penalised The European Union should penalize countries that use rubles to pay for Russian gas, Polands climate minister said, following Moscows decision to cut off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria over their refusal to do so. EU member states appear split on how they can keep paying for gas without breaching European sanctions imposed over Russias Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Many nations in Europe remain heavily reliant on Russian energy imports. Poland, one of the EUs staunchest proponents of punitive sanctions against Moscow, says the bloc should ban purchases of Russian gas altogether. Today what is missing is full sanctions on gas, that would solve the problem with Gazprom, the problem with following sanctions 100 percent. We expect these sanctions, Anna Moskwa told private broadcaster Polsat News late on Wednesday. The main EU member states resisting tougher gas sanctions on Russia are Austria, Germany, and Hungary, she added. We are counting on there being consequences for these countries (which pay in rubles) and that as a result they will cease paying in rubles. She did not specify what kind of consequences Poland wanted to see. Russias new gas payments system, involving opening accounts at Gazprombank where payments in euros or dollars would be converted to rubles, offers wiggle room that could see some countries continue to buy Russian gas, fraying the blocs united front against Moscow. German power utility Uniper told the newspaper Rheinische Post on Thursday that it would transfer payments for Russian gas to a Russian bank and no longer to a Europe-based bank. _____ German Parliament Approves Petition to Deliver Heavy Arms to Ukraine Germanys Bundestag lower house of parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a petition on support for Ukraine backing the delivery of weapons including heavy arms to the country to help it fend off Russian attacks. Alongside the broad economic isolation and decoupling of Russia from international markets, the most important and effective means to stop the Russian invasion is to intensify and speed up the delivery of effective weapons and complex systems including heavy arms, the petition read. The petition was backed by both the three parties in the ruling coalition as well as the opposition conservatives, passing with 586 votes in favor, 100 against and seven abstentions, according to Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki. _____ Moldova Turns Down Kyivs Suggestions on Transnistria Moldova has turned down the offer to capture its breakaway region of Transnistria by force floated by Kyiv, stating that it seeks to reintegrate the self-proclaimed republic only through political means. The settlement of the Transnistrian issue can be achieved by political means and only on the basis of a peaceful solution, excluding military and other forcible actions, as well as on the basis of the principles of democratization and demilitarization of the region, [and] respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, the countrys office for reintegration told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. The statement came in response to remarks made by Alexey Arestovich, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The official suggested the country was capable of capturing Transnistria should Chisinau formally request Kyivs help in conquering the breakaway region. _____ Third EU State Balks at Ruble Payments for Gas Helsinki has rejected Moscows ruble-based payment scheme for gas, the local media reported on Wednesday. Russia imposed the payment mechanism last month on countries that have placed sanctions on Russia but continue to import its gas. We have made the decision in the governments economic policy committee that Finland will not agree to ruble payments. The decision was already made at the beginning of April, Finlands Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen told the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper. She said that it could be seen as blackmail and part of Russias geopolitical efforts. Russia has denied using natural gas exports as a tool to blackmail Europe, a charge also leveled by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. _____ UK Calls for a Global NATO The world order created after World War II and the Cold War isnt working anymore, so the West needs a global NATO to pursue geopolitics anew, U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss argued, in a major foreign policy speech on Wednesday. Truss also urged the U.S.-led bloc to send more heavy weapons, tanks and airplanes to Ukraine, and said China would face the same treatment as Russia if it doesnt play by the rules. My vision is a world where free nations are assertive and in the ascendant. Where freedom and democracy are strengthened through a network of economic and security partnerships, Truss said in a speech at a Mansion House banquet in London. Dubbing this arrangement the Network of Liberty, Truss argued it was necessary because the economic and security structures developed after 1945such as the UN Security Councilhave been bent out of shape so far, they have enabled rather than contained aggression. Beyond that, NATO must ensure that the Western Balkans and countries like Moldova and Georgia have the resilience and the capabilities to maintain their sovereignty and freedom, and uphold the sacrosanct open-door policy, Truss said. Her ambitions went beyond Europe, though, as Truss denounced the false choice between Euro-Atlantic security and Indo-Pacific security. In the modern world we need both. We need a global NATO, she said. And we must ensure that democracies like Taiwan are able to defend themselves. ____ UK Says Ukraine Can Attack Russian Logistics British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday it would be legitimate for Ukrainian forces to target Russian logistics to cripple their supply of food, fuel, and munitions but they were unlikely to use British weapons to do so. Tensions between Britain and Russia increased this week when Moscow accused London of provoking Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia, saying there would be an immediate proportional response if it continued. Wallace said under international law Ukraine had every right to defend itself. Part of defending itself in this type of invasion is obviously where Ukraine will go after the supply lines of the Russian army because without fuel and food and ammunition, the Russian army grinds to a halt and can no longer continue its invasion, he told the BBC. Wallace said Britain had sent artillery to Ukraine that was being used within Ukraine on Russian forces, but he claimed that it had not, and was unlikely, to send weapons that could be used for longer-range attacks. He said that it was not clear if attacks seen in Russia in recent weeks had come from the Ukrainian state. He claimed that Ukraine did not have British weapons that could do that. Ukrainian forces, he said, tend to use mobile launchers while the British army would deliver them from the air or sea. Wallace also denied that NATO was locked in a proxy war with Russia but said the West would provide increasing support to Ukraine if the Russian attacks continued. Sometimes that will include planes and tanks, he told Times Radio. Russia on Wednesday reported a series of blasts in the south of the country and a fire at an ammunition depot. Responding to a similar British statement on Tuesday which said Russian military targets inside Russia were fair game for Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova suggested that British logic meant Russia was also theoretically entitled to strike targets in NATO countries like Britain if they were related to arms deliveries for Ukraine. ____ Germanys Scholz Says Putin Clinging to Idea of Forced Peace in Ukraine Chancellor Olaf Scholz said a strong German military was necessary as a deterrent against a Russian attack and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for clinging to the idea of a forced peace in Ukraine, which he said would not work. Scholz, speaking in Tokyo on Thursday, said Germany was looking to create closer ties with countries that share its values, naming Japan and India, among others. ___ Former US Marine Reed Lands in US After Prisoner Swap With Russia: Spokesperson Former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, who was detained in Russia and released in a prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, landed in his home country, Reeds spokesperson said on Thursday. The location where Reed landed was not immediately clear. _____ Russian Forces Disperse Pro-Ukraine Rally, Tighten Control in Occupied Kherson Russian forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a pro-Ukraine rally in the occupied city of Kherson on Wednesday, Ukraines prosecutor general said, as Moscow tightened its grip over the southern region. Local authorities say Russia appointed its own mayor of Kherson on Tuesday after its troops took over the administration headquarters in the regional capital, which was the first big urban center to be seized after the Feb. 24 invasion. Some residents have staged occasional anti-occupation rallies and crowds gathered in the center again on Wednesday, the date Kyiv had said Russia planned to stage a referendum to create a breakaway region like those in eastern Ukraine. During a peaceful pro-Ukrainian rally on Freedom Square in the city of Kherson, servicemen of the Russian armed forces used tear gas and stun grenades against the civilian population, the office of Ukraines prosecutor general said in a statement. It said it was investigating the incident, and that at least four people were wounded. Russia did not immediately comment on the incident. On Tuesday, Russia said it had gained full control of the Kherson region, which is strategically important as it provides part of the land link between the annexed Crimea peninsula and Russian-backed separatist areas in the east. _____ Russia Accuses OSCE of Handing Information to Western Intelligence Russia on Thursday accused the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of handing information on the location of Russian and pro-Russian forces to Western and Ukrainian intelligence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the allegation during a briefing with reporters but did not provide evidence for it. She said investigators from the breakaway Donetsk Peoples Republic would provide additional proof. The OSCE has a monitoring mission in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian army have been fighting since 2014. ____ EU to Suspend Tariffs on Ukraine Imports for 1 Year, Kyiv Grateful The European Commission proposed on Wednesday a one-year suspension of import duties on all Ukrainian goods not covered by an existing free trade deal to help the countrys economy during the war with Russia. The measures will apply in particular to fruit and vegetables, subject to minimum price requirements, agricultural products facing quotas, and certain industrial goods, tariffs on which were only due to be phased out by the end of 2022. That phase-out, set out in the 2016 EUUkraine free trade agreement, applies to fertilizers, aluminum products, and cars. The European Union will also exempt Ukraine from safeguard measures that limit steel imports, and lift anti-dumping tariffs the EU currently imposes on Ukrainian steel tubes, hot-rolled flat steel products, and ironing boards. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had discussed the proposal with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday and expressed his gratitude. Right now this will allow us to maintain economic activity in Ukraine, our national production, as much as possible. But this decision needs to be considered not only in the Ukrainian context, he said in a late-night video address. The proposal will now need to be agreed on by the European Parliament and EU governments to come into force. The European Commission, which oversees trade policy in the 27-nation EU, said the unprecedented measures were designed to alleviate difficulties for Ukrainian producers and exporters in the face of Russias invasion. Last year, bilateral EUUkraine trade was more than 52 billion euros ($55 billion), double its level before the 2016 free trade deal. With Ukrainian shipping via the Black Sea now cut off by the Russian navy, the EU has also moved to help land transport of Ukrainian goods, for example by easing the entry conditions for Ukrainian truck drivers. _____ Explosions in Ukrainian City of Kherson In the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, a series of explosions boomed near the television tower late Wednesday and at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. The Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said missiles and rockets were fired at the city from the direction of the Ukrainian forces to the northwest. Kherson has been occupied by Russian forces since early in the war. Ukrayinska Pravda, an online newspaper, said the strikes set off a fire and knocked Russian television channels off the air. RIA Novosti said the broadcast later resumed. It said Russian channels began broadcasting from Kherson last week. Russia has been determined to strengthen its control over the city, but residents have continued to come out onto the streets to protest the occupation. ___ Biden to Tour Facility Making Weapons for War The White House says President Joe Biden will tour a Lockheed Martin facility that makes weapons systems, such as Javelin anti-tank missiles, that the administration is providing to Ukraine to defend itself against Russias two-month-old invasion. Biden plans to visit the facility in Alabama on May 3. A Javelin is a long-range guided anti-tank missile that can be carried by one person. The United States says it has provided several thousand of the systems to Ukraine. ____ Germany Biggest Buyer of Russian energy An independent research group says Germany was the biggest buyer of Russian energy during the first two months since the start of the war in Ukraine. A study published by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air calculates that Russia earned $66.5 billion from fossil fuel exports since Russian troops attacked Ukraine on Feb. 24. Using data on ship movements, real-time tracking of gas flows through pipelines, and estimates based on historical monthly trade, the researchers reckon Germany paid Russia about 9.1 billion euros for fossil fuel deliveries in the first two months of the war. The German government says it cant comment on estimates and declines to provide any figures of its own. Jack Phillips, The Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report. Workers in protective suits keep watch on a street during a lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Shanghai, on April 16, 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters) Locked-Down Residents Complain About Spoiled Food Distributed By Authorities in Shanghai Shanghai, the megacity of 26 million people, has been under lockdown for more than a month. Recently, many Shanghai residents have complained online that some of the food distributed by the local authorities has deteriorated and is not edible at all, and have questioned the legitimacy of the authorities food supply process. On Chinese social media, many Shanghai residents posted that they have received moldy rice, and meat containing maggots. Some communities urgently recalled moldy duck meat contained in rationed food provided by local authorities. A resident surnamed Yang from Mingzhuyuan community in the citys Pudong district recently told The Epoch Times that her husband had diarrhea after eating a ham sausage received from authorities. Yang said that the rationed food is inferior quality products supplied from unknown manufacturers. Yang did some online searches and found the manufacturer of the salted duck she received was a company with a poor record on quality. I found out online that [the company] was punished on April 16, 2021, for using preservatives that exceeded the standard, she said. Yang said that her community has been locked down since March 16. Residents cannot go out to buy food or supplies, most of the stores are closed, online shopping is difficult, and delivery is paralyzed due to the city-wide lockdown. Their community received rationed food from authorities on four occasions over about a month, but the food had been inferior in quality and some were even spoiled. We received food of different brands. Some have already expired, and some are moldy. Are they [authorities] treating us like trash cans? Yang said that theres a lack of transparency in the authorities sourcing methods and questioned if the process is legal. You [local authorities] now tell us first, the value and process of your entire procurement, if they are legal, and how did you find these food suppliers? she wrote in a social media group comprising the residents of her community. Amid Shanghais lockdown, the authorities have monopolized the supply channels of daily necessities, Yang said. The lockdown of the city has caused two major problems, one is access to medical care, the other is food supplies. This is related to our survival, we need to eat, you [authorities] have to solve it for us. Instead, you shut down our takeout delivery, stopped the delivery app; its very strange. The Epoch Times called the sub-district office to inquire about the matter, but the call could not be connected. The screenshot shows that there are maggots in the spam among the food distributed by authorities in Taopu Town, Putuo District, Shanghai. April, 2022. (Supplied) Another Shanghai resident surnamed Li also spoke of the difficulty of obtaining food given that food and delivery apps had collapsed under extreme demand. If they hadnt shut down takeout service and express delivery, we wouldnt have panicked, Li said. I didnt expect that they would shut the city down for a month. We can only endure the hardships, and its very difficult to live like that. Many of us have checked the last batch of the food that the government sent. You cannot find the products anywhere on major online shopping platforms. They all have bad food safety records. Why send us this kind of stuff? The resident continued: We are not refugees. We are cooperating with the governments lockdown. What we want is basic respect. Dont give us spoiled products from companies with bad records at this difficult time. Li slammed the city for imposing a heavy-handed lockdown to contain the fast-spreading Omicron variant, an approach he considers futile. Now, most citizens think that this method [lockdown] is not applicable to a megacity like Shanghai, he said. This approach is too stupid. Now they (authorities) are still insisting on COVID-zero. Its impossible to clear the number of infections. There are people tested positive every day. Zhao Fenghua and Gu Xiaohua contributed to the report. Kristin Crowley will be the Los Angeles Fire Department's 19th fire chief. (Courtesy of the Los Angeles Fire Department/Public Domain) Los Angeles City Council Confirms Fire Chief Salary The Los Angeles Fire Departments (LAFD) new chief Kristin Crowley, who was sworn into the position last month, will have an annual base salary of about $367,000nearly 8 percent higher than her predecessor. The LA City Council unanimously approved Crowleys annual salary April 26, which was recommended by Mayor Eric Garcetti. Garcetti nominated Crowleya 22-year LAFD veteran who served as deputy fire chief for five yearsto the position shortly after former LAFD fire chief Ralph Terrazas announced his retirement in January. Crowleys annual salary is about $27,000 higher than Terrazass, according to Transparent California, which researches and publishes salaries for California public officials. Crowley could also additionally see up to $200,000 more in pay, with overtime pay, benefits, and via her retirement pension. The new chiefs salary will be higher than that of the largest and second-largest fire departments in the country. James C. Hodgens, the acting fire chief of the nations largest fire department, the New York City Fire Department, received a base salary of about $348,000 in 2020. Annette M. Nance-Holt, fire chief of the Chicago Fire Departmentthe second-largest in the nation, received about $230,000 in 2021. Jeanine Nicholso, chief of San Francisco Fire Department received $336,000 in 2020. However, according to a report by LAs City Administrative Officer, Crowleys salary is within its recommended range for a general manager of a departmentwhich is about $224,000 to $398,000. LA Police Department Chief Michel Moore was paid a base salary of $377,000 in 2020, according to Transparent California. Chiefs of other large California fire departmentssuch as Orange County, San Diego, and Sacramentoare currently paid a base between $200,000 and $300,000 annually. During her tenure with the LAFD, Crowley has served as a firefighter, paramedic, engineer, fire inspector, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief, and chief deputy. She is the first woman and the first openly gay chief to lead the LAFD. Michigan Investigated Hundreds of Doctors, Nurses Over COVID-related Complaints Hundreds of nurses and doctors, including a chief medical examiner, have been investigated by the state of Michigan on COVID-related allegations ranging from videotaping a wedding where some guests werent wearing masks to telling trick-or-treaters not to get the vaccine. Authorities dismissed many of the complaints. Dozens are still pending, with a number referred for disciplinary action. Some have been referred to the Michigan Attorney Generals office for criminal prosecution. An allergy and asthma specialist is the subject of one of the referrals sent to the attorney general. The complaint accuses the doctor of prescribing a lethal dosage of ivermectin. Copies of the complaints, which total more than 500, were provided exclusively to the Epoch Times. The Pacific Justice Institute obtained the records through a FOIA request. The institute represents some of the accused nurses and doctors. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs received and investigated the complaints. Those they have investigated have either been dismissed or referred to its enforcement division for disciplinary action or the AGs office. Many are listed as still being listed under board review. The list provided to the institute includes complaints as recent as February 24, 2022. One of the nurses the Pacific Justice Institute represents is Holly Austin, a college nursing professor who holds a doctorate in nursing. She faced the revocation of her license by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for speaking at a public school board meeting in December of 2021 as a parent against plans to reinstitute a mask mandate at her childrens school. Dave Peters, a staff attorney with Pacific Justice Institute, told The Epoch Times he was shocked when the state continued its investigation into Austin even after he submitted a 100-page response to the states allegations that she was spreading misinformation. I remember not long ago that such actions by government authorities or anybody else would have had the entire journalist community howling about suppression and chilling free speech, said Peters, who also holds a masters degree in medicine. According to documents Peters provided to The Epoch Times, it took the state more than a year to close the investigation against Austin. The state concluded in a March 3, 2022 letter that following a thorough review and investigation, it had determined a violation of the Public Health Code cannot be substantiated. More than 200 doctors and nurses found themselves under investigation just for expressing concerns about the COVID vaccine or for not wearing or promoting the wearing of masks. One doctor was reported for shaking hands with someone who wasnt wearing a mask; another was the subject of a complaint for claiming he had a bad reaction to the COVID vaccine. In February, Ljubisa Dragovic, Chief Medical Examiner for Oakland County, found himself under investigation by the state for performing autopsies without wearing a mask. When you are working in an environment with deceased individuals there is no active sneezing or coughing on the part of the cadavers. It was nonsense, Dragovic told The Epoch Times, you cant get or give COVID to a dead person. Dragovic said he couldnt wear a mask because his glasses would fog up, and he couldnt see what he was doing. The last thing you want to be is blinded while using a sharp scalpel, he said. Dragovic, who is fully vaccinated and believes in wearing masks around live patients and co-workers, said he spent about two hours answering questions from investigators for the Michigan Medical Licensing Board. According to Dragovic, another medical examiner filed the complaint. The person was totally crazed with fear over COVID, Dragovic said. That doctor was hired at the height of the pandemic to perform autopsies but refused to do so out of fear he would contract COVID-19, even locking himself in his office at times. He eventually quit, according to Dragovic. The complainant only filed the allegation a year later after Dragovic refused to give the doctor a job reference. Peters says the case is an example of how the state investigations had nothing to do with keeping the public safe. This was used to kill free speech to intimidate people into submission, he said, period. Dozens of the complaints were againt doctors who issued mask waivers to children. Three nurses were accused of falsifying proof of vaccines, including one who allegedly did so for a friend for a cruise. The licensing board referred complaints against two physicians and two chiropractors to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office for not following COVID-19 safety precautions. The board investigated several physicians and nurses for either promoting or prescribing ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine. The complaint against Austin cites an email she wrote to the Brighton School Board that included a compilation of research she had conducted on the harm of wearing masks. She cited over 200 studies. I implore you to be informed of the current literature regarding masks and their ineffectiveness to decrease the transmission of COVID-19, the potential and inherent harms of masks on our pediatric population, and the short term and long term sequelae to our youth with continued mask mandates, Austin wrote. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs did not respond to inquiries from The Epoch Times about the investigations. Moderna Seeks Clearance for COVID-19 Vaccine for Young Children Moderna on April 28 said it has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant emergency use authorization (EUA) to the company for its COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 6 months. The EUA submission is for two 25-microgram doses of the shot, mRNA-1273, in children 6 months old to 5 years old. We are proud to share that we have initiated our EUA submission for authorization for our COVID-19 vaccine for young children, Stephane Bancel, Chief CEO of the Massachusetts-based biotechnology firm, said in a statement. We believe mRNA-1273 will be able to safely protect these children against SARS-CoV-2, which is so important in our continued fight against COVID-19 and will be especially welcomed by parents and caregivers. SARS-CoV-2, also known as the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, causes COVID-19. We have received a request from Moderna for an EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 6 years of age. As the company has acknowledged, they still need to submit additional data to complete its request. FDA cannot reach a decision on any vaccine without a completed EUA request, which allows us to do a thorough review, which includes, among other things, a comprehensive review of all of the adverse events and replication of the key analyses, an FDA spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email. Moderna announced results from its trial in March, saying the vaccine triggered a similar immune response to that seen in adults. But the shot also provided substandard protection against infection and the company could not measure its shielding against severe disease, prompting some experts to say the data does not warrant authorization. The risk-benefit calculus for both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines has become murkier over time, especially for children, as the shots provide little protection against infection from the Omicron virus variant, although they have held up better against severe disease. Other experts have backed clearing Modernas shot for young kids, and many parents have been vocal about wanting to have their children vaccinated. The lack of immunization options for children under five has become a dire situation, Dr. Elias Kass, a physician in Washington state, alleged during a recent government meeting. Dr. Dorian Fink, an FDA official who took part in the meeting, told those who speak that officials at the agency knew that many parents and health care providers are anxious to have COVID vaccines available to this age group. Once FDA is in receipt of one or more submissions for emergency use authorization of COVID vaccines for these younger pediatric age groups, we will work diligently to review the data, to independently verify the analyses, and to bring those data to our advisory committees for discussion and consideration for regulatory action, he added. The agency spokeswoman said that we recognize parents are anxious to have their young children vaccinated against COVID-19 and while the FDA cannot predict how long its evaluation of the data and information will take, we will review any EUA request we receive as quickly as possible using a science-based approach. All Americans 5 and older can get Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. All Americans 18 and older can get Modernas COVID-19 vaccine. Modernas submission comes after Pfizers trial examining two shots of its vaccine in young children failed to generate an adequate immune response. Pfizer shifted the trial to a three-shot primary regimen and hopes to have updated results soon. Toppled Pridnestrovian radio center antennas, also known as "Grigoriopol transmitter," following the blasts, near Maiac, Grigoriopol, in the Transnistria region, on April 26, 2022. (Transdniestrian Interior Ministry/Handout via Reuters) Moldova Explosions Raise Fears Separatist Region Could be Drawn into Ukraine War Attacks in Moldovas breakaway region of Transnistria have raised concerns that Russia will drag the area into the Ukraine war. The area borders western Ukraine and is controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Russia has permanently stationed some 1,500 troops in the unrecognized sliver of land since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Transnistrias Interior Ministry said explosions damaged two radio masts that broadcast in Russian in the village of Mayak 30 miles north of the capital Tiraspol at around around 7 a.m. Tuesday, and that one of its military units had been attacked. In response, authorities in Transnistria blamed Ukraine, raised the areas terrorist threat level to red, and introduced checkpoints around its towns. Vadim Krasnoselsky, the self-styled president of Transnistria, was quoted by Russias state-run news agency as saying, The traces of these attacks lead to Ukraine. I assume that those who organized this attack have the purpose of dragging Transnistria into the conflict, Krasnoselsky reportedly said. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said he believes the explosions could be false flag attacks from Russia to justify expanding conflict in the region. Rinkevics said the attacks bear similarity to those in eastern Ukraine at the beginning of Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion. In announcing his so-called special military operation on Feb. 24, Putin accused Ukraine of killing Russian speakers in the Donbas region, where Moscow-backed rebel separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian government since 2014, with the annexation of Crimea. Rinkevics told reporters in Madrid that he was very worried by the explosions in Transnistria on Tuesday. I remember before Feb. 21, there have been some series of false flag operations in the Donbas region, so-called peoples republics, that were used as the pretext by Russia to recognize and then to sign the so-called friendship and assistance treaties and then to start the military operation, Rinkevics said. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said Ukraine resolutely supports Moldovas territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and condemns attempts to draw the Transnistria region of Moldova into the full-fledged war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine and call for deescalating tensions. Ukraine fears the region could be used as a launch pad for new attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Moscow, saying Russia was showing Moldova what to expect if it continued to support Kyiv. We have seen that another step is being planned by the Russian Federation it is clear why, really, to destabilize the situation in the region, he told a news conference with the visiting head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Epoch Times has contacted Russias foreign ministry for comment. Reuters contributed to this report. More UK Schoolchildren Depressed During Pandemic, Says Study The COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of lockdowns in Britain led to an extra 60,000 secondary school children in England tipping over into clinical depression, according to researchers from University College London (UCL). The report said children reporting depressive symptoms such as low mood, loss of pleasure, and poor concentration rose by six percent after the virus arrived in Britain in March 2020. One of the authors of the report, Dr. Praveetha Patalay said: Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been widespread concern about rising mental health difficulties among adolescents. We have found the pandemic contributed to a small additional rise in mental health difficulties among adolescents in England. As the pandemic is ongoing and many of its negative impacts may be long lasting, there is a need to prioritise young people and resource sufficient support for their mental health and wellbeing. Depression rates among children aged 11 to 14 had been rising before the pandemic with some studies blaming social media. Earlier this month a survey by mental health charity stem4 found 63 percent of general practitioners in the UK believed mental health services for children and young people had gotten worse over the past six years. The survey found some children were waiting two years to be seen by their local NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Dr. Nihara Krause, a consultant clinical psychologist and founder of stem4, said: With young people there is often a critical window for treatment. Delay in treatment increases risk, and you can expect problems in application to study or work, relationship issues, and other emerging co-morbid mental health issues, for example, depression with increased vulnerability to self-harm, anxiety with panic attacks. It is also harder to engage young people in treatment the longer they have to wait since they often feel angry and let down, minimised or overlooked. The UCL researchers, who included teams from the University of Manchester, and the University of Dundee, compared two groups of children aged 1114 taking part in the Education for Wellbeing programme over two separate 18-month periods during and just before the pandemic. The study, published in the Royal Society Open Science, involved a total of 11,450 secondary school pupils. One group was measured from late 2018 to early 2020 and the other was tracked from autumn 2019 to February to April 2021. Depressive symptoms rose in both groups but it was greater in the second group. The researchers also found more depressive symptoms among girls, rather than boys, but they did not suggest any reason for this discrepancy. In October 2020 a study by researchers from the University of Glasgow found an increase in mental illness symptoms during the first lockdown and found young people and women were more at risk than the general population. In the United States the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit, found four out of 10 Americans had reported symptoms of anxiety or a depressive disorder during the pandemic, compared to one in 10 adults who reported symptoms between January and June 2019. SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk grimaces after arriving on the red carpet for the Axel Springer award in Berlin, Germany, on Dec. 1, 2020. (Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters) Musk Loses Bid to End SEC Agreement on Oversight of Tesla Tweets A U.S. judge slammed Elon Musk on Wednesday for trying to escape a settlement with regulators requiring oversight of his Tesla Inc tweets, saying the billionaire was bemoaning the 2018 deal now that he felt Tesla was invincible. The ruling comes after the Twitter Inc board accepted on Monday Musks $44 billion deal to buy the social media platform. The dispute stems from the claim by the Securities and Exchange Commission that Musk, the CEO of Tesla, defrauded investors on Aug. 7, 2018, by tweeting that he had funding secured to potentially take the electric car company private at a premium, when in reality a buyout was not close. Tesla shares rose following the tweet. Musks lawyers had sought to terminate the 2018 consent decree that resolved those SEC securities fraud charges, arguing that the regulators pursuit of Musk crossed the line into harassment and impeded his constitutional right to free speech. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan rejected those arguments as well as Musks request to block a separate SEC investigation into tweets that Musk posted last year regarding the sale of some of his Tesla stock. Musk cannot now seek to retract the agreement he knowingly and willingly entered by simply bemoaning that he felt like he had to agree to it at the time but nowonce the specter of the litigation is a distant memory and his company has become, in his estimation, all but invinciblewishes that he had not, wrote Liman. The 2018 agreement required Musk and Tesla to each pay $20 million civil fines and for Musk to step down as Teslas chairman. The consent decree also required Musk to obtain pre-clearance from Tesla lawyers for tweets and other public statements that could be material to Tesla. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Shares of Tesla were about 2.4 percent higher at $897.62 and Twitter stock was down 2 percent at $48.67 in afternoon trading. The SECs probe related to Musks sale of some of his Tesla shares is over tweets he sent on Nov. 6 last year that asked readers if they supported his selling 10 percent of his Tesla stake, and saying that he would abide by the poll results. The SEC has subpoenaed Musk and Tesla to determine if those tweets were vetted before they were published. A majority of the readers did support such a share sale, and the poll caused Teslas share price to fall. Musk has since sold more than $16 billion of Tesla stock. Liman said it was unsurprising that the SEC would have questions about the unusual manner in which Musk went about deciding to sell his stock. Musk has been escalating his attacks on the SEC. Earlier this month he referred to the regulator as those bastards. Musk calls himself a free speech absolutist and has criticized Twitters policies that moderate speech and are aimed at curtailing harassment. By free speech, I simply mean that which matches the law, Musk tweeted on Tuesday, the day after the Twitter board of directors accepted his bid. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people. By Tom Hals Brendan Carr, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, speaks at the CPAC convention in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 29, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) FCCs Carr Hopes Musks Twitter Takeover Will Result in More Free Speech A top Federal Communications Commission (FCC) official said hes optimistic that more free speech will result from a successful Elon Musk takeover of Twitter, a global social network with more than 400 million monthly users. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told NTDs Paul Greaney on April 25 that he hopes Musk will follow through on [his] commitment to free speech because at the end of the day, we want more speech, not less. Theres a lot of misinformation out there about [how] you cant have more speech without allowing terrorist content, Carr said. No, thats not the case. Were going to put rules in place; we [can] get more speech, core speech, without allowing terrorist speech. Carr, the FCCs senior Republican member, said the platform will need to start with some core reforms to allow for more transparency and accountability. That includes an actual appeals process, so when they get things wrong, when speech is taken down, you have the right to appeal that decision. I think we need anti-discrimination provisions, again, to protect core speech. Musk has pledged to make the platform better by respecting free speech. In an April 15 TED Talk interview with Chris Anderson, Musk described Twitter as a de facto town square, adding that people should have both the reality and the perception that they are able to speak freely within the bounds of the law. He said that Twitter should open source the algorithm so that theres no behind the scenes manipulation to deemphasize or emphasize speech. So if somebody did something to a tweet, theres information attached to it that that action was taken, Musk said, adding that if a tweet was promoted or demoted according to an algorithm, that algorithm should be made available for critique. A good sign as to whether there is free speech is someone you dont like is allowed to say something you dont like. And if that is the case, then we have free speech, Musk said. Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX founder, confirmed on April 25 on Twitter that he had purchased the California-based company for about $44 billion. The board approved the acquisition on April 25. Twitter has increasingly cracked down on users, particularly conservative-leaning voices, in recent years, and banned Donald Trump while he was still president in 2021. At the time, Twitter executives said Trumps posts were inciting violence. Trump had called for peace at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and for people who were there carrying out violence to leave, but also said his supporters were very special. Twitter also banned some Trump administration officials, including former trade adviser Peter Navarro. Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey stated on April 26 that Twitter is the closest thing we have to a global consciousness. He also voiced support for Musks goal of creating a platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive' in the same Twitter thread. In principle, I dont believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company, Dorsey said. Solving for the problem of it being a company, however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Musks Twitter 2.0 Could Tweak California Politics Commentary Like most of you, Im elated Elon Musk took over Twitter. Enough of the censorship. Its well known how Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites cancel users accounts. The most prominent was President Trump getting kicked off Twitterwhile still in office. Less noted is whats going on behind the scenes with the algorithms used by these companies. Little is known of how they work. Perhaps Musk will tell us what has been going on the past six years at his new company. Webster defines an algorithm as a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end. For example, if you put cat pictures up on your Twitter account, an algorithm will send you ads for cat products. If you click on an ad, youll get more ads for cat stuff. In elections, campaigns pay many millions of dollars for ads on these sites, both extolling their great candidate and trashing any opponent. So far so good. Thats politics in a democracy. But the social media sites are largely run by left-wing ideologues who actually have told us how they have skewed their algorithms to help favored candidatesthat is, they cheated. The most infamous article on this came in Time magazine right after the 2020 election. Time now is owned by Marc Benioff, a major leftist oligarch and founder of Salesforce. The article by Molly Ball was published on Feb. 4, 2021 and called, The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election. It described an informal alliance between left-wing activists and business titans in which the forces of labor came together with the forces of capital to keep the peace and oppose Trumps assault on democracy. The handshake between business and labor was just one component of a vast, cross-partisan campaign to protect the electionan extraordinary shadow effort dedicated not to winning the vote but to ensuring it would be free and fair, credible and uncorrupted. For more than a year, a loosely organized coalition of operatives scrambled to shore up Americas institutions as they came under simultaneous attack from a remorseless pandemic and an autocratically inclined President. Heres the key sentence: They successfully pressured social media companies to take a harder line against disinformation and used data-driven strategies to fight viral smears. That is, the social media companies tweaked their algorithms against Trump. Were the algorithms also tweaked against Republican congressional and legislative candidates in California? Were Republican ads, for which campaigns paid good money, downgraded on these social media sites to favor Democratic ads? Inquiring minds want to know. Perhaps at his new company Musk can lift the veil on what happened. I had a minor role in these events. I was the press secretary to state Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa). In my spare time, I also worked in his re-election campaign in 2020. He was outspent by his opponentreally, by the public-employee unions that despised Moorlach for insisting on reforms to their plush pensions. But it also seemed to me the social media ads popping up on my Twitter and Facebook feeds were unusually biased against him. He lost. Was I imagining that bias? Perhaps. But the only way to know is to open the books at Twitter and the other firms. Musk said he would implement open algorithms, meaning all of us could check them. I dont think we need such old solutions as antitrust. The antitrust action against IBM lasted from 1969-82, an absurd 13 years. Then it was dropped by a judgment ruling it without merit. A Stanford summary noted, Over the six years of the trial, which began in 1975, 974 witnesses were called and 104,400 transcript pages were read. What a waste. Instead, we need new solutions, including new publications like The Epoch Times. Twitter abused its customers by becoming so woke it was undervalued. Canceling Trump alone impacted his 89 million followers. What kind of business abuses that many customers? One ripe for a takeover. May there be many similar solutions to wokeness. As Elon tweeted in victory against the censors he defeated, The extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss speaking at the Easter Banquet at Mansion House in London on April 27, 2022. (Victoria Jones/PA Media) NATO Must Ensure Democracies Like Taiwan Can Defend Themselves: UK Foreign Secretary Democracies such as Taiwan must be able to defend themselves, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Wednesday as she called for a reboot of the free worlds approach to global security. In a keynote speech at the Easter Banquet in the City of London, the British foreign secretary said the post-war global order has failed Ukraine, and that the free world needs a new approach thats based on military strength, economic security, and deeper global alliances to usher in a new era of peace, security, and prosperity. She said free nations are doubling down on their support of Ukraines self-defence capabilities and its recovery after the war, and stressed the war has to be a catalyst for wider change. She also said the West has taken progress for granted in the years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and that the post-Cold War assumption that economic integration would drive political change has failed. We must reboot, recast, and remodel our approach, she said, painting a vision of a world where free nations are assertive and in the ascendant. Global NATO for Global Threats On military strength, Truss quoted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in saying, Freedom must be better armed than tyranny. The British foreign secretary called for a global NATO with a global outlook, and that is ready to tackle global threats. Truss said the alliance needs to preempt threats in the IndoPacific, and must ensure that democracies like Taiwan are able to defend themselves. She also called for more defence spending, saying spending 2 percent of GDP on defence must be a floor, not a ceiling, referring to NATO countries baseline spending commitments. There is no substitute for hard military power, backed by intelligence and diplomacy, she said. Taiwans Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it warmly welcomed the comment, and would continue deepening its cooperation with Britain and other like-minded partners to jointly ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. A Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) H-6 bomber flies on a mission near the median line in the Taiwan Strait, which serves as an unofficial buffer between China and Taiwan, on Sept. 18, 2020. (Taiwan Ministry of National Defense/via Reuters) China Must Play by the Rules The free world also needs to recognise the growing role that the economy plays in security, Truss said. The foreign secretary said moves to isolate Russia from the world economy in response to its invasion of Ukraine proved that market access to democratic countries was no longer a given. Countries must play by the rules. And that includes China, Truss warned. She said the Chinese communist regime has not only not condemned Russian aggression or its war crimes, but increased the countrys imports from Russia. They have sought to coerce Lithuania. They are commenting on who should or shouldnt be a member of NATO. And they are rapidly building a military capable of projecting power deep into areas of European strategic interest, she added. Chinas economic and military rise over the past 40 years is considered to be one of the most significant geopolitical events of recent times, alongside the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union that ended the Cold War. G-7 Foreign and Development Ministers pose for a group photo in Liverpool, England, on Dec. 12, 2021. (Olivier Douliery/Pool via AP) But Truss said its further rise was not inevitable. They will not continue to rise if they do not play by the rules. China needs trade with the G-7 [Group of Seven]. We represent around half of the global economy. And we have choices, she said. We have shown with Russia the kind of choices that were prepared to make when international rules are violated. Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said China should persuade Russia to help end the war in Ukraine, or face a loss of standing in the world. Beijing has said it firmly opposes linking the Ukraine war to its relations with Moscow and that it will defend the rights of Chinese individuals and companies. Network of Liberty Declaring geopolitics is back, Truss said the UK will seek to weave a network of liberty across the globe. In a world where malign actors are trying to undermine multilateral institutions, we know that bilateral and plurilateral groups will play a greater role, she said. Truss said the UK rejects the old ideas of hierarchical systems, exclusive groups, and spheres of influence, and wants to see a global network that is standing up for sovereignty and self-determination, and building shared prosperity. Truss suggested the G-7 should act as an economic NATO. She also said the UK will support democratic alliances and dialogueregardless of whether the UK is a part of it. The foreign secretary commended the 141 countries, from all continents, who voted to condemn Russias actions in the United Nations, offering to forge deeper economic bonds. Reuters contributed to this report. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are shown at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Jan. 16, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes) Nearly 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces Members Denied COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions The Canadian military says nearly 1,000 members have been denied exemptions from the militarys COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Vice-chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Frances Allen says more than 1,300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces requested exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Allen says only 158 of those requests have been approved, while about the same number of requests are still being assessed. Chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre ordered all military personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by mid-December last year. The Defence Department reports more than 98 percent of Canadian troops have been vaccinated, but hundreds of others did not get their shots. The Defence Department said last week that 39 unvaccinated troops were forced to leave the military while another 206 are in the process of being kicked out. New Hampshire Senate Committee Passes No-Prescription-Ivermectin Legislation New Hampshire has taken another step toward becoming the second state to make human-grade ivermectin available without a prescription. In a 32 vote late on April 26, the Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee voted that HB 1022 ought to pass with an amendment that it would expire in two years. On April 27, Republican Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee signed a similar measure into law. The New Hampshire legislation still faces a full vote from the Republican-controlled state Senate and final approval from New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican. Tom Sherman, a doctor and one of the two Democrats that voted against the measure on the HHS Committee, called making ivermectin available without a prescription irresponsible. Testimony Several New Hampshire doctors have testified in support of making the drug available over the counter. One of the most impassioned testimonies came from a father who spent several months battling an attempt by the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to take custody of his teenage son after giving the son ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. The agency has fundamental and structural issues that allowed it to continue, without merit, abusing our family for over three months over a medication that the N.H. state committee has agreed should be available over the counter, J.R. Hoell told The Epoch Times following the committee vote. Hoell, a former state representative and a founder of a conservative watchdog group, was charged with child abuse and neglect hours after mentioning to a nurse practitioner that he had given his 13-year-old son ivermectin. In January, Hoell told The Epoch Times that a DCYF social worker showed up at his house with police, an ex-parte custody order issued by a New Hampshire family court judge, and an ambulance to transport his 13-year-old son to the hospital over the ivermectin he had given him three months earlier. Hoell told The Epoch Times that he obtained human-grade ivermectin from an online pharmacy based in India. Concerns Following his recent testimony, Hoell revealed that a family court judge recently dismissed the charges against him following a hearing. However, Hoell said he still remains under a court-ordered gag order and, therefore, couldnt comment further on the case. In his only mention of his case during testimony before the committee, Hoell said the states actions against him cost him in excess of $60,000 in legal and expert fees. At a previous hearing before the committee, Paula Minnehan, senior vice president of government relations for the New Hampshire Hospital Association, expressed concern that making ivermectin available without a prescription is akin to falsely promoting it as an effective treatment against COVID-19. The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID in humansI think that is so fundamental to all of this discussion, Minnehan said. No one is saying ivermectin is not a safe drug. Theyre saying its not been proven to treat COVID. In addition to New Hampshire and Tennessee, similar legislation is pending in Kansas. Personal Stories Hearings held in all three states have included testimony from several people who gave personal accounts of recovering from severe cases of COVID-19 after taking ivermectin. Theres no current law that prohibits doctors anywhere from prescribing ivermectin as an off-label treatment for COVID-19. However, doctors who have done so have been disciplined by their states licensing board, with some having their licenses suspended. While it isnt considered safe in pregnant women, according to a 2021 German study, only 16 deaths have been attributed to ivermectin out of the 3.9 billion doses surveyed. New Hampshire Democrat Jerry Kanark, a retired physician opposed to over-the-counter ivermectin, said studies that show ivermectin as an effective treatment and prevention of COVID-19 are really quite flawed because they used too small a sample size or they involved the use of other medications. As part of its amendment to New Hampshires HB 1022, the committee also voted to establish a committee to study the use of ivermectin. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) talks to the media during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Nonprofit Pushing Jan. 6 Ballot Disqualifications Is Funded, Led by Left-Wing Activists Just minutes after Donald Trump was sworn in as president in January 2017, Free Speech for People (PFS), working with RootsAction, another obscure left-wing activist group, launched the website ImpeachDonaldTrumpNow.org. The Trump impeachment website remains live today, but PFS has moved on from years of seeking to drive the embattled Trump from the Oval Office to now trying to remove four of his strongest congressional supporters from their respective November 2022 ballots. Although officially a nonpartisan educational nonprofit, PFSs most notable activities since being organized in the wake of the Supreme Courts 2010 Citizens United decision have all been directed at Trump and other Republicans. Most recently, PFS made headlines with litigation it filed against four House Republicans and one Arizona Republican state representative seeking to have state courts remove the officials names from the November ballot. An Arizona Superior Court judge rejected PFSs request to remove U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar, both Arizona congressmen, and Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem from the November ballot. The PFS lawsuit stated that the lawmakers alleged efforts in support of the January 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol amounted to participation in an insurrection seeking to bring down the federal government. Biggs and Gosar are seeking reelection to the U.S. House, while Finchem seeks to be elected as Arizonas secretary of state. Judges in North Carolina and Georgia are hearing similar suits brought by PFS-backed plaintiffs seeking the ouster of Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) from the November ballots in their states. An analysis by The Epoch Times and the Capital Research Center (CRC) of available public records for PFS reveals a top leadership with deep ties throughout far-left precincts of liberal and progressive nonprofit political activism and funding from numerous well-known and some not-so-familiar liberal foundations. A total of 91 grants to PFS from left-wing foundations with a value in excess of $7.3 million were found by CRC using the Foundation Search database. Among the grants received between 2012 and 2019 were these: two grants (totaling $750,000) from the Schumann Media Center in New York; nine grants ($485,000) from the National Philanthropic Trust of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania; four grants ($375,000) from the Gaia Fund of San Francisco; five grants ($365,000) from the Madrona Foundation in Seattle; six grants ($255,000) from the Clements Foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. Other notable grants during the period included four totaling $249,148 from the Tides Foundation in San Francisco; three grants ($205,000) from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in New York; two grants ($60,000) from the Rockefeller Family Fund; and four grants ($54,670) from the Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund in Boston. The funding from the Tides Foundation is notable because, in the 1970s, the San Francisco nonprofit pioneered the dark money fund that first provided a way for liberal donors to send large sums to support favored and oftentimes extremely controversial causes but without their names being publicly linked to the recipients. The contribution is instead officially credited to Tides. Such donor-advised funds are now common across the ideological and political spectrum. The PFS 2020 IRS 990 tax return indicated that President John Bonifaz received nearly $217,000 in compensation that year, while legal director Ronald Fein was paid more than $159,000 for the period. The depth of PFS links throughout the vast network of far-left liberal and progressive political activist nonprofits is seen in this analysis by InfluenceWatch, a CRC publication that specializes in reporting on such connections: Free Speech For People is led by a team with strong ties to the political left. John Bonifaz, founder of Free Speech for People, is the founder and former executive director of the National Voting Rights Institute (NVRI), a left-of-center electoral advocacy group. PFS chairman Ben Clements also sits as a board member for Stop Handgun Violence and works on the advisory committee of the Boston chapter of the American Constitution Society. Steve Cobble, [former] senior political adviser for Free Speech for People, [was] an assistant fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, a left-wing think tank. Cobble is also a co-founder of Progressive Democrats of America, an organization that aims to support the Democratic Party and advocate for an agenda focused on fighting climate change and expanding public healthcare. Other PFS officials have similarly left-wing backgrounds. Alexandra Flores-Quilty, who is PFSs campaign director, was previously executive director of We the People, an activist group that organizes mass protest marches against Trump. Kristen Eastlick, CRC vice president, told The Epoch Times that while this organization [PFS] was founded in the wake of the Citizens United decision, the groups agenda has expanded beyond generic campaign finance activism into partisan hackeryfrom their effort to launch ImpeachDonaldTrump.org as soon as he took the oath of office to their efforts to remove individuals from appearing on ballots. Free Speech for People might be the name, but if political speech is the bedrock form of free speech, then eliminating the peoples election options is an assault on that freedom, she said. German Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Robert Habeck speaks as he presents the German government's annual economic report in Berlin, Germany, on Jan. 26, 2022. (John Macdougall/Pool Via Reuters) Oil Prices Rally After Germany Drops Opposition to Russian Oil Embargo Oil prices rose on Thursday in the Federal Republic of Germany, as the German government has signaled its willingness to join the other EU members in an embargo of Russian oil exports. On Thursday, Brent Crude futures rose by $2.27 to a total of $107.59 per barrel, whereas U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by $3.34 to $105.36 per barrel. Previously, Germany has rejected the notion of an oil embargo, as the country has been significantly reliant on oil imports from Russia to keep the engine of their economy running. However, in recent days, the German government has suggested it will be reversing its approach in the near future, joining the rest of the EU in a ban on Russian petroleum. Today I can say that an [oil] embargo has become manageable for Germany, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck told reporters in Poland on Tuesday. Among the major European powers, Germany is one of the most reliant on Russian oil. The roots of Germanys current energy crisis lie in the early 2010s, when the country resolved to dismantle its nuclear energy program in response to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. Simultaneously, Germany worked to build an energy partnership with Russia through the construction of the Nord Stream pipelines, which would bypass the former Soviet buffer states by tunneling under the Baltic Sea to deliver natural gas directly to Germany, giving Russia significant leverage in the heart of the EU. The situation in Germany is contrasted by that in neighboring France, which now derives 70 percent of its energy from nuclear power. At the same time Germany was dismantling its nuclear program under pressure from environmentalist groups, France significantly scaled up its own nuclear program; now the latter is blessed with a relatively high degree of energy independence among European countries, whereas the former has become involved in the geopolitical negotiations and sanctions accompanying the Russo-Ukrainian war. At the start of the war, Germany relied on Russia for about one-third of its oil supply. Germany has scaled down its reliance on Russian oil since then, with Habeck reporting that only 25 percent of Germanys oil supply came from Russia last month. In his most recent update on Tuesday, Habeck stated that only 12 percent of Germanys oil was coming from Russia, with all of it being processed by a single refinery in northeastern Germany. Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy takes to the podium during a news conference in Toronto on April 28, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Chris Young) Ontario Budget Projects Larger Deficit, Billions for Infrastructure Ahead of Election TORONTOOntarios Progressive Conservatives are veering off a path to balance with an election budget loaded with billions of dollars in hospital, highway, and transit investments. The document, set to serve as the Tory platform during a campaign expected to kick off next week, has the party projecting Ontario will be $19.9 billion in the red this yeara bigger deficit than the province ran in the first pandemic year. The Progressive Conservatives arent planning to balance until 2027-28. Thats despite Ontarios Financial Accountability Office saying recently that the province was on track to balance the budget by next year. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy defended the deficit and the whopping $198.6 billion budget, saying now is the time to invest and rebuild. Sparing no expense during the pandemic was the right thing to do, he said. Rebuilding Ontarios economy today is the right thing to do in a fiscally responsible way, which we demonstrated in this budget. In this governments pre-pandemic life, it was focused on tightening purse stringswith finding efficiencies a key 2018 campaign refrainand it came under sharp fire in 2019 when that years budget made sweeping program cuts that were only revealed following the tabling of the document. The government had also managed to chip away at a large deficit necessitated by COVID-19 spending in the first year of the pandemic, lowering it from $16.4 billion in 2020-2021 to $13.5 billion in 2021-22. Those amounts also came in well under initial projections. But now, the Tories are planning to sink the province further into deficit, with program spending growing by an average of 5.1 percent for the next three years, higher than the 4.2 percent average of the past 10 years. Its fuelled in large part by major funding commitments for infrastructure. The government has pledged $158.8 billion over 10 years for projects such as hospitals, highways and transit, including $20 billion this year alone. In the weeks leading up to the introduction of the budget, the government announced more than $2 billion in funding for various hospital projects and a plan to spend $1 billion over three years on home care. Proposed highway projects announced in the budget include a new twin bridge over the Welland Canal on the Queen Elizabeth Way, widening Highway 401 in eastern Ontario starting in Pickering, Ont., and Oshawa, Ont., widening Highway 17 from Arnprior, Ont., to Renfrew, Ont., and reconstructing a stretch of Highway 101 in northern Ontario. The document contains few new pocketbook goodies, especially compared to the partys 2018 platform, which promised lower hydro bills, an income tax cut, lower gas prices and buck-a-beerthough not all of those were accomplished. A budget section on keeping costs down is largely built on previously announced measures, including cutting the gas tax by 5.7 cents a litre for six months starting July 1, expected to cost $645 million, reaching a deal with the federal government to provide $10-a-day on average child care by 2025, and eliminating and refunding licence plate renewal fees back to March 2020, at a cost of $1.8 billion. Two new affordability measures are a proposed Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit, which will give recipients up to 25 per cent of eligible medical expenses back up to a maximum of $1,500, and an enhancement of Ontarios Low-income Individuals and Families Tax Credit. The Tories propose to raise the amount under the low-income tax credit from a maximum of $850 to $875 and allow more people to qualify. Currently, the benefit is phased out at a rate of 10 percent for an individuals income above $30,000 up to $38,000 and the government proposes to lower that phase-out rate to five percent, which would see people making up to $50,000 qualify. It is estimated that 1.1 million lower-income workers would see an additional average of $300 in tax relief for 2022, with the measure expected to cost an additional $320 million. The Tories also propose to extend film and television tax credits to online productions. An election worker directs voters to a ballot drop off location in Portland, Oregon, on Nov. 2, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Oregon Voters in a Sour Mood Ahead of May 17 Primaries Oregon voters are in a sour mood as they head into the May 17 primaries. According to a February poll conducted by DHM Research, only 18 percent of Oregonians think the state is headed in the right direction. Thats the lowest number recorded in DHM Research surveys dating back to 1993. Respondents are unhappy with homelessness, rising crime, jobs, the economy, housing costs, and more. Of concern for Democrats is the dissatisfaction with current leadership. Oregon Democrats in the state have what political analysts call a triplexone party holds the offices of governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. The party also holds majorities in both chambers of the Legislature and the treasurers office. Both U.S. Senators and four of five U.S. House members are Democrats. Given a choice between the two parties, 29 percent of survey respondents said they would vote for a Democrat for Governor while 47 percent preferred a Republican. Respondents also preferred a political outsider (47 percent) versus someone with experience in elected office (27 percent) and were slightly more concerned about a candidates economic policies (48 percent) than their social positions (43 percent). Those numbers may not bode well for Democratic gubernatorial primary candidates Tina Kotek, the former House Speaker who has been a dominant political figure in Oregon for 10 years, and State Treasurer Tobias Read, another political insider. Already, candidate Betsy Johnson, who left the Democratic party before announcing an Independent bid for Governor, is attacking Kotek as Kate Brown Jr. in reference to the current Democratic governor, who is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. In the DHM survey, 72 percent of respondents had a very or somewhat negative view of Brown. Respondents also viewed President Joe Biden negatively (63 percent). Thats more than those who hold the same view of former President Donald Trump (54 percent). On the issues, Oregon voters are more concerned about homelessness (82 percent), violent crime (68 percent), political leadership, forest fires, cost of living (each at 61 percent), illegal immigration (45 percent), and voter fraud (41 percent), than they are about climate change (39 percent), income inequality (30 percent) and racial inequality (27 percent). Of those surveyed, 55 percent rate Oregons economy as poor or very poor and 62 percent say it is getting worse. Respondents believe that there is more crime in their community (74 percent) and more crime in the state (84 percent) than there was a year ago. Also 58 percent want more police funding while just 7 percent want less. Interestingly, just 33 of respondents attribute Oregons severe wildfires of recent years to climate change while 52 percent blame forest management practices and 17 percent identify natural variations in the environment. After five ballot measures over 20 years asking voters to approve a sales tax (on top of income and other income taxes), 66 percent of respondents continue to oppose the idea while 30 percent indicated support. The DHM survey was taken before recent revelations of CRT and transgender agendas in Oregon schools that have angered many parents. On that note, 50 percent of respondents identified themselves as male and 50 percent as female. Despite the poor polling, Democrats have numbers on their side. Of Oregons 2.9 million registered voters, 1,019,668 are Democrats compared with 723,728 Republicans, according to the Oregon Secretary of States office. For the first time in the states history, non-affiliated voters now outnumber those of either party with slightly more than 1.2 million, thanks in part to the states 2015 Motor Voter law. But in Oregons closed primaries, only registered Democrats or Republicans may vote for most offices. That means more than 34 percent of the electorate is barred from voting in publicly funded primary elections, which is yet another source of dissatisfaction or Oregon voters. A movement is underway to amend the state Constitution to allow open primaries. Meanwhile, Democrats have seen declining support from these non-affiliated voters since the 2020 elections. According to a recent CNN national poll, Bidens job approval rating among independents is now just 36 percent, with 64 percent disapproving. In 2020 exit polls, Biden carried 54 percent of independents, Protesters stand in front of the War Memorial in Ottawa on Jan. 29, 2022. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times) Ottawa Mayor Says He Wants to Restore Public Trust With Rolling Thunder Convoy Management The mayor of Ottawa is hoping his management of the motorcycle convoy and protesters heading to his city this weekend will help rebuild trust with the community after complaints from residents during the Freedom Convoy protests earlier this year. I feel much more confident today with the plan in place and the preparatory work thats been undertaken by the police and our different departments to help slowly but surely regain the confidence of the public, Mayor Jim Watson said in a press conference on April 28. Watson said these types of protest events will recur and wants the city to be better prepared to deal with it firmly but fairly. Freedom Convoy protest participants peacefully demonstrated in Ottawa for three weeks in February, calling for the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and mandates, but attracted complaints from residents due to the noise and disruption with hundreds of large trucks parked in the citys downtown core. The mayor says the city has had more time to prepare for the Rolling Thunder event this weekend than it did for the Freedom Convoy. Ottawa Police Service (OPS) interim chief Steve Bell presented his plan for the event during the press conference and also sought to reassure residents. We have heard the concerns from the community. Your police service will not allow for unsafe or unlawful conditions that could lead to another unlawful protest, he said. The OPS said earlier this week that vehicle-based events such as Rolling Thunder would not be allowed in the downtown area. Instead, a route has been planned for the motorcycle riders that will get close to, but not pass by, Parliament Hill and the War Memorial, where organized events are scheduled to take place. The entire route has been designated a no-stopping and no parking area. Bell said individuals in vehicles who are not part of the event will be able to access all areas of the city, but the access will be controlled by police. Confusion and Disinformation The organizer of Rolling Thunder, military veteran Neil Sheard, released a video on April 27 to clear what he said is mainstream media confusion and disinformation about the event, saying the motorbike convoys purpose is to honour veterans who wish to pay their respects at the National War Memorial. Our event has always been about the veterans. Its always been about the monument. And its always been about the bikes driving around and saluting the monument. Plain and simple, he said. We got some speeches, drop the wreath, minute of silence, give back dignity to the monument, and give dignity back to the veterans. Sheard said the group was not connected to an event planned by Freedom Fighters Canada (FFC) on Parliament Hill for the same weekend, but he said he supports those who fight for the freedom of all Canadians. Veterans 4 Freedom (V4F), which is organizing the event at the War Memorial on April 30 and is also partnered with Rolling Thunder, says the monument was desecrated by authorities when they erected a fence around it during the Freedom Convoy and when veterans were beaten during the police clearing operation. Our sacred ground was desecrated, the intention of OP DIGNITY is to restore honour to this symbol of absolute sacrifice and to let our fallen know that we havent forgotten them, says an April 27 V4F press release. The fence had been erected by the authorities after an individual stood on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the beginning of the convoy protest and yelled Freedom! The government and detractors of the Freedom Convoy used the incident to paint the protesters in a negative light. Veterans later removed the fence and proceeded to clean the monument of snow and ice. Hundreds of people gather by TransCanada Highway 20 to show their support to truckers heading to Ottawa to protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Levis, Quebec, on Jan. 28, 2022. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) Ottawa Permanently Adds Crowdfunding Platforms to Anti-Money Laundering Regime The Liberal government has followed up on its plan to permanently subject crowdfunding platforms to its anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regime, a measure that had been initially put in place in response to the Freedom Convoy in February. Blacklocks Reporter first reported the issue on April 28. Canadas financial intelligence agency FINTRAC says the platforms are now required to register with FINTRAC, as well as develop and maintain a compliance program, carry out a know your client requirement, and keep certain records such as related to transactions or client identification. The entities also have to make reports to FINTRAC on certain transactions, such as those over $10,000 or those deemed suspicious. The new regulation will also cover payment service providers which were not already subjected to the regime. Approximately 1,000 entities will be impacted by the new regulations, according to the Canada Gazette as of April 27. In its regulatory impact analysis statement on the new regulations, the government says that the lack of previous oversight over the sector presented a serious and immediate risk to the security of Canadians and to the Canadian economy. This risk was highlighted in early 2022, when illegal blockades took place across Canada that were financed, in part, through crowdfunding platforms and payment service providers. Allowing these gaps to continue represents a risk to the integrity and stability of the financial sector and the broader economy, as well as a reputational risk for Canada, said the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement. The fundraising factor was a key element of scrutiny by authorities during the Freedom Convoy, which demanded the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions. Within a matter of days, the fundraiser on the GoFundMe platform had amassed several million dollars. Screenshot of a fundraiser page for the Freedom Convoy on GoFundMe in January 2022. (The Epoch Times via GoFundMe) The campaign caught our attention because of the donation velocity and not because of the nature of the fundraiser, GoFundMe general counsel Kim Wilford told the House of Commons Public Safety Committee on March 3. It was later cancelled after Ottawa city officials provided the company with unspecified derogatory information on the protesters, which GoFundMe said violated its terms of services. After the GoFundMe fundraiser was shut down, the organizers established another one on the Christian conservative platform GiveSendGo, and it also racked up several million dollars in a short time. After Prime Minister Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14 in response to the convoy protests, one of the most controversial measures brought about by the declaration of emergency was the freezing of bank accounts of protesters and supporters without a court order. Minister of Justice David Lametti defended the measure on April 26 before the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency. We wanted to prevent there being support for illegal activity, directly or indirectly, either through a truck or through financial means. These are things that we do elsewhere to combat terrorism, to fight tax evasion, these are known tools under our legislation and we applied them in these circumstances, and it worked, said Lametti. Yeah, sure it worked. Look, you can kill a fly with a flyswatter or with a tank, but there might be a question of proportionality here, replied Conservative Senator Claude Carignan. I think it was quite proportional. The funds were frozen. We didnt seize anything, said Lametti. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti and President of the Queens Privy Council for Canada and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair stand behind Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces the Emergencies Act will be invoked to deal with protests, Monday, February 14, 2022 in Ottawa. (Hailey Sani/Public Domain) Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair had also raised the funding angle in justifying invoking the Emergencies Act, calling the protests a largely foreign-funded, targeted and coordinated attack. State broadcaster CBC had said there was significant foreign funding supporting the protest, and the government used that reporting in its document explaining why it needed to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time since its inception in 1988. That claim was later debunked by GoFundMe president Juan Benitez, who said that 88 percent of donations originated within Canada. There were more foreign donations (40 percent) made to the GiveSendGo fundraiser, but none of that money made it to the organizers due to an Ontario court injunction. The idea that the funding for the convoy was nefarious in nature was also challenged by a FINTRAC official. I think that there were people around the world who were fed up with COVID, who were upset, and saw the demonstrations against COVID [mandates] and I believe that they just wanted to support the cause, Barry MacKillop, deputy director of intelligence at FINTRAC, told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on Feb. 24. It was their money, their own money. So it wasnt money that funded terrorism or that was in any way money laundering. Pennsylvanias Leading GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Meet in Statewide Debate The top four polling Republican candidates for Pennsylvania governor met on April 27 in the Harrisburg studio of WHTM TV for a debate broadcast statewide. Nextstar Media Group, which sponsored the debate, only invited candidates who received at least five percent in either of the past two Nexstar or Emerson College polls. Participants were Lou Barletta, Doug Mastriano, Dave White, and Bill McSwain. Candidates Jake Corman, Joe Gale, Charlie Gerow, Melissa Hart, and Nche Zama were not invited, although Corman scheduled a campaign advertisement to run right before the debate aired. Television news anchors Dennis Owens and Lisa Sylvester moderated the debate. Bill McSwain, a Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor, holds a press conference in northeast Philadelphia on Feb. 15, 2022. (William Huang/The Epoch Times) McSwain, a former U.S. attorney who is polling the lowest of the four participating candidates, used much of his talking time in the first half of the debate to undermine the other candidates, aiming mostly at Mastriano and sometimes Barletta. All candidates said they oppose abortion, support more fracking for natural gas, and believe they are the candidate most likely to beat state Attorney General Josh Shapiro in the general election. Shapiro is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Each candidate said they would have signed a bill that would have allowed Pennsylvanians to carry concealed firearms without a government-issued permit. They were also asked how they would stem violent crime, if not through tighter gun control. White, a small-business owner, said he would ensure criminal law is enforced by district attorneys, and that if local prosecutors refuse to enforce the law, he would appoint a special prosecutor to do the job. I will go around them, work with the local police departments in whatever district it is, or municipality or city, and we will put the criminals behind bars, White said. McSwain said he would do what he did as a U.S attorney. I would enforce the law vigorously. It requires aggressive prosecution, deterrence, and accountability, McSwain said. Its a small percentage that are committing almost all of the crime and we need to take a hard line with those individuals. Republican gubernatorial candidate Lou Barletta. (Courtesy of the Barletta campaign) Barletta, a former U.S. representative, agreed enforcing the law would curb violence, and he mentioned how troubled he was to see Gov. Tom Wolf walking with protesters holding signs opposing the police. The word will come from the very toplaw and order. We will enforce the rule of law in Pennsylvania and thats where it begins, Barletta said. Mastriano, a state senator, said he would call for enforcing current laws and supporting police. By standing with our brothers and sisters in blue when they enforce the law, and not turning on them as we saw in Gov. Wolf. Were looking at fully funding the police but also expanding victims protection, Mastriano said. Some of these criminals get out of prison and victims arent even protected anymore, so thats going to be high in my agenda. Candidates were asked their thoughts about Wolfs proposal to attract business to Pennsylvania by cutting the corporate net income tax and what else they would do to bring employers to the state. We need to do that, McSwain said. The corporate net income tax is way too high. Weve got the second highest corporate tax in the country. Only New Jersey is higher. That is a huge disincentive for businesses to be here and to locate here. And when you look at all of our economic rankings, whether its our tax burden, unemployment, population growth, or the growth gapwhere were not growing as fast as the rest of the countrywere near the bottom of the rankings. McSwain said the next governor should cut taxes and regulations to create a business-friendly environment. Barletta agreed that the corporate tax should be lowered. I think we need to have somebody who actually has the experience, whos actually governed in an executive position, and Im the only one whos done that for over 10 years as the mayor of Hazleton, Barletta said. We brought people in, and businesses in, through public-private partnerships. That was the tool that I used as a mayor and thats what Im going to do as our governor. We need to lower our corporate taxes, get the regulations down, and get regulatory agencies off the backs of our businesses, and we have to announce to the world that Pennsylvania is open for business again. State Sen. Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania speaks the Let the Church ROAR National Prayer Rally on the National Mall in Washington on Dec. 12, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Mastriano said he too would support lowering the corporate tax but he doesnt believe Wolf will actually make it happen. For eight years, Tom Wolf has increased regulations and taxation in some way or another, with fees on our energy sector, Mastriano said. First, Id unleash the potential of energy in Pennsylvania. That will drive costs down everywhere, including things that are delivered. Mastriano said Wolfs additional unemployment money during the pandemic incentivized people to stay home and play video games. This is unsatisfactory. Everyone needs to get out there and work if youre able. But we have to get the government off our backs, out of our wallets. Thats how you reopen the state, thats how you open this state up for business. White reminded viewers that he is a businessman who signed the front of paychecks, not just the back. He has created jobs and knows what businesses need, he said. Yes. The corporate net income tax has to come down, White said. Infrastructure has to be fixed in this state. It is a disaster. Permitting has to be shortened. There has to be a time limit on permitting. Regulations have to be done away withwe have a lot of work on regulatory reform. Im going to ask for the resignation of every department head in the state, and theyre going to have to interview for their jobs if they want it. If theyre not pro-growth, pro-business, pro-Pennsylvania, they shouldnt be working here. White said he would also increase the workforce by attracting more people to vocational schools. In closing comments, McSwain said Pennsylvania is at a fork in the road and it needs strong conservative leadershipa conservative outsider, rather than more politicians. White said he is most like the people of Pennsylvania, a blue-collar worker who worked hard to grow his business and who will work just as hard for the people of Pennsylvania. Barletta said he fought illegal immigration as a mayor when nobody in the country had the courage to do that. He didnt back down then and thats what is needed right now, he said, someone with the courage to fight for Pennsylvanians. Mastriano said that he has shown his leadership style by often standing alone or with just a handful of colleagues, fighting to reopen the state, advocating for the elderly and for children, and fighting for election integrity, while taking criticism. We need somebody whos not afraid to stand up to the left, Mastriano said. Lahja, a regal 6-month-old tiger from the Czech Republic, paws playfully at the snow. Then, with her barrel chest, she canters squarely at the camera, giving the impression that she will pounce straight through the lens. Her golden-brown eyes stare unflinching and with a carnivorous franknessbut Lahja is merely enjoying her playtime. These rare moments with Lahja were all captured on film by award-winning photographer and Berlin resident Ina Schieferdecker, 49. Schieferdecker lives her life surrounded by animals. Her small house near the forest outside of Berlin overflows with dogs and cats. But even so, she also goes out looking for animals. Armed with her constant companiononce a Canon 450D and now a Canon R5she patiently searches, hoping to find them in their wildly candid moments. Its something special for me to drive through the world, never knowing what Ill meet where, how the animals will show themselves, or if Ill end the day successfully. It takes perseverance and patience and can become the happiest moment with just one photo, Schieferdecker told The Epoch Times. Schieferdecker, who formerly worked in geriatric care and now manages a pizza delivery service, began her relationship with photography in 2016. Following the death of her 13-year-old beloved dog named Lady, Schieferdecker said, it was like sitting in a hole. No pretty photos, but a burning heart, she recalled. To soothe her pain, Schieferdeckers family gave her an old camera and encouraged her to take photos of the other dogs at home. The salve worked. Since then, Schieferdecker has been studying the art of photographylearning from courses, workshops, and other photographers. Then, in 2018, Schieferdecker attended a workshop in the Czech Republic where she met with an animal trainer who allowed photographers to come and take pictures of his animals out in the wild. That is where she met Lahja. Photographing Lahja, Schieferdeckers passion for photography amplified. She returned regularly to the Czech Republic every two to three months to take pictures, watching Lahja grow from the energetic juvenile who would leap right at her and playfully bite her thigh, into a stately and powerful tigress. As a full year passed, Schieferdecker and Lahja visited together in different locations and through each of Central Europes seasons. Lahja can be seen in Schieferdeckers photographs playing hide and seek behind snow-capped trees, splashing in summers pools of water, running explosively through meadows, and climbing agilely up trees. In 2019, when Schieferdecker bid her goodbyes to Lahja, the experience had her hooked. Since then, Ive been gripped by the fever of experiencing wildlife with my camera, she said. Her fever leads her around the world in search of wildlifes hidden moments. Ground squirrels and field hamsters in Vienna were quickly full of trust, and the squirrels in Sweden also had a lot of fun with my camera. Corona has kept me busy with birds, and I was very happy to see the otters on the ice in Poland in January, or the wolves in wildlife for several days, she said. In 2019, Schieferdecker was awarded the CEWE Photo Award at the Museum of Natural History, in Vienna, Austria, for one of her photographs of a ground squirrel. Her photo was chosen for the award out of 448,152 submissions. Recently, while the world swelled with the news of war between Russia and Ukraine, Schieferdecker was in the forest 1,000 meters from the Ukrainian border. Her lens was not focused on the war, however, but on the hawks, owls, ground squirrels, and moose that wandered in front of her camerathe silent bystanders to the war raging beside them. After having watched wildlife in its battles for survival and then observing its unexpected friendships and alliances, Schieferdecker says, The peace and one with nature is nicer than the terrible news in the world. Schieferdecker says she will continue looking for adventures with her cameratrying to capture moments that are not easily recognizable with the naked eye. And, she says, even if she comes home without a photo, she will keep going. She will do it simply for the joy that it brings, because she says it brings balance to her life, and because its nice to enjoy nature in peace. And so, from somewhere out in the European wild, Schieferdecker and her Canon R5 are sending out their wishes that all photographers always have good light. Check out more photos below. Enjoy! Lahja playing in the snow: Photos of other tigers and animals: Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter This photo provided by the Hidalgo County (Texas) Sheriff's Office, showing the booking photo of Pascale Ferrier. (AP/Hidalgo County (Texas) Sheriff's Office) Plea Deal Offered to Quebec Woman Accused of Sending Poison to Donald Trump United States prosecutors say theyve offered a plea deal to the Montreal-area woman accused of mailing poison to former president Donald Trump. The deal would include the three charges Pascale Ferrier faces related to a letter containing ricin that was mailed to the White House in 2020, as well as 16 federal charges she faces in Texas, where she is alleged to have mailed poison to several law enforcement officials. Federal prosecutor Michael Friedman said during a brief court appearance today that Ferrier will have until the end of June to decide whether to accept the offer, the details of which were not disclosed. Friedman says the deal is complex and the charges Ferrier faces are serious, adding that eight of the Texas charges carry a possible life sentence. Ferrier was found fit to stand trial in March. She is scheduled to be back in court June 30. Members of the Proud Boys clash with far-left extremists during rival rallies in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 22, 2021. (David Ryder/Reuters) Proud Boys Member Pleads Guilty for Obstructing Law Enforcement During Capitol Breach A member of the Proud Boys organization has pleaded guilty to a felony charge for obstructing law enforcement officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. Louis Enrique Colon, 45, from Blue Springs, Missouri, pleaded guilty to civil disorder in the District of Columbia, according to an April 27 news release by the Department of Justice. On the day of the attack, Colon and others proceeded past the police barricades and onto the Capitols West Plaza. He climbed a wall to gain access to a higher level of the Capitols exterior and unlawfully entered the building at approximately 2 p.m. While inside the Capitol, Colon obstructed police officers who were attempting to lower retractable doors to stop rioters from proceeding further into a portion of the building. Colon used his hands to stop one door and placed a chair in its path. He remained in the Capitol building until about 2:50 p.m. Colon and other members of the group, which describes itself as a pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world, aka Western Chauvinists, had started planning for a Jan. 6 visit to Washington beginning around December 2020. During his trip to Washington, Colon brought along a handgun. However, he did not take the gun to Washington. On Jan. 5, Colon bought and modified an ax handle to use as a weapon and a walking stick. On Jan. 6, Colon joined with a large group of Proud Boys members and marched to the Capitol, heading to the west side of the grounds while wearing a backpack, tactical gloves, tactical vest, boots, a helmet with orange tape, and carrying a pocket knife. Colon was arrested on Feb. 11, 2021. A federal district court will judge his sentencing later this year. He faces a maximum prison term of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. Colon is the latest among Proud Boy members to plead guilty to actions related to the Jan. 6 attack. On April 8, Charles Donohoe of North Carolina, who is a chapter leader at the organization, pleaded guilty to two chargesconspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. He faces up to 28 years in prison, fines of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to six years. Mr. Donohoe regrets his actions and is remorseful for the conduct that led to these charges. He accepts responsibility for his wrongdoing and is prepared to accept the consequences, Lisa Costner, the defendants public defender, told The Epoch Times in an email. In the 15 months since the Capitol breach, almost 800 individuals have been arrested for crimes related to the incident, out of which more than 250 have been charged with impeding or assaulting law enforcement. New Zealand Army personal guard the front of a hotel in Auckland's CBD which is used as a COVID-19 isolation facility on Sept. 7, 2020, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Fiona Goodall/Getty Images) Quarantine Lottery System Unjustly Violated Rights, New Zealand Court Rules A New Zealand High Court ruled that the governments quarantine system, Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), violated the rights of returning Kiwis in some cases due to its lottery system. Grounded Kiwis, a body advocating for New Zealanders who wanted to enter the country but were prevented by COVID-19 restrictions, won its challenge against the minister of health, arguing that MIQ operated with unjustified limits. The case focused on the period between Sept. 1, 2021, and Dec. 17, 2021, when the demand for MIQ spaces had significantly outstripped its capacity. It had operated with a voucher system, where spaces would be granted like a lottery without regard for how long a person had been waiting. This meant many Kiwis seeking to return home were denied, violating their right to enter the country under the New Zealand Bill of Rights, the advocacy body argued. Grounded Kiwis did not challenge the governments decision to pursue a COVID elimination strategy, the reason for MIQ, nor did they challenge that reentry into the country be subjected to an MIQ system. Justice Jillian Mallon ruled that the MIQ system did not sufficiently allow individual circumstances to be considered and prioritised where necessary, it operated as an unjustified limit on the right of New Zealand citizens to enter their country. Mallon noted she was mindful that the public health risks of making the wrong decisions were very significant. I accept the [Health] Ministers evidence that he was aware that the MIQ system imposed limits on the rights of New Zealanders to return and he was satisfied that they were justified, she said in the judgement (pdf). However, there had been insufficient processes that ensured the limits imposed by MIQ were justified, Mallon said. Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins during a press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand on January 24, 2021. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the government welcomed the judgement that requiring returnees to quarantine was lawful and acknowledged the courts findings. We have long acknowledged the difficult trade-offs weve had to make in our COVID-19 response to save lives and the effects of those decisions on all New Zealanders, particularly those living abroad, he said. Hipkins called MIQ the least worst option in preventing COVID-19 from entering and spreading in New Zealand. We acknowledge that the Court has found that, for some citizens, the Virtual Lobby system as it operated between 1 September and 17 December 2021, may have infringed their right to enter New Zealand, he said. We are carefully considering the Courts decision. The opposition partys spokesman for COVID-19 response, Chris Bishop, called the ruling a victory for the many Kiwis who wanted to return home but couldnt because of the MIQ lottery system. Kiwis were stuck offshore and couldnt return even when their visa rights expired in the countries they were in, Bishop said. He noted the most prominent example of pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis, who was denied entry into the country, forcing her to turn to the Taliban. After heavy criticism, the government later confirmed that Bellis and her partner had been offered MIQ places. A Texas rancher is offering billionaire Elon Musk 100 acres of land for free in the Lone Star state. The rancher says he wants Musk to move Twitter to the Lone Star state. An informant who worked with federal authorities in its investigation of former President Donald Trump was found dead in Los Angeles. Anfield's Shootaring Canyon Uranium Mill in the middle of the Utah desert on Oct. 27, 2017. Anfield with is in partnership with the Russian firm Uranium One. (George Frey/Getty Images) Reliance on Russian Uranium Worries Lawmakers, Nuclear Experts Chinese thorium dominance, loss of domestic uranium Industry trouble insiders As the RussiaUkraine war continues, the United States and the wider worlds dependence on uranium from Russia and its allies is raising serious questions, all the more so because of rising worldwide interest in nuclear power. According to the Energy Information Administration, 47 percent of the uranium used by civilian reactors originates in Russia or two countries with close ties to Russia: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan is by far the top global uranium producer, according to statistics from the World Nuclear Association (WNA). It relies heavily on Russias Black Sea ports to export those resources. Yet, Australia and Canada are also top uranium producers internationally and major sources of U.S. uranium in their own right. The U.S. allies may be poised to expand their uranium production. Australias Boss Energy is working to restart its Honeymoon uranium mine, citing the ongoing conflict as a partial justification for the move. Since the invasion of Ukraine, there has been more activity, on- and off-market, as utilities try to diversify away from Russian-influenced supply. This has created an opportunity for existing and new producers in politically stable and uranium friendly jurisdictions, Boss Energy wrote in its March 2022 quarterly report. Concern about climate change among many policymakers has led to renewed attention to nuclear power, which combines low carbon emissions with higher productivity and a smaller physical footprint than either solar or wind. In one notable sign of shifting priorities, the European Union released an act in February that placed natural gas and nuclear power in the EU Taxonomy, which identifies whether certain investments can be considered environmentally sustainable by the bloc. Meanwhile, in the United States, domestic uranium mining has dwindled to a tiny percentage of what it was in past decades. After topping out at 43.7 million pounds in 1980, production had fallen to just 170,000 pounds by 2019. Russia also leads in uranium enrichmentits the source of roughly 35 percent of the planets enriched uranium, and its total enrichment capacity places it first in the world, ahead of China. WNA statistics show the United States enrichment capacity has consistently fallen short of Russia, China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom in recent years. Unsurprisingly, then, the high-assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU) that the United States uses in its most advanced reactors comes primarily from Russia. Unless U.S. policymakers take bold steps to establish domestic production capacity sufficient to replace Russia as the main supplier of HALEU fuel, U.S. reactor developers will struggle to find an immediate market for their products and services, the Breakthrough Institute (BI), an ecomodernist nonprofit, warned in a March report. Mike Conley, a writer on nuclear power who belongs to the pro-nuclear Thorium Energy Alliance, told The Epoch Times that Russia dominates the area because theres a bunch of hippies who are afraid of nuclear energy over here. Russias strength in enrichment even extends to highly enriched uranium, which can be used to make weapons. Russia currently operates more highly enriched uranium facilities than the rest of the world combined, creating substantial nuclear security risks, B. Rose Kelly wrote in a summary of a 2017 report on Russias uranium enrichment activities from the International Panel on Fissile Materials. The same analysis concluded that Russias highly enriched uranium stockpile is the biggest on the planet. Incredible Overreliance Troubles Trump Alum We have an incredible overreliance on nuclear materialsuranium, thorium, etc.from Russia and Eastern and Central Europe in a way that is a major national security and economic threat, said Drew Horn, founder of the energy supply chain company GreenMet, in an interview with The Epoch Times. Before he founded GreenMet, Horn worked on energy during the Trump administration, including in a role with former Vice President Mike Pence. When I worked for the vice president, I was a representative on the nuclear fuels working group where we tried to address a lot of this. The reality is, we didnt really have as much time as we might have wanted to actually see some of the policy initiatives translate into productive results that would actually enable the industry, he told The Epoch Times. One recent focus has been the establishment of a strategic uranium reserve, much like the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that already exists. During his presidency, Donald Trump sought to establish such a reserve, in a move that was met with opposition from the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists and other environmental groups. While the Trump administration included uranium on its critical mineral list, the Biden administration has removed it from that document, citing the fact that its a fuel mineral and thus was excluded from the definition of critical mineral in the 2020 Energy Act. I think its important that we incorporate nuclear fuel elements of the periodic table into the overall game plan, Horn said. If we want reduced emissions, if we want increased clean energy, we need to look at nuclear as an option to augment the other forms, be it solar, wind, and more traditional fossils, and we need to have our own feedstock. Horn says the United States needs strategic reserves of not just uranium, but also thorium, cobalt, rare earths, and other key elements and minerals needed for electric vehicles, solar panels, and a range of other advanced technologies. Last month, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and other Republican senators from western states introduced a bill that would allow the Department of Energy to establish a uranium reserve. The legislation was proposed soon after the same groups of senators introduced a bill that would ban uranium imports from Russia, a move also supported by Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), as reported by Cowboy State Daily. Matthew Bunn, a professor of the practice of energy, national security, and foreign policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, told The Epoch Times that a ban on Russian uranium would be a symbolic gesture of little concrete importance. In terms of actually affecting Russias policy on the Ukraine war one way or another, this, I would argue, is a minor issue. The amount of money that goes to Russia for enrichment services and uranium in a typical year is tiny by comparison to the amount of money that goes to Russia for oil and gas, said Bunn, who served as an adviser to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Clinton administration. In a similar vein, sanctions on Rosatom, Russias state-owned nuclear energy firm, have also been floated. An unnamed Biden official said the administration was considering the punitive move, according to reporting from Reuters in March. Horn voiced concern about the potential downstream effects of such policies. Its not, in my opinion, a smart idea to have sanctions applied that dont think through the consequences of what that might do to U.S. industrywhere those alternative sources might come from, Horn said. Proliferation a Potential Concern As Russia detaches from the West and aligns more closely with China, its uranium production and enrichment capabilities may also give rise to worries over proliferation. On its webpage summarizing global uranium enrichment, the WNA explains the risk presented by such facilities. The relatively small increment of effort needed to achieve the increase from normal levels is the reason why enrichment plants are considered a sensitive technology in relation to preventing weapons proliferation, and are very tightly supervised under international agreements. Where this safeguards supervision is compromised or obstructed, as in Iran, concerns arise. Horn told The Epoch Times that theres always a risk of proliferation, particularly with a knee-jerk reaction such as sanctions. I dont think this is a proliferation issue, said Bunn. The much bigger proliferation issue has nothing to do with nuclear fuel supplyit has to do with the fact that a country that received security assurances in return for giving up the nuclear weapons on its soil is now being dismembered by one of the countries that provided the security assurances. That is potentially going to make a lot of countries rethink, Is this really a good idea, to rely for our security on such assurances? Bunn added. In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine agreed to become a non-nuclear-weapon state after Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom offered it security assurances. Other commentators have argued that the United States provoked Russia through its expansion of NATO since the 1990s, drawing attention to newly declassified documents from George Washington Universitys National Security Archive that show then-President Bill Clinton promising Boris Yeltsin that NATO would be built in partnership with Russia. In a 2018 paper, Nuclear Security in Russia: Can Progress be Sustained? Bunn pointed out that Russias nuclear policies include aggressive exports to countries with questionable nuclear securityalthough these export contracts typically include support for developing nuclear-security infrastructure in the recipient country. At the time, he predicted that Russias nuclear security would likely remain static or slowly erode over the next five to 10 years. He told The Epoch Times he feels more optimism about Russias nuclear security arrangements now than he did then. One of my close Russian colleagues, really as an expert on their nuclear security arrangement, likes to say that Russia is now a normal country with respect to nuclear security, meaning that like every other country, there are some problemsevery other country including the United States. We Sacrificed the Entire Mining Industry Some experts who spoke with The Epoch Times traced the rise of Russian and Russian-influenced uranium production to U.S. policy failures. Jim Kennedy, a mining entrepreneur who leads the firm Three Consulting and who has worked with Horn, cited Rosatoms controversial acquisition of Uranium One during the Obama administration. He also noted the Megatons to Megawatts Program, which saw the United States purchase low-enriched uranium from Russia that had been converted from highly enriched uranium. Our generous deal with Russia to pull all of that fissile material out of a weapons platform and into an energy consumption platform was probably the right decision, but it decimated the uranium mining industry, he said. We sacrificed the entire mining industry. Another indirect factor was the privatization of the uranium enrichment facilities. Who cares who mines the stuff if you cannot enrich itlike rare earths, the mined material has no direct application value. All value comes from downstream value adding, Kennedy told The Epoch Times in an email. Bunn has a different perspective. Our uranium mining industry was not competitive with various other sources of supply, and so, private companies made rational economic decisions, and we ended up with much less uranium mining in the United States than we used to have, he said. While the United States initiated antidumping investigations on uranium from Russia, Kazakhstan, and other former Soviet republics during the 1990s, those investigations were soon suspended. Bunn also noted that uranium mining was cheaper in Canada, Australia, and other countries than the United States. Kennedy also cited the Obama administrations secret transfer of thorium molten salt reactor technology to China, after the United States did little with the technology for decades. The most concerning part, to me, is we realize[d] this years ago, but our Department of Energy gave this technology to China, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said while questioning Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of the U.S. Africa Command, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. While the United States isnt a leader in uranium mining, some see potential in sea powermore specifically, in the extraction of uranium from seawater, a concept outlined at length by scientist James Conca in Forbes. That just renders all this garbage moot about Russia or whoever, Conley said. One of Conleys Thorium Energy Alliance colleagues, John Kutsch, was more equivocal. I think it is technically possible to do it, especially if we start sucking billions of gallons of seawater out of the oceans to desalinate it and turned it into hydrogen for a hydrogen economy, we may as well grab the uranium while were at it, he told The Epoch Times. Bunn and Conley offered cautious support to the Biden administrations $6 billion plan to fund nuclear plants that are at risk of being shuttered. There are public policy reasons to do that. These reactors provide the largest source of low carbon power that exists in the United States, and they provide firm power, Bunn said. On the other hand, these are old reactors, he added. I have a feeling he [Biden] will be mildly approving of nuclear, Conley told The Epoch Times. For his part, he believes the continued opposition to nuclear power among many environmental groups is driven by Boomers, who were influenced by the anti-war movement and the equating of nuclear weapons and war. Representatives of the Department of Energy didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. The Google app logo is seen on a smartphone in this picture illustration taken on Sept. 15, 2017. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters) Republicans File FEC Complaint Against Google Over Unfairly Shaping the Political Playing Field Gmail's algorithmic bias may have cost Republicans over a billion dollars of missed fundraising money, one GOP senator said As candidates ready themselves for the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans are demanding the Federal Election Commission (FEC) investigate Google on allegations of inherent political bias against Republican candidates embedded in the search engines algorithms. On April 27, the Republican National Committee (RNC), National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), and National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) filed a joint complaint with the FEC to investigate the claims made by researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) that Gmails algorithm makes it much harder for Republicans to reach their supporters than Democrats and stifles the fundraising efforts of Republicans. The Republican groups said that this bias significantly impacted the partys fundraising and outreach efforts, with potential costs running at over a billion. This is a financially devastating example of Silicon Valley tech companies unfairly shaping the political playing field to benefit their preferred far-left candidates, said NRSC Chairman Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer in an April 27 statement announcing the complaint. [The NCSU study] has uncovered an even more egregious example of Big Techs collusion with the Democrat Party that I wanted all of you to be aware of, Scott wrote to Senate Republicans in an April 26 memo. Its affected every Republican campaign in the country, including every member of this caucus. Gmails Alleged Bias The NCSU research project, titled A Peek into the Political Biases in Email Spam Filtering Algorithms During US Election 2020, studied the levels of political bias across different email services. The researchers said their project was the first study that extensively explores the political biases in spam filtering algorithms. As a part of the study, the researchers created more than 100 email accounts on different email services and subscribed to political candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties. In analyzing the 310,000 emails they collected from May through November 2020, the researchers observed a worrying phenomenon where all of the email services they examined in their experiments had quite a noticeable bias. Yet, Googles bias was the worst, they said. In particular, the study found Googles email service to have retained the majority of left-wing candidate emails in inbox (< 10.12% marked as spam) while sent the majority of right-wing candidate emails to the spam folder (up to 77.2% marked as spam). Further, the study showed that Googles email service exhibited a substantially higher degree of political bias against Republicans than other email providers such as Microsoft and Yahoo. Gmail marked 59.3% more emails from the right candidates as spam compared to the left candidates, whereas Outlook and Yahoo marked 20.4% and 14.2% more emails from left candidates as spam compared to the right candidates, respectively, the study found. This bias against Republicans, according to researchers from NCSUs Department of Computing Science, was increasingly apparent leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election. [T]he percentage of emails marked by Gmail as spam from the right-wing candidates grew steadily as the election date approached while the percentage of emails marked as spam from the left-wing candidates remained about the same, the researchers found. In response to NCSUs findings, Google, in a statement to The Epoch Times, said the company has debunked the suggestion that political affiliation affects mail classifications, a claim that has surfaced periodically from across the political spectrum, for many years. Mail classifications in Gmail automatically adjust to match Gmail users preferences and actions, a Google spokesperson said in an email. Gmail users can move messages to spam, or to any other category, they added. Gmail automatically adjusts the classifications of particular emails according to these user actions. However, the NCSU researchers already tried to account for this effect by reading all emails they collectedhence demonstrating to Gmails algorithm that the user is interested in emails from both the Republican and Democratic partiesand moving all emails from the spam folder to the inbox. Yet the study found that Gmail still maintains its left-leaning, but not as strongly as when this action wasnt applied. Impact on Republican Fundraising and Outreach Extrapolating the results of the NCSU study, Scott in his memo contended that Gmails algorithmic bias has directly impacted Republicans fundraising efforts with missed opportunities costing up to $1.5 billion dollars. In 2019 and 2020, conservatives raised $737 million on WinRed from Gmail users. If $737 million was raised in response to Gmail solicitations, and only 32% of Gmail users actually received our emails, that would mean the remaining 68% of Gmail users blocked from receiving our emails could have contributed up to an additional $1.5 billion that could have gone to support Republican candidates and defeat the Democrats, Scott said in the memo, citing the NCSU study. Moreover, the senator noted that Gmail could impact election results by blocking emails from the Republican Party sent to residents of states where high-profile races happen. The Republican party has over 490,000 Gmail addresses from Arizona residents. If 68% are being marked as spam, we will potentially not reach 333,000 voters on Gmail, Scott said. The last US Senate race in AZ was decided by 79,000 votes. This is without a doubt Left wing Democrat voter suppression from Big Tech, he added. In conjunction with the efforts of his party, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has requested that Google take immediate corrective action in response to NCSUs findings and make sure its algorithms do not dictate election outcomes. As the researchers put it, this is rather worrying because it reveals that Googles algorithm can alter the outcomes of an election, the lawmaker said to Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a letter on April 27. I am particularly alarmed by this pattern because political dice-loading is nothing new for your company. Preserving the integrity of the 2022 elections demands no less, Hawley said. This article has been updated to include a response from Google. Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans, along with family and friends, render honors during the national anthem at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Remembrance in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jessica Gray) Senate Republicans Introduce Bill to Ban Biden From Diverting VA Resources GOP lawmakers attempted to block the Biden administration from diverting Veterans Affairs (VA) resources to address the border crisis. A coalition of Republican senators introduced legislation (pdf) on April 26 to prioritize the needs of the nations veterans over illegal immigrants. The new bill would secure the VA funds from providing emergency assistance at the southern border of the United States resulting from the repeal of certain public health orders, and for other purposes. It comes as the administration is preparing an interagency response to an expected surge at the southern border as it plans to end a Trump-era immigration policy, known as Title 42, in late May. Since being invoked in March 2020, the public health order has quickly expelled a majority of asylum seekers at the border, in a bid to minimize non-essential travel and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at U.S. borders. Its termination was announced on April 1 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that his department is planning to reallocate resources, doctors, and nurses from the VA system. Americas veterans have given everything for this country, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), lead Republican appropriator for VA funding and a senior member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said during the press conference. We cant let the resources and personnel that are supposed to be dedicated to taking care of them get ripped away because the president and his administration have so badly mismanaged our border security and illegal immigration problem, said the senator. Led by Boozman, the bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.). Regardless of this administrations continued mishandling of the southern border, Tillis said in a press release, the Biden administrations disastrous decision to end Title 42 should have no impact on the accessibility, timeliness, or quality of care and benefits that veterans need and deserve. Members of the Texas National Guard escort a group of Hondurans who just illegally crossed the Rio Grande toward Eagle Pass, Texas, from Piedras Negras, Mexico, on April 21, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Prioritizing resources for illegal immigrants over the veterans is despicable, said Rubio. This bill would ensure that VA resources are not diverted to deal with the administrations growing border surge. Thune deemed it a self-inflicted crisis by the administration, urging VA to focus on the men and women who bravely served our country. Their care should not be compromised by the Biden administrations inability to secure our southern border, said Daines. Last week, Boozman sent a joint letter to President Joe Biden, demanding not to divert VA health-care personnel away from helping American veterans and prioritize illegal immigrants, calling it a misuse of the Fourth Missionthe primary medical backup to the Department of Defense during times of national emergencies. The Fourth Mission isnt a tool to clean up the mess from a foreseeable and avoidable crisis, especially while the VA is already experiencing record-high turnover rates and issues of workforce resiliency amongst its health care employees, senators warned. The VA is also experiencing a 15-year high turnover rate with its nursing staff and increased vacancies for a wide variety of health care professionals, Boozman notes. Supreme Court Rebuffs Biden Admin, Rules Deaf-Blind Woman Cant Seek Damages for Denial of Interpreter The Supreme Court ruled 63 that a deaf and blind woman may not claim damages for emotional distress for a physical therapy clinics decision to deny her an American Sign Language interpreter. The courts opinion in Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller PPLC, court file 20219, came on April 28 after the case was argued on Nov. 30, 2021. The petitioner is Jane Cummings, who has been deaf since birth, is legally blind, and has albinism. The respondent is Premier Rehab Keller PLLC, which operates physical therapy clinics around Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Legal blindness, a term used by governments to determine eligibility for benefits, such as disability payments or job training, isnt the same as total blindness. Very few legally blind people are totally blind. An estimated 1.1 million Americans are legally blind. Because her disabilities hinder her speech, reading, and writing, Cummings communicates primarily through American Sign Language (ASL). Because Cummings has low vision, she needs a close-range ASL interpreter, her attorney previously told The Epoch Times. In this kind of interpreting, which also is known as close-vision interpreting, the ASL interpreter signs at a distance suitable for partially sighted individuals. In 2016, Cummings was referred to Premier for her chronic back pain. Cummings requested an ASL interpreter after explaining that her disabilities prevent her from communicating through other methods such as notes, lipreading, or gestures. Premier refused to provide an interpreter, according to the petition filed with the Supreme Court. In the lawsuit, Cummings claimed that Premier discriminated against her on the basis of disability by denying her an interpreter, in violation of the Rehabilitation Act and the Affordable Care Actcommonly referred to as Obamacare. Because the clinic receives federal funding, federal law required it to accommodate her request, she argued. Premiers failure to provide the interpreter was disability discrimination that made the clinic liable to her for damages related to her resulting humiliation, frustration, and emotional distress, she argued. A federal district court ruled against Cummings, finding damages for emotional harm arent available in private lawsuits brought to enforce the Rehabilitation Act or the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit sided with the lower court. In the Supreme Court case, the Biden administration sided with Cummings in arguing for an expansive approach to emotional distress damages, but the high court instead agreed with the two lower courts, finding against her. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion (pdf) in the case, which was joined by the courts five other conservatives: Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Roberts acknowledged federal law forbids discrimination based on protected grounds including disability status, but wrote that it doesnt permit individuals to pursue private lawsuits for emotional distress damages in order to remedy discriminatory acts. In order to decide whether emotional distress damages are available under the statutes considered here, which were enacted under the U.S. Constitutions spending clause, we therefore ask a simple question: Would a prospective funding recipient, at the time it engaged in the process of deciding whether [to] accept federal dollars, have been aware that it would face such liability? Roberts wrote, citing a previous legal precedent. If yes, then emotional distress damages are available; if no, they are not. When funding recipients such as the clinic enter into a contract with the federal government, damageswhether punitive or based on emotional distressare not available to a plaintiff, Roberts continued. Cummingss approach goes too far and would treat funding recipients as on notice that they will face not only the usual remedies available in contract actions, but also other unusual, even rare remedies. Funding recipients covered by the federal statutes cited in this case have not, merely by accepting funds, implicitly consented to liability for punitive damages. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. The statutes before the court prohibit intentional invidious discrimination, Breyer wrote. That kind of discrimination is particularly likely to cause serious emotional disturbance. The majority holding in this case creates an anomaly because other antidiscrimination laws allow damages for emotional distress, Breyer wrote. It is difficult to square the Courts holding with the basic purposes that antidiscrimination laws seek to serve. One such purpose, as I have said, is to vindicate human dignity and not mere economics. But the Courts decision today allows victims of discrimination to recover damages only if they can prove that they have suffered economic harm, even though the primary harm inflicted by discrimination is rarely economic. Indeed, victims of intentional discrimination may sometimes suffer profound emotional injury without any attendant pecuniary harms. The Courts decision today will leave those victims with no remedy at all. Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during a press conference at SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Village in South Texas on Feb. 10, 2022. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Teen Tracking Elon Musks Jet Shares Backup Plan Just In Case His Twitter Account Disappears Jack Sweeney, the enterprising teenager who created a Twitter Inc bot to track down Tesla Inc and SpaceX CEO Elon Musks movements, has a backup plan just in case his account on the microblogging account is shut down after the billionaire entrepreneurs $44 billion takeover. What Happened The 19-year-old Florida University student told his over 424,800 followers on Twitter they can continue to receive the broadcast on alternative social media platforms as well. Just in case this account disappears on Twitter, it doesnt mean the end of ElonJet, Sweeney wrote in a post and shared more options from where his followers can access the same service. Sweeney shared the links of Meta Platform Inc-owned Facebook and Instagram, messaging platform Telegram, and other options from which his followers can access the same service. Why It Matters Sweeneys flight tracking startup Ground Control keeps a tab on Musks private flights and plans to monitor the activity of more billionaires as well. The worlds richest man had offered Sweeney $5,000 to shut down the Twitter account, to which the teenager had made a counteroffer of $50,000 or an internship opportunity to do so. The billionaire entrepreneur and free speech advocate then blocked Sweeney on Twitter. By Rachit Vats 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Tennessee Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Ivermectin to Treat COVID-19 Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday signed into state law a measure to allow people to more easily obtain ivermectin to treat COVID-19, without needing a doctors prescription. The bill, SB 2188 (pdf), authorizes a pharmacist to provide ivermectin to a patient aged 18 or older, pursuant to a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement containing a non-patient-specific prescriptive order, developed and executed by one or more authorized prescribers. The new measure requires the Board of Pharmacy to establish procedures for providing the patients with a screening risk assessment tool, providing a standardized factsheet, and providing ivermectin or a referral to a pharmacy that dispenses ivermectin. Under the new law, a pharmacist in Tennessee can charge an administrative fee for services associated with dispensing ivermectin. The bills summary says that the amendment also provides that a pharmacist or prescriber acting in good faith and with reasonable care involved in the provision of ivermectin under this amendment is immune from disciplinary or adverse administrative actions for acts or omissions during the provision of ivermectin. Also, a pharmacist or prescriber involved in the provision of ivermectin under this amendment will be immune from civil liability in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct for actions authorized by provisions of this amendment, it adds. The Tennessee Senate voted 66-20 and the House voted 22-6 in favor of the measure. State Sen. Frank Niceley, a Republican who was one of the sponsors of the bill, previously told The Epoch Times, Its one of the most important bills weve passed this year. The bill would put it behind the counter with a consultation, which means you would explain your symptoms to the pharmacist, fill out a sheet listing your preexisting conditions and what other medication youre on in order for the pharmacist to determine the right dosage, Niceley said. Niceley told The Epoch Times that the bill seeks to make ivermectin safer so that people wont risk getting the wrong dose by resorting to buying farm-grade veterinary horse de-wormer. Medical professionals such as Dr. Robert Malone, Dr. Ryan Cole, Dr. Richard Urso, Dr. Pierre Kory, Dr. John Little, and many others worked diligently to educate Tennessee lawmakers about this effective drug, Liberty Counsel, an international group that advocates for religious freedom, said in a statement announcing the news. Similarly, in New Hampshire, the Senate committee has approved a bill on Wednesday to make ivermectin more easily available at pharmacies by standing order, after the House approved the measure in March. A vote on the Senate floor is expected in May. Ivermectin, a generic medicine widely used against some parasitic worms as well as to treat scabies, lice, and rosacea in humans, has been praised by some doctors as a life-saving early treatment for COVID-19. William Campbell and Satoshi Omura in 2015 won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery and applications of ivermectin. The World Health Organization features ivermectin on its List of Essential Medicines. It is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an antiparasitic agent. At least two groups, the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance and the British Ivermectin Recommendation Development Group, have advocated for the off-label use of ivermectin for COVID-19. There are at least 82 studies, of which 62 are peer-reviewed, on the treatment of COVID-19 with ivermectin, most of which show a benefit to the medicine, including in speeding recovery and reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. While over 20 countries have adopted ivermectin for use to treat COVID-19, the FDA has not approved the drug to treat or prevent COVID-19 in humans. A surge in asylum seekers crossing the border in the Rio Grande Valley has put a strain on the immigration system. Here, migrants are on the move, in Mission, Texas, on March 17, 2021. (Los Angeles Times via TCA) Texas Border Agents Discover 40 Illegal Immigrants Packed Inside Metal Box Agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol in Texas recently disrupted multiple human smuggling events, including one in which several migrants were transported in a metal box. On April 26, the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint agents inspected a truck pulling a flatbed trailer carrying several large metal boxes. On one of the boxes, the agents found a vent, which, after removal, revealed 40 illegal immigrants trapped inside in a seated position. The agents then had to break the box. The box had no other opening or means of escape for the occupants, an April 27 press release from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated. Agents determined the 40 migrants are citizens of Central America and Mexico unlawfully in the U.S. while the driver was a U.S. citizen. All subjects were placed under arrest. A search of the truck revealed [a] power tool, a handgun, and loaded magazines. The Brooks County Sheriffs Office took custody of the truck, trailer, weapon, magazines, and driver. Earlier on April 25, Border Patrol agents arrested a driver and two passengers during a vehicle stop. The three individuals were determined to be present in the United States illegally. That same evening, agents arrested eight illegal migrants traveling in a car. In the 24 hours preceding the press release, agents from the Rio Grande City Station encountered two groups of 271 noncitizens near La Grulla, which included 174 single adults, 53 family members, and 44 unaccompanied children. The U.S. Southwest border has seen increasing numbers of illegal immigrants in recent months. In March 2022, the CBP encountered 221,303 migrants along the Southwest land border, a 33 percent increase when compared to the previous month. Of these, 28 percent of individuals had at least one prior encounter with border officials in the past 12 months. Over three quarters of encounters in the southwest land border were single adults. Half of the illegal immigrants CBP encountered in March were processed for expulsion under the Trump-era Title 42 provision that allows Washington to expel those coming from countries where communicable diseases are present. The Biden administration has scheduled its termination for May 23. However, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration on April 27 to temporarily halt its termination at the request of 21 states, attorneys general of which argued the implementation of the termination order violated federal law. The judge agreed. The plaintiff states have demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits with respect to their claims that the termination order was not issued in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the judge wrote, echoing his comments during a status conference in which he announced his intent to issue the restraining order. The court further concludes that the plaintiff states have established a substantial threat of immediate and irreparable injury resulting from the early implementation of Title 42, including unrecoverable costs on healthcare, law enforcement, detention, education, and other services for migrants, and further that the balance of harms and the public interest both favor issuance of a temporary restraining order, he added. While we may likely see an increase in encounters after the CDCs Title 42 Public Health Order is terminated on May 23rd, CBP continues to execute this Administrations comprehensive strategy to safely, orderly, and humanely manage our borders, CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus said in an April 18 press release. CBP is surging personnel and resources to the border, increasing processing capacity, securing more ground and air transportation, and increasing medical supplies, food, water, and other resources to ensure a humane environment for those being processed. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. A Border Patrol agent apprehends a group of Cubans who just crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 19, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Texas Sues Bidens Homeland Security Department Over Rule Allowing More Asylum-Seekers The Texas Attorney Generals Office has filed a lawsuit to block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from allowing more asylum-seekers to remain in the United States. The lawsuit (pdf), filed April 28, seeks a permanent ruling against an interim Biden administration rule that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says will release even more illegal aliens into our country. The new federal immigration rules would allow asylum officers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to screen applicants who are subject to expedited removal from the country. People who say theyre fearful of torture or prosecution in their country of origin can remain if they successfully pass a test. Last month, DHS and the Department of Justice announced the change in screening procedures. Typically, U.S. immigration judges would carry out credible fear screenings for those seeking asylum. But Paxton, in the April 28 lawsuit, said the policy shift violates the law and will invite more illegal immigrants into the United States because it limits the power of immigration judges. The Interim Rule transfers significant authority from immigration judges to asylum officers, grants those asylum officers significant additional authority, limits immigration judge review to denials of applications, and upends the entire adjudicatory system to the benefit of aliens, Paxton wrote in the lawsuit. Paxton, a Republican, submitted the latest lawsuit to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Its the 11th immigration-related lawsuit that hes filed against the Biden administration, which he has previously accused of abdicating its border security responsibility. I protested the proposed version of these rules back in October 2021, and, unsurprisingly, Biden found a way to make it worse, so Im suing, Paxton said in a statement. The last thing Texas needs is for this Administration to make it easier for illegal aliens to enter the U.S. and obtain asylum through false claims and less oversight. Paxton said Texans know whats going to happen when the rule goes into effect in May 2022: wave upon wave of illegal aliens claiming asylum. Its true that our immigration system is extremely backlogged. But the answer is to secure the border, not overwhelm it even more by enacting cheap, easy incentives for illegal aliens to get into the United States, he said. Last month, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the Justice Department stated that the rule change should be implemented to hasten the processing of asylum claims, ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted relief quickly, and those who are not are promptly removed. In a statement at the time, Mayorkas also said the policy shift is something that was long needed and that those who are not eligible will be rapidly removed. Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled against the White Houses plan to end the Title 42 health order that was established during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Representatives for DHS didnt respond by press time to a request for comment. A picture shows a bust of French philosepher and writer Voltaire at the newly restored Chateau de Voltaire in Ferney-Voltaire, eastern France, on May 30, 2018. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images) The Legacy of Voltaire and the Demon in Democracy Commentary With regard to the present liberal contempt for populists fronts such as Make America Great Again or the Canadian Freedom Convoy, one cant help reflecting on the revolutionary culture of 18th century France. For readers who may have forgotten their high school history, or more recent graduates who were never taught any, the French revolutionary philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet was considered to have been an Enlightenment-era champion of liberal principles. Arouet wrote under the pen name Voltaire. He was best known for his animosity toward the Christian Church. In a 1767 letter to Frederick II, King of Prussia, he wrote about Western Christianity, Ours is assuredly the most ridiculous, the most absurd and the most bloody religion which has ever infected this world. Ecrasez Linfame Throughout the 18th century, Voltaire campaigned fiercely against Judeo-Christian spiritual tradition. He wrote hundreds of essays, poems, and dramas touting the supremacy of reason over the power of faith. He called for a benevolent intellectual despotism to replace the influence of the Catholic Church. His rallying cry was Ecrasez linfame. The French verb ecraser means to crush or squash. Linfame refers to persons considered to be infamous, ignoble, or vile. Such rabble and their religious superstition provoked Voltaire to outrage. In the same letter to Frederick II, he wrote, Your Majesty will do the human race an eternal service by extirpating this infamous superstition, I do not say among the rabble, who are not worthy of being enlightened and who are apt for every yoke; I say among honest people, among men who think, among those who wish to think. In other words, among people like Voltaire, who extended little mercy toward those who failed to comply with his enlightened opinions. Voltaire admired liberal British philosophers such as Francis Bacon and John Locke, and professed to be in favor of free thought. But, he harbored a profound contempt for anyone who disagreed with him. Those who can make you believe absurdities, he wrote, can make you commit atrocities. His incitement to crush opposition inspired generations of violent Jacobins and Marxists who followed in his wake. To this day, liberal heirs of Voltaire, like Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and Joe Biden, brand their conservative opponents as deplorablesdregs of society who cling to their Bibles and their guns. Voltaires Canadian protege Justin Trudeau instinctively tagged Canadian Freedom Convoy supporters as fascists and racists for resisting his government-mandated vaccinations. Totalitarian Temptations in Liberal Democracy Most reasonable observers of history would agree that, over the last hundred years, Voltaires zeitgeist has lived on in despotic dictatorships and communist regimes throughout the world. More disturbing, however, has been the unpleasant discovery that contemporary Western liberals, considered to be devoted supporters of democracy, have displayed an extraordinary affinity for communist regimes in which Voltaires blueprint for ideological warfare continues to guide political and cultural behavior. In their tireless war with religion and traditional culture, liberals are unwilling to compromise with anyone outside of their woke intellectual circles. They put forward an array of cloudy concepts such as equity, diversity, inclusion, sustainability, social justice, etc. and use them as an excuse to fortify increasingly hardline ideological positions. Liberals lay claim to the virtues of tolerance and moderation while they ruthlessly enforce a libertine culture on unwilling citizens. They just cant leave other people alone, especially those who hold religious convictions. The Case of Ryszard Legutko Polish scholar Ryszard Legutko lived as a dissident under Soviet-style communism for decades. He fought with the Polish anti-communist movement to abolish it. Having spent the latter decades of his life among European liberal-democrats, he has concluded that post-modern liberalism and communism have more in common than we might think. Referencing a totalitarian temptation in liberal democracy, Legutko points out that liberalism and Marxism share the same historical roots in early modernity. Both philosophies contain similar views of history, society, religion, politics, culture, and human nature. In his 2014 book The Demon in Democracy, Legutko explored the shared objectives between the two political systems. He explains how liberal democracy has, over time, moved toward the same goals as communism. Both systems, said Legutko, lead the common man to believe he should be freed from the obligations of family, nation, faith, and tradition. Neither communist man nor liberal-democratic man acknowledges anything of value outside themselves or their chosen political system. And both refuse to accept any criticism of their policy positions. As a resident of the Soviet bloc, Legutko had always regarded the modern West to be the best of all possible worlds. Initially, he viewed pro-communist sympathies in Western societies as departures from the norm, an accident rather than a fundamental defect, he wrote. But, during his countrys post-communist period, he began to sense that those who had been anti-communists under the old regime were now considered a threat to liberal democracy. Polish communists, said Legutko, destroyed archives containing evidence of their nefarious behavior in the Soviet era and leaped forth to associate themselves with the new political and economic establishment. Anti-communists, like Legutko, were treated with an exceptional degree of suspicion. The new Polish political elite embraced the communists with a show of impressive hospitality, he wrote. They contended that former communists would become loyal and enthusiastic players in the liberal-democratic game. A similar disposition in the new Russian Federation eventually produced political leadership in the cast of Vladimir Putin. Today, Legutko suggests we are replicating Jean Jacque Rousseaus idea that an effective government should force individuals to be free by subjecting them to the general will. This leads to the obsessive hatred one hears in the language of identity politics. It destroys historical bonds among citizens, vulgarizes their cultural environment, and waters down their moral sensibilities. Liberalism no longer gives people a sense of individual freedom. Despite earnest liberationist narratives and endless claims to various forms of rights, ordinary human beings suspect theyre being forced to perform in a play that has been written and directed by a hostile author. The drama isnt grounded in reality, nor has it anything to do with their actual lives. Conservatives have something to say and choices to propose. But theyre being forbidden to do so by powerful global agencies. Established intellectuals in liberal democracies and communist regimes use the same language. Theyre never interested in the other side of a story. Theyre convinced that conservatives, populists, and nationalists are wicked, so they refuse to contend with them. Can the West Save Itself? Progressive elites continue to set the tone in the Wests most prestigious institutions. Conservative thinkers and teachers, who are transparently critical of communism, continue to be regarded with contempt by their liberal counterparts, who Legutko describes as anti-anticommunists. Changing the Wests stifling intellectual climate will take a lifetime of dedication and courage from the cohort of young conservative graduates who are breaking ranks with progressive academics. The tactics of ecrasez linfame must be replaced by vigorous debate and open civic discourse. Since 2016, the winds of change have picked up speed. Outside the confines of Ivy League universities and wealthy urban zip codes, ordinary people are refusing to be crushed. The unforeseen election of Donald Trump, the UK Brexit movement, the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally in Washington, popular support for the Canadian Freedom Convoy, the re-election of Viktor Orban in Hungary, and the enormous courage of freedom-loving Ukrainians, are all signs that common men and women are unwilling to surrender their rightful cultural inheritance. Just this week, another unexpected development occurred. Elon Musk purchased Twitter. The billionaire businessman is promising to become a champion for free speech in America and the West. If we can restore the liberty to form our own opinions and speak without fear of censure or persecution, perhaps we can dismantle the communication barriers that threaten the survival of our civilization. As former President Donald J. Trump is fond of saying, Well see what happens. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The harborfront West Kowloon train station (L) in Hong Kong for the high speed rail link to Guangzhou in mainland China, and the skyline of Hong Kong Island (back) on Sept. 21, 2018. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images) Rights Group Urges Sanctions on Hong Kong Officials, Targeting Their Hidden Overseas Assets A human rights organization reported that a number of pro-Beijing, top officials in Hong Kong, who seriously violate human rights, own properties and hidden assets outside the country. The rights group urged those countries to follow the example of sanctions against Russia and launch a sanction list against the named Chinese officials. Hong Kong Watch, a British non-governmental organization headquartered in London, reported on April 21 that 9 members of the Hong Kong Executive Council and 12 members of the Legislative Council own properties in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan, and France. All the named officials swore allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and publicly supported the Hong Kong National Security Law. They have been suppressing Hong Kong social activists, press freedom, and civil society in the name of working against foreign forces. According to the report, nine members of the Hong Kong Executive Council who hold properties overseas include the Secretary for the Environment, Wong Kan-sing; the Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Yau Tang-wah; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Nip Tak-kuen; Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Hui Ching-yu; former Chairman of the University of Hong Kong Committee, Li Kwok-cheung; Chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Chow Chung-kong; Chairman of the Financial Development Council, Cha Shih May-lung; and non-official Convenor of the Executive Council, Chan Charnwut. Sophia Chan and Yau Tang-wah each hold three properties in the UK. The 12 members of the Legislative Council include Chairman Leung Kwan-yuen, and members Fok Kai-kong, Tien Puk-sun, and Lan San-Keung. Among this group seven hold properties in the UK and the rest have properties in other countries. These politicians are so called patriots, a name first brought up by former CCP leader Deng Xiaoping before the handover of Hong Kong sovereignty. During the Sino-British negotiation in June 1984, Deng Xiaoping clarified that the Hong Kong government will be mainly formed by patriots, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong has a limit and standard, they must be patriots in Hong Kong. On Dec. 19 last year, Hong Kong completed the Seventh Legislative Council election. This was the first Legislative Council election after the CCP pushed changes to Hong Kongs electoral system. Since then, patriots ruling Hong Kong replaced Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong. Among the 153 candidates in the current Legislative Council election, the vast majority are in the Pro-establishment camp. Less than 10 percent are regarded as Opposition camp or Pro-democracy camp, such as Civil Party and the Democratic Party. Patriots ruling Hong Kong in shorts means that Hong Kong is governed only by those who support the CCP regime. The British report criticized the hypocrisy of these Hong Kong patriotic officials owning properties abroad, and proposed that all the identified countries consider reviewing these officials assets and drawing up a sanctions list. Sam Goodman, senior policy adviser to Hong Kong Watch, said in an interview with Radio Free Asia that these self-claimed patriotic legislators and executive council members are happy to own properties in foreign countries, send their children to study abroad, and hide their wealth under foreign accounts, all things that are obviously hypocritical. Goodman sees this hypocrisy as that of Russian oligarchs. He called for Western governments to learn from Russia and impose specific sanctions on officials believed to have committed serious human rights abuses. As stipulated in Hong Kongs Basic Law, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong must consult the members of the Executive Council before making any important decisions, and implement a collective responsibility. Therefore, Goodman believes that all members of the Executive Council must implement the Hong Kong National Security Law and be responsible for human rights violations. Goodman also said that these Hong Kong officials, who violate human rights, will vote for legislation to pass the Article 23 National Security Law of the Basic Law, as well as the Fake News Law and the Anti-Espionage Law, further weakening Hong Kongs democracy and freedom. Goodman urged the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan to immediately set up sanctions lists to prevent officials and legislative council members from accessing their Western properties, bank accounts, and assets. Lord Alton, the patron of Hong Kong Watch and member of the British House of Lords, has also called for a review of assets held by Hong Kong officials in the UK, urging the British government to adopt the Hong Kong Watch recommendations. Lord Alton said that while the British government was tracking the assets of the Russian rulers in the UK, government ministers should also adopt the Hong Kong Watch recommendations to review the UK assets held by Hong Kong and Chinese officials. It is long overdue for the British government to take the lead on this issue and develop a sanctions list covering officials named by Hong Kong Watch, he said. Hui Chi-fung, a former Hong Kong legislator now exiled in Australia, called on governments to stop allowing human rights abusers to use their countries freedoms to hide assets. Ironically, these officials with assets overseas also demanded the confiscation of the assets of Hong Kong dissidents as punishment for our fight for freedom and democracy, said Hui Chi-fung. Hong Kong Watch was established in 2017 to monitor the conditions of human rights, freedoms, and rule of law in Hong Kong, and urge the CCP to abide by its commitments to the Hong Kong people in the Sino-British Join Declaration. Kristina Karamo, GOP nominee for Michigan Secretary of State, confers with party activist Mark Forton in Mt. Clemens, Mich., on Nov. 27, 2021. (Steven Kovac/The Epoch Times) Trump-backed Candidates Win Key Races at Michigan GOP Convention The grassroots muscle displayed by supporters of former president Donald Trump last weekend shocked the traditional Michigan Republican establishment. Going into the April 23 GOP Spring Endorsement Convention, party regular Tom Leonarda former speaker of the Michigan House of Representativeswas widely favored to win the partys endorsement to take on Democrat incumbent Attorney General Dana Nessel in November. Shortly before the Grand Rapids gathering, Leonard released a list of 200 endorsements he received from establishment Republicans. At the convention, Leonard was defeated by Matt DePerno, a private-sector constitutional lawyer from southwest Michigan who has never held public office. In a three-way race, which included suburban-Detroit State Representative Ryan Berman, DePerno stunned political observers by garnering 49 percent of the vote to Leonards 40 percent on the first ballot. The results necessitated a second ballot because convention rules require the winner to have at least 51 percent. By the rules, Berman, who received 10 percent of the vote, was eliminated. In the interval between the first and second ballots, Berman threw his support to Leonard and worked the floor to urge delegates to support Leonard in the runoff. President Donald Trump hosts a Merry Christmas Rally at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Mich., on Dec. 18, 2019. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) In the end, it was the pre-convention influence of DePernos main ally, Donald Trump, that brought him the victory. For months Trump supporters have been showing up at county Republican committee meetings across the statean effort that was not lost on the state partys communications director Gus Portela. Portela told The Epoch Times in an interview before the convention that local GOP meetings around Michigan have been packed out with new faces in anticipation of the convention and upcoming primary and general elections. These local gatherings are usually hard to fill for both political parties. Portela said the overflowing Republican meetings speak volumes about our enthusiasm level that starts with the grassroots on up. Just before the convention, Trump lobbied delegates to vote for DePerno during a telephone town hall meeting held online. Trump also recently sent delegates a letter on DePernos behalf. Earlier this spring the former president hosted an event for DePerno at his Mar-a-Lago resort and traveled to Michigan to hold a rally for him and secretary of state candidate Kristina Karamo in Macomb County on April 2. In recent weeks Trump repeatedly characterized the race for the GOP nomination for Michigan attorney general as one of the most important in the country. Trump said the election of DePerno and Karamo was about ensuring the state of Michigan cannot be stolen from Republicans again. When the second ballot was over, DePerno defeated Leonard 54 percent to 46 percent. DePerno and Karamo came to Trumps attention and gained statewide notoriety when they strongly called out irregularities in voting in Michigan shortly after the Nov. 3, 2020, election. According to his campaign website, DePerno is advocating for election integrity and a comprehensive forensic audit of the states 2020 vote. He has pledged to end Nessels lawsuit seeking to shut down an important pipeline, known as Enbridge Line Five, which brings Canadian petroleum to refineries in Ontario and Michigan. With Trumps help, Karamo, a college professor, won her race with 67 percent of the vote. That performance earned her the right to challenge Democrat incumbent Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the November election. Karamo defeated State Representative Beau LaFave. who received 19 percent, and township clerk Cindy Berry who got 13 percent of the vote. A suburban-Detroit mother of two, Karamo has never held elective office. She is currently a member of the Michigan Republican State Committee and was a poll watcher in the Detroit vote-counting center in November 2020, where she says she personally witnessed misconduct on the part of election officials. Poll workers board up windows so ballot challengers cant see into the ballot counting area at the TCF Center where ballots are being counted in downtown Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 4, 2020. (Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images) Karamo told The Epoch Times before the convention that restoring integrity to Michigans elections and improving the handling of driver licensing and car registration will be her top priorities as secretary of state. We have to have absolute accuracy and transparency in our elections. I am fighting for the good of all Michiganders irrespective of political affiliation. The America we love is falling apart, she said. Expecting a tough and dirty campaign, Karamo said, The fix is in to keep principled people out of elective office so the Democrats can maintain their power. I know they are trying to discredit my character because they cant refute my policy positions. Responding to Karamos victory, Benson tweeted, My opponent is more focused on peddling divisive fake conspiracies and lies than providing competent customer-service driven leadership. Not only will she undermine our democracy, she wont focus on ensuring services are efficient and affordable. In a tweet after the convention, Nessel said, Even I am at a loss for words at this ridiculous turn of events. Running the state of Michigan is a serious business and clearly, these are not serious or competent people. While earlier this month the Democrats conducted a hybrid conventionhalf in person, half virtualin Detroit, more than 2,100 Michigan Republicans participated in person at their convention in Grand Rapids. Among them was political operative and certified election inspector Jo DeMarco, who helped conduct the voting. DeMarco told The Epoch Times in a phone interview, The convention was a monumental success for conservative grassroots Republicans. I was thrilled, delighted, and honored to be a part of it. I only wonder why we have establishment versus the grassroots conflict in the Michigan GOP. The Democrats dont do much right, but they really stick together. Thats the only thing that makes them successful, she said. Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo responds to a question during a media briefing at the Las Vegas Metro Police headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. October 3, 2017. Aaron Rouse, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas Division, looks on at right. (Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus) Trump Endorses Joe Lombardo For Nevada Governor Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, who is running in Nevadas Republican gubernatorial primary race for the post of state governor, has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who called him a leader the state needs. A veteran of the U.S. Army and the Nevada National Guard, Lombardo joined the Las Vegas Police Department in 1988. For the past 34 years, Lombardo has bravely served and protected the people of Nevada, Trump said in a statement issued via his Save America political action committee. As Sheriff of Clark County, Lombardo has fought some of the worst criminals and defended neighborhoods and communities from the horrific violence enabled by the Radical Left across our great Country. As Governor, Joe will fiercely Protect our under-siege Second Amendment, Oppose Sanctuary Cities, Support our Law Enforcement, Veto any Liberal Tax Increase, Protect Life, and Secure our Elections. Joe Lombardo is the leader Nevada needs, and he has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Governor! Trump said. Lombardo will be facing multiple other GOP candidates in the gubernatorial race. This includes former Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), who lost a reelection bid despite garnering the support of Trump back in 2018; Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore, who has been a strong public supporter of Trump, even sticking a Trump 2024 sticker on a truck during her first campaign video; Joey Gilbert, who characterized himself as Trump from the jump; John Lee, who has launched a TV ad accusing Lombardo of defying Trump by allowing Las Vegas to become a sanctuary city, and many more. Im grateful to receive President Donald Trumps endorsement today, Lombardo said in a statement to the Reno Gazette Journal. From his tough on crime policies to his unwavering support of law enforcement, I know that there has been no greater friend to veterans and police officers than President Trump. Of all the Republican candidates running in the elections, Lombardo raised the most money, with almost $3 million cash on hand, over two times more than other GOP candidates. A recent poll by Nevada Independent/OH Predictive Insights, conducted April 19, found Lombardo to be ahead of other Republican hopefuls. He was the only GOP candidate to poll within single digits of leading Democrat contender Steve Sisolak, the current Governor of Nevada. A poll conducted by Suffolk University/Reno Gazette Journal found Lombardo leading Sisolak by 3 percentage points. Following the Trump endorsement, a spokesperson for Sisolak issued a statement insisting that the former presidents support indicates that Lombardos campaign is hitting the panic button. After getting attacks from all sides on the airwaves, called out for hiding, ripped for having it both ways on immigration, and hours after a brutal editorial from the conservative Review-Journal on his lack of transparency and record of wasting taxpayer money, its no surprise Lombardo is reaching out for a lifeline, the spokesperson said, according to News 3 LV. A merchant fuel ship sinks off the coast of Gabes, Tunisia on April 17, 2022. (Tunisian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters) Tunisia Detains Crew of Ship That Sank Off Its Coast This Month TUNISA Tunisian judge detained seven crew members of a commercial ship that sank off the coast of the southern city of Gabes this month, a judicial official said on Wednesday, as authorities investigated whether the ship may have been deliberately sunk. Tunisian officials said this month that the ship, the Xelo, sank while heading from Equatorial Guinea to Malta carrying up to 1,000 tonnes of oil and the Tunisian navy had rescued all seven crew members. Officials later said a specialized diving team sent to counter a potential environmental disaster found the ship cargo did not contain fuel, but rather was empty. The investigative judge issued a detention decision against the ships crew, said Mohamed Karay, a spokesman for the Gabes court. Karay had previously said an investigation was being conducted to determine if the ship sank under normal circumstances or was sank to obtain compensation from insurance companies, and to look into the possibility of oil smuggling. The crew of the ship was four Turks, two Azerbaijanis, and one from Georgia. The crew claimed the ships route documentation had been lost, and that there was a conflict in the information they provided, Karay said. Reuters could not immediately contact the crew, the shipowner, or their legal representatives. Volkan Gogebakan, a Turkish national with ties to terrorism, was turned over to Turkish officials at Istanbul airport on April 22, 2022. (ICE) Turkish National With Terror Ties Deported After Crossing US Border Illegally A Turkish national with ties to terrorism was deported from the United States last week, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The man, Volkan Gogebakan, 31, was turned over to Turkish officials at Istanbul airport on April 22, ICE stated. He had crossed the border illegally near El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 23, 2021, and was apprehended the same day, officials said. Gogebakan was subsequently convicted of unlawful entry and transferred to ICE. ICE said the man is suspected of providing support to terrorist organizations, but didnt elaborate. Dangerous foreign criminals are a threat to homeland and border security as well as public safety, said Kenneth Genalo, acting field office director for ERO El Paso, in an April 26 statement. The number of Turkish nationals being apprehended for unlawful entry into the United States has jumped exponentially since 2020, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data indicate. During fiscal year 2020, 2,580 Turkish nationals were apprehended, while in fiscal 2021, 4,989 were captured. In the first six months of fiscal 2022, 7,343 Turkish nationals have been taken into custody, according to CBP. The countries of origin of the 400,000 illegal aliens who have evaded Border Patrol in fiscal 2021 are unknown. In mid-December last year, Border Patrol agents apprehended a 21-year-old male potential terrorist from Saudi Arabia, according to Chris Clem, the chief patrol agent in the Border Patrols Yuma Sector. The man is linked to several Yemeni subjects of interest, Clem wrote on Twitter at the time in a since-deleted tweet. In two separate incidents in January and March 2021, two Yemeni men on the FBIs terror watchlist were arrested by Border Patrol after crossing the border illegally just west of the Calexico Port of Entry in California. A statement about the Yemenis has since been removed from the CBP website. Since Jan. 20, 2021, Border Patrol and customs officials have arrested 42 subjects who were on the terror watchlist and No-Fly list and attempted to enter the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Securitys response to Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on April 28, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said he didnt know if any of the 42 suspected terrorists had been released into the United States. I will provide that data to you with regard to the disposition of each one. I do not know the answer to your question, Mayorkas replied to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Some of them may still be in detention. Mayorkas told Roy during the hearing that his agency has operational control of the border. The DHS states on its website its definition of operational control: The security of our Nation depends on operational control over air, land, and maritime borders to prevent terrorists, transnational criminal organizations, and other threat actors from exposing the United States to malicious and illicit activity outside our borders, including drug and weapons trafficking and human smuggling. In the past six months, more than 1 million illegal immigrants from 157 countries have been apprehended at the southern border, according to Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz. Twitter Reports User Bump in Quarterly Report Just days after Elon Musks $44 billion buyout of Twitter, the company released its Q1 earnings report on Thursday, attesting to a bump in users and a simultaneous decline in revenue. At the close of the quarter, Twitter reported monetizable daily active usage (mDAU) of 229 million, surpassing quarterly expectations for 226.9 million mDAU. This also showed significant growth than Q4s report of 217 million mDAU. Altogether, the past year saw mDAU growth of 15.9 percent. However, the company has still struggled to grow its revenues up to expectations: Revenue totaled $1.2 billion, down from $1.57 billion in Q4 but still a 16 percent year-over-year increase. The company has blamed the loss of revenue in part on the suspension of advertising in Russia and Ukraine in response to the ongoing war between said countries. Prior to Musks acquisition, the company had announced an ambitious goal to reach 315 million mDAU and to double the companys revenue by the end of 2023. However, with every disappointing quarterly report, such targets seem increasingly unlikely. The company stated that it has ceased to provide forward-looking guidance and withdrawn its previous goal and outlook, in light of the pending Musk buyout. Since going public in 2013, Twitter has enjoyed widespread influence and cultural clout disproportionate to its financial success. During its time as a publicly-traded company, Twitter has only occasionally turned a profit, relying on the optimism of its investors to sustain the business. Last quarter, Twitter also shared underwhelming earnings reports, but the company prevented stock values from crashing by announcing a $400 million stock buyback. The company now finds itself in a very different position: With a solid agreement for the platform to be owned privately by Elon Musk, stock price have remained stable, as shareholders can expect to be paid the promised $54.20 per share at some point this year. The timing of the release so soon after the finalization of Musks acquisition deal has caused market experts to speculate that the Twitter board sought to reach an agreement before the Q1 report, likely anticipating a disappointing earnings report which could give Musk greater leverage in the negotiations. Undated handout photo of Loeike Guei, 23, taken prior to his death in September 2020. (Metropolitan Police) UK Drug Dealer Set On Fire Was Already Dead, Trial Told A killer recruited his 70-year-old mother, his brother, and two friends to move the body of a London drug dealer and set it on fire after he was beaten to death in a row over 40,000 ($49,800) worth of missing cocaine, a court has heard. Home Office pathologist Dr. Robert Chapman told a trial at the Old Bailey in London on Apr. 28 that he could not confirm a cause of death for 23-year-old Jean Loeike Guei but he said he had suffered blunt trauma injuries to the face and head. Chapman said he may have died of a blocked airway as he lay unconscious after being assaulted. Police were tipped off at around 6 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2020, when a cyclist spotted Gueis body on fire on Mitcham Common in south London. The jury has been told Raphael Kokkinos, 34, has admitted the manslaughter of Guei and conspiring to pervert the course of justice. Benoni Thomas, 38, denies manslaughter while Sophia Kokkinos, 70, Joseph Kokkinos, 32, Michael Brain, and Aaron Williams all deny conspiring to pervert the course of justice. Gueis mother was in court and she wept quietly as Chapman gave details of the post-mortem examination he carried out. He told the jury the body, which was partially decomposed, was badly burnt and also had laceration injuries to the head. Chapman said there was no evidence Guei had inhaled smoke, which suggested he was dead before the body was set on fire. He said there was no evidence of traumatic brain injury and he was forced to conclude the cause of death was unascertained. Chapman said Gueis knuckles and wrists were bruised which could have been derived from throwing punches or from defensive postures. Opening the case last week prosecutor William Emlyn-Jones, QC, said Guei was a drug dealer who had entrusted Raphael Kokkinos with 40,000 ($49,800) worth of cocaine but it was stolen from his flat in Streatham during a burglary in August 2020. Emlyn-Jones claimed Thomas immediately fled the flat and Raphael Kokkinos recruited his mother and the other three to help him dispose of the body, Gueis car, and his mobile phone. He said they took the body of Gueiwho was six feet two inches tall and weighed 18 stone (252 lbs)to Mitcham Common in the middle of the night and set it on fire and he added: They even, perhaps as a final humiliation, partially stripped Mr. Guei so that when he was found dead, and on fire, his underpants were pulled down around his thighs. The trial continues. UK: Labour Ex-cabinet Minister Liam Byrne Set to Be Suspended From Commons A senior British Labour MP is set to be suspended from the Commons for two days for bullying a member of staff. Former cabinet minister Liam Byrne has apologised for his conduct against former staff member David Barker, who worked in his Birmingham Hodge Hill constituency. Byrne was found to have ostracized Barker between March 20 and the end of July 2020, including disabling his parliamentary email account for a period. The MP said he was profoundly sorry and had apologised. The ostracization followed a dispute between Byrne and Barker at the constituency office which prompted the MP to send the complainant home. Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone upheld a single allegation of bullying against Byrne following a complaint made under Parliaments Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS). The independent expert panel that considered the punishment for Byrne said the MP abused his position of power. The panel said he sought to present his actions as a reasonable HR strategy but we disagree. It was bullying, the report said. He should, as he now accepts, have tackled any misconduct through a proper disciplinary process not by ostracizing the complainant. The panel recommended that Byrne should be suspended for two sitting days on condition that he also make a written apology to the complainant, and he should undertake training and take action to address the causes of his behaviour and weaknesses in the management of his office. Byrne said he was profoundly sorry and the situation had been a valuable lesson for me and one I am determined to learn. In a statement he said: Two years ago at the beginning of lockdown, following a workplace dispute that led me to send the complainant home I did not resolve the dispute correctly with a proper disciplinary process, and having nevertheless extended the complainants contract, thereby failed to fulfil my obligations as an employer and Parliaments Behaviour Code. This constituted an ostracism which was a breach of Parliaments Behaviour Code which I strongly support, and caused distress for which I am profoundly sorry. I have apologised in full to the individual concerned. Im incredibly grateful to the panel for recognising the genuine remorse I felt about the impact on the individual concerned, the steps I have already taken to ensure this never happens again along with the work still to do, and for concluding that I did not deliberately act to delay the investigation. This has been a valuable lesson for me and one I am determined to learn as me and my team seek to offer the best possible service and voice for the residents of Hodge Hill. A Labour spokesman said: The Labour Party fully supports the recommendations of this independent report, including the proposed sanction. The GMB union, which represents Barker, called for an overhaul of the way MPs staff are employed. Jenny Symmons, chair of the GMB branch for members staff, said: We resoundingly condemn the despicable behaviour of Liam Byrne MP, who showed David a complete lack of respect or regard while in his employment. GMB welcomes the decision to uphold our members complaint of serious bullying and harassment. However, the sanction of an apology, a recommendation for training and a suspension of just two days is far beneath what is needed to address this kind of abuse. Service members of pro-Russian troops are seen atop of a tank during Ukraine-Russia conflict on the outskirts of the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, on March 20, 2022. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Ukraine Military Says Russia Increasing Pace of Attack in Almost All Directions Ukraines military warned residents on April 28 that Russia was increasing its attacks across the country in almost all directions. In a statement, Ukraines general staff said Russia was stepping up its heaviest military assault in the eastern portion of the country. The enemy is increasing the pace of the offensive operation. The Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire in almost all directions, the military said on April 28. Russian occupiers continue to suffer losses on land, the statement said. In the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts only, six enemy attacks have been repulsed in the past 24 hours, five tanks, one artillery system, 22 armored vehicles, one car, and one anti-aircraft gun have been destroyed. On April 28, U.S. President Joe Biden called on Congress to approve a $33 billion aid package to Ukraine. The funding is needed, he said, so that Ukrainians can continue to stave off Russias forces amid its two-month-long invasion. During his speech, Biden stressed that the United States isnt attacking Russia. Instead, the United States is helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, he said. Previously, Biden announced that no U.S. troops would be deployed in Ukraine to fight against Russian forces. A man rides a motorbike past a destroyed Russian tank on a road in the village of Rusaniv, near Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 16, 2022. (Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images) Ahead of Bidens speech, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova told Russian media that Russia would retaliate against any countries that intervene on Ukraines behalf. She didnt elaborate on what actions Moscow could take or what actions would trigger a response. All the measures that they will take, even of such an idiotic nature, they will be developed and continued, Zakharova said on April 28. We do not leave anything unanswered, and they must understand this, she added, referring to the Biden administration. Western countries have ramped up weapons deliveries to Ukraine in recent days as the fighting in the east of the country has intensified. More than 40 countries met this week at a U.S. air base in Germany and pledged to send heavy arms such as artillery for what is expected to be a vast battle of opposing armies along a heavily fortified front line on open, flat terrain. Washington now says it hopes Ukrainian forces can not only repel Russias assault on the east, but also weaken its military. Russia says that amounts to NATO waging proxy war against it, and has made a number of threats this week of unspecified retaliation. Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if Western countries intervened in the conflict, Moscow would issue a lightning-fast response. We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having. We wont boast about it: Well use them, if needed. And I want everyone to know that, Putin told lawmakers, according to a translation. We have already taken all the decisions on this. Reuters contributed to this report. Russian troops in uniforms without insignia are seen atop of a tank with the letter "Z" painted on its sides, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on March 1, 2022. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) US Has Credible Information Russia Executed Ukrainians Trying to Surrender in Donetsk The United States has credible information that Russian forces executed Ukrainians who were trying to surrender near Donetsk, a U.S. official said Wednesday. We now have credible information that a Russian military unit operating in the vicinity of Donetsk executed Ukrainians who were attempting to surrender, rather than take them into custody, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack, told a United Nations meeting. If true, this would be in violation of a core principle of the law of war: the prohibition against the summary execution of civilians and of combatants who are hors de combat by virtue of surrender, injury, or other forms of incapacitation, she added. Van Schaack also told the U.N. Security Council that the United States has credible reports and photos of individuals killed execution-style with their hands bound, including bodies showing signs of torture and horrific accounts of sexual violence against women and girls. These images and reports suggest that atrocities are not the result of rogue units or individuals; they, rather, reveal a deeply disturbing pattern of systematic abuse across all areas where Russias forces are engaged, she said Wednesday. Van Schaack said the Untied States has seen Russian forces inflict massive brutality across Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion on Feb. 24. The United States has assessed that Russias forces are committing war crimes in Ukraine. This assessment is based on a careful and rigorous review of public sources and also intelligence sources, she told the United Nations meeting. Reports of killings in the Donetsk region come as cities have been hit by heavy shelling in recent weeks. Officials said at least 39 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in an attack on a railway station packed with women and children in the city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region on April 8. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of the Donetsk region, said thousands of Ukrainian civilians were waiting to be evacuated from the station at the time of the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of deliberately targeting civilians, although Russia quickly denied that it had done so, with a statement from the Russian defense ministry accusing Ukraine of provocation. All statements by representatives of the Kyiv nationalist regime about the rocket attack allegedly carried out by Russia on April 8 at the railway station in the city of Kramatorsk are a provocation and are absolutely untrue, the ministry said at the time. The ministry also claimed the missiles deployed in the attack on the railway station are used only by the Ukrainian armed forces. The Epoch Times has contacted Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment. The logo of the Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) is seen during the International Paris Air Show, on June 25, 2017. (Eric Piermont/AFP via Getty Images) US State, Local Governments Helped Chinese Firms With $1.7 Billion in Subsidies: Watchdog U.S. state and local governments have provided about $1.7 billion in subsidies to Chinese companies since 2010, a trend that must be reversed, said Robert Atkinson, president of Washington-based think tank Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. The official U.S. policy is to try to slow down China because theyre playing unfairly, if you will. So here were trying to slow down China, but at the same time, state and local governments are providing subsidies to speed up China, Atkinson said in a recent interview with NTD. China is known for engaging in a number of unfair trade practices, such as dumping cheap products in foreign markets, providing excessive government subsidies to Chinese companies helping them to gain market share, and stealing intellectual property (IP) and technologies. The Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property estimated in 2017 that the U.S. economy suffers an annual loss of between $225 billion to $600 billion from Chinas IP theft each year. The subsidy amount was tabulated by Washington-based watchdog Good Jobs First, a nonprofit that promotes corporate and government accountability. It found that China-based companies received over $1.8 billion in subsidies from U.S. government bodies from 1991 to 2020. The majority of the aid, about $1.7 billion, started flowing out of the United States in 2010. The subsidies came in the form of tax credits, tax rebates, grants, loans, and property tax abatement. While most of the aid was handed out by state and local governments, some was distributed by federal agencies. Pretty much every state government and many local governments want to attract businesses to their borders, Atkinson said. They want to grow their economy, and by and large, theyre indifferent to whether those are American companies or British companies or Chinese companies. And so, they ended up actually subsidizing Chinese companies to come to the United States. According to the watchdog, two such companies are Chinese state-owned entities that have been identified by the Pentagon as having ties to the Chinese militarythe Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) and China National Chemical Corp. (ChemChina). AVIC is also on the U.S. investment blacklist. AVIC received a total of over $168 million in subsidies between 2009 and 2013, mostly in the form of tax credits and grants from the states of North Carolina and Michigan, according to the watchdog. More recently, in 2020, the Iowa state government steered $717,355 in tax credits to Swiss-based agrichemical giant Syngenta, which is owned by ChemChina, according to the watchdog. The state government in North Carolina also gave Syngenta $155,594 in tax credit and rebates in 2019. Chinas Lenovo, a maker of personal computers that has received more than $135 million in subsidies as of 2019, has long been under the scrutiny of the U.S. government. In July 2019, the Pentagons Inspector General published a report (pdf) warning that Lenovo computers present an elevated risk for cyberespionage and unauthorized system or network access. Atkinson said Congress could step in to prevent local U.S. governments from helping Chinese firms. Congress could pass a law that says, if you would like to continue to receive federal funds such as for highways, you cant give money to a Chinese firm. It would stop tomorrow. Members of the U.S. Marshals Missing Child Unit during "Operation Never Forgotten 2021" in Atlanta, Georgia. (Courtesy of Shane T. McCoy/U.S. Marshals) US Marshal-Led Operation Sees Over 700 Arrested in Mississippi More than 700 individuals in north Mississippi were arrested during a month-long U.S. Marshals led operation in the state, Department of Justice announced Wednesday. The operation, dubbed Operation MPACT (Mississippi Partnering Agencies Coming Together), led to the arrests of hundreds of individuals in the state on a variety of charges including homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated domestic assault, child abuse, child sexual assault, drug distribution, unlawful gun crime, DUI, and failure to register as a sex offender. Federal, state and local law enforcement partners from four areas of north Mississippi, including Panola, Lee, Lowndes and Grenada counties, worked together to target known offenders, deter crime and improve community and safety relations, the justice department said. Of the total number of arrests made during Operation MPACT, 350 were for felony offenses and 56 were gang-related. Law enforcement officers also seized $134,180 worth of narcotics, $50,720 worth of cash, and 38 firearms. The month-long effort began on March 1, and was organized in response to a surge in crime in the area in recent months. The increase in violent crime came after several organized criminal groups operating out of Memphis and Chicago migrated to Mississippi via Interstate 55, the justice department said. The operation will have a lasting effect on communities in Mississippi, U.S. Marshal Danny McKittrick said in a statement. I would like to personally thank all of our partners for their relentless support in making this operation a success, McKittrick said. I believe the historical results of this operation combined with the community policing efforts of our local partners will have a lasting effect on these communities here in the Northern District of Mississippi. U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner praised the efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service and various partner agencies. The success of this operation and the resulting arrests and seizures of criminal contraband directly result from the outstanding leadership demonstrated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the hard work of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners who saw a need to combat rising crime rates and took action to strategically address the problem, Joyner said. Arresting those who would commit violent crimes, drug crime and gun crimes in our District and those who are wanted for such crimes is key in making the Northern District of Mississippi safer for the citizens who live here, he added. The justice department said the operation was one of many efforts linked to Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which it described as the centerpiece of its violent crime reduction efforts. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to Visit Counterpart Mary Ng in Ottawa U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will travel north of the border next week to meet with her Canadian counterpart, Mary Ng. Tais office says the ambassador will hold two days of meetings May 5-6 with Ng, Canadas international trade minister, in Ottawa and Toronto. The pair will talk with stakeholders, visit local businesses and discuss how best to strengthen the trade ties between the two countries. Its Tais first visit to Canada since becoming President Joe Bidens trade representative in March of last year. The two have a lot to talk about: softwood lumber, dairy exports and the rules governing auto parts have proven key friction points since the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, took effect in 2020. Tai is also sure to raise Canadas proposed digital services tax, a three percent levy on foreign content providers like Netflix and Spotify. They will hold a bilateral meeting, meet with stakeholders, tour local businesses and discuss opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Canadian trade relationship through the (USMCA) and other mechanisms, Tais office said in a statement. A release from Ngs office also mentioned plans to discuss co-operation in the face of global supply chain issues as well as the collective efforts of the two countries to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. James Topp in southern Saskatchewan during his cross-country march to Ottawa in protest of vaccine mandates, April 22, 2022. (Courtesy Logan Murphy) Warm Welcome, Snowy Weather for Canadian Forces Vet as He Crosses Saskatchewan on Protest March James Topp has enjoyed the warmth of Saskatchewan people, amidst unseasonal cold and winds. The Armed Forces veteran and civilian employee for the RCMP was sidelined from both jobs for his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine. He began a 4,293 kilometre march on Feb. 20 from Vancouver to Ottawa to call for an end to vaccine mandates and the reinstatement of all fellow Canadians who lost their jobs due to the measures. Hes now crossed three provinces, arriving in Regina, Sask., on April 20. Apart from the weather I had a really good reception, the 28-year veteran said of his time in Saskatchewan. Topp said he had some emotional experiences while speaking to supporters in Moose Jaw that had similarly suffered due to mandatory vaccination. He said it helped rekindle his motivation to speak out publically against mandates. Just the mindset that I was in, and standing in front of a bunch of people and baring your soul to themit was difficult and I felt it. I came to the realization I was suffering psychologically. And then I realized that I wasnt the only one, he said. Former military member, Sunil Ram, greets James Topp (L) along his march route near Regina, Sask., on April 21, 2022. (Courtesy Logan Murphy) The city of 33,890 is the home of Royal Canadian Air Force aircrew training, a flight training school, the Snowbirds demonstration squadron, and also the principal site for NATO flight training in Canada. Topp says unvaccinated armed forces members like him have gone through similar problems there. Folks there on that base, those who have taken the position I have, theyre being ostracized within their own community, which is tragic, it really is, he said after visiting Moose Jaw on April 18. Days later, health food store owner and community organizer Lana Van Dijk introduced Topp before an audience of 150 in Regina. What I appreciate most is the fact that he is one of us. He is a Canadian who feels passionately about something and has had the courage to step out; do something different. And just that quality of being bold, and doing something that you believe in is special, and its an example that needs to be shown, Van Dijk said in an interview. For the veteran, it topped a hat trick of good events in three Saskatchewan cities. Swift Current too was a good experience, Moose Jaw, Reginamore and more folks than I would have thought would come out. Im frequently surprised at how many people are responding to this journey, Topp said. He says a really touching memory from his journey through the province was when a young girl named Jade handed him a picture she drew and sang him a song about freedom that she composed herself. The video of Jades performance was posted to YouTube on April 23 with the comment, The weather might be cold in Saskatchewan, but the people are so very warm. The same day, Topps march was cut short at the 31 km mark as 80 km wind gusts and zero-degree temperatures made it difficult to continue. A snowstorm that evening caused power outages and closed roads in southeastern Saskatchewan, and kept Topp waylaid at a hotel in Moosomin until he could resume his march on April 25. He walked 55 kilometres that day, the longest of his journey thus far. James Topp, flanked by members of his team, walks near QuAppelle, Sask., during a march to Ottawa in protest of vaccine mandates, April 21, 2022. (Courtesy Logan Murphy) Topp has been accompanied by eight people, none of whom he knew before his journey began in February. He calls them family, though sometimes new friends join for short sections of the trek. Here in Saskatchewan anyway, its been remarkable, even in rural areas. People will drive up and jump out. They found that I was passing through and they want to participate. And they come along for a few kilometres or for the day, he said. I couldnt have imagined this, it turning out this way. This is the Canadian public for real, taking an active part in this because theres obviously a need for this. Topp reached the Manitoba border on April 26 near the 2000 kilometre mark of his journey and expects to get to Ottawa in June. His team has been diligently attempting to set up meetings with MPs and asking others to make their voices heard. One of the reasons why Im going there is to speak on their behalf. And they come and tell me their issues, including service members [The unvaccinated ones are] struggling to keep their job so they can feed their families. Its happened numerous times, Topp said. The point of this [is to] go and establish this dialogue, talk to the members of parliament and the public officials to tell them: This is the damage thats been done; they feel that youve abandoned them and youre not listening, and this needs to be repaired. Topps whereabouts can be tracked at Canadamarches.ca or the Canada Marches Facebook group, which has 15,000 members. A logo outside the Microsoft booth on day 2 of the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 26, 2019. (David Ramos/Getty Images) Why Microsofts Results Are Reminder Cloud Software Eating the World Mantra Has Further Legs Software giant Microsoft Corporation reported late Tuesday forecast-beating results for its fiscal-year third quarter, and the stock reacted with a move to the upside. The Microsoft Analyst Piper Sandler analyst Brent Bracelin reiterated an Overweight rating and $352 price target for Microsoft shares. The Microsoft Thesis Microsofts Cloud segment climbed 32 percent year-over-year to $23 billion in the March quarter, defying the fluid and dynamic economic conditions, analyst Bracelin said in a note. Azure, the companys public cloud computing platform, saw revenue growth accelerating from 46 percent in the previous quarter to 49 percent, the analyst noted. Azures adoption and consumption, the analyst said, remained strong in the quarter. The Microsoft management noted that the number of Azure deals valued at over $100 million more than doubled from a year ago. The analyst estimates that Azure now makes up 23 percent of the total revenue on an annualized run rate as opposed to a mere 7 percent in 2018. Bear concerns that all cloud software witnessed a temporary benefit post-COVID but could face a sharp moderation this year proved to be too pessimistic, Bracelin said. The analyst noted that the broader Cloud group has shed a whopping 41 percent since November, with their valuation at a four-year low. If other cloud leaders report similar resiliency, it could mean near-term cloud risks are overstated. Microsoft chief Satya Nadella said on the call that technology spending as a percent of enterprise revenue could double by the end of the decade, Bracelin noted. All these suggest cloud software eating the world mantra might still have legs. By Shanthi Rexaline 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Andy Wong/AP BEIJING (AP) China has granted Chinese internet services company Baidu and a rival autonomous car company, Pony.ai, permits to provide driverless ride-hailing services to the public in Beijing, a significant regulatory step in the country's pursuit of driverless technology. The permits given to Baidu and Pony.ai allow them to offer rides without a safety driver behind the wheel to take over in cases of an emergency. The new permits still require a safety supervisor to be seated in the front passenger seat. After no public opposition or support, Glen Carbon Trustees unanimously approved the final plat for Chick-fil-A Tuesday. The chicken chain was the first to express an interest in claiming an outlot in the Orchard Town Center project, currently under construction at the intersection of Governors' Parkway and Troy Road in Glen Carbon. The center is bounded on the north by the parkway, on the east by Troy, on the west by Plum Street and a Madison County Transit (MCT) trail and on the south by Center Grove Road. The 1.65-acre outlot will be across Troy Road from the Steak 'n Shake. Per Nicole Dicks, the village's spokeswoman, Chick-fil-A anticipates construction starting in August and to be open in the spring of 2023. At completion, Orchard Town Center will be anchored by a Menards, followed by three to four as yet unnamed junior anchor stores and 12 outlots. Staenberg Group, the project's developer, believes it will have the project finished sometime in late 2023. The site was formerly a tree nursery and farm operated by the Fouceks. The transformation from agricultural land to another retail center took many area residents by surprise last December as they watched the changes while holiday shopping. The restaurant will comprise just under 5,000-square-feet and the Glen Carbon site will be one of the first in the metro area to feature a dedicated, dual-lane drive-through. Chick-fil-A's principal development leader for the Midwest, Justin Lurk, said the dual lane capacity is about 50 vehicles but the goal is not to allow that many to stack up before traffic spills off-site. The operating hours have not been finalized but most Chick-fil-A's are open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and all are closed on Sundays. The company anticipates 15 to 20 employees will work at the site. Other than a few from Mayor Bob Marcus, most of the trustees had no questions. Trustee Mike Sonderegger made some remarks, however, starting with his understanding of why area residents are excited to see this business open in Glen Carbon. "I've seen the dual-through drive-through in action in Fairview Heights and there's no doubt; it works very well. The food is delicious and the customer service lives up to the reputation," he said, noting the only current nearby location is on SIUE's campus. Then he commented on Chick-fil-A's past support of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation. "This is of great concern to many residents in our community, including myself," he told Lurk. "Chick-fil-A should know that Glen Carbon, along with our neighbors in Edwardsville, are a community of love and inclusivity that exemplifies the powerful, divine commandment of Love Thy Neighbor." Sonderegger conceded that since 2019, Chick-fil-A has stopped supporting anti-gay causes. He summed up that if the corporation will return to backing discriminatory legislation, they will lose support of many people here, including Sonderegger. Chick-fil-A requested four variances. First, the company requested a reduction in parking spaces, from the required 103 to 83 and instead of five ADA-accessible spaces, the company asked for four. There will be space for two bicycle parking slots. A second variance will allow the drive-through canopy to extend more than four feet into any "yard" on the lot. These canopies will protect both customers and team members during periods of extreme temperatures and inclement weather. Third, the company was unable to meet the guideline of planting one street tree for every 40 linear feet of street frontage due to an existing sanitary sewer running past the site; they requested a variance reduction of 12 trees. Previously, the village's planning commission rejected the corporation's request for a monument sign that was 28-square-feet over the village's maximum of 100-square-feet. The company has since revamped the sign so it fits the village's rules. Lurk said the company's Fairview Heights location is laid out traditionally, with the building located in the center of the lot and the drive-through is against the building and all of the parking was on the fringe of the lot. That means some dine-in customers must traverse the drive-through to get inside. He added that Fairview used to have a single drive-through lane. Since the pandemic, he said Fairview has blocked off its dine-in parking and contrived a dual-lane drive through all the way around the building. The Glen Carbon site and one under construction in St. Charles County will use the corporation's newer, isolated layout. The dual drive-through will be isolated to and wrap around the edge of the site, so it will not make dine-in customers cross drive-through lanes to enter or exit the building from the parking lot. After months of meetings dating back to last September, the Glen Carbon Board of Trustees unanimously approved Plocher Construction's final plat Tuesday to create Meridian Plaza, a 43-lot, mixed-use development, at the southeast corner of Route 157 and Meridian Road. After critical input from neighbors, Plocher and his crew revised their original plan, lessening the density by eliminating an apartment building with 31 units and then changing the original 42 duplexes into 29 single-family homes. The village's planning and zoning commissioner, Bill Davison, told the Plocher representative in February that only the seven northern commercial lots fit the village's comprehensive plan, prompting the revised version. Plocher plans to put commercial/retail on seven lots at the north end of the project, along 157 and wrapping around the north end of Meridian Road. On the other side of what may become an extension of Magnolia Drive, will be six lots of office/retail space along the west side of the project, along Meridian. Along the southern border with Timberwolfe Subdivision and part of the eastern border with Ginger Creek Subdivision will be the single-family homes and two stormwater detention basins. At the project's center will be six luxury apartments, totaling 144 units (down from 175 in the original proposal) along with more detention basins, the club house, pool, dog park and walking trail. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) weighed in, too. Plocher will have to add two dedicated right-turn lanes, one on northbound Meridian and the other on eastbound 157. No additional traffic signals either on 157 or Meridian are part of this plan. Other changes Plocher made included adding a 25-foot transitional landscape buffer from residential-to-residential zoning, which is not required by the village; they moved a commercial lot originally proposed to go next to the Timberwolfe entrance and reeled it into the rest of the office park phase; and added more green space. On April 19, at another village planning and zoning meeting, owner Scott Plocher and his attorney, Chris Byron, claimed there has been a dramatic housing shift here since 2015 and the pandemic did not shift that demand back to single-family homes. They say this project, with its luxury apartments, will fill a need no one in Glen Carbon has addressed. Plocher also wishes to build on the success of his nearby Trace on the Parkway project in Edwardsville. Byron told a village committee earlier this month that six signed letters of intent have been signed for the north end of Meridian Plaza, three of which are restaurants. Two more letters of intent have been signed for the retail/office zone, one for a veterinary office. While a few people have supported the plan, the majority of the neighbors in attendance at previous meetings are not in favor. Density, stormwater runoff, traffic, noise and property values have all been bandied about as potential issues. At the previous meeting, while some neighbors said they appreciated the duplexes being changed to single-family homes, their biggest concern remained the apartments. Plocher requested the following variances during the process, including eliminating the original plan for villas and replacing them with single-family homes. The shift was in an effort to make the residential-to-residential transition more palatable for the current neighbors in Timberwolfe and Ginger Creek. The lots all meet or exceed the villages lot size for single-family dwellings, Byron said. The company also added a 25-foot landscape buffer between the subdivisions and Meridian Plaza that they were not required to do by the village. Commercial sites formerly planned near the Timberwolfe entrance have been moved and reeled into the existing office space section, Byron said, which was reduced from eight lots to six. They will still be located along Meridian Road between possible extensions of Auerbach Place and Magnolia Drive. Also notable is that the developer deleted one apartment building from the original plan, leaving 144 units in six buildings, or 24 units per building. The move should provide more room for the swimming pool and other amenities while keeping the rental units at the core of the project. The distance between the nearest apartment building and the Timberwolfe entrance is more than 500 feet, Plocher employees noted. Phase one construction will likely begin in May. Phase two will be the retail/office area, with work expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023. The third phase will be the apartments and construction should begin in the third quarter of 2024. The rest of the single-family homes is the fourth and final phase. The construction start date of this phase is to be announced as a homebuilder remains to be identified. The next village board meeting is May 10 at 7 p.m. at village hall, 151 N. Main St. Patrick Semansky/AP ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak at the U.S. Naval Academy's graduation and commissioning ceremony next month, the academy announced Thursday. The ceremony for the Class of 2022 is scheduled for May 27 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall by Bakkavor USA of Charlotte, N.C. of Whole Foods Market Red Lentil Dal, which included Pickled Curry Cauliflower, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. That release could not be found. In spite of combined efforts by the World Health Organization, United States Agency for International Development, governments of various countries and other partners, malaria over the years has continued to pose a very serious health challenge, especially in the tropics. Malaria is said to be responsible for approximately 1 to 3 million deaths internationally, per annum, with the overwhelming majority being children aged 5 years and below. In Nigeria and most parts of Sub- Saharan Africa, the disease is endemic and said to be responsible for 80-90% of the deaths each year, being also the highest cause of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Globally, Malaria has been noted as the worlds fourth leading cause of death in children less than 5 years. In Ebonyi State in particular, malaria has been identified as a very serious public health problem accounting for over 60 percent hospital attendance. Although the activities of the USAID - Breakthrough Action, Nigeria, focusing principally on achieving social behavior change has made great impact in reducing the incidence of malaria together with other partners interventions, most people still believe that development of a malaria vaccine is long overdue. Most stakeholders who shared their thoughts concerning the issue insisted that developing a vaccine would bring to an end the huge economic and human losses emanating from the disease on a daily basis across the world. However, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezurike, while fielding questions from newsmen during a world Press Briefing in Abakaliki, the State capital, on Wednesday, in commemoration of this years World malaria Day, identified some key issues militating against malaria vaccine development to include the multifarious nature of the pathogen. Umezurike, a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, also noted that vaccines were easier to develop for viral than protozoan diseases which malaria belong to, adding that the parasites mobility in the body further makes it unpredictable. Umezurike explained: "There are so many issues: one is that there are different types of Malaria, that is, the micro organism that causes it, of which the four major ones are Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. "So the issue is that when you develop one vaccine, it cannot handle these different types. People have tried different vaccines, but it didn't stand the test of time. "But we hope that one day, all these issues would be sorted out, and the vaccine would be developed. Also, let it be in the background of our mind that vaccines are easier to develop in some pathogens like viruses because what is used is life attenuated, that is, you partially destroy the virus, and when it gets into the body, it generates a kind of immune reaction. "And that immune reaction acts as resistance in the persons body because he has an antibody antigen. That agent you are given is like the antigen, and when the body notices that there is something in it, it develops antibody, that is like giving resistance; trying to kill it, and also, developing memory such that any other time such agent cones to the body, it also attacks it and destroys it. "But it is not like protozoan diseases, which sometimes do not have ready vaccines. "The other thing is that malaria in the body goes to different locations: at one time, it is in the blood, another time, in the Liver and several other parts of the body. "That also makes it more difficult to attack it with a vaccine. The Commissioner revealed that the State Government has received 2.08 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets for distribution to households in the State for the year 2022, courtesy of the Presidents Malaria Initiative (PMI) for States. He advised all households in the State to ensure that they get enumerated and registered to be eligible to receive the nets, adding that one of the best ways to tackle malaria was to prevent mosquito bites by sleeping inside insecticidal nets. Speaking on the theme for the year: Advance Equity, build Resilience, End Malaria with the slogan: Every Effort Counts, the Director of Public health in the Ministry, Dr Hyacinth Ebenyi and the State Coordinator of PMI for States, Dr. Grace Nwankwo, emphasized that in the fight against malaria, all hands must be on deck as everyone was an important stakeholder. The state Net Ambassador, Chukwuma Elom, who represented the wife of the Governor, Rachael Umahi, lamented that the impact of malaria is often felt most in rural communities, especially among women and children. He advised Ebonyi residents to always keep their environment clean to forestall breeding of mosquitoes. Elom added: The wife of the Governor appeals to all persons in the State to sleep inside insecticide treated nets, especially pregnant women and children. Meanwhile, in a goodwill message, the Acting State Coordinator, USAID-Breakthrough Action, Mrs Ifeoma Chris Okafor, appreciated the State Government for the enabling environment granted to partners to thrive. She emphasized that USAID-BAN, in commemoration of the event, has intensified its community engagements and communication strategies towards social behavior change which was one of the major approaches to ending the malaria scourge. World malaria day is observed on April 25, every year. The weeklong activities for the year in Ebonyi State started on Sunday, April 24, with an interdenominational church service held in Abakaliki. It also featured Road walk/rally, community outreach programs, and malaria town hall meetings, among others. It was organized by the State Ministry of Health in conjunction with the office of the wife of the Governor, supported by partners such as USAID-Breakthrough Action, Nigeria; USAID/Integrated Health program, PMI, AMURT, Roll Back malaria Initiative and Rotary International, among others. Michelle Boit was born in Tulwet, a small village in Uasin Gishu County in north-western Kenya in the 80s. Her parents encouraged her to excel in school and to be the best she can be in the society. Her father was a professor of Biochemical Engineering at Moi University and her mother an administrator at the same university. In school, mathematics and science subjects were like a walk in the park for Michelle. She was always at the top of her class, and, from the beginning, she knew she would pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). It was in high school where her passion for the sciences blossomed, and she decided she wanted to be an engineer. However, when she sat for her O-level exams, she scored mostly B grades in her science subjects. Engineering courses were the preserve of straight A students. However good I was in sciences, I got B grades and did not make the cut-off points required to pursue chemical engineering studies in Kenya, so I took an accounting course. But deep down I was not passionate about accounting. My father noticed this and decided to take me to the US to pursue my dream, says Michelle. She then joined Texas Tech University to study chemical engineering where she graduated with a first-class degree. Michelle Boit Mentorship bug It was during her time in Texas that the idea of mentorship began. She started by visiting schools in her neighbourhood like Roberts Elementary School, Overton Elementary School and Slaton Middle School in Lubbock in Texas and encouraging the students to work hard. Later Michelle applied for an internship at the British Petroleum (BP) Oil and Gas company in Amarillo, Texas, in the US. She was assigned three mentors who took her through the petroleum engineering industry. Later they offered her a job and she worked there for seven years serving in various business units and different fields. She worked in Amarillo in Texas, Wamsutter in Wyoming and Farmington in New Mexico. While working there, Michelle continued visiting universities like Texas Tech University, University of Texas and Texas A & M University encouraging students to study petroleum engineering. In 2012, Kenya struck oil in the northern part of the country, Turkana. Two years later, with solid experience in petroleum engineering, Michelle was offered a job as a petroleum engineer with exploration company Tullow Oil. I wanted to be a part of the pilot team involved in the discovery and exploration of oil there. Tullow was also looking for Kenyans with experience and skill in petroleum engineering. I decided to move back home and bring my rich experience in oil and gas to my home country, Michelle told Africa Renewal. I started working as the East Africa Well Services Engineer, managing and maintaining all Tullow Oil Company wells in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In 2017, we started the First Oil Production Project called EOPS (Early Oil Production Scheme) where I was the technical lead. I was able to lead the project from beginning to end with success. For me, that was the most challenging and probably the most rewarding project that I've done so far, she says. She worked for Tullow Oil until 2019 when she started her own consultancy firm and got her first contract with Glencore Oil Company in Chad. Michelle, whose mantra is a biblical verse As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another, realized that there was a mentorship gap and decided to fill it. In 2014 she started the Michelle Boit Mentorship Program in Kenya. The programme aims to mentor and empower students, graduates, and young professionals in leadership. It also offers career development and peer-mentorship, as well as networking opportunities. The scholarship programme supports bright students who cannot afford their fees. The engineer says she wanted to help bring out the talents and abilities in young people, just as she had been mentored. Mentorship was a passion I had all along. For me to be successful, I was mentored. I also wanted to give back to the community as I enjoy talking to the youth and encouraging them, she says. Pushing for STEM She has made it her mission to encourage girls to take up courses in STEM. We have very low numbers of girls taking up STEM courses. Initially, I started off encouraging girls who are good in science to join and pursue their careers in STEM. I began visiting high schools, starting with (my alma mater) Kapnyeberai High School. The parents there were happy with it, and they invited me to other high schools, she said. Michelle puts together various mentors - lawyers, doctors and other professions - allowing the mentees to choose to work with mentors in their career of interest. She says: We started with mentoring the girls, but we later opened up the programme to boys. So far, we have mentored more than 1,000 students. About 80 per cent of our mentees are from Kenya while the rest are from other countries in East Africa, Mozambique, the US and the United Kingdom. We have plans of using technology to reach out to other young people across the world. Ms. Fancy Kirui, a petroleum engineering student at Kenyatta University and a mentee, lauded the Michelle Boit Mentorship Program noting that it had helped her in her career choice. I had never networked before because I was very shy. Michelle was the first professional to network with and the first person I ever felt comfortable talking to. She taught me how to communicate professionally, helped me rework my CV when I was in my second year at the university. Since then, I have gained the courage to approach potential networks and to work hard to succeed in my career, said Ms. Kirui. Hayat Shariff a petroleum engineer graduate from Kenyatta University narrated how Michelle helped her get an internship opportunity with Tullow Oil. I learnt about Michelle in my third year at the university. She mentored me through university. When I graduated, she helped me write my CV and encouraged me to apply for job opportunities. When I was due for an interview, we did a mock interview and although I was underqualified for the job, I aced it and they offered me an internship opportunity at Tullow Oil. She has continued to support me in my career, and I appreciate it, said Ms. Shariff. National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and top presidential aspirant on the party's platform, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has thanked the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, for the special Tawaf held for him and in favour of his ambition in Mecca. Tinubu also commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for the successes so far recorded under the leadership of Dr. Obasa just as he appreciated the members of the House who took part in the Tawaf. The special Tawaf held on Thursday around Kaabah at the centre of Islam's most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. While expressing gratitude to the participants, Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos, urged Nigerians to use the opportunity to pray for a better Nigeria. He encouraged the citizens to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the country as they make efforts to resolve the country's challenges. "As Muslim faithful continue their fasting and supplications to Allah in this Holy month of Ramadan, I express my gratitude to the Lagos State House of Assembly for their decision to organise a special Tawaf (circumambulation of Holy Kaabah) and prayer session for me today (Thursday) in Mecca. "I'm most honoured by this gesture purposed to be in furtherance of similar prayers seeking God's blessings for my aspiration to lead our country from 2023. "However, while thanking Speaker Mudasiru Obasa and all members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for this important decision, I enjoin the Speaker and his colleagues to go beyond my ambition and pray for Nigeria as well. "I urge them to intercede on behalf of the nation and beseech Almighty Allah for an end to the challenges besieging our country. "I urge them to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration in their efforts to surmount these challenges," he appealed. He further urged for prayers to Allah to touch the hearts of bandits and criminal elements in the country so that they toe the path of goodness in the blessed month of Ramadan. "I also enjoin everyone organising or holding similar prayers either for themselves or for some particular causes to also remember to pray for our country in this sacred month," he said. The Tawaf was attended by political and business leaders as well as Islamic schorlars. Eromosele Ebhomele Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted contraband with an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N31. 4 between April 1 to date. The Comptroller in charge of Katsina, Alhaji Wada Cedi, disclosed this on Thursday, while displaying the goods before journalists in Katsina According to the Controller, the intercepted goods include; vehicles, foreign rice and pasta, vegetable oil, macaroni, cow skin, premium motor spirit (petrol) and gas cylinders. Ceci added that the customs also seized eight vehicles with a DPV of N8.6 million. He clarified that the ban on the export and import of contraband remains despite the reopening of the Jibiya border. In his words: I want the general public to get this clear, the ban on the importation or exportation of contraband remains enforced. So, contraband shouldnt be imported because the aim is to make the country self-reliant. "We will also intensify surveillance on all the borders and other routes to ensure compliance. DSI chief inspects claims to B50bn Phuket beachfront land PHUKET: Traiyarit Temhiwong, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), today inspected 178 rai of beachfront land at Layan Beach with an estimated value of about B50 billion that has remained occupied by claimants despite an order by the Supreme Court to vacate their plots. landtourismcorruptioncrime By Eakkapop Thongtub Thursday 28 April 2022, 05:16PM Mr Traiyarit, joined by a team of investigators, said the purpose of his visit was to learn more about the case in order to inform prosecutors on how to proceed. Considering the complicated history of the claims to the land, which involves some three kilometres of pristine beachfront, the DSI had taken up an investigation of the claims to the land as a special case, said Mr Traiyarit. At a meeting with Manoch Punchalad, the newly elected Chief of Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), Mr Manoch explained that the government had been fending off claims to the land for 30 years. It has been a struggle, he said. In total nine claimants have refused to recognise their claims to the land dismissed by the Lands Department in 1984, Mr Manoch said. In dismissing the claims the Lands Department revoked illegally issued land title papers the claimants had presented as evidence of the claims, he explained. Six of the nine filed official objections to the decision, three did not contest losing their claims. In handing down its decision against claims by two parties, the Supreme Court ruled first in 2015 and again 2017 that all 178 rai of land is state land. In its determination, the Supreme Court estimated the land to be worth B50 billion, Mr Manoch said. Mr Traiyarit said that his officers were investigating whether rights to the land by any of the claimants could be verified, even though some of plots claimed are now within the boundaries of Sirinath National Park. Also further complicating the issue, claims to the land have not been filed just by individuals, but also now by companies, he added. The aim of the government is to leave the area in its undisturbed natural state for the public to use as a recreational area, Mr Traiyarit said He noted the land in question was valued at about B300 million per rai. Mr Traiyarit warned that any persons found still trespassing on government land would face prosecution. There are many [land] cases in Phuket, but we are paying a lot of attention to this case because other cases are now moving forward. Many cases are in the process of prosecution, he said. Already 10 cases of land claims in Phuket have been forwarded to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NACC), Mr Traiyarit said. Theres probably a lot more to try and keep an eye on, he added. Phuket has gained a notorious reputation for land title documents being illegally issued by officials, much of which has been blamed on Tawatchai Anukul, who was the Phuket Land Office Chief in 2003. After 13 years on the run, Tawatchai was finally arrested in 2016. However, within hours of his arrest he was found hanged in his cell at the DSI headquarters in Bangkok. Former boxer caught for stealing bag off Briton in Krabi KRABI: A former popular boxer has been arrested for allegedly stealing a British tourists bag at Ao Nang beach last week. crimetourism By Bangkok Post Thursday 28 April 2022, 11:30AM A tourist tries to retrieve his bag from a thief who is fleeing on a motorcycle at Ao Nang Beach in Krabi in the early hours of Apr 24. The thief, who turned out to be a former boxer, is caught. Screenshot: Krabi TV Online / Bangkok Post Police apprehended Suwit Fai Phuengsom, 31, of Krabis Koh Lanta district, at a house in Muang district yesterday (Apr 27) on charges of theft and carrying a knife in public, reports the Bangkok Post. The arrest followed a complaint by British tourist Fraser William, 23, that he left his bag on the beach as he and his friend went for a swim around 2:50am last Sunday (Apr 24). He later saw a middle-aged man took his bag and was about to flee on a motorcycle. The tourist ran to the man and tried to push the bike, but the thief managed to escape. The bag contained B5,000 in cash, credit cards and a key to the tourists hotel room, according to Krabi police. Police inspected the scene and examined security camera footage to gather evidence. After the suspect was identified, police on Tuesday sought approval from the Krabi provincial court to arrest Mr Suwit. He was hiding in a house in Muang district. A search of the house found clothes Mr Suwit wore, and the bike used during the robbery. The suspect sustained bruises on his right knee after a brief fight with the tourist. The suspect admitted to police that he was the person who stole the bag at Ao Nang beach. He was taken to Ao Nang police station for legal action, Thai media reported. Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, investigation chief of Krabi police office, said Mr Suwit was a former well-known boxer known as Den Saenchai. NSC Chief inspects Phuket airport for May 1 readiness PHUKET: Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), Gen Supot Malaniyom, inspected Phuket International Airport yesterday (Apr 27) in anticipation of larger numbers of tourists expected to arrive as entry measures to the country are eased from May 1. tourismCOVID-19economics By The Phuket News Thursday 28 April 2022, 10:25AM Gen Supot, formerly chief-of-staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, said the visit was to check the readiness of tourists to be ready to welcome tourists, which will help revitalise the economy and tourism in Phuket and at the national level. Joining Gen Supot were Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong, Phuket Airport General Manager Monchai Tanode and the heads of various local government agencies, including Immigration, Customs, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office and the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 11 office in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, which oversees all public health operations in Phuket. The inspection follows the announcement by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) last Friday that the Test & Go entry scheme will be effectively abolished from this Sunday (May 1) as vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to be tested for COVID-19 on landing. Likewise, all unvaccinated travellers who provide negative RT-PCR test results taken within 72 hours of departure will also no longer be required to be tested on arrival. The visit also comes amid growing momentum for officials to abolish the Thailand Pass registration system, which is currently still in effect. The Thailand Pass system has been widely criticised by key tourism figures as the main barrier deterring tourists from wanting to come to Thailand. Officials are now starting to recognise that understanding. The previous easing of COVID entry measures had very little positive effect on the number of tourists coming to the country. The most recent Phuket Reopening Daily Report issued by the TAT, for Tuesday (Apr 26), marked only 1,862 international arrivals at the airport. Of those, 132 arrivals were in transit. Phuket road accident blackspots identified PHUKET: Two intersections have been marked for road-safety improvements following a review of traffic accident blackspots across the island. transportaccidentsSafety By The Phuket News Thursday 28 April 2022, 11:48AM Phuket Vice Governor Anupap said local road-safety campaigns will focus on personal responsibility. Photo: PR Phuket The two intersections are both three-way junctions: one in front of Phuket Wittayalai School in Phuket Town, the other in front of the market near the Koh Siray Bridge. The intersections were presented for road-safety improvements by Ajarn Siwaphong Thongchuea from Phuket Rajabhat University at a meeting of the Phuket Provincial Road Safety Committee yesterday (Apr 27). The meeting, held at the Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM-Phuket) in Phuket Town, was chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam joined by DDPM-Phuket Chief Udomphon Kan and other officials. At the meeting it was reconfirmed that during the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign during Songkran from April 18-24, Phuket suffered four deaths and 28 people injured (requiring hospital treatment) in 32 accidents. Most of the accidents were caused by peoples behaviour, namely driving too fast followed by poor visibility of the road, drunk driving and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres, Vice Governor Anupap said. The committee had undertaken a review of the locations where accidents occurred frequently in order to identify specific blackspots, V/Gov Anupap noted. Four areas were specifically named as areas where accidents occurred frequently: near Silk Tech Service Company on the bypass road (outbound); in front of the Baan Yid SuperCheap store on Thepkrasattri Rd in Mai Khao; the curve on Luang Pho Chuan Rd (also called Chao Fa Rd 48) in Chalong; and in front of Kathu Municipal School 2 In each area accidents are mostly caused by personal negligence, not caused by traffic engineering at all, V/Gov Anupap said. The committee resolved to work more with local administrations to ramp up road-safety awareness in their areas. The aim is to cultivate road safety awareness at the grassroots level without being forced by the government, V/Gov Anupap said. Start by taking responsibility for yourself until it becomes a habit. This will lead to greater efficiency in preventing and reducing road accidents and will benefit society as a whole, he said. Thailand Pass, ATK tests may be scrapped if COVID slows: Anutin BANGKOK: The Public Health Ministry looks set to propose that mandatory antigen tests and Thailand Pass registration be cancelled if the latest easing of entry restrictions does not lead to a rise in COVID-19 infections after the measures take effect from May 1. CoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccinetourism By Bangkok Post Thursday 28 April 2022, 08:10AM Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attends a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (Apr 26). Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday (Apr 27) the COVID-19 situation in the country showed signs of improving 10 days after the Songkran festival, reports the Bangkok Post. The number of infections, the number of seriously ill patients dependent on ventilators and use of anti-virus pills has significantly declined. He said people would like to see restrictions relaxed as much as possible along with a need to feel confident the disease will not pose any harm to their life. Infections were possible even after a booster shot, but 90% of those were asymptomatic. We no longer have Test and Go and what we have now is the ATK test. After two weeks, we may propose to eliminate both the ATK test and Thailand Pass to enter the country. We think we can do that if people come to get booster doses, especially elderly people, Anutin said. The minister further said that the ministry is going to identify the distinction between deaths directly caused by COVID-19 and deaths that occur concurrently with the disease. Initial information indicates the latter is greater than former. According to the Department of Disease Control (DDC), just 30% of deaths among COVID-19 patients are directly caused by the coronavirus disease. Its also clear, he said, that 90% of COVID deaths are among non-vaccinated people. Clearly identifying the cause of death will provide more accurate information about the disease. He insisted that an announcement to declare COVID-19 an endemic disease must be done countrywide, not just in some provinces, with the same standards applied everywhere. Meanwhile, DDC chief Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said 12 provinces have significantly declining infection rates. But the disease may surge if new, highly infectious variants emerge. He also said that the department is going to speed up vaccinations for students. On Demand We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet. In-Room VDO EDWARDSVILLE Felony charges were filed Tuesday in several drug-related cases by the Madison County States Attorneys Office. Ernest Stevenson Jr., 56, of Madison, was charged April 26 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 13 Stevenson allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Other drug-related felony cases filed April 25 include: Jonathan D. Brown, 36, of Bedford, Ohio, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons and unlawful possession of cannabis, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Illinois State Police. According to court documents, on Feb. 2 Brown allegedly had 100-500 grams of cannabis and a loaded and accessible SCCY 9 mm pistol in a vehicle without a valid concealed carry license. Bail was set at $25,000. Julia M Babb, 30, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on March 17 Babb allegedly had less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000. On April 19 Babb was charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony, after allegedly entering a trailer in the 5400 block of Maryville Road to commit theft. She was charged March 4 with unlawful possession of a controlled substance after being found in possession of less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Seth R. Manso, 21, of Troy, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Illinois State Police. According to court documents, on March 19 Manso allegedly had less than 15 grams of cocaine. Bail was set at $15,000. EDWARDSVILLE A Granite City man was charged with burglary and other felonies in two separate cases filed Tuesday. Norman D. Cannon III was charged April 26 with burglary, a Class 2 felony; and two counts of possession of burglary tools, both Class 4 felonies. The cases were presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on April 9 Cannon allegedly had burglary tools suitable for breaking into a lock at I Storage in Collinsville. On April 26 he allegedly entered a building at Red Dot Storage in Granite City, to commit theft and had burglary tools suitable for breaking into the building. Bail was set at $15,000 on the first case, $50,000 on the second. Other theft-related felony charges filed April 26 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Scott W. Hopkins, 40, of Collinsville, was charged with forgery, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. According to court documents, on March 25 Hopkins allegedly attempted to pass a bad check for $525. Bail was set at $30,000. Lucretia A Lampley, 28, and George E. Lampley, 34, both of the same address in St. Louis, were each charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The cases were presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On March 31 the two allegedly took two 75-inch Samsung LED televisions valued in excess of $300 from the Glen Carbon Sams Club. Bail was set at $15,000 each. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GRANITE CITY Cooperation between three counties and the federal government, along with the creation of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Control District Council and the tax to support it, was touted Wednesday as the final letter of accreditation for the Metro Easts levee system was announced. At a press conference at Americas Central Port, officials announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the final letter of accreditation for the Metro East Sanitary District levees on April 26. MESD was one several levee districts impacted in the 65-mile levee system that spans Madison, St. Clair and Monroe counties. This means all five levee systems from Alton to Columbia have all been officially reaccredited by FEMA, said Gary Hoelscher, president of Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, who made the announcement. This project was completed at less than half the initial cost estimates and 22 years ahead of projected schedules if federal funds only were utilized," he added. FEMA announced its intentions to decertify the levees in 2007 in the wake of concern about the nations levee system caused by levee failures in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The late Sen. Bill Haine was able to pass legislation creating the Southwestern Illinois Flood Control District Council, which includes the three counties and is funded through a sales tax. The sales tax and other small revenue sources bring in about $12 million annually, part of which is used as a local match for federal funds. So far more than $119 million in local and federal money has been spent to improve the levee system, including 11 major construction projects totaling $74.7 million. The first goal of the council was to have the levee system reaccredited to the 100-year flood level, which was completed in 2018. The certification process has taken four years. This is extremely important for us, because a lot of developers and businesses outside the area, when they look at the maps, they want to have reassurances that their investments are going to be OK, said Madison County Economic Development Coordinator Walter Williams after the announcement. An outsider coming to our community, the first thing they ask are how are the levees certified and are my investments safe," he said. "They need to see that certification." It was noted Wednesday that during the Great Flood of 2019, the second largest flood on the Mississippi on record, that there was no seepage through any of the levees. Army Corps of Engineers officials repeatedly said that, without the improvements, there would have been multiple failures in the levee system. Without the accreditation, officials said it would cost home- and business-owners in the American Bottoms region millions each year for flood insurance. It also would have severely curtailed commercial development, including the expanding logistics hubs around the Gateway Commerce Center which now provides roughly 13,000 jobs. In addition to Hoelscher, Wednesday's speakers included Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler; Monroe County Board Chairman Dennis Knobloch; Debra Moore, director of administration for St. Clair County, representing Board Chairman Mark Kern; Chuch Etwert, chief engineer and supervisor of constructions and works for the SIFPDC; and Col. Kevin Golinghorst, commander of the St. Louis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This was a major accomplishment, Prenzler said. It was so important to our area. However, he and others said the work is not done. Theres still more to be done to strengthen the levees, Hoelscher said. The council has already worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on planning and design of the authorized level of improvements. That includes providing additional matching funds for improvements to the Wood River Drainage and Metro East Sanitary districts. I am so appreciative of us being at this place, but the most important thing at this point is maintain, said Moore. We must come together and maintain the work that has been done. We need to continue the work, continue the accomplishment and continue the benefit to the residents who are extremely pleased and are already seeing the benefits of the accomplishments of this body and the work that is being done. Going forward, they said it would probably be another $75 million, looking at the 500-year level, Prenzler added. The levee system protects about 288,000 people, 4,000 businesses, 56,000 jobs, 111,000 acres and $13.3 billion in assets, according to Hoelscher. What all of us in leadership roles need to do is pay attention to how this project was accomplished, Knoblock said. You had a major project that seemed insurmountable," he said. "But you had three counties that came togetherand fought for a common goal. He added a similar approach would benefit a lot of other issues. Etwert talked extensively about the project, saying decertification of the levees would have been disastrous for the area. He said flood insurance would cost an estimated $50 million per year. People couldnt afford that, he said, adding that it would have curtailed construction and had a number of other negative impacts. He also noted the levees were not raised, but improvements were made to control seepage. We built seepage berms along the interior side of the levees," he said. "We built clay caps on the river side of the levee. We built shallow cutoff walls 20 to 40 feet deep. We built one deep cut-off wall that was 100-140 feet deep. "It cost $14 million to do 2,000 feet," he said. "If you do the math, thats about $7,000 per foot. He said they also made major improvements to pump stations, sewer rehabilitations and other work. During construction, he said, they had to deal with three major flood events. But the projects were completed in 2018 and, in 2019, there was the second-highest and longest flood event on record, and everything worked. This project is an important part of the Corps' efforts to protect communities from devastating floods, Golinghorst said. He also touted the cooperation between local and federal agencies, which was also echoed by other speakers. What all of us in leadership roles need to do is pay attention to how this project was accomplished, Knoblock said. You had a major project that seemed insurmountable, but you had three counties that came togetherand fought for a common goal. ALTON A keen eye for metals, and a little help from small business consultants, is fueling success at Alton Dock Works. Douglas Francis, owner of Alton Dock Works, amassed 20 years of scrap industry knowledge, first-hand, before launching the firm at 703 E. Broadway in Alton. Francis was introduced to the scrap industry while still in high school. He attended Greenville College and continued his career, focusing on ferrous and non-ferrous metals. He worked at Azcon Corp. and PSC Metals trading and shipping scrap metal all around the world. He began his own firm, built up clientele and employed four to six staff depending upon the level of business. He said he grew his business by focusing on how to make money and upgrading materials to process and make new materials. But that focus was challenged by COVID-19 and the fluctuating metal industry market. He'd seen those market challenges in 2008. In 2020, he felt the business pain again enhanced by the difficulty in finding employees. Last summer, he sought advice and help from the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May. He initially contacted the SBDC seeking help with applying for a Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan. If it were not for Jo Ann, I would not have received a dime," Francis said. "She has been a blessing to me and my company through her tons of devoted time and endless phone calls. Di Maggio May helped Alton Dock Works submit requests for SBA assistance, a process that took 15 months before Francis received the funding. In September 2021, the SBDC also helped him apply for an Illinois Back to Business grant. I know how vital this is for small businesses and am thrilled that he received the financial help he truly needed," said Di Maggio May. "I look forward to seeing Alton Dock Works, LLC get back on its feet, running a successful operation again. The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures as well as existing businesses in the Madison, Calhoun, Jersey, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph counties. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and SIUE. For more information on Alton Dock Works, contact Francis at scrapper416@sbcglobal.net or 618-410-3370. For more about the SBDC, call 618-650-2929. IVY GOODMAN, Stonington, Girls, Lacrosse, Senior; Goodman scored 12 goals and had 13 assists in three games. Her seven assists in the Bears win over Waterford established a school record. She surpassed the 50-goal mark for the season in Stoningtons victory over Ledyard. DEAN PONS JR., Westerly, Baseball, Senior; Pons, a senior, struck out 14 batters in the Bulldogs five-inning win against Wheeler School/Rocky Hill. Pons had an assist on the remaining out, throwing out a runner on a groundout. Pons allowed just one hit and walked only two. KATIE PIERCE, Wheeler, Girls, Lacrosse, Sophomore; Pierce scored five goals and the Lions beat Griswold to earn their first victory of the season. Wheeler avenged an earlier loss to the Wolverines this season with the 15-4 victory. WEEKO THOMPSON, Chariho, Girls, Track Sophomore; Thompson, a sophomore, bettered her school record in the discus at the Classical Classic meet. She finished first in the event and also won the shot put. Vote View Results The proposed 35billion takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk looks set to trigger a 1billion fees bonanza for bankers working on the deal. The biggest beneficiaries are likely to be the high flyers at Morgan Stanley who are advising Musk on the takeover having already helped him secure 20billion in funding for the deal. They are likely to scoop a large portion of the fees - if the deal goes through. Fees Bonanza: Elon Musk turned to Morgan Stanley for help in securing 20bn in funding for this takeover of Twitter Last night Twitter shares closed at $48.64 some way below Musks $54.20 offer price in a sign that some investors believe the deal could collapse. Other banks eyeing a bumper pay day include Bank of America and Barclays, who are also advising Musk, as well as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Allen & Co who are acting for Twitter. Dan Ives, analyst at investment firm Wedbush, said: This is one of the biggest leveraged buyouts in history. Its complex, involves complicated financing and there are regulatory issues to navigate as well. The prospect of a fees bonanza came as it emerged Musk has agreed to pay a break clause or reverse termination fee of 800million if he backs out of the deal. That is just a fraction of his 200billion fortune. Investment banks usually get about a 1 per cent to 3 per cent cut of a merger deal. Based on the 35billion deal that works out at between 350million and 1.05billion for the banks advising Musk with Morgan Stanley set for the lions share. Bankers working for Twitter are in line for between 70million and 100million. Morgan Stanley is a fiercely competitive US bank, ranking only behind Goldman Sachs in fees generated in the first quarter of this year. The pay day for Morgan Stanley is even more important given that there has been a slowdown in stock market floats and corporate bond sales in 2022. Musk has a long-standing relationship with the bank, going back more than a decade. Morgan Stanley was the main underwriter for the Tesla stock market listing in 2010, alongside Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank. And four years ago, when Musk made his unsuccessful attempt to take Tesla private, he hired the bank to help him construct a deal. Morgan Stanley is also expected to pick up more business from Musk in the coming years, including any possible share sales or equity raisings as he looks to fund Twitters expansion. The deal for Twitter was one of the quickest ever put together from start to finish. Musk announced his intention to buy the company on April 14, tweeting I made an offer. Bankers on both sides have been working around the clock for the past two weeks in order to make the deal happen. But there are doubts over whether Musk can juggle being chief executive of Tesla while trying to transform Twitter. Tesla shares tumbled on Tuesday, falling 12 per cent and wiping off 100billion of the companys value. They recovered 3 per cent to $905 yesterday. Twitter shares were down 2 per cent. Ives said: The worry is around Musk being distracted and pulled in too many directions. The duo at the top of imploded hedge fund Archegos Capital Management have been arrested and charged with fraud. Bill Hwang and his right-hand man Patrick Halligan were accused by US prosecutors of using the firm as an instrument of market manipulation and fraud. Archegos, a previously little-known family office managing the vast wealth of financier Hwang, fell into the spotlight last year after its spectacular collapse caused some of the worlds biggest banks to lose billions of pounds. Arrest: Bill Hwang (pictured) and his right-hand man Patrick Halligan were accused of using the Archegos hedge fund as an 'instrument of market manipulation and fraud' A number of financial titans including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Nomura and most notably Credit Suisse lent Archegos money through their so-called prime brokerage departments. This allowed the firm to take bigger bets on various stocks than it might otherwise have been able to afford. But when the bets turned sour in a drastic way in March 2021, Hwang had no money left with which to repay the lenders. The crisis sent ripples across financial markets, as stocks which Hwang was invested in tumbled. Now Hwang, 57, and Halligan, 45, have been arrested in the US and are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court. Prosecutors allege that senior executives at Archegos artificially inflated the size of their investment portfolio from around 1.2billion to 28billion and at one point to 128billion using deceptive trading tactics. Lawyers for Hwang and Halligan said their clients are innocent. Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani has teamed up with private equity giant Apollo Global Management to launch a joint takeover bid for Boots. Ambanis Reliance Industries is working with New York-based Apollo on a deal that could see the High Street chemist open in India and across Asia. Sources told the Financial Times that 65-year-old Ambani, the worlds eighth richest man, would take a stake in Boots alongside Apollo, though it was unclear how the company would be split up. Joint bid: Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, the worlds eighth richest man, is working on a deal that could see the UKs biggest chemist open sites in India and across Asia The battle to buy the 173-year-old business rumbles on, with a winner unlikely to be announced before June. Britains biggest chemist has been up for sale since January as its owner, US giant Walgreens, looks to increase its focus on US healthcare. Other bidders who have made pitches include private equity giants TDR Capital and Sycamore, which is also interested in Ted Baker. Boots chief executive Seb James stressed this month that there was a lot of interest in the business amid fears the 7billion sale was stalling. The boss of M&G is stepping down after 22 years, including seven as the firms chief executive. John Foley will leave the FTSE 100 savings and investments giant once a successor has been found, a process that could take up to a year. The 65-year-old joined Prudential in 2000 a year after it bought M&G and was made chief executive of M&G in 2015. Privilege: John Foley joined Prudential in 2000 a year after it bought M&G and was made chief executive of M&G in 2015 He oversaw the merger of M&G with Prudentials UK insurance business in 2017 and the 2019 demerger of the enlarged M&G from the rest of Prudential when it decided to focus on Asia and Africa. Shares in M&G which looks after 370billion of savers money and is one of the largest fund managers in Britain are little changed since the time of the demerger. The M&G board, led by chairman Edward Braham, is on the hunt for a successor who can boost the companys fortunes. Foley, who earned 4.5million last year and has been paid almost 30million since taking the helm, said it was a privilege to spend 22 years at the firm and hailed its successful transition to becoming an independent company. The married father, who has 15.7million of M&G shares, said: M&G has reached an inflection point and has strong momentum in its strategic progress. It is now a good time to begin the search for a new chief executive to lead M&G during the next phase of its development. I look forward to continuing to serve as chief executive until my successor is in place and I remain fully committed to our business delivery. Braham said: John has led M&G through significant change and overseen a successful demerger, while steering the group through the unprecedented events of the pandemic. The business has performed strongly, returning 1.8billion to shareholders since listing in October 2019. In its most recent results M&G said it has generated 2.8billion of cash for investors since its split from Prudential. It has delivered a total return for its investors of 30 per cent, or 1.8billion, since the demerger. M&G last month announced a bumper 500million share buyback after its assets under management grew in 2021 by 0.8 per cent to 370billion. It reported profits of 721million, which was lower than the 788million it earned in 2020. It saw M&G shares rocket up 15 per cent on the day. Yesterday they were up 0.5 per cent, or 1p, at 212.1p, leaving them a little below the 218p they started trading at following the demerger from the Pru. The Serious Fraud Office has targeted several sites in the UK linked to the empire of industrialist Sanjeev Gupta. As part of the probe into the tycoons GFG Alliance, investigators visited locations in England, Scotland and Wales. The move marks an escalation of the SFO inquiry into Guptas metals empire launched in May last year. Investigation: Steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta (pictured) has been under scrutiny ever since the companys largest lender Greensill Capital collapsed last year Days ago French police targeted GFGs offices in Paris and an aluminium smelter in Dunkirk as part of an investigation into allegations of money laundering and misuse of corporate assets. In an internal memo to employees, Jeff Kabel, the chief transformation officer at Liberty Steel, part of GFG, said the company would comply with the SFOs information request orders and continue to cooperate fully in all manners. He added the company consistently rejected any wrongdoing. GFG declined to comment on the SFO visits. The latest target is a further embarrassment for the Scottish government, which has been accused of risking nearly 600million of taxpayer cash in a deal to help 50-year-old Gupta purchase the Lochaber smelter in the West Highlands in 2016. Guptas intervention helped secure 160 jobs at the site, which was facing closure when it was put up for sale by its previous owner Rio Tinto. The deal with the Scottish government was designed to help raise funds for the acquisition. But Guptas empire is now under investigation. GFG Alliance owns a collection of businesses in the metals and energy sectors and employs over 30,000 people. Gupta, who was once dubbed the saviour of steel, has been under scrutiny ever since the companys largest lender Greensill Capital collapsed last year. GFG used supply chain financing offered by Greensill to accelerate payments for its products. Supply chain financing consists of loans made to companies waiting for invoices to be paid by customers. When these are paid the cash is used to pay back the loans with interest. Such funding is a legal method of managing cash flow, but the SFO inquiry is examining the relationship between GFG and Greensill amid suspicions of fraud and money laundering. Greensill went bust after the companys insurer refused to renew its cover for the loans the firm had made. The collapse ensnared former prime minister David Cameron, who was hired by the lender as an adviser after leaving Downing Street. Since then, GFG has been grappling with investigations by the authorities while also trying to seek out a new source of funding as it teeters on the brink. The company has overhauled its UK steel business and changed some of its management. The international group, which was founded in 1992, also recently announced plans to cut 160 jobs from one of its main production sites at Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire. Concerns about GFGs operation were raised by MPs last November when a report from Parliaments Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee highlighted that the firms structure had exhibited several red flags and systemic risks that should have alerted authorities to potential problems. ANHAs correspondent in the Tel Tamer district said; member of the Damascus government forces, called Mohammad Samir Youssef, was wounded yesterday evening, Tuesday, in the bombing that targeted the village of Umm al-Kaif, located in the western countryside of Tal Tamr district, by the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries. At about 21:21 yesterday evening, the Turkish occupation army launched an intense bombardment on the village of Umm al-Kaif, as a result of which the electric current was cut off from Tal Tamr district and its countryside. The Turkish bombing caused a breakdown in the 66 kV line providing the Tel Tamer power station. T/S ANHA Voters have one last chance to cast early ballot in primary Recovery courts can be found in all three judicial districts in our region, covering the nine counties in Northeast Tennessee and are based on 10 key components from the National Drug Court Institute. All of the courts are similar, but unique at the same time. Kurt A. Petermeyer is the regional administrator for the Southeast Region of the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He has been supporting the advancement of worker safety and health and worker rights in OSHA since 1996. The Democratic Republic of Congo has kicked off Ebola vaccinations to stem an outbreak in the northwest city of Mbandaka, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. Two people are known to have died so far in the city of over one million inhabitants where people live in close proximity to road, water and air links to the capital Kinshasa. The first death occurred on April 21 and the second on Tuesday, marking the central African countrys 14th Ebola outbreak. Around 200 doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine have been shipped to Mbandaka from the eastern city of Goma, with more to be delivered in coming days, the WHO said in a statement. So far 233 contacts have been identified and are being monitored, it added. Three vaccination teams are on the ground and will focus on reaching all people at high risk. With effective vaccines at hand and the experience of the Democratic Republic of the Congo health workers in Ebola response, we can quickly change the course of this outbreak for the better, WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said in the statement. Congos equatorial forests are a natural reservoir for the Ebola virus, which was discovered near the Ebola River in northern Congo in 1976. The country has seen 13 previous Ebola outbreaks, including one in 2018-2020 in the east that killed nearly 2,300 people, the second highest toll recorded in the history of the hemorrhagic fever. The most recent ended in December in the east and caused six deaths. Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur province, has also contended with outbreaks in 2018 and in 2020. Genetic testing has shown that the current outbreak was a new spillover event, meaning it was transmitted from infected animals rather than linked to previous events. SOURCE: REUTERS Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of lightning-fast retaliation if countries interfere in Ukraine, while U.S. President Joe Biden was set to comment on Thursday in support of Ukraines fight against Russias brutal war. Russia has told the United States to stop sending arms to Ukraine, saying large Western deliveries of weapons were inflaming the conflict. Addressing lawmakers in St Petersburg on Wednesday, Putin said the West wanted to cut Russia up into different pieces and accused it of pushing Ukraine into conflict with Russia. If someone intends to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside, and create strategic threats for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast, said Putin, according to video of his address supplied by Russian media. We have all the tools for this, things no one else can boast of having now. And we will not boast, we will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know that. Russias invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24 and has reduced towns and cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad. Western countries have responded with sanctions and weapons for Ukraine to fight a war that has brought fears of wider conflict in the West, unthought-of for decades. Russia calls its intervention a special operation to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West says this a false pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression by Putin. Biden will deliver remarks on Thursday in support of Ukrainians defending their country and their freedom against Russias brutal war, the White House said. While Russia presses its military assault in eastern and southern Ukraine, its economic battle with the West threatens gas supplies to Europe and is battering the Russian economy as it struggles with the worst crisis since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. Ukraine said Europe should stop depending on Russia for trade after it halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland for not paying in roubles. The sooner everyone in Europe recognises that they cannot depend on Russia for trade, the sooner it will be possible to guarantee stability in European markets, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said late on Wednesday. Germany, the biggest buyer of Russian energy, hopes to stop importing Russian oil within days but warned that a Russian energy embargo or blockade would tip Europes largest economy into recession. Gazprom (GAZP.MM), Russias gas export monopoly, suspended gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland on Wednesday for not paying in roubles, a move aimed to soften the impact of sanctions. While the president of the European Commission said Gazproms suspension was yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail. France will host a meeting of EU energy ministers on May 2. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia remained a reliable energy supplier and denied it was engaging in blackmail. He declined to say how many countries had agreed to pay for gas in roubles. Sanctions are taking a heavy toll on Russia, with its economy ministry indicating in a document the economy could shrink by as much as 12.4% this year. Canadian lawmakers voted unanimously on Wednesday to call Russias attacks in Ukraine a genocide, with members of parliament saying there was ample evidence of systemic and massive war crimes against humanity being committed by Russia. Canadas parliament said in a motion Russias war crimes included mass atrocities, wilful killing of civilians, the desecration of corpses, forcible transfer of children, torture, physical and mental harm, and rape. Russia denies targeting civilians. Since the Russian invasion force was driven back at the outskirts of Kyiv last month, Moscow has refocused its operation on eastern Ukraine, starting a new offensive to fully capture two provinces known as the Donbas. Russias Black Sea fleet retains the ability to strike Ukrainian and coastal targets, despite its losses of the landing ship Saratov and the cruiser Moskva, Britains defence ministry said. About 20 Russian navy vessels, including submarines, are in the Black Sea operational zone, the ministry said on Twitter. SOURCE. REUTERS Ukraines General Staff says Russia is increasing the pace of its offensive in the east of the country, the goal of which is to take full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and have a land corridor to Crimea. The Russian forces are exerting intense fire in almost all directions, the General Staff said in their Thursday morning update, with the greatest activity observed in Slobozhanske and Donetsk directions. Strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, continue, the update said, and more forces have been moved to the city of Izyum. In the Donetsk direction, the Russian troops are focusing on encircling the Ukrainian forces. Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian forces have repelled six attacks in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the General Staff said. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, says Thursday that four civilians have died in the region over the past 24 hours and four more were wounded. The Russian shelling has also destroyed 10 houses in the city of Popasna, Haidai said in the messaging app Telegram. The Russian army shelled the residential area in Luhansk region for 29 times by aircrafts, multiple rocket launches, tube artillery and mortars, Haidai wrote. The enemy shelled Popasna and Lysychansk for 10 times, and Hirske for four very long times. SOURCE: REUTERS provided by the Albany International Airport ALBANY - Frontier and Allegiant airlines will offer travelers seasonal flights from Albany County International Airport to more popular vacation spots in the United States. The airport said Frontier started services to Denver on Thursday and will begin flights to Raleigh, N.C. on Friday. Two days after striking a deal to purchase Twitter, Elon Musk used his powerful Twitter account to elevate conservative criticism of two executives at the social media company, roiling a workforce already uneasy about how he will balance his abrasive social media style and embrace of free speech with his stewardship of the company. On Wednesday, he tweeted a meme to his more than 86 million followers with the face of Twitter's top lawyer, Vijaya Gadde, that appeared to suggest the company's decisions are affected by a "left wing bias." The tweet came hours after he criticized a 2020 policy decision Gadde made, and was in response to an earlier tweet from a political podcast host calling her the company's "top censorship advocate." Twitter users quickly piled on - calling on Musk to fire Gadde or using racist language to describe her. Gadde was born in India and immigrated to the United States as a child. One user said she would "go down in history as an appalling person." Musk's tweets have singular power to unleash mobs against people with much lower profiles - in 280 characters or less. As Musk stakes his $44 billion takeover of one of the world's most influential social platforms on the promise of restoring free speech there, his rhetoric is at odds with the way his supporters have weaponized Twitter - prompting people to lock down their personal profiles and public information. "Musk has actually used Twitter as his slingshot when going after critics," said April Glaser, a senior research fellow at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. "It's not surprising he would then want to have greater control of that slingshot." Musk's power to unleash his followers in these ways has alarmed some Twitter workers, who expressed concerns at a company town hall on Monday and in interviews about the possibility of being mentioned in tweets by their future boss. It is unusual for an incoming owner to make any public comment about his future employees, much less publicly criticize their performance or past decisions. The terms of his deal to acquire Twitter allow the SpaceX and Tesla CEO to tweet about his acquisition "so long as such tweets do not disparage the Company or any of its Representatives." A person familiar with the dealmaking process, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe confidential matters, said that the so-called disparagement clause is only applicable when Musk is tweeting or commenting about the deal itself, and therefore negative comments about Twitter outside of that do not violate the terms. Twitter declined to comment for this article. Gadde and Musk did not respond to requests for comment. Musk views Twitter as the "de facto town square," a place where rules should be kept to a minimum. Twitter's employees, however have spent years developing sophisticated protocols to police its platform for hate speech and other rule-breaking content, including recently investing in tools to limit online harassment. Now the company is being acquired by the world's richest person, whose views are fundamentally at odds with those of much of the workforce. In a 2018 interview with "60 Minutes," Musk said, "Twitter is a war zone. If somebody's going jump in a war zone, it's like 'okay, you're in the arena, let's go.'" More recently, after launching his hostile takeover bid, Musk acknowledged that content moderation is not clear-cut. "Well, I think we would want to err on the, if in doubt, let the speech, let it exist. But if it's a gray area, I would say let the tweet exist," he said at a TED conference. "But obviously in a case where there's perhaps a lot of controversy, you're not necessarily going to promote that tweet. I'm not saying I have all the answers here." Social media experts say a simplistic view of "free speech," which essentially means few or no rules and restrictions, ignores that such a freewheeling environment could result in violent or harassing attacks that can actually shut down people from participating in the online conversation. "When that energy is bearing down on you, it's terrifying. It's terrifying for you and your friends and family," said Whitney Phillips, a professor of communications at Syracuse University. "The fact that it is so silencing and creates a chilling effect for others who are worried about speaking out. If you want to talk about dangers and challenges to free speech, that's central." Musk's response to the tweet about Gadde - his first criticizing the decision of a specific Twitter executive since buying the company - underscored how his followers can quickly be activated by a single tweet. Musk didn't specifically name or tag Gadde. But he responded to a tweet by political podcast host Saagar Enjeti in which she was named, drawing more than 400,000 likes, retweets and replies on Musk's post. "Vijaya Gadde, the top censorship advocate at Twitter who famously gaslit the world on Joe Rogan's podcast and censored the Hunter Biden laptop story, is very upset about the @elonmusk takeover," Enjeti tweeted, linking to a Politico story on the topic. During the 2020 presidential election, Twitter temporarily blocked a New York Post story on Democratic nominee Joe Biden's son Hunter that it said violated a policy against posting hacked materials. The company did not suspend the entire news organization but did prevent it from tweeting for a period of time. Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testified before Congress in 2020 that the company made a mistake and assumed the article violated its hacked materials policy, which it subsequently changed. On Tuesday, Musk tweeted, "Suspending the Twitter account of a major news organization for publishing a truthful story was obviously incredibly inappropriate." Twitter employees publicly defended Gadde from the attacks on Wednesday morning. "@vijaya, fist bump of empathy," tweeted Lea Kissner, the company's head of privacy engineering. Enjeti defended his tweet on Gadde because she is a "public figure" who appeared on Joe Rogan's popular podcast and denied that he's responsible for the way people are treating her online. Musk's response Tuesday to the tweet from Enjeti raises questions about how he will manage a workforce that is already suspicious of the billionaire and his intentions. Also troubling to some workers, Musk on Tuesday replied to another tweet that called attention to Twitter's deputy general counsel Jim Baker, who previously held a high-ranking position at the FBI. Online influencer Mike Cernovich tweeted at Musk about Baker's role in a case that has drawn fire from conservatives, saying, "@elonmusk, this is who is inside Twitter." Musk replied, "Sounds pretty bad." Baker declined to comment about the exchange. In a message, Cernovich said, "I'm surprised by the reaction to my tweet, which was a discussion of a news report." Musk launched a hostile takeover bid for Twitter two weeks ago. On Monday, the two parties announced they'd reached an agreement for an acquisition that is expected to close in three to six months, according to executives. Musk has used the platform to criticize Twitter's decisions in the past, particularly on topics related to free speech and the banning of accounts of individuals who violate Twitter rules. Gadde is the most senior executive responsible for those decisions. The vitriol hitting the Twitter employees is part of a years-long pattern of online harassment that has previously ensnared government officials, company whistleblowers, technologists, journalists and - at one point - a Thai cave rescue volunteer Musk called a "pedo guy," leading to a defamation suit. (Musk ultimately was not liable in the suit.) Last October, Musk took aim at Duke University professor Missy Cummings when she was appointed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as an adviser. Musk's tweet alleging she was "extremely biased" unleashed a swarm of personal attacks and misogynistic harassment. Cummings deactivated her Twitter account soon after. "I am increasingly concerned about my personal safety around people who clearly are not capable of rational and reasoned thinking," she wrote in a post on LinkedIn two months ago. Also last year, Musk tweeted a link to the Wikipedia page of National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy, a critic of Tesla's failure to adopt certain safety measures. But the repeated attempts to alter Homendy's page appeared to prompt Wikipedia to lock it. Others say they have been targeted for voicing skepticism about Musk. Earlier this year, Brianna Wu, the executive director of Rebellion Pac and a software engineer, critiqued Musk's plans to send Starlink devices to Ukraine, tweeting that the devices didn't work based on coverage she read in tech publications. (A Ukraine official told The Post in March that the Starlink antennas proved "very effective.") Wu, who was previously targeted with threats during a broad online-harassment campaign targeting female game developers known as GamerGate, said her Twitter account "turned into a sea of personal attacks." Rather than disagreeing with the posts, Wu said that Musk's online supporters focus on reputational attacks. "Elon Musk fans are honestly some of the worst harassers I've ever encountered on the Internet," Wu said in an interview. "So the argument isn't that you're wrong about this and this is why. It's that you're a fraud and a terrible person, and you have no right to exist." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscows forces retreated weeks ago. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded when a Russian missile hit a 25-story apartment building in Kyiv on Thursday evening and set off a fire, which partially destroyed the first and second floors. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum NATO chief says Finland, Sweden could join quite quickly Biden seeks new powers to use oligarchs assets for Ukraine A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers After a rocket: One second and you are left with nothing Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had very substantive and warm talks on energy and defense cooperation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Zelenskyy said they agreed that damaged Ukrainian military equipment could be repaired at Bulgarian plants and then sent back to Ukraine. Another issue we agreed on was the supply of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the joint use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline to diversify energy supplies in the region, Zelenskyy said late Thursday in his nightly video address to the nation. Russia this week cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and also to Poland, two NATO members which have been among the strongest European supporters of Ukraine in the war. Although Bulgaria gets over 90% of its gas from Russia, the cutoff does not immediately put the country in dire trouble because of other potential suppliers. The Trans-Balkan gas pipeline runs from Greece through Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine. __ ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine An 11-year-old Ukrainian boy was one of at least three people wounded in what emergency officials are calling the first Russian strike in a residential area of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia since Russias invasion began. The city has been a crucial waypoint for tens of thousands of people fleeing the besieged southern port of Mariupol. The rocket strike came Thursday as parts of southern Ukraine prepared for a further onslaught by Russian forces who seek to strip the country of its coastline. Residents said at least eight homes in the modest neighborhood were damaged or destroyed. Glass shards cut the boys right leg to the bone. The injured boys father, Vadym Vodostoyev, said it just takes one second and youre left with nothing. __ KYIV, Ukraine Russia struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shortly after a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday evening. At least one person was killed and several were injured, including some who were trapped beneath the rubble, according to rescue officials. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Shevchenkivskyi district in the northwestern part of the city was hit twice, causing fires in at least two high-rise buildings. The explosions, which sent plumes of black smoke into the air, came just shortly after the two leaders held a press conference in which Guterres condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia retreated. Authorities said the U.N. chief and his team were safe. Appearing to be one of boldest attacks on Kyiv since Russian forces retreated from around the capital weeks ago, the explosions came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing number of people have been out and enjoying the spring weather. __ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines prosecutor on Thursday identified 10 Russian soldiers she accused of atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, one of the wars major flashpoints that helped galvanize Western support of Ukraine. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said on Facebook that the 10 soldiers in Russias 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Ground Forces Brigade who occupied Bucha were involved in the torture of peaceful people. She did not specifically say that her office had filed criminal charges, and appealed to the public to help develop evidence. The Russian government denies it targets civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently honored the brigades work, and Venediktova said he bears responsibility for the soldiers actions as their commander-in-chief. During the occupation of Bucha, they took unarmed civilians hostage, killed them with hunger and thirst, kept them on their knees with hands tied and eyes taped, mocked and beat them, Venediktova said, adding that the Russian soldiers threatened to shoot the hostages and looted houses. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visiting Bucha on Thursday, called for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes. Ukrainian authorities have said they are investigating thousands of possible war crimes, including killing of civilians, bombing of civilian infrastructure, torture, sexual crimes and use of prohibited weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address to his nation, renewed a pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes. He added about the 10 suspects identified Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There, theyll receive retribution from our military. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Moscow and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. Instead of saying that the Ukrainians, equipped with some capability to resist Russian forces, are doing this, theyve got to tell their people that the United States and all of NATO is engaged, Biden said. He added that no one should be making idle comments about the use of nuclear weapons and called doing so irresponsible. ___ LONDON The British government says a U.K. national has been killed in Ukraine, and another is missing. The Foreign Office confirmed Thursday that it is supporting the family of a British national killed in Ukraine. It also said it was urgently seeking further information on another Briton who is missing. The government did not provide further details. Sky News reported that the Britons were believed to have been fighting with Ukrainians against the Russian invasion. Volunteers from Britain and many other countries have traveled to Ukraine to fight, despite being discouraged from doing so by their governments. ___ ISTANBUL Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says both U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin have told him that their talks in Moscow earlier this week were positive. Erdogan told reporters before leaving for a trip to Saudi Arabia, that he held separate telephone calls with Guterres and Putin. Mr. Guterres ... informed me that the talks (with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov) were positive. In our discussion with Mr. Putin yesterday, Putin expressed the same views. Erdogan added that the Russian president had conveyed the opinion that a U.N. intervention is positive for the future. He did not elaborate. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian troops defending a steel plant that is the last Ukrainian bulwark in the key port of Mariupol say an intensive Russian bombing has inflicted more casualties. The Azov Regiment holed up at the giant Azovstal steel plant on Thursday posted a video showing people combing through the rubble to remove the dead bodies and help the wounded after the Russian bombing overnight. The Azov said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people and wounding others there. The video couldnt be independently verified. The Russian troops have pummeled the mammoth seaside plant with relentless airstrikes and artillery barrage, trying to uproot its defenders holed up in a 24-kilometer (15-mile) maze of underground tunnels, passages and bunkers. Ukrainian officials say that up to 1,000 civilians also were sheltering in Azovstal. They are demanding that Russia provides a safe exit for them under the United Nations aegis. ___ WARSAW, Poland Polands border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings into Poland from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, while there have been 904,000 crossings into Ukraine. Border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska said Thursday that the number includes people who cross a number of times because, for example, they regularly do shopping in Poland and then go back. Polish authorities say some 1.6 million refugees have applied for and received special ID numbers that will allow them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. ___ VIENNA The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says radiation levels in excavations found in the exclusion zone around the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant were well below the maximum authorized levels for plant workers. Ukraines state power company said after Russian troops withdrew at the end of March that they received significant doses of radiation from digging trenches in the area. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said Thursday that, during a visit this week, experts from his agency took measurements from excavations probably made by occupying soldiers. He said that the levels were three times or more lower than the authorized levels for workers in areas exposed to radiation. As for whether anyone was actually exposed to those radiation levels, he said: We have asked about possible exposures or situations; we havent received any answer. Although that suggested the health risk wasnt as great as feared, Grossi stressed that its not a place to have a picnic or excavate. ___ BRUSSELS Senior European Union officials say countries or companies bowing fully to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting that they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the blocs sanctions. The Kremlin says importers should establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. They would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. 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 officials warn that Russias central bank could hold on to the money before converting it and in essence use the funds as a temporary loan for the national economy or to prop up the ruble. The EUs sanctions prohibit any transaction with the Russian Central Bank. One official said Thursday that if the member states and the European companies apply strictly the decree it will constitute a breach of the sanctions. His job description does not allow him to be named publicly. The violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has said that companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars, as per their contract, and then notifying Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. Ultimately, its up to the 27 EU countries to judge whether the rules are being broken. Some of those countries are heavily reliant on Russia for gas. By Lorne Cook. ___ TOKYO German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending his countrys ongoing purchase of gas and other fossil fuels from Russia. Speaking during a visit to Japan on Thursday, Scholz said that it is a challenge that many European countries, including Germany, are dependent on imports of fossil resources from Russia. Scholz said his government aims to end imports of Russian coal and oil this year. He said that the same will happen for gas, but that is a process that will require more time. Asked whether he was concerned Russia might stop shipping gas to Germany, like it did this week for Poland and Bulgaria, Scholz acknowledged that any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation. He said this was also the reason why there no sanctions have so far been imposed on energy supplies from Russia, adding this had been decided in close cooperation with our partners who themselves are energy exporters and therefore in a different starting position, such as the United States. Scholz said: Whether and what decisions the Russian government takes in this regard one can only speculate, but it makes little sense to do so. ___ ANKARA, Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders also discussed a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that took place in Turkey on Wednesday. Erdogans office said he told Putin on Thursday that Turkeys mediation in the exchange was an indication of the importance Ankara attaches to peace, dialogue and cooperation. He reiterated Turkeys readiness to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and its wish to establish peace in the region by increasing the momentum generated in face-to-face talks that were held between the two countries delegations in Istanbul late last month. It was the second telephone call between the two presidents this week. On Tuesday, Erdogan urged Putin to agree to direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is asking Congress or new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of a new funding request to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russias invasion. In remarks at the White House on Thursday morning, Biden will formally ask for billions of dollars in additional U.S. spending earmarked for supplying Ukraines military, bolstering its economy and supporting the millions of refugees who fled Russias invasion two months ago. The White House said he will also seek new authorities from Congress to strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian government and those who profit from it, the White House said. Biden is asking lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. ___ MOSCOW Russia says that Turkey gave it advance notice before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory. She added that the reasons for that were clear to us and the Russian side isnt using that route. Zakharova made the comment when asked about Turkeys weekend announcement that it had halted Russian flights to Turkey over its territory from the start of this month. It wasnt clear whether the move was related to Russias military operation in Ukraine. Turkey has close relations with both countries and has positioned itself as a mediator. Russia and Turkey have backed opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. ___ SOFIA, Bulgaria Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said during a visit to the Ukrainian town of Borodyanka that he hopes Bulgarian lawmakers will agree next week to send military assistance to Ukraine. Petkov was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv later Thursday. He said after viewing damage caused to Borodyanka during the initial Russian advance that we cannot be indifferent. We cannot say that this is a Ukrainian problem, we cannot say some people are dying but we are not interested in that. He criticized the argument of some politicians in Bulgaria that denying military aid to Ukraine would bring about a faster peace. Petkov said: If this is the price of peace, if the Russian state continues to fire and no one can defend himself is this the peace we want? ___ KYIV, Ukraine Mariupol authorities are sounding the alarm about unsanitary conditions in the ravaged port city that they say pose a deadly danger to its remaining residents. Mariupol City Council said on the messaging app Telegram Thursday that deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewerage, the decomposition of thousands of corpses under the rubble, a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. It said that the lives of 100,000 people who still remain in Mariupol, out of 450,000 pre-war residents, may be in danger pointing to diseases like cholera and dysentery. The Telegram post cited Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko as saying that the invaders are not able to provide the remaining population with food, water and medicines or are simply not interested in that. He said that living conditions in the ruined Mariupol are now medieval and that an immediate and complete evacuation is needed. ___ WASHINGTON A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61% of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7% saying its not a problem. Older adults were more likely to identify the wartime misinformation as an issue, with 44% of those under 30 calling it a problem, compared with 65% of those 30 or older. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. In recent weeks, Russian state media and social media accounts have operated in lockstep to push tweets, TV reports and posts that claim photos of bombed buildings and bodies across Ukraine have been staged or faked. ALBANY The Albany school district is recommending that everyone wear masks indoors at school, due to a COVID-19 surge. Due to the significant rise in new COVID-19 cases among City School District of Albany employees and students over the past week, the district is strongly encouraging everyone to wear masks inside all buildings, the district wrote in a letter posted online and sent to parents Thursday afternoon. In the last seven days, the district said 72 students and staff tested positive for the virus. Thats more infections in a week than in most months, the district said, as well as a sharp increase over recent weeks. In the first 20 days of April, there were 47 cases. For all of March, there were 48 cases, the district said. However, district officials noted January had much higher cases. The cases have been evenly split between students and staff. Most of them developed symptoms before returning to school and have not been in school buildings since before spring break, spokesman Ron Lesko said. He took one piece of good news from it: It tells us people are still testing and reporting, he said. The district is not making masks mandatory because the state has said theyre optional for all schools in New York state, Lesko said. He noted the county has not required masks, either. On Monday, the Albany County Health Department issued a public advisory recommending everyone wear masks indoors because of a surge in cases locally. Other area school district officials expressed surprise at Albanys recommendation and said they have no plans of following suit. Schenectady isnt seeing a similar surge in COVID-19 cases in city schools, said spokeswoman Karen Corona. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. This week so far, there have been 37 cases, compared with 33 cases for the first week of April and 22 for the second week. The district normally announces its cases on Fridays. This week will be higher than the first two weeks of April, but not what the district would call a surge. Its not too much higher, she said, adding that the district isnt going to require masks. Were not making any change, she said. At least half of the students have been wearing masks all along as a personal decision. We continue to encourage them to do what is comfortable for them. Correction: The Albany city school district's COVID-19 case count was higher this week than it has been in 16 of the 25 months of the pandemic. January was higher. An earlier version of this story misstated the timeframe. SCHENECTADY An Amsterdam man who ran an unlicensed car repair shop in Schenectady that made money distributing fake Texas paper tags has pleaded guilty to felony scheme to defraud, according to the Schenectady County District Attorneys Office. The admission Tuesday by Earl Armstrong before County Judge Matthew Sypniewski calls for Armstrong to plead guilty to grand larceny, a felony. On both offenses, he will receive a penalty of 1 to 3 years, which will run concurrently. The defendant, who will be sentenced as a two-time felony offender, will also have to pay an unknown amount of restitution. Sentencing is slated for July 19. He had faced a 15-count indictment. The probe into the illicit activity was launched nearly two years ago when DA investigators spotted Armstrong driving a blue Ford F-150 truck with a temporary Texas paper license plate - which have been showing up in large numbers in the region lately - during a surveillance operation in Schenectady. Investigators soon discovered that Armstrongs drivers license was revoked and the truck he was driving had been reported stolen in Maryland. The vehicle was later seized and returned to the car dealership there. The investigators also learned that in Texas, car dealerships have access to an electronic license plate system, known as the e-TAG system, with few safeguards in place, that allows for the creation of temporary license plates for use in very limited situations. Additionally, they found out that the e-TAG system was not tied into the national electronic database of criminal justice information often used by federal, state, and local law enforcement, including the state Department of Motor Vehicles, which would have identified the vehicle as stolen. The prevalence of Texas paper tags led to a multi-agency regional sting that resulted in the confiscation of numerous stolen vehicles, firearms and narcotics, as well as the discovery of drivers operating vehicles with revoked or suspended driving privileges. Law enforcement officials learned Armstrong, 41, was selling the Texas license plates for hundreds of dollars out of his unlicensed vehicle repair shop in the area of State and Hulett streets in Hamilton Hill. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. They raided the illegal business and seized numerous bogus Texas license plates and laminating materials that the defendant used to affix the fake plates to customer vehicles. District Attorney Robert Carney in a statement credited the prosecution to the curiosity of one of his investigators, James McCrum. It turns out that Mr. Armstrong played a small local part in a scheme in which federal authorities have taken down a ring of individuals in Texas and New York responsible for issuing nearly 600,000 fraudulent temporary plates, said Carney. These phony plates could be used, as this one was, to conceal a stolen car, or to be placed on vehicles used to commit other crimes and avoid detection. The case was investigated by the DA Offices financial crimes unit and is being prosecuted by ADA William Lemon. SCHENECTADY The criminal case against a fired county jail guard, charged in 2020 with beating a jail detainee after the man criticized him, appears headed to a court showdown that will likely determine if the defendant wins back his job, according to attorneys involved with the matter. Eugene Sellie, who days after the violent encounter with John Mannarino was fired by the sheriff, will be tried together with Timothy Bruce, a sergeant and his supervisor at the time. Bruce, who also was fired for his alleged role in the incident, faces two counts of misdemeanor official misconduct offenses for allegedly not interceding and then ignoring the victims injuries. Both defendants, who remain free on bail, have maintained their innocence and have filed workplace grievances to get their jobs back. Schenectady County Court Judge Matthew Sypniewski rejected a defense motion by Bruce, 35, to be tried separately, according to filings in court. We still believe that the case should be severed because with misdemeanors youre dealing with generally six-person jurors, and with felonies theyre 12 (jurors), said Bruce's attorney Joe Litz. The 29-year-old Sellie, who is charged with two counts each of felony assault and official misconduct, a misdemeanor, is being represented by Andrew Safranko, who has argued that his client acted in self-defense. The trial, delayed by the pandemic, will likely get underway later this year or early next year because of other high-profile trials ahead of it on the court calendar in Schenectady County, according to attorneys. In September, Mannarino filed a federal lawsuit against Schenectady County and the sheriffs office, which, along with a preceding legal claim, offers some insight into the confrontation the night of Nov. 9, 2020, that left Mannarino with several broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a collapsed lung and other injuries. The alleged attack took place after Mannarino, 34, was released from Niskayuna Town Court on charges stemming from a domestic dispute that led to him being charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and criminal mischief, both misdemeanors. His lawsuit claims he was seized by employees of the county sheriff's department and transported in handcuffs and ankle shackles to the jail where he waited for hours to be processed when he should have been a free man. While at the facility, Mannarino asked Sellie to call the court in Niskayuna to confirm that the judge had let him go. Sellie refused and instead allegedly took him to an unsupervised room at the jail where he tried to goad him into fighting before repeatedly hitting Mannarino in the head, face, torso, rib cage, back, lower spine and shoulders. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. Mannarino, the court papers said, yelled out for help, but Bruce, who was nearby, chose not to intervene. It's unclear if Bruce witnessed the alleged beating. After the attack, Sellie walked Mannarino, who was visibly injured and experiencing shortness of breath from a collapsed lung out of the jail without calling for or rendering any medical treatment. A passing motorist spotted Mannarino in distress and called for help. He was taken to Ellis Hospital where a tube was placed in his airway to assist with breathing and he had surgery that included inserting 12 screws in his shoulder and multiple plates. Court papers show Mannarino was charged in Niskayuna Town Court with obstruction of breathing and criminal mischief after police said he choked a woman at an apartment and damaged a bedroom door on Nov. 6. He pleaded guilty to harassment, a violation, and was ordered to take an anger management course, according to a court clerk. County Attorney Chris Gardner has previously conceded that the county and the sheriffs department will have some liability but we disagree with the amount being sought by the plaintiff. Though the suit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, the notice of claim sought damages of $2.5 million. An outside law firm is handling the case for the county. BANGKOK (AP) A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted former leader Aung San Suu Kyi of corruption and sentenced her to five years in prison Wednesday in the first of several corruption cases against her. Suu Kyi, 76, who was ousted by an army takeover last year, has denied the allegation that she accepted gold and hundreds of thousands of dollars in a bribe from a top political colleague. Her supporters and independent legal experts consider Suu Kyi's prosecution an unjust attempt to discredit her and legitimize the militarys seizure of power while preventing her from returning to an active role in politics. The daughter of Aung San, Myanmar's founding father, Suu Kyi became a public figure in 1988 during a failed uprising against a previous military government when she helped found the National League for Democracy party. She spent 15 of the next 21 years under house arrest for leading a nonviolent struggle for democracy that earned her the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize. When the army allowed an election in 2015, her party won a landslide victory and she became the de facto head of state. Her party won a greater majority in the 2020 polls. Suu Kyi is widely revered at home for her role in the countrys pro-democracy movement and was long viewed abroad as an icon of that struggle, epitomized by her years under house arrest. But she also has been heavily criticized for showing deference to the military while ignoring and, at times, even defending rights violations most notably a 2017 crackdown on Rohingya Muslims that rights groups have labeled genocide. While she has disputed allegations that army personnel killed Rohingya civilians, torched houses and raped women and she remains immensely popular at home, that stance has tarnished her reputation abroad. She has already been sentenced to six years' imprisonment in other cases and faces 10 more corruption charges. The maximum punishment under the Anti-Corruption Act is 15 years in prison and a fine for each charge. Convictions in the other cases could bring sentences of more than 100 years in prison in total. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his appeal Tuesday for Myanmars military to release all political prisoners including Suu Kyi and his condemnation of the military takeover of the country on Feb. 1, 2021, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said. The U.N. chief also repeated his call for an immediate end to violence and repression in Myanmar and for respect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines the principles of equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, and all the guarantees necessary for a persons defense," Haq said. These are trumped-up charges, politically motivated, to keep her inside prison for such a long time and also are designed to keep her away from the political limelight," said Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, a Geneva-based activist with the pro-democracy group Burma Campaign UK. And Im sure the military is also thinking, by sentencing her, they are grabbing the hope away from people but, in reality, its doing completely the opposite because people havent lost hope. They are still standing up against the military. Suu Kyis trial in the capital, Naypyitaw, was closed to the media, diplomats and spectators, and her lawyers were barred from speaking to the media. The evening newscast on state television confirmed the sentence. Following the victory of Suu Kyis party in the 2020 general election, lawmakers were not allowed to take their seats when the army seized power on Feb. 1, 2021, arresting Suu Kyi and many senior colleagues in her party and government. The army said it acted because there had been massive electoral fraud, but independent election observers didnt find any major irregularities. The takeover was met with large nonviolent protests nationwide which security forces quashed with lethal force, killing almost 1,800 civilians, according to a watchdog group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. As repression escalated, armed resistance against the military government grew, and some U.N. experts now characterize the country as being in a state of civil war. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. Suu Kyi has not been seen or allowed to speak in public since she was detained and is being held in an undisclosed location. However, at last weeks final hearing in the case, she appeared to be in good health and asked her supporters to stay united, said a legal official familiar with the proceedings who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to release information. In earlier cases, Suu Kyi was sentenced to six years imprisonment on charges of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions and sedition. In the case decided Wednesday, she was accused of receiving $600,000 and seven gold bars in 2017-18 from Phyo Min Thein, the former chief minister of Yangon, the countrys biggest city, and a senior member of her political party. Her lawyers, before they were served with gag orders late last year, said she rejected all his testimony against her as absurd. The nine other cases currently being tried under the Anti-Corruption Act include several related to the purchase and rental of a helicopter by one of her former Cabinet ministers. Suu Kyi is also charged with diverting money meant as charitable donations to build a residence, and with misusing her position to obtain rental properties at lower-than-market prices for a foundation named after her mother. The state Anti-Corruption Commission has declared that several of her alleged actions deprived the state of revenue it would otherwise have earned. Another corruption charge alleging that she accepted a bribe has not yet gone to trial. Suu Kyi is also being tried on a charge of violating the Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, and on a charge alleging election fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of three years. The days of Aung San Suu Kyi as a free woman are effectively over. Myanmars junta and the countrys kangaroo courts are walking in lockstep to put Aung San Suu Kyi away for what could ultimately be the equivalent of a life sentence, given her advanced age," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch. Destroying popular democracy in Myanmar also means getting rid of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the junta is leaving nothing to chance. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Saratoga County now has the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the Capital Region, but has not yet been flagged by the Centers for Disease Control's county-level warning system. Driven largely by two new variants of omicron, COVID-19 figures continue to climb across the Capital Region. Over a span of a week, levels have spiked in Saratoga County surpassing all other counties in the region. On Tuesday, Saratoga had a 7-day average of 46.8 cases per population of 100,000, according to the state Department of Health's coronavirus dashboard. The 7-day average infection rate for the eight-county region was 40 cases per population of 100,000 on Tuesday a figure already significantly higher than the statewide 7-day average of 32.50 per population of 100,000. Albany and Rensselaer counties continue to be designated by the CDC as having a high level of COVID-19 transmission despite as of Tuesday having lower levels of infection than Saratoga and Schenectady counties, which are rated at the medium level by the CDC. Schenectady also saw COVID-19 numbers jump this week, with a 7-day average of 42 cases per population of 100,000 on Tuesday. It's unclear why the CDC's COVID-19 warning system hasn't flagged spiking COVID-19 levels in Saratoga and Schenectady, but it may be due to the algorithm the federal agency uses to determine whether a county's infection level is low, medium or high. The CDC's designation weighs infection rates as well as hospitalization rates and hospital bed capacity. Having the region's largest hospital systems based in Albany County may impact the CDC's determination. The latest outbreak, which began in central New York a month ago and has been exploding across the state, has not resulted in sweeping changes to public policy or institutions' COVID-19 safety protocols. Public health agencies and hospitals say they are closely watching the numbers and abiding by state and federal guidelines. There were some gentle recommendations from county health departments for people who are elderly or immunocompromised to use precautions. On Tuesday, the Albany County Department of Health "strongly recommended" that all residents wear masks while in public indoor spaces. St. Peter's Hospital in Albany this week announced that it was returning to a more-restrictive visitor policy, allowing patients only one visitor per day during visiting hours. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. At Saratoga Hospital's urgent care in Wilton, workers on Tuesday were seen reassembling a drive-thru COVID-19 testing tent that had been in use earlier in the pandemic. Albany Medical Center officials said its experts make decisions on COVID-19 safety based on test positivity rates. On Tuesday, Albany had an average positivity rate of about 12.5 percent, which is higher than the statewide average of 7.1 percent. "When we get over 5 percent, our epidemiology team will make recommendations about whether or not we need to make any changes," Albany Medical Center's Dennis McKenna said in a weekly update on the hospital system's YouTube channel. While no changes to the hospital's COVID-19 protocols have been announced, future adjustments could be made to masking, pre-admission or pre-procedure testing and the hospital visitor policy, officials said. Meanwhile, New York's wastewater surveillance program, which analyzes stool samples in 38 counties and can be used as a means of early COVID-19 detection, has nearly every county that reports data categorized as having a "high probability" of COVID-19 transmission. ALBANY An investigation by the state inspector generals office found that two state agencies failed to protect an employee from domestic violence before she was killed by her husband. The inspector general's office released a report Thursday morning detailing an investigation into the state Office of General Services (OGS) and the office of Information Technology Services (ITS), which employed a woman who police said was strangled by her husband before he killed himself in September 2020. What our investigation revealed at its core is ITS did not follow their own domestic violence policy in handling this, Inspector General Lucy Lang said. The report does not name the couple. However, they are known to be Sarbjit Kaur Saran and Bhupinder S. Saran, who had lived in the town of Bethlehem. According to the investigation, Bhupinder Saran was an employee of OGS in August 2019 when he filed a complaint against his wife, an ITS employee, claiming that she was using her state-issued cellphone for personal reasons. An OGS human resources specialist conducted a disciplinary investigation into the allegation the following month, and was supervised by an ITS labor relations employee, ITS legal employee and an ITS human resources employee. When the disciplinary investigation began a month later, resulting in the confiscation of Sarbjit Sarans work phone, she told those involved with the investigation that she was in an abusive relationship and was using her work phone to document that abuse, including taking photos of her injuries and recording arguments with her husband. She couldnt use her personal phone to document the abuse because her husband had access to it, she told them. However, instead of following state policy that offers support services for employees experiencing domestic violence, ITS and OGS continued their disciplinary investigation of Sarbjit. After confiscating her work phone, the investigators had confirmed there was evidence of abuse that she had documented on the device. The investigation ended with Sarbjits discipline in January 2020, which consisted of a single formal counseling session on use of state-issued resources. It was her first disciplinary experience in her 33-year career with ITS. Okay, whatever you have to do, Sarbjit wrote in an email to her supervisor in response to her disciplinary action. I understand your situation, but can anyone make (labor relations) think logically? It is so sad that they beat the horn about agencies protecting domestic violence victims, but when it comes to practice, they are not even willing to consider anything." According to the report, throughout the disciplinary investigation, Sarbjit had asked for access to the documented abuse on her work phone in order to obtain an order of protection against her husband. The photographs, videos and other documentation were needed to demonstrate the nature of the alleged abuse as she filed for the order. Emails showed that employees involved with Sarbjits investigation asked her what documents she specifically needed, then informed her that her attorney needed to request the documents. Sarbjit never responded to that email. Bethlehem police confirmed she later obtained an order of protection from Family Court. There were numerous steps OGS and ITS were supposed to take pursuant to their state-mandated domestic violence policies, including reporting Sarbjits allegations of abuse in their chain of command and offering her resources as an alleged victim of domestic violence. The inspector generals report also found there was a staff member who was listed as a liaison to the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, but that person had never been connected to Sarbjit about her allegations. I think that the tragedy speaks to how important it is that there be protocols in place, and that they be enforced to try to support one another and catch things wherever possible, Lang said. We have so far to go in terms of identifying (domestic violence), recognizing the unique needs of experiencing it and preventing it, she continued. We can all play a part in doing that, but only if organizations and employers commit to educating themselves and their communities about the signs and the sensitivities, and to providing resources to help families who are suffering or struggling. As a result of the investigation, the inspector general's office recommended ITS take steps to improve their domestic violence response, including informing and training their staff on the domestic violence policies on an annual basis and assigning at least one liaison to their staff from the state's domestic violence agency. The inspector generals office plans an audit to examine state executive agencies' handling of domestic violence situations and whether they are complying with policy mandates. This compliance audit is going to be forward-looking to make sure that the appropriate policies and protocols and personnel are in place going forward, and to get agencies in compliance if they arent already, Lang said. In response to the report, OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy and Jennifer Lorenz, a chief information officer at the agency, both said in emailed statements that they take the issue of domestic violence seriously and are working to ensure employees particularly supervisors understand it and are trained in the states domestic violence policy. They said they are making employees aware of the domestic violence liaison on staff. Representatives from OGS and ITS will meet once the inspector general has released her final report to discuss the reports findings, Moy said in her statement. ITS would not comment on whether the employees investigated by the inspector general were disciplined as a result of their actions. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. "But it is important to note that in the three years since this took place ITS has put in place a whole new senior leadership team," an ITS spokesperson wrote in an email. Hours after Lang held a press conference in Albany Thursday morning to release her final report, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order requiring state agencies to have a workplace policy on gender-based violence, including mandatory annual training for supervisors, domestic violence agency liaisons and HR staff. "My administration has received the Inspector General's report, and my heart is with the family that is still living with this tragedy," Hochul said in a press release. "By setting these requirements, we are supporting the needs of individuals and families throughout the state in a survivor-centered, trauma-informed and culturally responsive way." The inspector general's investigation did not delve into the murder-suicide that took place a year after Sarbjit told ITS she was a victim of domestic violence. According to Bethlehem police, the couple, both 58, were found dead in their home on Sept. 30, 2020. Police said Bhupinder had strangled his wife and then killed himself through a self-inflicted cardiac arrest. Police also said the couple had a history of domestic violence calls, and that officers had been to the home seven times between 2005 and 2019 for domestic-related incidents. Three of those incidents took place in 2019, the year Bhupinder had reported his wife's use of her work phone for personal matters. There was a current "refrain-from order of protection" against Bhupinder issued by Albany County Family Court. That order prevented him from having any illegal contact with his wife; however, it did allow for them to have contact with each other, including living together, police said. There had been no calls to Bethlehem police involving the couple in the year preceding their deaths. In an obituary published after her death, Sarbjit was remembered as an accomplished, loving and passionate person. "Sarbjit's life was defined by her faith in God, caring for and serving others, unparalleled work ethic and unwavering love and devotion to her children," the obituary read. She was described in the obituary and its comments as a "bright ray of sunshine" who had an uplifting presence. She was an active member of her Sikh temple and prioritized serving those in need, making numerous mission trips to underserved parts of India. "In true Sarbjit fashion, these trips excluded your typical leisure activities as her nature was always to give, not to receive," the obituary read. She immigrated to the U.S. from India in 1984 and was a graduate of The College of Saint Rose. She rose through the ranks in the information technology department of the state Office of General Services, eventually becoming assistant director. "Faith, optimism, peace and happiness are the best words to describe Sarbjit," the obituary said. "Sarbjit was a great gift to many. Bethlehem High School has been named the top high school in the Capital Region by U.S. News & World Report, and one of the top 100 high schools statewide. The annual report ranks high schools throughout the country. Bethlehem was ranked No. 84 in the state and No. 795 nationally. Every day we see our high school students doing exceptional things and finding success in so many areas, said Bethlehem district Superintendent Jody Monroe in a statement. This is not only testament to their hard work and perseverance but to BC faculty, staff, and an entire school community that is dedicated to seeing each student meet their potential and achieve their goals. The ranking system rates high schools on six factors: student performance on math, reading and science state tests; graduation rates; and how many students tried and passed Advanced Placement exams. Joining Bethlehem in the top 100 for New York was Clayton A. Bouton High School in Voorheesville, which came in at No. 99. The school was also ranked at No. 999 nationally. In the Capital Region, the top 10 high schools were, in order: Bethlehem, Clayton (Voorheesville), Maple Hill (Schodack), Niskayuna, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Shaker (North Colonie), Saratoga Springs, Columbia (East Greenbush), Shenendehowa and Guilderland. All the schools on the top 10 list serve student populations that are mostly white; the most racially diverse is Niskayuna, where minority enrollment was 30 percent. The schools on the list also serve student bodies that are primarily not poor, with no school on the list reporting more than 26 percent of the students being economically disadvantaged. Half of the top 10 schools reported 20 to 26 percent of their student body being economically disadvantaged. 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 regions three big-city high schools had widely different results on the rating system. Troy was rated at No. 26 in the Capital Region and 624th in the state. The city districts enrollment for students of color was 54 percent and 61 percent of the students were reported as economically disadvantaged. Albany was rated No. 30 in the Capital Region and 764th in the state. The city districts enrollment for students of color was 80 percent and 66 percent of students were reported as economically disadvantaged. The report gave Schenectady only a general ranking. The city district ranked in the group of No. 38 to No. 46 in Capital Region high schools and in the group of 989th to 1,212nd in the state. The districts enrollment of students of color was 78 percent and 66 percent of the students were reported as economically disadvantaged. A terminally ill New Yorker has several options for avoiding end-of-life suffering. She can refuse further treatment, she can voluntarily stop eating and drinking, and she can receive comfort care through hospice. For many dying patients, these options are sufficient. However, they do not work for everyone. New York law denies dying patients another option, one that is available to residents of Washington, D.C., and 10 other states, including our neighbors Vermont and New Jersey. That option is medical aid in dying, an established, compassionate medical practice. It allows a doctor to write a prescription for medication that the patient can self-administer to achieve a peaceful death at the time of her choosing. This practice has been legal in other states for more than 20 years with no documented abuses. As many as a third of patients never take the medication. Fifty million euro in funding for the improvement of waste water services in rural villages has been announced. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, today (Thursday April 28) confirmed news of the funding, which will help meet the waste water collection and treatment needs of areas without access to public waste water services. The minister's announcement follows the completion of a review of villages and settlements which do not have this access. Minister O'Brien said, "The improved waste water services will enable local authorities to work in partnership with the community to enable villages and settlements to be better places to live, work and visit, to support overall government objectives under Housing for All and give practical effect to our vision for a vibrant rural Ireland under Our Rural Future. "I am delighted to be in a position to allocate funding to allow this important work to be progressed in rural areas, providing a boost to local economies and allowing for sustainable development through compact growth, including housing that is proportionate to the village." Delighted to announce a 50M waste water scheme for villages and settlements without access to public waste water services. The scheme will now open to Local Authorities & will be until September 15th. There will also be an information workshop for Local Authorities. pic.twitter.com/WDRfEXhATu Darragh O'Brien (@DarraghOBrienTD) April 28, 2022 Local Authorities (LAs) will now be able to apply for the scheme - funded under the National Development Plan - until September 15 this year. LAs will have the opportunity to develop early applications for funding, with at least ten demonstration projects expected to be supported under the first round of funding. It's hoped it will provide opportunities to support the provision of housing in smaller villages, while also reducing the risk to public health and preventing water pollution. The new measure will provide 85% exchequer funding through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with the remainder coming from the relevant local authority. Employees of Camida are often asked 'What do you do?' That's a question that cannot be answered in a few simple words. But let's not write an essay. Let's give you a snapshot. About Camida Ltd - Suppliers of Specialty Raw Materials to the Life Science and other Industries We strive to serve our Customers (and Suppliers) by adding value - We are not 'Sales' people. We don't aim for commercial success; we aim for excellence - Success follows. There are 50 of us. HQ is in Clonmel with a sub-office in Manchester. We have about 350 Customers in 35 Countries and about 350 Suppliers in 35 Countries. We love where we live (we will never leave Clonmel Town Centre) and we love sharing our success with the Community. We try to prioritise Community Support especially when it's local and for those in need. The constant striving for excellence means we have to take our work seriously, but we always want it to be enjoyable and rewarding too. Pharmaceuticals is Ireland's largest industry, Ireland exports over EUR100 billion/year. We're very glad to be here and we're very glad it continues to work out well! Tel: +353 52 6125455 info@camida.com www.camida.com *SPONSORED CONTENT Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. We can only warn that just about any digital trend is OVER once stodgy Kansas City companies plan to get in on the action. Check the local connection . . . "The Arena is the first NFT collection created through an esports team and design firm partnership. The collection is designed by Populous and follows a character along the path to a Pioneers-influenced virtual esports arena. This journey provides fans access into a theoretical futuristic road to the venue, the arena competition seating bowl and a behind-the-scenes Pioneers elite team training area." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . This award might not have any more intrinsic value than a gold sticker from a beleaguered teacher struggling with depression. However . . . Today the newspaper put the note on blast which compliments their journalism (lulz) that actually reads more like a diary of a struggling tabloid . . . The Kansas City Star has won the award for best political coverage in the prestigious National Headliner Awards. Said the judges: When a reporter solidly goes deep on a politician, you just do not expect the lede to recount something the politician did as a 15-year-old or the presentation to include a photo of him with fellow students in middle school. But reporters at the Kansas City Star did just that in their fascinating backgrounding on Sen. Josh Hawley, writing that the junior senator from Missouri is the face of the failed effort to overturn the 2020 election. A great read with fantastic depth. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . The KCPS has disappointed everyone with their response to a horrific murder in one of their buildings. What's worse is that they're blaming the pandemic for a problem that has worsened over the past 25 years i.e. EVERYBODY knows KCPS is the school of hard knocks wherein most students suffer tough lessons about horrific violence, crime with very little consequences confronting perpetrators. Moreover . . . The virtual learning debacle was crafted, in part, by KCPS officials . . . So the blame shift isn't logical and doesn't make sense like most public school policies. Here's a low-light . . . With educators having to teach virtually during most of the pandemic, administrators believe that's now put a lot of kids on edge. "Our students were socially isolated for almost two years and so them being able to reconnect and learn how to really just be in the same space with others and being able to engage [is important]," Dr. Lateisha Woodley, assistant superintendent of student support for KCPS said. "So we've seen a heightened level of conflict within our buildings." Conflict is also plaguing the streets as KCMO has experienced yet another year with a high amount of homicides. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KCPS unveils safety enhancements following deadly stabbing KANSAS CITY, Mo - Board members with Kansas City Public Schools met for the first time on Wednesday since a deadly stabbing at Northeast Middle School. With a criminal and internal investigation still underway, there weren't any specifics about the incident. However, board members did discuss what steps the district is taking to prevent another tragedy. KCPS holds first Board of Education since fatal stabbing of teen The Kansas City, Missouri School Public Schools held its first school board meeting since a teen was killed at Northeast Middle School. Fourteen-year-old Manuel Guzman was stabbed to death two weeks ago.Since then, school security has been a concern among parents. Developing . . . This bit of local reporting deserves attention if only because, more than anybody else, it was the daily newspaper that worked to hold Russians stateside responsible for the actions of Vladimir Putin and the Russian military. Our TKC blog community called them out on their tragic efforts to play ethnic politics and demand contrition in order to prop up Prez Biden's failing presidency. Now, check legit concern about Russians living in KC with a bit of good news that most locals are decent people and understand their dilemma . . . "Its part of a documented trend nationwide. Since Russia launched their invasion of Ukraine on February 24, many Americans have taken public stands against Russia. Stores have removed Russian vodka from their shelves, diners have stopped patronizing Russian restaurants, and venues have canceled concerts by Russian performers. The shift has some Russians in the Kansas City area living on edge." An important and reassuring line regarding a recent local dust-up . . . The Harriman-Jewell Series released a statement: We respect Daniil Trifonov as an artist and have no intention of canceling his performance on the basis he was born in Russia. We do not discriminate against any artist based on sex, religion, or national origin. Of course . . . KCUR omits The Star's role in targeting a Russian-board artists. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . The UG struggles to get back on its feet and even local media is hearing about the slow pace of recovery. Here's a peek at the silence after a security breach . . . County spokespeople refused to address the ransomware topic directly, saying only the effort to repair the trouble continues. Concerns surrounding the attack came to light on the weekend of April 17. Last Tuesday, KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner said hed become aware of the trouble on Easter weekend. Garner and Brett Deichler, the countys clerk, said they were confident county information technology staffers had this under control, and there was no need to panic. The latest update from county leaders came on Tuesday afternoon. The list of areas affected by this digital concern has grown slightly from last week. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Wyandotte County leaders won't confirm if data breach was ransomware attack KANSAS CITY, Kan. - A mid-April attack on Wyandotte County's computer systems continues to cripple key services in the county - including the court system. FOX4 News has learned the breach may be a ransomware attack - similar to others where the victims ultimately pay the attackers to free up their locked down systems. Victims are often faced with either paying high sums of money or losing access to their records and computers. Unified Government forced to postpone tax sale due to cyber attack KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Unified Government of Wyandotte County, and Kansas City, Kansas, is starting to see possible financial ramifications associated with a cyberattack earlier this month. , the Unified Government reported its data centers were the target of the attack over Easter weekend. Developing . . . Whether you live in Niagara or North Bay, we've got you covered. The next global mental-health crisis is about climate change COVID created a second, mental-health pandemic. The one sparked by climate change will be worse. And already young people are the ones hit hardest Given a series of Russian provocations in the self-declared breakaway republic of Transnistria, the defense forces of the Odesa region have strengthened the protection of the state border with Moldova. Serhii Bratchuk, spokesman for the Odesa regional military administration, said this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. "The defense forces continue to perform combat tasks on the protection and defense of Odesa and the region. In particular, we have strengthened the protection of the state border with the so-called Transnistria, where Russian provocations continue in order to create certain centers of tension for the Odesa region," Bratchuk said. According to him, no shelling was recorded in the region last night. On April 27, an air defense unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down a Russian Orlan-10 drone over Odesa, which was collecting intelligence on military facilities and infrastructure. In the Black Sea, Russia is regrouping ships and continues to block civilian shipping. As of April 27, 2022, a total of 5,372,854 refugees had fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion started. The relevant data were provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Most Ukrainian refugees went to Poland (over 2.9 million people). Over 801 thousand people went to Romania, 647 thousand to Russia, 507 thousand to Hungary, 439 thousand to Moldova, 363 thousand to Slovakia and 24 thousand to Belarus. According to the recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a total of 7.7 million Ukrainian citizens were forcibly displaced within Ukraine, i.e. they stayed within the country but had to leave their houses. A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching missile and air strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians. Photo: CTK Photo mk Russian troops have shelled the urban-type settlement of Pokotylivka, Kharkiv District. Reportedly, three civilians have been injured, and some people are remaining trapped under the rubble. The relevant statement was made by Advisor to the Head of Kharkiv Regional Council, volunteer Nataliia Popova on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to the preliminary data, three civilians have been injured in Russias shelling of Pokotylivka. The building got destroyed. People are remaining trapped under the rubble. Rescuers are working at the scene, Popova wrote. A reminder that, over the past day, Russian invaders have launched 11 artillery strikes on the city of Kharkiv. Such settlements as Derhachi, Zolochiv and Chuhuiv came under enemy fire in Kharkiv Region. As a result, eight civilians were injured and one killed. mk The Ukrainian military in the besieged city of Mariupol will fight as long as they have to, although the situation is difficult. The relevant statement was made by Azov Regiment Deputy Commander Captain Sviatoslav Palamar in an interview with Reuters, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. As long as were here and holding the defense... the city is not theirs, Palamar said. In his words, Russias offensive tactics in Mariupol is constantly changing. The tactic (now) is like a medieval siege. Were encircled, they are no longer throwing lots of forces to break our defensive line. Theyre conducting air strikes, Palamar told. Palamar refused to give precise details about operations, because they could help the enemy. He would not say how much food and ammunition they had left, but that they still had hundreds of fighters. Of course our resources arent infinite, and they are running lower with every passing day of intense fighting. The situation is difficult, but were going to battle and fight for as long as we have to, Palamar noted. He said they had more than 500 wounded fighters, some in serious condition. We dont have the conditions to treat them, to carry out really difficult surgery.. Medicine is running out, bandages and food and water, Palamar added. In his words, hundreds of civilians are also staying within the Azovstal plant. We bring them (civilians) food and check on their health, but we cant stay with them for obvious reasons: the enemy could stage a provocation and say that...We were hiding behind civilians, Palamar explained. According to Palamar, once the civilians are out, the wounded and the dead should be taken back to Ukraine, and safe passage secured for the Ukrainian contingent there. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military do not consider an option of being taken prisoner. Theyll be killed in captivity, theyll be maimed, and thats why we propose having a third party that during negotiations can guarantee their exit from Azovstal, Palamar stressed. In his words, Turkey or Israel could act as possible third parties. According to Palamar, the Azov Regiment in Mariupol consists of the representatives of different ethnicities, including Russians, Bulgarians, Crimean Tatars, Greeks, Jews, etc. Palamar urged the world to wake up to the threat from Russia and to stop being soft on Moscow. I hope the world now realizes its mistake... Everything that our soldiers do here not only in Mariupol, but on Ukraines territory we are convinced we are saving not only Ukraine, but also Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova and Georgia, Palamar stated. A reminder that the Russian armed aggression has caused one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in the city of Mariupol. More than 1,000 civilians and Ukrainian servicemen, including about 500 wounded, are remaining within the Mariupol-based Azovstal plant. The Ukrainian side demands that Russia immediately ensure a humanitarian corridor from the plant. mk In Mariupol, Russian aggressors bombarded an operating room in a military field hospital located on the premises of the Azovstal metallurgical plant, the last stronghold of the Ukrainian defenders in the area. The Geneva Convention guarantees protection of inpatient and mobile medical institutions. According to Ukrinform, this was reported on Telegram by soldiers of the Azov Regiment. "WARNING!!! Throughout the night, the Russians dropped tonnes worth of air bombs, capable of penetrating any concrete defensive structures, on a military field hospital located on the territory of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol and where the wounded defenders are treated. Then, having already destroyed the site, they continued to mercilessly shell the ruins with naval artillery Due to the enemy attack, part of the building collapsed in particular the operating room, which makes it impossible to help our soldiers," the statement said. It is noted that some of the earlier wounded servicemen were killed in the strike, some other soldiers were wounded and injured. Azov fighters stressed that the Geneva Convention guarantees protection of inpatient and mobile medical institutions, which must not be attacked by warring parties. "The wounded and sick are entitled to protection regardless of whether they are civilians or military (combatants). The wounded should be provided with the necessary assistance without any discrimination," the Azov unit notes. The fighters called on international rights organizations to respond to the fact that "Russia continues to try to destroy even those defenders of Mariupol who can no longer wield weapons." The Azov fighters posted a video, shot in the immediate aftermath of the air strike. The footage shows survivors digging out from under the rubble the bodies of soldiers who had earlier been wounded and held in the field hospital, as well as providing first aid to those who lived through the attack. As reported earlier, about 1,000 civilians and Ukrainian servicemen, including about 500 wounded, remain in the premises of the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol. Ukrainian authorities are demanding that the Russians provide an urgent humanitarian corridor out of the plant. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the storming of the Azovstal industrial zone inexpedient, ordering that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu block all exits from the area rather than keep trying to storm it. Russia's aggression has caused one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes in Mariupol. The invaders are bombing unarmed residents and blocking humanitarian aid. Bulgaria will provide EUR 706,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and EUR 181,000 to help Ukrainian refugees. According to the government portal, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and his Bulgarian counterpart Kiril Petkov discussed the support for Ukrainian refugees, Ukraine's European perspective and energy security at a meeting in Kyiv on Thursday, Ukrinform reports. "Ukraine is grateful to Bulgaria for participating in measures to support our country together with the international community. We highly appreciate the decisions of the Government of Bulgaria to send humanitarian aid to the tune of EUR 706,000, as well as to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees to the tune of EUR 181,000," Shmyhal said. According to him, Ukraine especially values the transfer of protective ammunition for Ukrainian soldiers, who are defending not only Ukraine's but also Europe's borders. Both parties also considered the possibility of Bulgaria providing military equipment repair services. Among other things, both prime ministers discussed the integration of Ukraine with the European Union. Shmyhal said that Ukraine had promptly filled out the questionnaire and was waiting for the conclusion of the European Commission and the decision of the EU Council to grant Ukraine the status of an EU membership candidate. "Weapons are the essential thing Ukraine needs to deter the enemy. Sanctions - to weaken Russia and discourage it from being aggressive. Finance - to maintain Ukraine's macroeconomic stability. And the fourth critical issue for us is Ukraine's membership in the European family," Shmyhal said. Both parties discussed energy security in Europe. Shmyhal noted that after joining the Ukrainian power system with ENTSO-E, Ukraine is capable of exporting up to 2,000 MW of electricity to the EU countries, including Bulgaria. Shmyhal expressed gratitude for Bulgaria's support for the European Union's sanctions policy against Russia as well as for Petkov's personal initiative to levy separate sanctions against the aggressor, which are extremely effective today in helping Ukraine fight the enemy. For his part, Petkov said that Bulgaria would continue to fully support Ukraine. He noted that his country is ready to promote the export of electricity from Ukraine and can also offer the port of Varna as a logistics hub, in particular for flour. According to him, Bulgaria will be happy to help and join the reconstruction of Ukraine. Petkov also responded positively to Ukraine's request to repair and restore military equipment. The Ukrainian military repelled two enemy attacks in the area of responsibility of the Operational and Tactical Group East on Thursday, April 28, killing 42 Russian troops and destroying three tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles and other equipment. According to Ukrinform, the group's press service reported this on Facebook. "Ukrainian defenders continue to deter the aggressor in the area of responsibility of the Operational and Tactical Group East. In particular, on April 28, Russian fascist troops carried out two attacks. The fighting continues. The enemy lost 42 troops, three tanks, two IFVs, an APC, an armored combat vehicle, an artillery tractor, and two UAVs," the statement said. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine started on February 24, Russia has lost 22,800 troops as of April 28. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he hopes that US Congress will soon approve a new package of response to Russian aggression, which provides for the allocation of $33 billion in aid to Ukraine at the initiative of US President Joe Biden. Zelensky said this in a video address, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "Today we have serious news for our state, for our protection. [...] The United States has prepared a new package of support for Ukraine worth $33 billion," Zelensky said. He added that this is a very important step by the United States and expressed gratitude to the American people and personally to President Biden. "I hope that the Congress will quickly support this request for help to our state," Zelensky said. According to him, the initiative envisages that more than $20 billion can be spent on defense, $8 billion on economic support and $3 billion on humanitarian aid. He also noted that Ukraine is working with its partners to protect freedom in the world. Biden on Thursday asked Congress to pass a proposed $33 billion Ukraine aid package, including more than $20 billion in military aid and other security assistance. Ukraine, together with its allies, is able to stop Russian aggression and reliably defend freedom in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video address, Ukrinform reports. Ukrainians! All our defenders! Today we have significant news for our state, for our defense. First, the United States has prepared a new support package for Ukraine worth $ 33 billion. In particular, more than 20 billion can be allocated for defense. More than $ 8 billion is planned for economic support. Another $ 3 billion will be allocated for humanitarian aid. This is a very important step by the United States. And I am grateful to the American people and personally to President Biden for it. I hope that the Congress will quickly support this request for help to our state. President Biden rightly said today that this step is not cheap. But the negative consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and against democracy are so large-scale for the whole world that, in comparison with them, this support from the United States is necessary. Together, we can certainly stop Russian aggression and reliably defend freedom in Europe. We are also working to direct the blocked assets of Russian individuals subject to sanctions and the Russian state to compensate Ukraine for this war and to restore normal life. The investigation into the crimes committed by the Russian military against our people is underway. Ukraine's position is absolutely clear - every Russian criminal must be and will be brought to justice. Whoever they are and wherever they hide, we will find them all and make them bear responsibility. The first ten Russian servicemen from the 64th motorized rifle brigade of the Russian Ground Forces who committed crimes against our people in Bucha, Kyiv region, received the status of suspects. Their surnames are known. It is established what they did. We know all the details about them and their actions. And we will find everyone. Just as we will find all the other Russian thugs who killed and tortured Ukrainians. Who tormented our people. Who destroyed houses and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. None of these bastards will avoid responsibility. However, some of them may not survive until trial and fair punishment. But for one reason only. This Russian brigade was relocated to the Kharkiv region. There they will get retribution from our military. Prime Minister of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov paid a visit to Kyiv today. We had very substantive and very warm negotiations with him. Bulgaria is one of those countries that reacted to Russia's aggression in a principled manner and quickly. I am grateful to both the Bulgarian government and the Bulgarian people for not delaying the support for our state. Defense, energy and transport issues were discussed with Mr. Petkov. Sanctions pressure on Russia, which is necessary for peace. We also discussed our cooperation at the EU level. A very important agreement is on the repair of our military equipment at the Bulgarian production facilities. Another issue we agreed on is the supply of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline together with the Bulgarian side. I am grateful to Bulgaria for the opportunity to use the port of Varna to export our agricultural capacity. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also in Ukraine today. It is very important that Mr. Secretary-General visited Borodyanka, Kyiv region. And saw with his own eyes what the Russian occupiers had done there. Hundreds of Ukrainian cities and hundreds of communities have experienced the same thing as Borodyanka and Bucha. The Russian army in Ukraine consciously and without any doubt trampled down everything on which the global order was based after World War II. The UN Charter, international conventions, declarations, the rights of people and states... Everything that should guarantee freedom and security in the world is simply destroyed by Russia's aggressive actions. So the key issue in the talks with the UN Secretary-General was how to stop Russian aggression. And this is not just a question of Ukraine, our fate. This is a question of the fate of the United Nations, the fate of international law, the fate of many nations - and not just Russia's neighbors who may become the next victims of Moscow's aggressive ambitions. Of course, during the negotiations we paid a lot of attention to saving our people from Mariupol. I believe that with the help of the UN it is possible to organize an evacuation mission. Ukraine is ready for these steps. But it is also necessary for the Russian side to consider this issue without cynicism and actually do what it says. Moscow claimed they had allegedly ceased fire in Mariupol. But the bombing of the defenders of the city continues. This is a war crime committed by the Russian military literally in front of the whole world. Russia's shelling of Mariupol did not stop even when the UN Secretary-General was holding negotiations in Moscow. And today, immediately after the end of our talks in Kyiv, Russian missiles flew into the city. Five missiles. And this says a lot about Russia's true attitude to global institutions. About the efforts of the Russian leadership to humiliate the UN and everything that the Organization represents. Therefore, it requires a strong response. Russian missile strikes at Ukraine - Kyiv, Fastiv, Odesa, and other cities - once again prove that we cannot let our guard down. We cannot think that the war is over. We still have to fight. We still have to drive the occupiers out. Today, the Russian army continued its offensive attempts in the east of our country, in Donbas. Tries to advance in the southern regions. The Armed Forces of Ukraine repel the invaders. And I am grateful to each of our defenders who are holding positions. We are doing everything to help our army, to provide the military with all the necessary weapons. Every time I contact my partners, I emphasize that weapons for Ukraine right now, the very types we ask for and just when we need them, are salvation not only for our people. This is salvation for all of you - for all of Europe. I am grateful to those partners who understand this. And who help convince others. Before delivering the evening address, I signed a decree awarding our heroes. 214 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were awarded state awards. 14 of them posthumously. Eternal memory to all who gave life for Ukraine! Eternal glory to all who stood up for the state! Glory to Ukraine! Spain has banned a Maltese ship carrying cargo from a Russian vessel. Thats according to The Locals article citing a decision made by the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Ukrinform reports. The Maltese-flagged ship Black Star is denied access to Spanish territorial waters because there is evidence that it was carrying cargo transferred from the Russian ship Andrey Pervozvanniy, which is subject to EU sanctions, the ministry said in a statement. The Maltese ship had planned to unload cargo, including non-food palm oil and derivatives, on Wednesday night at the port of Barcelona. Earlier, on April 25, the Spanish authorities prevented the Russian ship Andrey Pervozvanniy from stopping in Barcelona due to EU sanctions imposed on Russia over its military aggression against Ukraine. The Spanish Ministry of Transport said that according to available information, the cargo from the Andrey Pervozvanniy ship was transferred to the Black Star on April 24 at a distance of 12.5 nautical miles northwest of the island of Malta. As Ukrinform reported, the fifth package of EU restrictive measures against Russia, adopted on April 8, 2022, envisages, in particular, a ban on access to EU ports for ships registered under the Russian flag. Exceptions will be made for agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy. Refugees at Inke camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo bid farewell to family and friends heading for a repatriation flight back to the Central African Republic. UNHCR/Alexis Huguet YAOUNDE - A new declaration calling for more concerted action to help nearly 1.4 million displaced Central Africans has been signed after a key regional conference organized by the Government of Cameroon and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Speaking at the three-day ministerial conference in Yaounde, which ended Wednesday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said the aim of the conference was to create a positive regional dynamic in the search for solutions for Central Africans refugees. This must be done in a large alliance of governments, aid communities, businesses, development actors, civil society, private sector groups and, crucially, the refugees themselves, in particular women, he added. The Yaounde Declaration marks the first step towards the establishment of a regional coordination mechanism for advancing solutions to one of Africas largest displacement crises. Since 2013, the CAR has experienced successive crises affecting six neighboring countries that today host around 700,000 refugees. Cameroon has received the largest number of refugees (345,000), followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (212,000), the Republic of Chad (119,000), the Republic of Congo (29,000), Sudan (28,000) and South Sudan (2,500). Speaking of the challenges of hosting large numbers of refugees, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute of Cameroon said that despite the efforts States were making, the economic context was difficult. Hence, the necessity to pool efforts in a framework of a regional approach to define global and concerted solutions to obtain better results. The parties to the Declaration agreed to establish a regional cooperation framework to strengthen protection and the search for solutions for persons forcibly displaced by the Central African crisis with the support of the international community. In reference to the 2019 peace accord and the recommendations of the March 2022 Republican Dialogue, in which refugees and internally displaced people participated, the signatories of the Declaration further committed to support the ongoing reconciliation process in the Central African Republic and urge for the effective participation of forcibly displaced persons and returnees. Represented by Ministers and senior government officials, the countries of asylum committed to enhancing refugee protection and promoting their socio-economic inclusion while they wait for conditions to improve so that they can return home. These solutions include the removal of legal barriers to employment opportunities, training, and access to social services. In the declaration, the signatories agreed to integrate refugees in national registration systems, facilitate the issuance of civil documentation and to ensure their recognition by public and private services and financial institutions. Despite the challenges, opportunities for return exist. Over 100,000 Central African refugees have already returned home spontaneously, while between 2017 and 2021, UNHCR facilitated the voluntary repatriation of 27,000 refugees. In addition, 60,000 internally displaced people have also been able to return. However, as these efforts have occurred in isolation, the Conference agreed to establish a coordination mechanism for solutions with support from UNHCR, which has three such regional instruments in place: for the Afghan crisis; in Central America and Mexico; and in the East and Horn of Africa. Virginie Baikoua, CARs Minister for Humanitarian Action, thanked partners for their support and reassured them of her countrys determination to restore peace and stability. Organized under the aegis of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, the Regional Ministerial Conference on Solutions in the Context of Forced Displacement Related to the Central African Crisis brought together 300 participants: donors, the UN, development and humanitarian partners, the private sector, as well as refugees. Representatives from the European Union and the Economic Community of Central African States indicated their support. Before attending the conference, Grandi met Central African refugees in Yaounde, who welcomed the focus on their situation. A community leader told him that the refugees want to be considered as development facilitators, not a burden. Read the Yaounde declaration here. Read the Yaounde recommendations here. For more information on this topic, please contact: Governor Pete Ricketts has announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff beginning immediately through sunset on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in honor of Nebraska State Senator Rich Pahls, of Omaha, who passed away Wednesday, April 27, after a brief illness. Gov. Ricketts issued a statement about the Congressmans passing: "Senator Pahls was a dedicated public servant and a great man. He was committed to improving his community, first as an educator and then through elected service. Nebraska lost a true leader today. Susanne and I are praying for the Pahls family, the Millard community, and the countless Nebraskans Sen. Pahls impacted as they mourn his loss. Pahls was 78 at the time of his passing. He was serving a second stint in the unicameral, previously serving from 2004 to 2012. He returned to the legislature in 2020. Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset Thursday, April 28, 2022. Brussels, Belgium, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Apr, 2022 ) :The European Union on Wednesday slammed a five-year jail sentence given by a Myanmar junta court to deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi at a "politically motivated" trial. "It represents another step towards the dismantling of the rule of law and a further blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar and yet another major setback for democracy in Myanmar since the military coup on 1 February 2021," an EU spokesperson said in a statement. Suu Kyi has been in military custody since last year's coup ousted her government and plunged Myanmar into turmoil. She was handed the sentence Wednesday for alleged corruption as part of a barrage of criminal cases that could see her jailed for decades. The EU said the proceedings were "a clear attempt to exclude democratically elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi" from a dialogue process called for by the ASEAN regional bloc. "We reiterate our urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners as well as all those arbitrarily detained since the coup," the EU statement said. The German foreign ministry also condemned the sentencing as "politically motivated" and "another step to dismantle the rule of law". "The military junta must end its repression against the people of #Myanmar, release all political prisoners and put an end to the violence," the ministry wrote on Twitter. The 27-nation bloc has already imposed sanctions on the Myanmar junta and its key economic sources over the coup and subsequent crackdown. (@FahadShabbir) Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Apr, 2022 ) :US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the administration's handling of immigration Wednesday amid a huge surge at the Mexico border that is expected to intensify as pandemic-related entry curbs are dropped. President Joe Biden's administration has revealed it plans to end Title 42, a measure allowing the quick expulsion of migrants during the Covid-19 crisis, on May 23 -- in an announcement that sparked cross-party anger. US Customs and Border Protection says it encountered 7,800 undocumented migrants a day along the southwest border in the past three weeks -- almost five times the average of 1,600 recorded from 2014-2019, before the coronavirus outbreak. "We inherited a broken and dismantled system that is already under strain. It is not built to manage the current levels and types of migratory flows," Mayorkas told the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, urging Congress to pass long-term reforms. Mayorkas's testimony came with the administration locking horns with a Federal court in Louisiana that granted a request by Republican-controlled states to temporarily halt their planning to wind down Title 42. The order prevents the government from taking any action before a hearing on May 13 to determine whether Title 42 can be lifted. Mayorkas set out a blueprint to boost border personnel, target people smugglers, speed up processing and increase holding capacity -- as he warned the worst was yet to come. "A significant increase in migrant encounters will strain our system even further and we will address this challenge successfully," he said. "It will take time, and we need the partnership of Congress, state and local officials, NGOs and communities to do so." Enacted at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 under then-president Donald Trump, Title 42 requires border agents to turn away anyone who crosses undocumented into the United States. Since then, migrants have been expelled more than 1.7 million times under the policy. The decision on dropping Title 42 was made by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which said it was "no longer necessary" due to "an increased availability of tools to fight Covid-19." But Biden and Mayorkas, as the faces of the administration's immigration policy, are taking the heat for the mushrooming controversy. Ahead of his testimony, 130 House Republicans sent Mayorkas a letter slamming his "failure to secure the border and enforce the laws passed by Congress" and questioning his suitability for his job. Conservatives complain the Mayorkas plan doesn't include any major new expenditure, any prospect of the CDC reversing its Title 42 decision or a pledge to complete Trump's controversial border wall. Meanwhile border-state Democrats up for reelection in the November midterms have voiced frustration about the White House's handling of the issue, accusing it of failing to come up with a Plan B for controlling the border. The Senate was deadlocked Wednesday over a push to pass legislation that would keep Title 42 from ending. Republicans are likely to demand a vote reinstate the measure as part of any action to approve the next tranche of Covid-19 relief -- and both of those initiatives could end up entangled in legislation to greenlight further aid to Ukraine, which is battling a two-month invasion by Russia. "It is inappropriate to use a public health law -- Title 42, that deals principally with quarantines -- to try to deal with an immigration challenge that we face," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. "It's like using a knife to do work that you would use a screwdriver to do," he added. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th April, 2022) The city of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department have engaged in a pattern or practice of racial discrimination for more than a decade in violation of the Human Rights Act, Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) said in a report on Wednesday. "Following the murder of George Floyd, demands to end discriminatory policing practices reverberated across the world. Those demands remain just as urgent today with the announcement of the investigative findings which paints an unsettling picture of the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department engaging in a pattern of racial discrimination over the last decade," MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said in the report. MDHR said it had reviewed about 700 hours of camera footage recorded by officers' cameras and scoured nearly 480,000 pages of city and MPD documents, including training materials, policies and procedures, officers' disciplinary records, policy development materials, reports and assessments, internal and external communication and correspondence, documents reflecting interagency agreements and public messaging documents. MDHR also said it watched 87 hours of MPD's 2021 academy training for new officers and accompanied officers on ride-alongs in each of the department's five precincts. In addition, MDHR analyzed data on all recorded use of force incidents across the five precincts from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020. Lastly, MDHR commissioners and staff analyzed MPD and city data on traffic stops and prosecutions, including searches, arrests and citations stemming from those stops for a period covering January 1, 2017 to May 24, 2020. The MDHR said it found that African Americans, people of color and Indigenous individuals were victims of excessive and violent force by police officers, which in some cases used deadly force. Statistics show that of the 14 people killed by MPD officers since 2010, 13 were people of color or Indigenous individuals. People of color and Indigenous individuals make up about 42 percent of Minneapolis' population, but encompass 93 percent of all officer-involved deaths between January 1, 2010 and February 2, 2022. "As described in detail throughout these findings, MPD maintains an organizational culture where officers are trained to be aggressive towards community members, which leads to officers escalating situations and often using inappropriate levels of force," the report said. "The accountability systems in place are insufficient and ineffective at holding officers accountable. Instances of police misconduct are not properly investigated, not timely addressed, and officers are not held consistently accountable." MDHR also said Minneapolis city officials and police brass have been aware of the disparate treatment and race-based policing on non-white residents and Indigenous individuals, but they "have not collectively acted with the urgency, coordination, and intention necessary to address racial disparities to improve public safety." MDHR added that it will begin meeting and working with Minneapolis officials next week to construct a consent decree to deal with discriminatory, race-based policing. Switzerland adopted on Wednesday a fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia that ban import of caviar, seafood, coal, timber and cement in a bid to punish Russia for a military operation in Ukraine MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th April, 2022) Switzerland adopted on Wednesday a fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia that ban import of caviar, seafood, coal, timber and cement in a bid to punish Russia for a military operation in Ukraine. "This implements the Federal Council's decision of 13 April to adopt the EU's latest package of sanctions. The measures come into force at 6pm on 27 April 2022," the Swiss government said in a statement. The new measures ban export of industrial robots, certain chemical products and other goods that can help strengthen Russia's industrial capacities. An exemption will be made for export of military-grade equipment that protects from nuclear, biological or chemical hazards, under a request from the UN's Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In the financial sector, Switzerland prohibited support for Russian entities in public ownership and registration of trusts for Russian nationals or residents. The Council also extended the ban on export of banknotes and sales of securities in Swiss francs and Euros to Belarusian nationals and entities to cover all official EU currencies. The same measure is planned for Russia. (@FahadShabbir) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th April, 2022) Ukrainian nationalists did not allow the evacuation of 90 citizens of five foreign states and continue to hold them hostage as human shields, head of the Russian National Defense Control Center, Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev, who also leads Russia's humanitarian response coordination headquarters, said. "Ukrainian nationalists continue to hold 90 foreign citizens from five states hostage as human shields," he said. Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24 in response to calls from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics for protection against intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation, which targets Ukrainian military infrastructure, aims to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine. Moscow has said it has no plans to occupy Ukraine. Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russia and Belarus. New Orleans, LA U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana New Orleans Task Force (USMS)-led, Missing Child Unit (MCU) Operation Fresh Start was conducted in the New Orleans, Louisiana metro area from January 01, 2022, until March 31, 2022, resulting in the rescue or recovery of sixteen (16) missing/endangered children. In addition, six (6) children self-returned, three (3) children were recovered as other status, and three (3) more were recovered by other law enforcement agencies. Five (5) arrests were made during the operation. Investigations as part of the three-month MCU operation also uncovered allegations of human sex trafficking in several of the cases. Some MCU Operation Fresh Start highlights include: -The 03/25/2022, recovery of a 14-year-old female runaway for the New Orleans Police Department at an address in Fayetteville, Georgia where she was located by the USMS Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force residing with several adults. The teen had run away from New Orleans in January of 2022 and family were concerned about her possible involvement in sex trafficking and believed that she was with an older male in Florida. USMS investigation shows the teen may have also traveled to the Jacksonville, Florida area as well before being located in Georgia. -The 01/20/2022, recovery of a 5-year-old female and 7-year-old male that were taken by the non-custodial parent. The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office issued a felony warrant for the mother of the children for Kidnapping, and she made active attempts to avoid arrest along the way. The non-custodial parent/mother took the children to the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida area and the USMS Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force was able to recover the children and arrest the mother on her Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office warrant. -The 01/13/2022, arrests and recovery of two male teens who escaped from the New Orleans Youth Study Center. They along with two other teens were being held for violent offenses. There were allegations after they escaped that they were involved in the carjacking of an elderly woman. One teen was arrested/recovered by New Orleans Police Department Violent Offenders Warrant Squad and USMS New Orleans Task Force at an address in the 8000 block of Stroelitz Street New Orleans. The second teen was arrested/recovered by New Orleans Police Department and USMS New Orleans Task Force along with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies after a foot chase and neighborhood lockdown in the 1000 block of North Johnson Street New Orleans. That teen was found hiding in the backyard of a residence. -The 02/09/2022, recovery of a 15-year-old Ouachita Parish, LA female diagnosed with Schizophrenia who wrestled free from restraints and jumped out of an ambulance on the way to Childrens Hospital in New Orleans. She was located and recovered at an address in New Orleans, LA with assistance from New Orleans Police Department Special Victims Division Child Abuse Unit, Ouachita Parish Sheriffs Office, and Xavier University Police Department. -The 03/26/2022, recovery of a 14-year-old habitual runaway and previous victim of sexual assault for St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office. With assistance from the West Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office and Addis, Louisiana Police Department she was recovered in Addis, LA and returned to St. Tammany Parish. -The 01/31/2022, recovery of a 1-year-old male child abducted by his father after the father shot and killed the infants grandfather in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans Police Department Violent Offenders Warrant Squad (VOWS) and USMS New Orleans Task Force immediately began to search for Edmond RAMEE Sr., and he surrendered to NOPD VOWS on the evening of 01/31/2022, with the child being safely located and recovered. -The recovery of a 16-year-old female who had been reported missing by her father. The female juvenile had run away with her 2-year-old son who the missing juveniles father was also the legal guardian of. With assistance from the USMS New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF) both the teen and her son were located and recovered in the Bronx, NY. -The 02/08/2022, recovery of 2-year-old male who had been kidnapped by a family member. The child was taken from his crib and abducted from the residence. NOPD Special Victims Division Child Abuse Unit and USMS New Orleans Taskforce began to canvass the area, conducting interviews and authoring search warrants, that led to the child being returned safely to his mother. Based on the operation at least four (4) felony warrant exist for adults suspected of involvement with MCU minors and the USMS New Orleans Task Force is actively pursuing these fugitives. New Orleans was one of the original U.S. cities to begin a USMS pilot program for the Missing Child Unit in 2016, and U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana Deputy U.S. Marshals have provided instruction to other USMS districts and state agencies on how to coordinate their MCU operations, which have gained national news attention within the last two years. I am very proud of the cooperative work done by all the agencies involved in safeguarding at risk children. Our Office is proud to be a part of a robust MCU program that took root in New Orleans starting in 2016, said U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana Scott Illing. This work is being done with our partners while our office still performs its critical USMS missions (judicial and witness security, managing federal prisoners, violent fugitives apprehension, sex offender investigations, and service of federal process). Participants in MCU Operation: Fresh Start included: U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) New Orleans Task Force USMS offices to include: USMS Middle District of Louisiana, USMS Western District of Louisiana, USMS Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force (SERFTF), USMS New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF), USMS Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) New Orleans Police Department Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office Ouachita Parish Sheriffs Office West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office Addis, Louisiana Police Department Xavier University Police Department Louisiana State Police Fayette County, Georgia Sheriffs Office New York Police Department (NYPD) Broward County, Florida Sheriffs Office Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) New Orleans Field Office Homeland Security (HSI) New Orleans Field Office Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services Georgia Department of Children and Family Services Florida Department of Children and Family Services National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Crimestoppers GNO Any information about missing/endangered children should be reported to your local police department and or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-The-Lost. Information about violent fugitives can be provided to the U.S. Marshals Service at (504) 589-6872, via email at usms.wanted@usdoj.gov, or with the USMS tips app. Crimestoppers GNO may also be contacted with tips at (504) 822-1111. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov. #### Americas First Federal Law Enforcement Agency The Council of Cardinals meets with Pope Francis for the first time since the publication of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate evangelium: On the Roman Curia and its service to the Church in the World. By Christopher Wells The war in Ukraine, climate change, and the role of women in the Church were among the pressing topics of discussion at this weeks meeting of the Council of Cardinals, which took place in the Vatican with the participation of Pope Francis. It was the first meeting of the Council since the publication, in March, of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate evangelium, which reforms the Curia in light of its service to the Church in the modern world. The 41st meeting of the Council was opened by the coordinator, Cardinal Oscar Maradiaga, who offered a reflection on the situation in Ukraine and the resulting socio-political, ecclesial, and ecumenical situation. Pope Francis, for his part, informed the Council of the initiatives, variously undertaken by himself, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Secretariat of State, to promote peace. The Members of the Council offered their support and encouragement for the Holy Father in his "tireless" efforts to resolve the conflict. The Cardinals also discussed the issue of climate change and the upcoming COP27 meeting, set to take place in Egypt in November. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the Archbishop of Kinshasa, addressed the question, Can we, as Church, together with other Confessions and Religions, give voice to these concerns? He then analyzed the world situation and the needs and expectations for COP26 Glasgow, looking especially at the concerns of poorer nations in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. Continuing a discussion begun in its February session, the Council took up the theme of women in the Church. Franciscan Sister Laura Vicuna, an indigenous woman from Amazonia, presented a report on the topic from a pastoral perspective, which was followed by a discussion with the Cardinals. The Council also discussed the Holys Sees diplomatic service and the role and activities of Apostolic Nuncios; as well as the implementation of Praedicate evangelium, including an evaluation of steps already taken and of challenges to be faced. Each of the Cardinals also reported on the socio-political and ecclesial situation in their respective continents, addressing issues of peace, health, poverty, as well as political concerns and pastoral challenges. The Council of Cardinals concluded its 41st session on Wednesday, with its next session scheduled for June 2022. Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo to lay down their weapons and work with President Felix Tshisekedi in nurturing peace and stability in the country. By Vatican News staff reporter Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to lay down their weapons and nurture peace and stability". He made the call in a video statement delivered on Wednesday evening during a virtual Inter-Congolese Peace Dialogue convened by Kenya. In the message, the president stressed that "Without laying down weapons and forging an unbreakable national compact to secure the [DR Congo], the fruits of prosperity, that you all deserve from the teeming rich endowments, will remain elusive." "This makes it urgent for all people of goodwill in the DRC to coalesce together and frantically set a foundation of prosperity by working tirelessly for an enduring peace," he said. Members of over 30 armed groups have been meeting in the Kenyan capital Nairobi for talks with DR Congo officials. The majority are said to be in favour of laying down arms while other groups requested to be given more time to appraise themselves with the set conditions but expressed willingness to join hands in building their country, according to a statement from Kenya's presidency. A call to peace During the recorded statement, President Kenyatta highlighted the importance of peace and security. "The historical call to be our brothers' keepers is a bell that has been tolling and to which Kenya always keeps responding. We will not relent in your pursuit of peace for prosperity. This is why we reached out to you, our brothers, our sisters of the DRC," he said. The president thanked his counterpart President Tshisekedi of DR Congo and the armed groups in the country for heeding Kenya's solidarity call for the promotion of peace and dialogue. "The DRC deserves to claim and assert its rightful place in Africa and the world at large. This is just but a first step towards that attainable goal. I thank you, each and every one of you, for heeding our call and seizing this opportunity," President Kenyatta said. Meanwhile, President Tshisekedi applauded the armed groups for entering into dialogue with his government, and called on all armed groups to accept the process of disarmament and demobilization. "This is a process that will take into account all concerns. We are going to obtain the technical and other support from many donors to enable us to succeed," he said. However, even as talks continued in Nairobi, fighting erupted in eastern Congo near the Uganda border as government troops battled the M23 rebel group. This virtual Inter-Congolese Peace Dialogue summit comes ahead of Pope Francis upcoming journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo from July 2 to 5. While there he is expected to visit the capital Kinshasa and Goma in the eastern province of North Kivu. Vietnam led Southeast Asian countries with social commerce accounting for most of its online retail economy in 2020. Due to the high rate of social media use in the country, social commerce as a sub-channel to e-commerce is driving growth contributing to half of the e-commerce sector. Vietnam Briefing highlights the characteristic of social commerce in Vietnam, the regulations as well as the opportunities for investors in the industry. What is social commerce? Social commerce is a sub-sector of e-commerce that involves social media and online media that supports social interaction, online buying, and selling of products and services. Social commerce sellers can be as small as one person selling products to their followers on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Many do not have a web storefront and instead rely on private messages to take orders and payments. In May 2020, Vietnams Prime Minister released Decision 645/QD-TTg approving the National Master Plan for e-commerce development for the period of 2021-2025 with two key objectives: 55 percent of the countrys population will participate in online shopping, with an online trading value of US$600/person/year; and Business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce revenue (for both online trading goods and services) increases by 25 percent per year (US$35 million), accounting for 10 percent of total retail sales and consumable service revenue in the country. In order to successfully realize these two goals, it is important to reinforce and diversify e-commerce channels. For that, social commerce has emerged as a cost-effective e-commerce support channel, especially for small and household businesses. However, due to the prolonged pandemic and the new normal, even large brands and enterprises have had to expand their social network-based channel to distribute their goods and services. According to a recent Bain & Co report, social commerce in Vietnam accounted for 65 percent of Vietnams US$22 billion online retail economy last year. Country E-Commerce GMV (US$) Social commerce E-commerce Indonesia 47 billion 12 billion 34 billion Malaysia 10 billion 3 billion 6 billion The Philippines 8 billion 3 billion 4 billion Thailand 22 billion 11 billion 11 billion Vietnam 22 billion 14 billion 17 billion Source: Bain & Co. The selling of products through social media E-commerce in Vietnam is growing at an extremely rapid rate. Social commerce, as a subsector of e-commerce, is gaining momentum as a dynamic and cost-effective channel for businesses and enterprises to approach customers. However, one of the major differences between social commerce and e-commerce is that social commerce is yet to be equipped with online ordering functions. Further, buyers and sellers have to directly contact each other to complete transactions. In the meantime, e-commerce purchases are finalized on e-commerce platforms, from ordering to shipping and delivery. Even though some social platforms like Facebook or Zalo (a Vietnamese social media platform) have adopted e-commerce-like functions (such as Facebook Marketplace or Zalo Shop), these functions only cater to the introduction and the information provision of the products, rather than supporting online ordering, shipping or payment features. Social commerce in Vietnam Most-used social platforms While Facebook is not the only social media platform in use for social commerce in Vietnam, it is by far the leading shopping destination, having a much higher penetration rate for online shopping than other social channels. Apart from Facebook, Vietnamese Zalo is the second most-used channel for social commerce, while other international social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have also been demonstrating growth potential, especially among the younger demographic. According to a recent survey, among many reasons for using social media, over a third of the internet users in the country stated that they relied on these platforms to find products to purchase. Diversified products increasingly sold on social commerce Before the pandemic, social commerce was most commonly used for buying clothes and personal care products, especially among younger females. Nowadays, more Vietnamese consumers have turned to online channels for essentials and consumer goods products. Social commerce usage has now extended beyond fashion and cosmetics, with purchases ranging from fruit to home appliances. Surprisingly, 55 percent of Vietnamese online shoppers prefer to shop for fashion on social networks and only 41 percent choose e-commerce platforms. Why social commerce is surging High rates of mobile internet access The popularity of social commerce in Vietnam has been accelerated by high rates of mobile internet penetration, a generation that spends a lot of time on social media with high engagement. Social media user access rate in Vietnam as of January 2021 78.1 percent Number of active social media users in Vietnam 76.95 million Source: Statista Accordingly, the average time a Vietnamese user spends on social media was approximately two hours and 22 minutes per day. The more time people spend on social media, the more likely they will engage in unconscious shopping, especially through targeted ads. Vietnamese people have a strong desire to belong in a community, and finding strong relationships is of utmost importance. Social commerce sellers use their networks for socializing as well as transacting, and they are particularly enthusiastic about peer-to-peer services. Opportunities for women, low-income groups In addition, as most social commerce platforms require minimum or no upfront investment, it allows social commerce sellers to focus on leveraging their social circles. Therefore, social commerce can help create more jobs for women as well as low-income groups. The industry can also help such groups start their own businesses and achieve financial independence by utilizing their network, their family, and friends. Opportunities for investors Even though social commerce has grown significantly, not a lot of effort has gone into growing supply chain support for the industry and this is an opportunity for investors to get involved at an early stage. Many social commerce sellers cannot buy in bulk directly from brands despite their retailing power. Instead, they rely on wholesale middlemen, which means they may not be able to trace the origin of their products. As a result, these sellers approach both distribution and branding traditionally, missing the growing momentum of social commerce. This means investors can participate in the supply chain support sector, where they can offer to help social commerce sellers manage inventory, ordering, and payment by utilizing their purchasing power to negotiate lower wholesale prices, while at the same time guaranteeing the origin of products. Industry regulations In order to address the difference between e-commerce and social commerce platforms, the Vietnamese government has introduced several regulations on social commerce practices to protect sellers and buyers. Nevertheless, for now, regulations and rules governing social networks and e-commerce-related activities on social networks, in particular, are not really consistent with the nature and practice of this activity. Commercial information posted on social networks that do not support e-commerce functions or online shopping functions is managed in accordance with the regulations issued from Decree 72/2013/ND-CP. Commercial information posted on social networks with e-commerce supporting functions such as Facebook Marketplace or Zalo Shop but without an online shopping function is managed according to the social networks commercial standards. E-commerce activities on social networks with an online shopping function (currently not available in Vietnam but may appear in the future), is managed according to the law on e-commerce, which is similar to e-commerce exchange with the online shopping function. Taxation Currently, the main taxes imposed on e-commerce-related activities, including social commerce transactions, are value-added tax (VAT), personal income tax, and corporate income tax of organizations selling goods and services on social networks, and withholding tax responsibilities of cross-border social networks. Customs management for import and export goods via e-commerce Under a new Decree, ordinary shoppers and e-commerce exchanges can now perform the customs procedures themselves without any assistance. Prior to this development, there was often an intermediary officer to support the import and export of goods. Particularly, e-commerce exchanges will connect to the web portal of the transfer order information to the customs system. This order information is used to fill up the customs declaration, the declarer only needs to confirm without repeating the declaration. The customs system will automatically classify the products, and determine the amount of tax and the associated obligations. Specialized inspection may be excluded with orders with low value or low risk. However, this policy is only for commercial platforms with online shopping functions with shipping and payment features. Social commerce would yet to enjoy the same convenience. Takeaways Thanks to rising social media seen in the last decade, social commerce in Vietnam is likely to continue growing, contributing to further growth in the e-commerce industry. Being flexible between e-commerce platforms and social media platforms would help businesses target customers and generate sales efficiently. Additionally, supply chain support specifically for this growing sector should also be a potential investment opportunity for investors to consider. Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia began imposing a complete ban on palm oil exports Thursday, as the world's largest producer of the commodity risked destabilising a global vegetable oil market already hitting peak prices. The archipelago nation is facing a domestic shortage of cooking oil as well as soaring prices, with consumers in several cities having to queue for hours in front of distribution centres to buy the essential commodity at subsidised rates. Authorities in Southeast Asia's most populous country fear the scarcity and rising costs could provoke social tensions and have moved to secure supplies of the product, which is used in a range of goods such as chocolate spreads and cosmetics. In a last-minute reversal late Wednesday, they clarified the embargo would include all exports of the oilseed and not only products intended for edible oils, as indicated a day earlier. "All products," including crude palm oil, "are covered by the Ministry of Trade regulation and will be enforced," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. President Joko Widodo said supplying the country's 270 million residents was his government's "highest priority". "As the world's largest palm oil producer, it is ironic that we are having difficulties getting cooking oil," he said. Indonesia produces about 60 percent of the world's palm oil, with one-third consumed by its domestic market. India, China, the European Union and Pakistan are among its major export customers. The months-long shortage has been exacerbated by poor regulation and reluctance among producers to sell at home due to high international prices that have made exports more profitable. Jakarta plans to resume exports when the price of bulk cooking oil in local markets has fallen to 14,000 rupiah (97 cents) per litre, having rocketed 70 percent in recent weeks to 26,000 rupiah ($1.80). Vegetable oils are among a number of staple food items that have seen prices hit record highs in recent weeks, following Russia's invasion of agricultural powerhouse Ukraine, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. Long queues The supply of palm oil has been problematic since the beginning of the year, with people often spending hours in lengthy queues at distribution centres to obtain it. "Cooking oil was difficult to find, even in bulk," Lius Antoni, a consumer, told AFP. "I finally decided to reduce the use of cooking oil." For Ade Neni, who sells popular fried snacks called gorengan, the ban has been a blow for business. "The high oil prices have reduced my sales," she said. "I had to increase the price of my gorengan." Eddy Hartono, head of the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association, said the new measures have already caused plantation farmers' incomes to plummet. "There is no problem of supply, but of distribution," he said. Public discontent with rising food prices has contributed to a decline in President Widodo's popularity, according to recent polls, and prompted protests in several cities. The White House said it has not received confirmation from Indonesia president of this years Group of 20 (G-20) economic forum that it has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to its November summit in Bali. Weve seen the reports that President Zelenskyy has been invited to the G-20 and we certainly welcome that, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Wednesday. As you know, President Biden said just last month that Ukraine should be able to participate. But we don't have further confirmation beyond the news reports, which we certainly think are positive. Zelenskyy on Wednesday tweeted that hed had discussions with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and thanked him for his support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular for a clear position in the U.N. Appreciated inviting me to the G-20 Summit, he said. In a tweet about the conversation Thursday, Widodo did not mention an invitation. Yesterday I spoke to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Widodo posted. I reiterated Indonesias support to any efforts for peace negotiations to succeed and stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance. Indonesia in March supported two resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine but abstained on the third resolution, along with 57 other U.N. members, to expel Moscow from the U.N. Human Rights Council. No announcement Analysts have pointed out that Widodos government is stuck with the impossible task of attempting consensus on the worlds most pressing economic problems while navigating new geopolitical rivalries triggered by Putins invasion. While Moscow was kicked out of the Group of Eight (G-8), now known as the Group of Seven (G-7), following its 2014 annexation of Crimea, the G-20 is a much wider grouping with many more competing interests. It includes China, which supports Russian involvement. I think Indonesia is trying to split the baby here, said Gregory Poling, who researches U.S. foreign policy in the Asia Pacific at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. They don't want the U.S. and other members of the G-7 to not show up. They also don't want to be put in the position of disinviting Putin, he told VOA. After meeting with NATO members and European allies in Brussels last month, U.S. President Joe Biden suggested Kyiv be able to attend G-20 meetings as an observer should other members disagree to kick Russia out. Biden, who is building a global coalition against Putin beyond Europe, has not said he would boycott the G-20 summit should the Russian leader attend, but insists the forum cannot be "business as usual." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have also raised concerns about Putins participation. Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen skipped several G-20 ministerial meetings to protest Russian officials attendance. Other Western officials did the same. Jakarta's dilemma Jakartas dilemma is symptomatic of Moscows considerable influence around the world, including its energy and military ties with Indonesia. Last month, following intense Western pressure, Indonesia put on hold plans for the states oil and gas company to purchase cheap Russian crude oil amid soaring global energy prices. Moscow has a glut of oil it is offering at a huge discount to countries willing to defy Western sanctions, including China and India. Senior Indonesian officials have pushed back against Western pressure on the issue of G-20. Member states must work in unison to create stability and prosperity together, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati told VOAs Indonesian Service last week. This is one of the most important [thing] for us to support the idea of cooperation that needs to be maintained and should not [be] characterized in such a very binary, simple way, she said. So far Moscow has not announced a change in plans for Putin to attend the summit in person. Earlier this month the Biden administration signaled it wants the G-20 to discuss the international economic repercussions of the Russian invasion and potentially Ukraines reconstruction. That idea is likely to create further rift in the economic forum. Earlier this week, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesias coordinating minister for maritime affairs, told VOAs Indonesian Service his government will see what happens. Nobody losing face," he said. "That, I think, is the best. Eva Mazrieva and Virginia Gunawan from VOA Indonesia Service contributed to this report. As Russias war on Ukraine enters its third month, questions have swirled about whether a negotiated solution with Russian President Vladimir Putin is possible. Kenneth Dekleva, a psychiatrist who previously worked with the U.S. State Department, dismisses any speculation that Putin is unstable and therefore impossible to deal with. "He's not crazy. He's a rational actor, and in his mind, he knows exactly what he's doing," says Dekleva. He is an extremely savvy, highly intelligent and ruthless longtime leader who's now been in power for over 22 years. Dekleva, a senior fellow at the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations in Texas, has studied the former Russian intelligence agent for 20 years. He describes Putin as single-minded, resilient, a master manipulator of people, and hyperfocused, due to his training as a KGB officer. Putin, however, is 69 and his recent actions could suggest a less flexible style of leadership that is sometimes seen in aging leaders. "You're more rigid. You see things more in black and white, and you have less tolerance for nuance and ambiguity," Dekleva says. "That's certainly a possibility, although I don't know that we can say that just from his current decision-making regarding the Ukraine war. That being said, he appears to be very, very deliberately focused and a bit of a man in a hurry." The key to negotiating with someone like Putin, Dekleva says, is to try to understand his mindset and be empathetic, even when you don't agree with him. For Jason Pack, a senior analyst at the NATO Defense College Foundation in Italy, reaching an agreement with Putin requires decisive action. "I do think we need to be extremely bold, right up to the threshold of things that we might think would cause a big escalation ... like engaging in bold cyberwarfare," Pack says. "Like, 'Hey, we're going to make the lights go off in St. Petersburg for two hours and then negotiate after that. ... The next time, it's going to be two days if you don't meet our demands.'" Pack says Putin had every reason to believe the West would back down if he invaded Ukraine, despite the West having "more discretionary military and economic power." He points to Russia's 2008 incursion in Georgia, formerly a part of the Soviet Union and now an independent republic, which resulted in Russia occupying 20% of that country. And Putin seized the southern region of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. "He seems to respect force, and he doesn't respect just talking. I don't even think that he thought that we would do the sanctions that were threatened if he invaded, because it was like, 'This is just talk, talk, talk,'" says Pack, adding that he doesn't believe Putin will take catastrophic nuclear action. "He wants to live. He's terrified of COVID. He's 20 feet (6 meters) away from his advisers (in pictures). So, I don't think that there is a risk of his blowing the world up so long as we stick to the rules of there not being NATO personnel fighting in Ukraine." Putin is adamantly against Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, joining NATO. He has complained about the West edging too close to Russian borders. "His primary goal was to take Kyiv, and he didn't use tactical nuclear (weapons) to try to take Kyiv," Pack says. "He's been exposed to be a degree of the paper tiger. He thought we would back down. He wants to live. He doesn't want to be overthrown inside Russia. He has had horrible coordination with his generals. They had no battle plans." Dekleva says negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine must simultaneously address Ukraine's security needs and sovereignty while addressing Putin's perception of threat in terms of the expansion of NATO to Russian borders. He thinks a very senior third- party mediator that both Putin and the West can trust possibly from China, India or Israel could be useful to the process. And he's very clear on what should not happen. "Name-calling calling Putin crazy or calling him a thug, or a murderer, or a war criminal by senior leaders in the West, including (U.S.) President (Joe) Biden, is not helpful," Dekleva says. "That's not how you get your negotiating partner to come to the table." The European Union executive proposed on Wednesday laws to curb excessive litigation aimed at silencing critical journalists and rights advocates by governments and businessesa form of harassment it said was on the rise from Croatia to Poland. In its latest health check of the state of democracy in the 27-nation bloc, the Brussels-based European Commission said that last year such so-called SLAPPs - or strategic lawsuits against public participation - were "a serious concern." "Manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings against public participation are a recent but increasingly prevalent phenomenon in the European Union," the Commission said Wednesday in proposing new legal remedies for the bloc. Such disproportionate lawsuits, often based on defamation clauses, strive to intimidate the targets, exhaust their resources and tie them in multiple legal proceedings, often in several jurisdictions, said the Commission. It is typically pursued by claimants with more political power or money, and has a chilling effect on the targets, a group that also may include academics, LGBT and environmental campaigners or labor unionists, it said. In Malta, the anti-corruption investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was involved in some 40 defamation cases at the time of her murder in 2017, it added. "In a democracy, wealth and power cannot give anyone an advantage over truth," said the Commission's deputy head for values and transparency, Vera Jourova. "We are helping to protect those who take risks and speak up when the public interest is at stake." The Commission said no EU country currently has specific safeguards against SLAPPs and only four were considering them. The new rules, which Brussels would now take to member states and the European Parliament for their input and approval before they can take effect, would allow for early dismissal of such cases and put all the legal costs on the claimant. They would apply to cases with cross-border consequences of broad social interest - like pursuing cases of money laundering or climate matters - and would encompass training and assistance for SLAPP targets. The EU parliament's green faction welcomed the proposal but said it did not go far enough partly because it did not oblige member states to ensure the same anti-SLAPP safeguards for domestic cases and consider them under civil rather than criminal law. In their own report on the matter last year, EU lawmakers also expressed concern about SLAPPs being funded from state budgets. Under the Commission's proposal on Wednesday, SLAPP targets could seek damages and courts would be authorized to order penalties against the claimants to discourage them from such tactics. It would also allow EU countries to ignore cases against its residents brought in third countries, including Britain, the jurisdiction of choice for many Russian oligarchs, among others. Ukraine's deputy foreign minister said Wednesday that the list of war crimes committed by Russian troops in her country grows daily and accountability is critical. "The city of Mariupol has turned into dust," Emine Dzhaparova told an informal meeting of the U.N. Security Council. "Thousands of civilians live in blockade without water, electricity, communications and basic things that all people need." She said that new mass graves and buried bodies are found daily in Ukrainian cities and that Russian soldiers carry out crimes on civilians, including torture, rape and murder. "Russia must be [held] accountable for its crimes as a state," she said, adding that the individuals who carried out the crimes must be prosecuted, too. "The one who raped a girl, kicking out her teeth; who killed a man riding a bicycle; who fusilladed a queue of people waiting for bread; who shot humanitarian convoys, maternity hospitals, ambulances, cars," Dzhaparova said. "These people have names and faces, and they are to be brought to criminal liability." 8,000 investigations Ukraine Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said from Kyiv that her office has opened 8,000 cases to probe allegations of violations and the list continues to grow. Several governments have offered Ukraine assistance in carrying out investigations and documenting abuses. In an unprecedented move, more than 40 states have referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has made two trips to Ukraine and has an investigative team on the ground that includes experts, lawyers and anthropologists. He said he sent three communications to Russia but had not received a reply. He urged Moscow to cooperate with his office, saying if it wants to expose accusations against it as fake, the best way to do so is to hold them up to scrutiny. "My office and myself have no political agenda other than to get to the truth," he assured member states. But Russia's representative dismissed the ICC as an institution susceptible to political pressure and financial leverage exerted by such countries as the United States and Britain. "ICC is merely a political instrument and has nothing in common with justice," Russian legal adviser Sergey Leonidchenko said. He said Russia would have its own meeting on accountability with its own briefers on May 6. In terms of new crimes, the U.S. representative said Washington now had credible information that a Russian military unit operating near the eastern city of Donetsk had executed Ukrainians who were attempting to surrender, rather than take them into custody. 'Deeply disturbing pattern' Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack said that, if true, this would violate a core principle of war prohibiting the summary execution of civilians who surrender. "These images and reports suggest that these atrocities are not the act of rogue units or individuals; rather, they reveal a deeply disturbing pattern of systematic abuse across all areas where Russia's forces are engaged," she said. Russia has a record of abuses, including in Syria, where its troops have backed President Bashar al-Assad's forces since 2015. "The pattern of abuse we are seeing in Ukraine is consistent with well-documented grave crimes by Russian forces in other places such as Syria," Human Rights Watch's Ida Sawyer said from Kyiv. "The lack of accountability for those violations has regrettably opened the door for what is occurring today." Human rights lawyer and activist Amal Clooney said the horrific scenes from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha reminded her of the 2012 massacre of 108 civilians, many of them children, in the northwestern Syrian town of Houla. "This Security Council met in an emergency session to decry the killings, and people thought it would be a turning point for accountability. It wasn't," Clooney said. "And now the same Russian general known as "the butcher," who mounted a brutal attack on civilians in Aleppo, is massacring innocent families in Mariupol." She urged the diplomats not to grow numb to the violence as the war grinds on and merely call for justice that is never delivered. This weeks suicide attack in Karachi that killed three Chinese nationals poses a challenge for Pakistan's new leaders at a time when they may be looking to improve ties with Beijing. A separatist group, the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the blast, saying a lone female suicide bomber had carried it out. Pakistans government quickly said it would find and punish those responsible. I strongly condemn this cowardly act of terrorism. The perpetrators will surely be brought to justice, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on Twitter. But Pakistan has been trying for more than a decade to halt separatist militants' attacks on Chinese workers. The militants have targeted Pakistani and Chinese workers involved in development projects in Baluchistan, accusing them of extracting resources without compensating local people. In 2019, Washington designated the BLA as a terrorist organization. As Chinas investments in Pakistan have grown, particularly since the creation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) creating links from Pakistani ports to Chinese road networks, relations with Beijing have only grown more important. Analysts expect the Sharif administration to strengthen economic and political relations with the Chinese government, noting that it was under Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's prime minister from 2013 to 2017 and the brother of the incumbent, that the CPEC was solidified. We can certainly expect to see a renewed focus and a center of attention on CPEC because it aligns so well with the core sort of goals of the PML [Pakistan Muslim League] and both Sharif brothers, said Madiha Afzal, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, a research group in Washington. Other analysts such as former Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, who served from 2008 to 2011 under then-Prime Minister Yousuf Reza Gilani, said there is room to improve the China-Pakistan relationship following the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who lost a no-confidence motion in parliament this month. It is important to note that Mr. Imran Khan was a particularly inept leader, and he also was prone to a lot of erratic and whimsical decision-making, said Haqqani, who is now director of South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute, a research group in Washington. "The Chinese did not like that, so there was a problem of style that affected certain aspects of the Sino-Pakistan relationship. A more experienced and more calm-demeanored political leadership will take away that part of that irritant out of the relationship, Haqqani said. Role of the military Other analysts, including Christine Fair of Georgetown University in Washington, say regardless of who is in power, Pakistans army largely sets the countrys foreign and economic policies. And because the army prioritizes its relationship with China, so will the countrys civilian leaders. I don't think they have a choice, because you can't really rely upon [the] U.S. weapons supply," Fair said. "You just can't, because the United States is kind of fed up with Pakistan. Plus, the Pakistan army loves to use its relationship with China as a way of leveraging its importance vis-a-vis the United States. As evidence of the militarys influence, analyst Madiha Afzal pointed out that before Khans election in 2018, his party had called for scrutinizing or renegotiating the terms of Beijings loans for building the economic corridor. "It never happened because Pakistan's militarys relationship with China was sort of a constant and remained strong, and Khan eventually sort of came around to that side of things as well, Afzal said. Now, both the military and the countrys civilian leaders have a common challenge in the separatist group responsible for this weeks attack. A spokesman for BLA warned of harsher attacks unless China halts its projects in the country. U.S. President Joe Biden is set to travel to South Korea and Japan next month to meet with leaders and discuss economic and security ties. The White House announced the trip Wednesday, saying Biden would go to the region May 20-24. In South Korea, Biden will hold talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was elected in March. In Japan, Biden is due to meet with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and to hold talks with leaders from the Quad group of countries that includes Japan, Australia, India and the United States. The former Minneapolis police officer found guilty of murder in the killing of George Floyd has appealed his conviction, saying among other things that the jury was intimidated by ongoing sometimes violent protests and prejudiced by excessive pre-trial publicity. Derek Chauvin asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals in a court filing Monday to reverse his conviction, reverse and remand for a new trial in a new venue, or order a resentencing. Last June, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison after jurors found him guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin pinned the Black man to the ground with his knee on his neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. Floyd had been accused of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Three other officers were also charged in the case. Chauvin's attorney, William Mohrman, laid out a number of challenges to his conviction, including his long-standing argument that the trial should not have been held in Hennepin County, where Floyd was killed. "The overwhelming media coverage exposed the jurors literally every day to news demonizing Chauvin and glorifying Floyd which was more than sufficient to presume prejudice," the brief said. In the months that followed Floyd's killing, protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis and around the country to protest police brutality and racism. Some of that unrest was violent. Mohrman said several potential jurors expressed concerns during jury selection that if Chauvin was acquitted they would fear for their personal safety and worried about more violence. He said several of them indicated they were intimidated by the security measures implemented at the courthouse to protect trial participants from protesters. The filing also cited the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by a police officer in nearby Brooklyn Center, during Chauvin's trial. It says jurors should have been sequestered after selection to avoid being prejudiced by reports of that slaying. It also cited a $27 million settlement reached between the city and Floyd's family that was announced during jury selection, saying the timing of that prejudiced jurors in the case. Mohrman cited several instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct, claiming untimely sharing of evidence, failure to disclose and document dumping by the government. The filing also says the judge did not apply the sentencing guidelines correctly and should not have included "abuse of a position of authority" as an aggravating sentencing factor for the former police officer. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has 45 days to respond to Chauvin's brief. The appeal came as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights released the results of a nearly two-year investigation launched after Floyd's slaying. It found the Minneapolis Police Department has engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade, including stopping and arresting Black people at a higher rate than white people, using force more often on people of color and maintaining a culture where racist language is tolerated. Criminal violence in Haiti worsened this week. with fighting among gangs in part of the capital chasing thousands from their homes and killing at least 20 people, including children. Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said the fighting began Sunday in four neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince, north of the international airport. At least a dozen homes were burned down and many of those who fled initially took shelter in the yard of a local mayor's office. The eruption comes amid a spike in violence and kidnappings as gangs grow more powerful and seek to control more territory amid the power vacuum following the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. The situation has angered and frustrated Haitians, who are demanding action from Prime Minister Ariel Henry's administration, which is receiving international help to boost an underfunded and understaffed police force. A family of eight, including six children, was among those killed since Sunday, authorities said Wednesday. Schools and businesses in the area remain closed as thousands of families with children are camping in a park near a local mayor's office. "They need water, food, supplies," said Jean Raymond Dorcely, who runs a small grassroots community organization. "They had to leave with nothing in their hands." He said that the neighborhood is usually quiet and that his child often plays in the park now turned into a makeshift outdoor shelter. "I can see kids crying because they're hungry and families don't have anything to provide to them," he said, adding that needs were growing as the fighting continued. "I don't know what it's going to be like tomorrow." Authorities said that along with the dead, two dozen people had been injured in the violence, and that one bullet hit an empty United Nations Humanitarian Air Service helicopter stationed near the airport. "The conflict is likely to escalate in the coming days, leading to further casualties and new population migrations," the Civil Protection Agency said. Officials warned that main roads leading to Haiti's northern region could be cut off as a result of the fighting. Gang violence in the Martissant community in southern Port-au-Prince already has cut off access to the country's southern region, which is trying to recover from last year's deadly earthquake. The Martissant violence displaced thousands of families last year that have spent months in overcrowded, unhygienic government shelters in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. It wasn't immediately clear where the newly displaced families would be staying. The Civil Protection Agency blamed this week's violence on a fight between the Chen Mechan gang and the rival 400 Mawozo gang. which was involved in the kidnapping of 17 U.S. missionaries last year. Haiti's ombudsman-like Citizen Protection Office released a statement condemning the violence. It criticized political leaders, saying their inaction and silence has brought "a form of cynicism or contempt for human rights, particular the right to life and security." The office also questioned whether the area known as Plaine du Cul de Sac was becoming another Martissant and called on authorities to assume their responsibility to protect citizens. Associated Press writer Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report. Natalia Sancha has always adopted a collaborative approach to journalism. When out on assignment, she speaks to others covering the same story about their perspectives. This partly stems from an interest in telling underreported stories, but as a female journalist in a male-dominated region, she says collaboration and supporting the women she works with have always been important. I would talk to male and female journalists, and I always realized that women had a similar perspective, because we had similar experiences while covering the story, the 42-year-old journalist said. That collaborative approach came into play in 2020 when a publisher asked Sancha if she was interested in writing a book about Syria. She countered with a better offer. I told him that a collective narrative by women journalists about the broader region would have a different effect, she said. I could have written the book myself, but it would not have the same sense. Originally from Andalusia in southern Spain, Sancha spent the past 14 years in the Middle East covering conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and reporting from Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia. She has been working more recently with the European Union communications department, after leaving Beirut for health reasons following a mass explosion that rocked the city in 2020. Women have a different experience because we would go to places that our male colleagues were not used to. Not because we're smarter, but just because the majority of the region is still Arab, Muslim and gender-segregated, Sancha told VOA. Having women reporters has an impact, she noted. If I put myself in the position of the reader, I would prefer to have a woman telling me the story because it is going to be about 100 percent of the population, which means you are going to have a more inclusive narrative on the conflict. For her book, Sancha reached out to other women who cover the Middle East, to ensure diverse perspectives from foreign and local reporters. The result of the nearly two-year collaboration is Bullets for All, released in Spanish in April. In the book, we tell one story with different voices that represent all the women from the region, Sancha said. Each offers a personal perspective on covering historic moments, including the collapse of autocratic governments, popular protest movements and war. It also examines the discrimination and harassment women face in the newsroom and on assignment. Making connections Understanding language and culture goes a long way toward making progress in the region, says Maya Gebeily. The Reuters bureau chief for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan is one of the contributors to the book. There's a lot to say and show from the perspective of women reporters who were also then influenced by the women that they met as they were doing their reporting, she said. Born in the U.S. to Lebanese parents, Gebeily started her journalism career in 2013 with a local news site in Beirut, Lebanon. She went on to cover the region for Agence France-Presse before joining Reuters. Gebeily said her American and Lebanese background helped her understand the region better, which in turn has shaped her reporting. Knowing the local language is an important part of that. When interviewing a minister or a displaced person or an activist, the most important element is getting their trust, she said. If you're able to speak the language and make them feel comfortable from the beginning, it changes everything. It grants you a very beautiful kind of access. In addition to Iraq and Lebanon, Gebeily, 30, has also traveled to Syria to cover the war against the Islamic State (IS) militant group. Ive been very privileged to access some communities directly without having to work with a translator or a fixer, which also shapes the way that the stories come out, she said. Syrian-Kurdish journalist Khabat Abbas, who has covered the war in Syria, attests to the importance of that. Its knowing the language and the culture that gives people a sense of comfort to open up to you, she told VOA from Qamishli, Syria. That knowledge helped when Abbas, 34, was on assignment with Sancha in March 2021. They traveled to a Kurdish-run detention camp in northeast Syria and interviewed female jihadists affiliated with IS, for a story in El Pais. While in Qamishli [in northeast Syria], I ran into two British journalists, very good colleagues of mine, who were disappointed after Shamima Begum and other women at the camp refused to talk to them, Sancha said, referring to a young woman who left her home in Britain aged 15 to join IS. Their fixer was a man, so the jihadist women didnt talk to them because they are radical, and they dont talk to men. But then I was able to sit with Shamima and other women, who gave fantastic interviews from inside their tents, Sancha said. Abbas had a role in getting to talk to those women, she added. Unlike Sancha and Gebeily, Abbas grew up in the marginalized Kurdish region of Syria, where until the war began in 2011, journalism effectively didnt exist. Ordinary people in our region were used to seeing women pick up arms and fight, but they werent used to seeing a woman hold a camera on the streets and on front lines, Abbas said. It took a lot of sacrificing for me to convince my family and society that Im as good, if not better, as my male colleagues. Journalism appealed to her because the story of the Middle East has often been told by male journalists, both local and foreign. The narrative hasnt changed because of that, but if local and international women journalists get a real chance to tell the story of the Middle East, that narrative could change, which would affect the way others see this region, Abbas said. Sancha also believes women in journalism have an impact on the way issues are viewed in the region, including post-traumatic stress disorder and the effect it has on female health, and subjects such as violence and alcohol. We talk about all these issues that men normally wouldnt not speak about, she said. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The United States and Russia have exchanged high-profile prisoners, even amid strained relations over Moscows two-month-old invasion of Ukraine. As VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports, Russia is holding other wrongfully detained Americans. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Saudi Arabia Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at easing old tensions between Ankara and Riyadh. The Turkish leaders visit with the Saudi king comes after years of rivalry between their once-close countries. Mehmet Ogutcu is the head of the London Energy Club, a grouping of government and energy sector leaders. Ogutcu says the visit is the culmination of intense international diplomacy. President Erdogan has good relations with the king; with the crown prince Muhammad Bin Salman, we had serious difficulties," said Ogutcu. "Now it looks that I believe the*(Britons), and Americans, and the Qataris of course played some role, even the Azeris might have done this. And things are changing and relaxing a bit more, and now at the presidential level, it's going to be sealed. Erdogan and the crown prince have been bitter rivals. The Turkish president led international condemnation over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul. The killing was linked to the crown prince, a charge he denied. But the decision earlier this month to move the Khashoggi murder trial from Istanbul to Riyadh is seen as a gesture by Ankara, opening the way for Erdogan's visit. Ogutcu says with presidential elections due next year, Erdogan is looking for Saudi help to bail out the ailing Turkish economy. Turkey has an interest in reviving relations with Riyadh because Turkey needs financial support," said Ogutcu. "The Turkish economy is not attracting any significant portfolio investments nor sovereign wealth funds coming to invest Turkey. But this will be a give-and-take package deal involving these countries. So, there are real economic and political security interests involved. Shared concerns over Iran's growing influence in the region -- along with its nuclear energy program -- provide important common ground between Riyadh and Ankara, says international relations professor Soli Ozel of Istanbul's Kadir Has University, especially as American attention is expected to pivot away from the Middle East and toward China. Turkey does propose itself as a counterweight to Iran. Both countries have an interest along with all the western countries for Iran not to be as influential throughout the region as it is today," said Ozel. "And the Iranians are also constantly sending signals that they are not going to let others draw them away from those countries - Iraq, Lebanon and Syria - where they have quite a lot of influence. Erdogan's Saudi visit is part of a wider policy of seeking to repair relations across the region in a bid to end its isolation. The Turkish president has recently visited the United Arab Emirates and earlier this month hosted the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog. But analyst Ozel warns Ankara is in a vulnerable position. Turkey alienated, insulted, offended a lot of countries with which it had at least decent relations. And they all recognize that this burst of diplomacy is coming out of weakness rather than strength," said Ozel. But analysts say Ankara is banking on its importance as a potential bulwark to Iranian ambitions, a factor that may help overcome any remaining hostility among the neighbors it is trying to win back. European Union energy ministers meet Monday in Brussels as Russia threatens to widen natural gas shutoffs to more countries. On Wednesday, Russia cut off natural gas supplies to EU member states Poland and Bulgaria, after warning so-called "unfriendly countries" would have to pay for gas in rubles. The move is seen as a Russian effort to prop up its currency, as most of its EU energy contracts are paid for in dollars or euros. European Union members responded coolly to Russia's warning. "It comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us," said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. "This is something the European Commission has been preparing for in close coordination and solidarity with member states and international partners. Our response will be immediate, united and coordinated." The Russian action comes as European and other Western nations ramp up military support to Kyiv and sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. EU member states have already agreed to phase out Russian coal imports. Germany now says it could also handle a possible Russian oil embargowhich the bloc is now discussing. But there are no immediate plans to cut off Russian gas. Speaking to French TV Thursday, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said a meeting Monday of EU energy ministers aims to find ways to help Poland and Bulgaria get through a difficult period. Brussels also says a new package of Russian sanctions is expected soon. For now, Poland and Bulgaria are considered to have enough gas for their needs either stored or acquired from other EU members. Less certain is what happens when colder weather hitsor if Russia halts energy exports to other countries, like Germany or Italy. That's a concern expressed by Jens Fischer, of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union party, in an interview on France 24 TV. "For the summer we are probably good, and we have enough supply of gas as well," he said. "The next winter is going to be when it bites and also be when the war drags on. I think that is going to be a completely different scenario and question. Hopefully, we have some solutions by then." Other European politicians also worry about the fallout of sanctions if the war drags on. Already the price of some stapleslike Ukraine-sourced sunflower oilis rising in places like France, where recent presidential elections focused on cost-of-living issues. Relatives of kidnap victims in Nigeria have expressed concerns about a bill passed the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday that would outlaw ransom payments for someone's release. Paul Mshelia, the father of a kidnap victim, was alerted by phone of an attack at a forestry college in Kaduna state the morning of March 12, 2021. His caller told him that his son, who is a student at the school, and 38 others had been taken away by armed gangs. Mshelia says it was a difficult moment for his family. "The experience we have passed through with my wife is still affecting me psychologically," he said. "Till today, at 4 a.m. when the day is breaking, I remember the experience. I'll wake up from sleep and won't go back to sleep." Mshelia's family and the parents of other kidnapped students say that after weeks of negotiations, they paid about $100,000 to secure the release of their children. They negotiated despite warnings from Nigerian authorities not to give in to pressure from the kidnappers. This week, the Nigerian Senate approved an amendment to the country's terrorism law that would outlaw ransom payments. Anyone who paid ransom could face up to 15 years in prison. The bill also proposes the death penalty for convicted kidnappers when the abduction leads to loss of life, and life imprisonment in other instances. Authorities warn that paying ransom was only making kidnappers emboldened and hope the bill will address the spate of kidnappings. But Mshelia disagrees. "To me, it's out of context because I don't think it's going to solve any problem," he said. "Even if you jail somebody today and this kidnapping continues, people will still go out of their way to pay." The bill still needs approval from the lower house of parliament and from President Muhammadu Buhari before it becomes law. Authorities in northern Nigeria are struggling to contain armed gangs who are on a kidnapping spree and have earned huge sums of money through ransom payments. Human rights lawyer Martin Obono says the government is shifting responsibility by criminalizing ransom payment by citizens. "This is government actually trying to shift the post. If you're now saying that you want to criminalize ransom payment, who's going to criminalize government's failure to provide or guarantee my own security?" Obono said. According to a report by Lagos-based risk analysis firm SB Morgen Intelligence, at least $18.3 million in ransom was paid to Nigerian kidnappers between 2011 and 2020. The nations of Central Asia find themselves walking a tightrope over the war in Ukraine, unhappy over Moscows unprovoked attack on another former Soviet republic but economically dependent on Russia and fearful of angering its leader. The response, in Uzbekistan and elsewhere, has been a carefully guarded policy of neutrality as laid out last month in remarks to the Uzbek Senate by then-Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov. We recognize the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and consider the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk to be Ukrainian territory, he said. Yet, he added, Tashkent values its deep political and economic ties with Russia. Kamilov echoed President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs insistence that Uzbekistan will not join military blocs or deploy its forces abroad. Others in Mirziyoyevs administration say Tashkents stand on the war is firm and that neutrality is its mantra. Any mention of the war brings a reminder of the nations neutrality. U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Daniel Rosenblum said Washington understands why Tashkent will not explicitly denounce Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression. WATCH: Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum speaks with VOA's Navbahor Imamova: Among the pressures it faces is the nations reliance on remittances from citizens who work in Russia, which accounted for 11.6% of Uzbekistans gross domestic product in 2020. The figures for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were even higher, at 31% and 27% respectively. We deeply respect the fact that due to geography and history, Uzbekistan has to balance a lot of interests and get along with its neighbors, who are also trading partners and important sources of investment, Rosenblum told VOA. But, he said, the United States expects real neutrality. "We understand you're not going to be criticizing the invasion or providing the kind of aid that many countries in Europe are to Ukraine, military aid and things of that nature," he said. "But you're also not going to be cheering on or aiding and abetting the other side. Uzbek officials told VOA they hear the American ambassador but fear Moscow. We are obviously afraid of Russia, confessed one policymaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity. We dont agree with them, but we see what becomes of a country if you get on the nerves of the Kremlin and President Putin. "Who will defend us if we are attacked? a veteran Uzbek lawmaker pointedly asked. We must take care of ourselves. That fear has led the government to maintain a tight rein on public reporting about the war. State media do not attempt independent coverage but simply repeat official positions. Private outlets in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, meanwhile, have faced official scrutiny when they attempted to analyze the conflict objectively or question the war. Officials at several major news sites and channels told VOA they prefer self-censorship to dealing with angry authorities. In Uzbekistan, VOA found that nearly a dozen reporters, editors and bloggers were called in by the State Security Service in March because of their coverage of Ukraine. Government officials say such measures are necessary to combat misinformation and disinformation but deny that independent media are being silenced. Uzbek media are covering Ukraine, said Komil Allamjonov, a former presidential press secretary and head of Uzbekistans media regulator. No one is banned from touching the topic, but we must be neutral and unbiased. This is not our war. Uzbekistan has no journalists on the ground. Relying on foreign media requires caution and responsibility. Allamjonov, who owns a TV channel in Tashkent, co-chairs the Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media in Uzbekistan, together with Mirziyoyevs eldest daughter, Saida Mirziyoyeva. Talking to VOA from Geneva, where they were meeting U.N. agencies, Allamjonov said Uzbekistan deserves a robust media, capable of representing the public interest at home and abroad. Media freedom is key, and the way forward, said Allamjonov. We need international assistance in promoting accountability, capacity building and media literacy. Our fund is open for cooperation with development agencies, watchdogs and advocacy groups. But one Uzbek TV news director in Tashkent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that most Uzbek outlets shy away from analyzing the conflict in Ukraine. Its not like we are reporting live from Ukraine or Russia, the news director said. We pick up international sources like yours. The most we can do is engage the public, experts and officials. But since we cant control what people say, we choose not to touch the topic. That leaves most Central Asians to get their information about the war from digital and foreign media, including Kremlin-funded outlets. There's a lot of Russian media penetration here, Rosenblum said. He said Uzbeks value media in their own language but find it hard to avoid Russias false and distorted picture of Ukraine and the rest of the world. The volume of voices we're hearing from the Russian media drowns out others. It's so loud, so vehement, so aggressive that it makes it seem that's what everyone is thinking and saying, he said. Rosenblum is sympathetic to the Uzbek fear of provoking Russia but worries this will yield an information blockade and promote misleading content. I'm unaware of any effort to block the falsehoods that are coming out of the Russian media. That's also not neutral and balanced, right? So, if you're going to be balanced and neutral, it must be on both sides, he said. It helps to give a fully rounded picture of what's happening, so the media should be allowed to do its job. It is hard to verify reports about the war, the diplomat admitted. But at the end, there is truth and there are facts. And I deeply believe that the facts of what is happening in Ukraine are coming out to the world. And it's revealing a tragedy, a human tragedy. Noting that Mirziyoyev has repeatedly cited the need for vocal and critical media as a watchdog, he said, If you're going to have a principle that professional, truthful, aggressive reporting is important to the health of a society, then that should apply all the time. It shouldn't just be, you know, when it's convenient. The ruling junta in Mali has definitively banned French broadcasters RFI and France 24 after alleging that the Sahel nation's army caried out abuses, the radio and television channels said Wednesday. France Medias Monde, the state-owned parent company of RFI and France 24, said it had received notification during the day from Mali's communication authority. "France Medias Monde strongly contests the definitive decision to suspend," the two broadcasters, the company said in a statement. It called the move "unfounded and arbitrary," adding it would use all possible means of recourse to get the decision reversed. The French government had called Mali's initial temporary suspension of the French media channels on March 17 a grave attack on liberty of the press. RFI (Radio France International) and France 24 cover African news extensively and have a strong following in the former French colony. The broadcast ban comes after diplomatic relations between Mali and its former colonial power France plunged to their lowest point in years amid disputes over democracy and the alleged presence of Russia-linked paramilitaries in the country. Mali expelled the French ambassador in January. The junta, which seized power in August 2020, said there had been "false accusations" in a report in mid-March in which RFI aired comments from alleged victims of abuse by the army and shadowy Russian private-security group Wagner. Mali's junta also has accused Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. human rights chief, of making false allegations against the government. An impoverished nation of 21 million people, Mali has over the past decade been wracked by Islamist violence. Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee their homes. Additionally, the under-equipped army often has been accused of committing abuses during the brutal conflict. The army-led interim government regularly rejects such accusations. The junta's growing friendship with Russia has worsened friction with France, a traditional ally. Paris last month announced the impending withdrawal of thousands of troops deployed in Mali under France's anti-jihadist mission in the Sahel. It was billed as a promising breakthrough Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meeting last month and agreeing to try to resolve their countries age-old differences, keeping, at least, a lid on tensions as the conflict in Ukraine rages. But on Thursday, as armed Turkish jets streamed into Greek airspace, conducting more than 125 unauthorized flights within 24 hours, Athens retaliated. Greece revoked Turkeys planned participation in a May 9, Greece-hosted NATO air drill known as Tiger Meet, saying Turkey was neither an ally, nor a friend. Greece also suspended confidence-building negotiations due to begin between Greek and Turkish diplomats next month. The snub came as the Greek Foreign Ministry summoned Ankaras top envoy late Wednesday to protest the record number of violations over the Aegean Sea. He was called in again on Thursday as Turkish warplanes buzzed over a rash of popular holiday islands, including Rhodes and Samos, staging dangerous aerial dogfights. Near-daily patrols Greece and Turkey, both members of NATO, have long been at odds over air and sea rights in the oil- and minerals-rich Aegean. The disagreement has resulted in near-daily air force patrols and interception missions, mostly in disputed airspace around Greek islands that Turkey has repeatedly claimed as its own, denying any sort of violation. Pundits, politicians and military officials here are now troubled by the sudden increase in dangerous overflights, especially after last months promising meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan. Andreas Loverdos, a lawmaker and member of the Greek Foreign Affairs Committee, said nothing in reality had changed vis-a-vis Turkeys stance toward Greece. He said Turkey had eased off what he called its provocative stance because it was trying to mend relations with Washington and play a constructive role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As that has not panned out, Loverdos said, Turkey is reverting to past patterns of behavior. Turkeys ties with the U.S. government have been strained since punitive sanctions were imposed on Ankara during the Trump administration for Turkeys purchase of a missile system from Russia, a breach of NATO rules. Ankara is now seeking to purchase combat F-16 aircraft from the United States a bid that Democratic U.S. Representative Frank Pallone and more than 50 other lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to reject, citing what they say is Erdogan's lack of commitment to NATO and his "vast human rights abuses." Whether the purchase will go through remains unclear. More war games expected Until then, and as long as Turkeys relations remain troubled with the West, military experts here warn that Greece should be on high alert for more war games in contested areas in the Aegean. Retired Greek Air Force Commander Evangelos Georgousis said the Turkish flights weren't new but hadn't previously been seen in such large numbers. The fear, he said, is that anything can go wrong. The only thing missing in these midair chases, Georgousis said, is the act of pressing the button to unlock missiles against the enemy target. Everything else is as real and warlike as can be, he said, and its dangerous. Contesting claims to the Aegean brought Greece and Turkey to a dangerous standoff more than two decades ago, forcing the United States to intervene to pull back both sides from the brink of war. Greece has urged Ankara to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, but Turkey has repeatedly refused. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged that the world body would not give up on ending Russia's war in Ukraine and would scale up support to the Ukrainian people during a visit Thursday to Kyiv. "This war must end, and peace must be established in line with the charter of the United Nations and international law," Guterres said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders met for 90 minutes Thursday at Zelenskyy's office in the capital. "I am here to focus on ways on how the U.N. can expand support for the people of Ukraine, saving lives, reduce suffering and help find the path of peace," the U.N. chief said. "I want the Ukrainian people to know that the world sees you, hears you, and is in awe of your resilience and resolve." Guterres, who had been criticized in Kyiv for going to Moscow first, was clear on the U.N. position on the war. "As I said in Moscow, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a violation of its territorial integrity and of the Charter of the United Nations," he said. Defending the Charter Zelenskyy said he believes the U.N. is making Ukraine a priority. "In Ukraine, we are defending the principles of the U.N. Charter," Zelenskyy said. "I'm grateful to Mr. Guterres for his clear, straightforward position with regards to the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine. We value your attempts to use the goodwill mechanism. We need to use any option for the sake of peace." The capital was not quiet during the visit. Explosions could be heard during the news conference, and Ukraine's foreign minister tweeted that the Russians had targeted the city with cruise missiles. Zelenskyy said his discussion with the U.N. chief covered issues including ending Russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports so it could export grain to the world and ease rising wheat and maize prices, and lessen shortages to many developing countries. Mariupol Guterres arrived in Ukraine after a stop Tuesday in Moscow where he held a nearly two-hour meeting with President Vladimir Putin. The U.N. has been trying unsuccessfully for weeks to get safe humanitarian corridors or a pause in the fighting to allow aid into besieged areas and to get civilians out. The U.N. said following Guterres' meeting that the Russian president had agreed "in principle" to allow the U.N. and the International Committee of the Red Cross to evacuate hundreds of civilians sheltering in the Azovstal steel plant in the besieged southern city of Mariupol. "As we speak, there are intense discussions to move forward on this proposal to make it a reality," Guterres said in Kyiv. He said the people trapped in Mariupol, many of them elderly, "need an escape route out of the apocalypse." Pressed for details by a reporter on what guarantees Putin gave him regarding the evacuations, Guterres refused to be drawn into revealing anything that could derail the sensitive operation. "Do you want the people to be rescued, or do you want me to say something that will be an obstacle to that rescue?" Guterres said to the reporter. "At the present moment, I can only tell you we are doing everything we can to make it happen." Osnat Lubrani, U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, tweeted Thursday that she was on her way to Zaporizhzhia to prepare for the "hopeful evacuation from Mariupol." 'Horrendous site' Before his meeting with Zelenskyy, the U.N. chief went to the Kyiv suburbs of Bucha, Irpin and Borodyanka. He saw a mass grave in the town of Bucha, where scores of bodies of civilians were found after Russian forces withdrew from the area one month ago. "When we see this horrendous site, it makes me feel how important it is [to have] a thorough investigation and accountability," Guterres told reporters at the site. The International Criminal Court, the Ukrainian prosecutor general and several other rights groups and governments are involved in the collection of evidence for future war crimes trials. "I fully support the International Criminal Court, and I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept to cooperate with the International Criminal Court," Guterres said. "But when we talk about war crimes, we cannot forget that the worst of crimes is war itself." Surveying the damage to buildings in Borodyanka, Guterres said that war in the 21st century "is an absurdity" and "evil." "Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians," he said in Irpin. Japan, the West's chief ally in Asia, is pushing back as China ramps up its military presence in Asian waters, including near Japanese coastlines and a group of disputed islets, analysts say. On Tuesday, Tokyo protested after a Chinese navy survey ship entered Japanese waters for about three hours, Japan-based Kyodo News reported. Earlier this month, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force repositioned a mobile radar system in its outlying islands because of increased Chinese activity in the region, U.S. military news website Stars & Stripes reported. In January, a Japanese city government was planning to seek permission from officials in Tokyo to land on the disputed Senkaku Islands and plant signposts, according to the Chinese state-controlled Global Times news website. China claims the islands, which it calls the Diaoyu Islands, as its own. Chinese officials have complained formally to Japan as they dispute sovereignty over the eight uninhabited islets. China has upped its naval and air presence in the East China Sea, which stretches between the two countries and expands into the wider western Pacific. The Japanese Ministry of Defense said April 15 that the number of scrambles targeting foreign aircraft rose by 279 over the year ending in March, compared with the previous year. The ministry logged more than 1,000 such incidents in the past year, many involving China, according to Japanese media outlets. Chinese show of strength China is telling Japan, a former World War II foe, not to get in the way, experts say. "No matter what Japan does, it can never change the fact that Diaoyudao [the Diaoyu Islands] is part of China," said Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington. "China's determination to safeguard the territorial sovereignty of the Diaoyudao is firm." In Beijing, President Xi Jinping hopes to appear strong before the Communist Party congress in late 2022, said Stephen Nagy, senior associate professor of politics and international studies at International Christian University in Tokyo. "China wants to send a strong signal to Tokyo that any escalation on the Japanese side will result in an escalation by the Chinese on Japan and the issues that Japan thinks is important. And in the case of Japan, it's the Senkaku Islands," Nagy said. China hopes to deter other countries, including Japan, from challenging it in the western Pacific, said Andrew Yang, secretary-general of the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies think tank in Taiwan. "I think it's so-called salami tactics, trying to see the reaction or response from Japan or U.S.-Japan alliances," Yang said. Japan and the United States, a superpower rival of China's over the past five decades, have been treaty allies since 1951. The two sides will "consolidate or update" their alliance to "fend off a Chinese incursion," Yang predicted. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone March 24 with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and on April 16, six U.S. lawmakers met Kishi to discuss what the ministry called the "further strengthening [of] the Japan-U.S. alliance." Japan wants China to follow what it calls a "rules-based order" to ensure stability and economic prosperity in Asia despite political and military friction, according to an analysis by Thomas Wilkins, an expert in Japanese foreign policy at the University of Sydney. Caution in Tokyo Japan worries about what China's close ties with Russia mean for Taiwan, said Jeff Kingston, a history professor at the Japan campus of Temple University. China has not ruled out use of force to control self-ruled Taiwan, Tokyo's neighbor and close informal ally. Russia has waged war on Ukraine since February. Chinese and Russian warships sailed together between Japan's islands of Honshu and Hokkaido in October, alarming the Japanese government as it coincided with military exercises. But Japan this month signed an agreement with Russia on the amount of salmon and trout originating in Russian rivers that Japanese vessels can catch. Japanese businesses want better ties with China, Kingston said. China was Japan's top export destination as of last year. "Japan is part of the arc of anxiety in Asia regarding China's hegemonic intentions, and there's plenty of those countries that are worried, but the thing is, they don't really want to be really taking sides," Kingston said. Japan and China will probably use a decades-old pattern of "signaling" such as military movements to stand tall against each other, Nagy said. The Japanese Embassy in Washington did not reply to a request for comment. For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. Recap of April 28: FIGHTING * Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in an online post that authorities were gathering details about possible casualties after two explosions rocked a central district of Ukraines capital Kyiv on Thursday evening. * A blast in a residential neighborhood injured three on Thursday in Zaporizhzhya, a strategic city between areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia and the rest of the country. * A senior U.S. defense official on Thursday said that there are now 92 Russian battalion tactical groups inside Ukraine and that Russia is making slow and evenincremental progress in the eastern Donbas region, though there has been continued pushback by the Ukrainians. HUMANITARIAN * U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after talks in Ukraines capital Kyiv on Thursday that his organization was doing all it could to enable the evacuation of a steel plant where fighters and civilians are holed up in the city of Mariupol. * Russia has handed over 33 Ukrainian soldiers, including 13 officers, in an exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine. * Rape accounts have proliferated in Ukraine as reports of abuses by Russian troops have increased, although much of the war zone is still difficult to access. * Ukraines prosecutor general says that 10 Russian soldiers who tortured civilians in the town of Bucha have been identified. DIPLOMACY * President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for $33 billion to support Ukraine - a dramatic escalation of U.S. funding for the war against Russia - as well as new legal tools to siphon assets from Russian oligarchs. * U.S. President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Russia and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation. ECONOMY * Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday of stealing grain in territory it has occupied, an act which it said increased the threat to global food security posed by disruptions to spring sowing and the blocking of Ukrainian ports during the war. * Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who holds this years Group of 20 (G-20) presidency, underscored his countrys support for Ukraine but did not confirm President Volodymyr Zelenskyys earlier statement indicating he has been invited to the economic forums November summit in Bali. * US aid package to Ukraine includes $500 million for US farmers to grow more food crops, especially wheat. NUCLEAR * Radiation levels in a part of Chornobyl's exclusion zone where Russian troops dug trenches in the highly contaminated soil are elevated but still well within the safe range, the U.N. nuclear watchdog's chief said. The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT: 8:22 p.m.: For the first season in over a decade, Indian farmer Rajensingh Pawar is selling his new wheat crop to private traders instead of the state stockpiler, as a global wheat price rally gives India's suppliers a rare profitable export window, Reuters reports. Strong demand following Russia's invasion of Ukraine means growers are receiving the highest prices ever for their crops, while also easing pressure on the state's grain procurement agency which racks up huge debts as a buyer of last resort. The boom times have come as Pawar and his peers harvest a record Indian wheat crop, giving growers a rare opportunity to sell the grain just as global prices hold near all-time highs. 7:49 p.m.: Veronika Remisova, Slovakias deputy prime minister, told a news conference Thursday that Russia has destroyed entire cities and the lives of millions of people in Ukraine and when the war is over Russia should pay to rebuild the country and restore its cultural heritage. But then she added what she said was quite an unorthodox view. After the war is over, Russia must not end up isolated and alone like North Korea. 7:15 p.m.: The North Carolina National Guard packed up military equipment to send to Ukraine on Thursday. 6 p.m.: Russia fired two missiles at the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, Thursday evening and one of them struck the lower floors of a 25-story residential building, injuring at least 10 people, Ukrainian officials said. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the blasts hit the central Shevchenko district, according to Reuters reports. The State Emergency Service said one blast damaged an unnamed facility while the other occurred in a residential building nearby. Parts of the ground and first floors were destroyed by fire, it said in an online post. Reuters was not able to immediately verify the officials' accounts of missile strikes. 5:15 p.m.: The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve $500 million for the U.S. farm sector, in a bid to woo domestic wheat producers to double-crop their fields. The effort comes as global grain prices have surged, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted shipments of corn and wheat. Both countries are key suppliers of wheat and corn. The request aims to increase the production of U.S. food crops - particularly wheat - which are experiencing a global shortage due to the war, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture official. 4:45 p.m.: The world's largest security body, the OSCE, formally announces the end of its eight-year mission in Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reports. The body was the only international organization monitoring the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but was forced out after Russia vetoed an extension of its mission last month 3:45 p.m.: As Russias war on Ukraine enters its third month, questions have swirled about whether a negotiated solution with Russian President Vladimir Putin is possible. Kenneth Dekleva, a psychiatrist who previously worked with the U.S. State Department, dismisses any speculation that Putin is unstable and therefore impossible to deal with. "He's not crazy. He's a rational actor, and in his mind, he knows exactly what he's doing," says Dekleva. He is an extremely savvy, highly intelligent and ruthless longtime leader who's now been in power for over 22 years. VOAs Dora Mekouar has this story. 3:10 p.m.: Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday of stealing grain in territory it has occupied, an act which it said increased the threat to global food security posed by disruptions to spring sowing and the blocking of Ukrainian ports during the war, Reuters reported. Asked about the allegations, the Kremlin said it had no information on the matter. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that it strongly condemns the criminal actions of the Russian Federation in the so-called expropriation of crops from farmers in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine. 2:30 p.m.: As Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent Maryan Kushnir filmed what he described as cluster bombs falling on the town of Popasna in the Luhansk region, a soldier examined a burned impact area and explained that both sides are mainly using artillery now with little direct contact. The soldier told him that the Russian aim is to demoralize Ukrainian troops, but he said it is not working. 2:13 p.m.: Valerie Bendersky was just seven when he fled to Kazakhstan to escape the Nazi invasion of Ukraine. Nearly 80 years later he has had to abandon his homeland once again, this time in the face of Russian invaders. Bendersky is one of almost 300 Jewish Holocaust survivors from Ukraine who have been given refuge in Israel since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into the former Soviet republic two months ago. "I have lived through two tragedies," the 85-year old said, speaking from his new home in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv: "I was fleeing from Hitler then, now I have fled from Putin. Naturally, it is hard," he told Reuters, speaking in Russian. 2:01 p.m.: Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted Thursday that Russia struck the capital Kyiv with cruise missiles even though the U.N. Secretary General and the Bulgarian Prime Minister were in the city on official visits. In a message on Twitter, Kuleba called the attack a heinous act of barbarism. Earlier Thursday, the mayor of Kyiv said authorities were still gathering information about potential casualties and damage caused during the two blasts. 1:51 p.m.: A court in Moscow has fined Twitter for failing to delete content the government deems illegal amid Russia's crackdown on social-media networks. The Magistrate Court of the Taganka district ruled on Thursday that Twitter must pay 3 million rubles ($40,000) for failing to take down materials with instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails, propagating the Nazi swastika, and offending Russia and its national anthem and flag. 1:47 p.m.: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after talks in Ukraines capital Kyiv on Thursday that his organization was doing all it could to enable the evacuation of a steel plant where fighters and civilians are holed up in the city of Mariupol, Reuters reported. "At the present moment I can only tell you we are doing everything we can to make it happen," he said after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy said: "I trust and believe - just as many relatives of those people who are blocked in Azovstal [steel plant] do - that the Secretary-General and we will be able to have a successful result." Earlier Thursday Guterres visited three towns outside of Kyiv which Russian forces once occupied. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians, he says in a video clip shared on Twitter. 1:42 p.m.: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement Thursday after U.S. President Joe Biden requested $33 billion in supplemental funding for aid to Ukraine. When the House takes up this request, we look forward to a strong, bipartisan vote, she said. The House is working on every front to support Ukraine. Today, we send to President Bidens desk legislation to revive the consequential Lend-Lease initiative that turned the tide of World War II and will ensure the efficient delivery of further supplies to Ukraine and other Eastern European nations, she stated. Yesterday, the House passed new legislation to seize assets belonging to sanctioned Russian oligarchs who are funding this invasion and sell them to fund Ukraines eventual reconstruction, she added. Today, and every day, Congress and the Country remain ironclad in our commitment to backing the brave people of Ukraine as they carry on this righteous fight. 1:38 p.m.: Violence has escalated in recent days in and around the Donbas Region as Russias invasion of Ukraine entered what the Kremlin called a new phase. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty compiled this photo essay on the fight for eastern Ukraine. 1:33 p.m.: Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in an online post that authorities were gathering details about possible casualties after two explosions rocked a central district of Ukraines capital Kyiv on Thursday evening. Reuters eyewitnesses had earlier reported the sound of two blasts in the city. 1:29 p.m.: 1:26 p.m.: A blast in a residential neighborhood injured three on Thursday in Zaporizhzhya, a strategic city between areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia and the rest of the country. VOA's Heather Murdock reports. 1:04 p.m.: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Thursday, in opening remarks before the House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, said: This brutal war of aggression being committed by Russia against Ukraine has brought into sharp focus the power and purpose of American diplomacy. He added: The budget request that you have before you actually predates the crisis, but fully funding it is critical to ensuring that Russias war in Ukraine is a strategic failure for the Kremlin and also serves as a powerful lesson for those who might consider following the same path. 12:52 p.m.: U.S. President Joe Biden is rejecting the idea that Russias war in Ukraine could grow into a larger proxy conflict between Russia and the United States and NATO allies that may even bring the world closer to nuclear confrontation, The Associated Press reported. At an event at the White House where Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion in aid to Ukraine, the president said Thursday that the idea of a larger proxy war was concerning but not true. He blamed Russian authorities for exaggerating such speculation, saying it shows the desperation that Russia is feeling about their abject failure with the invasion of Ukraine. 12:47 p.m.: Residents of the village of Yahidne in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region say that over 300 of them were held in a school basement for 28 days in March by Russian forces. They say that they were only allowed out once per day for 20 minutes and that several villagers were shot by soldiers. Correspondent Borys Sachalko with Current Time, a co-production of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA, has this story. 12:36 p.m.: Russia has handed over 33 Ukrainian soldiers, including 13 officers, in an exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Thursday. "We are also bringing home 12 civilians," Vereshchuk wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Five of the troops exchanged on Thursday had been wounded, she said. Vereshchuk did not say how many Russians were involved in the exchange, Reuters reported. 12:23 p.m.: A senior U.S. defense official on Thursday said that there are now 92 Russian battalion tactical groups inside Ukraine and that Russia is making slow and evenincremental progress in the eastern Donbas region, though there has been continued pushback by the Ukrainians. He said that U.S. security assistance is focused on giving Ukraine systems with which Ukrainian forces are familiar or can be trained on quickly. VOAs National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin monitored the press briefing and shared details on Twitter. 12:11 p.m.: Two powerful blasts were heard on Thursday in the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, two witnesses told Reuters. The blasts were heard in the southern part of the city. It was not immediately clear what caused them and whether there were any casualties or damage. Russia has in recent days reported what it says are a series of attacks by Ukrainian forces in Belgorod and other southern regions which border Ukraine, and has warned that such attacks raise a risk of significant escalation. Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility but has described the incidents as payback and "karma" for Russia, nine weeks after it invaded its neighbor. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the West earlier on Thursday of openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia, and warned it not to "test our patience". 12:05 p.m.: Rape accounts have proliferated in Ukraine as reports of abuses by Russian troops have increased, although much of the war zone is still difficult to access. Now, shaken by reports of rape in Ukraine, Bosnian war crimes survivors are urging Ukrainian women to document everything. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report. 11:48 a.m.: A British man has been killed in Ukraine and a second is missing, Britain's foreign office said on Thursday. "We can confirm that a British national has been killed in Ukraine and we are supporting their family," a foreign office spokesperson said. "We are aware of a British national who is missing in Ukraine ... we are urgently seeking further information." The foreign office said it was unable to provide any further information, Reuters reported. 11:43 a.m.: Polands border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings into Poland from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24, while there have been 904,000 crossings into Ukraine, The Associated Press reported. Border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska said Thursday that the number includes people who cross a number of times because, for example, they regularly do shopping in Poland and then go back. Polish authorities say some 1.6 million refugees have applied for and received special ID numbers that will allow them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland. 11:39 a.m.: International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi briefed journalists Thursday on the situation at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, following his return from Ukraine. Radiation levels in a part of Chornobyl's exclusion zone where Russian troops dug trenches in the highly contaminated soil are elevated but still well within the safe range, the U.N. nuclear watchdog's chief said. "There was an increase (in radiation levels) but this increase is still significantly below the authorized levels for workers in an environment with this type of radiation," Grossi told a news conference. 11:31 a.m.: The European Commission on Thursday warned buyers of Russian gas they could breach sanctions if they converted gas payments into rubles, as officials struggled to clarify the EU's stance on Moscow's payments scheme, which has sowed confusion in the bloc. Russian gas giant Gazprom cut supplies to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday after they refused to pay for gas in rubles, marking Moscow's toughest response yet to sanctions imposed by the West over the conflict in Ukraine. The escalation follows a decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month requiring that countries Moscow deems "unfriendly" must pay for gas in rubles under a new payment scheme, Reuters reported. 11:27 a.m.: President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for $33 billion to support Ukraine - a dramatic escalation of U.S. funding for the war against Russia - as well as new legal tools to siphon assets from Russian oligarchs, Reuters reported. The vast funding request includes over $20 billion for weapons, ammunition and other military assistance, as well as $8.5 billion in direct economic assistance to the government and $3 billion in humanitarian and food security aid. We need this bill to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom, Biden said at the White House. The cost of this fight - its not cheap - but caving to aggression is going to be more costly. 10:45 a.m.: U.S. President Joe Biden delivered remarks regarding "support for Ukrainians defending their country and their freedom against Russia's brutal war" on Thursday morning, speaking from the White House Roosevelt Room. A White House fact sheet published after Bidens address provided more information about his request to Congress for additional funds to help ensure Ukraines democracy prevails over Putins aggression. 10:21 a.m.: Russias relentless digital assaults on Ukraine may have caused less damage than many anticipated. But most of its hacking is focused on a different goal that gets less attention but has chilling potential consequences: data collection. Ukrainian agencies breached on the eve of the invasion include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which oversees the police, national guard and border patrol. A month earlier, a national database of automobile insurance policies was raided. The hacks, paired with prewar data theft, likely armed Russia with extensive details on much of Ukraines population. The Associated Press has this story. 10:04 a.m.: Weeks after publicly supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov has left his post. Uzbek presidential spokesman Sherzod Asadov said on April 27 that Komilov left the post of foreign minister to move to another job - deputy secretary of the presidential Security Council. Komilov abruptly disappeared from public view immediately after he told lawmakers in a speech on March 17 that Uzbekistan did not recognize the Moscow-backed separatist-controlled districts in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions, known as the Donbas. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report. 9:51 a.m.: NATO is ready to maintain its support for Ukraine in the war against Russia for years, including help for Kyiv to shift from Soviet-era weapons to modern Western arms and systems, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday. He spoke after the Kremlin warned that Western arms supplies to Ukraine, including heavy weapons, posed a threat to the security of the European continent "and provoke instability," Reuters reported. "We need to be prepared for the long term," Stoltenberg told a youth summit in Brussels. "There is absolutely the possibility that this war will drag on and last for months and years." 9:33 a.m.: Ukrainian fighters in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol said Russian airstrikes hit a military field hospital and killed soldiers, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. 9:27 a.m.: Russia is preventing wounded Ukrainian fighters being evacuated from a vast steel works in the southern city of Mariupol because it wants to capture them, the local governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Thursday, according to Reuters. Hundreds of fighters and some civilians are holed up in the Azovstal steel works, their last redoubt in Mariupol. Russian forces have been pummeling the factory after laying siege to Mariupol for weeks. "They [want to] use the opportunity to capture the defenders of Mariupol, one of the main [elements] of whom are the... Azov regiment," Kyrylenko told a briefing, referring to a group of fighters that Moscow has vilified. "Therefore the Russian side is not agreeing to any evacuation measures regarding wounded [Ukrainian] troops." 9:13 a.m.: According to Ukraines Ministry of Defense, female soldiers and officers make up about 15 percent of Ukrainian army combat forces. Since 2014, more than 30,000 Ukrainian women have become combat veterans. Those numbers have shot up since the Russian invasion. VOAs Mariia Prus has the story. 9:02 a.m.: Ever since Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, residents sensed the occupiers had a special plan for their town, The Associated Press reported Thursday. Residents believe Russian troops have not yet besieged or terrorized the city as they did in Bucha and Mariupol because they are planning to hold a referendum to create a Peoples Republic of Kherson like the pro-Russia breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine. Ballots are already being printed for a vote to be held by early May, Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova warned this month. 8:51 a.m.: Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who holds this years Group of 20 (G-20) presidency, underscored his countrys support for Ukraine but did not confirm President Volodymyr Zelenskyys earlier statement indicating he has been invited to the economic forums November summit in Bali. VOAs Patsy Widakuswara has this report. 8:46 a.m.: The European Union should penalize countries that use rubles to pay for Russian gas, Polands climate minister said, following Moscows decision to cut off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria over their refusal to do so, Reuters reported. EU member states appear split on how they can keep paying for gas without breaching European sanctions imposed over Russias invasion of Ukraine. Many nations in Europe remain heavily reliant on Russian energy imports. Poland, one of the EUs staunchest proponents of punitive sanctions against Moscow, says the bloc should ban purchases of Russian gas altogether. 8:39 a.m.: Tensions are rising in the eastern Moldovan region of Transnistria, a de facto separatist region, as authorities there blame Ukraine for a recent series of attacks on government facilities. Kyiv denies this, and observers say the danger is rising hat Russia could use the attacks as an excuse to pen a new front against Ukraine or against Moldova itself. VOAs Ricardo Marquina has this story from the Moldovan capital Chisinau. 8:27 a.m.: Russia on Thursday accused the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) of handing information on the location of Russian and pro-Russian forces to Western and Ukrainian intelligence, Reuters reported. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the allegation during a briefing with reporters but did not provide evidence for it. She said investigators from the self-proclaimed breakaway Donetsk Peoples Republic, which is backed by Russia, would provide additional proof. The OSCE has a monitoring mission in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian army since 2014. 8:18 a.m.: Ukraines prosecutor general says that 10 Russian soldiers who tortured civilians in the town of Bucha have been identified, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. 8:11a.m.: The bodies of 1,150 civilians have been recovered in Ukraine's Kyiv region since Russia's invasion and 50-70% of them have bullet wounds from small arms, Kyiv police said on Thursday according to Reuters. Kyiv regional police chief Andriy Nebytov said in a video posted on Twitter that most of the bodies had been found in the town of Bucha, where hundreds of corpses have been discovered since Russian forces withdrew. Ukraine says the civilians found dead in Bucha were killed by Russian forces during their occupation of the area. Reuters has not been able to verify the number of people found dead in Bucha or the circumstances of their deaths. 8:06 a.m.: A series of alleged attacks inside Transdniester, a breakaway region of Moldova, has triggered a stream of people to leave and deepened fears that Russia is bent on expanding its war beyond Ukraine. The alleged attacks - which have caused many to flee, with cars streaming out of Transdniester and heading toward the rest of Moldova - come after recent saber-rattling from a senior Russian military officer. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report. 8:01 a.m.: Local Ukrainian officials are accusing Russia of stealing over 2,000 works of art from museums in the southern city of Mariupol, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. 7:51 a.m.: Germany is seeking closer ties with countries that share its democratic values in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Japan, Australia, South Korea and India, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday in Tokyo on his first visit to the region.The Ukraine crisis, which has highlighted Germany's energy reliance on Russia, is spurring Berlin to take security risks more into account in its foreign and trade policy and to strengthen ties with allies, Reuters reported. 7:28 a.m.: The Director-General of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday denounced the killings of two journalists who were found in the Ukrainian towns of Yahidne and Bucha by local residents. Their bodies were found in early April, VOAs Press Freedom Editor Jessica Jerreat reported. I deplore the killings of Roman Nezhyborets and Zoreslav Zamoysky, said Director-General Audrey Azoulay in a statement. I call on the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of these killings and bring those responsible to justice, she said. Nezhyborets was a video technician for the television broadcaster Dytynets, and Zamoysky was a freelance contributor to local news media including Information Portal and Hromada Priirpinnia who covered the war on his Facebook page, UNESCO said. UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, the statement said. UNESCO also tracks the number and location of journalists around the world who have been killed. 7:17 a.m.: A Ukrainian soldier holed up in a steel works in Mariupol said his forces would fight for as long as needed and he urged world leaders to find a way to save civilians and the hundreds of troops trapped in Russia's "medieval" siege. Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, 39, a deputy commander of Ukraine's Azov Regiment, spoke in an interview with Reuters from the steel works that is the last redoubt for the port city's defenders. Russian forces have reduced large parts of Mariupol to ruins around the vast complex and its underground catacombs, where Palamar and a Ukrainian contingent are making a last stand. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who claimed control of the city last week, said the plant should be sealed off so that "not a fly" could escape. "As long as we're here and holding the defense... the city is not theirs," Palamar said. 6:58 a.m.: A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russias invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods, The Associated Press reported Thursday. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 61 percent of people in the United States say the spread of misinformation about the war is a major problem, with only 7 percent saying its not a problem. Misleading social media posts, fake pictures or videos and propagandized headlines have proliferated on websites, from TikTok to Facebook, since Russias assault on Ukraine began in February. 6:32 a.m.: 6:28 a.m.: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres traveled to three towns outside Ukraines capital Kyiv Thursday, visiting sites in Borodianka, Bucha and Irpin. VOAs U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer shared a transcript of remarks made by Guterres to the press at each stop: Borodianka: When I see those destroyed buildings, I must say what I feel. I imagined my family in one of those houses that is now destroyed and black. I see my granddaughters running away in panic, part of the family eventually killed. So, the war is an absurdity in the 21st century. The war is evil. And when one sees these situations our heart, of course, stays with the victims. Our condolences to their families, but are emotions are that there is no way a war can be acceptable in the 21st century. Look at that. Bucha: (speaking at the Church of the St Andrew the First-Called All Saints) When we this horrendous site, it makes me feel how important it is [to have] a thorough investigation and accountability. I am glad that International Criminal Court is seized of the situation and that the prosecutor's office was already here. I fully support the International Criminal Court and I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept to cooperate with the International Criminal Court. But when we talk about war crimes, we cannot forget that the worst of crimes is war itself. Irpin: (speaking at the destroyed Irpinsky Lipki residential complex) This horrific scenario demonstrates something that is unfortunately, always true: civilians always pay the highest price. Innocent civilians were living in these buildings. They were paying the highest price for a war for which they had not contributed at all. And this is something everybody should remember, everywhere in the world. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians. 6:24 a.m.: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has decried the "absurdity" of Moscow's war in Ukraine as Russia steps up its large-scale offensive in the east more than two months after it invaded its neighbor. The UN chief, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the day before, toured several towns just outside Kyiv - including Bucha and Borodyanka - where the corpses of civilians, some showing signs of torture, were found after Russian troops withdrew earlier this month. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report. 6:21 a.m.: Ukraines banking system has proven remarkably resilient despite the stresses of the war, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday. 6:16 a.m.: British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday it would be legitimate for Ukrainian forces to target Russian logistics to cripple their supply of food, fuel and munitions but they were unlikely to use British weapons to do so, Reuters reported. Tensions between Britain and Russia increased this week when Moscow accused London of provoking Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia, saying there would be an immediate "proportional response" if it continued. Wallace said under international law Ukraine had every right to defend itself. "Part of defending itself in this type of invasion is obviously where Ukraine will go after the supply lines of the Russian army because without fuel and food and ammunition, the Russian army grinds to a halt and can no longer continue its invasion," he told BBC TV. Wallace said Britain had sent artillery to Ukraine that was being used within Ukraine on Russian forces, but he added that it had not, and was unlikely, to send weapons that could be used for longer-range attacks. Wallace also denied that NATO was locked in a proxy war with Russia but said the West would provide increasing support to Ukraine if the Russian attacks continued. "Sometimes that will include planes and tanks," he told Times Radio. 6:09 a.m.: The International Monetary Fund says the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia are exacerbating the divergence in recovery prospects for the Middle East and Central Asia. In a report titled Divergent Recoveries in Turbulent Times, the IMF said. Prospects for oil and gas exporters in the Middle East and North Africa have improved, while countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia face a particularly challenging outlook given linkages to Russia and Ukraine. 6:04 a.m.: Human Rights Watch on Thursday warned that Russias invasion of Ukraine has worsened the food security crisis in many African countries. Many countries in East, West, Middle, and Southern Africa rely on Russia and Ukraine for a significant percentage of their wheat, fertilizer, or vegetable oils imports, but the war disrupts global commodity markets and trade flows to Africa, increasing already high food prices in the region, HRW said in a statement. Even countries that have few imports from Russia and Ukraine are indirectly impacted by higher world prices for key commodities, the organization said. Governments and donors should ensure affordable food access in Africa by scaling up economic and emergency assistance and social protection efforts, HRW recommended. Otherwise, millions of people across the African continent may experience hunger, it warned. 5:59 a.m.: Russia said Thursday that it is worried about increased tensions in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova. In a message on Twitter, Russias Foreign Ministry characterized a series of unexplained explosions this week as acts of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region. 5:51 a.m.: Russia stepped up its assaults on eastern and southern Ukraine Thursday, Reuters reported. "The enemy is increasing the pace of the offensive operation. The Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire in almost all directions," Ukraine's military command said of the situation on the main front in the east. It said Russia's main attack was near the towns of Slobozhanske and Donets, along a strategic frontline highway linking Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv with the Russian-occupied city of Izyum. The Kharkiv regional governor said Russian forces were intensifying attacks from Izyum, but Ukrainian troops were holding their ground. Ukraine said there were strong explosions overnight in the southern city of Kherson, the only regional capital Russia has captured since the invasion. Russian troops were now shelling the entire surrounding region and attacking towards Mykolaiv and Kryvyi Rih, President Vladimir Zelenskyy's southern home city, Ukraine said. 5:49 a.m.: Al Jazeera, citing Russia's TASS news agency, says air defenses were activated in the Russian city of Belgorod early Thursday. 5:17 a.m.: Reuters reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened "lightning-fast" retaliation against any Western nations intervening on Ukraine's behalf. "If someone intends to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside, and create strategic threats for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast," Putin told lawmakers in St. Petersburg. "We have all the tools for this, things no one else can boast of having now. And we will not boast, we will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know that." His comments came as Russia stepped up attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine on Thursday. 5:01 a.m.: CNN reports that the United States has gotten more than 4,000 applications to sponsor Ukrainians. The Biden administration recently started a streamlined process for Ukrainian refugees and is urging people to use it instead of heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. 4:02 a.m.: Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, wants his organization to have access to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the Associated Press reports. The plant, the largest in Europe, is currently under Russian control. Grossi told the AP the plant needs repairs and that the level of safety at the plant is like a "red light blinking." 3:09 a.m.: Al Jazeera reports that Britain's defense secretary, Ben Wallace, speaking to Sky News on Thursday, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin may seek to consolidate any gains in Ukraine. I think its certainly the case that Putin, having failed in nearly all his objectives, may seek to consolidate what hes got, sort of fortify and dig in as he did in 2014," he said. "Just be a sort of cancerous growth within the country in Ukraine and make it very hard for people to move them out of those fortified positions. 2:04 a.m.: The U.K. defense ministry's latest intelligence update says about 20 Russian Navy vessels, including submarines, are in the Black Sea "operational zone." Additionally, it says, Russia is unable to replace its lost cruiser Moskva in the Black Sea because the Bosporus Strait remains closed to all non-Turkish warships. 1:08 a.m.: Tensions are rising in the eastern Moldovan region of Transnistria, a de facto separatist region, as authorities there blame Ukraine for a recent series of attacks on government facilities. Kyiv denies this, and observers say the danger is rising that Russia could use the attacks as an excuse to open a new front against Ukraine or against Moldova itself. VOA's Ricardo Marquina has the story. 12:48 a.m.: CNN reports that Russian state media says the Kherson region of Ukraine will transition to using rubles from May 1. 12:01 a.m.: The Washington Post reports that Russia has put trained dolphins at the entrance to Sevastopol harbor in Crimea and may be using them to protect a naval base. Recent satellite photos by Maxar Technologies show dolphin pens at the entrance to the harbor, which is a key Black Sea port, the Post reports. A naval analyst said the animals could be used to counter specialist Ukrainian divers trying to enter the port to sabotage Russian warships. Both the U.S. and Russia have previously trained marine mammals for this task, the Post says. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. An application developed in Kenya to improve the marketing of fish caught in Lake Victoria is helping women fishmongers fend off sex-for-fish exploitation by fishermen. The Aquarech app allows traders to buy fish without having to negotiate with fishermen as Ruud Elmendorp reports from Kisumu, Kenya. Videographer: Ruud Elmendorp Produced by: Henry Hernandez Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who holds this years Group of 20 (G-20) presidency, underscored his countrys support for Ukraine but did not confirm President Volodymyr Zelenskyys earlier statement indicating he has been invited to the economic forums November summit in Bali. I reiterated Indonesias support to any efforts for peace negotiations to succeed and stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance, Widodo said in a tweet Thursday morning Jakarta time. On Wednesday Zelenskyy tweeted that hed spoken with Widodo. Appreciated inviting me to the G-20 Summit, he said. Zelenskyy's statement appears to put Jakarta in a tight spot as it prepares to host a summit amid a rift among members of the economic forum which includes the G-7, the European Union, Russia and China. On Thursday, Indonesian G-20 Co-sherpa Dian Triansyah Djani told VOA that Widodo's office has not announced an invitation to Zelenskyy, and still maintains that Jakarta wants everyone to come, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Like all previous G-20 presidents, Indonesia's hope is to have the full attendance of all its members," he said. The White House also said it has not received confirmation from Widodos government about inviting Zelenskyy to the summit a suggestion made by U.S. President Joe Biden last month should the group disagree on demands from Washington and other Western allies that Moscow be excluded from the G-20. Weve seen the reports that President Zelenskyy has been invited to the G-20 and we certainly welcome that, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Wednesday. As you know, President Biden said just last month that Ukraine should be able to participate. But we don't have further confirmation beyond the news reports, which we certainly think are positive. In his tweet, Zelenskyy also thanked Widodo for his support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular for a clear position in the U.N. Indonesia in March supported two resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine but abstained on the third resolution, along with 57 other U.N. members, to expel Moscow from the U.N. Human Rights Council. Impossible task Analysts have pointed out that Widodos government is stuck with the impossible task of attempting consensus on the worlds most pressing economic problems while navigating new geopolitical rivalries triggered by Putins invasion. While Moscow was kicked out of the Group of Eight (G-8), now known as the Group of Seven (G-7), following its 2014 annexation of Crimea, the G-20 is a much wider grouping with many more competing interests. It includes China, which supports Russian involvement. I think Indonesia is trying to split the baby here, said Gregory Poling, who researches U.S. foreign policy in the Asia Pacific at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. They don't want the U.S. and other members of the G-7 to not show up. They also don't want to be put in the position of disinviting Putin, he told VOA. After meeting with NATO members and European allies in Brussels last month, U.S. President Joe Biden suggested Kyiv be able to attend G-20 meetings as an observer should other members disagree to kick Russia out. Biden, who is building a global coalition against Putin beyond Europe, has not said he would boycott the G-20 summit should the Russian leader attend, but insists the forum cannot be "business as usual." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have also raised concerns about Putins participation. Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen skipped several G-20 ministerial meetings to protest Russian officials attendance. Other Western officials did the same. Jakarta's dilemma Jakartas dilemma is symptomatic of Moscows considerable influence around the world, including its energy and military ties with Indonesia. Last month, following intense Western pressure, Indonesia put on hold plans for the states oil and gas company to purchase cheap Russian crude oil amid soaring global energy prices. Moscow has a glut of oil it is offering at a huge discount to countries willing to defy Western sanctions, including China and India. Senior Indonesian officials have pushed back against Western pressure on the issue of G-20. Member states must work in unison to create stability and prosperity together, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati told VOAs Indonesian Service last week. This is one of the most important [thing] for us to support the idea of cooperation that needs to be maintained and should not [be] characterized in such a very binary, simple way, she said. So far Moscow has not announced a change in plans for Putin to attend the summit in person. Earlier this month the Biden administration signaled it wants the G-20 to discuss the international economic repercussions of the Russian invasion and potentially Ukraines reconstruction. That idea is likely to create further rift in the economic forum. Earlier this week, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesias coordinating minister for maritime affairs, told VOAs Indonesian Service his government will see what happens. Nobody losing face," he said. "That, I think, is the best. Eva Mazrieva and Virginia Gunawan from VOA Indonesia Service contributed to this report. Russias Gazprom halted natural gas supplies Wednesday to Poland and Bulgaria, the latest step in the economic fight linked to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Russia has demanded that European nations, many of which rely on Russia for large portions of their energy supplies, pay for natural gas in rubles, Russias currency. Gazprom said Wednesday that Poland and Bulgaria had not done so and would therefore have their gas supplies suspended. Gazprom says that four unnamed natural gas buyers have paid Russia in rubles and 10 European companies have created ruble accounts to make payments in the Russian currency, Bloomberg News reported. The White House said Wednesday this move by Russia was anticipated. That is why we, of course, had been in touch with Europe, including with these countries ... over the last 24 hours, with leaders in Poland and Bulgaria, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. We have been working for some time now, for months with partners around the world to diversify natural gas supply to Europe in anticipation of, and to also address, near-term needs and replace volumes that would otherwise come from Russia. Polish and Bulgarian officials said the Gazprom move amounted to a breach of their contracts. Polish President Andrzej Duda said the Russian gas cutoff violated "basic legal principles," while Bulgarian Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov said gas was being used as a "political and economic weapon." On Twitter, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "It comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us. This is something the EU Commission has been preparing for, with member states and international partners. Our response will be immediate, united and coordinated." Several EU nations have moved to lessen or eliminate their dependence on Russian energy, including by seeking other sources and boosting their use of renewable energy. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday its forces carried out missile strikes overnight that destroyed 59 targets in Ukraine, including "hangars with a large batch of foreign weapons and ammunition" sent by the United States and European countries to aid Ukraine's military. The United Nations said it has teams in Moscow and Kyiv that are following up on the agreement in principle that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reached with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to allow the U.N. and the International Committee of the Red Cross to evacuate civilians trapped in the Azavstal steel plant in the besieged port city of Mariupol. Guterres spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters that discussions are taking place on the operational framework for the evacuation. What we have still is an agreement in principle; what we are trying to do is translate that into an agreement in detail, and an agreement on the ground, Haq said. Ultimately, what we want is to make sure that a cease-fire would be respected that would allow us to move people safely. We dont have those conditions as of this moment, the spokesman said. The United States and its allies signaled Tuesday they are moving swiftly and powerfully to support Ukrainian forces and escalate pressure on Russia's economy. The United States at first "needed weeks" to move military equipment and munitions to Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but it now often dispatches new armaments to the Ukrainians within three days. Blinken said since he and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv over the weekend, the two countries were "largely aligned in what they say they need and what we think we're able to provide." The U.S. Department of Defense said Wednesday more than half of the 90 U.S. howitzers have reached Ukraine, and a first round of training on the long-range weapons has already wrapped up. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby cited the ongoing flow of weapons and aid in the success Ukraine has maintained in the battle against Putins unprovoked invasion. He's concentrating all his firing forces in the east and in the south of Ukraine. So, he has achieved none of his strategic objectives, Kirby said. I think that's proof right there that the kinds of systems that are being provided to Ukraine have had an effect . on their self-defense needs. The U.S. Congress could send lend-lease legislation further freeing up the flow of weapons to Bidens desk for a signature as early as the end of this week. Heavy weapons Germany's government said Tuesday it would send heavy weapons to Ukraine for the first time. Austin, meeting at a U.S. air base in Germany with officials from 40 countries, including NATO members, said Russian President Vladimir Putin "never imagined the whole world would rally behind Ukraine so swiftly and surely." "We're seeing more support every day" to combat the Russian invasion, he said Tuesday. "We don't have any time to waste. We've got to move at the speed of war." The White House said Germany's decision signaled unprecedented unity in the face of Russian aggression. "The announcement by Germany is in line with announcements we've seen by a number of European countries in providing assistance they have never before provided, which is part of the significance here," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. "So, this is an unprecedented change to provide lethal aid to another country, and that's the significance here from Germany. But I'd also note that Norway provided Mistral anti-aircraft missiles, that a number of countries have provided types of assistance that they have never done in the past, and that really speaks to the significant unity of NATO." Defense Secretary Austin said allies supporting Ukraine would meet monthly to coordinate further aid. As he opened the talks, he said the aim was to "help Ukraine to win the fight against Russia's unjust invasion and to help build up Ukraine for tomorrow's challenges." Austin also rebuked Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for suggesting that the war could evolve into a nuclear conflict between Russia and the West. "We certainly will do everything in our power to make sure it doesn't spin out of control," Austin said. "Nobody wants to see a nuclear war. Nobody can win it," he said, adding that "it's unhelpful and dangerous to rattle sabers" over a nuclear threat. Austin's appeal to allies for more help for Ukraine came a day after he said the U.S. objective in supporting Ukraine was to leave Russia with a "weakened" military. He described Russian casualties so far as "pretty substantial," with some military analysts saying as many as 20,000 Russian troops have died. Moscow accused the West of carrying out a proxy war against Russia by sending more munitions to Ukraine and warned of a "considerable" risk that the fighting could evolve into a nuclear conflict. Diplomatic efforts United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met Tuesday in Moscow with Putin and Lavrov in an attempt to broker a cease-fire agreement, even as Russia launched new attacks on eastern and southern Ukraine. Guterres then headed to Ukraine, stopping first in Poland to meet with that nation's president in a city along the Ukrainian border used as a base for American troops and humanitarian efforts. During the two-hour meeting with Guterres in the Russian capital, Putin agreed "in principle" to allow the U.N. and the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist with the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal iron and steel plant in Mariupol, Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The U.N. chief said that while Russia and the U.N. had "different interpretations of what's happening in Ukraine," there was still the possibility for a serious conversation about working to minimize suffering and "end the war as soon as possible." Also on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said American diplomats have taken concrete steps to reestablish a U.S. diplomatic presence in Ukraine. "I can confirm that the deputy chief of mission and members of the embassy team traveled to Lviv, Ukraine, today, where they were able to continue our close collaboration with key Ukrainian partners," he said. "Today, they met with interlocutors from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs." VOA's Anita Powell and Ken Bredemeier contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Explosions ripped through two separate passenger vehicles in northern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least nine people and injuring 13 others. The bombings took place within minutes of each other in different parts of Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, said Mohammad Asif Waziri, a provincial police spokesman. "The targets appear to be Shiite passengers," Waziri said. The Islamic State terrorist groups regional affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts. It is the latest in a series of bombings to rattle Afghanistan this month, killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. Last week, a bomb exploded at a Shiite Muslim mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, killing 12 worshippers and wounding about 90 others. A day later, a bomb exploded inside a packed mosque in northeastern Kunduz province during Friday prayers, killing 33 people and injuring nearly 50 others. While ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the mosque bombing in Mazar-e-Sharif, no one has yet claimed the Kunduz attack. ISIS-K has stepped up its attacks against the Hazara community since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The United States and coalition troops withdrew from the country later that month, ending their almost 20 years involvement in the war with the Taliban. Up to 10% of the countrys estimated 40 million people are Afghan Hazara. The community is considered the most persecuted minority group in Afghanistan and is discriminated against by many in the Sunni-majority country. ISIS-K is a Sunni-based militant group like the Islamist Taliban, but the two are bitter foes. The Taliban reiterated in a statement this week that their security forces have almost eliminated the ISIS-K threat in Afghanistan, saying efforts are ongoing to dismantle the terror groups few remaining hideouts. But domestic and foreign critics remain skeptical about those claims. They note that IS militants have demonstrated their ability to strike at will anywhere in the country and pose a key challenge for the Taliban to maintain national security and address terrorism-related concerns of Afghanistans neighbors, as well as the world at large. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse. Press freedom supporters are condemning Ugandan authorities for persecuting media that air critical views of President Yoweri Museveni and his family. Ugandan security forces in March raided Digitalk TV, an online station, and arrested and charged its reporters with cyber stalking and offensive communication. The charges could see them facing up to seven years in prison, as Halima Athumani reports for World Press Freedom Day on May 3, from Kampala, Uganda. Videographer: Mukasa Francis U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress Thursday to approve $33 billion in additional aid for Ukraine to help it resist invading Russian forces over the next five months. The House overwhelmingly passed legislation aimed at removing obstacles that slow the delivery of military assistance. Those two developments would allow the U.S. to significantly ramp up both the quantity and speed of weapons deliveries to Ukraine. "Investing in Ukraine's freedom is a small price to pay," Biden said in a White House address. "We're not attacking Russia. We're helping Ukraine defend itself." The White House said the new $33 billion spending plan would include more than $20 billion in new weaponry and military assistance, and $8.5 billion in economic aid for Ukraine. The White House said the remaining funds would be used for food production assistance, to allow use of the Defense Production Act to expand domestic production of other items disrupted by the conflict, and to support sanctions enforcement. Biden's proposal is for more than twice the $13.6 billion that Congress previously authorized, a total that now has been mostly exhausted with arms shipments to Ukraine in recent weeks. "Basically, we're out of money," to assist Ukraine, Biden said. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration is confident a politically divided Congress will continue to support U.S. assistance to Ukraine. "Certainly there is an urgency to getting this funding done," she said. "There has been bipartisan support in the past, and we're certainly looking forward to working with them to get this done as quickly as possible." Also Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act by a vote of 417-10. The Senate voted unanimously in support weeks earlier. The act, which is a revival of a World War II program, allows the U.S. government to bypass procedural obstacles that slow the delivery of weapons. "It is vital that the U.S. does everything possible to get the necessary weapons to Ukraine and our eastern European partners to defend against Russia's unprovoked war of aggression," said Michael McCaul, the lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee "With this bill, we are standing with the generations of Ukrainians impacted by this devastation." 'Aggression will not win' In a direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said, "You will never succeed in dominating Ukraine." Biden criticized the Russian leader for cutting off natural gas shipments this week to Poland and Bulgaria, saying the United States and its allies "will not let Russia blackmail its way out of (economic) sanctions" that have been imposed on Russian financial institutions and oligarchs close to Putin. "Aggression will not win. Threats will not win," Biden said. Biden's new proposal calls for working more closely with international partners to "recover assets linked to foreign corruption," and extend the amount of time to pursue money laundering prosecutions from five years to 10 years. A White House statement said the measures would "enhance the United States government's authority to hold the Russian government and Russian oligarchs accountable for President Putin's war against Ukraine" to "seize property linked to Russia's kleptocracy," as Biden described it. Earlier Thursday, Ukraine's presidential adviser said, "Ukraine should decide whether to strike (Russian) military facilities." What we're talking about here is not any intention of Ukraine invading Russia, and trying to take Russian territory, going after Russian civilians, going after Russian hospitals. Psaki said, when VOA asked if the administration feared that could lead to an escalation. We're talking about consideration of military targets. Its something very different. UN support As Russia launched new attacks on eastern Ukraine, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Kyiv and nearby suburbs left in shambles by Moscow's assault. He later met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "The highest price is paid by civilians," Guterres said of the war as he toured Borodyanka and Irpin, as well as Bucha, where the bodies of civilians were found after Russian forces withdrew from the area a month ago. Those discoveries prompted calls for investigations of possible war crimes. Guterres on Thursday encouraged Russia to cooperate in probes by the International Criminal Court. "I fully support the ICC, and I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept, to cooperate with the ICC," Guterres said. "But when we talk about war crimes, we cannot forget that the worst of crimes is war itself." "The sooner this war ends, the better for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world," Guterres tweeted. Friday Ukraine said it planned to try to evacuate civilians from the Azovstal steel plant in the southern city of Mariupol. Thousands of residents from Mariupol have taken refuge in the plant, where a significant number of Ukrainian troops are also holding out against Russian attacks. Zelenskyys office, which announced the evacuation effort, gave no details on how it might be carried out. NATO expansion Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed Finland and Sweden to consider applying to become members of the NATO military alliance. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said if they do choose to take that step, the process could be completed quickly. "It is, of course, for Finland and Sweden to decide whether they would like to apply for membership in NATO or not. But if they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden would be welcomed with open arms to NATO," Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels. Russia has expressed opposition to prospective NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, saying if they do join, Russia will deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles to Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea. "This is fundamentally about the right of every nation in Europe to decide its own future," Stoltenberg said. "So, when Russia tries to threaten, to intimidate Finland and Sweden from not applying, it just demonstrates how Russia is not respecting the basic right of every nation to choose its own path." National security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. After nearly three years in a Russian prison, former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed is back in the United States on Thursday after a swap with a Russian held in the U.S. Reed had been convicted of endangering the lives of two Moscow police officers while drunk. The U.S. called the trial a "theater of the absurd." Reed arrived in his native Texas and will spend a few days in a military hospital to monitor his health. A Texas congressman posted photos on Twitter of Reed's arrival. "It's been (a) very exciting day for The Reed family. Trevor is back in the USA," Reed's mother, Paula Reed, tweeted early Thursday. Reed was exchanged for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had been convicted of trying to smuggle drugs into the U.S. He had been arrested by U.S. special forces in Liberia in 2010. The official swap reportedly took place at an airport in Turkey. The American plane pulled up next to the Russian plane, and they walked both prisoners across at the same time, like you see in the movies," said Trevor's father, Joey Reed. The U.S. is also trying to secure the release of another American, former Marine Paul Whelan, who was sentenced to 16 years in June 2020 for espionage. Some information in this report comes from Reuters. The World Health Organization warns that vaccine-preventable diseases are spreading across the African continent because routine immunizations against killer diseases have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tens of millions of people have missed out on routine immunization services. That not only puts their lives at risk from potentially deadly diseases but creates an environment in which killer diseases can thrive and spread. Benido Impouma, director for communicable and noncommunicable diseases in the World Health Organization's regional office for Africa, said the pandemic has put a huge strain on health systems. It has impaired routine immunization services in many African countries and forced the suspension of vaccination drives. Over the past year, he said, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases have increased across the continent. "For instance, between January and March of this year, around 17,000 cases of measles were recorded. This is a 400 percent increase compared with the same period last year," Impouma said. "Twenty-four countries in our region confirmed outbreaks of a variant of polio last year, which is four times more than in 2020." He noted that outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as yellow fever, also are surging. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recently issued a report warning of a heightened risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. They attribute it in large part to increasing inequalities in access to vaccines due to pandemic-related disruptions. They expressed particular concern about a worldwide spike in measles cases, which have increased by 79 percent in the first two months of this year. They noted that most cases were reported in Africa and in eastern Mediterranean regions. WHO is working to improve immunization coverage and protection for children, Impouma said, adding that WHO and its partners are supporting African countries to carry out catch-up routine vaccination campaigns. "More than 30 African countries implemented at least one routine catch-up immunization campaign in the second half of last year," he said. "And this year, countries are showing progress, with measles and yellow fever campaigns starting again. Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan have reinstated measles campaigns, which is good news." However, COVID-19 news is not as promising. WHO said that this week new COVID-19 cases and deaths on the continent have increased for the first time after a decline of more than two months for cases and one month for deaths. The latest recorded figures put the number of cases at 11.6 million, including nearly 253,000 deaths. UNITED NATIONS Ukraine's deputy foreign minister said Wednesday that the list of war crimes committed by Russian troops in her country grows daily and accountability is critical. "The city of Mariupol has turned into dust," Emine Dzhaparova told an informal meeting of the U.N. Security Council. "Thousands of civilians live in blockade without water, electricity, communications and basic things that all people need." She said that new mass graves and buried bodies are found daily in Ukrainian cities and that Russian soldiers carry out crimes on civilians, including torture, rape and murder. "Russia must be [held] accountable for its crimes as a state," she said, adding that the individuals who carried out the crimes must be prosecuted, too. "The one who raped a girl, kicking out her teeth; who killed a man riding a bicycle; who fusilladed a queue of people waiting for bread; who shot humanitarian convoys, maternity hospitals, ambulances, cars," Dzhaparova said. "These people have names and faces, and they are to be brought to criminal liability." 8,000 investigations Ukraine Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said from Kyiv that her office has opened 8,000 cases to probe allegations of violations and the list continues to grow. Several governments have offered Ukraine assistance in carrying out investigations and documenting abuses. In an unprecedented move, more than 40 states have referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has made two trips to Ukraine and has an investigative team on the ground that includes experts, lawyers and anthropologists. He said he sent three communications to Russia but had not received a reply. He urged Moscow to cooperate with his office, saying if it wants to expose accusations against it as fake, the best way to do so is to hold them up to scrutiny. "My office and myself have no political agenda other than to get to the truth," he assured member states. But Russia's representative dismissed the ICC as an institution susceptible to political pressure and financial leverage exerted by such countries as the United States and Britain. "ICC is merely a political instrument and has nothing in common with justice," Russian legal adviser Sergey Leonidchenko said. He said Russia would have its own meeting on accountability with its own briefers on May 6. In terms of new crimes, the U.S. representative said Washington now had credible information that a Russian military unit operating near the eastern city of Donetsk had executed Ukrainians who were attempting to surrender, rather than take them into custody. 'Deeply disturbing pattern' Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack said that, if true, this would violate a core principle of war prohibiting the summary execution of civilians who surrender. "These images and reports suggest that these atrocities are not the act of rogue units or individuals; rather, they reveal a deeply disturbing pattern of systematic abuse across all areas where Russia's forces are engaged," she said. Russia has a record of abuses, including in Syria, where its troops have backed President Bashar al-Assad's forces since 2015. "The pattern of abuse we are seeing in Ukraine is consistent with well-documented grave crimes by Russian forces in other places such as Syria," Human Rights Watch's Ida Sawyer said from Kyiv. "The lack of accountability for those violations has regrettably opened the door for what is occurring today." Human rights lawyer and activist Amal Clooney said the horrific scenes from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha reminded her of the 2012 massacre of 108 civilians, many of them children, in the northwestern Syrian town of Houla. "This Security Council met in an emergency session to decry the killings, and people thought it would be a turning point for accountability. It wasn't," Clooney said. "And now the same Russian general known as "the butcher," who mounted a brutal attack on civilians in Aleppo, is massacring innocent families in Mariupol." She urged the diplomats not to grow numb to the violence as the war grinds on and merely call for justice that is never delivered. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hosting U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for talks Thursday, while Ukraine calls for an embargo on Russian energy supplies and U.S. President Joe Biden prepares a proposal for military, economic and humanitarian aid. Guterres toured areas outside Kyiv, including Bucha, where the bodies of civilians were found after Russian forces withdrew from the area. Those discoveries prompted calls for investigations of possible war crimes, and Guterres on Thursday encouraged Russia to cooperate with probes by the International Criminal Court. "I fully support the ICC and I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept, to cooperate with the ICC, Guterres said. But when we talk about war crimes, we cannot forget that the worst of crimes is war itself. The U.N. chief said after arriving in Ukraine that he wanted to expand humanitarian support and secure the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones, topics that were part of his talks earlier this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The sooner this war ends, the better for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world, Guterres tweeted. Russian energy Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Thursday its a matter of time before an embargo is imposed on Russias key energy industry. While European nations have taken steps to reduce or eliminate their reliance on Russian oil and gas, replacing those supplies and potential economic hits at home have made some leaders express caution about how quickly to proceed down that path as Ukrainian officials called for an embargo. Podolyak tweeted that avoiding Russian energy supplies is both a moral issue and a matter of Russia ceasing to be a reliable and predictable partner in the eyes of the world. Switching to alternative supply channels quickly will be expensive, but not as expensive as not doing so, Podolyak tweeted. In the medium term, Moscow will face total economic and political isolation. As a result, poverty, the scale of which Russia has not seen yet. SEE ALSO: His comments came a day after Russias Gazprom halted natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. Gazprom said Wednesday that Poland and Bulgaria had not met Russias demand to pay for natural gas in rubles. The company said four unnamed natural gas buyers have paid Russia in rubles, and 10 European companies have created ruble accounts to make payments in the Russian currency, Bloomberg News reported. The White House said Wednesday this move by Russia was anticipated. That is why we, of course, had been in touch with Europe, including with these countries ... over the last 24 hours, with leaders in Poland and Bulgaria, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. We have been working for some time now, for months with partners around the world to diversify natural gas supply to Europe in anticipation of, and to also address, near-term needs and replace volumes that would otherwise come from Russia. Polish President Andrzej Duda said the Russian gas cutoff violated "basic legal principles," while Bulgarian Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov said gas was being used as a "political and economic weapon." U.S. aid The White House said Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks Thursday on support for Ukrainians defending their country and their freedom against Russias brutal war. Psaki told reporters Wednesday that Biden would send to Congress this week a proposed package similar in focus to those already carried out to help Ukraine, with security, humanitarian and economic assistance to help address a range of the needs the Ukrainians have. The U.S. Congress could also send lend-lease legislation further freeing up the flow of weapons to Bidens desk for a signature as early as the end of this week. The U.S. Department of Defense said Wednesday more than half of the 90 U.S. howitzers have reached Ukraine, and a first round of training on the long-range weapons has already wrapped up. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby cited the ongoing flow of weapons and aid in the success Ukraine has maintained in the battle against Putins unprovoked invasion. He's concentrating all his firing forces in the east and in the south of Ukraine. So, he has achieved none of his strategic objectives, Kirby said. I think that's proof right there that the kinds of systems that are being provided to Ukraine have had an effect ... on their self-defense needs. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned against Western intervention in Ukraine as he spoke to lawmakers in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. "If someone intends to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside, and create strategic threats for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast," Putin said. "We have all the tools for this, things no one else can boast of having now. And we will not boast, we will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know that." Support reaches $8 billion Military support for Ukraine, either pledged or provided already by NATO allies, has reached $8 billion, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday. Russias invasion of Ukraine has pushed Finland and Sweden to consider applying to be members of the NATO military alliance, and Stoltenberg said if they do choose to take that step, the process could be completed quickly. "It is, of course, for Finland and Sweden to decide whether they would like to apply for membership in NATO or not. But if they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden would be welcomed with open arms to NATO, Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels. Russia has expressed opposition to prospective NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, saying if they do join, Russia will deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles to Kaliningrad. "This is fundamentally about the right of every nation in Europe to decide its own future, Stoltenberg said. So when Russia tries to threaten, to intimidate Finland and Sweden from not applying, it just demonstrates how Russia is not respecting the basic right of every nation to choose its own path." National security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. According to Ukraines Ministry of Defense, female soldiers and officers make up about 15% of Ukrainian army combat forces. Since 2014, more than 30,000 Ukrainian women have become combat veterans. Those numbers have shot up since the Russian invasion. Mariia Prus has the story. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. The above photograph was released by the Iranian government: It shows Khalil al-Hmaydane (head of Saudi intelligence) and Said Irouani (deputy head of international affairs at the Iranian National Security Council) surrounding Iraqi Prime Minister Moustafa al-Kazimi. A meeting of consultations was held behind closed doors on 21 April in Iraq. Another one is expected to take place soon, probably between diplomats. Negotiations are making headway: A truce was observed in Yemen throughout March and April. On 7 April, Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi handed over his powers to an eight-member council after dismissing his vice president. Saudi Ambassador Walid Boukhari has returned to Lebanon after several months of absence. Save Tonka! Photo: Albert Ortega/Getty Images Child stars: Where are they now? In the case of Tonka, the chimpanzee who starred in the 1997 film Buddy when he was only a wee chimpie lad, we literally dont know. Now, his former colleague Alan Cumming is offering a $10,000 reward for the missing chimp. In February, PETA put out a call for Tonka, whose last known whereabouts were inside the former Missouri Primate Foundation (MPF) facility, a breeding outfit that previously rented out baby chimpanzees for events and sold them to private homes and movie exhibitors and was known as Chimparty. A group of chimps was scheduled to be rescued from the misleadingly named facility in July 2021, but the exotic-animal broker handing over the chimps claimed but could not prove in court that Tonka had died. It sounds like a very dark true-crime sideshow to Tiger King, and the plot thickened on April 28, with Tonkas Buddy co-star Cumming pledging a $10,000 reward for anyone who can find the primate. During the months we filmed together, baby Tonka and I became good friends, playing and grooming each other and just generally larking about, Cumming told Variety. Its horrible to think he might be in a cage in a dark basement somewhere or have met some other fate, so Im appealing to whoever knows what has become of him to please come forward and claim the reward. In 2017, Cumming had called for the rescue of Tonka and his fellow inmates from the Missouri facility. As an old friend of Tonkas, I respectfully ask that you allow him and the chimpanzees at MPF to be sent to accredited sanctuaries where they can enjoy some semblance of the life that nature intended for them, he wrote at the time. PETA has also offered a $10,000 reward for info on Tonka, bringing the total to $20,000 for whoever can help Cumming get to the bottom of what happened to his friend. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for for CinemaCon While the talk of Twitter last night was the horny trailer for Dont Worry Darling, the talk of CinemaCon was the strange moment that happened during director Olivia Wildes presentation. Wilde was presented with a manila envelope during the middle of her speech which confused CinemaCon attendees. Was it an elaborate bit? Was she served a lawsuit? Did it hold the link to the trailer that Twitter users are dying to get their hands on? Somehow, the truth was less sexy than a steamy trailer link. It was custody papers from her ex Jason Sudeikis. But what led up to the messy drama in Las Vegas? Below are the details of what happened last night at CinemaCon and Wilde and Sudeikiss relationship backstory. To set the scene: Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudekis were engaged for seven years but never formally married, despite having two children together. In November 2020, rumors started swirling that the couple broke up after reportedly being separated for a while. However, Wilde did not let the breakup get in the way of her budding directing career; she had been working on her next film, Dont Worry Darling, starring Florence Pugh and Shia LaBeouf, since July 2019. However, due to Wildes strict No Assholes policy and LaBeoufs known behavior, LaBeouf was fired from the set in December 2020 and replaced with none other than Harry Styles. Styles mustve been a massive improvement from LaBeouf as he was seen holding hands with Wilde at a wedding in January 2021, confirming a relationship between the two. And then the rest became history! Not because its the past, but because its chaotic and confusing as hell. During Tuesday nights Warner Bros. presentation at CinemaCon, Olivia Wilde was handed a mysterious manila envelope labeled Personal and Confidential in the middle of her speech. This is for me? Is this a script? asked Wilde to the person handing off the envelope. Wilde looked at the contents and then continued with her speech; she did not address the moment to the crowd during her Dont Worry Darling spiel. While the strange moment left CinemaCon attendees confused, thinking the whole thing was a bit, Deadline reported the next day that the envelope served to Wilde was custody papers from her ex Jason Sudeikiss legal team. An insider told The Hollywood Reporter that Sudeikis had no prior knowledge of how the envelope would be delivered to Wilde and would never condone her being served in such an inappropriate manner. Managing director of CinemaCon Mitch Neuhauser responded to the incident by stating that they are reevaluating [their] security measures. A source told Vultures Chris Lee that the person who served Wilde the documents had all the proper credentials to be at CinemaCon, including a COVID-vaccine bracelet and an ID lanyard badge. CinemaCon is open to industry and non-industry attendees; the latter had to purchase a badge to attend a presentation. Turns out what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. We have some celebrities in this episode, and not the gastronomic kind. Everything centers around a gala, which is very Bridgerton of them (We must prepare for the ball!). Julia is being honored at the WNET gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, which sounds extremely fancy. She and Avis and Paul stay at the same hotel (cute), but, oh no! Paul is sick. And hes terrible at being sick. Im talking in need of compresses, tea, and being positive hes dying. Julia has to go to lunch with editor Judith and the redoubtable Blanche Knopf, so she leaves Paul in the care of Avis, who swiftly abandons her planned lunch date. Im convinced the writers added in this whole scene to play up the Lilith-slash-Niles nostalgia of it all. Bebe Neuwirth and David Hyde Pierce are very cute and clearly like working together. They really play up the I am almost related to you but also annoyed by you dynamic as Avis throws Pauls wet compress on his chest and puts her feet up to read Elizabeth Appleton, by John OHara. The lunch is challenging. Blanche is unimpressed with Julia, no matter how much of her charm she lays on. Julia goes into ecstasies about the menu selection; Blanche complains about how hard it is to read. Judith talks about the gala and how Julia is the guest of honor; Blanche says that shell have to watch the show sometime and that there is something transient and ephemeral about television. This is where I confess that I wrote down multiple entire monologues and exchanges in this episode; I loved them. Blanche talks about the importance of books, and I just [puts hand on heart.] I was a book blogger when people still did that, and most of my closest decade-plus internet friends are from book blogging. Im 100 percent positive people who watch Julia also love books and were therefore also likely torn when Blanche talks about how books accumulate in the minds of the readers who invest in them and are a legacy to be proud of. Not that TV isnt! But it was the 1960s, and that conversation didnt seem to really be there. This is one of several exchanges in the episode where Julia gets knocked down. Blanche Knopf does it, the chef at that very restaurant does it (he asks her, as a small favor, to leave the real cooking to the men), and Betty Friedan does it. But that one is for later. Its painful to watch and of course in direct contrast to her being the guest of honor at the very fancy gala. No matter what heights Julia Child might rise to, there will always be people who scorn her work. The three here do it, and all for different reasons (snobbishness, sexism, and a particular view of feminism). Back at the office, Judith tells Blanche that she was too tough on Julia. Blanche disagrees, saying Julia gushes and flutters. Blanche does admit, though, that she is taking her frustration out on the wrong person. She can tell Judith loves working with Julia and on the cookbook, but her legacy is Anne Frank, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus (Judith Jones edited English translations of all three). Blanche sees Judith as her editorial successor and an example to other women, and she would be squandering all of that if she did cookbooks. Judith walks out. But what about Alices lunch! Now-titled producer Alice goes to lunch with a man. A man her mother wanted her to meet, sure, but nevertheless! Shes never done that before! His name is Isaac, and he is handsome. Hes also a lawyer. A lawyer who turned down an offer from a big firm in order to be a public defender. He loves The Twilight Zone. That was Alices TV inspiration job! They are both very into this whole thing. Despite Alices tight schedule, they stay until past closing, and the waitress kicks them out. Isaac asks to see her tonight, but she has the gala (damn you, gala!). He gives her his number and says hell be sitting very close to the phone. Isaac. All the points for you. At the hotel, the doctor tells Paul he has a mild flu and is, in fact, not dying or stricken with some rare disease. Every time I get a cold, I act like a consumptive opera heroine, so I am on Pauls side here. Unfortunately, the doctor refers to Avis as Pauls wife, and when she corrects him, the doctor says to Paul, Next time, you may want to take the ring off, you sonuvabitch. Haha, but also, the horror of being judged! Here I am, about to take us all to the gala when Ive forgotten about Russs own New York adventure. Russ meets a documentarian hes interested in working with. The documentarian is a Black woman, and he tells her that he wants to go to the South to cover segregation and civil rights. She tells him Boston is as segregated as Birmingham, and if he wants to tell a story, he can go outside, turn his camera on, and tell the story of the Deep North point for the documentarian. Russ is rightfully embarrassed and thanks her. She asks what hes working on right now, and when he somewhat ashamedly mentions The French Chef, she loses her shit and says shes made every recipe and loves Julia Child. Take that, Russ! (I really do like Russ now.) When Julia was initially writing her speech for the gala, Paul said the sticking point was that Julia compared cooking to architecture, but cooking is ephemeral, while Versailles endures. After her encounters with Blanche and the restaurant chef, Julia revises the speech. At the event, she walks up to the podium, is funny and charming as usual, and begins by equating food to a passport. Culture and histories are locked inside the flavors of each cuisine, and it can bring you endless horizons. This is so much more apt! So many people in this episode speak of the ephemeral versus the enduring, but travel stays with us despite its ephemerality. Food is ephemeral, but my wife still talks about a salad she ate five years ago, and we jointly reminisce about freezing in the New York cold during a snowstorm and finding an Italian restaurant where I had my favorite spaghetti of all time. Julia emphasizes that she does not cook for chefs; she cooks for other cooks, who are mostly women and housewives, and they go on this journey together. Everyone gives her a standing ovation; great job, Julia, what a happy ending. Except, who should be at the gala but Betty Friedan, whose 1963 book, the groundbreaking The Feminine Mystique, has just been published. Betty is seated at the table next to Julias, and when everyone leaves for various party reasons (drinks, bathroom, etc.), they strike up a conversation. Betty tells her that women are trapped by the assumptions of the feminine mystique (like the book title!) and are asked to find fulfillment in housework, marriage, and child-rearing as opposed to what men are allowed to do. Julia asks if it has to be an either-or, which is a good question, and Betty pivots to say Julia is not a good example. When Julia questions whether she means not a good example of her argument or not a good example to others, Betty wants to shut down the conversation and not have it there. Which is a point for Betty! She knows shes going to be harsh, and she wants to stop. But Julia is me early in my marriage and is determined to talk it through with no break. Turn back, Julia! (She cant hear me.) Betty tells Julia that she thinks shes opening doors for women and expanding their horizons, but the fact is that theyre trapped in front of a hot stove, cooking a meal that takes days to prepare, not half an hour, and hours to clean up. Julias show, Betty claims, has raised the bar on what it means to be a good wife. How can women have time for anything else, including a career? It doesnt have to be an either-or. You can have a job and also enjoy cooking for your family though, of course, in Julias time, it was a lot harder for women to pursue careers. In addition, the people who typically receive acclaim for their cooking are men, while the vast majority of those assuming the time-consuming burden of cooking are women. Or, as my wife said about Julias situation, Shes getting shit for culinary achievements in a world where celebrity chefs are all men. Julia, in other words, cannot win. She co-authors a successful cookbook and literary snobs look down on her. She stars in a television hit and men think she should leave the cooking to them, while the soon-to-be second wave leader tells her that her work is trapping women at home where the men want them to be. This is a moment when, I believe, you do whatever the hell you want because there will always be someone who doesnt like it. She leaves the ballroom teary-eyed (ahhh!!) and goes to sit by herself in the lobby when a man comes up to her. At first, youre like, Go away, sir! But she tells him he can sit down, and he says how much he enjoyed her speech. When Julia says that not everyone agrees with him, he says, Well, I liked you. I liked you just the way you are, and I shouted! I shouted in my own home because that man is a 1963 Mr. Rogers, and is it too much for the show to do this? Yes. Its a saccharine move, but I dont care because its 2022, and everything is shit, and we all just need Mr. Rogers to sit next to us on a couch while we cry. Julia asks him to sit with her for another moment, and we fade out on all the viewers tear-streaked faces. I apologize to everyone involved in The Flight Attendant because I love it, but after this episode, all I want in life is a Miranda spinoff. I could watch that Scottish firebrand cuss and kick her way through all the countries like an R-rated Carmen Sandiego all day long. Hell, Id even watch a show about her chilling by her pool and cold-pressing olive oil into tiny little bottles while barking orders at poor Cecilia. I just adore her to pieces. Im so thrilled she returned to Cassies life, but shes already gone, and theres a little Miranda-shaped hole in my TV-loving soul that will forever need filling. On her way to Iceland, Cassie sent a cryptic text for help to Katherine OBrien, which turned out to be the glorious Miranda. How Miranda figured out how to find Cassie on only a Help Me GIF and a brief text, well never know, but we can make an educated guess based on the fact that Cassie most definitely does not know how to turn Location Services off on her phone. Girl doesnt even know how to put her phone on silent. At the top of the episode, we pick up with Megan updating Cassie. I was mistaken about Margaret Cho, a.k.a. Charlie, being Megans lover, so I apologize for jumping to conclusions there, but other than Charlies comforting presence, Megans life has really not been great. Shes trying to dodge an assassin named Hawk, the same bad dude that Shane warned Cassie about earlier. Megan and Charlie were planning to K-I-L-L him using the mushroom powder, and due to Cassies unexpected visit, they decide to move their murderous plot up to that very night. But of course, before the guy can take a sip of his poisoned old-fashioned, Cassies phone goes off. Not great. It would have been a tragedy, really, if not for Miranda. She swoops in, effortlessly stabs the guy, and then wrangles the troops for a wild escape across Iceland. Mirandas assistant Cecilia (Briana Cuoco) kind of aids in their escape but also hinders them as well. At first, Cecilia gives them up because she says the North Koreans pay better, but really, its because Miranda food shamed her pregnancy snack. Never food shame a pregnant woman. Ever. It might cause you to get shot in the leg by North Korean assassins. And youd deserve it. As the group flees, they race over various gorgeous Icelandic landscapes and eventually reach a helicopter perched on a picturesque seaside cliff thats being bombarded by violent waves. Everyones ready to go, but Cassie just has to take a phone call from Shane. (Its okay for calls to go to voicemail, girl, I promise you.) They both play their little cat-and-mouse game where theyre both totally lying the entire time while still communicating love for one another. Its sweet because Shane is sweet, and we know hes genuinely looking out for Cassies best interests (we cannot say the same of Mr. Benjamin Barry, but well get to him), but its also kind of a gut punch to realize that Shane is hot on Megans tail and Cassie is refusing to help him in any way. Much like her friend Miranda, Cassie is just chasing thrills. And unfortunately, this natural high only fuels her desire to drink even more. Megan and Cassie get spirited away on a private jet chartered by Miranda. This brings up a big logistical question: Did Miranda just pay to charter a jet from Iceland to Los Angeles because shes fond of Cassie? It sure looks like it. She also had Cecilia procure some chic clothing and a little good-bye present for Cassie. Lets just take a second to recall that, at the end of season one, Miranda had taken the password chain to unlock the $200 million that Alex Sokolov had stolen from his clients. And, at least in this situation, Miranda seems to be putting that money to good use. Cassies present consists of a jar of Mace, a personal alarm, and a teeny bottle of Mirandas very own olive oil. Upon landing, Cassie gives the Mace to Megan and unceremoniously drops her at her very trusting sponsors house. Brenda is confused, but she accepts her houseguest for a single night. Cassie and Brenda have a Very Special Episode moment about sobriety struggles. AA talk is often cliche and trite, but these two commit to the seriousness of the subject and somehow make it work. The moment when Brenda tells Cassie she looks tired and Cassie gets momentarily flustered is laugh-out-loud funny and breaks the weight of the conversation. Cassie is trying her best, but shes really a terrible friend. Shes lying to Shane (well, really, shes lying to everyone), shes totally blowing off Marco, shes leaving her hunted fugitive friend with her potentially unstable sponsor, and she left Ani and Max in her apartment with a deadly doppelganger on the loose. After Cassie drops Megan off at her Westwood hidey-hole, she meets up with Ani and Max. They tell her everything that happened with the unhinged criminals that broke into her house. Esteban and Gabriele are pretty hilarious. They feel like cartoon villains from an old episode of Inspector Gadget. They threaten violence and acts of crime, but we havent really seen them do anything too drastic yet. Why didnt they kill Ani and Max after they found what they needed in Cassies apartment? An even better question would be: Why didnt they kill that incessantly barking dog at the neighbors house? If these two want to be taken seriously as criminals, they have to do better than just trotting out some instruments of torture. Thanks to Anis confession about working for the mob which Gabrielle seemed to be interested in before she quickly dismissed it as a lie it comes out that Gabrielle isnt the doppelganger, even though she totally looks like Cassie with her new blonde locks. Gabrielle vehemently denies looking to frame anyone for murder. Also, she didnt dye her hair until after the mark was killed in Berlin, and she seems way too into Esteban to cheat on him with some rando in Germany, so we can safely rule her out. My money is still on Dot, but only time will tell. Whomever the doppelganger is, he or she was very busy killing CIA operatives at the Lady of the Lake statue in Echo Park while Cassie was in Iceland. For those keeping score at home, this is the second time a View-Master slide has corresponded to a murder committed by doppelganger. Unfortunately, Cassie doesnt really have an alibi for the Echo Park murders because she flew to Iceland under Carols name and then flew back on the Miranda Express, so theres no paper trail. Yikes. All the stress is too much for Cassie, and she needs an outlet. Throughout the back half of her ordeal in Iceland, her mind palace was a bit muted and mostly just focused on potentially losing Marco. By the end of the episode, Party Cassie is getting confrontational about two mystery dates March 21 and March 23 and Young Cassie is building a giant replica cathedral while the entire ceiling starts to flood. None of this is really explained, but at the end, as Cassie initiates steamy couch sex with a very drunk Benjamin Barry, it seems very connected to Cassies inability to hold onto meaningful relationships. As she cheats on Marco, the cathedral in Cassies mind palace collapses and Responsible Cassie storms out, angrily throwing her would-be engagement ring down as she leaves. And Party Cassie is soaking up everything like shes a battery that runs on chaos. Weve made our final descent into the end of the recap, so please make sure your tray tables and seats are in the upright position. Until next time Checked Baggage After Charlie meets Cassie, she pours a round of celebratory shots for everyone. Cassie frantically declines, yet Megan pressures her to drink anyway. Pressuring people to drink or questioning abstinence even when people say no is such a weird quirk of our culture, and I wish it would stop. Friends let friends pass on drinks, no questions asked. When Cassie meets Cecilia at the airport, she asks her if they know one another. I do not recall the two crossing paths in the first season, back when Cecilia and Miranda both worked for the crime kingpin Victor, so this line has to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that the two are sisters in real life. Fun! Max is able to break his zip ties using friction from his shoelaces, which is a cool trick, but Alexis Rose from Schitts Creek also taught us that you can just lift your hands over your head and bring them down into your stomach really fast and theyll pop open! TV saves lives! Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images; Said ZapatA/MEGA/GC Images Hes the man whose name is on everybodys lips. Kim Kardashian wasnt dating current boyfriend Pete Davidson when The Kardashians first began filming in September 2021. He was merely Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson, who had recently ended a relationship with Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor. Here in the future, we know that after Kim appears on Lorne Michaelss dating show where they kissed as a joke she and Davidson made it official amid her divorce from Kanye West. The familys new Hulu series begins with Kim focused on working on law school, Skims, and being a mom. But they still manage to work a Pete reference in, teasing the arc that anyone who has been in a grocery-store-checkout lane knows is coming. Have we been following this couple since their first Staten Island date? Will we rewatch every moment, intently scanning for new information? Yes, and duh. Live from New York, were Pete-spotting The Kardashians, with every mention from each episode below. I ran into Pete Davidson at the Met, and I was like, I am so scared, I dont know what I signed up for, Kim says, stressing over her gig hosting SNL, around 30 minutes in. And he was like, Can you read cue cards? Youre good. So thats why they say reading is fundamental. As cute of a meet as it would be for Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson to bump into each other as they backed up to gaze at pieces of art on the opposite wall, she means the Met Gala. It had just taken place on September 13, and everyone and Timothee Chalamet was there. Pretty BDE for Pete to be wearing a Thom Browne dress in his first public interaction with Kim Kardashian before dating. Just waiting on the Skims campaign. Pete Davidsons Spotted: 1 Episode 3 There is exactly one shot of Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine during her SNL montage and its not even the moment when they kiss. He was the one cast member that we were filming our show he was the one cast member that wouldnt sign off to be filmed, and he wasnt there until the day of, so I didnt see him all week during rehearsals, nothing, she told Dear Medias Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast with Amanda Hirsch. When we kissed, I was just like Mmm! Kim added. It was a stage kiss, but it was still a little zing. A feature films worth of celebrities and comedians attend the after-party, including Colin Jost, Chris Rock, Lorne Michaels, Gayle King, and Amy Schumer, but as his girl later said on the podcast, Pete Davidson doesnt really party. Something romantic has to go down between her October 9 hosting gig and their Knotts Scary Farm date on October 29. Until then, I guess lets not steal focus from Kraviss engagement. Pete Davidsons Spotted: 2 Based on Jon Krakauers 2003 book, Under the Banner of Heaven is the true-crime story of a double murder in Utah in 1984, perpetrated by one of Mormonisms many fundamentalist splinter groups, thats juxtaposed with the early frontier-justice days of the LDS Church. For your humble recapper, a lapsed Mormon born and raised in Provo, Utah, this miniseries is sure to be one helluva prolonged TRIGGERED meme, so lets get right to it, eh, brothers and sisters? Right off the bat, the show hits you with the True Detectivemids vibe, opening with an ominous montage of the greater Salt Lake area (including a prominent shot of the LDS temple in Provo, my old stomping grounds). We home in on Andrew Garfields Detective Jeb Pyre, a faithful Latter-Day Saint and all-American family man whos woefully unprepared for the double murder hes about to be called in on. Dressed in a suit thats just as fit for church as it is for detective work, Pyre caps his nightly prayer with his wife, daughters, and ailing mother with a poignant plea before heading out to the crime scene: Heavenly Father, may we be instruments in thy hands, and to help fix what we find broken. But what he finds is beyond repair: the bodies of Brenda Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her 15-month-old daughter, Erica, throats slashed and blood hideously pooled on their kitchen floor. Pyre emerges from the house to find Brendas husband, Allen Lafferty (Billy Howle), standing in the street covered in blood, and thats where our mystery begins real David Lynchtype shit, unfathomable darkness veiled behind a white picket fence and whatnot. After Allen is brought in, theres a bit of a hubbub at the police station. Anyone who knows hes a Lafferty is aghast, seeing how the Laffertys are a prominent Mormon family in the valley (highly regarded). Theres some version of a big, multigenerational, highly regarded Mormon family in every ward in Utah (ward is the Mormon word for a local congregation), often filling out a chunk of the prestige church positions and running a family business together. Big, enmeshed families that provide for themselves remain an elite social currency in Mormondom (for example, wealthy, public families like the Romneys, the Coveys, etc.). Anyway, Allen claims that about a year ago, peculiar men with beards were taken with his family and that they might still be in danger. Pyres partner, Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham) resident non-Mormon, Native American detective and fish outta water, with the added burden of communitywide casual racism to contend with seems convinced, at first glance, that Allen killed his wife. Pyre is less sure, competing with his own biases and familiarity with the Lafferty family. But they switch positions when its revealed that Allen has fallen from the faith (Pyre catches him without Mormon temple garments when hes changing out of his bloody clothes). Pyre gets testy, equating what he perceives as a loss of faith with a loss of morality (something I wish I could say Id never done as a Latter-Day Saint), bursts into the interrogation room, and starts quoting LDS scripture at Allen and throwing cuffs on him. Its the weirdest version of good-cop-bad-cop youve ever seen. Youve turned your back on Heavenly Father, Pyre says. Im confident that forensics will have proven your guilt by tomorrow morning. But Allen Lafferty knelt with his wife in the temple and brought her to church with his family. You look at these as signs of innocence, Allen reminds him, but they arent. From here, we flash back to Brendas idyllic pre-Allen life in Idaho with her family, led by a bishop father who keeps the faith while supporting his daughters in all of their lifes pursuits. Her family and their moderately progressive approach to gender roles is incidentally much more representative of your average modern LDS family, providing a much-needed contrast with the Laffertys, who were introduced to when Brenda is taken to meet them for the first time. Immediately, the vibes are off as hell. Like, we just saw this nice gal telling her worrying parents shes going to Salt Lake City, a big city with values, to study broadcast journalism at BYU, and shes going to be on television. Now shes in Utah meeting her boyfriends all-star LDS family, which is bussin with creepy-ass brothers and an insane dad who walked right out of the 18th century to stand at the head of this Rockwellian nightmare of a dinner table. Raw deal, man. But Ill say this much: Brenda certainly gets the lay of the land among the Lafferty clan real quick. And even though, as Allen relays, everyone in his family was looking for fault in Brenda, she comes out on the other end seemingly undeterred from making a place for herself in the family. She also observes older brother Ron (Sam Worthington) being passed up in favor of his younger brother Dan (Wyatt Russell) to take on the family chiropractic business and household while his parents go away on a senior-couple mission for the church. Excellent casting with those two, by the way. The second Worthington and Russell showed up on the screen, I was like, Hey, I know those actors, and, Eesh, I know those guys, know what I mean? See, Rons on his own path, financially at least; hes got his own scammy construction business and everything. As much as they had their eyes on her she had her eyes on us, says Allen. Back in the present, Pyre asks Allen if he misses going to church. Yes, he says, but what he misses most is the days when he believed God was love. It was love, after all, that drove Joseph Smith to create his one true church. With their love, Allen says, God would share hidden truths. Thats the church he misses, and what stands in its place is a faith that breeds dangerous men, as hell say later. On the investigation front, Detective Taba heads to the address of Allens brother Robin, finding an abandoned house and a bonfire of documents burning in the backyard. This piques their suspicions of Allen, who still swears that men with beards infiltrated and corrupted his family and every second they spend focused on him is a second another man of God is inspired to shed more blood. That night they get a call from a hotel manager with eyes on a suspicious man with a beard, matching the APB description he heard on his police scanner. It turns out its Robin Lafferty, the next key witness in this unfolding mystery. What if evil found its way here? wonders Pyre. What if tonight is just the first edge of a bone thats finally working its way out of our own desert floor? Additional Scripture Damn, TV got my ex-Mormon ass feeling like the Pacino meme. Just when I thought Id gotten to a healthy distance from (and acceptance of) my former religion, TV decides to have its own mini Mormon moment. I just finished recapping Tokyo Vice, a show in which my favorite character turned out to be a former Mormon, and I happened to catch up on the latest season of Pamela Adlons Better Things, where the great Angela Kinsey guest-starred as, like, a lapsed Mormon from Utah with a son named Brigham (LOL). And now FX is running Under the Banner of Heaven. So when the opportunity came up to recap this show, I wasnt about to question it; time is a flat circle and all that. It is better to take these things as they come, lean in and answer the call, and see what nuggets of revelation rise to the surface. I havent read the book, but from what I understand of Krakauers dual-narrative approach, the idea was to connect these modern-day murders with a tradition of violence, frontier justice, and crackdown patriarchy that continues to ripple out from Mormonisms origin point in countless ways. As I recap this show, it could be really easy for me to get lost in the weeds, pointing out every little discrepancy or inaccuracy I may see in every bit of dialogue, location shooting, costume design, etc. But setting aside the fact that, from what Ive seen so far, this show is pretty darn accurate in its portrayal of the larger Mormon world, Im much more interested in tracking the underlying truths about Mormonism (and America, for that matter) that emerge from the series at face value. In other words, were not watching a documentary here. Garfield immediately presents himself as the ideal choice for a character like this, emanating a comforting movie-star familiarity for the audience while embodying the earnestness, arrested innocence, and genuine sense of duty that defines the modern Mormon man. His previous experience playing a man of faith beset with overwhelming doubt in Martin Scorseses Silence is sure to come in handy in this joint. A note on the True Detective comparison: that really only goes skin deep, whether you see it as a selling point or a criticism. On a compositional level, theres definitely a generic-brand True Detective style going on, but I dont think its trying that hard to be an HBO show or anything. Sure, theres the small-town, generational-dark-cult stuff, but this is also a true-crime story, not a lyrical genre-spinning one, so its concerns are necessarily different. Skamokawa News GREAT WEEKEND--I hope you were able to enjoy the glorious weekend weather we had. While we may have some more wet stuff during the week, we are supposed to have another glorious weekend to end April and begin May, so I hope that happens as we could all use a little Sunshine Medicine to help brighten our spirits these days. SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from April 28-May 4 are Shannon McClain, Jenna Engle, Carrie Backman, Darren Olsen, Connie Luthi, Troy Heagy, David Faubion, Wolfgang Hoven, Ricky Montgomery, Scott Holland, Carolyn LaBerge, Eva Snow, Lars Blix, Jeff Ostling, Nicholas LaBerge, Conner Emlen Petterson, Maria Snow, Brandon Bennett, Matthew Freeman, Aaron Bernard, Abby Pedersen and Austin Good. Those celebrating anniversaries this coming week are Mr. and Mrs. Treasure Collupy, Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Blix, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Freeman and Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Pedersen. Heres to making very special memories on your special days! THIS FRIDAY--The Puget Island Fire Auxillary will have a Sewing Day Friday at the Puget Island Fire Hall beginning at 10 a.m. They will make a couple of different styles of aprons and if you dont have time to stay there to sew, you can stop by and pick up the pattern and fabric and take them home to sew. Contact Sherrill Bollen with any questions, 360-951-3985. NICE SURPRISE--Ken and Michelle Nickolaus thought they were headed out of town to dinner with David and Connie Shrum this weekend to celebrate their recent marriage, when the Shrums said they needed to make a stop at the home of John and Mary Gustafson for just a minute. It was for a truly good reason, as Connie had purchased a gift for a member of Mary's family, as theyd just welcomed the first baby boy into the family in 50 years! With Mary outside plucking weeds and appearing totally calm, she invited the couple in for a quick drink and visit with Bill and Kay Chamberlain who were there watching NASCAR. All this is totally a natural thing for the group, but unbeknownst to them, once inside, they were greeted by a hearty Surprise along with a wedding cake and flowers, a whole lot of food and a champagne salute to the new bride and groom! Even though Im pretty sure they knew something was up, we were happy they went along with the plan and we all had a very pleasant evening and fun celebration! FOS--As this new month begins, the Friends of Skamokawa want to make sure that folks are aware of the correct hours of our wonderful historical landmark in Skamokawa, as the old restricted hours of the past couple of years are no longer applicable. So, the River Life Interpretive Center and the Gift/Book Shop located within Redmen Hall are open on Thursdays from 10 to 2 and from Friday through Sunday, the hall is open from 12 to 4 p.m. Please come by and check out all the wonderful books by various authors that contain some terrific historical information and some of them are even by our local authors. You can always call the hall at 360-795-3007 to make sure someone is there to welcome you or to get further information. TRAVELERS--Skamokawa residents Bryce Good and Lauren Nicks traveled to Utah recently, where they joined Bryce's Mom, and his brother, Austin and his family, Nicole and Kaiden, and they all celebrated Kaidens second birthday. Then they traveled to Zion National Park and also to Bryce Canyon; the scenery was stunning. They were all definitely looking like they were having fun in the sun and little Kaiden was the picture of enthusiasm and lots of energy! MAY DAY--With Sunday being May Day, its the perfect time to celebrate with some flowers and if you can find a May Pole, you could even do a dance around it like we did back in the old days!" That may seem a bit old fashioned, but you can head to the Wahkiakum County Historical Museum in Cathlamet that day between 1 and 4 and do just that! They will have a scavenger hunt and crafting of May Day baskets and more, so that may be the place to be this Sunday afternoon! CINCO DE MAYO--I know we all enjoy our Mexican food and Im sure there will be specials at most of our local restaurants on May 5, so I hope you get out and enjoy that day or at least that evening. Have fun but please sip those Margaritas responsibly! MOTHERS DAY--I hope you wont forget the next big holiday, which is Mothers Day, Just three days after celebrating Cinco De Mayo. Mothers Day will take place on May 8, and once again, our area's restaurants will have special dinners to celebrate the special woman/women in your life. Watch for their dinner specials and make those reservations right away! FLEA MARKET--The second Saturday of the month is the monthly Flea Market at the Wah. Co. Fairgrounds, held in the Youth Building between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. If youd like to take part, you can rent a table for $10. Call Patty at 360-795-3480 and leave a message. BINGO--Also on the second Saturday of the month, the Sons of Norway will host their monthly bingo games at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. The doors open at 5:30 with games beginning at 6 p.m. Here's to being one of the lucky winners of a cash prize. Cards are $5 each. MAY 14--The WHS Class of 1967 will meet May 14 in Rainier at the El Tapatio restaurant at 1 p.m. So, after doing a little shopping down here, we hope all of you 67ers will meet to enjoy a bit of a gab with your other classmates. We hope to see you 67ers there; and please spread the word! DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS--Once again, the folks in charge of the Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars program will hold a fundraiser to help raise money for scholarships for our local WHS graduates. They are currently looking for donations for their Second Annual Mule Power online auction. You can make a cash donation if you like, or you can donate merchandise or services or make up a nice basket or grouping of multiple things to auction off. If you are a business partaking in this, you can use it as a bit of extra publicity for you too, as youll be mentioned on the online part and also in The Eagle. All other donators will be mentioned as well. This auction will take place from May 27 at noon until June 12 at 6 p.m. If you have any questions regarding this event, you can contact Diane at 360-562-6467 or Doug at 360-751-4497. You can send cash/check, money orders directly to: Mule Power c/o Diane Tischer, 223 N Welcome Slough Road, Cathlamet, WA 98612 or Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 498, Cathlamet, WA 98612. All monies raised go to scholarships for the kids. Please help by donating something, which should be confirmed by May 23. If youd like to take part in the auction, youll need to log in to: https://www.32auctions.com/Mules2022. HONTIVEROS GETS KEY ENDORSEMENTS IN ISABELA PROVINCE Senator Risa Hontiveros was officially endorsed for re-election by Isabela's local government officials. Incumbent Governor Rodito T. Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino G. Dy III, along with about 25 mayors of the province, endorsed Hontiveros during a lunch they hosted on April 27, Wednesday. In Cauayan, the re-electionist senator was also endorsed by Sangguniang Panlungsod Member Caesar Jaycee Dy, who is running for the mayoralty race in the province, and his entire slate for the 2022 polls. Hontiveros was likewise endorsed by Tumauini Mayor Arnold Bautista and Cabagan Vice Mayor Ovie Masigan. Hontiveros has actively helped residents of Isabela through relief assistance during natural disasters like Ulysses. She facilitated the funding of Southern Isabela Medical Center and Gov. Faustino N. Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital, both of which are major hospitals in the province. During her Isabela visit, Hontiveros also graced the 14th Luzon Geographical Conference of the Philippine Association of Local Accountants, Inc. where she discussed her platforms and advocacy on women, children and anti-corruption. In line with her "Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay" advocacy, Hontiveros conducted numerous medical missions and partnered with their local government units to bring the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Worker (TUPAD) program to Isabela. Ham and pineapple pasta recipe likely to be badly received in Italy. The BBC has published a recipe for Hawaiian Spaghetti, a dish it describes as "a family-friendly pasta recipe that makes the most of tinned foods." The ham and pineapple pasta combination is hailed as a "great twist to try for a quick mid-week dinner" particularly "if your kids love Hawaiian pizza". The "cheap pasta recipe" includes 200g of tinned ham, cut into cubes, a 400g tin of pineapple chunks in juice and 200g of full-fat cream cheese. The pineapple juice is kept to one side to add to the dish before serving. The recipe is likely to be badly received in Italy which in recent years has been affronted by the "Smoky Tomato Carbonara" in The New York Times as well as Nigella Lawson's "Spaghetti with Marmite" and Gordon Ramsey's 'nightmare' carbonara. Italians recently rated the worst 'crimes' committed against their national cuisine around the world in a survey topped by "putting ketchup on pasta". Photo BBC Masks will continue to be required in certain indoor places in Italy for a further six weeks. Italy is to retain the obligation to wear masks on public transport and in some indoor public settings until 15 June, the government said on Thursday. The news was announced by health minister Roberto Speranza days before Italy's indoor mask-wearing rules expire on 30 April. The obligation to wear masks will remain until 15 June on all forms of public transport, in hospitals and nursing homes, in cinemas and theatres, at concerts and indoor sporting events, and in schools and universities, reports Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. With the exception of hospitals and care homes, the wearing of masks in both the public and private workplace from 1 May onwards is "only strongly recommended", health undersecretary Andrea Costa told news agency ANSA on Thursday afternoon. This means that from 1 May people will no longer be required to wear masks in bars, restaurants and shops, according to Italian media reports. Speranza is expected to sign an order today extending the mask-wearing obligations, to act as a "bridge" measure pending the approval of a government decree, reports ANSA. From 1 May, the government is to drop the Green Pass - the digital certificate proving the holder has been vaccinated or recently recovered from covid. The lifting of these restrictions will include those relating to the Super Green Pass which can only be obtained by those who have been vaccinated or recovered from covid. The Super Green Pass system will however remain in force until 31 December for those visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Placeholder while article actions load A pill that will help Covid-19 patients avert life-threatening illness has been something of a holy grail for doctors and drugmakers. The earliest therapeutics shown to help have typically been administered to patients via a transfusion or once they have become sick enough to require hospitalization. Two years after the first Covid cases were reported in China, the pill-based treatment Paxlovid emerged, offering a huge advance. Intended for newly infected patients at risk of developing severe disease, the medicine reduces hospitalizations and death and makes users less likely to spread the coronavirus. Research is ongoing to determine how well Paxlovid and other treatments perform against the omicron variant of the virus identified late last year. 1. What is Paxlovid? Developed by Pfizer Inc., Paxlovid is a combination of two antiviral pills taken orally. One is designed to block the action of a key enzyme that the coronavirus uses to make copies of itself; the other, the HIV medication ritonavir, helps slow the breakdown of the first, enabling it to remain active in the body for longer and at higher concentrations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared Paxlovid on Dec. 22 for emergency use. China on Feb. 11 granted emergency approval for Paxlovid, the first foreign pharmaceutical product specifically targeting Covid that it has endorsed. Advertisement 2. Is there any other pill for treating Covid? Yes: molnupiravir, from Merck & Co. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP. Originally developed to treat influenza, the pill inhibits replication of the coronavirus by a mechanism known as lethal mutagenesis. In simple terms, it causes the machinery that reproduces the viruss genetic material to make mistakes, thereby rendering the copies defective. Thats raised concerns about sparking drug-resistant Covid variants. The FDA has authorized molnupiravir in cases where other treatments arent accessible or appropriate for patients. Japanese drugmaker Shionogi & Co. said Jan. 31 that an antiviral pill its developing was effective in an early clinical study. Shionogis experimental therapy employs the same mechanism as Paxlovid but requires fewer pills. 3. How effective are the authorized pills? Advertisement Paxlovid was shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in high-risk Covid patients, according to an interim analysis of a trial reported on Nov. 5 by Pfizer, which supported the research, and published Feb. 16 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results were the same whether people started treatment within three or five days of developing symptoms. Researchers are puzzled by reports of some patients taking Paxlovid, getting better and testing negative for the coronavirus, then showing symptoms again and testing positive. In its filing to the FDA, Pfizer said that several trial subjects appeared to have a rebound in viral levels around Day 10 or Day 14, but that there was no clear evidence the coronavirus had developed resistance to any of the primary components in Paxlovid. Molnupiravir was found to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization or death by 30% in a study, supported by Merck, of 1,433 unvaccinated adults with an increased risk of severe Covid, Merck and Ridgeback reported on Nov. 26. Results were published Feb. 10, also in the NEJM. 4. How are they meant to be used? The FDA said both drugs, available in the U.S. only by prescription, should be started as soon as possible after a Covid diagnosis and within five days of the start of symptoms. The agency authorized Paxlovid for adults and children 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms). It limited molnupiravir to those 18 and older because of concerns the drug may affect bone and cartilage growth and said the treatment isnt recommended for use during pregnancy, as it may also have an impact on dividing cells. Under guidelines from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, molnupiravir should be used only when other options cant be. Paxlovid is administered as three tablets taken together orally twice daily for five days, for a total of 30 tablets. Molnupiravir is given as four capsules taken orally every 12 hours for five days, for a total of 40 capsules. Advertisement 5. How do these drugs differ from other treatments? Affordable and easy-to-administer antivirals are ideal treatments, assuming they are safe and well-tolerated, because they directly counter the virus, limiting the duration of illness and its damage to the body. There are other proven therapeutics that specifically target the coronavirus: Gilead Sciences Inc.s antiviral remdesivir as well as laboratory-made antibodies that mimic the bodys immune defenses against the virus. But these are all administered via infusion, adding complexity and cost that may put them beyond the reach of poor countries. Infusing patients in hospitals can also raise the risk of transmission to medical staff and other patients. Other medications reduce hospitalized Covid patients symptoms, but dont directly fight the virus. These include the cheap steroid dexamethasone and interleukin-6 receptor blockers, which can suppress a harmful overreaction of the immune system. Blood thinners can also prevent Covid-linked clots that destroy patients organs. Advertisement 6. How well do treatments work against the omicron variant? The World Health Organization has said that steroids and interleukin-6 receptor blockers should remain effective for managing patients with omicron infections, since the drugs target inflammation rather than the virus itself. Treatments that directly combat the virus are being assessed to see how they perform against omicron. Pfizer and Merck have said that lab experiments on their antiviral pills suggest they are active against omicron. Gilead said the same about its infusion remdesivir. The antibody therapies are of greater concern because they target the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to enter cells, and omicron is characterized by 30 or more changes to that region. U.S. health authorities have restricted use of a number of antibody therapies after concluding they were unlikely to be effective against the variant. In February, the FDA authorized use of a new Eli Lilly antibody, bebtelovimab; the company said lab tests demonstrated it neutralizes omicron. Advertisement 7. What other types of treatments are being investigated? Studies published in September 2020 focused on the role of an immune substance called interferon that helps orchestrate the bodys defenses. The research found that people with low levels of the substance do poorly in fighting off the coronavirus, suggesting that interferon treatments could help in the early stages of the infection and perhaps prevent life-threatening illness. However, interferon therapy didnt help hospitalized patients in a study reported in October 2021. A number of Covid treatments have lost favor. The WHO in December advised against treating Covid patients with an infusion of plasma from people whove recovered from the virus. It said the treatment, while costly, doesnt improve survival or reduce the need for mechanical ventilation. U.S. regulators in March 2020 authorized the use of the malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid, and the next June reversed themselves after determining the drugs were unlikely to work against the coronavirus and could have dangerous side effects. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article I strongly recommend an article about Black politics by Alex Samuels over at FiveThirtyEight. Theres a lot of important stuff here about why Black voters are underrepresented. The stuff that matters? Unlike other groups, such voters face the reality of anti-Black sentiment, so that any party that delivers benefits perceived as helping them risks facing a backlash from other parts of the electorate. Samuels cites quite a bit of research backing this effect up that cant just be wished away. Its real, and it has real political consequences.But I somewhat disagree with the framing of the article, which suggests that Black voters have minimal leverage because the overwhelming majority of them are reliable Democrats. I think thats exaggerated. The truth is that all voters as individuals have extremely limited leverage. Sure, parties sometimes adjust their policy agenda and priorities in search of support from hypothetical median voters, or those who are perfectly balanced between the two parties. More often, however, theyll simply seek out popular positions and hope for the best. So if Iowa is a swing state, parties will tend to support corn; if Louisiana is contested, theyll tend to support oil and gas interests positions that appeal to very large groups, that is, rather than to narrow segments. Theyll avoid unpopular policies and support popular ones if all else is equal. But all else is rarely equal.Thats because parties arent simple machines narrowly focused on winning. Instead, theyre made up of organized groups. And those groups jostle and position to raise their profile within the larger party, and in doing so win more nominations, hold more offices, and elevate the things they care about in the partys agenda. As individuals, taking no political action other than showing up on Election Day, Black voters (like any others) have little leverage. But to the extent that they form organized groups within the party and become party actors and get involved in party affairs, they can and have won a great deal of influence. Yes, that influence is limited by the hostility discussed above. Party actors, Black ones included, are reluctant to take unpopular positions. Still, its a mistake to conceptualize the Democratic Party as some alien monolith that exists entirely apart, so that voters only choice is to take it or leave it. Thats just not how it works. Parties are permeable; voters can become party actors by simply getting involved; and if they do that as part of an organized group, changing a party is surprisingly easy. Especially for those who bring valuable resources with them, and theres no resource more valuable than reliable party voters.Involvement in parties isnt the only way that organized groups can achieve political goals. Independent interest groups can influence the parties and directly lobby elected officials. Social movements can mobilize large numbers of people and have at times successfully changed the direction of policy through demonstrations and other direct action. The point is that very little happens in U.S. politics or any democracy because of individuals acting as just-plain-voters but getting more involved, and acting with others, can often achieve surprising results.Of course, that doesnt mean that victory is guaranteed: The nature of democratic politics is that there are always at least temporary winners and losers. The U.S. system probably makes it easier than most for people to get involved meaningfully, especially (as Samuels points out) at the state and local levels; it also is a system with a strong bias toward incremental change, so big wins can be hard to come by and post-election frustration is even more of a central theme than in most other democracies. All of this is true for every group and every individual; Black citizens, again, face obstacles that others do not.But its a real mistake to consider any group trapped by its strong allegiance to a single party. To the contrary: Active participation in a political party is a source of group strength, not weakness. Placeholder while article actions load Russian President Vladimir Putin is failing so spectacularly, its making him even more dangerous. Running out of ways to de-escalate while saving face, he appears to think that he has no choice but to escalate. What will that look like? Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight His problem is that his failures are becoming too obvious to hide even for Russias propaganda machine. He attacked Ukraine in part to keep NATO from expanding; instead, NATO will probably admit two new members this year as a result of his aggression. He promised to reunite two populations Russians and Ukrainians whom he considers one people; instead, his atrocities have ensured that Ukrainians will forever feel distinct and hate Russia. He pledged to restore Russia to imperial greatness; instead, hes turned it into an international pariah. The list goes on. But the main way Putin has lost the war is simply by not winning it. Increasingly, the Ukrainians appear capable of defending themselves against his onslaught. And for them, not losing is victory. Advertisement Can Putin survive this defeat? No doubt hes asking himself this question, in both a political and physical sense. Psychology kicks in as much as calculation. In the past, hes compared himself to a cornered rat: rather than giving up, the rat attacks. Putin so hes implied will never back down. Hell always escalate, even into self-annihilation. He started upping the ante this week by cutting off Russian gas flowing to Poland and Bulgaria. This is not yet a military step, but its a historic first even during the iciest periods of the Cold War, the Soviet Union never used its energy exports as a weapon. His signal is that he could turn off the taps to other European countries. This is economic warfare. You can bet itll be accompanied by cyberwar. On the military side, Putin has already adjusted his war aims to get a bead on a new victim: Moldova. Unable to take all of Ukraine, hes focusing on controlling just its east and south. The immediate goal is to build a Russian land bridge to connect Crimea, which he annexed in 2014, with the Donbas region now within his grasp. The larger objective is to take the whole Ukrainian coast on the Black Sea. That would turn the rump ruled by Kyiv into a landlocked statelet. Advertisement More importantly, this coastal swathe would connect the Ukrainian areas under Russian control to Moldova. That country resembles Georgia, and indeed Ukraine, in that Putin has for years been turning all three into mixtures of proxy and failed states that he can control or subvert at will. In Georgia, since his invasion of 2008, Putin supports pro-Russian shadow states called Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In Ukraine, he has recognized the peoples republics of Luhansk and Donetsk. Their equivalent in Moldova is the Russian-separatist region of Transnistria (meaning beyond the Dniester River). Like those other breakaway states, Transnistria is home to many ethnic Russians and Russian troops. This outpost could help Putin open yet another front on Ukraine. But it could also become his staging ground for a pretext to attack all of Moldova, which like Ukraine would rather join the European Union. Advertisement All this week, things have been blowing up in Transnistria. On Monday, grenades struck; on Tuesday, radio masts exploded; and so forth. Moldovas government in Chisinau blames the Russian separatists who, in turn, claim the attacks came from Ukraine. To long-time observers of Putin, the narrative sounds all too familiar. The Kremlin likes to stage false-flag incidents as pretexts to attack. As a next step, Putin could invent as he did before invading Ukraine tales of genocide against the ethnic Russians in Moldova. Cutting off gas to the EU or attacking more countries would help Putin signal to his foreign enemies and domestic audience that he still has escalation dominance that hes still in charge of events. But it wont remove his bigger problem, which is the fact that his troops increasingly appear bogged down. Advertisement One example is the Azovstal steel factory at Mariupol, which Ukrainian troops are defending heroically, even as the surrounding city is reduced to rubble. Putin has tried bombing them into oblivion and starving them out. But the Ukrainians are still there. What next? This is where the horrifying escalation scenarios start. Putin could use chemical or even tactical (meaning low-yield) nuclear weapons, at Azovstal or elsewhere. That would end any particular battle on his terms. It would also signal that hes prepared to raise the stakes to the existential level including nuclear war. I believe a tactical nuclear strike is being considered in Moscow, says Oleksiy Arestovych, military adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Frightening as these scenarios are, each would also be a sign of Putins growing desperation. Even or especially a limited nuclear strike would only redouble the resolve of Ukrainians and the West in resisting the kamikaze rat in the Kremlin. Advertisement Even if Putin nominally avoids defeat, whatever victory hell try to sell the Russian people will be nothing of the sort. Therein lies the tragedy: He doesnt care how many human lives he takes with him into oblivion. The Roman historian Tacitus springs to mind. He imagined a Caledonian warlord gazing at the rubble of Britain after the Roman invasion. They plunder, they butcher, they ravish, and call it by the lying name of empire, he said. They make a desert and call it peace. He could be a Ukrainian today, talking about the Russians. More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion: How Is Russias Fortress Economy Really Faring?: Clara Ferreira Marques and Scott Johnson Mariupol Could Be the Thermopylae of the 21st Century: Andreas Kluth Why NATO Should Welcome Finland and Sweden: The Editors This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Andreas Kluth is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. He was previously editor in chief of Handelsblatt Global and a writer for the Economist. Hes the author of Hannibal and Me. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The most important partnership in the Middle East has been put in jeopardy by the peevishness of a prince and political opportunism of a president. Repairing the Saudi-American relationship will require the first to behave like a grown-up, the other like a statesman. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Thats asking a lot of two men who have little in common beyond a reputation for stubbornness. One operates in a conscience-free bubble that comes with absolute power, while the other wields a selective moralism characteristic of a performative political culture. But the war in Ukraine just might help them both get over themselves. It may already have had that effect on President Joe Biden. The steep rise in energy prices as a result of the Russian invasion seems to have shown him the error of his Saudi policy: Having promised to make Mohammed bin Salman a pariah, Biden is now hoping the kingdoms de facto ruler will pump more crude to help ease the spike in gasoline prices ahead of U.S. midterm elections. Advertisement MBS, as he is commonly known, isnt taking Bidens calls. The loss of Russian energy supplies as a result of the war has left the prince in the catbird seat, allowing him to disregard entreaties from Washington. As the worlds biggest oil exporter, the kingdom is collecting a windfall more than enough to paper over the yawning gap between promise and performance of efforts to grow Saudi non-oil revenues, the central pillar of MBSs Vision 2030 economic program. But the prince shouldnt get too comfortable on that perch. For one thing, Saudi Arabia depends on the U.S. security umbrella for the protection of its petroleum infrastructure and exports, which have come under repeated attack from Iran and its proxies. For another, sustained high prices could accelerate global efforts to reduce consumption of fossil fuels see how some nations are already rethinking their nuclear energy strategies which would undermine the kingdoms interests in the longer term. At the moment, the burden of mending the relationship rests mainly on Biden. Having previously found it expedient to shun the prince, the president now needs to find a way back to the old status quo, in which Washington and Riyadh put strategic and security interests above all other concerns. A return to that arrangement will create a moral dilemma for the U.S., given the Saudi record on human rights and the kingdoms treatment of political dissidents. But Biden routinely copes with such complexities in his dealings with other ethically challenged leaders. Advertisement Bidens departure from that norm is best understood as a product of Washington politics. In making the pariah comment during a debate between Democratic presidential challengers, he was serving red meat to his party, which was outraged by the open Saudi preference for Donald Trump, and suspicious of the deepening friendship between the prince and Jared Kushner, the first son-in-law. Moreover, in singling MBS out for vilification, Biden could be certain of a receptive audience in the U.S. capital, where the Saudi scion already faced hostility over the heinous 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist admired on both sides of the aisle. MBS, in other words, was a safe target for Bidens scorn. One of Bidens first acts as president was to end U.S. military support for the Arab coalition that MBS had assembled to support the Yemeni government in a bloody civil war against Iran-backed rebels, known as the Houthis. For good measure, Biden overturned Trumps decision to designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, even as the rebels were lobbing missiles and rockets against Saudi civilian targets. Advertisement And just to rub it in, Biden refused to speak directly with the prince, a courtesy extended to MBS by other world leaders in recognition of the fact that he is the kingdoms de facto ruler, with the blessings of the invalid King Salman. That this was a political posture rather than a principled position by the president was obvious from his treatment of other regional strongmen. He was willing to speak with Egypts General Abdel-Fattah El Sisi, Trumps favorite dictator, who seized power in a coup when Biden was vice president and whose regime has killed hundreds none of them mourned by the Washington elite and jailed tens of thousands of political opponents. Biden also got over his stated disgust with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a man he had described as an autocrat whose political demise should be an American objective. And even as he put MBS in the sin bin, Biden repeatedly signaled his desire to unshackle Iran, a regime that is by several magnitudes more disruptive to peace in the Middle East as well as representing a greater danger to American interests. His eagerness to revive the 2015 nuclear deal signed by Tehran and the world powers has sparked anxiety among traditional U.S. allies in the region, and especially among the Saudis and Israelis. Advertisement If Bidens cold shoulder of MBS smelled of political expedience, then the princes response has smacked of petulance. You can almost picture him pouting when, in a recent interview with the Atlantic, he responded to a question about the presidents opinion of him by declaring, Simply, I do not care. There is also a tantrum quality to his behavior with top U.S. officials: The Wall Street Journal reported that he shouted at Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser, for bringing up Khashoggi at a meeting last September. The White House denied that there was any shouting, but not that relations with Riyadh were badly strained. That hopeless task fell this week to the Saudi embassy in Washington, which issued a statement to the effect that all was copacetic between the two countries. It wont have fooled anybody in either capital. Advertisement While snubbing Biden, MBS is cultivating closer relations with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whom he has invited to visit Riyadh next month. Hes also quite happy to take calls from Russias Vladimir Putin. And, as if to poke the U.S. president in the eye, he has continued to nurture his friendship with Kushner, whose new private equity firm recently got a $2 billion commitment from a fund run by MBS. But whatever schadenfreude the prince may derive from Bidens current predicament, there are some hard realities he cant ignore. At the helm of the worlds largest importer of petroleum, Xi, as much as Biden, wants oil prices lowered. Unlike the U.S., China offers the Saudis no security cover. There has been some talk of Russo-Saudi military cooperation, but the dismal performance of Putins war machine against Ukraine should give MBS pause. There is, at the end of all calculations, no real alternative to the Saudi-American relationship. Once the president and the prince recognize this, the next steps are clear enough. For a start, Biden needs to retract his pariah designation for MBS and reinstate the terrorist designation for the Houthis, as well as provide the Saudis more protection from rocket and missile attacks. In turn, the Saudis need to pump more crude into the world market to cool prices and MBS needs to take Bidens calls. Advertisement The most important relationship in the Middle East depends on these two men seeing sense. More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion: Does Americas Foreign Policy Need to Get Real?: Tobin Harshaw How Israel Is Trying to Solve Its Ukraine Conundrum: Zev Chafets The Worlds Food System Is Too Dependent on Wheat: Jessica Fanzo This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs. A former editor in chief of the Hindustan Times, he was managing editor of Quartz and Time magazines international editor. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Chinas LGBTQ community has long had to deal with not only societal prejudice but also pressure from the state: censorship, surveillance and intimidation, at times even detention by police. During the early 2000s, though, it looked like things might be changing. Gay clubs flourished in big cities and community groups sprang up to offer social services. These days, the feeling has faded. While its difficult to point to any direct crackdown, the reality is that over the past decade its become tougher to be gay in China. Thats seen as a consequence of a broader push by President Xi Jinping to mold a more conservative, conformist China. 1. Whats the legal situation? Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997, but there are no explicit legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Same-sex couples are not allowed to marry or adopt children. Advocates have had some successes in court arguing that the rights to equality and dignity in the constitution apply to LGBTQ people, like when a Beijing court in 2020 ruled that protecting a transwoman against workplace discrimination should be within the meaning of the law. The Chinese Psychiatric Association removed homesexuality per se from its list of mental illnesses in 2001, calling it not necessarily abnormal. Still, a 2020 report from the United Nations human rights office found so-called conversion therapies still being provided at public hospitals. People living with HIV/AIDS or those seeking sex-reassignment surgery have reported facing discrimination from healthcare workers. Advertisement 2. How hard is it to be out? It can depend on where and, to some extent, how old you are. The countrys most populous cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, tend to be among the most progressive, and thats true when it comes to sexuality. The gay club Destination, which opened in Beijing in 2004, was one of the biggest gay nightclubs in Asia and also offered services such as HIV testing as well. Like elsewhere, in China younger people tend to be more comfortable discussing their sexuality than older ones. But in the conservative heartland -- home to the vast bulk of the nations 1.4 billion people -- it remains the norm for gay men and women to bow to family pressure to marry someone of the opposite sex and have children, keeping their true sexual orientation secret. 3. Whats happened over the last decade? Advertisement In 2016 Chinese censors said films and television should avoid gay themes or characters. Nine activists who tried to organize a gay rights conference in Xian in 2017 were briefly detained; one of them told a reporter the police said the city didnt welcome gay people. Last year regulators used the word niangpao, which roughly translates to sissy men, to warn media companies off employing actors who dont conform to gender norms. Though the rules dont mention sexual orientation specifically, the use of a slur in official communication set off alarm bells for gay people. The social media platform WeChat deleted the accounts of LGBTQ associations at some of the nations leading universities, including Tsinghua and Peking, saying only that they violated unspecified rules. The hit American television show Friends started streaming again in February in China, but the plot line about Ross lesbian ex-wife was censored. 4. Is all of this Xis doing? Not directly. Probably the most visible effect since he came to power has been a tightening of breathing space for civil society, including groups serving the LGBTQ community. As described in a report by Holly Snape, a China scholar at the University of Glasgow, a policy introduced in 2021 makes it difficult for unapproved groups to survive, for example by banning media coverage and cutting them off from public meeting spaces or banking services. Darius Longarino, a senior fellow at Yale Law Schools Paul Tsai China Center, says that backlash, after decades of grassroots community building, is squeezing down the spaces through which LGBTQ people have found allies and each other. That said, there are still less public pockets of the community that are thriving a plethora of Chinese dating apps such as Blued are still widely available, allowing millions of people to connect. Advertisement 5. Whats motivating him? One of Xis top priorities has been to make China a great power on the world stage. Toward that end have come policies that aim to build a more assertive, self-reliant nation with a strong, robust population. Rising tensions with the U.S. have fed a more nationalist tone. Being gay, bisexual or trans is seen by some in China as an imported concept a misconception that draws on the fact that many Western embassies in Beijing have highlighted gay rights. These days, few local advocacy groups dare to attend foreign-sponsored events on such themes, at least not officially. The Communist Party also has been pushing for families to have more children, an effort to reverse the effects of the old one-child policy, which has led to a quickly graying society. Nurturing LGBT rights and normalizing non-traditional family structures could be seen as undermining that goal, although its never said outright. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, is a hairs breadth away from purchasing one of the worlds most influential publishing platforms. That statement alone is remarkable. Whats actually disturbing about his deal to buy Twitter Inc. is the next part: He will be accountable to no one but himself. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Musk can dissolve Twitters board when he takes the company private. If he doesnt, any board that remains probably wont have teeth. Thats nothing new in tech, where checks and balances are often passe. Even so, that trend is having increasingly damaging repercussions. Big Tech founders like Mark Zuckerberg and Alphabet Inc.s Sergey Brin and Larry Page have fashioned themselves as modern-day autocrats of business, thanks to the way they have structured their initial public offerings and voting shares over the past decade. Advertisement Zuckerberg owns the majority of Meta Platform Inc.s voting shares, while billionaires Brin and Page control 51% of a special class of voting shares of Alphabet, giving them ultimate control of Google and YouTube. This dual-class share structure is unusual in business but common in the tech world, thought to give startup founders freedom to execute their long-term vision. The founders of Airbnb Inc. and Snap Inc. both have about 44% voting control of their respective companies thanks to dual-class structures. And while Musk owns just 20% of Tesla Inc., his board is stacked with longtime friends like Larry Ellison and Kimbal Musk, Elon Musks brother. Zuckerbergs board also has largely done his bidding over the years. All of this runs counter to modern ideas of corporate governance, which hold that strict accountability is a good thing. Without those checks, tech leaders are free to make capricious decisions, according to David Yoffie, a leadership professor at Harvard Business School, who spent close to three decades on the board of Intel Corp. Sometimes, those decisions can be good for business. For instance, when Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012, the tiny target had no revenue and he didnt ask his board for permission. Seven years later Instagram was contributing $20 billion to Facebooks annual sales. Advertisement But look at it another way. Multiple studies have shown that the rise of Instagram, under Zuckerbergs stewardship, has correlated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among teenagers and teen girls in particular. The site has made oodles of money but also caused psychological damage to children and adults, which Facebooks own research has corroborated. Long-term, shareholders, too, can suffer from unfettered control. Zuckerberg steered Facebook into obsessively chasing an abstract business goal with the metaverse. While the initiative might eventually bear fruit, for now the move has already cost the company $10 billion. Metas stock has dropped 40% since the start of this year. Why isnt he reshaping Facebook into a safer website that can thrive for years to come? Because no one, either from his team of sycophantic lieutenants or his deferential board, has pushed him to. Musks move on Twitter also is hard to square with the concept of fiduciary responsibility. He doesnt want to buy Twitter to make it a better business I dont care about the economics at all, he recently said but to realize his ideas about free speech. Now Teslas shareholders are paying the price. As Musk borrowed more than $25 billion against Tesla as collateral, the carmakers shares have lost almost a quarter of their value in the past three weeks. If Musk sells part of his stake to keep supporting his personal agenda, that will depress the share price even more. Advertisement Maybe its just hard to remember your obligations to make money when youre a billionaire. Maybe when youre in an industry that idolizes visionaries, its easy to get lured into chasing the realization of your ideological or futuristic worldview. Maybe the billionaires who control todays social media platforms actually need stricter checks and balances. Thats certainly doable. Dual-class listings could eventually be phased out, as many institutional investors have already called for, but structural changes can take years. Regulators, meanwhile, have been talking tough, but they are also easily ignored by the likes of Musk. He has thumbed his nose at the SEC multiple times and will likely skirt the European social media laws that threaten, in theory, to disrupt his free speech plans. For better or worse, the clearest remedy right now is other billionaires. The biggest impact on Facebooks unscrupulous data-collection practices to date has come from Apple Inc., helmed by billionaire Tim Cook, when it allowed customers to block Zuckerbergs company from tracking them. ByteDance, run for years by billionaire Zhang Yiming, also threatens to lure users of Facebook and Musks Twitter away with its highly addictive TikTok app. Advertisement That is not how things should be, but in a world where social media is being shaped by freewheeling billionaires, their rivals may be our only hope. More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion: How @BoredElonMusk Attracted 1.7 Million Followers on Twitter: Trung Phan Are Crypto-Backed Mortgages as Bananas as They Sound? Mark Gongloff Twitter and Tesla Collide in Beijing: Brooker & Culpan This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. She previously reported for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes and is the author of We Are Anonymous. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Just days before the national holiday this Friday commemorating the birth of the late Emperor Hirohito, Japan got a rude reminder of its inextricable part in the global history of war. It came in the form of an apology from the government of Ukraine. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Social media out of Kyiv had released a video about fighting fascism that represented the Axis powers with images of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hirohito who sat on the Chrysanthemum throne during World War II and oversaw Japans return to prosperity and active non-aggression in the decades after its defeat. Hirohito has been portrayed by some as a helpless puppet of the militarists who ran the empires expansionist policies in the first half of the 20th century. Japans government says its not appropriate to rank him alongside Hitler and Mussolini. The video was re-edited and the government issued a tweet saying, We had no intention to offend the friendly people of Japan. Tokyo has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February. Advertisement The social-media episode, however, comes amid a potential shift in Japans attitude toward defense in general. And its about time. The nation has enjoyed such a stretch of peace that some talk about a particularly Japanese affliction known as heiwa boke a phrase which might be translated as peace complacency or perhaps, in the words of harsher critics, peace senility. Safe under the U.S. nuclear security umbrella since 1945, Japan avoided sullying its hands with armed conflict and drifted into a kind of defense dotage believing in pacifism as a virtue in and of itself, and, therefore, not bearing responsibility for a world full of danger and conflict. That has begun to change. Russias war on Ukraine has stirred up emotions and the nation might just be rousing from its long slumber. Hawkish former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is among those leading calls for the country to boost spending on defense. If Japan, which says it needs the cooperation of other countries for regional peace and stability, doesnt raise its spending it will be a laughing stock, Abe told a symposium in Tokyo last week. A research panel of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is proposing that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at least double defense spending to 2% of GDP. Advertisement Abe tried and failed to get the military budget beyond the long-held voluntary cap of about 1%. This time, however, public opinion has come out in greater support. Since February, polls have repeatedly backed higher spending on defense. A Nikkei survey this week showed 55% in support of the LDPs 2% proposal. Thats a stunning turnaround from the early 2000s, when government polls showed barely double-digit backing for any increase in defense spending. Just seven years ago, thousands demonstrated against Abes tweaks to security legislation allowing Japan to send troops to fight overseas. The war in Ukraine has clearly touched a nerve. Not only does Japan have its own territorial dispute with Russia, the invasion has brought home the very real risk of an unprovoked attack, in a way that never happened with North Korean missile and nuclear tests, or the repeated naval harassment of shipping boats by Chinas Coast Guard around the disputed islands. Japans hawks have long been aware of an increasingly aggressive China. Right-leaning commentators talk of Japan becoming a second Ukraine unless action is taken. While this may be an overstatement, Japan has legitimate fears of widespread instability and economic chaos that would be the consequence if China invaded Taiwan. Meanwhile, the chaotic Trump presidency and the aloofness of the Obama administration have raised doubts about the vaunted U.S. commitment to Japans defense. Advertisement Younger voters seem to be tilting conservative on security. Greater defense spending was backed by 65% of those age 18-39, according to the Nikkei. The patriotic reputation of the countrys so-called Self-Defense Forces in effect, Japans military has improved because of its heroic disaster-relief operations and, most recently, key role in administering Covid vaccines. The question is: Will Japan wake up fast enough? While attitudes might be changing, the political sphere moves slowly and cautiously. Any debate will be protracted. Already, the LDP proposal is being castigated by proponents of the post-war status quo. It aims to make Japan a de-facto military superpower under the guise of strengthening deterrence, thundered the left-leaning Tokyo Shimbun in an editorial, urging the government not to undermine the principles of the Peace Constitution. Natsuo Yamaguchi, the leader of the LDPs long-standing coalition partner Komeito, has already poured cold water on the idea of breaking the 1% of GDP spending line on defense. Rethinking taboos is no easy feat. A recent white paper on defense was the center of controversy after it put a picture of a samurai warrior on its cover (a previous cover was pink and was illustrated by Mount Fuji and a cherry blossom). But its well past time for Japan to seriously review such hangups. The world is a dangerous place and Japan must realize it has responsibilities. Advertisement Abe and other hawks are now encouraging a discussion on nuclear sharing: the possibility of deploying U.S. nuclear weapons on Japanese soil, something that would go against the decades-long abhorrence of such apocalyptic armaments. Prime Minister Kishida, a lawmaker representing Hiroshima, swiftly rejected such a move. Still, he is key to any further change in policy precisely because he hails from one of the two cities devastated by atomic bombs. A good start would be for him to make good on the LDPs long-held election pledge to revise the constitution to clarify the role of the Self-Defense Forces. Kishida can also back practical ones: Increased spending to boost the SDFs declining manpower, and moving forward on cybersecurity, space operations and missile defense. He can do this without betraying the legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Advertisement More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion: What Disney Can Teach Microsoft in the Gaming Wars: Gearoid Reidy Mariupol Could Be the Thermopylae of the 21st Century: Andreas Kluth Only One Thing Will Help Ukraine Now. Weapons: Therese Raphael 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. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load An outbreak of acute hepatitis -- an inflammation of the liver -- in children has killed at least one and required liver transplants in more than a dozen others across the globe, according to the World Health Organization. While the cause is undetermined, investigators are studying a family of pathogens, called adenoviruses, that cause a range of illnesses including the common cold. 1. When and where did it start? Cases were first identified at an Alabama hospital in October 2021, when five children were admitted with liver damage from an unknown cause. Early this year 10 cases were identified in Scotland. As of April 21, 169 cases have been detected, the WHO said. Most of them -- 114 -- were in the U.K., followed by 13 in Spain, 12 in Israel, nine in the U.S. and 21 more scattered among Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Romania and Belgium. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a nationwide health alert, and as of April 28 at least five more U.S. states -- Delaware, New York, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Illinois -- had confirmed or suspected cases, according to local health authorities. On April 25, Japans health ministry said it found one probable case, raising concerns the disease is spreading farther. Advertisement 2. How serious is it? The affected children were one month to 16 years old, with many at age 10 and under. Of the 169 cases reported by the WHO, 17, or about 10%, needed a liver transplant, and at least one death was reported. One of the four infections under investigation in Wisconsin resulted in a death, which would be the first in the U.S. linked to the illness if confirmed. 3. What are the common symptoms? Abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, followed by jaundice, which is marked by the skin or the whites of the eyes turning yellow. Laboratory tests show signs of severe liver inflammation, with markedly high liver enzyme readings. Most of the children didnt have a fever. Other symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, light-colored stools and joint pain. Advertisement 4. Whats causing it? A viral organism is likely because the cases are appearing in clusters, according to Tina Tan, a physician at Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago and a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. But experts are still largely in the dark about which virus it could be. The WHO said adenovirus was detected in at least 74 of the children, or more than 40% of cases. In 18 of those a specific strain has been identified: F type 41. The findings are perplexing, however, since adenoviruses normally resolve on their own and dont cause the severity of disease seen in the children. Some were also infected with the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, though the role of any of the viruses isnt clear. Common pathogens that cause acute viral hepatitis, including hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E, havent been found in any of the cases, according to the WHO. Advertisement No other risk factors have been identified, including links to international travel, the WHO said. Additional testing for other infections, chemicals and toxins is underway in the affected countries, which have also initiated enhanced surveillance. 5. Whats an adenovirus? They are common viruses that cause a range of illnesses, including cold-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia and diarrhea. There are more than 50 types that can infect humans. While they most commonly cause respiratory symptoms, they can also lead to gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis and bladder infections. Adenovirus type 41 typically causes diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, often accompanied by respiratory symptoms. It isnt known to cause hepatitis in healthy children. 6. Is this a new disease? Its possible that the severe hepatitis is an existing, though rare, result of an adenovirus infection that is being detected more often now thanks to enhanced testing, the WHO said. Adenovirus infections have been on the rise recently after falling to low levels during the Covid pandemic, potentially making young children more susceptible. The possible emergence of a novel adenovirus must also be investigated, the WHO said. An overview of hepatitis from the WHO, and a review of the outbreak. The CDCs alert to healthcare providers and recommendations for testing. The U.K. Health Security Agencys update on its investigation. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Two years ago, China was being lauded by the World Health Organization for its success in beating the coronavirus. But its insistence on adhering to a so-called Covid Zero policy is leaving it increasingly isolated as other countries, most of which suffered far worse outbreaks and higher death tolls, wean themselves off harsh countermeasures and return to a semblance of pre-pandemic life. Their populations have built up a large degree of protection through previous infections and more effective vaccines. Chinese officials have said vaccines alone arent enough and stringent curbs aimed at wiping out the virus are needed to avoid a health care calamity. President Xi Jinping has pledged to try to reduce the economic impact of the strategy, which Hong Kong also follows. But continued flareups, including an extended one in the financial capital Shanghai, are putting it to the test as never before. 1. Does Covid Zero mean zero cases? Yes, ideally. Beijings perception of Covid hasnt changed much since the virus first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan: Its a public health threat that must be eliminated at all costs, whether its spreading via people or animals or lurking on frozen food or mail from abroad. To achieve this, China requires at least two weeks in quarantine for anyone arriving from other countries. Domestically, even the slightest flareup is met with a barrage of targeted testing, contact tracing and quarantines to try to nip it in the bud, with citywide lockdowns as a last resort. The approach, which has become known as dynamic clearing, acknowledges that infections occur but aims to stop the transmission of the virus. The highly infectious delta and omicron variants have made it more difficult for China, which hasnt gone a day with zero new local cases reported since October. In early April the daily tally topped 20,000 -- surpassing the opening days of the pandemic in China, before testing was easily available -- before falling back later in the month. Advertisement 2. Why is China sticking to it? In its calculus, the benefits outweigh the costs. The government estimates the strategy has avoided 1 million deaths and 50 million illnesses. It has acknowledged fewer than 5,000 deaths from Covid on the mainland, mostly early in the pandemic. That compares to almost 1 million in the U.S., which has a population less than a quarter the size of Chinas. Beijing has used those figures to portray its system of governance as superior. Covid Zero also allowed the Chinese economy, the worlds second biggest, to grow while other major economies contracted in 2020. Growth continued last year and 2022 got off to a stronger-than-expected start, although the outlook has been clouded not only by Covid but the global repercussions from Russias invasion of Ukraine. Thats prompted China to experiment with a closed-loop system to allow some factories to keep operating during outbreaks. Workers are effectively put in a bubble, ferried between their company-run dormitories and the plant -- or sleeping on the floor at work -- with regular testing and temperature checks. China will strive to achieve the maximum prevention and control effect at the least cost and minimize the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development, Xi said in March. 3. Whats the domestic impact been? Advertisement As the virus has become more contagious, its led to more frequent outbreaks, some of which have resulted in hardcore lockdowns, where most people are required to stay home. A handful have dragged on for several weeks this year, such as in Shanghai and the northeastern industrial province of Jilin, leading to economic and social hardship and distress for people with chronic medical conditions. In the western city of Xian, one woman suffered a miscarriage and a heart attack victim died after difficulty accessing emergency care. On the other hand, the giant tech hub Shenzhen emerged from just a week of lockdown relatively unscathed, with some factories continuing to operate under the bubble system. By late April, authorities in Beijing and other cities including Hangzhou, home to tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., were seeking to replicate that experience by initiating testing blitzes immediately after the first cases turn up. Still, all the disruption and fear of infection means people have avoided travel, shopping and dining out, dampening retail spending. Even partial lockdowns have snarled industrial supply chains. The gloom has added to weak investment and a broader downturn in the property market. Economists have been steadily downgrading their growth forecasts, with Morgan Stanley cutting its projection for this year by 40 basis points to 4.2%, well below the governments target of around 5.5%. 4. What are the hurdles to getting back to normal? There are several: Advertisement While nearly 90% of the population has been vaccinated and a growing number received boosters, the rates are lower for the elderly: 82% for those between 70 and 79 and about 51% for those over 80, health officials said in mid-March. (In Hong Kong, which had similar problems vaccinating the elderly, people 65 and older accounted for more than 90% of the more than 9,000 Covid-related deaths in the city this year through April.) Many analysts point to the lower efficacy of vaccines developed in China. The most widely used are inactivated shots, which offered less protection against infection caused by the original strain of the virus in clinical trials than the novel mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer Inc., BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc. The mRNA vaccines, unavailable in mainland China, are the backbone of immunization elsewhere in the world. The inactivated vaccines also appear to produce fewer protective antibodies against the omicron variant than those induced by shots developed in the West after three doses. Advertisement Chinese health officials have made it clear that vaccination alone isnt enough, since breakthrough infections are common even with Western vaccines. Researchers at Peking University estimated China would face a colossal outbreak, with more than 630,000 infections a day if it were to reopen in a similar manner to the U.S. -- and that was before the more-infectious omicron became predominant. The run on hospitals across the world, both in under-resourced places like India and in the developed world, is a constant reminder about how Chinas patchy hospital network could easily crash under a sudden spike in infections. Switching tactics to let the virus infect a large swath of the population could create bad optics ahead of the national congress of the ruling Communist Party slated for later this year, where Xi is expected to try to extend his power. Advertisement 5. Whats the cost to the rest of the world? Covid Zero has sent ripples through the global supply chain. Outbreaks have led to temporary production halts at the China-based factories of top carmakers in the northern port city of Tianjin for people to undergo mass testing. Foxconn briefly suspended operations at its Shenzhen sites, one of which produces iPhones. The monthlong lockdown of Xian caused disruption for leading chipmakers Micron Technology Inc and Samsung Electronics Co., while Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen AG had to suspend production at factories in Jilin. But abandoning the policy could cause far greater disruptions, at least temporarily, if workers were too sick to show up at work, given how much the world relies on China for everything from raw materials to finished consumer and industrial products. In the worse-case scenario of omicron spreading out of control and China imposing a national lockdown, Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg Intelligence estimated that could slow Chinas economic growth to 1.6% this year -- the lowest in more than four decades -- and send shock waves through the world economy. Among the likely results: lower commodity prices, and a more gradual pace of Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes. 6. Whats the endgame for China? Advertisement China has given no sign of backing away from its strategy in the hope that reacting forcibly to each flareup will quickly contain it with few economic and social ramifications. While local lockdowns cause disruptions and spur complaints on social media, the strategy ensures people in the rest of the country can generally carry on with normal life. The countrys top virus expert said in March that China should stick to its strategy, while fine-tuning some measures to be more targeted and deployed quicker to deal with omicron. Ma Xiaowei, head of Chinas National Health Commission, called in April for a clear-cut stance in opposing the wrongful thoughts of living with virus. Some experts think the strategy will eventually crumble as the virus becomes too transmissible to control. Another possibility is a new variant may emerge thats mild enough for the government to relent without harming the population. 7. Whats the outlook for Hong Kong? The financial hub and gateway to China has prioritized aligning its policy with the mainland in an effort to reopen the border. Successive outbreaks on both sides have kept that from happening. Chief Executive Carrie Lam has vowed to stick with Covid Zero while conceding the city doesnt have the resources the mainland does to extinguish outbreaks. As omicron swept through Hong Kong early this year, public hospitals became overcrowded and the governments priorities shifted to vaccinating the elderly and reducing fatalities. In March, after acknowledging that public tolerance was fading, Lam suspended a plan for mandatory citywide testing and instead sent kits to all residents and asked them to test themselves at home. She also announced the lifting of a ban on flights from nine countries including the U.S. and U.K., and cut by half the time incoming travelers need to spend in hotel quarantine -- provided they test negative. With daily case numbers falling, the city began to ease social-distancing restrictions in mid-April, with more to follow if there is no rebound in infections, Lam said, but talks on reopening borders would have to wait. Advertisement Bloomberg Opinions Shuli Ren looks at the role fear of the virus plays in China, and Therese Raphael and Sam Fazeli examine why China cant loosen up yet. Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg Intelligence analyzed three ways China could exit Covid Zero. Businessweek digs into the mounting economic damage from Covid Zero, and a Big Take looks at the havoc it wreaks. More QuickTakes on what we know about omicron and Covid therapies. Some of the stranger things that have been in Chinas crosshairs. Bloombergs Resilience Ranking charts the best and worst places to be during the pandemic. (Updates with new case figures in section 1, Shanghai lockdown, situation in Beijing and GDP forecast in section 3) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Blood donation limits on gay men lifted Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Canada said Thursday that it is lifting restrictions on blood donations from sexually active gay men, first imposed decades ago, as part of an effort to create a more inclusive system. The federal health department announced it is authorizing a submission from Canadian Blood Services to allow donations from men who have had sex with other men in the past three months. Instead of requiring men who have sex with men to remain abstinent for at least three months before donating, the agency will screen all potential blood and plasma donors for high-risk sexual behaviors. The change is expected to take effect by Sept. 30. This follows an evolution of policy from a lifetime ban on blood donations, imposed in the mid-1980s, from men who had engaged in sex with men since 1977. The government gradually whittled down the required abstinence periods to five years, three years and starting in 2019 three months. Advertisement The prior rationale for the bans was that men who have sex with men had a higher prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus. But advocates and medical experts argued that this was an outdated and stigmatizing assumption that did not reflect current risk factors. Reuters Lopez Obrador calls formajor electoral changes Mexicos government on Thursday proposed a dramatic overhaul of the electoral system and the agency that oversees it. It would reduce the size of Congress and state legislatures while having voters choose the federal elections board, potentially adding a higher degree of politics to what has been an independent body. The proposal also would reduce federal funding of parties and spending on elections in general a repeated target of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has often feuded with the National Electoral Institute. Advertisement The proposals would create a new federal elections authority to replace the institute and eliminate similar state-level bodies. But the path for the package would be difficult. Lopez Obradors party and its allies do not have the two-thirds majority in Congress required to make constitutional changes. The main opposition parties are against such changes. Lopez Obrador has spent decades battling electoral authorities. He considers himself a victim of electoral fraud on multiple occasions, though the National Electoral Institute confirmed his 2018 victory. Associated Press Beijing schools to be closed over virus fears: Beijing is closing all city schools in a further tightening of coronavirus restrictions, as the Chinese capital seeks to prevent a wider outbreak. It wasn't clear whether the schools would be able to offer classes online or allow students facing crucial exams to return to class. Beijing announced 50 new cases on Thursday, bringing its total in the latest wave of infections to around 150. Advertisement Nigeria's Senate passes bill to bar kidnap ransom payments: Nigeria's Senate has passed a bill barring the payment of ransoms to kidnappers at a time when thousands are in captivity, including passengers kidnapped during a train attack in March . The Senate said the amendment, which critics said would harm victims and their families, will "prevent terrorist groups from laundering money." Nigeria has struggled to stem the rise of violence in its northwestern and central regions. Thousands have been killed, and the kidnap-for-ransom business has become a lucrative enterprise. Reprieve for another Malaysian set to be hanged in Singapore: A second Malaysian man due to be hanged in Singapore this week for drug trafficking won a last-minute reprieve from the top court. Datchinamurthy Kataiah, 36, was scheduled to be hanged Friday, just two days after the execution of a Malaysian man who was believed to be mentally disabled. A lawyer who earlier represented Datchinamurthy said the Court of Appeal allowed a stay of execution pending a May 20 legal challenge. From news services GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Sherry Fonseka joined millions in 2019 in electing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a military strategist whose brutal campaign helped end Sri Lankas 30-year civil war 10 years earlier. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Now he is one of thousands who, for weeks, have protested outside the presidents office, calling on Rajapaksa and his brother, Mahinda, who is prime minister, to resign for leading the country into its worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948. With the island teetering near bankruptcy, Fonseka, who owns a small garment business in the capital, Colombo, has resorted to spending his own savings to pay the salaries of his 30 employees. But he knows he will soon have to let them go and is clear about who is to blame. All of us thought we made the correct decision (to elect Rajapaksa), but weve realized we were wrong. We should have the backbone to tell people, and the world, that we made a mistake, he said. Advertisement In recent weeks, protests have erupted across the country demanding that Rajapaksa quit. The protests highlight the dramatic fall of the Rajapaksas from Sri Lankas most powerful political dynasty in decades to a family grasping to retain power. Despite accusations of atrocities during the civil war, Gotabaya and Mahinda, who was previously president, remained heroes to many of the islands Buddhist-Sinhalese majority and were firmly entrenched at the top of Sri Lankan politics before the revolt by previous supporters like Fonseka. The pendulum has swung from its all about the Rajapaksas, they are the people who saved this country, to it is because of the Rajapaksas that the country is now ruined, said Harsha de Silva, an economist and opposition lawmaker. The unravelling of Sri Lankas economy has been swift and painful. Imports of everything from milk to fuel have plunged, spawning dire food shortages and rolling power cuts. People have been forced to queue for hours every day to buy essentials. Doctors have warned of a crippling shortage of life-saving drugs in hospitals, and the government has suspended payments on $7 billion in foreign debts due this year alone. Advertisement The Rajapaksas, like an octopus, have held on to every aspect of public life in Sri Lanka, de Silva said. They have been running it as if it was their kingdom. They wished and they did - thats how it was and people were with them. President Rajapaksa has defended his government, partly blaming the pandemic and Russias war in Ukraine. This crisis was not created by me, he said in a speech last month, adding that his government was working hard on solutions. They include approaching the International Monetary Fund and World Bank for assistance, after repeated calls to do so. But as protesters seethed, the president and prime minister have changed tact in recent weeks. They have admitted to mistakes they made that exacerbated the crisis, such as implementing a short-lived ban last year on importing chemical fertilizers that badly hurt farmers and conceding that they should have sought a bailout sooner. Advertisement Influential Buddhist monks have urged Rajapaksa to form an interim government under a new prime minister, signaling a further decline in the familys image as protectors of the countrys 70% Buddhist-Sinhalese majority. Some observers say its too soon to measure how much support for the Rajapaksas has fallen among their hardcore base, but for many their response has been too little and too late. There is now recognition across the government of several missteps, but its one thats come at a huge cost to the people, said Bhavani Fonseka, a senior researcher at the Colombo-based Center for Policy Alternatives. The Rajapaksas were a powerful land-owning family which for decades dominated local elections in their rural southern district, before rising to the helm of national politics in 2005 when Mahinda was elected president. He remained in power until 2015, overseeing the end of the civil war against ethnic Tamil rebels in 2009, before losing to the opposition led by his former aide. Advertisement Suicide bombings that killed 290 people on Easter Sunday in 2019 paved the way for the Rajapaksas return, this time as Gotabaya launched a high-pitched nationalist campaign that tapped outrage and disillusionment with the previous government over the attacks. He vowed a return to the muscular nationalism that had made his family popular with the Buddhist majority, and also to bring the country out of an economic slump with a message of stability and development. Tourism had dropped sharply after the bomb attacks and Sri Lanka needed badly to boost revenue to service a slew of foreign loans for splashy infrastructure projects. Some involved Chinese money and were commissioned under his brothers presidency, but had failed to create profits, instead collecting debt. Just days into his presidency, Rajapaksa pushed through the largest tax cuts in Sri Lankas history to spur spending even as critics warned that it would shrink the governments finances. According to Nishan de Mel, executive director of Verite Research, Sri Lankas tax base fell by 30%. Advertisement When you do something like that, you have some kind of internal analysis or document that shows why these cuts could help the economy. There was nothing of that sort, de Mel said. The move triggered immediate punishment from the global market as creditors downgraded Sri Lankas ratings, making it impossible for it to borrow more money as its foreign exchange reserves continued to dwindle. Then the coronavirus hit, further crushing tourism as debts snowballed. Analysts say the Rajapaksas response to the economic challenges underscored the limitations of their strongman politics and their familys near-monopoly on decision making, heavily relying on the military to enforce policy and passing laws to weaken independent institutions. Three other Rajapaksa family members were in the Cabinet until early April, when the Cabinet resigned en masse in response to the protests. Advertisement Their entire political ideology and credibility is in serious crisis, said Jayadeva Uyangoda, a veteran political scientist. But many fear that things will only get worse before improving. A divided and weak opposition without a majority in Parliament has kept the Rajapaksas in power. An IMF bailout could see austere measures intensifying hardships for people before there is relief. Meanwhile, the focus remains on the protests, which are drawing people across ethnicities, religion and class. For the first time, middle-class Sri Lankans have taken to the streets in large numbers, Uyangoda said. They include Wijaya Nanda Chandradewa, who joined the crowd outside the presidents office on Saturday. A retired government employee, Chandradewa said he fell for Rajapaksas promise to rebuild a Sri Lanka scarred by the 2019 bombings. He said there will be one country and one law -- now there is neither the law nor the country, Chandradewa said, adding that the only option now is for Rajapaksa to quit. He showed us a fairyland and cheated us and misled us, he said. We have to fix our mistakes and build a system to bring in the right leader. ___ Pathi reported from New Delhi. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load BOGOTA, Colombia Colombians will soon be going to movie theaters without having to wear face masks. Chile opens its borders next week for the first time in two years. Mexicos president has declared the pandemic over. And in Rio de Janeiro, tens of thousands attended Carnival parades just two months after the world-famous spectacle was postponed to prevent COVID-19 infections. Even as coronavirus cases rise half a world away in China and authorities there impose new lockdowns, plummeting infection rates in Latin America have countries eliminating restrictions on mass gatherings, lifting some travel requirements and scrapping mask mandates that have been in place for two years. The region has been hit hard by the pandemic, with nations like Brazil and Peru registering some of the worlds highest death tolls. But cases and deaths fell this month in most places to lows resembling levels last seen in the first two months of the pandemic. Advertisement Some epidemiologists believe vaccination campaigns and months of exposure to different strains of the virus have helped the regions populations resist new waves of contagion. What we appear to be seeing is that while the virus is still circulating, many people are not falling ill or presenting symptoms, said Fernando de la Hoz, an epidemiology professor at the National University in Bogota, Colombias capital. Last year Latin American countries were pummeled by the coronavirus, with the Delta and Gamma variants the latter of which emerged in Brazil infecting millions and killing hundreds of thousands. In June, Brazil reached 500,000 deaths and seven countries in South America were among the 10 nations in the world with the highest death rates per capita. Peru is now the only Latin American nation still to have that dubious distinction, according to data compiled by Statista, a market research platform. But even in Peru, COVID-19 deaths have fallen dramatically, from more than 200 a day in February to around 20 by the end of April. Coronavirus intensive care units, packed a year ago, were at just 11% of capacity at the beginning of this month according to the Ministry of Health. Advertisement The BA.2 variant of the virus, which spread rapidly through China, the United States and some European countries in March, has not had a significant impact in most of the region so far. In Colombia, cases are down from 35,000 per day in mid-January, when the omicron variant peaked, to around 250 per day. Daily deaths are in the single digits, and as of the first week of April, just 177 of a total of 10,700 ICU beds were occupied by coronavirus patients, according to the Pan American Health Organization. We dont expect that wave from China to arrive here because our strategy has been different to theirs, Martha Lucia Ospina, the director of Colombias National Health Institute, told radio station La FM this month. They shut down contact with the outside world as they aimed for a zero Covid strategy ... while we opened up gradually and applied different kinds of vaccines that have generated an interesting mix of immunity, Ospina said. Advertisement Most countries in the region have met the World Health Organizations target of vaccinating 70% of their people with at least two doses. As case numbers and hospitalizations fall away, so do many restrictions on social life. Brazils federal government revoked a 2020 measure that declared the pandemic a health emergency, and many states have eased mask mandates and other constraints. Masks were not required last weekend at the packed Sambadrome, Rios Carnival parade ground, which can hold more than 60,000 spectators. Vaccination cards were supposedly a condition for entry, but people had no trouble getting in without them. After being suspended in February, the celebrations were moved to an April holiday. Colombias government announced that starting May 1, masks will no longer be needed at shopping malls, cinemas and other large indoor venues in cities with vaccination rates of at least 70%. Advertisement Argentina lifted all travel restrictions in March including for unvaccinated people, and Buenos Aires, the capital, no longer requires masks in any venues. In Central America, El Salvador stopped requiring them in public spaces as of April 21st. Masks are also no longer mandatory in most places in Mexico, which has seen daily cases fall from 40,000 in late January to 1,000 in mid-April. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said this week that the country had entered a new stage in which the virus will have seasonal variations. There is at least one place where infections are rising: In Puerto Rico, cases rebounded after mask requirements and caps on attendance in public venues were lifted March 10, prompting the islands government this month to once again mandate masks at large events. The island surpassed 3,000 cases a day this week, according to Johns Hopkins University, up from about 200 per day during the first week of March. Advertisement Ivan Dario Velez, a specialist in infectious diseases at Colombias University of Antioquia, said new mutations and outbreaks can still happen in the coming months, and governments in the region may have to apply new rounds of vaccinations or take other steps. This virus is very unpredictable, he added. Governments will have to monitor its behavior closely and take appropriate measures. ___ Associated Press writers David Biller in Rio de Janeiro; Almudena Calatrava in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Eva Vergara in Santiago, Chile; Franklin Briceno in Lima, Peru; Marcos Aleman in San Salvador, El Salvador; and Maria Verza in Mexico City contributed to this report. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load MEXICO CITY When Mexican police found a pile of about 150 skulls in a cave near the Guatemalan border, they thought they were looking at a crime scene, and took the bones to the state capital. It turns out it was a very cold case. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight It took a decade of tests and analysis to determine the skulls were from sacrificial victims killed between A.D. 900 and 1200, the National Institute of Anthropology and History said Wednesday. Believing they were looking at a crime scene, investigators collected the bones and started examining them in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the state capital, the institute, known as INAH, said in a statement. The police in 2012 werent being stupid; the border area around the town of Frontera Comalapa in southern Chiapas state has long been plagued by violence and immigrant trafficking. And pre-Hispanic skull piles in Mexico usually show a hole bashed through each side of every skull, and were usually found in ceremonial plazas, not caves. Advertisement But experts said Wednesday the victims in the cave had probably been ritually decapitated and the skulls put on display on a kind of trophy rack known as a tzompantli. Spanish conquistadores wrote about seeing such racks in the 1520s, and some Spaniards heads even wound up on them. While usually strung on wooden poles using holes bashed through them the common practice among the Aztecs and other cultures experts say the cave skulls may have rested atop poles, rather than being strung on them. Interestingly, there were more females than males among the victims, and none of them had any teeth. In light of the cave experience, archaeologist Javier Montes de Paz said people should probably call archaeologists, not police. When people find something that could be in an archaeological context, dont touch it and notify local authorities or directly the INAH, he said. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load OWERRI, Nigeria Mourners were nowhere to be seen as gravediggers in Nigerias southeast town of Ohaji-Egbema used shovels to place the unidentifiable charred remains of dozens who died in an explosion at an illegal oil refinery into three mass graves. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The bodies had started to decompose after not being claimed by family members at the open water-logged space days after the explosion killed at least 110 people. Most corpses here cannot be identified, said Marcel Amadioha, chairman of the Ohaji-Egbema local government area where the illegal refinery operated. The explosion on Friday night was triggered by a fire in the bootleg facility that was tucked away in the Ohaji-Egbema forest, away from the eyes of Nigerias regulatory agencies. Such refineries have become common in the West African nation whose rich crude oil deposit is easily stolen. Advertisement Shortly after the explosion, people came from far and near to see if they could find the remains of their loved ones, said Amadioha, chairman of the council area. On Tuesday, authorities and gravediggers returned to the forest to bury the remains of about 50 people. Lift it (a human body) and throw it inside before covering if not it will smell! a local shouted to a gravedigger who gathered remains near a mass grave with his shovel and makeshift stretcher. Little is known of the refinery which had operated in a part of the forest surrounded by farmlands and palm trees. Residents told The Associated Press that many of those who died had come from various parts of Nigeria to buy the oil. The refinery site was usually very busy at night, said resident Francis Obi. There are individuals who buy over 100 drums of crude oil, others buy 200, he said. So, both the people that came here to do labor work, the people who came to buy, the drivers and people who come here for other commercial activities all of them were trapped (by the explosion). Advertisement The anger among the villagers is not just about the deaths but also because a refinery that sustained us is gone, he said, referring to the money the villagers made from the commercial activity surrounding the refinery. It is a common trend in southern Nigeria, Africas largest producer of crude oil where almost half of its more than 200 million people are living in poverty, according to the latest estimates from the statistics agency. The local operators of such refineries do so out of frustration at being neglected by the government, said Bright Onyenwoke, a youth leader in Ohaji-Egbema. He said his community lacks social amenities despite being surrounded by at least 27 oil wells managed by international oil companies. So, the means of survival here is hard, he said. In the quest for survival, such illegal dealings become an easy way out in the oil-rich Niger Delta region where the oil theft is concentrated. Advertisement Residents in Ikwere in Rivers state said 10,000 naira ($24) is shared every week between people in the village as benefits from the illegal refinery in the area. There, dozens of young people are employed for various non-technical works with weekly earnings of about 40,000 naira ($96), he said, adding that the refinery workers have police (and other) security agencies guarding them. With no safety protocols, environmental hazards like the fire in Imo state are a regular occurrence at the illegal oil refineries. Back in Ikwere, a resident who only gave his first name as Akachi said two people in his extended family died in fires last year. There is no control whatsoever on how the illegal refineries are run, said Nnimmo Bassey, a director at the Health of Mother Earth Foundation environmental group. Apart from the fact that the nation is losing revenue, these refineries expose communities to grave health issues. Advertisement As the remains of those who died in the Imo explosion were being covered in mass graves half-filled with water, a pastor arrived with a religious group to conduct a prayer session. Earlier, a traditional religion practitioner had come to perform rites over the bodies. We cannot continue losing our lives unnecessarily for peanuts, said Amadioha, the administrator of Ohaji-Egbema council area. Everything must be done to stop them this time around. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load WARSAW, Poland Polish President Andrzej Duda denounced Russias war against Ukraine on Thursday as he joined Holocaust survivors and people from around the world at an annual observance at the former site of Auschwitz. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight We are here to show that every nation has a sacred right to life, has a sacred right to cultivate its traditions, has a sacred right to develop, he said. Duda joined more than 2,000 young Israelis and others who joined the March of the Living, a commemoration taking place on Israel's national Holocaust memorial day that pays tribute to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The route begins under the Auschwitz gate with the notorious slogan Arbeit Macht Frei (German for work will set you free) and leads to Birkenau, the largest site of mass extermination during Germanys occupation of Poland and other parts of Europe during World War II. Advertisement This years march, the first after being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, also included delegations from Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Duda, walking as Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg held him by the arm, took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Death Wall in Auschwitz, where prisoners were shot to death. Later, during a ceremony at Birkenau, Duda spoke out against war, anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred, and paid tribute to Jewish victims of the Holocaust as well as the other victims of Nazi Germany, including Poles, Roma and Russians. We come here to show that while during World War II, Nazi Germany managed to wipe my country off the map, wipe it out and murder Poles, including Polish Jews, we will never again allow something like this to happen, he said. We are also here to show that there is absolutely no consent to the attempt to take freedom and kill the Ukrainian nation with impunity, as is happening today in the occupied territories of Ukraine, he said. Advertisement More than 1.1 million people were murdered by the Nazis and their henchmen in Auschwitz. Most who were killed were Jews, but the victims also included Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and others. In all, about 6 million European Jews died during the Holocaust. When the Soviets liberated the camp, they found about 7,000 survivors. ___ More AP coverage of the Holocaust and Russias war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/the-holocaust and https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine GiftOutline Gift Article AMP Limited chief executive Alexis George says the majority of proceeds from the sale of its so-called crown jewel asset will be returned to shareholders, who she thanked for being patient during years of scandals, instability and a languishing share price. AMPs shares rose more than 13 per cent on Thursday after the group announced the remaining part of its asset management business, Collimate Capital, had been sold to a subsidiary of DigitalBridge Group, a New York-listed infrastructure investment firm, for at least $462 million. AMP CEO Alexis George. Credit: The deal included the sale of Collimates international infrastructure equity assets, including $9 billion in funds under management, the relevant platform and the transfer of key personnel across the UK and Europe, North America and Asia. AMP sold Collimate in a series of deals that valued the business between $2 billion and $2.5 billion. This included the sale of managements rights over its infrastructure equity and property funds to Dexus, announced on Wednesday, and the February sale of its infrastructure debt platform. Parts of inner-city Sydney will be bathed in artificial sunshine with the City of Sydney set to give the go-ahead to a $1.7 million public art installation. Leading German sculptor Tobias Rehberger has taken the humble lamp post and transformed it into a vibrant solar compass linking four locations in the former industrial heartland of Green Square and Zetland to world destinations. Photomontage of Tobias Rehbergers artificial sun at Defries Ave, Zetland, that is synchronised to Chinas sun. The four sculptures function as seating, with plantings and a light pole incorporating an illuminated fibreglass sphere. These artificial suns will be programmed to glow during the daylight hours at the four international locations, turning on at sunrise and off at sunset. Labor leader Anthony Albanese will head to Perth on Friday night after coming out of isolation but has been told by his doctor to take it easy for the first few days. Albanese has told colleagues he is feeling well after contracting COVID-19 last week and is ready to make up for the lost week. Anthony Albanese Albanese has participated in a number of television and radio interviews while in isolation. Albanese will fly to Perth on Friday night and headline Labors campaign launch in the city on Sunday, but it is unclear whether he will immediately hit the hustings in Sydney on Friday. Albaneses office declined to say whether he would do a RAT or PCR test before making the trip. World leaders and the U.S. political and foreign policy elite joyously remembered America's first female secretary of state as mourners paid their respects to the late Madeleine Albright. Some 1,400 people gathered at Washington's National Cathedral on Wednesday to celebrate the life and achievements of the refugee from war-torn Europe who rose to the highest ranks of the U.S. government. A veritable who's who of Washington attended the memorial service led by President Joe Biden and predecessors Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Biden delivered a tribute to Albright and said her name is synonymous with the idea that America is "a force for good in the world. Albright died of cancer last month at age 84. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. EXETER TWP., Pa. ByHeart rewrites the recipe for baby formula from scratch, using a farm-to-formula method. Founders Ron Belldegrun and Mia Funt, who cut the ribbon Thursday on their $21.6-million manufacturing plant in Exeter Township, said their goal was to bring the most wholesome alternative to breast milk to the market. "We really set out to transform the most fundamental and vital food there is, food for our babies," Belldegrun said. It took five years to get to this point. The formula has been on the market a little bit more than a month, and the founders said it's a revolution in infant nutrition. "What we were able to do is really, number one, create a blend of proteins that get much closer to breast milk protein than anything on the market, to really thrive all in one benefits," said Belldegrun. State officials invested $1.75 million in support and said the new plant will have a major impact on the local economy and provide a boost to Pennsylvania's dairy industry. "Innovating in the highest value category of dairy, focusing on the health of parents and families, creating good jobs, engaging the dairy industry and having that as a key component of the strategic plan," said Russell Redding, the state's agriculture secretary. ByHeart hopes to assure parents that their infants are getting the best possible start in life and have an impact on formula supply chain issues. 1:30 Baby formula shortage has some families scrambling According to market research firm IRI, stores' infant formula inventories in mid-January were down 17% from where they were in mid-February 2020, just before the pandemic hit US shores. "This is far too fundamental a nutrition for there to be such fragility in the supply chain here," Belldegrun said. "So, this is why we set out to really build our manufacturing and own our entire supply chain so that we can stay ahead of things like this or do our best to." "We feel proud of the community and the resources we brought together," said Mia Funt, ByHeart's co-founder. What an astonishing actress Jodie Comer is! This 100-minute monologue marks her West End debut and looking at her CV, her previous stage work anywhere doesn't amount to much more than some youth drama. Yet the Killing Eve star strides out onto the stage of the Harold Pinter Theatre and utterly owns it, holding the audience in the grip of her ever-tightening hand. She even risks a little Villanelle side-eye at the start but by the close, her transformative storytelling is so powerful that you forget she is anything but the woman she is playing. That woman is Tessa, a clever and ambitious criminal barrister, conscious that only one in three of her law degree peers will succeed in forging a career, and utterly determined she will rise to the top. Surrounded by files and heavy wooden furniture, popping her barrister's wig on her head, she brags about her expertise in manipulating the system in sexual assault cases, defending the men accused by undermining the word of their accusers. Her eyes gleam with pleasure at her skill. She knows these men might be guilty, but she tells herself and us, that if a man escapes justice it's because the prosecution didn't do their job. The playwright Suzie Miller, has been a criminal defence lawyer in her native Australia and it's clear from the detail of her writing, how deeply she understands the legal games people play. But then Tessa finds herself on the other side of an argument: a consensual date with a work colleague turns into rape. She withdraws consent, but he doesn't listen. In an instant, everything she thought she knew about herself is destroyed. Her life is suddenly in the hands of people over whom she has no control, her words and actions twisted and misinterpreted by a system that favours men. Yet she is determined to fight back. Comer charts all this with a precision that is uncanny. She has the ability to communicate many conflicting emotions simultaneously: she is funny when she is vomiting down a loo, but also utterly vulnerable and terrified; when she describes her mother she is both loving and ashamed. Each thought and emotion registers not only in her face, but in her body. She seems to imprint things onto herself before speaking. By the end of the play, she doesn't even look like the woman who began it. She is supported by a powerful production, directed by Justin Martin with just the right sense of pace and of light and shade. Every ingredient of the show is beautifully conceived. Miriam Buether (who seems to be the busiest designer in London at the moment) contributes a set that constantly modulates into something different, making its points both literally and metaphorically under Natasha Chivers' lights, with great flashes of white that divide scenes. Ben and Max Ringham provide a soundtrack that heightens both the action and the emotion. Prima Facie isn't the most subtle piece of writing, and it is possibly over-emphatic towards its close, becoming polemic rather than drama. Yet it is hard to argue with its fury when the facts that underpin its arguments are incontestable. Perhaps someone needs to get angry when one in three women will be subjected to some form of sexual assault in their lifetime and only 1.3 per cent of rapes are ever prosecuted. With Comer as its protagonist, blazing away, it is impossible to avert your gaze. She brings its arguments to forceful life and in the process creates an unforgettable moment of theatre. Press Release April 28, 2022 Seeing 'Yolanda Graduates' Making a Difference vs Calamities in Ormoc Makes Lacson Feel Fulfilled More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/seeing-yolanda-graduates-making-a-difference-vs-calamities-in-ormoc-makes-lacson-feel-fulfilled Many of the development and community planning officers in the Visayas who received scholarship grants from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) through the US$10-million technical support and assistance extended by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) after their areas were devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda are now helping their communities deal with similar disasters like Odette and Agaton - and independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson is very proud of them. Lacson, who as Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery facilitated their schooling eight years ago, met with some of the planning officers during his and vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III's visit to Ormoc, Leyte on Wednesday. "Parang fulfilling. Of course tinamaan na naman ng Odette, tinamaan na naman ng Agaton. And we take pride in one of our legacy projects na nabanggit ko kanina, nagpa-scholar kami ng 162 planning officers who are now giving services sa kanilang respective municipalities (It was very fulfilling to see some of the 162 planning officers who underwent training via scholarships now giving services to their respective municipalities and dealing with the effects of recent cyclones like Odette and Agaton)," Lacson said. "Kanina na-meet namin yung tatlo o apat, and then parang alam mo na yun yung feeling na parang may memory lane na tinatahak ka. Very exciting (I met with three or four of them today, it felt like a stroll down memory lane. It was very exciting)," he added. In 2014, the OPARR under Lacson helped technically capacitate 171 cities and towns affected by Yolanda, where 162 planning officers graduated from the Development Academy of the Philippines after a number of years. The USAID, through then Mission Director Gloria Steele, extended technical support and assistance worth US$10 million to OPARR that made possible the enrollment and graduation of these planning officers. Lacson said this, and seeing Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez - who he worked with in the Estrada administration's anti-illegal drug program - made his trip to Ormoc all the more sentimental. "Nag-graduate sila 2016. Ngayon nakita ko sila very knowledgeable. Kaya sabi ko dapat tama prepared na prepared when Agaton and Odette hit this region again. So again ready sila, alam nila ang gagawin nila. Naging parang mentally resilient na particularly Ormoc and nearby municipalities na talaga namang vulnerable sa calamities (The planning officers graduated in 2016. I see they are now very knowledgeable, so they were prepared when Agaton and Odette hit this region again. They knew what to do)," Lacson said. Procurement Consultant, Belgrade, Serbia Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme Country: Serbia City: Belgrade Office: UNDP Belgrade Closing date: Tuesday, 3 May 2022 2424 Procurement Consultant Location : Belgrade, SERBIA Application Deadline : 03-May-22 (Midnight New York, USA) Type of Contract : Individual Contract Post Level : National Consultant Languages Required : English Expected Duration of Assignment : May 2022 - September 2022 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 Purpose To provide support in the preparation of tender documentation, implementation of tender procedures, tender evaluation and contracts activities related to the ESI project. Objective To contribute to results oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of the project activities and achievement of planned results. Background Information UNDP supports Serbia in its own efforts to achieve a high level of human prosperity and dignity for all its citizens irrespective of their gender, ethnicity or creed. UNDP promotes sustainable human development, human security and equal possibilities for all, while providing every available support to Serbia in its progress toward joining the European Union. UNDPs projects and programmes are implemented within the scope of the Country Program Document 2016-2020 (CDP). CDP derives from and supports the implementation of the UN Development Partnership Framework 2016-2020 with the focus on: (a) accountable and representative governance institutions serving people; (b) equal participation for women and lives free of violence; (c) inclusive and sustainable growth; and (d) low-carbon and climate-resilient development. The Education for Social Inclusion project supports the accelerated delivery of loan initiatives for improvement of Education for social inclusion. UNDP, with its emphasis on capacity development and knowledge management, will support building of this advanced capacity and provide the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MESTD) with access to its knowledge platforms, rosters of expertise and specializations and facilitate timely delivery of projected results. In order to ensure timely and impactful implementation and to indemnify the Republic of Serbia from the potential interest and charges which would appear in case of slow pace of project implementation, there is a need to establish the Project Implementation Unit. The purpose of the position is to provide technical support to the implementation of the project in the preparation of tender documentation, implementation of tender procedures, tender evaluation and contracts activities related to the ESI project. To support results oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of the project activities and achievement of project results. Duties and Responsibilities Scope of Work The procurement consultants will provide support in the preparation of tender documentation, implementation of tender procedures, tender evaluation and contracts activities related to the ESI project. Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the procurement consultant will undertake the following tasks: Support in preparation tender documentation and tender evaluation for procurement within ESI project - construction and landscaping works, as well as procurement of equipment for Student Dormitory Sjenica, PKB Belgrade, University Dormitory Palic, Student Dormitory Pozarevac. Revision tender documentation in accordance with the CEB bank tender practice Support in preparation contracts activities related to the ESI project Ensuring that finance and procurement related data is captured and communicated to the project management Preparing regular and ad-hoc procurement reports for internal and external distribution Preparing regular requests for CEB bank "no objection" DELIVERABLES AND INDICATIVE TIMETABLE The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables: Deliverables Due dates Completed tender dossiers for procurement for completed construction works of Student Dormitory in Sjenica 25 May 2022 Completed tender dossiers for procurement for landscaping works of Student Dormitory in Sjenica 30 July 2022 Completed tender dossiers for procurement of landscaping works of PKB in Belgrade 15 June 2022 Completed tender dossiers for procurement of equipment of PKB Belgrade, University Dormitory Palic and Student Dormitory Pozarevac 15 August 2022 Completed tender dossiers for procurement of equipment of Student Dormitory in Sjenica 30 September 2022 Report in Serbian language on up to 5 guidelines and technical and legal recommendations for procurement issues provided 5 days after completed each tender (5 in total) All deliverables will have to be quality reviewed and approved or accepted by the Project Manager. Competencies Excellent research and analytical skills; Proven capacity to produce reports; Good negotiation and presentation skills; Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams. Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and identify priorities for follow up activities. Strong computer literacy and good use of digital media, and administrative research tools and databases; Ability to effectively work under very tight deadlines. Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Responsible, communicative, well-organized, team-oriented person; Required Skills and Experience Education: Bachelors degree in Law, Social Science or equivalent working experience in related field Experience: At least 5 years of experience in procurement/legal office work. Previous experience in governmental, international or non-governmental settings would be an asset At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement planning and implementing CEB bank tender procedures Experience in legal analysis activities Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems Language Fluency in Serbian and working knowledge of English language. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS. Application Procedure: Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section "Jobs" no later than 3rd May 2022. Application should include: CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties). Offerors Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: https://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx. The Offerors Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs. In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded. The shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide copies of diplomas and any other certificates providing evidence of their education and experience in relevant fields. Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. The procuring UNDP entity will respond by standard electronic mail and will send response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Financial Proposal: Lump sum contracts The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days). Travel In case of travel, costs incurred will be covered by project. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. Evaluation 1. Cumulative analysis When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight; 70% * Financial Criteria weight; 30% Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation Criteria Weight Max. Point Technical Desk review 70% 70 points Criteria A Desk review of CVs based on experience in public procurement processes 30 Criteria B Desk Review of CVs based on the experience in procurement oversight and control 25 Criteria C Expert knowledge of procurement procedures of international financial institutions such as CEB, EIB, etc. Expert knowledge of Public Procurement Law in Serbia (to be demonstrated through CV) 15 Financial 30% 30 points Additional Information: Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity. If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP. Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: https://rs.undp.org/content/dam/serbia/downloads/General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: https://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The no-objection letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on "leave-without-pay" status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable leave-without-pay confirmation should be submitted. Engagement of Government Officials and Employees Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States. As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract: (i) A "No-objection" letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and; (ii) The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on "official leave without pay" for the duration of the IC. The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status. UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of "on-leave-without-pay" is not required. Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a "No-objection" letter from the Government employing him/her. The "no objection" letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on "leave-without-pay" status and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above. Link to the organizations job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1650977475950 Communication and Social Media Intern, Copenhagen, Denmark Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme Country: Denmark City: Copenhagen Office: UNDP Copenhagen Closing date: Monday, 2 May 2022 Communication and Social Media Intern Location : Copenhagen, DENMARK Application Deadline : 02-May-22 (Midnight New York, USA) Type of Contract : Internship Post Level : Intern Languages Required : English Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 16-May-2022 Duration of Initial Contract : 6 months Expected Duration of Assignment : 6 months 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 UNDP is the UN Development Programme and works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. In 2017, UNDP is continuing to work to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they help shape global sustainable development for the next 15 years. In 2019 UNDP launched its new People for 2030 strategy guided by the vision to: Build a "One UNDP" culture and employer brand that generates continuing fitness for the future characterized by high performance and employee engagement, creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, attracting and retaining talent, Ensure that managers at all levels are oriented towards, and capable of, leading and developing personnel, and managing performance effectively - and fully own their part of People for 2030, Incorporate a talent perspective into all aspects of management and organisational development, Develop organisational and digital capabilities that enable personnel to strive for excellence and adapt to future challenges, Transform HR into a function that drives organisational effectiveness, capability and value generation in partnership with managers - in contrast to the cost-based and administrative focus of the past. One of the key People for 2030 objectives is to enhance UNDPs capacity to attract, assess and select people with the right skills, knowledge, and attitude. To achieve this, UNDP is developing strategies to attract and select the best talent, including offering a seamless candidate experience and positioning the organization as an employer of choice. Composed of 20 staff members and part of the UNDP Bureau for Management Services, the UNDP Talent Acquisition and People Programmes (TAPP), was established by UNDPs Office for Human Resources in Copenhagen. The TAPP unit is responsible for: 1) HR service delivery to people programmes, including the JPO Programme as well as other young talent programmes, and 2) talent acquisition strategies for UNDP, including employer branding and outreach, assessment and selection frameworks, on-boarding, as well as recruitment compliance and monitoring. TRAINING COMPONENTS AND LEARNING ELEMENTS As a full member of the TAPP team, the intern will: Participate in in-house training opportunities as applicable. Learn the structure, mechanisms, policies and practice areas of UNDP. Participate in dedicated trainings and UNDP online learning tools. Strengthen his/her effective writing and visual communication skills. Participate in working groups. STIPEND Since 1 January 2020 UNDP interns are provided a monthly stipend to cover costs associated to the internship. The stipend amount varies from duty station to duty station. The amount can also vary depending if a selected candidate receives financial support from a nominating institution, related institution or government. For Copenhagen, this stipend is an equivalent of $1000 per month (exact amount to be confirmed). Duties and Responsibilities Under the authority of the TAPP Manager and the supervision of the above-mentioned staff member, the Communication and Social Media Intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities: Communication and Social Media (85%) Assist in the daily management of the UNDP Careers Social Media platforms, posting and answering queries and questions when needed (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram). Collaborate in the planning of the content strategy for UNDP Careers social media outlets. Collaborate in identifying testimonials and relevant digital assets (pictures, video) coming from UNDP staff. Assist collecting data and analyzing the impact of the content strategy from all social media outlets according to the key performance indicators (KPIs) for each network. Support reporting to external partner on communications results. Other (15%) Conduct research for various best practices depending on projects at hand. Support to any ad hoc activities related to the TAPP activities. Competencies General understanding of the work and mission of the United Nations; Hands-on experience with the preparation and implementation of multimedia materials for an international organization, as well as with its editorial and outreach processes; Insight into issues of modern corporate communications; Required Skills and Experience Eligibility criteria: Interns are selected on a competitive basis. UNDP seeks applicants who exhibit an interest in the field of development and in our mission. UNDP internships should not exceed 6 months. Exceptionally, internships may last 9 months when they are being completed for academic credit. Applicants to UNDP internships must at the time of application meet one of the following academic requirements: Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); Be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree (minimum Bachelors level or equivalent); Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation. Communication: Ability to summarize a large amount of information and translate it into a visually compelling product for a public audience. Good working knowledge of social media community management and experience in content creation. Knowledge of analytical tools. Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software. Language skills: Fluency in English is required. Good working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an asset. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud Apps (InDesign, Illustrator or Premiere Pro) will be an asset. Start date: The selected candidate is expected to start his/her internship on the 16th of May 2022 but flexibility to come early for in-house training would be appreciated. Link to the organizations job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1650891070681 Moderna says it's working on a submission to Health Canada for the approval a COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of six. Moderna says it's working on a submission to Health Canada for the approval a COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of six. The biotech company on Thursday asked U.S. regulators to authorize low doses of its vaccine for children between six months and five years of age. The long-awaited move is another stride towards potentially opening shots for millions of tots by summer. In Canada, Moderna says it hopes to complete the application for regulatory approval of its COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, "shortly." To date, Health Canada has only approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for children over the age of five. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, is available for children aged 5 to 11, and Moderna Spikevax is available for children six to 11 years old. About 41 per cent of Canadian children in this cohort have had two shots according to federal data. Frustrated families are waiting impatiently for a chance to protect the littlest kids as all around them people shed masks and other public health precautions -- even though highly contagious coronavirus mutants continue to spread. Already about three-quarters of U.S. children of all ages show signs they've been infected at some point during the pandemic. In Canada, federal data states 10.8 per cent of reported infections were in children up to 11 years old. However this is likely an underestimate due to COVID-19 testing policy changes since last December, when many jurisdictions stopped offering PCR tests in most cases. Moderna submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration that it hopes will prove two low-dose shots can protect children younger than 6 -- although the effectiveness wasn't nearly as high in kids tested during the omicron surge as earlier in the pandemic. There is an important unmet medical need here with these youngest kids, Dr. Paul Burton, Moderna's chief medical officer, told The Associated Press. Two kid-size shots will safely protect them. I think it is likely that over time they will need additional doses. But we're working on that. Moderna said two kid doses were about 40% to 50% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, not a home run but for many parents, any protection would be better than none. That effectiveness is less than optimal. We were hoping for better efficacy but this is a first step, said Dr. Nimmi Rajagopal of Cook County Health in Chicago. Shes anxiously awaiting vaccinations for her youngest patients and her own 3-year-old son whos ready to enter preschool. It gives me such peace of mind to know that hopefully by fall Ill get him in school and hell be fully vaccinated, she said. Now, only children ages 5 or older can be vaccinated in the U.S., using rival Pfizers vaccine, leaving 18 million younger tots unprotected. Moderna's vaccine isn't the only one in the race. Pfizer is soon expected to announce if three of its even smaller-dose shots work for the littlest kids, months after the disappointing discovery that two doses werent quite strong enough. Whether its one companys shots or both, FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said the agency will move quickly without sacrificing our standards in deciding if tot-sized doses are safe and effective. While questions are swirling about what's taking so long, Marks pointedly told lawmakers earlier this week that the FDA can't evaluate a product until a manufacturer completes its application. In a statement Thursday, the FDA said it will schedule a meeting to publicly debate Moderna's evidence with its independent scientific advisers but that the company still must submit some additional data. Moderna expects to do so next week. Its critically important that we have the proper evaluation so that parents will have trust in any vaccines that we authorize, Marks told a Senate committee. If FDA clears vaccinations for the littlest, next the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would have to recommend who needs them -- all tots or just those at higher risk from COVID-19. It's very important to get the youngest children vaccinated but moving quickly doesn't mean moving sloppily, said Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician and public health expert at Boston College. FDA must "see if its safe. They need to see if its effective. And they need to do so swiftly. But they wont cut corners. Many parents are desperate for whichever vaccine gets to the scientific finish line first. Weve been kind of left behind as everybody else moves on, said Meagan Dunphy-Daly, a Duke University marine biologist whose 6-year-old daughter is vaccinated -- but whose 3-year-old and 18-month-old sons are part of Pfizers trial. The family continues to mask and take other precautions until its clear if the boys got real vaccine or dummy shots. If it turns out they weren't protected in the Pfizer study and Moderna's shots are cleared first, Dunphy-Daly said she'd seek them for her sons. I will feel such a sense of relief when I know my boys are vaccinated and that the risk of them getting a serious infection is so low, she said. The FDA will face some complex questions. In a study of 6,700 kids ages 6 months through 5 years, two Moderna shots each a quarter of the regular dose triggered high levels of virus-fighting antibodies, the same amount proven to protect young adults, Burton said. There were no serious side effects, and the shots triggered fewer high fevers than other routine vaccinations. But depending on how researchers measured, the vaccine proved at best about 51% effective at preventing COVID-19 cases in babies and toddlers and about 37% effective in the 2- to 5-year-olds. Burton blamed the omicron variant's ability to partially evade vaccine immunity, noting that unboosted adults showed similarly less effectiveness against milder omicron infections. While no children became severely ill during the study, he said high antibody levels are a proxy for protection against more serious illness and the company will test a child booster dose. That's not totally out of the realm of what we would have expected, said Dr. Bill Muller of Northwestern University, who helped with Moderna's child studies. Down the road I would anticipate it's going to be a three-shot series. Another issue: So far in the U.S., Moderna's vaccine is restricted to adults. Other countries have expanded the shot to kids as young as 6. But while Moderna has filed FDA applications for older kids, too, the FDA hasn't ruled on them. Months ago the agency cited concern about a rare side effect, heart inflammation, in teen boys, a concern that hasn't been reported in much younger children. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It's not clear if FDA will consider Moderna's vaccine for children of all ages now or focus first on the littlest. But Muller already has had lots of parents ask why shots were being tested in tots before older kids were vaccinated and says pediatricians and pharmacists must be ready with answers. Burton said safety data from millions of older children given Moderna vaccinations abroad should help reassure parents. While COVID-19 generally isnt as dangerous in youngsters as adults, some do become severely ill or even die. About 475 children younger than 5 have died from COVID-19 since the pandemics start, according to the CDC, and child hospitalizations soared at omicron's peak. Yet its not clear how many parents intend to vaccinate the youngest kids. Less than a third of U.S. children ages 5 to 11 have had two vaccinations, and 58% of those ages 12 to 17. --With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2022. WASHINGTON (AP) Research confirms what dog lovers know every pup is truly an individual. FILE - Dachshund dogs wait in a box before competition at a dog show in Dortmund, Germany, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Research released on Thursday, April 28, 2022, confirms what dog lovers know _ every pup is truly an individual. A new study has found that many of the popular stereotypes about the behavior of specific breeds arent supported by science. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) WASHINGTON (AP) Research confirms what dog lovers know every pup is truly an individual. Many of the popular stereotypes about the behavior of golden retrievers, poodles or schnauzers, for example, aren't supported by science, according to a new study. There is a huge amount of behavioral variation in every breed, and at the end of the day, every dog really is an individual, said study co-author and University of Massachusetts geneticist Elinor Karlsson. She said pet owners love to talk about their dog's personality, as illustrated by some owners at a New York dog park. Elizabeth Kelly said her English springer spaniel was friendly, but shes also kind of the queen bee. Suly Ortiz described her yellow Lab as really calm, lazy and shy. And Rachel Kim's mixed-breed dog is a lot of different dogs, personality wise super independent, really affectionate with me and my husband, but pretty, pretty suspicious of other people, other dogs. Elizabeth Kelly plays with her English springer spaniel, Louise, at McCarren Park in the Brooklyn borough of New York, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Kelly says Louise is "friendly, but she's also kind of the queen bee." Research released on Thursday, April 28, 2022, confirms what dog lovers know _ every pup is truly an individual. A new study has found that many of the popular stereotypes about the behavior of specific breeds arent supported by science. (AP Photo/Emma H. Tobin) That kind of enthusiasm from pet owners inspired Karlssons latest scientific inquiry. She wanted to know to what extent are behavioral patterns inherited and how much are dog breeds associated with distinctive and predictable behaviors? The answer: While physical traits such as a greyhounds long legs or a Dalmatians spots are clearly inherited, breed is not a strong predictor of any individual dogs personality. The researchers' work, published Thursday in the journal Science, marshals a massive dataset to reach these conclusions the most ever compiled, said Adam Boyko, a geneticist at Cornell University, who was not involved in the study. Dogs became humanitys best friend more than 14,000 years ago, as the only animal domesticated before the advent of agriculture. But the concept of dog breeds is much more recent. Around 160 years ago, people began to selectively breed dogs to have certain consistent physical traits, like coat texture and color and ear shape. The researchers surveyed more than 18,000 dog owners and analyzed the genomes of about 2,150 of their dogs to look for patterns. They found that some behaviors such as howling, pointing and showing friendliness to human strangers do have at least some genetic basis. But that inheritance isnt strictly passed down along breed lines. For example, they found golden retrievers that dont retrieve, said co-author Kathryn Lord, who studies animal behavior with Karlsson. Some breeds, such as huskies and beagles, may show a greater tendency to howl. But many of these dogs don't, as both the owner survey and genetic data showed. The researchers could find no genetic basis for aggressive behaviors nor a link to specific breeds. The correlation between dog behavior and dog breed is much lower than most expected, said Jeff Kidd, a geneticist at the University of Michigan, who had no role in the research. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. ___ AP reporter Emma H. Tobin in New York contributed to this report. ___ Follow Christina Larson on Twitter: @larsonchristina ___ 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas is suing Family Dollar over the discovery of more than 1,000 rodents in a distribution facility in the state that prompted the discount retail chain to recall items purchased from hundreds of stores in the South. Shannon Halijan, Deputy of the Public Protection Department, right, speaks during a news conference as Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge watches , Thursday, April 289, 2022 in Little Rock, Ark. Arkansas is suing Family Dollar over the discovery of more than 1,000 rodents in a distribution facility in the state that prompted the discount retail chain to recall items purchased from hundreds of stores in the South. (Staci R. Vandagriff/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas is suing Family Dollar over the discovery of more than 1,000 rodents in a distribution facility in the state that prompted the discount retail chain to recall items purchased from hundreds of stores in the South. The lawsuit, filed Thursday by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge in state court, accuses the chain and parent company Dollar Tree of deceiving consumers, negligence and engaging in a conspiracy that allowed the infestation at the West Memphis facility to occur. This misconduct by Family Dollar Stores and Dollar Tree allowed them to maximize profits, while causing Arkansas citizens to purchase hazardous, adulterated and contaminated products," the lawsuit said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in February that it had inspected the distribution facility following a consumer complaint. Inside the building, inspectors said they found live rodents, dead rodents in various states of decay, rodent feces, dead birds and bird droppings. A Dollar Tree spokesman did not immediately return messages seeking comment Thursday. After fumigating the facility, more than 1,100 dead rodents were recovered, officials said. Family Dollar issued a temporary recall and closed 404 stores in six states Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee so numerous products that had been at the facility could be removed from shelves. Family Dollar in February said it was not aware of any illnesses related to the recall. The products included human foods, animal foods, cosmetics, medical devices and over-the-counter medications. The infestation has also prompted private lawsuits in several other states that have been filed on behalf of customers. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. During the news conference, Rutledge showed reporters video that a former employee had posted on social media of rats inside the facility. In one video, the former worker is trying to feed a potato chip to a large rat sitting on a stack of boxes. According to the lawsuit, state and federal inspections show Family Dollar had known of the rodent infestation at its facility since at least January 2020. Arkansas' lawsuit seeks up to $10,000 for each product that was distributed over the past two years by the facility to Arkansas consumers that was affected by the infestation, under the state's deceptive trade practices act. Rutledge is also seeking punitive damages and restitution for Arkansas consumers affected by the contamination. In her lawsuit, Rutledge also asks a state judge to suspend or revoke Family Dollar's authorization to do business in the state. We don't want to wipe out a source of groceries and medicines, but if those groceries and medicines are not safe then we need someone else providing that service," Rutledge said. ___ This story has been updated to correct that Dollar Tree, not Dollar General, is the parent company of Family Dollar. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion, a signal that the U.S. is prepared to mount a robust, long-term campaign to bolster Kyiv and weaken Moscow as the bloody war enters its third month with no sign of abating. President Joe Biden speaks during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion, a signal that the U.S. is prepared to mount a robust, long-term campaign to bolster Kyiv and weaken Moscow as the bloody war enters its third month with no sign of abating. Bidens latest proposal which the White House said was expected to support Ukraine's needs for five months has more than $20 billion in military assistance for Kyiv and for shoring up defenses in nearby countries. There is also $8.5 billion in economic aid to help keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government functioning and $3 billion for food and humanitarian programs to help civilians, including the more than five million refugees created by the war. The assistance package, which now heads to Congress for consideration, would be more than twice as large as an initial $13.6 billion of defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies that Congress enacted last month and is now almost exhausted. It was meant to signify that the U.S. is not tiring of helping to stave off Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to expand his nation's control of its neighbor, and perhaps beyond. The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly," Biden said. Its critical this funding gets approved and as quickly as possible. The request comes with the fighting, now in its ninth week, sharpening in eastern and southern parts of the country and international tensions growing as Russia cuts off gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria. President Joe Biden speaks about the war in Ukraine in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) There is wide, bipartisan support in Congress for giving Ukraine all the assistance it needs to fight the Russians, and its eventual approval seems certain. But Biden and congressional Democrats also want lawmakers to approve billions more to battle the pandemic, and that along with a Republican push to entangle the measure with an extension of some Trump-era immigration restrictions leaves the proposal's pathway to enactment unclear. In an accompanying letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Biden also asked lawmakers to include an additional $22.5 billion for vaccines, treatments, testing and aid to other countries in continuing efforts to contain COVID-19. But that figure, which Biden also requested last month, seems aspirational at best. In a compromise with Republicans, Senate Democrats have already agreed to pare that figure to $10 billion, and reviving the higher amount would be at best an uphill fight. As if acknowledging the political problems the pandemic response is encountering, Biden's letter to Pelosi said, I urge the Congress to include this much needed pandemic spending in the Ukraine package. That wording seemed to suggest that separating the two initiatives, if needed to speed the Ukraine money, might be palatable to the White House. Biden was also asking Congress on Thursday for new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs. He wants lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government, double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of racketeering under U.S. law to include efforts to evade sanctions. Biden will also ask Congress to allow the federal government use the proceeds from selling the seized assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs to help the people of Ukraine. In a virtual address to International Monetary Fund and World Bank leaders last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the proceeds of sanctioned property and Central Bank reserves to be used to compensate Ukraine for its losses. He said that frozen Russian assets have to be used to rebuild Ukraine after the war as well as to pay for the losses caused to other nations. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said at the time that congressional action would be needed to authorize such actions. The war has already caused more than $60 billion in damage to buildings and infrastructure, World Bank President David Malpass said last week. And the IMF in its latest world economic outlook forecast that Ukraines economy will shrink by 35% this year and next. In recent weeks, the U.S. and global allies have sanctioned dozens of oligarchs and their family members, along with hundreds of Russian officials involved in or deemed to be supporting its invasion of Ukraine. The White House says the new tools will toughen the impact of the sanctions on Russia's economy and its ruling class by making sanctions more difficult to evade. Biden last week warned that $6.5 billion earmarked for security assistance for Ukraine could soon be exhausted and that Congress would need to approve supplemental funding. More than half of the approved money for weapons and equipment for Ukraines military has already been drawn down. ___ Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein contributed to this report. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow's forces retreated weeks ago. A priest blesses the remains of three people who died during the Russian occupation and were disinterred from temporary burial sites in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow's forces retreated weeks ago. Nearly a dozen people were wounded in the attack on Kyiv, including one who lost a leg and others who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa, in southern Ukraine, said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin says is its main objective and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive. Men carry portraits of from right, Valerya Glodan, 28, and her mother Lyudmila Yavkina, 54, killed in their apartment by shelling with three-month-old infant Kira Glodan, during a funeral ceremony at the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odessa, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. According Ukrainian officials five people including a three-month-old infant were killed and 18 injured in a missile attack in the Black Sea port city of Odesa on last Saturday, April 23. (AP Photo/Max Pshybyshevsky) In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boys leg to the bone. Vadym Vodostoyev, the boys father, said: It just takes one second and youre left with nothing. An emergency worker is helped by locals to carry a man to an ambulance following a Russian bombardment in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians, the U.N. chief lamented. Separately, Ukraines prosecutor accused 10 Russian soldiers of being involved in the torture of peaceful people in Bucha. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova did not say her office had filed criminal charges, and she appealed to the public for help in gathering evidence. Russia denies it targets civilians. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, second from left, answeres to questions of lawmakers about the German government Ukrainian policy during a session of the German parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) During his nightly video address, Zelenskyy renewed his pledge to hold Russian soldiers accountable for crimes they commit and said about the 10 identified earlier Thursday: Some of them may not, after all, live until a trial and fair punishment. But only for one reason: This Russian brigade has been transferred to the Kharkiv region. There theyll receive retribution from our military. In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out of windows in at least two buildings including a residential one in the capital, which has been relatively unscathed in recent weeks. Ukrainian emergency services said 10 people were wounded in the attack, which sent plumes of smoke billowing over the city. The explosions in northwestern Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather. Ukrainian serviceman install a machine gun on the tank during the repair works after fighting against Russian forces in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) It was not immediately clear how far away the attack was from Guterres. Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month. Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone. This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) Western officials say the Kremlin's apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east. But so far, Russia's troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains, taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance. Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks at a press conference in the headquarter of the IAEA in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Theresa Wey) Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt. Its not just scary. Its when your stomach contracts from pain, said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. When they shoot during the day, its still OK, but when the evening comes, I cant describe how scary it is. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, center, checks buildings destroyed by Russian shelling in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Ukraine's military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to intense fire and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region. Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor. Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off. Spectators attend a performance by Ivan Franko Drama theatre actors during the reopening of the Lesia Ukrainka National Academic Theatre of Drama since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Kyiv on Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Many of the Russian troops who were in Mariupol have been leaving and moving to the northwest, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment, didn't have exact numbers but said a significant number of the roughly one dozen battalion tactical groups that were in the city were moving out. Russian forces are making slow, incremental progress in the Donbas gaining only several kilometers on any given day, the official said. As of Thursday, Russia had launched about 1,900 missiles into Ukraine the vast majority fired from outside Ukraines borders. Most are strikes on Mariupol and the Donbas. In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraine's Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldnt be independently verified. An elderly woman rests in a reception place for displaced people in Dnipro, Ukraine, Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol. Deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewers, the city council said on the messaging app Telegram. It reported bodies decaying under the rubble and a catastrophic shortage of drinking water and food. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment to fend off the Russians. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 28, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) ___ This story was corrected to remove a reference to a man being killed in the attack on Kyiv. He lost a leg in the attack. ___ Associated Press journalists Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Vancouver is raising the empty homes tax that is designed to ease vacancy rates in the city, from three per cent to five per cent of the property's value. Homes are pictured in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Councillors in Vancouver have unanimously backed a motion from Mayor Kennedy Stewart to hike the city's empty homes tax to five per cent of a property's assessed value, effective next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward Vancouver is raising the empty homes tax that is designed to ease vacancy rates in the city, from three per cent to five per cent of the property's value. The motion by Mayor Kennedy Stewart to hike the tax in 2023 received unanimous backing from city councillors on Wednesday. Stewart said boosting the tax is a "big blow to housing speculators." "I think we have actually a chance of ending speculation by taking it to five per cent," he said in an interview Thursday. "Municipal governments have limited tools and this is one that we know is working." The tax hike means that the owner of a vacant home worth $1.36 million, which is the benchmark price for all housing types in Metro Vancouver, would face an annual tax bill of $68,000. "That's a big chunk of cash when you think about it. That's how serious we are about this," Stewart said. "The ultimate goal would be that we don't collect any fees, that either all the homes are filled or they're being sold. The goal is to maximize the productivity of our housing stock." The motion also doubles the number of annual compliance audits to 20,000 and Stewart says it includes measures to improve fairness, ensuring the tax is not assessed on homes that legitimately qualify for an exemption. Andy Yan, director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University, says the tax increase sends a strong message and will be "serious motivation" for people to either sell or rent properties and help address the housing crisis. "The ultimate policy goal isn't necessarily just revenue generation, but more around unit occupation," he said in an interview. "The message is if youre going to park your money into Vancouver real estate, that it's not free parking." Yan said the increase in auditing and the enforcement of the empty homes tax is vital. "I think that's a really important element to give a sense of the tax being transparent and accountable," he said. The tax was introduced in 2017 as a one per cent levy designed to return empty and underused properties to the market as long-term rental homes. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It was raised to three per cent last year, a move that Stewart has said brought in an extra $32 million for affordable housing and "returned" more than 4,000 homes to occupancy. Further increases are possible and Stewart has described the tax as an important step in tackling Vancouver's housing affordability crisis. Vancouver homeowners are required to submit a declaration each year to determine if their property is subject to the tax, which does not apply to principal residences or homes rented for at least six months of the year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2022. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship. A new tax break could be on the way to reimburse Winnipeg developers whose projects might otherwise be scaled back or stalled due to limited sewage capacity. A new tax break could be on the way to reimburse Winnipeg developers whose projects might otherwise be scaled back or stalled due to limited sewage capacity. Coun. Markus Chambers is calling for the city to study options to compensate developers of large-scale multi-family structures when they pay for sewage upgrades instead of delaying or downsizing projects to fit aging or inadequate infrastructure. The St. Norbert-Seine River councillor said a few projects have now been delayed or scaled back in his ward, after proponents learned plans would exceed existing sewage capacity in the area. He said paying for the upgrades, with no city compensation, can cost the companies tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars. Developers are saying, I cant add that cost for something I dont own, so they leave their property vacant and its impacting our ability to create jobs, to build housing (that is) so desperately needed, Chambers said Wednesday. The motion doesnt dictate a specific form of tax break. Chambers suggests the City of Winnipeg could waive a portion of annual property taxes over a 10-year period to compensate developers who enhance sewage capacity to support specific large housing projects. After the 10 years, the city walks away with brand-new infrastructure, housing and then starts collecting the entire (tax bill), he said. Chambers said he believes the tax break would help the city increase housing density for infill projects that might otherwise be limited by sewage capacity. This is a prime example of where we can work collaboratively and get new infrastructure and not stagnate development. Tom Peake said the change would help him move forward on a new housing plan, which he expects would add an 85-suite apartment block or 34 condos in St. Norbert. Hes discussed ideas to develop his 1.9-acre property on Grandmont Boulevard (near its intersection with Pembina Highway) with the city for nearly two years. He has yet to complete a formal proposal for the project after learning existing city sewage capacity wouldnt support either option. Ive got a site that I cant do anything with I cant do (detailed) plans and theres no point hiring an architect until I know they can provide service for sewer, said Peake, president and owner of X Hale Corporation Inc. He expects the tax break described by Chambers would be enough to push his project forward and help entice other developments. If they pay it back to me over 10 years, Ill finance it. It makes complete sense. Should such a deferral motion succeed, Peake expects the city would still greatly benefit from the tax dollars new multi-family projects generate. In his case, he expects his property taxes would rise from $22,000 per year (for the vacant land) to between $150,000 and $180,000, once construction is complete. During a Riel community committee meeting Tuesday, a representative of End Homelessness Winnipeg also supported the motion in hopes the changes would help entice developers to build more housing units, including affordable ones. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Were happy to see the city looking creatively at the tools that can really facilitate the development of new affordable rental housing in our city, said Lissie Rappaport, manager of housing supply. Rappaport said developers have told End Homelessness old infrastructure, including sewage lines, has sometimes led them to produce fewer housing units to avoid expensive upgrades. When they have to put those large investments into the redevelopment of these lots it just becomes inaccessible for them to finish these developments. So, they often will abandon their plans to do a three- or four-plex and just convert (the lot) into a single detached house, she said. The Riel committee approved the call for a report on potential tax changes. It next requires a vote at councils property and development committee. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga For more than 20 years, cleaning the offices at Westcon Equipment and Rentals was part of Eduardo Balaquits nightly routine. For more than 20 years, cleaning the offices at Westcon Equipment and Rentals was part of Eduardo Balaquits nightly routine. At 6:05 p.m., June 4, 2018, the man, as he had done countless times before, entered his alarm code, disarming the Keewatin Street businesss security system. Winnipeg Police Service handout Eduardo Balaquit disappeared June 5th, 2018. That act marked the last time Balaquit was known to be alive, Winnipeg Police Service Sgt. Paul Barber told jurors Wednesday. Checks with the Canadian Border Services Agency and Canadian Air Traffic Security Authority confirmed Balaquit did not travel across the border or by air since then, Barber testified. Similar checks with Manitoba Health and Canadian Police Information Centre databases showed no evidence of involvement with Balaquit. Kyle Pietz, a former employee at Westcon, is on trial for manslaughter. Prosecutors allege Pietz, 36, killed Balaquit, 59, during a robbery and forced him to disclose his bank card numbers. Balaquits body has never been found. Jurors have heard a probe into Pietzs financial records from April 24 to June 11, 2018, revealed he had taken out loans totalling more than $60,000 and had defaulted on all of them. He had also maxed out three credit cards, with a total balance of more than $8,000. Pietz wasnt working during that time period, having quit Westcon on May 16, three weeks after $1,700 was stolen from a company petty cash box. Jurors have been shown security video capturing a man prosecutors allege is Kyle Pietz using Eduardo Balaquits bank card to withdraw money from an ATM at an Ellice Avenue 7-Eleven store, shortly after midnight June 5, 2018. Pietz was ultimately charged in that theft, but prosecutors later stayed the charge. Barber said an examination of Pietzs cellphone revealed on May 30 and 31, just days before Balaquit was presumed killed, Scotiabank called Pietz 10 times about his $34,000 car loan. None of those calls were answered. Another loan company texted Pietz seven times over the course of a week about his outstanding $5,800 file. Barber said during a search of Pietzs Toronto Street home, police recovered a discarded package of zip ties, noting they had been tied together in sets of two. "In my experience, zip ties have been used to tie people up," Barber said. Defence lawyer Amanda Sansregret countered there are numerous legitimate uses for zip ties, such as staking tomato plants. "You have a theory, but you have no evidence zip ties had anything to do with the disappearance of Mr. Balaquit," she said. In earlier testimony Wednesday, Pietzs sister, Carly Martin, told court Pietz and his wife moved in with her and their parents around the time of his initial arrest in June 2018. Martin testified Pietz told her at the time he had contacted Balaquit by phone about picking up some boxes at Westcon "He basically told me that he and Eduardo communicated about boxes, he went to pick up boxes, and that is all I know," she said. Barber said police examined both mens cellphones and found no evidence of any calls or text messages between them. On Tuesday, jurors heard police found Balaquits confirmed bank card numbers written on a sticky note attached to a bag of food in Pietzs fridge. Jurors have been shown security video capturing a man prosecutors allege is Pietz using Balaquits bank card to withdraw money from an ATM at an Ellice Avenue 7-Eleven store, shortly after midnight June 5, 2018. According to an agreed statement of facts provided to court Monday, another of Pietzs sisters, Holly Pietz, identified Kyle Pietz as the man in the video. Shown the same video Wednesday, Martin said she had no idea if the man pictured was her brother. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "There is no clear shot of that persons face or features or anything like that," she said. However, Martin confirmed Pietz as the man pictured in a Keewatin Liquor Mart security video the evening of June 4. Martin conceded the shoes of the man in the 7-Eleven video were "similar" to those Pietz could be seen wearing in the Liquor Mart video. Barber said a picture found on Pietzs cellphone showed him wearing a ballcap and hoodie similar to the man in the 7-Eleven security video. The Crown has closed its case. The trial will resume May 3. dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA - The federal Liberals are moving ahead on a special all-party, security-cleared committee to review documents related to the firing of two scientists from the national microbiology laboratory even if the Conservatives continue to rebuff the plan. The National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg is shown in a Tuesday, May 19, 2009 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods OTTAWA - The federal Liberals are moving ahead on a special all-party, security-cleared committee to review documents related to the firing of two scientists from the national microbiology laboratory even if the Conservatives continue to rebuff the plan. Government House leader Mark Holland said Wednesday the NDP has agreed to the idea, and he hopes the Tories and Bloc Quebecois will also participate. Members of the ad-hoc committee will be able to see unredacted documents, but an independent panel of three former judges, to be jointly chosen by the parties, will have final say on what material can be made public without jeopardizing national security. The Conservatives rejected the proposal last December, preferring that the documents be turned over to a regular committee of MPs. Under a House of Commons order passed by opposition parties last spring over the objections of the Liberal government the documents would be vetted by the parliamentary law clerk for potential national security issues but committee members would retain the right to release whatever material they chose. In a January letter, Holland urged the Conservatives to reconsider the federal proposal, citing articles by several experts who backed the government's view that national security would be endangered by complying with opposition demands. Holland said Wednesday the government's planned all-party committee respects the Conservative desire to be able to see the full documents and to contest any redactions. "If they don't budge from their position, then I have to question the authenticity of their request," he said in an interview. "You can't, on the one hand, say that you want to see documents but then refuse to see them. You can't say you want to be able to challenge redactions, but refuse to participate in a process that would challenge redactions." Holland said a Conservative refusal to take part would lead him to conclude the party wants to "keep this alive for political and partisan purposes, rather than having a genuine interest in seeing what is true." Conservative MP Michael Chong, the party's foreign affairs critic, said late Wednesday the Tories would not join the committee, and he accused the Liberals of bypassing Parliament with the support of the NDP. "Its clear the Liberals are panicking and covering something up by creating this non-parliamentary committee. We are going to continue our efforts to get these documents in a parliamentary committee." The Bloc had no immediate comment. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Opposition parties believe the documents will shed light on why scientists Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, were escorted out of Winnipegs National Microbiology Laboratory in July 2019 and subsequently fired in January 2021. They also want to see documents related to the transfer, overseen by Qiu, of deadly Ebola and Henipah viruses to China's Wuhan Institute of Virology in March 2019. Holland said the government wants the planned committee to begin its work "as rapidly as possible." Given that the Liberals and NDP account for a majority of members of the House of Commons, it would be "appropriate for us to proceed" without the other two parties, he said. "It is my sincere hope, obviously, that we get broader participation." This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2022. An invitation will be extended to Pope Francis to come to Manitoba, the graves of children who died in residential schools and to bestow a blessing on the grave of Louis Riel. An invitation will be extended to Pope Francis to come to Manitoba, the graves of children who died in residential schools and to bestow a blessing on the grave of Louis Riel. On Thursday, a motion by the Manitoba New Democratic Party called on the Manitoba Legislative Assembly to invite the Pope to the province when hecomes to Canada. It passed unanimously. "Healing is a journey," said Keewatinook MLA and NDP critic for reconciliation Ian Bushie, who told the house about his family members experiences, both good and bad, with the Roman Catholic Church. "Indigenous people in Manitoba have experienced many hardships," including attempted genocide and extermination of their culture for which the church bears some responsibility, Bushie said. "There are very devout Catholic parishioners in Indigenous communities," Bushie said. The invitation to the Pope to visit Manitoba was being made "in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation," he said. Government house leader Kelvin Goertzen said it is appropriate to ask the Pope to visit Manitoba, adding that personal connections, interactions and experiences facilitate an understanding of residential schools that cannot be achieved by reading or hearing about the system. "So much of it is about listening and learning," Goertzen said. The Progressive Conservatives requested minor amendments to the NDP motion to show that the invitation came from elected officials regardless of party affiliation. "This place can be powerful, in a very meaningful way, when we do it together across party lines," Goertzen said. During a recent delegation to Vatican City, the Manitoba Metis Federation also met with Pope Francis and requested he visit the province and bless the grave of Louis Riel, who is buried at the St. Boniface Cemetery. His itinerary has not yet been confirmed by the Vatican. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The CBC has cited sources as saying the Pope will make stops in Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit during a four-day trip to the country. Metis federation president David Chartrand expressed gratitude to the legislature for extending an all-party invitation to Pope Francis. "For the Red River Metis, there can be no more sincere act of reconciliation than Pope Francis coming to the heart of our homeland and blessing the grave of Louis Riel, the father of Manitoba and our first premier," Chartrand said in an email. "When he went into battle, Riel did not carry a gun, he carried a cross. This same man died because he fought for religious and language rights in Canada, rights we still enjoy today. We will continue to pray that the Holy Father heard our words and feels the call to come to our province." with files from Danielle Da Silva carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba will create and award a platinum jubilee medal in honour of Queen Elizabeths 70th anniversary on the throne. Manitoba will create and award a platinum jubilee medal in honour of Queen Elizabeths 70th anniversary on the throne. Lt. Gov. Janice Filmon and Premier Heather Stefanson announced Thursday the medal will celebrate the contributions and achievements of 1,000 Manitobans, starting June 2022. This commemorative medal allows us to pay tribute to the Queens devotion to duty and her kindness and compassion to all by recognizing citizens across Manitoba who also make service to their communities a priority, Filmon said in a statement. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. I look forward to recognizing the generous and inspiring people of this wonderful province we are so proud to call home. Stefanson said it is a great way to recognize the 96-year-old British monarchs long years of service to the Commonwealth, as well as recognizing deserving members of the community. Manitobans have a long and proud history for giving back and I look forward to honouring and celebrating their service and achievements, she said. The federal government announced earlier this year that, unlike with past jubilees celebrated by the Queen, it would not be creating a commemorative medal to mark her platinum anniversary. Alberta and Saskatchewan are among the provinces which have since then announced they would be handing out their own medals this year. Manitoba said more information about the awards would be released in the future. The Winnipeg Police Board has complained to the citys integrity commissioner about what it considers abusive comments made against it by Coun. Sherri Rollins. The Winnipeg Police Board has complained to the citys integrity commissioner about what it considers abusive comments made against it by Coun. Sherri Rollins. Integrity commissioner Sherri Walsh, in an email to Rollins, who represents Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry, said the complaint was about comments she made to the March 4 board meeting. Rollins was at the board to ask about the handling of the so-called freedom convoy at the legislature by Winnipeg police. The board complained it felt Rollins had made a number of "unfair comments on your part about the work of the board, the focus of the complaint is on the fact that your comments equated the work of the board with that of the Thunder Bay Police Board," said Walsh. Walsh noted Rollins referenced a 2018 report issued by then-senator Murray Sinclair, which recommended the Thunder Bay Police Board be temporarily replaced with an administrator because it was guilty of wilful blindness to issues of systemic racism and had "demonstrably shown that it could not carry out its statutory responsibilities". "The complaint is that (Rollins) comments, in equating this board with the Thunder Bay board, in the context of Senator Sinclairs report, amounted to abuse and harassment within the meaning of the Code of Conduct," Walsh said. The commissioner said the police board hopes the complaint can be resolved on an informal basis through her office "with the goal being to further constructive dialogue between you and the board." As the councillor who represents citizens and businesses downtown, Rollins said her main objective at the meeting was to ask questions about police handling of the convoy and push the board to look into the incident further. "Thats my job as a local councillor," she said on Wednesday. "Im elected to represent folks and this is the only police oversight board we have." CP At the time, Coun. Sherri Rollins was reported to have suggested board members should either ask tough questions over the police response to the protest in front of the Manitoba Legislative Building or resign. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files) At the time, Rollins was reported to have suggested board members should either ask tough questions over the police response to the protest or resign. Rollins said she was disappointed at the time the board decided not to look further into police handling of the convoy protest. "I remain disappointed," she said. "Then, a few weeks later, instead of getting action that day, I get a commissioner complaint saying that it was harassing." Coun. Markus Chambers, who chairs the board, said while he didnt put in the complaint, he supports it. "(Rollins comments) did cross the line," Chambers said. "I was disappointed by her comments. We are doing our due diligence. "I think she needs to be held accountable." (Rollins comments) did cross the line... I was disappointed by her comments. We are doing our due diligence. I think she needs to be held accountable. Coun. Markus Chambers Chambers said he would leave it up to the integrity commissioner to come up with "a fair and equitable resolution to this. "She has to realize her words have meaning. She is asserting they were not doing their job." Frank Cormier, head of the University of Manitobas department of sociology and criminology, said the problem may be people dont understand the role of the police board. "Councillor Rollins might be getting into this area, but the board cant instruct police to do something differently. Thats not what their mandate is," Cormier said. "The board comes up with the five-year strategic plan of the priorities and the broad objectives of the force they issue strategic level guidance for police." kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Entrepreneurial high schoolers are selling Journey Jars to encourage Manitobans to socialize after being cooped up at home for much of the last two years because of COVID-19. Entrepreneurial high schoolers are selling "Journey Jars" to encourage Manitobans to socialize after being cooped up at home for much of the last two years because of COVID-19. Grade 12 student Justin Patrocinio called going to class in 2020-21 "a chore." Public health measures required strict physical distancing so students had to remain seated at assigned desks. Social interaction was limited since lingering around after class and mingling with other cohorts was discouraged; pupils were encouraged to quickly leave the building at lunchtime. Many extracurriculars and events were cancelled. "Many of us were taking precautions about spreading COVID and we were afraid of getting it and passing it on to our own family members, so we took precautions and stayed home as much as possible. My teen experience was kind of ripped away from me and I want to revive that," said Justin, president of Revive Manitoba a new company founded by students from Windsor Park Collegiate. Thats why Justin, 17, and his peers involved in an after-school business program, which is facilitated by Junior Achievement Manitoba, created a product that encourages Winnipeggers to make up for lost time. Their so-called Journey Jars are filled with slips of botanical paper on which there are ideas for social activities and outings. Customers can pick a paper from their jar, complete the activity, and then plant the respective wildflower seed scroll so it can grow, bloom and remind users of their growth in journeying back into the world after a chaotic couple of years. Journey Jars are filled with slips of botanical paper on which there are ideas for social activities and outings. DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "It really is a full circle, with reviving our memories," said Justin, adding his experience with the 21-week-long extracurricular which culminates with selling student-built products at trade fairs prompted him to apply to university business programs. Last weekend, three JA Manitoba businesses, with students hailing from schools across the province, set up booths at Kildonan Place to show off their products. Stain removers, decorative plant propagation stands, and Journey Jars were on sale. "Its about developing ideas, designing, ideating, iterating, experimenting, sales. Its like a startup," said Adriano Magnifico, career and entrepreneurship consultant for the Louis Riel School Division. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. JZ Duhaylungsod, vice-president of finance of Revive Manitoba, estimates her team has been putting in upwards of 10 hours on their business each week throughout the academic year. "Its been life-changing to me, honestly, because I didnt know what to do after Grade 12 But now, Ive decided to go to university and pursue finance because thats my position and Im actually liking how running this whole thing is," said the international student from the Philippines. The most rewarding part has been selling the $10 product to strangers who believe in their idea, the 18-year-old said. To date, Revive Manitoba has sold 115 Journey Jars. maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie The Progressive Conservative government has scrimped on details in its supplementary budget books for departments for the second consecutive year. The Progressive Conservative government has scrimped on details in its supplementary budget books for departments for the second consecutive year. The government broke with tradition last year by withholding detailed budget information from the public, including estimated staffing and spending levels for critical areas of the provinces pandemic response. It did so again this year. They are thinner than they have ever been, NDP finance critic Mark Wasyliw said Wednesday about the spending estimates books. The books are often referred to when the legislature enters what is known as the estimates process. This is when Opposition MLAs get to question cabinet ministers in a committee setting. That process begins in May after members return from a week-long break. Significant information that has been included in these documents for literally decades has now been removed, Wasyliw said. These estimate books are critical for governments to provide transparent, accountable government not only for the Opposition to do our job to hold the government to account, but also the media and the public to do their job to keep government honest. The move to provide less information began last year. Detailed health department spending estimates, which had filled a 145-page book in 2020, were reduced to a 32-page summary in 2021. This years estimates book is 54 pages and padded with French translations of the ministers message and introduction which do not appear in the 2020 book. The estimates books for the two new departments that have been hived off from Health -- Seniors and Long-Term Care and Mental Health and Community Wellness -- are 31 and 47 pages, respectively. Spending, staffing and program information for all other government departments were similarly cut. The families department estimates book shrank to 33 pages in 2021 from 128 pages in 2020. This year it was 52 pages. For the education department, program spending information in 2021 was covered in a 35-page document, down from 109 pages the previous year. This years estimates book has not yet been tabled. When asked during question period Tuesday why the government isnt being more transparent, former finance minister Scott Fielding said this years budget document provided more information so people know where their money is being spent. The government sought the advice of 51,000 Manitobans in preparing the budget, said Fielding, who responded to the question because Finance Minister Cameron Friesen is away at meetings with bond rating agencies, his office said. Were investing more money in health care, more in education. Were making life more affordable for Manitobans, Fielding told the house. No government official was available to comment Wednesday. In a statement, a spokesperson said this years estimates include meaningful information to the public to provide transparency on government spending priorities. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The updated format reflects governments adoption of the balanced scorecards system of performance measurement, it said. This enables the expected performance of departments to align to government priorities and performance as publicly reported on the Manitoba Measuring Progress website. The estimates show key department-level financial and staffing information, it said, and will now include equity and diversity benchmarks and an improved risk analysis section. The spending estimates no longer include five-year comparisons that would show patterns of cuts and underfunding, the NDP finance critic said, pointing toCadham Provincial Laboratory . A critical government agency that gets government funding is now being shielded from scrutiny and we see that their staffing levels are being obscured, said Wasyliw, who noted the PCs have cut the civil service by 18 per cent since forming government in 2016. We know they continue to fund positions in the government and then not fill them which is essentially a cut because Manitobans dont get the benefit of those services. This is deeply troubling, he said. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca A gathering at Memorial Park unveiled a monument remembering Manitobans who have died as a result of workplace injuries and illnesses. A gathering at Memorial Park unveiled a monument remembering Manitobans who have died as a result of workplace injuries and illnesses. On Thursday, around 150 people marked the National Day of Mourning with a march from Union Centre to the downtown Winnipeg green space, where they then gathered around the new monument: a three-tiered sculpture recognizing firefighters, peace officers and others workers who have died on the job. There were 26 Manitobans who died in 2021 due to a workplace-related illness or injury: 13 from occupational disease and 13 to workplace-related injury. Among those were firefighters who died in the line of duty, workers who contracted COVID-19 on the job, and people suffering from cancer caused by hazardous work environments. The monument is 15 years in the making, said Kevin Rebeck, chairman of the Workers Memorial Foundation and president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. However, the fight for workers rights has only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebeck said, noting more than half of all Manitoban workers have no paid sick days at all. Weve had to fight for proper personal protective equipment, for sufficient staffing levels to provide quality services, and paid time away from work, he said. As recently as this spring, unions had to fight for health-care workers who contracted COVID-19 had enough time away from work to get healthy before returning to work, so they wouldnt risk exposing others, and they had to fight for proper PPE for front-line workers. Radisson MLA James Teitsma paid tribute to former colleague Danielle Adams. The Thompson MLA died in a car crash in December, and was included in the list displayed at the monument of workers lost in 2021. Despite progress made by Safe Work Manitoba, by Workplace Safety and Health, industry-based associations and many other organizations and individuals, the number of workers that are hurt as a result of the work that they do, remains far too high, Teitsma said at the gathering. One in six of the deaths in 2021 were related to exposure to asbestos. Rebeck said the Manitoba Federation of Labour would continue to advocate for the formation of a regulated certified training program on how to safely handle the dangerous substance. Its unions that continue to demand better understanding and prevention of workplace psychological injury and illnesses. Its unions that are demanding that employers take action to stop workplace violence. And its unions that are continuing to press for stronger protections from the use of toxic and harmful chemicals in workplaces to better prevent occupational disease, he said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The names of all 26 who died in 2021, along with two who have died thus far in 2022, were read out to the crowd. Among them was John Lloyd Barrion, who was 19 when he was killed while working at a beer vendor in February. His mother, Maria Barrion, carried a sign with her sons name. Its good that we have something where we can remember him, she said. Later Thursday, the NDP introduced a bill to bring back the one-to-one ratio of apprentices to workers for those training on the job in a trade. It was first established in 2006, then reversed in 2020 by the Progressive Conservatives, who changed the requirement to a 2-1 ratio. Manitoba families want to know their child or loved one is safe when they begin their on-the-job training as an apprentice in the trades, NDP Leader Wab Kinew said in a statement. But after the PCs changed the ratio, thats no longer the case. malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Premier Heather Stefanson says her private conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Winnipeg last Friday included the topic of Ukraine. She said she asked the prime minister for more information about when, and how many, refugees from Ukraine will arrive in Manitoba. Premier Heather Stefanson says her private conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Winnipeg last Friday included the topic of Ukraine. She said she asked the prime minister for more information about when, and how many, refugees from Ukraine will arrive in Manitoba. Mr. Trudeaus officials should know Ms. Stefanson is not the only Manitoban awaiting answers to these questions. People throughout this province are eager to offer sanctuary, having done the necessary work to ready a safe place for Ukrainians fleeing war. Unfortunately, a federal requirement for biometric scans has delayed the arrival of some. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Premier Heather Stefanson said she asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for more information about when, and how many, refugees from Ukraine will arrive in Manitoba. When Ukrainian refugees are finally allowed in, they will find Manitobans have already made extensive arrangements, such as proactively securing enrolment in bilingual Ukrainian-English schools, and spaces in day cares. So many Manitobans offered to host the refugees that the list was capped at 700 people. All thats missing is the arrival of the hundreds of displaced Ukrainians who have reached out about coming to Manitoba. Many are stuck in red-tape limbo, often because they cant promptly get a biometric scan Canada requires from adults seeking emergency authorization to reach this country. Ukrainians trying to get the required procedure in countries such as Poland are finding appointments are now being made for June. Without the scan an identification method that records fingerprints and digital photographs the refugees cant experience the relief of coming down the escalator at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and finding a warm welcome and secure refuge from war. Some other countries are proving more agile than Canada at finding expedient ways to help the people fleeing the unjustifiable butchery of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Millions of refugees have received a doors-wide-open welcome from countries neighboring Ukraine primarily Poland, but also Romania, Moldova, Slovakia and Hungary. JENS BUETTNER / DPA VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Many are stuck in red-tape limbo, often because they cant promptly get a biometric scan Canada requires from adults seeking emergency authorization to reach this country. But countries not directly abutting Ukraine have also shown creative ways to help. Germany has accepted more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees by offering free trains from Poland, with volunteers on board to help refugees arrange accommodation and explain how Germany will immediately give them the right to work and access to schools. Ireland has lifted entry restrictions and welcomed more than 23,500 Ukranian refugees, giving them immediate access to the benefits of citizenship, including health services and social welfare. Canada has also stretched immigration rules to reflect a compassionate response to what some have described as Russias attempted genocide of Ukrainians. Once in Canada, Ukrainian refugees are eligible for short-term income support and hotel accommodations for up to two weeks. They will also be offered work permits and temporary residency for up to three years as they apply for permanent residency status, if they choose. Once in Canada, Ukrainian refugees are eligible for shortterm income support and hotel accommodations for up to two weeks. None of that can be accessed, however, until the adult applicants access biometric scans. Its unfair to expect people fleeing a war zone to find a qualified biometric facility and wait weeks for an appointment while, as refugees on the run, theyre coping with unpredictable living circumstances. If Canada is unwilling to waive biometric scans immigration officials rely on this important security measure to identify and screen out criminals Ottawa should consider taking over the responsibility to provide these scans to Ukranians after they arrive in Canada. As the Canadian province with the highest proportion of residents with Ukrainian ancestry, Manitoba abounds with the Ukraine-friendly social infrastructure language, schools, churches to help refugees settle as easily as possible given the momentous disruption in their lives. Many Manitobans have joined a volunteer network, showing theyre ready and willing to help Ukrainians in their time of tragedy. Ottawa can help by untangling the red-tape knot related to biometric scans. Manitobas hospital system is stretched so thin that a national regulator has threatened to suspend some training over concerns doctors are too busy to safely teach medical residents, the Free Press has learned. Manitobas hospital system is stretched so thin that a national regulator has threatened to suspend some training over concerns doctors are too busy to safely teach medical residents, the Free Press has learned. No one expects the University of Manitoba will lose its standing to train doctors, but hospital physicians say the regulatory warnings are a sign of a system in crisis. "Three programs are on notice of intent to withdraw," reads an internal email that medical dean Dr. Brian Postl sent faculty in March, explaining that the accreditation-review team had concerns over whether "residents are appropriately supervised" and "resident education occurs in a safe learning environment." DOCTORS MANITOBA Medical dean Dr. Brian Postl told the Free Press the pandemic strained the health care system, which was already under pressure because of government austerity. On behalf of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, regulators assessed 46 U of M programs last month, interviewing medical residents and the doctors who supervise them about the quality of education. Three of the 46 programs were flagged as insufficient: neurology, core internal medicine and obstetrics and gynecology. Postl told the Free Press the pandemic strained a system that was already under pressure from government austerity. "It would be disingenuous to think they arent related," he said. "COVID arrived into a system that was not prepared for it, and was already stretched remarkably thin (and) had been living with budgets of austerity for several years. "And superimposed on that was a significant restructuring that was changing the way things worked." The morale is very poor among faculty; they were swamped and overloaded with work. The residents provide service (to hospitals) but they were used to look after patients excessively, and that probably interfered with the ability to deliver an educational program. Unidentified doctor Some doctors working in Winnipeg hospitals agreed, acknowledging the system does not deliver optimal care to patients, let alone provide an environment where trainees can reflect and seek evaluation. "There are so many patients to look after that both residents and staff are overwhelmed," said one longtime doctor not authorized to speak with media. "So education takes up a smaller part of the pie diagram of time, energy and attention, than the service of taking care of patients." Another doctor in a supervisory position offered a similar assessment: "The morale is very poor among faculty; they were swamped and overloaded with work. The residents provide service (to hospitals) but they were used to look after patients excessively, and that probably interfered with the ability to deliver an educational program." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES In a statement, Shared Health acknowledged the problems arent solely caused by COVID-19, but stressed the reviews dont mean patients are receiving substandard care. In some cases, limited nursing resources were shifted to COVID-19 wards, which added hands-on care of patients to doctors responsibilities and left far less time to evaluate their residents. Some specialists ended up screening emergency-room patients, a duty residents normally undertake, but many were too busy on wards. Experts were particularly concerned that core internal medicine was among the three flagged programs, because doctors need to complete that residency before moving onto more specialized branches of internal medicine, such as nephrology, rheumatology or cardiology. Postl said his neurology program is hampered by Manitobas shortage of neurologists, which makes it difficult to train more. The few working in the field have large patient loads, and a new stroke program is not yet fully staffed. Its not uncommon for one neurologist to be on call in the city treating all of the patients experiencing strokes, doctors say. COVID arrived into a system that was not prepared for it, and was already stretched remarkably thin (and) had been living with budgets of austerity for several years." Dr. Brian Postl Obstetrics has also faced staff shortages, Postl said, which "probably stressed the relationship in that teaching environment." He noted that residents training to become family doctors often have a brief module in obstetrics, meaning they need access to supervisors during that short time in order to gain the competencies required to graduate. The Professional Association of Residents and Interns of Manitoba said it wouldnt comment on Postls interim assessment until the final report had been filed. "Resident-doctors work incredibly hard to provide frontline medical care to Manitobans around-the-clock in all corners of the province, all the while completing their advanced clinical training," wrote association head Dr. Josh Aquin. He called for "a working and learning environment that is safe, respectful, and inclusive." It is rare for a medical school to have three programs placed on notice in a single review. Shared Heath said Wednesday that in the universitys last review in 2014, general surgery and urology were flagged; both returned to standard. In the long run, it can quite be useful as a shot across the bow, that things arent where they should be. Dr. Brian Postl The designation literally means the university is at risk of losing its accreditation to teach certain fields, at which point students would be transferred to teaching hospitals in other provinces. Generally, the threat of a devastating pullout prompts a swift course correction. "In the long run, it can quite be useful as a shot across the bow, that things arent where they should be," Postl said. University officials are now in talks with the province about new funding to get all three programs back to full accreditation. In a statement, Shared Health acknowledged the problems arent solely caused by COVID-19, but stressed the reviews dont mean patients are receiving substandard care. "These identified areas of improvement are not reflective of levels of patient care or patient safety and Manitobans should be assured that our health system and the dedicated members of our medical teams continue to provide excellent care," the statement said. "Accreditation reviews are an important component in our collective efforts to maintain a high quality of care, ensuring that medical residents receive appropriate training." The agency listed positions in all three fields where it has started recruitment or will have jobs posted soon. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES "In Manitoba we cannot afford to lose a single physician, in any of these areas," NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara said. But the NDP said the PC government is responding too late. "This governments decision-making contributed to our health-care system being in such a state of distress and crisis that the medical expertise that we absolutely need to retain here in Manitoba could be forced into a position where they have to leave," said health critic Uzoma Asagwara. The MLA worried that the warnings will make Manitoba unattractive to medical students. "In Manitoba we cannot afford to lose a single physician, in any of these areas," Asagwara said. The U of M medical school is known for having less resources than other Canadian universities, but a wider breadth of experience that exposes students to more complex cases. The catch is that staff and doctors dont have the time to regroup, reflecting on what went well, and how residents can improve the care they provide. "Our specialists are incredibly good. But what they have to go through both staff and residents is not right," one physician said. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA - The Canadian Armed Forces says over three-quarters of the more than 1,300 service members who applied for an exemption from the militarys COVID-19 vaccine requirement have had their requests denied. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are shown at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. The Canadian Armed Forces says nearly 1,000 members have been denied exemptions from the military's vaccine requirement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes OTTAWA - The Canadian Armed Forces says over three-quarters of the more than 1,300 service members who applied for an exemption from the militarys COVID-19 vaccine requirement have had their requests denied. Vice-chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Frances Allen revealed the figure during testimony to a parliamentary committee this week, in which she also sidestepped questions about what will happen to those troops if the vaccine requirement is lifted. Chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre ordered all military personnel to be fully vaccinated by mid-October to protect the Canadian Armed Forces from COVID-19. The deadline was later extended to mid-December. While most service members complied with the order, with the Defence Department reporting more than 98 per cent of Canadian troops had chosen to get vaccinated, hundreds of others did not. Allen told the House of Commons defence committee that of the more than 1,300 Armed Forces members who applied an exemption from the requirement for medical or religious reasons, only 158 had their requests approved. Of the remaining requests, Allen said 980 were denied while another 160 are still under review. Despite the large number of denials, only a handful of military personnel have been forced to hang up their uniforms to date. The Defence Department last week reported that 39 Armed Forces members have been involuntarily released since December, though another 206 are in the process of being forced out of the military. Ninety-four full-time members had voluntarily hung up their uniforms rather than get vaccinated, the department added. The number of part-time reservists who have chosen to leave or are in danger of being kicked out wasn't available. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Senior commanders have also provided numerous warnings, counselling sessions and other efforts to convince vaccine-resistant troops to change their minds and get their jabs. The Defence Department said nearly 1,000 troops had been issued warnings since December, while formal reviews have been launched against 445 members who continue to defy the vaccination order after other remedial measures have been exhausted. Allen revealed the figures as she was being grilled by Conservative committee members, who also asked what would happen to those troops forced out of uniform if or when the vaccine requirement is lifted. Vaccination is a requirement for entry into the Canadian Armed Forces, Allen said in response to a question from Conservative MP Ed Fast. That is the requirement at this time, unless they are unable to be vaccinated. Military officials also revealed that they are short about 7,500 recruits at the moment, exacerbating a growing shortage of Canadian military personnel at a time when the Armed Forces is being asked to respond to numerous crises at home and abroad. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2022. JERUSALEM (AP) Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's teenage son has received a death threat and bullet in the mail, Israeli officials said Thursday, he second such warning against the Israeli leader's family this week. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his wife Gilat take part in the ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day at Warsaw Ghetto Square at the Yad Vashem memorial in Jerusalem, Thursday, April 28, 2022. (Amir Cohen/Pool Photo via AP) JERUSALEM (AP) Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's teenage son has received a death threat and bullet in the mail, Israeli officials said Thursday, he second such warning against the Israeli leader's family this week. The threats have come at a time of deep political divisions in Israel. In a major speech on Wednesday night marking Israel's Holocaust memorial day, Bennett had spoken out against the polarization in Israel, urging citizens not to let internal divisions rip society apart. Israeli police said that both incidents were being investigated, but gave few other details, including where the items were sent and who might have sent them. Bennett has been the target of fierce criticism from Israel's hard-line right wing since forming his governing coalition last year. In 1995, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish ultranationalist opposed to his peacemaking efforts with the Palestinians. Bennett's government is made up of eight parties from across the political spectrum, including religious nationalists, centrists and an Islamic party. It is the first Arab party to be part of a governing coalition. These parties have little in common beyond their shared animosity to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They have agreed to put aside many of their differences while focusing on common ground, such as the economy, managing the coronavirus crisis and spending on education and social services. Netanyahu, now the opposition leader, has worked hard to undermine the coalition. Critics have accused Bennett, who leads a small, religious nationalist party, of abandoning his core hard-line beliefs. One member of his Yamina party was sanctioned this week as a "defector" for repeatedly supporting the opposition in hundreds of votes. Another member of his party recently resigned from the coalition, leaving the fragile alliance without a parliamentary majority. Bennett formed the coalition last June after four inconclusive elections that underscored the fissures in society over key issues as well as the polarizing effects of Netanyahu's 12-year rule. In Wednesday's speech, coming on one of the most solemn days of the year, Bennett implored the nation to put aside its differences. "My brothers and sisters, we cannot, we simply cannot allow the same dangerous gene of factionalism dismantle Israel from within," Bennett said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. That speech came a day after his family received a bullet in the mail for the first time. The episode prompted his 17-year-old son Yoni to express his sadness in an Instagram post. "Its just sad to see that real people write such horrible things," he said. "To think that he lives and breathes like me but has a brain that was created by the devil is crazy." Bennett is a former top aide to Netanyahu, and Yoni is named after Netanyahu's older brother, who was killed in a famous 1976 Israeli commando raid while rescuing a hijacked airplane in Uganda. An Israeli official familiar with the matter confirmed on Thursday that the second threatening letter and bullet had been sent to Yoni Bennett. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Police have imposed a gag order on their investigation, and officials declined to say whether there were any suspects. While many indications pointed to Jewish extremists, the threats also come at a time of heightened tensions with the Palestinians following a series of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israeli cities, Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank, and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site and cross-border fighting with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. CHIPPEWA FALLS A 14-year-old boy accused of killing a 10-year-old Wisconsin girl knew the girl and planned the attack, knocking her down and choking her before sexually assaulting her, a prosecutor said Wednesday. The body of Illiana Lily Peters was found Monday along a walking trail just a day after she went missing while returning home from an aunts house a few blocks away, sparking anxiety in her small western Wisconsin community before the teenagers arrest Tuesday. The boy, identified only by his initials, appeared in adult court in Chippewa County by video from a juvenile detention center. Judge Benjamin Lane agreed to District Attorney Wade Newells request for $1 million cash bond. Lane said the high bond was necessary to protect the community given the teens statements regarding his intentions and his statements regarding that when he did get off the trail, he punched the victim in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, essentially strangled her, hit her with a stick, before strangling her to the point of death before he then sexually assaulted her, Newell told the judge at the bond hearing. The teen made statements that his intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get-go, Newell said. The defense had argued for $100,000 cash bond. The judge sealed the criminal complaint, but Newell said after the hearing that the boy is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13 resulting in great bodily harm. Wisconsin law generally calls for juveniles age 10 and up to be prosecuted as adults when they are charged with first-degree intentional homicide. The judge set a May 5 status hearing in the case. Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm announced the arrest of the suspect Tuesday evening, after police earlier executed a search warrant at the home of Lilys aunt and the last place the girl was seen before she disappeared. Kelm said police got more than 200 tips, calling them critical to the investigation. While nothing will bring Lily Peters back or change what happened, we are very grateful to be able to deliver this news for the family and for the community, Kelm said. People in the town of about 13,000 left drawings, flowers, candles and stuffed animals at Lilys elementary school and on a downtown bridge to remember the girl, with some residents dressing in purple to honor her. Chelsea Torgerson said she kept her daughter home from school Tuesday, before the arrest was announced, just for my own peace of mind. I know these things happen in the world every day, but this is just so close, she told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Torgersons daughter, 8-year-old Ava Johnson, attends Parkview Elementary School the same school where Lily was a fourth-grader. Its every parents worst nightmare, Torgerson said. One resident has started an online petition on Change.org to create what he called a Lily Alert for cases that dont qualify for traditional Amber Alerts. Currently, Amber Alerts may be issued only if a child is 17 or younger and thought to be in danger of serious bodily harm or death. Any parent would agree that when a child is missing, even for a short amount of time, and they need help then help should be sent, resident Eric Henry said in the petition. The community is devastated and rallied to start a search group for the missing child. We can do better as a community and must be proactive. We need an alert with less regulations around it so we can respond quicker to missing children. The petition had more than 56,000 signatures as of Wednesday night. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A fire caused excessive damage to a barn in the town of Hubbard Wednesday afternoon. Fire crews from Iron Ridge, Hustisford and Neosho were called to a fully-engulfed structure fire shortly before 2 p.m. at W3626 Decora Road, according to Iron Ridge Fire Chief Jason Keller. Upon arrival, firefighters found three-quarters of the barn in flames, as well as a cornfield burning across the road. Hose lines were deployed from Iron Ridges engine to extinguish and prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings. Additional resources were requested. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Assisting at the scene were the Beaver Dam Fire Department, Allenton Fire Department, Hartford Fire and EMS, Mayville Fire and EMS, Hustisford Fire Department, Juneau Fire Department, Kekoskee Fire Department, Knowles Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Department, Neosho Fire Department, Theresa Fire Department, CLR (Clyman, Lowell, Reeseville) and St. Lawrence Fire Department Additional support was provided by the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, Dodge County Dispatch, DCERT and the Horicon Police Department. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Lincoln Elementary School student was able to put on a show for his classmates Wednesday when the Elite Dance Centre performed at the school. After watching the 1978 classic The Wiz, fifth grader Tyce Patterson took an interest to tap dancing. And with help from others, hes been able to follow his goal and learn the skill. Tyce said he was inspired by Nipsey Russells Tinman character. I just love the Tinman so much, Tyce said. I wanted to do what he did. Tyce shared his ambitions with his teacher, Jennie Hull-Sell, who made it a mission to help her student meet his goal. He has a knack for being creative, Hull-Sell said. He has such a strength in that area whether it was drawing or singing or being able to perform. Hull-Sell said she wasnt surprised that he was able to start working on the new skill at home just by watching the movie. Tyce said he had made his own tap shoes, but it was Hull-Sell that brought the idea to others in the district and got him his first pair of tap shoes. District Director of Student Services Laura Schieffer was able to get the young dancer a pair of tap shoes, but it was another meeting that helped Tyce learn more skills. Lincoln Elementary School Principal Crystal Bates was able to reach out to Elite Dance Centre and got Tyce in contact with Beaver Dam High School student Manny Wilke, who helped Tyce learn his first dance steps. Manny gave me his shoes that he had when he was little, Tyce said. Wilke ended up being Tyces instructor at Elite Dance Centre. The two will perform at Beaver Dam High School on Saturday for the Elite Dance Centre dance concert. Follow Terri Pederson on Twitter @tlp53916 or contact her at 920-356-6760. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WAUPUN Had the emergency scenario area that officials spent four days training for been real, Waupun residents would have been evacuated to Beaver Dam. As it was just an exercise, life went on as normal. People shopped for groceries. Exercise classes were held. Church women got together to make blankets for charity. Things would have been dramatically different if the simulated accident a train derailment in which nitric acid has spilled was real. A total of 25 workers at National Rivet would have died. The entire city would have been evacuated. Gas masks would have been required. The death toll would have risen quickly. The event gave emergency personnel a chance to enact a crisis as a dry run to something that all hope will never happen. In real life nobody in the community was told anything, said Dodge County Emergency Management Director Amy Haase. Everything happened at the Waupun Police and Fire Department. We were acting as if everything was real, but it was imaginary. Planning for the event began two years ago. Joe Meagher, deputy director of Emergency Management, indicated that Thursdays enactment has its roots in a course that was being planned in Emmetsburg, Maryland. COVID-19 led to cancellation, although it was hoped it could be rescheduled at some point in the future. Haase suggested bringing trainers to Dodge County, which is what happened this week. After an application was submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a grant to bring trainers to Waupun was approved. Attending the training sessions were area police officers; fire and sheriffs department personnel; State Patrol officers; emergency medical responders; hospitals; doctors and nurses; railroad officials; corrections personnel; county department staff; school personnel; and officials from city, state and national agencies. Starting Monday, they started preparing for the simulated event on Thursday. Both Fond du Lac County and Dodge County personnel participated. On the first floor of the Waupun Police and Fire Building was an Emergency Operation Center and a Family Assistance Center. On the lower level was an Emergency Command Center. The Dodge County Mobile Command Center was parked outside and was fully staffed. Between 80 and 100 key personnel joined in, coordinating efforts with their offices and making sure that, had it been real, all would go according to plan. Its a multi-year process, said Meagher. We started with a tabletop exercise with the city of Waupun. We moved up to what they call a functional, which is a higher level plan where we get out into the community and decide where equipment and resources should go. That gave us some qualifiers to apply for a grant to the federal government and through FEMA to receive funding. He added, Our facilities and the fact that we have done this before gave us the upper hand in the grant application process. Its an awesome opportunity for us to work with all the partners. We were also able to open it up to more participants because its local. While some may scoff at the concept, FEMA Class Manager Carl Wertma believes there are few things more important. Everybody says not in my backyard until it happens, said Wertma. Dodge County has been very proactive in preparing for a situation in which its citizens will be kept safe. Grant funding is limited to a dozen select communities, and in this case covered the cost of bringing trainers to Waupun and other incidental expenses. Local participants paid for most of their own meals and commuted daily to the exercises. It has been a busy four days thats for sure, said Waupun Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director BJ DeMaa. Concerning the benefits of the exercise, DeMaa said, These courses provide an opportunity for local, county, state and federal partners to really work together, collaborate and train. Well all be playing from the same sheet of music. Its really trying to streamline the process and to understand individual roles and responsibilities. That way when you do have these large events, its not the first time folks are coming together. He added, In an ideal world, the event that you plan for never comes to fruition. Its all about preparedness. This weeks classes will have an impact on our readiness for years to come, said Haase. It is definitely time well spent. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RACINE Two additional arrests were made on Wednesday as the search for a homicide suspect continues. Alicia K. Sykes, 30, and Carmelita L. Walker, 34, were arrested and were charged Thursday with harboring/aiding a felon in reference to the aggravated assault of Brittany Booker and another woman on Feb. 27, 2022, allegedly committed by Terry L. Jackson Jr. Booker was found dead in her car on Sunday, the victim of a homicide. She was the mother to six children and a beloved friend of many. Sykes and Walker are accused of having taken Jackson to Texas after the February attack. Jackson, 42, is the suspect in both the attack on the two women and the death of Booker. He remains at large, possibly in Chicago. On Monday, one day after Booker was found dead, a criminal complaint states that "Walker admitted to being fully aware that Jackson was violent and wanted by police. WALKER admitted to getting a handgun on (Monday, April 25) from someone on the street to protect herself against Jackson. Walker never attempted to contact law enforcement." Walker was contacted by police at her own residence, on the 1800 block of Geneva Street, after police executed a search warrant there, seeking Jackson. A criminal complaint states that Jackson had been at Walker's home on April 21 and April 23. Police identified Sykes as Jackson's cousin. When she voluntarily went to the RPD Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint, she admitted that she and Walker picked Jackson up from a Wendy's in Chicago on either March 1 or March 2 before driving to Arkansas and later Texas; Jackson's brother, only identified by his initials "DJ," was also in the car. In Texas, Jackson was dropped off at the home of someone identified by the initials "BC" on March 4, according to the complaint. "Sykes said Jackson and his ex-wife came back to Racine shortly after he had been dropped off in Texas," the complaint continued. "Sykes said they came over to her house while in Racine. Sykes said she heard a few days later Jackson returned to Texas. Sykes admitted she never attempted to contact law enforcement about Jackson. She claimed she was scared. Sykes admitted she felt guilty and wished she would have turned him in." Sykes and Walker are the second and third people arrested for allegedly harboring Jackson; earlier Wednesday, 24-year-old Diamond M. Hood, 24, was charged with the same crime after she allegedly drove Jackson to Chicago after the killing. She was booked into the Racine County Jail where bail was set at $10,000 cash. Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, of the Racine Police Department, reminded the public anyone who hides a suspect in a crime may find themselves arrested. "The Racine Police Department and the Racine County DA's Office will arrest and prosecute anyone found to have aided Jackson in either of these two incidents," Wilcox said in a written statement. The criminal complaint filed Thursday said Jackson "remains 'on the run'" and that he "brutally murdered" Booker. Any witnesses or citizens with any information can call U.S. Marshall Task Force Officer Mike Seeger at 262-939-2437 or Lt. Freidel of the RPD at 262-635-7761. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 262-636-9330 or through the Crime Stoppers app using the p3 app. Crime Stoppers has offered a $2,000 reward for information that leads to the location and arrest of Jackson. The invited speakers, Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens of Turning Point USA, have just begun their conversation in earnest with the completion of the introductions. The sudden wail of a fire alarm pierces the quiet conversation April 20 at UW-Milwaukees Student Union. The beeping siren continues, and I was among the assembled crowd of several hundred who exchanged mild glances with one another, perhaps intent on following the lead of the larger group. There is no sense of urgency in the room among attendees or staff, as the timing of the alarm seems rather suspect. The speakers go on, undeterred and with aplomb. Theyve seen many stunts before, as campus activists often gather to try to silence conservative speakers. The TurningPoint USA video coverage of the event recalled the details, as a voice comes over the loudspeaker commanding please evacuate the area immediately! The response from Kirk is prove theres a fire, and well leave the building. After a couple minutes the alarm stopped, and a bit later, the strobe-like warning lights cease to flash. There is no fire no emergent circumstances that would require the group to leave. It is just another ruse attempting to quell the free exchange of ideas. Kirk and Owens are having a conversation titled Educate, Dont Mandate on the campus of UW-Milwaukee. They are conservative figures who speak often at college campuses and other venues. Owens, a young black conservative female, often draws intense criticism in particular because of her views often critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. Apparently, any type of conversation that doesnt fall in line with the most woke of narratives must be met with childish antics. One would think, and even perhaps hope, our college campuses would be the strongest bastions of free speech. Regardless of your social or political persuasion, those of a certain vintage will remember the campus turmoil that erupted during the Vietnam War era in the late 60s. I would certainly never condone the actions of many of the radical movements that bombed Sterling Hall in Madison, burned down Old Main at UW-Whitewater, caused the tragic shooting at Kent State University or other controversies. But the right to free speech was often cited in those times. The topic of free speech on college campuses once again hit the forefront here in Wisconsin with the announcement April 5 of a survey by the University of Wisconsin System titled Student Perceptions of Campus Free Speech Survey, which was to be released on April 7. The survey was intended to ask compelling questions, including: What do students know about First Amendment speech rights? How much do students value viewpoint diversity? Do they perceive problems in viewpoint diversity at their campus? This survey sounds entirely reasonable to help gauge student perceptions on their ability to share ideas freely, and how a campus in general may appear to approach the subject. Former Gov. Scott Walker paid a visit to the UW-Madison College Republicans on April 6, as reported in the Badger Herald, to discuss free speech on campus and to encourage students to participate. Surely, no one would object to a simple survey? According to an April 7 Wisconsin State Journal story, the interim chancellor at UW-Whitewater, Jim Henderson, resigned earlier that week in part because the University of Wisconsin System moved forward with a survey that will ask students about free speech rights. Amid the controversy surrounding the survey, an April 7 Cap Times story reported the free speech survey, which was scheduled to go out to all undergraduates, has since been pushed back to the fall. Could it be that the university elites were concerned about the feedback they would receive from students? Would they be forced to realize the bias against conservative speakers? Would any alarms be sounded? We all know there are limitations to incendiary and defamatory speech, but it should not stop the free exchange of ideas simply because someone may state a view contrary to your own opinion. Those who would seek to disrupt any conservative conversation could have found themselves very busy Wednesday night, as Reagan-era top economist Art Laffer visited UW-Madison, former Donald Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway came to UW-Whitewater, and conservative commentator Matt Walsh appeared at UW-Superior. All were visiting the various campuses with Young Americas Foundation. Former governor Walker is the current president of YAF. Let us hope that all those talks went off as planned, and without any fake fire alarms. Keep making your voices heard. Frostman lives in Baraboo: scfrostman@gmail.com. 16:03 | Lima, Apr. 28. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) explains who can receive it, what brands of vaccines are being administered, and after how long is it necessary to be inoculated with the fourth dose. On April 2, adults over 70 years of age and people with comorbidities started to receive the fourth dose in Lima Metropolitan Area and Callao region, but now its administration has been expanded nationwide (same age group), thus joining health personnel since April 11. Minsa's Immunizations Director Maria Elena Martinez specified that the fourth dose is not only being administered to people aged above 70 and health personnel, but also to people with comorbidities such as cancer, HIV, and transplant patients, or those suffering from orphan or rare diseases. "There are 1.5 million people over 70 years of age. Nearly 500,000 people (in this age group) are due to receive the fourth dose in April. Afterwards, we are going to start with other age groups as we have done with previous doses," she told Andina news agency After how long? Martinez clarified that the protocol approved by Minsa indicates that people must receive the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after five months have elapsed since third dose. According to Minsa, following five months of the third dose, antibodies against COVID-19 begin to decrease. Therefore, the fourth dose contributes to increasing the defenses, thus avoiding serious forms of the disease. What brands of vaccines are being administered? The official explained that the protocol approved by Minsa indicates that this fourth dose comes from Pfizer or Moderna laboratories, since studies have shown that they are safe and effective. Along these lines, Martinez reported that clinical trials by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) indicate that the fourth dose should be applied with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccination platforms. In this regard, Minsa reported that Peru relies on large batch of Moderna vaccine doses, which has just arrived in the country, adding that it has a long period of validity. "All vaccines have an efficacy level above 90%; these are the vaccines that the Peruvian Government has acquired: Sinopharm, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and now Moderna," Martinez underlined. In addition, she reported that, according to recent studies, the combination of vaccines from different brands leads to better protection against COVID-19. (END) LIT/RMB/MVB Africa Day 2022 When: Thursday, 26 May 2022 - Thursday, 26 May 2022 Where: Online Event Start time: 16:00 Enquiries: skombasa@minds-africa.org RSVP: Zoom lik: https://wits-za.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpdu-hpzkrEtGktHNjXApooiRwTyVAwZiy Cost: Free A showcase of insights and African cuisine to commemorate Africa Month themed 2022: The Year of Nutrition. April is Africa Month in which we commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, the precursor to the African Union (AU). Africa Month also allows us to reflect on the continents progress and the common challenges that she faces. The aspirations of Africa are many and the sustainability of food and nutrition is high on the agenda. The AU has appropriately themed this years celebration 2022: The Year of Nutrition. Join the Wits Business School and partners as they share share insights around this topic. Discussions will contribute to marshalling a greater and coordinated response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating food security challenges. Also look out for demonstrations and recipes using indigenous foods. ?? Desde Pucallpa, en el VIII Consejo de Ministros Descentralizado, el presidente Pedro Castillo insto al @MinemPeru a poner en funcionamiento, a la brevedad posible, el lote 31 de Curimana, para ponerlo al servicio de la region Ucayali y del pais.#SiempreConElPueblo pic.twitter.com/3oN6xRFiqD Research by W&M undergrads benefits students & VIMS Undergrad research at VIMS W&M undergrad Jack Slater 22 prepares to run a dry-dock test on an autonomous underwater vehicle from the lab of VIMS professor Donglai Gong. VIMS photo Photo - of - Hide Caption Editors note: To help celebrate April as Undergraduate Research Month at William & Mary, we highlight here the growing synergy between W&M undergrads and faculty in the graduate School of Marine Science at VIMS. Although traditionally focused on graduate studies, William & Marys School of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is welcoming a growing number of W&M undergraduates to its labs, boats and classrooms. We have the enviable combination of immensely bright, creative and talented undergraduates and a world-class marine science institute, says Derek Aday, VIMS dean & director. Its a huge opportunity for synergy that we continue to facilitate and encourage. Aday notes that the benefits of graduate-undergraduate collaboration run both ways. Research offers students an important opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills, he says. It also provides our faculty with the opportunity to increase the reach and impact of their work through additional training opportunities and the fresh insights that students often provide. Linda Schaffner, associate dean of academic studies at VIMS, says Research at VIMS provides William and Mary students with a deep and meaningful opportunity to engage in science. Undergraduate research is such an important part of a comprehensive education that we hope to increase opportunities as our academic program continues to grow. A key conduit for undergraduate involvement in VIMS research is W&Ms marine science minor. Launched in 2010, the program provides opportunities for undergrads to learn about openings in VIMS research programs directly from faculty, and gives faculty first-hand knowledge of student interests and capabilities. VIMS Associate Professor Chris Hein co-directs the undergraduate marine science program with Jon Allen, associate professor of biology at W&M. He currently has seven W&M undergrads involved in his research program, which focuses on how barrier islands and other coastal systems respond to impacts from climate change. Hein joins Aday in touting the two-way benefits of the undergraduate research connection. He says W&M undergrads benefit VIMS by bringing new perspectives and energy to the science and the labs in which they work. In the best cases, he adds, the students can become an integral part of a lab for several years, completing a publication-worthy senior or honors thesis. Since 2017, he has tallied 23 peer-reviewed publications from VIMS with a W&M undergrad as a lead or co-author. From the student perspective, Hein says Conducting research as an undergrad allows a student to explore an interest in great detail, while delving into the real-world scientific process, in which there is no right answer as youd find in a class exercise. Hein stresses that student immersion in research is particularly beneficial at an institute like VIMS, whose advisory mission offers opportunities that often have applied and socially relevant components. Undergrads may well have a chance to interface with stakeholders and the general public through our outreach and advisory service missions, he says. This gives them a window into a world of opportunities and careers beyond academia. Hein notes the students time at VIMS also provides opportunities to interact with graduate students and technical staff. VIMS grad students contribute to and benefit from this connection by interacting with undergrads in the lab and teaching undergraduate courses on main campus. Eleven graduate students have taken advantage of teaching opportunities during the past two academic years, with another five scheduled to do so during 2022-2023. Course topics have ranged from aquaculture to hurricane impacts, coastal acidification, wetland biogeochemistry and marine bioinspiration. The student perspective At least 20 W&M undergrads are currently involved in research projects at VIMS, with 8 faculty members reporting one or more undergrads working in their lab or on a field project. The benefits of these relationships are clearly valued by students as well as faculty. Cameron Clarke 22 is one of the W&M undergrads conducting research in Hein's lab, nearing completion of a senior thesis on Pleistocene sea-level change in Virginia. Ive thoroughly enjoyed my time doing research as an undergraduate at VIMS, she says. Working with a professor who advises both undergrads and graduates has been an incredible way to not only dive deeper into my research project, but connect with a wider group of students, expand my knowledge on various types of research and help on various other projects. Grace Weeks 23 joined Heins Coastal Geology lab in 2021 following her participation in the field course at VIMS Eastern Shore Laboratory. She says, The Lab has allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience in geology research and opened my eyes to careers and academic options after graduation. Weeks says the experience has also introduced me to wonderful people with different backgrounds and interests in research who have now become my mentors, role models and friends. Far afield from coastal Virginia, Meredith Nolan 22 continues a multi-year tradition of W&M undergrads joining VIMS Professor Deb Steinbergs crew for their annual oceanographic cruise through the Southern Ocean as part of the NSF-funded Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research Program. Doing field research in Antarctica was the most incredible experience, says Nolan. Every day, we collected more data and added our piece to a 30-year time series. It was amazing to be a part of important research on our changing climate in such an untouched place. I learned so much, saw beautiful wildlife and had the best time! Other W&M undergrads are conducting research on topics as diverse as the interests of VIMS faculty. Caela Gilsinan 23 is partnering with VIMS Associate Professor Andrew Scheld to explore the viability of developing a large-scale surf-clam hatchery to offset potential losses to the fishery due to emplacement of offshore wind turbines. Ethan Dewald 22 and Alex Pomroy 23 are working with postdoctoral research associate Vaskar Nepal and Professor Mary Fabrizio to study the effects of salinity on gill morphology in blue catfish, an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. Christian Longo 22 is collaborating with Professor Grace Chiu to assess the spatial performance of computer models developed to simulate the role aquatic vegetation plays in storing carbon removed from the atmosphere, while Kate Davis 22 is working with Chiu to reduce statistical uncertainties in a software program created to help monitor large-scale soil erosion. Ryan Hansen 23 and Margaret OConnor 24 have been working on various projects in the lab of Assistant Professor Emily Rivest, whose research currently focuses on how ocean acidification impacts oysters and other marine life. W&M's Institute of Bill of Rights Law launches Scalia-Ginsburg Collegiality Speaker Series Collegiality: Not only did the inaugural Scalia-Ginsburg Collegiality Speaker Series present law students with good advice, but it was done with a strong sense of humor. L-R: Dean Benjamin Spencer (who provided words of welcome), Professor Allison Orr Larsen (moderator), and Judges Adalberto Jordan and Kevin Newsom of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (panelists). Photo by David F. Morrill Photo - of - Hide Caption On April 20, the Institute of the Bill of Rights Law (IBRL) at William & Mary Law School launched the Scalia-Ginsburg Collegiality Speaker Series. The series brings together pairs of advocates, judges and legal scholars who share a warm friendship despite disagreements over how they see the law. Professor Allison Orr Larsen, Alfred W. & Mary I.W. Lee Professor of Law and Director of the IBRL, launched the series as a way to model for law students the importance of civil discourse in the legal profession. The idea, said Larsen, came about in discussions with colleague Professor Katherine Mims Crocker. As law clerks at the Supreme Court, Larsen and Crocker each were struck by the unlikely friendship between Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The two justices often tangled over the law in strongly worded opinions, but they also shared vacations, trips to the opera and annual holiday traditions with their families. That kind of across the aisle friendship, Larsen said, should be highly valued and is even more important in our era of partisan politics. This event is close to my heart, Professor Larsen told the students on Wednesday, because I have always believed the most influential lawyers are the ones that treat othersincluding those on the other side of an argumentwith respect and civility. The inaugural event in the series featured Judges Adalberto Jordan and Kevin Newsom of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Judge Jordan was appointed to the Eleventh Circuit by President Obama and Judge Newsom was appointed by President Donald Trump. In a classroom packed with students and faculty, the judges shared examples of how they maintain relationships with other members of their court with whom they do not always agree, including inviting them out to dinner after especially tense conferences. Judge Jordan emphasized the importance of listening intentionally to those with different views, and Judge Newsom warned students to resist the urge to have a hot take about every current issue. Both judges emphasized to the students that their legacies will ultimately hinge on how they treat others, and that while good lawyers can attack ideas, they should never attack the people who hold them. As moderator, Larsen was pleased with the inaugural event, and looks forward to hosting future speakers with differing viewpoints. Although it is easy to talk about collegiality, Larsen explained, it is another thing to actually explore tools for fostering it without losing ones sense of self or ability to argue forcefully. My hope, she said, is that this speaker series will inspire our students and equip them with ways to strike that balance." An enchanting little river town best known for its namesake bi-level waterfall, Sioux Falls will leave you in awe of its nature meets metropolis cityscape. Found weaving through the heart of downtown is the Big Sioux River, encrusted with the pink-red Sioux quartzite rock that stretches from eastern South Dakota and expands into the states of Minnesota and Iowa, accompanying the Great Plains. Nonetheless, the grassland plains that encompass the outskirts of Sioux Falls are more than tall grass fields. They were once the tribal lands of the two divisions of Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native Americans. Alas, the Great Plains also housed camps of wagons and the first pioneers who migrated across America in search of the location to build their homesteads. These pioneers founded the city of Sioux Falls in the US State of South Dakota. Geography Of Sioux Falls Aerial view of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at sunset. Sioux Falls is found in southeast South Dakota, near the Iowa and Minnesota borders. The Big Sioux River is a tributary to the larger Missouri River that travels through the state of South Dakota and divides it into east and west sections. Sioux Falls cover a total area of 190.29 sq. km, with only 1.32 sq. km occupied by water and 188.97 sq. km occupied by land. The Climate Of Sioux Falls Downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota, during winter. With a continental climate, Sioux Falls experiences four distinct seasons that vary from rainy springs, warm and semi-arid summers, chilly falls, and a winter that ranges from mild to severe. The spring season can see sudden large rainfalls, causing flooding on the Missouri River and Big Sioux River. Annually, Sioux Falls receives 27 inches of rain, less than the US average of 38 inches. South Dakota is a part of tornado alley, and in its history, Sioux Falls has recorded 78 tornados of F-2 or higher. On average, the state of South Dakota experiences 30 tornado events in a year. Alternatively, Sioux Falls experiences blizzards, ice storms, sleet, and white-out conditions in the winter. With an elevation of 448m, Sioux Falls frequently experiences blowing snow, with an average snowfall of 37.6 inches. Brief History Of Sioux Falls The main entrance of the USS South Dakota Memorial in Sioux Falls. Editorial credit: Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com For thousands of years, the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native Americans ruled the Great Plains, herding buffalo, hunting off the land, and relying on the Big Sioux River as a water source. However, the mid 19th century saw American and European settlers escaping poverty and searching for a better life on the Great Plains. The influx of pioneers would change the identity of the Native American way of life on the Sioux grassland plains. By 1856, land claims would be laid on the banks of Big Sioux River, with the first homesteaders making permanent roots. The name of Sioux Falls is a recognition of the Sioux Tribe of Native Americans. By 1862, Sioux Falls was at the forefront of the Dakota War, which saw conflict over land ownership from American expansion that forced the Native American people to give up hunting rights to become farmers. In 1876, Sioux Falls was incorporated. However, it wouldn't become a city until March 1889. The Population And Economy Of Sioux Falls Aerial view of a private university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Officially, Sioux Falls sits on the county seat of Minnehehe, which also includes Lincoln County to the Iowa border. With a population of 192,517 inhabitants, Sioux Falls is the most populous city in South Dakota and comes in 131st on the list of most populated cities in the United States. A total of 30% of Sioux Falls residents live within the metropolitan area, with a median household income is $61,738. Sadly, 10.1% of Sioux Falls residents live below the poverty line, with Sioux Falls rated at 88.6 on the cost of living index. The average age of a Sioux Falls resident is 34.4 years old, with 49.3% being male and 50.7% being female. Sioux Falls has a population density of 936.28 inhabitants per sq. km. The highest participating industrial sectors of Sioux Falls are healthcare and social assistance (18.5 %), retail trade (12.6%), and both manufacturing and financial services tying at (10.5%). Sandford Health is the citys largest employer, with approximately 12,000 employees. Surprisingly, income tax is set at 0.0%, with the US income tax rate being 4.6%. There are six universities located in Sioux Falls, including South Dakota State University, Augustana University, etc. Attractions In Sioux Falls Falls Park Tourists explore Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Editorial credit: Jason Ray Photography / Shutterstock.com Located in the north-central part of the city, Falls Park is a green space that contains Sioux Falls, The Overlook Cafe, Queen Bee Mill, an observation tower, and the Stockyard Ag Experience Barn. If visiting in the summer months, the Hydroelectric Plant is open for lunch and dinner every day. The visitors can also take a stroll along the river bank and appreciate the infamous multi plateaued waterfall. Queen Bee Mill Ruins of the former Queen Bee Mill at Falls Park on the banks of the Big Sioux River. Editorial credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com The Queen Bee Mill is listed on the US Register of Historic Places. Here one can walk through the ruins of a former 7-story mill. When it opened its doors in 1881, the Queen Bee Mill processed 1,200 barrels of grain a day. Richard F. Pettigrew thought the mill could harness the power of the Big Sioux River. In 1956 a fire destroyed the complex, leaving the ruins one can see today. Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History This 45-acre zoo and museum is home to approximately 150 exhibits, including zebras, giraffes, tigers, and rhinos. Focusing on education and conservation as the core of the Great Plains Zoo's message, there are 38 exhibits dedicated to endangered or critically endangered species. Annually, 40,000 visitors are welcomed through their doors. One must check out their award-winning exhibits, such as the Snow Monkey Exhibit or Fortress of the Bears. Sioux Falls is more than the reddish-pink stone waterfall you see in the metropolis today. It has a deep heritage belonging to the people of the Sioux Tribe of Americans, who used the Big Sioux River as a water source on the vast grassland plains. It's the marker of many historic buildings that stand as a part of the tales of the first homesteading pioneers. This charming city is more than the grassland plains and the Big Sioux River that winds through, it's the history that made Sioux Falls what you see today. A person holds flags during the Bans Off Oklahoma Rally on the steps on Oklahoma state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, April, 5, 2022. (Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman via AP) Renewed calls for Wales specific pandemic inquiry after High Court ruling on English untested patient discharge to care homes policy The High Court has found the policy of discharging untested asymptomatic patients from hospital to care homes in England was unlawful a practice that also took place in Wales. Care homes have been an obvious area of concern with a number of older people are living closely together, many of whom will have underlying health conditions. Early in the pandemic people discharged to care homes from hospital were not always subject to rigorous testing for Covid-19. A High Court judgement released yesterday, explained: The decisions of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to make and maintain a series of policies contained in documents issued on 17 and 19 March and 2 April 2020 were unlawful because the drafters of those documents failed to take into account the risk to elderly and vulnerable residents from non-symptomatic transmission, which had been highlighted by (among others) Sir Patrick Vallance in a radio interview as early as 13 March. Non-symptomatic transmission would mean that one elderly patient moved from hospital to a care home could infect other residents before manifesting symptoms, or even without ever manifesting symptoms. The judges found that it was irrational for the DHSC not to have advised until mid-April 2020 that where an asymptomatic patient (other than one who had tested negative for COVID19) was admitted to a care home, he or she should, so far as practicable, be kept apart from other residents for 14 days. The testing climate back at the start of the pandemic in 2020 was in stark contrast to what we have got used to, with very limited numbers tests available due to lack of wider testing capacity. At one point (14th April 2020) specific named people had to be put forward for tests and days later a then new drive-thru testing centre was for specific critical workers. At the same time (29th April 2020) concerns were raised about the lack of public data around care home testing, infections and deaths. In Wales the policy of discharging untested asymptomatic patients into care homes as part of an emergency policy aimed at freeing up space in hospitals carried on despite England changing the testing policy. The specific issue of testing people during discharge from hospitals into care homes was raised in the Senedd at the time (full transcript here), with Delyth Jewell MS challenging the First Minister on the 29th April 2020. Speaking at the time, she said: Until the end of last week, care home residents were routinely moving between hospital and care homes without being tested, but thats been rectified now. But Ive spoken to one care home manager who thinks its very likely that the virus entered the care home through that route, and a request for a resident to be tested before leaving hospital was denied. First Minister Mark Drakeford replied at the time: What the Welsh Government did was to follow the clinical advice that we had that testing somebody leaving a hospital who had no symptoms of coronavirus, going to a care home, was not something that offered you any clinical assurance. Anybody with symptoms was tested all along. It was only people who had no signs at all of coronavirus that werent tested, and the clinical advice to us was that a test of that person would offer you no reliable assurance that would make any difference to the decisions that were being made about that person. The First Minister at the time said that change did not take place due to clinical advice, but to give confidence. He said: The reason why we changed the guidance was not because the clinical advice had changed, but because we recognised the need to give confidence to people in the sector, that there were anxieties about people being discharged from hospital without a test even when that person had no signs of coronavirus at all, and because we recognise those concerns and the need to give confidence to people in that sector, we changed our arrangements so that people leaving hospitals, whether they have any symptoms or not of coronavirus, are now tested before they leave, and, indeed, were extending that to any setting that somebody enters a care home fromnot just from hospitals, but anywhere somebody entering a care home is moving from in Wales, that person will now be tested for coronavirus. On 16th May 2020 it was announced that all care home residents and staff were able to access UK Government testing. On the 21st May 2020 the Older Peoples Commissioner for Wales called for the Welsh Government to be investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over concerns that older peoples human rights may have been breached in care homes, saying, The situation we have seen in our care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic has been a tragedy, and I have concerns that older peoples rights may not have been sufficiently protected, in these settings and across health and social care more widely. It took until mid May 2020 before wider full testing was rolled out in care homes, something that at the time was noted by opposition parties the refusal to do so up to now should be the subject of examination in the future inquiry. Even in June 2020 we reported internal health board dashboard data, and questions we put to the First Minister on care home transfer testing with some care staff in the care sector relating to us at the time a real reluctance to accept new people due to pure fear of introducing the virus into care homes. As we reported earlier this month the ONS figures have been analysed by the Technical Advisory Cell (more here) that included the below graph of excess deaths by setting. Deaths in care homes refer to deaths which occurred in the setting, and not to care home residents (who could have died in other settings), as was noted: There was a pronounced peak in excess deaths in care homes during the first peak period of the pandemic (around April 2020), with a much lower number of excess death during the second peak period. Commenting on the news yesterday of the verdict in England, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies MS said: Lets not forget that after England introduced mass testing in care homes, the Labour First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said he could see no value in testing in Welsh care homes, and the then-Welsh Health Minister, now leadership contender said he did not understand the rationale behind it. It was a whole month after mass testing was put in place in England that it was brought forward in Wales. These are the exact issues that a Wales-specific Covid inquiry would investigate, which is why it is totally unacceptable for this arrogant Labour Government to block one as it runs scared of scrutiny. First Minister Mark Drakeford has continually ruled out holding a Wales only inquiry, despite being challenged on why decisions that have affected Welsh lives and livelihoods wont be scrutinised in Wales. Instead Mr Drakeford has said that provided there is a specific Welsh focus in the UK-wide inquiry, he believes that is the best way to move ahead. The UK Government confirmed it will hold a UK-wide inquiry and back in August Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed an independent inquiry into the Scottish Government covid response would also take place. The nature of the UK wide inquiry has also come under more scrutiny , with Plaid Cymru writing to the First Minister to ask for the record to be corrected on his statement regarding the UK Governments ability to lead the inquiry into COVID-19 in Wales. Responding to a question from Heledd Fychan MS, the First Minister stated that the the UK Government will not lead the inquiry. That will be the responsibility of its independent chair, Baroness Heather Hallett. However, Plaid Cymrus spokesperson on health and care, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS states his the letter that this is in direct contradiction to a statement made by Baroness Heather Hallett, which states that the Prime Minister has the final decision on the Terms of Reference. Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said, When news arrived that the Prime Minister had received a fine for breaking the law, the First Minister was amongst the many calling for his resignation. Yet we have a situation where the First Minister is happy to trust that same person with responsibility for running an inquiry into how COVID-19 was handled in Wales based on the incorrect assumption that he is somehow not in charge of it. Just this week we have another reminder of the importance of a COVID inquiry, following the ruling from the High Court that government policies on discharging untested patients from hospital to care homes in England was unlawful. These same practices were employed by the Labour Welsh Government for patients in Wales. The First Minister must correct his statement, and answer the original question from my colleague: What assessment has the First Minister made of the UK Governments ability to lead the inquiry into COVID-19 in Wales? In denying us a Wales-specific inquiry, the Labour First Minister handed all control to Boris Johnson. Hace 11 anos, Chile, Colombia, Mexico y el Peru acordaron la creacion de la @A_delPacifico como una iniciativa economica y de desarrollo con el fin de lograr un area de integracion profunda que avance hacia la libre circulacion de bienes, servicios, capitales y personas. pic.twitter.com/4KPIPu5t1K Mehring Books is pleased to announce the publication of Pike River: The Crime and Cover-up by Tom Peters. The introduction is posted below. The book can be ordered from Mehring Books Australian website. Readers in New Zealand can order it directly from the Socialist Equality Group; for details email socialistequalitynz@gmail.com. *** The Pike River underground coal mine, located in the Paparoa mountain ranges on the West Coast of New Zealands South Island, exploded on November 19, 2010. Thirty-one workers were underground at the time and only two escaped with their lives. Three more explosions tore through the mine on November 24, 26, and 28, leaving no hope of any more survivors. The bodies of 28 men and one 17-year-old boy have never been recovered. The disaster, and the revelations that followed about conditions in the mine, profoundly shocked working people throughout New Zealand and the world. Despite initial attempts by politicians, the media and union bureaucrats to claim that there was nothing unusual about the mine, it soon became clear that the 29 deaths were preventable and were the outcome of profit-driven corporate decisions. Yet, to this day, no one has been held to account. Pike River was New Zealands first major private coal mine developed in the 21st century to supply the world market, in particular the burgeoning Asian steel industry. It was the flag-bearer for privatising the coal industry, and marketing it globally, and had been set up to break the dominance of the state-owned mining company, Solid Energy. Before a shovel of coal had been dug, it had become the best performer on the stock exchange, listing as one of the countrys 50 largest corporations with a market capitalization of $NZ400 million. Under pressure from shareholders and creditors to speed up its operation, Pike River Coal (PRC) began production before the mine had been properly commissioned, cut costs on safety, and gambled with the lives of its workers. This book analyses the causes of the disaster, including the pro-business deregulation of safety by successive governments, and the complicity of state agencies, regulators, and the trade union bureaucracy. The unions functioned as an accomplice to PRC, ensuring that the mine continued to operate despite the companys illegal and life-threatening practices. The book also explains how governments and the judicial system shielded PRCs managers and board members and sought to prevent a proper investigation of the mine. The material reprinted here is part of the campaign waged by the Socialist Equality Group (SEG) and the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) to mobilise the working class, in New Zealand and internationally, to join the fight to uncover the full truth about what happened at Pike River. The SEG supported the majority of the families of the Pike River victims, who opposed the Labour Party-led governments decision in 2021 to shut down the manned re-entry of the mine. The families determined struggle for truth brought them into conflict with the entire political establishment, as well as the union bureaucracy. Most of the media and the governments upper middle class, pseudo-left supporters sought to bury the issue of Pike River. By the end of 2021, Jacinda Arderns government had permanently sealed the mine, preventing the recovery of human remains and the examination of forensic evidence. This was done in the face of growing opposition from working people in New Zealand and internationally. In November 2010, the WSWS responded immediately to the disaster. An article published three days after the first explosion opposed the united efforts of the National Party government, opposition Labour MPs, media pundits, and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union to whitewash Pike Rivers safety record. The WSWS stated: Far from being a random or natural catastrophe, the information that is emerging points to the explosion at the Pike River Coal mine, like recent mine disasters in the US, Chile and China, being the result of entirely man-made factors: the compromising and sacrifice of miners health and safety on the altar of corporate profit. The WSWS held a public meeting at Victoria University of Wellington on December 16, 2010, to discuss the political lessons of Pike River. It placed the events in the context of the deepening crisis of the global capitalist system, following three decades of pro-business deregulation, culminating in the financial crisis of 2008, which intensified the cut-throat competition for raw materials and markets. SEG member and WSWS writer John Braddock argued that Pike River and similar disasters showed the urgent need for a socialist party capable of uniting workers internationally to end capitalism. This had become literally a life and death question for the working class. The truth of this statement was tragically confirmed again in the February 22, 2011, Christchurch earthquake, in which 115 people lost their lives in the collapse of the cheaply and unlawfully constructed CTV building. This book includes an article written for the 10th anniversary of this horrific event, for which, as with Pike River, no one has been held accountable. The sacrifice of workers lives for profit has reached horrifying proportions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 20 million people have died worldwide (according to the Economists April 2022 estimate) because capitalist governments refused to implement the public health measures necessary to eliminate the deadly virus. The Ardern government abandoned its elimination policy in October 2021, to the dismay of scientists and ordinary people in NZ and throughout the world. Bowing to the demands of big business, New Zealands Labour-Greens coalition joined other governments in insisting that the virus must be allowed to circulate throughout the country, and that the population must accept more deaths and severe illnesses as inevitable. The unions have enforced the reopening of schools and nonessential businesses. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people have been infected with the Omicron variant, and severely underfunded hospitals are being forced to cut back on other services to accommodate COVID patients. By April 2022, there were more than 350 COVID-related deaths, up from 59 at the end of 2021. [The death toll has now soared above 680.] With millions of workers now exposed to a potentially lethal virus because of deliberate and criminal policy decisions, the lessons of Pike River have a burning relevance. This book argues that workers can only defend their safety and their lives by building new organisations: rank-and-file safety committees, controlled by workers themselves and independent of the pro-capitalist unions. This task is inseparable from the struggle to establish the political independence of the working class from Labour and its allies, by building a new party based on the socialist and internationalist perspective and principles of Trotskyismthe New Zealand section of the International Committee of the Fourth International. *** This book contains articles originally published on the WSWS, and three speeches delivered at a public webinar organised by the SEG on May 8, 2021. For this publication, many of these pieces have been edited; some shortened, to minimise repetition, and others significantly expanded. The analysis draws upon dozens of articles published by the WSWS since November 2010, including interviews with members of the victims families. There are also contributions from Bernie Monk, whose son Michael died in the mine, and Michaels sister Olivia Monk, both of whom demand that the underground investigation continue. A speech by Terry Cook, a writer for the WSWS and member of the Socialist Equality Party in Australia, reviews the 1994 Moura mine disaster and its aftermath. Cooks speech, delivered at the May 2021 webinar, underscores that the experience of Pike River is not exceptional but was part of a chain of similar disasters internationally. The Appendices include: a statement from the E tu union making clear its support for the Ardern governments sealing of Pike River; letters from WSWS readers in support of the Pike River families fight for truth; and a letter from UK mines rescue expert Brian Robinson addressed to the NZ governments Pike River Recovery Agency, denouncing the sealing of the mine. Two earlier WSWS articles are also included: an initial response to the findings of the Pike River royal commission in November 2012, and a report on the October 2017 Supreme Court hearing where families sought a judicial review of the decision not to charge PRC chief executive Peter Whittall. Colleges and universities across the United States, particularly in the Northeast, have reinstated mask mandates and returned to online learning in response to a recent surge of COVID-19 infections on campuses, marking the third straight academic year disrupted by the coronavirus. Schools in New York, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Texas have announced they will again require face coverings in classrooms or certain indoor spaces, with Howard University moving to remote learning to combat the spread of the virus. Most US universities dropped mask mandates leading up to spring break, following a winter surge fueled by the Omicron variant. But several parts of the country have seen another surge in cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks, as the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron drives another wave of infections and illness. Four schools in New York state reinstated their indoor mask mandates in recent weeks. Syracuse University, located in a county with one of the largest surges of infections in the US, announced it would once again require masks in classrooms on Monday. Earlier this month, Columbia University in New York City announced students would be required to wear non-cloth masks in classrooms for the remainder of the spring semester. The university directly cited the citys uptick in cases and its own increasing test positivity rate in the decision. Columbia graduate students during a recent strike(WSWS Media) Barnard College, a womens school affiliated with Columbia, also reimposed its indoor mask mandate due to a spike in cases since it lifted the rule at the end of March. The University of Rochester announced on April 15 that it would reintroduce its indoor mask mandate policy for all of its campuses and properties in response to a spike in cases that was straining the capacity of quarantine and isolation spaces on its campuses. The trending high numbers of positive student COVID cases at the University in recent days make it in everyones best interest to take the step of re-masking indoors right now, the university administration said in a statement. Four universities in Washington D.C. have also reinstated mask mandates following high transmission rates in the region and significant case increases on their campuses. The citys COVID-19 infection rate has more than doubled in April. Howard University students are now required to wear masks for all indoor settings and outdoor group settings until the end of the spring semester. Furthermore, the university announced many undergraduate courses would switch to remote learning during the last days of classes and final exams would be conducted virtually. George Washington University also revived its mask mandate for all campus facilities earlier this month, noting the mandate would extend through the rest of its spring semester, exam period and commencement. American University reinstated its indoor mask mandate for all campus buildings and Georgetown is requiring indoor masking on two of its campuses. The city of Philadelphia recently revived its mask mandate, prompting the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University to require indoor masking again starting Monday. Although the city prematurely ended the mandate Thursday, the colleges have kept the mandates in place. In Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University announced it would begin testing all undergraduate students twice a week, noting a steep rise in cases. The school also said masks would be required in classrooms and group settings like residence hall common areas. In Houston, Rice University announced earlier this month that students should resume wearing masks in classrooms and canceled large campus parties, citing an uptick in cases on campus. The uptick in COVID-19 infections across US schools and campuses is a direct product of deliberate policies of the American ruling class, which seeks to normalize sickness and death. In February, the Biden administration urged states to reclassify what qualify as COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths by using the artificial distinction between those hospitalized with COVID-19 and those hospitalized from COVID-19, a far-right talking point since early on in the pandemic. It was also in February that nearly every state began ending whatever mask mandates were still in place. Multiple states slashed the number of public COVID-19 testing sites, driving testing to its lowest level since last summer. Federal pandemic funding also dried up in March, meaning uninsured people now have to pay $100 for a PCR test. The sabotage of any serious public health response to the pandemic, carried out by the American capitalist class and its political representatives, has needlessly killed over 1 million Americans and potentially exposed many more to the debilitating effects of Long COVID. The fight to close schools to in-person instruction and save lives is inseparable from the growing class struggle in the US and internationally. Stopping the spread of infections and death requires a globally coordinated movement to employ all available public health measures to eliminate the deadly disease. On May 1, the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) is hosting an International May Day Online Rally to provide the global working class with a fighting strategy to stop the pandemic and the drive to world war. All students, young people, workers and professionals throughout the world are encouraged to attend and join the fight for a socialist program. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) began its Australian federal election campaign on Monday with a powerful and well-attended online public meeting with participants from across the country, as well as New Zealand, Vietnam and Germany. The SEP is running six candidates in the May 21 election: SEP assistant national secretary Max Boddy and WSWS writer Oscar Grenfell in New South Wales, long-time party member Peter Byrne and an International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) leader Jason Wardle in Victoria, and WSWS correspondent Mike Head and another IYSSE leader, John Davis, in Queensland. The launch was chaired by SEP national secretary Cheryl Crisp and addressed by party candidates Mike Head and Max Boddy, as well as Deepal Jayasekera, the assistant national secretary of the SEP in Sri Lanka. The over two-hour meeting included an extended question and answer session, a rudimentary democratic framework never observed by Liberal and National, Labor or Greens party candidates in the election, let alone in the trade unions. A full video of the event, with speakers in separate designated chapters and including photos, graphs and other images, is available below. We urge readers to share the video widely on social media, discuss the partys election program with colleagues, friends and relatives and contact the SEP to assist in the campaign. SEP national secretary Cheryl Crisp opened the meeting, reminding participants about the anti-democratic election laws rushed through parliament last year which led to the deregistration of 13 political parties, including the Socialist Equality Party. This meant, she explained, that the party was required to provide 600 unique nominees for its Senate candidates in this election. In a little over a week we won 750 signatures to secure above the line group placing. The response to our call for signatures from our supporters and on street campaigns was enthusiastic, not just to our democratic right to stand, important as that is but that socialist candidates would be represented, she said. This a crisis election like no other in living memory and is being held under conditions of the greatest health and social crisis since WWI. Capitalism has brought the world to the brink of catastrophe, Crisp said, and was a system incompatible with human life. There are two alternatives open to the working class in this country and globally: either accept capitalism and its future, which will include the imposition of fascist and right-wing forms of rule, or the fight for a socialist society in which production is planned and organised not for the wealth of the tiny few but for society as a whole, she said. SEP (Sri Lanka) assistant national secretary Deepal Jayasekera, the first speaker, explained that the ongoing mass protests against President Gotabhaya Rajapakse, and his government, had erupted over shortages and high prices for food, fuel, medicines and other essential items and lengthy daily electricity power blackouts. Among the poorest layers of the population, hunger and starvation are looming, he said. The political turmoil confronting the Rajapakse government and bourgeois rule in Sri Lanka, he continued, is driven by the global crisis of capitalism which dramatically escalated with the COVID-19 pandemic and then the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. The very acute social tensions that have been building up over years can explode onto the surface of political life very quickly, he said. The SEP was intervening to take the mass opposition beyond calling for Rajapakses removal. What is required, he said, is a mass movement of the working class and independent action committees to urgently address the needs of the masses. This requires a socialist and internationalist program, including nationalisation of the banks and big corporations, the repudiation of all foreign debts and the rejection of IMF and World Bank austerity measures. Addressing the meeting, Mike Head, said: It would be a mistake for anyone to think that the situation in Sri Lanka is confined to the island state and pointed to the mounting political disaffection and frustration with the Liberal-National Coalition and the Labor Party in Australia. The official election campaign in Australia, he continued, was a conspiracy by the entire media and political establishment to cover up the major dangers facing ordinary people, and the future of workers and young people in particularthe COVID-19 pandemic, war, climate change and the worsening social crisis It is no accident that the war has been placed front and centre of the election this weekend, he said. Head referred to Defence Minister Peter Duttons warmongering against China, including his claims that China was preparing chemical attacks against an Australian city. Labors response, the speaker said, was to outdo the Coalitions war rhetoric. Labor has agreed with the AUKUS treaty, the acquisition of nuclear submarines and the siting of hypersonic missiles in Australia. This marks an historic turn toward open preparations for a US-led war against China, he said. The SEP is the only party in these elections opposing the explosion of militarism and war, including Australias frontline participation in the US-led war drive. The Greens and the pseudo-left groups, which once postured as opponents of US wars, have all lined up behind the confrontations with Russia and China, he continued, stressing that the SEP was the only party in the election fighting for the immediate release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The Greens and various independents offer no alternative. They are capitalist outfits, all seeking to do a deal to prop up a Labor or Coalition government. The Greens are pitching to form another de facto government with a minority Labor administration, as they did with Gillards in 2010, he said. Max Boddy, the final speaker, explained the devastating impact of the let it rip COVID-19 policies of Australian federal and state governments, Liberal and Labor alike. He detailed the escalating social assault on jobs, wages and living standards of the working class, and the trade unions role enforcing these cost-cutting measures. Boddy reviewed the SEPs program of action and explained the necessity for workers to establish democratically controlled rank-and-file committees to fight for an independent movement of the working class on a socialist program. The unification of workers is essential to end the COVID-19 pandemic, halt the drive to war and reverse the decades-long assault on job conditions, he said. While the financial elite will cry there is no money for our demands, it is the working class, which is the source of all wealth in society, that must decide what is affordable and what is not. The colossal wealth of the billionaires and major bank and corporations must put under the democratic control of the working class, Boddy said, and appealed for all in attendance to support the SEPs election campaign and apply to join the party. The meeting continued with a lengthy question and answer session and a collection of $4,000 to the SEPs Election Fund. Wide-ranging questions about the SEPs principles, the political role and nature of the Labor Party, the Ukraine war and danger of WWIII and nuclear conflict, and the situation in Sri Lanka, were carefully answered by SEP candidates and other party members. Contact the SEP: Phone: (02) 8218 3222 Email: sep@sep.org.au Facebook: SocialistEqualityPartyAustralia Twitter: @SEP_Australia Instagram: socialistequalityparty_au TikTok: @SEP_Australia Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday that almost 60 percent of the US population had been infected with COVID-19 at least one time by the end of February 2022, when the most recent Omicron BA.1 wave ebbed. Even this staggering figure was outstripped by the 75 percent of all children and adolescents who were infected at least once by the same point. This is a public health catastrophe unprecedented in American history. It is not a natural disaster but the product of a deliberate policy of mass infection, carried out first by the Trump administration and now by the Biden administration. The Republican Party and then the Democratic Party have demonstrated their class character, as they sacrificed a million livesand countingin order to maintain the operations of corporate business and ensure the uninterrupted flow of profits to the American capitalist oligarchy. Passengers wait in line at the security checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Arlington, Va. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] During the same period that COVID-19 killed 1 million people and infected 200 million, the stock market roared to record heights and the fortunes of the financial aristocracy swelled to unimaginable proportions. The wealth of US billionaires rose by more than 70 percent, to over $5 trillion. These two outcomesmass death and unprecedented wealthare inextricably linked. Wall Streets Midas touch has turned mass suffering and death into gold. And SARS-CoV-2 has not finished its deadly work. Far from it. Thanks to the effective end of all mitigation measures, the resumption of normal life in terms of workplaces, schools, shopping centers, social gatherings, mass travel and mass arena events, and the ending of masking and other limited forms of protection, the virus is being furnished with a virtually unlimited supply of new victims and new opportunities for mutation. There are 100 million Americans who are entirely unvaccinated, 130 million vaccinated but not boosted, and a further 100 million whose boosters are waning rapidly in effectiveness. These large and varied pools of potential victims provide optimal conditions for a virus that mutates quickly in response to changed conditions. SARS-CoV2 has been given an invitation, not merely to entrench itself as a permanent factor in human life, but to develop new variants that are more infectious, more vaccine-resistant and more lethal. A particularly cruel element of the policy of allowing the virus free rein is its impact on children and adolescents. The 75 percent infection rate demonstrates that the reopening of schools to in-person instruction turned the education system into a main driver in the spread of the pandemic, as the WSWS and many rank-and-file teachers warned. Children are not unlikely to contract COVID-19as both Trump and Biden falsely claimedbut are equally or perhaps even more susceptible to the deadly disease. Over 1,500 children in the US have already died from COVID-19. The pandemic has only entered its third year, and already there are estimates that Long COVIDthe umbrella term for continuing consequences of infection, including damage to the brain, heart, lungs and other vital organsmay be as high as 30 percent. Who authorized the government to conduct a medical experiment of such dreadful proportions on innocent children? The CDC report noted the phenomenal acceleration of the infection during the Omicron surge. During the Delta wave, which began a year ago and reached its peak in the fall, new infections in the United States averaged 1 to 2 percent of the US population per month (3.3 million to 6.6 million cases). But during the three months ending in February 2022, there were some 80 million new cases, more than 25 million cases per month. An estimated 21 million children were among those newly infected. Despite attempts to characterize the Omicron variant as mild, Omicron already accounts for almost 1 in 5 of total COVID-19 deaths. And now that the original Omicron BA.1 subvariant has been supplanted by BA.2, which is more infectious and potentially more virulent, a new surge in the pandemic is on the horizon. Infection with BA.1 apparently incurs little or no immunity from a repeat infection by BA.2. In the face of these grim figures, the Biden administration is pushing ahead with the policy of mass infection, which was once described under the Trump administration as herd immunity and now goes by a different labelendemicity, or living with the virus. While Trump advocated quack remedies like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, the Biden White House has simply dropped any pretense that COVID-19 can or should be prevented. Dr. Ashish Jha, the newly installed White House pandemic coordinator, declared this openly at his first press briefing Tuesday, saying, It is going to be hard to ensure that no one gets COVID in America. Thats not even a policy goal. No one in the White House press corps questioned that assertion, since the corporate media accepts the premise that prevention is impossible, and even undesirable. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bidens chief adviser on the pandemic, said the same day that the United States is now out of the pandemic phase, hailing the decline in daily deaths from 3,000 in January to an average of 300 a day last week. I believe that were transitioning into endemicity, he said, using a term which implies that COVID-19 has become a permanent, and acceptable, feature of American life. In a further step in the campaign to normalize COVID-19, Biden himself appears to be deliberately courting infection, knowing that with the immense medical resources available to the White House, including Paxlovid and other therapeutics, he faces little personal danger. After Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive, there was no change in Bidens schedule, and White House aides went out of their way to suggest that they were not unduly concerned over the possible impact of infection on the 79-year-old president. Bidens seemingly reckless actions include delivering a eulogy to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at a memorial service Wednesday at the National Cathedral, packed with official mourners. The president is also scheduled to attend the White House Correspondents Association annual dinner on Saturday night, along with about 2,600 officials, journalists and others in a basement hotel ballroom. Last months similar but smaller Gridiron Club dinner resulted in more than 1 in 10 attendees contracting COVID-19. The United States leads the world in COVID-19 deaths, despite being the richest country in the world and preeminent in medical technology, because the American population has fewer social benefits, including access to health care, than any other industrialized society, and the ruling class has fewer limits. But the recklessness and criminality of the American financial oligarchys response to the COVID-19 pandemic have only set the pace for capitalist ruling classes all over the world. The COVID-19 death toll in Europe is approaching 2 million. Some 1.7 million have died in Latin America, where the death rates in Mexico, Brazil, Peru and other countries rival or exceed those in the US. Uncounted millions have died in the Indian subcontinent, disguised only by the refusal of right-wing governments, like that of Narendra Modi in New Delhi, even to tally the victims. There are huge new outbreaks in Indonesia, South Korea and Australia. South Africa has seen mass casualties, and the pandemic is spreading through that continent as well. Only in China has there been a serious effort to carry out a scientifically based Zero-COVID policy, with the result that there have been fewer than 5,000 deaths in a country of 1.4 billion people since the pandemic began in December 2019. Most of these occurred in the first four months, before the nature of the infection was fully understood. COVID-19 has occasionally been compared to the influenza epidemic after World War I, which took more lives, some 50 million, than that appalling slaughter. The current pandemic may well precede the outbreak of global war, rather than follow it. But there is a clear connection: The same ruling class that accepts and even encourages millions of dead in the pandemic will not shrink from World War III because of the prospect that millions, or even tens and hundreds of millions of people, may die in a nuclear exchange. The latest milestone in the coronavirus pandemic comes only days before the May Day rally called by the WSWS and the International Committee of the Fourth International, and it underscores the basis of that rally. The working class is facing a globally interconnected struggle for its democratic and social rights and even its physical survival. This can only go forward as a consciously revolutionary struggle for socialism and the overthrow of the capitalist system, the underlying cause of war, disease and all other social ills. On April 19, Sri Lankan police forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters at Rambukkana demanding affordable fuel. Chaminda Lakshan, a 40-year-old father of two, was shot dead in broad daylight, in front of hundreds of people, and 27 were injured. This crime against the Sri Lankan workers exposes not only the Sinhalese-majority government of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse but also the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). For most of the last month, as mass protests mounted against surging food and gas prices and for the ouster of the Rajapakse clan, the TNA was deafeningly silent. Then, on April 11, the presidents brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, demanded that protesters go home, or otherwise Sri Lanka would be once again slipping into a time as dark as that in our history. Given the regimes massacre of tens of thousands of Sinhalese youth in the 1980s, and of Tamil civilians and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters in 2009, it was an unambiguous threat of murder. M.A. Sumanthiran. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) Two days later, TNA leader M. A. Sumanthiran finally broke his partys silence on the protests to announce that it was in close, behind-the-scenes talks with the Rajapakse clan and the entire Sri Lankan political establishment. Despite the Rajapakse cabals mass murder of Tamil civilians at the end of the civil war in 2009, Sumanthiran made no warnings about the threat of violence. Instead, he explained that he was discussing with Rajapakse how to end the protests, stating: Former President Sirisena spoke to me, and former President Madam Chandrika [Bandaranaike Kumaratunga] spoke to me in the morning. Other leaders are talking to me. I have been involved in many of the ongoing negotiations to try to bring stability to the political situation. My advice to the current prime minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, yesterday was that if the government itself takes steps to abolish the executive presidency, we can move forward. I personally told him my opinion. Six days after Sumanthiran boasted of his secret talks with the Rajapakse cabal, Rajapakses police opened fire at Rambukkana. Saminda Lakshans wife, R.N. Priyanganee, fearlessly identified the uniformed government killers, telling the Ceylon Mirror: My husband was shot. This is not going to be the last death, and many more will be shot. They are uniformed, star-studded murderers. There is no question about the deliberate character of the police massacre, and the fact that it was ordered from top levels in the state machine. Anuradha Rajapakse testified at the official inquiry into the shooting that a senior police officer in uniform with two stars and the royal emblem ordered: Do not shoot high, shoot to kill. But the officer who ordered the murder has not yet been publicly identified, arrested, or charged. The massacre in Rambukkana raises the most serious questions about the TNAs role. What did the TNA know? When Sumanthiran spoke personally to Rajapakse, did he discuss Rajapakses threat of deadly violence? Did Sumanthiran discuss plans for police killings with Rajapakse? Or did he calculate that, given mass hatred of the Rajapakse clan for its 2009 slaughter of Tamils, he could better cover up his dirty dealings with Rajapakse by not discussing them in detail, so he could claimafterwards thathe did not know? The TNA reacted to the police murder of Lakshan with a cynical Tweet, stating: We condemn unreservedly the police shooting in Rambukkana yesterday that resulted in unfortunate deaths. An immediate independent inquiry must be held, and the Minister for Internal Security must resign forthwith. This begs the question: if the TNA is proposing to remove of the interior minister, why does it not call to throw out of the entire Rajapakse cabal that is leading the repression of the protests? The TNA is working to politically shield the Rajapakse government from explosive mass anger over its murder of Lakshan, while engaging in back-channel talks with Rajapakse himself, and the entire ruling establishment in Colombo. While it cynically poses as a friend of the Tamil people, it defends the Rajapakse cabal and the executive presidency that is at the heart of the unitary capitalist state in Sri Lanka. Its claim to oppose the executive presidency is a political fraud. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP), the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), has called for the abolition of the executive presidency via the unification and political mobilisation of the working class. Every passing day gives more evidence that the criminality of the executive presidency and unitary state is not caused by one or another law or individual. It flows from the social order and can only be overthrow by fundamental, revolutionary change. Rajapakse has handed over the task of securing fuel transports to Army Commander Shavendra Silva. This officer has already been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes against the Tamil people in the final stages of the civil war in 2009. Silvas role was so notorious that even Washington felt obliged to impose a travel ban on Silva, who has also played a leading role in suppressing protests against the regimes malign indifference to the COVID-19 pandemic. The TNA, speaking for a narrow layer of Tamil capitalists and upper middle class forces, are terrified of mass anti-government protests demanding affordable food and energy for the workers. Since the end of Sri Lankas 1983-2009 civil war and the defeat of the LTTE put them back under the control of the Sri Lankan authorities in Colombo, they have ever more closely relied on the executive presidency to defend their class privileges. Todaydesperate to save their personal fortunes and privileges even as masses of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim workers face hunger and impoverishmentthe TNA is calling to resolve the crisis with International Monetary Fund (IMF) austerity measures. This means massive cuts to public sector jobs, wages, and pensions; privatisation of state-owned corporations; slashing social programs; and deep cuts to public education and health. Yet Sumanthiran has boasted that he personally told Rajapakse: Talk to the IMF immediately. Workers of all backgrounds, Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim, are uniting in struggle because they reject the demands of the banks and the IMF. The surging cost of living cannot be tolerated, the Rajapakse cabal must be toppled, and socially-created wealth overseen by the democratic control of the working class over the economy, leading to the formation of a government consisting of workers organisations. The struggle to organise workers for such a struggle requires a repudiation of Tamil-nationalist groups like the TNA, and a turn to the socialist policies advanced by the SEP. The growth of fascism in the United States in the last year following ex-President Donald Trumps failed coup was starkly reflected in the latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2021 released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Center on Extremism this past Tuesday. The more than 2,700 incidents recorded by the organization last year mark the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began compiling the data in 1979. Last year the ADL documented 2,717 antisemitic incidents throughout the United States, which they note is a 34 percent increase from the 2,026 incidents recorded in 2020. An anti-Semitic incident is defined by the ADL as vandalism of property, or as harassment or assault on individuals and/or groups in which anti-Jewish animus or targeting a person based on Jewish identity was identified. Two women pause along a fence outside the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. It has been three years since 11 people were killed in America's deadliest antisemitic attack on Oct. 27, 2018.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) While incidents were recorded in all 50 US states, the states with the highest number of episodes were New York (416), New Jersey (370), California (367), Florida (190), Michigan (112) and Texas (112). Together, these states, in which some 4.42 million of the roughly 7.1 million Jewish people in the country reside, account for 58 percent of the total incidents. In New York, which boasts the largest Jewish population in the US, with over 1.77 million people, the ADL recorded 416 anti-Semitic incidents across the state, including 51 assaults, the most physical attacks it has ever recorded. Speaking on the report to the capitalist press, Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, starkly admitted: This is the largest total we have ever seen. We had Jews beaten and brutalized in broad daylight in Midtown Manhattan, in Brooklyn, in the Diamond District. What was remarkable about it was people acted with impunity. These were Jewish people wearing a kipa or who were visibly Orthodox being assaulted for being Jews, and that is brand-new. Of the 88 assaults recorded by the group, an increase of 167 percent from the year before, 11 were perpetrated with potentially deadly weapons such as a knife or a vehicle. Over half the assaults indexed by ADL took place in New York City, with 12 in Manhattan and 34 in Brooklyn. In California, 14 assaults were recorded in Los Angeles and one in San Diego. The report notes a total of 131 people were victims of assault in 2021, a 220 percent increase over the 41 victims of assault in 2020. The audit found that right-wing elements, such as neo-Nazis, fascists and white supremacists, were responsible for 484 anti-Semitic incidents last year, up from 332 in 2020. This figure seems like a severe undercount, given that the ADL reported that 422 of the 484 incidents cited dealt with the distribution of anti-Semitic fliers, banners, stickers or written messages. These propaganda campaigns are ongoing. On Saturday, April 16, the first morning of the Jewish holiday of Passover, hundreds of residents in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, California, reported to police and on social media that they awoke to find anti-Semitic neo-Nazi leaflets left outside their homes. The fascist propaganda, stuffed inside a ziploc bag weighed down with rice, was nearly identical to fliers distributed throughout the United States earlier this year and late last year by the Goyim Defense League, (GDL) a tiny neo-Nazi group. In their report, the ADL attributed 77 anti-Semitic propaganda incidents to the GDL in 2021 and that the GDL had continued to making dozens of propaganda distributions in at least 17 states. Founded in 2018 in California by neo-Nazi Jon Minadeo, the GDL has less than 900 followers on its Telegram channel, which is used to distribute anti-Semitic leaflets for fascist sympathizers to download and print at their leisure. The distribution of roughly 200 leaflets in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles took place less than a week after Republican operatives, fascists and pro-pandemic reactionaries held a small but well-funded anti-vaccine Defeat the Mandates rally in Los Angeles roughly 13 miles away. The explicitly pro-Trump and anti-communist fliers assert that every single aspect of the COVID-19 agenda is Jewish. Those in thrall to the Jewish conspiracy, according to the Nazi propaganda, include the Biden administration, the Russia-Ukraine war and communism. Expressing the immense fear of socialism that is gripping the ruling classes in all capitalist countries, the propaganda specifically attacks Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. Following the discovery of the leaflets, the Beverly Hills Police Department sought to downplay the rising threat of fascistic violence. There is no credible threat to people right now, the Los Angeles Times quoted Beverly Hills Police Sgt. Ryan Dolan. Encouraged by this lack of police response, this past Sunday in Danville, California, a roughly a six-hour drive north of Los Angeles, local news outlet KGO reported that dozens of local residents discovered the same fascist fliers in their neighborhood. To see that locally, such baseless hate, is very disturbing, is upsetting, Rabbi Shmuli Raitman told ABC 7. Teresa Drenick, deputy regional director of the local chapter of the ADL, told ABC: We are not seeing signs of abatement right now and we are seeing a steady increase. This is really dangerous rhetoric, Drenick said. She added that it was ... very reminiscent of Nazi propaganda during the early 20th century, then alleging that Jews were responsible for myriad issues, including the typhoid outbreak. Similarly, this past Monday in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the same propaganda fliers were disseminated in the Markham, Altadena and Inglewood neighborhoods. I do know Mt. Lebanon has a large Jewish population. Its a terrible thing to isolate a certain group of people and say terrible things and spew that hatred, Barbara Mitchell, a Mt. Lebanon resident told CBS News. In a statement released Tuesday ahead of the report, ADL CEO Greenblatt could not explain the rise in anti-Semitism in the US. When it comes to anti-Semitic activity in America, you cannot point to any single ideology or belief system, and in many cases, we simply dont know the motivation. The ADLs close connections to the US government and Democratic PartyGreenblatt worked in the White House as a Special Assistant to Barack Obama from 2011-2014are reflected in the ADLs lack of an explanation for the rise in fascism in the US. The report fails to assign any responsibility to the Republican Party for encouraging the growth of fascism in the United States. From Trump defending the very fine Nazis at Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 to Tennessee State Senator Frank S. Niceley suggesting Adolf Hitler as a good role model for the homeless last week, Republicans throughout the US are defending and encouraging the growth of fascistic elements on a near daily basis. The omission of the role of the Republican Party and the capitalist system in the growth of fascism by the ADL is intentional. To name the Republicans would also implicate the Democrats, who have been party to all of the Republican crimes. Unable or unwilling to make the obvious connection between capitalism and fascism, something every class-conscious worker in the 1930s knew, the ADL instead recommends a series of proposals that are worse than useless, including voting for Democrats and giving more money and training to the police and FBI. In addition to calling for improving hate crime data collection, the ADLs pathetic policy recommendations for government include having public officials and civic leaders ... speak out against antisemitism and all forms of hate. Far from speaking out against anti-Semitism and hate, the Republican Party every day is moving further to the right. On Thursday, Arizonas fascist Congressman Paul Gosar, a leading Trump co-conspirator in the January 6 coup, put out a call for genocide on his social media platforms. In Facebook, Twitter and Gab posts, Gosar, who delivered a eulogy for the QAnon adherent Ashli Babbitt last year after her death on January 6. He stated his desire for the US government to begin a mass program of extermination by deporting 40 million illegal aliens via planes, trains and buses out of the US. In a direct reference to the murder of 6 million Jews by the Third Reich, Gosar wrote: We could easily deport 6 million each year. After Nazis swarmed his post in approval, Gosar deleted it and reworded it, writing: Using trains, busses [sic] and planes the US could deport 115,000 illegal aliens every week, which is just under 6 million a year. To rely on the spineless Democratic Party and their Republican colleagues to speak out against fascism is to consign humanity to World War III and another Holocaust. No, the working class will respond with its own independent socialist program that will put an end to the source of fascism, the capitalist profit system. Those who would like to join in this fight are encouraged to register for the online 2022 May Day rally this Sunday. The Biden White House is looking to delay or reverse its pledge to terminate next month the policy known as Title 42, which sanctions the summary expulsion of migrants from Central and South America and the Caribbean who seek entry into the US from Mexico under the guise of combating the spread of COVID-19. Customs and Border Protection officers and agents process a small group of asylum-seekers who have active applications under the Migrant Protection Protocols at the Paso del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas, February 26, 2021. (CBP photo by Glenn Fawcett) With his poll numbers plummeting and a virtual revolt by Democratic lawmakers who fear losing their positions in the November midterm elections, Biden is thrashing about for the best way to capitulate to a crescendo of attacks by Trump and the Republicans on the so-called immigrant invasion across the southern border. The GOP has seized on the announced end of Title 42 to double down on its charge that Biden and the Democrats support open borders and the flooding of America with criminals, gang members and drug dealers from Central and South America. The Republicans are at the same time using their parity in the Senate and near-parity in the House to block a bill for anti-COVID resources and possibly a bill to fund more military aid to Ukraine, unless they include provisions to block the lifting of Title 42. Democrats in both chambers, including Hispanic members and others from border states, are signaling their readiness to support such amendments. The Democrats crisis over Title 42 has come to a head this week. On Monday, a federal district judge in Louisiana announced that he would rule in favor of 21 Republican state attorneys general who filed suit to block the lifting of Title 42 until the Department of Homeland Security presented a plan to Congress to secure the border following such a move. The judge said he would issue a temporary restraining order that would block any departure from the strict provisions of Title 42 prior to its being lifted, unless the Biden administration comes to an agreement with the states that had sued it. He did not, however, make clear when he would issue the order or whether it would block the removal of Title 42 itself. On the same day, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy led a group of far-right Republicans, including the fascist Marjorie Taylor Greene, to the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas. At a press conference, McCarthy said he would seek to impeach Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas should the Republicans take control of the House in November and he become House speaker. Also on Monday, Biden held a closed-door 90-minute meeting with selected members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who deferentially praised the president and vouched for his supposed commitment to lifting Title 42. On Tuesday, Politico reported that a senior administration official said on a call with reporters, If and when the court issues the TRO [temporary restraining order] the department is planning to comply with that order. The official reportedly criticized the Republican suit on the grounds that keeping Title 42 in place would hinder the arrest, jailing and deportation of undocumented migrants and the securing of the border. He made what has become the main argument of the Biden administration: that mandatory expulsions encourage migrants to try to cross the border multiple times, because, unlike under the administrations preferred method of expedited removal, repeat offenders cannot be criminally charged and jailed. The official made the call to introduce a 20-page plan issued by the Department of Homeland Security to step up the crackdown on the border and halt the expected surge in border crossings once Title 42 is lifted. The main provisions of the plan are: Stepped up use of expedited removal to quickly deport migrants found ineligible for asylum and a surge in border personnel, transportation and supplies. Increased prosecution of repeat border crossers and forging agreements with countries across Latin America to increase deportations and block migrants from reaching the US border. A dedicated intelligence unit to monitor groups of immigrants moving up through Latin America to help break up those groups before they reach the border. Increased Border Patrol holding capacity to accommodate up to 18,000 migrants a day, as compared to 13,000 at the beginning of 2021. On Wednesday, Mayorkas testified before two House committees, where he was attacked by Republicans for refusing to state that the US is being overrun by criminal illegals and doing nothing to stop it. None of the Democrats denounced the brutal immigration policy of the Biden administration or the plans to make it even more repressive if and when Title 42 is removed. The background to Title 42 The brutal policy of mass expulsions known as Title 42 was initiated in March 2020 by the Trump administration as part of its fascistic anti-immigrant vendetta. In line with his overall continuation of Trumps anti-immigrant policies, Biden has maintained and, until recently, defended Title 42 as a public health measure. Trumps chief immigration advisor, the Hitler-lover Stephen Miller, came up with the idea of using the spreading COVID-19 pandemic as the pretext for invoking the little-known provision of a 1944 public health law as a club to terrorize and expel migrants seeking to cross the southern border, including those seeking asylum, without a shred of due process. Human Rights Watch cites Olivia Troye, a former top aide to then-Vice President Mike Pence, who coordinated Trumps White House coronavirus task force, as saying, The policy was called a Stephen Miller special. Title 42 empowers the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to temporarily block the entry of foreigners into the US during a public health emergency. It had never before been used as a measure to exclude migrants at the border. The use of Title 42 as a border security measure is a flagrant violation of international and domestic law. It effectively overturns the right to asylum along with all other legal rights of migrants. That Trumps invocation of Title 42 was done for precisely that reason, and not out of public health concernsTrump openly backed militia groups that carried out armed demonstrations against lockdowns and other anti-COVID measureswas widely recognized. When Trump first imposed Title 42, virtually the entire Democratic Party expressed righteous indignation. Bidens 2020 campaign website stated: Trump has waged an unrelenting assault on our values and our history as a nation of immigrants. It is wrong, and it stops when Joe Biden is elected president. That did not prevent him from continuing Title 42 when he took office, and, in fact, jailing, expelling and deporting migrants at a faster pace than Trump. For Biden, however, the pretext that Title 42 was necessitated by the pandemic became increasingly threadbare as he systematically dismantled all COVID-19 mitigation measures and openly adopted the herd immunity policies of his predecessor. And for the Democratic Party as a whole, which is wedded to gender-, race- and ethnicity-based politics, telling people that the pandemic was over and they should learn to live with the virus, while continuing to detain and expel thousands of black and Hispanic migrants every day due to COVID-19, became a political liability. Moreover, once the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine broke out, opening the doors of the US to Ukrainians fleeing the fighting became a critical component of the propaganda campaign to demonize Russia and condition the public for direct military conflict with a nuclear-armed power. As a result, there were scenes of hundreds of Ukrainian asylum seekers being escorted across the US-Mexico border, while thousands of Hispanic men, women and children were summarily arrested and thrown back across the border, in many cases left to languish in COVID-infested, crowded and unsanitary detention camps. On April 1, the CDC announced that it would terminate Title 42 on May 23. Biden declared that, in keeping with his supposed policy of following the science, he would not oppose the change. The horrific toll of Title 42 It must be stressed that Title 42, for all its inhumanity and lawlessness, is not an aberration. Rather, it exemplifies in concentrated form the barbarism of global imperialism toward the refugees created by its wars, political machinations and economic plunder of the world. Fortress Europe condemns hundreds of thousands of impoverished workers fleeing violence and state repression to death at sea or endless imprisonment in detention centers. The same can be said of the lesser imperialist powersAustralia, Japan, Canada, etc. But the American ruling class claims first place in the ranks of infamy. It treats the tens of millions pauperized and terrorized by the dictatorships it installs and the economic plunder its corporations carry out as criminal and subhuman. This is particularly the case in US imperialisms back yard of Central and Latin America. Here are some figures on the impact of Title 42: Through February 2022, the US carried out 1.7 million expulsions under Title 42, of which 1.2 million occurred during the Biden administration. Before the practice of expelling unaccompanied children was blocked in court and then later formally ended by the Biden administration in 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) used Title 42 to turn away and expel nearly 16,000 unaccompanied children. The Biden administration is now detaining more than 10,000 migrant children. According to the Missing Migrants 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. Against the backdrop of a 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 likely 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. The US has made over 500,000 arrests at the border since October, the fastest pace of illegal border crossings in at least the past two decades, according to data from CBP. Border apprehensions last month climbed to 221,000, the highest since 2000. The American Immigration Council reported in October of last year: Advocates have documented through surveys and public media over 6,300 reports of violence against migrants expelled back to Mexico under Title 42. Hundreds of parents, fearing for the lives of their children, have chosen to self-separate and send their children across the border alone, knowing theyll be safer in the United States than in northern Mexico. Human Rights Watch wrote in April 2021: The Title 42 expulsion policy is illegal and violates the human rights of those subjected to it. The Biden administration [is] now complicit in those rights violations. Human Rights Watch research shows that the consequences of returning asylum seekers to danger can be catastrophicresulting in sexual assault, torture, and death. The crisis within the Democratic Party Since the CDC announced its intention to terminate Title 42 on May 23, an increasingly broad and vocal opposition to the move has developed among Democratic lawmakers and officials. Those urging Biden to delay or drop altogether the removal of Title 42 echo the Republicans warnings of a looming and catastrophic surge of illegals across the US-Mexico border. Virtually nothing is said about the crushing of migrants rights or the human toll in suffering and death. At least seven House Democrats have joined Republican legislation to block the ending of Title 42, along with five Senate Democrats. The House Democrats include Tom OHalleran of Arizona, Jared Golden of Maine, Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, Greg Stanton of Arizona and Tim Ryan of Ohio. The Senate Democrats are Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Jon Tester of Montana. Last week Hassan went to the US-Mexico border and told the press, Our front-line personnel need significant additional numbers, people on the ground at the border. They need more technology. The need access roads and, in some places, they need physical barriers. Besides the Democrats who have signed onto Republican bills, there are a host of others who are urging Biden to delay lifting the mass expulsion program, perhaps until after the November congressional elections. These include Hispanic House members in politically vulnerable districts, such as Henry Cuellar of Texas (We dont want chaos at the border. We want law and order at the border). Florida Representative Val Demings, who is challenging Marco Rubio for his US Senate seat, said through her campaign spokesman that Title 42 should not be lifted until there is a plan to put more boots on the ground and support our law enforcement officers at the border. A former Orlando police chief, Demings was touted as a potential running mate for Biden in 2020. Representatives Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan sent a letter last week to the administration urging it to keep Title 42 in place until you have a plan Both are former CIA operatives. In the Senate, at least nine Democrats are urging Biden to reconsider his plan to end Title 42. These include Gary Peters of Michigan, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Also on the list are Michael Bennet of Colorado, Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, the Senates first Latina member. Particularly significant is Chris Coons from Bidens home state of Delaware. Known as Bidens proxy in the Senate, Coons appeared on Face the Nation last Sunday and used the current rise in COVID-19 infections nationally as justification for delaying the ending of Title 42. Last week, Axios reported that President Bidens inner circle has been discussing delaying the repeal of Title 42 border restrictions, now set to end May 23, according to a source with direct knowledge of the internal discussion. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi raised concerns over Title 42 and the border with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain on Tuesday. The Journal also reported that Pelosi told members of the Democratic leadership that the Senate would be unable to block a provision blocking the lifting of Title 42 being added onto a bill either for COVID-19 funding or more aid to Ukraine. Conclusion There are no fundamental or principled differences between the two right-wing parties of American capitalism on the rights of immigrants, or of the working class as a whole. The claim by progressive imposters such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (both of whom have been notably silent on the dispute over Title 42) and their pseudo-left promoters, that Biden and the Democrats would end Trumps vicious persecution, have been totally shattered. The entire framework of immigration policy under capitalism is reactionary and bankrupt. All workers all over the world must be able to live and work in the country of their choice with full citizenship rights and without harassment or persecution. The working class has no country. Its problems and struggles are international. All workers have the same enemythe capitalist ruling class. The savage attacks on migrants are part of the attack on the rights, living standards and jobs of the working class as a whole. Workers are rising up to fight around the world. The program of socialism is to unite across all national and racial boundaries to put an end to capitalism and its nation-state system and establish a new and genuinely democratic society based on social equality and the satisfaction of social needs, not private profit. Socialist Equality Party (SEP) campaigners are finding widespread concern about the soaring cost of living, unaffordable housing and unsafe working conditions, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, police violence and the danger of world war. The popular sentiments are at odds with the right-wing campaigns for the May 21 election being run by Labor, the Liberal-Nationals and all the other parliamentary parties. In the north-eastern state of Queensland, the SEP is standing in the Senate. Its candidates are Mike Head, a longstanding leader of the party and contributor to the WSWS, along with John Davis, who plays a prominent role in the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, the SEPs youth movement. Mike Head speaking to young worker in Inala, Queensland [WSWS Media] Over recent days, the SEP has campaigned near Inala in Brisbanes western suburbs. Together with surrounding areas, Inala has high levels of unemployment and increasingly unaffordable private rental housing. It is home to a diverse working-class population, including indigenous people, Pacific islanders and immigrants from throughout Asia and the Middle East. It is also an industrial area, featuring an Australian Post distribution centre, supermarket warehouses, a Volvo truck plant and a Primo meat facility. The SEP is focussing its election campaign in such working-class communities, which are being severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the soaring cost of living. Asked for her thoughts on the election, Shannon, a young indigenous worker, told Head: Im worried. Im pretty appalled at the pissing contest between Labor and Liberal as to who can be more evil, particularly around issues with refugees. I really want to see the prison system and the police system abolished because there is too much police brutality. There are too many deaths in custody. Nothings being done about it, and that needs to be a priority, and Im not seeing that as a priority from any of the parties. Im a proud indigenous woman and I see the black deaths in custody as appalling and I want to see something done about that. Also the working class seems to be forgotten a lot of the time. We still have issues of homelessness and things like that. We have enough houses. There is enough housing. In my hometown there are so many houses empty or Airbnb. Things like Airbnb have made it really hard for people to access housing. None of the parties are looking at housing affordability. They say they are, but Im yet to see any action, so that is disappointing for me. House prices, rents are just going up and up, and wages are not going up at the same rate. So housing instability is getting worse and worse, particularly since the pandemic hit. Speaking about the rising cost of food, Shannon said: When you look at remote Aboriginal communities, its $6 for a can of tuna. Its an absolute crime. Its appalling that they put the prices up, just because they can, because theres nowhere else for those people to go to buy food. Its just getting worse and worse. We are seeing more and more people living in poverty, and living with a lot of food instability and housing instability. Shannon denounced government policy on the COVID-19 pandemic. Were forgetting immuno-compromised people, people with disabilities, the elderly, and poorer people who cant access medical assistance. Our government has forgotten vulnerable people in the name of getting travel and tourism back up and running. My mums a teacher and they have 400 kids away in one week at her school because of COVID. Shes got to go to work every single day and be exposed and shes really worried. Shes 60 now and pretty healthy but her parents are quite elderly so shes always conscious about going to visit them in case she transmits COVID to them. So people are unable to visit their families, and things like that because our government is not taking things seriously. To have 400 kids away out of a school of about 3,000 is pretty hectic. Shannon was disgusted with the Labor Party. Theres always been that idea that Labor is the lesser of two evils but were seeing, particularly in the lead-up to this election, that Labor is just as dismissive of human rights, like with refugees. I saw a tweet from the Labor Party saying they will send refugees back, theyre all for detaining people and sending people back. We have enough room in this country to grant asylum to every single person seeking it. We have the resources, we have the money and we have the space. Most of the elders I speak to in the Aboriginal community are all for letting refugees come here, and call Australia home, but theyre not being listened to either. Ive seen as well that Labor supports Israel. We need to stand in solidarity with Palestinians, especially at this time when things are happening there, and we are not seeing that from Labor. My understanding is that the Australian government is obsessed with how they are viewed by the United States, and I feel that we dont really need their support. We dont need to be their bitch or deputy sheriff. Andrew, a scaffolder and construction worker, spoke about the dangerous conditions that he and other workers are subjected to. Im working class and I want to make sure that when I go on a worksite Work Health and Safety is put in place so I can do my job and come home safe. Andrew, a scaffolder, explains the dangerous and worsening working conditions in the construction industry. [WSWS Meda] The way it is now, I see nothing being done about it. Like you said, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. We are there slaving our backsides off every day. Theyre making bucket loads of money and were getting minimum wage. How is that fair? Andrew said he had suffered a serious work injury. I was scaffolding on a job site and I wasnt issued a harness for the morning. I said to the boss I wouldnt go up to the two-storey level until I got my harness, and he said, suck it up and get up there. It was a wet day and five minutes later I slipped off and did my back in. I've been off work for three and a half months and I cant get back until at least the end of the year, which is another six to eight months. I should have said no, and quit, but you have to pay your bills. As you said, take the money out of the hands of the wealthy. What are they going to do? What would they have to stand on? Its like wage slavery. The minimum wage is $22 an hour and they can make thousands a day. Come on, how is that fair? Asked about what Labor and the Coalition were saying in the election campaign, Andrew said with disgust: I dont listen to them any more. Its all about money. Business should not be just about money. What about your employees? What about your duty of care? Take the money out of it! Think about us. I am a family man. I have two young kids. I couldnt even do anything for them for two or three months, due to my back. Asked about the trade unions, Andrew commented: The unions are just a cover-up now I think. They put in claims and all sorts of things but theyre not going to do anything. Its been years since weve heard anything back from them. As long as they have money in their pockets, they dont care. Contact the SEP: Phone: (02) 8218 3222 Email: sep@sep.org.au Facebook: SocialistEqualityPartyAustralia Twitter: @SEP_Australia Instagram: socialistequalityparty_au TikTok: @SEP_Australia Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Following the declaration by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week that the US is seeking to weaken Russia, and that the US is already in a fight with the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his most open threat to date to retaliate against NATO members for their involvement in the war. If someone decides to intervene into the ongoing events from the outside and create unacceptable strategic threats for us, they should know that our response to those oncoming blows will be swift, lightning-fast, Putin told Russian lawmakers on Wednesday. We have all the tools for this ones that no one can brag about. And we wont brag. We will use them if needed. And I want everyone to know this. We have already taken all the decisions on this. A Ukrainian soldier stands near an apartment ruined from Russian shelling in Borodyanka, Ukraine, Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Also on Wednesday, Russian officials said that a large batch of weapons supplied to Ukraine by NATO members were destroyed in a missile strike in Central Ukraine. A day prior, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had warned that NATO-supplied weapons shipments inside Ukraine will be a legitimate target for the Russian Armed Forces. Warehouses, including in the west of Ukraine, have become such a target more than once. How else could it be? NATO is essentially going to war with Russia through a proxy and arming that proxy. War means war. On Wednesday, Russia cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria in response to crippling economic sanctions levied by the US and European Union. The Kremlin is also threatening to end its supplies to other NATO members, including Germany, which is highly dependent on Russia for natural gas. Also on Wednesday, fires at arms depots inside Russian territory were reported. That same day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised in a Senate briefing the prospect that Ukrainians should take actions that go beyond their bordersclearly referring to attacks on Russian territory. The Russian military said in a statement that strikes inside Russia would lead to retaliatory attacks on decision-making centers in Kiev. Attacks on Russia will immediately lead to our proportional response, the Ministry of Defense said. As we have warned, the Russian armed forces are on standby around the clock to retaliate with long-range high-precision weapons against decision-making centers in Kiev. Blasts were also reported in Moldova. The Financial Times reported, The mysterious blasts, which targeted the state security ministry, a radio tower and military unit, happened days after a senior Russian commander claimed Russian speakers in Moldova were being oppressed. Russian forces are meanwhile pushing deeper into Eastern Ukraine, capturing several villages. The Russian army has been concentrating its advances on the south and east of the country after having retreated from the suburbs of the capital of Kiev. Commenting on the widening scale of the war, New York Times reporters David E. Sanger and Steven Erlanger published an article headlined, Fears Are Mounting That Ukraine War Will Spill Across Borders. They conclude: For nine weeks, President Biden and the Western allies have emphasized the need to keep the war for Ukraine inside Ukraine. Now, the fear in Washington and European capitals is that the conflict may soon escalate into a wider warspreading to neighboring states, to cyberspace and to NATO countries suddenly facing a Russian cutoff of gas. Over the long term, such an expansion could evolve into a more direct conflict between Washington and Moscow They continue, Seth G. Jones, who directs the European Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said on Wednesday that the risk of a widening war is serious right now. Russian casualties are continuing to mount, and the U.S. is committed to shipping more powerful weapons that are causing those casualties, Mr. Jones said. Sooner or later, he added, Russias military intelligence service might begin to target those weapons shipments inside NATOs borders. Sanger and Erlanger warned that while Russia has never attacked supply lines inside NATO territory. Now, there are signs that the restraint is fracturing. The US media, meanwhile, is full of increasingly open and unguarded calls for nuclear war. On Wednesday, Seth Cropsey, a former deputy undersecretary of the Navy, published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal titled, The U.S. Should Show It Can Win a Nuclear War. He writes, The reality is that unless the U.S. prepares to win a nuclear war, it risks losing one. Robert C. OBrien, a former White House national security adviser, proposed a series of conventional responses, which are necessary but not sufficient. Cropsey concludes, The ability to win is the key. By arming surface ships with tactical nuclear weapons as well as attacking a nuclear-missile sub and thus reducing Russian second-strike ability, the U.S. undermines Russias ability to fight a nuclear war. He then declares, Jeopardizing Russian second-strike capability would tangibly raise the military stakes. Mr. Putin could no longer unleash his nuclear arsenal with impunity. Instead, he would need to reckon with the possibility that NATO could decapitate the Kremlinyes, suffering casualties in the process, but still decapitate it. The proxy war in Ukraine is emerging increasingly openly as a war between Russia and NATO, threatening to spill over into a war throughout the European continent. The United States has worked to systematically destroy any prospect of a peaceful settlement of the war, and is instead doing everything it can to fan the flames and instigate a wider conflict. The aims being pursued increasingly openly by the United States in this war inevitably involve the expansion of the conflict. There is nothing left of the fiction that the United States and NATO are not at war with Russia. In pursuit of regime change, the dismemberment of Russia and the plundering of its vast resources, American imperialism is risking nuclear war. Human rights lawyer and environmental activist Steven Donziger was released on Monday after serving 993 days under house arrest, stemming from his decades-long fight against the global oil industry and Chevrons industrial poisoning of the Amazon rain forest and the people who live there. Steven Donzinger. (Image credit: Screenshot/FreeDonzinger.com) After he walked free from his apartment in New York City for the first time in more than two and a half years, Donziger tweeted, Its over. Just left with release papers in hand. Completely unjust that I spent even 1 day in this Kafkaesque situation. Not looking back. Onward. Donziger has been subjected to a vindictive campaign against him by the US District Court in Manhattan, including disbarring him in New York State and sentencing him to 45 days in jail and home confinement on trumped-up contempt of court charges. Two New York City federal court judges, who have close ties to the US oil industry, retaliated against Donziger for his legal victory against Chevron in an Ecuadorian court in 2011. The class action lawsuit resulted in $9.5 billion in damages awarded to 30,000 farmers and indigenous people who live in the Lago Agrio oil field in northwestern Ecuador. Speaking to Gizmodo on Monday, Donziger said, I am exhilarated to be able to live fully again, extremely excited to be able to make the normal choices people in a free society get to make. Im also stunned that I just spent two years and seven months of my life in detention in retaliation for my work in the climate justice field. Amnesty International, along with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called Donzigers arbitrary detention a violation of international law. Daniel Joloy, senior policy adviser at Amnesty International, said following Donzigers release, He should have never been detained for even one day, as it has been clear the whole process against him has been in retaliation for his human rights work that exposed corporate wrongdoings. Joloy added that Donzigers release is not the end of the injustices against him and others, Corporations must not be allowed to continue abusing the US justice system to silence and intimidate human rights defenders or anyone else exposing their wrongdoing. Donziger began his work to expose the criminal industrial practices of Texaco (acquired by Chevron in 2001) in Ecuador in 1993. The giant US oil corporation, which was founded in 1902 and expanded into oil exploration and production in Latin America by the 1930s, began drilling for oil in Ecuador in 1964 and, between 1972 and 1992, operated oil wells in the northeastern region of the country. Following the completion of the Trans-Ecuadorian pipeline in 1972, Ecuador became the second largest oil producer in South America and joined the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Originally in a consortium with Gulf Oil, Texaco exploited the considerable reserves in the jungle of Ecuador and over 20 years pumped 1.7 billion barrels of oil from the Lago Agrio fields. Following the restructuring of the Ecuadorian oil industry and the creation of the national oil corporation Petroecuador, Texacos contract expired in 1992 and was not renewed. During the two decades, however, the US-based oil monopoly destroyed the ecological systems in the region by dumping 16 billion gallons of toxic wastewater into the rain forest causing water pollution, soil contamination and deforestation. The class action lawsuit that was launched in 1993, and became associated with Donziger, sought to force Texaco to clean up the area and provide for medical care for the 30,000 inhabitants who were suffering from significant health issues including a wave of cancers, miscarriages and birth defects. Texaco initially responded to the crisis in the 1990s by making an agreement with the Ecuadorian government to spend $40 million in a faux clean-up operation in exchange for being released from liability. Donziger and a group of attorneys brought their class action lawsuit in New York City and the corporation responded by saying the remaining problems were the responsibility of Petroecuador. After Chevron bought Texaco in 2001, the US court agreed to move the case to Ecuador in exchange for a promise from the corporation that it would accept the decision of the Ecuadorian judicial system. Donziger then participated in a campaign to inform the people of Ecuador about the devastating impact of the pollution in the Amazon region by the oil corporation. This included appearing in a documentary in 2009 called Crude which reviewed two years of the case and exposed the corrupt practices of Chevron in attempting to manipulate the Ecuadorian courts. A provincial Ecuadorian court found Chevron guilty in 2011 and awarded the class action plaintiffs $18 billion. On appeal, the verdict was affirmed all the way up to the Ecuadorian high court, the National Court of Justice, although the damages were reduced to $9.5 billion. Of course, Chevron then immediately reneged on its promise to abide by any ruling in Ecuador, first by moving its assets out of the country. The plaintiffs then filed enforcement actions in Canada, Brazil and Argentina seeking to confiscate Chevrons assets. While these efforts were unsuccessful, in 2018, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that the Ecuadorian judgment should not be recognised or enforced by the courts of other States. This was followed by counter-litigation launched by Chevron against Donziger in New York City using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to bring a raft of charges against him, including racketeering, extortion, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, judicial bribery, coercion, witness tampering, and arranging for experts reports to be ghostwritten. With US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan assigned to hear the RICO case filed by Chevron against Donziger, a judgment was rendered that the company could not be forced to pay the Ecuadorian award in the US. Donziger responded by pointing out that Judge Kaplan should have recused himself because he held shares of Chevron stock. Appeals filed by Donziger against some of Judge Kaplans pretrial rulings were upheld by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the charges of contempt against him were filed while his appeals are still pending. When Donziger was ordered by the judge to turn over his computer and other electronic devices to Chevron so the company could search them for evidence, he refused. Donziger has vowed to continue the fight against Chevron. He told Democracy Now! on Tuesday that the campaign for the people of Ecuador was strengthened during his detention. He explained, were ready to move on to the next part, which is really try to get the judgment that the people of Ecuador won complied with by Chevron so they can clean up the toxic pollution on their ancestral lands. Thats where were going to be focused now. The June/July digital editions of WORLD SCREEN, TV KIDS, TV DRAMA, TV REAL and TV LISTINGS will be sent out to our online database of 40,000 media executives and heavily promoted in our newsletters and websites for several weeks before and during the TV Kids Summer Festival, Annecy, Kidscreen Summit, TV Drama Festival, NATPE Budapest and Sunny Side of the Doc. Here are the free value-added benefits you will receive from advertising with us in the June/July editions: Your company will receive an article up front in the magazine featuring program highlights, an image of a show, a quote from an executive at the company and a headshot. Your article will also be published in WORLD SCREEN NEWSFLASH, TV KIDS DAILY, TV DRAMA DAILY and/or TV REAL DAILY before the markets. You will receive invaluable social media exposure by having your profile tweeted to @worldscreens, @tvkidsdaily, @tvdramadailys and/or @tvrealdailys followers. You will also get your complete program listings in a digital edition of TV LISTINGS, which will be available to our online database of 40,000 readers. We will also place video clips of your programs in your own Screening Room on WorldScreenings.com, our video portal powered by Brightcove. We will place your electronic button advertisement on the home page of TVKids.com, TVReal.com or TVDrama.com for two months. Your companys product news will receive priority treatment in our five online daily newsletters and ten online weekly newsletters. We can offer you the following options: A single-page advertisement in the digital edition for US$1,500. A 2-page spread before the first page of editorial in the digital edition for US$2,000. You can also add an embedded video to your advertisement in any of our digital editions. The cost is US$500 per enhanced page. To learn more about this innovative service, click here. TV KIDS DEADLINES: Space Reservations: May 25 Ad Materials: May 27 WORLD SCREEN AND TV REAL DEADLINES: Space Reservations: June 8 Ad Materials: June 10 TV DRAMA DEADLINES: Space Reservations: June 14 Ad Materials: June 16 YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan led a delegation to the city of Mumbai as part of his visit to India. Armenian businessmen accompanied the FM to the financial capital of India, the foreign ministry said. In Mumbai, FM Mirzoyan inaugurated the Armenian Trade Office which functions under the Honorary Consulate of Armenia in Chennai. On the same day, together with the Armenian business delegation the Foreign Minister visited the largest port of India, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port of Mumbai, which handles more than half of the sea shipments of India. After touring the port, the delegation was hosted at the PSA Mumbai headquarters, the operator of the port. During a presentation on the ports operations, ideas were exchanged on the possibilities and technical details for conducting shipments from the Mumbai port to Armenia. B2B meetings between Armenian and Indian businessmen took place later in the day. With the participation of the Armenian Ambassador to India, a meeting was held between the Armenian businessmen and the Vice President of IHCL, a subsidiary of the Tata Group multinational conglomerate. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Kristinne Grigoryan is in Paris on a working visit, her Office said. On April 27 the Armenian Ombudswoman met with Ambassador for Human Rights at the French Foreign Ministry Delphine Borione, French Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Brice Roquefeuil and the representatives of the French Foreign Ministry Continental Europe Directorate. During the meetings Kristinne Grigoryan presented the mandate of the institute of the Human Rights Defender, the current challenges of her Office, as well as shared the priorities of the institute. The Ombudsperson presented the ongoing pressures, including the psychological ones, by the Azerbaijani armed forces on Artsakh-Armenians. She also presented the details of her contacts with the relatives of the captured and missing persons, expressed her concerns over the fact that Azerbaijan is not fulfilling its international commitments and the commitment assumed by the trilateral statement relating to the immediate return of captives and other persons held. Ambassador for Human Rights at the French Foreign Ministry Delphine Borione presented her mission in human rights during the meeting. She outlined the challenges existing now at a global level for the perception of the common nature of human rights, stating that, unfortunately, the current conflicts are the biggest challenges in that matter. The sides also emphasized their readiness to cooperate in the agenda of women empowerment. Kristinne Grigoryan invited Mrs. Delphine Borione to Armenia. In his remarks the French Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group expressed concerns over the humanitarian issues that still are unresolved after the war. He highly valued the Ombudswomans constant attention and support to various issues of the families of captives and missing persons. During the meetings Kristinne Grigoryan also emphasized the necessity of engagement of international organizations in Artsakh and increase of international presence in general as an additional guarantee to the rights and normal life of Artsakh-Armenians. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government lifted the vaccine mandate that required employed citizens to either get vaccinated against COVID-19 or produce a negative PCR test result every seven days to their employer. Minister of Healthcare Anahit Avanesyan said that given the declining new cases the government is also lifting the requirement of getting tested or producing a vaccination certificate upon arrival at the airports or borders. Other restrictions were also lifted. The restrictions in correctional facilities and the military regarding visits or leaves were also lifted, she said, adding that the physical distancing rule in schools, kindergartens and elsewhere was also lifted. In the last 14 days weve had only 144 cases, which is a 32% decrease compared to the previous years same period. The cases of deaths also decreased in the past month, Avanesyan said and thanked health workers for their service. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. The general education reforms have been among the priorities of the government since 2018, and it will always be a priority, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting today. We believe that today any issue we deal with in our life relates to education sector. Each gap, shortcoming we see, be it security, diplomacy or public administration, is connected with education field. And therefore, education is the matter of matters. In other words, there is education and then all other issues. Education is a lifelong process, that does not end in university and school, but the gaps formed in preliminary school education and general education may not be possible to fill later in life. We dont talk about it, but the studies of 2019 show that illiteracy is creeping back into our society. It seemed this problem was solved in the first half of the past century, but now lets face this problem. And this illiteracy is expressed in all spheres of our life. Lets finally admit this, he said. According to him, there are multi-layered problems in education field, and the first of which for the government has been the remuneration of teachers and the competitiveness of the work of a teacher. We have recorded that there are teachers in our general education sector who receive a monthly salary of 30,000 drams. This is a serious systematic problem. And the maximum teachers receive a salary of 150-170 thousand drams. The increase in salary of teachers has always been on agenda for us, the PM said. (AFP via Getty Images) Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have failed to act on nearly 90 per cent of anti-Muslim and Islamophobic content on their platforms, a new report alleges. Research from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, published on Thursday, reported 530 posts, viewed 25 million times, that contained dehumanising content of Muslims via racist caricatures, conspiracies, and false claims. This included Instagram posts that depicted Muslims as pigs and called for their expulsion from Europe, comparisons between Islam and cancer that should be treated with radiation on a photo of an atomic blast, tweets on Twitter that claimed Muslim migration was part of a plot to change the politics of other countries, and many more. Many of these had offensive hashtags such as #deathtoislam, #islamiscancer and #raghead, which the CCDH used to identify posts to report. The CCDH reported 125 posts to Facebook, with only seven acted on; 227 to Instagram, with only 32 acted on; 50 to TikTok with 18 acted on; 105 to Twitter with only three acted on; and 23 videos submitted to YouTube, none of which were reported on. Facebook also hosted numerous groups dedicated to Islamophobia, with names such as ISLAM means Terrorism, Stop Islamization of America, and Boycott Halal Certification in Australia. Many of these groups have thousands of people in them, with 361,922 members counted in total, predominantly in the UK, US, and Australia. At time of writing, all these groups remained online despite being reported to Facebook. Researchers also identified 20 posts featuring the Christchurch terrorist, of which just 6 were acted upon, despite Facebook, Instagram and Twitter making public commitments to removing terrorist and extremist content. The shooter also published a 74-page manifesto which railed against Muslims and immigrants, which was quickly spread online. At the time, Facebook said it removed 1.5 million videos showing the New Zealand mosque attacks in the first 24 hours following the mass shootings. Story continues The video, which was streamed on Facebook, was originally viewed 4,000 times with social media sites struggling to take down reuploaded footage. Many of the uploaders made small modifications to the video, such as adding watermarks or logos to the footage or altering the size of the clips, to defeat YouTubes ability to detect and remove it. Facebooks community standards forbids a direct attack against people on the basis of... race [or] ethnicity, as does Instagram. Twitter states that users may not promote violence against or directly attack or threaten other people on the basis of race, ethnicity [and] national origin. YouTube states that hate speech is not allowed on YouTube, and TikTok do[es] not permit content that contains hate speech or involves hateful behavior, and we remove it from our platform. The Independent has reached out to all social media companies for comment. We welcome this report, which shines an important light on the unacceptable abuse many Muslims receive online every day. Social media companies have to do more to take meaningful action against all forms of hatred and abuse their users experience online, Kemi Badenoch, the minister for communities and equalities, said in a statement. Racism against Muslims is not the only hate speech that has slipped through social media companies moderation net. The Independent found that antisemitic conspiracy theories still get millions of views in a report from October 2020, despite the platform banning misinformation about Jews. Weve always been open about the fact that we wont catch every instance of inappropriate content or account activity, and we recognise that we have more to do to meet the standards we have set for ourselves today. This is why we continue to invest at scale in our Trust and Safety operations, which includes both technologies and a team of thousands of people around the world, TikTok said at the time. In the same year, researchers found that Facebook posts and pages spreading fascism are being actively recommended by its algorithm. In response, Facebook said it was updating its hate speech policies. Something horrible is afoot in Jordan Peeles Nope. And viewers of the highly anticipated horror movie got a little bit more of a sense of what that could be during Universals presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas Wednesday night. The trailer, which Universal released in February, set up a captivating premise, beautifully lensed by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema: James and Jill Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) run Hollywoods only Black-owned horse ranch and are touting their familys entangled history with the motion picture business. Her great-great-great-grandfather was the man in the iconic image of a jockey on a horse that served as a 19th-century study in how to make images move. Then something happens that forces a lot of people including James, Jill, and Steven Yeun in a cowboy hat and bolo tie to look up toward the sky. More from IndieWire Whats a bad miracle? James asks. Is there a word for that? Before long, people are floating into the sky and a horse flying into the air is the image on the official poster. Seems like a collision of Americana and the otherworldly thats very much worthy of Peeles previous horror efforts Get Out and Us. Stevie Wonders first-ever number-one hit, 1962s Fingertips, is the musical accompaniment for all this and the fact that shot to the top of the charts when he was just 13 is as otherworldly a feat as anything. Im very proud of it, Peele said during his presentation. We shot Nope in 65mm and IMAX. Incredible. The IMAX cameras allowed us to capture some incredible images, unlike anything on film before. We used some new techniques that weve never seen before. Right away at his presentation Peele addressed why he make originals rather than directing for a franchise: Ive always been attracted by the prospect of my favorite movie I havent seen before and what that could possibly be, he said. And that to me is in the spirit of moviemaking. Story continues Peele said that some of the theories viewers of the trailer have had are close to whats actually happening, and others are far off. A clip that showed in his presentation clearly revealed a UFO. And Kaluuya and Palmers characters being associated with Hollywood? Thats related to what we see of them point a camera at the sky and trying to capture some mysterious phenomenon. And Yeuns character is revealed to be a rodeo ringleader of some sort. He also celebrated the theatrical experience, and gave a particular shoutout to loud audiences, his favorite. I love a rapt audience, whatever it is. I love an audience thats cringing or cowering or laughing. Roller coaters arent fun alone. Laughing isnt fun alone. Being scared isnt fun alone. You need that energy and it heightens the ride. Thats also what inspired the films title: I like the titles that are in tune with how the audiences are feeling and reflect on what theyre thinking and feeling in the theater. He basically wants the audience to say Nope! to what theyre experiencing. And be in for a healthy dose of spectacle. Thats what Yeuns character even says in the clip shown to the assembled crowd: Right here you are going to witness an absolute spectacle. Nope is set to be released in theaters on July 22. With additional reporting from Chris Lindahl. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Larisa Dzuenko still remembers the rats in the house she and her mother lived in after she fled Ukraine the first time in 1941. Dzuenko was 2 years old when Nazi Germany occupied Ukraine in World War II. Her father, a journalist who died during the war, heard early on about the persecution Jews faced, so she and her mother were among the first to leave. Evacuating from Kyiv to Uzbekistan, Dzuenko and her mother were hungry and cold when they arrived. They didn't feel welcome in the country, she said, but they were happy to have reached safety. More than 80 years later, Dzuenko was forced to flee Kyiv again last month as Russian troops shelled her city. But this time, she crossed the country in an ambulance and headed west to safety in Germany. As of Thursday, which is Yom Hashoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day, more than 100 survivors of the Holocaust have been medically evacuated from Ukraine since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine. They've escaped thanks to a joint effort by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Dzuenko, 83, hadn't seriously considered fleeing until rescue workers called her to see if she wanted to leave. She immediately agreed. The ambulance came the next day at 9 a.m., and workers helped her pack a bag for the more than daylong journey through Poland and eventually to Germany. International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Her family saved him during the Holocaust. Years later, a chance encounter led to love. Larisa Dzuenko, 83, was 2 years old when she and her mother fled from Nazis and her home in Ukraine during World War II. More than 80 years later, she was forced to flee again during the Russian invasion. Dzuenko, who spoke to USA TODAY through an interpreter from her nursing home in Frankfurt, described very different circumstances surrounding her evacuations from Ukraine in 1941 and in 2022. But in both cases, she said, she feared for her future. Since the start of the invasion, there have been a number of "emotional triggers," in addition to the dangers of war, that have added layers of stress for Holocaust survivors in Ukraine, said Greg Schneider, Claims Conference executive vice president. Story continues In March, a Russian attack in Kyiv damaged the memorial at Babi Yar, the site where more than 33,000 Jews were killed in September 1941 in one of the worst mass shootings during the Holocaust. In Ukraine, an estimated 1.5 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Holocaust survivors have also faced the violence directly. Borys Romanchenko, 96, was killed in a Russian attack in Kharkiv after surviving Nazi concentration camps, and Vanda Obiedkova, 91, died earlier in April during the Russian siege of Mariupol. Obiedkova had similarly hid in a basement in Mariupol during World War II when the Nazis occupied the city. Pini Miretski, head of the medical evacuation team for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, said the committee's presence in Ukraine since the fall of the Soviet Union has helped create a trust with survivors as they decide whether to flee. About 10,000 Holocaust survivors were living in Ukraine before the start of the war, and many are living alone and in need of medical care, Miretski said. The committee has helped provide medical care since before the invasion through funding from the Claims Conference, and Miretski said those connections allowed rescue workers to quickly get in touch with survivors who were unable to leave Ukraine on their own. Borys Romanchenko: 96-year-old Holocaust survivor killed in Ukraine after his home is hit by Russian shelling The first medical evacuations began in March. Each involves about 15 organizations and 50 people to get the survivor to safety, Schneider said. "Almost every one of those cases was unique, and we're learning new options as we go," Miretski added. Each step of the evacuation is crucial, Schneider said. In some cases, survivors needed to be carried down flights of stairs on a stretcher. In others, ambulances are delayed by Russian shelling. Initially, rescuers had to figure out how the Ukrainian ambulances could cross the border into Poland. Under martial law, most Ukrainian men ages 18 to 60 have not been allowed to leave the country, and during one of the first evacuations, the driver was not allowed through the border, Schneider said. Tatyana Zhuravliova, 83, was in an ambulance at the border and said she nervously waited for five hours. After hearing of the delay, Schneider got in touch with the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington and began drafting a letter requesting the vehicle be allowed to pass. Schneider was instructed to tell the driver to try again by turning on the sirens and driving to the front of a line of cars waiting. But the ambulance still couldn't get through. So Schneider called the embassy again. On its second attempt sounding its sirens, the ambulance made it across the border. "The logistical challenge is tremendous. Luckily, we have the goodwill of many people along the way, and we are relentless," Schneider said. Once across the border, Zhuravliova was transferred to another ambulance that drove to Germany, where most survivors in the groups' evacuation efforts have gone, Schneider said. 'Let's drink to Ukraine!' Odesa Jews celebrate a wartime Passover under curfew Ukrainian Holocaust survivor Tatyana Zhuravliova says she has felt welcome after fleeing her homeland for Frankfurt, Germany, after the Russian invasion. Zhuravliova, who also now lives in Frankfurt, has felt a warm welcome since arriving in Germany but said she misses her home in Ukraine. When she was 2 years old, Zhuravliova and her family fled Odessa as her father's factory moved to Kazakhstan during World War II. Zhuravliova and Dzuenko appeared in a video released Thursday by the Claims Conference to mark Yom Hashoah. The video features 100 Holocaust survivors reading a 100-word statement. "We must remember the past or it will become our future," the survivors say in the video. For Zhuravliova, it has been hard to hear Russian propaganda about its invasion and President Vladimir Putin's comments about "denazification." Expert have said Russia's justification for the war claiming the Ukrainian government was openly pro-Nazi is baseless. The killings of Bucha were particularly upsetting, she said. Days before the war started, Zhuravliova said she never would have imagined she would have to flee Ukraine a second time. Dzuenko shared that disbelief. "I would have lived happily and peacefully in Kyiv if it wouldn't have been for this awful war." Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller 'We are that united family': Russia's war uproots Ukrainian Jews amid false Nazi claims This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yom Hashoah: Holocaust survivors flee Ukraine again in Russian war The NFL Draft is finally here and while the Raiders wont pick in Round 1 (or we dont think so, at least), its time to get our official predictions on board. Here is how I see the 2022 NFL Draft playing out for the Raiders: No. 86: Luke Goedeke, OG, Central Michigan No. 126: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston No. 164: DeAngelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky No. 165: Otito Ogbonnia, DT, UCLA No. 227: EJ Perry, QB, Brown Goedeke would be a Day 1 starter at right guard or right tackle for the Raiders and would be among the best possible picks for them at No. 86. His tape is fantastic and he is a mauling run-blocker. His arm length is less-than-deal, but thats why he is available in Round 3. We know that the Raiders are also interested in adding cornerback depth to their roster and Jones is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the class. He would allow Nate Hobbs to play on the outside and Jones could be a dynamic slot corner right away. Plus, he is the best returner in the class and could immediately help out on special teams. Malones and Ogbonnia would both add depth to the defensive line for the Raiders and would give them some pass-rush help. Perry is a developmental quarterback with great athleticism that could eventually be used in a Taysom Hill-like package. List YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received renowned scientist, physicist, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, foreign member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Yuri Hovhannisyan, the Presidential Office said. The meeting was also attended by President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, academician Ashot Saghyan. Welcoming the renowned scientist, the President of the Republic highly valued his readiness to assist science development in Armenia. The sides exchanged views on the problems of the field, its development potential and prospects in Armenia. The meeting also touched upon the annual general meeting of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia scheduled late this week, during which the main results of the Academys 2021 scientific and scientific-organizational activity will be presented. Yuri Hovhannisyan will deliver a report on New Elements of Periodic Table during the annual meeting. A state politician is bringing attention to the difficulties facing expectant mothers as she went into labor during an impassioned speech to delegates at a local party convention. Minnesota state Senate candidate Erin Maye Quade was in active labor Saturday while she delivered a speech to delegates at the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's District 56 convention. "So they broke the news that I'm in labor, yeah?" Maye Quade, 36, asked the audience, some of whom responded "yeah," while others laughed. Maye Quade labored as she spoke in hopes of wooing delegates to win her party's endorsement. MORE: Not even going into labor could stop this mom from getting her MBA "This is our moment to build our future together -- to unlock the powerful, life-affirming, transformative kind of politics that means we can help achieve safe and stable communities, create economic opportunity and prosperity and safeguard our civil and human rights, and strengthen our human and public infrastructure. Excuse me," she said, pausing briefly while she looked up and down and took a few deep breaths. The audience responded with a few cheers. Shortly thereafter, she proclaimed, "I'm good!" before continuing with her speech. PHOTO: Minnesota State Senate candidate Erin Maye Quade gave a speech while in active labor, April 23, 2022, in Rosemount, Minn. (Karrah Marie Cheruiyot via Storyful) The speech was captured by attendee Karrah Marie Cheruiyot, who posted it on her social media pages the same day and the video clip has drawn widespread reaction. In a Facebook post, Cheruiyot wrote in part, "I am so angry right now! Woah woah woah.... 100% NOT okay. Erin Maye Quade is in ACTIVE LABOR. Justin Emmerich wins the coin flip but won't allow Erin Maye Quade to speak first or waive the coin flip so she can get to the hospital?!? I'm sorry... what?" Maye Quade's opponent, Justin Emmerich, won the DFL party's endorsement after she withdrew from the endorsement process and went to a hospital before a second round of delegate voting. Emmerich told "GMA" he was leading by 11 votes and went on to win the party's endorsement unopposed. Story continues MORE: 'Why are we dismissed?': Women open up about being sent home from hospitals in labor Mitchell Walstad, a campaign manager for Maye Quade, told GMA their campaign had requested that the endorsement process timeline be moved up in light of Maye Quade being in labor. The chair had said that she didn't want to move up the time because of the other elections happening that day. We asked the convener of the convention, who's a different person in charge of the rules. He said it was a reasonable accommodation so then the chair changed her mind. And at that point, we involved the opposing candidate, and they all agreed to get the delegates to unanimously change the order of events of the day. "GMA" has reached out to the local DFL district for comment but has not yet heard back. We didn't feel like there was reasonable latitude for us to ask for the process to be suspended, he added. When our first thing we asked for was to move up the timeline and the chair of the district didn't even want to make that accommodation, we had to work pretty hard to convince her to do so. And it was not something that seemed like an option for us. Emmerich said when he first learned that Maye Quade was in labor he agreed to all accommodations that had been discussed between the two of them and convention organizers. "Had there been a formal request from Erin or any of the delegates to suspend the convention in order to hold it at a later date I would have agreed, however, no such request or motion was made," he said in an emailed statement Thursday. "I continue to believe an endorsement is in the best interest of our efforts to keep this seat in DFL hands and to flip the Senate in November." "After the first ballot had been completed, I received word from a member of my campaign that the results showed me leading by 55-44 percent (1 percent abstaining)," he continued. "I was on my way to talk to my floor manager to verify this information when Erin pulled me aside. She asked if I would be willing to suspend the convention and take the race to a primary since it appeared to be about even. I responded by saying I hadn't verified the count yet and would get back to her. She said that was fine. However, before I was able to speak with her again, she made the decision to suspend her campaign." Walstad disputed what happened afterward, saying, After the first round of balloting, Erin went up, before we had the results, she went up to her opponent and asked if he would consider suspending the endorsement process and going through a primary and he did not agree to that. He added that Maye Quade hasnt suspended her campaign and only withdrew from the partys endorsement process. Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some praising her and others criticizing Emmerich and the local DFL chapter for not letting Maye Quade give her speech earlier or not giving her other accommodations without her requesting them. PHOTO: Minnesota State Senate candidate Erin Maye Quade gave a speech while in active labor, April 23, 2022, in Rosemount, Minn. (Karrah Marie Cheruiyot via Storyful) Maye Quade served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from January 2017 to January 2019, representing Dakota County, and self-identifies as Black, according to a Minnesota legislature member record. She is also an advocacy director at Gender Justice, a nonprofit working to address gender inequality. Maye Quade is married to Alyse Maye Quade and the couple announced they were expecting last October, with Maye Quade sharing a family photo on Instagram of her and her wife dressed as characters from 2007's "Juno." Alyse Maye Quade also shared a baby announcement post on Monday, writing in an Instagram caption, "Welcome to the world, Harriet Blake Maye Quade -- roaring into our lives at 2:20 this morning, and coming in at a very average 6 pounds, 14 oz. People (we) will be calling her Hattie! "Mom did awesome, even in the moments that got a little intense, and especially when it came to pushing baby girl out. Actually seeing the power and determination, push after push - I'll never look at my wife the same again, she is so powerful," she added, alongside three photos of the new family of three. State politician gives speech while in active labor, withdraws to give birth originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP) Russia has been accused of blackmailing Europe after cutting off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. European natural gas prices spiked on Wednesday after Russian gas giant Gazprom announced it was cutting off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria in a significant escalation of economic hostilities from Russia. The Kremlins move to cut gas supplies raised the prospect that other European nations could be shut off. Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom said it had fully halted supplies due to the two countries failure to pay in roubles. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared last month that buyers of gas must pay in roubles or face being cut off. Ole R. Hvalbye, a commodities analyst at SEB, said: As most other European nations have already said they will not pay for gas in rubles, this supply halt could result in physical and psychological repercussions leading the continent to brace itself for further Russian curtailments. Which European countries rely on Russian gas? The EU imports 41% of its natural gas supplies from Russia. Germany received around a fifth of all Russian gas coming into the EU, with Italy, Turkey, France and Poland making up the rest of the top five destinations for Russian gas in Europe. Smaller nations such as Malta, Luxembourg and Cyprus are the most dependant on oil and gas imports for their energy security. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move was another attempt by Russia to blackmail us with gas. We are prepared for this scenario, she wrote on Twitter. We are mapping out our coordinated EU response. In March, the EU announced a plan to wean itself off Russian oil and gas by 2030. As part of the plan, the bloc pledged to reduce its demand for Russian gas by two thirds by the end of this year. European natural gas prices jumped by as much as a fifth on Wednesday after the Gazprom announcement, before settling back to a gain of around 8% on the day. How much Russian gas does the UK import? Story continues The UK imports less than 5% of its gas from Russia but shortages elsewhere are likely to drive up wholesale price on the international market, inadvertedly driving up UK energy bills. Contracts to buy wholesale gas to supply the UK market in July were up 15% to 218p per therm by early afternoon on Wednesday. That is less than half the record high of 500p per therm hit last month. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: Russia was and remains a reliable supplier of energy resources to its consumers and remains committed to its contractual obligations. When the payment deadlines approach, if some consumers decline to pay under the new system, then the presidents decree of course will be applied, Peskov said, per Reuters. Walid Koudmani, chief market analyst at XTB, said: So far, Russia has halted supplies to relatively small European countries, probably with the intention of sending a message to bigger countries, like Germany and France. While the sudden interruption of Russian gas exports to Europe will have significant repercussions for the European economy, it will also be a blow to Russia as the country cannot replace exports to the EU with exports to other customers due to inadequate infrastructure. As the situation benefits no one, the question is who will give in first. Michigan's Bureau of Elections Thursday barred Genesee County Clerk John Gleason from engaging in election administration activities after he was criminally charged in early April. In a news release, the Secretary of State's Office billed the bureau's decision as a way "to ensure public trust in the county's elections." Genesee County is among the 64 counties holding an election next Tuesday. More: Genesee County Clerk John Gleason charged with felony related to witness interference Michigan election on May 3, 2022: Voter guide to what's on the ballot in 64 counties Gleason was charged with bribing, intimidating and/or interfering with a witness and willful neglect of duty. Officials have said that the charges stem from his actions he took after an investigation was opened into a marriage he performed. In a letter to Gleason, Michigan elections director Jonathan Brater directed the county's chief deputy clerk, Leslie Raleigh, to carry out Gleason's election duties. The directive specifically prohibits Gleason from processing voter registration applications, handling any ballots, training election workers, reporting election results and carrying out post-election audits, among other election duties. "Our legal system presumes that persons accused of criminal conduct are innocent until proven guilty and the criminal charges you currently face could eventually be resolved in your favor," Brater wrote. "However, allegations that you have intimidated a witness to interfere with an official proceeding and willfully failed to perform a legal duty threaten to fundamentally undermine voter confidence in the integrity of elections in Genesee County." Brater wrote that the directive barring Gleason's participation in election administration in the county would remain in effect until the county clerk is acquitted, the charges are dismissed or the bureau terminates its directive against Gleason. Story continues Staff writer Paul Egan contributed to this report. Clara Hendrickson fact-checks Michigan issues and politics as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Genesee County Clerk John Gleason barred from election duties WASHINGTON A U.S. Air Force official managing the A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft says the service is hollowing its Warthog fleet by starving it of resources amid a push to retire the aging attack plane but still continuing to heavily fly it. In a March 31 briefing, Pamela Lee, the A-10 systems manager at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, said the Air Force has resourced the A-10 to divest yet flew it like an enduring fleet, rapidly accelerating [the] decline toward todays hollowing fleet. The watchdog group Project on Government Oversight posted the slides Tuesday. The Air Force confirmed the slides are authentic, but said they were prepared for internal discussion and that Lee declined to comment. The A-10, designed during the Cold War to be a tank-killing aircraft, was flown heavily in the Middle East and Afghanistan over the last 20 years to provide close-air support. But the Air Force has long warned the A-10 would not survive a high-end fight in contested airspace and has since 2015 repeatedly attempted to retire the fleet, either in full or in part, to free up funding. The A-10 is a great platform for a [permissive] environment, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown told the House Armed Services Committee in a Wednesday hearing. I dont see very many [permissive] environments that were going to roll into in the future. Although Congress rejected all the services efforts, Lee said the Air Forces decisions have devastated the fleet and left it dealing with perpetual challenges. The A-10 lives in the shadow of [fiscal 2015] divestiture decisions, Lee said in the briefings summary. Lees briefing slides said the service deferred the A-10s hogback fuselage structural repair work from 2013 to 2019, which she said left 120 jets at risk of being grounded. The number of A-10s heading to depots for major maintenance was also cut by more than half, she added. Lee said the A-10s aging engine nacelles are quickly becoming a significant problem, representing a bigger threat to the aircrafts readiness than its wings. Story continues And she said the A-10s re-winging efforts are falling short, with new wings purchased for only 173 of the services 281 Warthogs. Lee said this means 145 A-10s wouldnt be able to fly a six-month deployment. According to the slides, the Air Force has until the second quarter of FY23 to buy more wings before it risks a stalled recovery. Fixing the wing, depot issue and other shortcomings would take at least a decade, she said. If Congress doesnt grant the services request to start retiring the A-10, Lee said, it will have to quickly act to mitigate the worst of the problems that have come from these decisions. In the committee hearing, Brown said the service plans to buy replacement wing kits for about 218 A-10s. The service called for retiring 21 A-10s as part of its FY23 budget request, leaving the service with 260 Warthogs; Brown said those will not be re-winged. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., expressed confusion about the Air Forces apparent intention to not buy enough wing kits for all remaining A-10s and asked if only 218 planes needed new wings. Depends on how many A-10s we keep, Brown said. What we dont want to do is buy more wing kits than were going to need if were going to start retiring A-10s. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall added that even if those remaining 42 A-10s wouldnt get replacement wings, they would still be able to fly. Kendall also said the Air Force, if free to do so, would retire the A-10 fleet by the end of the next five-year plan. A Connecticut man was sentenced Thursday to nearly a decade in federal prison for moving money for a Mexico-based drug trafficking ring that was selling heroin and fentanyl across the state. Domingo Guzman, 45, whose last known address was in Waterbury, was sentenced Thursday to 114 months in prison and four years of supervised release for his role in the drug trafficking ring, according to a statement from the office of Leonard C. Boyle, U. S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. A grand jury indicted Guzman and nine others in 2020 for allegedly selling large quantities of fentanyl in Connecticut that was being brought in from Mexico, distributed amongst mid-level trafficking in the state and then sold to on-the-street dealers. They were packaging the drug out of an office space on Pratt Street in Hartford, an apartment in the Asylum Hill neighborhood in Hartford and an apartment in New Britain, the statement said. Guzman was allegedly collecting money for the leaders of the drug ring. The cash was being laundered to the rings leaders with the help of a broker in Brooklyn, New York, the statement said. Investigators seized about 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl and about 500 wax folds of the drug from an apartment on South Street in West Hartford on March 13, 2020. About a month later, on April 28, they arrested Guzman and the others and seized about $100,000 in cash, a firearm, several thousand wax folds of suspected fentanyl and other items used to sell the drug. The bust of the Connecticut operation stemmed from a lengthy investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administrations Hartford Task Force. Between August and October of 2019, investigators also seized more than $200,000 in cash from members of the organization, the statement said. Guzman was indicted 10 months after he was released from prison after being sentenced to 188 months behind bars for a prior federal conviction, according to the statement from Boyle. He has been detained since his arrest and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven. WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris announcement this week that she is not experiencing COVID symptoms despite having tested positive has nevertheless triggered another round of misinformation from vaccine opponents and COVID deniers even as a new study shows that nearly a quarter-million Americans have died because they chose not to be vaccinated. Harris became the latest example of high-profile coronavirus cases in people who have received the vaccines and, in recent months, at least one booster shot as well. Dozens of attendees at the Gridiron Club dinner in Washington last month, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and members of Congress, tested positive. Yet the overwhelming majority of those cases produced at most mild symptoms and did not lead to hospitalization, let alone death. Meaning that two years after then-President Donald Trump falsely claimed that COVID was no worse than the common cold, the disease today truly typically is no worse than a cold for those who are vaccinated and boosted. The key message is that the vaccine helps a lot and even if you end up getting sick, the vaccine makes it less likely that you are going to have a bad outcome, said Tara Kirk Sell, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies misinformation surrounding public health crises. The White House, though, after taking what turned out to be a premature victory lap over the pandemic last summer only to be hit by new variants, has responded cautiously even defensively to news of positive tests. The first response from Ashish Jha, the new COVID response coordinator, to a question about Harris infection was not to showcase her lack of symptoms as a success story, but to explain that the vaccine could not be expected to eliminate all cases entirely. We have a very, very contagious variant out there, Jha told reporters hours after Harris disclosed her positive test. It is going to be hard to ensure that no one gets COVID in America. Thats not even a policy goal. Story continues Jennifer Kates, director of global health and HIV policy at Kaiser Family Foundation, said she appreciates the difficulty of crafting the right tone. Hes a good messenger. But public health messaging is hard, she said of Jha. The White House has to figure out a way to communicate about the power of vaccines. ... Clear messages about what these vaccines do and dont do. Thats whats been needed from the beginning and thats whats needed now. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha listens to a question at a daily press conference at the White House on April 26. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images) White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha listens to a question at a daily press conference at the White House on April 26. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images) In the meantime, Harris announcement provided yet another field day for COVID deniers and vaccine opponents. Tim Swain, a state House member in South Carolina challenging Republican Sen. Tim Scott in the primary, responded within minutes of the announcement with: Another vaccine success story!! Popular conservative radio talk show host Clay Travis posted on Twitter: Kamala Harris, who has gotten four covid shots so far, just tested positive for covid. She will be fine. Just like she would have been if shed never gotten the four COVID shots in the first place. The online opinions editor at the Washington Times posted a column asking: So, not to be rude or anything, but whats the point of getting the shot? And possibly the single biggest source of disinformation in the country did an entire segment disparaging the vaccines on his evening Fox News television show. Kamala Harris has guess which disease? Oh, COVID, Tucker Carlson said Tuesday on his program, the highest-rated on cable television. And you know what that means? It means the vaccines work perfectly because when you get the vaccine, you get COVID, because thats what they were intended to do. Americans who have bought into that attitude have paid a severe price, ranging from serious symptoms and hospital stays to death. A recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that from the time that vaccines became readily available to everyone in June 2021 through March 2022, 234,000 Americans who could have received the vaccine but chose not to ended up dying from the disease. Kates, a co-author of that analysis which also found that unvaccinated Americans today make up only 22% of the total but account for 60% of all the deaths, said the evidence could not be more clear. Unvaccinated people are nine times more likely to die from COVID than people who have taken the vaccine, and 20 times more likely to die than people who have also received at least one booster. Without a doubt, its much, much better to be vaccinated, and especially vaccinated and boosted, than not, Kates said. White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended the Biden administrations messaging, pointing out that they have consistently advocated getting the vaccine and, when eligible, the booster shots, as well. Because it can put you in a position where even if you get COVID, youre able to experience minimal symptoms or no symptoms, like the vice president has been, and to continue to go about daily life the best you can while youre quarantining, Psaki told reporters Wednesday. Kates said a big part of the administrations challenge is to get skeptical Americans to understand that vaccines, even for childhood diseases, have never been expected to completely ward off infection, but rather to prevent serious illness. Its a real problem, she said. The average person doesnt know that. Its too bad that some people seem to expect a vaccine to be perfect to feel like it is worthwhile, Johns Hopkins Sell added. There are other situations where people dont think this way. If you knew you were going someplace where bullets were flying, youd want a Kevlar vest. It might not protect you completely, but certainly gives you a lot better odds. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... A photograph. A sports jersey. A graduation tassel. Those are personal items that may remind Jackson residents of a family member or friend lost to gun violence. As part of a national effort to remember victims of such violence, residents can contribute memorial items this weekend for the Gun Violence Memorial Project. "It's an opportunity to keep their memory alive," said Jackie Jackson, a pastor and gun violence survivor from Cincinnati, Ohio. "It's an opportunity for people around the world to see our family members lived." The items can be donated at Different World Church on Friday and Saturday. Jackson will be in the capital city at the collection events to work with anyone who would like to donate an item. Bricks display the name of gun violence victims and contain items to remember that person. The victims range in age and their deaths were across several decades. These mementos are part of the Gun Violence Memorial Project in Washington D.C., which is collecting donations from communities such as Jackson to memorialize more people. Organizers are asking for objects that represent the person. It could be a small toy, accessories, books or items related to the person's talents and hobbies. The local collection event is hosted by Different World Church, New Bethel AME Church and Everytown for Gun Safety, a national nonprofit that focuses on gun violence prevention. Prevention: Securing firearms, how to keep kids safe In other news: Jackson buses return to full service next week after COVID cutbacks The Gun Violence Memorial Projects defines a gun-related death as any resulting from a firearm, including homicide, suicide, domestic violence, police-involved shootings and unintentional shootings. Why collect items from Jackson? Jackson, from Everytown for Gun Safety, said there hasn't been a memorial item collection event in Mississippi before. He suggested coming to the capital city after reading about its record number of 155 homicides in 2021. "Yeah, we need to go to Jackson," he remembers thinking. To date for 2022, the city has had nearly 40 homicides, according to the Jackson police department. Many of those homicides have involved a gun. When looking for a community to visit to collect memorial items, Jackson said Everytown looks at places that have been hit hard by gun violence and have community partners. Story continues OPINION: I'm a pastor, gun violence survivor: I preach, pray that no family goes through such pain 'My baby is dead': Mississippi mom says in call for end to violence During collection events around the country, Jackson said he has heard stories from families about their loved ones and gun violence. "No matter how many times you hear a family talk about it, it still gets to you," he said. "It's different cities, different people, but the hurt, the pain, the trauma is still there." Jackson has his own experiences with gun violence. He survived a shooting as a 10-year-old. Years later, his son survived a shooting during an attempted robbery. Eight of Jackson's family members have died of gun violence in Cincinnati and six have been injured by guns. Jackson residents and public safety officials marched through downtown Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, to unite the community to fight against violent crime. Exhibit's goal is to recognize gun violence nationwide, help families heal The memorial is currently on display in Washington, D.C., at the National Building Museum through May 2023. That exhibition is four houses made out of 700 glass bricks. Each brick represents an individual, and each house represents the average number of lives lost to gun violence each week in America, according to a description for the project. "This is an extremely small example of saying this is what gun violence is," Jackson said. Related: Rise in Mississippi gun violence impacting children 'a public health crisis,' expert says JPD: Jackson Police Department short-staffed, assistant chief says Items such as graduation tassels, mugs, painted rocks and more are already displayed. There are objects for five of Jackson's family members in the memorial. The project and memorial helps preserve individuals' memories and show the magnitude of gun violence nationwide, according to a description of the project. The goal is to help people heal by recognizing their collective loss and the impact of gun violence on society. Architecture firm MASS Design Group and artist Hank Willis Thomas partnered together to create the memorial and partnered with Everytown and Purpose Over Pain, a Chicago group started by parents who lost children to gun violence. Jackson residents can contribute to the Gun Violence Memorial Project in Washington D.C. The exhibit is four houses of glass bricks, each one remembering a person who has died from gun violence and containing mementos of that person. The 700 bricks represent the number of people who died on average from gun violence nationwide. The project is on display through May 2023. How to contribute to the memorial Residents can bring items to Different World Church at 5240 Manhattan Road, Jackson. Register in advance at https://bit.ly/38xDs6T. The collection dates and times are: Friday from 3-7 p.m. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The registration form asks for contact information and people can indicate whether they identify as a gun violence survivor. For more information about how to contribute an object, visit wwww.gunviolencememorialproject.org See the Gun Violence Memorial Project The National Building Museum is located at 401 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays through Mondays. Information about tickets and other exhibits can be found at nbm.org/visit Reporter Mina Corpuz can be reached by email at mcorpuz@gannett.com. You can follow her on Twitter @mlcorpuz. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson residents can give to project remembering gun violence victims NORWICH On Wednesday, a step was made in correcting the wrongs of Dartmouth College's founding toward the Mohegan Tribe. The truth, even and especially when its painful and difficult, is the birthplace of real, meaningful change, Mohegan Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Sarah Harris said. Members of the Mohegan Tribe, students and staff of Dartmouth College, and representatives of Brothertown Indian Nation, gathered at the Mohegan Church in Uncasville, one of the few pieces of land continuously held by the Mohegan Tribe since pre-colonial times, to repatriate documents written by Rev. Samson Occom in the 18th century, which is one of the earliest known documents written in Mohegan. James Gessner Jr., Mohegan tribal council chairman, holds a box of papers from the 1700s from Mohegan Samson Occom returned from Dartmouth College Wednesday during repatriation ceremony at Mohegan Church. We love the Rev. Samson Occom, and we know his enduring spirit touches all of you here today, Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, Medicine Woman and Mohegan Tribal Historian, said. Occom, born in 1723, was and is an important figure in both the history of the Mohegan Tribe and of Dartmouth College. For the Mohegan Tribe, he was known for being a humanitarian, the writer of one of Americas first best-selling books, and a preacher. Occom also helped to establish the Brothertown Indian Nation, after he was betrayed by Elazor Wheelock, Occoms teacher, and the Connecticut Colony not compensating the tribe for land sold. Killingly Board of Education: Resignations, complaints, and an investigation: Killingly school board's troubling year One of Samson Occoms goals was to help his people survive colonialism, and we see that from our past, our present, and into the future that we are still here, Mohegan Tribe Council Of Elders Vice Chairwoman Beth Regan said. Occom worked with Wheelock to establish a school for Native American students. To help fundraise, Occom traveled to England while Wheelock took care of Occoms family. When he returned, Occom found that Wheelock had instead established Dartmouth in 1769, at that point a school for white settlers, and Occoms family was neglected by Wheelock, as they wouldnt give up Mohegan language and culture. Story continues Mohegan Chief Lynn Malerba, right, and medicine woman Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel Wednesday during a repatriation ceremony of mid to late 1700s Rev. Samson Occom papers at Mohegan Church. Indeed, Dartmouth did little to actualize its founding commitment to native students for the next two centuries, Dartmouth President Philip Hanlon said, after reading a 1771 letter from Occom to Wheelock, voicing his disappointment. Dartmouth has been in the process of rectifying its wrongs since 1970, when the school established a Native American Studies program. Over the years, more than 1,200 Native Americans have graduated from Dartmouth. Norwich Rose Arts Festival: Norwich Rose Arts Festival returns for 2023. What did organizers overcome to get it back? Each one of those students has brought us one step closer to fulfilling Occoms hope and vision and the seminal role he played in our founding, despite how duplicitous that founding was, Hanlon said. As for Occoms papers, Harris, also an alumnus of Dartmouth, started the work with returning the documents. As a part of Dartmouths Native American Visiting Committee, she came up with the idea to mark the 50th anniversary of the committee. Harris said Occoms legacy was not well known during her time as a student in the 1990s, and it is important for all the schools students to know of its history. CT real estate: Several Eastern CT towns do not meet the state's affordable housing bar. What happens now? Hundreds of years of not telling Occoms story has denied both native and non-native students in the larger community the truth of Dartmouths founding, Harris said. James Gessner jr., Mohegan tribal council chairman, third from right, holds a box of papers from the mid to late 1700s from Mohegan Rev. Samson Occom returned by Dartmouth College president Philip Hanlon, fourth from right, Wednesday during a repatriation ceremony at Mohegan Church. Joining them from left are Mohegan Chief Lynn Malerba, Beth Regan, vice chairwoman of the Mohegan Council of Elders, Charlie Strickland, council elders chairman, Sarah Harris, tribal council vice chairwoman and medicine woman Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel. While plenty of Dartmouths administration was in attendance, students from the organization Native Americans at Dartmouth were also there. Senior Erin Bunner, who is from the Muskogee Nation in Oklahoma, said it was important for the school to credit Occom and repatriate the documents. Its an issue for indigenous people everywhere, and its really awesome for Dartmouth to set an example for what should be done, very respectfully, Bunner said. Roy's Pools: Owner of Roy's Pools racks up more charges in sprawling Eastern CT larceny investigation The ceremony included an exchange of gifts, where Hanlon was presented with a medicine bag and a belt for the school, symbolizing the return of the papers, and Dartmouth gave the Mohegan Tribe an engraved glass trophy to commemorate the repatriation. This recommitment to the very purpose Occom dedicated part of his life to, and years of his life, is truly historic to see this achieved, Regan said. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Dartmouth returns Samson Occom's documents to Mohegan Tribe A series of mysterious explosions have taken place across Transnistria, a pro-Kremlin breakaway territory of Moldova that hosts Russian troops, sparking fears that the Russian invasion of Ukraine may spill over to other countries in the region. Moldova is facing "a very dangerous new moment," Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu said Thursday, warning of unnamed forces attempting to stir tension in Transnistria, a narrow strip of land that shares a border with Ukraine. Transnistria proclaimed independence from Moldova in 1990 and de-facto runs itself independently of Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, but is not internationally recognized. The attacks come days after the Russian military commander signaled that Moscow could be seeking a path to Moldova in its "second stage" of the military operation. "Control over the south of Ukraine is another way out to Transnistria, where there are also facts of oppression of the Russian-speaking population," the acting commander of Russia's Central Military District Rustam Minnekaev said, in what is the most direct threat to Moldova voiced by Russian officials to date. Russian President Vladimir Putin used the alleged discrimination against Russian speakers in Ukraine as justification to launch a brutal attack on Ukrainian cities in late February. This week Transnistrian authorities said explosions targeted a state security ministry headquarters in Tiraspol, the breakaway territory's main city; a military unit in Parcani village; and two radio towers that rebroadcasted Russian news, according to Transnistrian authorities. On Wednesday, local media outlets reported a shooting incident had occurred near Russian arms and ammunition depots on the outskirts of the Cobasna village. No one immediately took responsibility for the attack, and there were no reported casualties. But Transnistrian officials pointed fingers at Ukraine. A Transnistrian serviceman gets off a bus after checking passengers entering the self-proclaimed Moldovan Republic of Transnistria at Varnita border point with Moldova on April 28, 2022. / Credit: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images "We imposed a special emergency mode: a red terror alert," Transnistrian foreign minister Vitaly Ignatiev told Russian news agency Interfax. "According to preliminary data, the traces of those who organized the attacks are leading to Ukraine." Story continues Moldova's President Maia Sandu said Tuesday that the attacks were an attempt to escalate tensions and blamed "pro-war factions" and infighting within the breakaway territory's administration. "We condemn any challenges and attempts to lure the Republic of Moldova into actions that could jeopardize peace in the country," Sandu said. "Chisinau continues to insist on a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict." Moldova has accepted hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the war broke out on February 24. Its government has condemned Russia's war and submitted a bid to join the European Union along with Georgia and Ukraine. It is also seeking the EU's support in handling the influx of refugees and calling on the bloc to step up support for the country. But it is also trying to carefully balance its neutral stance with NATO to signal it is not willing to be the next target for Russia. Ukraine's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said the alleged attacks in Transnistria were a provocation organized by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). "We clearly understand that this is one of the steps of the Russian Federation. The special services are working there. It's not just about fake news. The goal is obvious to destabilize the situation in the region, to threaten Moldova. They show that if Moldova supports Ukraine, there will be certain steps," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday. Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), an open-source intelligence and military analytics group that has been monitoring the invasion of Ukraine, said a daily briefing: "We see how the tension in the region continues to escalate. The President of the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, Vadim Krasnoselsky, says he does not want to drag his country into this war. At the same time, we see that checkpoints are starting to appear in Tiraspol and other places in Transnistria to Moldova's concern." "Our assumption is, although it is not confirmed yet, is that Krasnoselsky is under pressure from the local Ministry of State Security, which is probably a local branch of the FSB, and is somehow pushing him to war or mobilization." According to CIT, roughly two battalion tactical groups are located at the Russian base in Transnistria. General mobilization would allow Russian forces to recruit around 10 more such groups. "This cannot significantly affect the situation in Ukraine, but it can force Ukrainian troops to keep part of their forces near Odesa," CIT said. Odesa is a key port city in Ukraine's south that Russia has failed to capture in its campaign to make Ukraine landlocked. Russian officials publicly expressed concern about the events in Transnistria. "We strongly condemn attempts to involve Transnistria in what is happening in Ukraine," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a briefing Thursday. "We call for restraint in Chisinau and Tiraspol and a return to a constructive search for optimal solutions to the issues on the agenda." The environmental cost of fast fashion Elon Musk reaches deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion Bear family breaks into van in search for food The global maritime industry oversees the movement and handling of over 800 million containers in various ports worldwide. Africa controls about 12% of this volume, with its clearing and forwarding market standing at almost $4 billion. That said, Africa's freight space is stuck with numerous challenges. Some include congestion at ports, opaque processes of service providers, fragmented payments, and low visibility and documentation. These were the four main challenges Hio Sola-Usidame fronted while running Logigrains, a company he founded in 2016 involved in logistics and commodities trading. OnePort 365 was the business he launched three years later to tackle these issues in Africa's freight management space. And in a new development, the three-year-old startup confirmed to TechCrunch that it has raised $5 million in seed funding. Founder and CEO Sola-Usidame explained to TechCrunch that in his experience working in the freight forwarding space, generating a quote for a shipment takes about 10 to 14 days. According to the founder, most of the processes involved in the supply chain are manual, which is why it takes time for quotes to be generated. "Typically, these guys have to deal with as much as 10 different middlemen. The way it works is this, there are probably about six different channels involved -- you have a trucking phase, you have a customs brokerage, you have a terminal, you have a shipment, you have a warehouse, and then you have marine insurance," he said. "As of today, I can tell you 80% of transactions are very much offline." Say this hurdle gets passed, the next one to cross becomes visibility, where Sola-Usidame argues that out of every 10 trucks that leave the ports in Nigeria, three go missing in transit; the reason being that just above 20% of them have a tracking system. "What you're seeing is a situation whereby cargo worth $100,000 is being hauled by a truck driver earning $400, and as a result, there's a lot of theft that goes on because there's no visibility," he said, giving more description. "If you can track your UPS parcel worth less than $100, why can't the guy loading $100,000 worth of cargo in a container track where this container is in Africa?" Story continues When it comes to payments, shippers use different payment methods across singular channels. Also, documentation in Africa is pretty much pen and paper, while the rest of the shipping and freight industry globally has moved to the electronic bill of ladings. OnePort 365 says its platform solves these problems by providing end-to-end digitization of freight management for stakeholders in this space. It is building an operating system for cross-border trade in Africa, helping traders to manage their freight forwarding processes and enabling other value-added services, the company said in a statement. The CEO claims that his startup, present in Nigeria and Ghana, cuts booking time from 10 to 14 days to "minutes." Traders can also connect with shipping and inland transportation vendors and manage the entire process (from booking to payments), including real-time visibility of their shipments. And in terms of payments, OnePort 365 claims to aggregate different methods enabled by the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) so traders have access to instant payouts. OnePort 365 bootstrapped throughout its first year. While the CEO didn't share numbers on bookings and users, he disclosed that his company has increased the number of twenty-foot equivalent unit containers (TEUs) by 140% and grown its revenue by more than 420% last year. Its business customers also grew from five to 50. OnePort 365 Hio Sola-Usidame (CEO, OnePort 365). Image Credits: OnePort 365 The seed round was led by Mobility 54, the VC arm of Toyota Tsusho and CFAO Group. Participating investors include SBI Investment, Flexport, ODX, a Singaporean syndicate fund and other angel investors. Samurai Incubate also followed on after participating in OnePort 365's previous round. OnePort 365's says its platform covers air freight, ocean freight, inland haulage (trucking, barge, and rail), pay-as-you-go warehousing, marine insurance and customs brokerage. The new funding will look into how the company can improve its efficiency and lower cross-border trading overhead across the continent. More money also includes trying to edge out the competition as the market for cross-border logistics services is said to hit revenues of $32 billion by 2025. Multiple companies are needed for the market to reach its full potential, and there are a few known ones: Ghanas Jetstream and Nigeria's SEND and MVX. Sola-Usidame argues that his team, made up of Maersk and DHL alumni, has firsthand experience running traditional freight forwarding businesses, giving the team some sharpness over others. "For us, we had experience running this in the traditional space before OnePort 365, and it's a massive edge that gives us a lot of experience and having a good understanding of the space, and that's what's led us to significant growth in that period, he said. The company plans to use the funding to add more people and expand to "three major hubs" across the continent before Q4 2022. Other deployments of capital will go into ramping up its tech and providing trade finance to the shippers. There is great potential to unlock significant commercial opportunities across the continent by addressing the long-standing challenges that have made it difficult to move freights into and around the continent, and we are confident that OnePort 365 has what it takes to succeed, said Takeshi Watanabe, CEO of Mobility 54 Investment SAS said in a statement. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. A winner has been named in the tender announced for the construction of the Ajapnyak statin of Yerevan Metro. During the Cabinet meeting today, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said the issue and possibility of constructing the Ajapnyak station has long been discussed. We have started the practical stage. A tender was announced for the designing of the station. There is a winner based on the tender results, and today the issue of funding will be discussed so that the designer will already make the design of the Ajapnyak station, which means that we are entering the construction stage, the PM said. He said that 750 million drams from the 850 million dram compensation paid for the damage caused by the Parking City Service to the Yerevan community will be directed for the designing works of the station. Mayor of Yerevan Hrachya Sargsyan said that the project will be implemented in 510 days or maybe earlier, within 50 million dollars. The project will be in three phases. We will be able to finance the first two phases at the expense of these funds. At the same time, I would like to ask for your instruction so that we can work for searching for financial resources necessary for the third stage from now on, he said. PM Pashinyan said this is a strategic project because it means that the metro crosses the opposite bank of River Hrazdan, which means that there is an opportunity for further branching to Davtashen, Malatia-Sebastia, 15th district, etc. Peace for Ukraine banners which will go up around the downtown area early this week. Several blue-and-yellow "Peace for Ukraine" banners will be going up around the downtown Springfield area early this week. The banners include the sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, which has been embroiled in a nearly two-month war with Russia. The U.N. High Commission for Human Rights has reported 4,335 civilians killed or wounded in Ukraine since Russias invasion on Feb. 24. The conflict has caused more than 4 million Ukrainians to flee their homes. Springfield Rotary Clubs donated just over $1,900 for the banners, with the city of Springfield matching that amount, according to Rotarian Barbara Malany. See also: A Springfield High grad was snubbed the valedictorian title. 38 years later, she gets the honor Other businesses that have contributed include the Illinois State Museum, the Illinois Education Association and Myers Commercial Real Estate. Ace Sign Co., Malany said, is manufacturing and installing the banners with Downtown Springfield, Inc. serving as the project manager. The banners are expected to be up through the end of July. Malany said the Rotary International Disaster Response Fund has raised $8.8 million to provide grants to the Rotary clubs in the countries bordering Ukraine. In addition to the banners, Illinois Realtors lit Bicentennial Plaza downtown with blue and yellow lights at the onset of the conflict in support of Ukraine, Malany pointed out. Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder has said the city is considering planting sunflowers around the Y Block. The city has hosted multiple groups from Ukraine through the years. One that was part of the U.S.Ukraine Foundation Open World Delegation in 2018 included Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov, who was kidnapped and held by Russian soldiers for six days last month. Fedorov was recognized by Pope Francis during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Square Saturday evening. Fedorov was in attendance. Langfelder said he is hoping the banners create a greater public awareness about the conflict. Story continues Langfelder, who often wears a Ukrainian flag lapel along with some other city workers, was mayor when Fedorov's delegation visited. Mayor Ivan Fedorov of Melitopol, Ukraine, second from left, visits Springfield and Mayor Jim Langfelder (holding shirt) in this February 2018 image. Fedorov, who was abducted by Russian soldiers and freed on March 16, was mentioned by Pope Francis during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Square Saturday. Fedorov attended the service. "(The conflict) crosses on multiple levels for me personally," he said. "It reflects back on my father (former Springfield mayor Ossie Langfelder) and his days in Europe and having to flee (the invading German army in Austria in 1938) but also how welcoming we should be as a community and not tolerate oppression of any type. "Everyone should respect peace in the world and that's what we're reflecting upon in this message." Malany and her husband, LeGrand "Lee" Malany, hosted Fedorov in their home during his visit here. Fedorov wasn't mayor at the time but was elected in 2020. Barbara Malany said she is personally following online five people through the conflict, including Fedorov. "A couple of them have said, 'We must win (this war), and we so appreciate your support.' They're heartened by the fact that we are supporting them visually as well as financially," she said. One of the people Malany is following in Ukraine is a physicist who drives along escape routes picking up people who are walking in conflict areas and driving them to safer areas in the west of the country "Every day he has a selfie of a bunch of fellow physicists and engineers and him who have loaded up cats and dogs and families and kids," Malany said. "Every day his closing remark is, 'Let's win.'" Related: Ukrainian mayor allegedly kidnapped by Russian forces visited Springfield in 2018 Another teenager from Poland who Rotary hosted here as an exchange student, Malany said, has helped start a project that houses 50 to 60 Ukrainian families in homes or hotels. The group, Malany added, has also driven supplies to the Polish border with Ukraine. "I'm so proud of these young people, but I worry about them, too," Malany said. "I think it's important for everybody to understand why we need to do this (as a show of support)," Lee Malany added. "Supporting the Ukrainians is in a sense supporting the idea of whether we're going to have a nice world to live in or whether we're going to fall back into conflicts with powerbrokers and a world that's made of warlords rather than democratic principles and the rule of law. "If Ukraine loses, there'll be no Ukraine. If Ukraine wins, there will be a redevelopment of Russia and some of these other countries." Barbara and LeGrand "Lee" Malany of Springfield Langfelder was on a U.S. Conference of Mayors webinar last week that included six mayors from Ukrainian cities. The conference adopted an emergency resolution in support of the Ukrainian people and democratic values. "It's just shocking how this war has turned (people's) lives upside down," Langfelder said. "That's the scary part. It should be a time of awakening for all of us, about what's happening and where does it stop." Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: 'Peace for Ukraine' banners will start flying in downtown Springfield During Ashland City Schools' three-week celebration of the arts in May, the community will be able to view student artwork at the high school during the weekend of May 6 like this art from last year's arts celebration. ASHLAND - With the United States Navy Band kicking off the festivities, more than 2,000 Ashland City Schools students will be participating in a three-week celebration of the arts. More: Schine's Theater gets pushed to end of year opening while construction continues Beginning with a 7:30 p.m. concert on May 2 by the Navy Band and rolling through May 21 with an AHS Jazz Band Big Band Dance at Trinity Lutheran Church, the days in between are filled with opportunities for the community to engage in various fine art promotions and productions. The Ashland High School Jazz Band will perform May 21 at the Big Band Dance at Trinity Lutheran Church to wrap up the three-week arts celebration for Ashland City Schools. Also on the agenda is an opportunity for the community to view student artwork at the high school during the weekend of May 6. Over the course of the month approximately 500 students will be involved, said AHS Director of Bands and Media Arts Marty Kral. Its important for students to understand the value of the arts outside of the music or art classroom. The U.S. Naval Academy Band is the third oldest active duty military band in America and one of the oldest professional musical organizations in the country originally founded on Nov. 22, 1852. Large events like concerts, presentations and art shows, bring in families, friends and the greater community to share in the gifts and talents of our students, added Kral. These moments also help promote the viability of the fine arts as a career path after high school. An orchestra concert will take place May 5 with grades 4-6 performing at 6 p.m. and grades 7-12 playing at 7:30 p.m. at Ashland High School as part of the school district's three-week celebration of the arts. Orchestra concert scheduled May 5 at Ashland High School Events continuing after the Navy Bands performance at the high school will include an orchestra concert on May 5 with grades 4-6 performing at 6 p.m. and grades 7-12 playing at 7:30 p.m. May 6 will feature Reagan Choir at 5, Edison Choir at 6 and the Sixth Grade Choir at 7 p.m. Taft Choir will be performing at 2 p.m. on May 7 and a trio of bands will be performing on May 9 beginning with fifth and sixth grade band at 6 p.m., seventh and eighth grade band at 6:30 p.m. and the AHS band wrapping up the day at 7 p.m. Story continues The performances help showcase a years worth of dedication, hard work and growth as musicians by the students. Performance is the culmination of study, practice and growth, said Kral. The students in Ashlands Musical Department are thrilled to get the opportunity to perform at such a high level for the community. On May 11, the AHS Fine Arts Student Advocates will promote the arts at the Governors Awards for Arts in Columbus. On May 14 and 15, the always popular AHS Choirs May Fiesta Concert will be performed at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m respectively, with the seventh and eighth grade choir given the chance to shine on May 16 at 7 p.m. May 17 is Fine Arts Signing Day at 3 p.m. Kral said that all of the events will take place at the high school unless otherwise noted. Not only are they (students) performing, added Kral. but they are also advocating for the fine arts and celebrating their achievements in Ashland and beyond. Visual arts has more than 2,000 participants The Ashland City School Districts 51st Fine Art Show celebrates the work of K-12 students who participate in the visual or performing arts, said AHS art teacher Nancy Boyer. Art students display pieces created in their art classes and music students perform at their respective concerts. In the visual arts, we will probably have 2,000-plus students participating in K-12. The artwork will be displayed on May 6 from 6-9 p.m., May 7 from noon until 5 p.m. and May 8 from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to the displays and performances, a face painting station will be available in the AHS Arrow Arena Lobby all three days, added Boyer. Student artwork will be displayed on May 6 from 6-9 p.m., May 7 from noon until 5 p.m. and May 8 from noon to 4 p.m. at Ashland High School during the school district's three-week celebration of the arts. This three-day event is an experience for the entire family. At the high school level, art students are required to choose one piece for the show, said AHS Visual Art and Media Arts Teacher Cameron Dedrick. This is a minimum requirement (as) most students will have more than one piece. At the elementary and intermediate levels, each student will have one piece in the show. Essentially we fill Arrow Arena with art. This year is also unique because we have a visiting artist on Saturday. Richard Duarte Brown is a Columbus-based teaching artist who is heavily involved in the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and the Ohio Arts Council. He will be at the show Saturday from noon- 5 p.m. where he will not only display and discuss his work with visitors, but will also set up an art-making station. This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland City Schools having a three-week celebration of the arts The Canadian House of Commons declared Russias actions in Ukraine a genocide on Wednesday, listing alleged crimes including killing civilians, descreating bodies, kidnapping children, torture and rape. The lawmakers unanimously approved the measure, which said there is ample evidence of systematic and massive war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed against the people of Ukraine. The motion said the actions are taking place under the directive of Russian President Vladimir Putin through his armed forces. Canada has joined other Western countries in implementing harsh sanctions on Russia for its actions, also providing aid to Ukraine as Russias war extends into its third month. Canadas resolution also comes weeks after President Biden said Russias actions were a genocide and called Putin a war criminal. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier this month that it was absolutely right that more people were using the term genocide to describe Russias war. Thousands of Ukrainian have died during the conflict, with many more still trapped in war-torn regions. Ukrainian officials have been pleading for humanitarian corridors so citizens can escape cities such as Mariupol, which came under fierce Russian attacks for weeks. Russia blames Ukraine for the lack of humanitarian routes, however Ukraine says Russia has been targeting those bringing aid into Ukraine and civilians trying to flee the country. The war has caused the largest migration crisis in Europe since World War II, with more than five million Ukrainians leaving their country. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Apr. 28EAU CLAIRE More than 100 U.S. military veterans will board a flight from La Crosse to Washington, D.C., next week to see the war memorials built in their honor. A number of Chippewa Valley veterans will be on board the 26th Freedom Honor Flight since the organization was founded in 2008. The May 7 trip, which takes place all in one day, will include stops at the World War II Memorial and other Washington landmarks such as the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial, National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Six area Vietnam War veterans who gathered Wednesday morning at American Legion Post 53 in Eau Claire shared their reasons for wanting to join the journey. For 75-year-old Eau Claire veteran Joe Heil, who served in the Navy and Marine Corps, visiting the Vietnam memorial will give him a chance to pay tribute to two good buddies who were killed in Vietnam. Just as he has when traveling replica walls have stopped in Eau Claire, Heil plans to find the names of his friends, Dell Geise of Burlington and Donald Bute of Streater, Illinois, among the 58,318 names inscribed on the black granite wall of Americans who lost their lives in the war. "It's a chance to see the actual wall instead of the replicas that have been here," said Heil, who still recalls his disbelief when he was informed of his friends' deaths. "My wife couldn't figure out why I cried the first time the replica came here, but I will never forget them," Heil said. "It's been more than 50 years, and I still remember." The other local veterans joining Heil on the trip Jim Hudacek of Bloomer and Harold Walters, Gary Nesgooda, Ed Olson and Roger Dale, all of Eau Claire also said they plan to look up the names of friends and former military comrades on the wall. Several of the veterans said they view the trip as a sign of gratitude for their service something they said was almost nonexistant when they returned home after completing their duty in Vietnam and faced insults from people who called them "baby killers" and "rapists." Story continues "We all agree we were not treated well when we got back from Vietnam," said Hudacek, 73, who served as a medical corpsman in the Army in 1968. Heil recalled his unit being told to change into civilian clothes before their plane landed in Los Angeles because of what people were doing and saying to troops returning from Vietnam. After that traumatic experience, Heil said it took him decades before he told anyone he was a Vietnam vet. Likewise, Nesgooda said he rarely felt comfortable talking about his Vietnam experience until he agreed some years ago to answer questions from Chippewa Falls High School students. Nesgooda, who served as a machine gunner and cook in the Marines from 1967 to 1969, described the experience as "like releasing the air from a balloon" and said he now is at peace with his service. Still, Nesgooda said, he and other veterans tend to be most comfortable talking about their service when gathering with other veterans "who know what you went through." In part for that reason, Dale, who served in the Air Force from 1969 to 1973, said he looks forward to sharing the Honor Flight experience with a plane full of other veterans. The veterans will travel between sites via luxury motorcoaches with a police escort. Just four years ago, Hudacek said, someone made a derogatory comment to him about Vietnam veterans that sent him into an emotional tailspin. "I thought I had my act together, but then after that I became very depressed and withdrawn and angry," he said. "As it turns out, I think those are symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and I was able to get help from the VA." Hudacek remains eager to go on the Honor Flight but acknowledged, "I'm sort of nervous about going because I think it will be very emotional." The other men said they were thankful, after waiting for several years, that their names rose to the top of the waiting list of veterans hoping to go on an Honor Flight. "It's an honor to go," said Olson, who served in the Marines from 1962 to 1966. Thanks to a recent rule change by the national Honor Flight organization, any veteran is eligible for one of the free flights. Priority is given to World War II veterans and veterans with a terminal illness, followed by Korean War era veterans and Vietnam veterans, with seats awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The May 7 trip is expected to include one World War II veteran, nine Korean War era veterans and 97 Vietnam veterans. Freedom Honor Flight is an affiliate of the national network, which next month will celebrate having taken 250,000 veterans to Washington. To date, more than 1,800 veterans have participated in the Freedom Honor Flight program, which is run by volunteers and funded by individual donations and fundraisers. The La Crosse-based affiliate serves 30 counties in western Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota and northern Iowa. David Archer has been selected as the 24th president of Christian Brothers University, giving permanence to the interim appointment he began last November. The new president was previously an associate professor and director of the university's health care MBA program. Archer succeeds Jack Shannon, who CBU said left the university in November to pursue other opportunities. Shannon became president in July 2019. CBU's board said it embarked on a presidential search with the assistance of consultant Ann Hasselmo of Academic Search, but suspended the national search due to remarks from campus. Related: Christian Brothers University to offer alumni free classes for life Previously: Jack Shannon departs CBU president's post; David Archer named interim successor After receiving input from numerous meetings with various constituencies of the university faculty, staff, students, administrators, and trustees we have chosen to take their advice and extend Daves appointment into a permanent position instead of conducting a national search, Louis Bo Allen, chair of the CBU Board of Trustees, said in a university release Tuesday. Over the last few months as interim president, Archer has "has more than proven himself capable," said Allen, who is First Horizon Banks president of West Tennessee. Christian Brothers University campus on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. The leadership turnover places CBU in a similar position as several Memphis higher education institutions. In addition to CBU, new presidents have either been named or started their leadership tenures at LeMoyne-Owen College, University of Memphis, Rhodes College and University of Tennessee Health Science Center since December 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In Archer, CBU will have a president with nearly 20 years of experience as the CEO of Saint Francis Healthcare in Memphis. He has also served on the boards for Guiding Star Memphis, Tennessee Hospital Association and the Greater Memphis Chamber. Assuming the presidency makes Archer both proud and humbled, he said. He described the university as a "tight-knit community" with "a bright future." Story continues "By continuing CBUs rich tradition of inclusion, access, and affordability, we will prepare our students to serve generously, lead purposefully, and live as responsible stewards for future generations," Archer said in a statement. See photos: Germantown Hardware expands, adds new products and services More: Germantown's Fried Chicken Fest to feature Gus's, Uncle Lou's and Mike's Hot Wings "I look forward to supporting our faculty, staff, and students in pursuit of that transformational purpose. That purpose and the Lasallian principles that guide it here at CBU will define my role as president of this university, he continued. Details of an inauguration are forthcoming, CBU said. Laura Testino covers education and children's issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @LDTestino This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Here's Christian Brothers University's new president Apr. 28HARTFORD The state House of Representatives passed a bipartisan children's mental health reform bill on Wednesday. The bill was passed unanimously, 149-0, with two House members absent or not voting. It now moves to the Senate. Both locally and statewide, legislators of both parties and chambers have highlighted children's mental health as a priority for this legislative session. The bill passed Wednesday includes policies that Republicans and Democrats have championed since before the current session began, pointing to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic as the chief reason for the bill. "While there were mental health issues prior to the pandemic, the issues have been exacerbated," state Rep. Tammy Exum, D-West Hartford, said while introducing the bill on the floor Wednesday afternoon. State senators and representatives from both parties, including Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, as well as Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont have said there needs to be legislation on mental health this session. Somers helped engineer a Republican proposal, some of which is in the bill passed Wednesday: House Bill 5001, An Act Concerning Children's Mental Health. State Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Saybrook, said he "couldn't imagine being in high school today and dealing with a lot of the pressure some of these kids deal with, especially with social media." The bill is meant to "improve access to mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders, particularly for children, and promote awareness about these insidious problems," according to a joint favorable report on the bill. Some of the problems the bill is intended to address include the expansion of licensing for behavioral health professionals in order to improve recruitment and retention, increasing access to school-based mental health services and cutting down on wait times for treatment, among other issues. State Rep. Liz Linehan, D-Cheshire, said the bill also will provide "training of physicians and pediatricians to be able to handle mental health needs when patients walk through the door instead of farming them out to someone else." Story continues State Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, said pandemic mitigation procedures are to blame for a lot of the mental health issues children are facing. "We owe it to them as a state, for what we have done to them in the last 18-24 months, to support this piece of legislation," he said. "We're here now, our kids are hurting, they need us, so I urge my colleagues to support this legislation." In her support for the bill, state Rep. Kathleen McCarty, R-Waterford, said, "I cannot emphasize enough how important this bill is to address the mental health needs of all of our children in the state, and all of the other fabulous provisions in the bill that look at workforce development." "We've seen the increase in suicidal ideation," state Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R-East Lyme, said in explaining why the legislation is necessary. "In 2020, the number of adolescents who died of drug overdoses was doubled, and it went up again in 2021." HB 5001 is not the only children's mental health-related bill circulating in the legislature. Senate Bill 2, An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services for Children, is meant as a complementary bill, according to Democratic House leaders. House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said he expects both to pass. The House first had to pass a strike-all amendment before debating the underlying bill due to changes to the bill, but, Linehan said, "it's not far from what we passed out of committee." Ritter said there is no "unseen language or ideas that have not been discussed" in the bill. Exum noted that Connecticut Children's Hospital has called the bill "the most transformative piece of children's mental health legislation that we've seen in decades." Ritter said the bill will cost roughly $35 million for increasing staffing and resources, with SB 2 expected to cost around $25 million. Exum delivered an emotional story in her closing comments on the bill about the struggle she and her family had to go through in order to get her son the proper mental health services, including flying to Colorado for an intensive program. House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, said Wednesday that the House plans to take up SB 2 and that, in general, the House will begin looking at Senate bills in the next day or two. s.spinella@theday.com Greg Nash A coalition of states and environmental groups is taking the Postal Service to court, Republican AGs want a climate metric blocked and California says Big Oil is to blame for plastic pollution. This is Overnight Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. For The Hill, were Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk. Someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Postal Service sued over gas-powered trucks Sixteen states and a coalition of environmental groups on Thursday announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service for its decision to upgrade the majority of its fleet with fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Environmental groups and climate hawks in Congress have blasted Postmaster General Louis DeJoys decision to buy new gas-powered vehicles with mileage of 8.6 miles per gallon. Of the up to 165,000 vehicles, the Postal Service has only committed to making about 10 percent of them electric. President Biden in December signed an executive order setting a target of carbon neutrality throughout the federal government, which would be severely complicated if the Postal Service the single biggest federal fleet does not transition to renewable energy. Whos on board? Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include EarthJustice, Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as the attorneys general of California, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. New York City and the Bay Area Quality Management District also joined the challenge. The Postal Service has a historic opportunity to invest in our planet and in our future. Instead, it is doubling down on outdated technologies that are bad for our environment and bad for our communities, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a statement. Once this purchase goes through, well be stuck with more than 100,000 new gas-guzzling vehicles on neighborhood streets, serving homes across our state and across the country, for the next 30 years. There wont be a reset button. Were going to court to make sure the Postal Service complies with the law and considers more environmentally friendly alternatives before it makes this decision. Story continues What are they alleging? In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs accuse DeJoy of using deeply flawed techniques on the environmental analysis that led to the order. The lawsuit alleges that the Postal Service inflated the costs of batteries to justify lack of electrification and underestimated gas prices. The analysis was conducted before recent surges in gas prices and was based on a projected gas price of $2.19 per gallon. The lawsuit also claims that the Postal Service underestimated the mileage per charge of electric vehicles, projecting 70 miles per charge even though currently available vehicles get as much as 200 miles per charge. DeJoys environmental process was so rickety and riddled with error that it failed to meet the basic standards of the National Environmental Policy Act, Adrian Martinez, a senior attorney on Earthjustices Right to Zero campaign, said in a statement. Were going to court to protect the millions of Americans breathing in neighborhoods overburdened with tailpipe pollution. Mail delivery in this country should be electric for our health and for our future. Read more about the lawsuit here. Red states want climate accounting measure blocked A group of Republican-led states on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reinstate a court order blocking a key climate accounting measure put in place by the Biden administration amid a legal dispute with potentially high stakes for climate change regulation. Led by Louisiana, the GOP-led states urged the justices to revive a federal judges February ruling that temporarily stopped the Biden administrations use of a metric known as the social costs of planet-warming gases to quantify the climate costs and benefits of regulatory actions. That ruling, by Trump-appointed U.S. Judge James Cain in Louisiana, was halted last month by a New Orleans-based federal appeals court. What are they arguing? In court papers filed Thursday, Republican attorneys general from 10 states trained their fire on the metric at issue, formally known as the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gas Estimates, which was first implemented under then-President Obama. The Estimates are a power grab designed to manipulate Americas entire federal regulatory apparatus through speculative costs and benefits so that the Administration can impose its preferred policy outcomes on every sector of the American economy, the group of GOP-led states wrote in their brief. The Obama-era figures gave much more weight to climate damages than figures used under the Trump administration. These social costs have been used to help quantify the climate benefits of regulation or, conversely, the climate costs of deregulation in agency rulemaking. Higher costs of greenhouse gases can be used to justify more stringent regulations. Read more from The Hills John Kruzel. California AG to investigate fossil fuel firms California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said on Thursday that he intends to launch an investigation into the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries for their contribution to global plastic pollution. Bonta also said he intends to subpoena ExxonMobil as part of this process. The public has been aggressively deceived by some of the largest and most influential corporations in the world, Bonta said at a Thursday press conference. The fossil fuel and petrochemical industries have engaged in a half-century campaign of deception that has harmed our environment, our people and our natural resources, he added. The investigation aims to identify companies that have either caused or exacerbated the plastic pollution crisis. Bonta said his office will examine the industrys historic and ongoing efforts to deceive the public and whether and to what extent these actions may have violated the law. We will not hesitate to hold these companies accountable if the law was violated, he added. Speaking to reporters from Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles, Bonta said that plastic and other waste must be removed daily from these sands, which he characterized as a small example of the much larger problem. Read more from The Hills Sharon Usadin. ON TAP TOMORROW EPA Administrator Michael Regan will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the agencys budget WHAT WERE READING The Permian Basin Oil Field Is Running Out of Workers, Materialsand Cash (The Wall Street Journal) Florida governor vetoes net metering bill opposed by rooftop solar proponents (Tampa Bay Times) Shell tightens restrictions on Russian oil buying (Reuters) Lake Mead plummets to unprecedented low, exposing original 1971 water intake valve (CNN) ICYMI Biden energy chief voices deep concern about tariff impact on US solar goals Climate change could spark next pandemic, study finds And finally, something offbeat and off-beat: Baking up for lost time. Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment page for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow. VIEW THE FULL VERSION HERE For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has vetoed part of a budget bill for the University of Mississippi Medical Center, saying he objects to spending $50 million for improvements to the adult hospital in Jackson. The Republican governor issued the partial veto of Senate Bill 3010 on Tuesday. Legislators specified the $50 million would come from Mississippi's pandemic recovery money from the federal government. UMMC declined to comment on the partial veto, spokesperson Marc Rolph said Wednesday. Reeves wrote on Twitter that UMMC's academic functions teaching physicians, nurses and other health care professionals are largely funded by the state, but the hospital is not. Gov. Tate Reeves responds to a reporter's question during a news briefing regarding Mississippi's COVID-19 response in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. They are responsible for their own operational budget just like other hospitals," Reeves wrote. The governor wrote that UMMC receives competitive advantages" over other hospitals and physician groups because it does not need the Health Department's approval for new facilities or large equipment. However, UMMC does need approval from the state college board. There is little reason that Mississippi taxpayers should radically increase the commitment to further subsidize the operations of UMMC to the detriment of competitors," Reeves wrote. Furthermore, they currently have enough money to willingly turn away patients on private insurance, clearly indicating that they have no need for the state to underwrite their ambitious building/spending goals. UMMC and BlueCross & BlueShield of Mississippi have been in a contract dispute the past several weeks over how much the insurer will pay for UMMC for patient care. Since April 1, UMMC and its clinics have been out-of-network for people insured by BlueCross & BlueShield, leaving those patients to pay more at UMMC or seek care elsewhere. UMMC said in an April 1 news release that it has been underpaid tens of millions of dollars per year by the insurance company. BlueCross & BlueShield has said UMMC is seeking payment increases of more than 50% for some services and an overall increase of 30%. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Tate Reeves vetoes $50M for improvements to UMMC adult hospital Since the early 1870s, those who observe have set aside a certain date in April usually but not exclusively the last Friday for tree-planting, a celebration otherwise known as Arbor Day. It all began with Nebraska newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton, who extolled the virtues of trees until he was tapped to become secretary of the Nebraska territory, further expanding his soap box. Motivated by Mortons idealism (and the promise of $50 and $25 cash prizes), a competitive populace reportedly planted more than 1 million trees on April 10, 1872, Nebraskas first Arbor Day and the launch of a national tradition. Minnesota became the fourth state to adopt that tradition in 1876, and now all 50 states are onboard. Trees work really hard for us, said Eric Wojchik, a planning analyst with the Metropolitan Council, the metros regional planning agency. We know this. They sequester carbon. They reduce the urban heat island effect. They provide food for wildlife. Trees are at the intersection of a lot of emerging issues, from public health and climate change to environmental justice. In Minnesota, temperatures are a bit chilly and the earth is still a bit hard, but there are other ways beyond turning the ground on Friday to speak for the trees. LIVE EAGLES AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM Question: What makes a better tree spokesman than a big bird? Answer: A bigger bird. In downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota has invited the National Eagle Center to host live eagle demonstrations April 29 and 30 in Discovery Hall. The shows, which will be held at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., are free with the price of admission, but tickets are required ahead of time at smm.org/visit. LIVE OSPREY CAM AT THE ARBORETUM Speaking of big birds, a pair of osprey, or fish hawks, returned to their nest at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska on April 12, and fans are watching their live cam and keeping fingers crossed for eggs. You can too at arb.umn.edu/content/osprey-cam. Story continues GROWING SHADE TOOL Is your neighborhood shady, or not shady enough? The Metropolitan Council has been working with the National Tree Trust and the Nature Conservancy on a new online tool that measures tree canopy in the Twin Cities metro by city or township, if not smaller areas. Within St. Paul and Minneapolis, the mapping tool drills down as far as neighborhoods and census block groups. The tool uses satellite data to track tree canopy changes in real time, which means as ash trees are removed in light of the ravages of the emerald ash borer, users can monitor tree loss over time. Its online at metrotransitmn.shinyapps.io/growing-shade. The tool also allows users to compare tree canopies to demographic information such as race and income, and includes easy-to-read narratives about each city or neighborhood. For instance, it reveals that Frogtown has the least amount of tree coverage in the city of St. Paul, at about 23 percent, well below the citys 34.5 percent average, and some census blocks have even less. Its capturing that disparity across cities and across the region, Wojchik said. In St. Louis Park, the city is using an environmental justice feature on the mapping tool to determine where to target low-cost sales of trees to homeowners for planting on private property. The feature combines data on race, income and other variables to highlight parts of the city that may have heightened need. This is a great way to go further with fewer resources, less money, because its a lot more targeted, Wojchik said. The Met Council held a webinar for city planners and foresters on Feb. 24, and a recording is available online. MARGARET PARK TREE PLANTING IN ST. PAUL St. Paul Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteers to plant trees on May 20, a Friday, to help restore the tree canopy at Margaret Park, 1109 Margaret St. Volunteers are asked to register online for a one-hour time slot in groups of two-to-four people, with tree plantings to take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Register at tinyurl.com/MargaretParkTree2022. OAKDALE TREE GIVE-AWAY Oakdale is giving away 200 trees to residents, but registration has already closed and all trees have been claimed. Still interested? Be an early bird next year and sign up early at ci.oakdale.mn.us. MORE INFORMATION Interested in learning more about best practices for tree planting, including how to select a resilient mix of climate-adapted urban trees? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources lists a plethora of online resources at dnr.state.mn.us/arbormonth. Related Articles Princess Eugenie is launching a podcast for her anti-slavery charity (Getty) Princess Eugenie has announced the launch of her anti-slavery charitys new podcast, Floodlight. The royal, who co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective with her friend Julia de Boinville in 2017, took to Instagram to make the big reveal. It comes as the royal family is facing called for slavery reparations in the Caribbean, after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, went on tours on the islands in honour of the Queens Platinum Jubilee. Eugenie, daughter the Duke and Duchess of York, previously announced the upcoming podcast series in January in a newsletter, describing the latest endeavour as long-awaited. On Wednesday, Eugenie invited listeners to join her and Boinville on a weekly basis as we sit down with guests from all walks of life who are helping to combat modern slavery in a variety of ways. From lawmakers and company leaders to famous activists, survivors and journalists, Floodlight shows you just how prominent modern slavery is and that we can all do something about it, she added. The first episode of Floodlight, released today, features Caroline Haughey OBE, a criminal barrister and Queens Council who is widely regarded as one of the leading experts in modern slavery in the UK. Haughey prosecuted the first modern slavery case in the UK and helped draft the Modern Slavery Act 2015. She was recently announced as one of the members of the Anti-Slavery Collectives Advisory Board, alongside former prime minister Theresa May, author Jared Cohen, journalist William Lewis, and American-British investment banker and philanthropist John Studzinski. In the podcast, Haughey speaks to the princess and Boinville about her involvement in Operation Fort, an effort led by the West Midlands Police that uncovered the UKs largest-ever modern slavery network. The barrister goes into detail about the case and opens up about the struggle in bringing the perpetrators to justice. She also advises on how members of the public can spot signs of modern slavery in everyday life. Story continues Earlier this year, Prince William and Kate Middletons tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas was overshadowed by protests at each stop by locals calling for the royal family to acknowledge their role in the slave trade and pay reparations. The calls have been renewed after Edward, the Queens youngest son, and his wife began their tour in Saint Lucia last week, followed by visits to Saint Vincent and the Grnadines and Antigua and Barbuda. Commentators condemned the Wessexes for being tone-deaf after they gifted a signed photograph of themselves to the prime minister of Saint Lucia. On Monday, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda urged the royal couple to use their diplomatic influence to achieve reparatory justice that is sought across the Caribbean. Eugenie and Boinville previously revealed that they first became aware of modern slavery during a 2012 trip to an organisation called Womens Interlink Foundation in Kolkata, India. They said in an Instagram post shared last October: We were shocked to discover the extent to which slavery still exists. In fact, there are more enslaved people today than at any other point in history and, at any one time, someone is being trafficked within a mile of where you live. We often associate slavery with chains and shackles, but modern slavery is a hidden crime that is often hard to detect. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, His Beatitude Raphael Bedros Minassian, the Presidential Office said. Raphael Bedros Minassian thanked the President for the welcome and congratulated the latter on assuming office, wishing a productive activity. President Khachaturyan highly appreciated the role of the Armenian Church especially in the preservation of the nations identity. Your work is of great importance for our people. Historically it has always pursued one goal to preserve our type and help our people get out of difficulties, the President said. The Armenian Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia agreed with the President, stating that it was possible to move forward with joint efforts and by helping each other. The meeting also touched upon the national-church issues, as well as the role and significance of the Armenian church in Diaspora. The Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office released a massive trove on Monday from its ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of Rust. The release adds significantly to the public record of the events leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21. But it does not answer one key question: Where did the live round come from? More from Variety Movies often use real guns, but never real bullets. But on Rust, a live round made its way into a Colt .45, which Alec Baldwin fired during set-up for a shot inside a church at the Bonanza Creek Ranch. Investigators would later find seven other suspected live rounds on the set, mixed among dummy rounds. Det. Alexandria Hancock was tasked with figuring out how they got there. On Nov. 9, she interviewed Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the films 24-year-old armorer, who came in with her attorney. The interview was recorded on Hancocks bodycam. Why would there be live ammo on the set? Hancock asked. I have no idea, Gutierrez Reed said. The rounds on the set were a mix of calibers and manufacturers BHA, S&B, Winchester and Starline Brass. Hancock paged through a series of crime scene photos, showing Gutierrez Reed where each of the suspected live rounds was found. (They were suspected to be live because a crime lab had yet to confirm that.) One was in an ammunition box with a bunch of dummy rounds. Two were sitting on top of a cart. One was in Baldwins bandolier. All of them plus the round that killed Hutchins were Starline Brass. But that didnt make any sense. Starline Brass is the dummy round of choice for movie sets. This company doesnt produce live ammo, Hancock said. Gutierrez Reed was stunned. So what the fuck? she said, throwing both hands in the air. Thats insane. Story continues The Starline Brass live rounds had the same brand marking two stars with an arc in between as the dummy rounds she had been loading into actors weapons. It was her job to tell the difference. The lives of the crew depended on it. So like what are you saying? Gutierrez Reed said. Somehow that one that should have never been able to fire, was able to fire? Her attorney jumped in, speculating that someone must have have turned a dummy into a live round. Oh my God, Gutierrez Reed said, dropping her pen. As it started to sink in, she visibly tensed up. Her eyes darted, and she seemed overwhelmed by emotion. Take a deep breath, Hancock said. . Even though they were the same brand, the live rounds looked slightly different from the dummies. The dummies had a gold-colored primer, while the primer on the live rounds was silver. A dummy round would also rattle when shaken a BB is placed inside and a live round would not. When she loaded Baldwins gun, Gutierrez Reed said she pulled four bullets without primers from her pocket. She pulled two others from a box. She said she checked all of them to make sure they were dummies. But one of the rounds was live. It had a silver primer. That didnt stick out to you when you loaded that gun? Hancock asked. The rest of them were not the same color? No, Gutierrez Reed said. Gutierrez Reed acknowledged that she had only been working as an armorer for a few months, and had no formal training. There is no official certification process for film armorers. She told the detective that she had learned the trade from her father, veteran armorer Thell Reed. But there was still a lot she did not know. At the beginning of the interview, Hancock showed her the industrywide safety bulletins which are typically distributed to crew whenever firearms are used on set. I definitely didnt see anything like this at all, she said, adding that in fact she had never seen one before. It might have gotten lost in the email. Hancock was puzzled why Gutierrez Reed would jumble together so many different types of bullets. Gutierrez Reed said she typically focused on separating the dummies that had primer caps from the ones that didnt. But she was not paying attention to the different manufacturers. She seemed unfamiliar with Starline Brass, and did not know until the detective told her that the company does not make live rounds. Asked what she thought happened, Gutierrez Reed said, At this point its kind of seeming like somehow these were mixed in. . In January, Gutierrez Reed sued Seth Kenney, who supplied most of the guns and ammunition used on Rust, alleging that he had negligently mixed dummy and live rounds, leading to the tragedy. Kenney has denied that the live rounds came from him, saying that he carefully rattle-tests every round before shipping it out. But in a call to Hancock on Oct. 29, he said he believed he knew where the live rounds came from. He did not want to name the man, preferring to call him this other person. But he was later identified as Joe Swanson, who runs Motion Picture Blanks, a supplier of blank rounds for the film industry. Kenney said that a couple of years earlier, Swanson had made some reloaded rounds that is, handmade live rounds using Starline Brass components. When he heard that the fatal bullet came from a Starline Brass casing, Kenney was sure they had to have come from Swanson. But how, Hancock asked, would they have gotten from Swanson to a box of dummy ammunition two years later on the set of Rust? Obviously the question going around is, Where did these come from?' she said. Kenney said it would be hard to know exactly. She just she commingled stuff, he said. Thats my thought. She straight up commingled stuff, and she didnt do what she was supposed to do. You have to assume that everythings live coming in. All the Western belts coming in out there are going to be live. Because you cant trust anyone. On Nov. 17 about a week after the interview with Gutierrez Reed Hancock talked to her father. Thell Reed, then 78, thought he could help connect the dots. Last August, Reed and Kenney drove out to Texas to work on 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, the hit Western series on Paramount. Reed brought along an ammo can with some reloaded rounds, which he had gotten from Swanson. He planned to use the rounds in live firearms training with the actors. Reed said that using live ammunition helped the actors get the feel of a firing a gun, so they would know how to do the recoil during a scene. After the production wrapped, he said that Kenney wound up with the ammo can and about 200-300 reloaded rounds. Reed said he wanted to get it back. When he came to Albuquerque, three days after the Rust shooting, he asked Kenney to return the reloaded rounds. Kenney refused. He told me to write it off, Reed said. Do you think Seth would still be in possession of this? Hancock asked. I doubt it, the way hes been talking, Reed answered. Two weeks later, the police searched Kenneys business, PDQ Arm and Prop, and seized miscellaneous .45 caliber ammunition and an ammo can. According to Gutierrez Reeds lawsuit, the ammo can was Reeds, but the reloaded rounds were missing. Kenney has yet to respond to the lawsuit. If the police talked to Swanson, its not reflected in the documents released on Monday. Hes not talking to anybody, said a woman who answered the phone at his business on Wednesday. The rounds seized on the set of Rust were sent to the FBIs lab in Quantico, Va., for ballistics analysis. The Sheriffs office is also waiting for DNA and fingerprint analysis, which may be able to clarify who touched the live rounds. Its not clear how much longer it will take to get those results or whether the precise chain of events will ever be established with certainty. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Weather Alert ...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 AM PDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Overnight temperatures expected to drop into the low to mid 30s with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 to 32 in the cold prone areas of these zones. * WHERE...In Washington, Kittitas Valley and Yakima Valley. In Oregon, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon. * WHEN...From 2 AM to 8 AM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Sensitive plants and vegetation should be protected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing. && YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan says that during his recent visit to India a number of agreements were reached to boost the cooperation in employment and social protection sector. During a press conference in Armenpress today, the minister said this is the first experience of such a level of dialogue. India is a very important country for Armenia in the context of mutli-sectoral cooperation. In this respect I would like to note that the visit was quite productive and was full of agreements reached. Working groups have already been formed to deal with the implementation of these agreements, he said. He particularly highlighted the meeting with the executives of Skill India large state corporation. The corporation is cooperating with different business associations, major companies and is engaged in development of human skills, trainings. It also has active relations with educational institutions, business organizations, clarifies priority areas and what kind of specialists are needed. It trains 60 million people annually. Minister Mkrtchyan informed that a memorandum has been signed with the corporations leadership on introducing such an institute in Armenia. Indias experience in training a large number of people, making them competitive in the labor market is very important for us. Today we re-assess our employment programs in order to make them more targeted. And studying the successful international experience is very important here. India has quite a successful experience in this respect. If we manage to introduce such a system in Armenia, we will be able to offer new paths for development of skills to our citizens, the minister said. Mkrtchyan informed that he had a productive meeting also with the Indian Minister of Labor, Employment and Environment, and they agreed to sign agreements in a number of directions. A working group has already been formed to deal with pushing forward these activities. We will start these activities next week. One of the directions relates to the discussions over an organized labor migration. As you know, a labor force from India is attracted to Armenias different areas. We are planning to put this movement on legal relations, provide legal consulting, formalize everything that is informal and give an opportunity for training, he said. The next direction, he said, is the field of social protection and working relations, which is again developed in India. Narek Mkrtchyan said India is among those unique countries that granted people working remotely a status by including them in the social protection system. This is also important for Armenia. A process of exchange of experience will start in this direction, he added. Today Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 87F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow Mostly sunny. High 83F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Celebrated annually as a tribute to all mothers and motherhood, it is worth remembering this day falls on various dates in different parts of the world, in Hungary it's Sunday the 1nd of May in 2022. The origins of the holiday dates back to the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The modern form of the celebration of Mother's Day began in the early 20th century. More: www.timeanddate.com Mother's Day around the World Related links Father's Day Celebrated In Hungary, 19 June in 2022 YORK The man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of farming equipment from York County producers has pleaded not guilty to felony theft. Patrick Sardeson, 64, of Lincoln, was arraigned in York County District Court this past week, on one count of theft by lawful taking with a value of $5,000, which is a Class 2A felony that carries a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison upon conviction. This case was investigated by the York County Sheriffs Department with assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriffs Department. This was a case from last summer involving the theft of a lot of irrigation pipe and trailers from a York County ag producer. At the time Sardeson was charged, York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka explained the theft involved 120 sections of aluminum irrigation pipe and two pipe trailers, which had been taken from fields. The value of the stolen property was estimated at $7,000. The sheriffs department also investigated a situation in which $10,000 worth of tools had been taken from a rural construction site, which they thought was related to this case. At the same time, the Lancaster County Sheriffs Department was contacted by a citizen there who gave them information about the crimes and the name of a suspect Sardeson. Lancaster County law enforcement officials got a court order and were able to put a tracking device on his vehicle. In doing so, they tracked him to the locations of those two large-scale rural thefts in York County. They also tracked his movements to a salvage business in Iowa where he was recorded, on video, selling off all the stolen property. At the time Sardeson was charged, he was already serving a 44-month sentence for two convictions of theft in Lancaster County. He also has a long criminal history, which Sheriff Vrbka spoke of. Sardeson, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, has served prison terms for the following convictions: second degree forgery, Lancaster County; theft by unlawful taking, failure to appear and first degree assault, Lancaster County; three convictions of theft by receiving stolen property, Buffalo County; burglary and attempted theft by receiving stolen property, Kearney County; theft by unlawful taking, Hall County; two convictions of theft by unlawful taking and theft by receiving stolen property, Dawson County; theft by unlawful taking, Lancaster County; burglary, habitual criminal, theft by receiving stolen property and accessory to a felony, Lancaster County; and possession of methamphetamine and two convictions of burglary, Dawson County. As Sardeson pleaded not guilty to this particular charge in York County, a jury trial was scheduled for late August. Editors note: This is the first of two installments of coverage from this weeks forum featuring candidates for York County Sheriff and District 3 York County Commissioner. McCOOL JUNCTION This week, a political forum was held featuring the candidates seeking the positions of York County Sheriff and District 3 York County Commissioner. It was held at the Stone Creek Event Center in McCool Junction and was co-sponsored by the York News-Times and KOOL Radio/Nebraska Rural Radio Network. The event was extremely well attended, with approximately 130 people from York County coming to hear from the candidates. This forum was particularly important because these two races will ultimately be decided in the May Primary Election, as all the candidates are Republicans. Featured were commissioner candidates Stan Boehr, Brian Bedient, Steve Warren and John Prusia; and sheriff candidates Paul Vrbka and Scott Wiemer. Moderating the event were Carrie Colburn from the newspaper and Gene Curtis from the radio station. The moderators asked questions with the candidates getting two minutes for each of their responses. To start the evening, the candidates were asked to introduce themselves and talk a little bit about why they were running for local office. Boehr said, York County has a lot of exciting things happening. We have two major roadways that cross through our county, broadband is great and will be throughout our county, we have great healthcare services, great schools, this is an exciting time for us. And more and more people want to live in a rural area they can move here and have a great way of life. We have great recreational areas, a great newspaper and radio station. The industry here including in our small towns is amazing. People encouraged me to run due to my experience on other boards and Im a people person. I grew up in northwest York County; yes, there are people north of Highway 34, Bedient said, drawing some laughter from the crowd. I spent my life on the farm and in 4-H as a kid. After high school, I got my degree in education at UNL, came back to York County and was fortunate to be hired in the first class at Hamilton Sundstrand. During my career there, I continued my education and received a degree in organizational leadership. I worked in many areas at Sundstrand, managing (a large team) during which I listened to folks and made decisions based on data. Im from Bradshaw, Warren said. I have lived in York County my entire life Ive only moved three miles in my entire life. I have served on numerous church boards. I was on the Bradshaw School Board for 12 years and was also chairman. I work for Aurora Co-op. York County has top notch schools and businesses and I want to help improve York County while representing York County. I want to serve District 3 to the best of my ability. I live in Henderson, Prusia said. We moved to York County in about 1999, we raised our kids in York as I worked for the York County Sheriffs Department starting in 2003 in corrections and then graduating to deputy. I worked for the sheriffs department for 17 years and then was asked to consider joining the Henderson Police Department. I have been at the Henderson Police Department for two years now. I enjoy working with the public and getting to know folks. Im the York County Sheriff, Ive been in the sheriff for 3 years now, said Vrbka. Im originally from Pierce, Nebraska, and I started my law enforcement career with the Platte County Sheriffs Department in 1981. I came to York County as a deputy in 1986, was later promoted to sergeant and worked in that capacity 17 years. I was a canine handler for 10 years. In 2003, I was promoted to second in command by Sheriff Dale Radcliff and served in that capacity until 2018 when I was elected as sheriff. Ive been in York most of my life and my family has been in York County for five generations, said Wiemer. In 1999, I was hired by the York County Sheriffs Department and was a deputy until 2015. In 2015, my wife and I started self-employment and in 2020, I went back into law enforcement. Seward County had an opening, it was a good fit and Ive been there ever since. The moderators pulled random questions for each of the candidates no one knew what questions would be asked until the questions were pulled at that moment. The following questions were pulled and answered by the candidates: What do you want to see for the future of York County? What would you like to see be accomplished by the county board in the next four years and into the future? Boehr responded, Like I said earlier, York County has so many great things. The greatest asset we have are our kids, Midwest kids with great work ethic. We need to promote to them why not move back here because of where we are located and what we have to offer. I want to encourage entrepreneurship and bringing people back. York County is a great place to live and I want to promote that. The same question: What do you want to see for the future of York County? What would you like to see be accomplished by the county board in the next four years and into the future? was asked of Bedient. He responded: As Stan said, it is extremely important to retain our youth. We have opportunities to grow and expand. York County is ideal in attracting some more light industry, things that could employ 50-100 people. We have what we need to attract and retain great businesses. In the next four years, Id like to see the county work on economic development, as well as protect our farmland. We need to keep our ag land generating crops and growing livestock. Asked of Warren was: Do you feel the county has been pro-active in the area of economic development? Yes, Warren responded. I think weve been doing a pretty good job. Like anything, everything takes time, there are a lot of mandates to work through. I need to learn more about some of this, but York County has grown very well. Prusia was asked, What experiences/talents do you possess that you feel enhance your ability to be a county commissioner? I have 17-plus years of law enforcement experience and I think that would be a benefit to the board and the county as a whole. We have issues now with us having to spend a lot of money on medical bills and housing for jail inmates which is no fault of the sheriffs department or the county board. I think its a lack of communication between the attorneys and I could be a liaison between those two offices. Vrbka was asked, Working in the area of criminal justice has become increasingly more difficult over the past few years how do you foresee the future for this field and should there be more enhancements in pay for officers in order to recruit and retain? Yes, I do, Vrbka responded. A lot of agencies, all over the nation, are facing issues with retention and recruitment. We need increased wages and better benefits. Right now, there just isnt a lot of interest among people to get into this career area, which is being seen nationally. We cant afford to lose the good people we have because they are established employees and they are established members of the community, in both corrections and law enforcement. Wiemer was asked: The county sheriffs department already works with other counties and agencies in a number of ways do you feel there are others that could be pursued? It is important to do so, Wiemer said. It helps reduce crime in local areas and with the sharing of information. There has also been an upgrade in communications, which has been a helpful tool. In the next round, Boehr was asked if the county has been pro-active in the area of economic development. As much as I know about it and I watch the newspaper, it looks like they are trying, Boehr said. Its important and exciting. Im all for it and glad to see new growth in York County. Bedient was asked if he has one particular concern regarding the future of York County. I think it would be the retention of youth, Bedient responded. People can only make so much money in service type of work and we need to have better paying jobs to attract people. Warren was asked, Do you feel more money should be spent on road work in the county? Roads are a big deal for the county and every year is different because of the weather, Bedient said. And times have changed, farming practices have changed, the farming equipment has changed. Every year makes a difference, if its dry or wet. The county is doing a good job with the roads. The next question went to Prusia, who was asked, How do you feel about the use of inheritance tax funds for non-tax-supported expenses? I think its a good idea, Prusia said. As Bill (Commissioner Bamesberger) explained to me recently, the new 911 center was primarily built with inheritance tax money. Those funds didnt come directly out of our pockets, so to speak, and that fund is currently sitting in the millions. There is a place for it, but we need to be frugal with those funds all the same. Vrbka was asked, What would you like to see be accomplished by the sheriffs department in the next four years and into the future? We have started a threat assessment team at York High School and I have contacted all the other schools in the county about starting programs there as well, starting in the fall, Vrbka said. I recently sent two deputies to Texas for active shooter training and I want to start active shooter training for our local fire departments and other agencies. I also recently spoke with a woman named Nancy Davidson who wants to start a neighborhood watch program and I would like to work with her for this, throughout the county. This could also be a good way, with communication, people saying when they see things happening, to help prevent rural thefts in fields and on farms. Wiemer was asked: How do you see the sheriffs role in community outreach, speaking with kids, educating senior citizens, etc.? I think it is important for the sheriff to be out and about and be the face of the department, Wiemer said. Also to educate people on the prevention side of things. It is important for the sheriff to be out there. Editors note: Coverage of the second half of the forum will be published in the Saturday edition of the York News-Times. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy of Armenia Vahan Kerobyan received the delegation led by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Ehsan Khandouzi on April 28 to discuss the opportunities of expanding bilateral relations in the economic sphere. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Economy, the meeting was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, the Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia Narek Teryan and Armenias Trade Representative to the Islamic Republic of Iran Vardan Kostanyan. Welcoming the guests, Vahan Kerobyan noted that although Armenia's trade turnover with Iran increased by 25% in 2021, there is a great potential for further expansion of bilateral cooperation and bringing that figure to $ 1 billion. In his speech, Vahan Kerobyan also presented the priority directions of the Armenian economy and the mechanisms of state support. The Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Ehsan Khandouzi noted that the policy of the new government of Iran emphasizes the development of relations with neighboring countries, especially neighboring friendly country Armenia. According to Seyed Ehsan Khandouzi, the Iranian side strongly attaches importance to not only the development of economic relations with Armenia, but also views Armenia as a "gateway" to enter the markets of Russia and other EEU member states. During the meeting, issues related to the implementation of joint investment programs, the construction of an industrial zone with the participation of the Iranian side, the improvement of logistics infrastructure, simplification and regulation of procedures in the cargo transportation process, as well as revision of transit cargo payment rates were discussed. Reference was made to the most promising directions of cooperation in the economic sphere, a number of other issues of mutual interest, which will be discussed in more detail during the forthcoming 17th sitting of the joint intergovernmental commission of the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. YORK Matthew S. Layman, 37, whose address has been York and most recently the Douglas County Jail, has been resentenced in a case related to counterfeit money and being involved in a police stand-off that took place in August, 2018. According to the affidavit of probable cause filed against Layman, this case began on Aug. 28, 2018 when the York Police Department received information about a man and a woman trying to pass counterfeit money at local businesses. The court documents indicate that police went to a local hotel where the two were said to be staying and that the woman was taken into custody. Investigators say that Layman, however, was able to evade arrest at that time. The next day, officers said they learned that Layman had contacted the hotel in an effort to retrieve items he had left behind. The police said the items had already been seized, which included syringes, items with methamphetamine residue, computers and counterfeit money. Through their investigation, officers were given information that Layman was hiding in a camper on a property along East Avenue in York. They said when they arrived, they discovered the camper was locked and that a window had been altered. When an officer attempted to go through the window, in an effort to extract Layman from the camper, the defendant yelled to police that he had a gun and would shoot himself if they entered. The police officers backed away from the camper and called for assistance, which included more officers with the police department, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team and the York County Sheriffs Department. A stand-off began, with Layman in the camper and law enforcement surrounding the scene outside. According to court documents, during this time, investigators received a report from dispatch that someone had called them from a cell phone reporting a bank robbery in downtown York. It was established that this was a false report and that no bank robbery was underway. The dispatchers had the phone number from which the false report was made. Then, Layman (still inside the camper) called 911 and asked to talk to his co-defendant (who was in jail). Dispatchers told officers that Layman made that call from the same phone number as the earlier false robbery claim. The stand-off continued for about a half-hour and then Layman exited the camper and was arrested without incident. Investigators said they found the phone, counterfeit money, drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine residue in the camper as well. Initially, he was sentenced to four years in prison with post-release supervision. However, the post-release supervision was revoked because of Laymans non-compliance. This week, he was re-sentenced in York County District Court to 300 days in jail and 12 years of post-release supervision. Air India's four Boeing 747 jumbo jets that were not in operation since February 2020 have been deregistered by the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), sources said on April 27, as reported by PTI. Planes as old as these 747s consume a huge amount of fuel and require extensive maintenance, they said. It is not clear what will be done with these four planes now, they added. The salt-to-software conglomerate is expected to put in a fresh order with either Boeing or Airbus for new wide-bodied aircraft for Air India, the sources said. Till about two years ago, the aforementioned 747s were being used to operate international flights for top dignitaries such as president, prime minister and vice president. When they were not in service of dignitaries, the four jumbo jets were being used for international commercial passenger flights. Also read: Narrow escape for 150 passengers as flight suffers tyre burst moments before landing in Bengaluru Tata Group took control of Air India on January 27 after successfully winning the bid for the airline on October 8 last year. Tata currently has Air India and Vistara in its fleet, however, the company is in talking terms with the CCI to acquire AirAsia India. (With inputs from PTI) Live TV #mute IndiGo becomes the first airline in Asia to land its aircraft using the indigenous navigation system GAGAN, with Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approach according to a statement issued on April 28. "This is a huge leap for Indian Civil Aviation and a firm step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as India becomes the third country in the world to have their own SBAS system after the USA and Japan. The flight was conducted using an ATR-72 aircraft and landed at the Kishangarh airport in Rajasthan on Wednesday (April 27) morning, using GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation (GAGAN), which has been jointly developed by the Centre-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the statement issued by IndiGo said. Also read: Air Indias four jumbo jets, once used as international flights for top dignitaries, now deregistered "GAGAN will be a game-changer for civil aviation, leading to modernisation of the airspace, reducing flight delays, bringing in fuel savings and improving flight safety," Ronojoy Dutta, whole-time director and CEO, IndiGo, said in a statement. GAGAN is used to provide lateral and vertical guidance when an aircraft is approaching a runway for landing. Its precision is especially useful at small airports where the instrument landing system (ILS) has not been installed. This test flight is a part of the approval process with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which includes training of pilots, validation of approach, simulator sessions among others. LPV capability provides the airline operators a precise and near-precision instrument approach option with the lowest minima relative to other approach options, when Instrument Landing System (ILS) is either not installed or unavailable, especially in case of the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) airports. The GAGAN is designed to provide the additional accuracy, availability, and integrity necessary to enable users to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, from en route through approach for all qualified airports within the GAGAN service volume. It will also provide the capability for increased accuracy in position reporting, allowing for more uniform and high-quality Air Traffic Management (ATM). "In India's civil aviation sector, GAGAN will modernize the airspace, reduce flight delays, save fuel and improve flight safety," the statement said. The DGCA has issued a mandate for all aircraft registered in India after July 1, 2021, to be fitted with GAGAN equipment, it added. (With inputs from PTI) Live TV #mute A Thai Airways flight escaped unhurt after the aircraft suffered a tyre burst before it landed in Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL), according to sources. There were at least 150 passengers along with crew members on board, as per IANS. The incident took place on Tuesday night (April 26) and a technical team from the airlines arrived on Wednesday evening (April 27) with a spare wheel. The airport sources confirmed that the plane will fly to Bangkok from Bengaluru on April 28. The 256-seater flight TG 325, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, had taken off from Bangkok and landed in Bengaluru at 11:32 pm. on April 26 in Bengaluru. The sources explained that the plane, despite suffering the tyre burst, landed safely on the tarmac. Also read: With Twitter takeover, what will be the fate of the boy who tracked Elon Musk, Russian Oligarchs' plane? Experts have said that the burst happened in the mid-air but did come to the notice of the pilots. Authorities at the Bengaluru airport say that it was a miraculous escape for the passengers and crew. After disembarking the people on board, the plane was taken for inspection. Sources explain that the plane was supposed to take off from Bengaluru to Bangkok on Wednesday (April 27) but the trip was cancelled following the incident. (With inputs from IANS) Live TV #mute With most countries now transitioning to endemicity, the complete easing of restrictions comes as a breath of fresh air and delight for many especially as they gear up to celebrate Eid, a festivity largely spent with family. For many regions, the Eid celebration this year marks the first time since the onset of the pandemic that people are able to travel freely. Hence, domestic travel tops charts for India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines, while Singapore based travellers are keen to explore newly opened borders, with neighbouring Malaysia ranking top destinations this Eid. Meanwhile, booking data from Agoda reveals that Indians are seeking out warmer climates, with Maldives topping the list of favourite international destinations followed by Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Also read: IndiGo pilots found abusing on emergency frequency over salary issues; DGCA launches probe When it comes to the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region, Thailand and Singapore as the most popular regional destinations for festive travellers, with Thailand leading the pack in making the top five destination list for all countries. This is followed by Singapore, which placed in top five for Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Indonesia and Malaysia are on par, emerging as Eid favourites for two countries, respectively. On the international front, Malaysians, Indonesians and Filipinos are flocking to cooler weather conditions with the United Kingdom and United States appearing as the choice destination. Moreover, the month of May is popular among eager travellers across Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, India and Indonesia) as the first two weeks of the month include three public holidays, namely Labour Day (1 May), Eid (3-4 May) and Vesak Day (16 May), signalling a golden opportunity for travel. Most popular destination comparisons by country over 2019 & 2022 Eid celebration period: India - Maldives makes an entry to become the choice international destination for Indians this year. This is followed by Thailand (#3) and United Arab Emirates (#4). - Despite border reopening, Malaysia dropped out of the list this year despite placing third in 2019. Malaysia - Thailand remains the top regional destination for Malaysians over the festive period, while Singapore overtakes Japan to claim second spot. - Malaysians opting for international destinations are looking to venture further this year with United Kingdom (#4), Turkey (#6), Australia (#7), Switzerland (#9) and France (#10) making an entry to the top ten list. Also read: Jeep Meridian bookings to open from May 1st week, delivery starts 3rd week of June Singapore - Malaysia maintains its position as the top regional destination for Singaporeans while Thailand shifts from third spot to second place. - Switzerland and the United States make a welcomed entry to the list as 2019 favourites such as Japan, China and Taiwan remain closed to international tourists. - Philippines jumps from the bottom of the top ten leaderboard to fifth this year. Indonesia - Malaysia, which was the number two choice back in 2019 fell two spots down to fourth place in 2022 while Singapore rose to claim second spot this year. - This year also sees interesting new additions to the top ten list with United States (#3), France (#5), Switzerland (#6), Turkey (#7), Netherlands (#9), Italy and United Kingdom (#10) making an entry. Live TV #mute FILM: Runway 34 DIRECTOR: Ajay Devgn CASTING: Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh RATINGS: 3.5/5 Superstar Ajay Devgn made his directorial debut with family entertainer U Me Aur Hum in 2008. His second directorial was Shivaay, an action thriller which came out in 2016 and now he is back with Runway 34 - a first of its kind aerial-investigative-thriller. RUNWAY 34 PLOT: Based on a true story, Runway 34, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rakul Preet Singh, Boman Irani, Angira Dhar, Aakanksha Singh, YouTuber Carryminati and Ajay Devgn. The movie's plot revolves around pilot Vikrant Khanna played by Ajay Devgn, who faces a legal battle after a horrific incident that took place several thousand feet above the ground. The film is based on the 2015 Jet Airways Doha-Kochi flight that went through a narrow escape after facing difficulties due to unclear visibility. Amidst bad weather conditions, poor visibility, lack of fuel and panicky passengers, the pilot Vikrant Khanna, despite staggering odds and with no help thousands of feet up in the air, lands the plane on Runway 34, which apparently the most dangerous of runways, without any causality. Only after the plane is safely landed and the needy are rushed to hospital, an enquiry is called to burn the pilot. PERFORMANCES IN RUNWAY 34 Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most brilliant, shrewd and sharp investigator, is assigned the case, who grills Vikrant and his co-pilot, Rakul Preet Singh, to find out what conspired that fateful morning. The film is full of special-effects, brilliant performances and moments, which are relatable and could make you teary eyed. Ajay Devgn is sublime and impressive with his direction and acting in the film. Amitabh Bachchan just lit up the screen with his sheer presence and voice. Rakul Preet Singh is incredibly stunning in the movie and surprises the audience with the way she has portrayed her character in front of two big superstars. The acting department is spot-on in the film, the direction is outstanding, with few errors and stretched moments, the film is an amazing cinematic experience. Apart from the plane, passage and pilot arena, there is another track in the film, a corporate take-over, which fuels the movie further into sub-textual and dark areas of the aviation industry, veteran actor Boman Irani is someone who will surprise you with his presence. The film is co-produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Vikrant Sharma, Sandeep Harish Kewlani, Tarlok Singh Jethi, Hasnain Husaini and Jay Kanujia. New Delhi: Competition Commission of India (CCI) raids early on Thursday against two top domestic sellers of online retail giant Amazon.com Inc, and some on Walmart`s Flipkart, following accusations of competition law violations, sources told Reuters. Indian retailers, key supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have long contended that Amazon and Flipkart`s platforms benefit a few big sellers, via predatory pricing, though the companies say they comply with all Indian laws. The two Amazon sellers figuring in Thursday`s raids were Cloudtail and Appario, two sources said on condition of anonymity, as the details were not public. Two other sources said some sellers on Walmart`s Flipkart platform were also being raided by officers of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), but there were no immediate details. "This is a significant development as generally CCI doesn`t do searches in non-cartel cases," a former official of the competition regulator told Reuters. "Doing dawn raids to unearth complex economic activities is a new domain for the regulator." Amazon, which has an indirect equity stake in both the sellers raided, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Flipkart. Cloudtail, Appario and the regulator also did not immediately respond to emailed queries. One of the sources said the raids, carried out in the capital, New Delhi and the southern tech hub of Bengaluru, related to an investigation the CCI ordered in January 2020. In that case, Amazon and rival Flipkart face accusations of anti-competitive practices, such as promoting preferred sellers on websites and giving priority to listings by some sellers. The antitrust investigation continues. Amazon has previously said it "does not give preferential treatment to any seller on its marketplace," and "treats all sellers in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner". A Reuters investigation last year, based on Amazon internal documents, showed it had given preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers on its platform, including Cloudtail, and used them to bypass Indian laws. (https://reut.rs/3rTWXxi) It showed Amazon had for years helped these sellers with discounted fees, among other advantages, as well as helping Cloudtail strike special deals with big tech firms. The investigation found that about 35 of Amazons more than 400,000 sellers in India in 2019 accounted for around two-thirds of sales on its India website. Of that figure, two sellers, Cloudtail and Appario, contributed 35% of the platforms sales. The anti-trust body told a court the Reuters report corroborated evidence it had received against Amazon. In August, Amazon and Cloudtail decided the latter would cease to be a seller from May 2022. Live TV #mute New Delhi: As many as 3.14 crore workers were employed in nine industries in the December quarter of 2021, indicating a rising trend in employment in the organised sector, according to a Labour Bureau survey. In the September quarter of 2021, the number of workers stood at around 3.10 crore. The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MOLE) on Thursday released the report of the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the period October-December 2021 period. "Happy to inform the report on 3rd Round (Oct ?Dec, 2021) of Quarterly Employment Survey shows a rising trend in employment in organised sector, employing 10 or more workers, of the selected 9 sectors," Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav said in a tweet. Citing the survey, he said the number of workers employed stood at 314.54 lakh (3.1454 crore). QES captures employment data in respect of establishments employing 10 or more workers in nine sectors -- Manufacturing, Construction, Trade, Transport, Education, Health, Accommodation & Restaurants, IT/ BPOs and Financial Services. These sectors accounted for about 85 per cent of the total employment in units with 10 or more workers in the 6th Economic Census. According to the report, manufacturing sector is the largest employer accounting for around 39 per cent of the estimated total number of workers followed by education sector at 22 per cent. Citing the survey, the ministry said that the manufacturing sector had the maximum number of workers during the period at 124 lakh, followed by education at 69.26 lakh. They were followed by IT/BPOs (34.57 lakh), health (32.86 lakh), trade (16.81 lakh), transport (13.20 lakh), financial services (8.85 lakh), accommodation and restaurants (8.11 lakh), and construction (6.19 lakh). Almost all (99.4 per cent) establishments were registered under different statutes. Overall, around 23.55 per cent of units provided on-the-job training to their workers. Among the 9 sectors, 34.87 per cent of units in health sector provided on-the-job training, followed by IT/BPOs at 31.1 per cent, the ministry said in a statement. The survey is done by the Labour Bureau to provide frequent (quarterly) updates about the employment and related variables of establishments in both organised and unorganized segments of the nine select sectors, which account for a majority of the total employment in the non-farm establishments. The Labour Bureau comes under the ministry. New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the revised cost estimate on Setting up of India Post Payments Bank The Cabinet has approved the revision of project outlay for setting up of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) from Rs.1435 crore to Rs.2255 crore as equity infusion to meet regulatory requirement. The Cabinet also granted in principle approval for future fund infusion to the tune of Rs.500 crore for meeting regulatory requirements and technological upgradation. The objective of the project is to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man; spearhead the financial inclusion agenda by removing the barriers for the unbanked and reduce the opportunity cost for the under banked populace through assisted doorstep banking. The project supplement Government of Indias vision of less cash economy and at the same time promote both economic growth and financial inclusion, said an official release. India Post Payments Bank did a nationwide a launch by on September 1, 2018 with 650 branches/controlling offices. IPPB has enable 1.36 lakh Post Offices to provide banking services and has equipped nearly 1.89 lakh Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks with smartphone and biometric device to provide doorstep banking services. Since the launch of IPPB, it has opened more than 5.25 crore accounts with 82 crore aggregate number of financial transactions with Rs.1,61,811 crore which includes 765 lakh number of AePS transactions worth Rs.21,343 crore. Out of the 5 crore accounts, 77% of accounts are opened in Rural areas, 48% are women customers with around Rs.1000 crore of deposit. Nearly 40 lakh women customers received Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into their accounts valued at Rs.2500 crore. More than 7.8 lakh accounts have been opened for school students. In Aspirational Districts IPPB has opened around 95.71 lakh accounts having 602 lakh aggregate transaction worth Rs.19,487 crore. In Left Wing Extremism (LWE) districts, 67.20 lakh accounts have been opened by IPPB having 426 lakh aggregate transactions worth Rs.13,460 crore. Total financial expenditure involved under the proposal stands at Rs.820 crore. The decision shall help India Post Payments Bank pursue its objective of furthering financial inclusion across India by leveraging the network of Department of Posts. Mercedes-Benz AG has chosen Bridgestone as its tyre development partner for the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX technology initiative. The German automaker designed the electric vehicle (EV) to boost electric range and make EVs more efficient. Bridgestone engineers worked with Mercedes-Benz engineers to develop custom-designed tyres that helped the car achieve a real-world 1,000-kilometer driving range. The testing was done by driving the car from Sindelfingen, Germany, to Cassis, France, on a single charge. Design details Turanza Eco tyres for an EV Bridgestone created bespoke Turanza Eco tyres that combine its lightweight ENLITEN Technology, which reduces tyre rolling resistance and weight by up to 20%, with its ologic technology, which increases battery range by reducing rolling resistance and reducing aerodynamic resistance through a large tyre diameter and narrow tyre width. The tyre also has optimised sidewalls and a bead area design that matches the covers put on the 20-inch, forged-magnesium wheels, considerably increasing the tyre's aerodynamics. Also read: Exclusive: On-demand fast charging for electric vehicle can push EV sales in India Virtual tyre development The tyres were developed using Bridgestones virtual tyre modelling and simulation capabilities, which enable a digital version of an in-development tyre to be created and tested. Using this technology means that development time was cut considerably. Bridgestone leveraged the virtual environment for a large part of the development process, enabling the prediction of how the tyre would perform in different conditions before physically building it. The increased flexibility offered by virtual tyre development enables the company to test far more variants of a given tyre, thanks to the speed at which modifying a tyres digital twin and immediately testing it can take place. Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO at Bridgestone EMIA, said: "As part of our commitment to help shape a sustainable future of mobility, Bridgestone is proud to have co-developed with its long-term partner the right tyres for a project as innovative as this. The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX is a project that is totally aligned with our own EV ambitions and targets, especially as we are investing to make electric mobility more efficient and accessible through a fully integrated approach. This includes pioneering premium tyres and tyre technologies able to tackle the greatest EV challenges. This is especially true as we heavily invest in EV tyre development currently allocated over 30% of our R&D resources and improve upon our technologies in 2022. RTHK: UK lawmakers approve controversial asylum reforms Britain on Thursday hailed what it said was a "world-leading" reform of its asylum system, despite widespread condemnation and claims that it breaks international law. Interior minister Priti Patel called the passing of the controversial Nationality and Borders Act a "landmark" that created changes fit for the 21st century. The act, which cleared parliament late on Wednesday, notably introduces maximum life sentences for people smugglers blamed for facilitating irregular migration. But it also imposes tougher jail terms for anyone arriving illegally in the country, which has raised fears it could be used against asylum-seekers. The act provides greater powers to speed up the removal of failed asylum claimants and "dangerous foreign criminals", as well as stops what Patel called "meritless" legal challenges to prevent deportation. Immediate entry has been made tougher for arrivals who have travelled to Britain through a safe country before making their claim. "The UK has a proud record of resettling those who are most vulnerable and we will now be able to strengthen our safe and legal routes for those most in need of resettlement," said Patel in a video statement. "These measures in this new law are what the British people have asked for: a fair but firm asylum system fit for the 21st century." Prime Minister Boris Johnson made "taking back control" of Britain's borders a key plank of his successful campaign to leave the European Union. But Patel whose own parents fled Idi Amin's Uganda and the government have found implementing that pledge more problematic. Last year, record numbers of migrants crossed the Channel from northern France, ratcheting up political pressure on ministers to act. Earlier this month, the government signed a deal to send migrants who have arrived by the risky sea route since January 1 for resettlement in Rwanda. Human rights groups and charities supporting refugees and migrants slammed the plan, and some organisations are threatening to take the government to court. UN refugees chief Filippo Grandi said the new laws could break both the letter and spirit of global refugee conventions to which Britain is a signatory. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-04-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. [April 28, 2022] Cyient to Acquire Singapore-based Grit Consulting, to Strengthen its Global Technology Consulting Practice Extends the capability of Cyient Consulting, further enabling our Consulting-led, Industry-centric, Technology Solutions growth aspiration further enabling our Consulting-led, Industry-centric, Technology Solutions growth aspiration Provides access to new customer portfolios Leverages customer, geographic, and talent synergies to enable expansion and deepen our mining industry footprint HYDERABAD, India, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyient, a leading global Technology Solutions company, today announced that it is set to acquire the Singapore-based firm Grit Consulting, which has deep-rooted expertise in consulting for asset-intensive industries like metal mining and energy. This acquisition will enable Cyient customers across sectors to draw value from the Grit's deep knowledge and Cyient's technology solutions capabilities. The global consulting services market is growing exponentially, and the acquisition of Grit Consulting will empower Cyient to accelerate its consulting capabilities and deliver innovative technology solutions to its customers. Grit is well established in the mining and energy space and will allow for the rapid expansion and deepening of Cyient's footprint in these industries by leveraging customer, geographic, and talent synergies. To complement this, Cyient continues to invest in developing innovation hubs and CoEs to strengthen its digital transformation capabilities and provide innovative solutions to its customers. Commenting on the acquisition, Cyient's MD and CEO, Krishna Bodanapu, said, "We are expanding our Cyient Consulting practice with this investment. It aligns with our consulting-led growth strategy, and we see great synergies across talent, footprint, and customers. With Grit Consulting's expertise in business transformation and our technology solutions capabilities, we can deliver strategic outcomes for our customers". "We are extremely honored to be acquired by Cyient and see enormous synergies in supporting our customers given Cyient's international reach and technology capabilities," said Jeremy Brown, Founding Partner, Grit Consulting. "We believe that this coming-together of Cyient's technology solutions and our innovative socio-technical design consulting approaches will further strengthen our capabilities to enable sustainable performance improvements and cultural enhancement across the organization." About Cyient Cyient (Estd: 1991, NSE: CYIENT) is a leading consulting-led, industry-centric, global Technology Solutions company. We enable our customers to apply technology imaginatively across their value chain to solve problems that matter. We are committed to designing tomorrow together with our stakeholders and being a culturally inclusive, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable organization. For more information, please visit www.cyient.com Follow news about the company at @Cyient About Grit Consulting Incorporated in 2014 and headquartered in Singapore, Grit Consulting is a global performance improvement design consultancy that unlocks value by catalyzing the integration of technology, people, systems, and process, to activate resilient and thriving future-fit organizations faster. Rishiraj Barik I Soumya P Cyient Press Office Genesis BCW +91 97391 96200 I +91 83685 43945 Rishiraj.Barik@genesis-bcw.com s oumya.p@genesis-bcw.com Kiran Rajani Cyient PR Team +91 98841 39184 kiran.rajani@cyient.com SOURCE Cyient [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. The third sitting of the Armenia-EU Partnership Committee established under the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enahnced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) took place on April 28 in Yerevan. It was the first meeting after the CEPA came into force on March 1. The implementation process of the Agreement was discussed during the meeting of the Partnership Committee, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the EU Delegation to Armenia. The EU emphasized its strong engagement in the region, and expressed appreciation for Armenias continued commitment to reform and for the very good cooperation in various sectors. The EU encouraged the country to carry on with the implementation of concrete reforms in line with the CEPA. The EU welcomed recent efforts to engage into peace talks and highlighted the humanitarian and recovery support it continues to provide. As a key reform partner for Armenia and the largest donor, the EU stands ready to provide further expertise and financial assistance to strengthen the government's capacity to design and deliver key governance reforms and approximate to the EU standards in line with its CEPA commitments. The ultimate aim of our partnership is to provide concrete benefits to the citizens of both the EU and Armenia. To strengthen the countrys long-term resilience and leverage public and private investments to support the green and digital transition, the EU will continue to work closely with Armenia and partner with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to progress with the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan and its priority flagship projects. Regarding the implementation of the CEPA, the discussion focused on the rule of law, including the role of an independent and efficient justice system, fight against corruption and the respect of human rights. The EU and Armenia will continue their policy dialogue and their cooperation on the implementation of the Justice sector reform, while expanding such policy discussions to the education sector to advance the finalisation and implementation of the education reform strategy. EU encouraged Armenia to make further progress towards greater freedom of the media, while appreciating the work done. The Partnership Committee also looked at CEPA implementation in the fields of transport, energy, environment and climate action. On air transport, the EU and Armenia agreed to enhance collaboration on air safety, building on the Common Aviation Area Agreement signed in November 2021. On Energy, the EU and Armenia agreed to follow the implementation of the Armenian National Action Plan on nuclear safety, adopted as a part of the EU supported Stress test process. The discussions also took stock of economic development, employment and education reforms. The EU congratulated Armenia for joining Horizon Europe. The meeting also reviewed progress on migration and mobility and acknowledged the willingness of Armenia to start a visa liberalisation dialogue. Finally, the Partnership Committee discussed issues related to the Eastern Partnership and regional affairs. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Mr Luc Devigne, Deputy Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service. Ahmedabad: In yet another instance of banks giving bad treatment to their customers, the Gujarat High Court has slammed the State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, for not issuing a no-dues certificate to a farmer for a nominal pending amount of just 31 paise. Justice Bhargav Karia, while hearing a petition moved by two farmers seeking relief from the high court, expressed sheer displeasure over the bank withholding the no-dues certificate, which was needed for clearing a land deal. This was nothing but harassment, Justice Karia said while hearing the matter, according to news agency PTI. "This is too much. A nationalised bank says that a no-dues certificate will not be issued just for 31 paise," the judge said. The Gujarat High Court judge made these observations while responding to an appeal by the petitioners - Rakesh Verma and Manoj Verma who had purchased a piece of land in Khoraj village near Ahmedabad city from farmer Shamjibhai and his family in 2020. Since Shamjibhai had sold the land to the petitioners before repaying a crop loan of Rs 3 lakh, which he had taken from the SBI, the petitioners (who are new owners of the land) could not enter their names in the revenue records because of the bank's pending charge on the land parcel. Though the farmer (Shamjibhai) later repaid the entire amount to the bank, the SBI still did not issue a no-dues certificate for some reason, following which the new owners moved to the high court two years ago. During the hearing on Wednesday, Justice Karia asked the bank to submit the no-dues certificate in court. Replying to the court, SBI's lawyer Anand Gogia said, "It's not possible because there is an outstanding amount of 31 paise. It is system generated." To this, Justice Karia said anything less than 50 paise should be ignored and the certificate should be issued because the original borrower had already paid the entire due on the crop loan. After Gogia told the court that the SBI manager had verbally said that the certificate cannot be issued, the judge got angry and directed the advocate to ask the manager to appear before the court. Coming down heavily on the banks lawyer, the judge said, "The Banking Regulation Act says that anything less than 50 paise should not be counted. Why are you harassing people? It's nothing but harassment by your manager." When Gogia pleaded before the court for more time to file a detailed affidavit to put forth the technicalities of the issue, the judge posted the matter for further hearing on May 2. (With PTI Inputs) New Delhi: Minister of State in Germany's Federal Foreign Office Dr Tobias Lindner has said that "it is in Indian interest" to stop the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Berlin on May 2 for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with the two sides co-chairing the sixth edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). This will be the first such Government-to-Government consultations of the new German government, which assumed office in December 2021. Speaking to Zee Media's Sidhant Sibal in Delhi, Lindner said, "I have come to Delhi to understand the reasons and motivations and the Indian position in that conflict. I believe that it also in Indian interest that this war stops.." Asked about India's participation in the G7 as the guest, he said there could be an announcement in Berlin. The summit is due to take place from 26 to 28 June 2022 at Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps. Germany is the chair of the grouping for this year and holds the meeting amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. India has been consecutively invited to the G7 summit since 2019. PM Modi first participated at the G7 summit in France's Biarritz Summit in 2019. Q: What will be the key focus of PM Modi's visit? A: Our strategic partnership with Germany is key for India, especially in the region and we will have various issues in the governmental consultations. I am sure economy, but also technology, education, the security situation in the region. We believe the strategic partnership means a holistic approach in all fields of policy. Q: Will Ukraine be discussed and how do you see India's position on Ukraine? A: For sure you cannot meet these days without talking about Ukraine because it has an impact on international rules-based order and we believe it is in the interest of all countries on the planet to uphold territorial integrity and sovereignty. For sure will have exchanges with Indian colleagues on that and we more pull than push India on that term. Also trying to talk about possible implications of that war in other regions of the world. Q: How do you see India's position on Ukraine? A: For sure, it is no secret that the German government welcomes every support for the resolutions in the United Nations. But I have come to Delhi to understand the reasons and motivations and the Indian position in that conflict. I believe that it's also in India's interest that this war stops, that we have the same goals, protecting the rules-based international order. Having an immediate stop to the war in Ukraine and in that field, we are searching for cooperation with India. Q: And will India be invited to the G7 summit? A: I cannot make any comments on that. It is the issue of the German Chancellery but I believe during the consultations in Berlin there will be an announcement. Q: What has been your govt's stance on Ukraine, it's at the heart of the crisis, but has also been criticized? A: This war in Ukraine is a blatant breach of international rules-based order. Russia is responsible for that. So it is Russia's responsibility to immediately stop this war and violence in Ukraine. We are doing a lot starting with humanitarian aid, from helping the people in Ukraine, helping refugees outside the country but also giving military assistance in terms of heavy weapons to Ukraine. Srinagar: With the guns having gone silent on the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir for over a year - following the agreement of ceasefire which was signed between the two nations - border areas of India are now welcoming tourists. People residing on the Line of Control are finally "living a life of peace" and now the government, along with the locals, are promoting these bordering areas as new tourist destinations. The bordering areas in North Kashmir have now been thrown open to the public. Areas like Keran, Gurez, Tangdhar, Machil, and Bangus are the new tourist destinations, which have been added to the list by the tourism department. With breathtaking views of the hills and rivers, these places are being promoted as adventure tourism destinations. Waqar Majaz Khan, a homestay owner in Keran, says, "With the ceasefire, we are finally living a normal life. We are extremely happy and it has come as a blessing for us. We used to live in bunkers earlier and we are hoping that we don't see those days again. We don't have the money to invest in building hotels, that's why we have started homestays. This will give us employment. The view that you get in Keran, I challenge you, if you can find this view anywhere in the world!" The Indian Army has played a major role in opening these areas to the public. The whole security setup in these areas is under the Indian army and they are not only protecting these areas but also promoting them as tourist destinations. The locals of the area say that without the Indian army, it would not be possible to welcome tourists to these areas. Raja Suhail Khan from Keran says, "We are thankful to the Indian Army. We get a lot of support from the Army. Tourism is also coming to this place because of the Indian army. It's a beautiful place and we are turning our homes into homestays. It's completely peaceful here following the ceasefire and we hope people from across the country will visit us." The Tourist Department of the Jammu and Kashmir government recently added 75 new destinations to their list. 38 destinations are in the Kashmir region while 37 are in Jammu. The government has drawn plans for these areas to build infrastructure keeping in view the ecosystem of these places. They are also providing opportunities to the locals of these areas to earn an income by boosting economy and generating employment. GN Itoo, Director, Tourism Kashmir, says, "The main thrust is to promote rural tourism and in rural tourism also, we have identified 75 offbeat destinations in total, out of which 38 from Kashmir and 37 from Jammu. The idea is to focus on these destinations - border areas like Gurez, Keran, Machil, and Tangdhar - as tourist places. These are the areas falling under the scheme, the plans have been drawn and we are in consultation with district administration and India Army to promote these areas for adventure tourism." He adds, "Effort is also being made to generate employment for locals in the tourism sector. They can run homestays, become guides, and introduce adventure sports. This will improve the economy while promoting these places as tourist spots. However, these are eco-sensitive areas and we can't have huge, concrete structures here. We are focusing on tents and homestays." As Kashmir witnessed record tourist arrivals in the last four months, all major tourist destinations in the Valley like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg are fully booked for the next two months. The government says that the promotion of new spots will help cater to the huge influx of tourists coming to the Kashmir Valley. Let's say you live in a border state. Suddenly one night the army of an enemy country attacks from across the border or terrorists try to infiltrate. The BSF personnel ready on the border immediately start their action, but the Superintendent of Police of the district concerned tells the BSF that you cannot do any operation without our permission. Then what will happen in such a situation? Will the security of the country not be in danger? In today's DNA, Zee News anchor Aditi Tyagi analysed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees statement that she will not allow the BSF to work within 50 km of the International Border. This statement of Mamta Banerjee is against the order of the central government. The central government has empowered the BSF to conduct any operation within 50 km of the border in West Bengal. The central government had recently increased the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 km to 50 km in three states, including West Bengal. Since then, Mamta has been opposing it. Now, Mamta Banerjee has asked the police of her state to stop the BSF officers and their jawans from doing their duty. Mamta Banerjee ordered the SP of Cooch Behar district to ensure that BSF does not take any action without asking the local police. The direct meaning of Mamta Banerjee's point can be taken that if the BSF wants to take action against any infiltrator or terrorism on the border, then it will have to first get clearance from the police. If the police does not want, then the BSF will not be able to conduct its operation. Lets understand the meaning of Mamata Banerjee's order. First the BSF officials will talk to the local SP. Then the SP will ask his senior officer. The senior officer will take permission from the minister of the government and maybe Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself will give the final go ahead. Only then, the BSF will be able to take any action within a radius of 50 km from the border. A lot of time will be wasted in this and that intruder or terrorist can easily run away. So is this what Mamata Banerjee wants? Moreover, Mamta also made serious allegations against the BSF to justify her order. She alleged that BSF personnel enter villages and kill people in the name of animal smugglers. Live TV New Delhi: As Delhi breached the 40-degree temperature mark this week, a private forecaster, Skymet Weather on Wednesday (April 27, 2022) issued a warning with the prediction that heatwaves will last until the end of this month and may witness a downfall at the beginning of May. The national capital recorded the highest temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius at Siri Fort Complex on Wednesday. A `yellow alert` has also been sounded for Delhi. Skymet Weather said that the heatwaves will not only restrict to Delhi but will also affect the residents of North India. Taking to Twitter, Skymet Weather wrote, "These heatwave conditions will last until the end of this month with sultry conditions affecting the residents of North India. However, heatwave conditions may see a backseat at the beginning of May." ALSO READ | Weather update: Several parts of India to experience heatwave, IMD sounds 'yellow alert' for Delhi - In pics "Temperatures are expected to be shooting above 43 degrees. The state of Rajasthan may see maximums above 45 degrees Celsius as well. The states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are all set to see a comeback of heatwave conditions, starting April 28 until the end of the month," the weather forecasting department further said in a tweet. Meanwhile, IMD scientist RK Jenamani also informed that northern India will likely experience a dust storm on April 29, causing a drop in temperature from May 1 onwards. As per the IMD, heatwave conditions in isolated pockets are very likely over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, interior Gangetic West Bengal, interior Odisha and northern parts of Gujarat State. In addition, Manmohan Singh, director of Meteorological Centre Chandigarh also said that the temperature is being recorded as warmer than normal. "In the coming days, the temperature will rise, heatwave warning has been issued for some places in Punjab and Haryana," he added. Notably, Northwest India this year recorded the hottest March in 122 years, with an average maximum temperature surpassing the previous record of 30.67 degrees Celsius in 2004. Live TV New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (April 27, 2022) urged the state education minister to announce the onset of summer vacation in schools and colleges, in the wake of the prevailing heatwave conditions in the state, from May 2. CM Banerjee emphasised that this move would also protect children from chances of contracting Covid-19, if there was a surge in infections in Bengal. During an administrative review meeting at the state secretariat, CM Banerjee said, "I will urge education minister Bratya Basu to announce May 2 as the date for the onset of summer vacations in schools, colleges and universities. Ask the private schools to implement this, too." She said that her office has received reports of several incidents falling ill due to the scorching heat. ASLO READ | Weather update: Several parts of India to experience heatwave, IMD sounds 'yellow alert' for Delhi - In pics Summer vacations have been announced in other states, including Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra, as well amid soaring temperatures. Meanwhile, Kolkata residents had been experiencing uncomfortable weather over the past few days owing to sweltering heat and high humidity. The maximum day temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 37 degree Celsius and the relative humidity at 87 per cent, the Met office said. Bankura recorded the day's highest temperature in West Bengal at 43.7 degree Celsius, followed by Asansol at 43.3, Purulia at 42.8, Jhargram at 42.5. The weatherman said, with westerly and north-westerly wind sweeping the region, heat wave conditions are likely to prevail over several southern and western districts of the state till Saturday. The met office also said that the situation in South Bengal is likely to improve after that due to moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal. The Met office also forecast light to moderate rain in the Sub-himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar till Saturday, the Met office stated. (With agency inputs) Live TV On the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the ties between the two countries have deepened in every sphere, be it strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts. The recent visit to India by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the annual summit laid out a roadmap for deepening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries in a post-covid world, Modi said in a tweet, adding that he looked forward to continue working with Kishida to realise that objective. PM Modi said, As we celebrate 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan today, I am happy to see that our ties have deepened in every sphere, whether strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts. The recent visit of my friend PM Kishida @kishida230 to India for the Annual Summit laid out a roadmap for deepening our Special Strategic and Global Partnership in a post-COVID world. I look forward to continue working with PM Kishida to realize that objective. #IndiaJapanat70 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2022 Fumio Kishida came on a two-day visit to India on March 19-20 for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi which saw the signing of several agreements on bilateral cooperation between the two countries. This was PM Kishida's first bilateral visit to India. During the visit, the Indian and Japanese counterparts held deliberations on a wide range of topics and welcomed the launch of several new initiatives between the two countries, on clean energy partnership, development of India's northeast and bamboo cultivation and processing. Further, PM Modi will likely meet his Japanese counterpart again next month as the summit of leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) nations, that is, the United States, Australia, Japan and India, will be held in Tokyo on May 24. India and Japan established diplomatic relations on April 28, 1952, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Live TV New Delhi: The Indian Navy and the Andaman and Nicobar Command successfully test-fired an anti-ship version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on Wednesday. "#IndianNavy & #ANC yet again demonstrate #CombatReadiness by successfully destroying target at sea through #AntiShip version of #BrahMos at A&N Islands on 27 Apr," the Andaman and Nicobar Command said in a tweet. The ANC also shared a video showing how the anti-ship version of the BrahMos missile successfully destroyed a target at sea. Earlier on April 19, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had successfully test-fired the BrahMos missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet on the Eastern seaboard. Last month, the Indian Navy successfully test-fired an advanced version of the Brahmos missile from a stealth destroyer in the Indian Ocean. 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. (With Agency Inputs) NEW DELHI: Debdatta Chakraborty, a Kolkata-based photographer, has won an international photography award for clicking an amazing picture of a Kashmiri street vendor making scrumptious kebabs. Chakraborty was announced the winner of the prestigious Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2022 for his image showing a Kashmiri street vendor preparing the popular kebabs on a fiery grill. The image titled ''Kebabiyana'', which shows the vendor working at a smoke-filled food joint readying meat kebabs, was adjudged as the "overall winner'' at the Food Photo Awards 2022. Overall Winner And finally, huge congratulations to Debdatta Chakraborty, Overall Winner of the 2022 @FoodPhotoAward Competition with Kebabiyana. An amazing winning image! #FoodPhotoAwards22 pic.twitter.com/eQ0eQTsRqQ Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year (@FoodPhotoAward) April 26, 2022 The amazing picture has since become viral on the internet and has triggered an irresistible urge for extremely delicious kebabs, or shall we say Kashmiri kebabs. Debdatta Chakraborty reportedly clicked the award-winning image at Srinagar's Khayyam Chowk, an alleyway that looks like an ordinary street during the daytime. But come evening, and it turns into a favourite place for street food lovers where multiple charcoal ovens, the aroma and smoke of kebabs being grilled turn it into a foodie's paradise. Thousands of people from across the globe took part in the contest and the overall winners for 27 categories were declared in a live-streamed event on the competitions YouTube channel. Describing the brilliant image clicked by Chakraborty, awards founder and director Caroline Kenyon said, This image, gentle but powerful, nourishes our soul. Giving full credit to his wife, the Kolkata-based photographer said, "Actually, it was my wife who told me that a mere glimpse of this image makes the viewer crave for a bit of these succulent kebabs. So, I thought that this was the best shot to submit. Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has heaped praise on the Uttar Pradesh government of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for removing thousands of unauthorized loudspeakers from the religious sites in the state without any discrimination. He, however, took potshots at Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for not handling the loudspeaker row effectively and lacking the guts to remove those illegally placed at the religious sites in his state. Taking to Twitter, the MNS chief said, I wholeheartedly congratulate and stand grateful to the Yogi government for having removed the loudspeakers from religious places, especially the masjids." "Unfortunately, in Maharashtra, we don't have any 'yogis'; what we have are 'bhogis' (hedonists). Here's hoping and praying good sense prevails.. the MNS chief added. His tweet came a day after the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government removed nearly 11,000 unauthorised loudspeakers from religious places and volume of another 35,000 was set to permissible limits. UP's Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar had said a statewide drive was being undertaken to remove unauthorised loudspeakers from religious places and set the volume of others within permissible limits. It may be noted that Raj Thackeray had recently given an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from religious places, especially mosques, in the state by May 3, which has led to a political row in the state over the issue. Refusing to give in to his demand, the Maharashtra government has put the ball in the Centre's court and said since the directive on the use of loudspeakers has come from the Supreme Court, the Union government should form guidelines for the same. Raj Thackeray had in the past showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and batted for his candidature for the PM's post in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Poland and Romania have announced on April 28 about holding military exercises amid Russian special operations in Ukraine, ARMENPRESS reports Ria Novosti informed. In Poland, starting from May 1, military equipment will be transported on almost all roads of the country for a month, the citizens were urged not to take photos, not to publish information about the equipment, its movement. It was noted that the movement of equipment will be carried out mainly in the north and east of the country. Meanwhile, the Romanian Defense Ministry, commenting on the information on social media about the transfer of military equipment to the border with Ukraine and Moldova, announced about the holding of military exercises with the participation of NATO countries. Kolkata: Amid the ongoing war of words over high VAT on fuel prices in non-BJP states, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday demanded the Centre to reduce tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to bring down airfares. She also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for putting the entire blame on states for rising fuel prices. She claimed that the Centre wanted to shrug off its responsibility in reducing the prices of fuel and expressed apprehensions that the Modi administration would soon raise the prices again. The TMC supremo also demanded that the central government immediately slash the price of domestic LPG cylinders by at least Rs 300. Through a series of tweets, the TMC chief said, instead of pointing fingers at states, the GOI should reduce its customs duty (@ 5%), additional customs duty (@ 11%) & excise duty (11%) on ATF to bring down airfares. Instead of pointing fingers at states, GOI should reduce its customs duty(@ 5%), addl customs duty(@ 11%) & excise duty (11%) on ATF to bring down air fares. (1/3) Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 28, 2022 In another tweet, she said that the Bengal govt has exempted taxes on ATF at Bagdogra and Andal airports, and takes only 1% on RCS Udan flights at Kolkata, 5% on small aircraft and 12.5% for all airlines commencing ops since 2012-13. We in GOWB have exempted taxes on ATF at Bagdogra and Andal airports, take only 1% on RCS Udan flights at Kolkata, 5% on small aircrafts and 12.5% for all airlines commecing ops since 2012-13. (2/3) Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 28, 2022 She added that the "Bengal govt has been proactive in slashing all levies to bring down airfares, while GoI is preaching free sermons without practising them." The reactions from the West Bengal Chief Minister came a day after PM Modi flagged higher fuel prices in opposition-ruled states such as Maharashtra, Kerala and West Bengal and asked the state governments to reduce VAT on them for the benefit of the common man. The PM reportedly said this during his virtual interaction with chief ministers on the emerging Covid-19 situation in the country on Wednesday. "I believe that there was no Covid agenda yesterday. The real agenda was to blame the state governments (for high prices of fuel). In the coming days, they are planning to hike the prices of petrol and diesel further. That is the reason they are trying to shrug off the responsibilities," Banerjee said. The Bengal CM told reporters at the state secretariat that it is easy for the Centre not to put the extra burden on people as it has earned over Rs 17.31 lakh crore from taxes on petrol and diesel between 2014 and 2021. The TMC boss claimed that the Centre has raised the prices of petrol and diesel at least 14 times in the past few months and held the state governments responsible for the high prices. "I believe the Centre must reduce the price of domestic gas cylinders by at least Rs 300 immediately. They also must reduce the prices of petrol and diesel," she said. Wondering why the Centre had not reduced fuel prices when there was a drop in crude prices in the international market, Banerjee alleged that the revenue collected from taxes was used for different works of the BJP, masquerading them as government works. Asked whether she along with the CMs of non-BJP ruled states would write to the Centre protesting against the hike in fuel prices, Banerjee said, "What's the point? They do not respond to letters." Hours after meeting on Wednesday, Banerjee had said that her government has spent Rs 1,500 crore in the last three years to subsidise petrol and diesel prices in the state. The CM had also said that the Centre owed the West Bengal government Rs 97,000 crore, and once half of that amount gets cleared, she would reduce the taxes. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his federalism is "not cooperative but coercive". His remarks came a day after Modi flagged higher fuel prices in many opposition-ruled states and urged them to reduce VAT in "national interest" to benefit the common man and work in the spirit of cooperative federalism in this time of global crisis. Gandhi alleged that the prime minister is abdicating his responsibility by blaming states for the high fuel prices even when the Centre has taken 68 per cent of all fuel taxes. "High Fuel prices - blame states. Coal shortage - blame states. Oxygen shortage - blame states," he said in a tweet. "68% of all fuel taxes are taken by the Centre. Yet, the PM abdicates responsibility. Modi's Federalism is not cooperative. It's coercive," Gandhi charged. High Fuel prices - blame states Coal shortage - blame states Oxygen shortage - blame states 68% of all fuel taxes are taken by the centre. Yet, the PM abdicates responsibility. Modis Federalism is not cooperative. Its coercive. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 28, 2022 Modi had raised the issue of many states not adhering to the Centre's call for reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel after his government slashed excise duties on them in November last, and called it "injustice" to people living there and also harmful for neighbouring states. New Delhi: The Speaker of Maldives Parliament and the former President of the country, Mohamed Nasheed, has blamed opposition Abdulla Yameen for "fueling" the anti-India campaign in the country calling it a "fabricated issue". Speaking to Zee Media's Sidhant Sibal, Nasheed said, "people of Maldives will never, never back an India out campaign... Indian families, Indian doctors, Indian teachers, Indian accountants, and all this is contributing to our economic development." The Maldives President Solih recently issued a decree to ban anti-India protests calling them a threat to national security. Police authorities also removed "India out' banners from Infront of the residence of Yameen, leader of the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). Slamming Chinese investment policies that have created debt, Nasheed who was also the former President of the country explained, "China has intentionally inflated the price of the project.." "Look at what is happening in Sri Lanka, it is so sad," he said, adding "it was a mistake that we took part in road and belt initiative." His visit to India comes as part of ongoing high-level engagement as covid crisis abates. EAM Jaishankar was in the country just last month. He also did not rule out standing for Presidential elections in the country next year. Asked about who was responsible for the attack on him, Mohamed Nasheed said, "I don't know. The police must tell me, the courts must decide." Q: How do you see India and Maldives relations? A: Thank you very much and lovely to be in your show again. I came here this time for the Raisina dialogue, and the dialogue has changed and become so big. 1200 delegates, more than 80 countries, it is very very exciting. India, Maldives relations are another reflection of that, it has been proved drastically since we came into the government, we have an India first policy. Our foreign policy is India first, exactly in the same manner as India's foreign policy is Neighborhood policy. There is a credit line for projects which India is assisting us and the government is submitting very good projects and they are all going very nicely, the cultural exchanges, the capacity-building work, the students' exchanges, the university exchanges, everything is happening and we have a very bright future, both our countries. Q: Bright future, but we have seen certain segments indulging in anti-India campaigns and you have taken a strong position on that. Will it help to curtail these campaigns? And who do you think is responsible for these campaigns.. Mohamed Nasheed: You know, people of Maldives will never, never back an India out the campaign, I am aware of that. I am a politician and saying this, knowing that I will get more votes by saying it. Because we eat the same food, we watch the same films, we read the same books, we look the same, and why would any sane Maldivian ask an Indian to leave, no. There are Indian families, Indian doctors, Indian teachers, and Indian accountants, and all this is contributing to our economic development. For instance, the State Bank of India has single-handedly invested in our tourism industry for the last 50 years. Look it's a billion billion-dollar industry now. The businessman appreciates this, the people appreciate this, I really do not think it is a popular movement at all. Q: Your govt has taken actions against this campaign, more actions expected? also, if you can talk about the bill against such campaigns... A: We suggested that there should be legislation, the penal code must, and there is one on nuisance, harmony. Freedom of expression is not limitless, it cannot engage, it cannot be used for hate crimes, it cannot be used to create discord, it cannot be used to create rifts, it cannot be used for increasing xenophobia. That kind of unprogressive backward ideas, backward views, so, we thought there can be a legislation that explains, people cannot create anger, rifts, hate against our Neighbours. Quran is very clear, that you should love your Neighbour. So legislation must also come and explain that you should love your Neighbour. We can't shout at our Neighbour. If you have a problem with a Neighbour, you can come here, this country is a democratic country, it has its intuitions. If president Yameen has an issue, why doesn't he come to a court here, if he thinks? There is no issue, it's just a fabricated issue and he is fueling it. Q: So the anti-India campaign is an election ploy or a foreign hand? A: It can't be an election ploy, because people don't want it. It can't be an election thing. Where is the funding coming from for the T-shirts, where is the funding coming from for all the trips they make. Where is the funding coming for the campaign, I am sure our authorities are aware of that. Q: Are you pointing out at China? A: Well, before I say that police must open up an investigation. Q: Coming to other aspects of the relationship, the development partnership, we have seen the development projects..how do you see they are helping in the development of the country. A: Well, you can't equate development to concrete, development is not more concrete. President Yameen thought development is concrete and got this Chinese concrete to the country and created this huge debt. Now if you look at it, debt has no relation to the assets created. The asset value is not a third of the debt. China has intentionally inflated the price of the project, so the business plan will fail. You will never get a yield to pay back the debt from these assets and then you default and they ask for equity, with equity you lose land and with land you lose sovereignty. It is a very very grave issue. Look at what is happening in Sri Lanka, it is so sad. Whatever India gives to us is very very transparent, it goes through a proper tendering process, and therefore we get the proper price. You have to have the proper price. When we were in government in 2010, I asked GMR for a quotation on the bridge and they, I remember they gave a quote of 76 million dollars, it is now built for 350 million dollars. The housing projects. A luxury apartment in Male can be built for more 900 -1000 Rufiyaa square feet. These houses are 1900 Rufiyaa square feet. They are supposed to be low income. Therefore, the rent will have to be 14-15000 but people can't afford that. So that the govt can't afford the rent. Now the government is subsiding the rest. The flats will not give the money to pay back the loan. The actual cost must be found and that is the money we have to pay. These small grant projects, the high impact projects, the projects that have a better impact on our livelihood, are far more important. I will give you an example. Recently Dr Jaishankar came to Male, Maldives, to Addu and he opened 2 projects. One was 5060-million-dollar policy academy and another was 500-million-dollar drug hospital and detoxication center. The whole community was there with EAM Jaishankar. No one turned up for the 50-million-dollar thing. India is giving a lot of small grants and I don't think we are looking for big concrete, For instance, we need nature-based adaptions, and hybrid adaptations and these things can be done through smaller interventions than huge big loans. Q: So you essentially saying India was right by staying away from Chinese connectivity projects and the debt crisis it has created as you gave the example of Sri Lanka A: Of course, India was very right for not taking part in that, but India was never taking part in someone else's projects. EAM Jaishankar was saying that they do a self-assessment and their foreign policy is based on their self-assessment. Not based on what someone else is doing and I think, it was a mistake that we took part in road and belt initiative. Q: Talking about the Indian ocean, you're at the heart of the Indian Ocean, how do you see your security and practical cooperation like the Colombo security conclave that can be taken forward A: Well, in 2011 we started all the National security Advisors meetings every year. We also have lot of exercises training, joint exercises with our coast guards and the Indian navy and Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. I think these programmes are going and they are going appropriately and hopefully they will find a structure in itself and this would assist you in our safety and security. Q: Coming to domestic politics, your country is gearing up for the Presidential elections. Will you stand for elections also, there seems to be infighting within your party A: Well, our party does these internal elections and they have a primary to decide that. If you for instance look at the United States, they shout at each other in their own party. That is how they get a person. Then this person goes to the nation, it's upon our members to decide who they want to bring out as their presidential candidate. I think I have always said I will take part in a primary, but I am hopeful I will win. Q: So you do not rule out you will stand for elections next year? A: I don't want to rule out, if people of our parties, our members decide that I will be contesting I will do that. I will do everything that will benefit our party and our country. Q: You also want to change the political structure of the country from a presidential to a parliamentary. A: Well, I have always thought that a Parliamentary system is far appropriate for the Maldives, for smaller countries especially because there is more security. Right now, if a parliamentarian wants to question the minister, we have to give a 4-day notice and by the time 14 days are up, the question has expired. There is more engagement, more interaction, there is more scrutiny in the Parliamentary system, especially for a small country. Q: There was an attack on you, who was responsible? A: We still have not found it. Authorities have found 4 people who were, who had their hands on it. But who funded it, who schemed it, who designed it where did they get the technology for the bomb, how did you detonate this. So there is a thousand question that still needs to be answered and I hope and believe the govt will do it. Q: But any indication who did it? Why will someone target you? A: I don't know. The police must tell me, the courts must decide. Q: You have also been pointing out at rise of extremism, which has been a worrisome factor. A: Well our youth are getting alienated. Dropout rates are increasing, employment among youth is increasing, the drug is increasing and all these together push you to these unnecessary actions by the youth. We must take care and must try to build a better society that is able to assist our people, able to serve everyone. I think deradicalization programmes and also employment and training for the young people is very important. Q: We have two regional groupings, SAARC and Bimstec. Do you see the Maldives becoming part of the Bimstec grouping? A: Well, SAARC is not working. Whatever is said and done, we need to work together. We need to work together, Indian ocean countries, Indian ocean rim countries, we need another platform. Q: Would you like to be part of the Bimstec? A: We need another platform; I would not mind yes to that. We need a platform where we can cooperate and where we can collectively decide on things. Q: Russian invasion of Ukraine, what is your opinion on that, on also impact on your country in terms of commodity prices A: Well, actually I really don't want to talk about other countries' business, but every country must respect sovereignty. War should never be a solution. I hope Russia will be able to a ceasefire, start talking and solve these issues amicably. This has an impact on all of us, tourist arrival, food price, energy price, everything is going up. It will be far worse if the war spreads to other European countries. There are warmongering countries, and when they do fight, my god they do fight. We have seen the 2 world wars during the last century. And we don't want to see another one. Why do u want to kill so many people, that is in no one's interest? I hope they will stop. New Delhi: With a number of global tech giants facing a CCI probe for alleged anti-competitive practices, a key Parliamentary panel on Thursday decided to summon representatives of Google, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and others to examine their competitive behaviour. The next meeting of the panel on the issue is likely to be held on May 12. The issue was discussed in detail by members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance after a presentation was made before it by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The regulator told the panel that it was setting up a 'Digital Markets and Data Unit' for effectively dealing with the anti-competition practices of big tech companies and bringing a new bill to amend the CCI Act. CCI also cited a number of investigations it is carrying out in the digital space, including those against Google, Facebook-WhatsApp, Apple, Amazon, Flipkart, MakeMyTrip-Goibibo, Swiggy and Zomato. The meeting also comes against the backdrop of mounting concerns globally, including in India, about alleged practices of big tech players and technology platforms that could be adversely impacting competition in the marketplace. During the meeting, the panel's Chairman Jayant Sinha told PTI that it had "an excellent set of discussions" with officials from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Competition Commission of India. "In our next hearing (on this issue), we will be calling most of the major tech companies to hear their perspective and how competition law in India is evolving to address the needs and challenges associated with digital space. "All of the major companies we are going to invite... Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Microsoft and others. Competition laws are evolving across the world to meet the challenges associated with the digital markets," Sinha said. Sinha, a BJP leader and a former Union minister, said the panel will discuss the competitive behaviour of these companies. According to sources, BJP member CM Ramesh raised the issue of cartelisation among cement companies with the CCI officials and their response on the matter is expected in the next meeting. Besides, the panel discussed the existing competition law. According to Sinha, the CCI Act was initiated in 2002 and last amended in 2007. A bill to amend the Act is also underway wherein provisions are likely to be introduced to deal with anti-competition practices of tech giants, CCI told the panel. "It has been 15 years since substantial amendments have been made to our competition law. "With the rise of digital markets and the importance of the digital economy for India's economic growth and global position, it is very important to look at our competition law to see whether it is equal to those in the advanced jurisdictions like the European Union, United States, Australia and the United Kingdom," Sinha said. According to him, today's discussions were to assess how the competition law is evolving and what else is required to position it for the future. "We as a committee are examining what direction our competition law should evolve to meet these requirements," he noted. In the presentation, CCI also said that it was strengthening its institutional capacity, recalibrating the competition law regime, observing global developments in big tech and monitoring technological developments in digital markets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Assam today (April 28) and along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, he attended the 'Peace, Unity and Development Rally at Diphu, Karbi Anglong district in Assam. Here are the key highlights from Modi's Assam speech: - Last year, several organizations from Karbi Anglong joined the resolve for peace and development. Bodo Accord opened new doors for lasting peace in 2020. - The Bodo Accord and Karbi Anglong Settlement led to the prosperity of the backward areas of Assam. Problems of the displaced Reang tribals were resolved in Tripura. - In the states where there is a double engine government, work is done with the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas'. - With the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', the solution to border-related issues is being sought today. The recent agreement reached between Assam and Meghalaya will encourage others also. - Today when someone visits the northeast and witnesses the rapid development taking place in the region, they also feel proud. We have understood the problems of the region. - During the last eight years, we have removed AFSPA from many areas of the North East for permanent peace and better law and order situation. Heaping praises on PM Modi for inking the Karbi Accord, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was quoted by ANI, "The Karbi community considers hard work as their dharma. The signing of the Karbi Accord that took place under the leadership of PM Modi has established peace and ensured fast-paced growth in the region." The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for several educational, healthcare, and development projects which include a veterinary college in Diphu, degree college in West Karbi Anglong, and an agricultural college in Kolonga. From Dibrugarh, the Prime Minister would virtually inaugurate seven cancer hospitals and lay the foundation for seven more cancer hospitals across Assam. (With ANI inputs) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Assam today (April 28) where he will lay the foundation stone for several projects. The Prime Minister will address the 'Peace, Unity and Development Rally' at Diphu in Karbi Anglong district at around 11 am. According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), during the programme, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of various projects in the education sector. Modi will lay the foundation stone of Veterinary College (Diphu), Degree College (West Karbi Anglong) and Agricultural College (Kolonga, West Karbi Anglong). These projects, worth more than Rs 500 crore, will bring new opportunities for skilling and employment in the region. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for more than 2,950 Amrit Sarovar projects. The state will develop these Amrit Sarovars at a cumulative cost of around Rs 1,150 crore. "Prime Minister`s unwavering commitment towards peace and development of the region was exemplified with the recent signing of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) by Government of India and Government of Assam with six Karbi militant outfits. The MoS has ushered in a new era of peace in the region. Prime Minister's address at 'Peace, Unity and Development Rally' will provide a major boost to the peace initiatives in the entire region," said PMO in a statement. At around 1:45 pm, the Prime Minister will reach Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh and dedicate Dibrugarh Cancer Hospital to the nation. Later, at around 3 pm, he will attend a public function at Khanikar ground in Dibrugarh, where he will dedicate six more cancer hospitals to the nation and lay the foundation stone for seven new cancer hospitals, at Dibrugarh, Assam Cancer Care Foundation, a joint venture of the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts, is executing a project to build South Asia`s largest affordable cancer care network with 17 Cancer care hospitals spread across the state. Also read: PM Narendra Modi's first foreign visit in 2022: Germany, Denmark and France on the list "Under Phase 1 of the project, out of 10 hospitals, the construction of seven hospitals have been completed while three hospitals are at various level of construction. Phase 2 of the project will witness the construction of seven new cancer hospitals," it said. The Prime Minister will inaugurate seven cancer hospitals completed under phase 1 of the project. These cancer hospitals are built at Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Darrang, Tezpur, Lakhimpur, and Jorhat. He will also lay the foundation stone of seven new cancer hospitals at Dhubri, Nalbari, Goalpara, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Golaghat to be constructed under phase 2 of the project. Notably, the Assam government has declared a state holiday in both districts for April 28. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for several projects in Assam on Thursday (April 28, 2022). PM Modi will also address the Peace, Unity and Development Rally at Diphu in Karbi Anglong District today at 11 am. According to a release issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the prime minister will lay the foundation stone of various projects in the education sector. PM to address Peace, Unity and Development Rally at 11 am During the programme, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of Veterinary College (Diphu), Degree College (West Karbi Anglong) and Agricultural College (Kolonga, West Karbi Anglong). These projects, worth more than Rs 500 crore, will bring new opportunities for skilling and employment in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for more than 2,950 Amrit Sarovar projects. The state will develop these Amrit Sarovars at a cumulative cost of around Rs 1,150 crore. "Prime Minister`s unwavering commitment towards peace and development of the region was exemplified with the recent signing of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) by Government of India and Government of Assam with six Karbi militant outfits. The MoS has ushered in a new era of peace in the region. The Prime Minister's address at `Peace, Unity and Development Rally` will provide a major boost to the peace initiatives in the entire region," said PMO in a statement. PM to visit Assam Medical College at 1:45 pm Later in the day, at 1:45 pm PM Modi will visit Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh to dedicate Dibrugarh Cancer Hospital to the nation. PM to attend public function in Dibrugarh at 3 pm At around 3 pm, the Prime Minister will attend a public function at Khanikar ground in Dibrugarh, where he will dedicate six more cancer hospitals to the nation and lay the foundation stone for seven new cancer hospitals at Dibrugarh. This Assam Cancer Care Foundation is a joint venture of the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts, and is executing a project to build South Asia`s largest affordable cancer care network with 17 Cancer care hospitals spread across the state. "Under Phase 1 of the project, out of 10 hospitals, the construction of seven hospitals have been completed while three hospitals are at various level of construction. Phase 2 of the project will witness the construction of seven new cancer hospitals," it said. PM Modi to inaugurate 7 cancer hospitals The PMO said that under phase 1 the prime minister will inaugurate seven cancer hospitals. These cancer Hospitals are built at Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Darrang, Tezpur, Lakhimpur, and Jorhat. PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of seven new cancer hospitals at Dhubri, Nalbari, Goalpara, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Golaghat to be constructed under phase 2 of the project. Notably, the Assam government has declared a state holiday in both districts for April 28. (With ANI inputs) Live TV External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who offered her country's main seaport - Chittagong Port - to India's northeastern states like Assam and Tripura to enhance connectivity between the two neighbours. Jaishankar, who arrived here on Thursday on a brief official visit, handed over an invitation to Hasina on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's behalf to visit New Delhi. "Thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her warm reception. Conveyed personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Our bilateral relations are moving from strength to strength under the guidance of the two leaders," Jaishankar tweeted. During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina said that the two countries have to increase the connectivity further, her press secretary Ihsanul Karim told PTI. She told Jaishankar that the enhanced connectivity was needed for mutual benefit while it would particularly benefit India's northeastern region in using Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong port, Karim said. "If the connectivity is increased, the Indian northeastern states -like Assam and Tripura- can have access to the seaport in Chattogram," she said. The Bangladesh premier noted that initiative were taken to resume cross-border routes between Bangladesh and India which were stopped during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, when Bangladesh was eastern wing of Pakistan. Karim said a number of bilateral and international issues were discussed during Prime Minister Hasina's more than half an hour long meeting with Jaishankar. Jaishankar later held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen and then jointly briefed the media. "Dr. Momen and @DrSJaishankar discussed the bilateral issues between Bangladesh and India. They expressed satisfaction about the ongoing Bangladesh-India cooperation, vowed to further strengthen the bilateral ties, stressed on regional stability for socio-economic development as a whole," the Bangladesh foreign ministry tweeted. Live TV New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that it was not an opportune moment to discuss the resumption of issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in view of the Covid-19 situation there. The reply from the MEA came in response to queries about global airlines body IATA telling its member carriers on April 20 that India has suspended tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals. Replying to questions on the issue, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "I think you are all aware of the Covid situation in Chinese cities like Shanghai and elsewhere. I don't think it is an opportune moment really to discuss the resumption of issuance of tourist visas from China in the context of what is happening in Shanghai and the Covid situation there." China themselves have not issued visas to us; have suspended (visa issuance to India) since 2020...Not the right time to discuss the issuance of tourist visas for China: Arindam Bagchi, MEA pic.twitter.com/EnpxLGu0SG ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2022 China had itself suspended the issuance of most types of visas to Indians since November 2020, Bagchi said. Pressed further, he reiterated, "I don't think it is the most opportune time to discuss resumption of issuance of tourist visas with China." "You are aware of the situation there. I dont think this is the right time to talk about the resumption of the issuance of tourist visas. Chinese themselves have not issued visas to us. Travel to China is not the easiest of things nor is travel out of China," he said. People familiar with the development said some of the visas to Chinese nationals were short-term visas and lapsed. Asked about Indian students who have not been able to go back for studies in China, Bagchi said that during the last visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had himself mentioned that the issue had been taken up. "We have requested them to look at the difficulties that students in India are facing. We have not had an update since then on this issue. This is an issue we are focussed on," Bagchi said. On students from other countries like Sri Lanka being reportedly allowed to return to China, Bagchi said, "I don't want to speculate, we are concerned about students in India and on that we don't have any movement yet. If the Chinese are looking at options on how they can get students in, I sincerely hope Indian students will also benefit from those mechanisms." Clarifying on the timeline of tourist visas to Chinese nationals being suspended, Bagchi said, "When Covid hit in March 2020, we had to freeze visas across the board for all countries, tourist visas were stopped for all countries, when I say resumption, I mean from there." India has been raising with China the plight of approximately 22,000 Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities who are unable to go back for physical classes. The neighbouring country has till date refused to let them enter. These students had to leave their studies in China and come to India when the COVID-19 pandemic began at the beginning of 2020. Srinagar: Two Local terrorists belonging to outfit Al-Badr were killed in an overnight gunfight in Mitrigam village in Pulwama district of South Kashmir in an overnight anti-terror operation, said police officials on Thursday (April 28, 2022). Inspector General Police, Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar told Zee News that both the killed terrorists are local and have been identified as Aijaz Hafiz and Shahid Ayub, two AK 47 rifles have been also recovered from the spot. "The slain duo belonged to Al-Badar outfit and were involved in a series of attacks on outside labourers in Pulwama in the month of March-April 2022, Kumar said. The operation started yesterday evening after specific input was generated by Jammu Kashmir police about the presence of terrorists in the village. Soon a joint a searching team of Police, CRPF and army launched a cordon and search operation in the area. Earlier, a police officer had said, "As the joint team of forces cordoned the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired on the joint team, which was retaliated, and encounter started. The officials also informed that the operation was halted for some time for the evacuation of civilians. In the initial exchange of fire, one army soldier got injured and is being treated in 92 base army hospital in Srinagar. As the operation resumed one terrorist was killed in the late evening, then again operation was put on hold during the night. In the wee hours of Thursday, the exchange of fire resumed and another terrorist was killed, Kumar said. It's pertained to mention that it's 41st encounter and, till now, security forces have managed to kill 61 terrorists this year, including more than ten Pakistani terrorists. Live TV Finland does not intend to agree with the Russias condition of paying for gas supplied from Russia in rubles, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen told Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, TASS reports. April 28, 2022, 11:26 Finland Will Not Pay for Russian Gas in Rubles: Minister STEPANAKERT, APRIL 20, ARTSAKHPRESS: "We make the decision in the government committee for economic policy that Finland will not opt for ruble payments," the newspaper said, citing the Minister. The governments position was communicated to Finnish state-owned gas company Gasum, Tuppurainen added. New Delhi: Based on genome-sequencing analysis, the Indian SARS-COV-2 Genomics Consortia (INSACOG) has said very few recombinant variants of the coronavirus have been found in the country and none of those has shown either increased transmission, locally or otherwise, nor were they associated with severe disease or hospitalisation. INSACOG, in its weekly bulletin of April 11 that was released on Wednesday, said the incidences of suspected recombinants and the possible public health relevance are being closely monitored. It said a total of 2,40,570 samples have been sequenced till now. "Based on genome sequencing analysis, very few recombinant variants have been discovered in India. So far, none showed either increased transmission (locally or otherwise) or was associated with severe disease or hospitalisation," it said. On the global scenario, the INSACOG said two recombinant variants -- XD and XE -- are being closely monitored worldwide. XD, which has an Omicron S gene incorporated into a Delta genome, is found primarily in France. "XE is a BA.1/BA.2 recombinant, with the majority of the genome including the S gene belonging to BA.2. XE shows slightly higher transmission rate. XE also shows a higher growth rate above that of BA.2; however, this finding requires further confirmation," the INSACOG said. At the prime minister's meeting with chief ministers, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said one case of XK/XM was found in Maharashtra, one case of XJ was detected in Rajasthan and a case each of the XJ and XE recombinant versions of Omicron has been found in the country. Live TV SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and NC vice president Omar Abdullah has hit out at the Centre saying, only Muslims are being targeted in this country for political gains and creating hate against the religion. The NC leader said that we have been told not to use loudspeakers in the mosque, not to sell Hallal meat, not to wear Hijab and it goes on. Omar asked when Muslims aren't objecting to others' religion or lifestyles of other people why are only Muslims being targeted in the country?. Omar Abdullah said this in response to the hijab order by a school in Baramulla. The NC leader said like Karnataka, now these people (referring to BJP) want to create trouble in Jammu and Kashmir for political gains. Hijab is our basic right and nobody should interfere in someone's religious matters, he said adding "this is not India with Jammu and Kashmir has done accession, if we're told this will happen in this country may be our decision would've been different." Omar also alleged that in the holy month of Ramadan the unusual power cuts are done delectably to irritate common Kashmiri peoples. He said, it seems that we are deliberately being irritated. I wonder why power remains on during the rest of the hours during day and night but not at the time of Sehri and Iftar. You wake to have Sehri, there is no electricity and the same is the case when you have Iftar. There is no electricity during Taraweeh prayers and when prayers are over, electricity is restored, he said, it seems to be a deliberate attempt to disturb the people of Kashmir. Omar also slammed the national media for the biased coverage of stories about homes of Muslims being bulldozed by the governments in BJP-ruled states. How do you think we feel when houses of Muslims are demolished by bulldozers and TV anchors say "there will be a shortage of bulldozers soon, we will have to import more of them"...? People who we expect to be impartial, take a partial position: Omar Abdullah, National Conference pic.twitter.com/6KDWxhWZND ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2022 Further, on the political scenario, the National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah suggested that the PAGD should contest the upcoming Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir jointly to keep away BJP and its A&B teams. He said, This is my opinion. If someone asks me, I suggest PAGD should go together in the polls ahead to keep BJP and its A & B teams away, he added that though it was his opinion, the final decision lies with the PAGD itself. Omar told this to reporters on the sidelines of the youth convention of the National Conference at Party headquarters in Srinagar. New Delhi: Opposition-ruled states continue to blame the Centre over high fuel prices and pending GST compensation to several states and have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing politics over the issues. Commenting on Prime Ministers appeal to opposition-ruled states to reduce VAT on fuel prices, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said, We can discuss petrol-diesel prices in cabinet today. CM will tell us what happened in the meeting with the PM yesterday. Everyone in the country has to accept that import oil is taxed first by Centre & then states, so the Center should also reduce tax. We can discuss petrol-diesel prices in cabinet today. CM will tell us what happened in meeting with the PM yesterday. Everyone in the country has to accept that import oil is taxed first by Centre & then states, so the Center should also reduce tax: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar pic.twitter.com/2Yf42zASF1 ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2022 He also blamed the Centre for giving the full GST compensation pending to the states. A huge GST amount is yet to come from the Centre. PM appealed to reduce tax on petrol diesel yesterday, we did not increase any tax in the budget this year. We reduced tax on CNG due to which the state suffered a loss of Rs 1000 crores, Ajit Pawar according to ANI. We can discuss petrol-diesel prices in cabinet today. CM will tell us what happened in meeting with the PM yesterday. Everyone in the country has to accept that import oil is taxed first by Centre & then states, so the Center should also reduce tax: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar pic.twitter.com/2Yf42zASF1 ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2022 It may be noted that during his interaction with the chief ministers on the Covid situation, the PM has expressed grave concerns over higher VST on fuel prices in the opposition-ruled states. He also appeared to be "passing the buck" on to states to reduce prices of petrol and diesel. As the prime minister's remark triggered a war of words, the BJP said the Opposition's stance reeks of hypocrisy and alleged that for every litre of petrol, opposition-ruled states were earning twice as much as the BJP-ruled states. Flagging higher fuel prices in many opposition-ruled states, PM Modi had urged them to reduce VAT in "national interest" to benefit the common man and work in the spirit of cooperative federalism in this time of global crisis. PM Modi raised the issue of many states not adhering to the Centre's call for reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel after his government slashed excise duties on them in November last, and called it "injustice" to people living there and also harmful for neighbouring states. Many states such as Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu for some reason or the other did not listen to the central government and the citizens of those states continued to be burdened, the PM said. Reacting to PM Modi's remarks at the meet, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the interaction with him was completely one-sided and misleading. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said the Centre owed Rs 26,500 crore to the state, after Prime Minister Modi said some states did not reduce VAT on petrol and diesel despite the excise duty cut by the Union government in November last year. Thackeray also accused the Centre of a step-motherly treatment to Maharashtra and that the state government was not responsible for the rise in prices of petrol and diesel. Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the increase in petrol and diesel rates was due to the cess and surcharge levied by the Centre. He said Kerala has not increased taxes on petroleum products in the last six years. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala attacked Modi, demanding that he give an account of the Rs 27 lakh crore "collected" by the BJP government from tax on petrol and diesel. Bengaluru: Kannada organisations on Thursday staged a protest here against Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn for his comments on Hindi being the national language of the country. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Praveen Shetty faction staged a flash protest in Mysuru Bank circle in Bengaluru and raised slogans against the actor. Since no permission was obtained from the police prior to the protest, the agitators were taken into custody. They slammed the actor for putting out a tweet for Hindi disrespecting the local regional languages. The protestors held photographs of Ajay Devgn and raised slogans against him. The agitators explained that repeatedly north Indians are provoking people of Karnataka regarding imposition of Hindi. Hindi movies are watched by Kannadigas and at a time when Kannada film industry is growing which is not being tolerated, one of the agitators told while being dragged away by the police. TA Narayana Gowda, President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike explained that due to the importance given for Hindi language in the constitution, Hindi speaking people have developed a feudalistic approach towards other languages. The statement of Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn is symbolic of Hindi feudalism. The provisions which give Hindi importance in the constitution have to be dropped, otherwise, this feudal attitude of Hindi speaking people won't end. They will continue to dominate over regional languages, he explained. New Delhi: After dating each other for a long time, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Vini Raman got married in a desi wedding earlier this year in Chennai. The good-looking couple got engaged in 2020 but their wedding was delayed due to the covid-19 pandemic outbreak. The couple had announced their wedding on social media. Celebrating the couple's union, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) held a bash for the newlyweds Glenn Maxwell and Vini Raman in Mumbai. Many pictures and videos from the wedding have been floating online and in one of the fun posts, Virat Kohli can be seen dancing to Samantha Ruth Prabhu's sensational number 'Oo Antava'. Take a look here: For all those who don't know, Vini Raman is a Tamilian based out of Australia. She is a pharmacist in Melbourne. They tied the knot in a private affair after dating each other for over 5 years reportedly. New Delhi: The month of May does not have several holidays on the RBI list, but this month has five sundays. Hence the total number of days that the banks will be closed are more of weekends than RBI declared holidays. As per the RBI holiday list, while some holidays are being observed nation-wide, some others are local festivities being celebrated across the country. (Also read: Big update for WhatsApp India users! Get cashback for making WhatsApp UPI payments, know how to avail it) Several bank branches will remain closed in various states owing to these festivities. Before visiting your bank branch in the month of May, you must note down the list of important days during which banks will remain closed. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mentioned some days when the banking operations will remain closed in the month of May 2022, although online banking activities will continue to work. (Also read: PM KISAN 11th Installment eKYC update) Banks will remain closed for total 11 days in the month of May -- 4 as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar list and the remaining days are that of weekends. However, you must note that the banks will NOT be closed for 11 days in all states or regions. This is the total number of days when banks in different parts of the country will remain closed for state-observed holidays. For example bank branches might be closed for Birthday of Rabindranath Tagore but not closed for the same in other states like Himachal Pradesh or Kerala. Here is an elaborate list of bank holidays falling in the month of May 2022. Check out the list. Holiday Description as per RBI Ramjan-Eid (Eid-UI-Fitra): May 2 Bhagvan Shree Parshuram Jayanti/Ramjan-Eid (Eid-UI-Fitra)/Basava Jayanti/Akshaya Tritiya: May 3 Birthday of Rabindranath Tagore: May 9 Buddha Purnima: May 16 Apart from the above bank holidays, the second and fourth Saturdays, Sundays of the month are falling on the following dates: Sunday: 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May and 29 May Second Saturday: 14 May Fourth Saturday: 28 May Holidays of the mentioned days will be observed in various regions according to the state declared holidays, however for the gazetted holidays, banks will be closed all over the country. Reserve Bank of India places its Holidays under three brackets --Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act; Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement Holiday; and Banks Closing of Accounts. However, it must be noted that the bank holidays vary in various states as well not observed by all the banking companies. Banking holidays also depend on the festivals being observed in specific states or notification of specific occasions in those states. Washington: Flagging concerns over likely misuse of crypto, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said India will take a considerate decision on regulation around the virtual currency. The decision on crypto will not be rushed through, she said in an interaction at Stanford University. (Also read: Crypto Tax: How to report it while filing ITR, what will be taxed and what not? Expert answers) "It will have to take its time...All of us to be sure that at least with a given available information, we're taking the decern decision. It can't be rushed through," she said. The minister clarified that the government is open to promote innovation and well-grounded progress made in the distributed ledger technologies, which are coming in the blockchain. "So, our intention is in no way to hurt this (innovation around crypto)...But (we need to) define for ourselves...," she said. Cryptocurrencies can also be manipulated for money laundering or terror financing, the minister noted. So, these are some of the concerns, not just India, but many countries of the world have and are also discussed in global, multilateral platforms, she added. India is planning to introduce central bank-backed digital currency or Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Sitharaman, in her Budget speech on February 1, had announced that the digital rupee or CBDC would be issued by the RBI in the coming fiscal year. She had also announced that the government will levy a 30 per cent tax on gains made from any other private digital assets from April 1. Speaking about CBDC, Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar earlier this month said a nuanced and calibrated approach is essential for the launch of India's maiden digital currency as it would have various implications for the economy and monetary policy. The essential learning does not come from global experience but basically comes from your own experience, he had said. On the merger of HDFC and HDFC Bank, Sitharaman said, it is a good step because India needs a lot more big banks to take care of growing needs for infra financing. Earlier this month, India's largest private lender HDFC Bank agreed to take over the biggest domestic mortgage lender in a deal valued at about USD 40 billion, creating a financial services titan in the largest deal in the country's corporate history. The proposed entity will have a combined asset base of around Rs 18 lakh crore. The merger is expected to be completed by the second or third quarter of FY24, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction involves the amalgamation of HDFC and its two wholly-owned subsidiaries HDFC Holdings and HDFC Investments with HDFC Bank. HDFC, as the promoter of HDFC Bank, holds 21 per cent in the lender along with the two subsidiaries, which on the merger will be more than double the size of private sector peer ICICI Bank. With regard to the digital divide, Sitharaman said some steps have been taken to bridge it. Asked about the under-reporting of COVID death numbers, she said the data that the central government reported was compiled from states. The revision was due to changes made by the state governments, she said, adding some death that took place at home was updated later by states. New Delhi: As the schedule for the 11th instalment of PM KISAN is approaching near, eligible farmers must be ready with all the necessary documents to avail the benefit of the scheme. Among the important documentation is eKYC, which is mandatory for PMKISAN Registered Farmers. An update regarding the eKYC is Aadhaar-based OTP authentication facility. The Aadhaar-based OTP authentication which had been temporarily suspended is now back at the official PM KISAN portal again. (Also read: Elon Musk now targets Indian-origin Twitter legal head Vijaya Gadde, pushback brewing) As per the PM KISAN official website the following three things must be noted. The website says: 1. eKYC is MANDATORY for PMKISAN Registered Farmers. OTP Based eKYC is available on PMKISAN Portal. 2. You may also contact nearest CSC centres for Biometric authentication based eKYC. 3. Deadline of eKYC for all the PMKISAN beneficiaries has been extended till 31st May 2022. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2019. The Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In a financial year, PM Kisan installment is credited thrice through --Period 1 from April-July; Period 2 from August to November; and Period 3 from December to March. New Delhi: Apple appears to be all set to ramp up its production in India. The Cupertino-based tech giant is now reportedly planning to manufacture smartphones worth Rs 47,000 crore in the country in the ongoing financial year. The company is planning to take advantage of the production linked incentives (PLI) schemes aimed at promoting Make in India and making India self-reliant. Apple contract manufacturers such as Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron currently build and assemble iPhones in India. The firms are required to manufacture smartphones worth Rs 8,000 crore each to benefit from the PLI schemes that also aim to increase the countrys exports. The companies are likely to export 60 per cent of the production of iPhones in the country. As of now, iPhones manufactured in India account for less than 1.5 per cent of Apples international sales. Apples increasing dominance in the smartphone market and the Covid-19 pandemic forced the tech giant to look for new products and assemble units. The company has also started assembling iPhones in Brazil as well. According to a report by ET, Apple is expected to manufacture iPhones worth $6 billion (Rs 47,000 crore) in India. The original equipment manufacturer started manufacturing iPhone SE in 2017. Currently, Apple manufacturers iPhones 11, 12 and 13 in India. Wistron and Pegatron mostly manufacture iPhone 12 at their Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu-located plants, respectively. Meanwhile, Foxconn is currently producing iPhones 11, 12 and 13 at its Tamil Nadu unit. Also Read: 'This is nothing but harassment': Gujarat HC raps SBI for denying 'no-dues' certificate to farmer for just 31 paise If Apple will boost its manufacturing in India, the prices of a few iPhone models may come down, as the company will be saving a lot on import taxes and shipping costs. However, in the end, it will be on the company if it decides to extend the benefits to its customers or not. Also Read: Decision on crypto: Here is what FM Nirmala Sitharaman said on virtual currency regulation Live TV #mute New Delhi: London-based consumer tech brand Nothing on Thursday announced the availability of its Nothing Launcher (Beta) operating system on Google Play Store. Android users can preview Nothing OS graphics and animations unified by it distinctive design language. Last month, CEO and Co-founder Carl Pei confirmed plans to launch Nothing phone (1), its first smartphone, while sharing the first look of Nothing OS. Nothing OS offers a new experience for Android. "Hold and press to enlarge app folders or individual apps, so the things you use the most are more visible. Launch any app directly from your folders. Your most used apps will appear first in the folder," said the company. With Bespoke Clock and Weather widgets use the same dot matrix font as Nothing logo. The users can customise home screen with the Nothing wallpapers and associated colour palette. Nothing Launcher (Beta) is currently compatible with Samsung S21 and S22, Google Pixel 5 and 6 and will soon come to OnePlus. In March, the company confirmed plans to launch its first smartphone -- Nothing phone (1) -- that will be powered by Qualcomm`s Snapdragon mobile platform. Nothing phone (1) will be the company`s first smartphone and a second device in the overall product ecosystem of the brand. Also Read: Rainbow Childrens IPO: Check latest GMP, subscription status, expected listing price The company said it is planning to launch the smartphone, which will run Nothing OS, later this year. Also Read: LIC IPO: 6.48 crore policyholders keen to buy shares -- Check price band, discount Live TV #mute Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko believes that the Union State of Belarus and Russia may attract other countries, TASS reports. April 28, 2022, 17:47 Lukashenko Believes Other Former Soviet Republics May Also Join Union State STEPANAKERT, APRIL 28, ARTSAKHPRESS: "I'm sure that other republics of the former Soviet Union will also join such a union," he said on Thursday at a meeting with Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev, the presidents press service reported. Lukashenko noted that he sees a great interest of the Russian regions in developing cooperation with Belarus. "Thanks to you we have this cooperation and we are trying to build a single Union State based on new principles, so that no one would be offended, and so that sovereign and independent states - Belarus and Russia - would develop," he said. New York: Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is reigniting excitement of the Donald Trump-era when the Twitter boss would unveil "law" over a mis-spelt midnight tweet. Musk, with his blunt and often impish humour, is in control of spelling, but just as savage shaming folks who he dislikes. Never mind that he might soon own the world's most happening micro-blogging platform or that the folks running Twitter are low on reverence for the new owner's $269.7 billion net worth, Musk on Wednesday reconfirmed a dim view on how the social media site is being run. He attacked Vijaya Gadde, a "conscience keeper to Co-founder Jack Dorsey", the person who took the call to deplatform Trump. On a tweet where Gadde was being cursed by name "for sobbing while talking to her team on the takeover", Musk dived right in. He said Twitter (read Gadde) was wrong in fighting off misinformation around a news story on Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, and it shouldn't have restricted a New York (NY) Post's account and reach. This was classic Musk. Zero compunctions "and perfectly aware what abuse trolls would unleash on the immigrant". If the commentariat has been in near unison that Musk would boot out Parag Agrawal, Twitter CEO, firing at Gadde was almost that. A conservative commentator using a Politico story to claim how "Vijaya Gadde, the top censorship advocate at Twitter, who famously gaslit the world on Joe Rogan's podcast and censored the Hunter Biden laptop story, is very upset about the @elonmusk takeover" "and Musk quote tweeting it, saying: "Suspending the Twitter account of a major news organisation for publishing a truthful story was obviously incredibly inappropriate." Here Musk was referring to NYPost, the conservative daily tabloid, which had published a story about a controversial laptop belonging to Hunter Biden. The story at that time seemed dodgy. It also had the involvement of several people who were part of Donald Trump's team and many mainstream media publications believed it to be part of a misinformation campaign aimed at hurting Biden's chances in the presidential polls. Equally interesting has been the pushback from Twitter seniors. Twitter Spokesperson Trenton Kennedy has jumped in with a quote that Politico gleefully has added: "Gadde became emotional when discussing her team's impact and the pride she feels in them." More than this unnecessary confirmation, Kennedy has been amplifying Gadde-fans. "I feel proud and fortunate to have @vijaya as a colleague. She is one of the most thoughtful, intelligent, considerate and hard-working people I know. She has the most difficult and thankless job at Twitter, and she does it with grace and humility every day," said Kayvon Beykpour, Twitter leader for design, research, product engineering, got the spokesperson's retweet. He also retweeted an encomium from Elizabeth Luke of Pinterest: "You can talk about making tough decisions, or you can *actually* make tough decisions. Thousands and thousands of times. @vijaya is a rare leader who possesses incredible wisdom and empathy. This is not a debate." Gadde, 48, a native Telegu, migrated at the age of three and attended Cornell and New York University, is Twitter's legal and policy mamma and the final word on what to allow on the platform and what to restrict and block. In 2014, Fortune described her as the most powerful woman on Twitter's executive team, though she was later joined by Chief Marketing Officer Leslie Berland. Berland too is under fire for saying that Musk is putting people "who care about health on the platform in a very difficult position" by criticising their content moderation policies -- a charge she denies. It is Gadde who convinced Dorsey not to sell political advertisements during 2020. Gadde has spoken in defence of the decision by saying, "It wasn't about anything other than, 'This is the right thing to do for us as a company'." She had to apologise during Dorsey's trip to India for letting him being photographed with a poster on "Brahmin patriarchy." A direct and public attack from the new owner is indication that Gadde might leave. Just to reconfirm his thought process on Gadde, Musk tweeted on Thursday that Trump's "Truth Social (terrible name) exists because Twitter censored free speech". Washington: Asserting that now there is a growing strategic convergence between the United States and India, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said New Delhi built its partnership with Moscow out of necessity as the US was not in a position to do that earlier. "In the case of India, there is a relationship that goes back decades. And Russia, for India, was out of necessity a partner of choice when we were not in a position to be a partner," he told lawmakers on Wednesday (April 27, 2022). "Now, we are investing in that effort. I think there is a growing strategic convergence between the United States and India," Blinken said. "And of course, China is a big part of that," Blinken said in response to a question from Senator William Hagerty during a Congressional hearing by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations. Hagerty had sought Blinken's views on the India-US relationship. "What I see before us is something I'm certain that is very frustrating in the short-term when we have our differences and you deal with that every day," Hagerty said. "But in the long-term, the strategic partnership that we have with India I think poses the opportunity to do more good in the 21st century," he said. Blinken in response said he very much shares the perspective shared by the Senator. "I think this partnership has the potential to be one of the most important and foundational partnerships that we have going forward over the next decades," he said. Blinken said US President Joe Biden has spent "a lot of time directly engaging with Prime Minister Modi and India's leadership". "We have energised the Quad that brings India together with Australia and Japan and us. This has been a very important vehicle for strengthening our collaboration across a whole variety of fronts with India," he said. "What's interesting is this is a moment of strategic inflection, by which I mean this. A number of countries are now relooking at some of their relationships and some of their interests, particularly when it comes to their relationship with Russia," added the top American diplomat. Live TV US President Joe Biden will ask Congress on Thursday for new funds to support Ukraine`s military as well as new legal tools to tighten sanctions and siphon assets from Russian oligarchs. Biden is expected to ask for significant sums from Congress to help Ukraine confront the Russian invasion as well as new legal authorities to seize money from Russian oligarchs to pay for the war effort. U.S. officials will seek the full amount they expect to need through September, the end of the fiscal year, to support Ukraine`s military operations as well as humanitarian and economic aid, spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Wednesday. Biden is also coupling that request with a proposal for lawmakers to hand his administration new capabilities, letting U.S. officials seize more oligarchs` assets, give the cash from those seizures to Ukraine and further criminalize sanctions dodging, the White House said. The steps include letting the Justice Department use the strict U.S. racketeering law once deployed against the mafia, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, to build cases against people who evade sanctions. Biden also wants to give prosecutors more time to build such cases by extending the statute of limitations on money laundering prosecutions to 10 years, instead of five. He would also make it a criminal act to hold money knowingly taken from corrupt dealings with Russia, according to a summary of the proposals. The measures are part of U.S. efforts to isolate and punish Russia for its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, as well as to help Kyiv recover from a war that has reduced cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad. U.S. military aid to Ukraine has topped $3 billion since Russia launched what it calls a "special military operation" to demilitarize and "denazify" Ukraine. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext. The United States and its European allies have frozen $30 billion of assets held by wealthy individuals with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including yachts, helicopters, real estate and art, the Biden administration has said. Biden is expected to discuss the request for Congress from the White House at 10:45 a.m. (1445 GMT). Karachi/Lahore: Pakistani investigators probing the suicide attack by a woman at the Karachi University that killed three Chinese teachers have not ruled out the presence of more female suicide bombers at sleeper cells of the outlawed Baluchistan Liberation Army, even as police in Lahore have arrested a suspect from Punjab University in connection with the bombing. On Tuesday, an explosion triggered by a burqa-clad woman suicide bomber from the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) ripped through a van of the Confucius Institute at the prestigious University of Karachi, leaving three Chinese teachers dead and one injured, in the latest targeted attack against Chinese citizens in Pakistan. Following the incident, the banned BLA took to social media to claim responsibility and announce that the bomber was a woman named Shaari Baloch who was a highly educated mother of two young children, belonged to a well-established family and working as a school teacher in her native Turbat, Balochistan. The Anti-Terrorism Department of the Sindh Police also identified the bomber who was born in Turbat in 1991 but settled in the Kech district of the restive Baluchistan province. Initial investigations confirmed she was part of the banned Majeed Brigade, a part of the BLA which has brainwashed these suicide bombers, an official of the Anti-Terrorism Department said. We are looking into possibilities that there might be more female suicide bombers brainwashed to become part of the Majeed Brigade and waiting in sleeper cells," he said. He confirmed that initial investigations had shown that Shari Baloch did not carry out the attack independently and was guided and helped by her handlers/facilitators, including a woman who met her at the entrance of the university and apparently briefed her before she went to the entrance of the Confucius Institute where she detonated herself as soon as the coaster van carrying the Chinese academics came. We suspect this operation was carried out with inside information, the official said. On Wednesday, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Police arrested a suspect from Lahore's Punjab University in connection with the suicide bombing at the Karachi University. The intelligence agencies tracked down a suspect with whom Shari Baloch remained in contact by cellphone in Lahore and arrested him during a raid at a hostel of the Punjab University, a source in CTD told PTI on Thursday. The suspect has been identified as Bebagr Imdad, a student in the seventh semester of English Literature in Numl, Islamabad. He also belongs to the area where Shaari Baloch lived. "The agencies are picking up all those who remained in contact with Shaari before she blew herself up and Bebagr was one of them," he said. A Punjab University spokesperson Khurram Shahzad told PTI that Bebagr had come to Lahore two days ago from Islamabad. "On Tuesday, he visited his cousin at hostel 7 who is a history department student. On Wednesday, a security agency official approached the varsity administration and told it that it needed to take Bebagr into custody for his alleged link with the Karachi University bombing. The Punjab University obliged the request and now he is being interrogated," Shehzad said. Some 300 students from Balochistan are currently studying at Punjab University. The security agencies are now searching for the husband of Shari Baloch, Dr Haibatan, who was apparently doing a public health course at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and was staying at a nearby hotel. However, his wife lived in Gulistan-i-Jauhar with her two children. Counter-Terrorism Department official Raja Umar Khatab said that Shari Baloch and her husband had left their places a week before the attack and the husband's whereabouts were not known. Raids were being carried out to find the husband and other facilitators, he said. The CTD official also made it clear that Shari Baloch was not a student at the KU and in fact had done her BE and ME from the University of Balochistan and had also worked as a government teacher. The officer said that the outlawed BLA had claimed responsibility for the attack and shared details about the attacker on their social media platforms. We also suspect the involvement of a hostile foreign agency in this attack, he said. Meanwhile, the members of the Baloch Student Council at Punjab University held a demonstration outside the varsity and demanded the release of Bebagr. They said the abduction of Bebagr" was part of ongoing disappearances and harassment of the Baloch students in the country. They said they would continue their protest till the release of Bebagr from the agencies' custody. The suicide bombing at the Karachi University seems to be the harbinger of a 'new and unexpected dimension' in the dynamics of terrorism in Pakistan, particularly the Baloch insurgency. Meanwhile, an Additional Police Surgeon at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Hospital Dr Summaiya Syed said that the four people who were injured in the bomb blast, including a fourth Chinese teacher, Wang Yuqing, are out of danger. Those killed in the suicide bombing included three Chinese faculty members and their Pakistani driver, Khalid Nawaz. In the FIR lodged about the incident by SHO Basharat Hussain, the BLA Majeed Brigade militant commanders Bashir Zaib and Rehman Gul and others were involved in the attack. The FIR says the BLA wanted to undermine relations between Pakistan and China and get publicity for their outlawed outfit through terrorist acts, the FIR added. The security forces on Thursday raided the house of the father of the bomber in a society located in Karachi's Scheme 33. Laptops and other evidence, including documents, were seized during the raid. The Security agencies in Balochistan on Wednesday also searched the apartment of the suicide bomber in Gulistan-e-Johar and sealed it afterwards. The apartment was rented and the bomber had been living there for the last three years. The Karachi University reopened for the first time on Thursday after the suicide attack. The university's spokesperson said that administrative affairs and the teaching process in the university will continue as usual. However, the Confucius Institute will remain closed until clearance from the Chinese embassy. Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad shortly after he took charge on Wednesday. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb told a press conference that the government was reviewing the National Action Plan against terrorism and would bring the perpetrators of the Karachi bombing to justice. China has demanded stern action against the militant organisations behind the attack. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin during a media briefing asked Pakistan to scale-up security for its nationals working in the country and demanded a thorough investigation and punishment of the perpetrators behind the suicide attack. The attack that too by a woman suicide bomber from BLA, which is vocally opposing the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), sent shock waves in China as it highlights deep-rooted opposition to Chinese projects. Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups have previously carried out several attacks targeting the CPEC projects. Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on a host of projects being carried out under the aegis of the CPEC. The world's richest man, Elon Musk, is often in news for his tweets, and a few days back, after he sealed the deal to buy the hugely popular Twitter for $44 billion, he was all over social media platforms. Musk joined Twitter in 2010 and now has more than 85 million followers - the seventh-most of any account and the highest for any business leader. After creating a buzz over his Twitter deal and his emphasis on free speech, Musk's latest tweet is now going viral. On Thursday morning (India time), Musk tweeted, saying, "Next Im buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in". Next Im buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022 The tweet has already been retweeted more than 1,45,000 times (it's going up by the second) and has attracted thousands of comments. One user asked Musk if he can "buy the IRS and abolish taxes", while another quipped he is "too poor" to buy Coke. Some netizens slammed him sayings drugs are banned in their country, while several others shared memes. Some users also complained that Musk will spoil their Twitter experience, whereas many took the tweet in a light-hearted manner and indulged in some banter. Elon Musk and his tweets A report in Associated Press (AP) mentions that playful, aggressive and often juvenile, Musk's past tweets show how he has used social media to craft his public image as a brash billionaire unafraid to offend. They may also reveal clues as to how Musk will govern the platform he hopes to own. "Look at the feed: It's all over the place. It's erratic. At times it's pretty extreme," Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor who studies social media and who recently assigned Musk's tweets as reading material for their students, was quoted by the news agency AP. "It paints him as some sort of rebel leader who will take control of the public square to save it. That is a myth he has constructed." As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk uses his Twitter account to make business announcements and promote his enterprises, reports AP. He muses about technology and trade, but has also posted jokes about women's breasts and once compared Canada's prime minister to Hitler. He regularly weighs in on global events, as he did in March 2020 when he tweeted that "the coronavirus pandemic is dumb." He's also used the account to punch back at critics, such as when he called a diver working to rescue boys trapped in a cave in Thailand a "pedo," short for pedophile. The diver had previously criticized Musk's proposal to use a sub to rescue the boys. Musk, who won a defamation suit filed by the diver, later said he never intended "pedo" to be interpreted as "pedophile." (With inputs from AP) Kyiv: Following his trip to Russia UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced his arrival to the war-torn Ukraine where he will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, the UN chief said: "I have arrived in Ukraine after visiting Moscow. We will continue our work to expand humanitarian support & secure the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones. "The sooner this war ends, the better for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world." ALSO READ: Russian forces disperse pro-Ukraine protestors in Kherson, tighten control over the city In a meeting with Guterres in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to the involvement of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal plant in Ukraine`s besieged city of Mariupol. "The sooner this war ends, the better for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world." Upon arrival in Kyiv, @antonioguterres stresses that the UN will continue work to expand humanitarian support & secure evacuation of civilians from conflict zones. pic.twitter.com/rcHvsaYhpu United Nations (@UN) April 27, 2022 The UN is following up on an agreement with Russia to coordinate the evacuation of civilians in Azovstal, a spokesman of the world body announced on Wednesday Follow-on discussions were to be held with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Russian Defense Ministry. During their meeting, Putin also told the UN chief that the Ukrainian issue arose after the 2014 "unconstitutional coup" in Kiev and people in Donbas remained under blockade and military pressure even after the Minsk agreements on a peaceful settlement were reached. According to the Russian President, the Donbas "republics" have the right to declare their sovereignty and Russia has the right to recognise their independence and provide them with military assistance in full accordance with the UN Charter. Guterres proposed creating a contact group where the UN, Russia and Ukraine can discuss the situation together so that the humanitarian corridors are truly effective. Before his trip to Moscow, the UN chief met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday in the capital Ankara. Live TV #mute Kyiv- Russian forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a pro-Ukraine rally in the occupied city of Kherson on Wednesday, Ukraine`s Prosecutor General said, as Moscow tightened its grip over the southern region. Local authorities say Russia appointed its own mayor of Kherson on Tuesday after its troops took over the administration headquarters in the regional capital, which was the first big urban centre to be seized after the Feb. 24 invasion. Some residents have staged occasional anti-occupation rallies and crowds gathered in the centre again on Wednesday, the date Kyiv had said Russia planned to stage a referendum to create a breakaway region like those in eastern Ukraine. ALSO READ: Ahead of PM Modi's Berlin visit, German Minister in Delhi says 'we are searching for cooperation with India to stop war in Ukraine' "During a peaceful pro-Ukrainian rally on Freedom Square in the city of Kherson, servicemen of the Russian armed forces used tear gas and stun grenades against the civilian population," the office of Ukraine`s Prosecutor General said in a statement. It said it was investigating the incident, and that at least four people were wounded. Russia did not immediately comment on the incident. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the protests, saying in a late-night address that "I am grateful to everyone who has not given up, who is protesting, who is ignoring the occupiers and showing the marginal people who have become collaborators that there is no future for them". Shortly afterwards, the RIA news agency cited a security source as saying Ukraine had fired three rockets at the city centre but Russian occupying forces shot down two of them. On Tuesday, Russia said it had gained full control of the Kherson region, which is strategically important as it provides part of the land link between the annexed Crimea peninsula and Russian-backed separatist areas in the east. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" to disarm its neighbour and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West say the fascist allegation is baseless and that the war is an unprovoked act of aggression. FLAGS AND RIBBONS Regional governor Hennadiy Laguta on Tuesday said the occupation meant his administration had no choice but to leave. Thousands of people have fled Kherson to Ukraine-controlled territory, according to the local authorities, who report power and water outages, severe shortages of food and medicines and cellphone network issues in some occupied areas. Footage shared on social media on Wednesday showed people rushing away from a square filled with drifting smoke. A loud boom rang out and a thick plume of white smoke rose into the air. Coughing could be heard and one person could be seen clasping their hands over their eyes. Reuters verified the location of the video through the configuration of the buildings which matched street view photography of Kherson. Two people, who told Reuters they had participated in the rally, said people were waving Ukrainian flags, chanting "Glory to Ukraine" and singing the national anthem when a large number of Russian forces turned up. Speaking by phone, former factory worker Ihor, 33, said some of the Russians first fired in the air. "There wasn`t panic until they threw the tear gas grenade," said 18-year-old student Mykyta. Both men, who gave only their first names for security reasons, said they had not seen any sign of the planned referendum being held. Ihor said those who remained were "depressed. People understand that they can't really do anything. The police are everywhere, people are stopped everywhere," he said. "Many Kherson residents are afraid," he said. "All the same, Kherson residents do not give up, they quietly go to rallies. They've hung up flags, blue and yellow ribbons, all in support of Ukraine."The two were to begin work in a canteen of the Beijing University of Technology, but that did not happen after residential compounds next to the university went into a lockdown. After a long discussion with staff at the university, they were told to stay at a dormitory currently under lockdown. "We can cook in the dormitory, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time until the lockdown is lifted," said Wu. "I won`t ask for money if I don`t work." Live TV #mute London: Britain's top diplomat called Wednesday for Western allies to send tanks, warplanes and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying fears of escalating the war were misplaced and inaction would be the greatest provocation. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said this is a time for courage, not caution among nations helping Ukraine fight Russia's invasion. Heavy weapons, tanks and airplanes digging deep into our inventories, ramping up production. We need to do all of this, Truss said during an annual foreign policy speech at Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of London. ALSO READ: Russia-Ukraine war: After visiting Russia, UN chief Anonio Guterres arrives in Ukraine for talks NATO nations have supplied Ukraine with military weapons and gear, including missiles and armoured vehicles. But they have been reluctant to send fighter planes despite pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for fear of escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already accused NATO of effectively waging a proxy war against Russia. Western officials deny that, saying the conflict is between Russia and Ukraine due to Russia's illegal invasion of its neighbour. Britain has sent 450 million pounds (USD565 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including thousands of missiles. But Despite Truss's call for jets, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman, Max Blain, said there were no plans for the UK to send planes. He did not rule out Britain sending planes to another country, such as Poland, that would then give its own jets to Ukraine, but said there were no specific plans to do so. Truss said Russia's attack on Ukraine must be a wake-up call for international institutions that failed to prevent the invasion. The architecture that was designed to guarantee peace and prosperity has failed Ukraine, Truss said. The economic and security structures developed after the Second World War and then the Cold War have been bent out of shape so far that they have enabled rather than contained aggression. Truss called Russian President Vladimir Putin a desperate rogue operator who was ripping up the global order and outfoxing international institutions. Russia is able to block any effective action in the UN Security Council, where it has a veto as a permanent member, she said, adding that the Group of 20 clubs of wealthy and emerging nations cannot function as an effective economic body while Russia remains at the table. In response, Truss called for a new focus on military strength, economic security and deeper global alliances among free nations. After years of declining military spending in many countries, including Britain, she said NATO's goal that countries spend 2 per cent of gross domestic product on defence should be a floor, not a ceiling. Truss also called for tougher economic sanctions on Russia, saying the West must cut off Russian oil and gas imports once and for all. That would be an easier thing to do for Britain than for many other European nations. If Putin succeeds, there will be untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe, she said. We would never feel safe again. So we must be prepared for the long haul and double down on our support for Ukraine. Live TV #mute A 45-year-old man will remain behind bars after being charged with murder and appearing in a Melbourne court. Kon Jovanovski is accused of murdering a 60-year-old man at a Brooklyn home in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Jovanovski, of no fixed address, was arrested in Seddon on Wednesday afternoon, just 4.5km away from where the body was found. The court was told Jovanovski is diagnosed with schizophrenia but does not have medication and he made no application for bail. He will next appear in court on July 4. The UK has sent Ukraine thousands of NLAW anti-tank missiles, seen being fired during training (Ministry of Defence handout/PA) (PA Media) Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February, the UK and western allies have been providing military aid to help Ukrainian forces resist Moscows advances. After starting cautiously with helmets and flak jackets and then limiting supplies to defensive weapons, western countries have massively stepped up their response. Some 40 nations are now joining in delivering missiles, tanks and heavy artillery to help Ukraines efforts in countering Russias intensified offensive in the eastern Donbas region. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Wednesday said western powers must double down on support for the government in Kyiv, providing the heavy weaponry it needs to push Russia out of the whole of Ukraine. Here is a look at what military aid the UK and other countries are sending. What lethal aid has UK sent so far? The UK continues to provide military aid, as Ukraine fights President Putins illegal invasion. #StandWithUkraine Find out more here: https://t.co/GkHyP9kMYM Here's a summary of our lethal aid support. pic.twitter.com/WpL9EEUzgc Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) April 27, 2022 Britain is one of the largest suppliers in Europe of arms to Ukraine, having already sent more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles, 1,360 anti-structure munitions, five air-defence systems with more than 100 missiles, and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives, according to the Ministry of Defence. Ukrainian forces have also been using Starstreak high-velocity and low-velocity anti-air missiles supplied by the UK for more than three week, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told MPs on Monday. What other military support has the UK provided to Ukraine? Story continues Mr Wallace said the UK has already given some 200 million in military aid to Kyiv. The UK has also sent non-lethal equipment to Ukraine, including more than 90,000 ration packs, over 10 pallets of medical equipment, more than 3,000 pieces of body armour, nearly 77,000 helmets and 3,000 pairs of boots, as well as communications equipment. Britain is training Ukrainian troops in Poland, as well as teaching a small number of Ukrainian soldiers on home soil how to use armoured vehicles. The UK, alongside Polish, US and international partners, has also set up an international donor coordination centre in Stuttgart to coordinate the delivery of military assistance. Ukrainian forces have been using Starstreak high-velocity surface-to-air missiles supplied by the UK (Ministry of Defence handout/PA) (PA Media) Will the UK send more weapons? Earlier this month, the Prime Minister announced a further 100 million worth of high-grade military equipment for Ukraine, including more Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, another 800 anti-tank missiles and high-tech precision munitions that loiter over the battlefield until directed to their target. Boris Johnson also promised 120 armoured vehicles, including Mastiff six-wheel-drive patrol vehicles, and new anti-ship missile systems. Mr Wallace confirmed earlier this week that a small number of Stormer armoured vehicles, which carry Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and are designed to provide a roving threat to Russian planes and helicopters, will be shipped to Ukraine. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told the Commons this week that Britain would providing the Ukrainians with longer-range ground-based Brimstone missiles in the next few weeks. Mr Wallace confirmed Britain is also examining an anti-ship missile solution, telling Sky News on Thursday that we will source and supply, if we can, anti-ship missiles to help Ukraine counter Russian vessels in the Black Sea. Mr Johnson has also offered to send Challenger 2 tanks to neighbouring Poland so that Warsaw can donate its own to Ukraine. The Prime Minister has promised to send Ukraine the Mastiff, which can be used as a reconnaissance or patrol vehicle (Ministry of Defence handout/PA) (PA Media) What defence assistance have other countries provided? The United States has been Ukraines top contributor, providing more than three billion US dollars of military aid since Russia invaded. That includes the latest military package of 800 million US dollars announced by President Joe Biden last week, which includes howitzers, armoured vehicles and recently-developed Phoenix Ghost tactical drones. The White House has also supplied or promised helicopters, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Javelin missile launchers capable of piercing the most sophisticated armour, thousands of rifles with ammunition and a range of other equipment. The US and Turkey have both given Ukraine drones armed with missiles, while Canada has sent howitzers and ammunition and has promised eight armoured vehicles. .@USMC M777 towed 155 mm howitzers bound for Ukraine are loaded onto a @USAirForce C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at @March_ARB. pic.twitter.com/l4mNCiFnc5 Department of Defense (@DeptofDefense) April 27, 2022 Germany, which has rewritten its longstanding defence policy that ruled out exporting weapons into war zones, this week announced its first delivery of heavy weaponry to Ukraine. After weeks of mounting pressure, Berlin promised to send Gepardtanks anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine. Newly-reelected French President Emmanuel Macron has given a green light for the delivery of lorry-mounted Caesar cannons and Milan anti-tank missiles, in addition to millions of euros of military equipment already donated by Paris. The European Union has signed off on a 500 million euro package to fund weapons for Ukraine, marking the first time in the blocs history it will help provide arms for a warzone. The Czech Republic has sent T-72 tanks and fighting vehicles and Slovakia has provided its S-300 anti-aircraft defence system. Poland has sent equipment including drones and Javelin anti-tank missiles and has also pledged T-72 tanks. Norway has shipped Mistral anti-air missiles and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia are also among the many countries sending military equipment. Two men have been found guilty of murdering a Melbourne nightclub patron and a security guard outside the Love Machine club. There was no dispute that Jacob Elliott fired four shots from a car driven by Allan Fares on April 14, 2019. But the pair argued they didn't do so with murderous intent. A jury returned guilty verdicts for both men on charges of murder on Thursday afternoon. Security guard Aaron Osmani and club patron Richard Arow were shot in the head and fell to the ground outside the Little Chapel Street club just after 3am on April 14, 2019. Another security guard, Semisi Tu'itufu, was struck in the shoulder. A single bullet went through club-goer Ukash Ahmed and into Ali Shohani as they lined up. Prosecutor Patrick Bourke QC had argued both accused were guilty after forming an agreement to kill. The pair had gone to the club after Elliott's younger half-brother Ali Maghnie was booted out for poor behaviour. CCTV footage shows him being taken across the street and going to the ground, before getting back up again and shouting that security was "all f***ed, just wait, I'm coming back". Mr Maghnie spoke to his father Nabil Maghnie and then to his brother after the incident. Jurors, who visited the shooting scene, were shown CCTV footage of a Porsche driving past Love Machine when the shots were fired. They saw Mr Osmani and Mr Arow fall to the ground and the crowd scatter as the gun went off. A third man, Moussa Hamka, was found guilty of one charge of assisting the men, and not guilty of a second charge. Jurors found he knowingly concealed the gun used in the shooting, which was found in his bedroom. But they rejected a prosecution case that he had set fire to a car in an attempt to destroy evidence. The wrong car was destroyed and an identical model vehicle across the road was instead set on fire. Yes, it is Mothers Day next week, on the 8th of May. Getting from Easter to Mothers Day has been quite a challenge. The United States is a latecomer to this thing called Mothers Day. Some European and Asian countries have celebrated it for centuries. Anna Jarvis began the movement in May of 1907, in a church in Grafton, West Virginia, as a tribute to her recently deceased mother. That church, the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, is considered to be the International Mothers Day Shrine. Jarvis selected the carnation as the symbol of the holiday: Its whiteness symbolizes the truth, purity and broad charity of mother love; its fragrance, her memory, and her prayers. The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying." Almost immediately, Jarvis campaigned to have Congress make her day a national holiday. That effort failed in 1908. By 1911, many states were proclaiming the second Sunday in May to be Mothers Day and in 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating that the second Sunday in May be a national holiday to honor Mothers Day. Jarvis was never happy with the commercialization of the day. As time moved along, the red carnation was worn to honor a mother who was living and a white one to honor one who is deceased, That, in many instances, is still observed today. The commercialization that she feared has moved far beyond a few carnations or a bouquet. Look at the ads. Chocolates. Jewelry. Concert tickets. Fancy dinners and a whole lot more. There is no other gift that symbolizes the thoughts that Anna Jarvis strived for so many years ago, as flowers. It is sad that there are so many scams out there to spoil it all. Now is a time to buy local, and you are fortunate to be in Auburn. We have good local florists. I think that Mother's Day is the perfect day for sending flowers. The symbolism is beautiful. At no time of the year is the selection so beautiful or so broad. A word of advice, though: Expect to pay a bit more this year than you did last year. Just as everywhere else, costs are up for flowers and containers and especially the cost of shipping from California, Colombia and Ecuador. To offset that, the quality and the colors this year are wonderful. Because our work and our families tend to move us from where we grew up, very often we are not living where our mom lives, so there is a need to send flowers to Mom in a different city, a different state or even a different country. Local florists have that ability through Teleflora or FTD, or through their own websites. Lets start with the website scams. As you open your browser and type in Florists in Auburn, the first listing might be for "Best Florist in Auburn NY: Jones the Florist." But Jones the Florist does not have a flower shop in Auburn, nor anywhere else. Neither do the several other listed companies. In our business they are called order gatherers. You must scroll down six to 10 listings to find a local florist in Auburn. These companies do not normally own a brick and mortar flower shop. They operate in an office building with dozens of operators on banks of computers. The only flower they see is the one on the computer monitor. You see an ad online that sounds great for $80, you call and are enticed to go for another $20 because it will be so much better. Then they add $10 for the local florist's delivery fee and another $20 for their service fee, and then there is sales tax. That $80 arrangement now cost you $132.40. Did the recipient get a $100 arrangement? Who knows? Order gatherers have no oversight. There is no one checking. There is nothing wrong with going online and placing an order with a florist in another city, but do be certain that you are talking to a local florist, not a computer operator. Check the information on the website. Or call your local florist, who will be a member of FTD or Teleflora or another wire service. They are bound by rules that give the customer fair value and professional advice about their order. This is truly the time to buy local. Be safe. Mask up. Carmen Cosentino operates Cosentino's Florist in Auburn with his daughter, Jessica. He was elected to the National Floriculture Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2008, received the Tommy Bright award for lifetime achievements in floral education. In 2016, Carmen and Jessica were presented Teleflora's Tom Butler Award, naming Cosentino's the florist of the year at the company's annual meeting in Hawaii. Carmen can be reached at cosenti@aol.com or (315) 253-5316. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An Auburn mother and her fiance are facing criminal charges stemming from an investigation into the death of a developmentally disabled 17-year-old girl. The Auburn Police Department charged Jennifer M. Klino, 37, 11 Perrine St., and Brian T. Burns, 35, 108 Van Anden St., on April 21 with first-degree endangering the welfare of a disabled/incompetent person, a class E felony. Klino was the mother of Bryleigh Klino, who died in February at the age of 17, police said, and Burns is engaged to Jennifer Klino. APD Capt. Kyle Platt said the investigation is ongoing and that while he could confirm Klino's and Burns' charges were related to Bryleigh's "untimely death," he couldn't talk about specifics related to the case at this point. "It's one of those delicate situations, because (on) one side, we got to do the right thing for this 17-year-old girl that's now deceased, but at the same time, trying to protect the family," he said. The charges against Klino and Burns could be elevated as the investigation continues, Platt said. Detectives consulted with the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office in deciding to file the endangerment charges at this point in the probe. Bryleigh suffered from Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe. She was bedridden at the time of her death, according to records filed in the cases with Auburn City Court. The court records included statements from Auburn Community Hospital staff who said Bryleigh was brought to the hospital by ambulance for cardiac arrest on Feb. 25 and was pronounced dead after attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. In preparing Bryleigh's body for transfer to the morgue, a nurse manager discovered that the girl had numerous bedsores on her body. In addition, pins and screws from an early childhood injury procedure were "protruding through the skin from the left buttock area," court records said. An ACH doctor confirmed the observations and APD was contacted. In the criminal complaint filed with the court, APD Detective Adam Rivers said Jennifer Klino was aware of Bryleigh's condition "but made no attempt to provide medical treatment." Regarding Burns, the criminal complaint said he admitted that a baby monitor that was supposed to be used to help supervise Bryleigh was not working at the time of her cardiac arrest because the couple forgot to change its battery. J. Justin Woods, Burns' attorney, told The Citizen Wednesday that he couldn't say anything about the case except that Burns denies the allegations against him and is "looking forward to his day in court and for the truth to come out." Eric Smith, the attorney representing Klino, could not be reached for comment. According to Bryleigh Klino's obituary submitted by her family in early March, she was a student at Auburn High School at the time of her death. "Even though Bryleigh lived with some disabilities, she didn't let that stop her from enjoying life," the obituary said. "She especially loved to travel and listen to various country music songs. Bryleigh's most favorite thing to do was watch 'Spongebob Squarepants.' Just about everything she owned was Spongebob. Her smile was infectious, and the love she had for her family is unmatched." Jennifer Klino and Burns both pleaded not guilty at a city court arraignment held April 21 and were released on their own recognizance. They are due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on June 8. Executive editor Jeremy Boyer contributed to this report. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Authorities are looking for a twice-convicted sex offender last seen running into a wooded area in the town of Moravia. New York State Police reported that troopers and state parole officers are searching for Keith A. Hilliard, 43, who is wanted for absconding parole. He is described as being about 170 pounds, 5 feet, 6 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes, and anyone with information is asked to call 911. Hilliard, with an address at the time of of 4258 Route 38A, Moravia, was sentenced July 11, 2017, in Cayuga County Court to three years in prison and 10 years of post-release supervision for having sex with a 13-year-old girl; violating his status as a registered sex offender by failing to disclose a Facebook account; and assaulting another inmate while being held in the Cayuga County Jail. He had been arrested in November 2016 after the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office received a child sex abuse complaint in the town of Summerhill, and deputies learned that he was a level 2 sex offender at the time and also had a social media account that he did not report to authorities. He was on the sex offender registry for a June 2003 conviction of third-degree rape for having sex with another 13-year-old girl. Hilliard, 24 at the time, was sentenced to one year in the county jail. Following his most recent conviction, Hilliard's sex offender status was escalated to Level 3, the highest risk for re-offending, and he was sent to prison. He was released from Great Meadow Correctional Facility under parole supervision on Jan. 13 with a maximum post-release supervision expiration of Dec. 1, 2029. Sex offender pleads guilty to having sex with 13-year-old in Cayuga County AUBURN A local sex offender has admitted to having oral sex with a 13-year-old girl in Cayuga County. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 12 [April 28, 2022] Cyient to Acquire Singapore - based Grit Consulting, to Strengthen its Global Technology Consulting Practice Extends the capability of Cyient Consulting, further enabling our Consulting-led, Industry-centric, Technology Solutions growth aspiration further enabling our Consulting-led, Industry-centric, Technology Solutions growth aspiration Provides access to new customer portfolios Leverages customer, geographic, and talent synergies to enable expansion and deepen our mining industry footprint HYDERABAD, India, April 28, 2022 /CNW/ -- Cyient, a leading global Technology Solutions company, today announced that it is set to acquire the Singapore-based firm Grit Consulting, which has deep-rooted expertise in consulting for asset-intensive industries like metal mining and energy. This acquisition will enable Cyient customers across sectors to draw value from the Grit's deep knowledge and Cyient's technology solutions capabilities. The global consulting services market is growing exponentially, and the acquisition of Grit Consulting will empower Cyient to accelerate its consulting capabilities and deliver innovative technology solutions to its customers. Grit is well established in the mining and energy space and will allow for the rapid expansion and deepening of Cyient's footprint in these industries by leveraging customer, geographic, and talent synergies. To complement this, Cyient continues to invest in developing innovation hubs and CoEs to strengthen its digital transformation capabilities and provide innovative solutions to its customers. Commenting on the acquisition, Cyient's MD and CEO, Krishna Bodanapu, said, "We are expanding our Cyient Consulting practice with this investment. It aligns with our consulting-led growth strategy, and we see great synergies across talent, footprint, and customers. With Grit Consulting's expertise in business transformation and our technology solutions capabilities, we can deliver strategic outcomes for our customers". "We are extremely honored to be acquired by Cyient and see enormous synergies in supporting our customers given Cyient's international reach and technology capabilities," said Jeremy Brown, Founding Partner, Grit Consulting. "We believe that this coming-together of Cyient's technology solutions and our innovative socio-technical design consulting approaches will further strengthen our capabilities to enable sustainable performance improvements and cultural enhancement across the organization." About Cyient Cyient (Estd: 1991, NSE: CYIENT) is a leading consulting-led, industry-centric, global Technology Solutions company. We enable our customers to apply technology imaginatively across their value chain to solve problems that matter. We are committed to designing tomorrow together with our stakeholders and being a culturally inclusive, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable organization. For more information, please visit www.cyient.com Follow news about the company at @Cyient About Grit Consulting Incorporated in 2014 and headquartered in Singapore, Grit Consulting is a global performance improvement design consultancy that unlocks value by catalyzing the integration of technology, people, systems, and process, to activate resilient and thriving future-fit organizations faster. Rishiraj Barik I Soumya P Cyient Press Office Genesis BCW +91 97391 96200 I +91 83685 43945 Rishiraj.Barik@genesis-bcw.com s oumya.p@genesis-bcw.com Kiran Rajani Cyient PR Team +91 98841 39184 kiran.rajani@cyient.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cyient-to-acquire-singapore---based-grit-consulting-to-strengthen-its-global-technology-consulting-practice-301535145.html SOURCE Cyient [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] Suzuki diesel engines are under scanner for emission cheating in Europe. Prosecutors in Germany, Italy and Hungary have conducted searches related to the use of illegal defeat devices that provide rigged emission readings in order to comply with European Union regulations, reports Reuters. The Suzuki diesel engines have been accused of emitting a significantly higher pollutant into the environment in real-time as compared to test environments. This brings back the memory of the widespread emission cheating scandal that rocked the automotive industry a few years ago. (Also Read: Maruti Suzuki to bolster presence in SUV segment to get back to 50% market share) German prosecutors reportedly said in a statement that their investigation concerns persons responsible at Suzuki, Stellantis and component manufacturer Marelli. The statement further said that Stellantis supplied the diesel engines to Suzuki, while Marelli supplied parts for those engines. The investigation is a part of the coordinated action by Eurojust, the criminal justice cooperation agency of Europe. The agency reportedly said that the investigation is being conducted to counter the use of faulty emission devices in engines, used in cars of Suzuki. "The devices were allegedly fitted in the Italian-built diesel engines of large numbers of cars, giving the impression that the vehicles' nitrogen oxide emissions were in line with EU regulations," the agency said. As the report claims, the Suzuki diesel engines were assembled into the car manufacturers' models at a production plant in Hungary. Back in 2015, Volkswagen was accused of using an emission cheating software in its TDI diesel engine powered cars. The scandal known as dieselgate rocked the entire global automotive industry. Since then several automakers have been accused of using diesel emission cheating software. Such software hides the real emission data during test environments to bring a favourable result. However, in reality, diesel engines emit a significantly higher level of pollutants into the air, which are beyond the permitted limit. Suzuki's name comes as the latest addition to the list. First Published Date: Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 28th, Volkswagen Group announced the establishment of its CARIAD Chinese subsidiary, advancing its determination in Chinas auto industry. Photo credit: Volkswagen CARIAD is an independent automotive software company of Volkswagen Group that consolidates the Group's software competencies. Its China team will strive to develop software products for Chinese consumers, exploring unified and scalable software platforms, ADAS, autonomous driving, and next-generation connective functions with its headquarters. Photo credit: Volkswagen China is currently leading the world in digitization and innovation. The forming of the Chinese team allows Volkswagen to better cater to the growing market demands in China. CARIAD will develop, iterate, and perfect its products with China speed under local customer experience and expectation, said Chang Qing, CEO of CARIAD China. The Chinese CARIAD team will also work together with Volkswagens three Chinese joint ventures, namely FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen, and Volkswagen (Anhui). Specifically, CARIAD China will co-develop a unified and scalable software platform with its European headquarters that is compatible with all brands under the Volkswagen Group while satisfying the various needs of different markets. The technology stack will feature L4 autonomous driving technologies and be ready for public eyes in 2025. CARIADs Chinese subsidiary currently has a roster of over 600 staff members, and expects the number to double by the end of 2023, 90% of which will be local software talents. Meanwhile, the company is constructing R&D centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hefei, gradually forming a dispersed national R&D network. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In March, the monthly registrations of the ZEEKR 001, the first and only production model under Geely Auto's premium car brand ZEEKR, reached 2,273 units, sliding 16% over the previous month, according to the data compiled by Gasgoo Auto Research Institute. As of March 2022, there had been 13,858 ZEEKR 001s registered across China, 8,292 units were registered in the first quarter of this year. As for ownerships, private users accounted for up to 84.6% of the first-quarter ZEEKR 001 registrations. ZEEKR 001; photo credit: ZEEKR In March 2022, there were five cities whose monthly registrations of the ZEEKR 001 all exceeded 100 units, of which Hangzhou ranked highest with 259 units registered. By March registrations of the BEV model, the three first-tier citiesShanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijingranked 4th, 8th, and 11th among cities in China. Regarding the ZEEKR 001 registrations in the first quarter, both Shanghai and Shenzhen broke into the top 3 cities, while Beijing and Guangzhou ranked 6th and 10th respectively. Among the top 15 cities, 6 were provincial capitals. ZEEKR announced earlier this month the ZEEKR 001 would rise in price due to the factors like the continuous growth in upstream raw materials prices. Effective from May, prices of the ZEEKR 001's super-long-range AWD YOU version will be raised by 18,000 yuan ($2,745) to 368,000 yuan ($56,100). Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 28th, Chinas tech giant Baidu announced that it has received permission to operate driverless ride-hailing service on public open roads in Beijing, as the first permit of its kind in China. Photo credit: Baidu The permit is issued by the head office of the Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD) to ten fully autonomous vehicles from Baidu. The company will provide ride-hailing service in a designated area of 60 square kilometers, without safety drivers onboard via its Apollo Go Robotaxi service platform. Starting April 28th, users can hail a ride through the Apollo Go mobile application from 10:00 to 16:00. Photo credit: Baidu According to Baidu, it plans to expand its Robotaxi fleet by 30 more vehicles to provide a more comprehensive and convenient mobility service to the public. The issuance of the permit not only represents Baidus success in the commercialization of autonomous driving, but also signifies a benchmark for Beijings forward-looking progress in autonomous driving development. In the past nine years, Baidu has accumulated over 27 million kilometers of safe road testing mileages in China and in California. Since its initial launch in 2020, the Apollo Go service has branched out to nine cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Changsha, Cangzhou, Yangquan, and Wuzhen. In the last quarter of 2021, the Apollo Go platform has served 213,000 orders, leading the industry by volume. NEW YORKCockyBoys presents the porn debut of brand new talent Greyson Myles in the second scene of limited series Hit Me Up, out today at CockyBoys.com. The new scene pairs Myles with CockyBoys exclusive Austin Wolf. Describes a company synopsis, "Right after he checks into his hotel room, horny Greyson exchanges pics with Austin and invites him over, promising to be waiting for him ass up. Austin gets an even hotter surprise when he arrives and finds a blindfolded and wrist-bound Greyson on all fours! After giving Greyson a taste of his cock, Austin turns around to pound him doggie style and as he goes harder and manhandles him he sees Greyson loves it. Soon, Austin picks up Greyson and fucks him in mid-air. The intense encounter ends when Austin shoots all over Greyson's face and Greyson thanks him for an experience he won't soon forget." Commented CockyBoys owner and director Jake Jaxson, "I couldn't have paired Greyson with anyone better than Austin to show him the ropes in his porn debut! Greyson is just adorable and has huge potential. I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of him on CockyBoys this summer!" The next scene from Hit Me Up will debut in the coming weeks exclusively at CockyBoys.com. BROOMFIELD, Colo. Eldorado Trading Company, a leading distributor of adult toys, lingerie, and party supplies, has scheduled a live, virtual Elevation event as part of their sexual health and wellness educational programming. This live event, hosted by Cheryl Flangel of Swiss Navy and Lupe Martinez of CalExotics, will take place on Tuesday, May 3, at 2 p.m. MT. This 90-minute training is a private event for adult retailers to learn about the hottest new products from Swiss Navy and CalExotics. Event participants will be eligible for product promotions and gifts. Flangel, senior sales executive at Swiss Navy, is looking forward to connecting with Eldorado customers. We are super excited to be a part of Eldorados Virtual Elevation event and are looking forward to sharing fun information on our newest releases with everyone! Martinez, international business development executive for CalExotics, appreciates the opportunity for CalExotics to collaborate with Eldorado and their customers. She shares, Whether it is in-person or virtual, we love the quality and engagement of Eldorado Elevation events. We cant wait to see everyone and share some new and exciting things that CalExotics has to offer. Register here: here. For more information about Eldorado Elevation, Swiss Navy products, or CalExotics products, contact your Eldorado Account Manager. For more information about Eldorado, call 800.525.0848 or visit eldorado.net. ESPN anchor Sage Steele is suing the company and Disney, alleging that her contract was breached and free speech rights were violated. Per Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal, Steeles lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages. Back in September, Steele called the ESPN vaccine mandate sick and scary to me. Days later, from the same podcast with Jay Cutler, a clip made the rounds of Steele making comments about Barack Obamas black father. Soon after, she apologized and was taken off the air while also testing positive for COVID-19. Via the WSJ, the lawsuit claims Steele had prime assignments taken away, and that the company did nothing regarding internal bullying and harassment. ESPN also retaliated by taking away prime assignments and failing to stop bullying and harassment by Ms. Steeles colleagues, the suit alleges. The complaint says ESPNs handling of Ms. Steeles situation was an example of selective enforcement of a network policy that bars news personnel from taking positions on political or social issues. ESPN has violated Connecticut law and Steeles rights to free speech based upon a faulty understanding of her comments and a nonexistent, unenforced workplace policy that serves as nothing more than pretext, according to the suit, which seeks unspecified damages. In a brief statement, ESPN noted that Steele has continued to anchor the noon SportsCenter and hosted editions of the show from Augusta earlier this month during the companys coverage of The Masters and saying she was never suspended. Sage remains a valued contributor on some of ESPNs highest profile content, including the recent Masters telecasts and anchoring our noon SportsCenter. As a point of fact, she was never suspended. The lawsuit claims ESPNs punishment was based on inaccurate third party accounts of the various comments made by Steele. The suit also said ESPN took its actions based on inaccurate third-party accounts of Steeles comments, and that the network did not immediately review the actual comments or the context in which they were made. There have been several instances of ESPN suspending on-air personalities over the years, including (but not limited to) Adrian Wojnarowski, Keith Olbermann, Curt Schilling, Rob Parker, Bob Ryan, Britt McHenry, Bill Simmons, Dan Le Batard, and Jemele Hill, for a variety of infractions. Many others have not been suspended (including several of those previously mentioned) for taking positions on political or social issues. [Wall Street Journal] Northern Arizona University is part of a five-university consortium that has recently received a grant to improve cybersecurity education. Students at each university will have online access to cybersecurity classes starting in the fall semester. Society has been very quickly moving into new territories, and then the type of remedies we had five, 10 years ago are not good enough, and that's essentially the environment we have, said Bertrand Cambou, professor of nanotechnology and cybersecurity at NAU. I don't mean to be an alarmist, but recognizing the threat is also the first step. The program, which is led by Northeastern and also includes the University of Texas-Austin, the University of Houston and the University of South Carolina, received the grant through VICEROY (Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ). It is funded through the Griffiss Institute in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense. Scholarships associated with the program will support participation of ethnically and economically diverse undergraduate students and ROTC cadets over a two-year period, according to a press release from NAU. "The program also will provide DoD-related undergraduate research, capstone and internship opportunities." Each university will start by bringing what work, personnel and research they already have and Cambou said NAU was in the process of expanding its cybersecurity program by adding two new professors at the start of the next school year. Cambou develops cybersecurity for NAU and works on cybersecurity fraud for the Air Force during the summer. He and James Palmer are the project's principal investigators (PI) at NAU -- Cambou described James as the expert on education. He made sure to note that this is a wider group effort at NAU that each have a piece to contribute. Cybersecurity is an in-demand career at the moment. Cambou mentioned program alumni who now work in Tucson, Colorado and even Silicon Valley. In our country, because cybersecurity is a problem, we also have hundreds of thousands of job openings. This is one of the fastest-growing areas, he said. The United States is falling behind on cybersecurity, he said, in part because it has not been as much of a focus as it needs to be. The situation is the way of life is becoming more and more online, he said. We buy online, [do] finance and communications. Then at the same time, you have all the threats. All the organized criminals, foreign countries attacking us." He added: "Cybersecurity is essentially stretched because we use cyber more and more, and the securities less and less because its too broad. Cyber threats overall are also becoming greater, he said, noting that power grids and hospitals were among those vulnerable to attack. The threats are much more than what they used to be 10 years ago, when the threat was somebody reading your mail, he said. Here you have people stealing your money, affecting your life, shutting down things -- which means the stakes are higher than everand this is just the beginning. The universitys cybersecurity program started in 2016. It's a wonderful team we have, Cambou said. On and off we have about 25 researchers in the lab, several of my colleagues are involved. We have a strong group of graduate students -- which is a lot of fun. The big picture is there are a lot of technologies we can bring," he added. "At the university, we need to look at whats next, we need to bring technology thats ahead of the need." Its a lot for students to learn, he said, requiring a baseline of mathematical knowledge, as 60% of his classes are math. Cambou described it as education that is more demanding than what the vast majority of what students want to do. The program focuses on cybersecurity for engineering (which he described as getting into the guts of it and finding real solutions to the problem), rather than on the user end. The vast majority of universities are offering what students like, which is more on an application standpoint," he said. "...In this field, thats not what we need. We need people who are going to be willing to tackle the tough, engineering thingsnot in a user standpoint but how to essentially get into the deep detail." Some of NAU cybersecurity research focuses Cambou mentioned included nanotechnology, developing cryptographic protocols and protecting from quantum computer attacks. As of January, Cambou said, Intel has been financing part of their research and they have other industry partners such as Lockheed Martin. On every device you have, you use components. They each are different and we can actually use that fingerprint to authenticate, to protect, and we developed technology connecting each device to security, he said of the nanotechnology research. He also mentioned that the department has been prolific in its publications and that it had 60 granted and pending patents. Students in the program come from a variety of fields: electrical and computer engineers, computer scientists, physicists. Cambou also noted that they have diverse backgrounds. About half the team are women and they have several Hispanic, Navajo and Asian researchers as well, he said. When you have these multi-discipline [students], they have to work together, he said. ...They have to enjoy interacting with each other, helping each other. Some of the research programs, the students are very isolated, but then, of course, it becomes a problem when they get the job, which very often requires this kind of partnership. More about NAUs cybersecurity program is available at nau.edu/cybersecurity. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Flagstaff City Council had a special work session on Monday to review applicants to the vacant seat left by the resignation of Vice Mayor Becky Daggett. The session included five-minute presentations and the public posting of applications from 14 applicants. Council was charged with selecting which of the 14 applicants would advance to a public interview set to take place Thursday. After struggling through a request for public discussion, city council eventually moved to executive session and selected six applicants: Al White, Alethea Karlin, Joe Washington, Khara House, McKenzie Jones and Samantha Stone. During this first session, all applicants had the option of electing that their application be discussed publicly during Mondays meeting. Out of the 14 applicants, only one applicant elected to have their candidacy discussed publicly. That applicant was Eva Putzova, former city councilmember and congressional candidate. Putzova initially entered Flagstaff city politics in 2012, when she applied for a similarly vacant city council seat. She was not appointed in 2012, but proceeded to run for a council spot in 2014 and was elected with the most votes a first-time candidate had ever received, claiming nearly 18% of all votes in a race of six candidates. After four years of service on Council, Putzova also ran a 2020 congressional campaign but did not advance past the Democratic primary. Putzova presented herself on Monday as an applicant experienced with Flagstaff City Council who places priorities in quality of life, labor rights and transparent government. To that end, she put herself forward for public discussion of her application so that the decision to advance or withhold Putzova from an interview on Thursday had to be discussed and determined publicly during Mondays meeting. It is in the public's best interest, and in the interest of good governance, to be transparent, said Putzova of her choice to opt in for public discussion. It was immediately clear that Putzovas bid for transparency caused tension among councilmembers. The resulting discussion of Putzovas application and qualifications was stilted and side-stepping at best. Far more focus was put on the process of determining how many applicants would be selected than on the qualifications of Putzova herself. Talking about Eva right now and trying to determine whether or not we want to see her in an interview is tricky without talking about our top six, or whatever the number is, Councilmember Adam Shimoni said. This feels a little bit like putting the cart before the horse to be discussing this application without the benefit of hindsight on how the interview process went for all 14 candidates, said Councilmember Austin Aslan. Mayor Paul Deasy and City Attorney Sterling Solomon repeatedly attempted to refocus the conversation, but ultimately there was little discussion about Putzovas qualifications. Deasy made specific reference to voting data he believed was evidence of public support for Putzova. Aslan stated that Putzova was obviously qualified and that he was not ready to preclude Putzova from Council without an interview. Shimoni agreed that she should be given the chance for an interview, but did not elaborate on his reasoning at length. Three other members -- new Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet, Councilmember Jim McCarthy and Councilmember Regina Salas offered little to no comment about Putzovas specific qualifications. Salas proposed that all 14 applicants be offered interviews. Sweet commented that she saw value in having someone jump in who has experience, but also value in new voices, new vision, new thoughts. The comments did not seem specific to Putzova, as she was not the only applicant with former experience sitting on city council. McCarthy did make a specific comment about Putzova, but seemed to rebuke her for electing to have her application discussed publicly. This whole conversation is awkward, McCarthy said. The reason it's awkward is because one candidate asked that this be in public. So I think we should note that that candidate created an awkward situation. Ultimately, the matter was forced to a roll call, in which three nays from Sweet, McCarthy and Salas deprived Putzova of the Council's majority needed to advance her to the interview process. Putzovas appeal to transparency was something of a strategic error, said Al White, another former councilmember and fellow applicant who did not elect to have his application discussed publicly. He explained that while in an ideal scenario all applicants would be discussed publicly, he did not expect any applicant to opt in, and therefore did not opt in either. I wanted to be able to give [Council] the opportunity to compare all of the applications at one time to make the shortlist, said White. Whereas if you do it in public, you basically pull yourself out of that process. And, as Eva found out, if you force the issue, you may not get what you want. White also observed that there was little to no discussion about Putzovas qualifications, and said the use of closed-door executive sessions can potentially shortchange the public. Nobody dove in to do an in-depth investigation into her application, he said. The three people who voted nay said nothing. They said nothing about what they saw in the application. I think they just felt like she's forcing the issue." In an interview with the Arizona Daily Sun, Salas expanded upon her reason for voting not to advance Putzova. She said that while Putzova served on city council between 2014 and 2018, she was one of the most polarizing and divisive members on the council. Salas also said she believed Putzova had a history of making politically inappropriate statements, and that she had received public outreach from her constituents urging her not to support Putzovas application to city council. Sweet and McCarthy did not return requests for comment. Public interviews of the six shortlisted city council applicants will take place Thursday at 3 p.m. at Flagstaff City Hall. The public meeting can also be attended virtually or streamed later at www.flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings. Sean Golightly can be reached at sgolightly@azdailysun.com Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Update: 28-04-2022 | 11:14:41 The Indonesian state energy company Pertamina will cooperate with engineering giant JGC Holdings Corporation (JGC) of Japan to turn methane generated in palm oil production into a biofuel. Bio-methane project scheme in Indonesia JGC, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd, and Inpex Corporation of Japan, and Pertamina on April 25 agreed to jointly study the projects feasibility. Wastewater from palm oil mills in Sumatra and Kalimantan islands of Indonesia, one of the worlds biggest producers of palm oil, will be fermented and purified to produce biomethane - a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. The project is expected to start operation in 2025 with an output of 10,000 tonnes per year and increase to 100,000 tonnes per year by 2030. Biomethane from Sumatra will be transported to Java island - Indonesias economic centre, via Pertamina pipelines and sold to customers, starting with Japanese companies operating there. Exports to Japan will be considered going forward. Wastewater from palm oil mills in Indonesia is often temporarily stored in outdoor lagoons. It ferments and generates methane a powerful greenhouse gas. This project will not only serve as a source of renewable energy, but also help reduce the immediate release of methane into the atmosphere./. VNA Update: 28-04-2022 | 11:14:41 Minister of Public Security General To Lam met with Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), in Hanoi on April 28, asking for further support from the EU in cyber security protection. An overview of the meeting Lam highlighted the strong growth of the EU-Vietnam partnership across all fields, especially since the two sides set up their bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2016 and put the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) into use last August. The deal has turned Vietnam into the EUs leading trade partner among the ASEAN countries and one of the Asian countries that the EU has shared partnership with in all fields, including security and law enforcement, he noted. The minister highlighted that in the field of cyber security, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the EU have enjoyed close collaboration with the regular organisation of conferences, training, online meetings, consultations and the exchange of expertise. He underlined that the ministry recognises and highly values the support and positive cooperation, dialogue and experience sharing from the EU in building and implementing laws related to cyber security. Lam said that during the building of the Law on Cyber Security and related decrees, Vietnam has received consultations and experience sharing from the EU in protection of personal data, he added. The official proposed that in the time to come, the EU will continue to share its experience with Vietnam in ensuring cyber security for major information infrastructure works as well as managing trans-border data and protecting data in important sectors, while increasing discussions and engagement in building and completing national legal framework regarding cyber security, national sovereignty in cyber space and cyber war, as well as introducing and transferring technologies, equipment, supporting tools for cyber security protection, and cyber and high-tech criminal prevention and combat. Regarding the EU-initiated Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA) programme, Lam underlined that the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security highly values the outcomes of the EU-funded projects within the framework of the programme in the 2014-2020 period, adding the projects have made positive contributions to the economic development in Vietnam, making the Vietnam-EU comparative partnership deeper and more practical. He suggested that the EU increase cooperation with Vietnam within the ESIWA Programme, especially in cyber security, maritime security, anti-terrorism and crisis management, and proposed the organisation of detail discussions to sketch out specific activities to meet the demands of all sides. For his part, Wiegand said that the growing ties between the EU and Vietnam has not limited in economy, trade and investment but expanded to strategic areas of politics, diplomacy and security. The official affirmed that he will continue to work hard to reinforce and further lift up the EU-Vietnam partnership./. VNA Update: 28-04-2022 | 11:14:41 Vietnam needs to speed up transformation towards an efficiency and innovation-driven growth model to meet requirements of sustainable and inclusive development, experts have said. Support should be given to encourage start-ups, promote innovation and technology application to accelerate the transformation towards an innovation-driven economy Nguyen Duc Hien, deputy head of the Party Central Committees Economic Commission, spoke at a workshop about economic restructuring held in Hanoi on April 26, saying the transformation of the growth model remained slower than expected. Vietnams growth model was still mainly based on input factors, including capital, labour and resources, he said, adding that the contribution of the total factor productivity (TFP) to economic growth was limited, much lower than other countries in the region which were also at the same development stage. He also pointed out that the labour productivity increase remained dependent of the increase in investment capital and the use of low-cost labour while capital mainly came to labour-intensive economic activities. Labour productivity is still low and the gap in labour productivity between Vietnam and other countries continues to widen, he said. Another problem was that the efficiency of public investment remained low and the disbursement was disappointing. The process of restructuring State-owned enterprises was below expectation while corporate governance had not been improved much, he said. The private sector has not been developed strongly enough to play an important role in the economy. Former Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development Dang Kim Son said that Vietnam should be an economy ready for innovations with the restructuring of economic sectors in accordance with regional advantages. Enterprises, economic organisations and the resource market must be restructured in a healthy way to catch up with other countries through the building of a development government, he stressed. Tran Tho Dat, former president of the National Economics University, said that digital economy would be the new driver for growth model transformation and economic restructuring. Vietnam needed to develop a strategy framework for digital transformation and create conditions to attract investment in developing digital infrastructure and services. The education and training system should also be renewed and closely associated with digitalisation, Dat said, adding that support should also be given to encourage start-ups, promote innovation and technology application. Former director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics Tran Dinh Thien said Vietnam needed to attach special attention to the synchronous development of input resource markets, such as land and labour markets. In addition, an appropriate foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction strategy would be important for the country to bring into play its advantages. Science and technology and human resources will be the most important drivers for growth in the next period, Thien said. Vo Tri Thanh, director of the Institute for Brand and Competition Strategy, said that Vietnam should move from a brown economy to a green economy. Problems related to basic issues of the economy must be reviewed for adjustments, such as the Law on Land, while the framework for new issues must be put into consideration such as developing a law on data, cross-boder data flow and cross-border human resource management. According to Jonathan Pincus, UNDP Senior International Economist, besides maintaining export growth, it was important to create a fair playground for domestic and FDI enterprises with special attention paid to financial mechanisms for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, he said./. VNA Tesla's founder Elon Musk inks a deal to purchase Twitter with $44 billion in cash. News about Elon Musk's Twitter takeover has sparked continuous heated discussions in the US recently. The focus of some, however, has apparently been off the track. A New York Times reporter tweeted to question whether Twitter would become one of the platforms Beijing will gain leverage over in the future. It was re-tweeted and commented on by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. There are also voices saying that Musk will have to seek a balance between his support for free speech and his business activities in China, and that China will exert influence on Twitter through Musk. Many American media outlets didn't forget to "remind" people of the fact that Musk once "praised" China, and he encouraged people to visit China and see for themselves. At a critical moment when China and the US were locked in trade frictions in 2019, Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory kicked into production. In merely over a year, Shanghai-made Teslas have accounted for more than half of Tesla's global delivery. Musk has dealt a lot with China and spoke out some truths about China's economy, they are regarded as "original sins" of Musk by some Americans. Many link Musk's Twitter deal with China and raise it to the level of "risks" or "threats", which shows how narrow the room for pragmatism and rationality toward China in the US has become. Similar incidents have become common in the US. Making an issue of China in every possible way has already become an "American disease." In the face of China's growing comprehensive national power that is closing the gap with the US', the confidence of many political elites in Washington has been declining. And these people are showing anxiety and over-sensitivity toward China, not letting go of any opportunity to hype the "China threat" theory. After Musk acquired Twitter, some from American media even urged Musk to cut off his business ties with China to "guarantee freedom of speech." Such extreme overbearingness hilariously overlaps their weakness. An interesting phenomenon is that many China security-related discussions contain various "private interests" if you look at them closely. Some businesspeople, such as George Soros, blamed China for their failure due to their wrong investment decisions in China. Others try to show their allegiance to the US. For example, Bezos often stresses security with a high-profile patriotic posture, but what he actually eyes are Pentagon orders that are highly profitable. More lawmakers and politicians touch on the China topic in an exaggerated and forcible way, through which they attack opponents as "weak." The "China Threat" is becoming a tacit business approach or a code to seek attention. From the national perspective, Sinophobia which is currently rampant in American society is not fundamentally different from "Japanophobia" that prevailed in the 1980s and 1990s. In both cases, the US regards a "chaser" as competitor, on which the US tried to suppress by any means to ensure its own competitive advantage. But the end of the story will be different because there is no way that Washington can overwhelm China in the same way that it coerced Japan to sign a Plaza Accord. Chinese people do not believe in fallacies, nor are we afraid of evil forces. We will never yield to threats or coercion. As to words and deeds of forcefully making an issue of China, they remind people of an ancient poem: Along the Yangzi River, apes moan ceaselessly. My boat has passed ten thousand mounts briskly. It must be pointed out that making an issue of China can't save the US. Instead, it will continue to intensify all the problems Washington is facing, be they domestic or external, and squeeze the room to solve these issues in the future. Even some people of insight in the US have warned that the excessive attention on undermining Beijing's advantages could make Washington neglect its most important tasks at home and push its foreign policies to deviate from its course even further. "American hubris is always a danger, but so is exaggerated fear, which can lead to overreaction," wrote US scholar Joseph Nye last year. "The US and China must avoid exaggerated fears that could create a new cold or hot war," he added. It seems that those who are sick are unwilling to take medicine. The US is trying to oppose China in every possible aspect, reflecting the peremptory squeezing of reality by the US' anti-China ideology. But the reality is also resisting the ideological pressure at all times. The twist has distorted some US elites' mindset, making them fall into hesitation and division. However, the "China threat" is not the root cause of Washington's internal and external problems. Reality will make them understand sooner or later that win-win cooperation is the effective cure for their disease. (Source: Global Times) Gage County authorities arrested a man for weapons violations following a traffic stop in Blue Springs. Just after 9 p.m. Tuesday a Gage County Sheriffs Office deputy was patrolling Blue Springs and stopped a vehicle with Arizona license plates for a traffic offense. During the contact with the driver, the deputy observed brass knuckles and a knife in the vehicle. As the roadside investigation continued, the deputy conducted a radio check and discovered the driver, 39-year-old Brandon Hinojosa, had a felony conviction out of Florida. A press release from the sheriffs office stated the deputy placed Hinojosa under arrest and in a further search of the vehicle subsequent to his arrest, a hatchet was also discovered in the vehicle that was within reach of the driver. Hinojosa was transported to the Gage County Detention Center and lodged into jail on felony offenses of three counts carrying a concealed weapon and three counts of possession of a dangerous instrument by a prohibited person, and the original traffic offense. The Wymore Police Department arrived after the traffic stop was initiated and assisted the Gage County deputy at the scene. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Election season is underway, with many Gage County voters already casting their ballots ahead of the 2022 primary election. The Gage County Courthouse is a polling site for the coming election, and registered voters can currently vote in person at the courthouse or request a ballot to take home. We are a poll site for the entire county, said Gage County Election Commissioner Dawn Hill. Sometimes people don't realize that anyone can vote here in the county who is a registered voter. They can come in and vote here just like at the polls. They need to fill out paperwork, then take the ballot out to the booth and we deposit it. Or they can fill out a form and take the ballot with them. All early ballots must be returned to the Clerks Office by 8 p.m. on election day, May 10. Gage County has 14,285 registered voters as of this week, including 7,857 Republicans, 3,298 Democrats, 158 Libertarians, 28 Legal Marijuana Now Party members and 2,944 non-partisan voters. Numbers are up slightly compared to two years ago, when there were 14,100 voters registered for that primary election. On Wednesday morning the clerks office received its 4,000th request for an early ballot, and as of Tuesday evening 2,061 votes had been cast in Gage County. People continue to like it, Hill said. I do everything I can to make it available for people. We do have a large participation. Not all counties have a list of indefinite voters, and by that theres a checkbox to be on a list and we send a postcard in the mail prior to each election. If you want to receive a ballot in the mail you sign that and send it back to us. A specially marked drop box is found outside east of the courthouse where ballots can be dropped off. People can register to vote in the 2022 primary election, change their party or update their address in person at the clerks office until May 2. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A new law that changes the process for placing measures on the ballot only applies to initiatives that seek to change state law, not those that aim to alter Montanas Constitution, a Helena judge ruled Wednesday. The order came from Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Chris Abbott. Its part of a complicated case that involves Constitutional Initiative 121, a measure aimed at capping property taxes. It also involves a new law passed in 2021 that requires the Attorney General to conduct a review of initiatives to determine if they pose any material harm to businesses' interests and makes a legislative interim committee take a non-binding vote on if lawmakers support putting the measure on the ballot. The plaintiffs in the case included the Montana Federation of Public Employees, Montana Farmers Union, Dennis McDonald, Ron Osterberg, Jeff Barber, Barber Realty and the Montana Cattlemens Association. They wanted to stop supporters of the initiative from gathering or accepting signatures to qualify for the ballot, saying that because the Attorney General did not issue an opinion on if CI-121 would cause harm, any signature-gathering efforts were void. They also wanted to hold Matthew Monforton, a Bozeman lawyer, former legislator and a main supporter of the initiative, in contempt for what they claimed was violating a temporary restraining order and invalidate any signatures gathered while the order was in effect. The Secretary of State and Attorney General were the defendants, as well as Monforton and Troy Downing, the state auditor who also backs the initiative. Downing was sued in his personal capacity, not in his state role. That group said the Attorney General's material harm review and interim committee review established under the new law only apply to ballot initiatives aimed at changing state law, not ones that seek to alter the state Constitution like CI-121. Abbott agreed. The plaintiffs pointed out the law refers to ballot issues, a term thats defined in parts of election code to include all forms of initiatives. And while Abbott concurred, he noted that the new law only directed the warnings of a negative review from the Attorney General or vote by a legislative interim committee to go on forms for initiatives trying to change state law. To read (the law) to include anything other than statutory initiatives would be to render the statute nonsensical, Abbott wrote. In a statement Wednesday, a spokesperson for Attorney General Austin Knudsen said his office agreed with Abbotts ruling that the new law only applies to statutory initiatives. "In passing HB 651, the Legislature tasked the attorney general with warning Montanans about statutory initiatives that could seriously harm businesses in our state or create unconstitutional regulatory takings of private property. As we have said from the beginning of this case, a plain reading of the new law makes clear that the Legislature gave the attorney general power to make these findings for statutory initiatives but not initiatives that would amend the Montana Constitution, spokesperson Emilee Cantrell said. The Court reached the same conclusion. Attorney General Knudsen is committed to the rule of law and will continue to exercise the significant, but limited, authority that the Legislature has given him in reviewing proposed statutory initiatives for harm to businesses in Montana. Monforton also welcomed the order. The liberal special interests that sued us knew theyd never win, Monforton said Wednesday. They were simply trying to disrupt our signature efforts. Montana Federation of Public Employees President Amanda Curtis criticized CI-121 in a statement issued Wednesday evening. CI-121 will hurt Montana communities, farmer and ranchers, young families, and seniors," she said. "Thats why the most politically diverse coalition in Montana history is fighting to keep failed California policies out of Montanas constitution. Supporters of CI-121 started gathering signatures as soon as they were cleared to do so by the Secretary of State on Jan. 7, but six days later Helena judge Michael McMahon issued a temporary restraining order blocking them from doing so. But then Jan. 24 the court entered an order denying a preliminary injunction, which dissolved the restraining order and cleared the way to gather signatures. The plaintiffs claimed Monforton and Downing gathered signatures while they were blocked from doing so, and kept up their campaign website with a link labeled Sign initiative today that directed people to a page where they could print out the petition and materials. They also produced evidence of at least one person gathering signatures while the restraining order was in effect, Abbott wrote. To counter, Monforton said that he put a notice on the website that the court had halted signature gathering and while he encouraged people to register and download petitions, he also said hed let people know when they were allowed to gather signatures again. Abbott found that because the law didnt apply to constitutional initiatives, there was no need to invalidate any signatures gathered in support of CI-121. Still, he said he was troubled by Monforton's decision to leave the website up while the TRO was in effect, and the court would have expected a more assiduous effort to prevent signature gathering while the TRO is in effect, Abbott wrote. Monforton said Wednesday he followed the courts direction. We complied fully with Judge McMahons order even though it was issued without giving us any notice and was patently illegal, Monforton said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Forsyth woman is facing a homicide charge connected to the shooting death of a man killed in Sidney earlier this year. Lyndsee Collete Brewer was arrested Tuesday after Richland County prosecutors charged her with one count of deliberate homicide. The 51-year-old fatally shot Christopher Arthur Wetzstein at his apartment in Sidney in January, police allege. Brewer called Richland County dispatch January 28 and said Wetzstein, her boss at a North Dakota oil rig, did show up for work that morning, according to charging documents. When Sidney police were not able to reach the 50-year-old on his cell phone, officers conducted a welfare check at his apartment. When he did not answer knocks at his front door, a maintenance worker gave them access. They found him dead at the scene. A subsequent autopsy determined his cause of death to be single gunshot wound to the head. Investigators found no signs of forced entry into the apartment, nor signs of a burglary. They recovered a single 9mm bullet from the scene, court documents say. Surveillance footage from the apartment building showed someone wearing black pants, a hooded coat, gloves, a hat and a face mask walking up the stairway to Wetzsteins apartment the previous evening. About four-and-a-half hours later, footage showed what appeared to be the same person walking back down the stairs, but now dressed in jeans. A tenant who lived in an apartment adjoining Wetzsteins told police she heard a pop sound sometime between 10:30 p.m. and midnight, according to court documents. Police identified Brewer as a person of interest early in the case. During their investigation, they learned Brewer was a friend and business associate of Wetzstein going back several years. They had previously lived together, and she still apparently had keys to his residence in Billings. After getting a search warrant for Brewers home in Forsyth, investigators found a 9mm handgun and a plastic bag of 9mm rounds hidden in a planter. Brewer agreed to an interview February 8. She told police she was sick the week Wetzstein was killed and had been sleeping a lot, charging documents say. She said she stayed at her home in Forsyth the night before officers found him dead in Sidney, and the last time the two communicated was via text January 25. The last time she was in Sidney, she said, was a few weeks prior to exchange vehicle keys with Wetzstein. She told officers she did own a 9mm handgun, but hadnt fired it since around Christmas the previous year. She denied having a key to Wetzsteins apartment in Sidney. Brewer drives a red four-door Jeep Wrangler, according to court documents. Surveillance footage obtained from several Sidney businesses showed a Jeep matching that description traveling through town on a route to Wetzsteins residence the evening before he was killed. Video then showed what looked like the same Jeep leaving Sidney just after the suspect was seen descending the stairway from his apartment. Footage from a Forsyth gas station showed Brewer filling up two gas cans and leaving around 4 p.m. on January 27. Court documents alleged that the drive to Sidney from Forsyth is about 171 miles, and that indicated Brewer did not want to be caught gassing up in Sidney or along the way. Richland County prosecutors charged Brewer with deliberate homicide in mid-February, and issued a warrant for her arrest soon after. Brewer was hospitalized at the time the warrant was issued, and remained so through the start of this week, Sidney Police Chief Mark Kraft told the Gazette. After Miles City police arrested her Tuesday, she made her first appearance in court the following day. District Court Judge Katherine Bidegary set her bail at $500,000, the Sidney Herald reported. Brewer is currently in custody at Richland County Jail, and is scheduled to enter her plea May 2. If convicted, she could face up to life in Montana State Prison. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Richland County Sheriff's Office contributed to the investigation that led to Brewer's arrest. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 8 Sad 1 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Petroleum County jury has convicted a man of stabbing his neighbor to death in Winnett last July. The 12-person jury unanimously found Andrew John Smith, 29, guilty of deliberate homicide April 21 in the killing of Larry Patterson. The verdict followed a four-day trial, and marked the first homicide conviction in Petroleum County in 25 years. The investigation lasted right up until a few days before the trial. It was a nine-month stint that included myself and the [Montana] Division of Criminal Investigations, Petroleum County Sheriff Bill Cassell said. Petroleum County reserve deputies arrested Smith on July 15, 2021, the Gazette previously reported, after he stabbed Patterson several times at the Winnett Apartments. Testimony from 20 witnesses during the trial revealed that he stabbed Patterson eight times, according to a press release issued Monday. He attacked Patterson outside of the 78-year-olds apartment unit. Patterson drew a pistol and fired a single round that wounded Smiths left arm. Emergency crews pronounced the retired trucker dead at the scene. Smith had lived at the Winnett Apartments for several months prior to the murder. Patterson had been a resident there for less than two weeks. During the trial, according to the press release, Smith testified that the fight erupted over Smiths perception that Patterson was disrespectful and ignored his attempts to be neighborly. DCI assisted Cassell, whose agency consists of himself, Deputy Sheriff Gary Fitzgerald and four reserve deputies. Assistant Montana Attorney General Thorin Geist also assisted the Petroleum County attorney in prosecuting the case. The evidence showed that Mr. Patterson was a peaceful man who enjoyed smoking his tobacco pipe in a chair outside his front door with his dog by his side, said Petroleum County Attorney Diane Cochran in the press release. We are thankful the jury recognized that he died trying to protect himself against an unlawful attack by Mr. Smith. Smiths sentencing has not yet been scheduled, Cochran told the Gazette, and her office has not submitted a sentencing recommendation. She will consult with Pattersons family before making a recommendation. In Montana, a conviction for deliberate homicide comes with the possibility of the death penalty or life in prison. Smith had previously been convicted for burglary and forgery in Sheridan County, Wyoming, and is currently incarcerated in the Fergus County Jail. Before the April 21 verdict, the last man to be convicted of homicide in Petroleum County was Robert Sinclair in 1994. The 65-year-old shot a Sand Springs man in April of that year and was eventually convicted of negligent homicide. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Bismarck man who fled two law enforcement agencies was arrested Tuesday with assistance from the North Dakota Highway Patrol, which was conducting an airplane detail that day. Schweitzer fled a Bismarck police officer during a traffic stop and the officer did not pursue, the Patrol said. Schweitzer was tracked east on Interstate 94, where a trooper attempted to stop him. He again allegedly fled and the trooper did not pursue. The Patrols airplane tracked the vehicle back to Bismarck, and two people fled the vehicle on foot after it parked. The airplane crew gave officers on the ground a North 14th Street address, where Schweitzer was arrested. State officials for a second time have refused to wade into a debate over who owns the historic Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge, potentially leaving the courts as the last option to settle the matter before the structure is demolished. State Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, earlier this month asked Attorney General Drew Wrigley for an opinion, but Wrigley in a letter to Potter on Wednesday declined. "There are ... some situations which are unsuited for an attorney general opinion, including when the question presented requires a factual determination," Wrigley wrote. "Such matters are best reserved for another forum where the factual assessments can be weighed and rendered." The Friends of the Rail Bridge nonprofit believes state ownership of the bridge spanning the Missouri River would bolster the group's efforts to stop BNSF Railway from razing the 139-year-old structure to make way for a modern bridge. FORB earlier this year sought an attorney general's opinion, but Assistant Attorney General Carl Karpinski determined one was not warranted "due to the fact that no state agency or other state entity is involved in the ownership dispute," according to an email obtained by the Tribune. Potter's request was not tied to FORB, but he made a similar argument -- that if the state does indeed own the bridge, the structure could not be destroyed without approval from the State Historical Board. State Historic Preservation Officer Bill Peterson has already determined that the bridge is historically significant and that removal would be "an adverse effect on a historic property." Potter in a statement to the Tribune said he's disappointed in Wrigley's refusal to issue an opinion. "Make no mistake, the states unwillingness to be involved as the owner of the riverbed will cause serious future injury to the people of North Dakota," he said. FORB's claim of state ownership is based on legal principles including that the government owns and protects certain natural resources for public use, according to a memo it sent to the Coast Guard, which decides on projects proposed along that part of the Missouri River. The preservation group maintains North Dakota has held ownership of "the bed of the Missouri River up to the high-water mark, as well as any permanent fixtures attached," since statehood. BNSF Railway has called the claim of state ownership "absurd" and questioned the timing of its proponents. The permitting process for a new bridge has been ongoing for years, and the Coast Guard in about a month is set to release a final environmental impact statement -- one of the final steps in the permit process. A draft statement released last year lists removing the existing bridge and constructing a new one as a proposed alternative, and retaining the bridge and building a new one with three potential designs as others. FORB President Mark Zimmerman after the state's initial refusal to become involved said the group "is working with the United States Coast Guard, (federal) Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and BNSF Railway on the question of bridge ownership." Zimmerman has said the group had no knowledge of the ownership question until it had an attorney willing to do the research. He told the Tribune on Thursday that FORB will be visiting with its attorney and evaluating options. "Our board will meet again next Tuesday evening, and we will discuss our next steps at that time," he said. The bridge was built in 1883, with the spans replaced in 1905. A 2019 feasibility study conducted by North Dakota State University estimated the cost to turn the structure into a foot bridge at just under $7 million. The preservation group has not said how much money it has raised. Reach News Editor Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com. Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Thousands of documents relating to construction security for the heavily protested Dakota Access Pipeline are public records, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a victory for open records advocates. However, justices in a second ruling gave pipeline developer Energy Transfer an opportunity to make a case with state regulators that some of the records are privileged company documents that should remain private. The two unanimous rulings end a convoluted dispute over 16,000 documents that has dragged on more than a year and involved multiple entangled lawsuits. North Dakota Newspaper Association Attorney Jack McDonald called it a "big, big win for open records in North Dakota." Energy Transfer Attorney Jennifer Recine referred a Tribune request for comment to the company; spokeswoman Vicki Granado declined comment. Disputed docs North Dakota's Private Investigation and Security Board is holding the documents. The board obtained them during an administrative case involving the operations of TigerSwan, the North Carolina company that Energy Transfer hired to oversee security during pipeline construction. The case focused on whether TigerSwan operated illegally in the state. It culminated with a settlement in September 2020 under which the company agreed to pay $175,000 to the board but did not admit to any wrongdoing. The Intercept nonprofit online news organization sued in November 2020 to get access to the documents for investigative journalism on the topics of "environmental justice, the treatment of Indigenous peoples and workers, and government efforts to suppress First Amendment-protected activities." Energy Transfer built the Dakota Access Pipeline to move oil from North Dakota to a shipping point in Illinois. American Indian tribes in the Dakotas fear it will pollute their water. Thousands of protesters gathered near the pipeline's Missouri River crossing just north of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in 2016-17, and law enforcement made more than 750 arrests in a six-month span. South Central District Judge Cynthia Feland late last year ruled that the DAPL documents held by the board are public and subject to the state's open records law. First ruling Energy Transfer attorneys appealed, arguing that there is no evidence "establishing any link or association between the documents and public business or the use of public funds." Supreme Court justices said they were "not convinced by Energy Transfer's reading of (state law), which defines 'record' as information prepared or received 'for use' in connection with public business." The language of the open records law "does not say prepared or received 'and used' for public business," the court said. "The Legislature could have included language requiring some degree of use or reliance by a public entity, but it did not." TigerSwan has argued that it was forced by court order to turn over the documents to the board, that the materials it provided "were the private records" of Energy Transfer, and that the board's attorney agreed to keep them confidential. Justices pointed out that state law "expressly prohibits public entities from entering into agreements prohibiting the disclosure of the substance of an open record." Justices upheld Feland's ruling that the documents are public records. Intercept attorney Tim Purdon called it "a clear victory for citizens of North Dakota who value transparency in government and the importance of the free press." Second ruling Energy Transfer in a separate appeal sought the right to intervene in the administrative case so that it could seek a protective order for the documents. It won that fight. The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the company did have a right to intervene. "The board misinterpreted and misapplied the law because it denied intervention based upon the 'mere fact' that a settlement in the administrative action had been entered," justices said. The court sent the matter back to the board, saying that although the documents are public records, "individual documents or parts of documents may be withheld from disclosure if they fall within a statutory exemption." The ruling means that before The Intercept or anyone else can get the documents, the board will need to determine whether any should be withheld because they include Energy Transfer's proprietary information. It's unclear how long that process will take. The 16,000 documents comprise 62,000 pages. Reach News Editor Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A North Dakota oil patch worker says he plans to challenge U.S. Sen. John Hoeven in the Republican primary. Riley Kuntz, of Dickinson, filed the paperwork earlier this month to run in the June 14 election. He says on his Facebook campaign page that he supports limited government, protecting life and limited taxation and spending. The 39-year-old Kuntz acknowledges that most people dont know him because he enjoys his privacy and hes not a politician. Kuntz led an unsuccessful bid to overturn three bills passed the 2019 North Dakota Legislature. Hoeven was endorsed as the Republican party candidate for Senate during the party convention earlier this month, narrowly defeating state Rep. Rick Becker, of Bismarck. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley on Thursday named a top legislative staffer as his deputy. Claire Ness is the senior counsel and code reviser of the Legislative Council, the Legislature's nonpartisan legal and fiscal research agency. She previously served as an assistant attorney general under late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Her appointment is effective May 9. Its been an honor to work with the Legislative Assembly and the incredible staff at the Legislative Council, and I am grateful for my experience in the legislative branch," Ness said in a statement. "I look forward to returning to the Attorney General's Office and serving the people of North Dakota with diligence and integrity in my new role." Wrigley said Ness "is a very bright, capable and experienced attorney. She has the integrity and judgment required for this highly demanding post, and I have every confidence she will be an absolutely outstanding deputy attorney general for North Dakota. Ness recently has been reviewing the Legislature's workplace harassment policy, and researching policies of other states and changes to case law for potential changes to North Dakota's policy. It was adopted in 2018 and scrutinized last year when the House of Representatives expelled former Rep. Luke Simons for workplace and sexual harassment. Legislative leaders are to meet in June to review the policy. Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Wrigley as attorney general in February following the death of Stenehjem, a longtime officeholder who died Jan. 28 at age 68 from cardiac arrest. Wrigley had announced a campaign for the job last December after Stenehjem said he would retire. Wrigley is a former U.S. attorney and former lieutenant governor. Ness succeeds former Chief Deputy Attorney General Troy Seibel, who resigned last month. Wrigley said his office is "retiring" the word "chief" from the title. Wrigley had met with Seibel to discuss his intentions to appoint a new deputy, a move he called "customary" for changing leadership. He made clear he didn't fire Seibel, who had been in the job since December 2016. North Dakota's Republican Party earlier this month endorsed Wrigley for attorney general in the June primary. He will need to win in November to continue serving beyond 2022. Democrat Timothy Lamb, of Grand Forks, also is running. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Three storms during the last half of April have dramatically lessened drought that has persisted in western North Dakota for more than a year, and more heavy rain is forecast for the weekend. A three-day blizzard two weeks ago dropped 2-3 feet of snow over a wide area of western North Dakota, and an Easter Sunday storm that followed added several inches more, along with heavy rain in many other areas including Bismarck-Mandan. Another blizzard last weekend dumped another 1 to 1 feet of snow in the west. The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Thursday, shows about 37% of North Dakota as being in some state of drought, down from 46% last week, 54% the previous week and 86% at the start of the year. Burleigh County and eastern Morton County are no longer in any form of drought, and a pocket of extreme drought in northwestern North Dakota now covers only one-tenth of a percent of the state. Three months ago it covered nearly 9%. Another measure of the abrupt change in weather pattern is the number of wildfires in the state. So far this spring there have been 27 fires, burning 133 acres, according to North Dakota Emergency Services spokesman Eric Jensen. Last year at this time, there had been 333 fires burning about 47,400 acres. The Drought Monitor is a partnership of the National Drought Mitigation Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey wrote, "For the second week in a row, significant precipitation fell across parts of the Northern Plains. Heavy snow blanketed western North Dakota, southeastern Montana, northwestern South Dakota, and parts of Wyoming, helping to further improve soil moisture." The weekly crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service rates topsoil moisture in North Dakota as being 26% short or very short and subsoil moisture as being 39% in those categories. Two weeks ago, those figures were 42% and 53%, respectively. The crop report also shows that all of the recent moisture has prevented a lot of farmers from getting into the field to plant their crops. Seeding of the state's staple spring wheat crop is 4% complete, behind 21% last year at the same time, though close to the five-year average of 8%. Only 1% of the durum wheat, barley and dry pea crops are in the ground, also behind last year's pace and the average. The most recent blizzard also brought heavy rain to eastern North Dakota -- leading to ongoing moderate-to-major flooding -- and freezing rain to western North Dakota, toppling thousands of power poles and at one point cutting power to an estimated 19,000 people. That figure was down to about 8,000 on Thursday, with some communities not expected to have electricity restored until next week. Prairie Public over-the-air radio broadcasts in the Bismarck area at 90.5 FM are down due to ice damage to the main transmission line at the tower site. It's not known when the issue will be fixed. The nonprofit networks expanded listening options including the Prairie Public app and the prairiepublic.org website are not impacted. Members of the Civil Air Patrol North Dakota Wing began flying missions Wednesday at the request of the state Department of Emergency Services to help with power restoration efforts. Civil Air Patrol has a proud history of serving North Dakotans during times of need, said Lt. Col. Sean Johnson, the wing's chief of staff for missions. Our volunteers are the key to our success." Montana-Dakota Utilities also has been using airplanes in the recovery effort. MDU, a major electrical supplier in western North Dakota and eastern Minnesota, at one point estimated 18,000 customers without power. That figure was at 205 on Thursday, following the restoration of electricity to Crosby on Wednesday evening, according to spokesman Mark Hanson. Drones flown by the Grand Forks-based Northern Plains UAS Test Site and by ISight Drone Services also are helping with reconnaissance in the region. Ranchers also are assessing damage and livestock losses after the recent storms. Its been an incredible year for cattle ranchers, said McVille rancher Dan Rorvig, president of the North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation. First, they were dealing with severe and persistent drought, and then record-breaking storms delivered a one-two punch in the midst of calving season. "The first storm was bad enough on its own, and then the second had a compounding effect on the animals that were already weak and stressed," he said. The crop report lists cattle and calf death loss as 24% heavy, compared with 5% two weeks ago. Calving is about two-thirds complete. Hay supplies are rated 69% short or very short, and the recent extreme weather is expected to delay the turning out of cattle to pasture, according to North Dakota State University Extension. Producers should expect delays in grazing readiness this spring and manage accordingly, said Miranda Meehan, Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. This would include avoiding grazing native range until grazing readiness has been achieved. The Stockmen's Association and its Foundation have put $40,000 into a rancher relief fund and are asking others to contribute. For more information go to http://www.ndstockmen.org/foundation/hopeafterhaley/. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., on Friday plans to visit a Max-area ranch to get a firsthand look at the storm impacts. He'll also hold a discussion with ranchers, local leaders and McLean Electric Cooperative representatives at the Max Community Center at 2:30 p.m. Max is south of Minot. Gov. Doug Burgum has declared a statewide emergency and a statewide disaster in the wake of the recent storms. He plans to request presidential disaster declarations to help unlock aid to help pay for snow removal and infrastructure repairs. Another storm is bearing down on the Plains, potentially worsening problems in North Dakota. "Rainfall could reach 1 to 3 inches in the north-central U.S., with some of the highest amounts expected on Friday in the Dakotas," Rippey said. The Bismarck-Mandan area could be in store for up to 2 inches of rain by Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Reach News Editor Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On-page SEO has the power to bring countless new visitors and customers right to your website. Additionally, on-page SEO is also completely up to you: You get to establish what the topic and/or goal of each page will be. You get to decide on the target audience for that page. And you get to choose the target keywords and phrases you want to focus on. This can be intimidating and empowering at the same time. If you're unsure how to get started, we've built this on-page SEO checklist to help guide you. Jump To: What is on-page SEO? On-page SEO, or on-site SEO, is the process of optimizing various front-end and back-end components of your website so that it ranks in search engines and brings in new traffic. On-page SEO components include content elements, site architecture elements, and HTML elements. Google's algorithm ranks your website on three main factors: on-page SEO, off-page SEO, and technical SEO: Note: This SEO "trilogy" isn't always divided into three clean sections; some of these SEO elements will overlap. You'll see how and why throughout this piece. Why is on-page SEO important? On-page SEO is important because it tells Google all about your website and how you provide value to visitors and customers. It helps your site be optimized for both human eyes and search engine bots. Merely creating and publishing your website isn't enough you must optimize it for Google and other search engines in order to rank and attract new traffic. On-page SEO is called "on-page" because the tweaks and changes you make to optimize your website can be seen by visitors on your page (whereas off-page and technical SEO elements aren't always visible). Every part of on-page SEO is completely up to you; that's why it's critical that you do it correctly. Now, let's discuss the elements of on-page SEO. On-Page SEO Elements High-Quality Page Content Page Titles Headers Meta Descriptions Image Alt-text Structured Markup Page URLs Internal Linking Mobile Responsiveness Site Speed All on-page SEO elements fall into three main categories: You'll see these elements divided into sections below. Content Elements Content elements refer to the elements within your site copy and content. In this section, we'll focus mostly on crafting high-quality page content that benefits your visitors and tells Google that your website provides value. 1. High-Quality Page Content Page content is the heart of on-page SEO. It tells both search engines and readers what your website and business are all about. The first step to creating high-quality content is choosing relevant keywords and topics. Conduct keyword research by searching Google for terms and seeing what surfaces for competitors and other websites. You can also use tools like Ahrefs, AnswerthePublic, and UberSuggest. Also, read our Beginner's Guide on How to Do Keyword Research for SEO. Next, consider how your page content falls into the buyer's journey and visitors' search intent. These will impact how you will use your keywords and what types of content you will create: Stage in the Buyer's Journey Suggested Content/Website Pages Awareness Blog posts, videos homepage Consideration Buyer's guides, case studies about page Decision Product demos, comparison tools product or pricing pages, contact page Now, it's time to write your page content or clean it up if you're currently auditing your on-page SEO. Here are a few best practices for writing high-quality page content (we'll touch on some of these in more detail below, in our Checklist): Incorporate short and long-tail keywords naturally. Add engaging and relevant visual content. Write for your specific buyer persona(s). Actively solve your audience's problem. Develop content people will share and want to link to. Optimize for conversions with CTAs to offers and product pages. Page content is your opportunity to communicate value to Google and your site visitors; it's the heart of the on-page SEO process. All other on-page SEO elements stem from high-quality page content, so invest ample resources to develop and optimize it. HTML Elements HTML elements refer to the elements in your source code. Note: To see the source code for any page in your browser, click View > Developer > View Source in the top menu. 2. Page Titles Your website page titles (also known as title tags) are one of the most important SEO elements. Titles tell both visitors and search engines what they can find on the corresponding pages. To ensure your site pages rank for the proper intent, be sure to include the focus keyword for each page in the title. Incorporate your keyword as naturally as possible. Here are some best practices for when developing a page title: Keep it under 60 characters (per Google's update) to ensure that your titles display correctly. Although Google doesn't have an exact character limit, its display titles max out at 600 pixels. Keeping your titles at 60 characters or less ensures the title won't be cut off in search results. Don't stuff the title with keywords. Not only does keyword-stuffing present a spammy and tacky reading experience, but modern search engines are smarter than ever they've been designed to specifically monitor for (and penalize!) content that's unnaturally stuffed with keywords. Make it relevant to the page. Don't use all caps. Include your brand in the title, i.e. "The Ultimate Guide to On-Page SEO in 2022 HubSpot Blog". Check out our free data-driven guide to writing effective page titles. 3. Headers Headers, also known as body tags, refer to the HTML element

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, and so on. These tags help organize your content for readers and help search engines distinguish what part of your content is most important and relevant, depending on search intent. 4. Meta Descriptions Incorporate important keywords in your headers , but choose different ones than what's in your page title. Put your most important keywords in your and headers. Meta descriptions are the short page descriptions that appear under the title in search results. Although it's not an official ranking factor for search engines, it can influence whether or not your page is clicked on therefore, it's just as important when doing on-page SEO. Meta descriptions can also be copied over to social media when your content is shared (by using structured markup, which we talk about below), so it can encourage click-throughs from there, too. Here's what makes for a good meta description: Keep it under 160 characters, although Google has been known to allow longer meta descriptions. ( Note Include your entire keyword or keyword phrase. Use a complete, compelling sentence (or two). Avoid alphanumeric characters like , &, or +. 5. Image Alt-text Image alt-text is like SEO for your images. It tells Google and other search engines what your images are about ... which is important because Google now delivers almost as many image-based results as they do text-based results. That means consumers may be discovering your site through your images. In order for them to do this, though, you have to add alt-text to your images. Here's what to keep in mind when adding image alt-text: Make it descriptive and specific. Make it contextually relevant to the broader page content. Keep it shorter than 125 characters. Use keywords sparingly, and don't keyword stuff. 6. Structured Markup Structured markup, or structured data, is the process of "marking up" your website source code to make it easier for Google to find and understand different elements of your content. Structured markup is the key behind those featured snippets, knowledge panels, and other content features you see when you search for something on Google. It's also how your specific page information shows up so neatly when someone shares your content on social media. Note: Structured data is considered technical SEO, but I'm including it here because optimizing it creates a better on-page experience for visitors. Site Architecture Elements Site architecture elements refer to the elements that make up your website and site pages. How you structure your website can help Google and other search engines easily crawl the pages and page content. 7. Page URLs Your page URLs should be simple to digest for both readers and search engines. They are also important when keeping your site hierarchy consistent as you create subpages, blog posts, and other types of internal pages. For example, in the above URL, "blog" is the sub-domain, "hubspot.com" is the domain, "sales" is the directory for the HubSpot Sales Blog, and "startups" indicates the specific path to that blog post. Here are a few tips on how to write SEO-friendly URLs: Remove the extra, unnecessary words. Use only one or two keywords. Use HTTPS if possible, as Google now uses that as a positive ranking factor. 8. Internal Linking Internal linking is the process of hyperlinking to other helpful pages on your website. (See how the words "internal linking" are linked to another HubSpot blog post in the sentence above? That's an example.) Internal linking is important for on-page SEO because internal links send readers to other pages on your website, keeping them around longer and thus telling Google your site is valuable and helpful. Also, the longer visitors are on your website, the more time Google has to crawl and index your site pages. This ultimately helps Google absorb more information about your website and potentially rank it higher on the search engine results pages. Download our free guide to Internal Linking for SEO. 9. Mobile Responsiveness Google started favoring sites that are optimized for faster mobile speeds even for desktop searches. Mobile responsiveness matters. It's critical to choose a website hosting service, site design and theme, and content layout that's readable and navigable on mobile devices. If you're not sure about your own site's mobile readiness, use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool. 10. Site Speed Whether viewed on a mobile device or desktop, your site must be able to load quickly. When it comes to on-page SEO, page speed counts big-time. Google cares about user experience first and foremost. If your site loads slowly or haphazardly, it's likely your visitors aren't going to stick around and Google knows that. Moreover, site speed can impact conversions and ROI. Check your website's speed anytime using Google's PageSpeed Insights tool. If your website is movin' slow, check out 5 Easy Ways to Help Reduce Your Websites Page Loading Speed. Note: Mobile responsiveness and site speed are considered technical SEO, but I'm including them here because optimizing them creates a better on-page experience for visitors. Now that you understand the different on-page SEO elements, let's talk through the steps of auditing and improving your on-page SEO. On-Page SEO Checklist Crawl your website. Conduct an SEO audit and define your site architecture. Update URLs, page titles, and meta descriptions. Make sure your keyword is in your URL. Include your keyword throughout your page. Track keywords and topics for each page. Dont keyword stuff. Establish value propositions for each page. Define your target audience. Plan new page titles. Add new meta descriptions. Review and edit page content as needed. Incorporate visual content. Optimize your visual content. Add internal links. Add external links. Optimize for conversions. If you've been in search of a solution for organizing and tracking the various on-page SEO elements, you're in luck. The HubSpot marketing team released an updated version of our On-Page SEO Template, an Excel document that allows you to coordinate pages and keywords and track changes all in one place. In this section, we'll be using this template as a guide as we walk you through a checklist for your on-page SEO management, step by step. Download the template now and follow along. Note: The fictional website "http://www.quantify.ly" will be used as an example throughout this post. It's simply meant to help you imagine how your own website will fit into the template. 1. Crawl your website. Get an overview of all of your website pages that search engines have indexed. For HubSpot customers, our Page Performance tool (under Reports) will allow you to do this. If you're not using HubSpot, you can try using a free tool like Xenu's link crawler. After crawling your site and exporting the results into an Excel (or .csv) file, there will be three key columns of data that you should focus on: The web address (a.k.a. URL) The page title The page meta description The URL should be pasted into column B, the page title into column C, and the description into column E. 2. Conduct an SEO audit and define your site architecture. Now that you have a basic index of your site in the template, you'll want to organize and prioritize your web pages. Start by defining where within your site architecture your existing pages currently sit. Do this in column A. Note whether a page is your homepage (ideally you'll only have one of those), a page in your primary (or secondary) navigation menu, an internal page, and so on. 3. Update URLs, page titles, and meta descriptions. Review your current URLs, page titles, and meta descriptions to see if they need updating. (This is the beauty of using a template to organize your SEO: You get a broad overview of the type of content you have on your website.) Notice how column D and column F automatically calculate the length of each element. The recommended length for page titles is anything under 60 characters. (And, actually, a quick and easy optimization project is to update all page titles that are longer than 60 characters.) The recommended length for page meta descriptions is 155-160 characters. This is the perfect length to ensure none of the description is cut off by the ellipses. Make sure you're not too repetitive with keywords in this space. Writing a good meta description isn't tough, but it deserves just as much consideration as the page content itself. (Note: For some sites, you may also have to update the URLs, but that's not always the case and thus was not included as part of this optimization template.) 4. Make sure your keyword is in your URL. As we mentioned above, add your keyword to your URL. For example, imagine you own a hot yoga studio called ADYoga. You have a web page that includes videos of your classes. The keyword for this page is "hot yoga online classes" so, you'd want to include that keyword in your URL. The URL for this web page may look like this: www.ADyoga.com/hot-yoga-online-classes. 5. Include your keyword throughout your web page. In addition to your URL, you'll want to add your keyword throughout your web page(s). This includes your title and headers. Sprinkle your keyword throughout your content as well where it fits naturally. 6. Track keywords and topics for each page. Think of your target keyword as the designated topic for a particular page. If you're using the HubSpot template, In column O, define just one topic per page. By doing this, you'll be able to go more in-depth and provide more detailed information about that topic. This also means that you are only optimizing for one keyword per page, meaning you have a greater chance to rank for that keyword. There are, of course, a few exceptions to this rule. Your homepage is a classic example. The goal of your homepage is to explain what your entire website is about, and thus you'll need a few keywords to do that. Another exception is overview pages like services and product pages, which outline what all of your products and services may be. 7. Dont keyword stuff. We just covered many examples in which keywords are both helpful and necessary for SEO purposes. However, one mistake many first-timers make when improving their on-page SEO is "keyword stuff". Keyword stuffing can be detrimental to your website and web page's SEO and it can feel spammy to readers/ visitors. 8. Establish value propositions for each page. A very important next step, which is often overlooked, is establishing a value proposition for each page of your website. Each page should have a goal aside from just ranking for a particular term. If you're using the template, you'll do this in column G. 9. Define your target audience. Define your target audience do you have a single buyer persona or multiple personas? Keep this persona in mind as you optimize your site's pages. (Remember, you are optimizing for humans, too not just search engine robots.) In column H of our template, you'll have the opportunity to define your page's target audience. 10. Plan new page titles. Now that you've documented your existing page titles and have established value propositions and target audiences for each of your pages, write new page titles (if necessary) to reflect your findings. You can do this in column K of the template and double-check each title length in column L. People usually follow the formula of "Keyword Phrase | Context." The goal of the page title is to lay out the purpose of the page without being redundant. You should also keep the additional recommendations we made above related to titles. 11. Add new meta descriptions. As we covered above, meta descriptions should be a short, declarative sentence that incorporates the same keyword as your page's title. It should not reflect the content verbatim as it appears on the page. Get as close as you can to the 150-character limit to maximize space and tell visitors as much as possible about your page. If you need to create new meta descriptions, do so in column M of the template. 12. Review and edit page content as needed. Good copy needs to be thorough, clear, and provide solutions ... so, be compelling! Write for your target audience and about how you can help them. Compelling content is also error-free, so double-check your spelling and grammar. Aim to have at least 500 words per page, and format content to make it easier to read and digest with the use of headers and subheaders. Columns P through R can be used to keep track of changes that you've made to your content or to note where changes need to be implemented. 13. Incorporate visual content. Content can be more than just text, so consider what kind of visual content you can incorporate into each page (if it adds value and serves a purpose, of course). Columns S and T allow you to note which visual elements need to be added. When adding an image to a page, be sure to include a descriptive file name and image alt-text. 14. Optimize your visual content. We talked earlier about image alt text. You'll want to optimize your visual content this way and be sure to include your keyword in your image alt text. It'll help with the page's SEO as well as offer the potential to rank in image search (e.g. on a search engine image results page or image carousel). 15. Add internal links. As mentioned earlier, incorporating links throughout your pages is a must, but it's often something that's easily overlooked. Make sure that your anchor text includes more than just your keywords. The goal isn't to stuff in as many keywords as possible, but to make it easy for people to navigate your site. Use columns U through W to plan for these elements if you don't already have them, or to document how you'll improve them. 16. Include external links. It may seem counterintuitive to include external links throughout your page considering we just covered multiple reasons why internal linking is so important for on-page SEO. However, external links are also important. By externally linking, to credible and trustworthy sites, Google will know your page is also credible and trustworthy. Not only does Google want to know your site is well-referenced, but your visitors do, too. 17. Optimize for conversions. If you're also not optimizing your site to increase the number of leads, subscribers, and/or customers you're attracting ... you're doing it wrong. Remember that each page of your website presents a conversion opportunity. That means every page of your website should include at least one call-to-action (CTA), though many pages may have multiple CTAs. Columns X through AF allow you to plan for conversions. Be sure that your site has a mix of CTAs for different stages of the flywheel. (Note: The On-Page SEO Template refers to the stages of the buying funnel top of the funnel, middle of the funnel, and bottom of the funnel. If you are a HubSpot customer, you can even use Smart Content to display these specific CTAs only to people in a specific part of the funnel.) Also, as you add, edit, or update CTAs, be sure to note conversion rate changes in columns Z, AC, and AF. Put Your On-Page SEO to Work Once you finalize your SEO plans, implement these changes on your website or pass them along to someone to implement for you. This will take time to complete, so aim to work on 5 to 10 pages per week. Remember: SEO is not a one-and-done deal. It's something you should continually improve upon. You should treat this On-Page SEO Template as a living, breathing document that will help guide your SEO strategy for months (or years) to come. Editor's Note: This post was originally published in October 2012 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/26/us-wont-rule-out-military-action-if-china-establishes-base-in-solomon-islands US wont rule out military action if China establishes base in Solomon Islands Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink warns security pact presents potential regional security implications The US diplomatic team led by the National Security Council's Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell and the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Daniel Kritenbrink leave the airport for talks with the Solomons government in Honiara on 22 April. A US diplomatic team including assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Daniel Kritenbrink in the Solomon Islands on 22 April to talk with the prime minister about the new security deal with China. Photograph: Jay Liofasi/AFP/Getty Images Supported by Judith Nielson Institute About this content Kate Lyons @MsKateLyons Mon 25 Apr 2022 23.45 EDT One of the most senior US officials in the Pacific has refused to rule out military action against Solomon Islands if it were to allow China to establish a military base there, saying that the security deal between the countries presented potential regional security implications for the US and other allies. Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, was part of a high-level US delegation to the Pacific country last week. He said the US team, which also included the National Security Council coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, Kurt Campbell, had a 90-minute constructive and candid meeting with prime minister Manasseh Sogavare in which the US team detailed concerns about its recently signed security deal with China. Temper tantrums and invasion threats over Solomon Islands deal with China will push Pacific allies away Read more We wanted to outline for our friends in the Solomons, what our concerns are, said Kritenbrink. Prime minister Sogavare indicated that in the Solomon Islands view, the agreement theyve concluded has solely domestic implications. But weve made clear that there are potential regional security implications of the agreement not just for ourselves, but for allies and partners across the region. On Tuesday, Kritenbrink reiterated the USs willingness to act in the region if a military base were established by China. Of course, we have respect for the Solomon Islands sovereignty, but we also wanted to let them know that if steps were taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power projection capabilities, or a military installation, then we would have significant concerns, and we would very naturally respond to those concerns, he said. When asked what that response could involve, he said: Look, Im not going to speculate and Im not in a position to talk about what the United States may or may not do in such a situation. Pressed on whether he would rule out the prospect of the US taking military action against Solomon Islands were a naval base to be established, and, if not, whether he was comfortable with Australian prime minister Scott Morrisons talk of the base being a red line for Australia, he said: I dont have a lot to add beyond what Ive already stated. In a statement last week, the Biden administration said the US would respond accordingly if China was allowed to establish a long-term presence on the islands, while noting assurances from Sogavare that he had no intention of allowing a military base. The rhetoric escalated in the wake of the statement, with the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, saying Australia had the same red line as the US when it came to Chinas involvement in Solomon Islands, and defence minister Peter Dutton using his Anzac Day address on Monday to declare: Australia should prepare for war, claiming that China was on a very deliberate course at the moment. Kritenbrink also noted Chinas military ambitions, saying: I think its important in this context, to keep in mind that we do know that the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] is seeking to establish a more robust overseas logistics and basic infrastructure that would allow the PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] to project and sustain military power at greater distances. So we wanted to have that candid conversation with our friends in the Solomons. We outlined our concerns and weve indicated that well continue to monitor the situation closely and continue to engage with them going forward. Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong during a visit to the Torrens river in Adelaide, Friday, April 8, 2022. (AAP Image/Matt Turner) NO ARCHIVING Labor pledges more foreign aid to Pacific with plan to restore Australias place as first partner of choice Read more The text of the security deal which was signed by China and Solomon Islands is secret, though Solomon Islands MPs have called for the prime minister to release it publicly. I think its clear that only a handful of people in a very small circle have seen this agreement. And the prime minister himself has been quoted publicly as saying he would only share the details with Chinas permission, which I think is a source of concern as well, said Kritenbrink. However, a draft of the deal was leaked on social media last month and contained provisions permitting China to make ship visits to, carry out logistical replenishment in, and have stopover and transition in Solomon Islands. Kritenbrink said that the United States of America is not in the business of asking countries to choose between the United States and China or anyone else. But that it is interested in promoting a proactive vision for again the shared interests and principles that we believe are vital to all of our friends across the region. Republican Teddy Daniels, who is running for Pennsylvania's Lt. Governor, is a real prize. For starters, he was evicted from his house this week after his wife obtained an "order granting emergency protection from abuse," according to Rolling Stone. She has accused the 6-foot-four MAGA candidate, who weighs 360 pounds, of threatening her and their child, and even "threatened to kill our family dog." And then there's the fact that this is a pattern with Daniels, as Rolling Stone reports that his wife is the third person he's been in a relationship with to accuse him of violent threats and abuse. From Rolling Stone: In court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, Daniels' wife accuses him of stalking her and being verbally abusive, as well as threatening her, their young child, and the family dog. Daniels' wife initially received an "order granting emergency protection from abuse" to her and her child on Monday from the Wayne County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. On Tuesday, those protections were extended via a separate order from the same court. Under the terms of the Tuesday order, Daniels is barred from the couple's home in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, until the court orders otherwise. The order bars Daniels from contacting his wife and gives her temporary custody over their child. It also notes that there are firearms present in the couple's home and bars Daniels from possessing or acquiring any firearms while the order is in effect, and to relinquish any he currently possesses to the court or an approved third party. In handwritten notes from Daniels' wife that the court included in its Tuesday order, Daniels' wife alleges that her husband whom the court lists at 6-foot-four and weighing 360 pounds "grabbed me by the shirt" during an incident in August and "threatened to kill [our] family dog in front of children." "I am afraid of him and what he will do to me and our [child]," she writes. And, as part of the pro-Trump Q and MAGA party, it's no surprise that he has the requisite shoot-'em-up campaign ad that no GQP candidate dare run without: Parts of Southern California are seeing a record drought, according to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. And in a Water Shortage Emergency declaration released on Tuesday, residents in the drought-stricken areas (including Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, according to Gizmodo) must restrict the amount of days they water their lawn to just once a week, starting June 1st. And if drought conditions don't quickly improve, residents will receive further water restrictions later in the year. From Gizmodo: The declaration is the first time in the Metropolitan Water District's 94-year history that its board has issued restrictions like this, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times. "We are seeing conditions unlike anything we have seen before," the water district's general manager, Adel Hagekhalil, told the LA Times. "We need serious demand reductions." "This is a crisis, this is unprecedented. We have never done anything like this before," added Hagekhalil in a press conference on Wednesday. California is currently experiencing arguably its most severe drought since record keeping began in 1895. "I want to just really stress how critical this is," said Hagekhalil. "The amount of water we have available to us now is not going to be enough to carry us through the entire year unless we do something different, unless we take action," he added. If municipalities don't cut their use and abide by the new restrictions, they'll face fines. Lawn watering accounts for 30% to 70% of individuals' water usage, according to the Metropolitan Water District's general manager. So, the cuts should result in much lower water demand. However, if they don't, Hagekhalil said he's been granted the authority to issue a total ban on outdoor watering starting September 1. Los Angeles police don't suspect foul play in the death of a reputed whistleblower who "turned over a trove of secret files about Deutsche Bank" to U.S. authorities, reports NBC News. Valentin Broeksmit, 46, was found dead at Woodrow Wilson high school in Los Angeles. Broeksmith was the subject of a lengthy New York Times profile in October 2019. The article said he was in possession of "a cache of confidential bank documents that provided a tantalizing glimpse of [Deutsche Bank's] internal workings." Broeksmith's late father had been a senior executive at Deutsche Bank. His death was ruled a suicide. Deutsche Bank has been of particular interest to Federal and state investigators because of its less-than-savory connections to the Trumps and other crime families. From the Times: Tesla stock fell 20% in a week, wiping some $125bn from the company's value as its CEO Elon Musk instead worked on shitposting and his quixotic plan to buy Twitter. As the deal he struck depends on Tesla maintaining its value, further decline will put it in danger. $243 billion. That's how much Musk, who owns 21% of Tesla but has pledged more than half his stake as loan collateral, is worth, according to Forbes. The PayPal cofounder grew up in South Africa before attending the University of Pennsylvania as a transfer student. Despite Tesla's stock plunge on Tuesday, Musk remains the world's richest personby far. Amazon Founder and Chair Jeff Bezos comes closest, with a net worth of $166 billion. "We do not believe this Twitter bid will result in a major sale of Musk's Tesla shares," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a Friday note, positing shares would instead be pledged for loans. "We see no risk from this Twitter situation impacting shares of Tesla or Musk's focus." Musk's Twitter buyout seems to appeal to no-one except right-wing Twitter addicts and pundits feeding off their energyleast of all workers or investors depending on Musk's stability and ability to focus. There are other reasons to think the deal is doomed, such as Musk's continued trolling on Twitter and the naivete of his free speech rhetoric in the face of immovable obstacles such as Apple's App Store policies and EU privacy rules. Tesla is (or was) valued higher than the rest of the automobile industry combined. Leveraging this to buy a marginally-profitable social network so you can pursue vendettas against the SEC, Chelsea Manning and the kid who posts the location of your private jet? This is, if nothing else, exactly what we always meant by Serious Business. One of the developers and owners of the Crescendo Lofts apartment project on Niagara Street pleaded guilty last week to defrauding a Long Island commercial lender and Fannie Mae by falsifying information he and three others submitted to justify a mortgage on the mixed-use property. The plea by Robert "Bobby" Corrao represents an extension of the wide-ranging probe of Rochester real estate mogul Robert C. Morgan and three other defendants, who were also accused of bank fraud before pleading guilty to significantly reduced charges earlier this month. There is no indication that Morgan or his company were involved in Crescendo. But the mortgage brokers from Buffalo Frank Giacobbe and Patrick Ogiony of Aurora Capital Advisors were the same in both schemes, and both have already pleaded guilty to their roles with Morgan. Corrao, president of Natale Development, and a principal and guarantor of 1502 Niagara LLC, admitted in federal court to a single felony count of attempt and conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution. Waiving his indictment before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, Corrao said he and "Individual 1" worked with brokers at Aurora Capital to deceive an unidentified Long Island-based commercial real estate financing company and Fannie Mae, by providing inflated financial documents to justify a much larger loan for the Crescendo project than it would have otherwise qualified for. Corrao and the others faked the occupancy rate of the 42-unit building, overstated its monthly income and inflated annual profits by fourfold, according to court documents. The parties also tricked an unidentified real estate service company that was hired to appraise the property, using "false and fraudulent rent rolls and other financial information that inflated the income Crescendo Lofts generated." Neither the finance company from Uniondale, nor the appraiser were identified. But Arbor Commercial Funding which is based in Uniondale provided the loan for Crescendo and sold it to Fannie Mae, according to data from research firm Trepp LLC. Both Arbor and Fannie were also purported victims of the Morgan scheme, although they did not lose money. Corrao faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or twice what he gained from the scheme, and up to five years of probation. However, the government agreed to recommend a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines, with a $25,000 fine, although the judge is not bound by that. Neither Corrao nor his attorney, Thomas J. Eoannou, responded to a request for comment. Sentencing is set for Sept. 2 in Buffalo. The charge to which Corrao pleaded guilty is similar in nature to the multistate scheme for which Morgan, his son, his finance director and Giacobbe were indicted in 2019 and again in 2021. Morgan ultimately pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, involving one property, while the other three pled to misdemeanors. Ogiony had pleaded guilty to an earlier indictment and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors on any bank fraud matters as part of his deal. Natale Development is an affiliate of homebuilder Natale Building Corp. Both are owned by Angelo Natale, who is also the managing member and owner of 1502 Niagara, which formally redeveloped and owns the seven-story apartment and retail building. Natale also converted the former Aldrich & Ray Manufacturing building at 1485 Niagara into The Dorian apartments. Neither Natale personally nor his companies are named in the court filings, which reference "Individual 1" as the "managing member, key principal, owner and guarantor of 1502 Niagara." The documents identify Ogiony as part of the scheme and noted that he worked for "Individual 2," who "owned and operated" Aurora." Aurora is owned by Giacobbe. All four were described as "co-conspirators" in an effort to obtain the larger loan, "enrich" themselves for "personal gain" and conceal it, according to prosecutors. Neither Natale nor Giacobbe's attorney, Herb Greenman, responded to a request for comment. Located at 1502 Niagara, Crescendo Lofts is located in the former Bison Storage building, which Natale, Corrao, Carl Savarino and Frank Parisi teamed up to redevelop the 65,000-square-foot former daylight factory into loft apartments, a first-floor restaurant, a rooftop terrace fitness center and other amenities. It was completed and opened in September 2016, at an estimated $7 million cost. According to the plea agreement and charge information, Individual 1 and Corrao hired Aurora Capital to refinance the construction loan on Crescendo "and to inflate the amount of the refinance loan." At the time, the developers were finishing construction on the building and had started renting units. In February 2016, Corrao emailed Ogiony with the financial information for Crescendo, but said the developers were hoping to get a $7.5 million permanent loan. On Oct. 5, 2016, he emailed an accurate rent roll to Ogiony showing 18 of 42 units were vacant. Eight days later, Ogiony emailed the other three conspirators with a fake rent roll showing only four units vacant, reflecting 90% occupancy, because Arbor would not lend on less than 85%. Then, in December 2016, the real estate service company issued a draft appraisal of Crescendo at $10 million as of Nov. 22, 2016. But that was based on false statements by Corrao and Ogiony that Crescendo was 97.6% occupied, with an effective gross income of $792,248. By that month, when Arbor conducted a final walk-through of the building prior to closing on the loan, the fraudulent rent roll had only one vacant unit, which Corrao showed to the underwriter on Dec. 29. And by Jan. 3, Ogiony emailed Arbor with a new rent roll showing the building was fully occupied, when 17 of the units were actually empty as of Dec. 31. As a result, Arbor issued a $7.96 million loan on the property on March 24, 2017. A year later, Corrao inflated the 2017 net profit from $28,053 to $118,015 by removing "multiple expenses" from the profit and loss statement, which he sent to Arbor to maintain cover. Buffalo Next Must-read local business coverage that exposes the trends, connects the dots and contextualizes the impact to Buffalo's economy. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Evans Bancorp has agreed to buy the holding company of Fairport Savings Bank for $34.7 million, marking Evans' expansion outside of the Buffalo Niagara region into the Rochester area. The deal for FSB Corp., composed of 50% cash and 50% stock, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2020, possibly in April. Both boards of directors have approved the merger, but it still needs the approval of regulators and FSB shareholders. Fairport Savings Bank has five branches. The bank has about 77 employees. Hamburg-based Evans has had its sights on expanding into the Rochester market for some time, said David J. Nasca, Evans' president and CEO. "We think there's an opportunity to bring our brand of community banking to that market," Nasca said. "We've been told by some of the people out there that a commercially oriented addition to that market would be welcome." Evans already has some experience in the Rochester market through commercial lending, he said. Is opening additional branches in the Rochester market part of Evans' long-term plans? "If the market receives us well, it could be," Nasca said. Kevin D. Maroney, FSB's president and CEO, said the Evans deal "will combine two community banks with very similar cultures and core values. "The combined organization will be able to offer top of line products and exceptional service to our customers in Rochester and surrounding markets," he said. "In addition to providing our customers with enhanced and expanded products and services, our employees will also benefit from broader opportunities in a larger organization with strong growth potential." Evans is preparing to move its corporate headquarters to Amherst from Hamburg in 2020. The bank has 15 area branches and ranked No. 6 in deposits in the Buffalo Niagara region, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data. The deal marks an expansion by Evans outside its home territory in Erie and Niagara counties. Nasca described the FSB deal as a "cost-efficient way for us to enter the market." The deal also enables Evans to expand its commercial lending platform, leverage FSB's strength in the mortgage business, and expand its deposit gathering, he said. "We won't lose sight of the existing market we're in, but No. 2, but when we talk about deposit funding, this equates to about two-plus years of deposit funding," Nasca said. "So this is part of the growth strategy." FSB as of the end of the third quarter had about $233 million in deposits. Evans' deal is the second merger announcement involving a local bank in as many days. On Wednesday, CNB Financial Corp., Bank of Buffalo's parent, announced it planned to buy the Bank of Akron for $64.5 million. The deals reflect how merger activity among banks has picked up speed recently. Community Bank previously announced plans to acquire Steuben Trust Corp. Evans had $1.5 billion in assets and $1.3 billion in deposits as of Sept. 30. FSB has $325 million in assets. Evans is celebrating its centennial in 2020. FSB was founded in 1888. Looks like the trial period went well for Matthew Drake, the newly named executive vice president and chief financial officer for Kaleida Health. Drake, who has been interim CFO since November, was appointed to the permanent post on Wednesday, replacing Paul Belter, who retired in December after just one year at Western New York's largest health system. "Matt steps in to the role at a very exciting time for the organization," Kaleida CEO Bob Nesselbush said in a statement. "Despite some difficult external forces that we face, we are poised for tremendous transformation and growth these next few years. Matt and the entire finance team worked very hard these past 18 months to help us stabilize our financial position; I am confident that his leadership and talent will help us chart our strategic path forward." Kaleida Health names interim CFO Matt Drake will assume the role held by Paul Belter, who is retiring in December after one year at Kaleida. Like Nesselbush, Drake also joined Kaleida from Rochester Regional Health. Drake, 38, was recruited to Kaleida in early 2021 for the role of vice president and chief financial officer for site financial operations. His last role at Rochester Regional was vice president of business development and network growth, where he led efforts to expand the network of providers, hospitals, ambulatory destination campuses and urgent care centers. Now in the permanent CFO role at Kaleida, Drake will lead strategy and growth initiatives for the organization at a time when it is attempting to emerge from a financially draining pandemic and also negotiating with two unions representing about two-thirds of its workforce. A familiar face returns to Kaleida Health ... for now anyway Cheryl Klass started as the interim president of Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute on March 18, taking over for Christopher Lane, who left March 11 to become president and CEO of Virginia Hospital Center. Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris. Buffalo Next Must-read local business coverage that exposes the trends, connects the dots and contextualizes the impact to Buffalo's economy. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A major Hollywood feature starring Tom Hanks will be shooting in Niagara County for one day next week. But no one is saying whether the two-time Oscar winner will be here. Buffalo Niagara Film Office commissioner Tim Clark declined to comment on specifics about the film but could confirm that there is a "large movie" shooting here next week, adding that it will be a closed set without public access. Local crew and extras are being hired for the one-day shoot. Information on being an extra can be found through Casting Buffalo at castingbuffalo.com; deadline is May 1. "It is great for the economy and shows that Western New York continues to be a Hollywood backdrop," Clark said. The film is A Man Called Otto, a remake of the 2015 Swedish film A Man Called Ove. The feature also stars comedian and actor Mike Birbiglia ("Trainwreck"), Cameron Britton (Mindhunter), Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Magnificent Seven") and Mariana Trevino. It is directed by Marc Forster ("World War Z") and began shooting in Pittsburgh in February. "A Man Called Otto" will be added to the list of high-profile films made either partially or in full in Western New York. In 2020, Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro spent four days filming his Oscar-nominated noir Nightmare Alley here with members of his all-star cast, including Bradley Cooper. The blockbuster A Quiet Place Part II was made entirely in the Buffalo area in 2019. Other films made here recently include "Marshall," "The First Purge," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows," "Cabrini," Prickd and "Cold Brook" from actor and former Cheektowaga resident William Fichtner. In "A Man Called Otto," Hanks stars as a grumpy widower who takes his frustrations out on his neighbors. Just when hes ready to give up, a new family moves in next door. The original film, A Man Called Ove, was based on Fredrik Backmans 2012 bestseller of the same name and was the highest-grossing foreign film in the U.S. in 2016. It earned two Oscar nominations. A Dec. 25 release date is planned by Sony Pictures for the Hanks film. Staying in? We've got you covered Get the recommendations on what's streaming now, games you'll love, TV news and more with our weekly Home Entertainment newsletter! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Buffalo General Medical Center says in a new set of court papers that it should be allowed to pull the plug on Beverly Whitehead, a DYouville University administrator deemed brain dead in late March. Under New York law, Mrs. Whitehead has been clinically and legally dead since March 30, wrote Michael J. Roach, a lawyer for the hospital. Whiteheads adult children obtained a court order April 1 keeping her on life support until shes examined by a neurologist they selected one not on staff at Kaleida Health or its Buffalo General. We still want our second opinion, said Winter Whitehead, one of three siblings working to make that happen. While Roach said Buffalo General offered a list of 45 neurologists on staff who could offer a second opinion, Winter Whitehead said she didnt care if the hospitals list named a million doctors. We want someone outside of Kaleida, she said, adding that the family wants the specialist to examine their mother personally, not to render an opinion from her medical records. To the family, thats simply reviewing another doctors work, she said. In his papers, Roach tells the judge that the family has had enough time to arrange a second opinion. However, he again says the familys chosen doctor the Catholic Health Systems Dr. William Coplin must first obtain privileges from Buffalo General before examining Beverly Whitehead on the premises. Roach says Coplin has not sought privileges, nor has the family arranged Beverly Whiteheads transfer to another facility where he can examine her an option the family offered. Further, some of the facilities once being considered have declined, he said. Winter Whitehead acknowledged that moving her mother has proven complicated but the effort remains ongoing. As for a second opinion based on medical records, Roach presented an affidavit from an Albany Medical Center neurologist who went through them at Buffalo Generals request. Concluded Dr. Colum Amory: It is my opinion, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that Ms. Whitehead is brain dead. The question here is are you entitled to a second opinion, said the lawyer for the family, Ralph C. Lorigo, who will have a chance to respond to Roachs papers. I believe they are. We have been blocked. Beverly Whitehead, 62, was rushed to Buffalo General on the evening of March 26 after collapsing at the Buffalo Creek Casino. Her heart had stopped. Her adult children Eric, Jaime and Winter told The Buffalo News that doctors initially told them she would likely need a pacemaker and help in the home whenever she could be released. However, a new team of doctors the next day gave a more serious prognosis because the patient had gone so long without oxygen, the children said. Finally, on March 30, they were told their mother was brain dead and would be taken off a ventilator two days later, April 1. The children said that because of the shifting assessments, they were stunned. Unknown to them, Dr. Lucy Campbell had run a series of tests on March 30. She entered the results on a hospital form called the checklist for determination of brain death for adults. Campbell checked boxes stating, among other things, that the patient was in an irreversible coma, had no spontaneous respirations, no cough reflex and her pupils did not react to bright light. But the form requires that all boxes be checked, and Campbell did not check the box that asked if "reasonable efforts" were made to tell the patient's decision-makers of an intent to determine brain death. For medical reasons, Campbell also could not yet perform an apnea test to determine if Beverly Whitehead could breathe on her own. Still, based on Campbells work, the family was told their mother was gone. On April 2, after the court order kept Beverly Whitehead on life support, Dr. Jamie Nadler, the hospitals chief quality officer, went through the same checklist. Nadler checked all the boxes. By then, an apnea test had been done and two transcranial Doppler tests found no brain activity. We are empathetic and sympathetic to Ms. Whitehead's family members, as they were suddenly and unexpectedly confronted with end-of-life issues, wrote Roach, the Buffalo General lawyer, in his papers to State Supreme Court Justice Dennis E. Ward. He said Kaleida has tried to help the family but with about one month behind us, it is only reasonable that these proceedings come to a close. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A reward of up to $7,500 for information that solves the 2007 fatal shooting of Corey Green is being offered by Crime Stoppers WNY. Green, the 21-year-old father of a 1-year-old daughter at the time, was riding his bicycle to an ice cream parlor on the 800 block of Walden Avenue when he was shot and killed on Nov. 12, 2007. Anyone with information may contact Crime Stoppers at 716-867-6161. "I understand the seriousness of loss of life to gun violence," said Sandi Green, the mother of Corey, who appealed to members of the public to assist authorities in finding who was responsible for her son's death. "Loss is a terrible thing." A retired New York State corrections officer, Green is also the mother of a second son who was killed in gun violence in Atlanta, also in 2007. The shooter in that incident was arrested and sent to prison for life. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Evans Bank finally has a chance to make a bigger splash in the Rochester market, and the results are encouraging, said David J. Nasca, president and CEO of the Amherst-based bank. With the loosening of Covid-related restrictions, Evans employees have been able to get out and meet clients and prospects in the Rochester area, he said. Nasca expects roughly 35% of the bank's commercial loan production to come from that market this year. Evans finished acquiring Fairport Savings Bank in May 2020, not long after the pandemic struck the economy and disrupted business activity. The deal marked an expansion of Evans' branch network beyond Western New York. "Overall, our commercial business has been performing well as we leverage recently added talent across our footprint, and our Rochester market efforts are gaining traction," Nasca said. Evans in the first quarter reported record commercial loan closings of $109 million, and also has a strong loan pipeline, he said. Evans in the first quarter reported net income of $4.7 million, down slightly from $4.9 million a year ago. Matt Glynn 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. The drafters of a new scoping plan that will guide how New York State reduces carbon emissions over the next three decades heard Wednesday from area environmental groups who urged them to act quickly, and from labor, utility companies and business groups who warned them against proceeding too fast. While Ellen Banks of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter said it was time to move on from combustibles that contribute to an increasingly dire climate crisis, Joe Benedict of the Western New York Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors argued that some sweeping changes proposed under the scoping plan would cost residents thousands of dollars to transition their homes away from natural gas heating and cooking. Energy road map calls for sweeping changes for WNY homeowners Big changes are looming for how WNY residents heat their homes and operate their appliances. A new statewide energy plan being debated would gradually phase out the use of natural gas in homes and buildings, in favor of greater reliance on electricity. While Rahwa Ghirmatzion of PUSH Buffalo pleaded for governmental leaders to have the political will to abandon false solutions to addressing climate change and instead focus on advancing renewables such as solar, geothermal and wind energy, Grant Loomis of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership said removing natural gas from the states portfolio would create grid reliability concerns. The energy natural gas provides would have to be replaced by electricity, which would add considerable demand onto a power grid that is already strained, Loomis said. And so it went for more than three hours Wednesday afternoon inside the auditorium of the main branch of the Buffalo & Erie County Library, with speaker after speaker, nearly 100 in all, arguing for and against elements of the state Climate Action Councils draft scoping plan. The 341-page document, released in December, was prompted by a 2019 law that pledged to reduce New Yorks greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050. Answers to 9 questions on New York's draft climate plan What will the plan mean for WNY, specifically? When will it be implemented? How much will it cost? Here are answers to nine common questions about the 300-page document, based on a Buffalo News review and interviews with five local and national policy experts. Council members are gathering public input on the plan, which proposes dramatic changes in the way New Yorkers heat their homes, cook their meals and drive to their jobs. The Council will deliver a final plan to Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature by the end of the year. The Buffalo hearing was the sixth since January. Council members were in Binghamton, Albany and Syracuse earlier this month and have two more public comment sessions in May in Brooklyn and in Tupper Lake. Written comments also will be accepted until June 10. Utility company and labor organization representatives criticized the plan for being short on details about how such massive changes will be paid for. Randy Rucinski of Utility Consultation Group said that decarbonization could be better achieved by keeping all energy options on the table, rather than moving the state toward electrification only, as the plan suggests. But several environmental advocates said the state has no more time to waste in moving toward electrifying all homes, vehicles and commercial buildings and powering its electrical plants with renewable energy sources. We have new ways. The technology is here. Its proven and it is highly cost effective, said Banks, who urged the state to ban new gas transmission pipelines and gas infrastructure in new buildings. The cost of change is billions less than the cost of business as usual. 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. An Alabama man has been arrested in connection with the 1988 killing of an 11-year-old girl found stabbed to death in a Massachusetts railyard, authorities said Wednesday. Marvin C. McClendon Jr., 74, faces a murder charge in the death of Melissa Ann Tremblay, of Salem, New Hampshire, Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said at a news conference. He was arrested at his home in Bremen, Alabama, and is being held on a fugitive charge pending a court appearance scheduled for Thursday. He will be arraigned in Massachusetts at a date to be determined. The district attorneys office did not know if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf, and the case was not included in Alabama court records. I cant even express how gratified we are in this office that we are able to pursue justice for any family, Blodgett said. And it is extremely gratifying that after all these years of never giving up, we believe we have the right suspect. The sixth-grader's body was found in the Lawrence trainyard the day after she was reported missing. Melissa Ann had accompanied her mother and her mothers boyfriend to a Lawrence social club on Sept. 11, 1988, not far from the railyard, and went outside to play while the adults stayed inside, authorities said. She was reported missing later that night and found the following day. She had been stabbed and her body had been run over by a train, Blodgett said. Lawrence and Salem, New Hampshire, are just a few miles apart. McClendon, a former employee of the Massachusetts prisons department, lived in Chelmsford and was doing carpentry work at the time of the killing. He worked and attended church in Lawrence, Blodgett said. It is unclear whether the suspect and victim knew each other, the district attorney said. Blodgett's cold case unit has been working on the case since 2014, and McClendon has been a person of interest for some time, Blodgett said. Evidence recovered from the victims body was instrumental in leading to the suspect, authorities said. Blodgett did not detail exactly what that evidence was and did not disclose a motive. The girl's mother, Janet Tremblay, died in 2015 at age 70, according to her obituary. But an aunt and a cousin have been informed of the arrest, Blodgett said. Its overwhelming and shocking, Andrea Ganley, a childhood friend of Tremblay's who, in recent years, has helped keep the case in the public eye, told The Eagle-Tribune. I never thought this day was going to happen. There is always hope. Never give up hope. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos is facing one of the easiest decisions in his career: whether to grant CWM Chemical Services request to dig a new hazardous waste landfill in the Town of Porter. The answer should be a resounding no. The commissioner and public that cares about health and environment should be insulted by the request. Moreover, CWM should be presenting a plan to mitigate the hazardous waste landfill, certainly not dreaming up ways to worsen the situation. CWM officials feel emboldened not only to make the request but also to present preposterous arguments centering on economic impact of allowing such an abomination to proceed. Its like touting the economic benefits of putting a marijuana dispensary next to a high school. Who wants it? In addition, opponents correctly argue that any economic benefit ignores the impact of hauling another 6 million tons of toxic waste to a region already burdened with a long and notorious toxic legacy. The battle over the proposed new landfill has lasted two decades. A hearing that began April 11 could lead to a resolution this year. Opponents of the proposal include Niagara County, the town and village of Lewiston, the Village of Youngstown, the Niagara County Farm Bureau, the Lewiston-Porter School District, the citizen group Residents for Responsible Government and former State Senate candidate Amy H. Witryol of Lewiston. In 2001, the Town of Porter agreed not to participate in the opposition, but for a price: $3 million from CWM plus $3 for every ton of waste a new landfill accepts. Two years later, CWM formally applied to the DEC for a new landfill, called RMU-2 on Balmer Road in the Town of Porter. The application has since been pending. The gross receipts tax paid to the towns of Lewiston and Porter and the Lewiston-Porter, Niagara-Wheatfield and Wilson school districts ended in 2015. That marked the time that CWMs old 47-acre landfill, RMU-1, ran out of space after 21 years of use and approximately 5 million tons of toxic waste. It was the only licensed hazardous waste landfill in the Northeast. An eight-member board three local residents and five representatives of state agencies, must vote on whether CWMs expansion plan is necessary and in the public interest but its vote will be a recommendation. Seggos, the DEC commissioner, has the final decision on whether to allow additional hazardous waste landfilling at what is known as the Model City site. Given that in 2010, a DEC siting plan concluded New York did not need any more toxic waste disposal sites, the matter should be moot. But it is not because of the insistence of CWM, a company that should take its economic development opportunity elsewhere. 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. These days, our kitchens are filled with gadgets that can do just about anythingbut despite all the technological wizardry, its still a drag to have to bend over and pull a yoga pose to grab the last plate out of a dishwasher. Its precisely that problem Fisher & Paykel has focused on with its trademark DishDrawer, a dishwasher that feels more like a convenient, elegant piece of cabinetry than a hulking, low-slung appliance. At Fisher & Paykel, we design appliances by observing how people use them in their own homes, says Jennifer Bradley, the New Zealandfounded luxury kitchen brands vice president of product management for the North American market. One thing we noticed was that with a typical drop-down dishwasher, you have to stoop over to open it. Our designers said, Wait a minute. Why not raise the height and make it more like a cabinet drawer with a catch basin? Why not, indeed. The resulting soft-close Series 11 DishDrawer, available in single and double versions, houses its touch-sensitive control panel inside the unit, so that the exterioroffered in commercial-grade stainless steel or contemporary panel stylesblends seamlessly into the surrounding kitchen cabinetry. Doing the daily dishes is as discreet as sliding open a drawer. The Series 11 DishDrawer Courtesy of Fisher & Paykel Its more human-centered, more comfortable and functional for the way people live, says Bradley of the pullout drawers design. Some customers may want two single DishDrawers flanking their kitchen sink. Or, in a more compact space, the stacked, double DishDrawer makes a smart choice. With the double DishDrawer, the user can program a true half load per drawer, as opposed to running a complete cycle for a few stray dishes. Because each drawer operates independently, a wash cycle can be running in one while the other is being stacked, or two separate cycles out of a possible eight can be underway simultaneously. Each cycle suits a different situation. When youre entertaining, youll likely have a bunch of glassware to clean after, so theres a targeted cycle just for that. The automatic cycle adjusts according to the load, while a 60-minute cycle provides a longer, more robust wash. Conversely, an eco option conserves water, explains Bradley. Each of the DishDrawers eight wash cycles can be further modified with sanitizing and drying settings. At a decibel rating of 44 dBA, the DishDrawer is already a low-noise machine; its quiet mode further reduces the sound of some cycles without impacting performanceperfect for late at night when the partys over. No matter the choice of wash cycle, one step that homeowners can confidently skip is prerinsing sticky dishes in the kitchen sinkanother water-saving plus and a win Bradley witnessed herself when she first tried the DishDrawer in Fisher & Paykels showroom. Wed cooked risotto with Parmesan cheese, vegetables, scallopsa full meal, she recounts. But when, out of habit, she went to give her plate a quick scrub before loading it in the machine, the design team shut off the faucet. They said, You dont need to do that. Just put the plate in as is, and it will come out clean. True to their word, the technology that controls how the products motor balances water temperature and power, detergent and airflow throughout the wash cycle produced spotless dishes. I was blown away by the outcome, she says. The units top drawer fits dinner plates up to 12 inches with adjustable racks. Courtesy of Fisher & Paykel The top drawer of the double unit fits dinner plates up to 12 inches, with adjustable racks to add larger cookware and grips that secure delicate drinking glasses. Thats such a cool little feature, one of my personal favoritesI cant tell you how many times Ive broken a wine glass in my old machine, says Bradley. Other amenities include durable, easy-to-clean stainless steel interiors; a spray arm sensor that halts the wash cycle when the occasional rogue spoon slips out of place and causes a jam; and a convenient knock-to-pause capability that does just what it says. If youve started the wash and you realize theres a dish you forgot to put in, just knock on the front panel to pause the cycle, open up the drawer, add the dish, then resume by pressing the start button, says Bradley. Wash cycles can also be stopped and started remotely via Wi-Fi by using Fisher & Paykels SmartHQ app, which is set to launch later this year. Our mantra is that the DishDrawer is the ultimate cleaning solution, says Bradley, who emphasizes that Fisher & Paykel pioneered the dishwasher-as-drawer concept way back in 1996 and was the first to market with it. Shes renovating her own kitchen right now and is planning on adding the stainless steel double-drawer Series 11 model to her farmhouse-chic space. Whether its for quick, top-drawer-only cleanups after weeknight dinners with her husband or double-duty wash cycles when their grown kids come home for the holidays, shes looking forward to how adaptable the DishDrawer will be to her familys needs. The flexibility is amazing, says Bradley. I cant wait. This story is a paid promotion and was created in partnership with Fisher & Paykel. Homepage image: The DishDrawer by Fisher & Paykel | Courtesy of Fisher & Paykel (Bloomberg) -- India, the worlds second-biggest tea producer, will likely fail to take advantage of an export gap in the global market sparked by Sri Lankas economic crisis, according to a top grower. Most Read from Bloomberg The chaos in Sri Lanka could cut tea supplies by about 40 million kilograms in 2022, said Azam Monem, director at Mcleod Russel India Ltd., one of Indias largest growers. While India has been touted to fill that gap, its unlikely that it will be able to do so due to the high costs involved, Monem said. Sri Lanka mainly produces orthodox tea, which tends to be harvested and processed by hand. It is popular with tea drinkers in Russia and some eastern European countries. Production costs are generally higher for orthodox tea and the output process might cause crop losses, according to Monem. Local producers are reluctant to spend money to upgrade their output process on worries that the window to sell more orthodox tea would be available only for a limited period. Non-orthodox tea made by machines that crush, tear and curl, or CTC, accounts for about 85% of domestic output, according to Prabir Kumar Bhattacharjee, secretary general of the Tea Association of India. The cost to produce orthodox tea is 20 times more, Bhattacharjee said. READ: How Sri Lanka Landed in a Crisis and What It Means: QuickTake It would be difficult for the company to invest in upgrading its production process without government support, Monem added. Still, it aims to boost output of orthodox tea to as much as 12% of total production from 8% to 10% now. Indias overall tea exports are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels due to payment issues with Russia and Iran following U.S. sanctions, said Atul Asthana, managing director of plantation firm Goodricke Group Ltd. Both Russia and Iran are major buyers of Indian tea. Story continues He added that some shipments of Goodricke are stuck due to the war in Ukraine. Its also unable to ship to Iran because of sanctions. Indias exports sank 6.8% in 2021 from a year earlier to 195.5 million kilograms, data from Tea Board India show. Shipments totaled 252.15 million kilograms in 2019. (Updates to add details in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Formerly known as food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most important anti-hunger initiative in America. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP provided food security to about 41.5 million people in 2021, with an average benefit of $218.14 per person. Recipients use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to receive funds and make purchases, and they can use those cards to buy a whole lot more than just standard groceries. Here's a look at some of the more unusual things that SNAP will pay for. Find: SNAP Benefits Available in Your State in 2022 SNAP Schedule 2022: April Payments Twin Design / Shutterstock.com Energy Drinks Some, at Least You can use SNAP funds to buy energy drinks, but only if they meet the USDA's strict standards. If the energy drink has a "nutritional facts" label, it makes the cut, according to New York SNAP EBT. If it has a "supplemental facts" label, it's considered a supplement and cannot be purchased with EBT. That means Red Bull, Rockstar and Starbucks Double Shot make the grade, but 5 Hour Energy, Bang Shot and Tweaker do not.POLL: How Much Do You Expect Your Tax Refund To Be This Year? Feyyaz Alacam / Shutterstock.com Coffee and Tea the Kind You Make Yourself You can use SNAP to buy packaged coffee not to mention creamer and that includes Keurig-style K-cups. You cannot, however, buy coffee that's ready to drink. If you're thinking that you'll make your own coffee at home and just switch to tea when you're out, that won't work either. Tea, too, is limited to packaged and unbrewed because the USDA doesn't allow SNAP funds to be used to buy any hot beverages. CSNafzger / Shutterstock.com Hunting and Fishing Gear But You Have to Live Way, Way Out There Even if you live in a rural area and kill what you eat, you can't just swipe your EBT card to pick up a new fiberglass rod at Bass Pro Shops but hunting and fishing gear is SNAP-eligible for a very specific and very tiny population. According to the USDA, some residents in the most remote parts of Alaska rely almost exclusively on hunting and fishing to feed their households because of the extreme difficulty involved with buying food at stores.The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services gives qualifying households special identification cards. They can't buy guns and ammo, but they can buy things such as nets, rods, harpoons, lines and knives. Story continues hapabapa / iStock.com Restaurant Meals for Certain People in Certain Places You can't use SNAP to pay for dine-in restaurant meals unless you qualify for the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) and live in a state that participates in it. RMP serves vulnerable populations like the elderly, people experiencing homelessness and the disabled.Participating restaurants must offer meals at "concessional prices" to qualifying diners.While it's not as limited as Alaska's subsistence hunting program, very few states participate in RMP. It's available all over California, Arizona, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia, as well as in select counties in Rhode Island. Good Question: Does KFC Accept SNAP EBT Cards? Kyselova Inna / Shutterstock.com Seeds and Plants The USDA allows SNAP recipients to buy edible plants like basil or food-producing plants like tomato plants with their EBT cards, as well as seeds for growing their own food. The USDA says you can grow $25 worth of produce for every dollar spent on seeds and fertilizer, yet Modern Farmer says this important inclusion is one of the least known parts of the whole SNAP program.You can use your EBT card to get seeds and plants at any SNAP-approved retailer, including farmer's markets. Walmart.com Gift Baskets Depending on What's Inside The USDA allows you to spend SNAP funds on gift baskets and similar purchases as long as at least half of what's inside is edible. Even if they contain eligible edibles, nonfood items such as toys, stockings and tins don't count if "the value of the non-food part of the item clearly accounts for more than 50% of the purchase price," according to the USDA. The agency gives the example of a stuffed holiday bear that comes with a small package of chocolate: That won't count. A gift basket containing mostly meat and cheese, however, would be acceptable. Stephanie Botkin / Shutterstock.com Live Lobsters Like tobacco, alcohol, vitamins and medicine, live animals are on the USDA's list of items that you can't buy with SNAP benefits. There are, however, a few rare exceptions, including shellfish, "fish removed from the water" and "animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store."That means that, while you can't use your EBT card to buy a puppy from a pet store, you can use SNAP to buy a lobster to bring home to meet its unfortunate fate on your kitchen stovetop. dontree_m / Getty Images/iStockphoto Snacks of All Kinds Most people probably know that SNAP recipients can use their EBT cards to buy household grocery staples such as meat, milk, eggs, vegetables and bread, but what's not as well known is the long list of snacks that are on the USDA's approved list. It includes everything from marshmallows and marzipan to pudding and popsicles. Cakes, pies, doughnuts, muffins, pastries and all sorts of other things cakey and flaky make the list, as do chips, crisps, popcorn and finger food of all stripes. Ice cream, candy, chocolate, custard, scones, churros and much, much more all get a pass from the USDA in fact, if a kid can dream of it, chances are good SNAP will pay for it. More From GOBankingRates15 Worst States To Live on Just a Social Security Check 7 Things Every Woman Should Know About Social Security 4 Easy Ways To Avoid Wasting Money During Retirement 10 Ways To Build Wealth Fast This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Surprising Things You Can Buy With Food Stamps Cooking with gas One of Germany's biggest energy firms has said it is preparing to buy Russian gas using a payment system that critics say will undermine EU sanctions. Uniper says it will pay in euros which will be converted into roubles, meeting a Kremlin demand for all transactions to be made in the Russian currency. Other European energy firms are reportedly preparing to do the same amid concerns about supply cuts. Uniper said it had no choice but said it was still abiding by EU sanctions. "We consider a payment conversion compliant with sanctions law and the Russian decree to be possible," a spokesman told the BBC. "For our company and for Germany as a whole, it is not possible to do without Russian gas in the short term; this would have dramatic consequences for our economy." Germany's biggest energy supplier RWE declined to comment on how it would pay for Russian gas. In late March, Russia said "unfriendly countries" would have to start paying for its oil and gas in roubles to prop up its currency after Western allies froze billions of dollars it held in foreign currencies overseas. Under the decree, European importers must pay euros or dollars into an account at Gazprombank, the Swiss-based trading arm of Gazprom, and then convert this into roubles in a second account in Russia. The European Commission said last week that if buyers of Russian gas could complete payments in euros and get confirmation of this before any conversion into roubles took place, that would not breach sanctions. However there are different views among countries on how to interpret its initial guidance, and this week EC boss Ursula von der Leyen sparked confusion when she said firms could still be breaking the rules. On Thursday, an EU official confirmed that any attempt to convert cash into roubles in Russia would be a "clear circumvention of sanctions" as the transaction would involve Russia's central bank. "What we cannot accept is that companies are obliged to open a second account and that between the first and second account, the amount in euros is in the full hands of the Russian authorities and the Russian Central Bank, and that the payment is only complete when it is converted into roubles." Story continues On Tuesday, Poland and Bulgaria both refused to pay for gas in roubles leading to Russian state gas firm Gazprom shutting off supplies. Both countries had already planned not to renew their contracts with Gazprom when they expired later in 2022. Poland - one of the staunchest advocates of tougher sanctions on Russia - said the EU should penalise countries that used roubles to pay for Russian gas. Climate minister Anna Moskwa singled out Germany, Hungary and Austria as resisting a gas embargo. "We are counting on there being consequences for these countries [which pay in roubles] and that as a result they will cease paying in roubles," she said. Russia gas exports The move by Russia - which has not given countries the same deadline to begin paying in roubles - is seen as an attempt to divide Western allies in their response over Ukraine. The majority - 97% - of EU companies' gas supply contracts with Gazprom stipulate payment in euros or dollars. Hungary and Slovakia have both said they will use Russia's conversion payment method, while German economy minister Robert Habeck said on Wednesday that it was "the path that the EU marked out for us". "It's the path that is compatible with sanctions, and as far as I understand the German companies that are doing it this way are in compliance with their contracts," he said. "Most EU countries are taking this approach." Europe gets about 40% of its natural gas from Russia, but it is much higher for some countries and sudden supply cuts could have a huge economic impact. "A lot of European companies will say OK, we'll pay into a euro-denominated bank account and there will be a back-to-back trade so they stay within the limits of the EU sanctions," said Nathan Piper, an energy analyst at Investec. "But there are two sides of this - those firms need to supply gas to consumers and in Germany there is no alternative to supplies of Russian gas right now." According to the Financial Times, Austrian energy giant OMV is also planning to adopt the mechanism while Italy's Eni is considering the move. Eni declined to comment while OMV denied it was opening a Swiss account with Gazprom. It told the BBC: "We have analysed the Gazprom request about payment methods in light of the EU-sanctions and are now working on a sanctions-compliant solution." Last week, an unusually late frost swept through Oregons Willamette Valley, as overnight temperatures dipped into the 20s. According to the newspaper the Oregonian, the wine-producing region could lose half of its grape crop. The buds just werent expecting to get whacked by frost in April, tweeted Nicholas Kristof, an Oregon farmer and former New York Times columnist. A frosted grape bud last week at Beckham Estate Vineyard in Sherwood, Ore. (Annedria Beckham) This is just the latest example of how increasingly unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change are threatening the wine industry. Warmer spring temperatures have caused grapevines to bud sooner, thereby exposing them to evening temperatures that have dropped below freezing. Its getting warmer in these earlier months, Steven Schultze, a professor of geography at the University of South Alabama who has studied the effect of climate change on wine production, told Yahoo News. There was a pretty warm March, in comparison to normal for the region. To the grapes, they dont have a calendar, they dont know what time of year it is. Once a certain amount of heat accumulation occurs, theyre ready to rock and roll. But, he cautioned, when the buds start coming out, youve got to hold your breath until you get to the frost-free zone. At sunrise last week at Beckham Estate Vineyard, the temperature at 4 a.m. was 26 degrees Fahrenheit. (Courtesy of Annedria Beckham) Global warming has increased the number of warm days in early spring more than it has reduced the prevalence of late frosts, Schultze explained. There is an increased risk of a frost wiping out crops after they have budded. Warmer temperatures globally can happen, but it doesnt mean its never going to get cold again in every place, he said. Frosts are still going to happen in Oregon and Washington. Early budding is not the only threat to the wine industry from climate change. More extreme and volatile weather can harm crops in a number of ways. Wineries across the world face devastating wildfires, polar vortexes, torrential rainfalls, hail storms, and more in addition to the constant rising temperatures year to year, the data journalism website Stacker reported in November 2021. Story continues In 2020, Oregon wine grape producers revenue decreased 34% from 2019, in large part because of wildfires that damaged crops, according to the Oregon Wine Board. Even crops that are untouched by the fires themselves can suffer from smoke blocking sunlight. Many California wines from 2020 had their taste infiltrated by wildfire smoke. Smoke from the Glass Fire settles among the rows of grapes at Wolleson Vineyard in Napa Valley, Calif., in September 2020. (Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images) Grapes arent the only crop that can be affected by smoke, but their permeable skins, and the very sensitivity that allows vintners to produce expressive, complex wines, make them uniquely vulnerable, New York magazine recently explained. Wine grapes hate smoke from wildfires, Andrew Millison, a professor of horticulture at Oregon State University, told Yahoo News. Extreme weather events typically have a negative impact on agricultural yields. As weather becomes less predictable, then crop yields become less predictable because extreme weather can disrupt many agricultural activities, whether its when you plant, when you harvest, when you irrigate. I had all kinds of things that had started to grow in the warmth of March and then got zapped back, he added. My more tender plants had dieback from some of the late cold weather. It isnt just heat waves and wildfires; unusually cold weather can also occur because of climate change. Because the temperature difference between the Arctic and other regions powers the jet stream, and the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the Earth, the jet stream is weakened and more easily diverted. That can lead to more severe and prolonged cold snaps or rainfalls as the jet stream dips lower and lingers longer, as parts of the South experienced this past winter. And for each cold spell or rainy period, theres a heat wave or dry spell somewhere else on the other side of the jet stream. Syrah grapevines in Santa Ynez, Calif., began to leaf open last week even though the region has received very little rain. (George Rose/Getty Images) Droughts last longer and wet periods are wetter, Millison said. Cold can move farther down into the continent because of this wobbly jet stream. We have more erratic spikes in temperatures, whether its cold or hot or wet or dry. All of these conditions too much or too little rain, too much heat or cold can harm crops, especially the notoriously fragile grape. The vast majority of American wine comes from the West Coast. California, Oregon and Washington state have experienced increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events in the last few years, including an ongoing years-long drought; the weeklong Pacific heat dome, with temperatures over 100 degrees last June; and record-setting wildfires. A 2006 study found that the United States could lose 81% of its best wine-growing areas by the end of the century. (Extreme weather aside, Canada might see a relative boom in wine production, as the range of temperatures suitable for growing grapes moves poleward.) As Californias drought heads into a third year, freezing morning temperatures trigger sprinkler frost-protection systems in a vineyard located along the Santa Ynez River on April 15. (George Rose/Getty Images) But the effects of climate change on the wine industry are not limited to the West Coast. All across the world, agricultural yields are expected to diminish as climate change causes more extreme and unpredictable weather and water shortages, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In 2020, Frances Burgundy region, which is legendary for its wine, experienced an early spring that was followed by unseasonable frosts that damaged grapes on the vine, the Guardian reported. The nearby region of Alsace has seen a shortened grape-growing season and an earlier harvest. Parts of Spain may become too hot to produce wine at all. Wine-producing countries such as Australia and Greece have also seen widespread wildfires in recent summers. We have so many of these time-tested places that we think of when we think of wine, Schultze said. Were going to have to start questioning where our favorite wine comes from and start thinking about other places. Water is sprayed in a vineyard to protect blooming buds and flowers from the frost in the Burgundy region of France earlier this month. (Thibault Camus/AP) On top of all this is the effect of not just global warming but the greenhouse gases that are causing the warming. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased from 320 parts per million in 1960 to 420 parts per million today. Since plants take in carbon dioxide, studies suggest that if carbon dioxide concentrations continue to increase, it will affect grapes by causing faster growth, more sugar and thicker skin, which will change the flavor of wine. Even northern U.S. states that are expected to produce more wine as they warm up are seeing the downsides of climate change in their vineyards. Last year, Michigan vineyards reportedly experienced losses from post-budding frosts in the spring and heavy rains an increasingly prevalent problem in the Great Lakes region in the fall. [Climate change] brings problems everywhere, just different problems to different places, Schultze said. _____ Global temperatures are on the rise and have been for decades. Step inside the data and see the magnitude of climate change. Gender and Society, April 18, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1177/08912432221089637 Abstract Drawing on the narratives of young lower-middle-class women employed in cafes, call centers, shopping malls, and offices in Delhi, India, in this paper I identify malleability or plasticity of the body as an important feature of contemporary service work. As neophyte service professionals, young women mold themselves to the middle-/upper-class milieu of their workplaces through clothes, makeup, and body language. Such body plasticity can be experienced as enabling: Identifying with the image of the New Indian Woman, young women enter the bourgeoning service economy. However, they also experience this body plasticity as threatening; bodily changes to meet the requirements of work can, at times, feel inauthentic as well as be read as promiscuous by others. I draw attention to how women appraise plastic bodies as both generative of change and a site of labor discipline, thus offering insights into the relationship among bodies, social inequalities, and contemporary service work. Keywords: bodies, service work, gender, class, India In August 2016, when conducting fieldwork for research on womens employment in services in Delhi, I walked into a cafe for a break. As I stepped into its air-conditioned premises, two workers behind the till greeted me with big smilesGood morning, maam1; Sheela and Prachi became two of my early and key interlocutors. We started hanging out at food stalls and in markets after working hours, when possible. Sheela and Prachi would change out of their work uniforms and into jeans and tops for these outings, more than once commenting on how they disliked traditional Indian clothing. Although most of their income went into household expenses, they could save some pocket money and buy Western wear, modeling themselves after the urban, modern, and professional image of the New Indian Woman. In tandem, both asserted that they are in employment because they want to be. But as our relationship outgrew that of customer and workers, they also started expressing dissatisfaction with their work environment. After Prachi quit her job over an argument with the cafe manager, she remarked that she really disliked having to keep a plastic smile on the whole day. In this paper, I engage with corporeal changesincluding clothing, makeup, and body languageamong young women workers in the new service economy of Delhi, India, emphasizing workers appraisals of these changes. Globally, the emergence of new forms of service work has generated a new workforceyoung, female, aspirationalto meet the needs of middle- and upper-class consumers (Freeman 2000; Otis 2011; Radhakrishnan 2011). The bodies of these neophyte workers require molding to fit into the urban, consumption-driven, middle-/upper-class milieu of their workplaces, ranging from hotels, cafes, and shopping malls to call centers and offices. To what extent do workers willingly, and even enthusiastically, comply with these requirements, perhaps initiating body projects as signs of aspiration and upward mobility (Baas and Cayla 2020)? Conversely, to what extent do workers critically reflect on, and perhaps even resist, the compulsion to become bodies for consumption in service work (Casanova and Jafar 2016)? What do these negotiations reveal about the changing pressures on womens bodies in relation to new labor practices? Based on my research with young lower-middle-class women working across cafes, malls, and offices in Delhi, I show that young women workers are conscious of and reflexive about new body rules (Otis 2016, 156) as emerging labor practices in urban India. That is, they do not comply with bodily changes in a straightforward manner. Rather they recognize, instrumentalize, as well as criticize changes to their bodies in accordance with their settings. I draw upon my interlocutor Prachis formulation plastic smile to develop the analytic of plastic bodies to understand young womens reflections on their sartorial choices and modifications to their comportment and deportment in the context of socioeconomic change in urban India. The term plastic has, of course, been widely used in reference to bodies and bodily practices, particularly those of women. Popular discussions about plastic surgery, for example, demonstrate the entanglement of womens bodies, consumer choices, and modernity (Edmonds and Sanabria 2014; Jordan 2004; Taeyon Kim 2003). The plasticity of womens bodies is also reflected in the evolving images of the Modern Girl (Weinbaum et al. 2008) and the New Woman (Dhawan 2010; Lau 2010; Oza 2006), figures that represent ideals of modernization and globalization. Historically, a key aspect of these constructions has been womens professionalization, including most recently their entry into new service work, or what has come to be known as pink-collar work. Whereas emotional labor (Hochschild 2003) is commonly identified as a key characteristic of such pink-collar work (Freeman 2000), in this paper, I draw attention to the requirement for malleability of womens bodies to meet the needs of middle- and upper-class consumption (Otis 2011). Wolkowitz (2006) cautions against the tendency to view bodies as infinitely malleable, highlighting the exhaustion and injuries incurred by bodies at work. In this paper, I suggest plastic bodies as a wider conceptualization to account for (1) body malleability, (2) its limits, and (3) workers appraisal of the same. This wider conceptualization, then, encapsulates the mechanisms through which the body expresses its social, organizational, and historical location as well as the agency of the body and its material capacities (Otis 2011, 15). In the way Prachi uses the word plastic, she refers to the synthetic nature of the ever-present material plastic. For Prachi, the plastic smile was laborious not only because it involved a modification in her appearance but also, and especially, because it was a forced modificationthat is, she had to smile even though she did not feel like smiling. Similarly, other modificationsmakeup, clothing, body languagewhich may enable entry into service work but not necessarily into better working conditions or better lives, indicate the synthetic or plastic nature of processes of modernity and globalization in urban India. I draw upon the philosopher Malabou (2010) (also see Dalton 2019; Malabou and Butler 2011; Sanabria 2016) to understand plasticity as a simultaneous possibility of construction and destruction: plasticity is as much a resistance to change as it is an openness to it (Crockett, foreword to Malabou 2010, xiv). On one hand, plasticity of form offers potential for being changed as well as effecting change. On the other hand, it generates fear of being found out as plastic, threatening status and respectability. Conceptualizing plastic bodies as both malleable and synthetic, I draw attention to the ways in which women service workers negotiate body projects in urban India. The paper is structured as follows: I first explore the role of bodies in service work, focusing on how the expectation of malleability from womens bodies is a specifically gendered mechanism of labor discipline. Next, I provide an overview of the expansion of service work in post-1990 India, highlighting the uneven terrain of socioeconomic change, and elaborate on the position of the New Indian Woman in services. I then present findings from my research with young lower-middle-class women in Delhi, highlighting how they deploy plastic bodies to establish themselves as respectable professionals, deriving pleasure and confidence from the process. However, changes to their bodily comportment are continually under threat of being read as promiscuous and/or inauthentic, thus generating anxiety. In the conclusion to the paper, I discuss an expanded concept of plastic bodies drawing upon workers appraisal of emerging body rules in service work in urban India. Malleable Bodies at Work The global expansion of service work has led to new conceptualizations of the relationship between bodies and work. On one hand, researchers note the emergence of emotional labor or exchange of emotions, made visible through facial expressions and body language, for wages (Hochschild 2003), as reflected through Prachis comment on having to maintain a plastic smile at the cafe. On the other hand, researchers explore the expansion of body work or working on others bodies (Cohen 2011; Gimlin 2007; Kang 2010), for example, in nail bars, salons, spas, nursing, care work, and sex work. Drawing together the various approaches to the body in service workwhether an instrument for emotions, or a resource for working on others bodies, or on display for consumersWolkowitz (2006, 1) proposes the broader framework of bodies at work to highlight that the body/work nexus is crucial to the organization and experience of work relations, and, conversely, that peoples experience of embodiment is deeply embedded in their experiences of paid employment. By being attentive to this dialectical relationship between bodies and work, we can understand how social hierarchies of gender, race, class, and caste manifest and are negotiated through bodies at work. Womens bodies, traversing the world beyond the domestic, have been variously considered out of place, even dangerous (Patel 2010), inefficient, and in need of management (Edmonds and Sanabria 2014). The historical contestations over the embodied figure of the working woman, constructed in conjunction with class, caste, and race, have served to (re)produce inequalities. The incorporation of women into factory work was dominated by the discourse of nimble fingersthat women (and specifically Oriental women) are naturally inclined toward labor-intensive tasks, which do not merit higher wages because these are natural rather than skilled work (Elson and Pearson 1981). The discourse of nimble fingers, as such, went hand in hand with understanding women as cheap and docile workforce (Reddy 2007; Vodopivec 2010). In contemporary service work, working-/lower-middle-class workers are expected to mold their habitus to the dominant symbolic (Bourdieu 1977; Skeggs 2004) of the middle- and upper-class service users, compelling a nimble body as a product in itself. The body may be molded through substantive changes, such as surgical and hormonal interventions (Edmonds and Sanabria 2014; Sanabria 2016) as well as through transient modifications, such as makeup, clothing, and body language. While all forms of body plasticity are implicated in a complex web of emerging labor, gender, and class relations and aspirations, arguably the latter provide an insight into the nimble adaptation of the body to the varied settings of work, family, and neighborhoods, opening a window into the flux of body rules. In her study of a luxury hotel in Beijing, Otis (2011, 4) notes that migrant service workers . . . use cosmetics and other accoutrements in abundance to counter urban stereotypes of rural people as unclean and backward. Similarly, in the context of urban India, employability training at skills training centers in low-income neighborhoods offers personality development courses (Gooptu 2009; Nambiar 2013), which teach workers to adopt the correct body postures and body language. Otis (2011, 4) argues that the aspirational urbanism of rural workers is destined for failure: The systematic attempts to conceal their rural roots at work . . . only accentuate their rural roots. A consequence of this failure is that Female staff members struggle to defend their dignity among managers, who view them as backwards, and customers, who, assuming they are sex workers, frequently touch and proposition them (Otis 2011, 157). In other words, for women seeking to secure professionalism through body plasticity (makeup, body language, cosmetic interventions), even if plasticity is not always already a complete failure, it faces the constant threat of being read as promiscuity. Requiring self-management, especially through the outward manifestations of the body, the need to be respectable is a form of discipline in itself (Otis 2016), which may be exploited by employers to retain control over workers. However, workers may negotiate variously with appropriate corporeality or the station assigned to their bodies at work (Casanova 2013) by both adopting and criticizing, even rejecting, body plasticity. Such appraisal of plasticity has been paid relatively little attention in the emerging literature on bodies and service work. The New Indian Woman and Service Work In the three decades following the adoption of economic liberalization in the early 1990s, Indias service sector has become the largest contributor to the countrys Gross Domestic Product, as well as one of the fastest growing service sectors in the world (Economic Survey 201718 2018). Work in relatively new urban workplacessuch as shopping malls, cafes, call centers, telecoms, and e-retail companiesis distinct from older forms of service work in terms of its ethic and practices. The tenets of professionalism, entrepreneurialism, and consumerism characterize such new service work, which may be particularly attractive for women workers seeking respectability through employment. This is reflected in the concentration of women in service work in urban areas even as the overall female labor force participation rate is low.2 These workers engage with the subjective construction of the New Indian Woman who is no longer only family oriented but is also seeking empowerment through work (Dhawan 2010; Lau 2010; Oza 2006). As market demand draws young women into work, their public presence becomes desirable as a symbol of modern and global India (Ganguly-Scrase2003; also see Hanser 2005). While a number of studies explore middle-class womens entry into information technology and related services (see, for example, Radhakrishnan 2011; Upadhya 2011), particularly in emerging urban IT hubs (such as Bangalore), there is relatively limited scholarship on women from working-/lower-middle-class backgrounds largely employed in the low end of emerging service work. Constituting a young, malleable, and relatively inexpensive workforce, these neophyte workers seek training to become service professionals. Responding to the class gap in the backgrounds of workers and the new requirements of work, training centers offering employability skills courses have mushroomed in urban settings. Fernandes (2000, 92) notes that these courses prepare students to engage with a distinctive class culture that characterizes corporate settings . . . [through] acquisition of manners, taste and style, the symbolic capital (Bourdieu 1984) perceived as necessary for an upwardly mobile middle class individual. In popular discourse, these workers make up an emerging New Middle Class. However, as various scholars have noted, with low pay, insecure contracts, and limited bargaining power in private service work, workers encounter significant discrepancies between the discursive construction and the realities of the New Middle Class (Dickey 2012; Fernandes 2000; Lukose 2009; Upadhya 2011). In this context of changing market demand and relatively unchanging conditions of life, young women must navigate body rules at multiple stations. Through her study of women call center workers in Mumbai, Patel (2010, 4) points out that As global customer service workers, women must now traverse the nightscape and, therefore, negotiate judgment, disdain, and violence as women out of place (also see Ong 2010, 179-94). Similarly, in Vijayakumars (2013, 778) study, women working at a small-town BPO (business process outsourcing) center near Bangalore in India, distance themselves from both old-fashioned housewives and promiscuous urban call center girls. These studies highlight the gendered experiences of the new economy in urban India, where women are desirable as resource and symbol, but are also a source of moral threat. As the service sector continues to expand in urban India, it provides a rich context in which to examine the role womens bodies and appearances play in both reinforcing and challenging social hierarchies at work (Talukdar and Linders 2013). I use the analytic of body plasticity to further elaborate on gender and class inequalities in urban India. Methods, Participants, and Settings This paper is based on ethnographic research with young women working in new services in Delhi; the project explores changing gender and class relations in the context of socioeconomic change in post-1990 India. The first stretch of the ethnography was conducted between August 2016 and May 2017, with follow-up visits in December 2017 and July 2018. Following the conclusion of the project, I have maintained contact with the interlocutors through WhatsApp, thus continuing long-term ethnographic engagement. The selection of Delhi as a site for this research was determined by multiple factors: (1) As the capital and a worlding city (Roy and Ong 2011), Delhi is emblematic of urban transformations, characterized by discourses of growth, development, and modernization, in post-1990 India; (2) in recent years, particularly following the gang rape of a young woman, Jyoti, in 2012, Delhi has also been the site of extensive discourse on gender and class (Roychowdhry 2013); and (3) although I was not previously intimate with Delhi, I had the advantage of shared languageHindithat eased my access to and in the city. The study was conducted primarily in South Delhithe diverse landscape of the area, featuring several expansive malls, high-end markets, and office buildings, along with posh residential areas as well as low-income neighborhoods, provides an interesting site for the exploration of uneven urban development. The study of womens work in contemporary India has been informed largely by surveys, subject to macro-data analysis, with relatively rare use of ethnographic method (John 2021, xxix). To understand the complexities of womens decision making about work, experiences of paid work, and movement between paid and unpaid work, I conducted an ethnography of womens lives situated in the context of socioeconomic change. I found interlocutors through two main avenues: (1) by spending time in a cafe, initially as a customer and eventually introducing myself as a researcher to the cafe employees, and (2) through several non-government organizations (NGOs) and skills training centers providing education and employability training to young people. Although I had initially hoped to situate myself in a workplace, as is conventional with ethnographies of work (Smith 2001), my early observations revealed that women circulated among various kinds of short-term jobs in cafes, shopping malls, call centers, and offices. I therefore decided to follow their working lives rather than paid work in isolation (Islam 2021, 2022). The initial contacts I gained through the cafe, NGOs, and skills training centers introduced me to their friends, including colleagues, neighbors, and old school friends. In some cases, a friend was all of these together, indicating networks through which women shared resources and found work (Andrew and Montague 1998; Green 1998). Having established an ethnographic group in this way, I spent time with the interlocutors at their workplaces, in public places such as shopping malls, street side food stalls, and parks, and occasionally at their homes, thus encompassing sites of work, leisure, and family. I prepared field notes based on informal conversations and observations with the interlocutors, their colleagues and managers, and their families. These were supplemented by 38 semi-structured interviews, which were distributed as follows: (1) 18 interviews with women between the ages of 19 and 23 years (all unmarried) employed in private service work who formed the core ethnographic group; (2) 17 interviews with women between 24 and 35 years (8 married, 9 unmarried) employed by NGOs; and (3) 3 with managers of skills training centers. By keeping the ethnographic group small, I was able to foster trusting and long-lasting relationships with the interlocutors, leading to the production of rich ethnographic data, including on sensitive topics of familial control, intimate relationships, and sexual harassment. Although a larger number of interlocutors could have enabled comparisons of age, marital status, religion, and so on, it would have been at the cost of ethnographic depth. In this paper, I draw primarily on the ethnographic research and interviews conducted with young unmarried women between 19 and 23 years of age and living with their families in one-bedroom flats in the adjoining low-income neighborhoods of Dakshinpuri and Khanpur. The interlocutors were either employed or had been employed in the last 6 months, across call centers, cafes, malls, and offices. They earned between Rs. 8000 and Rs. 12,000 (GBP 80120) per month, close to the minimum wage for semi-skilled workers in Delhi in 20162017. The interlocutors identified as urban women, having grown up in Delhi. They highlighted their urbanity to distinguish themselves from dehaati or rural people primarily on the basis of their education, appearance, and attitudes. All the interlocutors had completed school to Class XII (pre-university level), and most were enrolled in undergraduate degree distance learning programs offered by Delhi University (DU) and the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). This is a higher level of education than attained by the previous generation in their families, which has become necessary to gain a competitive edge in the demanding world of service work in Delhi. Although unlike women who migrate from rural to urban areas for service employment (as is the case in the study by Otis 2011), they did not have to counter stereotypes of rural people, they nevertheless tried to shed their class backgrounds. They described themselves as middle in terms of class, using the term to reflect their in-between position between the poor and the securely middle class. While I could claim affinity of gender, nationality, and language with my interlocutors, our class difference was obvious. On some occasions, it provided fertile ground for discussions of classsome interlocutors described me as high class, evident through my manners, appearance, and my residence in the United Kingdom. All of them addressed me as Maam. Rather than obliterate this difference in favor of establishing an insider position as a woman, I engaged in and encouraged these discussions. This approach is also reflected in my analysis, where I rely on these young womens interpretations of their own lives, rather than impose unfamiliar categories or frameworks on their narratives (Oakley 2016; Sosulski, Buchanan, and Donnell 2010). Plastic Bodies in and Beyond Workplaces Pants, Shirts, and B-grade Work In initial days of fieldwork, I got in touch with an NGO that runs literacy and education programs for young girls who have dropped out of formal/school education. At the time, they had a center in Khanpur, which I started attending to gain a sense of the neighborhood. Over time, I got to know Aradhna, who was the teacher in charge of the Khanpur center, and I developed some familiarity with the students who attended the center regularly. On one occasion, Aradhna offered me an opportunity to speak to her students about my research. I started by describing my interest in womens participation in new service work and mentioned that I would like to meet women who are employed in malls, cafes, offices, and the like. One of the students said that her elder sister, Jahanvi, works in Select Citywalk mall, an imposing and well-known mall in the heart of South Delhi. Another one admiringly quipped She wears pants and shirt to work, right? The job in the mall, all the girls agreed, requires quite a makeover; women of Khanpur and Dakshinpuri change their bodily comportment to become professional working women. After the class, I accompanied Aradhna to a food stall, and we had a wide-ranging discussion about Khanpur, womens work, and gender equality. Aradhna had been working in Khanpur and Dakshinpuri for almost 6 months by that time. Part of her job was to encourage families in the area to send their daughters who had dropped out of school to literacy classes. Through this door-to-door mobilization, Aradhna had gained extensive knowledge of the neighborhood. She told me that men in the area are mostly self-employed as electricians, plumbers, and auto drivers, while women work as domestic help and cooks in private households. The average family income is around Rs. 15,000 (GBP 150) per month. This job profile for women seems to be changing though, she added, with younger women choosing new professions. Aradhna said that one can tell by the way young women dress up that they work in a mall. They wear Western clothes and makeup to look sophisticated. It is common for them to enroll in personality development classes at local training centers to learn to be professional. One of my interlocutors, Priya, who had previously worked for a call center and attempted job interviews at McDonalds and an insurance company, told me that her general employment training course at one such center included instructions on body language: They told us how to behave when we go [for interviews], you have to wish good morning or good afternoon, you have to maintain eye contact and look straight ahead, dont move your arms, stand perfectly, shoulders should be straight. These changes to comportment, Aradhna said, are hyper-visible in the neighborhoods due to their newness. Aradhna also told me she had a friend who used to work in event management, putting on shows at malls. Such events often hire women to promote products and services. These women, Aradhna said, are used as bodies: They are dolled up with lots of makeup and wear dresses that are rented out by the event management company. They are not paid per hour but according to who performs best by attracting the most customers, so they could earn anything from very little to a substantial amount for a few hours. Aradhna was critical of this work; she said she does not like the idea of womens bodies being used to sell products/services. One of my interlocutors, Chandni, who had experience of doing ad hoc events and promotions work, also told me that she is wary of such work. On one occasion, she was offered an events job for a few days, but when she turned up at the venue, she disliked the environment. She discovered that it was a B-grade event and they had employed B-grade girls, implying that it was not respectable work; Chandni decided not to return to that work. These varied reflections by Aradhna, Priya, Chandni, and the young students in Khanpur on emerging forms of work, particularly where women are desirable, are emblematic of the pressures womens bodies are subjected to in the new economy. On one hand, the bodily modifications necessitated by employment in malls, cafes, offices, and the likechanged appearance and body languagedemonstrate respectable professionalism. On the other hand, the explicit use of womens bodies for profit is frowned upon. Indeed, the precarity of womens employment is betrayed by the fineness of the line between professionalism and promiscuity. For young women, it then becomes necessary to negotiate an appropriate corporeality (Casanova 2013) by decoding and carefully engaging with emerging body rules in order to preserve respectability (Radhakrishnan 2009; Vijayakumar 2013). I elaborate on the analytic of plastic bodies in the following sections as an expansion of possibilities, as further constraints generated through these very possibilities, and as critical reflection on these possibilities and constraints. Plastic Possibilities I was introduced to Jahanvi through her younger sister, who used to attend the Khanpur literacy classes. In our early conversations, Jahanvi came across as a confident young woman, but as I got to know her, visiting her both at home and at her workplace, she told me she has not always been this confident. In initial days of searching for work, against her fathers wishes, Jahanvi had felt unprepared. At an interview, when she was asked to talk about herself in English, she told her prospective employer about her family. The employer reminded her that she has to talk about herself, but Jahanvi said Nobody had ever told me how to do it in the interview, like you dont talk about your father and sisters, you have to talk about yourself. She realized that she had to change her strategy by focusing on her appearance: Then the next day, I went in a black dress. I asked for vacancies, the girls there said there was nothing going, but there was a sir at the back. He asked me to come in. He said there are no vacancies, but you have a very nice face, very attractive, maybe we can keep you . . . Then he said go to our Okhla office and do the interview there, dont take tension, theyll select you, Ill call them. So, I went there and they selected me. Through her failure at the last interview, Jahanvi had managed to gather intelligence about the nature and requirements of work at the mall. She decided to wear a black dress, which was not a small change of clothes, but a deliberate change of comportment that could signal her suitability for service work. Although Jahanvi was aware that she was relying on her attractiveness to secure a job, this was her way of getting her foot in the door without having to spend time becoming fluent in English. Although Jahanvis father was initially opposed to her working in the mall, once she secured this job and started contributing a regular income to the household, his attitude about work, makeup, and Western clothes changed. Jahanvi thought that this was a response to her not doing anything wrong while working at the mall: He [my father] used to tell me off for my clothes before, hed say wear suit salwar [tunic and trousers]. Now he himself tells me to wear pants to work. Before hed tell me off for even putting on lip balm, now I dont take off makeup when I come home from work. Whereas Jahanvi had to choose her outfit every day, something that she enjoyed doing, some workplaces required workers to wear uniforms. The cafe Prachi and Sheela worked at provided branded uniforms, including t-shirts, pants, and caps. Interestingly, contrary to the understanding that uniforms make the bodies of workers invisible (Holliday and Thompson 2001), young women experienced their bodies as hyper-visible through their uniforms. Indeed, in India, uniforms have previously been associated with jobs done predominantly by men, such as drivers and security guards. For these young women, uniforms thus signal distinction, especially that of gender, by professionalizing their appearance. Chandni, who was doing ad hoc events work at the time, told me that she only started paying attention to her appearance once she started working. At school, she used to have oiled and plaited hair and she did not use any makeupan image of a simple rural girl. But once she had her own income, a substantial part of which went into household expenses, she started buying makeup out of her pocket money: With these events jobs, I can save my money and in one year, it could get to Rs.1 lakh (GBP 1000). I know, as a girl, I dont have many expenses. Cosmetics, makeup, perfume etc., I can buy in a month, and it costs quite a bit but I use it all for the next three to four months. I dont compromise on quality with these things though, for my face; I want to use good brands . . . In this conversation, Chandni expressed excitement about using makeup and explained that she does so conscientiously, thus signaling that she is not wasteful, but that she is also not cheap. For Chandni, this makeover was prompted by her desire to fit into a world that she did not completely belong in. She told me that her boyfriend, who came from a better-off family, had made her conscious about her appearance: He [my boyfriend] just comments on my look a bit, he says I wear bad color combinations, he wants me to wear better clothes . . . I saw all of these girls in his college, you know, I cant believe, I saw their shorts, their legs, their face, theyre so cute! Chandnis critical reflection on her appearance, although prompted by her entry into work, extended to life beyond work, suggesting that subjectivities formulated at work through seemingly surface transformations are embedded in broader changes in gender and class relations (Johri and Menon 2014). In part, Chandni modified her appearance to appeal to her boyfriends aesthetic sensibility. But her body work was less about being desirable to men, and more about attempting to belong in certain classed spaces. By wearing makeup, Chandni could emulate the young women in her boyfriends college, even if she did not have the resources to enter regular college education like them. Further, her boyfriends remarks, she believed, were only well-meaning and conducive for her future aspirations: after marriage too, he wants me to work. And I really like that. In this way, Chandni articulated a mutual relationship between her changed appearance and work: Her income provided her access to this new self, and this new self in turn helped her become a professional woman. Womens appearanceincluding makeup and fashionis an underexplored topic in academic scholarship, often dismissed as womens participation in or compliance with their own sexual objectification. However, for these young women, their changed appearances are connected specifically to their participation in the new economy (Hatcher 2019). Contesting the oppression/agency dichotomy, the need to assert oneself through appearances that signal belonging has been noted in the context of race in the workplace, whereby for Black women wearing makeup is a necessary part of being respected as women of color in a racist world (Dellinger and Williams 1997). Similarly, for these young women, body plasticity offers them the capacity to fit into service work, expand their future prospects, and to a certain extent, effect changes in attitudes among their families and others in close proximity to them, shaping processes of modernization in urban India. Limits to Plasticity Prachis reflection on her plastic smile, Priyas list of correct body postures, Jahanvis decision to wear a black dress, and Chandnis indulgence in makeup are all deliberate actions that young women adopt for and through their employment in service work. This self-management is significant because it sparks reflection on these changes to the body, which in turn implies that young women contend with this plasticity being plastic or synthetic. While the young girls at the literacy classes in Khanpur admiringly noted that women who work at the mall wear pants and shirts, such changes were constantly at threat of being read as promiscuous rather than professional by families and neighbors as well as by (male) colleagues, managers, and customers at work. Many young women reported community scrutiny of their changed appearance, particularly adoption of Western clothes and makeup. Neha, who worked as a sales assistant at a shop in the mall, described the unease that her neighbors caused her: That happens a lot. You get dressed, you go out in jeans and top, see the girl is roaming around . . . Nobody looks at themselves. If our parents dont have a problem, then why do you have a problem? But then I dont care either . . . Like when I used to come here for the job. People would say their girl is going out, shes started doing a job, she comes back so late at night, wonder what the area is like, she comes through lonely roads . . . all of these comments would start. And even when wed shower and get ready, for a party or something, even a little makeup, theyd say their girls are going out like this. Although Neha asserted that she does not care, such scrutiny about their new appearances made women and their families anxious. Often the result was that families restricted womens employment to workplaces that were close to their homes and offered morning shifts, thus limiting their opportunities. Women also had to carefully manage their appearance when traveling from home to work (and vice versa). When I hung out with Prachi and Sheela after they finished work, both changed out of their uniforms and dressed up in jeans and t-shirt in the cafe toilet (there were no changing or staff rooms). They did so to avoid walking in their own neighborhoods in work clothes that, while affording them professional appearance, may nevertheless invite judgment from neighbors. Women workers also had to carefully toe the line between professionalism and promiscuity to ward off sexual harassment from colleagues, managers, and customers. Deepti, who worked for a multinational cafe chain, had gone through training and transformation processes as other interlocutorslearning new body vocabulary, gaining fluency in English, and putting on makeup. In the cafe, she said she was wary of old sleazy men and druggies who try to touch the girls when they serve them. She described managing this by establishing distance from them literally by positioning her body in a way that they couldnt reach her. This management of sexual harassment was more difficult when perpetrated by managers and colleagues. Some workers reported leaving work because they did not want to make a big issue out of it, fearing that their parents would stop them from going to work completely. Others negotiated this threat by distinguishing themselves from their female colleagues. Jahanvi, for example, noted: Sir comments on them [girls in the cafe], especially on Poonam. Poonam is a hot kind of girl, shes quite an item. Sir would say, Poonam, your back looks amazing, wow! I dont understand how girls tolerate this. Shed just say, Oh sir, please dont say all this. I dont think you should tolerate so much. I told her, Poonam, dont think you wont get another job, if you dont like it you can quit. But shes still working there. If I heard so much, there must be other stuff he says to her. But Im not that kind of girl. Jahanvi also reported that her male colleagues spoke suggestively about women workers, evaluating their (sexual) worth in money, but Jahanvi asserted that she was spared these insults because she behaved responsibly at work. While sexual harassment appeared to be a common reason for women leaving work, which has implications for their progression, my interlocutors did not necessarily name it as such. Instead, they reflected on how their bodies could send the wrong signals by virtue of being working women and how they had to be responsible for managing this themselves. Young women reflected on deficiencies in their attempts to professionalize their bodies as well as on the failure of workplaces to maintain the professed professionalism in service employment. They expressed anxiety about either not passing as or passing too well as upper/middle class. Chandni suggested that her appearance differentiated her from other girls in the neighborhood; she worried that she could be perceived as dressing up to deceive people. She felt the need to come clean about her origins to her boyfriend at the time, who was from a better-off family (as is partly indicated by his familys ownership of a car): I told him [my boyfriend] everything about me, where I come from, where I belong to . . . I thought he might think the girl looks smart, her father might have a lot of money. I told him not to go by my looks. He used to take me out in his car and all . . . Similarly, although changing the way she dressed had helped Jahanvi secure a previous job, she was not entirely confident that she was doing it right. She was only too aware of the fragility of the reliance on her appearance to stay in work. She emphasized that she actually worked really hard, and that it was not just her good looks but also her charm that helped her to build relationships with customers, ensuring that they returned to the cafe. She also added that it helps that there are no other women workers at the cafe, joking that she enjoys the exclusive attention of male colleagues and customers. Her navigation between enjoying the attention of men and keeping them at a distance to avoid sexual harassment reflects the tensions inherent in body plasticity. Finally, young women also identified and reflected on the deficiencies in their attempts to professionalize their bodies as well as on the failure of workplaces to maintain the professed professionalism of service work. This is demonstrated by Prachis remark on the compulsion to maintain a plastic smile in the cafe, even when the conditions of work were not exactly conducive to smiling. Prachi had undergone 10 days of training before starting work at the cafe. This training, she suggested, created a make-believe world, not consistent with the standards at the cafe: It was so formal in the training. Shirt, pant, black shoes, socks, belt . . . I was like what the hell are you trying to do. Its only Rs.7000 [GBP 70] salary anyway. Chandni also said its so professional in the training, neighbors think were going to a good job, then we go back to our aukat [status] . . . On the job, nobody even speaks English . . . Prachi experienced this dissonance in terms of class: Although employers required her to be a professional, to speak English, and to dress formally, as one would be expected to do in a white-collar job, once at the cafe, the illusion of professionalism was exposed. During their interactions with managers, colleagues, customers, as well as friends, boyfriends, and extended families, the women recognized discrepancies between who they really are versus who they are becoming. The process of acquiring and exercising plasticity, as such, is limited by the deliberation it elicits. While engaging with emerging body rules for workers in the service economy, including body language, appearance, and attractiveness, young women also assess these rules, in terms of the meanings attached to their malleability at the sites of family, neighborhood, and work. Conclusion: Plasticity, Bodies, Selves In this paper, I explore the body/work nexus in the context of young lower-middle-class womens participation in the new service economy of urban India. This new economy demands a new kind of worker in the service of upper- and middle-class consumption. In this context, young lower-middle-class women emerge as an in-between class, which can be conveniently transformed into a cheap and malleable workforce for emerging services through the promise of upward mobility. I identify body plasticity as an important feature of women workers experiences as they seek to establish themselves as respectable professionals. They engage with body rules at the sites of work, family, and neighborhood, highlighting discrepancies between the shifting requirements of the market and the relatively unchanging expectations of family and community for young women (Fantone 2007). In the case of young lower-middle-class women workers, then, plasticity is understood in three main ways: the capacity to modify their bodies, the expression of agency through these modifications, as well as fear and anxiety regarding such modifications. As neophyte workers in the service economy, young women undertake body work, altering their appearance through makeup, clothing, and body language. While these changes are necessitated by their work, they are adopted by the workers beyond work too, reiterating the significant dialectical relationship between paid employment and experiences of embodiment. These changes, seemingly outward and transient, are experienced by workers as more than just skin-deep. Indeed, in effecting these changes, young women engage with the tensions between traditional respectability and modernity, freedom, and mobility, encapsulated in the figure of the New Indian Woman. Through their participation in service employment, young women assert themselves as professionals. Some interlocutors discussed how employment had changed their parents attitudes toward dressing up, using makeup, and going out to parties, which symbolized a transformation of the self. This embodied self, not contained in the workplace, is then expressed as agentic and assertive, highlighting how plasticity of form can be experienced as enablingthrough their capacity to change themselves, young women were, to a certain extent, also able to effect change in their surrounding environments. Although plasticity is commonly understood as boundless malleability, I show that bodily plasticity is inherently limited and limiting. At threat of being read as promiscuous, rather than professional, young women may experience this plasticity as a mechanism of labor discipline. The use of makeup, new body language, and Western clothing is accompanied by policing of behavior by families, neighbors, and the women themselves. This policing includes leaving from and coming back home at appropriate times, maintaining a respectable appearance in the neighborhood, and carefully navigating sexual harassment at work. Furthermore, the deliberate and concerted manner in which workers have to take up body projects invites reflection on the inauthenticity of belonging in the new economy. That is, young women are conscious that their makeup, clothing, and even body language is at risk of being found out as not authentic and at times feels synthetic or plastic. This understanding of plasticitynot quite artifice but syntheticadds an important dimension to the concept of plasticity by demonstrating how plasticity is contained by its own functioning. With this paper, I open up an examination of emerging body rules as a form of labor discipline in the new service economy of urban India and beyond. In particular, I demonstrate the importance of analyzing these body rules from the lenses of gender and class in the context of uneven socioeconomic change: Who are the body rules for, what does compliance with body rules offer, and indeed who can access them and to what extent? For young women from disadvantaged or marginalized backgrounds, who are part of the global service workforce, the realization of the plasticity of their body is integral to becoming professionals. Rather than suggesting that these workers are aspirational subjects who unquestioningly adopt body plasticity to participate in service employment, I present workers narratives to sketch a nuanced picture of multifarious engagements with body plasticity. Finally, I extend the concept of plasticity beyond its potential for simultaneous construction and destruction by offering an analysis of reflections that emerge through the collision of such construction and destruction. The concept of plastic bodies can be used for further studies of body/work rules, social inequalities, and socioeconomic change in varied contexts. Authors Note: Thank you to Beverley Skeggs, who first suggested the concept of plasticity for this work. Thank you also to editors Barbara J. Risman and Smitha Radhakrishnan and the reviewers for their constructive comments on earlier versions of the paper. This research was funded by the Gates Cambridge scholarship (201519) and fieldwork funding from the Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge (201617). ORCID iD Asiya Islam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1983-9944 Notes 1.All the conversations and interviews were conducted in Hindi, sometimes interspersed with English words and phrases. I translated and transcribed the interviews in English and maintained field notes about observations and informal conversations. The original use of English phrases and sentences is marked by underlining here. I retained some Hindi terms that did not have complete translatability (Young Jeong Kim 2012) and they are marked through italicization. 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National Institute of Science Education and Research : Ph.D Admission 2022 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/national-institute-of-science-education-and-research-phd-admission.htm Details of National Institute of Science Education and Research : Ph.D Admission 2022 2022-3-2 2022-4-30 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India National Institute of Science Education and Research : Ph.D Admission 2022 M.Phil/ Ph.D Admission Notification : National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar Category : M.Phil/ Ph.D Admissions 2022 Published : On March 2, 2022 By Webindia123 Editor Important Dates Online application starts from - Last date of submission of online application forms 31st May 2021 National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar invites applications for admission to Ph.D. Programme scheduled to commence from July, 2021 in the following schools of basic sciences at NISER, Bhubaneswar. 1) School of Biological Sciences 2) School of Chemical Sciences 3) School of Physical Sciences 4) School of Mathematical Sciences. 5) Humanities and Social Sciences Eligibility: Biological Sciences: 60% in Master's in any branches of Biology Life Sciences and Bioinformatics Students with Master's in any branches of Natural or Computer Sciences with interest in pursuing career in Biology Chemical Sciences: 60% in M.Sc or in an equivalent degree in Chemistry orPhysics or Applied Chemistry or Biochemistry or Material Sciences or any one of the subject Physical Sciences: 60% in M.Sc in Physics and allied fields or equivalent degree in BE/B.Tech/M.Tech Mathematical Sciences: 60% in M.Sc or in an equivalent degree in Mathematics Those appearing in the qualifying examination in 2021 are also eligible to apply. If selected their admission will be provisional subject to submission of qualifying examination certificate/mark sheet at the time of the admission. Candidates should have qualified the CSIR-UGCNET/ GATE/ JEST/ JGEEBILS/ NBHM/ INSPIRE or any other equivalent examination valid for the current year in the relevant subject of research. UGC-CSIR or any other JRF qualified candidates have to avail the fellowship directly from that organization whereas, students selected for Ph.D. program based on ATE/ GPAT/ JEST/ JGEEBILS or any other score, are eligible for financial aid (Assistantship / Scholarship) from NISER, Bhubaneswar, if selected. Age: Not more than 28 years on 1st April 2021(Born on/after 2nd April, 1991) NISER offers scholarship of Rs.25000/- for first 2 years which will subsequently be enhanced to Rs.28000/- for remaining 3 years subject to the condition that he/she fulfills all the requirements of the Institute that will be stipulated from time to time Selection Procedure The candidates are selected on the basis of written tests academic record and the performance of the candidates in the selection process The candidates among those who meet the minimum educational qualifications and satisfy additional criteria which each school may set as deemed necessary will be short-listed by the selection committee of the respective school and will be called for an interview. The selection committee of the school will recommend candidates to the Chairman Academic Council. Candidates called for the Test / Interview will be paid to and fro single second-sleeper class railway fare by the shortest route from their place of residence to the Institute / venue of the Test and Interview. They have to produce evidence (railway ticket) in support of their claim. Those who want to apply for the School of Physical Sciences will have to take a written test based on which they will be further short listed for interview Application Procedure : The application form has to be filled up online at http://www.niser.ac.in/phd-online and candidates should follow stepwise instructions mentioned to complete the application submission process. At the time of application, along with this online form, the candidate should upload soft copy of the supporting documents in favor of eligibility criteria as a single pdf file (maximum upload limit 2MB). application submission process. At the time of application, along with this online form, the candidate should upload soft copy of the supporting documents in favor of eligibility criteria as a single pdf file (maximum upload limit 2MB). Candidates intending to apply for more than one school should fill up online application forms for each school and submit separate forms with appropriate supporting documents. supporting documents. Two sealed letters of reference in the prescribed format with signature of the referee on the envelope should be produced by the student at the time of interview. NISER does not demand any entrance fee from the candidates who apply for Ph.D program. For any further details mail to cpsbs@niser.ac.in, cpsps@niser.ac.in, cpscs@niser.ac.in, cpsms@niser.ac.in, for Biology Physics Chemistry and Mathematics respectively. More Details can be available from the institute website. Contact Details Address : Administrative Officer-III (Academic Affairs), National Institute of Science Education and Research Bhubaneswar P.O. Jatni, Khurda 752050, Odisha, India Phone : +91-674-2494002/4003/4005 (Directorate) Fax : +91 (674) 2494004 Mobile : - E-mail : Contact I Website : www.niser.ac.in Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions Wisconsin regulators have approved the second piece of Alliant Energys plans to spend more than $1.5 billion to replace its coal-fired plants with solar energy. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to authorize Alliant to buy or build six solar farms at a cost of about $620 million. The projects in Dodge, Grant, Green, Rock and Waushara counties will have a combined capacity of 414 megawatts, enough to power about 100,000 typical homes. The vote comes about a year after the PSC approved a roughly $925 million investment in 675 megawatts of solar spread over six projects currently under development. Together the projects are part of Alliants plans to replace its remaining Wisconsin coal plants in the next two years, which the utility estimates will save consumers $1.52 billion to $6.15 billion over the next 35 years. Alliant also plans to eliminate or offset all carbon emissions by 2050. Commission members agreed Alliants economic modeling was robust, but Commissioner Ellen Nowak noted the clean energy transition is not without costs. There are long-term savings for customers. The hard part is the cost comes now, early on, Nowak said. While there are a lot of benefits there are also costs along the way not just monetary costs but the land use. Five of the projects are smaller than 100 megawatts, requiring only local construction permits. The commission previously approved construction of the 100-megawatt Springfield Solar project in Dodge County. The commission voted 2-1 to require Alliant to report the number of construction jobs filled by Wisconsin workers. A recent study sponsored by labor and construction groups found local workers generate more than twice the economic activity as out-of-state workers. I think it behooves us to collect the data, said Commissioner Tyler Huebner. If we ask for the data we have it. I think its in the public interest. Nowak dissented, saying it may not be feasible and that the commission has no authority to require local labor. I hope they hire Wisconsin workers, she said. But all companies should be allowed to compete. Renew Wisconsin hailed the commissions decision while warning that a federal trade investigation could delay construction and add to the project costs. Based on a complaint from a single U.S. company, the Commerce Department is investigating claims of trade violations by solar manufacturers in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, which together produce about 80% of all U.S. solar panel imports. Renew executive director Heather Allen said if not resolved soon, the investigation could jeopardize some 2,500 megawatts of solar energy development in Wisconsin. Until this investigation closes, all shipments are at risk. The biggest projects are the ones most at risk, Allen said. Ultimately that costs ratepayers more money. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Cottage Grove Village Board is considering whether to ban delta-8 THC, a cannabinoid which remains legal and unregulated in Wisconsin despite being outlawed in other states. Cottage Groves law enforcement committee discussed Tuesday night whether to include delta-8 in its marijuana ordinance, which only prohibits possession of marijuana and doesnt include offshoots of marijuana or synthetic weed. Officials ultimately decided to table discussion of the ordinance pending further input from the villages lawyers. The possible ordinance tweak would cover delta-8 products derived from marijuana plants, not hemp plants, said Lt. Matt Wagner. Were not trying to blaze a path here, Wagner said. We just want to make sure weve done our due diligence, our homework. Delta-8, which is chemically similar to the main psychoactive component of traditional marijuana, has gained widespread popularity in recent years thanks to loopholes in federal hemp laws. Delta-8 is found naturally in low concentrations in cannabis and hemp plants, and when smoked or ingested, produces a high. In states where its legal, the cannabinoid can be found in grocery stores and smoke shops. A slew of states though have moved to ban or regulate delta-8 in the last year. Even a legal weed state like Colorado has said that chemically modifying or converting cannabinoids from industrial hemp violates the states hemp law, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated delta-8 either, and has said that some delta-8 products could contain potentially harmful chemicals. Cottage Grove police have responded to two alleged overdoses from delta-8, Wagner said, adding that officers have been told to not enforce pot possession laws for delta-8 until the village has gotten more legal input. We dont want to be put between a rock and a hard spot if one of our officers makes an arrest based off the information they have and it turns out its delta-8, a legal substance, Wagner said. We dont want to inconvenience our citizens either when it comes to that, he said. Prior to a vote on tabling the item, Village President John Williams recognized officials are in a legal gray area until they further consult with lawyers. More informations always better, he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 UK based Strut records has released their final reissue of rare Sun Ra recordings of his two visits to his spiritual homeland, Egypt. "The Sun Ra Arkestra meets Salah Ragab in Egypt" documents his second trip, in 1983. Salah Ragab was an Egyptian drummer who served in the military and was in charge of all military musicians. He used his position to create the Cairo Jazz Band in 1968. He was also a good friend of German drummer Hartmut Geerken, who lived in Cairo from 1966 to 1972. Geerken hosted Sun Ra for a concert in his home, in the neighbourhood of Heliopolis, in Cairo in 1971 (that concert was featured on an earlier show, listen here: https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/105/52834.html ). Salah Ragab attended that concert but did not get a chance to meet Sun Ra until the latter's second Egyptian visit. In 1983, Salah Ragab not only got that chance, but recorded two of his compositions with Sun Ra and his Arkestra. This release also features two pieces by Salah Ragab with his Cairo Jazz Band and a third piece with a quintet led by Salah Ragab. We will hear all five pieces today. Some Platte County officials may see an increase in salary pending a performance review. These officials include the chief deputies of the offices of clerk, treasurer, assessor, clerk of the district court, register of deeds and sheriff. The deputy county attorneys salaries were also set. The Platte County Board of Supervisors OKd multiple deputy salary increases as well as set the wage for a potential election commissioner office employee during its Tuesday meeting. Zelle HR Solutions Vice President Hannah Murray said she met last week with department heads about budgets and salaries. She found they were hoping to increase the deputys salaries and set a new maximum of what they can earn. State statute says deputies have to earn at least 65% of what their elected officials are earning. The statute doesnt include a maximum amount and can be set by the county. Murray said Platte County has set its amount to 70%. The vote in front of the board was to raise it to 75%. Any increase would be based on the deputys performance, she added. "I think it would be good to go up to that 75%," District 7 Supervisor Kim Kwapnioski said. She added deputies should only go up to that amount following a performance review. Murray said while not every departments deputy is reaching that 70% percent amount, elected officials told her several of them are at that level. We will have to look at the performance and make sure its warranted to go up to that 75%, Murray said. I think I have a good enough rapport with all of them (elected officials) to be able to sit down and say, This is what weve been approved for. Lets talk through the logistics of what this person provides the office and make an educated outcome based on those (details).'" Also, any incoming election commissioner employee will earn a minimum of $15 per hour. Murray said the office has an opening and they are hoping to get someone through the door. The previous wage was budgeted for $12-$13 an hour, however, the county is not finding a viable candidate, Murray said. Although the pay increase would be more than the election commissioner's initial budgeted amount, Murray said they want to raise it to hopefully hire an employee. Platte County Election Commissioner Connie Sebourn said with two upcoming elections going on simultaneously, her office needs another staffer. I know its a tough job that not a lot of people can handle, she said. Kwapnioski said she knows after discussions with Sebourn it will be difficult to hire someone at the current wage. District 2 Supervisor Jerry Micek who is also the board chairman agreed, saying I could go to McDonalds and get that rate so I think its only more than fair (to increase it). Andrew Kiser is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at andrew.kiser@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An area calf farm received an outpour of support during an almost 13.5-hour long fire over the weekend. The fire, which happened at Summit Calf Ranch near Rising City in Butler County, resulted in damages too numerous to count, said Rising City Fire Chief Bob McLaughlin. Summit Calf Ranch is a part of Tuls Dairies and is where the business' milk cows grow and mature. McLaughlin said his department received a call of a fire at Summit Calf Ranch, located just west of Rising City, at 11:02 a.m. on Saturday. It was wind driven and had caught the bean stubble bales that they use for windbreaks on fire. It quickly spread to the corn and bean fields to the north of the calf ranch, McLaughlin said. At that time, we had two discs show up on tractors and they began discing the field in which the fire was in. We had law enforcement knocking on doors to the north and east of the fire letting them know that they would need to evacuate their houses. We didn't know if the discs would be able to control the blaze. A total of eight departments ended up responding to the scene, he added. Upon first receiving the call, they contacted fire departments in Shelby, David City and Bellwood for mutual aid. After arriving on scene they also paged Osceola and Ulysses. At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, they called for Gresham and Brainard. The fire was finally cleared at 12:23 a.m. on Sunday 13.5 hours after first getting the call, McLaughlin said. We had the fire pretty much contained, and the winds shifted on us and started a new path of destruction, he added. A total of 15 tractors and discs assisted on scene. We had local farmers bringing cattle trailers, and they were helping load the calves that were going to be in the immediate path of the fire to help load those out, McLaughlin said. We had farmers and community members with stock trailers on gravel roads and in fields, corralling all the loose calves. Farmers also brought nurse tanks and semi loads of water, and personnel was able to utilize one farmers irrigation well to fill tankers, he said. People brought out food to the scene pizza, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, water and Gatorade. Ken Potter, owner of RC Pit Stop and a volunteer with the Rising City Fire Department, said a group of women from Sweet Home Church in Osceola made sandwiches. They just came into the station with the meat and bread and started a whole assembly line. And it just worked out great, Potter said. Potter was out of the area during the day of the fire but was back that night to help out where he could. Although his business did provide some cases of water, Potter said its nothing compared to the generosity of others in the community. It was a good feeling to see people from all over the area come help out during a time of need, he added. Just the gratitude of individuals and families not afraid to help out, Potter said. Sometimes you think that's lost in this day and age. And it's good to know that it's not. We appreciate the support that we receive when we did need it, because it's not something you're worried about when you're on a scene where you're going to get your next lunch. McLaughlin said he wants the community to know that the fire department is grateful for everything theyve done, including the donations, labor and time to help first responders get the fire under control. It was gratitude, it was humbling. I'm just at a loss for words for it, McLaughlin said. It was pretty emotional, honestly, because we like to think we're out here on our own. When we have something bad like that happen, we had community members stepping up in ways that none of us even expected. And they did it without us asking. McLaughlin also thanked Summit Calf Ranch workers, the Butler County Sheriffs Office and the 911 dispatchers. "We would just like to thank all the community and neighbors, firefighters, first responders that came out to help," said Pat Klitz, a manager at Tuls Dairies. "We'd like to express our gratitude for that." According to McLaughlin, the cause of the fire is undetermined and will probably never be known. Two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation but, as of Monday, they were recovering fine, he noted. The damage from the Saturday blaze is quite extensive, and McLaughlin said he wasnt able to put a dollar amount on it. With the recent dry conditions and strong winds, a red flag warning had still been active as of Monday. According to the Omaha World-Herald, at least 15 fires broke out across Nebraska over the weekend. McLaughlin said he also wants to remind people to avoid driving around the scene of a fire or other emergency incident because that makes it more difficult for first responders to do their jobs. He added that some of their trucks almost got run off the road because drivers werent paying attention. If you're not there to help, it's more of a hindrance to us than anything having to worry about other people on the fire scene. They could potentially get hurt or hurt one of our firefighters in action, he said. Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A two-day local conference happening in Columbus this week can provide a win-win for community leaders. The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conferences bring in local, regional and state leaders to learn and network with entrepreneurs in neighboring communities, Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension educator Amanda Kowalewski said. Rural Prosperity Nebraska with a partnership from the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the CEC conferences. The meeting started Wednesday and concludes Thursday. The sessions are held in area businesses with attendees traveling across several downtown Columbus companies to learn more. We (Rural Prosperity Nebraska) partnered with the chamber to support entrepreneurs in the downtown area and also network with different resources from different community members within and around Columbus as well as all across Nebraska, Kowalewski said. She added attendees include those coming from out of state like Iowa and South Dakota, as well as folks traveling from other neighboring cities. The CEC Conference which is in its fourth year -- is also designed to educate community members on the various tools available in helping entrepreneurs grow in their respective communities, Kowalewski said. Local, regional and national presenters talk about how they found success in building their entrepreneurs in their given area. The day started at The Friedhof Building, 1270 27th Ave. Mayor Jim Bulkley talked to the attendees about several current and upcoming amenities in Columbus. Bulkley told the crowd the city has grown 8.7% over the last 10 years. He said its the largest growth outside of the Eastern Omaha/Lincoln Corridor in Nebraska. If you put that in perspective you say, Why? Bulkley said. Its because we have great industry. We have an industrial base thats amazing and diversified. Its not only in the manufacturing process but in the manufacturing product. The mayor credited the residents with helping Columbus be successful. We really are a dynamic community, he said. If you put a group of our citizens together and put a problem in front of them, we come up with solutions. Day one topics included demographic trends, enhancing the vitality of downtown, farmers markets, making a business or a community a destination, supporting entrepreneurs with temporary locations, social media, business and education partnerships and downtown housing. The attendees also participated in a walking tour of downtown. The second day will see topics regarding the importance of cultural background in business, using data to target potential service and retail opportunities, legal considerations for rural entrepreneurs, building a successful start-up town, marketing a town, creating high-quality early child care and education programs and customer service. Kowalewski said though these topics attendees can bring these different ideas to their community. Its a way to learn whats working well in their communities and what things they have tried and how they can replicate that in their own community, she said. Theyll also get some information about different resources offered across the state for starting a business or supporting businesses within your own community. Andrew Kiser is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at andrew.kiser@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Mechanicsburg Area School District has proposed a new policy addressing the need for an immediate and effective response to threats involving the district. The district also proposed updates to its existing policies for weapons, hazing, bullying and cyberbullying, emergency preparedness and response, and school security personnel. The districts new (proposed) policies update language to better match the districts procedures to threat response. These updates were prompted by changes to the Pennsylvania Public School Code ... regarding trauma, safe schools and threat assessment, Superintendent Mark Leidy told The Sentinel on Thursday. District officials presented drafts of the proposed Threats & Threat Assessment policy, and proposed revisions to the existing policies to the Mechanicsburg Area School Board at a workshop meeting Tuesday night. The board is scheduled to vote on the changes on May 10. A summary of the proposed changes, as well as full drafts of new and revised policies, are posted for public review with Tuesdays meeting agenda on the districts website. Changes According to the summary, the district developed the proposed Threats & Threat Assessment policy to address the requirements of a state School Code section regarding threat assessment at schools that includes specifications for school threat assessment teams, and threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials. The proposal prohibits any district student from communicating threats directed at a student, employee, board member, community member or property owned, leased or being used by the district. The school board would direct the districts superintendent or designee, in consultation with the school safety and security coordinator, to establish a threat assessment team and develop procedures for accessing and intervening with students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community and others. The proposal includes definitions of related terms, delegation of responsibility, guidelines, and information pertaining to students, parents/guardians and staff in such instances. As part of our threat assessment process, we often work with law enforcement to determine whether the threat is imminent or not, Leidy said. If it is imminent, we utilize trained professionals from law enforcement and our internal staff to enact an emergency response plan. For less severe threats, we have an internal process through which we grade the severity of the threat, he said. These responses can include a variety of internal stakeholders (administrators, teachers, counselors) where we implement different measures based on the level of the threat involved and potentially could lead to police involvement if necessary. In December, the district responded to an alleged threat involving a Mechanicsburg Middle School student in Upper Allen Township. Upper Allen police then reported in a news release that they were made aware that information was being disseminated through social media that a student had made threats of violence at the school on an unspecified date. An investigation was launched with Mechanicsburg Borough Police and school district administrators. In a December follow-up email regarding the incident, Leidy told district families that individuals of concern do not attend school during an investigation, which in this case, is currently ongoing. One of our biggest challenges with any situation that involves social media are the rumors that inevitably begin to emerge before we can complete an investigation of the issue, Leidy said Thursday. The threat assessment process, the involvement of law enforcement professionals and the partnership of our parents and community are invaluable in keeping our schools safe. Policy updates Proposed revisions to the districts existing weapon policy include a directive for district staff to report a student to the districts threat assessment team in instances where the behavior of a student in possession of a weapon indicates a threat to the safety of the students, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community or others. The policy was last updated in October 2013. Drafted revisions to the districts existing hazing policy include a directive for staff to report a student to the threat assessment team under the same criteria as the weapons policy draft. This policy was last revised by the district in May 2021. Proposed changes to the districts existing bullying/cyberbullying policy follow revisions to the Pennsylvania School Board Associations policy. The associations revisions instruct district staff to report a student to the threat assessment team under the same circumstances relating to the weapons policy draft. This policy was last updated by the district in May 2021. A primary update proposed for the emergency response policy is inclusion of language specific to recommend school safety and security assessments. While these are not a legal requirement, we conduct annual security assessments in-house, and we generally conduct assessments by the Pennsylvania State Police every five years or so, district officials said. The emergency response policy was last updated by the district in December 2019. Finally, the district proposes to update its policy for school security personnel to include the school safety and security coordinators annual report to the school board as specifically in reference to threat assessments. We remain confident that our threat response is consistent with keeping our students and staff safe. Through the individual situations we have experienced, we have been able to navigate threats while ensuring the safety of all students and staff, Leidy said Thursday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Talkdesk Announces Appointment of Its First Chief Information Officer Talkdesk, Inc., a global cloud contact center leader for customer-obsessed companies, today announced Jeff Haslem has joined the Talkdesk executive leadership team as the company's first chief information officer (CIO). Haslem will oversee global initiatives for the organization's security, information technology (IT), and business systems as Talkdesk shifts into its next decade of growth. Haslem joins Talkdesk with extensive experience in helping fast-growing businesses scale their technology operations. He most recently served as the first CIO for Pluralsight, a Vista Equity Partners company specializing in technology workforce development. While at Pluralsight, he led efforts to evolve the IT and data operations teams into a combined organization, powering multiple transformational initiatives to support the company's growth and go-to-market strategies. Haslem has also held senior leadership positions with Genesys, Rovi Corporation (now Tivo), Openwave, Broadvision, and Oracle. "Talkdesk has achieved dramatic growth in record time and we're positioning the company to fuel the momentum for decades to come," said Sydney Carey, chief financial officer, Talkdesk. "Jeff and his team will ensure the engine driving our operations is at peak performance, enabling us to work more effectively, speed our time to market, and deliver the best possible experiences for our customers. On behalf of all Talkdeskers, I'm pleased to welcome Jeff to the team." "The contact center space has undergone massive changes and Talkdesk has figured prominently in the disruption," said Jeff Haslem, chief information officer, Talkdesk. "I look forward to making a contribution to the Talkdesk evolution, helping manage its acceleration by further formalizing and transforming the IT and data strategy to meet the company's aggressive business goals." Additional Resources: About Talkdesk Talkdesk is a global cloud contact center leader for customer-obsessed companies. Our automation-first customer experience solutions optimize our customers' most critical customer service processes. Our speed of innovation, vertical expertise, and global footprint reflect our commitment to ensuring that businesses can deliver better experiences across any industry and through any channel, resulting in higher customer satisfaction and accelerated business outcomes. Talkdesk is a registered trademark of Talkdesk, Inc. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005373/en/ Local authorities were on the scene of a standoff situation that lasted several hours involving an armed man in Iron Mountain Lake Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning. A press release from the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department explains that deputies were investigating a report of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident in Iron Mountain Lake Wednesday evening when they were fired upon but were not seriously injured. Deputies reportedly arrived at a residence on Washington Drive shortly before 5 p.m. As deputies approached a camper being used as a primary residence, the occupant of the camper began firing shots from multiple weapons through the camper walls, the release states. Deputies sought cover and returned fire, striking the occupant in the arm, according to officials. Initial reports indicated the possibility of young children being inside the camper. The suspect reportedly supported that information once phone contact was made with him by a Critical Incident Negotiator with the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), who was on duty and responded to the initial call for assistance. MSHP SWAT officers assembled at the scene as the negotiator continued dialogue with the suspect, which lasted for more than eight hours, officials said. At about 2 a.m. Thursday morning, the 45-year-old man reportedly exited the camper and surrendered peacefully. Police said he was taken into custody on multiple outstanding warrants out of Jefferson County, St. Clair County in Illinois, and a parole violation warrant in Missouri. There were reportedly no children located inside the camper. Officials said the man was treated at a local hospital and released into police custody. He currently remains in custody, without bond, at the St. Francois County Detention Center. According to authorities, one St. Francois County deputy received minor, non-life-threatening injuries during the initial gunfire exchange and was treated at the scene. The extraordinarily patient efforts of the MSHP Negotiator, Sgt. Dwade Isringhausen was instrumental in bringing this incident to a peaceful and successful conclusion, as well as the MSHP SWAT Team and troopers that responded to assist, the sheriffs department said in the press release. Also assisting with the incident were officers from Bismarck Police, Desloge Police, Iron Mountain Lake Police, the (Bismarck) Iron Mountain Lake Fire Department, and the St. Francois County Ambulance District. The St. Francois County Sheriffs Department appreciates the assistance and efforts of all responding agencies, the department added. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Local authorities were on the scene of a standoff situation that lasted several hours involving an armed man in Iron Mountain Lake Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning. Shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, area law enforcement officers investigating a report of a leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash on Route N near King School Road arrived at a property on Washington Drive, according to a statement from the Iron Mountain Lake Police Department. During the course of their investigation, the officers gained reasonable suspicion that the property owner, a man with misdemeanor and felony multiple warrants, was on the property, police said. As the officers approached one of the campers on the property, they were ambushed by the suspect, who was holed up inside the camper, the department explained. The officers were able to return fire as they sought cover for protection. Authorities said once additional officers arrived at the location, the scene was turned over to the Missouri State Highway Patrol due to the officers being involved in the firefight and for the purpose of transparency. After an approximate nine-hour standoff, the suspect reportedly surrendered and was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of a wound. The department noted that no children were present during the altercation, and no officers were seriously wounded. One officer sustained a superficial wound that did not require immediate treatment. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control is currently investigating this incident. More information will be released as it becomes available from official sources. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The community has a chance to enjoy two free art shows on Friday. The 23rd annual Mineral Area Council on the Arts (MACOA) K-12 Art Show is Friday in the Mineral Area College Robert Sechrest Field House, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are 1,500 pieces of artwork on display from public, private and homeschool students from across the region. This years schedule differs from previous years, with the art show is being held on Friday instead of Saturday. The awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Cardinal Cafe, when winners will be announced and presented with ribbons and cash prizes. This art show is a great opportunity to see the up-and-coming talent as well as seasoned artists work, said MACOA Director Scottye Adkins. The annual art show is a cooperative effort among MACOA and local art instructors who inspire area students. Teachers select students' artwork according to grade and media, then take the pieces to MAC and help set up the displays. Because each teacher is limited to a set number of pieces entered in the show, it is an honor for students to have their work chosen and displayed. All artwork is divided into five age divisions and 12 media categories including oils, watercolor, printmaking, clay, pencil, charcoal and photography. Digital art was added for the 2022 competition. MACOA strives to support artists in all forms when possible, said Adkins. During preparation for the art show, we learned that digital artwork is increasingly becoming expected of art students who continue their education. We feel it is necessary to be relevant as we serve our art community. Artwork from students in grades K-2 is displayed, although not part of the competition. Artwork from students in grades 3-12 is judged anonymously by a pair of art educators from outside of the Parkland. Different judges are chosen annually to maintain the integrity of the contest. It is interesting to see how each set of judges has a different perspective and set of priorities, said Adkins. This makes for a wider opportunity for students as they develop their skills throughout their years of education. The art show requires a full week of preparation leading up to the day of public viewing, as well as a team to clean the field house at the conclusion of the event. MACOA offers its appreciation to community volunteers who help make this event possible each year. Financial assistance for MACOAs annual art show is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. The MAC Fine Arts Department Art Show is displayed in the Fine Arts hallway. Awards will be presented to college students on Friday at noon in the Fine Arts building hallway. The MAC Student Art Show is open to college students who took studio art classes during the current academic year. The categories are drawing, 3D sculpture/ceramics, printmaking, 2D design/color theory, painting, honors, photography and independent work completed within the school year but not assigned. Due to limited space, not all artwork is chosen to be displayed. All studio students are encouraged to submit artwork for the show. The MAC artwork is judged anonymously by an off-site artist or art educator. For more information about the art shows, contact Adkins at 573-518-2125 or email sadkins@MineralArea.edu. Pam Clifton is a contributing writer for the Daily Journal. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) With the states Republican-led Legislature still deadlocked on redistricting, Missouri now faces lawsuits in both federal and state court asking the judiciary to intervene and order a new U.S. House map before this summer's primary election. Republican congressional candidate Paul Berry III, who filed the latest lawsuit in federal court, said Wednesday that the continued uncertainty over Missouri's U.S. House districts is affecting his ability to campaign. Theres no way that I can do a poll on a district that doesnt have boundaries, Berry said. What door do I knock on? How do I take the limited amount of resources and campaign when I could be knocking on a door or targeting a voter thats not even in my district? Though Republicans control the Missouri House, Senate and governors office, they have been unable to agree on a final plan to redraw the states eight U.S. House districts based on the 2020 census. Missouri is the only state not to have at least passed a redistricting plan, though uncertainties remain in several other states. In New Hampshire, lawmakers are still trying to craft a map that will win over Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who plans to veto their first attempt. On Wednesday, a House committee recommended a new plan, though Sununu had said earlier he opposed it. Judges in Kansas and New York recently struck down maps that they said unduly favored Republicans and Democrats, respectively, though appeals are ongoing. Other states with pending court challenges include Florida, where GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed into law a map that could help GOP candidates win several additional seats. The Missouri House and Senate each approved separate congressional redistricting plans earlier this year. But the House voted down the Senate plan, and the Senate has refused to convene a joint conference committee to formally negotiate a compromise. Missouri Republicans are at odds over how aggressively to draw districts in the GOPs favor and over which communities to split while equalizing district populations. One sticking point is how to shape the 2nd District in suburban St. Louis, which is the state's most competitive seat. Berry is one of three Republicans challenging GOP Rep. Ann Wagner in that district. She also faces several Democratic opponents and a Libertarian candidate. Republican state Sen. Andrew Koenig, who authored the Senate's redistricting plan, said Wednesday that he met with House Speaker Rob Vescovo regarding redistricting but that the two chambers remain pretty far apart. I think its probably headed toward the direction of not getting a map passed," said Koenig, a Republican from St. Louis County. Lawmakers face a May 13 deadline to pass legislation during their annual session. Hearings on the redistricting lawsuits have been scheduled for May 9 in U.S. District Court in St. Louis and May 23 in the state's Cole County Circuit Court. All the lawsuits contend it's unconstitutional for Missouri to hold its Aug. 2 primary using districts based on the 2010 census, because they no longer have equal populations. Berry's lawsuit ask a court to order a new map. A state lawsuit backed by Democrats asks a judge to adopt a new U.S. House map while a rival state lawsuit by Republicans asks a judge to order the Legislature to adopt a new plan and to reopen candidate filing. Associated Press writer Holly Ramer contributed from Concord, New Hampshire. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Having celebrated the 20th anniversary of its grief and loss support group in November, New Beginnings is celebrating the 10th year anniversary of its medical equipment loan program with its own new beginning at 29 W. School St. in Bonne Terre. Kathy Grogan, who founded both New Beginnings groups, was working on moving medical equipment from their former home at Shared Blessings Transitional Homeless Shelter to the new home in the old downtown part of Bonne Terre. Her son, John, was helping his mom while wrangling his son, Roman, who was taking a keen interest in how wheelchairs might be a cool way to get around. Ill tell you, hes a mess, Grogan said, laughing. Hes into everything. But were slowly but surely getting everything in here, and the man who owns this place left behind his workbench so we could use it to store tools, and we have to paint, of course. We thought about painting the floor, but that would necessitate sand-blasting or power washing, of course, and that would take even longer. New Beginnings medical equipment focus was borne out of a need Grogan saw frequently in her grief and loss support group. There were times people would come in with equipment that really was not all that safe to be using, they would have things taped together or wired together. Our original intention was to get a few things together and if people needed them, we would have them, she said. They started small, with a few wheelchairs, some bedside commodes, shower benches, and shower seats. They had a few extender-reach grabby things to take things off of top shelves. But then somebody would come along and they would ask for something different, Grogan said. So we started looking for those things. "We accept donations of medical equipment as long as it's in decent, usable shape or that it's not going to cost us more to fix it than what we can handle doing. And people started doing it, they started donating things. It just took off and has gotten bigger than I ever imagined that it would. Grogan said they encourage people to donate what they can comfortably afford, if they can, to cover the cost of housing the equipment. There are no payrolls for New Beginnings, Grogan said. Were on a shoestring budget. If people cant afford a donation, though, the medical equipment will still be loaned. Grogan said COVID-19 created different needs than they were used to filling, as people went home after weeks or months at the hospital and needed certain equipment in a flash. She said she also thinks a lingering effect of COVID-19 is that people wanted to get together this Easter. They might have been contented to stay home for a while, but COVID-19 and the mortality and sickness it brought put things in perspective for them, I think, Grogan said. We got a lot of calls in the weeks leading up to Easter for wheelchairs and scooters and things like that, to make visits more accessible and comfortable. "It makes my heart happy, when I know we've been able to do something that's helped a family get-together, that otherwise part of the family couldn't have been there. Grogan said she also enjoys being able to come through in a pinch, when people already arent feeling well and now they have to hurry and scurry to find the equipment they need to get by. Sometimes, weve had people just need something so temporarily, and theyd rather use something that can be returned easily than rent or buy it, she said. Sometimes, weve had people use our equipment who have needed it after most of the medical stores have closed, or theyre in an emergency situation, or insurance wont come through for them, and weve been able to help them out in a pinch. There have been some generous donors, following, too, which we really do appreciate, too, since we dont make money here, but we do have operating costs. Anyone interested in donating to the medical equipment loaner program can send checks to New Beginnings, P.O. Box 132, Park Hills, MO 63601. Grogan said one of the reasons New Beginnings has been able to celebrate 15 years of grief and loss therapy and 10 years of medical equipment sharing, is her board of directors: Brenda Willard, Michael O'Neal and Francis Tilley. "I'm so proud of them, they make the groups tick," she said. The service sticks primarily to the St. Francois County area, although they have branched out on occasion. One lucky man even received a prosthetic leg in Haiti. Hed had his leg amputated, and he literally was walking on a peg leg, Grogan said. I knew some people that were going on a mission trip over there and I was able to send in the leg and it worked out beautifully, they sent me a picture of the doctors and the leg and all this and they were so excited. And it was a big thing, because it had a shoe on. It had what looked like a real foot and that foot had a shoe on. We get to see some inspiring things. Grogan said she wants more people seeing these inspiring sights, and if they have an interest in volunteering, they can call her at 573-760-3609. Sarah Haas is the assistant editor for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-518-3617 or shaas@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Charlottesville Police Department is seeking information regarding a shooting incident that occurred on Monday in the 400 block of Hedge Street. Officers have obtained arrest warrants for Charlottesville resident Timothy Wendell Chambers. Chambers, 57, is currently wanted on the charges of maliciously shooting in dwelling, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and reckless handling of a firearm. The Charlottesville Police Department asks that anyone who has any information about this incident or Chambers location contact the Charlottesville Police Department at 434-970-3280 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000. Prosecutors from Albemarle County and Charlottesville now serve as referees in right-wing campaigns to take over school boards in Northern Virginia. Whether their court-appointed jobs put them in the crosshairs of conservative groups trying to use the courts to harass and remove school board members from office is not yet clear. But the Commonwealths Attorneys from the county and the city are playing critical roles in some of the ugliest culture war battles in the country. After being appointed special prosecutor by a judge, Albemarle Countys Jim Hingeley determined that many misconduct charges made by parents against a Fairfax County School Board member were not accurate. Hingeley recommended to the judge that the case be thrown out. The judge agreed. Now, a judge in Loudoun County has appointed Charlottesville Commonwealths Attorney Joe Platania special prosecutor in the case of the Loudoun County School Board vice chair, who the conservative group Fight for Schools hopes to remove. Platania remains in an on-call status as special prosecutor in the removal case of the Loudoun School Board chair, also targeted by Fight for Schools, which was founded by a former Trump administration official. To get an idea of how mean-spirited the conservative effort to take over school boards has become, a third Loudoun board member targeted by Fight for Schools resigned in November 2021. She said she left the board because of threats against herself and her family. We guess someone in Fight for Schools took the term fight literally. In any case, physical threats against public officials puts the lie to the claim by these groups that they represent traditional family values. What Hingeley investigated and what Platania now looks into are accusations designed to lead to trials to remove school board members by parents who dont agree with them. It seems the ballot box is no longer enough. Charges of incompetence, inappropriate behavior, or some other misconduct are now the way anti-vaxxers, book censors and opponents of teaching about racism choose to go. A recall petition requires the signatures of 10% of the total votes cast in the office holders last election. But it differs significantly from a recall election in which voters decide if someone should stay in office. Instead, with the help of a prosecutor, a judge determines if the facts warrant a trial to remove the public official. A removal trial is held if they do. Like Hingeley, Platania will investigate the allegations made in the Loudoun recall petition. These include free speech violations stemming from attempts to control unruly school board meetings, as well as the boards handling of a sexual assault case at a county high school. Platania, like Hingeley, remains bound by a Commonwealths Attorneys code of conduct. If what he finds contradicts the allegations made by the people hoping to remove school board members, he is bound to tell the judge, just as Hingeley did. Meanwhile, targeted school board members must find lawyers to represent them. In earlier cases, some school board members have argued that voters elected them as decision makers, and the law requires them to make those decisions in the best interest of the school system. So, they said, making decisions cannot be grounds for removal from office, except at the ballot box. Even if this stance has legal merit, Virginias Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has made Platanias new job in Loudoun County far more complicated. Youngkin recently amended legislation passed by the General Assembly to force all members of the Loudoun County School Board to stand for re-election in November 2022, at least a year early. The governors continued groveling to anti-vaxxers, book censors and opponents of racism education leaves folks like Hingeley and Patania on the hot seat. We believe they can stand the heat by doing what the law requires. In removal cases, the state controls the narrative, not activist ideologues. This means acting in the interest of the Commonwealth of Virginia, not people who blow up school board meetings with rude behavior and violent threats. An Albany painting and construction company was fined $17,200 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for what the agency characterized as hazardous waste violations, according to a news release from the DEQ. The owner of the company, however, says the allegations are bogus. The state agency sent a formal notice of civil penalty to Fitzpatrick Painting Inc. and owner Timothy Fitzpatrick on March 11. The document alleges the painting and construction company disposed of hazardous waste on its Albany property, which does not have a hazardous waste disposal permit. The DEQ also claims the company did not determine whether the waste generated at the facility was hazardous. Additionally, the agency cited Fitzpatrick Painting without penalty for offering hazardous waste for offsite treatment, storage or disposal, using an inaccurate hazardous waste manifest. But Fitzpatrick isnt simply going to pay up. Im definitely fighting it, he said. The fines and allegations are completely inaccurate. The allegations According to the DEQ notice of civil penalty, the agency inspected the Fitzpatrick Painting Albany property on June 29, 2020. During this inspection, there were reportedly around 80 containers of various sizes containing waste discarded on the ground. There were allegedly five 5-gallon containers of unknown liquid residues. As of the inspection date, the DEQ alleges Fitzpatrick Painting had not performed any hazardous waste determinations on these unknown residues. According to the document, the company conducted a hazardous waste determination after the inspection on the five containers and discovered that four of the five contained ignitable hazardous waste. The DEQ also alleges on Nov. 24, 2020, Fitzpatrick Painting offered up waste for shipment, and a manifest shows that the company was disposing of 400 pounds of waste paint material. However the notice claims that the actual amount of hazardous waste shipped and disposed was 1,376 pounds. On Dec. 9, 2020, the manifest was corrected to reflect the actual amount of waste, according to the notice. 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 hazardous waste shipped fell under two waste codes: methylene chloride and xylene, according to the DEQ. Furthermore, during the June 29, 2020, inspection, the agency claims there were 2 cubic yards of construction debris disposed on the property, including bricks, concrete, drywall and asphalt. There was also allegedly red and white staining on the ground near the main building on the property where some painting equipment had been cleaned, according to the DEQ. The rinse water containing water-based paint was reportedly disposed on the ground. Next steps Fitzpatrick isnt going down without a fight, he said. He maintains that the claims made by the DEQ are simply not true. Fitzpatrick said he has hired an attorney. According to DEQ Public Affairs Specialist Dylan Darling, Fitzpatrick Painting filed an appeal to the case on March 31 and requested a hearing. Darling said if the case proceeds, it will go before an administrative law judge, but a settlement may be reached before then. Maddie Pfeifer covers public safety for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6091 or Madison.Pfeifer@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @maddiepfeifer_ Love 2 Funny 5 Wow 2 Sad 4 Angry 5 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Albedo is a term that represents the ability of Earth's surface to reflect solar radiation. This is the primary factor of the energy balance between the surface and the atmosphere. When snow falls, albedo changes quickly, as snow is able to reflect most wavelengths of light back into the atmosphere. Naturally, albedo fluctuates often during winter and spring in the Tibetan Plateau, which has a great impact on the surface energy balance and water cycle. However, modern weather and climate models that focus on land surfaces have struggled to parametrize albedo, or represent albedo effects as a computer algorithm. Locations that have frequent snow cover fluctuations, like the Tibetan Plateau, often have larger model simulation error than regions that do not experience snowfall and rapid melting. Satellites continue to provide new data and derived products that provide a better picture of Earth's radiation budget. With recent improvements to satellite-retrieved albedo data, corresponding author Prof. Yaoming Ma and a group of researchers from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences used satellite spectral albedo data as well as ground observed and simulated snow depth data to develop a scheme that optimizes albedo parameters at the local level using the Noah land surface model. They just published their findings in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences . The research team found that their improved albedo scheme significantly reduces model albedo overestimation throughout the Tibetan Plateau. Likewise, the new scheme closes the gap between the model-simulated and satellite-retrieved albedo data. Furthermore, the Noah model's cold air temperature bias has become less prominent, and the model also more accurately reproduces the spatial distribution characteristics of heavy snowfall. This study breaks through the limitations of the Noah model's default albedo scheme and provides a reference for improving its physical meteorological parameterization schemes by using remote sensing products, such as satellite data. Regarding future applications, Prof. Ma remarked, "Whether this scheme is universal in improving the performance of snowfall and snowmelt estimates on the Tibetan plateau, as well as its future applications, still needs further research." Prof. Massimo Menenti with the Aerospace Information Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, also a coauthor of the study, added, "The scheme combines the best of two worlds. On the one hand the capability of the model to compute, albeit with moderate accuracy, daily snow depth, which is a driver of snow albedo, and daily snow cover, which can be used to determine snow age, another driver of snow albedo. On the other hand, satellite observations provide accurate measurements of snow albedo, so that the parameterization we propose can provide accurate estimates, even though the model estimates of snow albedo and age might not be very accurate." The above research was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research program, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Dr. Lian Liu is the first author and Prof. Ma is the corresponding author. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Many Oregonians will have a possible attention grabber in the mailbox within days: their ballot. Wednesday was when the first ballots were to go in the mail for the May 17 primary election, a process that must be completed no later than May 3. Ballots cast could be coming back to county clerks as early as this weekend. "Things are heating up. It's exciting that after so many months, people will get to vote," said Jessica LaVigne, campaign manager for Tobias Read, the state treasurer running for governor in the Democratic primary. The open governor's seat is one of the top ballot battlegrounds. The 19 Republicans and 15 Democrats on the ballot will be reduced to one per party after votes are counted on May 17. Party nominees for two hotly contested open congressional seats will be decided, while a third seat in the U.S. House has drawn a strong challenge. All 60 state House seats and more than half of 30 Senate seats will be on the ballot. Only a handful have close primary fights, with the real impact coming in November when voters will decide if Democrats' supermajorities in both chambers go up or down. With closed primaries, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in each party's ballot for partisan races. The commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is on all ballots, because the office is officially nonpartisan. Websites and television stations are already becoming saturated with political ads in some areas. 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. Former House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, is the highest ranking Democrat running against Read in the race for governor. Kotek ads pop up in between most YouTube videos accessed in Democratic-heavy Eugene. While less ubiquitous, the biggest fundraisers in the Republican race for governor are also hitting screens big and small around the state. Ads from former Oregon Republican Party Chair Bob Tiernan, former House Minority Leader Christin Drazan, R-Canby, and Sandy Mayor Stan Pulliam cast state government as out-of-touch or inept and stake their claim to be the first GOP candidate to win a governor's race since 1982. A common theme with variations of intensity and sharp language is put forward in a more gentle manner by 2016 GOP nominee for governor Bud Pierce, whose ads promise that he will make Oregon "sane, secure and stable" again. In Sunriver this weekend, Democrats will meet for the Oregon Summit, the top gathering of the partisan troops. It comes one week after Republicans met in Clackamas County, near Mount Hood. The conference had been postponed earlier in the year because of COVID-19 concerns. With reports Tuesday that Vice-President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, have separately tested positive for the virus, the Democrats' political messaging will compete with pandemic news involving two of their top nationally known leaders. Attempts to lead a daily news cycle with an orderly roll out of a political agenda at a conference can be interrupted by the unexpected. Take it from Republicans. Last Saturday, the key day of the Dorchester Conference in Clackamas County, state political news was crowded by Pres. Joe Biden endorsing the reelection bid of U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby. We dont always agree, but when it has mattered most, Kurt has been there for me, Biden said in a statement Saturday. The endorsement put Biden at odds with four of the five county Democratic committees in the 5th Congressional District. Jamie McLeod-Skinner of Terrebonne won the endorsement of the Deschutes, Clackamas, Marion and Linn counties' Democratic party groups. The fifth Multnomah County has not endorsed in the 5th Congressional District race. McLeod-Skinner has said a major reason for her insurgent bid was what she and other Democratic progressives have called out as Schrader's inconsistent and tepid support for Biden's "Build Back Better" plan. Democrats backing McLeod-Skinner dismissed the endorsement as a necessary nod to party cohesion in the closely-divided House. But Biden's endorsement is sure to be rolled out when Schrader makes a scheduled appearance in Sunriver with the other three Democrats in the Oregon delegation to the U.S. House. Progressive Democrats have also groused about the late departure of incumbent U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, in the 4th Congressional District. DeFazio waited until redistricting maps had passed all legal hurdles in the Oregon Supreme Court before announcing he wouldn't run in 2022. Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle quickly ditched her reelection campaign to jump into the congressional race and was soon after endorsed by DeFazio. Only a fraction of the candidates on the ballot will survive the culling of candidates in the primary to move on to the General Election on Nov. 8. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A re-dedication ceremony for three fallen officers is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, May 3 at the Oregon State Police general headquarters, 3565 Trelstad Ave. SE, Salem. A new Fallen Officer Memorial sign honoring Albany Police Department Jason Hoerauf, Senior Trooper Maria Mignano and OSP Sgt. John Burright will be displayed during the ceremony. Weather permitting, the old sign will be taken down and the new one will be erected, according to OSP Capt. Stephanie Bigman. Hoerauf and Mignano were killed following a Sept. 4, 2001, incident where the officers were struck on the side of Interstate 5 while assisting a disabled motorist. Burright died May 4, 2021, at the Mennonite Home in Albany after a 20-year battle with disabling injuries he sustained from that same crash. Burrights name will also be added to a memorial wall May 3 at 1 p.m. at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training during the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony. In a February news release, the agency said this ceremony would be closed to the public due to public health concerns. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Fernando S. Ereneta, CFP CEO of Legacy Wealth Advisors has been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor List for the fifth year in a row in Illinois Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. The Emirates Mars Mission, the first interplanetary exploration undertaken by an Arab nation, today released stunning images of Mars' enigmatic discrete auroras, following a series of revolutionary observations that promise new answers - and new questions - about the interactions between Mars' atmosphere, the planet's magnetic fields and the solar wind. The observations include a never-before seen phenomenon, dubbed the 'sinuous discrete aurora' by the EMM team, a huge worm-like aurora that extends halfway around the Red planet. "When we first imaged Mars' discrete aurora shortly after the Hope probe's arrival at Mars in 2021, we knew we had unveiled new potential to make observations never before possible on this scale, and we took the decision to increase our focus on these auroras." said Emirates Mars Mission Science Lead, Hessa Al Matroushi. "We can obtain nearly whole-disk, synoptic snapshots of the atmosphere to investigate atmospheric phenomena and interactions. It means we are seeing discrete auroral effects on a massive scale and in ways we never anticipated." The sinuous discrete aurora consists of long worm-like streaks of energised electron emission in the upper atmosphere extending many thousands of kilometres, stretching from the dayside into the nightside of Mars. Imaged when Mars was experiencing the effect of a solar storm, resulting in a faster, more turbulent stream of solar wind electrons than usual, these aurora observations are some of the brightest and most extensive yet seen by Hope. They include elongated shapes, which may be caused by similarly elongated regions of electron energization conditions in the magnetotail. The interplanetary magnetic field is carried by the solar wind and drapes around Mars, combining with magnetism in the Martian crust to form Mars' magnetotail, a complex array of magnetic fields on the Martian nightside. Omran Sharaf, EMM project director, said, "Having additional bandwidth and resources available to us meant we could be opportunistic and focus more on the area of discrete auroras than we had originally planned. That agility has certainly paid off as we have now opened up whole new avenues of investigation into these transient and dynamic phenomena. Novel science was a core mission objective and this is certainly novel." Observations made using Hope's EMUS (The Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer) instrument range between 90-180 nanometre wavelengths. Found at a wavelength of 130.4 nm, the UV emissions imaged in the new set of observations show where energetic electrons are smashing into atoms and molecules in the Martian upper atmosphere, some 130 km above the planetary surface. These electrons come from the solar wind and are energized by electric fields in Mars' magnetosphere. Dr. Rob Lillis, EMUS team member at the University of California, Berkeley, said: "The sinuous discrete aurora was a shocking discovery that in many ways has us scratching our heads and going back to the drawing board. We have ideas, but no solid explanation for why we are observing intense aurora of this shape and at planetary scales. We now have the opportunity to re-examine prior observations of Mars by missions such as MAVEN and Mars Express to search for signatures that could flesh out Hope's new observations and perhaps help us try and unpick quite what is happening here." Electrons follow magnetic field lines, so their paths to the atmosphere are determined by the magnetic fields in this environment. The new observations made by Hope include 'draped' field lines, which don't touch the nightside atmosphere, 'closed' field lines which connect to the crust at both ends, and 'open' field lines which connect the crust to the solar wind. These 'open' field lines funnel electrons toward the atmosphere in sometimes intricate patterns, which are then reflected in the resulting UV emission detected by EMUS. Because they are spatially confined, these emissions are known as "discrete auroras". Alongside auroras defined by Mars' crustal field, the complex shapes of energised electron impact observed by Hope open up new avenues for our understanding of the way in which the combination of planetary and solar interactions impact Mars' atmospheric dynamics. Three types of aurora have previously been observed around Mars: the diffuse aurora is observed only during intense solar storms, when interactions with the highest energy particles cause the atmosphere around the entire planet to light up. In contrast, the discrete aurora is highly localised and observations made to date have appeared to bear out the theory that it is directly linked to the patchy magnetic fields produced by magnetized minerals embedded in Mars' crust. Both of these aurorae are observed on Mars' nightside, while a third class, the proton aurora, has been measured on Mars' dayside and is driven by interactions between the solar wind and hydrogen in Mars' exosphere. These three types of aurora had previously been identified, but clear global images of the discrete aurora were elusive until new observations were made by EMM's probe shortly after its arrival on Mars. Now, an increased focus on discrete aurora observations by the EMM science team has resulted in observations of this new phenomenon of sinuous discrete aurora. "Since those first observations of the discrete aurora, we have continued to see incredible new patterns of aurora that open new insights into the interactions of charged particles in the Martian atmosphere," said Al Matroushi. "There is a very great deal of new information here for the EMM science team to work with." One of three instruments on board Mars Hope Probe, EMUS' principal science goal is the measurement of oxygen and carbon monoxide in Mars' thermosphere and the variability of hydrogen and oxygen in the exosphere. Hope is following its planned 20,000 - 43,000 km elliptical science orbit, with an inclination to Mars of 25 degrees. The probe completes one orbit of the planet every 55 hours and captures a full planetary data sample every nine days throughout its two-year mission to map Mar's atmospheric dynamics. EMM and the Hope probe are the culmination of a knowledge transfer and development effort started in 2006, which has seen Emirati engineers working with partners around the world to develop the UAE's spacecraft design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Hope is a fully autonomous spacecraft, carrying three instruments to measure Mars' atmosphere. Weighing some 1,350 kg, and approximately the size of a small SUV, the spacecraft was designed and developed by MBRSC engineers working with academic partners, including LASP at the University of Colorado, Boulder; Arizona State University and the University of California, Berkeley. The Emirates Mars Mission is studying the Martian atmosphere and the relationship between the upper layer and lower regions and, for the first time, gives the international science community full access to a holistic view of the Martian atmosphere at different times of the day, through different seasons. Science data releases have been taking place every three months, with the information made freely accessible globally to researchers and enthusiasts, The Hope Probe's historic arrival at the Red Planet coincided with a year of celebrations to mark the UAE's Golden Jubilee in 2021. About the Emirates Mars Mission Announced in July 2014 by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Emirates Mars Mission has been developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), in conjunction with its knowledge transfer partners and funded by the UAE Space Agency. Conceptualized to disrupt and accelerate the United Arab Emirates' space sector through shaping a scientific community, and boosting space education in the country, the Probe aims to build the first full picture of Mars's climate throughout the Martian year. The Hope Probe reached Mars orbit in 2021, the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the UAE, which became an independent nation on December 2, 1971. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. After two years of drought, the grasses, shrubs and trees are tinder dry in El Paso County and across the state, cranking up the April fire risk to what the state would normally see in summer. Statement at the Arria-formula Meeting on Accountability in Ukraine Statement Thank you very much indeed Minister, thank you Madam Chair, and thanks to Albania and France also for organising todays discussion. We are really proud to be a co-sponsor of such an important exchange. Id like to thank all our briefers. Their presentations were powerful but they were also stark at times, appropriately so. Madam Chair, It is said that all it takes for evil to triumph, is for good men I would argue good women - to say nothing. In the face of Russias unlawful and unjustifiable further invasion of Ukraine, the members of this house of the United Nations cannot afford to say nothing. We cannot afford to stay quiet and thats why many of us are stepping in where the Security Council has failed. And we are speaking out forcefully. However, as the true horror of the atrocities allegedly committed in Ukraine come to light, disapprobation is simply not enough. As Irish Minister Simon Coveney told the Security Council last week, there are rules, even in war. And, when those rules are broken, there must be accountability. That is why timely, credible investigations are so vital. It is why evidence must be rigorously documented. It is why witnesses, victims and survivors must be supported. Madam Chair, We contend that the scope for impunity is diminishing. In contrast to 20 years ago, the International Criminal Court now stands as the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute atrocity crimes, including those happening in Ukraine. Ireland joined over 40 states to refer the situation in Ukraine to the ICC. Recognising the pressure this investigation will place on the Court, we are also committing additional funding to assist in the investigation of all situations before the ICC. We welcome the announcement by the Office of the Prosecutor that it will participate in the Joint Investigation Team on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine. That will help to ensure cooperation, coordination and collective action between the ICC and national authorities, including in Ukraine. And just today we have heard a powerful statement from the Prosecutor General of Ukraine speaking to the scale of her offices investigation of Russian war crimes. However, notwithstanding these efforts towards accountability. Notwithstanding the provisional measures indicated by the International Court of Justice, Russias aggression continues unabated. Russia has not only ignored international humanitarian law but, in the words of the High Commissioner, it has tossed it aside. From the reporting of the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms mission of experts we can now see clear patterns of violations of international humanitarian law by Russia. Evidence of such violations continues to mount, from the destruction of Mariupol Hospital by Russian airstrikes, to indiscriminate attack on Kramatorsk train station. We have seen mass graves being excavated in Bucha and elsewhere. We have heard harrowing reports of conflict-related sexual violence, which, we also must stress, can constitute a war crime. There can be no impunity for such abuse. The Human Rights Monitoring Mission has recorded over 5,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine. An appalling figure, which we know doesnt reflect yet those casualties in areas of intense fighting such as Mariupol, Izium and Popasna, where reports of abominable summary executions of civilians are emerging. Madam Chair, Ireland is fully committed to accountability for these heinous actions and for those which have yet to be uncovered. Moving ahead, as Ida Sawyer pointed out earlier, cooperation and coordination of all our accountability efforts will be key. For this reason, we want to acknowledge here today the efforts by the Group of Friends on Accountability in Ukraine to coordinate and share information on existing and emerging accountability initiatives. We welcome the work by EUROJUST and the EU Advisory Mission to ensure that domestic and international investigations are supported. And Mr Moses statement today that the Commission will be reaching out the ICC Prosecutor is also very important. As I conclude, Madam Chair, I would like to say a word directly to Ukrainian women and men who today must be harbouring doubts that justice will ever be delivered. I deeply regret that the Security Council has failed. We have failed in our collective duty to prevent conflict and maintain peace in Ukraine. We all know why. However, even as this unjustified war continues, there are those amongst us who will not stop trying. There are those who will continue to demand justice for the crimes committed. I want to recall the words of the great Nelson Mandela who remarked it always seems impossible until its done. From Rwanda to Cambodia Bosnia to Sierra Leone accountability for such crimes once may have seemed impossible, until it was done. Rest assured that Ireland will work tirelessly to ensure that you, the women and men of Ukraine, that you too obtain justice. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes will be held to account. We owe you nothing less. Thank you. Previous Item | Next Item Statement at the UNSC Briefing on the Great Lakes Region Statement Thank you, Mr. President, Thank you Special Envoy Xia for your briefing. My thanks also to Executive Secretary Caholo and Mr. Dinesh Mahtani. I would like to focus on two areas today, the importance of regional cooperation, and the challenges, which must be addressed if peace and prosperity is to be delivered to the Great Lakes region. Mr. President, The PSC Framework remains central to a lasting and sustainable peace in the Great Lakes. The resumption of meetings of the Regional Oversight Mechanism in February is a significant welcome development. The reaffirmation by signatory countries of the goals of the Framework and its ongoing implementation is also very welcome. Special Envoy Xia, your report outlines encouraging examples of steps being taken to normalise relations through diplomatic outreach and dialogue and my country would like to welcome progress in this regard. The DRCs accession to the East African Community is an important step in terms of greater regional economic integration and cooperation. Ireland knows first-hand the benefits of regional partnership and cooperation in building peace and prosperity, and we hope that membership of the East African Community will lead not only to stronger economic ties, but will also support the development of shared prosperity and lasting peace. Last weeks Conclave on the DRC in Nairobi is further evidence of the commitment of countries in the region to work together to promote regional peace and security. Future engagement by the UN, ICGLR, the EAC, and other stakeholders can further support this initiative. Stability in the region depends of course on stability in the eastern DRC. Yet the security situation there remains fragile and there has been an increase in the activities of Armed Groups, including attacks on civilians. This is of serious concern. We note the ongoing joint military operations by the DRC and Uganda. These operations should be conducted in line with obligations under international law, including international humanitarian and international human rights law, and should ensure the protection of civilians. It is also important that there is effective communication and coordination with MONUSCO. Mr. President, The challenges facing the region cannot be addressed solely by military means. A coherent approach in addressing root causes and drivers of conflict is vital. We believe that the meaningful participation of women across peacebuilding efforts is essential, and it is really positive to see a commitment to the Women Peace and Security Agenda. The adoption of a Regional Plan of Action on resolution 1325 is an important development now we must ensure that this is resourced and that it is implemented. Mr. President, We all know that the illegal exploitation of minerals and natural resources remains a significant driver of instability and we commend the ICGLR for its continued work in this area, and the approval by Ministers of ICGLR member states of recommendations from the High Level Regional Workshop on Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region. We heard during the Arria-Formula meeting hosted by Ireland last week that tragically 2022 is forecast to be the most food insecure year on record, with conflict a major driver for this. The link between conflict and hunger is in evidence in the DRC. It is projected to see the highest number of people face acute food insecurity globally. We urge all parties to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance. Renewed efforts are needed to put an end to the suffering of vulnerable populations. Ireland welcomes efforts to develop a regional strategy on durable solutions for displaced people. We remain concerned by the significant increase in documented human rights violations and abuses and call on all countries in the Great Lakes region to pursue accountability for the perpetrators of such acts. Finally, Ireland appreciates the progress being made on the implementation of the UN Regional Strategy and Action Plan. This has an important complementary role to play in supporting implementation of the PSC Framework, and we echo the Secretary Generals call for sustained support to its implementation. Thank you Mr. President. Previous Item | Next Item The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health has been awarded federal funding in the amount of $2 million for the West Virginia Home Visitation Program. With this funding, the West Virginia Home Visitation Program will strengthen critical, evidence-based services to continue helping families meet their goals, said Dr. Ayne Amjad, State Health Officer and Commissioner for DHHRs Bureau for Public Health. The West Virginia Home Visitation Program provides families, particularly those considered at-risk, with necessary resources and skills to raise children who are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy and ready to learn. Through this project, we will develop data and technology approaches that improve the overall impact of home visiting for the most vulnerable families in high-risk areas, said Jim Jeffries, Director of the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health. Our efforts will include a statewide coordinated intake system, online referral linkages, integrated data sharing and technology driven recruitment and retention strategies. Project goals include strengthening preventive efforts from trauma and child removal situations with a statewide coordinated referral process and online social care and referral system, improving child and family outcomes through increased screenings for enrolled families, and supporting and coordinating family engagement and leadership in program decision making for families unserved or underserved and facing disproportionate barriers to access or participation in services. Funding was received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). To learn more about the Home Visitation Program, please visit: https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvhomevisitation/. A search that began in October of last year for a sexual predator that reportedly failed to register as a sex offender in his county of residence as required by law Jackson County, in this case has ended in his arrest hundreds of miles away in Indiana. In a press release, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office reported the arrest of Grady Allan Sullivan and his extradition back to Jackson County, noting the assistance of the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task of the U.S. Marshal Service in locating and apprehending Sullivan. The Jackson County jail docket shows that he is charged with failure to register as a sex offender and five counts of uttering a forged instrument. His bond was set at $300 for the alleged registration failure and at $300 each for the five other charges, for a total $1,800 cash-only bond. On April 1, Sullivan, 51, was taken into custody in Indiana and was later extradited to Jackson County. People attend the Ravolution Music Festival in in HCMC's District 2 in May 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Dang Khoa An international DJ starcast, including Bassjackers and Jeffrey Sutorius, will perform at Ravolution Music Festival in Saigon next month. Frontliner, Julian Jordan and 22 Bullets will also play at the event held at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in HCMC's District 7 on Sunday, May 15. Dutch duo Bassjackers are respected artists in the bigroom house community and came in at 29 in recent DJ Mags Top 100 DJ ranking. They have worked with many top DJs and music producers like Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Dimitri Vegas, Snoop Dogg, KSHMR, R3hab and others. The group has over 2.4 million monthly listeners on music streaming platform Spotify and their biggest hit, 'Derp', has raked in over 140 million YouTube views. Also taking part in the event will be Dutch DJ Jeffrey Sutorius, a former member of the Dutch electronic group Dash Berlin. During his time with the band, he headlined many major electronic music events around the globe like Ultra, EDC, Sensation, AMF, Storm Festival, Mayday, and A State of Trance. Fans voted him into DJ Mags 2018 Top 100 DJ ranking at number 52. This will be his second time performing euphoric sets for trance fans in Vietnam after his first visit in 2019. Ravers in Vietnam will have the opportunity to listen to bass-heavy kicks from Frontliner, one of hardstyles brightest stars, at the outdoor dance music festival. The 37-year-old has gained a lot of success in Europe and became a headliner at major hardstyle events around the world. In DJ Mags 2015 Top 100 DJ ranking he came in at 73. Also joining the lineup are Dutch DJ Julian Jordan and Thai DJ 22Bullets. Both were voted into DJ Mags 2021 Top 100 DJ ranking at number 66 and 92, respectively. Ravolution Music Festival is an outdoor electronic dance music (EDM) event in Saigon. The annual outdoor music festival first blew up in 2016 as a playground for local and international music lovers, drawing many top Vietnamese artists and world-famous DJs. This marks the EDM fest's return after two years after it was canceled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ticket information is available via the festival website and Facebook page. Deutsche Bank found dead Comments Please enable JavaScript to view all comments People on the internet are currently talking about Deutsche Bank found dead. Join the discussion by posting your comment or opinion about the trending topic Deutsche Bank found dead.We use a third-party service called Disqus to enable our visitors to post comments to our website. Due to the amount of comments, we do not moderate or review posted comments on our website. The campus of FPT University in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the university The U.K. magazine Times Higher Education (THE) has listed seven schools in Vietnam among those having the most impacts in the world in 2022. The fourth edition of THEs Impact Rankings, which include 1,406 universities from 106 countries and territories, marks the highest number of Vietnamese schools breaking into the list. Duy Tan University in Da Nang, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, National Economics University in Hanoi, Ton Duc Thang University in Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam National University Hanoi are in the 601-800 group while Hanois Phenikaa and FPT University in Hanoi are in the 801-1000 section. The ranking assesses universities against 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals. Universities can submit data on as many of these SDGs as they are able. Each SDG has a series of metrics that are used to evaluate the performance of the university on that SDG. Except for FPT University, all six Vietnamese schools scored above average (50 out of 100) for the SDG of decent work and economic growth, which measures universities' economics research, their employment practices and the share of students taking work placements. FPT together with Ton Duc Thang scored highest (53.4) among seven schools for the SDG of sustainable cities and communities, which measures universities research on sustainability, their role as custodians of arts and heritage and their internal approaches to sustainability. The National Economics University and Duy Tan stand out in the SDG of peace, justice and strong institutions, which measures universities research on peace and justice, participation as advisers for government and policies on academic freedom, scoring 71.3 and 64 respectively. The Western Sydney University of Australia leads the overall THE Impact Rankings 2022, followed by Arizona State University in the U.S. and Western University in Canada. In Southeast Asia, Thailand has 51 schools ranked, followed by Indonesia with 28, Malaysia 23, the Philippines 15, Vietnam seven and Cambodia one. Times Higher Education became known for publishing the annual Times Higher Education Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, which first appeared in November 2004. In 2009, it broke with QS, the world's largest international higher education network, and signed an agreement with Thomson Reuters to provide the data instead. It is not appropriate for Vietnam to declare the Covid-19 pandemic over in the country despite falling numbers of infections and deaths, experts say. "The number of infections is falling, but this is not enough to declare the pandemic finished," Tran Dac Phu, senior advisor of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, said Thursday. Citing current Vietnamese laws and policies, which say that one of the conditions to declare an infectious disease epidemic to be over is the lack of any new infection for 28 days, Phu said. Vietnam was still recording new Covid-19 infections every day, and there was no guarantee that no new infection would pop up in the future. In the past seven days, the daily number of new Covid-19 infections has hovered around 9,000 on average, a 16 percent reduction from the previous seven-day average. The number of recorded daily deaths also fell to the lowest in 10 months. Echoing Phu, Do Van Dung, head of the public health department of the HCMC University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said immunity provided by vaccines and infections would wane over time, meaning the virus would not have gone away completely. The number of infections can always rise in the future, so the pandemic cannot be declared over right now, he said." In my opinion, declaring the Covid-19 pandemic over now would deliver no benefit," he added. A major challenge is the fact that many of the Covid-19 vaccines and drugs in use have only been approved for emergency use. In the U.S., Covid-19 vaccines and drugs are approved for emergency use under the EUA license by the FDA. That license would expire once the emergency state is declared over, effectively rendering void previous approvals of drugs and vaccines for emergency use. So far, only the Pfizer vaccine has been fully approved in the U.S. It is for this reason that several countries have decided to extend their own emergency status due to Covid-19. Similarly, for Vietnam, the emergency status would allow the government and health authorities greater flexibility in deploying measures to protect public health. An expert who wished to remain anonymous said current Covid-19 drugs and vaccines have been approved by the Ministry of Health for emergencies. Their licenses would not be revoked even if the government declared the pandemic over. However, businesses would still have to provide more documents to prove their products safety and effectiveness in order to gain full approval. Dung said Vietnam has never declared an emergency state due to Covid-19, but did include the disease among the list of especially dangerous infectious diseases, which allowed authorities to approve the use of drugs even when theyd not been fully researched. However, such an exception should not be continued either when the pandemic is declared to be over or Covid-19 is removed from the list of especially dangerous infectious diseases as it may set a "negative precedent", allowing future diseases to become similar exceptions, he added. Additionally, declaring the pandemic to be over may cause people to become less vigilant about disease prevention, Dung added. "Even the U.S. has not dared to end its emergency state," Dung said, citing an article from the New England Journal of Medicine. Vietnam should maintain its current status even while relaxing Covid-19 restrictions so life can return to normal, he added. Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son said last Tuesday that the government will be responsible for declaring the pandemic over, but did not elaborate. Phu said Vietnam should keep monitoring the global Covid-19 situation and step up study of coronavirus variants. Dung said Vietnam needs to finish vaccinating its child population before deciding what to do next. Meanwhile, Doctor Tran Si Tuan said the health ministry should remove Covid-19 from the list of especially dangerous infectious diseases instead of declaring the pandemic over. With high vaccine coverage and low numbers of infections and deaths, hospitals can now treat Covid-19 like any other disease, he added. Vietnam can continue taking certain basic prevention measures, for example wearing masks and avoiding large crowds in enclosed spaces, he added. I was back in my hometown after many years and enjoying a Tet feast when a relative made a tasteless, tactless, thoughtless comment: "Childless women are useless." I am a married woman in my 30s. Both my husband and I decided not to have children. His family doesnt seem to mind; at least they show no overt disappointment. They have neither interfered with our decision nor told us about their own expectations. As long as we are safe and happy, they are fine. My family was disappointed at first, but made peace with it, eventually, accepting that it was our life and our decision, which had to be respected. Ive been living continents away from home for a long time. Contacts with family in Vietnam are mostly confined to phone calls during Tet (Lunar New Year festival). So it was a thrill to be back in my hometown and partake of a traditional Tet meal. Till this woman, a distant relative, spoke her mind. "You don't want a child or you can't have one? Tell the truth. Do you have a disease? What kind of woman doesnt want children? Childless women are useless," she said. I tried to stay calm, but couldnt hide the anger in my retorts. My father had to step in and restore some calm. Is this how people think nowadays? That a woman's value lies in her ability to bear offspring? How many times has my family been forced to respond to whether I've given birth or not? My mother has had enough. She now tells people that I have difficulty conceiving. I understand how people can be nosy in Vietnam. While some chalk it up to "caring too much", others are blatantly insensitive and go to the extent of launching personal attacks with their in-your-face questioning and snide comments. There are couples who want children as their greatest joy in life; some believe having children strengthens family bonds, and some think they need to have someone to care for them when they become old. All valid reasons, but childless couples have their reasons too, like underlying trauma, saving resources, concerns about overpopulation and risks of war and disease. Some choose to be childless just because. I agree that families make up society, and that each society expects its members to live by certain traditions and standards. But that is no reason to judge or interfere in the decision of having or not having a child. It's hard to be a woman in most societies. But the oppression goes too far when a woman unable to bear children are considered "faulty goods." And it goes too far when women like me who choose not to have children, are considered "useless," as if being a baby-making machine is the only role that matters. Such attitudes have disappeared among many urban populations that have become more open and progressive, but the majority of Vietnamese are still deeply caught up in gender biases. Discrimination against women seems hard-wired into Eastern cultures over thousand years, normalizing what are actually highly problematic behaviors. I believe it is high time that women are respected as we are human beings, not just wives or mothers to be. Our society can progress only when women stand side-by-side with men and are not judged by society for their personal decisions. The Philippines has pulled the plug on all domestic screenings of a Hollywood film called "Uncharted", over a scene showing a disputed map of the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. The move comes shortly after Vietnam, another claimant in the South China Sea, also banned the Sony Pictures action movie, which stars Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg. It was released in the Philippines on Feb. 23. A two-second frame in the movie contains an image of the so-called nine-dash line, which marks China's claims in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway. The scene "is contrary to national interest," the foreign ministry said in a statement. The U-shaped line is a feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its maritime territory in a region where Taiwan, Brunei, and Malaysia, the Philippines all have competing claims. A 2016 ruling by an arbitration tribunal in The Hague invalidated China's claims to almost the entire waterway through which about $3 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes annually. Beijing did not participate in the court proceedings and does not recognize the ruling. Sony's Columbia Pictures Industries Inc was ordered to stop screening the film and has complied, the foreign ministry said. Sony Pictures did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment. In 2019, the Philippines' foreign ministry requested DreamWorks to shut down cinema screenings of animated film "Abominable" after a scene showed the same Chinese nine-dash line. ELKO The Elko Area Chamber invites the public to join them for the 43rd annual Elko Home Show. The event will take place over Mothers Day weekend, May 7-8, at the Elko Convention Center. Times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The event will feature more than 90 vendors, both indoor and out, with a variety of products and services to offer. This show has something for everyone, stated the Chamber. Attendees can expect great shopping opportunities, live demonstrations, a variety of food selections, interactive activities and more. There is no admission fee to attend. Visitors can enter to win a Backyard Give-Away of two large Traeger Pellet Grills complete with all the necessary accessories, sponsored by the Home Depot. Also, the first 100 people through the doors on Saturday and Sunday will receive a Swag Bag filled with coupons and goodies from vendors and members. Come enjoy the weekend with the whole family. We look forward to another great year and Mothers Day weekend, stated the Chamber. Sponsors are PlumbLine Inc., Elko Motor Company, Nevada Gold Mines, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Home Depot, Elko Daily Free Press, Kinross, RNDC, Maverick Gaming, Gallagher Ford, Anthem Broadband, CC Communications, Gateway RV, NextHome Infinity Realty, Elko Tool & Fastener, Coldwell Banker Excel, Elko Federal Credit Union and KH Designs LLC. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO Coeur Mining Inc. announced this week that it has published its 2021 report on environmental, social and governance practices and responsible mining operations, including at the Rochester Mine in Nevada. The ESG report details the companys commitment to transparency, maintaining best-in-class corporate governance practices and having a positive environmental and social impact while generating long-term value for stockholders. ESG is core to our business and integrated into our operations, activities and strategic decision making, said Mitchell J. Krebs, president and chief executive officer of Coeur, which operates the Kensington gold mine in Alaska, the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota, the Palmarejo silver-gold complex in Mexico and the silver and gold Rochester near Lovelock. Our strengthen GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions net intensity reduction target is a meaningful step forward in our leadership position in terms of target-setting, disclosure and performance, he said in the April 27 announcement. According to Coeur, the company increased its greenhouse gas emissions target to a 35% reduction in net intensity by the end of 2024, compared with a 25% reduction proposed by the end of 2025 in the companys 2020 Responsibility Report. Krebs said Coeur is committed to continuously enhancing the transparency and accountability of our ESG goals and evolving our practices to be an industry leader by safely and responsibility discovering and producing raw materials vital for todays modern society and generations to come. In the health and safety category, the company stated in the new ESG report that it advanced its safety-first culture by launching a critical risk management program to all levels of the organization, helping the company achieve a 12% decrease in the three-year trailing average in total reportable injury frequency rate. Coeurs report also states that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recognized Coeur for its cross-functional, technology-based COVID-19 response plan by granting the company the 2021 Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Award. In the report, a section mentions that Coeur Rochester launched a new skilled trades program in 2021. The purpose of the program is to create a pipeline of students in diesel, electrical and millwrights to gain experience in the field and hopefully get hired by Coeur full-time once they graduate. Five students enrolled in a trade or vocational school joined our Rochester team to gain real-life, on-the-job training. The students were mentored by experienced leaders in the electrical, mobile and fixed maintenance areas of the mine, the report says. The internships provided hands-on training in the areas of interest of each student while supporting the needs of the business. Students were also given the option to continue their internship from the summer-long program to weekend shifts throughout the school year, the report states. The report also says that Coeurs recruitment for the 2022 skilled trains internship is under way at Rochester, and the program has proven so successful it will be launched at our Kensington mine in Alaska this summer as well. Coeurs ESG report is available on the Coeur website in the responsibility section. In another announcement this week, the company provided an update on exploration projects at Silvertip in British Columbia, Kensington and Palmarejo and stated that it expects to spend roughly $40 million in exploration this year. The company also is exploring at the Sterling and Crown project in southern Nevada. Recent assays from the newly discovered Camp Creek West zone of Silvertip are among the best results ever returned at the property and underscore the potential of what we believe is truly a world-class deposit, Krebs said. The Camp Creek drilling was for silver, zinc and lead. Krebs also said that Kensington has recently returned a strong grade thickness in Kensington Zone 30 as we prioritize further mine life extensions, and new assay results at Palmarejo are among the best grade-thicknesses in several years. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELKO A 19-year-old from Sonoma County, California, is missing and may be in Elko County, according to the sheriffs office. The Elko County Sheriffs Office received word Thursday morning that Aidan Clune could be in the Wells area. Clunes maroon Nissan Frontier pickup was found on U.S. Highway 93 near Currie, and his whereabouts are unknown. The 2007 pickup had a damaged rear bumper and duct tape on the drivers side mirror. It is believed Clune purchased fuel at a gas station in West Wendover on the evening of April 27, 2022, stated the sheriffs office. It is believed sometime afterwards Clune traveled to Wells, Nevada. The notice did not say how long he has been missing. Clune has brown hair and brown eyes, is 5-foot, 8-inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds. If you see Clune or have information on his whereabouts, please call Elko Central Dispatch at 775-777-7300. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 15 Angry 1 Participants agreed that the prevention of corruption and negative phenomena have seen good progress in many areas. So far, eight inspection teams have been set up to receive reports, detect and settle corruption cases, and evaluate assets at some Party committees and organisations as well as competent agencies. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong addresses the meeting (Photo: VNA) Since the beginning of this year, investigations have been conducted into 1,264 cases involving 2,038 suspects, while 737 corruption cases with 1,567 defendants have been brought to the court. Of the total, the committee has directed the settlement of four new cases involving 23 defendants. Investigations into many extremely serious cases are underway, including those at the Military Medical University and the Vietnam Coast Guard High Command, the bribery case at the Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the securities market manipulation case at FLC Group, and the property fraud case at Tan Hoang Minh Group. Eight officials managed by the Party Central Committee, including one deputy minister, one former deputy minister, one former chairman of provincial Peoples Committee, and five generals of the armed forces have been prosecuted. The Party Central Committees Inspection Commission has proposed disciplinary measures against 14 senior officials. Since the beginning of the year, assets worth over 2.05 trillion VND (89.25 million USD) have been seized and frozen, while nearly 4 trillion VND has been recovered. In 2022, the steering committee aims to complete investigations into 19 cases, while prosecuting 21 more, holding first-instance trials for 24 cases and appeal trials for six cases, and concluding the verification and settlement of 39 others. In the second quarter, first-instance trials will be held for two major cases. At the same time, a number of cases will be added to a list to be supervised and directed by the committee, including the bribery case at the Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the securities market manipulation case at FLC Group; the property fraud at Tan Hoang Minh Group; violations related to real estate at land lot at No. 33 Nguyen Du street and No. 34-36-42 Chu Manh Trinh street in Ho Chi Minh City; and a gambling case in An Giang province. Concluding the meeting, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, head of the committee, said that anti-corruption activities have focused on combating not only corruption but also negative phenomena, including the degradation of morality, political ideology and lifestyle. He clarified that a lot of theoretical and practical experience has been gained, including using Party inspections as the first step in the settlement of corruption cases. Along with success in revoking assets, the work has helped reinforce peoples trust in the Party, State and the political system, he said. The Party chief underlined the need to continue to pay great attention to Party building and the development of a pure and strong political system as well as anti-corruption. He also reminded agencies involved to work more closely for better efficiency./. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on April 26 hosted a reception for Vice President of Laos Pany Yathotou. (Photo: VNA) NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on their great achievements across fields, and highlighted significant contributions of the Lao NA through all periods in general and during the tenure when Pany Yathotou worked as the Chairwoman of the NA in particular. The Vietnamese top legislator pledged to make every effort to enhance the relationship between Vietnam and Laos. Noting her delight to see Vietnams developments amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Pany Yathotou said as a close friend of Vietnam, she is proud of the countrys socio-economic achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). She suggested the two NAs and Peoples Councils of cities and provinces, especially border localities, continue their cooperation and exchange of experience in law-making and supervision. The legislatures should continue to monitor the implementation of cooperation projects rolled out by the Governments to ensure their progress, she said, suggesting Vietnamese and Lao NA deputies, including female legislators, tighten collaboration and continue with experience exchange, particularly in protecting rights and interests of women. Pany Yathotou lauded Hues initiative to establish a cooperation mechanism between legislative bodies of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to share opinions and experience in a more timely and effective manner. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue stressed that the Vietnamese legislature is ready to consider and remove institutional obstacles in order to facilitate cooperation between businesses of the two countries, contributing to raising the two-way trade and advancing the economic, trade and investment ties. The Vietnamese NA also supports the enhancement of training of Lao students as well as the exchange of professional skills between officials of the two countries, Hue continued. Both agreed that Vietnam and Laos will coordinate to organise activities in the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 to mark the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and 45 years of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. On the occasion of Laos traditional New Year (Bounpimay), Hue asked Pany Yathotou to convey his greetings to NA Chairman Xaysomphone Phomvihane and other leaders of Laos./. Photo for illustration (Source: nld.com.vn) The ministry sent an urgent document to the People's Committee of provinces and cities that have medical quarantine activities to temporarily stop requiring arrivals to make health declarations, reported the Vietnam News Agency. They include Hanoi, Hai Phong, Lao Cai, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Da Nang, Kon Tum, Khanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Tay Ninh, Binh Thuan, Thua Thien-Hue, Dien Bien, Tien Giang, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Can Tho, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Long An, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Phu Yen, Kien Giang, Lai Chau, Nghe An, Dong Thap, Nam Dinh, Binh Phuoc, Son La, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, Ha Tinh, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Binh Duong, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long. The ministry said vaccinations against COVID-19 have proved effective with the SARS-CoV-2 variants that are currently circulating. The numbers of new infections and deaths have recently dropped across the globe. In Vietnam, the pandemic has been temporarily put under control with high vaccination coverage, the ministry said. Based on the pandemic situation and the Government Decree 89/2018/ND-CP regulating the implementation of the Law on infectious disease prevention and control regarding border health quarantine, the Ministry of Health asked the People's Committees of localities to guide agencies to temporarily cancel the requirement to make health declarations for all arrivals from April 27. They are instructed to continue monitoring arrivals' health at border gates and proactively update COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations in line with the real conditions. The dropping of this measure is in response to recent reports of long waiting time and congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City due to the rising number of flight passengers with the country's reopening and the upcoming four-day public holiday April 30-May 1. The ministry said it will continue to update and provide information relating to the pandemic inside and outside the country to have proper prevention and control solutions. The number of new infections in Vietnam has reduced significantly. The country recorded 8,431 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. Vietnam has so far administered more than 213 million doses of vaccines to date. Chance for local rice to penetrate Nordic region amid growing demand Rice remains one of the Vietnamese products which is most popular among Northern European consumers, creating plenty of opportunities for this product to penetrate the Nordic region amid growing market demand. Photo for illustration (Photo: congthuong.vn) According to information given by the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden and the Nordic market, this market's rice imports are anticipated to increase over the coming years due to Europe not being fully self-sufficient with regard to the item. According to the Voice of Vietnam, the region only meets roughly 60% of its production needs, making it necessary to import 1.8 million tonnes of milled rice. Under the EU Agriculture Outlook for 2020 to 2030, demand for imported rice will go up until 2030, with imports likely to grow by around 250,000 tonnes over the next decade. Nordic countries must rely on imported rice which is not grown in the region. In 2020, they imported 147,718 tonnes of rice worth US$186.52 million, of which imports from within the EU stood at US$99 million, duly accounting for roughly 53% of total import turnover in the region. With regard to the type of rice, the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden said that Europe mainly produces Japonica rice, approximately 75%, and most of it is produced and consumed in Southern Europe. However, in the Nordic region, the traditional Asian variety Indica remains more popular, including long-grain and fragrant rice varieties such as Bastima and Jasmine. Nordic nations typically import milled rice. In 2020, their total import turnover of milled rice stood at US$159.11 million, making up 85.3% of the total rice import turnover of these countries. Products that are considered to be particularly attractive to the European market in general and the Nordic market in particular include milled or milled long grain Indian rice, such as Basmati rice. At present, Basmati is the most popular specialty rice in Europe, with this fragrant rice being much sought after by a lot of European consumers. The majority of brown rice imports and import growth have come from basmati varieties. Another way to differentiate from other suppliers is to add product labels. Labels such as organic products and fair trade are recognisable to consumers and can add value to a product, the trade office recommended. Specialty rice varieties such as fragrant basmati and jasmine rice, risotto rice, and paella rice, and to some extent coloured rice, are now traded through official channels. Consumption of specific varieties is at its highest in traditional markets. For example, Vietnamese rice is often sold in Asian foodstuff stores, or Vietnamese foodstuff stores. With the increasing integration of different countries, European and Nordic consumers are increasingly gaining access to transnational foods. Sustainability in rice production will become standard in the future as there is increasing interest in sustainable rice production. Rice therefore has a higher chance of being accepted in Europe providing it is grown sustainably. However, according to some industry sources, organic rice can also be considered sustainable, showing stronger growth than traditional rice. Liem beats reigning World Champion at Oslo Esports Cup Leading local chess player Le Quang Liem sprung a surprise at the Oslo Esports Cup after successfully beating reigning world champion Jan Krzysztof Duda of Poland on the fifth day of the competition. Liem beats reigning world champion Jan Krzysztof Duda of Poland at Oslo Esports Cup (Photo: chess24) The first game saw Liem, Elo rating 2,765, enjoy the advantage of holding the white pawn to beat Jan Krzysztof Duda after 36 moves. The next three games saw various counterattacks from the Polish player, forcing Liem to accept a 2-2 draw. The final result was decided by a tiebreak by playing two Blitz chess games as Liem successfully defeated Jan Krzysztof Duda with a score of 4-2, according to the Voice of Vietnam. Liem also enjoyed two wins over the Polish champion at the Airthings Masters online tournament and Charity Cup. The result therefore helped him earn eight points, equaling Jan Krzysztof Duda of Poland and Van Foreest of the Netherlands. He is now just one point behind Magnus Carlsen of Norway and four points behind Indian prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. Following these strong performances, the top Vietnamese player will still have a chance of competing for first position in the tournament. Moving forward, Liem will next face off against Anish Giri of the Netherlands, Elo rating 2,759. Quang Ninh tops PCI for five consecutive years The northern province of Quang Ninh has led the way for provincial competitiveness among all 63 localities and cities nationwide for the fifth consecutive year, according to the ranking announced on April 27 by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). Overview of Ha Long city (Photo: tuyengiao.vn) With a score of 73.02, Quang Ninh maintained its top position for the fifth straight year, becoming the only locality to see the quality of economic governance achieve a very good ranking, according to the results of provincial competitiveness index (PCI) report 2021. The provinces and cities in the top five of the 2021 PCI ranking include Hai Phong, Dong Thap, Da Nang, and Vinh Phuc, respectively. Elsewhere, Hanoi ranked in 10th position with 68.6 points, while Ho Chi Minh City finished in 14th place with 67.5 points, reported the Voice of Vietnam. The PCI report highlighted the great efforts made by Quang Ninh province last year in terms of accelerating the administrative reform and improving the local business climate in a proactive and drastic manner, thereby helping save time for enterprises. Furthermore, the locality has also realised its commitments to effectively resolving the existing difficulties facing local enterprises. Since 2005, the PCI report has been produced annually to assess the ease of doing business, economic governance, and administrative reform efforts made by provincial and city governments in a bid to promote the development of the private sector. Pham Tan Cong, chairman of the VCCI, said the 17th report was based on responses from more than 11,312 enterprises, including 10,127 domestic private firms from 63 provinces and cities, as well as nearly 1,185 foreign-invested enterprises across 22 provinces. As part of the rankings published this year, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Dong Thap are the top localities that have been highly appreciated for the quality of their economic management. These provinces have also made positive changes in economic development and COVID-19 pandemic containment efforts. Huu Anh to compete in Man Of The World 2022 Nguyen Huu Anh, winner of Vietnam Fitness Model, will represent Vietnam to compete at the Man Of The World 2022 pageant. Nguyen Huu Anh (Photo: VOV) According to the Voice of Vietnam, Huu Anh, born in 2000 in the central province of Quang Ngai, stands at 1.84 metres tall. The Vietnamese model has since moved to Ho Chi Minh City to hone his skills in preparation for the global contest. The Man Of The World 2022 male pageant aims to seek outstanding male talents who possess a good look, are interested in social issues, and can have a positive impact on their communities. The 2018 contest saw Vietnamese model Cao Xuan Tai beat 26 other contestants to be named Man Of The World./. Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung and Cambodias Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng agreed on this during talks on April 27 in Phnom Penh. During the talks, Mr. Khuong Sreng considered the Hanoi delegations visit to Cambodia a testament to the good traditional relationship between the two Parties, the Government and the two peoples, as well as between the two capitals in particular. At the talks (Photo: VNA) According to the Governor of Phnom Penh, this visit to Cambodia by the high-ranking Hanoi delegation took place at a time when the two countries are organizing many practical activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the year of establishing diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967 - June 24, 2022), thereby contributing to strengthening the relations of "good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability" between the two countries. The Cambodian people never forget the gratitude to the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who helped liberate them from the Pol Pot genocidal regime. Especially, during the difficult period after liberation in 1979, the Cambodian people as well as the people in the capital Phnom Penh were helped by the Vietnamese army and shared food to relieve hunger," said Governor Khuong Sreng. Regarding the innovation achievements in the socio-economic fields of Phnom Penh over the past time, Governor Khuong Sreng highlighted the strong development in infrastructure construction, housing, GDP growth and potential of tourism development based on the long-term cultural and historic works of Phnom Penh. For his part, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung congratulated Cambodia on its great achievements in politics, economy and society; and highly appreciated the successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the Royal Government of Cambodia, with the highest rate of vaccination for people in the region and the world. Regarding efforts to recover economic activities after the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Dinh Tien Dung said that Vietnam in general and Hanoi capital in particular are actively looking for ways to remove difficulties for businesses and improve the business investment environment to attract domestic and foreign investment sources. Hanoi prioritizes allocating investment budgets for key works and projects, and investing more in areas to ensure sustainable development. The capital of Vietnam aims to become a green, civilized, modern city, competitive in the region and internationally, connected to the world, maintaining the title of City for peace," he said. The Hanoi leader also committed to continue providing scholarships for Cambodian students to study at universities; strengthen the sharing of information and experience in urban management, people-to-people exchanges; and promote education for the young generation about the good traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia./. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (Photo: VNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 27 issued a statement saying that Kishida Fumio's visit will take place from April 30 to May 1, about 5 months after he took office as Prime Minister of Japan. Mr. Fumio is also the Secretary General of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance. Vietnam - Japan established diplomatic relations in 1973. Japan is Vietnam's leading economic partner and the first G7 country to recognize Vietnam's market economic status, in October 2011. Japan is the largest ODA donor, the third largest tourism partner, and the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam. In 2021, bilateral trade turnover reached USD42.7 billion. As of March 20, Japan had 4,828 valid FDI projects in Vietnam with a total registered investment capital of more than USD64.4 billion, ranking third after the Republic of Korea and Singapore out of 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. The Vietnamese are a large community in Japan, with more than 450,000 people living in 47 Japanese provinces and cities, mainly concentrated in Aichi, Tokyo, Osaka, Saitama, Chiba and Fukuoka. Educational cooperation between the two countries has developed strongly. Currently, there are more than 51,000 international Vietnamese students in Japan, the second largest international student community in this country. Japan is cooperating to upgrade four Vietnamese universities to high-quality universities. At the end of November 2021, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to Japan. He is the first foreign leader that Prime Minister Kishida Fumio received after taking office. Mr. Fumio expressed Japan's desire for Vietnam to become a center of economic recovery and development after the pandemic./. At the reception (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn) She made the statement while being received by Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Vo Van Hoan, on April 26. During the reception, Mr. Hoan expressed his pleasure with the good development of the Vietnam Netherlands relationship. With Ho Chi Minh City alone, the Netherlands is currently one of its major trading partners, and its 5th largest investor. Appreciating the Netherlands' level and experience in the fields of climate change adaptation, water management and sustainable agriculture, he said that the city is currently facing a number of problems during the development process such as urban traffic, garbage, environmental pollution and flooding. Ho Chi Minh City wishes to cooperate with the Netherlands in these areas, including issues of climate change adaptation, according to Mr. Hoan. Ms. Hanneke Schuiling congratulated Ho Chi Minh City on overcoming the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to enter the economic recovery period. Expressing her joy about the positive results in cooperation between the Dutch and Ho Chi Minh City partners over the past time, Ms. Hanneke Schuiling informed that the Netherlands has many professional enterprises in surveying and building green space projects and green city; and developing and implementing projects on using bicycles in urban traffic to reduce environmental pollution. The Netherlands and Ho Chi Minh City can cooperate in areas of mutual interest and potential for development./. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou (Photo: VNA) The Party leader said Pany Yathotous visit demonstrates the special, close and trustworthy relationship between Vietnam and Laos. Congratulating Laos on achievements it has recorded during the one-year implementation of the resolution adopted at the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), General Secretary Trong noted his belief that under the leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people will gain new, greater successes in reform and national defence and development. The Party chief expressed his delight at the progress of the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in different fields, which has significantly contributed to national construction and defence in each nation. He underlined the importance of continuously consolidating and enhancing the relationship to stability and development in each country, as well as peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong suggested the two sides actively and proactively implement cooperation agreements reached by leaders of the two Parties and countries, including those on deepening their political ties. They should closely coordinate to organise activities marking the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and 45 years of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, he said. For her part, Pany Yathotou congratulated Vietnam on its achievements, saying during the ongoing visit, she has seen Vietnams development across spheres despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vice President expressed her hope that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by General Secretary Trong, the Vietnamese people will reap new, greater achievements in reform and successfully implement the targets set at the 13th National Party Congress. She noted with pleasures the intensive and extensive development of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity in all areas, and thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their great support. Laos will continue to work with Vietnam to preserve, nurture, boost and transfer to younger generations the special solidarity, she pledged./. The deployment ceremony was held by the Ministry of National Defence in Hanoi on April 27. (Photo: VNA) President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the Defence - Security Council and Commander-in-chief of the People's Armed Forces, attended the deployment ceremony held by the Ministry of National Defence. The event also saw the attendance of the UN Resident Coordinator, foreign ambassadors, the Head of the European Union Delegation, and foreign defence attaches in Vietnam. Departing on the mission are 184 officers and soldiers of the Engineering Unit Rotation 1 and 63 of the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 4. This is the first time Vietnam has sent military engineers to join UN peacekeeping operations. Addressing the event, President Phuc acknowledged the positive results that the Vietnamese military has achieved on previous UN peacekeeping missions, which has been highly regarded by communities and the UN. It could be said that Vietnams participation over the past eight years has been a highlight in the multilateral foreign policies of the Government, Party and military, he added. The President also extended his gratitude to the UN, partner countries and organisations that have contributed to the country, and hoped that Vietnam will continue to receive support during peacekeeping missions. Presiding over the ceremony, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said: During the missions, officers and soldiers will always maintain their solidarity, unity, determination to overcome challenges, and strive to fulfil the tasks assigned." They will be the true envoy of peace, the symbol of humanism, international solidarity, the embodiment of the noble qualities in a soldier of Uncle Ho in the new era, the multinational, multicultural environment of the UN, he added. Despite the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the field hospital's staff have completed the medical, military and language training programme in preparation for the deployment. During their mission in South Sudan, the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 4 will focus on applying technology in medical examination and treatment, which will be the premise for them to conduct scientific research. The hospital will also continue working on public communications and disease prevention in the harsh environment of the area. The 184 staff members of the Engineering Unit Rotation 1 will help provide humanitarian assistance, supporting the UN delegations in keeping and re-establishing peace in the area. They will also ensure transport, perform road maintenance, help reconstruct the UN base, and provide support for the local community by building community houses, schools, and other public facilities. Taking into account the latest deployment, Vietnams military has sent a total of 76 officers on individual duties, and 436 soldiers in groups on UN peacekeeping missions./. Ambassador Dang Thi Thu Ha and the executive committee of the association (Photo: baoquocte.vn) The delegates adopted the Associations Charter and development orientations, and elected its Executive Committee consisting of 11 members chaired by Korchane Juliette. It is noteworthy that the Congress attracted a large number of second- and third-generation overseas Vietnamese, as well as Vietnamese students and workers in Morocco. Nearly 40% of the members of the Executive Committee are young. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Morocco Dang Thi Thu Ha expressed her hope that the association would promote its key role in gathering Vietnamese people in Morocco to live and integrate into the local community while preserving the cultural tradition, turning their hearts to the homeland, and actively contributing to developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. Ms. Korchane Juliette, head of the Association, said that the association would establish a network of Vietnamese people in the country, organize Vietnamese language classes for Vietnamese children, and develop summer camps for kids to learn about Vietnam. It will also complete and launch Vietnam Gate in Morocco and organize a number of activities with friendship associations of the host country. There are now about 300 400 overseas Vietnamese living, studying and working in Morocco./. Mr. Luis Cuvertino (left) receives Ambassador Pham Truong Giang (Photo: VNA) At the meeting with Ambassador Pham Truong Giang, Premier Luis Cuvertino and Ms. Paola Pena Marin, Government Representative of Los Rios region, expressed their impression of Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements in recent years and hoped that Vietnam will share experiences, especially in the agricultural sector. Premier Cuvertino emphasized the need for the cooperation of the Los Rios region with Vietnams localities in the fields of trade, tourism and education. Ms. Pena also proposed promoting cultural exchange and cooperation, and said that the Chilean government is willing to support and accompany the region to establish and promote international cooperation with Vietnams localities. Ambassador Pham Truong Giang affirmed that the two countries have always maintained the tradition of friendly cooperation during the past 51 years. The trade turnover between the two countries maintained 1.2-1.3 billion USD per year, the highest among ASEAN countries, in the context of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He supported the initiatives of the Premier and Government Representative of Los Rios region, expressed his impression of the great potential of Los Rios region, and affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy is ready to be a bridge to connect Vietnams localities and Chilean localities in general, and Los Rios in particular. Mr. Giang also met and worked with mayors of cities of La Union and Lago Ranco, and Deputy Mayor of Rancagua city, and held interviews with the local press about the potential to exploit and promote multifaceted relations between the two countries as well as localities of the two nations. The delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy also visited and worked with leaders of Apicoop Company to exchange projects, which will be carried out in Vietnam in the coming time. Apicoop, one of large companies in the Los Rios region, specializes in producing and exporting honey and succulent fruits such as cherry and blue berry to China and European countries like Italy, Germany and Spain. In the framework of the working visit, the Vietnamese Embassy participated in a cultural fair in Lago Ranco city of Los Rios region to introduce the handicraft arts and traditional dishes of Vietnam to Chilean people. This is the 7th fair organized in the Los Rios region, attracting a large number of local people./. Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA) The event also aimed to mark 35 years since UNESCO honoured President Ho Chi Minh as a national hero and a great man of culture of Vietnam. Speaking at the event, Ms. Ha Thi Nga, President of the Vietnam Womens Union, paying a working visit to Venezuela, underlined that Vietnamese people always treasure friendship with Venezuela and support the countrys struggle for national independence, sovereignty protection and national development, expressing her hope that bilateral relations will continue thriving in the coming time. Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Le Viet Duyen underlined President Ho Chi Minhs contributions to Vietnams national liberation and voiced his belief that the Vietnam-Venezuela friendship and comprehensive cooperation will be strengthened, contributing to the countries development as well as peace and stability in the regions and the world. For her part, Vice Minister of Foreign Relations of Venezuela Capaya Rodriguez said the Government and people of the country highly value the countries comprehensive partnership, wishing to bring the bilateral relations to a new height and thoroughly prepare for a meeting of the inter-governmental committee in the future./. President Biden has delivering remarks at the White House, confirming that he has asked Congress to approve $33bn in funding to aid Ukraines fight against Russia. FGM-148 Javelin missile system team on the front line The US President argued that more funding for arms and humanitarian assistance was critical for helping Ukraine combat Russian attacks, adding: The cost of this fight, its not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen.We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine. $33bn from US: Biden Asked Congress for Astronomical Sum in Funding to Aid Ukraines Fight Against Russia $ 20.4 billion of the $ 33 billion aid will go to the military and security segment for Ukraine alone. It should be noted that $ 20.4 billion is more than 20 annual budgets of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the purchase and modernization of all equipment and weapons. Another portion of the $33 billion is a sum of $8.5 billion to help support the Ukrainian economy. The rest will go to "to fund U.S. efforts to bolster European security in cooperation with NATO allies." President Biden emphasised that his new request for $33bn in assistance to Ukraine should not be taken as an attack on Russia. Were not attacking Russia. Were helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, Joe Biden stressed. President Joe Biden speaks about the war in Ukraine in the Roosevelt Room at the White House / Photo credit: Andrew Harnik/AP But Russia is the aggressor, he said. No ifs, and or buts about it. The US president also taking steps to ensure the money raised from assets seized from sanctioned allies of Vladimir Putin directly aids Ukraine. The president is sending a proposal to Congress to make it easier to transfer those funds to humanitarian projects in Ukraine. US M113 armored personal carrier are in the US military aid for Ukraine Were going to seize their yachts, their luxury homes and other ill-begotten gains. We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine every day, said Biden. The initial shipment of additional security assistance from the U.S. Government arrived in Ukraine on October 10, 2021 According to CNBCs comments on the theme, the administration said this is intended to equip Kyiv and European partners with additional artillery, armored vehicles and anti-armor and anti-air capabilities, accelerate cyber capabilities and advanced air defense systems, and help clear landmines and improvised explosive devices. 11 Mi-17 helicopters are in the currrent batch of US new military aid for Ukraine / open source pho As CNBC reports, the two-part request to Congress comes as the war enters its third month and as U.S. military leaders say their strategic objectives in Ukraine are shifting to reflect a medium-term goal and a long-term goal. In the immediate future, the aim is to arm Ukrainian forces so that they can secure an outright victory in the war by expelling Russia from Ukraine entirely. MGM-140 ATACMS would be the thing for the situation on front-line of Ukraine-russia war as for today But longer term, the U.S. now seeks more broadly to weaken Russias entire power structure by tying up its troops in a war of attrition while crippling its economy with sanctions and trade embargoes. NEWS PROVIDED BY Orthodox Christian Laity April 28, 2022 WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 28, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by George D. Karcazes, Secretary, Orthodox Christian Laity: The Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) denounces the horrific and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military under the orders of President Putin and the attempt to bestow religious legitimacy to the war by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. The indiscriminate and unjustifiable bombing of innocent civilian population centers including schools and hospitals, the rapes, mass executions and war crimes committed by Russian soldiers have shocked the entire world. Millions have been forced to flee their homes as refugees from a brutal war in which Orthodox Christians have been ordered by their political and religious leaders to kill other Orthodox Christians. In 1917, Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow, formerly Bishop of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska and Archbishop of North America, in response to the actions of the Bolshevik government, stated: "...free the imprisoned, cease the bloodshed, violence, destruction, persecution of the faith...Otherwise you will have to answer for all the righteous blood shed by you (Luke 11.51), and you who have taken the sword will perish by the sword (Matt. 26.52)." Because of his continuous opposition to government policies to restrict and infiltrate the Church, the Bolsheviks martyred Patriarch Tikhon in 1925. We call upon Patriarch Kirill and all faithful Orthodox Christians in Russia to follow the courageous example of St. Tikhon and other martyrs of Orthodoxy by demanding an immediate end to the killing and destruction of their brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Let us pray that they will use every means at their disposal to swiftly turn the swords into plowshares by opposing persistently and unequivocally the dehumanizing violence and destruction in Ukraine. May our risen Lord Jesus Christ during these forty days following the celebration of the Resurrection by Orthodox Christians globally, move hearts, minds and mountains to end the bloodshed and destruction in Ukraine and bring lasting peace before Pentecost. NBU denies existence of mass appeals regarding problems with receipt of payments from abroad The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has not received mass appeals from Ukrainian companies about the problem with the receipt of payments from abroad, the press service of the regulator reported. "The National Bank has not received any mass appeals from Ukrainian companies regarding the problem with the receipt of payments from abroad," the bank's press service told Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday. As reported, Ukrainian manufacturers complain about problems with payments via SWIFT. In particular, these complaints come from companies in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which is why they are forced to re-register in other Ukrainian regions. Zaporizhia Ferroalloy Plant (ZFP) in January-March this year reduced its output by 13.2% compared to the same period last year, to 37,530 tonnes. As the Ukrainian Association of Producers of Ferroalloys and Other Electrometallurgical Products (UkrFA) told Interfax-Ukraine, over the first three months of the year, ZFP reduced production of silicon manganese by 26.7%, to 13,890 tonnes, but increased ferrosilicon by 4.2%, to 12,560 tonnes, and reduced ferromanganese by 15.9%, to 9,700 tonnes. The enterprise also increased production of metallic manganese by 97.1%, to 1,380 tonnes. In March, the enterprise produced 2,640 tonnes of ferroalloys, while in February 16,440 tonnes, and in January 21,090 tonnes. Zaporizhia Ferroalloy Plant is one of three Ukrainian manufacturers of these products. The share of the domestic market of its supplies is 30-35%. Products are exported to the CIS countries, the European Union, Asia and Africa. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has ordered the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration to cancel the decision to admit the Swiss Stadler Bussnang AG to bidding for the purchase of 18 low-floor trams worth UAH 1.2 billion for the cities of Dnirpo and Kryvy Rih. According to the information published in ProZorro on April 26, the AMCU made the decision following the results of consideration of a complaint of Tatra-Yug LLC (Odesa) against the decision of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration to admit Stadler to the auction (after the decision of the AMCU), the application of which was initially rejected by the customer. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine found justified the arguments given by Tatra-Yug about the violation of the procurement procedure by the customer. As reported, Tatra-Yug LLC (Odesa), which produces trams in Dnipro at the facilities of Pivdenmash (Yuzhmash) Production Association, and UKCP-Ukraine Trade House LLC, originally a dealer of the Russian tram manufacturer Ust-Katav Car-building Plant, were admitted to participate in the tender. Meanwhile, Stadler's tender offer was rejected by the customer due to non-compliance with the terms of the tender documentation. Stadler appealed this decision to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, which on January 31, 2022 ordered the bidder to cancel its decision. However, Tatra-Yug considered the decision to admit the Swiss company to the auction unreasonable and illegal, contrary to the law on public procurement, and filed a complaint with the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine with a request to cancel the customer's decision to admit Stadler to the auction. On February 9, the AMCU accepted it for consideration, and then twice postponed its consideration. Under the terms of the tender, trams with a length of at least 27 meters shall be produced in 2021, designed for at least 200 passengers (including 50 seats), adapted for the transport of passengers with disabilities, have air conditioning in the driver's cab and passenger units. The car shall have an autonomous run of at least 150 m at a rated load on a horizontal curved section with a radius of 20 meters. By a resolution dated June 9, 2021, the Government of Ukraine allocated UAH 1.2 billion of subvention from the State Budget Road Fund for the purchase of new trams for Dnipro and Kryvy Rih. On March 3, 2022, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine announced that, for the period of martial law, it had suspended consideration of complaints about violations of legislation in the field of public procurement, decisions on which had not been made as of February 25, 2022, and posting decisions regarding such complaints in the electronic system. Stadler trams are manufactured, in particular, at CJSC Stadler Minsk in Belarus. Nova Poshta plans to resume construction of terminal in Odesa, still plans to launch airline this year The Nova Poshta Group of Companies plans to resume the construction of an innovative terminal in Odesa in the summer of 2022. "Probably, we will not build in such volumes as planned. But, at least, I want to resume the construction of one innovative sorting terminal in Odesa this summer. We will continue to open new branches and points this year," Viacheslav Klymov, founder and co-owner of Nova Poshta, said in an interview with the Ukrainian edition of Forbes. According to him, now the company is forming a new budget for the current year, and plans to find about $100 million for new projects. He also said that the group intends to actively develop international delivery. The manufacturer of electric harnesses for cars of the French company Nexans (Elektrokontakt Ukraine LLC, Lviv region), which during the first quarter of 2022 maintained its capacity at 85% at its three production sites, returned to 100% capacity, according to Nexans' financial report. "During the first quarter, our priority was the safety of the teams working for our Automotive Harnesses business in Western Ukraine. Our sites continued to operate at over 85% of their nominal capacity, and business is now back to normal, which is remarkable in the context of the war. At present, we can only hope for a cessation of hostilities as soon as possible and a return to diplomacy in the country," Nexans CEO is quoted in the company's financial report for the first quarter of 2022, released on April 27. The report notes that despite the fact that factories in Ukraine did not operate at full capacity in the first quarter, in general, Nexans' automotive harnesses business grew by 15.6% compared to the first quarter of last year due to an increase in market share. Operating in Ukraine since 2007, Elektrokontakt Ukraine LLC is a manufacturer of cable networks for BMW, Porsche, AUDI, VW cars. The parent company is German Elektrokontakt GmbH, which is part of the Nexans concern. It has three production units in Lviv region in Brody, Peremyshliany and Zolochiv. Nexans is said to be a leader in the design and manufacture of cabling systems and services in five core business areas: power generation and transmission, distribution, usage, industry and solutions, and telecommunications and data. The company employs about 25,000 employees in 42 countries. In 2021, Nexans generated sales of EUR 6.1 billion. By Trend The number of Azerbaijani citizens who visited foreign countries increased by 2.7 times in 1Q2022, compared to the same period last year and amounted to 298,500 people, Trend reports with reference to the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan. According to the committee, 44.5 percent out of an indicated number of Azerbaijani citizens visited Turkey, 18.7 percent - to Russia, 12.9 percent - to Iran, eight percent - to Georgia, 15.9 percent - to other countries in 1Q2022. The number of Azerbaijani citizens who visited Iran increased 5.1 times over the year, Russia - by 2.6 times, Turkey - by 2.6 times, Georgia - by 2.3 times. Some 58.4 percent of Azerbaijani citizens who visited foreign countries in 1Q2022 used air transport, 39.2 percent - rail and road, 2.4 percent - sea transport, the committee reported. A total of 246,200 foreigners and persons without citizenship from 149 countries visited Azerbaijan in 1Q2022. Ukraine and Japan have signed an agreement on a $100 million loan for 30 years at 1% per annum with a grace period of 10 years, the Ministry of Finance reported. "Today, April 28, 2022, an agreement was signed between the government of Ukraine and the government of Japan on a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for development policy in the field of emergency economic recovery and a grant to strengthen the healthcare and medicine system in Ukraine," the ministry said in a release on Thursday. The Japanese government will provide Ukraine with a $100 million loan on favorable terms. The matter concerns budgetary support to stabilize the situation in Ukraine, in particular, to ensure priority social, humanitarian, health care costs, support for internally displaced persons and other priority costs. A grant of approximately $2.3 million will be used to purchase medical equipment. More than 400 new enterprises have appeared in Rivne region during full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into the territory of Ukraine, head of the regional military administration Vitaliy Koval said. "During the two months of the war, 405 new enterprises appeared in Rivne region. Of these, 84% are individual entrepreneurs. The most popular activities are computer programming and retail," he wrote on his Telegram channel. The head of the regional military administration also noted that a total of 14,420 new entrepreneurs were registered in Ukraine. The corresponding data analysis was carried out by the Innovation Development Center together with the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development and Diia.Business. "Such studies prove that the economy across the country is gradually starting to recover. Business is returning to work in those territories where it is possible. In Rivne region, we also constantly work with entrepreneurs. We hold weekly meetings to understand their problems and help them solve them. It is important for us that the region's economy is fully operational. Rivne region continues to play a rear role for the affected regions," Koval said. The European Banking Authority has called on financial institutions and supervisory authorities to ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to at least basic financial products and services, the authority's press service said on Wednesday. According to the report, financial institutions should provide refugees with an opportunity to open and use basic payment accounts, while complying with their obligations to combat money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. In particular, financial institutions may apply simplified customer due diligence when registering new individuals or before conducting transactions in cases where the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing is low. In addition, when connecting clients to a payment account with basic functions, a financial institution may not require a potential client's passport to confirm his identity and rely instead on alternative documentation proving that a potential client is a refugee from Ukraine. Financial institutions may also defer the application for initial customer identification to a later date than is normally required. Over the past day, Ukrainian defenders hit eight air targets of the aggressor, including a plane, according to the Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Air Force and Ground Forces anti-aircraft missile units hit eight aerial targets during the day on April 27: one aircraft (presumably Su-34s); one cruise missile; six UAVs," it said in a a Facebook post. The U.S. House of Representatives passed bill H.R.6930 on the seizure of assets subject to U.S. sanctions for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, the press service of the Congress said. "Specifically, for two years starting from this bill's enactment, the President may seize such assets if (1) Russia remains engaged in a conflict of territorial conquest in Ukraine; (2) the President has imposed sanctions on the owner of the assets for reasons related to corruption, human rights violations, malign influence, or conflicts in Ukraine; and (3) the assets are valued at over $5 million," the website says. "Such seized assets may be liquidated, and the resulting funds may only be used for specified purposes, including (1) the post-conflict reconstruction of Ukraine, (2) humanitarian assistance and refugee support for the Ukrainian people, (3) weapons for Ukraine's uniformed military forces, and (4) humanitarian and development assistance for the Russian people." The bill must be approved by the Senate and signed by the President of the United States to enter into force. According to Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, he personally discussed the need for such an important step with Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi during his recent visit to the United States. "Thank you for this fair decision. The aggressor must pay for the destroyed property! The provisions of the document allow these funds to be used to restore Ukraine, provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians and other assistance to the state, including military," the head of the Ukrainian government said. He added that Canada is currently preparing a similar bill, which he also spoke about with Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland during his visit to the United States. On Wednesday, in Donetsk and Luhansk directions, the Ukrainian defenders repelled six attacks of the aggressor, destroyed 30 units of enemy ground equipment and shot down four air targets, according to the headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO). "On April 27, servicemen of the JFO group successfully repulsed six enemy attacks. Thanks to skilful actions, our soldiers inflicted damage to the Russian occupiers. In particular, the Ukrainian defenders destroyed five tanks, one artillery system, 21 units of armored vehicles, one armored combat vehicle, one vehicle and one anti-aircraft gunner. Anti-aircraft defense units in the skies of Ukrainian Donbas shot down one cruise missile and three Orlan-10 type drones," a report published on Facebook reads. The USA has announced it is lifting a number of restrictions on providing intelligence information to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. "The U.S. has lifted some restrictions on sharing intelligence with Ukraine," the agency informs citing an interlocutor familiar with the situation. According to it, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told Congress of the moves this month. That came after Representative Mike Turner, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, and Senator Marco Rubio, the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, wrote separate letters urging the Biden administration to remove the restrictions. War in Ukraine claims lives of at least 2,729 civilians, 3,111 more wounded UN Civilian casualties from February 24, when Russia launched the war against Ukraine, to 24:00 on April 26 were 5,939 (the previous day's report was 5,840), including 2,787 killed (2,729), the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said Wednesday. OHCHR believes that the actual numbers are significantly higher because information from some locations where intense fighting has taken place is delayed and many reports are still awaiting confirmation, the document notes regarding the UN data. According to it, this applies, for example, to Mariupol (Donetsk region), Izium (Kharkiv region) and Popasna (Luhansk region), where there are reports of numerous civilian casualties. They are subject to further verification and are not included in the above statistics. The majority of civilian deaths or injuries were caused by the use of explosive devices with a wide target area, including heavy artillery and multiple rocket launchers, as well as missile and air strikes, the report says. The UN confirmed that 912 men, 611 women, 74 boys and 61 girls were killed, while the gender of 67 children and 1,062 adults could not yet be determined. The 3,152 wounded include 73 boys and 66 girls, as well as 163 children whose gender could not yet be determined. Compared to Friday's report, according to the UN, one child was killed and three others were wounded. OHCHR indicates that as of midnight on April 27, there were 1,229 (1,185) deaths and 1,159 (1,144) injuries in government-controlled territory and 85 (83) deaths and 353 (347) injuries on the territory controlled by self-proclaimed "republics" in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In other regions of Ukraine under government control (in Kyiv as well as Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy and Chernihiv regions) the UN recorded 1,473 (1461) deaths and 1,640 (1620) wounded. The daily summary traditionally states that the increase in numbers to the previous summary should not be attributed only to cases on April 26, as during this period the Office verified a number of cases from previous days. Budapest's attempts to bring its position on Russia's war against Ukraine into context of discussion with EU on rule of law unacceptable MFA spokesman Ukraine calls on its Hungarian partners to refrain from trying to put their position on the Russian war against Ukraine in the context of a discussion with the EU on the rule of law and instead work for unity in the EU, in particular, to support new sanctions against Russia, said spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleh Nikolenko. "Media: 'Budapest responded to threat of deprivation of EU funds with statements about the war in Ukraine. Budapest's attempts to put its position on Russia's war against Ukraine into the context of discussions with the EU on the rule of law are inappropriate and unacceptable," Nikolenko wrote on his Facebook. Thus, the Foreign Ministry calls on "Hungarian partners to refrain from such actions and instead work for unity in the EU and, in particular, to support new anti-Russian sanctions that would deprive the Russian military machine of funding sources. Kuleba calls on all states to join creation of tribunal to investigate Russian crimes in Ukraine Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on all states to join the creation of a tribunal to investigate Russian crimes in Ukraine. "Grateful to PACE for demanding accountability for Russian war crimes and endorsing efforts to set up a special ad hoc tribunal for the crime of aggression. I call on all states to join the establishment of such Tribunal. Together, we will hold Russian leadership to account," Kuleba said on Twitter. By Trend German companies can contribute to expanding the capacity of Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Wolfgang Manig told Trend. "Currently, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany is actively looking for alternative sources of energy imports. Germany has a desire to establish gas supplies through SGC," the diplomat said. He noted that German Uniper energy supply and solutions company received guarantees from Azerbaijani government and is actively cooperating with State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). "Tomorrow there will be a meeting between two companies, where further development of relations will be discussed. It will be possible to talk about certain construction work as soon as certain agreements are signed. Perhaps tomorrow's meeting with SOCAR will bring results in this matter," Manig said. Zelensky: We must use every day to prepare for post-war reconstruction of Ukraine Ukraine begins preparations to rebuild cities, communities and infrastructure destroyed by Russian occupiers, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, his press service reported. "Every day, while the whole country is fighting against the Russian invaders, we as a central and local government with our friends and partners must spend on preparations for the postwar restoration of our state," Zelensky said. "Preliminary estimates of Ukraine's losses from this war reach $600 billion today. More than 32 million square meters of living space, more than 1,500 educational facilities and more than 350 medical facilities have been destroyed or damaged. Economic entities suffered huge losses hundreds of enterprises have been destroyed. About 2,500 kilometers of roads and almost 300 bridges have been ruined or damaged. And it's not just statistics. This is Mariupol, this is Volnovakha, this is Okhtyrka, this is Chernihiv, this is Borodianka and dozens or dozens of our cities, towns and villages," the President said. According to him, more than 11.5 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to the fighting, and about 5 million of them have gone abroad. And 95% of migrants already want to return home. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prepare a plan to rebuild a comfortable European Ukraine. He said that today he has received consent from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Japan, Italy and several other countries to join the restoration of the affected territories of Ukraine. President of the National Council, the lower house of the Swiss parliament, Irene Kalin, President of the Senate of Romania Florin Citu, President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia Talat Xhaferi, who arrived in our country, were invited to participate in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. They assured of Ukraine's full support, in particular on issues of reconstruction after the war, the report notes. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said that on behalf of the President, the government is preparing a plan to restore the country. According to Shmyhal, the government has allocated UAH 1.4 billion to restore critical infrastructure in five regions. Reconstruction and clearing of roads, restoration of electricity supply, demining of territories are underway more than 85,000 explosive devices have been neutralized, he said. The Bundestag has supported the provision of heavy weapons to Ukraine, this decision was backed by 586 deputies. "The German Bundestag speaks in favour of full support for Ukraine in Russia's war of aggression and does not rule out the supply of heavy weapons from Germany for this purpose. On Thursday, April 28, 2022, 586 deputies voted by roll call in favor of the joint proposal (20/1550) of the coalition factions SPD, Alliance 90/the Greens and FDP as well as the largest opposition faction, CDU/CSU: 100 voted against and seven abstained," the Bundestag said in a statement on its website Thursday. Damage to infrastructure reaches $90 bln, Ministry of Infrastructure intends to restore infrastructure in 1-2 years minister The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine announced an ambitious goal to restore the destroyed infrastructure in the liberated territories in a year or two. This was announced by Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov during a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the press service of the President's Office reported. According to Kubrakov, the damage caused to the infrastructure as a result of the war is almost $90 billion and, first of all, this is the railway, road and bridge infrastructure. "Kubrakov briefed on the pace of restoration of roads and the resumption of travel on bridges in the liberated territories and said that an ambitious goal has been set to rebuild the infrastructure in one to two years," the Office of the President said. The meeting also discussed the provision of housing for displaced persons and the restoration of damaged buildings. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it is necessary to adopt all the necessary changes to regulatory legal acts so that new housing in Ukraine must be built with comfortable bomb shelters, and the old housing stock is equipped in accordance with the needs of ensuring the safety of citizens. The international non-profit organization Direct Relief (the USA) together with the insurance broker epruf S.A. launched a $10 million program to provide medicines to up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in Poland. According to the website of the program, Direct Relief attracted funds for financing the program thanks to financial receipts from American donors. The program allows citizens of Ukraine who crossed the border after February 24, 2022, to receive funding for the purchase of medicines in public pharmacies and drugstores in Poland. Up to 100,000 Ukrainian citizens who live in Poland take part in the program. Refugees will receive an individual code that will allow them to purchase medicines and other pharmacy products for up to PLN 500. Participants of the program, in particular, can purchase free of charge prescription drugs in the amount of PLN 350, and OTC drugs in the amount of PLN 150. A member of the program can purchase over-the-counter medicines, covering 15% of their cost. According to the program, about 8,000 pharmacies are participating in the project. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called for the urgent creation of a special international criminal tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. This is stated in the approved resolution and recommendation based on the report of Frank Schwabe, deputy from Germany and head of the group of Socialists in the PACE, said head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Assembly Maria Mezentseva. "As for the Resolution itself - it is very complex and concerns both Ukraine itself and the role of the Council of Europe in overcoming the consequences of Russian aggression. Of the important things we can single out... to urgently create a special international criminal tribunal to investigate and prosecute the crime of aggression committed by the political and military leadership of the Russian Federation and provide the necessary financial support," she wrote on her Facebook page. The document also calls on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers to appoint a special representative of the CoE for the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine. PACE members also call on the Council of Europe member states to stop any supplies of weapons, any components for Russia's military sector, dual-use goods and impose sanctions on all third states that would circumvent such embargoes. The parliamentarians also call for continued pressure on Russia to cease hostilities, withdraw troops from sovereign Ukrainian territory and comply with international law, as well as investigations to establish responsibility for violations of international law, human rights, humanitarian law and other international crimes. In addition, the approved PACE resolution calls for seeking to break energy dependence on Russia, accelerating the energy transition and at the same time exploring alternatives to energy imports from Russia. PACE said it was alarmed at the mounting evidence of atrocities committed by Russian armed forces and expressed its full support for all efforts aimed at investigating violations by Russia of international human rights and international humanitarian law and other international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, and ensuring the accountability of the aggressor. Russias aggression had also, among other things, provoked the direst humanitarian crisis in Europe since the Second World War, posed a challenge to global governance, and led to a steep rise in energy costs and food insecurity, the parliamentarians pointed out. The Assembly confirmed its condemnation in the strongest terms of Russias aggression against Ukraine, and its solidarity with Ukraine and its people, reaffirming its unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Sanctions including an embargo on oil and gas imports from Russia should be imposed immediately in the view of Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. "A discussion on the need for an embargo on Russian oil and gas has been ongoing for several weeks. Lithuania and Spain share the opinion and position that this must be done immediately," Landsbergis said at a joint press conference with Albares in Vilnius following negotiations. Albares said, "Spain is fully committed to defending our values and defending NATO's eastern flank, and therefore, we are actively participating in patrolling the airspace of the Baltic countries with eight F-18 fighter aircraft based in Siauliai, which I will visit today." "We both agree that we should keep pressure on Russia, and the sanctions imposed by the international community are already affecting the Russian economy," Albares said. Asked whether he believes that the European Union would adopt a package of sanctions on Russian oil soon, Albares said Spain intends to support this. "But we also understand that not all countries are equally vulnerable and not all have the same ties with Russia, and we are also keen on preserving the European Union's unity," he said. Landsbergis said his meeting with Albares focused mainly on assistance for Ukraine and the strengthening of the security of the region and NATO as a whole. Spain is to host a NATO summit in June. UN coordinator on Ukraine goes to Zaporizhia to prepare for evacuation from Mariupol UN System Coordinator in Ukraine Osnat Lubrani said she was on her way to Zaporizhia to prepare for evacuation from Mariupol. "The SG Antonio Guterres has arrived in Ukraine to meet President Zelensky. At his request, I am going to Zaporizhia to prepare for hopeful evacuation from Mariupol. The UN is fully mobilized to help save Ukrainian lives and to assist those in need," Lubrani said on Twitter Thursday. Russian occupation troops in Mariupol have been attacking a military field hospital in the territory of Azovstal plant all night, the Azov regiment said. "All night long, on the military field hospital, located on the territory of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol and where the wounded defenders are, the Russians massively dropped multi-tonne air bombs capable of penetrating any concrete defenses. Then, having already caused destruction, they continued to mercilessly shell the ruins from naval artillery. Among the already wounded servicemen there are killed, newly wounded and shell-shocked," according to a statement in the Telegram channel. It is noted that as a result of an enemy attack, part of the premises equipped for the hospital collapsed, in particular, the operating room, which makes it impossible to provide assistance to the wounded even at the same level as before. "The Geneva Convention guarantees the protection of stationary and mobile medical institutions, they should not be attacked! The wounded and sick should be protected, regardless of whether they are civilians or military persons (combatants)," Azov said. Azov called on international human rights organizations to respond to the fact that Russia continues to try to destroy even those defenders of Mariupol who can no longer hold weapons in their hands. U.S. President Joseph Biden has decided to ask for approval of a package of laws that will help the administration use the confiscated assets of individuals associated with Russia to provide assistance to Ukraine, the White House said on Thursday. According to the statement, the president "will send a proposal for a comprehensive legislative package that will enhance the United States Government's authority to hold the Russian government and Russian oligarchs accountable" for the situation in Ukraine. Biden's proposals, in particular, involve the use of confiscated assets of sanctioned individuals to fund aid to Ukraine. The White House said the Department of State, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury will jointly decide on the use of forfeited funds "related to corruption, sanctions and export control violations, and other specified offenses." In addition, Biden's proposal, according to the White House, will allow the United States to create "a new, streamlined administrative process involving the Departments of the Treasury and Justice, for the forfeiture of property in the United States that is owned by sanctioned Russian oligarchs." Member countries of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) should provide for the possibility of using houses and apartments confiscated from sanctioned Russian citizens and owned by Russian state-owned enterprises to receive Ukrainian refugees. This is noted in the relevant resolution, based on the report of the Andre Vallini (France, SOC), the PACE members unanimously adopted, the press service of the assembly said. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe said the member states of the Council of Europe should "identify and freeze" as many of the assets as possible of Russian citizens and state enterprises subject to targeted sanctions for their responsibility in the war of aggression launched against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. According to parliamentarians, governments should provide for the use of suitable assets, in particular houses and apartments, for the reception of Ukrainian refugees. Also, they should adopt a decision on the final usage of these assets once confiscated definitively, since "these assets were stolen from the Russian people and should be returned to it." As long as the current regime is in place, "the risk of renewed misappropriation of these assets is high." According to PACE, Russia will be bound to compensate Ukraine for the damage caused by its war of aggression, which would open the way for "using these assets for partly offsetting the financial debt" of Russia vis-a-vis Ukraine. By Trend It could take years for Austria to stop gas supplies from Russia, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in an interview with OE24.TV, Trend reports citing TASS. Nehammer believes that it will take "several years for Austria to phase out Russian gas, depending on the availability [of gas] on the international gas market." According to him, since the beginning of the events in Ukraine, experts from the Ministry of Energy, together with the Austrian oil and gas company OMV, have been working for two months to reduce Austria's dependence on Russian gas. "I'd rather have this rejection today than tomorrow - but that's not realistic," he said. "We have now formed an interest group with Germany, Hungary and other countries against the gas embargo, but at the same time we must reduce dependence," he noted. According to the Chancellor, Austria could currently have enough gas reserves for two and a half months if Russia decides to cut off supplies. "The Minister of Energy, together with OMV, is looking for new sources of supplies, for example from Azerbaijan. But still the best scenario - in which the supply will not stop," he added. About 44% of doctors have left Mykolaiv by now, but the rest provide medical care in the required volume, head of the health department of the Mykolaiv City Council Iryna Shamrai said. "Today, we lack 44% of doctors, but about 40-60% of the population has left as well," she said in an interview with UNICEF medical expert Kateryna Bulavinova. According to Shamrai, mostly young professionals with small children left. She also said that in total there are 21 medical institutions in Mykolaiv, from which only one head left, the remaining 20 heads of clinics remained to work. At the same time, surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitators and traumatologists have not left and remain to work in Mykolaiv. Shamrai reported, that since the beginning of active hostilities due to migration of the population, 300 fewer children were born in Mykolaiv than in the same period last year. All maternity hospitals are currently operating in the city. In addition, routine vaccination is carried out, including vaccination of newborns. Maternity hospitals have the necessary vaccines, but there is a shortage of hepatitis B and BCG vaccines, but medical facilities are waiting for their centralized supply. In addition, vaccination against COVID-19 continues in Mykolaiv, the CoronaVac vaccine is used, the city is awaiting the delivery of the Pfizer vaccine. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated the importance of a thorough investigation into the killings in Bucha, Kyiv region, bringing the perpetrators to justice, and called on the Russian side to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in this case. "When we see this horrendous site, it makes me feel how important it is [to have] a thorough investigation and accountability... I fully support the International Criminal Court and I appeal to the Russian Federation to accept to cooperate with the International Criminal Court," Guterres told journalists in Bucha in Thursday. At the same time, he said "when we talk about war crimes, we cannot forget that the worst of crimes is war itself." During a visit to the destroyed Irpinski Lypki residential complex in the neighboring town of Irpin, the UN Secretary General said "civilians always pay the highest price." "Innocent civilians were living in these buildings. They were paying the highest price for a war for which they had not contributed at all. And this is something everybody should remember, everywherein the world. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians," Guterres said. He also visited the town of Borodianka, Buchansky district, Kyiv region, and said that he "imagined my family in one of those houses that is now destroyed and black." "The war is an absurdity in the 21st century. The war is evil. And when one sees these situations our heart, of course, stays with the victims. Our condolences to their families, but our emotions are that there is no way a war can be acceptable in the 21st centur," Guterres said. The Ukrainian prosecutor's office established the involvement of the first ten servicemen of the 64th separate motorized rifle brigade of the Russian ground forces in torturing civilians in Bucha, Kyiv region, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said. "Regarding the atrocities in Bucha: ten Russian servicemen involved in torturing civilians were exposed. Putin marked the 64 separate motorized rifle brigade of Russian ground forces with the honorary title of 'Guards'. Gratitude from the president for 'mass heroism', and in the language of the civilized world, for war crimes, are proof that the atrocities in Bucha were a task from above that they completed. And most importantly, the general responsibility of the commander in chief for the actions of the soldiers," Venediktova wrote on her Facebook page on Thursday. The Prosecutor General published a list of ten servicemen, whose involvement in the ill-treatment of the civilian population and other violations of the laws and customs of war has already been established, the Bucha District Prosecutor's Office put forward suspicion on these Russian servicemen. According to the Prosecutor General, the list of suspects includes: Junior Sergeant Viacheslav Lavrentiev, Private Grigoriy Naryshkin, Private Vasiliy Kniazev, Corporal Semion Maltsev, Private Sergei Peskariov, Private Albert Radnayev, Corporal Mikhail Kashyn, Corporal Andrey Biziaev, Corporal Dmitriy Sergienko, Sergeant Nikita Akimov. "In a fairly short time, the investigation established that during the occupation of Bucha they took unarmed civilians hostage, starved them to death and thirst, kept them on their knees with their hands tied and blindfolded, mocked and beat them. Fists and rifle butts were used. They beat people to get the information about location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the territorial defense, some people were even tortured for no reason. Russian servicemen threatened the victims with murder and even simulated the execution of their captives by shooting in their direction," the Prosecutor General said. Also, according to her information, there is evidence of the involvement of these Russian military in looting. Investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv region, under the procedural leadership of the regional prosecutor's office, have begun a pretrial investigation into the shelling of Pokotylivka by the Russia Armed Forces, which resulted in the death and injury of civilians. "According to the investigation, on April 28, 2022, at about 10 a.m., servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces fired on the village of Pokotylivka in Kharkiv region. As a result of the shelling of the Russian invaders, two men were killed. Seven more civilians were injured. About 30 residential buildings and a school were damaged," the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office press release said. Criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder) are open. On Thursday, a new exchange of prisoners took place, 45 of our people were released from Russian captivity: 33 Ukrainian military and 12 civilians, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk said. "Another exchange of prisoners took place. Today, 45 of our people were released from Russian captivity: 13 officers and 20 soldiers (of which five were wounded). We are also returning home 12 of our civilians," Vereschuk wrote in her Telegram channel. Following a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kirill Petkov, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said the parties had reached agreements on the repair of Ukrainian military equipment in Bulgaria. "Today, in a conversation with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, cooperation has been established for the repair of Ukrainian military equipment at the production facilities of Bulgaria. This is very important for Ukraine. I am sure that such cooperation will be beneficial for both Bulgarian companies and the Bulgarian economy. And for us, quality and deadlines because we are at war every day," Zelensky said at a briefing with the Bulgarian prime minister in Kyiv on Wednesday. The parties also substantively discussed cooperation in the energy sector regarding the supply of electricity by Ukraine to Bulgaria. "Ukraine is ready to supply electricity to Bulgaria. We are also interested in diversifying gas supplies in the region, in particular, through the use of the possibilities of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline together with the Bulgarian side," the president said. According to Zelensky, agreements have been reached between Ukraine and Bulgaria on the transportation of agricultural products from Ukraine through the Black Sea port of Varna. "In this area, prospects are opening up for us," he said. In addition, Zelensky said the Ukrainian side will soon assist in resolving the issue with the Bulgarian ship, which is blocked in the port of Chornomorsk. In turn, Prime Minister Petkov said: "As for your request for military and technical assistance, in particular regarding the repair and restoration of some military heavy equipment at Bulgarian enterprises. I think this will be a good opportunity for Ukraine and Bulgaria. We will be pleased to make such repair assistance for Ukraine". U.S. President Joe Biden will ask Congress to allocate $33 billion to help Ukraine in the defense and humanitarian sectors, as well as to strengthen the defense of European countries, CNBC said on Wednesday, citing unnamed senior U.S. administration officials. At the same time, $20.4 billion is supposed to be allocated for the supply of weapons to Ukraine and a number of European countries. This is about artillery, armored vehicles, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, strengthening the means of defense against cyberattacks, and assistance in clearing territories. This funding is intended for the period until September this year, the television channel said. According to him, some $8.5 billion of the funds requested by Biden will be directed to support the Ukrainian economy. These funds are intended to finance the Ukrainian government, help Ukraine in the food, energy and health sectors. In addition, $3 billion will be allocated for humanitarian assistance around the world in the form of wheat and other goods. Biden's congressional request is expected to receive broad support among both Democrats and Republicans, according to CNBC. Thus, the channel said, in nine months the total U.S. spending on Ukraine will exceed $36 billion. Some $467,000 and EUR 87,000 were seized from the housekeeper of MP Viktor Medvedchuk (Opposition Platform For Life) during a court-sanctioned search, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has said. "Once upon a time there was an ordinary woman and she worked as a housekeeper. Globally, nothing special. During the investigation of criminal proceedings under Part 4 of Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (financing actions committed with the aim of forcibly changing or overthrowing the constitutional order or seizing state power, changes in the boundaries of the territory or the state border of Ukraine) a court-sanctioned search was conducted at the housekeeper and seized $467,000 and EUR 87,000. And again, you will say that it is too early to ring the bells, what if the inheritance, who borrowed, accumulated, sold something, this is life," Venediktova said on her Facebook. The prosecutor general also said it was Medvedchuk's housekeeper. In Ukraine, 20 outbreaks of infectious diseases were registered in the first quarter of this year, head of the department for organizing epidemiological surveillance at the Public Health Center (PHC) Oksana Koshalko said on Thursday at a briefing on routine vaccinations. According to her, the largest number of outbreaks was in Lviv region - nine cases. At the same time, Koshalko noted that during the period of active hostilities, the risk of disease outbreaks increased significantly due to the destroyed infrastructure, congestion of people in confined spaces and low coverage of routine vaccination. At the same time, chief sanitary doctor of Ukraine Ihor Kuzin stressed that routine vaccination can now be obtained at any healthcare institution. "Today, there are no financial or bureaucratic barriers to routine vaccination of children in Ukraine," Kuzin said. At the same time, he noted that in order to receive a routine vaccine, internally displaced persons do not have to sign a new contract with a family doctor, and vaccination for a child will be free of charge. All information about the vaccination will be entered into the electronic database of the healthcare system, you can also get a paper certificate to confirm immunization. In turn, head of the National Technical Expert Group on Immunization Fedir Lapiy said that there are problems with the availability of routine vaccines in the occupied territories of Ukraine. According to him, the lack of vaccines is a crime against humanity, which should be included in the list of charges against the Russian Federation at the international tribunal because of the war unleashed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The German federal government will continue its policy of supplying weapons to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said. "We have supplied the weapons that made Ukraine's defensive struggle possible and the federal government will continue to follow this course. And today we received a very strong mandate from the German Bundestag," Scholz said on Twitter on Thursday. As reported, the Bundestag supported the provision of heavy weapons to Ukraine, this decision was supported by 586 parliamentarians. By Trend Strengthening bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Iran should be a top priority for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iranian MP Gholamreza Marhaba told reporters in Gilan Province on April 28, Trend reports citing Fars News Agency. The MP noted that Iran and Azerbaijan have a very long joint sea and land border. These borders can contribute to economic development. Marhaba also added that it is also important to strengthen parliamentary ties between the two countries. To this end, a high-level Iranian parliamentary delegation will visit Baku in the coming weeks. According to him, the two countries are implementing joint projects in Iran's Gilan Province. Examples of these projects are the construction of a new road bridge over the Astarachay River, as well as the construction of a railway terminal in Irans Astara. The MP emphasized that these projects should be in the spotlight. A group of MPs proposes to grant the status of a combatant to all persons who took part in the defense of Ukraine due to Russia's military aggression. The relevant draft law No. 7322 On Amendments to Some Legislative Acts on recognizing as combatants persons directly participating in the implementation of measures necessary to ensure the defense of Ukraine, protect the security of the population and the interests of the state in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation, was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on Wednesday, according to the website of the Ukrainian Parliament. The bill provides that the status of a participant in hostilities extends to persons who were directly involved in measures to ensure the defense of Ukraine, protect the security of the population and the interests of the state in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and who were directly in the areas where such events were held and at the time of their implementation. The bill stipulates that the status of a combatant is granted to such persons, even if they have not served in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police and National Guard, the Security Service or other military formations or law enforcement agencies formed in accordance with the laws of Ukraine. According to the current legislation, the status of a participant in hostilities can only be obtained if a person served (serves) in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine and other military formations or law enforcement agencies. Bulgaria will be pleased to participate in the restoration of Ukraine, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has said. "As for your proposal to Bulgaria to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine, we will be more than happy to do so. We have many cities with many Bulgarian-speaking Ukrainians, and Bulgaria will be pleased to take a constructive part," Petkov said at a press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday. The head of government said Bulgaria can also help Ukraine with the help of the trans-Balkan gas pipeline. "When we talk about energy security, Bulgaria can help Ukraine through the use of the trans-Balkan gas pipeline, through which we can supply gas from LNG terminals in Greece and Turkey to Ukraine, which will give both our countries a lower price and the possibility of deliveries," he said. In addition, Petkov said Bulgaria supports Ukraine's accession to the EU. "It is very important for Bulgaria that Ukraine sees a clear path to the EU. It is time for us to say that Ukraine belongs, is part of the European family, and we must give a clear sign and a clear path as soon as possible. You have a strong voice for Bulgaria when we meet with many European colleagues," he said. Russian invaders forcibly deported more than 30,000 residents of the city of Mariupol, Donetsk region, to the Russian territory, Head of Donetsk regional military administration Pavlo Kyrylenko has said. "They take people to their so-called filtration camps, which are located near Mariupol. These are, for example, settlements along the coast of the Sea of Azov. When they take people there, they separate them into women with children and men. They divide them according to age criteria. And after that they take documents certifying that they are citizens of Ukraine," Kyrylenko said at a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center. The head of Donetsk regional administration said the occupiers distribute certificates developed according to their own samples to the residents of Mariupol and then forcibly take them to the previously occupied areas of Donetsk region, or to the Russian territory. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov discussed support for Ukrainian refugees, Ukraine's European perspective and energy security. "Ukraine is grateful to Bulgaria for participating in the support of our country together with the international community. We highly appreciate the decision by the Bulgarian government to send humanitarian aid in the amount of EUR 706,000, as well as the decision to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees in the amount of EUR 181,000," the government's press service said, citing Shmyhal after the meeting. He said Ukraine especially appreciates the transfer of protective ammunition for our soldiers, who protect not only Ukraine, but also European borders. Among other things, the prime ministers of Ukraine and Bulgaria discussed the country's integration into the European Union. "Weapons are the main thing that Ukraine needs to deter the enemy. Sanctions to weaken Russia and discourage the desire to be aggressive. Finances to keep the macroeconomic stability of Ukraine. And the fourth important issue for us is Ukraine's belonging to the European family," Shmyhal said. In addition, the parties separately touched upon the issue of energy security in Europe. The Prime Minister of Ukraine said that after joining the Ukrainian energy system to ENTSO-E, the country is able to export up to 2,000 MW of electricity to the EU countries, including Bulgaria. "The head of the Ukrainian government expressed gratitude for Bulgaria's support for the sanctions policy of the European Union towards Russia. And for the personal initiative of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to introduce separate sanctions against the aggressor, which are very effectively helping Ukraine to fight the enemy today," the government said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the Russian invasion of Ukraine "a violation of the UN Charter." "One of the values of the UN is the need that territorial integrity of the countries must be respected. This is fundamental," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He also acknowledged that "the UN Security Council has not been able to do everything in its power" to resolve the conflict. At the same time, he said a UN employee is providing assistance, working in Ukraine in 30 locations. "We will not give up. We will fight with the use of force," he said. Intense discussions are continuing to translate into reality the proposal to involve the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from Azovstal, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said. "During my visit to Moscow, President Putin agreed in principle to the involvement of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from the plant in Azovstal. Today, President Zelensky and I have an opportunity to address this issue. As we speak, there are intense discussions that would forward with this proposal to make it a reality," Guterres said at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday. The Secretary General stressed the need to create a rescue route for the civilian population from Mariupol. "Effective humanitarian corridors, local cessation of hostilities, safe passage for civilians and supplies. Today, the people of Mariupol are in despair and need just such an approach. Mariupol is a crisis within the crisis. Thousands of civilians need life-saving assistance, many elderly and need of medical care or with limited mobility. They need an escape routes out of apocalypse," he said. During a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked him for discussing the issue of evacuating civilians and the wounded from Mariupol during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We see that the territory of the Azovstal plant is being subjected to barbaric bombardments, they continued even during the talks of the Secretary General in Moscow," Zelensky said at a briefing after the meeting on Thursday. At a briefing after Thursday's meeting, Zelensky said Ukraine today "defends the UN Charter." "It is important that the Secretary General personally saw the results of the war crimes committed in Bucha and Borodianka," he said. He called for "facilitating the creation of a special international tribunal for Russia's crimes. We also raised this subject. During the conversation, the president also called for stopping the deportation from Ukraine to Russia. According to Zelensky, "it is important for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to gain access to the citizens of Ukraine and ensure their return home." "I received assurances of support through cash payments to our citizens and regarding an increase in humanitarian assistance," Zelensky said. He also called for the unblocking of Ukrainian food export ports, recalling that 400 million people on the planet depend on Ukrainian food, and the continuation of the blockade will lead to starvation of 47 million people in 81 countries of the world. "Cessation of the war is imperative to prevent a food crisis and protect dozens of countries from hunger and chaos," he also said. 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 the past day of April 27th, based on an analysis of open sources. 1. The Armed Forces of Ukraine heroically restrain the enemy's attacks in the decisive battle for the Donbas. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy is launching offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and establish a land corridor with occupied Crimea. In Slobozhanshchyna, the enemy carried out systematic artillery shelling, including multiple rocket launchers, in Kharkiv and Derhachi and in the settlement of Prudianka. In the Izium direction, units of the 1st Panzer Army, the 20th General Army of the Western Military District, the 35th General Army and the 68th Army Corps of the Eastern Military District and Airborne Forces are conducting offensive operations in the direction of Barvinkovo. The enemy captured the northeastern outskirts of the settlement of Velyka Komyshuvakha, and also took control of the settlement of Zavody. An attempt to attack in the area of Nova Dmytrivka was unsuccessful, the enemy sustained losses and retreated. In order to increase the grouping of troops, the occupiers transferred two-battalion tactical groups from the 76th Airborne Assault Division of the Airborne Forces from the territory of the Belgorod region to the city of Izium. In addition, in the areas of settlements of the Belgorod region, the enemy deployed two missile divisions of Iskander-M. In the Donetsk and Tavriia directions, the enemy continues to shell the positions of Ukrainian troops along the line of contact with mortars and artillery. The enemy made an unsuccessful attempt to break through the defences of our troops in the Kurakhovo area. In the Pivdennyi Buh direction, the russian occupiers tried to improve the tactical position of their troops in the direction of Zaporizhzhia. They had no success and have sustained losses. The total combat losses of the enemy from February 24 to April 27 were: approximately 22,400 (+300) combatants were eliminated, tanks - 939 (+21) units, armoured combat vehicles - 2,342 (+34) units, artillery systems - 421 (+5) units, MLRS - 149 (+0) units, air defence equipment - 71 (+2) units, aircraft - 185 (+1) units, helicopters - 155 (+1) units, automotive equipment - 1,666 (+ 23) units, ships / boats - 8 (+0) units, fuel tanks - 76 (+0), UAVs of operational and tactical level - 207 (+2), special equipment - 31 (+0), launchers TBM / BRBM (tactical ballistic missile / battlefield range ballistic missile) - 4 (+0). The Armed Forces of Ukraine struck at enemy positions on Zmiinyi Island, hit the command post and destroyed the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system. 2. The situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The enemy continues to shake up the situation with provocations around the Transnistrian region, organising imitations of terrorist attacks, announcing missile strikes and sending messages to the residents of Transnistria on behalf of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with panic calls for evacuation. In the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, in connection with numerous provocations from russia, a "red" level of terrorist threat has been introduced. The personnel of the security forces were transferred to the "barracks state", the control at the checkpoints was strengthened, and the preparations for the May 9 holiday parade were cancelled. According to the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, russia is trying to destabilise the situation in the Transnistrian region: We clearly understand that this is one of the steps of the russian federation. The special services have been already working there. It's not just about fake news. 3. Information summaries, reviews and assessments of foreign, Ukrainian intelligence and think tanks. According to the UK intelligence daily review, Ukraine retains control of most of its airspace, while russia has failed to effectively destroy the Ukrainian air force or suppress the Ukrainian air defence system. russian aircraft are mainly concentrated in the south and east of Ukraine, providing support to russian ground forces. russia has very limited access from the air to the north and west of Ukraine, limiting offensive operations with deep strikes from long-range weapons, the review informs. russia continues to strike at Ukrainian military facilities and logistics infrastructure throughout the country. Most russian air strikes on Mariupol are likely to be carried out by unguided bombs. These weapons increase the risk of civilian casualties. The US intelligence shares operational data with the Ukrainian military command on where the russians' missile strikes are aimed so that Ukrainians can quickly move air defence systems. NBC News reported this. Current and former US administration officials say the United States is constantly passing on information about the location and timing of russian airstrikes to Ukraine's military and political leadership. As a result, the Ukrainian leadership is relocating its air defence systems and aircraft in a timely manner, so russian missiles are allegedly hitting empty fields. According to one of the former high-ranking officials, US intelligence is transmitting operational data from commercial satellites in orbit that track russian troops and aircraft. But U.S. intelligence agencies are also providing details on the types of troops and units of the russian military that operate at various points in the theatre of operations. In addition, thanks to this exchange of information between intelligence agencies, in the first days of the invasion, Ukrainian forces were able to shoot down a large russian transport plane with hundreds of paratroopers on board. russians were going to land this plane at the Antonov airport in Hostomel. According to officials, the CIA is focusing on operations to protect President Vladimir Zelensky, providing the president's bodyguards with up-to-date information on russian saboteurs' plans. The CIA advises the Office of Public Protection on when and where to move Zelensky so that he is not in the same place with all the military and political leadership. Another source hinted to reporters that the intelligence exchange between the Ukrainian government and US intelligence agencies has intensified in recent weeks. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, countries-members (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) of the Collective Security Treaty Organization are reluctant to take part in the war against Ukraine. Despite russia's insistence, the CSTO members do not want to decide on peacekeeping operations outside their countries, including in the so-called "DPR" and "LPR". 4. The russian occupiers are violating international humanitarian law and committing genocide against Ukrainians. International and national investigation into the genocide of the russian occupiers against Ukrainians. From April 1 to 14, the Ombudsman's Office received about 400 complaints of sexual violence by the russian occupiers. russian aggressors kill Ukrainian children. As of the morning of April 27, a total of 610 children are known to have been injured in Ukraine as a result of the russian federation armed aggression. According to official figures, 217 children died (the number of victims has not changed over the previous day), the number of injured has risen to 393 children. As far as we know, the most affected children are in the Donetsk - 129, Kyiv - 114, Kharkiv - 93, Chernihiv - 66, Kherson - 44, Mykolaiiv - 43, Luhansk - 37, Zaporizhzhia - 27, Sumy regions - 17, Zhytomyr regions 15 and in Kyiv City 16. russian occupiers kill and abduct civilians, hold them hostage and torture them. In the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region, the occupiers are inspecting the houses of local residents in order to identify the places of residence of representatives of the security forces of Ukraine. There they carry out a census of the local population. Movement through the temporarily occupied territory without identity documents is prohibited. In the temporarily occupied territory in the Kherson region, the occupiers are preparing for the so-called "referendum", bulletins are being printed, and personal data of local citizens of Ukraine are being clarified. At the same time, russian invaders continue to prevent civilians from leaving the occupied territory. Sources in russian media confirmed that in mid-May the russian authorities were preparing to join the illegal formations of the DNR and LNR through the organisation of rigged "referendums." Two of them also named the probable dates - May 14th and 15th. A pro-Ukrainian rally was dispersed in the russian-occupied Kherson, the occupiers used tear gas, injuring four people. russian invaders are launching missile and bomb strikes on civilians, towns and villages. On the night of April 27th, the russian occupiers shelled the Dnipropetrovsk region, and also carried out shelling in the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kherson regions. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, the Zelenodolsk community bordering the Kherson region was shelled at night. In Zelenodolsk, the energy infrastructure company was damaged. One person was injured. In general, several settlements in the community were shelled - Zelenodolsk, the villages of Maryanske and Velyka Kostromka. The shelling continued in Kharkiv at night, and several fires broke out in high-rise apartment buildings in the Kyiv district. As of this morning, there is no information about the victims. Zolochiv, Derhachi, and Chuhuiiv were shelled in the region during the day. The Luhansk region: almost the entire territory of the region sustained losses from shelling, 3 civilians were killed. Most in Rubizhne and Lysychansk. In Lysychansk, a school was shelled, with 23 people in the bomb shelter, no casualties. On the morning of April 27th, the Hirske community was hit by an air strike, at least one person was killed. In the Donetsk region on the evening of April 26th and in the morning of April 27th, the russian occupiers fired phosphorous shells at Avdiyivka, and also launched an air strike on the city in the morning - at least one person was injured. Svitlodarsk territorial community (the Zaitsevo district) was fired at with cluster munitions. Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, Vuhledar, and Lyman were being shelled all the night. In the Kherson region, fighting continues in settlements bordering the neighbouring regions (Vysokopilska, Velykooleksandrivska, Novovorontsovska, Stanislavska territorial communities). Explosions and shelling took place almost throughout the region. For the second time, the russian army fired missiles at a road-railway bridge across the Dniester estuary in the Gulf of the Odesa region. Due to the destruction, Ukrzaliznytsia has stopped the suburban trains to Belgorod-Dniester 5. Evacuation of civilians, exchange of prisoners. The kremlin is not considering the possibility of removing putins cousin Viktor Medvedchuk from Ukraine in exchange for the release of the Ukrainian militaries. 6. Political and socio-economic situation in Ukraine, economic losses due to russian aggression. The government and society demonstrate unity, patriotism and faith in victory. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine with the participation of the Mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine and the Red Cross Society of Ukraine will launch a new program of payments for internally displaced persons. Financial assistance under the program will amount to UAH 2,500 per person. The National Bank of Ukraine transferred almost UAH 15.4 billion to the military, leaving UAH 137 million in a special account. Economic losses due to russian aggression. The World Bank has said that rising food and energy prices could continue until the end of 2024 due to disruptions in trade and production. This was reported by Bloomberg. Energy prices, which have reached their highest level since the 1973 oil crisis, are expected to exceed 50% in 2022 and then decline in 2023 and 2024. Prices for agricultural products and metals are projected to increase by almost 20% in 2022, and to decline and remain high in the coming years. Signs of recovery of the Ukrainian economy. In April, the National Bank has issued UAH 50 billion by purchasing military bonds for the corresponding amount. Restoration of infrastructure in the occupied territories. On April 27th, the construction of the water supply system to the city of Irpin and its connection with the Kyiv water supply system was completed. Water will be supplied to the city from the capital's water supply stations. As a result of hostilities, the Irpin water supply and sewerage system was destroyed and the situation became critical, so work began immediately after the liberation of the city. 7. International support and assistance to Ukraine. Political support for Ukraine. Head of the G20 and Indonesian President Joko Widodo has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take part in the G20 summit. Earlier, all members were invited, including russian president putin. As russia's invasion of Ukraine turned into a gruelling war without any serious peace agreement, the United States and its allies began talking about a new, longer-term goal of the war: to defeat russia so decisively on the battlefield that it could not attack Ukraine again. It is noted that such a message was most clearly conveyed on Monday by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after a visit to the Ukrainian capital, CNN reports . 73% of Americans support US efforts to supply weapons to Ukraine, the highest level of support since the russian invasion . This is evidenced by a survey by Reuters/Ipsos. Austria has returned its Embassy to Kyiv after evacuating it due to the war. Military assistance to Ukraine. The US Department of Defense has established a control centre to coordinate the supply and optimise the delivery of military aid to Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, in the area of responsibility of the European Command. Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, said that he had bad news for russia after the meeting of 40 world defence ministers, as support for Ukraine was growing significantly. The UK and other Western nations must provide Ukraine with military aircraft as part of long-term military support. This call will be made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Liz Truss in a keynote speech on Thursday, the BBC reports. The UK Ministry of Defence has released summary information on non-lethal assistance provided to Ukraine after the russian invasion. Ukraine received 90,000 food kits, 10 pallets of medical equipment, 3,000 bulletproof vests and 77,000 helmets. Canada will buy eight armoured vehicles for the Ukrainian military. Financial assistance to Ukraine. The European Commission has proposed to suspend for a year import duties on all Ukrainian exports to the European Union. "This proposal, which is an unprecedented gesture of support for the country in a state of war, also provides for the suspension for one year of all EU anti-dumping and protection measures on Ukrainian steel exports, it is said in a statement. It is noted that this step is designed to help increase Ukraine's exports to the EU and alleviate the plight of Ukrainian producers and exporters in the face of russia's military invasion. 8. Statements, provocations and fakes of russian aggressors. russian president putin still assures that all the tasks of the war against Ukraine, which he calls a "special military operation", will be fulfilled. The governor of the Belgorod region of the russian federation Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that, according to preliminary data, an ammunition depot is burning near the village of Stara Nelidovka. The Chancellor of Austria called russian propaganda message about Vienna's agreement to pay for russian gas in rubles a fake. "Before the fake news of russian propaganda spreads here. Of course, OMV will continue to pay for gas supplies from russia in euros. Austria strictly adheres to the jointly agreed EU sanctions, Karl Nehammer wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. 9. Political and socio-economic situation in russia, the impact of international sanctions on it. New sanctions and restrictions against russia, cessation of russian gas supplies to EU countries. Ten companies in the European Union have opened ruble accounts with Gazprombank, as required by the kremlin, while four of them have already paid in rubles. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing a source close to russia's Gazprom. According to unofficial information, russia has stopped supplying gas to Poland, the probable reason being the refusal to pay for it in rubles. russia's Gazprom has informed Bulgarian gas company Bulgargaz about the suspension of gas supplies on April 27th. This was reported by the Ministry of Energy of Bulgaria. The agency has said that measures are being taken to ensure alternative gas supplies and there is no need to limit gas consumption in the country. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that Gazprom's unilateral shutdown of gas supplies to consumers in Europe is another attempt by russia to use gas as a tool of blackmail. She noted that countries-members had developed contingency plans for such a scenario. The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala considers russia's actions to cut off gas in the EU a breach of treaty and an argument in favour of an energy embargo. The negative impact of sanctions on the russian economy. The Minister of Finance of the russian federation Anton Siluanov said that russia's budget deficit for 2022, according to his preliminary estimate, would be 1.6 trillion rubles or about 2.16 billion dollars at the official exchange rate. The head of the Accounting Chamber of russia Alexei Kudrin predicts a "very difficult situation" for russia in the next 2 years, only in the baseline scenario, russians expect a fall in GDP this year by 8.8%. This was reported by russian RBC. Conservative forecasts of russians estimate the fall in GDP at 12.4% this year. Additional expenditures to support the economy will exceed $ 53 billion (4 trillion rubles). The Visa system estimated the company's losses from leaving russia: $35 million was spent on de-consolidation of russia's subsidiary, another $25 million was spent to support russian and Ukrainian staff. Egypt recorded a daily average of eight coronavirus infections over the past week, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced on Saturday, with the countrys daily infections dropping to their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Mali could collapse if a UN peacekeeping mission withdrew, but suggested an option could be to replace it with an African Union force backed by a tougher operating mandate. By Trend Number of Turkish companies interested in investing in Azerbaijan may grow, director of the Turkish Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM) Ahmet Uysal told Trend. Uysal made the remark on the sidelines of the international conference on "South Caucasus Development & Cooperation" in Azerbaijans Shusha [liberated from Armenian occupation in the 2020 second Karabakh war] on April 28. "The number of such investors can increase following the conference in Shusha, he said. Such conferences are intended to attract potential investors to the region. Turkey wishes further prosperity and development to Azerbaijan. The conference in Shusha is being held with the participation of representatives of leading international think tanks. The main goal of the forum is to consider the possibilities of developing ties and opening communications between the countries of the South Caucasus in the post-conflict period [following the 2020 second Karabakh war], discuss the peace agenda being formed by Azerbaijan to normalize relations with Armenia as the basis for progress, security and prosperity in the region. The World Bank on Monday urged donors to boost support for the Palestinian Authority, which it said was facing a destabilising budget crisis linked partly to "record low" foreign aid contributions. Norway has slammed the latest Afghan Taliban edict demanding women cover up head to toe in public and warned that Afghanistan's new rulers are ``steering the country toward a humanitarian, economic and human rights catastrophe.'' Egypts Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the non-oil private sector rose slightly in April to 46.9, up from 46.5 in March, however, the sector is still suffering from the second quickest deterioration in its activity in two years, Standard and Poors (S&P) announced on Sunday. The war in Ukraine has rekindled debate on the future of Egyptian-American relations Following the strategic dialogue between Egypt and the US, held in Washington in early November 2021, a joint statement said the meetings, led by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and his American counterpart Antony Blinken, had offered an important opportunity for the two allies to discuss issues of mutual interest and joint collaboration. Two months later, however, the US administration decided to withhold $130 million in US military aid to Egypt. The withheld funds represent 10 per cent of the $1.3 billion that the US has earmarked for Egypt annually since 2017. On 27 January, Blinken spoke on the phone with Shoukri to inform him of the administrations decision. According to a US State Department statement, Blinken reaffirmed to Shoukri the importance of human rights in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. While some American media outlets cited unnamed US officials as saying that the Biden administration believes Egypt isnt doing enough to improve its human rights record, officials in Egypt declined to comment. I think Egyptian officials refuse to comment on these sensitive issues because they prefer to discuss them through diplomatic channels with American officials, said Mohamed Salah Abu Himila, a member of the House of Representatives Defence and National Security Committee. He added that Cairo had, in any case, anticipated the cut in US aid. Abu Himila argues that since President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi came to power in 2014, Egypt has circumvented US pressure and conditions by diversifying its defence purchases, with Russia, France, and Germany becoming important suppliers of arms. Egypts imports of arms from Russia, France, Germany, and Italy have all surged since 2014, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Abu Himila also points out that much of the economic assistance Egypt now receives comes from Arab Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Yet despite the cut to aid, on 10 March the US news website Politico reported that the US Senate approved $2.2 billion worth of defence sales to Egypt by an overwhelming majority. The package includes advanced air defence systems and C-130 Super Hercules transport aircraft. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sales will improve Egypts capability to meet current and future threats by providing airlift support for its forces, and that the aircraft can also be used for maritime patrol and rescue missions. On 16 March, US Central Command Chief General Frank McKenzie told the Senates Armed Services Committee that the US might also sell Egypt advanced F-15 fighter jets. McKenzie did not provide details of the sale, but according to Aviation Week it will probably involve the advanced F-15X fighter jet, which can fly at 3,000 km per hour, and has a range of 5,500 km. McKenzie visited Egypt last month and met with Minister of Defence Mohamed Zaki and other senior military officials. On another visit in February last year he met with President Al-Sisi. It was a pleasure to meet with President Al-Sisi and other military leaders in Cairo to identify ways to strengthen US-Egyptian relations, McKenzie said, adding that our defence relationship has endured and will continue for the benefit of both our great nations. Informed Pentagon sources told Reuters that McKenzies visit to Cairo [in 2022] and Washingtons approval of a $2.2 billion arms deal to Egypt came immediately following Joe Bidens administrations decision to withhold $130 million in military aid to Egypt. Reuters also quoted Senator Rand Paul as saying: We are partially taking away some military aid while offering new sales that are 10 times what weve withheld. It seems that US generals and military people in the Pentagon want a closer relationship with Egypt, while some senior figures in the US administration, the State Department and Congress, have other opinions, former assistant foreign minister Mohamed Hegazi said in a TV interview. While US military officials have long stressed Egypts role in expediting the passage of US warships through the Suez Canal and granting overflight for American military aircraft, Congressmen like Rand Paul, and rights groups such as the New York-based Human Rights Watch, have been busy trying to persuade the administration in Washington to further reduce US aid to Egypt. Washington, says Hegazi, has followed the growth in military relations between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates on the one hand, and Russia on the other with growing concern. Hegazi argues that these countries, which used to describe themselves as US allies, decided, in the face of Washingtons turning a deaf ear to their requests for military supplies to safeguard their national security, to look for other suppliers. Neither, he adds, have they concealed their reservations about Washingtons lack of resolve in the face of ongoing Iranian provocations. Firas Maksad, a professor at George Washington University, noted in an article titled Crisis in US-Middle East relations that Washington needs to recommit itself to the region. Most of Americas Middle Eastern allies Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt are expanding ties to Russia and China at Americas expense, wrote Maksad. We saw how the UAE refused to toe Washingtons line and abstained from condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine in the UN Security Council three weeks ago, and this week decided to receive Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, says Hegazi. Saudi Arabia has similarly ignored American requests to pump more oil in a bid to push prices down. Perhaps the new arms deal with Egypt, if completed, will reassure Arab allies that America actually cares about their national security. Hegazi and Abu Himila believe that it is too early to say how the war in Ukraine will impact Egyptian-American relations, or those between the US and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, though Abu Himilia argues that, regardless of any scenarios the war might produce, relations with Washington will remain a priority for all three states. During his visit to Cairo, General McKenzie said: We still have a very robust weapons programme with Egypt and were still very heavily engaged with them. *A version of this article appears in print in the 24 March, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: President Joe Biden pledged an additional $1.3 billion Thursday for new weapons and economic assistance to help Ukraine in its strong but increasingly difficult battle against the Russian invasion, and he promised to seek much more from Congress to keep the guns, ammunition and cash flowing. The latest military aid, Biden said, will be sent ``directly to the front lines of freedom.'' ``Putin is banking on us losing interest,'' Biden said. The Russian president is betting that ``Western unity will crack and once again we're going to prove him wrong.'' The new package includes $800 million in military aid for much-needed heavy artillery, 144,000 rounds of ammunition and drones for the escalating battle in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. It builds on roughly $2.6 billion in military assistance that Biden previously approved. There's also a fresh $500 million in direct economic assistance to Ukraine for government salaries, pensions and other programs. That raises the total U.S. economic support to $1 billion since Russia's invasion began nearly two months ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude but said his nation needs ever more _ up to $7 billion each month to make up for economic losses in addition to weapons and money for the continuing war. With tens of thousands of buildings damaged and key infrastructure in ruins, ``we will need hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild,'' Zelenskyy said, addressing the World Bank meeting in Washington virtually. Biden underscored a need for the United States and Western allies to remain resolved in their support for Ukraine amid signs that Americans may becoming more wary of the war. A poll published Thursday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows Americans' desire to get involved has waned somewhat. Some 32% say the US should have a major role in the conflict. That's ticked down from 40% last month, though it's slightly higher than the 26% who said so in February. An additional 49% say the US should have a minor role. The president also announced that Russian-affiliated ships would be barred from US ports, though that appeared to be largely symbolic. Russian ships bring a tiny amount of the cargo unloaded in the US, and ``my guess is that a decent chunk of that was tankers transporting Russian oil which is now banned anyway,'' said Colin Grabow, a research fellow who studies trade at the Cato Institute. Overall, Biden said that $6.5 billion in security assistance that Congress approved last month as part of a $13.6 billion package for Ukraine could soon be ``exhausted.`` With the latest announcement, Biden has approved about $3.4 billion in military aid since Feb. 24. Congress' overall total also included about $6.8 billion in direct economic assistance to care for refugees and provide economic aid to allies in the region impacted by the war and additional funding for federal agencies to enforce economic sanctions against Russia and protect against cyber threats. ``Next week, I'm going to have to be sending to Congress a supplemental budget request to keep weapons and ammunition deployed without interruption,'' Biden said. Congress has signaled it is receptive to further requests and has been expecting there would be a need for further help for the Ukrainians. But the issue could become entwined with partisan fights over pandemic spending and immigration, complicating the pathway. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has expressed a willingness to consider more aid for Ukraine in recent weeks. ``I think we need to say we want the Ukrainians to win, and we're prepared to do everything we can to help them win,'' McConnell said Monday in Shelbyville, Kentucky. ``We want to do more,'' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters at the Capitol, during an appearance with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. She said lawmakers would learn more about Biden's latest funding request ``in the next day or so, to be taken up as soon as we can. Next week.'' Biden spoke on the new assistance, and more broadly about the situation in Ukraine, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in the strategic city of Mariupol. Putin, however, ordered his troops not to risk more losses by storming the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the war's iconic battleground. Biden in an exchange with reporters following his remarks called Russia's claim on Mariupol ``questionable.`` Russian forces have destroyed much of southeastern port city, which has witnessed some of the fiercest fighting of the war. By Russian estimates, about 2,000 Ukrainian forces remain holed up in a sprawling steel plant, even as Russia continues to pound the industrial site and issue ultimatums for surrender. Biden sought to make clear to Russians that plenty more military assistance for Ukraine would be coming. ``Sometimes we will speak softly and carry a large Javelin, because we're sending a lot of those,'' Biden said, paraphrasing Theodore Roosevelt and referring to an anti-tank missile system. The new US military assistance is to include 72 155mm howitzers, 144,000 artillery rounds, 72 vehicles used to tow to the howitzers onto battlefields, and over 121 Phoenix Ghost tactical drones, as well as field equipment and spare parts. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the drones were developed by the Air Force in specific response to Ukrainian needs and produced by a U.S. company, Aevex Aerospace, but he would not say whether the program began before Russia started its invasion Feb. 24. Kirby said the Phoenix Ghost is similar to the armed Switchblade kamikaze drones that the Pentagon already is providing to Ukraine. The 72 howitzers are in addition to the 18 announced last week the U.S. was transferring to Ukraine. Biden's decision to quadruple the number pledged in an arms package announced just last week reflects what is shaping up as a major ground battle in the contested Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The Russians have been deploying additional artillery there in recent days as they aim to expand their offensive and attempt to take full control of the Donbas after retreating from a failed attempt to capture Kyiv, the capital. Heavy weaponry like artillery is expected to play a key role in the fighting in the relatively confined area where Ukrainian and Russian-backed separatists have been battling since 2014. The announcements on new aid came against the backdrop of International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings this week dominated by how to manage the spillover from Russia's war in Ukraine. Ahead of his remarks, Biden met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal. The Ukrainian leader also met on Thursday with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as well as Pelosi. Kristalina Georgieva, the International Monetary Fund's managing director, said at a news conference on Wednesday that Ukraine's financial ministry officials have estimated they will need $5 billion in international assistance per month for the coming months to help cover essential government services and keep the country's economy going. Before Biden's public remarks, the president met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal. The Ukrainian leader also met with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as well as Pelosi. Yellen at a news conference said the economic aid the US and allies have sent ``is only the beginning of what Ukraine will need to rebuild.'' She added that she'd be discussing efforts to further aid Ukraine with her Western counterparts this week. ``I think we stand united in recognizing we've got to find ways to meet Ukraine's needs,'' she said. The Biden administration also announced a new program Thursday aimed at streamlining refugee applications for Ukrainians and others fleeing the fighting, while they are still in Europe. The U.S. will no longer routinely grant entry to those who show up at the US-Mexico border seeking asylum, as thousands have. The US expects to admit up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine and about 15,000 have come, mostly through Mexico. Search Keywords: Short link: President Joe Biden has nominated career foreign service officer Bridget Brink to be the next US ambassador to Ukraine, the White House announced Monday. In Brink, Biden has chosen a seasoned diplomat who speaks Russian to be his chief envoy in a nation suffering a full-scale invasion by Moscow. Brink, currently the US ambassador to Slovakia, would fill a position that has been officially empty since 2019. She has "spent her twenty-five-year career in the Foreign Service focused on advancing US policy in Europe and Eurasia," the White House said in a statement announcing Biden's pick. Brink also has served as deputy chief of mission in US embassies in Uzbekistan and Georgia, and was stationed early in her career in Belgrade, Serbia and in Cyprus. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv on Sunday, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and told him Biden was nominating Brink to the post. He also told Zelensky that the United States intends to return its diplomats to Kyiv this week, months after they evacuated and set up operations in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, and in neighboring Poland. Though several European countries have already reopened their embassies in Kyiv, the return will be gradual for American diplomats, according to a State Department official. "Since the start of hostilities, we've had a team across the border in Poland who's been handling this work for us," the official told reporters waiting for Blinken on the Polish side of the border. Biden's nomination of Brink requires confirmation by the US Senate. The chamber is evenly split 50-50, but given the urgency of conditions in Ukraine it is expected Brink will be confirmed to the post. Search Keywords: Short link: Members of Egypt's two chambers of parliament the House of Representatives and the Senate joined the chorus of the country's political forces that welcomed President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's sudden call for conducting a wide-ranging national political dialogue. El-Sisi's made the call at a Ramadan Iftar attended by representatives of most of the country's political forces, business associations, ministers, leading MPs and senators, opposition figures, media people, journalists and youth leaders. El-Sisi said that recommendations for this dialogue will be referred to the House and Senate for further discussion. Egyptian MPs agreed that the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood cannot be invited to any expected political dialogue. MP Mahmoud Badr said in a statement that he believes that President El-Sisi's call for a political dialogue is directed to civilian forces only. "Those who have blood on their hands or were implicated in terror-related crimes cannot be invited to such a national political dialogue," said Badr, adding that "the Muslim Brotherhood was designated a terrorist organisation in 2013, and so nobody can expect that members of such a terrorist organisation can be invited to such national dialogues." Badr said that during the iftar ceremony, President El-Sisi referred to the TV series El-Ikhtiar 3, which documents the years of confrontation between the Muslim Brotherhood and civilian forces. "According to the president during the Iftar ceremony, El-Ikhtiar 3 is showing exactly what happened on the ground in Egypt between 2012 and 2013," said Badr, adding that "these words clearly mean that the Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organisation and can't be part of any national dialogue." In his statement before the Iftar ceremony on Tuesday evening, President El-Sisi said Egypt lost $38 billion in its war against terrorist organisations after the year 2011. Badr also indicated that President El-Sisi's support for releasing activists does not apply to the Muslim Brotherhood. "This applies to civilian activists and not to members of terrorist organisations with blood on their hands," said Badr. On 24 April, the prosecutor-general announced a decision to release 41 pretrial detainees, mostly lawyers, human rights activists and journalists. President El-Sisi said on Tuesday that he was happy that they had been released, noting that the homeland should be wide open for all and differences of opinion should not harm the nation. Moushira Khattab, president of the National Council for Human Rights, indicated that most of the released detainees were political activists or journalists. We are hopeful that others who are not involved in terror-related cases will be released, she said. Most of the 41 released detainees were in custody pending trial in political or freedom of speech cases. Tarek Radwan, chairman of the House of Representatives Human Rights Committee, said in a statement that the release of activists and journalists would help pave the way for a successful political dialogue. "Those released are civilian activists and not members of terrorist organisations," said Radwan, also agreeing that "the Muslim Brotherhood can't be invited to any proposed national dialogue." In a statement issued on Wednesday, the leftist Tagammu Party said it strongly supports El-Sisi's call for a political dialogue as it reflects a national need. "But this dialogue should be confined to civilian forces only, including recognised political parties and civil society organisations, with the objective of drawing up a new political roadmap for the coming years," said El-Tagammu's statement. MP Faridi El-Biaddi, a member of the leftist Egyptian Socialist Democratic Party, also said in a statement on Wednesday that El-Sisi's call for political dialogue is directed to all civilian political and social forces. We saw symbols of some of these forces attending the iftar ceremony and I think they are the only ones who will be invited to the proposed dialogue, said El-Biaddi. El-Biaddi also agreed that civilian activists serving prison sentences or are in custody pending trial are the ones expected to be released in the future. "But we do not expect that members of terrorist-designated organisations who were implicated in terror-related crimes will be released," said El-Biaddi, concluding that "we want a nation for all Muslims and Christians, majority and opposition but not for radical and terrorist forces." Former MP Kamal Ahmed also warned in a press interview on Wednesday against inviting the Muslim Brotherhood to the proposed political dialogue. "Inviting this organisation to such a dialogue means that they could be integrated into the political process again and this will be quite a dangerous development," said Ahmed, wondering "how, while we are watching the anti-Brotherhood TV serial El-Ikhtiar, can we open the door for this terrorist organisation to come back to political life?" Ahmed, a founder of the Arab Nasserist Party, said "the call for a national political dialogue should not be directed only to gather support from political forces for a new loan deal with the IMF or satisfy the American who are openly exerting political pressure on Egypt." Independent MP Mostafa Bakri also tweeted on Wednesday that he has high hopes that "the call for a wide-ranging dialogue will put an end to the state of political sclerosis in Egypt." Bakri also agreed that the call for political dialogue should be directed to all civilian forces without exception. "The only exception is forces which mix religion with politics or use violence to achieve their ends like the Muslim Brotherhood," said Bakri. Search Keywords: Short link: Prominent Egyptian political activist and Karama Party member Hossam Mones is being released by a presidential pardon on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day, member of the Presidential Pardon Committee Tarek El-Awdy announced on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior announced the release of 3,273 inmates with a presidential pardon to mark Sinai Liberation Day, which falls on 25 April. Mones was sentenced to four years and an EGP 500 fine in 2021 by an emergency state security misdemeanor court along with journalist Hisham Fouad. Former MP Ziad El-Eleimy was sentenced in the same trial to five years in prison. Member of the Presidential Pardon Committee and prominent lawyer Tarek El-Awdy said in media statements on Tuesday that Fouad and El-Eliemy are included on the lists of those imprisoned in politics-related cases that are reviewed by the committee. So far, it is unclear if there are other imprisoned political activists included in this presidential pardon. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi recently issued a directive to re-activate the Presidential Pardon Committee. El-Sisi also expressed his happiness with the decision of the public prosecution to release several pre-trial prisoners on Sunday. Initially formed in October 2016, the Presidential Pardon Committee reviews the cases of those imprisoned for political crimes and others who meet certain conditions, such as families who have more than one relative in jail. The new formation of the committee will compromise the deputy chairperson of the Human Rights Committee in the House of Representative Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, MP Tarek El-Kholy, former member of the 2016 committee Karim El-Sakka, human rights lawyer Tarek El-Awady, and Egypt's former manpower minister and veteran leftist activist Kamal Abu Eita. The committee will start its work on Tuesday to receive the names of imprisoned youth from various parties and political forces, the National Council for Human Rights and the Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives. Its scope of work will also be expanded to include imprisoned debtors. Search Keywords: Short link: The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) hailed President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis recent decision to reactivate the Presidential Pardon Committee following the release of 41 pretrial detainees. During the Egyptian Family Iftar banquet that was held on Tuesday, El-Sisi announced the re-activation of the Presidential Pardon Committee, which was initially formed in October 2016 to review the cases of those imprisoned for political crimes and others who meet certain criteria, such as having more than one relative in jail. Reactivating the committee, expanding its scope of work and restructuring it confirms that there is real intention to close a file that tends to distort Egypts image abroad and have negative effects on any opportunities to conduct an effective and integral political dialogue, a statement by the NCHR read on Wednesday. The committee is set to receive from the NCHR and the Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives the names of imprisoned youth from various parties and political forces. Earlier this week, the countrys Public Prosecution released 41 pretrial detainees, some of which were political and economic activists. Meanwhile, following the announcement of the committee reactivation, Egyptian authorities announced the release of 3,273 inmates with a presidential pardon on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day, which falls on 25 April. The NCHR welcomes the presidents call to launch a comprehensive political dialogue commensurate with the states efforts to build a new republic based on the foundations of justice, equality, freedom and sound democratic practice, the statement added. The council welcomed El-Sisis invitation to the National Youth Conference, which aims to conduct a political dialogue on the priorities of a national action plan. In the same context, the NCHR expressed its full readiness to work with the administration of the National Youth Conference to ensure the success of the comprehensive political dialogue. The council said that it looks forward to being an effective part of the launch of a dialogue involving civil society organisations and the Ministry of Solidarity to propose legislative amendments to achieve the goals of sustainable development. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt will start experimental exploration and production of gold in the area of Iqat in the Eastern Desert, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla revealed on Wednesday. During talks with Australian Ambassador in Cairo Glenn Miles, El-Molla asserted that global fuel price hikes have encouraged international companies to conduct exploration to make new discoveries, according to a statement by the ministry Wednesday. El-Molla and Miles discussed the current oil and gas exploration in the Red Sea region, where Australian Petroleum Company BHP contributes to the concession areas of Chevron and Shell in the Red Sea. BHP is the first Australian company working in the field of oil and gas in Egypt. The two sides discussed the current status of petroleum and gas markets in the shadow of ongoing challenges and the need for natural gas as a transitional fuel. They also discussed energy transition efforts and Egypt's preparations to host the upcoming international climate change summit, in addition to mining activities in Egypt and Australia and efforts exerted to develop mineral resources in Egypt. At the end of the meeting, Miles invited El-Molla and Egyptian companies to take part in the international conference for mining and resources in Melbourne, Australia, on 17-19 October. Search Keywords: Short link: By Trend The Southern Gas Corridor plays big role in Europe's energy security, faculty member of the US Naval Postgraduate School, international energy and foreign policy specialist Brenda Shaffer said at the "South Caucasus Development & Cooperation" international conference in Azerbaijans Shusha city on April 28, Trend reports. "We are entering a very difficult economic period. Energy security projects play a particularly important role during the current economic crisis, and the Southern Gas Corridor is one of such projects," Shaffer noted. The supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor began on December 31, 2020. Azerbaijan exported its natural gas to the European market through pipelines for the first time in history. Azerbaijan has diversified its export opportunities with direct access to the European market, which is the world's largest importer of natural gas. The Trans Adriatic pipeline (TAP) which is the European part of the Southern Gas Corridor, will annually supply eight billion cubic meters of gas to Italy and one billion cubic meters of gas to Greece and Bulgaria. Britain's top diplomat called Wednesday for Western allies to send tanks, warplanes, and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying fears of escalating the war were misplaced and ``inaction would be the greatest provocation.'' Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said ``this is a time for courage, not caution'' among nations helping Ukraine fight Russia's invasion. ``Heavy weapons, tanks, airplanes _ digging deep into our inventories, ramping up production. We need to do all of this,'' Truss said during an annual foreign policy speech at Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of London. NATO nations have supplied Ukraine with military weapons and gear, including missiles and armored vehicles. But they have been reluctant to send fighter planes, despite pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for fear of escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already accused NATO of effectively waging a proxy war against Russia. Western officials deny that, saying the conflict is between Russia and Ukraine due to Russia's illegal invasion of its neighbor. Britain has sent 450 million pounds ($565 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including thousands of missiles. But Despite Truss's call for jets, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman, Max Blain, said there were ``no plans'' for the UK to send planes. He did not rule out Britain sending planes to another country, such as Poland, that would then give its own jets to Ukraine, but said there were ``no specific plans'' to do so. Truss said Russia's attack on Ukraine must be a wake-up call for international institutions that failed to prevent the invasion. ``The architecture that was designed to guarantee peace and prosperity has failed Ukraine,'' Truss said. ``The economic and security structures developed after the Second World War and then the Cold War have been bent out of shape so far that they have enabled rather than contained aggression.'' Truss called Russian President Vladimir Putin a ``desperate rogue operator'' who was ripping up the global order and outfoxing international institutions. ``Russia is able to block any effective action in the UN Security Council,'' where it has a veto as a permanent member, she said, adding that the Group of 20 club of wealthy and emerging nations ``cannot function as an effective economic body while Russia remains at the table.'' In response, Truss called for a new focus on ``military strength, economic security and deeper global alliances'' among ``free nations.'' After years of declining military spending in many countries, including Britain, she said NATO's goal that countries spend 2% of the gross domestic product on defense should be ``a floor, not a ceiling.'' Truss also called for tougher economic sanctions on Russia, saying the West must cut off Russian oil and gas imports ``once and for all.'' That would be an easier thing to do for Britain than for many other European nations. ``If Putin succeeds, there will be untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe,'' she said. ``We would never feel safe again. So we must be prepared for the long haul and double down on our support for Ukraine.'' Search Keywords: Short link: When dozens of gunmen raided Abubakar Aliyu's village in central Nigeria two weeks ago, they stormed in on motorbikes, each carrying one or two attackers who opened fire and chased down residents. By the time security forces arrived, more than 100 villagers were dead and scores of homes destroyed after gunmen targeted four villages simultaneously, residents and local officials said. Aliyu escaped the Sunday morning attack with workers on his construction site, but not before he and others were shot and one colleague killed. "I tried to run away when I felt the bullet hit my eye," Aliyu told AFP in a Jos city hospital where he was recovering with a bandage over his face. "Three of us are alive, only one died among us, then they killed others in the town." The April 10 attack on Kanam district in Plateau state was the deadliest of raids this year blamed on heavily armed criminal gangs known locally as bandits who have long terrorised parts of Nigeria. But the raid also illustrates the complexity Nigeria faces to stop growing banditry that is devastating communities across northwest and north central states. With roots in clashes between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers over land and resources, violence in the northwest has spiralled into much wider conflict. Daily headlines spotlight killings, mass abductions and raids by bandits, but some data shows fatalities rival Nigeria's long jihadist insurgency in the northeast. Just in March and April, gangs bombed and attacked a train travelling from the capital Abuja, kidnapping dozens, attacked a security patrol killing 19, slaughtered dozens of local vigilantes, and stormed a set of villages killing another three dozen. Nigeria's military has announced offensives, including air strikes against bandit hideouts in vast forests across the northwest, but the criminal gangs are proving an elusive enemy. Plateau state, sitting between Nigeria's mostly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south, struggled with intercommunal clashes in the past. But attacks by bandit gangs were rare. "Those responsible, from the information and intelligence we've gathered so far, are criminals," Major Gen. Ibrahim Ali, the army's 3rd Division commander in Plateau said of the attacks, blaming gangs shifting from other states. "They are looking for safe haven, where they can take shelter and run away from our onslaught in the northwest." - Northwest conflict? - After 12 years of fighting, Nigeria's jihadist conflict centred in northeast Borno state has killed more than 40,000 and displaced 2.2 million more. But recent statistics show violence in northwest and central states appears more deadly than the insurgency involving Boko Haram and an Islamic State affiliate ISWAP. According to the research group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, bandit militias killed more than 2,600 civilians in 2021, an increase of over 250 percent from 2020. It said the figure far exceeds civilian fatalities resulting from the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies. A Nigerian risk analysis group SBM Intelligence said a tally of media reported deaths shows 782 people killed in the northwest region compared with 441 in the northeast over the first three months of this year. But the impact goes far beyond death tolls. Last year, bandit gangs targeted schools for mass abductions and ransom. More than 1,400 students were abducted, though most were later released. UNICEF estimates one million young Nigerians were likely out of school this year. The UN's migration agency IOM figures show northwest and central Nigeria had 728,000 displaced people in 2020. That number rose to 980,000 last year. Nearly 4,000 people were displaced by the attacks in Kanam district, mostly women and children, with many fleeing to the urban centre of Dengi and nearby camps. "The attack was never expected," local government chairman Dayabu Ibrahim Garga told AFP. "To come to our door-step, to experience this is really traumatising." - Jihadist cooperation - Murtala Ahmad Rufai, a historian at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, who has researched banditry, said most of the land rights and justice grievances at the root of the violence were no longer at play. "The conflict has taken a different dimension," he said. Several northwestern states have negotiated amnesty deals with bandit leaders, but most quickly fell apart. The federal government recently characterised bandit gangs as terrorists to allow the military more flexibility. But the challenge is huge, especially in vast rural areas with little state presence. Zamfara state government estimates around 30,000 bandits operate across the northwest, posing a massive task for already stretched security forces. Last year, several northwestern states shut down telecoms in a bid to curtail intelligence gathering and movement by bandit gangs. But three security sources said military operations were often "piecemeal" and failed to target gangs across the region, allowing bandits to escape. "When they are attacked in one place, they move to another," one source said. "They change locations depending on threats from security personnel." More complex for some analysts are indications jihadists may be increasing cooperation with bandits, such as in the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train, where explosives were used on the track. Government officials have blamed elements of Boko Haram who shifted from the northeast to join gangs. "Wherever there is such an increase in numbers... the level of atrocities and level of crime, of attacks will dramatically increase," Rufai said. Search Keywords: Short link: On the centennial of diplomatic ties between Cairo and Washington on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gifted Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry with two letters marking the start of relations between the two countries in the 1920s. The centennial was also marked by US Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart and Dutch Ruppersberger, who issued a joint statement hailing that strategic partnership between the two countries. In a Tweet on Wednesday, Blinken posted two letters sent in 1922 establishing the start of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The first telegram is a letter from former US President Warren G. Harding to King of Egypt Ahmed Fouad I recognising Egypts independence and sovereignty and establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, dated 26 April 1922. The second is a letter from then-US Secretary of State Charles Hughes to Egyptian Prime Minister Abdel-Khalek Tharwat Pasha congratulating him on Egypts independence, also dated 26 April 1922. Today marks 100 years of U.S.-Egypt diplomatic relations. To mark the centennial of our strategic partnership, I gifted Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry with the 1922 telegrams congratulating Egypt on its independence. pic.twitter.com/0nC753Es1t Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 26, 2022 Blinken gifted the two letters to Shoukry during his visit to Washington in mid-April to commemorate the centennial of diplomatic ties, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is a lot of history, but, I hope, a lot of good history we can actually make together in the months and years ahead, Blinken told the media before the meeting with Shoukry in Washington DC. Trade volume between Egypt and the US amounted to $9.1 billion in 2021, making the US Egypt's second-largest trading partner after China, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. This represents a leap in trade volume from $6.9 billion in 2020, according to AmCham. Egypt also accounted for 5 percent of the Middle East and North Africa exports to the US last year and 9 percent of the regions imports from the US. Congressional Friends of Egypt Caucus US Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart and Dutch Ruppersberger also marked 100 years of diplomatic ties with Egypt, saying the two countries have together faced global challenges, including the global threat of terrorism. The two congressmen, who are also co-chairs of the Congressional Friends of Egypt Caucus, hailed the partnership between Egypt and the US in a joint statement on Wednesday, saying it is built on a shared commitment to peace, stability, and economic growth for both countries. "It is our shared hope that Egypt will continue to lead on the world stage and that Egypt and the United States will enjoy another century of partnership and progress to the mutual benefit of the Egyptian and American people, the congressmen said. Cairo and Washington have also worked toward a solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict amid other global challenges, Diaz-Balart and Ruppersberger said. Egypt and the US have cooperated to achieve a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict over the past decades and have repeatedly called for reviving peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis. In May last year, Egypt, which has longstanding relations with both the Palestinian and Israeli sides, brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza after 11 days of Israeli assault. Egypt and the US administration also share similar visions on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including the need for a two-state solution and for stopping the building of new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, participated in a meeting in Israel's Negev last month that included the US and Abraham Accord signatories Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. During the meeting, Shoukry said Egypt has been striving for years to encourage both the Palestinian and Israeli sides to reach the necessary accommodation and compromise that can facilitate an end to the conflict. "Decades after the Camp David Accords, we continue to honour that historic agreement with robust contributions to the peace and security of the entire region," the two congressmen said. The Camp David Accords are US-brokered agreements signed between Egypt and Israel on 17 September 1978 that led to the peace treaty between the two countries in the following year. This became the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt called for adequate, sustained, and predictable funding for peacebuilding activities in conflict-affected countries during a high-level meeting of the General Assembly on financing for peacebuilding at its 76th session on Wednesday. Egypt's Permanent Representative to the UN Osama Abdel-Khalek delivered a joint cross-regional statement on behalf of 108 countries during the meeting, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. This includes all countries of the African Group at the UN and the European Union as well as a number of Asian, North American, South American, and Caribbean countries, the statement said. During the meeting, Abdel-Khalek highlighted the need for a comprehensive solution to the challenge of funding peacebuilding by exploring all available funding options, including the contributions of member states. This is the first time for a group of cross-regional countries to speak with one voice to support investment in peacebuilding finance and preventing conflicts by securing adequate funding in this regard, Abdel-Khalek said. A very encouraging start to the #UNGA HLM on @UNPeacebuilding Financing. Honored to deliver a joint cross-regional statement on behalf of 108 countries that called for an action-oriented outcome in the form of a negotiated resolution 1/2. pic.twitter.com/om9SKCZRHp Egypt PR to the UN in New York (@EgyptPRNewYork) April 27, 2022 Sustained peacebuilding funding in Africa Egypt, as the coordinator of the African Group in the UN concerning peacebuilding issues, delivered another statement on behalf of the group to express the aspirations of the African continent in the field of peacebuilding. This comes as the continent hosts the majority of peacebuilding efforts, the statement said. Egypt affirmed that peacebuilding financing cannot remain fundamentally and exclusively dependent on voluntary funding, Abdel-Khalek said. Instead, sustainable and predictable financing is required to maintain the gains of peace and development in the continent, Abdel-Khalek affirmed. This can only be achieved by ensuring access for peacebuilding activities in the UN budget, he added. Egypt called on Abdulla Shahid, president of the 76th session of the UNGA, to launch intergovernmental negotiations to adopt a resolution that addresses all options for peacebuilding funding. Addressing Shahid, Egypt also called for deepening partnership between the UN and the African Union to build the required human and institutional capabilities in Africa and enable the continent to lead regional peacebuilding efforts. This comes especially through backing the African Union Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development, which Cairo hosts, Abdel-Khalek said. The center, launched in December 2021, serves as the executive arm of the post-conflict reconstruction and development policy adopted by the AU. Egypt concluded last February its one-year-long chairmanship of the 15th session of United Nations Peacebuilding Committee, an intergovernmental advisory body in charge of backing peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. A total of 66 relevant resolutions were issued in 2021 during the Egyptian chairmanship of the 31-state committee, the foreign ministry said in a February statement. Search Keywords: Short link: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) office in Egypt, in partnership with the Egyptian Food Bank, launched a campaign titled An Advice Every Day in Ramadan with the aim of reducing food waste, improving food security and contributing to realising hunger-free communities. The campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the issue of food waste in Egypt, comes in light of the governments goals to implement a new law to reduce food waste, according to the FAO website. The latest reports issued by the FAO revealed that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region relies on imports to meet more than 50 percent of its food needs, yet it loses up to a third of the food it produces and imports due to waste. Globally, the FAO estimates that 931 million tonnes of food, or 17 percent of all food available to consumers in 2019, went into waste bins of households, retailers, restaurants and other food services. CEO of the Egyptian Food Bank Mohsen Sarhan said that the campaign aims to reduce food waste during the month of Ramadan. The holy month traditionally features the consumption of large quantities of food at meals breaking the daily fast. The campaign also aims to educate citizens to purchase only what they need during Ramadan, and encourage them to give what exceeds their needs to poor families, he added. The campaign was launched in coordination and cooperation with the Unit for Monitoring Loss and Waste in Agricultural Products at the Agricultural Economics Research Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The Food Bank is the first Egyptian non-governmental organisation established to eradicate hunger, aiming to deliver adequate food to families in need throughout the country. It was first launched in 2006. Search Keywords: Short link: Suspected Islamic State group gunmen have attacked a Ramadan gathering hosted by a former official of a US-backed group in eastern Syria, killing seven and wounding four, opposition activists said Thursday. The Wednesday night attack in the Abu Khashab area in Deir el-Zour province targeted the home of a former spokesman with the US backed Syrian Democratic Forces, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Euphrates Post news website. Euphrates Post said the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and opened fire as the group was having an iftar, the fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the home of former SDF spokesman Nouri Hameesh, who was among those killed. Three years after IS lost the last sliver of territory it controlled, its sleeper cells have been increasing attacks in recent months, mainly targeting the Kurdish-led SDF but also forces from the Syrian government. The Islamic State group's self-styled caliphate at its height covered a third of both of Iraq and Syria. The ensuing war against them lasted several years, killed thousands, and left large parts of the two neighboring countries in ruins. Search Keywords: Short link: Millions of workers staged a crippling strike in Sri Lanka on Thursday, adding to pressure on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his ruling family to quit over the country's worst-ever economic crisis. The island nation of 22 million people has been hit by months of acute shortages of food, fuel and medicines, prompting widespread protests. But Thursday's nationwide strike was the first time the entire country had been brought to a standstill since the demonstrations began, with both state and private sector employees taking part. Public transport was stopped, teachers quit school while shops and offices closed, police and regional officials said. Rajapaksa invited leaders of his party to discuss the crisis on Friday, but former coalition partner the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said they will not attend and instead told him to step down. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya's elder brother and a former two-term president, has said he is confident he will not be fired over the crisis. In Colombo's main commercial area of Pettah, wholesale trading shops were shut and workers joined a march chanting: "Go home Gota. Go home Gota," referring to the president. More than 100 trade unions, some even affiliated with the Rajapaksas' ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, joined the general strike, demanding the president, prime minister and other senior officials resign. "Today is like a public holiday in the country," a police official monitoring the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP. "Hospitals are treating only emergency cases." Across the nation, vegetable markets were closed, while tea plantations, a main export earner, were also shut, residents and local media said. Tens of thousands of workers in the country's free trade zones came out of their factories and staged protests demanding the powerful Rajapaksa family step down. Most banks were closed while a few provided reduced hours of service. On the brighter side, a daily power cut that has become a feature of the crisis was not implemented Thursday as electricity employees took part in the work stoppage. The main international airport operated without interruption, officials said. Trade union leaders said they ensured the airport functioned normally as an essential service. Deadline to resign By afternoon, shops across the country had closed in solidarity with the trade unions, local television reported. Union leader Ravi Kumudesh said Thursday's action was a success and issued a one-week deadline to Rajapaksa to step down or face a continuous strike. "What we are asking the Rajapaksa family is to go within a week," Kumudesh said in a statement. "If they don't we are ready to launch another island-wide strike until they leave." The country's economic crisis took hold after the coronavirus pandemic hammered income from tourism and remittances from Sri Lankans abroad. Protesters also blame the Rajapaksa clan for years of mismanagement. The government has defaulted on its $51 billion external debt and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for an emergency bailout. Unable to pay for fuel imports, utilities have imposed daily blackouts to ration electricity, while long lines of people snake around service stations for diesel, petrol and kerosene. Hospitals are short of vital medicines and the government has appealed to citizens abroad for donations. Thousands of demonstrators have been camped for weeks outside the president's seafront office calling on him to resign. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkey on Thursday rejected accusations that its warplanes conducted unauthorized military flights over Greek islands, pointing the finger at fellow NATO-member Greece instead. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said accusations made by Greece ``do not reflect the truth'' and insisted that it was Greece's air force that carried out ``provocative flights'' near Turkey's coast, allegedly violating its airspace repeatedly over the southwestern towns of Didim, Datca, and Dalaman. ``While Greece is the party which started and escalated the tension, accusing our country of unfounded allegations is incompatible with the recent positive agenda and good neighborly relations between the two countries,'' the Turkish statement read. Turkey and Greece have long-standing sea and air boundary disputes that intensified with moves to explore potential undersea natural gas reserves. The disagreement has resulted in near-daily air force patrols and interception missions, mostly in disputed airspace around Greek islands that are near Turkey's coastline. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday he contacted NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to report the alleged airspace violations by Turkey that he said included unauthorized flights over several large Greek islands. ``I made it clear to Secretary-General Stoltenberg that this type of behavior by a NATO ally in the southeast flank of the alliance is simply unacceptable. It undermines European security as well as the unity of purpose of NATO,'' Mitsotakis said. Mitsotakis made the comments at a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. On Wednesday, Turkey's ambassador to Athens was summoned to Greece's Foreign Ministry to receive a complaint about the unauthorized military flights. Turkey's Foreign Ministry called on Greece to ``stop provocative actions and rhetoric'' and to support recently-resumed talks that aim to build confidence between the two countries. ``There is no change in Turkey's attitude toward resolving all Aegean disputes, including the width of the airspace, within the framework of a sincere dialog, in accordance with international law,'' the ministry statement read. Search Keywords: Short link: Two explosions, within minutes of each other, killed at least nine people and wounded 13 in northern Afghanistan on Thursday, a spokesman for a Taliban-appointed police chief said. The blasts targeted two separate vehicles in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, according to Mohammad Asif Waziri, the spokesman. The source of the blasts was not immediately clear and the spokesman provided no further details. No one claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban security cordoned off the area. Residents in the area said members of the Shia minority Hazara ethnic group appeared to be the target. They spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety. The attacks are the latest in a series of deadly bombings to rattle Afghanistan. Last week, 33 Shia worshippers were killed when a bomb ripped through a mosque and an adjacent religious building school. The Islamic State group's regional affiliate - a top foe of Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers - claimed responsibility for that bombing. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts non-oil exports grew by $1.5 billion - 20 percent - in the first quarter (1Q) of 2022 (January-March) to reach $9.1 billion, up from $7.6 billion in 1Q 2021 despite the global economic challenges., according to Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea. Gamea attributed the growth in non-oil exports to the stability of global demand for Egyptian products across all production sectors and the upgrade of Egyptian products' competitiveness in international markets. She noted that the cash repayment initiative for exporters' arrears and other export support initiatives as one of the key drivers behind the increase in Egyptian exports during 1Q 2022, in addition to the free trade and preferential agreements Egypt signed. Since the launch of these initiatives in October 2019, the government has disbursed EGP 33 billion among over 2,500 export companies. A number of international markets are currently relying on Egyptian products in light of the production slowdown in many countries as a result of the ongoing geo-political tensions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister added. Egypt has a strategic plan to increase exports to $100 billion per annum under the directives of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, added Gamea. African markets excluding Arab countries topped Egyptian export destinations in 1Q 2022 with a total value of $515.3 million, growing by 35 percent compared to 1Q 2021. Arab League countries come next with a total of $2.9 billion (28 percent growth), the US with $623 million (21 percent increase), and European Union countries with a total of $2.5 million (up by 14 percent), added Gamea. On a sectoral level, printing and packaging exports attained the highest increase in 1Q 2022 among 11 export sectors, increasing by 59 percent compared to 1Q 2021 to reach $312 million, followed by ready-made garment exports that rose by 44 percent to record $625 million. Construction material exports increased by 35 percent to post $905 million, and textiles exports inched up by 32 percent to reach $279 million. Electronic and engineering industry exports edged up in 1Q 2022 by 31 percent to record $977 million, while chemicals and fertilisers exports grew by 23 percent to reach $935 million. The top markets that received Egyptian exports in 1Q 2022, the minister stated, include the US ($623 million), Turkey ($565 million), Italy ($580 million), the UAE ($579 million), Spain ($284 million), Britain and North Ireland ($274 million), India ($274 million), Libya ($271 million), and Sudan ($265 million). Egypts exports recorded an all-time high of $45.2 billion in 2021 despite the pandemic, Gamea stated. Search Keywords: Short link: By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in Baku has hosted an event "Unity of the children of the Turkic World" to mark the National Sovereignty and Children's Day of Turkiye (April 23). President of the Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva addressed the event aimed at further strengthening cultural ties between the foundation and the member states and observers of the organization as well as familiarizing the younger generation with the material and spiritual values of the Turkic world. She expressed her gladness to see children - the architects of the future of the Turkic world at the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. "The most valuable asset of every state are children who represent peace, love and hope. On this beautiful day, sharing with you the excitement of this holiday, I invite children from all over the Turkic world - represented by the youth from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan gathered here - to spread the message of peace, friendship and brotherhood to the whole world together. We must not forget about the children who wanted to celebrate this holiday, but were faced with war, famine, diseases. Each of us must do everything possible to bring them back into society, to meet their needs. It is extremely important that our children get an education," said Afandiyeva. "Today their openness to science and new technologies, reading, research, and interest in innovations is essential. But we, as adults, are obliged to instill in them love of our Homelands, our nations, our history, culture and traditions. We, as the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, are proud and pleased to fulfill this honorable mission. Because one of our main goals is to pass on the material and cultural values of the Turkic world to future generations. I once again congratulate all the children on the holiday and wish them to celebrate this day next year in Shusha, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic world," she added. Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of Turkiye to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci stressed the importance of the event. "It can be said that every week, the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation holds very important events to promote Turkic culture and heritage. April 23 is the day when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lit the torch of the national struggle. In this sense, national sovereignty is the message of Ataturk, which tells children to own up to their Homeland, their identity, their flag, and therefore it is very valuable," he said. Secretary-General of TurkPA Mehmet Sureyya Er, Members of Parliaments of the Turkic states, ambassadors of the member states and observers of the Foundation and other officials also took part in the event. At the festivity, children representing Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan performed songs, displayed dances in national costumes, played national musical instruments, and read poems expressing the solidarity of the Turkic world. The young talents were presented with certificates and gifts. The event participants also viewed the exhibition of paintings by the young Azerbaijani artist Kovsar Gurban. Initiated in 2012, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on preservation of Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third countries. The Foundation provides assistance in the protection, study and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects and programs. It carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy. Cooperation Council of the Turkic Speaking States (CCTSS) is an intergovernmental organization, which aims at promoting comprehensive cooperation among Turkic Speaking States. The organization was established by the Nakhchivan Agreement, which was signed at the Turkic Summit in 2009. In order to fulfill the objectives and tasks of the CCTSS, the organization has been divided into the following structures: Council of Heads of States; Council of Foreign Ministers, Senior Officials Committee, Council of Elders, Secretariat, Coordination Committee, Representation Office of the Turkic Council in Budapest. Acclaimed Egyptian film director Yousry Nasrallah has been unveiled as the jury chairman of the Short Films competition of the 75th Cannes Film Festival, which will take place between 17 and 28 May. "The Jury will be tasked with selecting one of the nine films in Competition for the Short Film Palme dor, to be awarded at the Festival's closing ceremony on Saturday 28 May," the organisers stated on Thursday. Under the presidency of Nasrallah, the jury also comprises acclaimed Canadian actress and director Monia Chokri, Belgian director and screenwriter Laura Wandel, French actor and director Felix Moati, and French film critic Jean-Claude Raspiengeas. "The Jury will also award three La Cinef prizes to the best of the 16 films from film schools presented this year. The prizes will be awarded at a ceremony prior to the screening of the award-winning films on Thursday, May 26, 2022." Arab filmmakers are well represented at Cannes this year, with the International Federation of Critics selecting veteran Egyptian director Ahmed Shawky to chair the critics jury. Meanwhile, the International Critics Week (La Semaine de la Critique) announced Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania as the president of the 61st edition. Veteran French actor Vincent Lindon will head the main jury which awards the coveted Palme d'Or top prize alongside British actress and director Rebecca Hall, Indian actress Deepika Padukone, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, Italian actress and director Jasmine Trinca, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, French director Ladj Ly, American director Jeff Nichols and Norwegian director Joachim Trier. Yousry Nasrallah Yousry Nasrallah, 69, initially studies economics and political sciences at Cairo University before studying cinema at the Higher Institute for Cinema in Cairo. He started his career in cinema by working to become a film critic for Al-Safeer newspaper as well as assistant director in Lebanon. He started his career as a filmmaker in Egypt by working as an assistant director with the late iconic director Youssef Chahine in a number of films starting with 'Wada'an Bonaparte' (Adieu Bonaparte - 1985). He shot his first feature film Summer Thefts in 1988, which was screened the same year at Cannes in the Directors Fortnight selection. He followed it up with Mercedes (1993), which was selected at the Locarno Film Festival; Sobian W-Banat (On Boys, Girls and the Veil - 1995), a documentary about Egypts young people; and Al-Madina (The City - 1999), which was awarded Locarnos Special Jury Prize. His eponymous book-to-screen adaptation of Elias Khourys novel The Gate of Sun was in the Festival de Cannes Official Selection in 2004. He went on to film Genenet Al-Asmak (The Aquarium - 2008) and Ehky Ya Sharhazad (Tell Me a Story, Scheherazade - 2009), which was screened at the Venice Film Festival. In 2011, his Dakhly-Khargy (Interior/Exterior) was included in 18 Days, an anthology of shorts screened at the Festival de Cannes in honour of Egypt. The following year he was back in the Official Selection with his 'Baad el Mawkeaa' After the Battle. His last film 'El Maa Wal Khodra Wal Wagh Al Hassan' Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces was presented in the Official Competition at the Locarno Film Festival in 2016. Search Keywords: Short link: The Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo is under restoration three decades after the last renovation campaign. In the religious compound in Old Cairo containing the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque and the Hanging and St Sergius and Bacchus churches stands the Ben Ezra Synagogue named after Abraham Ibn Ezra, a Jewish religious scholar and philosopher. More than three decades after its last restoration, the synagogue is now being restored again to remove the toll of time on its walls, ceilings, and decorations. Mustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that the ceiling of the synagogue had been suffering from a high level of humidity due to heavy rain. The aim of the restoration project is to strengthen the ceiling and stop the leakage of rainwater into it. The work will also include the restoration of the Holy of Holies, the removal of cracks, the reinforcement of the walls and ceilings, and the cleaning and desalination of decorations. Osama Talaat, head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, said that the Ben Ezra Synagogue, located on Mar Girgis Street in Old Cairo near the Coptic Museum and the Church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus, was originally a church known as the Al-Shammaain Church that the Coptic Orthodox Church sold in 882 CE to the Jewish community. It is said that the Ben Ezra Synagogue marks the site upon which Moses prayed for the lifting of the plague that afflicted the ancient Egyptians and that is mentioned in the Bible. It was built in the basilical style, meaning that it is composed of three halls, the middle being the largest and tallest. The central hall is surmounted by an octagonal dome. The sanctuary is on the east wall of the synagogue, which is also where the Torah case, made of wood inlaid with pearl and ivory, is located. A few steps lead up to the marble pulpit, which lies at the centre of the synagogue. The upper level is reserved for women and overlooks the prayer area. On its north side is the geniza, which was sealed and could only be reached through an aperture in its roof. Every synagogue has a geniza, a repository for old documents mentioning the name of God. Since it was impermissible to throw away texts or documents bearing the name of God, these were all once kept in genizas. The Ben Ezra Synagogues geniza was discovered in 1896, and its contents were moved to the University of Cambridge in the UK for study and research. *A version of this article appears in print in the 28 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show Russian fire is intensifying on a steel mill that is the last Ukrainian-held area in the city of Mariupol. The images by Planet Labs PBC shot Wednesday show that concentrated attacks have greatly damaged a central facility at the Azovstal steelworks. An estimated 1,000 civilians are sheltering along with about 2,000 Ukrainian fighters in the steelworks, a massive Soviet-era complex with a warren of underground facilities built to withstand airstrikes. Mariupol, a strategic port city on the Sea of Azov, is viewed as crucial for the Russians in the war. The new images come as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visits Ukraine and plans to speak to Ukraine's president about his efforts to negotiate with Moscow for a corridor for people to leave the besieged area. Search Keywords: Short link: The German parliament on Thursday voted in favour of providing Ukraine with heavy weapons, backing a shift in policy that came with the decision to send tanks to Kyiv earlier this week. The Bundestag voted with a large majority for a motion put forward jointly by the three ruling coalition parties, the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and liberal FDP and the opposition conservatives. The document calls for the "acceleration of the delivery of effective, including heavy, weapons and complex systems by Germany". Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht had said on Tuesday that Germany would send Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, in a clear switch in Berlin's cautious policy on military backing for Kyiv. Germany had previously sent only defensive weapons, leaving Chancellor Olaf Scholz facing criticism that he was not doing enough to support Ukraine. The motion approved on Thursday calls on the government to supply heavy weapons directly, as well as indirectly by replacing stocks sent to Ukraine from eastern European countries. In a debate before the vote, Britta Hasselmann, co-chair of the Green party's parliamentary group, said Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a "blatant" breach of international law and Ukraine had an "unrestricted right to self-defence". FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Duerr also said it was "right" to approve both direct and indirect heavy arms deliveries. Scholz had previously justified his reluctance to send heavy weapons to Ukraine by saying he wished to avoid a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, a nuclear power. But leader of the opposition CDU party, Friedrich Merz, on Thursday said it was not caution that was driving the chancellor. "It is hesitation, it is dithering, it is timidity," he said. SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil accused Merz of trying to use the conflict to boost his political standing. "There is no room for party-political posturing here," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion, a signal that the US is prepared to mount a robust, long-term campaign to bolster Kyiv and weaken Moscow as the bloody war enters its third month with no sign of abating. Biden's latest proposal, which the White House said was expected to support Ukraine's needs for five months, has more than $20 billion in military assistance for Kyiv and for shoring up defenses in nearby countries. There is also $8.5 billion in economic aid to help keep Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government functioning and $3 billion for food and humanitarian programs to help civilians, including the more than five million refugees created by the war. The assistance package, which now heads to Congress for consideration, would be more than twice as large as an initial $13.6 billion of defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies that Congress enacted last month and is now almost exhausted. It was meant to signify that the US is not tired of helping to stave off Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to expand his nation's control of its neighbor, and perhaps beyond. ``The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly,`` Biden said. ``It's critical this funding gets approved and as quickly as possible.'' The request comes with the fighting, now in its ninth week, sharpening in eastern and southern parts of the country and international tensions growing as Russia cuts off gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria. Biden promised that the US would work to support its allies' energy needs, saying, ``We will not let Russia intimidate or blackmail their way out of the sanctions.'' Biden said the new package ``begins the transition to longer-term security assistance'' for Ukraine. There is wide, bipartisan support in Congress for giving Ukraine all the help it needs to fight the Russians, and its eventual approval of assistance seems certain. But Biden and congressional Democrats also want lawmakers to approve billions more to battle the pandemic, and that along with a Republican push to entangle the measure with an extension of some Trump-era immigration restrictions leaves the proposal's pathway to enactment unclear. Biden also asked lawmakers to include an additional $22.5 billion for vaccines, treatments, testing, and aid to other countries in continuing efforts to contain COVID-19, saying ``we're running out of supply for therapeutics.`` But that figure, which Biden also requested last month, seems aspirational at best. In a compromise with Republicans, Senate Democrats have already agreed to pare that figure to $10 billion, and reviving the higher amount would be at best an uphill fight. Biden said he had no preference whether lawmakers combined the virus funding with the Ukraine package or split them up. ``They can do it separately or together,`` Biden said, ``but we need them both.'' Biden was also asking Congress on Thursday for new powers to seize and repurpose the assets of Russian oligarchs, saying the US was seizing luxury yachts and homes of ``bad guys.'' He wants lawmakers to make it a criminal offense for a person to ``knowingly or intentionally possess proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government,'' double the statute of limitations for foreign money laundering offenses to 10 years, and expand the definition of ``racketeering'' under US law to include efforts to evade sanctions. Biden also asked Congress to allow the federal government uses the proceeds from selling the seized assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs to help the people of Ukraine. In a virtual address to International Monetary Fund and World Bank leaders last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the proceeds of sanctioned property and Central Bank reserves to be used to compensate Ukraine for its losses. He said that frozen Russian assets ``have to be used to rebuild Ukraine after the war as well as to pay for the losses caused to other nations.'' Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said at the time that congressional action would be needed to authorize such actions. The war has already caused more than $60 billion in damage to buildings and infrastructure, World Bank President David Malpass said last week. And the IMF in its latest world economic outlook forecast that Ukraine's economy will shrink by 35% this year and next. In recent weeks, the US and global allies have sanctioned dozens of oligarchs and their family members, along with hundreds of Russian officials involved in or deemed to be supporting its invasion of Ukraine. The White House says the new tools will toughen the impact of the sanctions on Russia's economy and its ruling class by making sanctions more difficult to evade. The huge amount that Biden is seeking in the supplemental is more than half of the entire proposed $60.4 billion budget for the State Department and US Agency for International Development for the next budget year, although it's only a small fraction of the 2023 Pentagon spending plan. According to Brown University's Costs of War Project, the US has spent about $2.2 trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since Sept. 11, 2001. It estimates that the costs of interest by 2050 would grow to $6.5 trillion. As a comparison, the US spent $23.2 billion - including Defense, State, and Homeland Security department money - in the 2001 budget year alone to cover the aftermath of 9/11 and the invasion of Afghanistan, according to the Congressional Research Service. Of the money Biden is requesting now for military purposes, $6 billion would be used to arm Ukraine directly, $5.4 billion would replace US supplies sent to the area, $4.5 billion would be for other security assistance for Ukraine and US allies, and $2.6 billion for the continued deployment of US forces to the region, according to documents describing the request. Search Keywords: Short link: Russia pounded targets from practically one end of Ukraine to the other Thursday, including Kyiv, bombarding the city while the head of the United Nations was visiting in the boldest attack on the capital since Moscow's forces retreated weeks ago. At least one person was killed and several were injured in the attack on Kyiv, including some who were trapped in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. The bombardment came barely an hour after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a news conference with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Ukraine has become ``an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain.'' "Let me be very clear: the Security Council failed to do everything in its power to prevent and end this war. And this is the source of great disappointment, frustration, and anger," Guterres added. A spokesperson said Guterres and his team were safe. Meanwhile, explosions were reported across the country, in Polonne in the west, Chernihiv near the border with Belarus, and Fastiv, a large railway hub southwest of the capital. The mayor of Odesa in southern Ukraine said rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian authorities also reported intense Russian fire in the Donbas - the eastern industrial heartland that the Kremlin says is its main objective - and near Kharkiv, a northeastern city outside the Donbas that is seen as key to the offensive. In the ruined southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters holed up in the steel plant that represents the last pocket of resistance said concentrated bombing overnight killed and wounded more people. And authorities warned that a lack of safe drinking water inside the city could lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In Zaporizhzhia, a crucial way station for tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol, an 11-year-old boy was among at least three people wounded in a rocket attack that authorities said was the first to hit a residential area in the southern city since the war began. Shards of glass cut the boy's leg to the bone. Vadym Vodostoyev, the boy's father, said: ``It just takes one second and you're left with nothing.'' The fresh attacks came as Guterres surveyed the destruction in small towns outside the capital that saw some of the worst horrors of the first onslaught of the war. He condemned the atrocities committed in towns like Bucha, where evidence of mass killings of civilians was found after Russia withdrew in early April in the face of unexpectedly stiff resistance. ``Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians,'' the U.N. chief lamented. Separately, Ukraine's prosecutor accused 10 Russian soldiers of being ``involved in the torture of peaceful people'' in Bucha. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova did not say her office had filed criminal charges, and she appealed to the public for help in gathering evidence. Russia denies it targets civilians. In the attack on Kyiv, explosions shook the city and flames poured out of windows in at least two buildings - including one residential one - in the capital, which has been relatively unscathed in recent weeks. Plumes of smoke could be seen over the city. The explosions in northwest Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district came as residents have been increasingly returning to the city. Cafes and other businesses have reopened, and a growing numbers of people have been out and about, enjoying the spring weather. It was not immediately clear how far away the attack was from Guterres. ``I was shocked to be informed that two rockets have exploded in the city where I am,'' the U.N. chief was quoted as telling the BBC. ``So this is a dramatic war, and we absolutely need to end this war and we absolutely need to have a solution for this war.'' Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in the east has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Several journalists have been killed in the war, now in its third month. Also, both Ukraine and the Moscow-backed rebels fighting in the east have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone. Western officials say the Kremlin's apparent goal is to take the Donbas by encircling and crushing Ukrainian forces from the north, south and east. But so far, Russia's troops and their allied separatist forces appear to have made only minor gains, taking several small towns as they try to advance in relatively small groups against staunch Ukrainian resistance. Russian military units were mauled in the abortive bid to storm Kyiv and had to regroup and refit. Some analysts say the delay in launching a full-fledged offensive may reflect a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to wait until his forces are ready for a decisive battle, instead of rushing in and risking another failure that could shake his rule amid worsening economic conditions at home because of Western sanctions. Many observers suspect Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. As Russia presses its offensive, civilians again bear the brunt. ``It's not just scary. It's when your stomach contracts from pain,'' said Kharkiv resident Tatiana Pirogova. ``When they shoot during the day, it's still OK, but when the evening comes, I can't describe how scary it is.'' Ukraine's military said that Russian troops were subjecting several places in the Donbas to ``intense fire'' and that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had repelled six attacks in the region. Four civilians were killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in the Luhansk region of the Donbas, according to the regional governor. Columns of smoke could be seen rising at different points across the Donetsk region of the Donbas, and artillery and sirens were heard on and off. In Mariupol, video posted online by Ukraine's Azov Regiment inside the steel plant showed people combing through the rubble to remove the dead and help the wounded. The regiment said the Russians hit an improvised underground hospital and its surgery room, killing an unspecified number of people. The video couldn't be independently verified. An estimated 100,000 people remained trapped in Mariupol. ``Deadly epidemics may break out in the city due to the lack of centralized water supply and sewers,'' the city council said on the messaging app Telegram. It reported bodies decaying under the rubble and a ``catastrophic'' shortage of drinking water and food. Loud bangs were also reported in Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, but there was no immediate explanation. In recent days, fuel and ammunition sites on Russian soil have been hit with explosions and fires, and suspicion has fallen on Ukraine. Ukraine has urged its allies to send even more military equipment to fend off the Russians. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine. Search Keywords: Short link: A Russian official said Thursday that the ruble will soon be introduced in areas of Ukraine under Moscow's control, despite Russia earlier insisting it was not seeking to occupy captured territory A civilian and military administrator of the Russian-controlled region of Kherson in southern Ukraine said Moscow would introduce its currency in the region within the coming days. "Beginning May 1, we will move to the ruble zone," the official, Kirill Stremousov, was cited as saying by Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti. He specified there will be a grace period of four months when Ukraine's currency, the hryvnia, would also be used. "Then we will completely switch to settlements in rubles," RIA Novosti quoted Stremousov as saying. Stremousov's announcement was yet to be confirmed by any high-ranking Russian official. Russia said earlier this week that it had seized control of the entire southern Kherson region, including its eponymous administrative capital, which fell to Russian troops soon after the February 24 invasion. Moscow's defence ministry claimed that "peaceful life" was being restored to the region and others which have been captured recently, despite reports in the Ukrainian press and on social media of ongoing protests against the Russian administration of Kherson. Search Keywords: Short link: Cutting off natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria cost Russian President Vladimir Putin very little, but it is adding stress on European countries wrestling with how to reduce the energy imports feeding the Kremlin's war chest and how to keep a united front on the war in Ukraine. European Union officials say yielding to Putin's demand to pay for gas in rubles would violate Western sanctions imposed over the invasion. Poland and Bulgaria were cut off after refusing the demand and said they will manage because they were already working to end their dependence on Russian energy supplies. Analysts say there is enough ambiguity in the European stance to allow the Kremlin to keep trying to undermine unity among the 27 member countries, even if an implied threat to cut off major customers such as Germany and Italy may turn out to be an empty one because it would cost Russia heavily. The cutoff sent a chill through EU officials wondering how their utility companies will heat homes and generate electricity next winter. Putin got maximum disruption of what he regards as a hostile alliance for minimal costs because Poland and Bulgaria are relatively minor customers who were about to end their contracts at year's end anyway. Poland's entire gas import was only 10 billion cubic meters per year, out of total European imports of 155 billion from Russia. Gas in roughly that amount is already flowing to Poland from other European countries pitching in to help. Russian energy giant Gazprom has lost relatively little revenue but opened a new front in its confrontation with Europe. Putin is creating ``a system where he can basically divide countries _ as we are seeing _ for the ones that don't want to comply with this new scheme will be cut off, while others will try to comply and essentially go against the European Union indication,`` said Simone Tagliapietra, an energy expert and senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels. European payments for Russian oil and gas amount to $850 million a day even as governments condemn the war. It's the result of decades in which Russia was regarded as a reliable supplier of cheap gas despite warnings from Poland and other central and Eastern European countries that Russia could use energy as a weapon. While Europe needs oil and gas, those sales are the main pillar of the Kremlin's budget. John Lough, an associate fellow in the Russian and Eurasia program at the Chatham House think tank, said Russia's cutoff of Poland and Bulgaria was meant as a signal to major importers Germany and Italy, which both get 40% of their gas from Russia. ``But if they have to follow through on their threats, then they have to cut off the nose to spite their face,'' he said of Russian officials. ``And that's a big problem. So it's a kind of game of chicken.'' A wide-ranging gas cutoff would hit industrial users that can't easily substitute other energy sources. Liberty Ostrava steelworks in the Czech Republic has ``no short-term solution to replace natural gas'' because a changeover would take nine to 12 months, spokeswoman Barbora Cerna Dvorakova said. European Union countries or companies that agree to the terms of a Russian presidential decree insisting they pay their gas bills in rubles will be in breach of the bloc's sanctions, senior EU officials said Thursday. Around 97% of European gas contracts with Russia are in euros or dollars. Under Putin's new payment system, the Kremlin has said importers would have to establish an account in dollars or euros at Russia's third-largest bank, Gazprombank, then the second account in rubles. The importer would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles. The sanctions violation essentially comes with the use of the second bank account because the ruble conversion involves a transaction involving Russia's sanctioned central bank. The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, says companies could remain in compliance by paying in euros or dollars per their contract, then making a ``clear statement'' to Gazprombank that their payment obligations are over. That leaves an opening for the Kremlin to accept the statement or not _ a potential pressure point for member countries. Russia has Europe ``over a barrel in the sense of making it a requirement that if they want any gas, then they'll have to break their own sanctions by paying for it in rubles,'' said David Elmes, an energy expert at Warwick Business School. ``And so they're calling Europe's bluff, if you like. Which do you want to do on the gas _ or do you want the sanctions?'' Uniper, Germany's biggest importer of Russian gas, said it has been paying in euros and will continue to do so but indicated that it would be prepared to open a second account in rubles. ``We believe that a change of payments which conforms to sanctions laws and the Russian decree is possible,'' the company said in a statement. ``What's clear is that Uniper will continue to pay in euros.'' The company declined to say when and under what conditions it would open the ruble account. It said ``doing without Russian gas at short notice isn't possible, it would have dramatic consequences for our national economy.'' That's why EU sanctions so far have avoided Russian oil and gas. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged Thursday that ``any interruption would have consequences for the economic situation.'' Italian officials said they were waiting for further guidance from the EU on whether the payment workaround violates sanctions. Carlo Bonomi, head of Italy's main business lobby Confindustria, said he didn't think Russia would cut natural gas deliveries to Italy. ``Obviously, it's a situation in continuous evolution, but regardless, the government is working with the aim of making Italy independent in case of any escalation,`` he said. We are optimistic.'' But Putin may be playing a longer game, knowing that next winter will put more pressure on gas supplies. The European Union's executive commission has unveiled proposals to cut reliance on Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of the year through additional supplies of liquefied gas by ship, faster rollout of wind and solar, and tough conservation measures. Coordinated action on diversifying energy sources could be a victim of Putin's ruble payment demand as some countries get exemptions and others don't, Tagliapietra said. ``How can we have a joint energy response if different countries are doing, or not, business with Putin?`` he said. Search Keywords: Short link: With the advent of Eid El-Fitr, many women are opting to style up their prayers outfits. With less than a few days to go before Eid El-Fitr, Rana was sifting through Instagram to pick a new essdal (a loose outfit for prayers that covers the hair and body) for the early morning prayers of the first day of the feast. Having had the booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, Rana is happy to resume a favourite tradition that has been suspended for two years due to the pandemic. For this occasion, she decided to invest a few hundred pounds in a new essdal. Rana, unveiled, is used to buying an essdal once every few years. For praying at home, she uses cotton essdals. Nothing fancy at all, just to serve the purpose, she said. It was in 2000 that Rana started attending Quran recitation, and she decided it was not good enough to wear a veil and long outfit to perform her five prayers at home. It was around that time, she said, that many charity groups started to make simple essdals to sell them for meagre profit. My first essdal cost EGP 55 a simple baby blue and white linen essdal, she said. Today, these simple essdals cost EGP 250, at least. Their prices kept going up, especially after the floatation of the pound in November 2016. Maha El-Ezaby, a founding volunteer at Al-Zahraa Charity Association, said that essdal prices went up at least 10 times since her charity started to make them in the early 1990s. But the price of the material has been increasing significantly, she said. Moreover, she added, it is essential for the charity to secure a reasonable profit margin that goes partially to the women who make the essdals to have a stable income. Our purpose is to help women who provide for their families; and with the increasing demand on essdals we have been expanding steadily, El-Ezaby said. The run-up to the holy month of Ramadan is ultimately a high season for the essdals market in Cairo. According to El-Ezaby, even women who are veiled like to have a special essdal to wear for the extended evening prayers of Ramadan (Taraweeh). This was not exactly in fashion in the 1990s, but it certainly became fashionable in the early 2000s, El-Ezaby explained. Consequently, she added, charities that make essdals for sale started a new line of production. We make the simple inexpensive essdal that women and girls increasingly like to wear at home, especially in Ramadan, and we make another line for the more upscale essdals that women wear at mosques, she said. Every year, before the advent of Ramadan and ahead of Eid El-Fitr or Eid El-Adha, many charities organise an open day to sell essdals. According to El-Ezaby, this is one of the most successful activities of the majority of charities. However, she added, since 2016, production has decreased given the declining shopping capacity of the larger part of the middle class. There is still demand, for sure, especially this year as people have returned to pray at mosques after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, but the question is about prices, she said. The question of prices is certainly key to the business of Lina and Fadwa Mawhab, who started a small business in 2010 to sell upscale prayer outfits, including essdals. The idea was to take the essdal to a place of elegance and flair, because I thought there was no reason at all why a woman should be wearing a dull outfit to perform prayers, either in Ramadan or Eid, Lina said. As it turned out, there was a big market for Lina's production. Many women were waiting for this, because they think that Ramadan and Eid are occasions to dress up for, she said. The success of the colourful and elegantly tailored silk essdals of Lina and Fadwa prompted veiled women to enquire about the possibility of having some dresses made by the same workshops. Again, the two sisters thought it was worth it. In Egypt it has always been a challenge to make nice outfits for veiled women that are both compatible with the Islamic traditions of a proper dress code and pleasant at the same time, Lina said. She added that she has always found it unfair for veiled women to be forced to work around the average casual skirts, trousers, shirts, and dresses to create a reasonable outfit that meets their requirements. With oversize outfits becoming more and more in fashion, Lina said, she decided to go ahead and produce a few items. Once the collection went online, it instantly proved a big success. It was not just veiled women who put in their orders, but women who are not veiled also got interested; I think the oversize outfits are appealing to students, working women, and others, she said. According to Lina, there is room for oversize casual wear to double as outfits for veiled women. The fact that Lina and Fadwas outfits are custom-made allows for adjustments of length and design to match the measures and preferences of the orders. This flexibility allows adjusting some simple, loose dresses by adding a cap to become essdals or change the material for the outfit to turn into a beach dress, Lina said. Search Keywords: Short link: World renowned architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill and their staff visited the Giza Pyramids in the accompaniment of Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass on Thursday. "I am very excited to visit the Pyramids of Giza, which have always been a source of inspiration for every architect throughout the ages, with their amazing engineering creativity. They truly constitute a unique historical and cultural value, Smith, co-founder of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, said. Gill, partner in Adrian Smith+ Gordon Gill Architecture, expressed his great admiration of the greatness of the Pharaonic civilisation, which he has been passionate about since his childhood. He added that he had always dreamed about visiting Egypt to delve deeper into the knowledge of the Egyptian civilization and the Pharaohs. Smith is one of the worlds most important architects with more than 38 projects in his design portfolio. His projects include Burj Khalifa in the UAE, and the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia. He also designed nine environmentally friendly and energy-saving projects. The firm designed Al-Wasl Square (Al-Wasl Expo Plaza) in the heart of the Dubai Expo 2020. The square is one of the prominent landmarks of Dubai. Smith-designed projects have received over 125 awards, including five international awards, nine from the National Institute of Architects, 35 State and Chicago AIA Awards, three Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence, as well as the 2011 CTBUH Lynn S Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith's work has been featured in museums in the US, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Search Keywords: Short link: LC Files Brief for Air Force Cadet Hearing on Shot Mandate NEWS PROVIDED BY Liberty Counsel April 28, 2022 TAMPA, Fla., April 28, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Liberty Counsel filed a supplemental memorandum yesterday in Navy SEAL 1 v. Austin in support of a preliminary injunction for a U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet who faced immediate discipline after being denied his appeal for a religious accommodation from the COVID shot mandate. The preliminary injunction hearing is tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. before federal Judge Steven Merryday. The Air Force admitted in the denial of his religious accommodation request that in his "current position, being unvaccinated may not have a large impact locally. . ." Yet, the Air Force is willing to separate this Cadet who received an award for "Outstanding C4C of the Semester" for being the most outstanding cadet in the entire freshman class (approx. 1,070 cadets). The Cadet is a Christian with sincerely held religious beliefs that compel him to abstain from accepting or receiving anything that has connection to abortion. When Cadet learned that the COVID-19 injections were associated with aborted fetal cell lines, he determined that it would be a sin for him to accept it. When he was informed of the shot mandate, Cadet was required to attend counseling with his commanding officer concerning his religious accommodation "to discuss if [he] even qualif[ies] and what the process is." The Cadet's command then informed him that he should "manage his expectations" because he would not be receiving a religious accommodation from the mandate. The Cadet submitted a request for a religious accommodation, and he received word from his command on September 10, 2021 that the review board had recommended his religious accommodation request for disapproval. The Cadet's command further informed him that his "chances of it being approved are looking slim" and that nobody who had submitted a request for religious accommodation had been approved. Cadet formally received the denial of his request for religious accommodation on December 22, 2021. On March 30, 2022, the Air Force ordered the Cadet to choose between the shot or "voluntary" resignation from the Air Force Academy within five calendar days or face "disciplinary action" and "initiation of administrative separation." The Air Force then extended the Cadet's compliance deadline to April 25. The Cadet testified, "After I initiated the process to request a religious accommodation from vaccination, I had a counseling with my commander on August 13, 2021, with the stated purpose 'to discuss if you even qualify and what the process is.' My commander, however, did not discuss the process or possible accommodations with me. Instead, he 'managed my expectations' by constantly telling me I would not win; by recommending an AF Form 34 (Discharge from the Air Force) if I would not get the vaccine; and by attempting to guilt trip me into getting the vaccine." Judge Merryday has now granted injunctions for four service members who were denied religious exemptions from the COVID shot mandate. The court based its ruling on the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), finding that the Marines and the Navy failed to demonstrate "to the individualized person" two of RFRA's essential requirements on government action that burdens a person's sincere religious belief a compelling interest and the least restrictive means. This conclusion alone will essentially undo the blanket requirement placed on service members to get the COVID shots when such action burdens their sincere religious beliefs. Liberty Counsel has already asked Judge Merryday to certify the entire class of the military and provide relief from the unlawful shot mandates to all class members in every branch. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Today we will go back to court to fight for yet another courageous service member's religious freedom. We pray for a victory as well as relief from the unlawful shot mandates to all class members in every branch." Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost. SOURCE Liberty Counsel CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org Related Links lc.org/ By Azernews By Orkhan Amashov Now that April is drawing to a fitful close, it is a chronologically auspicious time to throw a piercing glance at the developments that took place on the Baku-Yerevan front over the past month. It is the right moment to establish if, in the light of the high expectations engendered by the latest Brussels meeting held in a trilateral format under the auspices of the EU, the diplomatic progress made so far could be deemed as satisfactory. Although it would probably require some stretching of the imagination to unreservedly assert that the month is about to end on a high note, it is nevertheless not untrue that the key minimum objective has been achieved - the wheels of the direct peace talks have been set in motion and the bilateral form was born, and cannot and will not be returned to whence they came. On 6 April, Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan agreed to instruct their foreign ministries to start working on a peace treaty, which was perceived as the inception of a qualitatively new concept. This was also the moment at which, for the first time since November 2020, the EU did appear to be not just on a par with the Kremlin in terms of its involvement in the post-conflict normalisation, but also to muscle in to the extent of curbing the rival centres clout. Two telephone conversations that took place between the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers, Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan, respectively, marked the onset of bilateral interaction. As a result of the exchanges in question, the sides agreed to convene the meetings of the Joint Border Commission and Working Group to develop a peace treaty, and came to an understanding on the parameters of the former. The agreement achieved on 6 April was indeed a breakthrough. The first Bayramov-Mirzoyan chat over the phone was symbolically and practically crucial. The results, as far as one can ascertain from official sources as emanating from the second telephonic conversation, are limited in scope, for aside from stating that a certain agreement on the parameters of the Joint Border Commission, it does not specify anything as such. But it is worth mentioning that no specific deadline as to the beginning of the bilateral work has yet been clarified. The Commission and Working Group are set to convene in the fullness of time. In the interim, it seems that the bare essential minimum, as specified in the trilateral Brussels meeting, has been achieved, although some other practical measures could have been implemented, although this has not been the case. Baku has done everything possible to maintain the momentum and expedite the process. Yerevan was not wholly up to scratch in diplomatic proactivity. Throughout April, Armenia downplayed the tentative inception of the bilateral format, made several references to the OSCE Minsk Group, somewhat retrograding the process through vacillations and episodes marked with obdurate stubbornness. Pashinyan, at present, has two fundamental difficulties. He has not yet achieved a sufficient degree of internal consolidation to propound his agenda. The forces opposing him have sufficient sway on society. The revenge-driven proportion of the political spectrum is too strong to be dispelled with ease. To be fair, the Armenian prime minister showed some resolve in March and early April, then his ship ran aground on the opposition-engineered rockstrewn beaches of untrammeled vacuity. Furthermore, the Ukrainian crisis has been unhelpful. Caught between a rock and hard place, he vacillated and then prostrated himself in front of the Kremlin. The provisions entailed in Articles of 24-28 of the 19 April joint Russo-Armenian declaration heavily reasserted the Kremlin-dominated trilateral format, without in any way recognising the nascent bilateral framework involving Baku and Yerevan. There is much room for conjecture as to whether Moscow or Brussels will have a more prevailing role on the way to engineering a final peace deal. In November 2020, when the ceasefire was signed, the EU was on the sidelines. The Brussels format was a late addition. In December 2021, it appeared to be mostly concerned with the semi-auxiliary matters of a humanitarian nature, falling outside the rubric of the Kremlin-mediated platform. As of April 2022, it could be confidently asserted that this is no longer the case, for the EU format has achieved a sufficient degree of pervasiveness. The likely scenario is that both Brussels and Moscow will continue to be closely involved, but for all its enhanced participation and financial incentives, the EU lacks the security element, which Russia has provided via the presence of the peacekeeping forces. The whole process is far away from being a smooth sail. Choppy waters are omnipresent and snags may crop up any time from sources hitherto unknown. Baku is in a hurry and, as a victor, in the position of setting the agenda. Yerevan, except some spells characterised with a relative rise of sense of urgency, tends to vacillate. Moscow is constructive and helpful, provided the process is not out of its control, but is currently distracted. Brussels has upgraded its involvement, increasingly recognised as a potent force for good, yet faces a considerable challenge from the Kremlin. In the weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have fled the country as refugees. Hundreds of those refugees have now arrived at the southern border of the United States seeking asylum, after flying to Mexico on tourist visas. At the border, Ukrainians, alongside thousands of other asylum seekers, must navigate two policies meant to keep people out. The first is the "Migrant Protection Protocols," a US government action initiated by the Trump administration in December 2018 and known informally as "Remain in Mexico." The second is Title 42, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directive crafted in 2020, ostensibly to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The directive expels all irregular immigrants (those without permanent residency or a visa in hand) and asylum seekers who try to enter the US by land. On March 11, 2022, however, the Biden administration provided guidance allowing Customs and Border Protection officers to exempt Ukrainians from Title 42 on a case-by-case basis, which has allowed many families to enter. However, this exception has not been granted to other asylum seekers, no matter what danger they are in. It is possible that the administration may lift Title 42 at the end of May 2022, but that plan has encountered fierce debates. The different treatment of Ukrainian versus Central American, African, Haitian, and other asylum seekers has prompted criticism that the administration is enforcing immigration policies in racist ways, favoring white, European, mostly Christian refugees over other groups. This issue is not new. As scholars of religion, race, immigration, and racial and religious politics in the United States, we study both historical and current immigration policy. We argue that the US refugee and asylum policy has long been racially and religiously discriminatory in practice. Chinese Asylum Seekers Race played a major role in who counted as a refugee during the early years of the Cold War. The displacement of millions fleeing communist regimes in Eastern Europe and East Asia created humanitarian crises in both places. Under significant international pressure, Congress passed the 1953 Refugee Relief Act. According to historian Carl Bon Tempo, in the minds of President Dwight Eisenhower and most lawmakers, "refugee" meant "anti-communist European." The text and implementation of the act reflected this. Of the 214,000 visas set aside for refugees, the law designated a quota of only 5,000 spots for Asians (2,000 for Chinese and 3,000 for "Far Eastern" refugees). Ultimately, approximately 9,000 Chinese (including 6,862 Chinese wives of US citizens who came as nonquota migrants) were admitted under the 1953 refugee law, compared with nearly 200,000 southern and eastern Europeans, over the next three years. Racial prejudice impacted the international response to refugees as well. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, United Nations officials had declared the displaced population in Europe a humanitarian crisis and appealed to the international community to relieve these pressures by accepting refugees. Over the next decade, Western nations including the US, France, and Great Britain received millions of displaced Europeans as part of a larger Cold War public relations strategy to contain the Soviet Union and demonstrate the superiority of Western capitalist societies to life behind the Iron Curtain. Millions of ethnic Chinese displaced by the 1949 Communist Revolution were not greeted so kindly. In the early 1950s, Hong Kong's population tripled due to mainland Chinese fleeing civil war and communist rule, triggering a crisis. Most Western countries, however, continued to exclude Chinese and other Asians from immigrating and made few exceptions for refugees. In the United States, exclusionary provisions that barred Asians from immigrating as "aliens ineligible to citizenship" would not be removed from immigration law until the 1965 Immigration Act. Haitian Asylum Seekers The first Haitian asylum seekers, who are overwhelmingly Black, attempted to reach the US in boats in 1963 during the dictatorship of Francois Duvalier. It was a period of great economic inequality and severe violent repression of political opposition in Haiti. Between 1973 and 1991, more than 80,000 Haitians tried to seek asylum in the US. The US, however, consistently attempted to intercept and turn back boats carrying Haitian asylum seekers to avoid having to hear their cases. In the 1980s and 1990s, nearly every single Haitian who tried to request asylum was either denied or turned away. Some disparities in asylum rates could be explained by political factors, particularly the US government's interest in prioritizing refugees from communist countries. However, the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the 11th Circuit Court both found, in Haitian Refugee Center v. Civiletti and Jean v. Nelson respectively, that racial discrimination could be the only reason for such strikingly different outcomes for Haitians. In Jean v. Nelson, the 11th Circuit heard evidence from plaintiffs that there was a less than two-in-1 billion chance that Haitians would be denied parole so consistently if immigration policies were applied in racially neutral ways. Both courts also noted the differences in outcomes of asylum claims between Cuban refugees, who were predominantly white, and Haitian refugees. In the same time period, even while Black Haitian asylum seekers were being turned away, European immigrants, who were primarily white, received preference in the Diversity Visa system created by the Immigration Act of 1990. Northern Ireland, for example, was designated as a separate country from the United Kingdom, and 40% of "diversity transition" visas allocated from 1992 to 1994 were earmarked for Irish immigrants. Similar accusations of racism and discriminatory treatment have surfaced over the last several months as Haitian asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border have been forced onto flights to Haiti and have faced degrading treatment. Syrian Refugees And The Muslim Ban Beginning in January 2017, President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders described by many refugee advocates as the "Muslim Ban." The ban suspended the entry of people from majority-Muslim countries, including Syrians, and limited the number of refugee admissions of several majority-Muslim countries. Syrian refugees, most of whom fled the Syrian civil war that began in 2011 and violence by the Islamic State group, were specifically targeted in the Muslim Ban. A February 2017 version of the Muslim Ban claimed that Syrian refugees were "detrimental to the interests of the United States and thus suspend[ed]" from admission, with few exceptions. This contributed to a significant decrease in the number of Syrian refugees - from 12,587 to 76 between the financial years 2016 to 2018. Research shows that religion, particularly Islam, is used to create symbolic boundaries of racial distinction in order to promote immigration enforcement goals. Specifically, the government attempted to justify an exclusionary refugee policy based on race and religion by implicating Muslims and refugees in terrorism, as Trump did in speeches, even calling Syrians the "trojan horse" for terrorism. International agreements for refugees and asylum seekers clearly state that admissions should be based on need. In principle, US law says this as well. But these key moments in United States history show how race, religion, and other factors play a role in determining who is in, and who is out. While refugees from the war in Ukraine deserve support from the United States and other countries, the contrast between the treatment of different groups of refugees shows that the process of gaining refuge in the United States is still far from equitable. Search Keywords: Short link: The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that its diplomatic missions in Pakistan would continue to urge relevant authorities to "handle properly the follow-up matters of those killed, treat the injured, and resolutely crack down on the terrorist organization involved." The outlawed Baluch Liberation Army (BLA) insurgent group took responsibility for plotting the attack and released a picture of the purported bomber. Pakistan and the United States list the group as a terrorist organization. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in its statement that assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao called Islamabad's ambassador to Beijing, Moin ul Haque, to express his "extremely grave concern." "He demanded that the Pakistani side should immediately make [a] thorough investigation of the incident, apprehend and punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law," the statement said. The deadly attack took place at the entrance to the China-run Confucius Institute in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, when a suicide bomber blew herself up near a van transporting Chinese staff. The director of the institute was among the three Chinese teachers killed. A Pakistani driver was also killed and a Chinese teacher was injured. "The blood of the Chinese people should not be shed in vain, and those behind this incident will surely pay the price," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, without elaborating. China has pressed long-time ally Pakistan to ensure the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and swiftly bring to justice those behind a bombing Tuesday that killed three Chinese teachers. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and promised to do whatever it takes to bring the perpetrators to justice. Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad following the attack to express his condolences. "We are deeply shocked and distressed at this dastardly attack on our Iron Brothers," read the note written by Sharif at the embassy, in which he reiterated that "we remain committed to eliminating all militarists and terrorists from Pakistani soil," according to Chinese state media. Critics questioned the official claims, citing a lack of progress in Pakistan's investigations into previous attacks on Chinese workers in the country, which, analysts say, has become the most dangerous place for Chinese overseas. Mustafa Hyder Sayed, who heads the Islamabad-based Pakistan-China Institute, said the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan has become the biggest concern for Beijing in terms of furthering its bilateral economic cooperation. "I think this is an inflexion point in Pakistan-China cooperation because this has now crossed a red line as far as China is concerned," Sayed told VOA. "Pakistan has repeatedly vowed to have foolproof security arrangements for the Chinese; however, we have not been able to walk the talk, and our rhetoric has not been able to materialize into action," he said. Sayed said he expected that the future presence of Chinese individuals in Pakistan, whether through its Chinese companies, Confucius Institutes or other projects, "would be now conditional and linked to robust and effective preemptive measures for security of the Chinese in Pakistan." Confucius Institutes, established in universities around the world, offer Chinese language graduate classes. Critics say Beijing is trying to use them to promote its foreign policy agenda. The BLA, which operates out of natural resources-rich southwestern Baluchistan province along with several other banned separatist groups, has been waging insurgent attacks against Pakistani forces and Chinese nationals in the province. Baluch separatists oppose Chinese investments, particularly in Baluchistan, claiming China and Pakistan are depriving people in the impoverished region of their natural resources. The BLA has expanded its violent activities to other parts of Pakistan, particularly Karachi, in recent years, and used a female suicide bomber for the first time in Tuesday's attack. Beijing has invested more than $25 billion over the past seven years in large-scale infrastructure development projects in Pakistan, including Baluchistan, under China's global Belt and Road Initiative. The bilateral program, known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, has built road networks and power plants across Pakistan and the Gwadar deep-water port in the turbulent province. In a post-attack video message on Tuesday, a masked BLA commander claimed that his group has formed a "special unit" to target Chinese officials and installations to ensure CPEC projects "will fail miserably" in Baluchistan. "President Xi Jinping, you still have time to quit Baluchistan, or you will witness a retaliation from Baluch sons and daughters that you will never forget," warned the militant commander, referencing the Chinese leader. The BLA had taken responsibility for staging a 2018 gun and bomb attack against the Chinese consulate in Karachi in which two Pakistani security guards were killed. In 2020, BLA militants in the city tried to storm the Pakistan Stock Exchange, where a Chinese consortium has a 40 percent stake, but security forces engaged the assailants in the parking area and killed all of them. Pakistan accuses rival India of supporting and funding Baluch militants to undermine CPEC, accusations that New Delhi rejects. In July, a suicide car bombing of a bus convoy transporting Chinese workers to the China-funded Dasu hydropower project under construction in the northern region of Kohistan killed nine of the workers and three Pakistani security guards. It was the largest loss of life of Chinese nationals in Pakistan. President-elect Yoon Seok-youl's chief of staff Chang Je-won said Wednesday he will call for a referendum on a controversial bill being bulldozed through by the ruling Minjoo Party to strip prosecutors of their investigative powers. "If we hold the referendum on the day of the local elections on June 1, it won't cost a lot of money," Chang said. The Minjoo Party, which has 171 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, is trying to pass the bill in a plenary session, leaving the opposition People Power Party helpless even though its candidate has won the presidential election. But the Constitution stipulates that the president can put to a referendum important issues involving foreign affairs, national defense, and other matters involving the wellbeing of the nation. Since the nation was founded in 1948, prosecutors have investigated and indicted suspects in major crimes, but until recently they have also tended to be subservient to whoever was in power and launch punitive investigations of anyone the government considered a threat. Only when prosecutors stopped doing that when Yoon was at the helm did the government turn on them. Now the MP is attempting to overhaul the entire system, and their actions will affect the rule of law, protection of innocent citizens and their everyday lives. How can a single party undertake such a major change by using its simple majority in parliament? The will of the public must come before the interests of the ruling party when it comes to decisions on major issues. It is therefore only logical and proper to sound out public opinion before making such a move. Yet the MP did not hold even a single public hearing on the bill as it rushed to pass it before President Moon Jae-ins term ends next month. A subcommittee reviewing the bill took just 17 minutes to scrutinize, even though it has up to 90 days to collect public opinion and deliberate on it. The subcommittee then took another eight minutes to pass the bill, even though it has a month to review it after it is formally tabled. This is an assault on civil society. A growing number of people are already volunteering to take part in a citizens' filibuster hosted by the Korean Bar Association, while students and civic groups are threatening to protest. Now everyone knows why the MP is in such a rush to pass the bill -- it wants to protect Moon and former Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung from being investigated by prosecutors for irregularities. Over the past five years, the Moon Jae-in administration has boasted about how close it is to the wishes of ordinary Koreans. Let it at long last try to live up to its hype and grant Moon an honorable exit. KYODO NEWS - Apr 28, 2022 - 11:14 | All, World U.S. President Joe Biden will visit South Korea and Japan from May 20 to 24 to advance a "free and open Indo-Pacific" and strengthen ties with its two Asian allies, the White House said Wednesday, making it his first trip to the region since taking office last year. Through a series of meetings planned during the trip, including the Quad summit that involves the United States, Japan, Australia and India, Biden is likely to affirm with the Indo-Pacific nations their response to Russia's war in Ukraine, China's assertiveness in the region and North Korea's nuclear and missile ambitions. The trip will advance the Biden administration's "rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to U.S. treaty alliances" with South Korea and Japan, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. Biden will hold bilateral meetings with Yoon Suk Yeol, who will take office as South Korean president on May 10, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to deepen security relationships, enhance economic ties and expand close cooperation to deliver "practical results," Psaki said. Biden will make a three-day visit to South Korea from May 20 before heading to Japan, according to Yoon's spokeswoman Bae Hyun Jin. Yoon, a conservative who won the March presidential election to bring an end to five years of progressive rule, plans to hold talks with Biden on North Korea policies as well as economic security and regional and international issues, Bae said in a statement. Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Kishida on May 23, and the Quad summit will take place on the following day, Japan's top government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference. Biden views the partnership of four major democracies in the Indo-Pacific as key amid efforts to push back against China's growing clout in the region. Japan has been preparing for a second in-person meeting of the Quad leaders in the first half of this year. Biden has not had a chance to travel to Asia as president so far, with annual regional meetings having gone virtual amid the coronavirus pandemic. Biden said earlier this month during a virtual meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he is looking forward to seeing him in Japan around May 24. But the official schedule of his trip to Asia had not yet been announced. Related coverage: U.S. warns Solomon Islands against allowing China military presence China signs security pact with Solomon Islands amid regional concern U.S. says AUKUS focused on 3-way security ties, denies Japan invited KYODO NEWS - Apr 28, 2022 - 20:15 | All, Japan Japan's lower house on Thursday adopted a resolution urging the government to reduce the burden on Okinawa in hosting the bulk of U.S. forces in the country, in a move that marks the 50th anniversary of the southern island prefecture's reversion to Japanese rule. The resolution was adopted at a time when defense experts fear for the security of the base-hosting prefecture amid increasing challenges facing the Japan-U.S. alliance in light of situations such as cross-strait tensions between Taiwan and China and the ongoing Ukraine war. The House of Representatives also called on the government to make utmost efforts to turn Okinawa into a stronghold for global peace and stability. In a lower house plenary session after the resolution was adopted, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to "make tangible progress in reducing the base-hosting burden" on Okinawa in consideration of the feelings of local residents, while maintaining the deterrence capability of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Okinawa remained under U.S. occupation until May 15, 1972, even after Japan restored its sovereignty after its defeat in World War II based on the 1952 San Francisco Peace Treaty. But the prefecture still hosts around 70 percent of total acreage exclusively used by U.S. military facilities in the country, despite only representing 0.6 percent of the country's total land area. Okinawa is seen as strategically important given its proximity to North Korea, which continues to alarm Japan due to its ballistic missile tests and nuclear development, as well as to the Japanese-administered, Chinese-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Okinawa is also near Taiwan. In the resolution adopted by a majority vote by the ruling and opposition parties, the lower house called for the local economy to be revitalized as part of a national strategy, referring to how Okinawa's average income per capita was the lowest among Japan's 47 prefectures. "The government, parliament and prefecture should unite in promoting comprehensive, drastic and sustainable measures" to shore up Okinawa's development, the resolution said. The lower house also called for nurturing talent in the arts and education. On May 15, Japan will hold ceremonies in Tokyo and Okinawa simultaneously to mark 50 years since the reversion, the government said. Both at sea and on land, local residents also commemorated on Thursday the 70th anniversary since the treaty took effect. April 28 is widely regarded in Okinawa as a "day of insult." Earlier in the day, around 20 boats sailed from Kunigami on the northern tip of Okinawa and from Yoron, on the southern tip of Kagoshima Prefecture, to recreate a scene reminiscent of protests in the 1960s calling for the reversion of Okinawa. The participants sang a song popular at the time seeking the return of Okinawa. The Amami islands including Yoron remained under U.S. control until 1953, a year after the treaty took effect, and boats frequently sailed in the 1960s to the waters between Yoron and Okinawa to rally for the reversion of Okinawa. Around 70 people also held a rally in front of the Okinawa prefectural office, protesting against the government's push to move forward with a plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma without heeding public will. The protestors carried a banner calling for Okinawa to be a "peaceful island without military bases." Tensions between the central government and Okinawa remain high as the government continues to move ahead with the Futenma relocation plan, which has been stalled as residents remain divided over the issue. Japan and the United States have been pushing to have the Futenma base, located in a residential area of Ginowan, relocated to the less populated coastal area of Henoko in Nago. Hosting U.S. bases remains a contentious issue in Okinawa amid incidents involving U.S. servicemen over the years as well as increasing regional and international security concerns. Related coverage: News photo exhibition showcases 50 yrs since Okinawa return to Japan 55% of Okinawans unhappy with 50 yrs since reversion to Japan: poll KYODO NEWS - Apr 28, 2022 - 12:55 | All, Japan Japan on Thursday announced it had changed its plans regarding the dispatch of Air Self-Defense Force aircraft to transport humanitarian aid to Ukraine's neighboring nations after India, which has close ties with Russia, refused to authorize the entry of such planes to pick up supplies. The ASDF aircraft will now only pick up relief items such as blankets stockpiled by a U.N. agency in the United Arab Emirates and transport them to Poland and Romania, both of which have welcomed refugees from Ukraine. The airlift, which comes at the request of the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, will last from May through June, according to the plan approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet. "We will continue to provide support for and stand by the people of Ukraine and its neighboring nations, in collaboration with the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference. India's decision last week to not allow the planes to land forced the Japanese government to revise its original plan and delayed Cabinet approval. Traditionally maintaining close military ties with Russia and highly dependent on energy supplies from the country, India has refrained from condemning Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine that began on Feb. 24. New Delhi has, however, provided aid supplies including medicine and medical equipment for Ukraine through Poland and Romania since March following a request from the Ukrainian government, according to media reports. India had agreed at a working level to allow the transport aircraft to land, but it withdrew consent at the last minute, a lawmaker of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party said earlier. A spokesman for the Indian External Affairs Ministry told a press conference that India had not given permission for the ASDF aircraft to land in Mumbai, but had agreed with Japan's use of commercial aircraft to collect the humanitarian supplies. Japan's ASDF planes have already delivered bulletproof vests and helmets to Ukraine via Poland. Related coverage: Japan to provide food, medicine to Ukraine, Kishida tells Zelenskyy India denies request for Japan plane to collect aid items for Ukraine Ukraine omits Japan from list of countries thanked in Twitter video KYODO NEWS - Apr 28, 2022 - 12:57 | All, Japan Tokyo has lodged a protest with Moscow over its decision to expel eight Japanese diplomats, the top government spokesman said Thursday, arguing Russia is fully responsible for the deterioration of bilateral relations. "We absolutely cannot accept Russia issuing the notice," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at a regular news conference a day after Moscow's announcement, viewed as retaliation for Tokyo's earlier expulsion of Russian diplomats. Russia's Foreign Ministry demanded that the eight diplomats leave the country by May 10, saying the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had spread falsehoods about Russia's military operation in Ukraine and adopted overtly hostile policy measures that have hurt the two countries' cooperative relationship built over years. Japan has expelled eight Russians, including diplomats at the embassy in Tokyo, amid international condemnation over the scores of civilians killed in Ukraine. The eight did not include Russian Ambassador to Japan Mikhail Galuzin. Matsuno declined to name the eight Japanese diplomats but said they did not include Japanese Ambassador to Russia Toyohisa Kozuki. Related coverage: Russia to expel 8 Japan diplomats, likely in retaliation Russia, China navy ships travel through waters in southwest Japan Japan's lower house OKs bills to strip Russia of favored trade status KYODO NEWS - Apr 29, 2022 - 02:11 | All, World The United States, Japan and the European Union on Thursday endorsed a declaration to promote an open and free internet amid concerns over what they view as "digital authoritarianism" seen in countries such as Russia and China. According to the U.S. government, some 60 partners around the world, including the Group of Seven industrialized nations, Australia, Taiwan and Ukraine, joined the launch of the initiative, which opposes the use of digital tools to repress freedom of expression and deny other human rights and fundamental freedoms. "We are united by a belief in the potential of digital technologies to promote connectivity, democracy, peace, the rule of law, sustainable development, and the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms," the declaration said. During an online event to mark the launch of the declaration, Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yasushi Kaneko expressed his strong support for the initiative, welcoming it as an "important commitment" to protect efforts toward enhancing a free and open internet. Laying out a set of principles, the declaration said countries should refrain from government-imposed internet shutdowns and blocking access to lawful internet content and services, while protecting individuals' privacy and advancing what they view as "trustworthy" network infrastructure and service suppliers. The principles, which also include the promotion of human rights and affordable internet access, are not legally binding. The declaration did not specifically name authoritarian regimes that are posing challenges, but a senior official in the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden said the last few months have provided "an extreme example" of digital authoritarianism in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has aggressively promoted disinformation at home and abroad, censored internet news sources, and blocked and shut down legitimate sites, among other acts, the official said. Ukraine's Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who also appeared in the online event hosted by the White House, said technologies such as satellite imagery have helped shed light on the brutal killings of civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, potential war crimes for which Russia has denied responsibility. "Truth is the only efficient weapon against Russia," Fedorov said. The Biden administration has also been wary of China, saying it is among the leaders "in a dangerous new model of internet policy." A 2021 report by human rights group Freedom House called the conditions for internet users in China "profoundly oppressive," and confirmed the country's status as the world's worst abuser of internet freedom for the seventh consecutive year. Authorities in China censored calls for an independent investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was first detected in the central city of Wuhan before spreading globally, and criticism of Chinese-produced vaccines, the report said. The United States is expecting more like-minded countries to come on board to support the move, according to Biden administration officials. India, the world's largest democracy and known for its traditionally close ties with Russia, was not among the economies that joined the launch of the declaration, they said. KYODO NEWS - Apr 28, 2022 - 21:26 | All, Coronavirus, Japan Japan's first case of a coronavirus variant has been found in Sendai, the northeast Japan city's government said Thursday. The mutation was described as a recombinant virus mixing genetic information of the Omicron variant's BA.1 and BA.2 subtypes. It differs from the Omicron XE derivative strain that presents a risk of a sudden rise in cases. The person with the new variant developed symptoms in late March. Because the patient had a mild case and no recent history of foreign travel, the person was allowed to recover without hospitalization. No transmission from the patient has been confirmed. The variant is a rare type with recombination to areas governing infectivity and other characteristics, said Tomoya Saito, who heads the infectious diseases crisis management research center at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. Saito added there was minimal cause to worry about the situation, stating, "It hasn't been found elsewhere, and it seems not to have spread far." Recombinant variants of the virus, including non-Omicron strains, have been confirmed from XA to XU, the NIID said. KYODO NEWS - Apr 28, 2022 - 12:17 | All, Japan, Coronavirus Japan's industrial output in fiscal 2021 expanded at a record 5.8 percent from the previous year after two straight years of setbacks due to the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Thursday. In the year through March, the index of production at factories and mines stood at 95.5 against the 2015 base of 100. The rate of increase, following a 9.6 percent plunge in the previous year, was the highest since comparable data became available in fiscal 2014. The data showed, however, that Japan's industrial output has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with the index standing at 99.9 in fiscal 2019. Production was on a downward trend until last September due to shortages of semiconductors and parts supply disruptions in Southeast Asia due to COVID-19 but has been recovering since, led mainly by a pickup in production machinery output. The country's output in March climbed 0.3 percent from the previous month, as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic waned, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report, following a revised 2.0 percent rise in February. The ministry retained its basic assessment that industrial production was showing signs of picking up based on the figures in March. Output in eight sectors including semiconductor manufacturing equipment and other production machinery grew, while declining in seven sectors such as automobiles and related equipment, which dropped 6.0 percent due to the impact of an earthquake that rattled northeastern Japan in the month. "We will continue to watch for a potential rise in coronavirus infections, parts supply shortages and rising prices, in addition to monitoring the situation in Ukraine," a ministry official told reporters. The index of industrial shipments in the final month of fiscal 2021 rose 0.5 percent to 93.2, marking the first increase in three months, while that of inventories fell 0.6 percent to 100.7. Based on a poll of manufacturers, the ministry expects output to grow 5.8 percent in April and decline 0.8 percent in May. Related coverage: Toyota FY 2021 domestic output hits near half-century low Japan automakers' 2021 domestic output hits lowest level in 45 years Japan 2021 industrial output up 5.8%, still below pre-pandemic level By Trend Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov met with Georgia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili on April 27, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. The meeting noted the broad-based ties between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Moreover, the sides expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral and multilateral relations between the countries. The importance of joint transport and energy projects was also emphasized. The prospects for expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia in various fields were discussed during the meeting. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi (L) attends a ceremony for the launch of the NantBotswana vaccine manufacturing plant in Gaborone, Botswana, on March 28, 2022. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) Botswana has approved the patent-free Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine and announced the construction of a manufacturing plant that will produce Pula Corbevax vaccines. GABORONE, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NantWorks Patrick Soon-Shiong have launched the construction of a vaccine manufacturing plant in Botswana. The NantBotswana Vaccine Manufacturing Plant will produce Pula Corbevax vaccine against COVID-19 developed in partnership with Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and Baylor College of Medicine, said Masisi during a ceremony Monday. The Corbevax vaccine, which was approved by Botswana on Monday, is a protein subunit and patent-free COVID-19 vaccine, and is believed to be more accessible and can help low and middle-income countries to fight against the pandemic. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi (L) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NantWorks Patrick Soon-Shiong, attend a ceremony for the launch of the NantBotswana vaccine manufacturing plant in Gaborone, Botswana, on March 28, 2022. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) Patrick Soon-Shiong stated that Corbevax has been safely administered to over 10 million young Indians, and it has been tested and proven to be effective in all variants, including Omicron. "The project is important to me personally, to be able to deliver on the promises that Government pledged to Botswana, particularly to drive the transformational development agenda of Botswana from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based one as espoused in our National Vision 2036," Masisi said. NantBotswana vaccine manufacturing plant was not only focused on addressing the COVID-19 challenges, but also on other ailments affecting citizens such as cancer, he said. Patrick Soon-Shiong is a South African-American transplant surgeon, billionaire businessman and bioscientist. He is the founder of NantWorks, a network of healthcare, biotech, and artificial intelligence startups. LUSAKA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Zambian on Wednesday launched a mechanism aimed at unlocking the potential of the private sector as a driver of economic development and job creation. The Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) will act as a structured mechanism for interactions between the public and the private sector in tackling bottlenecks that have hindered the growth of the private sector. President Hakainde Hichilema, who launched the mechanism at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka, the country's capital, said his government was committed to ensuring transparency dialogue with the private sector in tackling bottlenecks affecting the growth of the private sector. He said the importance of the private sector to wealth creation, job creation and economic development could not be underestimated but expressed disappointment that the potential has not been harnessed in the past. "We now want to actualize the potential of the private sector which has been idle for many years," he said. According to him, the public and private sectors should closely collaborate in order to ensure economic development, as other countries in the world have used the mechanism to synergize the relationship between the public and the private sector. He expressed optimism that the future of the private sector in the country was bright because the mechanism will be used to openly tackle various bottlenecks facing the private sector and identify investment opportunities. The president thanked the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for providing technical and financial support for the creation of the mechanism. Senior IFC Country Manager Carlos Katsuya commended the government for launching the mechanism, adding that his organization was ready to provide its expertise on the smooth implementation of the mechanism, which has been designed to have a direct impact on economic development through business reforms that will foster growth in the private sector in order to create jobs. A high-level steering committee will soon be instituted to spearhead its operationalization. by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng TEHRAN, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Tehran and Riyadh have recently resumed talks to restore ties and ease regional tensions. Such rapprochement between the two Gulf archrivals could set an example for resolving regional problems without relying on outside players. Saudi Arabia and Iran have been locked in confrontation due to religious and geopolitical factors. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in protest against attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric. The discord between the two Gulf countries has created an opportunity for outsiders to intervene. The United States has been working tirelessly to destabilize the region by, among others, dividing it into pro- and anti-U.S. or pro- and anti-Iran camps. For instance, the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump peddled U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries by portraying Iran as the biggest threat to the region. Yet a fast-changing geopolitical landscape has prompted Middle Eastern countries to reconfigure their ties with the United States. The Iran-Saudi talks are a step in that direction. The attempt at dialogue is in the interests of Iran and Saudi Arabia, and even the entire region. The two countries, which face each other across a maritime border in the Gulf, are "neighbors forever," as Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said in March. "We cannot get rid of them, and they can't get rid of us," he said, "so it's better for both of us to work it out and to look for ways in which we can coexist." For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian recently said, "We have different views and approaches on some issues in the region, but the management of differences by the sides can serve the interests of the two nations." Meanwhile, dialogue between the two is widely expected to improve security in the Middle East, de-escalate tensions and enhance regional engagement and reconciliation. But U.S. politicians and analysts still impose a "zero-sum" frame on the Middle East, believing that other countries might fill the "power vacuum" in the region left behind by the United States. Regional countries, for their part, are tired of outside interference, which has unsettled Washington. They prefer to make their own choices based on complex international politics and in line with their own interests. That is why UAE leaders received Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in March despite U.S. opposition and why Saudi and Emirati leaders reportedly declined calls with U.S. President Joe Biden during the Ukraine crisis. The repeated interference from non-regional major countries in Middle Eastern affairs has hurt the region and its people. Fortunately, as the Middle East takes matters into its own hands, Washington's interference is becoming increasingly unpopular. The room for its manipulation is narrowing. Aerial photo taken on Feb. 23, 2022 shows the view of Baicha Village in Dongfang City, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Li Duojiang) HAIKOU, April 28 (Xinhua) -- In the island province of Hainan, the village of Chubao boasts something unique: dozens of boat-shaped thatch cottages lined up surrounded by coconut trees. Tucked away in the boundless lush mountains in south China, the cottages feature walls made of wood or mud, and triangular thatch roofs, giving them the appearance of an overturned boat. The boat-shaped houses were built by the local ethnic Li people in Chubao Village. For thousands of years, the local Li people have lived in these houses in the rainforest. "We lived here for generations," said local villager Wang Shiqi. In recent years, locals have gradually moved into modern new houses. But as the traditional dwellings bear testimony to the Li culture, they are now well preserved. Authorities are applying for the houses to be included in the World Heritage List, hoping to draw more attention to the distinctive values of the Li culture. Recently, the Hainan tropical rainforest and the traditional settlement of Li ethnic group have become part of the tentative list to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The Li people have developed a distinctive culture over many years of development. Their colorful culture includes Li brocade, bamboo dancing, face tattoos, and boat-shaped houses, among others. Legend has it that the ancestors of the Li people arrived in Hainan by boats. When they arrived, they turned the boats upside down as houses for shelter. Their descendants built the boat-shaped houses in memory of their ancestors. In the late 1980s, about 800,000 Li people were still living in boat-shaped dwellings in Hainan. But the houses were not that easy to live in, as they were made of thatch or mud, making them susceptible to the damage from wind and rain. "In the summertime, it was cool in the houses, but in winter, the biting wind sneaked in through the cracks," recalled Wang Shiqi. As people's living conditions improved, they began to move out of the houses. Though villagers no longer live in the houses, they have unique feelings attached to them. "After all, we have lived here for a long time," Wang said. Authorities have made efforts to preserve the traditional houses by putting them on the provincial-level list of cultural heritage under protection. "The thatched houses reflected the Li people's wisdom for house location and layout and their architecture skills," said Li Jilong, with the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports. The houses should be preserved as cultural relics so that the younger generation will know the stories of their ancestors, said Chen Rongchuan, curator of the cultural museum in the city of Dongfang, which administers Baicha Village, home to more than 80 such houses. "The traditional houses are of great value, and they should be well preserved," said Liu Baodang, with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Photo taken on Feb. 23, 2022 shows boat-shaped thatch houses in Baicha Village of Dongfang City, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Liu Deng) Photo taken on Feb. 16, 2022 shows a boat-shaped thatch house in Chubao Village of Wuzhishan City, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Liu Deng) Aerial photo taken on Feb. 16, 2022 shows the view of Chubao Village in Wuzhishan City, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Li Duojiang) KIEV, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday he had discussed further support for Kiev, including macro-financial assistance, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The parties talked about the 6th sanctions package on Russia, which would include oil embargo, Zelensky tweeted. The Ukrainian leader also said that he thanked the European Commission for deciding to abolish tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian industrial goods and foods. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the EU stands ready to lift import duties on Ukrainian goods for a year. KAMPALA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Uganda will start vaccinating children against COVID-19 next month, health minister Ruth Aceng has said. The vaccination will start with secondary school children when the school term commences on May 9, she told the media on Wednesday. "The Pfizer vaccine approved for use in children will be deployed to vaccinate this age group. Pfizer is a two dose vaccine, administered four weeks apart," Aceng said. According to health ministry figures, over 14,000 children have contracted COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic in the country. "Vaccinating children will help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 within schools, spread to parents and guardians, school absenteeism and prevent closure of school," the minister said. Staff member unload supplies from an unmanned delivery vehicle at a hotel for COVID-19 quarantine in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, March 22, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua) An unmanned intelligent delivery vehicle runs around a hotel for COVID-19 quarantine in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, March 22, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua) An unmanned disinfection device works in Hefei South Railway Station in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 27, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Staff members assemble unmanned floor-cleaning devices at a tech company in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 27, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) An unmanned floor-cleaning device works around Hefei South Railway Station in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 27, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) An unmanned floor-cleaning device works in Hefei South Railway Station in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 27, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) An unmanned floor-cleaning device undergoes a test at a tech company in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 27, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) An unmanned floor-cleaning device works in Hefei South Railway Station in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, April 27, 2022. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows unmanned floor-cleaning devices at a tech company in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. With the support of fast and stable communication networks, unmanned devices perform various functions in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) JERUSALEM, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Wednesday urged Israelis to end the growing political divisions which might tear the country apart. "My brothers and sisters, we simply cannot allow the same dangerous gene of factionalism to dismantle Israel from within," said Bennett when addressing the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum. Bennett said that the Holocaust is "an unprecedented event in human history," and that even the most difficult wars today "are not comparable to the Holocaust." The remembrance will continue on Thursday with ceremonies in schools throughout the country and a two-minute siren during which the country virtually comes to a standstill to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. As of the end of 2021, the number of Jewish Holocaust survivors living in Israel was about 165,000, according to figures released by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of Holocaust Day. On Tuesday, Bennett's family received a letter with a death threat and a live bullet, prompting the Shin Bet internal security agency to strengthen the family's security. Bennett leads a narrow coalition government that has been under constant attacks from his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his Likud party and other right-wing parties. The Washington National Cathedral hosted a funeral for former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Wednesday. U.S. President Joe Biden eulogized Albright, the first female U.S. secretary of state who died of cancer in March at age 84. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who chose Albright to be the country's top diplomat in 1996, and his wife, former first lady and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also spoke at the funeral, along with the veteran diplomat's three daughters. The attendees at the service also included former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, former Vice President Al Gore, Biden administration officials, congressional leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps, as well as several foreign leaders and representatives. A native of Prague, then Czechoslovakia, Albright migrated to the United States in 1948, and her family eventually settled in Denver, Colorado. She became a U.S. citizen in 1957. Albright earned a B.A. in political science from Wellesley College in 1959, and earned a Ph.D. in Public Law and Government at Columbia University in 1976. From 1978 to 1981, Albright served as a White House staff member under President Jimmy Carter and worked under National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski. In 1982, she was appointed research professor of international affairs at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Albright was appointed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations by Bill Clinton in 1993 and served in the position until her appointment as secretary of state. As secretary of state, Albright championed America's alliances and promoted the eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). And she pushed for NATO's military intervention - led by the United States in 1999 - into the conflict in Kosovo between the Serbs and ethnic Albanians. NATO's 78-day airstrike campaign against then the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia later extended to the bombardment of the capital city of Belgrade. After leaving the U.S. government, Albright returned to the Georgetown University as a professor in the practice of diplomacy. Produced by Xinhua Global Service BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Some schools in Beijing have moved their classes online after students were found to be infected with COVID-19 in the latest resurgence. As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, a total of 138 local infections had been logged in Beijing since April 22, involving eight districts, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal disease prevention and control center, adding that children from six schools and two kindergartens accounted for 31 percent of the infections. Some primary and secondary schools, and kindergartens in the city's Xicheng, Dongcheng, Haidian and Chaoyang districts have started online teaching since Thursday. Students are required to undergo regular nucleic acid testing in their communities as part of stringent anti-epidemic measures. Starting Wednesday, all primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and secondary vocational schools in Tongzhou District have suspended offline teaching, and students in primary and secondary schools have begun attending lessons from home through remote teaching platforms. Three communities in Beijing were classified as high-risk areas for COVID-19 on Wednesday, and five others as medium-risk areas, bringing the total number of high-risk areas for COVID-19 to five and medium-risk areas to 16. By Azernews For a long time, the Armenian leadership attempted to ignore new realities in the region by refusing to accept Azerbaijan's peace proposals in the hope of resuming negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. However, the Minsk Group's demise denied official Yerevan this opportunity. The conflict between the co-chair countries of the Minsk Group over the events in Ukraine buried all hopes for the resumption of this format, especially since the co-chairs were unable to propose anything new that reflected modern realities. Simultaneously, during a recent meeting in Brussels, Pashinyan's government finally accepted Azerbaijan's peace proposals and agreed to begin negotiations to reach a peace agreement, open transport corridors, and delimit and demarcate borders. All of this has resulted in a rapid escalation of Armenia's internal political situation. Pashinyan's decision, predictably, elicited a mixed reaction in Armenia. The parliamentary opposition, represented by the blocks "Armenia" and "I Have Honour", as well as representatives of separatists, the foreign diaspora, NGOs and associations, former diplomats and officials, and a number of representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church, categorically opposed the start of peace talks with Azerbaijan, normalization of relations with Turkey, and the opening of transport corridors. The next anniversary of the 1915 events, which is used by radical Turkophobes to present territorial, moral, and material claims to Turkey and Azerbaijan, prompted the start of protests against the current Yerevan authorities. For a long time, Armenian radicals have used this date to hold mass demonstrations and marches under the banners of retribution and revenge. They seize every opportunity to smear Azerbaijan and Turkey in the eyes of the international community, accusing them of racism and "armenophobia" through racist propaganda and erroneous interpretations of historical events. For many years, Armenian politicians have used the events of 1915 to justify their territorial claims to neighboring states. It is worth noting that Turkey has repeatedly offered to open archives and form a joint commission to investigate the history of those tragic events, but Armenia has rejected these offers each time, demanding unconditional recognition of Turkey's responsibility for them. It's interesting how Armenian society always treats April 24 as a "day of mourning", but on that day, all demonstrations and marches of Armenians are held with Turkophobic slogans and calls for vengeance. This year, at the initiative of the foreign diaspora and opposition leaders, they added slogans condemning the government's policy and Pashinyan personally, accusing them of betrayal and readiness to surrender "Artsakh". Thousands of people who marched with torches through the streets of Armenia and other countries found themselves embroiled in an internal political struggle for power. Toward the end, the organizers of the procession burned the flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey on the square in Yerevan, as if to symbolize their desire to fight to the end for the capture of foreign territories. For several days now, the Armenian opposition has been organizing marches and pickets to demand the overthrow of the prime minister. At the same time, the Armenian law enforcement agencies switched to preventive measures to prevent anti-government demonstrations. The situation in Armenia day by day resembles very much of the events of 1998-1999 when the first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan was ousted from power for being ready to sign a peace agreement to withdraw troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Armenia is constantly trying to delay the implementation of trilateral statements. While Azerbaijan has already built almost a third of the railway and road of the Zangazur corridor, Armenia has done almost nothing in this direction. There is no doubt that the new intra-political escalation in Armenia has begun to exacerbate the country's already tense situation, but Armenia has only one way out of this situation: to take concrete steps toward normalizing relations and signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. BRUSSELS, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The applications by Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will be processed quickly should the Scandinavian countries choose to do so, the military alliance's Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Thursday. "If they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be welcomed with open arms to NATO. Finland and Sweden are our closest partners," Stoltenberg told reporters at the European Parliament in Brussels. Both Finland and Sweden have long pursued a policy of military non-alignment. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, NATO has failed to win over the two countries several times. But the two countries have made some changes in their positions in face of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, delivering weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. "We know that their armed forces meet NATO standards, are interoperable with NATO forces. We train together, we exercise together and we have also worked together with Finland and Sweden in many different missions and operations," Stoltenberg said. He also addressed the security of Finland and Sweden during the interim period between the two countries' potential applications and the date they become actual members of the organization, saying that "we will be able to find arrangements" so that "no uncertainty" is left. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said during her visit to Greece on Thursday that Finland's decision on its membership in NATO would be taken very soon. "The parliament and the government of Finland together with the President will assess all implications of the new security situation and will have to consider the question of whether to apply for membership of NATO," Marin said in a joint statement after talks with her Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The two countries' potential application for NATO membership has been in the spotlight since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as they are both neighbors of Russia. Finland shares a 1,340-km border with Russia. When answering a question about the prospect of the countries which may join NATO, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters earlier this month that further expansion of NATO, including the admission of Finland and Sweden into the alliance, will not contribute to security in Europe. "In itself, the alliance is rather a tool sharpened for confrontation. This is not an alliance that ensures peace and stability. Further expansion of the alliance, of course, will not bring additional security to the European continent," the Kremlin spokesman said. Tian Ge (L) puts a swab sample tube into a bag at a building under closed-off management in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Tian Ge (L) and He Yanping go to a residential area by tricycle for nucleic acid test in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) He Yanping (R) scans a resident's health code for registration for nucleic acid test at a building under closed-off management in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Tian Ge (L) and He Yanping (C) check residents' information with a community staff member in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Tian Ge (C) takes a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid test at a building under closed-off management in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Tian Ge (C) takes a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid test at a building under closed-off management in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Tian Ge (R) and He Yanping carry medical materials for conducting nucleic acid test in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Tian Ge disinfects feet for He Yanping after conducting nucleic acid test at a building under closed-off management in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Tian Ge (L) and He Yanping take a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid test at a building under closed-off management in Beicai Town of east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. Tian Ge and He Yanping, both general practitioners, conduct a door-to-door nucleic acid test for residents without negative results in mass testing or antigen testing in Beicai. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) A Holocaust survivor tells her tragic story on the screen before lighting a torch at the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2022. A ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day was held at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. (Xinhua/Wang Zhuolun) A holocaust survivor lights a torch at the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2022. A ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day was held at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. (JINI via Xinhua) A picture of hands of a Holocaust survivor and her great-granddaughter is shown at the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2022. A ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day was held at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. (Xinhua/Wang Zhuolun) A Holocaust survivor tells his tragic story on the screen before his son lighting a torch at the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2022. A ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day was held at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. (Xinhua/Wang Zhuolun) Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2022. A ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day was held at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. (JINI via Xinhua) Photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem. A ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day was held at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. (JINI via Xinhua) Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks at the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2022. A ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day was held at Israel's Holocaust memorial museum to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. (Xinhua/Wang Zhuolun) AMMAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Wednesday met with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and stressed the need to work with the international community to restore calm in Jerusalem. During a meeting in Amman with visiting Palestinian President, King Abdullah underscored the importance of stepping up efforts to prevent further violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites and the people of Jerusalem, according to a statement by the Royal Hashemite Court. During the meeting, the king indicated that Jordan intensified its coordination with all regional and international partners to end the escalations that followed violations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. He also emphasized the significance of intensifying efforts toward reaching just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. For his part, Abbas commended Jordan's stance in support of the steadfastness of the Palestinians and in safeguarding the holy sites under the Hashemite custodianship. A teleconference marking the International Labor Day is held in China on April 28, 2022. Exemplary units and workers were presented with national labor awards and honorary titles at the meeting. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese legislator on Thursday called for more efforts to promote the spirit of model workers, hard work and craftsmanship at a meeting ahead of the upcoming International Labor Day. Wang Dongming, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, called on trade unions at various levels to undertake more skill competitions and deepen reforms of the cultivation of industrial workers. Wang extended greetings to workers across the country at the teleconference marking the holiday. Exemplary units and workers were presented with national labor awards and honorary titles at the meeting. Of the 966 individuals honored at the meeting, industrial and grassroots workers respectively accounted for approximately 40 percent and two-thirds of the recipients. A teleconference marking the International Labor Day is held in China on April 28, 2022. Exemplary units and workers were presented with national labor awards and honorary titles at the meeting. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) A teleconference marking the International Labor Day is held in China on April 28, 2022. Exemplary units and workers were presented with national labor awards and honorary titles at the meeting. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) A teleconference marking the International Labor Day is held in China on April 28, 2022. Exemplary units and workers were presented with national labor awards and honorary titles at the meeting. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Serbian graphic designer Jastra Jelacic receives an interview with Xinhua on a train on the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway on April 22, 2022. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) The new high-speed railway, part of the Chinese-built future rail link between Belgrade and Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has a design speed of 200 km per hour, reducing Jelacic's daily commute to a breeze. BELGRADE, April 28 (Xinhua) -- A decade of nerve-racking uncertainty has ended for Serbian graphic designer Jastra Jelacic with the recent inauguration of the newly upgraded railway line connecting her country's two largest cities. Jelacic, 36, said her commute to work used to be exhausting, and she was "losing a lot of time." The old rail service was unreliable: trains were often late, and breakdowns were a common occurrence. Accordingly, Jelacic could never predict how long the 80-km journey would take. Her career ties her to Belgrade, while she is a mother of two back home in Novi Sad. Jelacic became a commuter in 2013, when she was hired by the Belgrade office of Serbia's public broadcaster RTS. Aerial photo taken on April 20, 2022 shows a train on the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) For years, she had to spend four or five hours each day to travel to and from work. Long stretches of the old railway line were single-track, and it could take really long to wait for the approaching trains to pass. Not any more. The new high-speed railway, part of the Chinese-built future rail link between Belgrade and Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has a design speed of 200 km per hour, reducing Jelacic's daily commute to a breeze. Aerial photo taken on April 20, 2022 shows a train on a bridge of the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) The inauguration ceremony of the upgraded 75-km Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the railway took place on March 19 with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in attendance. Vucic described the project as a veritable international effort: it is being built by Chinese and Russian companies, German firms are responsible for the surveillance equipment, and the trains are manufactured in Switzerland. Orban congratulated Serbia on the newly built railway, emphasizing the historically strong ties between the two countries. "In the past 70 years, we have been connecting countries in the east-west direction, and forgotten the importance of north-south connections," Orban said. "This resulted in an appalling situation that it took too many hours to get from Belgrade to Budapest. So, we made an alliance with President Vucic aiming to change this." Photo taken on April 22, 2022 shows Serbian graphic designer Jastra Jelacic arriving at the Novi Sad train station. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) For Jelacic and an estimated 8,000 of her compatriots, the inauguration of the new rail link was a life-changing event. "I feel more relaxed now, less tired," she said. "Like I'm not traveling at all!" In July 2018, Serbia signed a 943-million-euro (1 billion U.S. dollars) deal with China Railway International (CRI) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for the overhaul of the 108-km Novi Sad-Subotica section of the railway line. Since March 19, 1,140 trains -- 38 per day on average -- have served an estimated 221,700 travelers between Belgrade and Novi Sad. "I think that it is good that we are cooperating with China," Jelacic said. "Anything that does good for our country and will lead to improvement I support." TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian central banker said on Wednesday that even without an agreement in the Vienna talks on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal, Tehran will face no problem in acquiring foreign currency resources. Ali Salehabadi, governor of the Central Bank of Iran, noted the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi has restored the country's capacity for oil production and its byproducts to the pre-sanction levels, according to the official news agency IRNA. Making the remarks in an address to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, Salehabadi added that Iran's foreign currency incomes have increased, and in the past month the reserves were in a favorable situation. The country has collected the money for its exports, particularly in the oil sector, he said, adding Iran has also received its financial claims from Britain. In mid-March, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran collected its overdue debt from Britain. Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with the world powers in July 2015. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting Iran to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the agreement in retaliation. The sanctions have, among other things, blocked Iran's access to its assets frozen in foreign banks. Since April 2021, several rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties to revive the deal. File photo shows suspected members of a vicious kidnap for ransom were arraigned at the police headquarters in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, July 25, 2017. (Xinhua/Olatunji Obasa) Nigerian Senate has passed a bill seeking to outlaw the payment of ransom to kidnappers while amending an existing law against terrorism in the most populous African country. ABUJA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to outlaw the payment of ransom to kidnappers while amending an existing law against terrorism in the most populous African country. The newly passed Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 Amendment Bill 2022 is expected to be assented to by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari as soon as possible, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said after it scaled the senate's third reading at a plenary session. Lawan said the amended bill will complement the Nigerian government's efforts in the fight against insecurity when signed into law by President Buhari. For many months now, Nigeria has been beset by a series of insecurity cases, including kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, and piracy, to mention a few. The Senate leader said the newly passed bill will go a long way to discourage the rising spate of kidnapping and abduction for ransom in Nigeria, which is fast spreading across the country. "This is one piece of legislation that can turn around not only the security situation in Nigeria but even the economic fortunes of our country," Lawan said. The amendment to the Terrorism Act would set standards and regulatory systems intended to prevent terrorist groups from laundering money through the banking system and other financial networks, said Opeyemi Bamidele, the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters. Bamidele noted during the plenary meeting that the amendment to the Act was done in line with global best practices pertaining to issues of terrorism and terrorism financing. "Having policies in place to combat the financing of terrorism will surely reduce or eliminate privacy and anonymity in financial and other sundry transactions as it relates to the subject in our society," he added. BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China has made resolute efforts to strengthen environmental protection over the past 50 years following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu said Thursday. Huang made the remarks while addressing the Stockholm+50 stakeholder consultation in China via video. The ongoing event, co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme, takes place from April 27 to 29 in Beijing. It is a part of the Stockholm+50 international meeting to be held in early June in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stockholm Declaration, which was adopted at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Hailing the conference as a landmark of joint environmental protection efforts among people around the world, Huang noted that China has put environmental protection high on its agenda since then and made notable progress in resources conservation, sustainable development and international governance. As the country advanced transformation and upgrading of economic, energy and industrial structures, strategic emerging industries related to energy-saving and environmental protection have grown rapidly and become pillars of the economy. China is a world leader in using renewable energy resources, with installed capacity of hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic and other non-fossil energy topping 1.1 billion kilowatts. It is also one of the fastest countries worldwide to reduce energy consumption intensity, Huang added. He also underlined continuous improvements in China's ecological environment. In 2021, the average concentration of PM2.5 in cities at or above the prefecture level decreased by 34.8 percent from 2015, while the proportion of surface water with good quality and forest coverage rate reached 84.9 percent and 23.04 percent, respectively, he said. China has revised over 30 laws and regulations and released dozens of reform plans related to ecological and environmental protection. It has also facilitated the implementation of international environmental agreements, proposed carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, and assisted developing countries in green growth. The country will keep making efforts to promote green and low-carbon development and contribute to global cooperation on environmental protection, Huang said. By Azernews Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has praised the development of a strategic partnership between Baku and Sofia, which is based on mutual interests and international law. He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation led by Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Vasil Georgiev on April 28. He stated that bilateral political dialogue and high-level mutual contacts contribute to the development of Azerbaijan-Bulgaria relations. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani minister stated that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations and that joint efforts will be made to further expand ties in various directions. Bayramov thanked Bulgaria for creating the necessary conditions for Azerbaijani citizens to travel through Bulgarian territory in connection with the situation in Ukraine. Georgiev, for his part, emphasized the productivity of his visit to Azerbaijan and a rich work program, which included a round of political consultations and bilateral meetings. He stated that Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have very good political relations and that economic, energy, transportation, humanitarian, and cultural ties are flourishing. Georgiev added that Bulgarian Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska invited her Azerbaijani counterpart to visit Sofia, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported. During the meeting, cooperation between two countries within the framework of international organizations, also the situation in Ukraine and other regional issues were discussed. Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are both members of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). The strategic partnership agreement, signed in 2015, opened up new opportunities for cooperation. The two countries also cooperate within the intergovernmental commission on cooperation established in 1999. Azerbaijan and Bulgaria agreed to supply 1 billion cubic meters of gas per year through the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector beginning in 2021. However, because the IGB is still under construction, Azerbaijani gas is delivered to Bulgaria via the Kulata-Sidirokastro interconnection point. Currently, the country receives only one-third of this volume. The IGB Project (Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria) is being carried out by the joint venture company ICGB AD, which was established in Bulgaria in 2011 and is owned by Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD and IGI Poseidon. The IGB gas pipeline will connect to the Greek national gas transmission system in Komotini and the Bulgarian national gas transmission system in Stara Zagora. The pipeline's planned length is 182 kilometers, with a capacity of up to 3 billion cubic meters per year in the direction from Greece to Bulgaria. The pipeline is designed to increase its capacity up to 5 bcm/y depending on market interest and the capacities of neighboring gas transmission systems. A cooperation memorandum has been signed between ICGB AD and TAP AG regarding joint actions in relation to the future connection of the IGB pipeline and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline. The IGB project is critical in terms of increasing supply security and diversifying gas supplies for Bulgaria and the SEE region. It should be noted that nowadays, Azerbaijan has become an important player in ensuring Europes energy security. With the completion of the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) construction on December 31, 2020, Azerbaijan began commercial gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. Last year, TAP transported 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. By late 2022, Azerbaijan plans to increase gas supplies to Europe to 9.1 billion cubic meters, and in 2023 the volume of gas supplies is expected to reach 11 billion cubic meters. MEXICO CITY, April 27 (Xinhua) -- At a time when China is outperforming Western liberal democracies in economic growth, healthcare and other development markers, it is necessary to discuss the merits of its system of government, Brazilian news website Other Words (Outras Palavras) has reported. In an a recent op-ed article headlined "Controversy: Is it heretical to speak of Chinese democracy?", commentators Diego Pautasso and Isis Paris Maia wonder why that discussion is not taking place in Western media. The answer, they suggest, is that democracy as it is practiced in the world's traditional "democracies" isn't at all democratic, so stifling any debate and avoiding comparisons "allows us to ignore the crisis of democracies in the West." Western democracies have devolved into full on plutocracies beholden to big business and incapable of meeting the most basic needs of their populations, they wrote. In the United States, "the archetypal country of what democracy should be," political participation is low "since the electoral system has been configured in such a way that it is reduced to two parties," they noted. "Worse still, there are huge financial barriers" to holding public office, so that only billionaires or candidates backed by corporate interests can aspire to represent the people, essentially robbing the average tax payer of representation. "A Senate seat costs an average of almost 20 million U.S. dollars and a seat of House of Representatives around 1.5 million U.S. dollars," said the authors. "What is seen by many as the 'greatest democracy in the world'" is the global leader in locking people up behind bars, they wrote, noting it is "first in the world ranking of prison population, with more than 625 people (incarcerated) for every 100,000 inhabitants." With money replacing merit as the key to high office, "it is not surprising that the COVID-19 pandemic is another emblematic case of government inefficiency. The world's greatest power, with less than 5 percent of the world's population, has had about a quarter of the world's cases and a fifth of the number of deaths. There is something dysfunctional in a system that does not guarantee its ultimate goal, which is well-being," said the authors. "While Western countries face mounting difficulties, China has shown surprising and unequivocal socio-economic success," they said. "It is naive or malicious to think that the legitimacy and administrative efficiency that have produced the remarkable results in China are the result of arbitrary decisions." China's "exponential development" should arouse curiosity instead of censure in the West, the authors said, but for increasingly obvious reasons, it hasn't. BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China and nine Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China will hold a foreign ministers' meeting on Friday via video link, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced Thursday. The meeting will be co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Wang said. Participants will hold an in-depth exchange of views on China-Caribbean relations and issues of common concern, the spokesperson said. Aerial photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows mangrove seedlings at Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Aerial photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Aerial photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows mangrove seedlings at Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Staff members and volunteers monitor birds at Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province, April 27, 2022. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows a black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) at Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Aerial photo taken on April 27, 2022 shows Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, south China's Hainan Province. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, the first wetland nature reserve dominating mangrove forest in China, started to conduct bird diversity monitoring in order to learn the changes and rules of bird population here. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) UNITED NATIONS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN secretary-general's special envoy for the Great Lakes region, Xia Huang, on Wednesday called for efforts to consolidate peace in the Great Lakes region amid increased violence by armed groups. In the past few months, the situation in the Great Lakes region has been characterized by an encouraging dynamic of dialogue, cooperation and integration, and by continued willingness to tackle the root causes of instability. The momentum, however, has been disrupted by the security and humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Xia told the Security Council in a briefing. He voiced concern over the resumption of militant activities by the March 23 Movement (M23). This situation is all the more deplorable as it came nearly 10 years after an agreement between the DRC government and the M23 rebels, in which the armed group pledged not to take up arms again, he said. "I would like to reiterate here my solemn appeal to this rebel group to lay down their weapons. The people of eastern DRC have already suffered too much and the region cannot afford another crisis." Likewise, it is regrettable that the Allied Democratic Forces and other local armed groups continue to commit atrocities against civilians, said Xia. "Despite this fragility, I would like to express my conviction that it is still possible to consolidate the significant achievements recorded to date in the region and to make gradual progress toward a lasting peace," he said. The UN envoy stressed the need for action in three areas: increased security cooperation in the region, direct dialogue at the highest level between the leaders of the region, and continued support from the international community to the region. "In these uncertain times where new and old challenges are emerging, I would like to appeal to the Security Council and reiterate my call on the international community to remain mobilized for the Great Lakes region so that all the efforts made, at various levels, can materialize," he said. Afghan women work in a tailor shop in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, April 26, 2022. (Xinhua) Selling her products in Kandahar, the capital of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, 23-year-old Razia who runs a tailor shop, said her employees are happy with the income to support their families. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Razia, a 23-year-old woman, runs a tailor shop in the Daman district of Kandahar in war-torn Afghanistan, where traditions usually do not encourage women to work outside the home. "I am trying to develop it (the tailor shop)," Razia said, adding that some 50 women are working in her workshop and each receives a monthly salary. Selling her products in Kandahar city, the capital of the southern province of Kandahar, Razia said that her employees are happy with the income to support their families. Afghan women work in a tailor shop in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, April 26, 2022. (Xinhua) Women and girls working in the workshop are engaged in embroidery, sewing traditional clothes and making burka, an envelope-like veil that covers a woman from head to toe. "Our products include embroidery, traditional clothes which are in high demand among Afghans," Razia told Xinhua. In an effort to develop her products, Razia said she had visited Kabul twice to put her products on display at a handicrafts exhibition to find more customers. Although women are active in the field of health, education and also business, schoolgirls from grade 7th to 12th cannot attend the classroom. In a recent decision, the Ministry of Higher Education separated educational days for male and female students at universities. Based on the decision, the girl students could attend classes on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday while boy students attend the universities on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Afghan women work in a tailor shop in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, April 26, 2022. (Xinhua) Razia, ambitious, has always tried to display her products at craft exhibitions, and also called upon local authorities to reopen Juma Bazaar (Friday Bazaar), a local market where businesspersons used to sell their products. Razia's colleague Khudija assumed that working women help stabilize the economy. "My team is composed of 12 women working here and selling our products," said Khudija. "On the one hand (it) helps us to earn livelihood and on the other, stabilizes the domestic economy." In the northern Mazar-i-Sharif, another woman Habiba Amini has also opened a tailor shop and provided job opportunities for 40 women in the city. BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday voiced resolute opposition to maritime bullying of the United States. Tan Kefei, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to an inquiry related to a recent report of the U.S. defense department on "freedom of navigation." Under the pretext of "freedom of navigation," the United States has been frequently sending military vessels and aircraft to violate other countries' sovereignty and endanger regional peace, said Tan, calling on relevant nations to jointly oppose such maritime bullying. Noting that the so-called "freedom of navigation operations" of the United States challenges the international order based on international law, continuously threatening navigation safety and escalating regional tensions, Tan asked the United States to reflect on the number of collisions and casualties caused by such operations. He also urged the United States to stop its so-called "freedom of navigation operations" and stop issuing such irresponsible reports. The United States should do more to contribute to regional peace and stability, Tan said. A staff member helps a villager disinfect baggage when he returns to Lianqin Village of Beicai Town in Pudong New Area, east China's Shanghai, April 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) SHANGHAI, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai on Thursday issued a guideline stating that enterprises should pay wages to their employees who cannot work normally due to COVID-19 quarantines. According to the document released by the municipal human resources and social security bureau, enterprises are banned from terminating labor contracts when employees are placed in quarantine for treatment or are under medical observation, or they cannot work normally due to other emergency measures implemented by the government. Enterprises can arrange for their employees to work from home or consult with them to arrange vacation time, including paid annual leave, the document said. For enterprises that are unable to pay wages temporarily due to the epidemic, payments can be postponed for no more than one month, following consultation with trade unions or employee representatives, according to the document. The document requires that human resources and other departments build employment and vocational skills training platforms for workers, open online and offline channels for complaints, and pay particular attention to the care of and services for migrant workers. Security personnel inspect the blast site of the terrorist attack inside a university in Karachi, Pakistan, April 26, 2022. (Xinhua) The council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. UNITED NATIONS, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the University of Karachi in Pakistan, which led to the deaths of three Chinese nationals and one Pakistani and several injuries. In a press statement, the members of the council condemned in the strongest terms Tuesday's heinous and cowardly terrorist attack, which was claimed by the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the governments of Pakistan and China, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured, said the press statement. The council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They urged all states to cooperate actively with the governments of Pakistan and China, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard. The council members reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter and other obligations under international law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. HONG KONG, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam on Thursday stressed that the HKSAR government will not let its guard down in fighting COVID-19 despite dwindling infections in the global financial hub. Leveraging the full support of the central government, the HKSAR government has enhanced its anti-pandemic capability on all fronts, she said in an online article. "This, together with the full cooperation of various sectors in society, has led to gradual stabilization of the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong ... enabling the HKSAR government to adjust various restrictive measures in phases from late April as planned to get society back to normal in an orderly manner," she said. The HKSAR government will steadfastly take forward the strategies of "guarding against the importation of cases and the resurgence of local infections," according to the article. On Thursday, Hong Kong registered 206 new COVID-19 cases by nucleic acid tests, and 207 additional positive cases through self-reported antigen rapid tests, official data showed. JUBA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's ceasefire is increasingly under pressure due to ongoing hostilities in the oil-rich regions of Unity and Upper Nile, the country's ceasefire monitors warned Thursday. Asrat Denero Amad, the chairperson for Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) warned that the ceasefire is now under threat due to clashes between the splinter factions of the main opposition party Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition. "Pertaining to the very critical issues of permanent ceasefire, there is concern that the ceasefire is under pressure and could be fracturing. There is tension in Unity state since Mirmir cantonment site was overrun on Feb. 11 by Kitgwang elements and armed youth," said Amad during the meeting of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The ceasefire signed in December 2017 between the SPLM/A-IO led by now First Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir has been largely holding despite isolated clashes in some remote areas. The Kitgwang faction is a splinter group of SPLM/A-IO led by Machar's former chief of general staff Simon Gatwech Dual. It split from the main opposition in August 2021, while accusing Machar of nepotism and weakening its hand in the transitional unity government formed in February 2020. The parties, despite recently forming the unified command structure, are still yet to graduate the 83,000 unified forces to take charge of the transitional period that ends by April 2023. "Regarding the implementation of the pre-transitional tasks, the agreement on the unification of forces' high command calls for the Joint Defense Board (JDB) to complete the arrangements for graduation and deployment of forces within two months of the agreement," said Amad. The unified forces are supposed to be made up of the national army, intelligence service, police, prisons and wildlife forces. By Azernews Kazakh media and public representatives have visited Aghdam region liberated from Armenia's occupation in 2020. The Azerbaijani president's special representative for the liberated territories (with the exception of the Shusha region), Emin Huseynov, made the remarks on his official Twitter page. "Kazakh media and public representatives visited Aghdam region which was liberated from occupation. During the visit, the guests were shown the destroyed religious monuments, the Imarat complex, the Juma Mosque, the villages, as well as the new development plan of the city," he wrote. Armenia destroyed and vandalized Azerbaijani territories during the three-decade occupation between the early 1990s and late 2020. The scale of destruction and massacres on Azerbaijan's formerly occupied territories is shocking, implying deep hatred and animosity toward the Azerbaijani people, with many experts describing these mass destructions and killings as genocide. The country's war-torn Aghdam region alone is seen as a stark example of Armenian hatred and enmity. Aghdam, known as the "Hiroshima of the Caucasus" astounds delegations from all over the world with its infamous scenes of destruction. Currently, the work is underway to restore Azerbaijan's liberated lands. Azerbaijan will rebuild its recently liberated areas in four stages. The initial stage includes the solution of the issues of governance and security, and infrastructure, while the subsequent stages include the solution of the issues of social services activities, reconstruction, and development of the economy. In 2021, Azerbaijan allocated $1.5 billion for the reconstruction of liberated territories, followed by AZN 2.2 billion ($1.2 billion) in 2022. These funds will be used primarily to restore infrastructure (electricity, gas, water, communications, roads, education, health, and so on) as well as cultural and historical monuments. ADDIS ABABA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) announced on Thursday it has killed more than 200 suspected Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) fighters in a recent security operation. In a press statement, ENDF said 22 other suspected OLA fighters were arrested during a three-day-long security operation in the East-Guji zone of Ethiopia's Oromia regional state. The ENDF statement also said a large quantity of stolen properties has been recovered during the recent security operations. OLA is a breakaway faction of an ex-rebel group Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). OLF is an opposition political party claiming to fight for the rights of ethnic Oromos who make up about 35 percent of Ethiopia's 110 million plus population. OLA is estimated to have around 3,000 fighters, operating in the western and southern parts of Oromia regional state, the principal homeland of ethnic Oromos. In May 2021, the Ethiopian parliament voted to designate the OLA as a terrorist group. CAIRO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 43 others wounded on Wednesday after a bus overturned in Egypt's South Sinai Province, the Egyptian Health Ministry announced in a statement. The wounded passengers were taken to the nearby Sharm El Sheikh international hospital, according to the statement. A total of 25 ambulances were sent to the site of the accident, which was on a highway leading to the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, according to Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokeswoman for the Health Ministry. The bus was coming from Upper Egypt's Minya Province and heading to Sharm El-Sheikh, local media reported. The investigation is underway to find the cause of the accident, according to the Egyptian prosecutors. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema waves during the Kaunda Day celebration in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 28, 2022. Zambians on Thursday marked the inaugural Kaunda Day in honor of the country's founding leader Kenneth Kaunda with a call to promote the value of unity that he espoused. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua) LUSAKA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Zambians on Thursday marked the inaugural Kaunda Day in honor of the country's founding leader Kenneth Kaunda with a call to promote the value of unity that he espoused. Former President Edgar Lungu declared April 28, the day Kaunda was born, as a public holiday during Kaunda's funeral last year to remember the sacrifices he and other freedom fighters made to free the country from colonialism. Kaunda ruled Zambia from 1964 when the country got its independence to 1991. He died on June 17, 2021. The event was marked by various activities, including the launch of a cleaning exercise in the central business district of Lusaka, the country's capital, by President Hakainde Hichilema, and the opening of the Kenneth Kaunda Temporal Exhibition at the Lusaka Museum by Vice-President Mutale Nalumango. Hichilema, who participated in the clearing of the garbage, said it was important to emulate the life of Kaunda which included hard work and service to the people. He said Kaunda was a special person not only to Zambia and the region but to the rest of the world, adding that he offered himself for the service of the people from a young age. He said the unity Kaunda promoted during his 27-year reign must be emulated by all citizens, adding that anything that promotes disunity must be frowned upon. According to him, Kaunda espoused a humane spirit that must be carried forward by the current and future generations. The Zambian president said there was a need to inculcate the spirit of keeping the environment clean which needs to be localized and promoting a culture of cleanliness, and a clean environment will go a long way in lessening the disease burden in the country. "We must clean our surroundings; we must be orderly and raise our children in a clean environment so that when they grow up they can understand that dirty surroundings are not good," he said. People take part in a cleaning activity on the Kaunda Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 28, 2022. Zambians on Thursday marked the inaugural Kaunda Day in honor of the country's founding leader Kenneth Kaunda with a call to promote the value of unity that he espoused. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua) Soldiers take part in a cleaning activity on the Kaunda Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 28, 2022. Zambians on Thursday marked the inaugural Kaunda Day in honor of the country's founding leader Kenneth Kaunda with a call to promote the value of unity that he espoused. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua) NEW DELHI, April 28 (Xinhua) -- A massive fire at a landfill in the Indian capital city Thursday continued for the third straight day, with firefighters struggling hard to douse it. The fire at the colossal Bhalaswa landfill site that began on Tuesday evening was still raging. Heavy pungent smoke emanating from the blazing landfill is hanging over the city and causing inconvenience to locals, especially those living close by. Officials said fire tenders and firefighters are present at the site splashing water at the burning mounds of the garbage. Initially, authorities rushed two fire tenders to the spot. However, as the fire spread, 40 fire tenders were rushed in to intensify operations. "The fire is still raging and it is difficult for us to reach the upper portion of the landfill, where it is still blazing. The rising temperature and winds are fanning the flames," a fire service official said. "Firefighters can't climb up the mountain of garbage, for it will endanger their lives." Residents living near the site have started complaining of breathing problems, sore throat and itchy eyes in the wake of the heavy smoke. "I am unable to breathe and my eyes are itching. We are helpless, for we can't leave our homes and shift to another place," said Udayveer. "During the evening the landfill fire resembles a burning mountain and the heat from it adds to the already hot temperature that we are experiencing these days." A school for underprivileged children of rag-pickers living near the landfill site has been closed for a week due to fire. The local government of Delhi has accused the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) of negligence over the landfill, its toxic waste management and the problems generated from it. On Tuesday Delhi's environment minister Gopal Rai said he has asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to submit a report on the Bhalswa landfill fire within 24 hours. Reports said this is the fourth fire in Delhi's landfill over the last month, with the other three taking place in Ghazipur. Meanwhile, the Delhi government Thursday directed DPCC to impose a fine of 5 million Indian rupees (65,265 U.S. dollars) on NDMC because of a massive fire at the Bhalswa landfill. Though the cause of the fire remains unknown, NDMC officials claim the fire has been caused due to methane generated in the wake of the decaying organic matter in the landfill site. According to local media, Bhalswa is among the three big landfills in Delhi, besides Ghazipur and Okhla. It is the second biggest after Ghazipur and is estimated to hold 8 million tons of accumulated legacy waste. by Dames Alexander Sinaga JAKARTA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has accelerated its COVID-19 vaccinations, as Muslims across the archipelago country are making their homebound trips for celebrations of the Eid al-Fitr, a festival at the conclusion of the fasting month which falls on Monday next week. To date, the government, which is aiming to fully vaccinate 208.26 million people in the country, has administered over 400 million doses of vaccines, the country's Health Ministry said Thursday, adding that more than 199.19 million people have received their first doses of vaccines, and over 164.65 million the second. Meanwhile, at least 37.45 million people have received booster shots, which have been included in the government's existing vaccine mandates for exodus travelers. "This is a great achievement thanks to the support of the entire community," the Indonesian COVID-19 task force's spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi said in a statement on Thursday. Home to more than 270 million people, Indonesia started mass COVID-19 vaccinations in January last year after the authorities approved the emergency use of the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine. Tarmizi called on the public to continue to encourage people aged above 60 years to get vaccinated because they are at the highest risk of serious symptoms. Meanwhile, health authorities continue to provide vaccination centers across the country, she added. "For those who are going home for Eid, immediately receive booster shots. Prepare ourselves all for good health, so that we can protect ourselves and our families while traveling, upon arrival and when returning from home," she said. Since April 14, the country has recorded less than 1,000 daily cases nationwide, with 412 new cases on Thursday. To date, the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country rose to 6.04 million with 156,217 deaths due to the viral disease. SYDNEY, April 28 (Xinhua) -- A team of international and Australian scientists have released a global assessment which delivered a grim conclusion that more than one fifth of all the world's reptiles face potential extinction. The report, published in the Nature journal and released to the public on Thursday, showed that 21 percent of more than 10,000 reptile species assessed faced potential extinction in the near future. The report also found that amphibians were the most vulnerable sub group with over 40 percent of all assessed species being at risk of extinction. The report was coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and saw collaboration between thousands of scientists from across every major region. Professor David Chapple in Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology at Monash University, who headed operations in Australia and New Zealand, told Xinhua the massive scale of the project meant that the report was able to show how each region faced unique and varied ecological challenges. "People generally have regional expertise ... so it's a very effective way to generate these conservation assessments," he said. Australia is home to around 10 percent of the world's known reptile species, the vast majority of which are only found on the continent. "The Global Reptile Assessment revealed that the plight of Australia's reptiles has deteriorated over the past 25 years, with a doubling of the number of threatened species," said Chapple. He said that while globally the future impacts of climate change were hard to accurately model, it was beginning to see in real time its impacts. "Previously, we thought a species that was relatively widespread in eastern Australia would be safe from bushfires because the entire range wouldn't be impacted. But that changed a couple of years ago (during Australia's 2019-20 summer bushfires)." He added that these catastrophic bushfires had the potential to destroy the entire habitat range of species in Australia, and had already driven many species to the brink. Chapple said that conservationists and scientists were very aware of the threat of extinction and the next step would be engaging and informing the public. "We're actually facing the potential loss of a wide range of different species, particularly ones that have large functions within the ecosystems that they're in." A merchant views a jade stone during the 57th Myanmar Gems Emporium in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, April 27, 2022. The seven-day event will last until April 28. (Xinhua/Zhang Dongqiang) Merchants examine jade stones during the 57th Myanmar Gems Emporium in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, April 27, 2022. The seven-day event will last until April 28. (Xinhua/Zhang Dongqiang) A jewelry shop is seen during the 57th Myanmar Gems Emporium at Mani Yadana Jade Hall in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, April 26, 2022. The seven-day event will last until April 28. (Xinhua/Zhang Dongqiang) KAMPALA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Ministry of Health said Wednesday it is suspending the requirement for a negative COVID-19 PCR test for both inbound and outbound travellers provided they can show proof of full vaccination. A 72-hour negative test result would be required only if the destination country or the carrier airline needs it, said Ruth Aceng, minister of health, while giving an update on the COVID-19 situation in the country. Aceng said travellers with partial or no vaccination will be required to present a negative PCR test done within 72 hours. Travellers below five years old are not required to present a negative PCR test upon arrival or departure. "To ensure appropriate COVID-19 surveillance among travellers, the ministry will be undertaking scheduled or random sampling for COVID-19 testing among inbound travellers," the minister said. According to the ministry, the lifting of restrictions follows a sustained reduction of COVID-19 cases in the country. Ministry figures show that the country has registered a low transmission with a positivity rate of less than 2 percent since February. BERLIN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The German government on Wednesday adopted an extensive package of relief measures worth 30 billion euros (31.8 billion U.S. dollars) and including a one-time energy price allowance of 300 euros for employees to cushion rising energy prices. "Prices are rising and placing a heavy burden on citizens," Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Twitter on Wednesday. The measures aim to support people in need -- families, low-income earners and commuters -- providing them with "tangible relief." The tax on fuel for vehicles is to be temporarily reduced by 14 euro cents per liter for diesel and 30 euro cents for gasoline. To make local public transport more affordable, a special 90-day ticket will be made available between June and August, costing nine euros per month. In an earlier relief package worth 15 billion euros, the German government increased the basic tax-free allowance and the mileage allowances for long-distance commuters. The two relief packages and other expenditures on supporting Ukrainian refugees and providing economic aid to companies would bring Germany's net debt in 2022 to 138.9 billion euros. The draft budget still has to be approved by the Bundestag, the German federal Parliament. (1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollars) By Trend Professional Swedish photographer (still photographer) Mikael Silkeberg is planning to shoot a documentary film about cultural and historical heritage of Azerbaijans Shusha city, Trend reports. Silkeberg told journalists about his plans on the sidelines of an international conference on "South Caucasus Development and Cooperation" in Shusha. "This is an attempt to explain the culture and features of Shusha to Europe. The shooting will take place in Shusha and Baku and premiere will take place in Turkey in August of 2022, he said. Vandalized monuments of Azerbaijani cultural figures were some of the strongest impressions from what I saw in Shusha. They are a symbol of fact that the destroyed can be restored and the rest of Shushas monuments will be restored in the near future," Silkeberg noted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Kiev, Ukraine, April 28, 2022. Zelensky and Guterres on Thursday discussed the evacuation of people from the besieged city of Mariupol, the presidential press service reported. (Ukrainian presidential office/Handout via Xinhua) KIEV, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday discussed the evacuation of people from the besieged city of Mariupol, the presidential press service reported. Ukraine is ready for urgent talks to evacuate people from Mariupol and hopes that the participation of the UN secretary-general in this mission would help the evacuation efforts, Zelensky told reporters after the meeting. "We see that despite the words of the Russian President (Vladimir Putin) about the alleged cessation of hostilities in Mariupol, the territory of the Azovstal plant is under barbaric bombing by the Russian army," Zelensky said. He also called on the UN chief to make efforts to stop the "deportation" of Ukrainian citizens to Russia and return home Ukrainians from Russia. For his part, Guterres said that he is doing his best to save people in Mariupol. "We will continue to call for a complete ceasefire, as well as for immediate practical measures to save lives and minimize human suffering," the UN chief said. He stressed the need for effective humanitarian corridors from Mariupol and local cessation of hostilities. Guterres arrived in Ukraine on Wednesday to talk with Zelensky, after visiting Moscow on Tuesday. Mariupol, a key Azov Sea port city in eastern Ukraine, saw one of the worst violence in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo attends a hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation titled "Department of Commerce Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Priorities" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo attends a hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation titled "Department of Commerce Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Priorities" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo attends a hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation titled "Department of Commerce Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Priorities" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo attends a hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation titled "Department of Commerce Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Priorities" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo attends a hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation titled "Department of Commerce Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Priorities" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo attends a hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation titled "Department of Commerce Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Priorities" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) OTTAWA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly announced Wednesday that Canada is imposing new sanctions on 11 senior officials and 192 other members of the people's councils of Lugansk and Donetsk. In a press release, the foreign ministry said that Canada continues to call for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian soil and that these measures apply further pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,400 individuals and entities. Many of these sanctions have been undertaken in coordination with Canada's allies and partners. Canada's latest sanctions impose asset freezes and prohibitions on listed individuals and entities. Since Feb. 24, 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on nearly 1,000 individuals and entities from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. SEOUL: South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol plans to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January next year, as per source. According to Yoon's spokeswoman Bae Hyun-jin, Yoon stated his intention to attend the Davos Forum after receiving an invitation from World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab during their meeting on Wednesday, June 27. As per Korean media report, the World Economic Event (WEF) hosts an annual forum in Davos where the world's political and economic leaders come to discuss a range of global issues. The forum is generally conducted in the first few months of the year, but due to the Omicron-fueled Covid-19 wave, it has been moved back to May 22-26 this year. Yoon and Schwab discussed the Fourth Industrial Revolution during their encounter. On Thursday, Yoon's transition team chief, Ahn Cheol-soo, will also meet with Schwab. N.Korean Defectors' group sends balloons carrying propaganda leaflets N. Koren leader Kim Jong-un pledges to strengthen nuclear power South Korea plans to build the country's first 'floating airport' Biden asks Congress for $33 billion in aid to Ukraine 28 April, 20:36 US President Joe Biden (Photo:REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) U.S. President Joe Biden at an April 28 press briefing said he has asked Congress to pass a $33 billion supplemental funding bill aimed at supporting Ukraine amid Russia's invasion of the country. According to the Washington Post, the White House request includes: $20 billion in military aid to Ukraine; $8.5 billion in economic assistance; $3 billion in humanitarian assistance; other funds. The sum is half of Russias $66 billion defense budget for 2020, and more than five times Ukraines 2020 defense budget of $6 billion. CNN also reported that funding will also be used to counter Russian disinformation and propaganda narratives, and support independent media. "The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen," Biden said. "We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities in Ukraine." Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Avelo surpasses flying 5,300 flights and 630,000 Customers in first year Avelo giving away 12 months of free flights in One Year Anniversary Sweepstakes HOUSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- One year ago, Avelo Airlines took flight for the first time from its West Coast base at Los Angeles' Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) for the North Bay Area's Sonoma County Airport (STS). Today, Avelo celebrates the first anniversary of that inaugural flight which ushered in a new era of choice, convenience and low fares as America's first new airline in nearly 15 years. BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Avelo Airlines takes off with first flight between Burbank and Santa Rosa at Hollywood Burbank Airport on April 28, 2021 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Avelo Air) (PRNewsfoto/Avelo Airlines) Avelo Airlines Founder, Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said, "One year ago, we endeavored to bring more choice, convenience and everyday affordability to an industry beleaguered by two decades of competition-crushing consolidation. I'm very proud of the different and better kind of airline we are building, even as unprecedented challenges continued to confront the airline industry. We've come a long way and still have a long way to go but we're off to a great start." Since that first flight, Avelo has flown more than 5,300 flights and 630,000 Customers. Over the course of flying more than 4 million miles this past year, Avelo has achieved a systemwide on-time arrival rate of 82% and a cancellation rate of well below 1%. Levy added, "I want to thank Avelo's 400 Crewmembers, Customers and Investors for making today's milestone possible and for the strong tailwind you are giving the next phase of our growth. I'm very excited about the magnitude of opportunity ahead of us as record numbers of travelers return to the skies. Avelo is the convenient, affordable and caring airline travelers have been waiting for." Since taking flight 12 months ago, Avelo has expanded its fleet from three 737s to eight 737s today (three 737-800s and five 737-700s). The additional aircraft enabled Avelo to expand to the East Coast last November with the opening of the airline's second base at Southern Connecticut's most convenient airport Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). Earlier today, Avelo also announced plans to open its third base this June at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Over the past year, Avelo's nationwide network has grown from 12 to 27 destinations. Story continues The airline is celebrating its first year of flying by giving away 12 months of free flights in the Avelo One Year Anniversary Sweepstakes*. One grand prize winner will receive two pairs of roundtrip tickets every month for one year. The tickets can be used on any Avelo route. Sweepstakes entry details and rules are available at AveloAir.com/OneYearSweepstakes. About Avelo Airlines Avelo Airlines was founded with a simple purpose to Inspire Travel. The airline offers Customers time and money-saving convenience, very low everyday fares, and a refreshingly smooth and caring experience through its Soul of Service culture. Operating a fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo currently serves 27 popular destinations across the U.S., including its three bases at Los Angeles' Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut's Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom. Media Contacts: Jim Olson jolson@aveloair.com Courtney Goff cgoff@aveloair.com *NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE OR PAYMENT DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. The Avelo One Year Anniversary Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 US States and D.C., 18 and older. Void elsewhere and where prohibited. Promotion ends May 17, 2022. Subject to complete Official Rules (https://www.aveloair.com/oneyearsweepstakes#rules). This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. You understand that you are providing your information to Sponsor and not to Instagram. Your personal information will only be used in accordance with Sponsor's Privacy Policy and as permitted by law. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avelo-airlines-celebrates-first-anniversary-of-inaugural-flight-301534983.html SOURCE Avelo Airlines Most home electric vehicle chargers are adept at taking power off the grid and delivering it to your car, but what if the vehicle could also automatically keep the lights on during blackouts and offset electricity costs by returning power to its source during high-demand times? A growing number of companies, including automakers GM and Ford, are touting the benefits of bidirectional charging for consumers. But research suggests advantages reach further than the individual EV owner. For instance, a 2018 Environmental Research Letters paper from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory said that in California, which has the largest electric vehicle deployment in the U.S., "substantial capital investment, as much as several billion dollars, can be avoided if EVs are used in lieu of stationary storage." Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging also called bidirectional charging have long been the stuff of demonstration programs. Only recently has the technology emerged as a possible useful addendum to the more than 80% to 85% of EV charging that takes place at home. And with a stream of EVs coming on the market, the race to introduce bidirectional charging is heating up. Enter the aftermarket emporia Bidirectional-Charger Image Credits: Emporia At least two aftermarket suppliers say they will have bidirectional home products on the U.S. market soon, one later this year and the other in 2023. But because some automakers are developing proprietary bidirectional charging systems, the question becomes whether the supplier solutions will be able to plug into them -- at least initially. It's not a certainty at this point, but it does appear that the automakers want that to happen, and discussions about compatibility are underway. Shawn McLaughlin, CEO of Colorado-based Emporia Energy, said in an interview it will have a 240-volt bidirectional home charger on sale in the U.S., priced at less than $1,500, in the second half of 2023. Emporia is working with BREK Electronics, a pioneer in the development of silicon carbide (SiC) transistors, on the inverter for its bidirectional charger. The company currently sells a $399 48-amp home charger and a smart home energy management system, among other products. Story continues McLaughlin said acquiring certification from global electric safety leader UL is the biggest hurdle to get the product on the market. As offered, it will integrate with the energy management system for such features as paused charging when air conditioning cycles on. "We're super excited," McLaughlin said. "It's still early, but this is a natural evolution of the technology -- it's been mostly pilot programs. Most of the major car manufacturers have announced that they will support bidirectional EV charging in some form or fashion, including Volkswagen, Ford, Chevrolet, Kia and Rivian. It is evolving as we speak, and the key will be in what fashion each manufacturer supports it." He said Tesla has been "quiet" about V2H and V2G, but he projects that the tech will eventually be integrated into the company's charging. McLaughlin said that Emporia is building its bidirectional technology around the ISO 15118-20 communications protocol, which "is in final review." A website timetable shows it in the approval stage. McLaughlin said his charger will be able to receive and return 240 volts back to the home with 11.5 kilowatts of power. Wallbox North America, an arm of a Spanish company, said that its forthcoming Quasar 2 bidirectional charger will be "fully compatible with EVs sold in North America." The company said Quasar 2 will automatically take over in a power outage and power a home for more than three days. Wallbox recently launched its $699 240-volt 48-amp Pulsar Plus charger (capable of responding to Alexa and Google Home voice commands) on the U.S. market. Wallbox Ev charging Quasar 2(H) Image Credits: Wallbox Early stages One just needs to look at the number of products on the market to see that bidirectional charging industry is in its very early stages. Wallbox has sold the $3,600 Quasar 1 in Europe, but spokeswoman Elyce Behrsin declined to give an actual sales number. She said Quasar 1 is compatible with CHAdeMO bidirectional-enabled vehicles, including the Nissan Leaf and ENV-200, the Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid and the Kia Soul. She said that the 11.5-kilowatt Quasar 2, which will use the dominant Combined Charging System (CCS) protocol, will be on the U.S. market "during Q4 this year." The list of EVs on the U.S. market is long and growing and Wallbox said it will be ready to sync up with them. "We are working with North American utilities, auto manufacturers and other partners to test and validate Quasar and our bidirectional charging technology to ensure compatibility with regional electrical standards and with EV makes and models sold in North America," the company said. "Indeed, part of the future success of Quasar and bidirectional charging depends on more EVs being bidirectional-capable." Other companies are working on bidirectional EV charging, including Rectifier Technologies, Delta and Nuuve. Jeff Wandell, manager of EV communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, confirmed the company is working with aftermarket suppliers. "At this time, there is not a Nissan-certified commercially available product on the market," he said. "However, there are companies that are in the process of developing and certifying their equipment -- such as Wallbox -- and hope to be in the market soon. We actively work with a number of these companies to move this technology forward and make it available to Leaf owners." Chris Martin, a spokesman for American Honda, said that the company has no U.S. news to share about bidirectional charging, but it's being explored for the future. There are developments in Europe, particularly with automakers. Automakers make a move Image Credits: Ford Motor Company Honda said in January that it is partnering with the V2X Suisse consortium in a plan that will place 50 Honda electric vehicles with Switzerland's Mobility car-sharing fleet at 40 sites. Equipped with Honda Power Manager units, the cars will "deliver V2G energy recovery capability for Mobility, at various urban and suburban sites across Switzerland." The Honda e-cars will be able to feed 20 kilowatts of power back into the grid when plugged into the bidirectional station. Late last year, Volkswagen called bidirectional charging "a ground-breaking technology" that will be on all ID. models with 77-kilowatt-hour batteries in the future. The company said its plan includes special DC BiDi wall boxes and that over-the-air updates can be used to retrofit the system to already delivered vehicles. And, according to a Rivian spokesperson, "All R1T and R1S vehicles have vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities. While bidirectional charging capabilities exist in Rivian vehicles, regulatory and other regional variables are a significant factor for potential future V2G applications." Other automakers are working on proprietary charging systems, though they may not be plug and play. Startup EV maker Lucid said in 2020 that it was working with a charging company called QMerit for bidirectional V2G capability in the Air. And Ford will offer what it calls Intelligent Backup Power on the forthcoming F-150 Lightning electric truck. Ford will also partner with leading photovoltaic provider Sunrun on the use of energy storage and solar to power homes. The 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro will be required. "For the Lightning, it's not going to work with a regular Level II charger," said Sam Abuelsamid, principal analyst for e-mobility at Guidehouse Insights in Detroit. "It only outputs backup power over the DC pins. It's designed to work specifically with a smart inverter system that includes a transfer switch to cut power from the grid and take it from the truck when power goes out, so that power isn't flowing back to the grid. Right now, SunRun is the only company offering a compatible kit to enable this." Bidirectional charging challenges Marc Tarpenning, a co-founder of Tesla with Martin Eberhard, emphasizes that powering a house from a car requires critical safety protocols -- it's not a simple matter. Without protections in place, "the voltage you put into your house would flow to the power pole on your street and for a moment light up the high-voltage wires to 12,000 volts," he said. "If a lineman happened to be working on those wires, like during a power outage, you would kill them pretty much instantly." He added that "the house must totally disconnect from the grid before any power is applied internally. So, your EV could certainly power your house, but the power companies are very serious about generator setups, making sure that they have proper isolation 'transfer' switches in place." Another challenge, according to Tarpenning, involves the smart inverter system Abuelsamid referenced. "The inverter in your car will have to be able to deal with the 'inrush' when you power up a house," Tarpenning said. "For a moment, the house will draw a huge amount of current as everything comes to life. This isn't a problem if the inverter is designed to handle that, but that will be a design change for most EV inverters." Abuelsamid said that AC electricity can be taken off the Lightning through the ProPower onboard system with the optional 9.6-kilowatt output, "but I'm pretty sure that's not going to work with the Quasar." Hyundai models, limited to 1.9 kilowatts through an adapter that plugs into the J1772 connector, "might be capable of functioning with the Quasar with a suitable software update," he said. "I've yet to see any details on how Lucid is implementing its bidirectional capability." Ryan O'Gorman, Ford's lead strategist for energy services, said in an email, "At this time, the F-150 Lightning isn't compatible with other options. As we understand it, the ISO 15118-20 is not released yet. And as with the ISO and SAE charging standards in market today, when that 15118-20 standard is released -- including bidirectional power transfer -- one could expect manufacturers (like Ford) who have implemented accepted standards in the past to support those future standards. So, for now, the Ford Charge Station Pro would need to be installed with the Home Integration System that is available for purchase from Sunrun in 2022." Abuelsamid's colleague Scott Shepard, principal research analyst for energy at Guidehouse, said that Lucid's bidirectional system is AC-based, with Lucid also providing the AC bidirectional charging unit. He added that Wallbox has "supported at least one V2G trial in Europe -- Powerloop in the U.K., operated by Octopus Energy." That trial, backed by the National Grid, involves more than 130 households in Great Britain. ReportLinker Body in White Market Research Report by Consturction (Frame Mounted, Monocoque, and Research Methodology), Vehicle Type, Trends, Manufacturing Method, Material Type, Region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Body in White Market Research Report by Consturction, Vehicle Type, Trends, Manufacturing Method, Material Type, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260623/?utm_source=GNW The Global Body in White Market size was estimated at USD 68.25 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 71.31 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 4.65% to reach USD 89.69 billion by 2027. Market Statistics: The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2019 and 2020 are considered historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered the forecast period. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Body in White to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Consturction, the market was studied across Frame Mounted, Monocoque, and Research Methodology. Based on Vehicle Type, the market was studied across Electric Vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles, Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Passenger Vehicles, and Research Methodology. Based on Trends, the market was studied across Manufacturing Processes and Materials Used for Biw, Porters Five Forces Analysis, and Vehicle Emission Regulations and Safety Standards. Based on Manufacturing Method, the market was studied across Advanced Methods, Cold Stamping, Hot Stamping, Research Methodology, and Roll Forming. Based on Material Type, the market was studied across Aluminium, CFRP, Magnesium, Research Methodology, and Steel. 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 Body in White 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 Body in White 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 Body in White Market, including ABB Corporation, AIDA Engineering Ltd., Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd, AKKA Technologies, Autokiniton Global Group, Badve Group, Benteler International AG, CIE Automotive SA, Dura Automotive By MiddleGround Capital, Faraday Future, Gestamp Automocion, S.A., Hyundai Motor Group, Isgec Heavy Engineering Ltd, JBM Group, KIRCHHOFF Automotive, KWD Automotive AG & Co. KG, Magna International Inc., Martinrea International Inc, Norsk Hydro ASA, PANSE Group of Companies, Plastic Omnium Co, Roland Berger, Tata Steel Limited, Thyssenkrupp Group AG, and Voestalpine Group. 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 Body in White Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Body in White Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Body in White Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Body in White Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Body in White Market? 6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Body in White Market? 7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Body in White Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260623/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Company Logo Dublin, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Market, Impact of COVID-19, Size, Share, Regulations, Reimbursement, Major Deals, Key Players Analysis, Trends & Recent Developments - Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. China In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market is predicted to reach US$ 21 Billion by 2028 China represents one of the largest clinical laboratory markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and the fastest growing among the top ten IVD country markets. Historically, large multinational companies have dominated IVD market in China; today, domestic companies such as Shanghai Kehua Bio-Engineering (KHB) being one of the largest - are now gaining market share. China is a large and fast-growing in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market - in fact, only second to the United States in terms of value. China's quickly aging population means the country is experiencing an explosion of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. All of these conditions can be diagnosed and monitored using IVD products. Moreover, The State Council issued a guideline to implement the country's Healthy China initiative to diminish the incidence of disability among elderly people aged between 65 and 74 years by 2022 by offering medical and health services. Such initiatives by the government are expected to boost market growth during the forecast period. Impact of COVID-19 on China In-Vitro Diagnostics Market The COVID-19 outbreak has become a global stress test. As the number of people infected with the virus continues to rise around the world, uncertainties about global economic growth increases. The COVID-19 disease has infected around 486 Million people worldwide. Globally the death toll has reached 6,157,201 according to the latest statistics from the Worldometers (as of March 30, 2022). In China, COVID-19 disease has infected around 147,437 people (as of March 30, 2022), and the death toll has reached 4,638. The clouds of the new coronavirus threat loom over the world and continue to create havoc in the lives of millions of people. Story continues Maximum testing and quick hospitalization are key components for flattening the curve. In this scenario, the in-vitro diagnostics forms the crux of increased testing. Manufacturers in the in-vitro diagnostic market are focusing on developing novel technologies for maximum testing within a minimum period. For instance, in April 2021, Sysmex Corporation obtained in vitro diagnostic approval for the manufacturing and marketing of the DetectAmp SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Kit, a SARS coronavirus nucleic acid kit that detects the RNA of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The novel coronavirus has accelerated the research and development activities in the in-vitro diagnostics market. Development and production in maximum numbers is the need of the hour. Therefore, quick approvals are proving to be the cherry on the cake for the growth of the in-vitro diagnostic market. China IVD Market Segment Wise Analysis Immunoassay captures maximum share of the China IVD market, being followed by Clinical Chemistry segment Molecular Testing stands at the 3rd spot and its market share is expected to rise throughout the forecast period, due to steady demand of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in China IVD market China SMBG market is dominated by foreign IVD companies such as Roche Microbiology and Hematology segments are competing closely with each other to grab maximum share of the pie Point of Care Testing accounts for least share of the China IVD market China IVD Market Company Analysis Roche captures maximum share of the China IVD market, followed by Sysmex Corporation. Shanghai Kehua Bio-Engineering Co. Ltd. and Abbott Laboratories are the other top two players in the China IVD market. Sysmex has built a robust infrastructure in China, working with more than 400 sales distributors to provide products and services throughout the country In Abbott's worldwide diagnostics business, sales growth over the last four years reflected the acquisition of Alere in October of 2017 In March 2022, Mindray, a global leading medical solution provider, has launched the new BC-700 Series, a revolutionary hematology analyzer series that incorporates both complete blood count (CBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) tests In February 2022, Sysmex Corporation formed a capital and business tie-up with KAINOS Laboratories, Inc. with a view toward strengthening capabilities to develop and produce diagnostic reagents in the immunochemistry field Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Impact of COVID-19 on China IVD Market 3. China IVD Market and Market Share Analysis (2010 - 2028) 3.1 China IVD Market and Forecast 3.2 China IVD Market Share and Forecast 3.3 China IVD Company Share and Forecast 4. China IVD - Segments Wise Market and Forecast (2010 - 2028) 4.1 China Clinical Chemistry Market and Forecast 4.2 China Immunoassay Market and Forecast 4.3 China Hematology Market and Forecast 4.4 China Coagulation Market and Forecast 4.5 China Microbiology Market and Forecast 4.6 China Molecular Testing Market and Forecast 4.7 China Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Market and Forecast 4.8 China Point of Care Testing (POCT) Market and Forecast 5. Development Environment of Chinese IVD Industry 5.1 State Healthcare Reforms 5.2 State Citizen-Benefiting Policies 5.3 Requirements of Hospital Upgrading 5.4 Healthy China 2030 6. Profile of In-vitro Diagnostic Reagents Registration Control 6.1 Classification of In-vitro Diagnostic Reagents in China 6.1.1 Class III: Highest Risk 6.1.2 Class II: Medium Risk 6.1.3 Class I: Lower Risk 6.2 Regulatory History in China IVD Market 6.3 Regulatory Status in China IVD Market 6.3.1 Blood Screening Reagents - Drug Administration 6.3.2 Varieties of Blood Screening Reagents 6.3.3 Blood Screening Reagent Test 6.3.4 Nucleic Acid Detection Kits for Blood Screening 6.3.5 Radioactive reagents - Drug Administration 6.3.6 Diagnostic Reagents - Medical Devices Management 6.4 Regulatory Trend in China IVD Market 6.4.1 Blood Screening Reagents Belonging 6.4.2 Quality Improvement 6.4.3 Pre-Evaluation of Registration Standards 7. Registration for In Vitro Diagnostic Reagents in China 7.1 Registration and Filing 7.2 Filing Obligation for Clinical Trials 7.3 Clinical Trial Institutions 7.4 Elimination of IVD Loophole for Research 7.5 Change of Manufacturing Address 7.6 Change of Main Supplier of An Antigen or Antibody 7.7 China In Vitro Diagnostics Registration Update 7.7.1 IVD Product Registration in China 7.7.2 China IVD Type Testing Process 7.7.3 Clinical Trials for IVD Products in China 8. Reimbursement of IVD Products in China 9. China IVD Market - Key Players Sales Analysis (2010 - 2027) 9.1 Roche Diagnostics 9.2 Abbott Laboratories 9.3 Sysmex Corporation 9.4 Mindray Medical International Limited 9.5 Shanghai Kehua Bio-Engineering Co. Ltd. 9.6 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc 9.7 Danaher Corporation 9.8 Biomerieux 10. Profiles of Select Private Clinical Labs and Diagnostic Services Companies 10.1 Dian Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd. (Formerly Zhejiang Di'an Diagnostics Technology Co., Ltd.) 10.2 ADICON Clinical Laboratories (Privately held) 10.3 Guangzhou KingMed Diagnostics Center Co. Ltd. 10.4 Kindstar Global (Privately held) 10.5 BGI-Shenzhen 10.6 OriGene Technologies 11. IVD Market - Recent Developments 12. IVD Market - Major Deals 12.1 2022 12.2 2021 12.3 2020 12.4 2019 12.5 2018 12.6 2017 12.7 2016 13. China IVD Market - Driving Factors 13.1 Government Efforts to Regulate Laboratory testing 13.2 Healthy China 2030 Initiatives to Fuel China IVD Market 13.3 Increasing Number of Private Hospitals & Independent Testing Laboratories 13.4 Chinese Government Policies Encourage Investment in IVD 13.5 Technology Advancement Spurring the IVD Market 13.6 High Prevalence of Chronic and Infectious Diseases 14. China IVD Market - Challenges 14.1 Lack of Expertise in Advanced Technology in the Local Companies 14.2 Price Pressures Limits Participation of Multinational IVD Companies in China IVD Market 14.3 Reimbursement Rates of Different Products Varies in Different Provinces 14.4 Operational Barriers Faced in Conducting Diagnostic Tests For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sayxy4 CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 New safes for controlled substances anticipated to help reduce organized retail crime All 198 CVS Pharmacy locations in the state now using time delay safe technology WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing commitment to support law enforcement and help build safer communities, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced the completed installation of time delay safe technology in all 198 Arizona CVS Pharmacy locations, including those in Target stores. The safes are anticipated to help prevent pharmacy robberies and the potential for associated diversion of controlled substance medications including opioid medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone by electronically delaying the time it takes for pharmacy employees to open the safe. In addition, the safes are anticipated to benefit the safety and well-being of CVS Pharmacy customers and employees. CVS Pharmacy locations now feature signs notifying customers about the chain's time-delay safe technology to help deter pharmacy robberies and diversion of controlled substance narcotic medications. Delay Safe The company's rollout of time delay safes is in support of the state's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, which was established by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich with support from the state Legislature and the Arizona Retailers Association. "Our office is proud to take such an aggressive stand against organized retail theft," said Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. "We applaud CVS for taking these proactive measures to help deter criminal behavior and reduce the chances of opioid and other controlled substance medications from unlawfully entering and endangering our communities." CVS Health first implemented time delay safe technology in 2015 in CVS Pharmacy locations across Indianapolis, a city experiencing a high volume of pharmacy robberies at the time. The company saw a 70 percent decline in pharmacy robberies among the Indianapolis stores where time delay safes had been installed. Since then, the company has introduced time delay safes 21 states, including Arizona, and the District of Columbia, resulting in a 50 percent decline in robberies at CVS pharmacies in those local communities. Story continues "While our company continues to focus on moving the country one step closer to a post-pandemic world by increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines, testing and other measures to help create healthy communities, supporting law enforcement efforts in their battle against organized retail crime also remains a focus," said Thomas M. Moriarty, Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel, CVS Health. "Criminal activities that organized retail crime rings fund are a clear danger to our communities, so it is important that retailers, law enforcement and political leaders work together to solve this problem. Time delay safes can help reduce the theft and diversion of prescription medications and bring added security to our stores, which creates a safe environment for our patients and colleagues." The time delay function cannot be overridden and is designed to serve as a deterrent to would-be pharmacy robbers whose goal is to enter and exit their robbery targets as quickly as possible. All CVS Pharmacy locations in Arizona display visible signage warning that time delay safes are in use to prevent on-demand access to controlled substance narcotics. CVS Health's time delay safe program is one of many company initiatives to help address and prevent prescription medication misuse and diversion. Through its Safe Medication Disposal Program in Arizona, for example, the company has installed 51 drug disposal units in select CVS Pharmacy locations and donated 3 units to local police departments in the state. To date, more than 60,000 pounds of unwanted and expired medication have been collected in Arizona. Presently, the company supports over 4,000 safe medication disposal units in CVS Pharmacy locations and through local law enforcement organizations nationwide. Together, these existing medication disposal units have collected nearly 4 million pounds of unwanted medications that might otherwise have been diverted, misused or ended up in the water supply. For downloadable time delay safe photos, please visit the Media Resource Center. About CVS Health CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and approximately 300,000 dedicated colleagues including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system and their personal health care by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com. Media contact Monica Prinzing 831-241-8294 prinzingm@cvshealth.com CVS Pharmacy locations now feature signs notifying customers about the chain's time-delay safe technology to help deter pharmacy robberies and diversion of controlled substance narcotic medications. (PRNewsfoto/CVS Pharmacy) CVS Health (PRNewsFoto/CVS Health) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-completes-rollout-of-time-delay-safes-in-all-of-its-arizona-pharmacies-301535816.html SOURCE CVS Health By Trend Baku has hosted a meeting of US ambassadors to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia, Trend reports referring to the official Facebook page of the US Embassy in Baku. Ambassadors Litzenberger, Degnan, and Tracy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Olson, Senior Advisor for Caucuses Negotiations (SACN) Andrew Schofer, and Acting Coordinator for US Assistance to Europe and Eurasia Greg Naarden participated in a regional Chiefs of Mission meeting hosted by the U.S. Embassy Baku. "Baku, Yerevan, and Tbilisi have previously hosted similar events. Colleagues from the region and from Washington, D.C., gathered to exchange ideas and information. As the US celebrates the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia, we underscore our commitment to strengthening partnerships and promoting a more secure, stable, and prosperous future for the people of the South Caucasus," the embassy said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took substantial legal action to punish Disney for stepping into the states political arena by moving to dissolve Reedy Creek, a special district thats given the company enormous self-governing powers for over half a century. But rather than put the dispute to bed, his decision opened up a Pandora's box of new problems for the state. The day before DeSantis signed the bill into law, Reedy Creek looked back to its original contract and pointed to language that implies the state might not be able to destroy it so easily. Florida established the Reedy Creek Improvement District in 1967 with the passage of the Reedy Creek Act. The district said in a statement posted to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board that in that original act, Florida pledged not to interfere with Reedy Creeks operations or its ability to fulfill the terms of any agreement made with the holders of any bonds or other obligations of the district until all its bonded debt, including interest, has been paid. With nearly $1 billion in bonded debt, Reedy Creek plans to move forward with business as usual in the face of the laws effective date of June 1, 2023. In light of the state of Floridas pledge to the districts bondholders, Reedy Creek expects to explore its options while continuing its present operations, it said in the statement. The district said it will continue to collect its taxes on Disney and make payments on its debt. Reedy Creeks taxes on Disney make up its primary source of revenue, which it uses for its own maintenance and services, like road repair and its fire department. Thanks to its special district status, it can also issue bonds to fund large infrastructure projects and as a result take on massive debt. The law dissolving Reedy Creek does not include language to answer what will happen with that debt. It also doesnt outline how Orange and Osceola counties, which Reedy Creek straddles, will take on the lands maintenance once the district no longer exists to do so. Reedy Creek currently operates on an annual budget of over $150 million. Story continues Several paths forward are possible, ranging from the two counties absorbing all of Reedy Creeks debts and responsibilitiesto the detriment of residents who could be hit by an increase in property taxesto the creation of a very similar special district with nominally limited powers. In a statement accompanying the laws passage, DeSantiss office said its intent was not to cause tax increases for any Florida residents. In the near future, we will propose additional legislation to authorize additional special districts in a manner that ensures transparency and an even playing field under the law. On Monday, DeSantis doubled down on his promise: Under no circumstances will Disney be able to not pay its debts. We will make sure of that. Reedy Creek became the target of DeSantiss ire after Disney spoke up about the states Parental Rights in Education law, also known popularly as Dont Say Gay. The law prohibits classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in Florida primary schools. Disney initially opted not to publicly comment on the bill, but eventually capitulated to workers and consumers who protested the companys silence. CEO Bob Chapek publicly criticized the law as it was going through the state legislature, first in a shareholder meeting and then in a letter to employees. In response, DeSantis derided Disneys perceived woke behavior and called for a special session of the states legislature to consider the bill he ultimately passed to eliminate certain special districts. Disney has not yet made any public comment regarding the laws passage. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com ReportLinker Forecasts by Material (Glass, Plastic, Elastomer, Stainless Steel), by Application (Diabetes, Ophthalmology, Anaphylaxis, Cancer, Thrombosis, Other), by End-user (Hospitals and Clinics, Home Care Settings, Research Laboratories, Pharma & Biotech Companies, Other), by Type (Conventional, Safety) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Recovery Scenarios New York, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Dual Chamber Pre-Filled Syringes Market Report 2022-2032" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272217/?utm_source=GNW Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market Report 2022-2032: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region. Dual Chamber syringes have a number of advantages over traditional drug delivery systems Prefilled Dual Chamber Devices are combination devices that contain freeze-dried drug and diluent in two separate chambers. Dual Chamber syringes have a number of advantages over traditional drug delivery systems, including precise dosing, ease of handling, seal integrity, and high stability, and thus are promising alternatives. Many processing and manufacturing challenges are addressed in prefilled dual chamber devices, resulting in an upsurge in the market. Dual Chamber Devices such as Mix jet, Vetter Lyo-Ject, and LyoTwist are becoming popular choices for physicians and patients in need of immediate acting and safe delivery (i.e., no needle sticks injuries or airborne bacterial contaminants), significantly improving patient compliance by simply applying pressure to the end plunger after mixing and dissolving freeze-dried powder. Global Pre-Filled Dual Chamber Syringes Market Insight The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of xx% in the first half period 2022-2027 and is projected to grow at CAGR of xx% in the other half period 2027-2032.The global dual chamber prefilled syringes market Driven by the increasing number of lyophilized drugs, the rate of chronic disease incidence is increasing, there is a high demand for low-cost, non-reactive glass dual chamber prefilled syringes, the expansion of the dual chamber prefilled syringes market is aided by advancements in the biopharmaceutical industry. Development of Successful Freeze-Dried Biopharmaceuticals The most difficult and complex component of prefilled Dual Chamber Devices is manufacturing, notably in the development of viable freeze-dried biopharmaceuticals. Due to the configuration (i.e., long, slim, and restricted contact surface), freeze-drying DCDs is a difficult process, and intermediate packing materials would differ significantly from those utilised for vials. A number of academics are currently working to develop adequate solutions to challenges related to the manufacturing of prefilled Dual Chamber Devices. Some of these concerns have been addressed, such as the enhancement of a simple procedure for freeze-dried items using the tray filling technique in the Dual Chamber Device. In combination with an aluminium block and a metal cartridge, the freeze-drying stage is completed with the needle down. What Are These Questions You Should Ask Before Buying A Market Research Report? How is the dual chamber prefilled syringes market evolving? What is driving and restraining the dual chamber prefilled syringes market? How will each dual chamber prefilled syringes submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2032? How will the market shares for each dual chamber prefilled syringes submarket develop from 2022 to 2032? What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2022 to 2032? Will leading dual chamber prefilled syringes markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others? How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2032 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2032? Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? What are the dual chamber prefilled syringes projects for these leading companies? How will the industry evolve during the period between 2020 and 2032? What are the implication of dual chamber prefilled syringes projects taking place now and over the next 10 years? Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the dual chamber prefilled syringes market? Where is the dual chamber prefilled syringes market heading? And how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market? What can be the best investment options for new product and service lines? What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path? C-suite? You need to discover how this will impact the dual chamber prefilled syringes market today, and over the next 10 years: Our 518-page report provides 332 tables and 314 charts/graphs exclusively to you. The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them NOW. Contains in-depth analyse of global, regional and national sales and growth Highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors This report tells you TODAY how the dual chamber prefilled syringes market will develop in the next 10 years, and in-line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years. Forecasts to 2032 and other analyses reveal the commercial prospects In addition to revenue forecasting to 2032, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares. You find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments. Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising dual chamber prefilled syringes prices and recent developments. This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report. Global Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Type Conventional Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Safety Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Global Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by End-User Hospitals and Clinics Home Care Settings Research Laboratories Pharma & Biotech Companies Other End-User Global Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Application Diabetes Ophthalmology Anaphylaxis Cancer Thrombosis Other Application Global Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Material Glass Plastic Elastomer Stainless Steel In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for 4 regional and 20 leading national markets: North America Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook U.S. Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Canada Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Mexico Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Europe Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook Germany Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Spain Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis United Kingdom Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis France Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Italy Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Rest of Europe Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Asia Pacific Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook China Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Japan Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis India Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Australia Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis South Korea Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Rest of Asia Pacific Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis LAMEA Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook Brazil Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Turkey Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Saudi Arabia Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis South Africa Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis UAE Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis Rest of Latin America, Middle East and Africa The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations. Leading companies and the potential for market growth AbbVie Inc. Amgen Inc. Arte Corp. AstraZeneca PLC Bespak Europe Ltd Catalent, Inc. Credence MedSystems Gerresheimer AG Nipro Corporation Novartis AG Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. Owen Mumford Ltd Pfizer Inc. Schott AG Terumo Corporation Vetter Pharma West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Ypsomed Holding AG Overall world revenue for Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 in terms of value the market will surpass US$xx million in 2022, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2032. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead. How the Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market report helps you? In summary, our 510+ page report provides you with the following knowledge: Revenue forecasts to 2032 for Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market, with forecasts for Type, Material, Application, End-User each forecasted at a global and regional level discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues Revenue forecasts to 2032 for 4 regional and 20 key national markets See forecasts for the Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies. Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market including company profiles for 18 of the major companies involved in the Dual Chamber Prefilled Syringes Market, 2022 to 2032 Market. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06272217/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SeaBird Exploration Plc NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, HONG KONG OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. GREEN ENERGY GROUP (SEABIRD EXPLORATION PLC) ANNOUNCES UPDATE ON SUBSEQUENT OFFERING, ON OFFERING PROSPECTUS AND A TRADING UPDATE Reference is made to the stock exchange releases by Green Energy Group (SeaBird Exploration Plc, the "Company") on 14 January 2022 regarding the completion of a private placement of new shares (the "Private Placement") and the resolution to carry out a subsequent offering (the "Subsequent Offering") of up to 3,500,000 shares subject to the publication of an offering prospectus approved by the relevant prospectus authority (the "Prospectus"). The Company hereby provides the following update with respect to the forthcoming Subsequent Offering. The Prospectus The Prospectus is expected to be approved by the prospectus authority on or around 4 May 2022. The final date of approval remains subject to uncertainty, and will be announced in the ordinary manner when completed. The Subsequent Offering The subscription period for the Subsequent Offering is expected to commence on or around 5 May 2022 and expire at 16:30 (CET) on 12 May 2022. The Subsequent Offering will be directed at the Company's shareholders as of close of trading 13 January 2022, as subsequently recorded in the VPS on 17 January 2022 (the "Record Date"), who were not allocated shares in the Private Placement and who are not resident in a jurisdiction where such offering would be unlawful, or would (in jurisdictions other than Norway) require any prospectus filing, registration or similar action (the Eligible Shareholders). The subscription price will be NOK 2.25 per share. Oversubscription will be permitted. Story continues Each Eligible Shareholder will be granted one (1) non-transferable subscription right (the Subscription Rights) for every 10 shares in the Company held by such Eligible Shareholder as of the Record Date rounded down to the nearest whole number of Subscription Rights and each Subscription Right will give the right to subscribe for and be allocated one (1) new share in the Company, rounded down to the nearest whole share in the Company. Dates are subject to clarification. Final dates will be announced when determined, and may differ from indicated dates. Trading update The Company refers to its announcement dated 23 January 2022 of a strategic review, where the Company announced its ongoing efforts to consolidate its seismic assets with other parties, and where it also announced that it had received interest from potential partners in said respect. As a result of these efforts, the Company is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent (the "LoI"), granting exclusivity to a party for a period of time to conduct due diligence towards the acquisition of 100% of the Company's seismic operations by way of a share purchase agreement. The LoI further states that the purchase price shall be calculated on the basis of an enterprise value of USD 53,000,000 on a cash and debt free basis, and with an agreed level of working capital. The LoI is subject to the successful conclusion of the ongoing due diligence and other conditions. There can be no assurance that the ongoing process will materialize in a transaction, or whether the terms of any transaction will reflect the LoI. The Company will update on any significant developments in this process. Contacts: Stale Rodahl, Executive Chairman, ph: +47 4840 0593 This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This stock exchange announcement was published by Green Energy Group (SeaBird Exploration PLC), on 28 April 2022 at 08.00 CET. Important information: The release is not for publication or distribution, in whole or in part directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia). This release is an announcement issued pursuant to legal information obligations. It is issued for information purposes only, and does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities, in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act"). The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register any portion of the offering of the securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of the securities in the United States. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States. The issue, subscription or purchase of shares in the Company is subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company does not assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. The distribution of this release may in certain jurisdictions be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this release comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Forward-looking statements: This release and any materials distributed in connection with this release may contain certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect the Company's current expectations and assumptions as to future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of material factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Kadant Inc WESTFORD, Mass., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI) announced it will release its 2022 first quarter results after the market closes on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 and will hold a webcast the next day, Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. eastern time. During the call the Company will discuss its first quarter financial performance and future expectations. To listen to the call live, go to the Investors section of the Companys website at www.kadant.com. To participate in the live question and answer session, dial 888-326-8410 within the U.S., or +1-704-385-4884 outside the U.S., and reference participant passcode 8582925. The earnings release and webcast presentation will be posted in the Investors section of the Companys website. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Companys website through June 3, 2022. About Kadant Kadant is a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems that drive Sustainable Industrial Processing. The Companys products and services play an integral role in enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in process industries. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with approximately 3,000 employees in 20 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com. Contacts Investor Contact Information: Michael McKenney, 978-776-2000 IR@kadant.com or Media Contact Information: Wes Martz, 269-278-1715 media@kadant.com DALLAS, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Loopback Analytics, a leading provider of data-driven solutions for hospitals and health systems, is thrilled to announce it is collaborating with University of Michigan Health to continue advancing their specialty pharmacy services. Closing the Loop in Healthcare (PRNewsfoto/Loopback Analytics) "University of Michigan Health will leverage Loopback's data analytics platform for our growing specialty pharmacy program," says Brandon Harkonen, Assistant Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services at University of Michigan Health. "We plan to use the Loopback platform for access to data insights that will help us improve patient care and access to life-saving medications." Specialty pharmacy is an increasingly important aspect of health care and academic medical centers such as Michigan Medicine play a significant role in providing effective care and support for their patients. The Loopback platform will enable this effort through its easy-to-use analytics and seamless data integration. "We are delighted to work alongside a prestigious organization like University of Michigan Health to accelerate their specialty pharmacy growth and patient care with our data analytics," said Neil Smiley, Loopback Analytics CEO. About Michigan Medicine At Michigan Medicine, we advance health to serve Michigan and the world. We pursue excellence every day in our five hospitals, 125 clinics and home care operations that handle more than 2.3 million outpatient visits a year, as well as educate the next generation of physicians, health professionals and scientists in our U-M Medical School. Michigan Medicine includes the top ranked U-M Medical School and University of Michigan Health, which includes the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University Hospital, the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Metro Health and the Rogel Cancer Center. The U-M Medical School is one of the nation's biomedical research powerhouses, with total research funding of more than $500 million. Story continues More information is available at www.michiganmedicine.org. Media contact: JD Smiley 214-552-3023 jdsmiley@loopbackanalytics.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loopback-analytics-collaborates-with-university-of-michigan-health-on-specialty-pharmacy-initiatives-to-improve-patient-outcomes-301535652.html SOURCE Loopback Analytics ZUG, Switzerland, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MET Group is growing its European renewables portfolio by expanding into the Italian and Spanish markets. The Swiss-based energy company acquired a 100% stake in five greenfield solar power projects in Italy with an expected installed capacity of 213 MWp, and a ready-to-build solar power project in Spain with an expected installed capacity of 50 MWp increasing its total portfolio to 714 MWp. Christian Hurlimann, Renewables CEO of MET Group On 9 February and 2 March 2022, MET Group signed share purchase agreements with Italian developers to acquire 100% stakes in five greenfield photovoltaic development projects in Central and Southern Italy. The photovoltaic power plants are expected to achieve ready-to-build stage in 2024. On 7 April, MET Group acquired a 100 percent stake in a Spanish 50 MWp solar project at ready-to-build status. The Puerto Real 3 project is situated in the Andalucia region of Spain, known for its high irradiation levels. The project should start commercial operations in the summer of 2023. Within MET Group, a dedicated Green Assets Division provides all the necessary expertise and support to the renewable expansion strategy, with an ambitious target of reaching a 1GW renewables portfolio by 2026. The integrated energy company aims for a 500 MW portfolio to be in operation by 2023, and an additional 500 MW by 2026. MET is targeting further growth of wind and solar installations across the European Union, seeking to play an active role in the energy transition. Christian Hurlimann, Renewables CEO of MET Group said: "Our goal is to build a geographically diversified 1 GW pure-play renewables portfolio in Europe, and with these transactions we have now also entered the Italian and Spanish renewables markets. MET's expansion strategy focuses on European markets where we already have a local presence, building on our existing operations across the Group. MET's sales subsidiaries already offer green power and services to their customers, and the percentage of partners adopting renewable energy products is constantly increasing. MET Group is dedicated to support a sustainable energy future for Europe." MET Group MET Group is an integrated European energy company, headquartered in Switzerland, with activities and assets in natural gas and power markets. MET is present in 13 countries through subsidiaries, 26 national gas markets and 22 international trading hubs. In 2021, MET Group's consolidated sales revenue amounted to EUR 18,1 billion, the volume of traded natural gas was 55 BCM. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1805177/Christian_Hurlimann.jpg WHITEHORSE, YT, April 28, 2022 /CNW/ - Minto Metals Corp. ("Minto" or the "Company") (TSXV: MNTO) today reports updated drill results from their ongoing 2022 Exploration program. Minto has received results from eight drill holes on the Minto Mine Property (Figures 1 & 2) targeting extensions of the Minto East 2 and Cu Keel orebodies. Highlights from this drilling include: Hole 21EXP016 Minto East 2 Extension: 1.34% Copper (Cu) over 25.97 metres including 2.72% Cu over 9.32 metres; Hole 21EXP019 Minto North: 3.83% Cu over 2.05 metres and 0.79% Cu over 15.10 metres including 2.71% over 3.58 metres; Hole 21SDME-005 Minto East 2 Inferred: 1.42% Cu over 15.99 metres; David Benson, Vice-President Exploration commented, "We are encouraged by the positive results in this phase of our 2021-2022 drilling program. Part of the exploration mandate is to replace the mined resource base and these results from the step-out drilling at Minto East 2 and Cu Keel verify that the orebodies continue along strike and down-plunge. Additional step-out drilling following up on these strong results is planned for later in the year." Chris Stewart, President & CEO added, " Minto Metals is entering a new and exciting phase of exploration. As we have previously discussed, there had been no exploration completed on the property since 2012, and we see great potential to expand our resource. These new drill results demonstrate that there is still a lot of potential to find new high grade lenses as well as extensions to known mining areas on this property near our existing infrastructure where over 500 million lbs of copper have been produced since mining started back in 2007. In H2/2022 we will also be drilling into some completely new, high potential targets in previously untested areas as we look to step out from our known resource." Figure 1. Regional Map of Minto Metals Corp. Projects. (CNW Group/Minto Metals Corp.) Figure 2. Minto Mine Complex Plan View Map with Drilling results in this Release. (CNW Group/Minto Metals Corp.) Assay and Drillhole Analysis Drilling was conducted under the conditions and authorizations of Quartz Mining Licence QML-0001 issued by the Department of Energy Mines and Resources, Yukon Government. The drilling in this release focused on extensions to the Minto East 2 and Cu Keel orebodies (Figure 2). Story continues Results released today are from 8 drill holes totalling 3,867 metres (see Table 1 for drill hole information and Table 2 for Assay results). To date in 2022, Minto has drilled and completed 25 holes for 11,953 metres of the budgeted 30,000 metres. The remaining results will be released as they become available later in the year. Drill holes 21EXP013-016 were drilled to test eastern and northern extensions of the Minto East 2 ore lenses. Holes 21EXP013-014 did not intersect any significant mineralization. Holes 21EXP015-016 intersected mineralization that is either the faulted (up) equivalent of the Minto 2 East 150 lens or is a separate lens altogether (Figure 3). Either way, the intersections represent an eastern extension of the Minto 2 orebodies, which remain open further to the east and at depth. Hole 21EXP015 returned 0.44% Cu, 0.09 g/t Au and 1.65 g/t Ag over 54.13 metres with two higher grade sub-zones of 0.81% Cu, 0.12 g/t Au and 2.50 g/t Ag over 5.61 metres; 1.70% Cu, 0.70 g/t Au and 9.45 g/t Ag over 2.00 metres. Hole 21EXP016 three mineralized lenses: 1) 0.36% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au and 1.09 g/t Ag over 31.59 metres; 2) 0.48% Cu, 0.08 g/t Au and 1.70 g/t Ag over 7.02 metres; and 3) 0.92% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au and 5.09 g/t Ag over 45.41 metres that included a 9.32 metre interval of 2.72% Cu, 1.25 g/t Au and 15.08 g/t Ag. Drill holes 21EXP017-019 were drilled to test the northern extension of the Cu Keel orebodies (Figure 4). Hole 21EXP017 had to be abandoned due to mechanical failure of the drill string. 21EXP018 returned 0.44% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au and 1.43 g/t Ag over 21.89 metres. 21EXP019 returned three mineralized intervals: 1) 0.55% Cu, 0.14 g/t Au and 1.57 g/t Ag over 18.1 metres; 2) 3.83% Cu, 1.33 g/t Au and 8.78 g/t Ag over 2.05 metres; and 3) 0.79% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 3.44 g/t Ag over 15.10 metres that included a 3.58 metre interval of 2.71% Cu, 0.62 g/t Au and 12.61 g/t Ag. Drill hole 21SDME-005 was drilled to upgrade confidence in the 150 Lens of the Minto East 2 inferred resource and returned 1.42% Cu, 0.74 g/t Au and 6.05 g/t Ag. Table 1. Drill hole location information for 2021 drilling is reported in this press release. (CNW Group/Minto Metals Corp.) Note: Co-ordinate system: UTM WGS 84 Zone 8N Table 2. Assays results reported in this press release. (CNW Group/Minto Metals Corp.) Notes: True width is estimated to be 75 to 95% of drilled width. Drill composites include dilution of up to 2 metres at grades less than 0.05% Cu. Individual Au sample assays are capped at 10 g/t. g/t = grams per tonne; NSV = no significant values Figure 3. Vertical Section of Minto East depicting holes 21EXP015 and 21EXP016. Mineralization intersected in these holes represents either fault-displaced 150 Lens or is a new mineralized lens not previously discovered. (CNW Group/Minto Metals Corp.) Figure 4. Vertical section through the northern portion of the Cu Keel Complex depicting 21EXP018 and 21EXP019 and the extensions of the 102 and 110 Lenses in the Cu Keel resources. (CNW Group/Minto Metals Corp.) Outlook The Company continues drilling on its 30,000-metre program in 2022. The current phase of drilling is focusing on the southern portions of the mining on numerous untested geophysical targets. Quantec Geoscience has been retained to conduct Borehole Pulse Time-domain EM surveys and a surface magnetotellurics survey starting in mid-summer. Satellite-based spectral imaging, utilizing the Worldview-3 Spectral Mapping satellite, over the Company's Yukon properties, is scheduled to commence in late May. Goldspot Discoveries Corp. has commenced work on compiling and re-processing the company's geoscientific database. Full details on the Company's exploration 2022 program can be found in a previous news release dated February 23, 2022 and can be viewed at: https://mintometals.com/blog/press-release/?release=122488 . Qualified Person The technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by David Benson, P.Geo. Vice President of Exploration of Minto Metals and Qualified Person as defined by Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Benson has reviewed the sampling and QA/QC procedures and results thereof as verification of the sampling data disclosed above and approved the information contained in this news release. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of duplicate, blank and certified reference materials (CRM), making up 17% of the sampling stream. Drill core samples were sawn in half, labelled, placed in sealed, securitized bags and shipped directly to Bureau Veritas preparation laboratory in Whitehorse, Yukon. All geochemical analyses were performed by Bureau Veritas in Vancouver, British Columbia. Individual samples are crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh. Copper and silver analysis were performed by aqua regia digestion with an ICP-ES finish. Gold was analyzed by igniting a 30 g sample followed by an aqua regia digestion with an AAS finish. About Minto Metals Corp. Minto owns and operates the producing Minto mine located in the Minto Copper Belt of the Yukon, Canada. The Minto mine has been in operation since 2007 with underground mining commencing in 2014. Since 2007, approximately 500Mlbs of copper have been produced from the Minto mine. Capstone Mining (previous owners) put the Minto mine into care & maintenance in 2018 and the mine operations were shut down. In mid-2019 Minto (formerly Minto Explorations Ltd.) purchased the Minto mine and restarted mine operations. The current Minto mine includes underground mining operations, a processing plant that produces a high-grade copper, gold and silver concentrate, and all supporting infrastructure associated with operating a remote mine located in the Yukon. The Minto mine property is located on the Selkirk First Nation's Territory, sitting about 20 km WNW of Minto Landing on the west side of the Yukon River. Minto Landing is located on the east side of the Yukon River approximately 250 road-km north of the City of Whitehorse, the capital city of the Yukon. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws, which we refer to collectively as "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions, or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements or assumptions in this press release include, but are not limited to: details regarding Minto's 2022 planned exploration program, pending assay results expected to be reported in Q2, follow up drill holes planned to begin in Q3 2022 and follow up drilling planned for Q3-Q4 2022. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited to: expectations in connection with the Company's 2022 exploration program being met, the successful completion of development and exploration projects, planned expansions and other projects within the timelines anticipated and at anticipated production levels; interest and exchange rates; that required financing and permits will be obtained; general economic conditions; no labour disputes or disruptions, flooding, ground instability, geotechnical failure, fire, failure of plant; that equipment and processes continue to operate as anticipated and other risks of the mining industry will not be encountered; that contracted parties provide goods or services in a timely manner; that there is no material adverse change in the price of copper, gold or other metals; competitive conditions in the mining industry; title to mineral properties; costs; taxes; the retention of the Company's key personnel; no changes in-laws, and no material worsening of the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including rules and regulations applicable to Minto. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein. Some of the risks and other factors which could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, include, but are not limited to: changes in commodity prices, general economic conditions, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates may change and may prove to be inaccurate; Minto has a limited operating history and is subject to risks associated with establishing new mining operations; sustained increases in costs, or decreases in the availability, of commodities consumed or otherwise used by the Company may adversely affect the Company; adverse geotechnical and geological conditions (including geotechnical failures) may result in operating delays and lower throughput or recovery, closures or damage to mine infrastructure; the Company's operations may encounter delays in or losses of production due to equipment delays or the availability of equipment; the Company's operations are subject to continuously evolving legislation, compliance with which may be difficult, uneconomic or require significant expenditures; the Company may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining key personnel; labour disruptions could adversely affect the Company's operations; risks related to the Company's use of contractors; the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of copper, gold and silver; the Company's operations are subject to environmental hazards and compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; the Company's operations and workforce are exposed to health and safety risks; the Company's title to exploration, development and mining interests can be uncertain and may be contested; the Company's properties may be subject to claims by various community stakeholders; risks related to limited access to infrastructure and water; the Company's exploration programs may not successfully expand its current mineral reserves or replace them with new reserves; the Company may not be able to secure additional financing when needed or on acceptable terms; the Company may be subject to litigation; and those risk factors set out in the Company's listing application dated November 12, 2021 as filed on SEDAR. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual performance, results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, you are cautioned that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other factors that the Company has not identified. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in or incorporated by reference in, this news release if these beliefs, estimates, and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Minto Metals Corp. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2022/28/c1126.html Osisko Metals Incorporated MONTREAL, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Metals Incorporated (the "Company" or "Osisko Metals") ( TSX-V: OM ; OTCQX: OMZNF ; FRANKFURT: 0B51 ) is pleased to announce an initial Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate at Mount Copper as part of the Gaspe Copper Project, located near Murdochville in the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec. This resource is pit-constrained to mineralization surrounding the past-producing Mount Copper open pit mine (Mount Copper Expansion Project) and uses a base case of US$3.80/lb copper and a lower cut-off grade of 0.16% sulfide copper. It was estimated using data from historical drilling completed between the 1960s and 2019. Table 1: Mineral Resource Estimate Base Case Classification Tonnage Grade Copper Strip Ratio Contained Copper Metal* Total (%)* Sulfide (%) Pounds Metric Tonnes Inferred 456 Mt 0.351 0.310 1.98 3,113,000,000 1,412,000 The Independent QP for this Mineral Resource Estimate statement is Yann Camus, P.Eng., Geological Services of SGS Canada Inc. The effective date is April 12, 2022. CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resource Estimate. No economic evaluation of the Mineral Resource Estimate has been produced. SGS is not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues that could materially affect the Mineral Resource Estimate. All reported figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate. Totals may not add up due to rounding. *Total copper includes acid-soluble oxidized copper plus sulfide copper. Contained copper includes sulfide copper only. Highlights: At 1.41 million tonnes (3.1 billion pounds) of contained copper, the Mount Copper Expansion Project hosts the largest untapped copper resource in Eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec. The mineralization geometry surrounds the former open pit mine with a strip ratio that is currently estimated at 1.98. The Whittle pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate is limited to the sulfide copper mineralization only that surrounds the Mount Copper historical open pit. All oxide mineralization is being treated as zero value waste at the present time. The current 30,000 metre drill program may reduce strip ratio, reduce the oxide/sulfide ratio in the resource model and hence improve the sulfide grade. Additionally, potential for by-product silver and molybdenum exists and will be defined with the current drill program. Story continues Robert Wares, CEO & Chairman of the Board, commented: We are extremely pleased to announce a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate for the Mount Copper Expansion Project. This is the first step for our comprehensive strategy at Gaspe Copper to fully evaluate all potential for economic copper deposits remaining within this past-producing porphyry copper/skarn complex. We strongly believe this large-scale asset could become a core component of Quebecs critical mineral development strategy that aims to provide essential metals for global decarbonization initiatives. Our 30,000-metre drill program has begun with the objective of refining sulfide/oxide ratios in the deposit and upgrading the Mineral Resource Estimate to the Measured & Indicated categories by year end. Furthermore, we will immediately launch a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the Mount Copper Expansion Project and look forward to rapidly developing this asset in partnership with Glencore Canada. Mineral Resource Sensitivity The following table shows the resources reported at various reasonable cut-off grades, the base case cut-off grade is 0.16% copper and shown in bold: Table 2: Mineral Resource Estimate at Variable Cut-Off Grades Classification Sulfide Copper Cut-Off (%) Tonnage (Mt) Grade Copper Copper Tonnage Total (%) Sulfide (%) Pounds Tonnes Inferred 0.12 533 0.326 0.285 3,353,000,000 1,521,000 0.14 498 0.337 0.296 3,253,000,000 1,475,000 0.16 456 0.351 0.310 3,113,000,000 1,412,000 0.18 414 0.366 0.324 2,957,000,000 1,341,000 0.20 374 0.381 0.338 2,788,000,000 1,265,000 0.30 193 0.473 0.422 1,799,000,000 816,000 0.40 90 0.572 0.514 1,016,000,000 461,000 0.50 43 0.656 0.590 555,000,000 252,000 Same footnotes as Table 1 apply to this table. Potential for Additional Mineral Resources at Gaspe Copper End-of-mine, existing historical mineral resources at Gaspe Copper that are not NI43-101 compliant are reported in Noranda/Falconbridge Annual Reports 1998-2000, Quebec government mining assessment reports and in Hussey & Bernard (SME Aug 1998, p. 36-44). Regulatory authorities require that disclosure of historical resources by an issuer must be referenced, along with other requirements, by publicly available technical reports, and such reports on the historical estimates are not available. The following disclosure therefore describes the remaining mineral deposits and areas of mineralization at Gaspe Copper and the Company believes that these offer excellent potential for additional resources. Osisko Metals strategy at the present time is to focus on the economic viability of the Mount Copper sulfide resource only, and if this can be achieved, evaluation of the potential resources offered below will follow with additional drill programs. Deep bulk-tonnage target at Porphyry Mountain The deep-seated Porphyry Mountain deposit was discovered by Noranda Inc. in 1994. Porphyry-style stockwork Cu-Mo mineralization forms a roughly vertical, cylindrical deposit (approx. 800 m high, 400 m long and 350 m wide) that is located deep under Porphyry Mountain (located 1250 metres NE of the center of the Mount Copper open pit), at depths between 1200 and 2000 metres. The deposit remains open at depth. Approximately 24 subvertical holes were drilled into the deposit between 1994 and 2011, and significant intersections include: Table 3: Significant historical drill intersections, Porphyry Mountain Vertical Drill Hole From- To (m) Length (m) Cu % Mo % 30-891 1144.8--1737.4 592.6 0.71 0.036 30-899 1120.7--1834.9 714.2 0.61 0.034 30-900 1269.0--1728.8 459.8 0.66 0.026 30-901 1207.0--1534.7 327.7 0.90 0.053 30-903 1264.0--1581.6 317.6 0.89 0.047 30-907 1488.0--1590.4 102.4 0.68 0.042 30-912 1471.6--1833.4 361.8 0.35 0.016 30-915 1362.5--2096.0 733.5 0.76 0.029 30-916 1211.6--1710.5 498.9 0.78 0.035 30-920B 1294.5--1817.2 522.7 0.67 0.071 30-923 1454.8--1757.5 302.7 0.58 0.033 30-927 1178.1--1563.6 385.5 0.84 0.053 30-928 1222.9--1719.7 496.8 0.69 0.073 30-943 1028.0--1850.0 822.0 0.94 0.071 Oxide stockpiles Previous mining at the Mount Copper open pit resulted in the stockpiling of oxidized copper mineralization approximately 1100 metres to the NW of the center of the open pit. The stockpiles cover an area measuring 470,000 square metres with an average height of 25 metres. This material is potentially amenable to heap leaching and SX-EW recovery techniques and could eventually represent a low-cost opportunity for additional copper production if a heap leach operation can be successfully permitted. High-grade Residual Mineralization Near Past Underground Operations Residual underground skarn mineralization still remains in the form of pillars in the mined portion of the C Zone (grades of 1.5% to 2% copper), as well as massive sulfide/skarn mineralization in the deeper E Zone (grades of 3% to 4% copper) with residual resources reported in the E-38 zone. Furthermore, significant historical drill intersections scattered within the 1600-metre-wide E Zone skarn aureole received limited follow-up and offer potential for further resource definition (reported intersections reflect true thicknesses): Table 4: Significant historical drill intersections, E Zone, outside mined-out areas Vertical Drill Hole From- To (m) Length (m) Cu % Vertical Drill Hole From- To (m) Length (m) Cu % 30-787 836.7-839.7 3.0 2.08 30-892 855.8-859.6 3.8 3.87 30-832 1010.1-1031.7 21.6 2.04 30-901 1302.1-1313.7 11.6 3.13 30-844 1115.6-1126.3 10.7 4.01 30-922 1043.9-1053.8 9.9 4.96 30-886 1314.7-1329.6 14.9 3.08 30-927 1332.6-1350.3 17.7 1.24 Parameters and criteria used for the Mineral Resource Estimate General Whittle Pit Parameters Used for the Mineral Resource Estimate include: Parameter Value Unit Copper Price $3.80 US$ per pound Sell Cost $0.08 US$ per pound In-Pit Mining Cost $1.90 US$ per tonne mined Processing Cost + Smelter and Transport $7.10 US$ per tonne milled General and Administrative $1.00 US$ per tonne milled Overall Pit Slope - Rock 50 Degrees Copper Recovery 85 Percent (%) Mining loss / Dilution (open pit) 5 / 3 Percent (%) / Percent (%) Waste Avg. Specific Gravity 2.73 Tonnes/cubic metre Mineralization Specific Gravity (variable) Avg. 2.73 Tonnes/cubic metre Block Size 20 x 20 x 15 Length, Width, Height (m) The database used in the estimate (in the vicinity of Mount Copper) contains approximately 3,353 drill holes; 283 were deemed unreliable and were rejected. A subset of 641 drill holes were used for the Mineral Resource Estimate with associated composites generated in them. Drill hole data included Noranda (1998 and earlier), Xstrata (2011-2012) and Glencore Canada (2019). Verification of the data has been possible mostly by verifying the coherence of the information but not its correctness; original logs and laboratory certificates were only available for 2011, 2012 and 2019 drill holes. Composites of 4 metres were created inside the mineralization volume. A total of 27,895 composites were generated with an average grade of 0.34 %Cu; the composites were capped at 1.80 % total Cu (the copper contained in both sulfides and oxides). Cut-off grades are based on a long-term copper price of US$3.80 per pound and a copper recovery of 85%. Pit constrained Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.16 %Cu in sulfide within a conceptual pit shell for the base case. Specific gravity values were estimated using data available in the historical drill holes; the average value is 2.73 tonnes/cubic metre. The deepest in-pit Mineral Resources reported are at a depth of approximately 600 metres. Drilling data was obtained from Osisko Metals and Glencore Canada Corporation. SGS modelled the mineralization on benches and then meshed it as a volume. The maximum distance between drillholes in the pit volume is approximately 350 metres. A block model was created with blocks of 20x20x15 m under the current topographic surface and inside the modeled mineralization. Both ordinary kriging (OK) and inverse square distance (ID2) interpolation methods were tested, resulting in no material difference in the Mineral Resource Estimates. Kriging was retained for this estimation. The whole database reports total copper, and soluble copper data that are only available for 32 drill holes drilled between 2011 and 2019. It was estimated for the purposes of this report that only the copper contained in sulfides could have economical potential. Therefore, the soluble copper as oxides was removed and significant oxidized zones are all located in the south-west portion of the deposit. The proportion of the copper contained in oxides relative to sulfides is highly correlated to the depth of the mineralization. Therefore, depth from original topographic surface was modeled and used to estimate the percentage of copper contained in oxides for the whole resource estimation. As recent (post-2011) drilling is almost entirely located in one area of the pit-constrained resource, it is SGS recommendation that additional infill drilling be completed across the entire pit volume to 1) improve the oxide model and 2) allow for conversion from the Inferred category to the Measured and Indicated categories. Cautionary Statement Regarding Mineral Resources The mineral resources disclosed in this press release conform to NI43-101 standards and guidelines and were prepared by independent qualified persons. The above-mentioned mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of the reported Inferred Mineral Resources are conceptual in nature and are estimated based on limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological grade and/or quality of continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence relative to a Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource and constitutes an insufficient level of confidence to allow conversion to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected, but not guaranteed, that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with additional drilling. The National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, including the mineral resources for the Gaspe Copper Project contained in this news release, will be delivered and filed on SEDAR by Osisko Metals within 45 days of the date of this news release. Qualified Person The Mineral Resource Estimate and technical information in this news release has been prepared and approved by Yann Camus, P.Eng., Geological Services of SGS Canada, an independent Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 standards. The Mineral Resource Estimate was reviewed internally by Guy Desharnais, Ph.D., P. Geo., non-independent Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 standards. Technical information relating to other copper deposits at Gaspe Copper has been reviewed by Jeff Hussey, P. Geo. and President of Osisko Metals, a non-independent Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 standards. About Osisko Metals Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metal space. The Company controls one of Canadas premier past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point Project, located in the Northwest Territories for which the 2020 PEA has indicated an after-tax NPV of $500M and an IRR of 29.6%. The Pine Point Project PEA is based on current Mineral Resource Estimates that are amenable to open pit and shallow underground mining and consist of 12.9Mt grading 6.29% ZnEq of Indicated Mineral Resources and 37.6Mt grading 6.80% ZnEq of Inferred Mineral Resources. Please refer to the technical report entitled Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pine Point Project, Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada dated July 30, which has been filed on SEDAR. The Pine Point Project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, near infrastructure, paved highway access, and has an electrical substation as well as 100 kilometres of viable haulage roads already in place. Furthermore, the Company has an option to purchase, from Glencore Canada, a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper property located near Murdochville in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec (see details in March 28, 2022 press release for details). For further information on this press release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact: Robert Wares, CEO, Osisko Metals, tel. 514-940-0670 ext. 111 Email: info@osiskometals.com www.osiskometals.com Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the potential acquisition of Gaspe Copper; the timing and ability of the Company to exercise the option to acquire Gaspe Copper(if at all); the results of exploration and economic evaluation work completed by Osisko Metals on Gaspe Copper ad Pine Point; the significance (if any) of Gaspe Copper and Pine Point being past producers and the results of such past production; the timing and ability of the Company to obtain regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, for any transaction and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking information". Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "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 intended as forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company, at the time such assumptions and estimates were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties or 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 forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the ability of the Company and other parties to negotiate and execute agreements; volatility in the trading price of common shares of the Company; risks relating to the ability of the Company to obtain regulatory and shareholder approvals, as required; ability of Osisko Metals to complete further exploration activities; property interests; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; the global economic climate; long-term metal price assumptions; dilution; environmental risks; changes in the tax and regulatory regime; community and non-governmental actions; and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Osisko Metals' issuer profile. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee shareholders and purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward looking information. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Philips International B.V. April 28, 2022 THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR INVITATION TO SELL, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, ANY SECURITIES OF PHILIPS. Amsterdam, the Netherlands Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the intention to issue one or more series of notes (the Notes) under its European Medium Term Note (EMTN) program (the EMTN Offering), as well as a series of liability management transactions, which are expected to extend the companys debt maturity profile. With these transactions, Philips aims to leverage current financial market conditions to further optimize its debt maturity profile and liabilities. Once completed these transactions are expected to have a neutral impact on the amount of debt outstanding. The net proceeds of the Notes will be used for Eligible Projects in accordance with Philips Green and Sustainability Innovation Bond Framework. Pending the full allocation of the net proceeds of the Notes, Philips intends to optimize its short-term treasury liquidity profile by applying such net proceeds towards the following liability management transactions, all of which are subject to the successful completion of the EMTN Offering: A tender offer for certain series of its outstanding U.S. Dollar-denominated bonds due 2025 and 2026; A tender offer for certain series of its outstanding Euro-denominated notes due 2023, 2024 and 2025 (the Euro Tender Offer); The proposed make-whole redemption of any of the Euro-denominated notes due 2023 and 2024 that are not purchased in the Euro Tender Offer (the Euro Make-Whole Redemption); and The proposed agreement with the relevant counterparties for early settlement of the outstanding forward contracts entered into in the third quarter of 2021 under the share buyback program for capital reduction purposes announced on July 26, 2021 (the Early Forward Settlement). The acquisition of 19,571,218 shares through the settlement of these forward contracts would result in the early completion of the repurchase program . Philips would then expect to cancel a total of approximately 28.3 million shares (including shares acquired through open market purchases in December 2021 and January 2022 under the aforementioned share buyback program) in the course of 2022, representing 3.3% of Philips currently outstanding shares. Story continues Any decision by Philips to redeem outstanding bonds in the Euro Make-Whole Redemptions, or to complete the Early Forward Settlement, will depend on various factors at that time. For further information, please contact: Ben Zwirs Philips Global Press Office Tel.: +31 6 1521 3446 E-mail: ben.zwirs@philips.com Derya Guzel Philips Investor Relations Tel.: +31 20 5977055 E-mail: derya.guzel@philips.com About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 78,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter . Forward-looking statements This release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements made about the EMTN Offering, the USD Tender Offer, the Euro Tender Offer, the Euro Make-Whole Redemption and the Early Forward Settlement. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Important Information This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell, or any solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of Philips. The securities offered in the EMTN Offering have not been and will not be registered under the 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 registration requirements. Neither the EMTN Offering nor the Euro Tender Offer is being made and will not be made directly or indirectly in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, email and other forms of electronic transmission) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national securities exchange of, or to owners of the subject securities who are located or resident in the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act. In the United Kingdom, this announcement is being distributed to, and is directed at, only (a) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of investment professionals in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order); or (b) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). The Notes are available only to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such Notes will be available only to or will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. Manufacturer target market (MIFID II and UK MiFIR product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or UK. Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin could be in for more pain if it takes another leg down, based on a so-called point and figure analysis. Another 10% drawdown (as marked by red os) would drag it below the recent support zone (highlighted by the parallel white lines). If that happens, the next level of support is were the 2017 bull market topped out (dotted purple line) -- or around $19,400Most Read from BloombergMarcos Jr. Leads With 61% of Votes Counted: Philippines UpdateStocks Sink to 13-Month Low as U By Trend The speed of restoration of the Azerbaijani lands liberated from Armenian occupation [in the 2020 Second Karabakh War] is impressive, Iulian Chifu, Romanias former presidential adviser, told Trend. Chifu made the remark at the international conference on "South Caucasus Development & Cooperation" in Azerbaijans Shusha city on April 28. According to him, last year, he also visited the liberated territories Shusha city and Aghdam district. "A year after my visit, changes in the territories are apparent. The process of restoring these lands destroyed during the thirty-year occupation is rapidly proceeding," he said. Chifu also noted that he visited the Fuzuli International Airport. "A lot of money was invested in the infrastructure projects, road construction, and this is great. There are only a couple of examples around the world of such a rapid creation of the necessary infrastructure, and Azerbaijans Karabakh is one of such examples," added the ex-adviser. The conference in Shusha is being held with the participation of representatives of leading international think tanks. VANCOUVER, BC, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE: PRR) (OTC: PRRSF) (FRA: OED) is pleased to announce the appointment of Metal News Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Allen Alper as a Director, and "Prospector of the Year" Tom Morgan as lead prospector. These two professionals are incredibly exciting additions to the Prospect Ridge team bringing with them the experience from decades of successful careers. PRR Logo (CNW Group/Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.) Dr. Allen Alper received a PhD in Economic Geology and Petrology from Columbia University in New York City. He has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, the Founder, Editor-In-Chief and CEO of Metals News, and is the Founder and President of Alper Consulting. Dr. Alper has and continues to facilitate mergers, acquisitions, offtakes, and funding for mining companies. He was a Director of Largo Resources, one of the largest producing vanadium miners in the world. He was Vice President and General Manager of OSRAM Sylvania and directed their tungsten powder and tungsten carbide businesses, the largest in the western world. He also directed its global molybdenum, rare earths, cobalt, & tantalum businesses. In addition, he was President of Walmet Corporation, for Sylvania, in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Alper is also on the Advisory Board of Providence Gold Mines Inc. Previously, he was at Corning Glass Works, Corning, New York, as a Research Manager and a Senior Research Fellow of Ceramics. Dr. Alper has edited 11 books on high temperature materials and phase diagrams of metals and oxides. He served on Penn State's Materials Advisory Board, was a member of the Pennsylvania Business Round Table, and holds 33 patents. Bradley Scharfe is the President, Co-Chairman & CEO of Scharfe Group of Companies, and is an accomplished financier with over 25 years of expertise in North America's capital markets. Mr. Scharfe has spearheaded financing efforts and assembled robust companies in the areas of resources and commodities, clean technology and renewable/alternative energy, oil and gas, and biotech and tech. Mr. Scharfe is an expert at raising, deploying, and managing venture capital for companies in the early growth phase of their development. His focus is on backing emerging companies that require early-stage financing, public market support and management structuring and collecting strategic experts who can appropriately contribute to the company's ongoing and expansive growth. For 12 years, Mr. Scharfe was a successful venture capital stockbroker with Canaccord Capital Corporation, a premier Canadian investment firm. While at Canaccord, he was part of the Chairman's Club, based on outstanding achievement. Mr. Scharfe holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto, where he majored in Commerce and Economics. Mr. Tom Morgan is a well-known, respected, and very successful prospector who was awarded Yukon Prospector of the Year in 2004, and has appeared on the TV series Yukon Gold. Tom is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, and has since lived and worked in many different places including the Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, California, the Phillipines, and Russia. Mr. Morgan attended St. Francis Xavier University at Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Story continues Michael Iverson, CEO states, "The addition of Dr. Alper, Brad Scharfe, and Tom Morgan to the Prospect Ridge family is very exciting, confidence inspiring, and makes us stronger and more capable. Both gentlemen see the enormous potential we have on the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail properties and believe we are going to prove-up the next major gold property. With Dr. Alper and Brad in the boardroom, and Mr. Morgan in the field we are additionally set up for success. 2022 is going to be a year for the record books." Qualified Person All scientific or technical information included in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Rein Turna, P.Geol., a consultant to the Company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Holy Grail & Knauss Creek The Holy Grail Property is 10 kilometers outside of Terrace within 45 km from a smelter and deep sea port. The property is easy-accessible bounded by two highways with CN rail, high tension power crossing the property and a network of logging roads over approximately 80% of the property which will make for a very cost-effective exploration and strong feasibility. Some of the key areas are located below tree line and can be worked nearly year-round. The Holy Grail district sized package now contains over 70,000 hectares. The property was selected based on regional geological, structural, and geochemical resemblances that coincide with mineralization 50 km northwest in the Golden Triangle. The company believe the project has the potential for a district scale hydrothermal system and will extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to cover this vast under-explored region. The Knauss Creek property is underlain by Upper Jurassic to Mid-Cretaceous Bowser Lake Group sedimentary rocks and Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic Hazelton Group volcano-sedimentary rocks. Bowser Lake and Hazelton group rocks have been intruded by the Eocene aged Carpenter Creek Pluton in the southwestern part of the property and by Eocene rhyolite dykes in the central part of the property. Regionally, significant east-west trending faults cut the area, with veining and faulting showing a similar general trend. Mineralization is structurally and stratigraphically controlled and is hosted within argillaceous sedimentary rocks and diorite intrusions, which are also likely the driver of the mineralized system. Auriferous-polymetallic-quartz veins on the property have returned values up to 240 g/t Au, 1644 g/t Ag, 2.3% Cu, 50.22% Pb and 13.88% Zn. The Knauss Creek property covers 3 known mineral occurrences and the past producing Doreen mine. In 1952, 476 tonnes of ore were shipped, producing 3266 grams of Au, 8118 grams of Ag, 3137 kg of Pb and 1342 kg of Zn. An alternate occurrence in the zone displays multiple near vertical sulphide-rich veins up to 2.5m wide occur in sub-parallel sets with broader alteration halos containing disseminated sulphide. Ore minerology consists of pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and tetrahedrite. About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a BC based exploration and development company focused on strategic mineral exploration in Canada concurrently with developing a location in British Columbia and Quebec. Prospect Ridge's technical team and management with over 100 combined years of mineral exploration experience believes the Holy Grail to have the potential for a district scale hydrothermal system and will extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to cover this vast under-explored region. 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. This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects and the Company's use of proceeds from the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will not be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Knauss Creek and Holy Grail projects will be as anticipated and that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or 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 statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prospect-ridge-resources-announces-appointment-of-dr-allen-alper-and-bradley-scharfe-as-directors-and-tom-morgan-as-lead-prospector-301534840.html SOURCE Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Support local journalism. Unlock unlimited digital access to floridatoday.com Click here and subscribe today. Frederick Riefkohl was the first Puerto Rican to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. A World War I hero who led a successful showdown with a German submarine. And a World War II ship commander who retired as a rear admiral he even has his own Wikipedia page. But Riefkohl did not receive the Medal of Honor, America's highest award for valor in combat, to commemorate his WWI gallantry. Why? The former Merritt Island resident may have been unfairly discriminated against by military brass because of his island heritage, a team of Great War researchers says. Riefkohl is one of 214 WWI minority veterans identified thus far by the Valor Medals Review Project, a Congress-authorized study spearheaded by Park University near Kansas City, Missouri. Park University officials say this is the first such systematic review of minority veterans of the Great War. Research will continue until 2025, when documentation supporting Medal of Honor nominations will be forwarded to the Department of Defense for possible action, including posthumous awards. Frederick Riefkohl, who retired to south Merritt Island in 1947 after his Naval career, is one of 214 WWI minority veterans identified by the Valor Medals Review Project. World War II surviving veterans continue to dwindle as decades pass, history slips away Military veterans at 211 Brevard fielding calls for help from thousands of fellow vets Riefkohl was 'an American patriot' Riefkohl is the lone Puerto Rican on the list of 214 troops, said Timothy Westcott, director of the private university's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War. As a lieutenant and commander of the armed guard of the cruiser USS Philadelphia, Riefkohl was awarded the Navy Cross after an engagement with an enemy submarine. "On 2 August 1917, a periscope was sighted, and then a torpedo passed under the stern of the ship. A shot was fired, which struck close to the submarine, which then disappeared," Riefkohl's Navy Cross citation said. Few additional details on the WWI incident have been unearthed from the historical record, said Ashlyn Weber, Robb Centre associate director. The Valor Medals Review Project has identified this as a potential Medal of Honor-worthy action. Story continues Donn Weaver, who chairs the Brevard Veterans Council, labeled Riefkohl "an American patriot." A problem is that not enough documentation was done because they were not viewed as fully deserving at that time and that's absurd," Weaver said. "Obviously, a huge example was Melvin Morris when he was awarded what was it, 30 years later, 40 years later? the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam," he said. All veterans regardless of their race, color or creed do service and sacrifice. And all need to be recognized without reference to their race, color or creed for that service and sacrifice," he said. Navy missile-radar ship Invincible ends global mission during Cape Canaveral ceremony Canadian Forces Snowbirds to be replaced by U.S. Navy fighter jets in Titusville air show Melvin Morris: One of 67 living Medal of Honor recipients relives his 'No Man Left Behind' Vietnam story Melvin Morris waited for 44 years Morris, a Black retired Army sergeant first class who lives in Port St. John, waited more than 44 years to receive his Medal of Honor. Back in September 1969, Morris charged into machine-gun fire and destroyed four enemy bunkers with hand grenades while retrieving the body of a fallen team commander near Chi Lang. He was shot three times in the process, but he survived. President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Morris during a March 2014 ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Morris had previously been bestowed the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second-highest commendation. In 2015, a life-sized bronze statue of Morris was unveiled at Riverfront Park in Cocoa. The Civilian Military Community Foundation raised funds for the statue. The Valor Medals Review Project is studying WWI African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Jewish American and Native American service members who may have been unfairly denied the Medal of Honor because of their racial or religious background. To qualify for the review, WWI minority veterans must have received the Army's Distinguished Service Cross or Navy Cross, which rank one level below the Medal of Honor; the Croix de Guerre avec Palme, France's highest award for valor; or an archivally documented Medal of Honor recommendation. Timothy Westcott, director of the George S. Robb Centre, sorts through World War I letters and artifacts in October at Park University in Parkville, Missouri. Ukraine supporters call for peace in rally at Indialantic church Putin's nuclear threat: 'Nuke-sniffing' plane and Florida Air Force lab monitoring Ukraine Minority veterans who exhibited the highest acts of valor during WWI deserve to be recognized with the Medal of Honor, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, said in a 2019 news release announcing the review. We cannot erase the discrimination minority service members faced, but we can make sure their heroic deeds are acknowledged and honored," said Blunt, who co-sponsored the bill with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland. Fond of adventure, weakness for jolly Unlike most of the minority troops in the Valor Medals Review Project, Weber said Riefkohl is relatively famous. Born in 1889 in Maunabo, Puerto Rico, Riefkohl became the first Puerto Rican to graduate from the Naval Academy in 1911. "Fritz is from Puerto Rico and Boston, but his ideas and accomplishments are not confined even to these limits," said an entry in Lucky Bag, the Naval Academy yearbook. "He has the Southerner's fighting blood, held in check by New England conservatism, the Westerner's fondness of adventure, and the American college man's weakness for all that's jolly," the entry said. After WWI, he served aboard an array of ships and held a variety of posts. He was commanding the cruiser USS Vincennes when she was sunk by Japanese naval forces during the 1942 Battle of Savo Island in World War II. Frederick Riefkohl commanded the cruiser USS Vincennes, which was sunk by Japanese naval forces during the 1942 Battle of Savo Island in World War II. Riefkohl retired from the Navy as a rear admiral, then moved to southern Merritt Island in 1947 with his wife, Louise, to spend their golden years. The Cocoa Tribune reported that the couple purchased a grove of mango, avocado and citrus fruit trees, then built a beautiful estate there off South Tropical Trail. Their home was filled with furnishings gathered from around the globe during his Naval career. He also served as an officer with the Indian River Yacht Club. Riefkohl died in September 1969 at age 80 at Patrick Air Force Base Hospital. He did not have any biological children, Weber said. A breakdown of the 214 WWI troops qualified for review by the Valor Medals Review Project from the Army, Army Air Corps, Marine Corps, Navy and Navy Air Corps: 105 Jewish Americans 73 African Americans 23 Native Americans 12 Hispanic Americans One Asian American Soldiers of the U.S. Army 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Harlem Hellfighters" during World War I. Some were awarded the French Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action in 1919. Medal nomination downgraded George S. Robb, a 1912 Park University graduate and namesake of its WWI research center, was a white U.S. Army first lieutenant who led the 369th Infantry Regiment during the Great War. Nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters and the Harlem Rattlers, this Black regiment was comprised of New York Army National Guardsmen from Harlem. Robb later received the Medal of Honor for leading his platoon while severely wounded. However, Westcott said Robb's nominating form in the National Archives also included a nomination for 369th Infantry Regiment Sgt. William Butler of White Plains, Maryland. Butler rescued five captured American troops in August 1918 by counter-attacking a group of 25 Germans, killing four of them, near Maison-de-Champagne, France. "Butler's (Medal of Honor) nomination was downgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross. George Robb is Caucasian. Mr. Butler is an African American," Westcott said. New York University history professor Jeffrey Sammons discovered the Robb-Butler nominating form a few years ago while researching the Harlem Hellfighters, helping prompt the Valor Medals Review Project. Butler is now one of the 214 WWI troops up for review. Ashlyn Weber, associate director of the George S. Robb Centre, works on World War I valor medal reviews at her desk in October at Park University in Parkville, Missouri. "America has a sacred bond with those who swore to defend her, and there is no more powerful manifestation of that covenant than the Medal of Honor," the Valor Medals Review Project website says. "The gravity of these awards means their rarity must be jealously safeguarded; they can never be allowed to be diluted in the name of making a political point," the website says. "Every hero from the Great War whose deeds warrant the award receives it, regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the color of skin." Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1 Support local journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Puerto Rican Navy Cross recipient Fred Riefkohl may get Medal of Honor On a recent weeknight, the glow of Mandi House spilled onto Apache Boulevard in Tempe. Inside, groups of young men lounged on cushions around half-eaten trays of rice, sipping sweet, clove-spiced tea from Styrofoam cups as they scrolled on their phones. The room occasionally erupted with laughter followed by a flurry of playful teasing in Arabic. It was a Ramadan scene that wouldn't be out of place in a villa in Kuwait or a casual restaurant in Oman. For many young Khaleeji customers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, owner Rafiq Almansob offers a taste of home, both in terms of the style of cooking and service, which is especially welcome during the Holy Month. For Muslims around the world, Ramadan turns everyday life upside down, as observers abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. It's a time to slow down, to reconnect with Allah and with the community, to forgive, to do good deeds and to reflect on all there is to be grateful for. In many Muslim countries, changing the rhythm of life is a given. Businesses shorten working hours for Muslim employees and restaurants and cafes close during the day and remain open all night. Groups of friends go out to eat and drink and spend time together, sometimes until the early morning when they share suhoor, the last meal before starting the fast. In metro Phoenix, many families host meals at home. Those who don't have family nearby often find a sense of community at local mosques where they can come together for prayers and iftar, the daily breaking of the fast. But late night Ramadan revelry is harder to find in the Valley, as work responsibilities don't change for the month and most restaurants typically close just hours after the fast can be broken. Some halal restaurants, like Alzohour in Phoenix, remain mostly closed for the entire month, shifting gears to focus on providing catering to the mosques and for private functions. Others, like Hilal Grill and Mesa's Princess Market, offer a chance to gather for one iftar seating per night. Story continues Where to have iftar: A guide to celebrating Ramadan at halal restaurants in Phoenix Mandi House is the one halal restaurant in metro Phoenix where life does a full 180, much like it would in the Muslim countries of the Arabian Peninsula, like Yemen, where Almansob is from. Mandi House owner Rafiq Almansob smiles in front of a sign for his restaurant during a Ramadan meal on April 25, 2022. His Tempe restaurant opens at 4 p.m. when he, his brother, his daughter and chef Kaid Mohammed begin preparing food for the iftar buffet. They open the buffet as soon as the sun sets, then continue serving their full menu until 4 a.m. to give Muslims the opportunity to meet for pre-dawn suhoor. For the buffet, Almansob estimates he usually serves around 40 different items. "I try to offer basically the entire menu, with some different dishes on different days. At least four or five chicken dishes, all the rice mandi, biryani, maqlubaa few fish dishes, meat." Fasting all day and staying up to serve all night takes a toll. "I finish at 4 a.m., I pray, I sleep, I get up and work again. I'm exhausted," he said. "But feeding fasting people during this time, it's a blessing." Celebrating the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr feasts As the moon grows ever thinner with the end of Ramadan approaching, thoughts turn to Eid al-Fitr. The celebration of end of the Holy Month takes place the morning after the new moon is sighted. The sliver moon indicates the beginning of the month of Shawwal and the official end of Ramadan and the month-long fast. It is one of the biggest holidays of the year for Muslims, many of whom celebrate over the course of three days. Around the world, special dishes are prepared. In South Asia, intricate biryanis are often served along with sheer khurma, a creamy dessert of vermicelli noodles cooked in sweetened, cardamom-scented milk and garnished with dried dates and nuts. In Oman, shuwa, a heavily spiced lamb, goat, camel or beef, is wrapped in banana leaves and buried over embers in a deep pit that's often shared by entire villages. Families mark their meat bundles to tell them apart, unearthing them a day later and serving the shuwa on a massive communal platter of rice. In some parts of Yemen, the traditional celebration dish is mahshoosha, a slow cooked beef slathered in dark spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cardamom. It's prepared the night the Shawwal moon is spotted and left to cook until after the morning prayers on Eid al-Fitr, when it is served alongside dishes like aseedaa boiled wheat dough that can be served savory or sweet and Almansob's favorite, bint al sahn. "It is delicious, layers of bread and honey, with those little black seeds," he explained, describing the buttery layers of crisp dough soaked in honey and topped with nigella seeds. Eid al-Fitr is a time to gather and feast. Families put on new clothing and exchange gifts. The celebratory meals typically include labor-intensive, traditional dishes people may not eat any other time of year. Mandi House offers a taste of home in Tempe The menu at Mandi House is based primarily around popular rice dishes from the Arabian Peninsula. Yemeni preparations, like slow-roasted mandi, grilled muthbi chicken and stewed haneeth lamb are served over platters of basmati. There are also a few Levantine rice dishes on offer like maqluba, rice layered with vegetables and meat or chicken that's flipped over onto a plate after cooking, ideally holding its domed shape. But many customers at Mandi House are there for more than comfort food. They come for a style of dining that reminds them of home. In addition to booths and tables, the restaurant offers floor seating, a typical way to commune in the eastern parts of Arabia. The pace of service is leisurely, encouraging guests to linger over cups of self-service, complimentary tea. The portions are another draw. A rice-based dish sits at an iftar buffet as diners work on their first round of food at Mandi House in Tempe on April 25, 2022. "You know, back there, portions should be huge," he explained. "Here, when we serve our platters to Americans, they are so surprised, like what to do with all this rice? But when we serve the younger ones, the Khaleeji college students who have never been away from home, they take one look and throw up their hands, like, what is this? Why so little rice?" He laughed, noting that they soon discover that while his portions might not be what they would get at home, they are far closer than anything else they'll find in Arizona. "I tell them, it is haram to waste, but if they can eat it all, I'll give more," he said. "But they never can finish it anyways." Almansob was drawn to Arizona by the climate, which is far more similar to Yemen than New York. He ran a grocery store in Brooklyn for a decade before making the move. When he arrived in Phoenix, he didn't plan to open a restaurant, but after a retail business didn't take off the way he had hoped, he met fellow Yemeni, Kaid Mohammed. "He isn't a trained chef, but he is a great cook," Almansob said. "He can make all the homestyle Yemeni foods." Unlike in New York, where there were many Yemeni restaurants, there weren't any places for traditional Yemeni or even traditional Khaleeji foods in the Valley. When they first opened in 2014, they offered mostly classic Yemeni dishes. Over the years, they've adjusted the menu to reflect the tastes of their diverse Middle Eastern and North African customers, adding dishes like hummus and falafel. Looking back: How food kept the Ramadan 'spirit of giving' alive during the pandemic Yemeni rice dishes remain the heart of the menu, along with delicacies like meat- or cheese-filled samboosa triangular pastries said to have been introduced to East Africa and Southern Arabia by Indian spice traders and then adapted to suit local taste with the addition of clove and cinnamon spiced ground meat. A view of a plate of food from the iftar buffet offered by Mandi House in Tempe on April 25, 2022. Salteh, a stew that's widely considered the national dish of Yemen, is available upon request. It comes topped with hilba, a pungent condiment made with fenugreek, which can be an acquired taste. "I mean, I have to have it on the menu, even if only one person orders it every week or month," Almansob said. During Ramadan, after the sunset meal, the restaurant returns to offering dishes a la carte. "The rush is right before iftar, of course. Around 7 p.m., it's crazy," Almansob said. "Then again, we pick up from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m." Bill Nazur, Abdiqani Mohamed and Mohamed Mohamed eat dinner while sitting on floor cushions at Mandi House in Tempe on April 25, 2022. The most popular late-night dish is not something from the breakfast menu like foul, a cumin-scented fava bean stew that's eaten with flatbread but the restaurant's namesake chicken mandi. In Yemen, the dish is slow roasted in an underground pit over charcoal. A pan of rice is set under the cooking chicken where it is infused with smoke and captures the flavorful juices of the meat. At the restaurant, Almansob cooks the rice for his mandi separately, but at first, he tried cooking his meat and chicken in a pit. "I thought, this is my place, I can do what I want," he laughed. "But quickly I learned that, actually, that's illegal. So, now I have a big, vertical fire pit in the kitchen where I can make mandi." Abrahim Saleh assists a customer with a take-out meal from the iftar buffet at Mandi House in Tempe on April 25, 2022. His dedication to providing his community a taste of the dishes they crave from back home meant that there was never any doubt that he would shift his hours during Ramadan and offer a special iftar. "My business is 80, 90% Arab Muslims," he said. "We are fasting during the day, so why would I stay open when they cannot eat?" Why dates are a Ramadan tradition: And where to find the best varieties Eid al-Fitr is a time to share blessings Though most common on Eid al-Adha, many Muslims also practice a form of Qurbani, or sacrifice, for Eid al-Fitr. In the past, that meant that the animal slaughtered for the celebratory meal would be divided, with a third of the meat given to the poor, a third distributed to friends and family and a third kept for yourself. At Mandi House, Almansob gives back in another way. "They buy the meat, I cook," he said. "It's not for profit, it's a good deed." For the final week of Ramadan, his days begin even earlier than usual. He is catering an iftar for 500 people for the Islamic Community Center in Tempe, and he has an order for 100 chicken mandi to prepare for another gathering. Ramadan recipes: These dishes use dates to sweet-savory effect Since different communities celebrate Eid on different days, Almansob plans to remain open for the first couple days of Shawwal. "It will be busy, in the restaurant and catering," he said. "For many people, they will want a whole roasted lamb." Almansob and the team at Mandi House will take a couple days off and then reopen the restaurant on Friday, which is the day many families go to Jummah prayers and then gather for a meal. "For me, the celebration is when I can rest. I'd like to take more days, but what can you do?" he said. "I am here to serve everyone, my community." Mandi House Details: 1639 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe. 480-659-4751, mandi-house-llc.business.site. Reach the food, dining and nightlife editor at felicia.campbell@azcentral.com. Follow her @hungryfi on Twitter and Instagram. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mandi House restaurant serves Arabic comfort food in metro Phoenix This innovative partnership will secure Louisiana's role in the growing offshore wind industry GNO, Inc. will leverage RWE's extensive expertise in offshore wind to develop a path for existing Louisiana companies to become part of a national supply chain This groundbreaking initiative will consist of targeted workshops and interviews with the goal of releasing a detailed Louisiana offshore wind supplier database BOSTON, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RWE Renewables, one of the globally leading companies in offshore wind, will collaborate with Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and GNOwind Alliance to build a program that will accelerate the engagement of Louisiana's supply chain with offshore wind and benefit all Louisianians. Over the next six months, GNO, Inc. will host a series of informational workshops and company-specific interviews with the aim of identifying existing Louisiana companies with transferable capabilities for offshore wind. The goal is to provide leading energy companies, like RWE, with actionable supply chain contacts to fulifll their goals of deploying several gigawatts of offshore wind power. Louisiana companies interested in participating in this innovative public-private initiative can register to receive more information at locate.gnoinc.org/wind. "There is a natural connection between Louisiana's historical strength in offshore oil and gas development and services, and the future needs of offshore wind," said Michael Hecht, President & CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc. "We are thrilled to partner with RWE Renewables to help Louisiana's companies train their workforce and translate their capacities for enormous opportunity for offshore wind in Louisiana." According to a recent report by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), the demand for offshore wind projects will drive a domestic supply chain with the potential of supporting 65,000 well-paying U.S. jobs. From turbines to foundations manufacturing, reaching the national target of 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 will require a fully-integrated value chain of suppliers and services companies. The Gulf of Mexico, and Louisiana in particular, has the potential to play a disproportionate role in the responding to the needs of the burgeoining U.S. offshore wind industry. Story continues "Louisiana plans are still in preparation, but our team has had very positive experiences developing supply chain 'pathfinder' programs in which we engage with a range of local companies to share information about the specific needs of the offshore wind industry, learn more about their capabilities, and identify new possibilities to bring value to the nascent offshore wind market in the Gulf of Mexico," said Sam Eaton, Executive Vice President Offshore Wind Development, RWE Renewables Americas. Offshore wind energy is an important component to achieving Louisiana's climate emission reduction plans. In its recently adopted Climate Action Plan, the state proposed a goal of 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035. In addition, a legislative measure (HB 165) to expand the size of wind leases in state waters cleared the Louisiana House of Representatives and is expected to pass the Senate in the upcoming weeks further accelerating the deployment of commercial offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico. Based on RWE Renewables' significant experience working in onshore and offshore wind markets, the biggest challenge is often helping companies throughout all tiers of the supply chain understand how they can fit into the new offshore wind market. "Rapidly evolving innovations in alternative forms of energy, like offshore wind, have created opportunities for new jobs and commerce here in Louisiana," said Representative Jerome "Zee" Zeringue, of the Louisiana House of Representatives. "In this case, it isn't a matter of choosing between oil and gas or new energy, it's all of the above. This is the time to take advantage of decades of experience our companies have in the field, a world-class infrastructure for energy processing and distribution, and a highly-trained workforce and create an environment where success will not just be a goal, but a sure thing." "I am excited to see the investment and partnership that RWE and GNO, Inc. are making to accelerate the development of the offshore wind supply chain here in Louisiana," said Gov. John Bel Edwards. "This effort represents another tangible step in the implementation of the state's Climate Action Plan and will help Louisiana businesses capitalize on opportunities in the burgeoning offshore wind industry." "Louisiana has a distinguished history of providing energy to the region and the nation as a whole, and wind energy will no doubt play a key part in supporting our leadership role in that field as we move forward to a more carbon-aware clean energy future," said Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Tom Harris. The announcement of the collaboration was made at the Floating Wind Solutions conference in Houston, March 1, where RWE Renewables was a lead sponsor. RWE Renewables is engaging with economic development agencies across the country to learn how we can support their supply chain development initiatives. RWE is one of the world's leading companies in offshore wind, active across the entire value chain, from project conception and development to construction as well as operation and maintenance. The unparalleled expertise the company has earned over the last 20 years has resulted in 17 wind farms in operation. The company secured area OCS-A 0539 in the New York Bight offshore lease auction in the U.S. with a potential to host 3 GW of capacity, enough to power 1.1 million U.S. homes. The company also recently finished successfully the installation of all turbines of the 857 MW offshore wind farm Triton Knoll off the English Coast. Two more projects, the 342-megawatt project Kaskasi, off the German island Heligoland, and the 1.4 GW project Sofia, one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, are currently under construction. Greater New Orleans, Inc. is the regional economic development nonprofit organization serving the 10-parish region of Southeast Louisiana that includes Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. GNO, Inc. works together with the business community; local, state, and federal governments; and other regional stakeholders to coordinate, consolidate, and catalyze action on key issues and opportunities that maximize job and wealth creation and retention, are relevant to the region as a whole, and create systematic impact. For more information, go to americas.rwe.com. For further enquiries: Matt Tulis RWE Renewables Communication Manager M. +1 512 698 4043 matthew.tulis@rwe.com RWE RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With an extensive investment and growth strategy, the company will expand its powerful, green generation capacity to 50 gigawatts internationally by 2030. RWE is investing 50 billion gross for this purpose in this decade. The portfolio is based on offshore and onshore wind, solar, hydrogen, batteries, biomass and gas. RWE Supply & Trading provides tailored energy solutions for large customers. RWE has locations in the attractive markets of Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. The company is responsibly phasing out nuclear energy and coal. Government-mandated phaseout roadmaps have been defined for both of these energy sources. RWE employs around 19,000 people worldwide and has a clear target: to get to net zero by 2040. On its way there, the company has set itself ambitious targets for all activities that cause greenhouse gas emissions. The Science Based Targets initiative has confirmed that these emission reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement. Very much in the spirit of the company's purpose: Our energy for a sustainable life. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rwe-teams-up-with-greater-new-orleans-inc-to-engage-louisiana-offshore-supply-chain-301535630.html SOURCE RWE Renewables Samsung has reported a massive rise in operating profit for the first three months of 2022, thanks in part to the robust demand for its memory chips and the strong sales of its new Galaxy flagship devices. The Korean tech giant has posted an operating profit of KRW 14.12 trillion ($11.12 billion), which is 51 percent higher than the same period last year, and a record consolidated revenue of KRW 77.78 trillion ($61.2 billion). As usual, Samsung's memory division was a standout performer, exceeding market forecasts because memory prices didn't drop as much as analysts had expected. It posted a consolidated revenue of KRW 26.87 trillion ($21.14 billion), and while it saw a slight decline in profit due to incentives and seasonality, demand for PC and server chips remained solid. The company's foundry business also contributed to the division's performance by achieving its highest ever first quarter sales. Samsung is optimistic for the division's prospects going forward, but it also expects component shortages to persist through the second half of the year and will constantly monitor the situation. While overall demand for mobile was down due to seasonality and "geopolitical uncertainties," Samsung posted higher profit (KRW 3.82 trillion or $3 billion) and revenue (KRW 32.37 trillion or $25.5 billion) for the division this quarter compared to the last. The strong sales of its new flagship phones, particularly the Galaxy S22 Ultra, as well as of its mass market 5G phones contributed to both profit and revenue growth. Despite the allegations that a preinstalled app on S22 phones is throttling the performance of several applications, the company previously said that demand for the flagship is 20 percent higher than of its predecessor's. Samsung expects component shortages for mobile to continue, as well, but it also expects the availability of component supplies for the S22 to improve. That's why it plans to focus on maintaining strong sales for its flagships in the next quarter. The tech giant reports a rise in mobile display earnings due to solid demand for premium products, as well. For larger displays, it says its QD monitors were well-received. It debuted its QD-OLED technology, which differs from standard OLED in that it only uses blue organic light-emitting diodes for a brighter output, at CES earlier this year. Samsung's TV business lagged behind its other divisions, though, and saw a decline in demand following strong sales in the end of 2021 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In early March, Samsung halted its product shipments to Russia, where it has a TV plant and where it's known as the top smartphone brand. (Reuters) - Some European traders have started to pay Russia for gas sales in roubles, while large clients have yet to do so, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. "Several traders, maybe more than five, have started payments," one source said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that countries he terms "unfriendly" must pay for gas in roubles or be cut off. Under the new Russian payment system, buyers are obliged to deposit euros or dollars into an account at Gazprombank, which has then to convert them into roubles, place the proceeds in another account owned by the foreign buyer and transfer the payment in Russian currency to Gazprom. The scheme was designed as a response to sweeping Western sanctions against Russia following the start of what Moscow calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Gazprom and Gazprombank did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday. The European Commission has accused Moscow of blackmail over its demand to be paid in roubles but in an advisory note issued last week, the Commission said buyers of Russian gas could participate in the scheme if they could confirm payment was complete once they had deposited euros, as opposed to later when the euros were converted to roubles. Russia cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday after they refused to pay in roubles under the new arrangement stipulated by Putin. [L2N2WP1MN] A senior European Union official said on Thursday that Poland and Bulgaria both used their existing method to pay for Russian gas before Moscow cut their gas supplies, and the countries did not comply with Moscow's proposed mechanism to pay in roubles. The Kremlin has said payments for deliveries that took place after Putin's decree took effect were expected in May. A source named May 20 as "validation" date for payments. Story continues There have been mixed signals from Gazprom's top consumers of gas about the rouble scheme of payments. Three sources said on Thursday that Italian energy group Eni has yet to make a decision regarding the payment scheme Russia has introduced and is waiting for clarity on whether it amounts to a breach of sanctions. Uniper, Germany's main importer of Russian gas, said on Monday it would be possible to pay for future supplies without breaching European Union sanctions. However, it later said that no decision had been made. Hungary has said it plans to pay for Russian gas in euros through Gazprombank, which will convert the payment into roubles to meet the new requirement. (Reporting by Reuters; editing by David Evans) (Bloomberg) -- SoftBank Group Corp. is lining up startup investments in Japan, aggressively pursuing entrepreneurs in its home market for the first time since the Vision Funds launch. Most Read from Bloomberg The Japanese startup scene is going through a revival, helped by an influx of young talent from private equity funds and consulting firms, said Kentaro Matsui, a managing partner at the Vision Fund who overseas Japan investments. Combined with a shift in strategy to invest smaller sums than its previous threshold of $100 million, this has meant more opportunities for the worlds largest tech fund to invest at home, he said. Japans weight in SoftBanks overall portfolio will definitely increase, Matsui said in an interview in Tokyo. The caliber of people in the companies we are investing in is clearly different compared with 2018 or 2019, he said. Theyre way more sophisticated now. Matsuis remarks highlight SoftBanks ambition to boost investments at home even as tech valuations abroad tank, hurting its earnings. The company next month may report its biggest-ever quarterly loss on the plunging value of its most valuable holdings, including South Koreas Coupang Inc. and Chinas Didi Global Inc., estimated Kirk Boodry, an analyst at Redex Research who publishes on SmartKarma. Its newfound interest comes after years of criticism in Japan of an unprecedented investment spree thats bankrolled some of the worlds highest-profile startups from Alibaba and Uber to Didi -- while all but omitting its own backyard. SoftBank Cuts Back Spending, Leaving Startups Desperate for Cash SoftBank said on Tuesday it will back AI Medical Service Inc., a Tokyo startup specializing in endoscopy, in the Vision Funds third deal in Japan. This comes on the heels of investments late last year in Aculys Pharma LLC., which has the rights to develop and sell pitolisant for treating narcolepsy and sleep apnea in Europe, and Soda Inc., a startup that operates an online marketplace for sneakers and streetwear. Story continues SoftBank Invests in Japan Startup That Helps Detect Cancer While looking across all industries,, medical technology, software-as-a-service and robotics are among the key areas of interest for SoftBank, Matsui said. A fourth investment in Japan will be announced soon, he added, declining to elaborate. SoftBank has recently expanded its team dedicated to investing in Japan to six members -- four Japanese and two Korean, including Matsui. AI Medicals potential to expand globally was a key reason behind SoftBanks decision to finance the startup, he said. AI Medical uses artificial intelligence to diagnose gastrointestinal diseases and plans to enter the Singapore market in the near future, while also preparing a U.S. launch. There are more startups that are extremely interesting, in Japan, said Matsui. We have a lot of potential investments in the pipeline. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Wayne Johnson for Congress, Inc. COLUMBUS, GA, April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire --Former senior Trump Administration DOE official, and republican congressional candidate, Dr. Wayne Johnson, said he will challenge the Biden Administration if it moves to unlawfully cancel student loan debt by way of executive action, as the administration signaled it is intending to do. The White House, the Department of Justice and the Department of Education all know that any unilateral or broad form of student loan debt cancellation requires full congressional approval, stated Johnson. Johnson said Biden and Secretary Cardona are bending to the wishes of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders with the belief that if they push student debt cancellation forward through Presidential Executive action, no one will object in the courts. I will challenge if this is done, said Johnson. I will seek an immediate injunction and make a promise to the American taxpayers that I will do all I can to stop this overreach by Biden. Tucker Carlson interviewed Johnson in 2020 and said Johnson knows more about the federal student loan program than anyone in the country. Our nations student loan situation is a sad, sad mess, said Johnson. In fact, its a financial abomination affecting millions of families. To do something like what Biden and just about every Democrat is wanting to do just giving away taxpayer money, without any plan to stop this problem going forward is political pandering at its worst and a prime example of why we need to Stop the Stupid in Washington. "Stop The Stupid In Washington" is Johnson's official campaign theme. Johnson, who oversaw the $1.7 trillion student loan program during the Trump Administration as the Chief Operating Officer for the Office of Federal Student Aid, has previously called for eliminating the entire Federal Student Loan Program. His proposals have recommended defined dollar limit federal grants and having banks and other lenders, including schools themselves, offer student loans and otherwise provide for the financing of higher education for students. Story continues Canceling student loan debt while leaving the program itself unchanged is a recipe for continuously repeating this crisis, Johnson explained. That is the definition of insanity and will continue to send future generations into debt. It also creates the ongoing moral hazard of people expecting that if debt is canceled once, it will be canceled again in the future; so why not borrow to the max, believing full well it will never have to be paid back. Taxpayers who pay their debts, work hard and live within their means should not be handed a bill for a purely political act by a president who is floundering in the polls, Johnson said. Taxpayers should not be forced to make an in-kind financial contribution to Joe Bidens re-election campaign or that of Sanford Bishop and other liberal members of Congress who are running scared from the debacle that is our current situation in Washington. There is a way that we as a nation can solve this problem of runaway, out of control student loan debt and absurd college cost. However, it will require Republicans in Congress to take the Bull by the horns to change law and bring fiscal sanity into play. I am the Republican who has the knowledge and experience to lead this, according to Dr. Johnson. Johnson is a rock-solid conservative candidate in the Republican Primary in the 2nd Congressional District covering Middle and Southwest Georgia. Johnson served as a Senior Official within the Trump Administration, was an officer in the U.S. Army and is an Eagle Scout. Johnson obtained his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Mercer University and his MBA from Emory University. He was born, raised and currently resides in Macon. www.JohnsonCongress.com Dan McLagan 4783248856 media@johnsoncongress.com On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced a proposal to get even more aggressive with the billions seized from Russian oligarchs who have close ties to Vladimir Putin. The White House released the outlines of what it calls a new comprehensive legislative package around Ukraine that includes provisions to streamline the process for seizure of oligarch assets, expand the assets subject to seizure, and enable the proceeds to flow to Ukraine, the White House said. The move on oligarchs and their yachts is part of a larger proposal for Ukraine that seeks another $33 billion for aide for the country. The funding request includes over $20 billion for military assistance as well as economic and humanitarian aid. In recent weeks, a range of lawmakers have been pushing plans to sell the yachts, apartments, art, and estates of Putins allies and give the money to Ukraine as it tries to defend itself in a war waged by Russia since February. The idea has been gaining momentum and took a major step forward this week, in addition to the White House's announcement. On Wednesday night, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill called the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act aiming to send seized assets to the former member of the Soviet Bloc. Under these extraordinary circumstances, the international community should be prepared to use Russias frozen assets to rebuild the country Russia is destroying, co-sponsor Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) said in a statement. President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) Former CIA Officer Alex Finley recently estimated that at least 16 yachts linked to Russian oligarchs worth billions in total have been seized since Russian invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. A range of other assets, from private planes to estates, also sit idle as part of the sanctions imposed by nations around the world. 'I want to put money on the table' In the U.S,. much of the attention now is likely to move to the Senate where lawmakers have a similar proposal and those across the political spectrum say they want to get this done. Story continues I want to see the Department of Justice, Treasury, and law enforcement partners go in and take apartments, fine art, and seize yachts from a bunch of thugs and crooks, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Wednesday. I want to put money on the table to have more weapons for Ukraine to fight. The outlines of the White House proposal released Thursday are very similar. Biden is asking Congress for expanded powers when it comes to seizing and repurposing Russian oligarchs' assets. The president will propose that the Justice, Treasury, and State departments collaborate to take funds that are forfeited for a host of reasons from corruption to sanctions to export control violations to be used to remediate harms of Russian aggression toward Ukraine. The Biden proposal would also include provisions to make it easier for the U.S. to work with foreign partners on asset seizures linked to foreign corruption and would criminalize knowingly possessing "proceeds directly obtained from corrupt dealings with the Russian government. Working with the world Earlier this month, U.S. officials worked with Spanish authorities to seize a $90 million yacht linked to sanctioned Russian Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. It appears to be the first recent Russian oligarch-linked yacht seizure that directly involved the U.S. government. Spanish Civil Guards stand by the Tango superyacht, suspected to belong to a Russian oligarch, as it is docked in the Spanish island of Mallorca (Juan Poyates Oliver/Handout via REUTERS) But currently other nations around the world control most of the seized assets. Under current U.S. law, sanctioned assets are in a state of legal limbo and could theoretically be returned to their owners. During his most recent State of the Union address, Biden pledged to seize "ill-begotten gains" of Russian oligarchs. If the movement continues to pick up steam around the world, Ukraine could receive billions for its eventual rebuilding. Ben Werschkul is a writer and producer for Yahoo Finance in Washington, DC. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Sheriff Vanessa Crawford is presented with a resolution recognizing her for being named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriffs' Association. Del. Kim Taylor and Sen. Joseph Morrissey imparted the resolution to Crawford at the Virginia Sheriffs' Association conference in Norfolk. PETERSBURG Virginia recognized Sheriff Vanessa Crawford on the Senate floor for her receipt of the Ferris E. Lucas award for "Sheriff of the Year" by the National Sheriffs' Association. She is the first female and the only African American to receive the award in its entire 27-year history. "She is an iconic female trailblazer in law enforcement in Virginia," said Sen. Joseph Morrissey who presented Crawfords credentials and introduced her to the senate. Crawford was born and raised in the City of Petersburg. She went on to become the first woman to run an all-male facility for the Virginia department of corrections where she served for 28 years. She was first elected as Petersburg's Sheriff in 2005. She was the first female sheriff to be elected in Petersburg, and for a period of time between 2014 and 2017, was the only female sheriff in the country. Crawford has held a number of leadership positions in her time as sheriff. She served as president for the Virginia Sheriff's Association. She is the Vice Chair of the Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association, which advocates for small law enforcement offices across the country and was also elected to lead The Virginia Association of Local Elected Constitutional Officers. The National Sheriffs' Association said Crawford was being recognized for demonstrated excellence and care for her office and her community. Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears called Crawford a trailblazer. "You are indeed a trailblazer. You know, it was once said that we have found something that does the job of five men: One woman, and that's you," Earl-Sears said. "You are an inspiration to us all. And I'm sure there are little girls who are looking up to you and saying I can be sheriff and I know in your wildest dreams you probably never saw this. But here you are, and we thank you for being that example." Crawford was appreciative of being recognized by state legislators. When asked if she feels like an example for younger generations, she said that it's never far from her thinking. She was raised in Blandford by a single mother after her father passed away and rose from humble beginnings. Story continues "That always crosses my mind. That's why I tried to make sure that whatever I do, and how I carry myself, is never questionable," Crawford said. "...So, I do like to let young ladies see no matter where you start, that doesn't determine where you end up." Morrissey and Del. Kim Taylor presented Crawford with the official resolution at the Virginia Sheriff's Association Conference in Norfolk. She will be officially recognized by the National Sheriffs' Association at its conference in Kansas City on June 28. 'Being a woman is not a hindrance': Petersburg's Treska Wilson-Smith wins Remarkable Women contest: Credits God, Helen Reddy 'Energizer Bunny' passes torch: Petersburg Councilmember Treska Wilson-Smith added to 'Remarkable Women' of Richmond list Crawford looks forward to leading VALECO: Petersburg Sheriff elected to lead the Statewide Association of Constitutional Officers You can reach Sean Jones at sjones@progress-index.com. Follow him at @SeanJones_PI. Follow The Progress-Index on Twitter at @ProgressIndex. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia Senate honors Sheriff Vanessa Crawford's national recognition By Trend Syrian air defenses responded to a fresh Israeli missile strike in the capital Damascus after midnight, according to the state news agency SANA, Trend reports citing Xinhua. People in the capital heard two powerful explosions as a result of the attack and the interception of the Syrian air defenses. The attack is the latest in a string of Israeli strikes against Syrian military sites over the pretext that it's targeting pro-Iran militias and weapons shipments. BERLIN (Reuters) -Volkswagen is considering an expansion of its Chattanooga plant in the United States to produce an electric pick-up and the new ID.Buzz microbus, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The move would help the German automaker grow its market share in North America, which it identified in March as the region with the greatest growth potential but which was unprofitable for several years before 2021. Volkswagen said in March it was shifting production to China and the United States as a result of the war in Ukraine. The carmaker plans to invest at least $7.1 billion over the next five years in North America and add 25 new electric vehicles there by 2030, with the aim of 50% of sales to be electric by then. The Chattanooga plant, its only U.S. plant so far, which produces models including the Passat and Atlas, begun pilot production of the ID.4 electric crossover in March in preparation for a fall launch. A top executive said in March that the ID.Buzz would initially be imported from Volkswagen's Hanover plant but that it could be ultimately assembled in the United States or Mexico. Earlier on Thursday, Manager Magazin reported that the German carmaker was planning to build a second production plant in the United States, increasing its production capacity there to up to 600,000 vehicles per year. Citing stakeholders, the magazine said the new plant could be built next to the current Chattanooga factory and that the carmaker is also considering construction of a battery cell plant. Volkswagen declined to comment. (Reporting by Jan Schwartz; Writing by Riham Alkousaa, Victoria Waldersee; Editing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Maria Sheahan) MIAMI, April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The World Perfumery Congress (WPC)the premier global event for fragrance artistry, ingredients, technology and brandsis returning in-person to Miami Beach, Florida June 29-July 1, 2022. Presented by the American Society of Perfumers and produced by Allured Business Media, the WPC will explore the future of fragrance with unique insights from fragrance creators and experts, an exhibition of the latest fragrance ingredient launches and technologies, in-person networking opportunities with global professionals, and much more. Registration is now open at worldperfumerycongress.com . Attendees should prepare for a lineup of the industry's global innovation leaders, including perfumers, R&D specialists, marketers and product developers, executives, market analysts and more. Major names in fragrance are already set to take the stage, including Dior perfumer creation director Francis Kurkdjian, Givaudan vice president Calice Becker, Procter & Gamble research fellow Phil Porter, as well as representatives from Victoria's Secret, Reckitt, L'Occitane, Firmenich, Symrise, Mane and IFF. In addition, the event will feature a bustling expo hall featuring unique fragrance ingredients from every corner of the globe, as well as the latest scent technology innovations. New to WPC 2022, the closing night of the congress will feature an evening ceremony for the American Society of Perfumers Awards and the 8th Annual Art and Olfaction Awards, thereby honoring the worlds of traditional, artisanal, independent and experimental perfumery. It has been four years since the record-breaking WPC was held in Nice, France, which hosted more than 1,800 attendees, including more than 200 perfumers. Following an unprecedented period of upheaval, this coming event is set to be one of the most exciting yet. "It is time once again to safely gather to reconnect, celebrate olfactive creativity, dig into new trends, get acquainted with the latest innovative technologies, and collectively address current challenges and opportunities in the industry," says Jenna Rimensnyder, conference director and managing editor of Perfumer & Flavorist+ magazine. Story continues Visit www.worldperfumerycongress.com to learn more and register. Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-world-perfumery-congress-wpc-returns-to-miami-beach-florida-301534703.html SOURCE Allured Business Media Global crypto asset market cap exceeds $2 trillion1 as 76% of respondents to a recent Deloitte survey expect digital assets to be a solid alternative to fiat currencies NEW YORK, April 28, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yieldstreet, a leading digital alternative investment platform driven to help millions of people unlock access to previously unattainable investments, launched the Enhanced Crypto Fund which offers crypto investors an easier way to modernize their portfolio to include crypto and blockchain assets. "Yieldstreet is all about access that gives you the potential to help build a more stable financial future. We pioneered access to private market alternatives for retail investors, and now we take that to the next level and expand access to an asset class with potential. The Enhanced Crypto Fund gives investors access to some of the largest cryptos in the market," said Michael Weisz, founder and President of Yieldstreet. "Osprey was founded to make investing in cryptocurrencies more accessible. We are excited to partner with Yieldstreet and manage a carefully constructed portfolio for savvy investors who want a curated selection of cryptocurrencies in a single fund," said Greg King, CEO, and Founder of Osprey Funds. The Enhanced Crypto Fund is sub-advised by experienced analysts at Osprey Funds. Osprey is one of only three pure-play digital asset investment managers with publicly traded opportunities in the U.S. Yieldstreet believes Osprey offers credibility and experience to crypto investors. The Osprey team has invested in crypto since 2013 and launched more than 100 exchange-traded products. Osprey Funds has raised more than $100 million with its crypto products in 2021. Similar to how the internet was the underpinning of a new information infrastructure, Yieldstreet believes that digital assets and blockchain technologies are the underpinnings of a new financial infrastructure. Yieldstreet believes Investors can no longer overlook the importance of crypto as our reliance on these technologies is only set to grow, with 80% of financial services industry executives believing that digital assets and blockchain technology will be important to their industries in two years, a recent Deloitte survey found. Story continues The Enhanced Crypto Fund is using a rules-based and balanced approach to providing exposure to the largest cryptos, with controls in place to ensure no one crypto, like Bitcoin, dominates the portfolio. The investment strategy will invest in five to ten of the largest crypto assets by market capitalization, providing a simpler and more cost-effective way for people interested in crypto to diversify their portfolios with these assets. The weighted impact of any coin included in the Fund will be capped at 25%. The Fund will include larger altcoins and emerging blockchain protocols with growing significance within the crypto asset class. All cryptos in the Fund must have a trading volume exceeding $2 billion and market capitalization exceeding $5 billion. The Fund will also exclude coins with security issues and meme coins like Dogecoin, which are susceptible to social media-driven volatility or in some cases created without a specific use or inherent value. About Yieldstreet Yieldstreet is reimagining how wealth is created by providing access to alternative investments previously reserved only for institutions and the ultra-wealthy. Yieldstreets mission is to help millions of people generate $3 billion of income outside the traditional public markets by 2025. Its award-winning technology platform provides access to investment products across a range of asset classes such as Real Estate, Commercial, Consumer, Art, Legal Finance, and Aviation. Since its founding in 2015, Yieldstreet has funded over $2.2 billion of investments and is committed to making financial products more inclusive by creating a modern investment portfolio. The company, headquartered in New York City with offices in Brazil, Greece, and Malta, is backed by leading venture capital firms. Join the movement at www.yieldstreet.com. About Osprey Funds Osprey Funds is a premier crypto investment firm in the United States. Based in Connecticut, Osprey offers secure, transparent and cost-effective access to select currencies via traditional investment vehicles. Learn more by visiting https://ospreyfunds.io. 1 Crypto market cap is once again above $2 trillion. Fortune March 2, 2022. https://fortune.com/2022/03/02/crypto-market-cap-2-trillion/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005423/en/ Contacts Nicole Cueto nicole@bevelpr.com Vaporwave is a subgenre of electronic music that started in the early 2010s and combines elements of ambient, lounge, hip-hop and jazz. One of the rising vaporwave artists moved to the Fredericksburg area in April. Geoffrey Dean recently relocated from Charleston, South Carolina, but has family roots in Orange County, where he lives on a farm previously owned by his grandparents. I grew up in McLeanTysons Corner area, said Dean. This is my granddads farm. Weve had it since the 1950s, so I was down here every weekend growing up. Then I went off to school and the farm was still here. Certain summers I would come back. Ive been coming in and out the last few years when I was working on my doctorate as just a place to escape. Now ... this is home. Charleston, South Carolina, really got small musically after COVID. Gigs dried up and I felt like it was time to move here. Deans musical journey took him from Boston, where he earned his undergrad degree in jazz performance from the Berklee College of Music, to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he got his masters degree, then to the University of Illinois, where he received his doctorate in jazz with a minor in classical performance. He then moved to Charleston, where he played jazz gigs and made vaporwave albums under the name Baraka. I grew up listening to a lot of that kind of stuff like DJ Shadow, said Dean. I was always influenced by mid-90s hip-hop. Im a huge fan of Tupac Shakur. A lot of that 90s hip-hop was made by American artists, then the Brits did a lot of stuff like trip-hop and acid jazz. RJD2 and Thievery Corporation all came out of the 90s. The genre has always been there but it doesnt get quite the public eye on it. Pretty Lights was a guy who was doing that in the 2010s, and he had a breakthrough with some mainstream stuff. In addition to releases as Baraka, Dean also collaborates with Charleston musicianproducer Dylan Dawkins, who releases music under the name Persona La Ave. Their latest album, Vapor, which comes out Friday, shows a variety of musical styles. Dean credits their different strengths as the special sauce that makes Vapor so original. He brings his jazz training and performance experience, Dawkins has a mastery of old analog synthesizers and is proficient with production technology and recording programs like Ableton. I have a lot of analog keyboards, said Dean. I have a Rhodes and a Wurlitzer and those things, but hes got analog synths from the 80s. Hes the tech wiz and also the guy sitting at the computer while we record it. ... I give him full producer privileges because sometimes he makes some choices that I myself would not have made. Maybe weird phrase lengths or bar lengths of a sectionstuff that would have bothered me. But if I can just let someone else guide the ship, sometimes that allows for some music to be created that I would never have created by myself. So far, Deans work as Baraka and with Persona La Ave have been purely studio creations. The logistics of trying to re-create those sounds live make concerts difficult and costly. Its just been this big experiment about how the internet can spread the music and grow the following. We both play in other bands and other things, Dean said. So we dont really plan on playing it out but its always still in the back of our heads. Dean continues to work a dual musical career as a gigging jazz pianist and electronic music creator. He has played some local gigs with the Fredericksburg Jazz Collective and is happy to return to Virginia. Now Im back, and I feel like Im in a very different place than when I left Virginia over a decade ago, said Dean. I would rather live down here any day and drive up to D.C. for a gig or two when I need to than live up there. I grew up there, and I would just be here any day. A man involved in a police chase in Stafford County last year that included a U-Haul truck being used as a getaway vehicle agreed to a deal Wednesday after his scheduled trial was canceled because he couldnt stay awake. Eddie L. Ingram Jr., 38, and his brother, 37-year-old Markeith A. Ingram, were in Stafford Circuit Court for a joint trial on charges stemming from a robbery in southern Stafford on Oct. 4. The brothers were facing charges that include robbery and conspiracy. Eddie Ingram was sitting with his back to Judge Bruce Strickland while the attorneys were going through the process of selecting a jury. His attorney, TaraBeth Coleman, eventually informed the judge that she was unable to keep her client awake. She said he has a number of medical issues and had been given medication prior to the trial that makes him drowsy. Prospective jurors noticed Ingram nodding off and most in the courtroom heard the resulting snoring. Strickland finally decided to declare a mistrial and sent the jurors home. After the trial fell through, Eddie Ingram agreed to a deal in which he was convicted of grand larceny and being an accessory to robbery. The grand larceny charge stemmed from an unrelated July 15 theft of a motorized cart from a Stafford Walmart. Ingram was sentenced to a total of six years with all but six months suspended. He has already served the time and was released from the Rappahannock Regional Jail on Wednesday. Markeith Ingram is still charged with offenses that include robbery, burglary, eluding and giving false identification to police. His trial was rescheduled for June 8. According to prosecutor Ed Lustig and police reports, the Oct. 4 incident began after the robbery victim sent $140 to a drug dealer for cocaine. Markeith Ingram showed up at his door and the victim thought hed come to bring the purchased drugs. Instead, Ingram allegedly displayed a knife and took the victims jewelry: two chains and a bracelet. He then got into the U-Haul with his brother and drove away. The victim got into his own vehicle and followed the suspects. He also called police to report the robbery. Deputies got involved in a high-speed chase on northbound U.S. 1 that included the U-Haul at times traveling north in the southbound lanes and running red lights. Police managed to flatten the tires on the truck, which ended up in a ditch in the Stone River area of Stafford. Eddie Ingram was taken into custody there, while his brother ran and eventually entered a home on Pilot Knob Loop, police said. A woman ran out of that home and alerted police that someone had run inside. Markeith Ingram was arrested a short time later, though initially he managed to convince police that he was another man. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. After a public hearing, during which no one commented, the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved adjustments to the recently altered voting districts. Technical errors were found during a review of the changes, according to a staff report. Deputy County Administrator Mark Cole told supervisors Tuesday that a computer glitch caused the issues. The computer program we use for redistricting had some errors in the metes and bounds descriptions of the districts and precincts, Cole said. Cole added that the adjustments do not change any of the boundary lines or move anything or any of the demographics or populations of the district. This is strictly code cleanup to correct errors in the code. The district changes will become official 30 days from notifying the public. The supervisors chose a new voting district plan in March. Changes to the countys seven districts were needed due to population growth since 2010, when there were 122,397 residents. The 2020 U.S. Census counted 140,708 county residents. County staff designed four scenarios, which were first presented in February and open for public comment. The board chose the plan that had the second-least impact to the existing districts. The redrawn districts will result in changes for some voters and could affect members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board. In the chosen scenario, the Chancellor District takes a portion of Courtland. Courtland and Salem each take a small portion of Battlefield; Battlefield and Berkeley each get a chunk of Lee Hill; and Lee Hill gets a similar portion of Berkeley. Livingston is largely unchanged. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Community members are invited to stop by The Milady Coffeehouse at 105 E. Sixth St. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29, for a Back the Orange & Blue BBQ lunch to benefit the Midland University chapter of Professional Business Leaders (PBL). The lunch will include a smoked pork sandwich, chips, baked beans and a cookie. Free will donations will be accepted. The fundraiser is sponsored by First State Bank & Trust Company and Sycamore Education. The funds from this event will help underwrite participation at the PBL National Convention in Chicago this June for the six students who qualified by placing in the top of their state events. Qualifiers include Burt Brandt, Kayla Flanigan, Riley Herring, Bridget Praest, Piper Rasmussen and Scott Tatum. Additionally, Riley Herring was elected as the Nebraska PBL State Officer Vice President of Communications. The four-day conference is considered the pinnacle of the PBL experience. It is an opportunity to compete in business-related events against the best and brightest in the nation while also promoting leadership, information exchange and new opportunities to implement on the local chapter level. PBL is a unique organization designed to give college students the competitive edge through career exploration, self-improvement, and community service opportunities. PBL is the ideal way for students to sharpen their business skills while applying their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lee Meyer was stunned when she learned a kitchen set up by World Central Kitchen in Ukraine was bombed. Meyer is the adjunct professor of theater at Midland University. Meyer met WCK founder Jose Andres when he and his crew provided food during the 2019 flooding in Fremont. Earlier this year, Midland University arts students helped raise $6,000 to help Ukrainian families after the Russian invasion of their country. Cast and crew members of the production of The Diary of Anne Frank collected donations after their performances in March. Funds were donated to WCK, which the celebrity chef founded to establish feeding systems in disaster and war zones. The Associated Press reported that earlier this month, Russias bombardment of cities included an explosion in Kharkiv, which destroyed a kitchen used by WCK. AP journalists at the scene reported there had been an apparent missile attack. Andres tweeted that the non-governmental organizations staff members were shaken, but safe. Other published reports indicated that some members of the kitchen were hospitalized with burns. I was really shocked, said Meyer, after learning about the explosion at the kitchen. Meyer said it makes the horrors of war seems more real when individuals have met people whove later been in a place when it was bombed. In 2019, Meyer was volunteering at St. Patricks Catholic Church, helping prepare food with a group of volunteers. Andres walked into the kitchen. He and his team stayed for several days to help feed the people whose homes were flooded and the workers, who were sandbagging and keeping the river at bay, Meyer said. He talked to us about how all the money sent to them goes straight to feed people not to administrators. Meyer said the Russian invasion of Ukraine began about the time when rehearsals began for the MU production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The students were clearly upset by what was happening, Meyer said. Students could see a correlation between the Anne Frank play and Ukraine. The Anne Frank play is the heart-wrenching true story of a young Jewish girl and her family who go into hiding during World War II. The play shows that war affects not only adults, but youth and children as well. When the war in Ukraine broke out at the same time as we were rehearsing the play, it really brought home to the students the reality of war, Meyer said. Every night of the production, we cried not only for Anne Frank, but for the people of Ukraine. The experience brought the group closer as a cast and crew. When MU cast members said they wanted to do something to help the Ukrainian refugees, Meyer immediately thought of Andres and WCK. So after each nights performance of the play, we took up a collection, Meyer said. Because of the generosity of those who attended the show, we were able to send $6,000 to the World Central Kitchen in Ukraine. Students and audiences were affected by the donation. It made all of us, including the audience, feel like we were reaching out to help even if it was in such a small way, she said. Meyer said shes heard that since the bombing, WCK moved its kitchen into a bunker and continues to feed people in Ukraine. The organization says it has reached 30 cities across the country, providing almost 300,000 meals a day, AP reported. 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. Meyer said the chef and WCK have been all over the world helping people in times of need. Shes not surprised a team is remaining in Ukraine. I only worked with them for a few days in Fremont, but I could tell they were passionate about their mission, Meyer said. They sincerely want to help people. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. KEARNEY Zach Walker of Kearney has been arrested on multiple felony weapons charges related to the January homicide in Kearney. Walker, 19, was arrested Tuesday at the Nebraska Probation Office in Kearney on a Buffalo County warrant charging him with five counts of felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a defaced firearm and possession of more than one pound of marijuana. All of the charges are felonies. The state probation office is directly across the street from the Kearney/Buffalo County Law Enforcement Center. Walkers arrest stems from police follow-up investigations in the murder-armed robbery case on Jan. 16 in the 800 block of West 23rd Street. However, Walker is not a suspect in the homicide, said a Kearney Police Department news release. Around 8:28 p.m. on Jan. 16, Kearney police responded to the report of gunshots fired. The investigation revealed one person, Jared Shinpaugh, 31, of Lexington, was killed and two other subjects, Shinpaughs brother, Joe Garcia, 29, also of Lexington, and Josh Morris, 18, of Kearney, had been shot in an attempted robbery. Garcia and Morris both were treated for their injuries and released. Police continue to look for the alleged gunman, Romeo Chambers, 24, of Omaha, who is wanted on a Buffalo County warrant for felony second-degree murder of Shinpaugh. The murder charge alleges Chambers killed Shinpaugh with malice, but without premeditation. Kearney police continue to compile forensic, digital and physical evidence and conduct interviews in the case. Walker is being held at the Buffalo County Jail awaiting a bond hearing. Also arrested in connection to the murder/armed robbery are: - Garcia, charged with felony attempted robbery of Morris and Mariah Chamberlin on Jan. 16. - Morris and Chamberlin were arrested nine days after the robbery/shooting in Grand Island and both face charges of possession of a defaced firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm and possession of more than one pound of marijuana all felonies. The incidents are alleged to have occurred Jan. 17, records indicate. - Chenoa Snow Lemburg, 22, of Grand Island, charged with felony attempted robbery of Joshua Morris and Mariah Chamberlin on Jan. 16. Court records detailing the allegations against all of those charged in connection to the homicide/armed robbery are sealed. Anyone with information about Chambers whereabouts is asked to contact law enforcement. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By Azernews By News Center The U.S. and Russia have exchanged prisoners in Turkey in cooperation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Yeni Shafak newspaper has reported. As tensions between Washington and Moscow escalated immensely due to the Ukraine war, a long-awaited prisoner exchange was made between the two countries. Trevor Reed, a former US Marine Corps soldier who has been imprisoned in Russia since 2019, was exchanged for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who was arrested in the US for cocaine smuggling. Reed's father, Joey Reed, told CNN that he received a call from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. President Joe Biden, who informed him about his son. They had moved him to another prison. They had moved him to a Moscow prison this week. We didn't know that. He went to the same prison that I think Paul Whelan was held in for a long time, and then they flew him from there to Turkey. And then Trevor quickly told us that they - the American plane pulled up next to the Russian plane and they walked both prisoners across at the same time like you see in the movies, Joey Reed said. An American official, who made a statement to the American press and did not want his name to be disclosed, used the following statements about the exchange: The swap took place in Turkey, in collaboration with the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a carefully orchestrated series of moves pre-decided by Biden administration officials and Kremlin officials. Reed and Yaroshenko arrived in Turkey at almost the same time. Teams on both sides confirmed the identity of the other country's bidder, after which Yaroshenko and Reed walked the runway towards the planes. A senior U.S. official, who made a statement to reporters on the subject, said that the exchange took place as a result of months of negotiation. The official noted that the negotiation took place only on this matter, and does not cover the wider relations between the two countries and does not mean that the tension between Washington and Moscow has eased. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan thanked Turkey for its role in the prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia. As we welcome home Trevor Reed, we are grateful to Turkey for its role in making his safe return possible. We appreciate our Turkish partners assistance in this important matter, Sullivan stressed. Reed was arrested on August 15, 2019, after a brawl with the police in Russia, and was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison for "endangering the life and health of Russian police officers". Yaroshenko, a civilian pilot, was charged with trying to smuggle cocaine from Liberia to the United States and Europe in 2011 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Nebraska's seventh case of bird flu in a domestic flock is also its largest to date. The state Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that the highly contagious virus has been found in a flock of 2.1 million laying hens in Knox County. State Veterinarian Roger Dudley said the farm has been quarantined and the birds will be euthanized and disposed of in an approved manner. Additionally, the Agriculture Department will be establishing a 6.2-mile control zone, per USDA policy, around the affected premises. Though state officials did not name the owner of the operation, it's likely owned by Michael Foods, which has several egg farms in the area. Earlier this month, an outbreak was reported at one of the company's farms in Dixon County, which required 1.7 million birds to be destroyed. The company could not immediately be reached for comment. The latest case brings the total number of birds that have had to be destroyed due to bird flu to 4.8 million, making it nearly as big as the 2015 outbreak in the state. Nationally, more than 30 million birds have been destroyed because of disease, which is still well short of 2015, when more than 50 million were euthanized. Nebraska officials also announced Wednesday that a ban on live poultry events such as fairs and auctions, which had been scheduled to expire on Saturday, is now being extended through at least May 15. Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Two explosions have killed at least nine people and wounded 13 in an apparent coordinated attack on two minibuses in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh. A spokesman for Taliban-appointed police said on April 28 that two bombs detonated aboard the two separate vehicles within minutes of each other in the provincial capital, Mazar-e-Sharif. "The targets appear to be Shiite passengers," said spokesman Mohammad Asif Waziri. "The enemies of Afghanistan are creating tension and division among our people." No group has claimed responsibility. The attacks are the latest in a series of deadly bombings in the volatile country. Last week, 33 Shi'ite worshippers were killed in a bomb attack that targeted a mosque and an adjacent building of a religious school. The Islamic State (IS) terrorist organizations affiliate claimed responsibility for that bombing. Shiite Afghans, who are mostly from the Hazara community, make up between 10 and 20 percent of Afghanistan's population of 38 million. The regional branch of IS in Sunni-majority Afghanistan has repeatedly targeted Shia and minorities such as Sufis, who follow a mystical branch of Islam. IS, which wants to create an Islamic caliphate stretching from Turkey to Pakistan, and the Taliban, whose goal is an Afghanistan free of foreign force, are foes. Both IS and the Taliban are followers of Sunni Islam. Based on reporting by AP and AFP The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted unanimously Wednesday to confirm Todd Saliman as the next president of the school's four-campus system. "With the regents behind you, you can and will be able to accomplish a great deal to (move) this university forward," Regent Jack Kroll said following the vote, held at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. "The challenges our university, state, nation and world face are tremendous. You must now pick up the heavy mantle of the CU presidency and make progress." Before the vote, students, professors and community members weighed in on Saliman's nomination during a public comment period. While some were opposed to naming him president, many including lawmakers and professors of color spoke in favor of the board's choice. Reiland Rabaka, a professor at CU Boulder and founding director of the university's Center for African & African American Studies, was one of the people who spoke in favor of Saliman. He said over the past few months, Saliman has listened to him and made him feel more a part of the community than he ever has. "I do not often feel a sense of belonging on the Boulder campus. It has been very, very difficult and not consistent as there are (moments) where I feel belonging, but oftentimes not," Rabaka said. "Over the last several months, I really have felt like I've been heard, like I've been seen, and I have felt a greater sense of belonging (and) being a part of the CU family than I have in 17 years. That means a lot to myself and to the people that I represent." Those who opposed the appointment from the Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy & Research Organization, students and alumni asked the regents to postpone the vote because Saliman did not represent the campus community. A member of the Latino organization even called for an investigation into the search process to determine "whether he was given unfair advantages." "My message to you is brief, regents: You can do better, you can be bolder," said Emily Loker, a doctoral candidate at CU Boulder. "Better and bolder means restarting the search process. A search process that keeps producing white finalists is a racist process." Following Wednesday's vote, Saliman, the university's 24th president, said there is a lot of work to be done in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion across the university's system. "We know that we don't reflect the diversity of the people of Colorado and know we have a lot of work to do to ensure we make progress on that important priority," Saliman said. "It's about making sure we have campus cultures that create a sense of belonging for our students, our faculty and staff, where people want to be, and a culture that Colorado can be proud of." Saliman was named interim president following the resignation of Mark Kennedy last summer. Earlier this month, the board announced that Saliman was the sole finalist in its presidential search. Saliman grew up in Littleton and graduated from CU Boulder with a degree in political science. During his career, Saliman has served in the Colorado Legislature and in the cabinets of two governors. He has also been the university's chief financial officer and vice president of government relations and strategy. Colorado Springs Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting a "drug take-back" day in Colorado Springs where residents can drop off unneeded substances and medications, law enforcement said. The event is an effort to prevent prescription pill abuse and addiction by providing a "safe way" for people to get rid of their excess, unused and expired prescription drugs, police said. Citizens can drop-off medications between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at the following locations: Police Operations Center - 705 South Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (Due to construction in front of the POC, citizens will need to park on the street to the east and walk into the front lobby.) UCHealth Memorial Hospital North - 4050 Briargate Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 Security Fire Station 1 - 400 Security Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80911 King Soopers, 7915 Constitution Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80951 The event is a "no-questions-asked" program and all drop-offs are completely anonymous, police said. Vietnam sees lowest daily Covid-19 caseload in six months The number of new Covid-19 cases continued to drop in Vietnam with 7,116 cases recorded on Thursday, the lowest daily infections reported in six months, according to the Ministry of Health. According to the ministry's report, most of the new patients are locally-transmitted cases confirmed in 58 out of 63 localities in the country. As of Thursday evening, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to over 10.60 million, and over 9.20 million of whom have recovered. The country now stands 12th among 225 countries and territories worldwide in the number of infections. Some localities that have recorded the highest number of patients include Hanoi (1,584,454), HCM City (608,242), Nghe An (481,009), Bac Giang (385,103), and Binh Duong (383,360). On April 28, a further three deaths related to Covid-19 were announced, bringing the total number of fatalities in Vietnam to 43,037. Vietnam on April 27 administered 327,296 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, raising the total number of doses given to local people to over 213.60 million. Vietnam has temporarily stopped health declaration for arrivals entering the country via all border gates. By Trend The paperless data exchange project will help countries, in particular Turkmenistan, to become more resilient to crises and pandemics, as this can reduce physical interaction between the parties, Public Information Officer (ESCAP) Kavita Sukanandan told Trend. She noted that ESCAP is the secretariat for the implementation of the Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in the Asia-Pacific Region, a UN treaty that is dedicated to promoting the digitalization of trade. "It is expected that the global crisis will not affect the implementation of the project, since it will be carried out by local expert consultants using an online guide," Sukanandan said. The ESCAP representative added that the paperless data exchange project is part of ESCAP's support to the Government of Turkmenistan in assessing readiness for cross-border paperless trade and developing a national action plan. According to her, ESCAP has already provided support to several member countries in the Asia-Pacific region in assessing readiness for cross-border paperless trade. U.S. President Joe Biden during a speech in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 21, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Exclusive-'We'll fight as long as we have to', Ukrainian fighter says from Mariupol The Middle Easts leading design trade show Index returns to Dubai from May 24 to 26 bringing some of the industrys biggest names to the world-renowned trade event. It will also showcase the regions home-grown talent and welcome thousands of visitors for its 31st edition. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the trade show will offer a range of expert talks, interactive activations and conferences with key industry players, making it the ultimate meeting place for regional professionals from across the design and fit-out industry. The Middle East remains unlike any other interiors market in the world, it is estimated that the interior fit-out market in the UAE alone will grow by $973 million by 2022, according to Ventures Onsite. Comprehensive access Index offers direct and comprehensive access to serious buyers in this extraordinary market; buyers who rely on Index to procure everything from contract furniture to accessories, decor and limited-edition pieces. The three-day experience serves the industry by showcasing innovative products, content, features and inspiration, while acting as the definitive link for those to access the lucrative MEA market. Key speakers include Isabel Pintado, the Senior Vice President of Design and Innovation of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Paul Bishop, Owner & Founder of Bishop Design, Thomas Lundgren, the Founder and CEO, of THE One Total Home Experience LLC, Gilbert Boustany, General Manager of Projects Delivery at Chalhoub Group and Chris Barnes, Owner and Founder of Broadway Interiors. New for 2022, will be the Retail Leadership Forum, a dedicated conference for senior retail buyers and leaders providing retailers insight and intelligence into the latest trends and topics. The forum will welcome Big-Box senior buyers & decision makers, as well as luxury, high-end, online retailers and of course a variety of analysts, experts and trend forecasters. Key topics will include the future of the industry post-pandemic, what key buying trends there are for 2023 and how to adapt a retail brand identity. Critical time Its time to feed the demand for knowledge at a critical time for commerce, said Elaine O'Connell, Vice President Design and Hospitality Division at dmg events. Retail leaders and buyers will find out the latest in consumer trends, the latest in logistics strategy and detailed procurement techniques. An essential part of Index is the Design Talks, in association with GEBERIT, bringing together many of the region's experts and thought leaders, this is a unique opportunity to interact with a wide range of industry stakeholders and ensures that it captures a wide range of discussion about the technical, aesthetic market and strategic issues on which the industry revolves. The Work Design Summit offers a fascinating insight into the future of office interiors, a cutting-edge event now a hub for regional and international architects, interior designers, purchasing and buying managers, as well as CEOs, GMs and MDs. Among the highlights of this year's Work Design Summit are insights into post-pandemic workplace trends, adapting to current trends, and employees' new expectations. Experts will discuss the future of workplace and office design, hybrid working, identifying trends, technology, and transformation, as well as art in commercial spaces. Workspace Workspace, a core component of the event for the last 20 years, will also return for 2022, this area is dedicated to connecting businesses with the latest and most innovative commercial design solutions. For over 20 years, Workspace has served as the Middle Easts annual commercial interior design event that connects buyers to workplace product manufacturers, smart-office technology solutions, fit-out and design concepts, and corporate wellness solutions. A range of big industry names will be on hand for free-to-attend conferences and live engagements sharing knowledge keeping the industry up-to-date with the latest trends and developments from the heart of the industry. Connecting designers, buyers and architects to interior design brands, products and services from across the region and the globe, Index is a key date in the design calendar with a history of over three decades. At a crucial time for the working environment, The Work Design Summit fuels conversation and debate around commercial interiors and attracts facilities managers, commercial interior designers and office fit-out professionals, said O'Connell.-- TradeArabia News Service FILE PHOTO: A doctor does an ultrasound on a patient from Austin, Texas, before her surgical abortion at Trust Women clinic in Oklahoma City, U.S., December 6, 2021. Picture taken December 6, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo PwC Middle East has partnered with Sova, a leading provider of scientific, digitally strong strategic talent solutions that optimise and transform the effectiveness of the recruitment process. This partnership further strengthens PwC Consultings assessment of talent and workplace capabilities offering and expands its tech-enabled, advanced AI solutions across the region. The strategic partnership between PwC Middle East and Sova delivers on PwCs wider firm strategy in building trust and solving the regions important problems. Sova combines scientifically strong assessment tools, workflow management and predictive analytics in one fully integrated platform, helping organisations make fast, fair and data-driven decisions throughout the employee journey. Multiple benefits The technology delivers multiple benefits, solutions and features that supports strategic recruitment such as: Unified platform and process; Skills-based assessments; Project level reporting and benchmarking; End-to-end assessment platform with analytics; and Workload reduction in administering assessments. As the Middle East goes through a continuous, fast and massive transformation across functions and various industries, acquiring, scaling up and evaluating talent has become an essential part of establishing success and achieving business goals. Finding right talent Commenting on the new partnership, Eyhab Abdeen, Partner, People and Organisation, explained: Finding the right talent remains one of the main challenges facing organisations in the Middle East. Business leaders are concerned about the shortage of talented candidates in crucial industries that are key to their businesss transformation. Our latest partnership with Sova introduces the best of PwC's consulting and assessment services with Sovas innovative solutions that employ scientific and tech-driven tools to make a real difference in the workplace and overcome talent acquisition challenges facing our clients. Jonathan Rook, Regional Lead Mena, Sova, said: "The Middle East is setting ambitious transformation goals which will only be enabled by securing top talent with in-demand skills. We're excited about our new partnership with PwC Middle East to help clients increase their hiring process transparency and accurately evaluate talent across different industries." He added: "Sova's scientifically-strong, digitally delivered solutions enable organisations to make accurate and fair data-driven decisions and create immersive digital candidate experiences. As PwC Middle East works to empower organisations across the Middle East to accelerate their transformation, our new alliance will only cultivate PwC's existing offering that aims to build workforces of the future." -- TradeArabia News Service The concern over drought over the past couple of years has focused on the Western Slope and much of southern and southeastern Colorado, but water watchers said on April 19 that a lack of precipitation is now a factor for the Eastern Plains, as well, just when farmers are getting ready to plant. Colorados drought situation is a little better than it was a year ago, but warm temperatures, windy conditions in April and almost no precipitation in parts of the state means the snowpack is melting a couple of weeks sooner than most water watchers would prefer. The states Water Availability Task Force met on April 19 to look at the most recent numbers from the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The climate centers Peter Goble, who looked at temperatures and precipitation over the past month, said March temperatures were average around most of the state, but compared to historic averages, just a tad cooler than normal. Its normal to have higher winds this time of year, he said, but when those winds come without moisture, it means lower humidity and more evaporation. From October to March the first six months of a water year that started Oct. 1 its been much drier than average in southern Colorado, the San Luis Valley and Rio Grande River basin, and on the Eastern Plains, but wetter than normal in northwestern Colorado, he said. April ends the wet season for the mountains and begins the wet season for the Eastern Plains. But the moisture has stayed away from the Eastern Plains, Goble said. To see it 'skunked' for the month of April is concerning, he said, given thats when the agriculture season and planting start up. The precipitation for most of the state, he said, is likely to be wimpy for the rest of April. That means the long-term drought is not going away anytime soon, with precipitation below normal for the past two years. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which reports drought conditions weekly, while the entire state is in some level of drought, compared to a year ago Colorado is not seeing the worst levels, known as exceptional drought. Thats particularly true for the Western Slope, with snowpack in better shape now than a year ago, Goble said. The next six weeks will be critical for the Eastern Plains, he added. You want a couple of good million-dollar rains to help facilitate growth of crops and for forage lands, he said. But Colorado could be heading into its third straight year of La Nina conditions, which is whats driving warmer temperatures and less precipitation. Goble said a third La Nina year, which is rare, is anticipated. The deck is stacked against us, he said. The drier conditions mean the threat for significant wildfires in June is elevated across much of the state, including the high country. La Nina reduces the states chance for drought recovery, he said. NRCS hydrologist Karl Wetlaufer offered slightly better news when it comes to the states water supply, including for reservoir storage. While not a drought buster, water storage is substantially better than its been the last couple of years, he said. The expectation is that snowmelt is ramping up and unfortunately sooner than hoped for, he said. That situation is taking place in all of the major basins, starting the last weekend in March. Every basin in the state is experiencing below normal reservoir storage, save for the South Platte. That said, snowpack is experiencing near normal conditions for most basins, which will help drive up reservoir levels. Precipitation is also near normal for many of the states basins, such as the Colorado and the South Platte. Water supply at the Gunnison basin has been critically low, especially at Blue Mesa, the states largest reservoir, although snowpack has been slightly above normal, helped out by big storms at the end of the year. Blue Mesa can hold 800,000 acre-feet of water, but its only at 40% of average, due to water being drawn down to send to Lake Powell and to keep the hydropower going. Wetlaufer said experts expect Blue Mesa to reach 550,000 acre-feet, which is an improvement. Were looking at a long journey to replenish the bigger reservoirs, Wetlaufer said, adding that assessment applies to both Colorado and the Colorado River basin throughout the west. The states trouble spots are in the Upper Rio Grande and in the lower Arkansas, according to Wetlaufers data. The Rio Grande is already seeing substantially earlier snowmelt, he said. Its unlikely there will be enough precipitation to gain even average streamflows in the river, he said. Thats going to be a problem for the streamflow in areas like the southern Sangre de Cristos, and that in turn will affect compacts tied to the lower Rio Grande, which flows into New Mexico. Similar to the Rio Grande, the lower Arkansas is also seeing an earlier than normal snow melt, he said, although the main stem of the Arkansas, closer to its headwaters, is faring better. The Senate Judiciary Committee must decide whether to accept the House's version, which notably makes it a felony to possess 1 gram of an illicit substance, a position that moves closer to but fails to satisfy law enforcement's plea for a tougher response. A small step forward in a fight Colorado lawmakers hope will keep the headquarters of U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs came Wednesday morning, at a posture hearing of the House Armed Services Committee in Washington. The hearing was a chance for committee members to grill U.S. Air Force leaders about the departments $194 billion budget request for fiscal year 2023, and the elements within it most affecting their constituents. For Colorado Springs Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, a ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, it was a chance to ask questions he later said laid the groundwork for bombshell revelations to come from a recently completed investigation by the Government Accountability Office. That report, requested by Lamborn last year and championed by a bevy of Colorado lawmakers, found significant shortfalls in the transparency and credibility of the process leading up to the January 2021 decision, by the outgoing Trump administration, to award the base to Huntsville, Ala. The findings wont be public for at least another month, but sources with senior-level access and knowledge of what it contains say the conclusions paint a clear picture of a fundamentally flawed process that needs to be revisited, in the name of national security and fiscally sound spending. The GAO report is going to speak for itself, Lamborn said, after the hearing. On Wednesday morning, Lamborn was the one providing that voice before the committee and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown and Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations with U.S. Space Force, which is organized under the Air Force and headquartered at the Pentagon. Addressing his questions to Raymond during the hearing, Lamborn attempted to set the stage for the GAOs findings, keying off earlier discussions about national security, readiness and the modern ramp-up to a world where space is a warfighting domain. Getting a permanent U.S. Space Command headquarters up and running in Colorado Springs its current and temporary longtime home, where much of the infrastructure and civilian workforce is already in place is expected to be a two- to three-year process. That process in Huntsville is expected to take at least an additional three years. Im deeply concerned that the urgency to receive full operational capability for our space warfighters as quickly as possible was not adequately addressed in the siting decision because of a flawed process, Lamborn said. And I know you share my concerns regarding the rapid expansion of these threats. Lamborn asked how quickly Raymond expected the global space threat to increase in the next two to three years. Theres a significant threat that exists today, Raymond responded, and its a spectrum of threats. ... And all of our intelligence suggests thats not going to slow down. Lamborn also addressed the issue of co-location," cited as a reason for the Huntsville decision but which wasn't part of the siting criteria during the two-year process leading up to the 2021 announcement. In addition to being the current headquarters of U.S. Space Command, housed at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs is home to The National Space Defense Center, part of the U.S. Space Command's Joint Task Force-Space Defense, based at Schriever Space Force Base. The NSDC is where Department of Defense experts, intelligence and space experts work side by side, Lamborn said. They monitor the threats, they train for the threats; thats the nerve center of space warfighting. Why in the world would we take a command and put it somewhere else when they can be right next to the NSDC? That line of questioning was a dead-end during Wednesdays hearing, but Lamborn later said it nonetheless set the stage for the battle to come. Thats a critical building block in this whole process, he said, speaking with The Gazette during a break between meetings on Capitol Hill. Lamborn added that, once the report is public, there will be more opportunities to address the issues it raises with the nations military and political leaders, including Space Command Commander Gen. James Dickinson. We started down the road to get the answers we needed. General Raymond clearly said the threat is so critical that we dont have time to waste, Lamborn said after the hearing. This is just the beginning of the process. Another investigation by the Pentagons Office of Inspector General, requested last year by Colorado lawmakers, is also due out soon. Sungrow, a leading inverter solution supplier for renewables, has forged a contract to supply its latest ultra-powerful string inverter SG350HX to a 45.75 MW PV project for Jubail 3A Independent Water Plant (IWP) in Saudi Arabia. The move aims to meet the buoyant electricity demand for the desalination plant and supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan. Saudi Arabia is one of the driest countries in the world and 70% of the residents' drinking water comes from desalinated seawater. It's also one of the hottest solar hubs due to ample sunshine, offering a more sustainable option for water desalination when powered by PV. The Jubail 3A IWP is expected to begin commercial operation in Q4 2022 and will generate 600,000 cubic meters of potable water per day. This operation will greatly contribute to the water demand of millions of households and Saudi Arabian efforts to ensure water security. As a carbon-free electrical facility, the 45.75 MW PV plant is very high profile. It is located near the Persian Gulf, which is subject to harsh conditions including high heat, high salt spray, and frequent sandstorms. Sungrow's flagship 1500V string inverter SG320HX to be installed features optimal durability given the IP66 protection capability and C5 anti-corrosion level. In addition, the 670Wp large-format modules (LFM) adopted in the project set more stringent requirements for inverters. The SG320HX is compatible with the LFM as its maximum input current up to 40A per MPPT; thus, allowing considerable yields by leveraging more sunlight resources onsite. "It's of great value for all stakeholders that the water desalination project uses the availability of the Saudi Arabia's solar resources in order to meet the challenges of water sustainability. As part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, the Jubail 3A IWP PV plant will achieve more zero-carbon contributions," said Alvin Shi, Managing Director of Sungrow Mena region. TradeArabia News Service After 10 months the Historic Park Inn Hotel will have a restaurant occupant. On Friday, Markley & Blythe restaurant will open within the Historic Park Inn Hotel, marking the first time the space within the hotel has been used in 10 months. Markley & Blythe is being opened by the Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG), which also began as the new management group in charge of the Historic Park Inn at the start of 2022, following the decision from HPI Partners LLC to not renew its management contract at the end of 2021. Steve Palmer, the founder and Chief Vision Officer of IRHG spoke with the Globe Gazette about the Markley & Blythe opening. "It's such a special project, I can't find enough adjectives to say that," Palmer said. "We are so excited to welcome people." The name Markley & Blythe is a reference to James Markley and James Blythe, the two attorneys who introduced Frank Lloyd Wright, architect of the Historic Park Inn Hotel, to Mason City. Palmer, who describes himself as "a long time architecture buff," and "a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright," and his team at IRHG thought naming the hotel after the duo was a great gesture to honor the history of the Historic Park Inn Hotel. "We just looked to why Frank Lloyd Wright was in Mason City, how did that happen," Palmer said. "This is one in terms of the name where it just made sense to honor the reason that we're all there." The restaurant space now occupied by Markley & Blythe used to be the location of the 1910 Grille, which closed in wave of controversy after several staff members quit within a short period of time. The disgruntled workers cited being overworked and underpaid as the reason for their departure from the 1910 Grille. Owner Steve Noto asserted that he closed the restaurant because of staffing issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Palmer said that the Markley & Blythe won't share any resemblance to the 1910 Grille, aside from the location, and that they intend for the restaurant to be a new and unique experience for Mason City residents. Markley & Blythe was described as a sophisticated but approachable American tavern by Palmer. The menu will feature a selection of snacks, starters and entrees inducing Iowa cheese curds, duck pot pie, short rib ravioli and bone marrow bread pudding. "If you want to come to Markley & Blythe and grab a beer and a burger at the bar you can do that, or if you want to have three courses and a great bottle of wine you can do that," Palmer said. Jonny Worley of Mason City was named Executive Chef of Markley & Blythe. Worley is originally a native of Greene, and has extensive experience in the culinary craft. Worley previously worked in Minnesota at fine-dining Italian restaurant Bella Cucina, and recently served as a food service manager for Hy-Vee. "We got really lucky to find a chef like Jonny (Worley) in Mason City," Palmer said. "It was an immediate connection there... It just clicked really quickly." Markley & Blythe is set to open its doors on Friday, which has Palmer and the rest of IRHG excited about the future. "We want to take care of the facility, we want to honor its legacy," Palmer said. "We're just super excited we've been given the opportunity." Zachary Dupont covers local government and business development for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at 641-421-0533 or zachary.dupont@globegazette.com. Follow Zachary on Twitter at @ZachNDupont Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 GraceSCKao as _____ as GMATNinja Do not invent rules fences around fences reasonable QUESTION ONE Quote: There are hopeful signs that we are shifting away from our heavy reliance on fossil fuels: more than ten times as much energy is generated through wind power now than it was in 1990. (A) generated through wind power now than it was (B) generated through wind power now as it was (C) generated through wind power now as was the case (D) now generated through wind power as it was (E) now generated through wind power than was the case as much... than as _____ as it Is there a logical referent? If so, am I borrowing just the information I want to fit, or does a reasonable interpretation suggest that what I want to be there is, in fact, what belongs there? it as it was it energy energy generated through wind power now energy energy generated through wind power generated energy was in 1990 was energy had in 1990 Had what? energy the amount the amount energy The generator stores more energy now than in the past energy than energy energy it the case generated the case the state of _____ QUESTION TWO Quote: According to a 1996 survey by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, more than three times as many independent institutions of higher education charge tuition and fees of under $8,000 a year than those that charge over $16,000. (A) than those that charge (B) than are charging (C) than to charge (D) as charge (E) as those charging as _____ than 35 percent accuracy those more than Comparison Pith of comparison (minus unnecessary modifiers/information) Answer choice (E) Interpretation institutions charge charging Answer choice (D) As many people voted in the 2020 election as voted in 2016. as _____ QUESTION THREE Quote: According to a study by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, companies in the United States are providing job training and general education for nearly eight million people, about equivalent to the enrollment of the nations four-year colleges and universities. (A) equivalent to the enrollment of (B) the equivalent of those enrolled in (C) equal to those who are enrolled in (D) as many as the enrollment of (E) as many as are enrolled in people the number of people comma + about nearly eight million people nearly eight million people, about _____ the nation's four-year colleges and universities people enrollment those people the equivalent of people enrolled in equal to people who are enrolled in the equivalent of people like number of nearly eight million people, about the equivalent number of people enrolled in unis people amount as many as are enrolled in nearly eight million people, about as many people as are enrolled in unis as _____ as About as many what? QUESTION FOUR Quote: Scientists have found signs that moving water changed the chemical makeup of the surface of Mars in recent eras, therefore concluding that its crust is harboring up to three times as much water than was previously thought. (A) eras, therefore concluding that its crust is harboring up to three times as much water than was (B) eras, therefore concluding that the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water or more as was (C) eras and have therefore concluded that the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water as (D) eras and they have concluded, therefore, that its crust harbors up to three times as much water, or more, than (E) eras and concluded, therefore, that the planet's crust is harboring up to three times more water as was as much _____ than more _____ than as Full comparison Pith of comparison harbors up to three times as much water or more as Up to or more the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water as previously thought scientists reasonable the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water as was previously thought the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water as scientists previously thought the same information as was previously thought by scientists as _____ as reasonable GraceSCKao official questions from the OG/VR to practice for the Verbal section. CR (708 questions) RC (~1000 questions) - coming soon SC (884 questions) - coming soon (feel free to use this download for now) Please usequestions from the OG/VR to practice for the Verbal section. Signature Read More Hello, everyone. I am creating this topic in response to a string of queries by memberin this thread (whose question I will discuss more below), who brought up several questions at once that used ancomparison structure that seemed confusing. How about we get to the bottom of the matter and see what we can tease out? Just keep in mind the oft-written advice thatadds to his posts:. Language is a complex organism, and a foundational understanding of, say, comparisons, can get you quite far on the GMAT. Just do not seek to create boundaries or, as someone once explained to me about a different matter,. Stick to the basics and see what the context of a given sentence allows in the way of ainterpretation. LINK (source: GMAT Prep)First off, we can eliminate any answer choice that uses an improperconstruct. This is a common setup in comparison questions. If the sentence did not pump in so much additional information betweenand the latter part of the idiom, I doubt anyone would have trouble. But we are here to discuss what happens after the second. You can see quite clearly thatappears in answer choices (B) and (D). Ask yourself the following questions whenever you encounter the word in this context:Considerabove in. Doesstand for, or, more specifically,? Rather than force an interpretation, examine both possibilities within the context of the comparison. I will remove the placement of the adverbfrom consideration by replacing it with ellipses (...).1) more than ten times as much energy is... generated through wind power... aswas [generated] in 1990.2) more than ten times as much energy is... generated through wind power... aswasin 1990.Neither comparison holds any real substance. In the first iteration, we can reasonably supply the missing verb, sincemakes no sense whatsoever, andis a linking verb that is missing its action verb. (If you have trouble making the connection, picture a perfect tense instead:. You would logically ask,) The problem, of course, is the word. The comparison is betweenof energy generated at present compared togenerated in the past. Repeating the wordintroduces nothing more than a redundancy. Consider a simpler comparison using the same word:. If you can find a way to squeeze inafter, then you have a keener eye than I.Getting back to the sentence at hand, sinceis reintroduced in the second half of the comparison in both iterations above, we can drop both from consideration. Of course, there is a third interpretation that rectifies the issue:3) more than ten times as much energy is... generated through wind power... as was generated in 1990.This is a proper comparison, but notice thathas fallen by the wayside. The logical implication is thatsimply does not belong, whatever it may stand in for. Compare our corrected version of the sentence with answer choice (C):(C) more than ten times as much energy is... generated through wind power... as wasin 1990.Can we reasonably summarize the process of how much energy waswith the noun phrase? Sure. There are many such dummy phrases that could work herecomes to mind. The exact noun hardly matters, as long as it is clear that the comparison is between an amount at one point in time and an amount at another point in time. Most importantly, there are major flaws with (B) and (D), as discussed above, whereas (C) just sounds awkward. LINK (source: GMAT Prep)I told you thatcomes up a lot in these comparison questions. Would it surprise you to learn that, as of this writing, this question is sitting at onlymeaning that roughly two-thirds of people miss itafter 9,672 attempts on this site? That is astounding to me, since 60 percent of the answer choices can be eliminated in seconds. The question comes down to whetheris warranted in answer choice (E). Again, ask yourself what the word could reasonably replace within the comparison. (Ignore the degree of the comparison inat the head.): three times as many independent institutions of higher education charge tuition and fees of under $8,000 a year as... over $16,000.: three times as many institutions charge under $8,000 a year as... over $16,000.: three times as many institutions charge under $8,000 a year as those charging over $16,000.: three times as many institutions charge under $8,000 a year ascharging over $16,000.Why has the verbin the comparison morphed into a different formthe adjective modifierlater on? The comparison should be between what some institutions charge and what other institutions charge. Keep things simple, tit for tat. If answer choice (E) is an imposter, then only (D) remains. Test within our stripped-down shell of the comparison:: three times as many institutions charge under $8,000 a year as charge over $16,000.Yes, that makes sense, little different from saying,For the second question in a row, we can observe that when the action has fallen after the comparison marker,, the actions can be compared without the subject reentering the comparison. LINK (source: )This sentence looks a little different from the others. What, exactly, is being compared? In keeping with our tenet to keep things simple, if you said, you are correct. If you like to be more granular,is also accurate. The comparative marker is, and it applies tothat immediately precedes it. So, the comparison:Now, sinceare not the same as an, but rather comprise an enrollment (i.e. an enrollment of people), we can drop answer choices (A) and (D) from consideration. Notice that (B) and (C) both use. Substitutein each instance as a litmus test:(B) nearly eight million people, aboutunis. (We need not worry about the "fluff.")(C) nearly eight million people, aboutunis.In (B), what doesmean? Somethingpeople, as in humanoids? We would certainly want to addto draw a proper comparisonbut from where would we draw such information in the sentence on the screen? (B) is in serious trouble now, since we cannot supply information just to fit what we want the sentence to say.Answer choice (C) is little better: nearly eight million people [are] about equal to? No. We need anotherto enter the picture. Compare to the only option that is left in (E):(E) nearly eight million people, aboutunis.This people-to-people comparison works. Unlike what we have seen in the previous two questions, though, this one does not introduce a verb into the comparison ahead of the second element. Rather, elements X and Y themselves are being compared (not their actions). It would not be improper to write,. This comparison is more overtthink of it as somewhat similar to an absolute phrase renaming a key noun from the main clause, versus another type of modifier that does not repeat that nounbut the lack of a subject afterin answer choice (E) does not work against it because there is only one reasonable interpretation for what is being compared, the number of people. No one would reasonably question, LINK (source: GMAT Prep)Before we get into this one, drop answer choices (A) and (D) for mixing comparisons:. (E) can enter the scrapheap for improperly delivering on, which should be followed by, not. Again, we should be down to just two answer choices within maybe half a minute. So, what is being compared? Ignore the splits.: the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water... as... previously thought.: [the] crust harbors up to three times as much water... as... previously thought.Luckily for us, answer choice (B) suffers from a fatal meaning issue:is supposed to set an upper limit, so the presence ofis nonsensical. Take it as a gift when these sorts of issues keep you from having to invest more time and energy into disproving anything. We already know the answer must be (C). But consider the comparison:Well, who was doing the thinking in the latter part of the comparison? Presumably, thementioned earlier in the sentence. (Not the same scientists, perhaps, but scientists in general.) Are thereinterpretations for the missing information? Test:1)2)If you straighten out the passive construct of the first iteration, you will appreciate that it conveysas the second (i.e.. Is the passive voice incorrect on the GMAT? No. (See this question on starfish if you need proof. Pay attention to the arm in particular.) Since either interpretation passes our litmus test, we can safely get behind (C) and put the question behind us.There you have it. These were just a few comparisons that incorporated anstructure, but we can study and learn from them. Most importantly, trust your process and the context of the sentence at hand, not some hard-and-fast rule that you read in a forum or saw in a YouTube tutorial. First, what is the comparison? Second, if there are missing words, whatinterpretation can you supply? I would suggest you get rid of any options on grounds that you feel more confident assessing before you turn to anything else. When you work with just what is left, you start to see matters in a different light.Good luck with your studies, everyone. I would like to thankfor raising queries on the above questions, as well as for being patient with me while I worked on giving this post the treatment I thought it deserved.- Andrew_________________ The Board of Directors of the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) has decided to allow non-UAE national investors to own up to 49% of its capital, as it grows its footprint to new geographies and diversifies to new business verticals. The decision, effective April 28, 2022, was passed at the company's general assembly meeting and allows non-Emirati investors to buy shares of NMDC, one of the worlds leading Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) and marine dredging groups, which reported outstanding net profit growth of 146% in the first quarter of 2022. The decision to allow ownership of 49% of the shares in the NMDC will result in increased trading on the companys shares, increased liquidity, and international flows for the stock, raising its value in global trading indices such as "FTSE Russell" and "MSCI." Expanding business Mohamed Thani Alrumaithi, Chairman of The Group, said: NMDC is working to improve and expand its business in support of the wise leadership's directives to achieve a leading global position for national companies in line with the long-term UAE Centennial 2071 vision aiming at achieving first-place positions globally in various sectors. He added: NMDC includes five of the largest integrated companies in the fields of Engineering, Procurement and Construction in Oil & Gas and marine services in the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's strategic diversification will focus on building exceptional capabilities in the energy and marine business sectors during the next stage. A positive plan Eng Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO, said: This step is part of the Group's strategy to implement a positive long-term plan that strengthens our business and global leadership in Engineering, Procurement, Construction, marine dredging, and related sectors, as well as traditional and renewable energy industries. He added: We will continue to work to consolidate the Groups success that was reflected in its first quarter financial performance and the record profits achieved in 2021. The Group has emerged as a global leader in the fields of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and marine dredging, adding more operational value to all its operations. Strong growth Just recently, NMDC announced that it has recorded robust net profit growth of 146% to AED65.4 million ($18 million) during the first quarter of 2022, compared to the net profit of AED26.6 million during the same period last year. This reflects The Group's success in growing its footprint to new geographies and diversifying to new business verticals. The Group also achieved record profits in 2021, with net profit of one billion dirhams, doubling at an 8-fold rate, consolidating its global leadership among the first companies in the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and marine dredging sectors. In addition, NMDCs current contract volume exceeded AED40 billion in eight global regions, including Gulf states, the Middle East, Egypt, North Africa, India, the Maldives, Seychelles, and Southeast Asia, as well as the start in Europe, indicating the Groups strength and durability in the sectors global market. NMDC continued its plans for geographical growth, securing unique and strategic projects, while focusing on business diversification as well as mergers and acquisitions that strengthened its profitability and return on investment. The Groups new strategy is being driven by a focus on resource use efficiency, cost optimisation, supply chain management and increased productivity across all levels. Upcoming projects The Group CEO said: We look forward to acquiring a number of upcoming projects in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Europe, as well as strengthening our capabilities to support energy transformation and renewable energy plans, especially as the UAE prepares to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) next year in Abu Dhabi. He added: The company is implementing the state's strategy to build a sustainable economy, keep up with changing times, provide job opportunities, qualify national talent, and enhance and support economic growth through our projects aimed at improving economic infrastructure. The acquisitions that the company seeks to make aim to reduce risks, open new markets, and increase shareholder returns. The Group develops ports and works on civil projects, refining and petrochemical operations, onshore operations, renewable energy, deep sea, and other related projects. It also operates a modern fleet in the fields of energy and marine dredging, consisting of a group of dredgers supported by additional equipment of tugs, work boats, barges, and survey ships. By the end of 2021, the value of the Group's current assets had increased by 75% to AED12.9 billion, up from AED7.3 billion at the end of 2020. The Group has expanded its marine contracting operations through the massive expansion of projects for the construction and maintenance of ports, canals, and near-water structures, as well as the enhancement of its specialised marine services through marine services and logistics operations, as well as testing construction and maintenance conditions.-- TradeArabia News Service Hundreds of Virginians who oppose abortion gathered near the state Capitol Wednesday morning for the annual March for Life rally. People of all ages were in attendance, from young children to elected officials, bishops and priests. Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, said the theme of all the marches this year in Washington and in a number of states is equality begins in the womb, which she called critical as the issue of abortion is set to take center stage in the U.S. Supreme Court this summer. Following the rally Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined the march in the vicinity of Capitol Square. The Supreme Court made up of six conservative justices and three liberal justices is widely expected this summer to uphold a Mississippi law that bars most abortions after 15 weeks. If the Mississippi law is upheld and the viability standard is thrown out, states could face further restrictions that for Virginia, would likely heighten abortion as an issue in the 2023 House and Senate elections. If the court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision would send the issue of abortion back to state legislatures. While Virginia Republicans hold a 52-48 edge majority in the House of Delegates, the Democrats slight 21-19 edge in the Senate blocked GOP anti-abortion measures during the regular legislative session that ended March 12. Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said in a March statement: this session, the Senate sent a clear message: we will not turn back the clock on access to abortion and reproductive rights in Virginia. Before the marchers took to Broad Street, several guests spoke during the rally portion of Wednesdays activities, including Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. In her speech, Earle-Sears called abortion wicked, before referencing Bible verses. We cant be cowardly in what were doing because the other side is not cowardly. And we know we have right on our side, Earle-Sears said. During his campaign, Youngkin said he would support banning abortion at the point when a fetus can feel pain which is defined as 20 weeks in states with similar bans. However, in cases of rape, incest, or when the womans life is at stake, he supports exceptions. As Youngkin walked with families and Virginia residents on Wednesday he thanked everyone for showing up and took photos. He did not make any formal statements regarding abortion. In a statement following Wednesdays march, Susan Swecker, chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia said: it is disturbing to see the Governor and Lt. Governor are actively attempting to overturn the will of the people and attack a womans rights to choose. Liberty University students led the march, including Eva Standish, a freshman politics and policy major. She is a member of Students for Life, which works to make abortion illegal and unthinkable. I think abortion is the most egregious wrong right now, Standish, 19, said. With being pro-life one of Standishs passions, she made sure to join Students for Life upon arriving to Liberty. The four pillars of the group include electing pro-life candidates, sidewalk advocacy at Planned Parenthoods, supportive services such as free babysitting and donating to pregnancy centers. The Liberty students continuously chanted: We are the pro-life generation and we will abolish abortion. Other chants throughout the crowd included, Abortion hurts women. Women deserve better, and Abortion betrays women. Between 600 and 700 people attended the rally and March, according to Virginia Capitol Police estimates. Michelle Matts, of Goochland, annually attends the March for Life rally in Richmond. On Wednesday she marched alongside four of her five children. Were very pro-life. We believe that God created everyone and everyone has the right to live, Matts said. How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. GREENSBORO A 16-year veteran with the National Park Service will become superintendent of Guilford Courthouse National Military Park next month. Aaron LaRocca starts on May 22, the park service said Thursday in a news release. Since January 2015, he has served as chief of staff at George Washington Memorial Parkway. He has served as acting superintendent of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and Hampton National Historic Site, as well as acting chief of partnerships, youth engagement and volunteers for the NPS National Capital Area, the park service said. The native of Arlington, Virginia, previously spent four years as site manager for Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton National Historic Site and served as supervisory park ranger for the North District of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the park service said. In Thursday's news release, LaRocca said it was a great honor to be named superintendent of the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. LaRocca began his career with the National Park Service in 2006 as a student working at Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial while earning his bachelors degree in American history from George Mason University in Fairfax. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, located off Battleground Avenue, commemorates the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, fought on March 15, 1781. The Revolutionary War battle pitted Nathanael Greene (namesake of Greensboro) and an army of 4,500 American militia against Lord Charles Cornwallis (namesake of Cornwallis Avenue) and a smaller British army of about 1,900 soldiers. Greene retreated from battle after a little more than two hours, a move that preserved the strength of his troops. But Cornwallis frail victory, according to the parks website, cost him more than 25% of his army. Weakened by those losses, Cornwallis retreated from the Carolinas and surrendered seven months later in Yorktown to the combined American and French forces, commanded by George Washington. A jury has awarded $182,000 to a former supervisor at Pine Hills Correctional Facility in Miles City who claimed he was wrongly terminated after nine years at the prison facility. Bill Marsh sued the Montana Department of Corrections in Lewis and Clark County in late 2017. He was terminated from the Miles City prison in August 2016. Marsh's attorney had argued prison officials violated the department's own policies in handling his firing, triggering a wrongful termination according to state law. Marsh also claimed that Pine Hills officials lacked cause for terminating him. On April 15, more than four years after the lawsuit was filed, a jury in Lewis and Clark County awarded $182,000 to Marsh for the wages and benefits lost as a result of the wrongful termination. Its been a long journey, Tara Harris, Marsh's attorney, said Wednesday. My client and I are very happy that the jury found in his favor and is holding Pine Hills accountable for its actions. The Department of Corrections on Tuesday declined to comment for this story. According to court filings from the corrections department, Marsh's supervisor fired him after Marsh allowed another employee who had been placed on administrative leave to enter the facility a month earlier. Marsh was placed on administrative leave after the incident. Internal emails from the prison showed the human rights specialist at Pine Hills who conducted the administrative investigation into the incident had already expressed some bias against Marsh. In an email chain about new uniforms, Marsh sent his preference for the daily operations manager, the job Marsh held at the time, in to his supervisor, who forwarded the email to Human Resource Specialist Karen Austin. According to the email chain submitted as evidence at trial, Austin replied on Dec. 8, 2015, with an image of Homer Simpson holding a doughnut, writing "That's what they look like now!!" Austin later conducted the investigation into the incident that led to Marsh's termination. The jury ultimately found the Pine Hills administration violated its own personnel policy in allowing Austin to conduct the administrative investigation, when the policy requires the investigation to be fair, neutral and objective. The jury also found Pine Hills lacked "good cause" to terminate Marsh in the first place. However, the jury also rejected Marsh's claim that he had been retaliated against for trying to raise the alarm about issues within the prison. Still, Harris said the wrongful termination ended Marsh's career in law enforcement and he has since moved out of state. "I think his hope is that there will be some internal change, so that this doesn't happen to anyone else again," she said. Pine Hills is a secure facility in Miles City that once exclusively held minors sentenced to prison. Last year the Montana Legislature passed a bill to also place adult offenders at the facility, although the different groups of inmates are held outside of sight or sound from each other. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Travellers will be taking longer holidays and spending more on travel in summer 2022, said Wego, a leading online travel marketplace in the Mena region. The average booking value for flights this summer has increased by 57% in comparison to the same period in 2019. Similarly, that of hotels saw a spike of 55% compared to 2019, according to data collected by Wego. It is a testament that people are looking to spend more and book leisure trips. We also see travellers opting for all-inclusive leisure travel which gives them a safe travel experience during the pandemic, a Wego statement said. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Mena and India of Wego, said: Summer 2022 will be all about long holidays and travellers will be spending more on leisure travel to make up for the lost time. Theres a lot of pent-up demand, people have accumulated leaves and are ready to travel again in the new norm. Our data also shows that the average trip duration has increased by 80% for some destinations. Wego also revealed that the overall trip duration for people traveling to Mena countries has increased by 73% to 24 days, up from 14 days in 2019. It has increased by 80% for Oman for travel dates between May and July 2022. Saudi Arabia saw a rise of 62%, Egypt 58%, Turkey 42%, Lebanon 41%, Morocco 31%, India 28% and 21% for the UAE. TradeArabia News Service A Montana State Hospital patient has been charged with two felonies for an alleged attack in March that was the final straw for federal regulators who pulled funding from the state-run psychiatric facility for repeatedly failing to maintain minimum health and safety standards. Video referenced in court filings shows Andrew Darocha, 35, knocking a female patient to the floor and then kicking or stomping her head. Photographs taken of the woman after the attack show she was bleeding from the eyes and at least one ear, according to charging documents. Prosecutors noted she had multiple brain bleeds and facial contusions and will require reconstructive surgery as a result of the assault. Reports of the assault triggered a review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which had already been to the hospital multiple times to document dangerous conditions and lapses in care that resulted in four preventable deaths. At the time of the assault, the hospital had been issued three unresolved "immediate jeopardy" citations. But due to its status as a last resort for many patients with severe mental illness, CMS granted the facility an extension to correct the issues before the federal agency yanked its reimbursement funding for services. The assault resulted in another immediate jeopardy citation on the facility, leading CMS to ultimately decide to terminate its agreement with the state to reimburse for services there. The affidavit filed March 24 in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County District Court states a state hospital employee first heard a noise in the TV room on one of the units. She looked over to see Darocha kicking what appeared to be a chair. The employee then noticed a woman lying on the ground next to the chair. Current and former employees who have spoken with the Montana State News Bureau report workforce shortages have been central to many of the issues raised by CMS related to patient safety and supervision. Those who spoke in interviews after the attack described it as a traumatic event for employees involved. Law enforcement learned the woman, another patient at the facility, had "turned Darocha and another female in for holding hands" prior to the alleged assault, according to charging documents. Detectives who arrived at the hospital gathered evidence from Darocha, finding his shoes had been wiped off with a paper towel, but the stitching was soaked with blood. Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Attorney Ben Krakowka charged Darocha with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence, both felonies that could result in a combined 30-year prison sentence. The case record from district court shows Darocha was released from jail and ordered back to the state hospital for examination. Darocha's attorney, Christopher Miller, did not return an email seeking additional information on Thursday. Roughly two months before the consultants touched down in Warm Springs, the Montana Standard reported Darocha was arrested after breaking a vehicle's window and rifling through the car in Butte. Since CMS terminated the funding agreement, the state Department of Public Health and Human Services announced Kyle Fouts, the hospital administrator who has overseen the hospital's recent decline, will be transferred in early May to the Intensive Behavior Center in Boulder. The state health department, which operates the hospital, this month installed a third-party contractor to conduct an analysis of the facility and stabilize the workforce. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR The National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees Unit 77 will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Bistro 537 at Richland Community College. All active and retired railroad employees are welcome to attend. Guest speaker will be Chef Brian Tucker of Richland Community College. For those wishing to stay for lunch contact Pam Hahn by April 29 for menu choices and cost at 217-855-5994. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR Ruling that triple Decatur killer Contrell D. Williams is beyond any hope of redemption, a judge re-sentenced him to two natural life sentences that condemn him to die behind bars. Williams had first been given the sentences in 1995 for a murder spree that stretched across several bloody months in the summer and fall of 1994. He had appealed and was resentenced to the twin life terms in 2018 and came back to Macon County Circuit Court from prison on Wednesday with a new appeal of his penalty. Williams, who was 17 when he carried out the killings of two teenage boys and a 29-year-old store clerk with his teenage accomplice and cousin Tyrone L. Humphrey had raised legal issues related to his youth at the time of the crimes. Higher court decisions have said judges should steer away from imposing life sentences on criminal youths except under exceptional circumstances where there is no chance of rehabilitation. Williams's defense attorney Karen Ranos argued that Williams life had been blighted by growing up in an abusive, fatherless family and a tough and violent city environment. She sought to bolster her case with expert witness Professor James Garbarino, a developmental psychologist who has studied the lives of young people who commit murder. He said a professionally-recognized testing system that analyzes the amount of trauma in a persons life gave Williams a score of six. He said most normal Americans would get a score of between zero and one. Which puts Mr. Williams into the worst 3% of Americans when it comes to adversity, he said. He added that the average score of youths who commit homicides is seven. Violence followed Williams into prison and, in the early 1990s he attacked and stabbed a prison guard, apparently as an initiation rite so he could seek protection while incarcerated as a member of the Latin Kings gang. Garbarino noted that Williams had been transferred to the supermax Tamms Prison for seven years for that crime and endured solitary confinement. The experience had helped him find God and turn his life around, now working with prison ministry and having earned his GED. The professor said he believed Williams could be rehabilitated. The defendant also addressed the court, and said he was sorry. "I apologize for the murders I have committed, said Williams, speaking while shackled hand and foot. I know it was wrong but I am not the same person that I was; I have changed my life and I hope the court sees that. Ranos urged the judge to impose a lesser sentence, arguing that her client is not irredeemable. But Assistant Macon County States Attorney Christina Mullison counter-argued that Williams should be sent right back to prison to stay there until he dies. She said claims about his blighted youth were exaggerated and said he was not so young at the time of the crimes, only nine days short of his 18th birthday when he went on the killing rampage. These crimes were heinous and continuous; he didnt stop, he kept going, she added. And if this defendant hadnt been caught, there would be more murders today. THE CRIMES On Aug. 10, 1994, 17-year-old Shane Storm and his pal Cary Matthew Whitacre, 16, had given a ride to Williams and Humphrey. The two cousins robbed them of $50 and a ball cap before taking them to some waste ground near the Lake Decatur dam and executing them both with multiple shots to the head. The killers struck again Sept 5, robbing the former Hucks store on Larkdale Court. After grabbing $31 and a carton of cigarettes, they ordered clerk Sheri Ellis to lie on the floor and then shot her in the head. The cousins were also responsible for an earlier attempted murder of a Decatur convenience store owner on July 29, 1994. He was shot multiple times but managed to survive. Family members of the victims packed the court gallery for Wednesday's hearing and several of them read victim impact statements. Kevin Moran, a nephew of Sheri Ellis, said Williams must stay in prison so he can suffer the pain and grief I have endured over the past 27 years. And, fighting back tears, he added: My Aunt Sheri never got a second chance at life, so why should you? Whitacre's mother, Juli, told Williams she hoped this was the last time she would have to be in the same room with him. I dont ever think about you because you are an animal and the cage you live in is just where you belong, she added. Announcing his verdict to reimpose the twin natural life sentences, Geisler said he found nothing that would warrant leniency. Clearly these killings were more than a tragedy, something that never should have happened, regardless of whether somebody was 17 or 30, he said. I do find there was irretrievable depravity and that he (Williams) is permanently incorrigible Tyrone L. Humphrey, now aged 44, had been resentenced to natural life after a sentence appeal hearing in February. It was his second resentencing. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SHELBYVILLE A driver who hit and killed a Shelbyville pedestrian while driving at speeds police estimated at close to 100 mph was sentenced to a year in jail. Briar W. True, 27, appeared for his sentencing in Shelby County Circuit Court Tuesday after being convicted of speeding in a bench trial in June. Shelby County States Attorney Nichole Kroncke said True, of Neoga, had plowed into 84-year-old Sidney Manning as he was crossing Illinois 16 close to the U.S. Army Corps Visitors Center at 5 a.m. June 4, 2020. (Police experts) estimated that Trues vehicle was traveling between 82 and 98mph at the point of impact, said Kroncke. The posted speed limit where the fatal accident occurred was 45mph. She said the yearlong sentence was the maximum available and was imposed after the judge in the case listened to victim impact statements from Mannings family. The states attorney said True has a criminal record that includes convictions for reckless driving, drug possession, driving under the influence and criminal damage. But, in earlier comments to the Herald & Review, she had explained that the speeding charge was the most serious offense that could be sustained in the death of Manning. For a charge of reckless homicide or reckless driving, speed alone is insufficient for that charge; thats what the case law in Illinois says, Kroncke added. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR Police said they arrested a Decatur automotive business employee after he had taken a shot at the car of a fleeing customer who refused to pay his bill. A sworn affidavit from Decatur police quotes the 42-year-old employee as explaining he was being dragged along by the customers car Monday night and was attempting to shoot-out a rear tire to disable the vehicle. Officer K. Borders, who signed the affidavit, said the shot from the mans .40 caliber handgun missed the tire and drilled a bullet hole above the rear drivers side wheel well. (The employee) explained to officers he was being dragged by the vehicle (the customer) was driving, but could not elaborate if he was intentionally hanging on to the drivers side door or making every attempt to let go, said Borders. He explained that he never fell down and was never directly in front of the vehicle. He advised (the customer) continued driving in a large semi-circle in the gravel parking lot to take the vehicle off the lot without paying. Police arrived at the business, Bills Custom Repairs and Restorations, at 8:10 p.m. to respond to reports of shots fired. Borders said the employee immediately admitted what he had done and the officer removed the mans handgun which he was carrying in a waistband holster. The employee is quoted as saying the customer owed $300 for work done on his Cadillac but made no attempt to pay as he got ready to drive away. (The employee) stated he was standing next to the open drivers side door of the vehicle pleading with (the customer) not to drive away and work out the payment another way, said Borders. He explained that he believed (the customer) was in possession of a black pistol as it appeared he was holding a firearm in his sweatshirt front pocket. The customer didnt get far, however, abandoning the vehicle at the property fence line and then fleeing on foot. The Cadillac was back in the business garage when police arrived. While on scene and speaking with officers, (the customer) had called (the employee) about the vehicle but would not provide a statement to officers via phone or give his location, Borders added. Offices later spoke with the fiancee of (the customer) by phone and she advised that he did not wish to provide a statement or speak with police... Officers were unable to obtain the name of the fiancee or verify (the customers) full information. The employee was booked on a preliminary charge of the aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle. Macon County Jail records show he was released from custody Wednesday afternoon after paying a $500 bond on bail set at $5,000. All preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorneys office. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CHARLESTON A widespread police crackdown on crime, with stepped up patrols in a nine-county area including Coles, Christian and Moultrie, netted 85 arrests on charges ranging from sexual abuse and child porn to drugs and illegal weapons. A news release from the Illinois State Police said its troopers worked with local law enforcement in Project Safe Neighborhood which started in October and still continues. The stepped-up patrols are known as saturation details. The release added: Seized during the details were 12 guns, 1,725 grams (nearly four pounds) of methamphetamine, 112,665 grams (more than 248 pounds) of cannabis, 15 LSD doses, 14 grams of cocaine, 5,311 grams (11 pounds) of mushrooms and two stolen vehicles. In addition to the arrests, 199 warnings were issued along with 142 citations. The enhanced patrols are paid for by grants from the U.S. Department of Justice. Gregory K. Harris, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, said: ...Project Safe Neighborhood targeted enforcement patrols, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, has and continues to be effective in removing individuals from our cities that are responsible for the increase in violence. Continued enforcement by Illinois State Police, in collaboration and cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, not only increases the public confidence in knowing that law enforcement is working together to make neighborhoods safe, but also increases the trust between law enforcement and the communities that they serve. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. Near record high temperatures. High near 95F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low 72F. SSE winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. The Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA)s 160-acre Aerospace Park has its first tenant, Final Forge, a protective equipment developer and manufacturer. After signing a lease with the TCAA, Final Forge will relocate to Blountville, Tennessee, and begin construction of two new buildings that will take up 50,000 square feet at the Aerospace Park. Final Forge develops and manufactures protective headgear for the military, law enforcement, first responders and homeland security forces. In a TCAA press release, David Rogers, president of Final Forge, emphasized how their new location at Aerospace Park will allow them to more efficiently meet the needs of their clients. Being located at the airport will not only aid in the product flight testing, research and development activities, but will also provide aviation customers the ability to fly-in and have their equipment serviced on-site, Rogers said. As part of their relocation from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Final Forge will, according to the press release, bring more than a dozen manufacturing jobs, as well as laboratory and production machinery and three aircraft, to their new facility. In the press release, Gene Cossey, the TCAA executive director, welcomed Final Forge to the Tri-Cities region and said that he believes many more businesses would benefit from relocating to Aerospace Park. We believe this is just the start of success for Aerospace Park, and like Final Forge, many more aerospace businesses will see the benefit of being located here in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, Cossey said. The volume of local and international travel bookings for the upcoming Eid Al Fitr break is up by 195 percent year-on-year so far in 2022 compared to same holiday period in 2021, said dnata Travel, the UAEs longest-standing travel provider. This year, the number of international travel bookings for the first Eid public holiday, expected in early May, have particularly increased with 65 percent of UAE travellers opting for worldwide destinations, and 35 percent opting for staycations, reported Emirates News Agency WAM. This is compared to 68 percent of travellers booking UAE staycations and 32 percent seeking international holidays, for the same holiday period in 2021. The top five most-booked destinations for travel over the expected Eid Al Fitr holiday period in 2022 so far with dnata Travel in the UAE include the Maldives, UAE, Turkey, Mauritius and Oman. Emily Jenkins, General Manager, dnata Travel Leisure, commented: "In 2021, UAE staycations and the Indian Ocean proved most popular for travellers from the UAE looking to take a well-deserved break over Eid Al Fitr. While these destinations remain ever-popular for travellers, this year, with more destinations opening we are seeing a broader range of travel options starting to trend, across Asia, Europe, and North America. "The demand for travel is at a high as many countries are opening their borders to tourists once again, or relaxing, or removing Covid-19 related travel regulations, easing a passengers journey. Newly-opened and accessible, Bali and Singapore in particular are starting to gain traction, while Thailand is fast-climbing among our top ten most-booked destinations for Eid Al Fitr. The Maldives has remained the number one destination of choice with a spike in demand witnessed in early March due to removing its PCR-testing requirements for fully-vaccinated travellers, Jenkins added. BRISTOL, Tenn. One elegant shoe adorns a stack of posters inside Bristol Ballets building on Buford Street. Nearby, costumes await dancers. Traffics a distant murmur beyond the doors. And behind a desk on Monday afternoon, inside the quiet building on Buford, a tear gathers and drops. Bristol Ballets Cinderella stages on Saturday, May 14. Set to alight on the fabled Paramount stage in Bristol, Tennessee, Cinderella will say hello to a large audience just as Bristol Ballet says goodbye to its longtime guiding light, artistic director Michele Plescia. Its time, said Plescia, who has served in the role since 2004. Plescias near-lifelong love of ballet began at age 7. Her mother brought her to Constance Hardinge, founder and director of Bristol Ballet, from whom Plescia learned the basics of ballet that led to a full career. Plescia returned to Bristol Ballet in 2004 after having taught ballet in Naperville, Illinois. When I first came back, there were no students at the time I was hired, Plescia said. Bristol Ballet now enrolls about 75 students. In her time as artistic director, Bristol Ballet has occupied three buildings, staged dozens of productions, performed The Nutcracker to typically sold-out audiences and taught hundreds of children the disciplines of dance. Cinderella will be my last production for Bristol Ballet, Plescia said. When I sat with the kids and told them, some of us cried. It was emotional. I will be a mess on May 14. Plescias not disappearing. She said that she will teach two days per week at Bristol Ballet. Furthermore, she will serve as an adviser. Meanwhile, preparations culminate to present Cinderella. With palpable drama onstage, Cinderella, led by Olivia Ratliff in the lead role, projects a generationally beloved storyline. When Disney snagged and shaped Cinderella, the fairy tale enthralled and enchanted the masses. Its the classic survivor story, Plescia said. It has glamor and humor. Its good versus evil, and good wins in the end. Its a good feel-good story. People want some feel-good right now. Morphed from a fairy tale whose origins trace to Greece and the sixth century BCE, Cinderella has undergone multiple incarnations as time unfolded. Most famously, Disney produced Cinderella in animated form in 1950. More recently, Disney issued Cinderella in live-action film form in 2015. The music, I absolutely love, Plescia said. For me, no matter what were doing, its always an adventure. How do I do this? How do I do that? How do I make it work? The acting, putting it together, seeing it come to shape. Story ballets are hard because of all the details. Its work, its stressful, but in the end, its fulfilling. So now the curtain awaits its opening. Showtime nears. Bristol Ballets incoming leadership Moira Frazier Ostrander as director of the school of ballet and Amanda Hairston as director of development wait in the wings. The two share the role of co-artistic director. Bristol Ballet is in good hands, Plescia said. Once upon a time, there was a wide-eyed and lithe young girl by the name of Michele. She danced ballet in fairy tales and yearned for those curtains to open. Come Saturday at the Paramount and an apropos Cinderella, the curtain will part one last time for the dancer-turned-director. She can still dance. She can still dream. But when the curtain closes Whoo emotional, Plescia said. Its closing another chapter in Bristol Ballet and my life. Tom Netherland is a freelance writer. He may be reached at features@bristolnews.com. BRISTOL, Va. A Bristol, Virginia police officer didnt need to testify on the final day of his murder trial to get the verdict he wanted. The tense, week-long trial came to a close Wednesday when a jury found Officer Johnathan Brown not guilty nearly a year after he was indicted by a grand jury. Browns attorney Heather Howard told the jury in her closing argument that Brown shot and killed Jonathen Kohler, a Bristol, Tennessee man, on March 30, 2021 because he had no choice when Kohler used his car to flee toward the officer. Brown, 32, was one of four Bristol, Virginia police officers who responded to the Rodeway Inn on Euclid Avenue around 3:20 a.m. for multiple calls of shots fired and found Kohler, 31, seated in the driver's seat of his parked car. As Kohler was contacted and being questioned by officers, who testified to having reasonable suspicion Kohler was the shooter, he decided to try to flee the parking lot toward Brown, who fired his rifle six times. Kohler suffered gunshot wounds to the head and neck. He died almost immediately and crashed into a parked car. The defense claimed Brown acted in self-defense and in accordance with his training, while prosecutors argued that he was too aggressive and acted unlawfully. In Wednesdays closing arguments, Howard was critical of the governments handling of the case, stating that the commonwealth rushed to indict Brown before the investigation was complete. Howard called the prosecutors' case against Brown a trial of insinuation filled with smoke and mirrors and red herrings intended to distract the jury. Howard also criticized the commonwealth for calling only six witnesses to testify, despite the prosecutor stating they subpoenaed 50 witnesses. The defense called 11 witnesses the prosecutors didnt, Howard said, including the three officers who witnessed the shooting. It was later determined by investigators that Kohler did have a loaded firearm under his seat as officers questioned him and that he was the one who fired the shots in the motel parking lot that prompted the police response. Texts revealed Kohler, who had additional magazines and rounds of ammunition in the car, threatened to shoot up the motel. Kohler also had a toxic level of methamphetamine in his blood, a toxicologist testified. Evidence showed Brown had half a second to decide to pull the trigger 5 feet from the car after it starting moving toward him. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. " " A 1994 portrait of Austrian psychologist Viktor Frankl. Imagno/Getty Images Viktor Frankl was a young and successful Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist when Adolf Hitler and the Nazis invaded Austria in 1938. Frankl was Jewish, and in 1942 he and his family his pregnant wife Tilly, his parents and his brother were deported from Vienna to a Nazi-run "ghetto" in Czechoslovakia and then to concentration camps. Separated from his wife, and stripped of his identity and humanity, Frankl spent three years in four different concentration camps, including Auschwitz, the notorious death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. He suffered daily degradation, deprivation and violence and witnessed countless friends and fellow prisoners succumb to disease, starvation and despair. Frankl credited his own survival to a method of psychoanalysis that he had begun to develop before his ordeal. Frankl called his approach logotherapy or "meaning therapy," which centers on the belief that humans can overcome the inherent suffering and disappointments of life by finding meaning and a sense of purpose in every moment. Throughout his intense and prolonged suffering in the camps, Frankl was forced to put his theory to the ultimate test. He credited his survival to grasping tightly to the meaning he found in the love of his wife and the satisfaction of his work. When the camps were liberated at the end of World War II, Frankl returned to Vienna, where he learned that his entire family, including his beloved Tilly, had been murdered by the Nazis. Inconsolable, he turned again to his work, and in 1946 he anonymously published, in German, "A Psychologist's Experiences in the Concentration Camp," which was later translated to English and republished as "Man's Search for Meaning." "Man's Search for Meaning" has sold more than 16 million copies in 50 languages and is considered one of the most influential books of the 20th century. We spoke with Alexander Batthyany, director of the Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna, to discuss five quotes from "Man's Search for Meaning" and other writings that illustrate the power of Frankl's hard-won psychological insights. Advertisement 1. "What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." As a student and young practitioner, Frankl studied under the leading psychological minds of Vienna, notably Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. But Frankl grew disillusioned with psychological models that were focused on internal neuroses, like Freud's obsession with libido, or Adler's "inferiority complex." "Frankl said that these theories describe man as an island solely interested in 'How do I feel?' and ignoring the most important questions: 'Why am I here and what am I good for?'" says Batthyany. "If we know the answer to these, many of the other problems are solved." When Frankl says that man doesn't need a "tensionless state," he's saying that the goal of life isn't to attain happiness or comfort, which is often the focus of today's "self-help" and "self-improvement" culture. "The primary motivation for living is to find meaning," wrote Frankl. The goal is to figure out how to live in such a way that gives purpose and meaning to existence, often by serving or sacrificing your own desires for the benefit of others. Bonus quote: "The more one forgets himself by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself." Advertisement 2. "In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice." " " The wedding photo of Viktor Frankl and Tilly Grosser, 1941. Imagno/Getty Images When Frankl was first brought to the camps, he was carrying the unfinished manuscript for a book about logotherapy hidden in his coat. The manuscript, like all his personal possessions, was taken from him and destroyed. In "Man's Search for Meaning," Frankl described how, in the midst of his torturous existence in the camps, he would occupy his mind with thoughts of his wife Tilly, and with the task of remembering his book, page by page, chapter by chapter. His "why" for staying alive was twofold: to see his Tilly again, and to finish his book. That was the sense of purpose that Frankl needed to survive. In logotherapy, the psychologist tries to help his or her patients identify their own sense of purpose, even in the midst of significant suffering or sadness. Batthyany tells a story of an elderly doctor who had just lost his wife of 60 years and was so crushed by her death that he could barely get out of bed. Frankl asked him, "What would have happened if you had died first instead of your wife?" The doctor replied, "My God, she would have suffered so. It would have been awful for her." Frankl then said, "You see? Your suffering is painful, but isn't it good that you took it away from her?" The man had found his reason for living. "He was ready to suffer out of love," says Batthyany, "and that's the difference between suffering and desperation. Desperation is meaningless suffering, but suffering is part of life." Bonus quote: "Nietzsches words: 'He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how,' could be the guiding motto for all psychotherapeutic and psychohygienic efforts regarding prisoners." Advertisement 3. "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." Frankl's greatest trial and lowest low didn't happen during his three years in the concentration camps, but after he was liberated. That's when he learned that his beloved wife was dead, as were the rest of his family and many close friends. "So now I'm all alone," Frankl wrote a friend in 1945. "In the camp, we believed that we had reached the lowest point and then, when we returned, we saw that nothing has survived, that that which had kept us standing has been destroyed, that at the same time as we were becoming human again it was possible to fall deeper, into an even more boundless suffering." Frankl was close to experiencing that raw desperation that Batthyany called "meaningless suffering." But as Frankl expressed in the above quote, even when life strips you of everything, you still have your freedom. Even in the camps, where Frankl and his fellow prisoners were denied all basic freedoms and human rights, they could still choose how to respond. Frankl often said that "the best among us didn't return," meaning that those prisoners who chose kindness, who gave their last crumbs of bread so that another person wouldn't starve, were the ones who didn't make it home. They chose a responsibility to something beyond their own survival, and that gave them meaning. Writing to his friends, Frankl admitted that life had lost all pleasure after his wife's death, but he didn't turn his back on his core beliefs: "I see increasingly that life is so very meaningful, that in suffering and even in failure there must still be meaning." Frankl still had his freedom to choose, and he chose to focus on his unfinished book about logotherapy, which would become "Man's Search for Meaning." And in time, Frankl met another wonderful companion, his second wife Elly with whom he had a daughter Gabriele, and wrote another 39 books. "We have an enormous amount of freedom, but that's only half of the story," says Batthyany. "Freedom has a certain dignity and value, but responsibility is everything. How do I use my freedom? How does it impact others? How does it impact the world? And that leads us back to meaning." Bonus quote: "It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us." " " Viktor Frankl and his wife Eleonore visit the U.S., circa 1995. Imagno/Getty Images Advertisement 4. "No man should judge unless he asks himself in absolute honesty whether in a similar situation he might not have done the same." Frankl was an outspoken critic of the concept of "collective guilt," which said that the entire German or Austrian people were guilty of the crimes committed by the Nazi regime. Since Frankl believed in freedom and responsibility, he believed that only those who directly participated in the crimes were guilty and deserved to be punished. "It's not that Frankl came out of the camps ready to forgive and forget everything," says Batthyany, "But he made a strong differentiation between guilt, responsibility and liability." The above quote comes from "Man's Search for Meaning." Taken out of context, it sounds like Frankl is talking about reserving judgment on the Nazi guards at Auschwitz, but that's not true. Here he's referring to his fellow prisoners who "snitched" or colluded with the guards to ensure their own survival. People in desperate situations do desperate things. Bonus quote: "It is a prerogative of being human, and a constituent of human existence, to be capable of shaping and reshaping oneself. In other words, it is a privilege of man to become guilty, and his responsibility to overcome guilt." Advertisement 5. "No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him." Frankl taught that every human being is unique and irreplaceable. Logotherapy, unlike other schools of psychology, acknowledges the existence of a soul, the true essence of an individual that exists beyond body and mind. Within the soul of every person lies their unique nature and untapped potential. It's the goal of a therapist, as well as friends or family members, to help others actualize their full potential. And the key to that actualization, for Frankl, is love. "There's a saying by Dostoevsky: 'To love somebody means seeing him or her as God intended them to be,'" says Batthyany. "Love means connecting on such a level that you see the personhood of the other. You don't just see the group that he or she belongs to their religion, nationality or political affiliation what you see is something far beyond any of these conditions." Because Frankl believed in freedom, he believed that anyone could change. Batthyany says that Frankl maintained a long correspondence with a Holocaust denier, hoping to convince the man that the horrors he had experienced and witnessed with his own eyes were indeed true. For Frankl to see the potential good inside that man required a higher degree of love than most of us are capable of. Bonus quote: "The truth that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire ... The salvation of man is through love and in love." Now That's Interesting Viktor Frankl was offered a visa to immigrate to the U.S. in the early 1940s. He turned it down because it would have meant leaving his elderly parents behind to face the Nazi occupation alone. He returned to Vienna after the war, becoming a noted speaker and writer as well as executive director of the Viennese Neurological Health Center. Frankl died in 1997 in Vienna. As we are coming out of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses across the country are revisiting strategies to address worker health and safety with a new appreciation of the merits of having a healthy workforce. Businesses are entertaining new approaches to fostering worker wellness and health as an unhealthy workforce is now recognized as a risk to the sustainability of a business. Health and safety should be a priority for every business, large and small. For many industries including dairy, workplace safety is not optional; it is a legal obligation. A safety system should not just keep workers safe. An effective safety management system will also assist with the efficiency and productivity of workers on a farm. A well-designed safety system should avoid safety incidents by identifying risks from hazards before they become a problem. Dairy owners and managers should feel confident that an effective safety system will help reduce the multiple risks associated with worker injuries or fatalities. A hazard is defined as anything that can cause harm. Risk is the chance or likelihood of a hazard causing harm to not only the worker but also the business. Dairy farmers face a variety of challenges when it comes to health and safety. Workers are frequently dealing with large and often unpredictable cows, as well as operating a range of machinery. Daily hazards also include accessing confined spaces like manure lagoons or storage facilities, electrical and chemicals hazards, and unique hazards such as silage storage facilities. As dairy farms continue to address these workplace safety hazards, many employers in the industry are considering additional strategies to facilitate a healthy workforce and including these strategies in their overall risk mitigation program. While musculoskeletal injuries represent a significant burden for dairy workers, the weight of other chronic illnesses or conditions is now being recognized as a significant health risk for dairy workers. The prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes and hypertension is highest among Hispanics. Cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol, are more prevalent among immigrant agricultural workers and Hispanics than the general U.S. population. Moreover, control of these chronic conditions is generally poor in the Hispanic population, causing a higher burden of disease complications and, subsequently, quality of life. Most recently, the novel coronavirus has disproportionally affected U.S. Hispanics. Diagnosed and undiagnosed as well as controlled and uncontrolled chronic diseases, such as - diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, kidney, and cardiovascular disease - have been recognized to increase COVID-19 disease severity and progression to hospitalization and death. From March 2020 to October 2021, the age-adjusted COVID-19- associated hospitalization rates for Hispanics were 1,181.9 per 100,000 population, a rate 2.6 times that of non-Hispanic whites. Beyond the immediate impact on the health of agricultural workers, research has revealed reductions in agricultural labor due to the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the U.S. food supply. Over the 13-month period from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, COVID-19 resulted in an estimated 0.07% reduction in farm labor input, resulting in a loss of $309 million. Hispanic agricultural workers often have limited access to healthcare services. Some of the many barriers to healthcare access include: Cost Transportation Language and translation challenges Absence of health insurance Cultural differences Limited knowledge of health centers and locations Work schedule and time conflicts Lack of childcare Unavailability of specialty services Transient or migratory lifestyle Fear of law and immigration enforcement These barriers often lead to an increase in self-reliant attitudes and greater dependence on home remedies and self-prescription therapies. These alternative medicine practices, in addition to delayed healthcare, can lead to chronic illnesses and elevated disease severity. Hispanic migrant and seasonal farmworkers often exhibit poor self-management of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and tuberculosis due to economic challenges and lack of follow-up care with health care providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented multiple challenges for the dairy industry and has revealed the value of having a healthy workforce. An unhealthy dairy workforce can raise risk for a dairy business and negatively influence dairy farm sustainability. Dairy employers are beginning to consider other strategies to promote the health and welfare of dairy workers, such as new partnerships with immigrant health centers to provide health and wellness services to farm employees. These services can be delivered to workers on the farm, without any expense to the employer. The Idaho Dairymens Association continues to seek new partnerships with immigrant clinician networks and health promotion services to help dairy employers facilitate a healthy workforce on the farm. Editors note: This article originally appeared in the first quarter 2022 edition of the Idaho Dairy Focus. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022 April 25, 2022 Businesses need to do additional training for TAFE and uni graduates. Image: Shutterstock Australian ICT graduates arent meeting industry standards with many needing significant extra on-the-job training to be effective employees, businesses have informed a recent survey from the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). When asked if the VET and higher education systems were producing ICT graduates that were able to immediately slot into jobs without any additional training, a meagre five per cent of respondents said yes. A further 46 per cent said graduates required additional training investment by employers before being job-ready while a whopping 49 per cent said the tertiary graduates are not ready to work without significant further training. Innovative businesses and products are being held back, or worse still, sold overseas, because Australia doesnt have the talent available to meet the demand, AIIA CEO Ron Gauci said in a statement. No one measure will fix this, but a concerted push to upskill Australians will provide our nation with the capabilities to be a leading digital nation. The survey asked representatives from over 100 companies operating in Australia most of which were small and medium businesses their thoughts on the current state of ICT training and the industry more broadly. In the 12 months since the survey was last run, the number of respondents saying graduates arent job ready has risen by 10 per cent and coincides with a slip in the number of staff employers expect to hire from within Australia. Only 65 per cent of businesses said they expected to hire ICT staff primarily from Australia down from 85 per cent in 2021 with 34 per cent saying they would look to a mix of local and international tech talent. Part of that shift will be due to the return of skilled migrants to our shores, but the AIIA report still points to a greater need for developing local technology talent. It echoes the calls of other bodies representing groups in the digital technology sector like the Australian Computer Society (ACS) which has long advocated for a greater focus on building a local ICT workforce to fully leverage the digital economy. Likewise, the newly formed Tech Council of Australia which represents Australian arms of multi-national tech companies like AWS, Google, and Microsoft among others has called for the workforce to be upskilled to meet demand for tech skills. Last year, Information Age explored Australias ICT skills shortage and spoke to graduates who had paid to study in Australian universities only to find it difficult getting the extra experience industry demanded. Free speech was the battle cry of billionaire Elon Musk as he rode through the corporate defences of social media platform Twitter and claimed ownership after a public, month-long battle for the companys future. Musk has spouted the long-held democratic ideal of free speech throughout the Twitter acquisition saga, opening his official statement when the deal was closed by saying free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy. In response to the outrage which has included progressives leaving the platform in droves following his $61 billion purchase, Musk tweeted that the extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all. Musk has previously referred to himself as a free speech absolutist and believes there ought to be limited restrictions on what people can say and how they say it. Mark Andrejevic is Professor of Communications and Media Studies at Monash University. He described to Information Age Musks version of free speech absolutism as a fantasy that has become especially prevalent in internet communities. The internet tempts us to imagine absolute free speech is possible because it has a disembodied anti-social feeling, Professor Andrejevic said. We sit in our room typing away to largely invisible audience, not feeling beholden to the kinds of social niceties we might expect when talking to people in person. There have been examples of online communities and platforms that claim to be bastions of absolute free speech, like 4chan and 8chan/8kun which have become infamous boards that harboured white supremacists and domestic terrorists. If indeed Musks goal is to create as unregulated and unmoderated platform as possible, well we know what happens you get an environment where the loudest trolls, and in many cases the most hateful and extreme trolls, come to dominate the space that other people dont want to inhabit, Professor Andrejevic said. If thats the experiment hes going to run then thats already been run, and the outcome is familiar it will become a niche extremist platform and probably lose a lot of its base. Commercial considerations But there are, as Professor Andrejevic points out, commercial imperatives for companies like Twitter not to let hate speech and trolls run amok. Globally recognised brands typically dont want to have their ads featured alongside Nazi propaganda, for example, and its still necessary for the algorithm a set of human and automated processes that inform what people see on platforms at any given moment to keep users engaged. Its for these reasons that Mark Humphery-Jenner, an Associate Professor at the University of New South Waless Business School, expects Twitters speech policies to largely continue unchanged. I think, if he hasnt already, Musk will fast realise that opening up more free speech is going to be very difficult without turning Twitter into a cesspool, Humphery-Jenner told Information Age. He has flagged wanted to open source twitters algorithm which is easier said than done but he could certainly make the rules around bans a little more black letter, more rigourously detailed, and clear for what is or is not going to get people banned. Its more likely, as Hunphery-Jenner sees it, that Musk will be focused on adjusting Twitters business model which has been largely reliant on advertising revenue that other platforms like Meta and YouTube are seeing decline. He could try to change the pricing structure of things like Twitter Blue so it is more affordable in lower income countries, and add more value to Twitter Blue, he said. Musk has also expressed a willingness to let people pay in crypto but he may have been facetious. I think it might be worth adding more money making tools for creators: podcast functions, or a YouTube-type competitor, things [newsletter platform] Substack has been trying to do. By the law In a reply to his antibody tweet on Wednesday morning, Musk clarified that his version of free speech is that which matches the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect, Musk tweeted. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people. Far from clearing up what he plans to do with his $61 billion purchase, Musks definition of free speech points to the immense difficulties of moderating content on a global platform like Twitter. Laws that govern free speech are, to put it mildly, variable. A disparaging tweet about the King of Thailand might be okay to send from Mexico, for example, but couldnt be sent freely from within Thailand without the risk of serious consequences. Likewise, people in defamation-friendly jurisdictions might sue people for tweets they found personally offensive or reputationally damaging, as defence minister Peter Dutton did when he successfully brought a defamation case against a refugee advocate for tweeting that Dutton was a rape apologist. Governments and courts often issue takedown requests to social companies and its common for those companies to publish transparency reports in which they describe the number and origination of content takedown requests. These reports provide a snapshot of the size of the task global speech compliance is for these companies who want to simultaneously operate in as many markets as possible. Twitters latest transparency report describes the first six months of 2021. During that period it received 43,000 demands to remove content from nearly 200,000 accounts. Twitter said this was the largest increase in takedown demands since it started publishing these reports in 2012 and it complied with 54 per cent of those requests. My Taipei Quarantine Part of what brought me to Taiwan was bureaucratic thrill seeking. Few other countries had gone from just hop on a plane to North Korean levels of inaccessibility as fast as Taiwan, and like a cat that paws at a door just because it's closed, I wanted in. The country was off-limits to foreign visitors, but there was a tiny gap left in the regulations, and with the right references, statements of purpose, and forms filled out in triplicate it might just be possible to get a Taiwan visa and come eat all the noodles. It was not easy! Even buying the plane ticket felt like an LSAT word problem. I could only arrive during a certain window of time on a weekday, and I had to send my visa number eight business days in advance (minding the international date line) in order to secure an entry permit that would be emailed to me after my flight took off. I would have to take a PCR test no earlier than 48 hours before landing, but at least 12 hours before departure. I needed proof of travel to get the visa, and a visa to book the plane ticket. One gate agent always lied, while another only told the truth. It wasnt until they let me on the plane that I believed this might actually work. It had been two years since my last international flight, and the feeling of stepping back in time was intense. Our domestic airlines might have covid fatigue, but for China Airlines it was still April 2020. The poor flight attendants had to wear latex gloves, goggles, face shield, and a full-body plastic gown on top of their regular uniform for the entire thirteen hour flight. The hazmat team that met our flight in Taipei made the flight attendants look reckless. A dozen or so staff in bunny suits put numbered stickers on our shoulders and read off names ten at a time. It took maybe twenty minutes to give everyone a PCR test, and another forty to get the result. When a lab worker finally came in to give us the all-clear, everybody cheered. On our way out, I was given a little plastic card attesting that our flight was at low risk for African swine fever, the other disease Taiwan is trying to keep out of its borders. Then I saw a young woman holding up my name on a sign. The Ministry of Education had sent her to shepherd me through the arrival procedure; she had spent the night in the terminal in order to meet the early flight. Her name tag said Angel. I had been briefed about what to do on arrival, but in airport situations I am an agent of chaos and the Taiwan government was wise not to take chances. The first task was to get a local SIM card so the Central Epidemic Command Center could keep track of me. I was cautioned not to turn my phone off and to answer any phone calls promptly, in order to avoid an awkward visit from the police. Next we walked into an open space that looked like a Mad Men episode filmed at Chernobyl. There was a grid of large desks, and a bunny-suited pandemic worker was seated behind each one. A woman called me over to her desk and made me photograph a little calendar. Then she handed me a box of covid self-tests, and mimed that was supposed to take them on the days marked in red. In exchange for the tests they asked me for the swine fever card, which I had misplaced the second I got it. By now I was carrying my luggage, entry card, phone, documents, passport, box of tests, and a tiny plastic baggie with my old SIM card inside it. Every time we stopped I found a way to lose a different combination of these items, and my poor guide lived up to her English name as she watched me rummage through my bag every ten feet. The other passengers were long gone. The Taipei airport is one of those massive hubs set up to handle thousands of arrivals at once, but when we made it to passport control, it was deserted except for a single booth at the far corner. It felt just like leaving the Tokyo airport in May 2020, an enormous building with nobody in it. The main terminal was also empty except for the police, the first people I had seen who were not wearing full-body protective gear. Some of the ribbons were bright red, and the cops motioned to us to disconnect them and step through the red zones until we reached the exit. My feeling of being a dangerous pathogen breaking through the islands defenses intensified. At the taxi rank, a final set of bunny-suited workers sprayed everyone's luggage and body with disinfectant, not forgetting the soles of the feet. My name was checked off a list and they hustled me into a quarantine cab, where a wall of plastic sheeting had been set up to protect the cab driver. It was a true Tom Friedman moment. This half-hour journey into Taipei would be my only glimpse of Taiwan for the next ten days, so whatever insights I had about this place, Id better have them quick. Instead, my phone buzzed, reminding me to call my quarantine hotel and warn them I was coming in hot. The staff at the hotel had prepared a plastic chute to funnel guests in from the street through the lobby and into a dedicated red elevator. When the cab pulled up, the desk clerk slid some documents at me through a gap in the plastic, showed me how to add the hotel as a contact in LINE (Taiwans universal chat app) and then sent me upstairs to start doing time. If The Shining had been shot on a budget, the Santos Hotel would have been a good choice for a set. The hallways were dark and silent; the single plastic-wrapped chair in front of each door gave the place an eerie feeling. Later I realized the chair was just a place to put food trays. Inside my room I found a case of bottled water, a fork and chopsticks, and a brand new digital thermometer. Every surface that my virus-soaked fingers might touch, including the light switches, remote control, telephone, toilet handle, and thermostat, had been wrapped in protective plastic. As an avid indoorsman, I did not expect staying in one room for ten days to be difficult, but confinement left me feeling surprisingly antsy. At the same time, Taiwan was the first time in two years I had experienced pandemic competence. The feeling was so unusual and refreshing that I never begrudged the fuss they made. The fact that my quarantine coincided with the debacle in Shanghai only deepened my sense of gratitude. For its part, the hotel took good care of us. The water was hot and the internet was fast. Lunch and dinner were bento boxes with Chinese characteristics. Breakfast was a wild cardone morning they gave me what I swear was a churro sandwich. The hotel also let guests order in. Back in America, I had spent sleepless nights regretting all the noodles that were going uneaten by me across East Asia. Now I was locked in a room with nothing to do except order from Taipei's extensive delivery network. Soon mopeds from every quarter of the city were converging on the Santos Hotel, and the poor chair outside my door groaned under a pyramid of dinners. Nobody will ever care about my health the way they did in that hotel. Every morning brought an automated call from the CECC, asking me to press one if I had survived the night. The Central Epidemic Command Center cares about you, the voice would remind me, and I believed it! If I got sick, I had no doubt Id be taken someplace safe where people would take care of me, more reassurance than I had ever had back in America. Twice a day I had to report my temperature to the hotel, as well as deny a long list of symptoms on a Google form. And in the early afternoons, my visa sponsor would call in to check in on me. Every third day I had to take one of the rapid tests from the airport. The instructions were a wall of Chinese, but a set of IKEA-like drawings made things clear enough. The box of tests even had a little hole to hold the test vial, and the procedure reminded me of celebrating Mass. I would sit in front of the little vial stirring and muttering hoc est mucus meum, then apply three drops to the test wafer and pray for good health. On the last day of quarantine we had to pass another PCR test. This was administered in a converted city bus that roved between the several quarantine hotels; like the Second Coming, no man knew its appointed hour. The hotel told us to be ready on ten minutes notice, and throughout the hotel excited guests sat by their doors, wearing pants for the first time in ten days, hungry for a glimpse of the sky. When the bus came, I did my best to linger, but the trio of bunny-suited health workers was too efficient. One checked my name on a clipboard while a second rubbed the back of my brain with a test swab, and before I could stall I was being shooed back into the plastic chute. They say you only do two days in quarantinethe day you arrive and the day you leave. My bus test must have been negative, because the next morning the hotel had put me out on the street, upgraded to a ghostly status called self-health monitoring. I could move into my real apartment, and even walk the streets of Taipei, but for seven days I was barred from crowded places or public transit. Once I was free to actually see the city, the sense of traveling back in time intensified. Everyone in Taipei wore a face mask, even people on remote hiking trails. Temperature checks and hand sanitizer were unavoidable. Every building and storefront had a QR code posted at the entrance for contact tracing, and people took care to scan it and text the central authority before going inside. Woe unto those who forgot their cell phone! On the evening news, I could see whole teams of hazmat-suited workers fumigating the subway system and outdoor sidewalks, just like back in that first pandemic spring. All told, it took seventeen days, three PCR tests, and five rapid tests for me to become street legal in Taiwan. Sadly, my quarantine period ended just as a wave of infections was beginning to break through the island's defenses. At this point the virus has simply become too infectious. After two years of successful eradication, the country will have to make the transition to living with covid like the rest of us. As I write this, the public health authority is trying to walk a delicate balancing act between getting everyone vaccinated and normalizing a disease that people have been treating like the black plague. For me, this brief quarantine in Taiwan was a glimpse into an alternate reality where pandemic response was not a shitshow. People knew what they were doing, there was a plan and adequate resources to make it work, and everyone seemed to be living in a shared reality when it came to fighting an infectious disease. Even though I was a foreigner and a potential vector for the pandemic they were trying to keep out of their country, at every step I was treated with kindness and respect. I don't think I could explain to anyone in Taiwan how novel this feeling is to an American, but I will always be grateful to them for it, and for the lengths they went to keep foreign guests like me safe while I plundered their restaurants. I hope the public health system can continue to lead by example as this next, difficult stage of the pandemic begins. And I hope someday we have something like it back home. Dubai International (DXB) is gearing up to welcome some 1.9 million travellers, who are anticipated to pass through DXB between April 29 to May 9 with average daily traffic exceeding 177,000 passengers. May 7 is expected to be the busiest day with passenger numbers surpassing the 200,000 mark. Dubai Airports is working with airlines, control authorities, and commercial and service partners to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for all customers. Those travelling during this peak period can make their journey smooth and comfortable by following a few simple tips. Be aware of the latest travel regulations for the destination you are travelling to. We urge passengers to get in touch with their respective airlines and ensure that they have all the necessary documents with the required validity before reaching the airport. Travellers over the age of 12 can use Smart Gates to speed up the passport control process. If you are flying out of Terminal 1, arrive at the airport no earlier than 3 hours before your departure. Use online check in wherever available to save time. Those travelling from Terminal 3 can use Emirate's convenient early check-in and self-service check-in facilities. The roads to the airport could get busy during peak times. Its best to plan some extra time to get to and through the airport. Family and well-wishers can say their goodbyes at home as entry to the departure zone is restricted to ticketed passengers during busy hours throughout peak periods. Once at the airport, travellers can enjoy DXBs a full range of facilities including restaurants, duty free shopping and lounges to relax before their flight. TradeArabia News Service Cloud data management specialist Cloudian has made three regional appointments: Evan Duryea as ANZ, ASEAN and Oceania channel director; Anna Christensen as ANZ and ASEAN head of marketing; and Norman Joe as ANZ regional sales manager. Cloudian is solving major challenges for businesses and government organisations across the region, including fast-accelerating data demand and an immediate need to recalibrate where and how data is stored, said Cloudian ANZ, ASEAN and Oceania regional director James Wright. The depth of IT and channel experience Evan, Anna, and Norman bring to the table will be a catalyst for Cloudian and its partners continued growth and success in the region as we work to meet customers evolving data management and protection needs. Well also continue our recruitment drive across the region over the next year. Duryea brings more than 20 years experience his new role. He was co-founder of IT consulting firm Thomas Duryea, which was acquired by Logicalis in 2015, after which he led the companys hybrid cloud and data centre practice. Ive known the regional Cloudian team a long time and have been following their success in driving Cloudian and its partner presence in the region, said Duryea. Cloudian doesnt just lead in its own right; its fast become an integral part of other major technology solutions through its alliance partnership network. That provides huge value to the channel as it fits into the bigger picture of what theyre looking to position and sell to customers. Ive sat on the other side of the channel table for decades, and Ive seen the good and bad of how vendors approach and work with the channel. Partner experience is too often missing from vendor channel managers CVs, and Im looking forward to leveraging it for my role and expanding Cloudians channel presence and depth across the region. ANZ and ASEAN head of marketing Anna Christensen joins Cloudian from Nextgen, where she served as APAC head of channel marketing. She previously worked at Exclusive Networks Pacific as an APAC marketing manager, and at Pictura Creative as a digital account manager. Christensen holds a master's in business and management from the University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland). ANZ regional sales manager Norman Joe joins the company from Commvault, where he was in charge of New Zealand accounts. He previously held management and sales positions at Dicker Data and IBM. Joe holds a bachelor's degree in IT from Massey University. Cloudian recently reported its seventh consecutive year of record bookings, approximately 700 customers around the world, and multiple analyst and industry awards. SPRINGFIELD Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a package of bills Wednesday aimed at easing the states shortage of teachers and other education professionals, even as a new report shows Illinois just added a record number of new teachers to its ranks. Speaking in the library of Springfield High School just blocks from the Capitol, Pritzker said that while the education workforce picture is improving, more work still needs to be done. In Illinois, schools still have more than 2,100 unfilled teaching positions statewide, he said. That includes 15 unfilled teaching slots here in Springfield and 64 in Decatur, with similar need for paraprofessional positions. With new tools though, and new funding at their disposal, districts all across the state are working to find new ways to bring people into this profession and to encourage them to stay there. Pritzker signed four bills Wednesday, including House Bill 4246, which lowers the cost of renewing a lapsed educator license to $50 instead of $500; House Bill 4798, allowing currently enrolled teaching students with at least 90 credit hours to be licensed as substitute teachers; Senate Bill 3988, lowering the minimum age to become a paraprofessional in grades eight or below to 18 instead of 19; and Senate Bill 3907, allowing short-term substitute teachers to teach up to 15 consecutive days in a classroom instead of just five. Those bills come on top of numerous other measures the state has taken in recent years to lure more people into the teaching profession. Pritzker noted that the budget bill he signed into law April 19 increases funding for minority teacher scholarships to $4.2 million. And starting next year, the minimum annual salary for first-year teachers will increase to $40,000 due to a bill he signed in 2019. That law, combined with proper funding and all the work to remove barriers for qualified people to enter this profession, is increasing the ranks of teachers across our state even now, Pritzker said. According to a new report from the Illinois State Board of Education, those efforts appear to be having an impact. ISBEs most recent Unfilled Positions Survey, released April 21, shows Illinois schools hired a record 5,676 new teachers in the fall of 2021, the most ever recorded in a single year and more than in the past five years combined. That was enough to lower the statewide vacancy rate to just 1.5%. But the survey also showed schools in Illinois still have more than 2,100 unfilled teaching positions, mostly concentrated in chronically struggling schools, underfunded schools and those serving low-income communities. Our low-income, bilingual and special education students have the least access to the teachers they need to grow and thrive, State Superintendent Carmen Ayala said at the news conference. We also have a severe shortage of substitute teachers, as was noted, and need an additional 2,400 paraprofessionals to fully meet our students needs in the classrooms. A survey conducted in 2021 by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools found 88% of local school districts believed they had a teacher shortage problem while 96% reported problems finding enough substitute teachers. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO - Jayline Perez, 21, graduated three semesters early from Roosevelt University in December 2021. With her parents and grandparents only having gone through school as far as elementary school, she credits Rush Education and Career Hub, or REACH, with changing her future. I grew up kind of not really knowing that college was an option for me, she said. REACH was one of the only outlets I ever had besides my high school encouraging me to go to college. Now Perez is studying for the Medical College Admission Test and looking forward to a career in medicine. Neuroscience interests her, but she may change her mind. Perez is also working with her mentor, Dr. Susan Lopez, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for graduate medical education at Rush University Medical Center, helping with COVID-19 health disparities research (working with the data of COVID-19 patients to look at differences in outcomes by the need for Spanish interpretation) and organizing pre-med boot camps for Black and Latinx teens. Perezs path to health care started when she joined REACH during her junior year in high school as part of After School Matters. The Belmont Cragin resident was interested in health care to some extent, but her summer internship at Rush University Medical Center with REACHs MedSTEM Explorers program, a session with hands-on learning and skill development, made it stick. She recalls the orientation to the program giving her a sense of belonging. I saw that it was mostly women that were running the program its kind of like, Wow, theres actually women that look like me out here, she remembers. They were able to understand my struggles and I was surrounded by students that have a very similar story like mine. I always felt like people probably wouldnt understand me because of my cultural background. I grew up with here in the Northwest Side, and all the barriers I had to continue to jump trying to avoid the traps of poverty. When they brought in other students like that, I was definitely able to resonate with it because I realized that I wasnt the only one. She started with REACH in 2018, but her emotions from finding the truth behind the words Representation matters are still evident years later. They were not just giving us clinical experience like working with patients or having that communication with other health care providers, that kind of resource, Perez said. They were also developing a sense of believing in ourselves. When you have interns helping a patient, even if its serving water, or bringing some washcloths, youre doing something for them, and for me, it was I can actually help, I can actually go further from here. In 2021, of the students served by REACH, 75% were female, 90% were West Side residents, 88% were Black or Latinx, and 65% first-generation college attendees. The program provided more than 180 high school and college interns with more than 25,000 paid, work-based learning hours and helped 50% of MedSTEM Pathways interns and 100% of MedSTEM Explorers to earn one or more industry-recognized credentials (i.e., CPR, first aid/basic lifesaving, phlebotomy technician or ECG technician). The Rush Education and Career Hub is a pipeline for students from prekindergarten through college to participate in science and math enrichment opportunities; its mission is to increase diversity in STEM and health care professions. I dont want our students to just be patient transport. Yes, you can start there, but I want you to be able to do more if you want to, said REACH Executive Director Rukiya Curvey Johnson. They should be the physicians, they should be the research scientists, they should be some of the anesthesiologists, and so what can we do to directly get them on that path, and being able to access higher wages and therefore more benefits and a happier or a better quality of life? Curvey Johnson has been with REACH for five years and is the former executive director of STEM and strategic initiatives at Chicago Public Schools. Having been on the educational side for years, she said she saw REACH as an opportunity to be able to inform the pipeline on the industry side. With 10 partnering schools on the West Side and looking for more, Curvey Johnson wants every REACH student to feel what Perez feels about their future a sense of ownership, confidence, self-agency and a chance to give back. Thats something we try to cultivate in all of our students, she said. Building a sense of self-efficacy about what they can do to actively create change, to be a community problem-solver, to also be able to address some of the disparities they see but also just bring others along. The fact that Jayline stepped up with her sister and co-leading our med school boot camp program, its just phenomenal. Its that relationship building and having this sort of peer support to engage with to help cheer you on, which is so incredibly important. They dont need to know what health care path they want to be in, they just have to show an interest. Its that interest that REACH wants to spark. REACHs career pathway tool lets youth explore the field led by their likes. You can actually click I like helping people, and itll take you to a couple of careers that align with that and youll get a chance to engage and look at not only our programs, (but) other programs around the city as well, and activities that they can do that can help further and deepen that interest, Curvey Johnson said. As for Perez, shes just getting started. Her work of giving back will continue, God willing, as a medical student in about a year, she said. Shes looking to be a resource for others who look like her in that capacity as well. A lot of these health care disparities, one of the factors is that theres not many professionals in medicine that come from underrepresented communities, Perez said. Theyre (REACH) building up those professionals. I know that theyre very open, not just to health care, but also IT and other programs. Hopefully one day that evolves into helping another person, either as a patient or not a patient, eventually bridging that gap. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Winston-Salem man was shot to death early Thursday during a gunfight inside an apartment on Country Club Road, authorities said. Winston-Salem police responded at 12:42 a.m. to a reported shooting at 4755 Country Club Road, Apt. 118-G, which is in the Sedgefield apartments, police said. When officers arrived, they found three men, Saveyon Raymond Taylor, 20, of Millbrook Drive, Christopher Lavon Williams, 24, of Country Club Road and Keith Lorenzo Williams, 28, of Country Club Road with gunshot wounds, police said. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Taylors death was the citys third homicide this week. Christopher Williams and Keith Williams were taken to an area hospital for treatment, police said. Christopher Williams is in critical condition, and Keith Williams is in stable condition with a non-life-threatening injury, police said. Police didnt describe the relationship between Christopher Williams and Keith Williams. Investigators determined there was a small gathering of friends inside the apartment when a fight escalated, with several people firing guns at each other while inside the apartment, police said. Police said evidence found at the scene led them to believe the gunfire was an isolated event. No arrests have been made, police said. Taylors death is the citys 16th homicide so far this year, compared to nine homicides during the same period last year, police said. Other homicides On Tuesday, a targeted drive-by shooting left a man dead and injured a teenager walking down a street, police said. Miguel Angel Fuentes Nava, 27, of Leona Street was shot around 6:15 p.m. and taken from the 1000 block of Leona Street by a private vehicle to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, police said. Nava was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. A second victim, a 14-year-old boy, was also shot and was taken by a private vehicle to Forsyth Medical Center, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury, police said. Police arrested two people for their alleged roles in the shooting after officers obtained a description of the suspect vehicle, a dark-colored Nissan Rogue. Officers found a vehicle matching that description in the 800 block of Tara Court. When officers stopped the vehicle, the occupants ran away, but they were arrested, police said. Investigators believe that Nava was targeted outside his home, and the injured teenager was an unintended target. Luis Enrique Arellano Salinas, 19, of Ferndale Avenue is charged with murder in connection with Navas death and resisting a law enforcement officer, police said. Salinas was being held Thursday in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed, police said. A 17-year-old boy, who is charged with murder in connection with Navas death, was taken to a juvenile detention center in North Carolina, police said. Shaunte Jermaine Rhyne Jr., 22, of Glenmont Road was shot Monday in the parking lot of Garden Court Apartments at 955 E. Second St., police said. Rhyne was taken to a local hospital where he later died, police said. Prior to the shooting, Rhyne was arguing with someone in the parking lot. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information regarding these incidents can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is on Facebook. The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and video to the police. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A federal judge sentenced a Winston-Salem man Wednesday to serve 25 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines, authorities said. Judge Thomas D. Schroeder of U.S. District Court sentenced Jose Mondujano-Hernandez, 25, to serve 300 months in prison, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement. After Mondujano-Hernandez is released from prison, he will be subject to 10 years of probation. According to court documents, an undercover officer was introduced in September 2020 to an unknown person located in Mexico who negotiated a sale of crystal methamphetamine, the Justice Department said. On September 28, 2020, the undercover officer was contacted by another unknown individual to coordinate the drug transaction in Winston Salem, the Justice Department said. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI office in Greensboro then conducted surveillance on the meeting location where the transaction occurred and was video recorded, the Justice Department said. Mondujano-Hernandez is accused of selling the undercover officer 2.2 pounds of meth, the Justice Department said. On Oct. 13, 2020, and Nov. 5, 2020, the undercover officer made additional drug buys from Mondujano-Hernandez for 6.6 pounds of meth, the Justice Department said. In the following weeks, the undercover officer was involved in further transactions involving Mondujano-Hernandez and four other men for additional purchases that totaled 35.2 pounds of meth, the Justice Department said. Mondujano-Hernandez and four other co-defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in February 2021, the Justice Department said. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Winston-Salem police detectives are investigating to determine the circumstances of Tuesdays targeted drive-by shooting that left a man dead and injured a teenager walking down a street, authorities said Wednesday. Miguel Angel Fuentes Nava, 27, of Leona Street was shot around 6:15 p.m. and taken from the 1000 block of Leona Street by a private vehicle to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, police said. Officers arrived at the scene about three minutes later. Nava was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. A second victim, a 14-year-old boy, was also shot and was taken by a private vehicle to Forsyth Medical Center, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury, police said. Police arrested two people for their alleged roles in the shooting after officers obtained a description of the suspect vehicle, a dark-colored Nissan Rogue. Officers found a vehicle matching that description in the 800 block of Tara Court. When officers stopped the vehicle, the occupants ran away, but they were arrested, police said. Investigators believe that Nava was targeted outside his home, and the injured teenager was an unintended target. Luis Enrique Arellano Salinas, 19, of Ferndale Avenue is charged with murder in connection with Navas death and resisting a law enforcement officer, police said. Salinas was being held Wednesday in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed, police said. A 17-year-old boy, who is charged with murder in connection with Navas death, was taken to a juvenile detention center in North Carolina, police said. Navas death is the citys 15th homicide so far this year, compared to nine homicides during the same period in 2021, police said. Anyone with information about this shooting can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is on Facebook. The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Lancaster County judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Nebraska's largest keno operator that claimed it should have been given the right to develop a casino at Lincoln Race Course. The lawsuit, filed last June, alleged Big Red Keno was supposed to be given the first shot at casino operations if expanded gambling became available at the horse racetrack near U.S. 77 and West Denton Road. Big Red Keno, which provided keno gaming at the track up until the end of 2021, said in the suit that language in its lease gave it the right to operate expanded gambling at the track through 2033 if such opportunities became available. That happened in November 2020 when Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved casino gaming at the state's horse racetracks. However, Big Red's contract was with Omaha Exposition & Racing Inc., which is the company that operates Lincoln Race Course but is not the company building the casino. That's the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which owns the racetrack, and is partnering with WarHorse Gaming, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc., to build a $220 million casino and hotel. Lancaster County District Judge Robert Otte ruled Monday it is a major distinction. Since Omaha Exposition & Racing Inc. was subleasing the property from the horsemen's group, it did not have a "valid right to offer expanded gambling activities" to Big Red Keno. Otte did rule, however, that the keno provider has a valid claim against Omaha Exposition & Racing for damages related to the early termination of its lease, and he gave it 30 days to file an amended lawsuit. Steve Mossman, a Lincoln attorney representing Big Red Keno, told the Nebraska Examiner that it is evaluating its options, which could include an appeal of the ruling. WarHorse Gaming, which also plans to develop casinos at racetracks in Omaha and South Sioux City, is still waiting for the state to approve casino regulations so it can apply for a license and move forward with its plans. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission approved the rules in December and they have been vetted by the Attorney General's office, but they are still waiting for an OK from Gov. Pete Ricketts. Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Video meetings dampen brainstorming because we are so hyper-focused on the face in that box that we don't let our eyes and minds wander as much, a new study found. Staring isn't good for creativity. While it's rude to stare at someone in real life, it's expected when on a video call, researchers said. When it comes to evaluating those new ideas, though, that focus, at least in one-on-one chats, seems to make remote meetings slightly better than in-person chats, Wednesday's study in the journal Nature said. Researchers watched 745 pairs of engineers in five countries try to come up with creative ideas for using a Frisbee or bubble wrap. Those in the same room generated on average one more idea, which is about 17% more than those in remote meetings. And those in-person ideas were judged by outside experts to be more creative, the study found. Study author Melanie Brucks, an applied psychology professor at Columbia University's business school, said it was the outcome she expected but not the reason she expected. At first she figured it had to be the social and physical distance maybe the two people just didn't connect as well or people didn't know who speaks when. But several different tests for social connectedness found that the remote meeting pairs were connecting with each other in the same way as people in the same room. Then the eyes gave it away. When Brucks tracked eye movement she found that people in the same room gazed away more often and looked around. But the remote meeting pairs didn't. "They were too focused on specifically the task at hand and that made them narrower in their thinking," Brucks said in an interview over Zoom. This makes sense because faces draw our focus, said Georgetown University psychology professor Adam Green, who wasn't part of the research. "Faces really matter to our brains and we devote a lot of attention to looking at faces," said Green, president of the Society for the Neuroscience of Creativity. "When we are with someone in person, it is not considered polite to stare directly at their face for an extended period of time." Remote meetings work otherwise, Brucks said. "It's not that Zoom's bad, everything's worse. It seems like (the problem) is unique to the more generative, creative process," Brucks said. When it was time to evaluate those options, the remote meeting engineers picked out the better choice as judged by a team of outside experts slightly more than those in person, the study found. The experiment started before the pandemic and was done using WebEx with one company in offices in Portugal, Israel, Finland, Hungary and India. The results were about the same across the different locations. "When I brainstorm now on Zoom, I turn off my camera," Brucks said. She notes that's no different than talking on the telephone, except she establishes a personal connection by starting with the camera on. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Dagger Parivaar School, which is run by the Army in collaboration with an NGO, said the move was aimed to help disabled students be comfortable interacting with teachers. Muhammad Raafi | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles SRINAGAR A school in north Kashmir run by the Indian army in collaboration with a Pune-based non-governmental organization stoked controversy after the school authorities on Monday asked the staff members to avoid Hijab during school hours. The circular issued by Dagger Parivaar School Baramulla on April 25 said that the school is a place to learn and grow emotionally and morally. As the staff of the school, the main purpose is to provide for the fullest possible development of each learner. For the same, the trust must be established with the students to make them feel welcome, safe, and happy. It added. The staff is hereby instructed to avoid Hijab during school hours so that students can feel comfortable and are forthcoming to interact with teachers and staff. Dagger Parivaar School caters specifically to physically challenged children and is run by a Pune-based voluntary group. The letter, which has been circulating on social media, triggered a series of responses with people expressing anger and disappointment. Hijab is a part of education, most important to students, #Kashmir, wrote a user on Twitter. Another user said, Their main motive is to remove hijab from our sister. And look at the comments section instead of targeting the school management they are targeting the one who posted it. A school official told News-18 that the circular was an inadvertent mistake. He said that the school authorities will revoke the order and issue a new one. Yasir Yousuf, a resident of Baramulla tweeted, Principle meant for specially-abled students of #Baramullah, but the circular simply instructs the school staff to ban the Hijab during school hours. #Hijab is part of education, most important to max students! #Kashmir SIC. Principle meant for specially abled students of #Baramullah, but the circular simply instructs the school staff to ban the Hijab during school hours.#Hijab is part of education, most important to max students! #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/lKd3y0UiEE Yasir Yousuf (@bhatyasir9697) April 26, 2022 The school was inaugurated in October last year by the Indian Army. The project was developed as a joint venture by the Indrani Balan Foundation, Pune, and the Indian Armys Chinar Corps. The development came just over a month after the Karnataka High Court on March 15 upheld the ban on the hijab in educational institutes in the state. The court had held that the hijab was not an essential part of Islam and thus could not be protected under the fundamental right to religion. The order has been challenged in the Supreme Court. In February, Hindu students protested against Muslim women wearing Hijab to educational institutes in Karnataka. At some colleges, Muslim students were heckled, while in another case, some men climbed up a flagpole to plant a saffron flag and broke into classrooms. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also reacted to the school diktat and said, Our girls will not give up their right to choose. She tweeted, I condemn this letter issuing diktats on hijab. J&K may be ruled by BJP but its certainly not like any other state where they bulldoze the houses of minorities & not allow them the freedom to dress as they want. Our girls will not give up their right to choose. I condemn this letter issuing diktats on hijab. J&K may be ruled by BJP but its certainly not like any other state where they bulldoze the houses of minorities & not allow them the freedom to dress as they want. Our girls will not give up their right to choose. pic.twitter.com/GpqX8UWv5k Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 27, 2022 Another former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the diktat and said, We live in a secular country and everybody has a right to practice their religion as per their liking. He said that those trying to turn Kashmir into Karnataka should desist from doing so. He said that these things are being raked up now for political reasons. He also lashed out at those pitching for banning masjid loudspeakers and ban on Halal meat. Omar reiterated this is not the same India that Jammu and Kashmir had annexed. We had annexed with India where all religions were treated equally. Muhammad Raafi is a journalist based in New Delhi. He tweets at @MohammadRaafi Authorities have identified a motorist who died Tuesday afternoon in a head-on crash south of Lincoln. Haroon Sediqi, a 57-year-old Lincoln man, was pronounced dead at Bryan West Campus shortly after crashing at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday near 70th Street and Revere Lane, one block south of Pine Lake Road, the sheriff's office said in a news release. The other driver, 39-year-old Noriza Perez-Perez, of Lincoln, was transported to Bryan West Campus with non-life-threatening injuries. The drivers were headed in opposite directions on 70th Street when their vehicles collided. Deputies don't suspect alcohol played a factor in the crash. Sediqi was not wearing a seat belt, while Perez-Perez was, according to deputies. The Lancaster County Attorney ordered an autopsy on Sediqi. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The proposed redevelopment of the Bishop Heights shopping center at 27th Street and Nebraska 2 has cleared its first hurdle. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to find the Bishop Heights Redevelopment Plan in conformance with the city-county Comprehensive Plan. Three different entities are planning to redevelop the retail center, which for decades was anchored by a Shopko store that closed in spring 2019 after the retailer declared bankruptcy. The center has been mostly empty since, with just a Wells Fargo bank branch and an Arby's remaining open. Also Wednesday, the developers submitted more detailed plans to the Planning Department about specific uses that could be part of the redevelopment. A letter accompanying an application for a planned use development says the project will include 230 luxury apartment units to be built on the northern part of the site by EPC Real Estate Group. RED Development, which owns the building that used to house Shopko and other businesses, plans to demolish it and develop either 70,000 square feet of commercial space or 50,000 square feet of commercial space and a 150-room hotel. Commercial space would likely include retail shops, restaurants and offices. White Development Co. owns the former U.S. Bank branch building on the northwest part of the site, which it plans to develop into one larger office building or two smaller ones, with a maximum of 45,000 square feet of space. Wells Fargo and Arby's are staying, with the Arby's building slated to get a makeover. The letter also says the redevelopment will include a number of trail enhancements to make it more accessible to the nearby Rock Island and Helen Boosalis trails, including two new sidewalk connections. While some neighbors have expressed concerns about the potential for increased traffic, a traffic study submitted with the plans shows that while traffic would increase in the morning, it would drop by 28% in the evening and by 18% overall. The cost of the development is estimated at nearly $90 million, with nearly $78 million coming from the developers and anywhere from $9 million to $11 million coming from the city in the form of tax-increment financing, which allows developers to use future property taxes generated by projects to pay for certain upfront costs. No one spoke in opposition to the development and planning commissioners were complimentary of the plans. Commissioner Dick Campbell called it a "well put together plan," while Chairwoman Tracy Edgerton said it was the kind of "mixed-use infill" that the city is seeking. In other business Wednesday, the Planning Commission voted to find the city's Capital Improvement Plan and Transportation Improvement Plan in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. The documents guide how the city will spend its money on its buildings, roads and other infrastructure. The CIP lists six years' worth of proposed projects and the TIP lists four years' worth, with the first two years being incorporated into the current city budget. Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 22-year-old Omaha man fatally shot Easter Sunday night near 60th Street and Ames Avenue had a rainbow of friends, his mother said. Eltio M. Tio Plater Jr. was shot shortly before 11 p.m. April 17 near a convenience store at 4219 N. 60th St. He was taken to Immanuel Medical Center by a private vehicle before being transferred to Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy, where he was pronounced dead 2 hours later. His mother, Alicia Plater of Omaha, said her son had never been in trouble and was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A review of Nebraska judicial records found no charges against him. He had a rainbow of friends, his mother said. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, it didnt matter to him. He literally was a free spirit who loved everyone unconditionally. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Baptist Church, 2215 Grant St. An online fundraiser has been established in Platers name to help his family with expenses. Plater, who attended Northwest High and was a 2018 graduate of Benson High, was the father of a 5-month-old girl. He loved to cook, his mother said, and recently began applying to attend culinary classes at Metro Community College. Cooking was his way of giving back, his mother said. He loved to cook for special events like birthdays. He really liked making sushi and authentic tacos. Alicia Plater, who works as a traveling nurse, said her son was always willing to accompany her on an out-of-town work trip. She recalled a time in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when Tio arrived to help her make the drive back to Omaha. We had some clothes that we wanted to donate to a homeless shelter before we left town, she said. We got to the shelter and there was a homeless man laying on the sidewalk, looking very cold. Tio jumped out of the car with a coat to cover him up, and that man looked shocked. But that was the kind of son I had. Jennifer Dalbey, who taught Plater when he attended Northwest High, said he was a good student. My heart breaks for all of Tios family and friends, which I am sure there are many, Dalbey said. His smile, his wit and his charm lit up the classroom. An Omaha police spokesman said Platers slaying is still a very active investigation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OMAHA A 44-year-old Council Bluffs, Iowa, man has been charged with misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide in connection with a two-vehicle crash last month near Eppley Airfield. Kevin Downing is accused of causing the death of James A. McCoy, 59, of Council Bluffs. Omaha police said Downing drove through a red light at about 6:55 a.m. March 28 at the intersection of Abbott Drive and Locust Street. Investigators determined that Downing was westbound on Locust Street in a bus owned by First Student of Council Bluffs. The bus, which was not carrying students, collided with a 2005 Acura driven by McCoy that was northbound on Abbott Drive. McCoy was pronounced dead at the scene. Downing was taken to Nebraska Medical Center after he complained of pain. Traffic to Eppley Airfield was diverted for about three hours during the investigation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OMAHA The cruel news must have hit hard in Ethel Penticos household during that bleak Christmas season of 1941. The Lexington widow had lost her husband, Sherman, the previous year at age 66. Now, the Navy Department regretted to inform her that her youngest son, Seaman 2nd Class Walter Ray Pentico, had gone missing from the battleship USS Oklahoma in the shocking Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7. He was 17. The Navy declared him dead several months later, but his remains were never identified, like those of 394 of the 429 USS Oklahoma sailors who died at Pearl Harbor. Their commingled bones, recovered from the battleships hull during salvage operations, were buried for decades in graves marked Unknowns, USS Oklahoma, Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 at Honolulus National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Now, more than 80 years later, Penticos remains have been identified through the efforts of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency at its Offutt Air Force Base laboratory. His descendants have decided to return his bones to a grave in the same Hawaii cemetery this time, with his name on the headstone. The burial service, with long-delayed military honors, will take place Friday. Penticos relatives requested privacy through a Navy casualty assistance officer. Pentico was born March 31, 1924, in Overton, the youngest of four children. His family moved to nearby Lexington when he was 2. Growing up, he attended Lexington public schools and was a member of the Southern Mission Church, according to an obituary in the Lexington Clipper-Herald. Just a few days after his 17th birthday, Pentico joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Depression-era program in which young men were hired to provide manual labor on public infrastructure projects. He enlisted in the Navy July 7, 1941, and was assigned that fall to the Oklahoma, a World War I-era battleship, just as the ship was leaving drydock on the West Coast to return to duty in Hawaii. The Oklahoma was moored on Pearl Harbors Battleship Row when Japanese bombers launched the surprise attack on Dec. 7, a Sunday morning. At least five torpedoes, and possibly as many as eight, struck the ship on the port side. It rolled and capsized in minutes, trapping about one-third of its crew below decks. The Oklahoma was salvaged in 1942-43, and the oil-soaked remains buried in two local Hawaiian cemeteries. After the war, the remains were exhumed and efforts were made to identify them. Those efforts failed, and they were reburied. In 2015, after years of lobbying by USS Oklahoma survivors, the remains were disinterred and shipped to the accounting agencys new lab at Offutt. Over the next six years, the labs anthropologists, working with the Armed Forces DNA Laboratory in Delaware, accounted for 361 of the 394 previously unidentified Oklahoma sailors. The project wrapped up in June 2021 with a ceremony at the Lincoln Airport. The unidentifiable remains were reburied in Hawaii on the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Pentico was among the last to be identified in February 2021, but none of his close relatives survived. Ethel Pentico had died in 1944. His two brothers, George and Charles, both served in the Army during World War II. George died in 1980, at age 72, and Charles died in 1997, at 74. A sister, Blanche Richardson, born in 1916, also is deceased. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 May 14 Holy Trinity Arts Festival This inaugural festival will take place at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 6001 A St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities will include visual artists booths, performing artists, a floral arts design presentation, food vendors and a brewery. Twenty local artists will exhibit painting, wood crafting, jewelry, metal sculpture, photography and more. Kids events are also planned. The festival is free and open to the public. For more details, go to www.holytrinityartsfestival.com and follow the Holy Trinity Arts Festival on Facebook. May 19 Around the World Gala This seventh annual fundraiser for GIRLPowR will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. at the DelRay 817 in the Haymarket. The evening will include ethnic heavy hors d'oeuvres from Stur 22 and other restaurants, a cash bar, cultural performances, live music, and DJ Kef will mix African, Caribbean and Latin tunes. Ava Thomas, Lincoln Journal Star president and publisher, is the emcee, and GIRLPowR participants will give testimonials. Proceeds will support GIRLPowRs programs in Lincoln and Nicaragua, and will help support its new program in Jamaica. For more details and tickets, visit www.girlpowr.org/fundraiser-. May 20 City Impact 25-Year Celebration City Impact will celebrate 25 years of impact in Lincoln and beyond from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at City Impact/Peter Pan Park, 1035 N. 33rd St. Since 1997, City Impact has walked with under-resourced youth in Lincoln, launching leaders into our community. City Impact students, alumni, families and supporters are invited to attend and celebrate with music, food trucks and activities. For more details, visit https://cityimpact.org or City Impacts Facebook page. May 21 Junior League Centennial Gala The Junior League of Lincoln will celebrate 100 years of community development, voluntarism and empowering female leaders at a gala for all community members at the Cornhusker Marriott. Event check-in begins at 5:15 p.m. followed by dinner, drinks, dancing, raffles and games. Keynote speaker is Stephanie Land, author of "Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mothers Will to Survive," the inspiration for the award-winning Netflix series, "Maid." For more details and tickets, visit https://JLLGIVE.givesmart.com. May 26 Give to Lincoln Day Coordinated by the Lincoln Community Foundation, Give to Lincoln Day encourages everyone in Lincoln to contribute to the nonprofit organizations critical to the care, support and spirit of our great city. From May 1-26, every donation makes a bigger impact because participating nonprofits also receive a proportional share of a $500,000 match fund made possible by LCF and generous sponsors. Give online at GiveToLincoln.com or via check at Presenting Sponsor West Gate Banks Lincoln locations. June 3 Hop, SCIP, Jump and Run This annual event, which benefits School Community Intervention and Prevention (SCIP), will take place at Antelope Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visit booths and participate in activities sponsored by local nonprofits, then join in a 1-mile Fun Run throughout the park. Due to generous sponsor support, participation in the Fun Run is free this year. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. Kids under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. To register in advance and for more details, visit www.scipnebraska.com or call 402-327-6843. June 9 Feeding the Soul of the City This event is the largest fundraiser of the year for Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach. Volunteers who go above and beyond will be celebrated and recognized with "Compassion in Action" awards at the Country Club of Lincoln. The event features live and silent auctions as well as dinner. For more details, visit www.mtko.org/events/events. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 New research from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation shows that people who arent enrolled in college view cost as the greatest barrier. Its not that folks dont see the value in higher education, or that they question whether additional credentials would advance their careers. Among those who have never enrolled in college as well as those who enrolled at some point and paused, the perceived cost of tuition and fees was cited far more frequently than other factors. That should concern us for any number of reasons the most urgent being that higher education is one of the most powerful forces for individual growth and economic development that exists today, nationally and here at home. As we work together to grow Nebraska for future generations, its critically important that higher education remains open and accessible to all who want to pursue it, for the benefit of our citizens, our communities and Nebraskas workforce and economy. Another reason this research should concern us is that a college degree is often much more affordable than students and families may realize. Growing student debt and tuition prices are popular national headlines. But at least here in Nebraska, we have a truly great story to tell about college affordability, thanks to partners in the public and private sectors who believe that every young person deserves an opportunity to create a better future for themselves and their families through education. And across the University of Nebraska System, we have placed affordability and accessibility front and center on our list of priorities. We believe cost should never be a barrier for any student who wants to make the dream of higher education a reality. I cant repeat that enough: We are taking steps every day to make certain that no matter a students circumstance, a University of Nebraska education is within their reach. In the past few weeks alone: Weve raised the income threshold for our Nebraska Promise financial aid program to allow qualified Nebraska students with family incomes of $65,000 or less to attend the University of Nebraska tuition-free. Weve extended the priority date by which students can file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and qualify for the Nebraska Promise from April 1 to June 1, giving more flexibility to students and families. Were working to remind students and families that tuition rates across the University of Nebraska System will be frozen for the second straight year in 2022-23 across the board, for both undergraduate and graduate students, in-state and out-of-state, on-campus and online. We were proud to join with Nebraska education colleagues and state policymakers in setting a bold new goal for 70% of 25- to 34-year-old Nebraskans to hold postsecondary credentials by 2030. Sen. Lynne Walz and the Education Committee were great champions of this effort and we thank them for their leadership. This ambitious goal, an increase from our current attainment rate of 58%, will require concerted effort from all partners involved, and we at the university are eager to help grow the number of Nebraskans with four-year degrees so that we can meet the workforce needs of the future. Through a concerted effort by faculty and staff to champion the use of digital course materials over traditional, more costly textbooks where possible, weve saved University of Nebraska students more than $9 million and counting. These new actions come on top of our strong foundation of providing affordable access for the next generation of leaders. Our tuition rates are among the most affordable in our peer groups, for example, and our four-year graduation guarantee ensures that students who want to earn their undergraduate degree in four years have a path to do so, helping minimize their debt. More than 150 years after the University of Nebraskas founding, access remains the No. 1 goal in our strategic plan. We are proud to be turning our words into action with real results that benefit students and families. The future of our workforce and the success of our state require nothing less. Ted Carter is president of the University of Nebraska System. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 KENOSHA Its another busy week of music events at Carthage College, including a one-act opera performance and a student recital on the campus, 2001 Alford Park Drive: Opera Workshop Students in Carthages Opera Workshop are performing Birds of a Feather: A Magic Flute Sequel. The free performances are 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30, and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in H.F. Johnson Recital Hall. Birds of a Feather is a one-act opera written by Carthage Professor Greg Berg several years ago. Since its premiere, the opera has been updated, with new pieces added and an enlarged cast. Students in the cast are a combination of experienced veterans and newcomers to opera, including Katrina Seabright, Faith Albright, Alecia Corey, Christopher Glade, Adam Blackwood, Nathan Koehlert and Essence Christian. The program begins with solo arias and duets from several of Mozarts well-known operas, including Cosi Fan Tutte, The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni. Bergs Birds of a Feather opera is, he said, a gentle reminder that gender is not simply black and white, showing the audience the importance of allowing people to be who they choose to be. The opera is dedicated to the memory of Ray Watson, a Carthage student and former participant of the Opera Workshop who died in December 2019. Berg leads the Opera Workshop, which has become a long-standing tradition at Carthage. The students have sung various pieces by composers including Mozart, Frank Shubert, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Offenbach. The Opera Workshop has also performed original pieces by Berg, including Black September, The Power of Two: Unbreakable Bonds of Love and Friendship and New Impresario. Black September debuted in 2016 and is an opera with a tragic tone as it is based on the hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympic games. The Power of Two debuted last semester for the fall Opera Workshop, and The New Impresario was performed to a virtual audience due to Carthages social distancing guidelines. Tickets are free but must be obtained in advance. Go to carthage.edu/tickets or call 262-551-6661. There is also a free livestream option for viewing from home. Student recital Yuhan Xue will perform her senior piano recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, in A.F. Siebert Chapel. She will perform Modest Mussorgskys Pictures at an Exhibition, a series of short piano pieces inspired by the works of painter Vladimir Hartmann. She will also perform Sonata Op. 109 by Ludwig van Beethoven. Rounding out the recital is Tan Duns The C-A-G-E, which will showcase her technical ability as she reaches into the piano to play the strings directly. Tickets are free but must be obtained in advance. Go to carthage.edu/tickets or call 262-551-6661. There is also a free livestream option for viewing from home. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On March 15, 2022, Ambassador Qin Gang published an opinion piece entitledWhere We Stand in Ukraineon The Washington Post. The full text is as follows: Many Americans are understandably trying to understand where China stands as the crisis in Ukraine unfolds, so I want to take this opportunity to explain fully and dispel any misunderstandings and rumors. There have been claims that China had prior knowledge of Russia's military action and demanded Russia delay it until the Winter Olympics concluded. Recent rumors further claimed that Russia was seeking military assistance from China. Let me say this responsibly: Assertions that China knew about, acquiesced to or tacitly supported this war are purely disinformation. All these claims serve only the purpose of shifting blame to and slinging mud at China. There were more than 6,000 Chinese citizens in Ukraine. China is the biggest trading partner of both Russia and Ukraine, and the largest importer of crude oil and natural gas in the world. Conflict between Russia and Ukraine does no good for China. Had China known about the imminent crisis, we would have tried our best to prevent it. China is committed to an independent foreign policy of peace. As a staunch champion of justice, China decides its position on the basis of the merits of the issue. On Ukraine, China's position is objective and impartial: The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter must be fully observed; the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, must be respected; the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously; and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported. Given this, threats against Chinese entities and businesses, as uttered by some U.S. officials, are unacceptable. Neither war nor sanctions can deliver peace. Wielding the baton of sanctions at Chinese companies while seeking China's support and cooperation simply won't work. Some people are linking Taiwan and Ukraine to play up the risks of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. This is a mistake. These are totally different things. Ukraine is a sovereign state, while Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is a Chinese internal affair. It does not make sense for people to emphasize the principle of sovereignty on Ukraine while hurting China's sovereignty and territorial integrity on Taiwan. The future of Taiwan lies in peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the reunification of China. We are committed to peaceful reunification, but we also retain all options to curbTaiwan independence. We hope the United States earnestly abides by the one-China principle and does not supportTaiwan independenceseparatism in any form. To ensure long-term peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, China and the United States must work together to containTaiwan independence. In Ukraine, China has made huge efforts to push for peace talks and the prevention of a humanitarian crisis. In a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on the second day of the conflict, President Xi Jinping expressed China's desire to see Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks as early as possible and received a positive response. When virtually meeting with leaders of France and Germany, Xi emphasized the need to jointly support peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Yang Jiechi, the director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, just met with national security adviser Jake Sullivan in Rome, and State Councilor Wang Yi has also maintained close communication with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other foreign ministers, exchanging views on the Ukraine crisis. China has also outlined a six-point initiative that calls for making sure that humanitarian operations abide by the principles of neutrality and impartiality; gives full attention to the displaced persons in and from Ukraine; ensures the protection of civilians; provides for safe and smooth humanitarian aid activities; provides for the safety of foreign nationals in Ukraine; and supports the United Nations' coordinating role in channeling humanitarian aid, as well as the work of the U.N. crisis coordinator for Ukraine. The first tranche of emergency humanitarian supplies provided by the Red Cross Society of China to its Ukrainian counterpart has been shipped from Beijing. As a Chinese proverb goes, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice. The long-term peace and stability of Europe relies on the principle of indivisible security. There must be a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. The priority now is to achieve a cease-fire to protect civilians from war. But as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a responsible major country, China will continue to coordinate real efforts to achieve lasting peace. We stand ready to do whatever we can and work with other parties. Our ultimate purpose is the end of war and support regional and global stability. BURLINGTON A now-former staff member at Dyer Elementary School has been arrested and is facing felony charges for alleged inappropriate contact with students. According to one parent, reports about the mans concerning behavior were made at least two months before he was suspended and investigations began. The Burlington Area School District did not initially identify the staff member, but Tuesday afternoon Sheriff Christopher Schmaling identified him as Daniel D. Powers, a teachers aide who had worked for BASD for approximately 15 years. He is being held on a $50,000 cash bond and, if released, would be held under house arrest, according to online court records. According to an alert from the Racine County Sheriffs Office Tuesday, Powers was placed on administrative leave on April 13 and was terminated from his post on April 19. Kaitlynn Ropp is the mother of a 9-year-old old who said that Powers had talked to them (the 9-year-old and her classmates) inappropriately. Ropp said she met with Dyer Principal Scott Schimmel in February after her daughter told her about Powers allegedly harassing behavior, including that he had repeatedly and forcefully told her daughter to smile and that she would be more beautiful if you would just smile, and that he once told her daughter she had nice long legs when she was wearing a skort. According to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday, one girl told an investigator that Mr. Powers, during her first and second class of the day during the 2021-2022 school year, would touch her nearly every day in ways that made her uncomfortable. According to the investigator, the girl said Mr. Powers would reach under her shirt and touch her on her stomach and chest. (The girl) described the touching as like a tickle that she did not like. (The girl) also described how Mr. Powers would touch her legs, specifically that he would rub her thighs and put his hands under her pants leg and touch her calves and ankles. Another girl reported that he tickled her back and that she would ask him to stop but he would not and that this happened more frequently when her teachers were not in the room. During that February face-to-face meeting, Ropp said that Schimmel personally vouched for Powers and told Ropp that he (Powers) wasnt like that. The school system failed me and my family, Ropp said during a Tuesday night interview with The Journal Times. Ropp said her daughter has not been going to school this week, following the other allegations being made public. Ropp said she was told by the RCSO investigator leading the case that about a half-dozen students have come forward with allegations. Dyer Elementary, located at 201 S. Kendrick Ave., serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. BASD response A new statement from the Burlington Area School District, issued Wednesday after Powers was criminally charged, did not answer several of the questions asked by The Journal Times. The statement opened by saying The Burlington Area School District recognizes that every day, parents and guardians entrust the district with their children. When there is a violation of this trust, we take it seriously as the safety and well-being of students will always be a top priority. We do not tolerate employee misconduct, and therefore we took swift action internally in the incident that has now been reported by the Racine County Sheriffs Office. The statement did not address questions including if any other staff members are under investigation and did not mention the complaint raised by Ropp in February. Instead, the statement said The district office received information on April 13, 2022 regarding a staff member making students uncomfortable. That day, the Burlington Area School District placed the staff member on leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Following protocol, the district worked with the Burlington Police Department, which had independently received the same complaint The district substantiated the initial complaint and moved to terminate the employee on April 20, 2022. The next day, on April 21, 2022, the district communicated to Dyer Elementary School staff and families. The statement concluded: The Burlington Area School District will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. Investigator To contact RCSO Investigator Andrew Willis, who is leading the investigation into allegations levied against Daniel Powers, email andrew.willis@racinecounty.com or call 262-636-3323. Letter Officials at the Burlington Area School District vaguely described the allegations in a letter sent to parents last week. It stated that the not-yet-unidentified Dyer staff member had been invading the personal space of a student, including hugging, rubbing a students back, touching hair and pushing on a swing. Ropp said her daughters friend had been touched on the thigh and that her daughter was touched on the shoulder/arm by Powers. Ropp said her daughter told her teacher, who said it wasnt a big deal. The letter, signed by School Superintendent Steve Plank and Schimmel, said the situation was reported by a student one week earlier, which Ropp said is inaccurate considering her February meeting with Schimmel. During a meeting with school administration on Monday, Ropp asked what protocols the school had in place, to which she was told the school does routine background checks. You need to give me more than a (expletive) background check, she said during an interview Tuesday. Adrianne Melby, the wife of 2022 school board candidate Aaron Melby, wrote in a Facebook comment The principal of DYER school in Burlington Area School District should be fired IMMEDIATELY. He was made aware of this issue previously and dismissed parental concerns. That comment received more than 140 likes in about 12 hours. The letter from BASD to parents further stated that an investigation found that the staff employees behavior was not appropriate for an elementary school setting, officials said. We take great pride in offering an environment that supports learning and is safe for everyone, the letter stated. Our school is a small, compassionate community with committed staff and students who care about each other. Officials urged all families to talk with their children about protecting their personal space and preventing unwanted touching by adults they may not know well. Criminal investigation Powers was arrested Monday, according to the RCSO, and is being held at Racine County Jail. The Sheriffs Office has recommended charges including three counts of repeated sexual assault of a child and three counts of misconduct in office, all felonies. The Racine County District Attorneys Office is charging Powers with just the three counts of repeated sexual assault of a child, although more charges could be coming. According to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday, At time of filing of this complaint there are numerous additional girls from Dyer Elementary School awaiting forensic interviewing. The Sheriffs Office reported that its investigation began Monday, April 18, when contacted by a parent; Ropp said she was not that parent, but she was contacted later by the investigator who said her daughters name had been mentioned by another student who came forward. The parent, Tuesdays alert said, reported multiple instances of inappropriate conduct by a Teachers Aide (including) physical contact with students during the 2021-2022 school year. In a statement, Schmaling said There is nothing more precious than the innocence of a child, and I pledge that I will bring the full force of the Sheriffs Office to investigate every and all allegations of inappropriate conduct with children so that the perpetrator, if guilty, can be brought to justice and duly held accountable. Correction: The headline of this story initially misstated the grade that Kaitlynn Ropp's daughter is in. It is now correct. Lawsuit Dyer Principal Scott Schimmel and BASD as a whole already subject to a federal lawsuit involving allegations that Schimmel overlooked and did not properly address racist bullying within the past five years in the Burlington Area School District school he had previously been principal of, Karcher Middle School. RACINE Two additional arrests were made on Wednesday as the search for a homicide suspect continues. Alicia K. Sykes, 30, and Carmelita L. Walker, 34, were arrested and were charged Thursday with harboring/aiding a felon in reference to the aggravated assault of Brittany Booker and another woman on Feb. 27, 2022, allegedly committed by Terry L. Jackson Jr. Booker was found dead in her car on Sunday, the victim of a homicide. She was the mother to six children and a beloved friend of many. Sykes and Walker are accused of having taken Jackson to Texas after the February attack. Jackson, 42, is the suspect in both the attack on the two women and the death of Booker. He remains at large, possibly in Chicago. On Monday, one day after Booker was found dead, a criminal complaint states that Walker admitted to being fully aware that Jackson was violent and wanted by police. Walker admitted to getting a handgun on (Monday) from someone on the street to protect herself against Jackson. Walker never attempted to contact law enforcement. Walker was contacted by police at her own residence, on the 1800 block of Geneva Street, after police executed a search warrant there, seeking Jackson. A criminal complaint states that Jackson had been at Walkers home on April 21 and April 23. Police identified Sykes as Jacksons cousin. When she voluntarily went to the RPD Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint, she admitted that she and Walker picked Jackson up from a Wendys in Chicago on either March 1 or March 2 before driving to Arkansas and later Texas; Jacksons brother, only identified by his initials DJ was also in the car. In Texas, Jackson was dropped off at the home of someone identified by the initials BC on March 4, according to the complaint. Sykes said Jackson and his ex-wife came back to Racine shortly after he had been dropped off in Texas, the complaint continued. Sykes said they came over to her house while in Racine. Sykes said she heard a few days later Jackson returned to Texas. Sykes admitted she never attempted to contact law enforcement about Jackson. She claimed she was scared. Sykes admitted she felt guilty and wished she would have turned him in. Sykes and Walker are the second and third people arrested for allegedly harboring Jackson; earlier Wednesday, 24-year-old Diamond M. Hood, 24, was charged with the same crime after she allegedly drove Jackson to Chicago after the killing. She was booked into the Racine County Jail where bail was set at $10,000 cash. Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, of the Racine Police Department, reminded the public anyone who hides a suspect in a crime may find themselves arrested. The Racine Police Department and the Racine County DAs Office will arrest and prosecute anyone found to have aided Jackson in either of these two incidents, Wilcox said in a written statement. The criminal complaint filed Thursday said Jackson remains on the run and that he brutally murdered Booker. Any witnesses or citizens with any information can call U.S. Marshall Task Force Officer Mike Seeger at 262-939-2437 or Lt. Freidel of the RPD at 262-635-7761. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 262-636-9330 or through the Crime Stoppers app using the p3 app. Crime Stoppers has offered a $2,000 reward for information that leads to the location and arrest of Jackson. RACINE Two additional arrests were made on Wednesday as the search for a homicide suspect continues. Alicia K. Sykes, 30, and Carmelita L. Walker, 34, were arrested and were charged Thursday with harboring/aiding a felon in reference to the aggravated assault of Brittany Booker and another woman on Feb. 27, 2022, allegedly committed by Terry L. Jackson Jr. Booker was found dead in her car on Sunday, the victim of a homicide. She was the mother to six children and a beloved friend of many. Sykes and Walker are accused of having taken Jackson to Texas after the February attack. Jackson, 42, is the suspect in both the attack on the two women and the death of Booker. He remains at large, possibly in Chicago. On Monday, one day after Booker was found dead, a criminal complaint states that Walker admitted to being fully aware that Jackson was violent and wanted by police. WALKER admitted to getting a handgun on (Monday, April 25) from someone on the street to protect herself against Jackson. Walker never attempted to contact law enforcement. Walker was contacted by police at her own residence, on the 1800 block of Geneva Street, after police executed a search warrant there, seeking Jackson. A criminal complaint states that Jackson had been at Walkers home on April 21 and April 23. Police identified Sykes as Jacksons cousin. When she voluntarily went to the RPD Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint, she admitted that she and Walker picked Jackson up from a Wendys in Chicago on either March 1 or March 2 before driving to Arkansas and later Texas; Jacksons brother, only identified by his initials DJ was also in the car. In Texas, Jackson was dropped off at the home of someone identified by the initials BC on March 4, according to the complaint. Sykes said Jackson and his ex-wife came back to Racine shortly after he had been dropped off in Texas, the complaint continued. Sykes said they came over to her house while in Racine. Sykes said she heard a few days later Jackson returned to Texas. Sykes admitted she never attempted to contact law enforcement about Jackson. She claimed she was scared. Sykes admitted she felt guilty and wished she would have turned him in. Sykes and Walker are the second and third people arrested for allegedly harboring Jackson; earlier Wednesday, 24-year-old Diamond M. Hood, 24, was charged with the same crime after she allegedly drove Jackson to Chicago after the killing. She was booked into the Racine County Jail where bail was set at $10,000 cash. Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, of the Racine Police Department, reminded the public anyone who hides a suspect in a crime may find themselves arrested. The Racine Police Department and the Racine County DAs Office will arrest and prosecute anyone found to have aided Jackson in either of these two incidents, Wilcox said in a written statement. The criminal complaint filed Thursday said Jackson remains on the run and that he brutally murdered Booker. Any witnesses or citizens with any information can call U.S. Marshall Task Force Officer Mike Seeger at 262-939-2437 or Lt. Freidel of the RPD at 262-635-7761. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 262-636-9330 or through the Crime Stoppers app using the p3 app. Crime Stoppers has offered a $2,000 reward for information that leads to the location and arrest of Jackson. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. 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